# articles

feed_id: a1dc6b513aab5c72be67f188aca5dbc9
title: Deandre Harris attackers
uri: Deandre-Harris-attackers
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#12_May_2018_%28Deandre_Harris_attackers%29
content:
<p>
Two of the right-wing extremists that attacked Deandre Harris have
<a href="https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2018/5/4/1762044/-Another-white-supremacist-found-guilty-in-attack-of-black-man-during-Charlottesville-rally">been convicted for it</a>.


feed_id: c286ef22526d4cc1c35300c8013b0eb4
title: Energy subsidies
uri: Energy-subsidies
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#12_May_2018_%28Energy_subsidies%29
content:
<p>
A <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2018/05/07/house-appropriations-committees-new-energywater-funding-bill-recipe-disaster">must-pass appropriations bill</a> would move $200 million from renewable
energy and energy efficiency into subsidies for fossil fuels and
nuclear power.


feed_id: 337fee34e9d818e59cd804e7fd3807fb
title: Sex education and nude photos
uri: Sex-education-and-nude-photos
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#12_May_2018_%28Sex_education_and_nude_photos%29
content:
<p>
Sex education should include <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2018/may/07/many-revenge-porn-victims-consider-suicide-why-arent-schools-doing-more-to-stop-it">education about the dangers</a> of being nude
in photos or video chats.
<p>
I think the only real solution, for the long-term, is for adolescents to
get used to nudity with each other.   The special sting, and the tendency
for others to criticize, comes from the taboo.


feed_id: 027efb83d574b6feacb23ff0e1a5d302
title: Playground rules
uri: Playground-rules
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#12_May_2018_%28Playground_rules%29
content:
<p>
Many schools don't allow students to play in the playground if they
arrive early for the day.  And those who arrive early to lunch
must be <a href="https://letgrow.org/no-playing-before-school/">treated as prisoners</a>.


feed_id: 33f49bafd75cc8562412ed4254d21b9f
title: JP Morgan Chase protests
uri: JP-Morgan-Chase-protests
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#12_May_2018_%28JP_Morgan_Chase_protests%29
content:
<p>
Activists <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2018/05/07/shutdownchase-environmentalists-occupy-banks-seattle-office-denounce-its-funding">occupied an office</a> of JP Morgan Chase to protest its investments
in tar sands oil and thus the destruction of society.
<p>
There were <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2018/05/08/nationwide-rallies-against-jpmorgan">protests in many other cities</a> against that bank.
<p>
Most of the investors in that bank are destroying their own descendants through
the bank's activities.


feed_id: 9d9f4c4b4c53893f74065289bc5f9392
title: News on Facebook
uri: News-on-Facebook
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#12_May_2018_%28News_on_Facebook%29
content:
<p>
We can't trust Facebook to decide what news people see; it will predictably
suppress <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2018/05/07/what-if-ida-b-wells-depended-facebook">anything but the mainstream media</a>.


feed_id: 12e5df85348d0d19e6ef3b7b93eca3cc
title: Colorado river
uri: Colorado-river
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#12_May_2018_%28Colorado_river%29
content:
<p>
If the water available in the Colorado river keeps dwindling, as it is
expected to, <a href="https://www.nakedcapitalism.com/2018/05/colorado-river-water-war-will-decide-fate-1-8-americans.html">Arizona will crash</a>.


feed_id: 6b1c946858bcda905b496139c8ff8e9c
title: Telescreens
uri: Telescreens
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#12_May_2018_%28Telescreens%29
content:
<p>
Telescreens in Our Living Rooms?  No, <a href="https://stallman.org/falkvinge/telescreens.html">Portable Phones and
Alexa</a>.


feed_id: 6c3e099a7020dc7335dc396a650e35ab
title: Religious ceremony attacked
uri: Religious-ceremony-attacked
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#12_May_2018_%28Religious_ceremony_attacked%29
content:
<p>
The Afghan government <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/may/07/afghan-rockets-killed-up-to-107-at-religious-event-says-un-report">attacked a religious ceremony</a> and killed 36
people, 30 of them children.
The high fraction of children was predictable because the ceremony
focused on children.
<p>
Even if some Taliban leaders were at the ceremony, that doesn't excuse
attacking the ceremony.


feed_id: 06c75589c5abca4f852b570821e05f17
title: Private conversations
uri: Private-conversations
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#12_May_2018_%28Private_conversations%29
content:
<p>
People today have largely lost the <a href="https://stallman.org/falkvinge/private-conversations.html">right to have private conversations</a>,
as their parents used to have.


feed_id: 015b8e21776f069b971f44f464f6df31
title: US border prosecutions
uri: US-border-prosecutions
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#12_May_2018_%28US_border_prosecutions%29
content:
<p>
Saboteur Sessions says he will <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2018/may/07/us-border-rules-prosecutions-parents-families">prosecute every person</a> who crosses the
US border without authorization, and take away their children so as to
imprison them separately.
<p>
The officials describe these actions via blackwhiting &mdash; let's not pay
attention to their choice of terminology.


feed_id: 02c94d1800f83bfc008f24915a3b7f54
title: Human rights in the EU
uri: Human-rights-in-the-EU
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#12_May_2018_%28Human_rights_in_the_EU%29
content:
<p>
The EU's commitment to human rights is <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2018/may/07/eu-core-values-viktor-orban-hungary-fidesz-party-expel-parliament-grouping">not strong enough</a> to deal with
the threat from Poland and Hungary.
<p>
When you look at the EU's <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#23_March_2018_(Automatic_censorship_in_EU)">proposed censorship system</a>,
you can see why.


feed_id: e3175fcaee62ba0ce4f0ea755154e795
title: Superman's privacy
uri: Superman-s-privacy
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#12_May_2018_%28Superman%27s_privacy%29
content:
<p>
FOIA Heroes At The FBI <a href="https://www.techdirt.com/articles/20180502/13204739762/foia-heroes-fbi-protect-supermans-privacy-refuse-to-hand-over-secret-identity-to-requester.shtml">Protect Superman's Privacy</a>; Refuse To Hand Over 
Secret Identity To Requester.


feed_id: 8186b042d0f9fac5187a235aceef7c5e
title: Censorship survey
uri: Censorship-survey
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#12_May_2018_%28Censorship_survey%29
content:
<p>
EU Commission Asks Public To <a href="https://www.techdirt.com/articles/20180503/23575539775/eu-commission-asks-public-to-weigh-survey-about-just-how-much-they-want-internet-to-be-censored.shtml">Weigh In On Survey</a> About Just How Much They 
Want The Internet To Be Censored.
<p>
The survey is slanted in several ways so as to generate responses in
favor of censorship.
<p>
Calling publications "content" encourages people to disregard their
individuality and treat them as a fungible commodity.  That would
tend to encourage censorship.


feed_id: 507222357e1dd983d9b65f0ab47d6e8d
title: Thugs crush protest
uri: Thugs-crush-protest
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#12_May_2018_%28Thugs_crush_protest%29
content:
<p>
1,000 <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thugs</a> crushed May Day protests in Puerto Rico, 
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2018/05/02/police-unleash-brutal-attacks-austerity-protesters-storm-ravaged-puerto-rico">injuring
protesters</a>.
<p>
The protests are the last remaining avenue for democratic action
there, since a 
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#2_October_2017_(Vulture_capitalists)">nondemocratic
government</a> has been imposed.


feed_id: 762bcc33249c085550721ad91a477aa4
title: "No-fly" list lawsuit
uri: No-fly-list-lawsuit
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#12_May_2018_%28No-fly_list_lawsuit%29
content:
<p>
US Muslims, formerly placed on the "no-fly" list through religious
discrimination, then 
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2018/05/02/appeals-court-reinstates-no-fly-list-lawsuit-american-muslims-coerced-spy-fbi">offered
the chance to get off the list in return for becoming informers</a>,
are suing so they can stop this from happening again.


feed_id: 862dceec5fe78390baaf8e12fea3b930
title: Israel's nuclear weapons
uri: Israel-s-nuclear-weapons
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#12_May_2018_%28Israels_nuclear_weapons%29
content:
<p>
We should be concerned as much about 
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2018/05/02/who-real-nuclear-threat">Israel's
actual nuclear weapons</a> as about Iran's possible future nuclear
weapons.
<p>
Israel 
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#18_November_2017_(Nuclear_whistleblower)">should
permit Mordechai Vanunu to emigrate</a>.  It has no legitimate reason
to stop him.


feed_id: 7daf116bfe969c472659cd6ad803f5d2
title: Sunscreens that damage coral reefs
uri: Sunscreens-that-damage-coral-reefs
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#12_May_2018_%28Sunscreens_that_damage_coral_reefs%29

content:
<p>
Hawai'i has 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/travel/2018/may/03/hawaii-becomes-first-us-state-to-ban-sunscreens-harmful-to-coral-reefs">banned
sunscreens</a> that contain chemicals that damage coral reefs.
<p>
Tourists that put on sunscreen then go in the water deliver these
chemicals straight to where they will do the most harm.


feed_id: 43bd1b561218e55f4c3000c4c9af3d6b
title: Violation of campaign finance law
uri: Violation-of-campaign-finance-law
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#12_May_2018_%28Violation_of_campaign_finance_law%29
content:
<p>
Giuliani's testimony that <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#cheater">the cheater</a> used his own money to pay off
Stormy Daniels seems to indicate that <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#cheater">the cheater</a> violated campaign
finance law.  He 
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2018/05/03/legal-peril-president-after-giuliani-admits-trump-repaid-stormy-daniels-hush-money">spent
his own money on a campaign expense and did not report doing so</a>.


feed_id: d7738450bf53806fd2b8aa1c981ffaf1
title: Protest against pipeline
uri: Protest-against-pipeline
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#12_May_2018_%28Protest_against_pipeline%29
content:
<p>
Pipeline resisters are holding a protest 
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2018/05/03/greenpeace-canada-activists-occupy-kinder-morgan-monster-drill">in
a giant drilling machine</a> that is to be used to push the Unkinder
Morgan pipeline through the Rocky Mountains.


feed_id: 544bab12de4259006251944f5ec44299
title: The cheater's lies
uri: 2018-05-13-The-cheater-s-lies
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#12_May_2018_%28The_cheaters_lies%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#cheater">The cheater</a> lied 
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/further/2018/05/01/witch-hunts-and-collusion-what-truth-which-you-speak">53
times in one day</a>, but on the average he lies 6.5 times per day.
The long-term danger is that we become inured to blatant official
lying through our current helplessness to put a stop to it.


feed_id: 119009d5ec88d25896252c4761b4ab16
title: Shelter for New Zealand's homeless
uri: Shelter-for-New-Zealand-s-homeless
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#12_May_2018_%28Shelter_for_New_Zealands_homeless%29
content:
<p>
New Zealand's government commits to offering shelter to all the
country's homeless people
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/may/04/jacinda-ardern-pledges-shelter-for-all-homeless-people-within-four-weeks">within
4 weeks</a>.
<p>
The short time scale makes this a real commitment rather than an
excuse to kick the can down the road.


feed_id: 7599a28020df0fb45644b4c050fbc4ab
title: Trudeau on inequality
uri: Trudeau-on-inequality
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#12_May_2018_%28Trudeau_on_inequality%29
content:
<p>
Prime Minister Trudeau of Canada talks up a great campaign against
inequality but it 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2018/may/03/justin-trudeau-phony-war-against-inequality">does
not include substantial action</a>.


feed_id: 12a298dbb594a0166c38178e830dc550
title: Plutocracy
uri: 2018-05-13-Plutocracy
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#12_May_2018_%28Plutocracy%29
content:
<p>
Selling Lemonade to Save Your Mother's Life?  That's 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2018/may/03/lemonade-america-healthcare-nemiah-martinez">American
Healthcare</a> for You.
<p>
That's plutocracy for you.


feed_id: 03c482fe0de2a7a63d7dc2efcb1cf8ef
title: EU to impose biometric ID cards
uri: EU-to-impose-biometric-ID-cards
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#12_May_2018_%28EU_to_impose_biometric_ID_cards%29
content:
<p>
The European Union 
<a href="https://edri.org/new-eu-proposals-foresee-mandatory-biometrics-in-national-id-cards/">plans
to impose biometric ID cards on all citizens</a>.
<p>
This is a real reason for the UK to get out of the EU.


feed_id: 38739e4391b44891948bd56a240fd0a6
title: Argentina's right-wing government
uri: Argentina-s-right-wing-government
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#12_May_2018_%28Argentinas_right-wing_government%29
content:
<p>
In a Crackdown in Argentina, Police Shot for the Head and 
<a href="https://theintercept.com/2018/05/03/argentina-protest-police-violence-plaza-de-mayo/">Blinded
Protesters (and bystanders)</a> with Rubber Bullets.
<p>
(Aren't they actually rubber-coated steel bullets?)
<p>
Argentina's right-wing government is generally repressive.


feed_id: c8e5577f860321a1c4d96e71954c0b78
title: Thugs
uri: 2018-05-13-Thugs
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#12_May_2018_%28Thugs%29
content:
<p>
Diante Yarber's daughters are suing the <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thugs</a> that killed him,
accusing them of
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2018/may/03/diante-yarber-police-shooting-lawsuit-officers-denied-medical-help">shouting
insults at him instead of giving him first aid</a>.


feed_id: b6f28f96f715408b860965eeedcc63e1
title: Honduran refugees
uri: Honduran-refugees
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#12_May_2018_%28Honduran_refugees%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#bully">The bully</a> 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2018/may/03/trump-temporary-protected-status-hondurans">wants
to force the Honduran temporary refugees back to Honduras</a> where
the threat of violence comes from the US-supported election-stealing
coup-installed government.


feed_id: 9984bf968dc06ba8b1c116b5acd26093
title: Iran
uri: 2018-05-13-Iran
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#12_May_2018_%28Iran%29
content:
<p>
If Trump Destroys the Nuclear Deal, 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2018/may/03/trump-nuclear-deal-iran-reform-netanyahu-tehran">Iran
Will Fall to Its Hardliners</a>.
<p>
<a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#bully">The bully</a> surely does not care about the well-being and freedom of
Iranians any more than he cares about the well-being and freedom of
Americans.  He might even consider the change beneficial since he
could point at an even nastier Iranian government.


feed_id: 1f44c494871c5bece23c8bc2a9b0e467
title: Brainwashing experiments
uri: Brainwashing-experiments
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#12_May_2018_%28Brainwashing_experiments%29
content:
<p>
The 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/may/03/montreal-brainwashing-allan-memorial-institute">CIA
funded</a> brainwashing experiments in Canada on unsuspecting
patients.  Some patients were completely broken, left with hardly any
memory.


feed_id: d421000d270b00a621c42a6b08a50d65
title: Criminal investigation of Manafort
uri: Criminal-investigation-of-Manafort
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#12_May_2018_%28Criminal_investigation_of_Manafort%29

content:
<p>
<a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#cheater">The cheater</a> has apparently convinced Ukraine to stop cooperating with
the criminal investigation of Manafort by offering a 
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2018/05/02/weapons-deal-line-ukrainian-mp-admits-government-ended-cooperation-mueller-probe">bribe
of antitank missiles</a>.  I expect that the noncooperation was a quid pro quo.


feed_id: e7a92c3ff65903d0bbd4166a92a5673f
title: Fitbit
uri: Fitbit
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#13_May_2018_%28Fitbit%29
content:
<p>
The Onion: the new 
<a href="https://www.theonion.com/fitbit-releases-new-tracking-collar-that-gets-tighter-e-1825856017">fitbit
tracking collar</a>.


feed_id: c76fc24c6c16f00d72086312d6f0b636
title: America's dirty war
uri: America-s-dirty-war
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#13_May_2018_%28Americas_dirty_war%29
content:
<p>
What the 
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2018/05/08/what-deployment-green-berets-saudi-yemen-border-tells-us-about-americas-dirty-war">Deployment
of Green Berets to the Saudi-Yemen Border</a> Tells Us About America’s
Dirty War.


feed_id: efd37a9b38db577f9cb48696c3f2f86e
title: Turkish-language newspapers
uri: Turkish-language-newspapers
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#13_May_2018_%28Turkish-language_newspapers%29
content:
<p>
The only Turkish-language newspaper that criticizes Erdo&gbreve;an
nowadays is
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/may/08/turkish-cypriot-newspaper-afrika-editor-sener-levent-enemy-recep-tayyip-erdogan">operating
in the Turkish-speaking part of Cyprus</a>.


feed_id: 6d17b94a80fd98265355ff4fddfc2380
title: Voting rights of US prisoners
uri: Voting-rights-of-US-prisoners
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#13_May_2018_%28Voting_rights_of_US_prisoners%29
content:
<p>
The US 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2018/may/08/prisoners-vote-elections-right-democrats-take-stand">should
allow prisoners to vote</a>.  The states of Maine and Vermont already
do.


feed_id: bc617629b3e2576e9e98de35e5d8e94e
title: The nuclear deal with Iran
uri: 2018-05-13-The-nuclear-deal-with-Iran
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#13_May_2018_%28The_nuclear_deal_with_Iran%29
content:
<p>
The war-lover has pulled the US out of the nuclear deal with Iran.
Belligerent politicians are celebrating; 
<a href="https://theintercept.com/2018/05/08/donald-trump-iran-nuclear-deal-john-bolton/">generals
are worried</a>.
<p>
The UK, France and Germany say they 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/may/08/iran-deal-trump-withdraw-us-latest-news-nuclear-agreement">will
continue the deal</a>, and this might convince Iran to continue its
side of the deal.  However, US sanctions on British, French, and
German companies that trade with Iran might make the deal collapse
anyway.


feed_id: 4d7592a0aa896769f4e132139713cbf1
title: Commercial "social" media systems
uri: Commercial-social-media-systems
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#13_May_2018_%28Commercial_social_media_systems%29
content:
<p>
Commercial "social" media systems are designed to use the 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2018/may/08/social-media-copies-gambling-methods-to-create-psychological-cravings">same
methods as slot machines</a>, to create cravings that resemble
addiction to cocaine.
<p>
The community-run social networks implemented with free software don't
do this, and that is not a coincidence.  It results from the fact that
free software is controlled by the users.


feed_id: fbe60309633cb76ca8b5efc88fc3133d
title: Colombia's army
uri: Colombia-s-army
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#13_May_2018_%28Colombias_army%29
content:
<p>
Colombia's army 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/may/08/colombia-false-positives-scandal-casualties-higher-thought-study">murdered
over 10,000 civilians</a> just to pad its figures about the number of
supposed guerrillas it had killed.


feed_id: 8cf8063586b7fc65d00107b908675b6a
title: Slaves workers in the UK
uri: Slaves-workers-in-the-UK
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#13_May_2018_%28Slaves_workers_in_the_UK%29
content:
<p>
Slaves Working in 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/may/08/slaves-working-in-uk-construction-and-car-washes-report-finds">UK
Construction And Car Washes</a>.
<p>
Enslaving people is a grave injustice, but would imprisoning car wash
workers, or their customers, make sense as a way to protect people
from being coerced to work in a car wash?


feed_id: b91f0df0eeac52fa5f2ed5d34971a8f4
title: Marijuana legalization in Canada
uri: Marijuana-legalization-in-Canada
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#13_May_2018_%28Marijuana_legalization_in_Canada%29
content:
<p>
Canada Plans to Legalize Weed &mdash; But 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/may/07/canada-marijuana-cannabis-legalization-amnesty-drug-laws">Will
Those Charged with Crimes Get Amnesty</a>?


feed_id: feac6320592a2afda34224072919bfa9
title: Unkinder Morgan pipeline
uri: Unkinder-Morgan-pipeline
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#13_May_2018_%28Unkinder_Morgan_pipeline%29
content:
<p>
Canadian environmentalists are 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/may/08/canadian-activists-pipeline-tiny-homes-british-columbia">building
tiny houses</a> to block the Unkinder Morgan pipeline.


feed_id: 6d57d038fcc4523e97a9757f6a181d0a
title: Actors paid to be "concerned citizens"
uri: Actors-paid-to-be-concerned-citizens
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#13_May_2018_%28Actors_paid_to_be_concerned_citizens%29

content:
<p>
Fossil fuel companies 
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2018/05/07/mind-boggling-paid-actors-flooded-city-council-meetings-win-approval-fossil-fuel">paid
actors to attend city council meetings</a> pretending to be "concerned
citizens".


feed_id: 3f843b1b19a7491ef1f29eeb2545257f
title: Having children
uri: 2018-05-13-Having-children
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#13_May_2018_%28Having_children%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://local.theonion.com/once-adventurous-salmon-can-t-believe-she-ended-up-movi-1825827223">The
Onion</a>: A north Atlantic salmon confirmed Monday that, having
always lived an adventurous life, she couldn’t believe she ended up
moving back to her birthplace and having a bunch of kids.


feed_id: f644e7c5d85aa71e40bd87e30cc74ff2
title: Haspel's moral standards
uri: Haspel-s-moral-standards
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#14_May_2018_%28Haspels_moral_standards%29
content:
<p>
Gina Haspel 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2018/may/09/gina-haspel-cia-director-confirmation-hearing-torture-sites">pledges
she won't repeat CIA torture program if appointed</a>.
<p>
I doubt that she has learned better moral standards, so she might do
some different cruel thing.


feed_id: 86817e03947d09da41e1fd23146091dd
title: Algorithms making decisions about people
uri: Algorithms-making-decisions-about-people
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#14_May_2018_%28Algorithms_making_decisions_about_people%29

content:
<p>
Some 
<a href="https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2018/05/math-cant-solve-everything-questions-we-need-be-asking-deciding-algorithm-answer">questions</a>
that ought to be studied before deciding to make decisions about
people using an algorithm.
<p>
In addition, the algorithm should be implemented in free software
and the details of the algorithm should be published.


feed_id: a69f823d3def0d5c742052597eeecaf8
title: AI voice conversations
uri: AI-voice-conversations
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#14_May_2018_%28AI_voice_conversations%29
content:
<p>
Google has developed an AI system that does voice conversations and
<a href="https://lauren.vortex.com/2018/05/08/googles-new-duplex-voice-system-creates-some-troublesome-questions">successfully
pretends to be human</a>.  However, fooling people in this way is
mistreatment.
<p>
Its phone calls should state at the beginning, 
<a href="https://lauren.vortex.com/2018/05/09/calls-from-googles-duplex-system-should-include-initial-warning-announcements">"This
is a robot talking."</a>


feed_id: de63162eed8e2cf1ac5e23572dbe1856
title: Iran deal
uri: 2018-05-14-Iran-deal
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#14_May_2018_%28Iran_deal%29
content:
<p>
The 
<a href="http://theweek.com/articles/771471/dishonest-case-against-iran-deal">Dishonest
Case against</a> the Iran Deal.


feed_id: 89d2ef831ecfa57c49d33c01a897c91d
title: Biden
uri: Biden
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#14_May_2018_%28Biden%29
content:
<p>
Biden shows he 
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2018/05/09/joe-biden-clarifies-hes-no-bernie-sanders-i-dont-think-500-billionaires-are-reason">won't
do anything that billionaires might complain about</a>, which means,
nothing that would really reduce inequality.


feed_id: 628594d599fe417bd16d8687a21c1917
title: Facebook
uri: 2018-05-14-Facebook
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#14_May_2018_%28Facebook%29
content:
<p>
Facebook has made it so hard to turn off targeted ads
and <em>some</em> of the surveillance that it's 
<a href="https://theintercept.com/2018/05/09/its-insanely-hard-to-turn-off-facebook-tracking/">not
much better than impossible</a>.
<p>
I think it is incorrect to focus on the "monopoly" aspect.  Facebook's
size increases the harm it can do, but having a choice between ten
such disservices would not make any of them acceptable.
<p>
There are some things that Facebook does that might be useful, but
they need to be done separately so that some of them can be anonymous.


feed_id: 2d2cbab00895bfd2999918bccc509468
title: UK "gang lists"
uri: UK-gang-lists
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#14_May_2018_%28UK_gang_lists%29
content:
<p>
UK "gang lists" label black men as potential gang members, 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2018/may/09/police-gang-lists-racist-black-matrix">based
on handwaving</a>.


feed_id: cd76397559ead8fb34bb61a9644e6381
title: Urgent: Protection for pollinators
uri: Urgent-Protection-for-pollinators
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#13_May_2018_%28Urgent%3A_Protection_for_pollinators%29

content:
<p>
US citizens: Don't weaken <a href="https://secure.defenders.org/site/Advocacy?cmd=display&page=UserAction&id=3319">protection for pollinators</a> in the farm bill.


feed_id: 739ee19fbabaae4e263c16f688dda1af
title: Urgent: Students' civil rights
uri: Urgent-Students-civil-rights
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#13_May_2018_%28Urgent%3A_Students%27_civil_rights%29

content:
<p>
US citizens, <a href="https://act.credoaction.com/sign/DeVos_Civil_Rights">tell Betsy DeVos</a>: Protect students' civil rights.


feed_id: d68a56caf9beccaa5939ac4cc1a4e74a
title: Computer crime bill
uri: Computer-crime-bill
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#13_May_2018_%28Computer_crime_bill%29
content:
<p>
Victory! <a href="https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2018/05/victory-georgia-governor-vetoes-short-sighted-computer-crime-law\">Georgia Governor Vetoes</a> Short-Sighted Computer Crime Bill.


feed_id: 924b67257a53ac17f54bfad270038c72
title: Nonuniformed thugs
uri: Nonuniformed-thugs
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#13_May_2018_%28Nonuniformed_thugs%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://theintercept.com/2018/05/09/saheed-vassell-nypd-plain-clothes/">Almost 1/3 of the killings</a> by NYC thugs involve nonuniformed
(plainclothes) <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thugs</a>.


feed_id: 56ed80b70c8ccd0a1ca42fc073ffbfd6
title: Iran nuclear deal
uri: 2018-05-14-Iran-nuclear-deal
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#13_May_2018_%28Iran_nuclear_deal%29
content:
<p>
"<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2018/may/09/europe-trump-wreck-iran-nuclear-deal-cancel-visit-sanctions">Europe must make Trump pay</a> for wrecking the Iran nuclear deal."
<p>
It might be hard to get the <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#bully">bully</a> to back down this way.
<p>
This European plan seems more likely to be effective:
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/may/09/eu-moves-to-protect-european-firms-from-us-sanctions-on-iran">protecting European companies</a> that trade with Iran.


feed_id: 767299b93539c61f8825f6bdd9e402c0
title: Human Rights Watch representative
uri: Human-Rights-Watch-representative
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#13_May_2018_%28Human_Rights_Watch_representative%29
content:
<p>
Israel <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/may/09/israel-orders-human-rights-watch-representative-to-leave">Orders Human Rights Watch Representative</a> to Leave.


feed_id: 1dd6912ea2396b17486e1e3d3288a490
title: Gift to Iranian hardliners
uri: Gift-to-Iranian-hardliners
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#13_May_2018_%28Gift_to_Iranian_hardliners%29
content:
<p>
"<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2018/may/08/trump-gift-hardline-iranian-political-elites">By ending the nuclear deal</a>, [the warlover] has handed a gift to
Iranian hardliners."
<p>
They are already <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/may/09/iranian-hardliners-rejoice-over-us-nuclear-deal-exit">reveling in this windfall</a>.
<p>
<a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#bully">The bully</a> might regard that as a plus, since he could use their success to
justify the war he wants.  Not to mention, of course, that he helped them
succeed.


feed_id: fdc11088f6d90f07c7214534fb07fbe4
title: Surveillance oversight law
uri: Surveillance-oversight-law
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#13_May_2018_%28Surveillance_oversight_law%29
content:
<p>
Oakland Passes <a href="https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2018/05/oakland-passes-strongest-surveillance-oversight-law-in-us/">"Strongest" Surveillance Oversight Law</a> in US.
<p>
These laws can be effective at limiting cities' participation in
massive surveillance, but in order to stop companies and state
governments from doing so, we need state laws.


feed_id: c94703a22be9f6456da043e6e1f912ed
title: Violence against thugs
uri: Violence-against-thugs
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#13_May_2018_%28Violence_against_thugs%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2018/may/08/police-violence-hate-crimes-us-senate-bill">US Senate Bill</a> Would Liken Violence Against [thugs] to Hate Crimes.
<p>
The biggest offense against the police force badge is telling lies to
paint someone as a criminal.  Whether the target is a living person
who could be imprisoned as a result, or a black man killed for no
valid reason by <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thugs</a>, we need to put a stop to it.  For the badge
they wear to be honorable, we must replace the <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thugs</a> with police
officers.


feed_id: da7c3dc3b9ea5d1d9ff1993acd1646ed
title: South Georgia island
uri: South-Georgia-island
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#13_May_2018_%28South_Georgia_island%29
content:
<p>
Humans have eradicated rats and mice from South Georgia island.  This will
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2018/may/09/south-georgia-declared-rat-free-centuries-rodent-devastation">protect the endemic wildlife</a> there.
<p>
Rats and mice have their places in the world, but if they overrun everywhere,
little else will survive.
<p>
Alas, the same is true for humans.  Since we are more intelligent than rats,
I hope we can work out a way to depart from a large fraction of the
Earth's surface, and allow the other species to flourish too.


feed_id: 45f44ff1fb7e48fdff48b999699e3396
title: Storing energy as hydrogen
uri: Storing-energy-as-hydrogen
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#13_May_2018_%28Storing_energy_as_hydrogen%29
content:
<p>
Making hydrogen from renewable energy is a way to <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2018/may/09/use-excess-wind-and-solar-power-to-produce-hydrogen-report">store the energy for
later use</a> at peak times.


feed_id: 7337726d5b10b530441262da95cd42d8
title: Renting while black
uri: Renting-while-black
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#13_May_2018_%28Renting_while_black%29
content:
<p>
In addition to the long-established crimes of driving while black
and walking while black, blacks in the US can be accused of
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2018/may/07/airbnb-black-guests-california-police-helicopter">renting a room while black</a>.
<p>
The use of the term "people of color" in this article was misleading on a specific point, as well as in the usual general way.  Not all nonwhite ethnic groups
would face this sort of suspicion.


feed_id: 8094da9c4be54426f4ac4c4794ff5e57
title: Blocked from Cannes
uri: Blocked-from-Cannes
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#13_May_2018_%28Blocked_from_Cannes%29
content:
<p>
Russia and Iran are preventing film directors from travelling to the Cannes
film festival, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/film/2018/may/08/cannes-film-festival-iran-russia-directors-jafar-panahi-kirill-serebrennikov">apparently for political reasons</a>.


feed_id: 0ccb637b3387c9e8fa56091a3284bcc5
title: UK internet filter
uri: UK-internet-filter
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#13_May_2018_%28UK_internet_filter%29
content:
<p>
The UK's default "child safety" internet filter imposes some amusing
decisions, such as <a href="https://torrentfreak.com/uk-internet-filters-block-disney-sites-internet-safety-tips-and-more-180505">blocking the Disney web site</a>.
<p>
However, that's a secondary problem.  More important is the injustice
of imposing strict censorship on everyone in the UK who can't afford a
private internet line &mdash; and the bigger injustice of <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2017-mar-jun.html#26_May_2017_(Tories_plan_state-controlled_censorship)">imposing baseline
censorship</a> on everyone whatsoever.


feed_id: 7927445e4ca5e8165eea7dea8a855efa
title: Events moving to Canada
uri: Events-moving-to-Canada
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#13_May_2018_%28Events_moving_to_Canada%29
content:
<p>
Some technology events are <a href="http://business.financialpost.com/technology/tech-conferences-moving-north-as-trump-policies-turn-off-attendees">moving from the US to Canada</a>, and it is partly
because the US is now a hostile place to hold an international conference.
<p>
Unfortunately, Canada is not necessarily much better.  When the World
Social Forum was held in Montreal, Canada blocked some speakers from attending
by denying them visas.


feed_id: 10b0d14304961143428a9b24bda28ad9
title: Children's health care
uri: Children-s-health-care
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#13_May_2018_%28Children%27s_health_care%29
content:
<p>
To close the gratuitous budget deficit created by tax handouts to the
rich, the cruelist <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2018/05/08/despicable-every-level-after-massive-gift-rich-trump-demands-7-billion-cut-child">wants to cut funds</a> for children's health care.
<p>
To reduce the cost of children's medical care, the ethical first step
is to provide reliable birth control and abortions gratis.  With fewer
children, their medical care will cost less and their education will
cost less, without denying anything to any of them.  Their parents
will suffer (most of them) less stress, so they will grow up (most of
them) as happier and more capable adults.


feed_id: 0ae8457c75f0dd486f4cc3fc7ff3954c
title: Facebook's news algorithm
uri: Facebook-s-news-algorithm
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#13_May_2018_%28Facebook%27s_news_algorithm%29
content:
<p>
How Facebook's algorithm for what articles to show to each used are
chosen to increase profits, but they <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2018/05/08/facebook-censoring-your-favorite-bloggers">systematically disfavor
thoughtful criticism</a> of anything, if posted by those who can't pay
to get it seen.
<p>
I agree that Facebook should be regulated, but the purpose of the
regulation should be to ensure that not very many people read news
or commentary through that site.  Or any other specific site.


feed_id: 8f6936b876dd1c3d5460c4c8e2fafefa
title: UK: activist expelled from Labour party
uri: UK-activist-expelled-from-Labour-party
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#14_May_2018_%28UK%3A_activist_expelled_from_Labour_party%29

content:
<p>The Labour party has expelled an activist for antisemitism. <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2018/apr/27/labour-activist-marc-wadsworth-expelled-from-party-over-antisemitism-row">Some important party supporters will be judged soon</a>.</p>
<p>I support these proceedings, as long as they firmly maintain the distinction between antisemitism and criticism of Israel.  Bigotry towards Jews is as wrong as bigotry towards any other ethnic group, and any political party that has a streak of bigotry ought to root it out.</p>
</li></p>


feed_id: 46d632c1e4fd12ea5a6251bb2c695ad0
title: Tories block visas for doctors
uri: Tories-block-visas-for-doctors
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#14_May_2018_%28Tories_block_visas_for_doctors%29
content:
<p><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/society/2018/apr/27/hostile-environment-policy-leaving-doctors-without-visas-say-nhs-officials">The Tories' "hostile environment" that blocks immigration at all costs is blocking visas for doctors</a>, contributing to the shortage.</p>
</li></p>


feed_id: 082f791560980c57b290869f1d815e2e
title: Plutocratic Coup
uri: Plutocratic-Coup
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#14_May_2018_%28Plutocratic_Coup%29
content:
<p>In 1933, <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2018/04/25/plutocratic-coup">some US plutocrats planned to overthrow the US government</a> and asked the commander of the US Marine Corps to front for them.  Rather than go along, he reported them to Congress.</p>
<p>Today's US plutocrats are even more powerful, and we can't assume they won't try it again.</p>
<p>We can't let that discourage us from trying to restore democracy. No matter what we do, we may be defeated; but surrender only guarantees defeat.</p>
</li></p>


feed_id: 61b426403522ae834e4ebcbd1afc9016
title: Mexico: arms trade
uri: Mexico-arms-trade
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#14_May_2018_%28Mexico%3A_arms_trade%29
content:
<p><a href="https://theintercept.com/2018/04/26/mexico-arms-trade-us-gun-sales/">US weapons fuel crime in Mexico</a>, because they are purchased by Mexican thug departments.</p>
<p>Naturally the bully wants to make this worse.</p>
</li></p>


feed_id: 5595d9b815bc06382392acc2d1ea29f9
title: Toxic masculinity
uri: 2018-05-15-Toxic-masculinity
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#14_May_2018_%28Toxic_masculinity%29
content:
<p>Toxic masculinity is <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2018/apr/26/mass-killer-toronto-attack-man-men">responsible for a large fraction of mass shootings</a>. Even worse, it's responsible for thousands of individual murders.</p>
</li></p>


feed_id: 82cbcc1c8883a336d07c6aaf7113a0e4
title: Senators protect Mueller
uri: Senators-protect-Mueller
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#14_May_2018_%28Senators_protect_Mueller%29
content:
<p>Several Republican senators <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2018/apr/26/senate-advances-legislation-to-protect-robert-mueller-from-being-fired">voted for a bill to prevent the bully from firing investigator Mueller</a>, in commitee.</p>
</li></p>


feed_id: db59b9da79199963417182eb5aa8be08
title: Syria chemical attack case
uri: Syria-chemical-attack-case
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#14_May_2018_%28Syria_chemical_attack_case%29
content:
<p><a href="https://theintercept.com/2018/04/26/russia-brings-syrians-hague-make-underwhelming-case-chemical-attack-fake/">Russia Brings Syrians to The Hague to Make Underwhelming Case Chemical Attack Was Fake</a>.</p>
</li></p>


feed_id: 019881e66adc86ca810bc68da993a01b
title: South Korea: Fracking effects
uri: South-Korea-Fracking-effects
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#14_May_2018_%28South_Korea%3A_Fracking_effects%29
content:
<p>A fairly powerful earthquake in Korea, which did substantial damage, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2018/apr/27/fracking-south-korean-earthquake">seems to have been caused by fracking</a>.</p>
</li></p>


feed_id: 248fd64338f3f7f6074f960689f0dabf
title: Coalition urges no facial recognition on body cameras
uri: Coalition-urges-no-facial-recognition-on-body-cameras
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#14_May_2018_%28Coalition_urges_no_facial_recognition_on_body_cameras%29

content:
<p><a href="https://epic.org/2018/04/epic-coalition-urge-ethics-boa.html">EPIC, Coalition Urge Ethics Board to Prevent the Use of Facial Recognition on Body Cameras</a>.</p>
<p><a href="https://civilrights.org/axon-product-development-law-enforcement/">More info</a>.</p>
<p>I propose a law that performing face recognition on an image requires a court order.</p>
</li></p>


feed_id: 35e2cb18316da7ff0304d3da4cadd243
title: Pennsylvania: Judge to marry couple deports groom
uri: Pennsylvania-Judge-to-marry-couple-deports-groom
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#14_May_2018_%28Pennsylvania%3A_Judge_to_marry_couple_deports_groom%29

content:
<p>If you think of getting married in the US by a judge, <a href="https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2018/4/24/1759593/-Pennsylvania-judge-was-supposed-to-marry-couple-but-she-called-ICE-on-the-groom-instead?detail=emaildkre">check that the judge in question isn't a Republican deportation fanatic</a>.</p>
</li></p>


feed_id: b14f4f92fe4dcbe7a0f888f42e811420
title: NY: Cuomo buys union support
uri: NY-Cuomo-buys-union-support
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#14_May_2018_%28NY%3A_Cuomo_buys_union_support%29
content:
<p>Cuomo is <a href="https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2018/4/26/1760020/-Cuomo-Leans-on-Union-Allies-to-Undercut-Progressive-Opposition?_=2018-04-26T03:25:25.836-07:00">giving support to public employee unions to buy them off</a> from supporting his progressive opponent.</p>
<p>Of course, progressives will do more for union members (and other working people) in the long run.  The unions are making a mistake in choosing the short term.</p>
</li></p>


feed_id: f0e7d3d4f64fc3c8c5926a86ed10ebc4
title: AT&T strike
uri: AT-T-strike
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#14_May_2018_%28AT%26T_strike%29
content:
<p>AT&T faces a strike <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2018/04/25/despite-unprecedented-windfall-corporate-tax-cut-atts-workers-forced-wage-fierce">after cutting 16000 jobs</a>.</p>
</li></p>


feed_id: 5a03d982e6d5649061339403ffb0c2df
title: Pruitt pollution policies
uri: Pruitt-pollution-policies
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#14_May_2018_%28Pruitt_pollution_policies%29
content:
<p>Saboteur Pruitt has <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2018/04/25/pruitt-unveils-another-brazen-attack-science-polluter-friendly-rule-change">decreed an excuse for disregarding many scientific studies</a> when making decisions about pollution policies.</p>
</li></p>


feed_id: a56dfe54ee808a2d70fd1f05c5d1f673
title: DNC suing Russia and Wikileaks
uri: DNC-suing-Russia-and-Wikileaks
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#14_May_2018_%28DNC_suing_Russia_and_Wikileaks%29
content:
<p>The Democratic National Committee is suing Russia and Wikileaks <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2018/04/25/why-dnc-fighting-wikileaks-and-not-wall-street">to distract from the fact that it is not going against plutocrats</a>.</p>
</li></p>


feed_id: edc4d879d06029c8bac2a4a0b43eb96c
title: Turkey: Erdoğan convicts newspaper staff
uri: Turkey-Erdoğan-convicts-newspaper-staff
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#14_May_2018_%28Turkey%3A_Erdo%25C4%259Fan_convicts_newspaper_staff%29

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


feed_id: 487aa7392b01ae1dfea42f0d3dd14812
title: Puerto Rico: local solar power
uri: Puerto-Rico-local-solar-power
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#14_May_2018_%28Puerto_Rico%3A_local_solar_power%29
content:
<p>With Puerto Rico's power grid under the control of the nondemocratic imposed government, which is planning to privatize it, <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2018/04/25/puerto-rico-goes-back-door-solartopia-and-corporate-media-blacks-it-out">people are rapidly setting up local solar power</a>.</p>
</li></p>


feed_id: 994f6d6f4b7245bd73947e76df0d8272
title: Mulvaney lobbyist meeting
uri: Mulvaney-lobbyist-meeting
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#14_May_2018_%28Mulvaney_lobbyist_meeting%29
content:
<p>Mulvaney, now saboteur of the CFPB, affirmed that as a congresscritter he was overtly corrupt: <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2018/04/25/open-and-flagrant-corruption-mulvaney-admits-bankers-he-only-met-lobbyists-who-gave">he met with those lobbyists that gave him campaign funds</a>.</p>
</li></p>


feed_id: a5c715476dc71bce390cedff73823657
title: Gaza: Israeli soldiers obey orders
uri: Gaza-Israeli-soldiers-obey-orders
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#14_May_2018_%28Gaza%3A_Israeli_soldiers_obey_orders%29

content:
<p>"Palestinians are being killed and maimed not because Israeli soldiers are disobeying orders, <a href="http://www.middleeasteye.net/columns/palestinians-are-killed-not-because-israeli-soldiers-disobey-orders-because-they-follow-them">but because they are following them</a>."</p>
<p>That's because their orders give them plenty of latitude to kill people who are not threatening anyone.</p>
</li></p>


feed_id: cf0f50ea3d5eae3cce534d4d6024c531
title: Urgent: Social Media Privacy Act
uri: Urgent-Social-Media-Privacy-Act
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#14_May_2018_%28Urgent%3A_Social_Media_Privacy_Act%29

content:
<p>
Citizens of Massachusetts: <a href="https://action.aclu.org/send-message/ma-pass-social-media-privacy">call on your state representative</a> to pass
Social Media Privacy Act.


feed_id: 042895a36fb2ed33d8d624e7808a573f
title: Prime minister of Malaysia
uri: Prime-minister-of-Malaysia
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#14_May_2018_%28Prime_minister_of_Malaysia%29
content:
<p>
Mahathir Muhammad, the former authoritarian prime minister of
Malaysia, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/may/09/malaysia-former-leader-mahathir-mohamad-set-to-become-worlds-oldest-pm-at-92">has defeated</a> the more blatantly authoritarian prime minister
Razak.
<p>
This shows that the vote count was not rigged; that's good.
<p>
However, Najib Razak is <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/may/10/malaysia-election-confusion-as-rival-questions-mahathirs-right-to-be-sworn-in">trying to bribe</a> recently elected members of
Malaysia's parliament to vote for him instead of for Mahathir.


feed_id: 563b76b92e920de5a5d0fdc42c313aee
title: Monopolies for lenses and frames
uri: Monopolies-for-lenses-and-frames
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#14_May_2018_%28Monopolies_for_lenses_and_frames%29
content:
<p>
Two optical quasi-monopolies, one for lenses and one for frames,
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/news/2018/may/10/the-invisible-power-of-big-glasses-eyewear-industry-essilor-luxottica">are about to merge</a>.
<p>
We should not allow any market to be so concentrated.


feed_id: 8d472b391d77c3e34025c2c1d7ce2025
title: Rising house prices
uri: Rising-house-prices
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#14_May_2018_%28Rising_house_prices%29
content:
<p>
Stop thinking that rising house prices <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2018/may/10/celebrate-house-prices-falling-britain-property-values">are a good thing</a>.


feed_id: 1ad7aa736ed210efac36d293a024acf5
title: Exiled Libyan dissident
uri: Exiled-Libyan-dissident
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#14_May_2018_%28Exiled_Libyan_dissident%29
content:
<p>
The UK has <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/may/10/britain-apologises-for-appalling-treatment-of-abdel-hakim-belhaj">apologized for its "appalling treatment"</a> of exiled Libyan dissident
Abdel Hakim Belhaj.
<p>
This was what he <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2017-jan-apr.html#23_January_2017_(Dissident_wins_right_to_sue_British_ministers)">demanded in his lawsuit</a>.
<p>
I hope the UK will compensate him for the torture that it enabled
Gadhafi to inflict on him.


