# articles

feed_id: f8543d62e7e9e0b28f0b4c88de57d1cb
title: Control over elections
uri: Control-over-elections
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#12_April_2016_%28Control_over_elections%29
content:
<p>
<a href="http://www.commondreams.org/views/2016/04/05/wisconsin-highlights-three-troubling-trends-our-democracy">Wisconsin
illustrates three ways</a> that the rich undermine US democracy by
controlling elections.


feed_id: 7de3ba7b6e1cba6488093a51adf7673d
title: NY legislators want to ban campaign
uri: NY-legislators-want-to-ban-campaign
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#12_April_2016_%28NY_legislators_want_to_ban_campaign%29

content:
<p>
Over 30 New York State legislators 
<a href="http://reason.com/blog/2016/04/05/ny-lawmakers-want-to-ban-pro-palestinian">want
to ban a campaign for Palestinian rights</a> from the City University
of New York, after accusations that it is "anti-semitic" which appear
to be based on equating opposition to Israel's occupation policy with
"anti-semitism".
<p>
Be careful of the term "hate speech", because those who use it want
you to presume it ought to be and is prohibited.


feed_id: 4b582b329dea882defcbba2e265362d7
title: US prosecutors
uri: US-prosecutors
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#12_April_2016_%28US_prosecutors%29
content:
<p>
US prosecutors are 
<a href="http://www.truth-out.org/news/item/35439-trial-and-error-report-says-prosecutors-rarely-pay-price-for-mistakes-and-misconduct">never
held responsible for arranging unfair trials</a>, not even when that
causes conviction of the innocent.


feed_id: 991596aa4a6aa50f529a61d243f58b4c
title: Predicted deaths due to global heating
uri: Predicted-deaths-due-to-global-heating
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#12_April_2016_%28Predicted_deaths_due_to_global_heating%29

content:
<p>
The White House warns that global heating will kill perhaps around
<a href="http://www.climatecentral.org/what-we-do/people/bobby-magill">30,000
Americans a year by 2100</a>.
<p>
How many people the heat kills would depend on heating occurs.  But
this seems like an underestimate, not counting many kinds of effects.
Another study suggested global heating would kill 
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2012-jul-oct.html#04_October_2012_(Effect_of_global_heating_on_people)">100
million people world-wide by 2030</a>.


feed_id: 1772aa6ea2e34d33eee63d1885fb069f
title: Anti-discrimination rule exemptions
uri: Anti-discrimination-rule-exemptions
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#12_April_2016_%28Anti-discrimination_rule_exemptions%29

content:
<p>
Christian Universities 
<a href="http://www.truth-out.org/news/item/35447-christian-universities-increasingly-apply-for-exemptions-from-anti-discrimination-rules">Increasingly
Apply for Exemptions</a> From Anti-Discrimination Rules.


feed_id: b9c82b4fd44864dcfd796c34a24f7413
title: Science research for public good cut
uri: Science-research-for-public-good-cut
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#12_April_2016_%28Science_research_for_public_good_cut%29

content:
<p>
The Australian government decided to 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2016/apr/06/csiro-climate-cuts-about-cutting-public-good-research-documents-show">cut
scientific research for the public good</a>, in order to focus on
research that appears profitable.
<p>
But their idea of "profitable" was focused on the short term.  In the
long term, the most profitable investment humanity can make is to 
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2015-jan-apr.html#23_March_2015_(Cutting_carbon_emissions)">cut 
down on carbon emissions fast</a>, and climate research is a start on
that investment.


feed_id: 3949d8bcbf47643f246366de0c11ee27
title: Egyptian editor faces arrest
uri: Egyptian-editor-faces-arrest
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#12_April_2016_%28Egyptian_editor_faces_arrest%29
content:
<p>
Egyptian Editor, Press Freedom Advocate 
<a href="http://cpj.org/2016/04/egyptian-editor-press-freedom-advocate-faces-arres.php">Faces
Arrest</a>.
<p>
What else would one expect from the US-backed military regime in
Egypt.


feed_id: fcdd709c6aab08aeab7e385b5f546105
title: Thailand preparing "re-education" camps
uri: Thailand-preparing-re-education-camps
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#12_April_2016_%28Thailand_preparing_re-education_camps%29

content:
<p>
Thailand is preparing 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2016/apr/05/thailand-juntaland-military">"re-education
camps" for dissidents</a>.


feed_id: eee0835adecc2192454f458305841f1b
title: Threats against US abortion providers
uri: Threats-against-US-abortion-providers
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#12_April_2016_%28Threats_against_US_abortion_providers%29

content:
<p>
US Abortion Providers Faced 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/apr/05/abortion-providers-violence-death-threats-planned-parenthood">94
Threats of Violence in 2015</a> And Just One in 2014.


feed_id: e1ff62430b170963d1d85881b4b29851
title: Tinder user data
uri: Tinder-user-data
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#12_April_2016_%28Tinder_user_data%29
content:
<p>
Tinder 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/technology/2016/apr/05/tinder-swipebuster-spy-on-users-privacy-dating-app">collects
and saves lots of data about its users</a>, including their locations.
<p>
The fact that others can see this information too is a secondary
symptom of Tinder's collection of the data.


feed_id: a1e4af6e8ed287127b2612f9caee4ce7
title: Women charge UN peacekeepers with rape
uri: Women-charge-UN-peacekeepers-with-rape
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#12_April_2016_%28Women_charge_UN_peacekeepers_with_rape%29

content:
<p>
<a href="http://www.emergenewsonline.com/2016/04/un-announces-108-new-alleged-sexual-abuse-victims-in-car/">100
women</a> in the Central African Republic charge UN peacekeepers with
rape.


feed_id: bd3e512160c3596960e0dfaf728a9f72
title: Dissident bloggers sentenced to prison
uri: Dissident-bloggers-sentenced-to-prison
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#12_April_2016_%28Dissident_bloggers_sentenced_to_prison%29

content:
<p>
Vietnam has 
<a href="http://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2016/04/04/vietnam-7-convicted-one-week">sentenced
7 dissident bloggers to prison</a>.
<p>
The Vietnamese have got the worst combination in their government:
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2015-jan-apr.html#26_April_2015_(Oppressive_communism_to_corrupt_capitalism)">subservience</a>
to the US, and oppression to the Vietnamese.


feed_id: 5930edd862a6ab667827b18b08f2760e
title: Rich donors' influence on Clinton
uri: Rich-donors-influence-on-Clinton
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#12_April_2016_%28Rich_donors_influence_on_Clinton%29

content:
<p>
Why does Clinton believe 
<a href="http://www.commondreams.org/views/2016/04/04/clinton-believes-shes-special-kind-politician-who-cant-be-influenced-money">the
millions she gets from rich people</a> can't alter her political
views?
<p>
It's simple.  She has already shaped those views to match the donors.


feed_id: 19256dad4fc436e9b036faf9bd529a18
title: Support for measures to help working people
uri: Support-for-measures-to-help-working-people
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#12_April_2016_%28Support_for_measures_to_help_working_people%29

content:
<p>
Chambers of Commerce across the US took a poll of their member CEOs
and found that 
<a href="http://www.commondreams.org/views/2016/04/04/highlights-luntz-poll-american-ceos-shows-broad-support-progressive-policies">most
of them supported various measures</a> to help working people, such as
increasing the minimum wage and better benefits.
<p>
So they told their lobbyists to design a way to 
<a href="http://www.commondreams.org/news/2016/04/04/revealed-chamber-commerce-strategy-kill-empathy-its-members">convince
the members to forget about it</a>.


feed_id: 4618b56316c9bd3fa51fe149a231bff1
title: Drought in the Philippines
uri: Drought-in-the-Philippines
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#12_April_2016_%28Drought_in_the_Philippines%29
content:
<p>
Drought destroyed the crops in part of the Philippines, so people
are demanding the government provide food.  Instead, 
<a href="http://www.commondreams.org/news/2016/04/04/amid-climate-fueled-food-crisis-filipino-forces-open-fire-starving-farmers">soldiers
shot them</a>.


feed_id: e01cf993e472237007482b4f91abd6e4
title: Freedom of expression in Indonesia
uri: Freedom-of-expression-in-Indonesia
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#12_April_2016_%28Freedom_of_expression_in_Indonesia%29

content:
<p>
A second Indonesian minister 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/film/2016/apr/04/indonesian-minister-says-leonardo-dicaprio-not-blacklisted-anti-palm-oil">says
it is not true</a> that de Caprio faces a threat of being excluded
from Indonesia for campaigning against deforestation.
<p>
I would like to see a clear statement that Indonesia will not bar
foreigners merely for criticizing anything about Indonesia: in other
words, that Indonesia respects freedom of expression.


feed_id: 1928c3583399c0aaa5eb8a0d1337c16f
title: Tax-dodging
uri: Tax-dodging
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#12_April_2016_%28Tax-dodging%29
content:
<p>
Tax-dodging through companies such as Mossack Fonseca adds up to
<a href="https://theintercept.com/2016/04/05/heres-the-price-countries-pay-for-tax-evasion-exposed-in-panama-papers/">hundreds
of billions of dollars per year</a>.


feed_id: e715253213737da44d8d67e782c2e070
title: Russian bombing outside PISSI territory
uri: Russian-bombing-outside-PISSI-territory
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#12_April_2016_%28Russian_bombing_outside_PISSI_territory%29

content:
<p>
An investigation of posted Russian bombing videos reports that nearly
all the Russian air attacks in Syria through the end of February were
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/apr/05/russian-claims-syria-airstrikes-inaccurate-report">outside
PISSI's territory</a>.
<p>
This is no surprise, because it was clear at that time that Syria was
mainly attacking enemies that Assad found threatening.  And that was
before the partial cease fire, I believe.  Since then, Russia does
seem to be fighting PISSI.


feed_id: 2ee77a02b2a6c33655e698373f86ca5d
title: Bernie Sanders on US-Panama deal
uri: Bernie-Sanders-on-US-Panama-deal
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#12_April_2016_%28Bernie_Sanders_on_US-Panama_deal%29

content:
<p>
<a href="http://www.commondreams.org/further/2016/04/05/whats-going-there-asks-bernie-2011-about-sketchy-panama-free-trade-deal-hillary">5
years ago</a>, Bernie Sanders objected to the US - Panama business
supremacy treaty because it would exacerbate the problem of tax
dodging through Panama.


feed_id: 8a9e5db0dc065505af30055b94d76eb6
title: Polar bears' suffering measured
uri: Polar-bears-suffering-measured
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#12_April_2016_%28Polar_bears_suffering_measured%29
content:
<p>
Polar bears' suffering from decreased Arctic sea ice has been
measured: the 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2016/apr/05/polar-bears-losing-weight-arctic-sea-ice-melts-climate-change-canadian-study">average
weight of females in one area has gone down by 10% since 1984</a>.
<p>
I speculate it will be harder for them to have and rear offspring with
the lower weight.  Thus, the population will dwindle and eventually
disappear.


feed_id: 50b4de1b5facb6670c9f32414bd57646
title: Meals for non-rich retired people
uri: Meals-for-non-rich-retired-people
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#12_April_2016_%28Meals_for_non-rich_retired_people%29

content:
<p>
Non-rich retired people in the UK can get some meals from charities on
a pay-what-you-can basis.  But 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/society/2016/apr/05/cafe-older-people-hungry-surplus-food-gateshead-malnutrition">only
if they are well enough to travel to the meal</a>.


feed_id: 452345eeb47b6187ecb657e159f6a9f5
title: Convicted for using abortion drugs
uri: Convicted-for-using-abortion-drugs
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#12_April_2016_%28Convicted_for_using_abortion_drugs%29

content:
<p>
A woman in Northern Ireland was convicted of having an abortion using
abortion drugs.  Here are the other 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2016/apr/05/abortion-northern-ireland-sentencing">lousy
options she rejected</a>.
<p>
In parts of the US, women are 
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2014-mar-jun.html#7_April_2014_(Miscarriage_=_Murder?)">imprisoned
for having miscarriages</a>.


feed_id: e5a083e67adfd93920d88d95aefb16d5
title: Vaccination campaigns
uri: Vaccination-campaigns
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#12_April_2016_%28Vaccination_campaigns%29
content:
<p>
The 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2016/apr/05/pakistan-afghanistan-join-forces-to-wipe-out-polio-taliban">participation
of Muslim scholars</a> enables polio vaccination campaigns in
Afghanistan and Pakistan to make progress.


feed_id: 1bc5281261ddd791c9ae4f2136df9075
title: Tax dodging on British islands
uri: Tax-dodging-on-British-islands
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#12_April_2016_%28Tax_dodging_on_British_islands%29
content:
<p>
Corbyn says the UK has the power to 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/news/2016/apr/05/uk-could-impose-direct-rule-on-tax-havens-says-jeremy-corbyn-panama-papers">directly
order the tiny British islands to stop permitting tax dodging</a>.
<p>
Here are suggested measures for 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/news/2016/apr/05/panama-papers-five-things-britain-could-do-now-to-clean-up-tax-havens">prying
open the secrecy</a>.
<p>
But why would Tories screw up 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/politics/2016/apr/05/david-cameron-avoids-question-father-tax-affairs-panama-papers">a
racket that is so useful for them</a>?


feed_id: a80529017b53093279301e5689f8dbe5
title: Reducing child marriage
uri: Reducing-child-marriage
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#12_April_2016_%28Reducing_child_marriage%29
content:
<p>
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2016/apr/05/bangladesh-educating-girls-cut-child-marriage-by-a-third-study-pilot">Educating
Girls</a> Could Cut Child Marriage in Bangladesh by a Third.


feed_id: 43c19001a674d643d3cbf97d6a70e218
title: UN denies its responsibility
uri: UN-denies-its-responsibility
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#12_April_2016_%28UN_denies_its_responsibility%29
content:
<p>
The UN denies its responsibility for bringing cholera to Haiti, but an
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/apr/05/leaked-un-report-sanitation-haiti-bases-cholera-outbreak">internal
report took note of the UN's faulty sanitary measures</a> just before
that occurred.
<p>
To refer to the UN's troops as "peacekeepers" is misleading, since
there was no war there, only a 
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#12_February_2016_(Haitians_oppose_US-controlled_election)">US-backed
overthrow of the elected government</a>.


feed_id: 6f2c50ae741dc272ff207259fe6d4d14
title: Disabled and poor Brits face jail
uri: Disabled-and-poor-Brits-face-jail
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#12_April_2016_%28Disabled_and_poor_Brits_face_jail%29

content:
<p>
Disabled and poor people in Britain, who can barely afford to eat,
face jail because they are now 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/society/2016/apr/05/cuts-council-tax-support-benefits-no-joke">required
to pay as much as 10% of their income as local tax</a>.
<p>
These vicious Tories don't really expect to get blood out of those
stones (people), who already can barely survive.  They want to reduce
the expense those people cause and have found an excuse to drive many
of them to death.  Not quickly, but faster than they would have died
while they could still afford food.
<p>
Instead of shame, the victims should feel hatred.  They are martyrs
and they should recognize the cause they are dying for: fighting the
tyranny of the banksters.
<p>
If they have courage, they have a way to carry the fight to the enemy:
they can dare the state to burn up more of its money by jailing them.
Once in jail, they must thwart any state plan to extract money from
them, such as by making them do work.


feed_id: 15e267608331cb2e97eb4afe58496564
title: Thailand military state
uri: Thailand-military-state
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#12_April_2016_%28Thailand_military_state%29
content:
<p>
Thailand has become a totally military state in which 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/apr/05/thailand-junta-gives-army-sweeping-powers-of-arrest">soldiers
can arrest people anywhere</a>.  Their powers are almost arbitrary.
<p>
Please don't ignore this injustice by vacationing in Thailand.  As for
me, that dictatorship is so crazed that I would not risk going there
at all.


feed_id: b05879e12c10d28f3e6d6ccb2bf461b4
title: Cops hired instead of counselors at schools
uri: Cops-hired-instead-of-counselors-at-schools
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#12_April_2016_%28Cops_hired_instead_of_counselors_at_schools%29

content:
<p>
Big US school districts 
<a href="http://www.theatlantic.com/education/archive/2016/04/counselors-versus-cops/476478/">hire
cops rather than counselors</a>.


feed_id: 016b3edd3ba688f4b2dff690faa0adef
title: Thugs in San Francisco
uri: Thugs-in-San-Francisco
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#12_April_2016_%28Thugs_in_San_Francisco%29
content:
<p>
Thugs in San Francisco maimed Stanislav Petrov, leaving him too
injured to use his hands for work, then 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2016/apr/04/san-francisco-police-beating-stanislav-petrov-arrest">tried
to cover up their crime</a> by offering his belongings to homeless
witnesses so they would keep silent about what they had seen.
<p>
Now the FBI is prosecuting Petrov and refuses to say what those
charges are.
<p>
I have no way of knowing whether Petrov was guilty of some crime,
but if so, it cannot justify acting like this.


feed_id: b4c897f80d274d19f0f1b52d96256f29
title: Urgent: Support Emad Abu Shamsiya
uri: Urgent-Support-Emad-Abu-Shamsiya
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#11_April_2016_%28Urgent%3A_Support_Emad_Abu_Shamsiya%29

content:
<p>
Everyone: 
<a href="https://stallman.org/petitions/petition-emad/">state
support</a> for witness Emad Abu Shamsiya, who faces threats from
Israeli fanatics.


feed_id: 3582ff1da405193ca148e0a3ff49b1f0
title: Texas prisoners on strike
uri: Texas-prisoners-on-strike
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#11_April_2016_%28Texas_prisoners_on_strike%29
content:
<p>
Prisoners in Texas prisons have gone 
<a href="https://theintercept.com/2016/04/04/prisoners-in-multiple-states-call-for-strikes-to-protest-forced-labor/">on
strike against abuses</a> such as being charged for medical care,
solitary confinement, and forced labor.
<p>
I think it is legitimate to make prisoners work to keep the prison
going, but when they do any other work, they deserve the same rights
and working conditions as other workers.  Otherwise, prison labor is
an injustice to the prisoners and to the non-imprisoned workers that
they compete with.
<p>
I admire this strike.  Joining with others for the common good is
exactly the sort of activity that can transform a habitual criminal
into an upstanding and dependable member of society.  It builds the
skill to defer immediate gratification for long-term good, which helps
people stay away from crime.


feed_id: c337959f2409307ffbc2917e1e0d8770
title: UK ignores human rights organizations
uri: UK-ignores-human-rights-organizations
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#11_April_2016_%28UK_ignores_human_rights_organizations%29

content:
<p>
UK government officials 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/politics/2016/apr/05/human-rights-work-has-been-downgraded-by-foreign-office-say-mps">no
longer waste time pretending to pay attention</a> to heed human rights
organizations.
<p>
The Tories are 
<a href="media/62a79bb0.anuran-bevan.jpg" data-original-source="https://stallman.org/images/anuran-bevan.jpg">lower than
vermin</a> — Aneurin Bevan.


feed_id: 9684128a5c95d0332c96a219ee8be0da
title: DMCA abuse
uri: DMCA-abuse
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#11_April_2016_%28DMCA_abuse%29
content:
<p>
WordPress Wants 
<a href="https://torrentfreak.com/wordpress-wants-statutory-damages-for-dmca-abuse-160404/">Statutory
Damages</a> for DMCA Abuse.


feed_id: 27d15e9d2b95519a1e91c69d8b7dc586
title: Cars driven by Amazon, Google, and Microsoft
uri: Cars-driven-by-Amazon-Google-and-Microsoft
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#11_April_2016_%28Cars_driven_by_Amazon%2C_Google%2C_and_Microsoft%29

content:
<p>
Amazon, Google, and Microsoft are 
<a href="https://www.technologyreview.com/s/601183/tech-companies-foray-into-public-infrastructure-will-magnify-their-power/">trying
to make the "self-driving" cars of the future depend on their
servers</a> (and thus be totally tracked and controlled remotely).
<p>
These cars won't be "self-driving", they will be driven by a company,
one that has a history of snooping.


feed_id: d25cbacee07e54c86841c67b0d2456f4
title: Trump hotel workers vote to unionize
uri: Trump-hotel-workers-vote-to-unionize
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#11_April_2016_%28Trump_hotel_workers_vote_to_unionize%29

content:
<p>
The workers in Trump's hotel in Las Vegas 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2016/apr/04/donald-trump-hotel-workers-vote-unionize-certified-las-vegas-nlrb">voted
to unionize</a>.


feed_id: 7e33a486ac3a9b4f742536185b4f0880
title: Protecting parrotfish
uri: Protecting-parrotfish
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#11_April_2016_%28Protecting_parrotfish%29
content:
<p>
Protecting parrotfish 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2016/apr/05/limiting-catch-one-type-fish-help-save-coral-reefs">might
save coral reefs</a>, for a while.


feed_id: 93c4ca7edc8d445a96c03e7c5083b3ab
title: SF thug racism against blacks
uri: SF-thug-racism-against-blacks
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#11_April_2016_%28SF_thug_racism_against_blacks%29
content:
<p>
Racism against blacks is 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2016/apr/04/san-francisco-police-department-scandal-racist-texts">rampant
in the San Francisco thugs</a>.


feed_id: 647cc6856509cd42e2170e08b373ba32
title: Freedom to criticize
uri: Freedom-to-criticize
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#10_April_2016_%28Freedom_to_criticize%29
content:
<p>
Charlie Hebdo receives 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/global/2016/apr/04/charlie-hebdo-criticised-linking-all-muslims-brussels-bombings">criticism</a>
for calling Islamist terror the extreme point on a spectrum of
campaigns against criticizing Islam.
<p>
I think that is not true — that Islamist terrorists aim for
something far beyond merely suppressing criticism of Islam.
<p>
There is a campaign to deny people the right to criticize Islam, and
we must fight it resolutely, starting with rejecting the idea that
such criticism is wrong.  But we should not confuse this campaign
(which is not violent, only unjust) with other forms of Islamist
activity, such as terrorism.
<p>
It is clear that we should not hesitate to criticize any aspect of any
religion, including Islam, when we have a reason to.  People have a
right to choose their beliefs, and within some limits to practice
them, but 
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2010-mar-jun.html#18%20March%202010%20(Dont%20call%20me%20crazy)">no
one is entitled to the right not to be criticized</a>.


feed_id: a85b8267afe3a4256bef2ac805b092a9
title: Economic damage from global heating
uri: Economic-damage-from-global-heating
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#10_April_2016_%28Economic_damage_from_global_heating%29

content:
<p>
A study estimates that the economic damage to human assets from global
heating above 2C 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2016/apr/04/climate-change-will-blow-a-25tn-hole-in-global-financial-assets-study-warns">could
range from 2.5 trillion dollars to ten times that</a>.
<p>
It would be far cheaper to spend the money now to prevent global
heating.  The question is whether the rest of us can defeat the planet
roasters who have 
<a href="https://www.stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#31_March_2016_(Exxons_climate_lies)">spent
millions to confuse and delay</a>.
<p>
On the 
<a href="https://www.stallman.org/articles/exxon.html">correct
pronunciation</a> of "Exxon".


feed_id: 87d69a6320b9dac8052b82c672e59c52
title: The EU
uri: 2016-04-13-The-EU
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#10_April_2016_%28The_EU%29
content:
<p>
Yanis Varoufakis argues for 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/apr/05/yanis-varoufakis-why-we-must-save-the-eu">trying
to save the European Union by making it democratic</a>.
<p>
A democratic union of Europe might be a good thing, but it won't be
easy to achieve against all the institutions that are already
tentacles of the banksters.
<p>
I noticed the 
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2004-nov-feb.html#27%20January%202005%20(European%20Dream)">EU's
lack of democracy</a> a decade ago, and proposed that vote of the
citizens should replace the council of Europe for final approval of
directives.


feed_id: ac128002557991fa46c12c88f39aa185
title: Computerized voting
uri: Computerized-voting
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#10_April_2016_%28Computerized_voting%29
content:
<p>
Using computers for receiving votes is 
<a href="https://theconversation.com/aging-voting-machines-threaten-election-integrity-54523">dangerous</a>.
Using obsolete computers leads to additional problems, because they
break.
<p>
Having people cast their votes in a computer creates a risk of 
<a href="https://stallman.org/evoting.html">massive centralized
undetectable fraud</a>.  Don't do it!


feed_id: 74901a8dbe14da75521383b28104338e
title: ID requirements for student voters
uri: ID-requirements-for-student-voters
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#10_April_2016_%28ID_requirements_for_student_voters%29

content:
<p>
The ID requirements for students to vote in Wisconsin are especially
complicated, and 
<a href="http://thinkprogress.org/politics/2016/04/04/3766032/wisconsin-voter-id-students/">no
one has told students what they need to do</a>.
<p>
Each additional activity that requires a government-issued ID is a
step towards the tyranny of massive surveillance.


feed_id: 0a1b19f5305481cffc379d16c00d78c1
title: The Geneva Conventions
uri: The-Geneva-Conventions
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#10_April_2016_%28The_Geneva_Conventions%29
content:
<p>
Atrocities in Conflict Mean 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2016/apr/05/atrocities-in-conflict-mean-we-need-the-geneva-conventions-more-than-ever">We
Need the Geneva Conventions More Than Ever</a>.


feed_id: 4e41ae5e6784059c5042fa606591bfec
title: HSBC lobbying
uri: HSBC-lobbying
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#10_April_2016_%28HSBC_lobbying%29
content:
<p>
HSBC lobbied Mossack Fonseca to 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/news/2016/apr/05/mossack-fonseca-panama-papers-rami-makhlouf-syria-assad-hsbc">continue
serving Assad's cousin despite sanctions</a>.


feed_id: 95a0bb18331cd684be23abef890a4d53
title: Target ads
uri: Target-ads
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#10_April_2016_%28Target_ads%29
content:
<p>
For some people, belief that ads were targeted at them based on their
"sophisticated" interests can 
<a href="https://hbr.org/2016/04/targeted-ads-dont-just-make-you-more-likely-to-buy-they-can-change-how-you-think-about-yourself">flatter
them into being more interested in a product</a>.
<p>
I expect that advertising agencies are years ahead of other
psychologists in discovering things like this, and already use them.
<p>
Thus, the massive surveillance on which digital ads are based not only
threatens really important things, such as democracy, whistleblowers,
dissidents, and your willingness to state views that are
controversial.  It also threatens to cause you short-term trouble by
luring you to spend more money.
<p>
It is well established that people tend to spend more when they are
not paying cash.
<blockquote>
Don't be tracked (and save money)<br>
Pay cash.
</blockquote>


feed_id: e3bd527cee9e0eabb9fe62c5590bfd56
title: Face recognition
uri: 2016-04-13-Face-recognition
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#10_April_2016_%28Face_recognition%29
content:
<p>
Face recognition creates a 
<a href="http://www.consumerreports.org/privacy/facial-recognition-who-is-tracking-you-in-public1/">danger
of systematic tracking of everyone everywhere</a>, in businesses and
on streets.
<p>
Suitable laws could reduce the danger, but they have to be strict and
stern, not lax.  They must go beyond the bare minimum that one might
claim will be sufficient.  They must not presume either the good will
or honesty of the companies involved, or their ability to maintain
proper security.
<p>
Imagine if people could wear specially reflective jewelry which had
the effect of telling most cameras "Blur my head!"  Of course, anyone
could have a camera which did not obey this, but businesses would need
special permission to use such a camera, and publishing such photos
would require justification such as serving journalistic purposes.
Security cameras, not connected to any network and making only local
recordings, would not have to obey the blurring.


feed_id: fc0380b0f7db5e07a23a9302a4812514
title: Workers' rights and benefits
uri: Workers-rights-and-benefits
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#10_April_2016_%28Workers_rights_and_benefits%29
content:
<p>
Employment laws were designed to protect rights for employees.
Businesses increasingly game the system by converting staff into
"independent contractors" whose work is controlled tightly by the
company but get none of the rights or benefits of employees.
<p>
One way to fight back is for the state to rule that these people 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2016/apr/05/self-employed-freedom-underpaid-contractors">are
employees or must get the same benefits as employees</a>.
<p>
Another, which may be more durable, is to redesign the protection of
workers' rights and benefits so that it doesn't depend on who is the
employer at any given minute.  Benefits should be paid from income
taxes and wealth taxes, not from payroll taxes.  There should be
minimum rates for piecework jobs based on how long they are likely to
take, or actually do take.


feed_id: 1cca54ea39beccf1049dbb385e5554d6
title: Danger of plutonium fallout
uri: Danger-of-plutonium-fallout
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#10_April_2016_%28Danger_of_plutonium_fallout%29
content:
<p>
The danger of plutonium fallout, and a few 
<a href="http://ieet.org/index.php/IEET/more/morris20160405">ideas
that might help reduce the danger</a>.
<p>
At present, nearly all the plutonium we have generated is highly
localized, so most people are not in any real danger from it.  But
substances tend to mix.  In 10,000 years, will the plutonium have
spread around enough that all humans get lung cancer eventually?  If
technology advances, we will presumably have no trouble treating those
cancers — but if it collapses due to global heating, that could
wipe out humanity (and other sufficiently long-lived species).
<p>
Cancelling the UK's planned new nuclear power plant at Hinkley Point
would save 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2016/apr/05/scrapping-hinkley-for-renewable-alternatives-will-save-tens-of-billions">60
billion dollars</a>.


feed_id: cc6737e7e8bc76f4f9b7339149701b1d
title: Right-wing austerity
uri: Right-wing-austerity
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#10_April_2016_%28Right-wing_austerity%29
content:
<p>
Right-wing austerity and mass unemployment, over some years, can
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2016/apr/04/the-problem-for-poor-white-kids-is-that-a-part-of-their-culture-has-been-destroyed">destroy
permanently the social ties</a> that show young people a path to
strive for a successful life.


feed_id: ec4f39ebf72faad8220d0a192de4e94a
title: $15 minimum wage in NY
uri: 2016-04-13-15-minimum-wage-in-NY
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#10_April_2016_%28%2415_minimum_wage_in_NY%29
content:
<p>
New York State has joined California in programming a 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2016/apr/04/california-new-york-governors-minimum-wage-hillary-clinton">$15
minimum wage</a>, though it won't take effect for several years.
<p>
However, as more and more workers become piecework contractors, we
need to cover them too.


feed_id: 9a01738394a81a61a4c9911cee73c113
title: Decommissioning nuclear power plants
uri: Decommissioning-nuclear-power-plants
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#10_April_2016_%28Decommissioning_nuclear_power_plants%29

content:
<p>
Decommissioning Europe's nuclear power plants will cost 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2016/apr/04/europe-faces-253bn-nuclear-waste-bill">almost
half a trillion dollars</a>.
<p>
But that's a lot less than what it would cost to run them until they
fall apart and spew fallout.


feed_id: eaa0fdd0ccfed373e4e9737ffa9b8bcc
title: Oil drilling at edge of Yasuni forest
uri: Oil-drilling-at-edge-of-Yasuni-forest
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#10_April_2016_%28Oil_drilling_at_edge_of_Yasuni_forest%29

content:
<p>
Ecuador has 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2016/apr/04/ecuador-drills-for-oil-on-edge-of-pristine-rainforest-in-yasuni">started
drilling for oil</a> at the edge of the pristine Yasuni forest.


feed_id: d1b964bf435c63be392b213d04c29497
title: Human sacrifice
uri: Human-sacrifice
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#10_April_2016_%28Human_sacrifice%29
content:
<p>
Over a set of comparable Austronesian cultures, human sacrifice was
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/science/2016/apr/04/study-shows-human-sacrifice-was-less-likely-in-more-equal-societies">more
common in the societies with less equality</a>.
<p>
Nowadays millions of people are effectively sacrificed by the Cult of
the Invisible Hand.


feed_id: 10f30fe43d487d51424e14a9f52a2307
title: Tax havens
uri: 2016-04-13-Tax-havens
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#10_April_2016_%28Tax_havens%29
content:
<p>
"Tax Havens Don't Need to be Reformed.  They 
<a href='http://www.theguardian.com/news/commentisfree/2016/apr/04/tax-havens-reformed-outlawed-panama-papers'>Should
Be Outlawed</a>."


feed_id: 551e0822cdae8c92d0935d2164e4e425
title: Remote car shutoff by loan companies
uri: Remote-car-shutoff-by-loan-companies
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#10_April_2016_%28Remote_car_shutoff_by_loan_companies%29

content:
<p>
When car loans impose a remote shutoff device, loan companies can use
this power to get away with 
<a href="http://m.motherjones.com/politics/2016/04/subprime-car-loans-starter-interrupt">cheating</a>.
<p>
They have various 
<a href="http://www.motherjones.com/politics/2016/04/used-cars-subprime-lender-tricks">habitual
ways of screwing customers</a>.  Pushing across the line, to see if
they get away with it, is their way of life.
<p>
I think it should be a crime for companies associated with selling or
insuring a car to put remote shutoff or interference devices into
cars.


feed_id: 97686c21b555ad67bf30817982c1967c
title: Shortage of rain in Tasmania
uri: Shortage-of-rain-in-Tasmania
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#10_April_2016_%28Shortage_of_rain_in_Tasmania%29
content:
<p>
Tasmania has the same problem as Venezuela: shortage of rain 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2016/apr/04/calls-for-electricity-rationing-in-tasmania-as-dam-levels-fall-to-136">leads
to shortage of electricity</a>.
<p>
One of the predicted effects of global heating is bigger and more
frequent droughts, as well as bigger and more frequent floods.  We
will more and more often find big expensive hydropower dams high and
dry, leading to more use of fossil fuels.  This is a positive feedback
effect, and they make it even harder to escape disaster.
<p>
But we can still escape, if we push hard enough in the right
direction.


feed_id: 24bbd4dce13f07695fe349f1ff4dd68d
title: Urgent: FTC commissioners
uri: Urgent-FTC-commissioners
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#10_April_2016_%28Urgent%3A_FTC_commissioners%29
content:
<p>
US citizens: call on Obama to nominate commissioners for the Federal
Trade Commission 
<a href="http://act.credoaction.com/sign/FTC_commissioners_brill">who
will defend people from abuses by businesses</a>.


feed_id: 7c8454afd35503fa89d9a61caebfd27b
title: Natural gas pipeline + nuclear power plant
uri: Natural-gas-pipeline-nuclear-power-plant
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#10_April_2016_%28Natural_gas_pipeline_%2B_nuclear_power_plant%29

content:
<p>
Expanding a natural gas pipeline close to a nuclear power plant:
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2016/apr/04/spectra-gas-pipeline-nuclear-plant-meltdown-new-york">asking
for trouble</a>.
<p>
The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission puts its rubber stamp on
every pipeline application.  This is the inspiration for the 
<a href="https://www.stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#30_March_2016_(Federal_Energy_Regulatory)">"rubber 
stamp" protest</a> that is planned.


feed_id: e94d8909c69f0f2f6df55cce2ab9b7df
title: Landmines in eastern Ukraine
uri: Landmines-in-eastern-Ukraine
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#10_April_2016_%28Landmines_in_eastern_Ukraine%29
content:
<p>
The rebellious area of eastern Ukraine is full of landmines, which
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2016/apr/04/ukraine-attempt-defuse-landmines-as-more-are-planted">kill
civilians trying to return home</a>.


feed_id: 123ad1d02ca1a809d481ddd64130af4a
title: Mexicans that speak only Mayan
uri: Mexicans-that-speak-only-Mayan
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#10_April_2016_%28Mexicans_that_speak_only_Mayan%29
content:
<p>
Mexico is 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/apr/04/mexico-torture-migrants-citizens-central-america">torturing
Mexicans that speak only Mayan</a>, demanding that they say they are
Guatemalan and give the state an excuse to deport them.


feed_id: 98de05a204326a95546c2b960a6acf42
title: Panama Papers and Snowden leak
uri: Panama-Papers-and-Snowden-leak
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#10_April_2016_%28Panama_Papers_and_Snowden_leak%29
content:
<p>
A Key Similarity Between Snowden Leak and Panama Papers: 
<a href="https://theintercept.com/2016/04/04/a-key-similarity-between-snowden-leak-and-panamapapers-scandal-is-whats-been-legalized/">Scandal
is What's Been Legalized</a>.


feed_id: b94a871cb0f7dd2057d82c2503ea571b
title: Urgent: Reject anti-encryption bill
uri: Urgent-Reject-anti-encryption-bill
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#18_April_2016_%28Urgent%3A_Reject_anti-encryption_bill%29

content:
<p>
US citizens:
<a href="http://act.credoaction.com/sign/encryption">call on
Congress</a> to reject the Feinstein-Burr anti-encryption bill.


feed_id: 082049b62ad32722675dbae13ac6ce4a
title: How the Very Rich Use Art to Get Richer
uri: How-the-Very-Rich-Use-Art-to-Get-Richer
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#18_April_2016_%28How_the_Very_Rich_Use_Art_to_Get_Richer%29

content:
<p>
<a href="http://fusion.net/story/288515/panama-papers-leak-art-market/">Panama
Papers Show</a> How the Very Rich Use Art to Get Richer.
<p>
Shell companies even enable them to hold on to stolen paintings
by hiding from courts.


feed_id: 540f892cf0b7a9beba25202efd0161ef
title: Plutocracy in the US
uri: Plutocracy-in-the-US
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#18_April_2016_%28Plutocracy_in_the_US%29
content:
<p>
Americans agree broadly on many political issues, but
<a href="http://www.commondreams.org/views/2016/04/11/americans-agree-its-corporate-power-thats-our-way">plutocrats
block the US government from doing what Americans want</a>.


feed_id: 59fcfaf39ba23af59346338907d8a090
title: Goldman Sachs fined
uri: Goldman-Sachs-fined
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#18_April_2016_%28Goldman_Sachs_fined%29
content:
<p>
Goldman Sachs was just fined for deceiving investors — fined
<a href="http://www.commondreams.org/news/2016/04/11/vampire-squid-goldman-sachs-gets-away-5-billion-non-punishment">an
amount too small to do any good</a>.  No banksters were jailed.


feed_id: afcca2162add5929772e844364198ddd
title: Privatization of NHS transport service
uri: Privatization-of-NHS-transport-service
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#18_April_2016_%28Privatization_of_NHS_transport_service%29

content:
<p>
Patients
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/society/2016/apr/12/patients-wait-hours-for-ambulances-nhs-transport-service-privatised-sussex">Waiting
Hours for Ambulances</a> after NHS Transport Service Privatized.


feed_id: 96745f05935787635304ef8acef905c5
title: Investigation of tax dodging
uri: Investigation-of-tax-dodging
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#18_April_2016_%28Investigation_of_tax_dodging%29
content:
<p>
Tax investigators from 28 countries will
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/news/2016/apr/12/panama-papers-global-tax-officials-inquiry-paris-meeting">plan
a joint strategy</a> for investigating tax dodging.
<p>
However, most tax dodging is legal, and what it needs is changes in
laws.


feed_id: fd7cbef3264c693fe4b80314799abc24
title: Exclusion of women from Indian temples
uri: Exclusion-of-women-from-Indian-temples
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#18_April_2016_%28Exclusion_of_women_from_Indian_temples%29

content:
<p>
India's Supreme Court ruled that temples
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/apr/12/indian-temples-cannot-bar-women-rules-supreme-court">cannot
exclude women</a>.


feed_id: 8d88d223f8de460fcde57669ce6ed125
title: Health systems and crowdfunding
uri: Health-systems-and-crowdfunding
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#18_April_2016_%28Health_systems_and_crowdfunding%29
content:
<p>
Health systems
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/apr/12/uganda-mulago-radiotherapy-machine-crowdfunding">should
not have to rely on crowdfunding</a>: governments must shoulder their
responsibilities.


feed_id: fe25cb9234fbf699b90483c793f4f6da
title: Sounding an alarm
uri: Sounding-an-alarm
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#18_April_2016_%28Sounding_an_alarm%29
content:
<p>
James Hanson: sounding an alarm
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2016/apr/12/climate-scientist-james-hansen-i-dont-think-im-an-alarmist">should
not be dismissed as "alarmist"</a>.


feed_id: 35c36e28932a34a32378951f28f11daa
title: Menthol flavoring in cigarettes
uri: Menthol-flavoring-in-cigarettes
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#18_April_2016_%28Menthol_flavoring_in_cigarettes%29
content:
<p>
US tobacco companies marketed menthol flavoring as part of a plan to
<a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/how-tobacco-companies-led-a-devastating-50-year-infiltration-into-black-communities_us_5702944de4b083f5c60830b6">prey
on US blacks' anxieties</a>.


feed_id: e6ffa3ffc3f1c56a3a5b530adb7abd56
title: BP searching for more oil reserves
uri: BP-searching-for-more-oil-reserves
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#18_April_2016_%28BP_searching_for_more_oil_reserves%29

content:
<p>
BP
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2016/apr/12/bill-mckibben-bp-investors-playing-fast-and-loose-with-our-future">continues
to search for more oil reserves</a> even though we have too much
already.  What could it do with the additional reserves, other than
destroy civilization?


feed_id: 60f44a3d0272058a7b2c858154acdc13
title: UK carbon emission targets
uri: UK-carbon-emission-targets
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#18_April_2016_%28UK_carbon_emission_targets%29
content:
<p>
The UK has adopted ambitious carbon emission targets, then
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2016/apr/12/close-the-loopholes-in-britains-carbon-budget-emissions">defined
them in a phony way</a>.


feed_id: 5df3e7469d57d2ea96c2d44a595f2aa3
title: San Antonio school thug attacks student
uri: San-Antonio-school-thug-attacks-student
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#18_April_2016_%28San_Antonio_school_thug_attacks_student%29

content:
<p>
A San Antonio school thug knocked a 12-year-old student to the ground, then
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2016/apr/12/san-antonio-school-officer-fired-body-slam-student-joshua-kehm">made
up lies to excuse it</a>.  The thug has been fired, but that's not
enough.


feed_id: e212aa804f86b0fb98f276c3c7f3124b
title: Pinball machines
uri: Pinball-machines
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#18_April_2016_%28Pinball_machines%29
content:
<p>
A museum of pinball machines
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2016/apr/12/pinball-machine-hall-of-fame-las-vegas-job-hiring">may
have to close</a> because kids these days have lost interest in taking
machines apart.
<p>
Pinball machines made with integrated circuits are not worth
preserving, in my opinion, because in that period they were designed
to be showy and distracting.  For instance, In 1970, each sound that a
pinball machine made indicted a certain amount scored.  A few years
later, they were meant only to distract the ear.  That was also the
era of point inflation, when the smallest score was 100 instead of 1.


feed_id: 8f3e177d99cde1179403fa2134a05c4c
title: SF thugs' bogus excuses for killing
uri: SF-thugs-bogus-excuses-for-killing
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#18_April_2016_%28SF_thugs_bogus_excuses_for_killing%29

content:
<p>
Several witnesses deny the San Francisco thugs'
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2016/apr/12/witness-san-francisco-police-shooting-homeless-man-luis-gongora">bogus
excuses for killing Luis Gongora</a>.


feed_id: 2084c70841380354485724e5d6063997
title: Republican candidate selection system
uri: Republican-candidate-selection-system
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#18_April_2016_%28Republican_candidate_selection_system%29

content:
<p>
Ironically, Trump may be defeated by the
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2016/apr/12/donald-trump-delegates-republican-nomination-us-election-2016">nondemocratic
system</a> of Republican candidate selection.
<p>
I would not rejoice at that, since Cruz is even worse in his politics
than Trump.  I also don't agree with the attitude of the author that
it was Trump's fault for thinking the system worked in a more
democratic way.  Rather, it is the system's fault for not doing so.


feed_id: 6171b68261778f1b9db0a3e9793a6fe6
title: Tortured to death by Chicago thugs
uri: Tortured-to-death-by-Chicago-thugs
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#18_April_2016_%28Tortured_to_death_by_Chicago_thugs%29

content:
<p>
It appears Chicago thugs
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2016/apr/12/homan-square-chicago-police-files-custody-death-jaime-galvan">tortured
Jaime Galvan to death</a>.


feed_id: fae375d492100d32f7917878bf6daebd
title: Only Sanders can clean up US banking
uri: Only-Sanders-can-clean-up-US-banking
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#18_April_2016_%28Only_Sanders_can_clean_up_US_banking%29

content:
<p>
Wall Street economist Asher Edelman says that only Sanders can
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2016/apr/12/real-life-gordon-gekko-supports-bernie-sanders-wall-street-banks-regulation">clean
up US banking</a>.


feed_id: 24d63c6a1a683da762073d79662384fa
title: Prosecution of whistleblowers
uri: Prosecution-of-whistleblowers
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#18_April_2016_%28Prosecution_of_whistleblowers%29
content:
<p>
Obama is willing to say, in the Clinton case, that most secret
information is not important.  When prosecuting whistleblowers,
<a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2016/04/12/us/politics/obamas-latest-view-on-secrecy-overlooks-past-prosecution-of-leaks.html">the
tiniest, unimportant detail is enough excuse</a>.


feed_id: d59c2d2012802c5f8313c1ba7074b3ae
title: Urgent: Stop illegal political contributions
uri: Urgent-Stop-illegal-political-contributions
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#18_April_2016_%28Urgent%3A_Stop_illegal_political_contributions%29

content:
<p>
US citizens:
<a href="http://act.demandprogress.org/sign/ghost-corporations/">Tell
the FEC</a>: Crack down on illegal political contributions by "ghost
corporations".


feed_id: 79bc722bcd59a000bb63d999cf5f16f1
title: Urgent: Disavow endorsement of TPP
uri: Urgent-Disavow-endorsement-of-TPP
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#18_April_2016_%28Urgent%3A_Disavow_endorsement_of_TPP%29

content:
<p>
Everyone:
<a href="http://act.credoaction.com/sign/TPP_Internet">call on the
members of the Internet Association</a> to publicly disavow its
endorsement of the TPP.
<p>
These members include major Internet companies, including Google,
Amazon, Netflix, Facebook, Twitter, and Yahoo.  Some of those
companies are despicable, while others are not — either way, we
want to press all of them to denounce the TPP.


feed_id: b77a7c3c710e138fdd8f117df1e434d9
title: Urgent: Clean up mercury
uri: Urgent-Clean-up-mercury
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#18_April_2016_%28Urgent%3A_Clean_up_mercury%29
content:
<p>
Everyone:
<a href="https://community.sumofus.org/petitions/victory-unileversettles-but-must-clean-up-its-mercury-mess/">tell
Unilever</a> to clean up the mercury it dumped in the ground in
Kodaikanal.


