# articles

feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#3_December_2024_(Treaty_to_curb_plastic_production)
title: Treaty to curb plastic production
uri: Treaty-to-curb-plastic-production
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#3_December_2024_(Treaty_to_curb_plastic_production)
content:
 
<p>

The talks for a treaty to curb plastic production have <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2024/dec/01/international-talks-on-curbing-plastic-pollution-fail-to-reach-agreement-busan">failed
    with broad disagreements</a>.
</p>
</li>

 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#3_December_2024_(Stress_test_on_US_constitution)
title: Stress test on US constitution
uri: Stress-test-on-US-constitution
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#3_December_2024_(Stress_test_on_US_constitution)
content:
 
<p>

  How <a class=glossary href="/glossary.html#wrecker">the wrecker</a> plans to <a href="https://wolvesandsheep.substack.com/p/lets-do-this-trump-has-a-way-to-adjourn">put the US Constitution to a stress test</a>
and see its checks and balances break.
  He aims to force the Senate to adjourn so he can impose
his mockery nominations through without consideration by the Senate.
</p>
</li>

 


title: Military bases in place of neighborhoods
uri: Military-bases-in-place-of-neighborhoods
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#3_December_2024_(Military_bases_in_place_of_neighborhoods)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#3_December_2024_(Military_bases_in_place_of_neighborhoods)

content:
 
<p>

  Israel is <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/nov/29/israeli-military-to-remain-in-gaza-for-years-food-minister-says">demolishing neighborhoods</a> in Gaza to build permanent
military bases.
</p>
<p>
This would, under international law, make Israel officially responsible
for food, water, medical care and so on for the civilians in Gaza.
It does not follow that Israel will actually provide them.  It might
prefer to exterminate tens of thousands more.  But if Israel does provide
humanitarian needs in full, it could cease the wrongs that have gone
on for years.
</p>
<p>
Israel denies that it is deliberately planning to permanently displace
civilians, but planned construction of a large strip of Israeli
military bases in land where people live is undeniably a deliberate
plan to permanently displace civilians.
</p>
<p>
I fear we are witnessing the complete abandonment of the idea
of internationally punishing war crimes.  That would be a terrible
setback for justice in the world.
</p>
<p>
Of course, that system never functioned entirely.  But many
governments endorsed it and tried to make it function.  Despite its
gaps, it remained an advance over the world as it was before World War
II.  Now we are falling back towards barbarism, and <a class=glossary href="/glossary.html#wrecker">the wrecker</a> is
likely to do it to death.
</p>
</li>

 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#3_December_2024_(Plastic_items_choking_the_planet)
title: Plastic items choking the planet
uri: Plastic-items-choking-the-planet
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#3_December_2024_(Plastic_items_choking_the_planet)
content:
 
<p>

  *We need to talk about plastic: <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2024/nov/29/we-need-to-talk-about-plastic-five-everyday-items-choking-the-planet">five everyday items choking the planet</a>.*
</p>
</li>

 


title: Taliban imprison women for begging
uri: Taliban-imprison-women-for-begging
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#3_December_2024_(Taliban_imprison_women_for_begging)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#3_December_2024_(Taliban_imprison_women_for_begging)

content:
 
<p>

  The Taliban have <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2024/nov/29/afghanistan-taliban-women-children-arrested-begging-rape-torture-killings-jails-destitution-work-ban">imprisoned tens of thousands women for begging</a> (which
other vicious laws compel them to do).
</p>
</li>

 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#3_December_2024_(Breaking_nuclear_impasse)
title: Breaking nuclear impasse
uri: Breaking-nuclear-impasse
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#3_December_2024_(Breaking_nuclear_impasse)
content:
 
<p>

  *Iran and Europe <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/nov/29/iran-in-nuclear-talks-with-europeans-as-trump-presidency-approaches">seek to break nuclear impasse</a> before return of [<a class=glossary href="/glossary.html#wrecker">the wrecker</a>],*
  who was the one who <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#29_May_2018_(Iran_non-nuclear_deal)">sabotaged Obama's non-nuclear</a> deal to begin with.
</p>
</li>

 


title: Journalist convicted by China of spying
uri: Journalist-convicted-by-China-of-spying
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#3_December_2024_(Journalist_convicted_by_China_of_spying)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#3_December_2024_(Journalist_convicted_by_China_of_spying)

content:
 
<p>

China has convicted a major journalist of spying <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/nov/29/china-sentences-journalist-dong-yuyu-to-seven-years-on-spy-charges-family-says">simply for talking with
    Japanese diplomats</a>.
</p>
<p>
There is speculation that the government wants to intimidate people
against having contacts with diplomats.
</p>
</li>

 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#4_December_2024_(UK_political_donation_caps)
title: UK political donation caps
uri: UK-political-donation-caps
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#4_December_2024_(UK_political_donation_caps)
content:
 
<p>
The UK is considering <a href="The UK is considering limiting domations to political campaigns and parties
to stop Musk from trying to buy triumph for the more-or-less fascist party.">limiting donations to political campaigns and parties</a>
to stop Musk from trying to buy triumph for the more-or-less fascist party.

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#4_December_2024_(Lina_Khan)
title: Lina Khan
uri: Lina-Khan
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#4_December_2024_(Lina_Khan)
content:
 
<p>
Suspicions that <a href="https://www.levernews.com/harris-stayed-silent-on-khan-amid-probe-of-top-advisers-firm/">Harris chose not to defend Lina Khan from an attack</a>
because she had had the FTC investigate Uber, which employs Harris's
brother.

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#4_December_2024_(Noise_pollution)
title: Noise pollution
uri: 2024-12-05-Noise-pollution
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#4_December_2024_(Noise_pollution)
content:
 
<p>
*How noise pollution <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2024/dec/03/its-nonstop-how-noise-pollution-threatens-the-return-of-norways-whales">threatens the return</a> of Norway's whales.*

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#4_December_2024_(Aleppo_captured)
title: Aleppo captured
uri: Aleppo-captured
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#4_December_2024_(Aleppo_captured)
content:
 
<p>
Radical Islamists out of Idlib <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/dec/01/we-felt-completely-lost-fears-over-reprisals-from-damascus-and-islamist-rule-in-aleppo">suddenly captured the major Syrian city
of Aleppo</a>.
(Assad's forces are much weaker since Putin pulled out most of his
military support to put it towards conquering Ukraine.)
<p>
The next question is <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/dec/02/why-did-syrian-militants-hts-seize-aleppo-and-how-did-they-do-it-so-quickly">whether these Islamists will oppress people</a> from
other Muslim sects, Christians, Jews, Atheists, other non-Muslims,
women who dress western, and so on.
Will they <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#10_May_2018_(Attacking_Rojava)">make peace with Rojava</a>?
<p>
Meanwhile, this defeat is <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/dec/03/seizure-of-aleppo-threatens-moscows-foothold-in-syria-and-the-wider-region">a defeat for Putin's prestige</a>.
I wonder if he might think of settling with Ukraine
so he can recover prestige in other world influence competitions.

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#4_December_2024_(Land_degradation)
title: Land degradation
uri: 2024-12-05-Land-degradation
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#4_December_2024_(Land_degradation)
content:
 
<p>
Degradation of land is <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2024/dec/01/land-degradation-expanding-by-1m-sq-km-a-year-study-shows">proceeding rapidly</a>; a million km^2 per year are
becoming degraded.
This will surely contribute substantially to the food shortage of
coming decades.

 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#4_December_2024_(Need_to_talk_about_capitalism)
title: Need to talk about capitalism
uri: Need-to-talk-about-capitalism
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#4_December_2024_(Need_to_talk_about_capitalism)
content:
 
<p>

*We need to talk about capitalism.*
</p>
<p>
*The <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/business/2024/nov/30/we-need-to-talk-about-capitalism-why-wont-labour-do-it">freedom to be ripped off is at the heart of liberal
    capitalism</a>. Yet caveat emptor is a defense that relies on a degree of
equality between the buyer and seller and what they know about the
product in question.*
</p>
<p>
As should be clear already, I advocate forbidding the business
practices that systematically tend to take advantage of segments of
the public.  Businesses are not entitled to "freedom" in the same way
that each person is in per own life.
</p>
</li>

 


title: Facial-recognition cameras in Hong Kong
uri: Facial-recognition-cameras-in-Hong-Kong
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#4_December_2024_(Facial-recognition_cameras_in_Hong_Kong)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#4_December_2024_(Facial-recognition_cameras_in_Hong_Kong)

content:
 
<p>

Hong Kong's streets are now full of facial-recognition cameras, and
its <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2024/dec/02/hong-kong-terror-laws-jailing-pro-democracy-activists-surveillance-police">conversations are full of fear</a>.
</p>
</li>

 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#4_December_2024_(Martial_Law_in_South_Korea)
title: Martial Law in South Korea
uri: Martial-Law-in-South-Korea
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#4_December_2024_(Martial_Law_in_South_Korea)
content:
 
<p>

South Korea's president declared martial law and tried to use the army
to exclude the lawmakers from parliament so they could not override
the declaration.  But they <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/dec/04/south-korea-martial-law-what-comes-next-president-yoon-suk-yeol">got in anyway, and voted to end martial
    law</a>.  Hooray for brave South Korea!
</p>
<p>
It appears that all the major parties have condemned that martial law
declaration, including the president's own party.  Three cheers, South
Korea.
</p>
<p>
The president's own party does not have a majority in parliament.
Perhaps the president <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/dec/04/south-korea-martial-law-president-yoon-suk-yeol-calls-to-resign-ntwnfb">aimed to push the legislators aside</a>.
</p>
</li>

 


title: Economic warfare over chip manufacturing
uri: Economic-warfare-over-chip-manufacturing
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#4_December_2024_(Economic_warfare_over_chip_manufacturing)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#4_December_2024_(Economic_warfare_over_chip_manufacturing)

content:
 
<p>

The US and China have <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/dec/04/us-china-microchips-export-bans-gallium-germanium">launched into economic warfare over chip
    manufacturing</a>.
</p>
<p>
The chips that are at issue are mostly backdoored (Intel and AMD)
or chained by a secret instruction set (Nvidia).
</p>
</li>

 


title: Working-class Americans imprisoned for non-violent crimes
uri: Working-class-Americans-imprisoned-for-non-violent-crimes
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#4_December_2024_(Working-class_Americans_imprisoned_for_non-violent_crimes)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#4_December_2024_(Working-class_Americans_imprisoned_for_non-violent_crimes)

content:
 
<p>

Rep. Hakeem Jeffries called on Biden to <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2024/dec/03/hakeem-jeffries-biden-pardon">pardon the working-class Americans
    imprisoned for nonviolent crimes</a>.
</p>
<p>
I mostly agree, but I think that fraud should be excluded for the most
part.
</p>
</li>

 


title: Government investigation of corrupter appointed officials
uri: Government-investigation-of-corrupter-appointed-officials
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#4_December_2024_(Government_investigation_of_corrupter_appointed_officials)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#4_December_2024_(Government_investigation_of_corrupter_appointed_officials)

content:
 
<p>

The transition team officials signed papers to <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2024/dec/03/trump-team-background-checks">permit government
    investigation</a> of people <a class=glossary href="/glossary.html#corrupter">the corrupter</a> appoints to official positions.
  This means <a class=glossary href="/glossary.html#corrupter">the corrupter</a> will find it more difficult to thumb his
nose at the country by nominating people who show total contempt for
honesty and human decency.
</p>
</li>

<p>
 


title: Urgent: Offer US mail carriers a good contract
uri: Urgent-Offer-US-mail-carriers-a-good-contract
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#7_December_2024_(Urgent:_Offer_US_mail_carriers_a_good_contract)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#7_December_2024_(Urgent:_Offer_US_mail_carriers_a_good_contract)

content:
 
<p>

US citizens: call on the US Postal Service to <a href="https://actionnetwork.org/letters/usps-contract?nowrapper=true">offer mail carriers a
    good contract</a>.
</p>
<p>
Here's how to make the actionnetwork.org letter campaign linked above
function without trying to run the site's nonfree JavaScript code
on your browser.
</p>
<p>
First, make sure you have deactivated JavaScript or are using the
LibreJS plug-in.
</p>
<p>
I have done the next step for you: I added `?nowrapper=true' to the
end of the campaign URL before posting it above.  That should bring
you to a page that starts with, "Letter campaigns will not work
without JavaScript!"
</p>
<p>
They indeed won't work without some manual help, but the following
simple method seems adequate for many of them, including this one.
</p>
<p>
To start, fill in the personal information answers in the box on the
right side of the page.  That's how you say who's sending the letter.
</p>
<p>
Then click the "START WRITING" button.  That will take you to a page
that can't function without nonfree JavaScript code.  (To ensure it
doesn't function perversely _by running_ that nonfree code, you can
enable LibreJS or disable JavaScript.)  You can finish sending without
that code By editing its URL in the browser's address bar, as follows:
</p>
<p>
First, go to the end and insert `&nowrapper=true'.  Then tell the
browser to visit that URL.  This should give you a version of the page
that works without JavaScript.  Enter the subject and body of your
letter.  Finally, click on the "SEND LETTER" button, and you're done.
</p>
<p>
This method seems to work for letter campaigns that send the letters
to a fixed list of recipients, the same recipients for every sender.
Editing and revisiting the URL is the only additional step needed to
bypass the nonfree JavaScript code.  I'm sure you'll agree it is a
small effort compared with the benefit of supporting the campaign
without opening your computer to unjust (and potentially malicious)
software.
</p>
</li>

 


title: Global heating affecting island of Qikiqtaruk
uri: Global-heating-affecting-island-of-Qikiqtaruk
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#7_December_2024_(Global_heating_affecting_island_of_Qikiqtaruk)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#7_December_2024_(Global_heating_affecting_island_of_Qikiqtaruk)

content:
 
<p>

The island of Qikiqtaruk is falling apart piece by piece due to global
heating as the <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2024/nov/21/canada-arctic-herschel-island-qikiqtaruk-climate-permafrost-tundra-ecology-aoe">permafrost breaks up</a>.
</p>
</li>

 


title: Committee to run postwar Gaza Strip
uri: Committee-to-run-postwar-Gaza-Strip
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#7_December_2024_(Committee_to_run_postwar_Gaza_Strip)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#7_December_2024_(Committee_to_run_postwar_Gaza_Strip)

content:
 
<p>

*HAMAS and Fatah agree to create <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/dec/03/hamas-and-fatah-agree-to-create-committee-to-run-postwar-gaza-strip">committee [of technocrats] to run
    postwar Gaza Strip</a>.*
</p>
<p>
This combination would be a step forward compared with HAMAS alone,
but Israel won't accept it.  Perhaps it wants a committee of Israeli
technocrats to govern Gaza.
</p>
</li>

 


title: Controllable gastric balloon to aid weight loss
uri: Controllable-gastric-balloon-to-aid-weight-loss
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#7_December_2024_(Controllable_gastric_balloon_to_aid_weight_loss)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#7_December_2024_(Controllable_gastric_balloon_to_aid_weight_loss)

content:
 
<p>

  *Experts create <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/science/2024/dec/03/experts-create-controllable-gastric-balloon-to-aid-weight-loss">controllable gastric balloon to aid weight loss</a>.*
</p>
<p>
A controllable balloon must be the ultimate gas trick.
</p>
</li>

 


title: UK thugs arrest mother of protester
uri: UK-thugs-arrest-mother-of-protester
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#7_December_2024_(UK_thugs_arrest_mother_of_protester)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#7_December_2024_(UK_thugs_arrest_mother_of_protester)

content:
 
<p>

After UK <a class=glossary href="/glossary.html#thug">thugs</a> arrested Leona Kamio for various alleged crimes in a
protest against Elbit, the Israeli arms manufacturer, they next
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2024/dec/02/swansea-mother-traumatised-by-arrest-under-terrorism-act">arrested her mother</a>, Emma Kamio, who was not involved in the protest.
</p>
<p>
They labeled her as a terrorist, kept her incommunicado in a filthy
cell with the lights on for five days, and denied her access to a
lawyer.
</p>
<p>
The <a class=glossary href="/glossary.html#thug">thugs</a> eventually released her with no charges, but have not
returned her clothing, her jewelry, or her computers.
</p>
<p>
Emma recognizes that the injustice she suffered threatens everyone.
"My story can happen to anyone due to the over policing and the
repression that is happening right now in the UK."
</p>
<p>
I know nothing of the facts about Leona Kamio, but there is a general
tendency to stretch facts and exaggerate when accusing or punishing
protesters against Israel's violence.  It is possible that she really
committed some crimes, but if she did, I'd expect they are less grave
than they have been painted.
</p>
</li>

 


title: Memphis thugs "regularly violate" rights of black people
uri: Memphis-thugs-regularly-violate-rights-of-black-people
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#7_December_2024_(Memphis_thugs_regularly_violate_rights_of_black_people)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#7_December_2024_(Memphis_thugs_regularly_violate_rights_of_black_people)

content:
 
<p>

The US Justice Department concluded that the Memphis <a class=glossary href="/glossary.html#thug">thugs</a>
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2024/dec/04/memphis-police-inquiry">"regularly violate" the rights of black people</a>.
</p>
</li>

 


title: Wrecker's nomination for head of IRS
uri: Wrecker-s-nomination-for-head-of-IRS
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#7_December_2024_(Wrecker's_nomination_for_head_of_IRS)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#7_December_2024_(Wrecker's_nomination_for_head_of_IRS)

content:
 
<p>

Billy Long, nominated by <a class=glossary href="/glossary.html#wrecker">the wrecker</a> to head the IRS, once asked the
IRS to <a href="https://www.levernews.com/trump-nominee-pressured-irs-to-crush-the-humane-society/">revoke the tax exemption of the Humane Society</a>.
  This as after it urged Missouri voters to approve a referendum
on a law about proper treatment of dogs.
</p>
<p>
My recollection is that it is lawful for a tax exempt organization to
fund grass-roots campaigns for or against referendums.  Grass-roots
campaigning about an issue is not considered "lobbying", which is
regulated.
</p>
</li>

 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#7_December_2024_(Profits_from_deportation_plan)
title: Profits from deportation plan
uri: Profits-from-deportation-plan
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#7_December_2024_(Profits_from_deportation_plan)
content:
 
<p>

  *Guess Who Profits From [<a class=glossary href="/glossary.html#wrecker">the wrecker's</a>] Deportation Plan? <a href="https://theintercept.com/2024/12/04/trump-mass-deportation-private-equity-prisons/">Private Equity Firms</a>.*
</p>
</li>

 


title: Proposed crackdown on data brokers
uri: Proposed-crackdown-on-data-brokers
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#7_December_2024_(Proposed_crackdown_on_data_brokers)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#7_December_2024_(Proposed_crackdown_on_data_brokers)

content:
 
<p>

  *CFPB <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/cfpb-proposes-crackdown-on-data-brokers-that-sell-sensitive-personal-information">Proposes Crackdown on Data Brokers</a> That Sell Sensitive Personal
Information.*
</p>
<p>
That would be a step forward, but it tackles only the secondary
aspects of digital surveillance.  Surveillance starts with the _collection_
of people's personal data.  That is where we need to stop it.
</p>
</li>

 


title: Zuckerberg deal with the corrupter
uri: Zuckerberg-deal-with-the-corrupter
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#7_December_2024_(Zuckerberg_deal_with_the_corrupter)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#7_December_2024_(Zuckerberg_deal_with_the_corrupter)

content:
 
<p>

Zuckerberg has found a way to make a deal with <a class=glossary href="/glossary.html#corrupter">the corrupter</a>,
by <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2024/dec/03/trump-administration-mark-zuckerberg">reducing moderation on his platforms</a>.
</p>
<p>
That means more of the things that many <a class=glossary href="/glossary.html#used">useds</a> actively dislike about
<a href="/facebook.html">Facebook</a> &mdash; those <a class=glossary href="/glossary.html#used">useds</a> who don't recognize its fundamental wrongs
which may not always be evident.
</p>
</li>

 


title: More reasons "carbon offsets" are self-delusional excuses
uri: More-reasons-carbon-offsets-are-self-delusional-excuses
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#7_December_2024_(More_reasons_carbon_offsets_are_self-delusional_excuses)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#7_December_2024_(More_reasons_carbon_offsets_are_self-delusional_excuses)

content:
 
<p>

  George Monbiot explains <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2024/nov/21/donald-trump-science-climate-cop29-carbon-markets">more reasons</a> why "carbon offsets" are self-delusional excuses to continue <a class=glossary href="/glossary.html#global%20heating">global heating</a>.
</p>
</li>

 


title: Taliban’s ban
uri: Taliban-s-ban
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#9_December_2024_(taliban_afghanistan_training_nurse_ban)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#9_December_2024_(taliban_afghanistan_training_nurse_ban)

content:
 
<p>
The Taliban have banned women 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2024/dec/06/taliban-afghanistan-ban-women-training-nurses-midwives-outrageous-act-ignorance-human-rights-healthcare">from studying medicine.</a>
<p>
Since women in much of Afghanistan are not allowed to be seen by a
male doctor, this will in effect mean no medical treatment for them.

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#9_December_2024_(trump_cabinet_picks)
title: Trump’s cabinet picks
uri: Trump-s-cabinet-picks
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#9_December_2024_(trump_cabinet_picks)
content:
 
<p>
I have a suspicion that the corrupter's middle-finger nominations for
executive branch offices are meant as throwaways.  He has chosen people
who represent his contempt for even the minimal public responsibility,
and I suspect he did this expecting some to be rejected before
their official confirmation processes start.
<p>
Robert Reich calls them "groveling, 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2024/dec/06/trump-cabinet-picks-robert-reich">subservient yes-men".</a>
<p>
I suspect the plan is that they will establish limits of tolerable
outrage at the point where _some_ right-wing senators would reject
them.  Then the corrupter will nominate other people, just as radical
and equally cruel <Em>in substance</Em>, but not superficially outrageous.
<p>
The right-wing senators, having established that they do have some
standards, will no longer need to prove that, so the second-round
appointees will sail through.

<p>
 


title: New York cops and ICE
uri: New-York-cops-and-ICE
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#9_December_2024_(prevent_ny_cops_from_conspiring_with_ice)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#9_December_2024_(prevent_ny_cops_from_conspiring_with_ice)

content:
 
<p>
There is a political battle in New York City about whether the city thugs will be told to help the US 
<a href="https://theintercept.com/2024/11/26/the-fight-to-stop-new-york-cops-from-conspiring-with-ice/">deportation thugs.</a>
<p>
Legislators who oppose that are concerned that it might discourage
*non citizens from interacting with the police when they themselves
need help or could assist in reporting crimes or carrying out
investigations.*

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#9_December_2024_(biden_turkey_pardon_slammed)
title: Biden's turkey pardon slammed
uri: Biden-s-turkey-pardon-slammed
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#9_December_2024_(biden_turkey_pardon_slammed)
content:
 
<p>
*Activists slam Biden for pardoning turkeys, 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2024/nov/26/biden-turkey-pardon-federal-death-row-activists">not those on federal
 death row.*</a>
 
 <p>
 


title: A social media ban
uri: A-social-media-ban
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#9_December_2024_(social_media_ban_is_a_national_interest)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#9_December_2024_(social_media_ban_is_a_national_interest)

content:
 
<p>
*A social media ban for everyone is in the national interest [of
Australia] &mdash; not 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2024/nov/21/a-social-media-ban-for-everyone-is-in-the-national-interest-not-just-kids-under-16">just kids under 16.*</a>
This is more radical than what I have proposed.  I only propose to
give all users the right to reject the <Em>recommendation engines</Em>.
<p>
But perhaps that is the distinction between the sites this article proposes
to prohibit and the older sorts of bulletin board systems.

 


title: Satanic Temple program
uri: Satanic-Temple-program
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#10_December_2024_(ohio_satanic_temple_elementary_school_program)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#10_December_2024_(ohio_satanic_temple_elementary_school_program)

content:
 
<p>
*Ohio Satanic Temple to offer religious program for 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2024/dec/04/ohio-satanic-temple-elementary-school"> elementary school
 students.*</a>
 
 
<p>
 


title: Health Care Industry
uri: Health-Care-Industry
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#10_December_2024_(ralph_nader_silent_violence_of_corporate_greed)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#10_December_2024_(ralph_nader_silent_violence_of_corporate_greed)

content:
 
<p>
Ralph Nader describes how US medical insurance companies deny coverage
for needed medical treatment, and in other ways undermine medicine to
increase profits, resulting in thousands of deaths per week.
<p>
The companies deny coverage for various medical services so often that
we could call it a denial-of-service 
<a href="https://mailchi.mp/nader/the-silent-violence-of-corporate-greed-and-power?e=555e9be067"> attack on patients' health.</a>
<p>
One man seems to have taken violent revenge for this, murdering the
CEO UnitedHealthCare and leaving signs that accused the company of
killing patients.  Detectives could perhaps try to find the murderer
by checking the relatives of people who have been killed by denial of
service &mdash; except that they could never check so many suspects.
<p>
Violence against a CEO can call attention to the evil but is not going
to end the companies' deadly denial of service.  The company will soon
have a new CEO and continue the same practices.  To end the killing of
patients can only be done by new laws.  But will we ever have enough
effective democracy to try?
<p>
I have recently encountered the denial of service personally.  For a
couple of years I have been taking febuxostat to control gout.  I
tried the cheaper allopurinol first, many years ago, but that made me
so drowsy and forgetful that I could not function.  I had to stop
using it.
<p>
A few weeks ago, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts told me that
it would no longer cover febuxostat.  I asked why, but instead of an
explanation I received an autospeculation: "Maybe we wanted to make
people use the cheaper allopurinol."
<p>
I too had made that speculation in my mind, but that company owes me a
reason, not merely an autospeculation.
<p>
I will try allopurinol again, on the off chance that it doesn't
incapacitate me now.  It is reasonable to ask patients to try the
cheaper medicine and see.  It is not reasonable to say, "We will
abandon you if that cheaper medicine won't work for you.
<p>
In civilized countries, the national medical system negotiates
with the manufacturers for a good bulk price.  Biden tried to introduce this
into the US medical system, but was mostly blocked.

<p>
 


title: Climate bomb
uri: Climate-bomb
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#10_December_2024_(climate_bomb_warning_200bn_wave_of_new_gas)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#10_December_2024_(climate_bomb_warning_200bn_wave_of_new_gas)

content:
 
<p>
* A $200bn wave of new gas projects could lead to a “climate bomb”
   equivalent to releasing the annual emissions of 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2024/dec/05/climate-bomb-warning-over-200bn-wave-of-new-gas-projects">all the world’s
   operating coal power plants.*</a>
   
<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#10_December_2024_(bad_pardons_trump)
title: Bad pardons
uri: Bad-pardons
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#10_December_2024_(bad_pardons_trump)
content:
 
<p>
The corrupter said he plans conniving pardons for crimes his
henchmen will commit for him.  And 
<a href="https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2024/12/2/2289721/-Can-t-blame-Biden-for-bad-pardons-Trump-already-granted-and-will-again?detail=emailaction">he has already tried this.</a>
<p>
But now that Biden has pardoned his own son, the corruptor will
pretend that he is following Biden's example, even though that gets
the time order wrong.
<p>
If he claims that pardoning his henchmen is no different from what
Biden did when, don't fall for that.

<p>
 


title: Bezos, the tech mogul
uri: Bezos-the-tech-mogul
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#10_December_2024_(jeff_bezos_trump_regulations_tech)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#10_December_2024_(jeff_bezos_trump_regulations_tech)

content:
 
<p>
One by one, the billionaires work out 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2024/dec/05/jeff-bezos-trump-regulations-tech">deals with the corrupter.</a>
<p>
It's easy for a billionaire to make a deal with the corruptor: agree to
support him politically while he agrees to let you screw the public.
<p>
But it does not work with me.  I have never bought anything from Amazon
and 
<a href="https://www.stallman.org/amazon.html">I am resolved never to do so.</a>

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#10_December_2024_(climate_crisis_hottest_year_2024)
title: Hottest year on record
uri: 2024-12-11-Hottest-year-on-record
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#10_December_2024_(climate_crisis_hottest_year_2024)
content:
 
<p>
It is now certain that 2024 will have been the hottest year in
recorded history, 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2024/dec/09/climate-crisis-deepens-with-2024-certain-to-be-hottest-year-on-record">breaking the previous record set in 2023.</a>
<p>
The planet roasters have become so powerful that they are now building
enormous amounts of additional fossil fuel facilities.  That amounts
to mass murder.

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#10_December_2024_(bashar_al_assad_syria)
title: End of the Assad regime
uri: End-of-the-Assad-regime
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#10_December_2024_(bashar_al_assad_syria)
content:
 
<p>
Assad abandoned Syria and fled to the refuge offered by every tyrant's
friend, 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/media/2024/dec/09/bashar-al-assad-syria-flee-newspaper-front-page-wrap">Putin.</a>

<p>
 


title: Killing of journalists
uri: Killing-of-journalists
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#10_December_2024_(killing_of_journalists_israeli_strike)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#10_December_2024_(killing_of_journalists_israeli_strike)

content:
 
<p>
The Guardian accuses Israel of committing a war crime by attacking a
group of 6 journalists in the 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/nov/25/killing-of-journalists-in-israeli-strike-could-be-a-war-legal-experts-say">house where they were staying.</a>
<p>
There was no fighting in the area at the time and no Hezbollah forces were nearby.
<p>
*Regardless of their political affiliation, killing journalists is illegal under international humanitarian law unless they are actively participating in military activities.*

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#10_December_2024_(israel_attacks_hospital_gaza)
title: Hospital attacked in Gaza
uri: Hospital-attacked-in-Gaza
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#10_December_2024_(israel_attacks_hospital_gaza)
content:
 
<p>
*Israel attacks hospital in northern 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/dec/07/israel-attacks-hospital-in-northern-gaza-leaving-bodies-lying-in-streets-director-says">Gaza &hellip;, director says.*</a>
<p>
Attacking a hospital is an atrocity; expelling doctors is an indirect
atrocity.
<p>
But I think we should not get distracted by minor details such as what
happened to the corpses of people who were killed in the attack.
Morally, what's important is the injustice of killing.

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#10_December_2024_(madrid_backtracks_on_museum)
title: Madrid backtracks
uri: Madrid-backtracks
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#10_December_2024_(madrid_backtracks_on_museum)
content:
 
<p>
The main Spanish right-wing party is demonstrating that it still
defends the 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/dec/08/were-devastated-anger-as-madrid-backtracks-on-museum-plan-for-site-of-robert-capas-famous-civil-war-photo">dictator Franco and his crimes.</a>

<p>
 


title: Urgent: Unionization at Whole Foods
uri: Urgent-Unionization-at-Whole-Foods
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#11_December_2024_(Urgent:_Unionization_at_Whole_Foods)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#11_December_2024_(Urgent:_Unionization_at_Whole_Foods)

content:
 
<p>

US citizens: call on Amazon and Whole Foods <a href="https://actionnetwork.org/letters/whole-foods?nowrapper=true">not to oppose
    unionization at Whole Foods</a>.
</p>
<p>
Here's how to make the actionnetwork.org letter campaign linked above
work without running the site's nonfree JavaScript code.
</p>
<p>
First, make sure you have deactivated JavaScript in your browser or
are using the LibreJS plug-in.
</p>
<p>
I have done the next step for you: I added `?nowrapper=true' to the
end of the campaign URL before posting it above.  That should bring
you to a page that starts with, "Letter campaigns will not work
without JavaScript!"
</p>
<p>
They indeed won't work without some manual help, but the following
simple method seems adequate for many of them, including this one.
</p>
<p>
To start, fill in the personal information answers in the box on the
right side of the page.  That's how you say who's sending the letter.
</p>
<p>
Then click the "START WRITING" button.  That will take you to a page
that can't function without nonfree JavaScript code.  (To ensure it
doesn't function perversely <em>by running</em> that nonfree code, you can
enable LibreJS or disable JavaScript.)  You can finish sending without
that code By editing its URL in the browser's address bar, as follows:
</p>
<p>
First, go to the end and insert `&nowrapper=true'.  Then tell the
browser to visit that URL.  This should give you a version of the page
that works without JavaScript.  Enter the subject and body of your
letter.  Finally, click on the "SEND LETTER" button, and you're done.
</p>
<p>
This method seems to work for letter campaigns that send the letters
to a fixed list of recipients, the same recipients for every sender.
Editing and revisiting the URL is the only additional step needed to
bypass the nonfree JavaScript code.  I'm sure you'll agree it is a
small effort compared with the benefit of supporting the campaign
without opening your computer to unjust (and potentially malicious)
software.
</p>
</li>

 


title: Urgent: Reject Kash Patel as head of FBI
uri: Urgent-Reject-Kash-Patel-as-head-of-FBI
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#11_December_2024_(Urgent:_Reject_Kash_Patel_as_head_of_FBI)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#11_December_2024_(Urgent:_Reject_Kash_Patel_as_head_of_FBI)

content:
 
<p>

  US citizens: call on the Senate to <a href="https://act.commoncause.org/petitions/urge-the-senate-to-reject-kash-patel">reject Kash Patel as head of the FBI</a>.
  The petition lists several reasons.
</p>
</li>

 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#11_December_2024_(Urgent:_Maintain_IRS_funding)
title: Urgent: Maintain IRS funding
uri: Urgent-Maintain-IRS-funding
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#11_December_2024_(Urgent:_Maintain_IRS_funding)
content:
 
<p>

US citizens: phone your congresscritter and senators to urge
them to maintain the IRS funding.  It is using that funding
to chase rich tax dodgers, and this reduces overall government expenses.
</p>
</li>

 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#11_December_2024_(Military_situation_in_Syria)
title: Military situation in Syria
uri: Military-situation-in-Syria
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#11_December_2024_(Military_situation_in_Syria)
content:
 
<p>

  Commenting on the <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/dec/06/can-syrian-rebels-maintain-momentum-and-take-damascus">military situation in Syria</a>, as the rebels keep advancing.
</p>
<p>
Assad is a murderous military dictator.  In the past, his enemies were
murderous Islamists, so it was hard to say that either one was less
vicious than the other.  The only part of Syria deserved support was
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#10_May_2018_(Attacking_Rojava)">Rojava</a>.
</p>
<p>
Will the Islamist rebels be willing to coexist with Rojava?  If not,
can Rojava hold out with no foreign power to support it?
</p>
</li>

 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#11_December_2024_(Protecting_public_officials)
title: Protecting public officials
uri: Protecting-public-officials
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#11_December_2024_(Protecting_public_officials)
content:
 
<p>

*President’s staff look into possibility of <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2024/dec/06/biden-pardons-trump-retribution">protecting public
    officials</a> named by Trump in vows to seek retribution.*
</p>
<p>
I would like to state my support for this.
</p>
</li>

 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#11_December_2024_(Research_on_embryos)
title: Research on embryos
uri: Research-on-embryos
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#11_December_2024_(Research_on_embryos)
content:
 
<p>

  The UK may allow <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/science/2024/dec/06/limit-on-human-embryo-research-should-be-extended-to-28-days-says-regulator">research on embryos until 28 days</a>.
</p>
<p>
There is no reason to truncate this research to less than 90 days.
</p>
</li>

 


title: Romanian court annuls first round of presidential election
uri: Romanian-court-annuls-first-round-of-presidential-election
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#11_December_2024_(Romanian_court_annuls_first_round_of_presidential_election)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#11_December_2024_(Romanian_court_annuls_first_round_of_presidential_election)

content:
 
<p>

  *Romanian court <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/dec/06/romanian-court-annuls-first-round-of-presidential-election">annuls first round of presidential election</a>*
because of interference by Putin's digital troll army.
</p>
</li>

 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#11_December_2024_(Drugs_as_medical_issue)
title: Drugs as medical issue
uri: Drugs-as-medical-issue
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#11_December_2024_(Drugs_as_medical_issue)
content:
 
<p>

Americans overwhelmingly call for dangerous drugs to be <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2024/dec/06/substance-use-drug-possession-felony-health-issue-poll">treated as a
    medical issue rather than prosecuted</a>.
</p>
</li>

