# articles

feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html 31_January_2015_(Spying_on_smart_phones)
title: Spying on "smart" phones
uri: Spying-on-smart-phones
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#31_January_2015_%28Spying_on_smart_phones%29
content:
<p>
Lots of companies spy on "smart" phones, and the NSA
<a href="https://firstlook.org/theintercept/?p=12434">spied on their
spying</a>.


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html 31_January_2015_(Murder_or_prosecutor_in_Argentina)
title: Murder or prosecutor in Argentina
uri: Murder-or-prosecutor-in-Argentina
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#31_January_2015_%28Murder_or_prosecutor_in_Argentina%29

content:
<p>
President Fernández of Argentina is blaming the intelligence
agency for murdering prosecutor Nisman, and wants to
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/jan/27/argentina-intelligence-secretariat-shady-history">dissolve
and replace it</a>.
<p>
This could be very good <em>if</em> the replacement is limited by laws
in what it can collect.
<p>
I wonder if the intelligence agency had anything to do with the
decision to take visitors' fingerprints and track passengers in the
subway.


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html 31_January_2015_(Urgent:_Negotiations_with_Iran)
title: Urgent: Negotiations with Iran
uri: Urgent-Negotiations-with-Iran
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#31_January_2015_%28Urgent%3A_Negotiations_with_Iran%29

content:
<p>
US citizens: Senators, 
<a href="http://action.votevets.org/iran-bill">support the bill to
promote negotiations with Iran</a>.


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html 31_January_2015_(New_investigation_of_CIA_proposed)
title: New investigation of CIA proposed
uri: New-investigation-of-CIA-proposed
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#31_January_2015_%28New_investigation_of_CIA_proposed%29

content:
<p>
Former US senators, who helped the Church committee investigate the
CIA in the 70s, 
<a href="http://www.brennancenter.org/publication/strengthening-intelligence-oversight">propose
a new investigation</a>.


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html 31_January_2015_(Child_abuse_in_US_schools)
title: Child abuse in US schools
uri: Child-abuse-in-US-schools
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#31_January_2015_%28Child_abuse_in_US_schools%29
content:
<p>
In US schools, children as young as 6 are 
<a href="https://www.rutherford.org/publications_resources/john_whiteheads_commentary/handcuffs_leg_shackles_and_tasers_the_new_face_of_punishment_in_the_pu">shackled,
tied up, put inside bags, even tased</a>.


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html 31_January_2015_(Global_heating_and_snowstorms)
title: Global heating and snowstorms
uri: Global-heating-and-snowstorms
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#31_January_2015_%28Global_heating_and_snowstorms%29
content:
<p>
How global heating promotes 
<a href="http://thinkprogress.org/climate/2015/01/26/3615330/blizzards-climate-scientists/">big
snowstorms</a>.


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html 31_January_2015_(Scotland_bans_fracking)
title: Scotland bans fracking
uri: Scotland-bans-fracking
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#31_January_2015_%28Scotland_bans_fracking%29
content:
<p>
Scotland has banned fracking and similar oil extraction processes,
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2015/jan/28/scotland-announces-moratorium-on-fracking-for-shale-gas">temporarily
at first</a>.


title: Authorization to Use Military Force
uri: Authorization-to-Use-Military-Force
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html 31_January_2015_(Authorization_to_Use_Military_Force)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#31_January_2015_%28Authorization_to_Use_Military_Force%29

content:
<p>
Congress is 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/jan/28/obama-war-isis-authorisation-congressional-bill">considering
a bill to replace the old 2001 Authorization to Use Military Force</a>
with a new authorization that is limited in time, place, and methods.
<p>
It may not end the US military interventions that regularly occur in
more than half the countries in the world.


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html 31_January_2015_(Fracking_companies)
title: Fracking companies
uri: Fracking-companies
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#31_January_2015_%28Fracking_companies%29
content:
<p>
<a href="http://thinkprogress.org/climate/2015/01/27/3616010/pennsylvania-fracking-violations-report/">Pennsylvania
Fracking Companies Regularly Commit Serious Environmental
Violations</a>.


title: Oil drilling and Amazon deforestation
uri: Oil-drilling-and-Amazon-deforestation
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html 31_January_2015_(Oil_drilling_and_Amazon_deforestation)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#31_January_2015_%28Oil_drilling_and_Amazon_deforestation%29

content:
<p>
Oil drilling is 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2015/jan/28/roads-are-encroaching-deeper-into-the-amazon-rainforest-study-says">spreading
road through the Amazon</a>, and deforestation follows the roads.


title: Accusations against President Fernández
uri: Accusations-against-President-Fernández
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html 31_January_2015_(Accusations_against_President_Fernandez)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#31_January_2015_%28Accusations_against_President_Fernandez%29

content:
<p>
The background to Prosecutor Nisman's accusations against President
Fernández, whose text 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/jan/28/alberto-nisman-death-cristina-fernandez-de-kirchner-argentina-intelligence-agency">supports
the claim it was really written by an intelligence agent</a> rather
than a prosecutor.


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html 31_January_2015_(NFLs_internet_gambling_for_kids)
title: NFL's internet gambling for kids
uri: NFL-s-internet-gambling-for-kids
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#31_January_2015_%28NFLs_internet_gambling_for_kids%29

content:
<p>
The National Football League is 
<a href="http://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2015/01/28/nfl-marketing-kids-out-bounds">leading
US children to do a kind of internet gambling</a>.


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html 31_January_2015_(Cuba)
title: Cuba
uri: Cuba
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#31_January_2015_%28Cuba%29
content:
<p>
<a href="http://www.commondreams.org/views/2015/01/28/take-cuba-terrorist-list">Take
Cuba Off the Terrorist List</a>.


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html 31_January_2015_(The_public_must_defend_Syriza)
title: The public must defend Syriza
uri: The-public-must-defend-Syriza
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#31_January_2015_%28The_public_must_defend_Syriza%29
content:
<p>
As 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2015/jan/28/syriza-merkel-economic-greece-europe">Merkel
and the banksters aim to defeat Syriza</a> and force Greece under
ever-worsening austerity, the public must defend Syriza.


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html 31_January_2015_(Israeli_attack_against_Hezbollah)
title: Israeli attack against Hezbollah
uri: Israeli-attack-against-Hezbollah
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#31_January_2015_%28Israeli_attack_against_Hezbollah%29

content:
<p>
An Israeli attack against Hezbollah, which killed a visiting Iranian
general, has led to 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/jan/28/israel-hezbollah-soldiers-binyamin-netanyahu-lebanon">retaliation
by Hezbollah, followed by "retaliation" by Israel</a>.
<p>
Israel publicly "forgets" having started this sequence of attacks
when it talks about needing to "defend itself" from Hezbollah.


title: Bogus economic claims about Superbowl
uri: Bogus-economic-claims-about-Superbowl
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html 31_January_2015_(Bogus_economic_claims_about_Superbowl)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#31_January_2015_%28Bogus_economic_claims_about_Superbowl%29

content:
<p>
<a href="http://fair.org/home/the-super-bowl-windfall-myth/">Why media
fall for sports industry's bogus economic claims</a> about public
benefits from staging the Superbowl.
<p>
The same thing happens with the 
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2011-nov-feb.html#9_January_2012_(London_Olympics)">Olympics</a>.


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html 31_January_2015_(Trident_missiles)
title: Trident missiles
uri: Trident-missiles
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#31_January_2015_%28Trident_missiles%29
content:
<p>
A UK politician has apologized for pointing out that 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/politics/2015/jan/28/dafydd-wigley-former-plaid-cymru-leader-apology-trident-auschwitz">nuclear
missiles, if used, would kill more people than the Nazis killed, and
that misguided expenditure can't be justified merely because it
creates jobs</a>.
<p>
This is not to say that Trident missiles and Nazi murder camps raise
exactly the same issues.  Nazis intended to kill Jews (and some other
people), whereas the Trident missile is intended to deter a nuclear
attack.  Despite that difference, the two have important things in
common.


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html 31_January_2015_(Censorship_of_hate_speech)
title: Censorship of "hate speech"
uri: Censorship-of-hate-speech
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#31_January_2015_%28Censorship_of_hate_speech%29
content:
<p>
France 
<a href="http://www.theverge.com/2015/1/27/7921463/google-facebook-accountable-for-hate-speech-france">proposes
to punish internet platforms</a> if they do not delete "hate speech".
<p>
European laws that prohibit "hate speech" impose censorship of
political views.  Such laws, in the US, would be unconstitutional.
The danger is that US companies will bow to foreign censorship laws.
<p>
Google famously refused to bow to China's censorship, but that is a
rare exception.


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html 31_January_2015_(Cars_with_imitation_engine_noise)
title: Cars with imitation engine noise
uri: Cars-with-imitation-engine-noise
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#31_January_2015_%28Cars_with_imitation_engine_noise%29

content:
<p>
Late model cars have quieter engines, so designers put in 
<a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/business/economy/americas-best-selling-cars-and-trucks-are-built-on-lies-the-rise-of-fake-engine-noise/2015/01/21/6db09a10-a0ba-11e4-b146-577832eafcb4_story.html?hpid=z2">systems
to make imitation engine noise</a> so owners feel they got what they
paid for.
<p>
The manufacturers are being dishonest, tricking the car buyer.  At the
same time, those buyers are being irrational, in effect complaining if
they are <em>not</em> fooled.
<p>
Car manufacturers should be required to let the driver or owner turn
this feature on and off.  But if the car software were 
<a href="http://gnu.org/philosophy/free-software-even-more-important.html">free</a>,
the owner
<em>would</em> be able to turn it off.


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html 31_January_2015_(The_charges_against_Barrett_Brown)
title: The charges against Barrett Brown
uri: The-charges-against-Barrett-Brown
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#31_January_2015_%28The_charges_against_Barrett_Brown%29

content:
<p>
If Obama gets his way, every US security journalist will be prosecuted
with 
<a href="http://boingboing.net/2015/01/26/barrett-browns-sentence-is.html">the
charges that were dropped against Barrett Brown</a>.


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html 31_January_2015_(Recovery_for_the_rich)
title: "Recovery" for the rich
uri: Recovery-for-the-rich
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#31_January_2015_%28Recovery_for_the_rich%29
content:
<p>
Right-wing Democrats such as Obama pretend that Americans are going
to benefit from a 
<a href="http://www.thenation.com/blog/196113/staggeringly-lopsided-economic-recovery">"recovery"
for the rich</a>.
<p>
When plutocrats have sunk workers' boats, a rising tide won't lift
them any more.


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html 31_January_2015_(Curtailing_civil_forfeiture)
title: Curtailing civil forfeiture
uri: Curtailing-civil-forfeiture
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#31_January_2015_%28Curtailing_civil_forfeiture%29
content:
<p>
<a href="http://reason.com/blog/2015/01/27/rand-paul-reintroduces-bill-aimed-at-cur">Here
Is How Rand Paul's Bill Would Curtail Civil Forfeiture</a>.


title: Urgent: Cancel Netanyahu's speaking invitation
uri: Urgent-Cancel-Netanyahu-s-speaking-invitation
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html 31_January_2015_(Urgent:_Cancel_Netanyahus_speaking_invitation)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#31_January_2015_%28Urgent%3A_Cancel_Netanyahus_speaking_invitation%29

content:
<p>
US citizens: 
<a href="http://www.justforeignpolicy.org/act/boycott-bibis-bluster">call
on members of Congress</a> to cancel Netanyahu's speaking invitation,
and failing that, not to attend the speech.


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html 31_January_2015_(Facebook_censorship)
title: Facebook censorship
uri: Facebook-censorship
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#31_January_2015_%28Facebook_censorship%29
content:
<p>
Facebook 
<a href="http://boingboing.net/2015/01/27/facebook-is-censoring-images-o.html">deleted
a photo of a Tibetan monk who set himself on fire</a>.
<p>
Facebook carries out censorship on behalf of many governments.
Just a few days ago we read that 
<a href="https://www.stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#30_January_2015_(Religious_censorship_on_Facebook)">Turkey
is one of them</a>.


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html 31_January_2015_(Ukrainian_agriculture)
title: Ukrainian agriculture
uri: Ukrainian-agriculture
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#31_January_2015_%28Ukrainian_agriculture%29
content:
<p>
<a href="http://www.commondreams.org/views/2015/01/28/corporate-takeover-ukrainian-agriculture">The
Corporate Takeover of Ukrainian Agriculture</a>.
<p>
Ukraine is caught between an alligator (Putin) and quicksand (the
plutocratic west).


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html 31_January_2015_(Syriza_cancelling_privatizations)
title: Syriza cancelling privatizations
uri: Syriza-cancelling-privatizations
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#31_January_2015_%28Syriza_cancelling_privatizations%29

content:
<p>
Syriza has started cancelling privatizations and 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/jan/28/greece-new-prime-minister-halts-austerity-policies">will
restore the previous minimum wage</a>.


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html 31_January_2015_(Expensive_campaign_attack_ads)
title: Expensive campaign attack ads
uri: Expensive-campaign-attack-ads
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#31_January_2015_%28Expensive_campaign_attack_ads%29
content:
<p>
The Koch brothers 
<a href="http://www.commondreams.org/news/2015/01/27/oligarch-party-koch-bros-vow-nearly-1-billion-2016-elections">plan
to spend almost a billion dollars</a> on the 2016 elections.
<p>
Americans, there is a simple heuristic for how to vote,
if you haven't studied all the candidates' positions:
vote for whoever the expensive TV ads attack.
<p>
That's the candidate that the plutocrats don't want.


title: Freedom of travelers to dress their own way
uri: Freedom-of-travelers-to-dress-their-own-way
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html 31_January_2015_(Freedom_of_travelers_to_dress_their_own_way)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#31_January_2015_%28Freedom_of_travelers_to_dress_their_own_way%29

content:
<p>
Bravo, Michelle Obama, for 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2015/jan/28/michelle-obama-headscarf-saudi-arabia">refusing
to cover your head in Saudi Arabia</a>.
<p>
Muslims insist on practicing their own customs when they travel, and
demand non-Muslim visitors adopt local religion-associated customs
when they travel to a "Muslim" country.  They want their customs to
override conflicting customs everywhere, and they have no right to
that.  Either all travelers are free to dress their own way when
travelling, or all travellers must adopt local practices (no veil, for
instance).
<p>
Indeed, the idea of a "Muslim" country is hostile to human rights,
just like the idea of a "Christian" country or a "Jewish" country
or a "Hindu" country.
<p>
Now if the US would only show less respect to the king whose
policies include beheadings and whippings and many other sorts
of repression.


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html 31_January_2015_(The_right_to_die)
title: The right to die
uri: 2015-02-01-The-right-to-die
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#31_January_2015_%28The_right_to_die%29
content:
<p>
Doctors, please don't make it necessary for terminally ill people to
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/healthcare-network/views-from-the-nhs-frontline/2015/jan/28/dignity-death-assisted-suicide-end-life-care">kill
themselves by thirst in a public toilet</a>.
<p>
But it is not just terminally ill people.  Those who are paralyzed or
becoming demented also deserve help escaping to a less horrible fate.


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html 31_January_2015_(File_downloads_monitored)
title: File downloads monitored
uri: File-downloads-monitored
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#31_January_2015_%28File_downloads_monitored%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://firstlook.org/theintercept/?p=12629">Canada
monitors</a> up to 15 million file downloads every day.


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html 31_January_2015_(Obamas_Words_on_Drones)
title: Obama's Words on Drones
uri: Obama-s-Words-on-Drones
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#31_January_2015_%28Obamas_Words_on_Drones%29
content:
<p>
<a href="http://www.commondreams.org/views/2015/01/28/trust-reality-rather-president-obamas-words-drones">Trust
Reality Rather Than President Obama's Words on Drones</a>.


title: Britons agree most with Green Party
uri: Britons-agree-most-with-Green-Party
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html 31_January_2015_(Britons_agree_most_with_Green_Party)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#31_January_2015_%28Britons_agree_most_with_Green_Party%29

content:
<p>
If Britons vote for the party they most agree with, the Green Party
will win.  The only obstacle to Green victory is the 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2015/jan/28/convictions-politics-fear-syriza-podemos-snp-green">self-fulfilling
prophecy that it's impossible</a>.
<p>
I love the point that if you "hold your nose" and vote for the least
bad party that "might win", you get a worse stink next time.


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html 01_February_2015_(Grumman_drops_ALEC)
title: Grumman drops ALEC
uri: Grumman-drops-ALEC
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#01_February_2015_%28Grumman_drops_ALEC%29
content:
<p>
<a href="http://www.prwatch.org/news/2015/01/12719/ALEC-northrop-grumman">Activist
shareholders persuaded Grumman</a> to drop ALEC.
<p>
Grumman does not sell much to the public, so it is not directly
reachable by to consumer displeasure.


title: Personal data collected by household devices
uri: Personal-data-collected-by-household-devices
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html 01_February_2015_(Personal_data_collected_by_household_devices)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#01_February_2015_%28Personal_data_collected_by_household_devices%29

content:
<p>
The Federal Trade Commission announced 
<a href="http://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2015/01/who-watches-the-watchers-ftc-issues-official-report-on-the-internet-of-things/">worthless
guidelines</a> for security of personal data collected by household
devices.
<p>
They are worthless because they assume that these devices will provide
data about people to companies, and they try only to make those
companies prevent <em>unintended</em> data breaches to unrelated third
parties.
<p>
This is a secondary danger that develops out of the fundamental danger
of these devices: the "authorized" transmission of data to those
companies.


title: Thugs killing mentally ill people
uri: Thugs-killing-mentally-ill-people
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html 01_February_2015_(Thugs_killing_mentally_ill_people)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#01_February_2015_%28Thugs_killing_mentally_ill_people%29

content:
<p>
Putting thugs together with certain mentally ill people is a recipe
for 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2015/jan/28/kristiana-coignard-longview-texas-police-killing">killing
them</a>.


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html 01_February_2015_(Large_US_companies_merging)
title: Large US companies merging
uri: Large-US-companies-merging
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#01_February_2015_%28Large_US_companies_merging%29
content:
<p>
The US continues allowing large companies to 
<a href="http://www.commondreams.org/news/2015/01/27/buyers-beware-new-grocery-merger-creates-mammoth-puts-stranglehold-consumers">merge
and reduce competition</a>.


title: Illinois students' Facebook passwords
uri: Illinois-students-Facebook-passwords
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html 01_February_2015_(Illinois_students_Facebook_passwords)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#01_February_2015_%28Illinois_students_Facebook_passwords%29

content:
<p>
<a href="http://motherboard.vice.com/read/illinois-says-students-have-to-give-up-facebook-passwords-or-face-prosecution">Illinois
Says Rule-Breaking Students Must Give Teachers Their Facebook
Passwords</a>.


title: Newspaper sued for publishing articles
uri: Newspaper-sued-for-publishing-articles
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html 01_February_2015_(Newspaper_sued_for_publishing_articles)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#01_February_2015_%28Newspaper_sued_for_publishing_articles%29

content:
<p>
Right-wing Japanese are 
<a href="http://mainichi.jp/english/english/newsselect/news/20150127p2g00m0dm034000c.html">suing
the newspaper Asahi Shimbun for publishing articles about the women
conscripted into prostitution by the Japanese Army</a>.
<p>
The fact that one witness lied about participating in this
conscription doesn't invalidate the independent evidence that it
occurred.


title: Source code for systems used in banks
uri: Source-code-for-systems-used-in-banks
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html 01_February_2015_(Source_code_for_systems_used_in_banks)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#01_February_2015_%28Source_code_for_systems_used_in_banks%29

content:
<p>
The Chinese government sensibly insists on 
<a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2015/01/29/technology/in-china-new-cybersecurity-rules-perturb-western-tech-companies.html">checking
the source code for systems for use in banks</a>.
<p>
It is dangerous for a country's banks to be vulnerable to companies in
a potentially hostile country.  The US should adopt the same policy
vis-a-vis Chinese computer manufacturers, not as retaliation but
simply for its own protection.
<p>
All banks should insist on getting control of the software they use.
It should be delivered to them as 
<a href="http://gnu.org/philosophy/free-software-even-more-important.html">free
software</a>.


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html 01_February_2015_(Undersea_oil_drilling)
title: Undersea oil drilling
uri: Undersea-oil-drilling
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#01_February_2015_%28Undersea_oil_drilling%29
content:
<p>
Obama has 
<a href="http://www.onearth.org/earthwire/obama-opens-east-coast-offshore-drilling">failed
to institute proper safety regulation</a> for undersea oil drilling,
but he wants to open a lot more coastline to drilling.
<p>
Advances in oil drilling technology, without corresponding advances in
safety practices, have increased the amount of oil likely to spill in
the ocean whenever something goes wrong with an oil well.


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html 02_February_2015_(Urgent:_Support_the_FAIR_act)
title: Urgent: Support the FAIR act
uri: Urgent-Support-the-FAIR-act
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#02_February_2015_%28Urgent%3A_Support_the_FAIR_act%29

content:
<p>
US citizens: 
<a href="https://secure2.convio.net/dpa/site/Advocacy?pagename=homepage&page=UserAction&id=1215">Support
the FAIR act</a> which would greatly curb civil forfeiture.


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html 02_February_2015_(Urgent:_Tax_Wall_Street_more)
title: Urgent: Tax Wall Street more
uri: Urgent-Tax-Wall-Street-more
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#02_February_2015_%28Urgent%3A_Tax_Wall_Street_more%29

content:
<p>
US citizens: 
<a href="https://dailykos.com/campaigns/1076">support the plan</a> to
tax Wall Street more.
<p>
Reducing taxes for working people is a good thing,
but that can't possibly be enough to enable them to have
a decent life.  What they need is higher wages and reduced
fees for things such as education and medical care.


title: Urgent: ACLU-recommended privacy bills
uri: Urgent-ACLU-recommended-privacy-bills
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html 02_February_2015_(Urgent:_ACLU-recommended_privacy_bills)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#02_February_2015_%28Urgent%3A_ACLU-recommended_privacy_bills%29

content:
<p>
Citizens of Massachusetts: 
<a href="https://ssl.capwiz.com/aclu/ma/issues/alert/?alertid=64042756&type=ST">call
on your state legislators</a> to support three ACLU-recommended
privacy bills.


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html 02_February_2015_(Gas_pipeline_explosion)
title: Gas pipeline explosion
uri: Gas-pipeline-explosion
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#02_February_2015_%28Gas_pipeline_explosion%29
content:
<p>
A gas pipeline 
<a href="http://www.dailykos.com/story/2015/01/27/1360522/-Pipeline-explodes-in-West-Virginia?detail=email">exploded
in West Virginia</a> — the fourth serious pipeline incident in
January.
<p>
If you judge the danger of pipelines by the chance you will be near
one when it explodes, the danger is tiny.  The danger that your water
supply will be polluted for years by one is much bigger.


title: Proposed amendments to US Constitution
uri: Proposed-amendments-to-US-Constitution
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html 02_February_2015_(Proposed_amendments_to_US_Constitution)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#02_February_2015_%28Proposed_amendments_to_US_Constitution%29

content:
<p>
Justice Stevens proposes 
<a href="http://www.dailykos.com/story/2015/01/28/1360644/-Justice-Stevens-Pens-Six-Amendments-to-Tune-Up-Constitution?detail=email">amendments
to the US Constitution</a>.


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html 02_February_2015_(Arrogant_thugs)
title: Arrogant thugs
uri: Arrogant-thugs
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#02_February_2015_%28Arrogant_thugs%29
content:
<p>
Arrogant thugs around the US 
<a href="http://www.dailykos.com/story/2015/01/27/1360537/-Indisputable-proof-that-prosecutors-and-politicians-are-penalized-when-they-hold-police-accountable?detail=email">attack
officials that question their impunity</a> by refusing to work with
them and by making up false charges against them.


title: A win against female genital mutilation
uri: A-win-against-female-genital-mutilation
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html 02_February_2015_(A_win_against_female_genital_mutilation)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#02_February_2015_%28A_win_against_female_genital_mutilation%29

content:
<p>
<a href="http://thinkprogress.org/world/2015/01/26/3615650/egypt-fgm-case/">'Monumental'
Win Against Female Genital Mutilation In Egypt</a>.


title: Sri Lanka's Chief Justice reinstated
uri: Sri-Lanka-s-Chief-Justice-reinstated
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html 02_February_2015_(Sri_Lankas_Chief_Justice_reinstated)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#02_February_2015_%28Sri_Lankas_Chief_Justice_reinstated%29

content:
<p>
President Sirisena 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/jan/29/sri-lankas-new-president-reverses-revenge-politics-of-rajapaksa-regime">reinstated
Sri Lanka's Chief Justice Bandaranayake</a> who had been removed by
Rajapaksa for political reasons.
<p>
His government is looking at 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/jan/29/sri-lanka-fresh-inquiry-human-rights-abuses-civil-war-un">cooperating
with a proper human rights investigation</a> of the conduct of the
civil war.


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html 02_February_2015_(Secret_prisoners_on_Diego_Garcia)
title: Secret prisoners on Diego Garcia
uri: Secret-prisoners-on-Diego-Garcia
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#02_February_2015_%28Secret_prisoners_on_Diego_Garcia%29

content:
<p>
Contrary to UK government claims, 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/jan/30/cia-interrogation-diego-garcia-lawrence-wilkerson">the
US held and "interrogated" secret prisoners</a> on Diego Garcia.


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html 02_February_2015_(Smart_gadgets)
title: "Smart" gadgets
uri: Smart-gadgets
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#02_February_2015_%28Smart_gadgets%29
content:
<p>
<a href="http://phys.org/news/2015-01-smart-gadgets-oppressive-companions.html">Will
Our Smart Gadgets Become Trusted Or Oppressive Companions?</a>
<p>
I part ways with that article at the word "our".  I'm not going to use
any of these, no matter what convenience it might offer.
<p>
If the gadget contains nonfree software, it's an instrument to give
someone 
<a href="http://gnu.org/philosophy/free-software-even-more-important.html">power
over you</a>.


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html 02_February_2015_(Global_heating_effects_on_sports)
title: Global heating effects on sports
uri: Global-heating-effects-on-sports
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#02_February_2015_%28Global_heating_effects_on_sports%29

content:
<p>
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2015/jan/30/grassroots-sports-at-risk-from-heatwaves-due-to-climate-change-report-warns">Sports
in Australia</a> will have trouble coping with global heating.
<p>
Sports are far less important than many other things that will be
damaged or destroyed by global heating, but many people care
irrationally about sports and this could make them wake up.  If it
isn't too late.


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html 02_February_2015_(Syrizas_economist_proposes_plan)
title: Syriza's economist proposes plan
uri: Syriza-s-economist-proposes-plan
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#02_February_2015_%28Syrizas_economist_proposes_plan%29

content:
<p>
Syriza's economist proposes a Keynesian plan to 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2015/jan/30/syriza-finance-minister-big-idea-will-germany-accept-it">redistribute
the global surplus from those countries which hold it</a>.
<p>
The idea may need adaptation to cope with today's plutocracy, which
impoverishes "rich" countries' governments and people.


title: China imposes registration of computers
uri: China-imposes-registration-of-computers
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html 02_February_2015_(China_imposes_registration_of_computers)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#02_February_2015_%28China_imposes_registration_of_computers%29

content:
<p>
China has imposed registration of 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/jan/30/china-to-force-buyers-of-computers-and-phones-in-xinjiang-to-register-names">all
new computers in Xinjiang</a>.


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html 02_February_2015_(Heat_waves_and_cold_spells)
title: Heat waves and cold spells
uri: Heat-waves-and-cold-spells
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#02_February_2015_%28Heat_waves_and_cold_spells%29
content:
<p>
The measured frequency of heat waves and cold spells in cities around
the world 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2015/jan/30/worlds-cities-experiencing-more-heatwaves-study-shows">demonstrates
global heating since the 1970s</a>.


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html 02_February_2015_(Force-feeding_in_Guantanamo)
title: Force-feeding in Guantanamo
uri: 2015-02-03-Force-feeding-in-Guantanamo
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#02_February_2015_%28Force-feeding_in_Guantanamo%29
content:
<p>
US government lawyers told the Guantanamo prison command that force-feeding
was considered 
<a href="http://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2015/01/29/us-government-lawyers-told-gitmo-authorities-force-feeding-never-acceptable">illegal</a>.


title: US thugs make dog attack restrained student
uri: US-thugs-make-dog-attack-restrained-student
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html 02_February_2015_(US_thugs_make_dog_attack_restrained_student)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#02_February_2015_%28US_thugs_make_dog_attack_restrained_student%29

content:
<p>
US thugs 
<a href="http://www.dailykos.com/story/2015/01/28/1360798/-Police-Dogs-Turned-Loose-on-Restrained-University-Student?detail=email">held
a student down on the ground and made a dog attack her</a>.
<p>
She needed lot of surgery after that.


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html 02_February_2015_(Google_gagged_by_US_government)
title: Google gagged by US government
uri: Google-gagged-by-US-government
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#02_February_2015_%28Google_gagged_by_US_government%29

content:
<p>
Google said it 
<a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/national-security/google-says-it-fought-gag-orders-in-wikileaks-investigation/2015/01/28/e62bfd04-a5c9-11e4-a06b-9df2002b86a0_story.html">fought
for years to inform Wikileaks staffers</a> that their email had been
taken by the US government.


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html 02_February_2015_(FBI_wants_every_Americans_DNA)
title: FBI wants every American's DNA
uri: FBI-wants-every-American-s-DNA
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#02_February_2015_%28FBI_wants_every_Americans_DNA%29

content:
<p>
The FBI <a href="http://www.privacysos.org/node/1659">wants local
thugs to collect DNA samples</a> from everyone arrested.
<p>
It is clear the FBI really wants to have every American's DNA.


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html 02_February_2015_(Senator_Rubio_wants_surveillance)
title: Senator Rubio wants surveillance
uri: Senator-Rubio-wants-surveillance
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#02_February_2015_%28Senator_Rubio_wants_surveillance%29

content:
<p>
Senator Rubio wants pervasive surveillance of all Americans, so why not
<a href="https://www.techdirt.com/articles/20150127/13450429833/rep-jared-polis-calls-24-hour-surveillance-senator-marco-rubio.shtml">start
with him</a>?


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html 02_February_2015_(Ocean_heating)
title: Ocean heating
uri: Ocean-heating
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#02_February_2015_%28Ocean_heating%29
content:
<p>
The last time the ocean got warmer, at the end of the ice age, it 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/environment/climate-consensus-97-per-cent/2015/jan/29/new-research-reveals-extreme-oxygen-loss-in-oceans-during-past-climate-change">made
most of the ocean into a giant dead zone</a>.  Will human-caused
global heating do the same thing?


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html 02_February_2015_(Biofuels)
title: Biofuels
uri: Biofuels
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#02_February_2015_%28Biofuels%29
content:
<p>
Biofuels explicitly grown for that purpose are 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2015/jan/29/biofuels-are-not-the-green-alternative-to-fossil-fuels-they-are-sold-as">no
real alternative to fossil fuels</a>.


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html 02_February_2015_(Elections)
title: Elections
uri: Elections
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#02_February_2015_%28Elections%29
content:
<p>
<a href="http://www.commondreams.org/views/2015/01/29/if-elections-matter-greece-why-not-america">If
Elections Matter for Greece, Why Not America?</a>


title: Citizenship for descendants of Sephardic Jews
uri: Citizenship-for-descendants-of-Sephardic-Jews
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html 02_February_2015_(Citizenship_for_descendants_of_Sephardic_Jews)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#02_February_2015_%28Citizenship_for_descendants_of_Sephardic_Jews%29

content:
<p>
Portugal and Spain have offered citizenship to the descendants of
Sephardic Jews that were 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/jan/29/portugal-citizenship-descendants-persecuted-sephardic-jews">expelled
or oppressed in the 1400s</a>.
<p>
You'd have to be desperate to want to live under Spain's repressive
government, but if Podemos gains power it might repeal the repressive
laws.


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html 02_February_2015_(Global_heating_effect_on_fish)
title: Global heating effect on fish
uri: Global-heating-effect-on-fish
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#02_February_2015_%28Global_heating_effect_on_fish%29

content:
<p>
Global heating is causing fish in the seas around Australia to 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2015/jan/29/australian-fish-moving-south-as-climate-changes-say-researchers">move
southward</a>.


title: Unexploded NATO bombs in Afghanistan
uri: Unexploded-NATO-bombs-in-Afghanistan
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html 02_February_2015_(Unexploded_NATO_bombs_in_Afghanistan)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#02_February_2015_%28Unexploded_NATO_bombs_in_Afghanistan%29

content:
<p>
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/jan/29/afghans-lives-in-peril-unexploded-bombs">40
Afghans per month are killed</a> by unexploded NATO bombs and shells.


title: US and UK cooperation with Gaddafi
uri: US-and-UK-cooperation-with-Gaddafi
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html 02_February_2015_(US_and_UK_cooperation_with_Gaddafi)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#02_February_2015_%28US_and_UK_cooperation_with_Gaddafi%29

content:
<p>
US and UK cooperation with Gaddafi, in the form of kidnaping Libyan
opposition activists in exile and delivering them to Gaddafi's
torturers, had the 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/jan/29/mi5-rendition-libyan-oppostion-strengthened-al-qaida">perverse
effect of strengthening al Qa'ida in Libya</a>.


title: Rally in Madrid against austerity
uri: Rally-in-Madrid-against-austerity
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html 03_February_2015_(Rally_in_Madrid_against_austerity)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#03_February_2015_%28Rally_in_Madrid_against_austerity%29

content:
<p>
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/jan/31/podemos-spain-austerity-rally-madrid-syriza">Tens
of Thousands Rally in Madrid Demanding End to Austerity</a>.


title: "Anonymized" personal activity history
uri: Anonymized-personal-activity-history
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html 03_February_2015_(Anonymized_personal_activity_history)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#03_February_2015_%28Anonymized_personal_activity_history%29

content:
<p>
When a person's activity history is published "anonymized", without
the person's name or address, in many cases it is 
<a href="http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2015/01/29/with-a-few-bits-of-data-researchers-identify-anonymous-people/">easy
to figure out who that person is</a>.
<p>
Real anonymity requires stopping anyone from recognizing that your
various activities are done by the same person.  That is why I refuse
to pay with credit cards.


title: US oil pipeline companies' carelessness
uri: US-oil-pipeline-companies-carelessness
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html 03_February_2015_(US_oil_pipeline_companies_carelessness)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#03_February_2015_%28US_oil_pipeline_companies_carelessness%29

content:
<p>
Some US oil pipeline companies seem to be rather careless,
because they have 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2015/jan/31/montana-oil-spill-company-long-history-leaks">repeated
oil spills</a>.
<p>
Will the US government force them to change?  I doubt it.
It would be more reliable to make them sell all their pipelines
to more careful companies.


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html 03_February_2015_(Urgent:_Drop_Willie_Soon)
title: Urgent: Drop Willie Soon
uri: Urgent-Drop-Willie-Soon
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#03_February_2015_%28Urgent%3A_Drop_Willie_Soon%29
content:
<p>
Everyone: 
<a href="http://act.forecastthefacts.org/sign/willie_soon/">call on
the Smithsonian</a> to stop employing Willie Soon, who campaigns to
deny that humans are causing global heating.


title: EU wants companies' encryption keys
uri: EU-wants-companies-encryption-keys
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html 03_February_2015_(EU_wants_companies_encryption_keys)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#03_February_2015_%28EU_wants_companies_encryption_keys%29

content:
<p>
The EU has admitted it 
<a href="https://www.techdirt.com/articles/20150122/08332129778/eus-counter-terrorism-co-ordinator-finally-says-it-force-internet-companies-to-hand-over-their-crypto-keys.shtml">wants
to force companies to hand over their encryption keys</a>.


title: Making excuses to cut human rights
uri: Making-excuses-to-cut-human-rights
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html 03_February_2015_(Making_excuses_to_cut_human_rights)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#03_February_2015_%28Making_excuses_to_cut_human_rights%29

content:
<p>
Governments that cite violent enemies as an excuse to cut human rights
are 
<a href="http://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2015/01/29/world-report-2015-rights-arent-wrong-tough-times">committing
a mistake as well as an injustice</a>.


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html 03_February_2015_(Sexual_consent)
title: Sexual consent
uri: Sexual-consent
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#03_February_2015_%28Sexual_consent%29
content:
<p>
The only case where you need to worry about the precise border of
sexual consent is if you have sex with someone who is 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2015/jan/29/rape-consent-sexual-partner-enthusiasm">less
than enthusiastic about it</a>.  Why even consider such a thing?


title: NSA mass US phone call surveillance
uri: NSA-mass-US-phone-call-surveillance
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html 03_February_2015_(NSA_mass_US_phone_call_surveillance)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#03_February_2015_%28NSA_mass_US_phone_call_surveillance%29

content:
<p>
The NSA 
<a href="https://firstlook.org/theintercept/?p=12798">still collects
US phone call data</a> en masse and still cannot justify it.
<p>
It is not enough to leave <em>most</em> Americans out of this
collection.  We must leave <em>everyone</em> out of it except
court-designated surveillance targets.


title: US spending on training Afghan army
uri: US-spending-on-training-Afghan-army
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html 03_February_2015_(US_spending_on_training_Afghan_army)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#03_February_2015_%28US_spending_on_training_Afghan_army%29

content:
<p>
The US has declared all its spending on training the Afghan army
<a href="http://www.commondreams.org/news/2015/01/29/classified-us-military-imposes-startling-blackout-key-details-afghan-war">secret</a>.
<p>
This is a good way to hide inefficiency and corruption.  Might there
be any of those in Afghanistan?


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html 03_February_2015_(Big_data)
title: Big data
uri: 2015-02-03-Big-data
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#03_February_2015_%28Big_data%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://www.aclu.org/blog/technology-and-liberty/sanctions-benefits-and-big-data">What
Should We Think About Big Data That Aims to Help People?</a>


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html 03_February_2015_(Teachers)
title: Teachers
uri: Teachers
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#03_February_2015_%28Teachers%29
content:
<p>
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/teacher-network/2015/jan/31/secret-teacher-yoda-stormtrooper">Secret
Teacher: I Want to Be Like Yoda, But I Feel More Like a
Stormtrooper</a>.


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html 03_February_2015_(Urgent:_Reject_the_TPP)
title: Urgent: Reject the TPP
uri: 2015-02-03-Urgent-Reject-the-TPP
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#03_February_2015_%28Urgent%3A_Reject_the_TPP%29
content:
<p>
US citizens: 
<a href="http://petitions.moveon.org/sign/tell-congress-we-cant">tell
Congress</a> to reject the TPP because it would further export jobs
from the US.


title: Urgent: More food warehouse inspections
uri: Urgent-More-food-warehouse-inspections
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html 03_February_2015_(Urgent:_More_food_warehouse_inspections)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#03_February_2015_%28Urgent%3A_More_food_warehouse_inspections%29

content:
<p>
US citizens: 
<a href="http://act.credoaction.com/sign/fda_food_warehouses">call on
the FDA</a> to inspect food warehouses more and punish the unsanitary
ones firmly.


title: Urgent: End torture by Philippine thugs
uri: Urgent-End-torture-by-Philippine-thugs
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html 03_February_2015_(Urgent:_End_torture_by_Philippine_thugs)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#03_February_2015_%28Urgent%3A_End_torture_by_Philippine_thugs%29

content:
<p>
Everyone: 
<a href="http://www.amnestyusa.org/W1501EATOR2">call on President
Aquino</a> of the Philippines to stop that country's thugs from
torturing the people they arrest.


title: Urgent: Ban fracking in California
uri: Urgent-Ban-fracking-in-California
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html 03_February_2015_(Urgent:_Ban_fracking_in_California)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#03_February_2015_%28Urgent%3A_Ban_fracking_in_California%29

content:
<p>
Everyone: 
<a href="http://signforgood.com/endfrackinginca/?code=ea">Call on
California Governor Brown</a> to ban fracking in that state.


title: Urgent: Protect Arctic coastal plain
uri: Urgent-Protect-Arctic-coastal-plain
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html 03_February_2015_(Urgent:_Protect_Arctic_coastal_plain)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#03_February_2015_%28Urgent%3A_Protect_Arctic_coastal_plain%29

content:
<p>
US citizens: 
<a href="https://secure.defenders.org/site/Advocacy?cmd=display&page=UserAction&id=2837">Support
protecting the coastal plain</a> of the Arctic National Wildlife
Refuge from oil drilling.


title: Urgent: Stop sale of neonicotinoid-treated plants
uri: Urgent-Stop-sale-of-neonicotinoid-treated-plants
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html 03_February_2015_(Urgent:_Stop_sale_of_neonicotinoid-treated_plants)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#03_February_2015_%28Urgent%3A_Stop_sale_of_neonicotinoid-treated_plants%29

content:
<p>
Everyone: 
<a href="http://act.credoaction.com/sign/lowes_bees_pesticides">call
on Lowe's</a> to stop selling garden plants treated with
neonicotinoids.


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html 03_February_2015_(The_future_danger_of_flooding)
title: The future danger of flooding
uri: The-future-danger-of-flooding
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#03_February_2015_%28The_future_danger_of_flooding%29

content:
<p>
The US government will recognize the future danger of flooding, which
will be augmented by global heating, in 
<a href="http://www.climatecentral.org/news/obama-orders-sea-level-rise-to-factor-into-building-standards-18620">funding
future construction projects</a>.


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html 03_February_2015_(Prosecution_of_Barrett_Brown)
title: Prosecution of Barrett Brown
uri: Prosecution-of-Barrett-Brown
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#03_February_2015_%28Prosecution_of_Barrett_Brown%29
content:
<p>
Ladar Levison: 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2015/jan/30/prosecutors-same-legal-strategy-barrett-brown-lavabit-ladar-levison">Prosecutors
Used the Same Legal Strategy against Barrett Brown As They Did Me.
Are You Next?</a>


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html 03_February_2015_(Guantanamo_prisoners)
title: Guantanamo prisoners
uri: Guantanamo-prisoners
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#03_February_2015_%28Guantanamo_prisoners%29
content:
<p>
It is rumored that one of the Guantanamo prisoners exchanged for
Sergeant Bowe Bergdahl has 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/jan/30/taliban-five-bowe-bergdahl-swap-return-militancy">returned
to fighting for the Taliban</a>.
<p>
It is not in general considered wrong for exchanged prisoners of war
to return to fighting, so why should it be wrong in this case?  The US
could have sent Sergeant Bergdahl back to fighting against the
Taliban, as he remains in the army.
<p>
The US must release and compensate the prisoners it has tortured; this
is the wise course as well as the morally required course.  If a
fraction of them fight the US afterward, that will make no difference
alongside the thousands of others already fighting the US.  Meanwhile,
freeing the prisoners from Guantanamo will eliminate one factor that
recruits others to fight against the US.


