# articles

feed_id: ba8cfe22b7abb42ab00f51acf00e56af
title: More electric and hybrid cars
uri: More-electric-and-hybrid-cars
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#11_July_2017_%28More_electric_and_hybrid_cars%29
content:
<p>
Volvo says that, starting in 2019, 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/business/2017/jul/05/volvo-cars-electric-hybrid-2019">all
its new car models will be electric or hybrid</a>.


feed_id: 6dde571409e2671b356eb452c90e35b0
title: Stable work and health
uri: Stable-work-and-health
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#11_July_2017_%28Stable_work_and_health%29
content:
<p>
In the UK, young workers with unpredictable work situations have 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2017/jul/05/zero-hours-contracts-affect-young-peoples-health-study-finds">worse
health than workers with stable work</a>.


feed_id: 4e587324c78a74ed5f21ed0a06bbdb86
title: Thug threatens singer at gunpoint
uri: Thug-threatens-singer-at-gunpoint
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#11_July_2017_%28Thug_threatens_singer_at_gunpoint%29

content:
<p>
An Italian thug in Rome held a British singer at gunpoint threatening
to shoot him.  
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/music/2017/jul/05/morrissey-claims-he-was-held-at-gunpoint-by-police-officer-in-rome">All
the singer did was stand there</a>.


feed_id: 9c94e421693a22e397efbd1dba6d3f4b
title: Air and sea temperature rise
uri: Air-and-sea-temperature-rise
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#11_July_2017_%28Air_and_sea_temperature_rise%29
content:
<p>
Even if we stabilize the level of CO<sub>2</sub> in the atmosphere,
the temperature of the air and sea 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2017/jul/05/hopes-of-mild-climate-change-dashed-by-new-research">will
continue rising for centuries</a>.
<p>
This is not the crucial problem, however.  If we cap the
CO<sub>2</sub> level get through this century with technological
civilization intact, we will be able to reduce the CO2 level back to
the preindustrial level.
<p>
The hard problem is the "if".  And if technological civilization is
destroyed, and the surviving humans have little influence over what
happens next, that secondary heating will occur.


feed_id: 8ff51a06d055588be00fa12bb94dfe28
title: Attack on Venezuelan congress
uri: Attack-on-Venezuelan-congress
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#11_July_2017_%28Attack_on_Venezuelan_congress%29
content:
<p>
A pro-Maduro militia attacked the Venezuelan congress and injured some
of the representatives, as the special police that were supposed to
protect congress 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/jul/05/four-politicians-wounded-venezuela-attack-on-congress">looked
on</a>.


feed_id: a9949f95c2487fb1c1f800e0d74f5757
title: Troll invites mockery
uri: Troll-invites-mockery
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#11_July_2017_%28Troll_invites_mockery%29
content:
<p>
When the troll makes impossible threats against North Korea, he
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2017/jul/05/china-trump-kim-jong-un-north-korea-beijing">invites
Kim to make a fool of him</a>.


feed_id: 9708a75bef8ff9a6a5e91952a242e90e
title: Occupation of West Bank
uri: Occupation-of-West-Bank
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#11_July_2017_%28Occupation_of_West_Bank%29
content:
<p>
Israel 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/jul/03/israel-plans-new-settlement-east-jerusalem">plans
to build 1800 apartments for Israelis</a> in part of the West Bank.
<p>
Israel occupied most of the West Bank and annexed some parts, calling
them part of Jerusalem.  Both moves are illegal.


feed_id: a112eb50dd165cef1a941363057b30d5
title: Saboteur of Veterans Affairs
uri: Saboteur-of-Veterans-Affairs
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#11_July_2017_%28Saboteur_of_Veterans_Affairs%29
content:
<p>
<a href="/glossary.html#trump">The troll</a> and the Saboteur of Veterans Affairs have a 
<a href="http://www.truth-out.org/news/item/41089-how-the-koch-backed-effort-to-privatize-the-veterans-health-administration-jeopardizes-everyone-s-health-care-future">plan
to gradually privatize medical care for veterans</a>.


feed_id: 77ddbfe0143987d1160522e8664642ef
title: Absurd copyright complaint withdrawn
uri: Absurd-copyright-complaint-withdrawn
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#11_July_2017_%28Absurd_copyright_complaint_withdrawn%29

content:
<p>
Zillow 
<a href="http://boingboing.net/2017/06/29/legal-bullies.html">withdrew
its complaint</a> against the real-estate blog after the EFF sent it
an explanation.


feed_id: 7274aae66307f24cd0b8b84bb1a5bbf5
title: Amazon river
uri: Amazon-river
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#11_July_2017_%28Amazon_river%29
content:
<p>
Oil companies that want to drill near the mouth of the Amazon river
say there is a 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2017/jul/03/amazon-coral-reef-at-risk-of-damage-if-oil-spills-near-amazon-river">30%
chance that an oil spill would damage a unique coral ecosystem
recently discovered there</a>.
<p>
Under a statesmanlike government that focuses on what really matters,
the decision would be clear: don't drill.
<p>
To avoid global heating disaster, we 
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#20_February_2016_(Fight_to_keep_fossil_fuel_in_ground)">need
to leave 80% of the known fossil fuel reserves in the ground</a>.  So
any reserves that cause some particular risk should be among those
left in the ground.
<p>
When that is not the case, it shows that the planet roasters have a
dangerous level of power.


feed_id: 115636fb8e323490042fd3a78f0862c9
title: US has no plan in Afghanistan
uri: US-has-no-plan-in-Afghanistan
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#11_July_2017_%28US_has_no_plan_in_Afghanistan%29
content:
<p>
The US 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/jul/04/us-still-has-no-path-to-peace-in-afghanistan-bipartisan-senators-say">has
no plan</a> in Afghanistan.  This reflects the fact that there is 
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#15_June_2017_(US_not_winning_in_Afghanistan)">no
path to victory</a> there in the absence of fundamental changes in the
situation, and they are not likely.
<p>
The US can either keep propping up the Afghan government ad infinitem
or let it fall.


feed_id: 6072ac2a26aa7cadf37429741199ffe1
title: Deficit reduction at expense of the poor
uri: Deficit-reduction-at-expense-of-the-poor
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#11_July_2017_%28Deficit_reduction_at_expense_of_the_poor%29

content:
<p>
Macron wants to reduce the French deficit 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/jul/04/french-pm-edouard-philippe-warns-cuts-reduce-debt-volcano-public-spending">at
the expense of the poor</a>, through spending cuts, rather than at the
expense of the rich, by increasing their taxes.
<p>
He also explicitly advocates competing to attract businesses.  That
generally means 
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2006-sep-dec.html#21%20October%202006%20(German%20SDP%20right-wing%20reforms)">allowing
them to treat workers worse than in other comparable countries</a>.
<p>
The main evil of business-driven globalization, as explained by Naomi
Klein in No Logo, is this competition between countries that hurts
workers in all countries.


feed_id: 889fe6a539f0135cdfdd71ee35aa4188
title: Sex robots
uri: Sex-robots
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#11_July_2017_%28Sex_robots%29
content:
<p>
Some ethicists 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2017/jul/05/sex-robots-promise-revolutionary-service-but-also-risks-says-study">find
excuses to try to ban sex robots</a>.
<p>
Until these robots have human levels of mental capacity, they won't
offer full emotional relationships of love or friendship.  They will
provide sex and no more.
<p>
People with a healthy imagination won't need these robots because they
could use a fantasy instead.  Those who can't generate the fantasies
on their own would find the robot a useful substitute.
<p>
Unless evidence is found that sex robots lead substantial numbers of
people to force themselves on others, which there is 
<a href="http://reason.com/blog/2017/07/03/the-true-link-between-porn-and-rape">no
clear evidence for</a>, they should not be censored.  The other path
leads to trying to censor fantasies.
<p>
(That article uses the silly idea that people 
<a href="https://gnu.org/philosophy/words-to-avoid.html#consume">"consume"</a>
video recordings.  I imagine somebody eating one.  Please don't
encourage that twisted propaganda term.)


feed_id: aa080f5988522e71945e50042d263516
title: Refugees placed in more danger
uri: Refugees-placed-in-more-danger
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#11_July_2017_%28Refugees_placed_in_more_danger%29
content:
<p>
Papua New Guinea, acting as Australia's proxy, is forcing refugees out
of the camp where they feel safe.  (Originally it was a prison but not
any more.)  This 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2017/jul/05/manus-island-detention-centre-closing-down-with-refugees-still-inside">forces
them to live near the natives, who violently hate them</a>.


feed_id: 45f8156f13179f516645d21a7648f6eb
title: Tax evasion in Australia
uri: Tax-evasion-in-Australia
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#11_July_2017_%28Tax_evasion_in_Australia%29
content:
<p>
Big companies are 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2017/jul/05/corporate-tax-non-compliance-costing-government-25bn-says-commissioner">evading
over 2 billion dollars a year</a> of taxes in Australia.


feed_id: 0782e10c0b59063d04ebf9f11ed9e7f2
title: Human irrationalities plus factual errors
uri: Human-irrationalities-plus-factual-errors
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#11_July_2017_%28Human_irrationalities_plus_factual_errors%29

content:
<p>
A series of 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2017/jul/05/us-inequality-poor-people-bad-choices-wealthy-bias">human
irrationalities, plus some factual errors</a>, enable privileged
Americans to believe that poor people are bad or stupid and deserve
their poverty.
<p>
One point not mentioned here is that growing up in poverty and stress
tends to 
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#26_December_2015_(Poverty_in_the_US_permanently_stunts_IQ)">reduce
children's intelligence</a> and to
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2013-may-aug.html#29_August_2013_(Poverty%27s_consequences)">teach
them bad habits for making decisions</a>.  When poor people make
mistakes that keep them in poverty, that is partly because they grew
up in poverty under a system that stressed them so they couldn't
develop the capacity to decide better.
<p>
Millions of English children today live in situations that tend to do
that.


feed_id: 8c584b3c3e2c148dc0aa6a26693de019
title: Treating people's chronic pain
uri: Treating-people-s-chronic-pain
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#13_July_2017_%28Treating_peoples_chronic_pain%29
content:
<p>
One doctor in the US 
<a href="http://reason.com/reasontv/2017/07/07/pain-patients-cant-get-meds-opioid">continues
to aim to treat people's chronic pain</a>, rejecting the pressure to
take as his goal to "get them off opioids" and tell them to live with
the pain.


feed_id: a25cd367c6112d2326df8a42354e4683
title: Trumpettes
uri: Trumpettes
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#13_July_2017_%28Trumpettes%29
content:
<p>
A trumpette wrote false flag death threats against the troll
in a school, 
<a href="https://www.dailykos.com/story/2017/7/6/1678315/-Trump-supporter-admits-writing-threatening-anti-Trump-graffiti-on-a-school-to-frame-liberals">hoping
that progressives would be blamed</a>.
<p>
That is the attitude of today's Republicans: no trick is too dirty.


feed_id: 8aec21d402424effb355f79cdf2e67dd
title: Pubs converted to cooperatives
uri: Pubs-converted-to-cooperatives
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#13_July_2017_%28Pubs_converted_to_cooperatives%29
content:
<p>
50 failing pubs in the UK have been converted into 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2017/jul/07/community-groups-call-time-on-the-demise-of-the-british-pub">thriving
cooperatives</a>.


feed_id: a97c43255d60d5454c084cf009d700ab
title: Troll wants to cancel aid in heat waves
uri: Troll-wants-to-cancel-aid-in-heat-waves
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#13_July_2017_%28Troll_wants_to_cancel_aid_in_heat_waves%29

content:
<p>
<a href="/glossary.html#trump">The troll</a> 
<a href="https://thinkprogress.org/heat-related-deaths-trump-2b4c604ae650">wants
to cancel aid for people to cool their homes</a> in heat waves.
<p>
This is entirely consistent with other Republican policies that
prolong and increase global heating.  They will cause more heat waves
in the future, which Republican leaders know will get rid of some of
the "superfluous" poor people.  To give them aid that could save their
lives during heat waves would defeat the purpose.


feed_id: 4a1f426aee2c27e986b8dad3821dc29d
title: Harmful provisions in CETA
uri: Harmful-provisions-in-CETA
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#13_July_2017_%28Harmful_provisions_in_CETA%29
content:
<p>
Among the many harmful provisions in CETA is one that 
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2017/07/06/report-ceta-threatens-european-union-pesticide-protections">threatens
Europe's pesticide regulations</a>.


feed_id: c987d2926b788a51d07aeb959b91e6b5
title: Troll regime imposes iris scanning
uri: Troll-regime-imposes-iris-scanning
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#13_July_2017_%28Troll_regime_imposes_iris_scanning%29

content:
<p>
<a href="/glossary.html#trump">The troll</a> regime has 
<a href="https://theintercept.com/2017/07/08/border-sheriffs-iris-surveillance-biometrics/">imposed
iris scanning on suspected border crossers</a>.
<p>
Once it is standard practice for possible unauthorized immigrants
near one border, they will try to extend it and extend it until it is
imposed on everyone in the US.  Unless we stop them.


feed_id: 021801dde50d723abe0ecf266645e0ba
title: Saboteur of the CDC
uri: Saboteur-of-the-CDC
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#13_July_2017_%28Saboteur_of_the_CDC%29
content:
<p>
The newly appointed saboteur of the Center for Disease Control
previously advocated a 
<a href="https://theintercept.com/2017/07/08/trumps-new-cdc-chief-championed-partnership-with-coca-cola-to-solve-childhood-obesity/">"partnership"
with Coca Cola Company to reduce childhood obesity</a>.


feed_id: 24d7a1e86af38947ba97b98616ef6c2f
title: What if Isreal helped Palestinians
uri: What-if-Isreal-helped-Palestinians
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#13_July_2017_%28What_if_Isreal_helped_Palestinians%29

content:
<p>
Uri Avnery: 
<a href="http://zope.gush-shalom.org/home/en/channels/avnery/1499429308/">What
if</a> [Israel] announced to the people in the Gaza Strip: the
Palestinian Authority in Ramallah is now paying for only two hours of
electricity a day. But seeing your suffering, Israel has decided to
provide you with electricity for 24 hours for free.


feed_id: 919a9592be716c745232a1df89627e27
title: The Istanbul 10
uri: The-Istanbul-10
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#13_July_2017_%28The_Istanbul_10%29
content:
<p>
G20 Leaders 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2017/jul/07/g20-leaders-demand-erdogan-release-istanbul-10-amnesty-turkey">Must
Demand</a> That President ErdoÄan Release the Istanbul 10.


feed_id: 7d7467936a03312935486a7bd7084cb7
title: Troll making America weak
uri: Troll-making-America-weak
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#13_July_2017_%28Troll_making_America_weak%29
content:
<p>
For Putin, the troll is making America weak — not "again", but
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2017/jul/07/trump-putin-america-soft-power-g20-summit">as
it has never been since 1900</a>.
<p>
For the US to be "strong" is not an unalloyedly good thing, as people
in countries from Haiti to Yemen can attest.  <a href="/glossary.html#dubya">Dubya</a> weakened the US
for the long term by using its power for inexcusable cruelty, and
Obama continued this in less blatant ways.
<p>
However, if US weakness makes it easier for Chinese tyranny to get
stronger, that is a change for the worse.


feed_id: 36a90a105eff60e96ed48c01da8f7353
title: Portable phone tracking
uri: 2017-07-14-Portable-phone-tracking
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#13_July_2017_%28Portable_phone_tracking%29
content:
<p>
Snapchat's "track your friends" feature will help millions of people
recognize
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/culture/2017/jul/07/apparently-my-smartphone-is-telling-everyone-exactly-where-i-am-right-now-should-i-care">how
much portable phones track them</a> for companies and governments.
<p>
The author made an excuse to put the issue out of mind, but people
can also learn to organize to put an end to this.
<p>
Even a non-"smart" phone is tracked by the phone company and the
state, all the time it is "on".  (And it may be "on" all the time
if it was modified remotely to do listen.)


feed_id: 8bb92b5caa007802dba39b469a3cb4dd
title: Peaceful protests in Hamburg
uri: Peaceful-protests-in-Hamburg
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#13_July_2017_%28Peaceful_protests_in_Hamburg%29
content:
<p>
Massive peaceful protests in Hamburg 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/jul/07/g20-protests-hamburg-altona-messehalle">blocked
some of the participants in the G20 meeting</a>.  That is good because
it makes the participants aware of the popular disgust.
<p>
Other protesters rioted, which is wrong and harms the cause.
Reportedly thugs escalated the violence.
<p>
At a similar international meeting in Genova in 1998, some of the
"black bloc" rioters were unmasked as thugs — provocateurs.  I
wonder if that is the case today in Hamburg.


feed_id: 96e14edfc6e8f856977992427f2c45aa
title: Smuggling ancient cuneform tablets
uri: Smuggling-ancient-cuneform-tablets
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#13_July_2017_%28Smuggling_ancient_cuneform_tablets%29

content:
<p>
Remember Hobby Lobby?  Its owner set up a scheme to secretly import
ancient cuneiform tablets from Iraq, and tried to cover his tracks.
<p>
Instead of prosecution, he only had to 
<a href="https://arstechnica.com/science/2017/07/hobby-lobby-must-pay-3-million-for-smuggling-ancient-cuneiform-artifacts/">pay
a fine and hand them over</a>.


feed_id: 061d3b2abf0c621ba4da8dc9dbef475b
title: US government scheme to promote propaganda
uri: US-government-scheme-to-promote-propaganda
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#13_July_2017_%28US_government_scheme_to_promote_propaganda%29

content:
<p>
The US government had a scheme to promote the confused concept of
"intellectual property" by 
<a href="https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2017/07/state-department-concocting-fake-intellectual-property-twitter-feud/">arranging
a staged conversation</a> on Twitter.  The government would post, and
various entities with an interest in spreading confusion would
"respond".  The government proposal called it a "fake Twitter feud".
<p>
Whatever they say using the term 
<a href="https://gnu.org/philosophy/not-ipr.html">"intellectual
property"</a>, it spreads a gravely misleading idea about real laws:
the idea that they fit that term.
<p>
That term was chosen as propaganda in the 1960s and pushed hard
starting in the 1970s.  Law schools didn't use it much until 1990.
<p>
I refuse to use it, and so can you.


feed_id: d8be8d1dab0fc86678d6ce4873001693
title: Refugees fleeing war and violence
uri: Refugees-fleeing-war-and-violence
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#13_July_2017_%28Refugees_fleeing_war_and_violence%29

content:
<p>
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2017/jul/07/war-and-violence-drive-majority-of-people-fleeing-to-europe-by-sea-not-economics">80%
of refugees trying to reach Europe by sea</a> are fleeing war or
violence.


feed_id: e23cb62d56ac7de5680ced1fa0dd3d22
title: University of California freedom of speech
uri: University-of-California-freedom-of-speech
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#13_July_2017_%28University_of_California_freedom_of_speech%29

content:
<p>
The University of California has 
<a href="http://reason.com/archives/2017/07/06/california-colleges-to-ann-coulter-and-s">found
excuses to keep right-wing speakers off campus and close a satirical
newspaper</a>.
<p>
I disagree deeply with Ann Coulter, some of whose statements are not
designed to make sense when studied for more than 30 seconds.  But
that is no reason to refuse to let her speak on campus.


feed_id: f977f166488d61304db4d62464034d0b
title: US Office of Government Ethics
uri: US-Office-of-Government-Ethics
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#13_July_2017_%28US_Office_of_Government_Ethics%29
content:
<p>
The director of the US Office of Government Ethics has resigned 6
months before the end of his term, saying that the troll 
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2017/07/06/citing-current-situation-under-trump-government-ethics-chief-resigns">has
made the job hopeless</a>.
<p>
Any system to enforce ethical standards can only function if it ges
political support from above.


feed_id: b8cb96c5375a340ee202ac3e4d41abb1
title: Banning sale of fossil fuel cars
uri: Banning-sale-of-fossil-fuel-cars
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#13_July_2017_%28Banning_sale_of_fossil_fuel_cars%29
content:
<p>
France's target for banning sale of fossil fuel cars is 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/business/2017/jul/06/france-ban-petrol-diesel-cars-2040-emmanuel-macron-volvo">so
distant it would hardly change anything</a>.  Norway and the
Netherlands have banned it for 2025.


feed_id: 0ef5d475678c853745243a3f780cc260
title: Freedom of speech in academia
uri: Freedom-of-speech-in-academia
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#13_July_2017_%28Freedom_of_speech_in_academia%29
content:
<p>
<a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/595f1c93e4b08f5c97d06899">Interesting
views</a> about freedom of speech issues in academia.
<p>
I agree with the author on all but the first of these points.
I reject the idea of "cultural appropriation" as a wrong
because everyone has the right to comment about any issue.
The one thing you cannot do, in regard to a group you don't
belong to, is claim to speak for that group.


feed_id: 8af8ba2bb293ee85802f00abf1341313
title: Troll's commissioner for voter fraud
uri: Troll-s-commissioner-for-voter-fraud
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#13_July_2017_%28Trolls_commissioner_for_voter_fraud%29

content:
<p>
<a href="/glossary.html#trump">The troll</a>'s commissioner for voter fraud is the leader of the 
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2017/07/06/skewing-democracy-white">biggest
Republican program for fraudulent disenfranchisement</a>.


feed_id: 9fbb4d5d242bbfa191bc0e8fd7db6986
title: Macron wooing banksters
uri: Macron-wooing-banksters
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#13_July_2017_%28Macron_wooing_banksters%29
content:
<p>
Macron bends the knee to banksters, inviting banks to move from London
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/business/2017/jul/07/france-london-banks-brexit-paris-taxes">
by offering them lower taxes and deregulation.
</a>
<p>
Lower taxes for banks means
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2017-mar-jun.html#19_June_2017_(Contempt_for_poor)">
states have to tax people more and still can't do their job.
</a>
  Deregulation of banks means banks have
  https://stallman.org/archives/2016-sep-dec.html#7_December_2016_(Foreclosu
<a href="res)">
  more ways to cheat people.
</a>


feed_id: 00bbd374cbdac946f4d095e20da0ce14
title: Halving emissions by 2030
uri: Halving-emissions-by-2030
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#13_July_2017_%28Halving_emissions_by_2030%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://thinkprogress.org/new-orleans-releases-climate-action-strategy-c585b8fdfac3">
New Orleans is trying to set a good example by
cutting greenhouse gas emissions
in half by 2030.
</a>
<p>
Alas, New Orleans has to share the same atmosphere and the same ocean
with the rest of the US, which is going all out to maximize fossil
fuel combustion.  The city can't save itself.  But the example may
do some good.


feed_id: 90c145e2341fe79a0f2fe421fd77b07e
title: Nuclear ban treaty
uri: Nuclear-ban-treaty
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#13_July_2017_%28Nuclear_ban_treaty%29
content:
<p>
More than 120 countries agree to
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2017/07/07/treaty-ban-nuclear-weapons-adopted">
a treaty to ban all nuclear weapons.
</a>
<p>
The hard part is to get the countries with nuclear weapons to sign on.


feed_id: 7181ce0493611b5ae7d9b2034a2d39a5
title: Downgrading public housing
uri: Downgrading-public-housing
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#13_July_2017_%28Downgrading_public_housing%29
content:
<p>
The deeper cause of the big London housing project fire is a state
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2017/jul/06/grenfell-tower-disaster-tory-attack-social-housing-public-sector">
determined to shrink and downgrade public housing.
</a>


feed_id: 5a65ab7bd2585fa66256438ee17ae206
title: Cashless India
uri: Cashless-India
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#13_July_2017_%28Cashless_India%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://theconversation.com/why-a-cashless-society-would-hurt-the-poor-a-lesson-from-india-79735">
Why a âCashlessâ Society Would Hurt the Poor: A Lesson from India.
</a>


feed_id: 7d63d5cda8b50073bcc35cbca2e8d988
title: Migrant workers
uri: Migrant-workers
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#13_July_2017_%28Migrant_workers%29
content:
<p>
It takes time for the economy to adjust to fewer low-paid foreign
migrant workers.
<a href="https://www.dailykos.com/story/2017/7/4/1677722/-The-myth-of-guest-workers-threat-to-US-jobs-is-coming-home-to-roost-in-Trump-country?detail=emaildkre">
In the short time, this causes dislocation.
</a>
<p>
Over a few years, Americans will adapt to taking the jobs migrant
workers used to take, when these jobs are offered at decent pay rates.
This is what the market is good at.
<p>
One adaptation needed will be to change the habits and laws that
exclude a substantial fraction of Americans from so many kinds of
jobs.



<a href="https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2017/7/3/1677488/-Journalist-who-revealed-Neo-Nazi-creator-of-Trump-s-CNN-tweet-now-receiving-death-threats?detail=emaildkre">
A journalist published where the troll got the video he used to
threaten CNN with violence,
</a>
and now the journalist is receiving
death threats from neo-Nazi supporters of the troll.


feed_id: 6be2344669f5f8d1008817fe75c54153
title: Support for climate agreement
uri: Support-for-climate-agreement
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#13_July_2017_%28Support_for_climate_agreement%29
content:
<p>
<a href="/glossary.html#trump">The troll</a> tried and
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/jul/08/donald-trump-paris-climate-agreement-g20-summit-us-theresa-may">
failed to sabotage G20 support for the Paris
climate agreement.
</a>
<p>
However, the US under Obama sabotaged the agreement itself.  How about
making a new, stronger one -- without US participation -- then
pressuring the US to join it?


feed_id: 226e184b8bb35e5fb7acadb01154d7bc
title: Pleasing the large companies
uri: Pleasing-the-large-companies
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#13_July_2017_%28Pleasing_the_large_companies%29
content:
<p>
<a href="/glossary.html#trump">The troll</a>'s treasury department recommends
<a href="https://theintercept.com/2017/07/08/trump-treasury-ripped-its-tax-cut-recommendations-straight-from-the-chamber-of-commerce/">
changes in tax regulations
</a>
so as to please the large companies that fund the US Chamber Of Commerce.


feed_id: 2955930b087734e79281582230849f07
title: Medical insurance stocks
uri: 2017-07-14-Medical-insurance-stocks
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#11_July_2017_%28Medical_insurance_stocks%29
content:
<p>
Republican congresscritters bought medical insurance stocks
<a href="https://theintercept.com/2017/07/06/republican-lawmakers-buy-health-insurance-stocks-as-repeal-effort-moves-forward/">
just before they voted for the <a href="/glossary.html#care">Dontcare</a> bill.
</a>
<p>
Thus they arrange to fill their own pockets a little
as well as filling their billionaire masters' pockets a lot.


feed_id: 9f05738b809ceebd8726e430f4bc2f82
title: Mujahedeen-e Khalq
uri: 2017-07-14-Mujahedeen-e-Khalq
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#11_July_2017_%28Mujahedeen-e_Khalq%29
content:
<p>
Some countries that hate Iran are
<a href="https://theintercept.com/2017/07/07/mek-iran-rajavi-cult-saudi-gingrich-terrorists-trump/">
supporting the Mujahedeen-e Khalq,
</a>
hoping it will destabilize the semidemocratic, semitheocratic regime
in Iran.
<p>
The Mujahedeen-e Khalq started out running a guerrilla war against the
Shah.  Depending on details, maybe that was admirable,
<a href="https://stallman.org/notes/2011-jan-apr.html#20 March 2011 (VOA Support For Khamenei)">
since the Shah
was a US-imposed tyrant.
</a>
   Eventually the Mujahedeen-e Khalq entered a guerrilla war against
Khomeini's murderous theocratic regime, which at the outset was as
bloody as <a href="/glossary.html#pissi">PISSI</a>.  Depending on details, maybe that was admirable.
<p>
Nowadays, though, the organization is an authoritarian cult that is
even religiously more strict than the Iranian regime.  It is funded by
enemies of Iran as an instrument of destabilization.


feed_id: 0609c9cf27d742a7610c5b172fc02208
title: Urgent: Richmond Fed president
uri: Urgent-Richmond-Fed-president
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#14_July_2017_%28Urgent%3A_Richmond_Fed_president%29
content:
<p>
US citizens:
<a href="http://a.cpdaction.org/page/s/we-need-a-diverse-independent-richmond-fed-president">call
on the Federal Reserve</a> to choose a Richmond Fed president who
represents working folks.


feed_id: 23cad0c76c1567e78224a6c225268644
title: Urgent: No more monopoly power
uri: Urgent-No-more-monopoly-power
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#14_July_2017_%28Urgent%3A_No_more_monopoly_power%29
content:
<p>
US citizens:
<a href="https://actionnetwork.org/petitions/drug-corporations-greed-knows-no-end">call
on Congress</a> to reject the Orphan Product Extension Now Act.
<p>
Many businesses are constantly seeking monopoly power to gouge the public.
Whenever any problem exists, they propose the "solution" to give them
more monopoly power.
<p>
Pharma companies have
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2013-may-aug.html#06_May_2013_(US_punishes_governments_that_make_exceptions_to_medical_patents)">far
too much monopoly power already</a>, so we need to reduce it.


feed_id: 5b685d1660467e0d69609d2d1af460a5
title: Urgent: Denounce sham election commission
uri: Urgent-Denounce-sham-election-commission
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#14_July_2017_%28Urgent%3A_Denounce_sham_election_commission%29

content:
<p>
US citizens:
<a href="https://action.aclu.org/secure/sham-election-commission">support
the ACLU</a> and denounce the troll's sham election commission.


feed_id: e8ed4353b833aa74b444161a99d0a82b
title: Urgent: Oppose Senate Bill 1460
uri: 2017-07-14-Urgent-Oppose-Senate-Bill-1460
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#14_July_2017_%28Urgent%3A_Oppose_Senate_Bill_1460%29

content:
<p>
US citizens:
<a href="https://act.credoaction.com/sign/dirty_energy">sign this
petition</a> against Senate Bill 1460, which would reduce the
regulations on fracking and new fossil fuel pipelines.


feed_id: fe8dabd9efe207a9310874589ff94aca
title: Urgent: Oppose Chevron
uri: Urgent-Oppose-Chevron
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#14_July_2017_%28Urgent%3A_Oppose_Chevron%29
content:
<p>
Everyone:
<a href="http://act.climatehawksvote.com/brownwspa">Tell California
Governor Brown</a> to stop supporting Chevron's position on fossil
fuel issues.


feed_id: caa7006bf20eec2f3254538fd20c45e6
title: Miners and loggers
uri: Miners-and-loggers
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#15_July_2017_%28Miners_and_loggers%29
content:
<p>
Brazil's <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2017/06/18/meet-southern-senators-critical-blocking-obamacares-repeal">corrupt</a> extractivist government is about to let miners and
loggers
take
over the Amazon rain forest.


feed_id: 09e51d76672d7a77057be29f7ca437cc
title: Bureau of Land Management under troll
uri: Bureau-of-Land-Management-under-troll
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#15_July_2017_%28Bureau_of_Land_Management_under_troll%29

content:
<p>
Just as the Bureau of Land Management was starting to apply a new
planning process that invited more participation from people who live
near the land in question, the troll's saboteurs 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2017/jul/02/public-lands-new-west-republican-park-management">cancelled
the process</a>.  Why?


feed_id: ef9459c770c33cdf9e19b498bb087453
title: Plans in the Paris climate agreement
uri: Plans-in-the-Paris-climate-agreement
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#15_July_2017_%28Plans_in_the_Paris_climate_agreement%29

content:
<p>
The plans in the Paris climate agreement assume that we will soon
start growing giant tree plantations, burning the wood chips to make
electricity, and sequestering the CO<sub>2</sub>.  But 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/global-development-professionals-network/2017/jul/03/paris-climate-deal-wont-work-our-future-depends-degrowth">this
technology doesn't exist</a>.
<p>
A few years ago, a company in Australia was developing a bioreactor
system in which photosynthetic algae would generate electricity while
removing CO<sub>2</sub> from the air.  If deployed widely enough, this
could do the job.  But we shouldn't bet on that.


feed_id: 70af97414673b212e721f210c3a72fb7
title: Activist rearrested in Bahrain
uri: Activist-rearrested-in-Bahrain
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#15_July_2017_%28Activist_rearrested_in_Bahrain%29
content:
<p>
Activist Rearrested in Bahrain 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/jul/06/activist-rearrested-bahrain-risk-torture-amnesty-international-ebtisam-al-saegh">at
High Risk of Torture</a>, Says Amnesty.


feed_id: dd3379fc8048a89aed2e39b0a126d067
title: Funding of Islamist extremism
uri: Funding-of-Islamist-extremism
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#15_July_2017_%28Funding_of_Islamist_extremism%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2017/jul/05/report-calls-for-public-inquiry-into-gulf-funding-of-british-extremism">Calling
for a public inquiry</a> into foreign support for Islamist extremism
in the UK.


feed_id: 1e8b07239f3225eee318d0b92cb32af9
title: Journalist charged with "stalking"
uri: Journalist-charged-with-stalking
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#15_July_2017_%28Journalist_charged_with_stalking%29
content:
<p>
A journalist who used a drone to monitor the construction of the
Dakota Access pipeline has been
<a href="https://shadowproof.com/2017/07/06/indigenous-journalist-faces-trial-flying-drone-document-dapl-construction/">arrested</a>
and charged with "stalking" some of the pipeline's repression staff.


feed_id: c9ba3c0b828215572dc33afd93522415
title: Prejudices and anxieties of Americans
uri: Prejudices-and-anxieties-of-Americans
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#15_July_2017_%28Prejudices_and_anxieties_of_Americans%29

content:
<p>
Analysis of Google search term frequencies reveals the 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2017/jul/09/everybody-lies-how-google-reveals-darkest-secrets-seth-stephens-davidowitz">prejudices
and anxieties</a> of large numbers of Americans.


feed_id: 835c8f181763e13ee8a1c6fce5ea3488
title: Hamburg protesters condemn "black bloc"
uri: Hamburg-protesters-condemn-black-bloc
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#15_July_2017_%28Hamburg_protesters_condemn_black_bloc%29

content:
<p>
Many peaceful Hamburg protesters have 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/jul/08/hamburg-counts-cost-two-nights-of-violence-looting-destruction">condemned
the violent "black bloc"</a>.


feed_id: 6edc321610bab0b9545c4f0117b39ed6
title: Young people in Kashmir organizing
uri: Young-people-in-Kashmir-organizing
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#15_July_2017_%28Young_people_in_Kashmir_organizing%29

content:
<p>
Young people in Kashmir are 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/jul/08/kashmir-whatsapp-warriors-frontline-conflict-india">using
the internet to organize against Indian rule</a>, some militarily and
some through protests.
<p>
When India took over Kashmir with the accord of its last raja, India
promised the people of Kashmir a 
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2010-jul-oct.html#31%20October%202010%20(Arundhati%20Roy%20in%20increasing%20trouble)">referendum
about whether to be part of India</a>.  India has delayed the
referendum for over six decades.  While India delayed,
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2013-jan-apr.html#19_February_2013_(Kashmir_on_total_lockdown)">an
Islamist (i.e., oppressive) opposition developed</a> out of what had
been a secular movement for independence.
<p>
But that can't justify using military repression to maintain an
annexation of a unwilling people.


feed_id: 8e82bdfc2c57536c640da9f0faf29237
title: Vietnam imprisons political blogger
uri: Vietnam-imprisons-political-blogger
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#15_July_2017_%28Vietnam_imprisons_political_blogger%29

content:
<p>
Vietnam's leading political blogger has been sentenced to 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2017/jul/09/mother-mushroom-how-vietnam-locked-up-its-most-famous-blogger">10
years in prison</a>.


feed_id: 4c35fe6c3e27584db451630a6ec71c4d
title: Young people with precarious jobs
uri: Young-people-with-precarious-jobs
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#15_July_2017_%28Young_people_with_precarious_jobs%29

content:
<p>
Many young people only have access to precarious jobs: 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2017/jul/09/smart-educated-and-exploited-how-internships-help-lock-the-young-out-of-jobs">short
term, part time, or even unpaid</a>.  Then others put the blame for
this on their attitudes.
<p>
It is natural and proper that they have as little loyalty towards
their employers as their employers have towards them.


feed_id: 4cf6650d33fff83526f72195b02d4f02
title: Privatization
uri: 2017-07-16-Privatization
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#15_July_2017_%28Privatization%29
content:
<p>
Privatization magically solves all problems, according to
right-wingers, so they 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2017/jul/09/privatisation-wont-make-sydneys-buses-run-on-time-and-expect-new-problems">present
any present problem as a reason to do it</a>.


feed_id: 4e5d704d102f6100b1df1cae0c48b016
title: UK anti-fracking protests
uri: UK-anti-fracking-protests
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#16_July_2017_%28UK_anti-fracking_protests%29
content:
<p>
Thugs have repeatedly 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2017/jul/10/police-tactics-at-fracking-protests-need-urgent-review-says-mep">
attacked peaceful anti-fracking protesters
</a>
in the UK.


feed_id: d1716911e733a9f482b3289585391730
title: Sanders against Dontcare
uri: Sanders-against-Dontcare
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#16_July_2017_%28Sanders_against_Dontcare%29
content:
<p>
Sanders is visiting Republican states to
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2017/07/09/republicans-hide-voters-sanders-rallies-trumpcare-resistance">
campaign against the Dontcare bill.
</a>


feed_id: 08d8acf9d19cbf580eed0832a0018fe7
title: Evil Malware Entrance
uri: Evil-Malware-Entrance
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#16_July_2017_%28Evil_Malware_Entrance%29
content:
<p>
EME stands for
<a href="https://www.fsfla.org/blogs/lxo/2017-07-09-Wannacry-for-the-Web">
"Evil Malware Entrance".
</a>


feed_id: ee3f0e4862e2d067fa72168cc9768ce3
title: The money from fines
uri: The-money-from-fines
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#16_July_2017_%28The_money_from_fines%29
content:
<p>
A proposed law in Colorado would
<a href="http://reason.com/blog/2017/07/10/prevent-government-agencies-from-profiti">
forbid state agencies from keeping
the money from fines.
</a>


feed_id: 9d91344ceec0d47c2649de65cf85a3b1
title: Paranoid mothers
uri: Paranoid-mothers
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#17_July_2017_%28Paranoid_mothers%29
content:
<p>
A mother was arrested, in Connecticut,
<a href="http://www.freerangekids.com/mom-arrested-for-watching-her-child-from-afar-after-busybodies-call-cops/">
for letting her child play
with other children and their mothers, more than 10 feet away from her.
</a>
Those mothers were paranoid and called the
<a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thugs">
thugs
</a>
to arrest her.


feed_id: 9a6c3e00698503f7859cc704b725b525
title: Redneck Revolt
uri: Redneck-Revolt
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#17_July_2017_%28Redneck_Revolt%29
content:
<p>
Redneck Revolt --
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2017/jul/11/redneck-revolt-guns-anti-racism-fascism-far-left">
anti-racist, anti-plutocracy, feminist, but pro-gun
</a>
-- hopes to make it acceptable in the white working class to stop serving the cause
of rich bigots.
<p>
I hope they succeed.  I do wish they wouldn't call people like Clinton
and Pelosi "liberals".


feed_id: d177d5327d1ba4456483fdb4aabd9ea4
title: Fire is an inequality issue
uri: Fire-is-an-inequality-issue
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#17_July_2017_%28Fire_is_an_inequality_issue%29
content:
<p>
The danger of a house fire
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/inequality/2017/jul/11/grenfell-tower-tragedy-worldwide-truth-fire-is-an-inequality-issue">
falls much heavier on the poor,
</a>
as a result of dooH niboR.


feed_id: f2b35dd84cd37327254c56c0b2463923
title: Robot police
uri: Robot-police
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#17_July_2017_%28Robot_police%29
content:
<p>
Dubai is deploying
<a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/innovations/wp/2017/06/30/meet-the-newest-recruits-of-dubais-police-force-robo-cars-with-facial-recognition-tech/">
mobile robots with face recognition cameras.
</a>
<p>
If there aren't some in the US, I expect there will be.
But we should not allow this.  We should prohibit all systematic
imaging of people in areas where the public may enter, and all
systematic automated biometric recognition of people except
those specified individually by court order.


feed_id: 51d96eee059960adc7b26b4cc4ab61d7
title: Black bloc violence
uri: Black-bloc-violence
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#17_July_2017_%28Black_bloc_violence%29
content:
<p>
Germany is
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/jul/10/g20-violence-prompts-calls-for-new-curbs-on-anti-capitalist-militants">
using the black bloc violence in Hamburg as an excuse
</a>
for
various repressive measures against leftists, violent or not.
<p>
Meanwhile, the violence provided the mainstream media with a useful
distraction from the real issues at stake, such as global heating and
globalization of low wages.  Whether they are sincere but benighted,
or thugs in disguise, they did the progressive cause no good.
<p>
The progressive organizations should declare the black bloc persona
non grata at important peaceful protests.

