# articles

feed_id: 799cb8b4528829c454e1ed28cc3326a2
title: Smartphones global heating
uri: Smartphones-global-heating
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jan-apr.html#11_April_2018_%28Smartphones_global_heating%29
content:
<p>Smartphones, and the data centers they talk to, <a href="https://theconversation.com/how-smartphones-are-heating-up-the-planet-92793">are projected to be a large share of electric demand by 2040</a>.</p>
</li></p>


feed_id: 52e8c1878565e4e3693e2433b03d86e6
title: US census bureau immigrants
uri: 2018-04-12-US-census-bureau-immigrants
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jan-apr.html#10_April_2018_%28US_census_bureau_immigrants%29
content:
<p>The US census bureau is conducting a dry-run in a town in Rhode
  Island, and it appears
<a href="https://theintercept.com/2018/03/31/census-2020-citizenship-question-providence-immigrants/">intended to undercount immigrants</a>.</p>
</li>


feed_id: 6e69ba5f3b348ab4825357300d33e982
title: Urgent: Toxic paint stripper
uri: Urgent-Toxic-paint-stripper
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jan-apr.html#12_April_2018_%28Urgent%3A_Toxic_paint_stripper%29
content:
<p>
In the US: <a href="https://act.nrdc.org/letter/methylene-chloride-180227">call on Lowe's</a> to stop selling toxic methylene chloride
paint stripper.


feed_id: 595b5e4ee5778aed2e3601a9d4a4cf6f
title: Urgent: Migrant families
uri: Urgent-Migrant-families
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jan-apr.html#12_April_2018_%28Urgent%3A_Migrant_families%29
content:
<p>
US citizens: <a href="https://act.credoaction.com/sign/no_family_separation">tell the Department of "Homeland Security"</a> to stop
splitting up migrant families.


feed_id: 68ce15ed0a7c8856044ee8e0eec5feae
title: Urgent: Fire Pruitt
uri: Urgent-Fire-Pruitt
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jan-apr.html#12_April_2018_%28Urgent%3A_Fire_Pruitt%29
content:
<p>
US citizens: <a href="http://act.pfaw.org/letter/fire-pruitt/">call on Congress</a> to demand firing Saboteur Pruitt.


feed_id: 291d547e2b29e8095c968888a670f36a
title: Urgent: Fire Saboteur Pruitt
uri: Urgent-Fire-Saboteur-Pruitt
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jan-apr.html#12_April_2018_%28Urgent%3A_Fire_Saboteur_Pruitt%29
content:
<p>
US citizens: Call for <a href="https://petitions.moveon.org/2018/sign/scott-pruitt-is-corrupt">firing Saboteur Pruitt</a>.


feed_id: 01b89ea973e252b2cf6c4870cf96bcbc
title: Army of trolls
uri: Army-of-trolls
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jan-apr.html#12_April_2018_%28Army_of_trolls%29
content:
<p>
How an Army of Trolls <a href="https://theintercept.com/2018/04/07/guatemala-anti-corruption-trolls-smear-campaign/">Protects Guatemala's Corrupt Elite</a> &mdash; deploying
Republican-style bullshit techniques to discredit an investigation.


feed_id: 292e437be4b488ba55af5f8af9f61860
title: World's wealth in 2030
uri: World-s-wealth-in-2030
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jan-apr.html#12_April_2018_%28World%27s_wealth_in_2030%29
content:
<p>
The richest 1% of humans are on track to own almost <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/business/2018/apr/07/global-inequality-tipping-point-2030">2/3 of the world's
wealth</a> by 2030.
<p>
We need to adopt policies &mdash; more taxes on high incomes, and on
businesses, splitting up big companies, more support for the poor &mdash;
to reverse that.  Let's set a target that in 2030 they own only 1/3 of
the world's wealth.


feed_id: 445931a45171529f419117f126854942
title: Oblivious DNS
uri: Oblivious-DNS
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jan-apr.html#12_April_2018_%28Oblivious_DNS%29
content:
<p>
With <a href="https://freedom-to-tinker.com/2018/04/02/a-privacy-preserving-approach-to-dns/">Oblivious DNS</a>, you wouldn't have to trust anyone to know what
DNS lookups you do.


feed_id: e9aa1a376a61910827ea23e76f0d0dcd
title: Global heating denial
uri: 2018-04-13-Global-heating-denial
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jan-apr.html#12_April_2018_%28Global_heating_denial%29
content:
<p>
A lobbying company working for car manufacturers promoted global
heating denial, apparently to fabricate an excuse
for <a href="http://www.truth-out.org/news/item/44092-auto-alliance-pushed-climate-denial-to-get-trump-admin-to-abandon-obama-fuel-efficiency-standards">weakening the
future fuel efficiency standards</a> that the manufacturers had already
agreed to.


feed_id: 9a63b8115e7e3e9d19225b47f5096404
title: Source of drug-resistance
uri: Source-of-drug-resistance
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jan-apr.html#12_April_2018_%28Source_of_drug-resistance%29
content:
<p>
Drug-resistance in malaria seems to evolve every time in <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/apr/08/cambodian-town-breeds-resistance-malaria-drugs">one part of
Cambodia</a>.


feed_id: 87e45fe28a632d9a79aa28bc7ee6872a
title: Extremism and masculinity
uri: Extremism-and-masculinity
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jan-apr.html#12_April_2018_%28Extremism_and_masculinity%29
content:
<p>
Many cases of violent extremism seem to relate to a <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/apr/08/violent-extremists-share-one-thing-gender-michael-kimmel">specific idea
of masculinity</a>, combined with circumstances.


feed_id: d6263db36d624faff95b96886adecc8b
title: Penalty clauses for quitting
uri: Penalty-clauses-for-quitting
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jan-apr.html#12_April_2018_%28Penalty_clauses_for_quitting%29
content:
<p>
Sinclair news reciters can't afford to quit their jobs &mdash; they are
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2018/apr/08/sinclair-broadcast-anchors-us-labor-contracts">trapped by penalty clauses</a> if they quit before the end of their
contract.  20% of American workers are subject to oppressive
restrictions on changing jobs.


feed_id: 0f53afd8923e613cd65220393a193ec0
title: Ruling on slavery
uri: Ruling-on-slavery
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jan-apr.html#12_April_2018_%28Ruling_on_slavery%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://www.freedomunited.org/news/slavery-ruling-mauritania/">Rare Slavery Ruling</a> in Mauritania Sends Three to Prison (for enslaving
people).


feed_id: 5ea3fcc817396ad9cc3c6f31581b21b3
title: School lockdown drills
uri: School-lockdown-drills
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jan-apr.html#12_April_2018_%28School_lockdown_drills%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2018/04/07/dont-let-school-lockdown-drills-become-new-normal">Don't Let School Lockdown Drills</a> Become the New Normal.
<p>
Better to make a nuisance for every American gun owner
than for every American.


feed_id: 1dbd70c658b381c9c69f44fb67cb2e91
title: Building a bomb
uri: Building-a-bomb
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jan-apr.html#12_April_2018_%28Building_a_bomb%29
content:
<p>
A non-Muslim white man in Wisconsin tried building a bomb, which
killed him.  He had white-supremacist material in his apartment.  But
officials and media <a href="https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2018/4/6/1754933/-A-homemade-bomb-maker-had-white-supremacist-materials-but-police-refuse-to-jump-to-conclusions">don't want to "jump to the conclusion"</a> that he was
a would-be terrorist.
<p>
Indeed, that is not proven conclusively.  He might have had some other
motive for making a bomb, perhaps murder based on a grudge.  But since
we are not trying him for the crime, we need not demand proof beyond a
reasonable doubt when considering plausible inferences.
<p>
The crucial point is to contrast this with what happens when a crime
of violence might possibly be associated with some Muslim.  There is
little hesitation in those cases to jump to the conclusion and say
"terrorism".


feed_id: 1d5734ba7da964a113ff87b47d3993e6
title: Water in Phoenix
uri: Water-in-Phoenix
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jan-apr.html#12_April_2018_%28Water_in_Phoenix%29
content:
<p>
Phoenix, Arizona, is slowly but surely <a href="https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2018/4/6/1754585/-Plight-of-Phoenix-how-long-can-the-world-s-least-sustainable-city-survive">running out of water</a> as global
heating dries up the whole region.


feed_id: f67372994324981512454ad74e155417
title: Robert Mercer's ads
uri: Robert-Mercer-s-ads
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jan-apr.html#12_April_2018_%28Robert_Mercer%27s_ads%29
content:
<p>
Robert Mercer <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2018/04/06/robert-mercer-backed-secretive-group-worked-facebook-google-target-anti-muslim-ads">funded a group</a> that stirred up fear by showing Islamist
conquest fantasies, targeted at US voters likely to be manipulated by
them.  The group seems to have omitted this spending from its tax
return, too.
<p>
When Russia manipulates US elections, that adds an extra factor of
foreign intervention.  However, this sort of manipulation is an attack
on the fairness of the electoral system no matter who does it.
<p>
Facebook has announced a <a href="https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2018/04/facebook-if-you-want-to-buy-a-political-ad-you-now-have-to-be-authorized/">system of labeling political ads</a> and verifying 
the official identities of their purchasers.
This labeling may do some good, but (as the article explains) it won't
be hard to create an intermediary to hide the real identity of the real
purchaser.
<p>
Companies that implement targeting of ads should be required to show
the public all the ads that each customer has placed, collected in a
place easily found from the name of the customer, and the whole
collection should be easily searchable.
<p>
Robert Mercer and his daughter Rebekah work on their right-wing extremism
together.   The American Museum of Natural History should recognize this
as one more reason to remove her from its board.


feed_id: 18c99f915d1ba07cc3417632d297ce6a
title: Privatizing public housing
uri: 2018-04-13-Privatizing-public-housing
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jan-apr.html#12_April_2018_%28Privatizing_public_housing%29
content:
<p>
Republicans increased money for one thing: <a href="https://theintercept.com/2018/04/02/rental-assistance-demonstration-housing-congress-private-tenants-rights/">privatizing public housing</a>.
<p>
The experience with a <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#11_August_2017_(UK_housing_poverty)">similar program in the UK</a> shows that this can
lead to a shortage of public housing, while what was sold off ends up
in the hands of people with some amount of money.


feed_id: a53190c706b5041202fabec89f7ed33f
title: Streamlined executions
uri: Streamlined-executions
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jan-apr.html#12_April_2018_%28Streamlined_executions%29
content:
<p>
Texas wants to be the first state to adopt a <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2018/04/02/texas-seeks-sessions-approval-speed-death-penalty-treadmill">streamlined process for
executions</a>.
<p>
When we read about the shockingly careless mistakes made in trials
that <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2014-sep-dec.html#03_September_2014_(False_murder_convictions)">convicted people falsely of murder</a>,
we see that this will lead to
executing a lot more innocent people.


feed_id: c2403a37cb8404c76efcbf55cdfc6f8a
title: Renewable electricity
uri: 2018-04-13-Renewable-electricity
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jan-apr.html#12_April_2018_%28Renewable_electricity%29
content:
<p>
Some countries are getting close to <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2018/04/06/three-countries-show-how-near-100-green-grid">100% renewable electricity
generation</a>.  Portugal had a surplus of renewable energy last month
and exported some.  Costa Rica used 100% renewable energy for
most of the past year.
<p>
The main obstacle to spreading this world-wide is the resistance of
the <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#planet">planet roasters</a>, who work behind the scenes to decrease investment
in renewable energy.
<p>
The article doesn't mention deforestation and agriculture, big sources
of greenhouse gases.  However, if we got rid of electricity, industry
and transport as sources of greenhouse gases, that could be enough
to avert disaster.  We will still need to end deforestation and reduce
production of beef, for other reasons.


feed_id: 53585583e1f9881e36d5fb867e01ee53
title: Climate mayhem vulnerabilities
uri: 2018-04-13-Climate-mayhem-vulnerabilities
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jan-apr.html#11_April_2018_%28Climate_mayhem_vulnerabilities%29
content:
<p>
Central banks consider requiring businesses to <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/business/2018/apr/06/mark-carney-warns-climate-change-threat-financial-system">show how they are vulnerable</a>
to big losses due to foreseeable <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#climate">climate mayhem</a>.


feed_id: ca2cf4dc19072ce7e1a054aa5888fab2
title: Support for Syrian Kurds
uri: 2018-04-13-Support-for-Syrian-Kurds
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jan-apr.html#10_April_2018_%28Support_for_Syrian_Kurds%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#bully">The bully</a> 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/apr/04/trumps-vow-to-pull-us-troops-from-syria-strains-alliance-with-kurds">said
he would remove all US troops from Syria</a>, which would leave the
Kurds at the mercy of Erdo&gbreve;an.
<p>
In the past, I opposed US intervention in Syria because there was no
side that deserved support.  I changed that view when the US began
supporting the Syrian Kurds, because they support secularism and human
rights.  They are the only visible hope of good government in Syria.
I hope they won't be crushed.


feed_id: 3ca8cc96c6052f146548ec4de0baea85
title: Oil spills and whales
uri: 2018-04-13-Oil-spills-and-whales
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jan-apr.html#9_April_2018_%28Oil_spills_and_whales%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#bp">Billionaire Polluters</a>' plans to drill off Australia's south coast
risked a giant oil spill that could have <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2018/apr/06/bp-plan-to-drill-in-great-australian-bight-risked-750km-oil-spill-documents-show">endangered migrating whales</a>.


feed_id: 7abd698bae488c6b9fe0e8d732e2584e
title: Stephon Clark autopsy
uri: 2018-04-13-Stephon-Clark-autopsy
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jan-apr.html#9_April_2018_%28Stephon_Clark_autopsy%29
content:
<p>The thugs that killed Stephon Clark said he was charging toward them. The <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2018/mar/30/stephon-clark-shooting-death-police-autopsy-latest">autopsy says they shot him in the back</a>.</p>
<p>It took him several minutes to die.  Instead of giving him first aid, the <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thugs</a> handcuffed him.</p>
</li></p>


feed_id: 18e5cbc138ae10f44128add79822d07e
title: Urgent: Criminal Justice Bill
uri: Urgent-Criminal-Justice-Bill
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jan-apr.html#13_April_2018_%28Urgent%3A_Criminal_Justice_Bill%29
content:
<p>
Citizens of Massachusetts: <a href="https://action.aclu.org/send-message/ma-criminal-justice-reform">call on Governor Baker</a> to sign the Criminal
Justice Bill.


feed_id: b02a871388ab9eecdc3b8490f9fb25f6
title: Journalists murdered
uri: 2018-04-14-Journalists-murdered
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jan-apr.html#13_April_2018_%28Journalists_murdered%29
content:
<p>
Journalists are being murdered for <a href="https://rsf.org/en/news/rsf-shines-light-forbidden-coverage-womens-rights">writing about women's rights</a>.


feed_id: 5ae1aed3886e7eb3c36e33c44eb8caf7
title: Prosecuting whistleblowers
uri: Prosecuting-whistleblowers
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jan-apr.html#13_April_2018_%28Prosecuting_whistleblowers%29
content:
<p>
The bully is continuing Obama's practice of <a href="https://rsf.org/en/news/us-justice-department-prosecutes-former-fbi-whistleblower-under-espionage-act">prosecuting whistleblowers
as "spies"</a>.
<p>
As we learned in connection with the <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2017-mar-jun.html#8_June_2017_(NSA_investigated_Russian_election_interference)">threat to Snowden</a>,
this kind of prosecution denies these
heroes the chance even to present the defense that public interest
justified their actions.  This injustice is inexcusable regardless of
the specifics of any particular case.


feed_id: 021a937bd29a7b38a8c9739e120fe6a2
title: Execution for photographer
uri: Execution-for-photographer
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jan-apr.html#13_April_2018_%28Execution_for_photographer%29
content:
<p>
The repressive Egyptian government wants to <a href="https://rsf.org//en/news/egyptian-prosecutors-seek-death-sentence-photographer">execute a press
photographer</a>, who was jailed not long after the military coup that put
this government into power.


feed_id: 3f7c10c24a2c2244e0fc3b72a9aa59b9
title: Cheating phone companies
uri: Cheating-phone-companies
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jan-apr.html#13_April_2018_%28Cheating_phone_companies%29
content:
<p>
US phone companies cheat their customers, then try to <a href="https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2018/04/centurylink-fights-billing-fraud-lawsuit-by-claiming-that-it-has-no-customers/">create legal
excuses</a> to stop the cheated customers from suing them.


feed_id: db1e82d7829cf6510d873b9733f4d963
title: Fixing potholes
uri: Fixing-potholes
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jan-apr.html#13_April_2018_%28Fixing_potholes%29
content:
<p>
Anarchists in Portland, Oregon, fix potholes <a href="https://www.citylab.com/equity/2017/03/portland-anarchists-want-to-fix-your-streets-potholes/519588/">before the state gets
there</a>.
<p>
I do not agree with their opposition to the <a href="https://stallman.org/articles/why-we-need-a-state.html">existence of a state</a>,
but I'm glad to see people privately organizing to do some of the jobs
society needs.


feed_id: 26043f45cd97de370566719910c919dd
title: Standardized tests
uri: 2018-04-14-Standardized-tests
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jan-apr.html#13_April_2018_%28Standardized_tests%29
content:
<p>
In New York State, a <a href="https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2018/4/8/1755372/-Opt-Out-of-High-Stakes-Testing-Begins-this-Week">strong movement of parents</a> is rejecting the US-imposed
standardized tests that have distorted education for a decade.


feed_id: 555443060818ff6b677d21bfd94280a1
title: Mission of policing
uri: Mission-of-policing
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jan-apr.html#13_April_2018_%28Mission_of_policing%29
content:
<p>
The mission of policing is the community's safety, not the safety of
individual <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thugs</a>.  When thugs kill people that are not in fact
threatening anyone, they betray their mission.  Laws must not accept
<a href="https://www.nationalreview.com/2018/04/stephon-clark-shooting-police-should-show-more-discipline-restraint/">panic and worst-case arguments</a> as an excuse for this.


feed_id: 7ffa2f44064393fd87cc8c6b21c30155
title: Puerto Rico's outsourcing
uri: Puerto-Rico-s-outsourcing
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jan-apr.html#13_April_2018_%28Puerto_Rico%27s_outsourcing%29
content:
<p>
Puerto Rico's imposed, nondemocratic government has decided to <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-018-04120-5">outsource
statistics</a>.
<p>
Outsourcing any government activity makes it unaccountable.  In this
case, it means the companies that report the statistics of activities
in Puerto Rico could be induced to distort them in exchange for other
lucrative contracts.  These contracts would be offered by companies
that want to buy public assets, and that desire their value to be
underestimated.
<p>
If this happens, getting proof of it will be very difficult.


feed_id: 1ad6293c703944acde2c3eaa12383917
title: Serving the ignoramus
uri: Serving-the-ignoramus
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jan-apr.html#13_April_2018_%28Serving_the_ignoramus%29
content:
<p>
Serving the ignoramus means <a href="https://reason.com/archives/2018/04/09/trump-is-a-low-information-gasbag">feeding him limited information</a> to confirm
his prejudices.
<p>
Dubya had to work hard to get the CIA to <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#24_May_2015_(Lies_about_war_in_Iraq)">produce the false information</a>
he could use as an excuse for his war of aggression in Iraq.
How much easier this is for the ignoramus, whose officials have no
integrity and are loyal to him as master, rather than to their country
or justice or humanity.


feed_id: ff3ebf3b00a9fa918516595adcf9fb84
title: SEC intervention
uri: SEC-intervention
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jan-apr.html#13_April_2018_%28SEC_intervention%29
content:
<p>
The SEC intervened arbitrarily to <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2018/04/02/oil-companys-request-trump-administration-blocks-shareholder-resolution-climate">protect an oil company</a> from a
proposed shareholder resolution to set a target to reduce greenhouse
emissions.


feed_id: eb1f20dd7d1ad3d8b4250a1547efb80c
title: Modern slavery
uri: 2018-04-14-Modern-slavery
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jan-apr.html#13_April_2018_%28Modern_slavery%29
content:
<p>
"<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2018/apr/02/modern-slavery-daily-life-exploitation-goods-services">How did we let modern slavery</a> become part of our everyday lives?"
The article contends it results from trying to make luxuries cheap.


feed_id: 8026a3bb2debfe29ea722520e84f2c2f
title: Gaza protest
uri: Gaza-protest
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jan-apr.html#13_April_2018_%28Gaza_protest%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/apr/01/israel-rejects-un-and-eu-calls-for-inquiry-into-gaza-bloodshed">One Palestinian in the Gaza protest</a> says he tried to cut the border
fence wire and throw a molotov cocktail.  I couldn't criticize Israeli
soldiers for shooting someone who was doing that.
<p>
However, it is a war crime to shoot unarmed people solely for <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jan-apr.html#9_April_2018_(Israel:_Gaza_march_protesters_killed)">"coming
towards the fence"</a>, or even trying to cross it.
And even more so in the incident, caught on video, in which
Palestinians were shot while kneeling in a group and praying.


feed_id: 2d95b6b1b42eab1dcb2436aa95d7c850
title: Preserving cash
uri: Preserving-cash
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jan-apr.html#13_April_2018_%28Preserving_cash%29
content:
<p>
Some in Sweden are fighting to <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/apr/03/being-cash-free-puts-us-at-risk-of-attack-swedes-turn-against-cashlessness">preserve cash payment</a>.
<p>
The most basic way to resist surveillance payments is to insist on
paying cash, except in situations where your name is already known,
such as paying taxes or utility bills.  Refuse to pay stores in non-cash.
<p>
If you have a few minutes to spare for the cause, go into a store
which sells things you use, and ask the staff, "Do you take cash?"  If
they say yes, buy something.  Otherwise, say "I pay only cash; I will
buy somewhere else."


feed_id: 161b0c5948b36c13cc1983bd12dba9be
title: Sinclair news readers
uri: Sinclair-news-readers
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jan-apr.html#13_April_2018_%28Sinclair_news_readers%29
content:
<p>
Sinclair <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2018/04/02/stuff-nightmares-viral-video-shows-sinclair-forcing-local-tv-anchors-recite-trumpian">ordered local news readers</a> to read a script denouncing other
media's "fake news".
<p>
A former employee of Sinclair <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2018/04/03/confessions-former-sinclair-news-director">quit a few years ago</a> because he was
ashamed of what they ordered him to say on the air.
<p>
Sinclair news reciters can't afford to quit their jobs &mdash; they are
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2018/apr/08/sinclair-broadcast-anchors-us-labor-contracts">trapped by penalty clauses</a> if they quit before the end of their
contract.  20% of American workers are subject to oppressive
restrictions on changing jobs.
<p>
I'd call this a form of indentured servitude.  It should be considered
unconstitutional.
<p>
Current employees <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2018/04/03/after-trump-sides-sinclair-local-newsroom-staff-speak-out-against-right-wing">also denounced Sinclair</a> for converting local
TV news into mouthpieces of <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#trumpery">trumpery</a>.
<p>
Sinclair responded by <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2018/04/04/internal-memo-shows-sinclair-threatening-employees-keep-mouths-shut-about-must-read">privately threatening them</a>.


feed_id: 5f47e0ce35bbb80f0fdda27d0917c51b
title: Privatized immigration prison
uri: Privatized-immigration-prison
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jan-apr.html#13_April_2018_%28Privatized_immigration_prison%29
content:
<p>
Somalis in a privatized US immigration prison complained of cruel
treatment such as beating them up and denying them fresh water for
days.  US deportation thugs handled their complaint <a href="https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2018/4/4/1754422/-A-group-of-Somali-men-alleged-they-were-abused-while-in-ICE-detention-Then-they-were-deported">by deporting them</a>.


feed_id: 2bbeca2228cc8b46269ad13a2d1f4a40
title: Urgent: Mueller's investigation
uri: 2018-04-15-Urgent-Mueller-s-investigation
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jan-apr.html#14_April_2018_%28Urgent%3A_Mueller%27s_investigation%29

content:
<p>
US citizens: <a href="https://act.credoaction.com/sign/Protect_Mueller_Investigation">call on Congress</a> to protect Mueller's investigation.


feed_id: 1d3dd5cf5b70d936ef506ef81572bddb
title: Urgent: Detroit water
uri: Urgent-Detroit-water
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jan-apr.html#14_April_2018_%28Urgent%3A_Detroit_water%29
content:
<p>
Everyone: <a href="https://campaigns.organizefor.org/petitions/keep-the-water-on-in-brightmoor">Tell Detroit</a> not to shut off the water for poor people.


feed_id: 083a7e9baf2b1b4c7104a5b97688d691
title: Urgent: Sinclair-Tribune merger
uri: Urgent-Sinclair-Tribune-merger
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jan-apr.html#14_April_2018_%28Urgent%3A_Sinclair-Tribune_merger%29

content:
<p>
US citizens: <a href="http://act.democracyforamerica.com/sign/call-fcc-sinclair/">phone the FCC</a> to object to the Sinclair-Tribune merger.


feed_id: ec6aebc151e0718fb1bde8d2b74ed320
title: Hitting students
uri: Hitting-students
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jan-apr.html#14_April_2018_%28Hitting_students%29
content:
<p>
19 US states permit schools to <a href="http://www.truth-out.org/news/item/44099-corporal-punishment-lives-on-students-nationwide-are-being-paddled-restrained">hit students as punishment</a>.  The rest
permit physical "restraining" of children, which often causes
psychological or physical injury.
<p>
When I was a child, the act of trying to "restrain" me always backfired
since it was an unforgivable, horrible affront that made me continue to
rage for as long as the affront continued.
<p>
I wonder if the profusion of teachers without training in better ways
to handle children that are upset has something to do with spending
cuts for education in the US.  These cuts have occurred since the
1980s for the sake of cutting taxes for the rich.


feed_id: 7fd2f94fd52754eafcced60f96f41789
title: Deportation raid
uri: Deportation-raid
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jan-apr.html#14_April_2018_%28Deportation_raid%29
content:
<p>
Deportation thugs raided a factory and arrested all the workers.  <a href="https://www.vice.com/en_us/article/d354mw/inside-ices-biggest-most-aggressive-raid-under-trump">Only
later did it ask</a> who they were, whether they were US citizens, etc.


feed_id: 511cc1a48061bf5501ef95686c61d34f
title: Segregated schools in DC
uri: Segregated-schools-in-DC
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jan-apr.html#14_April_2018_%28Segregated_schools_in_DC%29
content:
<p>
Schools in Washington, DC, are <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2018/04/09/teachers-and-students-walkout-call-bullshit-apartheid-schools-nations-capital">racially segregated in practice</a>,
and the ones whose students are black are falling apart from
lack of funds.


feed_id: 83a65c1da1b6b7a14b4ea9ecc46f1fd3
title: Trans Mountain Pipeline
uri: Trans-Mountain-Pipeline
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jan-apr.html#14_April_2018_%28Trans_Mountain_Pipeline%29
content:
<p>
Unkinder-Morgan has <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2018/04/09/huge-opposition-forces-kinder-morgan-halt-trans-mountain-pipeline">stopped work on the Trans Mountain Pipeline</a>,
but threatens to start again if governments agree to satisfy
its conditions.


feed_id: b6d53ac7ed797b431d75999518ea159d
title: Transfer of wealth
uri: Transfer-of-wealth
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jan-apr.html#14_April_2018_%28Transfer_of_wealth%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2018/04/09/three-more-reasons-wealth-deprived-americans-take-streets">15% of the total wealth</a> in the US has been transferred from the
non-rich to the rich in just the past three years.


feed_id: a0d9a444153bb536706cb97b638683ef
title: Sprinkler system
uri: Sprinkler-system
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jan-apr.html#14_April_2018_%28Sprinkler_system%29
content:
<p>
The greedy jerk fought hard to prevent New York City from requiring him
to put a sprinkler system in his tall building in New York City.
He even <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2018/04/09/trump-aggressively-fought-sprinkler-system-law-could-have-saved-man-trump-tower-fire">paid off the head of the city council</a>.
<p>
One tenant was just killed in his apartment by a fire that sprinklers
could have put out.


feed_id: de07ed74a64fa43c59111d569a5d58ea
title: Workplace fatalities
uri: Workplace-fatalities
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jan-apr.html#14_April_2018_%28Workplace_fatalities%29
content:
<p>
Working as a thug in the US is <a href="https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/careers/2018/01/09/workplace-fatalities-25-most-dangerous-jobs-america/1002500001/">not very dangerous</a> &mdash; less dangerous
than being a construction laborer.


feed_id: f8da5035d25dcfa158620177335653b9
title: Fake Black Lives Matter page
uri: Fake-Black-Lives-Matter-page
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jan-apr.html#14_April_2018_%28Fake_Black_Lives_Matter_page%29
content:
<p>
A major Black Lives Matter page on Facebook was actually run by a non-black
Australian union official.  He raised lots of money through the page, saying
it would be given to Black Lives Matter, but <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2018/apr/10/fake-black-lives-matter-facebook-page-run-by-australian-union-official-report">that was a lie</a>.


feed_id: b2bf92c9e7d69f4f782a37cbfed90056
title: Investigating Burma's crimes
uri: Investigating-Burma-s-crimes
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jan-apr.html#14_April_2018_%28Investigating_Burma%27s_crimes%29
content:
<p>
The International Criminal Court seeks to <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/apr/10/rohingya-crisis-icc-prosecutor-seeks-power-to-investigate-crimes-against-humanity">investigate Burma's crimes
against humanity</a>, specifically against the Rohingya.


feed_id: 3f4eec9f7d016fceceb98d76fc8e2654
title: Facebook concession
uri: Facebook-concession
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jan-apr.html#14_April_2018_%28Facebook_concession%29
content:
<p>
Facebook <a href="https://thinkprogress.org/facebook-to-notify-users-whose-data-was-harvested-by-cambridge-analytica-f9d29e26770b/">made a concession</a>, agreeing to inform useds about what part
of their data was obtained by Cambridge Analytica.
<p>
I don't think this reduces the fundamental wrong of Facebook significantly.


feed_id: c7d01e7c5e537209860aed306e82f556
title: Campaign to prohibit porn
uri: Campaign-to-prohibit-porn
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jan-apr.html#14_April_2018_%28Campaign_to_prohibit_porn%29
content:
<p>
The campaign to prohibit porn finds Metoo <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/culture/2018/apr/07/me-too-anti-porn-conference-cosmopolitan-ban">tremendously helpful</a>.


feed_id: dd5ed31d8988efa1d99c4854c8648f42
title: Confiscating bitcoins
uri: Confiscating-bitcoins
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jan-apr.html#14_April_2018_%28Confiscating_bitcoins%29
content:
<p>
There is a <a href="http://web-old.archive.org/web/20180409163324/https://www.wired.com/story/bitcoin-blockchain-fifo-dirty-coins/">threat to wipe out bitcoin</a>, and all cryptocurrencies, using a
strained legal excuse.  The threat is to confiscate individual
bitcoins if those specific coins were used previously in some illegal
transaction, or passed through a broker that was later accused of any
sort of crime.
<p>
The article describes two alternative plans for choosing who to punish
in this way, but the effect would be the same: to punish ordinary
users of bitcoins effectively at random.  Ostensibly it is not random,
but rather based on a criterion that ordinary users couldn't hope to
check, so it's effectively equivalent to punishment at random.
<p>
It is fundamentally unjust to subject people to punishment at random.
Constitutions ought to insist that no one can be punished, or legally
discriminated against, or have property seized, based on circumstances
not feasible for them to have recognized and avoided.


feed_id: d463b8e5c19735bc9805f39b0298ee22
title: Assault on unions
uri: Assault-on-unions
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jan-apr.html#14_April_2018_%28Assault_on_unions%29
content:
<p>
Decades of Republican assault on unions has weakened them, but teachers
have shown they can <a href="https://theweek.com/articles/764828/teacher-strikes-could-future-alt-labor">strike and win despite that</a>.


feed_id: 94af6e5494b1b78da0ae0dca187112ae
title: Access to beaches
uri: Access-to-beaches
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jan-apr.html#14_April_2018_%28Access_to_beaches%29
content:
<p>
Florida Republicans have given coastal landowners the power to <a href="http://www.miaminewtimes.com/news/rick-scott-just-signed-a-bill-that-could-make-many-of-floridas-beaches-private-10231813">control
access to beaches</a>.
<p>
This is not a very important issue as political issues go, but it shows
how Republicans kowtow to wealthy people and spit on the rest.


feed_id: 8c6fab1555d788758528c0c87c137b86
title: Killer of Yaser Murtaja
uri: Killer-of-Yaser-Murtaja
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jan-apr.html#14_April_2018_%28Killer_of_Yaser_Murtaja%29
content:
<p>
Was the Israeli sniper that killed journalist Yaser Murtaja
<a href="https://theintercept.com/2018/04/09/gaza-protest-yaser-murtaja-journalist-israel-palestine/">incompetent, or a war criminal</a>?


feed_id: aeaeb76b6c640e7c03e4a9a403a8986e
title: Strike on Assad's forces
uri: Strike-on-Assad-s-forces
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jan-apr.html#14_April_2018_%28Strike_on_Assad%27s_forces%29
content:
<p>
The latest Israeli bomb strike on Assad's forces seems to have
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/apr/09/israel-has-launched-countless-strikes-in-syria-whats-new-is-russias-response">provoked Russian resentment</a>.
<p>
I cannot vehemently criticize any attack on Assad's forces, but this
seems like asking for trouble.


feed_id: 63c6b1ba891a1fbbfa10248fa08680a8
title: Abortion in Northern Ireland
uri: Abortion-in-Northern-Ireland
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jan-apr.html#14_April_2018_%28Abortion_in_Northern_Ireland%29
content:
<p>
In Northern Ireland, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/apr/09/belfast-council-to-debate-abortion-pills-motion-northern-ireland">women face prosecution</a> for ordering abortion pills
from elsewhere in the UK.
<p>
Since the Northern Ireland parliament has not functioned for years,
and shows no sign of being able to resume functioning, the UK
Parliament should legalize abortion there.


feed_id: f23217aa30fe7b576a00a253ae185496
title: Killing protesters in Gaza
uri: 2018-04-15-Killing-protesters-in-Gaza
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jan-apr.html#14_April_2018_%28Killing_protesters_in_Gaza%29
content:
<p>
Israel justifies killing protesters in Gaza arguing that it has
made everyone in Gaza so desperate that they can all be considered
armed enemies <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2018/apr/09/gaza-protests-palestinians-israeli-siege-occupation-marches">even when they aren't armed</a>.
<p>
In other words, "The only good Gazan is a dead Gazan."


feed_id: 5b6fb1385f3a4639e5a77a699f747fa0
title: Marie Colvin
uri: Marie-Colvin
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jan-apr.html#14_April_2018_%28Marie_Colvin%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://theintercept.com/2018/04/09/marie-colvin-syria-assad/">Suing Syria in the US</a> for hunting and killing journalist Marie Colvin.


feed_id: e2a6fd935885b4ccedb1c486d64ee09e
title: Hungarian election
uri: Hungarian-election
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jan-apr.html#14_April_2018_%28Hungarian_election%29
content:
<p>
Observers <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/apr/09/hungary-election-osce-monitors-deliver-damning-verdict">criticize the Hungarian election</a> as unfair.


feed_id: 69e647f5e8b8c1f9a1b9d56d2ea2b694
title: Deference to whom
uri: Deference-to-whom
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jan-apr.html#14_April_2018_%28Deference_to_whom%29
content:
<p>
Rejection of the old deference to authority often results in
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2018/apr/09/toppling-authority-populism">deference to the rich and powerful</a>, which is worse.


feed_id: 47f9ed8171945c0f5a1ef8b645261354
title: Cement and concrete emissions
uri: Cement-and-concrete-emissions
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jan-apr.html#14_April_2018_%28Cement_and_concrete_emissions%29
content:
<p>
Cement and concrete are significant sources of greenhouse gases, but
there is no known solution for reducing them, only a desire for some
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2018/apr/09/cement-industry-urged-to-reduce-invisible-global-emissions">hypothetical technical advance</a>.


feed_id: 89e502e9c850abd46be42637a1f15594
title: Monuments to war victims
uri: Monuments-to-war-victims
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jan-apr.html#14_April_2018_%28Monuments_to_war_victims%29
content:
<p>
How about <a href="https://theintercept.com/2018/04/09/a-radical-lesson-from-the-invasion-of-iraq-our-war-monuments-should-honor-the-sacrifice-of-civilians-not-soldiers/">making monuments to the civilians</a> killed by US soldiers during war?


feed_id: b73fd14da2fc759be14bde49fc322ae2
title: Dalit strike
uri: Dalit-strike
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jan-apr.html#14_April_2018_%28Dalit_strike%29
content:
<p>
Hundreds of thousands of Dalits <a href="https://mobile.nytimes.com/2018/04/06/world/asia/india-dalit-protest.html">went on strike in India</a>.
Notwithstanding the regrettable violence, the Dalits have right
on their side.


feed_id: aba70bbfc3b79c33fe330f654cb658b5
title: Urgent: Overtime pay
uri: 2018-04-16-Urgent-Overtime-pay
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jan-apr.html#15_April_2018_%28Urgent%3A_Overtime_pay%29
content:
<p>
US citizens: <a href="https://actionnetwork.org/petitions/add-your-name-to-co-sign-the-restoring-overtime-pay-act">Tell Congress</a> to raise the upper salary limit for
requiring workers get extra pay for overtime.


feed_id: 719d2138c2d5dcc61f83174927f4efdd
title: Rape in India
uri: Rape-in-India
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jan-apr.html#15_April_2018_%28Rape_in_India%29
content:
<p>
A woman in India says a powerful politician raped her.  Her father
accused the politician, but the local <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thugs</a> refused to listen and
arrested him instead.  The woman tried to set herself on fire as a
public protest.  Then <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/apr/11/man-accused-india-politician-raping-daughter-dies-in-custody">her father died in jail</a>, apparently murdered.
<p>
Rape victims in the US also report that thugs and others <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2015-jan-apr.html#04_April_2015_(Rapes_ignored_by_US_thug_departments)">are uncooperative</a>
when they try to file charges.
<p>
In India's patriarchal culture (starting with the Ramayana, see
<a href="https://archive.org/download/Sita_Sings_the_Blues">Sita Sings the Blues</a>),
misogyny is established and society condemns women for being raped.


feed_id: 4760d43c47042b4ce2b54051ad262730
title: Drying reservoirs
uri: Drying-reservoirs
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jan-apr.html#15_April_2018_%28Drying_reservoirs%29
content:
<p>
Analysis of satellite data points out reservoirs that are drying up
and could <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2018/apr/11/day-zero-water-crises-spain-morocco-india-and-iraq-at-risk-as-dams-shrink">put cities at risk</a> of running out of water in a few years.
<p>
This is useful for providing medium-term warnings, but we already know
what to do for the long term solution: curb <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#global heating">global heating</a>.


feed_id: fed238b871b2fe36f8e2ab2da51c3b87
title: Familiar wars
uri: Familiar-wars
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jan-apr.html#15_April_2018_%28Familiar_wars%29
content:
<p>
The Onion: <a href="https://politics.theonion.com/john-bolton-arrives-in-office-excited-to-see-so-many-fa-1825149939">John Bolton Arrives In Office</a> Excited To See So Many Familiar Wars.


feed_id: d46fd4d96b6204bf707cc363c1b1df26
title: Carbon tax
uri: 2018-04-16-Carbon-tax
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jan-apr.html#15_April_2018_%28Carbon_tax%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/climate-consensus-97-per-cent/2018/apr/10/epas-war-with-california-proves-america-needs-a-carbon-tax">EPA's War with California</a> Proves America Needs a Carbon Tax.


feed_id: 633ec76bf867d7ee7ed0e592cde571dd
title: American and Russian oligarchs
uri: American-and-Russian-oligarchs
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jan-apr.html#15_April_2018_%28American_and_Russian_oligarchs%29
content:
<p>
American oligarchs <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2018/04/10/do-us-oligarchs-exist-not-mainstream-media">do more harm in the US</a> than Russian oligarchs do.


feed_id: 9406982436ae44c53ca764d7e6747614
title: Sex workers in danger
uri: Sex-workers-in-danger
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jan-apr.html#15_April_2018_%28Sex_workers_in_danger%29
content:
<p>
US sex workers report that the new US censorship law is driving them
to streetwalking or pimps, and that this <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2018/apr/10/sex-workers-fear-violence-as-us-cracks-down-on-online-ads-girls-will-die">puts them in danger</a> of
violent crime.
<p>
This law was never seriously intended to protect them.  It is
censorship turned to the purpose of sexual repression &mdash; totally vile.


feed_id: d5d40c74d199ca7971ecb7cd1fa7e729
title: Tamimi interrogation
uri: Tamimi-interrogation
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jan-apr.html#15_April_2018_%28Tamimi_interrogation%29
content:
<p>
A video of part of the interrogation of Ahed Tamimi shows Israeli
interrogators <a href="https://theintercept.com/2018/04/10/ahed-tamimi-palestinian-teen-israel-interrogation-video/">threaten to take her relatives hostage</a>.
<p>
If you want to watch the video, please do not visit youtube.com in a browser;
that requires nonfree Javascript code.  You can download it with youtube-dl.


feed_id: c4f5dfa67fa6f057d267ae4625c18bda
title: US gender pay gap
uri: US-gender-pay-gap
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jan-apr.html#15_April_2018_%28US_gender_pay_gap%29
content:
<p>
The US gender pay gap <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2018/apr/10/pay-gap-worsened-for-women-under-40-over-last-two-years-us-study-finds">is getting bigger</a>.


feed_id: 303ab3543da2471cea38b8bf647f9c03
title: Warrant on Michael Cohen
uri: Warrant-on-Michael-Cohen
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jan-apr.html#15_April_2018_%28Warrant_on_Michael_Cohen%29
content:
<p>
The search warrant executed on <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#cheater">the cheater</a>'s lawyer, Michael Cohen,
seems to have rattled the cheater to the point where he <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2018/apr/10/donald-trump-michael-cohen-raid-comment">might do something
crazy and drastic</a>.
<p>
I hope it isn't starting a war.


feed_id: 642605152cbbe5b1fb583243bc71dea2
title: EU environmental standards
uri: EU-environmental-standards
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jan-apr.html#15_April_2018_%28EU_environmental_standards%29
content:
<p>
The EU will <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2018/apr/10/eu-will-seek-non-regression-clause-to-tie-uk-to-environmental-standards">insist that the UK continue to adhere</a> to EU environmental
standards even after leaving the EU.
<p>
I think that is a good thing, because Tories (like other
plutocratists) would be inclined to trash the environment.


feed_id: 27d156ff09000ce1e4c5eb9f831cbbed
title: Poor People's Campaign
uri: 2018-04-16-Poor-People-s-Campaign
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jan-apr.html#15_April_2018_%28Poor_People%27s_Campaign%29
content:
<p>
The <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2018/04/10/decrying-system-favors-war-and-wealthy-poor-peoples-campaign-unveils-agenda-combat">renewed Poor People's Campaign</a> links poverty, militarism, racism,
and environmental degradation, as Martin Luther King did when he led
it.


feed_id: 561f8336f32e6e6205a1ac8f427dc45b
title: Young gang-members
uri: Young-gang-members
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jan-apr.html#15_April_2018_%28Young_gang-members%29
content:
<p>
Young gang-members that engage in violence, even killing, are <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/society/2018/apr/10/young-people-children-perpetrators-knife-crime-victims">victims
as well as culprits</a>.
<p>
Calling them "children" is an exaggeration, but we don't need to
exaggerate to recognize that they are not adults, and that adult
society has failed to properly raise them.


feed_id: 2bf9f32fe6a07678b826f85b95ed2a7b
title: Deportation police
uri: Deportation-police
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jan-apr.html#15_April_2018_%28Deportation_police%29
content:
<p>
The UK government has been conscripting public officials, employers
and landlords into acting as deportation police since 2014.
UK citizens get caught in the same repression if they can't prove
they are citizens.
<p>
Various groups call on people to <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2018/apr/09/rights-groups-decry-theresa-may-hostile-environment-immigration-policy">refuse to be enforcers</a>.
<p>
<a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#bully">The bully</a> is imposing the same policies in the US.


feed_id: 0c5b00c89872d733eceec8a062a5295b
title: Bayer-Monsanto deal
uri: Bayer-Monsanto-deal
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jan-apr.html#15_April_2018_%28Bayer-Monsanto_deal%29
content:
<p>
[Projected] Approval of Bayer-Monsanto Deal Paves Way for <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2018/04/09/approval-bayer-monsanto-deal-paves-way-price-hikes-reduced-choices">Price Hikes,
Reduced Choices</a>.
<p>
It also paves the way for further increase in the antidemocratic
political power of big business, a power that we must abolish if we
are to restore democracy.


feed_id: 3f1cef23e8fbf459e3c0582b19e5b2be
title: List of journalists
uri: List-of-journalists
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jan-apr.html#15_April_2018_%28List_of_journalists%29
content:
<p>
The Department of Homeland Suppression is preparing a list of US and
foreign journalists, bloggers and "media influencers", with data about
their fields of interest, and presumably coordinates as well.
<p>
This would not be menacing by itself.  <a href="https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2018/04/dhs-defends-media-monitoring-database-calls-critics-conspiracy-theorists/">It becomes menacing</a> when
combined with the US propensity to repress reporters in other ways.


feed_id: 1c85f814daade2a5bad64bd51ebf5cd4
title: Urgent: Tongass national forest
uri: Urgent-Tongass-national-forest
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jan-apr.html#17_April_2018_%28Urgent%3A_Tongass_national_forest%29

content:
<p>
US citizens: <a href="https://act.credoaction.com/sign/save_tongass">call on Congress</a> to protect the Tongass national forest.


feed_id: eeb8578ac854fb21feec31cd6bb3dcb7
title: Urgent: Act for Special Counsel
uri: Urgent-Act-for-Special-Counsel
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jan-apr.html#17_April_2018_%28Urgent%3A_Act_for_Special_Counsel%29

content:
<p>
US citizens: <a href="http://act.pfaw.org/sign/special-counsel-independence-and-integrity-act/">call on Congress</a> to pass the Special Counsel Independence
and Integrity Act.