feed_id: 67f59181d22b16deca8933ed6eacd6e7
title: Death sentence in Sudan
uri: Death-sentence-in-Sudan
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#14_May_2018_%28Death_sentence_in_Sudan%29
content:
<p>
Teenager Who Killed Husband after He Raped Her Is <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2018/may/10/teenager-who-killed-her-husband-after-he-raped-her-is-sentenced-to-death-in-sudan-noura-hussein">Sentenced to Death in Sudan</a>.
She had been coerced into marrying him.
<p>
There are women in the US who have been sentenced to life in prison
for similar acts.
<p>
I expect that Sudanese law defines "rape" to exclude rape by the
husband.  That's comparable to US laws that define "rape" to include
voluntary sex with under N years of age (where N varies).
Both laws falsify the meaning of "rape".


feed_id: 40b395545a9b3b2f1fa31350dc0c3b1f
title: Palm oil
uri: 2018-05-15-Palm-oil
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#14_May_2018_%28Palm_oil%29
content:
<p>
Palm Oil Is <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2018/may/10/palm-oil-orangutans-multinationals-promises-deforestation">Wiping out Orangutans</a> &mdash; Despite Multinationals’ Promises.


feed_id: 933794c1ce572d748b71287723005683
title: War with Iran
uri: 2018-05-15-War-with-Iran
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#14_May_2018_%28War_with_Iran%29
content:
<p>
Israel has <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/may/10/israel-iran-conflict-is-no-surprise-but-implications-are-unclear">started a war with Iran</a>, in the territory of Syria.
<p>
Israel says that <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/may/10/israel-has-hit-nearly-all-iranian-infrastructure-in-syria-military-claims">this is retaliation</a> for Iran's retaliation for
Israel's previous interventions.
<p>
The US will donate arms and ammunition to Israel for this, thus
involving itself semi-indirectly in war with Iran.  It will be easy
for the warlover to create an excuse for more direct combat, which I
believe he will do, hoping that the major media will coo adoringly,
"How presidential!" and that foolish Americans will rally to him
out of a misguided idea of "patriotism".


feed_id: 4e7ca8233c01773cd4c584ef8a397ff7
title: Fleeing to Colombia
uri: Fleeing-to-Colombia
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#14_May_2018_%28Fleeing_to_Colombia%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/may/09/one-million-refugees-entered-colombia-after-economic-crisis-hit-venezuela">A million Venezuelans</a> have fled to Colombia, fleeing from the shortages.


feed_id: bf6117eb0d89deb7bd840f9da5740daf
title: Targeted ads
uri: 2018-05-15-Targeted-ads
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#14_May_2018_%28Targeted_ads%29
content:
<p>
Ads appear to be much less effective when <a href="https://theintercept.com/2018/05/09/facebook-ads-tracking-algorithm/">people are told they are
targeted</a> based on accumulated personal data.


feed_id: a7359a1fcd54e95371cfbd6a12775dde
title: NHS as informer
uri: NHS-as-informer
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#14_May_2018_%28NHS_as_informer%29
content:
<p>
The UK has dropped the policy of making the NHS <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/society/2018/may/09/government-to-stop-forcing-nhs-to-share-patients-data-with-home-office">inform on unauthorized
immigrants</a>.
<p>
It is not clearly stated whether they will be required to pay for
treatment (which many can't afford).


feed_id: 645b84eedc0c8d1a2af61891e5496feb
title: Employee protection bill
uri: Employee-protection-bill
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#14_May_2018_%28Employee_protection_bill%29
content:
<p>
Bernie Sanders <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2018/may/09/bernie-sanders-workplace-democracy-act-unions-teachers-strikes">Introduces Senate Bill</a> Protecting Employees Fired for Union
Organizing.
<p>
<a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#scrotus">SCROTUS</a> won't pass it, but this will help Americans elect officials
that will.


feed_id: ffaf7f05fcd0f303370a737a4e8b397c
title: Subjected to the IMF
uri: Subjected-to-the-IMF
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#14_May_2018_%28Subjected_to_the_IMF%29
content:
<p>
Argentina's right-wing president is going to <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/may/09/fear-and-loathing-in-buenos-aires-will-argentinas-imf-gamble-pay-off">subject the country to
the IMF</a> again.
<p>
The IMF imposes "reforms" that amount to austerity.  As a cure, it is
worse than the disease.  Argentina had the good fortune to be <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2008-jul-oct.html#26%20July%202008%20(IMF%20meddling)">rescued
from the IMF</a>, last time, by Hugo Chavez.
But there is no guarantee of another Chavez to do it this time.


feed_id: 785b5ec7ac480a253f8081ffda7f8f29
title: Solar panel requirement
uri: Solar-panel-requirement
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#14_May_2018_%28Solar_panel_requirement%29
content:
<p>
California will <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2018/may/09/california-solar-panels-power-renewable-energy">require solar panels</a> on all new housing, except tall apartment
buildings.
<p>
There are various exceptions for cases where they would be ineffective,
and the solar panels don't have to be physically on the building.
<p>
On tall apartment buildings, it would not be feasible for solar panels
on the roof to provide enough electricity for all the residents, even
on a sunny day.  But that doesn't mean they would be wasted.  They
would be as efficient and useful there as anywhere else.  So why not
require them?


feed_id: 6d02f8b06dfe7d1f461003c025fe773d
title: Reality Winner
uri: 2018-05-15-Reality-Winner
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#14_May_2018_%28Reality_Winner%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://theintercept.com/2018/05/09/russian-hacking-us-election-senate-reality-winner/">Senate Report Strongly Implies</a> Russian Hacking Story Was a Public
Service &mdash; but Whistleblower Reality Winner Remains in Jail.


feed_id: 5962b5dc439a38e40e8b2e5eb141cdcb
title: Access to the corrupter
uri: Access-to-the-corrupter
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#14_May_2018_%28Access_to_the_corrupter%29
content:
<p>
It seems that many companies have <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2018/05/09/sketchy-hell-att-paid-trump-lawyer-michael-cohen-insights-fcc-worked-kill-net">paid Michael Cohen's company</a>
to get access to the corrupter.


feed_id: c76c0211e695195f1e43a8838b058786
title: Public employee unions
uri: Public-employee-unions
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#15_May_2018_%28Public_employee_unions%29
content:
<p>
If the Supreme Court rules to cripple public employee unions, the only
sensible response is, <a href="https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2018/5/10/1763301/-The-Only-Possible-Response-to-Janus-Don-t-Mourn-Organize">"Don’t Mourn, Organize!"</a>


feed_id: 6547c6377e60ab95786de6259774c8a5
title: Credit freeze
uri: Credit-freeze
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#15_May_2018_%28Credit_freeze%29
content:
<p>
A "credit freeze" in the US is <a href="https://krebsonsecurity.com/2018/05/another-credit-freeze-target-nctue-com/">not entirely effective</a>, since there
is a path for some companies to bypass it.


feed_id: 3b6a7716f70d17a33601a6a5dcd9f39c
title: Face scanning for concerts
uri: Face-scanning-for-concerts
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#15_May_2018_%28Face_scanning_for_concerts%29
content:
<p>
Ticketmaster <a href="https://www.engadget.com/2018/05/06/ticketmaster-hopes-to-speed-up-event-access-by-scanning-your-fac/">wants to scan the faces</a> of people who attend concerts and
shows.
<p>
Merely to find out who they are is an injustice.


feed_id: dc497d81cff74073fca7d8c968d9a0c3
title: Comcast expansion
uri: Comcast-expansion
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#15_May_2018_%28Comcast_expansion%29
content:
<p>
Comcast <a href="https://motherboard.vice.com/en_us/article/59qmqb/comcast-is-already-hatedand-its-about-to-become-a-lot-more-powerful">threatens to expand</a> from giant to enormous.


feed_id: c31084c3b1f649ab8f9b22ce1142c0e3
title: Doug Ford
uri: Doug-Ford
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#15_May_2018_%28Doug_Ford%29
content:
<p>
Canadian politician Doug Ford controlled his press coverage by <a href="https://www.thestar.com/opinion/editorials/2018/05/06/doug-ford-evades-real-scrutiny-by-hiring-his-own-reporter.html">hiring
his own "reporter"</a> to interview him.


feed_id: 805eefb5c2cac30e72651280e12839fd
title: Downloading web pages
uri: Downloading-web-pages
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#15_May_2018_%28Downloading_web_pages%29
content:
<p>
Nova Scotia thugs have <a href="https://boingboing.net/2018/05/08/squid-jiggin.html">dropped charges against a citizen</a> that downloaded
all the web pages from a particular directory.
However, they have not returned his computers.
<p>
Alas, if his computers are returned, they could be dishonest.
There is no telling what malicious software, or even hardware, the
<a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thugs</a> may have installed.


feed_id: b8e2e03fc5df262923749cdae56e3184
title: UK immigration cases
uri: UK-immigration-cases
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#15_May_2018_%28UK_immigration_cases%29
content:
<p>
The Tories have a clever plan to lead immigrants into forfeiting their
legal rights: <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2018/may/09/data-rules-threaten-last-avenue-used-in-thousands-of-immigration-cases">deny them information</a> about their own cases.


feed_id: 0dda522299abb03644b19c5648ef3f29
title: Fake reviews on Amazon
uri: Fake-reviews-on-Amazon
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#15_May_2018_%28Fake_reviews_on_Amazon%29
content:
<p>
Modern PR techniques include <a href="https://www.buzzfeed.com/nicolenguyen/amazon-fake-review-problem">paying people to post fake reviews</a> on Amazon
to praise specified products.


feed_id: e22c42614748e226603301caf311f668
title: Bipartisan redistricting
uri: Bipartisan-redistricting
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#15_May_2018_%28Bipartisan_redistricting%29
content:
<p>
Ohio has <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2018/05/09/ohioans-approve-bipartisan-reform-congressional-redistricting-growing-national">passed a constitutional amendment</a> for bipartisan redistricting,
which means an end to Republican gerrymandering unless they find an excuse
to nullify it.
<p>
The whole US needs this.


feed_id: b9e975e3caa39be9cbcf01018858c3e0
title: Dog shoots man
uri: Dog-shoots-man
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#15_May_2018_%28Dog_shoots_man%29
content:
<p>
Dog bites man, that's not news.  <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2018/may/10/iowa-dog-shoots-man">Dog shoots man</a>, that's news.
<p>
This particular way of being shot with your own gun is very rare, but
being shot with your own gun <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2015-jan-apr.html#21_April_2015_(Handgun_killings)">is very common</a>.


feed_id: 32e638ceca904565a7c4b10dc98d8d1b
title: Atheists and agnostics
uri: Atheists-and-agnostics
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#15_May_2018_%28Atheists_and_agnostics%29
content:
<p>
Discrimination Against Atheists and Agnostics Is an <a href="https://www.stepupmagazine.com/single-post/2017/06/30/Discrimination-Ag">Overlooked Issue
Worldwide</a>.
<p>
I am an Atheist, and I campaign to promote Atheism.  However, I do not
discriminate against or deprecate religious believers.  I practice an
Atheist variant of "hate the sin, love the sinner", which I can
describe more precisely as "disapprove of the belief, not the
believer."


feed_id: 35f4f1984ab223597e6f5c9b79c948d0
title: Today's US working class
uri: Today-s-US-working-class
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#15_May_2018_%28Today%27s_US_working_class%29
content:
<p>
Today's US working class is no longer concentrated in factories; it mostly
does service jobs.  This makes it <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2018/may/09/american-working-class-what-it-looks-like-today">less visible and less able to organize</a>
for decent pay and predictable working hours.


feed_id: 4bb0139986e6df591ae5465872339c5b
title: Costa Rica
uri: Costa-Rica
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#15_May_2018_%28Costa_Rica%29
content:
<p>
Costa Rica, although it has much less money than the US, gives people
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/may/09/showing-the-way-in-san-jose-how-costa-rica-gets-it-right">better and longer lives</a>.  It chooses equality, not inequality, by
focusing on democracy, sustainability, and inclusive growth.


feed_id: 68b075ff20f4a05e3217181d87367684
title: Michael Cohen's business
uri: Michael-Cohen-s-business
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#15_May_2018_%28Michael_Cohen%27s_business%29
content:
<p>
Michael Cohen's business of selling access to the White House does not
legally count as lobbying, so he <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2018/may/10/payments-to-michael-cohen-show-how-shadow-lobbying-eludes-us-law">did not have to report it</a>.


feed_id: 6f135cfc96690ca60bbb30a33409171d
title: Independent newspaper in Cambodia
uri: Independent-newspaper-in-Cambodia
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#15_May_2018_%28Independent_newspaper_in_Cambodia%29
content:
<p>
The last independent newspaper in Cambodia has been <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/may/10/now-the-post-is-muzzled-cambodias-free-press-is-gone">shut down by the
state</a>.


feed_id: 83e8a1e063589b41b130f68137114d69
title: Mexico: arms trade
uri: 2018-05-16-Mexico-arms-trade
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#14_May_2018_%28Mexico%3A_arms_trade%29
content:
<p><a href="https://theintercept.com/2018/04/26/mexico-arms-trade-us-gun-sales/">US weapons fuel crime in Mexico</a>, because they are purchased by Mexican thug departments.</p>
<p>Naturally the <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#bully">bully</a> wants to make this worse.</p>
</li></p>


feed_id: 83a65adf505a9c678f86c6ef000da0ff
title: Senators protect Mueller
uri: 2018-05-16-Senators-protect-Mueller
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#14_May_2018_%28Senators_protect_Mueller%29
content:
<p>Several Republican senators <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2018/apr/26/senate-advances-legislation-to-protect-robert-mueller-from-being-fired">voted for a bill to prevent the bully from firing investigator Mueller</a>, in committee.</p>
</li></p>


feed_id: 0231dbdb4442270b02bd437d06c37015
title: Turkey: Erdoğan convicts newspaper staff
uri: 2018-05-16-Turkey-Erdoğan-convicts-newspaper-staff
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#14_May_2018_%28Turkey%3A_Erdo%25C4%259Fan_convicts_newspaper_staff%29

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


feed_id: 3b0046f52d28b2e6f3ce1301a42c11d4
title: Urgent: Lawsuit against Yosemite
uri: Urgent-Lawsuit-against-Yosemite
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#16_May_2018_%28Urgent%3A_Lawsuit_against_Yosemite%29

content:
<p>
Everyone: <a href="https://act.credoaction.com/sign/yosemite_lawsuit">Tell Delaware North</a> to drop its lawsuit against Yosemite National Park.


feed_id: ab77e326e1bd567eab1e42adac214c69
title: Obama and Haspel
uri: Obama-and-Haspel
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#16_May_2018_%28Obama_and_Haspel%29
content:
<p>
Jeremy Scahill: Obama Paved Way for Haspel to Head CIA by <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2018/05/10/jeremy-scahill-obama-paved-way-haspel-head-cia-failing-hold-torturers-accountable">Failing to Hold
Torturers Accountable</a>.


feed_id: 4e39f6e9b860beb7fd800fe4af876ede
title: Transition from North Korea
uri: Transition-from-North-Korea
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#16_May_2018_%28Transition_from_North_Korea%29
content:
<p>
The Onion: Americans just freed by North Korea will be placed in US
prison labor <a href="https://www.theonion.com/north-korean-prisoners-temporarily-put-into-american-de-1825932074">to ease their transition</a>.


feed_id: 5c1d1fa22f428941600072a6a9c5bf58
title: Inaudible commands
uri: Inaudible-commands
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#16_May_2018_%28Inaudible_commands%29
content:
<p>
Voice-control appliances react to inaudible subsonic commands.
A computer-controlled audio device can <a href="https://venturebeat.com/2018/05/10/siri-alexa-and-google-assistant-can-be-controlled-by-inaudible-commands/">take control of them</a>
and humans will not notice.
<p>
Even worse, each one was made by a company that demand blind faith
but doesn't deserve <a href="https://gnu.org/malware/">any sort of confidence</a>
because it is run by nonfree software.


feed_id: d848c0a9fa05ab5b8f74a48853602931
title: Unwarranted home entry
uri: Unwarranted-home-entry
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#16_May_2018_%28Unwarranted_home_entry%29
content:
<p>
US deportation <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thugs</a> stated their contempt for the constitution while
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2018/05/10/you-watch-too-much-movies-watch-ice-refuse-produce-warrant-then-barge-home-guns">forcing their way into a family home</a> without a search warrant.


feed_id: 53dfe114aa7c1b17844f6ce3c161d849
title: Bombing in Yemen
uri: Bombing-in-Yemen
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#16_May_2018_%28Bombing_in_Yemen%29
content:
<p>
Salafi Arabia <a href="https://theintercept.com/2018/05/11/american-saudi-arabia-weapons-deal-yemen-uae/">dropped US bombs on a wedding party</a> in Yemen.
<p>
The war-lover wants to sell <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#salafi">Salafi Arabia</a> a lot more of the same kind
of bomb.
<p>
This sort of atrocity has happened repeatedly in US-backed wars,
including <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2008-sep-dec.html#07%20September%202008%20(The%20bombed%20wedding%20party)">in Afghanistan</a>
and <a href="media/3bba46cc.faith-based-cartoon.jpg" data-original-source="https://stallman.org/images/faith-based-cartoon.jpg">Iraq</a>.
<p>
Apparently the human system isn't designed to avoid that.
"Precision-guided" weapons don't protect civilians if they are guided
with great precision onto civilians.
<p>
Salafia Arabia has won the narcissist's total support for war by
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2018/05/10/arms-and-influence-how-saudis-took-donald-trump-ride">persistent flattery</a>.


feed_id: 948cb72f3351b0dd122d6971969fbdb8
title: Secure Data Act
uri: Secure-Data-Act
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#16_May_2018_%28Secure_Data_Act%29
content:
<p>
EFF: The Secure Data Act <a href="https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2018/05/secure-data-act-would-stop-backdoors">Would Stop Backdoors</a>.


feed_id: c24ccff10117ea573be179a6b7fb88ba
title: Continual harassment in LA
uri: Continual-harassment-in-LA
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#16_May_2018_%28Continual_harassment_in_LA%29
content:
<p>
LA city <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thugs</a> have chosen a large number of residents (2% of the city
population) for continual harassment on the street.  These people say
they are stopped by thugs <a href="https://theintercept.com/2018/05/11/predictive-policing-surveillance-los-angeles/">over ten times a day</a>.


feed_id: 047e86b562e685a22c54d84d16af6bea
title: Handling a global pandemic
uri: Handling-a-global-pandemic
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#16_May_2018_%28Handling_a_global_pandemic%29
content:
<p>
"<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2018/may/11/cutting-out-chocolate-obesity-obesogenic-environment">When you have a global pandemic</a> of disease (obesity), telling people to take
personal responsibility for it is unlikely to be the answer."


feed_id: 35638b8a40c57f4bc096a8380c92ea92
title: Charges for US border thug
uri: Charges-for-US-border-thug
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#16_May_2018_%28Charges_for_US_border_thug%29
content:
<p>
The US border <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thug</a> that killed a Mexican by shooting him through the
border fence was cleared of murder charges, but the jury was
deadlocked on charges of manslaughter.  So the thug will be <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2018/may/11/border-patrol-retrial-lonnie-swartz-jose-antonio-elena-rodriguez">retried on
that charge</a>.


feed_id: 196792f0eb180854a0d3a5b07bf4f91f
title: Mahathir Mohamad
uri: Mahathir-Mohamad
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#16_May_2018_%28Mahathir_Mohamad%29
content:
<p>
Mahathir Mohamad <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2018/may/11/mahathir-mohamad-malaysia-prime-minister-reelection">was authoritarian before</a>; Malaysia should not count
on him as a savior, even if he is less corrupt than Razak.
<p>
Subsidizing fossil fuels is dangerous for the whole world, so restoring those
subsidies would be very bad.
<p>
However, a sales tax (aka VAT) is a regressive form of taxation.  It
is typical plutocratist-speak to call that a "necessary reform".  If
Malaysia wants to reduce its budget deficit, it should do by taxing
the rich more, instead.


feed_id: f17ec13e607329cb7052fde85909ddcf
title: Dissidents in Brazil
uri: Dissidents-in-Brazil
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#16_May_2018_%28Dissidents_in_Brazil%29
content:
<p>
A CIA memo said that Brazil's military dictator, as of 1974 had
murdered <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/may/11/ernesto-geisel-brazil-cia-memo-torture-executions">104 dissidents in one year</a>.  Horrifyingly, the leading
presidential candidate in Brazil wants to resume killing dissidents.


feed_id: 96e13a9eba085eab2ff1e83916341cbb
title: Cheney endorsed Haspel
uri: Cheney-endorsed-Haspel
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#16_May_2018_%28Cheney_endorsed_Haspel%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2018/may/11/dick-cheney-torture-gina-haspel-cia-interrogation-restart">Cheney endorsed Gina Haspel</a> to run the CIA so she can resume torture.


feed_id: da223692f20ce030e8cf952219944b37
title: GDPR and tech competition
uri: GDPR-and-tech-competition
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#16_May_2018_%28GDPR_and_tech_competition%29
content:
<p>
Competitors of Facebook and Google say that the new European regulations,
the GDPR will <a href="https://www.marketingdive.com/news/gdpr-will-help-not-hinder-facebook-and-google-competitors-say/522107/">help, not hinder</a>, Facebook and Google.
<p>
At the same time, I am not sure that increased competition in "ad
tech" is progress.  I think the goal should be ever fewer ad tech
companies, ultimately zero.


feed_id: d1dd03fc605b6c4bddf6dc2abdad549b
title: Automated and deregulated
uri: Automated-and-deregulated
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#16_May_2018_%28Automated_and_deregulated%29
content:
<p>
In the <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2018/may/11/robots-take-our-jobs">automated and deregulated economy</a>, "disruption" means people
lose jobs forever, "automation" likewise, and "self-employment" means
working harder for less pay.
<p>
We have no obligation to permit companies to do these things to us.
Human rights cover how you live your life, but not business practices.


feed_id: abc9bb2e3babe052d0c1d623fd183295
title: Windrush to Grenfell
uri: Windrush-to-Grenfell
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#16_May_2018_%28Windrush_to_Grenfell%29
content:
<p>
From Windrush to Grenfell, the Powerful Only See Tragedy <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2018/may/11/windrush-grenfell-suffering">When It Suits Them</a>.


feed_id: 21f24718a6835811f299a547cffe6175
title: Urgent: Wendy Vitter
uri: 2018-05-18-Urgent-Wendy-Vitter
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#17_May_2018_%28Urgent%3A_Wendy_Vitter%29
content:
<p>
US citizens: <a href="https://act.credoaction.com/sign/block_vitter">Tell the Senate</a>: Block and Resist Anti-Abortion Extremist Wendy Vitter.


feed_id: 61c3d0a62ce12e805a3d000532bbd784
title: Urgent: Oil drilling in the ANWR
uri: Urgent-Oil-drilling-in-the-ANWR
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#17_May_2018_%28Urgent%3A_Oil_drilling_in_the_ANWR%29

content:
<p>
US citizens: <a href="https://act.credoaction.com/sign/ANWR-coastal">call on Saboteur Zinke</a> not to allow oil drilling in
the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge.


feed_id: 4c859fb5345b5d1dfea7a24345af5800
title: Individual and social feminism
uri: Individual-and-social-feminism
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#18_May_2018_%28Individual_and_social_feminism%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/news/2018/may/11/how-metoo-revealed-the-central-rift-within-feminism-social-individualist">On the break between</a> individual feminism (making each woman stronger and better
able to resist sexism) and social feminism (working together to end sexism).
<p>
In principle, I'm in favor of both forms.  I don't think they conflict
except occasionally in details.  Sexism is a form of bigotry, so it is
good to help the targets of bigotry overcome it, and also good to
change society to reduce it.  Just as workers organize against
injustice toward workers, woman can organize too.
<p>
However, no one is entitled to demand special sensitivity from others.
Demands are legitimate when what is at stake are your <em>rights</em>.
Anything beyond that, you can request but not demand.


feed_id: 5a23f42f29b53474fd1c0e678a66f023
title: Having more children
uri: Having-more-children
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#18_May_2018_%28Having_more_children%29
content:
<p>
A Japanese politician is <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/may/11/single-women-a-burden-on-the-state-says-japanese-mp">pushing women to have more children</a>.
Some European countries are doing the same thing.
<p>
This is dangerous short-term thinking; the human race needs to <a href="https://stallman.org/articles/children.html ">reduce
its birth rate</a> so as to decrease the population without violence.
Otherwise <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#climate">climate mayhem</a> and topsoil depletion and ecological disasters
are likely to reduce our population in very painful ways.


feed_id: b65b92aa29df439a203c8c570e71e4e9
title: Charter schools
uri: 2018-05-18-Charter-schools
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#18_May_2018_%28Charter_schools%29
content:
<p>
Charter schools in some US states threaten public education by <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2018/05/10/charter-schools-threaten-existence-public-education">draining
off funds</a> to privatized schools.
Even if it doesn't make public education collapse, it takes away funds
which were insufficient already.


feed_id: 128b28c1e0d25e0a790a4b5006b16508
title: The Philippines' supreme court
uri: The-Philippines-supreme-court
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#18_May_2018_%28The_Philippines%27_supreme_court%29
content:
<p>
The chief justice of the Philippines' supreme court <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/may/12/fear-for-democracy-after-top-philippine-judge-and-government-critic-removed">has been removed</a>
for resisting Do-dirty's death squads.


feed_id: 191eeadf3aed30391b6d45592c819983
title: 'Gay panic' defense
uri: Gay-panic-defense
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#18_May_2018_%28%27Gay_panic%27_defense%29
content:
<p>
Some US states have banned, or propose to ban, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2018/may/12/gay-panic-defence-tactic-ban-court">the "gay panic" defense</a>,
used by men who kill gays that have shown attraction for them.
<p>
Lots of things can give some people an urge to kill someone else.  The
point is that people have an obligation to resist those urges.


feed_id: 891c0c551d7b2f503999591cb4e2a1a5
title: Oliver North of the NRA
uri: Oliver-North-of-the-NRA
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#18_May_2018_%28Oliver_North_of_the_NRA%29
content:
<p>
Oliver North Worked With Cocaine Traffickers to Arm Terrorists. Now He'll Be <a href="https://theintercept.com/2018/05/12/oliver-north-nra-iran-contra/">President of the NRA</a>.
<p>
He says that gun control activism is <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2018/may/10/new-nra-president-oliver-north-says-gun-control-activists-are-civil-terrorists">a kind of "terrorism"</a>.


feed_id: e79fb91ecc8870f48c4559281058d305
title: Psychics
uri: Psychics
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#18_May_2018_%28Psychics%29
content:
<p>
Bob Nygaard continues <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2018/may/12/new-york-psychic-arrested-zoe-fortune-teller">putting psychics behind bars</a> for defrauding
vulnerable customers.
<p>
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2015/feb/12/bob-nygaard-private-investigator-psychic-fraud">An interview with Bob Nygaard</a> describes various methods and lies of psychics.
<p>
How did Velvet know that Megan would respond to "There's something
wrong with you"?  Perhaps Velvet said that to everyone that passed by
looking anxious.


feed_id: 0ad8584204420ef29d8df1b11d761a43
title: Incel world view
uri: Incel-world-view
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#18_May_2018_%28Incel_world_view%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2018/may/12/sex-capitalism-incel-movement-misogyny-feminism">Rebecca Solnit's analysis</a> of the incel world view: when men consider
women and sex as commodities, it's not a big leap to resentment of not
getting a share of it.
<p>
Even in my saddest times, I never thought of women as a commodity.
I wanted sexual love with a sweetheart, not sex by hook or by crook.
Because of this, I think, I have found love from time to time.
I recommend that men who consider themselves "incels" start
thinking about shared affection.


feed_id: f2f27ab098e10756883c94477cbc0cda
title: PM of Malaysia
uri: PM-of-Malaysia
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#18_May_2018_%28PM_of_Malaysia%29
content:
<p>
Mahathir <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/may/12/ousted-malaysian-leader-najib-razak-prevented-from-leaving-country">seems to have become prime minister</a>, and has stopped
Razak from leaving Malaysia so as to investigate him for corruption.


feed_id: 86ea787060f795dc0770bcbf20f0b973
title: Rohingya in hiding
uri: Rohingya-in-hiding
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#18_May_2018_%28Rohingya_in_hiding%29
content:
<p>
Rohingya Villagers Who Spoke to UN Delegation [in 2016] <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/may/12/myanmar-rohingya-villagers-who-spoke-to-un-delegation-forced-into-hiding">Forced into
Hiding [afterward]</a>.
The repression forces hunted for them.


feed_id: 4d11c570b7c4d8668cad2431e284a84a
title: Democratic Party support
uri: Democratic-Party-support
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#18_May_2018_%28Democratic_Party_support%29
content:
<p>
Ralph Nader: The Democratic Party is losing support because 
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2018/05/11/ralph-nader-decrepit-democrats-stop-scapegoating-and-embrace-bold-agenda">its policies are too right-wing</a>.
<p>
It takes a real reversal of <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#doohnibor">dooH niboR</a> to inspire enthusiasm among
the non-rich non-Republicans.


feed_id: f8825aa1b7de555b40ab3e8da8833954
title: Drug prices
uri: 2018-05-18-Drug-prices
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#18_May_2018_%28Drug_prices%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#cheater">The cheater</a> proposes to reduce drug prices in the US by pressuring
other countries to <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2018/05/11/trumps-pharma-friendly-drug-plan-denounced-doing-little-or-nothing-lower-prices">allow pharma companies to gouge people more</a>.
<p>
This is based on the fictitious principal of conservation of greed,
which claims that a company desires only a certain amount of income,
so if it makes more profit over there, it will be happy with less
profit over here.


feed_id: 533a085435918b3ef939a68d067e99c4
title: Shot with hands up
uri: Shot-with-hands-up
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#18_May_2018_%28Shot_with_hands_up%29
content:
<p>
Sharif Cousins was shot by a UK <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thug</a> as he had his hands up.
Fortunately he did not die from this.  He had been a gang member,
years ago, and the thugs <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2018/may/11/sharif-cousins-birmingham-police-believe-people-can-change-former-gang-member">never stopped harassing him about it</a>.
<p>
I am puzzled by the idea that he was "allegedly" unarmed.
If the <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thugs</a> had found a gun, they would have said so.
Since they didn't report one, we know he was unarmed.


feed_id: 82f69755daa7c92d1ec121eb36f42f4e
title: Monitoring calls
uri: Monitoring-calls
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#18_May_2018_%28Monitoring_calls%29
content:
<p>
Service Meant to Monitor Inmates’ Calls <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2018/05/10/technology/cellphone-tracking-law-enforcement.html?partner=rss&emc=rss">Could Track You, Too</a>.
Officials can in practice use this to track anyone that carries a
portable tracking and surveillance device.


feed_id: db007ffacd4666fe0e619db6ce3665be
title: Electronic device searches
uri: Electronic-device-searches
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#18_May_2018_%28Electronic_device_searches%29
content:
<p>
The court ruling about searching electronic devices at the border
applies <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2018/05/10/fourth-circuit-rules-suspicionless-forensic-searches-electronic-devices-border-are">only to thorough "forensic" search</a>, not to a manual search.
This is a step forward, but incomplete.
<p>
Meanwhile, the article does not mention anything that would in
practice restrain agents from doing a search without a reasonable
suspicion, or from fabricating a suspicion on the spot.


feed_id: a9be70e4c4be89f8b78a866be416d1ee
title: Rise of pointless jobs
uri: Rise-of-pointless-jobs
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#18_May_2018_%28Rise_of_pointless_jobs%29
content:
<p>A <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/money/2018/may/04/i-had-to-guard-an-empty-room-the-rise-of-the-pointless-job">substantial fraction of jobs are totally bullshit</a>.</p>
<p>In a society where many people can't find productive jobs and desperately need money, eliminating bullshit jobs might do great harm to many poor people.  But there are better ways to support the poor.</p>
</li></p>


feed_id: f64eb2fb11dea15df2339b466c248275
title: US: unemployment rate falls
uri: US-unemployment-rate-falls
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#18_May_2018_%28US%3A_unemployment_rate_falls%29
content:
<p>The US official unemployment rate is now under 4%, but partly that's because <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/business/2018/may/04/us-unemployment-rate-falls-economy-jobs">more people have given up on finding work</a>.  Meanwhile, wages are hardly rising at all.  We need to increase the minimum wage.</p>
</li></p>


feed_id: 4c9f1dd2ebb76bba8505a1038cafb720
title: Seattle: Amazon targeting local tax laws
uri: Seattle-Amazon-targeting-local-tax-laws
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#18_May_2018_%28Seattle%3A_Amazon_targeting_local_tax_laws%29

content:
<p>Amazon is <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2018/05/04/last-year-amazon-paid-no-federal-income-taxes-now-its-trying-kill-local-tax-aims">trying to bully Seattle into dropping a tax proposal</a> to fund housing for the homeless.</p>
<p>We need to prevent any business from having the sort of influence that Amazon has today.  To truly succeed requires laws, but you can do your share by not buying from Amazon.  Money is the only language Amazon understands, so don't give it your money!</p>
</li></p>


feed_id: 83a75fe7e87c7a0462c80fb9db1c81f7
title: US: Pruitt EPA dismantling
uri: US-Pruitt-EPA-dismantling
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#18_May_2018_%28US%3A_Pruitt_EPA_dismantling%29
content:
<p><a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2018/05/04/impeach-scott-pruitt-dismantling-epa-not-his-first-class-flights">Impeach Scott Pruitt for Dismantling the EPA, Not His First-Class Flights</a>.</p>
<p>Unfortunately SCROTUS defends his sabotage of the EPA and would never impeach him for that.</p>
</li></p>


feed_id: 3482a7b514b18ff431395d6e041f959e
title: Facebook dating service
uri: Facebook-dating-service
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#18_May_2018_%28Facebook_dating_service%29
content:
<p>Facebook's <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/the-switch/wp/2018/05/03/facebooks-dating-service-is-a-chance-to-meet-the-catfisher-advertiser-or-scammer-of-your-dreams/?noredirect=on">dating service will collect a lot more data</a> from its useds.</p>
<p>How to operate a dating service that Big Brother won't feed off of is a real problem, and I don't have a good answer for it.  But I wouldn't appoint Facebook to find that answer.</p>
</li></p>


feed_id: 1ad33f20816eb133be3ff48163882ecc
title: UK deportation official's job description
uri: UK-deportation-official-s-job-description
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#18_May_2018_%28UK_deportation_official%27s_job_description%29

content:
<p>A UK deportation official was <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2018/may/03/home-office-official-tells-man-facing-deportation-my-job-is-to-piss-you-off">honest enough to admit that</a> his job was to "piss people off".</p>
</li></p>


feed_id: b065f8738f45245887fd4a850be94033
title: Colorado: University
uri: Colorado-University
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#18_May_2018_%28Colorado%3A_University%29
content:
<p><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2018/may/04/native-american-students-colorado-state-college-tour-police">Two indigenous high school seniors on a tour</a> of Colorado State University were removed from their tour by police because someone thought they were vaguely suspicious.</p>
<p>I wonder whether they still want to enroll there.</p>
<p>The first time I went to an academic conference, to present my paper on Emacs, I was harassed on two occasions by hotel staff who doubted my right to be there.  Since I am a white male, I think I was treated as suspect because I didn't (and never do) wear a business uniform (suit).</p>
</li></p>


feed_id: bae0d9bbc02499597fcf48c7d7f4f156
title: Virginia: license plate readers violate state law
uri: Virginia-license-plate-readers-violate-state-law
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#18_May_2018_%28Virginia%3A_license_plate_readers_violate_state_law%29

content:
<p>ACLU: <a href="https://www.techdirt.com/articles/20180430/18543539749/virginia-supreme-court-says-license-plate-readers-collect-personal-data-suggests-use-violates-state-law.shtml">Virginia Supreme Court Says License Plate Readers Collect Personal Data;  Suggests Use Violates State Law</a>.</p>
</li></p>


feed_id: f7cadb2e4abfe23f7e05674a92066879
title: Puerto Rico: education protest
uri: Puerto-Rico-education-protest
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#18_May_2018_%28Puerto_Rico%3A_education_protest%29
content:
<p><a href="http://inthesetimes.com/working/entry/21113/may_day_strike_puerto_rico_protest_privatizationWednesday">More about the education protest in Puerto Rico</a>.</p>
</li></p>


feed_id: da0459e96b22cf28de1a3fa630020501
title: Culture is for imitating
uri: Culture-is-for-imitating
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#18_May_2018_%28Culture_is_for_imitating%29
content:
<p>An American women <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2018/may/04/american-woman-qipao-china-cultural-appropriation-minoritiekks-usa-dress">was attacked online for the absurd reason that she wore a beautiful Chinese dress</a>.</p>
<p>Culture is for imitating.  It is never wrong to adopt or adapt cultural practices of other cultures -- though some ways of doing it are boorish and might be laughed at.</p>
</li></p>


feed_id: 91c07e11f9d06db7c03693167e27bfc9
title: Sanders' troop deployment objection
uri: Sanders-troop-deployment-objection
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#18_May_2018_%28Sanders%27_troop_deployment_objection%29

content:
<p>Sanders <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2018/05/04/warning-another-never-ending-war-sanders-demands-answers-over-us-ground-troops-saudi">objected to the deployment of US troops</a> to Salafi Arabia for fighting in Yemen.</p>
</li></p>


feed_id: dcf0f3e97f9ad4c69efaf0bb7943b914
title: Utah: animal rights activists charged with felonies
uri: Utah-animal-rights-activists-charged-with-felonies
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#18_May_2018_%28Utah%3A_animal_rights_activists_charged_with_felonies%29

content:
<p>With Utah's ag-gag law struck down as unconstitutional, animal rights activists can lawfully make photos and films of frightful conditions in factory farms.  They did this in a turkey farm, and also took away a few turkeys that were so sick they were going to die in a few days without medical care.</p>
<p>The activists have been charged with grand theft of these birds, a felony, although commercially speaking the birds were worthless due to their illness.</p>
<p>The companies that run these factory farms <a href="https://theintercept.com/2018/05/04/six-animal-rights-activists-charged-with-felonies-for-investigation-and-rescue-that-led-to-punishment-of-a-utah-turkey-farm/">regularly lie about the conditions in them</a>.</p>
</li></p>


feed_id: fa0d1334c0cd9fd947a3aa8ac7bf7ce2
title: Mahmoud Abbas apology
uri: Mahmoud-Abbas-apology
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#18_May_2018_%28Mahmoud_Abbas_apology%29
content:
<p>Mahmoud Abbas, Palestinian President, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/may/04/mahmoud-abbas-apologises-for-holocaust-speech-palestinian-president-accused-antisemitism">apologized for the antisemitic statements he made a few days ago</a>, and said he respects all monotheistic religions.</p>
<p>That still omits some religions, and I wonder whether he gives atheism the respect it deserves.  But even if he doesn't, he is no worse than many US politicians.  In this context, that is sufficient.</p>
</li></p>


feed_id: 820759e2887211422d30460c3af6b2c5
title: Cape Town: water crisis
uri: Cape-Town-water-crisis
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#18_May_2018_%28Cape_Town%3A_water_crisis%29
content:
<p><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/may/04/back-from-the-brink-how-cape-town-cracked-its-water-crisis">Warning the people of Cape Town about when their water would run out achieved a big reduction in water use</a>.  As a result, the city has not run out of water.</p>
<p>But that could still happen.  The usage rate is still somewhat higher than it needs to be.</p>
</li></p>


feed_id: dfa5acf7f59426fda521bd257aacbce6
title: Indefinite detention and endless global war
uri: Indefinite-detention-and-endless-global-war
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#18_May_2018_%28Indefinite_detention_and_endless_global_war%29

content:
<p><a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2018/05/04/senators-have-new-plan-expand-indefinite-detention-and-endless-global-war">The Corker-Keane blanket authorization for global war</a> would also authorize imprisonment without trial on a broad scale.</p>
</li></p>


feed_id: 9f3cc7c641e5b5888bfb3606c33c85ba
title: UK thug fired
uri: UK-thug-fired
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#18_May_2018_%28UK_thug_fired%29
content:
<p>A UK thug has been fired, and may face charges, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2018/may/03/met-dismisses-police-spy-who-tricked-activist-into-sexual-relationship-jim-boyling">for luring a dissident into a sexual relationship in order to spy on dissidents</a>.</p>
<p>This is proper, but it can't be a coincidence that so many thugs in that infiltration squad did this.</p>
</li></p>


feed_id: 6dc022b28586ece13abaf6520f1ed3f0
title: Onion: Stormy Daniels
uri: Onion-Stormy-Daniels
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#18_May_2018_%28Onion%3A_Stormy_Daniels%29
content:
<p>The Onion: Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue reportedly stated Thursday, in a desperate attempt to serve as President Trump’s fall guy, <a href="https://politics.theonion.com/i-was-the-one-who-slept-with-stormy-daniels-says-son-1825751463">that he was the one who slept with Stormy Daniels</a>.</p>
</li></p>


feed_id: 27ca0e7f79a629e93ab5724385a02432
title: Media outlets decry Facebook
uri: Media-outlets-decry-Facebook
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#18_May_2018_%28Media_outlets_decry_Facebook%29
content:
<p>It would be dangerous <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2018/05/03/progressive-media-outlets-including-one-decry-facebooks-plan-act-gatekeeper">to let Facebook tell us which news media are trustworthy</a>.</p>
</li></p>


feed_id: 0ca87b5510fb18f8744a1cafeafdb816
title: Onion: Kroger recall
uri: Onion-Kroger-recall
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#18_May_2018_%28Onion%3A_Kroger_recall%29
content:
<p>The Onion: Supermarket chain Kroger recalled 35,000 pounds of ground beef Thursday that <a href="https://www.theonion.com/kroger-recalls-35-000-pounds-of-ground-beef-that-may-co-1825754905">may contain traces of its chief executive officer</a>.</p>
</li></p>


feed_id: 5739b1f500da2f4ced8ce774bec858ac
title: Volkswagen CEO charged
uri: Volkswagen-CEO-charged
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#18_May_2018_%28Volkswagen_CEO_charged%29
content:
<p>The former CEO of Volkswagen has been charged <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/business/2018/may/03/vw-emissions-cheating-michael-winterkorn-charged">with fraud for approving the system to fool emissions tests</a>.</p>
</li></p>


feed_id: fe47291c77802c27021f369dbc94dc31
title: Israel convicts Palestinian poet
uri: Israel-convicts-Palestinian-poet
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#18_May_2018_%28Israel_convicts_Palestinian_poet%29
content:
<p>Israel <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/further/2018/05/03/resist-my-people-resist-them-poetry-not-crime-except-palestinians">has convicted a Palestinian poet of being a terrorist</a> for her poem.</p>
<p>The poem itself did not call for violence.</p>
</li></p>


feed_id: eca87184cf2cc48e163c136aa4f0c8e8
title: US militarism in the Middle East
uri: US-militarism-in-the-Middle-East
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#18_May_2018_%28US_militarism_in_the_Middle_East%29
content:
<p>The bully's three stooges <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2018/05/03/wake-trump-distraction-and-war-iran">believe they can make the US start a war with Iran</a>.</p>
<p>Iran has not invaded another country for the last 250 years -- since before the US was established.  How many countries has the US invaded during that time?</p>
</li></p>


feed_id: ab8745a41209ab07213109c5b6aa7584
title: US armed services transgender statement
uri: US-armed-services-transgender-statement
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#18_May_2018_%28US_armed_services_transgender_statement%29

content:
<p>The commanders of the four US armed services <a href="https://www.militarytimes.com/news/your-military/2018/04/24/all-4-service-chiefs-on-record-no-harm-to-unit-from-transgender-service/">have stated that transgender soldiers are not a problem at all</a>.</p>
<p>Why would they be a problem?  Only because of others' bigotry.  However, as more and more Americans have friends who are transgender, they realize it doesn't matter.</p>
</li></p>


feed_id: 5ce44cfefef63a589e1eee71f4c8e01c
title: Koch Brothers direct access to George Mason University
uri: Koch-Brothers-direct-access-to-George-Mason-University
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#18_May_2018_%28Koch_Brothers_direct_access_to_George_Mason_University%29

content:
<p>George Mason University <a href="http://crookedtimber.org/2018/05/01/the-public-choice-of-public-choice/">has sold the Koch brothers a direct role in its decisions</a>, including who to hire as faculty.</p>
</li></p>


feed_id: 557e0abf38f200a50f43798c748c2776
title: Georgia candidate's gun ad
uri: Georgia-candidate-s-gun-ad
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#18_May_2018_%28Georgia_candidate%27s_gun_ad%29
content:
<p>A Republican candidate for governor of Georgia put up an ad to <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/morning-mix/wp/2018/05/02/georgia-governor-candidate-aims-gun-at-teenager-in-campaign-ad-get-over-it-he-tells-critics/">demonstrate that he loves guns but doesn't love basic gun safety rules</a>.</p>
<p>He also advocates subjecting unmarried women to their fathers' authority up to the point of shooting their lovers if he doesn't approve.</p>
</li></p>


feed_id: 8ac722a7c4a7aba7fec63bd9ede9c513
title: Cambridge Analytica bankrupt
uri: Cambridge-Analytica-bankrupt
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#18_May_2018_%28Cambridge_Analytica_bankrupt%29
content:
<p>Cambridge Analytica is dead, but <a href="https://boingboing.net/2018/05/02/transparent-ploy.html">its main supporters have started a new company to replace it</a>.</p>
<p>Since Cambridge Analytica is bankrupt, the court will sell off its assets to some other company, which could easily mistreat people in the same way.  Or perhaps Cambridge Analytica has already sold all those data to the substitute company.</p>
</li></p>


feed_id: fc9bec8a2fccf8f745dcc1dd19f45921
title: Zinke and Lamar Alexander's plan
uri: Zinke-and-Lamar-Alexander-s-plan
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#18_May_2018_%28Zinke_and_Lamar_Alexander%27s_plan%29

content:
<p>Republican saboteurs <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2018/05/02/zinke-and-lamar-alexanders-big-plan-we-must-kill-planet-save-national-parks">plan to save US national parks by destroying civilization</a>.</p>
<p>Not only is it a bad deal, it won't even achieve the supposed goal. Human activities have introduced many invasive species, and to keep them down requires constant effort.  Civilization is rich enough to do that. If civilization falls, we will no longer be able to hold them down.</p>
</li></p>


feed_id: cfcb347d09e6ecf9e40be05f6c853f20
title: Financial hardship waiver to billionaire
uri: Financial-hardship-waiver-to-billionaire
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#18_May_2018_%28Financial_hardship_waiver_to_billionaire%29

content:
<p><a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2018/04/30/federal-probe-demanded-after-trumps-billionaire-pal-carl-icahn-receives-epa-waiver">Carl Icahn was granted a "financial hardship" waiver from complying with pollution rules</a>.  His income last year was a mere $234 million.</p>
</li></p>


feed_id: dd78fb6fcc93c447f181513dc7694ffc
title: Fascists in America
uri: Fascists-in-America
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#18_May_2018_%28Fascists_in_America%29
content:
<p>Vice President Wallace, and writer Sinclair Lewis, <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2018/04/30/fascists-compete-own-america">described what American fascists would do to take control of the state</a>.  Now they are doing it, proceeding down that path.</p>
</li></p>


feed_id: f08ecdfd3a4e1690da4f6fd5e5f03e6c
title: US DOJ policy manual changes
uri: US-DOJ-policy-manual-changes
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#18_May_2018_%28US_DOJ_policy_manual_changes%29
content:
<p>The US Department of Justice <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2018/04/30/doj-quietly-removes-references-press-freedom-and-gerrymandering-policy-manual">has deleted the areas of press freedom and racial gerrymandering from its priorities</a>.</p>
<p>That is natural, since Republicans don't want any interference with their plans to arrest journalists and disenfranchise bigotry-target groups.</p>
</li></p>


feed_id: 5a1011e093a4375083bcbf2dc6743504
title: T-Mobile Sprint merger
uri: T-Mobile-Sprint-merger
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#18_May_2018_%28T-Mobile_Sprint_merger%29
content:
<p>The planned merger of T-Mobile and Sprint <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/business/2018/apr/29/t-mobile-sprint-merger-cost-20000-us-jobs">would eliminate up to 20,000 jobs</a>.</p>
<p>Allowing large companies to merge leads step by step towards monopoly. The plutocrats' love to own monopolies, so their servants label a market as "competitive" if it has more than one seller.</p>
</li></p>


feed_id: 9c2eb3d264d5d0b08724ab3d8387eab4
title: Thug fired for racist attack
uri: Thug-fired-for-racist-attack
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#18_May_2018_%28Thug_fired_for_racist_attack%29
content:
<p><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2018/apr/30/diante-yarber-police-shooting-jimmie-alfred-walker-hate-crime-charge">One of the the thugs that killed Diante Yarber was fired from another thug department</a> for a racist attack.</p>
</li></p>


feed_id: 3f94714e8ea8e7674e6833f83c5e8bc8
title: Urgent: Disenfranchisement in Florida
uri: Urgent-Disenfranchisement-in-Florida
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#19_May_2018_%28Urgent%3A_Disenfranchisement_in_Florida%29

content:
<p>
Citizens of Florida: <a href="https://actionnetwork.org/forms/sign-to-support-restoring-the-eligibility-to-vote-to-14-million-americans-in-florida">support proposed amendment 4</a>, which would end
disenfranchisement of former convicts.