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html 03_February_2015_(Spanish_Security_bill)
title: Spanish "Security" bill
uri: Spanish-Security-bill
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#03_February_2015_%28Spanish_Security_bill%29
content:
<p>
The Spanish "Security" bill would 
<a href="https://edri.org/spanish-citizens-security-bill-many-restrictions-few-freedoms/">clamp
down on Internet access</a>, Chinese-style, and criminalize posting
videos of thugs as they attack people.


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html 03_February_2015_(Lawsuit_about_the_no_fly_list)
title: Lawsuit about the no fly list
uri: Lawsuit-about-the-no-fly-list
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#03_February_2015_%28Lawsuit_about_the_no_fly_list%29

content:
<p>
The FBI seems to have labeled Gulet Mohamed's brother a "most wanted
terrorist" 
<a href="http://www.commondreams.org/views/2015/01/30/fbi-lists-brother-us-citizen-challenging-no-fly-list-most-wanted-terrorist-day">to
influence the outcome of Gulet's lawsuit</a> about the no fly list.


title: Canada to criminalize "promoting terrorism"
uri: Canada-to-criminalize-promoting-terrorism
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html 03_February_2015_(Canada_to_criminalize_promoting_terrorism)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#03_February_2015_%28Canada_to_criminalize_promoting_terrorism%29

content:
<p>
Canada plans to criminalize 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/jan/30/canadas-anti-terror-legislation-civil-liberties-fears">"promoting
terrorism"</a>.  Civil liberties defenders oppose this because it
would amount to criminalizing mere opinion, as has recently been the
case 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/jan/30/french-jailed-crackdown-speech-glorifies-terrorism">in
France</a>.


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html 03_February_2015_(No_excuse_to_expand_surveillance)
title: No excuse to expand surveillance
uri: No-excuse-to-expand-surveillance
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#03_February_2015_%28No_excuse_to_expand_surveillance%29

content:
<p>
<a href="https://www.accessnow.org/blog/2015/01/28/charlie-hebdo-tragedy-expand-surveillance">Don't
let the Charlie Hebdo attack be an excuse</a> to expand surveillance.


title: Bill permits teachers to kill students
uri: Bill-permits-teachers-to-kill-students
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html 03_February_2015_(Bill_permits_teachers_to_kill_students)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#03_February_2015_%28Bill_permits_teachers_to_kill_students%29

content:
<p>
Texas is considering a bill to 
<a href="http://www.dailykos.com/story/2015/01/29/1360958/-Texas-bill-will-allow-teachers-to-kill-students-to-protect-school-property?detail=email">permit
teachers to shoot and kill people (such as students)</a> to protect
school property.


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html 03_February_2015_(Collection_of_metadata)
title: Collection of metadata
uri: Collection-of-metadata
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#03_February_2015_%28Collection_of_metadata%29
content:
<p>
The former head of CIA and NSA said, "We kill people based on
metadata".  The US Congress is taking a step to reduce collection of
metadata, but it is a 
<a href="http://justsecurity.org/10311/michael-hayden-kill-people-based-metadata/">suspiciously
small step</a>.


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html 03_February_2015_(Oklahomas_torture-executions)
title: Oklahoma's torture-executions
uri: Oklahoma-s-torture-executions
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#03_February_2015_%28Oklahomas_torture-executions%29
content:
<p>
Oklahoma's torture-executions have led the Supreme Court to suspend
execution in that state, and created an 
<a href="http://www.commondreams.org/news/2015/01/29/court-stays-executions-rights-group-says-end-death-penalty">opportunity
to press to end them</a>.
<p>
For the most part I am not especially concerned about how executions
are done.  The point is that they should not be done.


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html 03_February_2015_(There_is_no_economic_recovery)
title: There is no "economic recovery"
uri: There-is-no-economic-recovery
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#03_February_2015_%28There_is_no_economic_recovery%29

content:
<p>
<a href="http://www.commondreams.org/news/2015/01/29/further-proving-one-sided-recovery-one-five-us-children-food-assistance">20%
of US children needed government food assistance in 2014</a>, which is
considerably more than in 2007.
<p>
This demonstrates that there is no "economic recovery" except for the
wealthy.


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html 03_February_2015_(US_Senate_rejects_solar_power)
title: US Senate rejects solar power
uri: US-Senate-rejects-solar-power
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#03_February_2015_%28US_Senate_rejects_solar_power%29

content:
<p>
The US Senate 
<a href="http://www.commondreams.org/news/2015/01/29/eve-kxl-vote-gop-senate-rejects-sanders-national-solar-expansion-plan">rejected
Bernie Sanders' amendment to install more solar power and create a lot
of jobs</a>.  They prefer to build the Keystone XL pipeline and make
sure the world burns as much fossil fuel as possible.
<p>
The majority of senators are working for the fossil fuel companies,
which is treason against humanity as well as against the United States
and its people.


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html 03_February_2015_(Jailed_for_traffic_ticket)
title: Jailed for traffic ticket
uri: Jailed-for-traffic-ticket
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#03_February_2015_%28Jailed_for_traffic_ticket%29
content:
<p>
Kevin Thomson writes about being 
<a href="http://www.commondreams.org/views/2015/01/29/profit-companies-are-helping-put-people-jail-being-poor-i-should-know-i-was-one">jailed
for being unable to pay a traffic ticket</a>.


title: Example of Israel killing UN personnel
uri: Example-of-Israel-killing-UN-personnel
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html 03_February_2015_(Example_of_Israel_killing_UN_personnel)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#03_February_2015_%28Example_of_Israel_killing_UN_personnel%29

content:
<p>
<a href="https://firstlook.org/theintercept/?p=12831">Spanish
Peacekeeper Is the Latest Example of Israel Killing United Nations
Personnel</a>.


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html 02_February_2015_(Press_freedom_in_Thailand)
title: Press freedom in Thailand
uri: Press-freedom-in-Thailand
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#02_February_2015_%28Press_freedom_in_Thailand%29
content:
<p>
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/jan/30/thailands-military-junta-forces-cancellation-of-press-freedom-conference">Thailand's
Military Junta Forces Cancellation of Press Freedom Conference</a>.
<p>
Alan Morison has gone to Thailand to face vicious charges of 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/jan/30/defiant-editor-alan-morison-returns-to-face-thai-navy-defamation-case">"defaming
the navy"</a>.
<p>
The idea of prosecuting people for this — regardless of what
they may have done — is an injustice.  That is the crucial
point.  The fact that Morison's "defamation" was a paragraph quoted
from another publication is a distraction since the charges would be
equally unjust if he had written it himself.
<p>
"Free" countries such as France that 
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2013-jan-apr.html#15_March_2013_(Activist_mocks_Sarkozy_gets_criminal_conviction)">penalize 
"insults"</a> give cover to
Thailand, 
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2013-nov-feb.html#31_October_2013_(Egypts_equivalent_of_Jon_Stewart_threatened_with_prosecution)">Egypt</a>
and other absolutely tyrannical states that do this.


title: Corrupt Afghans want continued war
uri: Corrupt-Afghans-want-continued-war
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html 02_February_2015_(Corrupt_Afghans_want_continued_war)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#02_February_2015_%28Corrupt_Afghans_want_continued_war%29

content:
<p>
The corrupt elite in Afghanistan don't want to defeat the Taliban even
supposing they could.  They want to keep the war going to get 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2015/jan/30/guardian-view-afghanistan-war-quickens-politicians-falter">US
military funds which they can divert to their pockets</a>.
<p>
In addition, they know it is hard for the US to cut down their opium
or heroin exports while the war continues.
<p>
This makes the situation resemble that in 
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2010-jul-oct.html#11%20October%202010%20(Weve%20seen%20this%20battle%20before)">South
Vietnam</a>, where the commanders did not want to win too much against
the Viet Cong lest President Diem suspect they wanted his job.  They
just wanted to continue doing their jobs and bringing in the bribe
money.


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html 03_February_2015_(Social_mobility_in_the_UK)
title: Social mobility in the UK
uri: Social-mobility-in-the-UK
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#03_February_2015_%28Social_mobility_in_the_UK%29
content:
<p>
Social mobility in the UK has 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/society/2015/jan/31/inheritance-britain-wealthy-study-surnames-social-mobility">remained
small for 160 years</a>.
<p>
The only way to help the non-rich is by taxing the rich.


title: Meaningless "solution" to mass surveillance
uri: Meaningless-solution-to-mass-surveillance
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html 03_February_2015_(Meaningless_solution_to_mass_surveillance)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#03_February_2015_%28Meaningless_solution_to_mass_surveillance%29

content:
<p>
A clever but meaningless "solution" to massive surveillance: the
"databox" would offer 
<a href="http://www.technologyreview.com/view/534526/how-a-box-could-solve-the-personal-data-conundrum/">a
way to give personal data to companies via one special company, rather
than directly</a>.  It would only mean that some of your personal data
follows a different pathway to companies and the state.
<p>
The databox company would hand over all your data to Big Brother on
demand, as every company does (in the US, the PAT RIOT act requires
this).
<p>
The databox company would hand your data to other companies, too,
whenever you do business with a company that says you must agree to do
so.
<p>
Meanwhile, most of your personal data is generated by transactions
that you're involved in: for instance, if you order a book, listen to
streaming music, or pay with a credit card.  You never have this data,
and neither would the databox company.
<p>
In other words, the databox is a pseudo-solution that can only
distract from the 
<a href="http://gnu.org/philosophy/surveillance-vs-democracy.html">measures
that would really end massive surveillance</a>.


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html 03_February_2015_(Attack_on_city_of_Maiduguri)
title: Attack on city of Maiduguri
uri: Attack-on-city-of-Maiduguri
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#03_February_2015_%28Attack_on_city_of_Maiduguri%29
content:
<p>
Boko Haram is 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/feb/01/boko-haram-maiduguri-nigeria">attacking
the city of Maiduguri</a>, with 2 million inhabitants, from all sides.


title: Prohibition of abortion in Brazil
uri: Prohibition-of-abortion-in-Brazil
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html 03_February_2015_(Prohibition_of_abortion_in_Brazil)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#03_February_2015_%28Prohibition_of_abortion_in_Brazil%29

content:
<p>
Prohibition of abortion 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/feb/01/abortion-in-brazil-a-matter-of-life-and-death">kills
women today</a> in Brazil.
<p>
But even if it didn't kill them, it would force them to have babies,
and that in itself is a great injustice.


title: Attack on freedom of the internet
uri: Attack-on-freedom-of-the-internet
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html 03_February_2015_(Attack_on_freedom_of_the_internet)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#03_February_2015_%28Attack_on_freedom_of_the_internet%29

content:
<p>
A misguided attempt to stop trafficking of workers in just one field
<a href="http://reason.com/blog/2015/01/30/save-act-which-would-criminalize-craigsl">attacks
the freedom of the internet</a> on the side.
<p>
Trafficking and enslavement of workers is a broad problem, found in
diverse areas of work including domestic service, sex work, factory
work and construction.  We need to develop measures to protect workers
from this.
<p>
One of the factors that promotes enslavement in any area is poverty.


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html 03_February_2015_(The_TPP)
title: The TPP
uri: 2015-02-04-The-TPP
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#03_February_2015_%28The_TPP%29
content:
<p>
Obama told Democratic legislators to "get informed" about the TPP; but
he is the one 
<a href="http://www.dailykos.com/story/2015/01/30/1361160/-Obama-Tells-House-Dems-to-Get-Informed-on-the-TPP-But-He-s-the-One-Restricting-Access-to-the-Text">preventing
them from reading it</a>.


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html 03_February_2015_(SF_thugs_arrest_public_defender)
title: SF thugs arrest public defender
uri: SF-thugs-arrest-public-defender
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#03_February_2015_%28SF_thugs_arrest_public_defender%29

content:
<p>
San Francisco thugs arrested a public defender for 
<a href="http://www.loweringthebar.net/2015/01/sf-cops-arrest-public-defender.html">objecting
as they violated her clients' rights</a>.
<p>
If you want to watch the video, be sure to get it with free software.
Don't watch it as embedded in this page because that would make you
run a 
<a href="http://gnu.org/philosophy/whats-wrong-with-youtube.html">nonfree
Javascript program</a>.


title: Obama's actions accelerate global heating
uri: Obama-s-actions-accelerate-global-heating
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html 03_February_2015_(Obamas_actions_accelerate_global_heating)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#03_February_2015_%28Obamas_actions_accelerate_global_heating%29

content:
<p>
Obama talks about the need to curb global heating but his actions
<a href="http://www.commondreams.org/views/2015/01/30/why-climate-president-approving-more-oil-drilling">accelerate
it</a>.


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html 03_February_2015_(Bernie_Sanders_for_president)
title: Bernie Sanders for president
uri: Bernie-Sanders-for-president
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#03_February_2015_%28Bernie_Sanders_for_president%29
content:
<p>
Bernie Sanders says he is 
<a href="http://www.commondreams.org/news/2015/01/30/sanders-focus-not-clinton-whether-2016-run-could-mobilize-masses">waiting
to see if he can mobilize people</a> to decide whether to run for
president.
<p>
He can mobilize me.  What about you?


title: Republicans see global heating danger
uri: Republicans-see-global-heating-danger
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html 03_February_2015_(Republicans_see_global_heating_danger)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#03_February_2015_%28Republicans_see_global_heating_danger%29

content:
<p>
In the US, even most Republicans 
<a href="http://www.commondreams.org/news/2015/01/30/new-poll-shows-overwhelming-majority-americans-want-lawmakers-take-action-climate">think
global heating is dangerous and action must be taken to curb it</a>.
<p>
Thus, all depends on whether the denialists can rig/buy the next
election.


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html 03_February_2015_(US_nuclear_reactors)
title: US nuclear reactors
uri: US-nuclear-reactors
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#03_February_2015_%28US_nuclear_reactors%29
content:
<p>
Obama's "breakthrough" with India: 
<a href="http://fair.org/blog/2015/01/27/good-news-us-corporations-wont-have-to-pay-for-nuclear-disasters-in-india/">US
nuclear reactor companies won't be liable</a> for nuclear accidents in
India.
<p>
Is this supposed to be positive?


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html 03_February_2015_(Unexploded_US_bombs_in_Laos)
title: Unexploded US bombs in Laos
uri: Unexploded-US-bombs-in-Laos
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#03_February_2015_%28Unexploded_US_bombs_in_Laos%29
content:
<p>
In Laos, 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/jan/31/laos-deadly-aftermath-us-bomb-campaign-vietnam-air-attacks">500
people a year are maimed or killed</a> by unexploded US bombs, 40
years after the war ended.
<p>
It will probably be like this in Iraq and Afghanistan a century from
now.


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html 04_February_2015_(Urgent:_Oppose_TPP_fast-track)
title: Urgent: Oppose TPP fast-track
uri: 2015-02-04-Urgent-Oppose-TPP-fast-track
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#04_February_2015_%28Urgent%3A_Oppose_TPP_fast-track%29

content:
<p>
US citizens: 
<a href="http://act.democracyforamerica.com/sign/stop_tpp_fast_track/">sign
this petition too</a> against fast-track for the TPP.


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html 04_February_2015_(Urgent:_Municipal_broadband)
title: Urgent: Municipal broadband
uri: Urgent-Municipal-broadband
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#04_February_2015_%28Urgent%3A_Municipal_broadband%29

content:
<p>
US citizens: 
<a href="http://act.credoaction.com/sign/fcc_municipal_broadband">call
on the FCC</a> to pre-empt laws against municipal broadband.


title: Urgent: Ban on robocalls to cell phones
uri: Urgent-Ban-on-robocalls-to-cell-phones
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html 04_February_2015_(Urgent:_Ban_on_robocalls_to_cell_phones)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#04_February_2015_%28Urgent%3A_Ban_on_robocalls_to_cell_phones%29

content:
<p>
US citizens: 
<a href="http://action.civilrights.org/site/Survey?ACTION_REQUIRED=URI_ACTION_USER_REQUESTS&SURVEY_ID=4121">call
for a continued ban</a> on robocalls to cell phones without the user's
consent.
<p>
A cell phone is a tracking device and a listening device, so I refuse
to have one.  The matter of robocalls is a small inconvenience on top
of that fundamental injustice.  Nonetheless, this campaign is worth
supporting as long as it doesn't distract us from the deeper problem.


title: Freedom of expression at UK universities
uri: Freedom-of-expression-at-UK-universities
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html 04_February_2015_(Freedom_of_expression_at_UK_universities)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#04_February_2015_%28Freedom_of_expression_at_UK_universities%29

content:
<p>
80% of UK universities have 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/education/2015/feb/02/free-speech-universities-spiked-ban-sombreros">rules
restricting freedom of expression</a>.
<p>
There is some confusion regarding the Palestinian boycott, divestment
and sanctions campaign supported by the UWE student union.  It is
aimed at Israeli institutions, including the universities (which are
connected with the occupation), but not at individual scholars.  Thus,
it includes a 
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2013-nov-feb.html#19_December_2013_(Boycott_of_Israeli_academic_institutions)">boycott
of Israeli academiEs</a> but not of Israeli academiCs.


title: Chemical companies suppress EU report
uri: Chemical-companies-suppress-EU-report
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html 04_February_2015_(Chemical_companies_suppress_EU_report)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#04_February_2015_%28Chemical_companies_suppress_EU_report%29

content:
<p>
Chemical companies suppressed 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2015/feb/02/suppressed-eu-report-could-have-banned-pesticides-worth-billions">an
EU report that aimed to limit hormone-mimicking pesticides</a> that
can cause cancer and birth defects.


title: Large part of UK off limits to fracking
uri: Large-part-of-UK-off-limits-to-fracking
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html 04_February_2015_(Large_part_of_UK_off_limits_to_fracking)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#04_February_2015_%28Large_part_of_UK_off_limits_to_fracking%29

content:
<p>
A large part of the UK has been put off limits to fracking, with the
result that 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2015/feb/02/fracking-set-to-be-banned-from-40-of-englands-shale-areas">business
may find fracking unprofitable to try</a>.


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html 04_February_2015_(Mass_death_sentence_in_Egypt)
title: Mass death sentence in Egypt
uri: Mass-death-sentence-in-Egypt
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#04_February_2015_%28Mass_death_sentence_in_Egypt%29
content:
<p>
Egypt has 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/feb/02/egypt-muslim-brotherhood-supporters-sentenced-death">sentenced
almost 200 Muslim Brotherhood supporters to death</a>, supposedly for
killing a few thugs.
<p>
Egyptian trials are so wacky that this one gives us no reason to think
those people did anything at all, or even that they supported the
Muslim Brotherhood.  Who knows?
<p>
But if they really did kill thugs, so what?  The thugs were already
shooting supporters of the Muslim Brotherhood, so why shouldn't they
shoot back?
<p>
This has nothing to do with what the Muslim Brotherhood stands for
(which, as an Atheist, I don't agree with at all).


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html 04_February_2015_(Australias_carbocratic_govt)
title: Australia's carbocratic gov't
uri: Australia-s-carbocratic-gov-t
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#04_February_2015_%28Australias_carbocratic_govt%29
content:
<p>
Australia's carbocratic government 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2015/feb/02/australia-tells-un-it-is-acting-with-renewed-vigour-on-great-barrier-reef">says
it will operate with "renewed vigor" on the Great Barrier Reef</a>.
<p>
What it was doing already was bad enough.


title: 11 journalists remain imprisoned in Egypt
uri: 11-journalists-remain-imprisoned-in-Egypt
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html 04_February_2015_(11_journalists_remain_imprisoned_in_Egypt)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#04_February_2015_%2811_journalists_remain_imprisoned_in_Egypt%29

content:
<p>
Peter Greste has got out of Egypt but
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/media/2015/feb/01/joy-release-peter-greste-egypt">at
least 11 other journalists</a> are in prison there, along with tens of
thousands of people who protested or were merely unlucky.


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html 04_February_2015_(Basic_income_for_everyone)
title: Basic income for everyone
uri: Basic-income-for-everyone
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#04_February_2015_%28Basic_income_for_everyone%29
content:
<p>
A basic income for everyone would do 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2015/feb/01/paying-everyone-a-basic-income-would-kill-off-low-paid-menial-jobs">more
than just replace other forms of welfare benefits</a>.


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html 04_February_2015_(Syrizas_economics)
title: Syriza's economics
uri: Syriza-s-economics
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#04_February_2015_%28Syrizas_economics%29
content:
<p>
Syriza's economics 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/business/2015/feb/01/syriza-cleaners-economics-needs-new-broom-greece">rejects
the fiction of the "rational economic man"</a>.


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html 04_February_2015_(Face_recognition_technology)
title: Face recognition technology
uri: Face-recognition-technology
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#04_February_2015_%28Face_recognition_technology%29
content:
<p>
Face recognition technology is being improved to the point where it
<a href="http://www.sciencemag.org/content/347/6221/492.full">makes
everyone unsafe</a>.


title: Deportation of reporter imprisoned in Egypt
uri: Deportation-of-reporter-imprisoned-in-Egypt
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html 04_February_2015_(Deportation_of_reporter_imprisoned_in_Egypt)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#04_February_2015_%28Deportation_of_reporter_imprisoned_in_Egypt%29

content:
<p>
Reporter Peter Greste, imprisoned in Egypt for over a year for
committing journalism, will be 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/media/2015/feb/01/peter-greste-al-jazeera-released-egypt">deported
to Australia</a>.
<p>
Will that mean he is freed?  Supposedly the deportation would be so he
can "continue his sentence" there.  Will Australia have to promise to
imprison him?  Will Australia be allowed to give him the retrial he is
owed?
<p>
His Egyptian colleague Baher Mohamed may remain in prison for years.
Al-Sisi probably hopes we will forget about him once Greste and Fahmy
are safely home.


title: US corporations' money held outside the US
uri: US-corporations-money-held-outside-the-US
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html 04_February_2015_(US_corporations_money_held_outside_the_US)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#04_February_2015_%28US_corporations_money_held_outside_the_US%29

content:
<p>
Obama will propose a 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2015/feb/01/obama-budget-tax-big-corporation-overseas-earnings">small
(14%) one-time tax</a> on money held by US corporations outside the
US.
<p>
It is the right spirit, but must more than this needs to be done.  For
instance, to put an end to "inversions" whereby these companies cease
to be US companies.


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html 04_February_2015_(UKs_march_for_homes)
title: UK's "march for homes"
uri: UK-s-march-for-homes
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#04_February_2015_%28UKs_march_for_homes%29
content:
<p>
A 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2015/jan/31/march-for-homes-focus-e15-mums-london-homelessness-priced-out-area">statement
from some protesters</a> in the UK's "march for homes".


title: Proposed reforms to copyright law
uri: Proposed-reforms-to-copyright-law
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html 04_February_2015_(Proposed_reforms_to_copyright_law)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#04_February_2015_%28Proposed_reforms_to_copyright_law%29

content:
<p>
The Pirate Party's sole current MEP has drawn up a report for the
European Parliament proposing 
<a href="media/beddfc89.copyright_evaluation_report.pdf" data-original-source="https://pub.juliareda.eu/copyright_evaluation_report.pdf">reforms
to copyright law</a>.
<p>
For the European Union to adopt these reforms would be a substantial
step forward.  However, they fall far short of what is needed to make
copyright tolerable.
<p>
In particular, they fail to establish the right to share copies
(noncommercial redistribution without change).  They shorten the
copyright term a little, but leave it lasting an absurdly long time.
The weakness comes at the root: the report accepts unjust treaties
that we need to eliminate, such as the Berne Convention, as well as
the World Trade Organization that must be destroyed for other
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2012-nov-feb.html#07_February_2013_(Barriers_to_international_trade)">larger 
reasons</a> as well as copyright.
<p>
As a matter of practical politics, this may be the best one could hope
the European Parliament to pass, or perhaps more than it could pass.
However, Europeans, and especially parties such as the Pirate Parties
that stand for the freedom to share, must demand far more reduction in
copyright power, even if they cannot achieve it now.
<p>
This makes it especially worrisome that this report was drawn up by
the Pirate Party's sole MEP.
<p>
The fact that it was written by her does not make it any better or any
worse than if someone else had written it.  However, soon she will
have the responsibility to say that the report's reforms are
inadequate.  Will she be able to say that after having written it
herself?  Or has she in effect allowed herself to be co-opted by the
establishment?


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html 04_February_2015_(Avoiding_disaster_by_2050)
title: Avoiding disaster by 2050
uri: Avoiding-disaster-by-2050
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#04_February_2015_%28Avoiding_disaster_by_2050%29
content:
<p>
The developed countries must make major changes to 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2015/jan/28/yes-we-can-live-well-avoid-climate-change-disaster-says-uk-government">avoid
disaster by 2050</a>, and that's without trying to end poverty for the
rest of the world.
<p>
We should make strenuous efforts to prevent human population from
increasing to 9 billion.


title: US gov't on encryption and anonymity
uri: US-gov-t-on-encryption-and-anonymity
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html 04_February_2015_(US_govt_on_encryption_and_anonymity)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#04_February_2015_%28US_govt_on_encryption_and_anonymity%29

content:
<p>
The US government says encryption and anonymity are a 
<a href="http://motherboard.vice.com/read/tor-and-encryption-have-created-a-zone-of-lawlessness-justice-department-says">"lawless
zone"</a>.
<p>
Implicitly this represents the claim that it is normal for the state
to know everything about everyone, in order to "protect" us from
secondary dangers.  It's surely coincidence that this would give the
state total power over everyone.


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html 04_February_2015_(US_govt_car-tracking_system)
title: US gov't car-tracking system
uri: US-gov-t-car-tracking-system
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#04_February_2015_%28US_govt_car-tracking_system%29
content:
<p>
The US government's massive system of car-tracking was set up to
further another injustice: 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2015/jan/29/us-plan-track-car-drivers-documents">"forfeiture"</a>
(taking people's property without convicting them of crimes).


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html 04_February_2015_(NYC_thugs_get_machine_guns)
title: NYC thugs get machine guns
uri: NYC-thugs-get-machine-guns
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#04_February_2015_%28NYC_thugs_get_machine_guns%29
content:
<p>
<a href="http://www.privacysos.org/node/1663">DeBlasio Responds to
Police Reform Protests by Giving Machine Guns to Cops for Protest
Policing</a>.
<p>
I don't think New York City will ever need a 350-thug paramilitary
unit, bigger than a company in the US army.  I have a feeling that the
thugs demanded this from de Blasio for ceasing to attack him after he
criticized them for killing people.


title: Community renewable energy subsidy eliminated
uri: Community-renewable-energy-subsidy-eliminated
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html 04_February_2015_(Community_renewable_energy_subsidy_eliminated)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#04_February_2015_%28Community_renewable_energy_subsidy_eliminated%29

content:
<p>
The UK government has 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/money/2015/jan/31/treasury-tax-breaks-green-energy-schemes">eliminated
the subsidy for community renewable energy</a>.
<p>
This was the last substantial UK policy which favored renewable
energy.  The Conservatives said they would be the "greenest government
ever", but quickly showed that their intention was to favor fossil
fuels.  Rather than change direction immediately, they began a
step-by-step change stretched over the whole period of this
government.  I am not surprised that they have timed it so that the
last step in the total reversal for the end of that period.


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html 04_February_2015_(Transcranial_brain_stimulation)
title: Transcranial brain stimulation
uri: Transcranial-brain-stimulation
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#04_February_2015_%28Transcranial_brain_stimulation%29

content:
<p>
A survey of published experiments concludes that there is 
<a href="http://spectrum.ieee.org/biomedical/ethics/brain-hackers-beware-scientist-says-tdcs-has-no-effect">no
real evidence that transcranial brain stimulation has any predictable
effect</a>.
<p>
It may have some effects on some people, but it is hard to be sure
whether that is real or through suggestion.


title: Liberties Lost In The War On Piracy
uri: Liberties-Lost-In-The-War-On-Piracy
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html 04_February_2015_(Liberties_Lost_In_The_War_On_Piracy)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#04_February_2015_%28Liberties_Lost_In_The_War_On_Piracy%29

content:
<p>
<a href="http://torrentfreak.com/in-memory-of-the-liberties-lost-in-the-war-on-piracy-150202/">In
Memory Of The Liberties Lost In The War On Piracy</a>.
<p>
I think the first battle was lost when most people (but not I!)
started using the smear-word "piracy" to mean "What the copyright
industry hates".


title: Original version of first Star Wars movie
uri: Original-version-of-first-Star-Wars-movie
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html 04_February_2015_(Original_version_of_first_Star_Wars_movie)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#04_February_2015_%28Original_version_of_first_Star_Wars_movie%29

content:
<p>
Some people want to watch the original version of the first Star Wars
movie, but distributing it or downloading it is 
<a href="http://www.vox.com/2015/1/30/7952859/despecialized-edition-download">criminalized
in the US</a>.


title: Danger of brain injury from football
uri: Danger-of-brain-injury-from-football
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html 04_February_2015_(Danger_of_brain_injury_from_football)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#04_February_2015_%28Danger_of_brain_injury_from_football%29

content:
<p>
Awareness of the 
<a href="http://www.theatlantic.com/entertainment/archive/2015/02/super-bowl-xlix-domestic-violence-concussion-head-injury/385077/">danger
of permanent brain injury</a> is starting to affect Americans'
attraction to football.


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html 04_February_2015_(The_label_terrorist)
title: The label "terrorist"
uri: 2015-02-05-The-label-terrorist
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#04_February_2015_%28The_label_terrorist%29
content:
<p>
The US government 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2015/feb/02/fbi-anonymous-hacktivist-jeremy-hammond-terrorism-watchlist">labeled
Jeremy Hammond as a "terrorist"</a>.
<p>
"Terrorist" could be a meaningful word if the government treated the
concept with respect.  Nowadays states have twisted it into an
all-purpose excuse to demonize or imprisoning anyone for whatever
reason.


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html 04_February_2015_(Syriza_to_kill_TTIP)
title: Syriza to kill TTIP
uri: Syriza-to-kill-TTIP
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#04_February_2015_%28Syriza_to_kill_TTIP%29
content:
<p>
Syriza 
<a href="http://www.commondreams.org/news/2015/02/02/syriza-official-vows-kill-eu-us-trade-deal-gift-all-european-people">will
kill TTIP</a> (This Treaty Is Plutocratic).


title: For the US, War Is the New Normal
uri: For-the-US-War-Is-the-New-Normal
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html 04_February_2015_(For_the_US,_War_Is_the_New_Normal)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#04_February_2015_%28For_the_US%2C_War_Is_the_New_Normal%29

content:
<p>
For the US, War Is the New Normal: 
<a href="http://www.commondreams.org/views/2015/02/02/war-new-normal-seven-deadly-reasons-why-americas-wars-persist">various
factors</a> prevent the US from even considering peace.


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html 04_February_2015_(Failure_to_produce_trickle-down)
title: Failure to produce trickle-down
uri: Failure-to-produce-trickle-down
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#04_February_2015_%28Failure_to_produce_trickle-down%29

content:
<p>
After tax cuts (for the rich) and welfare cuts in Wisconsin 
<a href="http://www.prwatch.org/news/2015/01/12720/ALEC-Wisconsin-Milwaukee">failed
to produce any trickle-down to working people and poor</a>,
Republicans conclude that more of the same is needed.


title: Dishonesty of Barrett Brown prosecution
uri: Dishonesty-of-Barrett-Brown-prosecution
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html 04_February_2015_(Dishonesty_of_Barrett_Brown_prosecution)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#04_February_2015_%28Dishonesty_of_Barrett_Brown_prosecution%29

content:
<p>
Barrett Brown explains the 
<a href="http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2015/01/31/my-post-cyberpunk-indentured-servitude.html">arrant
dishonesty of his prosecution</a>.
<p>
I'm afraid he is right — with the US mainstream media toadying
to the US government, the only factor that restrains its lies
is the heroes like Manning, Assange and Snowden, and flawed heroes
such as Barrett Brown.


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html 04_February_2015_(Peruvians_demand_compensation)
title: Peruvians demand compensation
uri: Peruvians-demand-compensation
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#04_February_2015_%28Peruvians_demand_compensation%29

content:
<p>
Peruvians in the Amazon region demand compensation for 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2015/feb/02/perus-indigenous-people-protest-against-re-licensing-of-oil-concession">45
years of pollution from oil drilling</a>.


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html 04_February_2015_(Irish_Water_Tax_Rebellion)
title: Irish Water Tax Rebellion
uri: Irish-Water-Tax-Rebellion
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#04_February_2015_%28Irish_Water_Tax_Rebellion%29
content:
<p>
<a href="http://www.commondreams.org/news/2015/01/31/irish-water-tax-rebellion-marches-thirty-thousand-take-streets">Irish
Water Tax Rebellion Marches on as Thirty Thousand Take to Streets</a>.


title: Pakistan to execute non-terrorist
uri: Pakistan-to-execute-non-terrorist
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html 04_February_2015_(Pakistan_to_execute_non-terrorist)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#04_February_2015_%28Pakistan_to_execute_non-terrorist%29

content:
<p>
Pakistan is about to execute a man who was convicted despite a 
<a href="http://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2015/02/02/pakistan-set-break-pledge-execute-only-terrorists">strong
case he killed in self-defense</a>.


title: Spread of misinformation about torture
uri: Spread-of-misinformation-about-torture
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html 04_February_2015_(Spread_of_misinformation_about_torture)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#04_February_2015_%28Spread_of_misinformation_about_torture%29

content:
<p>
<a href="http://www.commondreams.org/views/2015/02/02/enhanced-misinformation-techniques">US
television spreads misinformation</a> that torture is "effective" for
getting true information.


title: Hottest years recorded by meteorology
uri: Hottest-years-recorded-by-meteorology
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html 04_February_2015_(Hottest_years_recorded_by_meteorology)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#04_February_2015_%28Hottest_years_recorded_by_meteorology%29

content:
<p>
14 of the 15 hottest years recorded by meteorology have been 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2015/feb/02/14-15-hottest-years-record-2000-un-global-warming">since
2000</a>.


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html 04_February_2015_(Control_of_food_supplies)
title: Control of food supplies
uri: Control-of-food-supplies
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#04_February_2015_%28Control_of_food_supplies%29
content:
<p>
The US and China are 
<a href="http://www.revealnews.org/article/how-china-purchased-a-prime-cut-of-americas-pork-industry/">starting
to compete for control of food supplies</a>.
<p>
We have got to reduce the human birth rate!


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html 5_February_2015_(Urgent:_Call_on_the_SEC)
title: Urgent: Call on the SEC
uri: Urgent-Call-on-the-SEC
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#5_February_2015_%28Urgent%3A_Call_on_the_SEC%29
content:
<p>
US citizens: call on the SEC to make public companies report the ratio
between the <a href="http://act.credoaction.com/sign/sec_ceo_pay?t=1002&akid=12915.1183552.qoxnOS">
CEO's pay and the average worker's pay.</a></p>
<p>Why not go further and require reporting all the benefits that all the
executives get?
</p>


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html 5_February_2015_(Greece)
title: Greece
uri: Greece
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#5_February_2015_%28Greece%29
content:
<p>
Syriza has an interesting proposal for restructuring Greek debt so that
Greece could <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2015/feb/03/guardian-view-on-the-euro-yanis-varoufakis-haggle">
someday pay it.</a></p>


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html 5_February_2015_(Society)
title: Society
uri: Society
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#5_February_2015_%28Society%29
content:
<p></p>
<p>The non-rich in the UK are suffering an "epidemic of private despair";
in a political system which treats them like scum, <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2015/feb/03/britain-economic-crisis-public">
they think of
themselves as scum.</a></p>
<p>Some Deny Society Exists.  Let's Prove <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2015/feb/03/society-consumerism-support">
Them Wrong.</a>
</p>
<p>If you are being oppressed, don't blame yourselves!  You are not scum.
The plutocrats and the politicians that obey them are scum.</p>


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html 5_February_2015_(The_UK's_Bill)
title: The UK's Bill
uri: The-UK-s-Bill
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#5_February_2015_%28The_UK%27s_Bill%29
content:
<p></p>
<p>The UK's "anti-terrorism" bill would extend the UK's crackdown on
freedom of expression, which has already <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2015/feb/04/theresa-may-prevent-bill-extremism-security-terrorism">
gone dangerously far.</a></p>


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html 5_February_2015_(Donors)
title: Donors
uri: Donors
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#5_February_2015_%28Donors%29
content:
<p>
Donors pledged 3 billion dollars of aid to the countries hit by Ebola
virus but <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/feb/04/less-half-ebola-money-un-study">
have really given only 40% of that.
</a></p>
<p>If they had sent money faster, they could have ended the epidemic
sooner.</p>


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html 5_February_2015_(US_Government_Memo)
title: US Government Memo
uri: US-Government-Memo
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#5_February_2015_%28US_Government_Memo%29
content:
<p></p>
<p>A US government memo acknowledged that force-feeding prisoners
<a href="https://news.vice.com/article/how-a-military-memo-could-save-the-nurse-who-refused-to-force-feed-guantanamo-detainees">
violates international law.</a>
This may exculpate a nurse who refused to do force feeding and is
now facing charges of "refusal to be cruel and inhumane".</p>


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html 5_February_2015_(Students)
title: Students
uri: Students
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#5_February_2015_%28Students%29
content:
<p>
Only 9% of students from poor families complete college in the US,
compared with 77% from <a href="http://www.commondreams.org/news/2015/02/03/college-completion-gap-between-rich-and-poor-has-doubled-study">
wealthy families.</a></p>
<p>Those 9% are terribly burdened by debt.</p>
<p>In other words, poor people have very little chance to advance.</p>
<p>If only 44% of the wealthy got college degrees in 1970, surely the
other 56% were not hindered by lack of money.  Either they were not
good enough students, or they saw no need to bother, but I don't know
which.  I wonder why nowadays 77% of them get college degrees.
</p>


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html 5_February_2015_(World)
title: World
uri: World
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#5_February_2015_%28World%29
content:
<p>Many people seek the comfort of assuming that the world is just
— that people all get what they deserve.  People who cling to
<a href="http://penguinrandomhouse.ca/hazlitt/blog/monstrous-cruelty-just-world">
this tend to blame victims.
</a>
</p>
<p>The just-world assumption feels great when you are privileged, because
it gives you a basis to assume it's your own merit at work.</p>
<p>This plays a part in a new right-wing camp, <a href="http://boingboing.net/2015/01/28/a-beginners-guide-to-the-red.html">
the "redpill right
wing".
</a>
People in that camp close their eyes to the fact that others are
held
back by bigotry and other forms of social
injustice.</p>
<p>Paradoxically, I have come across an exactly opposite form of bias,
where people say, "Lots of other things could kill you, so there is no
point in avoiding this one."  They do this to rationalize dangerous
practices such as smoking tobacco.</p>
<p>The world gives us partial control over our futures, but in areas that
involve others, we can't expect complete control.  Even in things that
affect only us, others may control us through unjust power.  There is
also lots of randomness in the system: unpredictable events that could
result in good or bad.  This is what makes life so complicated and
interesting.  Each of the irrationalities mentioned above consists of
ignoring one large aspect of life.
</p>


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html 5_February_2015_(NYC_Thug)
title: NYC Thug
uri: NYC-Thug
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#5_February_2015_%28NYC_Thug%29
content:
<p></p>
<p>A NYC thug has been indicted for stamping on the head of a man down on
the
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2015/feb/03/nypd-officer-charged-video-stomping-head">
sidewalk who was being handcuffed.
</a></p>


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html 5_February_2015_(Arrest_Warrant)
title: Arrest Warrant
uri: Arrest-Warrant
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#5_February_2015_%28Arrest_Warrant%29
content:
<p>
Prosecutor Nisman wrote an arrest warrant for President Fernández,
which he hoped to execute after <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/feb/03/alberto-nisman-arrest-warrant-draft-cristina-fernandez-de-kirchner">
the president's impeachment.</a></p>


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html 5_February_2015_(Underground_Oil)
title: Underground Oil
uri: Underground-Oil
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#5_February_2015_%28Underground_Oil%29
content:
<p>Underground oil leaks can put arsenic <a href="http://www.commondreams.org/news/2015/02/02/yet-another-toxic-consequence-oil-spills-arsenic-contamination">
into ground water.</a></p>


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html 5_February_2015_(Seattle)
title: Seattle
uri: Seattle
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#5_February_2015_%28Seattle%29
content:
<p></p>
<p>Thugs in Seattle blocked a protest march, then pepper-sprayed two
people
who were leaving <a href="http://www.alternet.org/news-amp-politics/watch-seattle-cop-pepper-sprays-teacher-directly-face-walking-too-close">
the rally that had ended.</a></p>


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html 5_February_2015_(Device)
title: Device
uri: Device
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#5_February_2015_%28Device%29
content:
<p>A device is available to defeat Keurig coffee DRM once <a href="https://www.gourmet-coffee.com/Keurig-DRM-Freedom-Clip.html">
and for
all.</a></p>


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html 5_February_2015_(End_To_Subsidies)
title: End To Subsidies
uri: End-To-Subsidies
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#5_February_2015_%28End_To_Subsidies%29
content:
<p>Obama called for an end to subsidies to <a href="http://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2015/02/02/exxon-mobil-announces-mega-profits-president-challenges-congress-end-big-oil">
oil companies.</a></p>
<p>Obama has started advocating a considerable fraction of the
progressive
causes that most Americans support.  Too bad he did not do this
when there was a chance of enacting the changes.</p>
<p>I expect that many Democrats who are not really very progressive
will do likewise in the 2016 elections, without a serious intention
of passing laws to do this.  We will have to choose the serious
progressives over the late converts.
</p>


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html 5_February_2015_(Boy_Acussed)
title: Boy Acussed
uri: Boy-Acussed
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#5_February_2015_%28Boy_Acussed%29
content:
<p></p>
<p>A nine-year-old boy was accused of terrorism in school for fantasy
play in which he said a "magic ring" would make <a href="http://reason.com/blog/2015/02/02/9-year-old-boy-suspended-for-using-lord">
another child
invisible.</a>
</p>
<p>The school staff who did this are not really idiots.  Rather, they
have been convinced that it is their job to act like idiots.  This is
even worse.  After all, only a small fraction of the staff of a school
could really be idiots, but <em>all</em> the staff could give in to
pressure to act like idiots.</p>


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html 5_February_2015_(Undercover)
title: Undercover
uri: Undercover
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#5_February_2015_%28Undercover%29
content:
<p>
Thugs pressure students caught selling pot into undercover buying for
the thugs, <a href="http://reason.com/blog/2015/02/02/busted-over-60-worth-of-pot-college-stud">
and sometimes the students get killed.</a></p>
<p>Most Americans don't think of selling pot as antisocial, and neither
do these students.  They don't know how to move in the circles of
hardened criminals.</p>
<p>Unlike hardened criminals, they are not accustomed to betraying
people.  Being set to cause the arrest of others like themselves
must do them lasting moral damage.  They must think that honesty
is beyond their reach.</p>


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html 05_February_2015_(Food_and_water_safety)
title: Food and water safety
uri: Food-and-water-safety
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#05_February_2015_%28Food_and_water_safety%29
content:
<p>
Obama's budget 
<a href="http://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2015/02/02/food-and-water-protections-weakened-under-presidents-2016-budget">weakens
food and water safety</a>.
<p>
I disagree on one point: I don't in principle object to funding food
safety inspections through "user fees" if that means large businesses
have to pay for them.  But small businesses should not have to pay
fees, so as to cancel out a little bit of the existing slant of the
playing field.