feed_id: f4b6fddf460d56325cb08d1bfe759d13
title: Waiter strike
uri: Waiter-strike
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jan-apr.html#17_April_2018_%28Waiter_strike%29
content:
<p>
Waiters at TGI Friday's in the UK are <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/business/2018/apr/11/first-uk-strike-action-over-restaurant-tips-looms-at-tgi-fridays">planning a strike</a> against the company's
plan to give the rest of the workers a raise at the waiters' expense
rather than at the company's expense.


feed_id: b45effd52bb9323df96ed1aa3d172f9c
title: D.C. cherry trees
uri: D-C-cherry-trees
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jan-apr.html#17_April_2018_%28D.C._cherry_trees%29
content:
<p>
The Onion: <a href="https://politics.theonion.com/mike-pence-horrified-by-d-c-cherry-trees-flagrantly-di-1825148124">Mike Pence Horrified</a> By D.C. Cherry Trees Flagrantly Displaying
Reproductive Organs.
<p>
If you are less of a prude than Pence, you might enjoy <a href="https://stallman.org/articles/texas.html">having nasal sex</a>
with those lovely trees.


feed_id: caa90b545ceba05114d02261c04fd51b
title: 65 years in prison for burglar
uri: 65-years-in-prison-for-burglar
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jan-apr.html#17_April_2018_%2865_years_in_prison_for_burglar%29
content:
<p>
A 15-year-old burglar has been sentenced to <a href="https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2018/4/9/1755631/-Alabama-teen-given-65-year-murder-sentence-even-though-police-fired-the-deadly-shots">65 years in prison</a> (until age 80)
because another burglar was shot and killed.
<p>
The principle applied here, that each participant in the crime is responsible
for its consequences, seems valid to me up to a certain limited point &mdash; but
I think this stretches it too far.
<p>
Imprisoning people beyond age 50 for ordinary violence is generally
superfluous because the urge to violence dies away before that age.


feed_id: b0e589d18ec712daceea940a6e9a0fa1
title: Wells Fargo boycott
uri: Wells-Fargo-boycott
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jan-apr.html#17_April_2018_%28Wells_Fargo_boycott%29
content:
<p>
The American Federation of Teachers, a large union, <a href="https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2018/4/9/1755713/-Wells-Fargo-threatens-teachers-teachers-union-says-drop-the-NRA-or-we-are-dropping-you">threatens Wells Fargo bank
with a boycott</a> unless it stops investing in gun companies.


feed_id: ab2552a7af685b7cdc87b17809b1815c
title: Further EU censorship
uri: Further-EU-censorship
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jan-apr.html#17_April_2018_%28Further_EU_censorship%29
content:
<p>
The EU <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2018/apr/11/eu-heavy-sanctions-online-hate-speech-facebook-scandal">threatens further censorship</a>, initially of "hate speech".
<p>
Dissident views such as the Poor People's Campaign and anti-fracking
will be censored sooner or later.


feed_id: 9e4022430323075740c89c13e24e99ce
title: Poor People's Campaign manifesto
uri: Poor-People-s-Campaign-manifesto
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jan-apr.html#17_April_2018_%28Poor_People%27s_Campaign_manifesto%29

content:
<p>
<a href="https://poorpeoplescampaign.org/index.php/demands/">The full manifesto</a> of the Poor People's Campaign.
<p>
I support it.  I agree with each point.
<p>
<a href="http://www.ips-dc.org/souls-of-poor-folks/">Here is a report</a> describing the circumstances of poverty in the US.


feed_id: 2a21e2bb3a26ff3449ad78e11c6d1f01
title: Russian activists arrested
uri: Russian-activists-arrested
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jan-apr.html#17_April_2018_%28Russian_activists_arrested%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/apr/11/russian-activists-arrested-sexual-harassment-protest-leonid-slutsky">Russian Activists Arrested</a> for Sexual Harassment Protest.


feed_id: d90874be9ecc7117f969edcf72b86437
title: Pompeo's nomination
uri: Pompeo-s-nomination
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jan-apr.html#17_April_2018_%28Pompeo%27s_nomination%29
content:
<p>
Will Senate Democrats have the courage to <a href="https://theintercept.com/2018/04/11/mike-pompeo-secretary-of-state-senate-confirmation/">reject Pompeo's nomination</a>?


feed_id: af9d0a1d039a5a878263b9368597591f
title: Burning rainforest
uri: Burning-rainforest
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jan-apr.html#17_April_2018_%28Burning_rainforest%29
content:
<p>
Overpopulation in Nicaragua has led to people that need land.  They
are getting it by <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/apr/11/nicaragua-rainforest-fire-costa-rica">burning parts of a rainforest nature reserve</a>.
<p>
The fact that a fire spread in a nature preserve has a message for us too.


feed_id: a9cbcd9b397c17a86006d25ac68fc910
title: Endangered turtles
uri: Endangered-turtles
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jan-apr.html#17_April_2018_%28Endangered_turtles%29
content:
<p>
Some highly endangered turtles <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2018/apr/11/green-haired-turtle-that-breathes-through-its-genitals-added-to-endangered-list">remain unprotected</a>.


feed_id: 20c6f09e07a9d486f9d67386af95ddc2
title: Bombing Syria
uri: 2018-04-17-Bombing-Syria
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jan-apr.html#17_April_2018_%28Bombing_Syria%29
content:
<p>
As Trump Threatens to Bomb Syria, Lawmakers Say Attack Without Congressional Approval <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2018/04/11/trump-threatens-bomb-syria-lawmakers-say-attack-without-congressional-approval">"Unconstitutional"</a>.


feed_id: bfe11b8c5bf6625bf8349b793bbe3854
title: Gulf stream current
uri: Gulf-stream-current
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jan-apr.html#17_April_2018_%28Gulf_stream_current%29
content:
<p>
Gulf Stream Current at Its <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2018/apr/11/critical-gulf-stream-current-weakest-for-1600-years-research-finds">Weakest in 1,600 Years</a>, Studies Show.


feed_id: 6ace203f5e6f217632d73067cace4640
title: Alexa's listening
uri: Alexa-s-listening
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jan-apr.html#17_April_2018_%28Alexa%27s_listening%29
content:
<p>
Amazon is considering making Alexa <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/technology/shortcuts/2018/apr/11/shhh-alexa-might-be-listening">listen to all conversations</a>.
<p>
If the device has a universal back door &mdash; <a href="https://www.gnu.org/proprietary/proprietary-back-doors.html#universal">which the Echo does</a>
&mdash; Amazon could impose this "feature" by force at any time.
The Guardian should not disparage such concerns as "conspiracy theory".
<p>
It is silly to whisper around the Alexa device.  Turn it off, or throw
it away!


feed_id: 39eb90a4fecb85957dc6011dd2a16ba7
title: Threat to Russia
uri: Threat-to-Russia
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jan-apr.html#17_April_2018_%28Threat_to_Russia%29
content:
<p>
The bully's threat to Russia <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2018/apr/11/trump-threat-moscow-tweet-war-syria">creates actual danger</a>: it puts obstacles in the
path of avoiding war between the US and Russia.
<p>
It may have been a <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2018/apr/11/trumps-russia-tweets-show-how-misinformation-can-lead-to-global-crisis">response to a mistranslation</a>.
<p>
Some Democrats once again show they believe that waging war <a href="https://theintercept.com/2018/04/11/the-trump-administration-continues-to-be-more-confrontational-toward-russia-than-obama-was/">makes even
a clown "presidential."</a>


feed_id: c6913370fd2ded9dbf105ba6bead8af6
title: Arbitrary arrest in China
uri: Arbitrary-arrest-in-China
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jan-apr.html#17_April_2018_%28Arbitrary_arrest_in_China%29
content:
<p>
China has arbitrarily <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/apr/11/wife-of-detained-lawyer-placed-under-house-arrest-beijing-china">arrested Li Wenzu</a> for publicly demanding
information about her disappeared husband, human rights lawyer Wang
Quanzhang.


feed_id: 816bb3214a0b129698f8073431b6170e
title: Urgent: Charlotte protesters
uri: Urgent-Charlotte-protesters
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jan-apr.html#17_April_2018_%28Urgent%3A_Charlotte_protesters%29
content:
<p>
Everyone: <a href="https://act.colorofchange.org/sign/Protect_Charlotte_Uprising_Protestors/">call on the Charlotte DA</a> to drop charges against Charlotte protesters
that are being framed.


feed_id: b46adfae7b285acb900dfd1d553e6a36
title: Urgent: Net neutrality
uri: 2018-04-18-Urgent-Net-neutrality
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jan-apr.html#17_April_2018_%28Urgent%3A_Net_neutrality%29
content:
<p>
US citizens: <a href="https://action.aclu.org/send-message/restore-net-neutrality-protections">call on your senators</a> to vote to cancel the FCC's elimination
of net neutrality.


feed_id: 62dcdf3bf05592e7477201a2b2f0cb2b
title: Palestinian minors
uri: Palestinian-minors
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jan-apr.html#17_April_2018_%28Palestinian_minors%29
content:
<p>
B'Tselem: <a href="https://www.btselem.org/publications/summaries/201803_minors_in_jeopardy">Minors in Jeopardy</a>: Violation of the Rights of Palestinian
Minors by Israel’s Military Courts.
<p>
They are being treated in ways that systematically pressure even many
adults into false confessions.


feed_id: beb9ce6b7b30ae7f89f2dd7dc42d315b
title: Refugee stuck in airport
uri: Refugee-stuck-in-airport
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jan-apr.html#17_April_2018_%28Refugee_stuck_in_airport%29
content:
<p>
Syrian refugee Hassan al-Kontar is living in a corridor in the Kuala
Lumpur airport.  He is fleeing to avoid being conscripted to fight for
Assad.  He was connecting through Kuala Lumpur when Turkish Airlines
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/apr/12/its-not-my-war-the-syrian-man-who-has-spent-a-month-living-in-kuala-lumpur-airport">inexplicably refused</a> to let him fly onward.


feed_id: d7e2bcf943c32d827e9024e1d4a2623e
title: Yassmin Abdel-Magied
uri: Yassmin-Abdel-Magied
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jan-apr.html#17_April_2018_%28Yassmin_Abdel-Magied%29
content:
<p>
Yassmin Abdel-Magied, activist for Muslim women's rights, had a visa to
visit the US to speak.  But the US <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2018/apr/12/yassmin-abdel-magied-says-she-is-being-deported-from-us">cancelled her visa</a> when she arrived.
<p>
<a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#bully">The bully</a> despises women and hates Muslims, so naturally he would want
to deport any advocate for Muslim women.


feed_id: ce2603874ee1d70104f9335f5e85cd32
title: Water for crossers
uri: Water-for-crossers
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jan-apr.html#17_April_2018_%28Water_for_crossers%29
content:
<p>
Stricter patrolling of the border with Mexico regularly <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2018/04/11/sending-troops-border-will-cause-more-migrant-deaths">kills people
trying to cross</a>.  Volunteers set out water jugs so crossers don't die
of thirst.
<p>
Border <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thugs</a> often destroy water jugs, sometimes making contemptuous
statements while doing so.  They express the wish to deter crossers by
killing some.
<p>
That's the right way to treat companies (which are not people), but
the wrong way to treat people.


feed_id: 9aa86d41296f52f2942ddef4578ae425
title: Approval for war
uri: Approval-for-war
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jan-apr.html#17_April_2018_%28Approval_for_war%29
content:
<p>
Some in Congress remind the <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#bully">bully</a> that the constitution says he must
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2018/04/11/bipartisan-group-lawmakers-urge-president-seek-congressional-authorization-using">get Congressional approval</a> to start a war.
<p>
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2018/04/11/sanders-trump-has-no-legal-authority-bomb-or-attack-syria">Here's what Sanders said.</a>


feed_id: 60c4f375b8ad18d5cc2f87b497fbbdde
title: Airbnb swindling
uri: Airbnb-swindling
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jan-apr.html#17_April_2018_%28Airbnb_swindling%29
content:
<p>
Airbnb was <a href="https://www.governmentnews.com.au/2015/10/accc-slaps-down-airbnb-and-edreams-for-drip-pricing/">springing fees on customers</a> after first providing a
misleading low price to make the sale.
<p>
Letting a company get off with just a warning for this encourages it
and other companies to try again.  We need to treat this as a serious
crime, swindling, not like stealing a base in baseball.
<p>
Every company caught doing this should be fined the total amount of
the fees collected through the deceptive practice in all transactions
during the past 5 years.  A few fine bankruptcies will teach the other
would-be cheaters to stop probing to see how much cheating they can
get away with.


feed_id: 08c0f7970112a9edac6f0acc9ea4f51a
title: Amazon 'trial'
uri: Amazon-trial
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jan-apr.html#17_April_2018_%28Amazon_%27trial%27%29
content:
<p>
Amazon offered a "30-day free trial", and <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/media/2015/mar/04/amazon-prime-free-trial-offer-banned-for-misleading-over-fees">started paid subscriptions
automatically</a> at the end of it.
<p>
This is clearly an attempt to trick customers &mdash; wrong in all cases no
no matter how many companies do it.


feed_id: 173ab5b9caf02e8fcd2904a86bdf8315
title: Israel's leadership
uri: Israel-s-leadership
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jan-apr.html#17_April_2018_%28Israel%27s_leadership%29
content:
<p>
When Israel kills Palestinians who are not fighting, it <a href="https://forward.com/opinion/398174/when-israel-shoots-unarmed-protestors-the-terrorists-win/">falls to the
same level</a> as the Palestinian terrorists that still occasionally
attack Israelis who are not fighting.
<p>
Israel’s leadership is gradually admitting a basic fact of life—and
death: That Israel’s ongoing control over millions of Palestinians is
<a href="https://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-5215487,00.html">impossible without committing war crimes</a>.


feed_id: 3dbdc9f4402eff965801719b1003cf4f
title: Clinton on Pompeo
uri: Clinton-on-Pompeo
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jan-apr.html#17_April_2018_%28Clinton_on_Pompeo%29
content:
<p>
Clinton reminds us of why she would have been a militarist president
by <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2018/04/10/progressives-nationwide-urgently-mobilize-block-pompeo-hillary-clinton-reportedly">saying favorable things</a> about Pompeo.


feed_id: 910ae307857e3b3ee7f95e02db677025
title: Israel's crimes in Gaza
uri: Israel-s-crimes-in-Gaza
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jan-apr.html#17_April_2018_%28Israel%27s_crimes_in_Gaza%29
content:
<p>
How Many Palestinians Have To Die For the World to <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2018/04/11/how-many-palestinians-have-die-world-stop-israels-crimes-gaza">Stop Israel's Crimes In
Gaza</a>?


feed_id: 0fde5164f6638a64751152643593223e
title: California governor
uri: California-governor
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jan-apr.html#17_April_2018_%28California_governor%29
content:
<p>
California Governor Brown has failed to stand up to fossil fuel interests.
Campaigners <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2018/04/11/nearly-800-groups-give-governor-brown-last-chance-stand-against-fossil-fuels">demand that he start</a>.


feed_id: ebe9ce25d799dc3a8e9cd8adeff6f320
title: Gina Haspel supporters
uri: Gina-Haspel-supporters
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jan-apr.html#17_April_2018_%28Gina_Haspel_supporters%29
content:
<p>
Former US foreign policy officials, including several that supported
torture and/or wars of aggression, <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2018/04/11/whos-who-american-war-criminals-and-torture-apologists-endorse-gina-haspel-cia">signed a letter</a> saying that Gina
Haspel is just great.


feed_id: f9f068f801cf1f8d4b5eb1b3e933eeb2
title: Hostility to science
uri: Hostility-to-science
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jan-apr.html#17_April_2018_%28Hostility_to_science%29
content:
<p>
Inspector General Report Shows Clear <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2018/04/11/inspector-general-report-shows-clear-misconduct-hostility-science-interior">Misconduct, Hostility to Science</a> at
Interior Department.


feed_id: 5bd35013859a46be912891cf2af2baa8
title: Bill to protect Mueller
uri: Bill-to-protect-Mueller
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jan-apr.html#17_April_2018_%28Bill_to_protect_Mueller%29
content:
<p>
Some Republican senators now <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2018/04/11/trump-reportedly-considers-firing-rosenstein-senators-move-protect-mueller-probe">cosponsor a bill</a> to protect Mueller from
being fired.  And future such investigators as well.


feed_id: b1a7e20be98c4b307c37eaf712d2bf1a
title: Better Genderless Pronouns
uri: Better-Genderless-Pronouns
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jan-apr.html#17_April_2018_%28Better_Genderless_Pronouns%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://stallman.org/articles/genderless-pronouns.html">Better
  Genderless Pronouns in English</a>.
</p>


feed_id: 2956a35d0b510301ee779c617c9811e3
title: Caste bias in the Ramayana
uri: Caste-bias-in-the-Ramayana
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jan-apr.html#18_April_2018_%28Caste_bias_in_the_Ramayana%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://stallman.org/articles/ramayana.html">How the Ramayana endorses caste bias.</a>


feed_id: 0ff17003fb49bed4a2a52013a7f539ee
title: Urgent: Water privatization
uri: Urgent-Water-privatization
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jan-apr.html#18_April_2018_%28Urgent%3A_Water_privatization%29
content:
<p>
Citizens of Massachusetts: <a href="https://secure.foodandwaterwatch.org/act/ma-say-no-water-privatization">Block the water privatization clause</a> in the
proposed 2018 climate bill.


feed_id: b8d15db213624bdd47becc77b5dc5721
title: Urgent: Dignity for Detained Immigrants Act
uri: Urgent-Dignity-for-Detained-Immigrants-Act
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jan-apr.html#18_April_2018_%28Urgent%3A_Dignity_for_Detained_Immigrants_Act%29

content:
<p>
US citizens: <a href="https://act.credoaction.com/sign/dignity_immigrants">call on Congress</a> to pass the Dignity for Detained Immigrants Act.
This would eliminate certain forms of mistreatment of immigrants
facing deportation.</p>
<p>
I dislike the use of the word "detained" to refer to imprisonment, but I
signed this anyway because I agree with the substance of the bill.


feed_id: 5cf1d7711940c675f5d893b4256e5f3a
title: Sleep schedules
uri: Sleep-schedules
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jan-apr.html#18_April_2018_%28Sleep_schedules%29
content:
<p>
Compelling people to wake up early, even if their natural tendency is
to sleep late and stay up late, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2018/apr/13/late-risers-die-early-nightmare-late-night-tv-health-night-owls">causes them grave illnesses</a>, often fatal.


feed_id: 828e837813d9bdc6f2a167876331a092
title: Hungarian journalists
uri: Hungarian-journalists
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jan-apr.html#18_April_2018_%28Hungarian_journalists%29
content:
<p>
Hungarian journalists say how they <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/apr/13/hungary-journalists-state-tv-network-migrants-viktor-orban-government">stirred up hatred of immigrants</a> for
Orbán.


feed_id: 4630d96805016523f136f44b8e08b2f2
title: 'Anarchist terror cell'
uri: Anarchist-terror-cell
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jan-apr.html#18_April_2018_%28%27Anarchist_terror_cell%27%29
content:
<p>
10 years after Sarkozy's "anti-terrorism" <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thugs</a> arrested the members
of an anarchist commune and accused them of being an "anarchist terror
cell", a judge ruled that there was <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/apr/13/tarnac-nine-leftwing-anarchist-terror-cell-fiction-france">never anything like a "terror
cell"</a> and that the thugs had made it all up.


feed_id: 75421cfb90ee092ec3af8e3af5a45b30
title: Shaun King
uri: Shaun-King
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jan-apr.html#18_April_2018_%28Shaun_King%29
content:
<p>
US immigration <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thugs</a> harassed a Black Lives Matter leader Shaun King
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2018/04/11/controversial-guy-gets-stopped-hassled-airport">as he was returning to the US</a>.
<p>
The <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thug</a>'s questions made it clear that he had singled out King, but
apparently not for any specific suspicion of smuggling or crime, so
this was not justifiable.


feed_id: 909bbd0d120ff9a74f3a4e3643c691c4
title: Rapes by deportation thugs
uri: Rapes-by-deportation-thugs
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jan-apr.html#18_April_2018_%28Rapes_by_deportation_thugs%29
content:
<p>
Immigration prisoners <a href="https://theintercept.com/2018/04/11/immigration-detention-sexual-abuse-ice-dhs/">report rapes and threats</a> by deportation thugs.


feed_id: 0cf4fddca36b353b4c54db680a7dd749
title: Uber in Egypt
uri: Uber-in-Egypt
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jan-apr.html#18_April_2018_%28Uber_in_Egypt%29
content:
<p>
Egypt is <a href="https://theintercept.com/2018/04/11/uber-data-sharing-egypt-government-surveillance/">passing a law</a> to require that Uber hand over its surveillance
data on passengers and their movements to the state.
<p>
The US already has such a law, the PAT RIOT Act, and the FBI could be
ordering Uber to do this every 5 minutes for all we know.
<p>
These governments demonstrate ill will toward the people, but it is
Uber that creates the opportunity that tempts them to act.
<p>
We must eliminate systems that track people's movements,
such as <a href="https://stallman.org/uber.html">Uber</a>
and Lyft.  Lyft is much nicer than Uber in other ways,
but it is no different in surveillance.


feed_id: 2e6d2d007eba7c13ddf9280a1a84ac31
title: Animals in popular culture
uri: Animals-in-popular-culture
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jan-apr.html#18_April_2018_%28Animals_in_popular_culture%29
content:
<p>
Using endangered animals such as lions, tigers and elephants in
popular culture leads people to <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2018/apr/13/using-cute-animals-in-pop-culture-makes-public-think-theyre-not-endangered-study">think they are plentiful</a> rather than
endangered.
<p>
"There are a lot more Sophie the giraffe toys in the world than actual
giraffes."


feed_id: 5ec26dc05920b31ee1ccc6384b83d7d6
title: Impeaching the bully
uri: Impeaching-the-bully
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jan-apr.html#18_April_2018_%28Impeaching_the_bully%29
content:
<p>
Impeaching the bully would <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2018/04/11/whats-guy-gotta-do-get-impeached-trumps-out-control-america">set a bad precedent</a>: removing a wild,
ranting and dangerous president is exactly what impeachment was
intended for.


feed_id: f982f44c327fa61ea5d66724937496d0
title: Spotting methane leaks
uri: Spotting-methane-leaks
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jan-apr.html#18_April_2018_%28Spotting_methane_leaks%29
content:
<p>
A <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2018/apr/12/new-satellite-to-spot-planet-warming-industrial-methane-leaks">new satellite system</a> is being designed to spot methane leaks.


feed_id: 600e473f9ad0b20373dd27e98ef7c3f8
title: Warren on the Israeli army
uri: Warren-on-the-Israeli-army
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jan-apr.html#18_April_2018_%28Warren_on_the_Israeli_army%29
content:
<p>
Senator Warren <a href="https://theintercept.com/2018/04/12/israel-palestine-conflict-elizabeth-warren/">called on the Israeli army</a> to stop shooting Palestinian
protesters.


feed_id: 2815e0097c0b0803543ad6fedb4178f6
title: Bombing Assad
uri: Bombing-Assad
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jan-apr.html#18_April_2018_%28Bombing_Assad%29
content:
<p>
Bombing Assad for using chemical weapons would be <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2018/apr/12/tory-mp-soldier-bombing-syria-assad-russia">ineffective and harmful</a>.
It would be war theater, instead of a theater of war.


feed_id: 3b9010288557a6da3784eb743d92272e
title: Journalists in Malta
uri: Journalists-in-Malta
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jan-apr.html#18_April_2018_%28Journalists_in_Malta%29
content:
<p>
The government of Malta is leaving journalists there <a href="http://theshiftnews.com/2018/04/10/government-should-have-sought-advice-to-protect-journalists-lawyers/">vulnerable to
SLAPPs</a>.


feed_id: b5c9ca2a54492402ecfe0ca650314f8e
title: Shortage of NHS beds
uri: Shortage-of-NHS-beds
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jan-apr.html#18_April_2018_%28Shortage_of_NHS_beds%29
content:
<p>
The UK NHS has a shortage of beds.  Meanwhile, it has <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/society/2018/apr/13/revealed-82-ghost-wards-1400-empty-beds-nhs-england">shut wards with 1400
beds</a> because it no longer has the staff to run them.
<p>
This is entirely plutocracy at work.


feed_id: 5b2f7cd3cf3b4b115ad6b40a3ea9bd49
title: Bullshitter Paul Ryan
uri: Bullshitter-Paul-Ryan
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jan-apr.html#18_April_2018_%28Bullshitter_Paul_Ryan%29
content:
<p>
Good riddance to bullshitter Paul Ryan, who despises anyone who
succeeds with help from the state, except that he <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2018/04/12/paul-ryan-charlatan-hypocrite-and-right-wing-extremist-scurries-exit">makes an excuse when
it's his mother</a>.


feed_id: f1a785105a03c83c56dee6436f8947d6
title: UPS's new tracking system
uri: UPS-s-new-tracking-system
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jan-apr.html#18_April_2018_%28UPS%27s_new_tracking_system%29
content:
<p>
The Onion: <a href="https://www.theonion.com/new-ups-extended-tracking-numbers-give-customers-update-1825205487">UPS's new tracking system</a> will allow customers to track the
delivery driver for the rest of per life.


feed_id: d8424f7067cd18e576732f0fb2a86e04
title: UK nerve agent attack
uri: UK-nerve-agent-attack
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jan-apr.html#18_April_2018_%28UK_nerve_agent_attack%29
content:
<p><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/public-leaders-network/2018/mar/21/nerve-agent-attack-salisbury-scientists-supported-budget-cuts">Dubious Forensic Evidence</a>?  That's What Happens When We Sell Off Public Services.</p>
<p>It <a href="https://www.stallman.org/archives/2014-mar-jun.html#05_June_2014_(Innocent_people_convicted_by_lies_from_the_FBI_crime_lab)">can happen with state employees</a> too, as in the FBI crime lab;  but at least it is easier to hold public employees accountable. (Though not necessarily easy.)</p>
</li></p>


feed_id: 9ddff6b45de57405e539cbe1cbe3029b
title: Egypt: Al-Sisi reelected
uri: Egypt-Al-Sisi-reelected
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jan-apr.html#18_April_2018_%28Egypt%3A_Al-Sisi_reelected%29
content:
<p>Egyptian <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/mar/29/egyptian-president-wins-second-term-after-purge-of-challengers">dictator Al-Sisi was "reelected"</a>  in an "election" considerably more phony than Putin's.</p>
</li></p>


feed_id: e63887829208c3f829434bfec09e5c56
title: Media focused on Russian bots
uri: Media-focused-on-Russian-bots
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jan-apr.html#18_April_2018_%28Media_focused_on_Russian_bots%29
content:
<p>Stories about "Russian bots" <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2018/04/06/media-warn-russian-bots-despite-primary-sources-disavowal">cover up the similar activities of non-Russian PR actors and individuals</a>, while helping media avoid the substantive issues.</p>
</li></p>


feed_id: f6cb5f289a2972041ee07060dc5049bb
title: Guatemala: CIA torture accountability
uri: Guatemala-CIA-torture-accountability
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jan-apr.html#18_April_2018_%28Guatemala%3A_CIA_torture_accountability%29

content:
<p>Guatemala is <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2018/04/06/guatemala-shows-why-cia-must-be-held-accountable-torture">prosecuting its past torturers</a>, which includes exposing how the US trained them.  This is vital because some of those former torturers hold power in the government or in criminal gangs.</p>
<p>The US needs to prosecute its torturers.</p>
</li></p>


feed_id: 106cba20019e828aa6e83ac233564791
title: Amazon is not your friend
uri: Amazon-is-not-your-friend
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jan-apr.html#18_April_2018_%28Amazon_is_not_your_friend%29
content:
<p><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2018/apr/07/amazon-donald-trump-america-jeff-bezos">Trump's Enemy Is Not Your Friend</a>: Why We Shouldn't Defend Amazon.</p>
<p>A pox on both of them!  <a href="https://stallman.org/amazon.html">Here are reasons to refuse to buy from Amazon</a>.</p>
</li></p>


feed_id: 4fd360b280b262e8cbf90e8f2ab09110
title: Gaza: journalist Yasser Murtaja killed
uri: Gaza-journalist-Yasser-Murtaja-killed
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jan-apr.html#18_April_2018_%28Gaza%3A_journalist_Yasser_Murtaja_killed%29

content:
<p><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/apr/07/hundreds-funeral-palestinian-journalist-gaza">Israeli soldiers shot and killed journalist Yasser Murtaja</a>, who was covering the protest at the border of Gaza.  His clothing clearly marked him as press.</p>
<p>Israel said its soldiers chose targets intentionally -- "We know where every bullet went".  It should not try to pretend now that they didn't know they were shooting at a journalist.</p>
</li></p>


feed_id: 83fbb102677bc48da8efec423c5a8135
title: US Mexico border patrol
uri: US-Mexico-border-patrol
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jan-apr.html#18_April_2018_%28US_Mexico_border_patrol%29
content:
<p><a href="https://theintercept.com/2018/04/06/border-patrol-us-mexico-esequiel-hernandez/">When Soldiers Patrol the Border, Civilians Get Killed</a>.</p>
<p>Soldiers are trained for war, so they treat every confrontation like a battle.</p>
</li></p>


feed_id: ff4fce1966acdbf3e5880408a7ae1b8a
title: Lawless Trump
uri: Lawless-Trump
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jan-apr.html#18_April_2018_%28Lawless_Trump%29
content:
<p><a href="http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/reason/Articles/~3/MoW4Tuws0v8/trumps-increasingly-lawless-quest-to-enf">Trump's Increasingly Lawless Quest to Enforce a Bogus Rule of Law on Immigration</a>.</p>
</li></p>


feed_id: 570b6d43afc069afa17a1102dc46159e
title: Mali: mass grave victims under military custody
uri: Mali-mass-grave-victims-under-military-custody
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jan-apr.html#18_April_2018_%28Mali%3A_mass_grave_victims_under_military_custody%29

content:
<p><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/apr/03/mali-mass-grave-victims-had-been-in-military-custody-claims-amnesty">Amnesty International says</a> that the corpses in a mass grave in Mali were last seen as prisoners of the military.</p>
</li></p>


feed_id: 1e28825e4bb58ca9de8d84860123d73d
title: US Health care system supply shortages
uri: US-Health-care-system-supply-shortages
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jan-apr.html#18_April_2018_%28US_Health_care_system_supply_shortages%29

content:
<p>US pharma companies <a href="https://jacobinmag.com/2018/03/us-health-care-system-pharmaceutical">manipulate shortages of vital medical supplies in order</a> to make more money from them.</p>
</li></p>


feed_id: a7bc3b9ac0ce18b0084880d313bcf741
title: Salisbury nerve agent investigation
uri: Salisbury-nerve-agent-investigation
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jan-apr.html#18_April_2018_%28Salisbury_nerve_agent_investigation%29

content:
<p><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/apr/06/uk-us-case-file-russian-nerve-agent-shikhany-spy-poisoning">There is some evidence</a> that people outside Russia's state lab can make novichok nerve gas chemicals.</p>
</li></p>


feed_id: c84a3dfa51a052e1b1bf389dea63679a
title: US Crosscheck system insecure
uri: US-Crosscheck-system-insecure
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jan-apr.html#18_April_2018_%28US_Crosscheck_system_insecure%29
content:
<p>Eight states have stopped using data from Crosscheck to kick people off voting rolls, <a href="http://www.truth-out.org/news/item/44058-crosscheck-is-ineffective-and-insecure-but-states-arent-withdrawing">but still provide voter data to Crosscheck</a>.</p>
<p>This data might be used as an excuse to disenfranchise similarly-named people in other states.</p>
</li></p>


feed_id: 78143fb9ec2320a5f07a8bd7916a6bc3
title: Detained unauthorized immigrant's legal rights
uri: Detained-unauthorized-immigrant-s-legal-rights
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jan-apr.html#18_April_2018_%28Detained_unauthorized_immigrant%27s_legal_rights%29

content:
<p>The government program that teaches jailed unauthorized immigrants about their legal rights <a href="https://theintercept.com/2018/04/11/justice-department-jeff-sessions-immigration-detention-legal-aid/">not only helps them exercise their rights, it even saves the US government money</a>.</p>
<p><a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#bully">The bully</a>'s men resent the former benefit so much that they are trying to pretend that it loses money.</p>
</li></p>


feed_id: 3dca2c591c23a864c07fd4145e5a1a6c
title: Cambodia: Reggae bar raided
uri: Cambodia-Reggae-bar-raided
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jan-apr.html#18_April_2018_%28Cambodia%3A_Reggae_bar_raided%29
content:
<p>A foreigner accused in Cambodia of drug trafficking <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/apr/12/expats-say-australian-woman-on-drug-charges-in-cambodia-criticised-hun-sen">may have been framed because she criticized Cambodia's dictator</a>.</p>
</li></p>


feed_id: 361e6b4c18e8f9eda798de4e4a075fd1
title: Sprint and T-Mobile
uri: Sprint-and-T-Mobile
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jan-apr.html#20_April_2018_%28Sprint_and_T-Mobile%29
content:
<p>
A merger between Sprint and T-Mobile <a href="https://www.techdirt.com/articles/20180410/10423439601/competition-killing-sprint-t-mobile-merger-nobody-asked-is-back-menu.shtml">once again threatens</a>.
<p>
Maybe they think progressives in Congress might make mergers more
difficult in the future.


feed_id: 25896e3d49eb453453b56ff503cc9440
title: Unionized programmers
uri: Unionized-programmers
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jan-apr.html#20_April_2018_%28Unionized_programmers%29
content:
<p>
The software company Lanetix <a href="https://jacobinmag.com/2018/04/lanetix-tech-workers-unionization-campaign-firing/">fired all its programmers</a> after they agreed
to unionize.  They have not given up, because it is illegal to do that.


feed_id: 4114d305b3ec016db5f0ac814e79f3e5
title: 'Blighted' houses
uri: Blighted-houses
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jan-apr.html#20_April_2018_%28%27Blighted%27_houses%29
content:
<p>
Corrupt politicians in Wisconsin are <a href="http://beltmag.com/blighted-by-foxconn/">designating people's houses</a> as "blighted"
as an excuse to kick them out and not really compensate them.
<p>
This is to bring in a <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2012-sep-dec.html#15_September_2012_(Conditions_in_Foxconn_factory)">factory run by the company</a> that drove Chinese
sweatshop workers making Apple products to commit suicide.


feed_id: 8427ee9654e5dbd6d7d283409cb4e7ab
title: Potential financial crash
uri: Potential-financial-crash
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jan-apr.html#20_April_2018_%28Potential_financial_crash%29
content:
<p>
Big US banks have lent billions to companies that make loans, such
as auto loans.  Some of those companies are <a href="https://wolfstreet.com/2018/04/11/how-much-are-banks-exposed-to-subprime-more-than-we-think/">going down the tubes now</a>
because their own clients are defaulting.
<p>
This could potentially lead to another crash.


feed_id: 87dfd84ab0b1ecb40686a75ae0419460
title: Zuckerberg
uri: 2018-04-20-Zuckerberg
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jan-apr.html#20_April_2018_%28Zuckerberg%29
content:
<p>
Zuckerberg, testifying to Congress, <a href="https://techcrunch.com/2018/04/11/facebook-shadow-profiles-hearing-lujan-zuckerberg/">pretended ignorance</a> of Facebook's
collection of data about people that don't have Facebook accounts, and
its other data about people which it didn't get from their own
Facebook accounts.


feed_id: 02d9a943b634887f3037239ade271626
title: Teacher loses gun
uri: Teacher-loses-gun
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jan-apr.html#20_April_2018_%28Teacher_loses_gun%29
content:
<p>
A teacher at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School who advocates arming teachers
<a href="http://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-43733755">left his pistol in a toilet</a>.  It was picked up by a drunkard who shot it
(not hitting anyone and probably not trying to).
<P>
Charging them with crimes is absurd.  It is clear that the teacher did
not intend to leave the pistol in a toilet, and as for the drunkard,
punishing him will achieve nothing.  Any sensible person already knows
to try to avoid these things.
<p>
The right lesson to draw is that arming teachers is a <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jan-apr.html#5_March_2018_(Arming_a_million_teachers)">foolish and
dangerous policy</a> (though we already knew that).


feed_id: e5fc43bbde3e63c63f6e6ad94d4827ac
title: Scooter Libby
uri: Scooter-Libby
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jan-apr.html#20_April_2018_%28Scooter_Libby%29
content:
<p>
The cheater <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2018/apr/13/scooter-libby-trump-pardons-cheney-aide-convicted-of-lying-to-fbi">pardoned Scooter Libby</a>, who was convicted of obstruction
of justice &mdash; justice against Cheney's dirty tricks.
<p>
I think this is meant as a threat against any attempt to hold him to
account.


feed_id: b0e2237b48366e458fd20da3e0afdf55
title: Surveillance in buildings
uri: Surveillance-in-buildings
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jan-apr.html#20_April_2018_%28Surveillance_in_buildings%29
content:
<p>
MIT students have <a href="https://boingboing.net/2018/04/11/academic-freedom.html">cracked the surveillance system</a> that tracks them
as they enter dorms.
<p>
That system is unjust surveillance, in the name of security.  It is
not limited to dorms; some lab buildings, including the one my office
is in, use the same system that tracks people &mdash; but I don't use it.
<p>
I asked the MIT <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thug</a> chief to document the effectiveness of this
system in solving crimes in the building.  He responded with
platitudes and zero information.  We have no reason to consider it
any more than bullshit.


feed_id: 34f6aa52f029f027dd8cdccae5ef1512
title: Yaser Murtaja shooters
uri: Yaser-Murtaja-shooters
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jan-apr.html#20_April_2018_%28Yaser_Murtaja_shooters%29
content:
<p>
The Committee to Protect Journalists calls on Israel to <a href="https://cpj.org/2018/04/cpj-calls-on-israel-to-hold-killers-of-yaser-murta.php">prosecute the
soldiers</a> that shot journalist Yaser Murtaja, and stop trying to excuse
the act.


feed_id: bcc7e8858d17f78464a66f469bdc47b3
title: Libel laws in Liberia
uri: Libel-laws-in-Liberia
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jan-apr.html#20_April_2018_%28Libel_laws_in_Liberia%29
content:
<p>
Committee to Protect Journalists: Liberia should reform libel laws in
wake of <a href="https://cpj.org/2018/04/liberia-should-reform-libel-laws-in-wake-of-18-mil.php">$1.8 million civil lawsuit</a> against Front Page Africa.


feed_id: 030128ca368727f650f99334a4e4a9db
title: No waterboarding
uri: No-waterboarding
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jan-apr.html#20_April_2018_%28No_waterboarding%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://politics.theonion.com/mike-pompeo-can-t-believe-senate-just-expects-he-ll-ans-1825222226">The Onion quotes Pompeo</a>: "They [the senators] just let me sit in this
cushy chair the whole time without waterboarding me or anything."


feed_id: 32bd3cf0d0f32baf91f8e842122cc2e0
title: Gulf Stream disruption
uri: Gulf-Stream-disruption
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jan-apr.html#20_April_2018_%28Gulf_Stream_disruption%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2018/apr/13/avoid-at-all-costs-gulf-streams-record-weakening-prompts-warnings-global-warming">Avoid Gulf Stream Disruption</a> at All Costs, Scientists Warn.
<p>
We don't know how much more <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#global heating">global heating</a> it can stand before
freezing northern Europe and drowning the eastern US.


feed_id: 94d700922ef0502bb18f95d995090840
title: Scraping is not a crime
uri: Scraping-is-not-a-crime
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jan-apr.html#20_April_2018_%28Scraping_is_not_a_crime%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2018/04/dc-court-accessing-public-information-not-computer-crime">Another US court has ruled</a> that scraping information from a web site
is not a crime under the CFAA law.


feed_id: 9e5f7a744f9f57bf0ec0723c06556249
title: Hassan Al Kontar
uri: Hassan-Al-Kontar
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jan-apr.html#20_April_2018_%28Hassan_Al_Kontar%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://theintercept.com/2018/04/13/syrian-refugees-malaysia/">More about Hassan Al Kontar</a>, including how Turkish Airlines cheated him.
<p>
Is there no country that will have the decency to offer him refuge?


feed_id: ac8144828af3f4f2df2afbe2fb10072a
title: Banning Telegram
uri: Banning-Telegram
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jan-apr.html#20_April_2018_%28Banning_Telegram%29
content:
<p>
Telegram refused to give Russia a back door to spy on its users.
Now <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/apr/13/moscow-court-bans-telegram-messaging-app">Russia has banned Telegram</a> &mdash; though precisely what that means
in practice is not clear.
<p>
A software developer cannot wish a tyrannical state away.  But it has
the obligation to refuse to become a tentacle of that state.
<p>
Australians, I hope you can stop your state from becoming a <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#9_October_2017_(Real-time_facial_recognition)">similar tyranny</a>.


feed_id: 081ae9df6a3e9eb2101ef33368c75f06
title: France: extreme censorship
uri: France-extreme-censorship
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jan-apr.html#19_April_2018_%28France%3A_extreme_censorship%29
content:
<p>Censorship in France is going to extremes; <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/mar/29/french-vegan-activist-sentenced-for-facebook-comment-on-trebes-attack">a vegan has been convicted of a crime</a> which consist of saying "I have no sympathy for the butcher that was murdered."</p>
<p>I disagree strongly with that opinion, but stating such views is part of freedom of speech, <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#3_April_2016_(Censorship_in_France)">which France frequently treats with contempt</a>.</p>
<p>France even makes it <a href="https://stallman.org/articles/hrant-dink.html">a crime to state certain views about past events</a>.</p>
</li></p>


feed_id: d5e5459c21e9ea774e641da46cd161f0
title: Zuckerberg pleads ignorance
uri: Zuckerberg-pleads-ignorance
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jan-apr.html#19_April_2018_%28Zuckerberg_pleads_ignorance%29
content:
<p>Zuckerberg, testifying to Congress, <a href="https://theintercept.com/2018/04/11/mark-zuckerberg-is-either-ignorant-deliberately-misleading-congress-or-both/">pleaded ignorance to many aspects of Facebook's policies</a>.  Either he was lying or he has been incompetent all along.</p>
<p>However, <a href="https://gnu.org/philosophy/surveillance-vs-democracy.html">we must not focus narrowly on Facebook alone</a>, or on advertising surveillance alone, or on surveillance done by companies alone.  The problem is the total amount of surveillance of people in general (not specifically of criminal suspects).</p>
</li></p>


feed_id: 67a948a91696168b0d6116cb3cf1ace8
title: Syria airstrikes
uri: Syria-airstrikes
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jan-apr.html#19_April_2018_%28Syria_airstrikes%29
content:
<p><a href="https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2018/04/11/without-strategy-us-airstrikes-mean-more-danger-syrian-civilians">Retaliation for the chlorine attack</a> in Syria does not amount to a strategy.</p>
</li></p>


feed_id: 079be99eb08e5917691235f614da6c25
title: Milwaukee school to prison pipeline
uri: Milwaukee-school-to-prison-pipeline
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jan-apr.html#19_April_2018_%28Milwaukee_school_to_prison_pipeline%29

content:
<p>Milwaukee <a href="https://theintercept.com/2018/04/11/school-to-prison-pipeline-milwaukee/">applies pointless cruelty to public school students</a>, especially those that are black.</p>
</li></p>


feed_id: 97247d1662716890503deb70cd2e9e4f
title: Tax scam analysis
uri: Tax-scam-analysis
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jan-apr.html#19_April_2018_%28Tax_scam_analysis%29
content:
<p>Big companies <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2018/04/10/new-analysis-gop-tax-scam-shows-corporate-cheapskates-not-sharing-windfall-workers">are not sharing their big Republican tax cuts</a> with their workers.</p>
<p>We should not rely on the kindness of psychopaths.  We should tax them more than before, not less than before.</p>
</li></p>


feed_id: 0ae455e3dbdda4442c6a4937934d43e6
title: India: eight implicated in Hindu temple rape-murder
uri: India-eight-implicated-in-Hindu-temple-rape-murder
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jan-apr.html#19_April_2018_%28India%3A_eight_implicated_in_Hindu_temple_rape-murder%29

content:
<p>Hindu bigots in India are <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/apr/12/killing-of-muslim-girl-india-hindu-religious-tensions">trying to physically block the filing of charges</a> for raping and killing a Muslim.</p>
</li></p>


feed_id: 09eda5bca2a4b536405ad580f43ea12e
title: Finland homelessness
uri: 2018-04-20-Finland-homelessness
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jan-apr.html#19_April_2018_%28Finland_homelessness%29
content:
<p>Finland shows that it is straightforward to end homelessness <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2018/apr/12/finland-homelessness-rough-sleepers-britain">by giving homes to homeless people</a>.  It takes effort and money.</p>
<p>Building more housing costs money, so it comes down to a political question: what are the nation's priorities?  Housing?  War?  Enriching the rich?</p>
<p>The US and the UK don't do this, because they are dominated by plutocrats who think it's unfair to rich people to make them pay enough taxes.  They think that because they are paid to think that.</p>
<p>Thus we need to replace the non-progressive Democrats in this year's primaries.</p>
</li></p>


feed_id: 8e6ca304a8bde153d26912cf67b32c83
title: Facebook data abuse
uri: Facebook-data-abuse
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jan-apr.html#19_April_2018_%28Facebook_data_abuse%29
content:
<p>Facebook collects <a href="https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2018/04/facebook-not-what-complete-user-control-looks">lots of information that users don't directly give</a>.</p>
<p>However, even when users knowingly hand over personal data because a "service" requires it, that's an injustice.  If being kept track of is not the service users desire, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2018/apr/03/facebook-abusing-data-law-privacy-big-tech-surveillance">keeping track of them is wrong</a>.  We must not say "it's ok if the user consents," because the manufacture of consent is too easy.</p>
</li></p>


feed_id: 16e7349cf170b23033f9f15b5bc83bd3
title: Urgent: Endangering salmon
uri: Urgent-Endangering-salmon
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jan-apr.html#21_April_2018_%28Urgent%3A_Endangering_salmon%29
content:
<p>
US citizens: <a href="https://secure.defenders.org/site/Advocacy?cmd=display&page=UserAction&id=3309">call on your congresscritter</a> to oppose HR 3144; don't
override environmental laws to endanger salmon and the animals that
eat them.


