# articles

feed_id: 55a120a50c42f862cb947a10513d90d6
title: Threats against film star
uri: Threats-against-film-star
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#26_November_2017_%28Threats_against_film_star%29
content:
<p>
Some extremist Hindu-theocratic Indian agitators are making threats of
violence against the female star of a film, offering bounties for
mutilating her, and doing so with impunity.  Perhaps this is because
the Hindu-theocratic ruling party doesn't mind them much.
<p>
They are also <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2017/nov/24/indian-film-padmavati-uk-sanjay-leela-bhansali">threatening arson</a> in the UK to suppress its release
there.
<p>
This calls to mind the <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2010-jul-oct.html#14%20September%202010%20(No%20asylum%20for%20Iranian%20woman)">violent threats</a> of Iran against those involved
in publishing The Satanic Verses.
In both cases, the threateners seem to be mistaken about what the
work actually says, and not interested in correcting their error.


feed_id: d48609ae79d743987a0703d07a2b932d
title: UN rules of war
uri: UN-rules-of-war
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#26_November_2017_%28UN_rules_of_war%29
content:
<p>
The UN should consider amending the rules of war to recognize the
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2017/nov/24/rules-of-war-urgent-review-civilian-deaths-record-high">large chance</a> of civilian casualties from even small bombing raids on
soldiers in cities.


feed_id: 504405081c5c6e5a180eaa8bbb5c8601
title: Ghouta region of Syria
uri: Ghouta-region-of-Syria
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#26_November_2017_%28Ghouta_region_of_Syria%29
content:
<p>
The Ghouta region of Syria, near Damascus, is still held by rebels.
Assad's forces are <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/nov/24/syria-eastern-ghouta-siege-talks">starving them out</a>.


feed_id: a4b6a6049ad573663aca1da0045b6d66
title: New Zimbabwe president
uri: New-Zimbabwe-president
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#26_November_2017_%28New_Zimbabwe_president%29
content:
<p>
The "crocodile" that seems to be making himself the new president of Zimbabwe
was the <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/nov/24/emmerson-mnangagwa-crocodile-power-zimbabwe-robert-mugabe">strongest supporter</a> of Mugabe's tyranny until recently.


feed_id: 2aafbc99e83eae3ba1b8b8e503d87933
title: Baby in City Council meeting
uri: Baby-in-City-Council-meeting
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#26_November_2017_%28Baby_in_City_Council_meeting%29
content:
<p>
City Council member Yuka Ogata brought her baby with her to the
council meeting, to dramatize the shortage of childcare in Japan,
but male council members <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/nov/24/japanese-politicians-force-colleague-baby-leave-chamber-women">forced her to leave</a> the meeting.


feed_id: 53de523e186c8c00c28661a0b2228d30
title: Blank newspaper pages
uri: Blank-newspaper-pages
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#26_November_2017_%28Blank_newspaper_pages%29
content:
<p>
Indian Newspapers <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/nov/24/indian-newspapers-run-blank-pages-to-protest-journalist-killing">Run Blank Pages</a> to Protest Journalist Killing.
<p>
It appears that supporters of the right-wing Hindu-theocratic
government are behind both murders.


feed_id: 4784a97e2d1e52b203ef8476b5bb17fb
title: Tax attack protests
uri: Tax-attack-protests
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#26_November_2017_%28Tax_attack_protests%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2017/nov/24/republican-tax-bill-protest-">Protests across the US</a> are aimed at convincing a few Republican senators
to reject the <a href="/glossary.html#scrotus">SCROTUS</a> tax attacks.
<p>
Aside from plenty of <a href="/glossary.html#doohnibor">dooH niboR</a>, the bill also includes a provision
that would effectively <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#12_November_2017_(Gift_to_billionaires)">ban all abortions</a>.


feed_id: f45bc2f1b6991afe9154b97e43749aa2
title: Violence toward refugees
uri: Violence-toward-refugees
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#26_November_2017_%28Violence_toward_refugees%29
content:
<p>
Papua thugs <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2017/nov/24/manus-island-police-use-long-metal-poles-to-beat-refugees-and-asylum-seekers">hit refugees</a> with metal poles to drag them away.
<p>
Australia and Papua New Guinea have been keeping journalists and aid
workers away from the refugees, trying to cover up this violence.  The
thugs arrested Behrouz Boochani, the refugee journalist who works as a
reporter for foreign media, and <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2017/nov/23/refugee-and-journalist-behrouz-boochani-arrested-in-manus-as-squad-steps-in">took him away</a>, evidently with the same
purpose.
<p>
Keep in mind that none of these refugees ever sought to enter Papua
New Guinea.  That country agreed to hold them on Australia's behalf.
<p>
"Behrouz Boochani <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2017/nov/24/the-shame-of-the-evil-being-done-on-manus-will-outlive-us-all">exposed Australia's evil</a> on Manus.  The shame will outlive us
all."
<p>
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/commentisfree/2017/nov/24/manus-police-pulled-my-hair-and-beat-me-youve-damaged-our-reputation-they-said">Boochani writes</a>, Manus police pulled my hair and beat me. 'You've
damaged our reputation,' they said.


feed_id: d6d187ac6307de2314f2988bc4664bc1
title: Gerrymandering
uri: 2017-11-26-Gerrymandering
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#26_November_2017_%28Gerrymandering%29
content:
<p>
<a href="/glossary.html#bully">The bully</a> has
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2017/11/21/trumps-frightening-pick-top-census-job-thinks-competitive-elections-are-bad-america">
nominated a supporter of gerrymandering
</a>
to head the
Census Bureau.
<p>
We can expect him to try to help Republicans in future elections
by undercounting poor people.  That is easy to do — just don't try
to find them.


feed_id: d2c18c20e9f8765fc9cdceba980cf4a9
title: Waitresses
uri: Waitresses
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#26_November_2017_%28Waitresses%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://www.today.com/money/report-80-waitresses-report-being-sexually-harassed-2D80199724">
80% of waitresses have experienced sexual harassment.
</a>
And 70% of male restaurant workers too.
<p>
The statements made by restaurant representatives are examples of the
way companies twist language and twist logic.  They are not literally
false, but they deceive by missing the point.
<p>
For instance, it is true that there is no (rigid) limit on what
employees can receive as a tip.  You might, in theory, get a
thousand-dollar tip today, and each day for the coming year, then
retire.  But how likely is that?  In practice, the income of most
waiters is quite limited.
<p>
It is obvious that tipping makes waitresses more vulnerable, because
they need to smile even when uncomfortable to get tips from the
(mostly male) paying customers.
<p>
I wish that tipping were eliminated entirely and waiters received a
decent wage.


feed_id: 0b6eb92ba6489bd3dc375676a8f25503
title: Birth control
uri: 2017-11-26-Birth-control
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#26_November_2017_%28Birth_control%29
content:
<p>
<a href="media/ceaf0050.Contraceptive-ACCESS-Act-fact-sheet-11.17.17.pdf" data-original-source="https://aclum.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/Contraceptive-ACCESS-Act-fact-sheet-11.17.17.pdf">
The Massachusetts ACCESS Act
</a>
would protect insurance coverage of
effective birth control, in Massachusetts.


feed_id: f48f4e11ebeb3750e4a09c35867c8711
title: Light pollution
uri: Light-pollution
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#26_November_2017_%28Light_pollution%29
content:
<p>
Efficient lamps are encouraging
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2017/nov/23/nights-getting-brighter-but-not-in-a-good-way">
the spread of light pollution
</a>
which
can harm various species of life.


feed_id: 82d9f285536921d8cd92e3e2c089814f
title: War against Lebanon
uri: War-against-Lebanon
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#26_November_2017_%28War_against_Lebanon%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2017/nov/23/lebanese-pm-saad-hariris-suspended-resignation-is-only-cosmetical">
<a href="/glossary.html#salafi">Salafi Arabia</a> is threatening war against Lebanon
</a>
after holding its
prime minister prisoner for a while and holding his family hostage.


feed_id: caaca145f3182fe49147086373726e5b
title: Turkish queers
uri: Turkish-queers
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#26_November_2017_%28Turkish_queers%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/nov/23/its-just-the-start-lgbt-community-in-turkey-fears-government-crackdown">
The queer community in Turkey fears that censorship is the harbinger
of repression.
</a>
  The state has stirred up hatred and people don't dare admit they are gay.


feed_id: 3a64cd385a464dddd8aa09933e099cd1
title: Salt alternative
uri: Salt-alternative
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#26_November_2017_%28Salt_alternative%29
content:
<p>
Replacing a quarter of the sodium chloride in foods with
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/society/2017/nov/23/experts-urge-use-of-salt-alternative-in-food-products">
potassium chloride
</a>
could reduce strokes and heart attacks.


feed_id: 7eae5db0716f2d8eb7775d601bf30232
title: PAYGO sequestration
uri: PAYGO-sequestration
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#25_November_2017_%28PAYGO_sequestration%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2017/11/21/1717739/-Senator-Portman-reveals-GOP-plan-to-cut-taxes-for-the-wealthy-and-pin-the-costs-on-Democrats?detail=emaildkre">
The way <a href="/glossary.html#scrotus">SCROTUS</a> are trying to pass their tax cut
</a>
does not allow them
to override the automatic budget cuts enforced by a previous
Republican law.
<p>
<a href="https://stallman.org/notes/2013-mar-jun.html#01_May_2013_(Democrats_share_blame_for_sequester)">
That law was passed to cater to the Republican pretense of horror of budget
deficits,
</a>
which was really just an excuse to stop the US government from
helping non-rich people.


feed_id: 6a8ad30ce5e45b6173fa1558665fd8cb
title: Flint water poisoning
uri: Flint-water-poisoning
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#26_November_2017_%28Flint_water_poisoning%29
content:
<p>
Governor Snyder of Michigan set up a "public health council",
supposedly to prevent repetition of the Flint water lead poisoning,
<a href="https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2017/11/21/1717566/-Michigan-governor-sets-up-public-health-council-then-appoints-woman-responsible-for-Flint-to-lead-it?detail=emaildkre">
and appointed a head who is currently being prosecuted for allowing
poisoning in Flint.
</a>
<p>
This confirms what I've thought for years: that Republicans are in
favor of killing off poor people, just as long as they
can pretend that they are not doing so.


feed_id: f570e05ef867d0b739dff330e93e9c09
title: Hydroelectric power
uri: Hydroelectric-power
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#26_November_2017_%28Hydroelectric_power%29
content:
<p>
Costa Rica has
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2017/11/22/costa-rica-runs-entirely-renewable-energy-300-days">
generated all its electricity from renewable sources
</a>
for 300 days this year.
<p>
Not every country has the option of generating lots of hydroelectric power,
but all countries can build wind and solar power facilities if they
choose to invest.


feed_id: b416481cfb6b7586ee81d833a44f207d
title: Blockade of Yemen
uri: 2017-11-26-Blockade-of-Yemen
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#26_November_2017_%28Blockade_of_Yemen%29
content:
<p>
<a href="/glossary.html#salafi">Salafi Arabia</a> said it would
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2017/11/22/yemen-partial-lifting-blockade-half-measure-best">
partially lift the blockade of Yemen,
</a>
which is not enough to end the hunger and cholera.
<p>
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/nov/24/saudi-arabia-continues-to-block-humanitarian-aid-to-yemen">
But it didn't really do that.
</a>
It was just bullshit.
<p>
The US is obligated to
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2017-jan-apr.html#28_April_2017_(Urgent:_War_Powers_Resolution)">
stop supporting <a href="/glossary.html#salafi">Salafi Arabia</a>'s bombardment
</a>
  as well as
the continuing blockade.


feed_id: 0cfd228306ae3d57552c98ea0ae04492
title: Valve turners
uri: 2017-11-26-Valve-turners
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#26_November_2017_%28Valve_turners%29
content:
<p>
One of the "valve turners" who shut off an oil pipeline as a protest
was convicted of a felony
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2017/11/22/blocked-discussing-climate-change-valve-turner-faces-10-years-prison-after-felony">
after a trial in which he was forbidden to
present a justification for his act.
</a>
<p>
Jurors should never convict anyone of a nonviolent protest.


feed_id: 82ffd11c93f010491a8d6261d3a0537d
title: Network neutrality comments
uri: Network-neutrality-comments
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#26_November_2017_%28Network_neutrality_comments%29
content:
<p>
The FCC refuses to cooperate with New York State's investigation of
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2017/11/22/fcc-under-fire-ignoring-massive-scheme-corrupt-net-neutrality-comment-process">
the fraudulent comments that favored of eliminating network
neutrality.
</a>
<p>
These comments were fraudulent in that they gave the names of people
who did not file those comments and do not agree with them.
<p>
I think Ajit Pai welcomes the fraudulent comments since, by denying
that they were fraudulent, he can cite them as "support".  This is the
typical attitude of plutocratist politicians: no lie is too dirty for
them.


feed_id: 7ef3ccdd2ebadd76fb7442ccc09d4126
title: The fines-for-fines system
uri: The-fines-for-fines-system
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#26_November_2017_%28The_fines-for-fines_system%29
content:
<p>
The poll tax used to
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2017/11/22/few-watching-republicans-have-put-place-new-poll-tax-disenfranchise-voters">
stop poor Americans from voting.
</a>
Now some states
stop them because they are caught up in the fines-for-fines system.


feed_id: ec572c9bd563ed2fa1af474ff8cc5fa9
title: 50 very attractive females
uri: 50-very-attractive-females
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#26_November_2017_%2850_very_attractive_females%29
content:
<p>
Bill O'Neill, candidate for governor of Ohio, was
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2017/nov/18/ohio-governor-democrat-bill-oneill-facebook">
castigated for a
post in which he summarized briefly his sexual history
</a>
with adult
women.
<p>
<a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/politics/comments/7do1pm/ohio_governor_candidate_boasts_of_sexual_history/">
Here's what he said.
</a>
<p>
It takes a boastful attitude, which is un-cool, but it doesn't imply
he mistreated any of his lovers.  It makes no sense to demand that a
candidate drop out of the race because of this -- especially since
that might enable a Republican to win.
<p>
I think the reaction to his post has proved his point.


feed_id: cd6c624528f056d20829a70264956387
title: Pointless management
uri: Pointless-management
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#26_November_2017_%28Pointless_management%29
content:
<p>
Employees in offices spend half their day
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/news/2017/nov/23/from-inboxing-to-thought-showers-how-business-bullshit-took-over">
dealing with pointless management.
</a>
<p>
However, the same is not the case for today's low-paid employees that
make up half the work force.


feed_id: 2a6dfb02a69a46c4b168f53a047466fd
title: Leaked censorship directive
uri: Leaked-censorship-directive
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#26_November_2017_%28Leaked_censorship_directive%29
content:
<p>
China Blocks Debate about
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/nov/23/china-blocks-debate-about-downfall-of-internet-censor-lu-wei">
Downfall of [head] Internet Censor, Lu Wei.
</a>


feed_id: dd81a3e923b1d680cbc134c0588da014
title: Farm subsidies
uri: Farm-subsidies
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#26_November_2017_%28Farm_subsidies%29
content:
<p>
The US government
<a href="http://reason.com/archives/2017/11/23/turkey-stuffing-and-a-side-of-subsidies">
subsidizes big farming corporations,
</a>
because the
subsidy was important to protect family farms 80 years ago (back when
there were family farms).
<p>
<a href="https://stallman.org/doggerel.html#OldMacDonald">
Republicans lured family farms into debts they could not pay.
</a>
  Too bad the farmers and their descendants don't hold the grudge that
this deserves.


feed_id: f35ce10fdfe3b325147f01599049b674
title: Refugee journalist arrested
uri: Refugee-journalist-arrested
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#26_November_2017_%28Refugee_journalist_arrested%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2017/nov/23/refugee-and-journalist-behrouz-boochani-arrested-in-manus-as-squad-steps-in">
Papuan thugs arrested refugee journalist Behrouz Boochani.
</a>
<p>
They also took 40 others refugees prisoner and took them away.
But they seized the phones of other refugees, and destroyed their
meager possessions.  They seem to be intentionally trying to cut
off all word to the outside world, so they can do dirty work and
go undetected.
<p>
Keep in mind that none of these refugees ever sought to enter Papua
New Guinea.  That country agreed to hold them on Australia's behalf.


feed_id: 7e0be7247e025caa5c7ac74ea9ea0ef4
title: Slave labor
uri: Slave-labor
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#26_November_2017_%28Slave_labor%29
content:
<p>
A Canadian mining company can be sued in Canada for
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2017/nov/23/canadian-mining-firm-historic-legal-case-alleged-labour-abuses-eritrea-nevsun-resources">
using slave labor
in Eritria.
</a>
<p>
The government of Eritria
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jul-oct.html#19_September_2016_(Eritrea)">
regularly enslaves people
</a>
for various kinds
of work.


feed_id: c520efd7c24510d7c1da3d197df4ff04
title: Lagos homes bulldozed
uri: Lagos-homes-bulldozed
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#27_November_2017_%28Lagos_homes_bulldozed%29
content:
<p>
Amnesty: The government of Lagos has evicted 30,000 poor people by
bulldozing their homes.  Sometimes thugs shot people to chase them
out.  Sometimes the bulldozer operators <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2017/nov/14/children-were-sleeping-inside-amnesty-urges-nigeria-to-end-bulldozer-evictions-lagos">did not wait</a> for all the
people to get out of the homes.


feed_id: 24e5ffae23d2db28828425abcc77c250
title: Renewable electricity
uri: Renewable-electricity
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#27_November_2017_%28Renewable_electricity%29
content:
<p>
The low price of renewable electricity generators is leading to
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2017/11/12/wind-powered-all-scotland-october-and-other-renewable-success-stories">massive investments</a> despite the efforts of planet-roasters to hold it
back.
<p>
Electric power generation is, alas, only one of the sectors that cause
greenhouse emissions.  There is transportation, which usually means
burning fossil fuels; there is <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#25_July_2017_(Preserving_trees)">deforestation</a>;
there is <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2012-nov-feb.html#11_February_2013_(Factory_farming_big_contributor_to_global_heating)">farming</a>.
<p>
Converting electric generation to 100% renewable may not be enough to
avoid global heating disaster, though it is a big step towards that
goal.


feed_id: e75871804bc1e4fd9c6f895aa03bcdac
title: Roy Moore's relationships
uri: Roy-Moore-s-relationships
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#27_November_2017_%28Roy_Moore%27s_relationships%29
content:
<p>
Senate candidate Roy Moore tried to start dating/sexual <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/investigations/woman-says-roy-moore-initiated-sexual-encounter-when-she-was-14-he-was-32/2017/11/09/1f495878-c293-11e7-afe9-4f60b5a6c4a0_story.html">relationships
with teenagers</a> some decades ago.
<p>
He tried to lead Ms Corfman step by step into sex, but he always
respected "no" from her and his other dates.  Thus, Moore does not
deserve the exaggerated condemnation that he is receiving for this.
As an example of exaggeration: one mailing referred to these teenagers
as "children", even the one that was 18 years old.  Many teenagers are
minors, but none of them are children.
<p>
The condemnation is surely sparked by the political motive of wanting
to defeat Moore in the coming election, but it draws fuel from ageism
and the fashion for overprotectiveness of "children".
<p>
I completely agree with the wish to defeat Moore.  Political
Christianists such as Moore hold views that conflict essentially with
human rights, just as <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2014-may-aug.html#04_July_2014_(Nigerian_Atheist_receives_death_threats)">political Islamists</a> do.
If Moore, with his extremist
policies, gains public office again, he will harm millions of American
women, and secondarily <a href="http://www.cosmopolitan.com/politics/a13140992/roy-moore-senate-positions-civil-rights-women/">society as a whole</a>.
<p>
Ms Corfman says she was hurt afterward, and attributes this to
feelings of guilt based on the belief that she had done something
wrong (which, of course, she had not).  Is this is another sign of
Christianity at work?
<p>
I sent a check to Doug Jones US Senate a few weeks ago.  Please
support his campaign too.  You can mail a check here:

<blockquote>
Doug Jones US Senate<br>
PO Box 131025<br>
Birmingham, AL 35213<br>
Phone: +1 205-703-4785<br>
https://dougjonesforsenate.com/<br>
</blockquote>


feed_id: d7b9ce349f1f1f86ef9875f78e2a3fa1
title: Starve or surrender
uri: Starve-or-surrender
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#27_November_2017_%28Starve_or_surrender%29
content:
<p>
Assad Regime's "Starve Or Surrender" Strategy Is a War Crime, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/nov/13/assad-regimes-starve-or-surrender-strategy-is-a-war-says-amnesty">says Amnesty</a>.


feed_id: e5e0cb6a08c102b46f52482d199e0b95
title: Blockade of Yemen
uri: 2017-11-27-Blockade-of-Yemen
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#27_November_2017_%28Blockade_of_Yemen%29
content:
<p>
Millions on <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/nov/12/millions-on-brink-of-famine-in-yemen-as-saudi-arabia-tightens-blockade">Brink of Famine</a> in Yemen as [Salafi Arabia] Tightens Blockade.


feed_id: 28132b7c69c06d2833e81aad58932174
title: Addressing anger
uri: Addressing-anger
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#27_November_2017_%28Addressing_anger%29
content:
<p>
"We'll never stop Brexit or Trump until we <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/global/commentisfree/2017/nov/10/never-stop-brexit-trump-address-anger-impeachment-second-referendum">address the anger</a> fuelling both."


feed_id: 77512e2f228726ed97e81bc2e2b2e181
title: Bittrex suspensions
uri: Bittrex-suspensions
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#27_November_2017_%28Bittrex_suspensions%29
content:
<p>
The Bitcoin exchange Bittrex has <a href="https://cointelegraph.com/news/bittrex-exchange-breaks-silence-on-banned-accounts-questions-remain">"suspended" thousands</a> of accounts,
in many cases those of Iranians, and won't let them have their money.
<p>
It <a href="https://cointelegraph.com/news/bitcoin-altcoin-exchange-bittrex-eyed-with-suspicion-due-to-thousands-of-mysterious-account-closings">doesn't respond</a> to their questions, either.


feed_id: 4a198ff3afe79d7cb67f1b0d3cb32941
title: School voucher extremists
uri: School-voucher-extremists
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#27_November_2017_%28School_voucher_extremists%29
content:
<p>
How Religious Sectarian School Voucher Extremists <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2017/11/11/proselytizers-and-privatizers">Made Useful Idiots</a> of
the Charter Movement.


feed_id: 55ca0bbc0267929823fdf33985143090
title: 'Sacred soldier'
uri: Sacred-soldier
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#27_November_2017_%28%27Sacred_soldier%27%29
content:
<p>
Militarist American politicians trot out the "sacred soldier" to
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2017/11/11/danger-sacred-soldier">silence public debate</a> about war and its consequences.


feed_id: 6dc180f3b930932aacf781cbde309268
title: Racist campaigns
uri: Racist-campaigns
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#27_November_2017_%28Racist_campaigns%29
content:
<p>
Several Republican candidates tried <a href="https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2017/11/8/1713818/-It-wasn-t-just-Gillespie-racist-ads-backfired-for-other-Republicans-on-Election-Day">racist campaigns</a> in the recent
election, and lost.


feed_id: 654b0d2e5abdd5ed7374aeec7344f742
title: Vietnamese repression
uri: Vietnamese-repression
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#27_November_2017_%28Vietnamese_repression%29
content:
<p>
The Vietnamese government now <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/nov/12/vietnamese-musician-and-activist-evicted-after-trump-protest">represses people</a> for insulting visiting
US politicians.
<p>
You'd never guess that this government came to power through a war
to kick out US puppets.  It has now become, more or less, a US puppet,
in exchange for business opportunities.


feed_id: f47344ba0bb690e75b8fe6ed2ea2b18e
title: Wrongly deported
uri: Wrongly-deported
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#27_November_2017_%28Wrongly_deported%29
content:
<p>
Thousands of US citizens are wrongly deported from the US every year.
Because being an unauthorized immigrant is not officially a crime —
just treated like one — those accused are <a href="http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/reason/Articles/~3/5COvTEhuc1Q/how-immigration-crackdowns-scr">presumed guilty</a>.
<p>
Regarding unauthorized immigrants working in restaurant jobs that
Americans won't take: if the restaurants couldn't hire unauthorized
immigrants, they might all have to pay higher wages, stop <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#3_June_2016_(Wage_theft_by_Dominos_Pizza)">stealing wages</a>,
stop making work precarious and unpredictable,
and then Americans would take these jobs.


feed_id: bada90d1ce4f0d73eff85719b425f050
title: Carfentanil
uri: Carfentanil
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#27_November_2017_%28Carfentanil%29
content:
<p>
The <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/nov/12/carfentanil-bust-canada-fentanyl-opioid-crisis-dangers">opioid carfentanil</a> is so powerful that a tiny dose can be fatal.
It is somewhat unpredictable, so it encourages overdoses.  However,
the effect it is used for is the same as the effect of larger
quantities of other, less potent opioids.
<p>
The reason for interest in carfentanil is that it is smaller and thus
easier to smuggle.  Thus, the danger of carfentanil is the direct
result of prohibition.


feed_id: 631b1c67518d59bb94a00ae38406adcf
title: Rebellion in Ukraine
uri: Rebellion-in-Ukraine
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#27_November_2017_%28Rebellion_in_Ukraine%29
content:
<p>
The rebellion in the Donbass region of Ukraine bubbles on with
occasional shelling that sometimes kills civilians.
<p>
Putin no longer needs that war for his destabilization attacks against
the west, but there seems to be <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/nov/12/ukraine-on-the-front-line-of-europes-forgotten-war">no prospect of ending</a> it.


feed_id: 1167bbbf0e49004305d32ce01e2f4a78
title: Do-dirty boasts
uri: Do-dirty-boasts
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#27_November_2017_%28Do-dirty_boasts%29
content:
<p>
<a href="/glossary.html#dodirty">President Do-dirty</a> has
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/nov/12/rodrigo-duterte-president-philippines-anti-drugs-campaign-thousands-killed">boasted of killing</a> people,
and said he wished he had raped a woman (who was killed).
<p>
No wonder the bully admires him.


feed_id: ab4962ba5293c867bf1c7a3a0f714231
title: Congo deforestation
uri: Congo-deforestation
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#27_November_2017_%28Congo_deforestation%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2017/nov/12/congo-basin-swamps-peatlands-carbon-climate-change">Deforestation</a> in the Congo region threaten to release the carbon
stores in vast peat deposits.


feed_id: 57b48dc6abbd4d2fbaa822d72e52a3b6
title: Jailed Catalonia leaders
uri: Jailed-Catalonia-leaders
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#27_November_2017_%28Jailed_Catalonia_leaders%29
content:
<p>
Hundreds of thousands <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/nov/11/barcelona-protest-calls-for-release-of-jailed-catalan-independence-leaders">protested in Catalonia</a> demanding that Spain
release their leaders from jail.
<p>
I don't advocate independence for Catalonia, but I support this demand.
Rajoy's power means repression, all across Spain.


feed_id: 80ccdca8f423f1d360b0dd9f7a883703
title: Mar-a-Lago fund raisers
uri: Mar-a-Lago-fund-raisers
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#27_November_2017_%28Mar-a-Lago_fund_raisers%29
content:
<p>
Medical students' activism has helped convince various medical charities
to <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2017/11/10/holding-our-institutions-accountable-lessons-medical-student-campaign-divest-trumps">stop holding fund raisers</a> at the bully's resort, Mar-a-Lago.


feed_id: 0e010fcd6767d8f3f42aa0406e3be298
title: Afghanistan approach
uri: Afghanistan-approach
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#27_November_2017_%28Afghanistan_approach%29
content:
<p>
The bully's <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2017/11/10/remote-war-and-public-air">approach to Afghanistan</a>: more of the same strategy that
has failed for 12 years or so, a little more harsh and cruel, and more
covering up the details.


feed_id: 229ce413f9f66eeda96cc62eed3b096b
title: Cuba sanctions
uri: Cuba-sanctions
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#27_November_2017_%28Cuba_sanctions%29
content:
<p>
The troll is <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2017/11/10/while-clinching-deals-communist-china-trump-cracks-down-trade-and-travel-cuba">tightening US sanctions</a> against Cuba, while fawning on
the equally communist China as it becomes ever more repressive.
There is no way that can make ethical sense.


feed_id: 0f873a03f9bf61cdc7782c9eb632a006
title: Helping refugees
uri: Helping-refugees
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#27_November_2017_%28Helping_refugees%29
content:
<p>
EU countries are <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/nov/11/aid-workers-targeted-eu-trafficking-laws-migrants-refugees">prosecuting people</a> for helping refugees travel — or
even simply giving them food — using laws that were meant to punish
people-smugglers.


feed_id: fba16f376dd79d9c535de3211c5b5a34
title: Dag Hammarskjold
uri: Dag-Hammarskjold
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#27_November_2017_%28Dag_Hammarskjold%29
content:
<p>
Britain and US Urged to <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/nov/12/dag-hammarskjold-death-britain-urged-to-release-papers">Release Papers</a> on Dag HammarskjÃ¶ld's Death.
<p>
There have always been suspicions that his plane crash was no accident.


feed_id: 339201c36459310061060d52063dcc83
title: Palace power struggle
uri: Palace-power-struggle
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#27_November_2017_%28Palace_power_struggle%29
content:
<p>
<a href="/glossary.html#salafi">Salafi Arabia</a> is experiencing a palace
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2017/11/11/what-craziness-going-saudi-arabia">power struggle</a> between
different factions of the gigantic royal family, presented as a
campaign against corruption.
<p>
Those targeted may indeed be corrupt, but not necessarily more than
the others in the royal family.


feed_id: d02e410188aa2e50349e56f3c253ecdb
title: Quitting Facebook etc.
uri: Quitting-Facebook-etc
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#27_November_2017_%28Quitting_Facebook_etc.%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/media/2017/nov/12/millennials-backlash-social-media-facebook-instagram-snapchat">Increasing numbers</a> of young adults are quitting Facebook, Instagram
and Snapchat.
<p>
While I wish they had taken up the principles of the free software
movement, and defending privacy on principle too, this is a big step
towards reducing the technological subjugation and it might lead
them towards recognizing those principles.
<p>
There are other ways to remember your friends' birthdays.
For instance, put them in a text file in calendrical order.


feed_id: d1fb3909cda6a10005077dfd80cf8d89
title: US and Israeli thugs
uri: US-and-Israeli-thugs
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#27_November_2017_%28US_and_Israeli_thugs%29
content:
<p>
When US thugs train with Israeli thugs, they tend to exchange <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2017/11/09/jewish-activists-partners-condemn-governor-rauner-adl-deadlyexchange-us-israel">worst
practices</a>.
This teaches US thugs to treat blacks like an occupied people.


feed_id: 310af5d8fd4c5b08cdd10f762f5c5328
title: NHS cutback effects
uri: NHS-cutback-effects
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#27_November_2017_%28NHS_cutback_effects%29
content:
<p>
Due to cutbacks, the UK's National Health Service does not have enough
ambulances.  A woman died from <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/society/2017/nov/10/nhs-kathryn-richmond-died-from-ruptured-spleen-after-85-minute-wait-for-ambulance">waiting 85 minutes</a> for one.
<p>
This was always the inevitable result of Tory budget cuts.


feed_id: ba0b5cda00bb59ef46ff526db5c57237
title: Emails from Assange case
uri: Emails-from-Assange-case
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#27_November_2017_%28Emails_from_Assange_case%29
content:
<p>
UK Prosecutors Admit <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/media/2017/nov/10/uk-prosecutors-admit-destroying-key-emails-from-julian-assange-case">Destroying Key Emails</a> in Julian Assange Case.
<p>
It seems clear that this is part of a dishonest scheme.


feed_id: 89799e36def96562b198b434eb6c5284
title: TSA face scans
uri: TSA-face-scans
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#27_November_2017_%28TSA_face_scans%29
content:
<p>
The TSA plans to go beyond merely annoying air travelers more or less
and start <a href="https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2017/11/tsa-plans-use-face-recognition-track-americans-through-airports">recognizing travelers</a> by their faces and their iris scans.
First step, some of us.  Next step, all of us.


feed_id: e11fba4eca86fa35c942b2ac00468c0c
title: Urgent: Advisory board scientists
uri: Urgent-Advisory-board-scientists
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#28_November_2017_%28Urgent%3A_Advisory_board_scientists%29

content:
<p>
US citizens: <a href="https://act.credoaction.com/sign/investigate-EPA">call on the Government Accountability Office</a> to
investigate the EPA's removal of independent scientists from
advisory boards.


feed_id: ea16c6b9b44fe84e0e09670a959b80d7
title: Stopping tax attacks
uri: Stopping-tax-attacks
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#28_November_2017_%28Stopping_tax_attacks%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2017/11/22/3-steps-take-thanksgiving-stop-trumptaxscam">3 steps for stopping</a> the Republican tax attacks.
<p>
These were intended for "before Thanksgiving", but you can still do them now.


feed_id: 53259b345bf2b946ee31a85589a09337
title: Abortion ban
uri: 2017-11-28-Abortion-ban
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#28_November_2017_%28Abortion_ban%29
content:
<p>
US citizens: oppose SCROTUS's proposed <a href="http://act.couragecampaign.org/sign/6weekban/">abortion ban</a>.


feed_id: 9bae4a0dbeb91a1e6fac0bdb11023f0e
title: Human rights in Zimbabwe
uri: Human-rights-in-Zimbabwe
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#28_November_2017_%28Human_rights_in_Zimbabwe%29
content:
<p>
Zimbabwe Activists Fear Post-Mugabe <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/nov/26/zimbabwe-activists-fear-post-mugabe-human-rights-crackdown-mnangagwa">Human Rights Crackdown</a>.


feed_id: b46db5e9f39ef40c8fc95d849033805d
title: Selling face recognition data
uri: Selling-face-recognition-data
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#28_November_2017_%28Selling_face_recognition_data%29

content:
<p>
Australia is constructing a data base to identify everyone in that
country by face recognition.  Now it plans to <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2017/nov/26/government-could-allow-firms-to-buy-access-to-facial-recognition-data">sell companies access</a> to
the data base, compounding the initial wrong.


feed_id: 8a0e29c0cc58cb439020ab041735c918
title: Transgender dispute
uri: Transgender-dispute
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#28_November_2017_%28Transgender_dispute%29
content:
<p>
The dispute between defenders of transgender females' rights, and the
feminists who distrust them as males, is getting so heated that it is
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/society/2017/nov/26/transgender-anarchist-book-fair-transphobia-row">causing difficulties</a> for various progressive and radical movements.
The plutocratists must be chuckling.
<p>
In principle I think both sides have a valid concern.  However, in
practice the transgender people face a real problem, while the
fearful feminists face only a theoretical problem.
<p>
There is indeed no formal obstacle to stop a straight male from
putting on women's clothing and calling himself a transgender woman in
order to visit women's bathrooms; but surely this must be very rare.
Most straight males who might consider going to such lengths to peep
at women would feel a horror of making themselves "effeminate" by
dressing as women.  They wouldn't consider actually <em>doing</em> that.


feed_id: 07c363dd47f3b5b8e107cdd06f7329ea
title: MSF blocked from Manus
uri: MSF-blocked-from-Manus
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#28_November_2017_%28MSF_blocked_from_Manus%29
content:
<p>
Papuan thugs <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2017/nov/26/manus-island-msf-denied-access-to-refugees-as-thousands-rally-in-australia">are blocking</a> MÃ©decins Sans FrontiÃ¨res from visiting the refugees
of Manus Island in their new prison.


feed_id: a42f1b2e359c3fbd1183ec68b8f2f0a6
title: Psychedelic mushrooms
uri: Psychedelic-mushrooms
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#28_November_2017_%28Psychedelic_mushrooms%29
content:
<p>
There are <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2017/nov/25/magic-mushrooms-decriminalization-california">ballot campaigns</a> to legalize psychedelic mushrooms in
California and Oregon.


feed_id: b50a88e326bf1deeea3bd9d71f400153
title: Marrying young
uri: Marrying-young
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#28_November_2017_%28Marrying_young%29
content:
<p>
<a href="/glossary.html#global heating">Global heating</a> effects are causing poverty in parts of Africa, so
farmers' daughters are compelled to <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/society/2017/nov/26/climate-change-creating-generation-of-child-brides-in-africa">marry young</a>.
<p>
The other jaw of the poverty vice is overpopulation.  Marrying young
is likely to increase population growth, driving the population into a
spiral that leads to mass starvation.


feed_id: 5704bd0ddb25c707dd1fe4b910d9de5a
title: Fleeing from violent men
uri: Fleeing-from-violent-men
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#28_November_2017_%28Fleeing_from_violent_men%29
content:
<p>
Due to Tory cutbacks, most of the women in the UK that need to flee from
a violent man can <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/public-leaders-network/2017/nov/25/women-deserve-protection-from-male-violence-refuge-cuts-un-elimination-of-domestic-sexual-violence">no longer find a place</a> to flee to.


feed_id: a5678c152ef1fbbd51dc2d7dda883741
title: 'Iron fist' response
uri: Iron-fist-response
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#28_November_2017_%28%27Iron_fist%27_response%29
content:
<p>
The "Iron Fist" Response to Terror Attacks in Egypt <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2017/nov/26/egypt-iron-fist-response-terror-attacks-never-works">Never Works</a>.


feed_id: c79824219bb99068363586c11993576c
title: Viewing pornography
uri: Viewing-pornography
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#28_November_2017_%28Viewing_pornography%29
content:
<p>
Aren't we mature enough to stop <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2017/nov/26/labour-staff-member-dies-suddenly-amid-inquiry-reports">punishing people</a> for viewing pornography?


feed_id: 0d2d32b003e32bada7d4ac0d1bed1b77
title: Right whale decline
uri: Right-whale-decline
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#28_November_2017_%28Right_whale_decline%29
content:
<p>
The North Atlantic right whale was recovering in population due to
protection from whaling, but now <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2017/nov/25/whales-right-atlantic-conservation-sea-fishing-extinct">new fishing methods</a> are killing them
and the population is declining again.


feed_id: 45eb433f5baa77bb183ff76c731440b5
title: Leveraged buyouts
uri: Leveraged-buyouts
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#28_November_2017_%28Leveraged_buyouts%29
content:
<p>
Leveraged buyouts are looting many US retail companies, which leads to
<a href="https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2017/11/23/1716328/-Closing-malls-and-bankrupt-stores-blame-Wall-Street-predation-for-the-retail-apocalypse">closing of stores</a> and loss of employment.
<p>
I view this with concern because I don't do e-commerce (it does not respect
privacy).


feed_id: f9de2c6f384ddee6af0df6ff785ffd5c
title: Chief Joseph's speech
uri: Chief-Joseph-s-speech
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#28_November_2017_%28Chief_Joseph%27s_speech%29
content:
<p>
Chief Joseph's surrender speech was <a href="https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2017/11/23/1717357/--I-will-fight-no-more-forever-The-iconic-words-of-Nez-Perce-Chief-Joseph-that-he-never-said">probably fabricated</a> by the man who
claimed to have written it down.  Likewise many other famous quotes
attributed to indigenous people in what is now the USA.
<p>
It should be noted that indigenous tribes did not live in general
peace with each other or have a system of generally recognized land
rights.  It was common for tribes to fight other tribes and take land
from them.
<p>
By present-day standards, what they did to each other was wrong, and
it was wrong again when the European colonists did it to them.
<p>
These standards were brought by the colonists, who made treaties with
various tribes, then upheld the treaties in a one-sided way (only when
that advantaged the colonists).  We can judge those colonists for
their cheating, but it is a mistake to project present day-standards
back to people of the past in an anachronistic way.


feed_id: 67c59f8165ad5132baad245278e76e7a
title: Reporting on Iran
uri: Reporting-on-Iran
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#28_November_2017_%28Reporting_on_Iran%29
content:
<p>
Leaks revealed that the bully's regime is <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2017/11/24/trump-administration-plays-media-fiddle-iranhbo-hacking-story">manipulating the media</a> by
reports of crimes that it can attribute to Iranians, as a scheme to
whip up support for further sanctions against Iran and destroying the
nuclear deal.
<p>
This deal is why Iran does not have nuclear weapons.
<p>
The "crime" that is supposed to be horrible is hardly one we should
care about at all.  It does not harm or threaten the United States or
its people.  It only affects a corporation that imposes
<a href="https://stallman.org/netflix.html">several injustices</a> on its clients as standard practice.
<p>
Please join me in telling Netflix to go flick off.


feed_id: 93a7a3b52f7f4bd1056eca214fdb0dd4
title: Illinois and Israel
uri: Illinois-and-Israel
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#28_November_2017_%28Illinois_and_Israel%29
content:
<p>
The governor of Illinois promised to <a href="http://thearabdailynews.com/2017/11/02/illinois-governor-rauner-promises-turn-names-arab-activists-israel/">give information</a> to Israel
about "terrorist" suspects — which will probably end up meaning
anyone that campaigns to end the occupation of Palestine.


feed_id: fa8a020169823240c1443588a192f0f3
title: Fracking protesters
uri: Fracking-protesters
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#28_November_2017_%28Fracking_protesters%29
content:
<p>
Protesters against fracking in England face <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2017/nov/23/fracking-firm-wins-extension-to-draconian-protest-injunction">heavy punishment</a> under
the right wing's harsh laws.


feed_id: 1cf49f8bcd76c8c04aa5093573502d2d
title: Franco foundation
uri: Franco-foundation
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#28_November_2017_%28Franco_foundation%29
content:
<p>
A foundation that celebrates former Spanish dictator Franco <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/nov/23/spaniards-call-ban-franco-foundation">succeeded
in blocking</a> Madrid from changing the names of streets that commemorate
the dictator's "heroes".
<p>
I suspect that this success reflects the hidden power of his
supporters that remain influential in the right-wing governing party
and in the state.
<p>
I don't think it is right to try to ban ideas, but the state can
legitimately cut off the mechanisms of influence that they use
to promote tyranny.
<p>
Meanwhile, Spain has done little to commemorate Franco's victims —
those that died fighting his coup, and those that his forces murdered
or imprisoned afterwards.  Many of them were used for forced labor,
building monuments that say little about who built them.


feed_id: a101f59c4a1a0a50f4e105260e4f7427
title: Doctor investigated
uri: Doctor-investigated
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#28_November_2017_%28Doctor_investigated%29
content:
<p>
A doctor who treats patients with great pain that no one else can treat
is <a href="https://reason.com/archives/2017/11/22/when-good-faith-medicine-raises-red-flag">facing threats</a> from the DEA.


feed_id: 2c5fc22b31d46b0ee36200dec457a103
title: Illegal campaign spending
uri: Illegal-campaign-spending
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#28_November_2017_%28Illegal_campaign_spending%29
content:
<p>
The vote for Britain to leave the EU was procured with <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2017/nov/22/vote-leave-funding-democracy-electoral-commission">illegal
campaign spending</a>.


feed_id: 59c384866e67bf55b8e5c5019d8ca17e
title: Uber 'too big to ban'
uri: Uber-too-big-to-ban
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#28_November_2017_%28Uber_%27too_big_to_ban%27%29
content:
<p>
Uber is <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2017/nov/22/uber-disruption-ban-london-sadiq-khan">aggressively trying</a> to make itself "too big to ban", but it can
still be banned.
<p>
If a company is "too big to ban", it is too big to exist.


feed_id: a413cba793b04d9a4daba47992e06d25
title: Deindustrialization
uri: Deindustrialization
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#28_November_2017_%28Deindustrialization%29
content:
<p>
Arguing the need for <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2017/11/21/climate-crisis-and-managed-deindustrialization-debating-alternatives-ecological">managed deindustrialization</a>.
<p>
I am skeptical of the claim that population increase is <em>not</em> one of
the main drivers of exhaustion of the Earth.  The article does not try
to demonstrate that.


feed_id: d6a17843e00d2f2f7f3064802092eb0f
title: Sessions and equal protection
uri: Sessions-and-equal-protection
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#28_November_2017_%28Sessions_and_equal_protection%29

content:
<p>
Saboteur General Sessions has <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2017/11/21/justice-department-continues-roll-back-civil-rights-protections">taken aim</a> at Justice Department guidance
that instructs other government agencies in giving all Americans equal
protection of the law.


feed_id: e2b9d72b0132f57d4f63bcd9c10356bc
title: Verizon protest Dec 7
uri: Verizon-protest-Dec-7
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#28_November_2017_%28Verizon_protest_Dec_7%29
content:
<p>
Since Verizon is lobbying to abolish network neutrality, Americans will
<a href="http://tumblr.fightforthefuture.org/post/167731589148/net-neutrality-protests-to-hit-verizon-stores">protest at Verizon stores</a> on Dec 7.