 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#11_December_2024_(Privatizing_issuing_of_fines)
title: Privatizing issuing of fines
uri: Privatizing-issuing-of-fines
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#11_December_2024_(Privatizing_issuing_of_fines)
content:
 
<p>

Some parts of the UK have privatized the issuing of fines for minor
nuisances.  They have <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/law/2024/dec/06/busybody-fines-up-42-in-2023-in-england-and-wales-report-shows">creatively stretched the definitions of these
    minor nuisances</a> so as to make life a mode of harassment.
</p>
<p>
  Chicago gave a company the <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2012-mar-jun.html#14_June_2012_(New_York_parking_meter_privatization)">contract to run street parking</a> and to
profit as much as it can contrive to do.  After that, the streets were
run so as to suit that company, not the city and residents of Chicago.
</p>
<p>
It just goes to show, never privatize a function of government.
</p>
</li>

 


title: Contracts to private immigration jails
uri: Contracts-to-private-immigration-jails
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#11_December_2024_(Contracts_to_private_immigration_jails)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#11_December_2024_(Contracts_to_private_immigration_jails)

content:
 
<p>

  *Biden <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2024/dec/06/biden-immigration-detention-centers-inhumane-conditions">extended contracts to private immigration jails</a> despite reports of
"horrific" conditions.*
</p>
<p>
It is unjust to let businesses run prisons, because that is a luring
temptation for the business to profit by mistreating the prisoners.
Privatization eliminates their accountability.
</p>
<p>
Private prisons should not be allowed under any circumstances.
</p>
</li>

 


title: Hunting bigger more experienced animals
uri: Hunting-bigger-more-experienced-animals
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#11_December_2024_(Hunting_bigger_more_experienced_animals)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#11_December_2024_(Hunting_bigger_more_experienced_animals)

content:
 
<p>

*Hunting [the] bigger, more experienced animals [of a given species]
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2024/dec/06/saving-old-and-wise-animals-vital-for-species-survival-say-scientists-longevity-conservation">eradicates memories and knowledge</a> crucial to group survival,
   research suggests.*
</p>
</li>

 


title: Indirect consequences of physical disasters
uri: Indirect-consequences-of-physical-disasters
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#11_December_2024_(Indirect_consequences_of_physical_disasters)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#11_December_2024_(Indirect_consequences_of_physical_disasters)

content:
 
<p>

Major physical disasters tend to kill many people, more in poor
countries than in wealthy ones.  Scientists are discovering that a
much <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2024/dec/06/natural-climate-disasters-science-research-governments">larger number of people subsequently die prematurely</a> as a result
of the indirect consequences.
</p>
<p>
For instance, if a storm kills no one in your family immediately, but
does destroy your house and you can't afford to replace it, this could
contribute to your early death through many chains of events,
including *stress, financial hardship, pollution [and] long-term
disease*.  For instance, floods often dissolve buried toxic chemicals
and spread them in places where many people can encounter them.
</p>
<p>
There are indications that some of the subsequent deaths could be
prevented by a good social safety net.
</p>
</li>

 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#11_December_2024_(Advisor_on_raw_milk)
title: Advisor on raw milk
uri: Advisor-on-raw-milk
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#11_December_2024_(Advisor_on_raw_milk)
content:
 
<p>

  RFK Jr is <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2024/dec/05/mark-mcafee-raw-milk-bird-flu-rfk">considering appointing an advisor</a> on raw milk whose raw milk
products have been recalled repeatedly for contamination with bird flu.
</p>
<p>
A wiser official would learn from his results rather than heed his
advice.
</p>
</li>

 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#11_December_2024_(Thugs_of_Sao_Paulo,_Brazil)
title: Thugs of Sao Paulo, Brazil
uri: Thugs-of-Sao-Paulo-Brazil
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#11_December_2024_(Thugs_of_Sao_Paulo,_Brazil)
content:
 
<p>

  The <a class=glossary href="/glossary.html#thug">thugs</a> of Sao Paulo, Brazil, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/dec/05/sao-paulo-police-violence">kill people shamelessly</a>
under the leadership of one of Bolsonaro's supporters.
</p>
</li>

 


title: Policies for greenhouse gas emissions
uri: Policies-for-greenhouse-gas-emissions
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#11_December_2024_(Policies_for_greenhouse_gas_emissions)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#11_December_2024_(Policies_for_greenhouse_gas_emissions)

content:
 
<p>

With nearly everyone in Europe in favor of action to reduce greenhouse
emissions, what is difficult is to <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2024/dec/06/2024-greenlash-climate-breakdown-europeans-climate-action">design policies that will win enough
    support</a> to overcome the inevitable resistance.
</p>
<p>
According to the article, the keys to winning support for concrete
measures are (1) winning people's trust in the political leaders and
(2) compensating non-rich people for the short-term costs of the
solution.
</p>
<p>
  (1) is <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#15_October_2023_(Crackdown_on_climate_protesters)">a point I have made here</a>.
</p>
</li>

 


title: Disbelief turns to jubilation in Damascus
uri: Disbelief-turns-to-jubilation-in-Damascus
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#11_December_2024_(Disbelief_turns_to_jubilation_in_Damascus)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#11_December_2024_(Disbelief_turns_to_jubilation_in_Damascus)

content:
 
<p>

  *<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/dec/08/our-father-did-not-die-for-nothing-disbelief-turns-to-jubilation-in-damascus">Disbelief turns to jubilation in Damascus</a>* as Assad's departure inspired
the soldiers in his army to pull off their uniforms.
</p>
</li>

 


title: Biden should pardon Reality Winner
uri: Biden-should-pardon-Reality-Winner
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#11_December_2024_(Biden_should_pardon_Reality_Winner)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#11_December_2024_(Biden_should_pardon_Reality_Winner)

content:
 
<p>

  *Joe Biden should <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2024/dec/05/joe-biden-pardon-reality-winner-whistleblower">pardon Reality Winner</a> for her actions as a
 whistleblower.*
</p>
</li>

 


title: Reproached for harsh punishment of peaceful climate protesters
uri: Reproached-for-harsh-punishment-of-peaceful-climate-protesters
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#11_December_2024_(Reproached_for_harsh_punishment_of_peaceful_climate_protesters)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#11_December_2024_(Reproached_for_harsh_punishment_of_peaceful_climate_protesters)

content:
 
<p>

The UN special rapporteur on human rights defenders <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2024/dec/04/un-human-rights-expert-cellist-climate-protester">reproached the US
    for harsh punishment of peaceful (but inconvenient) climate protesters</a>.
</p>
<p>
The annoyance these protests cause is as nothing compared with the
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2024-may-aug.html#1_August_2024_(Climate_conductors_liability)">annoyance (and, eventually, mass death)</a> 
that they are trying to avert.
</p>
</li>

<p>
 


title: Arbitrarily punishing accused sex workers
uri: Arbitrarily-punishing-accused-sex-workers
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#12_December_2024_(Arbitrarily_punishing_accused_sex_workers)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#12_December_2024_(Arbitrarily_punishing_accused_sex_workers)

content:
 
<p>

  UK <a class=glossary href="/glossary.html#thug">thugs</a> have the power to <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2024/dec/07/call-for-end-to-draconian-police-cautions-for-uk-sex-workers-that-last-until-age-of-100">arbitrarily punish accused sex workers</a>,
without any trial.
</p>
</li>

 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#12_December_2024_(UK_deporting_man_to_Pakistan)
title: UK deporting man to Pakistan
uri: UK-deporting-man-to-Pakistan
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#12_December_2024_(UK_deporting_man_to_Pakistan)
content:
 
<p>

  The UK is <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2024/dec/09/husband-and-wife-to-be-forced-apart-by-home-office-deportation-flight">deporting a man to Pakistan</a> although he is likely to be
murdered if he is there.  
</p>
<p>
She is likely to be deported some time later, and she too faces the
threat of murder.
</p>
</li>

 


title: Demilitarized zone on Syrian border
uri: Demilitarized-zone-on-Syrian-border
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#12_December_2024_(Demilitarized_zone_on_Syrian_border)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#12_December_2024_(Demilitarized_zone_on_Syrian_border)

content:
 
<p>

  Israel <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/dec/09/israel-seizes-syrian-buffer-zone-amid-airstrikes-on-regime-weapons-depots">seized a small demilitarized zone</a> on the Syrian border.
</p>
<p>
I think that the importance of that border zone is minimal.  Precisely
because of that, Israel's seizure of it was a stupid and vicious act,
likely to provoke various sorts of conflict just as Syria had
encountered possibilities of peace.
</p>
</li>

 


title: Pardoning everyone involved in Jan 6 attack on Capitol
uri: Pardoning-everyone-involved-in-Jan-6-attack-on-Capitol
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#12_December_2024_(Pardoning_everyone_involved_in_Jan_6_attack_on_Capitol)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#12_December_2024_(Pardoning_everyone_involved_in_Jan_6_attack_on_Capitol)

content:
 
<p>

<a class=glossary href="/glossary.html#corrupter">The corrupter</a> reaffirmed his intention to <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2024/dec/08/trump-january-6-capitol-attack-promise-pardon-rioters">pardon everyone convicted
    for participating</a> in the Jan 6 attack on the Capitol that the
corrupter launched to overthrow the US government.
</p>
<p>
  *Liz Cheney calls Trump threat to jail her an <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2024/dec/09/liz-cheney-trump-prison-threat">"assault on the rule of law"</a>.*
  The supposed grounds for this investigation would be that she
participated in investigating the attack on the Capitol.
</p>
<p>
  *RFK Jr to <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2024/dec/09/rfk-jr-research-vaccines-autism-trump">research unsupported link between vaccines and autism</a>, [the
truth-hater] says.*
</p>
<p>
In effect, <a class=glossary href="/glossary.html#corrupter">the corrupter</a> has declared war on truth, justice, and
honesty.  In place of the United States of America, he would have the
Utter Subserviece to the Autocrat &mdash; a state in which patriots are
imprisoned if they obstruct him and criminals freed if they serve him.
</p>
<p>
Like Putin, he hopes to leave no visible path to find the truth except
to believe whatever he says.
</p>
</li>

 


title: Oil drilling risk for arctic wildlife refuge
uri: Oil-drilling-risk-for-arctic-wildlife-refuge
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#12_December_2024_(Oil_drilling_risk_for_arctic_wildlife_refuge)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#12_December_2024_(Oil_drilling_risk_for_arctic_wildlife_refuge)

content:
 
<p>

*Alaska's Arctic National Wildlife Refuge <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/alaskas-arctic-national-wildlife-refuge-still-at-risk-from-oil-drilling">Still at Risk from Oil
    Drilling</a>.*
</p>
</li>

 


title: Brain rot by recommendation engines
uri: Brain-rot-by-recommendation-engines
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#12_December_2024_(Brain_rot_by_recommendation_engines)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#12_December_2024_(Brain_rot_by_recommendation_engines)

content:
 
<p>

  Brain rot caused by recommendation engines is <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2024/dec/09/brain-rot-word-of-the-year-reality-internet-cognitive-function">not just a metaphor</a>.  It
has been demonstrated by many experiments, both psychological an
physiological.
</p>
</li>

 


title: Banned chemicals exported from UK
uri: Banned-chemicals-exported-from-UK
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#12_December_2024_(Banned_chemicals_exported_from_UK)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#12_December_2024_(Banned_chemicals_exported_from_UK)

content:
 
<p>

*   Investigation uncovers how chemicals like diquat, banned in the UK but
legal to export, are <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2024/dec/08/pesticide-poisonings-brazil-chemicals-diquat-banned-uk-health-problems">causing [medical] problems in [other countries]</a>.*
</p>
<p>
  The issue is worth posting about, but I reject the term "<a href="https://stallman.org/antiglossary.html#globalsouth">global south</a>"
  and I took this opportunity to campaign against it.
</p>
<p>
I also took the opportunity to highlight my disagreement with the
marketing campaign to replace the word "medical" with "health".  I
don't know whether that author (or The Guardian) supports that <em>as a
    marketing campaign</em>&mdash;it may be a matter of following a fashion.
But I see it as a marketing campaign, and as such I reject it.
</p>
</li>

 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#12_December_2024_(Voting_for_the_axe)
title: Voting for the axe
uri: Voting-for-the-axe
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#12_December_2024_(Voting_for_the_axe)
content:
 
<p>

This came from A Word A Day.  It fits the right-wing servants of dooH
niboR who whip up poor fools to vote to cut their income to help the
rich.
</p>
<p>
A THOUGHT FOR TODAY:<br>
The forest was shrinking but the trees kept voting for the axe for the axe was
clever and convinced the trees that because his handle was made of wood he was
one of them. -Turkish proverb 
</p>

 


title: Pausing asylum for Syrian refugees
uri: Pausing-asylum-for-Syrian-refugees
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#12_December_2024_(Pausing_asylum_for_Syrian_refugees)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#12_December_2024_(Pausing_asylum_for_Syrian_refugees)

content:
 
<p>

Some European Countries have decided to <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2024/dec/09/uk-and-other-european-states-suspend-syrians-asylum-applications">pause decision on asylum
    for Syrian refugees</a>, to wait and see if Syria now becomes a safe country
from which people have a need to flee.
</p>
<p>
Let us hope that Syria now becomes safe for peaceful civilians, but if
that happens for most of them, that does not imply it will be safe for
all of them.  For instance, will it be safe for secularist people that
want an end to religious persecution?  Will it be safe for non-Arabs,
such as Kurds?  Will be safe for freethinkers?  Will it be safe for
queer people?  We cannot assume all that.
</p>
<p>
Thus, even if Syria ceases to persecute millions of its civilians,
there may still be some Syrians who are entitled to asylum for
specific reasons.
</p>
</li>

 


title: Prohibition on deporting by Boston cops
uri: Prohibition-on-deporting-by-Boston-cops
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#12_December_2024_(Prohibition_on_deporting_by_Boston_cops)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#12_December_2024_(Prohibition_on_deporting_by_Boston_cops)

content:
 
<p>

  Boston City Council <a href="https://www.boston.com/news/local-news/2024/12/05/city-council-reaffirms-rules-limiting-how-boston-police-can-cooperate-with-ice-on-deportations/">reaffirms prohibition</a> on Boston cops' helping
to deport anyone who doesn't have an arrest warrant.
</p>
</li>

 


title: More wealth to stockholders at any cost
uri: More-wealth-to-stockholders-at-any-cost
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#12_December_2024_(More_wealth_to_stockholders_at_any_cost)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#12_December_2024_(More_wealth_to_stockholders_at_any_cost)

content:
 
<p>

The doctrine, that corporation executives are obligated to make "more
wealth for stockholders" the highest priority, sounds simple &mdash; but it
obtains that simplicity by disregarding all factors that weren't
trivial to quantify.
</p>
<p>
  Events have shown that it <a href="https://pluralistic.net/2024/09/18/falsifiability/">doesn't lead to clear consequences</a> on any
question.
</p>
</li>

 


title: Giving infectious diseases a break
uri: Giving-infectious-diseases-a-break
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#12_December_2024_(Giving_infectious_diseases_a_break)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#12_December_2024_(Giving_infectious_diseases_a_break)

content:
 
<p>

  Robert Kennedy Jr said he will <a href="https://www.npr.org/sections/shots-health-news/2024/12/06/nx-s1-5218574/rfk-vaccines-anti-vaccine-infectious-disease">"give infectious diseases a break"</a>.
That would be a dangerous error, given that the more people they have
infected, the more starting points they have to infect others.
</p>
</li>

 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#12_December_2024_(Merger_block_upheld)
title: Merger block upheld
uri: Merger-block-upheld
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#12_December_2024_(Merger_block_upheld)
content:
 
<p>

Th FTC's order to block the merger of the Kroger and Albertsons
supermarket chains was <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2024/dec/10/kroger-albertsons-grocer-chain-merger-blocked">upheld in court</a>.
</p>
<p>
However, it appears that Lina Khan, responsible for several years of militancy
by the FTC, will not be reappointed.  That means it will become weaker,
and additional damaging mergers of large companies will proceed.
</p>
<p>
I would like to know more about how this happened.  If you can point
me at an article about this, please email me the text as well as the URL.
</p>
</li>

 


title: Monarch butterflies listed as threatened
uri: Monarch-butterflies-listed-as-threatened
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#12_December_2024_(Monarch_butterflies_listed_as_threatened)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#12_December_2024_(Monarch_butterflies_listed_as_threatened)

content:
 
<p>

  Monarch butterflies are now <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2024/dec/10/monarch-butterflies-threatened-species-list">listed as threatened in he US</a>, which puts
limits on actions that could further harm the species.
  The limits, not very strict, are described in the article.
</p>
</li>

 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#12_December_2024_(Defunding_at_US_State_Department)
title: Defunding at US State Department
uri: Defunding-at-US-State-Department
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#12_December_2024_(Defunding_at_US_State_Department)
content:
 
<p>

It looks like the part of the US State Department that tries to combat
foreign disinformation <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2024/dec/10/state-department-foreign-disinformation">will be defunded</a>.
</p>
<p>
Who in the US government might want to do that?  Perhaps those
who are in league with Putin, such as <a class=glossary href="/glossary.html#corrupter">the corrupter</a>, and those who
spread foreign disinformation, such as Musk.
</p>
</li>

 


title: Carbon emissions from arctic tundra
uri: Carbon-emissions-from-arctic-tundra
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#12_December_2024_(Carbon_emissions_from_arctic_tundra)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#12_December_2024_(Carbon_emissions_from_arctic_tundra)

content:
 
<p>

  *Arctic tundra is <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/dec/10/arctic-tundra-carbon-shift">now emitting more carbon than it absorbs</a>, US agency
 says.*
  This is a consequence of the higher temperature in the Arctic,
and consequences such as wildfires.
</p>
</li>

 


title: Urgent: Support Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez
uri: Urgent-Support-Alexandria-Ocasio-Cortez
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#13_December_2024_(Urgent:_Support_Alexandria_Ocasio-Cortez)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#13_December_2024_(Urgent:_Support_Alexandria_Ocasio-Cortez)

content:
 
<p>

US citizens: call on House Democrats to <a href="https://act.ourrevolution.com/sign/AOC-vs-Trump/">support Alexandria
    Ocasio-Cortez</a> for Ranking [Democratic] Member of Oversight and
Accountability Committee.
</p>
</li>

 


title: Urgent: Cut off military support for Israel
uri: Urgent-Cut-off-military-support-for-Israel
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#13_December_2024_(Urgent:_Cut_off_military_support_for_Israel)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#13_December_2024_(Urgent:_Cut_off_military_support_for_Israel)

content:
 
<p>

US citizens: call on Biden to <a href="https://act.ourrevolution.com/sign/save-gaza-biden/">cut off military support for Israel's
    atrocities in Gaza</a>.
</p>
</li>

 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#13_December_2024_(Urgent:_Oppose_Dr._Oz)
title: Urgent: Oppose Dr. Oz
uri: Urgent-Oppose-Dr-Oz
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#13_December_2024_(Urgent:_Oppose_Dr._Oz)
content:
 
<p>

US citizens: call on the Senate to <a href="https://act.demandprogress.org/sign/oz-cms/">oppose Dr. Oz as head of the
    Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services</a>.
</p>
</li>

 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#13_December_2024_(Sting_operation_from_1980's)
title: Sting operation from 1980's
uri: Sting-operation-from-1980-s
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#13_December_2024_(Sting_operation_from_1980's)
content:
 
<p>

In the 1980s, the Broward County Sheriff's department made and sold drugs
as a sting.  That sting was illegal, so the current state attorney
plans to <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2024/dec/10/florida-crack-cocaine-convictions-vacated">vacate all those convictions</a>.
</p>
</li>

 


title: Excess salt in soil threatens food production
uri: Excess-salt-in-soil-threatens-food-production
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#13_December_2024_(Excess_salt_in_soil_threatens_food_production)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#13_December_2024_(Excess_salt_in_soil_threatens_food_production)

content:
 
<p>

  *Global food production at <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2024/dec/11/global-food-production-at-increased-risk-from-excess-salt-in-soil-un-report-warns">increased risk from excess salt in soil</a>, UN
report warns.*
  *Scientists say climate crisis and poor agricultural practices to
blame.* It affects 10% of global land.  The article describes ways in
which excess salt damages soil.
</p>
<p>
Many of the causes reflect overpopulation in one way or another.  If
we allow continued population growth, we won't be able to grow as much
food later as we do today.
</p>
</li>

 


title: Operation of congestion tax for Manhattan
uri: Operation-of-congestion-tax-for-Manhattan
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#13_December_2024_(Operation_of_congestion_tax_for_Manhattan)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#13_December_2024_(Operation_of_congestion_tax_for_Manhattan)

content:
 
<p>
The congestion tax for driving in much of Manhattan operates by <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Congestion_pricing_in_New_York_City#Equipment">identifying
    all cars heading into the congestion charge area</a>.
</p>
<p>
Charging a tax for causing congestion is legitimate in my view,
but it does not excuse tracking people's movements in the absence of
legitimate grounds.
</p>
<p>
It would not be terribly hard to sell a temporary sticker that you
could attach inside your windshield to indicate you paid the
congestion tax for today, for this month, or whatever period you chose.
The system could be designed not to record which car has passed
if it shows proof of payment.
</p>
<p>
To accept the excuse that "identifying people is the usual method" or
"the easy way to implement" as sufficient justification for
identifying people is, in effect, to accept total tracking sooner or
later.  We must insist that Freedom and privacy for everyone are worth
what they cost.
</p>
</li>

 


title: Wall Street's Internet of Shit slumlords
uri: Wall-Street-s-Internet-of-Shit-slumlords
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#13_December_2024_(Wall_Street's_Internet_of_Shit_slumlords)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#13_December_2024_(Wall_Street's_Internet_of_Shit_slumlords)

content:
 
<p>

*Everyday homeowners are <a href="https://pluralistic.net/2024/10/01/housing-is-a-human-right/#">human shields for Wall Street's Internet of Shit 
    slumlords</a>.*
</p>
</li>

 


title: Iran's capacity to enrich uranium
uri: Iran-s-capacity-to-enrich-uranium
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#13_December_2024_(Iran's_capacity_to_enrich_uranium)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#13_December_2024_(Iran's_capacity_to_enrich_uranium)

content:
 
<p>

Iran's rulers, feeling more threatened, have increased their capacity
to enrich uranium.  To avoid nuclear proliferation and possible
nuclear war, this writer recommends <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2024/dec/10/assad-iran-europe-nuclear">reassuring Iran that it is not
    threatened</a>, and steer away from that.
  However, <a class=glossary href="/glossary.html#wrecker">the wrecker</a> is likely to do the exact opposite.
</p>
</li>

 


title: Billionaire polluters focusing on fossil fuels
uri: Billionaire-polluters-focusing-on-fossil-fuels
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#13_December_2024_(Billionaire_polluters_focusing_on_fossil_fuels)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#13_December_2024_(Billionaire_polluters_focusing_on_fossil_fuels)

content:
 
<p>

  <a class=glossary href="/glossary.html#bp">Billionaire Polluters</a> is planning to <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2024/dec/09/bp-offshore-wind-renewables-japan-jera-oil-gas">"focus on fossil fuels"</a> (and on the
megadeaths they are likely to cause) instead of renewable energy.
</p>
<p>
If civilization is to survive, it should stop <a class=glossary href="/glossary.html#bp">Billionaire Polluters</a>
(and other planet-roaster companies) from developing any fossil fuel systems.
</p>
</li>

 


title: Mexico-US water sharing agreement
uri: Mexico-US-water-sharing-agreement
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#13_December_2024_(Mexico-US_water_sharing_agreement)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#13_December_2024_(Mexico-US_water_sharing_agreement)

content:
 
<p>

  The Mexico-US water sharing agreement is <a href="https://edition.cnn.com/2024/06/17/climate/water-conflict-us-mexico-heat-drought/index.html">running aground</a> because there isn't
enough rain in the Rio Grande watershed.
  This seems to due to <a class=glossary href="/glossary.html#global%20heating">global heating</a>, which means it will only get worse.
</p>
<p>
I can imagine that <a class=glossary href="/glossary.html#wrecker">the wrecker</a> will use it as an excuse to start a war.
</p>
</li>

 


title: UK considers limiting political donations
uri: UK-considers-limiting-political-donations
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#16_December_2024_(UK_considers_limiting_political_donations)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#16_December_2024_(UK_considers_limiting_political_donations)

content:
 
<p>
The UK is considering <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2024/dec/02/government-may-cap-uk-political-donations-to-limit-foreign-influence">limiting donations to political campaigns and parties</a>
to stop Musk from trying to buy triumph for the more-or-less fascist party.
</p>
</li>

 


title: Urgent: Corrupter's Big Money cabinet
uri: Urgent-Corrupter-s-Big-Money-cabinet
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#15_December_2024_(Urgent:_Corrupter's_Big_Money_cabinet)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#15_December_2024_(Urgent:_Corrupter's_Big_Money_cabinet)

content:
 
<p>

  US citizens: <a href="https://act.commoncause.org/petitions/fight-back-against-trumps-big-money-cabinet">fight back</a> against <a class=glossary href="/glossary.html#corrupter">the corrupter's</a> proposed Big Money cabinet.
</p>
</li>

 


title: Urgent: Slashing spending for nonrich Americans
uri: Urgent-Slashing-spending-for-nonrich-Americans
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#15_December_2024_(Urgent:_Slashing_spending_for_nonrich_Americans)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#15_December_2024_(Urgent:_Slashing_spending_for_nonrich_Americans)

content:
 
<p>

US citizens: oppose <a class=glossary href="/glossary.html#musk">the muskrat's</a> plan to <a href="https://actionnetwork.org/forms/stand-against-elon-musks-department-of-government-efficiency">slash spending for nonrich
    Amercans</a>.
</p>
</li>

 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#15_December_2024_(Support_striking_IKEA_workers)
title: Support striking IKEA workers
uri: Support-striking-IKEA-workers
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#15_December_2024_(Support_striking_IKEA_workers)
content:
 
<p>

  In the US: <a href="https://actionnetwork.org/letters/stand-with-striking-ikea-workers/?nowrapper=true">support striking IKEA workers</a>.
</p>
<p>
Here's how to make the actionnetwork.org letter campaign linked above
work without running the site's nonfree JavaScript code.
</p>
<p>
First, make sure you have deactivated JavaScrupt in your browser or
are using the LibreJS plug-in.
</p>
<p>
I have done the next step for you: I added `?nowrapper=true' to the
end of the campaign URL before posting it above.  That should bring
you to a page that starts with, "Letter campaigns will not work
without javascript!"
</p>
<p>
They indeed won't work without some manual help, but the following
simple method seems adequate for many of them, including this one.
</p>
<p>
To start, fill in the personal information answers in the box on the
right side of the page.  That's how you say who's sending the letter.
</p>
<p>
Then click the "START WRITING" button.  That will take you to a page
that can't function without nonfree JavaScript code.  (To ensure it
doesn't function perversely <em>by running</em> that nonfree code, you can
enable LibreJS or disable JavaScript.)  You can finish sending without
that code By editing its URL in the browser's address bar, as follows:
</p>
<p>
First, go to the string &redirect=... and delete everything from there
to the end of that URL.  Then insert `&nowrapper=true'.  Then tell the
browser to visit that URL.  This should give you a version of the page
that works without JavaScript.  Enter the subject and body of your
letter.  Finally, click on the "SEND LETTER" button, and you're done.
</p>
<p>
This method seems to work for letter campaigns that send the letters
to a fixed list of recipients, the same recipients for every sender.
Editing and revisiting the URL is the only additional step needed to
bypass the nonfree JavaScript code.  I'm sure you'll agree it is a
small effort compared with the result of supporting the campaign
without opening your computer to unjust (and potentially malicious)
software.
</p>
</li>

 


title: Urgent: ACA Advance Premium Tax Credits
uri: Urgent-ACA-Advance-Premium-Tax-Credits
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#15_December_2024_(Urgent:_ACA_Advance_Premium_Tax_Credits)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#15_December_2024_(Urgent:_ACA_Advance_Premium_Tax_Credits)

content:
 
<p>

US citizens: phone your congresscritter and senators and tell them
to extend the ACA Advance Premium Tax Credits, to avoid  a large
increase in the cost of medical insurance.
</p>
    <p>
    If you phone, please spread the word!                              
    Main Switchboard: <a href="tel:+12022243121">+1-202-224-3121</a>
    </p>

</li>

 


title: Urgent: Musk's "Department of Government Efficiency"
uri: Urgent-Musk-s-Department-of-Government-Efficiency
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#15_December_2024_(Urgent:_Musk's_Department_of_Government_Efficiency)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#15_December_2024_(Urgent:_Musk's_Department_of_Government_Efficiency)

content:
 
<p>

US citizens: <a href="https://act.demandprogress.org/sign/musk-doge-cfpb/?t=1003&akid=32927%2E96703%2EDhM_yU">Oppose the creation of Musk's "Department of
    Government Efficiency"</a>
    (or, better described, Department of Government
Evisceration").
</p>
</li>

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#17_December_2024_(syrian_rebel_offensive)
title: Syrian rebel offensive
uri: Syrian-rebel-offensive
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#17_December_2024_(syrian_rebel_offensive)
content:
 
<p>
Syrians backed by Turkey are having border 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/dec/12/fear-of-factional-fighting-drives-100000-syrians-to-northern-kurdish-areas">clashes with Rojava,</a>
<p>
Which is distracting 
<a href="https://www.stallman.org/glossary.html#PISSI">Rojava from keeping PISSI</a>
<p>
under control.

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#17_December_2024_(how_to_tax_billionaires)
title: How to tax billionaires
uri: How-to-tax-billionaires
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#17_December_2024_(how_to_tax_billionaires)
content:
 
<p>
Thomas Piketty refutes the claims that governments cannot tax
billionaires, offering 
<a href="https://www.lemonde.fr/blog/piketty/2024/10/15/how-to-tax-billionaires/">methods to overcome supposed obstacles.</a>

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#17_December_2024_(shell_settle_lawsuit_greenpeace)
title: Shell lawsuit
uri: Shell-lawsuit
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#17_December_2024_(shell_settle_lawsuit_greenpeace)
content:
 
<p>
Various big oil companies are suing Greenpeace in an 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/business/2024/dec/10/shell-settle-lawsuit-greenpeace-protest-oil-gas-slapp">attempt to wipe
it out</a>
<p>
We should not have to depend on organizations such as Greenpeace
to protect civilization from environmental disaster (including
global heating and more).  This is governments' mission.

<p>
 


title: Amazon donates to Trump
uri: Amazon-donates-to-Trump
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#17_December_2024_(amazon_donation_trump_inauguration)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#17_December_2024_(amazon_donation_trump_inauguration)

content:
 
<p>
Amazon has donated a million dollars to the wrecker's inauguration fund,
as a 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2024/dec/13/amazon-donation-trump-inauguration">token of loyal greed.</a>

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#17_December_2024_(ceo_suckups_to_trump)
title: The CEO suck-ups to Trump
uri: The-CEO-suck-ups-to-Trump
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#17_December_2024_(ceo_suckups_to_trump)
content:
 
<p>
When a bully is powerful enough, rich people (and those who want to be
rich) all fawn on per, hoping perse will pave their way to more
riches.  That is what the 
<a href="https://robertreich.substack.com/p/the-ceo-suckups-to-trump">executives of big companies are doing now
for the wrecker.</a>

<p>
 


title: Consumer protectionism
uri: Consumer-protectionism
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#17_December_2024_(trump_administration_consumer_financial_protection_bureau)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#17_December_2024_(trump_administration_consumer_financial_protection_bureau)

content:
 
<p>
*   For all its supposed "populism", the new administration will probably
   target offices that 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2024/dec/16/trump-administration-consumer-financial-protection-bureau">protect consumers* and workers.</a>

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#17_December_2024_(biden_stand_up_to_chevron)
title: Stand up to Chevron
uri: Stand-up-to-Chevron
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#17_December_2024_(biden_stand_up_to_chevron)
content:
 
<p>
*President Biden: stand up to Chevron and pardon 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2024/dec/13/president-biden-stand-up-to-chevron-and-pardon-steven-donziger">Steven Donziger.*</a>

<p>
 


title: Amazon Labor Union
uri: Amazon-Labor-Union
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#17_December_2024_(amazon_warehouse_staten_island_labor_union)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#17_December_2024_(amazon_warehouse_staten_island_labor_union)

content:
 
<p>
Amazon warehouse in Staten Island 
<a href="https://substack.perfectunion.us/p/breaking-the-amazon-labor-union-is">workers are on strike.</a>
<p>
If Americans had elected Kamala Harris, these workers would have a
good chance of making Amazon give them better wages and working
conditions.  But Bezos just had Amazon pay a million dollars to the
corrupter's inaugural ceremony, and  we must expect him to do what
he was paid to do.

<p>
 


title: Universal Healthcare
uri: Universal-Healthcare
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#17_December_2024_(debunking_every_myth_universal_health_care)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#17_December_2024_(debunking_every_myth_universal_health_care)

content:
 
<p>
*Debunking Every Myth You Hear 
<a href="https://www.qasimrashid.com/p/debunking-every-myth-you-hear-against">Against Universal [Medical]care.*</a>

<p>
 


title: Meta donation to Trump
uri: Meta-donation-to-Trump
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#17_December_2024_(meta_donation_trumps_inaugural_fund)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#17_December_2024_(meta_donation_trumps_inaugural_fund)

content:
 
<p>
Facebook donated a million dollars to the 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2024/dec/12/meta-donates-1m-to-donald-trumps-inaugural-fund">corrupter's
inauguration.</a>
<p>
I supposs this is not a crime, but it is in effect a bribe.

<p>
 


title: SafeRent discrimination
uri: SafeRent-discrimination
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#17_December_2024_(saferent_ai_tenant_screening_lawsuit)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#17_December_2024_(saferent_ai_tenant_screening_lawsuit)

content:
 
<p>
A woman who was rejected for renting an apartment on the strength
of some computation's result sued for 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2024/dec/14/saferent-ai-tenant-screening-lawsuit">racial discrimination.</a>
<p>
People have proposed laws to prohibit using the output of an program
to evaluate individuals and decide how to treat them.  Those laws were
aimed at decisions made by government bodies, meaning that the
government would be the user of that program.
<p>
This example shows that judging people to make advice for private
entities to judge people by can be likewise devastating.
<p>
If we wanted to address this problem with a law, what might that law
require?  Perhaps it should require the advice-giver to show everyone
concerned what recorded facts the evaluation is based on.
<p>
The article assumes that when SafeRent describes the software a "AI",
that has some substantial meaning.  We have no reason to think it does.
That could be nothing more than hype for SafeRent's marketing.  Or it
could be an excuse for refusing to tell a court how the score is
calculated.

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#17_December_2024_(kash_patel_fbi_director)
title: Kash Patel
uri: Kash-Patel
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#17_December_2024_(kash_patel_fbi_director)
content:
 
<p>
*Ex-FBI officials worry that Kash Patel as director 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2024/dec/14/kash-patel-fbi-director">may wield unlimited power.*</a>
<p>
That could include *opening investigations unilaterally*.
<p>
Some past FBI directors have done such things, and their power threatened
freedom in the US. The fascist might relish that.

<p>
 


title: EPA air quality
uri: EPA-air-quality
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#17_December_2024_(epa_air_quality_white_neighborhoods)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#17_December_2024_(epa_air_quality_white_neighborhoods)

content:
 
<p>
*White US neighborhoods have more 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2024/dec/14/epa-air-quality-monitors-white-neighborhoods">EPA air quality monitors, study finds.*</a>
<p>
This despite the fact that white US neighborhoods tend on the
average to have more pollution than black neighborhoods &mdash; so the EPA
is not doing that part of its job fairly.
<p>
This systematic racial unfairness is one of many kinds, which add up
to what is 
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jul-oct.html#24_August_2020_(Help_dismantle_structural_racism_in_the_US)">called structural racism.</a>
<p>
I have a hunch that the system
involved, in this particular case, is a simpler system than in many
other cases.  Perhaps studying how this system functions, and how it
produces unfair results, could shed like on how structural racism more
generally, and on how to prevent it.