feed_id: 29f65e63e329f09ae29c9bac505ab237
title: Urgent: Reject fossil fuel company funds
uri: Urgent-Reject-fossil-fuel-company-funds
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#18_April_2016_%28Urgent%3A_Reject_fossil_fuel_company_funds%29

content:
<p>
US citizens:
<a href="http://www.climatehawksvote.com/hillary_clinton_reject_fossil_fuel_contributions">call
on Clinton</a> to reject campaign funds from fossil fuel companies.


feed_id: 0766ef4f2193aad5590f9e3803fba443
title: Search of drivers' phones after accidents
uri: Search-of-drivers-phones-after-accidents
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#18_April_2016_%28Search_of_drivers_phones_after_accidents%29

content:
<p>
Plans to examine the phones of drivers, after accidents,
<a href="http://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2016/04/first-came-the-breathalyzer-now-meet-the-roadside-police-textalyzer/">to
see if they were texting while driving</a>.
<p>
This extremely limited search, in a situation where there are special
reasons for it, seems legitimate to me.


feed_id: 631716634d31e056a0727cda4a7ed5c0
title: Malware on security cameras
uri: Malware-on-security-cameras
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#18_April_2016_%28Malware_on_security_cameras%29
content:
<p>
<a href="http://www.slate.com/blogs/future_tense/2016/04/11/security_cameras_sold_through_amazon_have_malware_according_to_security.html">Malware
Found on Security Cameras</a> Available Through Amazon.
<p>
A camera that records locally on physical media, and has no network
connection, does not threaten people with
<a href="http://gnu.org/philosophy/surveillance-vs-democracy.html">surveillance</a>
— neither by watching people through the camera, nor through
malware in the camera.


feed_id: b58e735aa5bb5ec9271e1a365a32cbdc
title: Overcharging by companies to the Pentagon
uri: Overcharging-by-companies-to-the-Pentagon
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#18_April_2016_%28Overcharging_by_companies_to_the_Pentagon%29

content:
<p>
Contract official Shay Assad
<a href="http://www.politico.com/story/2016/04/defense-pentagon-spending-assad-221776">campaigns
unceasingly to stop overcharging</a> by companies to the Pentagon.
<p>
Now the companies are trying to win the support of treacherous
congresscritters, to hamper his efforts.


feed_id: e892a1f55f9e8ea7469d741505eb134c
title: Global heating
uri: 2016-04-18-Global-heating
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#18_April_2016_%28Global_heating%29
content:
<p>
Global heating
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2016/apr/12/islands-of-gauguin-and-robinson-crusoe-could-become-parched-paradise">will
make water scarce in most small oceanic islands</a>.
<p>
Some of them will, however, have
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#20_March_2016_(Rising_seas)">too
much water</a> — they will be inundated.


feed_id: 74f820760766c2d974a3cfe01bd71a4a
title: Palestinian farmers in the West Bank
uri: Palestinian-farmers-in-the-West-Bank
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#18_April_2016_%28Palestinian_farmers_in_the_West_Bank%29

content:
<p>
Palestinian farmers in the West Bank
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/sustainable-business/2016/apr/12/fruit-veg-exports-palestine-farmer-conflict-broken-supply-chain-west-bank">face
constant obstruction</a> from the policies of the occupation.


feed_id: 27917f77083a66e0b3731a9775837881
title: Obama on the intervention in Libya
uri: Obama-on-the-intervention-in-Libya
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#18_April_2016_%28Obama_on_the_intervention_in_Libya%29

content:
<p>
Obama says that the intervention in Libya was
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2016/apr/12/barack-obama-says-libya-was-worst-mistake-of-his-presidency">a
mistake</a>.


feed_id: e4fe9b53dcbb1d4934fdf36b244c5bef
title: Clinton's student loans story
uri: Clinton-s-student-loans-story
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#18_April_2016_%28Clintons_student_loans_story%29
content:
<p>
Is Hillary's Personal Story About Student Loans a
<a href="http://www.alternet.org/election-2016/hillarys-personal-story-about-student-loans-fabrication">Fabrication</a>?


feed_id: 5cf760de18ae57edec8699adb93c3f3f
title: Erdo&gbreve;an's poison spreading
uri: Erdo-gbreve-an-s-poison-spreading
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#18_April_2016_%28Erdogans_poison_spreading%29
content:
<p>
Erdo&gbreve;an's poison is
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/apr/11/turkey-germany-prosecute-comedian-jan-bohmermann-erdogan-poem">spreading
from Turkey to Germany</a>, as a comedian faces prosecution for
"insulting a foreign leader".
<p>
Germany must repeal that tyrannical law on the double.


feed_id: 199d4043fb2f2e5c9e2e4000e614349a
title: Offshore wealth far worse than terrorism
uri: Offshore-wealth-far-worse-than-terrorism
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#18_April_2016_%28Offshore_wealth_far_worse_than_terrorism%29

content:
<p>
"We Should Treat Offshore Wealth as
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/apr/11/smash-uk-mafia-elite-treat-offshore-wealth-terrorist-finance-perugia">Terrorist
Finance</a>."
<p>
I think that's not hostile enough.  In Europe and the US, terrorism is
a minor threat compared with plutocracy.  We need to treat the organs
of plutocracy as something far worse than terrorism.


feed_id: f3b24688fb0787b272671ffc6635f02c
title: Ireland's blasphemy law
uri: Ireland-s-blasphemy-law
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#18_April_2016_%28Irelands_blasphemy_law%29
content:
<p>
Ireland's blasphemy law, which its government doesn't dare try to enforce,
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/media/greenslade/2016/apr/11/why-ireland-must-get-rid-of-its-disgraceful-blasphemy-law">gives
comfort to religious tyranny everywhere</a>.


feed_id: 938858dc456c66574602862ea01e668d
title: Torture methods of Chicago thugs
uri: Torture-methods-of-Chicago-thugs
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#18_April_2016_%28Torture_methods_of_Chicago_thugs%29

content:
<p>
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2016/apr/11/homan-square-chicago-police-internal-documents-physical-force-prisoner-abuse">Documents
confirm</a> the torture methods of Chicago thugs.


feed_id: 2755fdd1453418db5a7c6c15a81fb776
title: Poor David Cameron
uri: Poor-David-Cameron
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#18_April_2016_%28Poor_David_Cameron%29
content:
<p>
Pity poor David Cameron,
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/science/brain-flapping/2016/apr/11/david-cameron-dangers-trapped-in-wealth">"trapped
in wealth"</a>.


feed_id: 41f43d6e9b8cc5cd3a42040410334809
title: Thugs evict protesters in Paris
uri: Thugs-evict-protesters-in-Paris
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#18_April_2016_%28Thugs_evict_protesters_in_Paris%29
content:
<p>
Thugs evicted protesters in Paris, but they
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/apr/11/police-evacuate-protesters-paris-square-place-republique-riots">plan
to return</a>.


feed_id: 98cfe802cdf8014a211bf3deb8b960ef
title: The ruins of Palmyra
uri: The-ruins-of-Palmyra
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#18_April_2016_%28The_ruins_of_Palmyra%29
content:
<p>
Rebuilding parts of Palmyra with modern materials and techniques
would be a lie.  It is better to leave the ruins as a
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/jonathanjonesblog/2016/apr/11/palmyra-isis-syria-restored-3d-printers-vandalism">memorial
to the evil of religious fanaticism</a>.


feed_id: be1b8a7f04c9d5bf2de59b47f96808c0
title: Cameron family tax-dodging
uri: Cameron-family-tax-dodging
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#18_April_2016_%28Cameron_family_tax-dodging%29
content:
<p>
The Cameron family tax-dodging
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/news/commentisfree/2016/apr/11/wealth-tax-cameron-myth-all-in-this-together">strips
bare the Tories' claim that the sacrifices they impose on poor Britons
are for the country</a>.  Now no one can avoid seeing that those
sacrifices are for the tax dodgers.


feed_id: 840a88ac1a6544697d35ff6603e871d0
title: International tax policy
uri: International-tax-policy
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#18_April_2016_%28International_tax_policy%29
content:
<p>
Maybe the world needs a global body to decide
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2016/apr/11/system-privilege-benefits-global-tax-body-oecd">international
tax policy</a>.
<p>
Such a body might be helpful, but the idea does not get to the root of
the matter.  The article assumes that this issue is a clash between
"national interests" of the poor countries and the rich countries, and
that each governments involved is trying to serve the national
interest of its country.
<p>
As we know, that's not always true.  In particular, most governments
of rich countries nowadays typically serve the interests of plutocrats
rather than the interest of the country overall.  If these governments
tried to truly serve their own national interests, they would clamp
down on tax dodging just as the poor countries would want them to.


feed_id: 91fef503bc0dd4adb997b731e6cfdba3
title: Mass coral bleaching
uri: Mass-coral-bleaching
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#18_April_2016_%28Mass_coral_bleaching%29
content:
<p>
Bleaching now affects
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2016/apr/11/mass-coral-bleaching-now-affecting-half-of-australias-great-barrier-reef">half
of the Great Barrier Reef</a>.
<p>
Coral animals often die after bleaching.  In the more equatorial parts
of the Great Barrier Reef, half of them are dead.
<p>
Australian scientists are
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2016/apr/11/great-barrier-reef-david-attenborough-ignores-politics-and-appeals-to-the-heart">trying
to breed a replacement coral</a> that could survive higher
temperatures and higher acidity.
<p>
Bravo to them, but supposing if that effort succeeds, it won't avoid
disaster.  400 known species of coral that live in the Great Barrier
Reef; there may be others as yet unknown to science.  Losing all but
one, or all but a few, would still be disaster.


feed_id: 9c47be51053b5516fec2323d7d935bff
title: Iranian presidential elections
uri: Iranian-presidential-elections
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#18_April_2016_%28Iranian_presidential_elections%29
content:
<p>
Iranian presidential candidate Mehdi Karroubi, held under arrest since
his last defeat, accuses the state of
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/apr/11/iranian-opposition-figure-karroubi-appeals-for-court-hearing-over-election-rigging">rigging
the elections</a>.


feed_id: aa7802b7f0939e47f1040b45e4ad6b2a
title: Our response to the Panama papers
uri: Our-response-to-the-Panama-papers
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#17_April_2016_%28Our_response_to_the_Panama_papers%29

content:
<p>
Now that the Panama papers show clearly how the rich are cheating the
rest of humanity, the question is whether we will
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2016/apr/11/the-panama-papers-told-us-what-we-already-knew-how-we-respond-will-be-the-story">fight
hard enough to defeat them and make them stop</a>.
<p>
Beware the temptation to respond cynically, because that's an excuse
to give up.
<p>
Right now, Americans have a special opportunity to fight back: work
for the Sanders campaign.
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#06_March_2016_(Clinton_in_banksters_camp)">Toadies</a> like Clinton
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#12_April_2016_(Rich_donors_influence_on_Clinton)">follow
the orders of the rich</a>, and those orders say to protect all their
means of cheating us.  Simply electing a president who <em>wants</em>
to stop them will bring us one big step closer to stopping them.


feed_id: 4f78a7d8881910769371bf401f1962ac
title: Tourism to Arctic adding to damage
uri: Tourism-to-Arctic-adding-to-damage
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#17_April_2016_%28Tourism_to_Arctic_adding_to_damage%29

content:
<p>
Tourism to the Arctic, to "witness" how global heating is destroying
it, is
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2016/apr/11/arctic-adventure-playground-climate-change-polar-ice">adding
to the damage</a>.


feed_id: a13aa61edca7633ce4d79674847d7f3c
title: Voter suppression
uri: 2016-04-18-Voter-suppression
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#17_April_2016_%28Voter_suppression%29
content:
<p>
A Republican US official is trying another avenue for voter
suppression: allowing Republicans in some states to demand voters
<a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2016/04/11/opinion/republicans-hijack-an-election-agency.html">prove
their citizenship to register</a>.
<p>
The Republican Party is a vast conspiracy to disenfranchise Americans.


feed_id: 1e9aba11191d5e47e19fbdedf5bdff89
title: Reporters kept out of Arizona state house
uri: Reporters-kept-out-of-Arizona-state-house
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#17_April_2016_%28Reporters_kept_out_of_Arizona_state_house%29

content:
<p>
Arizona legislators have
<a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/arizona-reporters-background-checks_us_5707f619e4b04bf520ff687b">made
up an excuse</a> to keep reporters out of the state house.


feed_id: 3c31abe08d9b1d6e2a40b15fcd53e3bf
title: Money hidden offshore
uri: Money-hidden-offshore
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#17_April_2016_%28Money_hidden_offshore%29
content:
<p>
The 1% hide their money offshore — then use it to
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/news/commentisfree/2016/apr/10/money-offshore-corrupt-democracy-political-influence">corrupt
our democracy</a>.


feed_id: 19f8b5412017262a08c4e50a3f21639e
title: Urgent: Retirement protections
uri: Urgent-Retirement-protections
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#17_April_2016_%28Urgent%3A_Retirement_protections%29

content:
<p>
US citizens: 
<a href="http://act.credoaction.com/sign/fiduciary_rule_dol">Tell
Senate Democrats</a>: Donât help Republicans sabotage retirement
protections.


feed_id: 8cb58bcd1c2a82bbf5aa86565b42daba
title: Urgent: Crimp use of shell corporations
uri: Urgent-Crimp-use-of-shell-corporations
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#17_April_2016_%28Urgent%3A_Crimp_use_of_shell_corporations%29

content:
<p>
US citizens: 
<a href="http://act.credoaction.com/sign/panama_papers_shell_corporations">call
on Congress</a> to pass the Incorporation Transparency and Law
Enforcement Assistance Act and thus crimp the use of shell
corporations in the US.


feed_id: 99c5c72fe19b5fd90ca9cdbea6522deb
title: Trump's mix of dirty words and bigotry
uri: Trump-s-mix-of-dirty-words-and-bigotry
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#17_April_2016_%28Trumps_mix_of_dirty_words_and_bigotry%29

content:
<p>
Trump mixes dirty words with bigotry to 
<a href="http://qz.com/655502/a-lexicographer-explains-the-sneaky-agenda-behind-trumps-dirty-mouth/">imply
that bigotry is no worse than a dirty word</a>.


feed_id: 3e4fe83f02055ae15a1fa5315435f101
title: Guerrilla war not the same as terrorism
uri: Guerrilla-war-not-the-same-as-terrorism
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#17_April_2016_%28Guerrilla_war_not_the_same_as_terrorism%29

content:
<p>
Someone tell Israel that fighting the soldiers in an occupying army is
<a href="https://theintercept.com/2016/04/03/fighting-israeli-occupying-forces-is-terrorism-boycotting-is-anti-semitism-whats-allowed/">not
terrorism</a>.  The proper term is "guerrilla war".


feed_id: a08db06872c21cfff773a242d4318463
title: Liberation of scientific literature
uri: Liberation-of-scientific-literature
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#17_April_2016_%28Liberation_of_scientific_literature%29

content:
<p>
Alexandra Elbakyan is 
<a href="http://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2016/04/a-spiritual-successor-to-aaron-swartz-is-angering-publishers-all-over-again/">freeing
scientific literature from paywalls</a>.
<p>
Three cheers!
<p>
Shame on the article's author for taking the side of the restricted
access journals, by using words such as "pilfer" to describe
liberating science from its feudal lords.


feed_id: 77b91aa054f92d7b12fd46e31fd931d0
title: Exiles from Burundi
uri: Exiles-from-Burundi
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#17_April_2016_%28Exiles_from_Burundi%29
content:
<p>
The dictator of Burundi has 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/apr/10/burundi-ethnic-violence-refugees">driven
250,000 people into exile</a>, fleeing from torture meted out to
anyone that didn't support him.


feed_id: d957c7c160976eb18708bdaaa0b7e857
title: Painting political expression as "harassment"
uri: Painting-political-expression-as-harassment
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#17_April_2016_%28Painting_political_expression_as_harassment%29

content:
<p>
Stretched and subjective definitions of "bullying", "prejudice" and
"trauma" make it easy to paint political expression as "violent
harassment".  It's a tendency we need to reject because it 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2016/apr/10/students-censorship-safe-places-platforming-free-speech">leads
to censorship</a>.


feed_id: 8618f010598da78763a03cc5642c6f68
title: Warrantless cracking of refugees' computers
uri: Warrantless-cracking-of-refugees-computers
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#17_April_2016_%28Warrantless_cracking_of_refugees_computers%29

content:
<p>
UK immigration officials are allowed to crack security of refugees'
computers, specifically
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/apr/10/immigration-officials-can-hack-refugees-phones">their
phones</a>.  This could endanger their right to confidential
communication with their lawyers.
<p>
I think it is legitimate for the state to crack security for
investigations, but only with a specific warrant.


feed_id: a7b3ea76d5c66cfbc657fa07edd3a14e
title: Purpose of Panama's creation
uri: Purpose-of-Panama-s-creation
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#17_April_2016_%28Purpose_of_Panamas_creation%29
content:
<p>
The US created Panama for purposes of 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/apr/10/panama-canal-president-jp-morgan-tax-haven">tax
evasion</a>.


feed_id: 133bb83763a7d622d500b625078688b8
title: Tax dodging by David Cameron
uri: Tax-dodging-by-David-Cameron
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#17_April_2016_%28Tax_dodging_by_David_Cameron%29
content:
<p>
David Cameron 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/politics/2016/apr/09/david-cameron-questions-gift-mother">dodged
around $130,000 in inheritance tax</a> a few years ago.


feed_id: 4efd62d321bb2d36ca368002c02207aa
title: Great apes in Africa under threat
uri: Great-apes-in-Africa-under-threat
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#17_April_2016_%28Great_apes_in_Africa_under_threat%29

content:
<p>
Great apes in Africa are likely to be wiped out by 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2016/apr/10/great-apes-face-existential-threat-as-populations-plunge-ebola-vaccines">diseases
that humans help spread</a>.


feed_id: 7034e6883bd2c5a904bc11b14df2218d
title: Corruption in Brazil
uri: Corruption-in-Brazil
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#17_April_2016_%28Corruption_in_Brazil%29
content:
<p>
A whistleblower alleges that large Brazilian projects including the
Belo Monte dam were used to 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/apr/08/brazil-rousseff-corruption-belo-monte-dam">siphon
off money</a> to the Workers' Party and the Brazilian Democratic
Movement Party.


feed_id: 5d15d2eb0cbdf3304bd5a66def3ca49e
title: Anti-abortionists in Northern Ireland
uri: Anti-abortionists-in-Northern-Ireland
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#17_April_2016_%28Anti-abortionists_in_Northern_Ireland%29

content:
<p>
Anti-abortionists in Northern Ireland betrayed their flatmate to the
state for having an abortion, and she was prosecuted.
<p>
Now women there fear betrayal by their acquaintances, and doctors
worry that women who have complications after an underground abortion
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/apr/08/northern-ireland-abortion-women-culture-suspicion-fear-prosecution-belfast">will
not dare go to a hospital</a>.
<p>
Northern Ireland's political parties are sectarian and worthless.  I
hope the fight for abortion rights will lead to the creation of a
secular party that stands for human rights and people's well being.
<p>
I also suggest a form of action for people in Northern Ireland: post a
sign on your door saying, "We do not rat on women for having
abortions."  The statement is not illegal, yet it clearly defies the
evil law.


feed_id: 04ad8b163597410f61d0158f66f1281f
title: Global heating positive feedback
uri: Global-heating-positive-feedback
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#17_April_2016_%28Global_heating_positive_feedback%29

content:
<p>
Research shows that an important positive feedback in global heating,
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2016/apr/07/clouds-climate-change-analysis-liquid-ice-global-warming">water
droplets in clouds</a>, will be bigger than previously thought.
<p>
That means we need even bigger emissions cuts to avoid total disaster.
<p>
Only a fool bets that the road runs off the cliff further rather than
nearer.  Don't be a fool: demand big cuts soon.


feed_id: 2b5b7e8eb93ee6e353be0c502be30c13
title: Universal basic income affordable
uri: Universal-basic-income-affordable
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#17_April_2016_%28Universal_basic_income_affordable%29

content:
<p>
The Panama Papers Prove It: 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2016/apr/07/panama-papers-taxes-universal-basic-income-public-services">We
[the US] Can Afford a Universal Basic Income</a>.  Plus good
infrastructure, good public education, good medical care, and so on.


feed_id: 8ca66f95b6d878cbbd1be7b9383feab4
title: State powers to investigate terrorists
uri: State-powers-to-investigate-terrorists
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#17_April_2016_%28State_powers_to_investigate_terrorists%29

content:
<p>
The Brussels terrorist bombers were planning to attack France, but
they <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/apr/10/brussels-attackers-planned-second-assault-on-france-belgian-prosecutors">saw
that investigators were closing in on them, so they made a hurried
plan to attack in Brussels instead</a>.
<p>
This is a sign that state powers to investigate terrorists are already
adequate.  There is no need to give the state additional power —
though using its power more efficiently could be an improvement.


feed_id: 7b4198592d880d3dfce71aca5f80a4f2
title: Breaking free from controlling religious sects
uri: Breaking-free-from-controlling-religious-sects
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#17_April_2016_%28Breaking_free_from_controlling_religious_sects%29

content:
<p>
People who broke free from controlling religious sects talk about 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/apr/10/losing-my-religion-life-after-extreme-belief-faith">how
they found the strength to escape</a>.


feed_id: 54f1bbf7cfa1b43f74c93fa5c400ea93
title: Murder of Italian researcher in Egypt
uri: Murder-of-Italian-researcher-in-Egypt
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#17_April_2016_%28Murder_of_Italian_researcher_in_Egypt%29

content:
<p>
Italy says 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/apr/10/regeni-egypt-rejects-italian-request-for-phone-records">Egypt
is being uncooperative in the investigation</a> of the murder of
Italian researcher Giulio Regeni.
<p>
Probably the killers were part of the state's mechanism of repression,
which operates almost unchecked on Egyptians.


feed_id: 396029f789516f94e187a051d933c4c8
title: Panama Papers
uri: Panama-Papers
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#17_April_2016_%28Panama_Papers%29
content:
<p>
Thomas Piketty:  Panama Papers: 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2016/apr/09/panama-papers-tax-havens-thomas-piketty">Act
now</a>. Don't wait for another crisis.


feed_id: 5a5f9cd3b3126aafe29c580fd3dfba22
title: Local grocery stores
uri: Local-grocery-stores
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#17_April_2016_%28Local_grocery_stores%29
content:
<p>
Amazon 
<a href="http://www.bloomberg.com/gadfly/articles/2016-04-08/amazon-fresh-prime-now-aim-to-kill-your-local-grocer">wants
to wipe out</a> local grocery stores.
<p>
I will 
<a href="https://stallman.org/amazon.html">never buy from Amazon</a>.
I hope you won't, either.


feed_id: e0079cac778164656499d679b56695ed
title: Poverty and crime
uri: Poverty-and-crime
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#17_April_2016_%28Poverty_and_crime%29
content:
<p>
Higher crime rates in US black communities is not a cause of their
poverty, it is a 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2016/apr/09/bill-clinton-black-culture-systemic-inequality-problems">consequence
of that poverty</a>.  White communities with similar economic levels
have similar crime rates.


feed_id: 848ef7efaf93ccfefde51998b746c6e3
title: Shell companies
uri: Shell-companies
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#17_April_2016_%28Shell_companies%29
content:
<p>
The US treasury proposes a badly designed rule about shell companies
with another badly designed rule about shell companies that might have
an even 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/news/2016/apr/08/panama-papers-us-treasury-rule-shell-companies-hiding-money">bigger
loophole</a>.
<p>
President Sanders would fix this problem for real.


feed_id: dc4b6d71ba9ea2d2aea84dc153c76dc3
title: Abortions in Poland
uri: Abortions-in-Poland
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#17_April_2016_%28Abortions_in_Poland%29
content:
<p>
A 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2016/apr/08/polish-abortion-ban-law-poland">Polish
Abortion Ban</a> Would Turn Women Back into Childbearing Instruments.


feed_id: ea7aaff778889e2a2df11d2d55ab27f7
title: Philippine farmers protest
uri: Philippine-farmers-protest
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#17_April_2016_%28Philippine_farmers_protest%29
content:
<p>
Philippine farmers who 
<a href="http://www.commondreams.org/views/2016/04/08/kidapawan-standoff-real-face-global-climate-crisis">received
bullets instead of rice</a> from the state are the picture of what
global heating will do to ever more millions.


feed_id: b5c3dd583f8f53dd21696275a3608c2e
title: Big unions betraying members
uri: Big-unions-betraying-members
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#17_April_2016_%28Big_unions_betraying_members%29
content:
<p>
Ralph Nader: Big unions support Clinton 
<a href="http://www.commondreams.org/views/2016/04/08/big-union-leaders-betray-sanders-and-workers">at
the expense of their members</a>.


feed_id: 56f08bbad38805d3d7b3f6a72c3e0667
title: Clinton vs Sanders
uri: Clinton-vs-Sanders
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#17_April_2016_%28Clinton_vs_Sanders%29
content:
<p>
Clinton and Sanders seem to have 
<a href="http://www.commondreams.org/news/2016/04/08/course-hillary-clinton-qualified-be-president-sanders-clarifies">patched
up their recent harsh criticism</a>.
<p>
I am not part of that deal.  Clinton would be almost as bad a
president as the self-admitted Republicans, aside from specific areas
such as women's rights.


feed_id: 0b0cced128895754f4ddeb09c54425da
title: Libor rate rigging
uri: Libor-rate-rigging
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#16_April_2016_%28Libor_rate_rigging%29
content:
<p>
One of the banksters that rigged the Libor rate says that the bank's
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/business/2016/apr/07/former-barclays-trader-alleges-bosses-libor-rate-rigging-manipulation">high
executives</a> approved of the plan.


feed_id: 9aec6d1f3fec77dabb0169bd8403b887
title: Temperatures in 1st quarter of 2016
uri: Temperatures-in-1st-quarter-of-2016
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#16_April_2016_%28Temperatures_in_1st_quarter_of_2016%29

content:
<p>
The 1st quarter of 2016 is the 
<a href="http://www.climatecentral.org/news/us-experiencing-third-warmest-year-to-date-20217">third
warmest year on record in the US</a>.


feed_id: 4563d4cdd230b9cce6483aad33bc0096
title: Special surveillance of poor people
uri: Special-surveillance-of-poor-people
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#16_April_2016_%28Special_surveillance_of_poor_people%29

content:
<p>
Systematic special surveillance of poor people in the US feeds algorithms
that tend to exclude them from ordinary opportunities, thus 
<a href="http://www.theatlantic.com/technology/archive/2016/04/how-big-data-harms-poor-communities/477423/">trapping
them in poverty</a>.


feed_id: 749b6171fed6a05ada4dd71d7576d16c
title: FBI data base of Americans' faces
uri: FBI-data-base-of-Americans-faces
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#16_April_2016_%28FBI_data_base_of_Americans_faces%29

content:
<p>
The FBI is 
<a href="http://www.ibtimes.com/fbi-now-has-largest-biometric-database-world-will-it-lead-more-surveillance-2345062">building
a data base of nearly all Americans' faces</a>, and can search it for
any reason.
<p>
Since it is made from the data bases of photo IDs, that Americans need
to have to drive, to ride in a plane, to open a bank account, to buy
certain prescription medicines, and in some states even to vote, it
amounts to something very close to a national ID card.
<p>
When combined with the 
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#10_April_2016_(Face_recognition)">cameras
on the street that recognize faces</a>, they add up to a system of
total tracking of everyone's movements.
<p>
Of course, this sort of total control over the population makes the
work of the police easy.  It makes the legitimate activities easy, and
the illegitimate ones easy too.  It can be used to find rapists, or
find heroic whistleblowers.
<p>
However, while finding the occasional rapist in hiding is positive,
the good it does is puny compared with the harm of intimidating
potential heroic whistleblowers.  The effect is repressive control
that we must overthrow.
<p>
Americans, have you the courage to resist the state's seductive offer
to "protect" us from various smaller dangers, at the cost of total
monitoring?


feed_id: f931699941f450c62c7c8e21890e4301
title: Remains of Chernobyl nuclear meltdown
uri: Remains-of-Chernobyl-nuclear-meltdown
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#16_April_2016_%28Remains_of_Chernobyl_nuclear_meltdown%29

content:
<p>
There is 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2016/apr/09/chance-show-truth-into-heart-of-chernobyl-nuclear-disaster">no
known way to dispose of the remains</a> of the Chernobyl nuclear
meltdown, so the plan is to cover it with a metal dome that is
expected to last 100 years.  Engineers hope that, within that time, we
will find some permanent solution.
<p>
That approach may work assuming technology continues to advance.  But
what if technological advance ceases because global heating is too
much of a drain on society?  Then the reactor will degrade, and leak
more.  In centuries, or millennia, that fallout will pollute a much
bigger area.


feed_id: bee04ffbc7e1cb4c0754933e657ea463
title: Green chemistry
uri: Green-chemistry
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#16_April_2016_%28Green_chemistry%29
content:
<p>
Green chemistry: designing chemical processing to 
<a href="http://www.dw.com/en/benign-by-design-how-chemists-aim-to-end-pharmaceutical-pollution-of-the-environment/a-19170547">avoid
making hazardous wastes</a>, even from the product itself.


feed_id: d9587093ea5780a73b68d78856088341
title: Face recognition snooping systems
uri: Face-recognition-snooping-systems
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#16_April_2016_%28Face_recognition_snooping_systems%29

content:
<p>
Blacks have a privacy advantage against 
<a href="http://www.theatlantic.com/technology/archive/2016/04/the-underlying-bias-of-facial-recognition-systems/476991/">current
face recognition snooping systems</a>, but this can work against them
when thugs assume the system's judgment is correct.
<p>
Cameras on the street that match everyone's face against a database
are a threat to <em>everyone's</em> freedom.  Even if you're not on a
list of suspects, and they don't immediately arrest or investigate
you, they are doing wrong to you.
<p>
Laws should require such cameras not to recall who they see, except
court-designated suspects.


feed_id: b52031f3aa7bcaa8e5f219c499863d9a
title: Raid on office of Mossack Fonseca
uri: Raid-on-office-of-Mossack-Fonseca
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#16_April_2016_%28Raid_on_office_of_Mossack_Fonseca%29

content:
<p>
El Salvador has raided the local office of Mossack Fonseca and 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/news/2016/apr/09/panama-papers-police-raid-mossack-fonsecas-office-in-el-salvador">seized
documents</a>, apparently to investigate possible crimes involving its
clients.


feed_id: 306f0dd9649815e4c0bef416e27a2a49
title: Melting of Greenland's ice
uri: 2016-04-18-Melting-of-Greenland-s-ice
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#16_April_2016_%28Melting_of_Greenlands_ice%29
content:
<p>
The melting of Greenland's ice, due to global heating, has measurable
effects on the 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2016/apr/09/melting-ice-sheets-changing-the-way-the-earth-wobbles-on-its-axis-says-nasa">movement
of Earth's poles</a>.


feed_id: ac1a684f767ec36963bfec9bea4c5742
title: EU response to Panama papers
uri: EU-response-to-Panama-papers
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#16_April_2016_%28EU_response_to_Panama_papers%29
content:
<p>
In response to the Panama papers, the EU will 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/apr/08/eu-will-toughen-plans-to-make-firms-disclose-offshore-tax-bills">propose
tougher disclosure regulations</a> for EU companies' foreign
subsidiaries in other countries that are considered tax havens.
<p>
Why not apply this to all other countries?  This would avoid the need
to define which countries constitute "tax havens".
<p>
If regulators were not scared of the power of the businesses,
they would not try to take such small steps.


feed_id: 1db84e58e69a0127791498a399e12729
title: "Bite mark" matching worthless
uri: Bite-mark-matching-worthless
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#16_April_2016_%28Bite_mark_matching_worthless%29
content:
<p>
Yet another man convicted due to "bite mark" matching has been
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2016/apr/08/keith-allen-harward-exonerated-dna-evidence-virginia">exonerated</a>.
<p>
That technique is worthless.


feed_id: adbdfc1046780053ae00d45dc04d3a3a
title: Florida's "stand your ground" law
uri: Florida-s-stand-your-ground-law
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#16_April_2016_%28Floridas_stand_your_ground_law%29
content:
<p>
Stand Your Ground, 
<a href="http://www.commondreams.org/views/2016/04/07/stand-your-ground-unless-youre-battered-woman">Unless
You're a Battered Woman</a>.


feed_id: 99f9312299924b0e28d654dda3e9ffb8
title: False attacks against Sanders
uri: False-attacks-against-Sanders
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#15_April_2016_%28False_attacks_against_Sanders%29
content:
<p>
The Clinton campaign has made a series of false attacks against
Sanders, with gaps between them, but now it is 
<a href="http://www.commondreams.org/views/2016/04/07/disqualify-and-defeat-clinton-campaign-attacks-intensify-halt-sanders-win-streak">attacking
in high gear</a>.


feed_id: 4abc2ecb6ebb7fd39bcaf116b35a6390
title: Banking Committee vote blocked
uri: Banking-Committee-vote-blocked
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#15_April_2016_%28Banking_Committee_vote_blocked%29
content:
<p>
Senator Warren and a few others blocked a vote of the Banking
Committee about
<a href="http://www.commondreams.org/news/2016/04/07/senate-dems-stall-sec-fence-sitters-who-wont-bare-teeth-dark-money">two
Obama nominees for the SEC that are banksters' pets</a>.


feed_id: 08ad4168aa1a75705375ec62fffbbb7a
title: Paid climate obstructionism
uri: Paid-climate-obstructionism
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#15_April_2016_%28Paid_climate_obstructionism%29
content:
<p>
Estimating the funding of paid climate obstructionism: perhaps 
<a href="http://www.commondreams.org/news/2016/04/07/new-report-details-big-oils-500-million-annual-climate-obstructionism">$500
million a year</a>.


feed_id: e796fa545478c41e1e746c3976b8bb43
title: UK gov't cuts rate of solar installation
uri: UK-gov-t-cuts-rate-of-solar-installation
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#15_April_2016_%28UK_govt_cuts_rate_of_solar_installation%29

content:
<p>
The UK government has cut the rate of solar installation to 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2016/apr/08/solar-installation-in-british-homes-falls-by-three-quarters-after-subsidy-cuts">1/4
the rate of a year ago</a>.
<p>
Good work, planet roasters!


feed_id: 91d9ee48cb5f960eb6e1f15fa8a6f69a
title: Refusal to drop "satanic abuse" charges
uri: Refusal-to-drop-satanic-abuse-charges
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#15_April_2016_%28Refusal_to_drop_satanic_abuse_charges%29

content:
<p>
Although courts and the prosecutor now recognize that the conviction
of Fran and Dan Keller for "satanic abuse" was based on no evidence,
and that a retrial could not convict them, they 
<a href="https://theintercept.com/2016/04/08/convicted-of-a-crime-that-never-happened-why-wont-texas-exonerate-fran-and-dan-keller/">refuse
to drop charges</a>.
<p>
The participants in the system believe it should go to the mat rather
than admit anyone's innocence.


feed_id: 1c08ff82eb28a6ab4aae7d43c170421c
title: Textbook with map of Palestine
uri: Textbook-with-map-of-Palestine
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#15_April_2016_%28Textbook_with_map_of_Palestine%29
content:
<p>
US publisher McGraw-Hill 
<a href="http://www.truth-out.org/news/item/35523-publisher-mcgraw-hill-discontinues-textbook-with-map-of-palestine">discontinued</a>
a textbook because it included a map of Palestine, which met with
condemnation.


feed_id: 8cf55ff2c6c9ccc3ee532095922f3a92
title: Oil pipelines
uri: Oil-pipelines
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#15_April_2016_%28Oil_pipelines%29
content:
<p>
Evidence Shows New Pipelines 
<a href="http://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2016/04/07/evidence-shows-new-pipelines-will-not-solve-albertas-economic-woes-or-support">Will
Not Solve Alberta's Economic Woes</a> or Support a Clean Energy
Transition.


feed_id: c9417f9e4cf4d4d320ac3ab2740b4190
title: Urgent: Public lands and waters
uri: Urgent-Public-lands-and-waters
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#15_April_2016_%28Urgent%3A_Public_lands_and_waters%29

content:
<p>
US citizens: 
<a href="https://secure3.convio.net/gpeace/site/Advocacy?cmd=display&page=UserAction&id=1953">Call
on Obama</a> to think about his climate legacy and put public lands
and waters off limits for gas and oil extraction.


feed_id: 99ee9e4b0a12bac647818aebc5f85ce6
title: Spanish banks to repay some charges
uri: Spanish-banks-to-repay-some-charges
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#15_April_2016_%28Spanish_banks_to_repay_some_charges%29

content:
<p>
Spanish banks will have to repay 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/business/2016/apr/08/spanish-consumers-win-victory-over-mortgage-payments-barclays-santander-class-action">some
of the charges they made to people who were foreclosed</a>.
<p>
Unfortunately, that won't be enough to save many of these people from
spending the rest of their lives excluded from all visible employment.
(If they earn any money, they would have to pay it to the bank.)  In
Spain, they are known as "fiscally dead".
<p>
I've suggested they should do a protest on the Day of the Dead, but
nobody seems to have picked up on the idea.


feed_id: dbafc9f44bc7e4afdff05a728d40b4a8
title: Many political prisoners freed in Myanmar
uri: Many-political-prisoners-freed-in-Myanmar
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#15_April_2016_%28Many_political_prisoners_freed_in_Myanmar%29

content:
<p>
The new government of Myanmar has freed many political prisoners,
carrying out 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/apr/08/jubilant-scenes-in-court-as-myanmar-frees-scores-of-jailed-students">Aung
San Suu Kyi's new policy</a>.


feed_id: 2d692664d7c3f63edca884fe11811ed9
title: Peaceful night-time discussions in France
uri: Peaceful-night-time-discussions-in-France
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#15_April_2016_%28Peaceful_night-time_discussions_in_France%29

content:
<p>
Mass peaceful night-time political discussion meetings have 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/apr/08/nuit-debout-protesters-occupy-french-cities-in-a-revolutionary-call-for-change">spread
across France</a>.


feed_id: c09822c3f71c522726a78309bb0ef52d
title: Assad releases journalist after 4 years
uri: Assad-releases-journalist-after-4-years
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#15_April_2016_%28Assad_releases_journalist_after_4_years%29

content:
<p>
Assad has released an imprisoned American journalist after 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/apr/08/syria-releases-kevin-patrick-dawes-american-photographer">4
years</a>.
<p>
Assad didn't have the journalist beheaded, as PISSI would have done,
but that is damning with faint praise.


feed_id: e75a0972a10ea69936dc42f5bfcd93f4
title: GE outsourcing
uri: GE-outsourcing
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#15_April_2016_%28GE_outsourcing%29
content:
<p>
General Electric CEO Immelt said GE executives 
<a href="https://theintercept.com/2016/04/08/ges-jeffrey-immelt-now-slamming-sanders-once-said-it-was-his-task-to-outsource/">"saw
it as our task to outsource manufacturing"</a>.  No wonder he condemns
Sanders, and the feeling is mutual.


feed_id: 615dbc0b093d3b29b88533bdf69feb0b
title: Imprisoned for protesting in Argentina
uri: Imprisoned-for-protesting-in-Argentina
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#15_April_2016_%28Imprisoned_for_protesting_in_Argentina%29

content:
<p>
The new Argentine government, apparently turning repressive, has
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/apr/08/an-appeal-for-the-release-of-milagro-sala">imprisoned
a local leader for protesting</a>.  Amnesty International has taken up
her cause.


feed_id: 14754edb0c9919127e4690cfd4a913f7
title: Mother arrested for letting kids walk alone
uri: Mother-arrested-for-letting-kids-walk-alone
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#15_April_2016_%28Mother_arrested_for_letting_kids_walk_alone%29

content:
<p>
A mother in South Carolina was arrested for 
<a href="http://reason.com/blog/2016/04/07/mom-arrested-for-letting-kids-walk-to-mc">letting
her 9-year-old nephew accompany her 3-year-old son to buy a snack</a>.
<p>
Oh, wait — they were headed for McDonalds.  What neglectful
parenting, allowing a kid to eat McDonald's food.  Parents are
supposed to know that this is "fast food", made for fasting, not for
eating.


feed_id: c2dea49e24926224796692fe675fcc4a
title: Urgent: Global heating protests
uri: Urgent-Global-heating-protests
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#15_April_2016_%28Urgent%3A_Global_heating_protests%29

content:
<p>
World wide:
<a href="http://usa.breakfree2016.org/">participate</a> in global
heating protests May 4-16.


feed_id: 63d5edf43491fe5f79564e7719ec31e9
title: Clinton vs Sanders
uri: 2016-04-18-Clinton-vs-Sanders
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#15_April_2016_%28Clinton_vs_Sanders%29
content:
<p>
Clinton favors continuing to operate the
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2016/apr/07/bernie-sanders-hillary-clinton-indian-point-nuclear-plant">Indian
Point nuclear power plants</a>.  Sanders says it is dangerous and
should be shut down.
<p>
Clinton wants to continue
<a href="http://www.commondreams.org/views/2016/04/07/bernie-sanders-right-regulation-isnt-enough-we-need-ban-fracking">fracking</a>.
Sanders says it is dangerous and must be banned.


feed_id: f1832cbc4832f4f5ae1e74b2ca40c5a5
title: Cameron's profit from offshore fund
uri: Cameron-s-profit-from-offshore-fund
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#15_April_2016_%28Camerons_profit_from_offshore_fund%29

content:
<p>
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/news/2016/apr/07/david-cameron-admits-he-profited-fathers-offshore-fund-panama-papers">David
Cameron Admits He Profited from Father's Offshore Fund</a>.


feed_id: 43d746b140cd131822989b762bd31f8d
title: Killer thug unpunished
uri: Killer-thug-unpunished
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#15_April_2016_%28Killer_thug_unpunished%29
content:
<p>
The thug that killed John Crawford III was not punished, but
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2016/apr/07/john-crawford-iii-police-shooting-walmart-911-call">the
man who called 911 may face criminal charges</a> for exaggerating the
situation.
<p>
This is backwards.  A thug, as a public officer, has a specific
responsibility to tell when there is no real threat, and is supposed
to know how.  Citizens of course should not lie or exaggerate about
such dangers, but they have no responsibility to get training in doing
so.


feed_id: 8657b7841933760318a298c3452039ad
title: Harm of pesticides to endangered species
uri: Harm-of-pesticides-to-endangered-species
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#15_April_2016_%28Harm_of_pesticides_to_endangered_species%29

content:
<p>
Two Widely Used Pesticides Likely to Harm
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/apr/07/endangered-species-protection-animals-plants-pesticides-epa-insecticides">97%
of Endangered Species</a> in US.


feed_id: 44a1a46c00ecaf29e9e6274d85b51c32
title: Water pollution from fracking
uri: Water-pollution-from-fracking
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#15_April_2016_%28Water_pollution_from_fracking%29
content:
<p>
The EPA dropped its investigation into water pollution from fracking
in Wyoming, but two scientists continued the research and
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2016/apr/07/wyoming-fracking-water-contamination-dangerous-chemicals">proved
the contamination came from fracking</a>.


feed_id: 81fbef63282598760f4a14085f59a767
title: Killer thug acquitted
uri: 2016-04-18-Killer-thug-acquitted
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#15_April_2016_%28Killer_thug_acquitted%29
content:
<p>
A thug was in a big hurry to shoot Yvette Smith dead, and he lied to
excuse it.  Now he has been
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2016/apr/07/fdaniel-willis-not-guilty-fatal-police-shooting-yvette-smith-texas">acquitted
of murder</a> by a judge who more or less said he would always take
the thug's side.
<p>
We will never be safe until thugs face real punishment for their
killings and their lies.


feed_id: b940af7eda5958527fde634ff8251d42
title: Doublespeak in IT security
uri: Doublespeak-in-IT-security
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#15_April_2016_%28Doublespeak_in_IT_security%29
content:
<p>
Doublespeak in IT security: the UK will certify VOIP systems as
<a href="http://boingboing.net/2016/04/06/the-uk-governments-voice-ove.html">"secure"
only if they have been built with a back door</a>.


feed_id: c779038f6f78a7afe52d1c96ff087975
title: Interrogations at US schools
uri: Interrogations-at-US-schools
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#15_April_2016_%28Interrogations_at_US_schools%29
content:
<p>
Many US school principals are studying interrogation methods that
often make students give
<a href="http://www.alternet.org/education/why-are-k-12-school-leaders-being-trained-coercive-interrogation-techniques">false
confessions</a>.


feed_id: 5f8c8aa2ebba35a069ba96f51e7b88c7
title: LA homeless limited to one bin of property
uri: LA-homeless-limited-to-one-bin-of-property
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#15_April_2016_%28LA_homeless_limited_to_one_bin_of_property%29

content:
<p>
Los Angeles has
<a href="http://www.latimes.com/local/lanow/la-me-ln-homeless-belongings-20160331-story.html">prohibited
homeless people from keeping more property</a> than what will fit in
one garbage bin.
<p>
I suppose that is to facilitate putting their property in the trash,
which thugs do from time to time as a harassment measure.
<p>
If the city wants to do reduce how much they keep on the street, it
should offer each homeless person a substantial shed.  That would not
cost much — the building codes for sheds are not very strict
— and it would keep their property off the street without
screwing them.
<p>
Of course, what the city should really do is
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2015-mar-jun.html#13_June_2015_(Housing_for_all)">provide
them with decent places to live</a>.


feed_id: 47f1b893746bbd887544371819042778
title: Driving While Black
uri: Driving-While-Black
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#15_April_2016_%28Driving_While_Black%29
content:
<p>
An
<a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/the-watch/wp/2016/04/01/video-shows-white-cops-performing-roadside-cavity-search-of-black-man/">illegal
traffic stop, followed by an illegal public strip search</a>, were the
penalty for Driving While Black in South Carolina.


feed_id: 5ddf08787d4b6fc07945d8af388fb6e5
title: "Superdelegate" support for Clinton
uri: Superdelegate-support-for-Clinton
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#15_April_2016_%28Superdelegate_support_for_Clinton%29

content:
<p>
A Clinton-supporting Alaska "superdelegate" shows stubborn
determination to support Clinton
<a href="http://usuncut.com/politics/alaska-superdelegate/">in the
teeth of the Alaskan public</a>.
<p>
If Sanders clearly wins the public primaries and caucuses, and
superdelegates make Clinton the nominee, the public will not respond
well to such treatment.
<p>
Here's how the Clinton campaign
<a href="http://www.counterpunch.org/2016/04/01/how-hillary-clinton-bought-the-loyalty-of-33-state-democratic-parties/">bought
the support</a> of 33 state Democratic Party organizations, including
superdelegates.