feed_id: 92d1939891909c9583805b89f4e38d88
title: 'Homeland Security' liaison
uri: Homeland-Security-liaison
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#28_November_2017_%28%27Homeland_Security%27_liaison%29

content:
<p>
The "Homeland Security" department's community liaison said he <a href="https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2017/11/16/1716266/-Trump-s-community-liaison-for-Homeland-Security-hates-blacks-and-Muslims-and-said-so-publicly">hated
blacks and Muslims</a>.  Establishing cordial relations with American
Muslims is a part of his job, but he's not going to be able to do it
with those views.


feed_id: fa5f5a51b5d909729596871c49aad47d
title: Roy Moore's marriage
uri: Roy-Moore-s-marriage
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#28_November_2017_%28Roy_Moore%27s_marriage%29
content:
<p>
Roy Moore saw Kayla Kisor soloing in a dance performance and she made
such an impression on him that, after they subsequently met eight years later,
they <a href="https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2017/11/21/1717545/-Roy-Moore-s-own-story-of-meeting-his-wife-tells-you-what-you-need-to-know-about-Moore-and-teen-girls">dated and got married</a>.
<p>
The modern prudery movement would like us to find this disgusting,
because she was 15 or 16 when she made a lasting impression on him.
<p>
Moore is a dangerous theocratic extremist.  Please support the Doug
Jones for Senate campaign, and help defeat Moore.  Please do it in a
way that doesn't inflict prudery as collateral damage.


feed_id: de816d03bd553ebbd98445dda85fe68c
title: Murdered police officer
uri: Murdered-police-officer
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#28_November_2017_%28Murdered_police_officer%29
content:
<p>
<a href="/glossary.html#police">Police officer</a> Sean Suiter in Baltimore, waiting to testify about
corruption in the thug department, was murdered.  The thug department
imposed repressive measures on the neighborhood for days, and a
record-setting reward to get information about the killer, but has not
found anyone.  <a href="https://theintercept.com/2017/11/23/baltimore-police-shooting-lockdown/">People wonder</a> if the killer was a thug.


feed_id: d65972caec34fa0ac85e8ebae134a6cd
title: Tories and tax-dodging
uri: Tories-and-tax-dodging
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#28_November_2017_%28Tories_and_tax-dodging%29
content:
<p>
The Tories seem <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2017/nov/23/theresa-may-government-tax-avoidance-paradise-papers-inquiry">strangely reluctant</a> to take any action to limit
the tax-dodging revealed in recent links.
<p>
One may suspect that they want these rich companies and individuals to
continue dodging taxes.  After all, many of them support the Tory party
and help it to get elected.


feed_id: 63e8cb8ba0ca66782586a1399208931b
title: Forensic analysis
uri: Forensic-analysis
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#29_November_2017_%28Forensic_analysis%29
content:
<p>
Privatization of government functions usually leads to doing them badly.
One must not be surprised that privatized forensic analysis has put
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/public-leaders-network/2017/nov/27/dubious-forensic-evidence-privatisation-public-services">10,000 British criminal cases</a> in doubt.
<p>
Government forensic analysts are not guaranteed to do a proper job either,
as shown by the bad work of the <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2014-may-aug.html#05_June_2014_(Innocent_people_convicted_by_lies_from_the_FBI_crime_lab)">FBI crime lab</a>,
but that is no reason to create systematic incentives to do it badly.


feed_id: 0f716116488ce79a4a1287204a64158b
title: Poverty of Tory ideas
uri: Poverty-of-Tory-ideas
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#29_November_2017_%28Poverty_of_Tory_ideas%29
content:
<p>
Such Is the Poverty of Tory Ideas That They <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2017/nov/27/poverty-tory-ideas-budget">Deny Poverty Even Exists</a>.
<p>
"When a government shows contempt for a group of people, it is hard to
advocate for those people without showing contempt for the
government. And then youâre not a charity: youâre a campaigner."


feed_id: d55001a70fe3e3e57479b214f56bd035
title: Endangered penguins
uri: Endangered-penguins
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#29_November_2017_%28Endangered_penguins%29
content:
<p>
Yellow-eyed penguins are <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/nov/27/population-worlds-rarest-penguins-plummets-yellow-eyed-new-zealand">endangered</a> by fishing nets.


feed_id: 2a04859bd7d818120e9525c51840ec55
title: Evicted workers in Beijing
uri: Evicted-workers-in-Beijing
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#29_November_2017_%28Evicted_workers_in_Beijing%29
content:
<p>
Workers in Beijing are <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/nov/27/china-ruthless-campaign-evict-beijings-migrant-workers-condemned">being evicted</a> from their homes and onto the street,
in many cases with just a few minutes notice so that they lost nearly
all their possessions.  They have nowhere to go.
<p>
The official plan says that millions of workers will be evicted from buildings
that were built without permission.
<p>
It might be legitimate to tear down those buildings, but not in this way.


feed_id: ba24e355037209d2d2f1489dca259d19
title: Hindu-nationalists
uri: 2017-11-29-Hindu-nationalists
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#29_November_2017_%28Hindu-nationalists%29
content:
<p>
Hindu-nationalists <a href="https://www.sabrangindia.in/article/mythologizing-history-how-spot-hindu-ethno-nationalist">falsify Indian history</a> to make it support their
nationalist myth.
<p>
Now they have imposed this on California; they convinced the state board of
education to <a href="http://www.sikh24.com/2017/11/15/oped-ca-board-of-education-erases-truth-about-caste-oppression/">eliminate mention</a> of the caste system.


feed_id: 393a2a9e924a9c841feb2ca21f667b6a
title: Attacking pension benefits
uri: Attacking-pension-benefits
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#29_November_2017_%28Attacking_pension_benefits%29
content:
<p>
Canada's finance minister <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2017/11/26/morneau-and-trudeau-are-looking-out-rich">is attacking</a> workers' pension benefits for
the benefit of the company he used to be an executive of.


feed_id: 552823986b5b03907096aff41504eea2
title: Change in tax attacks bill
uri: Change-in-tax-attacks-bill
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#29_November_2017_%28Change_in_tax_attacks_bill%29
content:
<p>
SCROTUS made a <a href="https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2017/11/25/1718463/-GOP-Senate-Adds-Last-Second-Provision-to-Guarantee-Americans-NEVER-Benefit-From-Their-Tax-Scheme">last-minute change</a> in the tax attacks bill to keep taxes
on corporations low after 2026.
<p>
A small handout for poor people won't even bring them to the point where
they can <a href="https://shadowproof.com/2017/11/20/paul-ryans-cindy-is-a-cruel-figment-of-the-capitalist-imagination/">afford living expenses</a>.


feed_id: 791f5d73e61bb958ef3b82c9bc31acfd
title: No tracking detection
uri: No-tracking-detection
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#29_November_2017_%28No_tracking_detection%29
content:
<p>
The DMCA <a href="https://boingboing.net/2017/11/25/la-la-la-cant-hear-you.html">forbids developing</a> a tracking-detector for iOS apps,
effectively forbidding anyone from informing the users how
they are being screwed.
<p>
The only way users can estimate this is by assuming that proprietary
iOS apps are at least as bad as proprietary Android apps.


feed_id: 823d17f7bf1cbd1c781b31e9efa1fc3d
title: Ajit Pai cheating and lying
uri: Ajit-Pai-cheating-and-lying
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#29_November_2017_%28Ajit_Pai_cheating_and_lying%29
content:
<p>
FCC Chairman Ajit Pai <a href="https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2017/11/24/1718323/-FCC-Chairman-Ajit-Pai-cheating-and-lying-to-give-the-internet-away-to-big-telecom">Cheating And Lying</a> to Give the Internet Away to Big Telecom.
<p>
Although he is now ostensibly working for the US government, in fact
he is still working for Verizon.


feed_id: 36636b6341f8a6d735205af518da63c8
title: Mar-a-Lago bribes
uri: Mar-a-Lago-bribes
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#29_November_2017_%28Mar-a-Lago_bribes%29
content:
<p>
The bully regularly <a href="https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2017/11/24/1717335/-Under-Trump-Mar-a-Lago-is-remaking-itself-as-a-slush-fund-for-the-president">accepts bribes</a> via events held at Mar-a-Lago.


feed_id: 0ca2043b4088ea07a44e9b77c5e02642
title: Facebook housing ads
uri: Facebook-housing-ads
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#29_November_2017_%28Facebook_housing_ads%29
content:
<p>
Facebook still allows housing advertisements to be targeted in
<a href="https://www.propublica.org/article/facebook-advertising-discrimination-housing-race-sex-national-origin">discriminatory ways</a>.


feed_id: 12b40b1ec04022a313965c22d70f1a60
title: Drone war
uri: Drone-war
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#29_November_2017_%28Drone_war%29
content:
<p>
The US government thinks that drone war is great.  Few US soldiers are killed,
and as for the civilian casualties, it can <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2017/11/25/myth-clean-war">lie about those</a>.


feed_id: 970b2faa9ceb8c9932e151bc8560cb49
title: GMO propaganda
uri: GMO-propaganda
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#29_November_2017_%28GMO_propaganda%29
content:
<p>
The US government is <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2017/11/25/your-taxpayer-dollars-are-funding-corporate-propaganda">funding propaganda</a> for GMOs, based on "science"
from research that the seed companies chose to permit.


feed_id: 85ce9d0302cf3de56b89fbab39d7a4fb
title: Climate conference result
uri: Climate-conference-result
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#29_November_2017_%28Climate_conference_result%29
content:
<p>
The latest climate conference resulted in <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2017/11/25/reflection-cop23-incremental-progress-no-industrialized-countrys-top-priority">small, incremental progress</a>
which if done 20 years ago might have been sufficient then.


feed_id: 0fed64d755d791fdcbdaff266de01274
title: Android app tracking
uri: Android-app-tracking
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#29_November_2017_%28Android_app_tracking%29
content:
<p>
Tracking software in popular Android apps is pervasive and sometimes
very clever.  Some trackers can <a href="https://theintercept.com/2017/11/24/staggering-variety-of-clandestine-trackers-found-in-popular-android-apps/">follow a user's movements</a> around a
physical store by noticing WiFi networks.


feed_id: 2f48d8025aba4216213544b297a14022
title: Denying refugee status
uri: Denying-refugee-status
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#29_November_2017_%28Denying_refugee_status%29
content:
<p>
Papua <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2017/nov/21/man-on-manus-faces-deportation-order-despite-real-risk-of-torture-or-death">refuses to recognize</a> as a refugee an Iranian it acknowledges 
is likely to be tortured or killed if he returned to Iran.


feed_id: 9fc7bf396584b9ba96f65ed026c639f8
title: Pharma research
uri: Pharma-research
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#29_November_2017_%28Pharma_research%29
content:
<p>
An MD says that fraud, incompetence, and the domination of medicine by
pharma and food companies has made medical science <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/healthcare-network/2017/nov/21/finance-trumps-patients-uk-healthcare-needs-inquiry">untrustworthy</a>;
doctors have trouble using published research to determine the best
way to treat patients.
<p>
I have suggested removing Pharma companies from any role in funding tests
of the effects of drugs.  But more change than that is needed.


feed_id: 879e36b348edeac49ab23a501d1ef291
title: Legal nuclear strike
uri: Legal-nuclear-strike
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#29_November_2017_%28Legal_nuclear_strike%29
content:
<p>
U.S. Generals Might Stop Trump From an Illegal Nuclear Strike — But Who Will Save Us From <a href="https://theintercept.com/2017/11/21/u-s-generals-might-stop-trump-from-an-illegal-nuclear-strike-but-who-will-save-us-from-a-legal-one/">a Legal One</a>?


feed_id: dd7e465ef908ddb1bad857e7d37c116e
title: White-supremacist terrorism
uri: White-supremacist-terrorism
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#29_November_2017_%28White-supremacist_terrorism%29
content:
<p>
Alt-America: the Time for Talking about <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/nov/26/alt-america-terrorism-rightwing-hate-crimes">White[-supremacist] Terrorism</a> Is Now.


feed_id: bd3187040a8afc70e3d60954e87402ee
title: Drug smuggling in Honduras
uri: Drug-smuggling-in-Honduras
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#29_November_2017_%28Drug_smuggling_in_Honduras%29
content:
<p>
The current minister in charge of all thugs in Honduras has been tied
to <a href="https://theintercept.com/2017/11/26/honduras-election-pacheco-security-minister-is-running-drugs-according-to-court-testimony/">drug smuggling</a>.


feed_id: 2993993266a179a9db529fb083ecf12a
title: Cheaper power plants
uri: Cheaper-power-plants
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#30_November_2017_%28Cheaper_power_plants%29
content:
<p>
It is <a href="https://thinkprogress.org/solar-wind-keep-getting-cheaper-33c38350fb95/">cheaper in some places</a> to build new renewable electric generators
than to continue running existing coal or nuclear power plants.
<p>
However, the owners of the existing plants have money to spend on buying
political support to keep running them and make the public pay.


feed_id: e2e7f99e647eafd1245b17e8b8611659
title: Perception of the norm
uri: Perception-of-the-norm
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#30_November_2017_%28Perception_of_the_norm%29
content:
<p>
"Each generation perceives the environment into which it's born, no
matter how developed, urbanized, or polluted, <a href="http://www.futurity.org/environmental-generational-amnesia-nature-1612452-2/">as the norm</a>."


feed_id: cec9bc41017f8f2db2d5c8d186411e34
title: Tory benefits cuts
uri: Tory-benefits-cuts
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#30_November_2017_%28Tory_benefits_cuts%29
content:
<p>
Many of the Tory benefits cuts result in <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2017/nov/27/economy-cuts-austerity-legal-aid-disability-benefits">increased state expenditure</a>.
Does that make them irrational?
<p>
It does, according to their stated goal of reducing expenditure — but their
real purpose is to <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2016-nov-feb.html#7_December_2016_(Punishing_unemployed_people)">demonize people</a> that need help.
That, they do achieve, however great the cost.


feed_id: 8e8ef217a62d1bfe3b25a0e1b7d1280c
title: Romanian anti-corruption protest
uri: Romanian-anti-corruption-protest
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#30_November_2017_%28Romanian_anti-corruption_protest%29

content:
<p>
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/nov/27/romanians-protest-against-weakening-of-anti-corruption-powers">Romanians Protest</a> Against Weakening of Anti-Corruption Powers (again).
<p>
Info about the <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2011-nov-feb.html#8_February_2012_(Romania)">previous time</a>.


feed_id: 3dd3b7e64ec53467a320847e4d729492
title: Driver's license fines
uri: Driver-s-license-fines
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#30_November_2017_%28Driver%27s_license_fines%29
content:
<p>
Over a million Americans have had their driver's licenses suspended
because of fines they can't pay.  They have to drive anyway so they
get fined more for driving with a suspended license.  This leads to a
<a href="https://www.vice.com/en_us/article/59yvwx/the-vicious-cycle-of-losing-a-drivers-license-over-court-debt">vicious circle</a> of debt.
<p>
The only way to make fines achieve their supposed goal is to make sure
everyone has enough money to pay a fine — and nobody has so much
money as not to notice a fine.


feed_id: d541b01bddfbf7a8f5754db69ca1ca8b
title: Financial aid info
uri: Financial-aid-info
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#30_November_2017_%28Financial_aid_info%29
content:
<p>
US financial aid for students demands a long list of personal
information.  Even worse, it makes that information <a href="https://krebsonsecurity.com/2017/11/namedobssnfafsa-data-gold-mine/">available to anyone</a>
who has the applicant's social security number.
<p>
This includes lots of crooks, as well as any government agency that
wants information about people.


feed_id: 7b4c8850b286faf5f5b0e9cbee4c2a92
title: Repression in Pakistan
uri: Repression-in-Pakistan
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#30_November_2017_%28Repression_in_Pakistan%29
content:
<p>
Religious fanatics in Pakistan are protesting to <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/nov/25/pakistan-calls-on-army-to-restore-order-as-blasphemy-protests-spread">demand explicit
repression</a> of minority Muslim sects, effectively barring them from public
office.  The protests are so big that the government gave in.


feed_id: 170584bc4da38eb4a801af6dca3becf3
title: Blocking web sites in EU
uri: Blocking-web-sites-in-EU
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#30_November_2017_%28Blocking_web_sites_in_EU%29
content:
<p>
The European Union has a "consumer protection" regulation that authorizes
officials to <a href="https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2017/11/european-law-claims-protect-consumers-blocking-web">order blocking of web sites</a> without a trial.


feed_id: ed02e39aa4a12dff23d3bdae920826d1
title: Thugs infiltrating protest groups
uri: Thugs-infiltrating-protest-groups
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#30_November_2017_%28Thugs_infiltrating_protest_groups%29

content:
<p>
The UK is <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2017/nov/21/undercover-police-abuse-public-inquiry-cover-up">holding an "investigation"</a> of thugs that were sent to infiltrate
protest groups and form sexual relationships with their members.
The investigation carefully protects the thugs and reveals nothing.


feed_id: 040dcc859e0f44464143ab8478a347f3
title: Nuclear weapon spending
uri: Nuclear-weapon-spending
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#30_November_2017_%28Nuclear_weapon_spending%29
content:
<p>
"[The US is] <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2017/11/20/us-stockpiling-nuclear-arms-and-cost-astonishing">spending $1.2 trillion</a> on [nuclear] weapons that
invariably make the world a more dangerous place."


feed_id: b7daa7e2fd5682fca55641d0d7c8f192
title: Tobacco apologies on TV
uri: Tobacco-apologies-on-TV
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#30_November_2017_%28Tobacco_apologies_on_TV%29
content:
<p>
Tobacco companies were ordered to publish apologies on TV for their lies
that covered up the dangers of smoking.  They have delayed this for 11 years
with court pleadings, but <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/business/2017/nov/26/tobacco-mea-culpa-companies-to-run-corrective-statements-on-smoking">ultimately lost</a> (or decided to stop delaying).
<p>
Their delaying strategy was very effective, because the order from 11
years ago did not require them to publish apologies in Facebook,
Google or Twitter.


feed_id: 041408588447706a91c72f50ae13ac0a
title: Criminal record checks
uri: Criminal-record-checks
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#30_November_2017_%28Criminal_record_checks%29
content:
<p>
Criminal convictions, even minor ones long ago, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2017/nov/25/irrelevant-criminal-record-checks-harm-job-hopes">exclude many people</a>
from all but the worst kinds of jobs.


feed_id: f568d4092c1cfce2c54c492363cd8719
title: Copyright troll
uri: 2017-11-30-Copyright-troll
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#30_November_2017_%28Copyright_troll%29
content:
<p>
A copyright troll in Poland sneakily manipulated thugs into <a href="https://torrentfreak.com/police-seize-hundreds-of-computers-over-pirate-movie-download-in-2013-171125/">seizing
the computers</a> of 200 or more people.  Some of them are accused of
forbidden sharing in 2013.  Some of them are merely mentioned as
witnesses in the case.


feed_id: e8d00170f4486d4d3a5e8e4cdf854f83
title: Automated censorship
uri: Automated-censorship
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#30_November_2017_%28Automated_censorship%29
content:
<p>
EU citizens: <a href="https://juliareda.eu/2017/11/civil-liberties-censorship-machines/">help protect Europe</a> from imposing a legal requirement for
automated censorship.
<p>
Switzerland is considering a <a href="https://torrentfreak.com/swiss-copyright-law-proposals-good-news-for-pirates-bad-for-pirate-sites-171124/">new copyright law</a> with that same
kind of requirement.


feed_id: 02b6dbe52b5d5e2e6dc8348c854d2fbd
title: Wiping out Rohingya reporters
uri: Wiping-out-Rohingya-reporters
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#30_November_2017_%28Wiping_out_Rohingya_reporters%29

content:
<p>
Myanmar <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2017/nov/27/starved-of-news-myanmar-derailing-coverage-rohingya-crisis-rakhine-state">Accused of Wiping Out</a> Secret Network of Rohingya Reporters.
Too many of them have disappeared for it to be a coincidence.


feed_id: 5cee029549d7d986eb7344e001f6a93b
title: Zuckerberg as president
uri: Zuckerberg-as-president
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#30_November_2017_%28Zuckerberg_as_president%29
content:
<p>
Zuckerberg seems to be planning to <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2017/nov/27/mark-zuckerberg-facebook-chief-executive-us-president">make himself president</a>, and
Facebook's personal data base and manipulative power could enable him
to do that.


feed_id: eef9697c33f4ae294f3e9b9d151a73ec
title: Koch brothers buying Time
uri: Koch-brothers-buying-Time
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#30_November_2017_%28Koch_brothers_buying_Time%29
content:
<p>
The Koch brothers are about to <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2017/nov/27/koch-brothers-time-magazine-media-power">buy Time Magazine</a>.
<p>
We must expect they will slant it to right-wing and planet-roaster propaganda.


feed_id: 8d56ba33c3d255268a40564723ccffbe
title: Despair of the disabled in UK
uri: Despair-of-the-disabled-in-UK
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#30_November_2017_%28Despair_of_the_disabled_in_UK%29

content:
<p>
The UK's policies make disabled people struggle to qualify for the benefits
they used to get.  Some of them <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/society/2017/nov/27/inquiry-into-disability-benefits-deluged-by-tales-of-despair">think about suicide</a>.
<p>
Many disabled people have been put in <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2017-jan-apr.html#17_March_2017_(Disabled_people_trapped_in_homes_by_Tories)">inaccessible apartments</a>, so they
can't get out unless people come to help them.
<p>
The effects of privatization are visible in the lack of training of
their assessors.  I suppose that the companies that contracted to do
this committed to hire qualified people for the job.  But the state
does not sue them or punish if they don't carry out that promise.  
In practice, privatization leads to unaccountability, and it shows.


feed_id: 86588ee25dc20d71b715b02013b22a93
title: Bitcoin bubble
uri: Bitcoin-bubble
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#30_November_2017_%28Bitcoin_bubble%29
content:
<p>
The value of bitcoin is <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2017/nov/27/bitcoin-nears-10000-dollar-mark-as-hedge-funds-plough-in">shooting up</a> in a speculative bubble.


feed_id: 2e3ec2471f7e597550efff143905b9e8
title: Setting fire to favelas
uri: Setting-fire-to-favelas
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#30_November_2017_%28Setting_fire_to_favelas%29
content:
<p>
Evidence suggests that fires in SÃ£o Paulo favelas are <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/cities/2017/nov/27/revealed-fires-sao-paulo-favelas-higher-value-land">intentionally set</a> to
force poor people off the land. 


feed_id: 2b778104788c3bb634761cdf51089f3a
title: Zimbabwe stolen funds
uri: Zimbabwe-stolen-funds
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#30_November_2017_%28Zimbabwe_stolen_funds%29
content:
<p>
Mnangagwa, new president of Zimbabwe, announced a <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/nov/28/zimbabwe-amnesty-public-funds-hidden-abroad-emmerson-mnangagwa">three-month amnesty</a>
for return of state funds stolen and sent offshore, after which he
says he will energetically prosecute the corrupt rich people that did
the stealing.


feed_id: 858e3f85d5d7b56deabbb1ddf2c32782
title: Public toilets in London
uri: Public-toilets-in-London
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#30_November_2017_%28Public_toilets_in_London%29
content:
<p>
London's mayor says he will <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2017/nov/28/london-needs-more-gender-neutral-public-toilets-says-mayors-plan">arrange to increase</a> the number of public
toilets, in particular those for disabled people.
<p>
This is very good, but I hope these toilets will be accessible
to poor people with no money.


feed_id: a75d0e76bb26008c91fdeca5c8c8ff93
title: Children in Yemen
uri: Children-in-Yemen
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#30_November_2017_%28Children_in_Yemen%29
content:
<p>
UNICEF says that <a href="https://www.unicef.org/media/media_101709.html">11 million children</a> in Yemen need humanitarian
assistance as a result of the war.
While the statement doesn't say who is responsible, we know
that those responsible are <a href="/glossary.html#salafi">Salafi Arabia</a> and its backers, primarily
the US.


feed_id: b7e1044453da013aa05d8d832a15d469
title: Tax attack death toll
uri: Tax-attack-death-toll
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#30_November_2017_%28Tax_attack_death_toll%29
content:
<p>
Since poverty increases the likelihood of death, some simple arithmetic
shows that the Republican tax attacks would <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2017/11/27/new-study-shows-how-taxing-rich-saves-lives-while-trumps-tax-plan-kills">kill around 30,000 per year</a>,
while Sanders' tax plan would save around 30,000 per year, both compared
with actual trends.
<p>
It also shows that going further than Sanders could save a lot more.


feed_id: f9c11d4f88bf6893f2b8388f992b9dfd
title: Weinstein 'trafficking'
uri: Weinstein-trafficking
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#30_November_2017_%28Weinstein_%27trafficking%27%29
content:
<p>
An actress is <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/film/2017/nov/27/harvey-weinstein-sued-for-alleged-sex-trafficking-in-cannes">suing Harvey Weinstein</a>, alleging events which would amount
to rape.  Strangely, the article describes this as "sex trafficking".
<p>
That's nonsense — she was not trafficked.  Rape should be called
"rape", and trafficking "trafficking", because they are very different
issues.


feed_id: 33fd64542c048325b8569590d7b6a125
title: Choosing peace in 2001
uri: Choosing-peace-in-2001
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#30_November_2017_%28Choosing_peace_in_2001%29
content:
<p>
Explaining to an American generation that has never known peace how
the US <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2017/11/27/what-if-alternative-strategy-sept-12-2001">could have chosen peace</a> in 2001, and avoided disaster after
disaster.
<p>
The US in 2001 could have got the Taliban's help in kicking out
al-Qa'ida, in exchange for peace with the US.  The Taliban had <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2010-may-aug.html#28%20July%202010%20(Taliban)">offered
such a deal</a> a short while before.
<p>
The history in the US since World War II has been a <a href="http://www1.cs.columbia.edu/~unger/articles/USwars.html">series of wars</a>,
massacres, and coups.
<p>
Ancient Greek democracy had problems too.  Athens under democratic
government converted its alliance into an extractive empire, fought a
war to defend that empire, and eventually lost, partly due to
mismanagement.  Along the way, it too committed massacres.


feed_id: bf46aaf446c67e8d9ee584f8a45edadf
title: Climate surprises
uri: Climate-surprises
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#30_November_2017_%28Climate_surprises%29
content:
<p>
<a href="http://nautil.us/blog/7-surprises-that-climate-change-will-throw-us">7 Surprises</a> That Climate Change Will Throw Us.
<p>
Humans may be too desperate to survive to keep track of these things.
Less reproduction would be a good thing.


feed_id: c932e9a7d09cf594c23aa698db84d840
title: Deforestation and water
uri: Deforestation-and-water
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#30_November_2017_%28Deforestation_and_water%29
content:
<p>
The <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/cities/2017/nov/28/sao-paulo-water-amazon-deforestation">Amazon Effect</a>: How Deforestation Is Starving SÃ£o Paulo of Water.


feed_id: 0695768990541e90acdddbfcda258b08
title: Squatters in elephant refuge
uri: Squatters-in-elephant-refuge
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#30_November_2017_%28Squatters_in_elephant_refuge%29
content:
<p>
Indian thugs in Assam are <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/nov/27/indian-police-use-elephants-to-evict-illegal-settlers">kicking squatters out</a> of an elephant refuge.
<p>
It is necessary to do this, but protecting any sort of wildlife will
get ever harder as India's population increases.  The only long-term
solution is to reduce births and start to bring the human population down.


feed_id: 4367f6c3eaa15edc1c0570b56f931bb0
title: Shell in Nigeria
uri: Shell-in-Nigeria
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#30_November_2017_%28Shell_in_Nigeria%29
content:
<p>
Amnesty Seeks Criminal Inquiry into Shell over <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2017/nov/28/amnesty-seeks-criminal-inquiry-into-shell-over-alleged-complicity-in-murder-and-torture-in-nigeria">Alleged Complicity</a> in Murder
And Torture in Nigeria.


feed_id: 9d60752b03f944782281b661080a5f24
title: Lee Ming-cheh sentenced
uri: Lee-Ming-cheh-sentenced
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#30_November_2017_%28Lee_Ming-cheh_sentenced%29
content:
<p>
China disappeared Lee Ming-cheh as he was visiting China, and only
later admitted he had been arrested.  Now he has been sentenced to
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/nov/28/serious-damage-to-china-taiwan-ties-as-activist-lee-ming-cheh-jailed">five years in prison</a> for supposedly planning to hand out subversive
publications.
<p>
That it makes this a crime convicts China yet again of tyranny.


feed_id: e26aac4c9827a19549f16be0397ac3ad
title: Testifying a confession
uri: Testifying-a-confession
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#30_November_2017_%28Testifying_a_confession%29
content:
<p>
Argentine activists advocate a law to allow people to <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/nov/28/argentina-death-flights-a-sons-fight-for-the-right-to-testify-against-his-father">testify against
their parents</a>.  Some want to testify that their fathers confessed to
helping murder dissidents during the military dictatorship.
<p>
I would like those murderers to be convicted, but should it be
possible to convict a person of a crime based on a witness's report
that the defendant confessed to per?  It seems to me that that would
make it easy to frame anyone for any crime: just testify "he confessed
to me that he did it."


feed_id: fc034f316eb02a942bd6a1f29a1c0d52
title: Nail salon chemicals
uri: Nail-salon-chemicals
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#30_November_2017_%28Nail_salon_chemicals%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2017/nov/28/us-nail-salons-the-challenge-to-protect-workers-from-chemicals">Toxic chemicals</a> used in nail salons make the staff really sick.
Simple equipment, provided by the EPA, can protect them.


feed_id: 3aa3105dd2ffa0a2c3828799df7914a8
title: Refugees and Syrian peace talks
uri: Refugees-and-Syrian-peace-talks
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#30_November_2017_%28Refugees_and_Syrian_peace_talks%29

content:
<p>
Turkey <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/nov/27/turkey-threatens-to-scrap-refugee-deal-over-syrian-peace-talks">threatens to send</a> millions of refugees to Europe if Syrian Kurds
are allowed to participate in peace talks.
<p>
This means either there will be no meaningful peace talks, or Turkey
and maybe other involved countries will try to crush the Kurds.


feed_id: d6633f5fbda626b902f091a462d6a4f8
title: Sentenced for 'insulting officials'
uri: Sentenced-for-insulting-officials
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#30_November_2017_%28Sentenced_for_%27insulting_officials%27%29

content:
<p>
Vladimir Timoshenko was <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/nov/27/russian-man-sent-to-penal-colony-for-insulting-officials-online">sentenced to prison</a> for "insulting officials"
in an internet post.
This demonstrates the tyranny of the Russian regime.
<p>
Imprisoning people for insulting someone is tyranny.


feed_id: 57b5ddffbdb433ff5d5a57a75d4dc57d
title: Kelp forests in danger
uri: Kelp-forests-in-danger
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#30_November_2017_%28Kelp_forests_in_danger%29
content:
<p>
<a href="/glossary.html#global heating">Global heating</a> is enabling sea urchins to
<a href="http://e360.yale.edu/features/as-oceans-warm-the-worlds-giant-kelp-forests-begin-to-disappear">wipe out kelp forests</a> and
the many other species that depend on them.
<p>
Most large sea animals start out as tiny larvae which need a place to
hide.  Coral reefs and kelp are very important to shelter the larva.


feed_id: a1b1bcda4288d5ebe2a30ceb0287b0e3
title: Electricity vs gas price
uri: Electricity-vs-gas-price
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#1_December_2017_%28Electricity_vs_gas_price%29
content:
<p>
Electricity for an electric car is<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2017/11/28/cities-across-country-driving-electric-cheaper-gasoline"> much cheaper</a> in the US than the
equivalent amount of gasoline.


feed_id: bcd26cf0d63cdd3d61c8fa8f793b4824
title: Refusing to serve occupation
uri: Refusing-to-serve-occupation
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#1_December_2017_%28Refusing_to_serve_occupation%29
content:
<p>
Noa Gur Golan refused to enter the Israeli army and serve the
occupation, and was jailed.  Her mother stated support for her
decision, so the Israeli extremist newspaper <a href="https://972mag.com/israel-hayoms-new-target-the-mother-of-a-conscientious-objector/130794/">demands she be fired</a>.


feed_id: 808da10a6eeff5eeaf4f9d8520f811d2
title: Allying with antisemites
uri: Allying-with-antisemites
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#1_December_2017_%28Allying_with_antisemites%29
content:
<p>
Israel and the Zionist Organization of America are <a href="https://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-5047110,00.html">allying in public</a>
with right-wing antisemites.  This is not a joke.
<p>
Israel cares less and less about support from mainstream US Jews,
since its lobbying power in the US now comes from <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2004-may-aug.html#21%20July%202004%20(Uncritical%20support%20for%20Israeli%20policies%20from%20Christian%20fanatics)">rich Christians</a>.
<p>
I forecast that a few more years will see Israel calling most American
Jews "self-hating anti-semites" while saying that right-wing Christian
billionaires and Bannon are not anti-semites.  This is what Orwell
referred to as "blackwhiting".


feed_id: 4353a44512dcc0ce65677b40079bb1fc
title: Israel's fees for court cases
uri: Israel-s-fees-for-court-cases
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#1_December_2017_%28Israel%27s_fees_for_court_cases%29

content:
<p>
Israel's parliament is considering <a href="https://www.timesofisrael.com/coalition-mks-seek-to-triple-cost-of-high-court-petitions-for-palestinians/">increasing the fees</a> for
Palestinians to file court cases.  Israel's courts sometimes protect
Palestinians' human rights when state agencies decide to trample them,
and the right-wing ruling parties want to squelch that without overtly
prohibiting it.


feed_id: 0b5fe7599ba300f92a125783a91c5d3a
title: Jabal al-Baba homes
uri: Jabal-al-Baba-homes
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#1_December_2017_%28Jabal_al-Baba_homes%29
content:
<p>
Israel has ordered the Palestinian inhabitants of Jabal al-Baba <a href="http://www.maannews.com/Content.aspx?id=779533">expelled
from their homes</a> to give their land to Israelis.


feed_id: 4a5e413d1fe64d3fed289b331d17572f
title: El Salvador colonel
uri: El-Salvador-colonel
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#1_December_2017_%28El_Salvador_colonel%29
content:
<p>
Former El Salvador Colonel <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/nov/29/former-el-salvador-colonel-extradited-to-spain-over-1989-of-jesuits">Extradited to Spain</a> over 1989 Murder of Jesuits.
<p>
This killing was done as part of a US-supported campaign to repress a
guerrilla uprising against the repressive plutocratic state.


feed_id: c743b35f624161df03dadaa52b9230d2
title: Pattern of incompetence
uri: Pattern-of-incompetence
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#1_December_2017_%28Pattern_of_incompetence%29
content:
<p>
Britain's army has suffered from a specific psychological pattern of
incompetence that has caused military disasters for over 150 years.
We may be <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2017/nov/29/military-incompetence-brexit-psychology-britain-battlefield">seeing the same thing</a> in political leadership now.


feed_id: 3d9390111480ce1295a8f0b523cb6352
title: Songbird navigation
uri: Songbird-navigation
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#1_December_2017_%28Songbird_navigation%29
content:
<p>
Eating one seed of corn soaked in neonicotinoids is enough to cause
some songbirds to <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2017/nov/29/common-pesticide-can-make-migrating-birds-lose-their-way-research-shows">have trouble navigating</a> for their migration.


feed_id: 0965ceae2e59250adc613e21f879dcd2
title: Mormon sexual abuse
uri: Mormon-sexual-abuse
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#1_December_2017_%28Mormon_sexual_abuse%29
content:
<p>
Mormon feminists are <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/nov/29/mormon-women-metoo-particular-challenge-sexual-abuse">challenging sexual abuse</a> in the Mormon church,
which combines with scorn for women that aren't "chaste" to cause
great suffering.
<p>
There are fathers that rape their daughters — and there are also
"recovered memory therapists" that <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2016-nov-feb.html#29_November_2016_(False_memories)">implant false memories</a> of childhood
sexual abuse that didn't happen.
A priori, either one could have
happened here.  The fact that Carol did not remember the abuse until
she worked with a therapist makes me suspect the latter.  It seems
that Carol's sister also need "help" to remember.
<p>
I hope there is a way to determine which one really occurred.


feed_id: 3dbf747ca2c9a3f780dd7f0eee5ecd52
title: Snowden docs 'terrorism'
uri: Snowden-docs-terrorism
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#1_December_2017_%28Snowden_docs_%27terrorism%27%29
content:
<p>
The UK government is still <a href="https://theintercept.com/2017/11/29/met-police-snowden-leaks-operation-curable/">investigating journalists</a> that worked on
the documents that Snowden revealed.
<p>
The UK labels this journalism as "terrorism", demonstrating that even
in pretend "free" countries we must be suspicious of policies labeled
as being against "terrorism".


feed_id: 1f47c578a4d701fe1a2092352efd3367
title: Not Stalinists
uri: Not-Stalinists
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#1_December_2017_%28Not_Stalinists%29
content:
<p>
Young People <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2017/nov/29/young-people-stalinist-capitalism-gulag">Aren't Stalinists</a> — They Just Wonder What Fairness Might Look
Like.
<p>
Don't equate Socialism with Communism!


feed_id: b85cf9ca37023ad5dda6f25884c3f823
title: Fines for food to homeless
uri: Fines-for-food-to-homeless
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#1_December_2017_%28Fines_for_food_to_homeless%29
content:
<p>
Once again, activists for Food Not Bombs are <a href="https://theintercept.com/2017/11/29/atlanta-feeding-homeless-permit-police/">threatened with fines</a> for
giving food to homeless people.
<p>
The cited reasons for this law include discouraging people from living
on the street, as well as bogus excuses.


feed_id: e5d4a81dd91b9e3423e45bb263586b26
title: Puerto Rico plan
uri: Puerto-Rico-plan
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#1_December_2017_%28Puerto_Rico_plan%29
content:
<p>
Senators including Sanders and Warren <a href="https://theintercept.com/2017/11/28/bernie-sanders-puerto-rico-elizabeth-warren-propose-146-billion-marshall-plan-for-puerto-rico/">proposed a plan</a> to help Puerto
Rico, both short-term and long-term.


feed_id: ebc8c715d9cca7e513b5830e0d893d4b
title: Antisemitism accusation
uri: Antisemitism-accusation
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#1_December_2017_%28Antisemitism_accusation%29
content:
<p>
The campaign that labels opposition to Israel's occupation policies
as antisemitism got a musician <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/music/2017/nov/29/roger-waters-broadcasts-cancelled-in-germany-over-accusations-of-antisemitism">kicked off the radio</a> in Germany.
<p>
Since false accusations of antisemitism are being made systematically
for political reasons, it is wrong to treat a person as suspect
because of "accusations of antisemitism" without looking at specifically
what the person was accused of doing.  Was it real antisemitism, or was
it defending Palestinians' human rights?


feed_id: 0475d82878cae3f235043ab653d09799
title: Wind turbine anxiety
uri: Wind-turbine-anxiety
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#1_December_2017_%28Wind_turbine_anxiety%29
content:
<p>
Wind turbines do not make people sick, but <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2017/nov/29/how-to-catch-wind-turbine-syndrome-by-hearing-about-it-and-then-worrying">anxiety about them</a> does.


feed_id: 3b60602e164372f1fe61659dead927e5
title: Endangered species
uri: 2017-12-01-Endangered-species
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#1_December_2017_%28Endangered_species%29
content:
<p>
There are so many endangered species now that it is <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2017/nov/29/how-little-brown-birds-get-overlooked-in-the-protection-pecking-order">impossible to fund
efforts</a> to protect all of them.
<p>
In 40 years there will be so many that it will be hard even to keep
track of the ones that we drive extinct.


feed_id: 6b2622eec356c3696abe9e1f8424fc5e
title: Uber spying and obstructing
uri: Uber-spying-and-obstructing
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#1_December_2017_%28Uber_spying_and_obstructing%29
content:
<p>
Uber operated a team to <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2017/nov/28/uber-court-waymo-trade-secrets-trial">spy on competitors</a> and to "impede, obstruct or
influence" legal investigations, according to an ex-manager who was
involved with the team.


feed_id: 2d286268528a42f41d8d2bf4a8033422
title: Future of world's conflicts
uri: Future-of-world-s-conflicts
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#1_December_2017_%28Future_of_world%27s_conflicts%29
content:
<p>
Tillerson said that budget cuts for the State Department and foreign
aid are predicated on the assumption that some of the world's main
conflicts and disputes will be <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2017/nov/28/rex-tillerson-state-department-can-be-cut-as-we-will-soon-solve-global-conflicts">solved very soon</a>.
<p>
This is an aspect of global heating denialism.  <a href="/glossary.html#global heating">Global heating</a> has
contributed to the conflict in Syria, which spilled over into Iraq,
and we know it is going to create more.


feed_id: 0dd51fe5753bbaaa4c6d950cefeec90d
title: US candidates on war
uri: US-candidates-on-war
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#1_December_2017_%28US_candidates_on_war%29
content:
<p>
Which candidate was going to increase US war — <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2017/nov/28/susan-sarandon-is-wrong-about-hillary-clinton">Clinton, or Trump</a>?
<p>
The answer is, either one was going to be worse than Obama, and much
worse than Sanders.


feed_id: a6fa7328938a53ff1d2840147d36926b
title: Preparing for disasters
uri: Preparing-for-disasters
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#1_December_2017_%28Preparing_for_disasters%29
content:
<p>
Puerto Rico: <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/nov/28/puerto-rico-urgently-needed-tarps-delayed-by-failed-30m-fema-contract">Urgently Needed Tarps</a> Delayed by Failed $30m FEMA Contract.
<p>
Aside from the carelessness on the specifics, this approach is asking
to lose.
<p>
Nowadays, even real commercial suppliers don't have a large inventory
of their products on hand.  A real supplier of tarps won't have a
million in stock.  How long does it take to produce a hundred thousand
tarps and transport them to the US from wherever they are made?
<p>
To handle a large disaster, FEMA must maintain large stockpiles of
tarps ready to hand out, not depend on purchasing them after the
disaster strikes.  Likewise for everything else that is needed fast
after a disaster.
<p>
You can make disaster response a lot more efficient by aiming to
handle only the smaller disasters.  It looks like this is what the US
has done — under pressure of budget cutting that should not be
happening at all.


feed_id: 1664c775c1847d5451e91227099c6751
title: Sea litter
uri: Sea-litter
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#2_December_2017_%28Sea_litter%29
content:
<p>
The rate of litter from the sea arriving on British beaches
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2017/nov/30/shocking-rise-in-rubbish-washing-up-on-uk-beaches">rose by 10%</a> in 2017.


feed_id: 32299c7142e460fe3771633ed36e3177
title: Spying on journalists
uri: Spying-on-journalists
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#2_December_2017_%28Spying_on_journalists%29
content:
<p>
Has Trump Made It Easier To Spy on Journalists? <a href="https://theintercept.com/2017/11/29/trumps-rules-for-spying-on-journalists-sought-in-federal-lawsuit/">Lawsuit Demands Answers</a>.
<p>
The only reliable way to make snooping on journalists any harder
is to <a href="https://gnu.org/philosophy/surveillance-vs-democracy.html">eliminate the systems</a> that make it easy to snoop on anyone and everyone.


feed_id: f30a8024599c2e517fc0ee592a112e50
title: 'Acting directors'
uri: Acting-directors
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#2_December_2017_%28%27Acting_directors%27%29
content:
<p>
<a href="/glossary.html#bully">The bully</a> has installed many "acting directors" as saboteurs for
federal agencies.  Some of these are now <a href="https://theintercept.com/2017/11/29/trump-administration-acting-director-cfpb-mick-mulvaney/">pretending to be</a> properly
appointed directors.


feed_id: 4eaa6dbb3cd7bdc014041f7d4cbc6813
title: 'Death flight' pilots
uri: Death-flight-pilots
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#2_December_2017_%28%27Death_flight%27_pilots%29
content:
<p>
Some Argentine pilots who carried drugged prisoners to be thrown into
the ocean <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/nov/29/argentina-death-flight-pilots-sentenced-for-deaths-including-popes-friend">have been sentenced</a> to life in prison.


feed_id: c19321f0d80bde26c9ffbb5dd63645e3
title: Palestinian expulsion
uri: Palestinian-expulsion
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#2_December_2017_%28Palestinian_expulsion%29
content:
<p>
Nine Democratic senators, plus Sanders, wrote to Nehanyahu <a href="https://theintercept.com/2017/11/29/in-unprecedented-move-ten-democratic-senators-write-to-israeli-leader-netanyahu-and-demand-he-halt-demolition-of-palestinian-village/">opposing planned
expulsions</a> of Palestinians.