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html 05_February_2015_(Keeping_antibiotics_working)
title: Keeping antibiotics working
uri: Keeping-antibiotics-working
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#05_February_2015_%28Keeping_antibiotics_working%29
content:
<p>
Obama has proposed an increase in efforts to keep antibiotics working,
but it 
<a href="http://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2015/02/02/presidents-budget-starting-point-save-antibiotics">isn't
enough to achieve the goal</a>.
<p>
The most important step, banning the indiscriminate use of antibiotics
in farm animals, won't require any government expenditure.
<p>
Obama's proposed tax on corporations' foreign income would still leave
them with 
<a href="http://www.commondreams.org/news/2015/02/02/obama-budget-plan-would-benefit-worst-corporate-tax-dodgers">a
tax break that is unfair to the rest of us</a>.


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html 05_February_2015_(Urgent:_Wall_Street_reform)
title: Urgent: Wall Street reform
uri: Urgent-Wall-Street-reform
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#05_February_2015_%28Urgent%3A_Wall_Street_reform%29
content:
<p>
US citizens: 
<a href="https://www.dailykos.com/campaigns/1093">call on Senate
Democrats</a> to defend Wall Street reform.


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html 05_February_2015_(Play_about_UK_jobcenters)
title: Play about UK jobcenters
uri: Play-about-UK-jobcenters
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#05_February_2015_%28Play_about_UK_jobcenters%29
content:
<p>
A former UK jobcenter worker wrote a play to show how the government
has 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/society/2015/feb/04/jobcentre-adviser-play-benefit-sanctions-angela-neville">converted
the jobcenters from "doing something for" the unemployed to a scheme
to hurt them</a>.


title: Increase interference with the Church
uri: Increase-interference-with-the-Church
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html 05_February_2015_(Increase_interference_with_the_Church)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#05_February_2015_%28Increase_interference_with_the_Church%29

content:
<p>
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/science/brain-flapping/2015/feb/04/scientists-pledge-to-increase-interference-with-the-church">Scientists
Pledge to Increase Interference with the Church</a>.
<p>
It's too bad this is (apparently) a hoax; the job really needs to be
done.  And not just with one church.


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html 05_February_2015_(Greek_defiance)
title: Greek defiance
uri: Greek-defiance
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#05_February_2015_%28Greek_defiance%29
content:
<p>
The Greek defiance illustrates that many countries 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2015/feb/04/greece-spain-debt-restructuring">need
and deserve debt forgiveness</a>.


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html 05_February_2015_(Corruption_in_Ukraine)
title: Corruption in Ukraine
uri: Corruption-in-Ukraine
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#05_February_2015_%28Corruption_in_Ukraine%29
content:
<p>
Corruption in Ukraine reaches even into 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/news/2015/feb/04/welcome-to-the-most-corrupt-nation-in-europe-ukraine">hospitals</a>.


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html 05_February_2015_(Antiwar_movements)
title: Antiwar movements
uri: Antiwar-movements
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#05_February_2015_%28Antiwar_movements%29
content:
<p>
<a href="http://www.commondreams.org/views/2015/02/03/demobilized-usa-why-there-no-massive-antiwar-movement">Demobilized
in the USA: Why There Is No Massive Antiwar Movement</a>.
There was a massive antiwar movement in 2003 and for several years
after that.  However, by 2006 it was focused on the death of US soldiers,
and not many of them are being killed now.  Reportedly 
<a href="http://www.nationalgeographic.com/healing-soldiers/blast-force.html">over
200,000 veterans have permanent brain injuries</a>, but those are not
visible so they don't inspire resistance.


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html 05_February_2015_(Greece_led_into_debt_by_banks)
title: Greece led into debt by banks
uri: Greece-led-into-debt-by-banks
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#05_February_2015_%28Greece_led_into_debt_by_banks%29

content:
<p>
Naive governments, like naive individuals, are often 
<a href="http://www.commondreams.org/views/2015/02/03/greek-morality-tale">led
into debt by calculating and unscrupulous banks</a>, and that was the
case for Greece.  It is the banks, not Greece, that deserved to be
punished so that they won't do this again.


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html 05_February_2015_(Russian_troops_in_Ukraine)
title: Russian troops in Ukraine
uri: Russian-troops-in-Ukraine
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#05_February_2015_%28Russian_troops_in_Ukraine%29
content:
<p>
A Russian woman 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/feb/03/petition-putin-free-russian-svetlana-davydova-treason">faces
20 years in prison</a> for telling the Ukrainian embassy that Russian
troops from a nearby base were being sent to Ukraine.
<p>
The bizarre twist is that Russia continues to deny that its soldiers
are in Ukraine, which means it has to claim that she gave Ukraine
false information that she invented with no basis.


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html 05_February_2015_(Photos)
title: Photos
uri: Photos
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#05_February_2015_%28Photos%29
content:
<p>
With people taking so many photos, they 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/jonathanjonesblog/2015/feb/03/instagram-generation-amateur-photographers-art-plagiarism">shouldn't
think that this involves any creativity</a>.
<p>
I don't consider 
<a href="https://stallman.org/photos">my photos</a> art, and I don't
aspire to making photos that are great.  I think of them as a way to
show people beautiful or interesting places I have seen.  Some of them
are scenes that surely many have photographed, and some are not.


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html 05_February_2015_(Afghan_women_protest)
title: Afghan women protest
uri: Afghan-women-protest
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#05_February_2015_%28Afghan_women_protest%29
content:
<p>
Afghan women protested the government's 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2015/feb/03/afghan-women-protest-absence-female-ministers-new-cabinet">failure
to include women in the cabinet</a>.
<p>
Women in the cabinet is either a proxy or a substitute for government
policies that respect women's rights.  I am sure the Afghan government
doesn't do that very much either.


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html 05_February_2015_(Rich_people_preparing_to_hide)
title: Rich people preparing to hide
uri: Rich-people-preparing-to-hide
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#05_February_2015_%28Rich_people_preparing_to_hide%29

content:
<p>
Rich people are buying remote retreats with airstrips, 
<a href="http://www.commondreams.org/views/2015/02/03/super-rich-cant-hide-rest-us">hoping
to use them to escape the global disaster they are preparing for
everyone else</a>.
<p>
The article ends by saying that the rich should hide from shame rather
than from fear.  I suggest they ought to face both.
<p>
I think it would be a good idea to maintain published lists of the
plutocrats and their families — so that they won't believe they
will be allowed to escape after dooming most of humanity to disaster.


title: Protection of Indonesian rainforest
uri: Protection-of-Indonesian-rainforest
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html 05_February_2015_(Protection_of_Indonesian_rainforest)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#05_February_2015_%28Protection_of_Indonesian_rainforest%29

content:
<p>
It is hard to protect an Indonesian rainforest against 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2015/feb/03/conservationists-v-chainsaws-the-rspbs-battle-to-save-an-indonesian-rainforest">desperate
violent local people determined to cut down the trees and farm</a>.
<p>
This is going to get worse as population increase makes food scarce.
Human population growth will be stopped, so let's stop it before the
mass extinction.


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html 05_February_2015_(On-line_bank_statements)
title: On-line bank statements
uri: On-line-bank-statements
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#05_February_2015_%28On-line_bank_statements%29
content:
<p>
On-line bank statements 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/money/2015/feb/03/paper-bank-statements-easier-finances-online">make
it hard for customers to keep track</a>.


title: Some industrial projects blocked in India
uri: Some-industrial-projects-blocked-in-India
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html 05_February_2015_(Some_industrial_projects_blocked_in_India)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#05_February_2015_%28Some_industrial_projects_blocked_in_India%29

content:
<p>
The former environment minister of India 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/environment/india-untamed/2015/feb/03/india-former-minister-delayed-projects-at-partys-behest">blocked
some industrial projects on instructions from the leader of the
Congress Party</a>.
<p>
I don't see that this is particularly bad.  What the new government is
doing — approving projects easily — seems more dangerous.


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html 05_February_2015_(Publishing_without_a_license)
title: Publishing without a license
uri: Publishing-without-a-license
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#05_February_2015_%28Publishing_without_a_license%29
content:
<p>
A dissident book publisher in Belarus 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/feb/03/belarus-bookshop-lohvinau-publishing-crackdown">faces
a large fine for publishing without a license</a>.  It doesn't have a
license because the state refuses to give it one.


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html 05_February_2015_(Computer_screen_use_and_sleep)
title: Computer screen use and sleep
uri: Computer-screen-use-and-sleep
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#05_February_2015_%28Computer_screen_use_and_sleep%29

content:
<p>
Using computer screens a lot 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/technology/2015/feb/03/teenagers-sleep-less-when-they-have-more-computer-screen-time-says-study">leads
teenagers to sleep much less</a>.


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html 05_February_2015_(Greyston_Bakery)
title: Greyston Bakery
uri: Greyston-Bakery
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#05_February_2015_%28Greyston_Bakery%29
content:
<p>
Greyston Bakery will hire anyone at all, and 
<a href="http://www.dailykos.com/story/2015/01/30/1361206/-A-bakery-that-hires-addicts-felons-and-immigrants-continues-to-be-a-success?detail=email">helps
people become good employees</a>.
<p>
The US employment system nearly locks out anyone who has a criminal
record or even a blemish, except for those involved in plutocratic
corruption who can always get a new start.


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html 06_February_2015_(Abortions_in_Turkey)
title: Abortions in Turkey
uri: Abortions-in-Turkey
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#06_February_2015_%28Abortions_in_Turkey%29
content:
<p>
Erdo&gbreve;an's intimidation
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/feb/04/istanbul-hospitals-refuse-abortions-government-attitude">has
made most public hospitals in Istanbul refuse to do abortions</a>.  It
is probably worse elsewhere in Turkey.
<p>
When women die from underground abortions, or from forced childbirth,
Erdo&gbreve;an will have their blood on his hands.


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html 06_February_2015_(Warmer_winters)
title: Warmer winters
uri: Warmer-winters
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#06_February_2015_%28Warmer_winters%29
content:
<p>
Global heating means warmer winters, which 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2015/feb/04/how-winter-is-losing-its-cool-in-us-cities">threatens
agriculture</a>.


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html 06_February_2015_(Title_II_regulations)
title: Title II regulations
uri: Title-II-regulations
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#06_February_2015_%28Title_II_regulations%29
content:
<p>
Applying Title II to ISPs is a possible basis for network neutrality,
but 
<a href="https://www.publicknowledge.org/news-blog/blogs/title-ii-is-not-net-neutrality-and-net-neutrality-is-not-utility-regulation">big
decisions about the Title II regulations remain to be decided</a>.


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html 06_February_2015_(Paris_climate_negotiations)
title: Paris climate negotiations
uri: Paris-climate-negotiations
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#06_February_2015_%28Paris_climate_negotiations%29
content:
<p>
Officials are already 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2015/feb/04/paris-climate-summit-missing-global-warming-target-would-not-be-failure">trying
to minimize the expected failure</a> of the Paris climate
negotiations.


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html 06_February_2015_(John_Kiriakou_under_house_arrest)
title: John Kiriakou under house arrest
uri: John-Kiriakou-under-house-arrest
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#06_February_2015_%28John_Kiriakou_under_house_arrest%29

content:
<p>
John Kiriakou, imprisoned by the US for his opposition to US torture
practices, has been 
<a href="http://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2015/02/04/cia-whistleblower-john-kiriakou-released-home-confinement">released
from prison to house arrest at home</a>.


title: Fictional world in American Sniper
uri: Fictional-world-in-American-Sniper
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html 06_February_2015_(Fictional_world_in_American_Sniper)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#06_February_2015_%28Fictional_world_in_American_Sniper%29

content:
<p>
The movie <it>American Sniper</it> lies in its background, presenting
a
<a href="http://www.commondreams.org/views/2015/02/04/veteran-i-see-american-sniper-dangerous-not-reasons-youd-think">fictional
world in which US soldiers get punished for killing civilians</a> and
Saddam Hussein cooperated with al Qa'ida.


title: Fired for joining Walmart employee strike
uri: Fired-for-joining-Walmart-employee-strike
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html 06_February_2015_(Fired_for_joining_Walmart_employee_strike)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#06_February_2015_%28Fired_for_joining_Walmart_employee_strike%29

content:
<p>
Kiana Howard joined a strike of Walmart employees, and was 
<a href="http://www.motherjones.com/politics/2015/02/fired-retaliation-strike-walmart-black-friday">fired
for it</a>.
<p>
An even bigger point visible here is how desperate her life situation
is.  Our modern-day Hoovers seek to make her homeless, and her child
too.


title: 230 protest leaders sentenced in mass trial
uri: 230-protest-leaders-sentenced-in-mass-trial
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html 06_February_2015_(230_protest_leaders_sentenced_in_mass_trial)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#06_February_2015_%28230_protest_leaders_sentenced_in_mass_trial%29

content:
<p>
230 Egyptian protest leaders were sentenced to
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/feb/04/egypt-activists-jailed-life-2011-clashes">life
in prison</a>.
<p>
Even if were legitimate to imprison people for protesting, a trial
with so many defendants cannot give justice under any circumstances.


title: Urgent: Investment in US infrastructure
uri: Urgent-Investment-in-US-infrastructure
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html 06_February_2015_(Urgent:_Investment_in_US_infrastructure)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#06_February_2015_%28Urgent%3A_Investment_in_US_infrastructure%29

content:
<p>
US citizens: 
<a href="http://pac.petitions.moveon.org/sign/support-big-investment">Support
Senator Sanders' plan</a> for a big investment in US infrastructure.


title: Urgent: Investigate Denver shooting
uri: Urgent-Investigate-Denver-shooting
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html 06_February_2015_(Urgent:_Investigate_Denver_shooting)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#06_February_2015_%28Urgent%3A_Investigate_Denver_shooting%29

content:
<p>
US citizens: 
<a href="http://act.presente.org/sign/jessie">Call on Holder</a> to
investigate the shooting of Jessie Hernandez.


title: Urgent: Release full draft text of TPP
uri: Urgent-Release-full-draft-text-of-TPP
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html 06_February_2015_(Urgent:_Release_full_draft_text_of_TPP)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#06_February_2015_%28Urgent%3A_Release_full_draft_text_of_TPP%29

content:
<p>
US citizens: 
<a href="http://act.credoaction.com/sign/Bernie_Sanders_TPP">demand
release</a> of the full draft text of the TPP.


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html 06_February_2015_(Burning_people_to_death)
title: Burning people to death
uri: Burning-people-to-death
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#06_February_2015_%28Burning_people_to_death%29
content:
<p>
PISSI is not alone in 
<a href="https://firstlook.org/theintercept/?p=13045">burning people
to death</a>; the missiles from US drones do the same thing.  So do
the phosphorus and napalm bombs that the US used in Iraq.  But nobody
publishes videos of that.
<p>
The reason PISSI was able to publish a video is that PISSI
intentionally murdered a prisoner.  That is a significant step up in
barbarity compared with US missiles, which are at least intended to be
fired at enemies on the loose, even though they often kill the
innocent.


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html 06_February_2015_(Defeating_Boko_Haram)
title: Defeating Boko Haram
uri: 2015-02-07-Defeating-Boko-Haram
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#06_February_2015_%28Defeating_Boko_Haram%29
content:
<p>
Armed forces of Chad and Cameroon 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/feb/04/boko-haram-militants-killed-chad-nigeria">separately
won battles against Boko Haram fanatics</a>.
<p>
It appears that competent armies have no trouble defeating Boko Haram,
which suggests the Nigerian army is not competent.


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html 06_February_2015_(UK_govt_snooping_on_journalists)
title: UK govt snooping on journalists
uri: UK-govt-snooping-on-journalists
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#06_February_2015_%28UK_govt_snooping_on_journalists%29

content:
<p>
The UK government snooped on 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/feb/04/police-600-applications-trace-journalist-sources-snopping-watchdog">84
journalists and 242 of their sources</a> during the past 3 years.


title: Failure to increase social mobility
uri: Failure-to-increase-social-mobility
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html 06_February_2015_(Failure_to_increase_social_mobility)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#06_February_2015_%28Failure_to_increase_social_mobility%29

content:
<p>
When attempts to increase social mobility fail, there's 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2015/feb/04/social-mobility-equality-class-society">nothing
left but redistribution from the rich to the poor</a>.
<p>
That's what's right anyway.  Painful poverty can't be excused by the
fact that some poor become rich and some rich become poor.


title: NSA and GCHQ take advantage of crackers
uri: NSA-and-GCHQ-take-advantage-of-crackers
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html 06_February_2015_(NSA_and_GCHQ_take_advantage_of_crackers)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#06_February_2015_%28NSA_and_GCHQ_take_advantage_of_crackers%29

content:
<p>
The NSA and GCHQ take advantage of crackers to 
<a href="https://firstlook.org/theintercept/?p=12588">collect whatever
the crackers get from various sites</a>.


title: Austerity and suicide rate in Greece
uri: Austerity-and-suicide-rate-in-Greece
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html 06_February_2015_(Austerity_and_suicide_rate_in_Greece)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#06_February_2015_%28Austerity_and_suicide_rate_in_Greece%29

content:
<p>
Greek austerity measures were followed by a 
<a href="http://www.commondreams.org/news/2015/02/03/austerity-linked-30-year-high-greek-suicides-study">substantial
increase in the suicide rate</a>.


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html 06_February_2015_(The_Trade_and_Services_Agreement)
title: The Trade and Services Agreement
uri: The-Trade-and-Services-Agreement
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#06_February_2015_%28The_Trade_and_Services_Agreement%29

content:
<p>
A leak suggests that the Trade in Services Agreement will be 
<a href="https://data.awp.is/international/2015/02/04/22.html">designed
to compel privatization of medical care</a>.


title: Where Koch-funded groups coalesce
uri: Where-Koch-funded-groups-coalesce
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html 06_February_2015_(Where_Koch-funded_groups_coalesce)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#06_February_2015_%28Where_Koch-funded_groups_coalesce%29

content:
<p>
<a href="http://www.dailykos.com/story/2015/02/02/1361795/-Koch-funded-groups-coalesce-around-axing-all-transportation-funding-for-walking-biking-and-transit">Koch-Funded
Groups Coalesce Around Axing All Federal Funding for Walking, Biking
And Transit</a>.  And paying low wages for construction projects.


title: Israel destroys Palestinian water pipe
uri: Israel-destroys-Palestinian-water-pipe
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html 06_February_2015_(Israel_destroys_Palestinian_water_pipe)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#06_February_2015_%28Israel_destroys_Palestinian_water_pipe%29

content:
<p>
Israel 
<a href="http://www.maannews.net/eng/ViewDetails.aspx?ID=757465">destroyed
a Palestinian water pipe</a> near the Jordan Valley.
<p>
Israel has a 
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2011-jul-oct.html#10_August_2011_(Colonies_Linked_To_Demolition)">systematic
policy</a> of driving out all Palestinians from that area.


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html 06_February_2015_(Israels_annexation_wall)
title: Israel's annexation wall
uri: Israel-s-annexation-wall
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#06_February_2015_%28Israels_annexation_wall%29
content:
<p>
Building Israel's annexation wall through Bethlehem threatens to
<a href="http://www.haaretz.com/news/diplomacy-defense/1.640436">destroy
a school or cut off the town from the only nearby park</a>.


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html 06_February_2015_(Vaccination_of_children)
title: Vaccination of children
uri: Vaccination-of-children
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#06_February_2015_%28Vaccination_of_children%29
content:
<p>
Requiring children to be vaccinated makes a difference in disease
rates, 
<a href="http://www.dailykos.com/story/2015/02/02/1361768/-Bet-you-can-t-guess-what-state-is-1-in-vaccinations">even
in the US</a>.
<p>
<a href="http://www.dailykos.com/story/2015/02/02/1361507/-Your-right-to-believe-in-nonsense-should-end-when-you-start-spreading-a-highly-contagious-disease">Your
Right to Believe in Nonsense Should End When You Start Spreading a
Highly Contagious Disease</a>.
<p>
I'd say rather that they have the right to believe whatever they like,
but they may not act on their beliefs that way.


title: Thugs pin child to floor and point gun at her
uri: Thugs-pin-child-to-floor-and-point-gun-at-her
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html 06_February_2015_(Thugs_pin_child_to_floor_and_point_gun_at_her)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#06_February_2015_%28Thugs_pin_child_to_floor_and_point_gun_at_her%29

content:
<p>
Two Florida thugs 
<a href="http://www.dailykos.com/story/2015/02/02/1361835/-Florida-police-draw-gun-on-11-year-old-girl-in-her-own-home">pinned
a child to the floor and pointed a gun at her</a>.  She had been
watching TV at the time.
<p>
Couldn't they figure out that her watching TV could hurt no one except
her?


title: Stealing a Palestinian family's land
uri: Stealing-a-Palestinian-family-s-land
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html 06_February_2015_(Stealing_a_Palestinian_familys_land)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#06_February_2015_%28Stealing_a_Palestinian_familys_land%29

content:
<p>
Israeli "settlers" deep in Palestinian territory have found a 
<a href="http://mondoweiss.net/2015/01/occupiers-justice-tails">clever
way</a> to steal a Palestinian family's land even though the family
won a victory in Israeli court.


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html 06_February_2015_(Global_poverty)
title: Global poverty
uri: Global-poverty
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#06_February_2015_%28Global_poverty%29
content:
<p>
<a href="http://www.commondreams.org/views/2015/02/03/4-things-you-probably-know-about-poverty-bill-and-melinda-gates-dont">To
Fix Global Poverty, You First Need to Acknowledge Where It Comes
From</a>.


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html 06_February_2015_(Tory_Partys_funding)
title: Tory Party's funding
uri: Tory-Party-s-funding
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#06_February_2015_%28Tory_Partys_funding%29
content:
<p>
The Tory Party in the UK is funded by 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/politics/2015/feb/05/conservatives-bankrolled-hedge-fund-managers">stock
market manipulators</a>.


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html 06_February_2015_(Fossil_fuel_companies)
title: Fossil fuel companies
uri: Fossil-fuel-companies
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#06_February_2015_%28Fossil_fuel_companies%29
content:
<p>
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/environment/blog/2015/feb/04/fossil-fuel-companies-are-the-greatest-threat-to-lifes-party-not-greens">Fossil
Fuel Companies Are the Greatest Threat to Life's Party — Not
Greens</a>.


title: Declaring political parties "criminal"
uri: Declaring-political-parties-criminal
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html 06_February_2015_(Declaring_political_parties_criminal)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#06_February_2015_%28Declaring_political_parties_criminal%29

content:
<p>
The Golden Dawn party's recently reelected legislators will face trial
for
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/feb/04/golden-dawn-leader-mps-trial-greek-court">"belonging
to criminal organization."</a>
<p>
I do not like Golden Dawn's positions, but the practice of declaring a
political party "criminal" and prosecuting its leaders is dangerous to
democracy.  What would stop your political party from being next?
<p>
What I don't know is, does the trial have to <em>prove</em> that
Golden Dawn is a criminal organization, or has that been established
by fiat?


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html 06_February_2015_(UK_facial_recognition_directory)
title: UK facial recognition directory
uri: UK-facial-recognition-directory
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#06_February_2015_%28UK_facial_recognition_directory%29

content:
<p>
UK thugs have put 
<a href="http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-31105678">millions of innocent
people's faces</a> in a facial recognition directory.


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html 06_February_2015_(Right_of_employment_in_India)
title: Right of employment in India
uri: Right-of-employment-in-India
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#06_February_2015_%28Right_of_employment_in_India%29
content:
<p>
India made employment a right and employed rural families, but it is
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2015/feb/05/india-rural-employment-funding-cuts-mgnrega">cutting
back</a> and the program no longer does them much good.


title: Arrested for using golf club as a cane
uri: Arrested-for-using-golf-club-as-a-cane
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html 06_February_2015_(Arrested_for_using_golf_club_as_a_cane)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#06_February_2015_%28Arrested_for_using_golf_club_as_a_cane%29

content:
<p>
A Seattle thug arrested William Wingate, age 70, for 
<a href="http://seattletimes.com/html/localnews/2025578148_golfclubapologyxml.html">using
a golf club as a cane</a>.
<p>
Wingate pled guilty to a false charge to avoid the threat of worse
charges.  This illustrates the systematic injustice of the US legal
system which regularly pushes people into false confessions.  While
the city did the right thing by dropping the charge afterward, that
doesn't erase the systemic problem.
<p>
The arrest appears to be a typical example of unconscious racism:
Wingate had a golf club, and the thug 
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#24_December_2014_(Gun_or_power_drill)">got
the impression he was "swinging" it</a>.  (I do not see what is wrong
with swinging a golf club, as long as you don't come near hitting
anyone.  Golf clubs are made for swinging.)
<p>
Strictly speaking, thug Whitlatch is right in saying that thugs are
not "out to get" blacks.  Rather, they are systematically predisposed
to perceive blacks as doing something threatening, and to respond to
this by arresting them, beating them up, even killing them.


title: Urgent: Cut nuclear weapons spending
uri: Urgent-Cut-nuclear-weapons-spending
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html 07_February_2015_(Urgent:_Cut_nuclear_weapons_spending)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#07_February_2015_%28Urgent%3A_Cut_nuclear_weapons_spending%29

content:
<p>
US citizens: 
<a href="http://www.globalzero.org/obamas-nuclear-weapons-spending-spree">call
on Obama</a> to cut the big new nuclear weapons spending proposal.


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html 07_February_2015_(Urgent:_Obamas_judicial_nominees)
title: Urgent: Obama's judicial nominees
uri: Urgent-Obama-s-judicial-nominees
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#07_February_2015_%28Urgent%3A_Obamas_judicial_nominees%29

content:
<p>
US citizens: 
<a href="http://site.pfaw.org/site/PageServer?pagename=JudicialNoms2015">call
on the Senate</a> to give Obama's judicial nominees consideration (and
a vote).


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html 07_February_2015_(Urgent:_Stop_Suncor_pollution)
title: Urgent: Stop Suncor pollution
uri: Urgent-Stop-Suncor-pollution
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#07_February_2015_%28Urgent%3A_Stop_Suncor_pollution%29

content:
<p>
Everyone: 
<a href="http://vk.rootstrikers.org/petitions/176">call on Suncor</a>
to stop polluting Canadian democracy and Canadian rivers.


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html 07_February_2015_(Torture_in_Israeli_prison)
title: Torture in Israeli prison
uri: Torture-in-Israeli-prison
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#07_February_2015_%28Torture_in_Israeli_prison%29
content:
<p>
How Palestinian teenagers now in prison in Israel are 
<a href="http://www.imemc.org/article/70450">being tortured</a>.
<p>
Here, as in general, I decline to use the term "children" to refer to
teenagers.  For many issues, what's right for children is different
from what's right for teenagers.  However, that doesn't affect the
substance of this issue: torture like this is wrong for teenagers, for
children, and for adults too.


title: "Affirmative consent" rules in US colleges
uri: Affirmative-consent-rules-in-US-colleges
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html 07_February_2015_(Affirmative_consent_rules_in_US_colleges)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#07_February_2015_%28Affirmative_consent_rules_in_US_colleges%29

content:
<p>
New rules in US colleges say 
<a href="http://reason.com/archives/2015/02/03/how-affirmative-consent-rules-threaten">students
are to be treated as rapists if they don't get "affirmative consent"
for sex</a>.  At the same time, you can get kicked out of school and
lose your job just for asking.


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html 07_February_2015_(Increase_in_antisemitism)
title: Increase in antisemitism
uri: Increase-in-antisemitism
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#07_February_2015_%28Increase_in_antisemitism%29
content:
<p>
Israel's bombardment of Gaza provoked a 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/feb/05/antisemitic-attacks-uk-community-security-trust-britain-jewish-population">big
increase in antisemitism in Britain and France</a>.
<p>
I almost never experienced antisemitism while growing up in the US.
Horror over Nazi genocide made antisemitism something to shun a person
for, which suppressed it to a low level.
<p>
Israel's crime in Gaza does not justify bigotry or hatred against
Jews.  These are two different issues.  Indeed, many US Jews (and
people of Jewish ethnic background, such as me) condemned the
bombardment of Gaza and campaign against Israel's occupation of
Palestine.
<p>
Israel itself has done its best to link the two issues, through
decades of falsely claiming that those who condemn Israel's occupation
policies are "antisemitic".  The link can't help running both ways,
thus contributing to the resurgence of real antisemitism.


title: Deadly misuse of weapons by thugs
uri: Deadly-misuse-of-weapons-by-thugs
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html 07_February_2015_(Deadly_misuse_of_weapons_by_thugs)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#07_February_2015_%28Deadly_misuse_of_weapons_by_thugs%29

content:
<p>
A thug killed an aged, demented man by firing a rather dangerous
"non-lethal" weapon, and was 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2015/feb/04/police-officer-killed-veteran-95-beanbag-gun-acquitted">acquitted
for it</a>.
<p>
I am sure that several thugs could have subdued him.  The hospital
staff could have done so, with some persistence and thought.
<p>
Ferguson thugs want to try out a kind of bullet that is 
<a href="http://www.commondreams.org/news/2015/02/04/less-lethal-parachute-bullets-being-tested-trigger-happy-ferguson-police">less
likely to kill (but can still kill)</a>.  They already have many other
weapons that are more likely to injure people than to kill.
<p>
What's wrong with them is that they use these weapons when they should
not.


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html 07_February_2015_(US_car-tracking_system)
title: US car-tracking system
uri: US-car-tracking-system
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#07_February_2015_%28US_car-tracking_system%29
content:
<p>
The US car-tracking system also 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/feb/05/aclu-dea-documents-spy-program-millions-drivers-passengers">takes
photos of drivers and passengers</a>.


title: How Obama proposes to "rein in the NSA"
uri: How-Obama-proposes-to-rein-in-the-NSA
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html 07_February_2015_(How_Obama_proposes_to_rein_in_the_NSA)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#07_February_2015_%28How_Obama_proposes_to_rein_in_the_NSA%29

content:
<p>
Obama said he would rein in the NSA, but 
<a href="https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2015/02/one-year-later-obama-failing-promise-rein-nsa">his
proposals are minor tweaks</a>.
<p>
More information about 
<a href="http://phys.org/news/2015-02-surveillance-tweaks-snowden.html">how
little effect they will have</a>.


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html 07_February_2015_(Extension_of_copyright_in_TPP)
title: Extension of copyright in TPP
uri: Extension-of-copyright-in-TPP
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#07_February_2015_%28Extension_of_copyright_in_TPP%29

content:
<p>
The TPP would requires several countries including Canada to extend
copyright
to <a href="http://www.michaelgeist.ca/2015/02/reports-indicate-canada-caved-copyright-term-extension-tpp-talks/">death + 70
years</a>.
<p>
This is bad for the US, even though the US already adopted death+70
copyright, because the US needs to shorten the copyright period.  If
the US ratifies the TPP, the TPP will be one more obstacle to this
change.


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html 07_February_2015_(Canadian_national_security_law)
title: Canadian "national security" law
uri: Canadian-national-security-law
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#07_February_2015_%28Canadian_national_security_law%29

content:
<p>
The Canadian right-wing government's new "national security" law
<a href="http://ottawacitizen.com/opinion/columnists/canadas-patriot-act-fan-fiction">threatens
Canadians with imprisonment on vague grounds</a>, but enables the
government to look tough.


title: Jailed on the false word of a TSA employee
uri: Jailed-on-the-false-word-of-a-TSA-employee
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html 07_February_2015_(Jailed_on_the_false_word_of_a_TSA_employee)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#07_February_2015_%28Jailed_on_the_false_word_of_a_TSA_employee%29

content:
<p>
Roger Vanderklok still trembles when he thinks of airport security,
two years after he was jailed on the false word of a 
<a href="http://www.philly.com/philly/news/20150204_TSA_jails_innocent_traveler_when_he_asks_to_file_a_complaint.html">TSA
employee with an axe to grind and no scruples about lying</a>.
<p>
The article wonders why Kieser wasn't fired.  I wonder how we can get
him prosecuted for his perjury.  When power-tripping tyrants try
things like this, they should be jailed for years.


title: Divestment from coal company stock
uri: Divestment-from-coal-company-stock
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html 07_February_2015_(Divestment_from_coal_company_stock)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#07_February_2015_%28Divestment_from_coal_company_stock%29

content:
<p>
A large amount of money has been moved out of coal company stock in a
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2015/feb/05/worlds-biggest-sovereign-wealth-fund-dumps-dozens-of-coal-companies">divestment
campaign</a>.


title: Testimony of convicted al-Qa'ida operative
uri: Testimony-of-convicted-al-Qa-ida-operative
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html 07_February_2015_(Testimony_of_convicted_al-Qaida_operative)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#07_February_2015_%28Testimony_of_convicted_al-Qaida_operative%29

content:
<p>
Zacarias Moussaoui 
<a href="http://www.commondreams.org/views/2015/02/05/al-qaeda-saudi-arabia-and-israel">says
that high Saudi officials helped fund al Qa'ida after it declared war
on the US</a>, and US congresscritters say a secret report agrees.
<p>
But other parts of Moussaoui's testimony 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/feb/04/zacarias-moussaoui-al-qaida-backed-by-saudi-arabia">seem
to be impossible</a>.  He could be making it up.


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html 07_February_2015_(Irelands_law_against_blasphemy)
title: Ireland's law against blasphemy
uri: Ireland-s-law-against-blasphemy
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#07_February_2015_%28Irelands_law_against_blasphemy%29

content:
<p>
Ireland's 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/feb/05/charlie-hebdo-ireland-blasphemy-law-image-of-prophet">law
against blasphemy</a> is not only unjust in itself; it provides an
excuse for other countries that punish blasphemy aggressively.


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html 07_February_2015_(Melted_Greenland_ice)
title: Melted Greenland ice
uri: Melted-Greenland-ice
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#07_February_2015_%28Melted_Greenland_ice%29
content:
<p>
Melted Greenland ice runs to the bottom and makes lakes under the ice
sheet.  This speeds the flow, 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2015/feb/05/greenlands-hidden-meltwater-lakes-store-up-trouble">making
the ice sheet more vulnerable to a tipping point that would melt a lot
of it</a>.


title: US persecution of Palestinian exile
uri: US-persecution-of-Palestinian-exile
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html 07_February_2015_(US_persecution_of_Palestinian_exile)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#07_February_2015_%28US_persecution_of_Palestinian_exile%29

content:
<p>
The US has persecuted Palestinian exile Sami Al-Arian with 
<a href="https://firstlook.org/theintercept/?p=13126">absurd charges
and contradictory demands for 12 years</a>.
<p>
Some of the accusations were based on books he had copies of (which
does not mean he agreed with them).
<p>
Prosecuting someone for having copies of books is a form of tyranny.
The UK 
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2008-mar-jun.html#01%20June%202008%20(The%20crime%20of%20reading%20a%20book)">practices
this tyranny openly</a> while the US uses it by subterfuge.


title: Why Work Is Turning Into a Nightmare
uri: Why-Work-Is-Turning-Into-a-Nightmare
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html 07_February_2015_(Why_Work_Is_Turning_Into_a_Nightmare)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#07_February_2015_%28Why_Work_Is_Turning_Into_a_Nightmare%29

content:
<p>
Robert Reich: 
<a href="http://www.alternet.org/robert-reich-why-work-turning-nightmare">Why
Work Is Turning Into a Nightmare</a>: the piecework service economy.
<p>
This has nothing to do with sharing.  Let's reserve the word "sharing"
for voluntary cooperation, and denounce its use for these businesses.
And then let's abolish them.


title: France trashing freedom of expression
uri: France-trashing-freedom-of-expression
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html 07_February_2015_(France_trashing_freedom_of_expression)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#07_February_2015_%28France_trashing_freedom_of_expression%29

content:
<p>
France is 
<A href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/feb/04/dieudonne-french-comedian-paris-attacks-court">trashing
freedom of expression</a>.  The reaction to a non-state attack on
freedom of speech is a state attack on freedom of speech.
<p>
Views on various questions are banned in France.  In November I urged
French officials to repeal the law banning expression of doubts about
the genocide of the Armenians.  People should be free to state any
views whatsoever about this question, as about every other political,
historic or ethical question.


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html 07_February_2015_(Keep_making_the_rich_richer)
title: Keep making the rich richer
uri: Keep-making-the-rich-richer
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#07_February_2015_%28Keep_making_the_rich_richer%29
content:
<p>
<a href="http://fair.org/blog/2015/02/04/we-could-keep-government-small-if-only-the-old-werent-getting-so-much-healthcare/">We
Could Keep [US] Government Small if Only the Old Weren't Getting So
Much Healthcare</a>.


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html 08_February_2015_(Urgent:_Bank_regulations)
title: Urgent: Bank regulations
uri: Urgent-Bank-regulations
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#08_February_2015_%28Urgent%3A_Bank_regulations%29
content:
<p>
US citizens:
<a href="http://action.civilrights.org/site/Survey?ACTION_REQUIRED=URI_ACTION_USER_REQUESTS&SURVEY_ID=4141">oppose
plans to relax regulations</a> that restrain banks from reckless
borrowing.


title: Turning public institutions into businesses
uri: Turning-public-institutions-into-businesses
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html 08_February_2015_(Turning_public_institutions_into_businesses)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#08_February_2015_%28Turning_public_institutions_into_businesses%29

content:
<p>
Turning public institutions into businesses to keep them afloat is a
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/technology/2015/feb/06/go-digital-by-all-means-but-dont-bring-the-venture-capitalists-in-to-do-it">step
towards destroying them entirely</a>.


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html 08_February_2015_(Chinas_one-child_policy)
title: China's one-child policy
uri: China-s-one-child-policy
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#08_February_2015_%28Chinas_one-child_policy%29
content:
<p>
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/feb/06/china-one-child-policy-problems-ageing-population">Easing
of China's One-Child Policy Has Not Produced a Baby-Boom</a>.
<p>
In other words, applying the policy for a few decades has brought
about a lasting social change, a form of "demographic transition".
That is grounds to rejoice, and suggests that a similar policy,
combined with economic growth and mass education, could have the same
effect in other countries.
<p>
We can still prevent the human population from reaching 9 billion,
with efforts including redistribution of wealth to the non-rich.


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html 08_February_2015_(UKs_cutbacks)
title: UK's cutbacks
uri: UK-s-cutbacks
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#08_February_2015_%28UKs_cutbacks%29
content:
<p>
The UK's cutbacks now
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2015/feb/06/adult-learning-disabilities-cuts-haringey">hit
people too damaged to live on their own</a>, and relatives that can't
both work and care for them.


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html 08_February_2015_(Urgent:_Reject_GM_cotton)
title: Urgent: Reject GM cotton
uri: Urgent-Reject-GM-cotton
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#08_February_2015_%28Urgent%3A_Reject_GM_cotton%29
content:
<p>
US citizens:
<a href="http://petitions.moveon.org/sign/tell-the-usda-protect">call
on the USDA</a> to reject genetically modified cotton that is designed
to be used with a dangerous herbicide.


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html 08_February_2015_(Urgent:_Network_neutrality)
title: Urgent: Network neutrality
uri: 2015-02-09-Urgent-Network-neutrality
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#08_February_2015_%28Urgent%3A_Network_neutrality%29
content:
<p>
US citizens: phone your congresscritter to oppose the bill to block
the FCC from establishing network neutrality.  Also send email through
<a href="http://campaigns.dailykos.com/p/dia/action3/common/public/?action_KEY=1185">this
campaign</a>.
<p>
The Capitol Switchboard numbers are 202-224-3121, 888-818-6641
and 888-355-3588.


title: Confusing BDSM with domestic violence
uri: Confusing-BDSM-with-domestic-violence
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html 08_February_2015_(Confusing_BDSM_with_domestic_violence)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#08_February_2015_%28Confusing_BDSM_with_domestic_violence%29

content:
<p>
There is a
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/film/2015/feb/05/domestic-violence-campaigners-boycott-fifty-shades-of-grey-film">campaign
to boycott</a> the movie, 50 Shades of Grey, and give money to women's
shelters instead.
<p>
Women's shelters are a worthy cause, but it is simply erroneous to
confuse BDSM with domestic violence — like confusing a play
presenting a murder with real murder.
<p>
Does anyone actually spend fifty dollars to see a movie?  I have not
gone to a theater in a while, but I never spent anywhere as much on
their expensive snacks as the ticket cost.  If people really do that,
they either have money to burn or they don't understand the meaning of
thrift.


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html 08_February_2015_(Female_genital_mutilation)
title: Female genital mutilation
uri: 2015-02-09-Female-genital-mutilation
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#08_February_2015_%28Female_genital_mutilation%29
content:
<p>
Female genital mutilation in Kenya is protected by a
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2015/feb/06/i-witnessed-fgm-cut-kenya">wall
of silence</a> which makes it appear a festive occasion.
<p>
Any medical complications are blamed irrationally on the victim.
<p>
In Egypt, a few families
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/feb/06/female-genital-mutilation-egypt">reject
the social pressure</a>.