<a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#trump">
The troll
</a>
gets lots of money
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2017/07/09/report-trump-continues-profit-lavishly-golf-club-membership-fees">
direct from each new member that joins one of
his golf courses.
</a>
Even from foreigners -- which is unconstitutional.


feed_id: 7a8ac423aee51e1118cc5a49586183bb
title: Ignoring the poor
uri: Ignoring-the-poor
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#17_July_2017_%28Ignoring_the_poor%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2017/07/10/why-politicians-both-parties-ignore-poor">
Why Politicians From Both Parties Ignore the Poor.
</a>


feed_id: fa82ebcfa8ad8d68c07687626c0035a9
title: Inundation
uri: Inundation
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#17_July_2017_%28Inundation%29
content:
<p>
Atlantic City and other parts of the New Jersey coast
are being
<a href="http://reports.climatecentral.org/atlantic-city/sea-level-rise/">
inundated by sea level rise due to global heating. 
</a>
<p>
Slightly higher costal areas, owned by rich people and businesses
are getting seawalls to protect them for some more decades.
The lower-lying poor people's houses are being left unprotected.
<p>
While in one sense that is unfair, it may necessary; sea walls
could not protect the low-lying homes for many more decades.
It might be better to buy them out.


feed_id: c3773f6aa6d549106868a27b1503b16f
title: Bloodthirsty viscount behind bars
uri: Bloodthirsty-viscount-behind-bars
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#17_July_2017_%28Bloodthirsty_viscount_behind_bars%29

content:
<p>
A British right-winger who made death threats against political
activist Gina Miller
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2017/jul/11/man-jail-offering-money-run-over-gina-miller-rhodri-philipps-viscount-brexit">
has been convicted and will be jailed.
</a>


feed_id: a700f2ebd8a33e4b6fc87013b6c6b465
title: Verging on treason
uri: Verging-on-treason
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#17_July_2017_%28Verging_on_treason%29
content:
<p>
Republican senators
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2017/jul/11/republicans-tim-kaine-donald-trump-jr-russia">
deny that Troll Jr's behavior verges on treason,
</a>
and even that it is grave.
<p>
It may be criminal 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2017/jul/11/dont-call-it-treason-trump-advisers-legal-jeopardy-is-deep-but-not-that-deep">
but not literally treason.
</a>
<p>
It has been clear for months that Republicans are traitors to the
United States, in a deepers broader sense that is different from
definition of the crime of treason.  They are trying to destroy or
pervert every democratic institution in the US, to crush them down so
that the people will have no way to resist whatever Republicans rulers
might subsequently do.
<p>
From eliminating filibuster against Supreme Court nominees, to
nullifying ethics rules, to sabotaging federal agencies, to fake news,
to violent threats, to eliminating network neutrality, to
gerrymandering, and then to voter suppression, the Republican attitude
toward the United States is, "We will grab power and never let go of
it.  By hook or by crook, we wlll."
      


feed_id: 407d27d20d4e419fef0925682b5c7de1
title: Very urgent: Oppose any troll-chosen FBI nominee
uri: Very-urgent-Oppose-any-troll-chosen-FBI-nominee
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#17_July_2017_%28Urgent%3A_Oppose_any_troll-chosen_FBI_nominee%29

content:
<p>
US citizens: 
<a href="https://act.credoaction.com/call/SJC_FBI_director">phone key
senators' offices</a> to oppose any FBI nominee chosen by the troll.


feed_id: 95b54f6e8bf595a1272ee5e95c1c26cc
title: UK anti-fracking protests
uri: 2017-07-17-UK-anti-fracking-protests
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#16_July_2017_%28UK_anti-fracking_protests%29
content:
<p>
<a href="/glossary.html#thug">Thugs</a> have repeatedly 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2017/jul/10/police-tactics-at-fracking-protests-need-urgent-review-says-mep">
attacked peaceful anti-fracking protesters
</a>
in the UK.


feed_id: 1dcbaf599a4b2d9239699e1e99873177
title: Sanders against Dontcare
uri: 2017-07-17-Sanders-against-Dontcare
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#16_July_2017_%28Sanders_against_Dontcare%29
content:
<p>
Sanders is visiting Republican states to
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2017/07/09/republicans-hide-voters-sanders-rallies-trumpcare-resistance">
campaign against the</a>
<a href="/glossary.html#care">Dontcare</a> bill.


feed_id: 2ed263f2ed4c0bc78d1bd15bf48b7a59
title: Urgent: Ban weaponized drones
uri: Urgent-Ban-weaponized-drones
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#17_July_2017_%28Urgent%3A_Ban_weaponized_drones%29
content:
<p>
US citizens: 
<a href="http://act.rootsaction.org/p/dia/action/public/?action_KEY=6180">call
on the UN</a> to negotiate a treaty to ban weaponized drones.


feed_id: f0fd8b5100ddabfbb7f6a5dd673680f1
title: Urgent: Reject anti-worker nominees
uri: Urgent-Reject-anti-worker-nominees
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#17_July_2017_%28Urgent%3A_Reject_anti-worker_nominees%29

content:
<p>
US citizens: 
<a href="https://actionnetwork.org/forms/no-anti-worker-nominees-to-the-nlrb">call
on the Senate</a> to reject anti-worker nominees to the National Labor
Relations Board.


feed_id: 8e286bdec6067890b2cf8dc15d650dae
title: Urgent: Oppose the Dontcare bill
uri: Urgent-Oppose-the-Dontcare-bill
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#17_July_2017_%28Urgent%3A_Oppose_the_Dontcare_bill%29

content:
<p>
US citizens: 
<href="https://act.credoaction.com/call/stop_trumpcare_rcalls2">phone
key Republican senators</a> to oppose the Dontcare bill.


feed_id: aa1701a52b145760225bbf4a4efebd5f
title: NY State public schools
uri: NY-State-public-schools
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#17_July_2017_%28NY_State_public_schools%29
content:
<p>
New York State is 
<a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/59634a6be4b085e766b5142c">trying
to undermine public schools for the benefit of charter schools</a> by
helping charter schools pretend to train teachers.
<p>
Charter schools, many of which are commercial, claim to offer a better
education, but 
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#17_July_2015_(Money_spent_promoting_charter_schools)">the
evidence says they don't</a>.


feed_id: 36da0735414b9de0bad9f219b41352d7
title: The attempt to collude with Russia
uri: The-attempt-to-collude-with-Russia
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#17_July_2017_%28The_attempt_to_collude_with_Russia%29

content:
<p>
Troll Jr.'s attempt to collude with Russia 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2017/jul/11/what-is-the-significance-of-trump-jr-meeting-with-a-russian-lawyer">could
put him and his father in legal trouble</a>.
<p>
One of <a href="/glossary.html#dubya">Dubya</a>'s ethics lawyers said that Troll Jr. 
<a href="https://www.dailykos.com/story/2017/7/9/1679252/-Former-Bush-ethics-lawyer-Donald-Jr-may-have-committed-an-act-of-treason">committed
treason by negotiating to buy the results of Russian spying</a>, and
the fact that ultimately there was nothing to buy doesn't alter that.
<p>
How bizarre, to be down so low that even the Bush regime is ethical by
comparison.
<p>
Other Republicans join with the troll in 
<a href="https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2017/7/9/1679194/-Ethics-director-Fairly-explicit-threat-from-Preibus-emblematic-of-his-White-House-interactions">attacking
government ethics enforcers</a>.


feed_id: 1a5fabb9f89c120e11a678c0f316eea6
title: Less compassion from rural Americans
uri: Less-compassion-from-rural-Americans
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#17_July_2017_%28Less_compassion_from_rural_Americans%29

content:
<p>
Rural Americans overall are not poorer than urban Americans, but they
<a href="https://www.dailykos.com/story/2017/7/9/1674437/-New-poll-offers-deeper-insight-into-what-ails-rural-America">tend
to have less compassion for those who are weak or suffering</a>.  They
are more religious, but that religion is a form of Christianity which
has forgotten about charity.


feed_id: 40a2a4aa6ecb498f42c55b728b8744f2
title: West Mosul mostly destroyed
uri: West-Mosul-mostly-destroyed
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#17_July_2017_%28West_Mosul_mostly_destroyed%29
content:
<p>
West Mosul has been mostly destroyed, and the surviving civilians have 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/jul/11/we-lost-our-houses-our-cars-our-men-call-to-protect-mosul-civilians">no
food, no water, no place to live</a>.


feed_id: 3ef98c0dd78dcf9ebeb5991922d089ba
title: Wildlife conservation
uri: 2017-07-18-Wildlife-conservation
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#17_July_2017_%28Wildlife_conservation%29
content:
<p>
As humans squeeze into every conceivable niche, wildlife conservation
gets second place to human agriculture, so endangered species are 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/radical-conservation/2017/jul/11/trocaz-pigeon-madeira-portugal-culling-conservation">kept
down whenever they get in the way</a>.


feed_id: 54a2d8b3dc52ec4b6c2b839d6f1b357f
title: China to ban use of VPNs
uri: China-to-ban-use-of-VPNs
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#17_July_2017_%28China_to_ban_use_of_VPNs%29
content:
<p>
China says it will permanently 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/jul/11/china-moves-to-block-internet-vpns-from-2018">ban
use of VPNs</a>.
<p>
This will finish imposing a virtual reality of total state-controlled
falsehood and manipulation on nearly everyone in China.


feed_id: f3fb4b1ba87c4b2f9f55c9bb70177c42
title: Spending billions on weapons
uri: Spending-billions-on-weapons
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#17_July_2017_%28Spending_billions_on_weapons%29
content:
<p>
Plutocratist politicians 
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2017/07/10/nation-too-broke-universal-healthcare-spend-406-billion-more-f-35">always
have extra billions for weapons</a>, even weapons like the F35 that
hardly work.
<p>
The activities that help people, and reduce conflict and violence, are
the ones that they can't find money for.


feed_id: f315e7e8217d7b3f2c468f4d6cf5fae2
title: Exclusion of ex-cons from good jobs
uri: Exclusion-of-ex-cons-from-good-jobs
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#17_July_2017_%28Exclusion_of_ex-cons_from_good_jobs%29

content:
<p>
Licensing requirements 
<a href="http://reason.com/archives/2017/07/10/released-from-prison-locked-out-of-work">exclude
many ex-cons from nearly all good jobs</a>, forcing them into
precarious low-paid work — or into crime.


feed_id: 4b694ac5276a15465c0c3c31e8bea988
title: Thug shoots two family dogs
uri: Thug-shoots-two-family-dogs
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#17_July_2017_%28Thug_shoots_two_family_dogs%29
content:
<p>
A thug shot two family dogs that were 
<a href="http://reason.com/blog/2017/07/10/facebook-video-shows-minneapolis-police">not
threatening</a>.  The thug was investigating a burglar alarm.
<p>
Do burglars bring dogs to a heist?  Obviously not.
<p>
I can understand being scared of friendly dogs that show their
friendship with too much enthusiasm.  That is how I feel.  But a
person who feels that way and expresses it with violence is unfit for
a job that includes carrying a gun while entering other people's
homes.


feed_id: e87e1f8d9909f864e46f513cb902e286
title: Pentagon and CIA in movies and TV
uri: Pentagon-and-CIA-in-movies-and-TV
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#17_July_2017_%28Pentagon_and_CIA_in_movies_and_TV%29

content:
<p>
Pentagon and CIA propaganda has 
<a href="https://medium.com/insurge-intelligence/exclusive-documents-expose-direct-us-military-intelligence-influence-on-1-800-movies-and-tv-shows-36433107c307">altered
800 movies and 1000 TV programs</a>.  The Pentagon also blocks the
production of movies it does not like.


feed_id: f8a60b1cda2c90d81fb1c818cd4c13c7
title: Simmering anger
uri: Simmering-anger
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#17_July_2017_%28Simmering_anger%29
content:
<p>
"Anger is 
<a href='https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2017/jul/10/g20-violence-protests-hamburg-trump-putin-economics-politics'>simmering
worldwide</a>" — will it attack upwards at the elites who cause
it, or sideways at minorities and others weaker than most of the weak.


feed_id: 56db82e414be468d5f06026d2ad0a79b
title: Mexican government phone snooping
uri: Mexican-government-phone-snooping
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#17_July_2017_%28Mexican_government_phone_snooping%29

content:
<p>
Mexican government phone snooping was 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/jul/10/spyware-mexico-kidnapping-investigation-targets-43-students">directed
at the foreign experts who were investigating the still unsolved
disappearance of 43 student protesters in a bus</a>.


feed_id: 6c3a5c28e59158a86a60d5fe99f42ceb
title: Sixth mass extinction has started
uri: Sixth-mass-extinction-has-started
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#17_July_2017_%28Sixth_mass_extinction_has_started%29

content:
<p>
The sixth mass extinction, the one caused by human activities, has
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2017/jul/10/earths-sixth-mass-extinction-event-already-underway-scientists-warn">already
started</a>.


feed_id: f919f01c423bf60244d9a73c1aacfff5
title: Making peace in Iraq
uri: Making-peace-in-Iraq
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#17_July_2017_%28Making_peace_in_Iraq%29
content:
<p>
After defeating <a href="/glossary.html#pissi">PISSI</a> militarily there is the challenge of 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2017/jul/10/isis-mosul-sectarian-violence-iraq-iraqis-sunnis-shias-kurds">making
peace in Iraq</a>.
<p>
In the past, secular Iraqi Sunnis that resisted the (Shi'a-dominated)
Iraqi state accepted al-Qa'ida as a friend because it was fighting the
same enemy.  Maybe they will learn from the experience with <a href="/glossary.html#pissi">PISSI</a> that
Islamists are never their friends.


feed_id: 5ea8e8fe2ae6c14d3ab949ab7ff2f7ad
title: Misogynist abuse of women
uri: Misogynist-abuse-of-women
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#17_July_2017_%28Misogynist_abuse_of_women%29
content:
<p>
Misogynist abuse of women that show their heads above the political
wall is 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2017/jul/10/drowning-vitriol-price-women-pay-politics-online-abuse-yvette-cooper">directed
at women of whatever political persuasion</a>, and from both left and
right.  In all cases, it's wrong.
<p>
Such abuse is wrong if directed against straight white men, too, but
they are less likely to be targeted.
<p>
When people say things that you disagree with, criticize their actions
— don't make threats or stupid insults.
<p>
Misogyny is also 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2017/jul/10/seeds-terrorism-sown-home-domestic-violence-islamic-state">part
of what makes men become terrorists</a>.


feed_id: c9fca2de3cdcb3019d9c5dd2b7f7ec15
title: Arrest in China possibly a favor to troll
uri: Arrest-in-China-possibly-a-favor-to-troll
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#17_July_2017_%28Arrest_in_China_possibly_a_favor_to_troll%29

content:
<p>
After Hua Haifeng 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/jul/10/chinese-labour-activist-hua-haifeng-arrest-ivanka-trump-brand-huajian">investigated
abuse of workers</a> in the factory that makes shoes for Ivanka Trump
to sell, he was arrested.  He believes China did that as a favor to
the troll.


feed_id: c3331b5b009b9bf7494f3439b43d8981
title: UK sale of arms to Salafi Arabia
uri: UK-sale-of-arms-to-Salafi-Arabia
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#17_July_2017_%28UK_sale_of_arms_to_Salafi_Arabia%29
content:
<p>
A 
<a href="https://theintercept.com/2017/07/10/yemen-uk-arms-sales-high-court-ruling/">court
case to stop the UK from selling arms to Salafi Arabia</a> was
defeated.
<p>
The decision was based on secret evidence, considered in a secret
hearing.  There is no reason to suppose that the secret agencies were
telling the truth.  It is a whitewash and nothing more.


feed_id: fe81118de480e70388bdf6b22e4491b3
title: Saying vs doing
uri: Saying-vs-doing
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#17_July_2017_%28Saying_vs_doing%29
content:
<p>
Zuckerberg advocates a universal basic income, while Facebook 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2017/jul/10/mark-zuckerberg-universal-basic-income-facebook-tax">strains
to avoid contributing to the cost</a>.


feed_id: c7bf8587bd95abae5c1d4d32a6e47a7c
title: Anaheim repressing homeless people
uri: Anaheim-repressing-homeless-people
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#17_July_2017_%28Anaheim_repressing_homeless_people%29

content:
<p>
Anaheim California has 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2017/jul/10/disneyland-homeless-benches-anaheim-california">removed
the benches from its bus stops</a> because homeless people were
sleeping on them.  The city government says this has nothing to do
with being next to Disneyland — it's only to make sure bus
riders have a place to sit.
<p>
If that's really the motive, they can achieve it by putting other
benches in a reasonably convenient place (perhaps not on the main
avenue).  That would be cheaper than what they are doing, and would
not hurt the homeless people.


feed_id: e613e5846a17b2c3f5f4ac9625ac9ab3
title: ALEC sabotaging promotion of solar power
uri: ALEC-sabotaging-promotion-of-solar-power
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#17_July_2017_%28ALEC_sabotaging_promotion_of_solar_power%29

content:
<p>
ALEC is systematically using local utility companies to repeal the
state laws that promote home solar power by 
<a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2017/07/08/climate/rooftop-solar-panels-tax-credits-utility-companies-lobbying.html">making
utilities buy extra power the homes generate</a>.
<p>
The arguments presented by the utilities are based on the unstated
false premise that it is safe to go on using fossil fuels as we have
been doing — that we don't have an urgent need to reduce it.
<p>
This is surely related to the 
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#6_December_2015_(ALEC_organizing_sabotage_of_climate_plans)">funding
ALEC gets from planet roasters</a>.


feed_id: 4a29e82f445d7f050ec0fd45ace8954c
title: Cost of medical care
uri: Cost-of-medical-care
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#17_July_2017_%28Cost_of_medical_care%29
content:
<p>
Many Americans 
<a href="https://www.dailykos.com/story/2017/7/6/1678313/-They-said-it-s-esophageal-cancer-inoperable-we-re-calling-hospice">reduce
themselves to destitution</a> to pay for medical care for their loved
ones.  That's what Republicans stand for.
<p>
I applaud the views of the author, a Democrat running against such a
Republican incumbent in the Virginia state legislature.  However, I
disagree with him when he says that the Republican is not evil.
<p>
I think he has construed the word "evil" to mean "acting from hatred",
but that definition is too narrow.  To knowingly or callously crush
innocent people for private or partisan ends is evil, regardless of
the motive.
<p>
On the other hand, it may be that the Republican does hate them after
all.  Since most people do have a sense of compassion, mobilizing
people to crush another group often relies on dehumanizing the
intended victims by stirring up hate.  That's a 
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#14_July_2015_(Public_assistance)">standard
right-wing tactic</a>, which they standardly apply to anyone who can't
afford per needs.
<p>
I don't know for a fact that that Republican has demonized Americans
who are sick and without good medical coverage, or their spouses, but
it would fit the rest of the description of that person.


feed_id: 432aa4375263848d1c142af33474040c
title: NY Times omits facts that criticize troll
uri: NY-Times-omits-facts-that-criticize-troll
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#17_July_2017_%28NY_Times_omits_facts_that_criticize_troll%29

content:
<p>
Why did the New York Times revise a story about the troll to 
<a href="https://www.dailykos.com/story/2017/7/7/1678616/-Heavily-revised-New-York-Times-story-on-Trump-s-Poland-visit-takes-out-a-few-key-details">omit
some facts that criticize him</a>?


feed_id: ac97eed58df5bd243bb1f8456cfcca63
title: Harassment of employees in tech companies
uri: Harassment-of-employees-in-tech-companies
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#17_July_2017_%28Harassment_of_employees_in_tech_companies%29

content:
<p>
Harassment of employees (usually women) in tech companies is hidden
because of the widespread practice of 
<a href="http://money.cnn.com/2017/07/08/technology/culture/sexism-silicon-valley-code-of-conduct/index.html">making
employees sign non-disparagement agreements</a>.
<p>
Many of these companies also mistreat their customers and sometimes
the general public.  The same non-disparagement agreements mean that
ex-employees can be sued for blowing the whistle on these practices.
These contracts should not be allowed — we need a law to block
the enforcement of them.
<p>
Some companies have 
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2013-jan-apr.html#20_April_2013_(Dentist_demands_copyright_on_reviews)">tried
a form of non-disparagement with their customers, too</a>, and there
are now 
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2016-nov-feb.html#13_December_2016_(Customer_reviews)">some
laws against this scheme</a>.


feed_id: 49098db52a0db5de37820a5212372cfe
title: Life without social media
uri: Life-without-social-media
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#17_July_2017_%28Life_without_social_media%29
content:
<p>
Life Without Social Media Has Taught Me the 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2017/jul/10/social-media-24-hour-news-cycle">Virtues
of Being Social</a>.
<p>
In the free world we have social media that aren't designed to be
addictive.  So it is easier to use them as much as you really want to
and no more.  They are also not designed as a massive surveillance
system.


feed_id: a4477daca2ec226274b6bb8e00aa5130
title: Defense of the Amazon rain forest
uri: Defense-of-the-Amazon-rain-forest
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#17_July_2017_%28Defense_of_the_Amazon_rain_forest%29

content:
<p>
Brazilian state 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/jul/09/brazil-land-rights-murders-amazon-temer">plans
to reduce the defense</a> of the Amazon rain forest appear to be
related to criminals' attacks on inspectors and campaigners.
<p>
Meanwhile, the agency that is supposed to protect indigenous peoples
has been 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/jul/10/brazil-funai-indigenous-people-land">starved
of funds</a> and can no longer carry out its job.


feed_id: 5f21fc6fc1f8c6d36b96f1567f621810
title: Turks protest Erdo&gbreve;an's repression
uri: Turks-protest-Erdo-gbreve-an-s-repression
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#17_July_2017_%28Turks_protest_Erdogans_repression%29

content:
<p>
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/jul/09/turks-stage-largest-show-of-opposition-for-years-in-istanbul">Hundreds
of thousands of Turks</a> protested Erdo&gbreve;an's repression in
Istanbul.


feed_id: 853f2145d80febceac6a3f155e4ee667
title: Walmart causes local economy collapses
uri: Walmart-causes-local-economy-collapses
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#17_July_2017_%28Walmart_causes_local_economy_collapses%29

content:
<p>
When Walmart builds a store, it 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2017/jul/09/what-happened-when-walmart-left">causes
hundreds of smaller stores to close and the loss of many jobs</a>.
When Walmart closes its store, that doesn't bring those stores back.
<p>
Instead, the local economy collapses, people can't get jobs, and they
have little money to spend.  And they die many years younger than most
Americans.
<p>
Perhaps we should require large stores to put up a bond of millions of
dollars to reboot the local economy if the large store were to close.
However, it's more likely that the local people will respond by voting
for Republicans who will act to make things even worse.
<p>
Maybe we should just tax Walmart to cover the cost of all the public
assistance that its workers need because Walmart pays so little.  (Of
course, not only Walmart -- this should apply to all large
businesses.)


feed_id: 0fca092e218c41dc862747d87211556f
title: US-Russian ceasefire in Syria
uri: US-Russian-ceasefire-in-Syria
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#17_July_2017_%28US-Russian_ceasefire_in_Syria%29
content:
<p>
US-Russian Ceasefire 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/jul/09/us-russian-ceasefire-holding-in-southwest-syria-say-rebel-sources">Holding
in Southwest Syria</a>, Say Rebel Sources.


feed_id: 6c88ac651e827d06caf70ddb5b6d875d
title: Fire is an inequality issue
uri: 2017-07-18-Fire-is-an-inequality-issue
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#17_July_2017_%28Fire_is_an_inequality_issue%29
content:
<p>
The danger of a house fire
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/inequality/2017/jul/11/grenfell-tower-tragedy-worldwide-truth-fire-is-an-inequality-issue">
falls much heavier on the poor,
</a>
as a result of <a href="/glossary.html#doohnibor">dooH niboR</a>.


feed_id: da873e8b8d40809de6c6ed9fdd70b4ef
title: Black bloc violence
uri: 2017-07-18-Black-bloc-violence
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#17_July_2017_%28Black_bloc_violence%29
content:
<p>
Germany is
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/jul/10/g20-violence-prompts-calls-for-new-curbs-on-anti-capitalist-militants">
using the black bloc violence in Hamburg as an excuse
</a>
for
various repressive measures against leftists, violent or not.
<p>
Meanwhile, the violence provided the mainstream media with a useful
distraction from the real issues at stake, such as global heating and
globalization of low wages.  Whether they are sincere but benighted,
or thugs in disguise, they did the progressive cause no good.
<p>
The progressive organizations should declare the black bloc persona
non grata at important peaceful protests.

<a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#trump">
<a href="/glossary.html#trump">The troll</a>
</a>
gets lots of money
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2017/07/09/report-trump-continues-profit-lavishly-golf-club-membership-fees">
direct from each new member that joins one of
his golf courses.
</a>
Even from foreigners -- which is unconstitutional.


feed_id: 40bd7f77ff9248febf24977945c3faf2
title: Verging on treason
uri: 2017-07-18-Verging-on-treason
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#17_July_2017_%28Verging_on_treason%29
content:
<p>
Republican senators
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2017/jul/11/republicans-tim-kaine-donald-trump-jr-russia">
deny that Troll Jr's behavior verges on treason,
</a>
and even that it is grave.
<p>
It may be criminal 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2017/jul/11/dont-call-it-treason-trump-advisers-legal-jeopardy-is-deep-but-not-that-deep">
but not literally treason.
</a>
<p>
It has been clear for months that Republicans are traitors to the
United States, in a deeper broader sense that is different from
definition of the crime of treason.  They are trying to destroy or
pervert every democratic institution in the US, to crush them down so
that the people will have no way to resist whatever Republicans rulers
might subsequently do.
<p>
From eliminating filibuster against Supreme Court nominees, to
nullifying ethics rules, to sabotaging federal agencies, to fake news,
to violent threats, to eliminating network neutrality, to
gerrymandering, and then to voter suppression, the Republican attitude
toward the United States is, "We will grab power and never let go of
it.  By hook or by crook, we will."
      


feed_id: b2342b8160dd42098bb746668b732978
title: Urgent: Defend DACA
uri: Urgent-Defend-DACA
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#18_July_2017_%28Urgent%3A_Defend_DACA%29
content:
<p>
US citizens: 
<a href="https://petitions.moveon.org/sign/attorneys-general-protect">call
on state governors</a> to defend DACA.


feed_id: 82d290ebd5de5234b5cd7a7de4806202
title: Urgent: Requirements on military spending
uri: Urgent-Requirements-on-military-spending
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#18_July_2017_%28Urgent%3A_Requirements_on_military_spending%29

content:
<p>
US citizens: 
<a href="http://act.winwithoutwar.org/letter/ndaa-fy2018/">call on
Congress</a> to place a few specific requirements on military
spending.


feed_id: e79808164995bb8db5bed97b92988f0f
title: Urgent: Planned Parenthood funds
uri: Urgent-Planned-Parenthood-funds
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#18_July_2017_%28Urgent%3A_Planned_Parenthood_funds%29

content:
<p>
US citizens: 
<a href="https://www.istandwithpp.org/call">phone your senators</a> to
oppose 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2017/jul/14/republican-healthcare-bill-birth-control-contraception-mandate">plans
to cut off funds to Planned Parenthood</a>.
<p>
The latest version of the <a href="/glossary.html#care">Dontcare</a> bill would deny women coverage
for contraception.  That would mean an increase in the birth rate
and many women trapped in single parenthood.  (Also some more
abortions, perhaps illegal ones.)
<p>
The Capitol Switchboard numbers are 202-224-3121, 888-818-6641
and 888-355-3588.


feed_id: 695ca7cf139ba665580224206ae9cf74
title: Clean Air and Climate
uri: Clean-Air-and-Climate
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#18_July_2017_%28Clean_Air_and_Climate%29
content:
<p>
SCROTUS are <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2017/07/11/house-republicans-attack-clean-air-climate-budget-bill">attacking Clean Air and Climate</a> defense in a budget bill.


feed_id: 36463235ecabaaf352a2fb4aaf3ae5a2
title: Morgan Southern
uri: Morgan-Southern
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#18_July_2017_%28Morgan_Southern%29
content:
<p>
A US tricking company, Morgan Southern, makes drivers sign expensive
lease-to-own agreements, which require them to save a lot of their pay
in the company.  <a href="https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/2017/07/10/morgan-southern-fires-trucker-who-spoke-20-hour-workdays/103498144/">They lose it all if the company fires them for any
reason</a>.
<p>
Drivers can't refuse to drive illegally long shifts, or they would get fired.
<p>
Drivers can't testify about this illegal practice, or they would get fired.


feed_id: 9439ba57e0f3d796f6616f0508651810
title: College Education
uri: College-Education
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#18_July_2017_%28College_Education%29
content:
<p>
Just this year, <a href="https://www.vice.com/en_us/article/zmvz4x/most-republicans-think-college-is-ruining-america-vgtrn">right-wing Americans have mostly concluded that
college education is harmful</a> and bad for society.
<p>
This demonstrates how the Republican Party is becoming a kind of cult.
<p>
In the US, the high cost of the student loans can ruin a person's
life, but the education is still a good thing even if perhaps not
worth those loans.


feed_id: e9c1d6fcec10a6170f42fbbc7a374ffa
title: Repairable Goods
uri: Repairable-Goods
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#18_July_2017_%28Repairable_Goods%29
content:
<p>
The European Parliament is <a href="http://www.eubusiness.com/news-eu/durable-products.47bf/">considering requiring all goods to be
repairable</a>.


feed_id: 76707bec7c5e9d7eb4b59f00d9510979
title: Dontcare Bill
uri: 2017-07-18-Dontcare-Bill
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#18_July_2017_%28Dontcare_Bill%29
content:
<p>
A bullet wound is a "preexisting medical condition", so if the
Dontcare bill passes, <a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2017-07-06/don-t-expect-health-coverage-if-you-survive-a-gunshot-wound">anyone who was ever shot won't be able to get
usable medical insurance</a>.


feed_id: 930630fc33a2f986f1f650d0708d5a2a
title: Surveillance
uri: 2017-07-18-Surveillance
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#18_July_2017_%28Surveillance%29
content:
<p>
Surveillance is <a href="http://www.slate.com/articles/technology/future_tense/2017/07/women_young_people_experience_the_chilling_effects_of_surveillance_at_higher.html">especially intimidating to young people and women</a>.
<p>
I suppose that is because some of those people lack the sense of
entitlement that adult men often have.


feed_id: d859408733ee8258f54550aa059d90f2
title: Mohsen Dehnavi
uri: Mohsen-Dehnavi
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#18_July_2017_%28Mohsen_Dehnavi%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2017/jul/12/iran-cancer-researcher-detained-us-travel-ban-mohsen-dehnavi">US immigration thugs have sent Iranian cancer researcher Mohsen
Dehnavi back to Iran</a>, notwithstanding his visa and his job at
Children's Hospital.
<p>
Since they won't tell either him or us the supposed reasons, they are asking
us to take their word that there are good reasons.


feed_id: 98e3da5b159ca042760254f74d2ec162
title: Reef Ecosystems
uri: Reef-Ecosystems
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#18_July_2017_%28Reef_Ecosystems%29
content:
<p>
Lots of forests are being cut down in Australia near the Great
Barrier Reef, and the runoff is <a href="Https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2017/jul/12/exclusive-government-inaction-leading-to-increased-pollution-on-barrier-reef-says-wwf">endangering the reef ecosystems</a>.


feed_id: 19edb444b1aa8a3068a054491222d4aa
title: Terrorist Funding
uri: Terrorist-Funding
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#18_July_2017_%28Terrorist_Funding%29
content:
<p>
Qatar has offered the US <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/jul/11/rex-tillerson-qatar-gulf-saudi-arabia-terrorism">a plan to block terrorist funding</a>, which
challenges <a href="/glossary.html#salafi">Salafi Arabia</a> and the UAE to do likewise.


feed_id: 109f833253478ee713a73f833ee791ea
title: Macron
uri: Macron
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#18_July_2017_%28Macron%29
content:
<p>
Macron cited Africa's excessive population growth rate as a grave problem.
In response, people with an axe to grind are <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2017/jul/11/slur-africans-macron-radical-pretence-over">distorting his statement
and hurling insults at their distortions</a>.
<p>
For instance, the author rebukes him for blaming only women,
but recognize he didn't.  The author seems to have an axe to grind.
<p>
It is easy to find parties to blame.  <a href="/glossary.html#trump">The troll</a> is one.  Churches are
another.  But the crucial question is not "Whose fault is this?" but
"What can we do about this?"  Those to blame are relevant only
in looking for ways to overcome them.
<p>
I am no supporter of Macron in general.  He wants to reduce workers
wages and rights in the neoliberal name of "reform" and "flexibility
for businesses".


feed_id: cb8c02a77e83ae6239a3fd148a8b00b5
title: The Ronald Reagan Lie
uri: The-Ronald-Reagan-Lie
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#18_July_2017_%28The_Ronald_Reagan_Lie%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2017/07/11/ending-ronald-reagan-lie"><cite>Ending the Ronald Reagan Lie</cite></a> (that the government can't help people).
<p>
Reaganites began destroying the effective government systems that
helped people (though some, such as Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid
still operate).
<p>
To make sure that we could not bring these back, Reaganites imposed
their bogus "trickle down" system of tax cuts for the rich, which has
redistributed wealth to the rich ever since.  Their "free trade"
<a href="/business-supremacy-treaties.html">business-supremacy treaties</a>
  were put into practice by Reagan's successors, driving down wages
and working conditions around the world.  Now non-wealthy people can't
afford to live, and the <a href="/articles/why-we-need-a-state.html">government hasn't got the money to do many the
jobs that we need it to do</a>.


feed_id: 986f3600e39bfe538a346da2fde030e1
title: US-backed Iraqi forces
uri: US-backed-Iraqi-forces
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#18_July_2017_%28US-backed_Iraqi_forces%29
content:
<p>
Amnesty International says the US-backed Iraqi forces <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2017/07/11/destroying-mosul-save-it-possible-us-backed-war-crimes-iraq-exposed">committed war
crimes</a> in recapturing Mosul by failing to try to protect civilians.
For instance, they fired lots of unguided and inaccurate rockets at
civilian housing.


feed_id: 369a2092ef933385b03e61de6d10fa3c
title: Willard Scott
uri: Willard-Scott
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#18_July_2017_%28Willard_Scott%29
content:
<p>
Willard Scott was killed by a thug.  The <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2017/jul/11/police-shooting-north-carolina-willard-scott-autopsy">autopsy says the thug shot
him in the back</a>.


feed_id: 2b43b99632a3aa11e5959100acb738fa
title: Dontcare
uri: Dontcare
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#18_July_2017_%28Dontcare%29
content:
<p>
The Senate majority leader has <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2017/jul/11/mitch-mcconnell-delays-senate-recess-healthcare-plan">kept the senate in session for three
extra weeks</a> to pressure Republicans to vote for the Dontcare bill.
<p>
They are desperate to deliver the big tax cut to the job exporters.


feed_id: b61570d66b7a61c158abbf3de2072fac
title: Tobacco
uri: Tobacco
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#18_July_2017_%28Tobacco%29
content:
<p>
British American Tobacco and other companies are <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/jul/12/big-tobacco-dirty-war-africa-market">trying to stop many
African countries</a> from adopting US-style regulations on tobacco use
and sale.
<p>
The company says it is in favor of regulating tobacco, just not in ways
that might reduce the use of tobacco.
<p>
Tobacco addiction has decreased greatly in the wealthy countries
which have taken steps to reduce it, but <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/jul/11/how-big-tobacco-has-survived-death-and-taxes">world-wide tobacco use
is increasing</a> as the companies steamroll public health campaigns
in poor countries.


feed_id: 6e1313d1b2a9fae9f16d0aaeb4890840
title: Dalits
uri: 2017-07-18-Dalits
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#18_July_2017_%28Dalits%29
content:
<p>
Caste Hindus believe Dalits are supposed to be ignorant, and that they should
be forbidden to learn Sanskrit.  <a href="http://www.livemint.com/Politics/OVM3Pby01fN7wbAUIJHoXJ/From-manual-scavenger-to-professor-the-journey-of-Kaushal-P.html">When Dalits insist on studying Sanskrit,
they face cruelty</a> from their classmates and teachers.


feed_id: 0c64749f662631f4af257453faef79eb
title: Medicine
uri: Medicine
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#18_July_2017_%28Medicine%29
content:
<p>
Some New Age <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/books/2017/jul/12/the-angry-chef-by-anthony-warner-review">superstitions kill people</a> who choose them
instead of effective medicine.
<p>
Don't fill your mind with newage (rhymes with "sewage").


feed_id: 4fcc576bf46220c377fd350aff582fa2
title: Family Income
uri: Family-Income
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#18_July_2017_%28Family_Income%29
content:
<p>
A meta-analysis finds that family income is closely <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/inequality/2017/jul/12/household-income-crucial-role-children-life-prospects-lse-report">associated with a
child's successful cognitive, social, educational and physical development</a>.
<p>
This confirms what we already know: growing up in poverty tends to
handicap a child for life.  It is a moral responsibility to make laws
that ensure no child grows up in poverty.  If we want to "leave no
child behind", forget high-pressure testing and give schools and
families adequate support.


feed_id: d593c75736b5992471c5cdc0ac986823
title: Sexting
uri: 2017-07-18-Sexting
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#18_July_2017_%28Sexting%29
content:
<p>
UK thugs are more reasonable than US thugs and prosecutors in <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/society/2017/jul/12/sexting-boy-five-400-police-children-explicit-pictures">dealing
with sexting</a>.
<p>
It should not be a crime at all to send people sexual photos of
yourself, but perhaps it should be a crime to pressure (or coerce)
anyone else to do so.
<p>
However, what we most need to do in this area is to teach other
adolescents to stop condemning the adolescents that do this.


feed_id: 5422f5217cdada04568a1c3ac6d8365e
title: Technology
uri: Technology
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#18_July_2017_%28Technology%29
content:
<p>
Advance of technology is harmful to the public in many cases.
It is <a href="http://www1.cs.columbia.edu/~unger/articles/techMisuse.html">not clear that technological advance is beneficial overall
under plutocratic rule</a>.


feed_id: 0afce44b1ae568fb543ff625b7d81a72
title: Urgent: Arctic National Wildlife Refuge
uri: Urgent-Arctic-National-Wildlife-Refuge
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#18_July_2017_%28Urgent%3A_Arctic_National_Wildlife_Refuge%29

content:
<p>
US citizens: 
<a href="https://secure.defenders.org/site/Advocacy?cmd=display&page=UserAction&id=3217">call
for protecting</a> the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge.


feed_id: b0bf495e0c84769b1befec5f6967c7bc
title: Urgent: Oppose tax cuts for the rich
uri: 2017-07-19-Urgent-Oppose-tax-cuts-for-the-rich
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#18_July_2017_%28Urgent%3A_Oppose_tax_cuts_for_the_rich%29

content:
<p>
US citizens: 
<a href="https://act.credoaction.com/sign/no_wallst_handouts">oppose
the Republican "tax reform"</a> (i.e., tax cuts for the rich).
<p>
When Reagan did this, he needed to fool Americans with his "trickle
down" theory.  Nowadays, Republicans don't bother trying to convince
Americans with an imitation of rationally, they just intend do impose
their will.


feed_id: 4985db6860fe6c10b7b81e38918f9b6c
title: Thugs jail peaceful protesters
uri: Thugs-jail-peaceful-protesters
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#18_July_2017_%28Thugs_jail_peaceful_protesters%29
content:
<p>
Louisiana thugs 
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2017/07/11/protest-your-own-peril-new-report-details-baton-rouge-police-mistreatment-locked">jailed
peaceful civil rights protesters</a>, then threatened them with
violence; denied them medical care, tampons, toilet paper, even
drinking water; subjected them to freezing cold; denied them a phone
call; did not let them sit or lie down; and strip-searched them as
harassment.


feed_id: 203ae0f2e6f65ae3c18200aa39b6efec
title: The Espionage Act
uri: 2017-07-19-The-Espionage-Act
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#18_July_2017_%28The_Espionage_Act%29
content:
<p>
The ACLU explains 
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2017/07/11/reality-winner-latest-face-prosecution-under-awful-world-war-i-espionage-act">how
the Espionage Act should be changed</a> so that it respects and
supports democracy.


feed_id: 1f3ce7ee09370498d0f25bff049ebb2d
title: Genetic information privacy laws
uri: Genetic-information-privacy-laws
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#18_July_2017_%28Genetic_information_privacy_laws%29
content:
<p>
<a href="/glossary.html#scrotus">SCROTUS</a> want to eliminate 
<a href="http://www.nejm.org/doi/10.1056/NEJMp1705283">genetic
information privacy laws</a>, which are terribly inadequate to start
with.


feed_id: c8165f7d6dd40d722b6d7463f0fd3846
title: The request for data about voters
uri: The-request-for-data-about-voters
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#19_July_2017_%28The_request_for_data_about_voters%29

content:
<p>
<a href="/glossary.html#trump">The troll</a>'s voter-suppression planning commission (to call it what it
really is) has 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2017/jul/13/donald-trump-election-integrity-commission-voter-data-backlash">dropped
its request for data about all voters</a>.
<p>
This is clearly due to the strength of the resistance.


feed_id: 509460747602481257b4c34c3994862d
title: Housing
uri: Housing
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#19_July_2017_%28Housing%29
content:
<p>
The London housing project fire is merely the most shocking single
example of 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2017/jul/13/grenfell-shone-light-lost-housing-rights-money-spinning-machines">systematic
right-wing disregard for housing as something everyone needs</a>.
<p>
Starting under Thatcher, the Tories converted it into a scheme for
<a href="/glossary.html#doohnibor">dooH niboR</a>, and B'liar's New Labour continued that.


feed_id: deab1e31288a80790e6c18c15750cc46
title: Google influences public policy research
uri: Google-influences-public-policy-research
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#19_July_2017_%28Google_influences_public_policy_research%29

content:
<p>
Google provides millions of dollars in sponsorship to research on
public policy issues, and 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2017/jul/13/google-millions-academic-research-influence-opinion">most
of the researchers don't acknowledge</a> they are funded by Google.
<p>
Even if the Campaign for Accountability does something similar,
that doesn't make it ok for either one.


feed_id: 6503032ea0021eeb8acd14f09001ee67
title: Bernie Sanders
uri: 2017-07-20-Bernie-Sanders
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#19_July_2017_%28Bernie_Sanders%29
content:
<p>
Sanders might consider running for president in 2020, but 
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2017/07/12/its-too-early-says-bernie-sanders-2020-run-not-table">urges
people to focus on fighting Republican sabotage</a>.


feed_id: ac99a8f623bb6ff7d0b67ddfb84bd2a0
title: Sources of greenhouse gas emissions
uri: Sources-of-greenhouse-gas-emissions
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#19_July_2017_%28Sources_of_greenhouse_gas_emissions%29

content:
<p>
Just 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/sustainable-business/2017/jul/10/100-fossil-fuel-companies-investors-responsible-71-global-emissions-cdp-study-climate-change">100
Companies</a> Responsible for 71% of Global [Greenhouse Gas]
Emissions, Study Says.


feed_id: 724fb42720b4fb6e8abc4dc463533362
title: How power profits from disaster
uri: How-power-profits-from-disaster
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#19_July_2017_%28How_power_profits_from_disaster%29
content:
<p>
Naomi Klein: 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2017/jul/06/naomi-klein-how-power-profits-from-disaster">how
power profits from disaster</a>.


feed_id: cc69f5375bdd8f310ad14d20a89278cf
title: Dangers of national ID cards
uri: Dangers-of-national-ID-cards
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#19_July_2017_%28Dangers_of_national_ID_cards%29
content:
<p>
ACLU: the 
<a href="https://www.aclu.org/other/5-problems-national-id-cards">five
dangers</a> of national ID cards.


feed_id: c82bdb882914959539e57d90c0b884f9
title: Global heating disaster
uri: 2017-07-20-Global-heating-disaster
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#19_July_2017_%28Global_heating_disaster%29
content:
<p>
To appreciate global heating disaster, don't think of a hot summer
day.  Think of 
<a href="http://nymag.com/daily/intelligencer/2017/07/climate-change-earth-too-hot-for-humans.html">disease,
flooding, food shortage, dying oceans, smog, war, and poverty</a>.
<p>
It's not guaranteed all these things will happen.  (I am skeptical
that unknown diseases from the past would be able to attack humans.)
But if most of them happen, it will be a terrible global disaster that
could kill billions of people.
<p>
Even if we can't prevent the disaster, we can make it smaller.


feed_id: 58b59a86c5ee2623301d96582c371a5b
title: Rising seas
uri: 2017-07-20-Rising-seas
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#19_July_2017_%28Rising_seas%29
content:
<p>
Rising seas are 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2017/jul/13/the-island-is-being-eaten-how-climate-change-is-threatening-the-torres-strait">swamping
an Australian island</a>.


feed_id: f5e9812c48492be0cc2cf8aa58a03444
title: Al-Jazeera
uri: Al-Jazeera
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#19_July_2017_%28Al-Jazeera%29
content:
<p>
The 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/media/2017/jul/12/anti-qatar-alliance-renews-attack-on-al-jazeera-arabic">economic
war against Qatar</a> is really about al-Jazeera.


feed_id: 937c117ed9a2e12b4b7e475f3907b463
title: Brazil's corrupt politicians
uri: Brazil-s-corrupt-politicians
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#19_July_2017_%28Brazils_corrupt_politicians%29
content:
<p>
Former Brazilian president Lula was 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/jul/12/brazil-president-lula-convicted-corruption">convicted
of taking a million-dollar bribe</a>.
<p>
I am disappointed in Lula for this.
<p>
If Brazil is going to prosecute its corrupt politicians and kick them
out of government, Lula should not be exempt.  Kick them all out.
<p>
However, if Brazil is going to allow corrupt right-wing politicians
such as fill Congress to remain in power, then Lula, who is innocent
by comparison, should be allowed to run against them.


feed_id: b6bbc9e731bcbd67bb61a9f150149697
title: Children and global heating
uri: Children-and-global-heating
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#19_July_2017_%28Children_and_global_heating%29
content:
<p>
A study confirms: the biggest thing you can do to reduce global
heating is to
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2017/jul/12/want-to-fight-climate-change-have-fewer-children">have
fewer children</a>.
<p>
How about having no children?  Your life will be 
<a href="/articles/children.html">tremendously easier</a>, and if you
would like to care for children, there are many options, ranging from
adopting a child to running activities for children, which won't
increase the world's population but will make children's lives better.
<p>
You can also operate at large scale by campaigning for progressive
politicians which will help spare children the 
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#18_July_2017_(Family_Income)">stunting
effect of growing up in poverty</a> (and thus stress).
<p>
Having fewer children in the US is very important because Americans
emit so much greenhouse gas per person.
<p>
Having fewer children in Africa is very important, even though the
emissions per capita there are much smaller, because Africa is on
track to have more population than it can grow food for.
<p>
Global birth control efforts are 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2017/jul/09/2017-the-year-we-lost-control-of-world-population-surge-london-family-planning-contraception-summit-trump">faltering</a>.


feed_id: 494632e6bd07d7be4cb41c4074d8c1c3
title: Social media and resurgent socialism
uri: Social-media-and-resurgent-socialism
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#19_July_2017_%28Social_media_and_resurgent_socialism%29

content:
<p>
Social media is a 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/media/2017/jul/12/social-media-socialism-jeremy-corbyn-bernie-sanders">big
help to resurgent socialism</a>.


feed_id: 24b38ec33b26e95c130fce1c7736cd60
title: Bangladeshi dissident kidnaped
uri: Bangladeshi-dissident-kidnaped
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#19_July_2017_%28Bangladeshi_dissident_kidnaped%29
content:
<p>
A Bangladeshi dissident activist was 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/jul/12/bangladeshs-disappeared-rights-activist-found-on-bus-speaks-out">kidnaped
for 12 hours</a>, then released, after nothing much worse than being
slapped many times.
<p>
This is peculiar, since most of those who are kidnaped and released
are afraid to say what happened to them.


feed_id: a6145f81b48598236e44c2b514db9c12
title: India wants to censor Amartya Sen documentary
uri: India-wants-to-censor-Amartya-Sen-documentary
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#19_July_2017_%28India_wants_to_censor_Amartya_Sen_documentary%29

content:
<p>
The Indian state wants to censor a documentary about Amartya Sen to
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/jul/12/indian-film-censors-demand-removal-hindu-cow-film-nobel-amartya-sen">cover
up his criticism of the ruling party's religious ideology</a>.


feed_id: 4650091a3ddde3f4339541fd81095701
title: Troll's continued business participation
uri: Troll-s-continued-business-participation
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#19_July_2017_%28Trolls_continued_business_participation%29

content:
<p>
<a href="/glossary.html#cheater">The cheater</a> said he would resign from direct participation in many
businesses, but that was bullshit — he 
<a href="https://theintercept.com/2017/07/12/trump-dropped-the-ball-on-paperwork-to-officially-resign-from-several-businesses/">didn't
actually do it</a>.


feed_id: f65ceb0a93e2b33e00ae4a8955aa5e44
title: Ban on sale of ivory
uri: Ban-on-sale-of-ivory
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#19_July_2017_%28Ban_on_sale_of_ivory%29
content:
<p>
Rakuten has 
<a href="http://www.awf.org/news/awf-welcomes-rakuten-ban-ivory-sales">agreed
to stop selling ivory</a>.


feed_id: 7d8a0620d5943f8027fe5c8b18e74bb5
title: Black bloc violence
uri: 2017-07-20-Black-bloc-violence
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#17_July_2017_%28Black_bloc_violence%29
content:
<p>
Germany is
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/jul/10/g20-violence-prompts-calls-for-new-curbs-on-anti-capitalist-militants">
using the black bloc violence in Hamburg as an excuse
</a>
for
various repressive measures against leftists, violent or not.
<p>
Meanwhile, the violence provided the mainstream media with a useful
distraction from the real issues at stake, such as global heating and
globalization of low wages.  Whether they are sincere but benighted,
or thugs in disguise, they did the progressive cause no good.
<p>
The progressive organizations should declare the black bloc persona
non grata at important peaceful protests.


feed_id: 75ce776e4b08155c7003ca07f0ffb530
title: Unconstitutional
uri: Unconstitutional
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#17_July_2017_%28Unconstitutional%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#trump">The troll</a>
gets lots of money
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2017/07/09/report-trump-continues-profit-lavishly-golf-club-membership-fees">
direct from each new member that joins one of
his golf courses.
</a>
Even from foreigners -- which is unconstitutional.


feed_id: bf4d88412d9903ebd7dad07aacba98b4
title: Rolling Back Regulations
uri: Rolling-Back-Regulations
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#20_July_2017_%28Rolling_Back_Regulations%29
content:
<p>
The troll has set up several <a href="https://www.propublica.org/article/trump-teams-rolling-back-regulations-led-by-hires-with-deep-industry-ties">sabotage teams to search for regulations
to eliminate</a> in order to aid their employers to profit more.
  These profits will be at the expense of their customers, or the
general public.


feed_id: b5701b505271c9fa4529c875e0f548de
title: Removing President Temer
uri: Removing-President-Temer
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#20_July_2017_%28Removing_President_Temer%29
content:
<p>
Brazilians have <a href="https://theintercept.com/2017/07/12/as-momentum-grows-to-remove-brazils-president-new-pressure-campaign-sparks-rage/">launched a campaign</a> to pressure Congress to remove
corrupt President Temer.


feed_id: b3419880f74c42bc62982c91309fc5d6
title: Denying Asylum
uri: Denying-Asylum
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#20_July_2017_%28Denying_Asylum%29
content:
<p>
The US is being sued for <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2017/jul/12/lawsuit-us-hblocked-asylum-seekers-access-to-process-mexico">denying asylum seekers</a> at the Mexican border
their legal right to ask for asylum and get their requests considered.


feed_id: 2147e7ffc64e431b9c10302666e0fa34
title: Disconnecting British Laws from EU Laws
uri: Disconnecting-British-Laws-from-EU-Laws
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#20_July_2017_%28Disconnecting_British_Laws_from_EU_Laws%29

content:
<p>
The Tories <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2017/jul/13/great-repeal-bill-human-rights-clause-sets-up-brexit-clash-with-labour">propose giant bill to disconnect British laws from EU laws</a>
and plan to use it to eviscerate human rights in Britain in the process.


feed_id: 8a161184d54f909cb1c0fa84abda40a1
title: Canceling New CFPB Rule
uri: Canceling-New-CFPB-Rule
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#20_July_2017_%28Canceling_New_CFPB_Rule%29
content:
<p>
SCROTUS are hard at work to <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2017/07/12/serving-wall-street-predators-gop-launches-swift-attack-new-rule-protecting">cancel the <abbr title="Consumer Financial Protection Bureau">CFPB</abbr>'s new rule</a> ensuring
cheated bank customers can file a class-action suit instead of using
bank-imposed arbitration.


feed_id: 33c48a9a9895ac67b9085e7d80263d1a
title: Natural Gas and Oil
uri: Natural-Gas-and-Oil
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#20_July_2017_%28Natural_Gas_and_Oil%29
content:
<p>
Fossil fools congratulated the US for the prospect of <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/business/2017/jul/13/us-worlds-top-gas-exporter-2020-iea-russia-norway">greatly increased
natural gas and oil exports</a> in the next decade.
<p>
The fossil fools failed to commiserate with the Earth for the disaster this
is going to cause.


feed_id: 583bece98c615dbf33c5ffed40605873
title: Copyrighting
uri: Copyrighting
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#20_July_2017_%28Copyrighting%29
content:
<p>
Legal requirements, including fire safety codes, <a href="https://www.techdirt.com/articles/20170705/23532937726/copyright-law-grenfell-fire-why-we-cannot-let-legal-standards-be-locked-up-copyright.shtml">must not be copyrighted</a>.
They must be available without hindrance to everyone.


feed_id: 63c4a8bf23527e4fbc6428b261ca999a
title: Proposed FBI Head
uri: Proposed-FBI-Head
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#20_July_2017_%28Proposed_FBI_Head%29
content:
<p>
The troll's proposed FBI head has a <a href="http://www.truth-out.org/news/item/41232-trump-s-fbi-pick-has-a-troubling-history-on-digital-liberties">bad record of supporting more
surveillance</a>.