feed_id: 1492f8b132833527e9541e2afc801670
title: Leave campaign
uri: Leave-campaign
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jan-apr.html#21_April_2018_%28Leave_campaign%29
content:
<p>
The referendum for the UK to leave the EU was marred by <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2018/apr/13/vote-leave-campaign-overspent-on-industrial-scale-says-ex-employee-mark-gettleson">massive
illegal campaigning</a> by the victorious Leave campaign.
Surely this justifies holding another vote.
<p>
The EU is itself a kind
of <a href="https://stallman.org/business-supremacy-treaties.html">business-supremacy
treaty</a>.  Leaving the EU could enable the UK to throw off some of
the EU rules that help business and especially banks dominate all EU
countries.  But it also presents an easy excuse for yielding to even
worse <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#business-supremacy">business-supremacy treaties</a>, and that's surely what Tories will
do.


feed_id: 93ae6c5232856b3fe2843c00ff96e060
title: Ambassador to Vietnam
uri: Ambassador-to-Vietnam
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jan-apr.html#21_April_2018_%28Ambassador_to_Vietnam%29
content:
<p>
US Ambassador to Vietnam Ted Osius <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/apr/13/us-ambassador-ted-osius-vietnam-refugees">resigned last year</a> rather than ask Vietnam
to take back 8,000 refugees that fled after the fall of Saigon.
<p>
Most of those people must be pretty old by now.  And most of them must
have got along badly with the Communist government, which regularly
imprisons people that criticize it.  If they were back in Vietnam they
might be sent to a re-education camp.  Probably some of them were in
re-education camps before.


feed_id: 87fc3520697e239e5165c6f688dd8a97
title: Emissions from ships
uri: Emissions-from-ships
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jan-apr.html#21_April_2018_%28Emissions_from_ships%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2018/apr/13/carbon-dioxide-from-ships-at-sea-to-be-regulated-for-first-time">A new agreement</a> calls for reducing CO2 emissions from ships,
but only by 2050, which is far too slow.
<p>
The US played a crucial role in blocking a requirement for earlier
reductions.


feed_id: 8ac0ba5f47d182430a3f7fdf1b7f27a1
title: Uber's price discrimination
uri: Uber-s-price-discrimination
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jan-apr.html#21_April_2018_%28Uber%27s_price_discrimination%29
content:
<p>
Uber <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2018/apr/13/uber-lyft-prices-personalized-data">charges different prices</a> to different people.  Other companies
also engage, or have engaged, in price discrimination.  It turns out
that identifying customers helps many businesses put customers at a
disadvantage.
<p>
The only thorough solution is to do what is needed for other reasons:
eliminate the systems that let companies know who the customer is.


feed_id: e64aff2351fcc25b559ad86f37e0658b
title: Nature-friendly world
uri: Nature-friendly-world
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jan-apr.html#21_April_2018_%28Nature-friendly_world%29
content:
<p>
Make half of world <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2018/apr/13/make-half-the-world-more-nature-friendly-by-2050-says-un-chief">more nature-friendly by 2050</a>, to protect the
survival of humanity.
<p>
"Scientists say the greater threat to humanity comes from the
conversion of wild habitats to farmland, the degradation of soil,
overconsumption in wealthy nations and the pollution of rivers by
industrial effluent, agrichemicals and plastic."


feed_id: fcc3ad52e6eeb4b7fbf370baab8e45a0
title: Fake news in Mexico
uri: Fake-news-in-Mexico
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jan-apr.html#21_April_2018_%28Fake_news_in_Mexico%29
content:
<p>
Facebook is promoting Mexican "news" sites whose output is pure
propaganda and were set up specially for the coming election just to
smear candidate Andrés Manuel Lopez Obrador.  They <a href="https://www.motherjones.com/politics/2018/04/facebook-is-still-the-perfect-propaganda-platform-these-sketchy-mexican-pages-show-why/">use Facebook to
hide</a> who's spreading this propaganda.


feed_id: d58005c81520dedbf0f073b038b1a3e5
title: FBI not satisfied
uri: FBI-not-satisfied
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jan-apr.html#21_April_2018_%28FBI_not_satisfied%29
content:
<p>
The US suffers from more surveillance than ever, but <a href="https://privacysos.org/blog/fbi-cannot-access-sorts-information-thats-totally-ok/">the FBI still
complains</a> because some things remain that it can't see.


feed_id: a34cf1c84eeda9103cd6861f37deda5c
title: Facebook selling access
uri: Facebook-selling-access
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jan-apr.html#21_April_2018_%28Facebook_selling_access%29
content:
<p>
Aside from giving useds' personal data to other companies (Cambridge
Analytica was one of many), Facebook combines its own surveillance
data with lots more data so as to <a href="http://www.truth-out.org/news/item/44131-facebook-doesn-t-sell-your-data-it-sells-you-zeynep-tufekci-on-how-the-company-s-profit-really-works">sell access to targeted useds</a>.


feed_id: b5b212baf6610967e32b7519ec689a70
title: Investigating Do-dirty
uri: Investigating-Do-dirty
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jan-apr.html#21_April_2018_%28Investigating_Do-dirty%29
content:
<p>
President Do-dirty threatens to <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/apr/13/philippines-duterte-threatens-to-arrest-international-criminal-court-prosecutor">arrest the International Criminal Court
prosecutor</a> who might investigate his murders.


feed_id: b6c6d364b2834f3b1410c65245ebbd17
title: Hounding Commonwealth citizens
uri: Hounding-Commonwealth-citizens
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jan-apr.html#21_April_2018_%28Hounding_Commonwealth_citizens%29
content:
<p>
Hounding Commonwealth Citizens [living in the UK] Is No Accident.  <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2018/apr/13/commonwealth-citizens-harassment-british-immigration-policy">It's
Cruelty by Design</a>.
<p>
Think of this when you see the <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#bully">bully</a>'s plans for hounding disfavored
groups in the US.


feed_id: 092fd51bd9ad1278a2002d6fbbe1aceb
title: Providing decent wages
uri: Providing-decent-wages
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jan-apr.html#21_April_2018_%28Providing_decent_wages%29
content:
<p>
If the richest country on earth can't provide most workers with a
decent wage, then we need to <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/news/2018/apr/13/how-much-is-an-hour-worth-the-war-over-the-minimum-wage">change the economic system</a> so it can do
so.


feed_id: dec654e876b3966a14b7500f21363fdc
title: Actively keeping wages down
uri: Actively-keeping-wages-down
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jan-apr.html#21_April_2018_%28Actively_keeping_wages_down%29
content:
<p>
Businesses in the US <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2018/apr/13/american-economy-wage-suppression-how-it-works">actively keep wages down</a>, despite big increases
in business income and workers' productivity.


feed_id: 08720f2c5b1985273dc48a8bdfe4cfde
title: Charging with crimes using stereotypes
uri: Charging-with-crimes-using-stereotypes
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jan-apr.html#21_April_2018_%28Charging_with_crimes_using_stereotypes%29

content:
<p>
<a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">Thugs</a> in a UK city decide whether to charge people with a crime
based on stereotypes <a href="https://www.techdirt.com/articles/20180409/09125639594/uk-police-use-zipcode-profiles-garden-size-first-names-ai-based-custody-decision-system.shtml">deduced probabilistically from big data</a>.
  


feed_id: 134f040fa6e9a710cd725206b1897589
title: 'Warranty void if removed'
uri: Warranty-void-if-removed
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jan-apr.html#21_April_2018_%28%27Warranty_void_if_removed%27%29
content:
<p>
FTC Says 'Warranty Void If Removed' Stickers Are Bullshit, Warns
Manufacturers <a href="https://motherboard.vice.com/en_us/article/ne9qdq/warranty-void-if-removed-stickers-illegal-ftc">They're Breaking the Law</a>.
<p>
Will the FTC have the courage to take on Apple for <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2017-mar-jun.html#7_June_2017_(Bricked_Apple_devices)">bricking devices</a> with
third-party parts?


feed_id: 9411fb55af4422e4cc1bfc337ead6834
title: Targeting striking teachers
uri: Targeting-striking-teachers
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jan-apr.html#21_April_2018_%28Targeting_striking_teachers%29
content:
<p>
A right-wing attack group is <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2018/04/12/group-beloved-betsy-devos-and-koch-brothers-launches-counter-attack-against-teacher">targeting striking teachers</a>, arguing
that they have a duty to children to suffer quietly any level of
exploitation in favor of the rich.


feed_id: 95195d33cf720081fba42782602fd8f2
title: Cynthia Nixon
uri: Cynthia-Nixon
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jan-apr.html#21_April_2018_%28Cynthia_Nixon%29
content:
<p>
Cynthia Nixon, a progressive challenging New York Governor Cuomo,
<a href="https://theintercept.com/2018/04/13/cynthia-nixon-governor-new-york-andrew-cuomo/">showed her total defiance</a> of centrist Democrats that reject her
views.
<p>
A union official responds to two of her <a href="https://nysaflcio.org/press-releases/new-york-state-afl-cio-president-mario-cilento-responds">criticisms of unions</a>.
<p>
I agree with his second point.  Most Americans get low pay, and partly
this is because they don't have unions.  We should not criticize
unions for getting workers good wages.  Overall, the US needs stronger
unions, not weaker unions.
<p>
However, the subsidy for movie companies is bad and should be ended.
When cities and states pay businesses to choose them rather than some
other city or state, this competition benefits those businesses at the
expense of society.  Whether the business in question is a factory,
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#24_October_2017_(Subsidies_for_Amazon)">a new headquarters</a>,
or making a movie, <a href="https://stallman.org/articles/states-union.html">we should put a stop</a> to letting cities compete.
<p>
The excuse of "creating jobs" is entirely bogus because this
competition mainly takes them away from somewhere else.  But even if
it really did mostly create more jobs, the price is too high.


feed_id: ba388d8b4da8a8eb465286c27ee4f852
title: Tax cuts for the rich
uri: 2018-04-22-Tax-cuts-for-the-rich
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jan-apr.html#21_April_2018_%28Tax_cuts_for_the_rich%29
content:
<p>
The Republican tax attacks included tax cuts for the rich, but those
will expire in 10 years.  Now they want to <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2018/04/13/trump-tax-cuts-should-be-repealed-not-made-even-worse-making-individual-tax-cuts">make those cuts permanent</a>,
using the minuscule benefits for middle-class taxpayers as a
smokescreen to hide the big giveaways to the rich.


feed_id: b62eaeed6b36af89f3298f6d5c21b1ef
title: Wendy Vitter
uri: Wendy-Vitter
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jan-apr.html#21_April_2018_%28Wendy_Vitter%29
content:
<p>
Wendy Vitter, being considered by Congress as a possible judge, suggested
that she <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2018/04/13/trumps-america-you-no-longer-need-pretend-be-against-school-segregation">disagrees with the Supreme Court decision</a> that ended official
racial segregation.


feed_id: 4cfe6c71909ff1e089be0c79e5f45cf9
title: Pushing children to study
uri: Pushing-children-to-study
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jan-apr.html#21_April_2018_%28Pushing_children_to_study%29
content:
<p>
Pushing children into academic study too young can <a href="https://letgrow.org/pre-school-education-mud-academics/">stop them from
learning social skills</a> and basic prerequisites for study.
<p>
I pushed myself into academic study while young, perhaps because the
basic prerequisites came naturally to me.


feed_id: 310da293acad9038a3aa867f9154768e
title: Equal Rights Amendment
uri: 2018-04-22-Equal-Rights-Amendment
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jan-apr.html#21_April_2018_%28Equal_Rights_Amendment%29
content:
<p>
The Equal Rights [for women] Amendment has languished since the 1980s,
but is just two states short of approval.  The Illinois senate <a href="https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2018/4/12/1756396/-Equal-Rights-Amendment-takes-major-step-forward">has just
approved it</a>.  If the Illinois lower house does likewise, it will be
one state away from approval.
<p>
If Democrats take back several states in November, the ERA could
actually pass.


feed_id: 7bd0b5cd800f01e57aab3e5c6b522fa8
title: Russian nerve gas
uri: Russian-nerve-gas
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jan-apr.html#21_April_2018_%28Russian_nerve_gas%29
content:
<p>
The UK says it <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2018/apr/13/russia-tested-nerve-agent-on-door-handles-before-skripal-attack-uk-dossier-claims">has intelligence reports</a> that Russia tested door handles as
a system for delivering nerve gas.
<p>
We cannot entirely trust this.   We cannot trust Russian denials at all.
<p>
I agree that it would be good for Yulia Skripal to make a brief public
appearance and speak to one or two reporters briefly for TV.  It could be
made easy enough that she could handle it.


feed_id: 29160766d6545da99a84d9ec41f56034
title: Attacks on Syrian military facilities
uri: Attacks-on-Syrian-military-facilities
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jan-apr.html#21_April_2018_%28Attacks_on_Syrian_military_facilities%29

content:
<p>
The US, UK and France <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/apr/14/syria-air-strikes-us-uk-and-france-launch-attack-on-assad-regime">attacked Syrian military facilities</a> that they
related to chemical weapons production.
<p>
At least they made an effort to <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/apr/14/trumps-attack-on-syria-is-not-without-risk-but-its-not-world-war-three">avoid sparking a war</a> between the US
and Russia, or even Iran.
<p>
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#31_December_2017_(Sarin_and_missiles)">Seymour Hersh wrote</a> that Assad didn't actually use Sarin gas last
year, and that US intelligence told the <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#bully">bully</a> this, but the bully
refused to accept the facts.
That doesn't prove Assad isn't using chlorine gas now, but it makes
me uncertain about that question.  His and Russia's denials are
not credible either.
<p>
Either way, I won't shed a tear for Assad's army, which is responsible
for numerous atrocities, in Gouta and elsewhere in Syria.
<p>
This limited attack will not have much effect on the outcome of the
war in Syria.  It seems clear now that Assad will defeat the Arab
rebels except where they are protected by other countries such as
Turkey or Israel.  As the front stabilizes, fighting will wind down.
<p>
The one place where I fear fighting might continue is in the Kurdish
enclave of Rojava.  The Kurds are the only group in Syria that is
secular and supports human rights &mdash; the only one that deserves
support.  However, all the powers in the region consider them enemies,
some because they are secular, some they support human rights, and
some because they are Kurds.  I fear they will not be left in peace.


feed_id: fb48a84a5bbd835bd46ead44f389b6b0
title: Apple leakers
uri: Apple-leakers
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jan-apr.html#21_April_2018_%28Apple_leakers%29
content:
<p>
Apple has gone on a <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2018/apr/13/apple-memo-leaked-arrests-criminal-threat">rampage against "leakers"</a>, threatening to get them
jailed.
<p>
Apple makes software to attack people's freedom, and now is a lackey
of the Chinese tyranny.  A leak from Apple does not necessarily work
against this at all, but in the case where it does, it is admirable.


feed_id: 072ff6d46e8090a3f6d5d3e3ba56b412
title: Selling treatments and cures
uri: Selling-treatments-and-cures
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jan-apr.html#21_April_2018_%28Selling_treatments_and_cures%29
content:
<p>
Goldman Sachs dared to say what many have suspected: <a href="https://gizmodo.com/goldman-sachs-analysts-question-whether-curing-patients-1825244673">it is more
profitable</a> to sell people a treatment every day than sell them a cure
just once.
<p>
As long as we let businesses influence medical research, they won't
look much for cures.  We should take the choice away from them.  We
should tax these businesses and fund medical research with state
funds.
<p>
We should also fund tests of proposed medicines' safety and
effectiveness <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2011-mar-jun.html#23%20May%202011%20(Ghost%20Journalism)">with state funds</a>, so that the tests will not be
corrupted.
<p>
This will take away the supposed reason to allow businesses to have
patents on medicines.


feed_id: a9b0b168d7fb4a1a639526499200ab95
title: Protesters at Gaza border fence
uri: Protesters-at-Gaza-border-fence
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jan-apr.html#21_April_2018_%28Protesters_at_Gaza_border_fence%29
content:
<p>
Israeli soldiers <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/apr/13/one-palestinian-killed-and-hundreds-injured-in-gaza-clashes">shot and gassed</a> hundreds of Palestinian protesters across
the Gaza border fence again.


feed_id: dd837f0f0c20a7fdd8aa310b40625b33
title: Confederate generals far from noble
uri: Confederate-generals-far-from-noble
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jan-apr.html#22_April_2018_%28Confederate_generals_far_from_noble%29

content:
<p>Confederate generals, including Robert E. Lee, were far from noble when <a href="https://historynewsnetwork.org/article/168687">they systematically killed black soldiers</a> that their troops captured.</p>
</li></p>


feed_id: 76b7b585d25ded25c0755f2ecdccf234
title: Republican bill ignores pesticides
uri: Republican-bill-ignores-pesticides
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jan-apr.html#22_April_2018_%28Republican_bill_ignores_pesticides%29

content:
<p>Common agricultural pesticides harm various endangered species. Republican response: <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2018/04/12/unprecedented-farm-bill-provision-allows-epa-ok-pesticides-without-looking-harm">a bill to ignore that problem when approving pesticides</a>.</p>
</li></p>


feed_id: 358e22030b7fb071484999ff27ec349a
title: Australia: encryption back door
uri: Australia-encryption-back-door
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jan-apr.html#22_April_2018_%28Australia%3A_encryption_back_door%29

content:
<p>Australia's government is <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2018/apr/13/australian-bill-to-create-back-door-into-encrypted-apps-in-advanced-stages">continuing to draw up a bill to require back doors</a> in encryption applications.</p>
</li></p>


feed_id: 30e67094dae88dca7b601a6d4183b4e8
title: Oklahoma: Pruitt suppressed corruption report
uri: Oklahoma-Pruitt-suppressed-corruption-report
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jan-apr.html#22_April_2018_%28Oklahoma%3A_Pruitt_suppressed_corruption_report%29

content:
<p>Saboteur Pruitt, as an official of Oklahoma, <a href="https://theintercept.com/2018/04/12/scott-pruitt-oklahoma-superfund-audit-suppression/">suppressed a corruption report that could have embarrassed Republican Senator Inhofe</a>.</p>
</li></p>


feed_id: 323e8aba1315d3b206b38841e9e56d5d
title: Wealth inequality soaring
uri: Wealth-inequality-soaring
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jan-apr.html#22_April_2018_%28Wealth_inequality_soaring%29
content:
<p><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2018/apr/12/wealth-inequality-reasons-richest-global-gap">Wealth Inequality Is Soaring -– Here Are the 10 Reasons Why It's Happening</a>.</p>
<p>The ultimate reason, the reason that these policies exist, is plutocracy.</p>
</li></p>


feed_id: c800c21fb2ff92b69e19c579df41383d
title: China: Prisoner's scripted confessions
uri: China-Prisoner-s-scripted-confessions
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jan-apr.html#22_April_2018_%28China%3A_Prisoner%27s_scripted_confessions%29

content:
<p><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/apr/12/china-forced-confessions-report">The forced, scripted "confessions"</a> of prisoners of China.</p>
</li></p>


feed_id: fb807ca40ccc30659b2d0638b7a03fbd
title: China: death penalty
uri: China-death-penalty
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jan-apr.html#22_April_2018_%28China%3A_death_penalty%29
content:
<p>The <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/apr/12/china-named-worlds-top-executioner-as-global-rate-falls">death penalty is used less, world-wide, but China is keeping the practice going</a>.</p>
</li></p>


feed_id: 0d2705cc97b81128ddd6d16463f3aaab
title: Criminal court Islamist prosecution
uri: Criminal-court-Islamist-prosecution
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jan-apr.html#22_April_2018_%28Criminal_court_Islamist_prosecution%29

content:
<p>The International Criminal Court is <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/law/2018/apr/12/icc-prosecutes-islamist-militant-al-hassan-ag-abdoul-aziz-ag-mohamed-ag-mahmoud-gender-persecution">prosecuting an Islamist for enslaving women</a>.</p>
</li></p>


feed_id: 2361923e12b341958062dd824d641655
title: Offensive postings
uri: Offensive-postings
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jan-apr.html#22_April_2018_%28Offensive_postings%29
content:
<p>It is <a href="https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2018/04/despite-what-zuckerbergs-testimony-may-imply-ai-cannot-save-us">not feasible for communications companies to quickly delete all offensive postings</a>.  AI of today's sort can't come close to recognizing them.</p>
<p>Let's not assume that companies should be required to delete all offensive postings.  A small site can decide arbitrarily what to let people publish, without really censoring people -- they can communicate elsewhere.  Not so for a giant site.</p>
<p>When a private company grows to the point of dominating a large fraction of people's communication, censorship by that company is almost equivalent to censorship by the state.  It is ludicrous for giants such as Facebook and Google to claim the right, as "private" entities, to impose rules about what people can say, all the while profiting from being perceived as "indispensable" by many people.</p>
<p>We did not allow telephone companies to censor conversations, <a href="http://money.cnn.com/2018/04/05/technology/facebook-messenger-messages-privacy/index.html">and that's effectively what Facebook is doing</a>.</p>
<p>By the way, <a href="https://gnu.org/philosophy/words-to-avoid.html#Content">please don't use the term "content" to refer to publications or works</a>.  It disparages them all.</p>
</li></p>


feed_id: 3676eb7e72072f5e4b2cd0ad5b1f46d8
title: McConnell, Trump, Mueller
uri: McConnell-Trump-Mueller
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jan-apr.html#22_April_2018_%28McConnell%2C_Trump%2C_Mueller%29
content:
<p>Senator McConnell will block any effort to prevent the bully <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2018/apr/17/mitch-mcconnell-robert-mueller-donald-trump-firing-bill">from firing investigator Mueller</a>.</p>
<p>I interpret this as an effort to help the bully get rid of Mueller. Republican elected officials have basically surrendered to him, and lost the will to resist.  They serve the bully no matter what he does, or might do.</p>
</li></p>


feed_id: cd9ce1a82c6f97f00746ac7d94e809f1
title: Global heating shifts
uri: Global-heating-shifts
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jan-apr.html#22_April_2018_%28Global_heating_shifts%29
content:
<p>Global heating is <a href="https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2018/4/16/1757171/-A-North-American-Climate-Boundary-Has-Shifted-140-Miles-East-Due-to-Global-Warming?detail=emaildkre">shifting the boundary between the arid US western plains and the rain-moistened Midwest</a>.  The boundary has moved 140 miles eastward so far, drying up a belt of land.  It is likely to move a lot further in coming decades.</p>
</li></p>


feed_id: 30911402406cc04a8ffcc0f2038d16e7
title: Urgent: MA budget bill amendments
uri: Urgent-MA-budget-bill-amendments
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jan-apr.html#22_April_2018_%28Urgent%3A_MA_budget_bill_amendments%29

content:
<p>
Citizens of Massachusetts: <a href="https://action.aclu.org/send-message/ma-rep-stand-up-for-ma-values">ask your state representative</a> to support
the ACLU's recommendations for the budget bill amendments.
<p>
I added this note at the front of my response:
<blockquote>
My own personal note: it is vital to reduce the birth rate, in the
high-footprint USA as well as other countries, but imposing poverty on
children who are already alive is a stupid and vicious method which
probably doesn't even achieve the purpose.  Thus I support Amendment
#1361.
</blockquote>


feed_id: 7a8996165355599152106828ebd361a4
title: Campaign messaging
uri: Campaign-messaging
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jan-apr.html#22_April_2018_%28Campaign_messaging%29
content:
<p>
An A/B test that compared two messages Democrats could use for the
2018 election found that linking race and poverty <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2018/apr/14/democrats-race-class-divide-2018-midterms">won more support</a>
than talking only about poverty.


feed_id: 76815849c474be6a4b56577d8e1ac47c
title: Syria peace talks
uri: Syria-peace-talks
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jan-apr.html#22_April_2018_%28Syria_peace_talks%29
content:
<p>
The US, UK and France call for <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/apr/15/western-allies-launch-diplomatic-offensive-in-wake-of-syria-strikes">resuming the Syria peace talks</a>.


feed_id: 65773795162ccf846abb995272b81fff
title: Arrested in a Starbucks
uri: Arrested-in-a-Starbucks
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jan-apr.html#22_April_2018_%28Arrested_in_a_Starbucks%29
content:
<p>
Two black men were arrested in a Starbucks in Philadelphia for
"trespassing", because they wanted to use a toilet while waiting for
their friend to arrive.  The friend did arrive but the <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thug</a> chief
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2018/apr/15/philadelphia-starbucks-black-men-arrested">thinks that doesn't matter</a>.
<p>
One of the root causes of this incident may be racism.  Another is
that the store seems to have a policy of not allowing people to use
the bathroom if they have not bought anything.
<P>
Compelling someone to excrete on the street or soil per own garments
is cruel and degrading.  Therefore, an establishment that admits the
public and has toilets for some members of the public should not be
allowed to deny use of those toilets to any orderly person, or to
require any sort of payment for using them.
<p>
It looks like we need to <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#23_August_2015_('Sharing_Economy')">resurrect CEPTIA</a>, the Committee to End Pay
Toilets In America.  CEPTIA made itself look like a joke, but that was
H.H.O.S. &mdash; its campaign was very successful against explicit pay
toilets.  However, that Starbucks operates a system effectively
equivalent to a pay toilet, but with a different form.
<p>
If a restaurant owner complains, "There are too many people walking by
our location, so it's unfair that we have to let so many use our
toilet," the best response is, "How about moving to a location with
less foot traffic, then?"


feed_id: e82a73c149ce6815e8bacecceb461cd5
title: Rally in Barcelona
uri: Rally-in-Barcelona
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jan-apr.html#22_April_2018_%28Rally_in_Barcelona%29
content:
<p>
Hundreds of thousands <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/apr/15/catalan-protesters-call-for-return-of-jailed-or-exiled-leaders">rallied in Barcelona</a> to demand Spain allow
independentist leaders to return home.  Spain has imprisoned some and
is trying to drag others back.


feed_id: 62593269c6301ca7e16c6b32bbce6e18
title: Facebook's voter button
uri: Facebook-s-voter-button
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jan-apr.html#22_April_2018_%28Facebook%27s_voter_button%29
content:
<p>
Facebook's "voter button" can increase election turnout by a small but
significant amount.  By showing the button to some people and not
others, it could <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2018/apr/15/facebook-says-it-voter-button-is-good-for-turn-but-should-the-tech-giant-be-nudging-us-at-all">decide who wins</a>.


feed_id: a18628c98477d521bad8fecf187862ee
title: Imposing systemic poverty
uri: Imposing-systemic-poverty
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jan-apr.html#22_April_2018_%28Imposing_systemic_poverty%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2018/apr/15/poor-peoples-campaign-systemic-poverty-a-sin">Poor People's Campaign to US Christians</a>: being poor is not a sin.
Imposing systemic poverty is a sin.
<p>
I am not a Christian, and I don't use the concept of "sin".  If you replace
"a sin" with "nasty, destructive and inexcusable", then the statement becomes
one I agree with.


feed_id: e73b48756c524a98ad0b947e7d309579
title: Sexual violence by Burmese troops
uri: Sexual-violence-by-Burmese-troops
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jan-apr.html#22_April_2018_%28Sexual_violence_by_Burmese_troops%29

content:
<p>
The UN Secretary General says that Burmese troops' use of sexual
violence <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/apr/15/many-rohingya-subjected-to-brutal-sexual-assault-by-myanmar-forces-un">was a ‘calculated tool’</a> to force Rohingya to leave and not
return.


feed_id: fbf12088a21b429b33b8e90544533bb5
title: Today's Israeli Army
uri: Today-s-Israeli-Army
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jan-apr.html#22_April_2018_%28Today%27s_Israeli_Army%29
content:
<p>
Uri Avnery, who joined the Israeli Army when it was first created,
<a href="http://zope.gush-shalom.org/home/en/channels/avnery/1523632747/">feels betrayed by today's army</a>, in which the generals order snipers to
shoot harmless civilians and reporters at a distance of hundreds of
meters and they do so, gleefully and triumphantly.
<p>
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2018/04/09/horrifying-video-shows-israeli-soldiers-shouting-joy-after-sniping-unarmed">Here is more info</a> about that video.


feed_id: e8e78ec9026b71003fa8eb6c6405a245
title: UK vehicle inspections
uri: UK-vehicle-inspections
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jan-apr.html#22_April_2018_%28UK_vehicle_inspections%29
content:
<p>
The UK's new strict vehicle inspections will make many diesel cars
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/money/2018/apr/14/mot-changes-strict-tests-diesel-cars-fail">illegal and effectively unfixable</a>.
For their owners, this will be a disaster.
<p>
It is important to get these cars fixed or off the roads, but the cost
should not fall on unsuspecting car owners at random.  The rational
way to handle this cost is to divide it among all owners of diesel
cars, and/or the companies that made them.


feed_id: af063f792549e10bc04acf8c26ae2824
title: Mediating US and Russia
uri: Mediating-US-and-Russia
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jan-apr.html#22_April_2018_%28Mediating_US_and_Russia%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/apr/13/jeremy-corbyn-calls-for-uk-to-lead-un-push-to-defuse-syria-crisis">Corbyn calls for the UN</a> to mediate between the US and Russia in regard
to Syria.
<p>
I agree with Corbyn that this can't hurt.


feed_id: 96a1c871fadeb3dc2a80f47487a93501
title: Apple vs repair companies
uri: Apple-vs-repair-companies
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jan-apr.html#22_April_2018_%28Apple_vs_repair_companies%29
content:
<p>
Apple sues independent repair companies in many countries, using
trademark law to bully these small companies into <a href="https://motherboard.vice.com/en_us/article/a3yadk/apple-sued-an-independent-iphone-repair-shop-owner-and-lost">settling at a
disastrous price</a>.
<p>
Not surprisingly, Apple uses the bogus concept of <a href="https://gnu.org/philosophy/not-ipr.html">"intellectual property"</a>
to make the issue too vague and enormous to even try to confront.
<p>
The article describes one time that Apple lost the lawsuit.


feed_id: 7c98a744ca9a1a0290bd51b78cee58fb
title: Parliament's approval for war
uri: Parliament-s-approval-for-war
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jan-apr.html#22_April_2018_%28Parliament%27s_approval_for_war%29
content:
<p>
Corbyn wants to establish clearly and firmly that the UK government
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2018/apr/15/jeremy-corbyn-calls-for-war-powers-act-as-check-on-military-intervention">needs to get Parliament's approval</a> to enter a war.


feed_id: beae6815ccd0d463a9ed1a4c789a670b
title: Terminating food assistance
uri: Terminating-food-assistance
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jan-apr.html#22_April_2018_%28Terminating_food_assistance%29
content:
<p>
Republicans want to <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2018/04/13/republicans-unveil-proposal-push-one-million-food-stamps">terminate food assistance</a> to a million poor Americans.


feed_id: 2d647f51f86db276a71350523332d44e
title: Chlorine attack in Ghouta
uri: Chlorine-attack-in-Ghouta
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jan-apr.html#22_April_2018_%28Chlorine_attack_in_Ghouta%29
content:
<p>
Veteran Intelligence Professionals for Sanity warn that the chlorine attack
in Ghouta may <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2018/04/13/trump-urged-seek-evidence-attacking-syria">have been a false flag attack</a> by the rebels that were under
attack.


feed_id: 80c3eaf93d4580b675e1c69d6a6dcb29
title: Puns and taboos
uri: Puns-and-taboos
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jan-apr.html#22_April_2018_%28Puns_and_taboos%29
content:
<p>
Chinese take puns so seriously that they <a href="http://nautil.us/issue/59/connections/is-the-chinese-language-a-superstition-machine-rp">build them into taboos</a>.


feed_id: 1175a69e4f904396e53a72e48fddfe73
title: Gmail's 'confidential' emails
uri: Gmail-s-confidential-emails
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jan-apr.html#22_April_2018_%28Gmail%27s_%27confidential%27_emails%29

content:
<p>
Google plans to <a href="https://techcrunch.com/2018/04/13/google-is-testing-self-destructing-emails-in-new-gmail/">offer "confidential" emails</a> which can't be downloaded
out of Gmail.
<p>
This looks like an anticompetitive scheme to make suckers pressure others
to use Gmail rather than anything else.
<p>
It doesn't provide any real security.  It interferes only with the more
convenient means to copy the message.


feed_id: 52158c9a9a459428355964be75fc6790
title: UK gang warfare
uri: UK-gang-warfare
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jan-apr.html#22_April_2018_%28UK_gang_warfare%29
content:
<p>
The UK is experiencing an <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/public-leaders-network/2018/apr/14/worked-young-people-50-years-advice-amber-rudd-knife">increase in gang warfare</a>, sometimes deadly.
One cause is budget cuts in programs that support troubled youth.


feed_id: 0238770d9fef4ddce9d05a2187bc018c
title: Authorization for bombing
uri: Authorization-for-bombing
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jan-apr.html#22_April_2018_%28Authorization_for_bombing%29
content:
<p>
The US Constitution requires the president to get authorization from
Congress before attacking.  I see no doubt that Congress would have
given it, but the failure to ask Congress before bombing Assad's
forces undermines the constitution.  This bad tendency has persisted
under several presidents.  <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2018/apr/14/syria-strikes-democrats-demand-congress-approval-for-further-military-action">Some Democrats in Congress</a> criticized the
<a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#bully">bully</a> for not asking for authorization.
<p>
The bully says he <a href="https://theintercept.com/2018/04/14/donald-trump-ordered-syria-strike-based-on-a-secret-legal-justification-even-congress-cant-see/">has a secret excuse</a> which he won't show to Congress.
<p>
The UK government <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2018/apr/14/safeguards-trampled-on-mps-vote-syria-caroline-lucas">did something similar</a>.


feed_id: 6dd1d868c43d05dbfdcb84ac45f43d89
title: Media boosting military action
uri: Media-boosting-military-action
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jan-apr.html#22_April_2018_%28Media_boosting_military_action%29
content:
<p>
The corporate media acted as <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2018/04/14/few-no-anti-bombing-voices-trump-prepared-escalate-syria-war">boosters for military action</a>, as is their
general practice.


feed_id: 768d57663cad42a34ea8df52317c38cf
title: California privacy initiative
uri: California-privacy-initiative
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jan-apr.html#22_April_2018_%28California_privacy_initiative%29
content:
<p>
Facebook and Google joined with ISPs to <a href="https://www.techdirt.com/articles/20180412/13203739616/public-attention-forces-facebook-to-retreat-anti-privacy-alliance-with-isps-california.shtml">defeat a privacy initiative</a>
in California.


feed_id: fae9f3325444cd9be36a454a1dee1e04
title: Urgent: Clean Power Plan
uri: 2018-04-24-Urgent-Clean-Power-Plan
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jan-apr.html#23_April_2018_%28Urgent%3A_Clean_Power_Plan%29
content:
<p>
US citizens: <a href="https://act.nrdc.org/letter/clean-power-plan-171010">support the Clean Power Plan</a>.


feed_id: 6ca6578753eaf448f64f47fbc19b733b
title: Urgent: Blank check for war
uri: Urgent-Blank-check-for-war
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jan-apr.html#23_April_2018_%28Urgent%3A_Blank_check_for_war%29
content:
<p>
US citizens, <a href="https://act.credoaction.com/sign/Trump_AUMF">tell the Senate</a>: Vote no on the Corker-Kaine blank check
for war.


feed_id: 3345304dac68541cc13bbda52f4aae75
title: 'Rednecks' fighting big coal
uri: Rednecks-fighting-big-coal
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jan-apr.html#23_April_2018_%28%27Rednecks%27_fighting_big_coal%29

content:
<p>
One source of the term "redneck" was the <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2018/apr/14/redneck-pride-west-virginia-protests-strikes">neckerchiefs worn by striking miners</a> in West Virginia, fighting big coal.


feed_id: 4b33e83091ed7251ea75222826ec7829
title: Trudeau and big oil
uri: Trudeau-and-big-oil
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jan-apr.html#23_April_2018_%28Trudeau_and_big_oil%29
content:
<p>
Trudeau has openly <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/apr/16/canada-trudeau-transcanada-pipeline">taken the side of big oil</a> against the environment.


feed_id: 176f70249ef61725c133b173c7d34f5f
title: Deregulating construction
uri: Deregulating-construction
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jan-apr.html#23_April_2018_%28Deregulating_construction%29
content:
<p>
In construction as in other areas, deregulation <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2018/apr/16/grenfell-red-tape-regulations-cameron-government">sometimes leads to
death</a>.


feed_id: 925aa6a54257d2c77b16fdcea5c21096
title: The bully's profiteering
uri: The-bully-s-profiteering
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jan-apr.html#23_April_2018_%28The_bully%27s_profiteering%29
content:
<p>
Accounts show the bully is <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2018/apr/16/trump-businesses-money-campaign-federal-agencies">profiteering from his elected office</a>, just as
we thought.


feed_id: 153857fd50224d56fcde1aca13a98dae
title: Protesters at Starbucks
uri: Protesters-at-Starbucks
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jan-apr.html#23_April_2018_%28Protesters_at_Starbucks%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2018/apr/16/arrest-of-two-black-men-at-starbucks-for-trespassing-sparks-protests">Protesters came to the Starbucks</a> where an employee had two black men
arrested after refusing to let them use a toilet.


feed_id: 38f9593ed9934a0e7be8265f83cb4b69
title: Responsible for global heating
uri: Responsible-for-global-heating
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jan-apr.html#23_April_2018_%28Responsible_for_global_heating%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/climate-consensus-97-per-cent/2018/apr/16/the-courts-are-deciding-whos-to-blame-for-climate-change">Who is legally responsible</a> for the damage that global heating does and
will do?
<p>
I think that the responsibility for harmful actions done by millions
of people because they have been intentionally misguided falls on
those who misguided them.


feed_id: ca26fbf2071b15cd402cad096c2f5171
title: Homosexuals in China
uri: Homosexuals-in-China
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jan-apr.html#23_April_2018_%28Homosexuals_in_China%29
content:
<p>
China seems to be starting to <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/apr/16/china-weibo-bans-homosexual-content-protest">repress homosexuals</a>.


feed_id: b1a9c969e0fe13a32d9fdff3d062ae07
title: The bully's buildings
uri: The-bully-s-buildings
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jan-apr.html#23_April_2018_%28The_bully%27s_buildings%29
content:
<p>
The bully is suing US local governments to <a href="https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2018/4/14/1756527/-As-Trump-plays-president-The-Trump-Organization-is-still-suing-towns-to-get-property-tax-breaks">reduce the tax assessments</a>
of his buildings.
<p>
The cities in question have to fear that he and his officials could
retaliate in an underhanded way if they don't give in.


feed_id: aabea187f3a50eedbc188764173ecbec
title: Defending the pussy-grabber
uri: Defending-the-pussy-grabber
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jan-apr.html#23_April_2018_%28Defending_the_pussy-grabber%29
content:
<p>
A theory for why evangelicals defend the pussy-grabber: their belief
system is primarily <a href="https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2018/4/14/1756926/-The-Real-Reason-Evangelical-Christians-Don-t-Care-About-Trump-s-Sordid-Sexual-Behavior">to reimpose patriarchy</a>.
<p>
One point I don't see how to resolve is why patriarchalists don't
became enraged that their daughters might get involved with the pushy
males they defend.


feed_id: 552352b3e56fe24869d6151950f4ef4e
title: UK's version of DACA issue
uri: UK-s-version-of-DACA-issue
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jan-apr.html#23_April_2018_%28UK%27s_version_of_DACA_issue%29
content:
<p>
The UK has its own version of the DACA issue, with a twist: the people
threatened with expulsion were British citizens when they moved there
from former colonies, and they are legally entitled to live there.
They just <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2018/apr/15/why-the-children-of-windrush-demand-an-immigration-amnesty">don't have documents to prove this</a>.
<p>
One MP knows of <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2018/apr/16/britain-wrongly-deporting-commonwealth-nationals-summit-windrush">16 victims in her constituency</a>, which leads to a quick
rough estimate that the victims number around 10,000.
<p>
Another pertinent secondary point is that they have paid taxes there
for decades, so denying them medical and retirement benefits is
robbery on top of exile.
<p>
The cause of all this is that the government has decided on the
principle of giving all immigrants the short end of every stick.
That's what the US is now doing.  While the details are different,
this attitude systematically leads to cruelty.


feed_id: 5cff3d545dc2384c1cc8bafba1fcc5b1
title: Neoclassical macroeconomics
uri: Neoclassical-macroeconomics
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jan-apr.html#23_April_2018_%28Neoclassical_macroeconomics%29
content:
<p>
Economists are <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/business/2018/apr/15/the-right-and-left-have-both-signed-up-to-the-myth-of-free-market">waking up to the biases</a> in neoclassical macroeconomics
and how that provides an excuse for plutocratist cruelty.
<p>
There is no such thing as "the free market" &mdash; every market is
regulated somehow, and a market without proper regulation is likely to
have instabilities (such as crashes).


feed_id: 5976f6f9bd4ef36ebf72e3bed8bacfb1
title: Former Justice Department employees
uri: Former-Justice-Department-employees
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jan-apr.html#23_April_2018_%28Former_Justice_Department_employees%29

content:
<p>
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2018/04/14/hundreds-former-doj-officials-denounce-trumps-shameful-attacks-mueller-investigation">250 former employees</a> of the US Justice Department signed a statement
calling on the <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#bully">bully</a> to obey the law, and called on Congress to protect
against firing investigator Mueller.


feed_id: 7c1762d38a5638b556a88b1e2f0746b4
title: Effects of pesticides
uri: Effects-of-pesticides
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jan-apr.html#23_April_2018_%28Effects_of_pesticides%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2018/04/14/pesticides-are-making-children-aggressive">It's not just mice</a> &mdash; widely used pesticides were found to make human
children weaker, less intelligent, and more aggressive.
<p>
The greater aggression could be a consequence of the lower intelligence.
Lead exposure also makes children less intelligent, and <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2017-mar-jun.html#21_May_2017_(Lead_exposure_and_crime)">more likely to
be aggressive</a>.


feed_id: dabce8747373fefd063a6c9744f4c710
title: Going mad from racism
uri: Going-mad-from-racism
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jan-apr.html#23_April_2018_%28Going_mad_from_racism%29
content:
<p>
Racism makes people go mad.  Brennan Walker, a black teenager, knocked
on a white couple's door to ask for directions.  <a href="https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2018/4/13/1756785/-Knocking-on-door-to-ask-for-directions-almost-gets-black-teen-killed-in-Michigan">The couple freaked
out</a>, assumed he was a robber (knocking on a door?), and shot at him
without engaging their common sense.
<p>
Walker says he looks older than his real age, which is 14.  What if he
looks 18?  What if he really were 18 years old?  I don't think that
would change anything.


feed_id: 7d3676240c13f9a1ba2573a8dd725df7
title: Gaza protesters
uri: Gaza-protesters
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jan-apr.html#23_April_2018_%28Gaza_protesters%29
content:
<p>
Israelis that live near Gaza rallied to <a href="http://zope.gush-shalom.org/home/en/events/1464389870">demand an end to the siege</a>
and to killing peaceful protesters.
<p>
World-wide criticism is having an effect: this week Gazans protested
again, and this time the Israeli soldiers <a href="http://zope.gush-shalom.org/home/en/channels/press_releases/1523721086/">killed only one protester</a>.
<p>
I would like to know how many protesters were wounded by sniper fire
this time, because previously snipers wounded over a thousand
protesters.


feed_id: 483e72c6e9bc47b426a5f874e1f37a83
title: EU copyright proposal
uri: EU-copyright-proposal
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jan-apr.html#23_April_2018_%28EU_copyright_proposal%29
content:
<p>
The EU's Latest Copyright Proposal Is So Bad, It Even <a href="https://boingboing.net/2018/04/11/evidence-free-zone.html">Outlaws Creative
Commons Licenses</a>.


feed_id: 977926ac5dfacdc462a8f9dfb1dfa10f
title: McConnell, Trump, Mueller
uri: 2018-04-24-McConnell-Trump-Mueller
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jan-apr.html#22_April_2018_%28McConnell%2C_Trump%2C_Mueller%29
content:
<p>Senator McConnell will block any effort to prevent the bully <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2018/apr/17/mitch-mcconnell-robert-mueller-donald-trump-firing-bill">from firing investigator Mueller</a>.</p>
<p>I interpret this as an effort to help the <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#bully">bully</a> get rid of Mueller. Republican elected officials have basically surrendered to him, and lost the will to resist.  They serve the bully no matter what he does, or might do.</p>
</li></p>


feed_id: 51c8d961077dd5fca9f25617f1530334
title: Urgent: Undo tax attacks
uri: Urgent-Undo-tax-attacks
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jan-apr.html#24_April_2018_%28Urgent%3A_Undo_tax_attacks%29
content:
<p>
US citizens: <a href="https://act.credoaction.com/sign/taxday_taxscam">call on Democrats</a> to fight to undo the Republican tax attacks.


feed_id: 93c679e07dc04a08b63ec9d13a627761
title: Urgent: Protest if Mueller is fired
uri: Urgent-Protest-if-Mueller-is-fired
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jan-apr.html#24_April_2018_%28Urgent%3A_Protest_if_Mueller_is_fired%29

content:
<p>
In the US: <a href="https://www.trumpisnotabovethelaw.org/event/mueller-firing-rapid-response/search/">sign up to join a protest</a> if the corrupter fires
investigator Mueller.
<p>
That page does not work with JavaScript totally disabled,
but it works ok with LibreJS.


feed_id: f80df74e08372146e7bbbeba3a0f4d54
title: High-speed pig slaughter
uri: High-speed-pig-slaughter
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jan-apr.html#24_April_2018_%28High-speed_pig_slaughter%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2018/apr/17/trump-administration-usda-swine-slaughter-rule-pigs-pork">High-Speed Pig Slaughter</a> Will Be Disastrous for Everyone Involved.


feed_id: 6fc2995388a29c5b32d2809578228fa1
title: Journalists entering the US
uri: Journalists-entering-the-US
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jan-apr.html#24_April_2018_%28Journalists_entering_the_US%29
content:
<p>
The Committee to Protect Journalists is <a href="https://cpj.org/2018/04/cpj-rsf-ask-journalists-to-share-information-about.php">asking journalists to report
hassles</a> with entering the US, including searches of their digital devices
and (for those not US citizens) hassles in getting a visa.