feed_id: 1caaee27ad29c3085e1f3a7c1f4a2b94
title: Alex Azar on drug prices
uri: Alex-Azar-on-drug-prices
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#2_December_2017_%28Alex_Azar_on_drug_prices%29
content:
<p>
Alex Azar has a history of pushing drug prices up, but <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2017/nov/29/trumps-health-secretary-pick-pitches-himself-as-opponent-to-high-drug-prices">now he says</a> that if
he becomes the <a href="/glossary.html#saboteur">Saboteur</a> of Health and Human Services he will push them down.
<p>
Either he has suddenly developed a conscience, or he is a shameless liar
like the troll.


feed_id: 3163f75895294e22a0ef180f3ec368d5
title: Sea-level rise in US
uri: Sea-level-rise-in-US
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#2_December_2017_%28Sea-level_rise_in_US%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2017/nov/29/buried-in-marshes-sea-level-rise-could-destroy-historic-sites-on-us-east-coast">Sea-level rise</a> will affect the White House, Jamestown, and many
historical and archaeological sites on the US east coast, in this
century even with the lowest possible estimates.


feed_id: 1ec2e1a013c0576ccebf0e197ab6993a
title: RT's main target
uri: RT-s-main-target
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#2_December_2017_%28RT%27s_main_target%29
content:
<p>
RT's main target is the idea that <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/media/2017/nov/29/24-hour-putin-people-my-week-watching-kremlin-propaganda-channel-rt-russia-today">there is truth</a> and that we can
determine what it is.  Just like the troll.
<p>
If you accept that, you may give up on opposing the banksters, the
planet-roasters, and <a href="/glossary.html#doohnibor">dooH niboR</a>.  But they won't stop working on making you
poor and perhaps killing you.


feed_id: 998e3b698f2d2feffa96e462c623fc6d
title: Global heating denialists
uri: 2017-12-02-Global-heating-denialists
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#2_December_2017_%28Global_heating_denialists%29
content:
<p>
<a href="/glossary.html#global heating">Global heating</a> denialists focus their disinformation campaigns on
various <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/climate-consensus-97-per-cent/2017/nov/29/new-study-uncovers-the-keystone-domino-strategy-of-climate-denial">specific consequences</a> or indications of global heating.
In the minds of susceptible people, those specific points act as
stand-ins for global heating itself; convincing people that those
consequences or indications are false (even fallaciously) helps them
feel comfortable with the claim that there is no global heating.


feed_id: 5f3e57006f98a07bfd3b6315348745d3
title: Play breaks in school
uri: Play-breaks-in-school
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#2_December_2017_%28Play_breaks_in_school%29
content:
<p>
One elementary school started giving the students four 15-minute play
breaks each day, and discovered that the kids <a href="https://letgrow.org/not-secret-secret-success-school/">mostly did better</a>.
<p>
A single experience is not proof that this method will improve every
school, but does show it is not generally harmful.  Why not try it
elsewhere and see?


feed_id: 4849c9946b5035c93d05c0658bbf4780
title: 'Promoting terrorism' in UK
uri: Promoting-terrorism-in-UK
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#2_December_2017_%28%27Promoting_terrorism%27_in_UK%29

content:
<p>
The UK has <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2017/nov/29/two-detained-under-terrorism-act-as-uk-arrests-reach-record-high">arrested 379 people</a> for supposedly promoting terrorism in
July 2016 to June 2017.  Only 105 of them were subsequently charged
with "terrorism offenses".
<p>
Some of these 105 were charged for preparing (or even carrying out) a
real terrorist act, or trying to persuade others to do so.  The state
would like us to assume that all 105 were found doing those things,
but we have every reason to doubt that.  This is because the laws
against "terrorism" are so broad that many sorts of other activities
can be prosecuted as "terrorism".
<p>
Nonviolent support for various <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2014-jan-apr.html#17_March_2014_(British_journalist_threatened_under_pretext_of_suspicions_of_terrorism)">progressive causes</a> has been <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2013-sep-dec.html#07_December_2013_(Wikileaks_activist_wanted_not_to_go_home)">labeled
"terrorism"</a> in the UK.
So has studying or working on the information <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#1_December_2017_(Snowden_docs_'terrorism')">Snowden gave us</a>.
<p>
The FBI has often prosecuted feckless <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#10_October_2017_(Terrorism_plot)">fantasy terrorists</a>, who dreamed
of carrying out an attack but would never have tried anything outside
their fantasies (and lacked the competence to try).
I suspect the UK
does likewise.  Surely some of those charged in the UK are in the same
category.
<p>
Surely some are being prosecuted for having a <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2008-mar-jun.html#01%20June%202008%20(The%20crime%20of%20reading%20a%20book)">copy of a book</a> that the
state disparages.  That is included in the laws against "terrorism".
<p>
Even being suspected of preparing terrorism has been defined as a
crime in the UK.  People can literally be prosecuted for the <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2011-jul-oct.html#5_September_2011_(35,000_Worldwide_Convicted_for_Terror)">crime
of being suspected</a>.
<p>
By lumping these people together under a vague heading, the state
directs attention away from the question of what these people were
really accused of doing.  This enables the state to magnify the danger
(thus scaring people into parting with their freedom), make itself
look efficient, and disguise whether those people are real terrorists
or not.


feed_id: 497af521f68145b6491f19587e225f7d
title: TV networks on net neutrality
uri: TV-networks-on-net-neutrality
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#2_December_2017_%28TV_networks_on_net_neutrality%29
content:
<p>
US cable TV networks are <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2017/11/28/study-shows-corporate-cable-networks-largely-ignoring-fcc-plan-kill-net-neutrality">saying nothing</a> about impending network neutrality
decision.
Perhaps that is because most of them are also the ISPs that stand to
profit from eliminating network neutrality.


feed_id: 5f4df128eb062c00706416960aa3bb58
title: Campaign for school vouchers
uri: Campaign-for-school-vouchers
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#2_December_2017_%28Campaign_for_school_vouchers%29
content:
<p>
The Koch brothers are <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2017/11/28/koch-latino-front-group-instructs-arizona-moms-about-school-vouchers">spending heavily</a>, and secretly, on an ad
campaign for school vouchers in Arizona.
<p>
Americans have nearly always rejected school vouchers, which are a
scheme for states to direct public money into religious education.
The plan is typically designed so that a school voucher would not
offer enough money to pay for an unsubsidized private school.  (Those
would remain limited to wealthy parents.)  Thus, the only schools that
the vouchers would enable parents to select would be religious
schools, subsidized by a church.


feed_id: cc79605a99f55b8b878e6c511fabc48b
title: Gift to banks in tax attacks
uri: Gift-to-banks-in-tax-attacks
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#2_December_2017_%28Gift_to_banks_in_tax_attacks%29
content:
<p>
The big US banks would get a <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2017/11/28/wall-street-titans-poised-reap-28-billion-single-provision-senate-tax-bill">28-billion-dollar gift</a> from the SCROTUS
tax attacks.
<p>
SCROTUS are rushing in the <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2017/11/28/gop-process-designed-obscure-tax-plans-effects">hope of hiding</a> the bill's consequences from
the public.
<p>
That's what they did in their <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2017-jul-oct.html#1_July_2017_(Republicans_delay_Dontcare_bill)">previous attempt</a> to take medical
coverage from millions of Americans (which this bill also would do).
<p>
In case you don't know what this bill <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#21_November_2017_(US_foreign_investors)">would</a> <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#23_November_2017_(Grad_student_taxes)">do</a>, <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#30_November_2017_(Tax_attack_death_toll)">here</a> <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#24_November_2017_(Tax_attacks_and_real_estate)">are</a> <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#25_November_2017_(SCROTUS_tax_attacks)">descriptions</a>.


feed_id: 3f8e4cb51c3c8c52cb27e082bac47b40
title: Deporting long-term residents
uri: Deporting-long-term-residents
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#2_December_2017_%28Deporting_long-term_residents%29
content:
<p>
The UK is <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2017/nov/28/i-cant-eat-or-sleep-the-grandmother-threatened-with-deportation-after-50-years-in-britain">deporting people</a> who came there lawfully in the 1960s
and have lived there ever since.  Some of them were brought as children.


feed_id: 878c7aaf672242eb340513042b90600d
title: Honduras election
uri: Honduras-election
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#2_December_2017_%28Honduras_election%29
content:
<p>
The opposition candidate Nasralla had a tremendous lead in the
presidential election in Honduras; then the election computers
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/dec/01/honduras-election-protesters-clash-with-police-as-opposition-cries-foul">mysteriously went down</a> and the military's candidate asserted he was
the winner.
<p>
Something similar happened in Mexico in a presidential election in the
1990s.
<p>
Hondurans should not allow their election to be stolen.


feed_id: 24833a0d2ebccf04121c106a4dfaf1ce
title: Wells Fargo overcharging
uri: Wells-Fargo-overcharging
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#2_December_2017_%28Wells_Fargo_overcharging%29
content:
<p>
Wells Fargo <a href="http://thehill.com/policy/finance/362073-wells-fargo-overcharged-hundreds-of-customers-report">overcharged hundreds</a> of business customers for brokerage
services.  This happened because it gave its employees incentives to
cheat.


feed_id: bd25b17207fbce670ae4d490a9e40876
title: US hospitals want to charge
uri: US-hospitals-want-to-charge
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#2_December_2017_%28US_hospitals_want_to_charge%29
content:
<p>
US hospitals look for any excuse to do more <a href="https://www.propublica.org/article/a-hospital-charged-to-pierce-ears-why-health-care-costs-so-much">tests and procedures</a> that
they will charge an arm and a leg for.


feed_id: e3e773d7579fc4e54398a0f5622f4776
title: Amazon headquarters
uri: Amazon-headquarters
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#2_December_2017_%28Amazon_headquarters%29
content:
<p>
Chicago is offering <a href="http://www.independent.co.uk/news/business/news/amazon-hq2-chicago-tax-break-worker-income-taxes-headquarters-illinois-us-state-latest-news-tech-a8077776.html">over a billion dollars</a> to get Amazon to situate its second
headquarters there.
<p>
Offers like this undermine the tax revenue, not only of Chicago, but of other
American cities and states.


feed_id: 1613064a0c7cf3277d68a18122fb3ed3
title: Huge battery in Australia
uri: Huge-battery-in-Australia
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#2_December_2017_%28Huge_battery_in_Australia%29
content:
<p>
A <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2017/dec/01/south-australia-turns-on-teslas-100mw-battery-history-in-the-making">new 100-mwh battery</a> is now operating in Australia to store excess power from
a windfarm and distribute it at other times.


feed_id: 136f96529f2fb8e14757da1e258282d1
title: Birth defects and toxic waste
uri: Birth-defects-and-toxic-waste
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#2_December_2017_%28Birth_defects_and_toxic_waste%29
content:
<p>
Gela, in Sicily, has an extremely high rate of birth defects.  The
executives of the oil refinery there have been charged with <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/dec/01/sicilians-take-aim-at-oil-monster-they-blame-for-childrens-birth-defects">dumping
toxic wastes</a> into the nearby sea.


feed_id: 7a290c15a1008d33601ab3f49ab3ab66
title: Grad student protests
uri: Grad-student-protests
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#2_December_2017_%28Grad_student_protests%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2017/11/29/gradtaxwalkout-students-nationwide-denounce-tax-proposals-assault-higher-ed">Graduate students protested</a> at many US universities against ruinous
tax increases for them in the Republican tax attacks.


feed_id: eb6cf3624bece063d6b688592fb4859d
title: Department of Justice
uri: Department-of-Justice
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#2_December_2017_%28Department_of_Justice%29
content:
<p>
Bias in the Department of Justice: it is <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2017/11/29/trumps-tough-crime-doj-will-let-corporate-bribery-slide">more interested</a> in punishing
despised individuals for small crimes than in punishing multinational
corporations for giant ones.
<p>
To be fair, this didn't start in January: <a href="https://stallman.org/notes/2011-nov-feb.html#11_February_2012_(Obama_And_Banksters)">Obama also shielded</a> the rich
and powerful.


feed_id: 9c7d205fbcbb0d2026f6388a2fba9e35
title: Family farms
uri: Family-farms
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#2_December_2017_%28Family_farms%29
content:
<p>
Family farms are <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2017/11/29/inside-pity-our-farmers-tax-reform-scam">not in any danger</a> from the estate tax.
That is to say, the few family farms that Reagan didn't <a href="https://stallman.org/doggerel.html#OldMacDonald">wipe out</a>.
<p>
Small farms do face economic problems, but <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2017/11/29/stop-pretending-estate-tax-has-anything-do-family-farmers">not about the estate tax</a>.
<p>
The <a href="http://sustainableagriculture.net/our-work/campaigns/fbcampaign/localregional-food/local-farms-act/">Local FARMS act</a> would help more of them sell food directly to the
public.


feed_id: ef926f79c24e6ddc887c2749a5fbb39c
title: Truce in East Ghouta, Syria
uri: Truce-in-East-Ghouta-Syria
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#2_December_2017_%28Truce_in_East_Ghouta%2C_Syria%29
content:
<p>
A truce in East Ghouta, Syria, should include evacuation of <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2017/11/29/east-ghouta-truce-must-include-evacuation-hundreds-sick-and-wounded">sick and
wounded people</a>.


feed_id: 35f0b1d981747f6c61b9fa4040339a76
title: Threat to banksters' dominion
uri: Threat-to-banksters-dominion
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#2_December_2017_%28Threat_to_banksters%27_dominion%29

content:
<p>
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2017/nov/30/jeremy-corbyn-morgan-stanley-labour-brexit">Corbyn responds</a> to Morgan Stanley, "So when they say weâre a threat,
theyâre right.  Weâre a threat to a damaging and failed system thatâs
rigged for the few."
<p>
Let's threaten the banksters' dominion!


feed_id: a0072dcb4974957af67b348deac8da9d
title: Bigots in the UK
uri: Bigots-in-the-UK
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#2_December_2017_%28Bigots_in_the_UK%29
content:
<p>
Bigots in the UK <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2017/nov/30/trump-twitter-far-right-racism-hate">exult in being endorsed</a> by the bully.
<p>
Bullies <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2017/nov/30/the-guardian-view-on-donald-trump-bullies-never-respect-sycophants">Never Respect Sycophants</a>: the UK should cancel its invitation
to the bully.


feed_id: a0751f4ba61c4719a42faed53611f230
title: Giro d'Italia race
uri: Giro-d-Italia-race
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#2_December_2017_%28Giro_d%27Italia_race%29
content:
<p>
Italy has a peculiar plan to start the Giro d'Italia bicycle race in
Jerusalem.  Now <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/nov/30/israel-threatens-giro-ditalia-bike-race-west-jerusalem-cycling">Israel demands</a> that Italy describe this with
terminology that endorses Israel's annexation of the old city of
Jerusalem, or else Israel will refuse to participate.
<p>
Regardless of politics, I don't see how it makes sense to include
Jerusalem in an Italian road race.  If the race organizers want to
avoid foreign politics, they should hold the Giro d'Italia inside Italy.


feed_id: e84d0635b6fa1dc1977010e253f52955
title: Bosnian Croats general
uri: Bosnian-Croats-general
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#2_December_2017_%28Bosnian_Croats_general%29
content:
<p>
A general of the Bosnian Croats committed suicide with poison just
after hearing his 20-year sentence confirmed.  Now investigators seek
to <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/law/2017/nov/30/dutch-police-launch-inquiry-into-death-of-war-criminal-slobodan-praljak">find and prosecute</a> whoever gave him the poison.
<p>
I don't think they did anything wrong, and it is silly to investigate
anyone.  I can respect a person's preference to die, rather than live
in prison.  That doesn't mean I disagree with the sentence.


feed_id: 5e7d78189083889a6ae615b1430792e6
title: Holiday pay from Guber etc.
uri: Holiday-pay-from-Guber-etc
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#2_December_2017_%28Holiday_pay_from_Guber_etc.%29
content:
<p>
A European court ruled that Guber and other companies <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2017/nov/30/gig-economy-workers-paid-holiday-european-court-of-justice-holiday-brexit">owe their
employees</a> (which they pretend are "independent contractors") back payment
for years of legally required holiday pay.


feed_id: ae7d001102bbe1acc32e1d48f15c5560
title: Belligerence toward North Korea
uri: Belligerence-toward-North-Korea
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#2_December_2017_%28Belligerence_toward_North_Korea%29

content:
<p>
<a href="/glossary.html#trump">The troll</a>'s belligerence toward North Korea is
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2017/nov/30/donald-trump-menacing-talk-north-korea-us-isolated">making allies uncomfortable</a>.


feed_id: 0f0b1a51f83a0de7cc867721d6ee99d3
title: Tax breaks vs. rent
uri: Tax-breaks-vs-rent
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#2_December_2017_%28Tax_breaks_vs._rent%29
content:
<p>
US Spends <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2017/nov/30/us-tax-break-rich-homeowners-homelessness">Twice As Much</a> on Tax Break for Rich As on Rent for the Poorest.


feed_id: 705a0aeb03a97049127044bbdd2e003b
title: Measuring the economy
uri: Measuring-the-economy
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#2_December_2017_%28Measuring_the_economy%29
content:
<p>
The GDP is a <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2017/nov/30/fixation-economic-growth-gdp-pollution-gambling">bad way to measure</a> how the economy does good for people.
It counts many forms of waste, even harm.  It also disregards inequality.
Let's stop focusing on that.


feed_id: a5acf7cfb7a440fcd200d4c52bad2544
title: Rohingya girls marrying
uri: Rohingya-girls-marrying
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#2_December_2017_%28Rohingya_girls_marrying%29
content:
<p>
Rohingya Girls As Young As 12 <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2017/nov/30/young-rohingya-girls-bangladesh-compelled-marry-food-rations">Compelled to Marry</a> Just to Get Food.
This is because rations for refugees are handed out "per family".
<p>
The root cause, however, is having too many children.  Is this because
we have failed to provide them with reliable birth control?


feed_id: 5bdef8369378c96ad6c04c1052d924af
title: Stealing from the low-paid
uri: Stealing-from-the-low-paid
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#2_December_2017_%28Stealing_from_the_low-paid%29
content:
<p>
Why Do Ministers Do Nothing about <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2017/nov/30/bosses-steal-from-low-paid-2-million-workers-cheated-wages">Bosses Who Steal</a> from the Low-Paid?
<p>
Because the victims are not rich?


feed_id: 225244a02647a899290133ae7c81742b
title: Urgent: gun control 'reciprocity'
uri: Urgent-gun-control-reciprocity
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#3_December_2017_%28Urgent%3A_gun_control_%27reciprocity%27%29

content:
<p>
US citizens: <a href="http://act.everytown.org/letter/send-message-your-representative-reject-hr-38/">call on your congresscritter</a> to vote against gun control
"reciprocity", which would deny each state the power to regulate
carrying guns in that state.


feed_id: 44cb4ebd5b40b8e36a631f990c6886b7
title: Urgent: reporter's notes
uri: Urgent-reporter-s-notes
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#3_December_2017_%28Urgent%3A_reporter%27s_notes%29
content:
<p>
US citizens: <a href="https://stallman.org/petitions/petition-russiagate/">call on Congress</a> not to force a reporter to show his notes.


feed_id: 10a23055574cc583712152de255d37ff
title: Urgent: sanctions on Burma
uri: Urgent-sanctions-on-Burma
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#3_December_2017_%28Urgent%3A_sanctions_on_Burma%29
content:
<p>
US citizens: <a href="https://act.credoaction.com/sign/Pass_Burma_Sanctions_2017">call on Congress</a> to impose economic sanctions on Burma
to stop its genocide against the Rohingya.


feed_id: 5919f841f9397a5b93d80e8030a06bec
title: Disabilities and arrest
uri: Disabilities-and-arrest
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#3_December_2017_%28Disabilities_and_arrest%29
content:
<p>
People with disabilities are <a href="http://www.futurity.org/people-with-disabilities-police-1618822/">especially likely</a> to be arrested in the
US.


feed_id: a517b81ed6f4e87ddf3a6e2a3edc56b1
title: NIH-supported homeopathy
uri: NIH-supported-homeopathy
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#3_December_2017_%28NIH-supported_homeopathy%29
content:
<p>
Many NIH-supported cancer centers now promote quackery including
homeopathy under the name <a href="https://arstechnica.com/science/2017/11/creeping-quackery-integrative-cancer-care-spreading-in-nih-supported-centers/">"integrative medicine."</a>
<p>
The promoters have rebranded exercise and diet as "integrative
medicine", so they can prove that not all "integrative medicine" is
bogus, and they pretend that that lends credibility to the other
things that they label the same way.


feed_id: 944337c0d1ec346c0d27bee98c007387
title: Senate passes tax attack
uri: Senate-passes-tax-attack
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#3_December_2017_%28Senate_passes_tax_attack%29
content:
<p>
Senate Republicans have <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2017/dec/02/republican-tax-bill-explained">passed a version</a> of the tax attacks bill,
which also allows <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#25_November_2017_(SCROTUS_tax_attacks)">oil drilling in ANWR</a>
and cuts off <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#2_December_2017_(Gift_to_banks_in_tax_attacks)">funds for treatment</a> of non-rich people that get cancer.
<p>
The House and Senate versions are different, so to finish devastating millions
of Americans' lives, the Republicans in the two houses need to agree.
<p>
This provides a small chance of derailing them.


feed_id: 3d16c4a36b1c2f05f29ebf5b3e20fc6b
title: Living in cars
uri: Living-in-cars
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#3_December_2017_%28Living_in_cars%29
content:
<p>
As poverty in the US increases, many Americans who can't afford any
home are now <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2017/dec/02/nomadland-living-in-cars-working-amazon">living in cars</a>.
<p>
Often they work for Amazon, because Amazon pays so little.
This is one of <a href="https://stallman.org/amazon.html">many reasons</a> not to buy anything from Amazon.


feed_id: 06cbc4c74ecc7fe64be4522698154612
title: Imitation cell towers
uri: Imitation-cell-towers
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#3_December_2017_%28Imitation_cell_towers%29
content:
<p>
It's not just thugs that operate imitation cell towers to snoop on the
public.  Some of them may be operated by <a href="https://www.techdirt.com/articles/20171130/07551638706/senator-wyden-asks-dhs-to-look-into-cell-tower-spoofer-use-foreign-entities-washington-dc.shtml">foreign spies</a>.
<p>
The latter may be more shocking but I think the former is more
dangerous.


feed_id: 972a1dda71e3c9502dcae25a95f4d843
title: 'Concealed ownership' of bitcoin
uri: Concealed-ownership-of-bitcoin
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#3_December_2017_%28%27Concealed_ownership%27_of_bitcoin%29

content:
<p>
The US Senate is <a href="https://btcmanager.com/us-senate-bill-s-1241-criminalize-concealed-owne">considering a bill</a> to prohibit "concealed ownership"
of a bitcoin wallet.  Or any other digital currency.
<p>
It would be only one small further step to prohibit concealed
ownership of dollar bills.


feed_id: 81589bb1396eaed46d0a38d3c645e4f6
title: Political murders in Malta
uri: Political-murders-in-Malta
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#3_December_2017_%28Political_murders_in_Malta%29
content:
<p>
Malta <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/dec/02/daphne-caruana-galizia-malta-death-of-journalist-meps">avoids investigating</a> political murders.


feed_id: b98824ce9423296f9b127dc712935904
title: US stake in Honduras
uri: US-stake-in-Honduras
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#3_December_2017_%28US_stake_in_Honduras%29
content:
<p>
The US has <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2017/12/01/honduran-election-being-stolen-eight-years-after-us-backed-coup">a lot at stake</a> in making corrupt president HernÃ¡ndez win in
Honduras.
<p>
I wouldn't expect the US to respect democracy in Honduras more than
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2016-nov-feb.html#27_December_2016_(Republican_election-rigging)">Republicans do in the US</a>.


feed_id: f617ae581f5db72a90b1932139d7cbc3
title: Cluster bombs
uri: 2017-12-04-Cluster-bombs
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#3_December_2017_%28Cluster_bombs%29
content:
<p>
The bully has <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2017/12/01/trump-dod-scraps-plan-ban-cluster-bombs-maim-children-and-civilians-worldwide">cancelled a plan</a> to stop using cluster bombs that leave lots of
unexploded submunitions that can maim children later.


feed_id: 28d567f57eba9217632c0eb9df15a0bd
title: Barred from WTO activism
uri: Barred-from-WTO-activism
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#3_December_2017_%28Barred_from_WTO_activism%29
content:
<p>
Argentina has <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2017/12/01/wto-talks-legitimacy-undermined-argentina-blocks-civil-society-attendance">barred some activists</a> from the WTO negotiations.
<p>
The WTO negotiations are potentially very dangerous because many governments
will want to strengthen that <a href="https://stallman.org/business-supremacy-treaty.html">business-supremacy treaty</a>,
and it is not certain
that others will block this.  Governments can easily be bought off if
they look at the matter of trade in terms of maximizing exports, which
in a plutocratic state is at best a secondary factor for people's wellbeing.


feed_id: 93c9a6cf7b2482bad610e24a625e74e3
title: Pressure on Russia investigation
uri: Pressure-on-Russia-investigation
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#3_December_2017_%28Pressure_on_Russia_investigation%29

content:
<p>
The bully <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2017/12/01/can-you-spell-obstruction-gop-senators-admit-trump-asked-them-curb-russia-probe">tried to pressure</a> Republican senators to shut down the investigation
into his ties with Russia.


feed_id: c1bebd711f8fd3766e48fa32e623449d
title: Walmart and online clothing
uri: Walmart-and-online-clothing
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#3_December_2017_%28Walmart_and_online_clothing%29
content:
<p>
Walmart treats workers with contempt, as well as paying them very
little.  Now it has bought some clothing companies that sell online
and appeal to wealthier patrons, who <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2017/12/01/help-women-walmart-today">propose boycott</a>.
<p>
Keep in mind that Amazon is <a href="https://stallman.org/amazon.html">just as bad</a> — boycott them both.


feed_id: 94a7bc8d72b921bd9e5cda71d36131a7
title: Human rights in the US
uri: Human-rights-in-the-US
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#3_December_2017_%28Human_rights_in_the_US%29
content:
<p>
The UN is <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/dec/01/un-extreme-poverty-america-special-rapporteur">investigating</a> whether the extreme poverty now afflicting
many in the US has the effect of denying poor people their human rights.


feed_id: a31cd726f524c33c54db020862d6139b
title: Symphony for a Broken Orchestra
uri: Symphony-for-a-Broken-Orchestra
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#3_December_2017_%28Symphony_for_a_Broken_Orchestra%29

content:
<p>
The <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/music/2017/dec/01/what-can-we-learn-from-an-orchestra-of-broken-instruments">Symphony for a Broken Orchestra</a> is a way to show what budget cuts
have done to music education in Philadelphia, and probably in most of America.


feed_id: 074641e75fdd8c6769e8125c132e9fcb
title: Family benefits
uri: Family-benefits
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#3_December_2017_%28Family_benefits%29
content:
<p>
The <a href="/glossary.html#scrotus">SCROTUS</a> tax attacks include special tax cuts for particular industries
that are <a href="https://theintercept.com/2017/12/01/special-giveaways-in-tax-cut-bill-benefit-family-members-colleagues-of-key-gop-senators/">linked to relatives</a> of Republican politicians.


feed_id: 6c590e0e4a5a6123864d8b5e7bb10f04
title: Parents with other relationships
uri: Parents-with-other-relationships
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#3_December_2017_%28Parents_with_other_relationships%29

content:
<p>
A judge decided to <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/society/2017/nov/30/children-removed-from-family-home-over-parents-open-relationship">take children away</a> for their parents and have them
adopted, because their parents (who live together) have other sexual
relationships.
<p>
While officials say they are not concerned with the parents' other
sexual relationships, only with alleged "neglect", it is clear that
they have defined "neglect" to include "having other sexual
relationships."  This shows their decision stems from monogamist bias.


feed_id: 8ec76901033442c17835b881956665b0
title: Social mobility
uri: 2017-12-04-Social-mobility
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#3_December_2017_%28Social_mobility%29
content:
<p>
The <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2017/dec/01/social-mobility-labour-government-tackle-inequality">Labour Party says</a>: Social Mobility Isn't Enough.


feed_id: 50325720aea0932e1385cf6d43dc1487
title: Flynn's plea bargain
uri: Flynn-s-plea-bargain
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#3_December_2017_%28Flynn%27s_plea_bargain%29
content:
<p>
Michael Flynn, previously the bully's national security advisor,
appears to have <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2017/dec/01/trumps-ex-national-security-adviser-michael-flynn-charged-with-lying-to-fbi">made a plea bargain</a>.
<p>
Flynn's guilty plea indicates his testimony <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2017/dec/01/michael-flynn-plea-trump-russia-inquiry-analysis">inculpates someone important</a> in
the bully's transition team.


feed_id: bb042752a38525f97225c67687593142
title: Tory pornography
uri: Tory-pornography
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#3_December_2017_%28Tory_pornography%29
content:
<p>
A Tory minister is accused of … <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2017/dec/01/damian-green-thousands-of-pornographic-images-on-computer-says-detective">looking at pornography</a>???
So what?
<p>
As a Tory and a member of Parliament, he is directly involved in
kicking the unemployed, the disabled, and low-paid workers <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2015-nov-feb.html#5_February_2016_(99,000_families_evicted_in_the_UK)">out of their homes</a>
and making them <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2017-jul-oct.html#24_October_2017_(Universal_credit)">go hungry</a>.
He is directly involved in <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2017-jul-oct.html#28_July_2017_(NHS_understaffed)">undermining</a> the
National Health Service,
thus denying medical care to all but <a href="media/62a79bb0.anuran-bevan.jpg" data-original-source="https://stallman.org/images/anuran-bevan.jpg">rich
people</a>.
He is directly involved in <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2017-mar-jun.html#26_May_2017_(Tories_plan_state-controlled_censorship)">massive surveillance and
censorship</a>.
<p>
Looking at pornography may be the only thing he does in his job
that doesn't harm most Britons.
<p>
"If Damian Green looked at porn at work, thatâs<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2017/dec/01/damian-green-porn-work-police-mp"> not a police matter</a>."


feed_id: 59aafcc3c7968c474874f9f7b752fa8e
title: Clean Power Plan hearing
uri: Clean-Power-Plan-hearing
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#3_December_2017_%28Clean_Power_Plan_hearing%29
content:
<p>
The saboteurs at the EPA held just one hearing about cancelling the
Clean Power Plan, and that in a coal-mining area.  But even though
coal magnates made their employees attend, plenty of local people
<a href="https://theintercept.com/2017/11/30/epa-clean-power-plan-coal-industry/">spoke in favor</a> of the Clean Power Plan.


feed_id: 2b8bc342de94a85be4ed774f8edc5959
title: Urgent: bank deregulation
uri: Urgent-bank-deregulation
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#4_December_2017_%28Urgent%3A_bank_deregulation%29
content:
<p>
US citizens: <a href="https://act.credoaction.com/sign/warren_sanders_dodd_frank">call on Senate Democrats</a> to resist Republican plans to
deregulate banks.


feed_id: 80c2330b06965e6b500bfa310b2124a6
title: Recycling old ships
uri: Recycling-old-ships
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#4_December_2017_%28Recycling_old_ships%29
content:
<p>
Shipping companies outsource the breaking and recycling of old ships
to companies that do it in Bangladesh and <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2017/dec/02/chittagong-shipbreaking-yards-legal-fight">disregard their workers' safety</a>.


feed_id: 2e4b860ebf51587e79b14b09fd4b4869
title: Support for tax attacks
uri: Support-for-tax-attacks
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#4_December_2017_%28Support_for_tax_attacks%29
content:
<p>
<a href="/glossary.html#scrotus">SCROTUS</a> presented a letter of support for the tax attacks, "signed by
137 economists".  <a href="https://theintercept.com/2017/12/01/gops-list-of-economists-backing-tax-cut-includes-ghosts-office-assistants-ex-felons-and-a-sprinkling-of-real-economists/">It was fake news</a>.


feed_id: 336007b2404c34428e8eed037623e39e
title: Overdose prevention drug
uri: Overdose-prevention-drug
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#4_December_2017_%28Overdose_prevention_drug%29
content:
<p>
Pennsylvania legislators want to <a href="https://reason.com/archives/2017/12/01/legislators-dust-off-medieval">make it a crime</a> for drug dealers to carry
naloxone — a drug that prevents death from overdoses of opioids.
<p>
This scheme aims to discourage opioid use by making it more dangerous.


feed_id: c6f73aec7de2a1ed03542f6b552c8375
title: Fembots
uri: Fembots
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#4_December_2017_%28Fembots%29
content:
<p>
A woman hopes that fembots will satisfy men's shallow attraction so
that men will <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2017/dec/03/sex-robots-technology-women-artificial-intelligence">leave her alone</a>.
<p>
People have debated for decades whether a robot capable of
humanlike thought and emotion would really be conscious.  Applying the
question to hypothetical sexbots with human mental capability, the
question becomes, do they have real orgasms or faked orgasms?
<p>
If they don't have real orgasms and feel real delight, I can't see what the
point of having sex with them would be.


feed_id: a0b537a834d82c20080ac5b3546a454f
title: WeWork scheme
uri: WeWork-scheme
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#4_December_2017_%28WeWork_scheme%29
content:
<p>
WeWork: a scheme to merge people's non-work life into their work life
and <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2017/dec/03/digital-hippies-integrate-life-and-work-wework-data-firms">collect data</a> about every activity in it.
<p>
I refuse to use Meetup.com because it requires running a nonfree app
and identifying oneself.


feed_id: eaf26c7ba9f445df63f43b4f5b5165c9
title: HIV disinformation
uri: HIV-disinformation
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#4_December_2017_%28HIV_disinformation%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/society/2017/dec/03/homophobia-feeds-russia-hiv-epidemic">Disinformation</a> about HIV leads people to have unsafe sex because they think
condoms don't prevent transmission.
Then they don't dare get tested for HIV.


feed_id: 2b6cf84c06c155e77b411de703ca2a73
title: Vaquita porpoises
uri: Vaquita-porpoises
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#4_December_2017_%28Vaquita_porpoises%29
content:
<p>
The plan to capture some vaquita porpoises so they could reproduce in
safe circumstances <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2017/dec/03/vaquita-porpoise-extinction-threat-rescue-plan-abandoned">had to be cancelled</a>.  It turns out that they cannot
endure captivity.
<p>
How about sailing around and cutting the illegal nets that kill the vaquitas?
It's better than giving up and letting extinction take its course.


feed_id: 1fcdffa3a1f76a997318ebd2becb4c37
title: We want our money back
uri: We-want-our-money-back
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#4_December_2017_%28We_want_our_money_back%29
content:
<p>
After the <a href="/glossary.html#scrotus">SCROTUS</a> tax attacks, non-rich Americans should say,
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2017/12/02/we-want-our-money-back-rallying-cry-99-after-gop-tax-scam-bill-passes-senate">"We want our money back!"</a>
<p>
This refers to the money that we will have to pay to make up for the
Republican cuts in programs that we depend on.


feed_id: aa66e067b7f6ab13ff9fb8df32898dc7
title: North Korea's weapons
uri: North-Korea-s-weapons
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#4_December_2017_%28North_Korea%27s_weapons%29
content:
<p>
Clinton's negotiations brought North Korea onto a path away from
nuclear weapons through the Agreed Framework.  If only Republicans had
allowed it to continue, we wouldn't have to worry about <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2017/12/02/korea-end-67-year-war">North Korea's
ICBMs</a>.
<p>
One point in the article calls for correction.  To make a contingency
plan for <em>how</em> to attack North Korea does not constitute "planning to
attack North Korea".


feed_id: 0198064fcd27e7501a99165886af3945
title: 'Anonymous' mailboxes
uri: Anonymous-mailboxes
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#4_December_2017_%28%27Anonymous%27_mailboxes%29
content:
<p>
Warning: many advertised "anonymous" mailboxes <a href="https://www.counterpunch.org/2017/11/08/warning-to-spanish-and-other-whistleblowers-anonymous-boxes-which-are-not-anonymous/">aren't really anonymous</a>.


feed_id: 802443e58c2d0920d560c2681d8bb703
title: New opioid addiction treatments
uri: New-opioid-addiction-treatments
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#4_December_2017_%28New_opioid_addiction_treatments%29

content:
<p>
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/business/2017/dec/02/drugs-firms-join-fight-against-opioid-painkiller-deaths-epidemic">New medications</a> are becoming available to treat opioid addiction.


feed_id: beb4ff1f4f8405ac17b59f20c8cc2e80
title: Denying cancer treatment
uri: Denying-cancer-treatment
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#4_December_2017_%28Denying_cancer_treatment%29
content:
<p>
How the <a href="/glossary.html#scrotus">SCROTUS</a> tax attacks will
<a href="https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2017/11/29/1719511/-The-Republican-tax-bill-will-end-cancer-treatment-for-Medicare-patients?detail=emaildkbn">deny cancer treatment</a> to many non-rich Americans.
<p>
This on top of <a href="https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2017/12/1/1720176/-Cancer-doctors-make-emergency-trip-to-DC-to-warn-senators-on-tax-bill?detail=emaildkre">other cutbacks</a> in cancer care that were caused, over the past 3 years, by the "sequester".
<p>
Americans, when your relatives or friends are killed by Republicans, 
denounce the Republicans in their funerals!


feed_id: f1c709fe24cc662fcc1133189ff6db13
title: Coping with unfairness
uri: Coping-with-unfairness
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#4_December_2017_%28Coping_with_unfairness%29
content:
<p>
Parents should help children cope with the <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2017/dec/01/life-is-unfair-and-its-a-parents-job-to-ensure-children-know-it">unfairness of life</a>, not
pretend life is fair.
<p>
Coping with unfairness does not mean being downtrodden.  In order to
fight against injustice, you need to understand that justice and
injustice both exist in life.  Sometimes the way to cope with an
unfairness is to fight and change it.  But in order to win you must be
prepared to continue even though you lose some battles.


feed_id: 965090fecd3d28ff9f3b694f0d30c264
title: Flynn's false testimony
uri: Flynn-s-false-testimony
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#4_December_2017_%28Flynn%27s_false_testimony%29
content:
<p>
The false testimony Flynn pled guilty to concerned <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2017/12/01/michael-flynn-jared-kushner-and-logan-act">an effort</a> by
the troll to work for Netanyahu to sabotage then-president Obama's foreign
policy.
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2016-nov-feb.html#9_January_2017_(Obama_finally_stands_up_to_Netanyahu)">Obama had decided</a> not to stand in the way of UN condemnation of
Israel's annexation of parts of the occupied West Bank.
Netanyahu thought the troll could prevent the vote from taking place.
<p>
By offering to do this, the troll <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2016-nov-feb.html#5_January_2017_(Troll_may_have_violated_Logan_act)">violated a law</a> called the Logan Act.
That violation is what Flynn was testifying about when he lied.


feed_id: 7966503fabd49439d4d24b2d50921f49
title: Honduras emergency powers
uri: Honduras-emergency-powers
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#4_December_2017_%28Honduras_emergency_powers%29
content:
<p>
The government of Honduras, which appears to be in the process of
stealing the election, has declared a <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/dec/02/honduras-suspends-rights-as-violence-spreads-over-delayed-vote-count">form of emergency powers</a> to help
thugs and soldiers suppress the people's resistance.


feed_id: 5c5e501fdd64cf39ccd733079702bf47
title: McCain's principles
uri: McCain-s-principles
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#4_December_2017_%28McCain%27s_principles%29
content:
<p>
Senator McCain claimed a few months ago to have principles about proper Senate
procedure, but he has <a href="https://theintercept.com/2017/12/02/john-mccain-claimed-he-cares-about-honor-in-the-senate-his-tax-vote-shows-he-lied/">completely forgotten</a> them now.


feed_id: c28e59e2d5097f79ab1c4d8b54bd8e40
title: Charlottesville investigator
uri: Charlottesville-investigator
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#4_December_2017_%28Charlottesville_investigator%29
content:
<p>
An independent investigator says that the Charlottesville thug
department did a very bad job of dealing with the white supremacist
rally, and since then has tried to <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2017/dec/02/charlottesville-report-criticises-police-response-and-blocking-of-investigation">thwart his investigation</a> at many levels.


feed_id: ca337008e863601f99953b6ec4d3d339
title: Britons and the bully
uri: Britons-and-the-bully
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#4_December_2017_%28Britons_and_the_bully%29
content:
<p>
Britons find it <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2017/dec/02/what-a-time-to-cut-ourselves-off-from-friends-in-europe-donald-trump">hard to admit</a> just how much the bully is their enemy.
<p>
The article is basically right, but one interesting and sad point
should be noted.  The British opponents of exit from the EU have come
to adore trade treaties uncritically, accepting the idea that
"What's good for UK exporters is good for the UK".  They completely
ignore the injustice that these treaties will do to everyone.


feed_id: 2fe772d5667e705d6f7ea397b6e9ce81
title: Allies fighting in Yemen
uri: Allies-fighting-in-Yemen
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#4_December_2017_%28Allies_fighting_in_Yemen%29
content:
<p>
The Houthis and the supporters of former president Saleh, who used to
be allies, are now <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/dec/02/yemen-rebel-alliance-disintegrates-rivals-fight-control-sanaa">fighting each other</a>.


feed_id: fb68e513ca3fbf614422dc13eb6281dc
title: EU and UK on tax dodging
uri: EU-and-UK-on-tax-dodging
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#4_December_2017_%28EU_and_UK_on_tax_dodging%29
content:
<p>
The European Union is getting ready to fight hard <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/dec/02/paradise-to-blacklist-eu-tax-havens">against tax dodging</a>
through tax havens.
<p>
The Prime Minister of the UK is fighting to <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/dec/02/tax-havens-theresa-may-backing-british-dependencies">perpetuate tax dodging</a>.
Perhaps partly because her husband works selling tax dodging schemes.


feed_id: cbfbf21da229af509a4c07a2595caae5
title: Urgent: birth control coverage
uri: Urgent-birth-control-coverage
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#5_December_2017_%28Urgent%3A_birth_control_coverage%29

content:
<p>
US citizens: call for medical insurance to <a href="https://act.weareultraviolet.org/sign/keep-birth-control-free/">cover birth control</a>.


feed_id: ab0c34ed0a0f44ef9db07ce95b4986e8
title: Urgent: condemn genocide
uri: Urgent-condemn-genocide
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#5_December_2017_%28Urgent%3A_condemn_genocide%29
content:
<p>
US citizens: <a href="http://act.winwithoutwar.org/sign/never-again-happening-now/">call on the US</a> to condemn the genocide of Rohingyas.


feed_id: c80798e95ad5ad44080d73379b681fef
title: Data for identification
uri: Data-for-identification
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#5_December_2017_%28Data_for_identification%29
content:
<p>
What data is enough to <a href="http://whimsley.typepad.com/whimsley/2011/09/data-anonymization-and-re-identification-some-basics-of-data-privacy.html">identify a unique person</a>, and why?
<p>
It also shows clearly why it is possible to learn many things about a
person (for instance, sexual orientation) from a few "what do you like"
questions.
<p>
In regard to the case of trying to learn about movie preference
associations from crowdsourcing, identifying a person from a data base
that lists which movies each person has watched seems to be possible
only if you know some set of movies the target person has watched.
But I think that if you don't have a way of getting that starting data
about a person, it is impossible to identify anyone.


feed_id: 6f7839cd0f6a86451c011ea8cde16dee
title: Maltese journalist murder
uri: Maltese-journalist-murder
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#5_December_2017_%28Maltese_journalist_murder%29
content:
<p>
Suspects <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/dec/04/daphne-caruana-galizia-malta-journalist-eight-arrested-murder-inquiry">have been arrested</a> for the murder of Maltese journalist
Daphne Caruana Galizia, who investigated corruption.


feed_id: 357067503ced62bfc15917056fd793fd
title: Downplaying Kushner relationship
uri: Downplaying-Kushner-relationship
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#5_December_2017_%28Downplaying_Kushner_relationship%29

content:
<p>
The opportunist-in-chief is downplaying his relationship with Kushner,
his son-in-law, perhaps anticipating that Kushner <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2017/dec/04/russia-probe-jared-kushner-investigation-donald-trump">may be prosecuted</a>.
<p>
This suggests that the opportunist would not mind abandoning Kushner.
Would Kushner be able to sell his testimony about the opportunist?
Alas, I expect there is no chance of this.  The opportunist can't
be prosecuted by a court, only by Congress, and <a href="/glossary.html#scrotus">SCROTUS</a> will stand
by the opportunist no matter what crimes he commits.