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html 08_February_2015_(Snooping_on_US_journalists)
title: Snooping on US journalists
uri: Snooping-on-US-journalists
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#08_February_2015_%28Snooping_on_US_journalists%29
content:
<p>
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/technology/2015/feb/06/investigative-journalists-mass-surveillance-nsa-edward-snowden">Almost
2/3</a> of US investigative journalists believe the US government is
snooping on them.
<p>
I think they are right.  Investigative journalists typically
investigate the powerful or the government itself, and either way the
plutocratic US government can be expected to regard the journalists
enemies.


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html 08_February_2015_(Burning_captives_to_death)
title: Burning captives to death
uri: Burning-captives-to-death
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#08_February_2015_%28Burning_captives_to_death%29
content:
<p>
Americans
<a href="http://www.commondreams.org/views/2015/02/05/fiery-cage-and-lynching-tree-brutalitys-never-far-away">used
to burn captives to death</a>.


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html 08_February_2015_(The_Shame_of_US_Journalism)
title: The Shame of US Journalism
uri: The-Shame-of-US-Journalism
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#08_February_2015_%28The_Shame_of_US_Journalism%29
content:
<p>
<a href="http://www.commondreams.org/views/2015/02/05/shame-us-journalism-destruction-iraq-not-fake-helicopter-stories">The
Shame of US Journalism Is the Destruction of Iraq, Not Fake Helicopter
Stories</a>.
<p>
Making big fusses about minor lies, to distract from important issues,
has been a feature of US politics for a long time.  Remember when
Clinton (the other one) was impeached for lying about a private sex
act?


title: Florida legalizes sexting by teenagers
uri: Florida-legalizes-sexting-by-teenagers
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html 08_February_2015_(Florida_legalizes_sexting_by_teenagers)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#08_February_2015_%28Florida_legalizes_sexting_by_teenagers%29

content:
<p>
Florida effectively legalized sexting by teenagers —
<a href="http://www.slate.com/blogs/future_tense/2015/02/02/florida_teenagers_can_sext_with_legal_impunity_thanks_to_stupid_legislature.html">by
mistake</a>.


title: The prisoners released from Guantanamo
uri: The-prisoners-released-from-Guantanamo
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html 08_February_2015_(The_prisoners_released_from_Guantanamo)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#08_February_2015_%28The_prisoners_released_from_Guantanamo%29

content:
<p>
At most
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2015/feb/05/guantanamo-detainee-recidivism-rates-lower-obama-administration">8%
of the prisoners Obama has released from Guantanamo have gone into
fighting the US</a>.  On the contrary, many of the prisoners have
become rather
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#18_January_2015_(Guantanamo_diary_of_prisoner_released)">magnanimous</a>,
given the circumstances.
<p>
The issue is a distraction anyway.  If someone did fight for the
Taliban and was captured, he ought to be treated as a prisoner of war
(thus, kept in Afghanistan).  If someone planned or committed crimes,
whether terrorist or other, he deserves a fair trial.


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html 09_February_2015_(Nonfree_software_screws_farmers)
title: Nonfree software screws farmers
uri: Nonfree-software-screws-farmers
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#09_February_2015_%28Nonfree_software_screws_farmers%29

content:
<p>
US farmers are becoming shy of 
<a href="http://www.wired.com/2015/02/new-high-tech-farm-equipment-nightmare-farmers/">nonfree
software in their tractors</a>, which screws them.
<p>
In a tractor, a car, a phone or a laptop, nonfree programs are an
injustice.  The intentionally weak term "open source" holds users back
from recognizing that point.  The term was coined to steer people away
from demanding freedom in their computing.  Calling freedom-respecting
programs "open source" leads people to ask, timidly, "Please, sir, may
I have some more leeway," rather than saying they deserve freedom and
mean to get it.
<p>
Don't let "open source" thinking hold you back from claiming your
rights.  Please join us in insisting that our software must respect
our freedom.
See <a href="http://gnu.org/philosophy/free-software-even-more-important.html">http://gnu.org/philosophy/free-software-even-more-important.html</a>.


title: Somalia's dependence on money from expatriates
uri: Somalia-s-dependence-on-money-from-expatriates
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html 09_February_2015_(Somalias_dependence_on_money_from_expatriates)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#09_February_2015_%28Somalias_dependence_on_money_from_expatriates%29

content:
<p>
Oxfam warned the US and UK governments that 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2015/feb/06/somali-us-money-transfers-merchants-bank-remittances">closing
the companies that send money to Somalia would lead to disaster
there</a>.
<p>
When a region is full of people who can't survive except with money
sent by expatriates, its population is unsustainably high.  It seems
to me that we should make sure they receive plenty of birth control
supplies along with the money.


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html 09_February_2015_(Assaults_on_the_NHS)
title: Assaults on the NHS
uri: Assaults-on-the-NHS
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#09_February_2015_%28Assaults_on_the_NHS%29
content:
<p>
Britons are proud of the NHS, but the government made its 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2015/feb/06/rolled-over-nhs-attacked-must-stand-up">assaults
on the NHS</a> so complex that most Britons did not recognize them as
sabotage.  And the press did not help them understand this.


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html 09_February_2015_(The_right_to_die)
title: The right to die
uri: 2015-02-09-The-right-to-die
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#09_February_2015_%28The_right_to_die%29
content:
<p>
Canada's supreme court said that people are 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/feb/06/canadas-strikes-down-ban-doctor-assisted-dying">entitled
to get help from doctors</a> when they rationally choose to die.
<p>
The article presumes, but does not say, that the ruling is limited to
people whose natural death is expected to come soon anyway.  It does
not seem right to exclude people doomed to a life of paralysis or
incommunicado from this right.


title: Family faces exaggerated charges of kidnaping
uri: Family-faces-exaggerated-charges-of-kidnaping
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html 09_February_2015_(Family_faces_exaggerated_charges_of_kidnaping)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#09_February_2015_%28Family_faces_exaggerated_charges_of_kidnaping%29

content:
<p>
A Missouri boy's family pretended to kidnap him, to teach him to
distrust strangers.  Now they face 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2015/feb/06/missouri-boy-family-stages-kidnapping-teach-danger-strangers">real
charges of kidnaping</a>.
<p>
Scaring a child this way may be a bad idea, but it is not kidnaping.
To label it so is willful blindness on the state's part.  "Why do we
exaggerate the charges?  Because we can."


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html 09_February_2015_(Unlawful_surveillance_by_GCHQ)
title: Unlawful surveillance by GCHQ
uri: Unlawful-surveillance-by-GCHQ
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#09_February_2015_%28Unlawful_surveillance_by_GCHQ%29

content:
<p>
A secret UK court ruled that GCHQ 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2015/feb/06/gchq-mass-internet-surveillance-unlawful-court-nsa">acted
illegally</a> when it got information about Britons from Prism via the
NSA.


title: Koch Brothers' toxic waste dumping
uri: Koch-Brothers-toxic-waste-dumping
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html 09_February_2015_(Koch_Brothers_toxic_waste_dumping)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#09_February_2015_%28Koch_Brothers_toxic_waste_dumping%29

content:
<p>
The Koch Brothers' company dumps toxic waste into a river in Florida
through a pipeline built without proper approval, but governors Scott
and Jeb Bush 
<a href="http://www.dailykos.com/story/2015/02/03/1361864/-EXCLUSIVE-Koch-Brothers-Rick-Scott-And-Jeb-Bush-Exposed-In-Florida-Pipeline-Scandal">smoothed
that over</a>.


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html 09_February_2015_(US_military_budget)
title: US military budget
uri: 2015-02-09-US-military-budget
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#09_February_2015_%28US_military_budget%29
content:
<p>
The US military budget is 
<a href="http://www.commondreams.org/views/2015/02/06/pentagon-budget-bigger-its-ever-been">bigger
than it was under Reagan during the Cold War</a>.


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html 09_February_2015_(Patented_seeds)
title: Patented seeds
uri: Patented-seeds
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#09_February_2015_%28Patented_seeds%29
content:
<p>
Re-colonizing African agriculture with 
<a href="http://www.commondreams.org/views/2015/02/06/re-colonization-africa">patented
seeds</a>.


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html 09_February_2015_(Brian_Williams_apologies)
title: Brian Williams' apologies
uri: Brian-Williams-apologies
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#09_February_2015_%28Brian_Williams_apologies%29
content:
<p>
<a href="http://fair.org/blog/2015/02/05/some-other-tall-tales-brian-williams-might-want-to-apologize-for/">Important
false stories</a> Brian Williams might apologize for.


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html 09_February_2015_(Exaggerated_reports_of_violence)
title: Exaggerated reports of violence
uri: Exaggerated-reports-of-violence
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#09_February_2015_%28Exaggerated_reports_of_violence%29

content:
<p>
Reporter Brian Williams is 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/feb/06/brian-williams-hurricane-katrina-new-orleans-residents">accused
of exaggerating chaos and violence</a> in New Orleans during Hurricane
Katrina.
<p>
These reports may have encouraged real acts of violence, such as when
thugs 
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2005-jul-oct.html#07%20September%202005%20(Some%20poor%20fools%20were%20led%20astray%20by%20religion)">stopped 
refugees for hours (or was it days?)</a> from crossing a bridge to
leave New Orleans to safety.


title: Obama's medical care insurance system
uri: Obama-s-medical-care-insurance-system
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html 09_February_2015_(Obamas_medical_care_insurance_system)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#09_February_2015_%28Obamas_medical_care_insurance_system%29

content:
<p>
The House of Representatives 
<a href="http://www.commondreams.org/news/2015/02/04/universal-healthcare-advocates-renew-push-toward-medicare-all">voted
(uselessly) to repeal Obama's medical care insurance system</a>, while
most Americans want to move in the other direction to a single-payer
system.


title: Urgent: Political spending disclosure
uri: Urgent-Political-spending-disclosure
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html 09_February_2015_(Urgent:_Political_spending_disclosure)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#09_February_2015_%28Urgent%3A_Political_spending_disclosure%29

content:
<p>
US citizens: 
<a href="http://petitions.moveon.org/sign/president-obama-can-do">call
on Obama</a> to require government contractors to disclose their
political spending.


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html 09_February_2015_(US_refinery_workers_on_strike)
title: US refinery workers on strike
uri: US-refinery-workers-on-strike
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#09_February_2015_%28US_refinery_workers_on_strike%29

content:
<p>
Workers at some US refinery workers are 
<a href="http://www.commondreams.org/views/2015/02/06/safety-life-or-death-say-refinery-strikers">on
strike against forced overtime</a>; fatigue causes mistakes that can
be fatal, for them and for others.
<p>
Outsourcing maintenance to low-paid temp workers is dangerous too.
They won't have the same experience with the facility that long-term
workers have.  Chemical facilities should not be allowed to hire temp
workers that would come in contact with the processing machinery.


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html 09_February_2015_(Prisoners_burned_alive)
title: Prisoners burned alive
uri: Prisoners-burned-alive
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#09_February_2015_%28Prisoners_burned_alive%29
content:
<p>
PISSI burned one prisoner alive, but the Bush forces 
<a href="http://www.commondreams.org/views/2015/02/06/isils-shock-and-awe-more-awe-ful-because-one-victim">burned
thousands of Iraqi civilians alive</a>.
<p>
I disagree on one point.  The death of tank soldiers in battle,
because their tanks are attacked by planes, is not a war crime.  It's
merely war.  War is hell, but it is not morally equivalent to burning
a captive.
<p>
The Bush forces tried to keep these burnings quiet, but PISSI
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/feb/08/isis-islamic-state-ideology-sharia-syria-iraq-jordan-pilot">publicizes
its killings as part of an explicit ideology</a>.


title: Urgent: Study ecological consequences
uri: Urgent-Study-ecological-consequences
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html 09_February_2015_(Urgent:_Study_ecological_consequences)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#09_February_2015_%28Urgent%3A_Study_ecological_consequences%29

content:
<p>
US citizens: 
<a href="https://secure3.convio.net/fww/site/Advocacy;?pagename=homepage&page=UserAction&id=1837">call
on the FDA</a> to study the possible ecological consequences before
using a new method to try to eradicate Aedes aegypti mosquitoes.
<p>
Perhaps it would be wiser to develop the same method for Aedes
albopictus, then apply it to both species at once.


title: Urgent: Strong net neutrality rules
uri: Urgent-Strong-net-neutrality-rules
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html 09_February_2015_(Urgent:_Strong_net_neutrality_rules)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#09_February_2015_%28Urgent%3A_Strong_net_neutrality_rules%29

content:
<p>
US citizens: 
<a href="http://act.credoaction.com/sign/nn_february_update">tell the
FCC</a> you will stand behind strong net neutrality rules.


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html 09_February_2015_(China_sabotages_fun_protest)
title: China sabotages fun protest
uri: China-sabotages-fun-protest
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#09_February_2015_%28China_sabotages_fun_protest%29
content:
<p>
A 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/feb/07/china-seizes-8000-rolls-of-toilet-paper-printed-with-image-of-hong-kong-chief">fun
protest in Hong Kong</a> was sabotaged by China's arbitrary
confiscation of rolls of toilet paper.


title: High school students not thinking
uri: High-school-students-not-thinking
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html 09_February_2015_(High_school_students_not_thinking)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#09_February_2015_%28High_school_students_not_thinking%29

content:
<p>
A high school teacher reports that her students don't believe they are
supposed to think.  All they understand is to 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/teacher-network/2015/feb/07/secret-teacher-exams-students-thinking">look
things up and repeat what they are told</a>.
<p>
This was to some extent true when I was in high school, in the 1960s.
People have a tendency to remember the "good old days" as better than
they really were; the change may not be as great as that writer
perceives it.  But I can believe that it has got worse, due to
standardized tests and search engines.


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html 09_February_2015_(Australias_record_heat)
title: Australia's record heat
uri: Australia-s-record-heat
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#09_February_2015_%28Australias_record_heat%29
content:
<p>
Australia's record heat in 2013 could not have happened without 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2015/feb/07/climate-change-to-blame-for-australias-record-hottest-year-says-report">global
heating</a>.


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html 09_February_2015_(Urgent:_Protect_polar_bears)
title: Urgent: Protect polar bears
uri: Urgent-Protect-polar-bears
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#09_February_2015_%28Urgent%3A_Protect_polar_bears%29

content:
<p>
US citizens: 
<a href="https://secure.defenders.org/site/Advocacy?cmd=display&page=UserAction&id=2523">support</a>
protecting polar bears from oil drilling.


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html 09_February_2015_(Urgent:_Close_Guantanamo_prison)
title: Urgent: Close Guantanamo prison
uri: Urgent-Close-Guantanamo-prison
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#09_February_2015_%28Urgent%3A_Close_Guantanamo_prison%29

content:
<p>
US citizens: 
<a href="http://www.amnestyusa.org/W1501EASHR2">Call on Senator
McCain</a> to once again support closing Guantanamo prison.


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html 09_February_2015_(Saudi_chapter_of_9-11_report)
title: Saudi chapter of 9/11 report
uri: Saudi-chapter-of-9-11-report
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#09_February_2015_%28Saudi_chapter_of_9-11_report%29
content:
<p>
<a href="http://www.commondreams.org/news/2015/02/05/amid-new-claims-calls-intensify-declassify-saudi-chapter-911-report">Amid
New Claims, Calls Intensify to Declassify Saudi Chapter of 9/11
Report</a>.


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html 09_February_2015_(Terrorists)
title: Terrorists
uri: Terrorists
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#09_February_2015_%28Terrorists%29
content:
<p>
<a href="http://www.motherjones.com/politics/2015/02/government-using-fear-lone-wolf-terrorist-justify-police-state">Lone
Wolf Terrorists Are Exceedingly Rare, So Why Does Everyone Keep
Talking About Them?</a>


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html 09_February_2015_(Norway_drops_law_against_begging)
title: Norway drops law against begging
uri: Norway-drops-law-against-begging
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#09_February_2015_%28Norway_drops_law_against_begging%29

content:
<p>
Norway has 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/feb/06/wealthy-norway-scraps-plan-to-fine-or-jail-beggars">dropped
a proposed law to prohibit begging and even giving to beggars</a>.


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html 10_February_2015_(School_thug_attacks)
title: School thug attacks
uri: School-thug-attacks
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#10_February_2015_%28School_thug_attacks%29
content:
<p>
A school thug attacked a girl in middle school (under 14 years old);
her sister and cousin tried to save her, so he 
<a href="http://www.dailykos.com/story/2015/02/02/1361841/-School-police-officer-beats-13-year-old-girl-with-baton-on-video">attacked
them with a stick and pepper spray</a>.  One of them needed stitches
in the head.
<p>
Then he made false charges against them (standard thug practice).
Isn't that a crime?  With such good proof, will he be prosecuted for
it?
<p>
Americans, thugs in your children's school are a threat to them.
Tell your school you want the thugs excluded.


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html 10_February_2015_(How_little_a_plutocrat_cares)
title: How little a plutocrat cares
uri: How-little-a-plutocrat-cares
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#10_February_2015_%28How_little_a_plutocrat_cares%29
content:
<p>
A plutocrat shows how little he cares about the 
<a href="http://www.dailykos.com/story/2013/11/04/1253085/-What-the-1-percent-thinks-about-you">millions
of Americans facing retirement with no savings</a>.


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html 10_February_2015_(Autonomous_Killing_Machines)
title: Autonomous Killing Machines
uri: Autonomous-Killing-Machines
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#10_February_2015_%28Autonomous_Killing_Machines%29
content:
<p>
<a href="http://www.wired.com/2015/02/can-now-build-autonomous-killing-machines-thats-bad-idea/">We
Can Now Build Autonomous Killing Machines.  And That's a Very, Very
Bad Idea</a>.
<p>
In a sense, the first autonomous killing machine was the mine with an
automatic trigger.  It could not move, but it could decide when to
explode.  Antipersonnel mines have been banned by most countries,
though
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2013-may-aug.html#25_May_2013_(Proposing_a_treaty_to_ban_armed_drones)">the
US is one of the holdouts</a>.  Perhaps this autonomous nature is why
landmines must be banned.


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html 10_February_2015_(Social_media_military_unit)
title: Social media military unit
uri: Social-media-military-unit
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#10_February_2015_%28Social_media_military_unit%29
content:
<p>
Britain's decision to create a social media military unit reflects the
age of 
<a href="http://rt.com/op-edge/229851-uk-army-internet-culture/">permanent
information warfare</a>.
<p>
It should be noted that other countries including Russia and China are
reported already to have social media armies.  The UK is continuing a
trend, not starting it.  However, Russia and China have already
crushed democracy and control public opinion.  The place we can hope
for them is in countries like the UK.
<p>
I don't use social media.  Originally this was because it was
inconvenient for my lifestyle (I often have no internet connection,
for instance.)  But I am coming to think that this did me a great
service.


title: Black activists targeted by thugs
uri: Black-activists-targeted-by-thugs
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html 10_February_2015_(Black_activists_targeted_by_thugs)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#10_February_2015_%28Black_activists_targeted_by_thugs%29

content:
<p>
Keeshan Harley, a black man from New York, has been 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/feb/02/nypd-stop-and-frisk-keeshan-harley-young-black-men-targeted">stopped
on the street and searched 125 times</a>.  The thugs know him as an
activist and they want to harass him.
<p>
He said that things have not got better under de Blasio; that thugs
still regard black males as targets, and black activists even more so.


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html 10_February_2015_(Government_budget_cuts)
title: Government budget cuts
uri: Government-budget-cuts
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#10_February_2015_%28Government_budget_cuts%29
content:
<p>
A 
<a href="http://www.commondreams.org/views/2015/02/02/b-billion-what-military-cuts">1%
cut in the US military budget</a> elicits screams from the
military-industrial complex, so the proportionally bigger cuts are
directed at non-rich Americans, research, safety regulations, etc.


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html 10_February_2015_(Universal_back_doors)
title: Universal back doors
uri: Universal-back-doors
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#10_February_2015_%28Universal_back_doors%29
content:
<p>
Products including 
<a href="https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2015/02/who-really-owns-your-drones">drones,
cars and game consoles</a> have universal back doors that permit them
to be remotely sabotaged.


title: Suppression of dissent in Ecuador
uri: Suppression-of-dissent-in-Ecuador
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html 10_February_2015_(Suppression_of_dissent_in_Ecuador)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#10_February_2015_%28Suppression_of_dissent_in_Ecuador%29

content:
<p>
President Correa of Ecuador is accused of suppressing dissent in
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/feb/02/ecuador-president-social-media-counterattack">various
ways</a>.


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html 10_February_2015_(Americans_constitutional_rights)
title: Americans' constitutional rights
uri: Americans-constitutional-rights
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#10_February_2015_%28Americans_constitutional_rights%29

content:
<p>
Hayden, former NSA director, 
<a href="http://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2015/01/former-cia-and-nsa-director-nsa-doesnt-just-listen-to-bad-people/385007/">said
he thought that the September 2011 attacks made Americans'
constitutional rights obsolete</a>.


title: Woman convicted of aborting her fetus
uri: Woman-convicted-of-aborting-her-fetus
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html 10_February_2015_(Woman_convicted_of_aborting_her_fetus)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#10_February_2015_%28Woman_convicted_of_aborting_her_fetus%29

content:
<p>
Purvi Patel in Indiana has been convicted of 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2015/feb/04/purvi-patel-found-guilty-feticide-unborn-childs-death">aborting
her fetus, and of child neglect</a>, even though the two are
contradictory.
<p>
She was desperate to abort the fetus because her parents practiced a
cruel abstinence-only prudery.  She was crushed between them and the
state that offered her no easy way to get an abortion legally.


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html 10_February_2015_(Free_speech_at_UK_universities)
title: Free speech at UK universities
uri: Free-speech-at-UK-universities
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#10_February_2015_%28Free_speech_at_UK_universities%29

content:
<p>
UK universities are standing up for free speech for Muslims with rigid
positions, but they have 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2015/feb/07/censorship-campus-no-way-fight-fanatics">failed
to stand up for free speech for those who criticize Muslims or
Islam</a>.
<p>
Unlike the writer, I am more concerned with getting them to do the
right thing than with recrimination.  If they have failed to stand up
for free speech, it is not too late for them to start.


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html 10_February_2015_(British_crowns_tax_havens)
title: British crown's tax havens
uri: British-crown-s-tax-havens
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#10_February_2015_%28British_crowns_tax_havens%29
content:
<p>
The UK Labour party says it will call for international pressure
on 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/politics/2015/feb/06/ed-miliband-tax-avoidance-business-labour">tax
havens that belong to the British crown</a>.
<p>
Why it can't directly force them to change is unclear to me.


title: Fate of disappeared Mexican students
uri: Fate-of-disappeared-Mexican-students
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html 10_February_2015_(Fate_of_disappeared_Mexican_students)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#10_February_2015_%28Fate_of_disappeared_Mexican_students%29

content:
<p>
The Mexican government is accused of 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/feb/08/experts-question-mexican-investigation-of-43-students-disappearance">trying
to impose false certainty</a> about the fate of 43 disappeared
students.


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html 10_February_2015_(Private_debt_levels)
title: Private debt levels
uri: Private-debt-levels
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#10_February_2015_%28Private_debt_levels%29
content:
<p>
Private debt in many countries is reaching levels that
<a href="http://www.commondreams.org/views/2015/02/07/global-capitalisms-terrifying-new-math">could
cause economic crises</a>.
<p>
The banksters 
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2014-sep-dec.html#05_September_2014_(Global_heating_and_the_plutocratic_world_order)">will
take advantage of such crises</a> to grab wealth from the rest of
society again.


title: How GCHQ plans to cope with encryption
uri: How-GCHQ-plans-to-cope-with-encryption
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html 10_February_2015_(How_GCHQ_plans_to_cope_with_encryption)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#10_February_2015_%28How_GCHQ_plans_to_cope_with_encryption%29

content:
<p>
GCHQ's plan to cope with encryption is to 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2015/feb/06/uk-security-services-capable-bypassing-encryption-draft-code">crack
the computers of those it wishes to spy on</a>.  It is trying to sneak
around legal limits through a "code of conduct" that doesn't fully
reflect them.
<p>
I think it is legitimate for spy agencies to crack the computers of
legitimate targets in unfriendly countries.  I wish they would do that
<em>instead</em> of snooping on everyone.


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html 10_February_2015_(UK_making_protesters_pay)
title: UK making protesters pay
uri: UK-making-protesters-pay
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#10_February_2015_%28UK_making_protesters_pay%29
content:
<p>
The UK is trying to restrict large protests by 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/feb/07/climate-change-marchers-private-security-protest-police">making
protesters pay</a>.


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html 10_February_2015_(Urgent:_Free_Raif_Badawi)
title: Urgent: Free Raif Badawi
uri: 2015-02-11-Urgent-Free-Raif-Badawi
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#10_February_2015_%28Urgent%3A_Free_Raif_Badawi%29
content:
<p>
US citizens: 
<a href="http://www.amnestyusa.org/W1502EAIAR1">call on Congress</a>
to call on Saudi Arabia to free Raif Badawi.


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html 10_February_2015_(Bahrain_shuts_off_TV_channel)
title: Bahrain shuts off TV channel
uri: Bahrain-shuts-off-TV-channel
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#10_February_2015_%28Bahrain_shuts_off_TV_channel%29
content:
<p>
Bahrain shut off a TV channel 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/feb/09/bahrain-says-alarab-channel-suspended-for-not-fighting-extremism">for
giving an interview to an opposition leader</a>.
<p>
Bahrain calls the opposition "extremists".


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html 10_February_2015_(Black_writers_monitored_by_FBI)
title: Black writers monitored by FBI
uri: Black-writers-monitored-by-FBI
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#10_February_2015_%28Black_writers_monitored_by_FBI%29

content:
<p>
The FBI has monitored black writers from 1919 to 1972, 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/books/2015/feb/09/fbi-monitored-african-american-writers-j-edgar-hoover">analyzing
their work for political potential</a>.


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html 10_February_2015_(Leaving_oil_in_the_ground)
title: Leaving oil in the ground
uri: Leaving-oil-in-the-ground
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#10_February_2015_%28Leaving_oil_in_the_ground%29
content:
<p>
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/environment/andes-to-the-amazon/2015/feb/09/we-can-start-leaving-the-oil-in-the-ground-right-now-heres-how">We
Can Start Leaving the Oil in the Ground Right Now</a>.  The idea is to
apply the plan that President Correa proposed for oil in Ecuador.  He
gave up on it because the world did not contribute the money.  Maybe
now it will.


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html 10_February_2015_(Global_heating)
title: Global heating
uri: 2015-02-11-Global-heating
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#10_February_2015_%28Global_heating%29
content:
<p>
Global heating is changing US ecosystems, 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/environment/climate-consensus-97-per-cent/2015/feb/09/23-year-experiment-finds-surprising-global-warming-impacts-already-underway">reducing
the amount of carbon they absorb</a>.
<p>
In experimental plots, this has happened faster than was predicted.
<p>
This is a positive feedback that could accelerate global heating.
<p>
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/environment/climate-consensus-97-per-cent/2015/feb/09/global-warming-is-causing-more-extreme-storms">Global
Warming Is Causing More Extreme Storms</a>.  This has been measured in
the US and elsewhere.


title: PR campaign to whitewash Vietnam War
uri: PR-campaign-to-whitewash-Vietnam-War
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html 10_February_2015_(PR_campaign_to_whitewash_Vietnam_War)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#10_February_2015_%28PR_campaign_to_whitewash_Vietnam_War%29

content:
<p>
The US has a PR campaign to whitewash the Vietnam War, so people will
<a href="http://www.commondreams.org/views/2015/02/09/burying-vietnam-launching-perpetual-war">forget
how bad and wrong it was for the US to fight it</a>.


title: Evidence that Half of America is Broke
uri: Evidence-that-Half-of-America-is-Broke
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html 10_February_2015_(Evidence_that_Half_of_America_is_Broke)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#10_February_2015_%28Evidence_that_Half_of_America_is_Broke%29

content:
<p>
<a href="http://www.commondreams.org/views/2015/02/09/new-evidence-half-america-broke">New
Evidence that Half of America is Broke</a>.


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html 10_February_2015_(Leaked_files_received_by_IRS)
title: Leaked files received by IRS
uri: Leaked-files-received-by-IRS
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#10_February_2015_%28Leaked_files_received_by_IRS%29
content:
<p>
The US IRS received leaked files in 2010 showing how HSBC helped
clients evade US taxes.  Now the files have leaked to the public, and
people want to know 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/news/2015/feb/08/us-government-biggest-leak-banking-history-questions-irs-taxes">why
the IRS has done to prosecute those clients and/or get the taxes they
owe</a>.
<p>
After Obama has gone so easy on businesses in so many fields, we must
worry about whether he did it this time.


title: Guantanamo kangaroo court hearing
uri: Guantanamo-kangaroo-court-hearing
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html 11_February_2015_(Guantanamo_kangaroo_court_hearing)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#11_February_2015_%28Guantanamo_kangaroo_court_hearing%29

content:
<p>
A Guantanamo kangaroo court hearing was recessed because defendants
<a href="http://www.sanluisobispo.com/2015/02/09/3482341_guantanamo-hearing-halted-by-supposed.html">recognized
a former CIA torturer as part of the staff of the court</a>.
<p>
Even though the rules of these "military tribunals" are enough to make
the trials unfair, the government does not consider that sufficient
and looks for various ways to sabotage the defense.


title: Funding of September 2001 attacks
uri: Funding-of-September-2001-attacks
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html 11_February_2015_(Funding_of_September_2001_attacks)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#11_February_2015_%28Funding_of_September_2001_attacks%29

content:
<p>
Perhaps 
<a href="http://www.commondreams.org/views/2015/02/08/were-saudis-behind-911">rich
dissident Saudis</a> funded the September 2001 attacks.
<p>
I do understand the difference between funding the Afghan Mujahidin
and funding the September 2001 attacks.  The article first says
Moussaoui claimed Saudi royals did latter, then it says he claimed
they did the former.  I suppose the author just got confused in
writing, but which did Moussaoui say?


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html 11_February_2015_(Decline_in_level_of_freedom)
title: Decline in level of freedom
uri: Decline-in-level-of-freedom
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#11_February_2015_%28Decline_in_level_of_freedom%29
content:
<p>
Freedom House reports that the level of freedom has been 
<a href="https://freedomhouse.org/report/freedom-world/freedom-world-2010">predominantly
declining for 8 years</a>.


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html 11_February_2015_(Privacy_not_dead)
title: Privacy not dead
uri: Privacy-not-dead
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#11_February_2015_%28Privacy_not_dead%29
content:
<p>
Peter Watts: If privacy is really dead, 
<a href="http://www.rifters.com/crawl/?p=5525">why are so many still
trying so hard to kill it</a>?
<p>
(I've pointed out before that "Your cause is lost, give up" is a sign
that it is still possible to resist.)
<p>
The state says it should see everything to "keep us safe", but that
<a href="https://www.openrightsgroup.org/blog/2015/the-real-impact-of-surveillance">makes
many of us less safe</a>.


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html 11_February_2015_(Thug_breaks_mans_prosthetic_arm)
title: Thug breaks man's prosthetic arm
uri: Thug-breaks-man-s-prosthetic-arm
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#11_February_2015_%28Thug_breaks_mans_prosthetic_arm%29

content:
<p>
A thug in Utah broke Danny Baker's prosthetic arm when he 
<a href="http://www.courthousenews.com/2015/02/03/man-claims-cops-broke-his-prosthetic-arm.htm">insisted
on handcuffing it behind Baker's back</a>.  Thugs denied Baker medical
care and made false charges against him.
<p>
Suing the city will compensate Baker for the damage, which fortunately
wasn't permanent.  It will not deter thugs from acting like this
… again, and again, and again.  We must prosecute and jail
individual thugs for brutality and for perjury.


title: How fanatical Christians view rape
uri: How-fanatical-Christians-view-rape
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html 11_February_2015_(How_fanatical_Christians_view_rape)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#11_February_2015_%28How_fanatical_Christians_view_rape%29

content:
<p>
Fanatical Christians think it is 
<a href="http://www.addictinginfo.org/2015/02/06/west-virginia-republican-declares-rape-beautiful-if-child-is-conceived/">"beautiful"
that rape can make women pregnant</a>.
<p>
It may become possible to transplant uteruses into men so that they
can carry a pregnancy.  Perhaps Republican men should be invited to
carry the "beautiful" pregnancies that women don't want for whatever
reason.


title: How HSBC helped clients do bad things
uri: How-HSBC-helped-clients-do-bad-things
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html 11_February_2015_(How_HSBC_helped_clients_do_bad_things)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#11_February_2015_%28How_HSBC_helped_clients_do_bad_things%29

content:
<p>
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/business/2015/feb/08/hsbc-files-expose-swiss-bank-clients-dodge-taxes-hide-millions">Specific
examples</a> of how HSBC helped its clients do bad things.
<p>
Some of these actions are crimes, and some are clearly wrong.  Others
furthered activities by clients which are or should be illegal.
Fundamentally, governments have the responsibility to block companies
from sending their profits untaxed through the frontier.


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html 11_February_2015_(US_govt_to_grow_milkweed)
title: US gov't to grow milkweed
uri: US-gov-t-to-grow-milkweed
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#11_February_2015_%28US_govt_to_grow_milkweed%29
content:
<p>
The US government is going to grow milkweed to help monarch
butterflies survive the effects of 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2015/feb/09/us-launches-plan-to-halt-decline-of-monarch-butterfly">massive
use of Roundup</a>.
<p>
The use of pesticides is a form of habitat destruction, which (as
usual) threatens a whole ecosystem, many species at once.  Normally,
protecting on threatened species is done by protecting the habitat,
which protects all the species that live there.
<p>
This peculiar method of protecting monarch butterflies avoids
protecting its habitat and thus avoids protecting the other species
threatened by Roundup.


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html 11_February_2015_(Herbicide_2,4-D)
title: Herbicide 2,4-D
uri: Herbicide-2-4-D
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#11_February_2015_%28Herbicide_2%2C4-D%29
content:
<p>
Earthjustice has 
<a href="http://www.commondreams.org/news/2015/02/09/agent-orange-herbicide-threatens-irreparable-harm-endangered-species-suit-charges">sued
to block EPA approval</a> of the herbicide 2,4-D for massive use with
GMOs.


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html 11_February_2015_(US_medias_toleration_of_lies)
title: US media's toleration of lies
uri: US-media-s-toleration-of-lies
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#11_February_2015_%28US_medias_toleration_of_lies%29
content:
<p>
The US media won't tolerate Brian Williams's little lies, but what
about the 
<a href="http://www.commondreams.org/views/2015/02/09/my-ironic-defense-brian-williams">big
lies that enabled Dubya to invade Iraq</a>?


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html 11_February_2015_(Urgent:_Oppose_DARK_Act)
title: Urgent: Oppose DARK Act
uri: Urgent-Oppose-DARK-Act
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#11_February_2015_%28Urgent%3A_Oppose_DARK_Act%29
content:
<p>
US citizens: phone your congresscritters and senators to oppose the
<a href="http://salsa3.salsalabs.com/o/1881/p/dia/action3/common/public/?action_KEY=14356">DARK
Act</a> that would ban states from requiring labeling of GMOs.
<p>
The Capitol Switchboard numbers are 202-224-3121, 888-818-6641
and 888-355-3588.


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html 11_February_2015_(Making_poor_people_pay_more)
title: Making poor people pay more
uri: Making-poor-people-pay-more
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#11_February_2015_%28Making_poor_people_pay_more%29
content:
<p>
Poor people in the UK pay 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/business/2015/feb/10/rent-to-own-firms-ripping-off-customers-say-mps">triple
the usual price</a>.
<p>
In the US poor people often have to 
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2014-mar-jun.html#19_March_2014_%28Food_deserts_in_Atlanta_and_Chicago%29">pay
a lot more for food than everyone else does</a>.


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html 11_February_2015_(Backup_power_for_fiber_lines)
title: Backup power for fiber lines
uri: Backup-power-for-fiber-lines
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#11_February_2015_%28Backup_power_for_fiber_lines%29
content:
<p>
The FCC is trying to make the phone companies offer backup power for
fiber lines that provide phone service, so that it won't be 
<a href="http://arstechnica.com/business/2015/02/internet-providers-lobby-against-backup-power-rules-for-phone-lines/">a
step back from copper wires in an emergency</a>.
<p>
Here's one situation where it would have been much much better not to
allow all the "baby Bells" to merge into giant companies.  The smaller
companies would be less able to pressure the FCC to disregard the
public interest.


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html 11_February_2015_(Philadelphia_thugs_face_charges)
title: Philadelphia thugs face charges
uri: Philadelphia-thugs-face-charges
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#11_February_2015_%28Philadelphia_thugs_face_charges%29

content:
<p>
Philadelphia thugs face multiple charges for doing the standard thug
thing: 
<a href="http://reason.com/blog/2015/02/09/philly-cops-charged-in-brutality-inciden">beating
a man bloody and making false accusations against him</a>.
<p>
What is unusual is that they were prosecuted when the facts came out.
<p>
However, the thug that killed Seth Adams is 
<a href="http://reason.com/blog/2015/02/09/new-evidence-in-seth-adams-nothing-to-se">protected
tenaciously</a> by the system that shuts its eyes to evidence exposing
the thug's lies.


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html 11_February_2015_(US_wages)
title: US wages
uri: US-wages
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#11_February_2015_%28US_wages%29
content:
<p>
US employment has increased substantially in the past year, but 
<a href="http://www.dailykos.com/story/2015/02/06/1362756/-Job-Growth-Wages-Consumer-Confidence-Soar-No-McConnell-You-Still-Can-t-Take-Credit">wages
have increased only where states or cities have raised the minimum
wage</a>.
<p>
This means that a little bit of recovery is trickling down from the
plutocrats.  But not much: the jobs that are being created are mostly
lousy ones.  And in the states controlled by Republicans, people have
not got a raise.


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html 11_February_2015_(American_heroes)
title: American heroes
uri: American-heroes
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#11_February_2015_%28American_heroes%29
content:
<p>
American heroes who 
<a href="http://www.commondreams.org/views/2015/02/10/saying-no-torture-gallery-american-heroes">tried
to stop the government's torture</a>.


title: Stopping US from becoming oligarchy
uri: Stopping-US-from-becoming-oligarchy
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html 11_February_2015_(Stopping_US_from_becoming_oligarchy)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#11_February_2015_%28Stopping_US_from_becoming_oligarchy%29

content:
<p>
Bernie Sanders: the struggle for the US now is to 
<a href="http://www.commondreams.org/news/2015/02/09/bernie-sanders-keeping-us-becoming-oligarchy-struggle-we-must-win">stop
it from becoming an oligarchy</a>.


title: US media coverage of war in Ukraine
uri: US-media-coverage-of-war-in-Ukraine
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html 11_February_2015_(US_media_coverage_of_war_in_Ukraine)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#11_February_2015_%28US_media_coverage_of_war_in_Ukraine%29

content:
<p>
The US media 
<a href="http://www.commondreams.org/views/2015/02/10/wretched-us-journalism-ukraine">systematically
overlook wrongs committed by the Ukraine government</a> in covering
the war.


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html 11_February_2015_(UK_money_in_banksters_pockets)
title: UK money in banksters' pockets
uri: UK-money-in-banksters-pockets
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#11_February_2015_%28UK_money_in_banksters_pockets%29

content:
<p>
The UK has trouble putting more money into workers' pockets because it
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2015/feb/10/david-cameron-britain-pay-rise-cough-up-public-sector-welfare">has
put so much into banksters' pockets</a>.


title: UK government's pledge to be "green"
uri: UK-government-s-pledge-to-be-green
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html 11_February_2015_(UK_governments_pledge_to_be_green)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#11_February_2015_%28UK_governments_pledge_to_be_green%29

content:
<p>
The UK government pledged to be the "greenest ever", then 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2015/feb/10/uk-spent-300-times-more-fossil-fuel-clean-energy-despite-green-pledge">spent
300 times as much on fossil fuels as on renewable energy</a>.


title: Illegal treatment of workers in Abu Dhabi
uri: Illegal-treatment-of-workers-in-Abu-Dhabi
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html 11_February_2015_(Illegal_treatment_of_workers_in_Abu_Dhabi)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#11_February_2015_%28Illegal_treatment_of_workers_in_Abu_Dhabi%29

content:
<p>
The desperate migrant construction workers in Abu Dhabi are 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2015/feb/10/migrants-united-arab-emirates-human-rights-watch">punished
if they complain about illegal treatment</a>.


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html 11_February_2015_(CIA_drone_attacks)
title: CIA drone attacks
uri: 2015-02-12-CIA-drone-attacks
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#11_February_2015_%28CIA_drone_attacks%29
content:
<p>
Mohammed Tuaiman, age 13, was 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/feb/10/drones-dream-yemeni-teenager-mohammed-tuaiman-death-cia-strike">killed
by a CIA drone attack</a>, after relatives were killed in other CIA
drone attacks.
<p>
The CIA had decided that the men in his family belonged to al-Qa'ida
and attacked them repeatedly at home, never mind the bystanders.


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html 11_February_2015_(TTIP)
title: TTIP
uri: 2015-02-12-TTIP
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#11_February_2015_%28TTIP%29
content:
<p>
If Europe signs the TTIP it will become 
<a href="http://www.theregister.co.uk/2015/02/05/eu_is_bowing_to_us_big_business_in_ttip_warn_civil_liberties_groups/">powerless
to regulate US internet companies</a>.
<p>
This Treaty Is Plutocratic.  We know the details will be bad; the only
doubt is precisely how bad.  Europe is fortunate that Greece said it
will kill the TTIP, but people must continue the struggle until the
stake is in its heart.