<p>
 


title: Historic military case
uri: Historic-military-case
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#17_December_2024_(us_army_officer_guilty_sexual_harassment)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#17_December_2024_(us_army_officer_guilty_sexual_harassment)

content:
 
<p>
A US army officer was convicted of sexual harassment after pressuring
a junior officer under 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2024/dec/14/us-army-officer-guilty-sexual-harassment">his command to have sex with him.</a>
<p>
I gather that this sort of thing happens often but is rarely punished.
So this is an improvement.  But this was worse than most cases
of sexual harassment, so the sentence he received seems too weak to me.

<p>
 


title: Raw milk battle
uri: Raw-milk-battle
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#17_December_2024_(raw_milk_us_battle_unpasteurised_safety)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#17_December_2024_(raw_milk_us_battle_unpasteurised_safety)

content:
 
<p>
Man Americans are jumping on a bandwagon for raw milk
based on 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/food/2024/dec/14/raw-milk-us-battle-unpasteurised-safety">choosing a political side</a>
<p>
 &mdash; rather than based on medical facts.
<p>
Some of the arguments are evidently irrational.  For instance, one
proponent argues that more dangers is virtuous because that requires
producers to be more careful: if raw milk increases the danger caused
by "cutting corners".that will make everyone more careful.
<p>
Experience says, however, that increasing the danger that can result
from any sort of slip-up will mean more people harmed by slip-ups.
Safety engineering is based on recognizing that everyone makes
mistakes, so we should design a system in which mistakes don't cause
bad consequences.

 


title: Urgent: Extend the premium tax credits
uri: Urgent-Extend-the-premium-tax-credits
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#17_December_2024_(Urgent:_Extend_the_premium_tax_credits)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#17_December_2024_(Urgent:_Extend_the_premium_tax_credits)

content:
 
<p>

US citizens: phone your congresscritter and senators urging them to
extend the premium tax credits in the current session of Congress.
</p>
<p>
  If you phone, please spread the word!                              
  Main Switchboard: <a href="tel:+12022243121">+1-202-224-3121</a>
</p>

</li>

 


title: Urgent: Protect Social Security and Medicare from the wrecker
uri: Urgent-Protect-Social-Security-and-Medicare-from-the-wrecker
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#17_December_2024_(Urgent:_Protect_Social_Security_and_Medicare_from_the_wrecker)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#17_December_2024_(Urgent:_Protect_Social_Security_and_Medicare_from_the_wrecker)

content:
 
<p>

  US citizens: call on Congress to <a href="https://act.demandprogress.org/sign/protect-medicare-social-security-oz-musk/">protect Social Security and Medicare</a>
from the cuts that <a class=glossary href="/glossary.html#wrecker">the wrecker</a>, <a class=glossary href="/glossary.html#musk">the musk-ox</a>, and that wiseacre of Oz
want to make.
</p>
<p>
  If you phone, please spread the word!                              
  Main Switchboard: <a href="tel:+12022243121">+1-202-224-3121</a>
</p>
</li>

 


title: Iran's threat to finish building nuclear weapons
uri: Iran-s-threat-to-finish-building-nuclear-weapons
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#17_December_2024_(Iran's_threat_to_finish_building_nuclear_weapons)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#17_December_2024_(Iran's_threat_to_finish_building_nuclear_weapons)

content:
 
<p>

  Iran has <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/nov/28/iran-says-it-could-end-ban-on-possessing-nuclear-weapons-if-sanctions-reimposed">threatened to finish building nuclear weapons</a>
if the West resumes trade sanctions against Iran.
</p>
<p>
It looks like the West and Iran agree that the better choice is no
sanctions and no Iranian nuclear weapons.  Obama <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2015-jan-apr.html#24_April_2015_(Nuclear_deal_with_Iran)">negotiated an
    agreement</a> to bring that about,
and the <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#13_May_2018_(The_nuclear_deal_with_Iran)">wrecker broke it</a>.
Biden <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2022-may-aug.html#8_July_2022_(Possibility_or_resuming_non-nuclear_deal_is_ebbing_away)">tried to negotiate resumption, but this failed</a>.
I never found out why it failed.
</p>
</li>

 


title: Ecology of places humans abandoned
uri: Ecology-of-places-humans-abandoned
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#17_December_2024_(Ecology_of_places_humans_abandoned)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#17_December_2024_(Ecology_of_places_humans_abandoned)

content:
 
<p>

  <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/news/2024/nov/28/great-abandonment-what-happens-natural-world-people-disappear-bulgaria">Studying the ecology</a> of places that humans have abandoned.
</p>
<p>
Sometimes human presence enables many species to make a complex
ecosystem, where otherwise a suffocating monoculture of one dominant
species could take over and exclude all else.
</p>
</li>

 


title: Priority of environmental protection
uri: Priority-of-environmental-protection
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#17_December_2024_(Priority_of_environmental_protection)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#17_December_2024_(Priority_of_environmental_protection)

content:
 
<p>

Australia's Labor Party said it was going to prioritize environmental
protection &mdash; but <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2024/nov/28/labor-national-environment-standards-law-backtrack-comment-ntwnfb">dropped the proposed law at the last minute</a>.
</p>
<p>
This decision, shocking to Labor supporters, strikes me as entirely
consistent with the policy of allowing <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#2_December_2023_(Australia_large_fossil_fuel_project)">major expansion of fossil fuel
    extraction</a>.
  After all, if the new federal Environmental Protection Agency were
going to be effective, it would need to brake that expansion.
</p>
<p>
  Here's more about the <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2024/nov/29/tanya-plibersek-deal-on-nature-laws-was-overruled-by-anthony-albanese">complex political dispute</a>.
</p>
<p>
If "not giving the Greens a victory" is enough to motivate Labor to
leave the environment in danger, I have a feeling its priorities are weak.
</p>
</li>

 


title: Whole Foods workers file to unionize
uri: Whole-Foods-workers-file-to-unionize
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#17_December_2024_(Whole_Foods_workers_file_to_unionize)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#17_December_2024_(Whole_Foods_workers_file_to_unionize)

content:
 
<p>

  Workers at a Whole Foods store have <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/business/2024/nov/26/amazon-whole-foods-union-drive">filed to unionize</a>.
  The next step will be for the company to <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#2_December_2023_(Australia_large_fossil_fuel_project)">harass them to change their
    minds before the actual vote</a>.
</p>
</li>

 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#17_December_2024_(Medical_records_systems)
title: Medical records systems
uri: Medical-records-systems
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#17_December_2024_(Medical_records_systems)
content:
 
<p>

How Epic medical records systems <a href="https://pluralistic.net/2024/10/02/upcoded-to-death/">help hospitals cheat medical insurance
    companies</a> by finding opportunities to exaggerate what treatments were
done, so as to charge more.
</p>
<p>
This requires doctors to spend more time entering additional data
that are useful for such "upcoding".  Here is <a href="https://prospect.org/health/2024-10-01-epic-dystopia/">more information</a>.
</p>
<p>
Epic also makes the nonfree Javascript code and apps that hospitals
pressure patients to use to access these servers.  If I used them,
Epic would control the computing on my computer.  I refuse to give
the control of the computing on my computer to Epic (or anyone else),
so I refuse to use those web sites and apps.
</p>
<p>
Maybe, as a result of my noncooperation, EPIC misses some
opportunities for "upcoding".
</p>
</li>

 


title: Mistake to let companies analyze your genetic data
uri: Mistake-to-let-companies-analyze-your-genetic-data
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#17_December_2024_(Mistake_to_let_companies_analyze_your_genetic_data)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#17_December_2024_(Mistake_to_let_companies_analyze_your_genetic_data)

content:
 
<p>

  It is a <a href="https://bourniquelaw.com/2024/10/09/data-23-and-me/">terrible mistake to let a company analyze your genetic data</a>.
If that company goes bankrupt, as 23 And Me has done, it will be forced
to see that data to people who will use it against you.
</p>
</li>

 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#17_December_2024_(Allowing_Syria_to_recover)
title: Allowing Syria to recover
uri: Allowing-Syria-to-recover
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#17_December_2024_(Allowing_Syria_to_recover)
content:
 
<p>
  To enable Syria to recover, the <a href="https://theintercept.com/2024/12/13/assad-syria-sanctions-congress/">US should cancel sanctions on Syria</a>.
 Those sanctions were meant to defeat Assad.  Now that Assad's enemies
have defeated him, the sanctions don't make sense any more.
</p>
<p>
I can imagine the US negotiating an agreement with the Syrian rebels and
Rojava, using the dropping of the sanctions as an incentive for them
to come to a peaceful accommodation.
</p>
</li>

 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#17_December_2024_(Polio_vaccine_approval)
title: Polio vaccine approval
uri: Polio-vaccine-approval
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#17_December_2024_(Polio_vaccine_approval)
content:
 
<p>

One of RFK Jr's close associates <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2024/dec/13/rfk-jr-aaron-siri-polio">filed to revoke approval of polio
    vaccine</a>.
  Loss of the polio vaccine would produce an epidemic after a few years.
</p>
<p>
I wonder how billionaires' families would respond to this.  Get
vaccinated in other countries, while <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/rfk-jr-attorneys-petition-to-fda-to-revoke-polio-vaccine-approval-one-more-reason-the-senate-must-not-confirm-rfk">most Americans have to go without</a>?
</p>
</li>

 


title: Musk-rat's conflicts of interests
uri: Musk-rat-s-conflicts-of-interests
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#17_December_2024_(Musk-rat's_conflicts_of_interests)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#17_December_2024_(Musk-rat's_conflicts_of_interests)

content:
 
<p>

  *The musk-rat's <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2024/dec/13/elon-musk-conflict-of-interest">six major conflicts of interest</a> with the federal government.*
</p>
</li>

 


title: Abortion pills mailed into Texas from New York doctor
uri: Abortion-pills-mailed-into-Texas-from-New-York-doctor
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#17_December_2024_(Abortion_pills_mailed_into_Texas_from_New_York_doctor)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#17_December_2024_(Abortion_pills_mailed_into_Texas_from_New_York_doctor)

content:
 
<p>

  Texas is <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2024/dec/13/texas-abortion-pills-lawsuit-ken-paxton">suing a New York doctor</a> for mailing abortion pills to a woman
in Texas.  Texas has passed a law prohibiting mailing abortion pills
into the state; meanwhile, New York State has passed a law meant to
protect against any such lawsuits from Texas.
</p>
<p>
I've read that there are networks of women who send each other these pills.
I have a feeling that women in Texas can best keep their helpers safe
by arranging for anonymous mailing of these pills.
</p>
</li>

 


title: BBC complained to Apple over fake news
uri: BBC-complained-to-Apple-over-fake-news
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#17_December_2024_(BBC_complained_to_Apple_over_fake_news)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#17_December_2024_(BBC_complained_to_Apple_over_fake_news)

content:
 
<p>

  *BBC says it has <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/media/2024/dec/14/bbc-says-it-has-complained-to-apple-over-ai-generated-fake-news-attributed-to-broadcaster">complained to Apple over fake news</a> [output from a
bullshit generator] attributed to [BBC].*
</p>
</li>

 


title: Democrats must dump neoliberal economics
uri: Democrats-must-dump-neoliberal-economics
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#17_December_2024_(Democrats_must_dump_neoliberal_economics)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#17_December_2024_(Democrats_must_dump_neoliberal_economics)

content:
 
<p>

Joseph Stiglitz: *The message to Democrats is clear: you <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/business/2024/nov/28/the-message-to-democrats-is-clear-you-must-dump-neoliberal-economics">must dump
    neoliberal economics [and become progressive]</a>.*
</p>
</li>

<p>
 


title: Urgent: Seeking speaking invitations
uri: Urgent-Seeking-speaking-invitations
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#20_December_2024_(Urgent:_Seeking_speaking_invitations)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#20_December_2024_(Urgent:_Seeking_speaking_invitations)

content:
 
<p>
I'm looking for speaking invitations for a trip in January and
February that will include some part of Europe, then India, then some
other part of Europe.
</p>
<p>
The first visit to Europe will be roughly Jan 16 to 22.  The visit to
India will start Jan 22 and can continue into February.  The second
visit to Europe will be after that.  Those dates are flexible.
</p>
<p>
One advantage of this period for you is that the intercontinental
flights are already covered, so you won't need to pay for that.
</p>
<p>
If you are interested in inviting me, and you have a venue to use and
a public to invite, please email me soon with "speaking invitation" in
the Subject field, using the name rms and the host gnu dot org.
</p>
</li>

 


title: Urgent: Lula and Brazil as climate leaders
uri: Urgent-Lula-and-Brazil-as-climate-leaders
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#20_December_2024_(Urgent:_Lula_and_Brazil_as_climate_leaders)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#20_December_2024_(Urgent:_Lula_and_Brazil_as_climate_leaders)

content:
 
<p>

  US citizens: call on Lula and Brazil to <a href="https://act.350.org/sign/climate-leader-ndc_us/">be the world's climate leaders</a>
in COP 30 next year.
</p>
</li>

 


title: Urgent: Don't allow wrecker to make recess appointments
uri: Urgent-Don-t-allow-wrecker-to-make-recess-appointments
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#20_December_2024_(Urgent:_Don't_allow_wrecker_to_make_recess_appointments)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#20_December_2024_(Urgent:_Don't_allow_wrecker_to_make_recess_appointments)

content:
 
<p>

US citizens: call on the Senate: <a href="https://actionnetwork.org/forms/no-recess-appointments">don't allow the wrecker to make
    recess appointments</a>.
  Don't abdicate your duty to vet <a class=glossary href="/glossary.html#wrecker">the wrecker's</a>
nominees.
</p>
</li>

 


title: Urgent: Oppose cuts to Social Security and Medicare
uri: Urgent-Oppose-cuts-to-Social-Security-and-Medicare
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#20_December_2024_(Urgent:_Oppose_cuts_to_Social_Security_and_Medicare)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#20_December_2024_(Urgent:_Oppose_cuts_to_Social_Security_and_Medicare)

content:
 
<p>

US citizens: call on Congress to <a href="https://act.ourrevolution.com/sign/resist-trump-cuts/">oppose any cuts to, and any efforts
    to privatize</a>, Social Security and Medicare.
</p>
</li>

 


title: Urgent: Pardon Edward Snowden and Julian Assange
uri: Urgent-Pardon-Edward-Snowden-and-Julian-Assange
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#20_December_2024_(Urgent:_Pardon_Edward_Snowden_and_Julian_Assange)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#20_December_2024_(Urgent:_Pardon_Edward_Snowden_and_Julian_Assange)

content:
 
<p>

  US citizens: call on Biden to <a href="https://actionnetwork.org/petitions/pardon-edward-snowden-and-julian-assange?nowrapper=true">Pardon Edward Snowden and Julian Assange</a>.
</p>
</li>

 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#20_December_2024_(Mangione's_political_views)
title: Mangione's political views
uri: Mangione-s-political-views
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#20_December_2024_(Mangione's_political_views)
content:
 
<p>

  Mangione's political views are a <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2024/dec/16/unitedhealthcare-suspect-political-beliefs">mixture of right-wing and left-wing</a>,
and he has crystallized  hatred of US medical deinsurance companies among
both sides.
  Right-wing leaders are trying to attach that to "wokism", but it
doesn't stick.
</p>
<p>
In fact, most Deinsurance in Congress and most Republicans in Congress
are <a class=glossary href="/glossary.html#plutocratist">plutocratists</a>, and that goes double for <a class=glossary href="/glossary.html#wrecker">the wrecker</a>.  If you want
to find an official, or candidate who seeks to put an end to medical
deinsurance, you'll find that progressive Democrats stand for this.
</p>
<p>
I've said that Biden is 1/3 progressive.  He has a history of trying
to reduce medical deinsurance, but he did not push to go all the way
by instituting a universal medical system.
</p>
</li>

 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#20_December_2024_(Rainfall_patterns_changing)
title: Rainfall patterns changing
uri: Rainfall-patterns-changing
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#20_December_2024_(Rainfall_patterns_changing)
content:
 
<p>

*   Rainfall patterns are changing, crops are ripening earlier, and the
   normal rhythms of farming have fallen off &mdash; <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2024/dec/17/farming-has-always-been-gambling-with-dirt-but-the-odds-are-getting-longer">exactly as climate
    scientists warned</a>.*
</p>
<p>
We are already encountering the next step, which is shortages of some
foods.  That can lead, some years later, to mass hunger and eventually
to mass death and breakdown of society.  My addition to this forecast
is the end of globalized manufacturing and the loss of all high
technology.  You and the hundred people in your fortified farming
village won't be able to make ICs or solar cells, thus soon
no computers and no electricity.
</p>
<p>
You won't even be able to keep the local all-devouring weeb from
taking the land away from you.
<!--
[recent pol note about abandoned land]
 -->
  Sure, you could cut it and uproot it in any particular small area.
However, doing that in a large area will take too much work,
especially when the only power available is muscle power.
</p>
</li>

 


title: Bird flue strain circulating in dairy cows
uri: Bird-flue-strain-circulating-in-dairy-cows
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#20_December_2024_(Bird_flue_strain_circulating_in_dairy_cows)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#20_December_2024_(Bird_flue_strain_circulating_in_dairy_cows)

content:
 
<p>

*   A strain now circulating in dairy cows <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2024/dec/16/bird-flu-pandemic-threat-prepared">appears to carry little risk for
    humans</a> at present, but we need to develop an effective strategy before
   it mutates*
</p>
<p>
In particular, we will need vaccine for whatever strain becomes a threat.
Now the US faces the danger that <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#19_November_2024_(rfk_jr_vaccine_disinfo_public_health)">crazy politicians might forbid this</a>.
</p>
</li>

 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#20_December_2024_(Freedom_status_of_Signal_client)
title: Freedom status of Signal client
uri: Freedom-status-of-Signal-client
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#20_December_2024_(Freedom_status_of_Signal_client)
content:
 
<p>

The Signal client's own code is free/libre, but it <a href="https://community.signalusers.org/t/how-deep-is-googles-ecosystem-embedded-in-signal/">farms out some
    activities to Google services</a>.
  Depending on what Signal uses each of those services to do,
using it <a href="https://gnu.org/philosophy/who-does-that-server-really-serve.html ">might be SaaSS</a>,
  which is as subjugating to the user as locally running a nonfree program.
</p>
<p>
I don't use Signal, because it is almost impossible to make a Signal
account without having a cellular phone, so I can't.  Since I can't
use Signal, I don't try to learn anything else about it.  I know
almost as little about the specific Google services named in the
article &mdash; I don't have a Google account, and most of its services
require the user to run nonfree client software.
</p>
<p>
As a result, I don't know whether it is possible to get some real use
out of Signal without using the Google services listed in the article,
or whether the job each one does constitutes SaaSS.
</p>
<p>
I can correct two errors made in comments in that page: (1) <a href="https://gnu.org/philosophy/free-sw.html">free
    software is a matter of freedom, not price</a>
  and (2) Android is contains nonfree components, and has contained
them since almost the beginning.
</p>
</li>

 


title: (satire) Exonerated after execution
uri: (satire)-Exonerated-after-execution
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#20_December_2024_((satire)_Exonerated_after_execution)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#20_December_2024_((satire)_Exonerated_after_execution)

content:
 
<p>

  (satire) *Wrongly Convicted Death Row Inmate <a href="https://theonion.com/wrongly-convicted-death-row-inmate-exonerated-mere-hours-after-execution/">Exonerated Mere Hours After Execution.</a>*
</p>
</li>

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#20_December_2024_(Balance_of_gov._powers,_US)
title: Balance of gov. powers, US
uri: Balance-of-gov-powers-US
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#20_December_2024_(Balance_of_gov._powers,_US)
content:
 
<p>
<a class=glossary href="/glossary.html#bully">The bully</a> is trying to
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2024/dec/17/trump-juan-merchan-truth-social">bully the judge</a>
who refused to dismiss
civil claims against him.

 


title: Urgent: Reject Billy Long for head of IRS
uri: Urgent-Reject-Billy-Long-for-head-of-IRS
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#21_December_2024_(Urgent:_Reject_Billy_Long_for_head_of_IRS)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#21_December_2024_(Urgent:_Reject_Billy_Long_for_head_of_IRS)

content:
 
<p>
US citizens: phone your senators and tell them to reject Billy Long
for head of the IRS.  When in Congress he proposed to eliminate income tax
so as to tax low-income people more with a national sales tax.
</p>
<p>
Every sales tax falls unfairly hard on low-income people.
We ought to replace them with taxes that fall mainly on those
who can afford to pay them.
</p>
    <p>
    If you phone, please spread the word!                              
    Main Switchboard: <a href="tel:+12022243121">+1-202-224-3121</a>
    </p>
</li>

 


title: Urgent: Prevent cuts to Social Security
uri: Urgent-Prevent-cuts-to-Social-Security
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#21_December_2024_(Urgent:_Prevent_cuts_to_Social_Security)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#21_December_2024_(Urgent:_Prevent_cuts_to_Social_Security)

content:
 
<p>
  US citizens: call on Congress to <a href="https://act.demandprogress.org/sign/musk-social-security-interest/">prevent any cuts to Social Security</a>.
Stop any efforts to privatize this critical government program.
</p>
    <p>
    If you phone, please spread the word!                              
    Main Switchboard: <a href="tel:+12022243121">+1-202-224-3121</a>
    </p>
</li>

 


title: Computers judging how a person is treated
uri: Computers-judging-how-a-person-is-treated
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#21_December_2024_(Computers_judging_how_a_person_is_treated)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#21_December_2024_(Computers_judging_how_a_person_is_treated)

content:
 
<p>
It is fashionable to adopt policies whereby a computer system judges
how a certain person deserves to be treated, but they "put a human in
the loop" by giving per the job of looking at the computer's recommendations
and authorizing them or not.
</p>
<p>
  Experiment shows that <a href="https://pluralistic.net/2024/10/30/a-neck-in-a-noose/">such systems systematically fail</a>.  The article
  explains why they fail.  What it comes down to is that "putting a
human in the loop" is ineffective at correcting the computer system's
errors, but instead has the practical effect of serving to excuse
those errors.
</p>
<p>
The article linked to just above displays symbolic bigotry by
capitalizing "black" but not "white".  (To avoid endorsing bigotry,
capitalize both words or neither one.)  <a href="/articles/bigotry.html">I
denounce bigotry</a>, and normally I will not link to articles that
practice it.  But I make exceptions for some articles because I
consider them important &mdash; and I label them like this.
</p>
<p>
The experience with Israel's machine learning target selector system
tends to confirm this conclusion.
</p>
</li>

 


title: Defeating Oligarchy is most urgent issue
uri: Defeating-Oligarchy-is-most-urgent-issue
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#21_December_2024_(Defeating_Oligarchy_is_most_urgent_issue)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#21_December_2024_(Defeating_Oligarchy_is_most_urgent_issue)

content:
 
<p>
  *Bernie Sanders Says <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/bernie-sanders-oligarchy-2670453795">Defeating Oligarchy Now Most Urgent Issue</a>.*
</p>
</li>

 


title: Rejecting assertion of Ireland as anti-Israel
uri: Rejecting-assertion-of-Ireland-as-anti-Israel
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#21_December_2024_(Rejecting_assertion_of_Ireland_as_anti-Israel)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#21_December_2024_(Rejecting_assertion_of_Ireland_as_anti-Israel)

content:
 
<p>
  *I utterly <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/dec/15/israel-to-close-dublin-embassy-after-ireland-supports-icj-genocide-petition">reject the assertion that Ireland is anti-Israel</a>.  Ireland
is pro-peace, pro-human rights and pro-international law.*
  Well said!
</p>
</li>

 


title: Fear for attacks on climate research
uri: Fear-for-attacks-on-climate-research
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#21_December_2024_(Fear_for_attacks_on_climate_research)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#21_December_2024_(Fear_for_attacks_on_climate_research)

content:
 
<p>
*   Experts express fear &mdash; and resilience &mdash; as they <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2024/dec/15/scientists-climate-denial-trump">prepare for
    [the wrecker]'s potential attacks on climate research</a>.*
</p>
<p>
Climate science depends on measurements and records of measurements.
Sometimes the same measurements are made in the same way for decades
so that they will be fully comparable, So planet-roasters have
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#3_October_2015_(Crime_to_collect_data)">canceled series of measurements</a>,
presumably in order to
hamper climate science and thus interfere with reaching
conclusions that will show the extent of the coming crisis.
</p>
<p>
  They have even <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2014-may-aug.html#23_August_2014_(Canadas_attempt_to_gag_professor)">tossed out data</a> from past measurements.
  Scientists had to rescue the precious records from dumpsters.
</p>
<p>
If they were saboteurs working for alien enemies, sent to weaken
Earth's civilization, their actions would make sense.  Why Earthlings
would do it is beyond me.
</p>
</li>

 


title: Spain returns items taken by dictator 84 years ago
uri: Spain-returns-items-taken-by-dictator-84-years-ago
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#21_December_2024_(Spain_returns_items_taken_by_dictator_84_years_ago)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#21_December_2024_(Spain_returns_items_taken_by_dictator_84_years_ago)

content:
 
<p>
*Spain's culture ministry has <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/dec/15/spanish-artwork-seized-by-franco-regime-returned-to-rightful-owners">returned the first of more than 5,000
    items</a> taken by the dictator [Franco] 84 years ago.*
  That was shortly after the end of the civil war, in which most of
the army joined <!---->the fascist rebellion, and the Spanish Republic was
defended by the volunteers it could raise.
</p>
<p>
My friends in Spain told me, earlier in this century, that the
right-wing party was still permeated by he influence of people who
supported Franco's dictatorship, who blocked efforts to end the
state's support for Franco.  In the past decade, those efforts are
going faster.
</p>
</li>

 


title: Statement on Syrian-led transition process
uri: Statement-on-Syrian-led-transition-process
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#21_December_2024_(Statement_on_Syrian-led_transition_process)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#21_December_2024_(Statement_on_Syrian-led_transition_process)

content:
 
<p>
  The US, EU and Turkey <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/dec/15/antony-blinken-confirms-direct-us-contact-with-syrias-rebel-rulers-hts">endorsed a statement</a> calling for *A Syrian-led
transition to "produce an inclusive, non-sectarian and representative
government formed through a transparent process", with respect for
human rights.*
</p>
<p>
That doesn't mean it will be easy, or successful, but at east they
endorse a good goal.
</p>
</li>

 


title: Secrets shared with bullshit generators
uri: Secrets-shared-with-bullshit-generators
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#21_December_2024_(Secrets_shared_with_bullshit_generators)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#21_December_2024_(Secrets_shared_with_bullshit_generators)

content:
 
<p>
  Many people are <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2024/dec/03/the-chatgpt-secret-is-that-text-message-from-your-friend-your-lover-or-a-robot">opening their hearts and their secrets</a> to bullshit generators.
  (And to the companies that run them, of course.)
</p>
</li>

 


title: Practical threats from wrecker's fascist machine
uri: Practical-threats-from-wrecker-s-fascist-machine
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#21_December_2024_(Practical_threats_from_wrecker's_fascist_machine)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#21_December_2024_(Practical_threats_from_wrecker's_fascist_machine)

content:
 
<p>
  Some <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2024/dec/03/what-stake-second-trump-presidency-charts-maps">major practical threats</a> that <a class=glossary href="/glossary.html#wrecker">the wrecker's</a> fascist machine could wreak.
</p>
<p>
The page does not include some most profound threats which are longer term:
<ul>
<li>
<!---->The fascist machine could completely control future federal elections.
</li>
<li>
A media system dominated by<!----> the fascist machine.
</li>
<li>
A legal system fully dominated by <!---->the fascist machine.
</li>
</ul>
</p>
</li>

 


title: Coca-Cola's pledge on reusable packaging
uri: Coca-Cola-s-pledge-on-reusable-packaging
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#21_December_2024_(Coca-Cola's_pledge_on_reusable_packaging)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#21_December_2024_(Coca-Cola's_pledge_on_reusable_packaging)

content:
 
<p>
Coca-Cola made a highly publicized pledge to move to 25% reusable packaging
by 2030.  But now it seems to have <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2024/dec/03/coca-cola-accused-dropping-reusable-packaging-target">quietly stopped talking about all that</a>.
</p>
</li>

 


title: Depending on experts for carefully studied decisions
uri: Depending-on-experts-for-carefully-studied-decisions
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#21_December_2024_(Depending_on_experts_for_carefully_studied_decisions)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#21_December_2024_(Depending_on_experts_for_carefully_studied_decisions)

content:
 
<p>
Society depends on agencies that appoint experts to make carefully
studied decisions.  Right-wing extremists are working on <a href="https://pluralistic.net/2024/11/21/policy-based-evidence/">destroying
    the ability to do this</a>.
</p>
<p>
I will not claim that these agencies are always right.  Business
lobbies often persuade them to go against the interests of society and
non-wealthy people.  But the right-wing extremists are not trying to
restrain that power &mdash; on the contrary, they seek to open the
floodgates.
</p>
</li>

 


title: New Zealand government hollowed out environmental protections
uri: New-Zealand-government-hollowed-out-environmental-protections
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#21_December_2024_(New_Zealand_government_hollowed_out_environmental_protections)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#21_December_2024_(New_Zealand_government_hollowed_out_environmental_protections)

content:
 
<p>
  New Zealand's right-wing government <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/dec/18/new-zealand-mining-bill-fast-track-approvals-legislation">hollowed out environmental protections</a>
by allowing some of them to be "fast-tracked" &mdash; that is, evaluated without
taking due care.
</p>
<p>
There may be occasions when this is necessary, but mere profit can never
be enough to justify it.  Only something desperately needed can justify this.
</p>
</li>

 


title: Authorizing extraction of more natural gas
uri: Authorizing-extraction-of-more-natural-gas
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#21_December_2024_(Authorizing_extraction_of_more_natural_gas)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#21_December_2024_(Authorizing_extraction_of_more_natural_gas)

content:
 
<p>
A study by the US department of Energy reports that, as we would expect,
authorizing extracting (and exporting) a lot more natural gas would
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2024/dec/17/biden-natural-gas-export">speed up global heating</a>.
</p>
<p>
This would increase the risk of deadly damage from "natural"
disasters, such as hurricanes, flooding, fires, heat waves, and <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#7_August_2018_(Drought_in_North_Korea)">crop
    failures</a>, as well as collapse of technological civilization, and these
could lead to the <a href="death">death of tens or millions of people</a> in the US.
  In the shorter term, more natural gas exports could <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/its-official-lng-exports-harm-the-public-interest">cause difficulties</a> in
Americans' lives by making fossil gas more expensive.
</p>
<p>
  This has been <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/bidens-lng-export-study-is-a-weak-response-to-inherent-harms-of-the-industry">criticized as a weak criticism</a>.
</p>
</li>

 


title: UK universities joining fossil fuel pledge
uri: UK-universities-joining-fossil-fuel-pledge
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#21_December_2024_(UK_universities_joining_fossil_fuel_pledge)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#21_December_2024_(UK_universities_joining_fossil_fuel_pledge)

content:
 
<p>
  *More than three-quarters of UK universities <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/education/2024/dec/02/more-than-three-quarters-of-uk-universities-join-fossil-fuel-pledge-say-activists">join fossil fuel pledge</a>, say
activists.*
</p>
<p>
Governments must do much more to restrain "investment" in causing
global disaster, at whatever levels they can.
</p>
</li>

 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#21_December_2024_(Belief_in_Santa_Claus)
title: Belief in Santa Claus
uri: Belief-in-Santa-Claus
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#21_December_2024_(Belief_in_Santa_Claus)
content:
 
<p>
In parts of Britain, children of age 10-11 are likely to still believe
in Santa Claus.  And parents <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/education/2024/dec/14/primary-school-children-left-in-tears-after-vicar-tells-them-santa-isnt-real">demand that other adults maintain the
    falsehood</a>.
</p>
<p>
I'm amused by the irony of a cleric's puncturing one myth while
upholding another.  But I find it shocking and disturbing that anyone
as old as 10 would still believe in Santa Clause.
</p>
<p>
Parents who hoax that children are liable to try to conscript other
people into supporting the lie.  This has happened to me, and it puts
me in a moral conflict.  I don't want to overturn their family
arrangements, but joining in the hoax would be doing wrong to the
children.  I resent the attempt to rope me into doing wrong.
</p>
</li>

 


title: Amazon union-workers now on strike
uri: Amazon-union-workers-now-on-strike
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#21_December_2024_(Amazon_union-workers_now_on_strike)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#21_December_2024_(Amazon_union-workers_now_on_strike)

content:
 
<p>
Amazon workers in various
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2024/dec/19/amazon-workers-strike-union-teamster">US
cities</a> are now on strike.

<p>
 


title: Musk foreign relations as security risk
uri: Musk-foreign-relations-as-security-risk
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#21_December_2024_(Musk_foreign_relation_as_a_security_risk)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#21_December_2024_(Musk_foreign_relation_as_a_security_risk)

content:
 
<p>
<a class=glossary href="/glossary.html#musk">The musk rat</a> has been failing military security examinations because
of refusing to tell the examiners about some of his meetings with
foreign officials.  Some US and allied
<a href="https://www.engadget.com/big-tech/elon-musk-spacex-reportedly-under-federal-review-for-undisclosed-meetings-with-foreign-leaders-213817035.html">officials see him as a risk</a>.

<p>
 


title: Elon Musk as congressional leader, US
uri: Elon-Musk-as-congressional-leader-US
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#21_December_2024_(Elon_Musk_as_congressional_leader,_US)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#21_December_2024_(Elon_Musk_as_congressional_leader,_US)

content:
 
<p>
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2024/dec/19/elon-musk-trump-government-shutdown">Emperor
Tusk the First</a> killed an urgently needed omnibus spending bill by
ordering Republicans to vote it down, and spreading false criticisms
on <a class=glossary href="/glossary.html#extwitter">ex-Twitter</a>.
<p>
Bernie Sanders referred to him as "President Musk", but "emperor" fits
better, since he is nothing like a president. 
<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Augustus">Like Augustus in Rome</a>,
he has no official position, but through his riches he
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2024/dec/19/bernie-sanders-elon-musk-funding-deal">
compels legislators to bow</a> to him.  Of course, there are many
differences in detail; history does not repeat itself exactly.
<p>
This is very dangerous to the republic, since after some years of this
it will be presented as normal and expected by the powerful voices.


 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#22_December_2024_(Medical_insurance_policy_makers)
title: Medical insurance policy makers
uri: Medical-insurance-policy-makers
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#22_December_2024_(Medical_insurance_policy_makers)
content:
 
<p>
*[Medical] Insurance Execs Should Live in Fear of
<a href="https://theintercept.com/2024/12/19/luigi-mangione-unitedhealthcare-insurance/">Prison</a>,
Not Murder.*
<p>
But that can't happen unless we pass laws to prohibit the existing
medical megaconglomerates such as
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/cpiral.html#22_December_2024_(Big_Medicine_organization,_US)">United"Ill"Health</a>.

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#22_December_2024_(Big_Medicine_organization,_US)
title: Big Medicine organization, US
uri: Big-Medicine-organization-US
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#22_December_2024_(Big_Medicine_organization,_US)
content:
 
<p>
The history of how United"Health" used vertical integration to grow
like a cancer in US medicine, using its power in one aspect
<a href="https://invidio.us/watch?v=frr4wuvAB6U">to gain control</a>
of another.
<p>
For instance, when its delays in paying clinics and medical practices
for the work they have done push them into financial distress,
United"Health" buys them up, working toward a monopoly on another
level.  And they can require patients to use only the clinics they
own.
<p>
*At least 5000 people <i>a week</i> die in hospitals in the U.S. due
to “preventable problems,” concluded
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/opinion/corporate-greed-healthcare">a
peer-reviewed study</a> &hellip; in 2016.* The rate has surely
increased since.
<p>
Not all such deaths are caused by United"Health" in particular; other
similar companies
<!--
[Recent pol note about Anthem and how it refuses to cover anesthesia if it
goes on for longer than expected.]
-->
surely cause some too.