feed_id: 6a2e74d7986d6f8400fd3eecfcedb53c
title: Disparity of income between countries
uri: Disparity-of-income-between-countries
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#15_April_2016_%28Disparity_of_income_between_countries%29

content:
<p>
Global disparity of income between countries has grown tremendously in
recent decades, and it is
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/global-development-professionals-network/2016/apr/08/global-inequality-may-be-much-worse-than-we-think">still
growing</a>.
<p>
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2014-may-aug.html#30_May_2014_(US_inequality_has_increased)">Disparity
of income within countries</a> is growing too in the advanced
countries.


feed_id: c8650f513148e992c8fd8c1f0ca2d919
title: Money pumped into US senate races
uri: Money-pumped-into-US-senate-races
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#15_April_2016_%28Money_pumped_into_US_senate_races%29

content:
<p>
Koch and co. are pumping
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2016/apr/08/koch-linked-republican-donors-abandon-trump-presidential-primary-senate-campaigns">millions
of dollars</a> into US senate races.


feed_id: cea252e0f9d4ce74e502f0433e925bd9
title: David Cameron
uri: David-Cameron
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#15_April_2016_%28David_Cameron%29
content:
<p>
"As a taxpayer, David Cameron is innocent.  As a lawmaker, he is
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/news/commentisfree/2016/apr/08/david-cameron-tax-lawmaker-panama-papers">guilty</a>."


feed_id: 0eba9168d46172fe175f655bcb604022
title: Murderer sheltered by US for 15 years
uri: Murderer-sheltered-by-US-for-15-years
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#15_April_2016_%28Murderer_sheltered_by_US_for_15_years%29

content:
<p>
An officer of the former US-backed military regime of El Salvador
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/apr/08/spanish-trial-of-soldiers-behind-uca-atrocity-raises-hopes-of-ending-impunity-in-el-salvador">will
stand trial in Spain</a> for murdering civilian dissidents.
<p>
It is noteworthy that the US knowingly sheltered this murderer for 15
years.
<p>
El Salvador's other elite repression unit was called the Atonal
Battalion.  They used to torture prisoners by making them listen to
Schönberg's music for hours on end ;-{.  (I wish that were true,
but I suppose they did much worse things.)


feed_id: be2b0774aa3cddceef33606002ae1e07
title: Urgent: Trade policy question
uri: Urgent-Trade-policy-question
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#14_April_2016_%28Urgent%3A_Trade_policy_question%29
content:
<p>
Everyone:
<a href="http://pac.petitions.moveon.org/sign/wolfblitzer-cnn-ask-about">call
on Wolf Blitzer</a> to ask Clinton and Sanders how they would deal
with Panama-style tax-dodging in their trade policy.


feed_id: 8168741b08b45b35684c324fa44b4134
title: Regulations to protect borrowers
uri: Regulations-to-protect-borrowers
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#14_April_2016_%28Regulations_to_protect_borrowers%29

content:
<p>
SCROTUS are
<a href="http://www.commondreams.org/news/2016/04/06/did-you-have-your-eyes-stitched-closed-warren-blasts-former-fed-official">trying
to relax regulations to protect borrowers from misuses by banks</a>.
<p>
The banksters say respecting borrowers' rights is "too expensive".
How can that be true?  US banks are not losing money.


feed_id: 4c9a77baad65d25c8aabe89f9696942b
title: The Delaware Papers
uri: The-Delaware-Papers
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#14_April_2016_%28The_Delaware_Papers%29
content:
<p>
Beyond Panama: What the World Really Needs is the
<a href="http://www.commondreams.org/news/2016/04/06/beyond-panama-what-world-really-needs-delawarepapers">Delaware
Papers</a>.


feed_id: 6c04e782dc8862f157f14c97724470ed
title: Sanders has clear plan
uri: Sanders-has-clear-plan
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#14_April_2016_%28Sanders_has_clear_plan%29
content:
<p>
In Fact, Sanders Has a Very Clear Plan on
<a href="http://www.commondreams.org/news/2016/04/06/fact-sanders-has-very-clear-plan-how-break-too-big-fail-banks">How
to Break Up Too-Big-to-Fail Banks</a>.


feed_id: 438f0665e2dd6f007d01af1a30dd7bc0
title: Sanders supporters who would not support Clinton
uri: Sanders-supporters-who-would-not-support-Clinton
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#14_April_2016_%28Sanders_supporters_who_would_not_support_Clinton%29

content:
<p>
A poll found that
<a href="http://www.commondreams.org/news/2016/04/06/enthusiasm-crisis-quarter-sanders-supporters-unwilling-back-clinton-general">1/4
of Sanders supporters</a> would not support Clinton in the general
election.
<p>
I am one of them.  Clinton is not as bad as Republicans on all issues
— I am sure she would support women's rights more than Cruz or
Trump — but on the crucial issues of corporate power and armed
aggression she is no better than them.


feed_id: 7c1994a0185b6245b4461624503670d2
title: Data about movements of boats
uri: Data-about-movements-of-boats
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#14_April_2016_%28Data_about_movements_of_boats%29
content:
<p>
The US government
<a href="http://www.wnd.com/2016/04/boating-feds-new-spy-program-has-eye-on-you/">wants
to collect data about movements of boats</a> and use that data for all
sorts of things.
<p>
I see nothing wrong in requiring large vessels (over 65 feet) to be
tracked all the time.  I would not object to requiring this for
vessels owned by corporations, since they are not entitled to the same
rights as real persons.
<p>
However, luring people into more surveillance in the name of safety is
a dirty trick.


feed_id: f041ce4576d842f6b87f1ad28deb2f3b
title: Robot ships
uri: Robot-ships
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#14_April_2016_%28Robot_ships%29
content:
<p>
The US has developed a
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2016/apr/08/us-military-christens-self-driving-sea-hunter-warship">robot
ship</a> to scan for submarines.
<p>
It won't be long before other countries have such a system, too.  They
won't even have to design one, since they could steal a US ship and
reverse-engineer it.  Enemies of the US have done this with cruise
missiles.


feed_id: 0df1db96a12c1a9f46537772c2617746
title: Alcohol bans in India
uri: Alcohol-bans-in-India
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#14_April_2016_%28Alcohol_bans_in_India%29
content:
<p>
Some states in India have
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/society/2016/apr/08/the-government-has-just-saved-my-life-weeping-in-bihar-as-indian-state-goes-dry">banned
sale of alcohol</a>.  However, the prohibition policies are not as
strict as the US prohibition of various other drugs.


feed_id: d2e3133f42513d81940bdf75faa0af05
title: Lambeth's Carnegie Library
uri: Lambeth-s-Carnegie-Library
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#14_April_2016_%28Lambeths_Carnegie_Library%29
content:
<p>
Why We'll Continue Our
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/books/booksblog/2016/apr/08/why-we-continue-our-fight-to-save-lambeth-carnegie-library">Fight
to Save Lambeth's Carnegie Library</a>.
<p>
Cutbacks on libraries are part of the right-wing policy of
not bothering to educate poor people.
<p>
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/housing-network/2016/apr/08/tax-havens-lambeth-libraries-cuts-panama-papers">If
It Weren't for Tax Havens</a>, Lambeth Might Be Able to Afford Its
Libraries.
<p>
Of course, tax havens alone are not solely responsible for dooH niboR.
Many other unjust policies help take from the poor and give to the
rich.


feed_id: b915bdf1204e0eae57cb9cd9b713ba5e
title: Urgent: World-wide family planning
uri: Urgent-World-wide-family-planning
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#14_April_2016_%28Urgent%3A_World-wide_family_planning%29

content:
<p>
US citizens:
<a href="https://secure3.convio.net/zpg/site/Advocacy?cmd=display&page=UserAction&id=541">call
on Congress</a> to invest in world-wide family planning.


feed_id: 4fc3f4e9918a46e2ec34790374f4d75c
title: Domestic abuse
uri: Domestic-abuse
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#14_April_2016_%28Domestic_abuse%29
content:
<p>
We Are Blind to an
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2016/apr/08/blind-epidemic-domestic-abuse">Epidemic
of Domestic Abuse</a>.
<p>
That applies to many countries, perhaps all.  Meanwhile,
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2016/apr/08/family-violence-royal-commission-leaves-legal-centres-on-fiscal-cliff-warns-sector">right-wing
rulers are cutting funds</a> to the centers that support victims of
domestic violence.


feed_id: a9c972043bfcf990bd775fd9eb081f28
title: Mining magnate sentenced to prison
uri: Mining-magnate-sentenced-to-prison
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#14_April_2016_%28Mining_magnate_sentenced_to_prison%29

content:
<p>
Mining magnate Donald Blankenship has been sentenced to prison for
directing Massey Energy to persistently
<a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2016/04/07/us/donald-blankenship-sentenced-to-a-year-in-prison-in-mine-safety-case.html">disregard
workers' safety</a>.


feed_id: ffff55283af5429c9f78c662df1cdf08
title: Dealing with global heating
uri: Dealing-with-global-heating
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#14_April_2016_%28Dealing_with_global_heating%29
content:
<p>
The World Bank says it will put
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2016/apr/07/world-bank-investments-climate-change-environment">28%
of its future investments</a> into dealing with global heating.
<p>
This is a small step forward but nowhere near enough to avoid
disaster.


feed_id: f9deccb080fa1ebefa8b9e87b44ece85
title: Hungary wants to ban encrypted communication
uri: Hungary-wants-to-ban-encrypted-communication
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#14_April_2016_%28Hungary_wants_to_ban_encrypted_communication%29

content:
<p>
Hungary's right-wing ruling party wants to
<a href="http://budapestbeacon.com/public-policy/fidesz-wants-make-encryption-software-illegal/33462">ban
encrypted communication outright</a>.


feed_id: 03f4061f8302163d13b00105d7641e1c
title: Worse than solitary confinement
uri: Worse-than-solitary-confinement
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#14_April_2016_%28Worse_than_solitary_confinement%29
content:
<p>
Even worse than solitary confinement: two people kept 23 hours a day
in a tiny cell that's
<a href="https://www.themarshallproject.org/2016/03/24/the-deadly-consequences-of-solitary-with-a-cellmate">too
small even for one person</a>.


feed_id: 5c965732535543f10fe90925b0d816fd
title: The problem with Clinton
uri: The-problem-with-Clinton
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#14_April_2016_%28The_problem_with_Clinton%29
content:
<p>
The Problem With Hillary Clinton Isn't Just Her Corporate Cash. It's
<a href="http://www.thenation.com/article/the-problem-with-hillary-clinton-isnt-just-her-corporate-cash-its-her-corporate-worldview">Her
Corporate Worldview</a>.
<p>
The Global Consequences Of Hillary Clinton's
<a href="https://shadowproof.com/2016/04/07/global-consequences-hillary-clintons-predatory-pragmatism/">Predatory
Pragmatism</a>.
<p>
Clinton
<a href="https://www.publicintegrity.org/2016/04/07/19521/how-citizens-united-helping-hillary-clinton-win-white-house">prefers
to take advantage of the Corporations United big money</a> rather than
fight to change it.


feed_id: e42f4ae64fdeff203b41ab288489532b
title: Urgent: Investigate voter suppression
uri: 2016-04-20-Urgent-Investigate-voter-suppression
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#20_April_2016_%28Urgent%3A_Investigate_voter_suppression%29

content:
<p>
US citizens:
<a href="http://act.credoaction.com/sign/eac_voter_suppression">call
for an investigation</a> into a federal official's decision to let
some Republican-controlled states require voters to show proof of
citizenship.
<p>
Such rules are very effective at preventing some US citizens from
voting, particularly poor people.


feed_id: 83a232606f3a2fdb63771a204f231b55
title: Uber data on millions of customers
uri: Uber-data-on-millions-of-customers
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#20_April_2016_%28Uber_data_on_millions_of_customers%29

content:
<p>
Uber
<a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/uber-customer-data-privacy_us_570e518ae4b0ffa5937da329">gave
the US government</a> data on millions of customers.


feed_id: daf8cfed46692186fed30223c10a229f
title: Female actors' dialog in Hollywood movies
uri: Female-actors-dialog-in-Hollywood-movies
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#20_April_2016_%28Female_actors_dialog_in_Hollywood_movies%29

content:
<p>
In Hollywood movies, female actors have
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/film/2016/apr/12/women-film-speaking-roles-2016-study-hollywood">less
dialog than male actors</a>, and it gets to be even less when the
female actors are over 30 years old.


feed_id: 4ff7db3c672d03d2a4920a1886b1f2b6
title: Overprotection of children
uri: 2016-04-20-Overprotection-of-children
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#20_April_2016_%28Overprotection_of_children%29
content:
<p>
There are some who
<a href="http://reason.com/blog/2016/04/12/man-asks-girls-if-they-are-selling-girl">want
you to be very very worried</a> any time a stranger talks to your
children.


feed_id: b98322defda57563bd29afb903d24ffe
title: Misconduct by prosecutors
uri: Misconduct-by-prosecutors
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#20_April_2016_%28Misconduct_by_prosecutors%29
content:
<p>
The Massachusetts Supreme Court rebuked prosecutors for misconduct in
250 cases, but the prosecutors
<a href="http://reason.com/blog/2016/04/12/prosecutorial-abuse-massachusetts">never
face punishment for this</a>.  Usually their names are not even
published.


feed_id: f484f5d2a300027fb10bb2609455911f
title: Demolition of Palestinian homes
uri: 2016-04-20-Demolition-of-Palestinian-homes
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#20_April_2016_%28Demolition_of_Palestinian_homes%29
content:
<p>
Israeli soldiers
<a href="http://imemc.org/article/army-dumps-rubble-and-sand-on-farmland-near-bethlehem/">dumped
rubble and sand on a Palestinian's farm</a>, apparently because the
inhabitants of a nearby unofficial Israeli colony want the land.
<p>
Israel's latest excuse for demolishing many Palestinian homes near the
center of Jerusalem is to create new "national parks" and a
<a href="http://www.middleeasteye.net/news/israel-destroying-palestinian-homes-path-bible-trail-encircling-jerusalem-1585955449">"Bible
trail"</a>.
<p>
Oxfam says that Israel is
<a href="https://www.oxfam.org/en/crisis-gaza-occupied-palestinian-territory-and-israel/demolition-escalates-west-bank">increasing
the rate of demolitions</a>.


feed_id: 6c3e069886f59e00e792ef6f7eb42ca5
title: Tax avoidance
uri: 2016-04-20-Tax-avoidance
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#20_April_2016_%28Tax_avoidance%29
content:
<p>
EU Plans to Tackle Tax Avoidance Are a Good Start — But
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/business/2016/apr/12/eu-plans-to-tackle-tax-avoidance-are-a-start-but-only-a-start">Only
a Start</a>.


feed_id: 570f878b38ac6ac4abc6bfce0aa69150
title: Widespread melting of ice in Greenland
uri: Widespread-melting-of-ice-in-Greenland
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#20_April_2016_%28Widespread_melting_of_ice_in_Greenland%29

content:
<p>
Greenland has
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2016/apr/13/greenland-sees-record-smashing-early-ice-sheet-melt-climate-change">set
a new record</a> for widespread melting of ice.


feed_id: 09837ed7a794475fc742c88383795bba
title: Making elected officials heed voters
uri: Making-elected-officials-heed-voters
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#20_April_2016_%28Making_elected_officials_heed_voters%29

content:
<p>
How to make elected officials heed the voters that elected them:
<a href="http://www.commondreams.org/views/2016/04/13/how-do-you-make-change-happen-show">keep
reminding them</a>.


feed_id: fadb980be4d49856837a32adcef404b5
title: EU proposal to stop tax dodging
uri: EU-proposal-to-stop-tax-dodging
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#20_April_2016_%28EU_proposal_to_stop_tax_dodging%29
content:
<p>
The European Union's
<a href="http://www.commondreams.org/news/2016/04/12/despite-panama-papers-eu-pitching-another-tax-evasion-smokescreen">woefully
inadequate</a> proposal to stop tax dodging.


feed_id: 73163126ea59aa072761e66d70621620
title: Clinton pretends
uri: Clinton-pretends
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#20_April_2016_%28Clinton_pretends%29
content:
<p>
Clinton turns reality upside down,
<a href="http://www.commondreams.org/views/2016/04/13/hillary-clinton-says-honduras-coup-not-illegal-ny-daily-news-editorial-board">pretending
that the coup in Honduras was not a coup</a>.


feed_id: b85b8294c3a2501cb6d61f842828eea4
title: Tritium from Fukushima
uri: Tritium-from-Fukushima
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#20_April_2016_%28Tritium_from_Fukushima%29
content:
<p>
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2016/apr/13/is-it-safe-to-dump-fukushima-waste-into-the-sea">Dumping
tritium from Fukushima into the ocean</a> may be the safest thing to
do with it.
<p>
It is a small amount of tritium compared with the amounts already in
the ocean.


feed_id: ec56604a7173f6c25bacff5bf6fe2f6e
title: Living in a wooden "pod"
uri: Living-in-a-wooden-pod
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#20_April_2016_%28Living_in_a_wooden_pod%29
content:
<p>
A man who announced he was living in a wooden "pod" in someone else's
house has been
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2016/apr/13/san-francisco-new-home-rented-box-illegal">forced
to stop, based on "safety rules"</a>.
<p>
These rules are beneficial when it is possible for everyone to get
housing that follows them.  However, that's not true today.  Is the
pod more dangerous than living on the street?


feed_id: 1797018ad25097383a2be0d0e685b0fd
title: Edible cutlery
uri: Edible-cutlery
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#20_April_2016_%28Edible_cutlery%29
content:
<p>
Disposable cutlery that's also
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/sustainable-business/2016/apr/13/edible-cutlery-company-eat-plastic-pollution-oceans">edible</a>.


feed_id: 68a13b35a6d55a62748eed77e075f9b1
title: Religion
uri: Religion
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#20_April_2016_%28Religion%29
content:
<p>
Mariah Walton's parents, religiously cruel, condemned her to a life of
suffering by
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2016/apr/13/followers-of-christ-idaho-religious-sect-child-mortality-refusing-medical-help">denying
her a heart operation when she was a baby</a>.
<p>
That's religion for you.


feed_id: 1733f96a35045f96fd200c57d6da47eb
title: How young Iraqis see the US
uri: How-young-Iraqis-see-the-US
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#20_April_2016_%28How_young_Iraqis_see_the_US%29
content:
<p>
A poll found that
<a href="https://theintercept.com/2016/04/13/young-iraqis-overwhelmingly-consider-u-s-their-enemy-poll-says/">more
than 90% of young Iraqis</a> consider the US an enemy of Iraq.
<p>
I can't blame them.


feed_id: e6777ae087425e53054d9013147366ea
title: When US thugs kill
uri: When-US-thugs-kill
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#20_April_2016_%28When_US_thugs_kill%29
content:
<p>
When US thugs kill, fairly often the state quietly decides to make
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2016/apr/13/the-counted-us-police-killings-officers-cleared">no
charges against them, with no announcement</a>.


feed_id: 1221ae48d64043c704f8522ae39f0d6a
title: Chicago thugs kill teenager
uri: Chicago-thugs-kill-teenager
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#20_April_2016_%28Chicago_thugs_kill_teenager%29
content:
<p>
Chicago thugs
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2016/apr/13/chicago-protest-homan-square-police-killing">killed
a teenager</a>, then said he had pointed a gun at them.
<p>
You can't take their word about such things.


feed_id: c2571f5ec15344f55031cad977632ce1
title: USDA silencing scientists
uri: USDA-silencing-scientists
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#20_April_2016_%28USDA_silencing_scientists%29
content:
<p>
Why Is the USDA Silencing Its Own Scientists' Warnings About the
<a href="http://www.alternet.org/environment/why-usda-silencing-its-own-scientists-warnings-about-dangerous-effects-pesticides">Dangerous
Effects of Pesticides</a>?


feed_id: 86f299ad1f16371a8f2d8ed09e4a150b
title: Idaho thugs smash child's face
uri: Idaho-thugs-smash-child-s-face
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#20_April_2016_%28Idaho_thugs_smash_childs_face%29
content:
<p>
In Idaho, thugs are authorized to arrest runaway children, but does it
make sense to arrest one because he has returned home?  And
<a href="http://www.alternet.org/civil-liberties/idaho-mom-calls-police-report-shed-found-her-missing-son-and-cops-come-smash-boys">smash
his face</a>, while they are at it?


feed_id: 3d9eb4353d9d6bd247d52408a2e5bc0c
title: Overfishing
uri: 2016-04-20-Overfishing
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#20_April_2016_%28Overfishing%29
content:
<p>
Global Fisheries Are Collapsing —
<a href="http://www.truth-out.org/news/item/35574-global-fisheries-are-collapsing-what-happens-when-there-are-no-fish-left">What
Happens When There Are No Fish Left</a>?
<p>
Overfishing is an example of
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2013-sep-dec.html#10_September_2013_(Naomi_Kleins_speech)">extractivism</a>:
treating the whole Earth as something to use up and throw away.


feed_id: 48d3172b9c48bf21c305504145bc5f70
title: Planting trees saves town from floods
uri: Planting-trees-saves-town-from-floods
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#20_April_2016_%28Planting_trees_saves_town_from_floods%29

content:
<p>
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2016/apr/13/500000-tree-planting-project-helped-yorkshire-town-miss-winter-floods">Planting
40,000 trees</a> saved a town in England from the floods that affected
the surrounding region.


feed_id: d43d215d7615ad68544c926bfa978a71
title: Animal fat and vegetable oil
uri: Animal-fat-and-vegetable-oil
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#18_April_2016_%28Animal_fat_and_vegetable_oil%29
content:
<p>
A study of 9000 subjects found that replacing animal fat with
vegetable oil 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/society/2016/apr/13/replacing-animal-fat-in-diet-may-not-reduce-heart-risk-says-study">failed
to reduce heart attacks</a>.


feed_id: e24b5f7836f4f5678b88e11b183333c4
title: Urgent: Vieques National Wildlife Refuge
uri: Urgent-Vieques-National-Wildlife-Refuge
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#18_April_2016_%28Urgent%3A_Vieques_National_Wildlife_Refuge%29

content:
<p>
US citizens: 
<a href="https://secure.defenders.org/site/Advocacy?cmd=display&page=UserAction&id=3063">call
on Congress</a> not to privatize the Vieques National Wildlife Refuge.


feed_id: 70471fd80e7122d05edc2d087883a0d8
title: Refugees in Australia without health care
uri: Refugees-in-Australia-without-health-care
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#18_April_2016_%28Refugees_in_Australia_without_health_care%29

content:
<p>
Refugees living in Australia on "bridging visas" have 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2016/apr/13/we-are-the-forgotten-people-the-anguish-of-australias-invisible-asylum-seekers">no
health care, and sometimes no heat or food</a>.  They are not allowed
to do work to get them.


feed_id: fa63361c1c620ef9f11206c672f0f02a
title: Arrests at protest against Big Money
uri: Arrests-at-protest-against-Big-Money
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#18_April_2016_%28Arrests_at_protest_against_Big_Money%29

content:
<p>
<a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/public-safety/mass-arrests-of-protesters-in-demonstration-at-capitol-against-big-money/2016/04/11/96c13df0-0037-11e6-9d36-33d198ea26c5_story.html">More
Than 400 Arrested at the Capitol During Protest Against "Big
Money"</a>.
<p>
I wonder why the newspaper put quotations around "big money" in the
title.


feed_id: 729b8d60c6ace9a1e41dfc105643142f
title: Definition of fracking proposed by UK
uri: Definition-of-fracking-proposed-by-UK
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#18_April_2016_%28Definition_of_fracking_proposed_by_UK%29

content:
<p>
The UK government proposes a definition of fracking
which 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2016/apr/13/uk-governments-fracking-definition-could-allow-drilling-without-safeguards">excludes
lots of ordinary fracking</a>.


feed_id: ec3b7b11cb3270811f975df7749e0bf6
title: Thug rule-breaking
uri: Thug-rule-breaking
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#18_April_2016_%28Thug_rule-breaking%29
content:
<p>
The Chicago thug department 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2016/apr/13/homan-square-chicago-police-records-secret-interrogation-facility-new-documents-lawsuit">made
it almost impossible for lawyers</a> to tell that their clients were
being held in Homan Square for interrogation (perhaps torture).
<p>
Thugs will break any rule, if they get away with it.  If all that we
do when we discover such a practice is to make them stop that one,
they will find another.  We need to jail thugs for participation in
such oppressive practices, and there needs to be a separate prosecutor
for this.


feed_id: 9712fd5c05e434abd9a05beb7f013a6a
title: Volunteer
uri: 2016-04-21-Volunteer
url: https://stallman.org/index.html#volunteerListAnc
content:
<p>I am looking for people to a couple of additional volunteers to help edit the
      pages on the site for me.  If you'd like to help me in this way,
      please write to rms at gnu period org.</p>


feed_id: 55eb18a6e4c99de82ac64fd1914ba63b
title: Influence of money
uri: Influence-of-money
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#20_April_2016_%28Influence_of_money%29
content:
<p>
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2016/apr/14/money-hillary-clinton-banks-oil-links-presidential-campaign">Money
Influences Everybody</a>.  That Includes Hillary Clinton.


feed_id: a48bd0d394dfa4c0c5394534e11c09aa
title: Nuclear waste storage facilities
uri: Nuclear-waste-storage-facilities
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#20_April_2016_%28Nuclear_waste_storage_facilities%29

content:
<p>
Terrorists in France were at least 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/apr/14/paris-attacks-suspect-salah-abdeslam-had-german-nuclear-files">considering
an attack on a nuclear waste storage facility</a>.
<p>
These sites are impossible to defend properly.  Maybe they could keep
out people armed only with bombs, guns and cars, but they can't keep
out a hijacked airliner.  These wastes should be stored underground in
tunnels with few, well-guarded entrances.


feed_id: 41d1472d41cac16a1248b065b7f337c5
title: Water shortages and violence
uri: Water-shortages-and-violence
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#20_April_2016_%28Water_shortages_and_violence%29
content:
<p>
Leaked US diplomatic messages show that 
<a href="http://www.motherjones.com/environment/2016/04/water-scarcity-wikileaks">US
officials are very worried about violence caused by water
shortages</a>.
<p>
Global heating is not the only cause of water shortages, but it will
make them worse.


feed_id: 1ad2df9ffa3408f39889e609b626b420
title: Transgender man required to use women's toilets
uri: Transgender-man-required-to-use-women-s-toilets
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#20_April_2016_%28Transgender_man_required_to_use_womens_toilets%29

content:
<p>
A transgender man in North Carolina has prepared cards to hand out in
the women's toilets that he is now 
<a href="http://www.motherjones.com/politics/2016/04/north-carolina-bathroom-law-transgender-man-tells-his-experience">legally
required to use</a>, to allay the anxiety of other women about the
presence of a man.


feed_id: 4665a4bedac9cb51fe74e6acc448381b
title: Microsoft sues Justice Department
uri: Microsoft-sues-Justice-Department
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#20_April_2016_%28Microsoft_sues_Justice_Department%29

content:
<p>
Microsoft is suing to 
<a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2016/04/15/technology/microsoft-sues-us-over-orders-barring-it-from-revealing-surveillance.html">defend
customers' right to know if the US government looked at their
email</a>.
<p>
It is a worthy attempt, but I doubt you will ever have the same rights
over your email stored in a company's server that you have over your
data in your own server.


feed_id: 9a51e3547f3502e37bb1325c6bd1ae93
title: New European directives
uri: New-European-directives
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#20_April_2016_%28New_European_directives%29
content:
<p>
The European Parliament voted for three directives that 
<a href="https://www.laquadrature.net/en/data-protection-three-texts-adopted">protect
privacy inadequately or harm it</a>.


feed_id: 6f3d150c968e7e07b900f2ac0273a6f4
title: Haiti cholera epidemic
uri: Haiti-cholera-epidemic
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#20_April_2016_%28Haiti_cholera_epidemic%29
content:
<p>
The UN could have avoided loosing cholera in Haiti with a 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/apr/14/haiti-cholera-epidemic-un-prevention">$2000
package of tests and antibiotics</a>.


feed_id: b24f4a1f7de513ee468bb559a185962b
title: German law against insulting foreign rulers
uri: German-law-against-insulting-foreign-rulers
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#20_April_2016_%28German_law_against_insulting_foreign_rulers%29

content:
<p>
The German law that criminalizes insulting foreign rulers dates from
the
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/apr/14/obscure-german-law-angela-merkel-recep-tayyip-erdogan">time
of the German empire</a>.
<p>
Italy, Poland and Switzerland have similar laws.  All these countries
must take this opportunity to repeal those laws.


feed_id: 17d21c725c5b9512cfdc7bfb325e0101
title: Panama Papers
uri: 2016-04-21-Panama-Papers
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#20_April_2016_%28Panama_Papers%29
content:
<p>
Was the Panama Papers leak a CIA operation?  There is some 
<a href="http://www.commondreams.org/news/2016/04/13/seriously-sinister-foremost-bank-whistleblower-says-cia-behind-panama-papers">suggestive
evidence</a>.


feed_id: 5430ee73716268c730b62105884e185f
title: Canada considers law offering euthanasia
uri: Canada-considers-law-offering-euthanasia
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#20_April_2016_%28Canada_considers_law_offering_euthanasia%29

content:
<p>
Canada is considering a law offering euthanasia, but 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/apr/14/canada-proposed-assisted-suicide-law-excludes-tourists">only
to Canadians with terminal illnesses</a>.
<p>
Once again, this omits people who are paralyzed and likely to live
years of boredom and futility.  And why be cruel to non-Canadians?


feed_id: 4b093b768edbf88e3568754232058c44
title: March across India for Dalits
uri: March-across-India-for-Dalits
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#20_April_2016_%28March_across_India_for_Dalits%29
content:
<p>
Marching across India, to free Dalits from the job of 
<a href="http://www.outlookindia.com/magazine/story/a-dream-of-unsoiled-life/296955">manually
pawing though human excrement, without any protective gear</a>.
<p>
That work is not only disgusting, it also exposes the workers to
disease.


feed_id: cc0f84b35ec3b2b6755af8c7869af332
title: 1968 global heating warning
uri: 1968-global-heating-warning
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#20_April_2016_%281968_global_heating_warning%29
content:
<p>
The US oil industry was 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/business/2016/apr/13/climate-change-oil-industry-environment-warning-1968">warned
in 1968</a> about the danger of global heating and how disastrous it
could be.
<p>
New Documents Reveal Oil Industry 
<a href="http://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2016/04/13/new-documents-reveal-oil-industry-knew-climate-risks-decades-earlier-suspected">Knew
of Climate Risks Decades Earlier Than Suspected</a>; Suggest
Coordinated Efforts to Foster Skepticism.


feed_id: 3bffb39525790d3057b930f734a64131
title: Schools with thugs
uri: Schools-with-thugs
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#20_April_2016_%28Schools_with_thugs%29
content:
<p>
It's Time to 
<a href="http://www.commondreams.org/views/2016/04/13/its-time-get-cops-out-schools">Get
Cops Out of Schools</a>.
<p>
A school that has thugs is asking for its students to be jailed for
minor things, thus set on a path to a life of persecution.


feed_id: 56395e21610893cc3ce3ad3c86f0d83c
title: "Too big to fail"
uri: Too-big-to-fail
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#20_April_2016_%28Too_big_to_fail%29
content:
<p>
Five big US banks 
<a href="http://www.commondreams.org/news/2016/04/13/five-big-banks-flunk-key-test-proving-theyre-still-too-big-fail">still
present themselves as "too big to fail"</a>: they have not provided
credible plans to for handling their bankruptcy.


feed_id: 3fc3a4e131bf36feb2855d4b65a51508
title: Global heating
uri: 2016-04-21-Global-heating
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#20_April_2016_%28Global_heating%29
content:
<p>
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2016/apr/14/worlds-scientists-to-join-forces-on-major-15c-climate-change-report">Above
1.5C</a> of global heating, we are likely to encounter tipping points
that will drive large global changes.


feed_id: 160109d7e196a26229ff7a2186a7785a
title: When deportation means death
uri: When-deportation-means-death
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#20_April_2016_%28When_deportation_means_death%29
content:
<p>
Luqman Onikosi knows that 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2016/apr/14/home-office-please-dont-deport-death-luqman-onikosi-nigeria">being
deported to Nigeria will kill him</a>.


feed_id: e0dcd53adb4d79580bf36917d3274ddc
title: Verizon workers strike
uri: Verizon-workers-strike
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#20_April_2016_%28Verizon_workers_strike%29
content:
<p>
Verizon is raking in billions but demands to treat its workers worse.
They have gone 
<a href="http://www.commondreams.org/news/2016/04/13/40000-verizon-workers-strike-against-corporate-race-bottom">on
strike</a>.
<p>
Bernie Sanders 
<a href="http://www.commondreams.org/news/2016/04/13/standing-workers-against-corporate-greed-bernie-joins-verizon-picket-line">joined
their picket line</a>.
<p>
Would Clinton do that?  I doubt it.  She loves getting endorsements
from the leaders of unions but doesn't really care about their
members.


feed_id: 9e957bb4ceb201c30d4a2d444fb323ad
title: Urgent: Support Peace Now
uri: Urgent-Support-Peace-Now
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#20_April_2016_%28Urgent%3A_Support_Peace_Now%29
content:
<p>
US citizens: 
<a href="http://petitions.moveon.org/sign/congress-peace-now-vs">call
on Congress</a> to support Peace Now rather than AIPAC.


feed_id: 923ad67729e96179a41a434f094ff945
title: Missing torture documents
uri: Missing-torture-documents
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#20_April_2016_%28Missing_torture_documents%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://theintercept.com/2016/04/14/aclu-sues-bureau-of-prisons-over-missing-torture-documents/">ACLU
Sues Bureau of Prisons</a> Over Missing Torture Documents.


feed_id: 65788a9a5d53a6a6e2d030467dc58572
title: Knowing convictions of innocent people
uri: Knowing-convictions-of-innocent-people
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#20_April_2016_%28Knowing_convictions_of_innocent_people%29

content:
<p>
Keith Allen Harward was 
<a href="http://reason.com/archives/2016/04/13/virginias-system-of-injustice">convicted
of murder because the prosecutor denied his lawyer the evidence that
proved the culprit was not him</a>.  30 years later, this evidence got
him freed.  But prosecutors keep on with the same trickery, knowingly
convicting innocent people.


feed_id: 6d93786a3d49c7c5812441b4078631d4
title: Exaggerated significance of minor event
uri: Exaggerated-significance-of-minor-event
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#20_April_2016_%28Exaggerated_significance_of_minor_event%29

content:
<p>
A foolish man, Brok, saw a beautiful woman in a store.  He posted her
photo, 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2016/apr/14/im-all-for-viral-stories-but-lets-not-report-on-every-bozos-bid-for-fame">asking
people to introduce him to her</a>.
<p>
Brok has foolishly attached exaggerated significance to a minor event,
a momentary infatuation.  He will learn that seeing beauty in someone
is no reason to think that the two would like each other.  He will
learn that he has the same chance — the same minuscule chance, I
suppose — of finding happiness or pleasure with any of the other
fish in the sea.
<p>
The author has also foolishly attached exaggerated significance to a
minor event, namely Brok's posting of the photo.  However, the
author's reaction is far worse, because it attacks everyone's human
rights.  The author advocates making it a crime to take photos of
people you see in public places and publish them.


feed_id: 3e2d90849d11f2efb8c995d6f788c9fe
title: Money spent to get tax refund
uri: Money-spent-to-get-tax-refund
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#20_April_2016_%28Money_spent_to_get_tax_refund%29
content:
<p>
Low-Income Americans Spend 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2016/apr/14/low-income-americans-tax-refund-report">As
Much As $400 to Get Tax Refund</a>, Report Finds.


feed_id: fc13e00bc68ac6ed57efc3d4b938f236
title: Israeli expansionism
uri: Israeli-expansionism
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#20_April_2016_%28Israeli_expansionism%29
content:
<p>
Israeli Expansionism Is 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/apr/13/israeli-expansionism-is-key-driver-of-violence">Key
Driver of Violence</a>.


feed_id: ab48ec511ae18a53cadaffab896bff85
title: Israeli right wing
uri: Israeli-right-wing
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#20_April_2016_%28Israeli_right_wing%29
content:
<p>
The Israeli right wing attacks human rights organizations because it is
<a href="http://972mag.com/whats-so-threatening-about-human-rights/118516/">hostile
to the general idea of rights that everyone deserves</a>.
<p>
The Israeli population is becoming ever more right-wing, nationalist,
and 
<a href="http://mondediplo.com/2016/03/04israel">opposed to equal
respect for human rights</a>.


feed_id: b7dcd09569e3df0b8610abfcf027f3ef
title: Palestinians' Security Council resolution
uri: Palestinians-Security-Council-resolution
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#20_April_2016_%28Palestinians_Security_Council_resolution%29

content:
<p>
<a href="http://www.haaretz.com/opinion/1.713610">Obama should
support</a> the Palestinians' Security Council resolution.


feed_id: 742a4b2acb880b453df1022ea0ed67d9
title: Death penalty in Georgia
uri: Death-penalty-in-Georgia
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#20_April_2016_%28Death_penalty_in_Georgia%29
content:
<p>
Campaigners against the death penalty in Georgia 
<a href="https://theintercept.com/2016/04/13/citing-racist-trial-protesters-hold-vigil-as-georgia-executes-kenneth-fults/">hold
a vigil every time someone is executed</a>.
<p>
I have never understood the idea that execution is wrong specifically
and only for people who are mentally deficient.  I think the death
penalty is wrong in all cases — for the mentally deficient, for
geniuses, and for people of average intelligence.


feed_id: 035580be39d90d5e41add16d08315861
title: Homeless teens in Delhi publish newspaper
uri: Homeless-teens-in-Delhi-publish-newspaper
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#20_April_2016_%28Homeless_teens_in_Delhi_publish_newspaper%29

content:
<p>
Homeless teenagers in Delhi 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/global-development-professionals-network/2016/apr/14/street-children-journalist-balaknama-newspaper-delhi-india">publish
a newspaper</a>.
<p>
(I don't want to call teenagers "children" because I think that will
support the idea of limiting their rights.)


feed_id: ced8628f7d2991ab5f7bb9f33911eba0
title: Historian faces imprisonment in Poland
uri: Historian-faces-imprisonment-in-Poland
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#20_April_2016_%28Historian_faces_imprisonment_in_Poland%29

content:
<p>
A historian faces the possibility of imprisonment in Poland under an
outrageous
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/apr/14/holocaust-scholar-questioned-on-claim-poles-killed-more-jews-than-germans-in-war">censorship
law</a> redolent of 
<a href="https://stallman.org/articles/hrant-dink.html">France or
Turkey</a>, but much broader.
<p>
Regardless of whether the Polish government charges Professor Gross,
it is guilty of contempt of human rights.


feed_id: e4050772f8606d8868ec4a63db8c6902
title: Repression against UK resident foreigners
uri: Repression-against-UK-resident-foreigners
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#20_April_2016_%28Repression_against_UK_resident_foreigners%29

content:
<p>
The UK is imposing a 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/news/2016/apr/14/the-lawyer-who-takes-the-cases-no-one-wants">system
of extreme repression</a> against resident foreigners, restrained only
by occasional court decisions.


feed_id: 5cebc66b98d50da08351c3dd8712948d
title: US corporate tax-dodging
uri: US-corporate-tax-dodging
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#20_April_2016_%28US_corporate_tax-dodging%29
content:
<p>
The 50 largest US corporations are 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/apr/14/us-corporations-14-trillion-hidden-tax-havens-oxfam">storing
over a trillion dollars in foreign countries</a> to dodge taxes.


feed_id: ab52f35006b4ff32732fcefaf80c2de8
title: Tiananmen Square massacre museum
uri: Tiananmen-Square-massacre-museum
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#20_April_2016_%28Tiananmen_Square_massacre_museum%29

content:
<p>
The Hong Kong museum dedicated to the Tiananmen Square massacre is
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/apr/14/worlds-first-tiananmen-museum-close-hong-kong">being
shut down by its landlord</a>.  The museum operators scent Chinese
meddling.


feed_id: 588b3f6dde93108499bbdcd7184d6625
title: Racist taxi drivers in Australia
uri: Racist-taxi-drivers-in-Australia
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#20_April_2016_%28Racist_taxi_drivers_in_Australia%29

content:
<p>
Many taxi drivers in Australia are racist and 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2016/apr/14/indigenous-actor-jack-charles-to-take-on-taxi-drivers-for-racial-profiling">refuse
to take indigenous passengers</a>.  One who is famous is using that
fame to push for an education campaign.


feed_id: 7cdb6fdb93582034688cc2b6a6924007
title: Zika
uri: 2016-04-21-Zika
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#20_April_2016_%28Zika%29
content:
<p>
Zika causes 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/apr/13/extremely-severe-brain-damage-babies-zika-linked-defect-microcephaly">many
kinds of prenatal brain damage</a>.
<p>
I think that subhuman babies should not be considered human beings.
It is legitimate to euthanize them rather than bear the burden of
taking care of them for decades.


feed_id: fb6be4ed93d3027a044deeb14dbb66f9
title: Canadian arms sales to Salafi Arabia
uri: Canadian-arms-sales-to-Salafi-Arabia
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#20_April_2016_%28Canadian_arms_sales_to_Salafi_Arabia%29

content:
<p>
The new Canadian government 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/apr/13/canadian-government-lied-over-12bn-arms-sale-to-saudi-arabia">said
it was too late to cancel</a> arms sales to Salafi Arabia, while in
fact it hadn't yet signed the permits.


feed_id: cd6220d95c90fd9b87e6ba39b5061ba2
title: Cruz's fanatical opposition to sex
uri: Cruz-s-fanatical-opposition-to-sex
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#20_April_2016_%28Cruzs_fanatical_opposition_to_sex%29

content:
<p>
Just 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2016/apr/13/ted-cruz-texas-ban-sex-toys-case-2007">how
fanatical</a> is Ted Cruz in opposition to sex?


feed_id: 7db063c67c022724b85337faaf79bcbd
title: Proposal to give more power to thugs
uri: Proposal-to-give-more-power-to-thugs
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#20_April_2016_%28Proposal_to_give_more_power_to_thugs%29

content:
<p>
Part of Australia proposes to give thugs 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2016/apr/14/police-powers-prevention-orders-could-set-up-rival-justice-system-in-nsw">power
to impose restrictions arbitrarily on citizens</a>.


feed_id: b11620d9f54ee2682b80fc16ab7dafa7
title: UK Catering to Erdogan
uri: UK-Catering-to-Erdogan
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#21_April_2016_%28UK_Catering_to_Erdogan%29
content:
<p>
Is the UK refusing to recognize PISSI's genocide a matter of<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2016/apr/19/government-isis-atrocities-genocide-iraq-syria-religious-minorities-turkey"> catering
to Erdogan?</a>


feed_id: ea39c7800611ea02eef11bfd75c48c27
title: Thousands of species displaced
uri: Thousands-of-species-displaced
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#21_April_2016_%28Thousands_of_species_displaced%29
content:
<p>
Over a thousand species of animals and plants<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2016/apr/20/more-than-1000-species-have-been-moved-due-to-human-impact"> have been moved by
humans</a> because humans endanger their survival in their original
ranges.


feed_id: 84b555ad7a2c9f4678facdd6d7d7a685
title: Urgent: Tax Filing Simplification Act
uri: Urgent-Tax-Filing-Simplification-Act
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#21_April_2016_%28Urgent%3A_Tax_Filing_Simplification_Act%29

content:
<p>
US citizens:
<a href="http://act.credoaction.com/sign/simplify_tax_filing">call on
Congress</a> to pass the Tax Filing Simplification Act of 2016.


feed_id: f22be617a4fa41abdd21b2ad661e189e
title: Arizona voter suppression law
uri: Arizona-voter-suppression-law
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#21_April_2016_%28Arizona_voter_suppression_law%29
content:
<p>
In Arizona, poor people have often voted by absentee ballots which
volunteers bring to the polling place.  This is because there are too
few polling places where poor people live.  Now the antidemocratic
politicians of Arizona have
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2016/apr/15/arizona-voting-rights-lawsuit-election-controversy">passed
a law to imprison those volunteers</a>.


feed_id: fa70945b6f1912f2d18707ed18f22284
title: Whorephobia
uri: Whorephobia
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#21_April_2016_%28Whorephobia%29
content:
<p>
Never mind arguing whether the embarrassment of dating a sex worker
should remain private, or be exposed.  The main wrong here is
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2016/apr/15/john-whittingdale-whorephobia-mainstream-sex-workers-dominatrix-contempt-women">whorephobia</a>.


feed_id: 7280513e41a718793b7dc2c5b22b1622
title: Canada's New Democratic Party
uri: Canada-s-New-Democratic-Party
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#21_April_2016_%28Canadas_New_Democratic_Party%29
content:
<p>
Canada's New Democratic Party has made itself useless with a swing to
the right, a la Bill Clinton and Tony B'liar.  Now it is
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/environment/true-north/2016/apr/15/the-leap-manifesto-opens-horizon-for-bold-new-politics-in-canada">considering
adopting a platform to really address national and world problems</a>.


feed_id: 155a9116bb7a3644f864a77349ad89c7
title: Sanders criticizes Netanyahu
uri: Sanders-criticizes-Netanyahu
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#21_April_2016_%28Sanders_criticizes_Netanyahu%29
content:
<p>
Sanders announced in the debate the need to
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2016/apr/15/sanders-clinton-brooklyn-debate-israel-palestine-comments">support
Palestinians against the Israeli occupation</a>, and criticized
Netanyahu for unjustified violence.


feed_id: 5f7599e69f71ad83cd538fa048a85c4f
title: Protesters at London arms fair
uri: Protesters-at-London-arms-fair
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#21_April_2016_%28Protesters_at_London_arms_fair%29
content:
<p>
Protesters arrested at a London arms fair argued in court that they
were preventing crimes…and the judge
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/apr/15/court-dismisses-charges-against-london-arms-fair-protesters">dropped
the charges</a>.


feed_id: 1c7a07019c14e44ab78c5ce7105132fd
title: Digital technology driving down wages
uri: Digital-technology-driving-down-wages
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#21_April_2016_%28Digital_technology_driving_down_wages%29

content:
<p>
It is pretty clear that digital technology is
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2016/apr/07/robots-replacing-jobs-luddites-economics-labor">increasing
unemployment and driving down wages</a>.
<p>
We need to defeat the plutocrats and share their income with the
non-rich.