feed_id: fc78eae4fb1cb30d1b8e1245e766b0c5
title: Confession tweet
uri: Confession-tweet
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#5_December_2017_%28Confession_tweet%29
content:
<p>
<a href="/glossary.html#bully">The bully</a> made a tweet which was a confession of obstruction of justice.
Now his lawyer is trying to <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2017/dec/04/doesnt-make-sense-incredulity-trumps-lawyer-john-dowd-take-blame-for-flynn-tweet">take the fall</a> for him.
<p>
If the lawyer's claims are factually accurate, would that mean the bully
is not guilty of obstruction of justice?  Or would he still be guilty?


feed_id: 9eede268fa0b8e9ff6b70977c8714afe
title: Evangelical patriarchy
uri: Evangelical-patriarchy
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#5_December_2017_%28Evangelical_patriarchy%29
content:
<p>
We should not be surprised that Evangelical Christians support
domineering men, even if they harass or even rape.  Patriarchy is
<a href="https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/why-evangelicals-support-roy-moore-donald-trump_us_5a1dc0cbe4b094f5c77e00ea">at the center</a> of their religion.


feed_id: 49b347632b5bd58d353c5646ff6cdc17
title: 'Progressive' apps
uri: Progressive-apps
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#5_December_2017_%28%27Progressive%27_apps%29
content:
<p>
Progressives should condemn this attempt to distort the word
"progressives" to <a href="https://developers.google.com/web/progressive-web-apps/">describe web apps</a> that respond fast.
<p>
These web apps almost certainly make the user run <a href="https://gnu.org/philosophy/javascript-trap.html">nonfree Javascript
software</a>, which is an injustice,
and <a href="https://gnu.org/malware/proprietary-surveillance.html">spy on the user</a> as well, 
which is another injustice.


feed_id: 50d8bb6e88c27c60ea134d825c4ed794
title: Religion in citizenship oath
uri: Religion-in-citizenship-oath
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#5_December_2017_%28Religion_in_citizenship_oath%29
content:
<p>
A <a href="http://www.theblaze.com/news/2017/11/06/atheist-french-woman-who-wants-american-citizenship-sues-to-remove-so-help-me-god-from-oath">lawsuit</a> attempts to remove religion from the US citizenship oath.
<p>
I think the plaintiff's argument is valid.  Even if Atheists are
offered a different version of the oath, the assertion of the
existence of a god (and that there is only one of them) in the
standard oath is promotion of monotheistic religions, and opposition
to other religions as well as to Atheism.
<p>
This violates the First Amendment.
<p>
Some states prohibit atheists from holding elected offices, and even
some kinds of lower non-elected public offices.  Free Inquiry has
published articles about this.  Courts use various twisted reasoning
to refuse to consider lawsuits to overturn these unconstitutional
restrictions — for instance, the excuse that "unless you have won the
election, you don't have standing to sue."


feed_id: ef4d0d554fcf2318c535a10d9036d8aa
title: Dockless bicycle rentals
uri: Dockless-bicycle-rentals
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#5_December_2017_%28Dockless_bicycle_rentals%29
content:
<p>
Another threat to freedom: dockless bicycle rentals can seem very
appealing, but they <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2017/dec/03/dockless-bicycles-sharing-london-transport">track the user</a> everywhere.
<p>
It looks like they require a smartphone, which also (like all portable
phones) tracks the user everywhere.
<p>
Governments, rather than promoting systems predicated on surveillance,
should discourage and even prohibit them.


feed_id: f00ff03788cbd848bb1542bf85191d87
title: Immigration prison deaths
uri: Immigration-prison-deaths
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#5_December_2017_%28Immigration_prison_deaths%29
content:
<p>
The UK <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2017/dec/03/marcin-gwozdzinski-immigration-centre-detention-death">covers up deaths</a> (often suicides) in its immigration prisons.


feed_id: 76b96037f70ca8f83d31274bc072d7af
title: Privatizing UK schools
uri: Privatizing-UK-schools
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#5_December_2017_%28Privatizing_UK_schools%29
content:
<p>
The UK arranged to privatize many state schools, and led some of them
to become part of larger businesses.  These businesses are now
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/education/2017/dec/03/thousand-pupils-trapped-in-zombie-academy-schools">dropping the schools</a> that are unprofitable, in some cases after
stripping them of their funds on hand.


feed_id: eb89f69c760d667ada1772ab795194d4
title: Security hole disclosure
uri: Security-hole-disclosure
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#5_December_2017_%28Security_hole_disclosure%29
content:
<p>
The US has <a href="https://www.aclu.org/blog/privacy-technology/internet-privacy/trumps-new-cybersecurity-rules-are-better-obamas">formalized some criteria</a> for deciding whether to conceal a
security hole (to attack computers with it) or help get it fixed.
However, the practical procedure will tend to bias it towards the former.
<p>
The article doesn't say whether these criteria will be applied to the bugs
in Windows that <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130622044225/http://blogs.computerworlduk.com/open-enterprise/2013/06/how-can-any-company-ever-trust-microsoft-again/index.htm">Microsoft shows</a> to the US government.


feed_id: 919df262c1b6e0da672f0594d8c572e0
title: Stealing employees' wages
uri: Stealing-employees-wages
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#5_December_2017_%28Stealing_employees%27_wages%29
content:
<p>
Some states are developing <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2017/11/27/how-can-we-combat-wage-theft-and-protect-immigrant-workers">new methods</a> to stop employers from stealing
employees' wages.  Meanwhile, the US immigration thugs are actively
facilitating theft of wages from unauthorized employees.


feed_id: 4c1085e7ebc4f2276f3eb1ead82cb762
title: Fake evidence
uri: Fake-evidence
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#5_December_2017_%28Fake_evidence%29
content:
<p>
Among the "evidence" in the prosecution of inauguration protesters for
exaggerated charges is <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/nov/28/project-veritas-protesters-trial-trump-inauguration-protest">a video</a> made by a right-wing group known for
false testimony.  Fake news is now joined by fake evidence.


feed_id: dbf8a59b66a634a81046ff07a2ffded3
title: Internet as public utility
uri: Internet-as-public-utility
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#5_December_2017_%28Internet_as_public_utility%29
content:
<p>
Arguing that the internet should be a <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2017/nov/29/net-neutrality-internet-basic-right-america-trump-administration">public utility</a>, not private.
<p>
I see one possible counterargument: a public utility would make it
easier for the state to block access to particular sites.  However, if
court orders start flowing to require all ISPs to block access to
various sites, that would be just as bad.


feed_id: 580fb1d42ce5bfe45f5cd6c28bd3337f
title: Self-reinforcing online debate
uri: Self-reinforcing-online-debate
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#5_December_2017_%28Self-reinforcing_online_debate%29

content:
<p>
Arguing that the stubborn and non-listening trap that online debate
has fallen into is a self-reinforcing <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/media/2017/nov/29/vortex-online-political-debate-arguments-trump-brexit">collective phenomenon</a>, a sort of
strange attractor, and people arguing for various positions contribute
to reinforcing the phenomenon.
<p>
After reading this, I asked myself whether my political notes are part
of the cause of the problem.  I can't be an objective judge of myself,
but I think I mostly avoid this.  The reasons I think so are that I
don't adopt wholesale the ideas of some group of people, and I don't
adopt the terminology wholesale from some group even when I agree
with its views.
<p>
Nonetheless, I wonder if I could write my political notes so that
there'd be a better chance a person who disagrees with me would pay
serious attention to them, in a way I wouldn't find unacceptable
on other grounds.


feed_id: 4950e0dae5a6b7a5950cfc5e54ed863a
title: Concealing PRISM use
uri: Concealing-PRISM-use
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#5_December_2017_%28Concealing_PRISM_use%29
content:
<p>
US prosecutors make a habit of <a href="https://theintercept.com/2017/11/30/nsa-surveillance-fisa-section-702/">illegally concealing</a> when they use
PRISM to get evidence which they use in court against someone.
Apparently they do this so as to avoid giving the ACLU an opportunity
to argue that the law is unconstitutional.
<p>
Almost every aspect of how the US government interprets the FISA law
is secret, meaning that they could be twisting it like Republican senators
with impunity.


feed_id: 16aeb2dafa5f2b26ad9b041a0a481fa4
title: CFPB director battle
uri: CFPB-director-battle
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#5_December_2017_%28CFPB_director_battle%29
content:
<p>
The case about who would direct the CFPB went to a judge installed by
the bully, who declined to stop the bully from immediately installing
a <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2017/11/29/mulvaneys-bankers-win-and-trump-shafts-americans-again">new acting director</a> of the CFPB.
<p>
The battle over who will be the acting director of the CFPB <a href="https://theintercept.com/2017/11/29/trump-administration-acting-director-cfpb-mick-mulvaney/">is not over</a>.
<p>
Meanwhile, the bully is disregarding various federal laws about acting
directors of federal agencies.


feed_id: 090c0baf51638e2aa0ffabafe339b4ea
title: 'Fake news' campaign
uri: Fake-news-campaign
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#5_December_2017_%28%27Fake_news%27_campaign%29
content:
<p>
The campaign against "fake news" is hitting <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2017/11/30/backlash-against-russian-fake-news-shutting-down-debate-real">left-wing independent</a> web sites,
as well as RT.
<p>
RT sometimes presents valid criticisms of the US — it's a
surveillance state (though Russia may be even worse), it invades other
countries, it overthrows democracy in other countries (most recently
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#26_November_2017_(Honduras_president)">Honduras</a>).
Sometimes RT presents fake news.  Doing one doesn't mean it can't
do the other.
<p>
The traffic to gnu.org from Google Search declined drastically in May 2016,
and declined further in 2nd quarter 2017.  It is now just 1/5 of what it was
in early 2016.  Our other traffic has remained more or less unchanged.


feed_id: 659d0b5caa614676bdda927198e7c228
title: Banned books in prisons
uri: Banned-books-in-prisons
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#5_December_2017_%28Banned_books_in_prisons%29
content:
<p>
Texas Prisons <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2017/dec/02/texas-prisons-ban-books-mein-kampf-color-purple">Ban The Color Purple</a> — But Mein Kampf And KKK Books Are Fine.


feed_id: 663ad3fdb0ad2869a957900cf9fa20bd
title: US stake in Honduras
uri: 2017-12-05-US-stake-in-Honduras
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#3_December_2017_%28US_stake_in_Honduras%29
content:
<p>
The US has <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2017/12/01/honduran-election-being-stolen-eight-years-after-us-backed-coup">a lot at stake</a> in making corrupt president Hernández win in
Honduras.
<p>
I wouldn't expect the US to respect democracy in Honduras more than
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2016-nov-feb.html#27_December_2016_(Republican_election-rigging)">Republicans do in the US</a>.


feed_id: 1935ac29c7c3da8f04e8b46a435c68e0
title: How To Learn Programming
uri: How-To-Learn-Programming
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#5_December_2017_%28How_To_Learn_Programming%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://stallman.org/stallman-computing.html#learnprogramming">How
  to learn programming</a>.


feed_id: dcb95ec3810397eea954f41d8582b81f
title: Urgent: Investigate Pai over Sinclair
uri: Urgent-Investigate-Pai-over-Sinclair
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#6_December_2017_%28Urgent%3A_Investigate_Pai_over_Sinclair%29

content:
<p>
US citizens: <a href="https://act.credoaction.com/sign/investigate-Pai">call on the FCC's inspector general</a> to investigate Ajit Pai's
moves to favor growth of the Sinclair TV chain.


feed_id: 323cdefbe2134d6db7711e171a01dbfe
title: Urgent: Delaware basin fracking
uri: Urgent-Delaware-basin-fracking
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#6_December_2017_%28Urgent%3A_Delaware_basin_fracking%29

content:
<p>
Everyone: <a href="https://secure.foodandwaterwatch.org/site/Advocacy?pagename=homepage&page=UserAction&id=3164">Call on the Delaware River Basin Commission</a> to ban fracking
in the Delaware basin.


feed_id: b3ad8245a142c1c66732a389847da0ff
title: Export policies and obesity
uri: Export-policies-and-obesity
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#6_December_2017_%28Export_policies_and_obesity%29
content:
<p>
US exports and export policies <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/business/2017/dec/04/us-obesity-trump-processed-foods-health">encourage obesity</a>; watch out for
treaties with the US, since they could block measures to limit obesity.


feed_id: 2e8e12e29c03231e85e9e10c949bfac4
title: Shrinking national monument
uri: Shrinking-national-monument
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#6_December_2017_%28Shrinking_national_monument%29
content:
<p>
<a href="/glossary.html#trump">The troll</a> is reducing the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument
specifically to <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2017/12/03/when-trump-guts-two-utah-national-monuments-next-week-hell-trigger-new-conservation">permit coal mining</a> to destroy priceless fossils of the last
dinosaurs, just before the last mass extinction.
<p>
The coal mining will hasten the next mass extinction.


feed_id: 2c009492d090cfa7c0c5722e10652825
title: Foreign academic visas in UK
uri: Foreign-academic-visas-in-UK
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#6_December_2017_%28Foreign_academic_visas_in_UK%29
content:
<p>
When foreign academics working for UK research institutions make
work-related visits to other countries, the UK rigidly cites that as an
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2017/dec/03/corbyn-visa-policy-puts-uks-global-reputation-research-risk">excuse not to renew</a> their visas.
<p>
I doubt anyone thoughtfully considered the question of how to treat
people in that situation.  I suspect, rather, that higher officials
wrote down a simple policy, with no mention of this kind of situation,
and told lower officials that "the priority is to find people to kick out".
<p>
Such rigidity generally leads to this kind of problem.
<p>
An FSF staff person wanted to work remotely and reside in Germany.
Germany refused permission, due to laws intended to stop foreigners
from coming there and taking jobs away from Germans.
<p>
I understand the reasoning behind that law, but this person did not
want to take a German job; on the contrary, person had a US job and
wished only to spend the money in Germany.  By the same reasoning,
Germany should have said, "Please don't leave!"


feed_id: fe5fb4acec0f6bf6db2b4ea8155e962f
title: Going to school
uri: Going-to-school
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#6_December_2017_%28Going_to_school%29
content:
<p>
In just 20 years, Britain went from 80% of children going to school
<a href="https://letgrow.org/shocking-stat-day-80-kids-9-one-generation/">on their own</a>, to just 9%.


feed_id: ebb10f52eef4b1a3e80647545ee03666
title: Pepsico's palm oil
uri: Pepsico-s-palm-oil
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#6_December_2017_%28Pepsico%27s_palm_oil%29
content:
<p>
Pepsico's joint venture in producing palm oil in Indonesia <a href="https://www.freedomunited.org/news/indonesian-palm-oil-plantation-abuses-linked-pepsico/">mistreats
workers</a> in many ways, including paying less than the minimum wage and
not protecting them from toxic pesticides.


feed_id: 7dc20f6ebfdcedc90176238eb81d756d
title: Nature by Disney
uri: Nature-by-Disney
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#6_December_2017_%28Nature_by_Disney%29
content:
<p>
If we don't preserve wildlife habitats, the future of nature will be a
manicured Disney theme park in which visitors get a taste of carefully
designed nature while being tracked all the time.  Disney is <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/travel/2017/dec/03/disney-villages-nature-new-holiday-eco-resort-near-disneyland-paris">already
building them</a>.
<p>
Because of the tracking, I would refuse to go there if invited.  Even
if my best friends were going and asked me to come along, I would
still decline, specifically because of this injustice to visitors.  I
hope you would, too.


feed_id: 3917b44828cdff97807a501382474cd7
title: Investigating prisoner killing
uri: Investigating-prisoner-killing
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#6_December_2017_%28Investigating_prisoner_killing%29

content:
<p>
The International Criminal Court will <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/law/2017/dec/04/icc-to-continue-investigation-into-claims-of-war-crimes-by-british-troops">investigate accusations</a>
that UK troops in Iraq killed prisoners.
<p>
Too bad it can't investigate Dubya for the crime of <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2004-mar-jun.html#24%20May%202004%20(War%20Crimes%20Prosecution)">aggressive war</a>,
which the allies prosecuted the highest Nazi leaders for.


feed_id: d61e9d865c5a1ca4432812c6341a9b13
title: Bully's ban allowed
uri: Bully-s-ban-allowed
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#6_December_2017_%28Bully%27s_ban_allowed%29
content:
<p>
The Supreme Court has allowed the bully's partial ban on Muslim visitors
to <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2017/dec/04/donald-trump-travel-ban-on-six-mostly-muslim-countries">take effect temporarily</a>, pending final judgments.


feed_id: 1407300c1cb1cc83cf2d1ee354977991
title: AI vs. corporations
uri: AI-vs-corporations
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#6_December_2017_%28AI_vs._corporations%29
content:
<p>
An artificial intelligence might conceivably take over the world and
destroy it.  Corporations are already <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2017/12/03/ai-has-already-taken-over-its-called-corporation">doing just that</a>.
<p>
An AI might decide that <em>all</em> humans are superfluous.  Corporations
alone, without automation, need humans, both as employees and as
customers.  Their directors are human, too.  So corporations would not
intentionally wipe out humanity.  Automation decreases their need for
humans but doesn't eliminate it.
<p>
Nonetheless, corporations can well decide that <em>most</em> humans are
superfluous, and make them die of hunger while living on the street.


feed_id: 55d980a03ea8fdc2dc2d8f1ce3c23fa8
title: Guantanamo art
uri: Guantanamo-art
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#6_December_2017_%28Guantanamo_art%29
content:
<p>
Art made by prisoners in Guantanamo, <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2017/12/04/art-keeping-guantanamo-open">exhibited in Brooklyn</a>, carries
the message that they are human.
<p>
The US government, loathing this message, responded by banning all
removal of the prisoners' art from the prison.  The government will
destroy the art rather than let it speak.
<p>
The US has the obligation to give every one of the prisoners a fair
trial or release him at once.  If there is no place to release a
prisoner to, the US should create a village inside Guantanamo Naval
Base where they can live as free men under US law.


feed_id: f07e7c8eb46b52e4eec8df4e27c75346
title: Your genomic data
uri: Your-genomic-data
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#6_December_2017_%28Your_genomic_data%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://theconversation.com/its-time-to-talk-about-who-can-access-your-digital-genomic-data-87682">It's Time to Talk</a> About Who Can Access Your Digital Genomic Data.
I already find the danger sufficient to dissuade me from letting
anyone scan my genome.
<p>
The article mentions a project to use a blockchain, somehow, to give
users control over access to their genomic data.  I don't see how a
blockchain would help this.  A blockchain is a means of verifiable
decentralized publication, not a means of limiting access.  If someone
understands what good a blockchain could be for the latter, I would
like to know.


feed_id: 849eaefe133ea72327f87e25aa75927e
title: Saleh killed by Houthis
uri: Saleh-killed-by-Houthis
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#6_December_2017_%28Saleh_killed_by_Houthis%29
content:
<p>
Former President Saleh, who switched from the Houthi side to the
Salafi Arabian side, has <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/dec/04/former-yemen-president-saleh-killed-in-fresh-fighting">reportedly been killed</a> by the Houthis.
<p>
Both Saleh and Hadi seem to have been nothing more than grasping
opportunists, ready to compete to be <a href="/glossary.html#salafi">Salafi Arabia</a>'s chosen pawn.


feed_id: c138f210b18e775a736ce0f1fb4556b7
title: Somali civilians killed
uri: Somali-civilians-killed
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#6_December_2017_%28Somali_civilians_killed%29
content:
<p>
US soldiers <a href="https://www.thedailybeast.com/strong-evidence-that-us-special-operations-forces-massacred-civilians-in-somalia">killed 10 Somali civilians</a> on Aug 25, then denied it with
false reports and faked photos.


feed_id: b09b6aa7305789ade1ea8120ea86f7cc
title: Bolivia term limits
uri: Bolivia-term-limits
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#6_December_2017_%28Bolivia_term_limits%29
content:
<p>
Bolivia has <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/dec/03/evo-morales-bolivia-president-election-limits">eliminated term limits</a>, allowing President Morales to
continue running for office.
<p>
By contrast, Honduras still officially has a term limits for the presidency,
but the president has disregarded them and seems to be getting away
with pretending to have won the election.


feed_id: d36506e2b141770af15f26c01e47d31d
title: Honduras protests
uri: Honduras-protests
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#6_December_2017_%28Honduras_protests%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/dec/03/thousands-protest-in-honduras-in-chaos-over-contested-presidential-election">Thousands Protest</a> in Honduras in Chaos over Contested Presidential Election.
<p>
The President of Honduras Is Deploying <a href="https://theintercept.com/2017/12/03/the-president-of-honduras-is-deploying-u-s-trained-forces-against-election-protesters/">U.S.-Trained Forces</a> Against
Election Protesters.
<p>
I expect this is precisely what the US trained them for.


feed_id: af17284a892ed4d5736a462fc1758e02
title: Social mobility commission
uri: Social-mobility-commission
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#6_December_2017_%28Social_mobility_commission%29
content:
<p>
All four members of the UK's social mobility commission <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2017/dec/02/alan-milburn-government-not-comitted-to-social-mobility">have resigned</a>.
The chairman said that the government has no political will to do
anything to improve social mobility.
<p>
Social mobility is <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2017/dec/03/social-mobility-poverty-insult-alan-milburn-commission-no-child-go-hungry">no excuse for policies</a> that inflict poverty on
people.


feed_id: 88dee2610d6efa62867b73dcce5cfc89
title: Censoring journalism
uri: Censoring-journalism
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#6_December_2017_%28Censoring_journalism%29
content:
<p>
The UK is planning a <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2017/dec/03/the-data-protection-bill-is-yet-another-legal-threat-to-uk-press-freedom">censorship system</a> for journalists' use of private
information.


feed_id: 00e55934687acc4ee3fe7144d668ba5d
title: CHIP program termination
uri: CHIP-program-termination
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#6_December_2017_%28CHIP_program_termination%29
content:
<p>
Republican <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2017/dec/03/orrin-hatch-chip-healthcare-program-joe-scarborough">Senator Hatch claims</a> the CHIP program (medical care for
children) has to be terminated "because we don't
have money anymore".
<p>
Didn't he just vote for a big tax cut for the rich?</br>
Didn't he vote a few weeks ago for a big increase in military spending?


feed_id: 4c8a5e65b488ca7a4ed8babbeac589d4
title: UK income inequality
uri: UK-income-inequality
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#6_December_2017_%28UK_income_inequality%29
content:
<p>
Income inequality appears not to be increasing in the UK, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/inequality/2017/dec/03/income-inequality-is-getting-wider-if-the-stats-count-what-counts">if you don't
count</a> most of the income of the rich.


feed_id: b3a094832872e4e8974e0d7643779f0d
title: Animal agriculture
uri: Animal-agriculture
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#6_December_2017_%28Animal_agriculture%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2017/dec/04/animal-agriculture-choking-earth-making-sick-climate-food-environmental-impact-james-cameron-suzy-amis-cameron">Animal Agriculture</a> Is Choking the âEarth And Making Us Sick.  We Must Act Now.


feed_id: 4b5233877277c1135c5d0b7309b65dc6
title: Urgent: bully's sexual attack tapes
uri: Urgent-bully-s-sexual-attack-tapes
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#7_December_2017_%28Urgent%3A_bully%27s_sexual_attack_tapes%29

content:
<p>
Everyone: <a href="https://act.weareultraviolet.org/sign/mgm_tapes/">Call on MGM</a> to release the bully's incriminating sexual attack tapes.


feed_id: 58bb3e4b396804e5446ad0e61f89475b
title: Keystone XL route
uri: Keystone-XL-route
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#7_December_2017_%28Keystone_XL_route%29
content:
<p>
The proposed alternative route for the Keystone XL pipeline <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2017/12/04/groups-call-trump-administration-evaluate-new-keystone-xl-route">threatens
water supplies</a> for humans and wildlife, including endangered species.
If US government agencies are honest, they probably have to reject the
route.
<p>
We cannot expect the saboteurs that now run these agencies to be honest,
since their mission is the contrary.
<p>
However, water pollution is a side issue anyway, compared with the
global danger to civilization and hundreds of thousands of species
that are not endangered yet.


feed_id: 69b9eec048d533dca9a614533a1df3ab
title: Financing coal mine
uri: Financing-coal-mine
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#7_December_2017_%28Financing_coal_mine%29
content:
<p>
China seems to have killed Australia's proposed mega coal mine
by <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2017/dec/06/adani-coalmine-wont-be-funded-by-chinese-banks-embassy-says">refusing to finance it</a>.
<p>
Many other big banks have also refused.  I suspect this is partly due
to the fact that burning coal is <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2016-nov-feb.html#21_February_2017_(Coal-burning_power_plants_to_be_shut)">becoming uneconomical</a>.
<p>
The mine would have damaged the Great Barrier Reef as well as hastening
global heating disaster.


feed_id: ce360915fa7277e5cc33079c98ebb3ad
title: Capital of Israel
uri: Capital-of-Israel
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#7_December_2017_%28Capital_of_Israel%29
content:
<p>
The troll will recognize Jerusalem as the <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/dec/06/trump-recognise-jerusalem-israel-capital-move-us-embassy-white-house">capital of Israel</a>,
thus endorsing Israel as an apartheid state.
<p>
The so-called "peace process" is a sham that Netanyahu uses to pretend
he is willing to negotiate peace.  He states publicly that he will
not accept any sort of peace except the <a href="https://stallman.org/notes/2015-jul-oct.html#30_October_2015_(Permanent_oppression_of_Palestinians)">permanent apartheid state</a>.


feed_id: a4a5a4fa79b3327ec9ec35f715e15d11
title: Reality Winner trial
uri: Reality-Winner-trial
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#7_December_2017_%28Reality_Winner_trial%29
content:
<p>
The US government is pulling all available strings to make <a href="https://theintercept.com/2017/12/05/reality-winner-trial-nsa-russia-election/">Reality
Winner's trial</a> unfair.


feed_id: 3133f02b3ca615e231a79a47ac31003e
title: Mexico 'war on drugs'
uri: Mexico-war-on-drugs
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#7_December_2017_%28Mexico_%27war_on_drugs%27%29
content:
<p>
Presidential candidate LÃ³pez Obrador in Mexico <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/dec/04/mexican-presidential-candidate-pitches-amnesty-deal-for-drug-cartel-kingpins">proposes to stop
fighting</a> the "war on drugs".
<p>
I think the proposed amnesty for gang leaders would not do much good,
for reasons given in the article.  However, legalizing drugs would do
a lot of good.
<p>
Portugal decriminalized all drugs in 2001, and the result continues to
be <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/news/2017/dec/05/portugals-radical-drugs-policy-is-working-why-hasnt-the-world-copied-it">improvement on every dimension</a> — except for drug dealers, whose
business has declined.
<p>
Legalizing drugs would eliminate most of the fighting between Mexico's
narco gangs because they would all lose most of the income that they
now fight over.  Likewise, it would eliminate a lot of their bribery
of politicians because there would be no need to bribe them.
<p>
If you allow politicians to treat addicts with cruelty, next thing you
know they will be treating minority groups, poor people and disabled
people with cruelty.  Those politicians win support by demonstrating
cruelty towards scapegoats, and anyone that lots of people can be
convinced to despise will function as a scapegoat.


feed_id: 2d4afa0c6d937b10dbc4be7ff91aa66a
title: Puerto Rico's future
uri: Puerto-Rico-s-future
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#7_December_2017_%28Puerto_Rico%27s_future%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2017/12/03/warring-visions-puerto-ricos-future">Two visions</a> of Puerto Rico's future: renewable power and prosperity,
or corporate subjugation.


feed_id: 7757f9b273b3a35b6ae0a5ff6feef843
title: Attracting business to UK
uri: Attracting-business-to-UK
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#7_December_2017_%28Attracting_business_to_UK%29
content:
<p>
If the UK leaves the European Union, and desperately seeks "trade
agreements" to attract business, they will involve surrendering
sovereignty to business.  That is much like surrendering sovereignty
to the EU only with no democratic element whatsoever.
<p>
One example is that the UK will be compelled to <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2017/dec/05/brexit-poses-huge-risk-to-britains-food-standards-report-says">accept low standards</a>
for food safety.


feed_id: ee25eb68a1e2bb5cd99b0fdf737f6704
title: Risk of extinction
uri: Risk-of-extinction
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#7_December_2017_%28Risk_of_extinction%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2017/dec/05/red-list-thousands-of-species-at-risk-of-extinction-due-to-human-activity">Red List</a>: Thousands of Species at Risk of Extinction Due to Human Activity.


feed_id: 0c9086b2d1d34e1324dc9d71f0e16c7b
title: Farm antibiotics
uri: Farm-antibiotics
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#7_December_2017_%28Farm_antibiotics%29
content:
<p>
Farm antibiotics spread into surrounding land and create <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/society/2017/dec/05/over-use-of-antibiotics-in-farming-is-a-major-new-threat-to-human-health-says-un">antibiotic resistance</a>
across wide areas.


feed_id: 65173c7439f7a1079e80117c0c9612cc
title: Facebook's strict censorship
uri: Facebook-s-strict-censorship
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#7_December_2017_%28Facebook%27s_strict_censorship%29

content:
<p>
Facebook's censorship rules are sometimes incomprehensibly strict.
Many women's accounts <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2017/dec/05/facebook-bans-women-posting-men-are-scum-harassment-scandals-comedian-marcia-belsky-abuse">have been turned off</a> for posting "men are scum".
<p>
Some men are scum, but not all.  It is unfair to generalize that
statement to all men.  People should ideally know better than to be
sloppy in generalization, even if they are justifiably angry at
grave crimes.
<p>
However, is it right to gag people for unkind sloppiness like that?
Clearly not.


feed_id: 5b73216f9387d35555c0f61159a5b899
title: Loading a website
uri: Loading-a-website
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#7_December_2017_%28Loading_a_website%29
content:
<p>
Loading a Website Should Not Be a <a href="https://www.publicknowledge.org/news-blog/blogs/loading-a-website-should-not-be-a-copyright-violation">Copyright Violation</a>.


feed_id: 7b5711e4711fc2bd4293d6f5289fea54
title: Invention of farming
uri: Invention-of-farming
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#7_December_2017_%28Invention_of_farming%29
content:
<p>
Farming, which in Europe and Asia stems from an invention around
10,000 years ago, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/inequality/2017/dec/05/how-neolithic-farming-sowed-the-seeds-of-modern-inequality-10000-years-ago">was the cause</a> of hierarchy and inequality.
<p>
I've read that farming of tubers in some islands in the Pacific has
existed for 25,000 years.  I don't know whether that farming also
resulted in increased inequality and violence, but I suspect it did:
in some places in the early 20th century, "big men" (and other
would-be big men) competed to organize their relatives to produce a
big surplus.  Until European colonizers stopped this, they could use
the surplus to recruit lots of followers as a war band to raid
neighboring groups.
<p>
This doesn't prove that intergroup warfare was nonexistent before
farming.


feed_id: 172c7ae6e868c4efd8640610ae10edbb
title: Private spying network
uri: Private-spying-network
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#7_December_2017_%28Private_spying_network%29
content:
<p>
The cheater is considering setting up a <a href="https://theintercept.com/2017/12/04/trump-white-house-weighing-plans-for-private-spies-to-counter-deep-state-enemies/">private spying network</a> that
would bypass the CIA and could be used for kidnapings.
<p>
CIA agents were allegedly "failing to give the president the
intelligence he needed," which could mean they were giving accurate
reports instead of fake intelligence.  Maybe they regret letting <a href="/glossary.html#dubya">Dubya</a>
twist their reports to excuse the invasion of Iraq, the wreckage of
the Middle East, and the resulting development of <a href="/glossary.html#pissi">PISSI</a>.  Maybe the
private spying network would give the bully the answers he wants.
<p>
I suspect that one side benefit of it would be to more easily
bypass US laws that limit spying on Americans.
<p>
But we cannot be certain about any of this, and that shows the danger
of secret operations by a government that spits on laws, human rights,
and democracy.


feed_id: 2d9e59ef9af41dfcc05c1764df156e68
title: Planting trees in China
uri: Planting-trees-in-China
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#7_December_2017_%28Planting_trees_in_China%29
content:
<p>
China is planting trees massively to try to stop desertification.
But the trees planted are not natural to the region, and not useful
for the animals that live there.  <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2010/sep/23/china-great-green-wall-climate">There are doubts</a> about whether these trees
are good in the long term for absorbing carbon from the air.
<p>
Are the trees they plant useful as lumber?  If they cut down grown trees
and use them for making houses or furniture, that wood will not return
its carbon to the air any time soon.  The forests could sequester lots
of carbon if used as a plantation that way.
<p>
However, they still need to plant native trees in some places to host
the other native species.


feed_id: b365aa9dc3f29389396817ccd196d444
title: Adapting to heating
uri: Adapting-to-heating
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#7_December_2017_%28Adapting_to_heating%29
content:
<p>
<a href="/glossary.html#global heating">Global heating</a> is visible in
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2017/dec/05/climate-change-is-radically-reshuffling-uk-bird-species-report-finds">Britain's bird population</a>.
<p>
The cold-adapted birds that now have trouble living in Britain are not
immediately going extinct.  They can survive in colder places.  But as
global heating continues, those places may become too hot for them,
and then they will go extinct.
<p>
Fish, plants, and insects are also globally moving away from the equator.


feed_id: 5c722c844af6a48f75eafb53ecb12cbb
title: Medical marijuana users
uri: Medical-marijuana-users
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#7_December_2017_%28Medical_marijuana_users%29
content:
<p>
Registering as a medical marijuana user in Hawaii and some other states
makes a person vulnerable to various sorts of <a href="https://reason.com/archives/2017/12/05/dont-register-anything">unfair treatment</a>.


feed_id: 928224bb83f4bd94e46bb28fcb9f9b60
title: Yemen President Hadi
uri: Yemen-President-Hadi
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#7_December_2017_%28Yemen_President_Hadi%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/dec/05/ali-abdullah-saleh-killing-changes-dynamics-yemen-civil-war">This article claims</a> that President Hadi of Yemen was supported by
<a href="/glossary.html#salafi">Salafi Arabia</a> even when he was installed in 2012.


feed_id: c0545c71d273029dae6eb5808bd51592
title: Jailing procedure
uri: Jailing-procedure
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#7_December_2017_%28Jailing_procedure%29
content:
<p>
ACLU: when immigration thugs ask local thug departments to hold
someone in jail, the procedure typically used <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2017/12/04/aclu-florida-splc-latinojustice-warn-monroe-county-sheriffs-office-stop">is unconstitutional</a>.


feed_id: 0de247e95d678b46e25f65ece16612c1
title: Cloudflare to stop censoring
uri: Cloudflare-to-stop-censoring
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#7_December_2017_%28Cloudflare_to_stop_censoring%29
content:
<p>
Cloudflare plans to <a href="https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2017/12/cloudflares-ceo-has-a-plan-to-never-censor-hate-speech-again/">stop censoring</a> political views.
<p>
I agree that we should not censor views, even views you or I consider
odious.  If such censorship is allowed, it will certainly be turned
against the speech of Americans that criticize the politically
powerful — which means, me, and you too I hope.
<p>
We need to redesign network communications somehow so that it doesn't
encourage fake news and contempt for truth, but this must not be through
censorship of certain views or we will leave the frying pan for the fire.
<p>
The New America Foundation advocates plutocratist politics such as
making deficit reduction a priority.  It is called "left-of-center" by
right-wing activists.  Their general strategy is to shift the overton
window by labeling mildly right-wing views as "leftist", implying that
the "center" is even more right-wing — somewhere between the
Republicans and the plutocratist Democrats.
<p>
<a href="https://www.stallman.org/archives/2015-mar-jun.html#2_June_2015_(Bernie_Sanders)">Most Americans agree</a> with Bernie Sanders' politics; that's the real
center.


feed_id: a7852d5ade96083c290cd6dc66ac499f
title: Thug infiltrators
uri: Thug-infiltrators
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#7_December_2017_%28Thug_infiltrators%29
content:
<p>
More damage from undercover thug infiltrators: one had a son with the
woman he used to establish himself in the community.  The son is now
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2017/dec/04/abandoned-son-of-police-spy-sues-met-for-compensation">suing for compensation</a>.
<p>
The policy of infiltrating environmental groups was adopted based on
the claim that they might commit crimes in their protests.  It is true
that sometimes they commit crimes.  However, more powerful
organizations such as banks, fossil fuel companies, and agribusinesses
commit crimes too — and they tend to be far larger crimes, with human
victims.  Why not infiltrate those first?


feed_id: 92052be643e4a98935f8f69b07fb1d95
title: Urgent: Final tax attacks bill
uri: Urgent-Final-tax-attacks-bill
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#8_December_2017_%28Urgent%3A_Final_tax_attacks_bill%29

content:
<p>
US citizens: phone your senators (both of them) to demand they vote
against the final tax attacks bill.
<p>
The Capitol Switchboard
numbers are 202-224-3121, 888-818-6641 and 888-355-3588.


feed_id: 4a03dfae14fe8a750f5e095086516937
title: Urgent: Nuclear weapon policy
uri: Urgent-Nuclear-weapon-policy
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#8_December_2017_%28Urgent%3A_Nuclear_weapon_policy%29

content:
<p>
US citizens: <a href="https://act.rootsaction.org/p/dia/action4/common/public/?action_KEY=13151">Tell Congress</a> to adopt a policy of no first use of
nuclear weapons.


feed_id: 17e5033b34cf06ee84465a7772e5cd77
title: Israel collusion
uri: Israel-collusion
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#8_December_2017_%28Israel_collusion%29
content:
<p>
The troll's transition team <a href="https://theintercept.com/2017/12/05/michael-flynn-jared-kushner-israel-settlements-trump/">colluded with Israel</a> as well as with Russia.


feed_id: a5450a5785551ee196d51fa7ec25fb49
title: Moral implications of drones
uri: Moral-implications-of-drones
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#8_December_2017_%28Moral_implications_of_drones%29
content:
<p>
A researcher who studies tracking and targeting of people with drones
shows how scientists can find excuses to <a href="https://theintercept.com/2017/12/05/drone-strikes-israel-us-military-isvis/">ignore the moral implications</a>
of their research.  His topic: "What happens when a town has been so
thoroughly destroyed, you can't recognize it anymore and get lost?"
<p>
As the song could go,<br>

<blockquote>
"I send the drones up, who cares if they attack?<br>
That's not my department, says dense Yuval Zak."
</blockquote>


feed_id: 7d0c6abf0a5dadba98bc5b00e85d8d4b
title: Family separation
uri: Family-separation
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#8_December_2017_%28Family_separation%29
content:
<p>
Australia has an <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/dec/06/border-force-tells-nauru-refugees-to-separate-from-family-if-they-want-to-settle-in-us">unofficial policy</a> of using family separation to
coerce refugees to give up rights.


feed_id: 042a57939f89d526615eecda74728e85
title: Do-dirty's drug war
uri: Do-dirty-s-drug-war
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#8_December_2017_%28Do-dirty%27s_drug_war%29
content:
<p>
<a href="/glossary.html#dodirty">President Do-dirty</a> has
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/dec/06/philippines-rodrigo-duterte-orders-police-back-into-deadly-drug-war">restarted the bloody war</a> against people
considered to be associated with drugs.


feed_id: 9e556731dafc11de78dc191f3769e606
title: The bully's support
uri: The-bully-s-support
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#8_December_2017_%28The_bully%27s_support%29
content:
<p>
Most of the bully's supporters
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2017/dec/05/republican-trump-supporters-survey-american-values-rule-breaker">still support him</a>, and 2/3 applaud him for
breaking rules.


feed_id: 416c32dd18e12c52b82db1375d3923ca
title: Unauthorized immigrant arrests
uri: Unauthorized-immigrant-arrests
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#8_December_2017_%28Unauthorized_immigrant_arrests%29

content:
<p>
The bully's regime is <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2017/dec/05/us-arrests-at-border-fell-while-ice-arrests-rose-during-trumps-first-eight-months">arresting 40% more</a> unauthorized immigrants, and most
of them have developed deep ties to the US including relatives.


feed_id: 707f07c57711ac57f80257ac97e16601
title: Protecting trees
uri: Protecting-trees
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#8_December_2017_%28Protecting_trees%29
content:
<p>
Civilian volunteers in the Philippines are <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2017/dec/06/environmental-crusaders-risk-their-lives-to-save-philippine-paradise">protecting endangered trees</a>
from illegal logging.


feed_id: f3e5850a184e7e950da450659533ccb2
title: Steady heating
uri: Steady-heating
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#8_December_2017_%28Steady_heating%29
content:
<p>
All the ways of measuring global heating show it is
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/climate-consensus-97-per-cent/2017/dec/06/us-government-report-finds-steady-and-persistent-global-warming">steady and continuing</a>.
<p>
Of course, short-term fluctuations continue.  Not every year sets a
temperature record.  But almost every year is hotter than the average
for 10-20 years ago.


feed_id: b404b797e7a91b7bbcb450e733094f84
title: Random 'acupuncture'
uri: Random-acupuncture
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#8_December_2017_%28Random_%27acupuncture%27%29
content:
<p>
Random needles help back pain <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/science/2007/sep/29/acupuncture">about as much</a> as careful "acupuncture"
needles.  The placebo effect is a matter of making people feel they are
being carefully treated.


feed_id: 114af4d3eb1d0d8687101c23cd25ab72
title: Fascist sculpture
uri: Fascist-sculpture
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#8_December_2017_%28Fascist_sculpture%29
content:
<p>
Bolzano <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2017/dec/06/bolzano-italian-town-defuse-controversial-monuments">found a way</a> to defang a fascist sculpture of Mussolini instead of
removing it.


feed_id: 619cfba8d1d58f804be9fed51c5b705b
title: North Korean fishing
uri: North-Korean-fishing
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#8_December_2017_%28North_Korean_fishing%29
content:
<p>
It appears Mr Kim is <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/dec/06/north-korean-ghost-ships-reveal-desperation-for-food-and-funds">forcing fishermen</a> to go out further to catch more
fish, which he exports to China while starving North Koreans.


feed_id: 410e7abf03759a59ca4343219a4d35e5
title: US homelessness
uri: US-homelessness
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#8_December_2017_%28US_homelessness%29
content:
<p>
Homelessness in the US has <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2017/dec/05/america-homeless-population-2017-official-count-crisis">increased in the past year</a>, mostly because rents
are too high and wages are too low.  
<p>
The idea that "the economy has improved" is a fundamental error since
it measures "the economy" by totals, which rise because the <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2014-jan-apr.html#29_April_2014_(Fictional_economic_recovery)">rich are
richer</a>.
For poorer Americans, "the economy" is no better than it was <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2014-sep-dec.html#30_December_2014_(America_today_vs_40_years_ago)">40 years ago</a>,
and more Americans are poor now than 40 years ago.
<p>
If we make the real economy improve for most Americans, we might have
less homelessness.


feed_id: 6097184cec3045eb8a74d94b36a1339f
title: Removal of paintings
uri: Removal-of-paintings
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#8_December_2017_%28Removal_of_paintings%29
content:
<p>
The campaign for prudery now demands <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/2017/dec/06/new-york-metropolitan-museum-art-refuses-remove-girl-balthasar-klossowski-voyeurism-complaint">removal of paintings</a> from
museums.
<p>
They will drive us back to 1950 if they can.


feed_id: d6e4f7a3184eef7ae9c3053441c4ee27
title: Tory voter-ID law
uri: Tory-voter-ID-law
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#8_December_2017_%28Tory_voter-ID_law%29
content:
<p>
The Tories are <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2017/dec/05/british-elections-at-risk-from-perfect-storm-of-threats-says-watchdog">considering a voter-ID law</a> which could stop millions
of poor people from voting.
Since there is no real reason to do this, they are tacking it on to
measures to stop manipulation of elections, so that it won't be judged
on its own terms.


feed_id: b53bba9fae48864a073afecd8e73c1a0
title: Prenatal pollution damage
uri: Prenatal-pollution-damage
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#8_December_2017_%28Prenatal_pollution_damage%29
content:
<p>
A study suggests that millions of babies suffer <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2017/dec/05/air-pollution-harm-to-unborn-babies-may-be-global-health-catastrophe-warn-doctors">prenatal damage</a> to their
lungs, and to their brains, from air pollution.


feed_id: 1a14b98e3c9d407f5ec03205361ef18a
title: Climate threat panel
uri: Climate-threat-panel
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#8_December_2017_%28Climate_threat_panel%29
content:
<p>
Trump <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2017/12/05/trump-disbands-panel-helped-cities-respond-climate-threat">Disbands Panel</a> That Helped Cities Respond to Climate Threat.