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#22_December_2024_(Zoo_birds_vs_flu)
title: Zoo birds vs flu
uri: Zoo-birds-vs-flu
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#22_December_2024_(Zoo_birds_vs_flu)
content:
 
<p>
*Bird flu
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2024/dec/19/bird-flu-zoos-endangered-animals-captive-species-lions-tigers-cheetahs-virus">sweeps
through</a> zoos with ‘grave implications’ for endangered animals.*
<p>
This variant of bird flue will probably die out in a few years, as
they generally do &mdash; thing is to make sure no species are wiped
out in the mean time.  I gather zoos are vaccinating some of their
animals, but the article does not make it clear why vaccinated animals
are still in danger.
<p>
It may be helpful to wall off their enclosures with wire screens that
no wild birds can fit through.

<p>
 


title: The exploiter vs naturalized immigrants
uri: The-exploiter-vs-naturalized-immigrants
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#22_December_2024_(The_exploiter_vs_naturalized_immigrants)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#22_December_2024_(The_exploiter_vs_naturalized_immigrants)

content:
 
<p>
How <a class="glossary" href="/glossary.html#bully">the bully</a> plans to
<a href="https://thehill.com/opinion/immigration/4992787-trump-deportation-plan-immigration/">strip
the citizenship</a> from naturalized citizens, even over minor
harmless errors, with a funded program to de-naturalize as many people
as possible.
<p>
The program would be led by people have absorbed the right-wing
ideology of dehumanizing hatred for immigrants.
<p>
If the people targeted can't afford a lawyer, they could easily be
punished by mistake.  As for those who can afford one, if they come
through with their citizenship intact, they could be ruined by the
expense.
<p>
The immigrants' children would also lose US citizenship, and might
then be expelled to countries they have never seen.

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#22_December_2024_(Wikipedia_brush_with_India)
title: Wikipedia brush with India
uri: Wikipedia-brush-with-India
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#22_December_2024_(Wikipedia_brush_with_India)
content:
 
<p>
Wikipedia described Asian News International as working for
the Indian government and promoting disinformation.
That company sued and threatened to have Wikipedia
<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Asian_News_International">blocked in India</a>.
<p>
The court ordered Wikipedia to take down a page about this case.
The page linked above still has a link to that page, but that page's
real contents no longer appear.


<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#22_December_2024_(Nissan_as_Honda)
title: Nissan as Honda
uri: Nissan-as-Honda
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#22_December_2024_(Nissan_as_Honda)
content:
 
<p>
The major car manufacturers Nissan and Honda
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/business/2024/dec/17/honda-and-nissan-to-start-talks-on-potential-mega-merger">want to merge</a>.
<p>
They are planning to exploit the amoral loophole in antitrust law:
"We're major competitors in our field, but we need to merge to compete with
the giants."
<p>
A policy of Granting such requests leads inexorably, over time, to a
market made up of just a few giants.
<p>
I think Lina Khan would have blocked this merger.
But now that Republicans have
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#12_December_2024_(Merger_block_upheld)">blocked her reappointment</a>,
we have to hope that the EU or Japan will block it.  The Republicans
surely hope that they have paved the way to having a few more
multi-billionaires they can serve.

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#22_December_2024_(The_aggressor_vs_journalism)
title: The aggressor vs journalism
uri: The-aggressor-vs-journalism
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#22_December_2024_(The_aggressor_vs_journalism)
content:
 
<p>
<a class="glossary" href="/glossary.html#trump">The fascist</a>
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2024/dec/18/trump-press-freedom">
sues the press</a>
to say, *Bend the knee or else.*

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#22_December_2024_(Syrian_immigrant_pressure,_BGR)
title: Syrian emigrant pressure to return, BGR
uri: Syrian-emigrant-pressure-to-return-BGR
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#22_December_2024_(Syrian_immigrant_pressure,_BGR)
content:
 
<p>
Bulgaria is using word-twisting, threats and beatings to compel Syrian
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/dec/18/bulgaria-syrian-asylum-seekers-return-fall-of-assad">asylum
seekers to sign</a> a "voluntary" agreement to return to Syria right
away.
<p>
After a reasonable amount if time, it may be clear that Syria has
become stable and respects human rights.  It may then be valid to deny
asylum to most Syrians because they no longer need asylum and have no
claim for it.
<p>
But it is unjust to jump to that conclusion now, even if it were done
in an honest way.  We don't know today whether Syria will become
stable and respect human rights.

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#22_December_2024_(DPRK_warring_in_Ukraine)
title: DPRK warring in Ukraine
uri: DPRK-warring-in-Ukraine
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#22_December_2024_(DPRK_warring_in_Ukraine)
content:
 
<p>
North Korean soldiers are fighting Ukraine in Russia.
What are
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2024/dec/18/the-guardian-view-on-north-koreans-dying-for-russia-an-alarming-alliance-gains-strength">the implications</a>
for North Korea and its foreign relations.

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#22_December_2024_(Riches_want_right-wing,_UK)
title: Riches want right-wing, UK
uri: Riches-want-right-wing-UK
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#22_December_2024_(Riches_want_right-wing,_UK)
content:
 
<p>
<a class="glossary" href="/glossary.html#musk">The musk-rat</a> is
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2024/dec/18/starmer-protect-elections-foreign-interference-elon-musk">talking about donating</a>
massive amounts to the extreme
right-wing British political party.
<p>
It is not only Musk who can get too much political power from his
money.  There are British billionaires who also give large amounts to
the right wing.  And (I've read) Musk may be entitled to get British
citizenship, which would bypass this obstacle.
<p>
The UK should prohibit political donations and spending by businesses,
and limit the amount of donations that any one individual can originate.

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#22_December_2024_(Giant_Hornet_threat_neutralized)
title: Giant Hornet threat neutralized
uri: Giant-Hornet-threat-neutralized
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#22_December_2024_(Giant_Hornet_threat_neutralized)
content:
 
<p>
The US has eradicated the northern giant hornet, which
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2024/dec/19/murder-hornet-eradicated-us-washington">threatens honeybees</a>.

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#22_December_2024_(Uplifting_the_provocateur,_UKR)
title: Uplifting the provocateur, UKR
uri: Uplifting-the-provocateur-UKR
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#22_December_2024_(Uplifting_the_provocateur,_UKR)
content:
 
<p>
Ukraine made
<a href="https://kyivindependent.com/kyiv-delayed-minerals-deal-with-us-to-let-trump-take-credit-nyt-reports/">a mining agreement</a>
with the Biden administration, and
postponed signing it until now so that <a class="glossary" href="/glossary.html#corrupter">the corrupter</a> could give the
false impression he had something to do with it.
<p>
At least this delay did not do any real harm to Ukraine or to the US.


 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#22_December_2024_(Rights_of_seasonal_workers)
title: Rights of seasonal workers
uri: Rights-of-seasonal-workers
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#22_December_2024_(Rights_of_seasonal_workers)
content:
 
<p>

When companies hire temporary workers for a peak season, those workers
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/business/2024/dec/15/uk-stores-gig-economy-workers-retailers-christmas-unions">should have the same legal rights as permanent workers</a>,
 except that their employment will end at the end of that season.
</p>
</li>

 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#22_December_2024_(Powers_of_US_government_to_snoop)
title: Powers of US government to snoop
uri: Powers-of-US-government-to-snoop
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#22_December_2024_(Powers_of_US_government_to_snoop)
content:
 
<p>

  A new law gives the US government extremely <a href="https://theintercept.com/2024/12/18/trump-fisa-surveillance-spying/">broad indirect powers to snoop</a>
on digital communications.
</p>
<p>
*House Republicans crafted language requiring any "service provider"
with access to equipment "that is being or may be used to transmit or
store wire or electronic communications" to help the government spy.
</p>
<p>
The language was so broad that almost anyone with a business who
happened to have access to a hard drive could be forced to comply,
critics have warned.
</p>
 <p>
The government could force commercial landlords, for instance, to help
it scoop up the communications of journalists, nonprofit groups,
political campaigns, and lawyers, <a href="https://cdt.org/insights/wolf-in-sheeps-clothing-a-planned-amendment-to-this-weeks-vote-would-be-the-largest-expansion-of-fisa-in-over-15-years/">according to the Center for
     Democracy and Technology</a>.*
 </p>
  <p>
Nominally this spying must be directed at foreigners, but when they are used
they tend to spy on Americans too.
  </p>
  <p>
Of course, if you're the sort of person who carries a <a href="https://gnu.org/malware/proprietary-surveillance">portable
      tracking and surveillance device</a> various companies can snoop on you
too.
  </p>
</li>

 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#22_December_2024_(Uber_donation_to_corrupter)
title: Uber donation to corrupter
uri: Uber-donation-to-corrupter
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#22_December_2024_(Uber_donation_to_corrupter)
content:
 
<p>

Uber <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2024/dec/18/uber-ceo-trump-donation">donated a million dollars</a> to <a class=glossary href="/glossary.html#corrupter">the corrupter's</a> inaugural celebration.
  This is the moral equivalent of a bribe.
<p>
Don't be a customer of <a class=glossary href="/glossary.html#guber">Guber</a> &mdash; it <a href="/uber.html">mistreats its
    customers and its drivers.</a>
</p>
</li>

 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#22_December_2024_(Pact_to_phase_out_fossil_fuels)
title: Pact to phase out fossil fuels
uri: Pact-to-phase-out-fossil-fuels
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#22_December_2024_(Pact_to_phase_out_fossil_fuels)
content:
 
<p>

  *Pakistan and Bahamas <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2024/dec/18/pakistan-bahamas-fossil-fuel-climate-change">join push for global pact</a> to phase out fossil fuels.*
</p>
<p>
Several other countries already support it.  But we are still far from
getting a global agreement to stop destroying the ecosphere and
civilization.
</p>
</li>

 


title: How Israeli forces destroyed Jabaliya refugee camp
uri: How-Israeli-forces-destroyed-Jabaliya-refugee-camp
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#22_December_2024_(How_Israeli_forces_destroyed_Jabaliya_refugee_camp)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#22_December_2024_(How_Israeli_forces_destroyed_Jabaliya_refugee_camp)

content:
 
<p>

  *‘Everything is gone’: <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2024/dec/18/jabaliya-refugee-camp-gaza-destruction-idf">how Israeli forces destroyed Jabaliya refugee camp</a>.*
</p>
<p>
The current stage of the attack on Jabaliya is systematically
demolishing large parts of the area, leveling everything and building
wide roads for military vehicles.
</p>
</li>

 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#22_December_2024_(Politicizing_the_FTC)
title: Politicizing the FTC
uri: Politicizing-the-FTC
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#22_December_2024_(Politicizing_the_FTC)
content:
 
<p>

  *Republicans Said the FTC Was Too Politicized. Now Trump’s FTC Pick Says <a href="https://theintercept.com/2024/12/18/trump-ftc-andrew-ferguson-ticket-fees/">It Should be Politicized</a> &mdash; by [his side].*
</p>
</li>

 


title: Apps that snoop on and manipulate employees
uri: Apps-that-snoop-on-and-manipulate-employees
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#22_December_2024_(Apps_that_snoop_on_and_manipulate_employees)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#22_December_2024_(Apps_that_snoop_on_and_manipulate_employees)

content:
 
<p>

An international company forces the employees of its national
subsidiaries to run apps that snoop on them and manipulate them.
Italy has <a href="https://edri.org/our-work/italian-dpas-e5m-fine-against-glovo-marks-milestone-for-workers-rights/">found that app to be illegal</a>, for various reasons.
</p>
<p>
This is a good decision, and I am glad that the GDPR are actually
benefiting some workers.  But they don't go far enough, and neither
does this decision.  Simply requiring workers to carry a snoop phone
with them is an injustice and should be illegal.
</p>
</li>

 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#22_December_2024_(Opening_of_Australian_mine)
title: Opening of Australian mine
uri: Opening-of-Australian-mine
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#22_December_2024_(Opening_of_Australian_mine)
content:
 
<p>

Labor in Australia claims to have said they did not open any new coal
mines, but that is <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2024/dec/20/gobsmacked-climate-groups-angered-by-labors-no-new-coalmines-claim-ntwnfb">based on mislabeling</a> a new mine as an extension of
an old mine located 10ks away.
</p>
</li>

 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#22_December_2024_(States_with_the_death_penalty)
title: States with the death penalty
uri: States-with-the-death-penalty
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#22_December_2024_(States_with_the_death_penalty)
content:
 
<p>

Most Americans live in states which do not use the death penalty
and may have forgotten about the issue, but the states that do execute
still <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/dec/19/death-penalty-executions-innocence-public-outrage">display scandalous disregard</a> for new evidence that tends to prove
that trials gave incorrect results.
</p>
</li>

 


title: Bullshitter orders to spew disinformation
uri: Bullshitter-orders-to-spew-disinformation
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#22_December_2024_(Bullshitter_orders_to_spew_disinformation)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#22_December_2024_(Bullshitter_orders_to_spew_disinformation)

content:
 
<p>

  <a class=glossary href="/glossary.html#bullshitter">The bullshitter</a> may soon <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2024/dec/19/us-foreign-broadcasters-trump">order Voice of America and Radio Free Europe</a> to spew
disinformation.
</p>
</li>

 


title: "Security forces" throwing people from airplanes
uri: Security-forces-throwing-people-from-airplanes
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#22_December_2024_(Security_forces_throwing_people_from_airplanes)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#22_December_2024_(Security_forces_throwing_people_from_airplanes)

content:
 
<p>

When Argentine soldiers were throwing dissidents out of airplanes into
the Atlantic Ocean, Mexican "security forces" were <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/dec/19/mexico-dirty-war-victims-planes">doing likewise in
    Mexico</a>.
</p>
<p>
Surely this was not a coincidence.  They must have been in touch.
Perhaps by way of the US?
</p>
<p>
If you are searching for a missing relative, do not me taken in by
shamans or other supposed mediums.  They have no special access to
factual information about missing people, and cannot communicate with
the dead.
</p>
</li>

<p>
 


title: Another military-government defeat, MMR
uri: Another-military-government-defeat-MMR
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#23_December_2024_(Another_military-government_defeat,_MMR)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#23_December_2024_(Another_military-government_defeat,_MMR)

content:
 
<p>
The Burmese military government has suffered another major defeat:
it has
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/dec/21/myanmar-rebels-claims-control-over-major-western-military-headquarters">lost control of Rakhine state</a>.
<p>
The region was taken over by the ethnic army of a local ethnic group,
which also calls itself Arakan and calls the region that too.
<p>
Arakan is also
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jan-apr.html#13_March_2018_(Building_on_former_Rohingya_sites)">where the Rohingya live</a>
but the Arakan and the Rohingya are mutually hostile.


<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#23_December_2024_(Judicial_Branch_corruption,_US)
title: Judicial Branch corruption, US
uri: Judicial-Branch-corruption-US
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#23_December_2024_(Judicial_Branch_corruption,_US)
content:
 
<p>
*Investigation by
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2024/dec/21/ethics-inquiry-supreme-court">Senate
Democrats found</a> that Thomas accepted gifts and travel worth more
than $4.75m since 1991.*
<p>
I see this as corruption, pure and simple.  But
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#25_April_2021_(Urgent:_Fix_the_Supreme_court)">now there is no hope</a>
of taking
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#3_December_2023_(Urgent:_dismiss_Moore_v._United_States)">the court</a>
back from
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2017-jan-apr.html#21_March_2017_(Urgent:_Phone_senators_to_oppose_Gorsuch)">the control</a>
of the right-wing extremists,
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2021-sep-dec.html#19_December_2021_(Maintaining_filibuster)">three</a>
of whom are
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jan-apr.html#9_April_2023_(Expensive_gifts_received_by_Justice_Thomas)">known to be corrupt</a>.


<p>
 


title: Urgent: Sanders' universal medical system
uri: Urgent-Sanders-universal-medical-system
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#23_December_2024_(Urgent:_Sanders'_universal_medical_system)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#23_December_2024_(Urgent:_Sanders'_universal_medical_system)

content:
 
<p>
US citizens:
<a href="https://act.ourrevolution.com/signup/bernie-musk-medicare-for-all/?akid=7407.7207819.zQhrQx&rd=1&source=email-20241217&t=1013">Support
Sanders</a> and call for a national universal medical system.

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#23_December_2024_(Urgent:_Fire_DeJoy)
title: Urgent: Fire DeJoy
uri: Urgent-Fire-DeJoy
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#23_December_2024_(Urgent:_Fire_DeJoy)
content:
 
<p>
US citizens:
<a href="https://act.ourrevolution.com/signup/fire-deJoy_save-USPS/?akid=7397.7207819.U1l0V0&rd=1&source=email-121524&t=1012">call
on the USPS</a> board of governors to fire DeJoy.

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#23_December_2024_(Unbearable-heat_livelihoods,_IND)
title: Unbearable-heat livelihoods, IND
uri: Unbearable-heat-livelihoods-IND
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#23_December_2024_(Unbearable-heat_livelihoods,_IND)
content:
 
<p>
*<a class="glossary" href="/glossary.html#global%20heating">Global heating</a>
is already making [brick] kiln
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2024/dec/09/global-heating-indian-kiln-workers-bricks-heat-stress-extreme">workers’
lives unbearable</a> [in India].  And it will only get worse.*

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#23_December_2024_(Recent_humid-to-drylands_trends)
title: Recent humid-to-drylands trends
uri: Recent-humid-to-drylands-trends
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#23_December_2024_(Recent_humid-to-drylands_trends)
content:
 
<p>

<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2024/dec/09/drylands-now-make-up-40-of-land-on-earth-excluding-antarctica-study-says">40%
of Earth's land is now arid</a>.  A substantial fraction has become
arid due to <a class="glossary" href="/glossary.html#global%20heating">global heating</a>
in recent decades.
<p>
This is a big part of why it will be hard to feed humanity in a few
decades &mdash; and part of the reason we should have
<a href="https://stallman.org/articles/children.html">a lot fewer
children</a>.

<p>
 


title: Urgent: Amazon bargain for striking workers
uri: Urgent-Amazon-bargain-for-striking-workers
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#23_December_2024_(Urgent:_Amazon_bargain_for_striking_workers)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#23_December_2024_(Urgent:_Amazon_bargain_for_striking_workers)

content:
 
<p>
US citizens:
<a href="https://actionnetwork.org/letters/amazon-holiday-strike/?nowrapper=true">call on Amazon</a>
to bargain with its striking workers
and give them fair wages and working conditions.
<p>
Here's how to make the actionnetwork.org letter campaign linked above
work without running the site's nonfree JavaScript code.
(See
<a href="https://gnu.org/philosophy/javascript-trap.html">
https://gnu.org/philosophy/javascript-trap.html</a>.)
<p>
First, make sure you have deactivated JavaScript in your browser or
are using the LibreJS plug-in.
<p>
I have done the next step for you: I added `?nowrapper=true' to the
end of the campaign URL before posting it above.  That should bring
you to a page that starts with, "Letter campaigns will not work
without javascript!"
<p>
They indeed won't work without some manual help, but the following
simple method seems adequate for many of them, including this one.
<p>
To start, fill in the personal information answers in the box on the
right side of the page.  That's how you say who's sending the letter.
<p>
Then click the "START WRITING" button.  That will take you to a page
that can't function without nonfree JavaScript code.  (To ensure it
doesn't function perversely <em>by running</em> that nonfree code, you
can enable LibreJS or disable JavaScript.)  You can finish sending
without that code By editing its URL in the browser's address bar, as
follows:
<p>
Go to the place where it says `&redirect' and replace all the text
from there to the end with `&nowrapper=true'.  Then tell the browser
to visit that URL.  This should give you a version of the page that
works without JavaScript.  Edit the subject and body of your letter.
Finally, click on the "SEND LETTER" button, and you're done.
<p>
This method seems to work for letter campaigns that send the letters
to a fixed list of recipients, the same recipients for every sender.
Editing and revisiting the URL is the only additional step needed to
bypass the nonfree JavaScript code.  I'm sure you'll agree it is a
small effort for the result of supporting the campaign
without opening your computer to unjust (and potentially malicious)
software.

<p>
 


title: Urgent: NO more US weapons against Gazans
uri: Urgent-NO-more-US-weapons-against-Gazans
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#23_December_2024_(Urgent:_NO_more_US_weapons_against_Gazans)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#23_December_2024_(Urgent:_NO_more_US_weapons_against_Gazans)

content:
 
<p>
US citizens:
<a href="https://act.demandprogress.org/sign/gaza-settlements-netanyahu/">call
on Congress</a> to cease supplying weapons and funds for Netanyahu's
war in Gaza.
<p>
If you phone, please spread the word!                              
Main Switchboard: <a href="tel:+12022243121">+1-202-224-3121</a>

<p>
 


title: Urgent: Health and Human Services Secretary
uri: Urgent-Health-and-Human-Services-Secretary
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#23_December_2024_(Urgent:_Health_and_Human_Services_Secretary)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#23_December_2024_(Urgent:_Health_and_Human_Services_Secretary)

content:
 
<p>
US citizens:
<a href="https://actionnetwork.org/petitions/sign-if-the-petition-the-senate-must-reject-rfk-jr-as-secretary-for-health-and-human-services/">call
on the Senate</a> to reject RFK Jr. as Secretary for Health and Human
Services.



<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#21_December_2024_(Belief_in_Santa_Clause)
title: Belief in Santa Clause
uri: Belief-in-Santa-Clause
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#21_December_2024_(Belief_in_Santa_Clause)
content:
 
<p>
In parts of Britain, children of age 10-11 are likely to still believe
in Santa Clause.  And parents
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/education/2024/dec/14/primary-school-children-left-in-tears-after-vicar-tells-them-santa-isnt-real">demand
that other adults maintain the falsehood</a>.
</p>
<p>
I'm amused by the irony of a cleric's puncturing one myth while
upholding another.  But I find it shocking and disturbing that anyone
as old as 10 would still believe in Santa Clause.
</p>
<p>
Parents who hoax that children are liable to try to conscript other
people into supporting the lie.  This has happened to me, and it puts
me in a moral conflict.  I don't want to overturn their family
arrangements, but joining in the hoax would be doing wrong to the
children.  I resent the attempt to rope me into doing wrong.
</p>
</li>

 


title: Lawsuits stifle political dissent, US
uri: Lawsuits-stifle-political-dissent-US
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#24_December_2024_(Lawsuits_stifle_political_dissent,_US)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#24_December_2024_(Lawsuits_stifle_political_dissent,_US)

content:
 
<p>
*Trump and allies are waging
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2024/dec/21/trump-media-assault-silence-criticism">campaign
against media</a> to stifle dissent, say experts.  Lawsuits against
Iowa paper and settlement with ABC signal beginning of aggressive
legal action to silence critics.*

<p>
 


title: Defying religious censorship, IRN
uri: Defying-religious-censorship-IRN
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#24_December_2024_(Defying_religious_censorship,_IRN)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#24_December_2024_(Defying_religious_censorship,_IRN)

content:
 
<p>
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/film/2024/dec/19/were-charged-with-propaganda-vulgarity-and-spreading-prostitution-the-directors-of-my-favourite-cake">An
interview with Iranian filmmakers</a> who made a film which is
acclaimed outside Iran &mdash; they are on trial for it.  They
intentionally defied the religious censorship rules because they
condemn the religion-imposing regime.

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#24_December_2024_(Voting_for_disruption_as_misled)
title: Ironic danger of voting for disruption
uri: Ironic-danger-of-voting-for-disruption
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#24_December_2024_(Voting_for_disruption_as_misled)
content:
 
<p>
On the fundamental folly of
<a href="https://wolvesandsheep.substack.com/p/reality-part-iii-disruption-in-theory">electing
someone radical</a> for the sake of "shaking things up".
You are likely to find <a class="glossary" href="/glossary.html#perse">perse</a> "went to far" with radical changes you
did not expect &mdash; and they make put your country in an inescapable
trap.
<p>
A friend of mine spoke in fall 2016 of voting for <a class="glossary" href="/glossary.html#bullshitter">the bullshitter</a> to
"shake things up".  He changed his mind once he saw what the
bullshitter did when in office &mdash; but by then it was too late for the
US to reclaim the Supreme Court from its radical erasure of protections
for the non-rich and the non-powerful.

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#24_December_2024_(US_military_budget_as_corruption)
title: US military budget as corruption
uri: US-military-budget-as-corruption
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#24_December_2024_(US_military_budget_as_corruption)
content:
 
<p>
*<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/bernie-sanders-pentagon-budget">Sanders
Explains</a> Why He's Voting Against the New $850 Billion Pentagon
Budget.*

<p>
 


title: Starbucks union-workers now on strike
uri: Starbucks-union-workers-now-on-strike
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#24_December_2024_(Starbucks_union-workers_now_on_strike)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#24_December_2024_(Starbucks_union-workers_now_on_strike)

content:
 
<p>
Workers are on strike in
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2024/dec/23/starbucks-workers-strike-nationwide-closures">50 Starbucks stores</a>.
<p>
A few years ago, there was a strike in a Starbucks store in Boston.
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2022-sep-dec.html#7_September_2022_(starbucks_union_firings)">I
stopped by and offered</a> to join the picketing, but that was
impossible, because their ways to make the arrangements required the
volunteer to run nonfree software.
<p>
It would have been easy for them to work for their cause without
working unknowingly against the cause of computing freedom.  But there was
no way to get them interested in making such a change.

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#24_December_2024_(Urgent:_regulate_fracking)
title: Urgent: regulate fracking
uri: Urgent-regulate-fracking
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#24_December_2024_(Urgent:_regulate_fracking)
content:
 
<p>
US citizens:
<a href="https://actionnetwork.org/forms/demand-stronger-fracking-regulations-protect-our-health-and-environment?nowrapper=true&referrer=group-democratic-conservation-alliance-2&source=direct_link">call
on Congress</a> and state governments to regulate fracking more
strictly, to protect Our Health and Environment
<p>
If you phone, please spread the word!                              
Main Switchboard: <a href="tel:+12022243121">+1-202-224-3121</a>

<p>
 


title: Biden pardons most death sentences
uri: Biden-pardons-most-death-sentences
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#24_December_2024_(Biden_pardons_most_death_sentences)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#24_December_2024_(Biden_pardons_most_death_sentences)

content:
 
<p>
*Joe Biden commutes sentences of 37 out of 40
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2024/dec/23/joe-biden-death-row-inmate-sentences-commuted-clemency">federal
 death row</a> inmates.*
He has commuted their sentences to life in prison.
<p>
It is unfortunate that he left out three of them.  Their crimes were
grave &mdash; but no one deserves to be killed, not even a criminal who has
committed heinous crimes.  A CEO who has killed thousands of innocent
people for profit deserves a long prison term, not execution.


<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#26_December_2024_(Nisan_as_Honda_as_Mitsubishi)
title: Nisan as Honda as Mitsubishi
uri: Nisan-as-Honda-as-Mitsubishi
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#26_December_2024_(Nisan_as_Honda_as_Mitsubishi)
content:
 
<p>

Not two but three major Japanese
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/business/2024/dec/23/honda-nissan-mitsubishi-merger-talks-deal-china">car companies are considering merging</a>.
<p>
I suspect this was unleashed when Republicans removed Lina Khan as
head of the FTC.  Those companies have enough activities in the US
that (I suspect) the FTC could have blocked them from merging, and
Khan had the gumption to do it.  Republicans work for the rich,
especially the billionaires and near billionaires, so they see
concentration of business as a victory.
<p>
A victory over whom?  Over their enemy &mdash; the non-rich.

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#26_December_2024_(New_Syria_and_the_Kurds)
title: New Syria and the Kurds
uri: New-Syria-and-the-Kurds
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#26_December_2024_(New_Syria_and_the_Kurds)
content:
 
<p>
On the
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2024/dec/23/assad-syria-kurds-future-hayat-tahrir-al-sham">prospects
of the Kurds in Syria</a>, given the ascendant power of despotic
Erdoğan in Turkey.
<p>
I do not have an ethnic prejudice for Arabs, for Kurds, or for Turks.
Nor particularly against any of those ethnic groups.  What wins my
support for Rojava is that (from what I have read) it welcomes all
those groups and endorses equal rights for them, recognizing human
rights including religious freedom.
<p>
By contrast, the best you can say for Erdoğan is that he had carried
out less persecution and less repression than Assad.  He even
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#17_August_2015_(Provoking_PKK)">started
a civil war</a> against the Kurds of Turkey so as to rerun an election
and get more votes.
<p>
Could HTS take the step forward to recognize human rights as Rojava
does?  Perhaps then the two could form a united Syria that would
deserve full support.
<p>
It would be a stretch, but we can hope for it.

<p>
 


title: Urgent: The plan to privatize the USPS
uri: Urgent-The-plan-to-privatize-the-USPS
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#26_December_2024_(Urgent:_The_plan_to_privatize_the_USPS)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#26_December_2024_(Urgent:_The_plan_to_privatize_the_USPS)

content:
 
<p>
US citizens:
<a href="https://act.demandprogress.org/sign/trump-usps-privatization/">call
on Congress</a> to defeat <a class="glossary" href="/glossary.html#wrecker">the wrecker's</a> plans to privatize the USPS.
<p>
If you phone, please spread the word!                              
Main Switchboard: <a href="tel:+12022243121">+1-202-224-3121</a>


<p>
 


title: A workers' union in British politics
uri: A-workers-union-in-British-politics
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#26_December_2024_(A_workers'_union_in_British_politics)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#26_December_2024_(A_workers'_union_in_British_politics)

content:
 
<p>
A major British union requires members to sign confidentiality
agreements in which they commit not to talk about harassment (or
worse) suffered inside the union to
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2024/dec/09/gmb-union-riddled-with-misogyny-and-cronyism-says-former-regional-chief">anyone except the state</a>.
<p>
Such practices abound in other sorts of organizations and businesses.
The point is that unions are not immune to such injustices.


<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#26_December_2024_(christmas_tree_protest)
title: Hundreds protest
uri: Hundreds-protest
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#26_December_2024_(christmas_tree_protest)
content:
 
<p>
A group of Islamists burned a Christmas tree in Syria.  Christians protested peacefully, and a leader from HTS said the attackers were foreigners and assured
the 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/dec/24/protest-syrian-capital-christmas-tree-burned">Christians they would be safe.</a>
<p>
As they carry out this old northern European pagan custom.
<p>
The custom is ironic, but what is important is that HTS is standing
clearly for peaceful relations between religious groups, and against
Islamism.

<p>
 


title: Toyota inauguration donation
uri: Toyota-inauguration-donation
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#26_December_2024_(toyota_trump_inauguration_donation)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#26_December_2024_(toyota_trump_inauguration_donation)

content:
 
<p>
GM, Ford, and Toyota are giving <a class=glossary href="/glossary.html#corrupter">the corrupter</a> million-dollar gifts
as the moral 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2024/dec/24/toyota-trump-inauguration-donation">equivalent of bribes.</a>
<p>
I speculate that he has passed the word that companies that want in on
the gravy train must pay these not-officialy-bribes.

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#26_December_2024_(matt_gaetz_house_ethics_report)
title: House Ethics report
uri: House-Ethics-report
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#26_December_2024_(matt_gaetz_house_ethics_report)
content:
 
<p>
Ex-rep Matt Gaetz was found to have violated many rules of the 
<a href="https://www.cnn.com/2024/12/23/politics/matt-gaetz-house-ethics-report/index.html">House
of Representatives.</a>
<p>
He clearly did not expect to be held accountable for that.
So I wonder whether it a normal for congresscritters to do that.

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#26_December_2024_(australia_travel_rights)
title: Delays to refunds
uri: Delays-to-refunds
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#26_December_2024_(australia_travel_rights)
content:
 
<p>
Australia was gong to require airlines to compensate 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/business/2024/dec/21/from-delays-to-refunds-how-australias-air-passenger-charter-could-affect-your-travel-rights">passengers whose
flights are cancelled.</a>
<p>
The airlines want this burden to fall on passengers, who are
not as wealthy as an airline.
<p>
Having a flight cancelled is usually not much of a problem for me, as
long as I get on another flight by the next day.  Perhaps a good
compromise would be to require compensation in the cases when the
cancellation causes some concrete significant loss.  For instance, if
the delay makes it a waste for that passenger to make the trip, and
person prefers to cancel it entirely, that passenger should get their
money back.

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#26_December_2024_(farages_musk_donations)
title: Musk donations
uri: Musk-donations
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#26_December_2024_(farages_musk_donations)
content:
 
<p>
The UK government is too timid to legislate to block <a class=glossary href="/glossary.html#musk">the muskrat</a> from
buying the next UK election for 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2024/dec/21/ministers-resist-calls-to-block-musk-donations-to-farages-reform-uk">right-wing extremists.</a>
<p>
The ministers believe that the measures they were considering could
backfire (because they could be bypassed).  Well, look for stronger
measures.
<p>
I suggest making it a <Em>crime</Em>, punishable by imprisonment, to
participate in transferring money (your own or from someone else) or
equivalent into UK political campaigning, except when it comes from UK
citizens who reside in the UK, and the total amount coming from each
one of them under a certain limit.
<p>
To de-fang antisocial media platforms, the UK should prohibit platforms
from operating recommendation engines.
<p>
Both of these measures have the virtue that they block systems of
influence that are available only to the rich, without explicit
explicit political bias.

<p>
 


title: Undersea cables sabotage, CHI, RUS
uri: Undersea-cables-sabotage-CHI-RUS
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#25_December_2024_(Undersea_cables_sabotage,_CHI,_RUS)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#25_December_2024_(Undersea_cables_sabotage,_CHI,_RUS)

content:
 
<p>
China's refusal of Sweden's polite request to investigate whether the
Yi Peng 3 sabotaged undersea cables is effective corroboration or the
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/dec/23/china-refused-investigation-into-ship-linked-to-severed-baltic-cables-says-sweden">suspicion</a>
that China was responsible.
<p>
Now the question is how to respond so as to prevent or deter further
sabotage.

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#25_December_2024_(Abortion_no_longer_banned,_MO)
title: Abortion no longer banned, MO
uri: Abortion-no-longer-banned-MO
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#25_December_2024_(Abortion_no_longer_banned,_MO)
content:
 
<p>
An initiative petition has eliminated the Missouri laws that banned
abortion, but the fanatics also legislated a gratuitous and onerous
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2024/dec/23/missouri-abortion-rights-ruling">licensing requirement</a>
that blocks opening abortion clinics.

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#25_December_2024_((Satire)_Sale_of_luggage_banned)
title: (Satire) Sale of luggage banned, TX
uri: (Satire)-Sale-of-luggage-banned-TX
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#25_December_2024_((Satire)_Sale_of_luggage_banned)
content:
 
<p>
(satire) *Texas Bans Sale Of Luggage
<a href="https://theonion.com/texas-bans-sale-of-luggage-to-pregnant-women/">To Pregnant Women</a>.*

<p>
 


title: Urgent: Fossil fuels investments meeting
uri: Urgent-Fossil-fuels-investments-meeting
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#25_December_2024_(Urgent:_Fossil_fuels_investments_meeting)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#25_December_2024_(Urgent:_Fossil_fuels_investments_meeting)

content:
 
<p>
US citizens:
<a href="https://actionnetwork.org/petitions/tell-vanguard-ceo-meet-with-frontline-climate-campaigners?nowrapper=true">call
on Vanguard CEO</a> to meet with front line climate campaigners
affected by Vanguard's "investments" in fossil fuels.

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#25_December_2024_(Urgent:_Limit_DNC_donation_caps)
title: Urgent: Limit DNC donation caps
uri: Urgent-Limit-DNC-donation-caps
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#25_December_2024_(Urgent:_Limit_DNC_donation_caps)
content:
 
<p>
US citizens: call on the
<a href="https://act.ourrevolution.com/signup/dnc-reform-agenda-2025/">Democratic
National Committee</a> to limit large campaign donations.