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html 11_February_2015_(Google_tax_dodging)
title: Google tax dodging
uri: Google-tax-dodging
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#11_February_2015_%28Google_tax_dodging%29
content:
<p>
Google dodges taxes in Australia, 
<a href="http://www.canberratimes.com.au/business/google-paying-a-fraction-of-the-tax-in-australia-it-should-20150208-139176.html">exporting
profits through subterfuges</a>, as in many other countries.


title: Anti-corruption party wins in Delhi elections
uri: Anti-corruption-party-wins-in-Delhi-elections
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html 11_February_2015_(Anti-corruption_party_wins_in_Delhi_elections)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#11_February_2015_%28Anti-corruption_party_wins_in_Delhi_elections%29

content:
<p>
The anti-corruption Aam Admi party has 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/feb/10/modi-dealt-huge-blow-as-anti-corruption-party-sweeps-delhi-elections">won
big</a> in the local elections for Delhi.


title: Conviction against Malaysian opposition leader
uri: Conviction-against-Malaysian-opposition-leader
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html 11_February_2015_(Conviction_against_Malaysian_opposition_leader)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#11_February_2015_%28Conviction_against_Malaysian_opposition_leader%29

content:
<p>
Anwar Ibrahim, the main opposition leader of Malaysia, has been
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/feb/10/anwar-ibrahim-guilty-in-sodomy-case">convicted
of having homosexual sex</a>.
<p>
This verdict was unjust, regardless of what Anwar Ibrahim actually
did, because it is wrong to forbid homosexuality.  This injustice is
widespread in regimes dominated by repressive religions such as Islam
and Christianity.
<p>
The government suggests that his assistant brought the case.  Does the
assistant claim Ibrahim raped him?  Powerful men do sometimes act that
way.  But it is also possible that the political establishment
pressured him to make a false charge.


title: Publication of username/password pairs
uri: Publication-of-username-password-pairs
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html 13_February_2015_(Publication_of_username-password_pairs)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#13_February_2015_%28Publication_of_username-password_pairs%29

content:
<p>
A security investigator
<a href="http://arstechnica.com/security/2015/02/fearing-an-fbi-raid-researcher-publishes-10-million-passwordsusernames/">published
a list of 10 million username/password pairs</a>, as a basis for
research.
<p>
He
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/technology/2015/feb/11/security-researcher-publishes-usernames-passwords-online-mark-burnett">took
precautions to avoid hurting anyone</a>, but he still feels afraid.


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html 12_February_2015_(John_Kiriakou)
title: John Kiriakou
uri: John-Kiriakou
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#12_February_2015_%28John_Kiriakou%29
content:
<p>
John Kiriakou said that revealing CIA torture was worth it and he
<a href="http://www.commondreams.org/news/2015/02/09/john-kiriakou-blowing-whistle-bush-era-torture-was-worth-it">would
do it again</a>.
<p>
There speaks a real hero.


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html 12_February_2015_(FBI_targeting_activists)
title: FBI targeting activists
uri: FBI-targeting-activists
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#12_February_2015_%28FBI_targeting_activists%29
content:
<p>
The FBI is
<a href="http://www.commondreams.org/news/2015/02/09/tar-sands-activists-being-targeted-fbi">targeting
activists against tar sands oil</a> (and the Keystone XL pipeline, I
expect).
<p>
It may be intended for intimidation rather than to get real information.
<p>
The FBI ought to be investigating those that are trying to build the
pipeline.  That's part of a much bigger crime:
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2012-jul-oct.html#04_October_2012_(Effect_of_global_heating_on_people)">attempted
mass murder</a>, and it may yet succeed.


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html 12_February_2015_(Solitary_confinement)
title: Solitary confinement
uri: 2015-02-13-Solitary-confinement
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#12_February_2015_%28Solitary_confinement%29
content:
<p>
<a href="http://www.commondreams.org/views/2015/02/09/more-evidence-centrist-solutions-cant-save-us">Working
to reduce solitary confinement</a> in US state prisons.


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html 12_February_2015_(Privacy_online)
title: Privacy online
uri: Privacy-online
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#12_February_2015_%28Privacy_online%29
content:
<p>
<a href="http://www.theatlantic.com/technology/archive/2015/02/uncle-sam-and-the-illusion-of-privacy-online/385332/">Uncle
Sam and the Illusion of Privacy Online</a>.


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html 12_February_2015_(Restrictionist-Led_DHS_Shutdown)
title: Restrictionist-Led DHS Shutdown
uri: Restrictionist-Led-DHS-Shutdown
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#12_February_2015_%28Restrictionist-Led_DHS_Shutdown%29

content:
<p>
<a href="http://reason.com/blog/2015/02/10/four-reasons-why-freedom-lovers-should-c">Four
Reasons Why Freedom Lovers Should Cheer a Restrictionist-Led DHS
Shutdown</a>.


title: US lies about victims of drone bombings
uri: US-lies-about-victims-of-drone-bombings
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html 12_February_2015_(US_lies_about_victims_of_drone_bombings)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#12_February_2015_%28US_lies_about_victims_of_drone_bombings%29

content:
<p>
The example of Mohammed Toiman, age 13, shows how the US
<a href="https://firstlook.org/theintercept/?p=13489">systematically
lies about the victims of drone bombings</a>.
<p>
Every victim is presumed "terrorist enemy" until other people prove
otherwise, and even then the presumption is not fully dropped.


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html 12_February_2015_(Inequality_and_recessions)
title: Inequality and recessions
uri: Inequality-and-recessions
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#12_February_2015_%28Inequality_and_recessions%29
content:
<p>
It is possible that increased inequality leads directly to
<a href="http://www.motherjones.com/kevin-drum/2015/02/income-inequality-great-recession">increased
risk of big recessions</a>.


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html 14_February_2015_(Ukraine)
title: Ukraine
uri: Ukraine
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#14_February_2015_%28Ukraine%29
content:
<p>
<a href="http://www.commondreams.org/views/2015/02/10/arms-race-wont-help-ukraine">An
Arms Race Won't Help Ukraine</a>.


title: "Susceptibility" to terrorist ideas
uri: Susceptibility-to-terrorist-ideas
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html 14_February_2015_(Susceptibility_to_terrorist_ideas)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#14_February_2015_%28Susceptibility_to_terrorist_ideas%29

content:
<p>
The US government 
<a href="http://www.commondreams.org/news/2015/02/09/are-you-living-terrorist-us-government-can-help-you-be-sure">distributes
suggested criteria</a> for rating people for "susceptibility" to
terrorist ideas.
<p>
This reminds me of the way the Soviet Union and China rated people for
their class background and punished those of bourgeois origin.


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html 14_February_2015_(Why_UK_has_not_prosecuted_HSBC)
title: Why UK has not prosecuted HSBC
uri: Why-UK-has-not-prosecuted-HSBC
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#14_February_2015_%28Why_UK_has_not_prosecuted_HSBC%29

content:
<p>
The reason that the UK has not prosecuted HSBC for tax evasion and other
crimes is obvious: 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2015/feb/10/we-want-to-solve-the-problem-of-hsbc-but-whos-willing-to-tackle-the-city">the
UK kowtows to banks</a>.


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html 14_February_2015_(People_driven_to_suicide_in_UK)
title: People driven to suicide in UK
uri: People-driven-to-suicide-in-UK
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#14_February_2015_%28People_driven_to_suicide_in_UK%29

content:
<p>
The UK's system of 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2015/feb/10/benefits-sanctions-malcolm-burge-suicides">punishing
the unemployed and disabled</a> has driven about 50 identified people
to suicide, but the true number must be far more.


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html 14_February_2015_(Gentle_de-escalation_by_Obama)
title: Gentle de-escalation by Obama
uri: Gentle-de-escalation-by-Obama
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#14_February_2015_%28Gentle_de-escalation_by_Obama%29

content:
<p>
Obama is 
<a href="https://firstlook.org/theintercept/?p=13373">gently
de-escalating the idea of a conflict of two civilizations</a>.


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html 14_February_2015_(Purchase_tracking)
title: Purchase tracking
uri: Purchase-tracking
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#14_February_2015_%28Purchase_tracking%29
content:
<p>
The UK has 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/media/2015/feb/10/police-several-forces-seek-details-charlie-hebdo-readers">tried
to track who bought copies of Charlie Hebdo</a>.
<p>
This is another reason to insist on anonymous purchase.
Don't be tracked — pay cash!


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html 15_February_2015_(Giving_homeless_people_housing)
title: Giving homeless people housing
uri: Giving-homeless-people-housing
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#15_February_2015_%28Giving_homeless_people_housing%29

content:
<p>
Studies find that in Florida and Colorado, giving homeless people
housing would be 
<a href="http://www.dailykos.com/story/2015/02/09/1363333/-Housing-the-homeless-costs-less-than-a-leaving-them-on-the-streets-a-lot-less">cheaper
than dealing with them as homeless people</a>.
<p>
However, housing them would strike Republicans as unjust: if they are
poor, 
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#5_February_2015_(World)">Republicans 
assume it means they deserve poverty</a>.


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html 15_February_2015_(Atlantic_sturgeon)
title: Atlantic sturgeon
uri: Atlantic-sturgeon
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#15_February_2015_%28Atlantic_sturgeon%29
content:
<p>
The US nearly pushed Atlantic sturgeon to extinction, but 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2015/feb/12/the-fight-to-save-one-of-the-worlds-oldest-fish-species">with
some protection they may be starting to recover</a>.


title: Urgent: Allow Albert Woodfox's release
uri: Urgent-Allow-Albert-Woodfox-s-release
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html 14_February_2015_(Urgent:_Allow_Albert_Woodfox's_release)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#14_February_2015_%28Urgent%3A_Allow_Albert_Woodfox%27s_release%29

content:
<p>
Everyone: 
<a href="http://act.amnestyusa.org/ea-action/action?ea.client.id=1839&ea.campaign.id=35593">call
on Louisiana</a> to allow Albert Woodfox's release from prison.


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html 14_February_2015_(Urgent:_Expand_social_security)
title: Urgent: Expand social security
uri: Urgent-Expand-social-security
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#14_February_2015_%28Urgent%3A_Expand_social_security%29

content:
<p>
US citizens: 
<a href="http://act.credoaction.com/sign/expand_social_security">call
on Congress</a> to expand social security, not cut it.


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html 14_February_2015_(US_prison_expansion)
title: US prison expansion
uri: US-prison-expansion
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#14_February_2015_%28US_prison_expansion%29
content:
<p>
The massive expansion in Americans' prisons 
<a href="http://www.theatlantic.com/features/archive/2015/02/the-many-causes-of-americas-decline-in-crime/385364/">contributed
little to the decrease in crime rates of the past two decades</a>.
<p>
US imprisonment does tremendous human damage.  Whether it harms the
economy depends on who you include in "the economy".  It may be good
for the plutocrats in general. since some of them profit from prisons
or employ prisoners as slave labor, and the rest consider many
Americans superfluous.  Prisons (which tend to kill prisoners who get
sick) may be their method of choice to dispose of the superfluous.


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html 14_February_2015_(Plastic_in_the_ocean)
title: Plastic in the ocean
uri: 2015-02-15-Plastic-in-the-ocean
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#14_February_2015_%28Plastic_in_the_ocean%29
content:
<p>
Humans put 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/science/2015/feb/12/coastal-communities-dumping-8m-tonnes-of-plastic-in-oceans-every-year">8
million tons of plastic</a> into the world's oceans each year, which
fills them with pollution, and without management efforts this could
increase by ten times in the next decade.
<p>
That would be something like 1 kg of floating plastic for each 3kg of
fish.  But even worse is 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/vital-signs/2015/feb/12/science-plastic-oceans-study-fish-pollution-worse">the
plastic that the fish eat</a>.


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html 14_February_2015_(The_killing_of_Rachel_Corrie)
title: The killing of Rachel Corrie
uri: The-killing-of-Rachel-Corrie
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#14_February_2015_%28The_killing_of_Rachel_Corrie%29
content:
<p>
Israel has 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/feb/12/rachel-corrie-family-appeal-israel-court">rejected
responsibility</a> for killing Rachel Corrie.


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html 14_February_2015_(Droughts)
title: Droughts
uri: 2015-02-15-Droughts
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#14_February_2015_%28Droughts%29
content:
<p>
Global heating will give the US decade-long droughts, 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2015/feb/12/us-faces-worst-droughts-1000-years-climate-change-predict-scientists">worse
than anything seen for 1000 years</a>.  Droughts such as wiped out entire civilizations in the past.
<p>
California's drought is already the worst in 1200 years.


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html 14_February_2015_(HSBC)
title: HSBC
uri: HSBC
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#14_February_2015_%28HSBC%29
content:
<p>
HSBC hid money for people accused of 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/news/2015/feb/12/hsbc-files-swiss-bank-hid-money-for-suspected-criminals">serious
crimes</a>.


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html 14_February_2015_(Poverty_in_the_US)
title: Poverty in the US
uri: 2015-02-15-Poverty-in-the-US
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#14_February_2015_%28Poverty_in_the_US%29
content:
<p>
The US would have essentially eliminated poverty 10 years ago 
<a href="http://www.commondreams.org/views/2015/02/12/false-assumption-everyone-wants-end-poverty">if
1979 policies had continued</a>.  Now Republican policies are 
designed to punish the poor</a> because 
<a href="https://www.stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#28_January_2015_(Ungrateful_Senator)">supposedly 
they must deserve it</a>.


title: More prisons at the cost of education
uri: More-prisons-at-the-cost-of-education
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html 14_February_2015_(More_prisons_at_the_cost_of_education)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#14_February_2015_%28More_prisons_at_the_cost_of_education%29

content:
<p>
Arizona's reactionary government plans to 
<a href="http://www.motherjones.com/politics/2015/02/arizonas-new-governor-just-cut-education-funding-build-big-new-private-prison">cut
education to open more prisons</a>.


title: US oil refinery workers going on strike
uri: US-oil-refinery-workers-going-on-strike
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html 14_February_2015_(US_oil_refinery_workers_going_on_strike)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#14_February_2015_%28US_oil_refinery_workers_going_on_strike%29

content:
<p>
US oil refinery workers are 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2015/feb/12/value-life-oil-refinery-worker-pie-strike">going
on strike</a> because the owners skimp on safety to increase profits.


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html 14_February_2015_(Ukraine-Russia_cease-fire)
title: Ukraine-Russia cease-fire
uri: Ukraine-Russia-cease-fire
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#14_February_2015_%28Ukraine-Russia_cease-fire%29
content:
<p>
Ukraine and Russia have made 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/feb/12/ukraine-ceasefire-aims-pave-way-comprehensive-settlement-crisis">another
cease-fire agreement</a>.
<p>
After several cease-fires have failed, I don't see much hope this one
will hold.  But it is worth a try.


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html 14_February_2015_(Prosecuting_psychics_for_fraud)
title: Prosecuting psychics for fraud
uri: Prosecuting-psychics-for-fraud
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#14_February_2015_%28Prosecuting_psychics_for_fraud%29

content:
<p>
Bob Nygaard, detective of psychics, 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2015/feb/12/bob-nygaard-private-investigator-psychic-fraud">gets 
them prosecuted for defrauding people</a>.
<p>
No one can really do what these psychics claim they can do.  Up to a
point, people can innocently fool themselves that they are psychically
healing people, just as people can innocently fool themselves that
others are doing so.  But when it gets to be big time, it can hardly
be anything but fraud.


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html 14_February_2015_(Fossil_fuel_subsidies)
title: Fossil fuel subsidies
uri: 2015-02-15-Fossil-fuel-subsidies
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#14_February_2015_%28Fossil_fuel_subsidies%29
content:
<p>
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2015/feb/12/world-leaders-should-take-advantage-of-low-oil-prices-to-ditch-fossil-fuel-subsidies">World
Leaders Should Take Advantage of Low Oil Prices to Ditch Fossil Fuel
Subsidies</a>.
<p>
They should face punitive taxation, not subsidies!


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html 14_February_2015_(Homeless_in_Norway)
title: Homeless in Norway
uri: Homeless-in-Norway
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#14_February_2015_%28Homeless_in_Norway%29
content:
<p>
In wealthy Norway, 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/cities/2015/feb/12/ban-beggars-norwegian-cities-homeless">who
are the homeless people that need to beg</a>?


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html 14_February_2015_(Peru_highway_plans)
title: Peru highway plans
uri: Peru-highway-plans
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#14_February_2015_%28Peru_highway_plans%29
content:
<p>
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/environment/andes-to-the-amazon/2015/feb/12/peru-highway-most-biodiverse-place-on-earth">Peru
Planning Highway Through Most Biodiverse Place on Earth</a>.
<p>
A road typically brings deforestation and pollution.


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html 14_February_2015_(Irish_tax_policies)
title: Irish tax policies
uri: Irish-tax-policies
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#14_February_2015_%28Irish_tax_policies%29
content:
<p>
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/feb/12/irish-tax-policies-anti-social-developing-countries-un-expert">Irish
Tax Policies Are 'Anti-Social' to Developing Countries, Says UN
Expert</a>.


title: Machines making decisions for humans
uri: Machines-making-decisions-for-humans
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html 14_February_2015_(Machines_making_decisions_for_humans)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#14_February_2015_%28Machines_making_decisions_for_humans%29

content:
<p>
Automation of dealings with humans means that 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/science/political-science/2015/feb/12/the-real-robot-economy-and-the-bus-ticket-inspector">machines
now make the decisions and humans can only obey</a>.


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html 14_February_2015_(US_ranking_in_press_freedom)
title: US ranking in press freedom
uri: US-ranking-in-press-freedom
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#14_February_2015_%28US_ranking_in_press_freedom%29
content:
<p>
In freedom of the press, the US isn't number 1.  It is 
<a href="https://firstlook.org/theintercept/?p=13639">number 49</a>.


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html 14_February_2015_(Replacement_of_workers_by_robots)
title: Replacement of workers by robots
uri: Replacement-of-workers-by-robots
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#14_February_2015_%28Replacement_of_workers_by_robots%29

content:
<p>
The replacement of factory workers by robots is 
<a href="http://phys.org/news/2015-02-robots-human-factory-workers-faster.html">accelerating</a>.
<p>
This means more profits for companies, and even fewer good jobs for
the non-rich.  All in all, it is a change for the worse.
<p>
What we need now in the developed world isn't more efficiency in
factory production, it is to 
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2013-may-aug.html#19_July_2013_(High_economic_growth_rates_have_become_impossible)">give 
the non-rich as much of a share as they had a few decades ago</a>.


title: Massive surveillance in Macedonia
uri: Massive-surveillance-in-Macedonia
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html 14_February_2015_(Massive_surveillance_in_Macedonia)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#14_February_2015_%28Massive_surveillance_in_Macedonia%29

content:
<p>
<a href="https://edri.org/macedonia-massive-surveillance-revelation/">Macedonia:
Massive Surveillance Revelation: 20,000 People Wiretapped</a>.


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html 14_February_2015_(Opposing_coal_mine_funding)
title: Opposing coal mine funding
uri: Opposing-coal-mine-funding
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#14_February_2015_%28Opposing_coal_mine_funding%29
content:
<p>
<a href="http://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2015/02/11/coalition-tells-us-export-import-bank-dont-use-us-dollars-finance-coal-project">Australians
and Americans joined</a> to tell the US Export-Import Bank not to fund
a coal mine in Australia.


title: Law to protect people from "forfeiture"
uri: Law-to-protect-people-from-forfeiture
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html 14_February_2015_(Law_to_protect_people_from_forfeiture)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#14_February_2015_%28Law_to_protect_people_from_forfeiture%29

content:
<p>
Virginia is considering a 
<a href="http://reason.com/blog/2015/02/11/virginia-delegates-overwhelmingly-approv">law
that the state can't take people's property for merely accusing them
of a crime</a>.


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html 14_February_2015_(UK_tax_incentive)
title: UK "tax incentive"
uri: UK-tax-incentive
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#14_February_2015_%28UK_tax_incentive%29
content:
<p>
A controversial UK "tax incentive" for wealthy people turns out to be
a way for many of them to 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/business/2015/feb/11/hsbc-files-reveal-how-uks-non-dom-tax-concession-is-being-exploited">avoid
all taxes everywhere</a>.


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html 14_February_2015_(Papa_Johns_cheats_workers)
title: Papa John's cheats workers
uri: Papa-John-s-cheats-workers
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#14_February_2015_%28Papa_Johns_cheats_workers%29
content:
<p>
Papa John's pizza in New York City has 
<a href="http://www.dailykos.com/story/2015/02/10/1363602/-Papa-John-s-in-NYC-owes-nearly-800-000-in-unpaid-wages">cheated
workers out of nearly a million dollars</a>.


title: Thugs shoot man who called for help
uri: Thugs-shoot-man-who-called-for-help
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html 14_February_2015_(Thugs_shoot_man_who_called_for_help)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#14_February_2015_%28Thugs_shoot_man_who_called_for_help%29

content:
<p>
Kevin Davis called the thugs for help, so they came and
<a href="http://www.dailykos.com/story/2015/02/10/1363567/-Beloved-Atlanta-area-man-Kevin-Davis-wrongly-killed-by-police-after-he-called-them-for-help">shot
him dead</a>.
<p>
It took him two days to die, and the thugs 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2015/feb/12/georgia-police-kevin-davis-death">kept
his family away so he could not tell them anything</a>.


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html 14_February_2015_(Threats_to_coral)
title: Threats to coral
uri: Threats-to-coral
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#14_February_2015_%28Threats_to_coral%29
content:
<p>
Coral face another threat: 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2015/feb/12/great-barrier-reef-warmer-waters-helping-coral-eating-starfish-thrive">heating
helps coral-eating starfish</a>.


title: Assad's forces attack non-jihadi Syrian rebels
uri: Assad-s-forces-attack-non-jihadi-Syrian-rebels
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html 14_February_2015_(Assads_forces_attack_non-jihadi_Syrian_rebels)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#14_February_2015_%28Assads_forces_attack_non-jihadi_Syrian_rebels%29

content:
<p>
Assad's forces are 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/feb/11/us-warning-assad-hezbollah-syria">attacking
the non-jihadi Syrian rebels</a>, who have lost a lot of ground in the
past two years to al-Nusra and PISSI.


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html 14_February_2015_(Secrecy_of_NSA_spy_program)
title: Secrecy of NSA spy program
uri: Secrecy-of-NSA-spy-program
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#14_February_2015_%28Secrecy_of_NSA_spy_program%29
content:
<p>
<a href="http://www.commondreams.org/news/2015/02/11/nsa-spy-program-so-secret-judge-cant-explain-why-it-cant-be-challenged">NSA
Spy Program So Secret Judge Can't Explain Why It Can't Be
Challenged</a>.


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html 14_February_2015_(Publicly_owned_banks)
title: Publicly owned banks
uri: Publicly-owned-banks
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#14_February_2015_%28Publicly_owned_banks%29
content:
<p>
Publicly owned banks are profitable as well as helpful to the public,
but the current 
<a href="http://www.commondreams.org/views/2015/02/10/why-public-banks-outperform-private-banks-unfair-competition-or-better-mousetrap">wave
of plutocratic treaties threatens to destroy them</a>.


title: Sectarian education imposed in Turkey
uri: Sectarian-education-imposed-in-Turkey
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html 14_February_2015_(Sectarian_education_imposed_in_Turkey)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#14_February_2015_%28Sectarian_education_imposed_in_Turkey%29

content:
<p>
The Turkish government is 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/feb/12/turkish-parents-steered-religious-schools-secular-imam-hatip">imposing
sectarian education</a>.


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html 15_February_2015_(Global_heating_denial)
title: Global heating denial
uri: 2015-02-15-Global-heating-denial
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#15_February_2015_%28Global_heating_denial%29
content:
<p>
The global heating denialists' 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/environment/planet-oz/2015/feb/12/climate-science-denialists-in-tailspin-over-hottest-years">latest
absurd claim</a>: scientists correcting thermometer data for
variations in measurement methods are conspiring to fabricate an
appearance of global heating.
<p>
These people know that no lie is too absurd, if manipulated media will
present it as plausible and corrupt politicians will vote for it.


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html 14_February_2015_(Arctic_methane_emissions)
title: Arctic methane emissions
uri: Arctic-methane-emissions
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#14_February_2015_%28Arctic_methane_emissions%29
content:
<p>
<a href="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-2719727/Were-f-ked-Climate-change-catastrophe-mankind-study-shows-methane-leaking-Arctic-Ocean-scientist-warns.html">Vast
fields emitting bubbling methane</a> have been detected in the Arctic.
<p>
This could mean we are sliding to the edge of the global heating cliff
too fast to stop no matter what we do.


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html 14_February_2015_(Christian_anti-sex_education)
title: Christian anti-sex education
uri: Christian-anti-sex-education
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#14_February_2015_%28Christian_anti-sex_education%29
content:
<p>
Christian anti-sex education 
<a href="http://www.dailykos.com/story/2013/05/07/1207471/-Thanks-to-abstinence-teaching-Elizabeth-Smart-felt-I-m-that-chewed-up-piece-of-gum">taught
Elizabeth Smart that being raped made her worthless</a>.  So she
thought there was no point escaping from her kidnapper.


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html 14_February_2015_(UKs_torture_of_IRA_suspects)
title: UK's torture of IRA suspects
uri: UK-s-torture-of-IRA-suspects
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#14_February_2015_%28UKs_torture_of_IRA_suspects%29
content:
<p>
The UK recognized at the time that what it did to some IRA suspects in
the 1970s constituted 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/dec/02/ireland-european-court-hooded-men">torture</a>.


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html 14_February_2015_(Absurd_fossil_fuel_PR_campaigns)
title: Absurd fossil fuel PR campaigns
uri: Absurd-fossil-fuel-PR-campaigns
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#14_February_2015_%28Absurd_fossil_fuel_PR_campaigns%29

content:
<p>
Fossil fuel company PR companies are making 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/environment/damian-carrington-blog/2015/feb/11/fossil-fuel-lobby-goes-on-the-attack-against-divestment-movement">absurd
campaigns against the divestment campaign</a>.


title: Thugs beat man for replying "No English"
uri: Thugs-beat-man-for-replying-No-English
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html 14_February_2015_(Thugs_beat_man_for_replying_No_English)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#14_February_2015_%28Thugs_beat_man_for_replying_No_English%29

content:
<p>
Thugs considered Sureshbhai Patel suspicious because he replied "No
English" to their questions, so they beat him up and 
<a href="http://www.commondreams.org/further/2015/02/11/walking-while-brown-chapter-6782">left
him partly paralyzed</a>.


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html 14_February_2015_(Obama_wants_unlimited_global_war)
title: Obama wants unlimited global war
uri: Obama-wants-unlimited-global-war
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#14_February_2015_%28Obama_wants_unlimited_global_war%29

content:
<p>
Obama is asking for authorization for unlimited global war against
PISSI, including 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2015/feb/11/obama-isis-military-authorisaion-political-infighting-aumf">use
of ground combat troops anywhere in the world</a>.


title: UK thugs forget what free society means
uri: UK-thugs-forget-what-free-society-means
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html 14_February_2015_(UK_thugs_forget_what_free_society_means)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#14_February_2015_%28UK_thugs_forget_what_free_society_means%29

content:
<p>
The UK thugs are 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2015/feb/11/reeducate-police-place-free-society-charlie-hebdo-facial-recognition">forgetting</a>
what a free society means.


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html 14_February_2015_(IUD_donation_program)
title: IUD donation program
uri: IUD-donation-program
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#14_February_2015_%28IUD_donation_program%29
content:
<p>
A privately funded IUD donation program has driven down Colorado's
rate of abortions and unplanned births.  Now it needs public funding,
but 
<a href="http://www.motherjones.com/politics/2015/02/colorado-iud-teen-pregnancy-abortion">Republicans
want to kill it</a>.


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html 14_February_2015_(Lynching)
title: Lynching
uri: Lynching
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#14_February_2015_%28Lynching%29
content:
<p>
Lynching in the US was a form of racial terrorism, and its
consequences 
<a href="http://www.commondreams.org/news/2015/02/10/new-report-lynching-reveals-sinister-legacy-racial-terrorism-america">still
affect US race relations</a>.
<p>
The claim that capital punishment replaced lynching seems to be
mistaken or perhaps garbled.  The US had capital punishment since the
beginning, as did other countries.  Abolition of capital punishment in
some countries (and some US states) is more recent than that.


title: Inadequate plan to protect butterflies
uri: Inadequate-plan-to-protect-butterflies
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html 14_February_2015_(Inadequate_plan_to_protect_butterflies)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#14_February_2015_%28Inadequate_plan_to_protect_butterflies%29

content:
<p>
The 
<a href="http://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2015/02/10/center-food-safety-fws-campaign-save-monarchs-inadequate-misses-major-driver">plan
to protect Monarch butterflies</a>, while allowing their prime habitat
to be destroyed, is inadequate in various ways.


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html 14_February_2015_(Suicides_due_to_unemployment)
title: Suicides due to unemployment
uri: Suicides-due-to-unemployment
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#14_February_2015_%28Suicides_due_to_unemployment%29
content:
<p>
Unemployment causes 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/society/2015/feb/11/unemployment-causes-45000-suicides-a-year-worldwide-finds-study">45,000
suicides a year worldwide</a>, finds study.


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html 14_February_2015_(Surplus_food)
title: Surplus food
uri: Surplus-food
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#14_February_2015_%28Surplus_food%29
content:
<p>
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/society/2015/feb/11/community-shop-supermarkets-low-income-customers-food-poverty">Stores
that sell surplus food</a> could help poor people to afford food.


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html 14_February_2015_(Malaysian_cartoonist_jailed)
title: Malaysian cartoonist jailed
uri: Malaysian-cartoonist-jailed
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#14_February_2015_%28Malaysian_cartoonist_jailed%29
content:
<p>
Malaysian cartoonist Zunar has been 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/feb/11/malaysian-cartoonist-zunar-arrested-for-criticising-anwar-ibrahim-ruling">jailed
and faces criminal charges</a> for suggesting Anwar Ibrahim's judges
were corrupted by the government.
<p>
By simply making this a crime, Malaysia shows it spits on human
rights.  It has plenty of company, but this is wrong for any country.


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html 14_February_2015_(Turkeys_court_system)
title: Turkey's court system
uri: Turkey-s-court-system
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#14_February_2015_%28Turkeys_court_system%29
content:
<p>
The head of Turkey's constitutional court warns that Erdogan is
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/feb/11/turkish-courts-being-turned-into-revenge-instruments-says-outgoing-top-judge">subverting
the court system</a>.


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html 15_February_2015_(Undersea_oil_drilling)
title: Undersea oil drilling
uri: 2015-02-16-Undersea-oil-drilling
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#15_February_2015_%28Undersea_oil_drilling%29
content:
<p>
Every year, hundreds of orcas converge on Bremer Bay, but 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2015/feb/13/out-of-the-blue-on-the-edge-of-the-world-killer-whales-converge-to-feast">undersea
oil drilling could wipe that out</a>.


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html 15_February_2015_(Photo_ID_for_food_stamps)
title: Photo ID for food stamps
uri: Photo-ID-for-food-stamps
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#15_February_2015_%28Photo_ID_for_food_stamps%29
content:
<p>
Demanding photo ID for use of food stamps is the 
<a href="http://www.dailykos.com/story/2015/02/09/1363364/-Republicans-seek-to-use-voter-suppression-tactics-to-keep-people-hungry">latest
idea for shaming the poor</a>.


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html 15_February_2015_(Public_school_cuts)
title: Public school cuts
uri: Public-school-cuts
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#15_February_2015_%28Public_school_cuts%29
content:
<p>
Governor Walker's 
<a href="http://www.dailykos.com/story/2015/02/11/1363744/-Scott-Walker-Lies-About-Wisconsin-Teacher-of-the-Year-Real-Teacher-of-the-Year-Responds">public
school cuts</a> forced schools to lay off many junior teachers —
so Walker blamed that on their union.
<p>
Typical plutocratic tactics so far, blaming the non-rich for the harm
he has done them.  But he got the mentioned teachers by name as
examples for his point, getting the facts about them wrong, so those
teachers had a chance to lecture him about it.


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html 15_February_2015_(Australias_uranium_in_India)
title: Australia's uranium in India
uri: Australia-s-uranium-in-India
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#15_February_2015_%28Australias_uranium_in_India%29
content:
<p>
Australia's uranium may be used in India to build 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/feb/13/australian-uranium-could-end-up-in-indias-nuclear-weapons-program">nuclear
weapons</a>.


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html 17_February_2015_(Mass_government_surveillance)
title: Mass government surveillance
uri: Mass-government-surveillance
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#17_February_2015_%28Mass_government_surveillance%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://www.techdirt.com/articles/20150211/08435229987/political-meltdown-macedonia-shows-destabilizing-effect-massive-government-surveillance.shtml">Political
Meltdown In Macedonia Shows Destabilizing Effect Of Massive Government
Surveillance</a>.


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html 17_February_2015_(Urgent:_Reject_GM_apples)
title: Urgent: Reject GM apples
uri: Urgent-Reject-GM-apples
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#17_February_2015_%28Urgent%3A_Reject_GM_apples%29
content:
<p>
US citizens: 
<a href="http://salsa3.salsalabs.com/o/1881/p/dia/action3/common/public/?action_KEY=15648">call
on food companies</a> to reject genetically modified apples.
<p>
There are 
<a href="https://www.stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#17_February_2015_(Newly_approved_GM_apple)">several
reasons to worry about this particular variety</a>.


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html 17_February_2015_(Urgent:_Protect_marine_mammals)
title: Urgent: Protect marine mammals
uri: Urgent-Protect-marine-mammals
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#17_February_2015_%28Urgent%3A_Protect_marine_mammals%29

content:
<p>
US citizens: Obama, 
<a href="https://secure.earthjustice.org/site/Advocacy?cmd=display&page=UserAction&id=1675">tell
the Navy</a> to protect marine mammals from loud sounds.


title: Apple's partnership with government
uri: Apple-s-partnership-with-government
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html 17_February_2015_(Apples_partnership_with_government)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#17_February_2015_%28Apples_partnership_with_government%29

content:
<p>
<a href="http://motherboard.vice.com/read/apple-partners-with-the-government-on-cybersecurity-then-preaches-about-privacy">Apple
Partners With the Government on Cybersecurity, Then Preaches About
Privacy</a>.


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html 17_February_2015_(Remote-viewable_cameras_on_buses)
title: Remote-viewable cameras on buses
uri: Remote-viewable-cameras-on-buses
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#17_February_2015_%28Remote-viewable_cameras_on_buses%29

content:
<p>
Boston's mass transit system is 
<a href="https://www.cctvcambridge.org/MBTAAdvancedSurveillanceCameras">putting
remote-viewable video cameras into buses</a>, violating everyone's
privacy in the name of reducing crime where it is already rare.
<p>
<a href="http://www.zerohedge.com/news/2014-04-24/meet-aisight-pre-crime-detecting-software-being-installed-global-cctvs">More
about this problem</a>.
<p>
This sort of camera 
<a href="http://gnu.org/philosophy/surveillance-vs-democracy.html">ought
to be illegal except with a specific court order for a specific
reason</a>.


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html 17_February_2015_(Young_Britons_becoming_Atheists)
title: Young Britons becoming Atheists
uri: Young-Britons-becoming-Atheists
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#17_February_2015_%28Young_Britons_becoming_Atheists%29

content:
<p>
In the UK, the influence of Christianity is decreasing and 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2015/feb/12/religion-atheism-britons-god">many
young Britons are becoming Atheists</a>.
<p>
I rejoice in this, but I regard it as dangerous that the phenomenon
does not include Muslims.  We need to find a way to reach them with
the secularist message.  Otherwise, millions of Britons who drifted
into a vague secularism might be vulnerable.


title: Pressure on today's college students
uri: Pressure-on-today-s-college-students
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html 17_February_2015_(Pressure_on_todays_college_students)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#17_February_2015_%28Pressure_on_todays_college_students%29

content:
<p>
The competitive pressure on today's college students, due to the lack
of jobs, has 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/society/2015/feb/15/students-smart-drugs-higher-grades-adderall-modafinil">driven
a large fraction to use concentration-enhancing drugs</a>.
<p>
The drugs are not unfair to students who are poor, since they are
cheap.  They put those with a bad reaction to the drugs are at a
disadvantage, but I don't see that that is worse than the advantages
and disadvantages we get from all sorts of other variations.
<p>
The issues I think do matter are (1) possible long term harmful
medical effects, and (2) changing what people learn from college.
<p>
One person quoted in the article said that college is a "cognitive
enhancement", but that is misleading: it suggests that the intended
result of a college education is only a matter of concentrating better.
The idea used to be that college would teach people a deeper
understanding of what they think about.


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html 17_February_2015_(UK_refigerator_rentals)
title: UK refrigerator rentals
uri: UK-refrigerator-rentals
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#17_February_2015_%28UK_refigerator_rentals%29
content:
<p>
Many UK working people haven't got the cash to buy a refrigerator, so
they rent one and end up 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/society/2015/feb/15/low-pay-britain-working-families-rent-fridge">paying
3 times as much</a>.
<p>
Some children there 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/society/2015/feb/15/how-kids-company-feeds-britains-hungry-children">don't
get enough food</a> and their growth is stunted by malnutrition.


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html 17_February_2015_(Geoengineering)
title: Geoengineering
uri: 2015-02-18-Geoengineering
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#17_February_2015_%28Geoengineering%29
content:
<p>
Climate scientist Alan Robock believes that intelligence agencies are
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2015/feb/15/spy-agencies-fund-climate-research-weather-weapon-claim">concerned
that geoengineering might be used as a weapon</a>, and he is concerned
too.
<p>
However, no such technology is ready for the short term for any
purpose.


title: Senators that voted for Keystone XL
uri: Senators-that-voted-for-Keystone-XL
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html 17_February_2015_(Senators_that_voted_for_Keystone_XL)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#17_February_2015_%28Senators_that_voted_for_Keystone_XL%29

content:
<p>
Law for Sale: Senators that voted for Keystone XL got an 
<a href="http://www.dailykos.com/story/2015/02/12/1363990/-Big-Oil-Gave-250-000-to-Each-Senator-who-Voted-for-Keystone-XL">average
of 1/4 million from oil companies</a>.


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html 17_February_2015_(Keeping_appointments_while_Black)
title: Keeping appointments while Black
uri: Keeping-appointments-while-Black
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#17_February_2015_%28Keeping_appointments_while_Black%29

content:
<p>
Blacks in London (as in New York) can't reliably keep appointments
because they are 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2015/feb/14/sophie-heawood-were-all-capable-of-racism">likely
to be stopped by thugs on vague floating suspicion</a>.  Of course, it
is
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2012-nov-feb.html#9_January_2013_(US_Judge)">worse
in New York City</a>.


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html 17_February_2015_(Plain_cigarette_packaging)
title: Plain cigarette packaging
uri: Plain-cigarette-packaging
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#17_February_2015_%28Plain_cigarette_packaging%29
content:
<p>
Scientific papers that purported to find that plain packaging in
Australia did not reduce cigarette use were
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/business/2015/feb/14/ow-over-arlboro-funded-research-that-undermined-plain-cigarette-packs">funded
and then checked by a tobacco company</a>.  Its substance is
criticized as invalid, too.


title: Challenging mass surveillance in court
uri: Challenging-mass-surveillance-in-court
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html 17_February_2015_(Challenging_mass_surveillance_in_court)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#17_February_2015_%28Challenging_mass_surveillance_in_court%29

content:
<p>
Due to perverse court rulings, only criminal defendants can challenge
the legitimacy of massive surveillance — and only when they get
notice that the prosecution depended on this.  So the US government is
deceptively 
<a href="http://justsecurity.org/19897/vanishing-surveillance/">abolishing
defendants' right to receive notice</a>.


title: Suspicionless spying on Americans
uri: Suspicionless-spying-on-Americans
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html 17_February_2015_(Suspicionless_spying_on_Americans)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#17_February_2015_%28Suspicionless_spying_on_Americans%29

content:
<p>
<a href="http://justsecurity.org/20033/guest-post-intelligence-reforms-plenty-suspicionless-surveillance-americans/">Guest
Post: US Intelligence Reforms Still Allow Plenty of Suspicionless
Spying on Americans</a>.


title: Improving economic conditions or equality
uri: Improving-economic-conditions-or-equality
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html 17_February_2015_(Improving_economic_conditions_or_equality)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#17_February_2015_%28Improving_economic_conditions_or_equality%29

content:
<p>
<a href="http://www.commondreams.org/views/2015/02/14/beyond-market-state-decentralizing-power-sharing-society">Local
initiatives</a> to improve local economic conditions or equality may
palliate the injustice of the plutocratic state, but don't do much
good in the long term.
<p>
The term "market state", used in the article, understates the
injustice.  If these states claim to provide "economic opportunity",
that's a misleading claim: opportunity for the rich to get richer is
the only "economic opportunity" that they care about.  If they valued
properly functioning markets, they would not keep hands off when
banksters rig markets.
<p>
The right term for these states is _plutocratic_.  They are
plutocratic governments of occupation.
<p>
It is unfortunate that the article uses the overgeneralization
"intellectual property", since that 
<a href="http://gnu.org/philosophy/not-ipr.html">lumps together laws
that have almost nothing in common and raise totally different
issues</a>.


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html 17_February_2015_(Free_speech)
title: Free speech
uri: 2015-02-18-Free-speech
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#17_February_2015_%28Free_speech%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2015/02/transparency-no-substitute-free-speech">Transparency
(about internet platforms' censorship) Is No Substitute For Free
Speech</a>.


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html 17_February_2015_(Religious_hatred)
title: Religious hatred
uri: Religious-hatred
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#17_February_2015_%28Religious_hatred%29
content:
<p>
An 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/feb/14/copenhagen-blasphemy-lars-vilks-prophet-muhammad-krudttonden-cafe">assassination
attempt against cartoonist Lars Vilks</a> was presumably the work of
an Islamist fanatic.
<p>
An American 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2015/feb/14/chapel-hill-fatal-shootings-muslims-community-wants-answers">shot
three Muslim students in the US as they slept</a>.  It is not yet
clear why, but he seems to hate religious believers.
<p>
I think religious believers are making a mistake in a particular area,
but they can be good people and good friends nonetheless.


title: Historical disinformation in movies
uri: Historical-disinformation-in-movies
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html 17_February_2015_(Historical_disinformation_in_movies)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#17_February_2015_%28Historical_disinformation_in_movies%29

content:
<p>
Historical disinformation by video imagery 
<a href="http://www.commondreams.org/views/2015/02/14/birth-nation-century-later">began
100 years ago in the US with "Birth of a Nation"</a>.
<p>
The tradition continues today with movies that glorify torture and
shooting civilians of occupied countries.