feed_id: 74402b959ed2a40e9368aa4cda6f5687
title: Advice on winning elections
uri: Advice-on-winning-elections
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#8_December_2017_%28Advice_on_winning_elections%29
content:
<p>
A Democratic Socialist won election to the town council in a
Republican-leaning suburb.  <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2017/12/05/newly-elected-democratic-socialist-how-win-trump-country">His advice</a>: focus on programs to help everyone.


feed_id: 9253a0d0cea1b89fc1ea333ea788e574
title: Plastic coverup campaigns
uri: Plastic-coverup-campaigns
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#8_December_2017_%28Plastic_coverup_campaigns%29
content:
<p>
Plastic manufacturers knew in the 1970s that plastic waste was a special threat
to the oceans, and <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2017/12/05/plastics-industry-knew-its-products-were-polluting-oceans-1970s-then-spent">began coverup campaigns</a>
like those of the tobacco companies and the fossil fuel companies.


feed_id: 7286acbaea9d3eaf08a7b61debc71772
title: Mild tax-haven sanctions
uri: Mild-tax-haven-sanctions
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#8_December_2017_%28Mild_tax-haven_sanctions%29
content:
<p>
The EU has adopted some <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/business/2017/dec/05/eu-blacklist-names-17-tax-havens-and-puts-caymans-and-jersey-on-notice">mild sanctions</a> against 17 tax-haven countries
and territories.
47 others have been spared sanctions for the moment because they
have committed to reforming pertinent laws.
<p>
These sanctions are not enough, but the fact that the EU has adopted
some sanctions is a signal step forward.


feed_id: a28deb28d7ed58037d5bec5a75927e4a
title: Business over people
uri: Business-over-people
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#8_December_2017_%28Business_over_people%29
content:
<p>
Stiglitz: The problem with the US's business-supremacy treaties is not
that the US negotiators failed to get what they wanted.  It's that
they succeeded in <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/business/2017/dec/05/globalisation-time-look-at-past-plot-the-future-joseph-stiglitz">serving multinational business</a> against the people of
all the countries involved.
<p>
I will add, to what Stiglitz says, that we can't expect retraining of
workers for new jobs to counteract the injustice of globalization.  We
need global measures to make companies pay more to their employees,
even their low-skilled employees, and to make them pay more taxes to
give the low-paid and the unemployed a better life.


feed_id: 65c8f93619dd640d3b0ecaf3375ad44a
title: Laws for parents
uri: Laws-for-parents
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#8_December_2017_%28Laws_for_parents%29
content:
<p>
Finland's <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2017/dec/04/finland-only-country-world-dad-more-time-kids-moms">laws and policies</a> help parents and parents-to-be, for the
sake of healthy and capable children.  Finland successfully encourages
fathers to spend as much time with their children as mothers do, for
the sake of the children.
<p>
In the US, by contrast, men <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2017/dec/06/fired-for-taking-paternity-leave-dads-fighting-gender-roles-face-uphill-battle">can get fired</a> for taking unpaid leave to care
for their children or other relatives.
<p>
I want a world in which all children's families get this kind of help,
for the well-being of all children.  Would it be too expensive?  Not
if we bring the birth rate down to the level that the world can
sustain.  We need to reduce the human population by means of <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2009-may-aug.html#7%20August%202009%20(Thinking%20about%20the%20birth%20rate)">fewer
births</a> to avoid the coming disaster that is likely to kill billions of
people painfully.


feed_id: 3216295c8b4be2c2bdd93a5caf37733c
title: Copyright trolls
uri: Copyright-trolls
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#8_December_2017_%28Copyright_trolls%29
content:
<p>
A small claims court for copyright infringement might not be a bad idea,
but
<a href="https://torrentfreak.com/digital-rights-groups-warn-against-copyright-parking-tickets-bill-171203/">
the current US bill to create one
</a>
would make it biased and useful
for copyright trolls.
<p>
When an organization of large and powerful companies praises a measure that
is supposedly meant to help small companies, we must suspect trickery.


feed_id: 7283376bd0916baa627832404cbcc98c
title: Nuclear power plants
uri: 2017-12-09-Nuclear-power-plants
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#8_December_2017_%28Nuclear_power_plants%29
content:
<p>
The Tories are desperate to build
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/business/2017/dec/06/korean-energy-firm-kepco-rescue-moorside-nuclear-power-project">
heavily subsidized nuclear power
plants
</a>
even though those can't compete with simple and safe wind
turbines.


feed_id: e646bc2b4a3aa2d4ce93a6ce2f1e69e4
title: Trade union victimization
uri: Trade-union-victimization
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#8_December_2017_%28Trade_union_victimization%29
content:
<p>
A courier company has
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/business/2017/dec/06/addison-lee-accused-blacklisting-andrew-boxer-employment-tribunal-excel">
blacklisted a worker
</a>
who won a judgment against
another courier company.  The courier workers' union will sue.
<p>
In this one way, the UK is better off than the US.
US couriers find it almost impossible to unionize, and the law won't help
their demand to be paid the minimum wage.


feed_id: ab617624cf5626493c69527ecd2ed657
title: German backdoor law
uri: German-backdoor-law
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#8_December_2017_%28German_backdoor_law%29
content:
<p>
Germany is considering
<a href="https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/news/government/germany-preparing-law-for-backdoors-in-any-type-of-modern-device/">
a law to require backdoors in all connected devices,
</a>
including cars and computers as well as phones.
<p>
Are we really sure the German government will never do things like
snoop on everyone, put dissidents in prison, and kill them?


feed_id: a7240b79c6e6f6524091e159589c26e5
title: Adani coal mine
uri: Adani-coal-mine
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#8_December_2017_%28Adani_coal_mine%29
content:
<p>

Although the giant Adani coal mine in Australia seems to have been
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/science/2017/dec/06/smuggled-fossil-very-weird-new-species-of-amphibious-dinosaur-halszkaraptor-escuilliei">
blocked by loss of bank support
</a>
before it could endanger any endemic
species, it demonstrated the weakness and inadequacy of Australia's
environmental laws when planet roasters control the government.
<p>
If those planet roasters really lose 1.5 billion dollars, that will be
a great victory because it will teach a lesson to coal extractors
everywhere.  It would have better to teach them that they will be
blocked to protect the world from coal burning, but teaching them that
they will have trouble getting loans is a lot better than nothing.


feed_id: 5b1ef053e9d9bfb3d182aa85ebfe94bd
title: Oceans under threat
uri: Oceans-under-threat
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#8_December_2017_%28Oceans_under_threat%29
content:
<p>
Due to human actions,
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2017/12/05/climate-advocates-call-stronger-action-un-nature-program-details-ocean-damage">
the oceans are threatened as never before.
</a>
Governments are not taking this seriously.  Plastic companies are
lobbying to "preserve jobs" in plastic factories no matter what damage
that does.
<p>
There is a small error in the article.  CO2 dissolving in water does
not damage "the water".  It damages various animals that live in the water.
In particular,
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#25_February_2016_(Ocean_acidification)">
too much acidity kills corals
</a>
and some other organisms
with hard shells. 
<a href="https://stallman.org/notes/2014-jan-apr.html#14_April_2014_(Emboldened_by_chemistry)">
		   Excess CO2 can confuse the thinking of some fish,
making them vulnerable to predators.
</a>
<p>
This could wipe out thousands of species.


feed_id: 861090f75e8961bea4ed739e2b340fa6
title: Waiters' tips
uri: Waiters-tips
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#8_December_2017_%28Waiters%27_tips%29
content:
<p>
The Saboteur of Labor proposes to
<a href="https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2017/12/4/1721012/-Trump-s-Labor-Department-wants-to-let-employers-pocket-workers-tips?detail=emaildkre">
allow employers to confiscate part
of waiters' tips.
</a>


feed_id: 7fdb7dc60514fb95e46dc7beeb4bf164
title: Threats and intimidation
uri: Threats-and-intimidation
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#8_December_2017_%28Threats_and_intimidation%29
content:
<p>
After a neo-Nazi was interviewed in the New York Times,
<a href="https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2017/12/1/1720249/-Nazi-sympathizer-gets-family-fired-losing-home-after-profile-in-the-New-York-Times?detail=emaildkre">
people began
threatening violence against his employer and the other staff.
</a>
Not only he,
but his family as well, lost their jobs.
<p>
Threats and intimidation are unacceptable no matter who the victim is.
Right-wingers already use this approach, and we need to strengthen
businesses to resist such pressure.  We can't succeed at that if we
use the same pressure tactics.


feed_id: 116b9788c4dd4e653b8547972a824e20
title: Collins' vote
uri: Collins-vote
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#8_December_2017_%28Collins%27_vote%29
content:
<p>
Senator McConnell won Senator Collins's vote for the tax attacks
<a href="https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2017/12/4/1721085/-Surprise-McConnell-just-broke-all-those-promises-Susan-Collins-got-in-exchange-for-her-tax-vote?detail=emaildkre">
by making several specific promises, which he has already broken.
</a>
<p>
The Senate needs to vote again on the reconciled bill.  Will Collins
vote for it again because of already-broken promises?


feed_id: bd5193eed0751c94f585e4f4c02f17d5
title: Honduran police
uri: Honduran-police
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#8_December_2017_%28Honduran_police%29
content:
<p>
Some Honduran police are not thugs.
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2017/12/05/we-dont-want-repress-police-honduras-refuse-orders-stamp-out-pro-democracy-protests">
They refused to repress protests against
the attempted theft of the election.
</a>


feed_id: 493aa1f51efa1ce532cacd24830dc346
title: Methane leak reduction
uri: Methane-leak-reduction
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#8_December_2017_%28Methane_leak_reduction%29
content:
<p>
The American Petroleum Institute lobbies for
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2017/12/05/apis-methane-reduction-program-no-substitute-federal-protections">
a weak voluntary methane
leak reduction program,
</a>
as a substitute for the current mandatory
program.
<p>
Businesses always say, "Don't regulate us -- let us do the job
'voluntarily."  Do you trust them to really do it?  Or will they
save money by not really doing it?


feed_id: 5ff1ce6519edaae034768d355818130a
title: Fracking PR manipulation
uri: Fracking-PR-manipulation
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#8_December_2017_%28Fracking_PR_manipulation%29
content:
<p>
Fracking companies have set up
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2017/12/05/fracking-industry-front-groups-secret-playbook-reveals-orchestrated-astroturf-effort">
a pretend-movement in favor of fracking.
</a>
<p>
Given money, it it is possible to make any position appear valid and
rally some people to it.  The frackers' arguments will probably
persuade some people, if only those who don't recognize what harm
fracking does and can do.  But that doesn't make it anything but a form
of PR manipulation.


feed_id: 072fd3f3e5bd09a7dfdccdda6e4a85d0
title: The birthplace of Trumpism
uri: The-birthplace-of-Trumpism
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#8_December_2017_%28The_birthplace_of_Trumpism%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2017/12/05/whats-matter-eastern-europe">
Repressive right-wing regimes in Eastern Europe
</a>
blazed the trail for
the bully.
<p>
It should be noted that one of the reasons Fidesz remains popular is
that
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/oct/09/protests-in-hungary-at-closure-of-main-leftwing-opposition-newspaper">
it shuts down newspapers and institutions that don't bow down to
it.
</a>


feed_id: 031cb5d830c8a2e598836f33e95af6f5
title: Antisemitic
uri: Antisemitic
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#8_December_2017_%28Antisemitic%29
content:
<p>
An Israeli minister said
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2017/dec/06/labour-leadership-in-uk-has-antisemitic-views-says-israeli-minister-gilad-erdan">
some of the leaders of the UK Labour Party
are "antisemitic".
</a>
<p>
When Israeli officials say "antisemitic", they mean "critical of
Israel's occupation of Palestine."  Israel has no complaints about
<u>real</u> antisemites,
<a href="https://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-5047110,00.html">
as long as they cooperate with Israel.
</a>


feed_id: aa55c878754b468ecfecab60b9e3ca5a
title: The capital of Israel
uri: The-capital-of-Israel
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#8_December_2017_%28The_capital_of_Israel%29
content:
<p>
The bully says that
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2017/dec/06/donald-trump-us-jerusalem-israel-capital">
recognizing Jerusalem as the capital of Israel
</a>
does not mean it can't be the capital of Palestine as well.
<p>
In some theoretical sense that might make it ok, but the world
may not consider that enough to avoid
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/dec/06/us-recognition-of-jerusalem-as-israel-capital-what-it-means">
the likely bad consequences.
</a>


feed_id: 90fa9ad37bb61f44399ada17ba915a39
title: Corrupt Olympics
uri: Corrupt-Olympics
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#8_December_2017_%28Corrupt_Olympics%29
content:
<p>
Of Course Russian sport Is Corrupt,
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2017/dec/06/russian-sport-corrupt-olympics">
But Then So Are the Olympics.
</a>


feed_id: 32790817e1aa3fc541a4a1116bfb595d
title: Weinstein class-action
uri: Weinstein-class-action
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#8_December_2017_%28Weinstein_class-action%29
content:
<p>
So many women want to sue Harvey Weinstein
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/film/2017/dec/06/six-women-file-class-action-lawsuit-against-harvey-weinstein-and-complicit-producers">
that a class-action suit is
proposed.
</a>


[Please email me the specific URL of this political note after you post it.]


feed_id: b2c0419c1d91421db779ca521bb9c5f7
title: ErdoÄan will visit Greece
uri: ErdoÄ-an-will-visit-Greece
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#8_December_2017_%28Erdogan_will_visit_Greece%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/dec/07/turkish-president-erdogan-to-make-landmark-visit-to-greece">
ErdoÄan is going to visit Greece.
</a>
<p>
It would be good to end the traditional hostility between Greece and Turkey,
now that almost 100 years have gone by since the last reason for it.
But it would be a shame to legitimize the tyrant ErdoÄan.
<p>
Greeks now have a chance to overwrite the traditional hostility with
the friendship Turkey needs now.  I suggest to Greeks that they
organize a protest against ErdoÄan in the name of Turkey.  Imagine the
banner, "ErdoÄan, set Turkey free," with translations in Greek and
Turkish.  "Turks Deserve Human Rights."  "Friends of Turkey = Enemies
of ErdoÄan."


feed_id: 4bf1e7a1a4761bd71e7f39f17ac84551
title: Rent-a-bike snooping
uri: Rent-a-bike-snooping
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#8_December_2017_%28Rent-a-bike_snooping%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/cities/2017/dec/07/velib-paris-bike-cycle-share">
Paris's snooping rent-a-bike system has broken down,
</a>
leaving an
opportunity for a competing system that almost surely snoops even
more.
<p>
It is almost certain that the dockless system tracks riders all the
time, everywhere they go.
<p>
France used to boast that its privacy regulator was so strict that the
state had to prove justification to look at the personal data held by
the bicycle system.  Whoops, due to the state of emergency the state
can look at any or all of them with no limits.  Any system in France
that gets your personal data is working for the "security forces".


feed_id: 4e25a4c0cad76f14792bbdbcdf11c07a
title: Russian elections
uri: Russian-elections
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#8_December_2017_%28Russian_elections%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/dec/07/navalny-army-russians-risking-all-to-oppose-vladimir-putin">
Putin is so popular (after restricting opposition press) that he will
almost surely win a free and fair election,
</a>
but he's not willing to take
the risk of having one.


feed_id: fa5fa5e345ad0cc90b81e8aaa032b3fb
title: Urgent: tax attacks statement
uri: Urgent-tax-attacks-statement
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#9_December_2017_%28Urgent%3A_tax_attacks_statement%29

content:
<p>
US citizens: <a href="https://go.berniesanders.com/page/s/this-is-class-warfare">support Sanders</a> when he says that the SCROTUS tax attacks
are class warfare.


feed_id: 1931d158280541829eaf63876369b4d0
title: Urgent: bail industry
uri: Urgent-bail-industry
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#9_December_2017_%28Urgent%3A_bail_industry%29
content:
<p>
Everyone: <a href="https://campaigns.organizefor.org/petitions/investigate-money-bail-in-new-york">call on New York State</a> to investigate the bail industry and
end the system that jails and gouges poor people.


feed_id: bc2b3276d1a1bddf41e50c67f090348e
title: Loot boxes
uri: Loot-boxes
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#9_December_2017_%28Loot_boxes%29
content:
<p>
In the latest video games, "loot boxes" constitute a sort of networked
slot machine.  The player pays for a benefit and only then sees what
it contains.  The contents of the box are ostensibly random.  In some
places, these may <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/games/2017/nov/24/gambling-regulators-to-investigate-loot-boxes-in-video-games">violate laws on gambling</a>.
<p>
It is invalid to argue that loot boxes are acceptable because it is
the "next step" in a continuing progression towards increasingly
exploitative games.  Sure, they are that, but it doesn't follow that we
should permit this slide down a visibly slippery slope.  Some national
legislatures are <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/games/shortcuts/2017/nov/26/how-much-star-wars-battlefront-ii-and-the-problem-with-paid-for-video-game-rewards">considering banning</a> this practice.
<p>
Are the contents of loot boxes indeed random?  We can't assume that.
A game could be made even more manipulative by cheating — choosing
the rewards to make them even more addictive.  Since Volkswagen's
software cheated, we should consider that games and game servers may
also cheat.
<p>
In my view, any game with in-game purchases is primarily designed to
addict and exploit those who play it.  Don't let them make you a
sucker.  Play chess, or cards, or a board game, or a digital game
which is free software and doesn't depend on a server.


feed_id: 254626db0a3bc73583c57927e4defc2f
title: Volkswagen executive
uri: Volkswagen-executive
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#9_December_2017_%28Volkswagen_executive%29
content:
<p>
An executive of Volkswagen has been <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/business/2017/dec/06/oliver-schmidt-jailed-volkswagen-emissions-scam-seven-years">sent to prison</a> for 7 years
for making cars cheat on emissions tests.
<p>
This job was done using proprietary software in the cars.
We should never trust a proprietary program!


feed_id: e04549c5b995d9186a9ba79015f7eada
title: Prisoner torture
uri: Prisoner-torture
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#9_December_2017_%28Prisoner_torture%29
content:
<p>
The UN Committee against Torture told Cameroon to <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2017/12/06/un-committee-tells-cameroon-put-end-torture-security-forces-fight-against-boko">stop using torture</a> against
prisoners suspected of working for Boko Haram.


feed_id: 4fb3821709e82d84c8e92e74393c13af
title: Brazilian beef safety
uri: Brazilian-beef-safety
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#9_December_2017_%28Brazilian_beef_safety%29
content:
<p>
Food and Water Watch petitioned for the US to bar imports of Brazilian beef
because of <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2017/12/06/advocacy-group-calls-ban-brazilian-beef-imports-citing-countless-health-and">repeated violations</a> of safety rules.


feed_id: c33b8ddfe738ac302865a22c167f1273
title: Attacked and jailed
uri: Attacked-and-jailed
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#9_December_2017_%28Attacked_and_jailed%29
content:
<p>
UK thugs <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2017/dec/06/police-threaten-to-deport-polish-man-seeking-help-after-attack">jailed a Polish couple</a> after they reported being attacked by
criminals in their own house.


feed_id: 8fed35a7c635f09691d57c4be232f45c
title: Franken will resign
uri: Franken-will-resign
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#9_December_2017_%28Franken_will_resign%29
content:
<p>
Senator Franken will <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2017/dec/07/al-franken-resigns-senate-sexual-misconduct-allegations">resign from the Senate</a> for groping several women.
<p>
I suppose he will resign during a recess so that he can be replaced before
the recess ends.


feed_id: a3e7302d361f208bb2619279111083fc
title: Thug sentenced to 20 years
uri: Thug-sentenced-to-20-years
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#9_December_2017_%28Thug_sentenced_to_20_years%29
content:
<p>
The thug that killed Walter Scott will spend around <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2017/dec/07/michael-slager-walter-scott-second-degree-murder">20 years in prison</a> for
2nd degree murder.


feed_id: fc47bae8565f06bb20a85818e400ead6
title: Suing a social movement
uri: Suing-a-social-movement
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#9_December_2017_%28Suing_a_social_movement%29
content:
<p>
Pipeline companies are trying to sue a social movement called Earth
First under the RICO law.  The law says this is not allowed, and
anyway a social movement has no address at which to serve papers.  So
they <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2017/12/05/trump-lawyers-attempt-sue-environmental-philosophy-under-anti-racketeering-laws">sent the papers to a magazine</a> called "Earth First!".
<p>
I have always worried that the RICO law is too broad and could be used
for repression.


feed_id: f178c0a5716af1eb900a5ecf4e5ac086
title: Tax attacks and the biosphere
uri: Tax-attacks-and-the-biosphere
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#9_December_2017_%28Tax_attacks_and_the_biosphere%29
content:
<p>
The SCROTUS tax attacks are <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2017/12/05/gop-tax-bill-assaults-planet-well-poor">targeting the Earth's biosphere</a> as well as
non-rich Americans.


feed_id: f3e0c000f875256976c8b3a76004c6ff
title: Blocking sites for sharing
uri: Blocking-sites-for-sharing
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#9_December_2017_%28Blocking_sites_for_sharing%29
content:
<p>
Many large companies are pushing Canada to <a href="http://www.canadalandshow.com/bell-pushing-end-to-net-neutrality-in-canada/">make all ISPs block access</a>
to a list of sites that support sharing.
<p>
To defeat these proposals, of which they will generate an endless
series, we have to go beyond opposing each specific proposed system or
method.  We have to condemn their goal.  Canadians should demand
the legal right to share copies.  This means the noncommercial
redistribution of exact copies of any published work.
<p>
Sharing is good.  To stop people from sharing means dividing people to
subjugate them.


feed_id: d0ed02bbc9e26b7f688da90f9fe4b317
title: Investigating thugs
uri: Investigating-thugs
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#9_December_2017_%28Investigating_thugs%29
content:
<p>
UK thugs set an <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2017/dec/06/sean-rigg-family-decision-not-to-charge-police-shameful">impossibly high criterion</a> for evidence to convince
them to investigate, when thugs have killed people in the process of
arresting them.


feed_id: 5b8c952fa1c0f8a65729e05abd6f7f86
title: California wildfires
uri: 2017-12-09-California-wildfires
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#9_December_2017_%28California_wildfires%29
content:
<p>
Wildfires are threatening <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/dec/07/california-wildfires-winds-pose-extreme-danger-in-los-angeles">thousands of buildings</a> in various parts of
Los Angeles.
<p>
<a href="/glossary.html#global heating">Global heating</a> is drying out southern California, so the fires 30
years from now will be much bigger.


feed_id: 7f59fadb18d9003d135921b1d06e16f9
title: Britons that join PISSI
uri: Britons-that-join-PISSI
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#9_December_2017_%28Britons_that_join_PISSI%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2017/dec/07/british-isis-fighters-should-be-hunted-down-and-killed-says-defence-secretary-gavin-williamson">Dangerous incendiary talk</a> from a UK minister: kill Britons that joined
<a href="/glossary.html#pissi">PISSI</a>.
<p>
If they are armed enemies of the UK, in a failed state which can't
arrest them, fighting them may be legitimate in some circumstances.
But the idea of exiling them is outrageous.  If they come to a British
embassy and surrender, what would he do?  Kick them out and then shoot
them?


feed_id: 14b322f74cca21358fa9889bce3a5ed3
title: Protests over housing for homeless
uri: Protests-over-housing-for-homeless
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#9_December_2017_%28Protests_over_housing_for_homeless%29

content:
<p>
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/dec/06/vancouver-canada-homeless-project-protest-court">Protesters in Vancouver</a> objected to housing for the homeless because it was
in their backyard.
<p>
I do not sympathize with nimbyism.  If they want to replace this solution,
they should campaign for a solution that is better in general.


feed_id: e26224d6cdb2a48a17263a508550975c
title: Christine Keeler
uri: Christine-Keeler
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#9_December_2017_%28Christine_Keeler%29
content:
<p>
Christine Keeler's life was <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2017/dec/07/profumo-scandal-redemption-christine-keeler">kept in the gutter</a> by the twisted condemnation
dished out to women for not being chaste.
<p>
It strikes me that affection may have been the most intimacy she knew
how to cope with at that point in her life — and if she had been granted
the continuation of that affection, it might have given her a basis to heal
and take charge of her life.


feed_id: 8e8ed204d8d115b9b60342e0e8ac999a
title: Roots of Honduras crisis
uri: Roots-of-Honduras-crisis
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#9_December_2017_%28Roots_of_Honduras_crisis%29
content:
<p>
Crisis of Honduras Democracy Has <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/dec/07/crisis-of-honduras-democracy-has-roots-in-us-tacit-support-for-2009-coup">Roots in US Tacit Support</a> for 2009 Coup.


feed_id: 3092dff35fdd39001ece13ae7b4f6ba4
title: Rosa Parks the activist
uri: Rosa-Parks-the-activist
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#9_December_2017_%28Rosa_Parks_the_activist%29
content:
<p>
Rosa Parks didn't unleash the Montgomery bus boycott by accident.  <a href="https://www.splcenter.org/news/2017/11/30/weekend-read-rosa-parks-metoo-and-nature-struggle">She
was an activist</a>; the boycott was carefully planned and then carefully
supported.  That's what enabled the blacks of Montgomery to persist
and win.


feed_id: e59bccc2e4ce251c52ce07f3f7192a83
title: Same-sex marriage
uri: 2017-12-09-Same-sex-marriage
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#9_December_2017_%28Same-sex_marriage%29
content:
<p>
Australia has <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2017/dec/07/marriage-equality-law-passes-australias-parliament-in-landslide-vote">legalized same-sex marriage</a>.


feed_id: a6f7cb61655b3bc97c295b506ac924cd
title: Oil drilling and caribou
uri: Oil-drilling-and-caribou
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#9_December_2017_%28Oil_drilling_and_caribou%29
content:
<p>
Republicans want to allow oil drilling in <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2017/dec/07/alaska-republican-tax-bill-oil-gas-drilling">exactly the places</a> that caribou have
their calves each year.


feed_id: 07ef3794dd5ef7b97c796894939e814e
title: Importing plastic waste
uri: Importing-plastic-waste
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#9_December_2017_%28Importing_plastic_waste%29
content:
<p>
China has <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2017/dec/07/chinese-ban-on-plastic-waste-imports-could-see-uk-pollution-rise">banned the importation</a> of plastic waste.
Perhaps China now produces so much plastic waste of its own that its
recycling capacity is now saturated.
<p>
Countries need pay for proper disposal of plastic waste, and make the
cost of disposal part of the cost of plastic by taxing plastic
accordingly.


feed_id: 24f4d2bc6a93d5f679e1320719e52454
title: Waiters' tips
uri: 2017-12-09-Waiters-tips
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#8_December_2017_%28Waiters%27_tips%29
content:
<p>
The <a href="/glossary.html#saboteur">Saboteur</a> of Labor proposes to
<a href="https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2017/12/4/1721012/-Trump-s-Labor-Department-wants-to-let-employers-pocket-workers-tips?detail=emaildkre">
allow employers to confiscate part
of waiters' tips.
</a>


feed_id: 8c4d8ceae6d0131bf29833abcbaca49c
title: The capital of Israel
uri: 2017-12-09-The-capital-of-Israel
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#8_December_2017_%28The_capital_of_Israel%29
content:
<p>
<a href="/glossary.html#bully">The bully</a> says that
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2017/dec/06/donald-trump-us-jerusalem-israel-capital">
recognizing Jerusalem as the capital of Israel
</a>
does not mean it can't be the capital of Palestine as well.
<p>
In some theoretical sense that might make it ok, but the world
may not consider that enough to avoid
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/dec/06/us-recognition-of-jerusalem-as-israel-capital-what-it-means">
the likely bad consequences.
</a>


feed_id: 66c4e79f01ef5160f157bee493c049b6
title: Urgent: Concealed carry reciprocity
uri: Urgent-Concealed-carry-reciprocity
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#10_December_2017_%28Urgent%3A_Concealed_carry_reciprocity%29

content:
<p>
US citizens: <a href="https://act.credoaction.com/sign/Senate_Concealed_Carry">call on the Senate</a> to block the "concealed carry
reciprocity" bill that would enable one state to undermine another
state's gun control laws.


feed_id: f081628d1bb71265115404096db4ecbd
title: Public to private housing
uri: Public-to-private-housing
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#10_December_2017_%28Public_to_private_housing%29
content:
<p>
Thatcher (a Tory) began selling England's public housing to the
tenants, and not replacing it.  40% of them were eventually <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/society/2017/dec/08/right-to-buy-homes-owned-private-landlords">resold to
private landlords</a> that charge a lot more rent.
<p>
Tories regard poor people as a nuisance, and privatizing public
housing offered an excuse to tell some of them, "We can't help you."


feed_id: 9198dd7d8faf4692e9b4826ee49cfe04
title: Middle-East mediation
uri: Middle-East-mediation
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#10_December_2017_%28Middle-East_mediation%29
content:
<p>
Gush Shalom: the bully has put an <a href="https://shirazsocialist.wordpress.com/2017/12/07/gush-shalom-the-end-of-american-mediation-in-the-middle-east/">end to Middle-East mediation</a> by the
US, but since the US was nearly 100% on Israel's side, it was hopeless
as a mediator.  Now there is room for a new mediator, probably Putin,
but perhaps the EU.


feed_id: b228bbcb66c91a23e8576f397ce9bb69
title: Exiting the EU
uri: Exiting-the-EU
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#10_December_2017_%28Exiting_the_EU%29
content:
<p>
If the UK goes ahead with exiting the EU, it will carry all the
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2017/dec/08/not-much-remain-theresa-may-red-lines-brexit-deal">requirements and burdens</a> of EU membership without any say in what
those will be.


feed_id: a76da31a8008d9ff8e7985401fd3cf9f
title: Killings and inequality
uri: Killings-and-inequality
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#10_December_2017_%28Killings_and_inequality%29
content:
<p>
If you want to reduce killings, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2017/dec/08/income-inequality-murder-homicide-rates">reduce inequality</a>.
<p>
Many poor men feel they have nothing to be proud of except maintaining
themselves high in the pecking order, which means nobody dares to
disrespect them.


feed_id: a51cc105007e67e5da3f3a593269a0da
title: Ralph Nader on tax attacks
uri: Ralph-Nader-on-tax-attacks
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#10_December_2017_%28Ralph_Nader_on_tax_attacks%29
content:
<p>
Ralph Nader: "Slashing and burning in every direction, this
legislation [the tax attacks] <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2017/12/06/republicans-devious-tax-attack-people">endangers the financial security</a> of
regular Americans of every age and every occupation."


feed_id: 0d87497d3fa197fd92961e15078cef73
title: Prize from insurance company
uri: Prize-from-insurance-company
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#10_December_2017_%28Prize_from_insurance_company%29
content:
<p>
Indigenous Climate Action, in Canada, has <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2017/12/06/indigenous-climate-action-rejects-150000-award-aviva-canada-due-moral-conflict">refused a prize</a> from the insurance
company Aviva because it invests heavily in fossil fuel companies.
<p>
Some <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#20_November_2017_(Fossil_fuel_divesting)">other insurance companies</a> have divested from fossil fuels
because global heating is likely to make them have to pay more
in the future to those who purchase insurance.


feed_id: e5d32c6c6dc72ffd34b2f8a64190d15b
title: Suicides in UAE
uri: Suicides-in-UAE
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#10_December_2017_%28Suicides_in_UAE%29
content:
<p>
A Sri Lankan family, trapped in the United Arab Emirates by
ever-increasing debt, tried to commit suicide.  The parents succeeded,
but the daughters survived and <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2017/dec/08/gulf-work-trap-tragedy-sri-lankan-family-kafala">now face punishment</a>.
<p>
I can never understand why people who are oppressed hate themselves
instead of hating their oppressors.  If I were one of those daughters,
I would dedicate my life to bringing shame and disgust on the UAE.


feed_id: 1e1f07f7b3e9e49f87e423c7078e7970
title: Coal plants running at a loss
uri: Coal-plants-running-at-a-loss
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#10_December_2017_%28Coal_plants_running_at_a_loss%29

content:
<p>
Half the coal-burning electric plants in Europe are <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2017/dec/08/death-spiral-half-of-europes-coal-plants-are-losing-money">running at a loss</a>,
but they all need to be closed and soon.


feed_id: de984a587cde2aac217e7a80c2d8c289
title: Office parties
uri: Office-parties
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#10_December_2017_%28Office_parties%29
content:
<p>
A woman <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2017/dec/08/metoo-skip-office-parties-sexually-assaulted-christmas">writes about being groped</a> at an office Christmas party, and how
she has hated them ever since, and now is glad she can refuse to go.
<p>
I never was in a situation that compelled me to go to office holiday
season parties, but I did sometimes go to them.  I appreciate that
they weren't designated "Christmas" parties, and sometimes I enjoyed
conversing with people that were not drunk.  The culture of Cambridge,
Massachusetts, doesn't pressure people to get very drunk, the way it
does in England.
<p>
I don't expect anyone would grope me at drunken parties, but I still
find them horrid.  I can't understand how anyone can stand them.
I can't imagine letting other people pressure me into going to them,
either.  There is a limit to what I will do to "fit in" with others,
a rather low limit.
<p>
I am glad the author of the article can now refuse to attend office
parties, but she shouldn't have to justify or explain it either.


feed_id: ec42d0c498c89e2bdc11112e6570e2cb
title: Killing with permits
uri: Killing-with-permits
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#10_December_2017_%28Killing_with_permits%29
content:
<p>
People with state permits to carry concealed guns have killed a <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2017/12/06/house-passes-federally-mandated-concealed-carry-threatening-public-safety-law">substantial
number of people</a>.


feed_id: 372f06df9e3b66a247a95170a965fbb0
title: Housing fire aftermath
uri: Housing-fire-aftermath
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#10_December_2017_%28Housing_fire_aftermath%29
content:
<p>
After six months, most of the families made homeless by the housing
project fire in London are <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2017/dec/07/grenfell-families-need-home-support-group">still not living</a> in permanent homes.
<p>
This is because of the UK's general policies that <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2017-jul-oct.html#12_October_2017_(Selling_off_public_housing)">sell off public housing</a>
instead of building more.


feed_id: 52b446412e6c38d8dfa77e7989b07065
title: Yemen blockade continues
uri: Yemen-blockade-continues
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#10_December_2017_%28Yemen_blockade_continues%29
content:
<p>
The International Rescue Committee: <a href="/glossary.html#salafi">Salafi Arabia</a> and its "coalition"
(including the US) are <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2017/12/06/yemen-blockade-not-over">still blockading Yemen</a>.
<p>
The troll <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2017/12/07/peace-action-trump-joins-world-calling-saudi-arabia-end-its-yemen-blockade">publicly called</a> on Salafi Arabia to end the blockade of Yemen,
but if he were serious about this he could just pull out of that "coalition"
and make it end.


feed_id: 50c3ec1698e4e87e10663ce88a43b70f
title: Jerusalem decision
uri: Jerusalem-decision
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#10_December_2017_%28Jerusalem_decision%29
content:
<p>
Arab leaders, both official and unofficial, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/dec/07/arab-leaders-condemn-us-decision-on-jerusalem-israel">condemned the troll's decision</a>
about Jerusalem.


feed_id: d3217f587e30b62b7a8ae6fcf683b8a0
title: Ending havens for tax-dodging
uri: Ending-havens-for-tax-dodging
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#10_December_2017_%28Ending_havens_for_tax-dodging%29

content:
<p>
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2017/dec/07/eu-tax-haven-blacklist-whitewash-west-imperialism-tackle-avoidance">Suggestions for policies</a> that could really put an end to tax-dodging
through tax havens.
<p>
I don't think we need to let concern for the possible poverty of small
populations of the tax-haven islands deter us from fixing this
enormous problem.  The tax-dodgers include corrupt Africans stealing
from countries whose populations are much poorer.  If we put an end to
this giant <a href="/glossary.html#doohnibor">dooH niboR</a>, the non-rich will benefit all around the world.


feed_id: ee56af601d53506b6421897489eb307c
title: Negotiating with North Korea
uri: Negotiating-with-North-Korea
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#10_December_2017_%28Negotiating_with_North_Korea%29
content:
<p>
Kim told Russia he <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/dec/07/north-korea-ready-direct-talks-us-sergei-lavrov">wants to negotiate</a> with the US.
<p>
In a sense, this means that the bully's treatment of North Korea is
what we would call a success.  The only way to eliminate North Korea
as a threat to the US, and to South Korea, is by negotiation, and it's
clear Kim very much wants a deal, so it should be possible to get a
good deal on peace.
<p>
Does the bully join us in calling this situation a success?  Does he
want to get a good deal, or does he just want to look and feel strong?
If he wants a deal, why has he waited this long without negotiations?
It's not as if it were news that Kim wants to negotiate.  This is
confirmation of what we already knew.


feed_id: 0ed93e4b71236916a4a6e762a283f8c3
title: Jewish Voice for Peace event
uri: Jewish-Voice-for-Peace-event
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#10_December_2017_%28Jewish_Voice_for_Peace_event%29
content:
<p>
Jewish Voice for Peace held an event about the difference between
criticism of Israeli policies and antisemitism, including for instance
the antisemitism of right-wing US supporters of Israel.  The
Anti-Defamation League defamed the organizers, and right-wing US
supporters of Israel <a href="https://theintercept.com/2017/12/07/anti-semitism-jewish-voice-for-peace-panel/">tried to interfere</a> with the event.
<p>
Some Orthodox Jews opposed Zionism for a century or more, and perhaps
still.  They believed that Jews were supposed to wait for the Messiah
to bring them back to Israel, so that Zionism was sacrilege.  I think
that idea is ridiculous, but it certainly isn't antisemitism.


feed_id: 3a46478a81ed82788c61736559099570
title: Net neutrality complaints
uri: Net-neutrality-complaints
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#10_December_2017_%28Net_neutrality_complaints%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://www.techdirt.com/articles/20171205/12420338750/fcc-tried-to-hid">The FCC Tried To Hide</a> Net Neutrality Complaints Against ISPs.
<p>
Success would have helped ISPs such as AT&T cover up the ways they
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2017/12/07/dont-believe-atts-net-neutrality-lies">violated network neutrality</a>.


feed_id: dad1340d3bb911163f88b839a33eeaa4
title: Former Argentine president
uri: Former-Argentine-president
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#10_December_2017_%28Former_Argentine_president%29
content:
<p>
Former Argentine president Fernandez may be <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/dec/07/argentina-judge-calls-for-arrest-of-ex-president-cristina-fernandez-for-treason">prosecuted for treason</a>,
the specific occasion being that she made an agreement with Iran to
help Iranians escape prosecution for a bombing at a Jewish community
center which took place in 1994.
<p>
Her alleged actions don't fit the word "treason" as it is used in the
US, but would constitute a coverup of crime.


feed_id: c5b61fe0d5349d2eb654d4b4fdfe4a94
title: Urgent: tax attacks bill
uri: Urgent-tax-attacks-bill
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#11_December_2017_%28Urgent%3A_tax_attacks_bill%29
content:
<p>
US citizens: <a href="https://act.climatetruth.org/sign/cta-stopthetaxbill/">call on your congresscritter</a> one more time to oppose the
tax attacks bill.


feed_id: 19cf69ba26ffcbdd723ecf41b53b5728
title: ISP honesty
uri: ISP-honesty
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#11_December_2017_%28ISP_honesty%29
content:
<p>
Along with network neutrality, the FCC's Pai-in-the-face plan includes
<a href="https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2017/12/how-the-net-neutrality-repeal-helps-isps-keep-their-hidden-fees-hidden/">weakening the rules</a> for ISPs to be honest about what they charge.
<p>
<a href="https://boingboing.net/2017/12/08/the-mushroom-treatment.html">"Ajit Pai says</a> an informed public (not Net Neutrality) will discipline ISPs
(BTW, he's also killing the rules forcing ISPs to inform the public)."


feed_id: de5e536aaf66fac1173fddd24ee1ec81
title: Exceptional liar
uri: Exceptional-liar
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#11_December_2017_%28Exceptional_liar%29
content:
<p>
The troll is <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2017/12/08/i-study-liars-ive-never-seen-one-president-trump">not a normal kind of liar</a>.  He lies exceptionally often,
even among big liars.  Even more unusual, half of his lies are
intentionally cruel.


feed_id: 28ef5a3a31f79b365a902796e100ab06
title: Sit-in for Senator Collins
uri: Sit-in-for-Senator-Collins
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#11_December_2017_%28Sit-in_for_Senator_Collins%29
content:
<p>
Protesters <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2017/12/08/arrested-office-sit-maine-clergy-demand-collins-reverse-vote-immoral-gop-tax-bill">held a sit-in</a> in Senator Collins's office as it closed,
demanding that she vote against the tax attacks.


feed_id: 6658a3bbf5858d2ee3e63f5b934e2e94
title: Attacking renewables
uri: Attacking-renewables
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#11_December_2017_%28Attacking_renewables%29
content:
<p>
GOP Tax Scam <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2017/12/08/gop-tax-scam-attacks-renewables-while-nurturing-nuclear-and-fossil-fuel-industries">Attacks Renewables</a> While Nurturing Nuclear and Fossil Fuel
Industries.


feed_id: a878eddf31b64c58230defd5e8cd5b67
title: Food stamp requirements
uri: Food-stamp-requirements
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#11_December_2017_%28Food_stamp_requirements%29
content:
<p>
UCS: USDA's <a href="http://www.ucsusa.org/press/2017/usda-s-pledge-allow-food-stamp-flexibilities-states-could-open-door-misguided-eligibility">Pledge to Allow Food Stamp "Flexibilities"</a> for States Could Open 
Door to Misguided Eligibility Requirements.


feed_id: 99884c8b4b2047fcc2144776deb5fb96
title: Scientific journals
uri: Scientific-journals
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#11_December_2017_%28Scientific_journals%29
content:
<p>
Even reputable, and partly reputable, scientific journals accept
some articles that are <a href="http://nautil.us/issue/55/trust/why-garbage-science-gets-published">glaring pseudoscience</a>.
<p>
A journal that accepts 90% of the offered papers, and is willing to
retract one, is not in the lowest category.  The truly predatory
journals accept around 100% of the articles offered to them, and I
doubt they ever think about retracting one.


feed_id: 547b2c3ad6729cc690ca9cc030b359c8
title: WTO participants
uri: WTO-participants
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#11_December_2017_%28WTO_participants%29
content:
<p>
Argentina claims that <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/dec/09/argentina-deports-british-journalist-ahead-of-wto-conference">deportation of journalists and activists</a> who were
authorized to participate in the WTO is for the sake of "security".
<p>
I must wonder what sort of "security" issue this concerns.  Securing
ever-tightening plutocratic control over the whole world, perhaps?
<p>
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2017/12/08/i-was-banned-wto-defending-peoples-rights">I Was Banned From The WTO</a> [based on lies] For Defending Peopleâs Rights.
<p>
The WTO <a href="https://stallman.org/business-supremacy-treaties.html">must be eliminated</a>, because of the power that it gives
to the plutocrats over supposedly-democratic states.


feed_id: 6f8da07179d110747abf0f28364e6fb8
title: Imprisoning hospital patients
uri: Imprisoning-hospital-patients
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#11_December_2017_%28Imprisoning_hospital_patients%29

content:
<p>
African hospitals often <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2017/dec/08/hospital-bills-health-centres-sub-saharan-africa-asia-starved-abused">imprison patients</a> that can't pay their bills.
Many of them are women that came to give birth.
<p>
Aside from the injustice of what the hospitals do, we should notice
that parents who can't pay for hospital care for the birth surely also
can't pay to raise a child properly.  It is irresponsible for them to
have children.


feed_id: 7643e3378cf21e9ac2861a0f6b04ed5d
title: Evidence from surveillance
uri: Evidence-from-surveillance
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#11_December_2017_%28Evidence_from_surveillance%29
content:
<p>
Section 702 massive surveillance gives the FBI <a href="https://www.aclu.org/blog/national-security/privacy-and-surveillance/do-everything-they-ask-so-they-dont-shoot-me">tons of evidence</a> to go
fishing for excuses to prosecute US citizens.
<p>
<a href="https://theconversation.com/six-ways-and-counting-that-big-data-systems-are-harming-society-88660">Six <em>other</em> ways</a> that massive personal data harms society.