<p>
 


title: Blocking import of missiles and drones into Houthi ports
uri: Blocking-import-of-missiles-and-drones-into-Houthi-ports
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#27_December_2024_(Blocking_import_of_missiles_and_drones_into_Houthi_ports)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#27_December_2024_(Blocking_import_of_missiles_and_drones_into_Houthi_ports)

content:
 
<p>

The US is asking the UN to
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/dec/16/red-sea-shipments-yemen-houthis-us-un-powers">increase
the approved powers</a> for blocking import
of missiles and drones into Houthi ports.
</p>
</li>

 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#27_December_2024_(Wrecker_plans_to_rename_Denali)
title: Wrecker plans to rename Denali
uri: Wrecker-plans-to-rename-Denali
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#27_December_2024_(Wrecker_plans_to_rename_Denali)
content:
 
<p>

<a class=glossary href="/glossary.html#wrecker">The wrecker</a>
plans to <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2024/dec/23/donald-trump-denali-america-tallest-mountain-rename-mount-mckinley">rename
Denali</a> &mdash; is this an act of Denial?
</p>
</li>

 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#27_December_2024_(Louisiana's_prison_system)
title: Louisiana's prison system
uri: Louisiana-s-prison-system
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#27_December_2024_(Louisiana's_prison_system)
content:
 
<p>

*Louisiana’s prison system routinely holds people weeks and months
after they have completed their sentences, the US justice department
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2024/dec/22/louisiana-prisons-doj-lawsuit">alleged
in a lawsuit filed on Friday</a>.*
</p>
<p>
I have a sad suspicion that <a class=glossary href="/glossary.html#wrecker">the wrecker's</a> attorney general, whoever
it turns out to be, will drop this case,  Most prisoners are poor,
and their rights count for nothing with right-wing politicians.
</p>
<p>
Does Louisiana use privatized prisons?  I would expect it does,
and their owners could donate to right-wing politicians campaigns.
</p>
</li>

 


title: Climate tipping points irreversible on human timelines
uri: Climate-tipping-points-irreversible-on-human-timelines
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#27_December_2024_(Climate_tipping_points_irreversible_on_human_timelines)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#27_December_2024_(Climate_tipping_points_irreversible_on_human_timelines)

content:
 
<p>

* The shift of Arctic tundra and other carbon sinks to carbon sources
(Arctic tundra is now emitting more carbon than it absorbs, US
agency says) reminds us that
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2024/dec/22/arctic-tundra-changes-are-a-dire-warning-for-us-all">tipping
points are largely
irreversible</a> on human timelines.*
</p>
</li>

 


title: Influential Americans selling their souls to corrupter
uri: Influential-Americans-selling-their-souls-to-corrupter
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#27_December_2024_(Influential_Americans_selling_their_souls_to_corrupter)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#27_December_2024_(Influential_Americans_selling_their_souls_to_corrupter)

content:
 
<p>

Influential Americans are already
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2024/dec/22/key-leaders-seeking-trump-approval">selling
their souls to the corrupter</a>.
They want to be on the winning side, even if the winning side is
to replace the republic with an empire.
</p>
</li>

 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#27_December_2024_(Weakening_of_Putin)
title: Weakening of Putin
uri: Weakening-of-Putin
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#27_December_2024_(Weakening_of_Putin)
content:
 
<p>

Arguing that the defeat in Syria, together with tightening of oil
export sanctions, has
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2024/dec/22/with-assads-fall-putins-dream-of-world-domination-is-turning-into-a-nightmare">weakened
Putin to the point that he may lose power</a>.
</p>
<p>
I ted to think that this article has some validity but maybe not to
the extent it claims; that it overstates the difficulties Putin is in.
</p>
<p>
It also presumes that <a class=glossary href="/glossary.html#wrecker">the wrecker</a>
regards Putin as an enemy and that
he would deal Putin knockout blows if given the chance.  I doubt that,
because <a class=glossary href="/glossary.html#wrecker">the wrecker</a>
has generally acted like a
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2024-jul-oct.html#25_September_2024_(donald_trump_ukraine_war)">supporter
and protege</a> of
Putin.
</p>
</li>

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#27_December_2024_(Dem's_squandered_opportunities)
title: Dem's squandered opportunities
uri: Dem-s-squandered-opportunities
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#27_December_2024_(Dem's_squandered_opportunities)
content:
 
<p>
After Republicans turned the Supreme Court into a mockery of
constitutional rights, the Democratic Party
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2024/dec/21/americans-trust-supreme-court">in
2020 timidly did nothing</a> to correct that.  Now most Americans
distrust the judicial system.

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#27_December_2024_(SpaceX_cover_up)
title: SpaceX cover up
uri: SpaceX-cover-up
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#27_December_2024_(SpaceX_cover_up)
content:
 
<p>
SpaceX covered up
<a href="https://gizmodo.com/spacex-reportedly-lost-communication-with-private-astronaut-mission-before-historic-spacewalk-2000540517">a
serious system problem</a> on its private manned space flight.
<p>
The problem was corrected after an hour and caused no lasting harm,
but the fact that SpaceX covered it up shows we should not assume
we can judge its capability based on its PR.

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#27_December_2024_(Plutocratic_Democrat_posturing)
title: Plutocratic Democrat posturing
uri: Plutocratic-Democrat-posturing
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#27_December_2024_(Plutocratic_Democrat_posturing)
content:
 
<p>
<a href="https://robertreich.substack.com/p/do-not-move-to-the-center-democrats">Robert
Reich: Plutocratist Democrats</a> such as Hakeem Jeffries cite
Harris's defeat as proof the party was too progressive.  This is one
of the standard <a class="glossary" href="/glossary.html#plutocratist">plutocratist</a>
ploys, and Reich cites instances from
before I was old enough to understand.
<p>
America's root problem is plutocracy, and plutcratists will never fix
that.

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#27_December_2024_(Supplying_arms_to_Israel,_EU)
title: Supplying arms to Israel, EU
uri: Supplying-arms-to-Israel-EU
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#27_December_2024_(Supplying_arms_to_Israel,_EU)
content:
 
<p>
The EU executive proposed to end arms sales to Israel.
The
<a href="https://theintercept.com/2024/12/23/eu-report-israel-war-crimes-complicity/">foreign ministers</a>
of the EU countries voted to continue them.
<p>
This has not resulted in actual pressure on Israel, but it got closer
to doing so.  And the ministers who voted to continue sales may be
punished for this decision.

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#27_December_2024_(NYC_Mayor_as_a_Democrat)
title: NYC Mayor as a Democrat
uri: NYC-Mayor-as-a-Democrat
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#27_December_2024_(NYC_Mayor_as_a_Democrat)
content:
 
<p>
New York night-mayor Adams has adopted a right-wing
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2024/dec/09/eric-adams-prosecution-trump-ties">
hostility towards unauthorized immigrants</a> since the election.  Is
he trying to trade political support for a pardon from
<a class="glossary" href="/glossary.html#corrupter">the corrupter</a>?

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#27_December_2024_(An_economic_caricature,_US)
title: An economic caricature, US
uri: An-economic-caricature-US
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#27_December_2024_(An_economic_caricature,_US)
content:
 
<p>
Robert Reich
<a href="https://invidio.us/watch?v=HZ3j4hHMO5E">debunks 10 myths</a>
that have long been used to justify the
<a class="glossary" href="/glossary.html#doohnibor">dooH niboR</a> economic system of
the US.  And one very recent political myth.


 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#28_December_2024_(Solar_power,_CYP)
title: Solar power, CYP
uri: Solar-power-CYP
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#28_December_2024_(Solar_power,_CYP)
content:
 
  <p>
Nearly
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2024/sep/20/cyprus-solar-thermal-heating-water-rooftop-renewable-energy-climate">all
homes in Cyprus</a> make hot water using solar power.  As for heating
the homes themselves, that is not needed in Cyprus.

<p>
 


title: Student protest fallout, US Universities
uri: Student-protest-fallout-US-Universities
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#28_December_2024_(Student_protest_fallout,_US_Universities)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#28_December_2024_(Student_protest_fallout,_US_Universities)

content:
 
<p>
How some US state universities are
<a href="https://theintercept.com/2024/12/02/universities-activism-gaza-protests/">imposing
repression</a> on students and faculty who protested or want to
protest against Israel's war crimes in Gaza and US support for them.

<p>
 


title: Gov't regulating dissidents, gamers, VNM
uri: Gov-t-regulating-dissidents-gamers-VNM
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#28_December_2024_(Gov't_regulating_dissidents,_gamers,_VNM)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#28_December_2024_(Gov't_regulating_dissidents,_gamers,_VNM)

content:
 
<p>
Vietnam will try to force all users of antisocial media platforms to
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/dec/23/vietnam-identity-verification-internet-law-reactions-decree-147-censorship">identify themselves</a>.
<p>
The right to publicly dissent is not totally safe in any country, so
we must be firm in opposing any pretext to eliminate anonymous
political expression.

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#28_December_2024_(Campaign_donation_trends,_US)
title: Campaign donation trends, US
uri: Campaign-donation-trends-US
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#28_December_2024_(Campaign_donation_trends,_US)
content:
 
<p>
The company Patagonia is suspected of passing money to political campaigns
anonymously through
<a href="https://theintercept.com/2024/12/24/patagonia-donations-elections-campaigns/">a front company</a>.
<p>
There isn't proof.

<p>
 


title: (Satire) NDA on Jets football players
uri: (Satire)-NDA-on-Jets-football-players
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#28_December_2024_((Satire)_NDA_on_Jets_football_players)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#28_December_2024_((Satire)_NDA_on_Jets_football_players)

content:
 
<p>
(satire) *Jets Fans Required To
<a href="https://theonion.com/jets-fans-required-to-sign-nda-before-leaving-stadium/">Sign
NDA Before Leaving Stadium</a>.*


<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#28_December_2024_(Journalists_killed,_ISR)
title: Journalists killed, ISR
uri: Journalists-killed-ISR
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#28_December_2024_(Journalists_killed,_ISR)
content:
 
<p>
*Five Palestinian journalists killed in
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/dec/26/five-palestinian-journalists-killed-israeli-strike-gaza">Israeli
strike on van</a> in Gaza, employer says.*
Israel claimed the van belonged to Islamic Jihad.  That could be
because the news network they worked for is associated with Islamic
Jihad.  But that does not legitimize attacking the journalists.

<p>
 


title: Urgent: Save PBS from budget cuts
uri: Urgent-Save-PBS-from-budget-cuts
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#28_December_2024_(Urgent:_Save_PBS_from_budget_cuts)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#28_December_2024_(Urgent:_Save_PBS_from_budget_cuts)

content:
 
<p>
US citizens:
<a href="https://act.commoncause.org/petitions/save-pbs-from-gop-budget-cuts-5?nowrapper=true&referrer=group-takeitbackorg&source=group-takeitbackorg">call on Congress</a>
to save PBS from Republican budget cuts.
<p>
If you phone, please spread the word!                              
Main Switchboard: <a href="tel:+12022243121">+1-202-224-3121</a>

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#28_December_2024_(Italian_journalist_jailed,_IRN_)
title: Italian journalist jailed, IRN
uri: Italian-journalist-jailed-IRN
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#28_December_2024_(Italian_journalist_jailed,_IRN_)
content:
 
<p>
Iran has jailed well-known Italian journalist Cecilia Sala,
who has been
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/dec/27/italian-journalist-arrested-held-solitary-confinement-iran-cecilia-sala">covering political developments</a>
there.
<p>
Iran has a history of accusing
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#8_December_2020_(Iran's_spying_accusations)">visiting</a>
westerners of
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2024-may-aug.html#17_June_2024_(SWE_trades_IRN_Assassin_for_spy)">spying</a>.

<p>
 


title: Urgent: Patients Before Monopolies Act
uri: Urgent-Patients-Before-Monopolies-Act
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#28_December_2024_(Urgent:_Patients_Before_Monopolies_Act)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#28_December_2024_(Urgent:_Patients_Before_Monopolies_Act)

content:
 
<p>
US citizens: 
<a href="https://act.demandprogress.org/sign/break-up-pbms/">call on Congress</a>
to pass the Patients Before Monopolies Act.
<p>
The Patients Before Monopolies Act would force big medical
conglomerates to sell off their pharmacies within three years.  This
would eliminate one of the mechanisms that United<em>Hellth</em> uses
to gouge.  But it would not affect the other mechanisms.  So it would
not fix the whole problem, but it would do some good.
<p>
<a href="https://harshbarger.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-harshbarger-introduces-legislation-eliminate-pbm-monopoly-pharmaceutical">More details</a>
about the Patients Before Monopolies Act.


<p>
 


title: Urgent: Refuse to privatize the USPS
uri: Urgent-Refuse-to-privatize-the-USPS
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#29_December_2024_(Urgent:_Refuse_to_privatize_the_USPS)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#29_December_2024_(Urgent:_Refuse_to_privatize_the_USPS)

content:
 
<p>

  US citizens: call on Congress to <a href="https://act.ourrevolution.com/signup/save-usps-now/">refuse to privatize the USPS</a>.
</p>
    <p>
    If you phone, please spread the word!                              
    Main Switchboard: <a href="tel:+12022243121">+1-202-224-3121</a>
</li>

 


title: Urgent: Don't pardon the corrupter
uri: Urgent-Don-t-pardon-the-corrupter
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#29_December_2024_(Urgent:_Don't_pardon_the_corrupter)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#29_December_2024_(Urgent:_Don't_pardon_the_corrupter)

content:
 
<p>

  US citizens: call on Biden <a href="https://actionnetwork.org/petitions/tell-pres-biden-dont-pardon-donald-trump">not to pardon the corrupter</a>.
</p>
    <p>
    If you phone, please spread the word!
    White House: <a href="tel:+12024561111">+1-202-456-1111</a>
    and (TTY/TDD) +1-202-456-6213</p>
</li>

 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#29_December_2024_(Urgent:_Pass_99.5%25_Act)
title: Urgent: Pass 99.5% Act
uri: Urgent-Pass-99-5-Act
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#29_December_2024_(Urgent:_Pass_99.5%25_Act)
content:
 
<p>

  US citizens: call on the Senate to <a href="https://actionnetwork.org/forms/tell-the-senate-pass-the-for-the-995-act-and-tax-billionaire-dynasties">pass the For the 99.5% Act</a> and tax
billionaire dynasties.
</p>
    <p>
    If you phone, please spread the word!                              
    Main Switchboard: <a href="tel:+12022243121">+1-202-224-3121</a>
</li>

 


title: Urgent: Investigate Rep. Richie Neal
uri: Urgent-Investigate-Rep-Richie-Neal
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#29_December_2024_(Urgent:_Investigate_Rep._Richie_Neal)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#29_December_2024_(Urgent:_Investigate_Rep._Richie_Neal)

content:
 
<p>

US citizens: call on the House Ethics Committee to <a href="https://actionnetwork.org/forms/house-ethics-committee-investigate-neal">investigate Rep.
    Richie Neal</a>.
</p>
</li>

 


title: Not bigotry to worry about migration
uri: Not-bigotry-to-worry-about-migration
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#29_December_2024_(Not_bigotry_to_worry_about_migration)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#29_December_2024_(Not_bigotry_to_worry_about_migration)

content:
 
<p>

*It’s not bigotry to worry about migration &mdash; the <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2024/dec/11/migration-figures-britain-economy-keir-starmer">latest figures tell
    a complex story</a>.*
</p>
<p>
The article describes pluses and minuses of the rate of immigration
into Britain, but I'd expect the same factors would apply in the US,
more or less.
</p>
</li>

 


title: Convicts with indefinite sentences
uri: Convicts-with-indefinite-sentences
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#29_December_2024_(Convicts_with_indefinite_sentences)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#29_December_2024_(Convicts_with_indefinite_sentences)

content:
 
<p>

  The UK <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2024/dec/25/90-people-have-taken-their-own-lives-already-how-many-more-do-they-want-the-labour-peer-taking-on-the-scandal-of-99-year-sentences">sentenced 8000 convicts to indefinite sentences</a>, meaning they might receive parole sometimes for a while but their sentences would never end.
  6000 of them are still serving such sentences (I presume the rest have died).
This was meant for criminals who had committed heinous crimes, but many were sentenced for repeated petty offenses.
</p>
</li>

 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#29_December_2024_(Prohibiting_abortion_information)
title: Prohibiting abortion information
uri: Prohibiting-abortion-information
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#29_December_2024_(Prohibiting_abortion_information)
content:
 
<p>

Christian fanatics in some US states are trying to <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2024/dec/27/speech-anti-abortion-movement">prohibit giving
    information about abortion access</a> to people in those states.
</p>
</li>

 


title: Century that made Americans comfortable
uri: Century-that-made-Americans-comfortable
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#29_December_2024_(Century_that_made_Americans_comfortable)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#29_December_2024_(Century_that_made_Americans_comfortable)

content:
 
<p>

Robert Reich describes the century of history that made most Americans
comfortable, then under right-wing power <a href="https://robertreich.substack.com/p/the-big-picture-how-we-got-into-this">impoverished them for the
    benefit of the rich</a>.
</p>
</li>

 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#29_December_2024_(Extra_six_weeks_of_heat)
title: Extra six weeks of heat
uri: Extra-six-weeks-of-heat
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#29_December_2024_(Extra_six_weeks_of_heat)
content:
 
<p>

  *Climate crisis exposed people to <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2024/dec/27/climate-crisis-dangerous-heat-2024">extra six weeks of dangerous heat in 2024</a>.*
</p>
<p>
I think that means that the average over the whole human population
was six weeks.
</p>
</li>

<p>
 


title: Urgent: Boycott slash & burn commission
uri: Urgent-Boycott-slash-burn-commission
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#29_December_2024_(Urgent:_Boycott_slash_%26_burn_commission)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#29_December_2024_(Urgent:_Boycott_slash_%26_burn_commission)

content:
 
<p>

US citizens: call on Democrats in Congress to <a href="https://actionnetwork.org/forms/democrats-boycott-musk-commission">boycott the musket's
    slash & burn commission</a>.
</p>
    <p>
    If you phone, please spread the word!                              
    Main Switchboard: <a href="tel:+12022243121">+1-202-224-3121</a>
    </p>
</li>

 


title: Urgent: Decent contract for Starbucks's workers
uri: Urgent-Decent-contract-for-Starbucks-s-workers
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#29_December_2024_(Urgent:_Decent_contract_for_Starbucks's_workers)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#29_December_2024_(Urgent:_Decent_contract_for_Starbucks's_workers)

content:
 
<p>

US citizens: call on Starbucks's CEO to <a href="https://actionnetwork.org/forms/support-striking-starbucks-workers-2">offer striking workers a decent
    contract</a>.
</p>
</li>

 


title: Urgent: Refuse to confirm anti-vaxers
uri: Urgent-Refuse-to-confirm-anti-vaxers
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#29_December_2024_(Urgent:_Refuse_to_confirm_anti-vaxers)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#29_December_2024_(Urgent:_Refuse_to_confirm_anti-vaxers)

content:
 
<p>

US citizens: phone your senators and call on them to refuse to confirm
anti-vaxers (including RFK jr) to any office related to medicine or
public health.
</p>
    <p>
    If you phone, please spread the word!                              
    Main Switchboard: <a href="tel:+12022243121">+1-202-224-3121</a>
    </p>
</li>

 


title: Power-by-hook-or-by-crook attitude
uri: Power-by-hook-or-by-crook-attitude
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#29_December_2024_(Power-by-hook-or-by-crook_attitude)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#29_December_2024_(Power-by-hook-or-by-crook_attitude)

content:
 
<p>

An illustration of the power-by-hook-or-by-crook attitude that the
Republican Party encourages.
</p>
<p>
When a Republican from Florida leaves the House of Representatives,
governor <a class=glossary href="/glossary.html#dementis">DeMentis</a> sets an election for the replacement soon.  When a
Democrat left, <a class=glossary href="/glossary.html#dementis">DeMentis</a> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2024/dec/09/ron-desantis-republican-house-primaries">delayed the election</a>
of per replacement for most of a year
so as to deny Democrats one vote for those months.
</p>
<p>
The article calls this "hypocritical"; if <a class=glossary href="/glossary.html#dementis">DeMentis</a> claims to support
free and fair elections, then it is that.  But I say it is an example
of Republicans' fundamental opposition to free and fair elections.
</p>
</li>

 


title: Bullshitter's threat to attack Panama
uri: Bullshitter-s-threat-to-attack-Panama
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#29_December_2024_(Bullshitter's_threat_to_attack_Panama)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#29_December_2024_(Bullshitter's_threat_to_attack_Panama)

content:
 
<p>

  <a class=glossary href="/glossary.html#bullshitter">The bullshitter</a> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/dec/23/panama-canal-donald-trump-us-explainer">threatens to attack Panama</a> and seize the Suez Canal,
complaining about the high toll that Panama charges.
</p>
<p>
It is hypocritical to condemn gouging of shipping companies that pass
these costs along to their customers, and not condemn companies that
gouge ordinary Americans that can't do that &mdash; companies that provide
food, medicine, and shelter.
</p>
</li>

 


title: Congresscritters and relations stock trades
uri: Congresscritters-and-relations-stock-trades
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#29_December_2024_(Congresscritters_and_relations_stock_trades)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#29_December_2024_(Congresscritters_and_relations_stock_trades)

content:
 
<p>

  Reporting on the <a href="https://responsiblestatecraft.org/congress-defense-stocks/">37 congresscritters or family members of congresscritters</a>
who traded stock in major military contractors in 2024 &mdash; while
making decisions about how much to buy from them.
</p>
<p>
Rep. Tuberville has a good point, but we should use it in the other
direction: let's discourage people from running for Congress
in search of profitable conflicts of interest.
</p>
</li>

 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#29_December_2024_(Bully's_attempt_to_bully_Panama)
title: Bully's attempt to bully Panama
uri: Bully-s-attempt-to-bully-Panama
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#29_December_2024_(Bully's_attempt_to_bully_Panama)
content:
 
<p>

<a class=glossary href="/glossary.html#bully">The bully's</a> attempt to bully Panama, making use of <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/dec/27/donald-trump-panama-canal-president-threat-jose-raul-mulino">accusations that China
    was taking over the Panama canal</a>, provoked a firm rejection.
</p>
<p>
Is there any objective evidence to cite about whether there are Chinese managers or soldiers there?  A priori I would expect that <a class=glossary href="/glossary.html#bullshitter">the bullshitter</a> is bullshitting again. but it would be nice to cite facts.
</p>
</li>

 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#29_December_2024_(Farmers_and_fishers_in_Brazil)
title: Farmers and fishers in Brazil
uri: Farmers-and-fishers-in-Brazil
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#29_December_2024_(Farmers_and_fishers_in_Brazil)
content:
 
<p>

  Farmers and fishers in Brazil <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2024/dec/11/farm-workers-night-heat">face a choice</a> between facing the heat of
the daytime, worse each year, and working at night for lower yields.
</p>
</li>

 


title: Magic mushroom use cause warnings of mental health risk rise
uri: Magic-mushroom-use-cause-warnings-of-mental-health-risk-rise
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#29_December_2024_(Magic_mushroom_use_cause_warnings_of_mental_health_risk_rise)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#29_December_2024_(Magic_mushroom_use_cause_warnings_of_mental_health_risk_rise)

content:
 
<p>

  *Experts <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/science/2024/dec/25/experts-warn-of-mental-health-risks-after-rise-in-magic-mushroom-use">warn of mental health risks</a> after rise in magic mushroom use.*
</p>
<p>
A few days ago an acquaintance of a friend offered me "a mushroom
cookie" and it turned out to have psilocybin in it.  I said no to it,
as always.  I have never tried any hallucinogenic drug, because I have
always been afraid of damage from a "bad trip".
</p>
</li>

 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#29_December_2024_(Repressionist_suing_newspaper)
title: Repressionist suing newspaper
uri: Repressionist-suing-newspaper
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#29_December_2024_(Repressionist_suing_newspaper)
content:
 
<p>

The repressionist is <a href="https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cdjg2n3xv7zo">suing the newspaper that published
    a mistaken election poll</a> and the pollster who carried it out.
  The poll reported that Harris was leading in Iowa by several points,
because that's what the data indicated.  Now we know that the election
did not come out that way, but no one knows why the data
misrepresented the situation.  The pollster, Ann Selzer, can't figure
out <a href="https://www.thegazette.com/campaigns-elections/ann-selzer-still-searching-for-answers-after-final-iowa-poll-badly-missed-its-mark/">how the poll went wrong</a>.
</p>
</li>

 


title: Robert Reich adopted term, "the muskrat" to refer to Elon Musk
uri: Robert-Reich-adopted-term-the-muskrat-to-refer-to-Elon-Musk
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#29_December_2024_(Robert_Reich_adopted_term,_the_muskrat_to_refer_to_Elon_Musk)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#29_December_2024_(Robert_Reich_adopted_term,_the_muskrat_to_refer_to_Elon_Musk)

content:
 
<p>

  Robert Reich has <a href="https://robertreich.substack.com/p/the-muskrats-political-ambitions">adopted the term, "the muskrat"</a>, that I use to
refer to Elon Musk.
</p>
<p>
I am glad to have promoted this term.  However, it is a mistake to
capitalize such mockery &mdash; that weakens the effect.  Besides, the
muskrat has far too much capital already.  No one should be allowed to
have that much power.
</p>
</li>

 


title: WHO "appalled" by attack on northern Gaza's hospital
uri: WHO-appalled-by-attack-on-northern-Gaza-s-hospital
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#29_December_2024_(WHO_appalled_by_attack_on_northern_Gaza's_hospital)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#29_December_2024_(WHO_appalled_by_attack_on_northern_Gaza's_hospital)

content:
 
<p>

*WHO <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/dec/28/who-appalled-by-israel-attack-on-northern-gazas-last-functioning-major-hospital">"appalled" by Israel attack on northern Gaza's last functioning major
    hospital</a>.*
</p>
<p>
The attack did substantial damage.  If it was not done specifically to
endanger noncombatants, I expect the army could have found a way to
achieve any valid military goal without much damage to the hospital.
</p>
</li>


 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#31_December_2024_(Cost_of_smoking_cigarettes)
title: Cost of smoking cigarettes
uri: Cost-of-smoking-cigarettes
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#31_December_2024_(Cost_of_smoking_cigarettes)
content:
 
<p>
A study found that, on the average, one cigarette costs you 20 minutes
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/society/2024/dec/30/single-cigarette-takes-20-minutes-off-life-expectancy-study">of healthy life</a>.


<p>
 


title: Urgent: Reverse growing wealth gulf
uri: Urgent-Reverse-growing-wealth-gulf
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#31_December_2024_(Urgent:_Reverse_growing_wealth_gulf)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#31_December_2024_(Urgent:_Reverse_growing_wealth_gulf)

content:
 
<p>
US citizens: phone your congresscritter to support the
American Stability Act, to make these economic changes
to tax the rich and support the non-rich.  I've copied this text
from a campaign which I can't refer to because it requires
nonfree JavaScript code.
<p>
*Establishes a Cost-of-Living Exemption for federal taxes equal to the
median cost of living for a single adult with no children ($40,000/per
year). The tax benefit is phased out at 200% of the Cost of Living
Exemption;
<p>
Shifts the responsibility for the lost revenue onto taxpayers making
more than $1 million a year by implementing a 3% surtax on incomes
over $1 million, and an additional 5% surtax on annual earnings over
$15 million;
<p>
Replaces the federal ‘minimum’ wage with a new Cost of Living Wage
calculated as the median cost of living for a single adult with no
children ($20/per hour);
<p>
Indexes the Cost of Living Wage to either annual inflation or to the
increase in the average wage for all workers (whichever is higher);
<p>
Eliminates most exceptions to wage law which allow employers to pay
some classes of workers less than others (e.g. disabled workers and
“tipped” workers).
<p>
As it is currently constructed, our economy will guarantee that we
become even more unequal ever more quickly over time. An increasingly
global economy and the emergence of AI and other technologies
virtually guarantees that this problematic trajectory will sink the
nation if we let it.*


 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-nov-feb.html#31_December_2024_(DOGE_bays_on_H1-B_visas)
title: DOGE bays on H1-B visas
uri: DOGE-bays-on-H1-B-visas
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-nov-feb.html#31_December_2024_(DOGE_bays_on_H1-B_visas)
content:
 
<p>
*Several conservative critics of <!---->[the muskrat] were stripped of their
verification badges on <!---->[ex-Twitter] after publicly
challenging
<a href="https://www.mediaite.com/tech/elon-musks-critics-stripped-of-verification-badge-after-publicly-challenging-billionaire-the-beginning-stages-of-censorship/">Musk's
stance on immigration</a>.*
<p>
They were defending <!---->the wrecker's broad stance against
immigration even as he was dropping that stance and deferring
to <a class="glossary" href="/glossary.html#musk">the muskrat</a>.
<p>
It looks like <a class="glossary" href="/glossary.html#wrecker">the
wrecker</a> is being obedience-trained.  After that, his followers
will be compelled to learn to quickly follow changes in the party
line, like "We have always been at war with Eastasia" from Orwell's
1984, if they don't want to be purged from the party.
<p>
They accuse <!----> the muskrat of censoring them on <a class="glossary"
href="/glossary.html#extwitter">ex-Twitter</a>, which may be a bit of
an exaggeration since he did not block them.  But what is more ironic
is that he has done this downgrading to other users before &mdash; but
since those were not right-wing extremists, the people complaining now
did not complain then.


<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-nov-feb.html#1_January_2025_(Gazan_hospital_shut_down)
title: Gazan hospital shut down
uri: Gazan-hospital-shut-down
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-nov-feb.html#1_January_2025_(Gazan_hospital_shut_down)
content:
 
<p>
*One of the few doctors still working in northern Gaza has been <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2024/dec/30/gaza-hospital-director-israeli-prison">taken to
an Israeli prison</a> and his hospital shut down, his family believe.*
<p>
Destroying and shutting Gaza's hospitals is an atrocity by itself.
It has to be deliberate, because otherwise the result would not be the
same for all the hospitals.

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-nov-feb.html#1_January_2025_(Online_decision_manipulation)
title: Online decision manipulation
uri: Online-decision-manipulation
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-nov-feb.html#1_January_2025_(Online_decision_manipulation)
content:
 
<p>
Warning that companies that collect personal data might <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2024/dec/30/ai-tools-may-soon-manipulate-peoples-online-decision-making-say-researchers">draw conclusions</a>
about what you might do in the future, and sell those predictions.

<p>
 


title: Urgent: protect green trucks project
uri: Urgent-protect-green-trucks-project
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-nov-feb.html#1_January_2025_(Urgent:_protect_green_trucks_project)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-nov-feb.html#1_January_2025_(Urgent:_protect_green_trucks_project)

content:
 
<p>
US citizens: call on postal officials to <a href="https://actionnetwork.org/letters/protect-usps-green-trucks-investments?nowrapper=true">protect the Green Trucks project</a>.
<p>
Here's how to make the actionnetwork.org letter campaign linked above
work without running the site's nonfree JavaScript code.
(See <a href="https://gnu.org/philosophy/javascript-trap.html">https://gnu.org/philosophy/javascript-trap.html</a>.)
<p>
First, make sure you have deactivated JavaScript in your browser or
are using the LibreJS plug-in.
<p>
I have done the next step for you: I added `?nowrapper=true' to the
end of the campaign URL before posting it above.  That should bring
you to a page that starts with, "Letter campaigns will not work
without JavaScript!"
<p>
They indeed won't work without some manual help, but the following
simple method seems adequate for many of them, including this one.
<p>
To start, fill in the personal information answers in the box on the
right side of the page.  That's how you say who's sending the letter.
<p>
Then click the "START WRITING" button.  That will take you to a page
that can't function without nonfree JavaScript code.  (To ensure it
doesn't function perversely <i>by running</i> that nonfree code, you can
enable LibreJS or disable JavaScript.)  You can finish sending without
that code By editing its URL in the browser's address bar, as follows:
<p>
First, go to the end and insert `&nowrapper=true'.  Then tell the
browser to visit that URL.  This should give you a version of the page
that works without JavaScript.  Edit the subject and body of your
letter.  Finally, click on the "SEND LETTER" button, and you're done.
<p>
This method seems to work for letter campaigns that send the letters
to a fixed list of recipients, the same recipients for every sender.
Editing and revisiting the URL is the only additional step needed to
bypass the nonfree JavaScript code.  I'm sure you'll agree it is a
small effort for the result of supporting the campaign
without opening your computer to unjust (and potentially malicious)
software.

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-nov-feb.html#1_January_2025_(Iran_repression)
title: Iran repression
uri: 2025-01-02-Iran-repression
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-nov-feb.html#1_January_2025_(Iran_repression)
content:
 
<p>
Iran has intensified its persecution of "indecency" to the utmost
degree.  People who show themselves on recordings in a way the regime
calls "indecent" can be executed.  Anyone who fails to join in repression
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2024/dec/11/iranian-women-death-penalty-jail-fine-defy-new-morality-hijab-improper-dressing-islamic-penal-code">faces persecution</a>.
<p>
Iran's regime has been weakened in international power rivalry by the
fall of Assad, but that doesn't mean its repression is in danger of
tottering.  I can't foresee that it will fall, but I will cheer when
it falls.

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-nov-feb.html#1_January_2025_(Urgent:_journalist_protections)
title: Urgent: journalist protections
uri: Urgent-journalist-protections
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-nov-feb.html#1_January_2025_(Urgent:_journalist_protections)
content:
 
<p>
US citizens: call on the Senate to <a href="https://actionnetwork.org/petitions/pass-the-press-act-now-to-protect-the-free-press?nowrapper=true&referrer=group-defending-rights-dissent-drad&source=group-defending-rights-dissent-drad">pass protections for journalists</a>
before the wrecker takes office.

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-nov-feb.html#1_January_2025_(Ibrahima_Bah)
title: Ibrahima Bah
uri: Ibrahima-Bah
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-nov-feb.html#1_January_2025_(Ibrahima_Bah)
content:
 
<p>
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/law/2024/dec/11/ibrahima-bah-pilot-channel-inflatable-asylum-seekers-manslaughter-appeal-bid-fails">Was it just to conclude</a> that Ibrahima Bah was guilty of killing the
other refugees who were passengers in the overloaded rubber raft that
he piloted?
<p>
I think it depends purely and simply on whether it is true that the
smuggler gang threatened to kill him if he refused.  If that did that,
we can't blame him for obeying, given that his other choice was to say,
"No, kill me and choose someone else."  But if that was a lie and they
did not force him, then he is responsible for joining in the crime.
<p>
That conclusion may be disappointing if there is no way to find out
whether his claim is true or not.  But that's not a justification for
choosing a different conclusion.
<p>
I find his claim plausible -- I've read that (at least some) smugglers
regularly force one of the customers to pilot the boat.

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-nov-feb.html#1_January_2025_(Palau_marine_protection_zone)
title: Palau marine protection zone
uri: Palau-marine-protection-zone
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-nov-feb.html#1_January_2025_(Palau_marine_protection_zone)
content:
 
<p>
Palau established a large and effective marine protection zone, but
population pressure is leading to pressure to <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2024/dec/11/trawl-the-sea-or-mine-for-metals-pacific-nations-wrestle-with-how-to-protect-oceans-and-livelihoods">reduce the size</a> of it.
<p>
That is a short-termist "solution" which doesn't solve anything in the
long term.  Perhaps Palau needs to limit the numbers of people
(inhabitants and visitors both).

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-nov-feb.html#1_January_2025_(Cecilia_Sala)
title: Cecilia Sala
uri: Cecilia-Sala
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-nov-feb.html#1_January_2025_(Cecilia_Sala)
content:
 
<p>
The US accuses Iran of arresting Italian journalist Cecilia Sala
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/dec/29/italian-journalists-arrest-in-iran-alleged-to-be-reprisal-for-detention-of-suspected-arms-dealer">as a hostage</a>
to procure the release of an Iranian
accused by the US of violating sanctions on drone components.
<p>
I will not join in pressuring Italy or the US to trade that prisoner
for Sala.