feed_id: 0ba1564c519d37c08e2f72b7fb59e0c1
title: Extraction Oil and Gas
uri: Extraction-Oil-and-Gas
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jan-apr.html#24_April_2018_%28Extraction_Oil_and_Gas%29
content:
<p>
Fracking company Extraction Oil and Gas is <a href="https://thinkprogress.org/colorado-oil-company-sues-anti-fracking-activists-40e730bd6203/">suing protesters and a
journalist</a>.
<p>
Several states <a href="https://thinkprogress.org/pipeline-protest-criminal-conspiracy-bd67475b7504/">plan to make it a crime</a> to plan a protest at a fossil
fuel pipeline site.


feed_id: 6ca2525a601cdcc9fa46cf92462bcedc
title: Soldiers of Unit 731
uri: Soldiers-of-Unit-731
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jan-apr.html#24_April_2018_%28Soldiers_of_Unit_731%29
content:
<p>
Japan has <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/apr/17/japan-unit-731-imperial-army-second-world-war">published the names</a> of the soldiers of Unit 731 which
experimented with chemical weapons using Chinese and Koreans as guinea
pigs.


feed_id: faed72f6f425ef11c2e73d64ae091c07
title: Millionaire's taxes
uri: Millionaire-s-taxes
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jan-apr.html#24_April_2018_%28Millionaire%27s_taxes%29
content:
<p>
"<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2018/apr/17/millionaire-zero-jobs-taxes">I'm a millionaire</a> who creates zero jobs. Why do I pay less tax than you?"


feed_id: 38c21c478f48377a57efc54222a08520
title: Facebook is like herpes
uri: Facebook-is-like-herpes
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jan-apr.html#24_April_2018_%28Facebook_is_like_herpes%29
content:
<p>
One of Facebook's first useds <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2018/apr/17/facebook-people-first-ever-mark-zuckerberg-harvard">compares it to herpes</a>, and says she was a fool
to have trusted Zuckerberg.


feed_id: 99e6deb3b8eaece255cefd0ae0473509
title: Deporting for criticism
uri: Deporting-for-criticism
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jan-apr.html#24_April_2018_%28Deporting_for_criticism%29
content:
<p>
Philippine President Do-dirty is <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/apr/17/australian-nun-arrested-in-philippines-for-illegal-political-activities">deporting foreigners for criticizing
him</a>, even for being near others that criticize him.
<p>
What does deporting a (real or suspected) critic have in common with
murdering a (real or suspected) drug dealer?  Both attack the idea
that people have legal rights.


feed_id: 707ff184eeb7692902cf7a2b74e55b38
title: Natural gas in Australia
uri: Natural-gas-in-Australia
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jan-apr.html#24_April_2018_%28Natural_gas_in_Australia%29
content:
<p>
Australia is turning to the hype of fracking to <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2018/apr/17/dont-believe-the-hype-on-natural-gas-its-a-fossil-fuel-just-like-coal">pump lots of natural
gas</a> and overshoot its greenhouse gas targets by a factor of three.


feed_id: a749ae014af6e28d32474a0078cfb18f
title: Hustlers of the tech industry
uri: Hustlers-of-the-tech-industry
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jan-apr.html#24_April_2018_%28Hustlers_of_the_tech_industry%29
content:
<p>
The digital tech industry <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/news/2018/apr/17/get-rich-quick-silicon-valley-startup-billionaire-techie">considered as a pile of hustlers</a> climbing
over each other to become a billionaire by standing on the rest.  All
while looking for ways to atomize people's lives and turn their jobs
into piecework.


feed_id: 461ac489ed822cd38dc8583d66f1d261
title: Legalizing drugs in Canada
uri: Legalizing-drugs-in-Canada
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jan-apr.html#24_April_2018_%28Legalizing_drugs_in_Canada%29
content:
<p>
Canada's ruling Liberal Party is <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/apr/16/canada-liberal-party-considers-decriminalization-all-illicit-drugs">considering legalizing</a> possession and
use of all drugs.
<p>
The US uses "Liberal" to mean what Europe calls "social-democratic",
but the Canadian Liberal party is nothing like that.  Nowadays it
mainly seems to mean "let them drill and mine anything."


feed_id: 5f134f552eb1ed1d57215c3ca904e919
title: Russian journalist dies
uri: Russian-journalist-dies
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jan-apr.html#24_April_2018_%28Russian_journalist_dies%29
content:
<p>
A Russian journalist that investigated mercenaries <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/apr/16/russian-investigative-journalist-maksim-borodin-dies-after-falling-from-balcony">fell off his
balcony and died</a>.
The state wants to say that he fell accidentally.


feed_id: 539451ef6dbfbaaaa39eb2d120c20039
title: Political prisoner Ahmed Mansoor
uri: Political-prisoner-Ahmed-Mansoor
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jan-apr.html#24_April_2018_%28Political_prisoner_Ahmed_Mansoor%29

content:
<p>
Citizens of Manchester hope to press Abu Dhabi to release political
prisoner Ahmed Mansoor by <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2018/apr/16/manchester-residents-lobby-to-name-street-after-emirati-activist-ahmed-mansoor">naming a street after him</a>.
<p>
The ruling family of Abu Dhabi has effectively purchased the support
of the city's government by making a big investment there.  It is
dangerous for any government to treat the support of a specific
company as indispensable; this is one of the reasons why we need
to make large companies <a href="https://stallman.org/articles/progressive-tax-on-business-gross-income.html">split into many smaller ones</a>.


feed_id: cf08c2c677198d71f6b8d4ff30fc28d9
title: Facets of Comey
uri: Facets-of-Comey
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jan-apr.html#24_April_2018_%28Facets_of_Comey%29
content:
<p>
Comey has become the most visible enemy of Americans' worst enemy.
That doesn't mean he has been our friend all this time.  Don't forget
his <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2018/04/16/comey-praised-media-and-democrats-small-reminder-his-long-history-authoritarian">campaign for more surveillance</a> and against our right to privacy.
<p>
In the long term, unchecked surveillance will be almost as harmful as
the <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#bully">bully</a>.


feed_id: c197853ad22e0eb358fe154faaedcc63
title: Lawsuit by Florida youths
uri: Lawsuit-by-Florida-youths
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jan-apr.html#24_April_2018_%28Lawsuit_by_Florida_youths%29
content:
<p>
Eight Florida youths are <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2018/04/16/intentionally-acting-exacerbate-climate-crisis-youth-filed-suit-against-gop-led">suing the state government</a> for willfully
disregarding the danger that <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#global heating">global heating</a> poses to life in Florida.


feed_id: 5fe04569f2328961a6840e258a89c402
title: Military contractor profits
uri: Military-contractor-profits
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jan-apr.html#24_April_2018_%28Military_contractor_profits%29
content:
<p>
The Onion: <a href="https://politics.theonion.com/u-s-won-t-rule-out-escalating-defense-sector-profits-f-1825304781">the US stands ready to escalate</a> military contractor profits
as much as it takes.


feed_id: b109dea4d7fed12bc897dc3d11b079ca
title: US: Trump TPP
uri: US-Trump-TPP
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jan-apr.html#24_April_2018_%28US%3A_Trump_TPP%29
content:
<p>The cheater is thinking of undoing the principal good thing he has done: <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/apr/12/trump-trans-pacific-partnership-trade-deal-reversal">his rejection of the TPP</a>.</p>
<p> or "<a href="media/c9a9c30b.trance-pacific-partnership.en.jpg" data-original-source="https://stallman.org/images/trance-pacific-partnership.en.jpg">Treacherous Plutocratic Poison</a>" as I call it.</p>
<p>That treaty has the "<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#23_November_2017_(Proceeding_with_TPP)">I Sue Democratic States</a>" provision which would give foreign companies more rights in the US than US citizens have.</p>
<p>The TPP <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2018/04/12/can-democracy-survive-global-capitalism">would strengthen the grip of the business-dominated globalization</a> that increasingly concentrates the world's wealth. The suffering that this form of globalization causes is opening the door to right-wing bigots such as the cheater.</p>
</li></p>


feed_id: aa69578da9e9fbf74bd58df4e1fdf58d
title: US Senate more family-friendly
uri: US-Senate-more-family-friendly
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jan-apr.html#24_April_2018_%28US_Senate_more_family-friendly%29
content:
<p>The US Senate <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2018/apr/18/tammy-duckworth-senate-rule-babies-at-work">changed its rules to accommodate senators with babies</a>.</p>
</li></p>


feed_id: 97794a9a40f0783f76e2cd9c1e574604
title: US: Major editorials lack war opposition
uri: US-Major-editorials-lack-war-opposition
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jan-apr.html#24_April_2018_%28US%3A_Major_editorials_lack_war_opposition%29

content:
<p>The New York Times <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2018/04/18/out-26-major-editorials-trumps-syria-strikes-zero-opposed">has not opposed any US war or attack in 30 years</a>.  Other US newspapers generally agree.</p>
</li></p>


feed_id: b4dbf6f5dca2ded142b5b7904c0d6df4
title: Great Barrier Reef heat wave of 2016
uri: Great-Barrier-Reef-heat-wave-of-2016
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jan-apr.html#24_April_2018_%28Great_Barrier_Reef_heat_wave_of_2016%29

content:
<p>Great Barrier Reef: <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2018/apr/19/great-barrier-reef-30-of-coral-died-in-catastrophic-2016-heatwave">30% of Coral Died</a> in 'Catastrophic' 2016 Heatwave.</p>
<p>In the next decade there will be another, hotter heat wave and more of the coral will die.</p>
</li></p>


feed_id: 3bc8edb3b93732bbf7987e415d08ecb1
title: Dramatic effect of Balkan Dam on fish species
uri: Dramatic-effect-of-Balkan-Dam-on-fish-species
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jan-apr.html#24_April_2018_%28Dramatic_effect_of_Balkan_Dam_on_fish_species%29

content:
<p>Balkan Dam Projects Could Result in Loss of <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2018/apr/18/balkan-dam-projects-could-result-in-loss-of-one-in-10-european-fish-species">One in 10 European Fish Species</a>.</p>
</li></p>


feed_id: 8ba6fcc6ad453c0bb2f79aa644933e90
title: Urgent: oppose Pompeo's confirmation
uri: Urgent-oppose-Pompeo-s-confirmation
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jan-apr.html#24_April_2018_%28Urgent%3A_oppose_Pompeo%27s_confirmation%29

content:
<p>US citizens: phone your senators' offices at 877-591-6399 and tell them to oppose Pompeo's confirmation.  You can mention that he has supported torture, is gung-ho for fossil fuels, and is likely to support more wars.</p>
</li></p>


feed_id: 21e0823590087ef2eed1630f5491dbb5
title: Political platitudes mask cruel policies
uri: Political-platitudes-mask-cruel-policies
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jan-apr.html#24_April_2018_%28Political_platitudes_mask_cruel_policies%29

content:
<p>"Rightwing politicians <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2018/apr/18/political-platitudes-have-masked-cruel-policies-time-to-stop-swallowing-them">spout rhetoric with which no reasonable person would disagree</a>, while we wait for a catastrophic injustice to expose the reality."</p>
</li></p>


feed_id: 0676ab47eeee25b01b1b4c2b747b0dee
title: Pompeo confirmation uncertain
uri: Pompeo-confirmation-uncertain
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jan-apr.html#24_April_2018_%28Pompeo_confirmation_uncertain%29
content:
<p><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2018/apr/18/mike-pompeos-secretary-of-state-position-uncertain-amid-opposition">Opposition to Pompeo puts his confirmation in doubt</a>.</p>
<p>A week or so ago I posted a note that seemed to say he had been confirmed and criticized some Democratic senators for voting for him.  I had that taken down because it seems to have been incorrect.</p>
</li></p>


feed_id: 4efdd631a3846f3bdae39a9bd9ef33d7
title: Mississippi delta mega-project
uri: Mississippi-delta-mega-project
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jan-apr.html#24_April_2018_%28Mississippi_delta_mega-project%29
content:
<p>Scientists are studying a mega-project to run more fresh water from the Mississippi through the delta wetlands.  <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2018/apr/18/mississippi-delta-model-coastal-erosion-scientists">This would delay their loss to the rising seas</a>.</p>
<p>I fear, though, that in the long term this will only give us a one-time reduction in the loss of those wetlands, after which each centimeter of sea-level rise will give us the same amount of loss it would have given us.  The money would be used more effectively on reducing greenhouse gas emissions.</p>
</li></p>


feed_id: 5c5051a793c75c49494817100ea85190
title: Comey whitewashes injustices of justice system
uri: Comey-whitewashes-injustices-of-justice-system
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jan-apr.html#24_April_2018_%28Comey_whitewashes_injustices_of_justice_system%29

content:
<p>Comey whitewashes the gross injustices of the US justice system, <a href="https://theintercept.com/2018/04/18/james-comey-sees-himself-as-a-victim-of-trump-he-refuses-to-see-the-victims-of-the-justice-system/">while lauding it and saying we should fear it more</a>.</p>
</li></p>


feed_id: abfa6c2d059040361379e138222434c1
title: UK government destroyed citizen entry records
uri: UK-government-destroyed-citizen-entry-records
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jan-apr.html#24_April_2018_%28UK_government_destroyed_citizen_entry_records%29

content:
<p>The UK government had entry records for citizens that moved from Caribbean colonies in the 50s and 60s, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2018/apr/17/home-office-destroyed-windrush-landing-cards-says-ex-staffer">and destroyed them in 2010 although staff warned that would lead systematically to injustices</a> against people who had no proof of when they had come.</p>
<p>There is a clear and easy solution now: give those people the benefit of the doubt.</p>
</li></p>


feed_id: 38b15d66f836cd3dc7f101609ef55837
title: UCLA Forced labor study
uri: UCLA-Forced-labor-study
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jan-apr.html#24_April_2018_%28UCLA_Forced_labor_study%29
content:
<p>From 1850 to 1950, low-wage convict labor <a href="https://boingboing.net/2018/04/13/chain-gangs-2.html">caused a substantial reduction in US wages</a>, and it is surely doing the same today.</p>
</li></p>


feed_id: 529c67f91febc542adff1ed8f8487b9a
title: US: Sessions' marijuana crusade canceled for now
uri: US-Sessions-marijuana-crusade-canceled-for-now
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jan-apr.html#24_April_2018_%28US%3A_Sessions%27_marijuana_crusade_canceled_for_now%29

content:
<p>The bully <a href="http://www.latimes.com/politics/la-na-pol-marijuana-trump-20180413-story.html">canceled Sessions' crusade against state-legalized marijuana</a>.  At least that's what he says for the moment.</p>
<p>The level of random discord between statements of high officials of the US government means that one takes a risk by relying on any of their statements.</p>
</li></p>


feed_id: 77fb51cea03eb24082bdc4819b1d3e73
title: US Syria bombings bolster propaganda
uri: US-Syria-bombings-bolster-propaganda
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jan-apr.html#24_April_2018_%28US_Syria_bombings_bolster_propaganda%29

content:
<p>Blowing stuff up is a great way for a US president to build public support, but <a href="http://crookedtimber.org/2018/04/15/blowing-stuff-up/">in the long term it provides a bigger propaganda boost for the enemy</a> (whoever that may be).</p>
<p>If we Americans don't want to be played via bombings, we have to learn to resist this technique of manipulation.</p>
</li></p>


feed_id: eb2942e2cdcca01298cff6d9ef171688
title: Elizabeth Pierce fraud charges
uri: Elizabeth-Pierce-fraud-charges
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jan-apr.html#24_April_2018_%28Elizabeth_Pierce_fraud_charges%29
content:
<p>Ajit Pai's "broadband adviser" has been <a href="https://www.theverge.com/2018/4/16/17245010/elizabeth-pierce-fraud-charges-bdac-fcc-ajit-pai">charged with fraud adding up to hundreds of millions of dollars</a>.</p>
<p>I don't suppose that Pai knew she was committing this fraud.  But it makes sense that the kind of people Republicans admire would not have scruples against committing fraud.</p>
</li></p>


feed_id: 1a3d6480a5b238b6fbe402e3fb459d8f
title: UK: company registry prosecuted whistleblower
uri: UK-company-registry-prosecuted-whistleblower
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jan-apr.html#24_April_2018_%28UK%3A_company_registry_prosecuted_whistleblower%29

content:
<p>The UK's company registry <a href="https://boingboing.net/2018/04/16/kevin-brewer.html">finally prosecuted someone for setting up a fraudulent company</a>, but it's a whistleblower who told them he did it.</p>
</li></p>


feed_id: 8a6c2b06664f4f4eb864ed5ee192d93c
title: Canada: teen charged for downloading publicly accessible files
uri: Canada-teen-charged-for-downloading-publicly-accessible-files
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jan-apr.html#24_April_2018_%28Canada%3A_teen_charged_for_downloading_publicly_accessible_files%29

content:
<p>A Canadian teenager downloaded publicly accessible files off a government web site, and was charged with "unauthorized use of a computer."  This is absurd; it should never be a crime to look at what others are showing to the public.</p>
<p>The charge is, in effect, "We told you to look in _this_ direction. We never told you to look in _that_ direction, so we intend to imprison you for turning your gaze without authorization."</p>
<p>This is comparable to the companies that try to punish people for reporting the companies' security errors.</p>
<p>By seizing the family's computers the <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thugs</a> have done them irreparable damage.  If they don't have substantial savings, they could end up homeless from this blind act of injustice.</p>
<p>What makes me saddest is that the teenager fears being permanently stigmatized because of having been arrested.  This reflects a social problem that affects a lot more people than the US CFAA and its Canadian equivalent.  People who have been arrested, no matter for what, systematically face many kinds of repression.  Wealthy people can avoid most of the painful consequences -- they don't need a job, they don't need public housing or welfare, they can pay for college, etc.  But when these things happen to the non-rich, they will find that the only paths open to them are poverty or crime.</p>
</li></p>


feed_id: 8bd8feec6195185a4f6f99e35d321742
title: Urgent: Corker-Kaine AUMF
uri: Urgent-Corker-Kaine-AUMF
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jan-apr.html#26_April_2018_%28Urgent%3A_Corker-Kaine_AUMF%29
content:
<p>
US citizens: <a href="http://act.winwithoutwar.org/sign/dont-give-trump-blank-check-endless-war/">Tell the Senate</a>: Vote no on the Corker-Kaine AUMF.


feed_id: 7c18c25a3cb0f6c91fb1e2cee4ad174e
title: Urgent: CFPB under threat
uri: Urgent-CFPB-under-threat
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jan-apr.html#26_April_2018_%28Urgent%3A_CFPB_under_threat%29
content:
<p>
US citizens: <a href="https://act.credoaction.com/sign/mulvaney_cfpb">tell Congress</a> not to let the saboteur in chief destroy the CFPB.


feed_id: f018923ad8e09f08f4c6594d83ca39f4
title: Urgent: Approval for military action
uri: Urgent-Approval-for-military-action
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jan-apr.html#26_April_2018_%28Urgent%3A_Approval_for_military_action%29

content:
<p>
US citizens: <a href="http://act.winwithoutwar.org/call/call-now-Syria-Lofgren-letter/">tell your congresscritter</a> to sign the
Lofgren-Amash-Lee-Massie letter calling on the <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#bully">bully</a> to get Congress's
approval for military action against Assad's army.


feed_id: 7de4b8a00118b7cdde21fa792a2622d1
title: Tools for evading censorship
uri: Tools-for-evading-censorship
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jan-apr.html#26_April_2018_%28Tools_for_evading_censorship%29
content:
<p>
Bad Decisions: <a href="https://www.techdirt.com/articles/20180419/16184539674/bad-decisions-google-screws-over-tools-evading-internet-censorship-regimes.shtml">Google Screws Over Tools</a> Evading Internet Censorship 
Regimes.


feed_id: dafe97cd5b0c7a79c4c543a9a8f7d52b
title: Making combustible fuel
uri: Making-combustible-fuel
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jan-apr.html#26_April_2018_%28Making_combustible_fuel%29
content:
<p>
Since Iceland generates all its electricity using renewable sources,
next it wants to <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2008/apr/22/renewableenergy.alternativeenergy">make combustible fuel using electricity</a> and avoid
the remaining fossil fuel.


feed_id: 8341c4cebbcbc5ab1e7bd4af77289ec4
title: 90 companies
uri: 90-companies
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jan-apr.html#26_April_2018_%2890_companies%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2013/nov/20/90-companies-man-made-global-warming-emissions-climate-change">Just 90 Companies</a> Caused Two-Thirds of Man-Made Global [Heating] Emissions.
<p>
This is, of course, a sign of the dangerous concentration of industry
into large businesses.


feed_id: 848f8abfa84ae02aab9bda97e27122a6
title: Facebook advertising
uri: Facebook-advertising
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jan-apr.html#26_April_2018_%28Facebook_advertising%29
content:
<p>
Supposedly Facebook doesn't allow companies to arbitrarily add email
addresses to the list of people they can advertise to.  In practice,
they <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2018/apr/21/how-firms-you-have-never-interacted-with-can-target-your-facebook">seem to be doing it</a>.
<p>
Instead of looking for ways to make small changes to put an end to this,
we should aim to drastically reduce massive surveillance at all levels.


feed_id: 5b32833224b01bc58732ac33bec70cbb
title: Vanishing ice
uri: Vanishing-ice
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jan-apr.html#26_April_2018_%28Vanishing_ice%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2018/apr/21/alaska-climate-change-winter-way-of-life">What Happened to Winter?</a>  Vanishing Ice Convulses Alaskans' Way Of Life.


feed_id: 44bec3ff8fd27c46e8fba6347b43e434
title: Knowing about Hitler
uri: Knowing-about-Hitler
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jan-apr.html#26_April_2018_%28Knowing_about_Hitler%29
content:
<p>
Most young Americans <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/global/2018/apr/21/people-dont-know-about-the-holocaust-they-dont-care">don't know about Hitler's campaign</a> to kill all Jews.
<p>
We would have an easier time teaching people to condemn genocide if
Israel did not try to use it as an excuse for the occupation of
Palestine.  We could be more successful in campaigning against real
antisemitism if criticism of Israel's occupation policy were not
mislabeled as antisemitism.


feed_id: bde03617be938317d58d8acfbfe45240
title: The American dream
uri: The-American-dream
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jan-apr.html#26_April_2018_%28The_American_dream%29
content:
<p>
"America first" was a <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/books/2018/apr/21/end-of-the-american-dream-the-dark-history-of-america-first">slogan of American fascists</a>.  Some of the
<a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#bully">bully</a>'s associates used associated racist slogans such as "100% American",
which was understood as meaning "100% Aryan".
<p>
But don't criticize <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#cheater">the cheater</a> for saying that the American dream was
dead.  The Horatio Alger dream, that by hard work you could get a good
job and prosperity (not riches), was <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#28_December_2017_(Poverty_in_America)">killed by plutocrats</a> (of which
<a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#cheater">the cheater</a> was just one) years before he became a candidate.
<p>
Where he lied was in claiming he would try to reverse that.  What he
has actually done is help those plutocrats <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#13_November_2017_(Dismantling_regulation)">knock other Americans down</a>.


feed_id: a4291ff695287f234a17ae282a031b07
title: Joking with the bully
uri: Joking-with-the-bully
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jan-apr.html#26_April_2018_%28Joking_with_the_bully%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2018/apr/21/james-comey-memos-reporters-leakers-head-pike-donald-trump">Comey joked with the bully</a> about putting a whistleblower's "head on a
pike", and reporters in jail.
<p>
He is doing the right thing (for whatever reason) by spilling facts to
incriminate the <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#bully">bully</a>, and we should appreciate that.  But we must not
lionize him, since his career has included wrong as well as right.


feed_id: 012ef13cdae044f9e48ac7c90fac2709
title: Opposing the NRA
uri: Opposing-the-NRA
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jan-apr.html#26_April_2018_%28Opposing_the_NRA%29
content:
<p>
Opposing the National Rifle Association: introducing the <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2018/apr/21/resistance-now-nra-nora-gun-control-activism">No Rifle
Organization or NoRA</a>.
<p>
I enjoy the joke, but I fear it plays into the hands of the NRA, which
will say, "See, they want to confiscate all rifles."  US gun control
advocates do not propose to go that far.


feed_id: d0fcb09e1d6609fa4b735b6c2aa897a9
title: Bigots in India
uri: Bigots-in-India
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jan-apr.html#26_April_2018_%28Bigots_in_India%29
content:
<p>
The mob of bigots in India now attacks <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2018/apr/17/india-rapes-damaged-divided-nation-hindu-nationalism">those who try to stand for
secularism or human rights</a> for the discriminated-against.


feed_id: 9f159dc93ef577e67b8e1af5557d15c0
title: Hidden illegal porn
uri: Hidden-illegal-porn
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jan-apr.html#26_April_2018_%28Hidden_illegal_porn%29
content:
<p>
Reportedly, illegal porn images are <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/society/2018/apr/18/child-abuse-images-increasingly-hidden-on-adult-pornography-sites">hidden somehow on sites</a> that are
meant to contain legally allowed porn, and this puts innocent visitors
in danger of being imprisoned for something they did unintentionally.
<p>
Any law that makes it a crime to have a copy of some published works
is a terribly dangerous injustice.  These laws must be eliminated.
<p>
Does anyone know more about the technical practice that the article
describes?  Merely using a shortened URL does not "hide" the page it
refers to.


feed_id: ad596953155927bd8eb74126af1bf19d
title: Disabled people in the UK
uri: Disabled-people-in-the-UK
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jan-apr.html#26_April_2018_%28Disabled_people_in_the_UK%29
content:
<p>
Disabled people in the UK <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/society/2018/apr/18/disabled-people-struggle-to-afford-food-and-heating-study-says">can't afford food and heating</a> after all the
aid cuts.


feed_id: 493b1beab714f31d37ea9dcc1f80457b
title: Syrian medics intimidated
uri: Syrian-medics-intimidated
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jan-apr.html#26_April_2018_%28Syrian_medics_intimidated%29
content:
<p>
Syrian Medics <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/apr/17/syria-crisis-medics-intimidated-over-douma-gas-attack">'Subjected to Extreme Intimidation'</a> After Douma Attack.
<p>
I don't know anything about the Union of Medical Care and Relief
Organizations.  For all I know, it might be an arm of the Islamist
rebels and as dishonest as Assad.  But the Guardian reporters say they
talked directly with doctors and victims.  For Assad to push this hard
to pretend there was no attack suggests he did the attack.


feed_id: ef5f99a3d582c52727b70e79cf5179d4
title: Government access to data
uri: Government-access-to-data
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jan-apr.html#26_April_2018_%28Government_access_to_data%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2018/04/tale-two-poorly-designed-cross-border-data-access-regimes">Proposed EU laws</a> for government access to data stored by services
would require every company operating there to understand the details of
each EU country's laws, and obey them even when forbidden by the laws
of their own country.
This burden would be crushing for small companies.  In addition,
companies would face almost irresistible pressure to sacrifice privacy
to err on the side of compliance.


feed_id: 5df978c966d1273a9e320c974a845f9e
title: Paraguay
uri: Paraguay
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jan-apr.html#26_April_2018_%28Paraguay%29
content:
<p>
After the constitutional coup a few years ago, Paraguay <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/apr/20/paraguay-presidential-election-past-dictatorship-right">has fallen
into the hands</a> of supporters of the former military dictatorship.
<p>
I wonder whether the US or right-wing US oligarchs have played a role
in this.


feed_id: b3ddaf9ee9d3d5e24756a3fc7cfd07de
title: Urgent: Prisoner phone rates
uri: Urgent-Prisoner-phone-rates
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jan-apr.html#26_April_2018_%28Urgent%3A_Prisoner_phone_rates%29
content:
<p>
US citizens: <a href="https://act.credoaction.com/sign/phone-justice">Tell Congress</a> to end predatory phone rates for prisoners.


feed_id: 883b3f5af76f4c9fea14489891e68ba2
title: Urgent: Defend net neutrality
uri: Urgent-Defend-net-neutrality
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jan-apr.html#26_April_2018_%28Urgent%3A_Defend_net_neutrality%29
content:
<p>
US citizens: <a href="https://www.aclu.org/issues/free-speech/defend-net-neutrality">phone your senators</a> to call on them to defend network
neutrality.


feed_id: 556d50d91ffd9d0a9afab3729bebd9ff
title: Urgent: Severance pay
uri: 2018-04-27-Urgent-Severance-pay
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jan-apr.html#26_April_2018_%28Urgent%3A_Severance_pay%29
content:
<p>
Everyone: <a href="https://www.credomobilize.com/petitions/toys-r-us-employees-deserve-severance-pay-1">please tell Toys Ya Us</a> to give its employees severance pay.
<p>
The letter in the middle of the store's name is not an R.  It is Я,
the Cyrillic letter which is pronounced "ya".  Please do no commit the
solecism of pronouncing it as "ar", unless you're a member of the
Pirate Party.


feed_id: 690a5a847edabc5124aa5c6744b09e98
title: Severe drought
uri: Severe-drought
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jan-apr.html#26_April_2018_%28Severe_drought%29
content:
<p>
Maputo, capital of Mozambique, is <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2018/apr/22/mozambique-prays-for-rain-water-shortages-hit-poor-maputo-southern-africa-drought">suffering under a severe drought</a>,
which is likely to become ever worse as <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#global heating">global heating</a> continues.
<p>
The projected population increase for that city will not occur.
Maybe the migrants will find somewhere else to go; but what they need to
do is decrease the birth rate.


feed_id: 894b14ae34aeabbd10fb372f0a2e0072
title: Cancer drug price
uri: Cancer-drug-price
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jan-apr.html#26_April_2018_%28Cancer_drug_price%29
content:
<p>
The cancer treatment drug Imbruvica is so expensive that doctors
started testing lower doses to reduce the price.  So the manufacturer
started <a href="https://science.slashdot.org/story/18/04/21/1813233/doctors-tried-to-lower-148k-cancer-drug-cost-makers-tripled-its-price">charging the same price per pill</a> regardless of the dose.
<p>
There is something here that I don't understand.  Can't they get a
pill cutter and divide up one large-dose pill into several small-dose
pills?


feed_id: bc3827c2d2e946dcf7eb9a93e79f505e
title: Fingerprints in photos
uri: Fingerprints-in-photos
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jan-apr.html#26_April_2018_%28Fingerprints_in_photos%29
content:
<p>
Perhaps we should to keep our fingerprints out of photographs so that
our fingerprints <a href="https://boingboing.net/2018/04/17/cops-use-backdoored-whatsapp-p.html">won't be revealed</a>.


feed_id: 108bd6ef23371e6d4847bb432b2d3f59
title: Terry vs Ohio
uri: Terry-vs-Ohio
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jan-apr.html#26_April_2018_%28Terry_vs_Ohio%29
content:
<p>
The <a href="http://www.truth-out.org/opinion/item/44183-from-probable-cause-to-reasonable-suspicion-the-subversion-of-the-fourth-amendment">Terry vs Ohio Supreme Court decision</a>, in 1968, gave thugs the
power to arrest on any grounds that <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thugs</a> generally call "reasonable",
bringing back the sort of British policies that sparked the American
revolution.


feed_id: da266a1d3f518c2daf492be1ddc09ef9
title: Internet of Cracking
uri: Internet-of-Cracking
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jan-apr.html#26_April_2018_%28Internet_of_Cracking%29
content:
<p>
The Internet of Stings is also the <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/hackers-stole-a-casinos-database-through-a-thermometer-in-the-lobby-fish-tank-2018-4">Internet of Cracking</a>.  If you want
proper security, don't allow any connected appliances to connect to
the internet from your premises.


feed_id: 2e7cbafc6cbb9c767e13ee597326660e
title: Tesla injuries
uri: Tesla-injuries
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jan-apr.html#26_April_2018_%28Tesla_injuries%29
content:
<p>
Reveal News reported that Tesla was covering up injuries to make its
safety record look better.  Tesla <a href="https://arstechnica.com/cars/2018/04/tesla-accused-of-improper-worker-safety-reports-calls-news-site-extremist/">called Reveal News names</a>.


feed_id: 38b8237d3d7614983aa370cb5950f235
title: Wells Fargo fine
uri: Wells-Fargo-fine
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jan-apr.html#26_April_2018_%28Wells_Fargo_fine%29
content:
<p>
Wells Fargo has been <a href="http://money.cnn.com/2018/04/20/news/companies/wells-fargo-regulators-auto-lending-fine/index.html">fined a billion dollars</a> for cheating loan
customers.
<p>
I doubt that will be enough to make it change.  We should split it
into at least 20 smaller banks so that none of them will dare to try
such cheating.  And the individuals responsible should be prosecuted.


feed_id: 85d1a54de30e09d61106d8178cf4df7f
title: Arizona teacher strike
uri: Arizona-teacher-strike
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jan-apr.html#26_April_2018_%28Arizona_teacher_strike%29
content:
<p>
Arizona's teachers <a href="http://thehill.com/homenews/state-watch/384088-arizona-teachers-to-walk-out-in-first-ever-statewide-strike">will go on strike</a> starting next week.
<p>
When teachers go on strike, they generally demand more funds for other
needs of public schools, not only for their pay.


feed_id: 1a3aa150d78545a9f524d4444e98e77a
title: Southwest Airlines safety
uri: Southwest-Airlines-safety
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jan-apr.html#26_April_2018_%28Southwest_Airlines_safety%29
content:
<p>
In 2016, a Southwest Airlines flight suffered an engine failure
due to a cracked fan blade.  In 2017, Southwest Airlines opposed
making an NTSB rule requiring more frequent inspections of the fan blades.
<p>
A week ago, another cracked fan blade <a href="https://boingboing.net/2018/04/20/trust-us.html">made an engine explode</a>, and
one passenger died as a result.


feed_id: 6484a1cef933ae3af7e239a2b9866aef
title: Phony scientific organization
uri: Phony-scientific-organization
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jan-apr.html#26_April_2018_%28Phony_scientific_organization%29
content:
<p>
The "National Association of Scholars" is a <a href="https://boingboing.net/2018/04/20/national-ass-of-scholars.html">phony scientific organization</a>
set up to promote <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#global heating">global heating</a> denialism.


feed_id: 9c67851a4607044f9dbc12735f0c922e
title: Deregulation of work
uri: Deregulation-of-work
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jan-apr.html#26_April_2018_%28Deregulation_of_work%29
content:
<p>
The World Bank wants <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/money/2018/apr/20/world-bank-fewer-regulations-protecting-workers">even more deregulation of work</a> &mdash; thus, worse
conditions and lower pay.


feed_id: f565da6a1803f5e1afe93a0f67cde342
title: Using data from commercial sites
uri: Using-data-from-commercial-sites
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jan-apr.html#26_April_2018_%28Using_data_from_commercial_sites%29

content:
<p>
The campaign for Britain to leave the EU <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2018/apr/21/price-comparison-data-may-have-been-used-leave-eu-brexit-cambridge-analytica">took data from commercial
sites</a> without asking or informing the users.
<p>
The site's excuse is that its non-privacy policy said it might do
this.  A web site should not be able to make that lawful merely by
stating its intentions &mdash; there should be strict limits on releasing
personal data.
<p>
But that should not matter for a price comparison site, because it
should not find out anything about its visitors.


feed_id: b3a204610e829a95a19161dda44c1f4b
title: NAFTA and fossil fuels
uri: NAFTA-and-fossil-fuels
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jan-apr.html#26_April_2018_%28NAFTA_and_fossil_fuels%29
content:
<p>
The existing NAFTA forces continued fossil fuel dependence in several
ways.  The new one <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2018/04/18/trumps-corporate-friendly-nafta-20-would-be-total-climate-disaster-report-warns">could do the same</a>; it could even be worse.


feed_id: 269168d8abb4bad407b5de0fb3e19370
title: Result of the tax attacks
uri: Result-of-the-tax-attacks
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jan-apr.html#26_April_2018_%28Result_of_the_tax_attacks%29
content:
<p>
The Republican tax attacks have given American workers peanuts.
They have <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2018/04/18/workers-see-crumbs-biggest-wall-street-banks-have-already-pocketed-25-billion-trump">given the big banks billions</a>.


feed_id: 5fd7cb55f257a8be1e164addee1a87b6
title: Authorization of military force
uri: Authorization-of-military-force
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jan-apr.html#26_April_2018_%28Authorization_of_military_force%29
content:
<p>
The expanded authorization for use of military force, <a href="https://theintercept.com/2018/04/21/donald-trump-war-powers/">recently
proposed in the senate</a>, would allow the president &mdash; any president &mdash;
to make war on any organization he chooses to designate.
<p>
In effect, Congress would cede to the president its control over when
the US makes war.
<p>
It's absurd for Congress to exercise control over the president by
delegating it indefinitely to the president.


feed_id: 193755a4873d47df28580418b7fb6c2d
title: DNC sues Wikileaks
uri: DNC-sues-Wikileaks
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jan-apr.html#26_April_2018_%28DNC_sues_Wikileaks%29
content:
<p>
The Democratic National Committee has sued Wikileaks for publishing
leaked emails, as well as the Trump Campaign and Russia for plotting
to obtain them.  Suing Wikileaks <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2018/04/21/dncs-lawsuit-against-wikileaks-poses-serious-threat-press-freedom">attacks freedom of the press</a>.


feed_id: 1aaecbf3ccc07fa74e3199e1a73166dc
title: Monsanto's human rights
uri: Monsanto-s-human-rights
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jan-apr.html#26_April_2018_%28Monsanto%27s_human_rights%29
content:
<p>
The latest consequence of the perverse idea that corporations are
entitled to human rights: a US court ruled that <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2018/04/21/cancer-society-monsanto-claims-right-not-speak-about-roundup">Monsanto has the human
right</a> not to tell customers that Roundup has been designated a
probable carcinogen.


feed_id: 6f4897149172a819ac08eaf78746a8fc
title: Ireland and personal data
uri: Ireland-and-personal-data
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jan-apr.html#26_April_2018_%28Ireland_and_personal_data%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://www.aclu.org/blog/national-security/privacy-and-surveillance/how-irish-court-ruling-could-affect-us-spying">A court case in Ireland</a> could put a crimp in companies' ability to send
personal data from the EU to the US.


feed_id: ac9378281836e2556e5f306006e35bb3
title: Hijacked Facebook account
uri: Hijacked-Facebook-account
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jan-apr.html#26_April_2018_%28Hijacked_Facebook_account%29
content:
<p>
A person's long-disused Facebook account was <a href="https://www.spectrum.ieee.org/view-from-the-valley/telecom/internet/i-was-a-russian-facebook-troll-named-martha">hijacked by a Russian
troll</a>.


feed_id: 15c35d272e2ebf686894e3cf2fa93242
title: Sharing copies on Facebook
uri: Sharing-copies-on-Facebook
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jan-apr.html#26_April_2018_%28Sharing_copies_on_Facebook%29
content:
<p>
The lords of copyright are taking advantage of Facebook's current
vulnerability weakness, due to its trashing of people's privacy, as an
opportunity to compel it to <a href="https://torrentfreak.com/facebook-privacy-fiasco-sees-congress-urged-on-anti-piracy-action-180420/">crack down on sharing of copies</a> among its
useds.
<p>
They hope people will leap from "Facebook is bad" (for snooping) to
"Restrict Facebook" (from being useful for something).
<p>
Sharing is good.  What's evil is forbidding or stopping people from
sharing.


feed_id: 9caa24030a27fb0f56322473221e1d44
title: Urgent: Libel reform in Scotland
uri: Urgent-Libel-reform-in-Scotland
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jan-apr.html#27_April_2018_%28Urgent%3A_Libel_reform_in_Scotland%29

content:
<p>
Citizens of Scotland: <a href="https://beta.startafire.co/libelreformcampaign/scotland-2018/defamation-scotland-2018">support libel reform</a> in Scotland.


feed_id: 23d3edb62e53d118e1d109e5381cc1a1
title: Urgent: Sessions's asylum plan
uri: Urgent-Sessions-s-asylum-plan
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jan-apr.html#27_April_2018_%28Urgent%3A_Sessions%27s_asylum_plan%29

content:
<p>
US citizens: <a href="https://act.weareultraviolet.org/sign/survivors-asylum/">condemn Saboteur Sessions's plan</a> to deny asylum to
refugees fleeing domestic and sexual violence.


feed_id: 93a6d8ff32d0ffa2095cb81e36f9bbf2
title: Tennessee Christians
uri: Tennessee-Christians
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jan-apr.html#27_April_2018_%28Tennessee_Christians%29
content:
<p>
Tennessee Christians who are generally right-wing have been <a href="https://www.alternet.org/rural-trump-voters-have-second-thoughts-about-opposing-immigration-after-recent-ice-raids-violate">alienated by
a large raid</a> made by the deportation thugs.


feed_id: 15a62e2e7bb56fa3e901fc5fd5d01689
title: Wells Fargo penalty
uri: Wells-Fargo-penalty
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jan-apr.html#27_April_2018_%28Wells_Fargo_penalty%29
content:
<p>
The penalty imposed on Wells Fargo is partly for restitution to the
customers it defrauded, but how to do this has not been specified, and
the bank itself <a href="https://www.consumerreports.org/wells-fargo/where-one-billion-from-wells-fargo-settlement-goes/">may make most of the decision</a>.


feed_id: c8e7553d0383baa60fcc360b256f936b
title: Murders in Brazil
uri: Murders-in-Brazil
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jan-apr.html#27_April_2018_%28Murders_in_Brazil%29
content:
<p>
Many anti-deforestation activists <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2018/apr/17/murdered-indigenous-land-activist-adds-to-rising-death-toll-in-brazils-amazon">are being murdered</a> in the Brazilian
state of Pará.
<p>
I made a joke that the capital of Pará is Paranoia.  (After all, the
capital of Goias is Goiania.)  Sad to say, it seems to be the truth.


feed_id: 9c90aae8934d1503f6a44779e4063643
title: Unarmed black man shot
uri: Unarmed-black-man-shot
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jan-apr.html#27_April_2018_%28Unarmed_black_man_shot%29
content:
<p>
California thugs, "bullies with badges," <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2018/apr/17/diante-yarber-police-fatal-shooting-barstow-california">shot Diante Yarber</a>, an
unarmed black man, in a parked car.
<p>
They said he drove the car away when they tried to stop him.  If so,
that was no reason to kill him.  They could have found and arrested
him on some other occasion.
<p>
They also said he rammed a <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thug</a> car, but others deny this, and his car
mysteriously shows no sign of the damage that ramming would have
caused.  Knowing the MO of <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thugs</a>, my suspicion is that they made this
up.
<p>
They hit a passenger, too, and were more interested in interrogating her
than in bringing her to the hospital.


feed_id: f068935f29a6316bbfafe0f548bcb4d3
title: Dangerously polluted air
uri: Dangerously-polluted-air
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jan-apr.html#27_April_2018_%28Dangerously_polluted_air%29
content:
<p>
Almost all human beings alive have to breathe <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2018/apr/17/more-than-95-of-worlds-population-breathe-dangerous-air-major-study-finds">dangerously polluted air</a>.


feed_id: 31ed2cfd052296b95c758d7fef5e0bf5
title: Sea-floor mining
uri: Sea-floor-mining
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jan-apr.html#27_April_2018_%28Sea-floor_mining%29
content:
<p>
Sea-floor mining could <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2018/apr/18/deep-sea-mining-possibly-as-damaging-as-land-mining-lawyers-say">cause ecological damage</a> like mining on land.


feed_id: ac2684d150d331697fcc2111d39d8166
title: School bus drivers
uri: School-bus-drivers
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jan-apr.html#27_April_2018_%28School_bus_drivers%29
content:
<p>
School bus drivers in Georgia <a href="https://theintercept.com/2018/04/22/georgia-bus-drivers-joined-the-school-uprising-and-paid-a-price/">didn't get the same support</a> that teachers got,
even though they get paid even less.


feed_id: ba5090e44b639048b12c7eaa9377cfd8
title: Medical conglomerates
uri: Medical-conglomerates
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jan-apr.html#27_April_2018_%28Medical_conglomerates%29
content:
<p>
It looks like <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2018/apr/22/america-golden-age-corporate-medicine-health-insurance">a few giant conglomerates</a> will take over all aspects of
medicine in the US.
<p>
We will need to nationalize them, or else convert every single
activity into a pervasively regulated utility which can't decide any
policy on its own.  To allow one entity to have both regulated and
unregulated activities is a recipe for corruption (it will use the
regulated activities to subsidize the unregulated ones), so we will
need to split them apart and split up the unregulated ones.


feed_id: 0559f72b78cbefba2c32669b6b61eebf
title: Arizona election law
uri: Arizona-election-law
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jan-apr.html#27_April_2018_%28Arizona_election_law%29
content:
<p>
In case Senator McCain dies, Republicans are <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2018/apr/22/arizona-republicans-seek-law-change-in-case-john-mccain-seat-in-play">trying to change Arizona's law</a>
so his successor won't be elected soon.


feed_id: c689a4a2b031a0b5fca190fc80480e49
title: Northern Ireland in 1968
uri: Northern-Ireland-in-1968
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jan-apr.html#27_April_2018_%28Northern_Ireland_in_1968%29
content:
<p>
The violent conflict in Northern Ireland <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2018/apr/22/lost-moment-exhibition-northern-ireland-civil-rights-1968-troubles-what-if">started in 1968</a> when thugs
attacked peaceful protesters that were demanding democratic elections
and equal rights for Catholics.
In response to this violence, some of the dissidents started
demanding independence from the UK.  Since the Catholics were a
minority, they were not entitled to that, when the majority was
against it.  But they were entitled to democratic elections and equal
rights.


feed_id: 5f5dc1c1901d68ef8ffb72dcc7c25b18
title: Replacing plastic
uri: 2018-04-28-Replacing-plastic
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jan-apr.html#27_April_2018_%28Replacing_plastic%29
content:
<p>
Innovators are working on <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2018/apr/22/meet-the-pioneers-tackling-plastic-waste-loliware-straws-vin-and-omi">ideas for replacing plastic</a>.
<p>
I rarely buy plastic beverage bottles, except in countries where
drinking tap water is not safe.  And I carry a few long-lived shopping
bags with me, so I mostly avoid single-use plastic bags.  However, I
have no feasible way to avoid the containers (often plastic) that food
is sold in &mdash; it isn't feasible to sell them without containers.