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html 17_February_2015_(Censorship_in_China)
title: Censorship in China
uri: Censorship-in-China
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#17_February_2015_%28Censorship_in_China%29
content:
<p>
Scholars say China doesn't censor all internet criticism of the
government — it focuses the 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2015/feb/14/truth-behind-great-firewall-of-china-headlines">censorship
on anything that might lead to a physical campaign of action</a>.


title: Charges brought against President Fernandez
uri: Charges-brought-against-President-Fernandez
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html 17_February_2015_(Charges_brought_against_President_Fernandez)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#17_February_2015_%28Charges_brought_against_President_Fernandez%29

content:
<p>
In Argentina, 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/feb/13/argentina-president-formally-charged-alberto-nisman">assassinated
prosecutor Nisman's charges</a> have been brought against President
Fernandez.


title: Laws that discriminate against women
uri: Laws-that-discriminate-against-women
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html 17_February_2015_(Laws_that_discriminate_against_women)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#17_February_2015_%28Laws_that_discriminate_against_women%29

content:
<p>
Progress in abolishing 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2015/feb/14/governments-too-slow-to-scrap-laws-biased-against-women-report-says">laws
that discriminate against women</a> is slow in many countries.


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html 17_February_2015_(Corruption_in_China)
title: Corruption in China
uri: Corruption-in-China
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#17_February_2015_%28Corruption_in_China%29
content:
<p>
China is serious about 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/feb/14/china-corruption-crackdown-spreads-xi-jinping">attacking
corruption</a>, even at great short-term cost.


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html 17_February_2015_(Hindu_lynch_mobs)
title: Hindu lynch mobs
uri: Hindu-lynch-mobs
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#17_February_2015_%28Hindu_lynch_mobs%29
content:
<p>
In India, Christians are sometimes the targets of 
<a href="http://www.epw.in/book-reviews/continuing-agony-kandhamal.html">Hindu
lynch mobs</a>.
<p>
These Christians were forest tribals that did not want to be
incorporated into Hinduism as untouchables.


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html 17_February_2015_(Punishing_poor_people)
title: Punishing poor people
uri: Punishing-poor-people
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#17_February_2015_%28Punishing_poor_people%29
content:
<p>
<a href="http://www.motherjones.com/kevin-drum/2015/02/republicans-are-cutting-taxes-rich-and-raising-them-poor">Republicans
Are Cutting Taxes on the Rich and Raising Them on the Poor</a>.
<p>
Republicans 
<a href="http://www.commondreams.org/news/2015/02/12/amid-lopsided-recovery-republicans-plan-cuts-food-stamp-program">plan
to cut food stamps again</a> and cut 
<a href="http://www.commondreams.org/news/2015/02/12/gop-assault-social-security-could-be-death-sentence-nations-disabled">Social
Security disability benefits</a>.
<p>
These benefits are 
<a href="https://www.stallman.org/archives/2013-nov-feb.html#12_November_2013_(Poor_people_prevented_from_getting_medical_care_in_the_US)">already
inadequate</a>, but every little bit that they can take from the poor
will make poor people appear more grubby, helping to justify hurting
them even more.


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html 17_February_2015_(HSBC_tax_evaders)
title: HSBC tax evaders
uri: HSBC-tax-evaders
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#17_February_2015_%28HSBC_tax_evaders%29
content:
<p>
UK officials 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/business/2015/feb/13/france-says-it-did-not-restrict-uk-from-using-hsbc-files-to-pursue-bank-and-criminals">claimed
a treaty with France prevented prosecution of HSBC tax evaders</a>,
but French officials responded out that there is no such limit in the
treaty.
<p>
Those right-wing sellouts are fabricating excuses again.


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html 17_February_2015_(Oil_drilling_in_the_Chukchi_Sea)
title: Oil drilling in the Chukchi Sea
uri: Oil-drilling-in-the-Chukchi-Sea
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#17_February_2015_%28Oil_drilling_in_the_Chukchi_Sea%29

content:
<p>
The US is 
<a href="http://www.commondreams.org/news/2015/02/13/unconscionable-new-federal-analysis-paves-way-arctic-plunder">moving
towards reapproving oil drilling</a> in the Chukchi Sea, disregarding
the danger of spills.


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html 17_February_2015_(SWAT)
title: SWAT
uri: SWAT
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#17_February_2015_%28SWAT%29
content:
<p>
SWAT teams, which consist of thugs that are effectively soldiers,
carry out 50,000 raids a year in the US.  Nearly all of them are
unnecessary.  A retired thug chief 
<a href="http://www.commondreams.org/views/2015/02/13/warrior-cops-community-police-former-chief-how-we-can-turn-back-tide-militarization">suggests
how to demilitarize the thugs</a>.
<p>
That won't make America safe from thugs — thugs without military
weapons kill plenty of Americans — but it is an important
reduction in the danger.


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html 17_February_2015_(Newly_approved_GM_apple)
title: Newly approved GM apple
uri: Newly-approved-GM-apple
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#17_February_2015_%28Newly_approved_GM_apple%29
content:
<p>
The newly approved GM apple is 
<a href="http://www.commondreams.org/views/2015/02/13/usda-approves-gmo-arctic-apples-despite-opposition">designed
not to turn brown when it gets old</a>.  That way, stores selling
precut apples can hold on to them for days and you won't be able to
tell.
<p>
Other 
<a href="http://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2015/02/13/scientists-environmental-and-consumer-groups-denounce-usda-approval-genetically">possible
dangers</a> of the GM apple.


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html 17_February_2015_(Casino_mogul_commands_Netanyahu)
title: Casino mogul commands Netanyahu
uri: Casino-mogul-commands-Netanyahu
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#17_February_2015_%28Casino_mogul_commands_Netanyahu%29

content:
<p>
Uri Avnery: casino mogul Sheldon Adelson 
<a href="http://zope.gush-shalom.org/home/en/channels/avnery/1423844526/">commands
Netanyahu as well as US Republicans</a>; he is behind Netanyahu's
speech to the US Congress.


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html 17_February_2015_(What_Hollywood_wants_from_TPP)
title: What Hollywood wants from TPP
uri: What-Hollywood-wants-from-TPP
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#17_February_2015_%28What_Hollywood_wants_from_TPP%29

content:
<p>
What Hollywood wants from the TPP is the power to 
<a href="http://www.commondreams.org/views/2015/02/13/go-prison-sharing-files-thats-what-hollywood-wants-secret-tpp-deal">put
Americans in prison for sharing</a>.


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html 17_February_2015_(PIS)
title: PIS
uri: PIS
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#17_February_2015_%28PIS%29
content:
<p>
PISSI supporters have 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/feb/13/egypt-libya-evacuate-isis-hostage-photos-islamic-state">taken
over parts of Libya</a> and plan to kill Egyptian Christians that they
captured.
<p>
If it is not limited to Iraq and Syria, I suppose we must now call it
PIS, the pseudo-Islamic state.


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html 17_February_2015_(Fossil_fuel_divestment)
title: Fossil fuel divestment
uri: Fossil-fuel-divestment
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#17_February_2015_%28Fossil_fuel_divestment%29
content:
<p>
Fossil fuel divestment now 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2015/feb/13/fossil-fuel-divestment-campaign-grows-as-protesters-target-uk-banks">targets
banks that invest in fossil fuels</a>.  People are moving their money
out of those banks.
<p>
The big US banks helped cause the fiscal crisis, and we have been
invited to move our money out of them for that reason.


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html 17_February_2015_(Teenagers_trying_e-cigarettes)
title: Teenagers trying e-cigarettes
uri: Teenagers-trying-e-cigarettes
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#17_February_2015_%28Teenagers_trying_e-cigarettes%29

content:
<p>
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/science/2015/feb/13/more-teenagers-trying-e-cigarettes-than-tobacco">More
Teenagers Trying E-Cigarettes Than Tobacco, US Study Suggests</a>.


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html 17_February_2015_(Urgent:_Campaign_finance_laws)
title: Urgent: Campaign finance laws
uri: Urgent-Campaign-finance-laws
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#17_February_2015_%28Urgent%3A_Campaign_finance_laws%29

content:
<p>
US citizens: 
<a href="http://site.pfaw.org/site/PageServer?pagename=WalkerFEC">call
on the Federal Election Commission</a> to investigate Scott Walker's
apparent violations of campaign finance laws.


title: Urgent: Reparations for torture victims
uri: Urgent-Reparations-for-torture-victims
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html 17_February_2015_(Urgent:_Reparations_for_torture_victims)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#17_February_2015_%28Urgent%3A_Reparations_for_torture_victims%29

content:
<p>
Everyone: 
<a href="http://act.amnestyusa.org/ea-action/action?ea.client.id=1839&ea.campaign.id=35522">call
on Chicago Mayor Emanuel</a> to support the measure for reparations
for victims tortured by Chicago thugs.


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html 17_February_2015_(Urgent:_Protect_wolves)
title: Urgent: Protect wolves
uri: Urgent-Protect-wolves
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#17_February_2015_%28Urgent%3A_Protect_wolves%29
content:
<p>
US citizens: 
<a href="https://secure.defenders.org/site/Advocacy?cmd=display&page=UserAction&id=2843">call
on Congress</a> not to exclude wolves from the endangered species act.


title: NY thugs shackle prisoners giving birth
uri: NY-thugs-shackle-prisoners-giving-birth
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html 17_February_2015_(NY_thugs_shackle_prisoners_giving_birth)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#17_February_2015_%28NY_thugs_shackle_prisoners_giving_birth%29

content:
<p>
New York thugs continue shackling prisoners that are giving birth even though
that practice is 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2015/feb/13/mothers-prison-illegal-shackled-while-giving-birth">illegal</a>.
<p>
Hospital staff could put an end to this if they stood up to it.  They
could even require the thugs to sign a contract that they will not
break this law, before allowing them into the hospital.


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html 17_February_2015_(TPPs_Chilling_Effect_on_Health)
title: TPP's Chilling Effect on Health
uri: TPP-s-Chilling-Effect-on-Health
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#17_February_2015_%28TPPs_Chilling_Effect_on_Health%29

content:
<p>
<a href="http://www.commondreams.org/news/2015/02/13/doctors-worldwide-blast-tpps-chilling-effect-health-climate-protections">Doctors
Worldwide Blast TPP's 'Chilling Effect' on Health, Climate
Protections</a>.


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html 17_February_2015_(Pledges_to_reduce_CO2_emissions)
title: Pledges to reduce CO2 emissions
uri: Pledges-to-reduce-CO2-emissions
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#17_February_2015_%28Pledges_to_reduce_CO2_emissions%29

content:
<p>
The three main British parties 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2015/feb/14/cameron-clegg-and-miliband-sign-joint-climate-pledge">agreed
to cooperate</a> in reducing CO<sub>2</sub> emissions.
<p>
However, since the Tories pledged to do this when they were elected,
and then did the opposite, I think the agreement is worthless.
Nothing can make them really go against their masters.


title: Discrimination against queer people
uri: Discrimination-against-queer-people
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html 17_February_2015_(Discrimination_against_queer_people)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#17_February_2015_%28Discrimination_against_queer_people%29

content:
<p>
Republicans in state legislatures are 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/feb/13/lgbt-rights-under-fire-oklahoma-arkansas-florida-kansas">looking
for opportunities to discriminate against queer people</a>.


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html 17_February_2015_(TPP_and_Fast_Track)
title: TPP and Fast Track
uri: TPP-and-Fast-Track
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#17_February_2015_%28TPP_and_Fast_Track%29
content:
<p>
<a href="http://www.commondreams.org/views/2015/02/13/tpp-crazy-train-and-fast-track-highway-hell">TPP
is the Crazy Train, and Fast Track is the Highway to Hell</a>.


title: Digital devices that track what we do
uri: Digital-devices-that-track-what-we-do
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html 17_February_2015_(Digital_devices_that_track_what_we_do)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#17_February_2015_%28Digital_devices_that_track_what_we_do%29

content:
<p>
Bruce Schneier has endorsed the idea that we need to 
<a href="https://www.schneier.com/blog/archives/2015/02/samsung_televis.html">stop
digital systems from tracking what we do</a>.
<p>
I am glad to see this get support.


title: Al-Jazeera journalists face new trial
uri: Al-Jazeera-journalists-face-new-trial
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html 17_February_2015_(Al-Jazeera_journalists_face_new_trial)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#17_February_2015_%28Al-Jazeera_journalists_face_new_trial%29

content:
<p>
Two al-Jazeera journalists that were imprisoned in Egypt have been
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/feb/13/al-jazeera-journalists-baher-mohamed-fahmy-reunited-families-egypt">released
on bail pending a new trial</a>.
<p>
It is good news, but it is misleading to say they have been "freed".
They may yet be convicted again, and simply being in Egypt exposes
anyone to the risk of being accused of new crimes.


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html 17_February_2015_(Tax_avoidance)
title: Tax avoidance
uri: Tax-avoidance
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#17_February_2015_%28Tax_avoidance%29
content:
<p>
We should condemn tax avoiders as well as 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2015/feb/13/british-society-favours-rich-tax-avoidance-loopholes">correcting
the loopholes they exploit</a>.


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html 17_February_2015_(If_Diswashers_Were_iPhones)
title: If Diswashers Were iPhones
uri: If-Diswashers-Were-iPhones
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#17_February_2015_%28If_Diswashers_Were_iPhones%29
content:
<p>
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/technology/2015/feb/13/if-dishwashers-were-iphones">If
Dishwashers Were iPhones</a>.


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html 17_February_2015_(PISSI)
title: PISSI
uri: 2015-02-18-PISSI
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#17_February_2015_%28PISSI%29
content:
<p>
PISSI 
<a href="https://firstlook.org/theintercept/?p=13640">boasts of
success in polarizing the world</a>, making people get involved in war
either for or against PISSI.


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html 17_February_2015_(Movie_violence_vs_reality)
title: Movie violence vs reality
uri: Movie-violence-vs-reality
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#17_February_2015_%28Movie_violence_vs_reality%29
content:
<p>
For a US mainstream media pundit, 
<a href="http://www.commondreams.org/views/2015/02/12/chris-matthews-calls-rambo-kind-stuff-response-real-world-violence">violence
that succeeds in movies</a> has to be the right approach for the US.
<p>
It is wrong to accuse the pundit of believing Rambo exists.  Of
course, he knows that Rambo was a fictional character.  What he
doesn't realize is that the story was not merely fictional, but
systematically distorted from reality.  It is easy to write a story so
that the "good guy" wins and nothing bad comes down as a result.
Getting such a good result in reality is a lot harder.


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html 18_February_2015_(Stamp_script_might_help_Greece)
title: "Stamp script" might help Greece
uri: Stamp-script-might-help-Greece
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#18_February_2015_%28Stamp_script_might_help_Greece%29

content:
<p>
"Stamp scrip", which 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2015/feb/17/currency-scheme-1930s-save-greek-economy-eurozone-crisis">decreases
in value over time if not circulated</a>, might help Greece.
<p>
In general, Greece might be able to escape from crushing austerity by
creating money other than euros.  However, such schemes are tricky;
one needs to navigate carefully between various pitfalls.  Syriza's
economists are no fools; perhaps they can do it.
<p>
I would expect all these schemes are banned by the EU and the
euro-zone rules, but there may come a time when Greece must defy those
rules.


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html 18_February_2015_(Sending_humans_to_Mars)
title: Sending humans to Mars
uri: Sending-humans-to-Mars
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#18_February_2015_%28Sending_humans_to_Mars%29
content:
<p>
We should not send humans to Mars while we 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/science/2015/feb/17/starter-for-ten-is-there-life-on-mars">don't
know whether life exists there</a>.


title: Russian drown shot down over Ukraine
uri: Russian-drown-shot-down-over-Ukraine
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html 18_February_2015_(Russian_drown_shot_down_over_Ukraine)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#18_February_2015_%28Russian_drown_shot_down_over_Ukraine%29

content:
<p>
Ukraine's forces shot down a Russian drone over Ukraine, 
<a href="https://firstlook.org/theintercept/?p=13852">near
Mariupol</a>.
<p>
Russia's proxy "rebels" could not have captured it from Ukraine.  It
is conclusive proof of direct Russian participation in the war.
<p>
These "rebels" are on the offensive and have 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/feb/17/ukraine-pro-russia-forces-seize-parts-of-debaltseve-railway-despite-truce">cut
off Ukrainian forces in Debaltseve</a>.


title: UK news coverage of HSBC tax-dodging
uri: UK-news-coverage-of-HSBC-tax-dodging
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html 18_February_2015_(UK_news_coverage_of_HSBC_tax-dodging)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#18_February_2015_%28UK_news_coverage_of_HSBC_tax-dodging%29

content:
<p>
A UK newspaper's political commentator resigned, denouncing the paper
for 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/media/2015/feb/17/peter-oborne-telegraph-hsbc-coverage-fraud-readers">quashing
coverage of the HSBC tax-dodging scandal</a> in exchange for the
bank's advertising.


title: Tory fabrication against solar power
uri: Tory-fabrication-against-solar-power
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html 18_February_2015_(Tory_fabrication_against_solar_power)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#18_February_2015_%28Tory_fabrication_against_solar_power%29

content:
<p>
Tories claimed solar power on farmland endangered UK food production,
but documents show it 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2015/feb/17/ministers-claims-that-solar-panels-harm-uk-food-security-are-false">had
no basis to reach that conclusion</a>.
<p>
It was just a handy fabricated excuse to boost use of fossil fuels.


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html 18_February_2015_(Irans_Orwellian_world)
title: Iran's Orwellian world
uri: Iran-s-Orwellian-world
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#18_February_2015_%28Irans_Orwellian_world%29
content:
<p>
In Iran's Orwellian world, the press are 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/feb/17/iranian-media-banned-from-mentioning-mohammad-khatami">forbidden
to mention former president Khatami</a>.  He has been declared an
unperson.


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html 18_February_2015_(Oil_train_explosion)
title: Oil train explosion
uri: Oil-train-explosion
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#18_February_2015_%28Oil_train_explosion%29
content:
<p>
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2015/feb/17/fire-west-virginia-oil-tanker-train">Another
oil train has exploded</a> in the US.


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html 18_February_2015_(Arrogance_of_the_wealthy)
title: Arrogance of the wealthy
uri: Arrogance-of-the-wealthy
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#18_February_2015_%28Arrogance_of_the_wealthy%29
content:
<p>
An Indian millionaire beat his security guard for being slow to
open the gate.  The guard has died and the millionaire 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/feb/17/indian-millionaire-accused-killing-guard-gate">faces
charges</a>.
<p>
This arrogance of the wealthy shows in other ways in today's
plutocrats.


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html 18_February_2015_(How_to_Eradicate_Poverty)
title: How to Eradicate Poverty
uri: How-to-Eradicate-Poverty
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#18_February_2015_%28How_to_Eradicate_Poverty%29
content:
<p>
How to Eradicate Poverty: 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/society/2015/feb/17/eradicate-poverty-strengthen-unions-confront-corporate-interests">Spend
More on Wages And Strengthen Unions</a>.


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html 18_February_2015_(Housing_homeless_people)
title: Housing homeless people
uri: Housing-homeless-people
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#18_February_2015_%28Housing_homeless_people%29
content:
<p>
Just 30 dollars can build a 
<a href="http://www.motherjones.com/politics/2015/02/tiny-houses-homelessness-solution">tiny
house with wheels that can give a homeless person what's needed to
start working</a>.  As long as the thugs don't treat it like vermin.
<p>
Utah finds that paying market rates for housing for homeless people is
a 
<a href="http://www.motherjones.com/politics/2015/02/housing-first-solution-to-homelessness-utah">feasible
solution</a>.
<p>
In San Francisco, Jeff the trash collector 
<a href="http://www.motherjones.com/politics/2015/02/robert-okin-silent-voices-homeless-san-francisco">became
homeless after he was fired due to a drug test</a>.
<p>
It does no harm if a trash collector uses marijuana while off duty.
Mandatory drug tests ruin lives for no reason.  We must stop them.


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html 18_February_2015_(Cost_of_being_jailed_in_the_US)
title: Cost of being jailed in the US
uri: Cost-of-being-jailed-in-the-US
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#18_February_2015_%28Cost_of_being_jailed_in_the_US%29

content:
<p>
Many Americans can't afford bail when charged with crimes, so they
have to stay in jail until trial.  Since they are required to pay for
being in jail, they are 
<a href="http://www.motherjones.com/politics/2015/02/jails-prison-bail-racial-disparity">jailed
again for non-payment even if they are acquitted</a>.
<p>
Some plead guilty to a crime they didn't commit, just to get out of
jail.


title: Meat made with regular use of antibiotics
uri: Meat-made-with-regular-use-of-antibiotics
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html 18_February_2015_(Meat_made_with_regular_use_of_antibiotics)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#18_February_2015_%28Meat_made_with_regular_use_of_antibiotics%29

content:
<p>
A 
<a href="https://fbcdn-sphotos-d-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xpf1/v/t1.0-9/10984285_10153051560328080_6409683253392583233_n.png?oh=1ff6794a16fff4b5eb38d6837f476d42&oe=559371E2&__gda__=1435750301_0661ae41fd8dadfd5968a8c279ad3962">list
of restaurant and fast-food companies</a> that say they will stop
using meat made with regular use of antibiotics.


title: Thai students defy Military Junta
uri: Thai-students-defy-Military-Junta
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html 18_February_2015_(Thai_students_defy_Military_Junta)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#18_February_2015_%28Thai_students_defy_Military_Junta%29

content:
<p>
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/feb/17/thailands-students-defy-military-junta-and-call-for-return-to-democracy">Thailand's
Students Defy Military Junta And Call for Return to Democracy</a>.


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html 18_February_2015_(How_executions_dehumanize)
title: How executions dehumanize
uri: How-executions-dehumanize
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#18_February_2015_%28How_executions_dehumanize%29
content:
<p>
Bryan Stevenson of the Equal Justice Initiative explains 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/feb/17/bryan-stevenson-if-its-not-right-to-a-rapist-how-can-it-be-ok-to-kill-a-killer">how
executions dehumanize everyone involved</a>.


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html 18_February_2015_(PISSI_cruelty_to_women)
title: PISSI cruelty to women
uri: PISSI-cruelty-to-women
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#18_February_2015_%28PISSI_cruelty_to_women%29
content:
<p>
PISSI has imposed 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/feb/17/isis-orders-women-iraq-syria-veils-gloves">cruelty
to women beyond even Saudi Arabia</a>.  Many women will be unable to
survive this for long.
<p>
Rather than dying passively, they should shoot PISSI supporters or
make suicide attacks against PISSI.
<p>
PISSI has raped so many women and girls that Iraqi society is 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2015/feb/17/disarm-isis-rape-weapon-war">on
the verge of realizing it is wrong blame the victim of rape</a>.
<p>
I suggest offering those ostracized women a chance to recover their
self-esteem with military uniforms, weapons, and training.  They will
fight like demons against PISSI, once they see they can.


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html 18_February_2015_(Snow_storms)
title: Snow storms
uri: Snow-storms
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#18_February_2015_%28Snow_storms%29
content:
<p>
Much of the US has been shut down by a 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2015/feb/17/winter-storm-paralyses-central-us-as-new-york-cold-hits-record-low">big
snow storm coming on top of several other big snow storms</a>.
<p>
Most Americans probably don't know that this is one of the 
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#10_February_2015_(Global_heating)">indirect
effects of global heating</a>.


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html 18_February_2015_(Sudan_confiscates_newspapers)
title: Sudan confiscates newspapers
uri: Sudan-confiscates-newspapers
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#18_February_2015_%28Sudan_confiscates_newspapers%29
content:
<p>
Sudan 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/feb/17/sudan-cracks-down-on-press-seizing-entire-print-run-of-14-newspapers">confiscated
the entire print run of 14 newspapers</a>.  It is not clear what story
the government was censoring.
<p>
Censorship in the advanced countries sometimes works more subtly, but
sometimes involves imprisoning people for various kinds of political
statements, as has occurred in the 
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2004-may-aug.html#31%20May%202004%20(Animal%20rights%20terrorism)">US</a>
and
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2013-jan-apr.html#15_March_2013_(Activist_mocks_Sarkozy_gets_criminal_conviction)">France</a>.


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html 18_February_2015_(Ban_on_begging_in_England)
title: Ban on begging in England
uri: Ban-on-begging-in-England
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#18_February_2015_%28Ban_on_begging_in_England%29
content:
<p>
Begging is a crime in England, and the 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/society/2014/nov/30/begging-prosecutions-increase-england-wales">number
of prosecutions has greatly increased in recent years</a>.
<p>
To ban begging could be acceptable in a society that offers everyone
(without exception) some decent alternative.  Under a starve-the-poor
government, this is just one more nail in destitute people's coffins.
<p>
The Tories have spread a "climate of fear" in the NHS; staff that see
bad patient care are 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2015/feb/17/jeremy-hunt-nhs-bully-in-chief-health-secretary-staff">afraid
to report it</a>.
<p>
This is coherent with the Tory goal of cutting the NHS as much as
possible.  The less people realize how bad the consequences are, the
farther they can go.


title: Thug turns off camera before beating
uri: Thug-turns-off-camera-before-beating
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html 18_February_2015_(Thug_turns_off_camera_before_beating)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#18_February_2015_%28Thug_turns_off_camera_before_beating%29

content:
<p>
A St Louis thug turned off a car camera, after 
<a href="http://www.stltoday.com/news/local/crime-and-courts/st-louis-police-video-at-heart-of-lawsuit-dismissal-of/article_f4c65142-f3be-57f1-a957-9f256fb02459.html">yelling
out to other thugs (in effect), "Don't beat him up yet, the camera is
still on!"</a>
<p>
Regardless of other details, this should put those thugs in jail.


title: AT&T to charge for opting out of tracking
uri: AT-T-to-charge-for-opting-out-of-tracking
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html 18_February_2015_(ATT_to_charge_for_opting_out_of_tracking)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#18_February_2015_%28ATT_to_charge_for_opting_out_of_tracking%29

content:
<p>
AT&T plans to charge fiber customers around 
<a href="http://arstechnica.com/business/2015/02/att-charges-29-more-for-gigabit-fiber-that-doesnt-watch-your-web-browsing/">$30
a month extra for not tracking their internet activities</a>.
<p>
I've read that the main US ISPs already keep records of users'
internet contacts for use by Big Brother. And AT&T already
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2013-sep-dec.html#02_September_2013_(ATT_maintains_complete_database_of_cell_phone_calls)">keeps
lists of people's phone calls since 1988 or so</a>.  Apparently what
AT&T charges extra for is merely not to use the data for its own
purposes.


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html 18_February_2015_(Cruel_instinctive_disgust)
title: Cruel instinctive disgust
uri: Cruel-instinctive-disgust
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#18_February_2015_%28Cruel_instinctive_disgust%29
content:
<p>
Liberals (in US terminology) are better than conservatives at
overcoming 
<a href="http://ieet.org/index.php/IEET/more/hughes20150214">cruel
instinctive disgust</a>.


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html 18_February_2015_(Rich_peoples_tax_rate)
title: Rich people's tax rate
uri: Rich-people-s-tax-rate
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#18_February_2015_%28Rich_peoples_tax_rate%29
content:
<p>
Ask Republican governors: 
<a href="http://www.commondreams.org/views/2015/02/16/more-proof-conservative-anti-tax-dogma-only-applies-rich">why
in your state do the rich pay a lower tax rate than the rest</a>?
<p>
You can ask Democratic governors the same question.


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html 18_February_2015_(Cancel_the_2024_Olympics)
title: Cancel the 2024 Olympics
uri: Cancel-the-2024-Olympics
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#18_February_2015_%28Cancel_the_2024_Olympics%29
content:
<p>
Cancel the 2024 Olympics to 
<a href="http://www.commondreams.org/views/2015/02/16/time-climate-change-boston-and-world-cant-afford-olympics">reduce
global heating</a>.


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html 18_February_2015_(The_right_to_offend)
title: The right to offend
uri: The-right-to-offend
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#18_February_2015_%28The_right_to_offend%29
content:
<p>
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2015/feb/16/free-speech-means-nothing-without-right-to-offend-paris-copenhagen">The
Right to Free Speech Means Nothing Without the Right to Offend</a>.
<p>
If we surrender to murderous religious fanatics by silencing views
that offend them, it will mean one can offend only decent, civilized
people.


title: Punishment for using social media
uri: Punishment-for-using-social-media
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html 18_February_2015_(Punishment_for_using_social_media)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#18_February_2015_%28Punishment_for_using_social_media%29

content:
<p>
Many states punish prisoners for using social media (usually, being
used by Facebook).  A single post can be punished by 
<a href="https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2015/02/hundreds-south-carolina-inmates-sent-solitary-confinement-over-facebook">a
year's solitary confinement</a>.
<p>
Solitary confinement for extended periods of time is a 
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2007-jul-oct.html#06%20September%202007%20(CIA%20brainwashed%20Jose%20Padilla)">form
of brainwashing</a> and should not be allowed at all.
<p>
Rehabilitation includes teaching prisoners better life habits, and not
being used by Facebook is a good habit.  But this is the wrong way to
teach it.
<p>
The South Carolina law seems to punish even writing an article to be
posted on the internet.


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html 18_February_2015_(Poor_people_who_are_fat)
title: Poor people who are fat
uri: Poor-people-who-are-fat
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#18_February_2015_%28Poor_people_who_are_fat%29
content:
<p>
The 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2015/feb/16/david-cameron-obese-big-society-benefits">latest
UK right-wing technique to divide people</a> is to condemn poor people
who are fat.
<p>
Many poor people can't afford non-fattening food, or can't buy it near
where they live.  If the proposal were to correct these problems, all
the poor would rejoice.  But that would be too helpful for any
right-wing politician to consider.  Their goal is to find excuses to
punish the weak.
<p>
I predict that their "treatment" will consist of cutting welfare
benefits for the obese, to compel them (and their children) to go
hungry until they slim down.


title: Stopping growth inequality in the US
uri: Stopping-growth-inequality-in-the-US
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html 18_February_2015_(Stopping_growth_inequality_in_the_US)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#18_February_2015_%28Stopping_growth_inequality_in_the_US%29

content:
<p>
It would take a 
<a href="http://ineteconomics.org/institute-blog/what-thomas-piketty-and-larry-summers-don-t-tell-you-about-income-inequality">60%
tax bracket to stop the growth of inequality in the US</a>.  Let's do
it!
<p>
The article explains a lot more about the causes of growing inequality
and what methods would or would not stop it.


title: UK employees working for arms companies
uri: UK-employees-working-for-arms-companies
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html 18_February_2015_(UK_employees_working_for_arms_companies)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#18_February_2015_%28UK_employees_working_for_arms_companies%29

content:
<p>
Dozens of UK employees 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2015/feb/16/dozens-of-arms-firm-employees-on-mod-secondments">involved
in arms procurement</a> are working directly for arms companies.


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html 18_February_2015_(Human_tendency_towards_racism)
title: Human tendency towards racism
uri: Human-tendency-towards-racism
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#18_February_2015_%28Human_tendency_towards_racism%29

content:
<p>
How the 
<a href="https://shweta-narayan.livejournal.com/204154.html">subtleties
of how humans understand categories</a> creates a tendency towards
racism.


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html 18_February_2015_(Thug_interrogation_methods)
title: Thug interrogation methods
uri: Thug-interrogation-methods
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#18_February_2015_%28Thug_interrogation_methods%29
content:
<p>
Standard thug interrogation methods can 
<a href="http://www.thestar.com/news/insight/2015/02/08/planting-false-memories-fairly-easy-psychologists-find.html">implant
false memories of crimes that never occurred</a>.
<p>
Psychologists spending just 3 hours talking with subjects got 70% of
them to vividly imagine committing crimes that didn't happen.
<p>
This is another reason to refuse to answer the thugs' questions
without a lawyer present.


title: Medical problems due to Guantanamo torture
uri: Medical-problems-due-to-Guantanamo-torture
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html 18_February_2015_(Medical_problems_due_to_Guantanamo_torture)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#18_February_2015_%28Medical_problems_due_to_Guantanamo_torture%29

content:
<p>
A Guantanamo prisoner suffers 
<a href="http://www.miamiherald.com/news/nation-world/world/americas/guantanamo/article9852896.html">lasting
medical problems due to torture of his rectum</a> years ago.


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html 18_February_2015_(Libya)
title: Libya
uri: 2015-02-19-Libya
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#18_February_2015_%28Libya%29
content:
<p>
How Libya sank into a 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/feb/16/libyas-armed-politics-the-guardian-briefing">battlefield
for competing warlords</a>.
<p>
In 2011, I endorsed the Western intervention to stop Gaddafi from
massacring the rebels.  At the time, it seemed there would be hope for
Libya.  Was this idea wrong from the beginning, or was this outcome
contingent?
<p>
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/feb/16/libyas-arab-spring-the-revolution-that-ate-its-children">Some
claim it was inevitable</a>, but I am not sure, and 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/feb/16/libyas-arab-spring-the-revolution-that-ate-its-children">others
are not either</a>.
<p>
Of course, "just" killing a dictator does not make everything fine,
but the intervention was never only about that.
<p>
Some argue that European countries should intervene, but it is 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/on-the-middle-east/2015/feb/16/uk-envoy-if-libya-fails-it-could-be-somalia-on-the-mediterranean">not
clear what they could do</a>.
<p>
We 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2015/feb/16/libyan-front-war-isis-murder-21-egyptian-christians-middle-east">should
not assume that Libya is falling under the control of PISSI</a>.


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html 18_February_2015_(Corruption_in_Sierra_Leone)
title: Corruption in Sierra Leone
uri: Corruption-in-Sierra-Leone
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#18_February_2015_%28Corruption_in_Sierra_Leone%29
content:
<p>
Corruption in Sierra Leone 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/feb/16/ebola-sierra-leone-budget-report">drained
1/3 of the government's funds for fighting Ebola, in the period
through October</a>.  This may have greatly increased the number of
deaths.


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html 18_February_2015_(War_heating_up_in_Ukraine)
title: War heating up in Ukraine
uri: War-heating-up-in-Ukraine
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#18_February_2015_%28War_heating_up_in_Ukraine%29
content:
<p>
The proposed Ukraine cease-fire 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/feb/16/ukraine-ceasefire-fighting-escalates-debaltseve">never got started</a>; war is heating up.


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html 18_February_2015_(Western_intervention_in_Libya)
title: Western intervention in Libya
uri: Western-intervention-in-Libya
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#18_February_2015_%28Western_intervention_in_Libya%29

content:
<p>
What can we learn from the 
<a href="https://firstlook.org/theintercept/?p=13824">terrible
consequences</a> of western intervention in Libya?


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html 18_February_2015_(Nicaraguan_sugar_farmer_deaths)
title: Nicaraguan sugar farmer deaths
uri: Nicaraguan-sugar-farmer-deaths
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#18_February_2015_%28Nicaraguan_sugar_farmer_deaths%29

content:
<p>
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/feb/16/-sp-nicaragua-kidney-disease-killing-sugar-cane-workers">20,000
Nicaraguan sugar farmers have died in 10 years</a> of chronic kidney
disease, which is traced to working conditions.  The Sandinista
government has sold out to the plantation owners, which regularly
cheat the workers out of medical benefits in order to avoid paying for
their treatment.
<p>
The government has also betrayed the women of Nicaragua by 
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2009-jul-oct.html#29%20July%202009%20(Nicaragua:%20total%20ban%20on%20abortion)">banning
abortion</a>, which is part of the reason that men in Chichigalpa
can't find any work except that which kills them.
<p>
If the company had to pay compensation for working people to death it
might start treating workers decently.  But that would cost a little
more, and the company competes with companies elsewhere that probably
work farmers to death too.  Thus the globalization of business power
kills people around the world.  Nicaragua would be better off if it
refused to compete this way.


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html 18_February_2015_(Rodney_Reed_to_be_executed)
title: Rodney Reed to be executed
uri: Rodney-Reed-to-be-executed
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#18_February_2015_%28Rodney_Reed_to_be_executed%29
content:
<p>
Rodney Reed is about to be executed in Texas, apparently 
<a href="https://firstlook.org/theintercept/?p=13808">framed by the
thug who was the real murderer</a>.


title: China building cities on farmland
uri: China-building-cities-on-farmland
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html 18_February_2015_(China_building_cities_on_farmland)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#18_February_2015_%28China_building_cities_on_farmland%29

content:
<p>
China is building cities on farmland, while it 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/feb/16/china-mega-airport-symbol-flight-agriculture-urbanisation">does
not have enough farmland</a>.


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html 18_February_2015_(The_Satanic_Temple)
title: The Satanic Temple
uri: The-Satanic-Temple
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#18_February_2015_%28The_Satanic_Temple%29
content:
<p>
The Satanic Temple: an 
<a href="http://ieet.org/index.php/IEET/more/murphy20150209">ethical
movement calling itself a religion as a legal fiction</a>.


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html 18_February_2015_(Big_data)
title: "Big data"
uri: 2015-02-19-Big-data
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#18_February_2015_%28Big_data%29
content:
<p>
The 
<a href="http://ieet.org/index.php/IEET/more/searle20150208">fundamental
flaw</a> in supposing that "big data" will easily solve all problems.


title: Innocent people dying after calls to 911
uri: Innocent-people-dying-after-calls-to-911
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html 18_February_2015_(Innocent_people_dying_after_calls_to_911)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#18_February_2015_%28Innocent_people_dying_after_calls_to_911%29

content:
<p>
<a href="http://www.dailykos.com/story/2015/02/13/1364225/-The-emerging-national-trend-of-innocent-black-men-boys-being-killed-after-calls-to-911">The
Emerging Trend of Innocent Black Men And Boys Dying After Calls to
911</a>.


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html 19_February_2015_(Urgent:_Planned_Parenthood)
title: Urgent: Planned Parenthood
uri: Urgent-Planned-Parenthood
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#19_February_2015_%28Urgent%3A_Planned_Parenthood%29
content:
<p>
US citizens: tell Republicans, 
<a href="http://act.credoaction.com/sign/Defund_PP">don't defund
Planned Parenthood</a>.


title: Urgent: Oppose national ID database
uri: Urgent-Oppose-national-ID-database
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html 19_February_2015_(Urgent:_Oppose_national_ID_database)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#19_February_2015_%28Urgent%3A_Oppose_national_ID_database%29

content:
<p>
In Scotland: 
<a href="https://scotland.openrightsgroup.org/campaigns/stop-scottish-id-database">oppose</a>
the national ID database.


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html 19_February_2015_(Urgent:_Save_antibiotics)
title: Urgent: Save antibiotics
uri: Urgent-Save-antibiotics
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#19_February_2015_%28Urgent%3A_Save_antibiotics%29
content:
<p>
Everyone: 
<a href="http://petitions.moveon.org/sign/mcdonalds-help-save-antibiot-1">call
on McDonalds</a> to stop using meat grown by feeding antibiotics
regularly to animals that aren't sick.


title: Urgent: No PAT RIOT mass surveillance
uri: Urgent-No-PAT-RIOT-mass-surveillance
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html 19_February_2015_(Urgent:_No_PAT_RIOT_mass_surveillance)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#19_February_2015_%28Urgent%3A_No_PAT_RIOT_mass_surveillance%29

content:
<p>
US citizens: 
<a href="http://www.demandanexpirationdate.com/?code=WWW">call on
Congress</a> not to renew the PAT RIOT act with massive surveillance.


title: Urgent: Take nuclear missiles off hair-trigger alert
uri: Urgent-Take-nuclear-missiles-off-hair-trigger-alert
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html 19_February_2015_(Urgent:_Take_nuclear_missiles_off_hair-trigger_alert)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#19_February_2015_%28Urgent%3A_Take_nuclear_missiles_off_hair-trigger_alert%29

content:
<p>
US citizens: 
<a href="https://secure3.convio.net/ucs/site/Advocacy?pagename=homepage&cmd=display&page=UserAction&id=4497">call
on Obama</a> to take US nuclear missiles off hair-trigger alert.


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html 19_February_2015_(Pussy_Riots_I_Can't_Breathe)
title: Pussy Riot's "I Can't Breathe"
uri: Pussy-Riot-s-I-Can-t-Breathe
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#19_February_2015_%28Pussy_Riots_I_Can%27t_Breathe%29

content:
<p>
Pussy Riot has released a song 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/feb/18/pussy-riot-i-cant-breathe-nadya-tolokonnikova-masha-alyokhina">dedicated
to Eric Garner</a>: "I Can't Breathe".


title: Ruler calls on people to act like sheep
uri: Ruler-calls-on-people-to-act-like-sheep
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html 19_February_2015_(Ruler_calls_on_people_to_act_like_sheep)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#19_February_2015_%28Ruler_calls_on_people_to_act_like_sheep%29

content:
<p>
The ruler imposed by China on Hong Kong, known as "the wolf", 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/feb/18/hong-kong-leader-residents-mild-gentle-chinese-year-of-the-sheep">called
on the people of Hong Kong to act like sheep</a>.
<p>
Lots of nondemocratic regimes want to rule sheeple, but few admit it.


title: Slave fishing workers in Thailand
uri: Slave-fishing-workers-in-Thailand
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html 19_February_2015_(Slave_fishing_workers_in_Thailand)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#19_February_2015_%28Slave_fishing_workers_in_Thailand%29

content:
<p>
Thailand has done little to put an end to 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2015/feb/18/thailand-failing-tackle-fishing-industry-slavery">enslavement of fishing
workers</a>.


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html 19_February_2015_(Ketamine)
title: Ketamine
uri: Ketamine
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#19_February_2015_%28Ketamine%29
content:
<p>
The desire to prohibit ketamine as a recreational drug is 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2015/feb/18/ketamine-common-sense-britain-war-on-drugs">impeding
its medical use (as an anesthetic and for treating depression)</a>.
Even worse, the drug may be banned entirely.
<p>
A similar thing has happened in the US with pain medication: people
who need it for pain are stopped from getting enough to help them.


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html 19_February_2015_(Debaltseve_captured_by_rebels)
title: Debaltseve captured by "rebels"
uri: Debaltseve-captured-by-rebels
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#19_February_2015_%28Debaltseve_captured_by_rebels%29

content:
<p>
Russian-supported "rebels" in Ukraine have 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/feb/18/ukraine-debaltseve-troops-withdraw-fighting-rebels-russia">captured
Debaltseve</a>.
<p>
At one point in 2014, Ukraine's forces were slowly but steadily
defeating the "rebels".  Then, all of a sudden, the "rebels" got a lot
stronger and started advancing.  There is only one way that could have
happened: with Russian military support.
<p>
This point is important because it doesn't depend on believing either
side.