feed_id: 508b022132a62d0748436bb928215581
title: Urgent: Non-nuclear deal with Iran
uri: Urgent-Non-nuclear-deal-with-Iran
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#19_May_2018_%28Urgent%3A_Non-nuclear_deal_with_Iran%29

content:
<p>
Everyone: <a href="https://act.rootsaction.org/p/dia/action4/common/public/?action_KEY=13371">urge Germany, Russia, UK, France and China</a> to preserve the
non-nuclear deal with Iran.


feed_id: 2076d098d77b37ecedc7121d4310090d
title: Urgent: US drug prices
uri: Urgent-US-drug-prices
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#19_May_2018_%28Urgent%3A_US_drug_prices%29
content:
<p>
US citizens: <a href="https://go.berniesanders.com/page/s/drug-prices-petition">support Sanders's bill</a> to reduce US drug prices.


feed_id: 91613389e84613abb175b6d6ca18d7e6
title: Curbing global heating
uri: 2018-05-19-Curbing-global-heating
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#19_May_2018_%28Curbing_global_heating%29
content:
<p>
Since the UK is still part of the EU, it can still <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2018/may/09/secret-uk-push-to-weaken-eu-climate-laws-completely-mad">work to further
sabotage</a> the EU's efforts to curb global heating.


feed_id: 5aba4444c5b38f8b39ba1fce115166c1
title: Painkillers
uri: Painkillers
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#19_May_2018_%28Painkillers%29
content:
<p>
Tight restrictions on opioid painkillers is driving abusers to
illegally made opioids, which increases the deaths from overdoses.
Meanwhile, people who need painkillers now <a href="https://reason.com/archives/2018/05/09/the-lethal-success-of-pain-pill-restrict">suffer from great pain</a>.


feed_id: 3b8894b318f69f797fad60b789f0cca9
title: New breathalyzer
uri: New-breathalyzer
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#19_May_2018_%28New_breathalyzer%29
content:
<p>
The new breathalyzer that Washington State is buying seems to give
erroneous reports, but the manufacturer, Draeger, made legal threats
to <a href="https://www.zdnet.com/article/draeger-breathalyzer-breath-test-convictions/">suppress research into the question</a>.
<p>
The article uses the bogus term "intellectual property", which
<a href="https://gnu.org/philosophy/not-ipr.html">gives a confused picture</a> of actual laws, and should never be used.


feed_id: d154b1f0125c900f327327e3f30222b3
title: Confirming Haspel
uri: Confirming-Haspel
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#19_May_2018_%28Confirming_Haspel%29
content:
<p>
What the Onion <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#16_March_2018_(Gina_Haspel_proving_herself)">published as a joke</a>,
the Washington Post <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2018/05/12/wapo-positions-support-torturer-vote-feminism">asserted seriously</a>: confirm Haspel because it would
be a great step forward to have a woman as head of the CIA, and never mind
if she is responsible for torture.
<p>
I don't care about an official's gender.  I care about what <a href="https://stallman.org/articles/genderless-pronouns.html">person</a>
does and stands for.


feed_id: b064903d6452f83890608d4679646ca8
title: Trafficking homeless youth
uri: Trafficking-homeless-youth
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#19_May_2018_%28Trafficking_homeless_youth%29
content:
<p>
A bogus report claims that 20% of homeless youth in the US are
"victims of human trafficking", but <a href="https://penntoday.upenn.edu/news/one-fifth-homeless-youth-are-victims-human-trafficking">the true figure was half that</a>.
<p>
Looking at the full report, we can see that this figure is deceptive.
The study followed a lying law by defining "victim of human
trafficking" (and "victim of sex trafficking") to include "doing
prostitution while under 18 years old."
<p>
It appears that the "victims of sex trafficking" were 17%, but only 7%
were actually trafficked into sex.  That suggests that the real
fraction that were victims of some kind of trafficking was 10%, not
20%.
<p>
Even 10% coerced into some sort of work is a big problem,
but let's not dishonestly double the figure.


feed_id: 61b18526c4112b4f6573ebead9a798d7
title: ZTE and US sanctions
uri: ZTE-and-US-sanctions
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#19_May_2018_%28ZTE_and_US_sanctions%29
content:
<p>
The cheater is negotiating with China to <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/may/13/trump-xi-jinping-jobs-chinese-company-zte-us-ban">exempt a Chinese company</a>
from the effect of US sanctions.


feed_id: 3cb601105b63321d81fbca285554847d
title: US evangelicals
uri: US-evangelicals
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#19_May_2018_%28US_evangelicals%29
content:
<p>
The extremism and racism of US evangelicals could <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2018/may/13/the-guardian-view-on-us-religion-the-christian-right-is-breaking-up">split their alliance
with Catholics</a>.


feed_id: d7af357870f323b5d5193d8917dd7b35
title: Gaza protests
uri: Gaza-protests
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#19_May_2018_%28Gaza_protests%29
content:
<p>
Israel is <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/may/13/ivanka-trump-in-jerusalem-for-embassy-opening-as-gaza-braces-for-bloodshed">preparing to shoot protesters in Gaza again</a>, in case they
protest against the transfer of the US embassy to Jerusalem.


feed_id: 6d8855f787d3017b700d886bf70ff972
title: Choking in porn
uri: Choking-in-porn
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#19_May_2018_%28Choking_in_porn%29
content:
<p>
A considerable fraction of today's porn <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2018/may/13/choking-women-me-too-breath-play">shows the act of choking a woman</a>.
<p>
I can't imagine how being choked could be exciting.  I don't think
I could bring myself to do that to a woman even if she asked me to.


feed_id: 9d2415524948fd18112be809558fc827
title: Inequalities and tech
uri: Inequalities-and-tech
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#19_May_2018_%28Inequalities_and_tech%29
content:
<p>
"In the absence of political will to tackle America’s growing economic
crisis, hi-tech tools can only serve to <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2018/may/13/we-created-poverty-algorithms-wont-make-that-go-away">automate and amplify existing
inequalities</a>."
<p>
Most Americans don't have enough money for a decent life, and minor tweaks
in public assistance can't make up for the giant cuts.


feed_id: 052fdb00850c5a57da71acc92be17758
title: Fishing in Yukon river
uri: Fishing-in-Yukon-river
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#19_May_2018_%28Fishing_in_Yukon_river%29
content:
<p>
Indigenous people living near the Yukon river have increased their population
and are catching so many salmon that the fish numbers <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2018/may/13/sunday-essay-kings-of-wild-frontier-salmon-run-alaska">are slowly dwindling</a>.


feed_id: 04429fd8f0647e7f4ce619ee4cd4d98f
title: Fontcode
uri: Fontcode
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#19_May_2018_%28Fontcode%29
content:
<p>
Fontcode is a <a href="https://newatlas.com/fontcode-text-code/54588/">scheme for hiding messages in documents</a> presented
as images (including PDF files).
<p>
It wouldn't be effective for steganography to get it past serious
spies, but it threatens to be used for watermarking as part of the War
on Sharing.  In other words, it will give the powerful another arm
for enforcing unjust power.


feed_id: b2e662bc4f145a5df4548e3dc7b95a73
title: NHS nurse shortage
uri: NHS-nurse-shortage
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#19_May_2018_%28NHS_nurse_shortage%29
content:
<p>
The NHS is wracked by shortages of nurses, and sometimes has to <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/society/2018/may/12/nhs-danger-to-patients-revealed-reports-18000-nurses">send
emergency patients home</a> because it can't care for them.


feed_id: 9846f2b9c87bcaab6910d0e00573a24b
title: Turning our backs on Ebola
uri: Turning-our-backs-on-Ebola
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#19_May_2018_%28Turning_our_backs_on_Ebola%29
content:
<p>
We've Got to <a href="https://boingboing.net/2018/05/10/weve-got-to-stop-turning-our.html">Stop Turning Our Backs on Ebola</a>.  Calling for systematic
monitoring in case it spreads internationally.


feed_id: 2b05e123b3c56742759fb0904ece8413
title: Banning cash purchases
uri: Banning-cash-purchases
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#19_May_2018_%28Banning_cash_purchases%29
content:
<p>
Australia will <a href="https://gizmodo.com/australia-bans-cash-for-all-purchases-over-7-500-start-1825946888">ban cash purchases over $10,000</a> Australian dollars.
<p>
It is important to start fighting back now, because other examples
such as Italy and France suggest the limit will be reduced to hundreds
of dollars.


feed_id: b4b392606ae723d804ebf1e866883d4d
title: Establishment candidates
uri: Establishment-candidates
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#19_May_2018_%28Establishment_candidates%29
content:
<p>
Democrats, Warns Sanders, Cannot Defeat Trump With <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2018/05/11/democrats-warns-sanders-cannot-defeat-trump-same-establishment-candidates">Same Establishment
Candidates</a>.


feed_id: 0651483339ea09eee7296bb1d26cdf8d
title: Abortion referendum
uri: Abortion-referendum
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#19_May_2018_%28Abortion_referendum%29
content:
<p>
Foreign anti-abortion activists are using Facebook to <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/may/12/ireland-abortion-campaign-foreign-influence-facebook">manipulate the
Irish referendum vote</a> on legalizing abortion.


feed_id: 9779e67c0c0f42c91b6c4be13c0df4ac
title: Closure of nuclear test site
uri: Closure-of-nuclear-test-site
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#19_May_2018_%28Closure_of_nuclear_test_site%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/may/12/north-korea-invites-us-media-to-watch-closure-of-nuclear-test-site">North Korea Invites World</a> to Watch Closure of Nuclear Test Site.


feed_id: ca5de4e1effd981e29bc727d16373a42
title: Voting for Haspel
uri: Voting-for-Haspel
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#19_May_2018_%28Voting_for_Haspel%29
content:
<p>
Two "Democratic" senators have said <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2018/may/12/gina-haspel-democratic-senator-joe-donnelly-backs-cia-nominee">they will vote for Haspel</a>,
hoping for Republican votes for their reelection.
<p>
It is a terrible shame that Manchin did not face a primary challenge.
What good is it to beat Republicans with someone who is almost a
Republican himself.


feed_id: edc00dab1825a71f725863391bbaec0f
title: Deportation frenzy
uri: Deportation-frenzy
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#19_May_2018_%28Deportation_frenzy%29
content:
<p>
The deportation frenzy of the US is <a href="http://www.truth-out.org/opinion/item/44428-deportation-raids-are-a-public-health-crisis">cutting off immigrants from
medical care</a>, so minor problems develop into fatal ones.  Their
children go untreated, too.


feed_id: 80825ceabef430789fe5d3269f4d1824
title: Paul Ryan's grand finale
uri: Paul-Ryan-s-grand-finale
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#19_May_2018_%28Paul_Ryan%27s_grand_finale%29
content:
<p>
And Now, For His Grand Finale, Paul Ryan Is Trying to Kick <a href="https://slate.com/business/2018/05/paul-ryan-is-trying-to-kick-a-million-people-off-food-stamps.html">at Least a 
Million People</a> Off of Food Stamps.


feed_id: 69ee0305b15e8b61d1e9d51bf8e19beb
title: Managerial feudalism
uri: Managerial-feudalism
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#19_May_2018_%28Managerial_feudalism%29
content:
<p>
Bullshit jobs <a href="http://inthesetimes.com/working/entry/21134/capitalism-job-bullshit-david-graeber-busywork-labor">seen as managerial feudalism</a>.


feed_id: f457120680d16ebf0fd375d302c5c16d
title: Unionization bill
uri: Unionization-bill
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#19_May_2018_%28Unionization_bill%29
content:
<p>
Sanders has <a href="http://inthesetimes.com/working/entry/21130/bernie_sanders_labor_unions_workplace_democracy_elizabeth_warren">introduced a bill</a> to expand workers' ability to unionize and
resist union-busting.


feed_id: 71287bbc4eba3e2b8203c39333ec2870
title: Carbon monitoring
uri: Carbon-monitoring
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#19_May_2018_%28Carbon_monitoring%29
content:
<p>
The saboteur in chief has <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2018/05/11/co2-levels-soar-past-troubling-410-ppm-threshold-trump-kills-nasa-carbon-monitoring">cancelled NASA's carbon monitoring program</a>,
which tracks the changing (increasing) level of CO2 in Earth's atmosphere.


feed_id: 488e12635b787e6f8a54c2dc89ae127f
title: UN schooling program
uri: UN-schooling-program
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#19_May_2018_%28UN_schooling_program%29
content:
<p>
The UN has a program to <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2018/may/11/260-million-school-global-fund-child-marriage-trafficking-labour">provide schooling to 200 million children</a>,
many of them refugees.


feed_id: 516b74a0dc696ac7f91898d9fb610106
title: US: Pruitt EPA dismantling
uri: 2018-05-19-US-Pruitt-EPA-dismantling
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#18_May_2018_%28US%3A_Pruitt_EPA_dismantling%29
content:
<p><a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2018/05/04/impeach-scott-pruitt-dismantling-epa-not-his-first-class-flights">Impeach Scott Pruitt for Dismantling the EPA, Not His First-Class Flights</a>.</p>
<p>Unfortunately <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#scrotus">SCROTUS</a> defends his sabotage of the EPA and would never impeach him for that.</p>
</li></p>


feed_id: 5c43dd6ce0cf64542120febe97a69a73
title: UK thug fired
uri: 2018-05-19-UK-thug-fired
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#18_May_2018_%28UK_thug_fired%29
content:
<p>A UK thug has been fired, and may face charges, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2018/may/03/met-dismisses-police-spy-who-tricked-activist-into-sexual-relationship-jim-boyling">for luring a dissident into a sexual relationship in order to spy on dissidents</a>.</p>
<p>This is proper, but it can't be a coincidence that so many <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thugs</a> in that infiltration squad did this.</p>
</li></p>


feed_id: e99423283177b439d76414e80b44cd3f
title: Philadelphia: soda tax
uri: Philadelphia-soda-tax
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#19_May_2018_%28Philadelphia%3A_soda_tax%29
content:
<p>Philadelphia adopted a tax on sugar-loaded drinks, which has been very effective in reducing consumption of them.  <a href="https://www.prwatch.org/news/2018/04/13344/trampling-local-democracy-beverage-industry-pushes-soda-tax-ban-harrisburg">So the companies that sell these have gone to the state government to prohibit cities from doing this</a>. Other states have already done it.</p>
<p>Republicans are reliable boosters of products that are dangerous to people.</p>
</li></p>


feed_id: dbf3f8e579caa0409a9061b745dd0e59
title: Defenders of Palestinian human rights face death threats
uri: Defenders-of-Palestinian-human-rights-face-death-threats
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#19_May_2018_%28Defenders_of_Palestinian_human_rights_face_death_threats%29

content:
<p>The <a href="https://theintercept.com/2018/04/30/israel-palestine-netanyahu-idf-gaza/">Israeli defenders of Palestinian human rights and peace face state repression and death threats</a>, as Israel becomes ever less free, but they don't give up.</p>
</li></p>


feed_id: a44f7fe1d9d2c5e43aa7eb5c761d6915
title: Minnesota: Republican Richard Painter Senate seat
uri: Minnesota-Republican-Richard-Painter-Senate-seat
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#19_May_2018_%28Minnesota%3A_Republican_Richard_Painter_Senate_seat%29

content:
<p>An anti-Trump Republican <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2018/apr/30/republican-richard-painter-democrat-senate-minnesota-trump">seeks to run for Al Franken's old senate seat</a>.</p>
<p>Being against the bully is only the first requisite for being someone we should want in the senate.  It is not enough.  I hope a progressive candidate beats him in the primary.</p>
</li></p>


feed_id: 42823a4ee901d17f3cb018f2c62d5a83
title: Professor faces prison for aiding immigrants
uri: Professor-faces-prison-for-aiding-immigrants
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#19_May_2018_%28Professor_faces_prison_for_aiding_immigrants%29

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


feed_id: c898f52570063768e5b93c5caa076add
title: Electronic monitors at home
uri: Electronic-monitors-at-home
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#19_May_2018_%28Electronic_monitors_at_home%29
content:
<p><a href="http://inthesetimes.com/article/21084/electronic-monitors-GEO-Group_CoreCivic-mass-incarceration-prisons-jails">Electronic Monitors: How Companies Dream of Locking Us in Our Homes</a>.</p>
</li></p>


feed_id: 2792a7df793abafffefeca7f53c75f91
title: Bully makes it harder for poor to get help
uri: Bully-makes-it-harder-for-poor-to-get-help
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#19_May_2018_%28Bully_makes_it_harder_for_poor_to_get_help%29

content:
<p>The bully <a href="http://inthesetimes.com/working/entry/21093/Donald-Trump-welfare-racism-dog-whistle-working-class-poverty-work-jobs">has ordered all US agencies to make all kinds of assistance to poor people harder to get</a>.</p>
</li></p>


feed_id: 17e171764d884dc3e0011ab2e1c0810d
title: UK: Amber Rudd resigns after scandal
uri: UK-Amber-Rudd-resigns-after-scandal
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#19_May_2018_%28UK%3A_Amber_Rudd_resigns_after_scandal%29

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


feed_id: a9ddd6f78bde097c06e16efe5cfe4f1e
title: Guantanamo Bay
uri: Guantanamo-Bay
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#19_May_2018_%28Guantanamo_Bay%29
content:
<p>The bully <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2018/apr/30/donald-trump-guantanamo-bay-mattis-review-isis">wants to send PISSI soldiers (or those accused of being such) to Guantanamo</a>, but if this occurs, they could legally challenge whether Congress ever authorized US participation in fighting PISSI.</p>
<p>Indefinite imprisonment, which is what the US does in the Guantanamo prison, is a blot on the honor of the United States.  Americans, if you love our country as I do, join me in insisting that this end.</p>
</li></p>


feed_id: 6cf0fe161e485c59ffa5b3dcad0f720f
title: AI used by gambling companies
uri: AI-used-by-gambling-companies
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#19_May_2018_%28AI_used_by_gambling_companies%29
content:
<p>Gambling companies use AI-driven manipulative techniques, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2018/apr/30/bookies-using-ai-to-keep-gamblers-hooked-insiders-say">based on each gambler's past history, to keep them hooked</a>.</p>
<p>This demonstrates that <a href="https://gnu.org/philosophy/surveillance-vs-democracy.html">consent must not be considered sufficient justification to record personal data</a>.</p>
</li></p>


feed_id: 87251f7410ba90eb77369fd725e60851
title: Malaysia: fake news law
uri: Malaysia-fake-news-law
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#19_May_2018_%28Malaysia%3A_fake_news_law%29
content:
<p><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/apr/30/first-person-convicted-under-malaysias-fake-news-law">Someone who made an inaccurate criticism of Malaysian thugs has been sentenced</a> to a month in prison.</p>
<p>He had exaggerated the statement out of anger, and apologized for the error.  It seems he did not intentionally lie.</p>
<p>False statements are unfortunate, but criminalizing them is much worse.</p>
</li></p>


feed_id: 79ad69278e1af8d82809603359989b4e
title: FDA finds glyphosate in foods
uri: FDA-finds-glyphosate-in-foods
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#19_May_2018_%28FDA_finds_glyphosate_in_foods%29
content:
<p>The FDA has <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2018/apr/30/fda-weedkiller-glyphosate-in-food-internal-emails">found glyphosate in almost all the foods it has tested</a>, but has not published anything about this.</p>
<p>The patented gene that makes some crops resistant to glyphosate might not directly harm people, but it brings glyphosate.</p>
</li></p>


feed_id: 4b7d5db1b6504471e91964c9b3f8f683
title: UK journalist Segalov labelled extremist
uri: UK-journalist-Segalov-labelled-extremist
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#19_May_2018_%28UK_journalist_Segalov_labelled_extremist%29

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


feed_id: 6a40fda57532393a0c9cad339a480886
title: Asylum seekers in from Central America forced to halt
uri: Asylum-seekers-in-from-Central-America-forced-to-halt
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#19_May_2018_%28Asylum_seekers_in_from_Central_America_forced_to_halt%29

content:
<p>US border guards <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/apr/30/central-american-asylum-seekers-caravan-forced-to-a-halt">have invented creative but absurd excuses to stop the refugees in the caravan</a> from Central America from even applying for asylum.</p>
</li></p>


feed_id: a8f6222adc3b82261e1f4f6f570ab99c
title: India: privatised tourist attractions
uri: India-privatised-tourist-attractions
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#19_May_2018_%28India%3A_privatised_tourist_attractions%29

content:
<p><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/apr/30/taj-mahal-at-risk-of-being-privatised-under-new-heritage-adoption-scheme">India is planning to privatize the operations of its greatest tourist attractions</a>, including the Taj Majal.</p>
<p>There isn't much competition in those markets, so the privatization will create a localized private monopoly.</p>
</li></p>


feed_id: b78df7fb8f3621a8064ee3cfb23f5a65
title: UK: reality of automation
uri: UK-reality-of-automation
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#19_May_2018_%28UK%3A_reality_of_automation%29
content:
<p><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2018/apr/30/reality-automation-terrifying">If 10 million jobs are lost to automation in the UK, it would be a national disaster</a>.  The UK has around 66 million inhabitants, and I'd expect roughly 30 to 40 million people employed.</p>
</li></p>


feed_id: 34ff686fd24d9d69de21d9c500849d36
title: Phone ruining dinner
uri: Phone-ruining-dinner
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#19_May_2018_%28Phone_ruining_dinner%29
content:
<p>Having a phone on the table during dinner or other interactions with people <a href="http://time.com/5178352/phone-ruining-dinner/">tends to make people more unhappy</a>.</p>
</li></p>


feed_id: dc6615478529aa541cdbe91861e78114
title: UK: railroad network cut down healthy trees
uri: UK-railroad-network-cut-down-healthy-trees
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#19_May_2018_%28UK%3A_railroad_network_cut_down_healthy_trees%29

content:
<p>The UK railroad network is <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/business/2018/apr/29/millions-of-trees-at-risk-in-secretive-network-rail-felling-programme">cutting down thousands of healthy trees</a> lest their leaves or branches fall on the train track some day.</p>
<p>This sounds like our fears about a hypothetical AI that subordinates everything to a narrow goal.  Will Network Rail try to convert the entire substance of the Earth into crossties?</p>
</li></p>


feed_id: 3c934beb1786c464f31d154adeb70a78
title: US: Texas photo id voting law
uri: US-Texas-photo-id-voting-law
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#19_May_2018_%28US%3A_Texas_photo_id_voting_law%29
content:
<p>A <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2018/04/28/upholding-texas-photo-id-law-federal-appeals-court-deals-blow-voting-rights">US appeals court approved Texas's voter ID law</a>.  Voting-rights advocates will file further appeals.</p>
</li></p>


feed_id: e5f0ef6c7631448af8c3bba6e87d1b29
title: ICE agents held American in custody for years
uri: ICE-agents-held-American-in-custody-for-years
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#19_May_2018_%28ICE_agents_held_American_in_custody_for_years%29

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


feed_id: d5113352b6c10f0b7d671de4d183e2e4
title: Plutocratist plan for US government
uri: Plutocratist-plan-for-US-government
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#19_May_2018_%28Plutocratist_plan_for_US_government%29

content:
<p><a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2018/04/28/beyond-trump-how-us-went-rails">The bully is the culmination of a plutocratist plan</a>, started in the 1970s, to take control of the US government and redirect it towards serving the rich.</p>
</li></p>


feed_id: f6dc727a5b9ecbaee30b5e963b0c05a2
title: Israel arms embargo
uri: Israel-arms-embargo
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#19_May_2018_%28Israel_arms_embargo%29
content:
<p>There are calls for an arms embargo on Israel <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2018/04/28/human-rights-advocates-demand-worldwide-arms-embargo-gaza-protests-continue">for its mass shooting of Palestinian protesters</a>.</p>
<p>I don't think it would have much effect on shooting protesters, since Israel makes those arms.</p>
</li></p>


feed_id: 874cb253afd57c59bbd54465b68b6ba1
title: OSHA powerless in Denver fossil-fuel crisis
uri: OSHA-powerless-in-Denver-fossil-fuel-crisis
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#19_May_2018_%28OSHA_powerless_in_Denver_fossil-fuel_crisis%29

content:
<p>The OSHA is almost powerless to protect workers from dangerous chemicals, so mostly the EPA has done the job.  Now companies believe that Saboteur Pruitt offers a chance to convince the EPA to "defer to" the powerless OSHA, so that <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2018/04/28/osha-fails-protect-workers-dangerous-chemicals">no agency will try to remove dangerous chemicals</a> from the workplace.</p>
<p>People of Denver are <a href="https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2018/4/23/1759277/-Deregulated-oil-refinery-has-been-spewing-cyanide-gas-into-low-income-Denver-neighborhoods?detail=emaildkre">calling on the EPA to limit the emissions of cyanide gas from a fossil-fuel facility</a>.</p>
</li></p>


feed_id: 1a1c384c9bbbd30f95bf32901571f1c3
title: Papua New Guinea: natural gas extraction
uri: Papua-New-Guinea-natural-gas-extraction
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#19_May_2018_%28Papua_New_Guinea%3A_natural_gas_extraction%29

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


feed_id: 6e6d04cfb11272cfa66e9d49ab3b41c7
title: Urgent: Negotiating drug prices
uri: Urgent-Negotiating-drug-prices
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#20_May_2018_%28Urgent%3A_Negotiating_drug_prices%29
content:
<p>
In the US: <a href="https://act.credoaction.com/sign/novartis-trump">tell the CEO of Novartis</a> to stop blocking Medicare from
negotiating drug prices.
<p>
The CEO of Novartis has no formal say in the matter, but in practice
he buys power.


feed_id: 96c604e3ddd127ac61bd6711ec3e8bc1
title: Urgent: Censoring science
uri: Urgent-Censoring-science
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#20_May_2018_%28Urgent%3A_Censoring_science%29
content:
<p>
US citizens: <a href="https://act.nrdc.org/letter/secret-science-180516">Oppose Pruitt's plan</a> to personally censor science that the EPA
can use.


feed_id: 4e9df6ddc3b478d2a2f4d4b58530d1cd
title: Urgent: Donating weapons
uri: Urgent-Donating-weapons
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#20_May_2018_%28Urgent%3A_Donating_weapons%29
content:
<p>
US citizens: <a href="https://act.rootsaction.org/p/dia/action4/common/public/?action_KEY=13358">call on the US</a> to stop donating weapons to Israel.


feed_id: 1e171ea0d918457a2d86765906d345d0
title: Student employees at Duke
uri: Student-employees-at-Duke
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#20_May_2018_%28Student_employees_at_Duke%29
content:
<p>
A vice president at Duke University defends free speech &mdash; but
not for student employees on a coffee shop on campus.  <a href="https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2018/5/9/1763098/-Snowflake-Duke-University-VP-has-students-fired-because-he-didn-t-like-the-song-they-played">He had them
fired</a> for playing a song he did not like.


feed_id: bd817d3b273d222193d11df0b5834492
title: Details of investigation
uri: Details-of-investigation
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#20_May_2018_%28Details_of_investigation%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#scrotus">SCROTUS</a> are
<a href="https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2018/5/11/1763603/-House-Republicans-are-literally-trying-to-break-the-law-as-in-cripple-the-DOJ-and-FBI">demanding the details</a> of Mueller's investigation, to give it
to <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#cheater">the cheater</a> so they can undermine the investigation.


feed_id: 5c95a8ccd7f7a6fd3af433d041fa4ae1
title: Papers for destroyed houses
uri: Papers-for-destroyed-houses
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#20_May_2018_%28Papers_for_destroyed_houses%29
content:
<p>
FEMA is demanding Puerto Ricans show papers for their destroyed
houses, before giving them rebuilding assistance.  As much as half
the families <a href="https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2018/5/9/1763087/-Puerto-Ricans-face-another-hurdle-as-FEMA-denies-assistance-to-homeowners-without-property-titles?detail=emaildkre">never had such papers</a>.


feed_id: 2c766fd97e3feb51eff04823ce24f3cd
title: Violations by Zinke
uri: Violations-by-Zinke
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#20_May_2018_%28Violations_by_Zinke%29
content:
<p>
Saboteur of the Interior Zinke appears to be <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2018/may/14/interior-department-official-koch-conflict-of-interest">committing ethics
violations</a>.


feed_id: 412dc831c5d3a49cbdcdd5645fc78182
title: California emissions
uri: California-emissions
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#20_May_2018_%28California_emissions%29
content:
<p>
California's efforts demonstrate how an advanced economy can
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/climate-consensus-97-per-cent/2018/may/14/california-battered-by-global-warmings-weather-whiplash-is-fighting-to-stop-it">drastically cut down</a> on greenhouse gas emissions.
<p>
Unfortunately, since greenhouse gas is a global problem, California cannot
protect itself from the damaging effects no matter how hard it works.
Unless the rest of the world joins in &mdash; which the planet-roasters are
doing their damnedest to prevent &mdash; California will be hosed in winter
and hung out to dry in summer.


feed_id: 2d6190903388420583637e93f1c83c5e
title: Dominating Iran
uri: Dominating-Iran
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#20_May_2018_%28Dominating_Iran%29
content:
<p>
The New York Times and Washington Post argue about what the US should
do <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2018/05/13/media-debate-best-way-dominate-iran">to dominate Iran</a>.
<p>
Why try to do that?


feed_id: 3085d73259c55285ca8805608add3a9c
title: UK education cuts
uri: UK-education-cuts
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#20_May_2018_%28UK_education_cuts%29
content:
<p>
Funding cuts in UK education result in too few teachers and too little
preparation time.  This has driven the older, experienced teachers to quit,
making the job <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/education/2018/may/13/teacher-burnout-shortages-recruitment-problems-budget-cuts">impossible for those who remain</a>.
<p>
The US example says they should go on strike.


feed_id: 29ad3c050b2e042afe2c216c5f2c9f43
title: Snoopphone apps
uri: Snoopphone-apps
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#20_May_2018_%28Snoopphone_apps%29
content:
<p>
Snoopphone apps that use the <a href="https://theconversation.com/how-silent-signals-from-your-phone-could-be-recording-and-tracking-you-94978">ultrasonic "nearby" protocol</a> are supposed
to filter out voice frequencies.  Thus, supposedly they can't spy on
people's conversations.
<p>
But they always spy on the user's movements, since that's their purposes.
Better not to use it.  (Better not to use the snoopphone at all.)


feed_id: f531b52f8e3bfb1e9e44b1061ea35c1e
title: Tick-borne illness
uri: Tick-borne-illness
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#20_May_2018_%28Tick-borne_illness%29
content:
<p>
Tick-Borne Illness Has Tripled, but the CDC <a href="http://www.truth-out.org/news/item/44468-tick-borne-illness-has-tripled-but-the-cdc-refuses-to-blame-climate-change">Refuses to Blame [global heating]</a>.
It used to recognize the connection until the saboteurs took control.


feed_id: 015b0fe889b31514a6867b56d4a6866d
title: Sit-in by university students
uri: Sit-in-by-university-students
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#20_May_2018_%28Sit-in_by_university_students%29
content:
<p>
Texas State University <a href="http://www.truth-out.org/news/item/44424-texas-students-issued-arrest-warrants-after-sit-in-against-racism-on-campus">wants students prosecuted</a> for a sit-in against
racism.


feed_id: ee2e2745528eb506adc0a48ab4d31a98
title: Iraq's election
uri: Iraq-s-election
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#20_May_2018_%28Iraq%27s_election%29
content:
<p>
Moqtada al-Sadr's party <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/may/14/cleric-moqtadr-al-sadr-who-fought-us-takes-surprise-lead-in-iraq-elections">got the most votes</a> in Iraq's election.
<p>
He always struck me as acting more from principles than from greed or
ambition, a great contrast to everyone else in Iraqi politics.


feed_id: b589235242b0fa20f03355e8c75aeba7
title: Stand-up-to-torture training
uri: Stand-up-to-torture-training
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#20_May_2018_%28Stand-up-to-torture_training%29
content:
<p>
The <a href="https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2009/05/16/732174/-Mother-of-U-S-Marine-Who-Was-Waterboarded-Rips-Cheney-Others?detail=emailclassic">mother of a US marine recounts</a> how his stand-up-to-torture training
experience traumatized him and he has not been the same since.


feed_id: 79f9fcabf79fde5c3fa879712dee931b
title: Minority groups in Myanmar
uri: Minority-groups-in-Myanmar
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#20_May_2018_%28Minority_groups_in_Myanmar%29
content:
<p>
There are several minority ethnic groups in Myanmar, and several of
them don't want to be ruled by Burmese.  They have fought on and off
for decades to preserve their autonomy.  Now the state is <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/may/14/slow-genocide-myanmars-invisible-war-on-the-kachin-christian-minority">cracking
down on the Kachin minority</a>.


feed_id: 1b9b9ec124d367fb8b147f4969f5a751
title: Surveillance-based marketing
uri: Surveillance-based-marketing
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#20_May_2018_%28Surveillance-based_marketing%29
content:
<p>
The Amazon Echo Dot is designed to <a href="https://theintercept.com/2018/05/11/experts-say-keep-amazons-alexa-away-from-your-kids/">accustom children to surveillance-based
marketing</a> from a young age.


feed_id: 3ef8964eee1fd8608c94d1e094f607bb
title: Antarctica's melting ice
uri: Antarctica-s-melting-ice
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#20_May_2018_%28Antarctica%27s_melting_ice%29
content:
<p>
A positive feedback loop now increases the melting of Antarctica's ice.
The meltwater mixes with the ocean's surface water and <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/climate-consensus-97-per-cent/2018/may/09/global-warming-is-melting-antarctic-ice-from-below">stops it from
descending</a> as it used to.


feed_id: 0fc1cdf027be256dc1ff3e55ed8968e3
title: Minnesota: Republican Richard Painter Senate seat
uri: 2018-05-21-Minnesota-Republican-Richard-Painter-Senate-seat
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#19_May_2018_%28Minnesota%3A_Republican_Richard_Painter_Senate_seat%29

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


feed_id: ee218a8002b9fabb6ba5f79eecb7c731
title: Professor faces prison for aiding immigrants
uri: 2018-05-21-Professor-faces-prison-for-aiding-immigrants
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#19_May_2018_%28Professor_faces_prison_for_aiding_immigrants%29

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


feed_id: de6fe8001af6eef2f5a2c2cfe8a3b960
title: UK journalist Segalov labelled extremist
uri: 2018-05-21-UK-journalist-Segalov-labelled-extremist
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#19_May_2018_%28UK_journalist_Segalov_labelled_extremist%29

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


feed_id: d15a97c4d7b9b8beabc16c1c63845de0
title: Massacre of Gazan protesters
uri: Massacre-of-Gazan-protesters
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#21_May_2018_%28Massacre_of_Gazan_protesters%29
content:
<p>
Some Israelis 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/may/15/calls-for-inquiry-into-israels-gaza-killings">demand
an inquiry</a> into the massacre of Gazan protesters.


feed_id: 556deebcb861f93e8d02a9d67f699f2d
title: Tax bounty hunters target non-rich
uri: Tax-bounty-hunters-target-non-rich
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#21_May_2018_%28Tax_bounty_hunters_target_non-rich%29

content:
<p>
The UK government has 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/money/2018/may/14/hmrc-spending-on-debt-collectors-up-by-more-than-500-in-three-years">hired
tax bounty hunters</a> to pressure non-rich people to pay their taxes
even if they are broke.
<p>
Meanwhile, it is doing almost nothing to make rich companies such as
Apple and Amazon pay taxes.  It is clear who the Tories are working
for.


feed_id: 2c4bbe8e1270c53fc991fe64bfb209ed
title: School privatizers
uri: 2018-05-21-School-privatizers
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#21_May_2018_%28School_privatizers%29
content:
<p>
School privatizers are 
<a href="https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2018/5/14/1764138/-Experimenting-in-Africa-To-Bring-Privatization-to-a-School-Near-You">using
Africa as a testbed</a> for developing an inflexible inhumane
standardized education without trained teachers.


feed_id: 32b9e2298e5551e023c720e2f4910e05
title: Paranoid Americans
uri: Paranoid-Americans
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#21_May_2018_%28Paranoid_Americans%29
content:
<p>
Paranoid Americans now 
<a href="https://letgrow.org/after-school-baby-sitter-requirements-must-have-fbi-background-check/">want
their nannies checked by the FBI</a>.  This check violates their
privacy, and secondarily costs them a lot of money, all pointlessly.


feed_id: 2135f95b95aaca53e49cd793241aaab4
title: Deported for reporting crimes
uri: Deported-for-reporting-crimes
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#21_May_2018_%28Deported_for_reporting_crimes%29
content:
<p>
Many <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thug</a> departments in the UK 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2018/may/14/victims-crime-handed-over-police-immigration-enforcement">deport
unauthorized immigrants who report crimes</a>.


feed_id: 170e58ecbfac7c3ea735d9f02d13efb5
title: The US and Iran
uri: 2018-05-21-The-US-and-Iran
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#21_May_2018_%28The_US_and_Iran%29
content:
<p>
A war between the US and Iran 
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2018/05/14/gearing-third-gulf-war">could
draw in many other countries</a>.
<p>
The US might not be able to invade Iran by land.  Looking at Iran's
neighbors, I doubt any would help, except Afghanistan, but that is
hardly a secure base to launch an invasion from.


feed_id: 32b98566b3aabfe2b2b33491cae0cb6c
title: Value of the natural world
uri: Value-of-the-natural-world
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#21_May_2018_%28Value_of_the_natural_world%29
content:
<p>
Assigning a monetary value to parts of the natural world encourages
the idea that they are all for sale, and helps the extractivists by
undermining the awareness that they have other, 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2018/may/15/price-natural-world-destruction-natural-capital">more
important kinds of value</a>.


feed_id: 9debbdba45790cbc56c843606c003a47
title: Pollution in Cateté river
uri: Pollution-in-Cateté-river
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#21_May_2018_%28Pollution_in_Catete_river%29
content:
<p>
"'The river is dead': is a mine 
<a href='https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2018/may/15/brazil-xikrin-catete-river-amazon'>polluting
the water</a> of Brazil's Xikrin tribe?"


feed_id: 24b97d8a2554c1ce311bf5036baee9bc
title: Poor People's Campaign
uri: 2018-05-21-Poor-People-s-Campaign
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#21_May_2018_%28Poor_Peoples_Campaign%29
content:
<p>
The reactivated Poor People's Campaign has started off with 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/may/14/poor-peoples-campaign-arrests-martin-luther-king">protests
across the US</a>.  More protests are planned for 40 days.


feed_id: 444db7f46f688545a39593961a71b17c
title: Burdening people that have cancer
uri: Burdening-people-that-have-cancer
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#21_May_2018_%28Burdening_people_that_have_cancer%29
content:
<p>
Pressure to have a "positive" attitude 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/society/2018/may/15/pressure-to-stay-positive-may-be-a-negative-for-cancer-patients-charity">is
a burden</a> on people that have cancer, and it doesn't let up even
when the cancer is terminal.


feed_id: d2cc21d6c5d6aa522c77a37a7c7885f2
title: Israeli policy of eager killing
uri: Israeli-policy-of-eager-killing
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#21_May_2018_%28Israeli_policy_of_eager_killing%29
content:
<p>
"Trump threw a match into Jerusalem with 
<a href='https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2018/may/14/trump-jerusalem-killing-palestinians-netanyahu'>no
plan to put out the fire</a>."
<p>
The move of the US embassy provoked Palestinian protests, but that is
not directly responsible for the killing of 52 more protesters.
What's responsible for that is the Israeli policy of eager killing.
<p>
Bernie Sanders 
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2018/05/14/sanders-among-few-us-lawmakers-condemn-horrific-israeli-attacks-unarmed-gaza">condemned
the massacre</a>.
<p>
Contrast that with 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2018/may/14/trump-jerusalem-israel-embassy-opening-praise-palestine-protests">the
sniveling of most US politicians</a>.