feed_id: 37271bcd2671a49cf78d406001046146
title: Prosecution of comedian for insult
uri: Prosecution-of-comedian-for-insult
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#21_April_2016_%28Prosecution_of_comedian_for_insult%29

content:
<p>
Merkel
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/apr/15/angela-merkel-agrees-prosecution-comedian-erdogan-poem">authorized
prosecution</a> of a German comedian for insulting Erdo&gbreve;an.
<p>
Since the existing law says that such prosecutions require
authorization from the government, Merkel is telling a falsehood when
she claims that the decision is not for her to make and she is only
recognizing independence of the courts.
<p>
If the case results in repeal of that law, at least there will
be a positive outcome.


feed_id: adcbd0f710d72e2c55be73f624cf28ea
title: Attack on women
uri: Attack-on-women
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#21_April_2016_%28Attack_on_women%29
content:
<p>
SCROTUS's latest attack on women is a
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/apr/15/prenatal-discrimination-act-house-hearing-asian-stereotypes">bill
to ban choosing an abortion based on the sex or race of the fetus</a>.
<p>
Some feminists want to ban sex-selection abortions, because they are
often based on a preference for male children.  I've warned that this
position is misguided and
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2013-sep-dec.html#07_September_2013_(Abortion_based_on_the_sex_of_fetus)">would
put abortion rights in danger</a>.


feed_id: c281bc1d2444192ae0e167b7cb2e7658
title: Swatting
uri: Swatting
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#21_April_2016_%28Swatting%29
content:
<p>
An article about tracking down a swatter shows details that could
provide an
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2016/apr/15/swatting-law-teens-anonymous-prank-call-police">easy
way to stop swatting</a>: just take note when the call to 911 is not a
local call.


feed_id: 50b5b35805e02b0cdf8ab7a673e13dc0
title: iThings
uri: 2016-04-22-iThings
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#21_April_2016_%28iThings%29
content:
<p>
Apple internally expects iThings to last only
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2016/apr/15/apple-iphone-last-three-years-mac-computer-four">3
years</a>.


feed_id: d6b5797767204df991ec2d5bd5c3ee70
title: Privatized prison
uri: Privatized-prison
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#21_April_2016_%28Privatized_prison%29
content:
<p>
A UK privatized prison company has been
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/society/2016/apr/15/g4s-fined-100-times-since-2010-prison-contracts">fined
100 times for violating its contracts</a>.
<p>
For such companies, contracts are made for cheating on.


feed_id: 1a576fc6251bb8171430e15c4a79470f
title: Divestment from coal companies
uri: Divestment-from-coal-companies
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#21_April_2016_%28Divestment_from_coal_companies%29
content:
<p>
Norway's giant investment fund
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2016/apr/15/worlds-biggest-wealth-fund-excludes-52-coal-related-groups">has
divested</a> from coal companies.


feed_id: 1cfe4751dbeb2fa1ee9f24b426c0c2c3
title: Australia attacking journalism
uri: Australia-attacking-journalism
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#21_April_2016_%28Australia_attacking_journalism%29
content:
<p>
Australia is attacking journalism by
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/apr/15/australias-attacks-on-journalists-sources-are-about-politics-not-national-security">accessing
journalists' phone records</a>.


feed_id: c9719772e5b31c08c8909def48076302
title: Prosecuted for trying to commit suicide in Nauru
uri: Prosecuted-for-trying-to-commit-suicide-in-Nauru
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#21_April_2016_%28Prosecuted_for_trying_to_commit_suicide_in_Nauru%29

content:
<p>
A refugee dumped by Australia in Nauru tried to commit suicide.
He didn't die, and was
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/apr/15/refugee-on-nauru-convicted-of-attempted-suicide-to-deter-others">prosecuted</a>
instead.
<p>
Journalists are effectively
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#20_February_2016_(Nauru_restricting_visits_by_Australians)">excluded
from Nauru</a> so there is not much good information about how these
refugees are treated.


feed_id: 880ddbff905b083eca02111ee2479e27
title: Psychedelics
uri: Psychedelics
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#21_April_2016_%28Psychedelics%29
content:
<p>
Learning about
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2016/apr/15/lsd-research-brain-neuroscience-human-nature-psychedelic">what
psychedelics do to the brain</a>, from brain scans.


feed_id: 93926b7e273a5eba0235fe3198298bd5
title: Dependence on food bank aid in UK
uri: Dependence-on-food-bank-aid-in-UK
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#21_April_2016_%28Dependence_on_food_bank_aid_in_UK%29

content:
<p>
A UK food bank organization warns that dependence on their aid is now
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/society/2016/apr/15/reliance-food-banks-new-normal-trussell-trust-charity">normal
for poor people in the UK</a>.
<p>
The Tory goal, though Tories don't openly admit it, is to stop helping
poor Britons survive.  This shows how successful their policies have
been.


feed_id: e477b690b55295133168c11dfa81a0fa
title: Missing Mexican students
uri: Missing-Mexican-students
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#21_April_2016_%28Missing_Mexican_students%29
content:
<p>
Missing Mexican Students
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/apr/14/missing-mexican-students-witness-federal-police-involved">Abducted
in Front of Federal Police</a>, Witness Says.


feed_id: 3f38bb431a644603e9517d1b45af93ab
title: Coal vs Coral
uri: Coal-vs-Coral
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#21_April_2016_%28Coal_vs_Coral%29
content:
<p>
Coal vs Coral: will Australia destroy the Great Barrier Reef with
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2016/apr/15/coal-vs-coral-if-greg-hunt-faces-the-truth-he-can-save-the-great-barrier-reef">coal
mining</a>?


feed_id: 16c394bb1a88b1e1a8e15341df75328d
title: Those of help the rich dodge taxes
uri: Those-of-help-the-rich-dodge-taxes
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#21_April_2016_%28Those_of_help_the_rich_dodge_taxes%29

content:
<p>
The chutzpah of those who help the rich dodge taxes:
"<a href='http://www.theguardian.com/sustainable-business/2016/apr/15/panama-papers-legally-avoid-tax-help'>If
it isn't illegal, you can't blame me.</a>"
<p>
What nonsense!  Impoverishing the rest of society does not become ok
just because the rich procure a law that lets them do it.
<p>
When it isn't illegal, we cannot prosecute them for it.  But we can
condemn them as enemies of society, boycott them, shun them and
ostracize them — as part of the movement to make their
tax-dodging illegal.


feed_id: 4dcc402336720cff0978832c00e10cd6
title: Death squads sent to Tanzania
uri: Death-squads-sent-to-Tanzania
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#21_April_2016_%28Death_squads_sent_to_Tanzania%29
content:
<p>
Burundi's tyrant is
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2016/apr/15/nowhere-to-run-burundi-violence-follows-escapees-across-borders">sending
death squads into refugee camps</a> in Tanzania.


feed_id: e5d8b66796a43cdea1386b5508207be6
title: Chinese human rights lawyer arrested
uri: Chinese-human-rights-lawyer-arrested
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#21_April_2016_%28Chinese_human_rights_lawyer_arrested%29

content:
<p>
A Chinese human rights lawyer has been arrested, apparently for
posting information about the
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/apr/15/panama-papers-china-lawyer-shares-details-leaders-online">secret
offshore bank accounts of relatives of high officials</a>.


feed_id: 56c6442fc36d97a012e04a7f84e556c7
title: Tropical deforestation
uri: Tropical-deforestation
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#21_April_2016_%28Tropical_deforestation%29
content:
<p>
<a href="http://www.ucsusa.org/global-warming/stop-deforestation/whats-driving-deforestation">Beef,
soy, palm oil, and wood products</a> are the main causes of tropical
deforestation.


feed_id: f3855fc6c2f5a616ecc231e6d1f0b04f
title: BYU goes beyond blaming the victim
uri: BYU-goes-beyond-blaming-the-victim
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#21_April_2016_%28BYU_goes_beyond_blaming_the_victim%29

content:
<p>
Beyond blaming the victim: investigating the victim.  Students at
Brigham Young University who report being raped are
<a href="http://www.sltrib.com/home/3778735-155/petition-demands-byu-not-investigate-sex">suspected
of violating the "honor code"</a>, and are investigated for this.
<p>
This reminds me of countries where, under unjust Islamic law, women
who are raped are
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2015-jul-oct.html#29_October_2015_(Prosecution_of_women_for_being_raped)">convicted
of having sex outside marriage</a>.


feed_id: f16c7f8e8b47f6d048c3ece93d00aac9
title: America's two-tiered justice system
uri: America-s-two-tiered-justice-system
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#21_April_2016_%28Americas_two-tiered_justice_system%29

content:
<p>
<a href="http://www.commondreams.org/views/2016/04/13/goldman-sachs-vs-democracy-spring-americas-two-tiered-justice-system-full-display">Goldman
Sachs vs. Democracy Spring</a>: America's Two-Tiered Justice System on
Full Display.


feed_id: 20106ca49be2ea1bb4913323f9cd68a3
title: Western companies and Chinese censorship
uri: Western-companies-and-Chinese-censorship
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#21_April_2016_%28Western_companies_and_Chinese_censorship%29

content:
<p>
Western companies should stop
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/apr/14/greatfire-activist-urges-western-firms-to-help-end-chinese-censorship">collaborating
with Chinese censorship</a>.


feed_id: 4e880987b8c8a52baec517ac7c458f42
title: EU is undemocratic
uri: EU-is-undemocratic
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#21_April_2016_%28EU_is_undemocratic%29
content:
<p>
Corbyn says that leaving the EU would allow Tories to
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/politics/2016/apr/14/jeremy-corbyn-leaving-eu-would-lead-to-bonfire-of-rights">attack
the rights of workers and the non-rich</a>.
<p>
The EU is
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2005-mar-jun.html#01%20June%202005%20(Proposed%20EU%20constitution%20was%20rejected%20by%20France)">undemocratic</a>,
and should be abolished if it isn't fixed.  But Tories don't want to
fix what is wrong with the EU; they want to unleash it.


feed_id: 6b42d0175ae337595d1e717d67210b01
title: Same arguments used to justify Corporations United
uri: Same-arguments-used-to-justify-Corporations-United
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#21_April_2016_%28Same_arguments_used_to_justify_Corporations_United%29

content:
<p>
Clinton,
<a href="https://theintercept.com/2016/04/14/to-protect-clinton-democrats-wage-war-on-their-own-core-citizens-united-argument/">defending
the millions of dollars rich people spend on her campaign</a>, uses
the same arguments that were used to justify the Corporations United
decision.
<p>
That group of corporations called itself "Citizens United",
but we should not repeat their falsehood just because they said it.
The name "Corporations United" describes them correctly.


feed_id: 5e5de8781a255ae313125f96146c23ea
title: Tory Minister's scandal
uri: Tory-Minister-s-scandal
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#21_April_2016_%28Tory_Ministers_scandal%29
content:
<p>
Tory Minister John Whittingdale's scandal is not that he had a
non-business relationship for six months with a woman who was a sex
worker, but that he
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2016/apr/14/shaming-ex-john-whittingdale-culture-secretary">pleads
about how fast he broke up with her</a> when he found out.


feed_id: 32c7a94538f5a10fed388a89a338df59
title: Sanders commited to victory
uri: Sanders-commited-to-victory
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#22_April_2016_%28Sanders_commited_to_victory%29
content:
<p>
Sanders campaign’s <a href="https://shadowproof.com/2016/04/20/sanders-campaigns-commitment-victory-irritates-media-offends-clinton-campaign/">commitment to victory</a> irritates media, offends Clinton campaign.


feed_id: 41f53e234e843139c0d2da654a24c97f
title: Closing of Guantanamo
uri: Closing-of-Guantanamo
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#22_April_2016_%28Closing_of_Guantanamo%29
content:
<p>
How can the <a href="http://www.commondreams.org/views/2016/04/19/still-bush-embrace-what-really-stands-way-closing-guantanamo">Guantanamo prison be closed</a>?


feed_id: 05081212299c483c22deb0f89a8adece
title: Honduras' human right issue
uri: Honduras-human-right-issue
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#22_April_2016_%28Request_stop_aid_to_Honduras%29
content:
<p>
Berta Cáceres's daughter asks European countries to <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2016/apr/20/daughter-of-murdered-berta-caceres-calls-for-stop-on-investment-in-honduras">stop aid to
Honduras</a> to pressure for human rights.
<p>
The US deserves a president who won't support coups such as the one
that crushed human rights in Honduras. In other words, not Clinton.


feed_id: b5c3ed5f9f7573b4e1f3034dec71d0fb
title: New York removes voters
uri: New-York-removes-voters
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#22_April_2016_%28New_York_removes_voters%29
content:
<p>
New York State <a href="http://us4.campaign-archive2.com/?u=33e4ec877eed6a43863a4a92e&id=9fc3ffc594&e=8283eff9b8">removed a large fraction of voters</a> from the electoral rolls before the primary this week.
<p>
Some voters <a href="http://www.commondreams.org/news/2016/04/19/emergency-lawsuit-highlights-voter-frustration-new-york-primary-process">are suing.</a>
<p>
There were <a href="http://www.democracynow.org/2016/4/20/new_york_primary_chaos_at_polling">other obstacles to voting</a>, too.


feed_id: d7095eb3594dce60cc7d87c1ae7634a2
title: UK bulk data collection
uri: UK-bulk-data-collection
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#22_April_2016_%28UK_bulk_data_collection%29
content:
<p>
UK Spy Agencies Have <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/apr/21/uk-spy-agencies-collected-bulk-personal-data-since-1990s">Collected Bulk Personal Data</a> Since 1990s, Files Show.
<p>
Even when the data is about persons "of interest", that should not mean
it is ok for them to collect whatever data they can get.


feed_id: be9d09cbd5eeec181c023a6c5a9abf6a
title: Nauru minors show mental illness
uri: Nauru-minors-show-mental-illness
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#22_April_2016_%28Nauru_prison_minors_show_mental_illness%29

content:
<p>
Australia <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2016/apr/21/almost-half-of-children-returned-from-nauru-have-mental-illness-senate-told">brought back 54 minors</a> from prison on Nauru.  Half of them show mental illness.


feed_id: 223670c3d3d6901cc350d0ed931d7151
title: Drought in Africa
uri: Drought-in-Africa
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#22_April_2016_%28Drought_in_Africa%29
content:
<p>
Drought in Africa means more than just crop failure — people actually
have trouble <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2016/apr/21/drought-southern-africa-heavy-toll-students-fainting-malawi-zimbabwe">getting enough water to drink</a>.


feed_id: f2f16279e8d55af649a53d9978bd9352
title: Australia Panama papers loopholes
uri: Australia-Panama-papers-loopholes
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#22_April_2016_%28Australia_Panama_papers_loopholes%29

content:
<p>
Calling on Australia to <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/apr/21/panama-papers-prominent-australians-call-for-action-in-open-letter-to-turnbull">close the loopholes</a> that enable shell companies to dodge taxes.


feed_id: 0feec21b761de0cc01a5e7d259340208
title: San Francisco solar roofs
uri: San-Francisco-solar-roofs
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#22_April_2016_%28San_Francisco_solar_roofs%29
content:
<p>
San Francisco has adopted a law that new buildings <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2016/apr/21/san-francisco-adopts-law-requiring-solar-panels-on-all-new-buildings">must have solar generation</a> or solar water heating on the roof, unless they are over 10 storeys tall.
<p>
Instead of that strange exception, they should require taller buildings to have solar panels on the south-facing walls as well as on the roof.


feed_id: 5df081dd599989aa233d17077b03275a
title: Activists block coal export terminal
uri: Activists-block-coal-export-terminal
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#22_April_2016_%28Activists_block_coal_export_terminal%29

content:
<p>
Activists in Oakland, California are fighting to <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2016/apr/21/oakland-coal-industry-california-environmentalists-fight">block a new coal export terminal</a>.
<p>
It is crazy to boost the coal trade; it shows the US is not serious
about avoiding disaster.  The only redeeming feature is that maybe no
one will buy the coal.  China is cutting down its use of coal, to reduce
air pollution that makes it impossible for cities to operate; India
mines its own coal.  The investment of building coal terminals could be
wasted.
<p>
But we can't be sure of that, so it is important to fight against the
terminal.


feed_id: 4ee57544207a663d9503b0cd74d08688
title: Global heating disasters
uri: Global-heating-disasters
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#22_April_2016_%28Global_heating_disasters%29
content:
<p>
Going from 1.5C of global heating to 2C would mean a big increase
in <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2016/apr/21/study-reveals-greater-climate-impacts-of-2c-temperature-rise-heatwaves">worldwide disasters</a>.


feed_id: eb9ae352cd8d6f8efa6dd6488442369c
title: Radioactive waste at Handford endangers workers
uri: Radioactive-waste-at-Handford-endangers-workers
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#22_April_2016_%28Radioactive_waste_endangers_workers%29

content:
<p>
A leak of radioactive waste at Hanford, perhaps the largest ever, is
<a href="http://www.commondreams.org/news/2016/04/19/new-leak-hanford-nuclear-waste-site-catastrophic-worker-warns">very dangerous to workers </a>trying to clean it up, and will increase the contamination of the whole site.


feed_id: 8b2b644e3f4c67fb85a138eaaef786a4
title: Why Isn’t Everyone In Favor of Taxing Financial Speculation?
uri: Why-Isn-t-Everyone-In-Favor-of-Taxing-Financial-Speculation
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#22_April_2016_%28Why_Isn%26%238217%3Bt_Everyone_In_Favor_of_Taxing_Financial_Speculation%3F%29

content:
<p>
Why Isn’t Everyone In Favor of <a href="http://www.commondreams.org/views/2016/04/19/why-isnt-everyone-favor-taxing-financial-speculation">Taxing Financial Speculation?</a> 
<p>
The US could also direcly limit the kinds of financial derivatives
that may be traded.


feed_id: 840e171b39b49e884b4d8faba5f04e06
title: South Australia now produces half its energy from solar and wind
uri: South-Australia-now-produces-half-its-energy-from-solar-and-wind
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#22_April_2016_%28South_Australia_produces_half_its_energy_from_solar_and_wind%29

content:
<p>
South Australia already gets half its electricity from <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2016/apr/21/innovation-is-in-our-blood-how-south-australia-leads-the-way-on-renewables
">wind and solar power</a>. 
<p>
A program to subsidize building owners in buying batteries would quickly
go the rest of the way.


feed_id: 4926cdf711f22f0bbb449360cb98f815
title: Obama threatens to veto 9/11 victims bill
uri: Obama-threatens-to-veto-9-11-victims-bill
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#22_April_2016_%28Obama_threatens_veto_on_9%2F11_victims_bill%29

content:
<p>
Why does Obama threaten to veto a bill that would <a href="http://www.commondreams.org/news/2016/04/20/obama-objection-911-bill-attempt-prevent-lawsuits-us-overseas-terrorism">allow victims of the
September 2001 terror attacks to sue foreign governments</a> if they are
responsible?
<p>
Maybe because he doesn't want the US government to be sued for things
like drone bombings.  Or maybe he is defending Salafi Arabia.
Both reasons are bad.

Maybe it is both.  He may not want Yemenis to sue the US for providing
weapons that Salafi Arabia is using to bomb civilians there.

Both Sanders and Clinton support the bill, but Sanders <a href="http://www.nydailynews.com/news/world/ex-sen-graham-calls-saudi-arabia-threat-u-s-revealing-article-1.2604613">also calls for
publication</a> of what the government's report said about Salafi Arabia.
<p>
As for the Salafi threat to sell some assets in the US, the US should
not cower in fear of that.  On the contrary, it suggests that Salafi
Arabia has reason to expect it will lose such a lawsuit.

The US needs to stop supporting Salafi Arabia in any case, so that it
can't keep spreading fanatical Islam around the world.


feed_id: f098de560c40f9247920c3a5099f84c5
title: Urgent: Stricter conditions on US arms
uri: Urgent-Stricter-conditions-on-US-arms
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#22_April_2016_%28Urgent%3A_Stricter_conditions_on_US_arms%29

content:
<p>
US citizens:
<a href="http://petitions.moveon.org/sign/standwithchrisrand-set">tell
Congress</a> you support the bill to impose stricter conditions on US
arms for Salafi Arabia.
<p>
The country's official name is "Saudi Arabia", but "Salafi Arabia"
reminds people of that country's most important export: an oppressive
and fanatical form if Islam.


feed_id: e06c10c83ab546494278e5a5f51ef3b8
title: Removed from flight for speaking Arabic
uri: Removed-from-flight-for-speaking-Arabic
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#22_April_2016_%28Removed_from_flight_for_speaking_Arabic%29

content:
<p>
Khairuldeen Makhzoomi, who moved to the US from Iraq as a child, was
taken off a flight in the US because
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2016/apr/16/southwest-airlines-man-removed-flight-arabic">another
passenger found it suspicious that he was speaking Arabic</a>.


feed_id: c2bfa5b3dcd73434844f8f3ed475dea5
title: Eradicating feral cats
uri: Eradicating-feral-cats
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#22_April_2016_%28Eradicating_feral_cats%29
content:
<p>
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2016/apr/17/robots-lasers-poison-the-high-tech-bid-to-cull-wild-cats-in-the-outback">High-tech
traps</a> are designed to eradicate the feral cats that threaten
Australia's small wildlife.
<p>
Maybe in the future it will be possible to eradicate other feral
animals that endanger unusual local species in other places.


feed_id: 59ac5cfae6790e6b5c4023130231aec9
title: World's rich grabbing from the poor
uri: World-s-rich-grabbing-from-the-poor
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#22_April_2016_%28Worlds_rich_grabbing_from_the_poor%29

content:
<p>
Oxfam reports hat the world's rich are
<a href="http://www.oxfamamerica.org/press/62-people-own-same-wealth-as-half-the-world/">rapidly
grabbing the world's wealth from the poor</a>: they have taken a
trillion dollars since 2010.
<p>
They do this with dooH niboR policies designed to take from the poor
and give to the rich.  Often these actions are lawful, but that
doesn't make them legitimate.
<p>
The rich are not entitled to hold on to this wealth merely because the
laws they procured legalized their grab.  We must strengthen Robin
Hood so that he defeats dooH niboR.


feed_id: e57c4711e24c6531afd5cbc8fffdfde4
title: March against UK "austerity" policies
uri: March-against-UK-austerity-policies
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#22_April_2016_%28March_against_UK_austerity_policies%29

content:
<p>
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/apr/16/london-anti-austerity-march-draws-tens-of-thousands">Tens
of thousands marched in London</a> against bleed-the-poor "austerity"
policies.


feed_id: 1e8076421f32918ebc233f366f63efc2
title: Neoliberalism
uri: Neoliberalism
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#22_April_2016_%28Neoliberalism%29
content:
<p>
Neoliberalism — the Ideology at the
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/books/2016/apr/15/neoliberalism-ideology-problem-george-monbiot">Root
of All Our Problems</a>.


feed_id: 99e2f2f27810e4e9df80321b809c1a84
title: Renewable energy investment
uri: Renewable-energy-investment
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#22_April_2016_%28Renewable_energy_investment%29
content:
<p>
Renewable energy investment has succeeded in
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2016/apr/14/is-it-possible-to-reduce-co2-emissions-and-grow-the-global-economy">decoupling
economic growth from growth in greenhouse gas emissions</a>.


feed_id: b27b44529d42df7383bcdfada5030027
title: UK's new catch-22 for low-paid workers
uri: UK-s-new-catch-22-for-low-paid-workers
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#22_April_2016_%28UKs_new_catch-22_for_low-paid_workers%29

content:
<p>
The UK's new catch-22 for low-paid workers who are forced to work
unpredictable hours demands they come frequently and uselessly to
appointments at a "jobcenter", and
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/society/2016/apr/14/dwp-punishing-low-paid-full-time-workers-under-new-benefits-rule">if
their working hours make them miss an appointment, they get fined</a>.
<p>
The Tories' general aim is to take as much as possible for the rich
that they serve, and generate excuses to condemn and crush everyone
else.


feed_id: 3b3c88a35603d7c68e3a626fefa36f02
title: Verizon refusing to fix copper lines
uri: Verizon-refusing-to-fix-copper-lines
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#22_April_2016_%28Verizon_refusing_to_fix_copper_lines%29

content:
<p>
Verizon is
<a href="http://arstechnica.com/business/2016/04/verizons-fiber-is-the-only-fix-program-upgrades-old-copper-lines/">forcing
customers to switch from copper lines to fiber</a> through a policy of
refusing to fix those.


feed_id: 563e9c93025c21e12c33b89369d712f3
title: New global heat record for March
uri: New-global-heat-record-for-March
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#22_April_2016_%28New_global_heat_record_for_March%29

content:
<p>
This March
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2016/apr/15/march-temperature-smashes-100-year-global-record">set
a new global heat record</a> for March.
<p>
Each of the last 11 months has set a global record for that month.


feed_id: 35606594f6029b97da938e1c29a3ed1b
title: Secret evidence perverts justice
uri: Secret-evidence-perverts-justice
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#22_April_2016_%28Secret_evidence_perverts_justice%29

content:
<p>
UK spy agencies
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/law/2016/apr/15/libyan-claims-against-uk-thrown-out-secret-evidence">presented
secret evidence to quash the lawsuits of Libyan dissidents</a> that
those agencies handed over to Qadhafi's regime for torture.
<p>
This demonstrates how such secret evidence perverts justice.


feed_id: d97d404a836ad476d119d1bf27d20da7
title: German "defamation" law
uri: German-defamation-law
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#22_April_2016_%28German_defamation_law%29
content:
<p>
German "defamation" law is
<a href="https://theintercept.com/2016/04/15/germany-repeal-dumb-law-first-using-prosecute-comic-insulting-erdogan/">extremely
broad censorship</a>.
<p>
This shows why we must fight all attempts to criticize "hate speech."
People have a right to insult anyone, even you or me.


feed_id: ca5d247e63e3ca466217101c7cf0a5a4
title: Human rights in Salafi Arabia
uri: Human-rights-in-Salafi-Arabia
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#22_April_2016_%28Human_rights_in_Salafi_Arabia%29
content:
<p>
The US State Department's report on human rights in Salafi Arabia is a
<a href="https://theintercept.com/2016/04/15/u-s-report-on-saudi-arabia-downplays-civilian-casualties-in-yemen/">gross
whitewash</a> of the US-supported bombing campaign in Yemen.


feed_id: 9ee6df598295c5015eeec6e257c63e34
title: Tool to report texting while driving
uri: Tool-to-report-texting-while-driving
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#22_April_2016_%28Tool_to_report_texting_while_driving%29

content:
<p>
The idea of a tool to determine whether a driver's phone was used for
text messaging at the time of an accident is fine in principle, but it
is
<a href="https://freedom-to-tinker.com/blog/dwallach/on-distracted-driving-and-required-phone-searches/">almost
impossible in practice</a> unless it snoops on a lot more than that.
<p>
I get the impression Android Auto is based on using proprietary
software to restrict users.


feed_id: 4b0af8b00a08c042323eb0a1377cb371
title: SCROTUS gives cable companies a present
uri: SCROTUS-gives-cable-companies-a-present
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#22_April_2016_%28SCROTUS_gives_cable_companies_a_present%29

content:
<p>
SCROTUS gave cable companies a present by
<a href="https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2016/04/house-passes-bill-sabotage-net-neutrality">passing
a bill that threatens the FCC's network neutrality requirements</a>.
<p>
SCROTUS = Sleazy Congressional Republicans Of The United States.


feed_id: e36cae15c259e88dea0ca37d861598ae
title: Lifespan of rich men vs poor men
uri: Lifespan-of-rich-men-vs-poor-men
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#22_April_2016_%28Lifespan_of_rich_men_vs_poor_men%29

content:
<p>
In the US, rich men live
<a href="http://phys.org/news/2016-04-rich-poor-huge-mortality-gap.html">14
years longer than poor men</a>.  Now dooH is taking years from the
poor and giving them to the rich.


feed_id: b45b2bdb3d8527c9e2fbdfe13c295cd8
title: FBI find nothing interesting in cracked iPhone
uri: FBI-find-nothing-interesting-in-cracked-iPhone
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#22_April_2016_%28FBI_find_nothing_interesting_in_cracked_iPhone%29

content:
<p>
Syed Farook's iPhone turned out to have
<a href="http://go.theregister.com/feed/www.theregister.co.uk/2016/04/14/nothing_useful_on_farook_iphone/">nothing
interesting on it</a>, but it was a handy excuse to try to set a
precedent.


feed_id: 303fd52742657524f973816d513b5999
title: Solution to migrant crisis: jobs
uri: Solution-to-migrant-crisis-jobs
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#22_April_2016_%28Solution_to_migrant_crisis%3A_jobs%29

content:
<p>
The Solution to the Migrant Crisis is
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/global-development-professionals-network/2016/apr/16/the-solution-to-the-migrant-crisis-is-jobs-in-low-income-countries">Jobs
in Low Income Countries</a>.
<p>
However, that should not be taken as a reason to replace well-paid
workers with poverty wages.  The right way to boost jobs in poor
countries is to block the rich elites of those countries from sneaking
their wealth into tax havens.


feed_id: 2a6426f411207affe78bf53f2cac0861
title: Wild places destroyed by humans
uri: Wild-places-destroyed-by-humans
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#22_April_2016_%28Wild_places_destroyed_by_humans%29
content:
<p>
A collection of
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2012/sep/03/bernie-krause-natural-world-recordings">recordings
of the sounds of wildlife</a> is now the only remnant of many wild
places that humans have destroyed.


feed_id: f91d333f825cadb8be663ccd363d8cc7
title: Time Magazine not to be believed
uri: Time-Magazine-not-to-be-believed
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#22_April_2016_%28Time_Magazine_not_to_be_believed%29

content:
<p>
Don't believe Time Magazine's national debt panic — it's
<a href="http://thinkprogress.org/media/2016/04/14/3769597/time-magazine-cover-debt-panic-history/">as
wrong now as it was before</a>.


feed_id: 4b57a683bb12426cb857ad3cb0e1fe0a
title: Corporate taxes
uri: Corporate-taxes
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#22_April_2016_%28Corporate_taxes%29
content:
<p>
This Study Shows
<a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/gao-study-profitable-corporations-no-federal-taxes_us_570e6c62e4b0ffa5937dbadb">How
Low Corporate America's Taxes Really Are</a>, But Tax-Dodging CEOs
Complain about High Rates All the Same.


feed_id: f6ad0e6502f4f868c78b2b94a03fba8d
title: Internet "services"
uri: Internet-services
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#22_April_2016_%28Internet_services%29
content:
<p>
One less than obvious injustice of many internet services
is that
<a href="http://www.cjr.org/innovations/investigating_algorithms.php">they
decide what "service" means</a>.  If you use these more than very
rarely, their algorithms run your life.
<p>
Many of the companies they talk about have bigger, absolute injustices
which absolutely rule out their use.
<a href="https://stallman.org/facebook.html">Facebook</a>,
<a href="https://stallman.org/netflix.html">Netflix</a>,
<a href="https://stallman.org/amazon.html">Amazon</a> and
<a href="https://stallman.org/uber.html">Uber</a> are examples.  But
even if a site isn't outright unjust, using it to the point that its
algorithms control your life is unjust.


feed_id: 244c965c1f269388188db74f5d5c532b
title: UK Catering to Erdogan
uri: 2016-04-22-UK-Catering-to-Erdogan
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#21_April_2016_%28UK_Catering_to_Erdogan%29
content:
<p>
Is the UK refusing to recognize PISSI's genocide a matter of <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2016/apr/19/government-isis-atrocities-genocide-iraq-syria-religious-minorities-turkey">catering
to Erdogan?</a>


feed_id: 4973d79433073f9e67129602e861a720
title: Thousands of species displaced
uri: 2016-04-22-Thousands-of-species-displaced
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#21_April_2016_%28Thousands_of_species_displaced%29
content:
<p>
Over a thousand species of animals and plants <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2016/apr/20/more-than-1000-species-have-been-moved-due-to-human-impact">have been moved by
humans</a> because humans endanger their survival in their original
ranges.


feed_id: e34465a0f23621b3289133b0369d8e08
title: Cost of eradicating Trachoma
uri: Cost-of-eradicating-Trachoma
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#27_April_2016_%28Cost_of_eradicating_Trachoma%29
content:
<p>
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2016/apr/26/with-1bn-blinding-trachoma-can-be-eliminated-in-four-years-experts">Trachoma</a> could be eradicated for just a billion dollars.
<p>


feed_id: cdf5e91a4fafaa37960b7c35ce155b46
title: Mexican officials refuse to cooperate
uri: Mexican-officials-refuse-to-cooperate
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#27_April_2016_%28Mexican_officials_refuse_to_cooperate%29

content:
<p>
Visiting investigators say that Mexican officials refused to cooperate with their investigation into the <a href="https://theintercept.com/2016/04/25/independent-investigators-leave-mexico-without-solving-the-case-of-43-disappeared-students/">massacre of 43 students</a>, about two years ago.


feed_id: 1f6c36c728665cb0cf1d33f4b35607ec
title: CIA censors cold war history
uri: CIA-censors-cold-war-history
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#27_April_2016_%28CIA_censors_cold_war_history%29
content:
<p>

The CIA with help from Georgetown University, is <a href="https://theintercept.com/2016/04/25/how-the-cia-writes-history/">censoring cold war history</a>.


feed_id: bd9e316d2a4a0800372971e1a8d223d7
title: Tories want to scrap Human Rights
uri: Tories-want-to-scrap-Human-Rights
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#27_April_2016_%28Tories_want_to_scrap_Human_Rights%29

content:
<p>
If Britain leaves the EU, it will be an opportunity to escape from present and past business-supremacy treaties.  But the Tories won't use it for that — <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2016/apr/25/ttip-vote-brexit-barack-obama-leave-eu-trade-deal">quite the contrary</a>.
<p>
What they want to get rid of is the <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/politics/2016/apr/25/uk-must-leave-european-convention-on-human-rights-theresa-may-eu-referendum">European human rights treaty</a>.


feed_id: 991121c818a490c3a01f4931e6c191eb
title: UK Government attacks BBC
uri: UK-Government-attacks-BBC
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#27_April_2016_%28UK_Government_attacks_BBC%29
content:
<p>
The UK government is now attacking the independence of the <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2016/apr/25/white-paper-bbc-state-broadcaster-scrap-trust-ofcom-independence">BBC</a>.  That follows a path made by Berlusconi.
<p>
Meanwhile, in the US there's no need for right-wing state control of PBS and NPR, because the same companies that mostly give orders to the state have lots of control over them.  


feed_id: ccf89da32a45cb8e154ce5a84911dd92
title: Cruz and Kasich to Block Trump
uri: Cruz-and-Kasich-to-Block-Trump
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#27_April_2016_%28Cruz_and_Kasich_to_Block_Trump%29
content:
<p>
Cruz and Kasich decided to work together to block Trump from the <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2016/apr/25/the-guardian-view-on-the-anti-trump-pact-too-little-too-late">Republican nomination.</a>
<p>
I don't agree that Trump is the worst of them all.  All the Repiblican and Democratic candidates are lousy except for Sanders.  While Trump blazed a new trail of overt hostitily to Mexicans and Muslims, the other Republican candidates are probably more serious than he is in their hostility to women and poor people.  
<p>
Meanwhile, Clinton has supported coups d'etat south of the border and bombs lots of muslims already. 
<p>
Sanders is the only major party candidate that i will vote for.  My second choice would be the Green Party candidate.
<p>


feed_id: 71453a50c5ae65b5e9a0a426f24573ff
title: Chinese Journalist Sentenced
uri: Chinese-Journalist-Sentenced
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#27_April_2016_%28Chinese_Journalist_Sentenced%29
content:
<p>
Chinese Journalist Sentenced to Nearly 5 Years for <a href="https://cpj.org/2016/04/chinese-journalist-sentenced-to-nearly-5-years-for.php">'Provoking Trouble'.</a>
<p>


feed_id: a89d65b651936cfd34e46bb451035dcd
title: Urgent: Oppose death penalty
uri: Urgent-Oppose-death-penalty
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#26_April_2016_%28Urgent%3A_Oppose_death_penalty%29
content:
<p>
Everyone:
<a href="https://act.amnestyusa.org/ea-action/action?ea.client.id=1839&ea.campaign.id=49258">File
a public comment</a> asking California not to resume executions.


feed_id: e9338adb7b7ec0d7d41b42d89cf92f91
title: Accused of antisemitism for attacking Zionism
uri: Accused-of-antisemitism-for-attacking-Zionism
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#26_April_2016_%28Accused_of_antisemitism_for_attacking_Zionism%29

content:
<p>
Malia Bouattia, elected head of the UK's National Union of Students,
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2016/apr/21/new-nus-president-muslims-malia-bouattia">faces
accusations of antisemitism for attacking Zionism</a>.


feed_id: dd266e2bd9b4ef140ad4d3df424b563d
title: UK NHS doctors plan indefinite strike
uri: UK-NHS-doctors-plan-indefinite-strike
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#26_April_2016_%28UK_NHS_doctors_plan_indefinite_strike%29

content:
<p>
The UK's NHS doctors, most of them, are planning an
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/society/2016/apr/21/uk-junior-doctors-may-follow-april-strikes-indefinite-walkout">indefinite
strike</a> rather than accept the contract that the government wants
to impose by edict.
<p>
The government's goal is to destroy the NHS, and paying its staff too
little is the chosen method.


feed_id: ea3408b10d28042860c2d9aa761ed864
title: Urgent: Move marijuana out of Schedule 1
uri: Urgent-Move-marijuana-out-of-Schedule-1
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#26_April_2016_%28Urgent%3A_Move_marijuana_out_of_Schedule_1%29

content:
<p>
US citizens:
<a href="http://petitions.moveon.org/sign/remove-the-classification">call
for moving marijuana out of Schedule 1</a>, so as to
<a href="http://reason.com/reasontv/2016/04/20/how-president-can-end-pot-prohibition">stop
pretending it has no medical use</a>.


feed_id: d574cfa77c2e0f72f46fa324ace364dd
title: True owners of foreign companies
uri: True-owners-of-foreign-companies
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#26_April_2016_%28True_owners_of_foreign_companies%29

content:
<p>
The UK government is talking about
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2016/apr/21/ministers-consider-forcing-disclosure-of-true-ownership-of-uk-property">requiring
foreign companies to disclose their true owners</a> when they buy
property in the UK or bid for government contracts.
<p>
That is a step in the right direction, but it should not be so
limited.  It should be a condition, for a payment to a foreign company
to be deductible as a business expense, for that foreign company to
disclose who owns it.  That would come close to making it a
requirement for doing business in the UK.


feed_id: dcf9b409ba390372f44822bdc98b4248
title: Avoiding 2C of global heating
uri: Avoiding-2C-of-global-heating
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#26_April_2016_%28Avoiding_2C_of_global_heating%29
content:
<p>
To avoid 2C of global heating,
<a href="http://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2016/04/20/paris-agreement-pledges-must-be-strengthened-next-few-years-limit-warming-2degc">countries
must strengthen their Paris Agreement pledges</a> pretty soon.
<p>
But
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#22_April_2016_(Global_heating_disasters)">even
2C is too much</a>.
<p>
Obama should
<a href="http://www.commondreams.org/news/2016/04/20/groups-obama-declare-climate-emergency-ban-crude-oil-exports">declare
a climate emergency and block US oil exports</a>.  That would not be
enough to prevent global heating disaster, but it would be a step in
the right direction.  Even more important, it would set an example of
recognizing how serious the problem is.


feed_id: 93b0b13a9cf022181e71e536165bd731
title: Urgent: Block Syngenta-ChemChina merger
uri: Urgent-Block-Syngenta-ChemChina-merger
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#26_April_2016_%28Urgent%3A_Block_Syngenta-ChemChina_merger%29

content:
<p>
US citizens:
<a href="http://act.credoaction.com/sign/chemchina_syngenta">call on
Obama</a> to block the merger of Syngenta and ChemChina.


feed_id: d912e7aab7510efcd5477c54307b6907
title: Hidden distribution of "child" pornography
uri: Hidden-distribution-of-child-pornography
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#26_April_2016_%28Hidden_distribution_of_child_pornography%29

content:
<p>
Distribution of "child" pornography is now hidden on sites that
normally appear to have only adult pornography.  The result is that
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2016/apr/21/criminals-hide-child-abuse-images-behind-legal-porn-sites">people
trying to download the adult pornography may get "child" pornography
they did not want</a>.  They could be jailed for this.
<p>
This is yet more proof that it is intolerable to prosecute people for
having downloaded something, or having a copy of something — no
matter what that something is.
<p>
Be careful not to take the term "child abuse images" on face value.
It's accurate for some of the images, which are photos of real sexual
abuse of real children, but not all of them.  Some of the "children"
are adolescents, or even adults that appear to be adolescents, and
others are not real people at all.


feed_id: 00b6a571ee0e17d5421d3e4868fe7131
title: Israel attacks regular nonviolent protests
uri: Israel-attacks-regular-nonviolent-protests
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#26_April_2016_%28Israel_attacks_regular_nonviolent_protests%29

content:
<p>
The inhabitants of Ni'lin village continue
<a href="http://palsolidarity.org/2016/04/non-violent-protest-in-nilin-again-met-with-collective-punishment-against-whole-village/">regular
nonviolent protests</a> against the Israel wall that cut them off from
their farmland, and Israel keeps attacking them.


feed_id: 5bb9f21060addcf7208f0ebcc5c187d7
title: Urgent: Investigate tax dodgers
uri: Urgent-Investigate-tax-dodgers
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#26_April_2016_%28Urgent%3A_Investigate_tax_dodgers%29

content:
<p>
US citizens:
<a href="http://act.credoaction.com/sign/warren_brown_panama_papers">call
on the Treasury Department</a> to launch investigations of tax dodgers
revealed by the Panama papers


feed_id: 6c8d3ada81669b231bfa3ad8e449d7c5
title: Car emissions test cheating software
uri: Car-emissions-test-cheating-software
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#26_April_2016_%28Car_emissions_test_cheating_software%29

content:
<p>
Audi
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/business/2016/apr/20/vw-emissions-software-came-from-audi-report">developed
emissions test cheating software in 1999</a> but didn't use it.
Volkswagen got it 10 years later and actually used it.


feed_id: 44218f249f64c9ae1b2c0b155c91eb5b
title: Bus bombed by Hamas militant
uri: Bus-bombed-by-Hamas-militant
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#26_April_2016_%28Bus_bombed_by_Hamas_militant%29
content:
<p>
A Hamas militant
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/apr/21/jerusalem-israel-bus-bomber-named-hamas-militant">put
a bomb on a bus</a>, and was killed by wounds from it.


feed_id: 5c00a140392c6126c7258703be77b052
title: Oakland, California getting too expensive
uri: Oakland-California-getting-too-expensive
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#26_April_2016_%28Oakland%2C_California_getting_too_expensive%29

content:
<p>
Oakland, California, which used to have lots of slums, is now
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/cities/2016/apr/21/oakland-housing-crisis-rising-rents-evictions">too
expensive for poor people to live in at all</a>.
<p>
What the Bay Area needs is a lot of non-luxurious housing built near
mass transit lines.


feed_id: 44922b6f5fc0209af614d179fb5ec689
title: FBI entrapment
uri: 2016-04-28-FBI-entrapment
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#26_April_2016_%28FBI_entrapment%29
content:
<p>
Two FBI agents carried out a
<a href="https://theintercept.com/2016/04/21/listen-to-an-fbi-honeypot-on-the-job/">multi-stage
plan to steer Khalil Abu Rayyan into terrorism</a>.  The first
pretended to be in love with him, and broke his heart.  Then the
second one manipulated his suicidal inclinations by proposing
terrorism as a substitute.
<p>
The plan didn't actually work: he didn't do anything.  But it gave the
FBI an excuse to search his house and find that he owned a gun.
<p>
Since the only reason to search his house was the plan to entrapment
him, the gun should be invalid evidence and all charges should be
dropped.


feed_id: 8b6aa96e593e2b457dcbbe52ffd17ad8
title: UK construction industry's blacklist
uri: UK-construction-industry-s-blacklist
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#26_April_2016_%28UK_construction_industrys_blacklist%29

content:
<p>
Alan Wainwright, who exposed the UK construction industry's blacklist,
is suing because
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/business/2016/apr/21/building-industry-blacklist-whistleblower-sues-for-victimisation-alan-wainwright">now
he seems to be blacklisted</a>.


feed_id: 196e1e8c5b6448765ace2fecd0bdec2c
title: Cambodia bans Chut Wutty documentary
uri: Cambodia-bans-Chut-Wutty-documentary
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#26_April_2016_%28Cambodia_bans_Chut_Wutty_documentary%29

content:
<p>
Cambodia has
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2016/apr/21/cambodia-bans-film-about-murdered-rainforest-activist-chut-wutty">banned
a documentary about assassinated Cambodian activist Chut Wutty</a>,
who resisted deforestation.
<p>
It appears that the government is thoroughly corrupt and will go to
great lengths to protect extractivist business.  Killing Chut Wutty
was part of that, and this act of censorship is too.  Other
environmental activists there have been imprisoned.


feed_id: 44bb45ab865e73a7418195784ad204e9
title: Maxima Acuña blocks US mining company
uri: Maxima-Acuña-blocks-US-mining-company
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#26_April_2016_%28Maxima_Acuna_blocks_US_mining_company%29

content:
<p>
Maxima Acuña has
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/sustainable-business/2016/apr/21/peru-farmer-wins-battle-newmont-mining-corporation">blocked
a big US company from digging a gold mine on the spot where her farm
is located</a>.  Lawsuits, violence, and sabotage of her crops didn't
make her back down, and international support helped her stand up to
them.
<p>
The mine would have poisoned the whole zone, not just her farm.


feed_id: 434846c257fd168bfbb926fc53244d6c
title: Koch brothers against protecting Grand Canyon
uri: Koch-brothers-against-protecting-Grand-Canyon
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#26_April_2016_%28Koch_brothers_against_protecting_Grand_Canyon%29

content:
<p>
The Koch brothers have
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2016/apr/20/koch-brothers-grand-canyon-national-monument-plan-uranium">spent
1.5 million dollars</a> to fight a plan to protect the Grand Canyon
region from uranium mining.