Net Neutrality
<a href="https://consumerist.com/2017/07/12/no-att-comcast-and-verizon-are-not-suddenly-in-favor-of-net-neutrality/#more-10283474"><cite>No, AT&T, Comcast, And Verizon Are Not Suddenly In Favor Of Net Neutrality</cite></a>.
  They are covering up how they have fought against it,
and proposing ways to implement net neutrality that can't work.


feed_id: 1db9800a7fba8ff0945719b6bf0870b3
title: Decrypting Customers' Messages
uri: Decrypting-Customers-Messages
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#20_July_2017_%28Decrypting_Customers%27_Messages%29
content:
<p>
Australia is planning to force messaging companies to <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2017/jul/14/new-law-would-force-facebook-and-google-to-give-police-access-to-encrypted-messages">decrypt
customers' messages</a>, with no specific rule about how to do that.
  Perhaps by not really encrypting messages at all.
<p>
I have a bad feeling that a requirement is coming to <a href="https://gnu.org/malware/proprietary-jails.html">make every computer
a jail</a>.


feed_id: 82a16c18111588c0238466cd508b03b9
title: Business-Dominated Globalization
uri: Business-Dominated-Globalization
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#20_July_2017_%28Business-Dominated_Globalization%29
content:
<p>
Economists are <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/jul/14/globalisation-the-rise-and-fall-of-an-idea-that-swept-the-world">gradually rejecting the dogma</a> that business-dominated
globalization is good for society.
<p>
I've posted many times about why it is not, including <a href="/business-supremacy-treaties.html">here</a>.
  The logic for globalization disregarded its side effects, including the
lost of democracy.


feed_id: c685f3af2fb2cb62853f21e7381390b7
title: Hong Kong Parliament
uri: 2017-07-20-Hong-Kong-Parliament
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#20_July_2017_%28Hong_Kong_Parliament%29
content:
<p>
A subservient Hong Kong judge has <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/jul/14/hong-kong-pro-democracy-legislators-disqualified-parliament">excluded all the pro-democracy
legislators</a> from the Hong Kong parliament.  In the future, supporters
of democracy will have to take their oath of office insincerely.
<p>
That is legitimate.  Pledging loyalty to a tyrant is wrong only if you
mean it.


feed_id: d23f360db86c65f856cd70a68fe29c75
title: Circular Economy
uri: Circular-Economy
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#20_July_2017_%28Circular_Economy%29
content:
<p>
Recycling is good, but the "circular economy" is not just recycling --
it <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/sustainable-business/2017/jul/14/circular-economy-not-magical-fix-environmental-woes-global-corporations">means that people can never own anything</a>, only rent everything from
a company.
<p>
It could be efficient, even reduce pollution.  But unless we are very
careful about it, it will leave you with no autonomy.


feed_id: 5f512d5d07bc759149d3f236aff6591e
title: Deporting US Veterans
uri: Deporting-US-Veterans
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#20_July_2017_%28Deporting_US_Veterans%29
content:
<p>
War veterans often end up in the gutter from their experiences.  When
this happens to US veterans that are not citizens, they <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2017/jul/14/iraq-war-veteran-chong-kim-deportation-portland-interview">face the
danger of deportation</a> to countries they haven't seen for decades.


feed_id: f7ed7b4c3acffe0acfaee04bcfb99a47
title: Worker Rights
uri: Worker-Rights
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#20_July_2017_%28Worker_Rights%29
content:
<p>
Precarious workers <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2017/jul/14/zero-hours-workers-taylor-review-gig-economy-flexible-contracts">deserve all the rights</a> of other workers, not a tiny fraction.


feed_id: abcf2d699a388ee357ab3a094c94daf7
title: Liu Xiaobo
uri: 2017-07-20-Liu-Xiaobo
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#20_July_2017_%28Liu_Xiaobo%29
content:
<p>
As activists rebuke China for keeping effectively prisoner Liu Xiaobo
as he died, and perhaps for making sure he couldn't be treated, the
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/jul/14/death-of-liu-xiaobo-activists-scorn-trump-for-hailing-terrific-xi">troll praises the tyrant of China</a> instead.
<p>
This is surprisingly consistent, for the troll.  He sincerely admires
tyrants, and sincerely despises those who defend human rights that
often get in his way.


feed_id: a77909c2c87b09ee403dc6f1b2b98b5c
title: Tobacco
uri: 2017-07-20-Tobacco
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#20_July_2017_%28Tobacco%29
content:
<p>
The tobacco company Philip Morris is running a <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/business/2017/jul/13/philip-morris-international-tobacco-smoking-treaty">worldwide campaign</a> to harass states that adopt regulations to reduce smoking.
<p>
Tobacco companies are <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/jul/13/tobacco-industry-trump-administration-ties">buying influence in the US too</a>, finding
Republicans eager prey.


feed_id: c3d503e877f40bf86ca25af25d6e7e51
title: America's Oligarchy
uri: America-s-Oligarchy
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#20_July_2017_%28America%27s_Oligarchy%29
content:
<p>
The greatest US story never told (or hardly ever) is about the <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2017/07/13/greatest-story-too-rarely-told-america-oligarchy">replacement
of democracy with an oligarchy</a> (I call it plutocracy).


feed_id: 4035ad563db558412f061f0bde2eb1d5
title: Foreign Terrorist Funding
uri: Foreign-Terrorist-Funding
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#20_July_2017_%28Foreign_Terrorist_Funding%29
content:
<p>
The UK government has <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2017/jul/12/uk-terror-funding-report-will-not-be-published-for-national-security-reasons">buried the report</a> on foreign terrorist funding,
apparently to protect Salafi Arabia.
<p>
The reasons given are absurd.  If there are personal names that ought
to be protected, it's easy to do so and still release the politically
important info about what countries are doing.
<p>
Even if Salafi Arabia is not funding terrorism as such, it is <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/jul/13/saudi-arabia-boosting-extremism-in-europe-says-former-ambassador">funding
radicalization</a> through its version of Islam.
<p>
Someone seems to have funded jihadi violence in Syria while Syrians
were trying to hold nonviolent protests,  I've seen suggestions that some
of the Gulf states did that.


feed_id: ffbdaa17f70807927d2858ff6ceb83a2
title: Biofuel
uri: Biofuel
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#20_July_2017_%28Biofuel%29
content:
<p>
Current forms of biofuel do not help avoid global heating disaster.
They are <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2017/jul/14/biofuels-need-to-be-improved-for-battle-against-climate-change">as bad as fossil fuels</a> and they drive up food prices.


feed_id: 544957ef079e0cdbb3d4d916f25ae955
title: Arctic Oil Drilling
uri: Arctic-Oil-Drilling
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#20_July_2017_%28Arctic_Oil_Drilling%29
content:
<p>
The US approved <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2017/jul/13/us-approves-oil-drilling-in-alaska-waters-marine-life-fear">oil drilling in Arctic waters</a>, 
  where <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2017-jan-apr.html#3_January_2017_(Oil_extraction_ban)">spills could not be cleaned up</a> and could take many decades to
clean themselves up.
<p>
Any new oil extraction project is harmful because <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jul-oct.html#19_September_2016_(Risk_of_oil_extraction_in_the_Arctic)">it will make the
path to disaster easier</a>.


feed_id: 687f426183da0ebf0c8290e3944949ad
title: Trump Russia Drama
uri: Trump-Russia-Drama
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#20_July_2017_%28Trump_Russia_Drama%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2017/jul/13/donald-trump-russia-drama-jill-abramson"><cite>Donald Trump - not his son - is the real protagonist of the Russia drama</cite></a>


feed_id: a4cb06e6da302aa961fd94cc9808bb18
title: Murdering Prisoner in Mosul
uri: Murdering-Prisoner-in-Mosul
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#20_July_2017_%28Murdering_Prisoner_in_Mosul%29
content:
<p>
A video appears to show Iraqi soldiers <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/jul/13/video-footage-appears-to-show-iraqi-troops-killing-unarmed-isis-fighter">murdering a prisoner in Mosul</a>.


feed_id: 3e8349570349a511efef8fe04ef7fb1e
title: Liu Xiaobo
uri: 2017-07-20-Liu-Xiaobo
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#20_July_2017_%28Liu_Xiaobo%29
content:
<p>
China <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/jul/13/liu-xiaobo-nobel-laureate-chinese-political-prisoner-dies-61">kept Liu Xiaobo in prison even in hospital until he was dead</a>.
<p>
Perhaps it killed him too, by denying medical care.


feed_id: df145580c41a8b69fa2659cafd650c6c
title: Countering Violent Extremism
uri: Countering-Violent-Extremism
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#20_July_2017_%28Countering_Violent_Extremism%29
content:
<p>
The US "countering violent extremism" program is intended to head
Muslims off from being radicalized and becoming terrorists.  Its first
flaw is that <a href="https://www.justsecurity.org/42998/trump-administration-reason-discontinue-cve/">nobody understands how that goal could be achieved</a>.
<p>
Its second flaw is that it ignores the right-wing racist terrorism
which is equally dangerous, or perhaps more dangerous now that the troll
encourages it.


feed_id: 6fccd2376d0660a52b634ec9620565c0
title: Border Thugs
uri: Border-Thugs
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#20_July_2017_%28Border_Thugs%29
content:
<p>
A <a href="https://www.aclu.org/blog/speak-freely/my-family-and-i-were-detained-gunpoint-and-then-held-hours-us-canada-border-im">US citizen was held for 10 hours</a>, in handcuffs, with no food or
water, as he tried to enter the US from Canada.
<p>
The border thugs refuse, as always, to explain or present any charges.
They punish arbitrarily.  However, they can't legally do so to a US citizen.


feed_id: ce42a955e9315413e9336c40af86f6eb
title: Troll's Collusion
uri: Troll-s-Collusion
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#20_July_2017_%28Troll%27s_Collusion%29
content:
<p>
The troll's apparent collusion with Russia is shocking, but his
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2017/07/12/trumps-worst-collusion-isnt-russia-its-corporations">indusputable collusion with US oligarchs and corporations</a> is the
bigger danger to Americans.


feed_id: 970266d053f6f3f3335501e3f50861ed
title: Funding Terrorism
uri: Funding-Terrorism
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#20_July_2017_%28Funding_Terrorism%29
content:
<p>
The Tories are getting strong condemnation for <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2017/jul/12/uk-terror-funding-report-will-not-be-published-for-national-security-reasons">covering up</a> the role
of Salafi Arabia in funding terrorism.


feed_id: 90fca25efeaf1663900d3c083575849a
title: Forced Arbitration
uri: Forced-Arbitration
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#20_July_2017_%28Forced_Arbitration%29
content:
<p>
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau has made a rule to stop banks
from using forced arbitration clauses to get away with cheating their
customers.  Naturally <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2017/07/12/serving-wall-street-predators-gop-launches-swift-attack-new-rule-protecting">SCROTUS are trying to cancel this</a>.


feed_id: b1bcd926317ca522bfa767b1bc02736b
title: Pro-Democracy Rally in Istanbul
uri: Pro-Democracy-Rally-in-Istanbul
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#20_July_2017_%28Pro-Democracy_Rally_in_Istanbul%29
content:
<p>
The massive pro-democracy rally in Istanbul <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/jul/13/talk-of-resurgent-turkish-democracy-dominates-failed-coup">compelled Erdogan to
permit it</a> to occur, which has enabled Turkey to recognize the support
that still exists for democracy and human rights.


feed_id: 8adc7079381bfc5d1312ae165db6d7c8
title: Cholera Epidemic in Yemen
uri: Cholera-Epidemic-in-Yemen
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#20_July_2017_%28Cholera_Epidemic_in_Yemen%29
content:
<p>
The cholera epidemic in Yemen has <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/jul/13/cholera-is-everywhere-yemen-epidemic-spiralling-out-of-control">infected roughly 300,000 people</a>
and is still spreading.
<p>
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#19_May_2017_(Cholera_spreading_to_Yemen)">This epidemic was caused, purely and simply</a>,
by Salafi Arabia's
bombardment campaign, <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2017-jan-apr.html#22_March_2017_(Yemen)">carried out with direct US assistance</a>.
<p>
The US had no grounds to fight against the Houthis, and no reason to
regard them as enemies.  By deciding to fight them, it gratuitously
made an enemy, locking itself further into the series of wars
that it has no plan ever to end.


feed_id: defbbda5794bbf964214d42af559cbb1
title: Boris Nemtsov
uri: Boris-Nemtsov
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#20_July_2017_%28Boris_Nemtsov%29
content:
<p>
Five people have been convicted in Russia for killing dissident Boris
Nemtsov for pay, but there has been <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/jul/13/boris-nemtsov-russia-man-found-guilty-jailed-for-20-years">no progress in unmasking whoever
paid for the assassination</a>.


feed_id: 6036e99174c0188a12667e51ef7eb606
title: Apples Chinese Data Center
uri: Apples-Chinese-Data-Center
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#20_July_2017_%28Apples_Chinese_Data_Center%29
content:
<p>
Apple will use a Chinese data center to hold the data of its customers
in China.  That will make it as <a href="http://www.sacbee.com/news/business/article160990369.html">easy for the Chinese government to
snoop</a> on them as it is for the FBI to snoop on other Apple users' data.
<p>
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#10_June_2017_(EUs_version_of_PRISM)">The FBI's snooping works through PRISM</a>.
The Chinese suppression agencies
will surely set up something similar.


feed_id: 5fa1c65bcae49a9c282890aa1c6f2d0b
title: Democracy and Justice
uri: Democracy-and-Justice
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#20_July_2017_%28Democracy_and_Justice%29
content:
<p>
Ralph Nader: leaders of American society, stand up now to <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2017/07/12/clarion-call-our-countrys-pillars-demand-justice">preserve
democracy and justice in the US</a>.


feed_id: c0c0a22ea3d0b03529263db2d2b67744
title: Muslim ban diluted
uri: Muslim-ban-diluted
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#20_July_2017_%28Muslim_ban_diluted%29
content:
<p>
A judge has reduced the troll's partial ban on Muslims
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2017/jul/14/trump-travel-ban-family-members-derrick-watson">
by expanding the list
of family members that can give a visitor a valid conection to the US.
</a>


feed_id: 474f8635f145cf17f8630d187dd87f13
title: Torture of suspects
uri: 2017-07-21-Torture-of-suspects
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#20_July_2017_%28Torture_of_suspects%29
content:
<p>
A UN investigator says that
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/jul/14/torture-by-sri-lankan-police-routine-says-human-rights-lawyer">
thugs in Sri Lanka routinely torture
suspects to make them confess.  
</a>
Especially those suspected of
terrorism.
<p>
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2016-nov-feb.html#25_January_2017_(False_confessions)">
This means many of the confessions are false.
</a>
<p>
Sri Lanka has also kept some suspects in prison for many years without trial.
<p>
In this area, the US sets a bad example, from
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2017-mar-jun.html#20_May_2017_(US_government_torture)">
Guantanamo
</a>
to
<a href="https://stallman.org/notes/2016-mar-jun.html#18_April_2016_(Torture_methods_of_Chicago_thugs)">
Chicago.
</a>
<p>
Americans, if you love your country, strive to make it deserve
the world's admiration instead of the world's fear.


feed_id: 8a468ab7316443d6f9bbea367ce0bc58
title: Flooding of coastal areas
uri: Flooding-of-coastal-areas
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#20_July_2017_%28Flooding_of_coastal_areas%29
content:
<p>
If we don't curb global heating, many coastal areas of the US
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2017/07/12/published-study-identifies-when-hundreds-coastal-communities-will-face">
will
face so much flooding by 2100 that people will be driven off them.
</a>
This includes parts of Cambridge, Massachusetts.
<p>
<a href="http://UnionofConcernedScientists.pr-optout.com/Tracking.aspx?Data=HHL==+<8@&JDG<;38447@&SDG<90:.&RE=MC&RI=5191443&Preview=False&DistributionActionID=12119&Action=Follow+Link">
Here are more details.
</a>


feed_id: 995d26de86c74594f8844a842f8efbe9
title: Floating corpses
uri: Floating-corpses
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#20_July_2017_%28Floating_corpses%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/jul/15/stream-of-floating-bodies-near-mosul-raises-fears-of-reprisals-by-iraqi-militias">
Mutilated, bound corpses of young men
</a>
have been floating down the river
from Mosul for months, and especially since April.
<p>
It appears that the Iraqi army or militias are torturing and murdering
prisoners.
<p>
There is nothing wrong with shooting PISSI fighters that are still at
loose, however.


feed_id: acb863a26f6790c36485f9be60ce8a29
title: Minimum wage
uri: 2017-07-21-Minimum-wage
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#20_July_2017_%28Minimum_wage%29
content:
<p>
Republicans that control state governments are planning to
<a href="https://newrepublic.com/article/143834/republicans-coming-minimum-wage-hike">
cancel the
minimum wage increases
</a>
that cities have adopted.
<p>
Republicans will do anything to make non-rich people poorer.


feed_id: 4a54c779c09940afe082179105913201
title: Hiding the cost of arms
uri: Hiding-the-cost-of-arms
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#20_July_2017_%28Hiding_the_cost_of_arms%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://theintercept.com/2017/07/14/congress-trying-to-sneak-through-major-giveaway-to-defense-contractors/">
Congress Trying To Sneak Through Major Giveaway To Defense Contractors.
</a>


feed_id: a7d90d3a1f1a2f40e0832d195fffec3d
title: Parrotfish
uri: Parrotfish
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#20_July_2017_%28Parrotfish%29
content:
<p>
Protecting parrotfish
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2016/apr/05/limiting-catch-one-type-fish-help-save-coral-reefs">
could save coral reefs
</a>
for some additional
years.


feed_id: 71feb57f3d7c39ebc9134079eaa9a0ae
title: Burma imprisoning poets
uri: Burma-imprisoning-poets
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#20_July_2017_%28Burma_imprisoning_poets%29
content:
<p>
Burma is imprisoning people for all sorts of
<a href="https://www.fastcompany.com/40438242/jailed-for-a-facebook-poem-the-fight-against-myanmars-draconian-defamation-laws">
critical or
discomfort-provoking postings on the internet.
</a>


feed_id: 86bb25342d9601680cd9ba689ef75bb8
title: Proposed FBI Head
uri: 2017-07-21-Proposed-FBI-Head
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#20_July_2017_%28Proposed_FBI_Head%29
content:
<p>
The troll's proposed FBI head has a <a href="http://www.truth-out.org/news/item/41232-trump-s-fbi-pick-has-a-troubling-history-on-digital-liberties">bad record of supporting more
surveillance</a>.


feed_id: 4d410ab5df25f81de69ba089a8454603
title: Net Neutrality
uri: 2017-07-21-Net-Neutrality
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#20_July_2017_%28Net_Neutrality%29
content:
<p>
No, AT&T, Comcast, And Verizon Are
<a href="https://consumerist.com/2017/07/12/no-att-comcast-and-verizon-are-not-suddenly-in-favor-of-net-neutrality/#more-10283474">Not Suddenly In Favor Of Net Neutrality</a>.
  They are covering up how they have fought against it,
and proposing ways to implement net neutrality that can't work.


feed_id: c417320d2cb176a7cb456a16fa0aba7e
title: Very urgent: Oppose any troll-chosen FBI nominee
uri: 2017-07-21-Very-urgent-Oppose-any-troll-chosen-FBI-nominee
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#17_July_2017_%28Urgent%3A_Oppose_any_troll-chosen_FBI_nominee%29

content:
<p>
US citizens: 
<a href="https://act.credoaction.com/call/SJC_FBI_director">phone key
senators' offices</a> to oppose any FBI nominee chosen by the troll.
<p>
This probably has to be done only on working days.


feed_id: 92531027d08d0e4240d35b3f61f40d8c
title: Flooding of coastal areas
uri: 2017-07-21-Flooding-of-coastal-areas
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#20_July_2017_%28Flooding_of_coastal_areas%29
content:
<p>
If we don't curb global heating, many coastal areas of the US
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2017/07/12/published-study-identifies-when-hundreds-coastal-communities-will-face">
will
face so much flooding by 2100 that people will be driven off them.
</a>
This includes parts of Cambridge, Massachusetts.
<p>
<a href="http://www.ucsusa.org/press/2017/study-identifies-when-coastal-communities-will-face-inundation-possible-retreat">Here
  are more details.
</a>


feed_id: 5c22a93f33902b55b0a7cfca4a63fd2b
title: Permanent war
uri: Permanent-war
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#21_July_2017_%28Permanent_war%29
content:
<p>
The US sustains permanent war by
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2017/07/17/how-sustain-perpetual-war-easy-hide-bodies">
covering up the dead, the wounded,
and the crushed.
</a>


feed_id: 47b8797aa5193358ceca5fc8488af0f5
title: Civilian deaths
uri: Civilian-deaths
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#21_July_2017_%28Civilian_deaths%29
content:
<p>
<a href="http://stallman.org/glossary.html#trump">
The troll
</a>
is
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2017/07/17/it-took-obama-more-two-years-kill-many-civilians-it-took-trump-less-six-months">
killing a lot more civilians
</a>
with bombing raids than Obama did.
<p>
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/jul/17/civilian-deaths-in-afghanistan-war-at-record-high-says-un">
Civilian Deaths in Afghanistan War at Record High, Says UN.
</a>
  The Taliban are killing civilians, too.


<a href="http://stallman.org/glossary.html#trump">
The troll
</a>
promotes "made in America" while himself choosing to
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2017/jul/17/made-in-america-week-donald-trump-businesses">
resell
foreign-made products.
</a>


feed_id: 202e5826a081e442011c78f32b7f0f1f
title: Natalist pressure
uri: Natalist-pressure
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#21_July_2017_%28Natalist_pressure%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/true-north/2017/jul/17/neoliberalism-has-conned-us-into-fighting-climate-change-as-individuals">
Neoliberalism Has Conned Us into Fighting [global heating] As
Individuals.
</a>
  That is because the political philosophy of neoliberalism opposes
application of democracy.  The idea of democracy is that the many
non-rich band together to be more powerful than the rich.  The "don't
work together" ideology makes the non-rich powerless because each tries
to contend, alone, with the rich.
<p>
The usual suggested ways to "reduce your footprint" are a distraction,
but there is one substantial way to reduce your contribution to
greenhouse gas emissions:
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#19_July_2017_(Children_and_global_heating)">
by <em>not having children</em>.
</a>
<p>
You can encourage others to have fewer or no children by <em>openly
disagreeing with natalist pressure</em>.
<a href="https://stallman.org/articles/children.html">
Social pressure pushes many
people to have children,
</a>
on the blind assumption that children
will make their lives delightful and stress-free.


feed_id: 954d95287c1af88f6fb991ae712eefcf
title: Sexting shouldn't be a crime
uri: Sexting-shouldn-t-be-a-crime
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#21_July_2017_%28Sexting_shouldn%27t_be_a_crime%29
content:
<p>
<a href="http://www.freerangekids.com/victory-teen-girl-who-took-two-selfies-in-her-undies-is-not-a-child-pornographer/">
Jailing teenagers as sex offenders to teach them not to sext
</a>
is as
useful and justified as burning down their houses to teach them not to
play with matches.
<p>
Sexting should not be a crime, period.  Perhaps pressuring others to
sext should be the subject of some kind of disciplinary measure.


feed_id: a33c08af7ff7b39a0481d7e210654bb4
title: Inhabitants of Fukushima
uri: Inhabitants-of-Fukushima
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#21_July_2017_%28Inhabitants_of_Fukushima%29
content:
<p>
Japan is planning to
<a href="http://www.truth-out.org/news/item/41280-japan-plans-to-expose-its-people-and-2020-tokyo-olympians-to-fukushima-radiation">
force evactuated inhabitants of Fukushima back to
their old homes,
</a>
by cutting off funds for them to live elsewhere.
<p>
The article does not give us enough information to deduce that
they would be in real danger.
<p>
The article has gaps in its understanding of the physical issues: a
high level of radiation inside the destroyed plants does not
necessarily imply danger to people in surrounding towns, though it
might.  People are still developing thyroid cancer from radioactive
iiodine that they ingested years ago, but the article does not address
the <em>current</em> level of radioactive iodine in those towns.
It might still be dangerous, but we lack the information here.


feed_id: fef6abf544224a8560195c15742a7b47
title: Wall Street landlords
uri: Wall-Street-landlords
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#21_July_2017_%28Wall_Street_landlords%29
content:
<p>
<a href="http://www.truth-out.org/news/item/41271-tenants-march-to-stop-giveaways-to-wall-street-landlords">
Tenants March [In Washington, DC] to Stop Giveaways to Wall Street
Landlords.
</a>


feed_id: 0445edf1a9c348bc4d86f7525b38ce45
title: Pointless wall
uri: Pointless-wall
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#21_July_2017_%28Pointless_wall%29
content:
<p>
The first segment of the troll's pointless wall against Mexico
will
<a href="https://thinkprogress.org/trump-border-wall-wildlife-refuge-1e9427af7c7f">
destroy a wildlife refuge.
</a>


feed_id: 64d35b24d893b21c9c824787842e33e0
title: Urgent: Oppose coal export terminal
uri: 2017-07-21-Urgent-Oppose-coal-export-terminal
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#21_July_2017_%28Urgent%3A_Oppose_coal_export_terminal%29

content:
<p>
US citizens: 
<a href="https://act.credoaction.com/sign/millennium_coal_comments">submit
comments</a> to oppose the proposed coal export terminal.


feed_id: 55088b82dc654db6c2e49bcf7cf6b6fb
title: Urgent: Repeal military force authorization
uri: Urgent-Repeal-military-force-authorization
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#21_July_2017_%28Urgent%3A_Repeal_military_force_authorization%29

content:
<p>
US citizens: 
<a href="https://act.credoaction.com/sign/repeal_AUMF">call on
Congress</a> to repeal Dubya's authorization for use of military
force.
<p>
It was meant to cover fighting al Qa'ida but has been stretched to
cover many other regional wars.


feed_id: 8405171be51efe2809f5c4bfad1a7435
title: Urgent: Paris climate agreement
uri: 2017-07-21-Urgent-Paris-climate-agreement
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#21_July_2017_%28Urgent%3A_Paris_climate_agreement%29

content:
<p>
US citizens: 
<a href="https://secure.nrdconline.org/site/Advocacy?cmd=display&page=UserAction&id=4298">state
your personal commitment</a> to the Paris climate agreement.


feed_id: 6b9b1017c56d70902760b2aaea361d18
title: Urgent: Block anti-immigrant agenda
uri: Urgent-Block-anti-immigrant-agenda
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#21_July_2017_%28Urgent%3A_Block_anti-immigrant_agenda%29

content:
<p>
US citizens: 
<a href="https://act.credoaction.com/sign/sen_dem_immigrants">call on
Democratic senators</a> to block the Republicans' anti-immigrant
agenda.


feed_id: c4818a2ab8b00e410b10cb599db12884
title: Civilian deaths
uri: 2017-07-21-Civilian-deaths
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#21_July_2017_%28Civilian_deaths%29
content:
<p>
<a href="http://stallman.org/glossary.html#trump">
<a href="/glossary.html#trump">The troll</a>
</a>
is
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2017/07/17/it-took-obama-more-two-years-kill-many-civilians-it-took-trump-less-six-months">
killing a lot more civilians
</a>
with bombing raids than Obama did.
<p>
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/jul/17/civilian-deaths-in-afghanistan-war-at-record-high-says-un">
Civilian Deaths in Afghanistan War at Record High, Says UN.
</a>
  The Taliban are killing civilians, too.


feed_id: 901cf9c82e23432ef8cd685cc6d568e5
title: Made in America
uri: Made-in-America
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#21_July_2017_%28Made_in_America%29
content:
<p>
<a href="http://stallman.org/glossary.html#trump">
<a href="/glossary.html#trump">The troll</a>
</a>
promotes "made in America" while himself choosing to
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2017/jul/17/made-in-america-week-donald-trump-businesses">
resell
foreign-made products.
</a>


feed_id: 30879772f37a96a60ee9f1771a01b578
title: Inhabitants of Fukushima
uri: 2017-07-21-Inhabitants-of-Fukushima
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#21_July_2017_%28Inhabitants_of_Fukushima%29
content:
<p>
Japan is planning to
<a href="http://www.truth-out.org/news/item/41280-japan-plans-to-expose-its-people-and-2020-tokyo-olympians-to-fukushima-radiation">
force evacuated inhabitants of Fukushima back to
their old homes,
</a>
by cutting off funds for them to live elsewhere.
<p>
The article does not give us enough information to deduce that
they would be in real danger.
<p>
The article has gaps in its understanding of the physical issues: a
high level of radiation inside the destroyed plants does not
necessarily imply danger to people in surrounding towns, though it
might.  People are still developing thyroid cancer from radioactive
iodine that they ingested years ago, but the article does not address
the <em>current</em> level of radioactive iodine in those towns.
It might still be dangerous, but we lack the information here.


feed_id: ce3fb95d08d6a04813dc99b526a1fe7b
title: Muslim ban diluted
uri: 2017-07-21-Muslim-ban-diluted
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#20_July_2017_%28Muslim_ban_diluted%29
content:
<p>
A judge has reduced the troll's partial ban on Muslims
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2017/jul/14/trump-travel-ban-family-members-derrick-watson">
by expanding the list
of family members that can give a visitor a valid connection to the US.
</a>


feed_id: 93a8f13b05aee5fd39481b98c96bf1eb
title: Floating corpses
uri: 2017-07-21-Floating-corpses
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#20_July_2017_%28Floating_corpses%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/jul/15/stream-of-floating-bodies-near-mosul-raises-fears-of-reprisals-by-iraqi-militias">
Mutilated, bound corpses of young men
</a>
have been floating down the river
from Mosul for months, and especially since April.
<p>
It appears that the Iraqi army or militias are torturing and murdering
prisoners.
<p>
There is nothing wrong with shooting <a href="/glossary.html#pissi">PISSI</a> fighters that are still at
loose, however.


feed_id: a8cfb5545713a2f7645e1ed51b5dc4bf
title: Foreign Terrorist Funding
uri: 2017-07-21-Foreign-Terrorist-Funding
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#20_July_2017_%28Foreign_Terrorist_Funding%29
content:
<p>
The UK government has <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2017/jul/12/uk-terror-funding-report-will-not-be-published-for-national-security-reasons">buried the report</a> on foreign terrorist funding,
apparently to protect <a href="/glossary.html#salafi">Salafi Arabia</a>.
<p>
The reasons given are absurd.  If there are personal names that ought
to be protected, it's easy to do so and still release the politically
important info about what countries are doing.
<p>
Even if Salafi Arabia is not funding terrorism as such, it is <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/jul/13/saudi-arabia-boosting-extremism-in-europe-says-former-ambassador">funding
radicalization</a> through its version of Islam.
<p>
Someone seems to have funded jihadi violence in Syria while Syrians
were trying to hold nonviolent protests,  I've seen suggestions that some
of the Gulf states did that.


feed_id: 36a914ea047060d09f704839774d68ff
title: Troll's Collusion
uri: 2017-07-21-Troll-s-Collusion
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#20_July_2017_%28Troll%27s_Collusion%29
content:
<p>
<a href="/glossary.html#trump">The troll</a>'s apparent collusion with Russia is shocking, but his
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2017/07/12/trumps-worst-collusion-isnt-russia-its-corporations">indisputable collusion with US oligarchs and corporations</a> is the
bigger danger to Americans.


feed_id: a42f573454f1e63e46dfc22b0880a986
title: Funding Terrorism
uri: 2017-07-21-Funding-Terrorism
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#20_July_2017_%28Funding_Terrorism%29
content:
<p>
The Tories are getting strong condemnation for <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2017/jul/12/uk-terror-funding-report-will-not-be-published-for-national-security-reasons">covering up</a> the role
of <a href="/glossary.html#salafi">Salafi Arabia</a> in funding terrorism.


feed_id: dfa2cb1c822910ceac4e66ef89383a99
title: Cholera Epidemic in Yemen
uri: 2017-07-21-Cholera-Epidemic-in-Yemen
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#20_July_2017_%28Cholera_Epidemic_in_Yemen%29
content:
<p>
The cholera epidemic in Yemen has <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/jul/13/cholera-is-everywhere-yemen-epidemic-spiralling-out-of-control">infected roughly 300,000 people</a>
and is still spreading.
<p>
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#19_May_2017_(Cholera_spreading_to_Yemen)">This epidemic was caused, purely and simply</a>,
by <a href="/glossary.html#salafi">Salafi Arabia</a>'s
bombardment campaign, <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2017-jan-apr.html#22_March_2017_(Yemen)">carried out with direct US assistance</a>.
<p>
The US had no grounds to fight against the Houthis, and no reason to
regard them as enemies.  By deciding to fight them, it gratuitously
made an enemy, locking itself further into the series of wars
that it has no plan ever to end.


feed_id: 26bf0c3c34854ea244822873188bc71b
title: Disneyland Wages
uri: Disneyland-Wages
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#21_July_2017_%28Disneyland_Wages%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2017/jul/17/disneyland-low-wages-anaheim-orange-county-homelessness">Disneyland pays low wages</a> and many employees are homeless.


feed_id: 6b202473d56ebc8236e34b6012f517e1
title: Wage Laws
uri: Wage-Laws
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#21_July_2017_%28Wage_Laws%29
content:
<p>
The troll is rumored to want to appoint an official to oversee wage
law enforcement who has been <a href="https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2017/7/15/1680118/-Likely-Trump-pick-for-enforcing-federal-wage-laws-sued-for-stiffing-her-house-cleaners?detail=emaildkre">sued for not paying for work done</a>.
<p>
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#15_June_2016_(Trumps_unpaid_workers)">Just like the cheater himself</a>.


feed_id: ffa9309cbeddac347b28c6366d7b4482
title: Spanish Hotel Cleaners
uri: Spanish-Hotel-Cleaners
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#21_July_2017_%28Spanish_Hotel_Cleaners%29
content:
<p>
Spain's ruling right-wing party legalized outsourcing which knocked
hotel cleaners' wages way down.  They are are forced to work extra hours
unpaid.   They are <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/travel/2017/jul/15/spanish-hotel-cleaners-fightback-exploitation">organizing a union</a> and plan to shame the culpable hotels.


feed_id: d79673c79b411efeae296483fd5339f9
title: Global Heating Denial
uri: 2017-07-22-Global-Heating-Denial
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#21_July_2017_%28Global_Heating_Denial%29
content:
<p>
For the rank and file Republicans, global heating denial is an example
of surrendering to fear by <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/climate-consensus-97-per-cent/2017/jul/17/surrendering-to-fear-brought-us-climate-change-denial-and-president-trump">denying the danger</a>.
  It's like refusing to go to the dentist, or to get tested for AIDS
or cancer.


feed_id: 021f06b59cfdb1ca6aff9f4356236ea0
title: Winnie the Pooh
uri: Winnie-the-Pooh
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#21_July_2017_%28Winnie_the_Pooh%29
content:
<p>
The name "Winnie the Pooh" is banned in China because <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/jul/17/winnie-the-pooh-chinese-internet-censors-xi-jinping">the great dictator
has been compared to him</a>.


feed_id: b3f7b629055ab42740f1f1720b0f37d5
title: Inequality in Sweden
uri: Inequality-in-Sweden
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#21_July_2017_%28Inequality_in_Sweden%29
content:
<p>
Conservatives governed Sweden and cut taxes for the rich, leading to
increased inequality.  Now the <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/inequality/2017/jul/17/peoples-home-sweden-waged-war-inequality-rich-poor-gothenburg">Social Democrats are working to reduce the
inequality</a>.


feed_id: 7d06b666951fd81979694842f7e38c5e
title: Grand Canyon Uranium Mine
uri: Grand-Canyon-Uranium-Mine
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#21_July_2017_%28Grand_Canyon_Uranium_Mine%29
content:
<p>
A uranium mine near the Grand Canyon <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2017/jul/17/grand-canyon-uranium-mining-havasupai-tribe-water-source">could contaminate the Havasupai
tribe's water permanently</a> if anything goes wrong.
<p>
The company will promise in court that it will bend over backwards
to prevent contamination.  Then, having won permission, it will cut
corners to the max -- because <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2004-jan-apr.html#18%20February%202004%20(Corporations%20psychopathic)">corporations are psychopaths</a> 
and that's how they operate.


feed_id: f6902fc5ccf10e5e8bc572d588567a7d
title: Colonies in Occupied Palestine
uri: Colonies-in-Occupied-Palestine
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#21_July_2017_%28Colonies_in_Occupied_Palestine%29
content:
<p>
Macron publicly pressured Israel to <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/jul/17/france-macron-denounces-state-role-holocaust-atrocity-paris-1942">stop building colonies in occupied
Palestine</a>, and condemned the siege of Gaza.
<p>
That is a good thing to do, and shows more courage than the US has had
for a long time.  However, each one of these colonies <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2014-sep-dec.html#28_December_2014_(Israels_disregards_Geneva_Convention)">violates the
Geneva Convention</a>.
To stop making more of them is not sufficient.


feed_id: cccfd314252761af90dfa7f30067b758
title: Justine Damond
uri: Justine-Damond
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#21_July_2017_%28Justine_Damond%29
content:
<p>
Justine Damond in Minneapolis called the thugs because she heard
suspicious noises outside her home.  They shot her dead, and managed
to make <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2017/jul/17/australian-woman-justine-damond-shot-dead-by-us-police-in-minneapolis">no recordings</a> of why.
<p>
<a href="https://stallman.org/articles/when-should-body-cameras-record.html">Body cameras should not depend on thugs to turn them on or off</a>.


feed_id: 190a492256c0ffd96bfe1974a2514d02
title: Dontcare Bill: Preexisting Conditions
uri: Dontcare-Bill-Preexisting-Conditions
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#21_July_2017_%28Dontcare_Bill%3A_Preexisting_Conditions%29

content:
<p>
The latest Senate Dontcare bill would <a href="https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2017/7/14/1680625/-Republicans-reneging-on-we-ll-keep-pre-existing-conditions-protections-promise?detail=emaildkre">deny people with preexisting
conditions</a> effective medical coverage.
<p>
Major US medical insurance sellers say that <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2017/jul/15/republican-healthcare-bill-cruz-provision-insurers">this makes it totally
unworkable</a>.
<p>
The goal of the Dontcare bill is to cut a large piece off the carpet
that now covers (but only barely just) most Americans.  So it won't be
big enough.  Each version of the Dontcare bill reflects a different
scheme to pull the diminished carpet over various places to make it
appear to cover us, but that can't be done.  The shortfall has to be
somewhere.


feed_id: 90e53864bf22328477e12618898964c8
title: UK's National Health Service
uri: UK-s-National-Health-Service
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#21_July_2017_%28UK%27s_National_Health_Service%29
content:
<p>
The UK's National Health Service is <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/society/2017/jul/15/oxygen-patients-dying-unnecessarily-nhs-inquiry">short of basic equipment such as
oxygen masks</a>.
<p>
The Tories have been slowly starving the NHS of funds.  It can't continue
to give its previous excellent (and efficient) service under such conditions.
The Tories' ultimate goal is to point at these artificially induced problems
to "prove" that they should move to a system like the US, that hardly
serves the poor at all, and provides a lot more profit to private interests.


feed_id: a463bb162a40d277c61dea53faf1c487
title: Long-Range Nuclear Missiles
uri: Long-Range-Nuclear-Missiles
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#21_July_2017_%28Long-Range_Nuclear_Missiles%29
content:
<p>
Former US diplomats say that <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2017/07/14/us-experts-say-north-korean-leadership-may-be-ruthless-and-reckless-they-are-not">negotiation is the only way</a> to stop North Korea
from developing long-range nuclear missiles.


feed_id: 636dd5c07be7e3fe4c06b69080d6e2b5
title: Dontcare Bill Tax Cuts
uri: Dontcare-Bill-Tax-Cuts
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#21_July_2017_%28Dontcare_Bill_Tax_Cuts%29
content:
<p>
Despite some concessions, the new Senate version of the Dontcare bill
still provides a <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2017/07/14/wealthy-corporations-still-win-big-under-revised-senate-gop-health-bill">big tax cut for the rich</a> <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2017/07/14/8-largest-health-insurance-companies-will-get-72-billion-tax-cut-gop-health-care">and insurance companies</a>.


feed_id: e7ccbb7ad3e695c890d18c2a0de4f40b
title: American Hustler
uri: American-Hustler
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#21_July_2017_%28American_Hustler%29
content:
<p>
The troll <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2017/07/14/trump-bet-americans-would-his-un-presidential-antics-he-may-be-right">appeals to the grifter/hustler tradition of America</a>.


feed_id: fe7cab84c26ad50c002af876118ced69
title: Planned Parenthood
uri: 2017-07-22-Planned-Parenthood
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#21_July_2017_%28Planned_Parenthood%29
content:
<p>
Texas defunded Planned Parenthood "to reduce abortions", <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2017/07/14/texas-study-shows-how-defunding-planned-parenthood-actually-increased-abortion-rates">but the effect
was to increase abortions</a>.
<p>
This reflects the fact that Planned Parenthood provides
contraception to far more women than abortion.  Of course, the <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#3_June_2017_(Abortion_in_Texas)">religious
fanatics that rule Texas want to eliminate contraception</a>, too,
  though they mostly tried to keep this quiet, others
  waited until the troll's success emboldened them.


feed_id: 55f96f9d17135a664cc1380cddffc0fb
title: Medical Care
uri: Medical-Care
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#21_July_2017_%28Medical_Care%29
content:
<p>
In effective provision of medical care, <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2017/07/14/new-11-country-study-us-health-care-system-has-widest-gap-between-people-higher">the US comes last among the
wealthy nations</a>.  In the UK, despite years of the Tories' undermining
the NHS, only 7% of poor people reported that they couldn't afford
needed treatment.  In the US, it is 44%.
<p>
Yet the US spends far more on medical care than the UK does.