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html 19_February_2015_(Privatization_of_NHS)
title: Privatization of NHS
uri: 2015-02-19-Privatization-of-NHS
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#19_February_2015_%28Privatization_of_NHS%29
content:
<p>
The UK right-wing government is using "new models of care" (i.e.,
reform of some details) as an 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/society/2015/feb/18/nhs-england-new-models-of-care-no-piloting-early-adopters">excuse
to privatize parts of the NHS</a>.


title: Finance minister of Greece on Marxism
uri: Finance-minister-of-Greece-on-Marxism
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html 19_February_2015_(Finance_minister_of_Greece_on_Marxism)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#19_February_2015_%28Finance_minister_of_Greece_on_Marxism%29

content:
<p>
The finance minister of Greece stated in 2013 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/news/2015/feb/18/yanis-varoufakis-how-i-became-an-erratic-marxist">which
aspects of Marxism he follows and which aspects he finds mistaken</a>.
<p>
He also explained why he does not aim to destroy the euro-zone.
<p>
His experience with a first-class air ticket reminds me of an
experience I had around 1990.  I was invited to Japan along with
Thomas Bushnell, developer of the GNU Hurd, and we were both given
business-class tickets on the same flight.  On arrival we found that
we were both perturbed by the intensely servile attitude of the flight
attendants, and perturbed even more by the idea that there are people
who get used to this and expect it.


title: Enslavement of domestic workers in HK
uri: Enslavement-of-domestic-workers-in-HK
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html 19_February_2015_(Enslavement_of_domestic_workers_in_HK)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#19_February_2015_%28Enslavement_of_domestic_workers_in_HK%29

content:
<p>
Fighting 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2015/feb/18/women-domestic-workers-fight-abusive-employers-hong-kong">enslavement
of domestic workers</a> in Hong Kong.


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html 19_February_2015_(Per_capita_GNP_of_the_US)
title: Per capita GNP of the US
uri: Per-capita-GNP-of-the-US
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#19_February_2015_%28Per_capita_GNP_of_the_US%29
content:
<p>
The per capita GNP of the US is 
<a href="http://www.dailykos.com/story/2015/02/16/1364699/-Why-are-people-paid-so-poorly-in-America">140,000
dollars per person per year</a>.  Most Americans live on something
like a tenth of that.  The difference is a measure of exploitation by
the rich.


title: Jailed for possession of vitamins
uri: Jailed-for-possession-of-vitamins
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html 19_February_2015_(Jailed_for_possession_of_vitamins)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#19_February_2015_%28Jailed_for_possession_of_vitamins%29

content:
<p>
Joseph Burrell was 
<a href="http://www.dailykos.com/story/2015/02/16/1364777/-After-months-in-jail-Minnesota-man-released-after-lab-determines-he-was-in-possession-of-vitamins">jailed
for 4 months</a> while his vitamins were tested to verify they were
not illegal drugs.
<p>
Now he probably faces expensive jail fees.  He may end up back in jail
if he can't afford them.


title: Execution of people shown to be innocent
uri: Execution-of-people-shown-to-be-innocent
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html 19_February_2015_(Execution_of_people_shown_to_be_innocent)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#19_February_2015_%28Execution_of_people_shown_to_be_innocent%29

content:
<p>
The US Supreme Court 
<a href="http://www.dailykos.com/story/2015/02/17/1364924/-Did-you-know-the-Supreme-Court-ruled-6-3-that-it-s-legal-to-execute-an-innocent-person">ruled
that it is ok</a> to execute someone even if that person has been
shown to be innocent.


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html 19_February_2015_(Republican_presidential_hopeful)
title: Republican presidential hopeful
uri: Republican-presidential-hopeful
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#19_February_2015_%28Republican_presidential_hopeful%29

content:
<p>
Scott Walker, Republican presidential hopeful, is a 
<a href="http://www.dailykos.com/story/2015/02/16/1364829/-Four-things-you-MUST-KNOW-about-Scott-Walker-before-it-s-too-late">corrupt
liar that tries to crush politicians that oppose him</a>.
<p>
He must have a good chance among Republicans.


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html 19_February_2015_(Death_sentence_based_on_lie)
title: Death sentence based on lie
uri: Death-sentence-based-on-lie
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#19_February_2015_%28Death_sentence_based_on_lie%29
content:
<p>
The witnesses who got Linda Carty sentenced to death have said that
they were 
<a href="http://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2015/02/16/witnesses-against-death-row-grandmother-admit-they-lied-following-threats">blackmailed
by the DA into lying</a>.


title: Civilian casualties in Afghanistan
uri: 2015-02-19-Civilian-casualties-in-Afghanistan
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html 19_February_2015_(Civilian_casualties_in_Afghanistan)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#19_February_2015_%28Civilian_casualties_in_Afghanistan%29

content:
<p>
Although US and NATO troops are not directly fighting much, the rate
of civilian casualties in Afghanistan is the 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/feb/18/afghan-civilian-deaths-record-high">highest
ever</a>.


title: Republicans propose tax increases
uri: Republicans-propose-tax-increases
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html 19_February_2015_(Republicans_propose_tax_increases)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#19_February_2015_%28Republicans_propose_tax_increases%29

content:
<p>
Republican governors are proposing 
<a href="http://www.commondreams.org/news/2015/02/16/brewing-perfect-storm-gop-lawmakers-push-millionaire-friendly-state-tax-schemes">tax
increases that mainly hit the non-rich</a>.


title: EU demands continued Greek suffering
uri: EU-demands-continued-Greek-suffering
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html 19_February_2015_(EU_demands_continued_Greek_suffering)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#19_February_2015_%28EU_demands_continued_Greek_suffering%29

content:
<p>
The EU obstinately 
<a href="http://www.commondreams.org/news/2015/02/16/not-game-declares-greek-minister-talks-collapse-brussels">demands
to continue Greek suffering</a>.
<p>
If the EU forces Greece to the breaking point, 
<a href="http://www.commondreams.org/news/2015/02/16/krugman-greece-and-europe-deserve-democratic-ideals-syriza">more
can break than just Greece</a>.


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html 19_February_2015_(Iranian_films)
title: Iranian films
uri: Iranian-films
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#19_February_2015_%28Iranian_films%29
content:
<p>
The Iranian state reluctantly allows Jafar Panahi to make films
because they win international awards, but they 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/film/2015/feb/17/jafar-panahi-golden-bear-taxi-iran">can't
be shown in Iran</a>.


title: Laws to protect the Great Barrier Reef
uri: Laws-to-protect-the-Great-Barrier-Reef
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html 19_February_2015_(Laws_to_protect_the_Great_Barrier_Reef)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#19_February_2015_%28Laws_to_protect_the_Great_Barrier_Reef%29

content:
<p>
The Australian state which has the Great Barrier Reef has a new
government that 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2015/feb/18/great-barrier-reef-polluters-face-tougher-action-under-queenslands-new-government">plans
to make new laws to protect the reef</a>, especially from agricultural
pollution.


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html 19_February_2015_(Fixing_US_infrastructure)
title: Fixing US infrastructure
uri: Fixing-US-infrastructure
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#19_February_2015_%28Fixing_US_infrastructure%29
content:
<p>
<a href="http://usa.streetsblog.org/2015/02/05/more-money-wont-fix-u-s-infrastructure-if-we-dont-change-how-its-spent/">More
Money Won't Fix U.S. Infrastructure If We Don't Change How It's
Spent</a>.


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html 19_February_2015_(Women_taught_to_die_for_fetus)
title: Women taught to die for fetus
uri: Women-taught-to-die-for-fetus
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#19_February_2015_%28Women_taught_to_die_for_fetus%29

content:
<p>
Women are 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2015/feb/17/bearing-children-more-important-than-surviving-pregnancy">being
taught that it is heroic</a> to die to save a fetus.
<p>
A fetus is only a potential person.  The woman is a real person.


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html 18_February_2015_(Stamp_scrip_might_help_Greece)
title: "Stamp scrip" might help Greece
uri: Stamp-scrip-might-help-Greece
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#18_February_2015_%28Stamp_scrip_might_help_Greece%29

content:
<p>
"Stamp scrip", which 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2015/feb/17/currency-scheme-1930s-save-greek-economy-eurozone-crisis">decreases
in value over time if not circulated</a>, might help Greece.
<p>
In general, Greece might be able to escape from crushing austerity by
creating money other than euros.  However, such schemes are tricky;
one needs to navigate carefully between various pitfalls.  Syriza's
economists are no fools; perhaps they can do it.
<p>
I would expect all these schemes are banned by the EU and the
euro-zone rules, but there may come a time when Greece must defy those
rules.


title: Urgent: Oppose Florida toilet bill
uri: Urgent-Oppose-Florida-toilet-bill
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html 19_February_2015_(Urgent:_Oppose_Florida_toilet_bill)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#19_February_2015_%28Urgent%3A_Oppose_Florida_toilet_bill%29

content:
<p>
Everyone: 
<a href="https://www.aclu.org/secure/papers-to-pee">oppose</a> the
Florida bill to require people to use the toilets for the gender they
were born with.


title: Urgent: Block undersea oil drilling
uri: Urgent-Block-undersea-oil-drilling
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html 19_February_2015_(Urgent:_Block_undersea_oil_drilling)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#19_February_2015_%28Urgent%3A_Block_undersea_oil_drilling%29

content:
<p>
US citizens: 
<a href="https://secure.nrdconline.org/site/Advocacy?cmd=display&page=UserAction&id=3663">call
on energy secretary Jewell</a> to block Arctic and Atlantic undersea
oil drilling, and tighten other safety regulations.


title: Urgent: Paid sick leave for US workers
uri: Urgent-Paid-sick-leave-for-US-workers
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html 19_February_2015_(Urgent:_Paid_sick_leave_for_US_workers)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#19_February_2015_%28Urgent%3A_Paid_sick_leave_for_US_workers%29

content:
<p>
US citizens: 
<a href="https://www.dailykos.com/campaigns/1106">call on Congress</a>
to require paid sick leave for US workers.


title: Urgent: Punish wrongdoing of for-profit colleges
uri: Urgent-Punish-wrongdoing-of-for-profit-colleges
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html 19_February_2015_(Urgent:_Punish_wrongdoing_of_for-profit_colleges)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#19_February_2015_%28Urgent%3A_Punish_wrongdoing_of_for-profit_colleges%29

content:
<p>
US citizens: 
<a href="http://act.credoaction.com/sign/no_college_bailouts">call on
Congress</a> not to overlook or forgive the wrongdoing of for-profit
colleges.
<p>
We need stricter rules so they cannot 
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2014-sep-dec.html#20_September_2014_(For-profit_schools)">lure
students to get painful loans for a usually useless "education"</a>.


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html 19_February_2015_(Poland_to_pay_US_torture_victims)
title: Poland to pay US torture victims
uri: Poland-to-pay-US-torture-victims
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#19_February_2015_%28Poland_to_pay_US_torture_victims%29

content:
<p>
Poland 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/feb/18/poland-agrees-reparations-guantanamo-detainees">will
pay reparations</a> to the prisoners that the US tortured in Poland.


title: Architecture designed to reject homeless
uri: Architecture-designed-to-reject-homeless
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html 19_February_2015_(Architecture_designed_to_reject_homeless)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#19_February_2015_%28Architecture_designed_to_reject_homeless%29

content:
<p>
Architecture 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/society/2015/feb/18/defensive-architecture-keeps-poverty-undeen-and-makes-us-more-hostile">designed
to reject the homeless</a> can be seen all over cities in the US, as
well as in London as described by this article.  It makes life worse
for the non-homeless, too.


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html 19_February_2015_(Canadian_intelligence_report)
title: Canadian intelligence report
uri: Canadian-intelligence-report
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#19_February_2015_%28Canadian_intelligence_report%29
content:
<p>
A Canadian intelligence report, made for Harper himself, denies that
fossil fuels cause global heating and 
<a href="http://www.commondreams.org/news/2015/02/17/doc-shows-canadian-police-view-environmentalists-not-climate-change-real-threat">calls
activists campaigning against fossil fuels a security threat</a>.
<p>
The mounties (thugs that also double as an intelligence agency) are
telling Harper what he wants to hear, much as the CIA did for Dubya
about Iraq.


title: Torture methods from Chicago thugs
uri: Torture-methods-from-Chicago-thugs
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html 19_February_2015_(Torture_methods_from_Chicago_thugs)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#19_February_2015_%28Torture_methods_from_Chicago_thugs%29

content:
<p>
A torturer at Guantanamo 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2015/feb/18/guantanamo-torture-chicago-police-brutality">brought
his methods from the Chicago thug department</a>.


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html 19_February_2015_(New_Barbie_doll_listening_device)
title: New Barbie doll listening device
uri: New-Barbie-doll-listening-device
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#19_February_2015_%28New_Barbie_doll_listening_device%29

content:
<p>
A new Barbie doll will double as a 
<a href="http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/technology-science/technology/wi-fi-spy-barbie-records-childrens-5177673">listening
device</a>.
<p>
The remote service that figures out what Barbie should say next is
SaaSS, which makes it 
<a href="http://gnu.org/philosophy/who-does-that-server-really-serve.html">unethical</a>.
SaaSS always involves spying.


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html 19_February_2015_(Plain_packaging_for_cigarettes)
title: Plain packaging for cigarettes
uri: Plain-packaging-for-cigarettes
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#19_February_2015_%28Plain_packaging_for_cigarettes%29

content:
<p>
It looks like plain packaging for cigarettes is 
<a href="http://www.health.gov.au/internet/main/publishing.nsf/Content/tobacco-kff">reducing
smoking in Australia</a>.  The uncertainty is because smoking rates
were declining already, long-term.
<p>
What is clear that requiring plain paper packaging does no harm.  And
it does not violate any rights that people are entitled to.
<p>
Companies that sell dangerous drugs are not entitled to the right to
package them however they wish.


title: Argentina asks US to press Iran on bombing
uri: Argentina-asks-US-to-press-Iran-on-bombing
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html 19_February_2015_(Argentina_asks_US_to_press_Iran_on_bombing)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#19_February_2015_%28Argentina_asks_US_to_press_Iran_on_bombing%29

content:
<p>
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/feb/17/argentina-1994-bombing-iran-usa-nuclear-talks">Argentina
Asks US to Press Iran on 1994 Bombing During Nuclear Talks</a>.
<p>
I sympathize, but it would be very foolish for the US to imperil
the success of nuclear disarmament talks for this.


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html 19_February_2015_(BP_on_fossil_fuel_use)
title: BP on fossil fuel use
uri: BP-on-fossil-fuel-use
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#19_February_2015_%28BP_on_fossil_fuel_use%29
content:
<p>
Billionaire Polluters predicts that fossil fuel use will 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/business/2015/feb/17/bp-says-huge-rise-in-energy-demand-at-odds-with-climate-change-fight">keep
increasing for decades</a>.
<p>
This is one of those predictions that would make sense if you ignore
something very important: the collapse of civilization that such an
increase in fossil fuel use would bring.


title: Imprisoned for talking to reporter
uri: Imprisoned-for-talking-to-reporter
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html 19_February_2015_(Imprisoned_for_talking_to_reporter)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#19_February_2015_%28Imprisoned_for_talking_to_reporter%29

content:
<p>
The 
<a href="https://firstlook.org/theintercept/?p=13202">story of Stephen
Kim</a>, imprisoned by the Obama regime for talking to a reporter.


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html 19_February_2015_(Mass_surveillance_in_Europe)
title: Mass surveillance in Europe
uri: Mass-surveillance-in-Europe
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#19_February_2015_%28Mass_surveillance_in_Europe%29
content:
<p>
European governments are 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/feb/18/human-rights-mass-surveillance-paris-copenhagen-terror-attacks-privacy">proposing
increased mass surveillance</a>, expecting the public to swallow it
from fear.


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html 20_February_2015_(Cold_cells)
title: Cold cells
uri: Cold-cells
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#20_February_2015_%28Cold_cells%29
content:
<p>
Chldren that enter the US without permission are
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2015/jan/26/migrant-children-border-patrol-ice-boxes">
imprisoned for days
in in cold cells without enough food</a>.


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-jan-apr.html 18_March_2015_(CISPA_reincarnate)
title: CISPA reincarnate
uri: CISPA-reincarnate
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-jan-apr.html#18_March_2015_%28CISPA_reincarnate%29
content:
<p>
<a href="http://www.wired.com/2015/03/cisa-cybersecurity-bill-advances-despite-privacy-critiques/">CISA
Cybersecurity Bill Advances Despite Privacy Concerns</a>.
<p>
This was formerly known as 
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2012-jan-apr.html#20_April_2012_(CISPA)">CISPA</a>.


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-jan-apr.html 18_March_2015_(Students_saying_things_we_dont_like)
title: Students saying things we don't like
uri: Students-saying-things-we-don-t-like
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-jan-apr.html#18_March_2015_%28Students_saying_things_we_dont_like%29

content:
<p>
The racist chant of the SAE students was despicable, but they 
<a href="http://reason.com/blog/2015/03/12/frat-brothers-make-execrable-racist-stat">should
not be punished for saying things we don't like</a>.
<p>
The fraternity isn't a person and doesn't have the same rights that
students have.  There is room for taking systematic action to teach
people the wrong in racist views, without violating their rights.


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-jan-apr.html 18_March_2015_(Massive_surveillance)
title: Massive surveillance
uri: 2015-03-19-Massive-surveillance
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-jan-apr.html#18_March_2015_%28Massive_surveillance%29
content:
<p>
US snoops are claiming, yet again, that ending massive surveillance
would help terrorists.  That is bullshit, since 
<a href="https://www.aclu.org/blog/national-security/ignore-drumbeat-doom-nsas-call-records-program-didnt-stop-single-terrorist-at">massive
surveillance never caught any terrorists</a>.
<p>
They know this is false, or should know, which makes them dishonest or
incompetent.


title: Gratuitous cruelty to homeless people
uri: Gratuitous-cruelty-to-homeless-people
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-jan-apr.html 18_March_2015_(Gratuitous_cruelty_to_homeless_people)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-jan-apr.html#18_March_2015_%28Gratuitous_cruelty_to_homeless_people%29

content:
<p>
In Portland, Oregon, thugs 
<a href="http://news.streetroots.org/2015/03/06/homeless-phone-charging-thief-wanted-security">arrested
homeless people and charged them with theft</a> for using a "privately
owned" electrical outlet on the street to get less than one cent's
worth of electricity.
<p>
The word "thugs" is hardly adequate for this gratuitous cruelty to
people who are down and out and are not hurting anyone.


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-jan-apr.html 18_March_2015_(Rutgers_requires_face_recognition)
title: Rutgers requires face recognition
uri: Rutgers-requires-face-recognition
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-jan-apr.html#18_March_2015_%28Rutgers_requires_face_recognition%29

content:
<p>
Rutgers University sprung a surprise: 
<a href="http://www.dailytargum.com/article/2015/02/u-online-facial-recognition-system-presents-major-privacy-risk">mandatory
face recognition for online courses</a>.


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-jan-apr.html 18_March_2015_(McDonalds_claims_rights_as_a_person)
title: McDonalds claims "rights as a person"
uri: McDonalds-claims-rights-as-a-person
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-jan-apr.html#18_March_2015_%28McDonalds_claims_rights_as_a_person%29

content:
<p>
McDonalds is suing to overturn Seattle's new minimum wage law,
<a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/ron-fein/the-mcdonalds-sue-minimum-wage-hike_b_6809736.html">claiming
that it violates McDonalds' "rights as a person"</a>.


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-jan-apr.html 18_March_2015_(Judge_owes_170000_in_back_taxes)
title: Judge owes $170,000 in back taxes
uri: Judge-owes-170-000-in-back-taxes
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-jan-apr.html#18_March_2015_%28Judge_owes_170000_in_back_taxes%29
content:
<p>
Judge Brockmeyer, who jailed Ferguson residents for small fines they
could not afford to pay, owes 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2015/mar/06/ferguson-judge-owes-unpaid-taxes-ronald-brockmeyer">$170,000
in back taxes</a> himself.
<p>
This problem is bigger than one selfish jerk.  We must abolish
debtor's prison in the US, no matter what disguises it adopts.


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-jan-apr.html 18_March_2015_(Euro-zones_austerity)
title: Euro-zone's austerity
uri: Euro-zone-s-austerity
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-jan-apr.html#18_March_2015_%28Euro-zones_austerity%29
content:
<p>
Thomas Piketty's recommendations for 
<a href="http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/thomas-piketty-interview-about-the-european-financial-crisis-a-1022629.html">how
to fix the euro-zone's austerity</a>.


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-jan-apr.html 18_March_2015_(Number_of_Americans_killed_by_thugs)
title: Number of Americans killed by thugs
uri: Number-of-Americans-killed-by-thugs
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-jan-apr.html#18_March_2015_%28Number_of_Americans_killed_by_thugs%29

content:
<p>
The Bureau of Justice Statistics made a revised, higher estimate of
how many Americans are killed by thugs.  Human rights researcher
Patrick Ball explains why that is 
<a href="http://fivethirtyeight.com/features/a-new-estimate-of-killings-by-police-is-way-higher-and-still-too-low/">probably
still an underestimate</a>.


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-jan-apr.html 18_March_2015_(Thugs_encrypt_video_of_shooting)
title: Thugs encrypt video of shooting
uri: Thugs-encrypt-video-of-shooting
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-jan-apr.html#18_March_2015_%28Thugs_encrypt_video_of_shooting%29
content:
<p>
Armand Martin's widow asked the Albuquerque thug department for videos
of the shooting of her husband.  They arrived encrypted, so she 
<a href="https://www.techdirt.com/articles/20150221/17074630102/albuquerque-police-dept-complies-with-records-request-releasing-password-protected-videos-not-password.shtml">has
to sue them to get the key</a>.


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-jan-apr.html 18_March_2015_(Fired_for_getting_cancer)
title: Fired for getting cancer
uri: Fired-for-getting-cancer
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-jan-apr.html#18_March_2015_%28Fired_for_getting_cancer%29
content:
<p>
In the US, if you get cancer before you are old, you are 
<a href="http://www.dailykos.com/story/2009/07/07/751100/-How-I-lost-my-health-insurance-at-the-hairstylist-s?detail=email">likely
to get fired and become unemployable</a>.  And maybe your spouse as
well.
<p>
The solution to this is a national health service.  Properly funded
(with less than what we pay now), it would provide better care on the
average.
<p>
By funding this from income or wealth taxes, rather than payroll tax,
we would eliminate a big incentive to replace workers with machines.


title: Urgent: No contaminated chicken for kids
uri: Urgent-No-contaminated-chicken-for-kids
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-jan-apr.html 18_March_2015_(Urgent:_No_contaminated_chicken_for_kids)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-jan-apr.html#18_March_2015_%28Urgent%3A_No_contaminated_chicken_for_kids%29

content:
<p>
US citizens: 
<a href="https://secure3.convio.net/fww/site/Advocacy?pagename=homepage&page=UserAction&id=1939&autologin=true">object 
to buying possibly contaminated chicken from China</a> for school
lunch programs.


title: Bias against children of unmarried parents
uri: Bias-against-children-of-unmarried-parents
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-jan-apr.html 18_March_2015_(Bias_against_children_of_unmarried_parents)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-jan-apr.html#18_March_2015_%28Bias_against_children_of_unmarried_parents%29

content:
<p>
Many US policies amount to 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2015/mar/13/discrimination-single-parents-children">bias
against children of unmarried parents</a>.


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-jan-apr.html 18_March_2015_(Infiltration_of_unions_by_UK_thugs)
title: Infiltration of unions by UK thugs
uri: Infiltration-of-unions-by-UK-thugs
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-jan-apr.html#18_March_2015_%28Infiltration_of_unions_by_UK_thugs%29

content:
<p>
UK thugs 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/undercover-with-paul-lewis-and-rob-evans/2015/mar/13/covert-police-unit-spied-on-trade-union-members-whistleblower-reveals">infiltrated
unions to spy on them</a>, until 2008.


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-jan-apr.html 18_March_2015_(Blurred_Lines_copyright_verdict)
title: Blurred Lines copyright verdict
uri: Blurred-Lines-copyright-verdict
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-jan-apr.html#18_March_2015_%28Blurred_Lines_copyright_verdict%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2015/03/blurred-lines-copyright-verdict-bad-news-music">The
Blurred Lines Copyright Verdict is Bad News for Music</a>.
<p>
It is not a precedent, but it 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/music/musicblog/2015/mar/11/the-blurred-lines-verdict-pharrell-robin-thicke-marvin-gaye">indicates
a danger</a> that may occur in other cases.


title: Bulgaria rejects mandatory data collection
uri: Bulgaria-rejects-mandatory-data-collection
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-jan-apr.html 18_March_2015_(Bulgaria_rejects_mandatory_data_collection)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-jan-apr.html#18_March_2015_%28Bulgaria_rejects_mandatory_data_collection%29

content:
<p>
Bulgaria's Constitutional Court 
<a href="http://sofiaglobe.com/2015/03/12/bulgarias-constitutional-court-scraps-data-retention-provisions/">rejected
mandatory data collection about everyone's phone and internet
connections</a>.


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-jan-apr.html 18_March_2015_(Democratic_vs_Republican_presidents)
title: Democratic vs Republican presidents
uri: Democratic-vs-Republican-presidents
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-jan-apr.html#18_March_2015_%28Democratic_vs_Republican_presidents%29

content:
<p>
From 1951 to 2010, Democratic presidents have 
<a href="http://phys.org/news/2015-03-evidence-economic-inequality-political-partisanship.html">reduced
unemployment</a> while Republican presidents have tended to boost the
stock market.


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-jan-apr.html 18_March_2015_(Wall_Streets_bonuses)
title: Wall Street's bonuses
uri: Wall-Street-s-bonuses
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-jan-apr.html#18_March_2015_%28Wall_Streets_bonuses%29
content:
<p>
Wall Street's bonuses add up to 
<a href="http://www.alternet.org/labor/3-charts-show-just-how-much-wall-street-bonuses-swamp-low-wage-worker-pay">the
pay of a million workers at minimum wage</a>.


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-jan-apr.html 18_March_2015_(FBI_tracking_of_protest)
title: FBI tracking of protest
uri: FBI-tracking-of-protest
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-jan-apr.html#18_March_2015_%28FBI_tracking_of_protest%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://firstlook.org/theintercept/?p=15904">Why Was an FBI
Joint Terrorism Task Force Tracking a Black Lives Matter Protest?</a>


title: Thai gov't bans former elected officials
uri: Thai-gov-t-bans-former-elected-officials
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-jan-apr.html 18_March_2015_(Thai_govt_bans_former_elected_officials)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-jan-apr.html#18_March_2015_%28Thai_govt_bans_former_elected_officials%29

content:
<p>
The Thai military government's new method for knocking down the
Shinawatra supporters: voting to 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/mar/13/mass-impeachment-action-launched-against-former-thai-mps">ban
250 of their former elected officials from politics</a>.


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-jan-apr.html 18_March_2015_(Dr_Ambedkar)
title: Dr Ambedkar
uri: Dr-Ambedkar
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-jan-apr.html#18_March_2015_%28Dr_Ambedkar%29
content:
<p>
The 
<a href="http://caravanmagazine.in/perspectives/caste-iron">greatness</a>
of Dr Ambedkar.


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-jan-apr.html 18_March_2015_(Fishing_quotas_in_Europe)
title: Fishing quotas in Europe
uri: Fishing-quotas-in-Europe
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-jan-apr.html#18_March_2015_%28Fishing_quotas_in_Europe%29
content:
<p>
Lower fishing quotas in Europe would 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2015/mar/13/uk-could-double-fish-catch-if-quotas-allowed-stocks-recover-study">allow
fish stocks to double</a>, and the sustainable catch would double too.
<p>
Fishing policy is always based on the short term.


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-jan-apr.html 18_March_2015_(Intervening_in_Syria_against_PISSI)
title: Intervening in Syria against PISSI
uri: Intervening-in-Syria-against-PISSI
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-jan-apr.html#18_March_2015_%28Intervening_in_Syria_against_PISSI%29

content:
<p>
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/mar/12/syria-how-far-will-barack-obama-go">How
could Obama intervene</a> in Syria against PISSI.
<p>
There is no obvious feasible way for the US to fight PISSI in Syria
without helping Assad.  The non-jihadi Arab opposition to Assad is
almost nonexistent, and supporting it would be meaningless.
<p>
The only other forces in Syria opposed to Assad and PISSI are the
democratic-socialist Kurds.  I'd love to see them get support, but
they may not want to do more than defend their own territory, and they
may not be welcomed by Arabs.


title: Greece demands war reparations from Germany
uri: Greece-demands-war-reparations-from-Germany
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-jan-apr.html 18_March_2015_(Greece_demands_war_reparations_from_Germany)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-jan-apr.html#18_March_2015_%28Greece_demands_war_reparations_from_Germany%29

content:
<p>
Greece demands $500 billion from Germany in 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/mar/12/german-anger-over-greek-demand-for-war-reparations">reparations
for World War I and World War II</a>.
<p>
This is in response to Germany's current economic warfare against
Greece, carried out through the eurozone austerity.


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-jan-apr.html 18_March_2015_(Misogyny_in_Afghanistan)
title: Misogyny in Afghanistan
uri: Misogyny-in-Afghanistan
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-jan-apr.html#18_March_2015_%28Misogyny_in_Afghanistan%29
content:
<p>
Afghan performance artist Kubra Khademi walked around Kabul wearing
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/mar/12/afghan-artist-armour-street-harassment-walk-kubra-khademi-kabul">steel
armor fashioned to look like a sexy woman</a>.
<p>
The curses and death threats she received demonstrate the arrogance of
misogynous men.  Misogyny is found in many parts of the world, but
Islamic countries are the worst extreme; men claim the right to murder
women and feel no shame about it.
<p>
This is why we must fight and defeat PISSI and other Islamists —
though indiscriminate use of armed force is not a likely way to win.


title: Mexico offers payment for movie changes
uri: Mexico-offers-payment-for-movie-changes
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-jan-apr.html 18_March_2015_(Mexico_offers_payment_for_movie_changes)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-jan-apr.html#18_March_2015_%28Mexico_offers_payment_for_movie_changes%29

content:
<p>
Mexico effectively offered 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/mar/12/mexico-james-bond-film-spectre-tax-incentives">$20
million</a> to movie companies for changes in the story of the next
James Bond film.
<p>
The article does not say explicitly that the movie companies accepted
the deal, but that appears to be the case.
<p>
The US military has a 
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2012-jan-apr.html#18_April_2012_(US_Military_Propaganda)">similar
practice</a>: it cooperates only with films that will present a
pro-military point of view, thus discouraging the making of films that
criticize the US military or US wars.


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-jan-apr.html 18_March_2015_(School_software_applications)
title: School software applications
uri: School-software-applications
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-jan-apr.html#18_March_2015_%28School_software_applications%29
content:
<p>
Companies are pushing school software applications into classrooms
with 
<a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2015/03/12/technology/learning-apps-outstrip-school-oversight-and-student-privacy-is-among-the-risks.html?partner=rss&emc=rss">no
checks about whether they respect students' privacy, or even whether
they work</a>.
<p>
The article notices only the tip of the iceberg.  These programs are
proprietary software, and 
<a href="http://gnu.org/education/edu-schools.html">teaching students
to use proprietary software is wrong</a>.  If they send <em>any</em>
data about a student to a company, even the student's name, that
violates the student's privacy.


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-jan-apr.html 18_March_2015_(US_tax_preparation_companies)
title: US tax preparation companies
uri: US-tax-preparation-companies
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-jan-apr.html#18_March_2015_%28US_tax_preparation_companies%29
content:
<p>
Americans, 
<a href="http://www.dailykos.com/story/2015/03/08/1367311/-Five-Reasons-for-Not-Filing-Your-Taxes-with-a-Tax-Prep-Service">don't
use tax preparation companies</a>, says a former employee of one.


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-jan-apr.html 18_March_2015_(Republican_letter_to_Iran)
title: Republican letter to Iran
uri: Republican-letter-to-Iran
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-jan-apr.html#18_March_2015_%28Republican_letter_to_Iran%29
content:
<p>
The Republican letter to Iran crowns a 6-year Republican career of
<a href="http://www.dailykos.com/story/2015/03/10/1370035/-Six-years-too-late-media-call-Congressional-Republicans-traitors">sabotaging
the US and taking state programs hostage</a>.


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-jan-apr.html 18_March_2015_(US_student_loans)
title: US student loans
uri: US-student-loans
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-jan-apr.html#18_March_2015_%28US_student_loans%29
content:
<p>
The size of student loans in the US makes them an 
<a href="http://www.commondreams.org/views/2015/03/11/student-debt-time-bomb">economic
problem for the country as a whole</a>, as well as a chain on the leg
of students that did not get good jobs.


title: Ethiopia may be spying on journalists
uri: Ethiopia-may-be-spying-on-journalists
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-jan-apr.html 18_March_2015_(Ethiopia_may_be_spying_on_journalists)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-jan-apr.html#18_March_2015_%28Ethiopia_may_be_spying_on_journalists%29

content:
<p>
Ethiopia seems to be 
<a href="http://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2015/03/11/ethiopia-suspected-spying-independent-tv-network-esat">spying
on the journalists of an independent TV channel</a> based in the US
and directed at Ethiopians.


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-jan-apr.html 17_March_2015_(Urgent:_Diplomacy_with_Iran)
title: Urgent: Diplomacy with Iran
uri: 2015-03-19-Urgent-Diplomacy-with-Iran
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-jan-apr.html#17_March_2015_%28Urgent%3A_Diplomacy_with_Iran%29
content:
<p>
US citizens: 
<a href="http://petitions.moveon.org/sign/democrats-dont-side-with">call
on Senate Democrats</a> not to join Republicans in sabotaging
diplomacy with Iran.


title: Urgent: Oppose anti-net-neutrality bill
uri: Urgent-Oppose-anti-net-neutrality-bill
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-jan-apr.html 17_March_2015_(Urgent:_Oppose_anti-net-neutrality_bill)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-jan-apr.html#17_March_2015_%28Urgent%3A_Oppose_anti-net-neutrality_bill%29

content:
<p>
US citizens: 
<a href="http://act.freepress.net/sign/internet_nn_blackburn">urge
your congresscritter</a> to oppose Blackburn's anti-net-neutrality
bill.


title: Urgent: Consumer Financial Protection Bureau
uri: 2015-03-19-Urgent-Consumer-Financial-Protection-Bureau
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-jan-apr.html 17_March_2015_(Urgent:_Consumer_Financial_Protection_Bureau)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-jan-apr.html#17_March_2015_%28Urgent%3A_Consumer_Financial_Protection_Bureau%29

content:
<p>
US citizens: 
<a href="http://act.credoaction.com/sign/Warren_CFPB_cofc/">call on
senators</a> to preserve the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-jan-apr.html 17_March_2015_(Urgent:_Ban_fracking_in_California)
title: Urgent: Ban fracking in California
uri: 2015-03-19-Urgent-Ban-fracking-in-California
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-jan-apr.html#17_March_2015_%28Urgent%3A_Ban_fracking_in_California%29

content:
<p>
Everyone: 
<a href="http://act.credoaction.com/sign/brown_fracking_national">call
on California Governor Brown</a> to ban fracking and stop injection of
toxic wastes that can pollute water supplies.


title: Obama's absurd declaration about Venezuela
uri: Obama-s-absurd-declaration-about-Venezuela
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-jan-apr.html 17_March_2015_(Obamas_absurd_declaration_about_Venezuela)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-jan-apr.html#17_March_2015_%28Obamas_absurd_declaration_about_Venezuela%29

content:
<p>
Obama absurdly declared Venezuela a 
<a href="http://america.aljazeera.com/opinions/2015/3/obama-absurdly-declares-venezuela-a-national-security-threat.html">"threat
to U.S. security"</a>, as an excuse to impose economic sanctions.
<p>
He is also 
<a href="https://firstlook.org/theintercept/2015/03/11/maybe-obamas-sanctions-venezuela-really-deep-concern-human-rights-abuses/">"concerned"
about Venezuela's "human rights violations"</a>, such as accusing a
few opposition politicians of joining a coup plot allegedly organized
by the US (which 
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2004-may-aug.html#01%20July%202004%20(Venezuela)">organized
one around 12 years ago</a>) but strangely unconcerned about 
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2014-sep-dec.html#13_October_2014_(Saudi_Arabia_repressing_anyone_that_endorses_human_rights)">Saudi
Arabia's across-the-board human rights violations</a> or 
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2011-nov-feb.html#12_November_2011_(Mexico_Drugs_Rights_Abuses)">Mexico's</a>.
<p>
I really am concerned about the charges against those opposition
politicians.  They could be valid, but I can't be confident of that,
and that is the cause of my concern.  I hope they will get fair trials
and that they won't be convicted without real proof of complicity.


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-jan-apr.html 17_March_2015_(Autopsy_suggests_thugs_lied)
title: Autopsy suggests thugs lied
uri: Autopsy-suggests-thugs-lied
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-jan-apr.html#17_March_2015_%28Autopsy_suggests_thugs_lied%29
content:
<p>
Jessie Hernandez' autopsy suggests thugs 
<a href="http://www.denverpost.com/news/ci_27612803/jessica-hernandez-shot-four-times-autopsy-says">lied
about the circumstances of shooting her dead</a>: the car was passing
them, not heading for them.


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-jan-apr.html 17_March_2015_(Energy_use_and_global_disaster)
title: Energy use and global disaster
uri: Energy-use-and-global-disaster
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-jan-apr.html#17_March_2015_%28Energy_use_and_global_disaster%29
content:
<p>
Mark Lynas insists that humanity will triple its energy use, whether
that brings global disaster or not; then he hopes it won't.  It is the
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2015/mar/12/climate-change-reclaim-debate-political-extremes">arrogance
of shut eyes</a>.
<p>
Lynas misrepresents Naomi Klein, who did not call for eliminating the
free market, capitalism, and growth.  She said we must defeat what I
call the plutocratic political system: "privatisation of the public
sphere, deregulation of the corporate sector, and lower corporate
taxation, paid for with cuts to public spending."
<p>
That system gives the fossil fuel companies the power to block the
measures that are needed to avoid disaster, and they are using it with
great skill to ensure we charge headlong off the climate cliff.
<p>
To reestablish democracy, we must abolish plutocracy.  But we can
still have private businesses, and economic growth insofar as we can
achieve it while keeping resource usage to a sustainable level.


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-jan-apr.html 17_March_2015_(Global_heating)
title: Global heating
uri: 2015-03-19-Global-heating
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-jan-apr.html#17_March_2015_%28Global_heating%29
content:
<p>
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2015/mar/12/by-2050-us-cities-will-be-hotter-every-year-than-current-record">35
years from now</a>, every year will be hotter than today's record
heat.


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-jan-apr.html 17_March_2015_(Egypt_censors_newspaper_article)
title: Egypt censors newspaper article
uri: Egypt-censors-newspaper-article
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-jan-apr.html#17_March_2015_%28Egypt_censors_newspaper_article%29
content:
<p>
Egypt censored a newspaper article that claimed 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/mar/11/egyptian-newpaper-censored-state-institutions-fail-pay-tax">government
departments don't pay their workers employer-taxes</a>.
<p>
If the failure to pay causes the workers not to get the pensions they
are entitled to, or makes the workers pay that tax instead, that is a
real wrong — to the workers.  Otherwise, it is not clear to me
that this "evasion" of taxes from the state to the state really
affects anything substantial.
<p>
The censorship of the article is a real issue even if the article's
subject is not.


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-jan-apr.html 17_March_2015_(Thugs_shoot_unarmed_nude_man)
title: Thugs shoot unarmed nude man
uri: Thugs-shoot-unarmed-nude-man
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-jan-apr.html#17_March_2015_%28Thugs_shoot_unarmed_nude_man%29
content:
<p>
Thugs in Georgia 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2015/mar/11/georgia-protest-police-killing-military-veteran-anthony-hill">shot
an unarmed man</a> who was walking nude outside.  The man was
manic-depressive, which is hardly a reason to kill him.
<p>
It seems thugs today are quick to shoot whenever they get the idea
that something might be wrong.


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-jan-apr.html 17_March_2015_(Underfunded_NHS)
title: Underfunded NHS
uri: Underfunded-NHS
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-jan-apr.html#17_March_2015_%28Underfunded_NHS%29
content:
<p>
The UK government underfunded the NHS,
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/society/2015/mar/12/nhs-agrees-largest-ever-privatisation-deal-to-tackle-backlog">causing
a backlog</a>.  Now it is using that as an excuse to take another step
towards its medium-term goal of privatizing the NHS.
<p>
Its long-term goal is to get rid of universal healthcare, so that the
poor can't afford it.


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-jan-apr.html 17_March_2015_(Ferguson_thugs_shot)
title: Ferguson thugs shot
uri: Ferguson-thugs-shot
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-jan-apr.html#17_March_2015_%28Ferguson_thugs_shot%29
content:
<p>
Someone 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2015/mar/12/ferguson-police-officers-shooting-shots-directed-exactly-at-officers">shot
and wounded two Ferguson thugs</a> while others were protesting.
<p>
It seems plausible that this is a response provoked by the systematic
violence and dishonesty of US thugs.  Nonetheless, trying to kill them
(I presume that was the intent) just because they are thugs is going
too far.  It is also a self-defeating response, because thugs will use
this to try to put blame on nonviolent protesters.


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-jan-apr.html 17_March_2015_(Racism_in_books)
title: Racism in books
uri: Racism-in-books
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-jan-apr.html#17_March_2015_%28Racism_in_books%29
content:
<p>
A mother found 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2015/mar/12/raise-anti-racist-children-tackle-racism">shocking
racism</a> as her child began to read The Travels of Babar.
<p>
Books from the era before people learned to condemn racism often
reflect the racism that was common at the time.  If the book is of no
great importance, we may as well forget it.  But what if it is greatly
loved for other reasons?
<p>
The racism of The Merchant of Venice has bothered people for a long
time, and so has the sexism of The Taming of the Shrew.  Rather than
rejecting them, we discuss the issue of the bigotry.  Perhaps it is
better to do the same with Babar than to burn it.


title: Indian court allows activist to travel
uri: Indian-court-allows-activist-to-travel
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-jan-apr.html 17_March_2015_(Indian_court_allows_activist_to_travel)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-jan-apr.html#17_March_2015_%28Indian_court_allows_activist_to_travel%29

content:
<p>
An Indian court ordered removal of 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2015/mar/12/india-court-rules-in-favour-of-greenpeace-coal-campaigner">anti-coal-mine
activist Priya Pillai</a> from a list of people not allowed to travel
abroad.