feed_id: 7f0a051eb54b8f36a3eff70c11bb358b
title: Arctic National Wildlife Refuge
uri: 2018-05-21-Arctic-National-Wildlife-Refuge
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#21_May_2018_%28Arctic_National_Wildlife_Refuge%29
content:
<p>
Large investment institutions are 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2018/may/14/investors-urge-fossil-fuel-firms-shun-trump-arctic-drilling-plans-alaskan-wilderness">pressuring
oil companies and banks</a> not to invest in drilling in the Arctic
National Wildlife Refuge.
<p>
Any and all development of new oil or gas fields is an irresponsible
decision, given that civilization's survival depends on cutting back
quickly.


feed_id: a9989159a10536ce9fa7f8917a5e58a8
title: Saboteur of Education
uri: 2018-05-21-Saboteur-of-Education
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#21_May_2018_%28Saboteur_of_Education%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#saboteur">Saboteur</a> of Education DeVos has effectively 
<a href="https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2018/5/13/1764051/-DeVos-Education-Department-winds-down-probes-into-fraud-by-for-profit-colleges">ended
investigations</a> into the fraudulent practices of for-profit
colleges.
<p>
The <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#saboteur">saboteur</a>-in-chief, having 
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2017-mar-jun.html#17_June_2017_(DeVos_and_for-profit_colleges)">owned
one</a>, would naturally resent the idea of investigating others.
<p>
It is part of a systematic plan to help companies cheat people.


feed_id: da913c94901a354fa823970ab4e81739
title: Onion: Dalai Lama's next life
uri: Onion-Dalai-Lama-s-next-life
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#21_May_2018_%28Onion%3A_Dalai_Lamas_next_life%29
content:
<p>
The Onion: The Dalai Lama announced Monday that 
<a href="https://www.theonion.com/dalai-lama-announces-next-life-to-be-his-last-before-re-1826007993">the
next will be his final life before retirement</a>.


feed_id: 831309ec80de4e5cb381f818fd717aad
title: Evidence that US used germ warfare
uri: Evidence-that-US-used-germ-warfare
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#21_May_2018_%28Evidence_that_US_used_germ_warfare%29

content:
<p>
<a href="https://www.counterpunch.org/2018/01/12/wormwood-and-a-shocking-secret-of-war-how-errol-morris-vindicated-my-father-wilfred-burchett/">Evidence</a>
that the US used germ warfare against North Korea and killed an
American scientist who was going to reveal this.
<p>
I don't recognize the names of anyone mentioned in the article except
Seymour Hersh, so I can't have full confidence in the statements in
the article.  It could be true.


feed_id: 6685f43e8875eb8872563a130a091eef
title: Letting bosses read your conversations
uri: Letting-bosses-read-your-conversations
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#21_May_2018_%28Letting_bosses_read_your_conversations%29

content:
<p>
In the predigital era, your boss was forbidden to read your mail, or
listen to your phone calls.  By contrast, 
<a href="https://stallman.org/falkvinge/analog-boss.html">Slack just
said your boss can read your private conversations</a>.


feed_id: 3cb8499d88ff3ab4a2b77ec5c501abe8
title: Very urgent: Who is running political ads
uri: Very-urgent-Who-is-running-political-ads
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#21_May_2018_%28Very_urgent%3A_Who_is_running_political_ads%29

content:
<p>
US citizens: <a href="https://actionnetwork.org/forms/co-sign-to-demand-a-transparent-democracy">call on the Federal Election Commission</a> to protect voters'
right to know who is running political ads.


feed_id: bdc6487ca015a80af10aba83d09691df
title: Urgent: Jailing for months
uri: Urgent-Jailing-for-months
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#21_May_2018_%28Urgent%3A_Jailing_for_months%29
content:
<p>
Everyone: <a href="https://act.colorofchange.org/sign/end-philly-detainer_copy/">Call on Philadelphia</a> to stop its practice of jailing people
for months before they get a court hearing.


feed_id: e1263a2d9618323ed9b6b9931e8ab9dc
title: Urgent: Net neutrality vote
uri: Urgent-Net-neutrality-vote
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#21_May_2018_%28Urgent%3A_Net_neutrality_vote%29
content:
<p>
US citizens: phone your congresscritter to <a href="https://act.eff.org/action/tell-congress-to-reinstate-the-open-internet-order">call for a vote</a> in favor of
network neutrality, and to sign the discharge petition.
<p>
Please do <em>not</em> use their Javascript-dependent site to find who your
congresscritter is.  Use another way to find out who.
<p>
The Capitol Switchboard
numbers are 202-224-3121, 888-818-6641 and 888-355-3588.
<p>
<a href="https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2018/05/path-victory-net-neutrality-house-representatives-and-how-you-can-help">Here's more information</a> about what to say.


feed_id: d14b9b55a2f5e2883727bf165d66fad8
title: Erroneous identification
uri: Erroneous-identification
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#21_May_2018_%28Erroneous_identification%29
content:
<p>
UK <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thugs</a>' face recognition system, applied to ordinary members of the
public, identified people erroneously <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2018/may/15/uk-police-use-of-facial-recognition-technology-failure">90% of the time</a>.
<p>
It could be worse: it could identify them correctly 90% of the time.
And that is likely to happen in a few years if this system is not
banned entirely.


feed_id: 95025b7fa885d50fdf257216b2e000ac
title: Project in Indonesia
uri: Project-in-Indonesia
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#21_May_2018_%28Project_in_Indonesia%29
content:
<p>
China is funding a <a href="https://www.nationalreview.com/news/china-contributing-500-million-trump-linked-project-indonesia/">half-billion-dollar project</a> in Indonesia
which includes <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#cheater">the cheater</a> as an investor.


feed_id: ab9dbf830b4766b537934d220d201e6f
title: Protests for economic justice
uri: Protests-for-economic-justice
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#21_May_2018_%28Protests_for_economic_justice%29
content:
<p>
The Poor People's Campaign has <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2018/05/14/time-moral-confrontation-poor-peoples-campaign-launches-local-rallies-nationwide">launched 40 days of protests</a> to demand
economic justice.


feed_id: 18a723979143a32cd225ac2f8a0771e5
title: Lending countries money
uri: Lending-countries-money
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#21_May_2018_%28Lending_countries_money%29
content:
<p>
China is the latest economic imperialist to lend countries money they
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/may/15/warning-sounded-over-chinas-debtbook-diplomacy">can't afford to pay back</a>.
Many countries are in debt to the IMF, or to US banks, and can't pay
it back.  Hugo Chavez used Venezuela's oil money to rescue Argentina
from its debt to the IMF.
<p>
China could win lots of international support by buying that debt and
offering less oppressive terms for paying it back.


feed_id: 88c8bab747a18c07856d32c9a4ce7179
title: Bias against females
uri: Bias-against-females
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#21_May_2018_%28Bias_against_females%29
content:
<p>
In India, out of every 1000 girls born, 19 die from the <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/may/15/india-girls-die-gender-discrimination-study">effects of
bias against females</a>.
<p>
The author of the article confuses the issue by claiming that "girls
die" when female fetuses are aborted.  That's absurd, because a fetus
is not a boy or a girl.  A fetus is not a human being.
<p>
The campaign against sex-selection <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2013-sep-dec.html#07_September_2013_(Abortion_based_on_the_sex_of_fetus)">puts abortion rights at risk</a> in
general.
<p>
We can tell from the quotations that the researchers who wrote the
medical article were careful to avoid that mistake.


feed_id: d25656d39de7f852af47fdcc3ac0f7d3
title: Taking doctors to lunch
uri: Taking-doctors-to-lunch
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#21_May_2018_%28Taking_doctors_to_lunch%29
content:
<p>
The doctors that get taken to lunch by opioid salescritters <a href="https://www.motherjones.com/politics/2018/05/with-each-pharma-funded-meal-doctors-opioid-prescriptions-rise/">tend to
prescribe more opioids</a>.
<p>
This does not mean those doctors prescribe opioids too much.  Given
the pressure on doctors to refuse opioids to patients that suffer from
great pain, it could be that these doctors mainly prescribe opioids to
people that really need them.
<p>
The right approach isn't having salescritters promote prescription
of these or any drugs.  Rather, it is to end the War on Pain Sufferers
and reject opioids that are particularly inviting to addiction.


feed_id: 677c4e1b1a0f826c45acb9a97bf3c1ca
title: Supply management
uri: Supply-management
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#21_May_2018_%28Supply_management%29
content:
<p>
Bringing back the 20th century's <a href="https://www.motherjones.com/food/2018/05/farmers-are-struggling-to-make-ends-meet-this-controversial-policy-could-help/">practice of supply management</a> could
help US farmers stay in business.
<p>
However, they also need us to break up the large food companies
that <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2013-jan-apr.html#28_February_2013_(How_big_food_companies_treat_farming_communities_and_workers)">dominate and mistreat the farms</a> they buy from.


feed_id: f5115f3289fda56c1ba74d1e0ba2d13f
title: NRA propaganda
uri: NRA-propaganda
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#21_May_2018_%28NRA_propaganda%29
content:
<p>
"<a href="https://jacobinmag.com/2018/05/national-rifle-association-gun-control-loesch">NRA propaganda hearkens back</a> to an imagined past of white picket fences
and financial security. In doing so, it whitewashes the history of guns
in American life."


feed_id: aece8836db870c4cc4e41419c24ebbf9
title: Assange cut off
uri: Assange-cut-off
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#21_May_2018_%28Assange_cut_off%29
content:
<p>
Julian Assange is cut off from visitors as well as from the internet.
It looks like Ecuador might <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/may/15/julian-assange-ecuador-london-embassy-how-he-became-unwelcome-guest">force him out of the embassy</a>, probably
into the clutches of the US.
<p>
Assange showed disrespect to his host country by <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/may/15/ecuador-julian-assange-why-does-it-want-him-out-london-embassy">causing political
difficulties</a> for Ecuador.  I can understand telling him, "Don't make
problems for us while we are protecting you."
However, to deny him
visitors entirely is unnecessary, thus too harsh.
<p>
To hand Assange indirectly to the US would be a great dishonor for
Ecuador.  The US sheltered Cardinal Mindszenty in its embassy in
Hungary for 15 years.  To have surrendered him to the Communist
dictatorship would have been a great dishonor, which the US rejected.


feed_id: dfa12a8ee2134c4c7da6f0e206189c5c
title: Tax dodging budget minister
uri: Tax-dodging-budget-minister
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#21_May_2018_%28Tax_dodging_budget_minister%29
content:
<p>
French budget minister Cahuzac led a campaign against tax dodging, and was
eventually <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/may/15/french-court-upholds-ex-budget-minister-jerome-cahuzac-tax-conviction">caught doing it himself</a>.
<p>
It would be easy to draw a cynical lesson &mdash; easy but erroneous.  What
this shows is that an effective system can catch and stop tax dodging
by people who are fairly rich.
<p>
What is needed now is to add laws to block the lawful methods of tax
dodging carried out by exploitative companies such as <a href="https://stallman.org/apple.html">Apple</a>
and <a href="https://stallman.org/amazon.html">Amazon</a>.


feed_id: 07c3c3d6b451e4c8e6b1fb78df1c3f8b
title: Rep. Hoyer
uri: Rep-Hoyer
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#21_May_2018_%28Rep._Hoyer%29
content:
<p>
Rep. Hoyer, Democrat, <a href="https://theintercept.com/2018/05/15/gaza-protests-israel-palestine-conflict-steny-hoyer/">endorsed Israel's massacre of protesters</a>, and
its pretense that this was a legitimate act of military defense
against a military attack.
<p>
A siege is an act of war; therefore, by the usual standards, a
military thrust by Gaza or its allies aimed at breaking the siege
would be a legitimate act of defense.
<p>
However, protests by Gazans on the territory of Gaza are not a
military act of any kind.  Killing protesters is not legitimate war,
it is a war crime.
<p>
This is the same Hoyer that has been <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#7_May_2018_(Democratic_Party_establishment)">working against progressive
Democratic candidates</a>.


feed_id: 7c38758fc86e6714c44200280cfc60b5
title: The troll on Gaza
uri: The-troll-on-Gaza
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#21_May_2018_%28The_troll_on_Gaza%29
content:
<p>
The troll has arrogantly <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2018/may/15/donald-trump-gaza-palestinians-israel">slapped everyone in Gaza</a> in the face.
<p>
I don't think it is correct to say that <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#trump">the troll</a> has "jettisoned any
chance of peace", because Netanyahu did that years ago.  As Uri Avnery
reported, Netanyahu kept negotiations going as a sham, while setting
impossible preconditions so that they could not succeed, and Obama
tacitly accepted that.
<p>
Rather, what <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#trump">the troll</a> has now done is give Israel carte blanche for
atrocities.


feed_id: 5e4234ce5f5f60c875ab8b71ab7e147c
title: Taxing companies
uri: Taxing-companies
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#21_May_2018_%28Taxing_companies%29
content:
<p>
It is hard to eliminate homelessness by taxing companies
for their employees.
<p>
One cause of the shortage of housing in US cities is zoning, which
<a href="https://reason.com/reasontv/2018/05/15/seattles-amazon-tax">prevents the construction</a> of a lot more housing.
<p>
It needs to be mentioned that the practice of buying luxury housing
purely to resell it years later, and leaving it empty in the mean time,
is also responsible in some expensive cities.  That would be easy to stop
with a large additional tax on residential space that isn't anyone's
primary residence.
<p>
We need to tax companies such as Amazon more &mdash; a lot more.  However,
taxation per employee creates a perverse incentive for companies to
use more automation and reduce the number of employees.  They can also
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2018/may/15/amazon-threatens-to-move-jobs-out-of-seattle-tax-council-vote-homelessness">threaten to move jobs</a> to where they pay less tax.
<p>
I think we should eliminate all payroll taxes, including those for
social security and medicare.  We should raise money for those
programs, and other things, by taxing businesses on their income,
regardless of their number of employees, and regardless of which country
they notionally assign that income to.
<p>
However, it is hard for a city to enact a tax of that kind and make it
effective.  It needs to be done <a href="https://stallman.org/articles/progressive-tax-on-business-gross-income.html">at a national level</a>.


feed_id: 266b4284c05c47f7dc9ef4e439a8c16c
title: Upholding occupation
uri: Upholding-occupation
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#21_May_2018_%28Upholding_occupation%29
content:
<p>
When Jewish Americans Uphold Occupation, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2018/may/15/jewish-american-occupation-corrodes-our-souls">It Corrodes Our Souls</a>.


feed_id: 014501a997e827f4ce1caae416c98515
title: Photos of the Great Depression
uri: Photos-of-the-Great-Depression
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#21_May_2018_%28Photos_of_the_Great_Depression%29
content:
<p>
The photographs that documented the poverty of the Great Depression,
and consequent suffering, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/2018/may/16/killed-negatives-review-america-great-depression-photojournalists-suppressed-pictures">were carefully selected</a>, rejecting many of
the most painful.
<p>
Today's plutocracy, and <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#global heating">global heating</a>, are likely to push most people
into even worse poverty.


feed_id: b442d78a53bb6c734c47871b870863f4
title: Urgent: Chikesia Clemons
uri: Urgent-Chikesia-Clemons
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#23_May_2018_%28Urgent%3A_Chikesia_Clemons%29
content:
<p>
Everyone: <a href="http://act.colorofchange.org/sign/justiceforchickesia-fire-alabama-officers-who-sexually-assaulted-her/">demand dropping all charges</a> against Chikesia Clemons.


feed_id: 28c05cb9281d4fb3414591dcc7d84be6
title: Urgent: NRA discount
uri: Urgent-NRA-discount
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#23_May_2018_%28Urgent%3A_NRA_discount%29
content:
<p>
Everyone: <a href="https://act.credoaction.com/sign/NRA_FedEx">call on Fedex</a> to stop giving a discount to NRA members.


feed_id: 536d224845009720d1d2c597fd78475b
title: Urgent: Gun control laws
uri: Urgent-Gun-control-laws
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#23_May_2018_%28Urgent%3A_Gun_control_laws%29
content:
<p>
US citizens: <a href="https://act.credoaction.com/sign/Santa_Fe_HS">Call on SCROTUS</a> to pass gun control laws.
<p>
Unless you're telekinetic or some god exists, your "thoughts and
prayers" won't help anyone.


feed_id: f74606ff9eba14be715c79802cd48f5c
title: Mekong river dam
uri: Mekong-river-dam
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#23_May_2018_%28Mekong_river_dam%29
content:
<p>
The government of Cambodia plans to build a dam across the Mekong
river, and never mind the likelihood that it will <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2018/may/16/leaked-report-warns-cambodias-biggest-dam-could-literally-kill-mekong-river">wipe out the fish</a>
that 80% of Cambodians eat.


feed_id: 5a1a5e04598f48952956f0439ceb9f37
title: Bank deregulation
uri: Bank-deregulation
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#23_May_2018_%28Bank_deregulation%29
content:
<p>
The Senate's bank deregulation bill will encourage medium-size banks to
<a href="https://theintercept.com/2018/05/16/wall-street-bank-regulation-bill/">merge into large ones</a>.


feed_id: 52d7e4f24d8af3a1c4a937711048bd3c
title: CEO and worker wages
uri: CEO-and-worker-wages
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#23_May_2018_%28CEO_and_worker_wages%29
content:
<p>
One US company pays its CEO 5000 times the median wage of its workers.
For almost 200 more large companies, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2018/may/16/ceo-worker-pay-ratio-america-first-study">the ratio is over 100</a>.


feed_id: 79991620ef4b8975ed23f59b9052b953
title: Thugs killing black men
uri: Thugs-killing-black-men
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#23_May_2018_%28Thugs_killing_black_men%29
content:
<p>
California thugs kill black men at <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2015/sep/07/california-police-shootings-database-racial-disparity">8 times the rate</a> of the rest of
the population.


feed_id: ba6b0007da2f3b5814c6d128ff35ad48
title: Employees quit Google
uri: Employees-quit-Google
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#23_May_2018_%28Employees_quit_Google%29
content:
<p>
Some employees have <a href="https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2018/05/google-employees-resign-in-protest-of-googlepentagon-drone-program/">quit Google in protest</a> against its development
of AI for analyzing images from military drones.


feed_id: 6597517a96462cd4daba08d0df1734a5
title: Trump Tower meeting
uri: Trump-Tower-meeting
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#23_May_2018_%28Trump_Tower_meeting%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2018/may/16/trump-russia-investigation-donald-trump-jr-senate-testimony">Trump attorney fed statement</a> to Russians about Trump Tower meeting.


feed_id: 6ddbae66ec6bc4f15849266c9c9f3d8f
title: Resurrecting mammoths
uri: Resurrecting-mammoths
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#23_May_2018_%28Resurrecting_mammoths%29
content:
<p>
A desperate move &mdash; <a href="https://theconversation.com/could-resurrecting-mammoths-help-stop-arctic-emissions-95956">resurrecting mammoths</a> to try to keep
trees out of thawing tundra areas.


feed_id: 60ed1429a511d9c474deb53759cb56e7
title: Undercover corporate work
uri: Undercover-corporate-work
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#23_May_2018_%28Undercover_corporate_work%29
content:
<p>
<a href="http://www.truth-out.org/opinion/item/44476-undercover-corporate-work-lures-unemployed-actors-and-underpaid-workers">Undercover Corporate Work</a> Lures Underemployed Actors and Underpaid 
Workers &hellip; to corrupt democracy.


feed_id: 973ae2674a8db8b126ec83e59783f0b8
title: Mourning for the fence
uri: Mourning-for-the-fence
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#23_May_2018_%28Mourning_for_the_fence%29
content:
<p>
The Onion: <a href="https://www.theonion.com/netanyahu-announces-day-of-mourning-for-fence-damaged-i-1826046925">Netanyahu officially declared</a> a nationwide day of mourning
Tuesday for a section of security fence damaged in yesterday's
conflict at the Gaza border.


feed_id: 48f325ea925a3f64a33bbd09b1bc2332
title: Walmart and union dues
uri: Walmart-and-union-dues
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#23_May_2018_%28Walmart_and_union_dues%29
content:
<p>
Walmart is helping to fund a campaign to convince US workers to <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2018/05/15/stop-nothing-plan-destroy-nations-union-power-includes-80-million-koch-and-walmart">stop
paying union dues</a>.
<p>
Those who fall for this will lose a lot more than the amount of their
union dues.


feed_id: fedf6addd2971cbf106c4027e6a7a5a5
title: Selling marijuana
uri: Selling-marijuana
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#23_May_2018_%28Selling_marijuana%29
content:
<p>
New York City <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thugs</a> are especially eager to arrest blacks and
hispanics for <a href="https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2018/5/14/1764282/-NYPD-consistently-arrests-blacks-and-Hispanics-more-for-marijuana-use-Yet-they-claim-it-isn-t-true">selling small amounts of marijuana</a> on the street.


feed_id: a42e98d2cbeb3612032d6f5266f6deeb
title: 'Gig economy' size
uri: Gig-economy-size
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#23_May_2018_%28%27Gig_economy%27_size%29
content:
<p>
The "gig economy" amounts to a <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2018/05/15/uber-drivers-earn-equivalent-921-hourly-wages">small fraction of the US economy</a>,
partly because the number of workers is not very large, and partly
because they are badly paid.


feed_id: db0fd3b01e2d6abc2a223c2ddd5e64d9
title: Toxicity study
uri: Toxicity-study
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#23_May_2018_%28Toxicity_study%29
content:
<p>
EPA Saboteur Pruitt <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2018/05/15/big-deal-fearing-public-relations-nightmare-pruitts-epa-blocked-release-major-water">blocked release of a study</a> that demonstrated that
certain chemicals are toxic even at low concentrations.


feed_id: 141f41b4cf1bee0aa06be5bf4a797246
title: Media avoiding 'kill'
uri: Media-avoiding-kill
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#23_May_2018_%28Media_avoiding_%27kill%27%29
content:
<p>
US media downplay the fact that Israeli soldiers killed Palestinian
protesters by <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2018/05/15/can-palestinians-be-killed-can-israelis-kill-them-or-do-they-only-die">avoiding the word "kill"</a>.


feed_id: df6287249a9e2a286017c16361e5b84a
title: Japan and North Korea
uri: Japan-and-North-Korea
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#23_May_2018_%28Japan_and_North_Korea%29
content:
<p>
Japan refuses to discuss better relations with North Korea, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/may/14/north-korea-says-japan-stalling-peace-cold-war-abductions">demanding
a full resolution</a> of North Korea's kidnapings. Japanese were kidnaped
from coastal areas and forced to teach Japanese to spies.
<p>
Of course, North Korea should resolve the matter of the kidnappings.
If the other kidnaped Japanese people died before 2002, North Korea
should do the right thing, whatever is appropriate in such as case.
<p>
Japan should also resolve the matter of the women conscripted as
prostitutes during World War II.  The one crime doesn't justify the
other, and they are not related; but since each country owes the other
an apology, it may be a lot easier to do this if they do it at the
same time.


feed_id: 39e15ff1a3d436498e66dd7f2ea84246
title: Urgent: ID for political ads
uri: Urgent-ID-for-political-ads
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#23_May_2018_%28Urgent%3A_ID_for_political_ads%29
content:
<p>
Everyone: <a href="http://act.presente.org/sign/BastaFB/">oppose Facebook's ID requirements</a> for political ads.
They are an injustice towards some real activists in the US.
<p>
They won't even fix the real problem, since the foreign entities
that want to advertise can easily funnel through real US citizens.


feed_id: 25509a32685990d71005828e0c656a54
title: Urgent: Abortion gag rule
uri: Urgent-Abortion-gag-rule
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#23_May_2018_%28Urgent%3A_Abortion_gag_rule%29
content:
<p>
US citizens: <a href="https://act.credoaction.com/sign/no_domestic_gag_rule">Oppose</a> the Republican abortion gag rule.


feed_id: bdf02721dd3a4d62d01f1b645769bbe5
title: Urgent: Net neutrality
uri: 2018-05-24-Urgent-Net-neutrality
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#23_May_2018_%28Urgent%3A_Net_neutrality%29
content:
<p>
US citizens: <a href="https://action.aclu.org/send-message/save-net-neutrality">Call on your congresscritter</a> to vote for network neutrality.
<p>
CNN and MSNBC <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2018/05/16/defenders-open-internet-deliver-historic-win-senate-votes-restore-net-neutrality">didn't even mention</a> the Senate's vote for network neutrality.


feed_id: 7205593058ed86df3ddf6ebe84e40e0e
title: New York emissions
uri: New-York-emissions
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#23_May_2018_%28New_York_emissions%29
content:
<p>
New York State has <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2018/05/16/governor-cuomo-commits-power-plant-pollution-protections-new-york-sets-example">adopted strict standards</a> for reducing greenhouse
gas emissions from power plants.
<p>
I have the suspicion that Cuomo agreed to this because of the primary
challenge from Cynthia Nixon.


feed_id: aafffe5e2aee7791593b6cf088bc9809
title: Passes for porn sites
uri: Passes-for-porn-sites
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#23_May_2018_%28Passes_for_porn_sites%29
content:
<p>
The UK says it will <a href="https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/porn-passes-newsagents-shops-online-pornography-website-id-uk-government-a8349281.html">provide passes</a> for anonymous access to porn sites
to people who show proof of age.
<p>
It is less surveillance than I would have expected, but people wonder
if it is really truly anonymous.


feed_id: dada848f318c32f273da05d9e24b17bc
title: Border crosser death count
uri: Border-crosser-death-count
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#23_May_2018_%28Border_crosser_death_count%29
content:
<p>
US border thugs <a href="https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2018/5/14/1764261/-Border-Patrol-has-undercounted-by-hundreds-the-number-of-migrants-who-ve-died-at-the-border">substantially undercount</a> the border crossers that died
in the process.  Even deaths witnessed and reported by individual <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thugs</a>
are omitted from the overall count.


feed_id: 31396d939d4e84399cf829b6660e78b0
title: Acupuncture
uri: 2018-05-24-Acupuncture
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#23_May_2018_%28Acupuncture%29
content:
<p>
Acupuncture had <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2018/may/16/acupuncture-doesnt-improve-likelihood-of-ivf-success-study-finds">no significant effect</a> on the probability of success
of in-vitro fertilization.
<p>
I disagree with those that recommend using it as a placebo to help
women feel more comfortable.  Truth is a value, as well as comfort.
There are other ways to help people feel comfortable which don't
spread pseudoscience.


feed_id: b06d8ffb928f3105a322eab8a26160f3
title: Future terrorists
uri: Future-terrorists
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#23_May_2018_%28Future_terrorists%29
content:
<p>
The FBI is
investigating <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2018/may/17/fbi-investigating-1000-suspected-lone-wolf-militants-director-says">around
1000 Americans</a> as suspected possible future "lone wolf"
terrorists.
<p>
How many of them, left to themselves, would commit terrorism?  Based
on general ideas of human behavior, I would guess around 10.  Suppose
that investigation might prevent 5 of them.  (Stopping a crime which
would be committed on the spur of the moment cannot be counted on.)
<p>
Are roughly 1000 FBI investigations of people only thinking of
committing a crime less harmful to Americans than a handful of
attempted crimes?


feed_id: eacb5e571a4fc5f4ad65cf854643dc35
title: Net neutrality resolution
uri: Net-neutrality-resolution
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#23_May_2018_%28Net_neutrality_resolution%29
content:
<p>
The US Senate <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2018/may/16/net-neutrality-us-senate-fcc-obama-era-rules">passed the resolution</a> to restore network neutrality.
<p>
Now the battle goes to the house of representatives.  It may be
possible to win there.  <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#cheater">The cheater</a> could veto it, but might decide
not to if faced with so much public support for it.
<p>
What Senator Thune said is interesting for its deceptiveness.
First he said, "Don't vote for this because it can't win."
But even if that were true, it would not be a reason
not to vote for net neutrality.
<p>
Second he praised the end of network neutrality because it is
deregulation.  His position, evidently, is that the government should
not interfere when giant businesses, in an only slightly competitive
market, systematically mistreat people.
<p>
That's what government is for, silly senator!
<p>
His words show only that he's with those businesses, against the public.
<p>
Note that these network neutrality rules may not have been necessary
20 years ago, since there was a lot more competition among ISPs.


feed_id: a1ae7263a1a904c54728842283e3bc88
title: Conglomerate collapse
uri: Conglomerate-collapse
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#23_May_2018_%28Conglomerate_collapse%29
content:
<p>
The collapse of a conglomerate that implemented privatized public
services in the UK was <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2018/may/16/carillion-scandal-neoliberalism-public-services-profit">due to corruption</a> which the new privatization
system was unable to detect until too late.
<p>
This demonstrates that privatization of public services is an
invitation for companies to cheat the state, as well as to cheat the
public and to cheat their employees.


feed_id: 4e486ea2ae6a7b24bea05df78f70afef
title: Supporting Assad
uri: Supporting-Assad
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#23_May_2018_%28Supporting_Assad%29
content:
<p>
A UK politician <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/may/16/emily-thornberry-assad-popularity-syria-interview">is being attacked</a> for reporting that many Syrians
support Assad.
<p>
Assad is a dictator who has killed thousands of Syrians and driven
millions into exile.  He is also supported by millions of Syrians &mdash;
basically, Arabs that are not Sunni.  The Arab rebels are Sunni, and
tend more or less to oppress non-Sunnis.
<p>
This is why there is no side in Syria that deserved support, except
Rojava.  However, Rojava, which is mainly Kurdish, could not become a
government of Syria.  Arabs mostly won't accept a government by Kurds
nowadays.


feed_id: ecdeff54bf16e79ed14968eb49e85ff4
title: CFC reintroduction
uri: CFC-reintroduction
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#23_May_2018_%28CFC_reintroduction%29
content:
<p>
CFCs, banned since decades ago, are being produced again in Asia,
and this is <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2018/may/16/mysterious-rise-in-banned-ozone-destroying-chemical-shocks-scientists">slowing the reduction</a> of the ozone hole.


feed_id: b64e33381b6b264ca4a82bf157d91d71
title: Overuse of ground water
uri: Overuse-of-ground-water
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#23_May_2018_%28Overuse_of_ground_water%29
content:
<p>
Overuse of ground water is already <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2018/may/16/water-shortages-to-be-key-environmental-challenge-of-the-century-nasa-warns">starting to bite humanity</a>.  Some
aquifers do not refill at all, and others don't refill as fast as we
take water from them.
<p>
<a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#global heating">Global heating</a> is adding to the problem by reducing rainfall in some
areas.


feed_id: f47233b58eba6f34075b681c42bd7aef
title: Exercise vs constant physical labor
uri: Exercise-vs-constant-physical-labor
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#23_May_2018_%28Exercise_vs_constant_physical_labor%29

content:
<p>
Occasional exercise promotes good health, but constant heavy physical labor
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/science/2018/may/14/exercise-is-good-for-you-unless-its-part-of-your-job">tends to kill people</a>.


feed_id: 4c229b9dc21d106ec85f3723ab3ea583
title: Targeted Facebook ads
uri: 2018-05-24-Targeted-Facebook-ads
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#23_May_2018_%28Targeted_Facebook_ads%29
content:
<p>
Facebook allows ads to be <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2018/may/16/facebook-lets-advertisers-target-users-based-on-sensitive-interests">targeted at people it infers</a> are homosexual
or interested in Islam, if it hasn't specifically been told this.


feed_id: 62206c0cde146c4c2d2463f74e990900
title: Right-wing violent desires
uri: Right-wing-violent-desires
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#23_May_2018_%28Right-wing_violent_desires%29
content:
<p>
Right-wingers want US border thugs to <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2018/05/15/can-we-do-israel-murders-palestinians-gaza-right-wing-troll-ann-coulter-suggests">shoot and kill unauthorized
immigrants</a>.  They are gleeful about killing.
<p>
US border <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thugs</a> are currently limited to making border-crossers
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#17_April_2018_(Water_for_crossers)">die of thirst</a>,
but that doesn't provide the same visceral satisfaction.
<p>
Coulter is a <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#trump">troll</a>, but she wouldn't say this if she didn't
know that many right-wingers will be delighted at the thought
of crushing the weak.


feed_id: bfb9aba33d98614be1bd05e6e2d7f273
title: Banning factory farms
uri: Banning-factory-farms
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#23_May_2018_%28Banning_factory_farms%29
content:
<p>
Arguing that <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2018/05/14/calling-overhaul-nations-food-system-new-campaign-seeks-ban-factory-farms">factory farms cause so much harm</a> to people and the environment
that they should be banned.


feed_id: 7ac808092aa0f2723f464e5a2b107a63
title: Anwar Ibrahim
uri: Anwar-Ibrahim
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#23_May_2018_%28Anwar_Ibrahim%29
content:
<p>
Malaysian politician Anwar Ibrahim has been <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/may/16/malaysia-anwar-ibrahim-released-from-prison">pardoned and freed</a>.
<p>
Ibrahim was apparently framed by Mahathir 20 years ago.


feed_id: 847e13b25f72e2c3bb0bbcfd87763d4d
title: Urgent: Abortion gag rule
uri: 2018-05-25-Urgent-Abortion-gag-rule
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#24_May_2018_%28Urgent%3A_Abortion_gag_rule%29
content:
<p>
US citizens: <a href="https://secure.ppaction.org/site/Advocacy?cmd=display&page=UserAction&id=22546">Give the Department of Health a comment</a> opposing the
proposed abortion gag rule.


feed_id: c9dd506ebcefb7315538e8e6d26ec2cd
title: Urgent: Endangered Species Act
uri: 2018-05-25-Urgent-Endangered-Species-Act
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#24_May_2018_%28Urgent%3A_Endangered_Species_Act%29
content:
<p>
US citizens: <a href="https://act.nrdc.org/letter/af-may-esa-180518">call on senators</a> to save the Endangered Species Act.


feed_id: 9c6d6d2e7aff3e4da58753b9371bd44f
title: Urgent: Lobbyists' power
uri: Urgent-Lobbyists-power
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#24_May_2018_%28Urgent%3A_Lobbyists%27_power%29
content:
<p>
US citizens: <a href="https://actionnetwork.org/petitions/tell-congress-stop-pay-to-play-politics">call on Congress</a> to curb lobbyists' power to buy support.


feed_id: 1ce07b9a3cbb56959eac6238dc373c02
title: Urgent: Slavery in sugar production
uri: Urgent-Slavery-in-sugar-production
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#24_May_2018_%28Urgent%3A_Slavery_in_sugar_production%29

content:
<p>
US citizens: <a href="https://www.freedomunited.org/advocate/monster-slavery/">Call on Monster Beverage Corporation</a> to seriously
investigate slavery in its sugar production.


feed_id: 6c20a8920311632376041b32b4aa298d
title: Dam project in Honduras
uri: Dam-project-in-Honduras
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#24_May_2018_%28Dam_project_in_Honduras%29
content:
<p>
Berta Cáceres's campaign lives on, and is <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2018/may/18/bank-faces-lawsuit-over-honduras-dam-project-spirit-of-berta-caceres-fmo-agua-zarca">suing
a Dutch bank</a> for a dam project in Honduras.


feed_id: 3cc503483f70fdd8f97a366b0b871d31
title: Australia and human rights
uri: Australia-and-human-rights
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#24_May_2018_%28Australia_and_human_rights%29
content:
<p>
Australia has been weak on supporting human rights abroad, and Malaysia's
prime-minister-to-be Anwar Ibrahim <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2018/may/18/our-lame-response-to-anwar-ibrahims-detention-was-a-mistake-not-quiet-diplomacy">does not forget this</a>.


feed_id: 30cc5e52a90432f93aac241fcaa2b548
title: Slavery on fishing boats
uri: Slavery-on-fishing-boats
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#24_May_2018_%28Slavery_on_fishing_boats%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/may/18/permit-scheme-facilitating-slavery-on-irish-fishing-boats-says-union">Permit Scheme Facilitating Slavery</a> on Irish Fishing Boats, Says Union.


feed_id: c6e0c42f87f396a8527113b333e82211
title: Suicides in Gaza
uri: Suicides-in-Gaza
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#24_May_2018_%28Suicides_in_Gaza%29
content:
<p>
Many young people in Gaza are committing suicide, but there is <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/news/2018/may/18/a-suicide-in-gaza">no
way of counting them</a> since suicide is typically hushed up.
<p>
I wonder whether, in 30 years, the America of the non-rich will
be like Gaza today.


feed_id: 0827128572c595108ec745060a45da87
title: Alcohol serving size
uri: Alcohol-serving-size
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#24_May_2018_%28Alcohol_serving_size%29
content:
<p>
In a real pub, smaller servings of alcohol led customers to drink <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/science/sifting-the-evidence/2018/may/18/how-smaller-drinks-could-reduce-the-uks-alcohol-consumption">substantially
less alcohol</a>.


feed_id: 8cfe42da197fa84bd6d1600f21058228
title: Assange's conditions
uri: Assange-s-conditions
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#24_May_2018_%28Assange%27s_conditions%29
content:
<p>
The UK is subjecting Julian Assange to conditions both oppressive and
dangerous to his health, and Ecuador's new president seems to be
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2018/may/18/julian-assange-media-detention">quietly making them even worse</a>.


feed_id: 0d795612d90e9c3bf4b6bc7ef5c6eca4
title: Graduation tests
uri: Graduation-tests
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#24_May_2018_%28Graduation_tests%29
content:
<p>
The UK's new highly competitive graduation tests <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2018/may/18/new-gcse-pile-pressure-kill-passion">discourage all students</a>,
even the best.
<p>
I suspect that rich parents have made a way for their children to
bypass these tests.  Is that so?


feed_id: 21241e3f385e59c889ca0c231e86523e
title: Doctor shot in Gaza
uri: Doctor-shot-in-Gaza
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#24_May_2018_%28Doctor_shot_in_Gaza%29
content:
<p>
Israeli soldiers <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/may/17/canadian-doctor-wounded-gaza-israel-palestinians-gaza">shot Canadian doctor Tarek Loubani</a> as
he was treating protesters wounded by Israeli soldiers.
Israeli soldiers shot many other medics, killing one.  Since the
army says that it "knows where every shot went", it cannot plead that
this was unintentional.  Loubani gives reasons to conclude he must
have been targeted intentionally.
<p>
A few years ago, Loubani was <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2013-jul-oct.html#13_October_2013_(Greyson_and_Tarek_released_from_Egyptian_prison)">imprisoned in Egypt</a> for months for being
in the wrong place at the wrong time when the coup occurred.
He was freed due to an <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2013-jul-oct.html#20_October_2013_(Campaign_to_free_Canadians_in_Egypt)">international pressure campaign</a>.


feed_id: 428df2661cdb4d61003c660ba5bee1b2
title: Spread of Ebola
uri: 2018-05-25-Spread-of-Ebola
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#24_May_2018_%28Spread_of_Ebola%29
content:
<p>
Ebola has <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/may/17/drc-ebola-outbreak-in-new-phase-with-case-in-north-west-city-officials">spread to a big city</a> in the DR Congo, from which it might
spread all around the world.
<p>
<a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#bully">The bully</a> recently cut funds for emergency funds to deal with such
outbreaks.  This is like cutting funds to the fire department; it is
crazy.  Slowness in the response will let Ebola spread further.
<p>
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2018/may/18/congo-enters-uncharted-territory-as-it-faces-gravest-ebola-challenge-to-date">An experimental vaccine</a> is being tested there.


feed_id: 820f6efaea50a29b874c776ea11994f6
title: Heroic war story
uri: Heroic-war-story
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#24_May_2018_%28Heroic_war_story%29
content:
<p>
The Onion: <a href="https://www.theonion.com/idf-soldier-recounts-harrowing-heroic-war-story-of-kil-1826048745">An Israeli soldier recounted</a> Tuesday his harrowing, heroic
war story of killing an 8-month-old Palestinian child during a violent
attack against protesters.


feed_id: 5edbf6fdf23ef87f7569aa099b0b15e8
title: Equifax and Facebook lawyer
uri: Equifax-and-Facebook-lawyer
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#24_May_2018_%28Equifax_and_Facebook_lawyer%29
content:
<p>
An <a href="https://theintercept.com/2018/05/17/ftc-bureau-of-consumer-protection-director-andrew-smith/">Equifax and Facebook Lawyer</a> Will Now Run the FTC’s Bureau of
Consumer Protection.


feed_id: 9c0c4d89f20012da5a6a238454f9c289
title: Democrats for Haspel
uri: Democrats-for-Haspel
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#24_May_2018_%28Democrats_for_Haspel%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2018/may/17/gina-haspel-cia-director-senate-vote">Several Senate Democrats</a> voted to confirm torturer Haspel, along with all the
Republicans.
<p>
McCain, who opposed torture, was unable to vote because he was dying.


feed_id: 3c48f572f686175f545cf102930036c7
title: Insect habitat
uri: Insect-habitat
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#24_May_2018_%28Insect_habitat%29
content:
<p>
Insects will <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2018/may/17/climate-change-on-track-to-cause-major-insect-wipeout-scientists-warn">lose half their habitat</a> in this century
if we don't curb <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#global heating">global heating</a>.  This would disrupt many other species.
<p>
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2018/may/18/a-third-of-worlds-nature-reserves-severely-degraded-by-human-activity">A Third of World's Nature Reserves</a> Severely Degraded by Human Activity.


feed_id: a4292c658e45d5a9e28ce0a220069de4
title: Saving for retirement
uri: Saving-for-retirement
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#24_May_2018_%28Saving_for_retirement%29
content:
<p>
It is ludicrous to ask young working adults to save for their retirement
when <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2018/may/17/millennials-pensions-student-loan-debt">they can barely scrape by</a> on their low wages.


feed_id: 3ce23cff9dfded62fbec0672f1404dcf
title: Help from Rubio
uri: Help-from-Rubio
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#24_May_2018_%28Help_from_Rubio%29
content:
<p>
Corrupt Guatemalan Officials Find Help <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/may/17/guatemala-marco-rubio-corruption">from an Unlikely Source</a>: Marco Rubio.