feed_id: 1fcfe21d8a133abb0245aa19a6f99510
title: Making sure products contain what they claim to contain
uri: Making-sure-products-contain-what-they-claim-to-contain
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#21_July_2017_%28Making_sure_products_contain_what_they_claim_to_contain%29

content:
<p>
Without government inspection, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/money/blog/2017/jul/15/might-not-get-what-you-pay-for-cuts-trading-standards">you mustn't suppose</a> that the products
you buy contain the amounts they claim to contain.
<p>
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2017/jul/16/sushi-fish-tropical-species-mis-sold-restaurants-shops">You can't even assume</a> they contain the things they claim to contain.


feed_id: b6d4cbf9c56292b51509242ccf82e24a
title: Dontcare Bill Exemptions
uri: Dontcare-Bill-Exemptions
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#21_July_2017_%28Dontcare_Bill_Exemptions%29
content:
<p>
The Senate Dontcare bill would <a href="https://www.vox.com/platform/amp/policy-and-politics/2017/7/13/15966034/senate-republicans-exemption">exempt senators (and their families)
from the reductions</a> in coverage that they plan to impose on everyone else.


feed_id: 3b6a669970eabb629685b592999ec7fd
title: Richest Have Too Much Power
uri: Richest-Have-Too-Much-Power
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#21_July_2017_%28Richest_Have_Too_Much_Power%29
content:
<p>
75% of Americans agree that the <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2017/07/13/can-you-say-oligarchy-75-americans-think-wealthiest-have-too-much-power">richest have too much power</a>.
<p>
This is a great potential political base for progressives that campaign
to take that excess power away from them.


feed_id: 5e984f92c2817225ec78ffbfd4ede5ac
title: Liu Xiaobo March
uri: Liu-Xiaobo-March
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#21_July_2017_%28Liu_Xiaobo_March%29
content:
<p>
Hong Kong inhabitants held a <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/jul/16/hong-kong-vigil-for-liu-xiaobo-sends-powerful-message-to-beijing">march in honor of Liu Xiaobo</a>.


feed_id: 54fc7bd7647ebddf93ca8845d5d8d8ca
title: California CO2 Targets
uri: California-CO2-Targets
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#21_July_2017_%28California_CO2_Targets%29
content:
<p>
California's Governor Brown advocates strong long-term CO2 targets,
but the <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2017/07/14/jerry-browns-climate-plan-just-another-handout-big-oil-green-groups-say">measures he proposes are not strong enough</a> to achieve them.


feed_id: 5f472ff87bda8b2cfdbab38e19ec64f9
title: Desiree Fairooz
uri: 2017-07-22-Desiree-Fairooz
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#21_July_2017_%28Desiree_Fairooz%29
content:
<p>
After Desiree Fairooz was ejected for laughing at Sessions, she
shouted in anger, and was then convicted of disorderly conduct for
that.  Now a <a href="https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2017/7/14/1680685/-Judge-overturns-conviction-of-woman-arrested-for-laughing-at-Jeff-Sessions?detail=emaildkre">judge has tossed out the conviction</a> because the
prosecutor told the jury that laughing alone was grounds for convicting
her.


feed_id: 97278d132b7aee5b755a8c448b7db3e8
title: US Voters
uri: US-Voters
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#21_July_2017_%28US_Voters%29
content:
<p>
The troll's voter suppression commission <a href="https://www.vox.com/policy-and-politics/2017/7/14/15973464/white-house-election-integrity-doxx">published the email addresses</a>
of the people who wrote to object to its plan to collect and publish
private information about all US voters.
<p>
<a href="https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2017/7/15/1680858/-Trump-commission-releases-personal-info-of-people-mad-that-their-personal-info-might-be-released?detail=emaildkre">Here's an interpretation</a>.


feed_id: 6275717b4545e9417fe087a4a9242b85
title: US Class Divide
uri: US-Class-Divide
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#21_July_2017_%28US_Class_Divide%29
content:
<p>
The US is developing a <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/inequality/2017/jul/15/how-us-middle-classes-hoard-opportunity-privilege">self-perpetuating class divide</a> between the
upper middle class and those below.
  The children of upper-middle-class parents receive such advantages
in upbringing that they can usually claim all the advantages
afterward.
<p>
Social mobility is important, but offering a decent life even to
poor people is even more important.  That would also reduce somewhat
the perceived importance of making sure your children don't end up
with somewhat reduced social position -- it would not doom them to
poverty that strikes upper-middle-class parents as horrible.


feed_id: 3e5736206e86a49e299cceeeffa777d7
title: Sectarian Hostility in Mosul
uri: Sectarian-Hostility-in-Mosul
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#21_July_2017_%28Sectarian_Hostility_in_Mosul%29
content:
<p>
The Shi'ite victors of Mosul are building up <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/jul/15/mosul-residents-iraqi-troops-shias-battle-isis-stronghold">sectarian hostility</a>
of the sort that helped PISSI get in.
<p>
The next episode of Shi'ite-Sunni strife will not be quite like PISSI,
but it is likely to be very bad.  Shame that no one has the leadership
to lead Iraq away from that.
<p>
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/jul/15/isis-rise-again-defeat-mosul-islamic-state"><cite>[PISSI] May Be on Its Knees But It Will Rise Again If We Don't Break the Cycle</cite></a>.


feed_id: 7d38d3b0769d8a4f1e42235d60fd9106
title: Global Crop Failures
uri: Global-Crop-Failures
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#21_July_2017_%28Global_Crop_Failures%29
content:
<p>
Meteorologists: there is a significant chance that <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2017/jul/15/climate-change-food-famine-study">weather will cause
large global crop failures</a> that would cause famine across the world.


feed_id: ddc794414ac56b591e943a7df2f56805
title: Political Situation in Brazil
uri: Political-Situation-in-Brazil
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#21_July_2017_%28Political_Situation_in_Brazil%29
content:
<p>
An <a href="https://www.democracynow.org/2017/7/13/a_further_blow_to_democracy_in">analysis of the political situation in Brazil</a>, where the whole
political class is corrupt more or less, and businesses aim to
profit from the shock.


feed_id: 2153df4108046b876ceaf93fd4021f3a
title: State Planning
uri: State-Planning
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#21_July_2017_%28State_Planning%29
content:
<p>
The allied victory in World War II was the demonstration that <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2017/jul/15/brexit-our-generations-dunkirk-no-salvation">state planning
can work very, very well</a>.


feed_id: 51eb3acab12c6e267fbffbf0f5ab5211
title: Phone metadata
uri: Phone-metadata
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#22_July_2017_%28Phone_metadata%29
content:
<p>
One reporter published his phone metadata so the public can see
<a href="http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-08-24/metadata-what-you-found-will-ockenden/6703626">how
much that reveals about a person</a>.
<p>
This is one of the reasons why portable phones threaten the freedom of
whoever carries one.  The other is that they can be
<a href="http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-34444233">ordered to listen to and
transmit all the conversations around them</a>.


feed_id: 2cb7096b25e343066c10c5a98f6e85c6
title: US pharmacists discard effective drugs
uri: US-pharmacists-discard-effective-drugs
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#22_July_2017_%28US_pharmacists_discard_effective_drugs%29

content:
<p>
US pharmacists are
<a href="https://www.propublica.org/article/the-myth-of-drug-expiration-dates">required
to discard drugs that have reached their sell-by dates</a>, even
though nearly all of them are still potent enough to be effective.


feed_id: 128296c8750fde55793be71954e2394d
title: Life expectancy with Tory policy
uri: Life-expectancy-with-Tory-policy
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#22_July_2017_%28Life_expectancy_with_Tory_policy%29
content:
<p>
The Tory policy of cutting social services millions depend on seems to
be responsible for
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2017/jul/18/austerity-cuts-life-expectancy">ending
the rise in life expectancy in the UK</a>.


feed_id: 917718be3c7ef6354470226a9d0e2a7c
title: Troll's "plan" to renegotiate NAFTA
uri: Troll-s-plan-to-renegotiate-NAFTA
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#22_July_2017_%28Trolls_plan_to_renegotiate_NAFTA%29
content:
<p>
<a href="/glossary.html#trump">The troll</a>'s "plan" to renegotiate NAFTA is so vague that we
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2017/07/18/nafta-plan-does-not-describe-promised-transformation-nafta-prioritize-working">can't
tell whether it would become better or worse</a>.


feed_id: 5147356c506d5436fd3ad6c6aaf5c644
title: The year 2050
uri: The-year-2050
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#22_July_2017_%28The_year_2050%29
content:
<p>
Welcome to
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2017/07/18/fairy-tale-2050">2050</a>.
The âClimate Monsterâ Has Arrived, and people have adapted through
radical changes.


feed_id: fb72d5e4631b1bbd4bcaf84c9cfbb8f6
title: Election of US senators
uri: Election-of-US-senators
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#22_July_2017_%28Election_of_US_senators%29
content:
<p>
Republicans
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2017/07/18/trump-team-alec-koch-industries-debate-gerrymandering-us-senate-denver">want
to repeal the direct election of US senators</a>.  If they do this,
their state-level gerrymandering and voter suppression will translate
into permanently assured control of the Senate.
<p>
No wonder they also
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2017/07/18/seriously-new-gop-budget-would-defund-election-security-agency">want
to cut the funds the Election Assistance Commission</a>, whose job is
to ensure elections are run securely.
<p>
For Republicans, anything that protects election integrity is an
obstacle to their cheating.


feed_id: ac131d67ba8a44efdeb1187cb3d9803d
title: Cost of medical care
uri: 2017-07-22-Cost-of-medical-care
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#22_July_2017_%28Cost_of_medical_care%29
content:
<p>
McCain's blood clot medical procedure
<a href="https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2017/7/17/1681479/-John-McCain-s-surgery-would-cost-at-least-76-000-on-Medicare">costs
more money than most Americans get in a year</a>.  I don't begrudge
him that operation, but this example illustrates why it is crucial to
maintain medical insurance coverage for more people, not fewer people.
<p>
We could push the prices down by switching to a single-payer universal
system, aka
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#16_June_2017_(Medicare_for_all)">Medicare
for All</a>.


feed_id: 43495775b544180fdcb9bb121d560d56
title: Pence's political lies
uri: Pence-s-political-lies
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#22_July_2017_%28Pences_political_lies%29
content:
<p>
Pence has a
<a href="https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2017/7/17/1681393/-Condoms-don-t-work-smoking-doesn-t-kill-GOP-is-saving-Medicaid-the-world-class-lies-of-Mike-Pence">record
of ridiculous political lies for 15 years</a>.
<p>
They are not as many lies as the troll tells, but some of them are
of the same magnitude as his lies.


feed_id: 4536e7c258de0aaeab836f673042801d
title: Fire safety regulations
uri: Fire-safety-regulations
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#22_July_2017_%28Fire_safety_regulations%29
content:
<p>
Construction companies are
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2017/jul/19/fraudulent-certification-of-unsafe-building-products-going-unchecked-inquiry-told">defeating
fire safety regulations by fraud</a>.
<p>
The article reports on Australia, but I expect the situation is the
same in the US and any country where the state dismisses regulations
as mere obstacles.
<p>
You can fool the legal system, but you can never fool fire into not
burning.


feed_id: d832302a126f024ae02a55f927a7fa6b
title: Voter suppression
uri: 2017-07-22-Voter-suppression
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#22_July_2017_%28Voter_suppression%29
content:
<p>
<a href="/glossary.html#saboteur">Saboteur</a> Kobach, when he was a Kansas official, managed to block
<a href="https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2017/7/17/1681454/-Memos-prove-Kansas-Kris-Kobach-pitched-Team-Trump-on-nationwide-voter-suppression-plan-in-November">1/7
of applications to register to vote</a> in that state.
<p>
That alone may have caused Governor Brownback to "win" the election.


feed_id: a91cda266dcfccd9143b3d188335bb6a
title: Troll's second meeting with Putin
uri: Troll-s-second-meeting-with-Putin
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#22_July_2017_%28Trolls_second_meeting_with_Putin%29
content:
<p>
<a href="/glossary.html#trump">The troll</a> met secretly with Putin and
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2017/jul/18/trump-and-putin-undisclosed-second-meeting-white-house-confirms">didn't
bring his own translator</a>.


feed_id: 11bc2c9c847282f6e426cfa9d200ccc0
title: The connected elite
uri: The-connected-elite
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#22_July_2017_%28The_connected_elite%29
content:
<p>
Linda Tirado got unexpectedly transferred from the struggling working
class into the connected elite, so she
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2017/07/18/coastal-elite-real-im-part-it">explains
the difference</a>, which people in the connected elite are mostly
unaware of.


feed_id: 34205a2346ec948e769cc39610b7d85d
title: Troll's sabotage
uri: Troll-s-sabotage
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#22_July_2017_%28Trolls_sabotage%29
content:
<p>
<a href="/glossary.html#trump">The troll</a> has been thwarted on sabotaging US medical insurance, but he
is making substantial progress sabotaging the
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2017/jul/19/six-ways-trump-is-dismantling-america-after-six-months-in-white-house">environment,
internet rights, and equality</a>.


feed_id: 3065132c69013e793f5a7e2d416ca279
title: How Republicans will "let Obamacare fail"
uri: How-Republicans-will-let-Obamacare-fail
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#22_July_2017_%28How_Republicans_will_let_Obamacare_fail%29

content:
<p>
<a href="/glossary.html#trump">The troll</a> says he wants to
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2017/jul/18/donald-trump-healthcare-bill-fail-republicans-obamacare">"let
Obamacare fail"</a>.  However, any such failure would not be inherent;
it would be due to Republicans' intentional mismanagement.


feed_id: 7e0c48089a59c623a822baf80b30ceb3
title: The authoritarian Polish government
uri: The-authoritarian-Polish-government
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#22_July_2017_%28The_authoritarian_Polish_government%29

content:
<p>
The authoritarian Polish government is
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/jul/18/polish-government-brings-forward-plans-to-assert-control-over-judges">trying
to fully abolish the independence of the judiciary</a>.


feed_id: 733554cd29f1a89332ce1ea1ec0ac91f
title: Wyden tells FCC chair to stop lying
uri: Wyden-tells-FCC-chair-to-stop-lying
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#22_July_2017_%28Wyden_tells_FCC_chair_to_stop_lying%29

content:
<p>
Senator Wyden To FCC Chair Pai: Hey,
<a href="https://www.techdirt.com/blog/netneutrality/articles/20170717/17584237802/senator-wyden-to-fcc-chair-pai-hey-stop-lying-about-what-i-said-to-undermine-net-neutrality.shtml">Stop
Lying About What I Said To Undermine Net Neutrality</a>.


feed_id: 6bf1cac0397f69e8a772952f484288a1
title: Miners and loggers in the Amazon
uri: Miners-and-loggers-in-the-Amazon
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#22_July_2017_%28Miners_and_loggers_in_the_Amazon%29
content:
<p>
Brazil's corrupt extractivist government has, by now,
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2017/06/18/brazil-verge-legitimizing-amazon-land-theft-grand-scale">allowed
miners and loggers take over</a> the Amazon rain forest.


feed_id: 178187bff766bdce9484c39596d9c93b
title: McCain
uri: McCain
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#22_July_2017_%28McCain%29
content:
<p>
A member of the Republican National Committee
<a href="http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2017/07/17/rnc-condemns-member-who-called-for-mccain-to-just-die-already-on-social-media.html">assented</a>
when another Republican said that Senator McCain should "just die
already".
<p>
McCain is for the most part just another cruel and heartless
Republican, but there are a few issues where he disagrees with them.
For instance, he has sometimes
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2014-sep-dec.html#12_December_2014_(McCain_denounces_torture)">publicly
opposed torture even when most Republicans were in favor of it</a>,
because he experienced being a prisoner of war and retains the
rational recognition that the US must treat prisoners decently so that
captured US soldiers will be treated decently.
<p>
It is due to localized scruples such as these that many Republicans
consider him an obstacle to their plans.


feed_id: 71c1baaa5edee34af503ea2f52e0506a
title: UK demands power to snoop on anyone
uri: UK-demands-power-to-snoop-on-anyone
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#22_July_2017_%28UK_demands_power_to_snoop_on_anyone%29

content:
<p>
The UK demands power to snoop on anyone, abolishing all right of
privacy, in the name of never missing any evidence of terrorism.
Meanwhile, it
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2017/jul/18/police-missing-terrorist-tip-offs-lord-condon-because-of-cuts-says-former-met-chief">doesn't
spend enough money to follow up all the reports of terrorism that it
gets</a>.


feed_id: 1415ace1bc311cda6db82fda9003952e
title: Eugene Debs
uri: Eugene-Debs
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#22_July_2017_%28Eugene_Debs%29
content:
<p>
Remembering Eugene Debs, the great
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2017/07/17/eugene-debs-and-kingdom-evil">democratic
socialist leader of the US</a> a century ago.


feed_id: 4926d04b60c848ed6d2fd49721a6825d
title: Ozone
uri: Ozone
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#22_July_2017_%28Ozone%29
content:
<p>
Republicans want to delay new US regulations to reduce
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2017/07/17/republicans-push-bill-delay-reducing-ground-level-ozone">ozone
in humans' direct environment</a>.
<p>
Ozone kills a lot more Americans than terrorists do, but protecting
Americans from ozone is not an excuse to deny our human rights.  It's
just one of the thousands of useful ways the state can protect people
from being harmed by business.


feed_id: 2c47d8059d60a4148b11468ae55400fe
title: Medical tests
uri: Medical-tests
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#22_July_2017_%28Medical_tests%29
content:
<p>
The Republican idea that Americans should decide thoughtfully which
medical tests to take accept (when recommended by their doctors) is
impossible:
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2017/jul/18/american-healthcare-crossroads-universal-healthcare">clinics
won't tell patients what any test will cost them</a>.
<p>
That is one more reason for a universal national medical system, also
known as Medicare for All.


feed_id: 9383155aca66ecc6cde1499c35058bea
title: Cooperative business in Greece
uri: Cooperative-business-in-Greece
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#22_July_2017_%28Cooperative_business_in_Greece%29
content:
<p>
26 Greek chemical workers took over a piece of their factory when it
shut down.  They now operate a
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2017/jul/18/cope-capitalism-failed-factory-workers-greek-workplace-control">cooperative
business</a>, protected by the local community from raids by the
owners that want to take and sell the equipment for a small value.


feed_id: f82d3eb58577784c0667885161c91cf0
title: Mining gold on conservation land
uri: Mining-gold-on-conservation-land
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#22_July_2017_%28Mining_gold_on_conservation_land%29
content:
<p>
A company
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/jul/18/new-zealand-fight-for-sacred-mountain-after-discovery-of-significant-gold-seam">wants
to mine gold from protected conservation land in New Zealand</a>.
<p>
The company would profit greatly from that gold, but the world as a
whole won't benefit particularly from mining more gold.


feed_id: 0af7f8e2c75552249b1daf17632eee1a
title: Dontcare bill
uri: Dontcare-bill
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#22_July_2017_%28Dontcare_bill%29
content:
<p>
Two more Republican senators have come out against the current <a href="/glossary.html#care">Dontcare</a> bill,
which means it
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2017/jul/17/republican-health-bill-senators-oppose-vote">cannot
pass in its current form</a>.
<p>
<a href="/glossary.html#scrotus">SCROTUS</a> have lost a battle but they won't give up yet.


feed_id: a8544c7b3d7d79e770d3bf3e2d092bf8
title: Tobacco companies
uri: Tobacco-companies
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#22_July_2017_%28Tobacco_companies%29
content:
<p>
Tobacco companies, like oil companies, mining companies, and drug companies
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2017/jul/17/big-tobacco-trade-deals-new-markets-bat">bully
governments using business-supremacy treaties</a>, after
<a href="/business-supremacy-treaties.html">lobbying governments to
sign such treaties</a>.
<p>
The neoliberal arguments for those treaties simply 
disregard this effect.


feed_id: 9486c2abeeff5bd9c174cd97d9271513
title: Banning ads
uri: Banning-ads
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#22_July_2017_%28Banning_ads%29
content:
<p>
The UK will
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/media/2017/jul/18/new-measures-announced-to-crack-down-on-sexist-adverts">ban
ads that teach sexist gender stereotypes</a>.
<p>
It might do some good.  I do not object to this policy, because the
human right of freedom of speech does not apply to corporations.


feed_id: a2242de2a793bb6e07ca1320fdc7d052
title: Motion to impeach the troll
uri: Motion-to-impeach-the-troll
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#22_July_2017_%28Motion_to_impeach_the_troll%29
content:
<p>
Two Democratic congresscritters have introduced a
<a href="http://www.latimes.com/politics/essential/la-pol-ca-essential-politics-updates-rep-brad-sherman-just-introduced-1499883664-htmlstory.html">motion
to impeach the troll</a>.
<p>
He continues providing many grounds for impeachment.  I've seen
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#19_June_2017_(Brin:_Impeaching_troll_a_mistake)">various
arguments</a> about whether that would be tactically desirable
(supposing <a href="/glossary.html#scrotus">SCROTUS</a> were willing to permit it to be done).


feed_id: b3103e93ba83a1a59b5d681a9d7b4ea6
title: 1984 at the grocery store
uri: 1984-at-the-grocery-store
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#22_July_2017_%281984_at_the_grocery_store%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2017/07/16/1984-grocery-store">Amazon</a>:
1984 at the Grocery Store.


feed_id: 824e6b5653af30dd6cafaff459a44f70
title: Global heating and air travel
uri: Global-heating-and-air-travel
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#22_July_2017_%28Global_heating_and_air_travel%29
content:
<p>
As air travel increasingly contributes to global heating, global
heating is
<a href="http://grist.org/article/climate-change-will-make-air-travel-even-worse/">starting
to make air travel unreliable</a>.


feed_id: f8d4c3c7440e521f3556744aed5301b5
title: Wage Laws
uri: 2017-07-22-Wage-Laws
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#21_July_2017_%28Wage_Laws%29
content:
<p>
<a href="/glossary.html#trump">The troll</a> is rumored to want to appoint an official to oversee wage
law enforcement who has been <a href="https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2017/7/15/1680118/-Likely-Trump-pick-for-enforcing-federal-wage-laws-sued-for-stiffing-her-house-cleaners?detail=emaildkre">sued for not paying for work done</a>.
<p>
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#15_June_2016_(Trumps_unpaid_workers)">Just like the cheater himself</a>.


feed_id: 2cd27df0db74ad6ffcaf5f53898c232a
title: Dontcare Bill: Preexisting Conditions
uri: 2017-07-22-Dontcare-Bill-Preexisting-Conditions
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#21_July_2017_%28Dontcare_Bill%3A_Preexisting_Conditions%29

content:
<p>
The latest Senate Dontcare bill would <a href="https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2017/7/14/1680625/-Republicans-reneging-on-we-ll-keep-pre-existing-conditions-protections-promise?detail=emaildkre">deny people with preexisting
conditions</a> effective medical coverage.
<p>
Major US medical insurance sellers say that <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2017/jul/15/republican-healthcare-bill-cruz-provision-insurers">this makes it totally
unworkable</a>.
<p>
The goal of the <a href="/glossary.html#care">Dontcare</a> bill is to cut a large piece off the carpet
that now covers (but only barely just) most Americans.  So it won't be
big enough.  Each version of the <a href="/glossary.html#care">Dontcare</a> bill reflects a different
scheme to pull the diminished carpet over various places to make it
appear to cover us, but that can't be done.  The shortfall has to be
somewhere.


feed_id: 386fe2759b19542d21b0d560dc9b6873
title: Dontcare Bill Tax Cuts
uri: 2017-07-22-Dontcare-Bill-Tax-Cuts
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#21_July_2017_%28Dontcare_Bill_Tax_Cuts%29
content:
<p>
Despite some concessions, the new Senate version of the <a href="/glossary.html#care">Dontcare</a> bill
still provides a <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2017/07/14/wealthy-corporations-still-win-big-under-revised-senate-gop-health-bill">big tax cut for the rich</a> <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2017/07/14/8-largest-health-insurance-companies-will-get-72-billion-tax-cut-gop-health-care">and insurance companies</a>.


feed_id: 274941c70335707a09521df1d62efb49
title: Sectarian Hostility in Mosul
uri: 2017-07-22-Sectarian-Hostility-in-Mosul
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#21_July_2017_%28Sectarian_Hostility_in_Mosul%29
content:
<p>
The Shi'ite victors of Mosul are building up <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/jul/15/mosul-residents-iraqi-troops-shias-battle-isis-stronghold">sectarian hostility</a>
of the sort that helped <a href="/glossary.html#pissi">PISSI</a> get in.
<p>
The next episode of Shi'ite-Sunni strife will not be quite like <a href="/glossary.html#pissi">PISSI</a>,
but it is likely to be very bad.  Shame that no one has the leadership
to lead Iraq away from that.
<p>
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/jul/15/isis-rise-again-defeat-mosul-islamic-state"><cite>[PISSI] May Be on Its Knees But It Will Rise Again If We Don't Break the Cycle</cite></a>.


feed_id: 3e42a87a3133e59b5950e62dee4c1e96
title: Very urgent: Oppose dirty energy bill
uri: Very-urgent-Oppose-dirty-energy-bill
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#22_July_2017_%28Urgent%3A_Oppose_dirty_energy_bill%29

content:
<p>
US citizens:
<a href="https://act.climatetruth.org/call/senate-dirtyenergybill">call
your senators as soon as possible</a> to oppose the dirty energy bill.
<p>
The Energy and Natural Resources Act of 2017 (S.1460), would put
fossil fuel expansion on a fast track, locking in decades of dirty
energy.


feed_id: 9b3cd7938593b6c02962f511fc90711d
title: Urgent: Sexting
uri: Urgent-Sexting
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#22_July_2017_%28Urgent%3A_Sexting%29
content:
<p>
US citizens:
<a href="http://www.freerangekids.com/action-needed-tell-your-senator-not-to-pass-bill-mandating-15-year-prison-sentence-for-teen-sexters/">call
your senators</a> to oppose the bill, passed by the House of
Representatives, that would jail teenagers for 15 years (mandatory
minimum sentence) for sexting.
<p>
If you wish, you could add that sexting should not be a crime at all.


feed_id: 0fb383fd0ff6e2ced7c642cee330e67f
title: Urgent: Sequoia National Monument
uri: Urgent-Sequoia-National-Monument
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#22_July_2017_%28Urgent%3A_Sequoia_National_Monument%29

content:
<p>
US citizens:
<a href="https://petitions.moveon.org/sign/quick-signature-needed-8">oppose
fossil fuel extraction</a> in Sequoia National Monument.


feed_id: b4a4d5928b86c2922c387224ee5cc362
title: Urgent: Revoke Kushner's security clearance
uri: Urgent-Revoke-Kushner-s-security-clearance
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#22_July_2017_%28Urgent%3A_Revoke_Kushners_security_clearance%29

content:
<p>
US citizens:
<a href="https://petitions.moveon.org/sign/jared-kushners-national">call
for revocation</a> of Kushner's security clearance.


feed_id: 28f9a8be1cd3a301a0f056342d370784
title: Google confidentiality
uri: Google-confidentiality
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#23_July_2017_%28Google_confidentiality%29
content:
<p>
Google <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2017/jul/19/google-confidentiality-wage-gap-us-investigation">imposes confidentiality requirements on staff</a>, and this hampers them from reporting discrimination.


feed_id: 41dd9a6cbe459722d4c5bc1c3be032a4
title: Namibia
uri: Namibia
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#23_July_2017_%28Namibia%29
content:
<p>
Inequality is not inevitable, it's a policy choice. For proof, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/inequality/2017/jul/19/inequality-not-inevitable-policy-choice-namibia-commitment-reducing-inequality-index-oxfam">look at Namibia.</a>


feed_id: 049bc68839ed9e7124b41fdafa95d5ce
title: New Zealand
uri: 2017-07-24-New-Zealand
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#23_July_2017_%28New_Zealand%29
content:
<p>
New Zealand MP Metiria Turei explains how New Zealand keeps children
in poverty — by confessing how, as a single mother, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/global/commentisfree/2017/jul/20/lie-claim-benefits-mp-tell-you-why-new-zealand">she was compelled
to lie to get enough benefits</a> for her and her daughter to live.


feed_id: 680d590989dd755f495a8645f8dbcfcd
title: Blasphemy criteria
uri: Blasphemy-criteria
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#23_July_2017_%28Blasphemy_criteria%29
content:
<p>
Pakistan has <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2017/jul/19/facebook-pakistan-blasphemy-laws-censorship">quietly lowered the criteria for "blasphemy"</a> as a campaign to crush all dissent.


feed_id: fa209ad0cfecfdf10b0feaa5658cf83e
title: Liu Xiaobo's widow
uri: Liu-Xiaobo-s-widow
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#23_July_2017_%28Liu_Xiaobo%27s_widow%29
content:
<p>
China has <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/jul/20/chinese-agents-bar-access-free-liu-xia-wife-of-liu-xiaobo-beijing">disappeared Liu Xia, Liu Xiaobo's widow.</a> Thugs blocked
reporters from her apartment, while claiming they never heard of her.


feed_id: bb0fec8a42d5f5a639e8b6aaa3dc8aaf
title: Global heating and wild dogs
uri: Global-heating-and-wild-dogs
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#23_July_2017_%28Global_heating_and_wild_dogs%29
content:
<p>
Global heating is <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2017/jul/20/hot-dogs-rising-heat-makes-it-too-hot-for-africas-wild-dogs-to-hunt">wiping out the last of Africa's wild dogs.</a> They can't hunt when it gets too hot.


feed_id: 13331b6b3e52dc583002a8c931f3a83f
title: Justine Damond
uri: 2017-07-24-Justine-Damond
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#23_July_2017_%28Justine_Damond%29
content:
<p>
A thug is trying to excuse the killing of Justine Damond
by <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2017/jul/20/justine-damond-shooting-us-lawyer-hits-back-at-officers-ambush-claims">claiming the killer thought he had entered an ambush.</a>
<p>
We can't tolerate armed thugs on our streets that are likely to kill
people whenever they get jumpy. They must not be so quick to
"protect" themselves from nonexistent threats.


feed_id: 6db42e4b7a6ba94188d7af2371db95b4
title: Abortion ban
uri: Abortion-ban
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#23_July_2017_%28Abortion_ban%29
content:
<p>
The <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/global-development-professionals-network/2017/jul/20/teen-pregnancy-sierra-leone-involve-men">ban on abortion in Sierra Leone</a> is killing girls that get pregnant
and get illegal abortions.
<p>
However, the babies that are not aborted carry their own danger: being
trapped in poverty.


feed_id: 6d3654b7c421898afcff21d913ed2e57
title: Germans in Turkey
uri: Germans-in-Turkey
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#23_July_2017_%28Germans_in_Turkey%29
content:
<p>
Germany has <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/jul/20/berlin-to-change-policy-towards-turkey-as-german-citizen-is-held">warned its citizens to stay away from Turkey</a>, where they
might be falsely accused and used as bargaining chips. Germany will
also retaliate in other ways.
<p>
I don't know what other countries can or should do to improve Turkey's
lousy human rights record, but at least ErdoÄan richly deserves this.


feed_id: 66b7d2193c10cb22abd66567445a6674
title: Normalizing the troll
uri: Normalizing-the-troll
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#23_July_2017_%28Normalizing_the_troll%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2017/jul/20/nothing-normal-trump-presidency-remember-that">Nothing About the Trump Presidency Is Normal.</a> Keep Remembering That.
<p>
There is only one proper way to normalize the troll: to multiply him
by a coefficient that will adjust his magnitude to 1.


feed_id: a5d21fe5e38012db920a8a8e4814a2f3
title: DR Congo
uri: DR-Congo
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#23_July_2017_%28DR_Congo%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/jul/20/drc-vast-business-network-of-president-who-wont-step-down-revealed">The unremovable president of the Democratic Republic of the Congo</a> has
amassed so much money in 16 years of rule that the country is too poor
to hold an election on his successor.


feed_id: 609698002a190a3e0553295a0b3ab304
title: Detroit water shutoff
uri: Detroit-water-shutoff
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#23_July_2017_%28Detroit_water_shutoff%29
content:
<p>
Nine protesters <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2017/jul/20/detroit-water-shutoffs-marian-kramer-bill-wylie-kellermann">blocked Detroit water shutoff with their bodies</a>, and
embarrassed the Republican government of occupation into stopping the
policy.
<p>
The state prosecuted them, but found a way to quietly dismiss the case
when it became clear that the jury would acquit them.
<p>
These protesters used nonviolent resistance because it is their
principle, and won a victory. However, let us not think that
<em>only</em> nonviolent resistance can ever be justified. An imposed
nondemocratic government is illegitimate. Governor Synder and the
Michigan Republicans have no more moral authority than King George.


feed_id: 3da778c2964c1b8d76bf7f8b577e5788
title: New coal plants
uri: New-coal-plants
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#23_July_2017_%28New_coal_plants%29
content:
<p>
Wealthy country governments are <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2017/jul/20/asias-coal-fired-power-boom-bankrolled-by-foreign-governments-and-banks">funding the new coal-fired power plants in
Indonesia</a>.


feed_id: e19011558d9d2f19bc78f6a4332e2fcf
title: Squatters' rights
uri: Squatters-rights
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#23_July_2017_%28Squatters%27_rights%29
content:
<p>
Squatting, and squatters' rights, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2017/jul/19/squatting-culture-new-laws-grow-heathrow">deserve our support</a>.


feed_id: 2d426c1e2328d2f5e9bed819a7e563b9
title: Desertification
uri: Desertification
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#23_July_2017_%28Desertification%29
content:
<p>
Desertification in Africa is <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/global-development-professionals-network/2017/jul/19/will-africas-great-green-wall-discourage-migration-to-europe
">forecast to force 60 million people to
migrate</a>, within three years, because they can no longer survive where
they are.
<p>
I think that they will have trouble finding any place to go,
especially as population growth all around Africa will fill up the
places they might have gone. A few million might survive for a while
by moving into wildlife areas and killing the wildlife.
<p>
What can we do about this? For the most part, nothing. Serious
efforts to curb global heating would take more than three years to
make a difference.
<p>
However, a strong contraceptive program could easily avert a few
million births among the affected populations, even in three years.
This won't prevent that regional disaster, but would make it smaller.


feed_id: 695ed324fe4f4305dd0b949382d140a7
title: Hillary Clinton
uri: Hillary-Clinton
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#23_July_2017_%28Hillary_Clinton%29
content:
<p>
Clinton is <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2017/jul/19/hillary-clinton-donald-trump-unpopular-polling">even more unpopular than the troll</a>, because Democrats are
fed up with center-right plutocratist Democrats.


feed_id: b58489b4927c00eadf8f5c2ea4c57b80
title: Plastic pollution
uri: 2017-07-24-Plastic-pollution
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#23_July_2017_%28Plastic_pollution%29
content:
<p>
Plastic Pollution Risks <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2017/jul/19/plastic-pollution-risks-near-permanent-contamination-of-natural-environment">"Near Permanent Contamination of Natural Environment"</a>.
<p>
I suppose most of the plastic objects will be filtered out of the
ocean in a few millennia, as various animals swallow them, and later
die and fall to the bottom and become part of sediment. But that is a
long time.
<p>
Local campaigns aim to <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2017/jul/20/plastics-campaign-calls-for-grassroots-action-to-cut-pollution-across-the-uk">persuade stores to use less plastic packaging</a>, but for real effect we need laws.


feed_id: f9d85a69f38b829e4ed4310fb8e2c211
title: Early human migration
uri: Early-human-migration
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#23_July_2017_%28Early_human_migration%29
content:
<p>
Humans reached Australia <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2017/jul/19/dig-finds-evidence-of-aboriginal-habitation-up-to-80000-years-ago">at least 65,000 years ago</a>, and probably over 70,000 years ago.
<p>
This could imply that modern humans first migrated out of Africa
earlier than the usual estimate of 75,000 years ago. But not
necessarily. A few thousand years could have been long enough for
humans to spread across Asia.


feed_id: 1074eb139975f1add155fd0addad897c
title: Ralph Nader
uri: 2017-07-24-Ralph-Nader
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#23_July_2017_%28Ralph_Nader%29
content:
<p>
Ralph Nader: <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2017/07/19/detecting-what-unravels-our-society-bottom-and-top-down">we can all avoid the actions</a> that give abusive leaders
a clear path to tear our society apart.
<p>
I have to point out that the word "consume", when applied to
publications of any sort, <a href="https://gnu.org/philosophy/words-to-avoid.html#Consume">discourages critical thinking about them</a>.
Please join me in shunning that usage.


feed_id: 6cfc999e9d4a1ad69ccde2087740620f
title: Torturing prisoners
uri: Torturing-prisoners
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#23_July_2017_%28Torturing_prisoners%29
content:
<p>
Amnesty International says <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/jul/20/cameroon-torturing-people-accused-of-supporting-boko-haram-boko-haram-amnesty-says-security-forces">Cameroon is torturing prisoners</a>
accused of supporting Boko Haram.
<p>
US and French officials may be participating in the interrogation
of these prisoners.


feed_id: ed0ed4a3eddc6393e958c3f4896cb12d
title: Arming rebels in Syria
uri: Arming-rebels-in-Syria
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#23_July_2017_%28Arming_rebels_in_Syria%29
content:
<p>
The troll has <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2017/jul/19/donald-trump-drops-syria-programme-in-bid-to-improve-russia-ties">stopped trying to arm "moderate" rebels</a> in Syria.
<p>
This program was a joke, since it ended up arming jihadis that were
more of a threat to the US than Assad is.


feed_id: b60f4812d25a2f15be1c339d8a9a0d98
title: Cod recovery
uri: 2017-07-24-Cod-recovery
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#23_July_2017_%28Cod_recovery%29
content:
<p>
Cod in the North Sea have <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2017/jul/19/sustainable-british-cod-on-the-menu-after-stocks-recover">recovered enough to allow fishing</a>.
<p>
I wonder why the Grand Banks cod have not recovered.
One article I read says that the protection measures are inadequate
because some fishing is still permitted.


feed_id: 1b912df14c63c8772bc7d2c7f9bae717
title: Koch brothers
uri: 2017-07-24-Koch-brothers
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#23_July_2017_%28Koch_brothers%29
content:
<p>
One of the Koch brothers <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2017/jul/19/despot-disguise-democracy-james-mcgill-buchanan-totalitarian-capitalism">spent millions to make a plutocratist
anti-tax economic ideology ascendant</a>, so that it is now used
to suppress democracy in the US and elsewhere.


feed_id: 258f42401c0f933231c4dbd9a530a232
title: Liu Xiaobo's ocean burial
uri: Liu-Xiaobo-s-ocean-burial
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#23_July_2017_%28Liu_Xiaobo%27s_ocean_burial%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/jul/19/chinas-ocean-burial-of-liu-xiaobo-backfires-as-activists-stage-sea-protests">China's Ocean Burial of Liu Xiaobo Backfires as Activists Stage Sea Protests.</a>
<p>
It would be good to put up a memorial to him in Hong Kong.


feed_id: 712f96eb939a9a293c7db5ba63566aa7
title: Pre-emptive federal laws
uri: Pre-emptive-federal-laws
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#23_July_2017_%28Pre-emptive_federal_laws%29
content:
<p>
Republicans <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2017/07/19/partisan-use-preemption-surging">want to pass pre-emptive federal laws</a> to eliminate many
state laws that protect people's rights against business and the
plutocracy.


feed_id: c2f6feb75e8a6b02f8b27d87219ecccc
title: Urgent: Marine national monuments
uri: Urgent-Marine-national-monuments
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#24_July_2017_%28Urgent%3A_Marine_national_monuments%29

content:
<p>
US citizens:
<a href="https://secure.defenders.org/site/Advocacy?cmd=display&page=UserAction&id=3220">call
on Saboteur of Commerce Ross</a> to protect marine national monuments
and sanctuaries.


feed_id: af1ded29f800b2465071ca3010d4a6e6
title: Urgent: Reject Republican budget cuts
uri: Urgent-Reject-Republican-budget-cuts
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#24_July_2017_%28Urgent%3A_Reject_Republican_budget_cuts%29

content:
<p>
US citizens:
<a href="https://actionnetwork.org/petitions/stop-the-gop-budget-that-cuts-social-security-medicare-and-medicaid">Reject</a>
Republican budget cuts.


feed_id: 69e414ebfdd3342d58030257a6a52528
title: Urgent: Drop Ivanka clothing line
uri: Urgent-Drop-Ivanka-clothing-line
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#24_July_2017_%28Urgent%3A_Drop_Ivanka_clothing_line%29

content:
<p>
Everyone:
<a href="https://act.weareultraviolet.org/sign/macys_drop_ivanka/">call
on Macy's department store</a> to drop Ivanka clothing line.


feed_id: f604614b88a8bd7333e0d54ad2289f61
title: Urgent: Call on AARP to quit ALEC
uri: Urgent-Call-on-AARP-to-quit-ALEC
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#24_July_2017_%28Urgent%3A_Call_on_AARP_to_quit_ALEC%29

content:
<p>
Everyone:
<a href="https://actionnetwork.org/petitions/aarp-leave-alec?nowrapper=true">call
on AARP</a> to quit ALEC now for real.


feed_id: a4bf587cb19ac3700816ef0ac8b1dbf9
title: Urgent: End civil forfeiture
uri: Urgent-End-civil-forfeiture
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#24_July_2017_%28Urgent%3A_End_civil_forfeiture%29
content:
<p>
US citizens: call for ending civil forfeiture
<a href="https://engage.drugpolicy.org/secure/stop-sessions-ramping-drug-war-forfeiture">at
the federal level</a>.


feed_id: 50a08f54853483ca27cb525240755cb0
title: Americans vs businesses' lobbies
uri: Americans-vs-businesses-lobbies
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#24_July_2017_%28Americans_vs_businesses_lobbies%29
content:
<p>
On several big political issues, where some businesses' interests
conflict directly with what most Americans want, the problem is not
political polarization between Americans.  It's 
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2017/07/20/lies-and-lying-lobbyists-who-tell-them">polarization
between Americans and those businesses' lobbies</a>.


feed_id: 0b49cda10b04ec0babb0b71a03bc316b
title: Exxon's violation of US sanctions on Russia
uri: Exxon-s-violation-of-US-sanctions-on-Russia
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#24_July_2017_%28Exxons_violation_of_US_sanctions_on_Russia%29

content:
<p>
Exxon Oil has been fined for violating US sanctions on Russia while
Tillerson was its CEO, and was reportedly 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/business/2017/jul/20/exxonmobil-russia-sanctions-violation-rex-tillerson">aware
of the violation</a>.
<p>
On the 
<a href="https://stallman.org/articles/exxon.html">correct
pronunciation of "Exxon"</a>.


feed_id: 2a19fba5e4a88ccbdae2c8d89a381fed
title: Prohibition of fairly safe drugs
uri: Prohibition-of-fairly-safe-drugs
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#24_July_2017_%28Prohibition_of_fairly_safe_drugs%29
content:
<p>
For some fairly safe drugs, prohibition 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/society/2017/jul/22/friends-out-ecstasy-deaths-highest-level-pills">greatly
increases the danger</a>.


feed_id: a8a685e5ef507f0ba5bb906d02a9d3d8
title: The Dontcare bill
uri: 2017-07-25-The-Dontcare-bill
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#24_July_2017_%28The_Dontcare_bill%29
content:
<p>
The Dontcare bill, like cholera, never entirely dies.  <a href="/glossary.html#scrotus">SCROTUS</a> 
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2017/07/20/trumpcare-not-dead-how-we-know">can
bring it back for a vote</a> any day.
<p>
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2017/07/20/dont-let-progressive-groups-warn-trumpcare-fight-still-far-over">More
information</a>.


feed_id: 87c9c9d508054ef0d3e3cbed1aff27d3
title: Tortoises of the Mojava desert
uri: Tortoises-of-the-Mojava-desert
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#24_July_2017_%28Tortoises_of_the_Mojava_desert%29
content:
<p>
Invasive plants and human activities 
<a href="https://www.nrdc.org/onearth/how-do-you-save-desert-tortoise-lasers-robots-and-bureaucracy">endanger
the survival of the tortoises</a> of the Mojava desert.


feed_id: ad5c340d0bf74143c0809738a278478a
title: Supporters of torture in government positions
uri: Supporters-of-torture-in-government-positions
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#24_July_2017_%28Supporters_of_torture_in_government_positions%29

content:
<p>
<a href="/glossary.html#trump">The troll</a> 
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2017/07/19/torture-friendly-trump-administration">continues
putting supporters of torture into crucial government positions</a>.


feed_id: aea6621e9c2ac84187d6f121e0c6a8f2
title: Leaving the EU presents opportunity
uri: Leaving-the-EU-presents-opportunity
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#24_July_2017_%28Leaving_the_EU_presents_opportunity%29

content:
<p>
Leaving the EU will give Britain the opportunity to 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2017/jul/21/capitalism-fat-cats-brexit-leaving-eu">escape
from the political power of business</a>.  Corbyn aims to take
advantage of this.


feed_id: ed26b51614557ad101e892801ea8dcb9
title: Investigation of troll's Russian ties
uri: Investigation-of-troll-s-Russian-ties
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#24_July_2017_%28Investigation_of_trolls_Russian_ties%29

content:
<p>
<a href="/glossary.html#trump">The troll</a> is 
<a href="">looking for a way to sabotage the investigation</a> of his ties
with Russia.


feed_id: 9b90f670425dc5e45a14e2cbb53f4253
title: ErdoÄan's Islamist self-promotion
uri: ErdoÄ-an-s-Islamist-self-promotion
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#24_July_2017_%28Erdogans_Islamist_self-promotion%29
content:
<p>
ErdoÄan has imposed a blanket of Islamist self-promotion on Turkey,
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2017/jul/21/erdogan-turkey-coup-turkish-president">threatening
mob murder against dissenters</a>.