feed_id: 18dd4dc4e369efc5c3491b3ce372df8b
title: Loomis Reef killed by human action
uri: Loomis-Reef-killed-by-human-action
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#26_April_2016_%28Loomis_Reef_killed_by_human_action%29

content:
<p>
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/environment/planet-oz/2016/apr/21/mourning-loomis-reef-the-heart-of-the-great-barrier-reefs-coral-bleaching-disaster">RIP
Loomis Reef</a>, the coral and the fish, killed by human action.
<p>
Extractivists keep saying, "Destruction is so far off that you
shouldn't worry about it," until the destruction arrives.  Then they
say, "There's nothing left to destroy, so why not let us take all we
wish?"  But there are things elsewhere that we can still save, if we
push it.


feed_id: 6820de4a2593bad4ce89861a985cdb2d
title: Britain's Corporate Fatcats
uri: Britain-s-Corporate-Fatcats
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#26_April_2016_%28Britains_Corporate_Fatcats%29
content:
<p>
Face It, Britain's Corporate Fatcats
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2016/apr/21/britain-corporate-fatcat-party-till-we-turn-music-off">Will
Party Until We Turn the Music Off</a>.
<p>
One way to turn it off: bring back high income tax rates for high
incomes.  While plutocratist governments compete to attract rich
people to spend some money, democratic governments should ally to make
sure the rich pay tax.


feed_id: 10f4e5f39ba34721513f64c2bfe575ee
title: Fossil fuels, pipelines and Clinton's campaign
uri: Fossil-fuels-pipelines-and-Clinton-s-campaign
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#26_April_2016_%28Fossil_fuels%2C_pipelines_and_Clintons_campaign%29

content:
<p>
<a href="http://www.commondreams.org/views/2016/04/19/hillary-clintons-fossil-fuel-financiers">The
billionaires financing Clinton's campaign</a> are heavily invested in
fossil fuels and pipelines.
<p>
Students at some US universities, campaigning for divestment from
fossil fuels, have
<a href="http://www.commondreams.org/news/2016/04/19/undeterred-students-keep-second-week-divestment-sit-ins">occupied
school buildings and refuse to leave</a>.


feed_id: ae60a94e3870da13ceaf8df794e7b88d
title: Veiled rebuke to Erdo&gbreve;an's support for PISSI
uri: Veiled-rebuke-to-Erdo-gbreve-an-s-support-for-PISSI
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#26_April_2016_%28Veiled_rebuke_to_Erdogans_support_for_PISSI%29

content:
<p>
The UK Parliament
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/politics/2016/apr/20/mps-unanimously-declare-yazidis-victims-of-isis-genocide">voted
to declare PISSI's attacks against Christians and Yazidis as
"genocide"</a>.
<p>
This is a veiled rebuke to Erdo&gbreve;an's hidden support for PISSI,
but not overt criticism.  Too bad — it would have been fun to
see him demand prosecution of the UK Parliament for insulting him.
<p>
The ministers
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/politics/2016/apr/21/uk-government-criticised-for-refusing-to-act-on-motion-accusing-isis-of-genocide">stubbornly
refuse to do what Parliament told them to do</a>.
<p>
There has to be a specific reason for such stubbornness.  Are they
protecting countries that helped PISSI reach the power to commit
genocide?


feed_id: e7255a85305a6e1b0efe6a4e4f23b051
title: Salafi Arabia's regime hostile to Obama
uri: Salafi-Arabia-s-regime-hostile-to-Obama
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#26_April_2016_%28Salafi_Arabias_regime_hostile_to_Obama%29

content:
<p>
Salafi Arabia's regime
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/apr/20/barack-obama-saudi-arabia-visit-king-salman-relationship">demonstrated
hostility to visiting Obama</A>, who has not given them the unstinting
public support it feels entitled to.
<p>
The question is, will he have the courage to help curb the worldwide
harm that Salafi Arabia does: oppression of women locally, and
spreading extreme, fanatical and patriarchal Islam around the world.


feed_id: 7236190c1e15709eac418276a70b7186
title: Michigan officials faces charges
uri: Michigan-officials-faces-charges
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#26_April_2016_%28Michigan_officials_faces_charges%29

content:
<p>
Michigan officials face charges for
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2016/apr/20/flint-water-crisis-three-state-local-officials-first-criminal-charges-michigan-lead">poisoning
Flint's water then lying to cover it up</a>.
<p>
I agree that Governor Snyder should be the main target.  We don't
publicly have proof, but plenty of grounds for investigation.
<p>
However, starting by charging the small fry can be a fine way
to make them testify against Mr Big.


feed_id: 1435c84fc57572b90b3d24a622b69604
title: Exxon's global heating denial
uri: Exxon-s-global-heating-denial
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#26_April_2016_%28Exxons_global_heating_denial%29
content:
<p>
The
<a href="http://www.prwatch.org/news/2016/04/13092/dci-group-subpoenaed-expanding-exxon-climate-denial-investigation">Competitive
Enterprise Institute</a>, a plutocratist "think tank" whose purpose is
paid propaganda, faces investigation for aiding Exxon's global heating
denial.
<p>
On the
<a href="https://www.stallman.org/articles/exxon.html">correct
pronunciation</a> of "Exxon".


feed_id: fdd247bc061205b500e16e28f8067fad
title: New Orleans thugs sentenced to prison
uri: New-Orleans-thugs-sentenced-to-prison
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#26_April_2016_%28New_Orleans_thugs_sentenced_to_prison%29

content:
<p>
Thugs that shot innocent people trying to flee flooded New Orleans
have finally been
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2016/apr/20/new-orleans-police-officers-reduced-charges-hurricane-katrina-shootings">sentenced
to many years in prison</a>.


feed_id: 853c55f0bd130053399e4204656f370c
title: Militaristic marketing of guns
uri: Militaristic-marketing-of-guns
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#26_April_2016_%28Militaristic_marketing_of_guns%29
content:
<p>
Parents of children murdered in Sandy Hook are
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2016/apr/20/newtown-sandy-hook-shooting-lawsuit-gun-control-election">suing
the gun manufacturer</a> for marketing its product in militaristic
ways that appeal to the desire to kill.


feed_id: 5d96cf3be9dd1029366f9c25988e80c2
title: Global heating
uri: 2016-04-28-Global-heating
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#26_April_2016_%28Global_heating%29
content:
<p>
So far, global heating has affected the US mainly in less winter cold.
As heating continues in this century, it will mean
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2016/apr/20/climate-change-weather-changes-us-study">painful
summer heat</a>.


feed_id: e5c1eb141690fa914498289488fbe25e
title: Winter Warmth in Alaska
uri: Winter-Warmth-in-Alaska
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#26_April_2016_%28Winter_Warmth_in_Alaska%29
content:
<p>
<a href="http://www.climatecentral.org/news/winter-warmth-could-herald-alaskas-future-20245">Unrelenting
Winter Warmth</a> Could Herald Alaskaâs Future.


feed_id: 30a528e828a7338ebd5c553574b245f2
title: Smartphones cause boredom
uri: Smartphones-cause-boredom
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#26_April_2016_%28Smartphones_cause_boredom%29
content:
<p>
Another reason to leave your smartphone home: the constant search for 
frequent stimulation makes people more <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2016/apr/24/why-are-we-so-bored">susceptible to boredom</a>.


feed_id: 3131059bca59f171b82373be0442d822
title: Trains recording passengers
uri: Trains-recording-passengers
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#26_April_2016_%28Trains_recording_passengers%29
content:
<p>
More trains and buses in the US <a href="http://www.npr.org/templates/transcript/transcript.php?storyId=474405951">record passengers' conversations</a>.
<p>
Microphones that record all or most of the time should be banned by
law in public transit vehicles including taxis.


feed_id: f4c93f2607b843e2b1214f709840e379
title: Education won't guarantee high income
uri: Education-won-t-guarantee-high-income
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#26_April_2016_%28Education_won%27t_guarantee_high_income%29

content:
<p>
In the UK, a university education at a non-prestigious university
is no longer a path to higher income, but it saddles the student
with <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2016/apr/19/degree-graduates-low-pay-high-debt-students">high debt</a> that is hard to pay off.


feed_id: 1118e375cb389dd6715e18572255187e
title: Malia Bouattia condemns antisemitism
uri: Malia-Bouattia-condemns-antisemitism
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#26_April_2016_%28Malia_Bouattia_condemns_antisemitism%29

content:
<p>
Malia Bouattia <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/education/2016/apr/24/malia-bouattia-national-union-students-president-controversy">condemns antisemitism</a> and says that she has
always opposed this and other forms of bigotry.
<p>
It seems to be a case of the usual right-wing lie that labels
all criticism of the occupation of Palestine as "antisemitism".


feed_id: a270036370e32fe15e7d7e540201a32f
title: Philippines presidential candidate like Trump
uri: Philippines-presidential-candidate-like-Trump
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#26_April_2016_%28Philippines_presidential_candidate_like_Trump%29

content:
<p>
The leading presidential candidate in the Philippines is somewhat <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/apr/25/kill-my-kids-if-they-took-drugs-philippines-presidential-favourite">like
another Trump</a>, publicly promoting violence.  He made a joke about a
missionary who was raped and murdered, which may cost him the
election.
<p>
If poor Filipinos are supporting him because society exploits them and
offers them no opportunity, it follows that his campaign is yet
another distraction campaign.  It's the plutocrats, stupid!


feed_id: 3b2e94e46643d2634d4ebc51e7a7f8d0
title: Researchers attempting human lifespan increase
uri: Researchers-attempting-human-lifespan-increase
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#26_April_2016_%28Researchers_attempting_human_lifespan_increase%29

content:
<p>
Researchers are tackling the problem of <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/science/2015/jan/11/-sp-live-forever-extend-life-calico-google-longevity">extending the human lifespan</a>.
<p>
I am very much in favor of this, but we will have even more need
to reduce the birth rate.
<p>
Supposing we reduce the birth rate sufficiently, I expect life
extension won't cause economic problems.  This is because by the time
these treatments work well and are quite common, developed countries
will probably have an economic system that doesn't require people to
work, and most people won't be able to find any work.
<p>
But we can't take that for granted.  If the plutocrats win, they could
force most people into Hunger Games poverty that few will want to
extend.


feed_id: 76cc0df750d968a563976e6f792583fb
title: Egyptian false news
uri: Egyptian-false-news
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#26_April_2016_%28Egyptian_false_news%29
content:
<p>
The Egyptian <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/apr/25/egypt-investigates-reuters-journalist-over-report-on-regeni">"false news"</a> published by Reuters is that Giulio Regeni
was arrested and handed over to "homeland security" on the night he
disappeared.
<p>
This doesn't prove that "homeland security" tortured and killed him,
but it seems plausible from a regime so murderous.


feed_id: ead929a78771cdb744d6c9c6bf75d4f4
title: Cosmetic surgery marketing
uri: Cosmetic-surgery-marketing
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#26_April_2016_%28Cosmetic_surgery_marketing%29
content:
<p>
Aggressive marketing of cosmetic surgery <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2016/apr/25/in-the-aggressive-world-of-cosmetic-surgery-patients-cant-afford-to-be-naive">covers up the risk</a>, paving the way
for social pressure to make many people believe it is their only hope.
<p>
The result is a sort of beauty inflation, comparable to grade
inflation in a school.  When most students get an A, getting a B is in
effect describes you as a bad student.  When most people who aren't
naturally beautiful get cosmetic surgery, an appearance that 40 years ago
would have been just fine may now be regarded as ugly.
<p>
Anorexia is part of a similar phenomenon.


feed_id: 1de352ed2920b944d4f2ed23353bfd86
title: Republicans and abortion
uri: Republicans-and-abortion
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#26_April_2016_%28Republicans_and_abortion%29
content:
<p>
Republicans that <a href="http://ieet.org/index.php/IEET/more/Tarico20160424">oppose abortion rights</a> mostly shy away from the
logical conclusion, which is to treat their female relatives as
murderers.  So their excuse is to treat women as lacking
responsibility for their actions.


feed_id: c49289e6aaf97351d13828bf86ba77c8
title: FBI going through NSA data
uri: FBI-going-through-NSA-data
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#26_April_2016_%28FBI_going_through_NSA_data%29
content:
<p>
The FISA court contrived a <a href="https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2016/04/secret-court-takes-another-bite-out-fourth-amendment">strained excuse</a> to let the FBI study
the bulk information that the NSA collects without half trying.
<p>
Some congresscritters are <a href="https://theintercept.com/2016/04/22/stymied-by-nsa-members-of-congress-ask-really-basic-question-again/">not happy</a> with this.


feed_id: 4d9c5016d0f404dbcb3d773101e5b840
title: Atheist Pastor Sparks Debate
uri: Atheist-Pastor-Sparks-Debate
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#26_April_2016_%28Atheist_Pastor_Sparks_Debate%29
content:
<p>
Atheist Pastor <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/apr/24/atheist-pastor-canada-gretta-vosper-united-church-canada">Sparks Debate</a> by 'Irritating the Church into the 21st Century'.


feed_id: 3cda9c22d35881fdc570852c86b6feba
title: Natural disasters continue to increase
uri: Natural-disasters-continue-to-increase
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#26_April_2016_%28Natural_disasters_continue_to_increase%29

content:
<p>
The amount of annual damage from "natural" disasters <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2016/apr/24/world-heading-for-catastrophe-over-natural-disasters-risk-expert-warns">continues to
increase</a>.
<p>
Partly this is due to human activities; for instance, global heating
makes droughts and floods happen, and deforestation also makes for
worse flooding for the same amount of rain.  Partly this is because of
increase in human population: more people need to live in the regions that
are prone to various sorts of disaster.
<p>
In addition to curbing global heating, we also need to curb the human
population.


feed_id: d7b8dde00e19bc6a8286158829e9b813
title: Koch brothers might vote for Clinton
uri: Koch-brothers-might-vote-for-Clinton
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#26_April_2016_%28Koch_brothers_might_vote_for_Clinton%29

content:
<p>
The Koch brothers say <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2016/apr/24/charles-koch-trump-nazi-germany-support-hillary-clinton">they might vote for Clinton</a>.
<p>
This confirms that we shouldn't!


feed_id: 005bf4225886a4aa4dacf87daf6fcaae
title: Clean coal myth
uri: Clean-coal-myth
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#26_April_2016_%28Clean_coal_myth%29
content:
<p>
Time to Bury the <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2008/oct/30/fossilfuels-carbonemissions">'Clean Coal' Myth</a>.
<p>
Usually it refers to hypothetical future technology
and they want you to treat it as given.


feed_id: 1e84058de9a437f73d7b257264bafb2f
title: Patents to interfere with farmers
uri: Patents-to-interfere-with-farmers
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#26_April_2016_%28Patents_to_interfere_with_farmers%29

content:
<p>
Patents will interfere with US <a href="https://news.vice.com/article/a-patent-for-cannabis-plants-is-already-a-reality-and-more-are-expected-to-follow">marijuana farmers</a>.
<p>
Patents should not be allowed to interfere with farmers' large-scale
cultivation of crops.
<p>
Using the term "<a href="http://gnu.org/philosophy/not-ipr.html">intellectual property</a>" to refer to patents is a
terrible mistake, because in other articles "intellectual property"
refers to copyright, and in yet other articles it refers to
trademarks.  Patent law is totally different from copyright law, and
both of them have nothing to do with trademark law, and confusing them
leads invariably to total nonsense.


feed_id: e074d0905f037c206e07816b97d58a0e
title: Right of first sale destroyed
uri: Right-of-first-sale-destroyed
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#26_April_2016_%28Right_of_first_sale_destroyed%29
content:
<p>
A decision by the CAFC <a href="https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2016/04/eff-asks-supreme-court-overturn-dangerous-ruling-allowing-patent-owners-undermine">effectively destroyed</a> the right of first sale
in patent law.  The EFF asks the Supreme Court to reverse this decision.


feed_id: a56c789fd269658ebdaefa5fffdabea8
title: NY thugs prosecuted
uri: NY-thugs-prosecuted
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#26_April_2016_%28NY_thugs_prosecuted%29
content:
<p>
New York thugs are being <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2016/04/21/nyregion/2-new-york-detectives-indicted-in-beating-of-mail-carrier.html?smid=tw-share">prosecuted for perjury</a>, as well as for beating up
a postman based on an irrational grudge.


feed_id: a5bc8ed83c48b5d56587ee26d234e102
title: Far away problems
uri: Far-away-problems
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#26_April_2016_%28Far_away_problems%29
content:
<p>
The problems of people far away <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/global-development-professionals-network/2016/apr/23/western-do-gooders-need-to-resist-the-allure-of-exotic-problems">can seem very easy to fix</a> with a little
imported intervention.


feed_id: 32bab9b27e0382cde922816416ee7103
title: Lobbyists' arguments refuted
uri: Lobbyists-arguments-refuted
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#26_April_2016_%28Lobbyists_arguments_refuted%29
content:
<p>
Refuting <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/five-myths-about-tax-havens/2016/04/15/76d001d2-0255-11e6-b823-707c79ce3504_story.html">several fallacious arguments</a> offered by the lobbyists for
countries that assist tax dodging.


feed_id: f47c75d9f353587bfd937926f892599e
title: Profits too high
uri: Profits-too-high
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#26_April_2016_%28Profits_too_high%29
content:
<p>
In many US industries, <a href="https://promarket.org/are-we-all-rent-seeking-investors/">profits are too high</a> — because companies
have effectively limited competition.


feed_id: 19bd7e691208710f3d23eaa70daaa6fa
title: How technology helps creditors
uri: How-technology-helps-creditors
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#26_April_2016_%28How_technology_helps_creditors%29
content:
<p>
How Technology <a href="http://www.theatlantic.com/technology/archive/2016/04/rental-company-control/478365/">Helps Creditors</a> Control Debtors, and denies ordinary people the possibility of owning things.

I think many of these practices ought to be prohibited by law.  Not
only because they work for the rich while restricting the liberty of
the poor, but because they give publishers too much power.


feed_id: c0fb9be293eada51ce425745f7be26fb
title: New Libyan government
uri: New-Libyan-government
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#26_April_2016_%28New_Libyan_government%29
content:
<p>
A new Libyan government has been set up, mainly by foreigners.  Some
Libyan factions have joined it but others are reluctant.  The talk
about "security help" suggests that it is a 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/apr/19/libya-offered-security-help-by-european-union-fayez-seraj">vehicle
for intervention</a>, as is the government of Somalia.
<p>
I won't say that this is necessarily a bad thing, if it works.  Libya
is in horrible shape, due to previous US and European help.  But this
help could go wrong, too.


feed_id: 502c77c82c45a6d2456b1b3d3ca1b2bf
title: Hillary's Dance
uri: Hillary-s-Dance
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#26_April_2016_%28Hillarys_Dance%29
content:
<p>
Hillary's Dance: 
<a href="http://www.commondreams.org/views/2016/04/18/hillarys-dance-two-faced-hypocritical-12-step">The
Two-Faced Hypocritical 12-Step</a>.


feed_id: da0edf70f80884183a32d06eece62306
title: Radioactive contamination at Air Force base
uri: Radioactive-contamination-at-Air-Force-base
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#26_April_2016_%28Radioactive_contamination_at_Air_Force_base%29

content:
<p>
Chemical and radioactive contamination at George Air Force Base 
<a href="http://www.truth-out.org/news/item/35669-i-m-mad-as-hell-air-force-members-blame-health-horrors-on-toxic-exposure">makes
the military personnel gravely ill and causes birth defects for their
children</a>.


feed_id: b268a2d332de0a9ef5a7ac8ecc31b8ca
title: Urgent: Close loopholes in EPA plan
uri: Urgent-Close-loopholes-in-EPA-plan
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#26_April_2016_%28Urgent%3A_Close_loopholes_in_EPA_plan%29

content:
<p>
US citizens: 
<a href="https://secure3.convio.net/ucs/site/Advocacypagename=homepage&page=UserAction&id=5202">call
on the EPA</a> to close the loopholes in its Risk Management Plan for
preventing accidents in chemical plants.


feed_id: bc0e5cd09c389fc0aab4c4833eb84457
title: Urgent: Americans' home mortgages
uri: Urgent-Americans-home-mortgages
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#26_April_2016_%28Urgent%3A_Americans_home_mortgages%29

content:
<p>
US citizens: 
<a href="https://dontsellourhomestowallstreet.org/">call on HUD</a>
not to sell Americans' home mortgages to Wall Street.


feed_id: bb0b4fefc6057dcd7b4f1ce60961619a
title: Palestinian poet on trial for poem
uri: Palestinian-poet-on-trial-for-poem
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#26_April_2016_%28Palestinian_poet_on_trial_for_poem%29

content:
<p>
Palestinian poet Dareen Tatour is 
<a href="http://972mag.com/poetic-injustice-palestinian-poet-arrested-over-facebook-post/118641/">on
trial in Israel for a poem</a>; the court is judging her based on a
translation made by a thug who isn't even qualified as a translator.


feed_id: 0248a77635df5fb1670de49732cd8214
title: Repeated demolition of Bedouin houses
uri: Repeated-demolition-of-Bedouin-houses
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#26_April_2016_%28Repeated_demolition_of_Bedouin_houses%29

content:
<p>
Israel has 
<a href="http://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/originals/2016/04/araqib-village-israel-demolition-palestine-land.html">repeatedly
demolished the houses of Araqib</a>, an old Bedouin village that
Israel refuses to recognize.  They keep rebuilding, so Israel proposes
to fine the remaining inhabitants for each day that they have spent in
their village.


feed_id: ef565cffd60ad71ecadb999ee3d8e37e
title: Urgent: Drop lawsuit against Colombia
uri: Urgent-Drop-lawsuit-against-Colombia
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#26_April_2016_%28Urgent%3A_Drop_lawsuit_against_Colombia%29

content:
<p>
Everyone: 
<a href="https://actions.sumofus.org/a/keep-this-u-s-mining-company-out-of-colombia-s-amazon/">tell
Tobie Mining and Energy</a> to drop its lawsuit against Colombia.
<p>
Colombia blocked a gold mine that could have poisoned part of the
Amazon rain forest, and the mining company, based on the US, is now
using the US-Colombia business supremacy treaty to sue.
<p>
It makes sense to pressure the company to drop the suit, but that's
not enough.  Colombia and the US should cancel this unjust treaty.


feed_id: 8bce3004643ff6110da49e057136ff03
title: Facebook political manipulation
uri: Facebook-political-manipulation
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#26_April_2016_%28Facebook_political_manipulation%29
content:
<p>
Facebook employees asked if Facebook should "stop Trump" by 
<a href="http://gizmodo.com/facebook-employees-asked-mark-zuckerberg-if-they-should-1771012990">skewing
what messages the useds of Facebook actually see</a>.
<p>
It appears Facebook did not try to do this, but nothing prevents it.
Which is another reason it is bad to be 
<a href="https://stallman.org/facebook.html">used by Facebook</a>.
<p>
When people talk of "stopping Trump", they usually mean boosting some
other candidate who is more or less right-wing, such as Cruz or
Clinton.  That makes no sense anyway.


feed_id: 121fb75ae6eb01cab040ca30422fa445
title: India's drought
uri: India-s-drought
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#26_April_2016_%28Indias_drought%29
content:
<p>
India Drought 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/apr/20/india-drought-affecting-330-million-people-weak-monsoons">'Affecting
330 Million People'</a> after Two Weak Monsoons.
<p>
The unparalleled heat is adding to the drought.


feed_id: 60ba7c8b842e1461d3c4cb4eaeb99b21
title: Chinese censorship systems
uri: Chinese-censorship-systems
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#26_April_2016_%28Chinese_censorship_systems%29
content:
<p>
Chinese censorship systems 
<a href="http://www.princeton.edu/main/news/archive/S46/06/55C69/index.xml">actively
look for Tor nodes so as to block them</a>.


feed_id: eb286404b3d7ad486458568218d7d5f7
title: Thailand gone mad
uri: Thailand-gone-mad
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#26_April_2016_%28Thailand_gone_mad%29
content:
<p>
Thailand asks foreign residents to state their 
<a href="http://phys.org/news/2016-04-thailand-foreigners-social-media-bank.html">social
media accounts, bank accounts, and the places where they buy
things</a>.
<p>
Don't go to Thailand — the state is 
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#12_April_2016_(Thailand_military_state)">effectively mad</a>.


feed_id: 3046ade4773b1f3ca083630e44ea011c
title: Government censorship of "app stores"
uri: Government-censorship-of-app-stores
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#26_April_2016_%28Government_censorship_of_app_stores%29

content:
<p>
Thug representatives testifying to Congress 
<a href="https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2016/04/app-store-censorship-and-fbi-hacking-proposed-congressional-crypto-hearing">want
to add government censorship</a> to the private censorship of
corporate "app stores", as a way to ban encryption applications.


feed_id: b6c0811ed4bad183a7c077496fbcf784
title: EU intimidated by BP
uri: EU-intimidated-by-BP
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#26_April_2016_%28EU_intimidated_by_BP%29
content:
<p>
Threats by Billionaire Polluters 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2016/apr/20/eu-dropped-climate-policies-after-bp-threat-oil-industry-exodus">intimidated
the EU</a> out of passing laws to curb pollution and greenhouse gases.
The company threatened to move production out of the EU.
<p>
The right response would have been to tell them, "Get lost —
Good riddance!"
<p>
It is true that sometimes pollution control laws can encourage
companies to move the pollution to another country.  That doesn't mean
the laws are ineffective, though.  Once some countries reduce
pollution, it becomes easier to convince other countries to do
likewise.


feed_id: 18b962a39af3481a3732babdc7b1a5b1
title: Jewish terrorists arrested
uri: Jewish-terrorists-arrested
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#26_April_2016_%28Jewish_terrorists_arrested%29
content:
<p>
Israel has arrested a group of Jewish terrorists/ that 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/apr/20/jewish-extremist-cell-arrested-in-west-bank">tried
to burn down a Palestinian house with a family in it</a>.
<p>
This reminds me of what Islamist terrorists have done in Europe.


feed_id: 393a72b405867aa7ced61c3dd398be4b
title: British sale of arms to Salafi Arabia
uri: British-sale-of-arms-to-Salafi-Arabia
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#26_April_2016_%28British_sale_of_arms_to_Salafi_Arabia%29

content:
<p>
Why Is Britain 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2016/apr/20/britain-selling-saudi-arabia-arms-yemen-corbyn">Still
Selling Saudi Arabia Arms to Use in Yemen</a>?


feed_id: f43104621defafe078cf6b00986f2b8a
title: Foolish support for patriarchy
uri: Foolish-support-for-patriarchy
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#26_April_2016_%28Foolish_support_for_patriarchy%29
content:
<p>
A foolish protest at a university expresses solidarity with Muslim
women who cover their hair as a 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/apr/20/french-students-wear-headscarves-for-hijab-day">statement
of religious support for patriarchy</a>.
<p>
Nobody is born with a hijab.  People should have the right to cover
their hair, but if you do so as a gesture of support for some
religion, any religion, people are entitled to criticize you for that
gesture.  In particular, feminists may want to denounce the
patriarchal religion that you are supporting, one that tells women
(only!) that they should be ashamed if they don't do this.
<p>
Meanwhile, I suggest that the well-intentioned organizers of this
event try organizing a "no hijab" day at a university in Iran, Libya,
Salafi Arabia, or even Iraq.


feed_id: f011766dcb4bf8e70712f6d49be59637
title: EU's refugee deal with Turkey
uri: EU-s-refugee-deal-with-Turkey
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#26_April_2016_%28EUs_refugee_deal_with_Turkey%29
content:
<p>
The Council of Europe says that the EU's refugee deal with Turkey
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/apr/20/eu-refugee-deal-turkey-condemned-council-of-europe">violates
international law</a>.
<p>
The EU should provide a lot more funds for food, shelter, education
and health care for Syrian refugees, in the neighboring countries and
internally displaced in Syria.


feed_id: fed365042f86016c009d1b751e509400
title: Zones of dangers air pollution in the US
uri: Zones-of-dangers-air-pollution-in-the-US
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#26_April_2016_%28Zones_of_dangers_air_pollution_in_the_US%29

content:
<p>
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2016/apr/20/dangerous-air-pollution-us-population-report">Half
the US population</a> lives in zones of dangerous air pollution.


feed_id: 9381b472fec681b4bdf8398f0d4dbfa8
title: Volunteer
uri: 2016-04-28-Volunteer
url: https://stallman.org/index.html#volunteerListAnc
content:
<p>I am looking for people to help webmasters of various sites (not related to me or GNU)
     make simple but substantial changes in their web sites —
     for instance, to use the GNU Project's recommended terminology.</p>


feed_id: a208b91d812020c413068c4eaf7369bf
title: NY primary
uri: NY-primary
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#25_April_2016_%28NY_primary%29
content:
<p>
Clinton 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2016/apr/20/clinton-trump-new-york-primary-delegate-counts">gained
substantially over Sanders in New York</a>, but the fight is not over.
<p>
It would be premature to give up now and switch to supporting the
Green Party.


feed_id: 7203317a9d5bc6d8a1bb69f753eb5d72
title: Urgent: Clean Power Plan
uri: 2016-04-28-Urgent-Clean-Power-Plan
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#25_April_2016_%28Urgent%3A_Clean_Power_Plan%29
content:
<p>
In the US: 
<a href="https://secure3.convio.net/ucs/site/Advocacy?pagename=homepage&page=UserAction&id=5196">call
on American Electric Power</a> to stop funding opponents of the Clean
Power Plan.


feed_id: 19926c8f13ff9645cd4ee8e55b6890d7
title: Palestinian prisoners on hunger strike
uri: Palestinian-prisoners-on-hunger-strike
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#25_April_2016_%28Palestinian_prisoners_on_hunger_strike%29

content:
<p>
Several Palestinian prisoners are on hunger strike
<a href="http://samidoun.net/2016/04/isolated-palestinian-prisoner-shukri-khawaja-launches-hunger-strike/">against
prolonged solitary confinement</a>.  Some of them have been
imprisoned without trial.


feed_id: 713b8e6a88480b993bc972471af8a1b6
title: Urgent: Endangered Species Act
uri: 2016-04-28-Urgent-Endangered-Species-Act
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#25_April_2016_%28Urgent%3A_Endangered_Species_Act%29

content:
<p>
US citizens: 
<a href="https://secure.defenders.org/site/Advocacy?cmd=display&page=UserAction&id=3066">oppose
the bill whose purpose is to sabotage</a> the Endangered Species Act
in name of sport.


feed_id: d283589ef3412c27f80a384cad340086
title: Suspension of human rights in France
uri: Suspension-of-human-rights-in-France
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#25_April_2016_%28Suspension_of_human_rights_in_France%29

content:
<p>
The French government 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/apr/20/france-seeks-to-extend-state-of-emergency-until-end-of-july">wants
to extend the State of Emergency</a> (i.e., suspended human rights)
until the end of July because some important sports events are coming
up.


feed_id: 310741f3a681b113d68199acfa9d7100
title: Proposed ban on microbead cosmetics
uri: Proposed-ban-on-microbead-cosmetics
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#25_April_2016_%28Proposed_ban_on_microbead_cosmetics%29

content:
<p>
Australian senators have 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2016/apr/20/senators-call-for-australia-to-ban-microbeads-to-protect-marine-life">proposed
a ban on cosmetics with microbeads</a>.  The microbeads kill wildlife.


feed_id: 6478d70f53dbeede9f5e8083fed9c406
title: Urgent: Stop weapons delivery
uri: Urgent-Stop-weapons-delivery
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#25_April_2016_%28Urgent%3A_Stop_weapons_delivery%29
content:
<p>
US citizens: 
<a href="http://petitions.moveon.org/sign/obama-dont-send-weapons">call
on Obama</a> not to deliver portable anti-aircraft missiles to Syrian
rebels.
<p>
The supposedly "secular" Syrian rebels collaborate constantly with
al-Nusra (the branch of al Qa'ida) and any arms given to the one find
their way to the other.


feed_id: e5a4cbf62380d061e738b0f2cbc95d22
title: Thousands rally in support of murderer
uri: Thousands-rally-in-support-of-murderer
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#25_April_2016_%28Thousands_rally_in_support_of_murderer%29

content:
<p>
<a href="https://theintercept.com/2016/04/19/thousands-israelis-rally-support-soldier-executed-wounded-palestinian/">Thousands
of Israelis rallied in support</a> of the soldier that murdered an
incapacitated Palestinian stab-attacker in cold blood.
<p>
At least one of them carried a sign saying "Kill them all."  All
Palestinians?  All Palestinians suspected of crimes?  These protesters
also threatened a reporter with violence.


feed_id: 79f20af5a6a980d01dc4d0d7a31f55c5
title: "War on Drugs"
uri: 2016-04-28-War-on-Drugs
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#25_April_2016_%28War_on_Drugs%29
content:
<p>
The UN 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/apr/19/un-summit-global-war-drugs-agreement-approved">stuck
by the crushing "War on Drugs"</a>.


feed_id: 6030dcb25c4bda2d234f2383b4c5e2ee
title: Great Barrier Reef bleaching
uri: 2016-04-28-Great-Barrier-Reef-bleaching
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#25_April_2016_%28Great_Barrier_Reef_bleaching%29
content:
<p>
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2016/apr/19/great-barrier-reef-93-of-reefs-hit-by-coral-bleaching">93%
of the sub-reefs</a> of the Great Barrier Reef have been hit by
bleaching.
<p>
Bleaching typically leads to death of the coral polyps if it lasts for
more than a short time.


feed_id: ee8f1c420a7b50a7af2fd6f18c9aed8b
title: UK backs off from gagging scientists
uri: UK-backs-off-from-gagging-scientists
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#25_April_2016_%28UK_backs_off_from_gagging_scientists%29

content:
<p>
The UK government has 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/science/2016/apr/19/ministers-back-down-on-rule-gagging-scientists">backed
off from gagging scientists from talking about public policy</a>, but
it dragged its feet.


feed_id: f9701796aea40552a7101623795d3036
title: UK says MPs off limits
uri: UK-says-MPs-off-limits
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#25_April_2016_%28UK_says_MPs_off_limits%29
content:
<p>
The UK arbitrarily ruled that MPs <em>and their relatives</em> are <a href="http://www.nakedcapitalism.com/2016/04/uks-osborne-exempts-members-of-parliament-other-politically-exposed-persons-from-money-laundering-oversight.html">off limits</a>
for investigation for money-laundering.


feed_id: be5e7eaf135629bacd6fac3b2c514ecd
title: Bankster demands
uri: Bankster-demands
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#25_April_2016_%28Bankster_demands%29
content:
<p>
The euro-banksters are starting to reveal what their <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/business/2016/apr/22/greek-bailout-deal-talks-constructive-say-eu-finance-ministers
">next set of demands</a>
for Greece will be, after the current demands.

<p>
They say that these subsequent demands will be imposed if the current
"reforms" are not "sufficient to produce" a budget surplus.  That is a
virtual certainty, since their real effect is to cause contraction and
a bigger deficit.

<p>
What the banksters are saying is, in effect, "Next year, when it is seen that
the gasoline we are throwing on the fire this year has not
extinguished it, here's how much <em>more</em> gasoline we intend to
throw."

<p>
It is a good thing that they are starting to talk about this, because
it means that they have abandoned their tactic of pretending that each
step is the last one.  When Greeks see two steps at once, the current one
and the next one, maybe they will rebel.


feed_id: 3fe21ce6a2a8b58abbcf5ded540fa677
title: Privacy and the FBI
uri: Privacy-and-the-FBI
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#25_April_2016_%28Privacy_and_the_FBI%29
content:
<p>
The FBI had many reasons to conclude that there was <a href="http://www.salon.com/2016/04/21/the_fbis_dangerous_apple_hack_rationalizations_how_its_now_stealing_a_page_from_the_cias_torture_playbook/">little pertinent
information</a> in Syed Farook's work phone, and no reason to give for
demanding access to it except that there was a part of his day that it
didn't know where he was.  Its argument was that any gap was a valid
argument for attacking all Americans' privacy.


feed_id: 3ff056cae0cdd094b3c60768489f0483
title: Swiss Railways stopping data collection
uri: Swiss-Railways-stopping-data-collection
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#25_April_2016_%28Swiss_Railways_stopping_data_collection%29

content:
<p>
The Swiss Federal Railways will <a href="http://www.swissinfo.ch/eng/tickets-please-_swiss-train-pass-data-to-be-deleted/41990362">stop collecting data</a> on who rides where
using the national rail pass.
<p>
This shows governments can respond to public demand not to accumulate
data.  However, what about the municipal and regional transportation
authorities?  Do they accumulate the data on their riders' identity,
as they check the passes?  They too must make a commitment not to do
so.
<p>
The site makes a vicious claim to use copyright to restrict making
links to this page.  I spit on that, and you should too.  I will never
sell advertising on stallman.org, but that is for my own sense of
integrity, and has nothing to do with their what they claim to
"permit".


feed_id: 107e2f5f25c80795fc97b25e8f2aed11
title: Obama giving pattern
uri: Obama-giving-pattern
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#25_April_2016_%28Obama_giving_pattern%29
content:
<p>
Although Obama has spoken some criticism of Salafi Arabia, he
insists on continuing to give it <a href="http://www.commondreams.org/views/2016/04/18/president-obamas-coddling-saudi-arabia">everything it wants</a>.
<p>
That's an Obama pattern -- he does the same for the planet roasters
and the banksters.
 


feed_id: 74f14f59682c3dee0d0340b3786051b0
title: Insult to Turkishness
uri: Insult-to-Turkishness
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#25_April_2016_%28Insult_to_Turkishness%29
content:
<p>
Erdoğan's latest <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/apr/24/dutch-journalist-ebru-umar-arrested-in-turkey-for-criticising-erdogan">insult to Turkishness</a>: prosecuting a visiting Dutch
journalist for tweets criticizing him.
<p>
It is not clear in the article whether she was in Turkey when she
tweeted them, but Erdo&gbreve;an aims to intimidate people world-wide.

<p>
Perhaps the Netherlands should post a travel advisory urging people
to stay away from Turkey.


feed_id: e375aceaac5e2de4e2c8076577ded061
title: Solitary confinement question
uri: Solitary-confinement-question
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#25_April_2016_%28Solitary_confinement_question%29
content:
<p>
Murderer Anders Breivik is blocked from talking to other prisoners,
but talks with other people every day.  Is it right to call that
"<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2016/apr/24/trust-quality-beef-ethical-farming">solitary confinement</a>"?


feed_id: 8e76aa61bb6691cc0ba6c20c0bb67511
title: Refugee children need safety
uri: Refugee-children-need-safety
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#25_April_2016_%28Refugee_children_need_safety%29
content:
<p>
"During the Second World War, our parents and grandparents had no doubt:
refugee children had to be given <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2016/apr/24/refugee-children-vote-lords">succour and safety</a>."


feed_id: 59e4be1f0c5dc56e790e9227f55242e4
title: Sex for no good reason
uri: Sex-for-no-good-reason
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#25_April_2016_%28Sex_for_no_good_reason%29
content:
<p>
A substantial fraction of men are looking for women they can have sex
with while feeling <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2016/apr/24/madonna-whore-divide-makes-sexual-predators">only contempt for them</a>.

<p>
I don't understand what those men are thinking.  What is the point of
sex with someone you don't feel good about?  I can't imagine it.


feed_id: 76f54d29d99137dd6e438f7ce0bf2262
title: Poland trying to take over museum
uri: Poland-trying-to-take-over-museum
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#25_April_2016_%28Poland_trying_to_take_over_museum%29

content:
<p>
Poland's anti-human-rights government is trying to take control of 
a new museum built the history of World War II, so as to use it
for <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/apr/24/polish-leaders-using-war-museum-to-rewrite-history-says-academic
">political purposes</a>.

<p>
I must agree with the Polish state that the term "Nazi death camps" is
correct and "Polish death camps" is not.  Even though Poland was
antisemitic, Poles did not establish those camps, or organize rounding
up Jews to kill in them.  That was done by Germans under the orders of
the German government.
<p>
However, the idea of prosecuting someone for expressing views about
who killed how many Jews is viciously opposed to human rights.  Sad to
say, Poland is not the first European country to criminalize
statements about that subject.  France and Germany have set the
example of doing so, and it is wrong there too.


feed_id: 0e90c813a479a1f6dd3fd63f153c7439
title: Behrouz Bouchani in Papua New Guinea
uri: Behrouz-Bouchani-in-Papua-New-Guinea
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#25_April_2016_%28Behrouz_Bouchani_in_Papua_New_Guinea%29

content:
<p>
Behrouz Bouchani has been given asylum in Papua New Guinea, but he
never asked for asylum there.  He never wanted to go there.  He was
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2016/apr/24/manus-asylum-seeker-deemed-refugee-climbs-tree-to-protest-settlement-in-png
">forcibly taken there by Australia</a>.

<p>
I can understand his not wanting to live in Papua New Guinea.  It is
not much of a happening place.  There is no Iranian or Kurdish
community there.  And it is hot and humid.  Much of Iran is also hot,
but not humid like New Guinea.
<p>
On the other hand, if one is making the case, "Please let me into your
country because they will kill me if I can't leave," it would seem
that Papua New Guinea ought to suffice.  No one will persecute him
there for being a Kurd.
<p>
Will they ostracize him for not being a Christian?  I don't know.


feed_id: 5059b4ba5bf496cec308a40492d51797
title: Suicide rate increases
uri: Suicide-rate-increases
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#25_April_2016_%28Suicide_rate_increases%29
content:
<p>
The suicide rate in the US has <a href="http://www.commondreams.org/news/2016/04/22/death-america-suicide-surge-parallels-era-economic-woes">increased by 1/4</a> since 1999.

<p>
Important causes seem to be the spread of poverty, and the fact that
many Americans don't have coverage for treatment for depression and
can't afford to pay for it themselves.


feed_id: 2e7354af2f30555c29859ae0881ed52a
title: Nissan leaf remote access
uri: Nissan-leaf-remote-access
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#25_April_2016_%28Nissan_leaf_remote_access%29
content:
<p>
The Nissan Leaf has a <a href="https://www.troyhunt.com/controlling-vehicle-features-of-nissan/
">built-in cell phone modem</a> which allows effectively anyone
to access its computers remotely and make changes in various settings.

<p>
That's easy to do because the system has no authentication when
accessed through the modem.  However, even if it asked for
authentication, you couldn't be confident that Nissan has no access.
The software in the car is <a href="http://gnu.org/philosophy/free-software-even-more-important.html
">proprietary</a>, which means it demands blind
faith from its users.

<p>
Even if no one connects to the car remotely, the cell phone modem
enables the phone company to track the car's movements all the time.
<p>
Someone I know physically disconnected the cell phone modem as a
security measure.


feed_id: 5ee6e67c21c3a0755d9b517c4fe68c3a
title: Matthew Keys 2 years sentence
uri: Matthew-Keys-2-years-sentence
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#25_April_2016_%28Matthew_Keys_2_years_sentence%29
content:
<p>
Matthew Keys was sentenced to <a href="http://reason.com/blog/2016/04/22/journalist-matthew-keys-prison-cfaa">2 years in prison</a> as an accessory to
digital graffiti, demonstrating that the CFAA (Computer Fraud and Abuse Act) is no
less unjust now than it was when it was used to drive Aaron Swartz to
death.


feed_id: 43dfb9709b8191c625fbc757cc08c98e
title: Industrial farming more expensive than thought
uri: Industrial-farming-more-expensive-than-thought
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#25_April_2016_%28Industrial_farming_more_expensive_than_thought%29

content:
<p>
Industrial chicken farming is cheap only because it <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2016/apr/24/cheap-chicken-we-all-pay-in-the-long-run-patrick-holden">does not pay the costs</a>
in terms of pollution, CO2 and antibiotic resistance.