feed_id: ac132342bcc20368852d74e391270048
title: US: Abortion gag rule
uri: US-Abortion-gag-rule
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#24_May_2018_%28US%3A_Abortion_gag_rule%29
content:
<p>The bully is <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/may/18/trump-administration-abortion-gag-rule-reagan-era">planning to impose censorship about abortion</a> on most medical institutions in the US, as a condition on federal subsidy.</p>
<p>Campaigning to preserve the status quo is weak.  The US government ought to pay for abortions.  We should campaign for that.</p>
</li></p>


feed_id: 30438f409dc2efa01489ec2e8ef66260
title: Interpol voice recognition
uri: Interpol-voice-recognition
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#24_May_2018_%28Interpol_voice_recognition%29
content:
<p><a href="https://www.spectrum.ieee.org/tech-talk/consumer-electronics/audiovideo/interpols-new-automated-platform-will-recognize-criminals-by-their-voice">Interpol's New Software Will Recognize Criminals by Their Voices</a>.</p>
<p>I fear that this surveillance is not limited to criminals.</p>
</li></p>


feed_id: 47e61d7561268a543884382d8f6055aa
title: Washington: Haspel confirmation
uri: Washington-Haspel-confirmation
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#24_May_2018_%28Washington%3A_Haspel_confirmation%29
content:
<p><a href="https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2018/05/17/haspel-confirmation-us-moves-beyond-impunity-reward-torture">In Haspel Confirmation, US Moves Beyond Impunity to Reward Torture</a>.</p>
</li></p>


feed_id: e8d3a1f4f9d5b6e1e93a7e7ec4b25c86
title: Arctic ocean warming
uri: Arctic-ocean-warming
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#24_May_2018_%28Arctic_ocean_warming%29
content:
<p><a href="https://e360.yale.edu/features/alien-waters-neighboring-seas-are-flowing-into-a-warming-arctic-ocean">Warmer water from the Atlantic and Pacific oceans is flowing into the Arctic</a>, heating it up and bringing species that didn't live there before.</p>
<p>This is a positive feedback loop which will speed the total loss of Arctic sea ice, and speed the melting of Greenland.</p>
</li></p>


feed_id: 0c41f7a61a6bd8590840a7990431185d
title: Pruitt chemical plants
uri: Pruitt-chemical-plants
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#24_May_2018_%28Pruitt_chemical_plants%29
content:
<p>Saboteur Pruitt <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2018/05/18/trump-administration-reveals-plan-revoke-health-safety-protections-chemical">intends to cancel the EPA's system for avoiding chemical plant disasters</a>.</p>
</li></p>


feed_id: d9362089c5cefd4ff37ec9447d5b14a9
title: British royal family feudal privilege
uri: British-royal-family-feudal-privilege
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#24_May_2018_%28British_royal_family_feudal_privilege%29

content:
<p>Some blacks in the British royal family <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2018/may/20/meghan-markle-feudal-privilege-black-princess-royal-family">won't do much to reduce racism against black commoners</a>.</p>
</li></p>


feed_id: 3b12bbf94c50aa7ab5faf7f55362e232
title: Africa: big tech economy
uri: Africa-big-tech-economy
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#24_May_2018_%28Africa%3A_big_tech_economy%29
content:
<p>African countries <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/business/2018/may/19/should-africa-let-silicon-valley-in-technology-data">need to beware of letting foreign companies dominate them</a> by getting control of the citizens' data.</p>
<p>People should be allowed to access foreign social networks and services, so as to keep their data away from their own government. However, domestic social networks and services should be required to protect their data from access by foreign governments.</p>
<p>Even better, these services should protect the data from the local government _as well_.</p>
</li></p>


feed_id: 40eac68f3aa8b745b922b12f303cdc7e
title: Far-left policies according to WAPO
uri: Far-left-policies-according-to-WAPO
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#24_May_2018_%28Far-left_policies_according_to_WAPO%29

content:
<p>The Washington Post uses the term "far left" for candidates that support policies <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2018/05/19/surprising-popularity-far-left-policies">such as taxing the rich more, single-payer medical care, legalizing marijuana</a>.</p>
<p>Since most American's support those policies, by definition the center includes them.  They should be called "center-left policies".</p>
<p>As for the fictional "center" of the establishment, that's right-wing.</p>
</li></p>


feed_id: 72bb429eecffba033f7af16a58bab027
title: Comcast installation fee
uri: Comcast-installation-fee
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#24_May_2018_%28Comcast_installation_fee%29
content:
<p>Comcast <a href="https://arstechnica.com/information-technology/2018/05/comcast-charges-90-install-fee-at-homes-that-already-have-comcast-installed/">makes new customers sign up for an "installation"</a>, for which it charges a fee, even if the house already has a connection and the customer has per own modem.  Comcast claims the customer can get a refund for this, but it doesn't tell customers that.</p>
<p>If your congresscritter votes against network neutrality, it's because perse is getting paid by this company and/or a few others like it.</p>
</li></p>


feed_id: 8b78d4376846b6e8e38e398f5756d68a
title: Kremlin used NRA
uri: Kremlin-used-NRA
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#24_May_2018_%28Kremlin_used_NRA%29
content:
<p>The Senate Judiciary committee says that the <a href="https://www.thedailybeast.com/kremlin-used-nra-to-help-trump-in-2016-says-senate-intelligence-committee">NRA funneled money from Russia to support the cheater's campaign</a>.</p>
</li></p>


feed_id: 9fedf9efe8117ada2fee1c524f19c126
title: New American aristocracy
uri: New-American-aristocracy
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#24_May_2018_%28New_American_aristocracy%29
content:
<p><a href="https://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2018/06/the-birth-of-a-new-american-aristocracy/559130/">Over the decades when the richest Americans took wealth and income away from the non-rich 90%</a>, forcing them down into poverty, the intermediate group of not-quite-rich (around 10%) have maintained their comfortable status by building barriers to social mobility between them and the 90%.</p>
<p>The article refers to the "9.9%", but that is unwarranted precision. The line between that group and the 90% is not a sharp one; we cannot say whether they are 10%, 9.9%, or 10.1% of the population.</p>
<p>The article's terminology is slightly skewed from historical precedent.  The term "aristocracy" should refer to the richest .1%. The proper term for the comfortable 10% is "gentry".</p>
</li></p>


feed_id: 1a4bd2504a61dc005601c694730396d0
title: UK: Accounting firms
uri: UK-Accounting-firms
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#24_May_2018_%28UK%3A_Accounting_firms%29
content:
<p>The big accounting firms <a href="https://www.independent.co.uk/news/business/news/big-four-accountancy-firms-broken-up-kpgm-pwc-deloitte-a8354911.html">must be split up to ensure honest auditing</a>.</p>
</li></p>


feed_id: bfccacc64e60fbdec97595cad53038c2
title: Student loans are a burden
uri: Student-loans-are-a-burden
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#24_May_2018_%28Student_loans_are_a_burden%29
content:
<p><a href="https://www.bustle.com/p/ive-paid-18000-to-a-24000-student-loan-i-still-owe-24000-9000788">Student loans in the US nowadays have become a crushing burden</a> that (unless you get a big income soon after graduation) lasts for life, and sometimes even longer.  The author explains her own example.</p>
</li></p>


feed_id: 22393207e1930c9f988270decf402bd0
title: The rise of AI
uri: The-rise-of-AI
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#24_May_2018_%28The_rise_of_AI%29
content:
<p>Even while AI lacks the power to convert Earth into paperclips, <a href="https://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2018/06/henry-kissinger-ai-could-mean-the-end-of-human-history/559124/">it tends to destroy the meaning of human thinking</a>.</p>
</li></p>


feed_id: f243a621b31df97fc0cd8775621d1012
title: Russian troll's politicize school schooting
uri: Russian-troll-s-politicize-school-schooting
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#24_May_2018_%28Russian_troll%27s_politicize_school_schooting%29

content:
<p><a href="https://www.inquisitr.com/4905300/dimitrios-pagourtzis-russian-trolls-facebook-santa-fe-school-shooter/">Right-wing trolls spread disinformation about the latest school shooter</a> almost immeditely after he was identified, using his name to falsely smear their political enemies.</p>
</li></p>


feed_id: 69461fb2a93746dfbe7a6d5ae1a05e3a
title: Scientists plead to Congress
uri: Scientists-plead-to-Congress
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#24_May_2018_%28Scientists_plead_to_Congress%29
content:
<p>Scientists Tell Congress: <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2018/05/18/scientists-tell-congress-dont-strip-science-out-endangered-species-act">Don’t Strip Science Out of the Endangered Species Act</a>.</p>
</li></p>


feed_id: 761f2661c2a2e1944a92a8da95fac2ff
title: US: households struggle for basic needs
uri: US-households-struggle-for-basic-needs
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#24_May_2018_%28US%3A_households_struggle_for_basic_needs%29

content:
<p><a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2018/05/18/sanders-slams-us-inequality-report-finds-nearly-half-americans-cant-afford-basic">Over 40% of American households have trouble paying for basic needs</a>.</p>
<p>Plutocracy did this, and until we put an end to plutocracy, it will keep making things worse.</p>
</li></p>


feed_id: 61f7032bda0294821db6b0f51d9be9cf
title: Socialist and Rich?
uri: Socialist-and-Rich
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#24_May_2018_%28Socialist_and_Rich%3F%29
content:
<p>"Can you be a socialist and rich?"  <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2018/apr/25/can-you-be-socialist-and-rich-google">Yes, and sincerely so</a>.</p>
<p>Progressives recognize that the money that some rich people would voluntarily donate is not enough to do what the state ought to do. Therefore we advocate establishing systems that give everybody a decent life.  With proper taxation, all rich people will have to contribute to society's needs, but none of them will be required to reduce themselves to poverty.</p>
</li></p>


feed_id: 9a6eb4900d9c709a68ad0d4344f7562a
title: Shared electric scooters
uri: Shared-electric-scooters
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#24_May_2018_%28Shared_electric_scooters%29
content:
<p>Shared electric scooters would be a significant improvement in public transport, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/cities/2018/apr/25/electric-scooters-urban-transport-bird-santa-monica-uk">if not for the fact that they track you everywhere and require running a proprietary app</a>.</p>
<p>These are <a href="https://stallman.org/uber.html">fundamentally as evil as Uber</a>, so I urge you to reject them like Uber.</p>
</li></p>


feed_id: 9c9a21d6aa949522b4dd5c96b1e53630
title: Senator Corker proposes war law
uri: Senator-Corker-proposes-war-law
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#24_May_2018_%28Senator_Corker_proposes_war_law%29
content:
<p>Senator Corker proposes a law to <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2018/04/17/corkers-proposal-hands-trump-dangerous-open-ended-war-authorization">let the US start wars in any country if it is for fighting certain a vaguely specified set of terrorist groups</a>, even if there is no war going on.</p>
</li></p>


feed_id: 22fb5f3a4237e7813fea5209878bbe94
title: Urgent: Political ad transparency
uri: Urgent-Political-ad-transparency
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#26_May_2018_%28Urgent%3A_Political_ad_transparency%29

content:
<p>
US citizens: <a href="https://actionnetwork.org/forms/co-sign-to-demand-a-transparent-democracy">Demand transparency</a> in political ads.


feed_id: 1bd488ea422011437de6b388017d522d
title: Urgent: Negotiating drug prices
uri: 2018-05-26-Urgent-Negotiating-drug-prices
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#26_May_2018_%28Urgent%3A_Negotiating_drug_prices%29
content:
<p>
US citizens: <a href="https://act.democracyforamerica.com/sign/reichdrugprices/">call on Congress</a> to let Medicare and Medicaid negotiate
drug prices.
<p>
I think the page appears not to work
if you don't run its JS code, but then it sends a confirmation mail.
If you get different results, please inform me.


feed_id: 1cfd9be3c13d23096f7cb92b7a504fb3
title: Urgent: Restore net neutrality
uri: Urgent-Restore-net-neutrality
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#26_May_2018_%28Urgent%3A_Restore_net_neutrality%29
content:
<p>
US citizens: <a href="https://act.credoaction.com/sign/house-netneutrality">call on the House</a> to restore the network neutrality rules.


feed_id: 04952bda76726f6d9aee65a5e0b69ef9
title: Pastor resignation
uri: Pastor-resignation
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#26_May_2018_%28Pastor_resignation%29
content:
<p>
Gregory Stevens resigned from a Palo Alto church, accusing the city of
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2018/may/22/silicon-valley-pastor-gregory-stevens-wealth-liberals">contemptuously crushing the poor</a>.
<p>
Perhaps it would be better if he had stayed on.


feed_id: cf1112640fbc067249ce02d0d2d49dda
title: EU carbon-trading
uri: EU-carbon-trading
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#26_May_2018_%28EU_carbon-trading%29
content:
<p>
The European Union's carbon-trading is reportedly <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2018/may/22/carbon-markets-back-from-the-brink-of-collapse-says-world-bank">starting to be
effective</a> in reducing greenhouse gas emissions.


feed_id: 6ac74b391695fda8b2f70fac45d587d1
title: Data is the new oil
uri: Data-is-the-new-oil
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#26_May_2018_%28Data_is_the_new_oil%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2018/may/22/data-big-tech-eu-regulation-gdpr">"Data is the new oil"</a> &mdash; but if so, what does that imply?
<p>
Humanity, and most other species of life, would be better off if we
made <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#20_February_2016_(Fight_to_keep_fossil_fuel_in_ground)">most of the buried oil and gas</a> disappear instantly.
<p>
We would likewise be better off if we made most of the present and
future databases of personal data disappear.


feed_id: 471476634e7e3f7093b65943afc3d6cd
title: Purdue Pharma
uri: Purdue-Pharma
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#26_May_2018_%28Purdue_Pharma%29
content:
<p>
Purdue Pharma was convicted of fraud in connection with OxyContin,
but then the US government made a deal with Purdue to allow it to
continue selling the drug.  <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2018/may/22/rudy-giuliani-opioid-epidemic-oxycontin-purdue-pharma">Rudy Giuliani obtained this deal</a>
for Purdue.
<p>
It seems that OxyContin's special characteristics are responsible for
the current problem of opioids.  Some of it could have been prevented,
if not for that deal.
<p>
There is no justification for lurching to the other extreme and making the
less dangerous approved opioid medicines so hard to get.


feed_id: d1cd42ca772c0758685a3674f94cf9e2
title: Mines in Afghanistan
uri: Mines-in-Afghanistan
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#26_May_2018_%28Mines_in_Afghanistan%29
content:
<p>
The Taliban and PIS are <a href="https://theintercept.com/2018/05/22/afghanistan-mining-talc-taliban-islamic-state/">capturing mines in Afghanistan</a> and selling the
minerals.


feed_id: 43e945a9a3490db0d82d1080aa7cc8c7
title: Prisoner beaten
uri: Prisoner-beaten
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#26_May_2018_%28Prisoner_beaten%29
content:
<p>
Prison <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thugs</a> in Australia have admitted beating up a prisoner for no
reason, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2018/may/22/nsw-prison-officers-who-allegedly-covered-up-bashing-too-ready-to-be-heavy-handed">then lying about it</a>.
<p>
One of their coworkers was a corrections officer rather than a <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thug</a>.
Bravo for his commitment to honesty.  If not for him, they might have
maimed the prisoner.


feed_id: 83c032969a1563ed5ce8784f0be94c85
title: Unemployment benefits
uri: 2018-05-26-Unemployment-benefits
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#26_May_2018_%28Unemployment_benefits%29
content:
<p>
A <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/society/2018/may/22/benefit-sanctions-found-to-be-ineffective-and-damaging">study tracking the outcomes</a> of punishing unemployed Britons by
cutting their unemployment benefits found that it rarely leads
anyone into getting a job, but it pushed many of them into poverty
or crime.
<p>
The article does not report on how effective these policies have been
at leading people to demonize the unemployed.
<p>
If the government wants poor people to work more hours, it should
think about laws to require companies to give workers predictable work
schedules, notifying them well in advance.


feed_id: bea1a3bdaba590fea2eabc9454969aa8
title: North Korea disarmament
uri: North-Korea-disarmament
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#26_May_2018_%28North_Korea_disarmament%29
content:
<p>
It seems that North Korea envisions <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/may/21/trump-south-korean-president-moon-jae-in-nuclear-summit">nuclear disarmament over time</a>,
not the immediate total unilateral disarmament that the <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#bully">bully</a> demands.
<p>
If we have peace between South Korea and North Korea, I won't feel
terribly worried that North Korea has nuclear weapons.  What makes
that so potentially dangerous is the state of war.  It is always
unfortunate that another country has nuclear weapons, but there is no
need to go nuts about that.


feed_id: 9dc43caf4facbee0576b7cee7df89f64
title: Marijuana arrests
uri: Marijuana-arrests
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#26_May_2018_%28Marijuana_arrests%29
content:
<p>
Mayor de Blasio told New York City thugs to <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2018/may/21/bill-de-blasio-mayor-new-york-marijuana">stop arresting people</a>
for smoking marijuana on street.


feed_id: c581a89025b458f6112e0b0b628b2078
title: Firing at protesters
uri: Firing-at-protesters
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#26_May_2018_%28Firing_at_protesters%29
content:
<p>
Australia and the US must recognize: There is no justification for
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2018/may/22/there-is-no-justification-for-firing-into-crowds-of-protesters">firing into crowds of protesters</a>.


feed_id: a7c910e82d7fb30a76c5dfe2212c60dc
title: Playing basketball while black
uri: Playing-basketball-while-black
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#26_May_2018_%28Playing_basketball_while_black%29
content:
<p>
Imagine if playing basketball while black <a href="https://www.clickhole.com/racial-profiling-epidemic-last-night-s-celtics-cavs-ga-1826083084">becomes a crime</a>.
<p>
The article seems to be satire.


feed_id: b77612385fe6ea402884f1ab41a3a2e8
title: Munich protest
uri: Munich-protest
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#26_May_2018_%28Munich_protest%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://edri.org/bavarians-protest-against-vastly-extended-police-powers/">30,000 protested in Munich</a> against plans to give thugs more power.


feed_id: a7d9f647f93630fa3a51678ff03aa416
title: Technology for activism
uri: Technology-for-activism
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#26_May_2018_%28Technology_for_activism%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://edri.org/enditorial-can-design-save-us-from-content-moderation/">EDRI urges activists</a> to "be as critical of the technology you use to
further your cause as you are of the people, lobbyists, institutions,
companies and governments you’re fighting."
<p>
I hope this leads to understanding of why we must reject nonfree software.


feed_id: 4756fe839202b290d396ab1ff86e1882
title: US birth rate
uri: US-birth-rate
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#26_May_2018_%28US_birth_rate%29
content:
<p>
The <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2018/may/21/hat-looks-good-slug-birth-rates-us-falling-reasons-why-family-policies">US birth rate is falling</a>.  That means less contribution to
<a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#global heating">global heating</a>, less contribution to deforestation, less contribution
to every global problem.
<p>
The low birth rate is what we need.  But it does not require making
most people poor.


feed_id: a4c41bc92817c667a70b5da0093a800c
title: Women's rights in Salafi Arabia
uri: Women-s-rights-in-Salafi-Arabia
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#26_May_2018_%28Women%27s_rights_in_Salafi_Arabia%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#salafi">Salafi Arabia</a> is
arresting <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2018/may/21/further-arrests-saudi-arabia-womens-rights-activists-driving-ban">lots
of women's rights activists</a>.
<p>
Looks like the charm offensive has stalled.


feed_id: 2d9a318402d40ce03c03b1a157ce98b1
title: Copyright extension
uri: 2018-05-26-Copyright-extension
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#26_May_2018_%28Copyright_extension%29
content:
<p>
The US Senate is considering another long copyright extension,
this time for old musical recordings that are <a href="http://web-old.archive.org/web/20180521043151/https://www.wired.com/story/congress-latest-move-to-extend-copyright-protection-is-misguided/">already in the
public domain</a>.


feed_id: 0d46103dbeec432bff7628a410d0aa34
title: Chuck Schumer's leadership
uri: Chuck-Schumer-s-leadership
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#26_May_2018_%28Chuck_Schumer%27s_leadership%29
content:
<p>
Chuck Schumer Is the Worst Possible Democratic Leader on Foreign Policy <a href="https://theintercept.com/2018/05/21/chuck-schumer-is-the-worst-possible-democratic-leader-on-foreign-policy-at-the-worst-possible-time/">at the Worst Possible Time</a>.


feed_id: baf490f5c3d047788077489b1321441b
title: Leukaemia and bacteria
uri: Leukaemia-and-bacteria
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#26_May_2018_%28Leukaemia_and_bacteria%29
content:
<p>
One cause of acute leukaemia seems to be <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/society/2018/may/21/most-common-childhood-cancer-partly-caused-by-lack-of-infection">overprotecting children from
bacteria</a>.


feed_id: 08870857ca95c5282c8ef165b8aa6f0e
title: Mass shootings and misogyny
uri: Mass-shootings-and-misogyny
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#26_May_2018_%28Mass_shootings_and_mysogyny%29
content:
<p>
Several mass shootings in the US, including the last two, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2018/may/21/santa-fe-mass-shooting-misogyny">were based
on misogyny</a>.


feed_id: 9cf9ecef9dda082d144b82117a991ff2
title: Malaria in Venezuela
uri: Malaria-in-Venezuela
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#26_May_2018_%28Malaria_in_Venezuela%29
content:
<p>
Venezuela's medical system is collapsing and <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2018/may/21/malaria-rates-soar-venezuela-five-times-more-cases-than-in-2013">no longer prevents malaria</a>.
<p>
The system can't possibly be worse today, for the poor, than it was
before President Chavez.  Before Chavez, Venezuela's medical system
used to be effectively limited those wealthy enough to pay.  Chavez
brought in Cuban doctors to offer treatment to the poor.


feed_id: 9f46e6d805b6146a22e42fe089bc5ab7
title: Urgent: Restoring Overtime Pay Act
uri: Urgent-Restoring-Overtime-Pay-Act
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#26_May_2018_%28Urgent%3A_Restoring_Overtime_Pay_Act%29

content:
<p>
US citizens: support the <a href="https://act.credoaction.com/sign/restoring_overtime_act">Restoring Overtime Pay Act</a>.


feed_id: bf7ad4bb7219d43fb69ce836d4eb3582
title: Immigration hearing quota
uri: Immigration-hearing-quota
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#26_May_2018_%28Immigration_hearing_quota%29
content:
<p>
The bully plans to deny immigrants proper hearings by <a href="https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2018/4/6/1754983/-Former-immigration-judge-Sessions-s-quota-plan-a-bribe-affront-to-judicial-independence">setting a quota
for cases</a>, so that judges have to rush and cannot give due consideration
to anyone's rights.


feed_id: 7d7631ac3c0eca8d458f66e0052f9eab
title: Venezuela election
uri: Venezuela-election
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#26_May_2018_%28Venezuela_election%29
content:
<p>
Maduro won "reelection" with a low turnout as his opposition <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/may/21/venezuela-elections-nicolas-maduro-wins-second-term">boycotted
the election</a>.  The figures suggest that the opposition might have won
if it had voted.
<p>
I don't see visible proof that the election was rigged, but I would not assume
Maduro is honest.


feed_id: d8484ebc87e64f924c741092c9a594a6
title: Remote immigration hearings
uri: Remote-immigration-hearings
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#26_May_2018_%28Remote_immigration_hearings%29
content:
<p>
Doing immigration hearings via telecommunications is bad for the
people concerned, because it <a href="https://www.motherjones.com/crime-justice/2018/05/how-trial-by-skype-became-the-norm-in-immigration-court/">tends to discourage them</a>; then they give
up before trying all arguments to be allowed to stay in the US.


feed_id: 2bad0789482e693b4c64f6c161ea037f
title: Airbnb in the EU
uri: Airbnb-in-the-EU
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#26_May_2018_%28Airbnb_in_the_EU%29
content:
<p>
The EU has <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/may/21/eu-blocking-cities-efforts-to-curb-airbnb-say-campaigners">taken the side of Airbnb</a>, against the residents of cities
that see housing becoming scarce.


feed_id: 6b540fd451c405d33de2486a96c34d91
title: Face recognition in school
uri: Face-recognition-in-school
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#26_May_2018_%28Face_recognition_in_school%29
content:
<p>
A school in New York state plans to <a href="https://boingboing.net/2018/05/21/kafka-high.html">use face recognition</a> to record who
speaks with whom in the school.
<p>
The operative words is not "Kafka", it is "Big Brother."
I hope that students organize to fight and to defeat this
system.


feed_id: dee52cef9c00224b26983d3be82358a6
title: Shootings in and out of school
uri: Shootings-in-and-out-of-school
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#26_May_2018_%28Shootings_in_and_out_of_school%29
content:
<p>
Being shot is a danger in the US, but students are <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2018/05/21/shooting-statistics-are-clear-its-not-schools-are-dangerous">in more danger
outside school</a> than in it.


feed_id: 179990636b308039ace65468e5cafcc7
title: Thugs listening to jail calls
uri: Thugs-listening-to-jail-calls
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#26_May_2018_%28Thugs_listening_to_jail_calls%29
content:
<p>
New Orleans thugs <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2018/may/22/new-orleans-prison-phone-calls-attorney-client-privilege">listen to conversations</a> of people in jail with their
lawyers.


feed_id: 6db417802105de81b501b7970a0fb972
title: Israel's war crimes
uri: 2018-05-27-Israel-s-war-crimes
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#26_May_2018_%28Israel%27s_war_crimes%29
content:
<p>
The Palestinian Authority has <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/may/22/palestinian-minister-israel-war-crimes-icc-referral">referred Israel's war crimes</a> to the
International Criminal Court.


feed_id: 5c030873e1eac443a2413823c8a0bc91
title: Protesters killed in India
uri: Protesters-killed-in-India
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#26_May_2018_%28Protesters_killed_in_India%29
content:
<p>
Indian thugs <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/may/22/indian-police-open-fire-on-pollution-protesters-thootukudi">shot and killed nine protesters</a> who demanded an end to
toxic pollution from a factory near their homes.


feed_id: abb84389c31a86f03cc2a609b20248a5
title: Massacre in Burma
uri: Massacre-in-Burma
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#26_May_2018_%28Massacre_in_Burma%29
content:
<p>
A Rohingya militia <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/may/22/rohingya-militants-massacred-hindus-in-myanmar-says-amnesty">massacred Hindus in Burma</a>, sparing only those who
agreed to convert to Islam.
<p>
This crime doesn't justify the much larger subsequent crime against
Rohingya civilians.


feed_id: d772719134fdcaa9afef60461c0ac700
title: Encouraging dictators
uri: Encouraging-dictators
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#26_May_2018_%28Encouraging_dictators%29
content:
<p>
In one country after another, the would-be tyrant encourages dictators
to <a href="https://theintercept.com/2018/05/22/trump-torture-bahrain/">crush and kill dissidents</a>.


feed_id: 87eb19dc10704d75ac4cd5c583e5f4e4
title: Presidential power in Africa
uri: Presidential-power-in-Africa
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#26_May_2018_%28Presidential_power_in_Africa%29
content:
<p>
Various African "presidents" are <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/may/22/burundi-presidents-power-grab-reinforces-a-regional-trend">giving themselves increased powers</a> and
setting aside term limits.


feed_id: 54e5d39e4fb234c4f7f5cf2485a01cfa
title: Teaching Tibetan language
uri: Teaching-Tibetan-language
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#26_May_2018_%28Teaching_Tibetan_language%29
content:
<p>
Tashi Wangchuk has been <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/may/22/activist-sentenced-to-five-years-in-prison-for-promoting-tibetan-language">imprisoned for 5 years</a> for teaching Tibetans
in the Tibetan language, which China seeks to extinguish.
<p>
I speculate that Yushu is in the part of Tibet that China annexed
several decades ago.


feed_id: 2822f85e1519deb6b8c8513a7aca7b4f
title: Malaysian investigator
uri: Malaysian-investigator
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#26_May_2018_%28Malaysian_investigator%29
content:
<p>
Shukri Abdull, Malaysian investigator whose job included investigating
Najib Razak's corruption, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/may/22/malaysia-1mdb-scandal-investigator-death-threats-vanishing-witnesses">talks about the threats and obstacles</a> he received.


feed_id: 4ed01c5024364c3224fa2d96e35f54c6
title: Bitcoin mining energy
uri: Bitcoin-mining-energy
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#26_May_2018_%28Bitcoin_mining_energy%29
content:
<p>
The energy consumption of Bitcoin mining has <a href="https://grist.org/article/bitcoins-energy-use-got-studied-and-you-libertarian-nerds-look-even-worse-than-usual/">doubled in six months</a>.
<p>
Please don't call those people "libertarians".  They use that name to
give the impression that defending human rights is their principal aim.
In fact their principal aim is <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#31_December_2017_(Antisocialists)">laissez-faire economics</a>.
They condemn the regulations that protect us from business
as "socialism", so the right term for them is "<a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#anti">antisocialists</a>".


feed_id: e241e79d0a4ad8f03644c35ff0a0fa31
title: Poor People's Campaign
uri: 2018-05-27-Poor-People-s-Campaign
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#27_May_2018_%28Poor_Peoples_Campaign%29
content:
<p>
'<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2018/may/21/christian-religious-left-william-barber-poor-peoples-campaign">Jesus
Never Charged a Leper a Co-Pay</a>': Christian progressives in the US.


feed_id: 126be65d7ab9b708b34b841952e44651
title: Starbucks toilet policy
uri: Starbucks-toilet-policy
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#27_May_2018_%28Starbucks_toilet_policy%29
content:
<p>
Starbucks: all members of the public that enter its stores in the US
are now welcome to use the toilet, 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/business/2018/may/20/new-starbucks-policy-allows-nonpaying-guests-use-restrooms">whether
they buy anything or not</a>.
<p>
This ought to be the law, everywhere, for all stores that have a
toilet for customers.


feed_id: 13f6b0ce064abdbfee36456649875f80
title: Definition of "white race"
uri: Definition-of-white-race
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#27_May_2018_%28Definition_of_white_race%29
content:
<p>
The definition of "white race" has been 
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2018/05/20/royal-wedding-and-end-whiteness">extended
to perhaps 10 times as many people in the past 250 years</a>.
<p>
In another 50 years, if we work at it, we could redefine it to include
all humans.


feed_id: d6c0c9f60e12ee6b777333d1bbc72c71
title: Partisan gerrymandering
uri: Partisan-gerrymandering
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#27_May_2018_%28Partisan_gerrymandering%29
content:
<p>
Various paths to 
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2018/05/20/how-end-partisan-gerrymandering">ending</a>
partisan gerrymandering.


feed_id: b2519d24259f5c54040fdc0ec2186004
title: Corporate domination of West Virginia
uri: Corporate-domination-of-West-Virginia
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#27_May_2018_%28Corporate_domination_of_West_Virginia%29

content:
<p>
"Corporate domination of West Virginia is to blame for the state's 
<a href='https://www.commondreams.org/views/2018/05/20/stephen-smith-corporate-domination-west-virginia'>high
rates of obesity, smoking, and drug overdose deaths</a>, says the head
of the West Virginia Healthy Kids and Family Coalition."


feed_id: dcc2722e7a3c6665dfd44f2347092e55
title: UK tax return
uri: UK-tax-return
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#27_May_2018_%28UK_tax_return%29
content:
<p>
The UK has 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2018/may/20/a-life-completely-destroyed-by-one-paragraph-322-immigration-law">pushed
an immigrant into destitution</a> because he made a mistake on his tax
return and then corrected it as prescribed by law.


feed_id: dafefcf8fc75a3c39003de0c37dd0e5a
title: Italian government's fiscal plans
uri: Italian-government-s-fiscal-plans
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#27_May_2018_%28Italian_governments_fiscal_plans%29
content:
<p>
The new Italian government's fiscal plans are 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/business/2018/may/20/italys-policies-make-sense-its-eurozone-rules-that-are-absurd">rational
and necessary</a> &mdash; it's the euro zone that is absurd.
<p>
Italy has the 
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2015-jul-oct.html#16_July_2015_(Euro-banksters_demand_more_oppression)">same
kind of problem as Greece</a>, though it is not as acute for Italy.


feed_id: cd0110497ff8fc1702ae58f220c3f804
title: Cell phone location data
uri: Cell-phone-location-data
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#27_May_2018_%28Cell_phone_location_data%29
content:
<p>
LocationSmart has everyone's cell phone location data because 
<a href="https://www.zdnet.com/article/us-cell-carriers-selling-access-to-real-time-location-data/">phone
companies sell the data to it</a>.


feed_id: 76f974f36c90da57d1c85502bd637cd0
title: Racial segregation in housing
uri: Racial-segregation-in-housing
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#27_May_2018_%28Racial_segregation_in_housing%29
content:
<p>
The <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#saboteur">Saboteur</a> of Housing has 
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2018/05/19/carson-pulls-tool-used-officials-identify-segregation">withdrawn
a "tool"</a> that cities use to check for racial segregation in
housing.
<p>
This "tool" is really 
<a href="https://gnu.org/philosophy/who-does-that-server-really-serve.html">SaaSS</a>,
and should be replaced by a free program, released to the public, so
that anyone can run it and no one can ever take it away.


feed_id: 8efe9a318e3b11ee235ff87af07fa886
title: Deportations
uri: 2018-05-27-Deportations
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#27_May_2018_%28Deportations%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#saboteur">Saboteur</a> Sessions is always looking to deport more people.  Now he has
<a href="https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2018/5/18/1765275/-Sessions-is-using-his-power-to-turn-immigration-courts-into-a-deportation-assembly-line">ordered
immigration judges from granting a deportation target a delay</a> so
that perse can regularize per status.


feed_id: 6917b60bada52d88b25f984daf591f17
title: Finance for fossil fuels
uri: Finance-for-fossil-fuels
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#27_May_2018_%28Finance_for_fossil_fuels%29
content:
<p>
Reporting on the progress in 
<a href="media/7e8be0b0.Banking_on_Climate_Change_2018_vWEB.pdf" data-original-source="https://d3n8a8pro7vhmx.cloudfront.net/rainforestactionnetwork/pages/19540/attachments/original/1525099181/Banking_on_Climate_Change_2018_vWEB.pdf">eliminating
finance for fossil fuels</a>.


feed_id: b91d58f2eaac26b5815af49ecbd3d129
title: Democratic Party establishment
uri: 2018-05-28-Democratic-Party-establishment
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#28_May_2018_%28Democratic_Party_establishment%29
content:
<p>
Democratic Party establishment leaders say that they back "centrist"
(plutocratist) candidates over progressives for strategic reasons; but
analysis of the facts show that they do so 
<a href="https://theintercept.com/2018/05/23/democratic-party-leadership-moderates-dccc/">even
when it is clear that a progressive Democratic nominee would win</a>
the general election.
<p>
So the real reason is simply that they are plutocratist.


feed_id: 7d00c1904fea605da3bb824385a69ae8
title: Detroit to cut off water
uri: Detroit-to-cut-off-water
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#28_May_2018_%28Detroit_to_cut_off_water%29
content:
<p>
Detroit Is about to Cut Off Water for 
<a href="https://grist.org/article/detroit-is-about-to-cut-off-water-for-thousands-of-people/">Thousands
of People</a>.


feed_id: 36e08d7b702ce6a871eb06299d575835
title: Effect of increased CO2 on rice
uri: Effect-of-increased-CO2-on-rice
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#28_May_2018_%28Effect_of_increased_CO2_on_rice%29
content:
<p>
Increased CO<sub>2</sub> levels make rice 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2018/may/23/climate-change-will-make-rice-less-nutritious">produce
less of various vitamins</a>.


feed_id: 2da65f497da0bb20d67211634adc71b5
title: Terminally ill refugee on Nauru
uri: Terminally-ill-refugee-on-Nauru
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#28_May_2018_%28Terminally_ill_refugee_on_Nauru%29
content:
<p>
Doctors Beg Australian Border Force to Move 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2018/may/24/doctors-beg-australian-border-force-to-move-terminally-ill-refugee-off-nauru">Terminally
Ill Refugee</a> off Nauru.


feed_id: a158c75fff3ef3aaf0ae7b8b9922b4cf
title: Cat-proof fences in Australia
uri: Cat-proof-fences-in-Australia
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#28_May_2018_%28Cat-proof_fences_in_Australia%29
content:
<p>
Australia is building cat-proof fences to establish
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2018/may/24/australia-completes-worlds-largest-cat-proof-fence-to-protect-endangered-marsupials">reserves
for native mammals and birds</a>.  But the cats inside the fence will
have to be caught and removed.


feed_id: 1a760aaa887f06d2eb3708e8d0a7c6c1
title: Prosecutor of inauguration protesters
uri: Prosecutor-of-inauguration-protesters
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#28_May_2018_%28Prosecutor_of_inauguration_protesters%29

content:
<p>
The prosecutor of the inauguration protesters was 
<a href="https://theintercept.com/2018/05/23/j20-trial-project-veritas-video/">caught
withholding exculpatory evidence</a>.


feed_id: 57bce1b27cc80f1e50bbc2ba8a6f1e25
title: NYC may ban plastic straws
uri: NYC-may-ban-plastic-straws
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#28_May_2018_%28NYC_may_ban_plastic_straws%29
content:
<p>
New York City 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2018/may/23/new-york-plastic-straws-ban-proposal-city-council-policy">may
ban plastic straws</a>.
<p>
When I was young, we used paper straws and they worked just fine.  We
need to learn not to choose plastic if it can be avoided.  And then we
need to learn to avoid it in anything disposable.


feed_id: c6e20df144785cdb788b02071152b616
title: Guatemalan ex-military officers convicted
uri: Guatemalan-ex-military-officers-convicted
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#28_May_2018_%28Guatemalan_ex-military_officers_convicted%29

content:
<p>
Guatemala: Ex-Military Officers 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/may/23/guatemala-ex-military-officers-convicted-of-crimes-against-humanity">Convicted
of Crimes Against Humanity</a>.
<p>
They include the former head of the armed forces.  Hooray!


feed_id: e2f28f68de14e906cfabfd703842b5da
title: Cost of global heating
uri: 2018-05-28-Cost-of-global-heating
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#28_May_2018_%28Cost_of_global_heating%29
content:
<p>
Limiting <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#global heating">global heating</a> to 1.5C would avoid
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2018/may/23/hitting-toughest-climate-target-will-save-world-30tn-in-damages-analysis-shows">30
trillion dollars in damages</a> compared with letting things go on as
now.
<p>
That is a minimum, since we don't know how much positive feedback will
make the consequences even worse.


feed_id: a313453ac8e9a9ea11907a62f67de926
title: Las Vegas casino workers to strike
uri: Las-Vegas-casino-workers-to-strike
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#28_May_2018_%28Las_Vegas_casino_workers_to_strike%29

content:
<p>
Las Vegas Casino Workers Vote for 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2018/may/23/las-vegas-casino-strikes-workers-vote-walk-out-date">First
Mass Strike in More Than 30 Years</a>.


feed_id: 25dcc88d741bb16e63081668aa7c37d5
title: Files destroyed by UK
uri: Files-destroyed-by-UK
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#28_May_2018_%28Files_destroyed_by_UK%29
content:
<p>
The UK destroyed files which may have described 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/may/23/files-on-tamil-tigers-and-mi5-in-sri-lanka-erased-at-foreign-office">advising
Sri Lanka on torture and disappearance</a>.
<p>
We don't know what they said, but we have to presume they were
culpable.


feed_id: a6b5bba0bb72b2905692b90c0e0efa9a
title: Amazon face-recognition surveillance
uri: Amazon-face-recognition-surveillance
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#28_May_2018_%28Amazon_face-recognition_surveillance%29

content:
<p>
Amazon is ready to supply face-recognition surveillance to 
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2018/05/22/user-manual-authoritarian-surveillance-aclu-red-alert-amazon-peddles-facial">any
government</a>.


feed_id: a9ddf2a314da622256fa2333e1e8ab54
title: False murder convictions
uri: 2018-05-28-False-murder-convictions
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#28_May_2018_%28False_murder_convictions%29
content:
<p>
Roughly 
<a href="https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2018/5/20/1765283/-Why-wrongful-convictions-are-so-common-and-why-prosecutors-and-police-rarely-apologize">4%
of murder convictions</a> are false.  There are false convictions for
other crimes too.  It's partly due to officials that disregard the
truth in order to convict someone, but the bail system also pressures
lots of non-rich people into pleading guilty when they know they are
not.


feed_id: 16418050847333c1b538eeffa8fada0e
title: Stingray-like devices in DC
uri: Stingray-like-devices-in-DC
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#28_May_2018_%28Stingray-like_devices_in_DC%29
content:
<p>
Washington DC is 
<a href="https://www.nbcwashington.com/investigations/Potential-Spy-Devices-Which-Track-Cellphones-Intercept-Calls-Found-All-Over-DC-Md-Va-482970231.html">full
of stingray-like devices</a>, tracking various people's portable
phones on behalf of organizations unknown, and from foreign embassies.


feed_id: 211c80bcd0b019808a1808bc53a278b1
title: US border thugs
uri: 2018-05-28-US-border-thugs
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#28_May_2018_%28US_border_thugs%29
content:
<p>
A US border <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thug</a> 
<a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/post-nation/wp/2018/05/20/a-border-patrol-agent-detained-two-u-s-citizens-at-a-gas-station-after-hearing-them-speak-spanish/">held
and threatened two bilingual US citizens</a>, suspecting them of some
crime because they spoke to each other in Spanish.


feed_id: e8cdc07570af53ca1450d96449ae920f
title: Students punished for failing to smile
uri: Students-punished-for-failing-to-smile
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#28_May_2018_%28Students_punished_for_failing_to_smile%29

content:
<p>
A US high school 
<a href="https://www.ldnews.com/story/news/local/2018/05/15/n-lebanon-students-told-smile-while-bullying-gets-ignored/606180002/">punishes
students that fail to smile</a> while walking between classes.
<p>
Students have a ready-made answer when pressed to talk about why they
don't smile: "It's because you are harassing me."
<p>
They could also try putting on exaggerated phony smiles.
<p>
The discussion of a bullying incident refers to a "school resource
officer", which is a bureaucratic name for a <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thug</a> that is likely to
send your child to prison for some minor matter.  The last thing you
need in school is a 
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jul-oct.html#15_August_2016_(Thugs_in_schools)">thug
that can arrest students</a>.


feed_id: 8a0c4999bc97973c2bb0cb11ff8cd0a3
title: Class-action lawsuits by workers
uri: Class-action-lawsuits-by-workers
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#28_May_2018_%28Class-action_lawsuits_by_workers%29
content:
<p>
The US Supreme Court ruled that 
<a href="https://boingboing.net/2018/05/21/roi-on-gorsuch.html">companies
can stop their workers from filing</a> class-action lawsuits.
<p>
This means that they can't take any action about frequent abuses
that hit many of workers but not enough for each one to be
able to afford to take separate action.


feed_id: 836271927cd7be421d8dc0c17cfd84ff
title: Obstacle to peace with North Korea
uri: Obstacle-to-peace-with-North-Korea
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#28_May_2018_%28Obstacle_to_peace_with_North_Korea%29

content:
<p>
Some South Korean political leaders say 
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2018/05/21/trump-north-korea-talks-falter-south-korea-says-landmine-john-bolton-blame">Bolton
is the main obstacle</a> to peace with North Korea, calling him a
"land mine".


feed_id: 73cd11e4fd8a459a420e50c335624895
title: Atlantic Council and Facebook
uri: Atlantic-Council-and-Facebook
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#28_May_2018_%28Atlantic_Council_and_Facebook%29
content:
<p>
The Atlantic Council, which Facebook will consult about reducing
foreign influence on US elections, is 
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2018/05/21/media-ignore-government-influence-facebooks-plan-fight-government-influence">mainly
funded by the US military and plutocratic corporations</a>, as well as
some foreign governments.


feed_id: 808986fdef9d4af63c7c7e8b32a880ee
title: Urgent: Vote on protecting Mueller
uri: Urgent-Vote-on-protecting-Mueller
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#27_May_2018_%28Urgent%3A_Vote_on_protecting_Mueller%29

content:
<p>
US citizens: <a href="https://act.credoaction.com/sign/mcconnell_covering_for_Trump">call on Senator McConnell</a> to allow a Senate vote on
protecting Mueller.


feed_id: 9df876d3e528e035f4d2a679b9257dd7
title: Urgent: Paid leave at Target
uri: Urgent-Paid-leave-at-Target
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#27_May_2018_%28Urgent%3A_Paid_leave_at_Target%29
content:
<p>
Everyone: <a href="https://act.weareultraviolet.org/sign/target_paid_leave_2018/">call on Target stores</a> to grant 12 weeks of paid
leave to all employees that are parents of a newborn.
<p>
Life is very hard for non-rich people in the US.  We should all make it
easier.


feed_id: 2dfc865d6f525d619d84fcba37ceba1d
title: Iran sanctions
uri: Iran-sanctions
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#27_May_2018_%28Iran_sanctions%29
content:
<p>
Since the strictest sanctions didn't bring down Saddam Hussein, <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2018/05/22/how-pompeos-severest-sanctions-iran-will-backfire">it is
foolish to think</a> that they could make Iran yield.


feed_id: f2b1397f12e8191bf7f78ab967c1ed58
title: Doomsday clock
uri: Doomsday-clock
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#27_May_2018_%28Doomsday_clock%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#bully">The bully</a>'s attack on the non-nuclear deal with Iran convinced the
Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists to <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2018/05/22/brink-nuclear-war-who-will-lead">advance its doomsday clock</a> a minute
closer to midnight.


feed_id: b37d23018757c3edd71957a5594efb8b
title: B'liar hiding something
uri: B-liar-hiding-something
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#27_May_2018_%28B%27liar_hiding_something%29
content:
<p>
Tony B'liar <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2018/05/22/blairs-comments-underscore-need-independent-belhaj-inquiry">seems to be hiding something</a> about handing over Belhaj and
his wife to Gadhafi for torture.
<p>
B'liar should be made to testify under oath about this.


feed_id: caba60e16c66c7ba2857e95d61d537da
title: Las Vegas massacre
uri: 2018-05-28-Las-Vegas-massacre
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#27_May_2018_%28Las_Vegas_massacre%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2018/5/21/1766015/-Police-documents-about-the-Las-Vegas-shooter-say-he-s-a-right-wing-terrorist-but-no-one-will-say-so">Evidence strongly suggests</a> that the Las Vegas massacre was an act of
right-wing terrorism.
<p>
The <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thugs</a> know who gave that testimony.  Will they pursue the matter or will
they try to cover it up?


feed_id: cda3b0008f556866a29f889fe03ca27f
title: Pruitt's speech
uri: Pruitt-s-speech
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#27_May_2018_%28Pruitt%27s_speech%29
content:
<p>
Saboteur Pruitt ordered his thugs to <a href="http://money.cnn.com/2018/05/22/media/epa-cnn-associated-press-blocked/index.html">keep certain reporters out</a> of his
speech.
Naturally, a lie was offered as a "reason".
<p>
If I were covering the EPA's policies of allowing toxic pollution, I
wouldn't waste a minute trying to show video of <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#saboteur">Saboteur</a> Pruitt's
lies.