feed_id: 828ea98841ac58b7abb70b1f93373a52
title: Destructive fishing methods
uri: Destructive-fishing-methods
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#24_July_2017_%28Destructive_fishing_methods%29
content:
<p>
Even when a fish population is managed at a stable level, 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2017/jul/21/can-we-eat-fish-and-chips-tonight-clear-conscience-north-sea-cod">some
modern fishing methods</a> cause lasting damage to the sea bottom and
other species.  True sustainability requires curbing those methods.


feed_id: 20e76e8a0108845331d5f0432f942c4b
title: Right-wing callousness towards poor people
uri: Right-wing-callousness-towards-poor-people
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#24_July_2017_%28Right-wing_callousness_towards_poor_people%29

content:
<p>
Residents who escaped the London public housing fire 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/housing-network/2017/jul/21/kensington-chelsea-councillors-fear-abuse-elizabeth-campbell-grenfell-fire-residents-used-to-it">confront
the right-wing local council</a> about its general callousness towards
undesirable poor people.


feed_id: 9069869312422781395440b51dc8a4ab
title: Action in the face of global disaster
uri: Action-in-the-face-of-global-disaster
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#24_July_2017_%28Action_in_the_face_of_global_disaster%29

content:
<p>
When facing global disaster, we 
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2017/07/19/our-aversion-doom-and-gloom-dooming-us">must
not be afraid to show people the "doom and gloom"</a> that will result
from inaction.


feed_id: 28be38401eed8a3a5fb07fd4c0c013cf
title: Troll in the pocket of Russians
uri: Troll-in-the-pocket-of-Russians
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#24_July_2017_%28Troll_in_the_pocket_of_Russians%29
content:
<p>
Conjecture: the Russians that the cheater met with a year ago are the
people that have 
<a href="https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2017/7/18/1681726/-8th-man-in-Trump-Tower-conspiracy-reinforces-purpose-money-laundering-through-real-estate">financed
his business activity since many years before</a>, and he is in their
pocket.


feed_id: f0f4368cc970f3ba13ad9eccb5b1f9cf
title: Widows of PISSI soldiers
uri: Widows-of-PISSI-soldiers
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#24_July_2017_%28Widows_of_PISSI_soldiers%29
content:
<p>
Widows of the soldiers of <a href="/glossary.html#pissi">PISSI</a> 
<a href="https://theintercept.com/2017/07/19/revenge-attacks-on-families-of-isis-members-could-start-a-new-cycle-of-violence-in-iraq/">face
retaliation</a> from the triumphant Shi'ite militias and soldiers that
have captured Mosul.


feed_id: 094f41b931c75531c25d83a63d95a2be
title: Civil forfeiture
uri: 2017-07-25-Civil-forfeiture
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#24_July_2017_%28Civil_forfeiture%29
content:
<p>
<a href="/glossary.html#saboteur">Saboteur</a> Sessions is trying to make all Americans fear 
<a href="http://reason.com/blog/2017/07/19/justice-department-rolls-out-new-policy">robbery
on the streets</a> — by thugs.


feed_id: 4f4c1b9dfba6db5db0ff65cfc14d6750
title: Databases of biometric data
uri: Databases-of-biometric-data
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#24_July_2017_%28Databases_of_biometric_data%29
content:
<p>
Uber and AirBNB are considering using India's monster biometric
population registry to 
<a href="http://gizmodo.com/uber-and-airbnb-want-to-tap-into-india-s-massive-and-co-1797066488">identify
people</a>.
<p>
Once a data base of citizens exists, all sorts of organizations will
tend to index their databases by it.


feed_id: e6cdbc014278aedcfacd88704de3c9cf
title: Promises broken by the troll
uri: Promises-broken-by-the-troll
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#24_July_2017_%28Promises_broken_by_the_troll%29
content:
<p>
Those who voted for the troll: here's a 
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2017/07/19/6-month-update-trump-voters">list
of the promises</a> he broke or even reversed.


feed_id: c376f9d13cf094ee3ea4ec8aebcb9d49
title: AI-driven autonomous killer drones
uri: AI-driven-autonomous-killer-drones
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#24_July_2017_%28AI-driven_autonomous_killer_drones%29

content:
<p>
Warning: an arms race in AI-driven autonomous killer drones 
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2017/07/19/fundamental-existential-threat-lawmakers-warned-risks-killer-robots">may
start soon</a>.
<p>
The obvious way to avoid this is with a treaty.


feed_id: 0df54edeb2633eb27c3daef17c69ce52
title: Killings inexcusable
uri: Killings-inexcusable
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#24_July_2017_%28Killings_inexcusable%29
content:
<p>
We 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2017/jul/19/justine-damonds-death-tragedy-police-killing-america-is">must
not excuse the killings</a> of people other than Justine Damond just
because they are not perfectly innocent people like her.


feed_id: 89f7e8c328addb2b258ee5e66a1717a3
title: Jobs from a coal mine
uri: Jobs-from-a-coal-mine
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#24_July_2017_%28Jobs_from_a_coal_mine%29
content:
<p>
<a href="/glossary.html#trump">The troll</a> claimed that a coal mine in Pennsylvania created 45,000 jobs,
but it's actually 
<a href="https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2017/7/18/1681699/-Trump-says-new-PA-coal-mine-created-45-000-jobs-It-ll-probably-make-70">around
70 jobs</a>.


feed_id: d0b1069ffed78d8329f4cadbe3fe2290
title: Lie sessions
uri: Lie-sessions
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#25_July_2017_%28Lie_sessions%29
content:
<p>
One defiant journalist
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/further/2017/07/20/breaking-back-peoples-house">
recorded and posted the troll's "press briefing"
</a>
at which recording was forbidden.
<p>
It is good to defy the troll, but that doesn't mean that the recording
is worth actually listening to.  <a href="/glossary.html#trump">The troll</a>'s "press briefings" are
meant to distract and confuse the public and to diminish the press.
We should not treat what is said in them as significant.
<p>
I suggest that news media start sending apprentices to these
"briefings", tasked with making brief notes about the topics, and
start calling them "distraction events" or "lie sessions'.
<p>
Then organizations can start demanding that the troll hold real,
serious press briefings.


feed_id: b300a344394d1f1d731af4f78d17547f
title: Disabled parents
uri: Disabled-parents
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#25_July_2017_%28Disabled_parents%29
content:
<p>
Children of disabled American parents face the danger of
<a href="http://reason.com/blog/2017/07/20/oregon-has-decided-this-couple-isnt-smar">
being put
into foster care.
</a>
<p>
I don't believe that anyone is entitled to a right to have children,
but we must treat children with regard for their well-being.  Unless
parents are quite abusive, taking children away from them will hurt
those children.


feed_id: d6e3965f900a9b2d7aa11229fd2b012b
title: Reality Winner's trial
uri: Reality-Winner-s-trial
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#25_July_2017_%28Reality_Winner%27s_trial%29
content:
<p>
The US government seeks to
<a href="https://theintercept.com/2017/07/21/justice-departments-demand-for-extreme-secrecy-in-reality-winner-trial-contested-by-defense/">
ban mention in Reality Winner's trial
of all leaked material that newspapers have published.
</a>
<p>
This would eliminate any chance of her contesting government claims
about the significance of material that she is accused of leaking.


feed_id: 572c35a6beac0f505ebf4c8ad2de38ef
title: Jailing boycotters
uri: Jailing-boycotters
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#25_July_2017_%28Jailing_boycotters%29
content:
<p>
Congress is on the verge of
<a href="Https://theintercept.com/2017/07/19/u-s-lawmakers-seek-to-criminally-outlaw-support-for-boycott-campaign-against-israel/">
jailing Americans that participate
in the Palestinian boycott of Israel
</a>
or even Gush Shalom's boycott
of products made in Israel's colonies in occupied Palestine.
<p>
<a href="https://www.aclu.org/letter/aclu-letter-senate-opposing-israel-anti-boycott-act">
The ACLU is campaigning against the bill.
</a>
<p>
<a href="media/4deb68f0.2017_07_17_aclu_letter_opposing_s_720_israel_anti-boycott.pdf" data-original-source="https://www.aclu.org/sites/default/files/field_document/2017_07_17_aclu_letter_opposing_s_720_israel_anti-boycott.pdf">
Here's the ACLU's letter to senators,
</a>
which gives more details about
what the bill would prohibit.  It is shocking.


feed_id: 5e4afef90879eff3e3c50aed8a928cb8
title: Dontcare bill
uri: 2017-07-25-Dontcare-bill
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#25_July_2017_%28Dontcare_bill%29
content:
<p>
<a href="/glossary.html#scrotus">SCROTUS</a> have stretched Senate rules trying to pass the Dontcare bill
<a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2017/07/21/us/politics/senate-parliamentarian-health-bill.html?partner=rss&emc=rss">
as a budget reconciliation bill.
</a>
<p>
That's the Republicans for you.  They don't recognize anything whatsoever
as being above their partisan aims.


feed_id: d11aa1a35b282c3d78e66c12329987d0
title: Social media surveillance
uri: Social-media-surveillance
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#25_July_2017_%28Social_media_surveillance%29
content:
<p>
Some social networks regularly
<a href="https://www.city.ac.uk/news/2017/july/neil-thurman-surveillance-apps-study">
help government agencies track people
</a>
that use the networks.


feed_id: 3c678d3036153303775ae60c4382c2ea
title: Preserving trees
uri: Preserving-trees
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#25_July_2017_%28Preserving_trees%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://www.theatlantic.com/science/archive/2017/07/paying-people-to-preserve-their-trees/534351/">
Paying people to preserve trees
</a>
near their villages is a very efficient way
of reducing CO2 emissions and preserving the environment.
<p>
However, the fact that deforestation continued in areas covered by the
trial program -- albeit more slowly than elsewhere -- suggests that we need
more than this if we are to protect the world's forests.


feed_id: 3291ea4d8d28bcc5e44986f2185c93ff
title: Personality tests
uri: Personality-tests
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#25_July_2017_%28Personality_tests%29
content:
<p>
Internet "personality tests" are a clever trick to
<a href="https://www.theatlantic.com/technology/archive/2017/07/the-internet-is-one-big-personality-test/531861/">
get people to answer
personal questions
</a>
and be profiled.


feed_id: 2e35f19a0c266ed0fdea3c04e8e8c402
title: Urgent: Saving African wildlife
uri: Urgent-Saving-African-wildlife
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#25_July_2017_%28Urgent%3A_Saving_African_wildlife%29

content:
<p>
US citizens: save the US funds for <a href="https://secure.awf.org/USAID-petition">saving African wildlife</a>.


feed_id: 5f0cf01495c8763dc5a0e2e3b7c01159
title: Urgent: AT&T-Time Warner merger
uri: Urgent-AT-T-Time-Warner-merger
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#25_July_2017_%28Urgent%3A_AT%2526T-Time_Warner_merger%29

content:
<p>
US citizens: <a href="https://act.demandprogress.org/sign/tell-doj-block-time-warner-merger/">oppose the AT&T-Time Warner merger</a>.


feed_id: b4edc346b0ec70ea3ef1d97bdb2f0ce0
title: Urgent: Protect whales and sea turtles
uri: Urgent-Protect-whales-and-sea-turtles
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#25_July_2017_%28Urgent%3A_Protect_whales_and_sea_turtles%29

content:
<p>
US citizens: call on the NOAA Fisheries department to <a href="https://act.oceana.org/page/11964/petition/1">protect whales and sea turtles from drift gillnets</a>.


feed_id: bd497aaf7d2ffa417c0012f3ae6c5057
title: Data collection
uri: Data-collection
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#25_July_2017_%28Data_collection%29
content:
<p>
A US appeals court <a href="https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2017/07/fbi-retains-right-to-issue-national-security-data-requests-in-secret/">upheld the secrecy of PAT RIOT Act massive data
collection</a>.
<p>
This puts everyone in the US in danger.


feed_id: c7f11a97a4f5e4d594214a84c4470343
title: Crowdfunding medical treatment
uri: Crowdfunding-medical-treatment
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#25_July_2017_%28Crowdfunding_medical_treatment%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://theconversation.com/as-patients-turn-to-medical-crowdfunding-concerns-emerge-about-privacy-77776">Crowdfunding the cost of medical treatment</a> can be necessary,
but it's not a good way for society to fund treatment, since it requires
the patient medical situation to be published.


feed_id: f3a3767a909167399d4c63407fcf505f
title: Chemical safety
uri: Chemical-safety
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#25_July_2017_%28Chemical_safety%29
content:
<p>
Trump's EPA Chemical Safety Nominee Was <a href="https://theintercept.com/2017/07/21/trumps-epa-chemical-safety-nominee-was-in-the-business-of-blessing-pollution/">in the "Business of Blessing" Pollution</a>.


feed_id: 6a96cf24fe587f8960cafcc58ecbaddc
title: Rainforest destruction
uri: Rainforest-destruction
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#25_July_2017_%28Rainforest_destruction%29
content:
<p>
Pepsico, Unilever And NestlÃ© Accused of <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2017/jul/21/pepsico-unilever-and-nestle-accused-of-complicity-in-illegal-rainforest-destruction">Complicity in Illegal Rainforest Destruction</a>.


feed_id: cf3e3b47b39abc26a87014e0c89710db
title: Privatizing public housing
uri: Privatizing-public-housing
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#25_July_2017_%28Privatizing_public_housing%29
content:
<p>
Privatizing public housing, like privatizing almost anything else
governments do, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/society/2017/jul/21/the-real-cost-of-regeneration-social-housing-private-developers-pfi">leads to unaccountability</a>.


feed_id: 3586020fb6e2933c214db1f16a6ef794
title: Cod revival
uri: Cod-revival
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#25_July_2017_%28Cod_revival%29
content:
<p>
"Enjoy cod's revival, but the <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2017/jul/22/enjoy-cods-revival-extent-of-our-ruination-of-seas-unknown">extent of our ruination of the sea</a> remains unknown."


feed_id: 8e6bd694b7e8a252c5ae3491fc43e959
title: Alleged drug dealers
uri: Alleged-drug-dealers
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#25_July_2017_%28Alleged_drug_dealers%29
content:
<p>
Indonesia has followed the Philippines in <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/jul/23/indonesia-police-ordered-to-shoot-drug-dealers-to-tackle-narcotics-emergency">shooting alleged drug dealers</a>
on the street.
<p>
People will be killed for all sorts of reasons, and lumped in with the
drug dealers.


feed_id: 192c80e5b12e442c18a90a64bd597988
title: Deregulatory saboteurs
uri: Deregulatory-saboteurs
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#25_July_2017_%28Deregulatory_saboteurs%29
content:
<p>
The troll's deregulatory saboteurs aim to help businesses <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2017/07/21/red-alert-team-trump-unveils-anti-planet-anti-worker-corporate-wish-list">endanger the
environment, public health, and workers</a>.


feed_id: 4b4e36ad22a155af9b43f3be628a7320
title: Resisting deforestation
uri: Resisting-deforestation
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#25_July_2017_%28Resisting_deforestation%29
content:
<p>
How President Temer <a href="http://amazonwatch.org/news/2017/0721-desperate-to-save-his-job-brazils-president-temer-escalates-assault">quashed indigenous people's legal rights</a>
so that they can't resist the deforestation business.


feed_id: 4701f336ae0fb53f333412b36147604b
title: Monsanto-Bayer merger
uri: Monsanto-Bayer-merger
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#25_July_2017_%28Monsanto-Bayer_merger%29
content:
<p>
To Save Rural Iowa, <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2017/07/21/save-rural-iowa-we-must-oppose-monsanto-bayer-merger">We Must Oppose Monsanto-Bayer Merger</a>.


feed_id: b02896ea1f9477092bfb9db5c03c2510
title: Culture of jihadism
uri: Culture-of-jihadism
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#25_July_2017_%28Culture_of_jihadism%29
content:
<p>
Studying the <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/jul/23/the-culture-that-makes-a-jihadi-thomas-hegghammer-interview-poetry-militancy">culture of jihadism</a>, which is what attracts many of its
recruits.
<p>
The resemblance between jihadi culture and Salafist culture confirms
that Salafism fuels jihadism. Spreading Salafism around the world,
which <a href="/glossary.html#salafi">Salafi Arabia</a> spends millions doing, contributes to terrorism.


feed_id: 21e3213a0e3a8c91ca11db2ce220acb1
title: Dontcare bill
uri: 2017-07-25-Dontcare-bill
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#25_July_2017_%28Dontcare_bill%29
content:
<p>
A <a href="https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2017/7/21/1682888/-BREAKING-Senate-health-repeal-FAILS-the-Byrd-Rule-says-Parliamentarian">list of the provisions</a> that would have to be removed from the Dontcare bill
in order to pass it as a budget reconciliation measure with just 50 votes.


feed_id: ef386596ffeda52750e73d99ecd224bc
title: Russian ambassador
uri: Russian-ambassador
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#25_July_2017_%28Russian_ambassador%29
content:
<p>
A reported <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/national-security/sessions-discussed-trump-campaign-related-matters-with-russian-ambassador-us-intelligence-intercepts-show/2017/07/21/3e704692-6e44-11e7-9c15-177740635e83_story.html">intercepted conversation between the Russian ambassador and
his superiors</a> contradicts Sessions' claims about not discussing the
troll's campaign and policies with the ambassador.


feed_id: 8778adaeab22b40a3060310a13fa0949
title: Prosecution of thugs
uri: 2017-07-25-Prosecution-of-thugs
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#25_July_2017_%28Prosecution_of_thugs%29
content:
<p>
A <a href="http://reason.com/archives/2017/07/21/gutting-of-oversight-bill-puts-kibosh-on">California bill</a> that would have aided prosecution of murderous thugs was defeated.


feed_id: a575d037bcb96aa7b94f7d146b38d667
title: Banning VPNs
uri: 2017-07-25-Banning-VPNs
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#25_July_2017_%28Banning_VPNs%29
content:
<p>
Russia has <a href="http://www.sacbee.com/news/business/technology/article162838593.html">banned VPNs</a>.


feed_id: 59080ebfedfb6d0397a7dc00311626ce
title: Very urgent: Oppose the Dontcare bill
uri: Very-urgent-Oppose-the-Dontcare-bill
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#26_July_2017_%28Urgent%3A_Oppose_the_Dontcare_bill%29

content:
<p>
US citizens: phone your senators at 888-659-7351
and urge them to vote against any version of the <a href="/glossary.html#care">Dontcare</a> bill.
<p>
Any one of them would cut off medical coverage for tens of
millions of Americans.


feed_id: ee211f9cd8d3e05a54e65b0804636c54
title: Refugee Imprisonment
uri: Refugee-Imprisonment
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#26_July_2017_%28Refugee_Imprisonment%29
content:
<p>
Imprisonment without limit is <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2017/jul/19/indefinite-detention-refugees-journeys-refugee-tales">dehumanizing for refugees</a>,
just as it would be for anyone else.
<p>
The word "detention" fails to do justice to what it is like to be
jailed, so I don't call it that.


feed_id: 248de7456b8c8fa259cdc6cab7574dde
title: Climates and Extinctions
uri: Climates-and-Extinctions
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#26_July_2017_%28Climates_and_Extinctions%29
content:
<p>
Past mass <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/science/2017/jul/19/past-extinctions-point-to-a-current-and-future-biodiversity-crisis">extinctions</a> killed up to 96% of all species, and what we see happening now can easily cascade up to there.


feed_id: 8b0d3a4bd022c412ce422bb428123818
title: Instant Gratification
uri: Instant-Gratification
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#26_July_2017_%28Instant_Gratification%29
content:
<p>
Porn is a special case of the instant gratification <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2017/jul/17/danger-porn-sex-desire-advertising-politics">fantasy promotion
business</a>.  Becoming habituated to that sort of thing can harm people
regardless of what field it happens in.
<p>
I disagree with the writer where he thinks it is wrong for
15-year-olds to have sex.


feed_id: ce0b817c27805508f3f444dbe0694454
title: Democratic Party and Neocons
uri: Democratic-Party-and-Neocons
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#26_July_2017_%28Democratic_Party_and_Neocons%29
content:
<p>
The Democratic Party has <a href="https://theintercept.com/2017/07/17/with-new-d-c-policy-group-dems-continue-to-rehabilitate-and-unify-with-bush-era-neocons/">allied</a> with neocons for a new cold war with
Russia.


feed_id: 7127599f7ecf6d8e1dde001dabd33b62
title: US Tax Cut Inequality
uri: US-Tax-Cut-Inequality
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#26_July_2017_%28US_Tax_Cut_Inequality%29
content:
<p>
The troll's proposed tax cuts for the rich would make the <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/inequality/2017/jul/17/trump-united-states-tax-reform-plan-greece-commitment-to-reducing-inequality-cri-index">US more unequal</a>
than Greece.


feed_id: c9b9d4bc5dec79932643e2f06306128e
title: Atlantic Pipeline FERC
uri: Atlantic-Pipeline-FERC
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#26_July_2017_%28Atlantic_Pipeline_FERC%29
content:
<p>
The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission has <a href="https://thinkprogress.org/ferc-gives-pipeline-project-favorable-environmental-review-1f45e7b44cdf">greenwashed</a> a proposed natural gas pipeline by simply ignoring the associated greenhouse gas emissions.
<p>
The FERC essentially never rejects a pipeline.  It has been captured
totally by the industry it is supposed to regulate on our behalf.


feed_id: e3c569beb558b0a9548f10891cc8c31e
title: FOIA Congress
uri: FOIA-Congress
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#26_July_2017_%28FOIA_Congress%29
content:
<p>Congress is considering <a href="https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2017/07/the-war-on-the-freedom-of-information-act/534489/">weakening</a> the Freedom of Information Act.


feed_id: b10819c8c59b320a1b1e6eaba3161e88
title: Nairobi Water Crisis
uri: Nairobi-Water-Crisis
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#26_July_2017_%28Nairobi_Water_Crisis%29
content:
<p>Nairobi faces running <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/global-development-professionals-network/2017/jul/24/thirsty-city-after-months-of-water-rationing-nairobi-may-run-dry">out of water</a> in a few months.


feed_id: 882b58518f3fee96ce2c1cd925a9282a
title: Turkey Press on Trial
uri: Turkey-Press-on-Trial
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#26_July_2017_%28Turkey_Press_on_Trial%29
content:
<p>Turkey's leading opposition journalists are <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2017/jul/24/my-father-press-freedom-on-trial-turkey-europe-notice-cumhuriyet">on trial</a>, and the charge
amounts to "journalism".


feed_id: 11a704d03774bbcaa743b419ddd05f8d
title: Poland Judicial Reforms
uri: Poland-Judicial-Reforms
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#26_July_2017_%28Poland_Judicial_Reforms%29
content:
<p>Poland's president will <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/jul/24/poland-president-to-veto-controversial-laws-amid-protests">veto the bill</a> to give the right-wing government control of the supreme court.


feed_id: 4b68b67899dbab29ec09f4b2b9ea78d8
title: Homeless Abuse
uri: Homeless-Abuse
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#26_July_2017_%28Homeless_Abuse%29
content:
<p>Homeless people on the street face a constant stream of <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2017/jul/24/beaten-urinated-homeless-people-abused-coffee-shop-london">cruelty</a>,
including being pissed on or beaten up by passersby.
<p>
The author reports that some food stores refused to sell food to people who are buying for the homeless.  I have never encountered that sort of refusal when buying them food, but I trust the reports. Perhaps that happens only in the UK.


feed_id: b2a6c4fa10f9570d6c1b2354ae33b793
title: 2020 Dem. Party Donors want Harris
uri: 2020-Dem-Party-Donors-want-Harris
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#26_July_2017_%282020_Dem._Party_Donors_want_Harris%29

content:
<p>Center-right Democratic donors want to choose newly elected senator Kemala Harris as <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2017/jul/24/democratic-donors-kamala-harris-rising-star-hamptons">the 2020 candidate</a> for president.
<p>
We have been there before.  In 2008, the Democratic Party ran a
first-term black senator who used vague slogans such as "hope" and
"change" but didn't match them with substance.  I smelled something
fishy and didn't vote for him.  I chose well, because once elected he
turned out to be the plutocrats' pet.  He didn't lift a finger to stop
banks from <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2008-may-aug.html#05 May 2008 (Mortgage crisis fueled by fraud)">defrauding millions</a> of Americans out of their homes.
<p>
(I'm not exaggerating when I use the word "defrauding" -- the banks went to court using falsified documents.)
<p>
We should not rush to put faith in a "savior" just beginning to hold a
major office.  Instead we should choose, as candidate, an official
that has spent decades firmly <a href="https://www.stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#19_July_2017_(Bernie_Sanders)">resisting the plutocrats</a>:
<p>
	   Bernie Sanders.
<p>
As for Senator Harris, let's wait and see what she does in the senate.
In 10 years she will have a record we can judge by.  If by then she
has stood firm for democracy, human rights, and the good of the
non-rich, I will support her.


feed_id: 159ef2550acc3d6ed705d79b9a2746fc
title: Very urgent: Oppose the Dontcare bill
uri: 2017-07-27-Very-urgent-Oppose-the-Dontcare-bill
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#26_July_2017_%28Urgent%3A_Oppose_the_Dontcare_bill%29

content:
<p>
US citizens: phone your senators at 888-659-7351
and urge them to vote against any version of the <a href="/glossary.html#care">Dontcare</a> bill.
<p>
Any one of them would cut off medical coverage for tens of
millions of Americans.


feed_id: 0fb01f5f9d1877f40777b4874841e05c
title: Very urgent: Rally against Dontcare bill
uri: Very-urgent-Rally-against-Dontcare-bill
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#27_July_2017_%28Very_urgent%3A_Rally_against_Dontcare_bill%29

content:
<p>
In the US: <a href="http://ourlivesontheline.org/">join a rally</a> to oppose the Dontcare bill.


feed_id: 3281755baa3dd7727c8b67cab4fa8630
title: Urgent: Toxic household products
uri: Urgent-Toxic-household-products
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#27_July_2017_%28Urgent%3A_Toxic_household_products%29

content:
<p>
US citizens: <a href="http://action.storyofstuff.org/sign/mind-the-store/">Call on Albertsons supermarkets</a> (including Safeway and
Shaws) to stop selling toxic household products.


feed_id: 752659f452d76c6126ad7a220ec5eaba
title: Urgent: Clean energy cuts
uri: Urgent-Clean-energy-cuts
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#27_July_2017_%28Urgent%3A_Clean_energy_cuts%29
content:
<p>
US citizens: <a href="https://secure.nrdconline.org/site/Advocacy?cmd=display&page=UserAction&id=4301">Tell Congress</a> to stop Trump and Perry's reckless clean energy cuts.


feed_id: d2198516661b2962fcb946a40a707ba5
title: Urgent: Republican financial reform
uri: Urgent-Republican-financial-reform
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#27_July_2017_%28Urgent%3A_Republican_financial_reform%29

content:
<p>
US citizens: <a href="https://act.credoaction.com/sign/Keep_big_bank_regulation">Call on Democratic senators</a> to reject Republican "financial reform".


feed_id: 8afedbb692120dc6f264f5d09994956a
title: Florida schools
uri: Florida-schools
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#27_July_2017_%28Florida_schools%29
content:
<p>
DeVos's model of a school system, that of Florida, is <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2017/07/23/floridas-education-system-one-betsy-devos-cites-model-chaos">facing financial
collapse</a> because of diversion of money to private schools.
<p>
Meanwhile, it oppresses children with nondisclosure agreements.


feed_id: 17394b7e49e625f828deb76beec4f63c
title: Right wing agitators
uri: Right-wing-agitators
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#27_July_2017_%28Right_wing_agitators%29
content:
<p>
Right wing agitators are <a href="http://www.newsweek.com/trump-alex-jones-infowars-violence-639912">calling on their followers</a> to kill Americans
that disagree with them.


feed_id: 5a592586e33ef3b3d113dbc47a428fb2
title: Dontcare bill
uri: 2017-07-27-Dontcare-bill
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#27_July_2017_%28Dontcare_bill%29
content:
<p>
Senator McCain's cancer casts light on how the <a href="/glossary.html#care">Dontcare</a> bill
would <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2017/07/23/connecting-mccains-tragic-diagnosis-trumpcare-goddamn-point">hurt Americans</a> less well off than he.


feed_id: 7e447fec7b9ec52c94dcadb051ba934d
title: Denying welfare support
uri: Denying-welfare-support
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#27_July_2017_%28Denying_welfare_support%29
content:
<p>
The UK has a vicious law that denies welfare support for a family's
third and subsequent children. Now this is to be <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2017/jul/23/labour-sounds-alarm-universal-credit-rape-clause-northern-ireland">applied in Northern
Ireland</a>, where abortion is banned under criminal penalties.
<p>
To punish the children of large families by keeping them in poverty is
evidently unjust, because they are not responsible for their birth.
Furthermore, it tends to stunt their physical and mental development
in such a way that it is difficult for them ever to get out of
poverty.
<p>
If the UK government wants to discourage poor women from having more
than two children, it should do so by giving them birth control and
abortion gratis.


feed_id: 6e9f36a6f68999ce8338a2ac9645f610
title: Pseudo-public spaces
uri: Pseudo-public-spaces
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#27_July_2017_%28Pseudo-public_spaces%29
content:
<p>
Pseudo-public spaces appear to be squares or parks, but they are
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/cities/2017/jul/24/revealed-pseudo-public-space-pops-london-investigation-map">private property ruled by private whim</a>.
<p>
I expect that journalism and protests are first things likely to be
banned.


feed_id: 1a048a768d5f7dd27ab0782bd11a87f3
title: Macron austerity
uri: Macron-austerity
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#27_July_2017_%28Macron_austerity%29
content:
<p>
Macron's <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/jul/24/housing-benefit-cuts-add-to-fall-in-emmanuel-macrons-popularity">first act of austerity</a> is to cut housing benefits for poor
people.


feed_id: 0cea59c31f8c122f7f6564d404691128
title: Justine Damond
uri: 2017-07-27-Justine-Damond
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#27_July_2017_%28Justine_Damond%29
content:
<p>
People are making <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2017/jul/25/justine-damond-somali-american-police-afraid-of-backlash-over-shooting">baseless bigoted accusations</a> against the thug that
killed Justine Damond, based on his national origin and his religion.
<p>
These accusations are implausible and have no basis other than
supposition. We must not let them distract attention from the real
issue: how to make US thugs less dangerous.


feed_id: 9e8261e53f4450c836a746e26af10924
title: Voter suppression panel
uri: Voter-suppression-panel
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#27_July_2017_%28Voter_suppression_panel%29
content:
<p>
The <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2017/jul/24/trump-election-integrity-commission-privacy-lawsuit-ruling">EFF's lawsuit</a> to block the troll's voter suppression panel from
asking for voter records was defeated, but most states still intend to
reject the requests more or less.


feed_id: adb5ed05adc9c942827ab773e3e2279a
title: Jane Crow
uri: Jane-Crow
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#27_July_2017_%28Jane_Crow%29
content:
<p>
Jane Crow: for black and Hispanic mothers, the slightest anomaly is
seized on as an <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2017/07/21/nyregion/foster-care-nyc-jane-crow.html">excuse to take their children away</a> to "protect" them.
<p>
Even once their children are returned to them, they face various
sorts of continuing punishment, harassment, blacklisting, and
pitfalls, which serve only to uphold the pretense that there was a
reason for action.
<p>
The way to help those children is to give the mothers aid to lift them
out of poverty. Poverty makes life more difficult, so that minor
anomalies are more likely. It also causes emotional stress, which
leads to mishaps too. (Not to mention that it stunts the children's
mental and physical development.)


feed_id: 1af29667141c692a6d6efd09fc17dd4d
title: Theocratic Christians
uri: 2017-07-27-Theocratic-Christians
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#27_July_2017_%28Theocratic_Christians%29
content:
<p>
<a href="/glossary.html#trump">The troll</a> is drifting into the camp of the theocratic Christians that want
to <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2017/07/24/trump-and-christian-fascists">impose their religion on the US</a>.
<p>
Distracted Americans worry about Muslims, instead of the truly
dangerous Christians.


feed_id: 9cee44fb10193c941f33d8ed7c1d158e
title: El Salvador
uri: 2017-07-27-El-Salvador
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#27_July_2017_%28El_Salvador%29
content:
<p>
El Salvador has begun <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/jul/25/el-salvador-guerrilla-fighters-us-soliders-helicopter-killings">arresting war criminals</a> from its civil war
… starting surprisingly with guerrillas accused of killing
wounded US soldiers who had fallen into their hands.
<p>
It seems plausible to me that the guerrillas were not in a position to
hold prisoners. During World War II, it was considered legitimate
(though regrettable) to kill enemy soldiers that had surrendered, if it
was unfeasible to take prisoners there and then. What do today's
treaties say about this situation?


feed_id: 811fff911c24afff084c6d5c12dab75d
title: Cleaning robots
uri: Cleaning-robots
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#27_July_2017_%28Cleaning_robots%29
content:
<p>
iRobot plans to make its cleaning robots <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2017/jul/25/roomba-maker-could-share-maps-users-homes-google-amazon-apple-irobot-robot-vacuum">make maps of customers' homes</a>,
so that iRobot can sell them.
<p>
A robot with nonfree software in it is ready to betray you.


feed_id: 1c6c48c6064a0c6496562ed134867c47
title: Fracking rule
uri: Fracking-rule
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#27_July_2017_%28Fracking_rule%29
content:
<p>
The troll's saboteur of public lands wants to <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2017/jul/25/trump-proposes-scrapping-obama-era-fracking-rule-on-water-pollution">eliminate a rule</a>
that frackers must publish the chemicals they inject.
<p>
Supposedly this is because the rule duplicates state protections, but
it is clear that is false.


feed_id: f9882017512f6eaaa9000ac6ef18f7d8
title: Protesters charged
uri: Protesters-charged
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#27_July_2017_%28Protesters_charged%29
content:
<p>
Hundreds of progressive American protesters <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2017/jul/25/yvette-felarca-trump-protest-charges-activism">face grave felony charges</a>
fabricated by right-wing thugs and prosecutors. Sometimes the thugs
watch passively as neo-Nazis beat up unarmed antifascists, then they
arrest the antifascists.
<p>
Vicious, slimy thugs!


feed_id: a6e929dfa573a62fb31d698f8f2a4052
title: Privatized spaces
uri: Privatized-spaces
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#27_July_2017_%28Privatized_spaces%29
content:
<p>
Corbyn called for public laws rather than private whim to govern
what people can do on <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/cities/2017/jul/25/corbyn-joins-calls-reclaim-uk-public-space-from-corporate-owners">privatized parks and squares</a>.


feed_id: 20785913bff84dbefb0d46be54de9907
title: Urgent: Investigate Ivanka
uri: Urgent-Investigate-Ivanka
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#27_July_2017_%28Urgent%3A_Investigate_Ivanka%29
content:
<p>
US citizens: 
<a href="https://act.credoaction.com/sign/Investigate_Ivanka">call on
the FBI</a> to investigate whether Ivanka covered up meetings with
Russians when she applied for a security clearance.


feed_id: 4112b305486302801b999b78f8fd804a
title: Very urgent: Oppose any Dontcare bill
uri: Very-urgent-Oppose-any-Dontcare-bill
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#27_July_2017_%28Urgent%3A_Oppose_any_Dontcare_bill%29

content:
<p>
<a href="/glossary.html#scrotus">SCROTUS</a> have voted to begin debate on the Dontcare bill.  This means
they 
<a href="https://www.indivisibleguide.com/resource/what-happens-now-on-trumpcare">could
bring any version of the law up for a final vote</a>.
<p>
US citizens: phone both your senators to oppose any possible version
of the <a href="/glossary.html#care">Dontcare</a> bill.  If they are Democrats, ask them to 
<a href="https://theintercept.com/2017/07/25/jeff-merkley-jam-up-aca-obamacare-repeal-amendments-vote-o-rama/">delay
the bill by whatever means possible</a>.
<p>
Delay is vital to give people a chance to persuade some Republicans to
vote no.
<p>
The Capitol Switchboard numbers are 202-224-3121, 888-818-6641
and 888-355-3588.


feed_id: aaa9c4cec06d5d482321faba9ec50042
title: Taking offense
uri: Taking-offense
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#27_July_2017_%28Taking_offense%29
content:
<p>
KPFA 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/books/2017/jul/24/richard-dawkins-event-cancelled-over-his-abusive-speech-against-islam">cancelled
a planned speech by Richard Dawkins</a>, accusing him of having
"offended and hurt" Muslims.
<p>
It is fundamentally wrong to judge a person's statements by whether
others take offense at them.  People often take offense based on a
misunderstanding, an invalid reason, or being on hair trigger due to
other experiences.  It does not automatically follow that the last
statement was wrong, or even that it was inherently offensive.
<p>
Dawkins condemned Islam, but did not condemn Muslims.  If some Muslims
(or anyone else) took offense at what he said about Islam, or felt
hurt by it, that doesn't mean Dawkins did anything wrong.
<p>
However, Dawkins came close to stretching the truth when he said he
had "never used abusive speech against Islam".  He certainly made a
harsh statement against Islam, quoted in the article.  His claim has
to rest on the subtle difference between harsh and abusive.  He would
be on solid ground if he said he "never used abusive speech against
Muslims".


feed_id: 721119240d23a7d92a876c0cc814eef6
title: Troll closes war crimes office
uri: Troll-closes-war-crimes-office
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#27_July_2017_%28Troll_closes_war_crimes_office%29
content:
<p>
<a href="/glossary.html#trump">The troll</a> has 
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2017/07/21/have-we-found-cure-atrocities-war">closed
the office in the State Department</a> that concerns itself with war
crimes.


feed_id: d42dbf4bebc6d020caa596f43bb1069e
title: Troll nominates science-denier
uri: Troll-nominates-science-denier
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#27_July_2017_%28Troll_nominates_science-denier%29
content:
<p>
<a href="/glossary.html#trump">The troll</a> has nominated a science-denier to head the 
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2017/07/21/trump-furthers-war-science-illegal-nomination-climate-denier-top-usda-scientist">scientific
division of the Department of Agriculture</a>.  This nomination
violates the law which says that nominee must be a distinguished
scientist in the agricultural field.


feed_id: da183cd67b55f3fecb36427500a9e454
title: Single-payer Medicare for All
uri: Single-payer-Medicare-for-All
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#27_July_2017_%28Single-payer_Medicare_for_All%29
content:
<p>
All Democrats in Congress must join the American people in supporting
single-payer 
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2017/07/21/message-democrats-get-board-medicare-all-or-go-home">Medicare
for All</a>.


feed_id: 89d6d7a9485f1e24793bd0f1cb168d34
title: US should not meddle in Venezuela
uri: US-should-not-meddle-in-Venezuela
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#27_July_2017_%28US_should_not_meddle_in_Venezuela%29

content:
<p>
The US 
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2017/07/21/venezuela-needs-negotiation-avoid-civil-war-not-trump-supported-regime-change">should
not meddle</a> in Venezuela.


feed_id: fa424c5e6f7096caa1424b4f3e062f1d
title: 2016 had fewer terrorist attacks
uri: 2016-had-fewer-terrorist-attacks
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#27_July_2017_%282016_had_fewer_terrorist_attacks%29
content:
<p>
The number of terrorist attacks world wide, and the number killed,
<a href="http://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-security-terrorism-idUSKBN1A421P">decreased
in 2016</a>.


feed_id: d03e5372f2d8e4cc0b4c9c81409e1029
title: Child fined for running lemonade stand
uri: Child-fined-for-running-lemonade-stand
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#27_July_2017_%28Child_fined_for_running_lemonade_stand%29

content:
<p>
A girl of five years in the UK was 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2017/jul/21/girl-fined-running-homemade-lemonade-stall">fined
for running a lemonade stand</a>.


feed_id: 7c0cfa632d01345e25c10af6224b42dd
title: Tillerson should resign
uri: Tillerson-should-resign
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#27_July_2017_%28Tillerson_should_resign%29
content:
<p>
Tillerson should resign for 
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2017/07/20/after-exxon-fined-sanctions-violations-calls-rex-tillerson-resign">violating
the US sanctions against Russia</a>.


feed_id: 9639d5d2fd2f3a4e3d99604badfc34e4
title: China-US agricultural agreement
uri: China-US-agricultural-agreement
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#27_July_2017_%28China-US_agricultural_agreement%29
content:
<p>
A new agricultural agreement between the US and China 
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2017/07/20/trumps-action-plan-china-puts-global-agribusiness-first">benefits
mainly agribusiness giants</a>.


feed_id: c52abf52b904da44c510c3d911ab7265
title: Netanyahu's right-wing antisemite allies
uri: Netanyahu-s-right-wing-antisemite-allies
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#27_July_2017_%28Netanyahus_right-wing_antisemite_allies%29

content:
<p>
Uri Avnery: Netanyahu finds 
<a href="http://zope.gush-shalom.org/home/en/channels/avnery/1500651750/">right-wing
antisemites in Eastern Europe</a> natural allies against Liberal Jews
such as Soros.


feed_id: 44ea634c6cdb3097dfaa2b9fd7a2e74b
title: Human noise pollution
uri: Human-noise-pollution
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#27_July_2017_%28Human_noise_pollution%29
content:
<p>
Human Noise Pollution is 
<a href="https://theconversation.com/human-noise-pollution-is-disrupting-parks-and-wild-places-78074">Disrupting
Parks And Wild Places</a>.


feed_id: 7feab097254d5a1eb13a4a897852e5c1
title: Homeopathy
uri: 2017-07-28-Homeopathy
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#27_July_2017_%28Homeopathy%29
content:
<p>
Promote 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/science/2014/apr/11/world-homeopathy-awareness-week-homeopathic-preparations">homeopathy
awareness</a>!  Once people are aware of what homeopathy really
consists of, they will see it is ridiculous.


feed_id: 559061ad8e4a52e091da559d4cde5217
title: FARC bounties
uri: FARC-bounties
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#28_July_2017_%28FARC_bounties%29
content:
<p>The leaders of the now disarmed FARC guerrilla movement
face assassination <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/jul/25/colombia-farc-criminal-gang-bounties-killing-farc-leaders">threats from criminals</a> who I suspect are
another form of the murderous paramilitares.
<p>
The paramilitares, right-wing gangs supported by the army, were always
the worst terrorists in Colombia.


feed_id: 7d6c12cbc95bbcd6b8d9c1d2425ee26f
title: Corporate RFID implant
uri: Corporate-RFID-implant
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#28_July_2017_%28Corporate_RFID_implant%29
content:
<p>Employees at a certain company will now be offered the "option" of
getting the employer's <a href="http://gizmodo.com/company-offers-free-totally-not-creepy-microchip-impla-1797190619">RFID implanted</a> in their hands.
<p>
This will gradually convert itself from an option into a virtual
requirement for many employees, if we don't take action to prevent
that.  Suitable action would be to pass laws prohibiting employers
from implanting RFIDs into their customers or employees.


feed_id: 05224b7a8eb59f53f05a4eec1613f0bf
title: Kushner Russia meetings
uri: Kushner-Russia-meetings
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#28_July_2017_%28Kushner_Russia_meetings%29
content:
<p>Jared Kushner was supposedly going to solve all the world's diplomatic
problems, but when confronted with <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2017/07/24/critics-slam-kushner-arguing-inexperience-excuses-russian-contacts">false filings</a> about meetings with
Russians, he pleads that he's an inexperienced beginner so he should not
be expected to do these things right.


feed_id: 1b05c4b1f521fa38a8ef1035c6299fb8
title: Pressured students
uri: Pressured-students
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#28_July_2017_%28Pressured_students%29
content:
<p>High-pressure standardized tests pressure students <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2017/07/24/middle-school-suicides-double-common-core-testing-intensifies">into suicide</a>,
in the US as in Korea and China.


feed_id: ad741d3b3fc9c8c9867c7ad45a60dd04
title: Illegitimate evidence
uri: Illegitimate-evidence
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#28_July_2017_%28Illegitimate_evidence%29
content:
<p>US thugs have been caught planting drugs and guns to make false
excuses to arrest people.  We need to regulate thugs more tightly.


feed_id: 5463f996bdbedf19cc898beee726ad34
title: Rep Smith global heating
uri: Rep-Smith-global-heating
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#28_July_2017_%28Rep_Smith_global_heating%29
content:
<p>Now that no lie is too flagrant for a Republican, Rep. Lamar Smith is
bringing back the <a href="http://gizmodo.com/the-republican-in-charge-of-the-house-science-committee-1797213086">old planet-roaster claim</a> that global heating is
beneficial.


feed_id: bddc6b8e4d104d85ea91fd540ae6f868
title: Urgent: Make Medicare negotiate drug prices
uri: Urgent-Make-Medicare-negotiate-drug-prices
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#28_July_2017_%28Urgent%3A_Make_Medicare_negotiate_drug_prices%29

content:
<p>
US citizens: 
<a href="https://petitions.signforgood.com/MedicareRxNegotiation">call
on Congress</a> to make Medicare negotiate drug prices.


feed_id: 4b2ee247d7652129ce896824941a6537
title: Urgent: Raise the minimum wage
uri: 2017-07-29-Urgent-Raise-the-minimum-wage
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#28_July_2017_%28Urgent%3A_Raise_the_minimum_wage%29
content:
<p>
US citizens: call on Congress to raise the minimum wage to 
<a href="https://actionnetwork.org/forms/add-your-name-raise-the-minimum-wage-to-15">$15
per hour</a>.


feed_id: 57bcdeeb4723baecaa836978f34c8591
title: China's investments in fossil fuel
uri: China-s-investments-in-fossil-fuel
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#28_July_2017_%28Chinas_investments_in_fossil_fuel%29

content:
<p>
China invests heavily in fossil fuel development in other countries,
in many cases 
<a href="http://amazonwatch.org/news/2017/0721-chinas-other-big-export-pollution">oppressing
indigenous people that are kicked off their land</a>.