feed_id: c5115302465c369ed5bbd607c12a40d1
title: Exotic wildlife in Alaska
uri: Exotic-wildlife-in-Alaska
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jan-apr.html#27_April_2018_%28Exotic_wildlife_in_Alaska%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2018/apr/22/utqiagvik-alaska-weird-wildlife-environment">Exotic southern wildlife</a> is surprising people in Alaska.
<p>
The native animals and plants are not accustomed to them either.  In a
few years the exotics will be eating them, competing with them for
food, and spreading diseases to them.


feed_id: 145cb98b19a41893bc0b2e89aac059ab
title: Deep state leaks
uri: Deep-state-leaks
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jan-apr.html#27_April_2018_%28Deep_state_leaks%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2018/apr/22/leaks-trump-deep-state-fbi-cia-michael-flynn">The 'Deep State' Is Real.</a>  But Are Its Leaks Against Trump Justified?
<p>
I think the article's points are entirely valid.  When intelligence
officials leak intelligence information for their own purposes, it
creates a permanent danger which threatens lasting harm.
<p>
At the same time, the corrupter has created a potentially permanent danger
which threatens lasting harm.  He is not likely to win a free and fair
election, and since <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2016-nov-feb.html#27_December_2016_(Republican_election-rigging)">Republicans didn't allow</a> the last election
to be fair, they are not likely to do it in the future.
<p>
With the United States in grave danger from its own leaders, the
intelligence leaks about his corruption can be seen as a backup form
of the "checks and balances" that Congress lacks the courage and
independence to carry out.
<p>
The deep state and the corrupter are also fighting about whether to
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2018/apr/22/jfk-documents-could-show-the-truth-about-a-diplomats-death-47-years-ago">release the last secret papers</a> about the assassination of President
Kennedy, which might show what the CIA knew about Oswald's contacts in
Mexico with Cuban and Soviet diplomats.


feed_id: f5b5def1894126bd1b78eac5109c51c6
title: Right whale mission
uri: Right-whale-mission
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jan-apr.html#27_April_2018_%28Right_whale_mission%29
content:
<p>
A mission to remove a fishing rope and hook from a North Atlantic
right whale's jaw aimed to enable her to reproduce again.  But <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2018/apr/22/female-right-whale-entangled-endangered-species">the
mission was unsuccessful</a>.
<p>
If the human population were so low, I would urge all humans to have
babies.  However, we are at <a href="https://stallman.org/articles/children.html ">the other extreme</a>, with a population that
is too large.


feed_id: 00df0700b1cf1ff1c919bc8870252f20
title: Promoting homeopathy
uri: Promoting-homeopathy
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jan-apr.html#27_April_2018_%28Promoting_homeopathy%29
content:
<p>
It's a shame the British royal family <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2018/apr/22/homeopathy-quackery-plain-and-simple-whatever-royal-family-says">promotes the superstition of
homeopathy</a>.


feed_id: ce4cdfd8ef148d57d56f5b2b462f246a
title: Minnesota: Justice for Natalie
uri: Minnesota-Justice-for-Natalie
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jan-apr.html#27_April_2018_%28Minnesota%3A_Justice_for_Natalie%29

content:
<p>A domestic-abuse victim has been charged and found guilty of second degree unintentional murder of her abusive partner. Protesters are urging the County Attorney to <a href="https://act.colorofchange.org/go/33360?t=1005&akid=10476%2E1242918%2Eg_LToY">drop all charges against Natalie Pollard</a>.</p>
</li></p>


feed_id: 7dc276843ed134061794b792b6babf1e
title: Cal State University free speech double standards
uri: Cal-State-University-free-speech-double-standards
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jan-apr.html#27_April_2018_%28Cal_State_University_free_speech_double_standards%29

content:
<p>Cal State University recognizes <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2018/apr/20/california-state-university-free-speech-blackface">the freedom to state right-wing ideas more</a> than the freedom to state left-wing ideas.</p>
</li></p>


feed_id: 9a67fe0ff3a479045ee926346df224ad
title: Onion: Congress, Facebook, civil liberties
uri: Onion-Congress-Facebook-civil-liberties
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jan-apr.html#27_April_2018_%28Onion%3A_Congress%2C_Facebook%2C_civil_liberties%29

content:
<p>The Onion: <a href="https://politics.theonion.com/congress-demands-to-know-how-facebook-got-people-to-giv-1825180873">Congress Demands To Know How Facebook Got People To Give Up Their Civil Liberties Without A Fight</a>.</p>
</li></p>


feed_id: 25838d8a3903f9906ddc142e35eb4b81
title: US: endangered species protection delayed
uri: US-endangered-species-protection-delayed
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jan-apr.html#27_April_2018_%28US%3A_endangered_species_protection_delayed%29

content:
<p>An official in the Interior Department seems to have delayed protection <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2018/apr/20/vincent-devito-trump-interior-department-endangered-species-delay-oil-industry">for an endangered mussel at the request of fossil fool interests</a>.</p>
</li></p>


feed_id: 1457a61c383a37331f2c9e4341cd577e
title: US: Immigration enforcement censorship
uri: US-Immigration-enforcement-censorship
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jan-apr.html#27_April_2018_%28US%3A_Immigration_enforcement_censorship%29

content:
<p>The bully's "extreme vetting" is <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2018/apr/20/trump-extreme-vetting-activists-censorship-immigration">harassing activists and blocking them from visiting the US</a> to speak.</p>
</li></p>


feed_id: 3658fda4ece38af896cf4dcea376e75c
title: Spain: Basque terrorist group apology
uri: Spain-Basque-terrorist-group-apology
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jan-apr.html#27_April_2018_%28Spain%3A_Basque_terrorist_group_apology%29

content:
<p>The Basque terrorist group ETA has <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/apr/20/eta-apologises-basque-separatists-deadly-violence">recognized that its violent campaign for Basque independence was wrong</a>, and made a humble apology before disbanding.</p>
<p>The leaders called on Spanish <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thugs</a> to recognize the wrongs on their part.  The group began its campaign while the murderous dictator Franco was still in power and the thugs worked for him, so I expect there were plenty of wrongs on the thugs' part.</p>
</li></p>


feed_id: 59ccd20c6553c47e741176ca6ec73a98
title: Terry vs Ohio
uri: 2018-04-28-Terry-vs-Ohio
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jan-apr.html#26_April_2018_%28Terry_vs_Ohio%29
content:
<p>
The <a href="http://www.truth-out.org/opinion/item/44183-from-probable-cause-to-reasonable-suspicion-the-subversion-of-the-fourth-amendment">Terry
vs Ohio Supreme Court decision</a>, in 1968, gave thugs the power to
search and harass people on the street on any grounds
that <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thugs</a> generally call
"reasonable", bringing back the sort of British policies that sparked
the American revolution.


feed_id: 66e209b376c6adf3c56f109777bfc8d2
title: Urgent: Sturm Ruger gun company
uri: Urgent-Sturm-Ruger-gun-company
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jan-apr.html#28_April_2018_%28Urgent%3A_Sturm_Ruger_gun_company%29

content:
<p>
Everyone: <a href="https://act.credoaction.com/sign/NRA_SturmRuger">Tell the Sturm Ruger gun company</a> to remove the NRA leader
from its board of directors.


feed_id: c9c2bc36c57cf48d53e816d79d54703f
title: Urgent: Marine Mammal Protection Act
uri: Urgent-Marine-Mammal-Protection-Act
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jan-apr.html#28_April_2018_%28Urgent%3A_Marine_Mammal_Protection_Act%29

content:
<p>
US citizens: <a href="https://secure.defenders.org/site/Advocacy?cmd=display&page=UserAction&id=3310">tell Congress</a> not to weaken the Marine Mammal Protection
Act in regard to navy operations.


feed_id: b71221f10761a06a4e482eda39d34a7f
title: Zone between Venezuela and Colombia
uri: Zone-between-Venezuela-and-Colombia
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jan-apr.html#28_April_2018_%28Zone_between_Venezuela_and_Colombia%29

content:
<p>
500 indigenous people from Venezuela are <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/apr/23/not-welcome-in-colombia-indigenous-migrants-stuck-at-border-after-fleeing-venezuela">stuck in the border zone</a>
between Venezuela and Colombia.
<p>
I've crossed that bridge.  There were normally no border controls
&mdash; Venezuelans and Colombians simply cross, while people from
other countries who are travelling further on are required to visit an
office several blocks away to show their passports.  Colombia is
treating these citizens of Venezuelans unlike all the others.


feed_id: 8c185334cb5f0ac7cd79ef4b7df331ce
title: Fake Border Patrol stats
uri: Fake-Border-Patrol-stats
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jan-apr.html#28_April_2018_%28Fake_Border_Patrol_stats%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://theintercept.com/2018/04/23/border-patrol-agents-assaulted-cbp-fbi/">How the Border Patrol Faked Statistics</a> Showing a 73 Percent Rise in
Assaults Against Agents.


feed_id: d4f1dd44e81e2c490d223089d7444fe8
title: Amazon pay and food stamps
uri: Amazon-pay-and-food-stamps
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jan-apr.html#28_April_2018_%28Amazon_pay_and_food_stamps%29
content:
<p>
As of 2018, <a href="https://thinkprogress.org/amazon-workers-rely-on-food-stamps-24ab86dd6495/">1/3 of Amazon employees in Arizona</a> get food stamps, their
pay is so low.  In some other states, it's only 1/9 that get food
stamps.
<p>
Amazon's office workers are better paid but they have to work 80 hours
a week.  That's even more time than I spend volunteering!


feed_id: b1bd1131111b15d948617da466a8b1e8
title: Universal basic income test
uri: Universal-basic-income-test
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jan-apr.html#28_April_2018_%28Universal_basic_income_test%29
content:
<p>
Finland has <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/apr/23/finland-to-end-basic-income-trial-after-two-years">cut short its test</a> of a partial universal basic income,
apparently on ideological grounds.
It is too soon to draw conclusions from the test itself.


feed_id: 21e5b6da1c50976bcda1a641a23aa4e2
title: Nicaragua
uri: Nicaragua
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jan-apr.html#28_April_2018_%28Nicaragua%29
content:
<p>
Nicaragua has <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/apr/23/nicaragua-withdraws-social-security-changes-after-people-killed-in-riots">backed off from cuts in support</a> for poor and retired people,
which sparked riots.
<p>
It looks like the former Socialists are obeying business, now.
Nicaragua, like other countries, needs to break their power at all costs.


feed_id: 8fcdf2248dc26cfdae0f1b21837c7370
title: Sinai curfew
uri: Sinai-curfew
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jan-apr.html#28_April_2018_%28Sinai_curfew%29
content:
<p>
Egypt has <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/apr/23/egyptian-citizens-under-siege-anti-isis-military-operation">put the Sinai peninsula under curfew</a> all the time for weeks.
People can't get gasoline, electricity, food, or water.
<p>
The cause of this is an anti-guerrilla operation against violent Islamists.
It is hard to say which are worse, the violent Islamists of Egypt
or the military rulers of Egypt.


feed_id: 36152516c21c9c096f8800325be99294
title: Censorship in Pakistan
uri: 2018-04-29-Censorship-in-Pakistan
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jan-apr.html#28_April_2018_%28Censorship_in_Pakistan%29
content:
<p>
The Pakistani army demonstrated its political power by <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/apr/23/shutdown-of-pakistani-tv-network-hints-at-armys-bid-for-control">shutting down a
TV station</a> and making it agree to censorship.
The other media are already censoring themselves.


feed_id: 5ca1572700ebf1b2d50832841b8cc236
title: War on Immigrants
uri: War-on-Immigrants
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jan-apr.html#28_April_2018_%28War_on_Immigrants%29
content:
<p>
The Tories prosecuted their War on Immigrants by turning the UK into
a society where you have to "show your papers" <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2018/apr/22/hostile-environment-landlords-check-immigration-status-under-coalition-government">for anything you do</a>.
<p>
<a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#bully">The bully</a>'s War on Immigrants threatens to do the same thing.


feed_id: d7b17489b98c24726b98631442206b9d
title: Complaint against Israel
uri: Complaint-against-Israel
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jan-apr.html#28_April_2018_%28Complaint_against_Israel%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/apr/23/palestinians-file-complaint-against-israel-under-anti-racism-treaty">Palestine Files Complaint</a> against Israel under Anti-Racism Treaty.


feed_id: 18b59126339a0fbc75e8f74cbb20a80e
title: 'Blighted' properties
uri: Blighted-properties
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jan-apr.html#28_April_2018_%28%27Blighted%27_properties%29
content:
<p>
Courts are giving US state governments carte blanche to <a href="https://reason.com/archives/2018/04/23/in-new-york-blight-is-whatever">arbitrarily
declare properties "blighted"</a> as an excuse to seize them by eminent
domain.
<p>
An even bigger injustice of eminent domain in the US is that the
Supreme Court has authorized its use by governments on behalf of
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2012-may-aug.html#22_August_2012_(Oil_Companies)">private business projects</a>.
This means a local or state government is
allowed to elevate one private entity's success over anyone's mere
rights.
<p>
Why would a government even think of doing that?  Partly, due to
corruption.  However, it is also a matter of values and ideology.  For
those that have surrendered in their hearts to plutocratism, it is
easy to reach the conclusion that "What this city needs most is for
business B to succeed here."  These officials might then seize land
for a business, bid millions to <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#21_September_2017_(Competing_for_Amazon)">be exploited by Amazon</a>
or <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2012-mar-jun.html#14_March_2012_(Olympic_Burden)">hold the Olympic games</a>, 
or even vote that corporations are <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2012-jan-apr.html#26_April_2012_(Right-wing_plutocrat)">entitled to human rights</a>.
<p>
When selling out to the rich becomes this deep, it ceases to feel like
selling out.  Instead it feels like loyal service to the master.


feed_id: 1101888a9d45e64d5f2e4d33da0fb2e3
title: Pruitt's promise
uri: Pruitt-s-promise
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jan-apr.html#28_April_2018_%28Pruitt%27s_promise%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/climate-consensus-97-per-cent/2018/apr/23/pruitt-promised-polluters-epa-will-value-their-profits-over-american-lives">Pruitt Promised Polluters</a> EPA Will Value Their Profits over American Lives.


feed_id: bee23d80ec1caad92b3f5df400224ff1
title: Tapanuli orangutan
uri: Tapanuli-orangutan
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jan-apr.html#28_April_2018_%28Tapanuli_orangutan%29
content:
<p>
Humans discovered the Tapanuli orangutan six months ago; now other humans
are proceeding to <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/radical-conservation/2018/apr/23/worlds-newest-great-ape-threatened-by-chinese-dam">cause its extinction</a> in short order.


feed_id: d74d3900bed992c779a707a22c8e277b
title: Unexploded bombs
uri: Unexploded-bombs
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jan-apr.html#28_April_2018_%28Unexploded_bombs%29
content:
<p>
Why unexploded bombs from World War II are <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/cities/2018/apr/23/allied-bombs-still-threaten-hamburg-ww2">still frequently discovered</a>
in various European countries, especially Germany.


feed_id: fae8e54ef2a5a060bbbad7fc44e0d77d
title: 2018 farm bill
uri: 2018-farm-bill
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jan-apr.html#28_April_2018_%282018_farm_bill%29
content:
<p>
With the <a href="https://www.alternet.org/news-amp-politics/heres-how-gop-farm-bill-unapologetic-assault-public-health">2018 farm bill</a>,
<a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#scrotus">SCROTUS</a> hope to starve Americans that they
don't poison.


feed_id: a2d29da08f4fd377be2356b2782c53ac
title: 'Endorsing' Facebook ads
uri: Endorsing-Facebook-ads
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jan-apr.html#28_April_2018_%28%27Endorsing%27_Facebook_ads%29
content:
<p>
Facebook publishes ads citing specific useds as if they endorsed the ads.
Martin Lewis <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2018/apr/22/martin-lewis-sues-facebook-over-fake-ads-with-his-name">is suing Facebook</a> for misrepresenting him this way.


feed_id: c9e76b017b11caf410f92f8d25680c96
title: Urgent: Fire Pruitt
uri: 2018-04-30-Urgent-Fire-Pruitt
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jan-apr.html#29_April_2018_%28Urgent%3A_Fire_Pruitt%29
content:
<p>
US citizens: <a href="https://actionnetwork.org/petitions/sign-the-petition-tell-congress-to-fire-scott-pruitt">tell Congress</a> to pressure for firing Saboteur Pruitt.


feed_id: d00e07a643c7051eaea5f5a19200739b
title: Urgent: Domestic abortion gag rule
uri: Urgent-Domestic-abortion-gag-rule
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jan-apr.html#29_April_2018_%28Urgent%3A_Domestic_abortion_gag_rule%29

content:
<p>
US citizens: Oppose the SCROTUS <a href="https://secure.ppaction.org/site/Advocacy?cmd=display&page=UserAction&id=22482">domestic abortion gag rule</a>.


feed_id: 220ab03585b0e629fdcb3c3a5f24327e
title: The cheater's lies
uri: The-cheater-s-lies
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jan-apr.html#29_April_2018_%28The_cheater%27s_lies%29
content:
<p>
For supporters of the cheater, <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/further/2018/04/22/trump-through-looking-glass">no lie is too blatant</a>.


feed_id: 47e5365441fcc41fe1882407d8878e60
title: UK citizenship barriers
uri: UK-citizenship-barriers
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jan-apr.html#29_April_2018_%28UK_citizenship_barriers%29
content:
<p>
The Tories will <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2018/apr/23/windrush-generation-will-get-uk-citizenship-says-amber-rudd">waive many barriers</a> in UK citizenship applications,
for people that moved lawfully from colonies in the 1960s.
<p>
The article does not make it clear whether they will waive the
requirement to prove when they arrived, or that they resided in the UK
since then.  But that's where the difficulty is.


feed_id: 0e663e1c7f1d9339c44a1ca234fc7716
title: Giuliani and the cheater
uri: Giuliani-and-the-cheater
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jan-apr.html#29_April_2018_%28Giuliani_and_the_cheater%29
content:
<p>
1988: Giuliani Had FBI End Investigation of Trump Money Laundering,
[then] <a href="https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2018/4/20/1758614/-1988-Giuliani-Had-FBI-End-Investigation-of-Trump-Money-Laundering-Trump-raised-2M-for-Giuliani">Trump raised $2M for Giuliani</a>.


feed_id: 1787e7b241a85b516d4a890e2da9e576
title: Lies about sex trafficking
uri: Lies-about-sex-trafficking
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jan-apr.html#29_April_2018_%28Lies_about_sex_trafficking%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://www.salon.com/2018/04/15/the-lies-about-sex-trafficking-that-brought-down-backpage/">The Lies about Sex Trafficking</a> That Brought Down Backpage (and led to
the censorship law SESTA).
<p>
Online advertising isn't crucial for coercing people into
prostitution, but helps them a lot in avoiding violent crime
if that has happened.


feed_id: 070a5d764ef3ddeb3239d1ea9f83689c
title: Firing doctors
uri: Firing-doctors
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jan-apr.html#29_April_2018_%28Firing_doctors%29
content:
<p>
Religious fanatics that own US hospitals and clinics are threatening
to fire, even blacklist doctors for <a href="https://nwlc.org/blog/nwlc-report-fired-and-threatened-simply-for-providing-or-supporting-abortion/">performing abortions somewhere else</a>.


feed_id: 0c47b718eb0864916cfb9dd04d0703ac
title: Factory farm nuisances
uri: Factory-farm-nuisances
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jan-apr.html#29_April_2018_%28Factory_farm_nuisances%29
content:
<p>
The Republicans that control North Carolina passed a law so that
factory farms <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2018/04/23/nobody-should-have-hog-poop-walls-their-home">don't have to compensate neighbors</a> for the many
nuisances the farms cause.


feed_id: 9cf7a4e928e74c5b491d19579623e4db
title: Intimidating black voters
uri: Intimidating-black-voters
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jan-apr.html#29_April_2018_%28Intimidating_black_voters%29
content:
<p>
A law adopted in 1871 to stop the KKK from intimidating black voters is
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2018/04/23/how-klan-act-1871-fighting-voter-intimidation-today">now being used against Republicans</a> that seek to intimidate black voters
and members of other disfavored groups.


feed_id: 2670a77ad0a5279299d7e5023e364b98
title: Joining unions
uri: Joining-unions
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jan-apr.html#29_April_2018_%28Joining_unions%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2018/04/23/why-young-people-are-joining-unions-again">Young Americans are joining unions</a>, looking for a way to get more
respect at work, as well as better pay.


feed_id: 0d3a689512133525e4f80eed3451d4d2
title: Pompeo approved
uri: Pompeo-approved
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jan-apr.html#29_April_2018_%28Pompeo_approved%29
content:
<p>
The Senate foreign relations committee approved Pompeo because <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2018/apr/23/mike-pompeo-narrowly-approved-for-secretary-of-state-by-senate-committee">Rand
Paul and Chris Coons switched sides</a> to support him.
<p>
I am sure their supporters will be disappointed in them for this.


feed_id: 06943b0a38b51c976ad7bd892d075bb3
title: Wedding party in Yemen
uri: Wedding-party-in-Yemen
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jan-apr.html#29_April_2018_%28Wedding_party_in_Yemen%29
content:
<p>
The US-based bombardment of Yemen <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/apr/23/at-least-20-killed-as-airstrike-hits-yemen-wedding-officials-say">struck a wedding party</a>.
This sort of atrocity is, presumably, unintentional.  But since it happens
over and over, it is not unforeseeable.


feed_id: 9bc88403639d7b154b18e425eae2bfd9
title: Pesticide executives
uri: Pesticide-executives
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jan-apr.html#29_April_2018_%28Pesticide_executives%29
content:
<p>
Pesticide Executives Are <a href="https://www.motherjones.com/politics/2018/04/pesticide-executives-are-running-ag-policy-for-donald-trump/">Running Ag Policy</a> for Donald Trump.


feed_id: fc3b1c401920993eade4194818edfc24
title: Attacks in Aceh
uri: Attacks-in-Aceh
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jan-apr.html#29_April_2018_%28Attacks_in_Aceh%29
content:
<p>
In Aceh, mobs of fanatical Muslims <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/apr/23/a-vigilante-state-acehs-citizens-take-sharia-law-into-their-own-hands">attack people found having sex</a>,
or otherwise violating Shari'a law.
<p>
Indonesia made a bad mistake allowing Aceh's autonomy to include
denial of human rights recognized by Indonesia itself.


feed_id: de4e65f4072dcc7a620a6181e007c82b
title: Media longing for violence
uri: Media-longing-for-violence
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jan-apr.html#29_April_2018_%28Media_longing_for_violence%29
content:
<p>
FAIR: Media Support US Violence Against Syria, <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2018/04/22/media-support-us-violence-against-syria-long-more">But Long for More</a>.


feed_id: 07bc8851bb919c19ccc07c6b248322fd
title: Sheriff's deputy fired
uri: Sheriff-s-deputy-fired
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jan-apr.html#29_April_2018_%28Sheriff%27s_deputy_fired%29
content:
<p>
Sheriff's Deputy Who Fatally Shot Unarmed Black Man in Texas <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2018/apr/22/sheriffs-deputy-who-fatally-shot-unarmed-black-man-in-texas-is-fired">Is Fired</a>.
<p>
At least he won't shoot someone else in the same <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thug</a> department.
But he can probably <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jul-oct.html#15_September_2016_(Thug_offenders)">get hired in another one</a>.


feed_id: 0a4b92fadd01c94fc02d91001c4fe130
title: Phony companies in the UK
uri: Phony-companies-in-the-UK
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jan-apr.html#29_April_2018_%28Phony_companies_in_the_UK%29
content:
<p>
Anyone can set up a company in the UK and lie about who really owns
it.  This is a <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2018/apr/22/the-sunday-essay-britain-headquarters-of-fraud">major contributor to world-wide fraud</a>.  
<p>
The only person ever prosecuted for making a phony company was the
whistleblower who sought to call attention to this vehicle for fraud.


feed_id: 278a16fbfc0f480c7661bd8d94bd8bc6
title: Urgent: Census question
uri: Urgent-Census-question
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#30_April_2018_%28Urgent%3A_Census_question%29
content:
<p>
US citizens: <a href="https://actionnetwork.org/petitions/tell-congress-fair-and-accurate-census-in-2020-drop-the-citizenship-question">call on Congress</a> to keep the sabotage citizenship
question out of the census.


feed_id: 173810b0f3d8dc2e9e5a57cb29402dba
title: Urgent: Butcher inspection
uri: Urgent-Butcher-inspection
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#30_April_2018_%28Urgent%3A_Butcher_inspection%29
content:
<p>
US citizens: <a href="https://secure.foodandwateraction.org/act/tell-usda-dont-privatize-pork-inspections">Tell the Department of Agriculture</a> not to let hog
butchers inspect their own work.
<p>
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2018/04/23/suspension-new-poultry-inspection-system-plant-shows-privatized-inspection">Here's what happened</a> when it allowed some chicken factories to use
private inspectors.


feed_id: 9ee31358981290d8ff8f0c8bf4be94de
title: University autonomy
uri: University-autonomy
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#30_April_2018_%28University_autonomy%29
content:
<p>
The EU has a formal policy of autonomy for universities.  The UK has
turned all of it into a dead letter, giving the government <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/education/2018/apr/24/uk-universities-erosion-integrity-bologna-statement">detailed control
over university activities</a>.


feed_id: cb12f073c00e24fb8bef9b2421d6c83e
title: BBC employee vetting
uri: BBC-employee-vetting
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#30_April_2018_%28BBC_employee_vetting%29
content:
<p>
BBC employees, from the 1930s to the 1990s, were <a href="http://www.bbc.com/news/stories-43754737">secretly
judged by government spies</a>.


feed_id: 25e5cace0129b44ad3b7f48c82920d5d
title: Armed Nazi protesters
uri: Armed-Nazi-protesters
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#30_April_2018_%28Armed_Nazi_protesters%29
content:
<p>
Georgia thugs left the armed Nazi protesters alone, <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/further/2018/04/23/reminder-rabid-georgia-police-attacking-anti-fascist-protesters-nazis-are-bad">and violently
arrested</a> many of the unarmed, peaceful counterprotesters.
<p>
<a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">Thugs</a> tend generally to be right-wing.  Perhaps they extended their sympathies
more to the Nazis than to the antifascists.


feed_id: 0c537e686edaf9b883c1b2025577fb00
title: Colorado teachers
uri: Colorado-teachers
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#30_April_2018_%28Colorado_teachers%29
content:
<p>
Republican legislators in Colorado seek to <a href="https://www.thedenverchannel.com/lifestyle/education/colorado-senate-bill-seeks-to-punish-teachers-with-jail-time-should-they-go-on-strike">fire teachers that strike</a>,
and jail them.
<p>
If the teachers have the courage to go to jail in large numbers,
as civil rights protesters did, they will win.


feed_id: 3674e8ae259284a7c6ddd0731b507278
title: Movement infiltration
uri: Movement-infiltration
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#30_April_2018_%28Movement_infiltration%29
content:
<p>
UK thugs have been <a href="https://jacobinmag.com/2018/04/uk-infiltration-secret-police-mi5-special-branch-undercover">infiltrating all sorts of movements</a> for
non-plutocratist social change ever since the 1880s.
<p>
In the US, they have been especially active against union organizing.


feed_id: 7e935b9713509f2c646aa2ca901976dd
title: Praising Dictator Kim
uri: Praising-Dictator-Kim
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#30_April_2018_%28Praising_Dictator_Kim%29
content:
<p>
The bullshitter <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2018/apr/24/donald-trump-says-north-korea-is-very-open-to-summit-as-soon-as-possible">has switched suddenly</a> to praising Dictator Kim.
<p>
When he does this sort of thing, it shows that his condemnation means
nothing more than "You're not giving me what I want," and his praise
means nothing more than "You're giving me what I want."


feed_id: 3a0daa720132694381c6d8390d80f73c
title: Governor Cuomo
uri: Governor-Cuomo
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#30_April_2018_%28Governor_Cuomo%29
content:
<p>
New York Governor Cuomo is <a href="http://www.truth-out.org/news/item/44249-progressive-candidates-are-pulling-the-democratic-party-left-whether-the-establishment-likes-it-or-not">becoming a progressive</a>, because Cynthia Nixon
is running against him.
Some other "centrist" (plutocratist) Democrats are doing likewise.
<p>
I don't have confidence they really mean it; I think they might become
"centrists" again if reelected.  Best to replace them with real
progressives.


feed_id: 847314b5d74b8b644f2688c265ab4d1c
title: Microplastic in the arctic
uri: Microplastic-in-the-arctic
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#30_April_2018_%28Microplastic_in_the_arctic%29
content:
<p>
Arctic record: <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2018/apr/24/record-levels-of-plastic-discovered-in-arctic-sea-ice">12,000 Microplastic Particles</a> Per Liter of Sea Ice.


feed_id: 099c40322d696a36386ccae1a7307f14
title: Arresting a murderer
uri: Arresting-a-murderer
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#30_April_2018_%28Arresting_a_murderer%29
content:
<p>
A Toronto <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#police">police officer</a> arrested a multiple murderer without shooting
him, then said, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/apr/24/toronto-cananda-van-suspect-arrest">"That's just doing my job."</a>
<p>
This is a noteworthy example of a practice that is not unusual in the
US, when the suspect is white.  It's blacks that tend to get shot on
the <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2014-sep-dec.html#11_December_2014_(Why_thugs_shoot_young_black_men)">tiniest hint of suspicion</a>.


feed_id: 15a42cb0f408cef9fd8680db0629df80
title: 'Fiscal responsibility'
uri: Fiscal-responsibility
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#30_April_2018_%28%27Fiscal_responsibility%27%29
content:
<p>
<a href="http://www.truth-out.org/opinion/item/44250-the-irresponsibility-of-fiscal-responsibility">The Irresponsibility</a> of "Fiscal Responsibility".


feed_id: 1ea704290d23fc5d8890ebaa0d63b6e1
title: Factories in Bangladesh
uri: Factories-in-Bangladesh
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#30_April_2018_%28Factories_in_Bangladesh%29
content:
<p>
In Bangladesh, factories making clothing for western sales-front companies <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2018/apr/24/bangladeshi-police-target-garment-workers-union-rana-plaza-five-years-on">now
get careful safety inspections</a>.  The rest are still unsafe.


feed_id: 355eebd2dd16ce49a7275ae52b2631c6
title: UN peacekeepers in South Sudan
uri: UN-peacekeepers-in-South-Sudan
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#30_April_2018_%28UN_peacekeepers_in_South_Sudan%29
content:
<p>
It sounds horrible: <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/apr/24/un-peacekeepers-accused-of-child-in-south-sudan">"UN peacekeepers accused of child rape in South Sudan."</a>
But the article makes it pretty clear that the "children" involved were
not children.  They were teenagers.
<p>
What about "rape"?  Was this really rape?  Or did they have sex
willingly, and prudes want to call it "rape" to make it sound like an
injustice?  We can't tell from the article which one it is.
<p>
Rape means coercing someone to have sex.  Precisely because that is a
grave and clear wrong, using the same name for something much less
grave is a distortion.


feed_id: 73f96d0c106e22bdaba1085bfa709743
title: US government leaks
uri: US-government-leaks
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#30_April_2018_%28US_government_leaks%29
content:
<p>
The narcissist hates leaks that make him personally look bad.  A few of
them, by coincidence, also include dirty secrets that make the US
government look bad, so <a href="https://theintercept.com/2018/04/23/james-comey-trump-jail-reporters-leaks/">he gets them prosecuted</a>.


feed_id: 3e7c05f592374fcd42a9dca2a93349a1
title: Oil pipeline protesters in WV
uri: Oil-pipeline-protesters-in-WV
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#30_April_2018_%28Oil_pipeline_protesters_in_WV%29
content:
<p>
People in West Virginia are <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2018/04/22/treetop-protest-61-year-old-red-terry-leading-fight-against-mountain-valley">living in trees</a> to block an oil pipeline.
<p>
The local effects will be bad for them, but the contribution to <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#global heating">global heating</a>
will increase the resulting deaths by an amount that increases every year.


feed_id: 2a00f0b0e212fb4d9f1b011f8b948c24
title: Fingerprinting in India
uri: Fingerprinting-in-India
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#30_April_2018_%28Fingerprinting_in_India%29
content:
<p>
India is showing the world that massively fingerprinting citizens
puts them at risk &mdash; <a href="http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-43619944">of theft, and of future tyranny</a>.


feed_id: dfec69780805c99cdbe65abd023a1e51
title: Assad chemical attack
uri: Assad-chemical-attack
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#30_April_2018_%28Assad_chemical_attack%29
content:
<p>Now that Assad is in control of Douma, his forces are <a href="https://theintercept.com/2018/04/20/russia-sows-doubts-chemical-attack-syria-aided-pro-trump-cable-channel/">keeping chemical investigators away saying it is too dangerous</a> for them, while shepherding journalists on guided tours to tell them there was no chemical attack.</p>
<p>Some of the people say there was a chemical attack but it was a false-flag attack carried out by Islamist rebels.</p>
<p>It is hard to determine what parts of this are true, but if one of those stories were true, I don't think anyone would be asserting the other one.  Therefore, I think that Assad carried out the chemical attack.  But I can't say that is proven.</p>
</li></p>


feed_id: cecc860ca6194e27b54ad97157168f44
title: Alabama: Monsanto chemical factory PCBs
uri: Alabama-Monsanto-chemical-factory-PCBs
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#30_April_2018_%28Alabama%3A_Monsanto_chemical_factory_PCBs%29

content:
<p>Monsanto's <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/2018/apr/20/mathieu-asselin-monsanto-deutsche-borse-anniston-alabama">chemical factory poisoned the town of Anniston, Alabama</a>, with PCBs.  Many of the residents are sick as a result.</p>
<p>Monsanto uses the power of its money to fight to avoid or delay compensation and correction.</p>
<p>This is one reason <a href="https://stallman.org/articles/progressive-tax-on-business-gross-income.html">we should not allow companies to be that large</a>.  Suitable policies can compel them to split up.    Foreign companies that are too large should not be allowed to operate directly.  They could sell goods to a special importer that would resell them.</p>
</li></p>


feed_id: 35c682a6dc996ff5b97b5f9f7e6a0861
title: Hungary: new law forces out Open Society Foundation
uri: Hungary-new-law-forces-out-Open-Society-Foundation
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#30_April_2018_%28Hungary%3A_new_law_forces_out_Open_Society_Foundation%29

content:
<p>The Open Society Foundation has been forced out of Hungary <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/apr/20/crackdown-prompt-soros-open-society-budapest-viktor-orban">by a new law that is explicitly politically biased</a>.</p>
</li></p>


feed_id: b1b7956ce0ff19fc2749377118750c07
title: UN accuses Burmese army
uri: UN-accuses-Burmese-army
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#30_April_2018_%28UN_accuses_Burmese_army%29
content:
<p>The UN <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2018/apr/20/untouchable-myanmar-army-un-united-nations-blacklist">has accused the Burmese army</a> in a report presented to the Security Council.</p>
</li></p>


feed_id: ea107719c0d16c1139f86635ee8fb62f
title: UK lost Windrush forms
uri: UK-lost-Windrush-forms
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#30_April_2018_%28UK_lost_Windrush_forms%29
content:
<p>"<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2018/apr/20/ministers-scroungers-lose-forms-pm-windrush">Lose one form, and you lose cancer treatment and your liberty –- lose a generation’s forms, and you’re the effing PM</a>."</p>
</li></p>


feed_id: 2e5335f8844e4daebf8c99b3290c2bc2
title: Communist Manifesto prediction
uri: Communist-Manifesto-prediction
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#30_April_2018_%28Communist_Manifesto_prediction%29
content:
<p>Varoufakis: the prediction in the Communist Manifesto, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/news/2018/apr/20/yanis-varoufakis-marx-crisis-communist-manifesto">that capital would own and control all aspects of life everywhere</a>, seems to be coming true today, 150 years after.</p>
<p>State control of the means of production might be OK, but state control of the means of surveillance will not make them safer.</p>
</li></p>


feed_id: c71e057a062dc84ea8ea7ee0da8e8601
title: Australia refugee immigration human rights
uri: Australia-refugee-immigration-human-rights
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#30_April_2018_%28Australia_refugee_immigration_human_rights%29

content:
<p>The mother and father of a refugee family are both in Australia, but <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/apr/20/its-torturing-us-refugee-family-split-between-sydney-and-nauru-desperate-to-reunite">the government forbids them to live together</a>.  Meanwhile two of their children are stuck on Nauru alone.</p>
<p>Once a government adopts cruelty as a goal, the cruelty naturally comes to override every principle of decency, mercy, or justice.</p>
</li></p>


feed_id: 979f7d0a246fb5e507ffb1fff34d998a
title: Onion: Pompeo visit to North Korea
uri: Onion-Pompeo-visit-to-North-Korea
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#30_April_2018_%28Onion%3A_Pompeo_visit_to_North_Korea%29

content:
<p>The Onion: Mike Pompeo made a secret visit to North Korea, <a href="https://politics.theonion.com/mike-pompeo-defects-to-north-korea-after-learning-about-1825394733">and defected</a>.</p>
<p>If only he would do so; he couldn't do as much harm to Americans there as he can in the US.</p>
</li></p>


feed_id: a719aae05c04674eb08c11244e962f8e
title: Superman's first story
uri: Superman-s-first-story
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#30_April_2018_%28Superman%27s_first_story%29
content:
<p>The character Superman started out, in the first story about him, was a "champion of the oppressed", <a href="https://ieet.org/index.php/IEET/more/rinesi20180419">fighting against the injustices of power rather than merely against "crime"</a>.</p>
</li></p>


feed_id: 4c5dfe9cb8417110bbf7307e1b4bce81
title: Giuliani joins Trump's legal team
uri: Giuliani-joins-Trump-s-legal-team
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#30_April_2018_%28Giuliani_joins_Trump%27s_legal_team%29

content:
<p>Who is low enough to work as the cheater's lawyer?  <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2018/apr/19/rudy-giuliani-joins-trumps-legal-team-to-help-end-russia-investigation">Rudy Giuliani says his job will be to put an end to Mueller's investigation</a>.</p>
</li></p>


feed_id: ec86ac528612a2ef1f4deb0b16df7e3e
title: Wildlife extinction
uri: Wildlife-extinction
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#30_April_2018_%28Wildlife_extinction%29
content:
<p>After a few more centuries of human domination, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/science/2018/apr/20/cow-could-soon-be-largest-mammal-left-due-to-human-activity-study-says">the largest remaining land animal could be the cow</a>.</p>
<p>If civilization gets mostly wiped out in this century, perhaps what remains of humanity won't be able to finish off the remaining large animals.  On the other hand, large numbers of humans could wipe them out even with spears.</p>
</li></p>


feed_id: e890257b1fdb6bbea212d951e79f8c5b
title: Urgent: EPA decisions
uri: Urgent-EPA-decisions
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#1_May_2018_%28Urgent%3A_EPA_decisions%29
content:
<p>
US citizens: <a href="https://act.credoaction.com/sign/pruitt-data">call on Saboteur Pruitt</a> to stop excluding science from
EPA decisions.


feed_id: 90aba8929834e1bad4eff833be2d6d88
title: Urgent: Investigator Mueller
uri: Urgent-Investigator-Mueller
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#1_May_2018_%28Urgent%3A_Investigator_Mueller%29
content:
<p>
US citizens: <a href="http://act.pfaw.org/sign/special-counsel-independence-and-integrity-act/">Support laws</a> to protect investigator Mueller.


feed_id: 9eeee36356d30eff4b463aa77c906688
title: Shell's greenwashing
uri: Shell-s-greenwashing
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#1_May_2018_%28Shell%27s_greenwashing%29
content:
<p>
Shell hopes to greenwash its fossil fuel extraction by pledging to reduce
the greenhouse emissions <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/planet-oz/2018/apr/25/hey-millennials-dont-fall-for-shells-pop-star-pr">from <em>its own operations</em></a>.
<p>
The greenhouse emissions from the fossil fuels that Shell sells
dwarf the emissions from those that Shell burns.


feed_id: e67fcc11aed46b259de929cc54060122
title: Staff for climate safety
uri: Staff-for-climate-safety
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#1_May_2018_%28Staff_for_climate_safety%29
content:
<p>
The Tories have been <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2018/apr/25/foreign-office-climate-staff-cut-by-25-under-boris-johnson">quietly cutting government staff</a> concerned with
climate safety since 2016.
<p>
Saboteur Pruitt has been doing the same thing since 2017 but <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#15_January_2018_(Saboteur_still_working_on_EPA_cuts)">in a very
visible way</a>.


feed_id: 9869b465b487d47f855cf344c492dbc4
title: Plastic bag ban
uri: Plastic-bag-ban
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#1_May_2018_%28Plastic_bag_ban%29
content:
<p>
Kenya banned plastic bags 100%, and the effect has been a tremendous
improvement, but <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/apr/25/nairobi-clean-up-highs-lows-kenyas-plastic-bag-ban">some edge cases</a> are doing harm in specific activities.
<p>
Does the ban include long-lasting plastic bags meant for reuse?
I carry a few of those with me, and I have used them dozens of times,
Forbidding those would seem to be defeating the purpose.
Only a few rich people would buy a bag like that and use it just once.


feed_id: aa84a0e06f132de1add91a4ece411465
title: Equal pay law in NJ
uri: Equal-pay-law-in-NJ
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#1_May_2018_%28Equal_pay_law_in_NJ%29
content:
<p>
New Jersey has <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2018/04/24/win-women-new-jersey-enacts-nations-strongest-equal-pay-law">adopted a strong law</a> to put an end to the widespread
inequality of pay that women suffer.


feed_id: d16d2e0f57818a71cd2aec4ccb95128a
title: Burning wood
uri: 2018-05-02-Burning-wood
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#1_May_2018_%28Burning_wood%29
content:
<p>
The EPA has declared that <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2018/04/24/epa-falsely-deems-wood-burning-electricity-carbon-neutral">burning wood is carbon-neutral</a>.
<p>
In a stable climate, it would be carbon-neutral if done at a
sustainable rate over a long time.  However, we can't assume that
another tree will actually grow to the same size -- not when logging is
used for deforestation.  But even if another tree starts to grow,
it might not reach maturity.  <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#global heating">Global heating</a> could dry up the region,
or allow pests to migrate which would kill that tree.


feed_id: 5a02ca2ec72539f16e5c8ac39a476afd
title: Melting ice
uri: Melting-ice
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#1_May_2018_%28Melting_ice%29
content:
<p>
Melting ice in Greenland has <a href="https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2018/4/24/1759260/-Expect-abnormally-high-ice-loss-from-Greenland-in-2018-Melting-is-feeding-on-itself-scientists-say">triggered a positive feedback</a>, releasing
dust that darkens the surface so that it absorbs more light and heats
up to melt more ice.
<p>
A <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2018/04/24/fulfilling-feedback-loop-fears-new-study-shows-melting-ice-could-spell-disaster">different positive feedback loop</a> is speeding melting of Antarctic ice.
<p>
This leads me to think that that forecast sea-level rise is an
underestimate.  I am not surprised, since the forecasts are based on
known phenomena only, and that makes them conservative.
<p>
A mere 10 meters of rise would inundate many cities around the world.
<p>
Can we dam the Mediterranean Sea?  It would be a megaproject and a
great challenge, but might be cheaper than protecting, or losing, the
heart of every city on its coasts.
<p>
It might be necessary to transfer lots of water and/or salt across the
dam, but that would be better than letting the Mediterranean flood so
many cites.


feed_id: 22d578c4b55f46caec51772f02b257c9
title: UK's 'special forces'
uri: UK-s-special-forces
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#1_May_2018_%28UK%27s_%27special_forces%27%29
content:
<p>
The UK's "special forces" have never been scrutinized by parliament,
but <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2018/apr/24/special-forces-need-to-face-scrutiny-from-parliament-say-mps">that may soon change</a>.


feed_id: 667892f452ec0d6d0e4eae7da49b3bc2
title: A tweet about Ahed Tamimi
uri: A-tweet-about-Ahed-Tamimi
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#1_May_2018_%28A_tweet_about_Ahed_Tamimi%29
content:
<p>
An Israeli member of Parliament tweeted that he wished Ahed Tamimi had been
shot rather than jailed.  Twitter punished him with a short suspension,
but <a href="https://www.timesofisrael.com/twitter-suspends-mk-who-said-palestinian-teen-deserved-a-bullet-in-the-kneecap/">he shows no shame</a>.


feed_id: cee81cdc0a706b7ff5977268badafec8
title: Surveillance satellites
uri: Surveillance-satellites
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#1_May_2018_%28Surveillance_satellites%29
content:
<p>
A company <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2018/04/24/company-announces-its-intent-create-worlds-newest-privacy-nightmare">proposes to launch satellites</a> to provide continuous real-time
surveillance views of the whole surface of the Earth.
<p>
How much resolution this will provide is not clear, but it makes me
wonder if there is an antisatellite weapon that avoids producing
dangerous space debris.


feed_id: 339a41a4de5f53c70607b4bdd2a21d4c
title: BP and Cambridge University
uri: BP-and-Cambridge-University
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#1_May_2018_%28BP_and_Cambridge_University%29
content:
<p>
Billionaire Polluters took the gloves off, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/business/2018/apr/24/bp-bob-dudley-urges-cambridge-university-keep-fossil-fuel-investments">threatening Cambridge
University</a> with losing a lot of donations if it decides to divest from
fossil fuels.
<p>
Divesting from fossil fuels is a desperation tactic to try to
encourage the decrease of a practice that is slowly but steadily
causing global catastrophe, when what we really ought to be doing
is blocking all new drilling world wide and steadily reducing what
can be extracted from existing wells.
<p>
"Engaging" with fossil fuel companies is as useless as negotiating
peace with Netanyahu: they extend the discussion indefinitely while
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#21_May_2016_(Exxon)">continuing to extract profits</a>.


feed_id: 3fab7ac33ebd01d5142829a573b89e52
title: Gina Haspel
uri: 2018-05-02-Gina-Haspel
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#1_May_2018_%28Gina_Haspel%29
content:
<p>
If Gina Haspel is confirmed as head of the CIA, she could return it to
torture at any time.  <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2018/04/24/gina-haspels-cia-appointment-will-delight-torturers-around-globe">Nothing would stop her</a>.
<p>
The only reliable way to stop her successors is to try her and punish her.