feed_id: 1d08b0e18ed893d5238e775b5d0ca4cb
title: Asylum seekers with children
uri: Asylum-seekers-with-children
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#27_May_2018_%28Asylum_seekers_with_children%29
content:
<p>
The head of the Department of Hate and Sadism said that when
immigration <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thugs</a> take children away from their parents, they are
<a href="https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2018/5/9/1763140/-Two-dozen-moms-walk-out-on-DHS-secretary-s-testimony-in-protest-of-plan-separating-migrant-families">treating the children like any object</a> that was being smuggled into the
US.
<p>
Aside from being vicious and inhumane, it is also false.  If parents
ask for asylum and present their children, they are not smuggling
them.  However, <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#cheater">the cheater</a>'s officials think nothing of truth or
falsehood.
<p>
US deportation <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thugs</a> will tell any lies to deport someone.  Some of
them encountered a judge that <a href="https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2018/5/17/1765018/-ICE-Caught-Lying-in-Court-Judge-is-Furious">would not stand for it</a>.
They really should have been jailed for contempt of court.


feed_id: f45039c6b4f3dc879bac2cbb075dd54d
title: Using pension funds
uri: Using-pension-funds
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#27_May_2018_%28Using_pension_funds%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2018/may/23/pensions-ethically-investment-city-money-social-environmental">Crowdfunding loans to enterprises</a> enables people to choose to make
their pension funds contribute to projects that society needs.
<p>
This is no substitute for state subsidies for purposes such as housing,
but it would reduce the power of the banks.


feed_id: fae89e8f42ca110a4dc37bc54864a0c0
title: Democracy in Venezuela
uri: 2018-05-28-Democracy-in-Venezuela
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#27_May_2018_%28Democracy_in_Venezuela%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2018/may/23/venezuela-dictator-democracy-nicolas-maduro-venezuelans">Some recommendations</a> for moving Venezuela to democracy. 
<p>
I disagree with one point: the actual opposition does not deserve our
support, because it is plutocratist and aims to convert Venezuela into
a fief of the global elite.  It would not be very different from the
Republicans in the US, who naturally support it.  It can look good
only when compared with someone like Maduro.
<p>
The opposition that would deserve our support is a Chavista
opposition.  Unfortunately, that does not exist.


feed_id: 33a3f34600ad962a9edb9334b444e3b7
title: Hoovervilles
uri: Hoovervilles
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#27_May_2018_%28Hoovervilles%29
content:
<p>
Modern-day hoovervilles in the US tend to <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2018/may/23/homeless-villages-crime-rate-seattle-portland">reduce crime in the
neighborhood</a>.
<p>
A fear of fictitious crime is one of the excuses used to shut them down.
<p>
President Hoover's laissez-faire response to the Great Depression
made it worse, and made hundreds of thousands of Americans homeless;
so they called their camps and tent cities "hoovervilles."


feed_id: c1ecde4b18b4874e73c80aad53ea1a19
title: History of populism
uri: History-of-populism
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#27_May_2018_%28History_of_populism%29
content:
<p>
Plutocratist center-right politicians <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/books/2018/may/23/thomas-frank-trump-populism-books">cover up the history of populism</a>
so as to apply the term to right-wing anti-truth politicians such as
<a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#cheater">the cheater</a>.


feed_id: 0138dad9737ebbbee30bb061f9180490
title: Studying Hurricane Harvey
uri: Studying-Hurricane-Harvey
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#27_May_2018_%28Studying_Hurricane_Harvey%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/climate-consensus-97-per-cent/2018/may/23/global-warming-made-hurricane-harvey-more-destructive">Studying Hurricane Harvey</a> shows how global heating makes hurricanes
more intense.  It also enables one hurricane to follow closely after another.


feed_id: f964a074768d3fb62a817a08e6780451
title: Georgia prosecuting Russia
uri: Georgia-prosecuting-Russia
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#27_May_2018_%28Georgia_prosecuting_Russia%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/may/23/georgia-accuses-russia-war-crimes-2008-conflict">Georgia is prosecuting Russia</a> in the European Court of Human Rights
for war crimes in the brief war between the two countries.


feed_id: 9bdc657b675aa28df6e9ffa7314abec9
title: Gorsuch and Thomas on privacy
uri: Gorsuch-and-Thomas-on-privacy
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#27_May_2018_%28Gorsuch_and_Thomas_on_privacy%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2018/5/18/1764857/-Gorsuch-and-Thomas-prove-that-if-Trump-gets-another-SCOTUS-seat-they-ll-rewrite-the-law">Gorsuch and Thomas stated</a> they want to toss out precedent and
eliminate most of the US legal protection for privacy.
<p>
Nowadays, the "reasonable expectation of privacy" gives us far too
little privacy.


feed_id: 50a2a26f4ebb5aa41cda6c659a7a2ce6
title: Progressive Democrats
uri: 2018-05-28-Progressive-Democrats
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#27_May_2018_%28Progressive_Democrats%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2018/05/21/72-democrats-say-opposing-trump-isnt-enough-want-congressional-candidates-push">72% of Democratic and independent voters</a> say that opposing the cheater
is not enough; they want Democratic candidates to champion progressive
positions.


feed_id: 4a9380a7f9d565b5cb872f2ad2ddc37e
title: Plutocratist smears
uri: Plutocratist-smears
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#27_May_2018_%28Plutocratist_smears%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2018/05/21/false-narratives-used-try-derail-bernies-army">Defending Our Revolution</a> from plutocratist smears.


feed_id: 0a2abc3b2258e1ed33959f7c1ac8c85e
title: Cruel treatment of immigrants
uri: Cruel-treatment-of-immigrants
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#29_May_2018_%28Cruel_treatment_of_immigrants%29
content:
<p>
As Documents Reveal 'Pervasive Abuse' of Immigrant Children Under
Obama,
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2018/05/23/documents-reveal-pervasive-abuse-immigrant-children-under-obama-fears-its-even-worse">Fears
It's Even Worse Under Trump</a>.
<p>
It is possible that "children" includes minors up to age 17.
Not that that would excuse any of this violence and cruelty,
which extend into the range of torture.


feed_id: c678d3a76b516e907a17b077b01930f4
title: Striking teachers
uri: Striking-teachers
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#29_May_2018_%28Striking_teachers%29
content:
<p>
Several striking teachers have 
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2018/05/24/will-teacher-uprisings-change-democrats">advanced
towards political office</a>.


feed_id: f7c62e2ea816425a28a18e2aa8284a66
title: US officials honoring a deal
uri: US-officials-honoring-a-deal
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#29_May_2018_%28US_officials_honoring_a_deal%29
content:
<p>
The Onion: Americans Freed From North Korea 
<a href="https://www.theonion.com/americans-freed-from-north-korea-sent-back-to-pyongyang-1826306791">Sent
Back To Pyongyang After Denuclearization Talks Fall Through</a>.
<p>
What makes this so funny is the idea that today's US officials would
feel an obligation to honor a deal.


feed_id: fdaa33a78b70534623bac44ced646866
title: Bank deregulation bill
uri: 2018-05-29-Bank-deregulation-bill
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#29_May_2018_%28Bank_deregulation_bill%29
content:
<p>
The Patriotic Millionaires have 
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2018/05/23/patriotic-millionaire-house-rollback-dodd-frank-bipartisanship-its-worst">condemned
the just-passed bank deregulation bill</a> better than I could do it.


feed_id: be4700b3232cbbd2acf6c0e6a7a14bac
title: Thugs killing political activists
uri: Thugs-killing-political-activists
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#29_May_2018_%28Thugs_killing_political_activists%29
content:
<p>
Bangladeshi <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thugs</a> are arresting political activists and killing them,
then
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/may/25/bangladeshs-philippines-style-drugs-war-creating-atmosphere-of-terror">dropping
their bodies on the streets</a>.  A campaign of shooting alleged drug
dealers on the street provides great camouflage.


feed_id: 671fe2d1d788d3e7805c68c5397c51ad
title: Email encryption
uri: Email-encryption
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#29_May_2018_%28Email_encryption%29
content:
<p>
The reported vulnerability in clients that use GPG is 
<a href="https://motherboard.vice.com/en_us/article/3k4nd9/pgp-gpg-efail-vulnerability">no
problem if you are using the latest version of Enigmail</a>.
<p>
Regardless of whether you use encryption, you should not allow HTML in
your messages to be rendered by most mail clients.  There are many
schemes for snooping and fraud that work via invisible links in email.
Perhaps that is the main problem with email today.
<p>
As for the silly idea that email is obsolete, that could only be true
if it had a superior replacement.  There is nothing else that does the
same job.


feed_id: a315d566b4c976b40d3987fa1e9312f0
title: Amazon workers need food stamps
uri: Amazon-workers-need-food-stamps
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#29_May_2018_%28Amazon_workers_need_food_stamps%29
content:
<p>
Sanders rebuked Amazon for paying workers so little that they 
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2018/05/22/amazon-workers-food-stamps-jeff-bezos-rakes-275-million-day-sanders-says-what-rigged">need
food stamps</a>.
<p>
I rebuke Amazon for 
<a href="https://stallman.org/amazon.html">a lot more than that</a>.


feed_id: 8ffbf818b446a1c2af32f0549505aab4
title: Troll's attacks on the press
uri: Troll-s-attacks-on-the-press
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#29_May_2018_%28Trolls_attacks_on_the_press%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#trump">The troll</a> said that he attacks the press preemptively so as to
<a href="https://theintercept.com/2018/05/22/lesley-stahl-donald-trump-said-he-attacks-the-media-so-when-you-write-negative-stories-about-me-no-one-will-believe-you/">discredit
in advance any negative coverage</a>.
<p>
What this means is that he aims to eliminates the idea of seeking to
determine the truth, so as to reduce discussion to a matter of
arbitrarily choosing one side or the other.
<p>
However, we do have ways to determine the truth on most of the
questions, if we want to.


feed_id: b01eef268527c1992d17ddc4c4855777
title: Poverty in the US
uri: 2018-05-29-Poverty-in-the-US
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#29_May_2018_%28Poverty_in_the_US%29
content:
<p>
40% of Americans 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/business/2018/may/22/federal-reserve-emergency-expense-economic-survey">can't
handle an unexpected expense of just 400 dollars</a>.


feed_id: eacdee5c515234ded64354d906a83f8c
title: Amazon's face recognition
uri: Amazon-s-face-recognition
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#29_May_2018_%28Amazons_face_recognition%29
content:
<p>
Amazon's face recognition threatens to destroy privacy entirely in the
US and then other countries.  Some <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thug</a> departments have signed
nondisclosure agreements and used them to justify 
<a href="https://www.aclu.org/blog/privacy-technology/surveillance-technologies/amazon-teams-law-enforcement-deploy-dangerous-new">concealing
this information from the public</a>.
<p>
Other companies will develop such software sooner or later.  We need
laws to prohibit the operation of such a system unless it is designed
to limit data collection.


feed_id: 052107fe97b72a2cfd6bc70fe0df60e9
title: FBI's inflated figures about encryption
uri: FBI-s-inflated-figures-about-encryption
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#29_May_2018_%28FBIs_inflated_figures_about_encryption%29

content:
<p>
The FBI 
<a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/national-security/fbi-repeatedly-overstated-encryption-threat-figures-to-congress-public/2018/05/22/5b68ae90-5dce-11e8-a4a4-c070ef53f315_story.html">gave
Congress inflated figures</a> to pretend that encryption is a big
obstacle to law enforcement.


feed_id: 6961b08cb83abe58d4037f2a0681a56e
title: Novel about genocide of Palestinians
uri: Novel-about-genocide-of-Palestinians
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#29_May_2018_%28Novel_about_genocide_of_Palestinians%29

content:
<p>
Amitai Ben-Abba began writing a novel about an Israeli genocide of the
Palestinians, then discovered to his horror that 
<a href="https://www.counterpunch.org/2018/05/21/israels-new-ideology-of-genocide/">all
the conditions were ready for that to occur</a>.


feed_id: 092ec3b57d484c11228a08f9b9a23cb7
title: Conviction of Spanish politicians
uri: Conviction-of-Spanish-politicians
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#29_May_2018_%28Conviction_of_Spanish_politicians%29
content:
<p>
Important Spanish politicians from the right-wing ruling party have
been 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/may/24/court-finds-spain-ruling-party-pp-benefited-bribery-luis-barcenas">convicted
of corruption</a>.


feed_id: 6c5210dfe8413c3589000469ba707ce6
title: Troll's proposed meeting with Kim
uri: Troll-s-proposed-meeting-with-Kim
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#29_May_2018_%28Trolls_proposed_meeting_with_Kim%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#trump">The troll</a> 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2018/may/24/trump-cancels-north-korea-nuclear-summit">cancelled
the proposed meeting</a> with North Korea's dictator Kim, but I think
his letter is meant as a postponement.
<p>
I suppose Kim will will understand that.


feed_id: 61f893d253a29fb25d998fe9c8da9c11
title: "Facilitated communication"
uri: 2018-05-29-Facilitated-communication
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#29_May_2018_%28Facilitated_communication%29
content:
<p>
Let's put an end to the 
<a href="https://theconversation.com/its-time-to-stop-exposing-people-to-the-dangers-of-facilitated-communication-95942">fraudulent
and dangerous assistance</a> known as "facilitated communication".


feed_id: c5eeca9020bdae5273b4c8048d0ef90e
title: Euro-zone rules
uri: Euro-zone-rules
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#29_May_2018_%28Euro-zone_rules%29
content:
<p>
Italy is certainly doomed if it obeys euro-zone rules, but there is 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2018/may/24/italy-coalition-eu-migrants">no
visible hope</a> if it resists them.
<p>
In such a prison you must try to destroy the walls.  Creating a
European crisis that can harm the <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#bankster">banksters</a> is the only path that
offers a chance.


feed_id: 69d780d8fe95ceda18b3d0cb7d4c0a27
title: Robot Uber car
uri: Robot-Uber-car
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#29_May_2018_%28Robot_Uber_car%29
content:
<p>
The robot Uber car that killed a pedestrian 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2018/may/24/emergency-brake-was-disabled-on-self-driving-uber-that-killed-woman">had
its emergency brakes disabled</a> as a test.


feed_id: cff43c5b3c40d535c3fa43b03ce7b047
title: "Centrists"
uri: Centrists
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#29_May_2018_%28Centrists%29
content:
<p>
In many countries, 
<a href="https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2018/05/23/opinion/international-world/centrists-democracy.html">people
who call themselves "centrists"</a> value democracy less than those
who place themselves closer to either extreme of the political
spectrum.


feed_id: c521a4748672e66f1c2ddccc34975e32
title: Who poisoned the Skripals?
uri: Who-poisoned-the-Skripals
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#29_May_2018_%28Who_poisoned_the_Skripals%29
content:
<p>
Who poisoned the Skripals?  It may be Russia, but the UK's
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2018/may/24/yulia-skripal-russia-salisbury-poisoning">manipulation
of the situation</a> has to make us distrustful.


feed_id: ad29ac8c1173577e05fd899d29917718
title: Urgent: Stop the next war
uri: Urgent-Stop-the-next-war
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#28_May_2018_%28Urgent%3A_Stop_the_next_war%29
content:
<p>
US citizens, <a href="http://act.demandprogress.org/sign/tell-your-senator-stop-trumps-war-it-even-starts/">tell your senator</a>: Stop the bully's next war before it
even starts!


feed_id: 65997868eef6d351e09e94840a4ae999
title: Urgent: Jailing children
uri: Urgent-Jailing-children
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#28_May_2018_%28Urgent%3A_Jailing_children%29
content:
<p>
US citizens: <a href="https://action.aclu.org/petition/cbp-stop-abusing-children">tell US immigration thugs</a> to stop illegally jailing children and torturing them.
<p>
Some of the victims may be minors but not children.  I don't think
it changes the issue much.


feed_id: 8029a9da0668eb75c6cb69299832d726
title: Urgent: Journalists in Burma
uri: 2018-05-29-Urgent-Journalists-in-Burma
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#28_May_2018_%28Urgent%3A_Journalists_in_Burma%29
content:
<p>
Everyone: <a href="https://act.amnestyusa.org/page/23962/data/1">phone to demand</a> that Burma drop charges against journalists.


feed_id: a9ae59e69d7938a19470b9a0e5687497
title: Benefits for the disabled
uri: Benefits-for-the-disabled
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#28_May_2018_%28Benefits_for_the_disabled%29
content:
<p>
The Tories' systematic hostile environment for the disabled denied
benefits to a woman who needs a wheelchair because she had no way to
get to the examination that was imposed on her.  Many disabled people
are <a href="https://Www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2018/may/24/scandal-block-disabled-people-benefits-access-assessments">sent to impossible appointments</a> in this way, and the immediate result
is to cut them off. 
<p>
If you are really desperate to cheat those who are disadvantaged, you
will seize any excuse, no matter how obviously unjust.  That's what
Tories stand for.
<p>
Aneurin Bevan: "The Tories are <a href="media/64164a49.anuran-bevan.jpg" data-original-source="https://www.stallman.org/images/anuran-bevan.jpg">lower than vermin</a>."


feed_id: c0c783fbd7a3c7c49a16f2e49cd8a801
title: Border thugs taking money
uri: Border-thugs-taking-money
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#28_May_2018_%28Border_thugs_taking_money%29
content:
<p>
US border thugs <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2018/may/24/us-customs-money-seize-texas-nurse-anthonia-nwaorie-lawsuit">took Anthonia Nwaorie's $41,000</a> which she was bringing to
a clinic in Nigeria, where she also works every year.
<p>
They offered to return her money if she signed a "hold harmless"
agreement.  Was that offer unjust?  I am not sure; I think it depends
on what "any necessary expenses, attorney’s fees, or costs incurred in
the enforcement of any part of this agreement" would include.  If she
could reduce those costs to zero simply by complying with the return
of the money, I don't see anything wrong in it.  However, I don't know
what it might include.  Might it include the costs of searching her
baggage every time she travels in the future?  Might it include the costs
of spending time on her case?  That could add up to more than $41,000,
over time.


feed_id: c322ffe6eda4ea09ec632701a1f161b2
title: EU agriculture committee
uri: EU-agriculture-committee
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#28_May_2018_%28EU_agriculture_committee%29
content:
<p>
The European Parliament's agriculture committee is full of people
that <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2018/may/24/revealed-majority-politicians-key-eu-farming-panel-industry-links">have ties with farm business</a>, constituting a conflict of interest.


feed_id: cc82ef53f936f2a65584704e1af7f7a5
title: Spanish rapper convicted
uri: Spanish-rapper-convicted
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#28_May_2018_%28Spanish_rapper_convicted%29
content:
<p>
A Spanish rapper was convicted of a speech crime, but <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/may/24/spanish-rapper-valtonyc-begin-jail-term-vows-disobey-fascist-state">seems to have
gone missing</a> when it was time to put him in prison for it.
<p>
His lyrics present images of violence.  Whether or not it is legal to
say those things, I think we shouldn't say them.  I avoid speaking
that way of even <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#bankster">banksters</a> and plutocratist theocratic politicians.


feed_id: 051171d8514872b68753acdb8bdbb821
title: Launcher that shot down flight MH17
uri: Launcher-that-shot-down-flight-MH17
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#28_May_2018_%28Launcher_that_shot_down_flight_MH17%29

content:
<p>
Investigators <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/may/24/mh17-downed-by-russian-military-missile-system-say-investigators">claim to have proof</a> that a specific Russian missile launcher
shot down flight MH17 over Ukraine. 


feed_id: d2c3e0ace469f1dcf10d128e045449ae
title: Death penalty in Nigeria
uri: Death-penalty-in-Nigeria
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#28_May_2018_%28Death_penalty_in_Nigeria%29
content:
<p>
Nigeria is applying the death penalty to an increasing range of crimes.
People suspect that <a href="https://reason.com/archives/2018/05/24/the-gambia-may-beat-america-to">dissidents will be executed</a>.


feed_id: 2f6136f8a40a6eb251447be1303458ca
title: EU emission lawsuit
uri: EU-emission-lawsuit
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#28_May_2018_%28EU_emission_lawsuit%29
content:
<p>
People are <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2018/may/24/families-take-eu-court-climate-change-emissions">suing the European Union</a> for being too slow in reducing
greenhouse gas emissions.


feed_id: c97cff487bb3f755c70979d24aa3a60b
title: Depression from smartphones
uri: Depression-from-smartphones
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#28_May_2018_%28Depression_from_smartphones%29
content:
<p>
Various evidence suggests that smartphones, or perhaps specifically
the desocial media used on them, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/society/2018/may/24/smartphone-teen-suicide-mental-health-depression">make many teenagers depressed</a> &mdash;
some to the point of suicide.


feed_id: 7d62188b5bbf4a6188659f1da262bc04
title: Protection from Boko Haram
uri: Protection-from-Boko-Haram
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#28_May_2018_%28Protection_from_Boko_Haram%29
content:
<p>
Nigerian soldiers offered thousands of women protection from Boko
Haram, but those who went to the camps <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2018/may/24/nigerian-women-saved-from-boko-haram-claim-soldiers-made-them-trade-sex-for-food-horrendous-abuse">had to give the soldiers sex</a> in
exchange for food.  Thousands didn't get enough food, and starved.


feed_id: 2329dba41a945af5bed8c7fa47e019d2
title: Violence in Central America
uri: Violence-in-Central-America
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#28_May_2018_%28Violence_in_Central_America%29
content:
<p>
Central Americans Flee Homes in Record Numbers: <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/may/22/central-americans-refugees-asylum-seekers-violence">"The Level of Violence Is
Brutal."</a>
<p>
The US has much of the responsibility for this violence.


feed_id: 2e08fe49302e422114a8542f3b6bae0e
title: US bank deregulation
uri: US-bank-deregulation
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#28_May_2018_%28US_bank_deregulation%29
content:
<p>
Plutocratic Democrats joined with plutocratic Republicans to <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2018/may/22/congress-passes-partial-dodd-frank-rollback-trump">reduce
the regulations on banks</a>.  
<p>
Banks will benefit from this by taking more money away from the rest
of Americans &mdash; as if they weren't poor enough already.


feed_id: 7f4bf6ac2bbd0907fd44ac476a2efe09
title: Assigning rights to nature
uri: Assigning-rights-to-nature
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#28_May_2018_%28Assigning_rights_to_nature%29
content:
<p>
Some countries are <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2018/may/23/laws-slaves-nature-humans-rights-environment-amazon">assigning rights to nature</a>.


feed_id: 18e76c85df6f8ce6bb513dc10815f137
title: Draining the president
uri: Draining-the-president
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#28_May_2018_%28Draining_the_president%29
content:
<p>
Since the president didn't drain the swamp, the swamp is <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/shortcuts/2018/may/23/the-white-house-sinkhole-nature-finally-says-what-weve-all-been-thinking">trying to
drain the president</a>.


feed_id: cca44c76176dc4cf484f92ac07be1208
title: Fantasy terrorist
uri: Fantasy-terrorist
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#28_May_2018_%28Fantasy_terrorist%29
content:
<p>
The US is <a href="https://theintercept.com/2018/05/23/texas-teen-isis-mall-shooting/">prosecuting another fantasy terrorist</a> who probably would
never have done anything without encouragement from the FBI.


feed_id: 988bd521575e36c6f5c39c9583279905
title: Brain damage in embassy
uri: Brain-damage-in-embassy
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#28_May_2018_%28Brain_damage_in_embassy%29
content:
<p>
An employee in the US embassy to China reported "abnormal sounds" and
was <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/may/23/us-employee-suffers-brain-injury-china-abnormal-sounds">found to have brain damage</a>.
<p>
The hypothesis that occurs to me is that some piece of apparatus that
the US installed in the embassy causes this side effect.


feed_id: da4689be0ffda87b0de28ca981ad5609
title: Supreme leaders Kim and Trump
uri: Supreme-leaders-Kim-and-Trump
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#30_May_2018_%28Supreme_leaders_Kim_and_Trump%29
content:
<p>
Both Supreme Leader Kim and Supreme Leader Trump seem to have 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/may/24/trump-kim-north-korea-summit-trainwreck-foretold">stopped
wanting to have a meeting</a>.  It seems that they had a
misunderstanding all along about what "denuclearization" might mean.
<p>
Oops, later on Supreme Leader Trump said the meeting 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/may/25/donald-trump-north-korea-summit-reversal">might
be on again</a>.


feed_id: 560c16bc61b3c91f44b465e9534327fd
title: Source notes on political ads
uri: Source-notes-on-political-ads
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#30_May_2018_%28Source_notes_on_political_ads%29
content:
<p>
Facebook is 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2018/may/24/facebook-political-ads-disclaimers-archive">publishing
source notes on political ads</a>, and making a searchable list of
them.
<p>
This is an important change, since it will better expose stealthy
political action to criticism.  Of course, it is no reason to
allow Facebook to use you.


feed_id: 71e0c93a8c57baaca40f3beaf1854cfd
title: Cynthia Nixon's politics
uri: Cynthia-Nixon-s-politics
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#30_May_2018_%28Cynthia_Nixons_politics%29
content:
<p>
"Why did Hillary Clinton 
<a href='https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2018/may/24/andrew-cuomo-hillary-clinton-cynthia-nixon-new-york-governor'>endorse
Cuomo over Cynthia Nixon</a>?"
<p>
I think it is  because Clinton is center-right "moderate"
Democrat, like Cuomo, and serves the <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#bankster">banksters</a>.  They don't need to
order her to support Cuomo; she knows they wouldn't like Nixon.
<p>
Unlike Clinton, I do not claim to aim for more women in office.
I judge candidates by their politics, not by their gender.
I support Nixon's politics, not Clinton's and Cuomo's.


feed_id: 1284e611c47332457a6793af626e6cf6
title: "Philanthrocapitalism"
uri: 2018-05-30-Philanthrocapitalism
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#30_May_2018_%28Philanthrocapitalism%29
content:
<p>
"Philanthrocapitalism": Zuckerberg gives "charity" to for-profit
businesses that can
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/news/2018/may/24/the-trouble-with-charitable-billionaires-philanthrocapitalism">make
money for him in various ways</a>.


feed_id: c3442c8a767b1a4849306f56a601b408
title: Employment laws
uri: Employment-laws
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#30_May_2018_%28Employment_laws%29
content:
<p>
Talk to Deliveroo Couriers.  See a 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2018/may/24/deliveroo-couriers-dystopia-union">Dystopia
That Could Be Your Future</a>.
<p>
Companies that use many workers to do a large amount of a particular
job should be required to hire full-time or half-time employees, with
all the usual rights of employees, to do the majority of that work.


feed_id: cefceaa8d420719862a00e85d6297297
title: Corporations
uri: Corporations
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#30_May_2018_%28Corporations%29
content:
<p>
Proposing that corporations pay an 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2018/may/24/carillion-culture-bosses-pay-carnage-tame-corporate-power">"insurance
fee" for the potential value</a> to the stockholders of limitations on
their liability.
<p>
The article proposes also to withhold half of executives' pay until
the company has funded all its pension obligations.


feed_id: 0ddeab0d4ad4615aea94b1575716d15f
title: Americans generally resent the rich
uri: Americans-generally-resent-the-rich
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#30_May_2018_%28Americans_generally_resent_the_rich%29

content:
<p>
Americans generally resent the rich, 
<a href="https://jacobinmag.com/2018/05/americans-class-politics-piston">not
the poor</a>.


feed_id: afc330d41b99b8ec3324bffb583d762a
title: Fracking in Pennsylvania
uri: 2018-05-30-Fracking-in-Pennsylvania
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#30_May_2018_%28Fracking_in_Pennsylvania%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2018/05/23/mark-ruffalo-and-fracking-harmed-residents-demand-help-gov-wolf-new-health">Pressuring
Pennsylvania's governor</a> to put an end to fracking in the state.


feed_id: 692c4f9d05abea017a414df97f69c3c0
title: Cheater trying to save ZTE from penalties
uri: Cheater-trying-to-save-ZTE-from-penalties
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#30_May_2018_%28Cheater_trying_to_save_ZTE_from_penalties%29

content:
<p>
<a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#cheater">The cheater</a> is 
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2018/05/23/screaming-violation-constitution-president-moves-rescue-chinese-telecom-beijingP">trying
very hard</a> to save Chinese company ZTE from penalties for violating
US impost laws, just after receiving a pile of money from another
Chinese company.
<p>
He insist that it wasn't a bribe.


feed_id: b281d4761ecd960d67878097df0850d7
title: Harvard's investment in fossil fuel
uri: Harvard-s-investment-in-fossil-fuel
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#30_May_2018_%28Harvards_investment_in_fossil_fuel%29

content:
<p>
Kathryn Taylor ended her term on the Harvard Board of Overseers by
resigning to 
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2018/05/23/harvard-board-member-resigns-protest-over-schools-investments-pernicious-activities">condemn
investment in fossil fuel</a>.
<p>
Harvard can surely point to many short-term reasons for those
investments, but they can't persuade anyone who recognizes the
long-term reasons to stop.


feed_id: 6a6522861157d25a756a42b6abccc6ef
title: America's rich and powerful
uri: America-s-rich-and-powerful
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#30_May_2018_%28Americas_rich_and_powerful%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://www.theonion.com/nation-s-rich-and-powerful-wondering-when-rest-of-ameri-1826268763">The
Onion</a>: America's rich and powerful were at a loss Wednesday as to
exactly when the rest of the country would finally relinquish all hope
and simply give up&hellip;


feed_id: db0905d5cfee79b2e50d0dcf71812ad8
title: Urgent: Water pollution report
uri: Urgent-Water-pollution-report
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#29_May_2018_%28Urgent%3A_Water_pollution_report%29
content:
<p>
US citizens: <a href="https://secure.foodandwateraction.org/act/epa-release-groundwater-contamination-study">call on the US government</a> to release the PFOA water
pollution report.


feed_id: aff60cd09a1974bd6ed6e7466c485a37
title: Urgent: Amazon's face recognition
uri: Urgent-Amazon-s-face-recognition
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#29_May_2018_%28Urgent%3A_Amazon%27s_face_recognition%29

content:
<p>
Everyone: <a href="https://act.credoaction.com/sign/amazon_rekognition">call on Amazon</a> to stop selling face recognition services.
<p>
This is a temporary fix, not a real solution.  We need to make it a
crime for anyone to operate such systems.


feed_id: cb8fed1f9b71558928869904188ba4b1
title: Iran non-nuclear deal
uri: Iran-non-nuclear-deal
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#29_May_2018_%28Iran_non-nuclear_deal%29
content:
<p>
Iran <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/may/25/iran-lists-demands-nuclear-deal-eu-us-sanctions">has responded defiantly</a> to the bully's cancellation of the
non-nuclear deal, saying that the EU must compensate for the damage
the US is doing or Iran will pull out of the deal.


feed_id: e917647bcabd2d5bf7fdaf072364b32b
title: NFL kneeling ban
uri: NFL-kneeling-ban
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#29_May_2018_%28NFL_kneeling_ban%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2018/may/25/dear-black-nfl-players-protest-power">Encouraging NFL players</a> to defy the ban on protesting racism by kneeling
during the US national anthem, or protest collectively in other ways.
<p>
One other method that occurs to me is that they could stand &hellip;
with both hands over their mouths the whole time.


feed_id: 88c4c77425bb7810d56bd8facce38dcd
title: Bedouin village demolition
uri: Bedouin-village-demolition
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#29_May_2018_%28Bedouin_village_demolition%29
content:
<p>
The Israeli Supreme Court <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/may/25/israel-court-approves-razing-khan-al-ahmar-bedouin-village">approved demolishing</a> the Bedouin village
of Khan al-Ahmar.
<p>
Israel <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2012-may-aug.html#26_July_2012_(100-year-old_Palestinian_building_demolished)">systematically denies building permits</a> to Palestinians, so that
all their houses are "illegal", thus creating an excuse to demolish
them.


feed_id: 3f81efa3eac7d06289b2bf540fe8b3f2
title: VOIP library ban
uri: VOIP-library-ban
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#29_May_2018_%28VOIP_library_ban%29
content:
<p>
Apple has <a href="https://www.theregister.co.uk/2018/05/21/apple_tells_devs_to_ditch_callkit_in_china/">banned a VOIP library</a> for all apps to be distributed in China.
<p>
Apple is a reliable tool for Chinese repression because it <a href="https://www.gnu.org/proprietary/malware-apple.html#jails">designed
iMonsters for censorship</a>.


feed_id: b0752cbc66e39d9ba44548c5968b0c04
title: Filming a neo-Nazi rally
uri: Filming-a-neo-Nazi-rally
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#29_May_2018_%28Filming_a_neo-Nazi_rally%29
content:
<p>
Journalist Cedric O’Bannon filmed a neo-Nazi rally, and one of the
fanatics stabbed him using a polearm.  The thugs <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/may/25/neo-nazi-rally-california-stabbing-police-target-black-activist">treated him as a
suspect</a> rather than as the victim of a violent crime.  They also wiped
his video recording, apparently to protect his attackers.
<p>
This follows a pattern in which official, uniformed <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thugs</a> shield and
support unofficial right-wing <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thugs</a>.


feed_id: 37561c0bd41830167032bfb23328be43
title: Mediterranean diet
uri: Mediterranean-diet
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#29_May_2018_%28Mediterranean_diet%29
content:
<p>
The healthful "Mediterranean diet" is dying out in Spain, Italy and Greece
under <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/may/25/people-just-have-less-time-now-is-the-mediterranean-diet-dying-out">various sorts of pressure and temptation</a>.


feed_id: 157d4cb87077a524132b8b160bbe16fe
title: Baby shot in pursued van
uri: Baby-shot-in-pursued-van
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#29_May_2018_%28Baby_shot_in_pursued_van%29
content:
<p>
Belgian officials are <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2018/may/25/belgian-authorities-accused-of-botching-inquiry-into-death-of-mawda-shawri-two-year-old-shot-by-police">trying a series of lies</a> to evade responsibility
for shooting a baby in a van being pursued.
<p>
There is no excuse for shooting at moving vehicles with passengers in
them.  If the <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thug</a> failed to imagine that shooting might kill or
injure one of them, person was prima facie incompetent.


feed_id: 1b46ab6fa70adf78ae55d85fa37c3c01
title: Human rights in Salafi Arabia
uri: 2018-05-30-Human-rights-in-Salafi-Arabia
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#29_May_2018_%28Human_rights_in_Salafi_Arabia%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#salafi">Salafi Arabia</a>
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/may/25/saudi-arabia-arrests-human-rights-campaigner-mohammed-al-bajadi-women-right-drive">has arrested</a> the country's leading human rights campaigner.


feed_id: 392ea6403362afe93b75c78c09367fc5
title: Terms of service complaints
uri: Terms-of-service-complaints
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#29_May_2018_%28Terms_of_service_complaints%29
content:
<p>
Facebook and Google <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2018/may/25/facebook-google-gdpr-complaints-eu-consumer-rights">face formal complaints</a> for pressuring users into
agreeing to different terms of service.


feed_id: d6cf9fb6bf0f07d1e19259fb34039aee
title: Spying on Linda Sarsour
uri: Spying-on-Linda-Sarsour
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#29_May_2018_%28Spying_on_Linda_Sarsour%29
content:
<p>
A right-wing billionaire got an Israeli private detective firm to <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2018/may/25/linda-sarsour-israeli-intel-firm-spied-palestinian-american">spy
on BDS supporter Linda Sarsour</a> in the hope of personally discrediting
her.


feed_id: 3c4879ecd4bb17aa81c9307389f0c36a
title: Body cameras with face recognition
uri: Body-cameras-with-face-recognition
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#29_May_2018_%28Body_cameras_with_face_recognition%29

content:
<p>
<a href="https://theintercept.com/2018/05/25/amazon-surveillance-facial-recognition-congress/">Progressive congresscritters warn</a> that connecting thugs' body cameras
to face recognition will turn them into vicious surveillance devices.
<p>
<a href="http://www.technologyreview.com/view/539631/controlling-when-the-cameras-record/">My proposal</a> to control their activation would reduce the effects of that,
but we really need laws against allowing face recognition systems to
know about anyone's face except for court-designated targets.


feed_id: c0a67f5c1dd85ae3feb1ed6ffdb683d8
title: Nuclear plant subsidies
uri: Nuclear-plant-subsidies
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#29_May_2018_%28Nuclear_plant_subsidies%29
content:
<p>
Seeing that the UK government is desperate to build nuclear plants
whose electricity will be so expensive that it will need a subsidy,
Hitachi is now <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2018/may/25/new-uk-nuclear-power-plants-hinge-on-deal-between-hitachi-and-government">demanding direct subsidies</a> as well.
<p>
Nuclear power not only has a risk of a meltdown that will destroy the
reactor (and maybe spread fallout), not only produces waste that we
don't know a safe way to store &mdash; it is too expensive even if
everything goes well.  Kill these projects, and build renewable power!
<p>
Those dying because the NHS is being strangled and support for the
disabled and unemployed is being cut now see where that money is
going.


feed_id: 3da0f286cd41b2426b412a4de308e5ff
title: Doug Ford
uri: 2018-05-30-Doug-Ford
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#29_May_2018_%28Doug_Ford%29
content:
<p>
Rich, hereditary Canadian politician Doug Ford is spreading <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#trumpery">trumpery</a>,
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/true-north/2018/may/25/doug-ford-isnt-for-the-little-guy-hes-a-mercenary-for-the-millionaire-class">pretending to be on the side</a> of the non-rich while promoting policies
to destroy nature to extract fossil fuels.


feed_id: 22cec003e4f3f3e466f8ecab48e2f4b1
title: 'Evolution' deleted
uri: Evolution-deleted
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#29_May_2018_%28%27Evolution%27_deleted%29
content:
<p>
Arizona has <a href="https://arstechnica.com/science/2018/05/arizona-official-waters-down-states-science-education-standards/">deleted the word "evolution"</a> from its educational
standards.


feed_id: 61065f99b0f562497488081655c443fb
title: Alexa sending conversations
uri: Alexa-sending-conversations
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#29_May_2018_%28Alexa_sending_conversations%29
content:
<p>
An Alexa device recorded private conversations and <a href="https://www.kiro7.com/www.kiro7.com/news/local/woman-says-her-amazon-device-recorded-private-conversation-sent-it-out-to-random-contact/755507974">sent them
over the net</a> to an acquaintance in their contact list.
<p>
Amazon said <a href="https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2018/05/amazon-confirms-that-echo-device-secretly-shared-users-private-audio/">this was due to a bug</a>, and I suppose that is true.
<p>
However, if the device has a universal back door, Amazon could alter
anyone's machine at any time so that it will listen and snoop.  Maybe
various government agencies could, too.
<p>
Meanwhile, I wonder what is in the logs that the Amazon engineer was
able to access.  Can they access such logs in every Alexa device?
At any time?


feed_id: 568b1cdd6896929c9d3b1a000b6d4257
title: Urgent: Integrity of US elections
uri: Urgent-Integrity-of-US-elections
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#30_May_2018_%28Urgent%3A_Integrity_of_US_elections%29

content:
<p>
US citizens: <a href="https://www.signherenow.org/petition/election-security/peoples-action/">Call on Congress</a> to protect integrity of US elections.


feed_id: a3b12ecc72b399e5533bd184ee4a251a
title: Urgent: Arms sale to Bahrain
uri: Urgent-Arms-sale-to-Bahrain
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#30_May_2018_%28Urgent%3A_Arms_sale_to_Bahrain%29
content:
<p>
US citizens: <a href="https://stallman.org/petitions/petition-bahrain/">call on Congress</a> to block the proposed arms sale to Bahrain.


feed_id: b5e190e42b23b6cc74c8b4038fc0e916
title: Closing rural hospitals
uri: Closing-rural-hospitals
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#30_May_2018_%28Closing_rural_hospitals%29
content:
<p>
The for-profit US hospital system is <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2018/may/25/north-carolina-rural-hospitals-closing-vidant-health">closing many rural hospitals</a>
because they are not profitable.
<p>
Why are they not profitable?  Partly because the population in those
areas is decreasing.  But also because of policies that refuse to
support medical care for poor people in the US.
<p>
And why does profit decide these questions?  Partly because of
allowing hospitals to be run by for-profit companies which then make
these decisions based on profit rather than for people's lives.  We
should put an end to that.


feed_id: a676353ca9cfce16508b2c4b89b6b609
title: Exiled from Britain
uri: Exiled-from-Britain
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#30_May_2018_%28Exiled_from_Britain%29
content:
<p>
A UK government agent told Melvin Collins that he didn't need his UK
passport any more, and took it away.  The result was to <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2018/may/25/windrush-scandal-you-dont-need-that-passport-they-said">exile him
from Britain forever</a>.


feed_id: f6486ba7d5d329a3c0e49e5bb36c3708
title: Hollywood and abortion
uri: Hollywood-and-abortion
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#30_May_2018_%28Hollywood_and_abortion%29
content:
<p>
Since the 1990s, <a href="https://www.thedailybeast.com/a-movie-breaks-the-abortion-taboo">Hollywood has presented abortion</a> as dangerous,
traumatic, and morally inferior, spreading the message that
the right thing for a pregnant woman to do is have a baby.
<p>
That message builds support for banning abortion.
<p>
It is also the direct opposite of the truth.  The truth is that having
a baby is more dangerous and more traumatic.  It is more likely to
lead to lasting physical injury, more likely to cause depression, and
more likely to be fatal.
<p>
In addition, if you're among the 40% of Americans who couldn't
handle an <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#29_May_2018_(Poverty_in_the_US)">emergency expense of $400</a>,
it is very likely to land you and the child in the gutter.
<p>
Having a baby is also morally inferior in many cases.  It <a href="https://www.treehugger.com/culture/if-you-really-want-help-planet-dont-have-another-kid.html">contributes
to future global heating</a> more than everything else you are likely to
do in your life.
<p>
If you are not in the position to assure a child the food, shelter,
education, medical care, and calm family environment that every child
needs and deserves, the right thing to do is <em>not make one</em>.


feed_id: c47c725c173435f6114a135d80d49679
title: New coal projects
uri: New-coal-projects
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#30_May_2018_%28New_coal_projects%29
content:
<p>
HSBC Divests From New Coal Projects Everywhere &hellip; <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2018/05/25/hsbc-divests-new-coal-projects-everyhwere-except-bangladesh-indonesia-and-vietnam">Except Bangladesh,
Indonesia, and Vietnam</a>.
<p>
Those who claim that some countries have a legitimate "need" for more
fossil fuel extraction don't understand the urgency of the danger.


feed_id: 26ab325a733a3fb592dc472ce61f201a
title: Junk food manipulation
uri: Junk-food-manipulation
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#30_May_2018_%28Junk_food_manipulation%29
content:
<p>
Anti-obesity activists may sue junk food companies for <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/society/2018/may/25/food-firms-may-face-litigation-over-neuromarketing-to-hijack-brains">intentionally
manipulating children's brains</a> to train them to eat junk food.


feed_id: 0046c89dadeb8aa30b0657c7f4cc8199
title: Israeli Supreme Court ruling
uri: Israeli-Supreme-Court-ruling
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#30_May_2018_%28Israeli_Supreme_Court_ruling%29
content:
<p>
The Israeli Supreme Court ruled that soldiers <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2018/05/25/israeli-supreme-court-gives-military-green-light-keep-killing-unarmed-palestinians">can shoot unarmed civilians</a>.
(In practice, that means they can shoot and kill unarmed Palestinians.)


feed_id: 80746746eed8a7440f32f44eee1d2ef0
title: Continuing global heating
uri: Continuing-global-heating
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#30_May_2018_%28Continuing_global_heating%29
content:
<p>
In his efforts to continue <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#global heating">global heating</a>, the saboteur-in-chief is
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2018/05/25/trump-has-plenty-accomplices-his-reckless-energy-policies">one of a large team</a>.


feed_id: eafd6f3eaaf7ed67beb0816a1834ff96
title: Calling thugs to harass blacks
uri: Calling-thugs-to-harass-blacks
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#30_May_2018_%28Calling_thugs_to_harass_blacks%29
content:
<p>
The recently publicized racist attacks on blacks, involving whites
that <a href="https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2018/5/22/1766200/-The-open-bigotry-of-Trumpland-is-beginning-to-backfire-on-the-racists">call thugs to harass blacks</a>, are not a new phenomenon.  They have
been a part of US blacks' life for ages.  What is changing is that
they come to public attention.
<p>
Describing slavery as a "financial trap" fails to do justice to the
evil of slavery in the US.


feed_id: 2345482dfe3190fd90ca07e36acadc42
title: Roger Stone's requests
uri: Roger-Stone-s-requests
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#30_May_2018_%28Roger_Stone%27s_requests%29
content:
<p>
Trump campaign operative Roger Stone <a href="https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2018/5/24/1766878/-WSJ-smoking-gun-Stone-asked-Assange-for-hacked-Clinton-emails-during-campaign">requested copies of leaked Clinton
emails</a> from Julian Assange.
<p>
Assange said that the emails he later published were not obtained by
cracking, but rather leaked from an insider.  This has no effect on
the ethics of Stone's request.