feed_id: 969b607beb13a54298c8726aaf1b41f3
title: US blocks visitors by surprise at airport
uri: US-blocks-visitors-by-surprise-at-airport
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#28_July_2017_%28US_blocks_visitors_by_surprise_at_airport%29

content:
<p>
The US refuses to explain to a British couple why they were refused
entry to the US for their honeymoon, 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2017/jul/25/british-newlyweds-say-they-were-barred-from-entering-us">despite
having approved them in advance</a>.
<p>
I don't think any country is obliged to accept all visitors that wish
to enter.  There are various legitimate reasons to keep someone out.
But the US demonstrates unreliability as well as incompetence by
giving people visas and then blocking them by surprise at the airport.
<p>
Why take a foolish risk?  Don't visit the US.  Go somewhere else which
won't screw you over.


feed_id: cb7f266641e3127e5eedab3a380850c4
title: Deputy Saboteur of the Interior
uri: 2017-07-29-Deputy-Saboteur-of-the-Interior
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#28_July_2017_%28Deputy_Saboteur_of_the_Interior%29
content:
<p>
A 
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2017/07/25/walking-conflict-interest-fossil-fuel-industry-lobbyist-now-second-command-interior">lobbyist
for oil companies</a> is now the Deputy Saboteur of the Interior.


feed_id: 0f9d58e95f5cb96e7bfc4721e048c4d7
title: Employment tribunal fees
uri: Employment-tribunal-fees
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#28_July_2017_%28Employment_tribunal_fees%29
content:
<p>
The UK's Supreme Court has 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2017/jul/26/the-guardian-view-on-employment-tribunal-fees-denial-of-justice">eliminated
the fees</a> that made employment tribunals too expensive for most
workers to use.
<p>
Such fees made it easy for employers to steal the wages of low-paid
workers (a
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2013-may-aug.html#04_May_2013_(US_employers_often_steal_workers_wages)">very
common practice</a>) and cheat them in other ways.


feed_id: 55e69da0fc6c9a36e5b50a63b05e86e4
title: Restraining order against troll
uri: Restraining-order-against-troll
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#28_July_2017_%28Restraining_order_against_troll%29
content:
<p>
The Girl Scouts have obtained a restraining order 
<a href="http://www.newyorker.com/humor/borowitz-report/girl-scouts-obtain-restraining-order-against-trump">requiring
the pussy grabber not to come within 300 feet</a> of any Girl Scout
meeting.


feed_id: 7ebbe85f8fb2726eb7c10bd47e56bf1c
title: US deportation agents on power trip
uri: US-deportation-agents-on-power-trip
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#28_July_2017_%28US_deportation_agents_on_power_trip%29

content:
<p>
An anonymous US deportation agent says that, since the troll took
power, agents are on a power trip and 
<a href="http://www.newyorker.com/news/news-desk/a-veteran-ice-agent-disillusioned-with-the-trump-era-speaks-out">behaving
with arbitrary cruelty</a>.


feed_id: a8ef736e491d6a87c69b9673875386cf
title: Network neutrality
uri: 2017-07-29-Network-neutrality
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#28_July_2017_%28Network_neutrality%29
content:
<p>
Here Comes The
<a href="https://www.techdirt.com/blog/netneutrality/articles/20170725/07464737858/here-comes-big-push-really-shitty-new-net-neutrality-law.shtml">Big
Push For A Really Shitty New Net Neutrality Law</a>.


feed_id: 25cc3849719e32c31b4b15fcfeed5309
title: Prolonged infantilization
uri: Prolonged-infantilization
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#28_July_2017_%28Prolonged_infantilization%29
content:
<p>
Constant supervision and monitoring of children today results in 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2007/nov/03/familyandrelationships.family5">prolonged
infantilization</a>.
<p>
Perhaps this is part of the reason why so many young men hide in their
parents' basements playing proprietary video games.


feed_id: b44dcd980d9643ac8a597ad63493e21b
title: HK government to invite Chinese thugs
uri: HK-government-to-invite-Chinese-thugs
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#28_July_2017_%28HK_government_to_invite_Chinese_thugs%29

content:
<p>
Hong Kong's puppet government 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/jul/26/anger-at-plan-to-let-chinese-police-patrol-in-hong-kong">plans
to invite Chinese thugs to patrol part of the station on a new train
line to China</a>.
<p>
It is a very small piece of Hong Kong, and the only people there will
be those travelling to or from China.  However, the Chinese state is
quite skilled in slipping in the thin edge of the wedge and then
pushing it in further.


feed_id: d4672b6ebe6a948c3651a779639246d5
title: Do-dirty threatens to bomb schools
uri: Do-dirty-threatens-to-bomb-schools
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#28_July_2017_%28Do-dirty_threatens_to_bomb_schools%29

content:
<p>
<a href="/glossary.html#dodirty">President Do-dirty</a> has 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/jul/26/philippines-duterte-threatens-to-bomb-indigenous-schools">threatened
to bomb indigenous people's schools</a> in Mindanao.


feed_id: e0216d7ffad0019fd05d43aa42b866ef
title: Sea level rise
uri: 2017-07-29-Sea-level-rise
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#28_July_2017_%28Sea_level_rise%29
content:
<p>
Several California counties are 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/sustainable-business/2017/jul/26/california-communities-lawsuit-exxon-shell-climate-change-carbon-majors-sea-level-rises">suing
several large oil companies</a> for the damage that will be done by
the sea level rise that they have already caused.


feed_id: e08dc3685e5e7ad868061b7c626e8fd4
title: Replacement for Sessions
uri: Replacement-for-Sessions
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#28_July_2017_%28Replacement_for_Sessions%29
content:
<p>
Arguing that the troll 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2017/jul/26/donald-trump-jeff-sessions-firing-attorney-general">won't
be able to appoint a replacement for Sessions that is worse than
Sessions</a>.


feed_id: d6b369ba682ff5fcba28698b7daca5fc
title: Ireland and global heating
uri: Ireland-and-global-heating
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#28_July_2017_%28Ireland_and_global_heating%29
content:
<p>
Ireland's 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2017/jul/26/irelands-staggering-hypocrisy-on-climate-change">Staggering
Hypocrisy</a> on [Global Heating].


feed_id: ebee182c48799bc91e63b16813180101
title: The freedom to boycott Israel
uri: The-freedom-to-boycott-Israel
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#28_July_2017_%28The_freedom_to_boycott_Israel%29
content:
<p>
Israel has 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/jul/25/israel-boycott-bds-movement-law-leaders-barred">denied
entry to US religious leaders that support boycotts against all or
some Israeli products</a>.  The freedom to boycott Israel is
threatened in many countries 
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#30_April_2016_(Urgent:_Thank_legislators)">including
the US</a>.
<p>
I hope the event that they were going to attend arranges for them to
participate remotely.


feed_id: e8812a6209e8d43d474da4c37a15efe8
title: McConnell won't meet
uri: McConnell-won-t-meet
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#28_July_2017_%28McConnell_will_not_meet%29
content:
<p>Senator McConnell was treated for polio by the March of Dimes.  Now he <a
href="https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2017/7/25/1675597/-March-of-Dimes-Saved-McConnell-s-Life-Now-He-Won-t-Even-Meet-With-Them">refuses
to meet</a with the March of Dimes (or any other charity concerned with medical
treatment).


feed_id: bc2b1f71c638857b7abf5d7fa73d84c8
title: Early global heating warnings
uri: Early-global-heating-warnings
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#28_July_2017_%28Early_global_heating_warnings%29
content:
<p>Electric utilities in the US were warned about the <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2017/07/26/utilities-knew-too-despite-warning-decades-ago-industry-lied-and-deceived-climate">danger of global heating</a>
as early as 1968, but they ignored it.


feed_id: 966353fcb144eb0cc2c46c711bfc9e72
title: Another better deal
uri: Another-better-deal
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#28_July_2017_%28Another_better_deal%29
content:
<p>Plutocratist Democrats are <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2017/07/26/democrats-better-deal-platform-isnt-anything-working-people-havent-been-sold">offering</a> the same "new ideas" for minor
changes that they offered in recent years.
<p>


feed_id: ae0bbcad7dc895ae2395fefe7a10357e
title: Verizon net neutrality
uri: Verizon-net-neutrality
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#28_July_2017_%28Verizon_net_neutrality%29
content:
<p>Verizon appears to be violating the still-active US <a href="http://act.freepress.net/sign/internet_verizon_investigate/">network neutrality</a>
rules.
<p>


feed_id: ded05479c06e685df96c6b14899fb481
title: Canada racism violence
uri: Canada-racism-violence
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#28_July_2017_%28Canada_racism_violence%29
content:
<p>Canadians are <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/jul/27/canada-first-nations-hate-speech-bobby-cameron">murdering</a> indigenous people from racism.

<p>"Hate speech" should not be a crime; people have a right to say
they hate someone.  However, calling for someone's murder ought to be
a crime, inciting to violence.


feed_id: 92260bb3e3e7d8bd6fb17d3fb4543dd9
title: Skinny repeal attack
uri: Skinny-repeal-attack
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#28_July_2017_%28Skinny_repeal_attack%29
content:
<p>The newest <a href="/glossary.html#scrotus">SCROTUS</a> plan for attacking US medical care is called
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2017/jul/27/us-healthcare-bill-obamacare-skinny-repeal">"skinny repeal"</a>.
<p>
  This would allow businesses to stop providing medical insurance to their
employees.  It would also allow other Americans to go without insurance.


feed_id: 8bf6761df276cf16d06b8117722a9539
title: El Salvador abortion illegal
uri: El-Salvador-abortion-illegal
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#28_July_2017_%28El_Salvador_abortion_illegal%29
content:
<p>A US anti-abortion group has funded the anti-abortion lobby in El Salvador,
which has made abortion <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/jul/27/el-salvador-abortion-ban-human-life-international">totally illegal</a> there.
<p>
<p>
   This has gone on since 2000.
<p>
With luck, resentment at this interference will help pass the bill
to legalize abortion in some circumstances.


feed_id: 139982c64f027465b65a2ace7852da46
title: Pakistan patriarchy
uri: Pakistan-patriarchy
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#28_July_2017_%28Pakistan_patriarchy%29
content:
<p>Patriarchy visible in all its ugliness: an unofficial court in
Pakistan punished a rapist by ordering <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/jul/27/20-members-of-pakistan-village-council-accused-of-ordering-of-girl">the revenge-rape of his sister</a>.
<p>
The basic idea of patriarchy is that women are the property of men.
Given that twisted starting point, the idea of punishing a rapist by
damaging his property seems natural.
<p>
The Pakistani state is trying to put an end to this way of doing
things.


feed_id: f36c5a9dea684ad94ee9b6761d7b4b30
title: Wildlife chemical contamination
uri: Wildlife-chemical-contamination
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#28_July_2017_%28Wildlife_chemical_contamination_%29
content:
<p>Toxic <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2017/jul/27/seafood-in-popular-darwin-fishing-spots-contaminated-by-toxic-foam">chemicals sprayed</a> to fight fires are contaminating wildlife.


feed_id: c2f9b687b9d66fabed23c3ca4c742b7c
title: Somalis starving
uri: Somalis-starving
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#28_July_2017_%28Somalis_starving%29
content:
<p>Al-Shabaab is <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/jul/27/al-shabaab-militants-ban-starving-somalis-from-accessing-aid">cutting off the people</a> in its occupied areas from food aid, starving them to death.


feed_id: 7caa399d02a4a5abf91a9023f356fd2d
title: Jerusalem riots
uri: Jerusalem-riots
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#28_July_2017_%28Jerusalem_riots%29
content:
<p>Israel threatens to expel al-Jazeera for its <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/jul/27/benjamin-netanyahu-threatens-to-expel-al-jazeera-from-israel">coverage of riots</a> in Jerusalem.
<p>
I don't know enough about these riots and their specific causes
to say anything about them.


feed_id: b2634075efff5bb83f3f0b4f337103cc
title: Afghanistan minerals war
uri: Afghanistan-minerals-war
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#28_July_2017_%28Afghanistan_minerals_war%29
content:
<p>The troll is <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2017/07/26/colonialism-and-greed-trump-considers-afghan-war-expansion-exploit-minerals">considering expanding</a> the war in Afghanistan in order
to mine its minerals.


feed_id: 99cfcbc5d3f1ac022527353ee2609a05
title: APA public statements
uri: APA-public-statements
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#28_July_2017_%28APA_public_statements%29
content:
<p>The American Psychoanalytic Association has given its members
permission to make <a href="https://www.statnews.com/2017/07/25/psychiatry-goldwater-rule-trump/">public statements</a> about the mental health
of political figures.


feed_id: aa4e011a1881d23aecf2b9b4c65b1daf
title: Diagnosis at a distance
uri: Diagnosis-at-a-distance
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#28_July_2017_%28Diagnosis_at_a_distance%29
content:
<p>Arguing for the <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/science/head-quarters/2017/jul/28/the-goldwater-rule-why-commenting-on-mental-health-from-a-distance-is-unhelpful">Goldwater rule</a>.
<p>
I see both sides of this.  The rule could prevent psychiatrists from
smearing people by exaggerating quirks into grave mental illnesses.
It can also silence psychiatrists from pointing out that an official is
grossly twisted.


feed_id: 3cdbe9a095fedf38217a525fe807bcb6
title: Fund stop deforestation
uri: Fund-stop-deforestation
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#28_July_2017_%28Fund_stop_deforestation%29
content:
<p>The world needs to pony up the money to pay the people who <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/global-development-professionals-network/2017/jul/28/we-know-how-to-cut-deforestation-we-just-havent-got-the-money-to-do-it">live near forests to stop deforestation</a>.
<p>


feed_id: d32c26f2767ed94c97df763284961e77
title: Senate further sanctions
uri: Senate-further-sanctions
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#28_July_2017_%28Senate_further_sanctions%29
content:
<p>The US Senate voted to impose additional <a href="https://theintercept.com/2017/07/27/with-the-european-union-livid-congress-pushes-forward-on-sanctions-against-russia-iran-and-north-korea/">sanctions on Russia and Iran</a>, plus North Korea.
<p>
This may be a very bad idea.


feed_id: efea4119c88b56b4a45534af77fabb2a
title: State department hypocrisy
uri: State-department-hypocrisy
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#28_July_2017_%28State_department_%20hypocrisy%29
content:
<p>The State Department's Office of Global Criminal Justice is hypocritical
because it turns a <a href="http://www.theamericanconservative.com/articles/tillerson-mulls-closing-of-war-crimes-office/">blind eye to human rights</a> abuses by the US and its allies.
<p>
To close that office would be a step in the wrong direction.  When an
entity's bad actions don't match its good principles, which one should
it change?  The actions, of course.  Dropping the principles
eliminates the hypocrisy but in the way that makes the entity worse.


feed_id: d85f2256e8aaf02838ef6a7815a69c83
title: Britain global heating
uri: Britain-global-heating
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#28_July_2017_%28Britain_global_heating%29
content:
<p>Global heating is <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2017/jul/28/climate-change-drawing-squid-anchovies-and-tuna-into-uk-waters">changing the fish species</a> in the waters around Britain.
<p>
In particular, just as cod are recovering in the North Sea, the heat
is starting to chase them out.


feed_id: 558fd01363709d4b21d0007f64db5f5e
title: Wallenberg relatives sue Russia
uri: Wallenberg-relatives-sue-Russia
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#28_July_2017_%28Wallenberg_relatives_sue_Russia%29
content:
<p>The <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/jul/27/family-of-swede-who-vanished-after-saving-jews-sue-russian-state">relatives of Raoul Wallenberg are suing Russia</a>, demanding more
information about his fate.  The Soviet Union admitted imprisoning him
and said that he died in prison of a heart attack at age 44.
<p>
To die of a heart attack that young is unusual.  It seems unlikely
that a political prisoner of the Soviet Union would become obese.  So
if he did die that way, it raises the suspicion that some kind of
maltreatment caused the heart attack.


feed_id: c5c6e2e476409aa223e1175f79861d8d
title: Trump speech apology
uri: Trump-speech-apology
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#28_July_2017_%28Trump_speech_apology%29
content:
<p>The head of the Boy Scouts of America apologized for <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2017/jul/27/boy-scouts-chief-trump-speech">the troll's politicization of his address</a> to a meeting of scouts.


feed_id: 84e32c8f83d3017ef7b7242507a9041a
title: OGE chief transition
uri: OGE-chief-transition
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#28_July_2017_%28OGE_chief_transition%29
content:
<p>The cheater's nominee for Saboteur of Government Ethics has shown an
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2017/07/26/new-ethics-chief-derided-former-boss-loosey-goosey-ethics-views">attitude of contempt for ethics rules</a>.


feed_id: c06951b95aa9e733964578d25bb1d8dd
title: Transgender military ban
uri: Transgender-military-ban
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#28_July_2017_%28Transgender_military_ban%29
content:
<p>The US military will <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/">not repress transgender soldiers for the time
being</a>, insisting that tweets are not a valid way for the president to
change a policy.
<p>
The troll's proposed policy is cruel, manipulative, and <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/commentisfree/2017/jul/27/the-guardian-view-on-trump-transgender-military-ban-sad">harmful to the US military</a>.


feed_id: 67312e67836f8d62495ce56e4fb08ad2
title: Apple Trump
uri: Apple-Trump
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#28_July_2017_%28Apple_Trump%29
content:
<p>Apple has <a href="http://www.slate.com/articles/technology/technology/2017/07/why_won_t_apple_address_trump_s_claim_that_it_s_building_three_u_s_factories.html">refused</a> to deny the troll's false praise.


feed_id: 3bf3780baae33268791059f03f20cb6a
title: Perfect American lie
uri: Perfect-American-lie
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#28_July_2017_%28Perfect_American_lie%29
content:
<p>"John McCain is the perfect American lie, a man who professes to be
noble and fair and just while being <a href="http://www.gq.com/story/john-mccain-is-the-perfect-american-lie">none of those things</a>."


feed_id: dc1dd659c64d26e826cdf5b252c03843
title: Delaying regulations ruling
uri: Delaying-regulations-ruling
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#28_July_2017_%28Delaying_regulations_ruling%29
content:
<p>A court ruled that the troll and his saboteurs <a href="https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/make-america-wait-again-trump-tries-to-delay-regulations-out-of-existence/">cannot arbitrarily delay the application of a regulation already approved</a>.


feed_id: 4597f2cb03dc96662e0315ce395c4d99
title: Sweden vehicle leak
uri: Sweden-vehicle-leak
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#28_July_2017_%28Sweden_vehicle_leak%29
content:
<p>Outsourcing data means a risk it will leak.  Sweden <a href="https://www.thelocal.se/20170717/swedish-authority-handed-over-keys-to-the-kingdom-in-it-security-slip-up">leaked the database</a> on all the vehicles in the country.


feed_id: 4f7ea1496cc166822154ec84b38f3669
title: Economists accountability
uri: Economists-accountability
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#28_July_2017_%28Economists_accountability%29
content:
<p>Economists that advocate bogus theories <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/business/commentisfree/2017/jul/27/how-about-a-little-accountability-for-economists-when-they-mess-up">keep their jobs</a> even when those theories lead to economic disasters.


feed_id: f7e3d6d72e975a5f3b21f82555e17aeb
title: UK unemployment rate
uri: UK-unemployment-rate
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#28_July_2017_%28UK_unemployment_rate%29
content:
<p>The real unemployment rate in the UK is around 14%, <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/the-lie-behind-the-unemployment-numbers-2017-7">about three times
the official level</a>.
<p>
It is around the same in the US.  No wonder so many people are poor.


feed_id: 5460e947fdd0cf5f64046695a9253d49
title: UK undercover thugs
uri: UK-undercover-thugs
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#28_July_2017_%28UK_undercover_thugs%29
content:
<p>Undercover UK thugs have <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2017/jul/27/undercover-police-spied-on-more-than-1000-political-groups-in-uk">infiltrated</a> more than 1,000 dissident organizations
since the 1960s.


feed_id: 02b910991764d5f167b29e2599b4d51f
title: Business tax cuts
uri: Business-tax-cuts
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#28_July_2017_%28Business_tax_cuts%29
content:
<p>The troll wants to follow Reagan with deregulation and tax cuts for businesses.
As they did under Reagan, these will make the <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/business/2017/jul/27/donald-trump-tax-cuts-rich-america-lower-taxes-deregulation">US poorer and worse off</a>.


feed_id: 8fcb4fc01575b8c638af274f2e73d330
title: NHS understaffed
uri: NHS-understaffed
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#28_July_2017_%28NHS_understaffed%29
content:
<p>"I'm an NHS doctor: understaffing is putting my <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2017/jul/27/nhs-doctor-understaffing-patients-at-risk">patients at risk</a>."

<p>
Theoretically, the Tories have not cut the staff levels in the
National Health Service.  Rather, they mistreat the staff so badly
that it is hard to find anyone willing to work there.
<p>
That's the typical dishonesty of the right wing.


feed_id: 399039daeccb6bc8e7c42ebccdf603cb
title: Uganda health
uri: Uganda-health
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#28_July_2017_%28Uganda_health%29
content:
<p>Doctors warn that <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2017/jul/27/trump-global-gag-rule-sexual-health-women-ugandan-in-jeopardy">lives will be lost</a> if cuts to US funding for family planning, cancer screening and antenatal services go ahead [in Uganda].


feed_id: 1c7cb47fb1dd117fd0d8578991da250d
title: McConnell won't meet
uri: 2017-07-29-McConnell-won-t-meet
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#28_July_2017_%28McConnell_will_not_meet%29
content:
<p>Senator McConnell was treated for polio by the March of Dimes.  Now he <a
href="https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2017/7/25/1675597/-March-of-Dimes-Saved-McConnell-s-Life-Now-He-Won-t-Even-Meet-With-Them">refuses
to meet</a> with the March of Dimes (or any other charity concerned with medical
treatment).


feed_id: bbbf6f9e0a1bb505917ce886904b9b51
title: Urgent: People's Platform
uri: Urgent-People-s-Platform
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#29_July_2017_%28Urgent%3A_Peoples_Platform%29
content:
<p>
US citizens:
<a href="https://actionnetwork.org/petitions/s4p?nowrapper=true">Tell
Congress</a> you support the People's Platform.
<p>
More information about the
<a href="https://grijalva.house.gov/news-and-press-releases/grijalva-reintroduces-justice-is-not-for-sale-act/">Justice
is Not For Sale Act</a> and the
<a href="https://ellison.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-ellison-reintroduces-financial-transaction-tax">Inclusive
Prosperity Act</a>.


feed_id: 983076b6559f5d2612a45f1411bcd292
title: OGE chief transition
uri: 2017-07-29-OGE-chief-transition
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#28_July_2017_%28OGE_chief_transition%29
content:
<p><a href="/glossary.html#cheater">The cheater</a>'s nominee for Saboteur of Government Ethics has shown an
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2017/07/26/new-ethics-chief-derided-former-boss-loosey-goosey-ethics-views">attitude of contempt for ethics rules</a>.


feed_id: d985755e81fda5d2aa0d2262d2261731
title: Business tax cuts
uri: 2017-07-29-Business-tax-cuts
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#28_July_2017_%28Business_tax_cuts%29
content:
<p><a href="/glossary.html#trump">The troll</a> wants to follow Reagan with deregulation and tax cuts for businesses.
As they did under Reagan, these will make the <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/business/2017/jul/27/donald-trump-tax-cuts-rich-america-lower-taxes-deregulation">US poorer and worse off</a>.


feed_id: 9db1cabc7356b436e9aaee749cc9c037
title: Koch tax cuts
uri: Koch-tax-cuts
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#29_July_2017_%28Koch_tax_cuts%29
content:
<p>The Koch brothers are planning a <a href="https://theintercept.com/2017/07/26/koch-brothers-tax-reform-plan-grassroots-document/">well-funded astroturf campaign</a>
to demand tax cuts for them. (And other rich people too.)


feed_id: bed65fcceebaa403bf129f39d25a7fd0
title: Whale extinction
uri: Whale-extinction
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#29_July_2017_%28Whale_extinction%29
content:
<p>Humans still <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2017/jul/27/only-whales-left-in-museums-natural-history-museum-hope">kill whales by accident</a>, and the rate may be enough to cause the extinction of some species of whales.


feed_id: 17d6769113084535901f842872c2d85e
title: Bannon internet regulation
uri: Bannon-internet-regulation
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#29_July_2017_%28Bannon_internet_regulation%29
content:
<p>Bannon proposes to treat some internet services, such as Google Search
and Facebook, as utilities -- <a href="https://theintercept.com/2017/07/27/steve-bannon-wants-facebook-and-google-regulated-like-utilities/">regulated monopolies</a>.
<p>
In principle, I think this is a good idea.  However, I expect
Republicans' regulations would include censorship, which would be unjust.


feed_id: 95e9cfb9feb005d74dceb3f1c520b5fd
title: Bill banning pesticide
uri: Bill-banning-pesticide
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#29_July_2017_%28Bill_banning_pesticide%29
content:
<p>Senators have introduced a bill to <a href="https://thinkprogress.org/dem-senators-ban-chlorpyrifos-bill-d120c19fd7e2">ban chlorpyrifos</a>. This pesticide is linked to brain damage.


feed_id: cf5cb49f43f5083a41c7db66cdd9f06c
title: Troll thug speech
uri: Troll-thug-speech
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#29_July_2017_%28Troll_thug_speech%29
content:
<p>The troll called on thugs to <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2017/jul/28/donald-trump-police-long-island-speech">disregard</a> the rights of prisoners.


feed_id: 4f9c63e685726a331067417a0f78ec34
title: AIJAC pressure journalists
uri: AIJAC-pressure-journalists
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#29_July_2017_%28AIJAC_pressure_jouranlists%29
content:
<p>A pro-Israel group in Australia was joined by an Israeli embassy officials
in pressuring to <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/media/2017/jul/29/pro-israel-advocates-in-australia-targeted-three-journalists-new-book-claims">censor some Australian journalists</a>.


feed_id: c494acbc96977197bc9a3de33d7e6af4
title: Foxconn US factories
uri: Foxconn-US-factories
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#29_July_2017_%28Foxconn_US_factories%29
content:
<p>Foxconn says it will open US factories and hire 15,000 workers.  But
even if it really does so, that won't be worth the 3 billion dollars
in <a href="http://boingboing.net/2017/07/29/we-do-get-fooled-again.html">subsidies</a> Foxconn will receive for doing so.
<p>
Wisconsin cities and towns will have to pay hundreds of millions more.
Plus, Foxconn will get special permission to pollute water supplies
and drain waterways.
<p>
No wonder the saboteur-in-chief loves this deal.


feed_id: d54061b1db3adc135f4a36a4a72159d8
title: Stories of slavery
uri: Stories-of-slavery
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#29_July_2017_%28Stories_of_slavery%29
content:
<p>Stories of men and women, around the world, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2017/jul/29/slept-floor-flat-near-harrods-stories-modern-slavery">who have been enslaved</a>.


feed_id: 03756bcf7fd3040d27f3448131c0233a
title: Philippines drug war
uri: Philippines-drug-war
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#29_July_2017_%28Philippines_drug_war%29
content:
<p>Do-dirty's <a href="https://theintercept.com/2017/07/29/duterte-hell-philippines-drug-war-goodman-liwanag-field-of-vision/">murder campaign</a>, ostensibly aimed at all drug users, turns
out to be effectively aimed at anyone and everyone in the slums.
Thugs plant guns on those killed, in order to frame them.


feed_id: e36898e99e958c8334e782ef9c8ea6c4
title: Nuclear North Korea
uri: Nuclear-North-Korea
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#29_July_2017_%28Nuclear_North_Korea%29
content:
<p>The example of Libya, which gave up nuclear capability and 8 years later
was bombarded by the West, <a href="https://theintercept.com/2017/07/29/dan-coats-north-korea-nukes-nuclear-libya-regime-change/">taught Kim Jong Un</a> that North Korea must never give up that capability.


feed_id: 6a61d3eedc2a8b01a24d408a419b5027
title: Trumpcare civil disobedience
uri: Trumpcare-civil-disobedience
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#29_July_2017_%28Trumpcare_civil_disobedience_%29
content:
<p>A powerful campaign of civil disobedience helped <a href="http://www.truth-out.org/news/item/41434-how-civil-disobedience-helped-kill-trumpcare-at-least-for-now">kill the Dontcare bill</a>.


feed_id: 597442d9d101d8f995e0360c6a475dd6
title: Bezos WaPo
uri: Bezos-WaPo
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#29_July_2017_%28Bezos_WaPo%29
content:
<p>Worldâs richest person <a href="http://fair.org/home/worlds-richest-person-escapes-scrutiny-from-his-own-paper-and-its-rivals/">escapes scrutiny</a> from his own paper and its rivals.


feed_id: e09935989a6f5ba94f282f9ca1048a99
title: Koch electric vehicles
uri: Koch-electric-vehicles
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#29_July_2017_%28Koch_electric_vehicles%29
content:
<p>A Koch front group is putting out misleading <a href="https://thinkprogress.org/fueling-us-backward-f50bc6ea4dd2">attack ads</a> on electric vehicles.


feed_id: f21055dcc4994463f38cf5bc0d947c18
title: Defcon voting machines
uri: Defcon-voting-machines
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#29_July_2017_%28Defcon_voting_machines%29
content:
<p>At Defcon, patriotic hackers demonstrated the <a href="https://www.justsecurity.org/43619/hackers-target-u-s-voting-machines-leaders-wholl-put-country-party/">vulnerability of US voting</a> machines to cracking. But US politicians are frozen in the headlights of crackers, who may be either foreign or domestic.
<p>
See "<a href="/articles/on-hacking.html">On Hacking</a>" for explanation of the difference between cracking and hacking.


feed_id: 9b7a67b4d74d51d637038d46d7e026df
title: TSA behavioral detection
uri: TSA-behavioral-detection
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#29_July_2017_%28TSA_behavioral_detection%29
content:
<p>There is simply <a href="https://www.techdirt.com/articles/20170722/13382537845/there-is-simply-no-scientific-backing-tsas-behavioral-detection-program.shtml">no scientific backing</a> for TSA's "behavioral detection"
program.


feed_id: d5c3850213a55e4ceb80d687687d3d7b
title: UK homophobia colonies
uri: UK-homophobia-colonies
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#29_July_2017_%28UK_homophobia_colonies%29
content:
<p>The UK legalized homosexuality 50 years ago after imposing a law
criminalizing homosexuality on its colonies around the world.
Many of those colonies now defend this gratuitous <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2017/jul/28/britain-reverse-homophobia-empire-criminlisation-homosexuality-colonies">imposed cruelty</a>
as their "indigenous culture".


feed_id: 65919eed7db0c0425bba0ad7ed8f3a07
title: NAFTA elite wealth transfer
uri: NAFTA-elite-wealth-transfer
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#29_July_2017_%28NAFTA_elite_wealth_transfer%29
content:
<p>Spanish investors have <a href="https://theintercept.com/2017/07/28/a-monster-payday-in-argentina-shows-a-flaw-in-trumps-nafta-renegotiation/">ripped off</a> Argentina for $300 million  using the "investor-state" provision in a <a href="/business-supremacy-treaties.html">business supremacy treaty</a> with Spain.
<p>
All "investor-state" treaties must be torn up.


feed_id: 84ce3a1fc35a723187dfc2880e8f8cb4
title: Guantanamo zero evidence torture
uri: Guantanamo-zero-evidence-torture
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#29_July_2017_%28Guantanamo_zero_evidence_torture%29
content:
<p>Two prisoners in Guantanamo, declared guilty of bogus charges, were
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2017/07/27/opening-gitmo-world">freed after many years of torture</a> once they got an actual Habeas
Corpus hearing.
<p>
It turns out that the US government had no evidence against them
whatsoever.  The accusations were nothing but fabricated excuses for
torture.


feed_id: 04f7c43dba1382c8ca73f02b2c8f0db7
title: Sen. Hirono courageous vote
uri: Sen-Hirono-courageous-vote
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#29_July_2017_%28Sen_Hirono_courageous_vote%29
content:
<p>Senator Hirono of Hawaii, flew to Washington, interrupting her treatment
for advanced and probably fatal cancer, to vote <a href="https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2017/7/26/1684231/-The-heroic-Senator-with-severe-cancer-who-interrupted-her-treatment-to-vote-NO">against the Dontcare bill</a>.


feed_id: 30eaf097434b31351cbbfe4ad68f10dc
title: Trump medical insurance
uri: Trump-medical-insurance
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#29_July_2017_%28Trump_medical_insurance%29
content:
<p>The troll and his saboteurs are already trying to make medical
insurance <a href="https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2017/7/26/1684215/-Top-insurance-CEOs-openly-blaming-Trump-sabotage-for-rate-hikes-and-empty-markets">collapse</a>.


feed_id: d27d4342c86a76ddaf320e1cc6b6fd79
title: Republican's skinny repeal
uri: Republican-s-skinny-repeal
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#29_July_2017_%28Republicans_skinny_repeal%29
content:
<p>
Some Republican senators admitted that voting for "skinny repeal" was
a plan to impose some other bill that would be drawn <a href="https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2017/7/26/1684218/-Republicans-admit-it-Skinny-repeal-is-a-Trojan-horse-to-turn-Trumpcare-over-to-the-House">up and voted on
secretly</a> later.
<p>
  (This plan was defeated.)
<p>
The troll <a href="https://www.adn.com/politics/2017/07/26/trump-administration-signals-that-murkowskis-health-care-vote-could-have-energy-repercussions-for-alaska/">threatened to punish Alaska</a> because one of its Republican senators voted against the Dontcare bill.


feed_id: 42f3afcc94624b18b66da810489c80e6
title: Troll DOE negligence
uri: Troll-DOE-negligence
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#29_July_2017_%28Troll_DOE_negligence%29
content:
<p>The troll and his servitors didn't want to learn <a href="http://www.vanityfair.com/news/2017/07/department-of-energy-risks-michael-lewis/amp">what the Department
of Energy does</a>, especially in regard to nuclear weapons (US and foreign,
real or possible) and nuclear waste (contained and leaked).
<p>
Why put that work inside the "Department of Energy"?  It has nothing
to do with the energy supply, unless you count the energy released by
an explosion as energy supply.  That was some previous president's
attempt to discourage Americans from paying attention to the danger of
nuclear weapons and radioactive wastes.


feed_id: 203bd0594d8fbd60384a4439eee4d867
title: Stiglitz on economy
uri: Stiglitz-on-economy
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#29_July_2017_%28Stiglitz_on_economy%29
content:
<p>Stiglitz: tax cuts and deregulation won't fix any of America's problems.
They won't increase economic growth now, because <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2017/07/27/why-tax-cuts-rich-solve-nothing">they never did in the past</a>.


feed_id: 347a1873deab624b8143287e8c6ec73a
title: Facebook data collection
uri: Facebook-data-collection
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#29_July_2017_%28Facebook_data_collection%29
content:
<p>Facebook's "free basics" uses <a href="https://globalvoices.org/2017/07/27/facebooks-free-basics-doesnt-connect-you-to-the-global-internet-but-it-does-collect-your-data/">a special app</a> (proprietary, I expect)
which reports the user's activities to Facebook.  Not just which sites
the user visits, but what the user says to Facebook.


feed_id: 7c7c58a47b373456fc66cd0dda18432b
title: Urgent: transgender soldiers
uri: Urgent-transgender-soldiers
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#29_July_2017_%28Urgent%3A_transgender_soldiers%29
content:
<p>
US citizens: <a href="https://act.credoaction.com/sign/trans_troops">call on Congress</a> to reject the ban on transgender soldiers.


feed_id: 789fb86f7c7974c523db8e8b7f8758ef
title: Overtime pay
uri: Overtime-pay
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#29_July_2017_%28Overtime_pay%29
content:
<p>
The troll wants to <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2017/07/25/trump-administration-trying-take-away-rights-millions-americans-get-paid-their">roll back Obama's regulation</a> entitling more US workers to overtime pay.


feed_id: 0b13af66b5871157a2cf3b06af8f03aa
title: Vietnam veterans
uri: Vietnam-veterans
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#29_July_2017_%28Vietnam_veterans%29
content:
<p>
Vietnam veterans were welcomed home by Americans that opposed the war,
but <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2017/07/26/home-war-war-stories-myth-media-ken-burns-vietnam-series">a few have made claims</a> about being met by protests
whose existence is unsubstantiated by any evidence.


feed_id: 3c6a2591822db936d3073efd5e5eb38f
title: Global disasters
uri: Global-disasters
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#29_July_2017_%28Global_disasters%29
content:
<p>
Several <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2017/07/26/are-we-doomed-lets-have-talk">global disasters</a> are coming at once, and humanity had better
confront the question of how it will cope with them.
<p>
If this requires <a href="http://richardheinberg.com/museletter-302-controversy-explodes-renewable-energy">living more simply</a>, that's better than dying or reverting to a world without high technology.
<p>
However, I think that improvements in batteries will solve the
intermittancy problem in a decade or so.


feed_id: bccefc26af851a395e2d4529291ec366
title: Unexplained plane crash
uri: Unexplained-plane-crash
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#29_July_2017_%28Unexplained_plane_crash%29
content:
<p>
Several of Brazil's environmental protection investigators were killed
in an <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2017/jul/28/inquiry-launched-after-mystery-air-crash-kills-leading-brazilian-environmentalists">unexplained plane crash</a>.
<p>
A few months ago, a judge in the Lava Jato anticorruption investigation
was killed in a plane crash
which some suspect was due to sabotage of the plane.


feed_id: 4d2cd1e0065f120936ad12ab076a7f55
title: Obama's insurance system
uri: Obama-s-insurance-system
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#29_July_2017_%28Obama%27s_insurance_system%29
content:
<p>
<a href="/glossary.html#trump">The troll</a> says Obama's insurance system will
now <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2017/jul/28/obamacare-trump-implode-healthcare-bill">implode</a>. Is he right?


feed_id: e961376898895e94856b2789ef038885
title: Single-payer system
uri: Single-payer-system
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#29_July_2017_%28Single-payer_system%29
content:
<p>
How a <a href="https://www.sandersinstitute.com/blog/health-care-research-paper-delivered-to-congress">single-payer US medical system</a> would operate, why it would
provide better medical care, and why it would cost less.


feed_id: 7dc46620613adc591658124403454537
title: Emoji Movie
uri: Emoji-Movie
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#29_July_2017_%28Emoji_Movie%29
content:
<p>
The Emoji Movie is a <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/film/2017/jul/28/the-emoji-movie-review-a-big-thumb-down">series of commercials</a> with a thin veneer of story.


feed_id: ec7d2e1252351819648d2bb3941e0cda
title: Trans soldiers
uri: Trans-soldiers
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#29_July_2017_%28Trans_soldiers%29
content:
<p>
Why Anti-Imperialists Should <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2017/07/28/why-anti-imperialists-should-support-trans-soldiers">Support Trans Soldiers</a>.


feed_id: 4a3eae134eab2a0f823286433e6c6155
title: Disgust for the troll
uri: Disgust-for-the-troll
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#29_July_2017_%28Disgust_for_the_troll%29
content:
<p>
We should <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2017/jul/28/trump-disgust-president-repulsive-behaviour">proclaim our disgust</a> for the troll, with a coherent argument
about why his contempt for everything important is bad for the US (and
the whole world).
<p>
In my view, the worst thing about the troll is his denial
of global heating. He is making future disaster worse.


feed_id: b4da499eb7ce0a54765eb32440272941
title: Chemical testing
uri: Chemical-testing
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#29_July_2017_%28Chemical_testing%29
content:
<p>
When the EPA discovered that testing company IBT had done <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2017/07/27/poison-papers-snapshot-transcript-illustrates-epa-collusion-chemical-industry">bogus testing</a>
of many chemicals, it decided to accept many of the test results anyway,
because redoing so many tests would have caused a big scandal that would
have hurt the chemical industry.


feed_id: 616c6e7ea6d1767ed67fd72a0b56e192
title: Ireland and global heating
uri: 2017-07-30-Ireland-and-global-heating
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#28_July_2017_%28Ireland_and_global_heating%29
content:
<p>
Ireland's 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2017/jul/26/irelands-staggering-hypocrisy-on-climate-change">Staggering Hypocrisy</a> on
Global Heating.


feed_id: 0dff546a7a4fbc2a444a68436e84c50b
title: Illegitimate evidence
uri: 2017-07-30-Illegitimate-evidence
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#28_July_2017_%28Illegitimate_evidence%29
content:
<p>US thugs have been <a href="http://reason.com/archives/2017/07/24/crooked-cops-need-tighter-restrictions-n">caught planting drugs and guns</a> to make false
excuses to arrest people.  We need to regulate thugs more tightly.


feed_id: 2869e526622f3d932dcd0dc519854b08
title: Bezos WaPo
uri: 2017-07-31-Bezos-WaPo
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#29_July_2017_%28Bezos_WaPo%29
content:
<p>World's richest person <a href="http://fair.org/home/worlds-richest-person-escapes-scrutiny-from-his-own-paper-and-its-rivals/">escapes scrutiny</a> from his own paper and its rivals.


feed_id: 1dcd9c6a2e9a60a842149215d521092c
title: Facebook data collection
uri: 2017-07-31-Facebook-data-collection
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#29_July_2017_%28Facebook_data_collection%29
content:
<p>Facebook's "free basics" uses <a href="https://globalvoices.org/2017/07/27/facebooks-free-basics-doesnt-connect-you-to-the-global-internet-but-it-does-collect-your-data/">a special app</a> (proprietary, I expect)
which reports the user's activities to Facebook.  Not just which sites
the user visits, but what the user says, to Facebook.


feed_id: 91d353efd36fad320b79d0f725e03a8c
title: Urgent: border wall
uri: Urgent-border-wall
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#31_July_2017_%28Urgent%3A_reject_border_wall%29
content:
<p>US citizens: Call on Congress to <a href="https://engage.drugpolicy.org/secure/tell-congress-walls-won%E2%80%99t-stop-drugs">reject the border wall</a>; among many
other reasons, it would not be effective for the foolish War on Drugs.


feed_id: 11d3601b70bb98b2a52d70bedbfb301f
title: Suicide of 60,000 farmers in India
uri: Suicide-of-60-000-farmers-in-India
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#31_July_2017_%28Suicide_of_60%2C000_farmers_in_India%29

content:
<p>
The suicide of 60,000 farmers in India have been linked through
statistical reasoning to 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2017/jul/31/suicides-of-nearly-60000-indian-farmers-linked-to-climate-change-study-claims">global
heating</a>.


feed_id: b4f337629bb8f95b40eea7f71edeb1a7
title: Poland cutting down old-growth forest
uri: Poland-cutting-down-old-growth-forest
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#31_July_2017_%28Poland_cutting_down_old-growth_forest%29

content:
<p>
Poland will 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/jul/31/poland-continue-logging-biaowieza-forest-despite-eu-court-ban">continue
cutting down Europe's biggest old-growth forest</a> in defiance of the
European Court of Justice.


feed_id: a5e9b644605fba1632aac7f9d6008987
title: Democracy and human rights under attack
uri: Democracy-and-human-rights-under-attack
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#31_July_2017_%28Democracy_and_human_rights_under_attack%29

content:
<p>
Democracy and human rights are 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2017/jul/31/democracy-dying-people-worried-putin-erdogan-trump-world">under
attack world-wide</a>, and no government champions them strongly.


feed_id: 2510094032affa69ef1f6bd4204e5487
title: CEO-worker pay ratio disclosure
uri: CEO-worker-pay-ratio-disclosure
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#31_July_2017_%28CEO-worker_pay_ratio_disclosure%29
content:
<p>
"<a href='https://www.commondreams.org/views/2017/07/31/rising-angst-among-defenders-overpaid-ceos'>Efforts
to repeal CEO-worker pay ratio disclosure</a> continue but the odds of
success are growing longer."


feed_id: 1354b6ee4dc7057919877b703cf99410
title: Business-supremacy treaties
uri: 2017-08-01-Business-supremacy-treaties
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#31_July_2017_%28Business-supremacy_treaties%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2017/07/31/hormone-treated-beef-and-uk-us-trade-talks">Hormone-Treated
Beef</a> and the UK-US Trade Talks.
<p>
<a href="/business-supremacy-treaties.html">Business-supremacy
treaties</a> generally offer opportunities to do something nasty, and
plutocratist politicians such as Trump and the Tories are sure to take
take advantage of them.


feed_id: 91260266f9751a29cced4fd77bdb6096
title: Taking direct action
uri: Taking-direct-action
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#31_July_2017_%28Taking_direct_action%29
content:
<p>
A
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2017/07/31/manual-new-era-direct-action">Manual</a>
for a New Era of Direct Action.


feed_id: f5228509f70bd3a206aabe411ba83aaa
title: Russia's expulsion of US embassy staff
uri: Russia-s-expulsion-of-US-embassy-staff
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#31_July_2017_%28Russias_expulsion_of_US_embassy_staff%29

content:
<p>
The US in December expelled 35 Russian diplomats.  Russia retaliated
by expelling
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/jul/31/vladimir-putin-us-embassy-staff-reductions-russia">755
US embassy staff</a>, more than half the total.
<p>
Under someone other than the troll, the US would have responded by
increasing its expulsions to match.


feed_id: e0d0c388f2ec96c6abbd05b867c3ab7d
title: Global heating
uri: 2017-08-01-Global-heating
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#31_July_2017_%28Global_heating%29
content:
<p>
On current trends, there is a 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2017/jul/31/paris-climate-deal-2c-warming-study">95%
chance of global heating more than 2C by the year 2100</a>.


feed_id: df6a2fff7e15566a2d1c08c9e9bf8495
title: Attack on freedom to communicate
uri: Attack-on-freedom-to-communicate
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#31_July_2017_%28Attack_on_freedom_to_communicate%29
content:
<p>
Why the 
<a href="https://motherboard.vice.com/en_us/article/vbm9yx/why-the-arrest-of-it-trainers-in-turkey-affects-us-all">Arrest
of IT Trainers in Turkey</a> Affects Us All.
<p>
It is part of an international attack on privacy and freedom to
communicate.