<p>
For our long-term good, we need to make it pay those costs rather than
dumping them on the rest of us.


feed_id: ab22f9a75d6567ac1dd27528504f0fe4
title: Turkey charges thug chiefs with murder
uri: Turkey-charges-thug-chiefs-with-murder
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#25_April_2016_%28Turkey_charges_thug_chiefs_with_murder%29

content:
<p>
Turkey has
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/apr/19/turkish-police-chiefs-trial-journalist-hrant-dink">charged
thug chiefs, among others</a>, for the murder of
<a href="https://stallman.org/articles/hrant-dink.html">Hrant
Dink</a>.
<p>
I am surprised that this can happen while Erdo&gbreve;an is president,
but I am very glad.


feed_id: dd5d1233d7e67eea1fe5df3c501bf2d2
title: German on trial for insults
uri: German-on-trial-for-insults
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#25_April_2016_%28German_on_trial_for_insults%29
content:
<p>
A German is on trial for
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/apr/19/head-of-german-anti-islam-group-pegida-trial-hate-lutz-bachmann">calling
some people "cattle" and "scum"</a>.
<p>
This reveals how Germany fails to respect freedom of speech.  Freedom
of speech includes the right to insult anyone and anything.  We should
defend people's freedom of speech regardless of whether we agree with
what they said.
<p>
I don't call anyone "cattle" but I've referred to some people as
"sheep".  (I don't hate them, but I an very disappointed with them.)
I am proud to call banksters and SCROTUS scum.  Would I be put on
trial for saying this in Germany?
<p>
Down with censorship!


feed_id: b84d0a65fe3948cf43ddfd865a9b05d5
title: Saving people from opioid overdoses
uri: Saving-people-from-opioid-overdoses
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#25_April_2016_%28Saving_people_from_opioid_overdoses%29

content:
<p>
<a href="http://www.motherjones.com/environment/2016/04/opioid-epidemic-addiction-narcan-overdose-reversal-drug">Making
naloxone available where people use opioids</a> (for instance, in
their homes) could save many of them from being harmed by overdoses.


feed_id: 0d14a4a9e23971e86d8950c0e0df35cd
title: Drop in dementia rate in UK men
uri: Drop-in-dementia-rate-in-UK-men
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#25_April_2016_%28Drop_in_dementia_rate_in_UK_men%29
content:
<p>
The chance that old men develop dementia has
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/society/2016/apr/19/drop-in-dementia-rates-suggests-disease-can-be-prevented-researchers-say">fallen
considerably in the UK since 20 years ago</a>.  Scientists speculate
it may be due to adopting healthier lifestyles.
<p>
The probability for women has remained mostly the same.  I wonder how
that probability compares with that for men.


feed_id: 47f4062aeabb8ab29d404776a43ec428
title: Freddie Gray, One Year Later
uri: Freddie-Gray-One-Year-Later
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#25_April_2016_%28Freddie_Gray%2C_One_Year_Later%29
content:
<p>
Freddie Gray, One Year Later: Baltimore's Black Residents
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2016/apr/19/freddie-gray-death-one-year-baltimore-black-residents-react">Still
Waiting For Changes</a>.


feed_id: 18776c8540ff095c787a64ee7ac2c4ee
title: Smoking tobacco
uri: Smoking-tobacco
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#25_April_2016_%28Smoking_tobacco%29
content:
<p>
Smoking tobacco through a water pipe seems to have the
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/science/sifting-the-evidence/2016/apr/19/hooked-on-shisha-why-hookahs-might-be-more-harmful-than-you-think">same
danger as smoking cigarettes</a>.


feed_id: de2fc92a12bed441750df6152e320d06
title: Global heating
uri: 2016-04-28-Global-heating
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#25_April_2016_%28Global_heating%29
content:
<p>
A new scientific approach confirms that essentially all the global
heating since 1950 was
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/environment/climate-consensus-97-per-cent/2016/apr/19/study-humans-have-caused-all-the-global-warming-since-1950">caused
by human activity</a>.


feed_id: adce5ed9c435537f81a05cfafcf0e8df
title: Urban movements for city dwellers' rights
uri: Urban-movements-for-city-dwellers-rights
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#25_April_2016_%28Urban_movements_for_city_dwellers_rights%29

content:
<p>
Many countries have seen urban movements for the
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/cities/2016/apr/19/right-city-social-movement-transforming-urban-space">rights of the city dwellers</a>.


feed_id: 53f110c8a9086f09cdcc2d54885b9c9b
title: Limits to Growth forecasts
uri: Limits-to-Growth-forecasts
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#25_April_2016_%28Limits_to_Growth_forecasts%29
content:
<p>
The Limits to Growth forecasts of 40 years ago
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/environment/blog/2016/apr/19/why-limits-to-growths-forecasts-are-still-relevant-today">were
right about pollution</a> (which includes greenhouse gases).


feed_id: dff7038930ec2a9a00a364314c34baaf
title: Urgent: No coal leases on federal land
uri: Urgent-No-coal-leases-on-federal-land
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#25_April_2016_%28Urgent%3A_No_coal_leases_on_federal_land%29

content:
<p>
US citizens:
<a href="http://act.credoaction.com/sign/federal_coal_scoping">file a
comment</a> opposing new coal leases on federal land.


feed_id: ee2642ad100e277e28b8137e6b3ae921
title: "Empowerment"
uri: Empowerment
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#25_April_2016_%28Empowerment%29
content:
<p>
The word "empowerment" has been
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/apr/19/from-shopping-to-naked-selfies-how-empowerment-lost-its-meaning-feminism">taken
over by business and self-promoting celebrities</a>, and changed from
"helping some group win equal rights and respect" to "doing anything
you chose to do, no matter how frivolous or unimportant."
<p>
There's nothing wrong with posting a nude video of yourself, and doing
so could help defeat oppressive prudism (which is still a real
problem).
<p>
However, outside of special circumstances, it's not going to do
anything against the world's other big injustices, such as gender or
racial discrimination, and plutocracy.


feed_id: 5ac6110e62735d4851bdebe46b89366d
title: Pressuring Netanyahu to make peace
uri: Pressuring-Netanyahu-to-make-peace
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#25_April_2016_%28Pressuring_Netanyahu_to_make_peace%29

content:
<p>
Vice President Biden says Washington
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2016/apr/19/joe-biden-us-overwhelming-frustration-israeli-government">must
pressure Netanyahu</a> to make peace.
<p>
A first step would be to calculate the amount of US aid to Israel
based on the rate of <em>decrease</em> of the population of Israeli
colonies in the West Bank.  Separately, the US could offer to finance
housing construction on Israeli territory.  The US could also buy
colony housing constructed before 2010, and turn it over to
Palestinians.


feed_id: e048998a4cccf71fff89d7ba3c56eb04
title: Deforestation in Queensland
uri: Deforestation-in-Queensland
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#25_April_2016_%28Deforestation_in_Queensland%29
content:
<p>
The government of Queensland loosened laws against deforestation, and
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2016/apr/19/the-effects-of-queenslands-land-clearing-are-devastating-nsw-must-not-follow">almost
800 square miles were denuded in 2 years</a>.  And that measurement
was almost 2 years ago; deforestation has presumably continued apace.
<p>
Deforestation is a
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2015-mar-jun.html#03_May_2015_(Forest_fires_California)">major
contribution to greenhouse gases</a>, so it threatens the whole world.


feed_id: 99bf38a0f5cb56d1dda1ae31d52a600e
title: The nocebo effect
uri: The-nocebo-effect
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#25_April_2016_%28The_nocebo_effect%29
content:
<p>
Proof of the nocebo effect: people who think that electromagnetic
fields cause them to suffer
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/science/shortcuts/2015/feb/15/better-call-saul-electromagnetic-hypersensitivity-real-health-risk">really
do suffer when interacting with someone else that believes special
electromagnetic fields are present</a> — whether that's true or
not.


feed_id: c1421a6abee630ab448bd520e2cd6934
title: Small victory against copyright tyranny
uri: Small-victory-against-copyright-tyranny
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#25_April_2016_%28Small_victory_against_copyright_tyranny%29

content:
<p>
The US Supreme Court accepted the decision that
<a href="http://www.kens5.com/news/nation-now/supreme-court-rejects-challenge-to-googles-online-library/140766027">Google
Books is fair use</a>.
<p>
That is a small victory for all of us against copyright tyranny.


feed_id: 672168f5274c6ba60777253c9b8fffaf
title: Big companies won't invest
uri: Big-companies-won-t-invest
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#25_April_2016_%28Big_companies_wont_invest%29
content:
<p>
Even
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/business/2016/apr/18/the-problem-with-negative-interest-rates">negative
interest rates don't convince big companies to invest</a>.  That's
because there is excess capacity, world wide, and investments don't
seem worth while in any case.
<p>
The way to make the economy grow is the Sanders way:
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2015-nov-feb.html#7_December_2015_(Sanders%27_tax_plan)">tax
the rich and invest heavily in renewable energy</a>.  That will put
more money in people's pockets, and they will spend some as well as
save some.


feed_id: 8b9c1547f97a64020c722da21a52615f
title: Back doors
uri: Back-doors
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#24_April_2016_%28Back_doors%29
content:
<p>
Imagine a back door
<a href="media/313eae92.1460904126-20160417.png" data-original-source="http://smbc-comics.com/comics/1460904126-20160417.png">in
your clothing</a>.


feed_id: db10a6b4c6c284de240db4df443e2183
title: London thug cover-up
uri: London-thug-cover-up
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#24_April_2016_%28London_thug_cover-up%29
content:
<p>
Stephen Lawrence's mother rebuked the head of London thugs for
continuing to cover up
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2016/apr/17/doreen-lawrence-stephen-chides-met-chief-over-inquiry-into-undercover-policing">how
thugs spied on the family</a> while the family campaigned for them to
do their job properly.


feed_id: 2383e53f3227ce7c80ad897e3a153f25
title: Condemning censorship
uri: Condemning-censorship
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#24_April_2016_%28Condemning_censorship%29
content:
<p>
Calling on the World Bank to treat censorship as a
<a href="http://cpj.org/blog/2016/04/cpj-joins-call-for-world-bank-to-adopt-human-right.php">reason
not to lend to countries that practice it</a>.


feed_id: 439d34349d7bac9cf249a625a304c41f
title: Big victory for arms fair protesters
uri: Big-victory-for-arms-fair-protesters
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#24_April_2016_%28Big_victory_for_arms_fair_protesters%29

content:
<p>
Arms fair protesters presented evidence in court to prove that British
arms fairs promote illegal arms sales.  Now
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/apr/18/mps-to-investigate-british-arms-fairs-after-evidence-of-criminality">some
MPs want to investigate the arms fairs</a>.
<p>
What a big victory for these protesters.


feed_id: f35e4367fdc873ccbf21d64d8599304e
title: Homan Square an international disgrace
uri: Homan-Square-an-international-disgrace
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#24_April_2016_%28Homan_Square_an_international_disgrace%29

content:
<p>
'An international disgrace':
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2016/apr/18/jesse-jackson-homan-square-chicago-police-department">Jesse
Jackson calls for Chicago to close Homan Square</a>.


feed_id: 55293b0ca410d5b68653d1283451287c
title: Legalization of marijuana
uri: 2016-04-28-Legalization-of-marijuana
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#24_April_2016_%28Legalization_of_marijuana%29
content:
<p>
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2016/apr/18/colorado-marijuana-law-report-adult-usage-increases-not-kids">Teenagers
in Colorado have not increased their use</a> of marijuana since it was
legalized for adults.
<p>
We should not call teenagers "children" — they are adolescents.
That error encourages treating them as incapable and trampling their
rights.


feed_id: fdaf179b37efa3ebaccee9b07a84adc9
title: Renewable energy in Australia
uri: 2016-04-28-Renewable-energy-in-Australia
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#24_April_2016_%28Renewable_energy_in_Australia%29
content:
<p>
Moving Australia 100% to renewable energy by 2050 would be a
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2016/apr/19/modelling-shows-move-to-100-renewable-energy-would-save-australia-money">very
profitable investment</a>, yielding 90 billion dollars before that
year.
<p>
There would be even bigger profits afterward.
<p>
But this study seems not to count the world-wide benefits of avoiding
global heating disaster.  Counting that, the rational course of action
is a crash program to cut down fossil fuel use much faster.


feed_id: 387a06e2851c8bb0f355a4f3637268b9
title: The asteroid that wiped out dinosaurs
uri: The-asteroid-that-wiped-out-dinosaurs
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#24_April_2016_%28The_asteroid_that_wiped_out_dinosaurs%29

content:
<p>
The asteroid that wiped out the dinosaurs also caused the large
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/science/2015/oct/01/asteroid-that-killed-dinosaurs-also-intensified-volcanic-eruptions-study">volcanic
eruptions</a>, already in progress, to flow twice as fast.


feed_id: 54f4fe630e6b0458df57201087eec471
title: The murder of Berta Cáceres
uri: The-murder-of-Berta-Cáceres
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#24_April_2016_%28The_murder_of_Berta_Caceres%29
content:
<p>
An
<a href="https://theintercept.com/2016/04/18/an-interview-with-gustavo-castro-sole-witness-of-the-murder-of-berta-caceres/">Interview
With Gustavo Castro</a>, Sole Witness of the Murder of Berta
Cáceres.


feed_id: 384db11a1c92dd13aea594452b2f0185
title: Tax disobedience by non-rich
uri: Tax-disobedience-by-non-rich
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#24_April_2016_%28Tax_disobedience_by_non-rich%29
content:
<p>
Proposing tax disobedience by the non-rich to
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/politics/2016/apr/18/use-tax-disobedience-to-create-a-fairer-society">make
governments stop letting the rich off the hook</a>.


feed_id: fa916da92b1c6164c33ccc1e1b90664f
title: Urgent: Respect Palestinian call for BDS
uri: Urgent-Respect-Palestinian-call-for-BDS
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#24_April_2016_%28Urgent%3A_Respect_Palestinian_call_for_BDS%29

content:
<p>
In the US:
<a href="https://stallman.org/petitions/petition-penamerica/">call on
PEN America</a> to stop working with the Israeli embassy.


feed_id: 8612ed9203339fd95b49ea27c01e70da
title: Arbitrary censorship of internet
uri: Arbitrary-censorship-of-internet
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#24_April_2016_%28Arbitrary_censorship_of_internet%29

content:
<p>
Pakistan is
<a href="http://www.ifex.org/pakistan/2016/04/15/prevention_cybercrime_law/">in
the process of passing a law</a> for arbitrary censorship of the
internet.


feed_id: 551830f097fa8f77760c17de41b3eb74
title: Israeli soldier charged with manslaughter
uri: Israeli-soldier-charged-with-manslaughter
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#24_April_2016_%28Israeli_soldier_charged_with_manslaughter%29

content:
<p>
The Israeli soldier who killed Abed al-Fatah al-Sharif has been
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/apr/18/israeli-military-charges-soldier-shot-wounded-palestinian-manslaughter">charged
with manslaughter</a> — a rather weak charge for what appears to
be murder of an incapacitated man in cold blood.
<p>
It is peculiar that the Guardian obeys a foreign demand to conceal the
name of the soldier, who has already been identified in Israel and
world-wide.
<p>
Many Israelis celebrate that soldier as a hero for this murder, which
is <a href="https://www.stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#8_April_2016_(NY_Times_obeys_Israeli_demand)">disgusting</a>.
I won't mention his name, because I don't think he deserves more fame,
but it is in the article pointed to above.


feed_id: c792b1d8c175139619e5eb72ecaffc5e
title: Soldiers sentenced for "terrorism"
uri: Soldiers-sentenced-for-terrorism
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#24_April_2016_%28Soldiers_sentenced_for_terrorism%29

content:
<p>
Two Russian soldiers captured in Ukraine were
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/apr/18/kiev-court-convicts-two-russian-soldiers-of-terrorism">tried
and sentenced for "terrorism"</a>.
<p>
I don't know the details of this "terrorism" but I am skeptical about
it.  They might have committed a war crime, but I have no faith in
Ukraine's courts to judge that question honestly.  To trade them for
Savchenko seems legitimate, but there was no need to try them to do
that.


feed_id: 758c9f69dbada4b0d27392e13171df10
title: Airplane hits drone
uri: Airplane-hits-drone
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#24_April_2016_%28Airplane_hits_drone%29
content:
<p>
An airplane
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2016/apr/18/drones-government-labour-ba-rules-drones-heathrow-incident">hit
a drone while landing</a>; it was not damaged.  However, pilots are
concerned that a drone might damage an engine if it were sucked in.
<p>
It is important to keep drones away from airports, and it seems
reasonable to design them to stay away from certain areas.  But I am
afraid that this will be done in a way that requires some proprietary
software in the drone.


feed_id: 6061a54cafc4c352e00b3f331168185b
title: Snooping on mobile phones
uri: Snooping-on-mobile-phones
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#24_April_2016_%28Snooping_on_mobile_phones%29
content:
<p>
Due to a
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2016/apr/18/phone-number-hacker-read-texts-listen-calls-track-you">badly
designed communication protocol</a>, anyone can track and snoop on any
mobile phone.


feed_id: b7e773064f27dbad36763b64227df41e
title: Arrests of protesters against plutocracy
uri: Arrests-of-protesters-against-plutocracy
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#24_April_2016_%28Arrests_of_protesters_against_plutocracy%29

content:
<p>
Protesters against plutocracy are getting themselves
<a href="http://www.truthdig.com/report/print/revolution_is_in_the_air_20160416">arrested
daily</a> at the US Capitol building.


feed_id: b218ae62183b6d4cd021d5de8ef136b2
title: Hamas building tunnels into Israel again
uri: Hamas-building-tunnels-into-Israel-again
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#24_April_2016_%28Hamas_building_tunnels_into_Israel_again%29

content:
<p>
Hamas is
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/apr/18/israeli-military-uncovers-first-hamas-tunnel-israel-2014-war-gaza">once
again building tunnels</a> from Gaza into Israel.
<p>
Making a tunnel is not in itself violence.  It is a preparation for
war, but Israel also is preparing for another war.  I don't see
anything particularly bad about this kind of preparation.


feed_id: d064b40c7d501ec58a282a6383f2c1c1
title: Magazine editor arrested
uri: Magazine-editor-arrested
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#24_April_2016_%28Magazine_editor_arrested%29
content:
<p>
An important and quite old magazine editor in Bangladesh has been
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/media/greenslade/2016/apr/18/prominent-bangladeshi-journalist-arrested-for-act-of-sedition">arrested</a>.
<p>
The article seems inconsistent about the reasons for the arrest.  It
says "sedition" and talks about suspicion he is planning murder.
Which one is he charged with?
<p>
But either way, it is clearly wrong.  Charging anyone with "sedition"
is automatically an injustice.  That's not the case with charges of
planning murder, but the idea that a respected editor would do that is
totally incredible.


feed_id: 2e9293bb2240e8450d768d87836f01d5
title: Urgent: Big emissions reductions
uri: Urgent-Big-emissions-reductions
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#24_April_2016_%28Urgent%3A_Big_emissions_reductions%29

content:
<p>
Everyone:
<a href="https://secure.nrdconline.org/site/Advocacy?cmd=display&page=UserAction&id=4005">call
on the 5 biggest greenhouse emitters</a> to deliver big emissions
reductions.


feed_id: d18a4d382622a3a42b1fe5566de6eb63
title: Air pollution protest in London
uri: Air-pollution-protest-in-London
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#24_April_2016_%28Air_pollution_protest_in_London%29
content:
<p>
Greenpeace activists
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2016/apr/18/greenpeace-activists-climb-nelsons-column-in-air-pollution-protest">put
gas masks on many statues</a> in London.


feed_id: 9465440831216229179b622875b0b22b
title: Rousseff impeached by criminals
uri: Rousseff-impeached-by-criminals
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#24_April_2016_%28Rousseff_impeached_by_criminals%29
content:
<p>
Brazil's President Rousseff has been
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/apr/18/dilma-rousseff-congress-impeach-brazilian-president">impeached
by a vote of many criminals in congress</a>.
<p>
It seems a travesty that she is being removed for a much lesser
accusation while they can't be removed.
<p>
The procedure will be carried out over
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/apr/18/dilma-rousseff-impeachment-what-happens-next-in-brazil">180
days</a>.


feed_id: 155ecc6db387a40d10dfafebd444006a
title: IMF calls for more government spending
uri: IMF-calls-for-more-government-spending
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#24_April_2016_%28IMF_calls_for_more_government_spending%29

content:
<p>
The IMF
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/business/2016/apr/17/imf-urges-spending-boost-growth">calls
for more government spending</a>.  However, the plutocratists that
control most governments are more interested in dooH niboR.


feed_id: f9787bdacd7e5de681c3cae1b543a4e8
title: Movie companies enjoying record profits
uri: Movie-companies-enjoying-record-profits
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#24_April_2016_%28Movie_companies_enjoying_record_profits%29

content:
<p>
File-sharing has failed once again to kill the movie companies, which
are enjoying
<a href="https://torrentfreak.com/piracy-fails-to-prevent-box-office-record-160413/">record
profits</a>.
<p>
What's especially sad is that most of their profits are for films that
are crap.  Very likely, you often pay to watch a movie while
<em>knowing in advance</em> that it is crap.  Why do that?
<p>
I recommend joining me in a near-boycott of Hollywood: don't pay to
watch a movie unless you have reason to believe it is likely to be
good.  In principle, that's quite different from an outright boycott;
in practice the results are nearly equivalent.


feed_id: 8536422841069e2fe5ae7d2e90e42a82
title: Prisoners forbidden from having blogs
uri: Prisoners-forbidden-from-having-blogs
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#24_April_2016_%28Prisoners_forbidden_from_having_blogs%29

content:
<p>
Several US states forbid prisoners from having blogs,
<a href="http://fusion.net/story/290894/texas-inmates-social-media-ban/">even
maintained by their friends or relatives in their name</a>.  They can
be punished by
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2015-jan-apr.html#18_February_2015_(Punishment_for_using_social_media)">solitary
confinement</a> (i.e., brainwashing).


feed_id: 7b15a4c21873c2f4d7b8314490aae8fa
title: The US government secrecy system
uri: The-US-government-secrecy-system
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#24_April_2016_%28The_US_government_secrecy_system%29

content:
<p>
Obama admitted, in effect, that the US government secrecy system is
<a href="http://www.cjr.org/criticism/obama_admits_that_top_secret_is_not_always_so_secret.php">totally
broken</a>.
<p>
This creates a great opportunity for selective prosecution.  Those
that the government wants to get
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2014-mar-jun.html#10_March_2014_(John_Kiriakou_points_out_CIA_officials_that_committed_the_same_crime)">can
be prosecuted for revealing insignificant "secrets"</a> while those
with establishment friends get treated in a reasonable fashion.


feed_id: fa6d35bc2c1c1fb4296839a8ee3beabc
title: Leveraged buyout of pharmacy company
uri: Leveraged-buyout-of-pharmacy-company
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#24_April_2016_%28Leveraged_buyout_of_pharmacy_company%29

content:
<p>
The pharmacy company Boots was subject to a leveraged buyout;
then it began
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/news/2016/apr/13/how-boots-went-rogue">running
its staff ragged, endangering the lives of sick people</a>.  Of
course, also not paying taxes.
<p>
I think it would be appropriate to impose a special tax on companies
that have had a leveraged buyout.  That would discourage the practice
for the future.  For the companies that have already suffered a
buyout, this could drive them into bankruptcy, at which point they
will be sold off for a much lower value to someone who won't have to
run them with an extractivist approach.


feed_id: 84245557920b1edf8eda53b49b30cce0
title: Terrorists don't bother with encryption
uri: Terrorists-don-t-bother-with-encryption
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#23_April_2016_%28Terrorists_dont_bother_with_encryption%29

content:
<p>
Real terrorists
<a href="https://www.techdirt.com/articles/20160413/17113634175/brussels-terrorist-laptop-included-details-planned-attack-unencrypted-folder-titled-target.shtml">don't
bother with encryption</a>.


feed_id: 1a511d8fad6d6bd8d8ba217f1498ad86
title: Systematic bigotry
uri: Systematic-bigotry
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#23_April_2016_%28Systematic_bigotry%29
content:
<p>
There's a persistent pattern that Muslim passengers on US airlines are
<a href="http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/muslim-woman-kicked-off-plane-as-flight-attendant-said-she-did-not-feel-comfortable-with-the-a6986661.html">treated
as terrorists for doing things that are totally innocent</a>.
<p>
It's a form of systematic bigotry, comparable to the systematic
bigotry that leads many US thugs to
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2014-may-aug.html#26_August_2014_(Racism)">irrationally
regard black males as threats</a>, and kill them.


feed_id: 1b7ba1abb872a8f32cb85fd958088540
title: Fantasies used to justify torture
uri: Fantasies-used-to-justify-torture
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#23_April_2016_%28Fantasies_used_to_justify_torture%29

content:
<p>
Implausible fantasy situations, as unlikely as the "trolley problem",
are
<a href="http://ieet.org/index.php/IEET/more/Swanson20160417">regularly
used to justify torture and drone bombings</a>.
<p>
I've also written about why the
<a href="https://stallman.org/articles/trolley-problem.html">trolley
problem</a> is not pertinent to real life moral choices.


feed_id: 7daf042bd000d8bc8ccff8ce6d57f2cd
title: Salafi Arabia continues bombarding Yemen
uri: Salafi-Arabia-continues-bombarding-Yemen
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#23_April_2016_%28Salafi_Arabia_continues_bombarding_Yemen%29

content:
<p>
The cease-fire in Yemen has not worked: Salafi Arabia
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/apr/18/yemen-peace-talks-delayed-as-fighting-goes-on-despite-ceasefire">continues
its US-supported bombardment</a>.


feed_id: 3fa4aec50d7783e30ca9f29b7eb94fb9
title: Urgent: Protect manta rays
uri: Urgent-Protect-manta-rays
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#23_April_2016_%28Urgent%3A_Protect_manta_rays%29
content:
<p>
US citizens:
<a href="https://secure.defenders.org/site/Advocacy?cmd=display&page=UserAction&id=3065">tell
the National Marine Fisheries Services</a> to recommend protecting
manta rays under the Endangered Species Act.


feed_id: 48d62393141d491290451ca94a0969ba
title: Pastafarian Church wedding
uri: Pastafarian-Church-wedding
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#23_April_2016_%28Pastafarian_Church_wedding%29
content:
<p>
The Pastafarian Church has conducted
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/apr/18/worlds-first-pastafarian-wedding-takes-place-in-new-zealand">its
first wedding</a>.


feed_id: 632539bfbbd1876d731e86cfde0467e4
title: March against harmful "security" measures
uri: March-against-harmful-security-measures
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#23_April_2016_%28March_against_harmful_security_measures%29

content:
<p>
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/apr/17/thousands-participate-in-brussels-march-against-terror-and-hate">Thousands
marched</a> "against terror and hate" in Brussels, calling for an end
to useless and harmful "security" measures.


feed_id: 3f9fda2126b9a64d139fb331ec6967bb
title: Afghan army uses schools
uri: Afghan-army-uses-schools
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#23_April_2016_%28Afghan_army_uses_schools%29
content:
<p>
The Afghan army uses schools for military purposes,
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/apr/17/rise-in-afghan-civilian-casualties-caused-by-pro-government-forces-taliban">sometimes
even when children are there</a>.


feed_id: 002807998e9720f125cbead12682537d
title: Fetuses with Down's syndrome
uri: Fetuses-with-Down-s-syndrome
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#23_April_2016_%28Fetuses_with_Downs_syndrome%29
content:
<p>
Dawkins is right: when a fetus has Down's syndrome, you should
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/science/2014/aug/21/richard-dawkins-immoral-not-to-abort-a-downs-syndrome-foetus">abort
it and try again</a>.
<p>
(Some) mothers can indeed love a child with grave handicaps, but
that's no excuse for saddling the child with them.


feed_id: 7b93d20fdd33542d3238bb07a7dcac96
title: Ending tax dodging
uri: Ending-tax-dodging
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#23_April_2016_%28Ending_tax_dodging%29
content:
<p>
Methods for ending tax dodging,
<a href="https://theintercept.com/2016/04/17/heres-a-way-to-shut-down-panama-papers-style-tax-havens-if-we-wanted-to/">both
the legal kind and the illegal kind</a>.  The only hard part is
building a movement powerful enough to actually do it.
<p>
With enough political will, a state can simply refuse to treat
payments to a hidden company as business expenses.  They will more or
less disappear, then.


feed_id: 5e2053563fa53b74f85051ca8fc1b4d5
title: Brazil's political crisis
uri: Brazil-s-political-crisis
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#23_April_2016_%28Brazils_political_crisis%29
content:
<p>
An
<a href="https://theintercept.com/2016/04/11/watch-exclusive-interview-with-former-brazilian-president-lula-da-silva/">interview
with Lula</a> about Brazil's political crisis.


feed_id: d72d2450237fbfb76f38ea13d3ff9226
title: Islamic law
uri: Islamic-law
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#23_April_2016_%28Islamic_law%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2016/apr/11/british-muslims-strong-sense-of-belonging-poll-homosexuality-sharia-law">A
quarter of British Muslims</a> want to impose Islamic law, which means
they are against many human rights.  Half of them want to prohibit
homosexuality.  About 40% are against equality for women.
<p>
We must respect people's freedom to choose their beliefs in the sphere
of religion, but that doesn't mean we can't condemn their choices.
<p>
We don't have to ignore people's religious views in deciding whether
to admit them as immigrants.  It is rational to refuse to admit
immigrants who hold the views that many British Muslims hold.
<p>
One way to do this, which has the virtue of rejecting to fanaticism
regardless of which religion it is inspired by, is to require
immigrants to sign a public declaration in favor of equality and human
rights.  That implies, in particular, rejection of Islamic law and
inequality.  Those willing to put their names publicly on this
statement are ok.


feed_id: 9f54813d09221ae0126cb719813e83a4
title: Attack on feminist art festival
uri: Attack-on-feminist-art-festival
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#23_April_2016_%28Attack_on_feminist_art_festival%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://segarabudaya.wordpress.com/2016/04/11/didik-nini-thowok/">Thugs
and religious fanatics</a> joined to attack a feminist art festival in
Indonesia.
<p>
This is what US support for Salafi Arabia has wrought.


feed_id: 9bd8b85a45a341fc2fcb209ceb9e3bfa
title: Killer robots
uri: 2016-04-28-Killer-robots
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#23_April_2016_%28Killer_robots%29
content:
<p>
Human Rights Watch:
<a href="https://www.hrw.org/news/2016/04/15/why-we-need-ban-killer-robots">Why
We Need to Ban Killer Robots</a>.
<p>
They would allow countries to bring about
<a href="https://www.hrw.org/news/2016/04/13/statement-human-rights-watch-convention-conventional-weapons-experts-meeting-lethal">likely
war crimes for which no one would be legally responsible</a>.


feed_id: 8a4040ce8854f5a1ba73e8df3fef1fb1
title: UK gov't to gag scientists
uri: UK-gov-t-to-gag-scientists
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#23_April_2016_%28UK_govt_to_gag_scientists%29
content:
<p>
The UK government is about to gag state-funded scientists from talking
about the
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2016/apr/17/britains-scientists-must-not-be-gagged">political
implications of their research</a>.


feed_id: 0e7bde5c075c94e153fb7abb257b282a
title: Air pollution near highways
uri: Air-pollution-near-highways
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#23_April_2016_%28Air_pollution_near_highways%29
content:
<p>
Living near a highway, like 10% of Americans, is bad for your health
due to the air pollution, including
<a href="http://thinkprogress.org/health/2016/04/15/3769809/highways-cardiac-research/">ultrafine
particles</a>.
<p>
I suppose that poor Americans are more likely to live near highways,
so this explains part of the
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#22_April_2016_(Lifespans_of_rich_men_vs_poor_men)">14-year
difference in life expectancy</a> between rich and poor American
males.
<p>
I think these ultrafine particles are what diesel engines produce so
much of, and Volkswagen was found to be falsifying in emissions tests.


feed_id: 7700f30960cc78f71a6941119460453f
title: Raising cattle on grass
uri: Raising-cattle-on-grass
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#23_April_2016_%28Raising_cattle_on_grass%29
content:
<p>
Raising cattle on grass rather than farmed grain
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2016/apr/17/the-eco-guide-to-grass-fed">avoids
causing antibiotic resistance</a>, as well as being far more
efficient.
<p>
If we ate only the beef that can be grown this way, we would eat less
beef and that would be good for our health.


feed_id: ac49883d5d10e07e0253404aac14dff5
title: No excuse for pursuing journalists' sources
uri: No-excuse-for-pursuing-journalists-sources
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#23_April_2016_%28No_excuse_for_pursuing_journalists_sources%29

content:
<p>
Snowden points out that
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2016/apr/17/edward-snowden-on-police-pursuing-journalist-data-the-scandal-is-what-the-law-allows">"We
didn't break any laws"</a> is not an excuse for pursuing journalists'
sources.


feed_id: 4b5f273e28f960a6afb7e91313c33cb9
title: The TPP
uri: 2016-04-28-The-TPP
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#23_April_2016_%28The_TPP%29
content:
<p>
Shoe manufacturer New Balance says the US government
<a href="http://www.commondreams.org/views/2016/04/15/did-administration-offer-new-balance-big-contract-tpp-silence">offered
it a contract in exchange for not condemning the TPP</a>.
<p>
Obama said that intervening in Libya was his biggest mistake,
but history will say that was the TPP and such like.


feed_id: e2d64cc7bd455b03e94e3171876abc73
title: Automatic basic income to be tested
uri: Automatic-basic-income-to-be-tested
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#23_April_2016_%28Automatic_basic_income_to_be_tested%29

content:
<p>
An automatic basic income for citizens is about to be tested by
<a href="http://www.commondreams.org/views/2016/04/15/what-would-society-look-universal-basic-income">Finland
and maybe Switzerland</a>.


feed_id: 168a09a4128d14b4a69fe81f87cb8bfb
title: Tasmania heat wave
uri: Tasmania-heat-wave
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#23_April_2016_%28Tasmania_heat_wave%29
content:
<p>
A heatwave in the sea is <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2016/apr/22/tasmania-marine-heatwave-salmon-global-warming-climate-change">playing havoc</a> with marine life near Tasmania.


feed_id: 65db983943cc1280ea6d9c9e3efcc0e3
title: Avril Henry escapes life
uri: Avril-Henry-escapes-life
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#23_April_2016_%28Avril_Henry_escapes_life%29
content:
<p>
Dr. Avril Henry killed herself at age 81 because various illnesses
were making her life unbearable.  She was already too sick to go to
Switzerland for help in suicide, but her suffering could have
continued for many years.

<p>
To get materials for this, she had to fool thugs who tried forcibly to
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/society/2016/apr/21/academic-kills-herself-after-importing-euthanasia-kit-illegally">prolong her suffering</a>.

<p>
I am sorry for her that she became so ill that she could not have a
life worth living, and glad for her that she succeeded in escaping in
the only possible way.  As for the thugs, shame on them for their
"illogical and cruel" policy of forcing the innocent to suffer.


feed_id: 785c8190d161ab5fc913798d07bf8b64
title: Hillary Clinton hawkish candidate
uri: Hillary-Clinton-hawkish-candidate
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#23_April_2016_%28Hillary_Clinton_hawkish_candidate%29

content:
<p>
Hilary Clinton is the most hawkish candidate in the two main parties.
She seems to have <a href="http://www.motherjones.com/kevin-drum/2016/04/hillary-clinton-really-loves-military-intervention">learned nothing</a> from the repeated failures and backfires
of US interventions.


feed_id: e407ecee7fc5c754aa6ea9b5e4dc63be
title: AK47 buying scheme
uri: AK47-buying-scheme
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#23_April_2016_%28AK47_buying_scheme%29
content:
<p>
Criminals and terrorists get AK47s in the EU through a simple scheme:
they are modified simply to "deactivate" them, sold lawfully, then
criminals <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2016/apr/21/how-police-decoded-encryption-software-to-thwart-arms-traffickers">revert the change</a> to make them work again.

<p>
The European Union has known about this for almost a decade but is only
beginning to think about changing the laws to stop it.


feed_id: 2c6a5e091cb2a65645823f66cc26d75e
title: Banksters and Greece
uri: Banksters-and-Greece
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#23_April_2016_%28Banksters_and_Greece%29
content:
<p>
The banksters' imposed spending cuts and their attacks on Greece's industries
have produced the expected economic contraction, and increased deficit;
so now, as predicted, <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/apr/21/greek-talks-with-lenders-fraught-as-fears-grow-of-default">they demand even more cuts</a>.

<p>
Greece will have to default.  The sooner, the better, since each year
of surrender to the banksters' attacks enables them to make Greece
weaker and more helpless.  Greece will need to act aggressively,
looking for any and all threats it can make against the banksters
and their institutions — including ways to cause a bigger crisis.


feed_id: 8a528cd1821270b4eb8fda1821b23db8
title: Real reason for Dilma’s impeachment
uri: Real-reason-for-Dilma-s-impeachment
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#23_April_2016_%28Real_reason_dilma_impeachment%29
content:
<p>
The <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2016/apr/21/dilma-rousseff-enemies-impeached-brazil">Real Reason</a> Dilma Rousseff's Enemies Want Her Impeached.


feed_id: 0b95e020c9dcddbecfa398290a5eef18
title: Quack treatments
uri: Quack-treatments
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#23_April_2016_%28Quack_treatments%29
content:
<p>
Don't believe <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/science/sifting-the-evidence/2014/jan/13/demystifying-detox-can-yoga-really-cleanse-the-liver">quack claims</a> for treatments to "cleanse" or "detox" the
inside of your body.


feed_id: 25ea10b2926db77f7a3f4ece70553458
title: Silicon valley executive China ties
uri: Silicon-valley-executive-China-ties
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#23_April_2016_%28Silicon_valley_executive_China_ties%29

content:
<p>
What's worse for a Silicon Valley executive: ties to the <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2016/apr/21/us-tech-industry-government-ties-white-house-twitter-uber-china-kathy-chen">Chinese
military or friends in the US Defense Department</a>?


feed_id: e768356bf38349cd298f663168a44b2d
title: Iran political prisoners medical care
uri: Iran-political-prisoners-medical-care
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#23_April_2016_%28Iran_political_prisoners%29
content:
<p>
In Iran, political prisoners don't get <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/apr/22/iran-denying-medical-care-to-political-prisoners-activists-say">proper medical care</a>.


feed_id: 8dc7731eb19fc5e2fb93d2e87f0b5318
title: Nigerian abortion prohibition
uri: Nigerian-abortion-prohibition
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#23_April_2016_%28Nigera_abortion_prohibition%29
content:
<p>
The prohibition of abortion in Nigeria drives women to illegal abortions
and <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/healthcare-network/2016/apr/22/nigeria-must-stop-unsafe-abortions-killing-women">regularly they die</a>.


feed_id: 8479594d1297d2c0da4e5450c07dd2ab
title: Panama not only to blame
uri: Panama-not-only-to-blame
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#23_April_2016_%28Panama_not_only_to_blame%29
content:
<p>
Although the Panama papers came from a business in Panama, 
it would be a <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2016/apr/21/panama-papers-tax-haven-financial-transparency">mistake to single out Panama</a> for blame.

<p>
However, we should not let Panama off the hook.  All the governments
that bow down to the plutocrats in ways that hurt the public are to
blame, Panama included.

<p>
It sounds like Panama allows companies to route income through Panama
and thus avoid taxes on it, and that is a specifically bad policy.


feed_id: c7f29f6f3ff3f0928cecd38d4d014853
title: GCHQ data collection
uri: GCHQ-data-collection
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#23_April_2016_%28GCHQ_data_collection%29
content:
<p>
GCHQ grabs all sorts of private data bases with information about 
<a href="https://theintercept.com/2016/04/20/uk-surveillance-bulk-datasets-gchq/">all
sorts of people</a>.


feed_id: dad9dc0494d213b72bef848cd4961acd
title: Diesel models fail emissions tests
uri: Diesel-models-fail-emissions-tests
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#23_April_2016_%2893_diesel_models_fail_tests%29
content:
<p>
93 different diesel cars tested recently in Europe <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2016/apr/21/what-is-behind-the-diesel-cars-emissions-scandal">all failed
emissions tests</a> in real driving, even though they did not have
specific "defeat devices" to cheat.

<p>
What they do have are systems that have many tunable parameters:
enough that it is possible to tune them to reduce emissions under the
sort of conditions found in the test, while increasing performance at
the cost of excessive emissions in other circumstances.

<p>
There would be less pressure to create this sort of problem if the
state's method for bringing about greenhouse gas emissions were a
general carbon tax instead of specific measures such as "Make more
diesel cars."  However, the way to end this particular abuse is to
test car emissions by real driving.


feed_id: c59975ada6ad1f4b65d0ce5ebcae63f7
title: Coal replaced with wood
uri: Coal-replaced-with-wood
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#23_April_2016_%28Coal_replaced_with_wood%29
content:
<p>
Replacing coal with wood from forests that <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/business/2016/apr/20/drax-power-plant-protesters-criticise-renewable-subsidies-uk-coal-wood">won't recover after being
logged</a> does not constitute renewable energy.


feed_id: 5380aae53c87267bc7785f08de778f47
title: Russia flying into Aleppo
uri: Russia-flying-into-Aleppo
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#23_April_2016_%28Russia_flying_into_Aleppo%29
content:
<p>
Russia is <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/apr/21/russian-artillery-deployed-aleppo-offensive-syria-talks">flying artillery into Aleppo</a>, apparently planning to
terminate the cease-fire and attack the Syrian rebels supported by the
US and various tyrannical regimes.


feed_id: 0b162ff0214e5930e1d245cc29850d11
title: Mitsubishi falsifying emissions data
uri: Mitsubishi-falsifying-emissions-data
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#23_April_2016_%28Mitsubishi_falsifying_emissions_data%29

content:
<p>
Mitsubishi admitted falsifying emissions data for 600,000 cars, and
the <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/business/2016/apr/21/mitsubishi-motors-scandal-share-price-crashes-offices-raided">Japanese investigators raided an office</a> to look for documents.


feed_id: d9275df50f2c578c7d03e88de6f5deb3
title: FSF Job Opening
uri: FSF-Job-Opening
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#23_April_2016_%28FSF_Job_Opening%29
content:
<p>
Job opening at the
<a href="http://www.fsf.org/news/fsf-job-opportunity-operations-assistant-2016">
Free Software Foundation</a>.


feed_id: 779cd89a8688d56bd0f99386151e682d
title: Urgent: No more cluster bombs
uri: Urgent-No-more-cluster-bombs
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#02_May_2016_%28Urgent%3A_No_more_cluster_bombs%29
content:
<p>
US citizens:
<a href="http://petitions.moveon.org/sign/senatorbaldwin-repgwenmoore">call
on Senator Baldwin & Rep Gwen Moore</a> to end sending cluster bombs
to Salafi Arabia.


feed_id: f6c668e5fe2b4988b0c91afd55092e55
title: Florida thug prosecuted for battery
uri: Florida-thug-prosecuted-for-battery
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#02_May_2016_%28Florida_thug_prosecuted_for_battery%29

content:
<p>
A Florida thug is being prosecuted for battery; he
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2016/apr/29/florida-police-officer-arrested-video-hitting-handcuffed-woman">attacked
a handcuffed woman</a> who was being put in jail.
<p>
She tried to kick him, which was a provocation.  But since she was
handcuffed at the time, she was unable to really hurt the thug, and he
could have handled the situation without brutality.  He should have
controlled himself.  That's the job — of a police officer.


feed_id: 31212e0a43b3410c260465cae7623284
title: FBI needs warrant to inject malware
uri: FBI-needs-warrant-to-inject-malware
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#02_May_2016_%28FBI_needs_warrant_to_inject_malware%29

content:
<p>
A court ruled the FBI
<a href="http://www.theregister.co.uk/2016/04/21/federal_judge_torpedos_tor_pedo_torpedo/">needs
to get a warrant to inject malware into someone's machine</a>.  It
can't just set a trap for whoever visits a certain site, without the
authority of a court order.
<p>
However, the FBI has written new regulations for itself,
<a href="https://theintercept.com/2016/04/28/supreme-court-gives-fbi-more-hacking-power/">saying
that one court order can authorize it to attack an unlimited set of
computers</a>, if they are using Tor.
<p>
Senator Widen
<a href="https://www.wyden.senate.gov/news/press-releases/wyden-congress-must-reject-sprawling-expansion-of-government-surveillance">will
try to cut this back</a>.
<p>
I think it is legitimate for the state to install spy software in
suspects' computers, with a court order; but these orders must be
limited in scope so as not to threaten everyone.


feed_id: 74eee58e9ad0806bbfdd70911a25d77a
title: Hot water killing Great Barrier Reef
uri: Hot-water-killing-Great-Barrier-Reef
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#02_May_2016_%28Hot_water_killing_Great_Barrier_Reef%29

content:
<p>
The hot water that is killing much of the Great Barrier Reef is
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2016/apr/29/great-barrier-reef-bleaching-made-175-times-likelier-by-human-caused-climate-change-say-scientists">due
to El Niño on top of global heating</a>.  By 20 years from now,
continued global heating could make this temperature normal, and the
reef certainly won't survive.


feed_id: 04b04b872a0073e37e438bd751bb77fd
title: B'liar's sales work for Salafi oil
uri: B-liar-s-sales-work-for-Salafi-oil
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#02_May_2016_%28Bliars_sales_work_for_Salafi_oil%29
content:
<p>
Tony B'liar did sales work for Salafi Arabia's oil business while
ostensibly the UK's
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/politics/2016/apr/28/tony-blair-chinese-leaders-saudi-princes-oil-firm-middle-east-envoy">"Middle
East peace envoy"</a>.


feed_id: cab93434f96563165ea1782d03b86d39
title: Minors in solitary confinement
uri: Minors-in-solitary-confinement
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#02_May_2016_%28Minors_in_solitary_confinement%29
content:
<p>
We must stop putting
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/commentisfree/2016/apr/29/end-juvenile-solitary-confinement-prison-reform-cory-booker">minors
in solitary confinement</a>.  (And mostly adults, too.)


feed_id: 05e5bbe7cdd866f5bf05a88f40560edb
title: Self-immolation in Nauru
uri: Self-immolation-in-Nauru
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#02_May_2016_%28Self-immolation_in_Nauru%29
content:
<p>
An Iranian who tried to go to Australia but was sent to Nauru couldn't
stand being there.  He
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2016/apr/29/refugee-who-set-himself-alight-on-nauru-dies-of-injuries-in-hospital">set
himself on fire, and later died</a>.
<p>
He could not get proper medical care in Nauru, so Australia moved him
to Brisbane in Australia, but this took a long time because Nauru is
4500 miles away from Brisbane.  Who was responsible for forcibly
placing him so far away?  The Australian state.
<p>
His wife, who accompanied him to Brisbane, is being held incognito.
The Australian government uses a variety of unjust means to suppress
information about the various cruel things it does to would-be
refugees.  For instance,
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2015-jul-oct.html#21_October_2015_(Australian_governments_priorities)">making
it a crime to report those things</a>.  and sending them to a place
(Nauru) where
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#20_February_2016_(Nauru_restricting_visits_by_Australians)">independent
journalists are excluded</a>.


feed_id: d13e42ee6ef944b159835fd229a53a15
title: Thugs in Paris attack protesters
uri: Thugs-in-Paris-attack-protesters
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#02_May_2016_%28Thugs_in_Paris_attack_protesters%29
content:
<p>
Thugs in Paris
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/apr/29/france-labour-law-protests-turn-violent">violently
attacked Nuit Debout protesters</a> to force them out of the Place de
la République.
<p>
I spoke there two weeks ago about
<a href="http://gnu.org/philosophy/free-software-even-more-important.html">free
software</a> and
<a href="http://gnu.org/philosophy/surveillance-vs-democracy.html">how
massive surveillance threatens democracy</a>.
<p>
The response was very favorable.


feed_id: 82485f1b8a03440f4a8092636dc4bc3e
title: Urgent: Protect coastal national parks
uri: Urgent-Protect-coastal-national-parks
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#02_May_2016_%28Urgent%3A_Protect_coastal_national_parks%29

content:
<p>
US citizens:
<a href="http://act.credoaction.com/sign/Coastal_Parks">tell the
Senate</a> to protect America's coastal national parks.


feed_id: 95eafecc5915e174807920bdfdd39ed7
title: Urgent: Stop corporate water profiteering
uri: Urgent-Stop-corporate-water-profiteering
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#02_May_2016_%28Urgent%3A_Stop_corporate_water_profiteering%29

content:
<p>
US citizens:
<a href="http://act.credoaction.com/letter/nestle_scoping/">tell the
Forest Service</a>: Don't renew Nestlé's water withdrawal
permit.


feed_id: 68310b5246c25d1d4ff9b4c5cb92743c
title: Divestment from fossil fuels
uri: 2016-05-03-Divestment-from-fossil-fuels
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#02_May_2016_%28Divestment_from_fossil_fuels%29
content:
<p>
Students at many US universities are
<a href="http://www.commondreams.org/news/2016/04/27/neutral-not-acceptable-nationwide-protests-demand-colleges-go-fossil-free">holding
protests</a>, in some cases sit-ins, to demand divestment from fossil
fuels.
<p>
Today's college students have a good chance to be killed by global
heating in the second half of this century.  Planet-roasters are
spending millions to make sure this happens.  It is rational for the
students to take big risks and make substantial sacrifices to try to
overcome the planet-roasters.