feed_id: 3d34d095f95f69e8b8fbc387df12389a
title: Incorrect CNN story
uri: Incorrect-CNN-story
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#11_December_2017_%28Incorrect_CNN_story%29
content:
<p>
Glenn Greenwald: CNN <a href="https://theintercept.com/2017/12/09/the-u-s-media-yesterday-suffered-its-most-humiliating-debacle-in-ages-now-refuses-all-transparency-over-what-happened/">published an incorrect story</a> about an email that
apparently indicated Wikileaks secretly offered DNC leaks to the
bully's campaign.  It appeared that way because CNN had the wrong date
for the email.
<p>
Greenwald says that CNN should publish who told it about the email and
gave it the wrong date, and reports that several news reports criticizing
Russia or Putin appear to have been planted and false.
<p>
I saw some of those stories, and didn't know they were false — I have
no practical way to check that — but I felt they were drawing big conclusions
from small evidence, or exaggerating the significance of what was known.
So I did not post about them.


feed_id: 9bc7a556669fc509738ac20fdbdae22e
title: Tax attacks and the deficit
uri: Tax-attacks-and-the-deficit
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#11_December_2017_%28Tax_attacks_and_the_deficit%29
content:
<p>
Progressives must resist the pressure to criticize the tax attacks
about <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2017/dec/09/four-takeaways-republican-tax-bill">increasing the deficit or the debt</a>.


feed_id: 5f45c3ee0c8b807c657dc657aaecc31b
title: Targeting Good Samaritans
uri: Targeting-Good-Samaritans
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#11_December_2017_%28Targeting_Good_Samaritans%29
content:
<p>
Atlanta <a href="https://reason.com/archives/2017/12/09/atlanta-latest-city-to-target-good-samar">Targets Good Samaritans</a> Sharing Food with Homeless.


feed_id: 6f16d17517007a003d720f30305d3b35
title: Letter from economists
uri: Letter-from-economists
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#11_December_2017_%28Letter_from_economists%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://www.sandersinstitute.com/blog/an-open-letter-to-the-us-congress">Open letter from economists</a> to the U.S. Congress, published by the
Sanders Institute.


feed_id: b54c12a8e6a0352fa308bac7dd512ef1
title: Armed and dangerous
uri: Armed-and-dangerous
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#11_December_2017_%28Armed_and_dangerous%29
content:
<p>
When a thug decides you're armed and dangerous, and you're not, there is
literally <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2017/dec/08/arizona-police-shooting-philip-brailsford-acquitted">nothing you can do</a> to assure your safety.


feed_id: eb5232b8f933eb93d8004ea84b24cca7
title: Pipeline protesters
uri: 2017-12-11-Pipeline-protesters
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#11_December_2017_%28Pipeline_protesters%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2017/12/08/water-protectors-and-environmental-groups-disrupt-wells-fargo-investment-thought">Pipeline protesters barged into</a> the "Wells Fargo Investment Thought
Leadership Forum" to deliver a petition for banks to stop funding the
Keystone XL pipeline.
<p>
The name of the event seems to indicate a greatly distorted world view,
as events in China about "Xi Jinping Thought" do.


feed_id: ad204477db991d7086a982d2d54644ca
title: California wildfires spreading
uri: California-wildfires-spreading
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#11_December_2017_%28California_wildfires_spreading%29

content:
<p>
The wildfires in Southern California <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2017/12/07/hot-new-world-raging-california-wildfires-expose-reality-climate-threat">are unprecedented</a>; the head of
firefighting for California said "There will be no ability to fight
fires in these winds."  The fires spread through forest and town as
if through tinder.
<p>
This is because global heating has caused a persistent drought in the area
for several years.  It will get much worse over the decades.


feed_id: dada8de98d16456f019db97e26c3a14e
title: Mentally ill in prison
uri: Mentally-ill-in-prison
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#11_December_2017_%28Mentally_ill_in_prison%29
content:
<p>
US medical care nowadays is so horrible that mentally ill people get
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2017/dec/08/prisoner-gouges-out-eyes-colorado-boulder-mental-health-lawsuit">put in prison</a> instead of treated.  In prison they are beaten and tased
instead of treated.


feed_id: f8587370b03669f45d830821856e0e04
title: Family visits for prisoners
uri: Family-visits-for-prisoners
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#11_December_2017_%28Family_visits_for_prisoners%29
content:
<p>
Should prisoners' human rights include <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2017/dec/09/skype-for-jailed-video-calls-prisons-replace-in-person-visits">in-person visits</a> with family?
<p>
It might be very important for society to encourage such visits.


feed_id: bafb910c6b361c47cbaf18178a9789db
title: Disabled people against tax attacks
uri: Disabled-people-against-tax-attacks
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#11_December_2017_%28Disabled_people_against_tax_attacks%29

content:
<p>
Disabled people (and people who will be disabled) are <a href="https://theintercept.com/2017/12/08/republican-tax-bill-medicare-disability-jeff-flake/">campaigning
against</a> the Republican tax attacks, which would cut off their medical care.


feed_id: b3ce590d40cde42638bb2b9d76739218
title: Sabotage of government programs
uri: Sabotage-of-government-programs
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#11_December_2017_%28Sabotage_of_government_programs%29

content:
<p>
The Republican tax attacks bill would <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2017/12/08/tax-reform-trojan-horse-and-muffled-mumblings-democrats">sabotage many government
programs</a> that Republicans' rich masters don't like.
Plutocratist Democrats are not campaigning for a positive alternative.
<p>
Tax experts say that the SCROTUS tax attacks are full of <a href="https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2017/12/6/1721645/-Tax-experts-have-finally-had-a-chance-to-read-the-Republican-tax-bill-Holy-crap">confusions,
loopholes, and provisions</a> that would be hard to interpret.
<p>
The <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2017/12/08/resisting-trumpism-requires-grand-unifying-theory">Grand Unifying Theory</a> of the Republican Party is plunder.


feed_id: 337ae5b86bcfba1e98f6ba6e66c30eb7
title: Drone assassinations
uri: 2017-12-11-Drone-assassinations
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#11_December_2017_%28Drone_assassinations%29
content:
<p>
Amnesty International: the troll has authorized
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2017/12/06/secret-policies-lethal-strikes-and-raids-puts-lives-danger">
secret permissive
policies for drone assassinations
nowhere near battlefields.
</a>


feed_id: f831bffb9d7765b0bb62ec442799f428
title: Art
uri: Art
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#11_December_2017_%28Art%29
content:
<p>
Arguing Over Art Is Right But
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/2017/dec/07/arguing-over-art-is-right-but-trying-to-ban-it-is-the-work-of-fascists">
Trying to Ban It
</a>
Is the Work of Fascists.


feed_id: a581c378d556e588571df6e867c41e75
title: The learn-to-code craze
uri: The-learn-to-code-craze
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#11_December_2017_%28The_learn-to-code_craze%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://theconversation.com/taking-a-second-look-at-the-learn-to-code-craze-86597">
Teaching everyone to program (or trying to) is of no particular
benefit to most students,
</a>
but it sure feeds a lot of money to computer
companies while getting students hooked on those companies'
proprietary software.


feed_id: c5594933068303cf9b03a27bcb978428
title: US drug companies
uri: US-drug-companies
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#11_December_2017_%28US_drug_companies%29
content:
<p>
The biggest 10 US drug companies are
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2017/12/07/bernie-sanders-lloyd-doggett-demand-drug-companies-stop-dodging-taxes-following">
pushing up drug prices very fast
</a>
and dodging US taxes.


feed_id: 75bdce2f8a73bc9b85d2e8ed083482ae
title: Fossil fuel subsidies
uri: 2017-12-11-Fossil-fuel-subsidies
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#11_December_2017_%28Fossil_fuel_subsidies%29
content:
<p>
Leading Economists Demand that
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2017/12/07/leading-economists-demand-not-penny-more-goes-fossil-fuels">
Not a Penny More Goes to Fossil Fuels.
</a>


feed_id: 832b2a97973cafc64779a9c266f00ed1
title: Global heating's development
uri: Global-heating-s-development
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#11_December_2017_%28Global_heating%27s_development%29

content:
<p>
Current measurements are
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2017/12/07/most-dire-climate-change-predictions-warns-new-study-are-also-most-accurate">
following the harshest scenarios
</a>
of global heating's development.


feed_id: 6edf115c1ec72cd1fde39e8921463418
title: US chicken farmers
uri: US-chicken-farmers
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#11_December_2017_%28US_chicken_farmers%29
content:
<p>
It appears that US chicken farmers are
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2017/12/07/livestock-antibiotic-sales-finally-start-declining-after-years-rise">
using less antibiotics in their factory
processes.
</a>
The total used in agriculture declined 14% in 2016.
<p>
This will be significant if the trend continues, but that one decrease
will not by itself change much.
<p>
The fact that the US has not adopted laws to drastically reduce the
cause of a problem that kills over 20,000 Americans a year is worth
contrasting with the harassment and tyranny inflicted on us in the
name of saving us from the comparatively minuscule danger of
terrorism.


feed_id: 6ecf0202b156e36db92e1634629a00e8
title: How the internet works
uri: How-the-internet-works
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#11_December_2017_%28How_the_internet_works%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2017/12/07/fcc-still-doesnt-know-how-internet-works">
The FCC Still Doesn't Know
</a>
How the Internet Works.


feed_id: 8c393ad5e0ec0cc69e4cf6fce7eb5156
title: The Troll-Russia story
uri: The-Troll-Russia-story
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#11_December_2017_%28The_Troll-Russia_story%29
content:
<p>
A careful analysis of the legal jeopardy of the bully and his campaign
team:
<a href="https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2017/12/6/1721815/-The-Trump-Russia-Story-Is-Coming-Together-Here-s-How-to-Make-Sense-of-It?detail=emaildkre1">
what the evidence is, and what charges could be sustained.
</a>
<p>
Note the report that firing Mueller would not protect them,
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#7_November_2017_(If_troll_were_to_pardon_Manafort)">
because he has arranged for New York State prosecutors to take over
if he is stopped.
</a>
<p>
We have known since November 2016 that the bully did not win the
election "fair and square" that month.  The election was rigged by
Republican voter-suppression,
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2017-jan-apr.html#8_March_2017_(Voter_ID_laws)">
including voter-ID laws in several
states.
</a>
<p>
There was also
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2017-jul-oct.html#23_September_2017_(Crosscheck_scheme)">
the "crosscheck" program
</a>
which gave Republicans an
excuse to remove a million Americans from voting rolls.
<p>
<a href="http://www.stallman.org/notes/2004-jul-oct.html#28 October 2004 (Additional voter-suppression practices)">
Republicans tried to rig previous elections, too, 
</a>
						    and they will try to rig the next one.


feed_id: af046d90f2d1bae6be84190573e05dce
title: The US economy
uri: The-US-economy
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#11_December_2017_%28The_US_economy%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2017/12/08/corporation-and-nation">
The US "economy" is "doing very well",
</a>
so why don't Americans see
much benefit?


feed_id: 8ab04d1891b255d7ff64e784a4f5fd8f
title: Polish Supreme Court
uri: Polish-Supreme-Court
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#12_December_2017_%28Polish_Supreme_Court%29
content:
<p>
The authoritarian Polish government is <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/dec/08/polish-mps-pass-supreme-court-bill-criticised-as-grave-threat">considering a bill</a> to eliminate
the independence of the Supreme Court.


feed_id: cf4af3750e5db5def1fcebeb0d27e2dd
title: False memories
uri: 2017-12-12-False-memories
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#12_December_2017_%28False_memories%29
content:
<p>
Giving witnesses false memories about events they saw is surprisingly
easy; legal systems must take care to avoid it.  Supposed "recovered
memories" can <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/science/2010/nov/24/false-memories-abuse-convict-innocent">hardly be trusted</a> at all.


feed_id: dd760c0e028d5b661d2c33d469ab424c
title: US soldiers in Niger
uri: US-soldiers-in-Niger
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#12_December_2017_%28US_soldiers_in_Niger%29
content:
<p>
US soldiers were ambushed and some killed in Niger, but what were they
doing there?  The Pentagon gives
<a href="https://theintercept.com/2017/12/10/la-david-johnson-niger-africom/">conflicting statements</a>.


feed_id: b2eee13c1326ff2a6b08a01b1900cd0a
title: Listening devices
uri: 2017-12-12-Listening-devices
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#12_December_2017_%28Listening_devices%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://gizmodo.com/dont-buy-anyone-an-echo-1820981732">Don't Buy Anyone an [Amazon] Echo!</a>
<p>
I don't trust the companies that make the devices not to listen
through them.  And even if they don't specifically do so, the devices
might have <a href="https://gnu.org/malware/malware-phones.html ">universal back doors</a> that would let Big Brother listen
through them at will.
<p>
Note that the article legitimizes other <a href="/glossary.html#internetofstings">Internet of Stings</a> devices
that it is unwise to trust.


feed_id: 2a29c83f0e1f5f10eb88826650a2d743
title: Oppression in Honduras
uri: Oppression-in-Honduras
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#12_December_2017_%28Oppression_in_Honduras%29
content:
<p>
Amnesty International says the tyrant of Honduras and his thugs are using
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2017/12/08/honduras-government-deploys-dangerous-and-illegal-tactics-silence-population">various forms of oppression</a> to gag the people whose election they have stolen.
<p>
We don't need to investigate whether the election was stolen, because
the thieves' suppression of the counts and the protest is enough to
convict them of that.


feed_id: b27bd3ae1e2dd2438b1195e00240d3ea
title: Intel license violation
uri: Intel-license-violation
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#12_December_2017_%28Intel_license_violation%29
content:
<p>
Intel appears to be <a href="http://www.ipwatchdog.com/2017/12/02/supplying-legal-notices-free-softw">violating the BSD licenses</a> that cover Minix
by distributing it inside the Management Engine backdoor processor
without the notices required by that license.
<p>
This is an ironic side issue, because the Management Engine is an
injustice and including the required notices would not excuse that
injustice.


feed_id: 5f82d2809b0a62922057cfb7dc743495
title: Right whales dwindling
uri: Right-whales-dwindling
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#12_December_2017_%28Right_whales_dwindling%29
content:
<p>
The US and Canada must do more to protect North Atlantic right whales,
and soon, or <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2017/dec/10/north-atlantic-right-whales-extinct">there will be none left</a>.


feed_id: 22a04374fb92c4c27577d15bc6b458f9
title: US thugs using tasers
uri: US-thugs-using-tasers
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#12_December_2017_%28US_thugs_using_tasers%29
content:
<p>
A <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2017/12/08/un-experts-say-video-footage-taser-use-us-jails-reveals-torture">UN investigation found</a> that US thugs use tasers without
justification and sometimes in ways tantamount to torture.


feed_id: aa5104de2ca57b560e8049d097ca3202
title: Domestic terrorism in US
uri: Domestic-terrorism-in-US
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#12_December_2017_%28Domestic_terrorism_in_US%29
content:
<p>
The <a href="https://www.splcenter.org/hatewatch/2017/12/06/senators-propose-domestic-terrorism-prevention-act">Domestic Terrorism Prevention Act</a> would have the FBI take
statistics on terrorism committed by domestic extremists, typically
right-wing extremists.


feed_id: 966a8d54e54672bfe69401430fcf2718
title: Hostile architecture
uri: 2017-12-12-Hostile-architecture
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#12_December_2017_%28Hostile_architecture%29
content:
<p>
A <a href="http://www.cnn.com/style/article/new-dean-harvey-james-furzer-hostile-architecture-debate/index.html">debate about hostile architecture</a>: designing buildings and outdoor
objects to prevent some uses of them.
<p>
I think the crucial questions are, which people is it hostile to?  And
is it justifiable to mistreat those people?  The purported
justification offered here seems to be, "We were obeying orders from
the organization that paid for the project."  This gives carte blanche
to screwing homeless people if a local government or landowner decides
to.
<p>
If you don't want homeless people to sleep in your doorway,
how about making some other place for them to lie down, where
it won't get in your way.


feed_id: c0439ac6d5c4930c0b51278c86a8a600
title: Spying on journalists
uri: 2017-12-12-Spying-on-journalists
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#12_December_2017_%28Spying_on_journalists%29
content:
<p>
Ethiopia seems to be <a href="https://motherboard.vice.com/en_us/article/j5d8ng/ethiopia-allegedly-spied-on-security-researcher-with-israel-made-spyware">attacking journalists and dissidents</a> with fishware
purchased from spy companies.


feed_id: 04ba690be52cc658f1f24311f86a0cc4
title: Believing women
uri: Believing-women
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#12_December_2017_%28Believing_women%29
content:
<p>
Right-wing fanatics are trying to <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2017/dec/10/dont-let-alt-right-coopt-metoo-agenda">sabotage public awareness</a> of sexual
harassment and rape by exaggerating and faking accusations.
<p>
They are also doing this by insisting that only Democrats should resign
in response to such accusations, while Republicans ignore them.
<p>
The article explains that "believe women" does not mean women's
accusations cannot be false or that we should rush to judgment of
those accused.  It means, rather, that we should take women's
accusations seriously, not dismiss them out of hand as has so often
been done.
<p>
I support that principle wholeheartedly.


feed_id: 1fe3b4556e25c9f3947a384153d6cf24
title: FUD attack against Mueller
uri: FUD-attack-against-Mueller
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#12_December_2017_%28FUD_attack_against_Mueller%29
content:
<p>
The troll's men are <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2017/dec/10/robert-mueller-trump-special-counsel-russia">launching a FUD attack</a> against Prosecutor Mueller
to prepare an excuse for his supporters to disregard all the hard evidence
Mueller is digging up.


feed_id: b5868b005c9bff7eb1402bfc2303305a
title: Marijuana in Uruguay
uri: Marijuana-in-Uruguay
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#12_December_2017_%28Marijuana_in_Uruguay%29
content:
<p>
Legalization of marijuana in Uruguay has been <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/dec/10/how-uruguay-made-legal-cannabis-work">a great success</a>, marred only
by interference by banks.


feed_id: 7584d6a2a6b2075300e40725d9a24b3b
title: Archiving Twitter and Facebook
uri: Archiving-Twitter-and-Facebook
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#12_December_2017_%28Archiving_Twitter_and_Facebook%29

content:
<p>
Twitter and Facebook have so much data that there is no feasible way
to archive it for future study.  But even if that were done, it would
be <a href="https://www.theatlantic.com/technology/archive/2017/12/it-might-be-impossible-for-future-historians-to-understand-our-internet/547463/">impossible to determine</a> in the future, from the data, what users
would have seen in the past.
<p>
I disagree with the ho-hum conclusion of the article.  Given the way
these networks influence politics, the question of what they did will
be important to study in the future.  If we have in the future a
political system that permits people to research such questions, 
the question of why we still have such a system will depend on it.


feed_id: 7f7a4447864acf2b8dff8acb1122d827
title: On-line banking and fraud
uri: On-line-banking-and-fraud
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#12_December_2017_%28On-line_banking_and_fraud%29
content:
<p>
On-line banking makes bank depositors <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/money/2017/dec/09/text-bank-student-loan-money">vulnerable to fraud</a> — and gives
banks an excuse to put the responsibility on the depositor.
To be safe, don't do it.


feed_id: 345cae101875fea31f4b09649db9976f
title: Sanders on tour
uri: Sanders-on-tour
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#12_December_2017_%28Sanders_on_tour%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://www.vice.com/en_us/article/wjz5dw/bernie-sanders-tax-reform-tour-ohio">Sanders is touring</a> to campaign for progressive politics, aiming to win
over some of the voters that supported the troll.


feed_id: 4b5d80725f3d83dda62c5673b8572295
title: Collecting false debt
uri: Collecting-false-debt
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#12_December_2017_%28Collecting_false_debt%29
content:
<p>
Debt collectors harass Americans to <a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/features/2017-12-06/millions-are-hounded-for-debt-they-don-t-owe-one-victim-fought-back-with-a-vengeance">pay debts they don't owe</a> —
millions of Americans.  Many are intimidated into paying, or get convinced
that the false debt was real.
<p>
Most of the article describes one exceptionally talented victim who
identified some of the culprits, investigated them unceasingly, and
set the feds on them.  Bravo!  But this is not something most of us
could succeed at.


feed_id: e115a359269d13b41a71e2e9930aa63e
title: US hospital fees
uri: US-hospital-fees
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#12_December_2017_%28US_hospital_fees%29
content:
<p>
US hospitals charge <a href="https://www.vox.com/health-care/2017/12/4/16679686/emergency-room-facility-fee-monopolies">thousands of dollars</a> for a visit to the emergency room,
as a "facilities fee".


feed_id: a73bab606ce0d1e42d8851b3c17aa44d
title: Hired holiday party guests
uri: Hired-holiday-party-guests
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#12_December_2017_%28Hired_holiday_party_guests%29
content:
<p>
If you meet an attractive woman at a wealthy company's holiday party
this year, maybe she is a <a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2017-12-07/silicon-valley-is-sneaking-models-into-this-year-s-holiday-parties">model being paid to pretend</a> to be a guest.


feed_id: dc447db3cfaa008600b8f748c7278e20
title: Forgiving mortgages
uri: Forgiving-mortgages
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#12_December_2017_%28Forgiving_mortgages%29
content:
<p>
JP Morgan was required by a court to aid homeowners by forgiving part
of their mortgages.  <a href="https://www.thenation.com/article/how-americas-biggest-bank-paid-its-fine-for-the-2008-mortgage-crisis-with-phony-mortgages/">It cheated</a>, by forgiving mortgages it had
previously sold to others.
<p>
A bank should not be allowed to sell a building's mortgage to any
buyer except another bank.


feed_id: f8bf62de5bd8f42ac10640cdcc1534ed
title: Urgent: Keystone XL pipeline funding
uri: Urgent-Keystone-XL-pipeline-funding
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#13_December_2017_%28Urgent%3A_Keystone_XL_pipeline_funding%29

content:
<p>
Everyone: <a href="https://www.ran.org/chase_kxl_call">phone JP Morgan Chase</a> and say not to fund the Keystone XL
planet-roaster pipeline.
<p>
While you are at it, you may as well say that funding any fossil fuel
projects means pushing humanity and thousands of species to destruction,
so the bank should stop doing so.


feed_id: 6e04bc3ae51c565269bbf27e7738bc71
title: Urgent: Uranium mining
uri: Urgent-Uranium-mining
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#13_December_2017_%28Urgent%3A_Uranium_mining%29
content:
<p>
US citizens: <a href="https://act.credoaction.com/sign/save-grand-canyon">tell your congresscritter</a>, no uranium mining in the Grand Canyon.


feed_id: 1be2577183ba58638d225e1af4a0f75f
title: Not terrorized
uri: Not-terrorized
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#13_December_2017_%28Not_terrorized%29
content:
<p>
New Yorkers have learned <a href="https://theintercept.com/2017/12/11/muted-response-port-authority-attack-suggests-new-yorkers-refuse-terrorized/">not to be terrorized</a> by a small explosion
from a terrorist's bomb, but right-wing extremists are trying to
magnify the terror.
<p>
Even when a terrorist attack causes substantial casualties, we face
the choice of aggravating the harm or not.  Aggravating it may serve
the interest of some political or commercial group.  Not aggravating
it serves the interests of Americans in general, and America.
Whatever the problem is, dealing with calmly will help us avoid doing
something stupid and destructive, such as occupying Iraq.
<p>
One tweet cited in the article used the contraction "who's"
incorrectly.  The contraction "who's" is short for "who is" or "who
has", and neither of them fits grammatically there.  The word that
belongs there is "whose", the possessive of "who".  Like all the other
possessive forms of pronouns, it has no apostrophe.
<p>
Arguably, the failure of recent terrorists suggests that <a href="/glossary.html#pissi">PISSI</a> no longer
has the capacity to help terrorists, so they are <a href="https://theintercept.com/2017/12/11/new-york-port-authority-explosion-islamic-state/">not able to procure</a>
dangerous weapons.
<p>
They can still get cars and trucks, so there will still be some deadly
attacks.  Since the plans for such attacks take place within the
attacker's mind, even total surveillance couldn't stop them.  So
enough with the plans to snoop on us all.


feed_id: edb447a954a2723fd0472e038696a9bb
title: Emissions from computing
uri: Emissions-from-computing
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#13_December_2017_%28Emissions_from_computing%29
content:
<p>
Mobile computers and data centers could cause <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2017/dec/11/tsunami-of-data-could-consume-fifth-global-electricity-by-2025">14% of global
carbon emissions</a> by 2040.
<p>
If all our electric generation is renewable by then, it won't be a
problem — but we will have trouble achieving that if we allow unlimited
computers.


feed_id: 401cc8fe9480d3cb873077fc17a87f2a
title: Attention to accusations
uri: Attention-to-accusations
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#13_December_2017_%28Attention_to_accusations%29
content:
<p>
Women that the bully groped or harassed call on Congress to <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2017/dec/11/women-accusing-trump-demand-congress-investigate-sexual-misconduct">pay the
same attention</a> to their accusations as it paid to Al Franken.
<p>
"Inappropriate behavior" is not a valid accusation against anyone, not
even the bully, because it is too vague and weaselly.  If you can't
spell out what you're criticizing someone for, and why it was wrong,
then your criticism is not valid.


feed_id: 98029450842114a257c9760e4d52ff59
title: Civil society delegates
uri: Civil-society-delegates
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#13_December_2017_%28Civil_society_delegates%29
content:
<p>
Argentina <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/dec/11/argentina-social-media-ban-world-trade-organisation-conference">barred 60 civil society delegates</a> from the WTO meeting
for bogus reasons.  It relented on five of the delegates after ministries
from their countries went to bat for them.


feed_id: ab435f71fa53ccc4f36233eb2483aa8f
title: Columbia HQ and the homeless
uri: Columbia-HQ-and-the-homeless
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#13_December_2017_%28Columbia_HQ_and_the_homeless%29
content:
<p>
Columbia Sportswear <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2017/dec/11/columbia-sportswear-ceo-tim-boyle-homeless-portland">threatens to move</a> its headquarters out of Portland
unless the city kicks homeless people out of the neighborhood.
<p>
The company could easily donate to support a project to give them
better alternatives to their annoying behaviors, perhaps inviting
other businesses in the neighborhood to join forces.  That would be
solving the businesses' problem by helping poor people rather than by
harming them.


feed_id: 31d7691ceb88407a19907474482d49fc
title: Abortion training
uri: Abortion-training
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#13_December_2017_%28Abortion_training%29
content:
<p>
The US is <a href="https://thinkprogress.org/training-the-next-generation-of-abortion-doctors-45cd46403b6a/">not training enough doctors</a> to perform abortions.
This is partly a result of pressure by theocratist Christians.


feed_id: 626b39dac8a08c75d97fee202c1649dc
title: ISP snooping
uri: ISP-snooping
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#13_December_2017_%28ISP_snooping%29
content:
<p>
A German court <a href="https://torrentfreak.com/court-accused-pirate-doesnt-have-to-spy-on-family-members-171127/">rejected collective responsibility</a> for ISP services:
the official subscriber cannot be required to snoop on other residents
and family members to see which one did forbidden sharing.


feed_id: daad10d222f51145f097c0996bf475e1
title: One tantrum away
uri: One-tantrum-away
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#13_December_2017_%28One_tantrum_away%29
content:
<p>
Nuclear war is <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/dec/11/nuclear-annihilation-one-tantrum-away-nobel-peace-prize-winner-warns">"one tantrum away"</a>.


feed_id: 3492094d5887b432f385962a5837e011
title: 'Fighting terrorism'
uri: Fighting-terrorism
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#13_December_2017_%28%27Fighting_terrorism%27%29
content:
<p>
In Turkey, signers of a petition calling for an end to ErdoÄan's civil
war against the Kurds are on trial for <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2017/dec/11/erdogan-turkey-academics-terrorism-violence-kurdish-people">"propaganda for terrorism"</a>.
<p>
Many of them have been punished already in various ways.
<p>
When your country proposes measures that would endanger human rights
in the name of "fighting terrorism", remember that "terrorism" will
mean whatever a future government says it means.
<p>
In the US and Europe, "anti-terrorism" <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#8_July_2015_(Criminalization_of_dissent)">measures</a> have <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2017-jul-oct.html#7_August_2017_(Anti-terrorism)">already</a> gone <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2004-jan-apr.html#09%20April%202004%20(Excuse%20for%20ID%20Cards)">much
too far</a>.
Government attacks on human rights are potentially far more deadly
than underground terrorism, because governments are stronger than
underground terror groups.  We <a href="https://stallman.org/articles/why-we-need-a-state.html">need to make them strong</a> so they can
do their job,
so we must keep them in check by defending human rights from them.


feed_id: 63c2d227629daead98685ba0a45ca45e
title: Venezuela elections
uri: Venezuela-elections
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#13_December_2017_%28Venezuela_elections%29
content:
<p>
Maduro said he would <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/dec/11/venezuela-president-maduro-threatens-to-ban-rivals-from-future-elections">ban three opposition parties</a> from future elections
because they boycotted the mayoral elections yesterday.
<p>
Since Maduro has effectively suspended the constitution of Venezuela,
he can do this arbitrarily.


feed_id: 786c1a92ba8d51bdf1415bddc07d21c9
title: Harvard and paywalled journals
uri: Harvard-and-paywalled-journals
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#13_December_2017_%28Harvard_and_paywalled_journals%29

content:
<p>
Harvard says it <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/science/2012/apr/24/harvard-university-journal-publishers-prices">can't afford to subscribe</a> to the paywalled journals
any more, and urges its faculty to resign from their editorial boards.
<p>
Sad to say, professional organizations as journal publishers are
little different from the commercial publishers.  Consider, for instance,
the American Chemical Society which is trying to force ISPs to <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#9_November_2017_(Blocking_Sci-Hub)">block
access to Sci-Hub</a>.


feed_id: ad294616e340304c9ddbf58dc74773e9
title: Planned Parenthood investigation
uri: Planned-Parenthood-investigation
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#13_December_2017_%28Planned_Parenthood_investigation%29

content:
<p>
The Department of Injustice <a href="https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2017/12/8/1722513/-Planned-Parenthood-faces-yet-another-trumped-up-investigation-this-one-from-the-Justice-Department">plans to carry on</a> the Senate investigation
of Planned Parenthood, which found that the accusations were spurious.


feed_id: f00af3aba702ad370f840384bbe2e5e1
title: Farming problems
uri: Farming-problems
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#13_December_2017_%28Farming_problems%29
content:
<p>
After food prices rose, partly due to extreme weather that destroyed
crops, the US changed its farming laws to subsidize production instead
of non-production.  Now the US is <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2017/12/10/wto-summit-ignore-price-crisis-agricultural-dumping-0">dumping cheap food</a> around the world.
That is good for some of the world's poor, since they can afford food,
but bad for those who are farmers.
<p>
With a large harvest, farmers suffer from low prices.  With a small
harvest, prices go up and poor people go hungry.  A good economic
system for farming would need to avoid both problems.  Meanwhile, we
are <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#13_September_2017_(Loss_of_topsoil)">using up topsoil</a> around the world
so a good economic system for farming needs to protect the soil.
I fear that putting marginal land into agricultural use seems likely
to damage it.
<p>
In the medium term, a few decades, agriculture <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2017/dec/11/mass-starvation-humanity-flogging-land-death-earth-food">faces many threats</a>.
<p>
We will need a <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2017/dec/11/meat-tax-inevitable-to-beat-climate-and-health-crises-says-report">tax on meat</a> to discourage people from eating so much of
it.


feed_id: ca4fa2005fb6638eedc64e40654c2b73
title: No celebration for PISSI defeat
uri: No-celebration-for-PISSI-defeat
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#13_December_2017_%28No_celebration_for_PISSI_defeat%29

content:
<p>
<a href="/glossary.html#pissi">PISSI</a>, as a state, has been defeated, but there
is <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2017/12/10/why-arent-americans-celebrating-fall-isil-state-it-bogeyman">no celebration in
the US</a>.  That's because Islamism is a useful right-wing boogeyman,
replacing the previous boogeyman of Communism.


feed_id: 39b885a6cae62a36309a8ddbb7a1d900
title: Having a conversation
uri: Having-a-conversation
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#13_December_2017_%28Having_a_conversation%29
content:
<p>
How to <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2017/dec/10/bring-back-conversation-by-shutting-up-and-listening">have a conversation</a> instead of talking at someone else.


feed_id: d11071f604d30918eda7e4ee6627c1a3
title: Airline fee disclosure
uri: Airline-fee-disclosure
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#13_December_2017_%28Airline_fee_disclosure%29
content:
<p>
The bully's saboteurs have <a href="https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2017/12/8/1722542/-Trump-administration-hands-airlines-a-pass-on-baggage-fee-transparency">cancelled a proposed rule</a> requiring airlines
to say clearly what they will charge for checking baggage.


feed_id: 9c927859bcd8aaaea7d54c8529ad2ed9
title: Puerto Rico death rate
uri: Puerto-Rico-death-rate
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#13_December_2017_%28Puerto_Rico_death_rate%29
content:
<p>
A rise in the death rate suggest that the hurricane that hit Puerto
Rico has <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2017/12/09/report-shows-puerto-ricos-hurricane-death-toll-likely-thousands-far-higher-official">killed thousands of people</a>, though not immediately.


feed_id: e36b467dd7cf36837fb8f8cb51db726b
title: Migrants sold into slavery
uri: Migrants-sold-into-slavery
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#13_December_2017_%28Migrants_sold_into_slavery%29
content:
<p>
When African migrants head for Libya, they don't realize that they will be
<a href="https://www.freedomunited.org/news/libyas-slave-markets-dont-hold-breath/">sold into slavery</a> there.


feed_id: c14ad7461d8ece660dee0188fc05aa95
title: Abortions in Poland
uri: 2017-12-13-Abortions-in-Poland
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#13_December_2017_%28Abortions_in_Poland%29
content:
<p>
The Polish government backed off when it tried to ban abortion entirely;
but abortion was already illegal except for limited circumstances, so most
women have to get <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/news/2017/nov/30/how-polands-far-right-government-is-pushing-abortion-underground">very expensive illegal</a> abortions.


feed_id: 8a8c5a629e1d3e078a4068f29527105e
title: Wildfires and global heating
uri: Wildfires-and-global-heating
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#13_December_2017_%28Wildfires_and_global_heating%29
content:
<p>
Governor Brown of California is connecting the <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/dec/10/california-wildfires-thomas-fire-santa-barbara-evacuation">unprecedented wildfires</a>
with global heating.


feed_id: 55d95e8ffb630a489d3493bb4965aa7b
title: Urgent: Collusion with Israel
uri: Urgent-Collusion-with-Israel
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#14_December_2017_%28Urgent%3A_Collusion_with_Israel%29

content:
<p>
US citizens: <a href="https://act.rootsaction.org/p/dia/action4/common/public/?action_KEY=13166">call on your congresscritter</a> to impeach the cheater for
collusion with a foreign country, specifically Israel.
<p>
It hasn't been proved (as of now) that the cheater colluded with
Russia, but it has been proved that he colluded with Israel to
interfere with US foreign policy (before he was president).
<p>
You will need to use <a href="https://stallman.org/salsalabs-method.html">this method</a> to sign this without
running nonfree Javascript code.


feed_id: a757fea0edfae4ba9d8de20b6975ba8d
title: Crimes by North Korean leaders
uri: Crimes-by-North-Korean-leaders
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#14_December_2017_%28Crimes_by_North_Korean_leaders%29

content:
<p>
International jurists say that North Korean leaders <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/dec/12/international-jury-kim-jong-un-should-be-prosecuted-for-human-rights-crimes">should be prosecuted</a>
for holding tens of thousands of political prisoners and committing various
crimes against them, including rape and murder.


feed_id: 7ba9d473fc2d700a2b9370fb11f86fe6
title: Discount for detective
uri: Discount-for-detective
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#14_December_2017_%28Discount_for_detective%29
content:
<p>
A man who <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2017/dec/12/new-york-starbucks-coffee-police">asked Starbucks for a discount</a>, claiming to be a detective,
was charged with "impersonating an officer".
<p>
More of concern to me, did he have any reason to think that a
detective would get a discount from Starbucks?  Does Starbucks give
thugs special favors?


feed_id: bf646892e7049a9fb822c623c18b85a4
title: Banning condom ads
uri: Banning-condom-ads
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#14_December_2017_%28Banning_condom_ads%29
content:
<p>
India's Hindu-theocratic government <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/dec/12/india-bans-condom-adverts-during-primetime-tv">banned condom ads</a> on TV during the
day and evening.  It's higher priority to protect "children" from
sexual ideas than to protect them from disease and pregnancy.


feed_id: 9c71f2f6100378f500f6a00b293fcfa5
title: Firing for groping or harassment
uri: Firing-for-groping-or-harassment
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#14_December_2017_%28Firing_for_groping_or_harassment%29

content:
<p>
A legal dilemma: to fire a star or executive for groping or
harassment, and not pay millions for the length of the person's
contract, requires the company to claim it has <a href="https://theintercept.com/2017/12/12/matt-lauer-payout-nbc-sexual-assault-wealth-inequality/">no prior complaints</a>
about the practice.


feed_id: 592782a6b7eb6ed9f49b03b087977aff
title: Poverty in Silicon Valley
uri: Poverty-in-Silicon-Valley
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#14_December_2017_%28Poverty_in_Silicon_Valley%29
content:
<p>
Over a quarter of the people in Silicon Valley <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2017/dec/12/the-silicon-valley-paradox-one-in-four-people-are-at-risk-of-hunger">have trouble paying for
food</a>.
<p>
The so-called "paradox" mentioned in the article is based on a <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2014-sep-dec.html#30_December_2014_(America_today_vs_40_years_ago)">misguided idea</a>
of what it means for the economy to get "better" — judging it by what things
are like for the top 10%, or by totals.


feed_id: 492c714fc3a0bdf487aac6b0aacca8e7
title: Mueller closing in
uri: Mueller-closing-in
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#14_December_2017_%28Mueller_closing_in%29
content:
<p>
Robert Mueller Is Closing in on [the cheater]. Congress Must <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2017/dec/12/robert-mueller-trump-congress-protect-investigation">Protect His
Investigation</a>.


feed_id: 6003d8e7110272892744b24b67252ca3
title: Endangered by border wall
uri: Endangered-by-border-wall
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#14_December_2017_%28Endangered_by_border_wall%29
content:
<p>
Wildcats, Butterflies, Tortoises: <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2017/dec/12/butterflies-trump-wall-mexico-border-wildlife">all are endangered</a> by the
destroyer's border wall.
Humans will find it far easier to climb over it.


feed_id: ddc0229c64148bf5ea1655a83029ebe0
title: Beavers as flood control
uri: Beavers-as-flood-control
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#14_December_2017_%28Beavers_as_flood_control%29
content:
<p>
The UK is bringing beavers to some areas as a <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2017/dec/12/uk-to-bring-back-beavers-in-first-government-flood-reduction-scheme-of-its-kind">flood control measure</a>.


feed_id: f6942eaf48f334d45105d429615967e9
title: Refugees from North Korea
uri: Refugees-from-North-Korea
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#14_December_2017_%28Refugees_from_North_Korea%29
content:
<p>
China is reportedly <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/dec/12/china-refugee-camps-border-north-korea">preparing to receive</a> lots of refugees from North Korea.


feed_id: c00d88ba37174c5f5238077589fc7f0a
title: Coal and tar sand divestment
uri: Coal-and-tar-sand-divestment
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#14_December_2017_%28Coal_and_tar_sand_divestment%29
content:
<p>
The insurance company Axa will <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2017/dec/12/insurance-giant-axa-dumps-investments-tar-sands-pipelines">divest from coal and tar sands</a>, and
stop insuring oil pipelines in the US.
<p>
As investors realize that they can't make money from fossil fuel
investments without destroying the society in which their profit would
do them any good, they will stop investing in fossil fuels.  The
question is, can we enlighten them fast enough to avoid disaster?
And what about the other sources of funds for fossil fuels, such
as <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2014-mar-jun.html#19_April_2014_(Fossil_fuel_subsidies)">government subsidies</a>
and the <a href="https://www.stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#14_December_2017_(Obstacles_to_decarbonization)">"development" organizations</a> that are corrupted by
plutocratists.


feed_id: 7a9ff78e4a245c6bc42ff688f4d48839
title: Shen Yun dance troupe
uri: Shen-Yun-dance-troupe
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#14_December_2017_%28Shen_Yun_dance_troupe%29
content:
<p>
The <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/news/2017/dec/12/shen-yun-falun-gong-traditional-chinese-dance-troupe-china-doesnt-want-you-to-see">strange story of Shen Yun</a>, a dance troupe that presents valid
propaganda against the tyranny of the Chinese state.
<p>
I went to a Shen Yun performance once, and had a peculiar reaction:
the propaganda annoyed me <em>even though I agreed with its point of
view</em>.  I told this to the friend who saw it with me, who said, "Yes, it
preaches too much."


feed_id: 11c82c0ca725e45b39629dec016cebf0
title: Marijuana convictions
uri: Marijuana-convictions
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#14_December_2017_%28Marijuana_convictions%29
content:
<p>
US jurors often won't convict people for possessing small amounts of
marijuana, to the point where some thugs have <a href="https://reason.com/archives/2017/12/12/rebellious-jurors-make-the-world-a-bette">decided to stop
prosecuting it</a>.
<p>
<a href="http://fija.org/">Bravo, jurors!</a>


feed_id: bebba9a7fbdda1286cdf2eb075c5c0a3
title: Yemeni fishing boats
uri: Yemeni-fishing-boats
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#14_December_2017_%28Yemeni_fishing_boats%29
content:
<p>
<a href="/glossary.html#salafi">Salafi Arabia</a> is
systematically <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/dec/12/bombed-into-famine-how-saudi-air-campaign-targets-yemens-food-supplies">attacking Yemeni fishing boats</a>.
It seems to consider the existing famine insufficient.
<p>
Which country supplied the helicopters and the ammunition?
Either the US or the UK, I would guess.  But it would be useful
to know for certain.


feed_id: 3fede48e9a518442c4e94af36e62f32c
title: Social-validation feedback loop
uri: Social-validation-feedback-loop
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#14_December_2017_%28Social-validation_feedback_loop%29

content:
<p>
A <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2017/dec/11/facebook-former-executive-ripping-society-apart">former vice president at Facebook</a> says that the site's addictive
"social-validation feedback loop" is "ripping apart the social fabric
of how society works".


feed_id: e16e7daad2004a05124e37384e2493a6
title: Accessing public information
uri: Accessing-public-information
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#14_December_2017_%28Accessing_public_information%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2017/12/eff-court-accessing-publicly-available-information-internet-not-crime">EFF to Court</a>: Accessing Publicly Available Information on the Internet 
Is Not a Crime.


feed_id: 9a791c5b9c40f56bcbf9f6507bc06b33
title: Childhood obesity causes
uri: Childhood-obesity-causes
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#14_December_2017_%28Childhood_obesity_causes%29
content:
<p>
A <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2017/12/11/did-24-coke-funded-studies-childhood-obesity-fail-disclose-cokes-influence">number of studies</a> of the causes of childhood obesity were supported
by Coca Cola Company and covered that up.
<p>
The studies pointed the finger at lack of physical activity and not at
sugar.  I am ready to believe that lack of physical activity (caused
by computers?) was a big factor, but sugar surely was too.


feed_id: 83af3b2b94840ef18e0ebe65aba4a084
title: Ending money bail
uri: Ending-money-bail
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#14_December_2017_%28Ending_money_bail%29
content:
<p>
ACLU Announces Nationwide Campaign to Support <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2017/12/11/aclu-announces-nationwide-campaign-support-movement-end-money-bail">Movement to End Money Bail</a>.


feed_id: 7f31f8f8d6f7d5bf4fba8052d548eec7
title: Super-rich wealth grab
uri: Super-rich-wealth-grab
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#14_December_2017_%28Super-rich_wealth_grab%29
content:
<p>
"America's super-rich are taking not only from their own nation, but
also from the rest of the world."  They took <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2017/12/11/why-do-they-hate-us-america-has-taken-nearly-70-worlds-wealth-gains-2012">70% of the world's growth</a>
in wealth since 2012.


feed_id: 45ffab4f1c5e2848758050165abe7838
title: Pressure on DNC reform
uri: Pressure-on-DNC-reform
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#14_December_2017_%28Pressure_on_DNC_reform%29
content:
<p>
The Democratic National Committee is <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2017/12/11/battle-democratic-party-after-unity-reform-commission">using dirty tricks</a> to obstruct progressive
pressure for reforming its structure.
<p>
I look forward to publicizing grass-roots pressure for this.


feed_id: 072147281a50f6b3d8f924d7884eddaf
title: US scientists to France
uri: US-scientists-to-France
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#14_December_2017_%28US_scientists_to_France%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2017/dec/11/macron-awards-grants-to-us-scientists-to-move-to-france-in-defiance-of-trump">Macron Awards US Scientists Grants</a> to Move to France in Defiance of Trump.
<p>
This is just the beginning of what other countries must do to protect
themselves from global heating disaster.