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-nov-feb.html#1_January_2025_(Apple_Stupidity's_false_statement)
title: Apple Stupidity's false statement
uri: Apple-Stupidity-s-false-statement
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-nov-feb.html#1_January_2025_(Apple_Stupidity's_false_statement)
content:
 
<p>
Apple Stupidity "summarized" BBC news with a <a href="https://mashable.com/article/apple-intelligence-bbc-news-false-notification">grossly false statement</a>.
<p>
Perhaps all publications partly written by bullshit generators
should be required to display prominent warnings saying,
"This was generated by a bullshit generator.  Parts may be true;
parts may be false."

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-nov-feb.html#1_January_2025_(Beit_Hanoun_residents_forced_out)
title: Beit Hanoun residents forced out
uri: Beit-Hanoun-residents-forced-out
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-nov-feb.html#1_January_2025_(Beit_Hanoun_residents_forced_out)
content:
 
<p>
Israel is <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/dec/29/israel-orders-remaining-residents-of-beit-hanoun-to-leave">forcing all Palestinians out</a> of northern Gaza, piece by
piece

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-nov-feb.html#1_January_2025_(Jimmy_Carter's_good_work)
title: Jimmy Carter's good work
uri: Jimmy-Carter-s-good-work
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-nov-feb.html#1_January_2025_(Jimmy_Carter's_good_work)
content:
 
<p>
Remembering
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2024/dec/30/friend-jimmy-carter-remembered-statesmanship-public-service">Jimmy
Carter's work</a> for peace and democracy after his term as president.
<p>
The
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jan-apr.html#31_March_2023_(carter_sabotage_iran)">reason
he was not reelected</a> seems to be that Republicans made a deal with
Iran so that they would refuse to make a deal with the US government
to free the US embassy hostages until after the 1980 election.
<p>
Carter was not a pacifist.  He sent US troops to rescue the hostages.
It was not his fault that some of the
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2003-jan-apr.html#pnid2505">aircraft
collided</a> while on the way.

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-nov-feb.html#1_January_2025_(Musk_op_ed,_DEU)
title: Musk op ed, DEU
uri: Musk-op-ed-DEU
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-nov-feb.html#1_January_2025_(Musk_op_ed,_DEU)
content:
 
<p>
<a class="glossary" href="/glossary.html#musk">The muskrat</a> published an article
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/dec/28/elon-musk-germany-afd-party">supporting
Germany's extreme right-wing</a> party, that has semi-underground Nazi
sympathizers.

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-nov-feb.html#1_January_2025_(Elec._car_mfg_surveillance)
title: Elec. car mfg, surveillance
uri: Elec-car-mfg-surveillance
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-nov-feb.html#1_January_2025_(Elec._car_mfg_surveillance)
content:
 
<p>
Hundreds of thousands of electric cars made by Volkswagen (including
its subsidiaries, Audi, SEAT and Skoda) were
<a href="https://www.carscoops.com/2024/12/vw-group-data-breach-exposed-location-info-for-800000-evs/">reporting
the car's movements</a> to the company.  Sometimes security breaches in
the cloudy servers Volkswagen uses allow others to get the data too.
<p>
Bizarrely, the author is not outraged at Volkswagen's snooping, not
that itself.  <a class="glossary"
href="/glossary.html#perse">Perse</a> seems to think that would be ok,
if only Volkswagen had taken care not to let others, even others
unknown to Volkswagen, access the data too over the net.
<p>
And Volkswagen reassures the owners that where they went is not very
sensitive information.
<p>
Of course, the most dangerous thing the car company can do with that data
is give or sell it to the state, if the state is repressive (as many are).
<p>
If you own a "connected" car, be sure to engage a mechanic to
deactivate the antennas that enable it to (1) receive GPS (and
therefore remember the location for the next servicing) and (2) make
radio transmissions (whose location of origin are tracked).
<p>
Owners of connected cars should organize to demand that manufacturers
let the owners deactivate these malfeatures.  If the manufacturer
makes it necessary for you to trust them not to tell others where you
went, it is already mistreating you.

<p>
 


title: Republicans, dissidents and protesters
uri: Republicans-dissidents-and-protesters
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-nov-feb.html#1_January_2025_(Republicans,_dissidents_and_protesters)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-nov-feb.html#1_January_2025_(Republicans,_dissidents_and_protesters)

content:
 
<p>
It won't take long for the voters who voted for he bullshitter to see
that what Republicans are doing is
<a href="https://wolvesandsheep.substack.com/p/american-brexit">harming
them terribly</a>.  At that point, they will organize to thwart and
defeat Republicans.  Therefore we can expect the Republicans to act
forcefully to suppress dissent and protest.
<p>
It occurs to me that the law-twisting repression of protests on behalf
of Palestinians will turn out to have been great preparation for
repressing protests on behalf of non-rich Americans, non-white
Americans, and unwillingly pregnant Americans.

<p>
 


title: Urgent: An attack on Social Security
uri: Urgent-An-attack-on-Social-Security
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-nov-feb.html#1_January_2025_(Urgent:_An_attack_on_Social_Security)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-nov-feb.html#1_January_2025_(Urgent:_An_attack_on_Social_Security)

content:
 
<p>
US citizens:
<a href="https://act.demandprogress.org/sign/block-musk-social-security/?t=1003&akid=32981%2E96703%2EngEOQj">call
on Congress</a> to block <a class="glossary"
href="/glossary.html#musk">the muskrat</a> from attacking Social
Security.
<p>
If you phone, please spread the word!                              
Main Switchboard: <a href="tel:+12022243121">+1-202-224-3121</a>

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-nov-feb.html#1_January_2025_(Undersea_cables_sabotage,_CHI,_RUS)
title: Undersea cables sabotage, CHI, RUS
uri: 2025-01-02-Undersea-cables-sabotage-CHI-RUS
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-nov-feb.html#1_January_2025_(Undersea_cables_sabotage,_CHI,_RUS)
content:
 
<p>
An anchor-drag trace on the seabed shows that the
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/dec/30/finnish-investigators-into-suspected-sabotage-find-100km-trail-on-baltic-sea-bed">electricity cable</a>
from Finland to Estonia was intentionally attacked.
<p>
If the only ship that was in a position to do it at that time and
place was the Eagle S, it must have been that ship.  Other ships must
have been crossing the cable, but if they crossed it at other points
they could not have been responsible for the sabotage.
<p>
It seem to me that countries must armor their undersea cables to make
sabotage physically more difficult.  The method needs to be cheap
compared with the cable.  Not being an expert, I can only speculate,
Putting a meter or two of boulders over the cable might work, or maybe
concrete blocks with holes to lift them by.

<p>
 


title: Urgent: Office of Management and Budget
uri: Urgent-Office-of-Management-and-Budget
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-nov-feb.html#1_January_2025_(Urgent:_Office_of_Management_and_Budget)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-nov-feb.html#1_January_2025_(Urgent:_Office_of_Management_and_Budget)

content:
 
<p>
US citizens:
<a href="https://act.pfaw.org/sign/reject-russ-vought/">call on the
Senate</a> to reject Russ Vought as head of the Office of Management
and Budget.
<p>
If you phone, please spread the word!                              
Main Switchboard: <a href="tel:+12022243121">+1-202-224-3121</a>

<p>
 


title: Urgent: A DNC for the working class
uri: Urgent-A-DNC-for-the-working-class
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-nov-feb.html#1_January_2025_(Urgent:_A_DNC_for_the_working_class)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-nov-feb.html#1_January_2025_(Urgent:_A_DNC_for_the_working_class)

content:
 
<p>
US citizens:
<a href="https://act.pramilaforcongress.com/signup/ads_ms_pj_ea_progam_dncchair/">call
on the next DNC chair</a> to rebuild the Democratic Party for the
working class.

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-nov-feb.html#1_January_2025_(Prior_authorization_profiteering)
title: "Prior authorization" profiteering
uri: Prior-authorization-profiteering
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-nov-feb.html#1_January_2025_(Prior_authorization_profiteering)
content:
 
<p>
Denial of
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2024/dec/31/health-insurance-prior-authorization">authorization
for medicines and procedures</a> has ballooned in the US since 2000.
Laws to reduce the frequency of that are being considered to reduce it.


<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-nov-feb.html#3_January_2025_(Jimmy_Carter_on_Palestine)
title: Jimmy Carter on Palestine
uri: Jimmy-Carter-on-Palestine
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-nov-feb.html#3_January_2025_(Jimmy_Carter_on_Palestine)
content:
 
<p>
Activists are apologizing to Jimmy Carter for condemning him as
"antisemitic" in 2006, when he described the occupation of Palestine
as operating
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2024/dec/30/jimmy-carter-israel-apartheid-palestinians">a system of "apartheid"</a>.
<p>
I did not read Carter's book, but
when I saw that
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2009/may/28/us-israel-settlements-obama-abbas">Desmond
Tutu said the same</a>, I trusted him, an expert on confronting
apartheid, to judge the question right.
<p>
Israeli peace leader Uri Avnery went further: he compared Israel's
efforts to make the
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2010-jan-apr.html#27%20April%202010%20(The%20Israeli%20right%20win)">West
Bank empty of Palestinians</a> to Hitler's efforts to make Germany and
its conquests empty of Jews.  I trusted him, one who had seen Hitler's
repression of Jews close up as a youth in Germany, to judge the
question right.
 

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-nov-feb.html#3_January_2025_(Anti-politics_age)
title: Anti-politics age
uri: Anti-politics-age
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-nov-feb.html#3_January_2025_(Anti-politics_age)
content:
 
<p>
Suggesting that we are in an "anti-politics" age which leans
towards irrational rage as
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2024/dec/29/magdeburg-market-attack-product-anti-politics">the way to express</a>
resentment with politics.
<p>
Here is more
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/dec/22/germany-christmas-market-attack-magdeburg-taleb-al-abdulmohsen-charges">about the murderer</a>
that the article refers to.

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-nov-feb.html#3_January_2025_(Political_crime,_CO)
title: Political crime, CO
uri: Political-crime-CO
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-nov-feb.html#3_January_2025_(Political_crime,_CO)
content:
 
<p>
A <a class="glossary" href="/glossary.html#magat">magat</a> got out of
his car to violently attack a TV reporter working on the street in
Colorado, saying he was
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2024/dec/29/reporter-attacked-trump-colorado">attacking
on behalf</a> of <a class="glossary" href="/glossary.html#trump">the fascist</a> leader.
<p>
It appears the attacker knew nothing specific about that reporter except
his appearance, which indicated non-European ancestry.

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-nov-feb.html#3_January_2025_(A_growing_vitamin_deprivation,_UK)
title: A growing vitamin deprivation, UK
uri: A-growing-vitamin-deprivation-UK
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-nov-feb.html#3_January_2025_(A_growing_vitamin_deprivation,_UK)
content:
 
<p>
Due to
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/society/2025/jan/01/hospital-admissions-lack-of-vitamins-iron-nhs-figures">crush-the-poor
economics</a>, millions of Britons are suffer from serious vitamin
deficiencies.  Due to policies crested by Tories but not yet fixed by
Labour, many cannot afford a balanced diet.

<p>
 


title: The toxification of business as usual
uri: The-toxification-of-business-as-usual
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-nov-feb.html#3_January_2025_(The_toxification_of_business_as_usual)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-nov-feb.html#3_January_2025_(The_toxification_of_business_as_usual)

content:
 
<p>
Awards for companies for especially cruel and nasty
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/business/2024/dec/30/and-the-uk-winners-of-the-2024-awards-for-appalling-customer-service-are">customer disservice</a>.
<p>
I suspect that this behavior results from having too few human staff
in charge of correcting such errors, so that they are under pressure
to insist that whatever the computer did must be correct.

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-nov-feb.html#3_January_2025_(Airlines_and_hotel_disservices)
title: Airlines and hotel disservices
uri: Airlines-and-hotel-disservices
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-nov-feb.html#3_January_2025_(Airlines_and_hotel_disservices)
content:
 
<p>
Robert Reich describes being squeezed between the
<a href="https://robertreich.substack.com/p/strong-winds-a83">contemptuous service</a>
of United Airlines and the contemptuous service of Hilton Hotels.
<p>
That is no coincidence. this is the natural result of the use of lots
of computers that impose unpredictable decisions and complex rules and
shaft the customer for any failure to satisfy them.
<p>
I think this is natural, though not self-evidence, consequence of
digitalization &mdash; which means we should oppose it on general principles.

<p>
 


title: Last hospital, its director, gone: Gaza
uri: Last-hospital-its-director-gone-Gaza
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-nov-feb.html#3_January_2025_(Last_hospital,_its_director,_gone:_Gaza)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-nov-feb.html#3_January_2025_(Last_hospital,_its_director,_gone:_Gaza)

content:
 
<p>
When Israeli soldiers attacked and wrecked the Kamal Adnan hospital,
they arrested
<a href="https://theintercept.com/2024/12/31/israel-gaza-hospital-doctors-hussam-abu-safiya/">Dr. Abu
Safiya</a> (and other medical personnel).
<p>
If he is not freed soon, he could emerge mentally and physically damaged
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jan-apr.html#28_January_2020_(Collecting_evidences_against_torturers)">by torture</a>.
 This has happened to
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2024-may-aug.html#5_July_2024_(Gaza_hospital_chief_capure,_torture,_ISR)">another hospital director</a>
that Israel imprisoned.

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-nov-feb.html#3_January_2025_(Dysfunctional_medical_system,_US)
title: Dysfunctional medical system, US
uri: Dysfunctional-medical-system-US
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-nov-feb.html#3_January_2025_(Dysfunctional_medical_system,_US)
content:
 
<p>
Bernie Sanders:
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2024/dec/31/bernie-sanders-healthcare-reform-opinion">tasks
that must be</a> part of fixing the dysfunctional US medical system.
<p>
The list includes fixing other parts of society which tend to cause
bodily or mental illness.


<p>
 


title: Bullying congresscritters, journalists
uri: Bullying-congresscritters-journalists
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-nov-feb.html#4_January_2025_(Bullying_congresscritters,_journalists)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-nov-feb.html#4_January_2025_(Bullying_congresscritters,_journalists)

content:
 
<p>
When <a class="glossary" href="/glossary.html#corrupter">the
corrupter</a> was president before, he launched an investigation into
congresscritters and staff, and some journalists, and the Department
of Justice
<a href="https://theintercept.com/2024/12/11/trump-justice-department-spied-journalists-congress/">disregarded
its rules</a> for such investigations.


<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-nov-feb.html#5_January_2025_(Free_hardware_designs)
title: Free hardware designs
uri: Free-hardware-designs
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-nov-feb.html#5_January_2025_(Free_hardware_designs)
content:
 
<p>
There are crucial differences between hardware and software, This will
not come as a surprise to you, but based on them I conclude that it
makes no sense <em>under present circumstances</em> to talk about "free
hardware".  What does make sense as a concept is
<a href="https://gnu.org/philosophy/free-hardware-designs.html">"free hardware designs</a>".
<p>
That article addresses many issues about freedom raised by digital
hardware.

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-nov-feb.html#5_January_2025_(Fossil_fuel_shipping_ports_flood)
title: Fossil fuel shipping ports flood
uri: Fossil-fuel-shipping-ports-flood
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-nov-feb.html#5_January_2025_(Fossil_fuel_shipping_ports_flood)
content:
 
<p>
13 of the world's principal oil export ports will be put out of action
by 1 meter of sea level rise, which could happen
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2025/jan/04/climate-driven-sea-level-rise-set-to-flood-major-oil-ports">as
soon as 2070</a>.
<p>
However, if it gets as far as 1 meter of sea level rise, lots of other
things will be going very wrong too.  And the rise won't stop then.  Even
worse, oil companies could make replacement ports and go on
flooding the world's coastal cities.

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-nov-feb.html#5_January_2025_(Pay_to_play,_OH)
title: Pay to play cops' footage, OH
uri: Pay-to-play-cops-footage-OH
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-nov-feb.html#5_January_2025_(Pay_to_play,_OH)
content:
 
<p>
Ohio, ruled by Republicans, will charge a fee to look at
<a href="https://theintercept.com/2025/01/03/police-body-camera-footage-ohio/">thugs'
body camera footage</a>.  That will interfere with checking whether
the <a class="glossary" href="/glossary.html#thug">thugs</a> were honest.


 


title: Filling gap that makes for "existential boredom"
uri: Filling-gap-that-makes-for-existential-boredom
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-nov-feb.html#5_January_2025_(Filling_gap_that_makes_for_existential_boredom)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-nov-feb.html#5_January_2025_(Filling_gap_that_makes_for_existential_boredom)

content:
 
<p>

On filling the gap that makes for "existential boredom" with
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2024/dec/15/im-nearly-80-and-theres-a-void-in-my-life-that-hobbies-cant-fill">finding out
what really matters to you</a>.
</p>
<p>
One kind of thing that you might find really matters to you is making
a free and just society.  There are many ways of working for that
goal, one of them being the free software movement.  Maybe one of them
will give meaning to your life.
</p>
</li>

 


title: Condemning the rich for impoverishing the rest of us
uri: Condemning-the-rich-for-impoverishing-the-rest-of-us
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-nov-feb.html#5_January_2025_(Condemning_the_rich_for_impoverishing_the_rest_of_us)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-nov-feb.html#5_January_2025_(Condemning_the_rich_for_impoverishing_the_rest_of_us)

content:
 
<p>

Bringing Americans back, once again, to
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/opinion/luigi-mangione-corporate-greed">condemning the rich for
impoverishing the rest of us</a>.
</p>
</li>

 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-nov-feb.html#5_January_2025_(Free-range_stories_of_2024)
title: Free-range stories of 2024
uri: Free-range-stories-of-2024
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-nov-feb.html#5_January_2025_(Free-range_stories_of_2024)
content:
 
<p>

*The <a href="https://www.freerangekids.com/the-10-worst-free-range-stories-of-2024-and-four-big-reasons-for-hope/">10
Worst Free-Range Stories of 2024</a>.*
</p>
</li>

 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-nov-feb.html#5_January_2025_(New_Orleans_terrorist_murder)
title: New Orleans terrorist murder
uri: New-Orleans-terrorist-murder
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-nov-feb.html#5_January_2025_(New_Orleans_terrorist_murder)
content:
 
<p>

The New Orleans terrorist murder
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/jan/02/new-orleans-attack-suspect">endorsed
fanatical Muslim views</a>
condemning music and lewdness, as well as alcohol.
</p>
<p>
Islam prohibits drinking alcohol in even small quantities.  Mainstream
Islam does not condemn music, but there is a long history in the
Muslim world of extremist movements that prohibit all music.  The
Almurabitun and Almohad empires which conquered Morocco, and most of
what is now Spain in the 11th century and 12th century, prohibited music.
ISTR that the Taliban did so before 2001, and maybe they do that again today.
</p>
<p>
Most Muslims think that is crazy.
</p>
</li>

 


title: Federal jurisdiction over essential broadband Internet access
uri: Federal-jurisdiction-over-essential-broadband-Internet-access
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-nov-feb.html#5_January_2025_(Federal_jurisdiction_over_essential_broadband_Internet_access)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-nov-feb.html#5_January_2025_(Federal_jurisdiction_over_essential_broadband_Internet_access)

content:
 
<p>

*6th Circuit <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/6th-circuit-wrongly-rejects-federal-jurisdiction-over-essential-broadband-internet-access-services">Wrongly
Rejects Federal Jurisdiction Over Essential Broadband Internet Access Services</a>.*
</p>
<p>
This wipes out federal network neutrality regulations, unless the
extreme court resurrects them.  Those regulations are
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#15_June_2016_(Network_neutrality)">inadequate
to really protect internet users' freedom</a>,
but it was better than nothing.  Now there is nothing to limit how ISPs
in the US restrict users for their profit.
</p>
</li>

<p>
 


title: Design new towns for use without a car
uri: Design-new-towns-for-use-without-a-car
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-nov-feb.html#4_January_2025_(Design_new_towns_for_use_without_a_car)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-nov-feb.html#4_January_2025_(Design_new_towns_for_use_without_a_car)

content:
 
<p>

When building "new towns", design them to be
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2024/dec/11/englands-new-towns-must-be-walkable-and-green-say-campaigners">easy
to live in without a car</a>.
</p>
<p>
Reminder: don't assume everyone can ride a bike.
</p>
</li>

 


title: Constitutional crisis in South Korea
uri: Constitutional-crisis-in-South-Korea
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-nov-feb.html#4_January_2025_(Constitutional_crisis_in_South_Korea)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-nov-feb.html#4_January_2025_(Constitutional_crisis_in_South_Korea)

content:
 
<p>

South Korea's recently impeached president is wanted for arrest for
insurrection, but the question of how to arrest him has
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/dec/31/arrest-warrant-south-korea-president-yoon-suk-yeol-martial-law-ntwnfb">raised
a constitutional crisis</a>.
</p>
</li>

 


title: Proposal to burn garbage over fossil fuels
uri: Proposal-to-burn-garbage-over-fossil-fuels
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-nov-feb.html#4_January_2025_(Proposal_to_burn_garbage_over_fossil_fuels)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-nov-feb.html#4_January_2025_(Proposal_to_burn_garbage_over_fossil_fuels)

content:
 
<p>

The UK government
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2024/dec/29/labour-under-fire-over-plans-for-40-more-greenwashing-waste-incinerators">proposes
to burn more garbage</a> instead of some of the fossil fuels.
</p>
<p>
That produces as much CO2, as well as random mixture of toxic pollutants.
So I think it is more harmful even than coal.  As far as I can see, the only
advantage is that the garbage is cheaper than fossil fuels.  That suggests
this is an example of short-term thinking by the government,
instead of the long-term planning that is crucial for survival
</p>
<p>
Aside from the materials that can be put to better use immediately if
separated, a landfill may be the best alternative.  Not perfect:
harmful substances (some toxic, some planet-roasting) do seep out.
But they emerge over a much longer period, and a substantial fraction
may not get out.
</p>
<p>
I wonder if the UK has a searchable national register of all proposed
projects that would need planning permission.  I think every country
should have one.
</p>
</li>

 


title: Cooperative to operate trains on national tracks
uri: Cooperative-to-operate-trains-on-national-tracks
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-nov-feb.html#4_January_2025_(Cooperative_to_operate_trains_on_national_tracks)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-nov-feb.html#4_January_2025_(Cooperative_to_operate_trains_on_national_tracks)

content:
 
<p>

The UK has <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/business/2024/dec/27/britain-cooperative-railway-swindon-taunton-weston-super-mare">authorized
a cooperative to operate trains</a> on the national
train tracks alongside money-extraction corporations.
But it won't operate until 2026.
</p>
<p>
This may prove to be a good solution.  It will certainly treat its workers
better.  However, a worker-owned cooperative does not automatically treat
passengers better, and there is no assurance that it will respect
travelers' privacy more than any other train operator.
</p>
</li>

 


title: Tourist had holiday romance in Dubai
uri: Tourist-had-holiday-romance-in-Dubai
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-nov-feb.html#4_January_2025_(Tourist_had_holiday_romance_in_Dubai)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-nov-feb.html#4_January_2025_(Tourist_had_holiday_romance_in_Dubai)

content:
 
<p>
Two tourists from London went to Dubai with their families, and had a
holiday romance.  Then one was
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/dec/11/uk-teenager-marcus-fakana-jailed-in-dubai-over-relationship-with-17-year-old-girl">arrested
because the other was not
legally "old enough"</a>.
<p>
This is one of many reasons to <a href="/stay-away-countries.html#saudi">stay away from Dubai</a>.
</p>
</li>

 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-nov-feb.html#4_January_2025_(Trees_destroyed_by_hurricanes)
title: Trees destroyed by hurricanes
uri: Trees-destroyed-by-hurricanes
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-nov-feb.html#4_January_2025_(Trees_destroyed_by_hurricanes)
content:
 
<p>

*<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2024/dec/31/arbor-day-foundation-trees-hurricanes">10m
trees to be planted in US</a> to replace ones destroyed by hurricanes.*
</p>
<p>
If the hurricanes were a freak one-off event, this would correct the
damage.  But since they represent a new normal, there will be more
hurricanes and many of these new trees won't live very long.
</p>
<p>
Generally, repairing damage from local climate disasters cannot
substitute for curbing the <a class=glossary href="/glossary.html#global%20heating">global heating</a> that regularly causes worse
disasters.
</p>
</li>

 


title: Advice for confronting the corrupter
uri: Advice-for-confronting-the-corrupter
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-nov-feb.html#4_January_2025_(Advice_for_confronting_the_corrupter)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-nov-feb.html#4_January_2025_(Advice_for_confronting_the_corrupter)

content:
 
<p>

Turkish journalist Asli Aydintasbas confronted Erdoğan, and now has
<a href="https://robertreich.substack.com/p/trump-will-overplay-his-hand-be-ready">advice
for Americans about how to confront the corrupter</a>.
</p>
</li>

 


title: Immigration deported US citizen's wife
uri: Immigration-deported-US-citizen-s-wife
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-nov-feb.html#4_January_2025_(Immigration_deported_US_citizen's_wife)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-nov-feb.html#4_January_2025_(Immigration_deported_US_citizen's_wife)

content:
 
<p>

The US deportation <a class=glossary href="/glossary.html#thug">thugs</a>
hastily <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2024/dec/17/texas-newborn-twins-mother-ice-deportation">arrested
and deported a US citizen's
wife</a> for missing an immigration appointment.
She missed the appointment because
she suddenly started to give birth to US citizen children.
</p>
<p>
Anyone who is so heartless and rigid as to make a decision like that
should not be in a position to make such consequential decisions.
Doing so merits punishment.
</p>
<p>
The punishment for the first such offense should be publicly begging
for forgiveness.  For the second offense, dismissal.
</p>
</li>

 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-nov-feb.html#4_January_2025_(Thugs_in_UK_surveilled_journalists)
title: Thugs in UK surveilled journalists
uri: Thugs-in-UK-surveilled-journalists
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-nov-feb.html#4_January_2025_(Thugs_in_UK_surveilled_journalists)
content:
 
<p>

<a class=glossary href="/glossary.html#thug">Thug</a>
departments in the UK were found to have
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/media/2024/dec/17/why-are-police-spying-on-uk-journalists-and-how-widely-is-it-happening">surveilled journalists
in recent years</a> for investigating accusations of misconduct by
<a class=glossary href="/glossary.html#thug">thugs</a>.
How much more have they done this?
</p>
</li>

 


title: Unmarried foreign domestic workers in Salafi Arabia
uri: Unmarried-foreign-domestic-workers-in-Salafi-Arabia
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-nov-feb.html#4_January_2025_(Unmarried_foreign_domestic_workers_in_Salafi_Arabia)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-nov-feb.html#4_January_2025_(Unmarried_foreign_domestic_workers_in_Salafi_Arabia)

content:
 
<p>

Unmarried foreign domestic workers in
<a class=glossary href="/glossary.html#salafi">Salafi Arabia</a> that have babies
cannot ever bring their children home with them because
<a class=glossary href="/glossary.html#salafi">Salafi Arabia</a>
punishes them for their parents' "sin" by
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2024/dec/18/kenyan-single-mothers-trapped-in-saudi-arabia-as-exit-visas-denied-to-children-born-outside-marriage">forbidding
them to leave</a>.
It also denies those children all normal rights, including schooling.
</p>
<p>
Many of these women are effectively trapped there too, because they
will not abandon their children.
</p>
<p>
This shows the vicious nature of religious condemnation of sex and
pleasure.
</p>
<p>
It seems incomprehensible that
<a class=glossary href="/glossary.html#salafi">Salafi Arabia</a> despises these children
while forcing them to remain there.  But perhaps the practical result
is that they are compelled to spend their lives working underground at
low-pay menial jobs.  That must be convenient for powerful people in
<a class=glossary href="/glossary.html#salafi">Salafi Arabia</a>.
</p>
</li>

 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-nov-feb.html#6_January_2025_(Jan_6,_Coup_defeat,_US)
title: Jan 6, Coup defeat, US
uri: Jan-6-Coup-defeat-US
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-nov-feb.html#6_January_2025_(Jan_6,_Coup_defeat,_US)
content:
 
<p>
Jan 6 is a
<a href="https://robertreich.substack.com/p/today-shall-live-in-infamy-as-should">date
that will live in infamy</a>, unless <!---->the wrecker intimidates
commemoration of it.
<p>
We need a name to help each other remember it by.  The only one I can
think of is "Coup defeat day".  Watch out:
<a class="glossary" href="/glossary.html#wrecker">the wrecker</a>
and <a class="glossary" href="/glossary.html#musk">the muskrat</a>
will try to celebrate the coup as heroism in a perverted idea of
patriotism.


<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-nov-feb.html#6_January_2025_(Political_topics_off_limits)
title: Political topics off limits
uri: Political-topics-off-limits
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-nov-feb.html#6_January_2025_(Political_topics_off_limits)
content:
 
<p>
A Washington Post editorial cartoonist quit because, for the first time,
she was told that a <a href="https://anntelnaes.substack.com/p/why-im-quitting-the-washington-post?utm_campaign=post&triedRedirect=true">political topic was off limits</a>.
<p>
The topic that was forbidden was that of billionaire executives going to
Mar-a-lago to swear fealty to <a class=glossary href="/glossary.html#corrupter">the corrupter</a>.
<p>
More examples: Amazon, and "Open" "AI", have joined the parade of big companies
that are <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2024/dec/13/amazon-donation-trump-inauguration">donating to the glorification of the corrupter</a> -- what the cartoonist
was going to criticize.
  These donations are not, strictly speaking, bribes, since they don't go
to <a class=glossary href="/glossary.html#corrupter">the corrupter</a> personally.  But they are the moral equivalent of bribes.
They demonstrates how <a class=glossary href="/glossary.html#corrupter">the corrupter</a> has made corruption normal.

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-nov-feb.html#6_January_2025_(Burning_waste)
title: Burning waste
uri: Burning-waste
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-nov-feb.html#6_January_2025_(Burning_waste)
content:
 
<p>
*Burning waste is <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/theobserver/2025/jan/05/burning-waste-is-not-the-way-to-move-the-uk-towards-a-circular-economy">not the way</a> to move the UK towards a circular economy.*

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-nov-feb.html#6_January_2025_(Taliban_oppressing_women)
title: Taliban oppressing women
uri: Taliban-oppressing-women
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-nov-feb.html#6_January_2025_(Taliban_oppressing_women)
content:
 
<p>
The Taliban are inviting foreign tourists, and there is no sign that
they refuse in revulsion against the <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2025/jan/05/visit-afghanistan-land-of-culture-cricket-and-women-closeted-in-their-own-homes">total oppression and segregation</a>
of women.

<p>
 


title: Tourist had holiday romance in Dubai
uri: 2025-01-07-Tourist-had-holiday-romance-in-Dubai
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-nov-feb.html#5_January_2025_(Tourist_had_holiday_romance_in_Dubai)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-nov-feb.html#5_January_2025_(Tourist_had_holiday_romance_in_Dubai)

content:
 
<p>
Two tourists from London went to Dubai with their families, and had a
holiday romance.  Then one was
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/dec/11/uk-teenager-marcus-fakana-jailed-in-dubai-over-relationship-with-17-year-old-girl">arrested
because the other was not legally "old enough"</a>.
<p>
This is one of many reasons to <a href="/stay-away-countries.html#uae">stay away from Dubai</a>.
</p>
</li>

 


title: Mainstream journalism pressures, US
uri: Mainstream-journalism-pressures-US
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-nov-feb.html#7_January_2025_(Mainstream_journalism_pressures,_US)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-nov-feb.html#7_January_2025_(Mainstream_journalism_pressures,_US)

content:
 
<p>
Can the bully
<a href="https://www.npr.org/2024/10/22/nx-s1-5161480/trump-media-threats-abc-cbs-60-minutes-journalists">silence the US mainstream media</a>?
It looks like he is already succeeding.

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-nov-feb.html#7_January_2025_(Tarrifs_highjacked,_weaponized,_US)
title: Tariffs as hijacked, weaponized, US
uri: Tariffs-as-hijacked-weaponized-US
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-nov-feb.html#7_January_2025_(Tarrifs_highjacked,_weaponized,_US)
content:
 
<p>
*Firms that
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/jan/06/trump-tariffs-republican-donations">donated
to Republican party</a> avoided tariffs in [the corrupter]'s first
term.*
<p>
Republicans don't miss a chance to extract the moral equivalent of a bribe.

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-nov-feb.html#7_January_2025_(Decarbonization_regression,_UK)
title: Decarbonization regression, UK
uri: Decarbonization-regression-UK
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-nov-feb.html#7_January_2025_(Decarbonization_regression,_UK)
content:
 
<p>
Labour has
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2025/jan/06/uk-government-scraps-plan-to-ban-sale-of-gas-boilers-by-2035">retreated
from another plan</a> to accelerate decarbonization with a deadline
date.
<p>
I can understand the pressure to do this.  Such changes always cost
money.  They may reduce he income of some businesses, which generally
oppose the change by cherry-picking and exaggeration.  Once a
government decides to keep the country poor by allowing some
individuals to be giga-rich, it keeps encountering a "need" to abandon
the attempt.

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-nov-feb.html#7_January_2025_(Hybrids_with_no_power_plugin!)
title: Hybrids with no power plugin!
uri: Hybrids-with-no-power-plugin
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-nov-feb.html#7_January_2025_(Hybrids_with_no_power_plugin!)
content:
 
<p>
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/business/2025/jan/02/uk-needs-to-ban-full-hybrid-cars-by-2030-or-face-net-zero-catastrophe">Pushing for requiring</a>
new hybrid cars to have chargers.


<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-nov-feb.html#8_January_2025_(Crime_is_going_down,_UK,_US)
title: Crime is going down, UK, US
uri: Crime-is-going-down-UK-US
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-nov-feb.html#8_January_2025_(Crime_is_going_down,_UK,_US)
content:
 
<p>
Most kinds of physical crime have decreased steadily in Britain (and
likewise the US) since the start of this century.  So why do
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2025/jan/04/is-falling-but-heists-that-make-headlines-imply-otherwise">most
people think crime is going up</a>?
<p>
A few kinds of crime, such as theft of portable phones and
shoplifting, have increased, but the total has decreased enormously.


<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-nov-feb.html#8_January_2025_(Urgent:_Nonprofits_status)
title: Urgent: Nonprofits status
uri: Urgent-Nonprofits-status
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-nov-feb.html#8_January_2025_(Urgent:_Nonprofits_status)
content:
 
<p>
US citizens: phone your senators and call on them to reject H.R.9495,
the bill that would make it easy to
<a href="https://nonprofitwa.org/h-r-9495-and-the-impact-on-nonprofits/">strip
a nonprofit organization of tax-exempt status</a> administratively,
bypassing trial.

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-nov-feb.html#8_January_2025_(Global_Water_Monitor_Report)
title: Global Water Monitor Report
uri: Global-Water-Monitor-Report
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-nov-feb.html#8_January_2025_(Global_Water_Monitor_Report)
content:
 
<p>
*Climate crisis "wreaking havoc" on
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/jan/06/climate-crisis-wreaking-havoc-on-earths-water-cycle-report-finds">Earth’s water cycle</a>,
report finds.*


<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-nov-feb.html#9_January_2025_(About_Facebook)
title: About Facebook
uri: About-Facebook
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-nov-feb.html#9_January_2025_(About_Facebook)
content:
 
<p>
In January 2025, Zuckerberg announced that Facebook and Instagram will
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2025/jan/07/why-did-mark-zuckerberg-end-facebook-instagram-fact-checking">replace
fact-checking</a> with a system of not-really-checking similar to what
<a class="glossary" href="/glossary.html#extwitter">ex-Twitter</a> does.
<p>
The announcement was made in ways that
<a href="https://theintercept.com/2025/01/07/facebook-fact-check-mark-zuckerberg-trump/">signaled
the intent</a> to become a loyal part of
<a class="glossary" href="/glossary.html#corrupter">the corrupter's</a> tame media
organizations.
<p>
That article also argues that "social media" fact checking was never
very effective.  (I have no experience with it so I don't know whether
that was true.)  It further argues that result was inevitable, but I don't
that that claim is sustained there, so I am skeptical that anyone can know
whether this is true.
<p>
See <a href="/facebook.html">facebook.html</a> for many other reasons
to refuse to be used by Facebook.