feed_id: eb0239387d551c4fee2ab6aac489b1c4
title: Blaming the poor for their poverty
uri: Blaming-the-poor-for-their-poverty
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#31_July_2017_%28Blaming_the_poor_for_their_poverty%29

content:
<p>
Homeless mother Megan Doudney regularly receives 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2017/jul/31/homeless-baby-san-francisco-panhandling">insults
and threats</a> from people inclined to blame the poor for their
poverty.


feed_id: a942596328b34f1687579f5969d8eabf
title: Record-breaking temperatures
uri: 2017-08-01-Record-breaking-temperatures
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#31_July_2017_%28Record-breaking_temperatures%29
content:
<p>
The 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/climate-consensus-97-per-cent/2017/jul/31/2017-is-so-far-the-second-hottest-year-on-record-thanks-to-global-warming">first
half of 2017</a> makes it almost the hottest year ever recorded.  Only
2016 was hotter, and that was because of El NiÃ±o.


feed_id: 798f27d2a4d0b86089415d48aeb1e32a
title: Negotiation with North Korea
uri: Negotiation-with-North-Korea
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#31_July_2017_%28Negotiation_with_North_Korea%29
content:
<p>
Attacking North Korea would be a disaster, and the rulers know this.
The US 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2017/jul/31/fear-north-korea-us-diplomatic-ballistic-tests">must
turn to negotiation</a>.
<p>
Clinton set up a nuclear deal with North Korea, in which it froze its
nuclear program.  If <a href="/glossary.html#dubya">Dubya</a> had not cancelled the deal, it might be
working still.


feed_id: fcab53dac32c5ef0789455c2cb52b9ff
title: B'liar protected again from prosecution
uri: B-liar-protected-again-from-prosecution
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#31_July_2017_%28Bliar_protected_again_from_prosecution%29

content:
<p>
<a href="/glossary.html#bliar">Tony B'liar</a> has been 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2017/jul/31/tony-blair-prosecution-over-iraq-war-blocked-by-judges">protected
yet again</a> from prosecution for the crime of aggressive war.
<p>
It is a scandal that the US and UK leaders can get away with the most
heinous crime of all, despite its recognition by international law.
<a href="/glossary.html#dubya">Dubya</a> and B'liar deserve to be tried in The Hague.


feed_id: 66aa5da10e3d968c2dae79b827380daa
title: Gaza's sewage polluting sea shore
uri: Gaza-s-sewage-polluting-sea-shore
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#31_July_2017_%28Gazas_sewage_polluting_sea_shore%29
content:
<p>
Gaza's sewage treatment no longer functions properly, so 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/cities/2017/jul/31/children-swim-sewage-floods-gaza-beach">raw
sewage has polluted most of the sea shore</a>.


feed_id: 772bc7fe2711e5f7b96a094823475742
title: Apple aids government censorship
uri: Apple-aids-government-censorship
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#31_July_2017_%28Apple_aids_government_censorship%29
content:
<p>
Apple's 
<a href="https://techcrunch.com/2017/07/30/apples-capitulation-to-chinas-vpn-crack-down-will-return-to-haunt-it-at-home/">Capitulation
to China's VPN Crack-Down</a> Will Return to Haunt it at Home.


feed_id: 9943857ba70db3fc4fe069a44e134d7b
title: Absurdity of Republican rule
uri: Absurdity-of-Republican-rule
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#31_July_2017_%28Absurdity_of_Republican_rule%29
content:
<p>
The absurdity of Republican rule 
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2017/07/30/when-reality-exceeds-satire">outraces
satire</a>.


feed_id: c0f09f55f92953852db06790b9313051
title: Family foundations' political influence
uri: Family-foundations-political-influence
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#31_July_2017_%28Family_foundations_political_influence%29

content:
<p>
Family foundations with billions of dollars exert unending political
influence in the US, 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/society/commentisfree/2017/jul/25/philanthropic-dynasties-exerting-power-us-policy">unchecked
by any sort of democracy</a>.


feed_id: b606a6a4334a4f0773a42faac4670c54
title: The war in Afghanistan
uri: The-war-in-Afghanistan
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#31_July_2017_%28The_war_in_Afghanistan%29
content:
<p>
There is a push to pledge to continue the war in Afghanistan 
<a href="https://consortiumnews.com/2017/07/25/pitching-the-forever-war-in-afghanistan/">forever</a>.
Supposedly it would be until the Afghan government can stand on its
own.  But that will be forever, as I've 
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2006-may-aug.html#24%20July%202006%20(Anarchy%20in%20Afghanistan)">explained
before</a>.


feed_id: adfcb5905a8946f86f37c0f2692eeb3d
title: Russia troll factory
uri: Russia-troll-factory
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#31_July_2017_%28Russia_troll_factory%29
content:
<p>My Life as a Pro-Putin Propagandist in Russia's Secret "<a href="http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/russia/11656043/My-life-as-a-pro-Putin-propagandist-in-Russias-secret-troll-factory.html">Troll Factory</a>".


feed_id: 538e5029c29b43e971741998739b3f7e
title: Federal Reserve struggle
uri: Federal-Reserve-struggle
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#31_July_2017_%28Federal_Reserve_struggle%29
content:
<p>The Federal Reserve's <a href="media/a9d0a5dd.full-employment-mandate-2017-07.pdf" data-original-source="http://cepr.net/images/stories/reports/full-employment-mandate-2017-07.pdf">full employment mandate</a> was won through a great
struggle in which the Civil Rights Movement participated.  Now <a href="/glossary.html#scrotus">SCROTUS</a> want to get rid of it.


feed_id: 3b5bd794776953e23267f7c6e514e21b
title: Endocrine disruptors
uri: 2017-08-01-Endocrine-disruptors
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#31_July_2017_%28Endocrine_disruptors%29
content:
<p>A clue to the cause of the global decrease in sperm counts: many
endocrine disruptor chemicals, which get into people's blood from
household products including food wrappers and toothpaste, have been
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/science/2014/may/12/sperm-swimming-navigational-skills-chemicals-endocrine-disruptors">found to damage sperm</a>.
<p>
We should reject the idea that there is a sperm count "crisis".  The
real crisis is that the human population is still increasing even with
the lower sperm counts -- after all, it takes just one sperm to make a
baby.  The decrease in sperm count could be beneficial, if it reduces
the birth rate, but it clearly isn't enough to solve the problem.


feed_id: ea4d4c7e15b179b11d388e1e433b4e56
title: Massachusetts subsidizing cable
uri: Massachusetts-subsidizing-cable
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#31_July_2017_%28Massachusetts_subsidizing_cable%29
content:
<p>The Republican governor of Massachusetts is making a 4-million-dollar
<a href="https://digboston.com/subsidizing-giants/">gift</a> to giant cable companies.


feed_id: 077372a85b29ea7fc5004b0b631ae52d
title: Prescription surveillance
uri: Prescription-surveillance
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#31_July_2017_%28Prescription_surveillance%29
content:
<p>Thugs <a href="http://reason.com/blog/2017/07/24/how-much-more-vicious-will-the-war-on-pa">want the power</a> to look at databases of all Americans' prescriptions
without a court order.
<p>
There shouldn't be a central database of everyone's prescriptions.
That is intrusive surveillance of everyone.


feed_id: 03ac6dce422486ddff93dd306fdfcbfe
title: US security cost
uri: US-security-cost
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#31_July_2017_%28US_security_cost%29
content:
<p>The US misspends a <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2017/07/25/hidden-costs-national-security">trillion dollars per year</a> on "national security",
which doesn't achieve such great security.
<p>
And that's not to count the <em>freedom</em> that we sacrifice to massive surveillance in the name of "security".


feed_id: 120a633d7df9b13de3acbd92f76a5ab5
title: Democratic Party proposals
uri: Democratic-Party-proposals
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#31_July_2017_%28Democratic_Party_proposals%29
content:
<p>The Democratic Party has announced a program <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2017/jul/24/democrats-better-deal-virginia-rally-economy">to help workers</a>.
<p>
That's what it ought to do, but <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2017/07/25/everything-thats-wrong-democratic-reboot-one-lousy-op-ed">these proposals</a> are very weak.
<p>
Contrast this with the <a href="/archives/2017-may-aug.html#29_July_2017_(Urgent:_Peoples_Platform)">People's Program</a>.


feed_id: 6946cf4f0ccb5980a7656b3ca8347a00
title: Technology imitating individuals
uri: Technology-imitating-individuals
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#31_July_2017_%28Technology_imitating_individuals%29
content:
<p>Technology can now <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2017/jul/26/fake-news-obama-video-trump-face2face-doctored-content">falsify any person's voice</a> saying anything whatsoever.


feed_id: 5e4bc80922e9064afca0c0650fbddee7
title: Venezuela new constitution
uri: Venezuela-new-constitution
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#31_July_2017_%28Venezuela_new_constitution%29
content:
<p>Maduro is holding an election to choose members of the constituent
assembly that will write a new constitution, although most Venezuelans
are <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/jul/29/venezuela-government-maduro-vote-end-democracy">opposed to the whole plan</a>.
<p>
The opposition is boycotting the election, suggesting it regards the election as lost.  Perhaps they think it will be rigged.


feed_id: 0d4253e56ac97224f9f5510e68f8a93b
title: Poland judiciary independence
uri: Poland-judiciary-independence
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#31_July_2017_%28Poland_judiciary_independence%29
content:
<p>Poland's government adopted one of the three laws designed to <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/commentisfree/2017/jul/25/the-guardian-view-on-poland-courts-people-power-and-a-glimmer-of-hope">abolish</a> the independence of the judiciary.


feed_id: 30dcf1641e54a9ca86f3bf15880c1793
title: War memorial
uri: War-memorial
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#31_July_2017_%28War_memorial%29
content:
<p>
A new idea for propagandizing for the "global war on terrorism":
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2017/07/28/global-war-terrorism-memorial-appropriate-tribute">
erect a memorial in Washington for the US soldiers that died in those
various ill-advised wars.
</a>
<p>
Whether to remember them is a secondary issue compared with the danger
of remembering the conquest and occupation of Iraq as a "war on
terrorism".


feed_id: 39d5d97378fe91f328b70274bd43a3d3
title: Criminal corporations
uri: Criminal-corporations
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#31_July_2017_%28Criminal_corporations%29
content:
<p>
Under Democrats and under Republicans,
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2017/07/29/going-soft-corporate-crime-bipartisan-affair">
the US government is soft on
criminal corporations.
</a>


feed_id: bacde42b8a16cdbe740b2e153993e315
title: Low price of oil
uri: 2017-08-01-Low-price-of-oil
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#31_July_2017_%28Low_price_of_oil%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2017/7/28/1685068/-TransCanada-Corp-backs-away-from-building-Keystone-XL-Pipeline-as-financial-rationale-has-dried-up?detail=emaildkre">
The Keystone XL pipeline may be canceled due to lack of investors.
</a>
<p>
The low price of oil discourages investment in future oil extraction.
That is good.  However, it also tends to encourage more use of oil,
which is bad.  Whether the overall effect in good or bad depends on
what other factors might tend to keep the demand for oil low.
<p>
Why is the oil price so low nowadays?  Can anyone tell me?


feed_id: 133e78e75a6c8c45c52c57b0f32d4925
title: Provoking war with Iran
uri: Provoking-war-with-Iran
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#31_July_2017_%28Provoking_war_with_Iran%29
content:
<p>
<a href="/glossary.html#trump">The troll</a> now has a plan for
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2017/07/29/mask-trump-seeking-war-iran">
how to provoke war with Iran in October.
</a>


feed_id: 43211e95c4c5526b5f1fd99615fb7c74
title: Nuclear winter
uri: Nuclear-winter
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#31_July_2017_%28Nuclear_winter%29
content:
<p>
As the US and Russia continue to "modernize" their nuclear weapons,
we must remember that
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2017/07/29/time-take-nuclear-winter-seriously">
50 fairly small nuclear explosions would be enough to cause a nuclear winter and several years of mass starvation.
</a>


feed_id: 6fcc9f19897205914f55fa67e2b782c3
title: London thugs
uri: 2017-08-01-London-thugs
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#31_July_2017_%28London_thugs%29
content:
<p>
London thugs arrested two black men in recent weeks, each of whom
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2017/jul/29/protesters-stoke-newington-dalston-vigil-rashan-charles-edson-da-costa">
mysteriously died
</a>
shortly thereafter.


feed_id: d20ece7a2242ce6f77f4a6235aea1d6b
title: Google excluding WSWS
uri: Google-excluding-WSWS
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#31_July_2017_%28Google_excluding_WSWS%29
content:
<p>

Google is
<a href="https://www.wsws.org/en/articles/2017/07/28/pers-j28.html">
artificially
excluding the World Socialist Web Site
from searches.
</a>
<p>
The WSWS has a political slant, of course, but I would be surprised if
it engaged in the intentional blatant throw-away lies that "fake news"
refers to.


feed_id: 5e1c8ae1e407eb61267c728f22760122
title: Health care
uri: Health-care
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#31_July_2017_%28Health_care%29
content:
<p>
<a href="http://www.newyorker.com/humor/borowitz-report/trump-supporters-furious-that-they-still-have-health-care">
Trump Supporters Furious That They Still Have Health Care.
</a>


feed_id: 24fd7ff17dad36fc9fa08a8cfd4fb5fd
title: Uber and Lyft
uri: Uber-and-Lyft
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#31_July_2017_%28Uber_and_Lyft%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2017/jul/29/new-york-yellow-cabs-taxis-uber-lyft">
Uber and Lyft are putting pressure on the taxi business in New York City,
</a>
on
the income of drivers, and of course on the privacy of customers.


feed_id: 6c478fdb21e1d9416df054cf77f218ab
title: The danger of factions
uri: The-danger-of-factions
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#31_July_2017_%28The_danger_of_factions%29
content:
<p>
The Republican Party has become a political faction,
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2017/jul/29/is-american-republic-built-to-withstand-malevolent-president">
such as the
founding fathers feared.
</a>


feed_id: e4116a20f8c137cbea2ff21150544f68
title: Al Gore interview
uri: Al-Gore-interview
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#31_July_2017_%28Al_Gore_interview%29
content:
<p>
An interview with Al Gore about
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2017/jul/30/al-gore-interview-our-crumbling-planet-the-rich-have-subverted-all-reason-al-gore">
global heating and the planet roasters'
denialist campaign
</a>
(covered by his new film).


feed_id: 33ebe7c08f62a286036bb50701415345
title: Unfitness for office
uri: Unfitness-for-office
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#31_July_2017_%28Unfitness_for_office%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2017/jul/30/observer-view-of-donald-trump-unifit-for-office">
"The incompetence and infighting at the White House dismay Americaâs
allies and encourage its enemies."
</a>


feed_id: 25026aa11c43a923e82a6600361cdab5
title: Cigarette prices
uri: Cigarette-prices
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#31_July_2017_%28Cigarette_prices%29
content:
<p>
Tobacco companies appear to be
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/society/2017/jul/29/big-tobacco-manipulating-cigarette-prices-to-thwart-anti-smoking-tax">
subsidizing some cheap cigarette brands
to keep users addicted,
</a>
while charging more for other brands.


feed_id: 2978e94787ab92d8157a11eef82b1aad
title: Dumped clothing
uri: Dumped-clothing
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#31_July_2017_%28Dumped_clothing%29
content:
<p>
Young people often
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/fashion/2017/jul/29/fashion-must-fight-scourge-dumped-clothing-landfill">
keep an article of clothing for mere weeks before
throwing it in the trash.
</a>
What a wasteful practice.
<p>
There's nothing wrong with recycling fabrics if someday we develop the
technology to really do it.  However, it is easy to recycle
<em>garments</em>: just sell them to a used clothing store, or give
them to a place that will pass them on to poor people.
<p>
What excuse could there be for failing to do this?


feed_id: 4a760a6e53305fd97c49f6ecfa6ae539
title: Plastic straws
uri: Plastic-straws
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#31_July_2017_%28Plastic_straws%29
content:
<p>
Plastic straws are
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/sustainable-business/2017/jul/30/retailers-manufacturers-reduce-plastic-use-waste-lily-cole-ellen-macarthur">
a significant contribution to global waste.
</a>


feed_id: 5b2d6d2af878df8d4e47e66a8616ecf7
title: Stories of slavery
uri: 2017-08-01-Stories-of-slavery
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#29_July_2017_%28Stories_of_slavery%29
content:
<p>Stories of men and women, around the world, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2017/jul/29/slept-floor-flat-near-harrods-stories-modern-slavery">who have been enslaved</a>.
  <p>See the <a href="https://stallman.org/enslaved-workers.html">enslaved workers</a> page.


feed_id: 2085984fbf1296b9d89ab4a5ad355a15
title: Philippines drug war
uri: 2017-08-01-Philippines-drug-war
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#29_July_2017_%28Philippines_drug_war%29
content:
<p>Do-dirty's <a href="https://theintercept.com/2017/07/29/duterte-hell-philippines-drug-war-goodman-liwanag-field-of-vision/">murder campaign</a>, ostensibly aimed at all drug users, turns
out to be effectively aimed at anyone and everyone in the slums.
<a href="/glossary.html#thug">Thugs</a> plant guns on those killed, in order to frame them.


feed_id: d4929fc68d981c058e0bbe92d5236f72
title: Trump medical insurance
uri: 2017-08-01-Trump-medical-insurance
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#29_July_2017_%28Trump_medical_insurance%29
content:
<p><a href="/glossary.html#trump">The troll</a> and his saboteurs are already trying to make medical
insurance <a href="https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2017/7/26/1684215/-Top-insurance-CEOs-openly-blaming-Trump-sabotage-for-rate-hikes-and-empty-markets">collapse</a>.


feed_id: 4fc7ee1e7f95016c5e43b4b38d1c9882
title: Earth's biggest mass extinction
uri: Earth-s-biggest-mass-extinction
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#1_August_2017_%28Earths_biggest_mass_extinction%29
content:
<p>
The biggest mass extinction in Earth's history appears to have been
caused by 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/climate-consensus-97-per-cent/2017/aug/01/underground-magma-triggered-earths-worst-mass-extinction-with-greenhouse-gases">greenhouse
gases</a>.
<p>
In that case, they greenhouse gases seem to have been produced by magma
hitting underground deposits of carbonaceous rocks and coal, rather
than by human activity (since there were no humans then).


feed_id: 64371873901fbb9adb79c040176818e0
title: How to buy happiness
uri: How-to-buy-happiness
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#1_August_2017_%28How_to_buy_happiness%29
content:
<p>
Money can buy you happiness if you 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2017/jul/31/can-money-buy-you-happiness">spend
it on being nice to other people</a>.
<p>
It is disappointing that the author chose "the latest iPhone" as the
paradigmatic example of what you would want for yourself.


feed_id: ea2b40fd1966b03dcdc2ae7cd78033d5
title: Trump Jr's misleading statement
uri: Trump-Jr-s-misleading-statement
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#1_August_2017_%28Trump_Jrs_misleading_statement%29
content:
<p>
A leak from the White House says that the cheater 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2017/jul/31/trump-statement-donald-trump-jr-russia-meeting">dictated
a misleading statement for Trump Jr</a> to make about his meeting with
Russians.


feed_id: 6e4a724bd0b06af73317e2024448e5db
title: Troll's backstabbing
uri: Troll-s-backstabbing
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#1_August_2017_%28Trolls_backstabbing%29
content:
<p>
<a href="/glossary.html#trump">The troll</a> 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2017/jul/31/scaramucci-trump-white-house-job">fired
his communications director 11 days after hiring him</a>.  This is the
most extreme example of a general problem: the troll is a backstabber,
so working for him is almost unbearable.


feed_id: f0d7af1a8234c1cd0dd985e70f3c60d7
title: Criminalized possession of publication
uri: Criminalized-possession-of-publication
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#1_August_2017_%28Criminalized_possession_of_publication%29

content:
<p>
In the chaos of the revolution in Iran, people were 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2017/aug/01/sam-dastyari-the-day-my-mother-wasnt-executed">executed
for the pamphlets they possessed</a>.  Others, for no apparent reason,
some were not executed.
<p>
In the US and the UK, people are not executed for the books they have,
but they may be imprisoned.  To criminalize possession of any
publication is tyranny.


feed_id: ddff7473d9c1627715373ba014a1de89
title: Urgent: overrule Corporations United
uri: Urgent-overrule-Corporations-United
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#2_August_2017_%28Urgent%3A_overrule_Corporations_United%29

content:
<p>
US citizens: <a href="http://go.fightforreform.org/page/s/intro-constitutional-amendment">support the constitutional amendment</a> to overrule the
<a href="/glossary.html#corporationsunited">Corporations United</a> decision.


feed_id: ead58f185ed693bdd40bbf153d19d851
title: Urgent: protect Social Security and Medicare
uri: Urgent-protect-Social-Security-and-Medicare
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#2_August_2017_%28Urgent%3A_protect_Social_Security_and_Medicare%29

content:
<p>
US citizens: <a href="https://petitions.signforgood.com/dontcutsocialsecurity/">call on Congress</a> to protect Social Security and Medicare.


feed_id: 27a4b74e5a769786c75ca51abf54dd17
title: Banning prostitution
uri: Banning-prostitution
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#2_August_2017_%28Banning_prostitution%29
content:
<p>
The latest twisted argument for <a href="http://reason.com/blog/2017/07/31/seattle-cops-sexual-consent-must-involve">banning prostitution</a>: claiming that
anyone who is paid for sex didn't really consent to sex.
<p>
Try telling your bank, "I got money from accepting this mortgage so I
didn't really consent to make payments." Then try telling your
tenants, "I got money for leasing this apartment to you, so I didn't
really consent to your living in it."


feed_id: 5e293831a1803a1ca481d05338833871
title: No room in India
uri: No-room-in-India
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#2_August_2017_%28No_room_in_India%29
content:
<p>
There's no room in India for wildlife and the <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2017/aug/01/over-1000-people-killed-india-humans-wildlife-territories-meet">increasing number of humans</a>.
<p>
Wiping out natural ecosystems is a disaster.
<p>
Greedy corporations chop down forests and destroy other wild
ecosystems. They ignore land that isn't suitable for a plantation.
However, in the last desperate years, hungry humans, regarded as
superfluous by the plutocrats, will destroy every remaining wild
place. They won't succeed in surviving very long that way, but they
have destroyed will not come back once they are dead.
<p>
To avoid that, we must stabilize the global population and maybe leave
some of those wild places alone.


feed_id: e02ee22157102e331015413b3cec4cc3
title: Meat industry
uri: Meat-industry
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#2_August_2017_%28Meat_industry%29
content:
<p>
Meat Industry Blamed for <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2017/aug/01/meat-industry-dead-zone-gulf-of-mexico-environment-pollution">Largest-Ever 'Dead Zone'</a> in Gulf of Mexico.
<p>
We Americans need to eat less meat, for our own health, for the
ocean's health, and for the ecosphere's health.
<p>
Eating a lot of meat is dangerous because it gives us high cholesterol
levels. Current meat production methods, using antibiotics, promotes
antibiotic resistance which can kill people.
<p>
The massive plantations that we use to feed the animals cause
deforestation, which promotes global heating.


feed_id: 25b5c1924d8caa6d3f91b1a09bd633ab
title: Global Gag
uri: Global-Gag
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#2_August_2017_%28Global_Gag%29
content:
<p>
Insult to Injury: How Trump's 'Global Gag' Will <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2017/aug/01/insult-to-injury-trump-global-gag-will-hit-women-traumatised-by-war">Hit Women Traumatised by War</a>.


feed_id: 14c15351ee1fa7397ed857107ade1631
title: Koch brothers
uri: 2017-08-03-Koch-brothers
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#2_August_2017_%28Koch_brothers%29
content:
<p>
The Koch brothers and 400 other selfish rich people meet every year to
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2017/07/31/billionaire-donors-plot-renaissance-freedom-privileged">plan to buy the next election</a> and make themselves completely masters
of the United States of America.


feed_id: 26c51de6b5ee7faf432e01a892be1811
title: Local renewable energy
uri: Local-renewable-energy
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#2_August_2017_%28Local_renewable_energy%29
content:
<p>
Three Forces <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2017/07/31/three-forces-fighting-local-renewable-energy-and-three-ways-fight-back">Fighting Local Renewable Energy</a> and Three Ways to Fight Back.


feed_id: de315402ea029291de3c35d34884f620
title: Obstruction of justice
uri: 2017-08-03-Obstruction-of-justice
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#2_August_2017_%28Obstruction_of_justice%29
content:
<p>
The troll apparently <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2017/aug/01/trump-russia-statement-richard-painter-obstruction-justice">committed obstruction of justice</a> by dictating
his son's false statement about meeting with Russians, according to
a former government ethics lawyer.


feed_id: 80c4152c28c104320dfd3875bdbdb7ef
title: Jobs for American youths
uri: Jobs-for-American-youths
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#2_August_2017_%28Jobs_for_American_youths%29
content:
<p>
Bernie Sanders has <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2017/08/01/sanders-introduces-bill-aimed-ending-tragic-youth-unemployment-crisis">introduced a bill</a> to make jobs for a million
American youths.


feed_id: b435b55eecf574a6a222e3c44c1d8768
title: Replacing private cars
uri: Replacing-private-cars
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#2_August_2017_%28Replacing_private_cars%29
content:
<p>
Replacing private cars with a <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2017/aug/01/car-chokehold-britain-polluted-inefficient-transport-system-motor-industry">great system of public transport</a> would
save money, fuel and pollution.


feed_id: e361ab43a074f5d28b272fa7476429d1
title: Indonesia prisoner
uri: Indonesia-prisoner
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#2_August_2017_%28Indonesia_prisoner%29
content:
<p>
Indonesia <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/aug/01/indonesia-executed-nigerian-humphrey-jefferson-despite-case-being-unresolved-watchdog-says">executed a prisoner</a> whose appeals were not finished.


feed_id: c263dc30653c3820d10b620cc912ecc4
title: GM corn contraceptive
uri: GM-corn-contraceptive
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#2_August_2017_%28GM_corn_contraceptive%29
content:
<p>
A genetically modified <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/science/2001/sep/09/gm.food">variety of corn</a> can be made into a
contraceptive jelly.


feed_id: 826c5b69db5d16569fa6e4ebb3dd38e9
title: Nissan workers
uri: Nissan-workers
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#2_August_2017_%28Nissan_workers%29
content:
<p>
Nissan is <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2017/aug/01/nissan-mississippi-union-vote">pressuring and threatening workers</a> in Mississippi to make
them vote not to unionize.
<p>
The governor of Mississippi is trying to compete with other states
to give companies the biggest opportunity to mistreat workers.
We need federal laws to stop states from competing in ways that
are detrimental to all of them.


feed_id: dc7452e702072ae7b923905f8983199e
title: Browsing histories
uri: Browsing-histories
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#2_August_2017_%28Browsing_histories%29
content:
<p>
It's easy to get <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2017/aug/01/data-browsing-habits-brokers">millions of people's browsing histories</a>, "anonymized"
as to whose histories they are, and then easy to figure out who most
of them are.


feed_id: a71d1964235dc3eb61194b181e007e35
title: No room in India
uri: 2017-08-03-No-room-in-India
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#2_August_2017_%28No_room_in_India%29
content:
<p>
There's no room in India for wildlife and the <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2017/aug/01/over-1000-people-killed-india-humans-wildlife-territories-meet">increasing number of humans</a>.
<p>
Wiping out natural ecosystems is a disaster.
<p>
Greedy corporations chop down forests and destroy other wild
ecosystems. They ignore land that isn't suitable for a plantation.
However, in the last desperate years, hungry humans, regarded as
superfluous by the plutocrats, will destroy every remaining wild
place. They won't succeed in surviving very long that way, but what they
have destroyed will not come back once they are dead.
<p>
To avoid that, we must stabilize the global population and maybe leave
some of those wild places alone.


feed_id: b035498ffe14bbf06c1ee492e2c90b52
title: Amazon rainforest climate
uri: Amazon-rainforest-climate
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#3_August_2017_%28Amazon_rainforest_climate%29
content:
<p>
Human activity is implicated in the three extreme droughts that the
Amazon rainforest has suffered in <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/climate-consensus-97-per-cent/2017/aug/03/study-finds-human-influence-in-the-amazons-third-1-in-100-year-drought-since-2005">the past 12 years</a>.


feed_id: e170f3e4aa43a042eec14267d489ccea
title: US becoming failed state
uri: US-becoming-failed-state
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#3_August_2017_%28US_becoming_failed_state%29
content:
<p>
The United States is becoming a failed state.  Does that mean the
United States has to <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2017/aug/03/my-fellow-americans-failed-state-trump-united-states-must-invade-usa">invade the United States</a>?


feed_id: 22998249449fc216c28979dc88bfddf4
title: UK NHS wheelchair provision
uri: UK-NHS-wheelchair-provision
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#3_August_2017_%28UK_NHS_wheelchair_provision%29
content:
<p>
The UK's National Health Service <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2017/aug/03/wheelchair-provision-nhs-disability">isn't given enough funds</a> for
wheelchairs for all the disabled people, so many are stuck at home,
unable to go out.


feed_id: 35e14a9d121a4bd2a877962a32b3ec10
title: Afghanistan Taliban
uri: Afghanistan-Taliban
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#3_August_2017_%28Afghanistan_Taliban%29
content:
<p>
The War America Can't Win: How the Taliban <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/aug/03/afghanistan-war-helmand-taliban-us-womens-rights-peace">Took Back Afghanistan</a>.


feed_id: 7522813b19d346271d96cf426a1291ff
title: Dmitriyev Stalin criticism
uri: Dmitriyev-Stalin-criticism
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#3_August_2017_%28Dmitriyev_Stalin_criticism%29
content:
<p>
Yury Dmitriyev is accused of making child pornography, apparently because
he helped <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/aug/03/gulag-grave-hunter-yury-dmitriyev-unearths-uncomfortable-truths-russia">identify the mass graves</a> of people that Stalin murdered.
<p>
Condemning Stalin is not criticism of today's Russia.  Stalin died 64
years ago.  Rather, this behavior towards historical investigation
is what leads to condemnation of today's Russia.


feed_id: 1daeb7575569a771e6ac86a5f31211e2
title: Liu Xia incommunicado
uri: Liu-Xia-incommunicado
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#3_August_2017_%28Liu_Xia_incommunicado%29
content:
<p>
Liu Xia, widow of Liu Xiaobo, has been held incommunicado <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/aug/03/china-enforced-disappearance-liu-xiaobo-widow-liu-xia">since July 15</a>.


feed_id: 2053397e0538ddb9e2fe3ebe5abceaff
title: Brazil Congress vote
uri: Brazil-Congress-vote
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#3_August_2017_%28Brazil_Congress_vote__%29
content:
<p>
Brazil's Congress voted to <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/aug/03/brazil-michel-temer-president-corruption-charges-vote">keep President Temer</a> in office and ignore
corruption charges against him.
<p>
They previously voted to expel President Rousseff from office for
lesser accusations.  Perhaps her corruption wasn't sufficient to
satisfy them.


feed_id: 47ca69d8765fd8867db430cf50acdf49
title: Urgent: Decriminalize recreational drugs
uri: Urgent-Decriminalize-recreational-drugs
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#3_August_2017_%28Urgent%3A_Decriminalize_recreational_drugs%29

content:
<p>
US citizens: <a href="https://engage.drugpolicy.org/secure/its-time-decriminalize-drug-use-and-possession">call for decriminalizing use and possession of recreational drugs</a>.
<p>
<a href="http://www.drugpolicy.org/blog/4-reasons-why-us-needs-decriminalize-drugs-and-why-were-closer-you-think">Here are arguments</a> for doing this.
<p>
To sign this petition without running non-free JavaScript code, enable LibreJS.


feed_id: 128634b9e45546ebd3867eda184cf11a
title: Congress marijuana
uri: Congress-marijuana
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#3_August_2017_%28Congress_marijuana%29
content:
<p>
Congress is considering a bill to <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2017/08/02/far-reaching-bill-would-legalize-weed-offer-reparations-war-drugs">legalize marijuana</a>, and help those convicted of possessing or using marijuana.


feed_id: c9f4da8ed82d5de77bdc5a94d191aa75
title: Cornell Nungesser
uri: Cornell-Nungesser
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#3_August_2017_%28Cornell_Nungesser%29
content:
<p>
Paul Nungesser was exonerated of rape charges at Cornell, but his
accuser Emma Sulkowicz has continued with support from the university
to <a href="http://reason.com/archives/2017/07/28/discredited-the-legend-of-mattress-girl">paint him as guilty</a>.


feed_id: ecbc76c57f8afacbc4a94fd80acaf689
title: Chavismo critique
uri: Chavismo-critique
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#3_August_2017_%28Chavismo_critique%29
content:
<p>
A progressive critique of <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2017/aug/02/left-learn-maduros-failures-in-venezuela-bolivarian-revolution-chavismo">Chavismo and its opposition</a>.


feed_id: 144b6b4cf4a6010b0584038f39199bd9
title: Gene mutations
uri: Gene-mutations
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#3_August_2017_%28Gene_mutations%29
content:
<p>
An experiment succeeded in <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/science/2017/aug/02/deadly-gene-mutations-removed-from-human-embryos-in-landmark-study">eliminating a fatal gene</a> from human embryos, operating at the time of conception.
<p>
It is important to eliminate genetic diseases, and this may provide
a better way of doing it.  However, in general we should avoid
going to great lengths to help people reproduce who otherwise would
have refrained from doing so.


feed_id: 12ea9c1299632cff956b9b6052d552bf
title: Obama Syria pressure
uri: Obama-Syria-pressure
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#3_August_2017_%28Obama_Syria_pressure%29
content:
<p>
Obama tried to resist getting involved in the war in Syria, but
eventually <a href="https://consortiumnews.com/2017/07/29/how-obama-fell-into-the-syrian-trap/">ceded to the pressure</a>.


feed_id: cf780c9efc7a5bd2c9fe4037af127270
title: Democratic Party candidates
uri: Democratic-Party-candidates
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#3_August_2017_%28Democratic_Party_candidates%29
content:
<p>
The Democratic Party has decided to support candidates that <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2017/07/31/reproductive-rights-advocates-condemn-dems-support-anti-choice-candidates">oppose abortion rights</a>, in districts where any people hold such views.
<p>
I can follow the party's logic, but it stems from the party's decision
not to try to inspire the people with a strong progressive stand.  If
it did that, it would get far more support, and wouldn't need to consider
supporting candidates that are right-wing on the abortion issue.


feed_id: 5c3d267cb5771af2d92f6d1f63bdb31f
title: Troll thug reaction
uri: Troll-thug-reaction
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#3_August_2017_%28Troll_thug_reaction%29
content:
<p>
When the troll called for thugs to <a href="https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2017/7/29/1685248/-Trump-s-advice-to-cops-to-rough-up-suspects-is-not-the-problem-It-s-the-cops-outrageous-response">attack and injure</a> their captives more, the applause of the thugs in the room with him reflects the sadistic side of US thugs in general.


feed_id: bc17edbe80503b38e06093fcf12b017d
title: EPA methane
uri: EPA-methane
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#3_August_2017_%28EPA_methane%29
content:
<p>
A court <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2017/08/01/green-groups-celebrate-court-orders-epa-reinstate-obama-era-methane-rule">ordered</a> the EPA to enforce the methane rule adopted under Obama.


feed_id: 9aa241cf2aa818221f7b60e684ebf394
title: Democratic Party program
uri: Democratic-Party-program
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#3_August_2017_%28Democratic_Party_program%29
content:
<p>
The Yes Men strike again: presenting the "<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2017/08/01/activists-call-dncs-bluff-dnctakeback">Democratic Party program</a>"
that the party <em>ought</em> to have.


feed_id: aa603bb97106f13d2b2b7d0db6fcc065
title: Urgent: National Guard wage theft
uri: Urgent-National-Guard-wage-theft
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#3_August_2017_%28Urgent%3A_National_Guard_wage_theft%29

content:
<p>
US citizens: counseling workers that help National Guard veterans work
for a contract company rather than for the government.  A substitution
of one company for another just gave them a pay cut of almost 50%.
<a href="https://www.credomobilize.com/petitions/stop-wage-theft-at-the-national-guard">Call on the Senate to reverse this</a>.
<p>The Capitol Switchboard numbers are 202-224-3121, 888-818-6641 and 888-355-3588.</p>


feed_id: ef78897041920061840d60b6eb47d8b0
title: Urgent: Oppose prohibition of boycott advocacy
uri: Urgent-Oppose-prohibition-of-boycott-advocacy
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#3_August_2017_%28Urgent%3A_Oppose_prohibition_of_boycott_advocacy%29

content:
<p>
US citizens: 
<a href="https://act.credoaction.com/sign/S720">call on Congress</A>
to oppose the bill to prohibit advocacy of a boycott aimed at Israel.
<p>
I also oppose any bill that would prohibit <em>participation</em> in
any such boycott.


feed_id: c4c54b2cb700899ccb27bee529905d4b
title: Urgent: Drop charges against journalists
uri: Urgent-Drop-charges-against-journalists
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#3_August_2017_%28Urgent%3A_Drop_charges_against_journalists%29

content:
<p>
Everyone: 
<a href="https://rsf.org/en/freedom-cumhuriyet-freedom-all-turkish-journalists">call
on ErdoÄan</a> to drop charges against journalists.
<p>
To sign that petition with LibreJS active, 
<a href="https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/free-js-for-rsf-org-petitions/">use
this add-on</a>.


feed_id: a6f3addc7ac512db698c164c40082b73
title: Troll wants to exclude Democrats
uri: Troll-wants-to-exclude-Democrats
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#3_August_2017_%28Troll_wants_to_exclude_Democrats%29

content:
<p>
<a href="/glossary.html#trump">The troll</a> wants to 
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2017/07/31/trumps-big-loss">exclude
Democrats completely from power</a>, in effect abolishing democracy.


feed_id: 0e1cd043bf15c0fd9a40047e43e749d1
title: Troll a national embarrassment
uri: Troll-a-national-embarrassment
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#3_August_2017_%28Troll_a_national_embarrassment%29
content:
<p>
Walter Shaub, who resigned as federal ethics enforcer, says that the
troll is a national embarrassment, and invites the judgment that the
US is a 
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2017/07/31/former-ethics-chief-calls-trump-white-house-kleptocratic-embarrassment">kleptocracy</a>.


feed_id: f1fae1046284843fef3072b4f75540a6
title: "Smart" appliances as listening devices
uri: Smart-appliances-as-listening-devices
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#3_August_2017_%28Smart_appliances_as_listening_devices%29

content:
<p>
Queensland (part of Australia) is considering authorizing itself to
use back doors to 
<a href="http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/queensland/queensland-police-say-fridges-could-be-turned-into-listening-devices-20170724-gxh97o.html">remotely
convert "smart" appliances into listening devices</a>.
<p>
This is, of course, presented as a way to stop "terrorism", but
experience shows that the state will not limit its use of new
surveillance powers to cases of enormous crime.  In the UK, the old
law for warrantless surveillance 
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2008-mar-jun.html#10%20June%202008%20(Communications%20privacy%20violation%20in%20UK)">was
used to catch people who were putting out too many garbage cans</a>.
That was before Theresa May replaced it with an even nastier law.
<p>
You need not have committed any crime to be investigated this way.
Any appliance or device that is called "smart" makes you vulnerable to
this and other abuses.
<p>
I refuse to have any connected appliance in my house.  The only thing
I have that talks to the internet is the computer on which I am
writing this message.


feed_id: 0badc6669cb424313176b7a2f6a6f6ce
title: Credit card skimming at gasoline pumps
uri: Credit-card-skimming-at-gasoline-pumps
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#3_August_2017_%28Credit_card_skimming_at_gasoline_pumps%29

content:
<p>
Paying for gasoline with a credit card makes you 
<a href="https://krebsonsecurity.com/2017/07/gas-pump-skimmer-sends-card-data-via-text/">vulnerable
to credit card skimmers</a> in the gasoline pump.
<p>
It also makes you vulnerable to surveillance by Big Brother, and
tracking by companies.  Don't be tracked — pay cash!


feed_id: 14b75aa00a35c4e9843c3735d2eb426a
title: EU-Canada air traveler data
uri: EU-Canada-air-traveler-data
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#3_August_2017_%28EU-Canada_air_traveler_data%29
content:
<p>
The EU-Canada agreement about data about air travelers has been 
<a href="https://www.neweurope.eu/article/eu-canada-agreement-on-passenger-names-declared-illegal-ecj/">ruled
illegal</a> by the European Court of Justice.
<p>
The EU's agreement with the US might be illegal too.


feed_id: fa752c348be4cabfb443f67730535a57
title: Prison sentence for having sex
uri: Prison-sentence-for-having-sex
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#3_August_2017_%28Prison_sentence_for_having_sex%29
content:
<p>
Dubai
<a href="http://gulfnews.com/news/uae/courts/british-woman-to-be-deported-for-illicit-sex-with-emirati-1.2064573">sentenced
a couple to prison</a> for having sex while not married.
<p>
Don't be a fool — 
<a href="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-512815/Briton-jailed-years-Dubai-customs-cannabis-weighing-grain-sugar-shoe.html">stay
away from Dubai</a>.  Don't even make a connection in the airport of
Dubai.


feed_id: 419f226553b2a2d2d98cf8697205f225
title: UK fire safety study kept secret
uri: UK-fire-safety-study-kept-secret
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#3_August_2017_%28UK_fire_safety_study_kept_secret%29

content:
<p>
The UK 
<a href="http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-40749036">will not identify the
housing projects that have failed a fire safety study</a>, because of
some sort of "intellectual property" law.
<p>
That term is overbroad, since it is used to refer to various 
<a href="https://gnu.org/philosophy/not-ipr.html">disparate and
unrelated laws</a>.  It is very rare that one can make any valid
statement using that term, and any time you find yourself tempted to
use the term, you should rethink what you ought to say.
<p>
Here's an example.  I could say that no "intellectual property" law
could possibly justify keeping information secret that the people need
to see.  That an instance of being led to make a substantive error by
the term "intellectual property."  What I ought to say is that no
<em>law</em> could possibly justify such secrecy.


feed_id: 71503721d12008372167668ed3d745cf
title: NYC housing shortage
uri: NYC-housing-shortage
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#3_August_2017_%28NYC_housing_shortage%29
content:
<p>
The shortage of housing in New York City is 
<a href="http://www.nybooks.com/articles/2017/08/17/tenants-under-siege-inside-new-york-city-housing-crisis/">putting
non-rich residents in jeopardy</a>.
<p>
Many can only remain in their homes due to rent control, so landlords
use every possible trick to force them out, legally or illegally.


feed_id: c030f364220fb0b8946d83cdfbf5553a
title: Troll's opioids panel
uri: Troll-s-opioids-panel
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#3_August_2017_%28Trolls_opioids_panel%29
content:
<p>
<a href="/glossary.html#trump">The troll</a>'s opioids panel 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2017/jul/31/trump-opioids-emergency-addiction-crisis">recommended
declaring a "national emergency"</a>.
<p>
I'm afraid that proclamation would give the troll power to carry out
various injustices to people who are weak.  I expect Congress would be
glad to pass a law to increase support for treatment; there is no need
for an "emergency".
<p>
In the long term, effective measures could include 
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2015-jan-apr.html#19_February_2015_(Plain_packaging_for_cigarettes)">changing
the way the drugs are packaged</a> — replacing the large "one
pill per day" dose with smaller doses to be taken three or four times
a day — and
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#31_May_2016_(Sanderss_economic_policies)">economic
measures that Bernie Sanders would enact</a> to reduce the economic
stress that non-rich Americans live under.


feed_id: 88652e91e9e402fa9f4126aced08dfe6
title: Boycotted election in Venezuela
uri: Boycotted-election-in-Venezuela
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#3_August_2017_%28Boycotted_election_in_Venezuela%29
content:
<p>
The opposition in Venezuela 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/aug/01/nicolas-maduro-venezuela-oil-sanctions-hugo-chavez
">boycotted the election for the constituent assembly</a> because
Maduro had imposed the outcome through gerrymandering.
<p>
Two opposition leaders, previously under house arrest, have been
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/aug/01/venezuela-maduro-government-opposition-leaders">jailed</a>.
<p>
Now that the election has been held, Maduro seems to have succeeded in
his power grab, democratic in form but undemocratic in substance.
Rather 
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2017-jan-apr.html#20_April_2017_(Turkeys_constitution)">like
ErdoÄan</a>, I'm sad to say.


feed_id: 6a4eb71c0b197a4b99f47ca2c6418218
title: Adani climate change
uri: Adani-climate-change
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#3_August_2017_%28Adani_climate_change%29
content:
<p>
"Taking on Adani (about its proposed giant coal mine) is not just about climate change.  It's <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2017/aug/02/taking-on-adani-is-not-just-about-climate-change-its-taking-back-power-from-corporate-plutocracy">taking back power</a> from corporate
plutocracy."


feed_id: 6ed1c4d7032cf4c56443e946a45cdd32
title: Jordan victim marrying
uri: Jordan-victim-marrying
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#3_August_2017_%28Jordan_victim_marrying%29
content:
<p>
Jordan bans rapists from escaping justice by <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2017/aug/02/jordan-bans-rapists-from-escaping-justice-by-marrying-victim">marrying the victim</a>.
<p>
There are <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2013-jan-apr.html#24_January_2013_(Morocco_to_repeal_law_forcing_rape_victims_to_marry_rapists)">other places</a> which still permit this.