feed_id: 2798236b31718f6943caf74b32f7fccb
title: Obstacles to decarbonization
uri: Obstacles-to-decarbonization
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#14_December_2017_%28Obstacles_to_decarbonization%29
content:
<p>
Big public investment organizations are putting lots of money into
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2017/12/11/dirty-dozen-12-projects-world-bank-group-and-other-public-finance-institutions">building obstacles</a> to decarbonization.
<p>
Note that the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_Bank_Group">World Bank Group</a> is not the same as the World Bank.


feed_id: b8de7846745025b2ed7277eb0fbf34f8
title: Scraping
uri: Scraping
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#14_December_2017_%28Scraping%29
content:
<p>
More <a href="https://stallman.org/linkedin.html#scraped">heinous
    activity by LinkedIn</a>.
</p>


feed_id: 38a3e133a6c84469569c844d3da4c16b
title: Thawing permafrost
uri: 2017-12-15-Thawing-permafrost
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#14_December_2017_%28Thawing_permafrost%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2017/dec/12/arctic-permafrost-sea-ice-thaw-climate-change-report">
Arctic Permafrost Thawing Faster Than Ever,
</a>
US Climate Study Finds.
<p>
In addition to the dangers mentioned in the building, this can lead
to
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2017-jan-apr.html#31_March_2017_(Release_of_Arctic_methane)">
large leaks of frozen methane into the air, which would increase
global heating for decades.
</a>


feed_id: 3d265d5c8e501d77ee1b211da35ac134
title: Pop singer imprisoned
uri: Pop-singer-imprisoned
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#14_December_2017_%28Pop_singer_imprisoned%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/dec/12/egyptian-pop-singer-sent-to-prison-for-video-that-incited-debauchery">
Egypt has imprisoned the makers of a music video for "depravity".
</a>
From the description, it would not seem unusual in the US.


feed_id: 955966f6a2fed096234f3fe8ee809576
title: Democratic incumbents
uri: Democratic-incumbents
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#14_December_2017_%28Democratic_Incumbents%29
content:
<p>
The Democratic National Committee has a policy of supporting incumbents
against primary challengers,
<a href="https://boingboing.net/2017/12/11/screw-triangulation.html">
by making its voter data base available
only to the incumbents.
</a>
<p>
I wouldn't say that the Democratic Party <u>fails</u> to support progressive
values, because it doesn't claim to do so, but this is certainly an obstacle
to making the Democratic Party worth supporting.
<p>
When I support political campaigns, I make sure to support
progressives only.  Most of them are in fact Democrats, but I don't
give to organizations that support them just because they are Democrats.


feed_id: edb634d761d8807a17f8b1c7e97b654a
title: Hidden Airbnb cameras
uri: Hidden-Airbnb-cameras
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#14_December_2017_%28Hidden_Airbnb_cameras%29
content:
<p>
Some Airbnb hosts, like some hotels,
<a href="https://www.buzzfeed.com/bradesposito/people-keep-finding-hidden-cameras-in-their-airbnb">
put hidden cameras in bedrooms.
</a>

Public choice theory
The "public choice theory" philosophy
<a href="https://thebaffler.com/salvos/master-class-on-the-make-hartman">
espoused by antisocialists to
justify a state that lets the rich rule
</a>
recapitulates the political
philosophy of the famous defender of slavery, Senator Calhoun.
<p>
The purpose of Democracy is to give the many non-rich a way we can
unite and prevent the rich from dominating us.  It is supposed to
discriminate -- against those who are so powerful that they
are likely to take even more power.


feed_id: 25612365310636c66cfa02aaf212052d
title: American savings crisis
uri: American-savings-crisis
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#14_December_2017_%28American_savings_crisis%29
content:
<p>
Why Americans, in general,
<a href="https://theweek.com/articles/741727/american-savings-crisis-explained">
save so little money.
</a>


feed_id: 03b87454bb396cd48009ed97bdfa7552
title: Oil and gas deposits
uri: Oil-and-gas-deposits
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#14_December_2017_%28Oil_and_gas_deposits%29
content:
<p>
The World Bank says
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/business/2017/dec/12/uk-banks-join-multinationals-pledge-come-clean-climate-change-risks-mark-carney">
it will no longer fund searching for more
oil and gas deposits.
</a>
  Since using them would cause global disaster, there is no point in
searching for them.
<p>
Of course, oil is not used only for burning.  Some of it is used to
make plastics,
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#8_December_2017_(Oceans_under_threat)">
which are causing a different kind of global disaster.
</a>
<p>
If we can convince big banks and investors to stop funding fossil fuels,
that could avoid global disaster.  But it is a shame that banks and investors
dominate such decisions.  A good political system would have the strength
to save the world from disaster despite corrupt wreckers that would profit
from the disaster.


feed_id: a1058b884a18effa8ee79493758a03ae
title: Roy Moore defeated
uri: Roy-Moore-defeated
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#14_December_2017_%28Roy_Moore_defeated%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2017/dec/12/roy-moore-defeat-trump-future-republican-party-trumpism">
Doug Jones won the senate election in Alabama.
</a>
What does this imply
for the Republican Party?
<p>
Whatever the voters' reasons for voting for him, we are well off that a
progressive Democrat was elected, instead of theocratist bigot Moore.
<p>
However, the demonization of Moore as a "pedophile" makes it harder to
draw conclusions about future races.  If Moore had had the same
bigoted, theocratist views, but had not dated teenage women, would he
have won?
<p>
On the other hand, will the Republican Party's support for Moore work
against future candidates whose positions are comparably cruel and
unjust, but don't have personal scandals against their name?
<p>
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/dec/13/wednesday-briefing-alabama-drama-ding-dong">
Moore has refused to concede and demanded a recount.
</a>
  Perhaps he hopes to give someone else a chance to cheat.  But
perhaps this is a play to delay seating Jones in the senate.  His
presence there would make it substantially easier to block unpopular
Republican bills, and Republicans may have asked Moore to please delay
until they get the tax attacks through.


feed_id: 1b881b75057b7c87fd1a1050219befc1
title: Christmas clothing
uri: Christmas-clothing
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#14_December_2017_%28Christmas_clothing%29
content:
<p>
Massive waste:
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2017/dec/13/quarter-of-christmas-jumpers-were-worn-once-and-discarded-last-year">
people buy "Christmas" clothing and wear it just once.
</a>
<p>
This is an additional reason to celebrate
<a href="https://stallman.org/grav-mass.html">
Grav-Mass
</a>
		    instead -- Grav-Mass is not associated
with the idea that you're supposed to buy things for the sake
of buying things.


feed_id: 7144c26b1bb4a95e9696f16d85571612
title: English rivers polluted
uri: English-rivers-polluted
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#14_December_2017_%28English_rivers_polluted%29
content:
<p>
Tests of rivers in Britain found that
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2017/dec/13/english-rivers-polluted-by-powerful-insecticides-first-tests-reveal">
most of them are polluted with
neonicotinoids
</a> -- in some cases, at dangerous levels.  These toxins
can harm various kinds of wildlife.


feed_id: d1d2931858da4cf31e4d6625ff9169c7
title: Mining company sued
uri: Mining-company-sued
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#14_December_2017_%28Mining_company_sued%29
content:
<p>
Maya women in Guatemala have organized to
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/dec/13/guatemala-canada-indigenous-right-canadian-mining-company">
sue a mining company for the 
pattern of repeated crimes carried out by miners.
</a>
<p>
If evictions for the sake of the mine were approved and carried out by
the Guatemalan state, I don't think that lessens the moral
responsibility of the mining company.  That the mine was sold to a
different company changes nothing at all.


feed_id: f71576e8015fcfedc7db6e8c4260f65e
title: Banning pregnant schoolgirls
uri: Banning-pregnant-schoolgirls
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#14_December_2017_%28Banning_pregnant_schoolgirls%29
content:
<p>
The president of Tanzania wants to
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2017/dec/13/tanzania-pardons-two-child-rapists-arrest-pregnant-schoolgirls-president-magufuli">
arrest pregnant teenagers to force
them to testify about the men who raped them.
</a>
<p>
I am sure that other, kinder methods could achieve that goal.


feed_id: 72ff42fc1a1f35405ccc42b5427f3ff2
title: Resettling refugees
uri: Resettling-refugees
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#14_December_2017_%28Resettling_refugees%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2017/dec/13/barnaby-joyce-says-new-zealand-should-back-off-on-offer-to-resettle-refugees">
Australia says that the refugees it has imprisoned in Papua New Guinea
are its own property,
</a>
to oppress as Australia sees fit.  Therefore,
when New Zealand offers to receive some as immigrants, that's blatant
meddling in Australia's internal affairs.
<p>
This reminds me of what China says when its human rights violations
are criticized.  ISTR there has been criticism in Australia of the
threat of Chinese influence.  Is this an example of the danger of
Chinese cultural influence?


feed_id: 6b82c8ae070dca39bbe01ddf6dfcea3d
title: DNA and iris scans
uri: DNA-and-iris-scans
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#14_December_2017_%28DNA_and_iris_scans%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/dec/13/chinese-authorities-collecting-dna-residents-xinjiang">
Chinese Authorities Collecting DNA (and iris scans) from All Residents
of Xinjiang
</a>
(except children and old people).
<p>
I expect this is a pilot project, and they will extend it to everyone
in China in a few years.
<p>
We must all fight against biometric identification in our countries.
If you are in India, please campaign against Aadhar and for payment in
cash.


feed_id: 005dcc4bf0982b74fc2682354d32e66e
title: Zuckerberg's charity
uri: Zuckerberg-s-charity
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#14_December_2017_%28Zuckerberg%27s_charity%29
content:
<p>
Forget Mark Zuckerberg's charity -â
<a href="https://theconversation.com/forget-mark-zuckerbergs-charity-we-need-corporate-tax-reform-88804">
We Need Corporate Tax Reform.
</a>


feed_id: 5abcbc37751b9482a65c5dd3b35da657
title: Puerto Rico's electric grid
uri: Puerto-Rico-s-electric-grid
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#14_December_2017_%28Puerto_Rico%27s_electric_grid%29

content:
<p>
There is a plan to
<a href="https://www.spectrum.ieee.org/energywise/energy/the-smarter-grid/17-billion-modernization-plan-for-puerto-rico-is-released">
spend $17 billion to restore Puerto Rico's electric grid
</a>
and make it more resilient.
<p>
What the article does not say is whether this would add $17 billion to
the debt that Puerto Rico is unable to pay,
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#5_November_2017_(Investigation_of_Whitefish_Energy)">
and whether this would be
used as a level for privatization -- of the electric grid and other
systems too.
</a>


feed_id: 35a84506adc4609ccb5d13c62eecf0fd
title: Uranium mining
uri: 2017-12-15-Uranium-mining
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#14_December_2017_%28Uranium_mining%29
content:
<p>
The Grand Canyon and the Havasupai tribe that lives in it are still
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2017/dec/12/grand-canyon-uranium-mines-ban-upheld-court-trump">
threatened by uranium mining nearby.
</a>
<p>
The fact that mining is even being considered for that area illustrates the
plutocratic tendencies of our government.


feed_id: ba23944f5021a7b96ed735ebc43e661f
title: Talks with North Korea
uri: Talks-with-North-Korea
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#14_December_2017_%28Talks_with_North_Korea%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2017/dec/12/us-ready-for-talks-with-north-korea-without-preconditions-tillerson-says">
US Ready for Talks with North Korea "Without Preconditions",
</a>
Tillerson Says.
<p>
At last, a bit of sense.  But it reaching an agreement depends on
mutual trust, and if there is any government on Earth that is harder
to trust than North Korea under Kim Jong-un, it is the US under the
bully.


feed_id: 34f9d1e9977905a072eefc97df23ebd3
title: Attack on Twitter
uri: Attack-on-Twitter
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#14_December_2017_%28Attack_on_Twitter%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://www.buzzfeed.com/josephbernstein/inside-steve-bannons-war-against-twitter?utm_term=.qfX8452re#.fhARo6zrA">
Bannon and Yiannopoulos organized a campaign to attack Twitter,
</a>
through public condemnation, lawsuits, and driving down its stock price.


feed_id: 039428fac38cd3684a9b597f00c1b829
title: Union organizing
uri: Union-organizing
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#14_December_2017_%28Union_organizing%29
content:
<p>
The saboteur running the National Labor Relations Board is
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2017/12/12/trumps-national-labor-relations-board-moves-make-joining-union-more-difficult">
canceling
a reform that made union organizing less complex.
</a>
<p>
Republicans have been trying to handicap unions in the US for decades.


feed_id: ce1d823a601f78af78920b241d791651
title: Very urgent: Hold off tax vote
uri: Very-urgent-Hold-off-tax-vote
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#15_December_2017_%28Very_urgent%3A_Hold_off_tax_vote%29

content:
<p>
US citizens: Call your members of the Senate or the House at (202)
224-3121, and tell them NO TAX VOTE UNTIL JONES IS SEATED!


feed_id: 71465f6817c4bdfbedf3b68d309087c4
title: New nuclear power plants
uri: New-nuclear-power-plants
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#15_December_2017_%28New_nuclear_power_plants%29
content:
<p>
The UK is building <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2017/dec/14/plans-for-major-nuclear-power-station-in-wales-win-green-light-wylfa-anglesey">new nuclear power plants</a>, which are needed because
the Tories have put an end to solar and land-based wind power
development.


feed_id: 417c3b5fc4265eb4b975160df08f1827
title: Photographer beaten
uri: Photographer-beaten
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#15_December_2017_%28Photographer_beaten%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/dec/14/south-korea-demands-beijing-apology-attack-on-journalist-china">Chinese thugs beat up</a> a South Korean press photographer who was trying
to follow the president of South Korea in his visit to China.


feed_id: 0d47f80dde301ba0bf676c0db495ce42
title: Extreme income inequality
uri: Extreme-income-inequality
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#15_December_2017_%28Extreme_income_inequality%29
content:
<p>
Extreme income inequality in the US results from bad policies.  The
Republicans' plan for even worse policies is the wild extension of
what plutocratist politicians have been doing for 40 years.
<p>
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/inequality/2017/dec/14/inequality-is-not-inevitable-but-the-us-experiment-is-a-recipe-for-divergence">Adopting good policies</a> now can still reduce the problem.


feed_id: c936dd4df2a1ce445648d43ecd2136a0
title: Wiping out insects
uri: Wiping-out-insects
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#15_December_2017_%28Wiping_out_insects%29
content:
<p>
We have only a rough idea of how many species of insects exist on
Earth — perhaps tens of millions — but we are <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2017/dec/14/a-different-dimension-of-loss-great-insect-die-off-sixth-extinction">wiping them out</a> faster
than we can discover them.


feed_id: a4dda622654da704e41c810ef6c777eb
title: Kenya election propaganda
uri: Kenya-election-propaganda
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#15_December_2017_%28Kenya_election_propaganda%29
content:
<p>
A right-wing US propaganda company stirred up hatred of immigrants to
<a href="https://theintercept.com/2017/12/13/trump-connected-firm-helped-sow-chaos-in-kenyan-election-report-says/">influence the election</a> in Kenya with a phony grass-roots campaign.
<p>
That was the election that was <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2017-jul-oct.html#2_September_2017_(Kenyan_election_rigged)">rigged by the incumbent</a>.
<p>
I wonder what result the intervention aimed for.  Did it benefit
the incumbent?  The opposition candidate?  Neither?


feed_id: c6c804a85f8dc096440abb71bd7cc081
title: Fighters raping girls
uri: Fighters-raping-girls
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#15_December_2017_%28Fighters_raping_girls%29
content:
<p>
Congolese Fighters <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/dec/13/congolese-fighters-convicted-raping-toddlers-young-girls-landmark-case">Convicted of Raping</a> Young Girls in Landmark Case.


feed_id: 582d551599dd3d5dd7704381c7dba3d1
title: Spies-for-hire
uri: Spies-for-hire
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#15_December_2017_%28Spies-for-hire%29
content:
<p>
Spies-for-hire that work for businesses to hamper organized criticism
go beyond just snooping.  Sometimes they try to <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2017/12/12/leaked-documents-expose-how-corporations-use-spies-subvert-peoples-movements">stir up disputes</a> within
the organizations.


feed_id: 16b6efb3ec84596f92d81dd089c1cbd9
title: 'Regulation of social media'
uri: Regulation-of-social-media
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#15_December_2017_%28%27Regulation_of_social_media%27%29

content:
<p>
"While rightwing papers call for better regulation of social media,
history shows us that when such crackdowns happen it is <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2017/dec/12/online-hatred-curbed-laws-gag-left">often the left
that suffers</a> the most."


feed_id: e393635cba3e80a6df2859602667f16a
title: Favors for oil companies
uri: Favors-for-oil-companies
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#15_December_2017_%28Favors_for_oil_companies%29
content:
<p>
American Petroleum Institute asked the EPA for a <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2017/dec/12/big-oil-lobby-get-what-it-wants-epa-trump-pruitt">list of favors</a>, and
<a href="/glossary.html#saboteur">Saboteur</a> Pruitt gave it almost all of them.
<p>
Other agencies are giving the oil companies <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2017/dec/12/big-oil-white-house-century-of-influence">plenty of other gifts</a>.
This is the culmination of a decades-long lobbying campaign which
includes government agencies set up specifically
for the oil lobby.
<p>
If you are young, the goal they are working for will probably result
in killing you.  And they have reason to know this.


feed_id: 87903109502b274b6cb6ca2103c32027
title: Identifying information
uri: Identifying-information
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#15_December_2017_%28Identifying_information%29
content:
<p>
A zip code, a birth date, and a sex are enough to uniquely identify most
people in the US.  This defeats most data anonymization schemes.  Many other
collections of data also <a href="http://tomslee.net/2011/09/data-anonymization-and-re-identification-some-basics-of-data-privacy.html">permit deanonymization</a>.
<p>
I think there is a way to do crowdsourcing of recommendations without
enabling any person to be identified.  The trick is not to save a long
list of things that one contributor liked.
<p>
Suppose each person anonymously contributes many separate triples of
things which person liked.  "I liked A, B, and C."  "I liked A, B, and
D."  "I liked A, C, and D."  (The software wouldn't <em>have</em> to
submit all the n!/(3! * (n-3)!) combinations of three of the
<i>n</i> things you liked.)  This may be enough to make somewhat
useful recommendations; but if the system does not know when various
triples are from the same person, its data are not enough to identify
any person.
<p>
I would rather have privacy than personalized recommendations.
I reject Netflix entirely for several reasons, but preserving my privacy
would be enough reason by itself.


feed_id: 29a1569d43d0e7631846388b5850dab1
title: Banning smartphones for children
uri: Banning-smartphones-for-children
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#15_December_2017_%28Banning_smartphones_for_children%29

content:
<p>
There may be strong <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2017/dec/13/smartphone-ban-children-sleep-depression-suicide">psychological reasons</a> to forbid children and
teenagers from using smartphones.
<p>
The article says "children", but clearly intends teenagers as well;
the French prohibition on using smartphones in school includes high
school.  If we want teenagers to become capable people, we should not
infantilize them by calling them "children".
<p>
I think the same kind of argument applies to portable phones.  They may
not be designed to be so addictive, but we should not get our children
in the habit of letting Big Brother track them.  We hope they will
grow up to be activists for good causes, which means they <em>will</em> have
something to hide, though not a shameful something.


feed_id: dd63c06073a556c2a28e4d9572ab5217
title: Los Angeles fire
uri: Los-Angeles-fire
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#15_December_2017_%28Los_Angeles_fire%29
content:
<p>
The fire that burned some rich people's mansions in Los Angeles was
started accidentally by a homeless person's cooking fire.  Is this a
reason to repress the homeless, or is it <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2017/dec/13/los-angeles-fire-bel-air-homeless-camp">poetic justice</a>?


feed_id: 9b9f023e30cd55f8543495ca0ba1d89b
title: Suing for fossils
uri: Suing-for-fossils
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#15_December_2017_%28Suing_for_fossils%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/science/2017/dec/13/why-are-palaeontologists-suing-trump">Paleontologists are suing</a> to prevent irreplaceable fossils of Mesozoic
life in Utah from being destroyed for coal mining.


feed_id: 8ac150e409d13652000f93b3a73a0c7f
title: Excusing murder by thugs
uri: Excusing-murder-by-thugs
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#15_December_2017_%28Excusing_murder_by_thugs%29
content:
<p>
Juries must <a href="https://reason.com/archives/2017/12/13/scared-cops-are-scary">stop excusing murder</a> by thugs just because a thug says, "I
felt scared."  We should demand that thugs take at least as much care
before shooting as we expect anyone else to take.


feed_id: 4f5d9ae52ee2c36ace14be60a85b55b0
title: Control over CFPB
uri: Control-over-CFPB
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#15_December_2017_%28Control_over_CFPB%29
content:
<p>
The Fight to Control the CFPB <a href="https://theintercept.com/2017/12/13/cfpb-director-mick-mulvaney-trump/">Isnât Over Yet</a>.


feed_id: 735a1885a0a14031c2c5df2bba124be3
title: Global heating and deadly rains
uri: Global-heating-and-deadly-rains
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#15_December_2017_%28Global_heating_and_deadly_rains%29

content:
<p>
Global [heating] Made Hurricane Harvey's Deadly Rains <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2017/dec/13/global-warming-made-hurricane-harvey-deadly-rains-three-times-more-likely-research-shows">Three Times More Likely</a>.
<p>
In other words, global heating gets 3/4 of the blame.
<p>
Just as global heating effects are causing more damage, Republican
saboteur politicians <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/climate-consensus-97-per-cent/2017/dec/13/the-us-is-penny-wise-and-pound-foolish-on-the-climate">want to cut funds</a> for climate research.


feed_id: 32d04567ea0dd68d0d83080ec388ef72
title: Campaign to arrest Mueller's team
uri: Campaign-to-arrest-Mueller-s-team
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#15_December_2017_%28Campaign_to_arrest_Mueller%27s_team%29

content:
<p>
Faux News is running a <a href="https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2017/12/11/1723251/-Watergate-reporter-Fox-News-hosts-are-abetting-the-cover-up-in-White-House-special-counsel-probe">distortion/pressure campaign</a> demanding the
arrest of some of Mueller's team.


feed_id: 1e5f226b83661de6e45412f7a936390e
title: State Department resignation
uri: State-Department-resignation
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#15_December_2017_%28State_Department_resignation%29
content:
<p>
A US diplomat <a href="https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2017/12/11/1723263/-U-S-State-Dept-diplomat-resigns-in-scathing-letter-encourages-others-to-follow-me-out-the-door">resigned from the State Department</a>, saying that
Tillerson and the bully are driving it into the ground.


feed_id: e8b7bb7b85f7570c10fc9b8e13df4ba3
title: Climate charade
uri: Climate-charade
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#15_December_2017_%28Climate_charade%29
content:
<p>
Governments talk about protecting the climate while they continue
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2017/12/12/350org-one-planet-summit-charade-cant-carry">subsidizing fossil fuels</a>.  This charade must end.


feed_id: 0577f2a8f7d355c900e8b1d0b585e4dc
title: Polish TV station
uri: Polish-TV-station
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#15_December_2017_%28Polish_TV_station%29
content:
<p>
Poland <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/dec/12/poland-media-regulator-fines-broadcaster-tvn-sa-protests-coverage">fined a TV station</a> for broadcasting images of protests against
Polish government policies.
<p>
Ironically, the protest was against a measure to interfere with
journalism.
<p>
This is a step down the path to Turkish-style repression of the media.


feed_id: c9be7211ca5526411b2496e7ba7cb6da
title: Oil and gas deposits
uri: 2017-12-16-Oil-and-gas-deposits
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#14_December_2017_%28Oil_and_gas_deposits%29
content:
<p>
The World Bank says
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/business/2017/dec/12/uk-banks-join-multinationals-pledge-come-clean-climate-change-risks-mark-carney">
it will no longer fund searching for more
oil and gas deposits.
</a>
  Since using them would cause global disaster, there is no point in
searching for them.
<p>
Of course, oil is not used only for burning.  Some of it is used to
make plastics,
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#8_December_2017_(Oceans_under_threat)">
which are causing a different kind of global disaster.
</a>
<p>
The related World Bank Group <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#14_December_2017_(Obstacles_to_decarbonization)">continues to fund</a> fossil fuel "development" projects.
<p>
If we can convince big banks and investors to stop funding fossil fuels,
that could avoid global disaster.  But it is a shame that banks and investors
dominate such decisions.  A good political system would have the strength
to save the world from disaster despite corrupt wreckers that would profit
from the disaster.


feed_id: e3a4762387fab85fbe65c352635909d4
title: Urgent: Seat Doug Jones
uri: Urgent-Seat-Doug-Jones
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#16_December_2017_%28Urgent%3A_Seat_Doug_Jones%29
content:
<p>
US citizens: <a href="https://act.credoaction.com/sign/seat_doug_jones">Tell Mitch McConnell</a>: Seat Senator-elect Doug Jones Now.


feed_id: b48a2592b841351c4d38936764eefcb8
title: Urgent: Funding deforestation
uri: Urgent-Funding-deforestation
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#16_December_2017_%28Urgent%3A_Funding_deforestation%29

content:
<p>
Everyone: <a href="https://act.credoaction.com/sign/jpmorgan_blackrock_amazon">call on JP Morgan Chase and BlackRock</a> to stop funding deforestation
in the Amazon.


feed_id: 1efbf933c9390a014bb4f7ebfc2d7885
title: Robots and homeless people
uri: Robots-and-homeless-people
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#16_December_2017_%28Robots_and_homeless_people%29
content:
<p>
Security robots are being used in San Francisco to <a href="https://techcrunch.com/2017/12/13/security-robots-are-being-used-to-ward-off-san-franciscos-homeless-population/">drive away homeless
people</a>.
<p>
Aside from the cruelty of driving them away without making a place for
them to go, these robots will make more homeless people by replacing
human security guards.
<p>
Providing services that have to be done in a particular locality is
the last source of employment for most Americans, so if we allow these
jobs to be automated, we will predictably get a lot more homeless
people.  We need laws to limit the robots' use so as to protect the jobs.


feed_id: c52478e73be21d3680a7f549a46a8621
title: Capital of Palestine
uri: Capital-of-Palestine
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#16_December_2017_%28Capital_of_Palestine%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2017/12/14/muslim-countries-call-e-jerusalem-palestine-capital-reject-us-honest-broker">Most Muslim countries</a> have officially recognized East Jerusalem as the
capital of Palestine.


feed_id: c566751364cff24edfba148772d72605
title: Kelvin Fawaz
uri: Kelvin-Fawaz
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#16_December_2017_%28Kelvin_Fawaz%29
content:
<p>
Kelvin Fawaz was brought to the UK at age 14, where he was enslaved.
The UK is so determined to deport him that <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2017/dec/14/boxing-champion-awaits-deportation-after-fighting-for-england-six-times">it has imprisoned him</a>.  But
this is impossible as no other country that will acknowledge him as a
citizen.  Given the UK's avid cruelty to immigrants, it could keep him
in prison for the rest of his life.


feed_id: b42f91732902df8e41dc829694977ae9
title: Airline emissions
uri: Airline-emissions
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#16_December_2017_%28Airline_emissions%29
content:
<p>
CO2 emissions from US airlines <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2017/12/14/report-us-airlines-carbon-emissions-jumped-7-percent">grew by 7%</a> from 2014 to 2016.
<p>
The EU <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2012-jan-apr.html#16_March_2012_(Gathering_Support)">tried to put a tax</a> on aircraft emissions,
but the US <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2012-nov-feb.html#29_November_2012_(Obama_signs_bill_for_emissions_tax_avoidance)">fought against it</a>.


feed_id: ee59641e75380e2838250532fc6e2b0d
title: Myths about poor people
uri: Myths-about-poor-people
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#16_December_2017_%28Myths_about_poor_people%29
content:
<p>
The US major media <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2017/12/14/new-research-news-media-systemically-repeat-debunked-myths-about-black-families">consistently spread the idea</a> that poor = black and
welfare-recipient = black.


feed_id: 64a72610ec870d54fa4130f0d2d3a8b9
title: Replacing human workers
uri: Replacing-human-workers
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#16_December_2017_%28Replacing_human_workers%29
content:
<p>
The <a href="/glossary.html#scrotus">SCROTUS</a> tax attacks
would <a href="https://theintercept.com/2017/12/14/tax-bill-provision-will-lead-to-more-automation-executives-boast-to-wall-street-investors/">encourage businesses</a> to replace human workers
with machines.


feed_id: 94b2cbe4c55abf3f06f705ec23c53189
title: Burma journalism suppression
uri: Burma-journalism-suppression
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#16_December_2017_%28Burma_journalism_suppression%29
content:
<p>
Burma has <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/dec/13/two-reuters-journalists-arrested-in-myanmar">arrested two Reuters journalists</a>, part of its general efforts to
suppress journalism and dissent.


feed_id: f0ef47272d8ae3f3d9c0544e15acec48
title: Talks with North Korea
uri: 2017-12-16-Talks-with-North-Korea
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#16_December_2017_%28Talks_with_North_Korea%29
content:
<p>
After Tillerson called for direct talks with North Korea, the bully
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/dec/13/white-house-north-korea-tillerson-mixed-messages">rejected talks</a>.
<p>
I can't see any way this could make sense as foreign policy.
I think the troll regards North Korea as an opportunity to look tough
to American supporters, and likes it so much he won't give it up.


feed_id: 7e756bf2d620da789ac0b6530e07834b
title: Automatic copyright censorship
uri: Automatic-copyright-censorship
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#16_December_2017_%28Automatic_copyright_censorship%29

content:
<p>
The EU plans to surrender to the movie companies by requiring all
communication networks to impose an <a href="https://edri.org/censorship-machine-busting-myths/">automatic copyright censorship system</a>.


feed_id: 5e424a5142846feb88780392342bb024
title: Choosing food or medical care
uri: Choosing-food-or-medical-care
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#16_December_2017_%28Choosing_food_or_medical_care%29

content:
<p>
DooH niboR forces 100 million people each year to
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2017/dec/14/almost-100-million-people-a-year-choose-food-healthcare-extreme-poverty">choose between</a>
food and medical care.


feed_id: 07eb5c74080c6bb35709dfdd50a1faa0
title: Protecting air pollution
uri: Protecting-air-pollution
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#16_December_2017_%28Protecting_air_pollution%29
content:
<p>
The fossil fuel interests have been very successful at subverting
governments to protect carbon emissions and a future of global
heating.  What is less well known is that they are doing the same
thing to protect <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2017/dec/14/fueling-dissent-how-the-oil-industry-set-out-to-undercut-clean-air">toxic air pollution</a>.


feed_id: acfee37ee66ab9ce5faf279a93180abf
title: Leftist parties in Europe
uri: Leftist-parties-in-Europe
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#16_December_2017_%28Leftist_parties_in_Europe%29
content:
<p>
Leftist parties are <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2017/dec/14/governments-control-capitalism-class-war-right-undermine-workers">going down to defeat</a> in Europe because they failed
to challenge the supranational structures that impose plutocratic
policies on them: namely, those of the EU.
<p>
This opens the door to triumph by right-wing parties whose platform is
cruelty to some scapegoat.  They don't really make things better for
the non-rich; all they offer is a chance to feel better by beating
down someone weaker.


feed_id: 579a148de84b0d088a6a4fab66b11820
title: Russia using Facebook and Twitter
uri: Russia-using-Facebook-and-Twitter
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#16_December_2017_%28Russia_using_Facebook_and_Twitter%29

content:
<p>
Limiting freedom of speech on the internet is the <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2017/dec/14/facebook-russia-social-media-propaganda">wrong way to address</a>
the harmful general practices that Russia took advantage of.
<p>
Russia was able to use Facebook and Twitter for influence because they
were designed to magnify the influence of anyone with money.  Big
"American" businesses, and "American" pressure campaigns they fund,
do even more damage with those sites, and the fact that this is
supposedly "not foreign" does not make it less harmful.


feed_id: 26b8e5adad0d5e0be403c487dc14c6f1
title: 6700 Rohingya killed
uri: 6700-Rohingya-killed
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#16_December_2017_%286700_Rohingya_killed%29
content:
<p>
MÃ©decins Sans FrontiÃ¨res says that at least 6700 Rohingya were <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/dec/14/6700-rohingya-muslims-killed-in-attacks-in-myanmar-says-medecins-sans-frontieres">killed by
attackers</a> driving them out of Burma.


feed_id: 40ae76543b94e5dd2ab1227523f2096d
title: Burning forests
uri: Burning-forests
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#16_December_2017_%28Burning_forests%29
content:
<p>
EU Must Not <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2017/dec/14/eu-must-not-burn-the-worlds-forests-for-renewable-energy">Burn the World's Forests</a> for "Renewable" Energy.


feed_id: 8d6bc47da1f5de8c705dd8cb19daf681
title: Guantanamo injustices
uri: Guantanamo-injustices
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#16_December_2017_%28Guantanamo_injustices%29
content:
<p>
When Guantanamo prisoners go on hunger strike to protest their imprisonment
without trial, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2017/dec/14/guantanamo-bay-detainees-right-to-protest-hunger-strike-trump-administration">the guards punish them</a> with solitary confinement and refusal
of medical care.
<p>
Imprisonment without trial is a terrible injustice, but the US
government is not satisfied with committing that.  It adds insult to
injury, by demanding that the prisoners legitimize the injustice by
not protesting it.
<p>
The US must <a href="https://stallman.org/guantanamero.html">free every one</a> of these prisoners, or give him a fair trial.


feed_id: 3c1345e01ea9ed2a54c4b3e13ce47c23
title: Urgent: Judge appointments
uri: Urgent-Judge-appointments
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#17_December_2017_%28Urgent%3A_Judge_appointments%29
content:
<p>
US citizens: <a href="http://act.pfaw.org/sign/stop-trump-judicial-noms-new-year/">call on senators</a> to stop considering judge appointments
until Doug Scott is seated.


feed_id: c64f715e31e97dae80cefe75f99656c2
title: Urgent: Taking babies away
uri: Urgent-Taking-babies-away
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#17_December_2017_%28Urgent%3A_Taking_babies_away%29
content:
<p>
US citizens: <a href="https://www.e-activist.com/ea-action/broadcast.record.message.click.do?ea.url.id=1191186">call on the immigration thugs</a> to stop taking babies away from
from parents that bring them and ask for asylum.


feed_id: 0c3b783068efab06885d4c258445a9be
title: Publishing company owners
uri: Publishing-company-owners
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#17_December_2017_%28Publishing_company_owners%29
content:
<p>
The EU will make companies <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/dec/15/eu-to-force-companies-to-disclose-owners-with-directive-prompted-by-panama-papers">publish their true owners</a>, but trusts will only have
to provide the data to the state.
<p>
I am in favor of regulations like these.  At the same time, I am against
tracking what products people purchase.  The two issues are similar
in structure, but very different in practical consequences.
Tracking people enables profiling them and denies their human rights.
Tracking companies helps stop tax-dodging and other forms of massive cheating,
and companies are not entitled to human rights.
<p>
However, the restrictions on buying using anonymous prepaid debit
cards are an injustice.


feed_id: e52093d2cb35ace02f4e288446695aaa
title: NATO promises to Gorbachev
uri: NATO-promises-to-Gorbachev
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#17_December_2017_%28NATO_promises_to_Gorbachev%29
content:
<p>
NATO gave Gorbachev clear promises not to extend further towards the
Soviet Union, <a href="https://nsarchive.gwu.edu/briefing-book/russia-programs/2017-12-12/nato-expansion-what-gorbachev-heard-western-leaders-early">over and over</a>.


feed_id: 94ba5b16143e380f581273998171ded5
title: Reporting potholes
uri: Reporting-potholes
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#17_December_2017_%28Reporting_potholes%29
content:
<p>
"Connected" driverless cars will <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/dec/13/cars-of-future-will-spot-potholes-and-tell-us-says-highways-england">report where they see a pothole</a>.
<p>
This suggests they will also report where they take you.


feed_id: a657b5bd67cd7c3876abfd933b9a6fa5
title: 'Crisis pregnancy centers'
uri: Crisis-pregnancy-centers
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#17_December_2017_%28%27Crisis_pregnancy_centers%27%29

content:
<p>
The dishonesty of "crisis pregnancy centers" is <a href="https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2017/12/11/1723104/-The-All-Out-War-on-SEX">revealed by a
documentary</a>.  Even knowing that they are dishonest, I would never have
imagined how far their dishonesty goes.  The basis of it all is the
idea that most people shouldn't have sex.
<p>
This is not the only campaign that demonizes sex.  Plenty of prudes
set a blanket cut-off age — perhaps 16, or 17, or even 18, depending
on nothing but where you are located — and act as if even being
attracted to someone under that age were a perversion.
<p>
The normal occupation of human adolescents is sex.  People are ready
for sex when they decide they are ready.


feed_id: 00c843f10eaf469873d1df193cdbaed0
title: Power plant security
uri: Power-plant-security
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#17_December_2017_%28Power_plant_security%29
content:
<p>
A <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2017/dec/15/triton-hackers-malware-attack-safety-systems-energy-plant">digital attack</a> defeated security computers used in many power plants,
meaning that many power plants could be at risk of a cyber-attack.


feed_id: 925b2bd381bf12a7f433ce7168c2682e
title: Net neutrality lawsuits
uri: Net-neutrality-lawsuits
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#17_December_2017_%28Net_neutrality_lawsuits%29
content:
<p>
State Attorneys General <a href="https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2017/12/state-attorneys-general-line-up-to-sue-fcc-over-net-neutrality-repeal/">Line Up to Sue FCC</a> over Net Neutrality Repeal.
<p>
New York AG Schneiderman shows the sort of frauds that the FCC is
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2017/12/13/ag-schneiderman-releases-new-details-investigation-fake-net-neutrality-comments">protecting from prosecution</a>.
<p>
One of the victims of the fraud is <a href="https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2017/12/11/1723389/-Pro-net-neutrality-Sen-Patrick-Leahy-s-identity-stolen-for-a-fake-anti-net-neutrality-FCC-comment">Senator Leahy</a>.
<p>
This didn't faze Pai.  For Republicans, to lie with impunity about a
Democrat is something to boast about.
<p>
The ACLU is campaigning for Congress to <a href="https://www.aclu.org/blog/free-speech/internet-speech/trumps-fcc-nukes-network-neutrality-what-happens-now">override the FCC's decision</a>.


feed_id: 7f5e761d37f3389c6e637c51796d1ea5
title: Upper-caste murder conviction
uri: Upper-caste-murder-conviction
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#17_December_2017_%28Upper-caste_murder_conviction%29

content:
<p>
Upper-caste Indians have been <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2017/dec/15/six-men-sentenced-to-death-india-dalit-honour-killing">convicted of murdering</a> a Dalit man
for daring to marry their relative.
<p>
I oppose the death penalty under all circumstances, but I applaud
their conviction.


feed_id: 7e7c94af28ac5f75009ab94bb770707c
title: Extreme poverty in America
uri: Extreme-poverty-in-America
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#17_December_2017_%28Extreme_poverty_in_America%29
content:
<p>
A Journey Through a Land of Extreme Poverty: <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/society/2017/dec/15/america-extreme-poverty-un-special-rapporteur">Welcome to America</a>.


feed_id: 3e990f88b39346c1a274b3edcf868f5f
title: Sales pitches
uri: Sales-pitches
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#17_December_2017_%28Sales_pitches%29
content:
<p>
Teaching people to make better sales pitches is a <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2017/dec/15/the-apprentice-pitch-pitching-productive">distraction from
real issues</a>.
<p>
Sales pitches presume there is a competition and only a few pitches
will win.  Basically, competition implies that some competitors lose.
In many situations, it means that most competitors lose.
<p>
If we wish to make most people's lives better, we can't achieve that
by teaching everyone to compete better.  Rather, we must make it less
bad to lose the competition.


feed_id: b0f7c9bd6ee817366c9ac461e5639aa8
title: Pilots' union
uri: Pilots-union
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#17_December_2017_%28Pilots%27_union%29
content:
<p>
Cryin'air has agreed to <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/business/2017/dec/15/ryanair-to-recognise-unions-in-historic-shift-to-stop-christmas-strike-by-pilots">recognize its pilots' union</a>.
<p>
What about other employees?


feed_id: d2fb5155e243dccd653849976cb51ffd
title: Sex worker vigil
uri: Sex-worker-vigil
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#17_December_2017_%28Sex_worker_vigil%29
content:
<p>
UK sex workers will <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2017/dec/15/mps-protect-sex-workers-risks-70000-people-face">hold a vigil</a> to demand decriminalization of working
in safe conditions.


feed_id: c7a0d7ff48e98b5e0c43cb7eec6f7947
title: Palau marine sanctuary
uri: Palau-marine-sanctuary
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#17_December_2017_%28Palau_marine_sanctuary%29
content:
<p>
Palau has created an enormous <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2015/nov/17/palau-protects-marine-wealth-to-pay-for-its-future">marine sanctuary zone</a>.
Such protected areas give fish a place to reproduce, and once they
are well-established, they can refill surrounding non-protected areas
with fish that people can catch.
<p>
However, if we continue acidifying and heating the ocean, the effect will
wipe this out.


feed_id: 01cc90555493baf6a0a2a45714d04a8d
title: Homeless with jobs
uri: Homeless-with-jobs
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#17_December_2017_%28Homeless_with_jobs%29
content:
<p>
Even workers with stable jobs are <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/society/2017/dec/15/homelessness-report-working-families-stable-jobs-local-government-ombudsman">likely to end up homeless</a> in the UK.


feed_id: f6a2cf1bf42f8eba650122fc633b9c75
title: Support for tyrants
uri: Support-for-tyrants
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#17_December_2017_%28Support_for_tyrants%29
content:
<p>
Three tyrants that imprison lots of journalists are <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2017/12/13/report-links-trumps-anti-press-rhetoric-record-number-jailed-journalists">getting full
support</a> from the bully.


feed_id: fb740ae1dba961afa92966f072fa157f
title: NAFTA replacement campaign
uri: NAFTA-replacement-campaign
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#17_December_2017_%28NAFTA_replacement_campaign%29
content:
<p>
A campaign <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2017/12/13/us-senator-bernie-sanders-headlines-replacenafta-day-action-event-millions">calls for replacing NAFTA</a> to eliminate incentives for
outsourcing and protect workers' rights and the environment.
<p>
I am in favor of this, but I am worried that this campaign does not
mention the worst part of NAFTA: the ISDS or <a href="https://stallman.org/business-supremacy-treaties.html">"I Sue Democratic States"</a>
provision.


feed_id: 403d27a028c23c3456601e8e2d2d6a1c
title: Judicial nominee
uri: Judicial-nominee
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#18_December_2017_%28Judicial_nominee%29
content:
<p>
The saboteur's nominee for a federal judgeship had a Senate hearing
and proved
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2017/dec/15/trump-judicial-nominee-stumped-on-basic-law-questions-at-senate-hearing">
ignorant about the basics of the law.
</a>
<p>
I suppose the saboteur figures this judge will simply decide the way
Republicans and companies tell him to.
<p>
It will be interesting to see whether SCROTUS rejects him for this, or
confirms him anyway.


feed_id: 760f09490cd6eaf6f3e852cdf5fb9568
title: British war crimes
uri: British-war-crimes
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#18_December_2017_%28British_war_crimes%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2016/oct/03/plan-uk-military-opt-out-european-convention-human-rights">
The UK decided that the European Convention on Human Rights would no longer
apply to what its soldiers do in wartime,
</a>
to protect soldiers from charges
that they violated prisoner's human rights.
<p>
The change turned out to be futile,
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/dec/14/british-troops-breached-geneva-conventions-in-iraq-high-court-rules">
because a British court ruled that
the soldiers violated the Geneva Conventions as well.
</a>


feed_id: 71b2aaf5833dc25fe6e4df114a0bc999
title: Poor People's Campaign
uri: Poor-People-s-Campaign
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#18_December_2017_%28Poor_People%27s_Campaign%29
content:
<p>
Poverty in America Is a Moral Outrage.  The new Poor People's Campaign
has to confront the evangelical "Christians" for whom
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2017/dec/16/poverty-america-moral-outrage-nation">
"Christianity"
is another name for a hard heart.
</a>


feed_id: 0876d658463a6547373fd1e7ffba7330
title: Mueller-FBI investigation
uri: Mueller-FBI-investigation
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#18_December_2017_%28Mueller-FBI_investigation%29
content:
<p>
Representative Schiff says that SCROTUS are planning to
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2017/dec/16/republicans-trying-to-kill-off-trump-russia-investigation-says-adam-schiff">
shut down the
House of Representatives investigation into the cheater's relationship
with Russia
</a>
and that they also want to end the criminal investigation.