feed_id: d549f50a41f080aebba56068ade31a46
title: Exploding missiles to "warn" civilians
uri: Exploding-missiles-to-warn-civilians
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#02_May_2016_%28Exploding_missiles_to_warn_civilians%29

content:
<p>
The US has adopted in Iraq the technique of exploding a missile above
the roof of a building as a way of
<a href="http://www.commondreams.org/news/2016/04/27/taking-page-israel-war-tactics-us-military-employs-controversial-roof-knocking">"warning"
civilians to leave the building</a> (which is scheduled to be bombed
shortly thereafter).
<p>
The problems are that (1) the people don't necessarily recognize what
the explosion means, or even that it was an explosion, and (2) the
actual bombardment may come so fast that people don't have time to get
their children or elderly parents out of the building.
<p>
Giving this sort of warning cannot as such be bad, but if it becomes
an excuse for predictably killing civilians, that is bad.


feed_id: d8b0ad5a3c658fa111d5b3bdecdfb3be
title: Koch brothers' henchmen in Arizona
uri: Koch-brothers-henchmen-in-Arizona
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#02_May_2016_%28Koch_brothers_henchmen_in_Arizona%29
content:
<p>
Arizona has earmarked
<a href="http://thinkprogress.org/education/2016/04/28/3773610/arizona-freedom-schools/">5
million dollars for the Koch brothers' right-wing propaganda
institutes</a>.  That's because many politicians there are already
their henchmen.
<p>
Don't the Koch brothers have enough money to fund their own
propaganda?


feed_id: 5875252cf7323c4d24ad761df219eaac
title: Arrested in Germany for quoting poem
uri: Arrested-in-Germany-for-quoting-poem
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#02_May_2016_%28Arrested_in_Germany_for_quoting_poem%29

content:
<p>
Bruno Kramm of the German Pirate Party was arrested for
<a href="http://boingboing.net/2016/04/23/german-political-leader-arrest.html">quoting
part of the famous poem that insults Erdo&gbreve;an</a>.
<p>
Some towns in Australia find some slogans on the sides of vans
offensive and
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2016/apr/28/wicked-campers-offensive-slogans-hard-to-ban-says-expert">want
to institute a regime of public censorship against offending
anyone</a>.


feed_id: 79d4f803486ff2efb83a0f9048e3a05c
title: Misleading accounting by US companies
uri: Misleading-accounting-by-US-companies
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#02_May_2016_%28Misleading_accounting_by_US_companies%29

content:
<p>
Many US companies
<a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2016/04/24/business/fantasy-math-is-helping-companies-spin-losses-into-profits.html">overstate
their profits</a> by using misleading accounting.


feed_id: 7d54adfac43f017466e54d67455b875f
title: Thug breaks bones at Walmart
uri: Thug-breaks-bones-at-Walmart
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#02_May_2016_%28Thug_breaks_bones_at_Walmart%29
content:
<p>
A thug working as a security guard at Walmart accused Tyrone Carnegay
of stealing a tomato.  Rather than allow Carnegay to show the receipt,
the thug
<a href="http://www.nydailynews.com/news/crime/atlanta-man-beaten-walmart-guard-false-accusation-article-1.2615159">broke
his bones with a stick, then arrested him</a>.
<p>
This thug should spend 200 times as long in jail as Carnegay had to
spend.


feed_id: cfec15d493602f36fccb54dc72d71abd
title: Buying less
uri: Buying-less
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#02_May_2016_%28Buying_less%29
content:
<p>
Why are people in Western countries
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/business/economics-blog/2016/apr/26/less-bank-of-england-blogger-happier-and-fix-economic-stagnation">buying
less</a>?  Is it a cultural shift influenced by Buddhism?
<p>
I have a different theory: so many people have reduced incomes, or
live in a very small space, that they simply can't buy a lot of stuff.


feed_id: 9b446bbac8a6ec3b18ec2c156d302818
title: Israel's war against Palestinian media
uri: Israel-s-war-against-Palestinian-media
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#02_May_2016_%28Israels_war_against_Palestinian_media%29

content:
<p>
Israel's
<a href="http://972mag.com/israels-covert-war-against-palestinian-media/118717/">Covert
War Against Palestinian Media</a>.


feed_id: 48cb03319d18756b87dced77fd149b32
title: Divestment from companies that aid occupation
uri: Divestment-from-companies-that-aid-occupation
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#02_May_2016_%28Divestment_from_companies_that_aid_occupation%29

content:
<p>
The Dalhousie University student union has
<a href="https://electronicintifada.net/blogs/ali-abunimah/canadian-student-union-will-divest-firms-aiding-israeli-abuses">decided
to divest</a> from certain companies that directly aid Israel's
occupation of Palestine.


feed_id: 7d3a2eaf46bf903ff49c2ac12eaa535b
title: Israel confiscating Palestinian farm land
uri: Israel-confiscating-Palestinian-farm-land
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#02_May_2016_%28Israel_confiscating_Palestinian_farm_land%29

content:
<p>
Israel is
<a href="http://imemc.org/article/daghlas-israel-approves-more-land-theft-of-hundreds-of-dunams-near-nablus/">confiscating
land from Palestinian farmers</a>.


feed_id: b683880d6633b538900e70b7ad72badb
title: 10 sunny states discourage solar power
uri: 10-sunny-states-discourage-solar-power
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#02_May_2016_%2810_sunny_states_discourage_solar_power%29

content:
<p>
10 states with lots of sun have obeyed fossil fuel companies by
<a href="http://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2016/04/26/new-report-rooftop-solar-power-blocked-sunny-states-bad-policy">discouraging
solar power</a>.


feed_id: 6ad05768b418e596bb7ba57c07140c02
title: Political spending by billionaires
uri: Political-spending-by-billionaires
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#02_May_2016_%28Political_spending_by_billionaires%29

content:
<p>
A vehicle for billionaires' disguised political spending
<a href="http://www.commondreams.org/views/2016/04/26/lying-about-election-spending-dark-money-group-brags-donors-it-will-win-senate">openly
flouts US campaign finance law</a>.


feed_id: 2c1177c24366d753bf1bc4dfe74cf5d6
title: Merger of Comcast and Charter Cable
uri: Merger-of-Comcast-and-Charter-Cable
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#02_May_2016_%28Merger_of_Comcast_and_Charter_Cable%29

content:
<p>
The FCC has
<a href="http://www.commondreams.org/news/2016/04/26/fcc-green-lights-crushing-charter-cable-mega-merger">authorized
the merger of Comcast and Charter Cable</a>.  After this merger, only
two companies will control 2/3 of US subscribers.  No industry should
ever be allowed to get that concentrated, unless it is a tightly
regulated monopoly.


feed_id: adc8b94b040520e349736c16f6abdc4b
title: Mitsubishi's vehicle emissions lies
uri: Mitsubishi-s-vehicle-emissions-lies
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#02_May_2016_%28Mitsubishis_vehicle_emissions_lies%29

content:
<p>
Mitsubishi
<a href="http://www.commondreams.org/news/2016/04/26/mitsubishi-lied-about-vehicle-emissions-25-years">Lied
About Vehicle Emissions for 25 Years</a>.


feed_id: 0cf3cae65f62d40624490f0fccf58612
title: Obama's Offshore Drilling Proposal
uri: Obama-s-Offshore-Drilling-Proposal
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#02_May_2016_%28Obamas_Offshore_Drilling_Proposal%29
content:
<p>
Obama's Offshore Drilling Proposal
<a href="http://www.commondreams.org/news/2016/04/26/obamas-offshore-drilling-proposal-based-fossil-fuel-industry-research">Based
on Fossil Fuel Industry Research</a>.


feed_id: bd0c006d53aa2bb2105e81802ad6f377
title: Urgent: No Dead Sharks for Cheap Tuna
uri: Urgent-No-Dead-Sharks-for-Cheap-Tuna
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#01_May_2016_%28Urgent%3A_No_Dead_Sharks_for_Cheap_Tuna%29

content:
<p>
Everyone:
<a href="https://secure3.convio.net/gpeace/site/Advocacy?pagename=homepage&page=UserAction&id=1979">call
on Walmart</a> to make sure its canned tuna was caught without killing
sharks; also to make sure all the workers involved are treated
decently.


feed_id: e85d39e4c4c79ff2a665d93492a2e9fc
title: Luxembourg prosecuting whistleblowers
uri: Luxembourg-prosecuting-whistleblowers
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#01_May_2016_%28Luxembourg_prosecuting_whistleblowers%29

content:
<p>
Luxembourg is prosecuting
<a href="https://theintercept.com/2016/04/27/luxembourg-puts-journalist-and-whistleblowers-on-trial-for-ruining-its-magical-fairyland-of-tax-avoidance/">two
whistleblowers and a journalist</a> for revealing how Price Waterhouse
Coopers helps companies dodge taxes.


feed_id: 6c64b0469ac00196bfa281db932ba7e7
title: Iranian journalists sentenced to prison
uri: Iranian-journalists-sentenced-to-prison
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#01_May_2016_%28Iranian_journalists_sentenced_to_prison%29

content:
<p>
Three Iranian journalists have been sentenced to many years in prison
on thinly disguised charges of
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/apr/27/tehran-court-jails-three-iranian-journalists-for-spreading-propaganda">saying
things the mullahs do not like</a>.
<p>
Under Iran's peculiar system of repression, the mullahs are above the
elected president, so he can't do anything when they arrest his
supporters.


feed_id: 77cda0162949a585a3718b26d939455c
title: The richest 0.1%
uri: The-richest-0-1
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#01_May_2016_%28The_richest_0.1%2525%29
content:
<p>
The
<a href="http://www.alternet.org/economy/1-really-problem">richest
0.1%</a> are the ones who really have the influence in the US.  Even
the others in the 1% are starting to be treated like prey.


feed_id: 9c8f10baed5642dade3c842cf44cc9c7
title: Church of Scientology
uri: Church-of-Scientology
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#01_May_2016_%28Church_of_Scientology%29
content:
<p>
David Miscavige, head of the Church of Scientology, threatened to sue
the publisher of a forthcoming book which rips him to shreds —
written by
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/books/2016/apr/27/scientology-leader-david-miscavige-threatens-to-sue-uk-publisher-over-fathers-memoir">his
father</a>.
<p>
Scientology has torn many other families apart.  That it is doing so
to the Miscavige family is sad, but poetic justice.


feed_id: 20d6182a9484a113f8b31b99c96349af
title: The Tory in charge of crushing NHS
uri: The-Tory-in-charge-of-crushing-NHS
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#01_May_2016_%28The_Tory_in_charge_of_crushing_NHS%29

content:
<p>
The Tory in charge of crushing the National Health Service comes from
a background of such privilege that he has
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2016/apr/27/jeremy-hunt-doesnt-understand-junior-doctors-book-dismantle-nhs">no
compassion either for patients or the doctors that treat them</a>.
<p>
All he understands is life in the class that gains from dooH niboR.


feed_id: dab74ae3555b3494e16d540c36b722c3
title: Abortion in Australia
uri: Abortion-in-Australia
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#01_May_2016_%28Abortion_in_Australia%29
content:
<p>
Abortion is
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2016/apr/27/girl-aged-12-forced-to-wait-weeks-for-australian-court-to-approve-abortion">still
a crime in part of Australia</a>, except when "necessary" for the
woman's health.


feed_id: 4a52bbb1afa6a683b680797c682f9c76
title: India's drought migrants
uri: India-s-drought-migrants
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#01_May_2016_%28Indias_drought_migrants%29
content:
<p>
India's Drought Migrants Head to Cities
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2016/apr/27/india-drought-migrants-head-to-cities-in-desperate-search-for-water">in
Desperate Search for Water</a>.


feed_id: bb73b915397238832360d0b0b43ccc20
title: Protest against practices that harm science
uri: Protest-against-practices-that-harm-science
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#01_May_2016_%28Protest_against_practices_that_harm_science%29

content:
<p>
Nobelist Randy Schekman says his lab
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/science/2013/dec/09/nobel-winner-boycott-science-journals">will
boycott the most prestigious journals</a> to protest practices that
harm science.
<p>
One of those practices is the paywall, but he cites other harms as
well.


feed_id: 33085f7eada5ab4ba8a9093779ab952d
title: Effects of marijuana legalization
uri: Effects-of-marijuana-legalization
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#01_May_2016_%28Effects_of_marijuana_legalization%29
content:
<p>
The effects of marijuana legalization
<a href="http://reason.com/archives/2016/04/25/early-lessons-from-marijuana-legalizatio">in
Colorado</a>.


feed_id: eac058b2e1486e225a4bde15638a60ef
title: Anonymous election campaign funding
uri: Anonymous-election-campaign-funding
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#01_May_2016_%28Anonymous_election_campaign_funding%29

content:
<p>
A new victory for those who
<a href="https://theintercept.com/2016/04/26/dark-money-hypocrisy/">want
to pour lots of money into US election campaigns anonymously</a>.


feed_id: 648c75e90d7f21bfeaed8c60f0614965
title: Sending aid to a tyranny
uri: Sending-aid-to-a-tyranny
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#01_May_2016_%28Sending_aid_to_a_tyranny%29
content:
<p>
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/apr/28/eu-plan-to-pay-millions-to-eritrea">Aid
to the Eritrian tyranny</a> in the hope that it will drive fewer
Eritrians into exile is fatuous.
<p>
How about providing aid to refugees from Eritria just outside the
borders of Eritria?


feed_id: 76a38db59b815af9b4e65c573f20d136
title: "Content provider"
uri: Content-provider
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#01_May_2016_%28Content_provider%29
content:
<p>
Do you want to think of Shakespeare as a
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2016/apr/28/art-craft-creativity-bhs-artificial-intelligence">"content
provider"</a>?
<p>
If not, please don't call <em>anyone</em> that.  And please don't
call works or publications
<a href="http://gnu.org/philosophy/words-to-avoid.html#Content">"content"</a>.


feed_id: 67ff9df9918d78e0ad48aed6b55e3486
title: Solitary confinement
uri: 2016-05-03-Solitary-confinement
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#01_May_2016_%28Solitary_confinement%29
content:
<p>
If you are in solitary confinement, the thugs can do all sorts of
nasty (and prohibited) things to you and get away with it, because
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/commentisfree/2016/apr/28/solitary-confinement-inhumane-prison-stories-6-x-9">they
can prevent you from telling anyone about it</a>.


feed_id: 3937841bca147acc4eafff9110c420c9
title: Thugs
uri: 2016-05-03-Thugs
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#01_May_2016_%28Thugs%29
content:
<p>
Thugs in the UK (and the US)
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2016/apr/28/hillsborough-could-happen-again-police-views-liverpool-fans">continue
to demonize large segments of society</a>, and are ready to maim or
kill them given any excuse.


feed_id: 70cc3a343f4bb4fe4f7620052ba6903d
title: Terrorized by surveillance
uri: Terrorized-by-surveillance
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#01_May_2016_%28Terrorized_by_surveillance%29
content:
<p>
Pervasive surveillance inhibits masses of people: after Snowden showed
everyone how much the US tracks people's browsing, there was a
<a href="https://theintercept.com/2016/04/28/new-study-shows-mass-surveillance-breeds-meekness-fear-and-self-censorship/">20%
decrease in visits to Wikipedia pages about topics relating to
terrorism</a>.  Evidently a large fraction of people are terrorized by
surveillance.
<p>
The rate of visits to those pages remain depressed three years later.


feed_id: e38a9298c1c0b9a9080e1b0acc29eac3
title: Netanyahu has no wish to make peace
uri: Netanyahu-has-no-wish-to-make-peace
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#01_May_2016_%28Netanyahu_has_no_wish_to_make_peace%29

content:
<p>
Netanyahu
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/apr/28/israeli-prime-minister-binyamin-netanyahu-rejects-french-peace-conference-initiative-palestinians">rejected
a French plan for a peace conference</a> in which other countries
would have tried to pressure Israel and Palestine to agree.
<p>
Netanyahu has no wish to make peace with Palestinians; his only use
for peace negotiations is as an
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2009-mar-jun.html#20%20June%202009%20(Netanyahu%20and%20the%20Palestinian%20state)">excuse
for continuing the occupation indefinitely</a>.
<p>
Uri Avnery: Israel needs a new leftist/peace movement
of people that are
<a href="http://zope.gush-shalom.org/home/en/channels/avnery/1461939035/">proudly
both Arab-lovers and Jew-lovers</a>.


feed_id: f047a2a9452ca778ed194c8a4b38a960
title: Increased rate of heat-related injuries
uri: Increased-rate-of-heat-related-injuries
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#01_May_2016_%28Increased_rate_of_heat-related_injuries%29

content:
<p>
Global heating has already
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2016/apr/28/workers-epidemic-heat-related-injuries-climate-change-un-report">increased
the rate of heat-related injuries</a>, but we ain't seen nothin' yet.


feed_id: 9ca00731f294edd22586ad836f376d03
title: UK thugs target dissidents
uri: UK-thugs-target-dissidents
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#01_May_2016_%28UK_thugs_target_dissidents%29
content:
<p>
UK thugs whose official job was to investigate "extremists" planning
violent crimes were in fact investigating dissidents,
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/politics/2016/apr/28/police-anti-extremism-unit-monitoring-green-party-caroline-lucas-sian-berry">including
Green Party politicians</a>.  A year ago they "promised" not to do
this any more, but they continued anyway.
<p>
A Green Party leader explains
<a href="https://www.stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#29_April_2016_(Greens_critical_of_the_status_quo)">why
they do this</a>.


feed_id: 28b04447c2e46c16689b89b332d0413d
title: Protest against SF thug killings
uri: Protest-against-SF-thug-killings
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#01_May_2016_%28Protest_against_SF_thug_killings%29
content:
<p>
Protesters are
<a href="http://www.motherjones.com/politics/2016/04/hunger-strike-san-francisco-police-shootings">camped
outside a thug office</a> in San Francisco to protest killings by the
thugs.
<p>
I don't think we should stretch the term "hunger strike" to include
taking sugar or vitamins.  A hunger strike is so powerful precisely
because the striker goes to the utmost limit of nonviolence.


feed_id: 2b1d3e1429dbb7970ff463ab17ef749b
title: The Hijab
uri: The-Hijab
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#01_May_2016_%28The_Hijab%29
content:
<p>
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/apr/28/iranian-women-hate-hijab-tehranbureau">Why
So Many Iranians Have Come to Hate the Hijab</a>.
<p>
That repression (freudian pun intended) is what the hijab really means
— its purpose.  People have a right to wear them, but we should
not give the practice any respect.


feed_id: 3a776e2f84bbe1f8a79b421079c5dd9d
title: Urgent: Reject China Bilateral Investment Treaty
uri: Urgent-Reject-China-Bilateral-Investment-Treaty
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#30_April_2016_%28Urgent%3A_Reject_China_Bilateral_Investment_Treaty%29

content:
<p>
US citizens: tell the U.S. Senate to
<a href="http://act.credoaction.com/sign/China_BIT">reject the China
Bilateral Investment Treaty</a>.  It's like a miniature TPP.


feed_id: 5cbdbcf9c5f926da6c01b4a1829f2c8d
title: Manus Island prison
uri: Manus-Island-prison
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#30_April_2016_%28Manus_Island_prison%29
content:
<p>
Papua New Guinea's prime minister says he
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2016/apr/27/manus-island-detention-centre-to-close-papua-new-guinea-prime-minister-says">will
close the Manus Island prison</a> where Australia has parked people
who tried to go to Australia by boat.  He asks Australia to find
another place to put boat people.
<p>
Papua New Guinea's constitution
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2016/apr/28/there-are-policy-alternatives-to-locking-up-refugees-in-pacific-gulags">has
protections for human rights</a> which are needed in Australia's
constitution.


feed_id: ad16a0ab8c0bb44969429fa6da003dc3
title: Writers murdered by Muslim fanatics
uri: Writers-murdered-by-Muslim-fanatics
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#30_April_2016_%28Writers_murdered_by_Muslim_fanatics%29

content:
<p>
Muslim fanatics in Bangladesh have
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2016/apr/28/bangladesh-democracy-lgbt-xulhaz-mannan-free-speech">murdered
16 writers</a> that stood for ideas that the fanatics dislike, and the
murder campaign is accelerating.


feed_id: a6a03c3cfef65991260a9f03cc3924f9
title: China imposes strict rules on foreign NGOs
uri: China-imposes-strict-rules-on-foreign-NGOs
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#30_April_2016_%28China_imposes_strict_rules_on_foreign_NGOs%29

content:
<p>
China has imposed strict rules on foreign NGOs that operate in China
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/apr/28/china-passes-law-imposing-security-controls-on-foreign-ngos">to
make it hard for them to finance local organizations</a>.


feed_id: 0dc6968f50bad12ae356bed605e246af
title: Coverup of Hillsborough killings
uri: Coverup-of-Hillsborough-killings
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#30_April_2016_%28Coverup_of_Hillsborough_killings%29

content:
<p>
The UK thugs have often collaborated hand with the rich and their
media outlets against the rest of Britain.  The
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2016/apr/27/the-hillsborough-verdict-shatters-the-fantasty-that-class-war-doesnt-exist">coverup
and denial of the Hillsborough killings</a> were an example.


feed_id: e03d6b56774ede7ae4e698993aa5590f
title: The "New Jim Crow"
uri: The-New-Jim-Crow
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#30_April_2016_%28The_New_Jim_Crow%29
content:
<p>
Obama Is
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2016/apr/27/barack-obama-new-jim-crow-progress-mass-incarceration">Chipping
Away at the 'New Jim Crow'</a>.  But More Needs To Be Done.


feed_id: da272d12dcfff7c537f48bcd852dd81f
title: Tax dodging
uri: 2016-05-03-Tax-dodging
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#30_April_2016_%28Tax_dodging%29
content:
<p>
Germany is proposing measures that
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/apr/27/schaeuble-bank-secrecy-germany-panama-papers-fianance-minister-offshore-firms-banks">would
make offshore tax evasion somewhat more difficult</a>.
<p>
However, this would have no effect on tax dodging which is lawful.


feed_id: ba0743defc06b91f66e84f5fa8261057
title: File sharing
uri: File-sharing
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#30_April_2016_%28File_sharing%29
content:
<p>
In places where ISPs make users pay to access anything but Facebook
and/or Wikipedia, they use those services for
<a href="http://motherboard.vice.com/read/wikipedia-zero-being-surveilled-by-piracy-police">file
sharing</a>.
<p>
File sharing is good, and ought to be legal.  Shame on that article
for supporting the publishers' smear campaign by calling sharing
<a href="http://gnu.org/philosophy/words-to-avoid.html#Piracy">"piracy"</a>.
<p>
I understand that Wikipedia does not want to be a site for file
sharing.  Besides which, it has a specific purpose, and letting people
post whatever they wish is not it.  Still, they should not support
the smear campaign.
<p>
It is also a mistake to refer to works as
<a href="http://gnu.org/philosophy/words-to-avoid.html#Content">"content"</a>.


feed_id: 5bc74033cf8a1b53270066687632bda9
title: Tax regulations by tax-dodger lobbyists
uri: Tax-regulations-by-tax-dodger-lobbyists
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#30_April_2016_%28Tax_regulations_by_tax-dodger_lobbyists%29

content:
<p>
US congresscritters have
<a href="https://theintercept.com/2016/04/27/congress-tax-lobbyists/">hired
former tax-dodger lobbyists</a> to write the tax regulations.


feed_id: 6e3bc15fd0950cde78e174e3da57a4bc
title: Australian Greens call for tax on mines
uri: Australian-Greens-call-for-tax-on-mines
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#30_April_2016_%28Australian_Greens_call_for_tax_on_mines%29

content:
<p>
Australian Greens call for a
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2016/apr/28/great-barrier-reef-greens-call-for-new-tax-on-mining-to-pay-for-damage">tax
on mines</a> to pay for the environmental damage they do.


feed_id: e973777bf2054a1afd27f5afbc31a8f1
title: Chatbots
uri: Chatbots
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#30_April_2016_%28Chatbots%29
content:
<p>
Chatbots are
<a href="http://venturebeat.com/2016/04/23/be-careful-what-you-tell-a-chatbot-it-could-come-back-to-bite-you/">ideal
for phishing</a>, because they are running on a server that isn't
yours.
<p>
Any speech recognition running on a server that isn't yours, you can't
trust.


feed_id: 2872ed26a7525c1e4cedb271483ac734
title: Urgent: No more "golden parachutes"
uri: Urgent-No-more-golden-parachutes
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#30_April_2016_%28Urgent%3A_No_more_golden_parachutes%29

content:
<p>
US citizens:
<a href="https://actionnetwork.org/widgets/v2/petition/tell-the-banks-to-stop-giving-out-government-service-golden-parachutes">call
on Wall Street</a> to stop giving "golden parachutes" to employees that
move to government appointments.
<p>
The president should not appoint such people.  Sanders would not.


feed_id: 977e8e1b7a1197ac40f7d8b1c0995b59
title: Urgent: Verizon employee strike
uri: Urgent-Verizon-employee-strike
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#30_April_2016_%28Urgent%3A_Verizon_employee_strike%29

content:
<p>
US citizens:
<a href="https://go.berniesanders.com/page/s/stand-with-verizon-employees">stand
with striking Verizon employees</a>.


feed_id: d646b3a5e5ed6ff3a713c605bc2e83dc
title: Urgent: Food labeling
uri: Urgent-Food-labeling
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#30_April_2016_%28Urgent%3A_Food_labeling%29
content:
<p>
US citizens:
<a href="https://www.credomobilize.com/petitions/tell-congress-we-deserve-to-know-label-gmo-food">call
on the Senate</a> to pass Biotechnology Food Labeling and Uniformity
Act.


feed_id: c76f142a637e1b4f64d138826cb78fd6
title: Urgent: End forced marriages
uri: Urgent-End-forced-marriages
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#30_April_2016_%28Urgent%3A_End_forced_marriages%29
content:
<p>
Everyone:
<a href="https://www.walkfree.org/child-marriage-in-niger/">call on
Niger</a> to raise the age for marriage so that teenagers are not
forced into marriage.
<p>
It is wrong to refer to teenagers as "children" — that tends to
encourage people to disrespect their rights.  They are adolescents.
Forced marriage is bad enough that we need not exaggerate by calling
the victims "children".


feed_id: b65a32c3848a2e7946abac5dc618c058
title: People living in destitution in the UK
uri: People-living-in-destitution-in-the-UK
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#30_April_2016_%28People_living_in_destitution_in_the_UK%29

content:
<p>
Over a million people in the UK live in destitution, meaning they
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/society/2016/apr/27/million-people-uk-living-destitution-joseph-rowntree-foundation">can't
afford the basic necessities of life</a>.
<p>
The Tories put them in destitution by systematically searching for
opportunities for dooH niboR.  Their policies for driving rents up and
driving wages down contributed too.
<p>
The Tories are lower than vermin —
<a href="media/62a79bb0.anuran-bevan.jpg" data-original-source="https://stallman.org/images/anuran-bevan.jpg">Aneurin
Bevan</a>.


feed_id: 32e79617c0a058ec2e89d776ae22b29c
title: Thug negligence and cover-up
uri: Thug-negligence-and-cover-up
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#30_April_2016_%28Thug_negligence_and_cover-up%29
content:
<p>
A UK court found that 96 football fans that died in Hillsborough
stadium in 1989 were
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2016/apr/26/the-guardian-view-on-the-hillsborough-verdicts-a-triumph-for-truth-and-solidarity">killed
by the negligence of thugs</a>.
<p>
The thugs started constructing their cover-up almost immediately.


feed_id: c8eac0b07e7b0e7482df95c21362ff54
title: Bangladesh's democracy
uri: Bangladesh-s-democracy
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#30_April_2016_%28Bangladeshs_democracy%29
content:
<p>
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/apr/26/bangladesh-democracy-risk-sheikh-hasina-stop-extremists-gay-rights-lgbt-murders">Bangladesh's
Democracy Is at Risk</a> if Sheikh Hasina Does Not Stop Extremists
[from murdering those that disagree with them].


feed_id: 1d2c00ac4ca6ac007df239a835830ea5
title: Young Jews against occupation
uri: Young-Jews-against-occupation
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#30_April_2016_%28Young_Jews_against_occupation%29
content:
<p>
<a href="http://www.truth-out.org/opinion/item/35759-if-not-now-when-young-jews-refuse-to-stay-silent-on-the-occupation-this-passover">If
Not Now, When?</a>  Young Jews Refuse to Stay Silent on the Occupation
This Passover.


feed_id: 0baf4939c465a348d535e58a29ed9839
title: Predatory water extraction by Nestlé
uri: Predatory-water-extraction-by-Nestlé
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#30_April_2016_%28Predatory_water_extraction_by_Nestle%29

content:
<p>
"Nestlé Is Trying to Break Us": A Pennsylvania Town Fights
<a href="http://www.truth-out.org/news/item/35780-nestle-is-trying-to-break-us-a-pennsylvania-town-fights-predatory-water-extraction">Predatory
Water Extraction</a>.


feed_id: f3c5e8e59b83b40019a2e5f3f435861d
title: Protests in Cairo
uri: Protests-in-Cairo
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#30_April_2016_%28Protests_in_Cairo%29
content:
<p>
Protests have broken out in Cairo, so strongly that
<a href="https://theintercept.com/2016/04/26/facebook-no-longer-secret-weapon-egypts-protesters-turn-signal/">the
state can't entirely suppress them</a>.
<p>
How ironic that the protests that the Egyptian regime arise on an
issue of misconceived patriotism.
<p>
According to the Egyptian state, the two islands in question belonged
to Salafi Arabia all along, and its king asked Egypt to station troops
on them in case Israel tried to occupy them.  I have no reason to
doubt that this is true, but apparently Egyptians won't take al-Sisi's
word for it.


feed_id: 5a9b7dbbbb29d9eb0f744791703210cb
title: Australian immigration prison whistleblowers
uri: Australian-immigration-prison-whistleblowers
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#30_April_2016_%28Australian_immigration_prison_whistleblowers%29

content:
<p>
Whistleblowers who complain about abuse of prisoners in Australia's
offshore immigration prisons
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2016/apr/27/detention-centre-staff-say-careers-and-lives-were-damaged-by-speaking-out">face
mockery and punishment</a>.


feed_id: 1e25e39157739de87e7b5bc15ea4da31
title: Smoking reduction measures in Germany
uri: Smoking-reduction-measures-in-Germany
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#30_April_2016_%28Smoking_reduction_measures_in_Germany%29

content:
<p>
Smoking reduction measures in Germany are quite
<a href="http://www.dw.com/en/smoking-will-die-down-eventually-says-psychologist-ahead-of-advertising-ban/a-19203016">effective</a>;
few young people start smoking there now.


feed_id: c4c15ed9b3458620241377beb289cebe
title: Coping with global heating
uri: Coping-with-global-heating
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#30_April_2016_%28Coping_with_global_heating%29
content:
<p>
Plans and models for coping with global heating
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/science/political-science/2016/apr/26/abandon-hype-in-climate-models">should
not presume we will soon be able to remove CO<sub>2</sub> from the
atmosphere in substantial quantities</a>.


feed_id: e1e2ac395c2c5cf6d6b7c5d7e833d5ff
title: Urgent: Murphy-Paul-Lieu-Yoho law
uri: Urgent-Murphy-Paul-Lieu-Yoho-law
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#30_April_2016_%28Urgent%3A_Murphy-Paul-Lieu-Yoho_law%29

content:
<p>
US citizens:
<a href="http://petitions.moveon.org/sign/back-murphy-paul-lieu">call
on Congress</a> to support the Murphy-Paul-Lieu-Yoho law to limit arms
sales to Salafi Arabia.


feed_id: b983e7537bc4beead6ef77b57e7c5ad8
title: Urgent: Thank legislators
uri: Urgent-Thank-legislators
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#30_April_2016_%28Urgent%3A_Thank_legislators%29
content:
<p>
US citizens:
<a href="https://org.salsalabs.com/o/301/p/dia/action3/common/public/?action_KEY=19616">Thank
the legislators that defended freedom of speech</a> by opposing bills
to censor advocacy of boycott, divestment and sanctions towards
Israel.
<p>
I do not support this campaign; rather, I support Gush Shalom's
campaign to boycott companies that profit from Israel's colonies in
Palestinian territory.  However, whatever we think of the Palestinian
BSD campaign as substance, we must all support people's right to
advocate that policy (and various other policies).


feed_id: 5b3d77a4aaa6303332c8e013e12bcc8d
title: Australia's giant fossil fuel subsidies
uri: Australia-s-giant-fossil-fuel-subsidies
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#30_April_2016_%28Australias_giant_fossil_fuel_subsidies%29

content:
<p>
Pressuring Australia to
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2016/apr/26/scott-morrison-faces-pressure-to-cut-77bn-fossil-fuel-subsidies">cut
its giant subsidies</a> for fossil fuels.


feed_id: 905b547928cbebb7ec5647594d71cf8c
title: NSA spying
uri: NSA-spying
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#30_April_2016_%28NSA_spying%29
content:
<p>
Congress
<a href="http://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2016/04/how-many-americans-are-being-surveilled-us-spy-chief-still-wont-say/">Demands
to Know How Many [US] Citizens</a> Are Being Spied On [by the NSA].


feed_id: bd9d7fc84d95a19f3d8688613f1ad717
title: "Intelligent assistants"
uri: Intelligent-assistants
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#30_April_2016_%28Intelligent_assistants%29
content:
<p>
"Intelligent assistants" that listen to everything you say might
someday
<a href="http://venturebeat.com/2016/04/22/the-intelligent-assistants-role-catalyst-for-digital-commerce/">discern
your intentions to buy something</a>.  Or at least they might convince
you that you intended to buy it.


feed_id: 0ae43e29320fb55487a9fefee01db21b
title: Urgent: No more oil and gas drilling
uri: Urgent-No-more-oil-and-gas-drilling
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#30_April_2016_%28Urgent%3A_No_more_oil_and_gas_drilling%29

content:
<p>
US citizens:
<a href="http://www.ran.org/tell_the_obama_administration_no_more_offshore_oil_and_gas_drilling">call
on Obama</a> to order no more oil and gas drilling in Atlantic and
Gulf of Mexico.


feed_id: 99cdad925b141ec26abf19950b00add5
title: Urgent: Keep federal lands federal
uri: Urgent-Keep-federal-lands-federal
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#30_April_2016_%28Urgent%3A_Keep_federal_lands_federal%29

content:
<p>
US citizens:
<a href="https://secure.defenders.org/site/Advocacy?cmd=display&page=UserAction&id=3069">tell
the US government</a> to Keep federal lands federal — don't give
them to states to sell off.


feed_id: 390ac8b26933dece3cb7d79642b47ff6
title: Urgent: No coal plant next to Sundarbans
uri: Urgent-No-coal-plant-next-to-Sundarbans
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#30_April_2016_%28Urgent%3A_No_coal_plant_next_to_Sundarbans%29

content:
<p>
Everyone:
<a href="http://www.ran.org/sundarbans">call on the US Exim Bank</a>
not to support a coal plant next to the Sundarbans.


feed_id: 8dae58c42f30c9c3af498fefa033a510
title: Northern California kelp forests dying
uri: Northern-California-kelp-forests-dying
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#30_April_2016_%28Northern_California_kelp_forests_dying%29

content:
<p>
The kelp forests of Northern California are
<a href="http://www.pressdemocrat.com/news/5487602-181/collapse-of-kelp-forest-imperils">dying
across a broad region</a>.  Other species that depend on kelp are
dying too.
<p>
No one knows why this is happening, but global heating and El
Niño may play a role.


feed_id: 19f3628f060dc8cf2ef9c2b424170d4a
title: Stolen Uber accounts
uri: Stolen-Uber-accounts
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#30_April_2016_%28Stolen_Uber_accounts%29
content:
<p>
Uber
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/money/2016/apr/22/uber-scam-hacking-account-phantom-journeys">doesn't
make things easy</a> for people whose accounts have been stolen.


feed_id: e503acd8be3823a29496ea74ac2f3b1b
title: Gov. Snyder still not charged
uri: Gov-Snyder-still-not-charged
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#30_April_2016_%28Gov._Snyder_still_not_charged%29
content:
<p>
Michigan Officials Charged in Flint Water Poisoning, But Gov. Snyder
<a href="http://www.democracynow.org/2016/4/21/michigan_officials_charged_in_flint_water">Has
Not Even Been Questioned</a>.
<p>
The idea that he didn't know about this, while paying close attention
to little details of other issues, is not credible.


feed_id: 05ac78ff09d19322e6cda33d6690ed2e
title: "Suspicious" activities
uri: Suspicious-activities
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#30_April_2016_%28Suspicious_activities%29
content:
<p>
People in part of New Orleans are being invited to report "suspicious"
activities, such as people
<a href="http://thinkprogress.org/justice/2016/04/20/3770695/st-louis-residents-to-use-uber-like-app-to-report-suspicious-behavior/">sleeping
on the street, people walking while Black</a>, etc.
<p>
This is being aimed at a neighborhood undergoing gentrification,
and seems tailor-made to help force the poorer "undesirables" out.


feed_id: 8a908a1ed865da50f9efaa7a1fade478
title: Religious fanatics assassinate professor
uri: Religious-fanatics-assassinate-professor
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#30_April_2016_%28Religious_fanatics_assassinate_professor%29

content:
<p>
Another professor in Bangladesh has been
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/apr/23/bangladeshi-professor-hacked-to-death-rajshahi-islamists">assassinated
by religious fanatics</a>.  The victim this time was, it appears, a
secularist but did not campaign for secularism.


feed_id: 67f8ec8cd6a79bf3b1d6ba8b52e12954
title: US cell phone networks
uri: US-cell-phone-networks
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#30_April_2016_%28US_cell_phone_networks%29
content:
<p>
The National Coordinating Center for Communications
<a href="http://www.nextgov.com/cybersecurity/2016/04/wireless-monitoring-agency-youve-never-heard/127675/">monitors
the status of cell phone networks in the US</a>, and can shut them
down, too.


feed_id: e4f7b3032a5086dba25f962b1b325cfb
title: Secret stingray use in Wisconsin
uri: Secret-stingray-use-in-Wisconsin
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#30_April_2016_%28Secret_stingray_use_in_Wisconsin%29

content:
<p>
EFF and ACLU Expose
<a href="https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2016/04/eff-and-aclu-expose-governments-secret-stingray-use-wisconsin-case">Government's
Secret Stingray Use</a> in Wisconsin Case.


feed_id: 5c88fb5adc56225c8d1f8745ffbae928
title: Protecting elephants by destroying ivory
uri: Protecting-elephants-by-destroying-ivory
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#30_April_2016_%28Protecting_elephants_by_destroying_ivory%29

content:
<p>
Why
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/environment/africa-wild/2016/apr/23/why-it-makes-sense-to-burn-ivory-stockpiles">destroying
Kenya's collection of confiscated ivory</a> is the right way to
protect elephants.
<p>
Considering how hard it is to burn ivory, and how much CO2 that
generates, I wonder if there is some other safe and effective way of
ruining it for sale.  If ivory is chopped into small pieces, do they
biodegrade?


feed_id: 602bbae58c0977069256aad7cf53ed4c
title: Making ISPs protect users' privacy
uri: Making-ISPs-protect-users-privacy
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#30_April_2016_%28Making_ISPs_protect_users_privacy%29

content:
<p>
The FCC is investigating rules to make ISPs protect users' privacy,
but
<a href="http://www.freepress.net/blog/2016/04/21/breaking-down-fccs-proposal-protect-broadband-privacy">the
proposals don't go far enough</a>.
<p>
The ISP need to know what you are currently connecting to, but it has
no need to remember what you connected to more than a minute ago.  It
should not be allowed to remember this, except under a specific court
order.


feed_id: 1b9501c3a7b98164cb5976cdfe80b368
title: When the gov't helps the poor
uri: When-the-gov-t-helps-the-poor
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#30_April_2016_%28When_the_govt_helps_the_poor%29
content:
<p>
<a href="http://www.fastcoexist.com/3059196/why-do-people-get-so-upset-when-the-government-helps-the-poor">Why
Do People Get So Upset</a> When The Government Helps The Poor?


feed_id: 56ee597235b5b104c0a922d85c821639
title: Fertility apps are spyware
uri: Fertility-apps-are-spyware
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#30_April_2016_%28Fertility_apps_are_spyware%29
content:
<p>
Applications to help women get pregnant are spyware, to help companies
<a href="http://motherboard.vice.com/read/why-does-silicon-valley-want-to-get-so-many-women-pregnant-fertility-apps">find
out who is pregnant (and who wants to be)</a>.


feed_id: b41ad85f4485764421134ca7f640f491
title: Melting Antarctic ice
uri: 2016-05-03-Melting-Antarctic-ice
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#30_April_2016_%28Melting_Antarctic_ice%29
content:
<p>
Fate of Worldâs Coastlines Rests on
<a href="http://www.climatecentral.org/news/fate-of-worlds-coastlines-melting-antarctic-ice-20270">Melting
Antarctic Ice</a>.


feed_id: f4f0758ac6ca8237bcb818076778f4ab
title: Chimpanzees prefer vegetables cooked
uri: Chimpanzees-prefer-vegetables-cooked
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#29_April_2016_%28Chimpanzees_prefer_vegetables_cooked%29

content:
<p>
Chimpanzees prefer their vegetables cooked, and will
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/science/2015/jun/03/chimpanzees-can-cook-and-prefer-cooked-food-study-shows">save
food for later in order to have a chance to cook it</a>.


feed_id: 5a48f1fea0df0b6e9f34dd9593554cbb
title: PRISM
uri: 2016-05-03-PRISM
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#29_April_2016_%28PRISM%29
content:
<p>
A group of congresscritters have demanded that the NSA
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/apr/22/james-clapper-nsa-spying-us-data-collection-senate-hearing">report
how many US citizens' data the NSA has collected "incidentally"</a>
through PRISM.


feed_id: ebbec8fc7ef2f8fb7f2ebbd36a9e2663
title: Egyptian tyranny
uri: Egyptian-tyranny
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#29_April_2016_%28Egyptian_tyranny%29
content:
<p>
Egyptian Ministry of Interior
<a href="https://cpj.org/2016/04/egyptian-ministry-of-interior-accuses-reuters-of-s.php">Accuses
Reuters of 'Spreading False News'</a>.  Journalists could be sentenced
to 3 years in prison for this.
<p>
For the Egyptian tyranny, any critical news is "false" by definition.


feed_id: 8108a6673cfea446f25c71e8d21a62d6
title: Single-payer medical system
uri: Single-payer-medical-system
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#29_April_2016_%28Single-payer_medical_system%29
content:
<p>
Medical businesses are spending heavily to defeat a
<a href="https://theintercept.com/2016/04/22/colorad-single-payer/">proposed
single-payer medical system</a> in Colorado.
<p>
The single-payer system is good, but the way it will be paid
for is badly designed.  It should come from income tax instead
so as to make the rich pay a bigger share.


feed_id: e3f43ba47ad4c6555c5db27108359c98
title: UK immigration
uri: UK-immigration
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#29_April_2016_%28UK_immigration%29
content:
<p>
UK immigration has a habit of denying asylum with careless snap
judgments, deporting people who are likely to be tortured and so on.
<p>
It will now make that carelessness harder to resist by charging so
much for an appeal that most refugees
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2016/apr/21/asylum-and-immigration-court-fees-set-to-rise-by-over-500">won't
be able to afford it</a>.
<p>
The "need" to charge more only exists because the government is giving
that money to rich people by letting them pay little tax.


feed_id: ba9f9cc5fac99690045265f4d30f825e
title: Freedom of Information Act requests
uri: 2016-05-03-Freedom-of-Information-Act-requests
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#29_April_2016_%28Freedom_of_Information_Act_requests%29

content:
<p>
Investigative journalist Nick Turse reports on how he filed 300
Freedom of Information Act requests in a year, all for his
investigative work.  The Pentagon calls him a troll, and
<a href="https://theintercept.com/2016/04/20/how-a-simple-request-got-me-blacklisted-by-the-pentagon/">wants
the law changed to block such investigations</a>.


feed_id: b28b9f46ea8af76ca168721c41dbccd1
title: Campaign to stop Pearson (Mis)Education
uri: Campaign-to-stop-Pearson-(Mis)Education
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#29_April_2016_%28Campaign_to_stop_Pearson_%28Mis%29Education%29

content:
<p>
London Next in International Campaign to
<a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/alan-singer/london-next-in-internatio_b_9746894.html">Stop
Pearson (Mis)Education</a>.


feed_id: d34d90ed15f18b3af1747772451d91f6
title: Surveillance balloons
uri: Surveillance-balloons
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#29_April_2016_%28Surveillance_balloons%29
content:
<p>
A lawsuit in Chile aims to ban the use of
<a href="http://www.ifex.org/chile/2016/04/20/qa_surveillance_balloons/">surveillance
balloons</a> that track everybody everywhere on the street.


feed_id: bfa1d46233a3aedd61f0a934ecb62e28
title: Warning received by B'liar staff in 2001
uri: Warning-received-by-B-liar-staff-in-2001
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#29_April_2016_%28Warning_received_by_Bliar_staff_in_2001%29

content:
<p>
Tony B'liar's staff were warned in 2001 by the head of
counterterrorism in MI6 that
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2016/apr/22/chilcot-real-scandal-tony-blair-iraq-invasion-radicalising-british-muslims">Dubya's
plans to invade Iraq would inspire terrorists</a>.
<p>
Either he ignored this, and was incompetent, or he secretly welcomed
the opportunity this would offer him to look tough by attacking
Britons' freedom, and was a traitor.


feed_id: 5fd460ccaa152b03a8473f3baea4e147
title: Labour Party conference bans McDonalds
uri: Labour-Party-conference-bans-McDonalds
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#29_April_2016_%28Labour_Party_conference_bans_McDonalds%29

content:
<p>
The UK Labour Party
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2016/apr/22/labour-ban-mcdonalds-fast-food-stall-party-conference">refused
to sell McDonalds a booth</a> at the party conference, because
McDonalds persistently refuses to negotiate with workers that are
trying to form a union.
<p>
I would say "Bravo!" except that this shouldn't be seen as
exceptional.  It should be a "no brainer".  The fact that it isn't so
seen, that some even question it, is a measure of how far New Labour
took it into supporting plutocracy.  I am glad to see it
reinvigorated.
<p>
The plutocratist Labour Party, like the Clinton-Obama wing of the
Democratic Party, won't try to do anything more than slow the
surrender to the rich.