feed_id: 133cc891b877805347953da3d57fc028
title: A good trade deal
uri: A-good-trade-deal
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#30_May_2018_%28A_good_trade_deal%29
content:
<p>
The Onion: "<a href="https://politics.theonion.com/you-better-give-our-dad-a-good-trade-deal-or-you-ll-be-1826302282">You better give our dad</a> a good trade deal or you’ll be
sorry!"


feed_id: a5f315d82e17832bcf216236da75617a
title: Criminalizing wage theft
uri: Criminalizing-wage-theft
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#30_May_2018_%28Criminalizing_wage_theft%29
content:
<p>
The state of Victoria proposes to <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2018/may/26/victorian-government-pledges-to-introduce-jail-terms-for-wage-theft">make wage theft a crime</a>, which could
give abusive employers a stronger reason not to steal.


feed_id: 34a79c36ea438391a7b397f3f9964d9a
title: Heatland Institute meeting
uri: Heatland-Institute-meeting
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#30_May_2018_%28Heatland_Institute_meeting%29
content:
<p>
Saboteur Pruitt of the EPA, and some of his officials, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2018/may/26/senior-epa-officials-collaborated-with-climate-change-denial-group-emails-show">met with the
Heatland Institute</a> to plan how to sabotage Earth's entire ecosphere.


feed_id: 61cafed388f4abe1a670d9cda2e1a138
title: TSA enemies list
uri: TSA-enemies-list
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#30_May_2018_%28TSA_enemies_list%29
content:
<p>
The Theater of Security Agency is setting up an enemies list &mdash; a
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2018/05/24/does-tsa-really-need-watch-list-unruly-travelers">secret list of passengers</a> singled out for harassment based on flimsy
excuses.
<p>
One of them is being "notorious".  It sounds like the TSA plans to
harass people for being famous.  Am I famous enough to get on the
list?
<p>
The TSA's theater might be amusing for spectators, but it should stop
forcing everyone to play a role in the comedy.


feed_id: d3572c1458c8c41f445bba5e44ca80f3
title: Restorative justice in schools
uri: Restorative-justice-in-schools
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#30_May_2018_%28Restorative_justice_in_schools%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2018/05/24/empowering-kids-instead-arming-them">"Restorative justice" in schools</a> aims to empower students so they won't
feel they need weapons.


feed_id: c094b0c466f94ede138d2480d11715c9
title: Military budget audit
uri: Military-budget-audit
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#30_May_2018_%28Military_budget_audit%29
content:
<p>
The House of Representatives is <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2018/05/24/audit-outlaw-military-budget-draining-americas-necessities">considering a bill</a> to provide a weak
pressure to audit the US military budget.
I doubt that pressure will be enough to make the audit happen, but
maybe failure would lead to increased pressure.
<p>
The audit would help get rid of corruption in spending, and some forms
of waste in detail.  It would have no effect on programs that are
officially authorized, but wasteful or harmful.


feed_id: 5d05c9713e2b4877470cc43d2b439403
title: Tax break for moving jobs
uri: Tax-break-for-moving-jobs
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#30_May_2018_%28Tax_break_for_moving_jobs%29
content:
<p>
The Republican tax attacks of 2017 were written so hastily and thoughtlessly
that they <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2018/05/24/more-50-organizations-urge-congress-end-tax-preference-shifting-jobs-and-profits">contain a direct tax break</a> for moving jobs out of the US.
<p>
Or perhaps it wasn't so thoughtless.  After all, <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#scrotus">SCROTUS</a> works for the
companies that are outsourcing the jobs.


feed_id: d3d9e5363a065378f98ca7fc0a02609f
title: US military spending
uri: 2018-05-31-US-military-spending
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#30_May_2018_%28US_military_spending%29
content:
<p>
The US used to spend more on the military than the next 7 countries.
In the new budget, as passed by the House of Representatives, it
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2018/05/24/131-house-dems-help-gop-pass-massive-pentagon-budget-includes-billions-expanded">exceeds the next 8 countries</a>.
<p>
All this spending doesn't enable the US to actually win any wars, but
does enable it to start new ones.  Meanwhile, the new nuclear weapons
could put all of humanity in danger.
<p>
The bill also <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2018/05/24/us-house-makes-clear-there-no-authorization-use-military-force-against-iran">includes an article</a> denying that the president has authority
to attack Iran.
<p>
That will be good, if the Senate passes it too.


feed_id: acc7e638842bebedd49d42e28b3a2810
title: Money from criminal oligarchs
uri: Money-from-criminal-oligarchs
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#30_May_2018_%28Money_from_criminal_oligarchs%29
content:
<p>
The UK welcomed hundreds of millions of dollars from Russian criminal
oligarchs, but there is <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/news/2018/may/25/how-britain-let-russia-hide-its-dirty-money">no way of knowing how much</a>, let alone
identifying what assets were bought with it.


feed_id: 1b77e0d2420abd5825feee3569bd841c
title: Facebook's 'focus on community'
uri: Facebook-s-focus-on-community
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#30_May_2018_%28Facebook%27s_%27focus_on_community%27%29

content:
<p>
Facebook's "focus on community" can cause depression for a <a href="http://web-old.archive.org/web/20180525064531/https://www.wired.com/story/facebooks-new-focus-on-community-might-actually-depress-you/">substantial
fraction of users</a>.


feed_id: 1d7151c3aac218412361d17a7012326a
title: Secret medical operations
uri: Secret-medical-operations
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#30_May_2018_%28Secret_medical_operations%29
content:
<p>
One prisoner in Guantanamo has had a <a href="http://www.mcclatchydc.com/news/nation-world/national/national-security/article211833304.html#cardLink=row2_card2">series of emergency operations</a>,
and his lawyers learned this only when they showed up for a court hearing.
<p>
The gall and dishonesty of the jailers is demonstrated by their claims
that their refusal to tell anyone about the prisoner's condition is
for his privacy's sake &mdash; while not allowing him to tell anyone
either.
<p>
I would guess that the real reason for the secrecy is that his injuries
were due to torture and the US government doesn't want us to know how
he was tortured.
<p>
Now that Torture Haspel has been confirmed to head the CIA, I am surprised
they still try to conceal this.


feed_id: 3b142df36661b8c3a3d08e09b664e098
title: The two Supreme Leaders
uri: The-two-Supreme-Leaders
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#1_June_2018_%28The_two_Supreme_Leaders%29
content:
<p>
The summit between the two Supreme Leaders is 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/may/27/north-korea-us-summit-on-track-says-moon-candid-talks-friend-kim-jong-un">on
again</a>.
<p>
I seem to have been right that the <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#bully">bully</a>'s cancellation wasn't meant
to be final.  I had a feeling that it was uttered in the language of
bullying.  And why not?  It is the native language of both of them.
<p>
<a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#bully">The bully</a> is effectively devoid of honesty.  Whatever he says, it is
meant to have some dramatic effect, not to state what he believes,
what he wants, or what he intends to do.


feed_id: c16cf3e356e718681fadb635cab5e07d
title: US private insurance companies
uri: US-private-insurance-companies
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#1_June_2018_%28US_private_insurance_companies%29
content:
<p>
US private insurance companies often agree to pay hospitals inflated prices
for operations.   They 
<a href="https://www.propublica.org/article/why-your-health-insurer-does-not-care-about-your-big-bills">pass
on the cost in higher premiums</a>, after the inflated price screws
the patient with a high copay.


feed_id: a09e9f2a0a7737681b32fadb6fdbaa27
title: Temporary housing
uri: 2018-06-01-Temporary-housing
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#1_June_2018_%28Temporary_housing%29
content:
<p>
The UK provides temporary housing for homeless people, but sometimes it is
so bad that it 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/society/2018/may/26/how-firms-make-millions-nightly-paid-temporary-flats-homeless">makes
the inhabitants sick</a>.
<p>
Meanwhile, New York City is 
<a href="http://www.truth-out.org/news/item/44551-public-housing-allowed-to-crumble-as-a-prelude-to-privatization">letting
public housing fall apart</a>, perhaps with a view to selling the land
for building luxury apartments.
<p>
That form of privatization is widespread, and very lucrative for some
businesses, but leaves the residents in even worse situations.


feed_id: 1b3c49df46ce541c5911975c39adbc1c
title: Technique for disguising salmonella
uri: Technique-for-disguising-salmonella
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#1_June_2018_%28Technique_for_disguising_salmonella%29

content:
<p>
Washing spinach in a chlorine solution does not kill salmonella, it
only
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/may/26/chicken-health-fear-chlorine-washing-fails-bacteria-tests-brexit-salmonella-listeria">makes
culturing salmonella from the spinach more difficult</a>, thus
disguising them.
<p>
The US uses this technique for chicken also.


feed_id: 7d8f0fa520eb5e5f5f90395c55130c6e
title: Surveillance of social media
uri: Surveillance-of-social-media
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#1_June_2018_%28Surveillance_of_social_media%29
content:
<p>
ACLU: We're Demanding the Government Come Clean on 
<a href="https://www.aclu.org/blog/privacy-technology/internet-privacy/were-demanding-government-come-clean-surveillance-social">Surveillance
of Social Media</a>.


feed_id: 510ed0d76b9e0b2f1379bceafd05b09d
title: FBI fabricates
uri: FBI-fabricates
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#1_June_2018_%28FBI_fabricates%29
content:
<p>
We must not believe anything the FBI says about supposed problems
caused by use of encryption.  They don't just exaggerate, they
<a href="https://www.aclu.org/blog/national-security/privacy-and-surveillance/fbis-gigantic-math-error">fabricate</a>.
<p>
But even if their claims were true, they would be insignificant
compared with the disaster of allowing the state to know everything we
say and do.


feed_id: b0f2b22605b4f141f38f1189d4a264a5
title: Public universities and dirty deals
uri: Public-universities-and-dirty-deals
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#1_June_2018_%28Public_universities_and_dirty_deals%29

content:
<p>
Public universities have created 
<a href="https://theconversation.com/whats-wrong-with-secret-donor-agreements-like-the-ones-george-mason-university-inked-with-the-kochs-96180">private
fund-raising foundations</a> which can subject the university to dirty
deals with the Koch brothers, and evade accountability.


feed_id: 27b8949fb72ee24b97115e62f238f832
title: UK lawyers serving foreign gangsters
uri: UK-lawyers-serving-foreign-gangsters
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#1_June_2018_%28UK_lawyers_serving_foreign_gangsters%29

content:
<p>
UK lawyers are happy to make lots of money 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2018/may/26/unsavoury-alliance-between-oligarchs-and-london-top-lawyers">serving
various foreign gangsters</a>.


feed_id: a6f3cb35ad6ed26b4f43a94b448d5a0d
title: Zaghari-Ratcliffe
uri: Zaghari-Ratcliffe
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#1_June_2018_%28Zaghari-Ratcliffe%29
content:
<p>
Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe, in prison in Iran, 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/news/2018/may/26/nazanin-zaghari-ratcliffe-to-face-new-trial-iran">will
be tried on new charges</a>, perhaps "spreading propaganda".
<p>
To make "spreading propaganda" a crime is in itself an injustice,
but ever more countries indulge in it.


feed_id: f030fff51e0b6de334f67e72e19eaa75
title: Uber crash
uri: Uber-crash
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#1_June_2018_%28Uber_crash%29
content:
<p>
Apparently the Uber car that crashed was 
<a href="https://techcrunch.com/2018/05/24/uber-in-fatal-crash-detected-pedestrian-but-had-emergency-braking-disabled/">operating
in a mode that depended on a human to brake</a>.  The human may have
forgotten that this was per job.


feed_id: 9bdf81b3611e71d866114340c87f78ff
title: Curbing global heating
uri: 2018-06-01-Curbing-global-heating
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#1_June_2018_%28Curbing_global_heating%29
content:
<p>
Arguing that curbing <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#global heating">global heating</a> 
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2018/05/22/food-revolution-climate-case-factory-farm-ban">requires
banning factory farms</a>.


feed_id: 503d7100ecf4a3ba9082f1e716749e4e
title: Islam
uri: Islam
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#1_June_2018_%28Islam%29
content:
<p>
Ed Husain, formerly an Islamist radical, 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/global/2018/may/26/ed-husain-house-of-islam-interview-how-peaceful-muslims-win-global-battle-of-ideas">proposes
that Muslims should join to condemn that extremist interpretation</a>
of Islam.
<p>
I think that would be a good thing to do, but will not be easy.
<a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#salafi">Salafi Arabia</a> has implanted it effectively in many regions, such as
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#29_April_2018_(Attacks_in_Aceh)">Aceh</a>
in Indonesia.
<p>
Husain's memoir, The Islamist, shows clearly the differences between
various ideas of Islam.


feed_id: 0b3b2c6e32382e2ca068f31a96438ff5
title: Gaza protests
uri: 2018-06-01-Gaza-protests
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#1_June_2018_%28Gaza_protests%29
content:
<p>
Gaza says the death of a baby during a protest may not have been due
to tear gas after all.  It 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/may/24/gaza-ministry-removes-baby-from-list-of-people-killed-by-israeli-army">could
be a coincidence</a>.
<p>
However, for the 
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#10_April_2018_(Israel_Palestine_Gaza_war)">hundreds
of Palestinians hit by soldiers' bullets</a>, there is no doubt about
what killed or injured them.


feed_id: fe6a39c67ab7cbc979f763185d8a64ff
title: China accustomed to one child
uri: China-accustomed-to-one-child
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#1_June_2018_%28China_accustomed_to_one_child%29
content:
<p>
China has got accustomed to having one child, and 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/may/26/china-shows-little-appetite-for-lifting-of-family-size-limit">most
couples don't want a second child</a>.
<p>
This is tremendously good news for the future of China and the world:
China with its current population is using its land unsustainably.
Maybe with the coming decrease it could put an end to that.
<p>
If only we could convince other regions with still-exploding
populations, such as India and much of Africa, to have small families,
that would put off the consequent disasters.


feed_id: 02e91b86931f6e2e6331bab3622cda14
title: US abortion gag rule
uri: US-abortion-gag-rule
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#1_June_2018_%28US_abortion_gag_rule%29
content:
<p>
Teaching birth control in Uganda has been 
<a href="https://theintercept.com/2018/05/26/uganda-american-aid-birth-control/">hit
hard by the US abortion gag rule</a>.


feed_id: d308d746000679d691f4b8050fab1500
title: North and South Korean leaders meet
uri: North-and-South-Korean-leaders-meet
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#1_June_2018_%28North_and_South_Korean_leaders_meet%29

content:
<p>
The leaders of South Korea and North Korea 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/may/26/kim-jong-un-moon-jai-in-korean-leaders-hold-surprise-meeting">held
a meeting about how to get the bully to be serious about peace</a>.


feed_id: c5845ff5c8ab8e8bf773fc4379192ac5
title: Prison
uri: 2018-06-01-Prison
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#1_June_2018_%28Prison%29
content:
<p>
The head of UK prisons says that prison sentences under one year are
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/society/2018/may/26/short-prison-sentences-do-not-work-says-justice-secretary-david-gauke">ineffective
at teaching prisoners not to commit minor crimes</a>, and calls for
using other punishments instead of prison.


feed_id: 8fccd1beba88cffa2fb8815d957699ba
title: Abortion to be legal in Irish Republic
uri: Abortion-to-be-legal-in-Irish-Republic
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#1_June_2018_%28Abortion_to_be_legal_in_Irish_Republic%29

content:
<p>
The Irish Republic has 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2018/may/26/ireland-has-changed-utterly-the-cruel-eighth-amendment-is-history">voted
to eliminate the ban on abortion</a> from its constitution.
<p>
Abortion 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/may/26/ireland-votes-by-landslide-to-legalise-abortion">will
soon be legal</a> there.
<p>
This will directly help women in Northern Ireland, because it will be
much easier and cheaper to go to the Irish Republic for an abortion
than to travel to England as they currently must do.  However, 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2018/may/26/now-give-us-the-right-to-abortion-in-northern-ireland">they
demand legalization of abortion there next</a>.
<p>
This change might have larger political effects.  A few decades ago,
anyone in Northern Ireland had a powerful reason to oppose uniting
Northern Ireland with the Irish Republic: the latter's church-backed
denial of human rights that related to marriage and sex.  This reason
no longer exists.


feed_id: 587d0be4aa5587f98b4f1662c5d663d2
title: US border thugs
uri: 2018-06-01-US-border-thugs
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#1_June_2018_%28US_border_thugs%29
content:
<p>
US border <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thugs</a> 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2018/may/25/woman-shot-dead-border-patrol-rio-bravo-texas-identified">shot
and killed a Guatemalan woman</a>, who was possibly an unauthorized
immigrant.
<p>
The <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thug</a> presented a supposed justification for shooting her, but
we have no way of knowing whether there is any truth in it.


feed_id: b2b4a028c72e4d62cc0e99b02ad842fa
title: China and Taiwan
uri: China-and-Taiwan
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#1_June_2018_%28China_and_Taiwan%29
content:
<p>
China is pressuring and 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/may/26/flight-centre-website-tweaks-on-taiwan-were-not-done-under-chinese-pressure">tricking
non-Chinese companies into describing Taiwan as a part of China</a>.


feed_id: 62c8b4677f6303365f5f2f380f77c4db
title: Contemptuous UK embassy
uri: Contemptuous-UK-embassy
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#1_June_2018_%28Contemptuous_UK_embassy%29
content:
<p>
The UK's embassy in Jamaica has systematically treated the UK citizens
exiled there with the 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2018/may/25/windrush-citizens-trapped-in-jamaica-criticise-british-officials">same
contempt usually referred to foreigners that ask for a visa</a>.
<p>
Many wealthy countries systematically show such contempt to foreigners
that seek a visa.


feed_id: 2e044edb9229af225026b2fca39959ec
title: US: Haspel's torture record
uri: US-Haspel-s-torture-record
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#1_June_2018_%28US%3A_Haspel%27s_torture_record%29
content:
<p>The Department of "Justice" <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2018/05/15/government-has-information-gina-haspels-torture-record-senate-cant-see-it">withheld information</a> about Haspel's relationship with the CIA's destruction of evidence of torture.</p>
</li></p>


feed_id: 852b3832618f711808274247e59a3e94
title: John Bolton and North Korea Summit
uri: John-Bolton-and-North-Korea-Summit
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#1_June_2018_%28John_Bolton_and_North_Korea_Summit%29

content:
<p><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/may/16/trump-north-korea-nuclear-summit-john-bolton">Bolton's extreme demands seem to have rubbed Kim the wrong way</a> and put a bump in the path to peace with North Korea.</p>
<p>That doesn't mean it is now hopeless -- or that agreement was assured before Bolton did this.  However, it does mean that Bolton is an impediment.</p>
<p><a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2018/05/15/provocative-military-ruckus-north-korea-warns-us-south-korea-war-games-could-derail">It could also be that Kim is playing manipulative games</a>, expecting concessions in exchange for conversation.</p>
</li></p>


feed_id: 583535885581cc56fe8d9e6f7321b6ad
title: UK government human rights abuse
uri: UK-government-human-rights-abuse
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#1_June_2018_%28UK_government_human_rights_abuse%29
content:
<p>UK aid money <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2018/may/17/british-government-accused-of-funding-human-rights-abuses-in-bahrain-torture-executions">seems to have been used to train Bahraini "security forces"</a> that have tortured and executed dissidents.</p>
</li></p>


feed_id: c205b2ebb9c1cf5e97e33ceae955699f
title: For-Profit US Prisons
uri: For-Profit-US-Prisons
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#1_June_2018_%28For-Profit_US_Prisons%29
content:
<p><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2018/may/17/us-private-prisons-forced-labour-detainees-modern-slavery">Why Are For-Profit US Prisons Subjecting [prisoners] to Forced Labor?</a></p>
<p>The short answer is, "because they can."</p>
</li></p>


feed_id: 4319ae9e9b3c93d34e0e73b44cfe2b96
title: UK: Tories to speed up fracking projects
uri: UK-Tories-to-speed-up-fracking-projects
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#1_June_2018_%28UK%3A_Tories_to_speed_up_fracking_projects%29

content:
<p><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/business/2018/may/17/fast-track-fracking-plan-by-uk-government-prompts-criticism">The Tories plan</a> to speed up fracking projects, bypassing local planning entirely.</p>
<p>It is hard to understand what could possibly motivate them to enable local opposition to kill wind-farm projects easily while making it impossible to stop fracking.  Unless it is that they are getting money from fossil fuel companies.</p>
</li></p>


feed_id: 3041799f84857983324ca132d0b8beb7
title: Onion: An IDF soldier's war story
uri: Onion-An-IDF-soldier-s-war-story
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#1_June_2018_%28Onion%3A_An_IDF_soldier%27s_war_story%29

content:
<p>The Onion: Israel Defense Forces soldier Yossi Saadon recounted Tuesday his harrowing, heroic war <a href="https://www.theonion.com/idf-soldier-recounts-harrowing-heroic-war-story-of-kil-1826048745">story of killing an 8-month-old Palestinian child during a violent attack against protesters</a>.</p>
<p><a href="https://en.dailypakistan.com.pk/world/eight-month-old-palestinian-baby-dies-from-tear-gas-shot-by-israeli-forces/">Serious coverage of the same event</a>.</p>
<p></p>


feed_id: b2c0c0192be489cb38bab09aadf81872
title: Onion: NSA scrambling to reestablish whereabouts
uri: Onion-NSA-scrambling-to-reestablish-whereabouts
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#1_June_2018_%28Onion%3A_NSA_scrambling_to_reestablish_whereabouts%29

content:
<p>The Onion: &hellip; high-ranking officials at the National Security Agency reportedly spent Wednesday morning scrambling to reestablish the whereabouts <a href="https://www.theonion.com/nsa-scrambling-to-reestablish-whereabouts-of-man-who-co-1826078931">of a man who had covered his laptop camera with a piece of electrical tape</a>.</p>
</li></p>


feed_id: d3f27522bfc0f500718defefefd8984a
title: Asia: human rights workers in danger
uri: Asia-human-rights-workers-in-danger
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#1_June_2018_%28Asia%3A_human_rights_workers_in_danger%29

content:
<p><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2018/may/18/imprisoned-threatened-silenced-human-rights-workers-across-asia-are-in-danger">Imprisoned, Threatened, Silenced: Human Rights Workers Across Asia Are in Danger (from the state)</a>.</p>
</li></p>


feed_id: 11645b0245204fa085fb997d7efdfbc3
title: CIA torture program disarray
uri: CIA-torture-program-disarray
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#1_June_2018_%28CIA_torture_program_disarray%29
content:
<p>A reminder of how <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2014/dec/09/cia-report-torture-program-disarray">stupidly, blindly, persistently</a>, and pointlessly the CIA carried out torture.</p>
</li></p>


feed_id: ab209f845b741f0c051536698cb479ef
title: Democratic Party slipping in polls
uri: Democratic-Party-slipping-in-polls
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#1_June_2018_%28Democratic_Party_slipping_in_polls%29

content:
<p>Even against crazy and corrupt Republican saboteurs, the Democratic Party is slipping in the polls -- <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2018/05/17/you-would-think-it-would-be-impossible-lose-ground-trump-and-gop-youd-be-wrong">because the "mainstream" plutocratist Democrats don't stand for progressive policies</a>.</p>
<p>I'm careful to support only progressive Democrats, not <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#bankster">bankster</a>-subservient mainstream Democrats.</p>
</li></p>


feed_id: a52982d183b13aa9c6e70a502a877225
title: Bannon and Cambridge Analytica
uri: Bannon-and-Cambridge-Analytica
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#1_June_2018_%28Bannon_and_Cambridge_Analytica%29
content:
<p>Bannon tried using Cambridge Analytica's data <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2018/may/16/steve-bannon-cambridge-analytica-whistleblower-suppress-voters-testimony">to discourage blacks from voting</a>.</p>
</li></p>


feed_id: 8ba930d464f266044853bb2d3d7f55e6
title: New York Times personal data tracking
uri: New-York-Times-personal-data-tracking
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#1_June_2018_%28New_York_Times_personal_data_tracking%29

content:
<p>The New York Times <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2018/05/16/technology/personaltech/google-personal-data-facebook.html?emc=edit_th_180517&nl=todaysheadlines&nlid=576886480517">encourages you to accept being tracked by Google</a>, and claims you have no choice so you might as well yield.</p>
<p>There are many things you can do it stop it.  For instance, use a browser that won't run Google Analytics hooks in web pages, browse through Tor, use OpenStreetMap instead of Google Maps...</p>
</li></p>


feed_id: d1ce3b7b85b5c52d9bd1798cb3cc8b05
title: UK: building safety regulations
uri: UK-building-safety-regulations
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#1_June_2018_%28UK%3A_building_safety_regulations%29
content:
<p>The UK's review of building codes and inspections <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2018/may/17/grenfell-review-condemns-race-to-the-bottom-in-building-safety-practices">proposed a fundamental change in the way decisions are made.</a>  Specific changes, such as banning particular materials, would not be enough by itself.</p>
</li></p>


feed_id: d755d74edde4f0f77c87cbf5c1b437c6
title: Florida: Don't buy from Publix
uri: Florida-Don-t-buy-from-Publix
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#1_June_2018_%28Florida%3A_Don%27t_buy_from_Publix%29

content:
<p><a href="https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2018/5/17/1764894/-Publix-Just-Went-All-In-With-the-NRA-and-Bigotry-Parkland-Survivor-Calls-Them-Out?detail=emaildkre">In Florida?  Don't buy from Publix supermarkets</a>!</p>
</li></p>


feed_id: 91cf0f086474402aac686625c8a270c4
title: Reports on Cohen missing from FinCEN database
uri: Reports-on-Cohen-missing-from-FinCEN-database
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#1_June_2018_%28Reports_on_Cohen_missing_from_FinCEN_database%29

content:
<p>An unnamed official reports that two "suspicious activity reports", posted by a bank about Michael Cohen's bank transfers, <a href="https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2018/5/16/1764882/-Ronan-Farrow-Asserts-Two-Suspicious-Activity-Reports-on-Cohen-Went-Missing-from-FinCEN-Database?detail=emaildkre">have disappeared from the US government system which is supposed to store them</a>.</p>
</li></p>


feed_id: 4a9df091646588cb9abd2e19d0407ba4
title: US: 27 cities "abortion deserts"
uri: US-27-cities-abortion-deserts
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#31_May_2018_%28US%3A_27_cities_%2522abortion_deserts%2522%29

content:
<p><a href="https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2018/5/16/1764836/-New-study-finds-that-27-major-U-S-cities-are-now-abortion-deserts-thanks-to-anti-choice-laws?detail=emaildkre">27 US cities are "abortion deserts"</a> -- apparently no abortion facility within 100 miles.</p>
</li></p>


feed_id: ae07f37c341c1f4941d0438e354b2e96
title: Gaza massacre victim blaming
uri: Gaza-massacre-victim-blaming
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#31_May_2018_%28Gaza_massacre_victim_blaming%29
content:
<p><a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2018/05/18/blaming-victims-israels-gaza-massacre">Blaming the Victims of Israel's Gaza Massacre</a> -- standard practice in US media.</p>
</li></p>


feed_id: 329bdaf186054eec186a3c58db1aa361
title: Onion: U.S military statement on Kilauea
uri: Onion-U-S-military-statement-on-Kilauea
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#31_May_2018_%28Onion%3A_U.S_military_statement_on_Kilauea%29

content:
<p>The Onion: U.S. military officials <a href="https://www.theonion.com/u-s-military-defends-controversial-decision-to-test-ki-1826125981">released a statement defending their much-criticized decision to test</a> the Kilauea volcano on Hawaiian civilians.</p>
</li></p>


feed_id: be2b349190d292c6037999e8689b24b1
title: Onion: self-absorbed generation
uri: Onion-self-absorbed-generation
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#31_May_2018_%28Onion%3A_self-absorbed_generation%29
content:
<p>The Onion: sociologists &hellip; <a href="https://www.theonion.com/sociologists-confirm-emergence-of-generation-more-entit-1826125913">confirmed the inevitable emergence</a> of a generation more entitled and self-absorbed than any seen before.</p>
</li></p>


feed_id: 9f8bc9ad1b4ce765faddfe795d434ab7
title: US: congress police reform
uri: US-congress-police-reform
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#31_May_2018_%28US%3A_congress_police_reform%29
content:
<p>The US House and Senate are <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2018/05/18/congress-wants-more-protections-cops-while-ignoring-police-reform">trying to pretend that thugs face violent persecution</a> by passing a new law imposing increased penalties for violence intentionally targeted at thugs.</p>
<p>In practice, these bills would not change much.  Symbolically, though, they take the side of the <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thugs</a> against the people they kill.</p>
</li></p>


feed_id: 91f16548665250801cba5bcf5ac5e33d
title: UK: bus shelter towed
uri: UK-bus-shelter-towed
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#31_May_2018_%28UK%3A_bus_shelter_towed%29
content:
<p><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2018/may/18/royal-wedding-windsor-police-seize-rough-sleepers-bus">UK thugs towed away a bus that was parked providing shelter to homeless people</a>, because an event with the royal family was scheduled for elsewhere in the neighborhood.</p>
</li></p>


feed_id: 53697d9bfbf168265c6eda691dad2a98
title: UK: Bristol man tased
uri: UK-Bristol-man-tased
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#31_May_2018_%28UK%3A_Bristol_man_tased%29
content:
<p>A <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2018/may/18/police-officer-tasered-bristol-man-who-looked-familiar-court-told">UK thug will face charges for tasing a black man after mistaking him for someone else</a> based on a vague resemblance.  (Perhaps both had dark skin?)  The man had done nothing to justify even the slightest violence.</p>
</li></p>


feed_id: 394ed4fe2a024c269ab7507ecce33e66
title: Social network censorship in UK
uri: Social-network-censorship-in-UK
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#31_May_2018_%28Social_network_censorship_in_UK%29
content:
<p>The UK is <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2018/may/19/uk-government-plans-new-laws-tackle-internet-wild-west">planning to set up a new system of censorship</a> for social networks.</p>
<p>The danger that occurs to me is that the new system will effectively ban GNU Social, Disapora, and other social networks that are not run by businesses, and others that are run by small businesses.</p>
</li></p>


feed_id: f7994e0d9078e93d8b71b276e3c9864a
title: US: Don Jr. meetings
uri: US-Don-Jr-meetings
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#31_May_2018_%28US%3A_Don_Jr._meetings%29
content:
<p>Donald Trump Jr. reportedly <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2018/may/19/donald-trump-jr-meeting-saudi-arabia-united-arab-emirates-report">met in 2016 with a representative of Salafi Arabia and the UAE</a> who was offering campaign assistance.</p>
</li></p>


feed_id: 48130e3c1a49e97a1ec28bc7ed1810fe
title: 400 months of unusual warmth
uri: 400-months-of-unusual-warmth
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#31_May_2018_%28400_months_of_unusual_warmth%29
content:
<p><a href="http://buzzflash.com/commentary/we-just-experienced-400-straight-months-of-unusual-warmth">April 2018 Was The 400th Consecutive Month of Global Temperatures Above the 20th Century Average</a>.</p>
</li></p>


feed_id: 5820e645f169d97588dfed2a5cb4034f
title: Syria: wheat seeds
uri: Syria-wheat-seeds
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#31_May_2018_%28Syria%3A_wheat_seeds%29
content:
<p>Seeds rescued from a seed bank in Syria <a href="https://e360.yale.edu/features/how-seeds-from-war-torn-syria-could-help-save-american-wheat">might help breed wheat that can resist the crop damage</a> that global heating effects are causing in the US.</p>
<p>I hope this works, but it will only carry us a short way. <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#climate">Climate mayhem</a> will keep getting worse, faster and faster.</p>
</li></p>


feed_id: 9ffe1c6cbb7ead2b8e0a190a5fb6035d
title: Social media and emotions
uri: Social-media-and-emotions
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#31_May_2018_%28Social_media_and_emotions%29
content:
<p>Twitter might have been designed <a href="http://nautil.us/blog/how-social-media-exploits-our-moral-emotions">to encourage people to get outraged</a>.</p>
</li></p>


feed_id: 35ef2acb2e910ea49e7efbb11550ce57
title: Uri Avnery: The Day of Shame
uri: Uri-Avnery-The-Day-of-Shame
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#31_May_2018_%28Uri_Avnery%3A_The_Day_of_Shame%29
content:
<p>Uri Avnery: The Day of Shame -- The Israeli political parties, army and media <a href="http://zope.gush-shalom.org/home/en/channels/avnery/1526725578/">spread lies about Gaza</a>, and the peace movement collapsed on the floor.</p>
</li></p>


feed_id: 3c724f1a26ad684d8e3a1e4c24e1d396
title: Gaza: US and Australia UN stance
uri: Gaza-US-and-Australia-UN-stance
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#31_May_2018_%28Gaza%3A_US_and_Australia_UN_stance%29

content:
<p>The US and Australia <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/may/19/australia-and-us-oppose-un-move-for-independent-inquiry-into-gaza-violence">opposed an independent UN inquiry into the massacre of protesters</a> in Gaza.</p>
<p>How shameful.</p>
</li></p>


feed_id: 04efbddf90d7845e4db1d80708535538
title: US: Trump's Consumer Watchdog
uri: US-Trump-s-Consumer-Watchdog
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#31_May_2018_%28US%3A_Trump%27s_Consumer_Watchdog%29
content:
<p><a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2018/05/17/trump-just-named-consumer-watchdog-who-will-play-dead">Trump Just Named a Consumer Watchdog Who Will Play Dead</a>.</p>
</li></p>


feed_id: 591fadc433e52ba231fda37ba888342c
title: Palestine: "our history haunts our future"
uri: Palestine-our-history-haunts-our-future
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#31_May_2018_%28Palestine%3A_%2522our_history_haunts_our_future%2522%29

content:
<p>"When Palestinians <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2018/05/17/palestine-our-history-haunts-our-future">fight for their national rights</a>, we are called 'terrorists'. When we demonstrate in non-violent ways and are killed by the occupying forces, we are called 'suicidal'."</p>
</li></p>


feed_id: adb4d4c5439331bc40924e109d71e400
title: Skripal discharged from hospital
uri: Skripal-discharged-from-hospital
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#31_May_2018_%28Skripal_discharged_from_hospital%29
content:
<p><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2018/may/18/sergei-skripal-discharged-from-salisbury-hospital">Russia demands to see the Skripals,</a> so that they have the chance to get consular help if they want it.</p>
<p>Even though it is possible that Russia poisoned them, I think the UK should uphold this right.  It often comes to the aid of prisoners, and if the UK disregards it, that will encourage other countries to do the same.</p>
<p>If they do not become able to communicate, they are very likely effectively dead.  Or else they are conscious but locked in, which could be a fate worse than death.</p>
</li></p>


feed_id: 3ade3406544d2bd6e26ef7279887d7b4
title: Global fisheries affected by warming ocean
uri: Global-fisheries-affected-by-warming-ocean
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#31_May_2018_%28Global_fisheries_affected_by_warming_ocean%29

content:
<p>The early stages of climate mayhem <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2018/05/17/worlds-oceans-warm-hundreds-fish-species-forced-swim-their-lives">are already messing up global fisheries</a>.</p>
</li></p>


feed_id: 422702db4c83ffd04a23cf08380a6caf
title: Salafi Arabia arrested women's rights activists
uri: Salafi-Arabia-arrested-women-s-rights-activists
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#31_May_2018_%28Salafi_Arabia_arrested_women%27s_rights_activists%29

content:
<p>Salafi Arabia has arrested, on no particular occasion, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/may/19/saudi-arabia-womens-rights-activists-arrested-before-lifting-of-driving-ban">several prominent advocates of women's rights</a>.</p>
</li></p>


feed_id: c48b5e987d30dd4be8e8d1a403a829e4
title: US charter school scheme
uri: US-charter-school-scheme
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#31_May_2018_%28US_charter_school_scheme%29
content:
<p><a href="https://theintercept.com/2018/05/18/charter-school-recruitment-financial-incentives/">Some US charter schools use an affiliate marketing scheme</a>: anyone who recruits students away from another school gets $500.</p>
</li></p>


feed_id: b290f6e4d065f68464e1252f9e789d14
title: Belgian authorities shot child
uri: Belgian-authorities-shot-child
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#31_May_2018_%28Belgian_authorities_shot_child%29
content:
<p>Belgian thugs decided a van was suspicious, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2018/may/18/belgian-authorities-admit-two-year-old-girl-was-shot-after-police-chase">and tried to stop it with gunfire</a>.  They killed a two-year-old baby in the van.</p>
<p>State officials, defending the <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thugs</a>' reputation, initially pretended that the baby's death was an accident or caused by rough driving.</p>
</li></p>


feed_id: 4edb33e28d2eb9fd90450fb7202a9e2b
title: EPA leadership summit
uri: EPA-leadership-summit
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#31_May_2018_%28EPA_leadership_summit%29
content:
<p><a href="https://theintercept.com/2018/05/18/the-epas-leadership-summit-on-pfoa-pollution-will-exclude-victims-and-community-groups/">The EPA’s “Leadership Summit” on PFOA Pollution Will Exclude Victims and Community Groups</a>.</p>
</li></p>


feed_id: 45dff951d624f3886f2602d957537f61
title: Cambridge University hunger strike
uri: Cambridge-University-hunger-strike
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#31_May_2018_%28Cambridge_University_hunger_strike%29

content:
<p><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2018/may/18/students-go-on-hunger-strike-to-pressure-cambridge-university-to-divest-fossil-fuels">Students Go on Hunger Strike to Pressure Cambridge University to Divest</a> [from fossil fuels].</p>
</li></p>


feed_id: a0af14067fae7616dbbdc4f27522f4dc
title: US Presidents rehabilitated
uri: US-Presidents-rehabilitated
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#31_May_2018_%28US_Presidents_rehabilitated%29
content:
<p>Each time there is a president that is worse than anyone we remember, the previous worst presidents <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/style/donald-trump-may-be-the-best-thing-that-ever-happened-to-george-w-bush/2018/05/11/69ae6c7a-5319-11e8-9c91-7dab596e8252_story.html?noredirect=on">use it to bury their crimes and get rehabilitated</a>.  Dubya is now doing this.</p>
</li></p>


feed_id: 0e3dbbe42a17acdd586d9bd6b4b7e268
title: Commercial surveillance of individuals
uri: Commercial-surveillance-of-individuals
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#1_June_2018_%28Commercial_surveillance_of_individuals%29

content:
<p>
On the argument between two camps that both miss the point about
<a href="https://boingboing.net/2018/05/22/too-big-to-fail-2.html">massive
commercial surveillance of individuals</a>.
<p>
By arguing about whether to divide up the power that this data gives
to businesses, or to regulate the use of it (perhaps nationalizing
it), they miss the point that 
<a href="https://gnu.org/philosophy/surveillance-vs-democracy.html">both
alternatives destroy our privacy</a> and give the state a perfect
basis for repression.
<p>
The danger is to collect that data <em>at all</em>.
<p>
More generally, I think the idea of taxing companies for the magnitude
of harm that they do (regardless of whether they broke any rules to do
it) is a good one.


feed_id: 7c4e08ecb70c36a8deefa35f340be1c8
title: Politicians
uri: 2018-06-02-Politicians
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#1_June_2018_%28Politicians%29
content:
<p>
Many weaknesses that undermine democracy 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2018/may/28/news-journalism-politics-democrats-republicans">tend
to suck in politicians</a> regardless of their overall positions.


feed_id: 9923882345498311b8e6c9bfe9d81477
title: UK women forced into marriage
uri: UK-women-forced-into-marriage
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#1_June_2018_%28UK_women_forced_into_marriage%29
content:
<p>
Thousands of women in the UK are 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2018/may/28/thousands-enslaved-in-forced-marriages-across-uk-investigation-finds">forced
into marriage</a>.


feed_id: 6ee5d58e1b86e46a50a633b9cc4113b5
title: "Brand aid" campaigns
uri: Brand-aid-campaigns
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#1_June_2018_%28Brand_aid_campaigns%29
content:
<p>
Beware of "brand aid" campaigns that 
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2018/05/27/there-are-better-ways-fight-poverty-giving-money-corporations">use
charity as a front for marketing</a>.


feed_id: 9cd25e5465a59b5de54cf226b0610c04
title: US protecting al-Qa-ida and PISSI
uri: US-protecting-al-Qa-ida-and-PISSI
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#1_June_2018_%28US_protecting_al-Qa-ida_and_PISSI%29
content:
<p>
The US is 
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2018/05/27/legal-despite-withdrawal-pledge-trumps-massive-mission-creep-syria">protecting
al-Qa'ida and PISSI</a> in the south of Syria.
<p>
It makes sense, tactically, but conflicts totally with what the US
says is its purpose for intervening in Syria.


feed_id: 8a599914f71495f064da9563146e4bfd
title: Charter schools
uri: 2018-06-02-Charter-schools
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#1_June_2018_%28Charter_schools%29
content:
<p>
Why a badly run public school is preferable to a well run charter
school (which is 
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2018/05/27/best-charter-school-cannot-hold-candle-worst-public-school">funded
by the public but controlled by a business</a> for profit).


feed_id: 53947f826db8ee6a89b292b014356d50
title: US blocks cotton imports from Turkmenistan
uri: US-blocks-cotton-imports-from-Turkmenistan
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#1_June_2018_%28US_blocks_cotton_imports_from_Turkmenistan%29

content:
<p>
The US has blocked the import of anything made with cotton from
Turkmenistan because of that country's practice of 
<a href="https://www.freedomunited.org/news/u-s-customs-halts-imports-forced-labor-cotton-turkmenistan/">forced
labor</a>.


feed_id: 86cd1fa8337c0fd128089bc6e0696912
title: Campaign to ban brothels
uri: Campaign-to-ban-brothels
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#1_June_2018_%28Campaign_to_ban_brothels%29
content:
<p>
A campaign to ban brothels in part of Nevada demonstrates that it's a
matter of 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2018/may/23/nevada-brothels-shut-down-old-west-campaign-petition">imposing
Christian prudery</a>, and never mind the safety of sex workers.


feed_id: 82158e34c5d845d5e6af6a78356c46b1
title: Facebook
uri: 2018-06-02-Facebook
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#1_June_2018_%28Facebook%29
content:
<p>
"Facebook 
<a href='https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2018/may/24/facebook-accused-of-conducting-mass-surveillance-through-its-apps'>continued</a>
to explore and implement ways to track users’ location, to track and
read their texts, to access and record their microphones on their
phones, to track and monitor their usage of competitive apps on their
phones, and to track and monitor their calls," accuses a lawsuit
against that company.


feed_id: f6fb785629a6c2d92d257bfdff4060bc
title: Trump PR tactic
uri: Trump-PR-tactic
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#1_June_2018_%28Trump_PR_tactic%29
content:
<p>
Rudy Giuliani Admits 'Spygate' is Trump 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2018/may/27/rudy-giuliani-spygate-robert-mueller-donald-trump">PR
Tactic against Robert Mueller</a>.


feed_id: ecbe889f066c88b35f0498e80b753b59
title: Today's professions
uri: Today-s-professions
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#1_June_2018_%28Todays_professions%29
content:
<p>
Today's professions are the result of setting up guild-like
organizations and claiming some privileges; but as extreme capitalism
strips those away, they
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2018/may/27/why-are-so-many-white-collar-professionals-in-revolt">become
much like all other workers</a>.


feed_id: d09d294998366e3c7887c3b01060c181
title: Italy's election
uri: Italy-s-election
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#1_June_2018_%28Italys_election%29
content:
<p>
The two parties that won Italy's last election promised to fix what's
broken, but they 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2018/may/27/no-progressive-force-to-give-it-shape-italian-anger-has-hit-a-wall">won't
even try</a>.
<p>
All they have agreed on is a 
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#29_May_2018_(Euro-zone_rules)">tax
cut for the rich</a>.  Nothing to fight against the disastrous rules
of the Euro zone.
<p>
Just as in the case of the <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#bully">bully</a>, anger without a constructive
political program is useless.


feed_id: 94bb679e9634e20315a0f5d29c493c57
title: The US government and ZTE
uri: The-US-government-and-ZTE
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#1_June_2018_%28The_US_government_and_ZTE%29
content:
<p>
The US government made a deal to put ZTE back in business despite its
<a href="https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-trade-china-zte/u-s-reaches-deal-to-keep-chinese-telecom-zte-in-business-congressional-aide-idUSKCN1IQ2JY">spying
on Americans</a>.
<p>
I wish the US government would make other companies such as 
<a href="https://stallman.org/amazon.html">Amazon</a>,
<a href="https://stallman.org/apple.html">Apple</a>, 
<a href="https://stallman.org/google.html">Google</a>, 
<a href="https://stallman.org/microsoft.html">Microsoft</a> and 
<a href="https://stallman.org/uber.html">Uber</a> stop spying on Americans.