feed_id: 9988642922f6be7f318a6c6e71842580
title: Impeachment
uri: Impeachment
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#18_December_2017_%28Impeachment%29
content:
<p>
The president of Peru is likely to be
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/dec/15/impeachment-proceedings-against-perus-president-pedro-pablo-kuczynski">
impeached for corruption.
</a>


feed_id: 75eb5602dcfee037425a002b7d02ce2c
title: Throwing stones
uri: Throwing-stones
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#18_December_2017_%28Throwing_stones%29
content:
<p>
Uri Avnery explains the feelings of Palestinian teenagers who
"uselessly" throw stones at Israeli occupation soldiers,
with the example of
<a href="http://zope.gush-shalom.org/home/en/channels/avnery/1513341285/">
his own protest at age 15 against the British
occupation soldiers.
</a>


feed_id: 32c5663f3021a18320138a483e0a9939
title: More children
uri: 2017-12-18-More-children
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#18_December_2017_%28More_children%29
content:
<p>
Paul Ryan has done plenty to make most American families poorer.  Now
he asks them to finish the job by
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2017/12/14/despite-active-efforts-make-child-rearing-less-affordable-paul-ryan-urges-americans">
having more children.
</a>
<p>
To reduce the extent of global disaster
<a href="https://stallman.org/articles/children.html">
requires having even less children.
</a>


feed_id: 3b4333fd0539957193da940417498477
title: Weinstein sabotaging "Frida"
uri: Weinstein-sabotaging-Frida
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#18_December_2017_%28Weinstein_sabotaging_Frida%29
content:
<p>
Salma Hayek: after she refused to have sex with Harvey Weinstein, he
took revenge by
<a href="https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2017/12/13/opinion/contributors/salma-hayek-harvey-weinstein.html">
repeatedly trying to sabotage the film "Frida".
</a>


feed_id: ea961115950a1e3e1740ec80efa2e743
title: Organized labor
uri: 2017-12-18-Organized-labor
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#18_December_2017_%28Organized_labor%29
content:
<p>
Unions in Alabama see
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2017/dec/16/alabama-unions-see-doug-joness-win-as-a-victory-for-organized-labor">
Doug Jones as a pillar of their campaign
</a>
to increase
union membership there.


feed_id: 8d941cbe9f1e2f8578e7352cc84f436d
title: Endangered seabirds
uri: Endangered-seabirds
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#18_December_2017_%28Endangered_seabirds%29
content:
<p>
Global heating effects and overfishing are
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2017/dec/12/climate-change-overfishing-push-seabirds-to-extinction">
putting some seabird
species in danger.
</a>


feed_id: 31de694d79e583b8dffa0324822296a4
title: Urgent: Preserve net neutrality
uri: Urgent-Preserve-net-neutrality
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#18_December_2017_%28Urgent%3A_Preserve_net_neutrality%29

content:
<p>
US citizens: <a href="https://action.aclu.org/secure/save-net-neutrality">tell your congresscritter and senators</a> to vote
to override the FCC and preserve network neutrality.


feed_id: 9ccbcf1903759c17b704a698b2a02411
title: Urgent: Release sexual harassment tapes
uri: Urgent-Release-sexual-harassment-tapes
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#18_December_2017_%28Urgent%3A_Release_sexual_harassment_tapes%29

content:
<p>
Everyone: <a href="https://act.colorofchange.org/sign/release-the-trump-tapes/">Call on MGM</a> to release the tapes of the bully's sexual harassment.


feed_id: 21b95029dfc8f45c1a5d9f77d75d15c2
title: Urgent: Recommendations for DNC
uri: Urgent-Recommendations-for-DNC
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#18_December_2017_%28Urgent%3A_Recommendations_for_DNC%29

content:
<p>
US citizens: <a href="http://act.boldprogressives.org/survey/unity-reform-commission/">call on the Democratic National Committee</a> to adopt the
Unity Reform Commission recommendations.


feed_id: 1fbea463d867da8ae1948e045049912f
title: Prison for publishing
uri: Prison-for-publishing
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#18_December_2017_%28Prison_for_publishing%29
content:
<p>
Australia is considering a law to <a href="https://www.buzzfeed.com/paulfarrell/australia-seeks-new-gag-laws-that-could-see-journalists-and">imprison journalists</a> for 20 years
for publishing what whistleblowers tell them.


feed_id: 160ec8996ff667043407e41ba5b87943
title: Net neutrality opposition
uri: Net-neutrality-opposition
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#18_December_2017_%28Net_neutrality_opposition%29
content:
<p>
A <a href="https://motherboard.vice.com/en_us/article/7xwknx/republican-members-of-congress-fcc-letter">list of 84 Republican congresscritters</a> that were paid by
telecommunications companies and then encouraged the FCC to abolish
network neutrality.
<p>
There were 23 others, but their signatures on the letter were not clear.


feed_id: ecfb5dd28ec0b0922e86d8cb8704efca
title: Student debts from fraud
uri: Student-debts-from-fraud
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#18_December_2017_%28Student_debts_from_fraud%29
content:
<p>
Saboteur of Education DeVos has completely <a href="http://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-42318764">stopped the practice</a> of
cancelling the debts of students defrauded by private colleges.
<p>
Do not under any circumstances enroll in a private college!


feed_id: 31d48889cf317c1aba72ec8efcd16d84
title: Roy Moore on amendments
uri: Roy-Moore-on-amendments
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#18_December_2017_%28Roy_Moore_on_amendments%29
content:
<p>
Roy Moore <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/roy-moore-amendments-2017-12">advocated repeal</a> of all the US constitutional amendments
after the first 10.  This would mean bringing back slavery and
racist/sexist voting criteria.
<p>
It would also mean that the people would no longer vote on senators.
I am sure Roy Moore would have preferred to let the Alabama state
legislature choose him.


feed_id: 5b076d6cc635e8b99a86fe9b25584bd9
title: Tracking drivers
uri: Tracking-drivers
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#18_December_2017_%28Tracking_drivers%29
content:
<p>
Insurance companies in Britain that monitor <em>how</em> a person drives
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/money/2017/dec/16/motoring-myths-black-boxes-telematics-insurance">also keep track of <em>where</em></a>.
<p>
I don't see any harm in monitoring a person's style of driving.
However, any system that tracks where people go is a <a href="https://gnu.org/philosophy/surveillance-vs-democracy.html">threat to
democracy</a>.
<p>
The fact that the UK <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2009-may-aug.html#25%20May%202009%20(Track%20all%20car%20travel)">tracks all car travel</a>, through cameras on the
street,
does not make this new injustice any less grave.  Britons must
someday demand elimination of massive surveillance; the cameras should
be modified so that they don't take notice of most cars, only those
being sought for specific valid reasons.  The existence of <em>two
independent</em> systems for tracking people could be used to argue
against any campaign to abolish either one of them.
<p>
If we want to end massive surveillance, we must fight against new system
of surveillance.
<p>
In general, laws should prohibit the operation of systems that collect
too much data about people.


feed_id: a2047e7d303ffe2afe88b5962d67cbc5
title: US deportations
uri: US-deportations
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#18_December_2017_%28US_deportations%29
content:
<p>
People being deported by the US were <a href="https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2017/12/14/1724398/-ICE-detainees-say-they-were-kept-shackled-and-denied-restroom-access-in-46-hour-plane-ride-from-hell">kept shackled for 46 hours</a>, in
painful heat, and not allowed to use a toilet.
<p>
How can it be legitimate to deport people to Mogadishu anyway?
It is a war zone.


feed_id: 8c54a0f7ff7bc38cd7853b5f06610351
title: Thugs handcuff child
uri: Thugs-handcuff-child
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#18_December_2017_%28Thugs_handcuff_child%29
content:
<p>
<a href="/glossary.html#thug">Thugs</a> looking to arrest a middle-aged white woman encountered an
11-year-old black child, so <a href="https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2017/12/15/1724777/-11-year-old-black-girl-handcuffed-at-gun-point-by-police-searching-for-40-year-old-white-woman">they handcuffed her</a> just in case she
was the white woman in disguise.


feed_id: ef5e7908efccd4d831ea8653bd7bb4d8
title: Prosecution of protesters
uri: Prosecution-of-protesters
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#18_December_2017_%28Prosecution_of_protesters%29
content:
<p>
The modern Republican "no bullshit is too absurd" approach applied
to <a href="https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2017/12/15/1724713/-DOJ-is-making-the-most-insane-argument-that-protesters-and-journalists-should-go-to-jail">prosecution of protesters</a>.


feed_id: f7b4eb56a5793d8d13e27b41ee6f7cab
title: Weinstein tactics
uri: Weinstein-tactics
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#18_December_2017_%28Weinstein_tactics%29
content:
<p>
Harvey Weinstein <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/film/2017/dec/15/peter-jackson-harvey-weinstein-ashley-judd-mira-sorvino">punished actresses</a> who wouldn't have sex with him
by badmouthing them so they wouldn't get work elsewhere.


feed_id: 1f3a3c858f582f01b043a8af52e9a8b6
title: Overcoming voter suppression
uri: Overcoming-voter-suppression
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#18_December_2017_%28Overcoming_voter_suppression%29
content:
<p>
The blacks that gave Doug Jones the victory last week overcame powerful
Republican <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2017/12/15/alabamas-effort-suppress-black-vote-couldnt-prevent-huge-turnout">voter-suppression efforts</a>.


feed_id: f7d58ea10489f96af68e33a6d84e0ef7
title: Republican 'bankruptcy'
uri: Republican-bankruptcy
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#18_December_2017_%28Republican_%27bankruptcy%27%29
content:
<p>
The <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/climate-consensus-97-per-cent/2017/dec/04/the-moral-and-intellectual-bankruptcy-of-the-republican-party">Moral And Intellectual Bankruptcy</a> of the Republican Party.


feed_id: cda1c2637d7d607f9569e5b216a1a451
title: Reading 'terrorist' web sites
uri: Reading-terrorist-web-sites
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#18_December_2017_%28Reading_%27terrorist%27_web_sites%29

content:
<p>
France's law making it a crime to read "terrorist" web sites "regularly"
has been <a href="https://www.hrw.org/news/2017/12/15/french-legislators-rebuked-seeking-criminalize-online-browsing">overturned as unconstitutional</a>.
<p>
Any law prohibiting people from reading something, or having a copy of
something, is an offense against human rights.


feed_id: 738ac05f008df69e32ed12d5997daa99
title: US extreme inequality
uri: US-extreme-inequality
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#18_December_2017_%28US_extreme_inequality%29
content:
<p>
The <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2017/dec/15/america-un-extreme-poverty-trump-republicans">UN special rapporteur says</a> that the US is becoming the "world
champion of extreme inequality".
<p>
It's not just the saboteur who is doing this.  <a href="/glossary.html#scrotus">SCROTUS</a> are hard at
work at making it worse, with the tax attacks bill they are about to pass.


feed_id: cf0d9e1fe68213ca7b2b222e5cd08a1a
title: GM bananas
uri: GM-bananas
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#18_December_2017_%28GM_bananas%29
content:
<p>
Genetically modified bananas could protect crops from the spreading
bacterial infection, but they <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2017/dec/12/gm-genetically-modified-banana-uganda-hunger-crisis">threaten farmers</a> with patent pollution.


feed_id: 9cdca3a2afaba384a7a485d38ec116ed
title: Advocating for the poor
uri: Advocating-for-the-poor
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#18_December_2017_%28Advocating_for_the_poor%29
content:
<p>
Australian charities <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2017/dec/12/australian-charities-self-censoring-political-advocacy-out-of-fear-of-retribution">don't dare advocate</a> for the rights of the poor or
homeless people they serve.


feed_id: 1d096fcb5b3cde4c64ace7134f1060eb
title: Judicial nominee
uri: 2017-12-18-Judicial-nominee
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#18_December_2017_%28Judicial_nominee%29
content:
<p>
The saboteur's nominee for a federal judgeship had a Senate hearing
and proved
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2017/dec/15/trump-judicial-nominee-stumped-on-basic-law-questions-at-senate-hearing">
ignorant about the basics of the law.
</a>
<p>
I suppose the saboteur figures this judge will simply decide the way
Republicans and companies tell him to.
<p>
It will be interesting to see whether <a href="/glossary.html#scrotus">SCROTUS</a> rejects him for this, or
confirms him anyway.


feed_id: f7d840a5aa7b011b297c830846280673
title: Mueller-FBI investigation
uri: 2017-12-18-Mueller-FBI-investigation
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#18_December_2017_%28Mueller-FBI_investigation%29
content:
<p>
Representative Schiff says that <a href="/glossary.html#scrotus">SCROTUS</a> are planning to
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2017/dec/16/republicans-trying-to-kill-off-trump-russia-investigation-says-adam-schiff">
shut down the
House of Representatives investigation into the cheater's relationship
with Russia
</a>
and that they also want to end the criminal investigation.


feed_id: e8f0537d2cb9134b5e413e668f86d66a
title: Endangered seabirds
uri: 2017-12-18-Endangered-seabirds
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#18_December_2017_%28Endangered_seabirds%29
content:
<p>
<a href="/glossary.html#global heating">Global heating</a> effects and overfishing are
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2017/dec/12/climate-change-overfishing-push-seabirds-to-extinction">
putting some seabird
species in danger.
</a>


feed_id: c32df4683f8fca29c9a1dbffeb404d27
title: Special appeals system
uri: Special-appeals-system
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#18_December_2017_%28Special_appeals_system%29
content:
<p>
Chicago thugs have
<a href="https://www.propublica.org/article/chicago-police-grievances">
a special system for appealing against any sort of
punishment
</a>
they get for treating the public badly, and it reduces or
eliminates the vast majority of punishments.


feed_id: 732cac6e7c4545845e613ff161bfad5f
title: Reduce tobacco smoking
uri: Reduce-tobacco-smoking
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#18_December_2017_%28Reduce_tobacco_smoking%29
content:
<p>
Philip Morris is
<a href="https://thewire.in/204449/leaked-email-reveals-philip-morris-funded-anti-smoking-foundation-targeting-public-health-leaders-grants/">
indirectly offering money to people involved in
efforts to reduce tobacco smoking,
</a>
including many officials.
<p>
The only plausible motive for offering this money is as a scheme to
undermine those efforts.


feed_id: 661ffcbeeeaadbaa9e3f1f72dc579bbd
title: Digital publications
uri: Digital-publications
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#18_December_2017_%28Digital_publications%29
content:
<p>
Archivists are
<a href="https://apps.sciencefriday.com/data/librarians.html">
preserving the digital publications of the US
government
</a>
so that we can see what the bully's saboteurs do to them.


feed_id: e766d7f89d8bae16084ba275a211ce4d
title: Depressed from isolation
uri: Depressed-from-isolation
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#18_December_2017_%28Depressed_from_isolation%29
content:
<p>
Liu Xia, in effect imprisoned for 7 years without trial,
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/dec/17/i-live-like-a-plant-nobel-winners-wife-going-mad-under-chinese-detention">
is depressed
from isolation.
</a>


feed_id: ed164911b224a6620108a983c4e6a4ee
title: Gifts
uri: Gifts
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#18_December_2017_%28Gifts%29
content:
<p>
What Do You Give to the Person Who Has Everything?
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2017/dec/17/the-eco-guide-to-not-buying-stuff">
How about Nothing?
</a>
<p>
I opted out of the practice of birthday and holiday gifts when I was around 14.
I had outgrown the childish desire to receive gifts, and I couldn't think of
anything to give to anyone else in my family.  Then I recognized that the
customs that pressure people to give gifts on certain occasions are really
commercial schemes to convert people's money into waste.
<p>
If there is someone you feel a real wish to give something to, and
person is short of money and has a pressing practical need, give per
the thing person needs.
<p>
If person is not short of money, how about writing per a letter on
paper?  Nowadays, receiving a personal letter from someone you know is
a rare and special experience.  Don't even think of substituting
a commercial card for the letter!


feed_id: af1ffd42069ef3b6f0ac573b8ce92f63
title: Vinyl chloride
uri: Vinyl-chloride
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#18_December_2017_%28Vinyl_chloride%29
content:
<p>
The scientist who proved that smoking tobacco causes lung cancer was
subsequently paid by Monsanto and other chemical companies for 20
years, even being paid by them to investigate a specific chemical;
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/science/2006/dec/08/smoking.frontpagenews">
he
concluded that vinyl chloride did not cause cancer, a conclusion that
the World Health Organization subsequently rejected.
</a>
Was his conclusion influenced by his conflict
of interest?
<p>
It is true that, when that was published, there was no rule about
stating conflicts of interest.  The rule was made in response to
awareness that conflicts of interest such as these were undermining
the integrity of research.
<p>
If the scientist did give all consulting fees to an academic
organization that he founded, that doesn't mean he wasn't avid for
more fees to make the organization bigger, or that he could not
possibly have biased his research to get them.
<p>
Biasing research does not always mean lying.  There are more subtle
ways that involve fooling oneself.  If he was convinced that the main
causes of cancer were things that the victim had consumed, that too
could have been a motive for bias in the same direction.
<p>
Wikipedia's article on vinyl chloride, as of 23 Feb 2017, footnotes
a printed article from the Houston Chronicle that says
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2017/dec/17/miami-hurricane-2037-climate-change">
chemical companies
tried to manipulate research about the medical effects of vinyl chloride.
</a>
When companies do this, they typically try many avenues of influence.


feed_id: ff78651178222779bb62f346cba40807
title: Sea level rise to come
uri: Sea-level-rise-to-come
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#18_December_2017_%28Sea_level_rise_to_come%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2017/dec/17/miami-hurricane-2037-climate-change">
A scenario of a hurricane hitting Miami in 2037
</a>
illustrates the
world-wide effects of sea level rise to come.
<p>
This is just one of the disasters that global heating will cause.


feed_id: 70f0d7c028b6a90c79c383fce784c0b8
title: Transition team emails
uri: Transition-team-emails
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#18_December_2017_%28Transition_team_emails%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2017/dec/17/republicans-accused-of-concocting-email-scandal-against-robert-mueller">
Mueller got the troll's transition team's emails from the federal
agency that handled them.
</a>
The troll's men are trying to pretend that
this was somehow improper.



The San Francisco SPCA has
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2017/dec/16/san-francisco-homeless-robot">
discontinued use of a security patrol robot.
</a>
<p>
Homeless people, and anyone walking in the area, are right to be
suspicious that it is making and transmitting videos. If it wasn't
actually doing that at the time, it could have been reprogrammed to
start doing so at any moment.  We must judge these systems by the
worst they _could_ do, and ignore the side issue of what they are
doing <u>today</u>.
<p>
As for recording car license plates,
<a href="https://gnu.org/philosophy/surveillance-vs-democracy.html">
it should be illegal for an
automated system to take notice of them, except when it comes across a
license plate that is sought by court order or else invalid.
</a>


feed_id: a8c8be38b074b86ffe9c244bacaf62a1
title: Criminalization of protest
uri: Criminalization-of-protest
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#18_December_2017_%28Criminalization_of_protest%29
content:
<p>
ALEC is now
<a href="https://www.desmogblog.com/2017/12/11/alec-model-bill-pipeline-protesters">
promoting state laws to imprison pipeline protesters.
</a>


feed_id: fd0417ca36e3577c4fbaa3c44d912d8f
title: Urgent: No kratom ban
uri: Urgent-No-kratom-ban
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#19_December_2017_%28Urgent%3A_No_kratom_ban%29
content:
<p>
US citizens: <a href="https://engage.drugpolicy.org/secure/dont-let-dea-ban-kratom-0">tell the DEA</a> not to ban kratom.
<p>
<a href="media/83999ac7.9ba5da_3ba321b19edf4c779fa59ba78582f470.pdf" data-original-source="https://docs.wixstatic.com/ugd/9ba5da_3ba321b19edf4c779fa59ba78582f470.pdf">More information.</a>


feed_id: 7029ad9fa1edbe6e918af9971ddb825c
title: Urgent: Tip Theft
uri: Urgent-Tip-Theft
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#19_December_2017_%28Urgent%3A_Tip_Theft%29
content:
<p>
US citizens: <a href="https://act.credoaction.com/sign/tiptheft">file a comment</a> to oppose the Republican change in
regulations for tipping
that would give restaurants a legal excuse to steal part of waiters' tips.


feed_id: 8d0c4934ea37951bf699696cd4bf4f87
title: Clouds and global heating
uri: Clouds-and-global-heating
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#19_December_2017_%28Clouds_and_global_heating%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/climate-consensus-97-per-cent/2017/dec/18/scientists-have-beaten-down-the-best-climate-denial-argument">Various studies show</a> that clouds do not reduce global heating.


feed_id: de589b2dc5399fcccb8adefcf662ac08
title: Civil Service
uri: Civil-Service
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#19_December_2017_%28Civil_Service%29
content:
<p>
Reagan started the practice of letting businesses eat US government
agencies from within.  The Republicans now want to <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2017/dec/18/american-government-business-privatisation-jon-michaels">eliminate the Civil
Service</a> so they can fire any US government employee for any reason.
<p>
If they do that, they will be able to coerce the staff to act illegally on
threat of firing them.


feed_id: e56742a8b192d5a174243b82f0b62775
title: 'Drug-free' school zones
uri: Drug-free-school-zones
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#19_December_2017_%28%27Drug-free%27_school_zones%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://reason.com/archives/2017/12/18/the-myth-of-the-playground-pus">"Drug-free school zones"</a> are excuses to make the war on drugs more
harsh, in a semi-random way.  In some cities, most of the land is part
of some "drug-free" extra punishment zone.


feed_id: 105df7fd36d15c35cef2f667ddab9b31
title: Warsaw public housing
uri: Warsaw-public-housing
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#19_December_2017_%28Warsaw_public_housing%29
content:
<p>
Warsaw is <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/cities/2017/dec/18/stole-city-soul-warsaw-reprivatisation-chaos">"returning" public housing buildings</a> to heirs of people that
formerly owned part of the land they were built on, or claim to be
heirs.  They couldn't have inherited the buildings, though, because
those were built later by the state.
<p>
The lucky new owners force the tenants out using cruel dirty tricks.
<p>
Even if one adopts a heartless 100% capitalist point of view, giving
the buildings to them is unwarranted and unnecessary.  All they are entitled
to is the value of the land they have a claim to.


feed_id: 0fbff7975f2c419e41d08851c9cea7f8
title: Stealing Honduras election
uri: Stealing-Honduras-election
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#19_December_2017_%28Stealing_Honduras_election%29
content:
<p>
The former president of Honduras has <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/dec/18/honduras-election-president-juan-orlando-hernandez-declared-winner-amid-unrest">finished stealing the election</a>
in which he was not supposed to be allowed to run at all.


feed_id: 9a8706b7500e81c7987ff7ffd24e8bf3
title: Nitrogen pollution
uri: Nitrogen-pollution
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#19_December_2017_%28Nitrogen_pollution%29
content:
<p>
Plantwatch: Wildflowers <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2017/dec/17/plantwatch-wildflowers-lose-out-twice-from-nitrogen-pollution">Lose Out Twice</a> from Nitrogen (fertilizer) Pollution.
<p>
The article is unclear on one point: when it says "nitrogen", it
evidently refers to nitrogen in compounds that plants can use.  The
air is full of nitrogen molecules, but those don't count, because
plants can't use nitrogen in that form.


feed_id: f17fb99a306253e9f12fee3fc0930ab8
title: Hoax restaurant
uri: Hoax-restaurant
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#19_December_2017_%28Hoax_restaurant%29
content:
<p>
A hoax restaurant <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2017/dec/17/the-shed-tripadvisors-best-london-restaurant-you-literally-couldnt-get-a-table">got first place</a> in Tripadvisor on the strength of its
hoax reviews.  Real would-be customers went into a frenzy because they
could never get a reservation.


feed_id: fc13767fa9c1fd575b700a2a7a3ffe14
title: Student loan bill
uri: Student-loan-bill
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#19_December_2017_%28Student_loan_bill%29
content:
<p>
Republicans are <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2017/12/15/latest-student-loan-debacle-ultimate-example-trumps-campaign-con">pushing a bill</a> to put students that can't repay student loans
at a further disadvantage.


feed_id: 94769f0af24c8d14c31a5f2c3f125ad7
title: Fast food workers
uri: Fast-food-workers
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#19_December_2017_%28Fast_food_workers%29
content:
<p>
Fast food workers that had won cases against companies such as McDonalds
will <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2017/12/15/fast-food-loving-trumps-labor-board-pulls-rug-out-under-fast-food-workers">immediately lose again</a> under the rule change that the troll's saboteur
in the NLRB plans to make.


feed_id: af578814bd8860a51c763616aa49f858
title: Undercover at pipeline protests
uri: Undercover-at-pipeline-protests
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#19_December_2017_%28Undercover_at_pipeline_protests%29

content:
<p>
The FBI sent an undercover agent to infiltrate protests against the
Dakota Access Pipeline, who seduced one of the protesters and gave her
a gun.  She <a href="https://theintercept.com/2017/12/11/standing-rock-dakota-access-pipeline-fbi-informant-red-fawn-fallis/">now faces charges</a> of firing the gun.
<p>
I suppose that's what the infiltrator wanted — to act as a provocateur.


feed_id: 57059c7e9a9a8d363b3e391bfd459b59
title: Long-term Republican plans
uri: Long-term-Republican-plans
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#19_December_2017_%28Long-term_Republican_plans%29
content:
<p>
Republicans have been working for decades to eliminate
US laws that gave most people a decent life.  If they pass
the tax attacks, they will have <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2017/12/09/republican-long-game">totally wrecked them</a>.
<p>
People who get seriously ill and are not rich will not be able to
afford treatment.  If they do get treated, they will starve after.


feed_id: d402a53a0616407d47f94da624fd4800
title: Convictions from flawed software
uri: Convictions-from-flawed-software
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#19_December_2017_%28Convictions_from_flawed_software%29

content:
<p>
Black Americans are in danger of being convicted of crimes based on
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2017/dec/04/racist-facial-recognition-white-coders-black-people-police">flawed face-recognition software</a> that says they resemble a photo of
the suspect.


feed_id: ae086913bda298d309d8ee342c1a778c
title: Libraries and net neutrality
uri: Libraries-and-net-neutrality
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#19_December_2017_%28Libraries_and_net_neutrality%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://www.theverge.com/2017/12/14/16772582/public-libraries-net-neutrality-broadband-access-first-amendment">What Public Libraries Will Lose</a> Without Net Neutrality.


feed_id: a4fbd375e31ee071b4e8dbe8e8e74d46
title: Cornel West on Ta-Nehisi Coates
uri: Cornel-West-on-Ta-Nehisi-Coates
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#19_December_2017_%28Cornel_West_on_Ta-Nehisi_Coates%29

content:
<p>
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2017/dec/17/ta-nehisi-coates-neoliberal-black-struggle-cornel-west">Cornel West says</a> that Ta-Nehisi Coates' intense attachment to Obama has
clouded his understanding of politics as it affects American blacks,
blocking him from relating racism to militarism and plutocracy.
<p>
Obama showed that racism in the US has decreased to the point that a
black can be elected president.  Obama also showed that you can't
assume a candidate is progressive just because person is black.


feed_id: 85566f15db05b0820c937aa5d843ad8d
title: Mine cleanup costs
uri: Mine-cleanup-costs
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#19_December_2017_%28Mine_cleanup_costs%29
content:
<p>
<a href="/glossary.html#saboteur">Saboteur</a> Pruitt
has <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2017/dec/17/donald-trump-epa-mining-pollution-rules">given US mines the right</a> to shut down and dump
cleanup costs on the public.


feed_id: 35d9841818bcc9c76dc42b098dee6852
title: Transition team emails
uri: 2017-12-19-Transition-team-emails
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#18_December_2017_%28Transition_team_emails%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2017/dec/17/republicans-accused-of-concocting-email-scandal-against-robert-mueller">
Mueller got the troll's transition team's emails from the federal
agency that handled them.
</a>
<a href="/glossary.html#trump">The troll</a>'s men are trying to pretend that
this was somehow improper.



The San Francisco SPCA has
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2017/dec/16/san-francisco-homeless-robot">
discontinued use of a security patrol robot.
</a>
<p>
Homeless people, and anyone walking in the area, are right to be
suspicious that it is making and transmitting videos. If it wasn't
actually doing that at the time, it could have been reprogrammed to
start doing so at any moment.  We must judge these systems by the
worst they _could_ do, and ignore the side issue of what they are
doing <u>today</u>.
<p>
As for recording car license plates,
<a href="https://gnu.org/philosophy/surveillance-vs-democracy.html">
it should be illegal for an
automated system to take notice of them, except when it comes across a
license plate that is sought by court order or else invalid.
</a>


feed_id: 53605d56699045b69299fde11575463e
title: Gun nuts
uri: 2017-12-20-Gun-nuts
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#19_December_2017_%28Gun_nuts%29
content:
<p>
US gun nuts tell Mr Pring, "<a href="http://www.phoenixnewtimes.com/news/phoenix-man-gives-up-guns-gets-wave-of-threats-9757325">How dare you give up your guns?</a>  We will
shoot you to teach you a lesson."
<p>
This raving evil shows up in all right-wing causes.  People like that
are the last ones we should allow to have guns.
<p>
Pring sought to reduce the number of guns in the US, but he chose an
ineffective method to achieve it.  It is pointless to surrender your
guns to someone that will resell them.  You need to destroy them
instead.
<p>
More broadly, it is not very effective to eliminate a handful of guns
while new guns of similar models are being sold every day.


feed_id: f4165ef93b750840bc4d44c5297e7506
title: Deranged congresscritter
uri: Deranged-congresscritter
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#19_December_2017_%28Deranged_congresscritter%29
content:
<p>
A
<a href="https://news.vice.com/story/paul-glosar-charlottesville-soros">deranged congresscritter from Arizona claims that the right-wing
violence</a> at Charlottesville was a false-flag operation funded by
George Soros.


feed_id: 1254b4f7029b87183e530a7403971438
title: Vinyl chloride
uri: 2017-12-20-Vinyl-chloride
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#18_December_2017_%28Vinyl_chloride%29
content:
<p>
The scientist who proved that smoking tobacco causes lung cancer was
subsequently paid by Monsanto and other chemical companies for 20
years, even being paid by them to investigate a specific chemical;
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/science/2006/dec/08/smoking.frontpagenews">
he
concluded that vinyl chloride did not cause cancer, a conclusion that
was subsequently rejected.
</a>
Was his conclusion influenced by his conflict
of interest?
<p>
It is true that, when that was published, there was no rule about
stating conflicts of interest.  The rule was made in response to
awareness that conflicts of interest such as these were undermining
the integrity of research.
<p>
If the scientist did give all consulting fees to an academic
organization that he founded, that doesn't mean he wasn't avid for
more fees to make the organization bigger, or that he could not
possibly have biased his research to get them.
<p>
Biasing research does not always mean lying.  There are more subtle
ways that involve fooling oneself.  If he was convinced that the main
causes of cancer were things that the victim had consumed, that too
could have been a motive for bias in the same direction.
<p>
Wikipedia's article on vinyl chloride, as of 23 Feb 2017, footnotes
a printed article from the Houston Chronicle that says
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2017/dec/17/miami-hurricane-2037-climate-change">
chemical companies
tried to manipulate research about the medical effects of vinyl chloride.
</a>
When companies do this, they typically try many avenues of influence.


feed_id: fdbb9e01d3cb72fafb311f1630e1a9d0
title: Loneliness in modern life
uri: Loneliness-in-modern-life
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#20_December_2017_%28Loneliness_in_modern_life%29
content:
<p>
Loneliness is a plague of modern life, and every change in technology
and social institutions <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2017/dec/16/modern-life-lonely-isolation-hardwired-lives">seems to make it worse</a>.
<p>
The elimination of libraries makes it worse.  Housing the
disabled in rooms they are physically <a href="https://www.stallman.org/archives/2017-jan-apr.html#17_March_2017_(Disabled_people_trapped_in_homes_by_Tories)">unable to leave</a> makes it worse.
<p>
Making people take <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2017/dec/15/local-buses-could-be-replaced-by-uber-style-services-says-grayling">"Uber-like" rides instead of buses</a>
will make them more isolated, as well as tracked everywhere.


feed_id: ecc1a48a356a0e3b17ab90ee454aff0f
title: Missiles in Yemen
uri: Missiles-in-Yemen
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#20_December_2017_%28Missiles_in_Yemen%29
content:
<p>
<a href="/glossary.html#salafi">Salafi Arabia</a> bombards Yemen regularly.  On rare occasions, the
Houthis fire a missile at Salafi Arabia, and Salafi Arabia <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/dec/19/saudis-shoot-down-houthi-missile-close-to-capital-riyadh">screams
bloody murder</a>.  "How dare they bombard us?"
<p>
I am disappointed with the Guardian for publishing an article that takes
this one-sided stance seriously.


feed_id: 5cc648e53dcd1fb680e23b0c13b3ce40
title: Confusing hate with humor
uri: Confusing-hate-with-humor
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#20_December_2017_%28Confusing_hate_with_humor%29
content:
<p>
Neo-Nazis intentionally confuse their serious message of hate with humor
as a <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2017/dec/19/neo-nazis-hatred-comedy-racist-daily-stormer">shield against serious criticism</a>.
<p>
Knowing this, we should regard their humor as serious hatred in disguise.


feed_id: 400b3e3bd062850dd0df9fa2ff6a721c
title: Coverage of protests
uri: Coverage-of-protests
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#20_December_2017_%28Coverage_of_protests%29
content:
<p>
The US government aims to crush press coverage of protests by
<a href="https://theintercept.com/2017/12/18/j20-defendants-trial-free-press-journalism/">prosecuting journalists for "conspiracy"</a> if anyone commits an act of
violence.
<p>
Even if they don't apply this to journalists, applying it to protesters alone
is un-American tyranny.


feed_id: 7c9b05f9b621f3d4a60376c9ed9f3def
title: Denialist predictions
uri: Denialist-predictions
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#20_December_2017_%28Denialist_predictions%29
content:
<p>
Some global heating denialists dared to make predictions about future
temperatures, and <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/planet-oz/2017/dec/19/checkmate-how-do-climate-science-deniers-predictions-stack-up">facts have not been kind</a> to them.


feed_id: 4055d105fac311d02228d2fdc450b0a0
title: Buying support from senators
uri: Buying-support-from-senators
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#20_December_2017_%28Buying_support_from_senators%29
content:
<p>
Senator Corker seems to have given his vote to the <a href="/glossary.html#scrotus">SCROTUS</a> tax attacks
in exchange for adding a provision that would <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2017/12/17/corkerkickback-trends-after-last-minute-tax-giveaway-benefiting-gop-lawmakers">save him a lot of money</a>
in taxes.
<p>
Senator Cornyn admitted that the purpose of that special tax cut
was to <a href="https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2017/12/17/1725233/-John-Cornyn-Admits-Giving-Bob-Corker-a-Golden-Parachute-For-His-Yes-Vote-On-The-GOP-Tax-Scam-Bill">win support from senators</a> who would personally benefit.
<p>
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2017/12/19/its-not-just-corker-14-gop-senators-stand-reap-millions-corkerkickback">14 Republican senators</a> will get lots of money from this change.


feed_id: 168f2f13fdcf9cdd880ccda14e1345cd
title: Stock buybacks from tax cuts
uri: Stock-buybacks-from-tax-cuts
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#20_December_2017_%28Stock_buybacks_from_tax_cuts%29
content:
<p>
As <a href="/glossary.html#scrotus">SCROTUS</a> finish passing a tax cut for corporations, supposedly so
they will have more money to invest in the US, some big corporations
are already starting to <a href="https://theintercept.com/2017/12/18/tax-bill-corporate-rate-stock-buyback/">use it for stock buybacks</a>.
<p>
We knew they were not going to invest it, because big companies in the
US mostly have lots of money on hand, but see no useful investment
opportunities.  The <a href="/glossary.html#scrotus">SCROTUS</a> plan was bogus from the start.
<p>
We need taxes to take that money away from them.


feed_id: 7110a0e2e907d0664544268f3851a3f7
title: Opioid overdoses
uri: Opioid-overdoses
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#20_December_2017_%28Opioid_overdoses%29
content:
<p>
Fatal overdoses on opioids don't usually happen to sick people taking them on
prescription.  They happen mainly to people who get them <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2017/nov/07/truth-us-opioid-crisis-too-easy-blame-doctors-not-prescriptions">on the black market</a>.


feed_id: 9b43c15d5142e2fe7a57ef6857fef0f7
title: Excuse for censorship
uri: Excuse-for-censorship
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#20_December_2017_%28Excuse_for_censorship%29
content:
<p>
Some US politicians are eager to use Russian election-meddling as an <a href="https://reason.com/archives/2017/11/07/cynical-politicians-turn-fakenews-into-a">excuse
for censorship</a>.  Or even for the War on Sharing.


feed_id: a08ae29d91f4c2062db3cdd7fdefc97c
title: Dominance over digital life
uri: Dominance-over-digital-life
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#20_December_2017_%28Dominance_over_digital_life%29
content:
<p>
Big digital companies are <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2017/11/17/corporate-power-e-commerce-and-world-trade-organization">pushing the WTO</a> to give them dominance over
digital life in all the signatory countries.


feed_id: bbf6e14b874b10bcc85ff123c7b9cc20
title: Crowd-control weapons
uri: Crowd-control-weapons
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#20_December_2017_%28Crowd-control_weapons%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://www.opendemocracy.net/protest/homer-venters-crowd-control-weapons">Crowd-control weapons</a>, often used against protesters, are less likely
than guns to kill, but they do kill, and they cause permanent injury
too.


feed_id: 8ff0528640a2cf06cd1253f2f7d93230
title: Palestinian cyber-crimes law
uri: Palestinian-cyber-crimes-law
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#20_December_2017_%28Palestinian_cyber-crimes_law%29
content:
<p>
The Palestinian Authority Is Using a <a href="https://theintercept.com/2017/12/18/palestinian-authority-cyber-crimes-law-dissent-issa-amro/">New Cyber-Crimes Law</a> to Crack
Down on Dissent.
<p>
In effect, Israel and Palestine are working arm in arm for this
one unjust goal.


feed_id: 1efc9f4382f3343dae1a1ad57af36d2a
title: Expulsion of Rohingyas
uri: Expulsion-of-Rohingyas
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#20_December_2017_%28Expulsion_of_Rohingyas%29
content:
<p>
Burma's violent expulsion of Rohingyas has <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/dec/18/myanmar-burned-rohingya-villages-after-refugee-deal-says-rights-group">continued into December</a>.


feed_id: 143be50cfc35693f20a558cb9e68a5a6
title: Christmas tree farms
uri: Christmas-tree-farms
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#20_December_2017_%28Christmas_tree_farms%29
content:
<p>
Farms for Christmas trees spray toxic pesticides while workers are
planting trees nearby.  The Republicans want to help them <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2017/dec/18/christmas-tree-workers-north-carolina-equality-fight">keep it that
way</a>.
<p>
Workers are also required to work 12 hours a day without access to
drinking water.  No wonder the only people they can hire are Mexicans,
probably undocumented.
<p>
If they treated the workers decently and payed more, they could find
US citizens to hire.  The trees would cost more.  Good!  Let's make
them do this, let's make all the employers in the US do this.  Let's
buy products that cost more because they aren't based on endangering
workers.
<p>
Perhaps we won't buy quite so much goods — we could instead give the
Earth a bit of a rest.


feed_id: d57d82da4cdaac1dde5a9024c57ea2ba
title: Tax attacks and medical insurance
uri: Tax-attacks-and-medical-insurance
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#20_December_2017_%28Tax_attacks_and_medical_insurance%29

content:
<p>
The <a href="/glossary.html#scrotus">SCROTUS</a> tax attacks will put medical insurance
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2017/dec/18/republican-tax-bill-american-tragedy-brute-force-politics">out of reach for millions</a>
of non-rich Americans as well as transferring billions to the
richest.


feed_id: 331394fe1877fafc39dc92d813e437cb
title: PR campaign against White Helmets
uri: PR-campaign-against-White-Helmets
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#20_December_2017_%28PR_campaign_against_White_Helmets%29

content:
<p>
The <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/dec/18/syria-white-helmets-conspiracy-theories">PR campaign to smear the White Helmets</a> illustrates how Russian propaganda
professionals collaborate with credulous people and those who would like to
see everything the US does as an evil scheme.
<p>
The US does participate in evil schemes, just as Russia does.


feed_id: b8b5f9ee4d0a41ba2a517dce691069e0
title: Urgent: Yemen intervention
uri: Urgent-Yemen-intervention
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#21_December_2017_%28Urgent%3A_Yemen_intervention%29
content:
<p>
US citizens: <a href="http://act.winwithoutwar.org/letter/demand-senate-cut-us-military-support-saudi-led-war-yemen/">call on the US Senate</a> to end Yemen intervention.


feed_id: dd7668aee11bf54bbfba39839ae74624
title: Urgent: Warrantless mass surveillance
uri: Urgent-Warrantless-mass-surveillance
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#21_December_2017_%28Urgent%3A_Warrantless_mass_surveillance%29

content:
<p>
US citizens: <a href="http://act.freepress.net/call/internet_702_budget/">phone your senators</a> and tell them, "Keep warrantless mass
surveillance out of the budget".
<p>
The Capitol Switchboard
numbers are 202-224-3121, 888-818-6641 and 888-355-3588.


feed_id: 994b0729f83db4177b7101e30dba6e9d
title: Tax attack voters
uri: Tax-attack-voters
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#21_December_2017_%28Tax_attack_voters%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2017/12/19/here-are-227-gop-house-members-who-just-voted-raise-taxes-90-million-working">227 congresscritters</a> voted for the tax attacks.  Each one deserves
your firm opposition.


feed_id: e61fa807a09d5b84f5b9554728e2addc
title: Australia fossil fuels
uri: Australia-fossil-fuels
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#21_December_2017_%28Australia_fossil_fuels%29
content:
<p>
Australia is <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2017/dec/21/coalition-emissions-targets-would-require-taking-every-cow-out-of-every-farm-say-greens">protecting fossil fuel electricity</a> even harder, so that its
supposed carbon emissions targets will be impossible to meet.
<p>
Many renewable energy projects <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2017/dec/21/weak-energy-target-threatens-27gw-of-renewable-projects">face cancellation</a> as a result.
<p>
The right-wing government of Australia has been blatantly protecting
fossil fuel use ever since it got in office.


feed_id: ed66db50ba02fc1b81707021e6de0ba3
title: Eliminated wilderness
uri: Eliminated-wilderness
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#21_December_2017_%28Eliminated_wilderness%29
content:
<p>
Humans have <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2017/dec/21/losing-the-wilderness-a-tenth-has-gone-since-1992-and-gone-for-good">eliminated 10% of Earth's wilderness</a> in the past 25 years.
The remaining wilderness is likely to be destroyed soon if we don't
stop it.


feed_id: c2bdd2506517b20e67db07680aa3eebe
title: Relief supplies into Yemen
uri: Relief-supplies-into-Yemen
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#21_December_2017_%28Relief_supplies_into_Yemen%29
content:
<p>
<a href="/glossary.html#salafi">Salafi Arabia</a> says it will
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/dec/21/saudi-arabia-agrees-to-re-open-key-yemen-port-of-hodeidah">allow relief supplies into Yemen</a> for 30 days.
<p>
The plan to resume the blockade in such a short time shows
that <a href="/glossary.html#salafi">Salafi Arabia</a> is still as cruel as ever, and that the US
is still <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2016-nov-feb.html#4_November_2016_(Salafi/US_bombing)">backing that cruelty</a>.


feed_id: 1fe4d3cb9781972d63b16a5bd0de57ee
title: Expensive nuclear plant
uri: Expensive-nuclear-plant
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#21_December_2017_%28Expensive_nuclear_plant%29
content:
<p>
The UK backed itself into a commitment to build an <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/news/2017/dec/21/hinkley-point-c-dreadful-deal-behind-worlds-most-expensive-power-plant">incredibly
expensive nuclear power plant</a>, and paying extra for power from it,
apparently so as to be able to maintain an industry capable of
building and operating nuclear submarines.
<p>
I wonder whether nuclear power plants built by French and Chinese
engineers will have the intended effect.  Maybe it will help only
France and China build and operate nuclear submarines.
<p>
If they can't get the plant running by the current deadline of 2025,
will that be a better outcome for Britain?