feed_id: 6fa0979824ae5c3f0b88c4e0e5215a9e
title: Tillerson North Korea
uri: Tillerson-North-Korea
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#3_August_2017_%28Tillerson_North_Korea%29
content:
<p>
In areas where powerful interests are involved, the troll is being
converted slowly into an <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/aug/01/rex-tillerson-north-korea-talks-donald-trump">irrelevant noisemaker</a>.  Tillerson said, in
effect: Don't listen to the president — the US wants talks with North
Korea, not regime change.
<p>
This means the troll can say whatever makes his fanatical supporters happy,
while Tillerson states actual US foreign policy.
<p>
This may be an improvement over actually carrying out what the troll says.


feed_id: 77ec2d8269ba856c27f335e269ebc007
title: Yemen cholera risk
uri: Yemen-cholera-risk
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#3_August_2017_%28Yemen_cholera_risk%29
content:
<p>
A million children in Yemen are in danger of <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/aug/02/yemen-more-than-one-million-children-at-risk-of-cholera-charity">catching cholera</a>, all because of the US-supported bombardment by Salafi Arabia.


feed_id: 23c65533f1cfd9653db95a75ef6ea64d
title: India global heating
uri: India-global-heating
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#3_August_2017_%28India_global_heating%29
content:
<p>
If global heating proceeds unchecked, fatal humid heat waves could
kill 3/4 of the <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2017/aug/02/climate-change-to-cause-humid-heatwaves-that-will-kill-even-healthy-people">population of India</a> by the end of this century.
<p>
The first fatal heat waves could start much sooner than that.  It only
takes one of them to leave a city or even a region empty of humans.
<p>
People who are old, weak, or sick could be killed by lesser heat
waves.
<p>
I wonder whether filling a bathtub with cold water and getting into it
could protect a person during a fatal heat wave.  It may depend on
having access to refill the bathtub with more cold water when the water
warms up.


feed_id: aa220ba5291c9c509a69a3075ac39244
title: UK homeless inequality
uri: UK-homeless-inequality
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#3_August_2017_%28UK_homeless_inequality%29
content:
<p>
Extreme inequality in the UK: people without homes alongside <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2017/aug/02/we-accepted-homelessness-while-the-rich-left-houses-empty-no-more">homes without people</a>.


feed_id: 958dc030f0c2b29e7a462e5210ce067e
title: Maduro Venezuela fraud
uri: Maduro-Venezuela-fraud
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#3_August_2017_%28Maduro_Venezuela_fraud%29
content:
<p>
Maduro lied about the <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/aug/02/venezuela-voting-fraud-corruption-allegations-protests">number of votes</a> in the Constituent Assembly election in Venezuela. It follows that the vote totals can't be trusted either. However, if the election was rigged in advance by gerrymandering, even honest totals wouldn't reflect a free and fair election.


feed_id: b40448b29da777ea53ff0a2822cf805b
title: State Department democracy
uri: State-Department-democracy
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#3_August_2017_%28State_Department_democracy%29
content:
<p>
The State Department has just <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2017/08/01/tillersons-state-department-drops-stated-mission-promote-democracy">eliminated the mission</a> of promoting democracy from its statement of mission.
<p>
Don't think of Tillerson as the good guy to the troll's bad guy.


feed_id: 3013fb9c5e1d3ab42a37579b651b1151
title: Republican press censorship
uri: Republican-press-censorship
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#3_August_2017_%28Republican_press_censorship%29
content:
<p>
The troll is leading Republicans to <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2017/08/01/poll-scary-number-republicans-support-court-ordered-press-censorship">oppose freedom of the press</a>.


feed_id: d1f11c1db9167f6a9425862e2c8f8852
title: EPA Southerland farewell
uri: EPA-Southerland-farewell
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#3_August_2017_%28EPA_Southerland_farewell%29
content:
<p>
EPA career manager Elizabeth Southerland has quit, denouncing Pruitt
as a pro-pollution saboteur and saying his policies are <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2017/08/01/dissent-inside-epa-deepens">likely to kill people</a>.


feed_id: 97a48e683ccfc3648b1d340efdd4ff6c
title: Nursing home arbitration
uri: Nursing-home-arbitration
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#3_August_2017_%28Nursing_home_arbitration%29
content:
<p>
One of the troll's saboteurs plans to let nursing homes force patients into <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2017/08/01/trump-proposal-would-endanger-health-and-safety-nursing-home-residents">arbitration</a> if they have been cheated.


feed_id: c50505bf0caa2e4932393ae1ee83c160
title: Anti-choice states
uri: Anti-choice-states
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#3_August_2017_%28Anti-choice_states%29
content:
<p>
US states that restrict abortion also <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2017/08/01/anti-choice-states-are-worse-women-and-children-says-study">impede medical care</a> for women and children.


feed_id: a7d2001ec234a1b216645502e1502787
title: Listening devices
uri: Listening-devices
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#3_August_2017_%28Listening_devices%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://arstechnica.com/information-technology/2017/08/how-hackers-could-turn-an-amazon-echo-into-a-secret-bugging-device/">
How a [Cracked] Amazon Echo Could Secretly Capture Your Most Intimate 
Moments.
</a>
<p>
Even worse, Amazon can do this and it doesn't even have to break security
to achieve it.  And so could the state.


feed_id: 24401aa5a41b685040f0fc259033ac1e
title: Lifeline broadband
uri: Lifeline-broadband
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#3_August_2017_%28Lifeline_broadband%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2017/08/republicans-try-to-take-cheap-phones-and-broadband-away-from-poor-people/">
Republicans Try to Take Cheap Phones And Broadband Away from Poor People.
</a>


feed_id: 51837ef927cceaa2200b2fa4a6e1e00c
title: Billionaires' taxes
uri: Billionaires-taxes
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#3_August_2017_%28Billionaires%27_taxes%29
content:
<p>
<a href="http://www.truth-out.org/opinion/item/41472-kochs-and-trump-team-up-to-cut-billionaires-taxes">
Kochs and Trump Team Up to Cut Billionaires' Taxes.
</a>


feed_id: 44b6136e20b6177cd8b2fd01dca94dc2
title: AI in education
uri: AI-in-education
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#3_August_2017_%28AI_in_education%29
content:
<p>
If future education involves
<a href="http://www.smithsonianmag.com/innovation/artificial-intelligence-key-personalized-education-180963172/">
being profiled by an AI,
</a>
we must make sure
it can't pass any information about the student to anybody.


feed_id: dfb1719047575025e52746516e468bca
title: The cult of motherhood
uri: The-cult-of-motherhood
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#3_August_2017_%28The_cult_of_motherhood%29
content:
<p>
The cult of motherhood tells women,
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2017/aug/02/baby-apps-fetishise-motherhood-postnatal-depression">
"You have a baby so you are
obligated to be happy, and you are required to find that taking care
of baby all day is the most fulfilling activity you have ever
experienced."
</a>
<p>
It would be useful to puncture this myth for people before they have
children.


feed_id: f74618f2f63e50fc293e499a7dba4019
title: Private sector efficiency
uri: Private-sector-efficiency
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#3_August_2017_%28Private_sector_efficiency%29
content:
<p>
The US contracted with a company to train Afghan army intelligence, in
2010-2013.  That company failed completely to do the job; then it
massively cheated the US government, but the officials weren't
bothering to check
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2017/aug/02/us-plan-to-improve-afghan-intelligence-operations-branded-a-457m-failure">
and it took them almost a year to stop paying
false bills.
</a>
<p>
If someone tells you that the private sector works more efficiently,
remember this example.
<p>
The company failed to keep complete records to justify its supposed
work, and so did the subcontractor it hired to actually do the work.
Meanwhile, I am sure two levels of private business, each of which had
to tack on a profit, increased the cost substantially.  That is what
privatization of a government service typically does: it costs the
public more, skimps on doing the job, and usually pays employees less,
"because we have to make a profit".


feed_id: 149e779211347b1025a24b3f72c28673
title: Cleaner convicted for brothel-keeping
uri: Cleaner-convicted-for-brothel-keeping
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#3_August_2017_%28Cleaner_convicted_for_brothel-keeping%29

content:
<p>
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2017/aug/02/cleaners-convicted-brothel-managers-law-prostitutes">
Criminalizing activities associated with prostitution does not
eliminate prostitution, but it does make life dangerous for
prostitutes.
</a>
  You can count on thugs to stretch and twist the law in order to
harass prostitutes.
<p>
"If you want to reduce prostitution, demand better social housing,
childcare, healthcare, an end to benefit cuts and humane immigration
reforms."


feed_id: 7808e0be135018a9f448e5ac1caeaac8
title: Yemen's cholera outbreak
uri: Yemen-s-cholera-outbreak
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#3_August_2017_%28Yemen%27s_cholera_outbreak%29
content:
<p>
<a href="/glossary.html#salafi">Salafi Arabia</a> frequently attacks civilian infrastructure in Yemen,
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2017/aug/02/blame-saudi-coalition-for-yemen-cholera-outbreak">
and this helps cholera spread.
</a>


feed_id: aa8d71b91eb446510241edf306de6364
title: Tent city
uri: Tent-city
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#3_August_2017_%28Tent_city%29
content:
<p>
Homeless people in Sydney have set up a tent city in a central square
as
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2017/aug/02/come-and-talk-sydneys-homeless-respond-to-uncomfortable-nsw-premier">
a protest to demand construction of public housing.
</a>
<p>
The state has offered housing to many or all of them -- for 10 days
only, and often located in faraway places with little public transit,
from which they could not travel to their jobs and doctors in the
city.  That useless offer is more an excuse for repression than real
help.


feed_id: 1fb6e48920e3b5dec0218b0489e224cb
title: Fraudulent foreclosures
uri: Fraudulent-foreclosures
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#3_August_2017_%28Fraudulent_foreclosures%29
content:
<p>
<a href="/glossary.html#saboteur">Saboteur</a> of the Treasury Mnuchin faces accusations of
<a href="https://theintercept.com/2017/08/02/treasury-secretary-steve-mnuchin-allegedly-lied-under-oath-will-the-justice-department-investigate/">
lying to Congress
about fraudulent foreclosures by his bank,
</a>
in his confirmation hearings.
<p>
Alas, Republicans don't object when Republicans lie in order to get
power.


feed_id: 7982dcf2723238304b9badbc06f24234
title: Low price of oil
uri: 2017-08-04-Low-price-of-oil
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#31_July_2017_%28Low_price_of_oil%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2017/7/28/1685068/-TransCanada-Corp-backs-away-from-building-Keystone-XL-Pipeline-as-financial-rationale-has-dried-up">
The Keystone XL pipeline may be canceled due to lack of investors.
</a>
<p>
The low price of oil discourages investment in future oil extraction.
That is good.  However, it also tends to encourage more use of oil,
which is bad.  Whether the overall effect in good or bad depends on
what other factors might tend to keep the demand for oil low.
<p>
Why is the oil price so low nowadays?  Can anyone tell me?


feed_id: 2879ee565472ff0e6d8245c60f04aa5f
title: Homeless disparity
uri: Homeless-disparity
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#4_August_2017_%28Homeless_disparity%29
content:
<p>
Black Americans are disproportionately likely <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2017/aug/04/homeless-america-rodney-king-los-angeles">to be homeless</a>.


feed_id: 111132f5fe06331a51729686520c1010
title: Verizon web privacy
uri: Verizon-web-privacy
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#4_August_2017_%28Verizon_web_privacy%29
content:
<p>
  Verizon Wants You to <a href="https://arstechnica.com/information-technology/2017/08/want-verizon-rewards-just-let-vendors-and-partners-see-your-browsing-history/">Give up Web Privacy</a> — in Exchange for Movie Tickets.


feed_id: c1687db3a1206cd43f2c181ef7ea449c
title: Manus Island protest
uri: Manus-Island-protest
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#4_August_2017_%28Manus_Island_protest%29
content:
<p>
Refugees sent to Manus Island by Australia lay <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2017/aug/04/manus-protest-refugees-block-police-entry-by-lying-on-the-ground">down on the ground</a> to block thugs who aim to force them out of the one place in Papua New Guinea that they are safe.


feed_id: 80ea51958c01f4de0284e927407037c6
title: London homeless housing
uri: London-homeless-housing
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#4_August_2017_%28London_homeless_housing%29
content:
<p>
The rich owners of expensive empty apartments in London are unable to present any sensible argument against <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/housing-network/2017/aug/04/right-shelter-trump-profiteering-corbyn-housing">letting the state requisition them</a> as housing for the homeless.
<p>
Requisitioning empty apartments to lease to people without homes is justifiable as an emergency measure.  However, in the long term there should be no need for this, because there is a more gentle and less controversial way to solve this problem: to adjust the tax on real estate so that buying apartments and keeping them empty ceases to be profitable.


feed_id: a37ec79d0aa58374326bd70924e75ba4
title: Australia greenhouse emissions
uri: Australia-greenhouse-emissions
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#4_August_2017_%28Australia_greenhouse_emissions%29
content:
<p>
Australia's repeal of the carbon tax has been <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2017/aug/04/australias-greenhouse-gas-emissions-soar-in-latest-figures">followed by a substantial increase</a> in greenhouse emissions.


feed_id: deb5f3e1cc6da4e7cca80939baf235ad
title: NIS election meddling
uri: NIS-election-meddling
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#4_August_2017_%28NIS_election_meddling%29
content:
<p>
South Korea's National Intelligence Service has admitted to meddling in that country's elections <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/aug/04/south-koreas-spy-agency-admits-trying-rig-election-national-intelligence-service-2012">in 2012 to help conservatives win</a>.


feed_id: 4d7a0f2993b3aaf4ad535daa183157f0
title: France Oyster vending machine
uri: France-Oyster-vending-machine
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#4_August_2017_%28France_Oyster_vending_machine%29
content:
<p>
A foolish choice of vending machines in France means that <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/aug/04/oyster-top-up-vending-machines-on-the-cards-for-french-seafood-sellers">you can't pay cash for fresh oysters</a>.
<p>
I dislike oysters, but I know that if we don't fight these surveillance sales systems when they first appear, the fight will get harder.


feed_id: f69df0dbdf197b5527227822d03d3afc
title: Heavily tilted economy
uri: Heavily-tilted-economy
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#4_August_2017_%28Heavily_tilted_economy%29
content:
<p>
Well-off people tend to believe that they earned and deserve their success.  The many American children that <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2017/08/03/dont-lie-poor-kids-about-why-theyre-poor">grow up in poverty</a> discover, when they graduate from school, that the deck is stacked against them and they would need to be superheroes to succeed.


feed_id: e3a224f89ede48857dc095db0dd8bfeb
title: Fish antibiotics
uri: Fish-antibiotics
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#4_August_2017_%28Fish_antibiotics%29
content:
<p>
Many Americans can't afford a doctor visit, so they buy and use <a href="https://motherboard.vice.com/en_us/article/bjxwma/people-are-buying-fish-antibiotics-because-they-cant-afford-human-ones">antibiotics sold for use with fish</a>.
<p>
In addition to the problem of unaffordable medical care in the US, the article mentions that these people are guessing what medicine they need.  With a proper medical system, they would at least get a doctor's educated guess rather than their naive guess.
<p>
Use of antibiotics in animals needs to be controlled, and greatly reduced, to avoid generating resistance.


feed_id: 966502f0f2c3385f35467708e5e87ccf
title: Bassel Khartabil memoriam
uri: Bassel-Khartabil-memoriam
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#4_August_2017_%28Bassel_Khartabil_memoriam%29
content:
<p>
Syria executed internet freedom activist Bassel Khartabil in 2015, but kept the fact secret <a href="https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2017/08/bassel-khartabil-memoriam">from his family until recently</a>.
<p>
Based on the quotations, I speculate that if someone had clearly presented to him the difference between <a href="https://gnu.org/philosophy/open-source-misses-the-point.html">free software</a> (barmajiyat horrah) and open source, he would have supported the former.
<p>


feed_id: 2c39c40eb7140ee4f42f0ae1c3c49868
title: Troll speech lies
uri: Troll-speech-lies
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#4_August_2017_%28Troll_speech_lies%29
content:
<p>
White House staff admitted that the troll lied when he <a href="http://chicago.suntimes.com/news/boy-scouts-dispute-trumps-claim-about-call-praising-speech/">claimed to have received</a> congratulatory phone calls from the Boy Scouts of America and the president of Mexico.
<p>
That the troll lies is hardly news to us, but when he is given the lie by White House staff, that may convince the people who cling to a positive fantasy vision of him.


feed_id: 27d41b139d6c75669a0d9019ad1d52fc
title: Press freedom tracker
uri: Press-freedom-tracker
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#4_August_2017_%28Press_freedom_tracker%29
content:
<p>
A <a href="https://pressfreedomtracker.us">new site</a> tracks attacks on journalists and freedom of the press in the United States.


feed_id: acb090db9c2d0cf74f289f5a39976e8a
title: Session affirmative action
uri: Session-affirmative-action
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#4_August_2017_%28Session_affirmative_action%29
content:
<p>
Saboteur Sessions will direct the Department of Justice to sue universities <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2017/08/02/new-doj-memo-shows-trump-intensifying-assault-civil-rights">to abolish programs</a> to recruit students from minority groups.
<p>
These suits will aim to <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Affirmative_action_in_the_US">alter Supreme Court precedents</a>, but they might succeed, given the right-wing majority on the Supreme Court.


feed_id: 575ee02179be0fc3d1688540a7f41167
title: Education psychological profiling
uri: Education-psychological-profiling
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#4_August_2017_%28Education_psychological_profiling%29

content:
<p>
Some want the future of education to include <a href="http://www.smithsonianmag.com/innovation/artificial-intelligence-key-personalized-education-180963172/">continuous psychological profiling</a> of every student.
<p>
You can be sure companies will propose schemes to feed the profiling data to them so they can "better serve" these students (and their whole families) by targeted persuasion.


feed_id: b446f96c8062ea2fd93da0f9773b63ff
title: Dawkins Muslim controversy
uri: Dawkins-Muslim-controversy
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#4_August_2017_%28Dawkins_Muslim_controversy%29
content:
<p>
Vicariously Offended: The Dawkins Controversy and the <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2017/08/02/vicariously-offended-dawkins-controversy-and-absence-muslim-voices">Absence of Muslim Voices</a>.


feed_id: 9c919f80977184c805d7c11403fd7bbe
title: Banks forced arbitration
uri: Banks-forced-arbitration
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#4_August_2017_%28Banks_forced_arbitration%29
content:
<p>
Banksters know what they are doing when they force customers into arbitration: in general, <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2017/08/02/consumers-fare-better-under-class-actions-arbitration">class action lawsuits are better</a> for customers.


feed_id: 119cc23c45e9e40c5d4da60ff6b43d53
title: Venezuela journalists detained
uri: Venezuela-journalists-detained
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#4_August_2017_%28Venezuela_journalists_detained%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://cpj.org/2017/07/journalists-detained-attacked-and-threatened-amid-.php">Repression of journalists</a> trying to cover the constituent assembly election in Venezuela.


feed_id: 33b75d2cabe2264441a02abeddb211b0
title: Urgent: Pharma Monopoly Extension Act
uri: Urgent-Pharma-Monopoly-Extension-Act
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#4_August_2017_%28Urgent%3A_Pharma_Monopoly_Extension_Act%29

content:
<p>
US citizens: oppose the Republicans' <a href="https://act.credoaction.com/sign/no_pharma_monopolies">Pharma Monopoly Extension Act</a>.
<p>
It is justified to hate executives such as Martin Shkreli who <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#10_October_2015_(Price_of_Daraprim)">gouge sick people</a>, but our strongest hate should be for the plutocratist
politicians of either party that give those executives the power to do so.


feed_id: d2c2aa2ab20f36989122caabe8e2b137
title: Regulating marijuana
uri: Regulating-marijuana
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#4_August_2017_%28Regulating_marijuana%29
content:
<p>
California finds it necessary to <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2017/08/02/stronger-protections-urged-pacific-fishers-other-rare-wildlife-expanding">regulate marijuana production</a>, to
protect the environment, endangered species, and water resources.


feed_id: 183ab5005a15b43c034a3507fc009755
title: Monsanto corruption
uri: Monsanto-corruption
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#4_August_2017_%28Monsanto_corruption%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2017/08/02/docs-reveal-monsantos-attempts-influence-reports-about-roundup">Trial-discovered documents</a> show how Monsanto corrupted research as
well as state agencies to conceal the danger of glyphosate.


feed_id: f911b34259e1685a06923bdec62bfdb2
title: Unfinished nuclear plants
uri: Unfinished-nuclear-plants
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#4_August_2017_%28Unfinished_nuclear_plants%29
content:
<p>
South Carolina utilities have abandoned two <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2017/07/31/climate/nuclear-power-project-canceled-in-south-carolina.html">unfinished nuclear power plants</a>
because their cost had risen to unacceptable levels.


feed_id: d374e36de076d570b5627ce112c64528
title: UK businesses
uri: UK-businesses
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#4_August_2017_%28UK_businesses%29
content:
<p>
The UK has <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2017/aug/03/britain-world-beater-ripping-off-citizens-rail-fares-water-energy-bills">perfected schemes</a> for businesses to rip off the public
with state support.


feed_id: abd701ef9b284b7a3da1e465a67949d1
title: Paying for border wall
uri: Paying-for-border-wall
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#4_August_2017_%28Paying_for_border_wall%29
content:
<p>
The troll <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2017/aug/03/donald-trump-mexico-australia-call-transcripts-border-wall">asked the president of Mexico</a> to lie for him: it's ok if Mexico
doesn't really pay for the troll's planned border wall, but just don't say so.


feed_id: 206f814b5084717d4d7a4e53d6f2eb13
title: Republican politicians
uri: Republican-politicians
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#4_August_2017_%28Republican_politicians%29
content:
<p>
Compared with the troll's extreme example of dishonesty and contempt,
the less flamboyantly <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2017/aug/03/trump-mitt-romney-normalisation-republicans">contemptuous and cruel Republican politicians</a>
might appear acceptable.


feed_id: 308139b98efaa4176121d3725fb2e93a
title: Editing of embryos
uri: Editing-of-embryos
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#4_August_2017_%28Editing_of_embryos%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2017/aug/03/gene-editing-mitochondrial-replacement-therapy-designer-babies">Genetic editing of embryos</a> can save people from fatal or debilitating
hereditary diseases.


feed_id: 0245df7347ffc8e5f3fa715a4d07fa30
title: Mother's digital control
uri: Mother-s-digital-control
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#4_August_2017_%28Mother%27s_digital_control%29
content:
<p>
Is your mother stalking you, <a href="http://www.freerangekids.com/mom-makes-daughter-18-send-endless-selfies-proving-she-is-where-she-says-she-is-love-or-abuse/">maintaining digital control</a> over your life?


feed_id: a4cf39f6e8530aa8fc2ffb4312ae4e66
title: EPA regulations
uri: EPA-regulations
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#4_August_2017_%28EPA_regulations%29
content:
<p>
The EPA has <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2017/aug/03/epa-emissions-ground-level-ozone-smog-air-pollutants">dropped its plan</a> to postpone the regulation to reduce
ozone pollution, which causes smog.
<p>
However, Saboteur Pruitt will <a href="https://theintercept.com/2017/08/03/epa-staffers-are-being-forced-to-prioritize-energy-industrys-wish-list-says-official-who-resigned-in-protest/">continue his attack</a> on our bodies. He
has ordered EPA staff to pursue, among the thousands of suggestions
received, only the suggestions from business to eliminate regulations.


feed_id: 1dbb785f119f7c0f0b0b0d48cbd2483d
title: Nicaragua canal
uri: Nicaragua-canal
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#4_August_2017_%28Nicaragua_canal%29
content:
<p>
Amnesty International says that Nicaragua is <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/aug/03/daniel-ortega-nicaragua-canal-human-rights-violation">repressing opponents of the proposed canal</a> between the Atlantic and the Pacific oceans.


feed_id: 94d01564bd30989e49d33d94abacd77d
title: Emotional intelligence
uri: Emotional-intelligence
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#4_August_2017_%28Emotional_intelligence%29
content:
<p>
The idea of "emotional intelligence" has been <a href="http://nautil.us/issue/51/limits/emotional-intelligence-needs-a-rewrite">rendered obsolete</a> by
advances in understanding of the brain.


feed_id: 128b4edbf6e5d456d3edaccea01cf7fe
title: Internet censorship bill
uri: Internet-censorship-bill
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#4_August_2017_%28Internet_censorship_bill%29
content:
<p>
EFF: <a href="https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2017/08/internet-censorship-bill-would-spell-disaster-speech-and-innovation">Internet Censorship Bill</a> Would Spell Disaster for Speech and Innovation.
<p>
"Sex trafficking" is a weasely term. Nominally it means forcing
people into prostitution, but I've seen articles which seem to use it
to include voluntary prostitution (which is, after all, trafficking in
sex). Those articles try to take our proper condemnation of
enslavement and misapply it to prostitutes in general.
<p>
The distinction between prostitution and enslavement is crucial, so we
should reject any terms that blur the distinction, such as "sex
trafficking". Laws should not use that term.
<p>
The article also uses the term "content" which treats publications as
a fungible substance or commodity. See
<a href="https://gnu.org/philosophy/words-to-avoid.html">https://gnu.org/philosophy/words-to-avoid.html</a>.


feed_id: bc7f7b849401a281eb51b5a55ebdc0e1
title: Amazon oil extraction
uri: Amazon-oil-extraction
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#4_August_2017_%28Amazon_oil_extraction%29
content:
<p>
Oil extraction in the Peruvian Amazon has <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/andes-to-the-amazon/2017/aug/03/us1-billion-oil-perus-amazon">poisoned the land and the people</a>, but the companies that profited have no intention
of spending the billion dollars needed to clean it up.


feed_id: a9adfdcbc6cb6b15323819ef6171226c
title: Prostitute prosecuted
uri: Prostitute-prosecuted
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#4_August_2017_%28Prostitute_prosecuted%29
content:
<p>
UK thugs <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/society/2017/aug/03/police-sex-workers-brothel-thieves-london-keir-starmer">prosecuted a prostitute</a> rather than go after the people who
robbed her.


feed_id: d7ceb4d25d2a759e45012e89a83b18dc
title: Spying on human rights lawyers
uri: Spying-on-human-rights-lawyers
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#4_August_2017_%28Spying_on_human_rights_lawyers%29
content:
<p>
Mexican human rights lawyers were <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/aug/03/mexico-spying-scandal-human-rights-lawyers-investigating-murders-targeted">hit by malware</a> designed to spy on their
portable phones.


feed_id: 6fe459dd7c2c7ec2725fa1c62cf48a6b
title: Parental monitoring technology
uri: Parental-monitoring-technology
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#6_August_2017_%28Parental_monitoring_technology%29
content:
<p>
<a href="http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/reason/Articles/~3/jqWu6HysMks/want-to-treat-your-kid-like-a">New technology for monitoring</a> everything that children do, and everything that happens to them, will teach parents that they must monitor everything, and teach children to expect to be always monitored.


feed_id: 8eea8dd41622285fac12d3f3d805a278
title: Algorithm-driven economy
uri: Algorithm-driven-economy
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#6_August_2017_%28Algorithm-driven_economy%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://www.fastcompany.com/40447841/you-are-being-exploited-by-the-opaque-algorithm-driven-economy">Profiled consumers</a>, manipulated by marketing algorithms, are  living lives comparable to The Truman Show.


feed_id: ef4208305446092c4dff642046f11b09
title: UK landlords
uri: UK-landlords
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#6_August_2017_%28UK_landlords%29
content:
<p>
An eviction company in the UK <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/society/2017/aug/05/eviction-company-advert-calls-tenants-household-pests">revealed what landlords really think</a> about their tenants by calling tenants "household pests".
<p>
"This would be a great apartment building if only there were no tenants getting in the way."


feed_id: 5558ad5cf3c023bf3255e75bd5859147
title: Venezuela Ortega replaced
uri: Venezuela-Ortega-replaced
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#6_August_2017_%28Venezuela_Ortega_replaced%29
content:
<p>
The constituent assembly of Venezuela has <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/aug/05/venezuela-chief-prosecutor-luisa-ortega-removed">replaced the chief prosecutor</a>, a Chavista who opposed the plan to replace Chavez's constitution.


feed_id: 2db9adccb982d4d21a74074ba4d61aa1
title: Global heating forecast
uri: Global-heating-forecast
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#6_August_2017_%28Global_heating_forecast%29
content:
<p>
Extreme weather events, caused by global heating, are <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/science/2017/aug/04/extreme-weather-deaths-in-europe-could-increase-50-fold-by-next-century">forecast to kill 150,000 people a year</a> in Europe in the last third of this century.
<p>
That is using a middling climate scenario.  With the worst climate scenario, it would be worse.
<p>
Of course, this does not include spreading tropical diseases, food shortages, and wars.  They could kill hundreds of millions of people each year.


feed_id: c837163379a6a835f96e714b4923db29
title: Singapore citizen prosecution
uri: Singapore-citizen-prosecution
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#6_August_2017_%28Singapore_citizen_prosecution%29
content:
<p>
Singapore's government is demonstrating its repressive nature by <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/aug/04/lee-kuan-yews-grandson-faces-legal-action-by-singapore-government">seeking to prosecute a citizen for criticizing repression</a>.
<p>
The private dispute this arose from is a side issue.  We need not have any opinion about that dispute to condemn the repression.


feed_id: 5854431ad74e9778a3204c8edaacfb5f
title: Protest related executions
uri: Protest-related-executions
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#6_August_2017_%28Protest_related_executions%29
content:
<p>
Salafi Arabia is about to <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2017/08/04/saudi-government-defends-imminent-protest-related-executions">execute 14 people for protesting</a>, after trying them in a Guantanamo-style kangaroo court.
<p>
That the autocratic state responded shows that campaigns of criticism are making progress.  If we keep on, we can make Salafi Arabia too toxic for other countries to ally with.


feed_id: 3591cea1c1c72d4b0ae8c49420bbcce9
title: China social media astroturf
uri: China-social-media-astroturf
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#6_August_2017_%28China_social_media_astroturf%29
content:
<p>
The Chinese government's organized astroturf messaging on social media does not present political arguments.  Rather, the <a href="media/284a850d.50c.pdf" data-original-source="https://harvardgazette.files.wordpress.com/2016/06/50c.pdf">messages</a> praise China and the Communist Party in general ways.
<p>
It appears that their purpose is to distract the public from events that might arouse a wave of criticism of the state.


feed_id: 57d9897d42e891217568b0e465087d54
title: Quebec Haitian refugees
uri: Quebec-Haitian-refugees
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#6_August_2017_%28Quebec_Haitian_refugees%29
content:
<p>
As thousands of refugees sneak into Canada to have a chance to ask the <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2017/08/03/asylum-seekers-fleeing-trumps-hostility-overwhelm-quebecs-refugee-resources">authorities for asylum</a>, Canadians are going to court to make the government accept refugees that passed through the unsafe United States.


feed_id: 3fae45ea307e698606ad377678be3259
title: Progressive groups abortion rights
uri: Progressive-groups-abortion-rights
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#6_August_2017_%28Progressive_groups_abortion_rights%29

content:
<p>
Progressive organizations insist that the Democratic Party and its candidates <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2017/08/02/leading-progressive-groups-party-must-stand-and-proudly-support-abortion-rights">stand firm for abortion rights</a>.


feed_id: 0c05e36755a512b604ad2787a56c5857
title: Border wall environment
uri: Border-wall-environment
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#6_August_2017_%28Border_wall_environment%29
content:
<p>
The Department of Homeland Spoilage plans to <a href="https://thinkprogress.org/border-communities-environmental-destruction-wall/">disregard environmental laws</a> to build the border wall near San Diego.
<p>
As the troll admitted on the phone with the president of Mexico, the wall is of no importance to the troll except to give the impression that there is one thing he didn't lie about.


feed_id: 6d432ac5381118e901e324c8eec2846c
title: Health insurance big data
uri: Health-insurance-big-data
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#6_August_2017_%28Health_insurance_big_data%29
content:
<p>
Private medical insurance plans to use AI to figure out <a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/view/articles/2017-08-04/big-data-is-coming-to-take-your-health-insurance">which clients to accept</a> and which to chase away.


feed_id: ec97ece5b3202bc2c78cd742c9a09b67
title: Fair Trade
uri: Fair-Trade
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#6_August_2017_%28Fair_Trade%29
content:
<p>
The <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2017/aug/04/fairtrade-benefits-supermarkets-global-south-outdated-model">weaknesses of Fair Trade</a> for helping farmers.


feed_id: 4ed194ff5935f31f3eff4e46ca1cafa7
title: Politicizing history
uri: Politicizing-history
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#6_August_2017_%28Politicizing_history%29
content:
<p>
Around the world, authoritarian regimes are <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2017/aug/04/fake-news-fake-history-turkey-china-rewrite-past">rewriting history</a> to justify themselves.
<p>
Distorting history for political purposes is not new.  See the book, Lies My Teacher Told Me, for examples from American history as taught in the US.  However, the existence of past lies does not excuse new lies.
 


feed_id: 84889b2cbd7d84ea24c8159b05d7162e
title: Urgent: Legalize marijuana
uri: Urgent-Legalize-marijuana
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#6_August_2017_%28Urgent%3A_Legalize_marijuana%29
content:
<p>
US citizens: 
<a href="https://engage.drugpolicy.org/secure/take-action-marijuana-justice">support
the bill</a> to legalize marijuana at federal level.


feed_id: f7ab954e6dfe225d2f2f7ce155569f95
title: Urgent: Oppose S.263
uri: Urgent-Oppose-S-263
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#6_August_2017_%28Urgent%3A_Oppose_S.263%29
content:
<p>
US citizens: 
<a href="https://act.credoaction.com/sign/smoggy_skies">oppose
S.263</a>, the Smoggy Skies Act.


feed_id: 98eaf15e647dbbb0e0555b0db376c67f
title: SCROTUS to make college more expensive
uri: SCROTUS-to-make-college-more-expensive
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#6_August_2017_%28SCROTUS_to_make_college_more_expensive%29

content:
<p>
<a href="/glossary.html#scrotus">SCROTUS</a> 
<a href="http://www.truth-out.org/news/item/41490-house-gop-appears-set-on-making-college-less-affordable-for-millions-of-students">plans
to make college more expensive</a> in the US.


feed_id: fdf32742251fa5f25f51f86f635ac268
title: Shrinking glaciers
uri: 2017-08-06-Shrinking-glaciers
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#6_August_2017_%28Shrinking_glaciers%29
content:
<p>
In Austria you can watch the glaciers shrink, 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2015/sep/01/the-shrinking-glaciers-of-austria">half
a meter or more each year</a>.


feed_id: 2a019a7d69100ecb0600405522b49416
title: Shkreli guilty of fraud
uri: Shkreli-guilty-of-fraud
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#6_August_2017_%28Shkreli_guilty_of_fraud%29
content:
<p>
Drug gouger Martin Shkreli was found guilty of fraud for acts
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2017/aug/04/martin-shkreli-guilty-securities-fraud-new-york">unrelated
to price gouging</a>.


feed_id: 98889d012fe7dda1271b1a74c11d7584
title: Sessions to threaten journalism
uri: Sessions-to-threaten-journalism
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#6_August_2017_%28Sessions_to_threaten_journalism%29
content:
<p>
Sessions says he will threaten journalists 
<a href="https://theintercept.com/2017/08/04/jeff-sessions-promises-to-crack-down-on-leaks-threatening-to-subpoena-reporters/">in
order to prosecute leakers</a>.


feed_id: 99cca86a15b8421854f2388dabcb68e4
title: Shell company practices
uri: Shell-company-practices
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#6_August_2017_%28Shell_company_practices%29
content:
<p>
Bipartisan Senate and House Bills Tackle 
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2017/08/03/bipartisan-senate-and-house-bills-tackle-abusive-shell-company-practices">Abusive
Shell Company Practices</a>.


feed_id: 753f71029339d8f1d721b84c45f720d4
title: National security advisor
uri: National-security-advisor
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#6_August_2017_%28National_security_advisor%29
content:
<p>
<a href="/glossary.html#trump">The troll</a> is 
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2017/08/03/john-boltons-military-options-north-korea-denounced-utter-lunacy">reportedly
considering choosing John Bolton</a>, an advocate of bombing North
Korea, as national security advisor.


feed_id: 4c4c178e55ac0ac7ebb2a5035cde8505
title: Risk of spills from tar sands pipelines
uri: Risk-of-spills-from-tar-sands-pipelines
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#6_August_2017_%28Risk_of_spills_from_tar_sands_pipelines%29

content:
<p>
Greenpeace Report 
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2017/08/03/greenpeace-report-shows-risk-spills-proposed-tar-sands-pipelines">Shows
Risk of Spills</a> from Proposed Tar Sands Pipelines.
<p>
Of course, the big danger of the pipeline is the increased fossil fuel
combustion that will be economically hard to stop as a result of the
pipeline's existence.


feed_id: 4b02b64d24ee1a86170d53e38ef97dce
title: Blacks warned to stay away from Missouri
uri: Blacks-warned-to-stay-away-from-Missouri
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#6_August_2017_%28Blacks_warned_to_stay_away_from_Missouri%29

content:
<p>
The NAACP has issued a travel advisory 
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2017/08/03/travel-advisory-state-missouri">warning
blacks to stay away from Missouri</a>.


feed_id: 9cd08ba467182df6b05365fc85eb8a1d
title: Kenyan election
uri: Kenyan-election
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#6_August_2017_%28Kenyan_election%29
content:
<p>
Kenyan thugs 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/aug/04/kenyan-opposition-raided-raila-odinga">raided
the opposition's campaign headquarters</a> a few days before the
election.


feed_id: 177879a151a03980c88855d9408ec846
title: Industrial meat production
uri: Industrial-meat-production
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#6_August_2017_%28Industrial_meat_production%29
content:
<p>
Industrial Meat Production Is 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2017/aug/04/meat-industry-gulf-mexico-dead-zones-pollution">Killing
Our Seas</a>.  It's Time to Change Our Diets.


feed_id: 0d2c15617e03770c090fb8976a835d29
title: Internet censorship bill
uri: 2017-08-06-Internet-censorship-bill
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#4_August_2017_%28Internet_censorship_bill%29
content:
<p>
EFF: <a href="https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2017/08/internet-censorship-bill-would-spell-disaster-speech-and-innovation">Internet Censorship Bill</a> Would Spell Disaster for Speech and Innovation.
<p>
"Sex trafficking" is a weaselly term. Nominally it means forcing
people into prostitution, but I've seen articles which seem to use it
to include voluntary prostitution (which is, after all, trafficking in
sex). Those articles try to take our proper condemnation of
enslavement and misapply it to prostitutes in general.
<p>
The distinction between prostitution and enslavement is crucial, so we
should reject any terms that blur the distinction, such as "sex
trafficking". Laws should not use that term.
<p>
The article also uses the term "content" which treats publications as
a fungible substance or commodity. See
<a href="https://gnu.org/philosophy/words-to-avoid.html">https://gnu.org/philosophy/words-to-avoid.html</a>.


feed_id: 5d21c1e96aa96a0c7fa66726d86b8183
title: Face recognition in airports
uri: Face-recognition-in-airports
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#7_August_2017_%28Face_recognition_in_airports%29
content:
<p>
ACLU:
<a href="https://www.aclu.org/blog/free-future/whats-wrong-airport-face-recognition">
using face recognition on people leaving the US is a threat
to everyone.
</a>


feed_id: 3ae05ae5cbc11eafc99c722787d6ee3f
title: Palestinian VPN ban
uri: Palestinian-VPN-ban
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#7_August_2017_%28Palestinian_VPN_ban%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://globalvoices.org/2017/08/03/will-palestines-new-cybercrime-law-pave-the-way-for-more-rights-violations/">
Palestine's new "cyber crime" law
</a>
imposes many kinds of censorship,
abolishes privacy, and represses freedom of speech on line.
<p>
  It also bans using VPNs to access banned web sites.


feed_id: 48a614d2e2e430ece41c5c9e8f4e099b
title: Unneeded labor
uri: Unneeded-labor
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#7_August_2017_%28Unneeded_labor%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2017/08/04/medias-grim-addiction-perseverance-porn">
"Perseverance porn" stories,
</a>
about how someone walks 10 miles to work
every day,
have the effect of normalizing the big disadvantages from society
that make people do hard labor that society should not need.


feed_id: f2287906b0ae97b4e1af5aaa534a4a92
title: Marriage
uri: 2017-08-07-Marriage
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#7_August_2017_%28Marriage%29
content:
<p>
Are
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2017/aug/05/i-love-being-married-am-i-the-exception-kasey-edwards">
most married couples
</a>
soldiering on through misery?


feed_id: 088386a04c2191a27ecbc214c099b975
title: Investments in Haiti
uri: Investments-in-Haiti
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#7_August_2017_%28Investments_in_Haiti%29
content:
<p>
<a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/china-extends-her-silk-road-to-haiti_us_5984927ae4b0bd8232029723">
China is making big construction investments in Haiti,
</a>
along with many
other countries.
<p>
  Maybe this will reduce poverty in those countries, as well as
increasing Chinese influence around the world.


feed_id: a86ce3b4a0e80594379351d3f181c33d
title: Unconsenting car insurance
uri: Unconsenting-car-insurance
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#7_August_2017_%28Unconsenting_car_insurance%29
content:
<p>
Wells Fargo Bank gave half a million customers
<a href="https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2017/8/4/1686951/-Wells-Fargo-caught-signing-up-490-000-people-for-car-insurance-they-didn-t-need?detail=emaildkre">
automobile insurance
without their consent,
</a>
even without their knowledge.  Some of them
lost their cars when they missed the payments they didn't properly owe.
<p>
When banks do this, it is not through carelessness.  It is a clever
scheme for cheating customers.
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2016-nov-feb.html#31_December_2016_(Wells_Fargo)">
Wells Fargo already admitted another
such dishonest scheme.
</a>
  Naturally, no banksters were imprisoned for it.


feed_id: ae390d847ce7aa0695bfd5f023055f91
title: Right-wing generals
uri: Right-wing-generals
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#7_August_2017_%28Right-wing_generals%29
content:
<p>
Beware of
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2017/08/05/are-we-egypt">
right-wing generals bringing "order"
</a>
to the chaotic US
regime.


feed_id: 6e45d81c39d757cc2f20eaeaeb9f4f27
title: Face recognition at carnival
uri: Face-recognition-at-carnival
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#7_August_2017_%28Face_recognition_at_carnival%29
content:
<p>
UK thugs plan to
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2017/aug/05/met-police-facial-recognition-software-notting-hill-carnival">
apply face recognition to everyone
</a>
attending the
Notting Hill Carnival.


feed_id: 7d61536e683f3cf49634aec25bdd608c
title: Urgent: Oppose thug violence
uri: Urgent-Oppose-thug-violence
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#6_August_2017_%28Urgent%3A_Oppose_thug_violence%29
content:
<p>
Everyone: 
<a href="https://campaigns.organizefor.org/petitions/tell-police-unions-stop-defending-trump-for-encouraging-police-brutality-1">tell
US thug unions</a> to stop tolerating the troll's endorsement of
criminal violence by thugs.


feed_id: 53fb82fc496eced6576e4b1c0ee9674d
title: Evoting machines cracked
uri: Evoting-machines-cracked
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#6_August_2017_%28Evoting_machines_cracked%29
content:
<p>
Hackers at Defcon went to work on four different models of US voting
machines, and cracked all of them 
<a href="https://www.fastcompany.com/40448876/how-hackers-are-teaching-election-officials-to-protect-their-voting-machines-learned-from-hackers-to-improve-security-for-future-elections">within
hours of seeing them for the first time</a>.
<p>
Even if some model were totally secure against crackers, it can't be
secure against the company that develops its proprietary software.
<p>
If, however, the software is free, and the local election authority
can change it, then the machine can't be secure against the local
election authority.  There is always someone that can change the
software, and we can't trust that someone.
<p>
For secure elections, we must vote on paper.


feed_id: 09dce8056ac625a0ac88d4936de1f6e4
title: Gene editing
uri: Gene-editing
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#6_August_2017_%28Gene_editing%29
content:
<p>
Gene editing could someday make possible the choice of improved traits
for human babies.  I don't see anything wrong with that, a priori; but
if enhancement is available only to rich parents, they will use it to
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2017/aug/04/editing-human-genome-consumer-eugenics-designer-babies">cement
their families' domination of society</a>.
<p>
This can't happen very soon.  Many experiments would be needed to
develop a technology so reliable that people would willingly use it on
their children, outside of avoiding a bad disease.  Then people would
arrive at the difficult question of which genes are preferable for
their children, which often begs the question, "better for what?"
<p>
Even determining whether a given combination of genes will have some
horrible result is not easy.  In general, it would require an advanced
understanding of how various specific human alleles interact.


feed_id: 90bd408d433c910723cd5c80cc01faf8
title: How Americans are taught to regard snooping
uri: How-Americans-are-taught-to-regard-snooping
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#6_August_2017_%28How_Americans_are_taught_to_regard_snooping%29

content:
<p>
Today's Americans have been 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2017/aug/04/surveillance-employers-spy-implanted-chipped">taught
to regard surveillance of them as a sign that someone cares</a>.
<p>
How pathetic!  And how dangerous to all of us who recognize the power
advantage that the surveillers have over us!


feed_id: 6acc93ebe90654afc05fd2576dc9f53e
title: Birmingham trash collectors on strike
uri: Birmingham-trash-collectors-on-strike
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#6_August_2017_%28Birmingham_trash_collectors_on_strike%29

content:
<p>
The trash collectors of Birmingham, England, are on strike to 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/public-leaders-network/2017/aug/05/birmingham-refuse-workers-strike-council-cuts">reject
pay cuts</a>.