<p>
 


title: Heating-caused climate change helped trigger Arab Spring
uri: Heating-caused-climate-change-helped-trigger-Arab-Spring
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-nov-feb.html#9_January_2025_(Heating-caused_climate_change_helped_trigger_Arab_Spring)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-nov-feb.html#9_January_2025_(Heating-caused_climate_change_helped_trigger_Arab_Spring)

content:
 
<p>

How heating-caused climate changes, and others, <a href="https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/climate-change-and-rising-food-prices-heightened-arab-spring/">helped to trigger
    the Arab Spring</a> in 2011,
  as an example of what <a class=glossary href="/glossary.html#global%20heating">global heating</a> does to political situations.
</p>
</li>

 


title: UK Thugs illegally keep photos of arrested people
uri: UK-Thugs-illegally-keep-photos-of-arrested-people
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-nov-feb.html#9_January_2025_(UK_Thugs_illegally_keep_photos_of_arrested_people)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-nov-feb.html#9_January_2025_(UK_Thugs_illegally_keep_photos_of_arrested_people)

content:
 
<p>

It is illegal in the UK for <a class=glossary href="/glossary.html#thug">thugs</a> to retain photos of people who were
arrested if they were not charged with a crime.  But it seems that
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2024/dec/08/police-unlawfully-storing-images-of-innocent-people-for-facial-recognition">thugs regularly do this</a> and use it for facial recognition.
</p>
</li>

 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-nov-feb.html#9_January_2025_(Fake_news_law_in_Spain)
title: Fake news law in Spain
uri: Fake-news-law-in-Spain
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-nov-feb.html#9_January_2025_(Fake_news_law_in_Spain)
content:
 
<p>

Spain is considering a law requiring whoever posts fake news
to <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/dec/17/spain-introduces-bill-to-combat-online-fake-news">publish a correction</a>.
</p>
<p>
A law like this is good if it is not misused.  The danger is that 
a repressive government is surely going to try to misuse it.
<a class=glossary href="/glossary.html#bullshitter">The bullshitter</a> often calls reports of truth that criticizes him
"fake news".  If the US had that law he would surely try to use
it to censor truthful criticism of him.
</p>
</li>

 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-nov-feb.html#9_January_2025_(Lead_in_air_from_Roman_mining)
title: Lead in air from Roman mining
uri: Lead-in-air-from-Roman-mining
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-nov-feb.html#9_January_2025_(Lead_in_air_from_Roman_mining)
content:
 
<p>

  Roman mining activities put a <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/science/2025/jan/06/roman-empires-use-of-lead-lowered-iq-levels-across-europe-study-finds">substantial amount of lead into the air</a>,
which shows up in Arctic ice cores.  This could have reduced the
average IQ by up to 3 points.
</p>
<p>
That decrease could have had an effect on society overall.
</p>
<p>
If this atmospheric lead arrived in the Arctic, it may have arrived in
Asia and North America too.  So the effect could have reached there
too.  However, it is also possible that the level of lead in the
Arctic was less than in Europe,
</p>
<p>
Maybe it would have reached parts of Africa and South America too.
I don't know enough to say whether this was likely to result.
</p>
</li>

 


title: Labour party called to deprioritize poor people
uri: Labour-party-called-to-deprioritize-poor-people
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-nov-feb.html#9_January_2025_(Labour_party_called_to_deprioritize_poor_people)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-nov-feb.html#9_January_2025_(Labour_party_called_to_deprioritize_poor_people)

content:
 
<p>

An article calls on the Labour Party to <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2025/jan/06/graduate-without-future-politics-uk">further deprioritize poor
    people</a> in general to focus narrowly on voters who graduated university
but couldn't get a decent job afterward.
</p>
<p>
It might be a good strategy for getting reelected, if we take for
granted that Labour won't do what Britain really needs: to tax the
rich and enable all non-rich Britons to have a better life.
</p>
</li>

 


title: Instigator of UK racist riots sentenced
uri: Instigator-of-UK-racist-riots-sentenced
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-nov-feb.html#9_January_2025_(Instigator_of_UK_racist_riots_sentenced)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-nov-feb.html#9_January_2025_(Instigator_of_UK_racist_riots_sentenced)

content:
 
<p>

An instigator of the racist riots in the UK some months ago
has been <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025/jan/06/key-architect-of-riots-after-southport-attack-jailed-for-seven-and-a-half-years">sentenced to 7 years imprisonment</a>.
</p>
<p>
The US government needs to make sure to do this reliably in response
to efforts to intimidate voters or lawful election campaigners.  If it
had responded vigorously in 2020 when a mob of <a class=glossary href="/glossary.html#magat">magats</a> besieged a
Democratic campaign bus, perhaps <a class=glossary href="/glossary.html#magat">magats</a> would not have been so ready
to attack the Capitol on Jan 6.
</p>
</li>

 


title: Pressure for wrecker to top past outrages
uri: Pressure-for-wrecker-to-top-past-outrages
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-nov-feb.html#9_January_2025_(Pressure_for_wrecker_to_top_past_outrages)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-nov-feb.html#9_January_2025_(Pressure_for_wrecker_to_top_past_outrages)

content:
 
<p>

Predicting that <a class=glossary href="/glossary.html#wrecker">the wrecker</a> will feel "second album pressure" to <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/jan/07/trump-extremism-threats-normalcy">commit
    outrages</a> that top what he did in the past.
</p>
</li>

 


title: Predictions the corrupter will undermine laws for corporations
uri: Predictions-the-corrupter-will-undermine-laws-for-corporations
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-nov-feb.html#9_January_2025_(Predictions_the_corrupter_will_undermine_laws_for_corporations)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-nov-feb.html#9_January_2025_(Predictions_the_corrupter_will_undermine_laws_for_corporations)

content:
 
<p>

Predicting that <a class=glossary href="/glossary.html#corrupter">the corrupter</a> will <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/coming-soon-another-dropoff-in-corporate-crime-enforcement">systematically undermine and weaken
    efforts</a> to enforce US laws against corporations that break them.
</p>
</li>

 


title: EPA to require incinerators monitor for toxic emissions
uri: EPA-to-require-incinerators-monitor-for-toxic-emissions
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-nov-feb.html#9_January_2025_(EPA_to_require_incinerators_monitor_for_toxic_emissions)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-nov-feb.html#9_January_2025_(EPA_to_require_incinerators_monitor_for_toxic_emissions)

content:
 
<p>

  *<a class=glossary href="/glossary.html#epa">EPA</a> to require municipal waste incinerators <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2025/jan/09/epa-waste-toxic-air-emissions">monitor for toxic emissions</a>.*
</p>
<p>
This is a very good idea, and should have been adopted many years ago.
I speculate that it was delayed by opposition by business.
</p>
</li>

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-nov-feb.html#9_January_2025_(Climate-driven_fiery_chaos,_CA)
title: Climate-driven fiery chaos, CA
uri: Climate-driven-fiery-chaos-CA
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-nov-feb.html#9_January_2025_(Climate-driven_fiery_chaos,_CA)
content:
 
<p>
*The Los Angeles wildfires are
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/jan/09/los-angeles-wildfires-climate-disasters">climate disasters compounded</a>.*
<p>
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2025/jan/09/failure-justice-gaie-delap-prison-government-climate-activist-tory-law">Remember the insane rigidity</a>
of UK punishment of climate-defense protests,
which is bent on repressing climate protesters and will punish them
even for unintentional failure to comply.
The root of this cruelty is a fundamental wrong decision not to recognize
the magnitude of the crime that fossil fuel companies are committing.

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-nov-feb.html#9_January_2025_(Kurds_wants_US_troops,_SYR)
title: Kurds wants US troops, SYR
uri: Kurds-wants-US-troops-SYR
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-nov-feb.html#9_January_2025_(Kurds_wants_US_troops,_SYR)
content:
 
<p>
*Kurdish general urges [<a class="glossary" href="/glossary.html#trump">the fascist</a>]
to leave US troops in
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/jan/09/kurdish-general-urges-donald-trump-to-leave-us-troops-in-north-east-syria">north-east Syria</a>.*
<p>
If Russia were still contending for power in Syria, Putin would have
told him not to do this.  But Putin may have little influence now over
decisions about Syria.


<p>
 


title: Secretly deporting asylum seekers, GRC
uri: Secretly-deporting-asylum-seekers-GRC
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-nov-feb.html#9_January_2025_(Secretly_deporting_asylum_seekers,_GRC)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-nov-feb.html#9_January_2025_(Secretly_deporting_asylum_seekers,_GRC)

content:
 
<p>
The European court of human rights found Greece guilty of secretly carrying out
deportations of refugees seeking asylum,
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/jan/07/greece-guilty-of-systematic-pushback-of-asylum-seekers-echr-rules">in violation of European human rights
treaties</a>.


<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-nov-feb.html#11_January_2025_(LA_fires_and_climate_chaos)
title: LA fires and climate chaos
uri: LA-fires-and-climate-chaos
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-nov-feb.html#11_January_2025_(LA_fires_and_climate_chaos)
content:
 
<p>
A fire destroyed 5,000 buildings
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/jan/09/california-wildfires-pacific-palisades-los-angeles">in Pacific Palisades</a>,
part of Los Angeles.
5,000 more buildings have been destroyed in
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/jan/09/unprecedented-conditions-firefighters-los-angeles">other
parts of LA</a>.
<p>
<a class="glossary" href="/glossary.html#global%20heating">Global heating</a> 
is affecting the US to the point where Americans even
in major urban areas are in danger.  And
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2025/jan/10/world-temperature-in-2024-exceeded-15c-for-first-time">the
world overall</a>, too.
<p>
The only way to stop this from getting steadily worse is to curb
greenhouse gas emissions. 
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2023-may-aug.html#13_August_2023_(Biden's_climate_bill)">Biden
tried</a> to make a start at that in the Inflation Reduction Act, but
after 2021 Republican
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2022-jan-apr.html#19_April_2022_(climate_adviser_oil_ties)">opposition
solidified</a> and he could not do more.
<p>
I expect <a class="glossary" href="/glossary.html#bullshitter">the
bullshitter</a> to scapegoat Biden for not doing enough (never mind
who prevented him from doing more), while pushing useless measures
that won't reduce greenhouse gas emissions.


 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-nov-feb.html#11_January_2025_(Nauru_ruling_against_AUS)
title: Nauru refugees win ruling against AUS
uri: Nauru-refugees-win-ruling-against-AUS
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-nov-feb.html#11_January_2025_(Nauru_ruling_against_AUS)
content:
 
<p>
The United Nations human rights committee decided that Australia violated
the
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2025/jan/10/australia-violated-rights-of-asylum-seekers-on-nauru-un-watchdog-rules">human rights of refugees</a>
by sending them to Nauru, essentially for life.
<p>
This decision was published almost 24 years after Australia started
sending refugees there.  The committee warned other countries that
they too would be violators if they shirked their responsibility to
asylum seekers
by <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2023-may-aug.html#3_June_2023_(Torture_of_innocents,_US_and_AU)">outsourcing
the handling</a> of them.


<p>
 


title: Urgent: On executives of failed banks
uri: Urgent-On-executives-of-failed-banks
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-nov-feb.html#12_January_2025_(Urgent:_On_executives_of_failed_banks)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-nov-feb.html#12_January_2025_(Urgent:_On_executives_of_failed_banks)

content:
 
<p>
US citizens:
<a href="https://actionnetwork.org/forms/fdic-probe-of-failed-banks-executives?nowrapper=true&referrer=&source=email-the-fdic-must-release-the-findings-from-their-investigations-into-failed-bank-ceos">call
on the FDIC</a> to release findings from probes into executives of
failed banks.


<p>
 


title: About LA fires: the historical facts
uri: About-LA-fires-the-historical-facts
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-nov-feb.html#12_January_2025_(About_LA_fires:_the_historical_facts)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-nov-feb.html#12_January_2025_(About_LA_fires:_the_historical_facts)

content:
 
<p>
How building houses
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2025/jan/09/california-fire-memory">in areas of frequent fire</a>
within LA built up the
conditions for worse fires.
<p>
It could be that leaving some areas vacant would help protect the rest
of the city from fire.  But not necessarily.
<p>
The end to fire suppression in certain areas would cause more frequent
fire in those areas.  Those would not directly harm anyone if the
areas were uninhabited &mdash; but these fires have been spread by burning
embers which can travel a long way.  It could be that the frequent
fires in those areas would spread each time to inhabited parts of the
city.
<p>
I can see the question, but I don't know enough to propose an answer.
<p>
Building all buildings so that they have nothing flammable on the
outside would make them safe.  Eliminating all trees would help too.
<p>
Is anyone working on a fire-extinguishing robot?  To have 10,000 of
those in the LA area would be expensive, but it might be worth the
cost.


<p>
 


title: Upcoming talk: Lausanne, Switzerland
uri: Upcoming-talk-Lausanne-Switzerland
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-nov-feb.html#13_January_2025_(Upcoming_talk:_Lausanne,_Switzerland)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-nov-feb.html#13_January_2025_(Upcoming_talk:_Lausanne,_Switzerland)

content:
 
  <p>
<a href="https://stallman.org/#upcoming-talks">Talk in Lausanne, Switzerland Jan 17 at 18:00</a>
  <p>
    Free software, and freedom in all your computing. Also, how I push the line in my own life.
<a href="https://42lausanne.ch/acces/">rue de Lausanne 64, Renens (School 42)</a>
<p>Language: The talk will be in English
  but I will accept questions in French or English.</p>
</li>

 


title: Urgent: Give clemency to Leonard Peltier
uri: Urgent-Give-clemency-to-Leonard-Peltier
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-nov-feb.html#12_January_2025_(Urgent:_Give_clemency_to_Leonard_Peltier)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-nov-feb.html#12_January_2025_(Urgent:_Give_clemency_to_Leonard_Peltier)

content:
 
<p>

  US citizens: call on Biden to <a href="https://actionnetwork.org/letters/biden-grant-leonard-peltier-clemency-now-pacs?nowrapper=true">give clemency to Leonard Peltier</a>.
</p>
<p>
If you phone, please spread the word!
White House: <a href="tel:+12024561111">+1-202-456-1111</a>
and (TTY/TDD) +1-202-456-6213</p>

<p>
Here's how to make the actionnetwork.org letter campaign linked above
work without running the site's nonfree JavaScript code.
(See https://gnu.org/philosophy/javascript-trap.html.)
</p>
<p>
First, make sure you have deactivated JavaScript in your browser or
are using the LibreJS plug-in.
</p>
<p>
I have done the next step for you: I added `?nowrapper=true' to the
end of the campaign URL before posting it above.  That should bring
you to a page that starts with, "Letter campaigns will not work
without javascript!"
</p>
<p>
They indeed won't work without some manual help, but the following
simple method seems adequate for many of them, including this one.
</p>
<p>
To start, fill in the personal information answers in the box on the
right side of the page.  That's how you say who's sending the letter.
</p>
<p>
Then click the "START WRITING" button.  That will take you to a page
that can't function without nonfree JavaScript code.  (To ensure it
doesn't function perversely <em>by running</em> that nonfree code, you can
enable LibreJS or disable JavaScript.)  You can finish sending without
that code By editing its URL in the browser's address bar, as follows:
</p>
<p>
First, go to the end and insert `&nowrapper=true'.  Then tell the
browser to visit that URL.  This should give you a version of the page
that works without JavaScript.  Edit the subject and body of your
letter.  Finally, click on the "SEND LETTER" button, and you're done.
</p>
<p>
This method seems to work for letter campaigns that send the letters
to a fixed list of recipients, the same recipients for every sender.
Editing and revisiting the URL is the only additional step needed to
bypass the nonfree JavaScript code.  I'm sure you'll agree it is a
small effort for the result of supporting the campaign
without opening your computer to unjust (and potentially malicious)
software.
</p>
</li>

 


title: Protecting Israeli soldiers from prosecution
uri: Protecting-Israeli-soldiers-from-prosecution
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-nov-feb.html#12_January_2025_(Protecting_Israeli_soldiers_from_prosecution)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-nov-feb.html#12_January_2025_(Protecting_Israeli_soldiers_from_prosecution)

content:
 
<p>

The Israeli army has made a rule that interviews with soldiers can't
show their faces or their names.  This is to protect them from
possible prosecution for any <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/jan/08/idf-restricts-media-coverage-of-soldiers-to-protect-them-from-risk-of-legal-action">war crimes or atrocities</a>
they may be found to have committed.
</p>
</li>

 


title: (satire) Trump throws funeral to upstage Carter's
uri: (satire)-Trump-throws-funeral-to-upstage-Carter-s
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-nov-feb.html#12_January_2025_((satire)_Trump_throws_funeral_to_upstage_Carter's)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-nov-feb.html#12_January_2025_((satire)_Trump_throws_funeral_to_upstage_Carter's)

content:
 
<p>

  (satire) *Jealous Trump <a href="https://theonion.com/jealous-trump-throws-own-state-funeral-to-upstage-carters/">Throws Own State Funeral To Upstage Carter's</a>.*
</p>
</li>

 


title: Elon Musk is monster bully on the loose
uri: Elon-Musk-is-monster-bully-on-the-loose
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-nov-feb.html#12_January_2025_(Elon_Musk_is_monster_bully_on_the_loose)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-nov-feb.html#12_January_2025_(Elon_Musk_is_monster_bully_on_the_loose)

content:
 
<p>

  *Elon Musk is a <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2025/jan/09/elon-musk-donald-trump-usa-bully-on-loose">monster bully on the loose</a>, but he can only get his
way if we let him.*
</p>
</li>

 


title: Media celebrity's houses destroyed by fire
uri: Media-celebrity-s-houses-destroyed-by-fire
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-nov-feb.html#12_January_2025_(Media_celebrity's_houses_destroyed_by_fire)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-nov-feb.html#12_January_2025_(Media_celebrity's_houses_destroyed_by_fire)

content:
 
<p>

Some of the houses destroyed by fire in Los Angeles <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/film/2025/jan/09/celebrities-lose-homes-destroyed-california-fires-billy-crystal-cary-elwes-eugene-levy">belong to media
    celebrities</a>.
</p>
<p>
The loss of a celebrity's home is not a worse blow than the loss of
someone else's home.  On the contrary, the celebrity may be wealthy
enough to have another home elsewhere already, and perhaps can afford
to rebuild what was lost, except for some valuable art.
</p>
<p>
But these celebrities may be in a position to make the public aware
that "This can happen to you, and probably will happen some day if we
don't curb <a class=glossary href="/glossary.html#global%20heating">global heating</a>."
</p>
</li>

 


title: British soldier testified on policy to kill Afghan men
uri: British-soldier-testified-on-policy-to-kill-Afghan-men
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-nov-feb.html#12_January_2025_(British_soldier_testified_on_policy_to_kill_Afghan_men)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-nov-feb.html#12_January_2025_(British_soldier_testified_on_policy_to_kill_Afghan_men)

content:
 
<p>

Former British soldiers who were in Afghanistan testified in a
government inquiry.  At least one testified there was a <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025/jan/08/flat-packing-them-soldier-says-sas-described-killing-afghans-in-casual-way">policy
    of killing any Afghan men</a> who were encountered in the field.
</p>
</li>

 


title: Japanese gangster charged with selling fissionable materials
uri: Japanese-gangster-charged-with-selling-fissionable-materials
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-nov-feb.html#12_January_2025_(Japanese_gangster_charged_with_selling_fissionable_materials)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-nov-feb.html#12_January_2025_(Japanese_gangster_charged_with_selling_fissionable_materials)

content:
 
<p>

  A Japanese gangster is <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/jan/09/takeshi-ebisawa-yakuza-leader-nuclear-materials-myanmar">charged with trying to sell fissionable materials</a>.
  (Also drugs, but that is not what's noteworthy.)
</p>
<p>
It seems to me that the crucial question is where it came from.
What country that can make large quantities of fissionable material
is selling them or losing them?
</p>
</li>

 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-nov-feb.html#12_January_2025_(Banks_quit_net_zero_alliance)
title: Banks quit net zero alliance
uri: Banks-quit-net-zero-alliance
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-nov-feb.html#12_January_2025_(Banks_quit_net_zero_alliance)
content:
 
<p>

  *Six [biggest] US banks <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/business/2025/jan/08/us-banks-quit-net-zero-alliance-before-trump-inauguration">quit net zero alliance</a> before [<a class=glossary href="/glossary.html#wrecker">the wrecker's</a>]
inauguration.*
</p>
<p>
There was always a chance that it would be hard to make the banks
keep their commitments &mdash; that they were giving only lip service to
avoiding global disaster.  That chance has now become certainty.
</p>
<p>
  I recommend <a href="https://stallman.org/archives//2021-sep-dec.html#15_December_2021_(Chase,_Wells_Fargo,_Bank_of_America_and_Citibank)">moving your money out of those banks</a> and into smaller
ones.  Those banks were also among those directly to blame for the
2008 fiscal crisis.
  I moved my money out of one of them around then.
</p>
<p>
They are Bank of America, Citigroup, Goldman Sachs.  JP Morgan, Morgan
Stanley, and Wells Fargo
</p>
</li>

 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-nov-feb.html#12_January_2025_(Winners_of_annual_Shkreli_Awards)
title: "Winners" of annual Shkreli Awards
uri: Winners-of-annual-Shkreli-Awards
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-nov-feb.html#12_January_2025_(Winners_of_annual_Shkreli_Awards)
content:
 
<p>

  *The <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/shkreli-awards-2024">"winners" of the annual Shkreli Awards</a> &mdash; named
after notorious "pharma bro" Martin Shkreli and given to the 10 "worst
examples of profiteering and dysfunction in healthcare" &mdash; include a
Texas medical school that sold body parts of deceased people without
relatives' consent, an alleged multi billion-dollar catheter scam, an
oncologist who subjected patients to unnecessary cancer treatments,
and a "monster monopoly" insurer.*
</p>
</li>

 


title: Why 21s-century fires are more dangerous
uri: Why-21s-century-fires-are-more-dangerous
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-nov-feb.html#12_January_2025_(Why_21s-century_fires_are_more_dangerous)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-nov-feb.html#12_January_2025_(Why_21s-century_fires_are_more_dangerous)

content:
 
<p>

21st-century fires are more dangerous because of <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/jan/11/wildfires-los-angeles-climate-crisis-john-vaillant">several
    different effects of global heating, working together</a>.
</p>
<p>
Tens of thousands of people have lost their homes in the LA fires.
This will cause a regional housing shortage and make thousands homeless.
</p>
</li>

 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-nov-feb.html#12_January_2025_(Corrupter_sentenced)
title: Corrupter sentenced
uri: Corrupter-sentenced
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-nov-feb.html#12_January_2025_(Corrupter_sentenced)
content:
 
<p>

<a class=glossary href="/glossary.html#corrupter">The corrupter</a> has been sentenced, for 34 felony convictions, to &hellip; <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2025/jan/11/trump-sentencing-trials">no
    punishment at all</a>.
</p>
</li>

 


title: New investigation on Tulsa race massacre
uri: New-investigation-on-Tulsa-race-massacre
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-nov-feb.html#12_January_2025_(New_investigation_on_Tulsa_race_massacre)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-nov-feb.html#12_January_2025_(New_investigation_on_Tulsa_race_massacre)

content:
 
<p>

  The Department of Justice has <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/jan/10/tulsa-race-massacre-report-doj">released a report on a new investigation</a>
of the Tulsa race massacre.
</p>
<p>
This report presents concretely the cruelty and hatred that racism
inspires.  It was not the only such racist mob attack in US history,
but it was perhaps the largest.  There are right-wing extremists today
who would like to commit more.
</p>
<p>
Ironically, the article linked to just above displays symbolic bigotry
by capitalizing "black" but not "white".  (To avoid endorsing bigotry,
capitalize both words or neither one.)  <a href="/articles/bigotry.html">I denounce bigotry</a>, and normally I
will not link to articles that practice it.  But I make exceptions for
some articles which report on worse cases of bigotry, and the massacre
surely is worse.
</p>
</li>

 


title: Wrecker may use LA climate disaster to attack California
uri: Wrecker-may-use-LA-climate-disaster-to-attack-California
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-nov-feb.html#12_January_2025_(Wrecker_may_use_LA_climate_disaster_to_attack_California)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-nov-feb.html#12_January_2025_(Wrecker_may_use_LA_climate_disaster_to_attack_California)

content:
 
<p>

Robert Reich forecasts that <a class=glossary href="/glossary.html#wrecker">the wrecker</a> will <a href="https://robertreich.substack.com/p/the-great-fire">use the LA climate disaster
    as an opportunity to attack California</a>, which he hates because it votes
Democratic.
</p>
</li>

 


title: Impeached president of South Korea guarded
uri: Impeached-president-of-South-Korea-guarded
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-nov-feb.html#12_January_2025_(Impeached_president_of_South_Korea_guarded)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-nov-feb.html#12_January_2025_(Impeached_president_of_South_Korea_guarded)

content:
 
<p>

The impeached president of South Korea lives in a fortress <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/jan/11/inside-south-korea-president-residence-fortress">guarded by
    his personal guard corps</a>, who won't allow cops in.  The parliament
wonders how to arrest him.
</p>
<p>
I suggest passing a law to cut off the salaries of his guards.
Then they could allow only adequate but boring food in.
</p>
</li>

 


title: Estimates on people killed by Israel's bombardment of Gaza
uri: Estimates-on-people-killed-by-Israel-s-bombardment-of-Gaza
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-nov-feb.html#12_January_2025_(Estimates_on_people_killed_by_Israel's_bombardment_of_Gaza)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-nov-feb.html#12_January_2025_(Estimates_on_people_killed_by_Israel's_bombardment_of_Gaza)

content:
 
<p>

The Lancet estimates that Israel's bombardment of Gaza had <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/jan/10/gaza-death-toll-40-higher-than-official-number-lancet-study-finds">killed
    around 65,000 people</a> as of last June.
</p>
<p>
They estimate that over 60% of the dead were noncombatants.
</p>
<p>
This figure does not try to include deaths causes by the siege, or
people buried under rubble.  Palestinians have reported thousands of
specific people they believed to be buried in the rubble of specific
buildings.
</p>
</li>

 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-nov-feb.html#12_January_2025_(Year_2024_hottest_on_record)
title: Year 2024 hottest on record
uri: Year-2024-hottest-on-record
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-nov-feb.html#12_January_2025_(Year_2024_hottest_on_record)
content:
 
<p>

  *<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2025/jan/10/world-temperature-hottest-year-noaa">2024 was hottest year on record</a> for world’s land and oceans, US scientists
confirm.*
</p>
</li>

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-nov-feb.html#13_January_2025_(Sudan_ethnic_massacres)
title: Sudan ethnic massacres
uri: Sudan-ethnic-massacres
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-nov-feb.html#13_January_2025_(Sudan_ethnic_massacres)
content:
 
<p>
Reportedly Sudan has fallen into a race war, with
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2025/jan/10/ethnically-targeted-violence-raging-sudan-darfur">lighter-skinned
"Arabs" killing</a> darker skinned "blacks" &mdash; though people may
also be killed or spared based on
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2007-jan-apr.html#17%20March%202007%20(Darfur%20massacres)">specific
ethnic groups</a>.


<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-nov-feb.html#13_January_2025_(Televised_González_vs_Maduro,_VEN)
title: Televised González vs Maduro, VEN
uri: Televised-González-vs-Maduro-VEN
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-nov-feb.html#13_January_2025_(Televised_González_vs_Maduro,_VEN)
content:
 
<p>
*Venezuelan opposition candidate
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/jan/11/venezuela-edmundo-gonzalez-nicolas-maduro-presidential-election">accuses Nicolás Maduro of coup</a>.*


<p>
 


title: Stats, gains from a low-carbon future
uri: Stats-gains-from-a-low-carbon-future
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-nov-feb.html#13_January_2025_(Stats,_gains_from_a_low-carbon_future)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-nov-feb.html#13_January_2025_(Stats,_gains_from_a_low-carbon_future)

content:
 
<p>
Curbing <a class="glossary" href="/glossary.html#global%20heating">global heating</a>
would make life
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2025/jan/10/warmer-homes-healthier-people-low-carbon-future">healthier
and more comfortable</a>, as well as limiting climate disaster.


<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-nov-feb.html#14_January_2025_(Urgent:_Save_Net_Neutrality)
title: Urgent: Save Net Neutrality
uri: Urgent-Save-Net-Neutrality
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-nov-feb.html#14_January_2025_(Urgent:_Save_Net_Neutrality)
content:
 
<p>
US citizens:
<a href="https://act.demandprogress.org/sign/net-neutrality-ruling-2025/?t=1005">call
on Congress</a> to choose the people over Big Telecom &mdash; to
save Net Neutrality
<p>
If you phone, please spread the word!                              
Main Switchboard: <a href="tel:+12022243121">+1-202-224-3121</a>

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-nov-feb.html#14_January_2025_(DNC_renewal:_past_corporate_ties)
title: DNC renewal: past corporate ties
uri: DNC-renewal-past-corporate-ties
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-nov-feb.html#14_January_2025_(DNC_renewal:_past_corporate_ties)
content:
 
<p>
The Democratic National Committee does not publish its list of
members.  It identifies some members but not others.
<p>
Now
<a href="https://prospect.org/politics/2025-01-10-opening-dncs-black-box/">the
full list</a> has been published with the help of leakers.

<p>
 


title: Abortion bans elicit net pop. loss
uri: Abortion-bans-elicit-net-pop-loss
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-nov-feb.html#14_January_2025_(Abortion_bans_elicit_net_pop._loss)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-nov-feb.html#14_January_2025_(Abortion_bans_elicit_net_pop._loss)

content:
 
<p>
The states that ban abortion tend to have harsh policies towards
single mothers and their children.  Per year, around
<a href="https://www.cbsnews.com/news/abortion-ban-laws-linked-to-people-leaving-states-research/">150,000
more households</a> move out of these states than move in.


<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-nov-feb.html#16_January_2025_(Rentals_price-gouging,_LA,_CA)
title: Rentals price-gouging, LA, CA
uri: Rentals-price-gouging-LA-CA
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-nov-feb.html#16_January_2025_(Rentals_price-gouging,_LA,_CA)
content:
 
<p>
*LA officials warn of price gouging as those
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/jan/12/california-wildfires-housing-price-gouging-scams">displaced by fire seek housing</a>.*
<p>
As fire losses gradually accelerate, they will gradually increase the
national shortage of housing.



<p>
 


title: Further fallout from fleeing Pres., BGD
uri: Further-fallout-from-fleeing-Pres-BGD
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-nov-feb.html#16_January_2025_(Further_fallout_from_fleeing_Pres.,_BGD)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-nov-feb.html#16_January_2025_(Further_fallout_from_fleeing_Pres.,_BGD)

content:
 
<p>
Tulip Siddiq,
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2025/jan/14/who-is-tulip-siddiq-niece-of-deposed-bangladeshi-pm-who-quit-treasury-role">the
UK treasury minister, has resigned</a> because of criticism that
her aunt was until recently
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2022-nov-feb.html#27_January_2023_(Leadership_protests,_Bangladesh)">the
president/dictator of Bangladesh</a>, Sheikh Hasina.
<p>
Atrocities in her name are reported
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/jan/14/videos-reveal-new-incidents-of-deadly-brutality-by-bangladesh-police">continuing
until the very day she fled</a> the country.
<p>
For an official who makes important decisions to have a close
relationship of any kind with an important foreign official is not
necessary actual corruption, but the temptation it creates should be
considered disqualifying as a conflict of interest.
<p>
A close relationship of any kind with a decision-maker in a major company
should likewise be disqualifying.

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-nov-feb.html#16_January_2025_(Impeached_president_arrested,_KOR)
title: Impeached president arrested, KOR
uri: Impeached-president-arrested-KOR
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-nov-feb.html#16_January_2025_(Impeached_president_arrested,_KOR)
content:
 
<p>
South Korea's
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/jan/15/yoon-suk-yeol-arrest-south-korea-president-impeachment-police-presence-seoul">impeached president was arrested</a>,
with a big operation
that met with only desultory resistance.
<p>
Perhaps his guards realized that their primary loyalty was owed to the
country rather than to him.

<p>
 


title: Urgent: Resume fact-checking at Meta
uri: Urgent-Resume-fact-checking-at-Meta
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-nov-feb.html#16_January_2025_(Urgent:_Resume_fact_Checking_at_Meta)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-nov-feb.html#16_January_2025_(Urgent:_Resume_fact_Checking_at_Meta)

content:
 
<p>
Everyone:
<a href="https://actionnetwork.org/letters/meta-reinstate-fact-checking?nowrapper=true">call on Meta</a>
to resume fact-checking, because facts are not
decided by what more people think or whether one view's supporters can
intimidate the other views' supporters.
<p>
Here's how to make the actionnetwork.org letter campaign linked above
work without running the site's nonfree JavaScript code.
(See https://gnu.org/philosophy/javascript-trap.html.)
<p>
First, make sure you have deactivated JavaScript in your browser or
are using the LibreJS plug-in.
<p>
I have done the next step for you: I added `?nowrapper=true' to the
end of the campaign URL before posting it above.  That should bring
you to a page that starts with, "Letter campaigns will not work
without javascript!"
<p>
They indeed won't work without some manual help, but the following
simple method seems adequate for many of them, including this one.
<p>
To start, fill in the personal information answers in the box on the
right side of the page.  That's how you say who's sending the letter.
<p>
Then click the "START WRITING" button.  That will take you to a page
that can't function without nonfree JavaScript code.  (To ensure it
doesn't function perversely _by running_ that nonfree code, you can
enable LibreJS or disable JavaScript.)  You can finish sending without
that code By editing its URL in the browser's address bar, as follows:
<p>
First, go to the end and insert `&nowrapper=true'.  Then tell the
browser to visit that URL.  This should give you a version of the page
that works without JavaScript.  Edit the subject and body of your
letter.  Finally, click on the "SEND LETTER" button, and you're done.
<p>
This method seems to work for letter campaigns that send the letters
to a fixed list of recipients, the same recipients for every sender.
Editing and revisiting the URL is the only additional step needed to
bypass the nonfree JavaScript code.  I'm sure you'll agree it is a
small effort for the result of supporting the campaign
without opening your computer to unjust (and potentially malicious)
software.


<p>
 


title: Israel raids refugee camp with ambulance
uri: Israel-raids-refugee-camp-with-ambulance
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-nov-feb.html#17_January_2025_(Israel_raids_refugee_camp_with_ambulance)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-nov-feb.html#17_January_2025_(Israel_raids_refugee_camp_with_ambulance)

content:
 
<p>
*Israel admits soldiers <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/jan/14/suddenly-there-was-a-car-of-men-the-day-israeli-soldiers-attacked-a-refugee-camp">used ambulance in raid</a> on refugee camp.*
<p>
Disguising soldiers as medical personnel is a heinous crime because it
risks raising suspicion against real medical personnel.  Remember when
the US disguised agents as polio vaccinators to search for Osama bin
Laden?  The backlash against that spurred rejection of polio
vaccination in part of Pakistan.  Twenty years later, that part of
Pakistan is the only region where the vaccination campaign has not been
completed.

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-nov-feb.html#17_January_2025_(DoJ_vs._Voting_Rights_Act)
title: DoJ vs. Voting Rights Act
uri: DoJ-vs-Voting-Rights-Act
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-nov-feb.html#17_January_2025_(DoJ_vs._Voting_Rights_Act)
content:
 
<p>
Experts warn that <a class=glossary href="/glossary.html#trump">the fascist</a> leader could direct DoJ officials to
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/jan/05/trump-voting-rights-justice-department">scale back enforcement</a> of Voting Rights Act.

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-nov-feb.html#17_January_2025_(United_Hellth_denials)
title: United Hellth denials
uri: United-Hellth-denials
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-nov-feb.html#17_January_2025_(United_Hellth_denials)
content:
 
<p>
United Hellth <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/united-healthcare-surgery-coverage">pursues denial of coverage so assiduously</a> that its agent
phoned a surgeon to argue an operation was not necessary, just as she
was in the process of performing it.