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-jan-apr.html 17_March_2015_(Funerals)
title: Funerals
uri: Funerals
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-jan-apr.html#17_March_2015_%28Funerals%29
content:
<p>
In Japan, some people have 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2015/mar/12/mourn-robotic-dog-human-sony">funerals
for robot pets</a> that have broken down.
<p>
I will be the first to admit that in principle a robot could have the
same qualities that merit whatever-it-might-be as a dog, or a human.
In principle, a robot could love as a human does, or at least as a dog
loves a human.  I am sure that these Aibos are not capable of that.
Those people are fooling themselves.
<p>
But then, I've never seen much sense in funerals.  When I miss someone
who has died, it is a private sadness; a ceremony won't help me, but I
can cope.
<p>
The person's body was important only because it housed a living
person; with that person's death, the corpse is just a relic, and I
don't see a point in fetishizing the relic.  The only real importance
of the corpse is that it can hurt or help living people.
<p>
Corpses of humans and other animals need safe disposal; burial and
cremation are ways to dispose of a corpse safely and recycle its
elements.  That doesn't apply to robots, for which burial is not
effective recycling.
<p>
Corpses of humans can also help people.  Have you signed up as an
organ donor?  Have you willed your body for student surgeons to
practice on?  Those are important needs of society.


title: Data about phone and internet contacts
uri: Data-about-phone-and-internet-contacts
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-jan-apr.html 17_March_2015_(Data_about_phone_and_internet_contacts)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-jan-apr.html#17_March_2015_%28Data_about_phone_and_internet_contacts%29

content:
<p>
A Dutch court 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/technology/2015/mar/12/data-retention-netherlands-court-strikes-down-law-as-breach-of-privacy">struck
down</a> collection of data about everyone's phone calls and internet
contacts.


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-jan-apr.html 17_March_2015_(Suicides_due_to_financial_crisis)
title: Suicides due to financial crisis
uri: Suicides-due-to-financial-crisis
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-jan-apr.html#17_March_2015_%28Suicides_due_to_financial_crisis%29

content:
<p>
The financial crisis is responsible for 
<a href="http://www.ox.ac.uk/news/2014-06-12-recession-link-over-10000-suicides-west">over
12,000 suicides in Europe and the US from 2008 through 2010</a>.
<p>
Banksters are more dangerous <em>to our lives</em> than terrorists,
and this is not counting the other suffering (poverty, homelessness)
that they cause, or the deaths due to lack of medical care, etc.


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-jan-apr.html 17_March_2015_(Parents_sue_Facebook)
title: Parents sue Facebook
uri: Parents-sue-Facebook
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-jan-apr.html#17_March_2015_%28Parents_sue_Facebook%29
content:
<p>
Parents of children used by Facebook are 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/technology/2015/mar/12/facebook-faces-parents-lawsuit-to-refund-childrens-online-shopping-sprees">suing
for a refund of money Facebook let the children spend using the
parents' credit cards</a>.


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-jan-apr.html 17_March_2015_(Life_expectancy_in_Syria)
title: Life expectancy in Syria
uri: Life-expectancy-in-Syria
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-jan-apr.html#17_March_2015_%28Life_expectancy_in_Syria%29
content:
<p>
The civil war in Syria has 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/mar/12/syrias-war-80-in-poverty-life-expectancy-cut-by-20-years-200bn-lost">cut
life expectancy there by 20 years</a>.
<p>
Global heating 
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2015-jan-apr.html#08_March_2015_(Failure_of_agriculture_in_Syria)">created
the tinder for this war</a>.  When we talk about the effects of global
heating in 30 years, imagine lots of such wars.


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-jan-apr.html 17_March_2015_(BTselem)
title: B'Tselem
uri: B-Tselem
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-jan-apr.html#17_March_2015_%28BTselem%29
content:
<p>
About 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/mar/12/the-battle-to-be-israels-conscience">B'Tselem</a>,
which reports the effects of Israel's occupation policies and war
against Palestinians.
<p>
For mainstream Israel, merely reporting these effects is considered
treason.


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-jan-apr.html 17_March_2015_(Poverty_rates_among_Americans)
title: Poverty rates among Americans
uri: Poverty-rates-among-Americans
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-jan-apr.html#17_March_2015_%28Poverty_rates_among_Americans%29
content:
<p>
The increased poverty rate among Americans in some racial minorities
result from 
<a href="http://www.commondreams.org/news/2015/03/11/unjust-public-policies-drive-massive-racial-wealth-gap-america-study">bad
policies</a>.


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-jan-apr.html 17_March_2015_(UN_torture_investigator_waits)
title: UN torture investigator waits
uri: UN-torture-investigator-waits
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-jan-apr.html#17_March_2015_%28UN_torture_investigator_waits%29
content:
<p>
The UN's top torture investigator 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2015/mar/11/un-torture-expert-refused-access-guantanamo-bay-us-prisons">has
been waiting two years</a> to visit Guantanamo, and federal and state
prisons.


title: How plutocrats bring governments to heel
uri: How-plutocrats-bring-governments-to-heel
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-jan-apr.html 17_March_2015_(How_plutocrats_bring_governments_to_heel)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-jan-apr.html#17_March_2015_%28How_plutocrats_bring_governments_to_heel%29

content:
<p>
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/mar/11/clash-sweden-saudi-arabia-escalates-ambassador-withdrawn-human-rights">A
lesson</a> in how plutocrats bring rogue (i.e., ethical) governments
to heel.
<p>
They haven't yet succeeded with the Swedish government, and I hope it
tells them to jump in the lake.


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-jan-apr.html 17_March_2015_(The_snooping_Barbie_doll)
title: The snooping Barbie doll
uri: The-snooping-Barbie-doll
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-jan-apr.html#17_March_2015_%28The_snooping_Barbie_doll%29
content:
<p>
Campaigning against the 
<a href="http://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2015/03/11/child-advocates-mobilize-stop-mattels-eavesdropping-hello-barbie">Barbie
doll that listens</a> (and snoops, and advertises).


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-jan-apr.html 17_March_2015_(War_on_sharing)
title: War on sharing
uri: War-on-sharing
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-jan-apr.html#17_March_2015_%28War_on_sharing%29
content:
<p>
The 
<a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/news/volokh-conspiracy/wp/2015/03/09/icann-copyright-infringement-and-the-public-interest/">movie
and record companies are transforming ICANN</a> into an enforcement
scheme for the war on sharing.


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-jan-apr.html 17_March_2015_(Occupation_of_Palestine)
title: Occupation of Palestine
uri: 2015-03-19-Occupation-of-Palestine
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-jan-apr.html#17_March_2015_%28Occupation_of_Palestine%29
content:
<p>
Breaking the Silence, a group of Israeli ex-soldiers, shows Israelis
how their occupation of Palestine is inherently based on 
<a href="http://www.opensocietyfoundations.org/voices/israeli-veterans-break-their-silence-life-occupied-territories">cruelty
and fear</a>.


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-jan-apr.html 17_March_2015_(Teaching)
title: Teaching
uri: Teaching
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-jan-apr.html#17_March_2015_%28Teaching%29
content:
<p>
Pressuring and bashing teachers failed to improve education, but
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/education/2015/mar/11/revolution-changing-way-your-child-taught">applying
sports training methods to the activity of teaching</a> enables many
teachers to do it better.


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-jan-apr.html 17_March_2015_(Homeopathy)
title: Homeopathy
uri: Homeopathy
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-jan-apr.html#17_March_2015_%28Homeopathy%29
content:
<p>
An Australian report surveyed many experimental studies of applying
homeopathy for many medical conditions and found there is 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2015/mar/11/homeopathy-not-effective-for-treating-any-condition-australian-report-finds">no
evidence it is effective for anything whatsoever</a>.
<p>
Edzard Ernst 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2015/mar/12/no-scientific-case-homeopathy-remedies-pharmacists-placebos">spent
20 years looking for evidence</a> that homeopathy was effective, but
his experiments all said that it wasn't.


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-jan-apr.html 17_March_2015_(Urgent:_Oppose_surrender_to_Exxon)
title: Urgent: Oppose surrender to Exxon
uri: Urgent-Oppose-surrender-to-Exxon
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-jan-apr.html#17_March_2015_%28Urgent%3A_Oppose_surrender_to_Exxon%29

content:
<p>
Everyone: 
<a href="http://action.sumofus.org/a/exxonsettlement/">call on Chris
Christie</a> to cancel the settlement that surrenders to Exxon.


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-jan-apr.html 17_March_2015_(Urgent:_Support_the_CARERs_act)
title: Urgent: Support the CARERs act
uri: Urgent-Support-the-CARERs-act
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-jan-apr.html#17_March_2015_%28Urgent%3A_Support_the_CARERs_act%29

content:
<p>
US citizens: 
<a href="https://secure2.convio.net/dpa/site/Advocacy?pagename=homepage&page=UserAction&id=1235">call
on your senators</a> to support the CARERs act, which would recognize
that marijuana has medical uses and get out of the way of
state-authorized medical marijuana distribution.


title: Urgent: No tax deductions for Big Spill
uri: Urgent-No-tax-deductions-for-Big-Spill
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-jan-apr.html 17_March_2015_(Urgent:_No_tax_deductions_for_Big_Spill)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-jan-apr.html#17_March_2015_%28Urgent%3A_No_tax_deductions_for_Big_Spill%29

content:
<p>
US citizens: 
<a href="https://stallman.org/petitions/petition-1/petition.html">call
on the Justice Department</a> not to let BP get tax deductions for
further settlement payments for the Big Spill.


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-jan-apr.html 17_March_2015_(Urgent:_Endangered_sea_life)
title: Urgent: Endangered sea life
uri: Urgent-Endangered-sea-life
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-jan-apr.html#17_March_2015_%28Urgent%3A_Endangered_sea_life%29
content:
<p>
Everyone: 
<a href="https://secure3.convio.net/gpeace/site/Advocacy?cmd=display&page=UserAction&id=1779&autologin=true">Tell
Big Tuna brands</a>: stop destroying endangered sea life in catching
tuna.


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-jan-apr.html 17_March_2015_(Urgent:_No_export_of_armed_drones)
title: Urgent: No export of armed drones
uri: Urgent-No-export-of-armed-drones
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-jan-apr.html#17_March_2015_%28Urgent%3A_No_export_of_armed_drones%29

content:
<p>
US citizens: 
<a href="https://www.dailykos.com/campaigns/1123">call on Kerry</a>
not to export armed drones.


title: Urgent: Stop making drugs for executions
uri: Urgent-Stop-making-drugs-for-executions
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-jan-apr.html 17_March_2015_(Urgent:_Stop_making_drugs_for_executions)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-jan-apr.html#17_March_2015_%28Urgent%3A_Stop_making_drugs_for_executions%29

content:
<p>
Everyone: 
<a href="http://action.sumofus.org/a/franklin-templeton-sagent/">call
on the mutual fund Franklin Templeton</a> to get Sagent to stop making
drugs for executions.


title: Urgent: Food labels for sugar amount
uri: Urgent-Food-labels-for-sugar-amount
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-jan-apr.html 17_March_2015_(Urgent:_Food_labels_for_sugar_amount)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-jan-apr.html#17_March_2015_%28Urgent%3A_Food_labels_for_sugar_amount%29

content:
<p>
US citizens: 
<a href="https://secure3.convio.net/ucs/site/Advocacy?pagename=homepage&page=UserAction&id=4515">call
on the US government</a> to require food labels to state the amount of
added sugar.


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-jan-apr.html 17_March_2015_(Theft_by_Chicago_thugs)
title: Theft by Chicago thugs
uri: Theft-by-Chicago-thugs
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-jan-apr.html#17_March_2015_%28Theft_by_Chicago_thugs%29
content:
<p>
Chicago thugs 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2015/mar/11/homan-square-chicago-police-marijuana">stole
from some of the people that they temporarily disappeared</a> in their
Homan Square black site.


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-jan-apr.html 17_March_2015_(Nemtsov_murder_confession)
title: Nemtsov murder confession
uri: Nemtsov-murder-confession
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-jan-apr.html#17_March_2015_%28Nemtsov_murder_confession%29
content:
<p>
One of the men accused of killing Nemtsov said he was 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/mar/11/boris-nemtsov-murder-suspect-zaur-dadayev-claims-police-forced-confession">tortured
into a false confession</a>.


title: Forced assignment of copyright on reviews
uri: Forced-assignment-of-copyright-on-reviews
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-jan-apr.html 17_March_2015_(Forced_assignment_of_copyright_on_reviews)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-jan-apr.html#17_March_2015_%28Forced_assignment_of_copyright_on_reviews%29

content:
<p>
The owners of an apartment building in Florida 
<a href="http://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2015/03/one-apartment-complexs-rule-you-write-a-bad-review-we-fine-you-10k/">make
tenants agree to assign copyright on all reviews of the place</a>, and
even photos of the inside or outside of the building.
<p>
The article says this practice is already illegal.  But you can also
bypass it by showing a friend the problems and letting your friend
(who hasn't signed such a contract) write about them and photograph
them.


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-jan-apr.html 17_March_2015_(The_surveillance-innovation_complex)
title: The "surveillance-innovation complex"
uri: The-surveillance-innovation-complex
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-jan-apr.html#17_March_2015_%28The_surveillance-innovation_complex%29

content:
<p>
Identifying the 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/technology/2015/mar/11/we-are-citizens-not-mere-physical-masses-of-data-for-harvesting">"surveillance-innovation
complex"</a>.
<p>
See also 
<a href="http://gnu.org/philosophy/stallmans-law.html">http://gnu.org/philosophy/stallmans-law.html</a>.


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-jan-apr.html 17_March_2015_(Economic_development)
title: Economic development
uri: Economic-development
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-jan-apr.html#17_March_2015_%28Economic_development%29
content:
<p>
The conventional method of economic development are supposed to bring
everyone out of poverty while some get rich.  As the rich claim an
ever larger portion of humanity's production, this method is 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2015/mar/11/the-current-economic-development-model-is-defunct-we-need-to-ditch-it">ceasing
to bring the rest out of poverty</a>.


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-jan-apr.html 17_March_2015_(Woman_suing_thugs_tracked)
title: Woman suing thugs tracked
uri: Woman-suing-thugs-tracked
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-jan-apr.html#17_March_2015_%28Woman_suing_thugs_tracked%29
content:
<p>
One of the British women suing about being exploited by an undercover
UK thug recently learned there was a 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/undercover-with-paul-lewis-and-rob-evans/2015/mar/11/woman-suing-police-over-relationship-with-undercover-spy-finds-tracking-device-in-her-car-reports">tracking
device in her car</a>.


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-jan-apr.html 17_March_2015_(Plans_to_damage_Great_Barrier_Reef)
title: Plans to damage Great Barrier Reef
uri: Plans-to-damage-Great-Barrier-Reef
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-jan-apr.html#17_March_2015_%28Plans_to_damage_Great_Barrier_Reef%29

content:
<p>
Australia agrees to avoid dumping dredging spoils on the Great Barrier Reef,
in order to continue with the 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2015/mar/11/dredging-in-great-barrier-reef-allowed-but-not-with-taxpayer-money-says-labor">plan
to damage it by shipping coal</a> and then wipe it out by burning the
coal.


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-jan-apr.html 17_March_2015_(Lawsuits_against_mass_surveillance)
title: Lawsuits against mass surveillance
uri: Lawsuits-against-mass-surveillance
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-jan-apr.html#17_March_2015_%28Lawsuits_against_mass_surveillance%29

content:
<p>
Amnesty International is 
<a href="http://blog.amnestyusa.org/us/8-facts-you-need-to-know-why-were-suing-to-stop-surveillance-and-protect-human-rights/">suing
to end massive surveillance</a> since that exposes people reporting
human rights abuses to retaliation.
<p>
Wikipedia is 
<a href="http://reason.com/blog/2015/03/10/nsa-spys-on-wikipedia-users-now-its-laws">suing
too on behalf of its contributors</a>, who might be endangered.


title: Burmese thugs attack student protesters
uri: Burmese-thugs-attack-student-protesters
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-jan-apr.html 17_March_2015_(Burmese_thugs_attack_student_protesters)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-jan-apr.html#17_March_2015_%28Burmese_thugs_attack_student_protesters%29

content:
<p>
How Burmese thugs first approved, then 
<a href="http://www.csmonitor.com/World/Asia-South-Central/2015/0310/In-Myanmar-batons-fly-as-student-protesters-meet-harsh-response">attacked
a protest by students</a> against a law they say threatens academic
freedom.
<p>
Someone I know wrote:

<blockquote>
The Myanmar Police went completely out of control today in Letpadan,
which is a reflection of poor discipline, training and
leadership. Senior police officials let things get out of control and
this was a huge failure on their part and they bear full
responsibility. Where were they when their officers were pummeling
unarmed students who were in no way fighting back or resisting? Where
were they when marauding police entered houses and blocked highways in
their effort to find students who were trying to escape capture and
beatings? Protesters did try to push their way out and they did
destroy the barbed-wire barricades, but the violent and brutal police
response far exceeded what the police needed to do. To their credit, I
did see small groups of Myanmar Police working hard to keep their
undisciplined colleagues from beating students, and in some cases it
looked like police were fighting among themselves as the good cops
tried to protect the students and activists with their own shields. In
one instance, I saw police put a helmet on the head of a Buddhist monk
and hold their shields over his body while he was being taken away. So
maybe some of that EU police training paid off.
</blockquote>

Here is 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/mar/11/burmese-activists-in-court-after-violent-crackdown-on-student-protests">what
happened after</a>.


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-jan-apr.html 17_March_2015_(Morality_of_Fossil_Fuel_Investment)
title: Morality of Fossil Fuel Investment
uri: Morality-of-Fossil-Fuel-Investment
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-jan-apr.html#17_March_2015_%28Morality_of_Fossil_Fuel_Investment%29

content:
<p>
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/sustainable-business/2015/mar/11/social-acceptability-morality-of-fossil-fuel-investment">We
Need to Attack the Morality of Fossil Fuel Investment</a> (not only
point out that it may lose monetary value).


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-jan-apr.html 17_March_2015_(Smart_watches)
title: "Smart watches"
uri: Smart-watches
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-jan-apr.html#17_March_2015_%28Smart_watches%29
content:
<p>
Acceptance of "smart watches" could 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2015/mar/11/apple-watch-are-you-feeling-the-terror">teach
people to regard their bodies as machines to be monitored and
quantified</a>, distracting them from other thought.


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-jan-apr.html 17_March_2015_(Global_heating_denial)
title: Global heating denial
uri: 2015-03-19-Global-heating-denial
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-jan-apr.html#17_March_2015_%28Global_heating_denial%29
content:
<p>
A leading global heating denialist is 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2015/mar/11/climate-sceptics-attempt-to-block-merchants-of-doubt-film">threatening
to sue the authors of "Merchants of Doubt"</a>.


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-jan-apr.html 17_March_2015_(Russian_troops_in_Ukraine)
title: Russian troops in Ukraine
uri: 2015-03-19-Russian-troops-in-Ukraine
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-jan-apr.html#17_March_2015_%28Russian_troops_in_Ukraine%29
content:
<p>
A Russian expat claims that around 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/mar/11/russia-struggling-ukraine-military-operations-report">42,000
different Russian troops</a> have participated in the fighting in
Ukraine at some time.
<p>
He also claims that many of them are conscripts and that special
troops are deployed behind them to shoot them if they run away.  The
"Dzerzhinskiy division" is apparently named after the man who lead the
Soviet political repression police agency.
<p>
I don't know how much confidence to place in the author of this report
and I won't treat this as certain truth.


title: Saudi human rights campaigner sentenced
uri: Saudi-human-rights-campaigner-sentenced
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-jan-apr.html 17_March_2015_(Saudi_human_rights_campaigner_sentenced)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-jan-apr.html#17_March_2015_%28Saudi_human_rights_campaigner_sentenced%29

content:
<p>
Saudi human rights campaigner Mohammed al-Bajadi has been sentenced to
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/mar/11/saudi-arabia-jails-human-rights-activist-mohammed-al-bajadi">10
years in prison</a>.


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-jan-apr.html 17_March_2015_(War_crimes_in_history_textbook)
title: War crimes in history textbook
uri: War-crimes-in-history-textbook
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-jan-apr.html#17_March_2015_%28War_crimes_in_history_textbook%29
content:
<p>
An interview with Herbert Ziegler, who 
<a href="http://www.japanfocus.org/events/view/246">rejected Japanese
government demands</a> that he delete forced prostitution for the
Japanese army from his history textbook.
<p>
Just about every nation has crimes to confess to.  The US has plenty.
So does Japan.  The US has confessed to some, including mistreatment
of Japanese-Americans during World War II, and this made the American
nation more ethical and humane.  Japan should confess to its crimes in
order to make the Japanese nation more ethical and humane.
<p>
Likewise, Turkey should confess to the genocide of the Armenians, to
make the Turkish nation more ethical and humane, instead of
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2015-jan-apr.html#27_January_2015_(The_genocide_of_the_Armenians)">prosecuting
people that talk about it</a>.
<p>
And all governments, including that of 
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2013-nov-feb.html#13_January_2014_(Freedom_of_speech_in_Turkey_and_France)">France</a>,
should stop legislating what history should say.


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-jan-apr.html 17_March_2015_(Racism_in_SAE_fraternity)
title: Racism in SAE fraternity
uri: Racism-in-SAE-fraternity
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-jan-apr.html#17_March_2015_%28Racism_in_SAE_fraternity%29
content:
<p>
Racism in the SAE fraternity 
<a href="http://www.dailykos.com/story/2015/03/09/1369591/-A-deeper-examination-of-the-sheer-joy-of-Oklahoma-students-chanting-about-hanging-niggers-from-trees?detail=email">goes
beyond one local branch</a>.


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-jan-apr.html 17_March_2015_(Food_shortage_in_Cuba)
title: Food shortage in Cuba
uri: Food-shortage-in-Cuba
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-jan-apr.html#17_March_2015_%28Food_shortage_in_Cuba%29
content:
<p>
Cuba has a 
<a href="http://www.commondreams.org/views/2015/03/10/dividing-pie-cubas-ration-system-after-50-years">shortage
of food</a>, and rations are not quite enough.  But since Cuba has
allowed some capitalism, most Cubans now envy the few who can use
convertible currency to buy more food.
<p>
The question is, how to use capitalism rather than being used by it,
as so many poor countries' non-elites are.


title: Supposed justification for voter ID laws
uri: Supposed-justification-for-voter-ID-laws
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-jan-apr.html 17_March_2015_(Supposed_justification_for_voter_ID_laws)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-jan-apr.html#17_March_2015_%28Supposed_justification_for_voter_ID_laws%29

content:
<p>
Justin Levitt has tried to list all cases of alleged voting under the
wrong name in the US since 2000.  He has found 
<a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/wonkblog/wp/2014/08/06/a-comprehensive-investigation-of-voter-impersonation-finds-31-credible-incidents-out-of-one-billion-ballots-cast/">only
31 such accusations</a>.
<p>
This is the measure of the fraud that supposedly justifies voter ID
laws.


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-jan-apr.html 17_March_2015_(Israeli_transportation_planning)
title: Israeli transportation planning
uri: Israeli-transportation-planning
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-jan-apr.html#17_March_2015_%28Israeli_transportation_planning%29
content:
<p>
Israeli transportation planning has 
<a href="http://kibush.co.il/show_file.asp?num=68140">isolated the
mainly Palestinian city of Nazareth</a>.


title: Israeli soldiers destroy olive trees
uri: Israeli-soldiers-destroy-olive-trees
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-jan-apr.html 17_March_2015_(Israeli_soldiers_destroy_olive_trees)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-jan-apr.html#17_March_2015_%28Israeli_soldiers_destroy_olive_trees%29

content:
<p>
For a change, it was 
<a href="http://www.imemc.org/article/70849">Israeli soldiers rather
than "settlers"</a> that destroyed Palestinians' olive trees.


title: Netanyahu opposes returning seized land
uri: Netanyahu-opposes-returning-seized-land
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-jan-apr.html 17_March_2015_(Netanyahu_opposes_returning_seized_land)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-jan-apr.html#17_March_2015_%28Netanyahu_opposes_returning_seized_land%29

content:
<p>
Netanyahu let slip that he 
<a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2015/03/09/world/netanyahu-comments-cast-doubt-on-stance-toward-palestinians.html?_r=0">opposes
returning any of the seized Palestinian land</a> as part of a peace
agreement.


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-jan-apr.html 17_March_2015_(Social_security_for_brothel_workers)
title: Social security for brothel workers
uri: Social-security-for-brothel-workers
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-jan-apr.html#17_March_2015_%28Social_security_for_brothel_workers%29

content:
<p>
A Spanish court ordered a brothel owner to pay 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/mar/11/barcelona-brothel-workers-get-social-welfare-rights-after-court-decision">social
security contributions for workers</a>.


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-jan-apr.html 17_March_2015_(Emails_deleted_by_Clinton)
title: Emails deleted by Clinton
uri: Emails-deleted-by-Clinton
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-jan-apr.html#17_March_2015_%28Emails_deleted_by_Clinton%29
content:
<p>
Clinton turned over the emails her people judged to be
government-related, then 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2015/mar/10/hillary-clinton-faces-new-questions-over-personal-emails-she-chose-not-to-keep">deleted
the rest</a>.
<p>
This means there is no way anyone can check whether she omitted
(intentionally or accidentally) some that were government-related.


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-jan-apr.html 17_March_2015_(Ferguson_city_manager_quit-fired)
title: Ferguson city manager quit/fired
uri: Ferguson-city-manager-quit-fired
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-jan-apr.html#17_March_2015_%28Ferguson_city_manager_quit-fired%29

content:
<p>
Ferguson's city manager has quit/been fired.  He pushed the harsh
policy of 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2015/mar/11/ferguson-removes-city-manager-after-damning-justice-department-report">using
fines and jail to extract money from the poor</a>.  Other officials
have quit after their racism was exposed.
<p>
This is good, but small-scale.  A similar jail-the-poor system
(tantamount to debtor's prison) 
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2011-nov-feb.html#16_December_2011_(Bills)">exists
around the US</a>.  We need to cure it generally, not just in
Ferguson, and not city-by-city.


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-jan-apr.html 17_March_2015_(Birth_control_in_Iran)
title: Birth control in Iran
uri: Birth-control-in-Iran
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-jan-apr.html#17_March_2015_%28Birth_control_in_Iran%29
content:
<p>
Iran's theocratic ruler wants to ban vasectomies and end subsidized
contraception, to 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/mar/11/iran-ban-voluntary-sterilisation-contraceptive-access-block-boost-population">force
women to have more babies</a>.
<p>
Increasing the human population 
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2014-mar-jun.html#08_March_2014_(Population_growth_exacerbates_environmental_problems)">exacerbates 
all resource and environmental problems</a>.  If a government wants to
population increase, it should invite immigrants.  Of course, hardly
anyone would want to go to Iran and live under a theocratic regime.


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-jan-apr.html 17_March_2015_(Sugar_industry_influence)
title: Sugar industry influence
uri: Sugar-industry-influence
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-jan-apr.html#17_March_2015_%28Sugar_industry_influence%29
content:
<p>
<a href="http://news.sciencemag.org/health/2015/03/sugar-industry-shaped-nih-agenda-dental-research">Sugar
Industry Shaped NIH Agenda on Dental Research</a>.


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-jan-apr.html 17_March_2015_(TPP)
title: TPP
uri: 2015-03-19-TPP
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-jan-apr.html#17_March_2015_%28TPP%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://www.techdirt.com/articles/20150304/09221330207/health-impact-assessment-tpp-poses-risks-to-affordable-medicines-tobacco-control-nutrition-labelling.shtml">Health
Impact Assessment: TPP Poses Risks To Affordable Medicines, Tobacco
Control And Nutrition Labeling</a>.


title: Kurdish libertarian socialist revolution
uri: Kurdish-libertarian-socialist-revolution
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-jan-apr.html 16_March_2015_(Kurdish_libertarian_socialist_revolution)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-jan-apr.html#16_March_2015_%28Kurdish_libertarian_socialist_revolution%29

content:
<p>
In Syria, a Kurdish libertarian socialist revolution that champions
women's equality is 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2015/mar/10/revolutionary-kurdish-isis-ivana-hoffman">standing
up to PISSI</a>.


title: Speech by Swedish foreign minister blocked
uri: Speech-by-Swedish-foreign-minister-blocked
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-jan-apr.html 16_March_2015_(Speech_by_Swedish_foreign_minister_blocked)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-jan-apr.html#16_March_2015_%28Speech_by_Swedish_foreign_minister_blocked%29

content:
<p>
Saudi Arabia blocked a speech by Sweden's foreign minister to a
meeting of the Arab League; she was going to talk about 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/mar/10/sweden-tears-up-arms-agreement-with-saudi-arabia-over-blocked-speech">democracy
and human rights</a>.  So Sweden decided to let lapse an arms sale
agreement with Saudi Arabia.
<p>
Bravo for Sweden, daring to criticize the injustice of Saudi Arabia's
medieval policies and stop facilitating arms sales to their
perpetrators.  Every country should do this.
<p>
The shari'a law that the Arab League ministers praised is the enemy
of human rights, especially for women but also for men.
<p>
Since the sales are legal without the agreement, I wonder what benefit
the agreement actually provides to that company.  Does it provide
financing?  Bypass regulatory requirements?


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-jan-apr.html 16_March_2015_(UN_human_rights_expert_condemns_US)
title: UN human rights expert condemns US
uri: UN-human-rights-expert-condemns-US
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-jan-apr.html#16_March_2015_%28UN_human_rights_expert_condemns_US%29

content:
<p>
A United Nations human rights expert strongly condemned the U.S. on
Tuesday for being the
"<a href='http://www.commondreams.org/news/2015/03/10/cruel-and-inhuman-un-slams-us-only-nation-sentences-children-die-prison'>only
State in the world that still sentences [minors] to life imprisonment
without the opportunity for parole.</a>"
<p>
The expert actually said "children" but we don't need to stretch
that word to make this point.


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-jan-apr.html 16_March_2015_(Regular_use_of_antibiotics_on_pigs)
title: Regular use of antibiotics on pigs
uri: Regular-use-of-antibiotics-on-pigs
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-jan-apr.html#16_March_2015_%28Regular_use_of_antibiotics_on_pigs%29

content:
<p>
Regular feeding of antibiotics 
<a href="http://www.motherjones.com/blue-marble/2015/03/antibiotics-dont-actually-promote-growth-livestock">used
to make pigs grow faster</a> — but since 2000 it no longer has
that effect.


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-jan-apr.html 16_March_2015_(UK_scapegoating_obese_people)
title: UK scapegoating obese people
uri: UK-scapegoating-obese-people
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-jan-apr.html#16_March_2015_%28UK_scapegoating_obese_people%29
content:
<p>
The UK government is scapegoating the tiny fraction of people who are
incapacitated by obesity, by 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/society/2015/mar/10/cutting-benefits-obese-people-bullying">threatening
to bully them unless they get treatment</a>.  This is to distract from
cutting the funds for mental health care that might provide useful
treatment.


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-jan-apr.html 16_March_2015_(College_fraternities)
title: College fraternities
uri: College-fraternities
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-jan-apr.html#16_March_2015_%28College_fraternities%29
content:
<p>
A call to 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2015/mar/10/shut-down-college-fraternities-university-oklahoma-racist">abolish</a>
college fraternities.


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-jan-apr.html 16_March_2015_(Financial_transactions_tax)
title: Financial transactions tax
uri: Financial-transactions-tax
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-jan-apr.html#16_March_2015_%28Financial_transactions_tax%29
content:
<p>
A financial transactions tax 
<a href="http://www.commondreams.org/views/2015/03/09/study-financial-tax-would-pay-big">could
provide a lot of revenue to avoid austerity</a>.
<p>
I am surprised by the idea of taxing derivatives less.  Derivatives
can destabilize the whole financial system, so it makes sense to tax
them enough to discourage them somewhat.
<p>
Later: the explanation is that the tax on derivatives is stated as a
fraction of the underlying assets, rather than the value of the
derivative itself.  Usually the value of the derivative is much less.
I wonder, however, whether it is possible to create derivatives whose
price includes the price of the asset and whether they would be a loophole.


title: Letting children walk home from school
uri: Letting-children-walk-home-from-school
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-jan-apr.html 16_March_2015_(Letting_children_walk_home_from_school)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-jan-apr.html#16_March_2015_%28Letting_children_walk_home_from_school%29

content:
<p>
American parents, 
<a href="http://reason.com/blog/2015/03/09/how-to-free-range-your-kids-and-not-get">let
your children walk home from school</a> — even just once.
<p>
There is 
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2015-jan-apr.html#07_March_2015_(Kidnaping_by_strangers_extremely_rare)">hardly
any danger to your children from random people on the street</a>.
It's the plutocrats and fossil fuel companies that are likely to
really do so.  Not this decade, of course — it will take time
for things to get that bad.


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-jan-apr.html 16_March_2015_(Thugs_shoot_man_based_on_accusation)
title: Thugs shoot man based on accusation
uri: Thugs-shoot-man-based-on-accusation
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-jan-apr.html#16_March_2015_%28Thugs_shoot_man_based_on_accusation%29

content:
<p>
Thugs in Madison, Wisconsin, entered Tony Robinson's apartment based
on an accusation against him, and 
<a href="http://reason.com/blog/2015/03/09/madison-wisc-cop-fatally-shoots-unarmed">immediately
shot him dead</a>.
<p>
Madison's population is very liberal, and even its thugs are liberal,
but the city has a 
<a href="http://www.prwatch.org/news/2015/03/12765/killing-tony-robinson-highlights-wisconsins-racial-inequities">big
race problem</a>.


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-jan-apr.html 16_March_2015_(Fighting_global_heating)
title: Fighting global heating
uri: Fighting-global-heating
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-jan-apr.html#16_March_2015_%28Fighting_global_heating%29
content:
<p>
The fight against global heating must 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2015/mar/10/keep-fossil-fuels-in-the-ground-to-stop-climate-change">target
the extraction of fossil fuels, not just their use</a>.
<p>
To win this fight, we need some courage.  Do you have the courage to
say "global heating" instead of the weaker-sounding "global warming"
or "climate change"?  This won't cost you anything except that a few
people may ask why you use that unusual term (and that gives you an
opportunity to explain).  Can you take this tiny first step?


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-jan-apr.html 16_March_2015_(Banning_abortion_kills_women)
title: Banning abortion kills women
uri: Banning-abortion-kills-women
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-jan-apr.html#16_March_2015_%28Banning_abortion_kills_women%29
content:
<p>
The Gates Foundation talks about women's rights but 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2015/mar/10/illegal-abortions-are-unsafe-for-women-refusing-to-talk-about-abortion-is-too">doesn't
mention the fact that banning abortion kills women</a>.


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-jan-apr.html 16_March_2015_(Tyranny_in_Egypt)
title: Tyranny in Egypt
uri: 2015-03-19-Tyranny-in-Egypt
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-jan-apr.html#16_March_2015_%28Tyranny_in_Egypt%29
content:
<p>
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/mar/10/egypt-suicide-bomber-targets-police-barracks">Islamist
Egyptian rebels</a> continue attacking regime forces in the Sinai.
<p>
These rebels want to impose a theocratic dictatorship, in place of the
current military dictatorship that imposes unjust Islamic law in a
less strict form.  On the other hand, they seem to be more principled
than PISSI: they only attack regime thugs and soldiers, not civilians.
<p>
I cheered the Egyptians who overthrew Mubarak to win freedom.
Now Egypt has a choice between two forms of tyranny, each worse
than the other.


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-jan-apr.html 16_March_2015_(Cape_Wind_wind_power_farm)
title: Cape Wind wind power farm
uri: Cape-Wind-wind-power-farm
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-jan-apr.html#16_March_2015_%28Cape_Wind_wind_power_farm%29
content:
<p>
The Cape Wind wind power farm is 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2015/mar/10/americas-first-offshore-windfarm-set-for-construction-this-summer">ready
to proceed</a>.
<p>
However, this is not the sort of urgency that we need if we are to
avoid causing global heating disaster.


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-jan-apr.html 16_March_2015_(Negotiations_with_Iran)
title: Negotiations with Iran
uri: Negotiations-with-Iran
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-jan-apr.html#16_March_2015_%28Negotiations_with_Iran%29
content:
<p>
Obama 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/mar/10/obama-denounces-republican-letter-iran-nuclear-talks">criticized
Republican senators</a> for "wanting to make common cause with the
hardliners in Iran".
<p>
It is a valid point.  Taking something important hostage and
threatening to ruin it is standard Republican tactics, but this takes
them further than usual.


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-jan-apr.html 16_March_2015_(Ending_austerity_in_Greece)
title: Ending austerity in Greece
uri: Ending-austerity-in-Greece
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-jan-apr.html#16_March_2015_%28Ending_austerity_in_Greece%29
content:
<p>
Syriza talks about 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/business/2015/mar/08/greece-threatens-new-elections-if-eurozone-rejects-planned-reforms">holding
new elections</a> if the eurozone's plutocrats reject its plans to end
austerity in Greece.
<p>
The criticism of Syriza by Dr Bastian amounts to, "Syriza isn't
playing ball with the plutocrats as it's supposed to."


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-jan-apr.html 16_March_2015_(Group_decision_making)
title: Group decision making
uri: Group-decision-making
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-jan-apr.html#16_March_2015_%28Group_decision_making%29
content:
<p>
In group decision making, 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/science/occams-corner/2015/mar/10/crowdsourcing-decision-making-trouble">those
who are most confident tend to win</a>, even if they are confident
because they don't understand the issue.


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-jan-apr.html 16_March_2015_(CIA_breaking_security_of_iThings)
title: CIA breaking security of iThings
uri: CIA-breaking-security-of-iThings
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-jan-apr.html#16_March_2015_%28CIA_breaking_security_of_iThings%29

content:
<p>
The CIA 
<a href="https://firstlook.org/theintercept/2015/03/10/ispy-cia-campaign-steal-apples-secrets/">worked
for years to break the security of iThings</a>.  It is not clear how
much their efforts succeeded or how much they were used.


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-jan-apr.html 16_March_2015_(Torture_of_suspects_in_Mexico)
title: Torture of suspects in Mexico
uri: Torture-of-suspects-in-Mexico
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-jan-apr.html#16_March_2015_%28Torture_of_suspects_in_Mexico%29
content:
<p>
A UN report says that Mexico makes a general practice of 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/mar/09/mexico-torture-human-rights-violations-united-nations-report">torturing
suspects</a>.  All kinds of thugs are involved, and the military.


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-jan-apr.html 16_March_2015_(Nuclear_deal_with_Iran)
title: Nuclear deal with Iran
uri: Nuclear-deal-with-Iran
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-jan-apr.html#16_March_2015_%28Nuclear_deal_with_Iran%29
content:
<p>
Senate Republicans are 
<a href="https://firstlook.org/theintercept/2015/03/09/upon-launching-effort-scuttle-iran-deal-senator-tom-cotton-meets-defense-contractors/">trying
to convince Iran</a> that it is useless to make a nuclear deal with
the US.
<p>
Legally, their point is valid, but politically it is not.  Any future
US administration that considers ending a deal by which Iran proves it
isn't building nuclear weapons will realize that the deal is better
than no deal.
<p>
Unless that administration is seeking an excuse for war,
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2015-jan-apr.html#28_January_2015_(Netanyahu_sends_drones_against_Hezbollah)">as
Netanyahu would want it to do</a>.


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-jan-apr.html 16_March_2015_(Australian_laws_against_talking)
title: Australian laws against talking
uri: Australian-laws-against-talking
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-jan-apr.html#16_March_2015_%28Australian_laws_against_talking%29
content:
<p>
In most of Australia, the state 
<a href="http://www.cla.asn.au/News/anti-consort-laws-make-rogues-of-us-all/">can
order you not to talk with certain people any more</a>, if they were
ever convicted of any crime.  In some parts, the state only has to
declare them "suspects".


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-jan-apr.html 16_March_2015_(Censorship_of_CDs)
title: Censorship of CDs
uri: Censorship-of-CDs
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-jan-apr.html#16_March_2015_%28Censorship_of_CDs%29
content:
<p>
The Taliban-ridden Northwest Province of Pakistan is 
<a href="http://freemuse.org/archives/9676">planning to impose
official censorship of CDs</a>.


title: Cyberweapons used against journalists
uri: Cyberweapons-used-against-journalists
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-jan-apr.html 16_March_2015_(Cyberweapons_used_against_journalists)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-jan-apr.html#16_March_2015_%28Cyberweapons_used_against_journalists%29

content:
<p>
<a href="http://boingboing.net/2015/03/09/italys-hacking-team-allegedl.html">Italy's
Hacking Team Allegedly Sold Ethiopia's Despots Cyberweapons Used to
Attack Journalists</a>.


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-jan-apr.html 16_March_2015_(Massive_surveillance_in_New_Zealand)
title: Massive surveillance in New Zealand
uri: 2015-03-19-Massive-surveillance-in-New-Zealand
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-jan-apr.html#16_March_2015_%28Massive_surveillance_in_New_Zealand%29

content:
<p>
New Zealand's prime minister pledged to resign if New Zealand were
doing massive surveillance.  Now that we have proof that it does, he
has 
<a href="https://firstlook.org/theintercept/2015/03/09/new-zealand-prime-minister-promised-resign-country-shown-engage-mass-surveillance-now-retracts-vow/">retracted
the pledge</a>.


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-jan-apr.html 16_March_2015_(Ban_on_mentioning_climate_change)
title: Ban on mentioning "climate change"
uri: Ban-on-mentioning-climate-change
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-jan-apr.html#16_March_2015_%28Ban_on_mentioning_climate_change%29

content:
<p>
Pennsylvania and North Carolina also have some state agencies 
<a href="http://thinkprogress.org/climate/2015/03/09/3631465/not-just-florida-censoring-climate-change-talk/">banned
from mentioning "climate change"</a>.