feed_id: 5569ba3968c7a88fc45340e0655a240d
title: Baby taken from mother
uri: Baby-taken-from-mother
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#1_May_2018_%28Baby_taken_from_mother%29
content:
<p>
US deportation thugs have <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2018/04/24/ice-separates-18-month-old-mother-months">taken a baby away</a> from its mother &mdash; because
they can.
<p>
The mother is not an unauthorized immigrant.  She has asked for asylum.
They had no reason to jail her; they did it because they can, and because
they hate foreigners.


feed_id: ace64ebe9c9bf0ac8af70e9e6df5bc42
title: Big tax deductions
uri: Big-tax-deductions
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#1_May_2018_%28Big_tax_deductions%29
content:
<p>
A special provision of the Republican tax attacks, supposedly meant to help
small businesses, actually <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2018/04/24/report-shows-nations-richest-including-trump-about-enjoy-17-billion-windfall-thanks">gives big tax deductions</a> to rich people.


feed_id: ae96abdd280eed49979961baf4ec9644
title: Disabled and threatened with deportation
uri: Disabled-and-threatened-with-deportation
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#1_May_2018_%28Disabled_and_threatened_with_deportation%29

content:
<p>
An illustration of "intersectionality": when you're threatened with
deportation from the country you've lived in lawfully for decades,
and you're so disabled you can <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2018/apr/24/canadian-woman-told-to-leave-uk-margaret-obrien">hardly come to an appointment</a>.


feed_id: 1b3a3d58751bfabe78df71c19061b141
title: Arrested for resembling suspect
uri: Arrested-for-resembling-suspect
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#1_May_2018_%28Arrested_for_resembling_suspect%29
content:
<p>
UK <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thugs</a> arrested city councilor Afzal Shah because he resembled
the suspect in a crime.  They <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2018/apr/24/police-arrested-bristol-councillor-who-was-reporting-a-crime">paid no attention to his alibi</a>, that he
was in a city council meeting at the time of that crime.
<p>
He speculates that the <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thugs</a> would have been more capable at telling
two men apart if the men where whites.


feed_id: 0f9143e4e98893261f76ee52169ad463
title: Tesla worker safety reports
uri: Tesla-worker-safety-reports
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#1_May_2018_%28Tesla_worker_safety_reports%29
content:
<p><a href="https://arstechnica.com/cars/2018/04/tesla-accused-of-improper-worker-safety-reports-calls-news-site-extremist/">Tesla Slams Reveal News as "Extremist" After Exposé on Alleged Factory Improprieties</a>.</p>
</li></p>


feed_id: 0f2d42c555ec2149fd12ba387b18ba23
title: Corker-Kaine war bill
uri: Corker-Kaine-war-bill
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#1_May_2018_%28Corker-Kaine_war_bill%29
content:
<p><a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2018/04/19/corker-kaine-bill-would-codify-not-end-forever-war">The Corker-Kaine Bill Would Codify, not End, the Forever War</a>.</p>
</li></p>


feed_id: b25cb2d6903a57324f0b240a10a9a00c
title: US: profit-serving politics
uri: US-profit-serving-politics
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#1_May_2018_%28US%3A_profit-serving_politics%29
content:
<p><a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2018/04/19/who-will-protect-elections-us-oligarchs">Who Will Protect Elections From U.S. Oligarchs</a>?</p>
</li></p>


feed_id: aa66655d32b312ffe1e0b5890d9969d1
title: UK: Corbyn condemns Israel
uri: UK-Corbyn-condemns-Israel
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#1_May_2018_%28UK%3A_Corbyn_condemns_Israel%29
content:
<p>Jeremy Corbyn <a href="http://imemc.org/article/jeremy-corbin-calls-for-reconsideration-of-arms-sales-to-israel/">Calls for Reconsideration of [UK] Arms Sales to Israel</a>.</p>
</li></p>


feed_id: caf5c1322bec8053beca34cc03f8472c
title: Sanders introduces opioid legislation
uri: Sanders-introduces-opioid-legislation
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#1_May_2018_%28Sanders_introduces_opioid_legislation%29

content:
<p><a href="https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2018/04/17/sanders-introduces-legislation-hold-opioid-makers-accountable">Sanders proposes</a> measured but substantial penalties for certain kinds of opioid marketing.</p>
<p>I can't fault it, but are these companies still doing things that fuel the crisis?  They were, it seems.</p>
</li></p>


feed_id: 0994b97c63a3151191ec6b08df6047cc
title: US: Medicaid work requirements
uri: US-Medicaid-work-requirements
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#1_May_2018_%28US%3A_Medicaid_work_requirements%29
content:
<p><a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2018/04/17/new-analyses-suggest-trump-admin-really-just-wants-push-millions-medicaid-recipients">Republicans are planning to push millions of Americans off Medicaid</a>, if they can't find regular work or they trip up on the paperwork to prove they are working.</p>
</li></p>


feed_id: c3a48b4bf3106f9bf1030cb5a4ed46a4
title: US: education workers strike
uri: US-education-workers-strike
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#1_May_2018_%28US%3A_education_workers_strike%29
content:
<p>Striking teachers, once again among the masses of American poor, are <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2018/04/17/class-dismissed-class-conflict-and-teacher-rebellion-red-state-america">teaching America's future voters to recognize their enemies</a>.</p>
</li></p>


feed_id: 02a47cee3f2dde469a4b73461fc55414
title: Tax the rich
uri: 2018-05-02-Tax-the-rich
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#1_May_2018_%28Tax_the_rich%29
content:
<p><a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2018/04/17/why-should-we-tax-rich">High tax rates never stopped Americans from investing</a> and maybe getting rich. It did mean that their standard of "rich" was less.</p>
</li></p>


feed_id: ce98e5ae6affce3c471a59577279e1dd
title: US: ICE immigration prisons
uri: US-ICE-immigration-prisons
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#1_May_2018_%28US%3A_ICE_immigration_prisons%29
content:
<p>US immigration prisons <a href="https://theintercept.com/2018/04/19/solitary-confinement-immigration-detention-ice-corecivic/">force prisoners (who are not convicts) to work or suffer solitary confinement</a>,  which is a form of brainwashing.</p>
</li></p>


feed_id: c04db0bf9783d68abb082ef76b9a4f5f
title: Battle for global internet
uri: Battle-for-global-internet
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#1_May_2018_%28Battle_for_global_internet%29
content:
<p>Tech giants are <a href="http://theconversation.com/tech-giants-are-battling-it-out-to-supply-the-global-internet-heres-why-thats-a-problem-94303">battling it out to own the privatized global internet</a>.</p>
</li></p>


feed_id: 894d6d0d02488c9fc9f0807995c0ca11
title: New York: Prosecution protection
uri: New-York-Prosecution-protection
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#1_May_2018_%28New_York%3A_Prosecution_protection%29
content:
<p>New York attorney general Schneiderman <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2018/apr/19/new-york-state-law-trump-pardons-eric-schneiderman">asks the state legislature to eliminate a loophole</a> by which a federal pardon by the bully for his cronies might protect them from prosecution in New York.</p>
</li></p>


feed_id: 45124ff923eb184c5c488250b1e9b257
title: France: Macron's policies are not moderate
uri: France-Macron-s-policies-are-not-moderate
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#1_May_2018_%28France%3A_Macron%27s_policies_are_not_moderate%29

content:
<p>The French president is hailed as a centrist saviour, a bulwark against extremes -– <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2018/apr/19/emmanuel-macron-moderate-owen-jones">even as he taxes the wealthy, attacks workers’ rights and demonises refugees.</a></p>
<p>Since the danger to civilization and most people today is from the right-wing plutocratists, a centrist is no savior.</p>
</li></p>


feed_id: c890a1f72016107d6fabd421d7098f74
title: Google App Engine discontinues domain-fronting
uri: Google-App-Engine-discontinues-domain-fronting
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#1_May_2018_%28Google_App_Engine_discontinues_domain-fronting%29

content:
<p>Google has canceled a service that <a href="https://www.theverge.com/2018/4/18/17253784/google-domain-fronting-discontinued-signal-tor-vpn">enabled people living under repressive regimes to access censored domains</a> indirectly via Google.</p>
</li></p>


feed_id: 970420cbdcd6c0d502a376ec1997f7d4
title: Britain housing market
uri: Britain-housing-market
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#1_May_2018_%28Britain_housing_market%29
content:
<p><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2018/apr/19/britain-housing-market-broken-labour-council-houses">Corbyn's plan for making everyone in Britain able to afford housing</a> is like the one that Labour successfully implemented after the second world war: build lots of public housing.</p>
</li></p>


feed_id: cf51095c6eea4f2e456042b96d1c4930
title: Singapore: online censorship law
uri: Singapore-online-censorship-law
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#1_May_2018_%28Singapore%3A_online_censorship_law%29
content:
<p>Singapore is <a href="https://globalvoices.org/2018/04/18/will-singapores-plan-to-combat-deliberate-online-falsehoods-stifle-free-speech/">considering a law against "deliberate online falsehoods,"</a> and it seems that this will be interpreted in the usual way as including truths that the Singaporean state would rather not acknowledge.</p>
</li></p>


feed_id: bbc8fe875d6d12035bff3cac86412791
title: Cult of violence
uri: Cult-of-violence
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#1_May_2018_%28Cult_of_violence%29
content:
<p><a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2018/04/18/cult-violence-always-kills-left">Even hinting at violence in a leftist protest</a> gives the right-wing an excuse to commit violence and get away with it.</p>
</li></p>


feed_id: 9b6692cb366e181765b44117faab0025
title: North Carolina legislative districts
uri: North-Carolina-legislative-districts
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#1_May_2018_%28North_Carolina_legislative_districts%29

content:
<p>A court case requires new legislative districts in North Carolina, but the cheater party drew the new districts <a href="https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2018/4/16/1757518/-Thanks-to-backdoor-GOP-gerrymander-North-Carolina-s-new-maps-are-almost-as-bad-as-the-old-ones?detail=emaildkre">so as to preserve their gerrymandered handicap</a>.  It looks like democracy in North Carolina is dead for years.</p>
</li></p>


feed_id: 8f2d9c30a7be24a0733ac4d51670621b
title: US: McConnell and Republicans undo progress
uri: US-McConnell-and-Republicans-undo-progress
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#1_May_2018_%28US%3A_McConnell_and_Republicans_undo_progress%29

content:
<p>SCROTUS have invented a new legal excuse to <a href="https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2018/4/17/1757846/-McConnell-and-Republicans-figure-out-a-sneaky-new-way-to-undo-decades-of-progress?detail=emaildkre">cancel government regulations that were established years ago</a>.</p>
<p>However, it could be that President Clinton laid the groundwork for it. That would be another criticism to lay at his door.</p>
<p><a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2018/04/18/vote-kill-guidance-against-racist-auto-lending-senate-gop-takes-war-regulations">More info</a>.</p>
<p>One thing I don't understand is why this is easier for them than passing an ordinary law to cancel a given regulation.  If anyone finds an explanation, I'd like to see it.</p>
</li></p>


feed_id: f29b8a2b1a640f0d9d14346b821d822d
title: London: Canadian embassy surrounded
uri: London-Canadian-embassy-surrounded
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#1_May_2018_%28London%3A_Canadian_embassy_surrounded%29

content:
<p>The Canadian embassy in London has been surrounded <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2018/04/18/canadian-high-commission-blockaded-oil-pipeline">by an "oil pipeline" made by protesters</a>, labeled "Crudeau Oil".</p>
</li></p>


feed_id: a0bdd884dae87876e84512c67c5de1c5
title: UK Real Bread Campaign complaint successful
uri: UK-Real-Bread-Campaign-complaint-successful
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#1_May_2018_%28UK_Real_Bread_Campaign_complaint_successful%29

content:
<p><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2018/apr/19/pret-a-manger-chain-natural-labelling-real-bread-campaign">UK activists sued</a>; Pret a Manger is now forbidden to describe its products as "natural".</p>
<p>I think fake farm labeling should be illegal, too.</p>
</li></p>


feed_id: 94cd947f8cf4be21609c1093f0e5dd21
title: Mike Pompeo approach to North Korea
uri: Mike-Pompeo-approach-to-North-Korea
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#1_May_2018_%28Mike_Pompeo_approach_to_North_Korea%29

content:
<p>Pompeo <a href="http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/reason/Articles/~3/FCoYp-zKCPQ/mike-pompeos-reckless-approach-to-north">won't reject an invasion of North Korea</a>, which would be expected to kill 30,000 to 300,000 US soldiers in the first few days. I expect that implies ten times as many Koreans killed.</p>
<p>He advocated overthrowing the Kim regime a year ago, but in his hearing claimed that he hadn't.</p>
<p>I would love to see the Kim regime replaced, since the replacement could hardly be worse, but that doesn't mean launching an invasion to do it is justified.</p>
</li></p>


feed_id: ec7213aaed0c86c749aa0683e9fd3eb2
title: Family of CIA black site murder victim demands body location
uri: Family-of-CIA-black-site-murder-victim-demands-body-location
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#1_May_2018_%28Family_of_CIA_black_site_murder_victim_demands_body_location%29

content:
<p>The relatives of Gul Rahman, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2018/apr/18/gul-rahman-cia-black-site-torture-family-demands-body">who was tortured to death by the CIA</a>, demand to know where his body is.</p>
<p>I have never sympathized with the inordinate attachment some people feel towards corpses, but I think they have a very strong case against the US for torturing Rahman.</p>
</li></p>


feed_id: 210fe9843dd3905a5a8761233647ff85
title: Queensland "Punk" turtle
uri: Queensland-Punk-turtle
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#1_May_2018_%28Queensland_%2522Punk%2522_turtle%29
content:
<p><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2018/apr/19/researchers-forced-to-sell-chocolates-to-save-queensland-punk-turtle-from-extinction">To protect the endangered Mary River turtle</a> without help from Australia's extractionist government, researchers have to raise funds by selling chocolate.</p>
</li></p>


feed_id: 9c0abee34763edd40c157b4cb38c5a1a
title: Pruitt limits EPA
uri: Pruitt-limits-EPA
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#2_May_2018_%28Pruitt_limits_EPA%29
content:
<p><a href="https://www.motherjones.com/environment/2018/04/this-might-be-scott-pruitts-most-destructive-move-yet/">Saboteur Pruitt has announced a cunning rule</a> that studies of people's private medical data are off limits for EPA decisions.</p>
<p><a href="https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2018/04/24/scientists-oppose-pruitts-research-restrictions">Scientists condemn the rule</a>.</p>
</li></p>


feed_id: 5a838168fe0aa7fadd0beb7f2fa7b396
title: DHS bar refugees from entering US
uri: DHS-bar-refugees-from-entering-US
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#2_May_2018_%28DHS_bar_refugees_from_entering_US%29
content:
<p>US border thugs are <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2018/04/23/illegally-turning-back-refugees-trump-orders-dhs-bar-migrants-fleeing-violence-entry">denying Honduran refugees the opportunity to apply for political asylum</a>, which is supposed to be their right.</p>
</li></p>


feed_id: 373911edb6cfb6188c8c011bdbf74e6c
title: Common Cause scorecard
uri: Common-Cause-scorecard
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#2_May_2018_%28Common_Cause_scorecard%29
content:
<p><a href="https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2018/04/23/new-scorecard-chart-lawmaker-support-pro-democracy-bills-115th-congress">Recording how members of Congress have voted</a> on various bills to restore democracy.</p>
</li></p>


feed_id: 20a29ae128497ed62f40f7a4714164b3
title: Cliven Bundy case prosecutorial misconduct
uri: Cliven-Bundy-case-prosecutorial-misconduct
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#2_May_2018_%28Cliven_Bundy_case_prosecutorial_misconduct%29

content:
<p>The prosecution of Cliven Bundy collapsed because of gross misconduct by the prosecutors, <a href="https://theintercept.com/2018/04/26/cliven-bundy-case-nevada-prosecutorial-misconduct/">including concealing information useful for the defense</a>.</p>
<p>I don't sympathize at all with Bundy's destructive "protest", but nobody should be convicted of anything in this cavalier fashion.</p>
</li></p>


feed_id: 73c61b17ebd8f28805575912dfd76ba9
title: Federal school voucher scheme
uri: Federal-school-voucher-scheme
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#2_May_2018_%28Federal_school_voucher_scheme%29
content:
<p>Watch out for a federal school voucher scheme <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2018/04/27/legislators-are-trying-hide-dangerous-voucher-proposal-inside-defense-spending-bill">hidden in the National Defense Authorization Act</a>.</p>
</li></p>


feed_id: b8492e231b0266fe27a3bb837837834f
title: US: offshore drilling regulations
uri: US-offshore-drilling-regulations
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#2_May_2018_%28US%3A_offshore_drilling_regulations%29

content:
<p>The saboteur-in-chief <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2018/04/27/trump-administration-proposes-rollback-offshore-drilling-safety-regulations">wants to weaken the rule that was put in place to prevent another offshore oil well explosion</a> like the one that caused the Big Spill.</p>
</li></p>


feed_id: 103f2d3badf689bd1b6f0930760a91d6
title: North Korea nuclear test site decommission
uri: North-Korea-nuclear-test-site-decommission
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#2_May_2018_%28North_Korea_nuclear_test_site_decommission%29

content:
<p><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/apr/29/north-korea-will-invite-foreign-observers-to-shuttering-of-nuclear-test-site">North Korea Will Invite Foreign Observers to Shuttering of Nuclear Test Site</a>.</p>
<p>It looks like Kim is really serious about changing North Korea's course.  I suspect he will seek to follow China's course: repressive and tyrannical, but not horrible for everyone.</p>
</li></p>


feed_id: 7c8ec1e9d9ef9b83bba8385af6f792e5
title: Britain voter fraud
uri: Britain-voter-fraud
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#2_May_2018_%28Britain_voter_fraud%29
content:
<p>It turns out that fraud by voters <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2018/apr/29/england-voter-id-trial-discrimination-fears-electoral-fraud">is as rare in Britain as in the US</a>.</p>
</li></p>


feed_id: e7660fcc156ae57c0ac4cf8c3ee415d3
title: US: Consumer complaints database
uri: US-Consumer-complaints-database
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#2_May_2018_%28US%3A_Consumer_complaints_database%29
content:
<p>Mulvaney, saboteur of the CFPB, <a href="https://www.npr.org/2018/04/25/605835307/the-consumer-complaints-database-that-could-disappear-from-view">wants to delete the database of consumer complaints</a>.  That's part of the general plutocratist policy of favoring business over the public, and the rich over the rest.</p>
<p>In this case, the excuse is that publishing the complaints isn't perfectly fair to the businesses.  That is true, but failing to publish the complaints makes the customers more vulnerable to unfairness by businesses.  So the question is, which imperfection is more important?</p>
<p>Under plutocratic rule, the answer is simple: the businesses are more important, and bigger businesses are more important than smaller ones.</p>
</li></p>


feed_id: cc18bd52c31dd9d675f5f0b1c3aba69c
title: Estate tax redesign
uri: Estate-tax-redesign
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#2_May_2018_%28Estate_tax_redesign%29
content:
<p>Redesigning the estate tax <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/money/2018/apr/28/inheritance-tax-raise-inequality-wealth">could eliminate the irrational stigma and collect more money from the rich</a>.</p>
</li></p>


feed_id: f9335c4c742c7dcbf0681dde40a82934
title: Streaming music industry
uri: Streaming-music-industry
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#2_May_2018_%28Streaming_music_industry%29
content:
<p>Streaming now gives Big Music Copyright <a href="https://boingboing.net/2018/04/24/which-side-are-you-on-3.html">as much money as it got before internet sharing</a>, but musicians are poorer than ever.</p>
<p>What can you do?</p>
<p>* Don't use streaming disservices.  Insist on having your own local digital copy, with no DRM, for any music you are going to listen to.</p>
<p>* Campaign to legalize sharing (noncommercial redistribution of exact copies) of all published works.</p>
<p>if the byproduct is to wipe out the major music-owners, so much the better!  As parasites on musicians and oppressors of those that listen and share, they are enemies of music.</p>
</li></p>


feed_id: 653159cebdba601c028ad96e1e133462
title: Sanders federal job program
uri: Sanders-federal-job-program
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#2_May_2018_%28Sanders_federal_job_program%29
content:
<p>Bernie Sanders has proposed a federal program <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2018/04/23/embracing-sort-bold-thinking-we-need-sanders-introduce-plan-guarantee-every-american">to offer a job to every citizen that wants one</a>.</p>
<p><a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/wonk/wp/2018/04/23/bernie-sanders-to-unveil-plan-to-guarantee-every-american-a-job/">More commentary</a>.</p>
<p>The question of whether this is the "most targeted use" of the money it will cost is a confusion, because the task to be done is primarily to give poor Americans more money.  Different methods can have advantages and disadvantages, but the only way one can cost substantially less is by doing less of the job.</p>
<p>Rather, the challenge is to make sure that these jobs end up contributing useful results to society.</p>
</li></p>


feed_id: d53eb7d45e626a8e3fc5dc132d456214
title: Fake Drew Cloud
uri: Fake-Drew-Cloud
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#2_May_2018_%28Fake_Drew_Cloud%29
content:
<p>The <a href="https://www.chronicle.com/article/Drew-Cloud-Is-a-Well-Known/243217">Student Loan Report is a "journalistic" activity owned by a company that lends to students</a>.  Which means it is pure propaganda. Its star reporter, "Drew Cloud", was a fiction.</p>
</li></p>


feed_id: 703f4fa3e762758cd3b5d7550f5af536
title: Urgent: Medicare coverage
uri: 2018-05-03-Urgent-Medicare-coverage
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#2_May_2018_%28Urgent%3A_Medicare_coverage%29
content:
<p>
US citizens: <a href="https://act.credoaction.com/sign/medicare_public_option">support the bill</a> to allow any American to buy Medicare coverage.


feed_id: 717ccb4d7a41217fb20b44794e703fd0
title: Locking us in our homes
uri: Locking-us-in-our-homes
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#2_May_2018_%28Locking_us_in_our_homes%29
content:
<p>
Electronic Monitors: How Companies Dream of <a href="http://inthesetimes.com/article/21084/electronic-monitors-GEO-Group_CoreCivic-mass-incarceration-prisons-jails">Locking Us in Our Homes</a>.


feed_id: 15120bf0c96ca8022934e1ba47783323
title: Assistance to poor people
uri: Assistance-to-poor-people
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#2_May_2018_%28Assistance_to_poor_people%29
content:
<p>
The bully has <a href="http://inthesetimes.com/working/entry/21093/Donald-Trump-welfare-racism-dog-whistle-working-class-poverty-work-jobs">ordered all US agencies</a> to make all kinds of assistance 
to poor people harder to get.


feed_id: 7de9d3460c73ee8e188072e994de1dcf
title: UK minister for deportation
uri: UK-minister-for-deportation
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#2_May_2018_%28UK_minister_for_deportation%29
content:
<p>
The UK minister for deportation <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2018/apr/29/amber-rudd-resigns-as-home-secretary-after-windrush-scandal">has resigned after being caught</a> in
direct lies about how hard the staff were pressing to procure
deportations.
<p>
This alone will not end the "hostile environment" that she presided
over.  That requires <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2018/apr/30/amber-rudd-departure-toxic-policy-windrush-generation-home-secretary-david-lammy">changing the laws and policies</a> which set it up.


feed_id: 22482463aa89aa727623062eb6773b58
title: Indefinite imprisonment
uri: Indefinite-imprisonment
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#2_May_2018_%28Indefinite_imprisonment%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#bully">The bully</a> wants to send PISSI soldiers (or those accused of being such)
to Guantanamo, but if this occurs, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2018/apr/30/donald-trump-guantanamo-bay-mattis-review-isis">they could legally challenge</a> whether
Congress ever authorized US participation in fighting <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#pissi">PISSI</a>.
<p>
Indefinite imprisonment, which is what the US does in the Guantanamo
prison, is a blot on the honor of the United States.  Americans, if you
love our country as I do, join me in insisting that this end.


feed_id: 59df5fbdc1852b03441e86e29880ccdb
title: AI-driven gambling
uri: AI-driven-gambling
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#2_May_2018_%28AI-driven_gambling%29
content:
<p>
Gambling companies use <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2018/apr/30/bookies-using-ai-to-keep-gamblers-hooked-insiders-say">AI-driven manipulative techniques</a>, based on
each gambler's past history, to keep them hooked.
<p>
This demonstrates that <a href="https://gnu.org/philosophy/surveillance-vs-democracy.html">consent must not be considered sufficient
justification</a> to record personal data.


feed_id: 84368e4694d62cec5b6d9b5c34a4f923
title: Criticism of Malaysian thugs
uri: Criticism-of-Malaysian-thugs
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#2_May_2018_%28Criticism_of_Malaysian_thugs%29
content:
<p>
Someone who made an inaccurate criticism of Malaysian <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thugs</a> has been
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/apr/30/first-person-convicted-under-malaysias-fake-news-law">sentenced to a month in prison</a>.
<p>
He had exaggerated the statement out of anger, and apologized for the
error.  It seems he did not intentionally lie.
<p>
False statements are unfortunate, but criminalizing them is much
worse.


feed_id: 2cc1d235ee574e804d8ff6c677af71b1
title: Glyphosate in food
uri: Glyphosate-in-food
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#2_May_2018_%28Glyphosate_in_food%29
content:
<p>
The FDA has found glyphosate in almost all the foods it has tested,
but <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2018/apr/30/fda-weedkiller-glyphosate-in-food-internal-emails">has not published anything</a> about this.
<p>
The patented gene that makes some crops resistant to glyphosate might
not directly harm people, but it brings glyphosate.


feed_id: fa19fb5e50901cfb0441c01959c2efaa
title: Journalist or extremist
uri: Journalist-or-extremist
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#2_May_2018_%28Journalist_or_extremist%29
content:
<p>
Michael Segalov: "A free press? I’m a UK journalist, but the police
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2018/apr/30/free-press-uk-journalist-police-extremist-legal-action">labelled me an extremist</a>."
<p>
"Witness statements from the officers cite my time as a student
campaigner as a reason to bar me: a time when I was elected as a
student union officer and was voted on to the National Union of
Students’ national executive council...."
<p>
"The other reason cited for labelling me as an “extreme leftwing”
activist is my journalism."
<p>
I wonder why the Labour Party couldn't or didn't decide to admit
Segalov to their event, regardless of the <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thugs</a>.  Does anyone know
why?


feed_id: e63710464a2cd46776f8cdcc24aa24cf
title: Asylum seekers
uri: 2018-05-03-Asylum-seekers
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#2_May_2018_%28Asylum_seekers%29
content:
<p>
US border guards have <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/apr/30/central-american-asylum-seekers-caravan-forced-to-a-halt">invented creative but absurd excuses</a> to stop the
refugees in the caravan from Central America from even applying for asylum.


feed_id: 556949c155f6b2c66624ca60a8da16e5
title: Privatizing attractions
uri: Privatizing-attractions
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#2_May_2018_%28Privatizing_attractions%29
content:
<p>
India is planning to <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/apr/30/taj-mahal-at-risk-of-being-privatised-under-new-heritage-adoption-scheme">privatize the operations</a> of its greatest tourist
attractions, including the Taj Majal.
<p>
There isn't much competition in those markets, so the privatization will
create a localized private monopoly.


feed_id: 508ce078dd860e4ea568b102e082b129
title: Jobs lost to automation
uri: Jobs-lost-to-automation
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#2_May_2018_%28Jobs_lost_to_automation%29
content:
<p>
If 10 million jobs are lost to automation in the UK, it would be <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2018/apr/30/reality-automation-terrifying">a
national disaster</a>.  The UK has around 66 million inhabitants, and I'd
expect roughly 30 to 40 million people employed.


feed_id: ebf2a90a74f358e326ab4f7f9d22c870
title: Phone on the table
uri: Phone-on-the-table
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#2_May_2018_%28Phone_on_the_table%29
content:
<p>
Having a phone on the table during dinner or other interactions with people
tends to <a href="http://time.com/5178352/phone-ruining-dinner/">make people more unhappy</a>.


feed_id: a20bf6954406ef7b4527eb8766853207
title: Cutting down trees for railroads
uri: Cutting-down-trees-for-railroads
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#2_May_2018_%28Cutting_down_trees_for_railroads%29
content:
<p>
The UK railroad network is <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/business/2018/apr/29/millions-of-trees-at-risk-in-secretive-network-rail-felling-programme">cutting down thousands of healthy trees</a>
lest their leaves or branches fall on the train track some day.
<p>
This sounds like our fears about a hypothetical AI that subordinates
everything to a narrow goal.  Will Network Rail try to convert the entire
substance of the Earth into crossties?


feed_id: 837be04f6c43919795489e788c9e336b
title: Voter ID law approved
uri: Voter-ID-law-approved
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#2_May_2018_%28Voter_ID_law_approved%29
content:
<p>
A US appeals court <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2018/04/28/upholding-texas-photo-id-law-federal-appeals-court-deals-blow-voting-rights">approved Texas's voter ID law</a>.
Voting-rights advocates will file further appeals.


feed_id: 23eac9d73a814e98c9d215fc91c0e95d
title: Imprisoning citizens for deportation
uri: Imprisoning-citizens-for-deportation
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#2_May_2018_%28Imprisoning_citizens_for_deportation%29

content:
<p>
The US deportation <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thugs</a> are so incompetent that they often mistakenly
imprison US citizens for deportation.  One US citizen was imprisoned
this way <a href="https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2018/4/27/1760348/-Out-of-control-ICE-agents-held-an-American-man-in-custody-for-1-273-days-And-there-s-more">for over three years</a> before a court looked at the question.


feed_id: a2ac8b86ced1134bada004a6313af19f
title: Government serving the rich
uri: Government-serving-the-rich
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#2_May_2018_%28Government_serving_the_rich%29
content:
<p>
The bully is the <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2018/04/28/beyond-trump-how-us-went-rails">culmination of a plutocratist plan</a>, started in the
1970s, to take control of the US government and redirect it towards
serving the rich.


feed_id: ca9c278d1b46e0ae312d6585d5917cc0
title: Arms embargo on Israel
uri: Arms-embargo-on-Israel
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#2_May_2018_%28Arms_embargo_on_Israel%29
content:
<p>
There are calls for an <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2018/04/28/human-rights-advocates-demand-worldwide-arms-embargo-gaza-protests-continue">arms embargo on Israel</a> for its mass shooting of
Palestinian protesters.
<p>
I don't think it would have much effect on shooting protesters, since Israel
makes those arms.


feed_id: 860a27e046177ec7d29173f56eacc0aa
title: Chemicals in the workplace
uri: Chemicals-in-the-workplace
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#2_May_2018_%28Chemicals_in_the_workplace%29
content:
<p>
The OSHA is almost powerless to protect workers from dangerous
chemicals, so mostly the EPA has done the job.  Now companies believe
that Saboteur Pruitt offers a chance to convince the EPA to <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2018/04/28/osha-fails-protect-workers-dangerous-chemicals">"defer to"
the powerless OSHA</a>, so that no agency will try to remove dangerous
chemicals from the workplace.
<p>
People of Denver are calling on the EPA to <a href="https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2018/4/23/1759277/-Deregulated-oil-refinery-has-been-spewing-cyanide-gas-into-low-income-Denver-neighborhoods">limit the emissions of cyanide gas</a>
from a fossil-fuel facility.


feed_id: d5939404927acf9ebca1e25a79348099
title: Natural gas in Papua New Guinea
uri: Natural-gas-in-Papua-New-Guinea
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#2_May_2018_%28Natural_gas_in_Papua_New_Guinea%29
content:
<p>
A massive natural gas extraction system in Papua New Guinea was supposed to
double the country's GDP, but it has provided <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2018/apr/30/australian-backed-gas-project-fails-to-deliver-png-economic-boom-report">little if any benefit</a> to that
country.
This may have something to do with the legal concessions that the government
had to make in order to get the project started.
<p>
We are learning that businesses don't ever justify such concessions,
not even in their narrow economic terms presented.


feed_id: 91fdad5e307a3a24a4386f71420fa79e
title: Blacks arrested for 'loitering'
uri: Blacks-arrested-for-loitering
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#2_May_2018_%28Blacks_arrested_for_%27loitering%27%29

content:
<p>
The two blacks arrested for "loitering" in a Starbucks illustrate the way many
companies and institutions <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2018/apr/19/starbucks-arrest-black-men-race-us">give inferior treatment</a> to blacks.
<p>
The word "catastrophe" is an exaggeration when applied to spending 8
hours in jail.  Even for a person's death, the word is too strong.
That incident was a racist injustice; we don't need to exaggerate
those words in order to show our condemnation.


feed_id: 552fca6d6eec61062f8c9c775628c574
title: Malta: Daphne Caruana Galizia investigation
uri: Malta-Daphne-Caruana-Galizia-investigation
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#2_May_2018_%28Malta%3A_Daphne_Caruana_Galizia_investigation%29

content:
<p><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/apr/17/a-bomb-silenced-daphne-caruana-galizia-but-her-investigation-lives-on">A Bomb Silenced Daphne Caruana Galizia. But Her Investigation Lives On</a>.</p>
<p>Her widower <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/apr/17/malta-protecting-mastermind-journalist-daphne-caruana-galizia-says-husband">says the government of Malta is protecting the person</a> who arranged the murder.</p>
</li></p>


feed_id: 6b7d4f0bba67900305a56a269fe69215
title: Brazil oil drilling environment
uri: Brazil-oil-drilling-environment
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#2_May_2018_%28Brazil_oil_drilling_environment%29
content:
<p>A recently discovered coral reef in Brazil and probably has species unknown to science, but <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2018/apr/17/amazon-coral-reef-oil-drilling-destruction-greenpeace">they are likely to be destroyed by already-planned oil drilling</a>.</p>
</li></p>


feed_id: f963539d1b5ddaf369aea7bee0512d08
title: Zero Emissions
uri: Zero-Emissions
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#2_May_2018_%28Zero_Emissions%29
content:
<p><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2018/apr/17/to-lead-on-climate-countries-must-commit-to-zero-emissions">To Lead on Climate, Countries Must Commit to Zero Emissions (in the future)</a>.</p>
</li></p>


feed_id: 716c3ae51109f37b5f24775d8decdf20
title: US and Russia nuclear arms
uri: US-and-Russia-nuclear-arms
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#2_May_2018_%28US_and_Russia_nuclear_arms%29
content:
<p>The nuclear arms limitation treaties between the US and Russia <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/apr/17/us-russian-nuclear-arsenals-treaty-expire-unconstrained">are about to expire</a>.  That would clear the path for an unlimited nuclear arms race.</p>
</li></p>


feed_id: f11f3f64b5916a947d99d5b175e60cb1
title: US holding citizen in Iraq
uri: US-holding-citizen-in-Iraq
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#2_May_2018_%28US_holding_citizen_in_Iraq%29
content:
<p>The US army is holding a US citizen prisoner in Iraq, and the bully's regime <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2018/apr/17/iraq-us-military-citizen-held-transfer">wants to deliver the person to Salafi Arabia</a>, thus preventing the person from returning to the US.</p>
<p><a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#bully">The bully</a>'s regime didn't let per see a lawyer until a court order it.</p>
<p>Person is suspected of fighting for <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#pissi">PISSI</a>.  That is a grave crime, but person deserves a fair trial, not being handed off to an arbitrary monarchy that hardly recognizes the idea of human rights.</p>
</li></p>


feed_id: c574437d5e114bcfdc60785f39f0ad7f
title: Sanders criticizing Israel's occupation
uri: Sanders-criticizing-Israel-s-occupation
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#2_May_2018_%28Sanders_criticizing_Israel%27s_occupation%29

content:
<p>Bernie Sanders is <a href="https://theintercept.com/2018/04/17/bernie-sanders-israel-palestine-2020-presidential-race/">leading the US Senate to consider the human rights of Palestinians</a> and criticize Israel's occupation policies.</p>
</li></p>


feed_id: 2fa3007b081cdf75e57bfd24f685ff69
title: USDA and swine slaughter
uri: USDA-and-swine-slaughter
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#2_May_2018_%28USDA_and_swine_slaughter%29
content:
<p><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2018/apr/17/trump-administration-usda-swine-slaughter-rule-pigs-pork">High-Speed Pig Slaughter Will Be Disastrous for Everyone Involved</a>.</p>
</li></p>


feed_id: b67b3d35a8d9b7dcb6530a0a70b55301
title: Hassles entering the US
uri: Hassles-entering-the-US
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#2_May_2018_%28Hassles_entering_the_US%29
content:
<p>The Committee to Protect Journalists is <a href="https://cpj.org/2018/04/cpj-rsf-ask-journalists-to-share-information-about.php">asking journalists to report hassles with entering the US</a>, including searches of their digital devices and (for those not US citizens) hassles in getting a visa.</p>
</li></p>


feed_id: edacc30ec16e23b5ac4123e421ee633b
title: Fracking company sues protesters
uri: Fracking-company-sues-protesters
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#2_May_2018_%28Fracking_company_sues_protesters%29
content:
<p>Fracking company Extraction Oil and Gas is <a href="https://thinkprogress.org/colorado-oil-company-sues-anti-fracking-activists-40e730bd6203/">suing protesters and a journalist</a>.</p>
<p>Several <a href="https://thinkprogress.org/pipeline-protest-criminal-conspiracy-bd67475b7504/">states plan to make it a crime to plan a protest</a> at a fossil fuel pipeline site.</p>
</li></p>


feed_id: ce37bdd3d7996191913e7b810f4784b3
title: Japan: chemical weapons
uri: Japan-chemical-weapons
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#2_May_2018_%28Japan%3A_chemical_weapons%29
content:
<p>Japan <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/apr/17/japan-unit-731-imperial-army-second-world-war">has published the names of the soldiers</a> of Unit 731 which experimented with chemical weapons using Chinese and Koreans as guinea pigs.</p>
</li></p>


feed_id: 9dbebd6d4446f8073c804662806fd7b7
title: Millionaire zero jobs taxes
uri: Millionaire-zero-jobs-taxes
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#2_May_2018_%28Millionaire_zero_jobs_taxes%29
content:
<p>"<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2018/apr/17/millionaire-zero-jobs-taxes">I'm a millionaire who creates zero jobs. Why do I pay less tax than you?</a>"</p>
</li></p>


feed_id: 3e922ba5f4c8c09efd0962ba4a708c97
title: Facebook herpes comparison
uri: Facebook-herpes-comparison
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#2_May_2018_%28Facebook_herpes_comparison%29
content:
<p>One of Facebook's first useds compares it to herpes, and says <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2018/apr/17/facebook-people-first-ever-mark-zuckerberg-harvard">she was a fool to have trusted Zuckerberg</a>.</p>
</li></p>


feed_id: 845b15e4535a81bc38947687d55e020a
title: Philippines: Nun arrested
uri: Philippines-Nun-arrested
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#2_May_2018_%28Philippines%3A_Nun_arrested%29
content:
<p>Philippine President Do-dirty is <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/apr/17/australian-nun-arrested-in-philippines-for-illegal-political-activities">deporting foreigners for criticizing him</a>, even for being near others that are criticize him.</p>
<p>What does deporting a (real or suspected) critic have in common with murdering a (real or suspected) drug dealer?  Both attack the idea that people have legal rights.</p>
</li></p>


feed_id: 2cc68f2adb6497acf6c68d3c490b0aa8
title: Australia: fracking
uri: Australia-fracking
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#2_May_2018_%28Australia%3A_fracking%29
content:
<p>Australia is <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2018/apr/17/dont-believe-the-hype-on-natural-gas-its-a-fossil-fuel-just-like-coal">turning to the hype of fracking</a> to pump lots of natural gas overshoot its greenhouse gas targets by a factor of three.</p>
</li></p>


feed_id: fd707348bb2ce4b4ab9fb68aa3da9829
title: Silicon Valley
uri: Silicon-Valley
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#2_May_2018_%28Silicon_Valley%29
content:
<p>The digital tech industry considered as a pile of hustlers climbing over each other to become a billionaire by standing on the rest.  <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/news/2018/apr/17/get-rich-quick-silicon-valley-startup-billionaire-techie">All while looking for ways to atomize people's lives and turn their jobs into piecework</a>.</p>
</li></p>


feed_id: 2e4248b64a5f2ee579a14e3440028ec2
title: Canada Liberal Party considers legalization
uri: Canada-Liberal-Party-considers-legalization
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#2_May_2018_%28Canada_Liberal_Party_considers_legalization%29

content:
<p>Canada's ruling Liberal Party is <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/apr/16/canada-liberal-party-considers-decriminalization-all-illicit-drugs">considering legalizing possession and use of all drugs</a>.</p>
<p>The US uses "Liberal" to mean what Europe calls "social-democratic", but the Canadian Liberal party is nothing like that.  Nowadays it mainly seems to mean "let them drill and mine anything."</p>
</li></p>


feed_id: 8b35632682a763c0e6aa951c03b1b68d
title: Russian journalist dies
uri: 2018-05-03-Russian-journalist-dies
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#2_May_2018_%28Russian_journalist_dies%29
content:
<p>A Russian journalist <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/apr/16/russian-investigative-journalist-maksim-borodin-dies-after-falling-from-balcony">that investigated mercenaries fell off his balcony and died</a>.  The state wants to say that he fell accidentally.</p>
</li></p>


feed_id: d6bb39ab69fc13e35a7e74ab2d24bc05
title: Urgent: Release Manuel Duran
uri: Urgent-Release-Manuel-Duran
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#3_May_2018_%28Urgent%3A_Release_Manuel_Duran%29
content:
<p>
Everyone: Demand that US deportation thugs <a href="https://act.freepress.net/sign/journ_release_manuel_duran/">release journalist Manuel
Duran</a>.


feed_id: 85f957c48519d99d68040acffd81fb3c
title: Discrimination against women authors
uri: Discrimination-against-women-authors
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#3_May_2018_%28Discrimination_against_women_authors%29

content:
<p>
Discrimination against women authors operates at several levels, and <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/books/2018/may/01/books-by-women-priced-45-lower-study-finds">each
has now been measured</a>.


feed_id: bbc182b83821b389366922d15e4c134a
title: Fighting in Burma
uri: Fighting-in-Burma
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#3_May_2018_%28Fighting_in_Burma%29
content:
<p>
Fighting has resumed between the Burmese army and the rebellious
Kachin people.  The UN says that Burmese bombardment <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2018/may/01/myanmar-army-escalating-conflict-kachin-un-united-nations">is hitting
civilians</a>.


feed_id: 656090fcf071512a4e853cc32f2faafe
title: Iran nuclear deal
uri: 2018-05-04-Iran-nuclear-deal
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#3_May_2018_%28Iran_nuclear_deal%29
content:
<p>
Europeans <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/may/01/europeans-cast-doubt-on-israel-claims-about-iran-nuclear-breaches">don't believe Netanyahu's claims</a> that Iran is violating the
nuclear deal.
<p>
I don't trust Iran very much, but I don't trust Netanyahu one tiny bit.


feed_id: ec2c81164fc39eb6c0a93731fb954a89
title: Justice Teams Network
uri: Justice-Teams-Network
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#3_May_2018_%28Justice_Teams_Network%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2018/may/01/police-violence-black-lives-matter-justice-teams-network">The Justice Teams Network</a> has been set up to provide quick assistance
to Americans campaigning for justice after their relatives have been
killed by <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thugs</a>.


feed_id: bef6df7fa73794ad49e6db0b6b4017a7
title: Paywalled AI journal
uri: Paywalled-AI-journal
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#3_May_2018_%28Paywalled_AI_journal%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://science.slashdot.org/story/18/04/30/2022207/ai-researchers-revolt-against-a-new-paywalled-nature-journal">2000 AI researchers</a> have committed to refuse to do anything with the
new paywalled journal, "Nature Machine Intelligence".
<p>
I support their stand, but I think they undermine the central point by
using the term "open access".  The word "open" is weak, and "access"
focuses on a <a href="https://stallman.org/articles/free-scientific-publication.html">secondary sub-issue</a>.


feed_id: da1b2cac276dfc06472803fea6735e47
title: Icahn's 'financial hardship'
uri: Icahn-s-financial-hardship
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#3_May_2018_%28Icahn%27s_%27financial_hardship%27%29
content:
<p>
Carl Icahn was granted a "financial hardship" waiver from complying
with pollution rules.  His income last year <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2018/04/30/federal-probe-demanded-after-trumps-billionaire-pal-carl-icahn-receives-epa-waiver">was a mere $234 million</a>.


feed_id: 4b8e6697858769a8266dba08b90efdc4
title: American fascists
uri: American-fascists
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#3_May_2018_%28American_fascists%29
content:
<p>
Vice President Wallace, and writer Sinclair Lewis, described what
American fascists would do to take control of the state.  Now they are
doing it, <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2018/04/30/fascists-compete-own-america">proceeding down that path</a>.


feed_id: a5bc7399ecd445dd6b284babce679d37
title: DoJ's priorities
uri: DoJ-s-priorities
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#3_May_2018_%28DoJ%27s_priorities%29
content:
<p>
The US Department of Justice has <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2018/04/30/doj-quietly-removes-references-press-freedom-and-gerrymandering-policy-manual">deleted the areas</a> of press freedom
and racial gerrymandering from its priorities.
<p>
That is natural, since Republicans don't want any interference with their
plans to arrest journalists and disenfranchise bigotry-target groups.


feed_id: bcddbc0876f4d3afb361176007b7efa5
title: Losing jobs to merger
uri: Losing-jobs-to-merger
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#3_May_2018_%28Losing_jobs_to_merger%29
content:
<p>
The planned merger of T-Mobile and Sprint would <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/business/2018/apr/29/t-mobile-sprint-merger-cost-20000-us-jobs">eliminate up to 20,000
jobs</a>.
<p>
Allowing large companies to merge leads step by step towards monopoly.
The plutocrats love to own monopolies, so their servants label a
market as "competitive" if it has more than one seller.


feed_id: a6f059e1efa8447c63070789814c8b07
title: Killer of Diante Yarber
uri: Killer-of-Diante-Yarber
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#3_May_2018_%28Killer_of_Diante_Yarber%29
content:
<p>
One of the the thugs that killed Diante Yarber was <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2018/apr/30/diante-yarber-police-shooting-jimmie-alfred-walker-hate-crime-charge">fired from another
thug department</a> for a racist attack.