feed_id: c2936e60981afd49c66ae86a658a7405
title: "Local currency" and total surveillance
uri: Local-currency-and-total-surveillance
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#29_April_2016_%28Local_currency_and_total_surveillance%29

content:
<p>
A well-meaning "local currency" project seems to have
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/cities/2016/apr/22/hullcoin-bitcoin-volunteers-new-way-pay">total
surveillance as a byproduct</a>.
<p>
I can't understand how people who presumably do not like massive
surveillance can set this issue completely aside when they judge
projects and products that track people.  If we want to continue
having democracy, we must
<a href="http://gnu.org/philosophy/surveillance-vs-democracy.html
">build systems that surveil less</a>.
<p>
I was disgusted to see today that the only way to pay for street
parking in Paris (at least on the street where I am staying) is with
some sort of credit card.  That tracks people's movements.  Even if
the card is not associated with any person, the system will record
that the same person paid for parking in a series of places.  This is
creeping total surveillance, and we must <em>hate</em> every single
step in this campaign against our rights.


feed_id: efc9d3c011828d0851d4e4621a6f8b55
title: Thugs killing students in Sudan
uri: Thugs-killing-students-in-Sudan
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#29_April_2016_%28Thugs_killing_students_in_Sudan%29
content:
<p>
Omar al-Bashir, tyrant of Sudan,
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/apr/22/sudan-student-killing-abubakar-hassan-protests">keeps
on having his thugs kill students</a>.


feed_id: 6a0b748ec459eaaef64ec41be4819eb1
title: Sea level rise to flood Silicon Valley
uri: Sea-level-rise-to-flood-Silicon-Valley
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#29_April_2016_%28Sea_level_rise_to_flood_Silicon_Valley%29

content:
<p>
Big companies such as Google and Facebook have built
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2016/apr/22/silicon-valley-sea-level-rise-google-facebook-flood-risk">large
installations close to sea level</a>, and they are going to get
flooded.


feed_id: 4038bc773baa4b5e7c63ad9987ac1737
title: US ranked 41 in freedom of the press
uri: US-ranked-41-in-freedom-of-the-press
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#29_April_2016_%28US_ranked_41_in_freedom_of_the_press%29

content:
<p>
Reporters Without Borders now ranks the US as number 41 in freedom of
the press, because of
<a href="http://www.commondreams.org/news/2016/04/21/thanks-war-whistleblowers-us-ranks-41st-press-freedom-index">Obama's
persistent attacks on journalists' sources</a> (i.e., whistleblowers).
<p>
This is where the US has a duty to be number 1.


feed_id: b56af80c5e9762ecf1cc2eba7c78cf77
title: Suing for information about US drone attack
uri: Suing-for-information-about-US-drone-attack
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#29_April_2016_%28Suing_for_information_about_US_drone_attack%29

content:
<p>
Faisal bin ali Jaber
<a href="http://www.commondreams.org/news/2016/04/21/true-cost-covert-killings-demanded-drone-strike-victims-speak-out">continues
to sue</a> for information about the US drone attack that killed his
relatives.


feed_id: dc63a24293d401dec25fdf3259fb4b20
title: Tax-dodging and global heating
uri: Tax-dodging-and-global-heating
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#29_April_2016_%28Tax-dodging_and_global_heating%29
content:
<p>
To stop global heating, it is
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2016/apr/22/paris-climate-change-agreement-sustainability-try-paying-taxes-panama-papers">vital
to make the rich pay taxes</a> by ending their tax-dodging.
<p>
Poor countries need 4 trillion dollars through 2030 to reduce their
emissions as much as they have
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2016/apr/22/climate-change-study-poor-countries-4tn-2030-avert-catastrophe-paris-agreement">already
pledged</a>, and those pledges are
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#26_April_2016_(Avoiding_2C_of_global_heating)">far
from sufficient to avoid disaster</a>.


feed_id: 6056e9b13a85854e857afa892d39f5b5
title: Proposed business-supremacy treaty for Asia
uri: Proposed-business-supremacy-treaty-for-Asia
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#29_April_2016_%28Proposed_business-supremacy_treaty_for_Asia%29

content:
<p>
A proposed business-supremacy treaty for Asia includes
<a href="http://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2016/04/21/msf-concerned-about-new-threat-affordable-medicines-trade-negotiations-india-and">restrictions
on generic medicines</a>, and would stop India from providing many
generic drugs to poor people in a number of other countries.
<p>
As with other
<a href="https://stallman.org/business-supremacy-treaties.html">business-supremacy
treaties</a>, often referred to misleadingly as "free trade treaties"
by their supporters, there is no good in this treaty.  The countries
involved should kill it.
<p>
It is a fundamental mistake to call these restrictions
<a href="http://gnu.org/philosophy/not-ipr.html">"intellectual
property"</a> because that leads people to confuse them with unrelated
issues such as copyright law.  Every time that term is used, it
spreads confusion — so please, don't use it!


feed_id: 2a8f815cfd62e64643f705d82c31971b
title: New natural gas pipeline blocked
uri: New-natural-gas-pipeline-blocked
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#29_April_2016_%28New_natural_gas_pipeline_blocked%29

content:
<p>
A new natural gas pipeline to Massachusetts has been
<a href="http://www.commondreams.org/news/2016/04/21/victory-kinder-morgan-nixes-new-england-pipeline-plan">blocked</a>.


feed_id: ddebfa7540753459c0ab68e704396ca6
title: The public has turned against TPP
uri: The-public-has-turned-against-TPP
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#29_April_2016_%28The_public_has_turned_against_TPP%29

content:
<p>
The public in the US and Europe has turned
<a href="http://www.commondreams.org/news/2016/04/21/support-plummets-eu-moving-closer-becoming-ttip-free-zone">against
the TPP</a>.  Will that be enough to stop it?


feed_id: 6486b370ba17073f72a5e86a47d6e474
title: Encryption communication service shut down
uri: Encryption-communication-service-shut-down
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#29_April_2016_%28Encryption_communication_service_shut_down%29

content:
<p>
The Netherlands
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/apr/22/dutch-police-ennetcom-shut-down-owner-arrested">shut
down an encrypted communication service</a>, Ennetcom, on the grounds
that some of its users were using it do crime.
<p>
This seems rather dangerous to me.


feed_id: 2cb7272f8d82c14f4cb35909f6dbf055
title: Supplements don't "boost" immune system
uri: Supplements-don-t-boost-immune-system
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#29_April_2016_%28Supplements_dont_boost_immune_system%29

content:
<p>
Foods and supplements
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/science/2016/jan/24/health-foods-immune-system-colds-vitamins">can't
"boost your immune system"</a>.


feed_id: ca0691d2a008a6382455ecae9ffb5403
title: Torture victims will be allowed to sue
uri: Torture-victims-will-be-allowed-to-sue
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#29_April_2016_%28Torture_victims_will_be_allowed_to_sue%29

content:
<p>
Torture victims will be allowed to
<a href="https://theintercept.com/2016/04/22/judge-grants-torture-victims-their-first-chance-to-pursue-justice/">sue
the psychologists that designed the CIA's torture program</a>, and
subpoena documents about it.


feed_id: 18e24f68fbccebc9da6646d9dcc98527
title: Erdo&gbreve;an to punish Turkish academics
uri: Erdo-gbreve-an-to-punish-Turkish-academics
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#29_April_2016_%28Erdogan_to_punish_Turkish_academics%29

content:
<p>
After Turkish academics condemned the gratuitous war against Kurds in
Turkey, Erdo&gbreve;an can't decide whether to accuse them of
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/apr/22/turkish-academics-freed-trial-terrorist-propaganda-charge-petition-military-kurdish-rebels">"terrorist
propaganda" or "insulting Turkishness"</a>.
<p>
This is absurd.  Those academics do honor to Turkishness; it is
Erdo&gbreve;an whose conduct insults Turkishness.


feed_id: 2e1f120426eebeca293cc1f8461b9331
title: Urgent: Veto dirty energy bill
uri: Urgent-Veto-dirty-energy-bill
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#29_April_2016_%28Urgent%3A_Veto_dirty_energy_bill%29

content:
<p>
US citizens: 
<a href="https://secure.foodandwaterwatch.org/site/Advocacy?cmd=display&page=UserAction&id=2604">call
on Obama</a> to veto the dirty energy bill.


feed_id: 0aa55ae20b1316d700d24bae0a2022bd
title: Urgent: Stop pension cuts
uri: Urgent-Stop-pension-cuts
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#29_April_2016_%28Urgent%3A_Stop_pension_cuts%29
content:
<p>
US citizens: 
<a href="http://petitions.moveon.org/sign/demand-that-congress-5">tell
the Treasury Department</a> not to allow pension cuts for the Central
States Pension Fund.


feed_id: 5ec24d6bf042851f3ad7ab6c03bab8c1
title: Urgent: Protect net neutrality
uri: Urgent-Protect-net-neutrality
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#29_April_2016_%28Urgent%3A_Protect_net_neutrality%29

content:
<p>
US citizens: 
<a href="http://act.freepress.net/sign/internet_nn_hr2666_senate/">call
on the Senate</a> to protect net neutrality by rejecting the bill
designed to kill it.
<p>
The FCC's network neutrality regulations are not strong enough,
but what SCROTUS want is none at all.
<p>
SCROTUS = Sleazy Congressional Republicans Of The United States.


feed_id: 73c0820110fbdfb58b09ae858cba922a
title: Urgent: Campaign funding law
uri: Urgent-Campaign-funding-law
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#29_April_2016_%28Urgent%3A_Campaign_funding_law%29
content:
<p>
Citizens of Massachusetts: 
<a href="https://secure2.convio.net/comcau/site/Advocacy?cmd=display&page=UserAction&id=1508">Call
for closing a loophole</a> in campaign funding law.


feed_id: 3b8dd2451ec54d94e2f1f86d90719197
title: Urgent: Audit the Pentagon
uri: 2016-05-03-Urgent-Audit-the-Pentagon
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#29_April_2016_%28Urgent%3A_Audit_the_Pentagon%29
content:
<p>
US citizens: 
<a href="http://act.credoaction.com/sign/Pentagon_Audit">ask your
congresscritter</a> to cosponsor the bill to audit the Pentagon.


feed_id: 524b1a9869f3614b03fadc9e5d6e6e0b
title: Cease-fire nearly collapsed
uri: Cease-fire-nearly-collapsed
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#29_April_2016_%28Cease-fire_nearly_collapsed%29
content:
<p>After a Syrian or Russian plane bombed a hospital in Aleppo, the <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/apr/28/deadly-airstrike-on-hospital-aleppo-syria-reports-say">cease-fire has nearly collapsed.</a>
<p>


feed_id: 2fdf41d2d85fea23e7da269b2163fc5d
title: Gene therapy success
uri: Gene-therapy-success
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#29_April_2016_%28Gene_therapy_success%29
content:
<p>Gene therapy has successfully treated a kind of blindness.
<p><a href="http://www.theguardian.com/society/2016/apr/28/blindness-gene-therapy-treatment-oxford-university">http://www.theguardian.com/society/2016/apr/28/blindness-gene-therapy-treatment-oxford-university</a>
<p>


feed_id: 25634a46d6683e1fff31544564dd00e9
title: Kunduz hospital bombing
uri: Kunduz-hospital-bombing
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#29_April_2016_%28Kunduz_hospital_bombing%29
content:
<p>Investigating the causes of the <a href="https://theintercept.com/2016/04/28/searching-for-ground-truth-in-the-kunduz-hospital-bombing/">US attack on the MSF hospital in Kunduz</a>.  It seems to have really been confusion.  I wouldn't expect the US Army to attack a hospital intentionally.  Journalists, maybe.
<p>


feed_id: 60ad29cda98a8f5cdee0429fb523d555
title: When a Robot kills is it murder?
uri: When-a-Robot-kills-is-it-murder
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#29_April_2016_%28When_a_Robot_kills_is_it_murder%3F%29

content:
<p>When a Robot Kills, Is It <a href="http://www.slate.com/articles/technology/future_tense/2016/04/a_robotics_law_expert_on_paolo_bacigalupi_s_mika_model.html">
Murder or Product Liability?</a>
<p>The Mika Model story starts where Ex Machina leaves off.  But the part with the screwdriver is not credible.  The company would just send a command to shut the robot down.
<p>


feed_id: 616bae3af7f9bbbd97f76980a20958d1
title: The Marshall Islands worst drought ever
uri: The-Marshall-Islands-worst-drought-ever
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#29_April_2016_%28The_Marshall_Islands_worst_drought_ever%29

content:
<p>The Marshall Islands are suffering the <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/apr/28/obama-marshall-islands-drought">worst drought ever recorded.</a>
<p>


feed_id: 4fc286146e8481a4a1d5aafa4ebe110c
title: Trumps 'foreign policy' statement
uri: Trumps-foreign-policy-statement
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#29_April_2016_%28Trumps_%27foreign_policy%27_statement%29

content:
<p>Trump's big 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2016/apr/27/trump-inconsistencies-foreign-policy">"foreign
policy" statement</a> is incoherent, packed with self-contradictions.
<p>I think this is because he decided to include all the points that
might appeal to voters he seeks, and did not consider contradictions a
problem.  Perhaps he knows that his supporters won't be careful enough
to notice them.
<p>


feed_id: 0f481a6f795882f44344e4595a7087f1
title: It's OK for Corporations to Kill Workers
uri: It-s-OK-for-Corporations-to-Kill-Workers
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#29_April_2016_%28It%27s_OK_for_Corporations_to_Kill_Workers%29

content:
<p>Republicans: <a href="http://www.alternet.org/labor/gop-its-ok-corporations-kill-workers">
Itâs OK for Corporations to Kill Workers</a>.
<p>


feed_id: a253d34242532c25a301accaf1765438
title: Volkswagen and shell are lobbying EU
uri: Volkswagen-and-shell-are-lobbying-EU
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#29_April_2016_%28Volkswagen_and_shell_are_lobbying_EU%29

content:
<p><a href="http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2016/apr/28/vw-and-shell-try-to-block-eu-push-for-cleaner-cars">
Volkswagen and Shell</a> are lobbying the EU not to reduce car emissions.
<p>


feed_id: 5af94d541309c9c0311641351f872649
title: South Sudan leaders start transitional government
uri: South-Sudan-leaders-start-transitional-government
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#29_April_2016_%28South_Sudan_leaders_start_transitional_government%29

content:
<p>
The civil war in South Sudan may have ended; the leaders of the two warring parties have started a <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2016/apr/28/us-pledges-90m-south-sudan-sanctions-should-peace-fail">"transitional government"</a>.  
<p>I wish them success at it.
<p>Before British colonization, the Dinka and the Nuer used to be at war all the time, but they didn't have firearms.
<p>


feed_id: bf58eb2b87771185118778f5cb18dca5
title: Neonicotinoid Pesticides can harm bees
uri: Neonicotinoid-Pesticides-can-harm-bees
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#29_April_2016_%28Neonicotinoid_Pesticides_can_harm_bees%29

content:
<p>
A study found that <a href="
http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2016/apr/28/two-worlds-top-three-leading-insecticides-harm-bees-study-shows">some neonicotinoid pesticides harm bumblebee colonies</a>,but one other neonicotinoid does not harm them.  
<p>There are many species of wild bees, and it is possible that the one that doesn't harm these bumblebees may harm other bees.
<p>


feed_id: 84a491ae4aa10241d064e52447137f51
title: Greens critical of the status quo
uri: Greens-critical-of-the-status-quo
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#29_April_2016_%28Greens_critical_of_the_status_quo%29

content:
<p>
UK Greens: "<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2016/apr/28/greens-extremist-monitor-metropolitan-police">Greens are often critical of the status quo</a>.  No wonder the police monitor us."
<p>


feed_id: 3c1cc6609fb861fcb03373bda135c39f
title: US charter school chains conceal information
uri: US-charter-school-chains-conceal-information
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#29_April_2016_%28US_charter_school_chains_conceal_information%29

content:
<p>
Some <a href="http://www.prwatch.org/news/2016/04/13096/exposed-cmd-kipps-efforts-keep-public-dark-while-seeking-millions-taxpayer">US charter school chains</a> conceal the information that would help the public judge whether they do a good job.
<p>


feed_id: 7967109f7a1a2a6cc9d476c6485cafee
title: Crackdown turns Journalists into 'Terrorists'
uri: Crackdown-turns-Journalists-into-Terrorists
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#5_May_2016_%28Crackdown_turns_Journalists_into_%27Terrorists%27%29

content:
<p>
Crackdown in Turkey's Kurdish South-East <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/may/03/crackdown-in-turkeys-kurdish-south-east-turns-journalists-into-terrorists">
Turns Journalists into 'Terrorists'</a>.<p>
This is so Erdogan can cover up the continuing atrocities against
the Kurds in Turkey.


feed_id: ea9498db44d8abc8c758edc9a4c21dd2
title: Climate protesters block coal mine
uri: Climate-protesters-block-coal-mine
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#5_May_2016_%28Climate_protesters_block_coal_mine%29
content:
<p>
Climate protesters blocked the largest coal mine in Britain.<p>
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2016/may/03/climate-protesters-invade-uks-largest-opencast-coal-mine">http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2016/may/03/climate-protesters-invade-uks-largest-opencast-coal-mine</a>


feed_id: 6e65953f524dfa58d3ea339f88aad574
title: Urgent: Everyone: support clemency for Leonard Peltier.
uri: Urgent-Everyone-support-clemency-for-Leonard-Peltier
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#5_May_2016_%28Urgent%3A_Everyone%3A_support_clemency_for_Leonard_Peltier.%29

content:
<p>
Everyone: support clemency for Leonard Peltier.<p><a href="http://act.amnestyusa.org/ea-action/action?ea.client.id=1839&ea.campaign.id=27118&ac=W1604EAIAR2">http://act.amnestyusa.org/ea-action/action?ea.client.id=1839&ea.campaign.id=27118&ac=W1604EAIAR2</a>


feed_id: 92de921d81dbe0dd28d7aad502125f83
title: Puerto Rico is defaulting on its debt
uri: Puerto-Rico-is-defaulting-on-its-debt
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#5_May_2016_%28Puerto_Rico_is_defaulting_on_its_debt%29

content:
<p>
Puerto Rico is defaulting on its debt, because <a href="
http://www.commondreams.org/news/2016/05/02/vulture-funds-circle-puerto-rico-set-default-debt">vulture banksters</a>lobbied Congress not to allow Puerto Rico a form of bankruptcy.


feed_id: f42c785c43eca8a9194b21860c0aa4ce
title: If everyone lived like Americans
uri: If-everyone-lived-like-Americans
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#5_May_2016_%28If_everyone_lived_like_Americans%29
content:
<p>
If everyone lived like Americans, the human world would have already
exhausted its fresh water supplies.<p>
<a href="http://www.motherjones.com/environment/2016/04/world-already-would-be-out-water-if-everyone-ate-americans">
http://www.motherjones.com/environment/2016/04/world-already-would-be-out-water-if-everyone-ate-americans</a>


feed_id: 1956419f0bb2a8a35a760159f429c610
title: Erdogan wants to prosecute members of Parliament
uri: Erdogan-wants-to-prosecute-members-of-Parliament
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#5_May_2016_%28Erdogan_wants_to_prosecute_members_of_Parliament%29

content:
<p>
Erdogan wants to prosecute members of Parliament for "terrorism".<p>
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/may/03/turkish-politicians-brawl-over-plans-to-drop-legal-immunity">
http://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/may/03/turkish-politicians-brawl-over-plans-to-drop-legal-immunity</a><p>
Will they be able to find asylum in Europe?


feed_id: 4fea82aef663584c71f9c47c2d0b03fb
title: Snowden analyzes leaks
uri: Snowden-analyzes-leaks
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#5_May_2016_%28Snowden_analyzes_leaks%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://theintercept.com/2016/05/03/edward-snowden-whistleblowing-is-not-just-leaking-its-an-act-of-political-resistance/">Snowden analyzes</a> the difference between whistleblowers' leaks and the establishments' leaks (which often damage security interests much more).


feed_id: 6f8191d6e6da9cda44b21dd855ec9412
title: Britains long history of antisemitism
uri: Britains-long-history-of-antisemitism
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#5_May_2016_%28Britains_long_history_of_antisemitism%29

content:
<p>
Britain has a long history of <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2016/may/03/everyday-antisemitism-britain-prejudice">
real antisemitism</a>.<p>
This needs to be rooted out.  Note, however, that none of these
examples had anything to do with concerns about Israel's occupation
policy. 


feed_id: 39d202951e4b6a802612f27d8a89a906
title: Gobal Heating Starving West Coast Waters
uri: Gobal-Heating-Starving-West-Coast-Waters
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#5_May_2016_%28Gobal_Heating_Starving_West_Coast_Waters%29

content:
<p>
Global Heating Is Starving West Coast Waters of Oxygen.<p>
<a href="http://www.climatecentral.org/news/global-warming-starving-waters-of-oxygen-20303">http://www.climatecentral.org/news/global-warming-starving-waters-of-oxygen-20303</a>


feed_id: 4cb7d117069b737a7689b532b18a7969
title: EU proposals for web sites
uri: EU-proposals-for-web-sites
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#5_May_2016_%28EU_proposals_for_web_sites%29
content:
<p>
The <a href="http://www.theregister.co.uk/2016/04/29/eu_login_youtube_national_id_card/">EU proposes</a> that web sites should require visitors to give their national ID numbers.


feed_id: f83b892a33a6186e439c2eefd5132f90
title: We need to curb global heating now!
uri: We-need-to-curb-global-heating-now
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#5_May_2016_%28We_need_to_curb_global_heating_now%21%29

content:
<p>
Stop waiting for the "<a href="
http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2016/may/03/the-time-has-come-to-turn-up-the-heat-on-those-who-are-wrecking-planet-earth">right moment</a>"to curb global heating.
The right moment was 15 years ago!


feed_id: 2df3a954e61bd1d12c69692862a5c5eb
title: Women who carry guns are far more likely to be shot with a gun.
uri: Women-who-carry-guns-are-far-more-likely-to-be-shot-with-a-gun
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#5_May_2016_%28Women_who_carry_guns_are_far_more_likely_to_be_shot_with_a_gun.%29

content:
<p>
People, and especially women, who carry guns are far more likely to be shot with a gun.<p><a href="
https://www.theguardian.com/science/blog/2013/mar/25/guns-protection-national-rifle-association">
https://www.theguardian.com/science/blog/2013/mar/25/guns-protection-national-rifle-association</a><p>
A part of this may be because people who feel more threatened are more
likely to get a gun.  But surely that is not the only cause.


feed_id: 71f5e2b576e8ed6219a544650ae96329
title: Ban of free encryption software in the US
uri: Ban-of-free-encryption-software-in-the-US
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#5_May_2016_%28Ban_of_free_encryption_software_in_the_US%29

content:
<p>
<a href="https://www.justsecurity.org/30740/feinstein-burr-bill-bans-bro">
The Feinstein-Burr anti-encryption bill</a>would ban the distribution of
free encryption software in the US.  All distribution of free systems
would have to move out of the US.


feed_id: 54447bbab9e121ff96c0117304c81a24
title: Stealing food to eat is not a crime
uri: Stealing-food-to-eat-is-not-a-crime
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#5_May_2016_%28Stealing_food_to_eat_is_not_a_crime%29

content:
<p>
Italy's supreme court ruled that <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/may/03/theft-sausage-cheese-hungry-homeless-man-not-crime-italy">
stealing food to eat is not a crime</a> if you are desperately hungry.


feed_id: 7e7991ece71993ce0d8b35cc9ef06223
title: Warrantless Searches on Americans
uri: Warrantless-Searches-on-Americans
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#5_May_2016_%28Warrantless_Searches_on_Americans%29
content:
<p>
NSA and CIA Double Their <a href="https://theintercept.com/2016/05/03/nsa-and-cia-double-their-warrantless-searches-on-americans-in-two-years/">
Warrantless Searches on Americans</a> in Two Years.


feed_id: 3d2a52b88a470034016b2c570b0d78e3
title: Urgent: Make banks return money
uri: Urgent-Make-banks-return-money
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#4_May_2016_%28Urgent%3A_Make_banks_return_money%29
content:
<p>
US citizens:
<a href="http://act.credoaction.com/sign/sec_city_predatory_loans">call
on the SEC</a> to make Wall Street banks return the money they got
from cheating American cities.


feed_id: 78e644d23b30e0fd02b96502f04c4010
title: Urgent: Maintain Ebola emergency fund
uri: Urgent-Maintain-Ebola-emergency-fund
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#4_May_2016_%28Urgent%3A_Maintain_Ebola_emergency_fund%29

content:
<p>
US citizens:
<a href="http://leftaction.com/stop-ebola">call for maintaining
funds</a> allocated for coping with future Ebola outbreaks.


feed_id: aef7fa3cb1e3e8c8243bd494b2f28646
title: UK immigration
uri: 2016-05-05-UK-immigration
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#4_May_2016_%28UK_immigration%29
content:
<p>
The UK regularly deports Romanian prostitutes by
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2016/may/01/romanian-sex-workers-challenge-uk-immigration-policy">claiming
they are not working</a>.  In fact, they are working, but they have
trouble proving this.


feed_id: 7cb37e6cd035fcb24c779cc4f0e46705
title: Large British retail chain bankrupt
uri: Large-British-retail-chain-bankrupt
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#4_May_2016_%28Large_British_retail_chain_bankrupt%29

content:
<p>
A large British retail chain has gone bankrupt because
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2016/apr/25/the-guardian-view-on-bhs-on-the-high-street">its
main owner drained it constantly of money</a>.


feed_id: e87ee8beb2a7cdd4f50d8dddf4b4f8a0
title: Parents Shouldn't Spy on Their Kids
uri: Parents-Shouldn-t-Spy-on-Their-Kids
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#4_May_2016_%28Parents_Shouldnt_Spy_on_Their_Kids%29
content:
<p>
Parents Shouldn't Spy on Their Kids — it is
<a href="http://nautil.us/issue/35/boundaries/parents-shouldnt-spy-on-their-kids">bad
for them</a>, as well as unjust.


feed_id: da6b9fd7de3dbaf70e9c8278a19a303b
title: Profiles about everyone
uri: Profiles-about-everyone
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#4_May_2016_%28Profiles_about_everyone%29
content:
<p>
It was
<a href="http://www.csmonitor.com/World/Passcode/Security-culture/2016/0427/Dutch-art-project-exposes-extent-of-surveillance-tests-limits-of-law">dangerously
easy</a> to make profiles about everyone in the Netherlands based on
data available to the public.


feed_id: 882d949c321f06e1abe73281288373b1
title: Inequality
uri: 2016-05-05-Inequality
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#4_May_2016_%28Inequality%29
content:
<p>
Inequality
<a href="http://www.commondreams.org/views/2016/05/01/inequality-will-get-worse-until-theres-revolution">Will
Get Worse Until There's a Revolution</a>.
<p>
Electing Clinton, Trump, Cruz or Kasich sure won't help.


feed_id: 73e835c5b6663a93f8785e9cb8330b9b
title: Poor people's votes
uri: Poor-people-s-votes
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#4_May_2016_%28Poor_peoples_votes%29
content:
<p>
Bernie Sanders Is Right:
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2016/apr/26/bernie-sanders-is-right-poor-people-dont-vote">Poor
People Don't Vote And It's a Problem</a>.
<p>
One significant obstacle is logistical: coping with poverty is so hard
that they have no time to vote.  Another is Republican interference
with voting.


feed_id: 2bc038721e0e7fd289ec3258a96d3992
title: Girls convinced they need plastic surgery
uri: Girls-convinced-they-need-plastic-surgery
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#4_May_2016_%28Girls_convinced_they_need_plastic_surgery%29

content:
<p>
Many teenage girls in the US today have been
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2016/apr/28/girls-labiaplasty-self-hatred-body-image">convinced
they need plastic surgery on their genitals</a> in order to be
attractive to boys.


feed_id: 28ee70c1618bf33881522ed7be7ab2f2
title: Murder conviction in secret trial
uri: Murder-conviction-in-secret-trial
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#4_May_2016_%28Murder_conviction_in_secret_trial%29
content:
<p>
Wang Yam was convicted of murder in a secret trial.  Now his
conviction has been put in doubt because the
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/law/2016/apr/28/conviction-of-chinese-mi6-informant-referred-to-appeal-court">thugs
concealed evidence that could have helped his defense</a>.
<p>
There is other evidence of official shenanigans in connection with
this case.


feed_id: df74bda669560a4e89ab3e72a1db03e8
title: Terror in Bangladesh
uri: Terror-in-Bangladesh
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#4_May_2016_%28Terror_in_Bangladesh%29
content:
<p>
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/apr/30/bangladesh-islamist-attacks-murder-gay-atheist-activists-dhaka">Islamist
murderers</a> have spread terror in Bangladesh.


feed_id: 99f6e4d1dcd25d0511a55bec99ed549e
title: Urgent: Lead-Safe Housing for Kids Act
uri: Urgent-Lead-Safe-Housing-for-Kids-Act
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#4_May_2016_%28Urgent%3A_Lead-Safe_Housing_for_Kids_Act%29

content:
<p>
US citizens:
<a href="http://act.credoaction.com/sign/Lead_Housing">call on
Congress</a> to pass the Lead-Safe Housing for Kids Act.


feed_id: 69a1eca65cdb23b3698733c09d2b8656
title: Urgent: Stop advocating fossil fuels
uri: Urgent-Stop-advocating-fossil-fuels
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#4_May_2016_%28Urgent%3A_Stop_advocating_fossil_fuels%29

content:
<p>
US citizens: call on the Democratic and Republican parties to 
<a href="https://secure.foodandwaterwatch.org/site/Advocacy?pagename=homepage&page=UserAction&id=2597">stop
advocating use of fossil fuels</a>.


feed_id: d9b7346b74cbae4e7c58351100c798d8
title: Urgent: Repeal gag on abortion info
uri: Urgent-Repeal-gag-on-abortion-info
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#4_May_2016_%28Urgent%3A_Repeal_gag_on_abortion_info%29

content:
<p>
US citizens:
<a href="http://actnow.prochoiceamerica.org/sign/160427_americorps/">call
on Congress</a> to repeal the gag rule that AmeriCorps volunteers are
not allowed to give information about abortion.


feed_id: 37ad399c839abb15fdda8fa074c0df38
title: Obama's offshore drilling proposal
uri: Obama-s-offshore-drilling-proposal
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#4_May_2016_%28Obamas_offshore_drilling_proposal%29
content:
<p>
Obama's Controversial Offshore Drilling Proposal
<a href="http://www.ibtimes.com/political-capital/obamas-controversial-offshore-drilling-proposal-rests-research-funded-fossil-fuel">Rests
On Research Funded By Fossil Fuel Industry</a>.
<p>
This policy is based on a refusal to recognize the fact that oil is
now cheap, and the knowledge that we need to keep 80% of known
reserves in the ground.
<p>
This shows an example of the standard way businesses corrupt science
nowadays.  Businesses fund professors, who know what they have to say
in order to get more support in the future.  They also support "think
tanks" in which those professors can meet and produce reports to say
what the businesses want them to say.
<p>
Then the same businesses' pet politicians can cite these studies as an
excuse to do what these businesses want.
<p>
The first step in putting an end to this is to make businesses get
smaller.


feed_id: 90945704a999b1cf561122d0e0a2b472
title: The right to die
uri: 2016-05-05-The-right-to-die
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#4_May_2016_%28The_right_to_die%29
content:
<p>
Shame on states that
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2016/apr/30/assisted-dying-mcs-minimally-conscious-state-lu-spinney-beyond-high-blue-air-son-snowboarding">force
totally incapacitated people to suffer years of futile pain</a>.


feed_id: 610af8e7829921e6c7d3213ce233a85f
title: Young people sue state
uri: Young-people-sue-state
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#4_May_2016_%28Young_people_sue_state%29
content:
<p>
A group of young people sued the state of Washington, demanding that
it protect them (and everyone else alive decades from now) from the
danger of climate mayhem.  The court has
<a href="http://www.commondreams.org/news/2016/04/29/these-kids-cant-wait-new-win-youth-climate-lawsuit-washington">ordered
the state to do more to curb greenhouse gas emissions</a>.


feed_id: 6892af2413b5278aa25f04aefba76a83
title: The US crime of "conspiracy"
uri: The-US-crime-of-conspiracy
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#4_May_2016_%28The_US_crime_of_conspiracy%29
content:
<p>
The US crime of "conspiracy" is so vague that people can get
<a href="http://reason.com/blog/2016/04/29/conspiracy-laws-ripe-for-abuse">long
prison sentences for crimes they didn't know about and had only a
tenuous relationship to</a>.


feed_id: a3adeac7f14013b3a12ae25bea4a11a7
title: FISA
uri: FISA
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#4_May_2016_%28FISA%29
content:
<p>
FISA:
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/law/2016/apr/30/fisa-court-foreign-intelligence-surveillance-fbi-nsa-applications">the
surveillance court that never says no</a>.


feed_id: 4136ac23b8466ff6685acf067c9deb61
title: Urgent: Stop lobbying against better pay
uri: Urgent-Stop-lobbying-against-better-pay
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#4_May_2016_%28Urgent%3A_Stop_lobbying_against_better_pay%29

content:
<p>
Everyone:
<a href="http://a.cpdaction.org/page/s/tell-the-chamber-don-t-obstruct-pro-worker-policies">call
on US Chamber of Commerce</a> to stop lobbying against better pay and
working conditions.


feed_id: 7fbfbdea1d7509f9d300114b9febf29e
title: Urgent: Reject money from oil companies
uri: Urgent-Reject-money-from-oil-companies
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#4_May_2016_%28Urgent%3A_Reject_money_from_oil_companies%29

content:
<p>
US citizens:
<a href="http://signforgood.com/oilmoney/">call on legislators</a> not
to take money from oil companies.


feed_id: b7df9f38d847082fbf6ab00bbcfbd349
title: Expelled from BYU for being raped
uri: Expelled-from-BYU-for-being-raped
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#4_May_2016_%28Expelled_from_BYU_for_being_raped%29
content:
<p>
Brigham Young University expelled Madi Barney when the administration
found out that she had reported being raped.  So she
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/apr/30/mormon-rape-victims-shame-brigham-young-university">launched
a campaign to pressure the university to change the "honor code"</a>.
<p>
The current policy is totally logical if you believe the idea that
"honor" consists of staying far away from sex.  I'd say that idea is
the root of the problem.


feed_id: 4494d6410e120d8995c023ed18da63f3
title: Exiled Soviet dissident on hunger strike
uri: Exiled-Soviet-dissident-on-hunger-strike
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#4_May_2016_%28Exiled_Soviet_dissident_on_hunger_strike%29

content:
<p>
Exiled Soviet, then Russian, dissident Vladimir Bukovsky says he is
being framed for possession of "child pornography".  He has
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/apr/29/vladimir-bukovsky-russian-dissident-hunger-strike-litvinenko-uk-judicial-system">started
a hunger strike just as he did in the gulag</a>.


feed_id: 2823635285b73f8b9c4638e89d9ef12b
title: Stanford refuses to divest from fossil fuel
uri: Stanford-refuses-to-divest-from-fossil-fuel
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#4_May_2016_%28Stanford_refuses_to_divest_from_fossil_fuel%29

content:
<p>
Stanford University
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2016/apr/28/standford-university-votes-against-fossil-fuel-divestment-protests">rebuffed
persistent protests</a>, refusing to divest from fossil fuel
companies.
<p>
The cited reason was simply "Let's take it slowly", which is exactly
the attitude that is now fatal.


feed_id: b14058eee8d12f1f73911c4e45b7bce6
title: Real antisemitism vs misrepresentation
uri: Real-antisemitism-vs-misrepresentation
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#4_May_2016_%28Real_antisemitism_vs_misrepresentation%29

content:
<p>
<a href="https://theintercept.com/2016/04/29/british-fight-critics-israel-anti-semitism-matters-rest-us/">Disentangling
real antisemitism in Britain from right-wing misrepresentations</a> is
sometimes a difficult question.
<p>
Some of the accusations are based on statements taken out of context
or misinterpreted.


feed_id: bd513df075a1159728e729da9b40e535
title: Bombing of MSF hospital in Kunduz
uri: Bombing-of-MSF-hospital-in-Kunduz
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#4_May_2016_%28Bombing_of_MSF_hospital_in_Kunduz%29
content:
<p>
Was the bombing of the MSF hospital in Kunduz a
<a href="https://theintercept.com/2016/04/29/pentagon-denies-war-crimes-allegations-in-kunduz-hospital-killings/">war
crime</a>?
<p>
Reckless action can be a war crime, but I think it is a stretch to
equate confusion to recklessness.  Especially since confusion is
almost ubiquitous in war.  For instance, US Army officers try very
hard not to kill their fellow soldiers, but that happens anyway
— through confusion.


feed_id: 21104ccb68375942931de3183906cca2
title: Cruz behind bill to ban municipal WiFi
uri: Cruz-behind-bill-to-ban-municipal-WiFi
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#4_May_2016_%28Cruz_behind_bill_to_ban_municipal_WiFi%29

content:
<p>
Ted Cruz is behind a bill to support
<a href="https://www.techdirt.com/articles/20160427/04424834288/ted-cruz-pushing-bill-protecting-large-isps-competition.shtml">state
bans on municipal WiFi access</a>.
<p>
In effect, he is trying to give more power to the merged
Charter/Time-Warner.


feed_id: 20034c18e1753501cfafa64bc30012c2
title: Klingon in court
uri: Klingon-in-court
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#4_May_2016_%28Klingon_in_court%29
content:
<p>
In resisting a movie company's claim to have a copyright on the
artificially constructed Klingon language, an amicus brief
<a href="https://www.publicknowledge.org/news-blog/blogs/in-a-lawsuit-over-copyright-in-klingon-here-come-the-klingon-speakers">cites
proverbs in Klingon</a>.


feed_id: 60c7458aed753b7651afeae20d4f011d
title: Snooping on Tinder users
uri: Snooping-on-Tinder-users
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#4_May_2016_%28Snooping_on_Tinder_users%29
content:
<p>
If you are using Tinder from an iThing, your parents or your ex could
be
<a href="http://motherboard.vice.com/read/abusers-could-use-this-parenting-service-to-secretly-track-an-exs-tinder-usage-teensafe">snooping
on your use</a>.
<p>
It must be the case that either Tinder or Apple offers some interface
for snooping.


feed_id: 49fc5c209e33d625b4c8f03d8db76c26
title: Muslims in US often treated as terrorists
uri: Muslims-in-US-often-treated-as-terrorists
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#3_May_2016_%28Muslims_in_US_often_treated_as_terrorists%29

content:
<p>
Muslims in the US are
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2016/apr/29/sikh-man-arrested-bus-terrorist-bomb-islamophobia">often
treated as terrorists</a>, just because they are Muslim and talk with
someone in a language other than English.  Sikhs face the same
harassment, since ignorant Americans think they are Muslims.


feed_id: b14bde4374bdb2027d71eaf5464b9703
title: Indians dying from drought and heat
uri: Indians-dying-from-drought-and-heat
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#3_May_2016_%28Indians_dying_from_drought_and_heat%29

content:
<p>
Indians are
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/apr/30/daytime-cooking-ban-in-india-as-heatwave-claims-300-lives">dying
from drought and heat</a>, and also from the fires that have been
caused by those.
<p>
Will India learn its lesson and start cutting back on fossil fuels?


feed_id: 52ec3e61398f7a64ce03a321a1b59477
title: Charge against Bangladeshi editor
uri: Charge-against-Bangladeshi-editor
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#3_May_2016_%28Charge_against_Bangladeshi_editor%29
content:
<p>
Shafik Rehman, Bangladeshi editor that supports an opposition party,
has been
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/apr/29/bangladeshi-british-editor-held-on-farcical-charges-son-says">charged
with plotting to murder the prime minister's son</a>.  It seems he was
investigating someone who was alleged to be planning this.
<p>
The Bangladeshi state is more interested in
<a href="http://edition.cnn.com/2016/04/28/opinions/bangladeshi-bloggers-opinion/">imprisoning
secular writers</a> than catching those who kill them.


feed_id: 8d65d104cb18a0a0e9fef0f83fe6f7c5
title: Deoxygenation of ocean
uri: Deoxygenation-of-ocean
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#3_May_2016_%28Deoxygenation_of_ocean%29
content:
<p>
Global heating
<a href="http://www.commondreams.org/news/2016/04/28/save-starfish-deoxygenated-dead-zones-threatening-marine-life">could
deoxygenate large areas of the ocean</a> within 20 years.
<p>
This would mean no more seafood in some parts of the world, and
perhaps extinction of some (or many) species.


feed_id: d53f3e3e8663fdfb9b40c5b12c9affbe
title: Taxing the wealth of the rich
uri: Taxing-the-wealth-of-the-rich
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#3_May_2016_%28Taxing_the_wealth_of_the_rich%29
content:
<p>
Arguing for
<a href="http://www.commondreams.org/views/2016/04/28/how-redistribute-wealth-without-guillotine">taxing
the wealth of the rich</a>, not only their income.


feed_id: dbd65acf7926751f49f01eee3fc66c77
title: Riders in military spending bill
uri: Riders-in-military-spending-bill
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#3_May_2016_%28Riders_in_military_spending_bill%29
content:
<p>
SCROTUS are 
<a href="http://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2016/04/28/defense-spending-bill-burdened-once-again-unrelated-anti-wildlife-riders">trying 
to attack the protection of endangered species</a> through the 
military spending bill.
<p>
SCROTUS = Sleazy Congressional Republicans Of The United States.


feed_id: 6cc76dc25bc8e58291d782c86f17ce5a
title: Urgent: Healthful school meals
uri: Urgent-Healthful-school-meals
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#6_May_2016_%28Urgent%3A_Healthful_school_meals%29
content:
<p>
US citizens:
<a href="http://act.credoaction.com/sign/House_CNR_2016">oppose
SCROTUS's attack</a> on support for healthful school meals for US
children.
<p>
The Republicans are working for the billionaires, who are confident
that <em>they</em> can afford good food for their children and judge
that poor people are superfluous.


feed_id: cd51b7bb278ac3506809ff66549f76c3
title: Uber changes city regulations
uri: Uber-changes-city-regulations
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#6_May_2016_%28Uber_changes_city_regulations%29
content:
<p>
Uber has
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2016/apr/29/uber-penalty-fees-late-passengers">changed
the regulations</a> that cover charging passengers for making cars
wait.
<p>
This decision itself may not be objectionable.  Taxis typically charge
for making them wait.  But that regulation is set by a city agency
which is at least somewhat responsible to the people.  Uber is a
business headquartered somewhere else, which accepts no responsibility
to the people of any city.
<p>
We should not allow a company to privatize the making of the
regulations that create our social order.


feed_id: 029fb0a012bef1409da636e96a878bfc
title: CIA torture kidnapping
uri: CIA-torture-kidnapping
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#6_May_2016_%28CIA_torture_kidnapping%29
content:
<p>
Abu Omar, who was kidnaped by the CIA in Italy and sent to Egypt for
torture, says that former agent Sabrina De Sousa is
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2016/apr/29/egyptian-cleric-defends-cia-agent-convicted-rendition-abu-omar">one
of the small fry and shouldn't be prosecuted</a>.
<p>
The real culprits are higher-ups and not on the list to prosecute.


feed_id: 624a7ce7f592ee14684c94a2638d4f5a
title: Poaching of tigers in India
uri: Poaching-of-tigers-in-India
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#6_May_2016_%28Poaching_of_tigers_in_India%29
content:
<p>
Poaching of tigers in India is now going at
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2016/apr/29/more-tigers-poached-india-so-far-this-year-than-2015">4
times the 2015 rate</a>.


feed_id: f2c9e7bff6d89cf2d7be015234bf8333
title: Making the rich pay enough taxes
uri: Making-the-rich-pay-enough-taxes
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#6_May_2016_%28Making_the_rich_pay_enough_taxes%29
content:
<p>
To reduce poverty, stop obsessing about what poor people do to
survive, and more attention to
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2016/apr/29/making-poverty-history-didnt-happen-tackling-rich">making
the rich pay enough taxes</a>.


feed_id: bacbb055a1586871b7a0e48156864641
title: Jailing the poor
uri: Jailing-the-poor
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#6_May_2016_%28Jailing_the_poor%29
content:
<p>
Angola is worse than Ferguson for jailing the poor: A man who fell
asleep in a stranger's minivan has been
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/apr/29/angolas-punitive-prison-system-rafael-marques-de-morais">in
jail 8 years awaiting trial</a>.


feed_id: 35d4cdc7820d5c4eabb13a5bb7ec7954
title: Destruction of towns in the Arctic
uri: Destruction-of-towns-in-the-Arctic
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#6_May_2016_%28Destruction_of_towns_in_the_Arctic%29
content:
<p>
Global heating is destroying many towns in the Arctic, and will cause
a wave of
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2016/apr/29/climate-change-refugees-arctic-obama-administration-warning">climate
refugees</a>.


feed_id: 8dc792e31cfabee1712651805d6ef710
title: The Scott Walker John Doe case
uri: The-Scott-Walker-John-Doe-case
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#6_May_2016_%28The_Scott_Walker_John_Doe_case%29
content:
<p>
Wisconsin prosecutors have
<a href="http://www.prwatch.org/news/2016/04/13097/wisconsin-prosecutors-appeal-walker-john-doe-united-states-supreme-court%C2%A0">appealed
to the US Supreme Court to reopen their investigation</a> that is
likely to touch Governor Walker and his henchmen.
<p>
The investigation was shut down by the Wisconsin Supreme Court,
which Governor Walker had packed.


feed_id: 126218107fe36479592e1ab0aec6c435
title: Cruelty in Nauru prison
uri: Cruelty-in-Nauru-prison
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#6_May_2016_%28Cruelty_in_Nauru_prison%29
content:
<p>
A prisoner in Nauru, who was raped, needs a surgical abortion which
might have complications.  Doctors say to send her to Australia for
this, but
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/apr/29/nauru-victims-health-not-exceptional-enough-to-fly-to-australia-for-abortion-court-told">the
state won't allow it</a>.
<p>
She cannot communicate with the public, and her name has been replaced
with "S99".
<p>
Despite all efforts to keep Australia's outsourced immigration prisons
secret, and the prisoners incommunicado, some footage has leaked out,
and
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2016/apr/30/eva-orner-on-chasing-asylum-every-whistleblower-that-i-interviewed-wept">some
whistleblowers are willing to risk imprisonment</a> to recount the
cruelty they have witnessed.
<p>
I hope Ms Orner is finishing this film in a safe place, far away from
Australia.