feed_id: e16bc96b07a03542f5e12be175c26b06
title: America's version of capitalism
uri: America-s-version-of-capitalism
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#1_June_2018_%28Americas_version_of_capitalism%29
content:
<p>
America's Version of Capitalism Is 
<a href="https://nymag.com/daily/intelligencer/2018/05/americas-brand-of-capitalism-is-incompatible-with-democracy.html">Incompatible
With Democracy</a>.


feed_id: 1ff4495f8f077e36b62035a05b5da89d
title: China's "reeducation" camps
uri: China-s-reeducation-camps
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#1_June_2018_%28Chinas_reeducation_camps%29
content:
<p>
China has put hundreds of thousands of Uighurs in Xinjiang into
"reeducation" camps to 
<a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/chinas-repugnant-campaign-to-destroy-a-minority-people/2018/05/20/9fe061b4-5ac0-11e8-b656-a5f8c2a9295d_story.html">stamp
out their religion</a>.


feed_id: 2df4402b83b9e788673df3fdb3eb4fca
title: Dalit beaten to death
uri: Dalit-beaten-to-death
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#1_June_2018_%28Dalit_beaten_to_death%29
content:
<p>
Upper-caste Hindus saw Dalit Mukesh Vaniya picking up iron scrap,
said he was stealing it, and 
<a href="https://thewire.in/caste/you-are-born-to-clean-filth-dont-ask-for-money-dalit-killed-in-rajkot-was-told">beat
him to death</a>.
<p>
When I read about this desperate poverty, about having large families
that they can't feed, I wonder: when will they figure out that they
are making the problem worse?


feed_id: 6ed10511123743233fb5f322d482fe10
title: Misplaced Australian subsidies
uri: Misplaced-Australian-subsidies
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#1_June_2018_%28Misplaced_Australian_subsidies%29
content:
<p>
Australia's subsidy to projects that are supposed to decrease
greenhouse gas emissions is 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2018/may/28/government-advisers-call-for-emissions-fund-to-end-investment-in-junk-credits">putting
millions into projects that are profitable</a> and would be operating
without subsidy.


feed_id: b6340c295697cb1090a73baf90c53e42
title: Compassion for tobacco addicts
uri: Compassion-for-tobacco-addicts
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#1_June_2018_%28Compassion_for_tobacco_addicts%29
content:
<p>
Bans on smoking in certain places 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2018/may/27/welsh-smoking-ban-at-hospitals-cause-stress">should
have compassion</a> for those who remain tobacco addicts.


feed_id: cc8533462bc5ca40a2cdbf63dffaa0fc
title: Rare bird species poisoned by lead shot
uri: Rare-bird-species-poisoned-by-lead-shot
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#1_June_2018_%28Rare_bird_species_poisoned_by_lead_shot%29

content:
<p>
Rare bird species are 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2018/may/27/rare-birds-risk-lead-poisoning-from-shot">headed
toward extinction</a> due to poisoning from eating lead shot.
<p>
It would be straightforward to avoid this problem by switching to
steel.


feed_id: d8a00de23890ceb9a8e5c747b605c3ac
title: Urgent: Toxic water pollution
uri: Urgent-Toxic-water-pollution
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#1_June_2018_%28Urgent%3A_Toxic_water_pollution%29
content:
<p>
US citizens: <a href="https://act.credoaction.com/sign/investigate-pruitt">call for an investigation</a> of Pruitt's concealment of
toxic water pollution.


feed_id: 0326e57c47a4a4c76cee97c33d390e0c
title: Waiting for a psychiatrist in jail
uri: Waiting-for-a-psychiatrist-in-jail
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#1_June_2018_%28Waiting_for_a_psychiatrist_in_jail%29

content:
<p>
Due to budget cutting on all non-military aspects of life, deranged people
get <a href="https://features.propublica.org/tyler-haire-mississippi/tyler-haire-mississippi-mental-health-evaluations-criminal-justice/">left in jails for months or years</a>, waiting to be seen by psychiatrists.


feed_id: ebf5f2b357e3a4d48ea06827ca0519e6
title: Schools falling apart
uri: Schools-falling-apart
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#1_June_2018_%28Schools_falling_apart%29
content:
<p>
The school buildings of Oklahoma <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/education/2018/may/26/us-school-funding-what-its-like-work-oklahoma-teacher">are falling apart</a>, some students
don't have desks, and their textbooks are decades old.
<p>
The plutocrats prefer it this way because they don't need to hire so
many educated and skilled workers any more.  They think it is fine
if half the country graduates unemployable, since the robots will have
eliminated that many jobs anyway. 


feed_id: 1d4b76721202d9efdff6d852d0c74a01
title: 'Placement agents' in India
uri: Placement-agents-in-India
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#1_June_2018_%28%27Placement_agents%27_in_India%29
content:
<p>
One of the consequences of India's birth rate is that massive poverty
continues.  That makes young people so desperate that they go accept
offers from "placement agents" that <a href="https://www.freedomunited.org/advocate/help-stop-domestic-slavery-delhi/">lead to enslavement</a>.
<p>
The Indian government ought to prosecute these crooks and jail them.
But that will be difficult: the level of corruption is such that they
can buy their way out.
<p>
I think the long-term solution is contraception.


feed_id: 59d09eacb16afa44784b03f8d848a9b9
title: Tax evasion in Africa
uri: Tax-evasion-in-Africa
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#1_June_2018_%28Tax_evasion_in_Africa%29
content:
<p>
Tax evasion (facilitated by tax havens) is one jaw of the vice that
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/business/2018/may/26/tax-evasion-not-just-for-west-conspires-keep-africa-poor">keeps Africa in poverty</a>.
The other jaw is <a href="https://stallman.org/articles/children.html ">population growth</a>.


feed_id: a89b9ab9894c849470db0821db5f55bc
title: Dissent against national anthem
uri: Dissent-against-national-anthem
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#1_June_2018_%28Dissent_against_national_anthem%29
content:
<p>
The bully and his neo-Nazi supporters are <a href="https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2018/5/25/1767020/-On-January-9-1934-a-German-football-team-was-banned-from-playing-because-they-didn-t-salute">following the Nazi example</a>
when they ban dissent against the national anthem.


feed_id: 63c0ffbcc65d306ee14fe36ee02084cb
title: Meaning of 'bearing arms'
uri: Meaning-of-bearing-arms
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#1_June_2018_%28Meaning_of_%27bearing_arms%27%29
content:
<p>
The term "bear arms" refers specifically to military activities, and
always did.  In particular, that was the case <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20180522141859/https://www.washingtonpost.com/amphtml/opinions/antonin-scalia-was-wrong-about-the-meaning-of-bear-arms/2018/05/21/9243ac66-5d11-11e8-b2b8-08a538d9dbd6_story.html">when the US Constitution
was written</a>.


feed_id: 1fd43170ddf8ea5beb84fae9ebee67af
title: Temperature and antibiotic resistance
uri: Temperature-and-antibiotic-resistance
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#1_June_2018_%28Temperature_and_antibiotic_resistance%29

content:
<p>
Higher temperatures are correlated with <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2018/05/25/climate-change-could-supercharge-threat-antibiotic-resistance-study">more antibiotic resistance</a> in
bacteria.
Yet another way that <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#global heating">global heating</a> will kill people.


feed_id: 8d8b21d64785d1e398b14b806600d9b9
title: Escalating fines
uri: Escalating-fines
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#1_June_2018_%28Escalating_fines%29
content:
<p>
When bicycle courier Jerome Rogers received a couple of traffic
fines, his minuscule income meant he had no money to pay them.  The
system multiplied them by a factor of ten, his bicycle was seized.
Rather than live destitute, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/money/2018/may/26/debt-collecting-bailiffs-traffic-fine-suicide-jerome-rogers">he committed suicide</a>.
<p>
None of the steps that crushed his life is unusual.  When people have
so little money that they can't cope with an emergency cost of $400,
they will often be unable to pay fines.  When the system escalates fines,
they will turn into impossible debts.  When the system handles those debts
by crushing people, or by jailing them as <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#28_February_2018_(Putting_debtors_in_jail)">often happens in the US</a>,
it becomes a steamroller that crushes people.
<p>
The law said the bailiff should not seize the bicycle, but it's not
unusual for those who oppress the poor to ignore laws.  Wage theft
is illegal too, but employers regularly get away with it.  Unless someone
polices the bailiffs very carefully, they will always be under pressure
to push the limits of oppression.
<p>
When poor people move from killing themselves to killing bailiffs,
the bailiffs might back off some.


feed_id: 87af4bc802a6dff54a72464cd8a7e41f
title: Fake comments to the FCC
uri: Fake-comments-to-the-FCC
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#1_June_2018_%28Fake_comments_to_the_FCC%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://motherboard.vice.com/en_us/article/8xeqqz/two-senators-say-their-identities-were-stolen-during-net-neutrality-repeal">Two US senators demand</a> that the FCC explain the fraudulent comments
submitted in their names, and prevent such a thing from happening again.
<p>
The FCC received thousands of patently fake comments supporting the elimination
of network neutrality, then <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#26_November_2017_(Network_neutrality_comments)">pointed to them as valid</a>.


feed_id: 473493741106a515183fd8fbc977ff73
title: Fraudulent cladding tests
uri: Fraudulent-cladding-tests
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#1_June_2018_%28Fraudulent_cladding_tests%29
content:
<p>
The cladding that burnt in the Grenfell apartment building was approved
<a href="https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/grenfell-tower-fire-latest-inquiry-london-cladding-building-safety-uk-celotex-a8362186.html">based on fraudulent tests</a>.


feed_id: 74ff1d6e338aae8a652731813f518d07
title: Cashless genocide
uri: Cashless-genocide
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#1_June_2018_%28Cashless_genocide%29
content:
<p>
A vision of an <a href="http://www.antipope.org/charlie/blog-static/2018/05/happy-21st-century.html">AI-managed cashless genocide</a> of the non-rich, as a
projection of what's already happening in the US and other countries.
<p>
One way to fight against this today is to <em>insist on using cash</em>.
No cash, no deal!


feed_id: 2d787b90ec37560768a1858b21df6627
title: Public bank for NYC
uri: Public-bank-for-NYC
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#1_June_2018_%28Public_bank_for_NYC%29
content:
<p>
New Yorkers are pushing to <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2018/05/25/after-brexit-blexit-putting-your-money-where-your-life">set up a public bank</a> for New York City, which would
invest locally and not feed the plutocrats.


feed_id: 3cc4937371226cc0c38341aba465ca35
title: The Charlottesville rally
uri: The-Charlottesville-rally
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#2_June_2018_%28The_Charlottesville_rally%29
content:
<p>
Antifascists are suing the organizers of the Charlottesville rally,
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/may/29/charlottesville-lawsuits-heather-heyer-richard-spencer-alt-right">aiming
to prove that they planned violence</a>.


feed_id: ec2cc951b4c0ac3fc3f95df33c1d941e
title: Floods in Ellicott City
uri: Floods-in-Ellicott-City
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#2_June_2018_%28Floods_in_Ellicott_City%29
content:
<p>
Ellicott City had a "1000 year flood" in 2016.  It just had another
flood, 
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2018/05/27/second-1000-year-flood-two-years-slams-historic-maryland-city">even
worse</a>.
<p>
This seems to be <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#global heating">global heating</a> at work.


feed_id: db7ce82bad0a651c9e291c44e1f28341
title: Face recognition repression
uri: Face-recognition-repression
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#2_June_2018_%28Face_recognition_repression%29
content:
<p>
The 
<a href="https://bigbrotherwatch.org.uk/all-campaigns/face-off-campaign/">dangerously
creeping state</a> of face recognition repression.


feed_id: bd614aa12784918315ef8fbb127cb8cd
title: Impulsivity training device
uri: Impulsivity-training-device
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#2_June_2018_%28Impulsivity_training_device%29
content:
<p>
The insidious danger of the impulsivity training device, or iTrainer,
which is 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2018/may/27/world-distraction-demands-new-focus">designed
to make people want what its designers wish them to want</a>.
<p>
Nonfree software plays a crucial role in this scheme harmful, since
that is what stops users from altering what the system does.


feed_id: 3e719a516a0510cc54813a3dbda4e263
title: Australia's native forest
uri: Australia-s-native-forest
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#2_June_2018_%28Australias_native_forest%29
content:
<p>
Australia's extractivist government has allowed farmers to cut down a
substantial part of the remaining native forest.  The greenhouse gas
emissions from that have 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2018/may/29/land-clearing-wipes-out-1bn-taxpayer-funded-emissions-gains">erased
Australia's investment in reducing emissions</a>, some of which were
<a href="https://www.stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#1_June_2018_(Misplaced_Australian_subsidies)">wasted
anyway</a>.


feed_id: fdda6e665f636539c915a3ae9cd39ad8
title: Brazil's truck drivers on strike
uri: Brazil-s-truck-drivers-on-strike
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#2_June_2018_%28Brazils_truck_drivers_on_strike%29
content:
<p>
Brazil's truck drivers are 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/may/28/brazilian-truck-drivers-block-port-after-temers-offer-falls-flat">on
strike</a> against increases in the price of fuel.
<p>
The price of fuel <em>must</em> increase so society will use less of
it.  But I suspect that some details of the way the government imposed
this put the burden on individual drivers rather than on companies and
rich people that can cope with it.  For instance, if drivers have to
pay for fuel and what they can charge has not increased, the whole
burden falls on them.  There is no justice in that.


feed_id: aa72c8ce7c051c179f8c57b1f0127c52
title: Ivanka Trump's Chinese trademarks
uri: Ivanka-Trump-s-Chinese-trademarks
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#2_June_2018_%28Ivanka_Trumps_Chinese_trademarks%29
content:
<p>
Ivanka Trump received Chinese trademarks 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2018/may/28/ivanka-trump-won-china-trademarks-donald-trump-zte-reversal">shortly
before the cheater made a deal to allow ZTE to stay in business</a>.
Knowing <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#cheater">the cheater</a>'s basic dishonesty, we must suppose that the
former was payment for the latter.


feed_id: 10b7a63a93782e93ce12e6685f5a05ad
title: Ads purchased by Russian trolls
uri: Ads-purchased-by-Russian-trolls
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#2_June_2018_%28Ads_purchased_by_Russian_trolls%29
content:
<p>
Some of the 
<a href="https://jacobinmag.com/2018/05/russia-troll-2016-election-interference-ads">ads
that Russian trolls purchased</a> were for legitimate political
causes.
<p>
Sometimes Russian trolls spread fabrications (fake news).  It's wrong
for anyone to do that.
<p>
Sometimes they support legitimate campaigns for various political
positions.  Even though I may support some of those campaigns myself,
I object when Russia does so in a disguised manner.
<p>
These ads don't represent sincere support for any cause, not
for Sanders and nor for <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#trump">the troll</a>.
<p>
Likewise, I object when right-wing billionaires and fossil-fuel
companies employ people to spread lies.  People have the right 
present their views, but we don't have to allow the rich to hire
sock-puppets.


feed_id: f61ea44ced00e89080ffcc544cb71422
title: Freedom of expression
uri: Freedom-of-expression
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#2_June_2018_%28Freedom_of_expression%29
content:
<p>
EDRI: [Europe's proposed mandatory] Upload Filters 
<a href="https://edri.org/upload-filters-endanger-freedom-of-expression/">Endanger
Freedom of Expression</a>.


feed_id: 797949dd66257698d6500ced946d947c
title: Funds the NHS needs
uri: Funds-the-NHS-needs
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#2_June_2018_%28Funds_the_NHS_needs%29
content:
<p>
A UK think tank misrepresented how much more funds the NHS needs by
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2018/may/28/language-politics-democracy-nhs-media">imagining
that the costs were divided equally among all households</a>, rich or
poor.  Of course, making a poor family pay as much as a rich family
would be cockeyed and unjust.


feed_id: d12411691357e6a141c9f9566e307ede
title: Italy
uri: Italy
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#2_June_2018_%28Italy%29
content:
<p>
Italy's president rejected the proposed government because its foreign
minister wanted to make a
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2018/may/28/italy-eurosceptic-far-right-technocrat-matarella-racist-populist">backup
plan for exiting from the euro</a>.
<p>
Imposing a prime minister with IMF ties was adding insult to injury.
<p>
Italy needs a progressive party that will condemn the euro zone's
economy-destroying rules just as strongly as the right-wing League.


feed_id: 5d364879e427b94090199c33719a2c0e
title: Amazon tribes defending land
uri: Amazon-tribes-defending-land
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#2_June_2018_%28Amazon_tribes_defending_land%29
content:
<p>
Beleaguered Amazon Tribes 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2018/may/28/beleaguered-amazon-tribes-remain-staunch-in-defence-of-their-land">Remain
Staunch</a> in Defence of Their Land.


feed_id: 1fdb239dde1df4d7054785a449dc0f42
title: Very urgent: Oppose war authorization
uri: Very-urgent-Oppose-war-authorization
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#3_June_2018_%28Very_urgent%3A_Oppose_war_authorization%29

content:
<p>
US citizens: <a href="http://act.winwithoutwar.org/call/call-now-oppose-corker-kaine-aumf_sfrc/">phone your senators</a> to oppose the Corker-Kaine authorization for
worldwide war.


feed_id: 3815923dfb85c9bad623a8b122a6c6d5
title: Urgent: Fair election stances
uri: Urgent-Fair-election-stances
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#3_June_2018_%28Urgent%3A_Fair_election_stances%29
content:
<p>
US citizens: <a href="http://www.fixdemocracynow.com/">see how candidates stand</a> on issues related to fair elections.


feed_id: 8715ab36c16c0d27772f2a83f46b96b3
title: Urgent: Border-crossing families
uri: Urgent-Border-crossing-families
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#3_June_2018_%28Urgent%3A_Border-crossing_families%29

content:
<p>
US citizens: Tell the Department of Harshness and Suffering (DHS) to
<a href="http://act.democracyforamerica.com/sign/dhs_family_separation/">stop taking children away</a> from border-crossing parents.
<p>
This petition does work with Javascript disabled.  You won't see any
immediate response in the browser, but you should get a confirmation
email.


feed_id: 9a8a0617410296e2b16758d894cd8637
title: Urgent: Colorado Rockies
uri: Urgent-Colorado-Rockies
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#3_June_2018_%28Urgent%3A_Colorado_Rockies%29
content:
<p>
US citizens: <a href="https://secure.defenders.org/site/Advocacy?cmd=display&page=UserAction&id=3325">call on the U.S. Forest Service</a> to protect the Colorado Rockies.


feed_id: 687525a781b9a0e8d64602d22da9a42a
title: Keystone XL developer
uri: Keystone-XL-developer
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#3_June_2018_%28Keystone_XL_developer%29
content:
<p>
The developer of the Keystone XL pipeline is <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2018/05/29/keystone-xl-developer-infiltrates-our-democracy-major-campaign-contributions">trying to buy the support</a>
of various Nebraska politicians.


feed_id: 9a525fc60bac913fd1d1b8602e5eb7f1
title: Israeli banks
uri: Israeli-banks
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#3_June_2018_%28Israeli_banks%29
content:
<p>
Large Israeli banks are <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2018/05/29/israeli-banks-profit-settlements">involved in funding</a> the construction of colonies
on Palestinian territory.


feed_id: 43f15a568ec269ef469cf916dbe339f6
title: Boats from Gaza
uri: Boats-from-Gaza
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#3_June_2018_%28Boats_from_Gaza%29
content:
<p>
Gazans <a href="https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2018/05/flotilla-carrying-gaza-wounded-breaks-unbearable-siege-180529101554053.html">tried to carry patients out</a> on boats for treatment in Turkey.
The Israeli navy stopped them, as it generally does anyone trying to flee
from Gaza.
<p>
I can't see how the tiny threat Israel faces from Gaza could justify this,
even if exaggerated greatly.


feed_id: 35a03eae8c0054288fac1448bfce0f3f
title: Royal Bank of Scotland
uri: Royal-Bank-of-Scotland
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#3_June_2018_%28Royal_Bank_of_Scotland%29
content:
<p>
Royal Bank of Scotland has <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/business/2018/may/29/rbs-cuts-lending-to-new-coal-and-arctic-oil-projects">agreed to stop investing</a> in a range of
fossil fuel projects.
Alas, not all fossil fuel projects.


feed_id: aa363890e57a0f34011d23be32d7efa6
title: Right-wing media
uri: Right-wing-media
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#3_June_2018_%28Right-wing_media%29
content:
<p>
Right-wingers control a large part of US media but still <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2018/05/29/pity-right-winger-he-gets-no-respect">claim they
never get any respect</a>.


feed_id: b02ed620ed057baeaeb1044a596f93fc
title: Bayer and Monsanto merger
uri: Bayer-and-Monsanto-merger
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#3_June_2018_%28Bayer_and_Monsanto_merger%29
content:
<p>
The US government has <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2018/05/29/corporations-win-again-toxic-mega-merger-wins-approval-trump-doj">permitted Bayer and Monsanto to merge</a>.
<p>
We can't blame this decision specifically on the <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#bully">bully</a>, because the
plutocratistic <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#3_February_2018_(Antimonopoly_law)">surrender to corporate power</a>, specifically in regard to
allowing mergers, started under Reagan and got worse under <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#dubya">Dubya</a> and
Obama.


feed_id: 285a08ea8dd5bd5ee7cb06ab507294da
title: Puerto Rico death toll
uri: Puerto-Rico-death-toll
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#3_June_2018_%28Puerto_Rico_death_toll%29
content:
<p>
The study that estimated 4600 deaths due to the hurricane in Puerto
Rico has <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2018/05/29/harvard-study-puts-hurricane-deaths-puerto-rico-nearly-6000-people-70-times-official">upped the estimate by another thousand</a>, taking account of the
people who lived alone and who were not covered by reports about
who lived or died.


feed_id: 5a7d1ed3ea5334f3993f71b32d0976b9
title: Trudeau the oil executive
uri: Trudeau-the-oil-executive
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#3_June_2018_%28Trudeau_the_oil_executive%29
content:
<p>
Trudeau's adoption of the Unkinder Morgan pipeline is an act of
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2018/05/29/immense-moral-cowardice-trudeau-trashed-government-purchase-climate-killing-kinder">"immense moral cowardice"</a> and has earned him the undying hatred of
climate defenders all around the world.
<p>
His new role as <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2018/may/29/justin-trudeau-world-newest-oil-executive-kinder-morgan">fossil fuel executive</a> makes it impossible to hide
where he really stands,
though this has been <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#23_April_2018_(Trudeau_and_big_oil)">visible for quite some time</a> to those who wanted to look.


feed_id: f49a666f935c91399974ecb1d0c82d50
title: Deleting Amazon data
uri: Deleting-Amazon-data
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#3_June_2018_%28Deleting_Amazon_data%29
content:
<p>
The Onion: <a href="https://www.theonion.com/jeff-bezos-announces-customers-can-delete-all-of-alexa-1826395638">Bezos explains</a> how users can delete the data Alexa has
collected about them.


feed_id: 9a11502df0ef8b51bcd204e1566256b5
title: Nicaraguan journalist
uri: Nicaraguan-journalist
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#3_June_2018_%28Nicaraguan_journalist%29
content:
<p>
Nicaraguan journalist Ángel Gahona was <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/may/29/nicaragua-journalist-killed-live-on-air-angel-gahona">murdered while covering a protest</a>
against President Ortega.
<p>
He said he expected to be murdered.


feed_id: 7a3665c47f831c233e255c0e2c9c48a3
title: Unkinder Morgan pipeline
uri: 2018-06-04-Unkinder-Morgan-pipeline
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#3_June_2018_%28Unkinder_Morgan_pipeline%29
content:
<p>
Trudeau decided to <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/may/29/canada-kinder-morgan-pipeline-trans-mountain">buy the Unkinder Morgan pipeline</a>, in effect declaring
that he will stop at nothing to force it through.
<p>
That means he has clearly taken the side of global disaster,
but that doesn't mean it is impossible to stop him.


feed_id: aa6488f28b64ac0123875ccb8df05fd8
title: Explained by malice
uri: Explained-by-malice
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#3_June_2018_%28Explained_by_malice%29
content:
<p>
When dealing with the Trump family, "never ascribe to stupidity or
ignorance that which can be <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2018/may/29/is-ivanka-trump-worst-tweeted-portrait-border-agents">explained by malice</a>."


feed_id: 5b0d7d4bcfc47e8ba59d7049424917f4
title: Returning things to Amazon
uri: Returning-things-to-Amazon
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#3_June_2018_%28Returning_things_to_Amazon%29
content:
<p>
Amazon threatens to cut off customers if they return things more than
occasionally.  Amazon's customers nominally have the right to return
merchandise &mdash; <a href="https://motherboard.vice.com/en_us/article/zm8mde/amazon-banning-customers-for-returns">unless they exercise that right</a>.
<p>
The strange irony of the article is that it is totally defeatist.  It
shows why we need to defeat Amazon, but assumes that that is
impossible.  It shows becoming dependent on Amazon is dangerous
and then refuses to believe people could ever refuse.
<p>
You can't win by being defeatist.  You can win by telling Amazon to
drop dead.
<p>
I have never bought anything from Amazon.  And I never will.  Amazon
knows my name because a friend, believing this was helpful, decided to
get something for me and <em>told Amazon to send it to my address</em>, an
act which made me feel violated.  I hope nothing like that will ever
happen again.


feed_id: 1cb5a2fdf718bf57bf4f78a8dba9ee52
title: High-pressure exams
uri: High-pressure-exams
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#3_June_2018_%28High-pressure_exams%29
content:
<p>
High-pressure exams, and starting school at an early hour, don't go
well with adolescents' <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/books/2018/may/29/teenagers-brains-not-ready-for-gcses-says-neuroscientist">rapid brain development</a>.


feed_id: dbb8bb861166c8547a019f72e3d43870
title: Hurricane Maria death toll
uri: Hurricane-Maria-death-toll
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#3_June_2018_%28Hurricane_Maria_death_toll%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/may/29/puerto-rico-hurricane-maria-death-toll-study-official-estimate">A new study estimates</a> that Hurricane Maria killed 4600 people
in Puerto Rico, but there is a lot of uncertainty &mdash; it could be a lot more
or a lot less.


feed_id: 0eb8ce6ef53485ad740c42fb736b5b12
title: Single-use plastic ban
uri: Single-use-plastic-ban
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#3_June_2018_%28Single-use_plastic_ban%29
content:
<p>
The European Commission proposes to <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2018/05/28/eu-urged-go-further-save-trash-filled-waters-new-proposed-plastics-ban">ban single-use plastics</a> for a wide
variety of uses.


feed_id: 9626d198ec4ed887d7d0d159615caa38
title: The Longest Time
uri: The-Longest-Time
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#3_June_2018_%28The_Longest_Time%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://reason.com/archives/2018/05/25/remy-for-the-longest-time-tsa-version/print">Remy: The Longest Time (TSA Version).</a>
<p>
Please don't access youtube with anything other than youtube-dl.


feed_id: c80073666de569775f7d345bba2380a9
title: Right to death
uri: Right-to-death
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#3_June_2018_%28Right_to_death%29
content:
<p>
People deserve the right to death with dignity <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2018/may/29/assissted-dying-katharine-whitehorn-alzheimers">rather than dementia</a>.


feed_id: 4f46d26d2b61f46944b932d45e49cb07
title: Mortar shells in Israel
uri: Mortar-shells-in-Israel
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#3_June_2018_%28Mortar_shells_in_Israel%29
content:
<p>
Someone in Gaza <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/may/29/israel-military-says-mortar-shells-fired-from-gaza">fired mortar shells at a school</a> in Israel and other
civilian targets.
<p>
This is a war crime, but it doesn't mean we should forgive Israel's
far larger war crimes.


feed_id: 20fa06cdc02fdafa561121c801e05d8f
title: California's funds
uri: California-s-funds
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#3_June_2018_%28California%27s_funds%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2018/05/28/blackstone-blackrock-or-public-bank-putting-californias-funds-work">Blackstone, BlackRock, or a Public Bank?</a> Putting California's Funds to Work.


feed_id: 09d9c33bc5853ae72aef99ebdbc22b72
title: US deportation thugs
uri: US-deportation-thugs
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#5_June_2018_%28US_deportation_thugs%29
content:
<p>
US deportation <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thugs</a> seem to have 
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2018/05/30/denied-care-and-held-ice-box-cell-asylum-seekers-death-ice-custody-exposes-systemic">killed
asylum seeker Roxsana Hernandez</a> by exposing her to cold for two
weeks, combined with hunger and sleep deprivation.
<p>
None of those is legitimate treatment of prisoners &mdash not even
prisoners that have been convicted of crimes.
<p>
Apparently the <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#bully">bully</a> has unleashed the thugs' brutality, so that they
eagerly new ways to make their prisoners suffer.


feed_id: 93c98cb28b82e9aeb1902e5a30d96f99
title: Google's lobbying group
uri: Google-s-lobbying-group
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#5_June_2018_%28Googles_lobbying_group%29
content:
<p>
Google operates a lobbying group that 
<a href="https://theintercept.com/2018/05/30/google-engine-advocacy-tech-startups/">pretends
to represent new startups</a>.


feed_id: 824fce4dbc1e92df8e494122d8e19364
title: Face recognition door camera
uri: Face-recognition-door-camera
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#5_June_2018_%28Face_recognition_door_camera%29
content:
<p>
Google's face recognition door camera is a 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2018/may/31/nest-hello-google-launches-facial-recognition-data-doorbell-uk-privacy-concerns-amazon-ring">threat
to people's privacy as they pass by</a> on the street.
<p>
I think it would be legitimate to make such a camera system if it does
not send people's image over the internet unless they approach very
close to the system, and if it can recognize only the faces of
specific people who have contributed their photos for the purpose.


feed_id: 1d242752ef1fa6c84e3d9521bdd41aed
title: Exiled Russian journalist
uri: Exiled-Russian-journalist
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#5_June_2018_%28Exiled_Russian_journalist%29
content:
<p>
Arkady Babchenko, Russian journalist exiled to Ukraine, 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/may/30/russian-journalist-arkady-babchenko-who-was-reported-killed-is-still-alive">reportedly
faked his death</a> in coordination with a state effort to catch real
assassins that were sent to kill him.
<p>
I'd like to find out how the trick was intended to catch them.


feed_id: caac85e75bddc1d0452662d10a6f39fd
title: Cameroon developing civil war
uri: Cameroon-developing-civil-war
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#5_June_2018_%28Cameroon_developing_civil_war%29
content:
<p>
Cameroon is 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2018/may/30/cameroon-killings-escalate-anglophone-crisis">developing
a civil war</a> between those whose second language is French and
those whose second language is English.
<p>
As usual, they are not fighting about anything significant, it is mere
factionalism.  In that country, the factions have coalesced around
one's second language.  It could just as well have been which end of
the egg to open.


feed_id: 4015f415e1d9a6c219c2e3bcca4e06ca
title: Political "optics"
uri: Political-optics
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#5_June_2018_%28Political_optics%29
content:
<p>
Demanding to save face &mdash; the insistence that one has never been
wrong &mdash; makes today's politics unable to correct any problem.
The constant focus on 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2018/may/30/politicians-admitting-wrong-brexit-trump">minor
details of political "optics"</a>, rather than on substance, makes it
even worse.
<p>
I try to focus on substance rather than optics, but I don't know
whether I do this enough.


feed_id: be9e7aa6701115d08750eec123153787
title: Successful blacks
uri: Successful-blacks
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#5_June_2018_%28Successful_blacks%29
content:
<p>
Successful blacks find that lots of people 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2018/may/30/raheem-sterling-media-young-black-men-footballer-tattoo">look
for minor excuses to criticize them</a>. Clearly, the real motive for
these criticisms has to be racism.  They demand that the successful
black be twice as clean as a white needs to be.
<p>
I've encountered a little of this.  There are people who criticize me
for insignificant things, making mountains out of molehills.  Clearly
their motive for doing this is something other than what they
criticize.  I suspect that they don't like the free software movement
&mdash; but, lacking rational arguments against it, they hope do use
irrational associations to harm it.


feed_id: 7b63bc104fbec1908af600e5e3d3dd3c
title: Sea, ice, snow, and the Inuit
uri: Sea-ice-snow-and-the-Inuit
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#5_June_2018_%28Sea%2C_ice%2C_snow%2C_and_the_Inuit%29

content:
<p>
'Sea, Ice, Snow, It's 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/may/30/canada-inuits-climate-change-impact-global-warming-melting-ice">All
Changing</a>': Inuit Culture Struggles with Warming World.


feed_id: 583163ac043636eeda8567190f12492c
title: Hamas proposes cease fire
uri: Hamas-proposes-cease-fire
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#5_June_2018_%28Hamas_proposes_cease_fire%29
content:
<p>
Hamas has 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/may/30/hamas-groups-agree-gaza-ceasefire-if-israel-reciprocates">proposed
a cease fire</a> with Israel.


feed_id: 5674aaabae731e220b4ea45393bbb3ce
title: Rewilding project in Patagonia
uri: Rewilding-project-in-Patagonia
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#5_June_2018_%28Rewilding_project_in_Patagonia%29
content:
<p>
A private project has rewilded 17000 square miles in Patagonia,
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2018/may/30/can-the-worlds-largest-rewilding-project-restore-patagonias-beauty">reintroducing
the species that used to live there</a> before humans and farming
kicked them out.


feed_id: a9ec1c00e0c65db660b46ddc34ca5578
title: Meat and fish multinationals
uri: Meat-and-fish-multinationals
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#5_June_2018_%28Meat_and_fish_multinationals%29
content:
<p>
Meat and Fish Multinationals 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2018/may/30/meat-and-fish-protein-multinationals-jeopardising-paris-climate-goals">"Jeopardising
Paris Climate Goals"</a>.


feed_id: a64fbdd90bf419921a1c52cc26ffade2
title: Climate of "fear and anxiety" at NASA
uri: Climate-of-fear-and-anxiety-at-NASA
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#5_June_2018_%28Climate_of_fear_and_anxiety_at_NASA%29

content:
<p>
NASA has a climate of "fear and anxiety" resulting from 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/science/2018/may/30/nasa-climate-change-sensitive-subject-since-trump-former-employee">censorship
about global heating</a> which came straight from the cheater.
<p>
This, I expect, is exactly what <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#cheater">the cheater</a> wants.


feed_id: 5b078316d59c7ea4531428b157ce4b23
title: War on Drugs
uri: 2018-06-05-War-on-Drugs
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#5_June_2018_%28War_on_Drugs%29
content:
<p>
Americans are 
<a href="https://reason.com/archives/2018/05/30/an-overdose-is-not-a-murder">imprisoned
for sharing drugs when that leads to an overdose</a>.
<p>
This extends the War on Drugs by adding a form of terrorism to the
tactics.


feed_id: 9b50948554f986728524030b60ddff03
title: Copyright censorship system
uri: Copyright-censorship-system
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#5_June_2018_%28Copyright_censorship_system%29
content:
<p>
Presenting hypothetical future products that would be prohibited by
the copyright censorship system that the EU is 
<a href="https://boingboing.net/2018/05/28/futurecrime.html">planning
to impose</a>.


feed_id: c503ac5d4affabc2811ef5e86a3f9866
title: Copyright damages science
uri: Copyright-damages-science
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#5_June_2018_%28Copyright_damages_science%29
content:
<p>
The US suspended copyright on German science books during World War
II.  This provides an opportunity to measure 
<a href="https://voxeu.org/article/effects-copyrights-science">how
much copyright damages science</a>.  It turned out to be substantial.


feed_id: 5816631ddfeca64a83f14ade6bed6693
title: Poor People's Campaign
uri: 2018-06-05-Poor-People-s-Campaign
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#5_June_2018_%28Poor_Peoples_Campaign%29
content:
<p>
Hundreds of protesters from the Poor People's Campaign have been 
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2018/05/29/hundreds-arrested-nationwide-poor-peoples-campaign-demands-end-war-economy">arrested</a>
at Senator McConnell's office and various state capitals.


feed_id: defb853543eab3f0a88d13e4fac0a467
title: Dismantling democracy
uri: Dismantling-democracy
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#4_June_2018_%28Dismantling_democracy%29
content:
<p>The troll and his saboteurs <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2018/05/17/dismantling-democracy-one-word-time">are persistently erasing all democratic, libertarian and human values</a> from all branches of the US government.</p>
</li></p>


feed_id: 0bafb846f50d4467cdeccc101f6d6ec3
title: Right to repair
uri: Right-to-repair
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#4_June_2018_%28Right_to_repair%29
content:
<p>Appliance companies, including specifically Dyson and Wahl, <a href="https://motherboard.vice.com/en_us/article/vbxk3b/appliance-companies-are-lobbying-against-right-to-repair">are lobbying against the right to repair</a>.</p>
</li></p>


feed_id: e42676fd7fbc66bf0b82bc9a6c3f1d62
title: Journalism hatred
uri: Journalism-hatred
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#4_June_2018_%28Journalism_hatred%29
content:
<p>2018 World Press Freedom Index reports that governments and politicians <a href="https://rsf.org/en/rsf-index-2018-hatred-journalism-threatens-democracies">increasingly hate and repress journalism, world-wide</a>.</p>
</li></p>


feed_id: 416ebc767886e6346cae8899c02dda70
title: Onion: Kim Jong-un labor camp
uri: Onion-Kim-Jong-un-labor-camp
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#4_June_2018_%28Onion%3A_Kim_Jong-un_labor_camp%29
content:
<p>The Onion: Kim Jong-un was thrown into a remote labor camp <a href="https://www.theonion.com/kim-jong-un-thrown-into-labor-camp-for-attempting-to-cr-1825603969">for attempting to cross the border into South Korea</a>.</p>
</li></p>


feed_id: ef84ec6bd92a1668752f2b5f9ad6c227
title: US: campaign finance reform
uri: US-campaign-finance-reform
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#4_June_2018_%28US%3A_campaign_finance_reform%29
content:
<p><a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2018/04/27/recognizing-powerful-interests-running-joint-more-75-americans-back-campaign-finance">Most Americans recognize that the US government is run by the rich</a>, and demand campaign finance reform to end that.  However, paradoxically, the fraction of Republicans that believe that has dropped from 80% to 70% since 2015.</p>
<p>This could be because the other 10% are no longer Republicans.  Or it could be that they had to drop that belief because they feel compelled to believe that the <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#bully">bully</a> represents them.</p>
</li></p>


feed_id: c5261b3b7870082e0777cdfcc88d05b5
title: UK: trade threat protests
uri: UK-trade-threat-protests
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#4_June_2018_%28UK%3A_trade_threat_protests%29
content:
<p>Most Britons <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2018/04/27/trade-threat-reason-join-trump-protests-say-campaigners">oppose the sort of trade deal they expect the bully to offer</a>.  "If mass protests against Trump's visit also derail a trade deal, it will be a double success."</p>
<p>International trade is so easy nowadays that the main effect of making it <a href="https://stallman.org/business-supremacy-treaties.html">even easier is to give business more power over governments</a>.</p>
</li></p>


feed_id: 46f60013283b25aa7ace89dfb083690b
title: Public housing cost
uri: Public-housing-cost
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#4_June_2018_%28Public_housing_cost%29
content:
<p><a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2018/04/26/huds-carson-offers-tenants-insults-not-solutions">Saboteur of Housing Carson wants to raise the rents</a> for public housing. Protesters asked, "Where will I go."</p>
<p>Carson has a place in mind for then to go.  It's the cemetary.</p>
</li></p>


feed_id: 61672be0f49c2d74458d92151531b3b9
title: US: DHS arresting refugee parents
uri: US-DHS-arresting-refugee-parents
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#4_June_2018_%28US%3A_DHS_arresting_refugee_parents%29

content:
<p>US border thugs <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2018/04/27/cruel-public-policy-experiment-trumps-dhs-wants-protect-immigrant-children-arresting">want to "protect" refugee children by arresting their parents</a>.</p>
</li></p>


feed_id: 7b20e6511a8f686d99794ca62a6d3dcf
title: Onion: River styx transit strike
uri: Onion-River-styx-transit-strike
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#4_June_2018_%28Onion%3A_River_styx_transit_strike%29

content:
<p>The Onion: <a href="https://www.theonion.com/deceased-souls-backed-up-at-river-styx-ferry-crossing-d-1825592365">millions of souls are waiting to cross the River Styx</a> due to an underworld ferry strike.</p>
</li></p>


feed_id: c146863897b7450ae90b51fb028e93c4
title: UK: thugs falsely accuse witness of assault
uri: UK-thugs-falsely-accuse-witness-of-assault
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#4_June_2018_%28UK%3A_thugs_falsely_accuse_witness_of_assault%29

content:
<p>UK thugs have <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2018/apr/27/police-adviser-assault-charge-entirely-false-ken-hinds">repeatedly tried to frame Ken Hinds</a> for watching as thugs mistreated blacks.</p>
</li></p>


feed_id: a6bdbd131cc30400b93a8f82692c9c3e
title: Republican tax attacks
uri: 2018-06-05-Republican-tax-attacks
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#4_June_2018_%28Republican_tax_attacks%29
content:
<p>The Republican tax attacks were supposedly going to boost the US economy, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/business/2018/apr/27/us-economy-slowed-in-first-quarter-after-trumps-15tn-tax-cuts">but the opposite is what happened</a>.</p>
</li></p>


feed_id: 343745b61071dc105cce74726971bda5
title: Big pharma opioid training
uri: Big-pharma-opioid-training
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#4_June_2018_%28Big_pharma_opioid_training%29
content:
<p><a href="https://www.motherjones.com/politics/2018/04/doctors-are-required-to-receive-opioid-training-big-pharma-funds-it-what-could-go-wrong/">Doctors Receive Opioid Training. Big Pharma Funds It. What Could Go Wrong</a>?</p>
</li></p>


feed_id: 89c5d637a0016ac177560ec8f4128ccf
title: UK: broken justice system
uri: UK-broken-justice-system
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#4_June_2018_%28UK%3A_broken_justice_system%29
content:
<p>The UK's justice system is <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/books/2018/apr/28/secret-barrister-stories-law-review-justice-system">completely broken</a>, according to an anonymous lawyer.</p>
</li></p>


feed_id: 6909b46488166256e9163e687036780a
title: UK: voter ID laws
uri: UK-voter-ID-laws
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#4_June_2018_%28UK%3A_voter_ID_laws%29
content:
<p>Tories are getting <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2018/apr/28/polling-station-voter-id-plans-are-deeply-flawed-say-critics">criticized for their plans</a> to imitate Republicans' voter ID laws.</p>
</li></p>


feed_id: 37fb5cb921a37f76138599366a4e2741
title: Nicaragua: dictator Ortega
uri: Nicaragua-dictator-Ortega
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#4_June_2018_%28Nicaragua%3A_dictator_Ortega%29
content:
<p>President Ortega of Nicaragua undermined democracy, took control of the media, and <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/apr/28/nicaragua-daniel-ortega-trees-of-life-protests">now his former supporters say he is just like Somoza</a>, the dictator overthrown by the movement led by Ortega.</p>
<p>I suspect that foreign banks and the US government pressured Nicaragua to cut support for the poor.  This does not excuse what Ortega has done, but focusing the condemnation solely on him is missing the point.  An honest leftist leader in Nicaragua must lead the people in a long-term campaign to throw off the power of foreign banks.</p>
</li></p>


feed_id: 62d9ad87b2d162613bddffe016e1f84d
title: DNA lead to arrest of golden state killer
uri: DNA-lead-to-arrest-of-golden-state-killer
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#4_June_2018_%28DNA_lead_to_arrest_of_golden_state_killer%29

content:
<p><a href="https://www.motherjones.com/crime-justice/2018/04/the-breakthrough-dna-technique-that-led-cops-to-the-golden-state-killer-suspect-is-exciting-and-terrifying/">Now that the state can use your DNA in a genealogical site to find people other than you</a>, the decision to upload your DNA to one is a matter of other people's privacy, not just your own.</p>
<p>This time, the state used the technique to find a murderer.  I'm in favor of finding murderers, and prosecuting them.  However, next time the person sought might be a dissident or a heroic whistleblower.</p>
</li></p>


feed_id: 79df3f7a40956592cd676498989e7b4b
title: Canada: new democratic party and fossil fuel
uri: Canada-new-democratic-party-and-fossil-fuel
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#4_June_2018_%28Canada%3A_new_democratic_party_and_fossil_fuel%29

content:
<p>Canada's somewhat-left party, the New Democratic Party, <a href="https://jacobinmag.com/2018/04/the-ndps-oil-problem">can't seem to oppose the fossil fuel industry</a>.</p>
</li></p>