feed_id: e920f4220b8f340f65d97b2c9266c51b
title: David Goodall
uri: David-Goodall
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#3_May_2018_%28David_Goodall%29
content:
<p>
Australian scientist David Goodall, who has reached the age of 104,
says that maladies are making his life not worth continuing.
He is <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2018/apr/30/david-goodall-australia-oldest-scientist-to-end-own-life-in-switzerland">going to Switzerland</a> where he will be allowed aid in suicide.
<p>
He can't do this in Australia because his maladies are not fatal.
They merely make his life unbearable.


feed_id: a39ba5a9e2948081a0566dafa0d889c8
title: Tax on sugary drinks
uri: 2018-05-04-Tax-on-sugary-drinks
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#3_May_2018_%28Tax_on_sugary_drinks%29
content:
<p>
Philadelphia adopted a tax on sugar-loaded drinks, which has been very
effective in reducing consumption of them.  So the companies that sell these
have gone to the state government to <a href="https://www.prwatch.org/news/2018/04/13344/trampling-local-democracy-beverage-industry-pushes-soda-tax-ban-harrisburg">prohibit cities from doing this</a>.
Other states have already done it.
<p>
Republicans are reliable boosters of products that are
dangerous to people.


feed_id: eddab8e9054cfb9e533ad87d297b0033
title: Israeli defenders of human rights
uri: Israeli-defenders-of-human-rights
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#3_May_2018_%28Israeli_defenders_of_human_rights%29
content:
<p>
The Israeli defenders of Palestinian human rights and peace face state
repression and death threats, as Israel becomes ever less free, <a href="https://theintercept.com/2018/04/30/israel-palestine-netanyahu-idf-gaza/">but they
don't give up</a>.


feed_id: f6fd0f229b76e1285e46bc31a4ad3e7e
title: Al Franken's old senate seat
uri: Al-Franken-s-old-senate-seat
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#3_May_2018_%28Al_Franken%27s_old_senate_seat%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2018/apr/30/republican-richard-painter-democrat-senate-minnesota-trump">An anti-Trump Republican</a> seeks to run for Al Franken's old senate
seat.
<p>
Being against the <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#bully">bully</a> is only the first requisite for being someone
we should want in the senate.  It is not enough.  I hope a progressive
candidate beats him in the primary.


feed_id: 350823654e62aef3ef19f70352200a76
title: Helping unauthorized immigrants
uri: Helping-unauthorized-immigrants
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#3_May_2018_%28Helping_unauthorized_immigrants%29
content:
<p>
Professor Scott Warren <a href="https://theintercept.com/2018/04/30/were-gonna-take-everyone-border-patrol-targets-prominent-humanitarian-group-as-criminal-organization/">faces 20 years in prison</a> for providing
unauthorized immigrants with supplies and a place to sleep.  The
border <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thugs</a> used to respect this humanitarian aid, but now they
are trying to snuff it out.
<p>
The border <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thugs</a> dehumanize unauthorized immigrants.  Some dream of
torturing them, and they generally drool over the idea of hitting them
on the head with a flashlight.  In other words, they have a culture that
trains them to be unfit for any such job.
<p>
They regard augmenting the danger of death for people crossing the
border as a legitimate means of deterring them from trying, and they
equate any effort to reduce the danger as obstruction of their deadly
plans.
<p>
I suspect they wish they were permitted to simply shoot apparent
migrants.


feed_id: cc6f873fee3d224fffae2503c7105552
title: Urgent: Indigenous peoples in Brazil
uri: Urgent-Indigenous-peoples-in-Brazil
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#4_May_2018_%28Urgent%3A_Indigenous_peoples_in_Brazil%29

content:
<p>
Everyone: <a href="https://amazonwatch.org/take-action/stand-in-solidarity-with-brazils-indigenous-rights-agency">Tell Brazil's president and attorney general</a> to allow FUNAI
to do its job of protecting indigenous peoples.
<p>
It has been verified that you can sign this using
Lynx Version 2.8.9dev.16 without running the nonfree JS code.


feed_id: ffbe3018e4f2d23a240268db50538702
title: Turkish opposition parties
uri: Turkish-opposition-parties
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#4_May_2018_%28Turkish_opposition_parties%29
content:
<p>
Turkish Opposition Parties <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/may/02/turkish-opposition-parties-unite-against-erdogan-elections">Unite against Erdoğan</a> in Elections.


feed_id: 01027af9073e1fa2351fe68958fde94a
title: Antisemitism
uri: 2018-05-05-Antisemitism
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#4_May_2018_%28Antisemitism%29
content:
<p>
US and Israel <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/may/02/us-and-israel-accuse-palestinian-president-of-antisemitism">Accuse Palestinian President of Antisemitism</a>.
<p>
It sounds like real antisemitism.  But that isn't a justification for
the oppression of the occupation and siege of Palestine.
<p>
The purported explanation he gave for European antisemitism would not
have made sense in the absence of preexisting antisemitism.  When a
small fraction of Jews were bankers, and only a fraction of bankers
were Jews, what sense was there in directing at Jews the hatred
inspired by the actions of bankers?  It would make more sense to hate
bankers.


feed_id: 9d0b8cce25d7ebd7dcc0c571eaecda52
title: Foreign invited speakers
uri: Foreign-invited-speakers
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#4_May_2018_%28Foreign_invited_speakers%29
content:
<p>
The UK is <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2018/may/02/hay-festival-uk-visa-malawi-patrick-kamzitu-hostile">just as hostile to foreign invited speakers</a> as the US.
<p>
It's worse than just rejecting applications.  The process of applying
is a series of slaps in the face.  When my Colombian friend Tania
wanted to visit Italy, they wouldn't even give her an appointment until
after she had missed her flight.


feed_id: 126ccbf911fac20a8f1bc6d7d429da1a
title: Letter 'from his doctor'
uri: Letter-from-his-doctor
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#4_May_2018_%28Letter_%27from_his_doctor%27%29
content:
<p>
The cheater <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2018/may/01/trump-dictated-doctors-note-harold-bornstein">dictated the letter</a> "from his doctor" that said he would
be the "healthiest individual ever elected to the presidency".
<p>
I know what it is like to feel violated &mdash; for instance, when I am
compelled to identify myself and get put in a data base &mdash; but I would
not say I felt "raped".  I don't know what it feels like to be raped,
and I hope I never find out, but I am sure it is an exaggeration to
use it for lesser kinds of violation.


feed_id: 80345778cd4ea989d2315cf8371097b4
title: Slavery and fear of deportation
uri: Slavery-and-fear-of-deportation
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#4_May_2018_%28Slavery_and_fear_of_deportation%29
content:
<p>
Enslavers take advantage of <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/society/2018/may/02/abusive-men-using-uk-immigration-fears-to-control-women">slaves' fear of deportation</a>.


feed_id: d9e76c0827c317e6565f1968a20a8e4b
title: MDMA to treat PTSD
uri: MDMA-to-treat-PTSD
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#4_May_2018_%28MDMA_to_treat_PTSD%29
content:
<p>
Research finds that MDMA (aka ecstasy) <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/science/2018/may/01/ecstasy-ingredient-could-help-ease-ptsd-symptoms-study-finds">helps treatment of PTSD</a>.


feed_id: bb3abc784bf0a18f2b28548521f1226e
title: Cutting smog
uri: Cutting-smog
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#4_May_2018_%28Cutting_smog%29
content:
<p>
America's huge success in cutting smog at risk of being eroded &mdash; <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2018/may/01/america-smog-clean-air-pollution-risk-trump">by
Republican counteraction</a>.


feed_id: f7cd1babd46123305a82f705769e5173
title: Toxic air pollution
uri: 2018-05-05-Toxic-air-pollution
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#4_May_2018_%28Toxic_air_pollution%29
content:
<p>
Toxic air pollution is increasing world-wide, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2018/may/01/air-pollution-inequality-widens-between-rich-and-poor-nations">except in some wealthy areas</a>.


feed_id: 898369785b6ea66ef8b1486c9d71dae8
title: Extension of war authorization
uri: Extension-of-war-authorization
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#4_May_2018_%28Extension_of_war_authorization%29
content:
<p>
The Corker-Kaine extension of war authorization also <a href="https://theintercept.com/2018/05/01/ndaa-2018-aumf-detention/">extends the
president's power</a> to put people in prison permanently without trial.
<p>
This power is tyranny and it should be eliminated, not extended.


feed_id: fc21322996735cbf060e55de36ae1ac0
title: Cheating on English test
uri: Cheating-on-English-test
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#4_May_2018_%28Cheating_on_English_test%29
content:
<p>
One of the schemes used by desperate UK bureaucrats to reduce the
number of foreigners was being sloppy in <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2018/may/01/sajid-javid-urged-to-review-plight-of-students-forced-out-of-uk">accusing foreign students of
cheating</a> on the English test required to get a visa.
<p>
There were real cheaters, but the bureaucrats magnified this by being
sloppy, hasty and harsh about making the accused students leave.  Those
who were falsely accused had recourse only in theory.


feed_id: b9f9124d8fd5bdbc92ae75b68a6c88a2
title: Suing a hate web site
uri: Suing-a-hate-web-site
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#4_May_2018_%28Suing_a_hate_web_site%29
content:
<p>
Victims of neo-Nazi defamation and harassment campaigns are <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2018/may/01/student-sues-daily-stormer-troll-storm-neo-nazi-harassment">suing the owner
of a hate web site</a>.


feed_id: 1d039c1366316e66a21d50fbc9e3da52
title: Booby traps in Raqqa
uri: Booby-traps-in-Raqqa
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#4_May_2018_%28Booby_traps_in_Raqqa%29
content:
<p>
Raqqa is full of booby traps left by <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#pissi">PISSI</a>, making it dangerous to
live there.  There have been <a href="https://theintercept.com/2018/05/01/syria-isis-defeat-landmines-humanitarian-aid/">thousands of casualties</a>.
<p>
Some of the booby-traps explode days after they were triggered, or
only the 10th time they are triggered.  So people move back into their
homes, thinking them checked, and get killed later.
<p>
The cost of demining Raqqa may be such that it would be cheaper
to build a new city elsewhere than to demine it.


feed_id: 82099b825f3aa1f65f2eade6235dc1aa
title: Netanyahu's bogus claim
uri: Netanyahu-s-bogus-claim
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#4_May_2018_%28Netanyahu%27s_bogus_claim%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/may/01/iran-nuclear-deal-documents-questions-benjamin-netanyahu">Netanyahu's bogus announcement</a> provided no evidence for alleged cheating by
Iran, but it may still give the warmonger a political excuse to cancel
the Iran antinuclear deal.
For his purposes, the truth doesn't matter, only manipulation of
public opinion.  The announcement was trumpeted; the subsequent news
that it was bogus will not have reached as many people, and his supporters
will consciously disregard it.


feed_id: 4eab42192591ef3b4cd13b9f5cc225cf
title: Secret company owners
uri: Secret-company-owners
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#4_May_2018_%28Secret_company_owners%29
content:
<p>
The UK will require many of its remaining colonies to <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2018/may/01/the-guardian-view-on-uk-tax-havens-mps-are-right-to-get-tough">reveal the
owners of companies</a>.
<p>
It is an advance, but only a step in putting an end to tax-dodging by
the rich.  Other tax havens remain.  What is needed is to change tax
laws in the US and other places where the money is gained, so that
payments can't be deducted as business expenses if they go to a dodgy
company in a tax haven.


feed_id: 9156bce075bfc0b98dd6b08380b7aae7
title: UK political elite
uri: UK-political-elite
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#4_May_2018_%28UK_political_elite%29
content:
<p>
The UK political elite, like the UK business elite, is made up of
short-term thinkers that look at each job (as CEO or minister) as a
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2018/may/01/amber-rudd-career-elite-ordinary-people-contempt">stepping-stone to another</a>.


feed_id: 4302ae9181b0e2e2cb5ad29438e7e4cf
title: Urgent: Protect the CFPB
uri: 2018-05-06-Urgent-Protect-the-CFPB
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#5_May_2018_%28Urgent%3A_Protect_the_CFPB%29
content:
<p>
US citizens: <a href="https://act.credoaction.com/sign/mulvaney_cfpb_comment">call on Congress and Mulvaney</a> not to hamstring the CFPB.


feed_id: 9b1e125d91cce22c7f85d0d82dd9fc5c
title: Urgent: Release Manuel Duran
uri: 2018-05-06-Urgent-Release-Manuel-Duran
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#5_May_2018_%28Urgent%3A_Release_Manuel_Duran%29
content:
<p>
US citizens: <a href="https://act.freepress.net/sign/journ_release_manuel_duran/">call on the deportation thugs</a> to release journalist
Manuel Duran.


feed_id: 14360c34e54ecb505e2437c40047057e
title: Iowa abortion ban
uri: Iowa-abortion-ban
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#5_May_2018_%28Iowa_abortion_ban%29
content:
<p>
Iowa has <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2018/may/02/iowa-abortion-bill-law-most-restrictive">passed a bill</a> to ban abortions after roughly six weeks.
That's almost equivalent to a total ban.
<p>
The bill intentionally violates the Roe v Wade decision, hoping that
the right-wing majority on the Supreme Court will use the opportunity
to undo Roe v Wade.


feed_id: ed5f15466edad74a416cb09e23d1b22e
title: Charter school teachers
uri: Charter-school-teachers
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#5_May_2018_%28Charter_school_teachers%29
content:
<p>
US teachers are <a href="https://theintercept.com/2018/05/02/los-angeles-charter-schools-teachers-union/">pushing to unionize</a> in charter schools.


feed_id: 7846756ab89677f6a9ae72714a914c2a
title: Searching diaries
uri: Searching-diaries
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#5_May_2018_%28Searching_diaries%29
content:
<p>
Digital technology has given the US an excuse to eliminate the
<a href="https://stallman.org/falkvinge/diaries.html">privileged status of personal diaries</a> when people's homes are
searched.


feed_id: dc2e81db96577667c49fd67f105d0cfe
title: Censorship attack
uri: Censorship-attack
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#5_May_2018_%28Censorship_attack%29
content:
<p>
EDRI: The “copyright troika” launches <a href="https://edri.org/leak-the-copyright-troika-launches-another-censorship-machine-attack/">another censorship machine attack</a>.


feed_id: 7629591990586b61c3ede2541a705473
title: 50C temperature in April
uri: 50C-temperature-in-April
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#5_May_2018_%2850C_temperature_in_April%29
content:
<p>
A city in Pakistan <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/may/02/pakistani-city-breaks-april-record-with-day-of-50c-heat-nawabshah">reached the temperature of 50C</a> in April.
Some people are fleeing, fearing even higher temperatures in summer.
<p>
50C is fatal for some vulnerable people, but 55 would kill a lot more.
51C, with 37% humidity, <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#13_August_2015_(Heat_wave_in_the_Middle_East)">would be fatal</a> for all unprotected
human beings.


feed_id: 50208b148eacdacef060b2a385486710
title: The cheater's doctor
uri: The-cheater-s-doctor
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#5_May_2018_%28The_cheater%27s_doctor%29
content:
<p>
"<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2018/may/02/trumps-doctor-is-a-warning-to-all-the-footsoldiers-and-loyal-colluders-itll-come-back-to-bite-you">[The cheater's] doctor is a warning</a> to all the footsoldiers and loyal
colluders: it'll come back to bite you."


feed_id: 991a1642e435ddc270d0ed7d250c1c27
title: Brain wave surveillance
uri: Brain-wave-surveillance
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#5_May_2018_%28Brain_wave_surveillance%29
content:
<p>
Thousands of workers in China are <a href="http://www.scmp.com/news/china/society/article/2143899/forget-facebook-leak-china-mining-data-directly-workers-brains">having their brain waves surveilled</a>.


feed_id: 6b62f652a91e316bd7b8f05d1e858e64
title: Entering the public domain
uri: Entering-the-public-domain
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#5_May_2018_%28Entering_the_public_domain%29
content:
<p>
For the first time in 20 years, since the Micky Mouse Copyright act,
some works are <a href="https://www.theatlantic.com/technology/archive/2018/04/copywritten-so-dont-copy-me/557420/">entering the public domain</a> in the US.  
<p>
Just because copyright is not infinitely unjust, that doesn't make
today's copyright law acceptable.  Copyright should <a href="https://gnu.org/philosophy/copyright-vs-community.html">not last more than
10 years</a>.


feed_id: 0404a438a70e8209a439731406468ce3
title: Denuclearization deal
uri: Denuclearization-deal
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#5_May_2018_%28Denuclearization_deal%29
content:
<p>
Bolton is <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2018/05/01/did-john-bolton-leak-intelligence-sabotage-trump-kim-deal">actively trying to sabotage</a> the prospect of a peace treaty
and denuclearization deal with North Korea.
<p>
What he misses is that if North Korea agrees to such a deal, Kim will
no longer have any motive to start a war, nuclear or not.


feed_id: d297dfba4f1ce0a85e176526ec0fc807
title: Rosenstein impeachment draft
uri: Rosenstein-impeachment-draft
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#5_May_2018_%28Rosenstein_impeachment_draft%29
content:
<p>
Some Republican congresscritters want to <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2018/05/01/gift-trump-house-gop-members-draft-rosenstein-impeachment-articles">impeach Deputy Attorney
General Rosenstein</a>.


feed_id: 024b54e63fb2ebb98d44f3471e6ba045
title: Limits to military power
uri: Limits-to-military-power
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#5_May_2018_%28Limits_to_military_power%29
content:
<p>
No matter how powerful the US army is on paper, and what it is
prepared to spend, it can't enable a fundamentally corrupt government
to <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2018/05/01/why-cant-worlds-best-military-win-its-wars">defeat a guerrilla with popular support</a>.


feed_id: 51c7ae6908f981579d855861a656e2e3
title: Netanyahu's case
uri: Netanyahu-s-case
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#5_May_2018_%28Netanyahu%27s_case%29
content:
<p>
Netanyahu <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2018/05/01/netanyahu-makes-case-jcpoa">Makes a Case for the JCPOA</a> (but pretends that it is the opposite).
<p>
It's also meant to distract us from <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2018/05/01/netanyahu-dont-look-here-where-were-shooting-children-look-over-there-iran">shooting thousands of protesters</a> in Gaza.


feed_id: 160a504a5a090cd02c7e921d5ae7ee43
title: Universities as businesses
uri: Universities-as-businesses
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#5_May_2018_%28Universities_as_businesses%29
content:
<p>
Raising university fees in the UK converted universities effectively
into businesses.  The values of academia have been discarded.  They
pay their executives high salaries, students come because that is the
only way to get a good job, and nowadays they <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/education/2018/may/01/university-students-cheating-tuition-fees-jobs-exams">cheat on exams a lot
more</a> than before.
<p>
People who could be honest when it's just a matter of intellectuality
become desperate when a low mark can ruin their lives.
<p>
UK universities have been conscripted as deportation agencies and censors.
One professor says that the next time he is asked to show his passport to prove
he is acceptable for doing some academic task, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/education/2018/may/01/how-universities-swept-into-hostile-environment-windrush">he will decline</a> to do it.


feed_id: 347910999253cf1dc51869b364a294bf
title: Data for deportation thugs
uri: Data-for-deportation-thugs
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#5_May_2018_%28Data_for_deportation_thugs%29
content:
<p>
Many cities give the US deportation thugs <a href="https://injusticetoday.com/new-documents-reveal-how-ice-mines-local-police-databases-across-the-country-660e2dfddbe3">direct access to their own
data bases</a>, even in cities which are not supposed to cooperate with
deportations.


feed_id: d21bb27a188fbf6bdc72e395e69c1445
title: Collecting deleted messages
uri: Collecting-deleted-messages
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#5_May_2018_%28Collecting_deleted_messages%29
content:
<p>
China <a href="https://techcrunch.com/2018/04/30/chinese-government-admits-collection-of-deleted-wechat-messages/">collects deleted WeChat messages</a>.
<p>
You can't trust any sort of digital communication that the Chinese
government tolerates.  The question is, can we stop the US government
from becoming equally unjust.
<p>
<a href="https://gnu.org/philosophy/surveillance-vs-democracy.html">We need laws</a> to forbid making communication systems that snoop on
all their users.
They should be designed so that they don't enable snooping on a user
in the absence of a specific court order to authorize it.


feed_id: 1877d5ef0540bd37e8decebbdbaa5c9b
title: Urgent: Ban 'assault weapons'
uri: 2018-05-07-Urgent-Ban-assault-weapons
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#6_May_2018_%28Urgent%3A_Ban_%27assault_weapons%27%29

content:
<p>
US citizens: <a href="https://petitions.signforgood.com/BanAssaultWeapons/">Call for a ban</a> on "assault weapons".
<p>
They are not real assault weapons, but they fire bullets with the <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#5_October_2017_(Feinstein's_gun_bill)">same
high velocity</a> that real assault weapons fire them, and that makes them
far more deadly than an ordinary pistol.


feed_id: 5d80924259ea1b86cc0d8761d851ed46
title: Urgent: Bee-killing pesticides
uri: Urgent-Bee-killing-pesticides
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#6_May_2018_%28Urgent%3A_Bee-killing_pesticides%29
content:
<p>
US citizens: <a href="https://act.credoaction.com/sign/ban-neonics">call on the EPA</a> to ban bee-killing neonicotinoid pesticides.


feed_id: dd50e670bc08990a5851647f500364b0
title: Michelle Wolf
uri: Michelle-Wolf
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#6_May_2018_%28Michelle_Wolf%29
content:
<p>
Comedian Michelle Wolf joked to attack Sarah Huckabee Sanders for her
official political acts, and <a href="https://act.credoaction.com/sign/whca-wolf">is being criticized</a> based on
misrepresenting that as a personal attack on Sanders's appearance.
<p>
I haven't signed this petition because I have not seen Wolf's
presentation, and I am not in a position to watch it.  The example
presented in the article is quite clearly a distortion, unfair to Ms
Wolf, but without having seen the whole presentation, I don't want to
assert that the criticism is nothing but distortion (although that
could well be the case).
<p>
Can someone send me a transcript?  From reading this, I could
resolve my doubts and then maybe sign this.


feed_id: ece52ee363ae74800870ee7c31a78d24
title: Housing subsidies
uri: Housing-subsidies
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#6_May_2018_%28Housing_subsidies%29
content:
<p>
Millions of Americans (including millions of children) are on the edge
of being kicked out into the street.  Saboteur Carson's <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2018/05/02/how-elites-scam-americans-out-housing">plan to cut
housing subsidies</a> would push many of them over the edge.


feed_id: a7835cb919d5f1b18795aac7ec9ee6a2
title: Civilian casualty reports
uri: Civilian-casualty-reports
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#6_May_2018_%28Civilian_casualty_reports%29
content:
<p>
The bully shows his contempt for human life by <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2018/05/02/dangerous-low-trump-ignores-deadline-reporting-civilians-killed-us-drone-attacks">disregarding the law</a> requiring
a report about civilian casualties from drone attacks.
<p>
A report from the US government about this <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2004-may-aug.html#24%20May%202004%20(Wedding%20Party%20Attack)">would not</a> <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2017-mar-jun.html#2_June_2017_(US_military_covers_up_civilian_casualties)">deserve trust</a> anyway,
but this demonstrated contempt for all civilians that might
be killed will smooth the path to killing more of them.


feed_id: ee809a61dfe091021426a4684940b375
title: Job guarantee
uri: Job-guarantee
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#6_May_2018_%28Job_guarantee%29
content:
<p>
Should we fear that a job guarantee will be a giant boondoggle?
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2018/05/02/yes-jobs-guarantee-could-create-boondoggles-it-also-might-save-planet">Here's why</a> it is not a real issue.
<p>
A boondoggle is government spending that doesn't produce results that
make the people better off.  The US government puts billions of
dollars into boondoggles &mdash; military spending, private prisons, etc.
It makes them bigger every year.
<p>
If we transfer a lot of those funds to a job guarantee program, the
boondoggle could well be smaller, if at least those jobs are designed
to do useful jobs.


feed_id: 4e3b2f94dedce360f8aba77c3a49af84
title: 'New Democrats'
uri: New-Democrats
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#6_May_2018_%28%27New_Democrats%27%29
content:
<p>
The "new Democrats" that yielded the Democratic Party to plutocracy
in 1992 are <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2018/05/02/ghosts-new-democrats-are-haunting-us">still trying to hold on</a> to control of the party.
<p>
1992 was the last time I voted for a Democrat for president.  These
"new Democrats" are not as bad as Republicans, but they are pushing in
the same bad direction &mdash; just not pushing quite as hard.


feed_id: 8bea83a4eca5bfbfb56549fdff8900e1
title: Facial recognition in Australia
uri: Facial-recognition-in-Australia
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#6_May_2018_%28Facial_recognition_in_Australia%29
content:
<p>
Australia <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2018/may/02/duttons-facial-recognition-scheme-could-target-jaywalkers-lawyer-warns">plans massive surveillance</a> using facial recognition.
<p>
China's example shows that this will repress democracy.  The supposed
targets may be the terrorists, but since they are so rare, the
important targets will be dissidents and whistleblowers.  Rather than
limiting use of the system's data, Australia must reject it totally.


feed_id: f72b6ba6eea8a7abd7b0e8b22dea1919
title: Intelligence
uri: Intelligence
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#6_May_2018_%28Intelligence%29
content:
<p>
It is unlikely that different human populations have genetic
differences affecting intelligence, so let's focus on <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/science/blog/2018/may/02/why-genetic-iq-differences-between-races-are-unlikely">eliminating the
environmental factors</a> (lead, life stress, bad schools) that knock
people's intelligence down.


feed_id: 60d418c921242d453afb9b9e9402bb0f
title: Nonviolent Pashtun movement
uri: Nonviolent-Pashtun-movement
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#6_May_2018_%28Nonviolent_Pashtun_movement%29
content:
<p>
A nonviolent movement among the Pashtun <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/may/02/pakistani-army-manzoor-pashteen-pashtun">condemns Pakistan's army</a>
for repressing Pashtuns and for supporting terrorists that attack India
and Afghanistan.
<p>
The military are disappearing supporters of the movement.


feed_id: 2d04e6bc6c1659e5b645453800b33873
title: Moist towelettes
uri: Moist-towelettes
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#6_May_2018_%28Moist_towelettes%29
content:
<p>
Moist towelettes include plastic, and large quantities of them
are discarded.  <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2018/may/02/wet-wipes-boom-is-changing-the-shape-of-british-riverbeds">Guess what comes next?</a>


feed_id: 4fae254d7cbe5840fe0935b20089254e
title: Israel's rules of engagement
uri: Israel-s-rules-of-engagement
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#6_May_2018_%28Israel%27s_rules_of_engagement%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2018/05/01/fifty-killed-gaza-zero-israelis-injured">Comparing what Israel says</a> about killing Palestinian protesters
with what witnesses have observed.
<p>
Israel says its "rules of engagement" are not as blanketly permissive
as critics claim, and asks us to take its word for that since it won't
say what the rules are.  That is totally bogus, since it is easy for
requirements to sound strict but actually be totally weak.  They might
have gotten advice from a lawyer who writes "privacy policies" for
commercial web sites.


feed_id: aba60db75b2305f16e7f5ac879b76244
title: Visitors to Israel
uri: 2018-05-07-Visitors-to-Israel
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#6_May_2018_%28Visitors_to_Israel%29
content:
<p>
Two leaders of the Center for Constitutional Rights were supposed
to visit Israel and Palestine, but Israel <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2018/05/01/center-constitutional-rights-executive-director-and-board-chair-both-denied">refused to let them in</a>.
<p>
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#15_January_2016_(Investigation_of_Israels_actions)">It is common</a> for Israel to <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2017-mar-jun.html#17_May_2017_(Israel_expels_Dutch_journalist)">bar foreigners</a> who have criticized the occupation,
as well as <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2014-may-aug.html#22_August_2014_(Investigators_barred_from_Gaza)">official investigators</a>.


feed_id: fa63592a460ee0869336ae3a69693a6d
title: Condemning Mahmoud Abbas
uri: Condemning-Mahmoud-Abbas
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#6_May_2018_%28Condemning_Mahmoud_Abbas%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2018/may/02/condemn-mahmoud-abbas-antisemitic-remarks-holocaust">It's Right to Condemn Mahmoud Abbas</a> for His Antisemitic Remarks
(even while calling for an end to the occupation of Palestine).


feed_id: 926afdb5f3719965f0c6f56378cff767
title: Medical clinic reporting
uri: Medical-clinic-reporting
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#6_May_2018_%28Medical_clinic_reporting%29
content:
<p>
Making medical clinics report undesirables <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2018/may/02/nhs-staff-border-hostile-environment-patient-home-office">betrays medicine</a>.


feed_id: 1946789fa7a6424d12bd2f706a341cda
title: Anti-fake-news algorithms
uri: Anti-fake-news-algorithms
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#6_May_2018_%28Anti-fake-news_algorithms%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://ieet.org/index.php/IEET/more/rinesi20180502">The Mystical Underpinnings</a> of Facebook's Anti-Fake-News Algorithms.


feed_id: 79e41e08a3bc9c2454760d59985981b8
title: Florida mangroves
uri: Florida-mangroves
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#6_May_2018_%28Florida_mangroves%29
content:
<p>
Florida's coastal mangroves will be <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2018/may/02/mangroves-everglades-florida-rising-sea-level">flooded out of existence</a> in 30
years.
<p>
We might help the Everglades survive till the end of this century, but
sea level rise will continue.  Eventually all of Florida except the
northern edge will be underwater.


feed_id: 23dac3c795c9fe40cbd4251090bb187a
title: Urgent: Postal banking
uri: 2018-05-10-Urgent-Postal-banking
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#9_May_2018_%28Urgent%3A_Postal_banking%29
content:
<p>
US citizens, <a href="https://act.credoaction.com/sign/postal_banking_payday">tell Congress</a>: Postal Banking, Not Payday Lending.


feed_id: 3ce40e278e2d75dab41a514d0920df02
title: Urgent: Trophy hunting
uri: Urgent-Trophy-hunting
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#9_May_2018_%28Urgent%3A_Trophy_hunting%29
content:
<p>
US citizens: <a href="https://act.nrdc.org/letter/trophy-hunting-180416">call on the US</a> to stop promoting international trophy
hunting of endangered species.


feed_id: bb4d8ff8854c5570f525d2f3c20092d1
title: Urgent: Michelle Wolf
uri: Urgent-Michelle-Wolf
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#9_May_2018_%28Urgent%3A_Michelle_Wolf%29
content:
<p>
Everyone: <a href="https://act.credoaction.com/sign/whca-wolf">defend comedian Michelle Wolf</a> from unfair criticism from
the White House Correspondent's Association.


feed_id: ea833496ece9abd0b88c5c35d2b5ab9d
title: Firing guns by mistake
uri: Firing-guns-by-mistake
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#10_May_2018_%28Firing_guns_by_mistake%29
content:
<p>
People have <a href="https://www.motherjones.com/politics/2018/05/arming-teachers-has-already-led-to-a-slew-of-gun-accidents-in-schools/">fired guns by mistake</a> 30 times (at least) in the US since
2014.


feed_id: 6a646ceadfa445e9b99a13b1562e4523
title: Discrediting the nuclear deal
uri: Discrediting-the-nuclear-deal
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#10_May_2018_%28Discrediting_the_nuclear_deal%29
content:
<p>
The troll's men <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2018/may/05/trump-team-hired-spy-firm-dirty-ops-iran-nuclear-deal">hired an Israeli private detective agency</a> to try to
find material to discredit the diplomats that negotiated the nuclear
deal with Iran.
<p>
The agency was not looking for wrongdoing in those negotiations;
apparently there was none of that.  It was not looking for corruption;
apparently there was none of that either.
<p>
Rather, it was looking for something irrelevant that would have
happened long after the negotiations.  Something that would not have
had any implications about the deal itself.  But it would have given
<a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#trump">the troll</a> some eggs to throw at them, perhaps to create a negative
attitude towards them and thus (irrationally) towards the deal itself.


feed_id: 8aa6a4fa5b778290af881fa45c5358c1
title: 'Flexibility' reforms
uri: Flexibility-reforms
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#10_May_2018_%28%27Flexibility%27_reforms%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/may/05/thousands-protest-against-emmanuel-macron-under-heavy-security-in-paris">Thousands protested in Paris</a> against Macron's right-wing "flexibility"
reforms.
<p>
Today's principal political problem is the dominion of business over
the state.  When countries compete to offer a "friendly climate for
business", the overall effect is harmful &mdash; it increases that dominion.
(When they cooperate to offer a <a href="https://stallman.org/business-supremacy-treaties.html">"friendly climate for international trade"</a>,
it has the same harmful effect.)  So it is wrong to do these things.
<p>
I am sure there are some points in French labor law which are rigid
and inefficient.  Perhaps it would be an improvement to change them &mdash;
but why now?  The urgent need is to change the laws and the system
that give business too much power.  Politicians that choose "friendly
climate for business" rather than "break the dominion of business" are
choosing plutocracy rather than democracy.


feed_id: 9a6b28c2345b8270422fa403bf4d90bd
title: NSA records in 2017
uri: NSA-records-in-2017
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#10_May_2018_%28NSA_records_in_2017%29
content:
<p>
The NSA <a href="https://gizmodo.com/the-nsa-managed-to-collect-500-million-us-call-records-1825789394">tripled its collection</a> of Americans' phone call and message
records in 2017.
<p>
It collects <em>all</em> the records about everyone who has communicated at
least once with one of the people on its target list.  We don't know
how many people that amounts to, but my rough estimate is 200,000 to
500,000 people.


feed_id: 6a61c416c11a492c27985ef40f40822e
title: DARK Act
uri: DARK-Act
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#10_May_2018_%28DARK_Act%29
content:
<p>
The proposed implementation of the DARK Act, meant to prevent
effective labeling of genetically modified foods, is to use bright,
pretty images <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2018/05/04/trumps-usda-proposes-deceptively-cute-images-gmo-labels-nixes-words-genetically">and not say "GMO"</a>.


feed_id: a13bc8a523ddada3b4bcbb3ff7808c29
title: The ACS and Sci-Hub
uri: The-ACS-and-Sci-Hub
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#10_May_2018_%28The_ACS_and_Sci-Hub%29
content:
<p>
The American Chemical Society is <a href="https://torrentfreak.com/sci-hub-pirate-bay-for-science-security-certs-revoked-by-comodo-ca-180503/">perverting the US legal system permanently</a>
in the attempt to make the science-sharing site Sci-Hub inaccessible.
<p>
The American Chemical Society is an enemy of science.  Can we find a way to
make the public condemn it as it deserves to be condemned?


feed_id: 9d91e361ca2e7424c8554dd250475c7d
title: Fake news in Malaysia
uri: 2018-05-10-Fake-news-in-Malaysia
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#10_May_2018_%28Fake_news_in_Malaysia%29
content:
<p>
Malaysia's "fake news" is being used <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/may/03/malaysia-opposition-leader-investigated-under-fake-news-laws">against an opposition candidate</a>,
who was the previous prime minister.
<p>
He <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#31_August_2015_(Malaysia)">didn't respect democracy all that well</a> when he was in office,
but his successor seems to be flagrantly worse.


feed_id: ce6b69b0011b22bf938e6095ad2a7aa9
title: Kentucky school district
uri: Kentucky-school-district
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#10_May_2018_%28Kentucky_school_district%29
content:
<p>
The governor of Kentucky is <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2018/may/05/kentucky-derby-teachers-protest-matt-bevin-governor">taking over a school district</a>; teachers say it
is retaliation against them by taking the students hostage.
<p>
It is no surprise that a school district whose students come from poor
families in bigotry-target groups is doing badly.  It probably has very
little money.


feed_id: 320e785016ca2d555b251069aea8ed9b
title: Sex offenders list
uri: 2018-05-10-Sex-offenders-list
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#10_May_2018_%28Sex_offenders_list%29
content:
<p>
There is almost nowhere in Miami-Dade County that people on the sex
offenders list are allowed to live.  Many live in a tent camp, but now
<a href="https://theintercept.com/2018/05/05/homeless-sex-offenders-florida-miami-dade/">it is being shut down</a>.
<p>
The article explains that the laws limiting where registered sex
offenders can live do no positive good for anyone.  What's more, many
people on the list never threatened strangers in any way.  Some did no
wrong sexually to anyone &mdash; including those who had <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2017-jan-apr.html#17_January_2017_(Sex_offender)">love affairs with
teenagers</a>,
those who did <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#21_July_2017_(Sexting_shouldn't_be_a_crime)">sexting</a>,
and some who did nothing at all but <a href="https://freerangekids.wordpress.com/2011/07/23/new-outrage-sex-offender-or-teenage-jerk/">pleaded guilty in
a plea bargain</a>.


feed_id: 4225a18b151e665b0d265ce1d83d142f
title: Predicting faces from DNA
uri: Predicting-faces-from-DNA
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#10_May_2018_%28Predicting_faces_from_DNA%29
content:
<p>
The ability to predict faces from DNA potentiates face-recognition databases
to make a <a href="https://theconversation.com/dna-facial-prediction-could-make-protecting-your-privacy-more-difficult-94740">massive attack on everyone's privacy</a>.


feed_id: 7a90cb9c81cd7490fd6d280baadcd2c7
title: Urgent: Journalists in Burma
uri: Urgent-Journalists-in-Burma
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#8_May_2018_%28Urgent%3A_Journalists_in_Burma%29
content:
<p>
Everyone: <a href="https://act.amnestyusa.org/page/18837/action/1">call on Burma</a> to release the journalists facing charges for their
publications.


feed_id: 4a62e2c6598f446b529d4bb5f1047362
title: Urgent: NRA's lawyer as judge
uri: Urgent-NRA-s-lawyer-as-judge
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#8_May_2018_%28Urgent%3A_NRA%27s_lawyer_as_judge%29
content:
<p>
US citizens: <a href="https://act.credoaction.com/sign/block_nielson">call on the Senate</a> not to confirm the NRA's lawyer
as a US judge.


feed_id: 1421b5101faaf41f4fdecf5d6ce9b413
title: The White House on Taiwan
uri: The-White-House-on-Taiwan
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#8_May_2018_%28The_White_House_on_Taiwan%29
content:
<p>
The White House <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2018/may/05/trump-white-house-china-orwellian-nonsense-taiwan-hong-kong-macau">condemned China's pressure</a> to pretend that Taiwan
is part of China.
<p>
I agree, in principle, and it may be a good thing for resisting
Chinese expansionism to refuse to legitimize it any longer.  However,
it's hard for a rebuke to this abuse of language to gain much respect
when it comes from someone who bullshits every day.
<p>
Both China and the US are guilty of worse abuse of language.


feed_id: 9f35feca62a92c573000851d90097497
title: Whose economy is it
uri: Whose-economy-is-it
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#8_May_2018_%28Whose_economy_is_it%29
content:
<p>
"If 'the economy' can recover without real people recovering, then
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2018/05/05/fighting-back-war-poor">whose economy is it really?</a>"


feed_id: 119e9b658c5c40f992f635268e9ee804
title: Fracking chemicals
uri: 2018-05-10-Fracking-chemicals
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#8_May_2018_%28Fracking_chemicals%29
content:
<p>
Fracking Chemicals May <a href="https://www.futurity.org/fracking-chemicals-immune-function-1746232-2/">Harm Developing Immune System</a>.


feed_id: f29e8439fe757028900df02b6e3a8023
title: Space mining
uri: Space-mining
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#8_May_2018_%28Space_mining%29
content:
<p>
We need international agreements to <a href="http://nautil.us/blog/-mining-in-space-could-lead-to-conflicts-on-earth">govern space mining</a>: who can mine
where, and what methods are safe to use.


feed_id: 36b575219da4b75abc92b1d0341a6385
title: Measuring emotions
uri: Measuring-emotions
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#8_May_2018_%28Measuring_emotions%29
content:
<p>
Researchers are working on <a href="http://nautil.us/issue/60/searches/-how-long-until-a-robot-cries">measuring human emotions</a> from voice and
facial expressions.
<p>
If this is successful, we humans could become sitting ducks for businesses
that use this technology against us.
<p>
Moreover, the <a href="https://www.futurity.org/holographic-brain-modulator-memories-1748292-2/">holographic brain activator</a> being developed could be
used to edit people's sensations and memories, perhaps even their
habits of action and thinking.
<p>
Imagine what China or Gilead would do with such a device.


feed_id: 3c2c1629d73f0530d0f35b66b7ae280c
title: Discussing personal data
uri: Discussing-personal-data
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#8_May_2018_%28Discussing_personal_data%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://theconversation.com/soft-terms-like-open-and-sharing-dont-tell-the-true-story-of-your-data-95521">Watch out for "soft" terms</a> such as "open" and "sharing" when they are
applied to redistribution of your personal data.


feed_id: 52d95ef7a8ac3e1ff1ec601c18e33e6b
title: ISP profits
uri: ISP-profits
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#8_May_2018_%28ISP_profits%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2018/05/big-lie-isps-are-spreading-state-legislatures-they-dont-make-enough-money">The Big Lie ISPs Are Spreading</a> in State Legislatures is That They Don’t 
Make Enough Money.


feed_id: 4d812cdc7fb685b9a7f75bf2f58f60d7
title: Adoption discrimination
uri: Adoption-discrimination
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#8_May_2018_%28Adoption_discrimination%29
content:
<p>
Oklahoma and Kansas now <a href="https://www.aclu.org/blog/lgbt-rights/lgbt-parenting/children-oklahoma-and-kansas-need-love-and-stability-not">permit religious-based discrimination</a> against couples 
that want to adopt a child.  Children that need adoption will suffer
for the sake of someone else's religion.


feed_id: 45c74c1c422a430de221a45ff0429fff
title: Protests in Russia
uri: 2018-05-10-Protests-in-Russia
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#8_May_2018_%28Protests_in_Russia%29
content:
<p>
Russia thugs <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/may/05/russian-police-arrest-more-than-200-anti-putin-protesters-siberia">arrested hundreds of people</a> participating in "He is not
our tsar" protests in various cities, including opposition leader
Alexei Navalny.
<p>
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/may/06/russian-police-release-opposition-leader-alexei-navalny">1,600 protesters</a> were arrested.


feed_id: 2c380531c1d873de97f3e59b24a596d6
title: Brain scan indicating torture
uri: Brain-scan-indicating-torture
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#8_May_2018_%28Brain_scan_indicating_torture%29
content:
<p>
Khalid Sheik Mohammed's brain scan <a href="http://www.mcclatchydc.com/news/nation-world/article209722184.html#cardLink=tallRow1_card1">shows trauma damage</a> that seems to
be due to CIA torture.


feed_id: 53287cf8a562abe6328a3614305d0aee
title: Arizona teacher strike ended
uri: Arizona-teacher-strike-ended
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#8_May_2018_%28Arizona_teacher_strike_ended%29
content:
<p>
Arizona teachers <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2018/05/04/after-achieving-something-truly-historic-arizona-teachers-head-back-classrooms">ended their strike</a> after winning a 20% raise and more
funds for schools.
I get the impression, however, that the additional funds come from other
worthwhile programs, rather than from taxation.  The teachers originally
demanded that the funds not be taken away from other worthwhile programs.
Maybe they found that that was more than they could win.


feed_id: 62705fa1fc6dacb2b2d64c5a3e6bba13
title: Fired from Amazon warehouse
uri: Fired-from-Amazon-warehouse
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#8_May_2018_%28Fired_from_Amazon_warehouse%29
content:
<p>
The Onion: <a href="https://www.theonion.com/amazon-fires-warehouse-worker-who-took-unauthorized-bre-1825765390">fired from an Amazon warehouse</a> for <em>what</em>?


feed_id: 70c28924f6f91618a1b8fd3cf1fa5205
title: Forests in danger of collapse
uri: Forests-in-danger-of-collapse
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#7_May_2018_%28Forests_in_danger_of_collapse%29
content:
<p>
Too much logging in forests near Melbourne, Australia, has put the
forests in 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2018/may/01/melbournes-water-supply-at-risk-due-to-collapse-of-forests-caused-by-logging">danger
of total collapse</a> and replacement with a different ecosystem.
That would mean less water available for Melbourne.


feed_id: 2a526b831084a4438df8df2d9aa5727f
title: Cross-generational trauma
uri: Cross-generational-trauma
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#7_May_2018_%28Cross-generational_trauma%29
content:
<p>
Trauma, transmitting from one generation to another, 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2018/apr/30/patriarchy-perpetuates-trauma-its-time-to-face-the-fact">causes
pain to most everyone</a>.


feed_id: 97d615fc26146f3213baf2e09b6555e2
title: Personal DNA sequences online
uri: Personal-DNA-sequences-online
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#7_May_2018_%28Personal_DNA_sequences_online%29
content:
<p>
If your sibling or parent or child posted per DNA sequence on line,
person
<a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2018/04/27/health/dna-privacy-golden-state-killer-genealogy.html">compromised
your family for generations</a>.


feed_id: d514cd194beedf9544de8d7b0b35361f
title: Walking across Mexico
uri: Walking-across-Mexico
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#7_May_2018_%28Walking_across_Mexico%29
content:
<p>
Levi Vonk walked across Mexico with Central American migrants, unarmed
and facing all sorts of 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2018/may/01/i-marched-with-a-migrant-caravan-donald-trump-has-it-all-wrong">hardships
and threats to their lives and health</a>, from hunger to maiming by
Mexican <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thugs</a>.


feed_id: e0481f3090afc58b95ff76b69e17dca2
title: US border patrol
uri: US-border-patrol
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#7_May_2018_%28US_border_patrol%29
content:
<p>
If a US border <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thug</a> maims you, or kills your relative, the border
patrol might have to pay you damages, but you'd face 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/may/01/border-patrol-violence-us-paid-60m-to-cover-claims-against-the-agency">substantial
obstacles</a> to win them.


feed_id: 6870d43c17d37207808651e25a97685f
title: Puerto Rico
uri: 2018-05-10-Puerto-Rico
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#7_May_2018_%28Puerto_Rico%29
content:
<p>
With 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2018/may/01/puerto-rico-after-hurricane-maria">electricity
and water supplies still not restored</a> in Puerto Rico, it serves as
an example to show us how much Republicans care about US citizens that
are not rich.


feed_id: 231c65cabe13582a74135c790b7a2d8a
title: French student protesters
uri: French-student-protesters
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#7_May_2018_%28French_student_protesters%29
content:
<p>
Unlike the French student protesters of 1968, the ones that Macron is
attacking today 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/may/01/paris-student-protesters-raid-1968-uprising-antoine-gerard-guegan">live
in despair</a>.
<p>
Macron, like Trudeau, is a smooth front for the plutocratist politics
that deprives all but the rich of any hope.  But the rich are not the
only ones at fault.  Everyone needs to have fewer children.


feed_id: b04a8b0676b2c45213dee60ecddae73d
title: Israeli fanatics
uri: Israeli-fanatics
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#7_May_2018_%28Israeli_fanatics%29
content:
<p>
The Christian community of Jerusalem complains of 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/may/01/christians-in-jerusalems-old-city-under-threat-from-settlers">harassment
and attacks</a> from Israeli fanatics set on ethnic cleansing.


feed_id: a2eb519fb3cad4b79dfbbfa72adb510a
title: Netanyahu, Bolton, Pompeo, Haley and Trump
uri: Netanyahu-Bolton-Pompeo-Haley-and-Trump
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#7_May_2018_%28Netanyahu%2C_Bolton%2C_Pompeo%2C_Haley_and_Trump%29

content:
<p>
"Looks like Netanyahu, Bolton, Pompeo, Haley and Trump 
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2018/04/30/proving-eager-get-war-started-pompeo-ramps-anti-iran-rhetoric-israel-and-saudi">can't
wait to get the war [with Iran] started</a>."


feed_id: de39b068960d5b30944b057aa290ab29
title: Democratic Party establishment
uri: Democratic-Party-establishment
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#7_May_2018_%28Democratic_Party_establishment%29
content:
<p>
The Democratic Party establishment is 
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2018/04/30/pyrrhic-party-democratic-establishments-war-progressives">fighting
the progressive politics of the party's base</a>.  That might defeat
Republicans in November, but at the cost of not making much
difference.


feed_id: e7961ef18b255df016cd3b05ef8ec6b0
title: Nuclear challenges
uri: Nuclear-challenges
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#7_May_2018_%28Nuclear_challenges%29
content:
<p>
Confronting 
<a href="http://buzzflash.com/commentary/confronting-nuclear-challenges-in-the-era-of-trump">Nuclear
Challenges</a> in the Era of Trump.


feed_id: 6ec35dc705769122dcbc863b05889263
title: The UK government
uri: The-UK-government
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#7_May_2018_%28The_UK_government%29
content:
<p>
Tories have filled the UK government with 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2018/may/01/windrush-injustice-minorities-basic-tory-instinct-may-hostile-environment">institutional
racism</a>.


feed_id: b4650587f53a03e6d81708f64779b7ec
title: The Afghan government
uri: The-Afghan-government
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#7_May_2018_%28The_Afghan_government%29
content:
<p>
The US continues to prop up the Afghan government, more or less, but
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/may/01/the-us-and-afghanistan-cant-win-the-war-cant-stop-it-cant-leave">sees
no way to win the war</a>.  The most it can do is prevent a Taliban
victory.
<p>
I don't think that preventing a Taliban victory justifies unending war
as a price.


feed_id: d539ec2e5cb2c329ad75c48b2bab6ab6
title: Colombian Human Rights Defenders
uri: Colombian-Human-Rights-Defenders
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#7_May_2018_%28Colombian_Human_Rights_Defenders%29
content:
<p>
2017 Was 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2018/may/01/2017-deadliest-year-on-record-colombian-human-rights-defenders">Deadliest
Year on Record</a> for Colombian Human Rights Defenders.


feed_id: c0b5aa1a61db19998e229997c6a4d610
title: Dining While Black
uri: Dining-While-Black
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#7_May_2018_%28Dining_While_Black%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/may/01/toronto-restaurant-emile-wickham-race-discrimination">Dining
While Black</a>: Toronto Restaurant Fined after Charging Customers up
Front.


feed_id: 8bfd6698efb4b0310f5977cc6934e1ad
title: Israel attacks Iranian forces
uri: Israel-attacks-Iranian-forces
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#7_May_2018_%28Israel_attacks_Iranian_forces%29
content:
<p>
Israel 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/may/01/the-syrian-airbase-at-the-heart-of-a-potential-israel-iran-war">attacks
Iranian forces in Syria</a>, perhaps trying to provoke a bigger war.


feed_id: 04cf749d0196866f94c072cd963974ea
title: Workers for McDonald's on strike
uri: Workers-for-McDonald-s-on-strike
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#7_May_2018_%28Workers_for_McDonalds_on_strike%29
content:
<p>
Workers for McDonald's in the UK are on strike, 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/business/2018/may/01/mcstrike-mcdonalds-workers-walk-out-over-zero-hours-contracts">demanding
fixed and predictable schedules</a>.


feed_id: 5de59ca385f9e2e58829d591b92263ae
title: US journalists show little courage
uri: US-journalists-show-little-courage
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#7_May_2018_%28US_journalists_show_little_courage%29
content:
<p>
Most US journalists show little courage in their work.  They even
<a href="https://theintercept.com/2018/05/01/ten-journalists-were-just-killed-in-afghanistan-please-stfu-about-the-white-house-correspondents-dinner/">apologize</a>
when a comedian they invited mocks a government official.


feed_id: 08896359250e43f5414c0d5c35668afb
title: Urgent: Oppose Corker-Kaine
uri: Urgent-Oppose-Corker-Kaine
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#7_May_2018_%28Urgent%3A_Oppose_Corker-Kaine%29
content:
<p>
US citizens: <a href="https://act.credoaction.com/call/no-blank-check-war-calls/">call certain key senators</a> to oppose the Corker-Kaine
unlimited authorization for war.


feed_id: a7af330393f1972446e76ab1bbf268f6
title: Urgent: War in Yemen
uri: 2018-05-10-Urgent-War-in-Yemen
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#7_May_2018_%28Urgent%3A_War_in_Yemen%29
content:
<p>
US citizens: <a href="https://actionnetwork.org/petitions/house-must-vote-on-unconstitutional-us-role-in-catastrophic-saudi-war-in-yemen">call on Congress</a> to vote to end US support for war in Yemen.


feed_id: 0ea74f660c3205b455ae5c5ae33fd244
title: Tax cuts for Congress
uri: Tax-cuts-for-Congress
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#7_May_2018_%28Tax_cuts_for_Congress%29
content:
<p>
Members of Congress will personally receive at least <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2018/05/01/lawmakers-personal-tax-cuts-could-provide-10-million-meals-families-need">$14 million in
tax cuts</a> from the Republican tax attacks.


feed_id: 176ae2607077af4f57ae517715d6c3a8
title: Shoe-thrower running for parliament
uri: Shoe-thrower-running-for-parliament
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#7_May_2018_%28Shoe-thrower_running_for_parliament%29

content:
<p>
Muntazer al-Zaidi, who famously threw a shoe at Dubya, is <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2018/05/01/man-celebrated-throwing-shoes-criminal-bush-running-iraqi-parliament">running for
the Iraqi parliament</a>.


feed_id: 7531cfa5c055a175d3af43e068f63ec5
title: South China Sea
uri: 2018-05-10-South-China-Sea
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#7_May_2018_%28South_China_Sea%29
content:
<p>
China is reportedly <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/may/03/china-deploys-cruise-missiles-on-south-china-sea-outposts-reports">deploying cruise missiles</a> on its artificial islands
in the South China Sea.
<p>
China's tactic to take control of that sea region has been quite
clear: slowly, without hiding, build up facilities which eventually
would become fortresses.  The only sensible way to stop this would
have been to do the same thing, but the other neighboring countries
have not done so.
<p>
For the world, the most important thing about the South China Sea is
to prevent its fossil fuel deposits from being extracted.


feed_id: 84f2a242f5305751115ec978bf9f903b
title: Protest organizers arrested
uri: Protest-organizers-arrested
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#7_May_2018_%28Protest_organizers_arrested%29
content:
<p>
Israel <a href="https://972mag.com/idf-arrests-top-palestinian-nonviolent-activist-in-overnight-raid/134999/">arrested two Palestinian nonviolent protest organizers</a> in the
middle of the night.


feed_id: e91d438b3f99409e23b51a4ac183dd11
title: Rules of engagement
uri: Rules-of-engagement
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#7_May_2018_%28Rules_of_engagement%29
content:
<p>
Israel's "rules of engagement" amount to illegal orders for a
massacre of civilians.  <a href="https://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-5245186,00.html">Israel must cancel them</a>.


feed_id: c9ef688a4412c64f4acf6bb493c0538e
title: Sacking of Babylon
uri: Sacking-of-Babylon
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#7_May_2018_%28Sacking_of_Babylon%29
content:
<p>
The Onion: Netanyahu provides "stunning new evidence" that Iranians
<a href="https://www.theonion.com/netanyahu-provides-stunning-new-evidence-that-iranians-1825694150">planned the 539 B.C. sacking of Babylon</a>.


feed_id: c88b5f33d93e4cfe25d050bba459d1a6
title: Pension cuts in Nicaragua
uri: Pension-cuts-in-Nicaragua
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#7_May_2018_%28Pension_cuts_in_Nicaragua%29
content:
<p>
As I suspected, the pension cuts proposed by Ortega in Nicaragua are <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2018/05/01/social-security-protests-nicaragua-hold-second">partly
demanded by the IMF</a> and US-supported organizations.


feed_id: ddca9d2e70bfe920dd1ea28885725baa
title: Stats on corporate crime
uri: Stats-on-corporate-crime
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#7_May_2018_%28Stats_on_corporate_crime%29
content:
<p>
Ralph Nader calls on the Department of Justice to <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2018/05/01/open-letter-jeff-sessions-corporate-crime">start keeping
statistics</a> about corporate crime.


feed_id: 4fd86f63abd54ded0a2dcb90c125ab91
title: Lie about Stormy Daniels
uri: Lie-about-Stormy-Daniels
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#7_May_2018_%28Lie_about_Stormy_Daniels%29
content:
<p>
The cheater has been <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2018/may/02/rudy-giuliani-trump-paid-michael-cohen-stormy-daniels-hush-money">caught in a direct lie</a> about paying Stormy Daniels.
<p>
The question is, will it be harder for him to get away with this lie
than with the dozens (or is it hundreds) of other lies he tells.


feed_id: 207cf2472e2499c6efadee5b6774e411
title: Banned articles into songs
uri: Banned-articles-into-songs
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#7_May_2018_%28Banned_articles_into_songs%29
content:
<p>
Press Censorship Is a Worldwide Problem &mdash; So Banned Articles Are
Being <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/music/2018/may/03/press-censorship-is-a-worldwide-problem-but-now-banned-articles-are-being-turned-into-pop-songs">Turned
into Pop Songs</a>.


feed_id: c31bb97b5bc31b79a5bc972959b49491
title: A rightwing game
uri: A-rightwing-game
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#7_May_2018_%28A_rightwing_game%29
content:
<p>
Tech Is Turning Love <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2018/may/03/tech-love-rightwing-game-facebook-dating-app">into a Rightwing Game</a>.


feed_id: 29a3cf24e3ba8c6c8af028e1a4aa3281
title: Voters turned away
uri: Voters-turned-away
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#7_May_2018_%28Voters_turned_away%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2018/may/03/uk-voters-turned-away-polling-stations-id-trial">UK Voters Are Turned Away</a> from Polling Stations During ID Trial.
It is not clear what fraction this happened to, but it may be as
much as a few percent.
<p>
From the right-wing point of view, that means the scheme was a success.


feed_id: c62985b1633d6229d5fd2cc5fafc68fa
title: Guantanamo release
uri: Guantanamo-release
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#7_May_2018_%28Guantanamo_release%29
content:
<p>
The US <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2018/may/02/guantanamo-prison-ahmed-al-darbi-release-trump-administration">released a prisoner</a> from Guantanamo prison, who had pled guilty of
being a member of al Qa'ida.
<p>
This is a good thing.  I don't know what he personally did for al
Qa'ida, but unless it was egregious, 16 years in prison is surely
enough of a punishment for it.


feed_id: e20ee2140f95eeb2e1da1637d4234b36
title: Seedling signaling
uri: Seedling-signaling
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#7_May_2018_%28Seedling_signaling%29
content:
<p>
Corn seedlings appear to <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/science/2018/may/02/plants-talk-to-each-other-through-their-roots">communicate chemical signals</a> about the
presence of other kinds of plants nearby.


feed_id: a376c6df97774df36a8e2b15303abc0c
title: Detecting lies
uri: Detecting-lies
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#7_May_2018_%28Detecting_lies%29
content:
<p>
Don't assume that people that distrust everyone are better at detecting lies
than people that generally trust others.  <a href="https://letgrow.org/people-who-are-more-trusting-are-better-at-detecting-lies/">One study found the opposite</a>.


feed_id: 63f6b0a1d63756139dfc549fceb7b284
title: Onion: military contractor profits
uri: Onion-military-contractor-profits
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#7_May_2018_%28Onion%3A_military_contractor_profits%29

content:
<p><a href="https://politics.theonion.com/u-s-won-t-rule-out-escalating-defense-sector-profits-f-1825304781">The Onion: the US stands ready to escalate military contractor profits as much as it takes.</a></p>
</li></p>


feed_id: b8b376b6abed1ecf3661ff593912f84b
title: Florida global heating
uri: Florida-global-heating
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#7_May_2018_%28Florida_global_heating%29
content:
<p><a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2018/04/16/intentionally-acting-exacerbate-climate-crisis-youth-filed-suit-against-gop-led">Eight Florida youths are suing the state government</a> for willfully disregarding the danger that global heating poses to life in Florida.</p>
</li></p>


feed_id: 656e86624f214f5d9dfc95d62fe7b3d3
title: Comey reminder
uri: Comey-reminder
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#7_May_2018_%28Comey_reminder%29
content:
<p>Comey has become the most visible enemy of Americans' worst enemy. That doesn't mean he has been our friend all this time.  <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2018/04/16/comey-praised-media-and-democrats-small-reminder-his-long-history-authoritarian">Don't forget his campaign for more surveillance and against our right to privacy</a>.</p>
<p>In the long term, unchecked surveillance will be almost as harmful as the <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#bully">bully</a>.</p>
</li></p>


feed_id: c7355187615f8372ba67eea0ea121c94
title: Manchester street named after activist
uri: Manchester-street-named-after-activist
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#7_May_2018_%28Manchester_street_named_after_activist%29

content:
<p>Citizens of Manchester <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2018/apr/16/manchester-residents-lobby-to-name-street-after-emirati-activist-ahmed-mansoor">hope to press Abu Dhabi to release political prisoner Ahmed Mansoor</a> by naming a street after him.</p>
<p>The ruling family of Abu Dhabi has effectively purchased the support of the city's government by making a big investment there.  It is dangerous for any government to treat the support of a specific company as indispensable; <a href="https://stallman.org/articles/progressive-tax-on-business-gross-income.html">this is one of the reasons why we need to make large companies split into many smaller ones</a>.</p>
</li></p>


feed_id: c0e947fbd3cb01befdcf7bd08263acd0
title: NAFTA Canada climate change
uri: NAFTA-Canada-climate-change
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#7_May_2018_%28NAFTA_Canada_climate_change%29
content:
<p>NAFTA <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2018/04/17/nafta-fuelling-climate-change-north-america">blocks Canada from reducing fossil fuel extraction</a> and export to the US.</p>
</li></p>


feed_id: c89f20e88a05b829af5054b3b489e7a0
title: US Jews protest Gaza killings
uri: US-Jews-protest-Gaza-killings
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#7_May_2018_%28US_Jews_protest_Gaza_killings%29
content:
<p><a href="https://972mag.com/32-american-jews-arrested-across-u-s-for-protesting-gaza-violence/134693/">US Jews are organizing nonviolent but inconvenient protests</a> demanding an end to the slaughter of protesters in Gaza.  They are blocking the doors of Israeli consulates, Jewish community organizations, and politicians' offices, and getting arrested, for the cause.</p>
<p>Some congresscritters have supported B'Tselem's <a href="https://electronicintifada.net/blogs/ali-abunimah/us-lawmakers-urge-israeli-soldiers-defy-order-shoot-palestinian-protesters">call for Israeli soldiers to disobey illegal orders</a>, specifically orders to shoot civilians that are not fighting.</p>
</li></p>


feed_id: 791eedfc018d49a53055c12a9c423140
title: Israel "Lawfare"
uri: Israel-Lawfare
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#7_May_2018_%28Israel_%2522Lawfare%2522%29
content:
<p>Israel is <a href="http://www.nybooks.com/daily/2018/04/10/israel-and-annexation-by-lawfare/">making new laws to facilitate taking Palestinians' land</a>.</p>
</li></p>


feed_id: 439116681008cb7aed99c72b21752e44
title: Arab-Jewish peace movement
uri: Arab-Jewish-peace-movement
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#7_May_2018_%28Arab-Jewish_peace_movement%29
content:
<p>A joint Arab-Jewish peace movement <a href="https://972mag.com/the-new-jewish-arab-movement-that-plans-to-save-the-israeli-left/134519/">aims to fill the void of the almost disappeared Israeli left</a>.</p>
</li></p>


feed_id: 04ca2158a03d8f4bfee873c0f546ef4f
title: Colorado oil giants lawsuit
uri: Colorado-oil-giants-lawsuit
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#7_May_2018_%28Colorado_oil_giants_lawsuit%29
content:
<p><a href="https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2018/04/17/colorado-communities-file-lawsuit-against-oil-giants-climate-change-costs">Colorado Communities File Lawsuit Against Oil Giants for Climate Change Costs</a>.</p>
<p><a href="https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2018/04/17/colorado-climate-lawsuit-first-hold-fossil-fuel-companies-accountable-wildfires">Colorado Climate Lawsuit First to Hold Fossil Fuel Companies Accountable for Wildfires, Pest Infestations, Heatwaves and Other Impacts on Tourism and Agriculture</a>.</p>
<p>It may be possible to prove this claim, given scientific conclusions about how the probability of various extreme weather events were increased by <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#global heating">global heating</a>.</p>
</li></p>


feed_id: f745acedc1ee2b24542221bd1bfd1510
title: California net neutrality
uri: California-net-neutrality
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#7_May_2018_%28California_net_neutrality%29
content:
<p>California Democrats that serve the ISPs <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2018/04/17/california-democrats-under-fire-siding-telecom-lobbyists-against-net-neutrality-bill">are trying to cut a big loophole in California's network neutrality law</a>.</p>
</li></p>


feed_id: 192cb19f6a10b4a9975c9ad291ab656c
title: China crony capitalism
uri: China-crony-capitalism
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#7_May_2018_%28China_crony_capitalism%29
content:
<p>China <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2018/apr/18/chinese-europe-czech-republic-crony-capitalism">uses crony capitalism to buy support from the elites of various countries</a>, now including Europe.</p>
</li></p>


feed_id: aa3831b460ec1c9e0ef694871c67764b
title: Syria: Arab military to replace US troops
uri: Syria-Arab-military-to-replace-US-troops
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#7_May_2018_%28Syria%3A_Arab_military_to_replace_US_troops%29

content:
<p>Reportedly the bully, encouraged by Bolton, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2018/apr/18/us-syria-arab-force-replace-american-troops-saudi-arabia-egypt-uae">is in discussions about an Arab military force</a> funded by Salafi Arabia to replace US troops in Syria.</p>
<p>Such an Arab force is likely to treat the Kurds as enemies, and Islamists as friends.</p>
</li></p>


feed_id: 1b6a420ac8ee6cc30c4494ab68264817
title: Iceland: hunting endangered whales
uri: Iceland-hunting-endangered-whales
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#7_May_2018_%28Iceland%3A_hunting_endangered_whales%29

content:
<p><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2018/apr/18/iceland-sets-target-of-191-kills-as-country-resumes-whaling">Iceland is going to hunt endangered whales again</a>.</p>
</li></p>


feed_id: 12c169b40fbd5d9e8c883f597a3344a1
title: Forensic science
uri: Forensic-science
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#7_May_2018_%28Forensic_science%29
content:
<p><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/science/brain-flapping/2018/apr/19/forensic-science-the-tip-of-the-iceberg">Forensic Science Is Nowhere Near as Robust And Reliable as Many People Think</a>.  Even fairly reliable techniques, such as checking people's hands for gunpowder residues, can be mistaken.</p>
</li></p>


feed_id: 02a9eadb5df3f3685b59c543c4bd78aa
title: Nuclear North Korea
uri: 2018-05-10-Nuclear-North-Korea
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#7_May_2018_%28Nuclear_North_Korea%29
content:
<p>South Korea says North Korea <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/apr/19/north-korea-wants-complete-denuclearisation-says-seoul">wants total denuclearization of the Korean peninsula</a> and is not attaching unacceptable preconditions.</p>
<p>If this is true -- and I don't think it is likely to be false -- we could see rapid progress towards peace and perhaps nuclear disarmament in Korea as well.</p>
</li></p>


feed_id: 19b11f402b4e8f161cadee90a0d78da4
title: Toronto terrorist
uri: Toronto-terrorist
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#7_May_2018_%28Toronto_terrorist%29
content:
<p><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2018/apr/25/what-is-incel-movement-toronto-van-attack-suspect">The man who killed 10 people in Toronto</a> by driving into them was a misogynist terrorist.</p>
<p>I sympathize with people who describe themselves as involuntarily celibate, since I remember what that despair feels like.  But they took a wrong turn when they started hating women for not being attracted to them.</p>
<p>No one has an obligation to feel love or attraction for someone else. People cannot decide whether to feel those feelings -- it's not under conscious control.  To reproach someone for not desiring you is as futile, as foolish, and as unjust, as to reproach water for being wet.</p>
<p>The one useful response to being generally rejected is to learn more social skills and broaden your interests.  It would give you a better chance of finding a lover.  By contrast, playing nonfree video games is a dead end -- and it attacks your freedom, too.</p>
</li></p>


feed_id: 0c7fd22bba7953ceb21cb9fb29345bf2
title: US: scientists vs Trump administration
uri: US-scientists-vs-Trump-administration
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#7_May_2018_%28US%3A_scientists_vs_Trump_administration%29

content:
<p><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/climate-consensus-97-per-cent/2018/apr/25/americas-best-scientists-stood-up-to-the-trump-administration">600 members of the US National Academy of Sciences rebuked</a> the troll's "denigration of scientific expertise".</p>
</li></p>


feed_id: 7b3680e38bd0d1e2e64ff7072409f69c
title: Islanders and climate change
uri: Islanders-and-climate-change
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#7_May_2018_%28Islanders_and_climate_change%29
content:
<p><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2018/apr/25/climate-change-to-drive-migration-from-island-homes-sooner-than-thought">Many atolls in the Pacific and Indian oceans will become uninhabitable</a> in just a few decades, as sea water will contaminate their fresh water.</p>
<p>People might be able to collect enough rain for their own direct use, but if they can't grow any food, they can't remain.</p>
<p>The fist million people whose homes are inundated first may find have places to go.  But when it gets to tens of millions, no place will let them in.</p>
</li></p>


feed_id: 600d44205ac70a606700faef6d7cd184
title: Anti-malarial drugs treatment
uri: Anti-malarial-drugs-treatment
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#7_May_2018_%28Anti-malarial_drugs_treatment%29
content:
<p>Treating the entire population of a region with antimalarial drugs <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/apr/25/dose-entire-population-with-anti-malaria-drugs-to-eradicate-disease-study">could wipe out malaria there</a>.</p>
</li></p>


feed_id: 6755d4da2e570ee30d77c3230f582c28
title: 9/11 FBI accountability
uri: 9-11-FBI-accountability
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#7_May_2018_%289%2F11_FBI_accountability%29
content:
<p>The <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2018/apr/25/september-11-terrorist-held-for-over-a-decade-calls-for-fbi-to-be-held-accountable">US tortured Ali al-Marri</a> for years until he confessed to a crime.</p>
<p>Maybe he was guilty.  I am not convinced by his denials.  But if he was guilty, not even a criminal deserves that treatment.</p>
</li></p>


feed_id: 25a2e04ad2d7676762a39d23a2254796
title: Israeli soldier prison sentence
uri: Israeli-soldier-prison-sentence
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#7_May_2018_%28Israeli_soldier_prison_sentence%29
content:
<p>An Israeli soldier <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/apr/25/israeli-policeman-jailed-fatal-shooting-palestinian-teenager-nadeem-nawara-border-ben-deri">shot and killed a protesting Palestinian teenager</a>, for no good reason.  The soldier has been sentenced to 9 months in prison.</p>
</li></p>


feed_id: 02dd415dc7b105e104b10f45fd4cdc2c
title: Hillman on climate reality
uri: Hillman-on-climate-reality
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#6_May_2018_%28Hillman_on_climate_reality%29
content:
<p>A number of aging scientists dare to say that, on its current track, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2018/apr/26/were-doomed-mayer-hillman-on-the-climate-reality-no-one-else-will-dare-mention">civilization is doomed due to global heating</a>.</p>
</li></p>


feed_id: 8fe849623f8372c2bc0c33ae39b0b246
title: EU bans palm oil
uri: EU-bans-palm-oil
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#6_May_2018_%28EU_bans_palm_oil%29
content:
<p><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/apr/26/how-palm-oil-ban-has-made-the-eu-a-dirty-word-in-malaysia">The EU has banned the use of palm oil for biofuels</a>, and farmers in Malaysia that think only of their own income are angry.</p>
<p>The EU's new policy does not go far enough.  Growing crops for biofuel, if they require irrigation, fertilizer, pesticide or land suitable at the time for other agriculture, is a self-defeating practice and ought to banned entirely.</p>
</li></p>


feed_id: 4d14b1ec11926d9a3448f4ff4730aaf1
title: Racism in schools
uri: Racism-in-schools
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#6_May_2018_%28Racism_in_schools%29
content:
<p>Racism manifests itself in schools, <a href="https://www.alternet.org/news-amp-politics/kids-color-are-being-thrown-out-school-disproportionate-rates-how-we-can-fix-it">as black students are judged more harshly and punished more often</a>.</p>
</li></p>


feed_id: c54068ab9bd67e41ba99bd6cb8c8357b
title: Brazil: absolute abortion ban vote
uri: Brazil-absolute-abortion-ban-vote
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#6_May_2018_%28Brazil%3A_absolute_abortion_ban_vote%29

content:
<p>Religious fanatics in Brazil are trying to ban abortion absolutely, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2018/apr/26/brazil-women-braced-for-battle-simmering-fears-abortion-law">with a constitutional amendment like the one Ireland is about to vote on eliminating.</a></p>
<p>Many Brazilian women are already dying from underground abortions. I suggest turning their funerals into rallies for abortion rights. If religious people direct hostility at you, don't let that shut you up.</p>
</li></p>


feed_id: ce03a82b98d9802d1720f0517202cee9
title: UK's gig economy
uri: UK-s-gig-economy
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#6_May_2018_%28UK%27s_gig_economy%29
content:
<p>When business <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2018/apr/26/gig-economy-flexibility-exploitation-record-employment-low-wages-zero-hours">says "flexibility", think "exploitation</a>."</p>
<p>Zero-hours piecework contracts are the extreme form, but lesser forms of "flexibility" are exploitation too.</p>
</li></p>


feed_id: c54f625d0176bbfc5586fc63c5a7d820
title: Fossil fuel and toxic pollution
uri: Fossil-fuel-and-toxic-pollution
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#6_May_2018_%28Fossil_fuel_and_toxic_pollution%29
content:
<p>Fossil fuels cost includes not only the future damage of global heating, but also the cost of present-day toxic pollution: <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/climate-consensus-97-per-cent/2018/apr/26/the-missing-maths-the-human-cost-of-fossil-fuels">millions of deaths each year, and even more people sick or handicapped</a>.</p>
</li></p>


feed_id: d90a322a1387b6d89b2ee191dbd86753
title: Arizona: teacher strike
uri: 2018-05-10-Arizona-teacher-strike
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#6_May_2018_%28Arizona%3A_teacher_strike%29
content:
<p>Arizona teachers demand a raise, but won't accept it at the expense of other programs to help the non-rich.  <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2018/apr/26/arizona-teachers-strike">They demand more tax on businesses instead</a>.</p>
</li></p>


feed_id: 3b342ce57f4f020b9c62985afee8e968
title: US: Koch brothers' infiltration
uri: US-Koch-brothers-infiltration
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#6_May_2018_%28US%3A_Koch_brothers%26%2339%3B_infiltration%29

content:
<p>Some Democratic senators <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2018/apr/26/koch-brothers-trump-administration-resumes-democrats">are investigating the "infiltration" of agents of the Koch brothers</a> in US environmental policy.</p>
</li></p>


feed_id: 6819af0b95570fc11fb0ba37be205ed5
title: US: progressive candidates pressured to drop out
uri: US-progressive-candidates-pressured-to-drop-out
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#6_May_2018_%28US%3A_progressive_candidates_pressured_to_drop_out%29

content:
<p>"Centrist" (plutocratist) Democrats systematically try to pressure progressive candidates to drop out from primaries and let other plutocratist Democrats win.  Levi Tillemann, progressive candidate, <a href="https://theintercept.com/2018/04/26/steny-hoyer-audio-levi-tillemann/">recorded a phone call whose aim was to convince him to drop out</a>.</p>
<p>A plutocratist Democrat is the next worst thing to a Republican, so let's work to keep progressives in the race, and to help them win.</p>
<p>Several of these plutocratist Democrats seem to be former prosecutors or veterans.  Those are not necessarily bad things, but I think they are chosen to appeal to voters who are not progressive, so they make me worry.</p>
</li></p>


feed_id: c8d0ca05d4998a3cc5d7b07585f25c12
title: Turkey: Erdoğan punishing press
uri: Turkey-Erdoğan-punishing-press
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#6_May_2018_%28Turkey%3A_Erdo%25C4%259Fan_punishing_press%29

content:
<p>The staff of Turkey's main non-subservient newspaper <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/apr/26/turkey-anti-erdogan-journalists-defiant-convictions-terror-charges">have been convicted of supporting terrorist organizations</a>.</p>
<p>Like any tyrant, Erdoğan treats unfavorable reporting as a form of rebellion.  Like <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#trump">the troll</a>, if news is not biased in his favor, he calls it "fake", but he goes further and calls it "treason".</p>
<p><a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#trump">The troll</a> will call it "treason" too if he gets enough power.</p>
</li></p>


feed_id: e2598abb365b4b33c29bb08a341099ef
title: California law to publish police policies
uri: California-law-to-publish-police-policies
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#6_May_2018_%28California_law_to_publish_police_policies%29

content:
<p>California is considering a law to <a href="https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2018/04/california-can-build-trust-between-police-and-communities-requiring-agencies">require all thug departments to publish their policies and standards of conduct</a>.</p>
</li></p>


feed_id: 527e78ba08aca27e145965020ee36ed6
title: US falls on global press freedom index
uri: US-falls-on-global-press-freedom-index
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#6_May_2018_%28US_falls_on_global_press_freedom_index%29

content:
<p>The troll's malign influence <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2018/04/25/under-media-bashing-trump-us-falls-even-further-global-press-freedom-index">has driven the US down</a> in the rankings for freedom of the press.</p>
</li></p>


feed_id: 85c5d2ad9cfb194b66f19bc06b80225c
title: Books by women priced lower
uri: Books-by-women-priced-lower
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#6_May_2018_%28Books_by_women_priced_lower%29
content:
<p><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/books/2018/may/01/books-by-women-priced-45-lower-study-finds">Discrimination against women authors is operates at several levels</a>, and each has now been measured.</p>
</li></p>


feed_id: ac27eddbe54b7cd4abb43cce559e0ab2
title: Myanmar hostility rising
uri: Myanmar-hostility-rising
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#6_May_2018_%28Myanmar_hostility_rising%29
content:
<p><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2018/may/01/myanmar-army-escalating-conflict-kachin-un-united-nations">Fighting has resumed</a> between the Burmese army and the rebellious Kachin people.  The UN says that Burmese bombardment is hitting civilians.</p>
</li></p>


feed_id: be5a1182f11bef765706243db8665ced
title: Europeans cast doubt on Netanyahu's Iran claim
uri: Europeans-cast-doubt-on-Netanyahu-s-Iran-claim
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#6_May_2018_%28Europeans_cast_doubt_on_Netanyahu%27s_Iran_claim%29

content:
<p>Europeans <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/may/01/europeans-cast-doubt-on-israel-claims-about-iran-nuclear-breaches">don't believe Netanyahu's claims</a> that Iran is violating the nuclear deal.</p>
<p>I don't trust Iran very much, but I don't trust Netanyahu one tiny bit.</p>
</li></p>


feed_id: f91099b2f475f2548177d5f7c0b826b0
title: Police violence justice teams
uri: Police-violence-justice-teams
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#6_May_2018_%28Police_violence_justice_teams%29
content:
<p>The Justice Teams Network <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2018/may/01/police-violence-black-lives-matter-justice-teams-network">has been set up to provide quick assistance to Americans campaigning for justice</a> after their relatives have been killed by thugs.</p>
</li></p>


feed_id: 1476a0d7133a0085f09d083e9525e787
title: AI researches refuse paywalled journal
uri: AI-researches-refuse-paywalled-journal
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#6_May_2018_%28AI_researches_refuse_paywalled_journal%29

content:
<p><a href="https://science.slashdot.org/story/18/04/30/2022207/ai-researchers-revolt-against-a-new-paywalled-nature-journal">2000 AI researchers have committed to refuse</a> to do anything with the new paywalled journal, "Nature Machine Intelligence".</p>
<p>I support their stand, but <a href="https://stallman.org/articles/free-scientific-publishing.html">I think they undermine the central point by using the term "open access"</a>.  The word "open" is weak, and "access" focuses on a secondary sub-issue.</p>
</li></p>


feed_id: a72e4e1ab28fa6cc0b23179f2ef9c93f
title: EPA issues waiver oil company
uri: EPA-issues-waiver-oil-company
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#6_May_2018_%28EPA_issues_waiver_oil_company%29
content:
<p>Carl Icahn was granted a "financial hardship" waiver from complying with pollution rules.  <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2018/04/30/federal-probe-demanded-after-trumps-billionaire-pal-carl-icahn-receives-epa-waiver">His income last year was a mere $234 million</a>.</p>
</li></p>


feed_id: 10c38f26ea24a5260198f21df8964e7e
title: Michelle Wolf
uri: 2018-05-10-Michelle-Wolf
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#6_May_2018_%28Michelle_Wolf%29
content:
<p>
Comedian Michelle Wolf joked to attack Sarah Huckabee Sanders for her
official political acts, and <a href="https://act.credoaction.com/sign/whca-wolf">is being criticized</a> based on
misrepresenting that as a personal attack on Sanders's appearance.
<p>
I haven't signed this petition because I have not seen Wolf's
presentation, and I am not in a position to watch it.  The example
presented in the article is quite clearly a distortion, unfair to Ms
Wolf, but without having seen the whole presentation, I don't want to
assert that the criticism is nothing but distortion (although that
could well be the case).
<p>
Can someone send me a transcript?  From reading this, I could
resolve my doubts and then maybe sign this.
<p>
Later:<br/> I saw the text of those jokes, and it's focused on
Sanders' politics.  It refers to appearance but the criticism is not
aimed at her appearance.
<p>
<a href="https://www.vox.com/policy-and-politics/2018/4/30/17301436/michelle-wolf-speech-transcript-white-house-correspondents-dinner-sarah-huckabee-sanders">Here is the full transcript.</a>


feed_id: 6a4bfc01db164c6b973b5d67e8270916
title: Urgent: Toxic pesticide companies
uri: Urgent-Toxic-pesticide-companies
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#10_May_2018_%28Urgent%3A_Toxic_pesticide_companies%29

content:
<p>
US citizens: <a href="https://act.credoaction.com/sign/farm_bill_pesticides">tell Congress</a> to stop the Republican giveaway to toxic
pesticide companies.


feed_id: 79c9e34d30091cdfd47261d7010d67ba
title: Urgent: Prosecute thugs
uri: Urgent-Prosecute-thugs
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#10_May_2018_%28Urgent%3A_Prosecute_thugs%29
content:
<p>
Everyone: <a href="https://act.colorofchange.org/sign/justice-for-cyntoiabrown/">call for prosecuting the thugs</a> that killed Diante Yarber.


feed_id: f92d94cae81ad30376a4c18729662bd5
title: Global heating and economic growth
uri: Global-heating-and-economic-growth
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#10_May_2018_%28Global_heating_and_economic_growth%29

content:
<p>
Global heating will <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/climate-consensus-97-per-cent/2018/may/07/global-warming-will-depress-economic-growth-in-trump-country">slow economic growth</a> in the right-wing parts of the US.
<p>
These projections would apply to a few decades, but when some tipping point
leads to accelerated heating, things would rapidly get worse.


feed_id: 8fc35fdf84f300a04948ebe2b68fa098
title: Hizb ut-Tahrir group
uri: Hizb-ut-Tahrir-group
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#10_May_2018_%28Hizb_ut-Tahrir_group%29
content:
<p>
The Indonesian Islamist group Hizb ut-Tahrir was <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/may/07/indonesia-jakarta-court-rejects-hizb-ut-tahrir-attempt-to-reverse-ban">banned in Indonesia</a> for
"threatening national unity."
<p>
That is a very broad criterion &mdash; all sorts of organizations could be
banned on those grounds.  Worse, the criterion is vague and
stretchable &mdash; one can hardly tell what is forbidden.
<p>
The group got a court hearing about this, but the hearing considered
only the question of whether the government followed the proper procedure,
not whether the group really threatens national unity, or what the line is.
<p>
This is not meant to defend Hizb ut-Tahrir.  Every Islamist group
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2014-may-aug.html#04_July_2014_(Nigerian_Atheist_receives_death_threats)">opposes basic human rights</a>.
Nonetheless, its members are entitled to human rights.
<p>
The US has a similar problem due to arbitrary designation of
"terrorist groups".  The government could designate your weekly bridge
group as a "terrorist group", and if it prosecutes you for being a
member, the prosecutor would not need to prove the group really has
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2014-jul-oct.html#07_August_2014_(US_list_of_terrorist_suspects)">anything to do with terrorism</a>.


feed_id: c104b11fb2585343aafb5b25571d9b9f
title: Censoring children's TV
uri: Censoring-children-s-TV
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#10_May_2018_%28Censoring_children%27s_TV%29
content:
<p>
China is not alone in <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2018/may/07/china-cracking-down-on-peppa-pig">censoring children's TV</a>.
<p>
However, I suspect that China tries to make it impossible to find copies
anywhere, whereas the other countries' censorship appears to be limited
to broadcast TV.
<p>
It is regrettable that the author has fallen into the fad of saying that
we <a href="https://gnu.org/philosophy/words-to-avoid.html#Consume">"consume" videos</a> when we watch them.


feed_id: 3f881dcb06e796a0a6269701b4d6c082
title: Election sentences
uri: Election-sentences
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#10_May_2018_%28Election_sentences%29
content:
<p>
A judge forged signatures to get himself on the ballot.  A citizen voted,
not realizing she was no longer allowed to vote.  <a href="https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2018/4/24/1759540/-Texas-Republican-judge-and-a-black-voter-get-far-different-election-voter-fraud-convictions">Compare their sentences.</a>


feed_id: dc0372c7a3a8e4bdd9cb58fdf39828d2
title: Military education
uri: Military-education
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#10_May_2018_%28Military_education%29
content:
<p>
A British military academy gives a very broad military education,
including exactly <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2018/may/06/my-thoughts-exactly-uk-army-accused-of-dictating-recruits-press-statements">what to say to the press</a>.


feed_id: a42ee68b6b48ed1de12343fd530cf390
title: ICE thug force
uri: ICE-thug-force
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#10_May_2018_%28ICE_thug_force%29
content:
<p>
ICE, the US deportation thug force, has become <a href="https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2018/4/24/1759626/-ICE-has-become-the-most-brutal-kind-of-national-police-force">the most brutal kind</a> of
national <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thug</a> department.


feed_id: ace02d1ba53e66c39a803fe83f725185
title: Threatened for buying candy
uri: Threatened-for-buying-candy
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#10_May_2018_%28Threatened_for_buying_candy%29
content:
<p>
As Jose Arreola was buying a small pack of candy, a <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thug</a> who jumped
hastily to the conclusion Jose was stealing it <a href="https://slate.com/news-and-politics/2018/05/watch-off-duty-california-police-officer-pull-gun-on-man-he-thought-had-stolen-mentos.html">pulled a gun on him</a>.
<p>
Even if he had been stealing the $1.19 candy, that would not justify
shooting him.


feed_id: d2013f0065bbf07ff57c1aace16b6dce
title: Catonsville Nine
uri: Catonsville-Nine
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#10_May_2018_%28Catonsville_Nine%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2018/05/06/just-ahead-50th-anniversary-catonsville-nine-honored-important-role-antiwar-movement">Commemorating the Catonsville Nine</a>, who fifty years ago raided a draft office
and burned files that would have been used to conscript Americans to help
crush Vietnam.


feed_id: 5a9274d2b92c5d78b6234fd9b3d0383e
title: Stephon Clark autopsy
uri: 2018-05-11-Stephon-Clark-autopsy
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#10_May_2018_%28Stephon_Clark_autopsy%29
content:
<p>
Another autopsy of Stephon Clark says one of the shots <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2018/may/02/stephon-clark-official-autopsy-california">was not in the
back</a>.
<p>
If he was facing the <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thugs</a> that shot him, that would not be enough to
justify killing someone unarmed and not threatening.


feed_id: 5f78fbaa4a7ca9acd3b5f7e269dff581
title: Prison for 'land invasion'
uri: Prison-for-land-invasion
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#10_May_2018_%28Prison_for_%27land_invasion%27%29
content:
<p>
Honduran protesters <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2018/may/02/honduran-dam-protesters-face-trial-in-ongoing-crackdown-against-defenders">face four years in prison</a> for "land invasion"
(i.e., protesting).
<p>
If that seems harsh, don't forget that the same sort of thing <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#21_January_2018_(Inauguration_protesters)">happens
in the US</a>.


feed_id: d0f7a17229dea52e161ce7458df3dd04
title: Advertising on Facebook
uri: Advertising-on-Facebook
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#10_May_2018_%28Advertising_on_Facebook%29
content:
<p>
Aside from all the ethical reasons not to let Facebook use you,
there is a practical reason small businesses might care about:
<a href="https://www.rootsimple.com/2018/04/does-facebook-actually-work-for-promoting-a-small-business-or-non-profit/">advertising there is ineffective</a> for them.


feed_id: 502d7289f741dcef269688416533526c
title: Net neutrality bill
uri: Net-neutrality-bill
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#10_May_2018_%28Net_neutrality_bill%29
content:
<p>
Senate Democrats will file on May 9 to release the bill to preserve
network neutrality.  To pass the senate they <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2018/04/30/red-alert-net-neutrality-campaigners-announce-new-effort-overturn-fccs-assault-open">need one more vote</a>.


feed_id: 96fc0056a02aaf18641b04d6eac21280
title: Attacking Rojava
uri: Attacking-Rojava
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#10_May_2018_%28Attacking_Rojava%29
content:
<p>
Erdoğan says he will <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/may/06/turkey-fresh-military-actions-kurdish-militants-erdogan-syria-iraq">attack Rojava further</a>.
It will be hard for Rojava to fend off aggression by Turkey.
<p>
Because Rojava is secularist and endorses human rights, the Islamists
hate it and the dictators consider it a threat.  In addition, Turkey
hates it because it is mostly made up of Kurds.  The West ought to
protect Rojava, but I think it is too corrupt and morally bankrupt to
do that.


feed_id: 158ec5f348911b7441ead021b7ce0be1
title: Cutting forest for luxury homes
uri: Cutting-forest-for-luxury-homes
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#10_May_2018_%28Cutting_forest_for_luxury_homes%29
content:
<p>
Thai protesters made the government <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/may/06/thai-activists-claim-victory-over-luxury-housing-on-forest-land">cancel a plan</a> to cut down a forest
for luxury homes.


feed_id: da173b4707280d2aa70f8544b732013d
title: Transhumanism
uri: Transhumanism
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#10_May_2018_%28Transhumanism%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2018/may/06/no-death-and-an-enhanced-life-is-the-future-transhuman">No Death And an Enhanced Life</a>: Is The Future Transhuman?
<p>
I see nothing unethical with the option of replacing parts of your
body with more capable appendages.  But that assumes a world where you
have the option of <em>not</em> replacing them.
<p>
In a plutocratist world, you may not have that option.  What if your
choices are to live on the street or get turned into a specialized
mining machine?
<p>
In a world of advanced technology, I don't think the burden of caring
for revived corpsicles would be difficult to handle.  It might provide
useful work for millions of people, for a while, but eventually the
technology will make that work unnecessary.  But will there be a place
for those corpsicles to live?  We need to decrease the world's human
population, not increase it.
<p>
If we can build a space elevator, space habitats could provide space for
more than mere billions.  But we can't take for granted that a space
elevator is possible.


feed_id: 439d5790407736ee9df3d1dbd52d0cb6
title: Urgent: Equality Act
uri: 2018-05-12-Urgent-Equality-Act
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#12_May_2018_%28Urgent%3A_Equality_Act%29
content:
<p>
US citizens: <a href="https://diy.rootsaction.org/petitions/pass-the-equality-act-to-protect-lgbtq-americans-from-discrimination">call on Congress</a> to pass the Equality Act to prohibit
discrimination based on gender identity or sexual identity.


feed_id: 04060eb76a1410c8adcd6d22554f05d4
title: Urgent: Charges for voting
uri: Urgent-Charges-for-voting
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#12_May_2018_%28Urgent%3A_Charges_for_voting%29
content:
<p>
US citizens: <a href="https://campaigns.organizefor.org/petitions/justice4crystal">call on the district attorney</a> to drop charges against
Crystal Mason.


feed_id: 5e28533126e684489f2f09dd6284d918
title: Atmospheric CO2
uri: Atmospheric-CO2
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#12_May_2018_%28Atmospheric_CO2%29
content:
<p>
The fraction of CO2 in the air now is <a href="https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2018/5/4/1762050/-The-last-time-atmospheric-carbon-dioxide-was-this-high-humans-didn-t-exist">higher than it has ever been</a>
during the existence of the human race.
<p>
That means we are entering into climate conditions humans have never seen.