<p>
 


title: Trump vs. National Climate Assessment
uri: Trump-vs-National-Climate-Assessment
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-nov-feb.html#17_January_2025_(Trump_vs._National_Climate_Assessment)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-nov-feb.html#17_January_2025_(Trump_vs._National_Climate_Assessment)

content:
 
<p>
The <a class=glossary href="/glossary.html#s-i-c">saboteur-in-chief's</a> supporters are trying to give the right-wing
<a class=glossary href="/glossary.html#global%20heating">global heating</a> denialists <a href="https://www.eenews.net/articles/trump-team-takes-aim-at-crown-jewel-of-us-climate-research/">power over the National Climate Assessment</a>,
hitherto directed and made by climate scientists.

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-nov-feb.html#17_January_2025_(Resist_billionaire_class)
title: Resist billionaire class
uri: Resist-billionaire-class
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-nov-feb.html#17_January_2025_(Resist_billionaire_class)
content:
 
<p>
*To resist the climate crisis, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2025/jan/10/climate-crisis-billionaire-class">we must resist the billionaire class</a>.*

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-nov-feb.html#17_January_2025_(Nauru)
title: Nauru
uri: 2025-01-18-Nauru
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-nov-feb.html#17_January_2025_(Nauru)
content:
 
<p>
The recent UN human rights ruling affirms the principle that Australia
bears full responsibility for the <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2025/jan/11/i-felt-less-human-not-human-at-all-australia-faces-moral-crossroads-over-nauru">offshore immigration prison</a> it
established with the help of Nauru, and for the harm that it does to
the prisoners.

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-nov-feb.html#17_January_2025_(Fascists_want_your_attention)
title: Fascists want your attention
uri: Fascists-want-your-attention
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-nov-feb.html#17_January_2025_(Fascists_want_your_attention)
content:
 
<p>
The <a class=glossary href="/glossary.html#magat">magats</a> seek to crush America's spirit of civil solidarity, and <a href="https://newrepublic.com/article/190034/transcript-trumps-ugly-eruptions-wildfires-hint-darker-story">uses
disasters as an opportunity</a>.
<p>
Here's an <a href="https://www.politico.com/news/2025/01/08/trump-musk-california-democrats-wildfires-00197080">example</a>.
<p>
<a class=glossary href="/glossary.html#musk">The muskrat</a> seeks to drown out serious discussion of policy issues by
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2025/jan/12/elon-musk-and-the-new-world-order-the-hijacking-of-the-global-conversation">screaming distraction</a> so loud that most journalists won't disregard it.
<p>
*[<a class=glossary href="/glossary.html#trump">The fascist</a> leaders] <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2025/jan/10/musk-farage-trump-crave-attention-populist-trolling">crave your attention</a>. Don’t give it to them.*  Denounce them once in a while for this, then go back to concentrating on
the issues that really matter.

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-nov-feb.html#17_January_2025_(Protest_effectiveness)
title: Protest effectiveness
uri: Protest-effectiveness
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-nov-feb.html#17_January_2025_(Protest_effectiveness)
content:
 
<p>
What science concludes about making protests <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/jan/15/stand-up-and-be-counted-six-ways-to-protest-that-will-make-your-voice-heard">more or less effective</a>.

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-nov-feb.html#17_January_2025_(UK_internet_safety)
title: UK "internet safety"
uri: UK-internet-safety
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-nov-feb.html#17_January_2025_(UK_internet_safety)
content:
 
<p>
The UK's "internet safety" law makes operating a specialized
noncontroversial nonsexual conversation forum <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2025/jan/12/note-to-no-10-one-speed-doesnt-fit-all-when-it-comes-to-online-safety">dangerously unsafe</a>.  One
site that supports hundreds of them is closing them all.
<p>
The way the word "content" is used in that article, as if it were a
kind of substance or commodity, fills me with disgust every time I see
it.  If the issue were not pressing, I would feel like not linking to
that article.

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-nov-feb.html#17_January_2025_(Cecilia_Sala)
title: Cecilia Sala
uri: 2025-01-18-Cecilia-Sala
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-nov-feb.html#17_January_2025_(Cecilia_Sala)
content:
 
<p>
Iran's <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/jan/12/italy-releases-iranian-man-wanted-by-us-over-drone-attack-in-jordan">arrest of visiting Italian journalist Cecilia Sala</a> seems to
have been a response to Italy's arrest of an Iranian accused of making
a drone attack on a US base in Jordan.
<p>
It seems that Italy made a deal with Iran to release both of them
in order to rescue Ms Sala.
<p>
Iran seems to be using China's method for getting its agents out of
jail: arrest hostages to exchange for them.

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-nov-feb.html#17_January_2025_(Meta_factchecking)
title: Meta factchecking
uri: Meta-factchecking
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-nov-feb.html#17_January_2025_(Meta_factchecking)
content:
 
<p>
*Meta <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2025/jan/10/meta-factchecking-donald-trump">never cared about factchecking</a>. What it wants is friction-free
oligarchy.*
<p>
You can do your part to punish Facebook and its other disservices
by not letting them use you.

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-nov-feb.html#17_January_2025_(Mark_Zuckerberg)
title: Mark Zuckerberg
uri: Mark-Zuckerberg
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-nov-feb.html#17_January_2025_(Mark_Zuckerberg)
content:
 
<p>
Zuckerberg once apologized for feeding Americans Russian
disinformation.  Now, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2025/jan/11/trump-musk-zuckerberg-war-on-facts-truth-pushback-now">keeling to the corrupter</a>, he calls that part of
Facebook's mission.

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-nov-feb.html#17_January_2025_(Trump_Silicon_Valley)
title: Trump Silicon Valley
uri: Trump-Silicon-Valley
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-nov-feb.html#17_January_2025_(Trump_Silicon_Valley)
content:
 
<p>
The major tech CEOs are eager to become <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2025/jan/11/trump-silicon-valley">vassals</a> of the man who would
be king of the United States.
<p>
Like Russian oligarchs, they may make billions with his approval,
but they will be required to uphold his dominion over us.


<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-nov-feb.html#18_January_2025_(Global_heating_and_the_LA_fires)
title: Global heating and the LA fires
uri: Global-heating-and-the-LA-fires
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-nov-feb.html#18_January_2025_(Global_heating_and_the_LA_fires)
content:
 
<p>
*With few exceptions, the news has
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2025/jan/16/climate-crisis-la-california-wildfires">shied
away from showing</a> how the unfolding climate crisis plays a large
role in the [LA fire] disaster.*
<p>
The US media have taken this approach ever since the effects of
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#15_April_2021_(Climate_emergency_is_here)">global
heating became visible</a>, and I pointed it out
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2012-may-aug.html#7_July_2012_(US_Corporate_Media)">years
ago</a>.


<p>
 


title: Urgent: Release the wrecker-crimes report
uri: Urgent-Release-the-wrecker-crimes-report
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-nov-feb.html#18_January_2025_(Urgent:_Release_the_wrecker-crimes_report)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-nov-feb.html#18_January_2025_(Urgent:_Release_the_wrecker-crimes_report)

content:
 
<p>
US citizens:
<a href="https://act.commoncause.org/petitions/we-deserve-the-full-truth-about-trumps-alleged-crimes?nowrapper=true&referrer=&source=011125-garland-trump-report">call
on Attorney General Garland</a> to release the report of the
investigation into alleged crimes by <a class="glossary" href="/glossary.html#corrupter">the corrupter</a>.


<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-nov-feb.html#18_January_2025_(Oligarchy_VS_Democracy,_USA)
title: Oligarchy VS Democracy, USA
uri: Oligarchy-VS-Democracy-USA
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-nov-feb.html#18_January_2025_(Oligarchy_VS_Democracy,_USA)
content:
 
<p>
*<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/jan/15/joe-biden-farewell-address-trump-oligarchy-america">Joe Biden warns</a>
‘oligarchy is taking shape in America’ in farewell address.*
<p>
I wish he had campaigned about this.

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-nov-feb.html#18_January_2025_(Ceasefire_deal,_ISR)
title: Gaza war ceasefire deal, ISR
uri: Gaza-war-ceasefire-deal-ISR
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-nov-feb.html#18_January_2025_(Ceasefire_deal,_ISR)
content:
 
<p>
*Israel Agrees to the Ceasefire [deal that]
<a href="https://theintercept.com/2025/01/15/israel-hamas-ceasefire-biden-netanyahu-deaths/">It
 Rejected Months Ago</a>, [since which time] Thousands More Died.*
<p>
However, there are reports Netanyahu is reneging on the deal already.
(Sorry, I don't have a link for this.)
<p>
I have a suspicion that <a class="glossary" href="/glossary.html#wrecker">the wrecker</a> asked him to delay the deal to give
<!---->the wrecker a chance to claim the credit.  But it could also be a
matter of appeasing his extreme right-wing
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/jan/16/netanyahu-theatrics-loyalties-pressure-ceasefire-deal">supporters
who demand</a> "total victory" and object to anything less.

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-nov-feb.html#18_January_2025_(Gaza_war's_Islamist_aftermath)
title: Gaza war aftermath
uri: Gaza-war-aftermath
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-nov-feb.html#18_January_2025_(Gaza_war's_Islamist_aftermath)
content:
 
<p>
The possible end of the war in Gaza sees Iran's Islamist allies
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/jan/16/islamist-groups-middle-east-gaza-war-weakened-ceasefire-hamas-hezbollah">greatly
weakened, and the legitimacy</a> of Israel's cause cast into deep doubt.



<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-nov-feb.html#18_January_2025_(Richard_Stallman_à_Montpellier)
title: Richard Stallman à Montpellier
uri: Richard-Stallman-à-Montpellier
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-nov-feb.html#18_January_2025_(Richard_Stallman_à_Montpellier)
content:
 
<p>
Richard Stallman will <a href="/talks.html#2025-01-20">give a talk</a>
in Montpellier, France Jan 20 at 18:30
<p>
Location:  Salle du Conseil de l'Hotel de la Métropole, à Montpellier.
<p>
Language: En français
<p>
Streaming: if this is arranged, a URL will be posted here.
If <em>you</em> arrange a libre streaming URL for the talk by Monday,
please email it to 
<a href="mailto:stallman-org@gnu.org">stallman-org@gnu.org</a>.
They can post it.

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-nov-feb.html#19_January_2025_(A_free_lunch_in_Greenland)
title: A "free lunch" in Greenland
uri: A-free-lunch-in-Greenland
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-nov-feb.html#19_January_2025_(A_free_lunch_in_Greenland)
content:
 
<p>
*People in Maga hats at meal last week [in Greenland] did not know
[<a class="glossary" href="/glossary.html#grifter">the grifter's</a>] son and
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/jan/16/homeless-people-given-free-lunch-to-attend-donald-trump-jr-event-in-greenland">were invited off the street</a>,
hotel boss says.*
<p>
With those bullshitters, we should never assume any appearance of
anything is not phony.

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-nov-feb.html#19_January_2025_(Surveillance_in_a_deep_state,_US)
title: Surveillance in a deep state, US
uri: Surveillance-in-a-deep-state-US
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-nov-feb.html#19_January_2025_(Surveillance_in_a_deep_state,_US)
content:
 
<p>
*[<a class="glossary" href="/glossary.html#bullshitter">The bullshitter</a>] Decried [sneaky FISA law surveillance on Americans]
as a Deep State Spy Weapon. His
<a href="https://theintercept.com/2025/01/15/trump-nominees-fbi-cia-surveillance-fisa-702/">Nominees
Sure Seem to Love It</a>.*
<p>
For more information about this, see 
<ul>
<li><a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2024-nov-feb.html#22_December_2024_(Powers_of_US_government_to_snoop)">a
recent law</a>
<li><a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2013-may-aug.html#18_July_2013_(Three_degrees_of_separation_from_a_terrorist_suspect)">three
degrees of separation</a>
<li>
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#21_June_2015_(ISP_data_retention)">a comparison
with the UK</a>
<li><a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2013-may-aug.html#10_July_2013_(Retired_FISA_Judge_speaks_out_against_secret_courts)">about
secret FISA court</a>
</ul>
It is useless to point out the inconsistencies between the
bullshitter's proclaimed "views" or "positions" and his specific
actions to put pressure on him.  He doesn't really believe those
"positions".  But showing these examples may help convince Americans
not to trust his "positions".

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-nov-feb.html#19_January_2025_(US_Sec._of_Treasury_nominee)
title: US Sec. of Treasury nominee
uri: US-Sec-of-Treasury-nominee
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-nov-feb.html#19_January_2025_(US_Sec._of_Treasury_nominee)
content:
 
<p>
*<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/scott-bessent-set-to-serve-billionaires-big-banks-and-big-oil-as-treasury-secretary">Scott Bessent</a>
Set to Serve Billionaires, Big Banks,
and Big Oil as Treasury Secretary.*

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-nov-feb.html#19_January_2025_(US_Sec._Defence_nominee)
title: US Sec. Defense nominee
uri: US-Sec-Defense-nominee
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-nov-feb.html#19_January_2025_(US_Sec._Defence_nominee)
content:
 
<p>
Hegseth, the middle-finger nominee for Secretary of Defense,
wants to bring back the base names that honor
<a href="https://robertreich.substack.com/p/the-shame-of-hegseth">traitors
who fought for the Confederacy</a>.  In addition he is accused of
various sorts of personal misconduct.
<p>
It seems he objects to allowing honesty and patriotism to infiltrate
the US military.
<p>
What Senator Ernst did shows that any time a Republican shows a sign
of concern for proper governance, we cannot expert per to stand up to
the Republican base who are fanatically loyal to <a class="glossary" href="/glossary.html#wrecker">the wrecker</a>.  As the
article explains at the end, in the past Republicans could do so.


<p>
 


title: Neuroscience of anticipating some fun
uri: Neuroscience-of-anticipating-some-fun
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-nov-feb.html#19_January_2025_(Neuroscience_of_the_joy_of_driving)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-nov-feb.html#19_January_2025_(Neuroscience_of_the_joy_of_driving)

content:
 
<p>
Rats display many signs of joy when given the chance
<a href="https://theconversation.com/im-a-neuroscientist-who-taught-rats-to-drive-their-joy-suggests-how-anticipating-fun-can-enrich-human-life-239029">to drive a
rat-sized car</a>.
<p>
Rats that have grown up with toys show mental flexibility:
when given the chance to drive rat-sized cars, the rats with
interesting environments learn faster.


<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-nov-feb.html#19_January_2025_(Urgent:_protect_funding_npr_pbs)
title: Urgent: protect funding for NPR and PBS
uri: Urgent-protect-funding-for-NPR-and-PBS
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-nov-feb.html#19_January_2025_(Urgent:_protect_funding_npr_pbs)
content:
 
<p>
US citizens: phone your representatives and senators and call
on them to protect funding for NPR and PBS.
<p>
They are far from perfect.  They feel obliged to take a "balanced" view
even in an unbalanced situation.  But they will help resist fascism.

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-nov-feb.html#19_January_2025_(atm_withdrawals_uk)
title: ATM withdrawals
uri: ATM-withdrawals
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-nov-feb.html#19_January_2025_(atm_withdrawals_uk)
content:
 
<p>
Older Britons are moving back to cash payment, but most young people
can't summon up the will to escape from 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/money/2025/jan/14/atm-withdrawals-on-the-rise-cash-uk-nationwide-shotton">tracked digital payments.</a>
the first step is to make sure you carry a reasonable amount of cash.
You can decide to have cash on hand, then each time you leave the house
take a reasonable amount with you.  After a week or two it will become
a habit.
<p>
When you don't have enough cash to make a purchase, don't make a tracked
digital payment.  Instead, get cash out of an ATM and pay with that.
The surveillance system will get less data about you from the ATM!
<p>
Don't just take out the amount needed for that one purchase.
Withdraw enough money to last you for a few days.
That way, for your next few payments you <Em>will</Em> have enough cash.

<p>
 


title: Activist time inside prison
uri: Activist-time-inside-prison
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-nov-feb.html#19_January_2025_(pro_palestine_activist_time_inside_prison)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-nov-feb.html#19_January_2025_(pro_palestine_activist_time_inside_prison)

content:
 
<p>
The UK sentenced activist Stuart Bretherton to a few months in prison
for a forbidden protest that was entirely nonviolence and did no damage
to anything.  It is clear that his "crime" was nothing other 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2025/jan/18/pro-palestine-activist-time-inside-prison">than the
act of criticizing the government.</a>
<p>
I continue to believe that it is an error to be 
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2024-mar-jun.html#24_May_2024_(Israeli-Palestinian_peace_process)">"pro-Israel" or
"pro-Palestine".</a>
<p>
We should be anti-atrocity, condemning the heinous
atrocities of Israel and Palestine but not hating either people.  I
agree with Bretherton's conclusions, condemning the British government
for its repressive imprisonment of nonviolent protesters.

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-nov-feb.html#19_January_2025_(julie_su_labor)
title: Worker policies
uri: Worker-policies
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-nov-feb.html#19_January_2025_(julie_su_labor)
content:
 
<p>
*   Julie Su, acting labor secretary, fears many of Biden’s pro-worker
   policies will be 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/jan/18/julie-su-labor-secretary-biden-trump">undone by the new administration.*</a>
<p>
These policies are among those that 
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jan-apr.html#2_March_2023_(Labor_praise)">led me to describe Biden as 1/3
progressive.</a>
<p>
Which is a lot better than not progressive at all.

<p>
 


title: Climate ‘whiplash’
uri: Climate-whiplash
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-nov-feb.html#19_January_2025_(climate_whiplash_exponential_increase)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-nov-feb.html#19_January_2025_(climate_whiplash_exponential_increase)

content:
 
<p>
*   Global heating means atmosphere can drive both extreme droughts and
   floods 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2025/jan/15/climate-whiplash-events-increasing-exponentially-around-world">with rapid switches.</a>
<p>
   &hellip;The research found that almost everywhere on the planet has experienced
   between 31% and 66% more whiplash events since the mid-20th century, as
   emissions from fossil fuel burning heated the atmosphere.*
   
<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-nov-feb.html#19_January_2025_(keon_west_science_of_racism)
title: Science of racism
uri: Science-of-racism
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-nov-feb.html#19_January_2025_(keon_west_science_of_racism)
content:
 
<p>
Scientific experiments show that most people in Britain underestimate
the amount of racism that is actually present in society and
underestimate how 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/books/2025/jan/18/keon-west-science-of-racism-book-extract">racist each one individually is.</a>

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-nov-feb.html#19_January_2025_(rfk_covid_19_vaccines)
title: RFK Jr vaccine article
uri: RFK-Jr-vaccine-article
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-nov-feb.html#19_January_2025_(rfk_covid_19_vaccines)
content:
 
<p>
According to the New York Times, RFK Jr wrote to the FDA in 2021
calling for cancellation of the 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/jan/18/rfk-jr-covid-19-vaccinations">approval of the Covid-19 vaccine.</a>

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-nov-feb.html#19_January_2025_(australian_climate_inaction)
title: Australian climate inaction
uri: Australian-climate-inaction
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-nov-feb.html#19_January_2025_(australian_climate_inaction)
content:
 
<p>
Suggesting to Australians how to express their dissatisfaction with
both of the major parties' weak attitude towards the 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/business/grogonomics/2025/jan/16/australians-should-be-angry-about-another-year-of-climate-inaction-but-dont-let-your-anger-turn-into-despair">advance of global
heating disaster.</a>

<p>
 


title: Age verification law
uri: Age-verification-law
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-nov-feb.html#19_January_2025_(supreme_court_porn_age_verification)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-nov-feb.html#19_January_2025_(supreme_court_porn_age_verification)

content:
 
<p>
One of the Project 2025 fanatics told people that the "age verification" requirements are a sneaky way of 
<a href="https://theintercept.com/2025/01/15/supreme-court-porn-age-verification/">moving to ban porn.</a>

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-nov-feb.html#19_January_2025_(biden_gaza_ceasefire_negotiations)
title: Ceasefire negotiations
uri: Ceasefire-negotiations
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-nov-feb.html#19_January_2025_(biden_gaza_ceasefire_negotiations)
content:
 
<p>
Reportedly the thought of disobeying the fascist leader made Netanyahu
realize he had to accept 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/jan/15/a-stern-message-how-return-of-trump-loomed-over-gaza-ceasefire-negotiations">Biden's ceasefire plan.</a>
<p>
The plan involves a temporary truce and exchanging 33 female hostages for
Palestinian prisoners.

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-nov-feb.html#19_January_2025_(tulip_siddiq_bangladesh)
title: Tulip Siddiq
uri: Tulip-Siddiq
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-nov-feb.html#19_January_2025_(tulip_siddiq_bangladesh)
content:
 
<p>
*Bangladeshi and British politics collided 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2025/jan/16/tulip-siddiq-resignation-corruption-allegations-bangladesh">to bring down Tulip Siddiq.*</a>

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-nov-feb.html#19_January_2025_((Satire)_lapd_arrests_home_fire)
title: (Satire) LAPD Arrests
uri: (Satire)-LAPD-Arrests
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-nov-feb.html#19_January_2025_((Satire)_lapd_arrests_home_fire)
content:
 
<p>
(satire) *LAPD Arrests 
<a href="https://theonion.com/lapd-arrests-everyone-who-lost-home-in-fire/">Everyone Who Lost Home In Fire.*</a>

<p>
 


title: Special counsel report
uri: Special-counsel-report
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-nov-feb.html#20_January_2025_(special_counsel_jack_smith_2020_election)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-nov-feb.html#20_January_2025_(special_counsel_jack_smith_2020_election)

content:
 
<p>
Special counsel Jack Smith believes that the corrupter would have been
convicted of various crimes related to trying to steal the 2020 election,
if his grabbing the 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/jan/14/first-thing-special-counsel-jack-smith-trump-convicted-2020-election">presidency had not got him off the hook.</a>
<p>
Greg assert claims that the corrupter would have lost in 2024 if not
for new efforts at 
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#13_October_2020_(Voter_suppression)">voter suppression.</a>
<p>
Will we get our democracy back?

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-nov-feb.html#20_January_2025_(big_tech_eu_democracy_algorithms)
title: Big tech's algorithm
uri: Big-tech-s-algorithm
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-nov-feb.html#20_January_2025_(big_tech_eu_democracy_algorithms)
content:
 
<p>
Someone else is now saying that we must put an end to big tech's use of
recommendation algorithms to 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2025/jan/14/big-tech-picking-apart-europe-democracy-switch-off-algorithms">get users addicted</a>
<p>
  (and, along the way, to push right-wing disinformation on them).
  
<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-nov-feb.html#20_January_2025_(texas_anti_abortion_pills_bill)
title: Abortion pills
uri: 2025-01-20-Abortion-pills
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-nov-feb.html#20_January_2025_(texas_anti_abortion_pills_bill)
content:
 
<p>
Religious fanatics in Texas are proposing many schemes to attack or block
those who send, prescribe or help fund 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/jan/14/texas-anti-abortion-bills-filed">abortion pills for pregnant Texans.</a>
<p>
I fear that the new saboteur in chief will encourage federal laws to
support the fanatics.
<p>
<blockquote>
The poor and meek do not escape
If they conspire the law to break.
This must be so, but they endure,
Those who conspire to make the law.
</blockquote>
<p>
Women might consider saying to their boyfriends, "If you want to go to
bed with me, first give me a set of abortion pills just in case."  But
there is no obvious way for a man to obtain these prescription
medicines and be sure they are not fake.

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-nov-feb.html#20_January_2025_(uk_new_customs_union_eu_lib)
title: Customs union
uri: Customs-union
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-nov-feb.html#20_January_2025_(uk_new_customs_union_eu_lib)
content:
 
<p>
The Liberal Democrats, a UK political party, will advocate making a 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2025/jan/15/uk-should-seek-new-customs-union-with-eu-lib-dems-to-say">new
customs union with the EU.</a>
<p>
This is what Corbyn as leader of the Labour Party said he was 
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2024-jan-apr.html#23_March_2024_(Penury_and_child_poverty,_UK)">in
favor of.</a>
<p>
The Liberal Democrats will explicitly say that the wrecker is a
"threat to peace and prosperity" so *relations with him 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2025/jan/16/donald-trump-uk-state-visit-ukraine-summit-lib-dems-ed-davey">must be
transactional*,</a>
<p>
   not breed mutual trust.  That is simple rationality.  However,
accepting a plan to have a meeting with someone (Zelenskyy or anyone
else) as substantial concession is self-delusion.  The wrecker would
be happy to have a meeting with Zelenskyy and say he will give half of
Ukraine's territory to Putin.

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-nov-feb.html#20_January_2025_(uk_climate_protest_crackdown)
title: Climate protest crackdown
uri: Climate-protest-crackdown
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-nov-feb.html#20_January_2025_(uk_climate_protest_crackdown)
content:
 
<p>
*   Britain’s crackdown on climate protest is setting "a dangerous
   precedent" around the world and undermining democratic rights, the UK
   director of 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2025/jan/16/uk-accused-of-undermining-democratic-rights-with-climate-protest-crackdown">Human Rights Watch has said.*</a>

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-nov-feb.html#20_January_2025_(hrwg_froup_absolute_failure)
title: Human Rights Watch
uri: 2025-01-20-Human-Rights-Watch
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-nov-feb.html#20_January_2025_(hrwg_froup_absolute_failure)
content:
 
<p>
*   The past year has marked the “absolute failure” of western democracies
   as champions of human rights around the world, the head of 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/law/2025/jan/17/2024-witnessed-absolute-failure-of-west-to-lead-fight-for-human-rights-says-watchdog">Human Rights
   Watch (HRW) has said.*</a>
   
   <p>
 


title: Meta Trump approval
uri: Meta-Trump-approval
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-nov-feb.html#20_January_2025_(meta_moderators_texas_zuckerberg_trump)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-nov-feb.html#20_January_2025_(meta_moderators_texas_zuckerberg_trump)

content:
 
<p>
* Ex-workers say [Zuckerburg's] declaring relocation of moderation and
   safety teams from California just a 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2025/jan/13/meta-moderators-texas-zuckerberg-trump"> play for [the bullshitter's] approval.*</a>
<p>
Bullshitting in support of him is another expression of support.
It announces that henceforth Zuckerberg will say what pleases the
bullshitter, regardless of the facts.

<p>
 


title: Urgent: Restore fact-checking in Facebook and Instagram
uri: Urgent-Restore-fact-checking-in-Facebook-and-Instagram
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-nov-feb.html#20_January_2025_(Urgent:_Restore_fact-checking_in_Facebook_and_Instagram)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-nov-feb.html#20_January_2025_(Urgent:_Restore_fact-checking_in_Facebook_and_Instagram)

content:
 
<p>

<a class=glossary href="/glossary.html#used">Useds of Facebook</a>
or Instagram: <a href="https://act.commoncause.org/petitions/tell-mark-zuckerberg-the-truth-matters">call
on Zuckerburg to restore fact-checking in Facebook and Instagram</a>.
</p>
</li>

 


title: Urgent: Rein in political spending
uri: Urgent-Rein-in-political-spending
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-nov-feb.html#20_January_2025_(Urgent:_Rein_in_political_spending)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-nov-feb.html#20_January_2025_(Urgent:_Rein_in_political_spending)

content:
 
<p>

US citizens: call on Congress to rein in political spending &mdash;
<a href="https://act.pfaw.org/sign/overturn-citizens-united-democracy-for-all-amendment-2025/">pass
the Democracy for All amendment</a>.
</p>
<p>
If you phone, please spread the word!
Main Switchboard: <a href="tel:+12022243121">+1-202-224-3121</a>
</li>

 


title: How to get rid of American oligarchy
uri: How-to-get-rid-of-American-oligarchy
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-nov-feb.html#20_January_2025_(How_to_get_rid_of_American_oligarchy)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-nov-feb.html#20_January_2025_(How_to_get_rid_of_American_oligarchy)

content:
 
<p>

Robert Reich:
*<a href="https://robertreich.substack.com/p/the-oligarchy-will-decide-what-truth">How
we get rid of the American oligarchy.</a>*
</p>
</li>

 


title: How climate activism has been criminalised
uri: How-climate-activism-has-been-criminalised
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-nov-feb.html#20_January_2025_(How_climate_activism_has_been_criminalised)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-nov-feb.html#20_January_2025_(How_climate_activism_has_been_criminalised)

content:
 
<p>

*From the US to Uganda, how
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2024/dec/12/down-to-earth-climate-protest-new-york">climate
activism has been criminalised in 2024</a>.*
</p>
<p>
After the Democrats have joined up for repression of climate defense
while somewhat in power, we can't expect them to do much to defend against
what the billionaires' vassals will try to do.
</p>
</li>

 


title: "Wanted" posters about medical insurance executives
uri: Wanted-posters-about-medical-insurance-executives
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-nov-feb.html#20_January_2025_(Wanted_posters_about_medical_insurance_executives)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-nov-feb.html#20_January_2025_(Wanted_posters_about_medical_insurance_executives)

content:
 
<p>

<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/further/deny-defend-depose-they-eat-off-your-family-member-s-grave">"Wanted"
posters about medical insurance executives</a> are great HHOS.
</p>
</li>

 


title: Drone limitations on flying in prohibited areas
uri: Drone-limitations-on-flying-in-prohibited-areas
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-nov-feb.html#20_January_2025_(Drone_limitations_on_flying_in_prohibited_areas)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-nov-feb.html#20_January_2025_(Drone_limitations_on_flying_in_prohibited_areas)

content:
 
<p>

Drone-manufacturer DJI has decided to
<a href="https://www.yahoo.com/news/dji-drone-policy-could-fuel-213550069.html">put
an end</a> to including software
to forcibly prevent the drone from flying into prohibited areas.
</p>
<p>
That proprietary software was the spacial equivalent of DRM, and that
made it unjust.  I have nothing against the rule to keep one's drone
out of prohibited areas, and except in purely theoretical special
cases I would willingly comply with it.  But the idea that someone
could take control of my drone, perhaps by remotely altering its
geofence, is repugnant.
</p>
<p>
I suspect that all the rest of the software in those products is
nonfree also.  My conscience would rebel at having one of those
drones, either before or after the recent change.
</p>
<p>
Fortunately I have never felt any particular wish to have a drone.
</p>
</li>

 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-nov-feb.html#20_January_2025_(Iranian_singer_sentenced_to_death)
title: Iranian singer sentenced to death
uri: Iranian-singer-sentenced-to-death
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-nov-feb.html#20_January_2025_(Iranian_singer_sentenced_to_death)
content:
 
<p>

Iranian popular singer
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/jan/19/iranian-court-sentences-pop-star-tataloo-to-death-for-blasphemy">sentenced
to death for "blasphemy"</a>.
</p>
</li>

 


title: Houses of families of Palestinian prisoners' raided
uri: Houses-of-families-of-Palestinian-prisoners-raided
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-nov-feb.html#20_January_2025_(Houses_of_families_of_Palestinian_prisoners'_raided)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-nov-feb.html#20_January_2025_(Houses_of_families_of_Palestinian_prisoners'_raided)

content:
 
<p>

*Palestinian prisoners’ families say their
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/jan/19/palestinian-prisoners-families-say-their-houses-are-raided-by-israeli-forces">houses
were raided by Israeli forces</a>.
</p>
<p>
[Also] Israel says it will prevent "public displays of joy" by
families when Palestinians are released as part of Gaza ceasefire.*
</p>
<p>
Given the <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2024-may-aug.html#7_August_2024_(Israeli_prison-conditions)">reports
of released Palestinian prisoners</a> who had been crushed
by months of physical or psychological torture,
these prisoners' families may hardly feel any job on seeing what has
been don't to them.
</p>
<p>
(satire) Will Israel create a new Department of Palestinian Misery?
</p>
</li>

 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-nov-feb.html#20_January_2025_(Empire_of_billionaires)
title: Empire of billionaires
uri: Empire-of-billionaires
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-nov-feb.html#20_January_2025_(Empire_of_billionaires)
content:
 
<p>

George Monbiot: The empire of the billionaires is likely to
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2025/jan/19/donald-trump-elon-musk-class-war-uk-us-oligarchies-democracy">destroy the lives
of millions of Americans</a>, starting very soon, and no institutions seem to
be ready to resist this.  We can see in Argentina what it will do.
</p>
</li>

<p>
 


title: Urgent: Reform the John Deere company
uri: Urgent-Reform-the-John-Deere-company
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-nov-feb.html#21_January_2025_(Urgent:_Reform_the_John_Deere_company)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-nov-feb.html#21_January_2025_(Urgent:_Reform_the_John_Deere_company)

content:
 
<p>

In the US:
<a href="https://actionnetwork.org/letters/john-deere-mexico/?nowrapper=true">write
to the CEO of John Deere</a> to tell the company to stop closing
factories and moving production to low-wage companies.
<p>
I included text to support the
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2022-may-aug.html#7_June_2022_(Remote_kill_switch_and_right_to_repair)">right</a>
to
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2022-may-aug.html#14_June_2022_(farmer_dealer_ftc_complaint)">repair</a>
tractors:
<blockquote>
Turning America farmers into digital serfs with the restrictive
systems in your tractors is even worse.  Farmers deserve the right to
fix and change the hardware and software of their tractors.
<p>
At this rate, John Deere is making more detractors than tractors.
</blockquote>
<p>
Here's how to make the actionnetwork.org letter campaign linked above
work without running the site's nonfree JavaScript code.
(See <a href="https://gnu.org/philosophy/javascript-trap.html">https://gnu.org/philosophy/javascript-trap.html</a>.)
<p>
First, make sure you have deactivated JavaScript in your browser or
are using the LibreJS plug-in.
<p>
I have done the next step for you: I added `?nowrapper=true' to the
end of the campaign URL before posting it above.  That should bring
you to a page that starts with, "Letter campaigns will not work
without javascript!"
<p>
They indeed won't work without some manual help, but the following
simple method seems adequate for many of them, including this one.
<p>
To start, fill in the personal information answers in the box on the
right side of the page.  That's how you say who's sending the letter.
<p>
Then click the "START WRITING" button.  That will take you to a page
that can't function without nonfree JavaScript code.  (To ensure it
doesn't function perversely <em>by running</em> that nonfree code, you can
enable LibreJS or disable JavaScript.)  You can finish sending without
that code by editing its URL in the browser's address bar, as follows:
<p>
First, go to the end and insert `&nowrapper=true'.  Then tell the
browser to visit that URL.  This should give you a version of the page
that works without JavaScript.  Edit the subject and body of your
letter.  Finally, click on the "SEND LETTER" button, and you're done.
<p>
This method seems to work for letter campaigns that send the letters
to a fixed list of recipients, the same recipients for every sender.
Editing and revisiting the URL is the only additional step needed to
bypass the nonfree JavaScript code.  I'm sure you'll agree it is a
small effort for the result of supporting the campaign
without opening your computer to unjust (and potentially malicious)
software.


 


title: Assisted dying law, a mental aspect, UK
uri: Assisted-dying-law-a-mental-aspect-UK
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-nov-feb.html#21_January_2025_(Assisted_dying_law,_a_mental_aspect,_UK)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-nov-feb.html#21_January_2025_(Assisted_dying_law,_a_mental_aspect,_UK)

content:
 
<p>
Some in the UK think that incapacitated people suffering from anorexia
who are incapacitated to the point that they cannot commit suicide
on their own should
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/society/2025/jan/21/assisted-dying-bill-amendment-anorexia-loophole">not
be allowed help in doing so</a>.
<p>
I am not an expert, but I tend to disagree.  If a person's life is
suffering and
<a class="glossary" href="/glossary.html#perse">perse</a> persistently
asks for death, we should not forcibly prolong per torture.



<p>
 


title: Non-alliances opportune far right, DEU, AUT
uri: Non-alliances-opportune-far-right-DEU-AUT
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-nov-feb.html#21_January_2025_(Non-alliance_opportunes_far_right,_DEU,_AUT)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-nov-feb.html#21_January_2025_(Non-alliance_opportunes_far_right,_DEU,_AUT)

content:
 
<p>
*Austria's
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2025/jan/21/austrias-firewall-against-the-far-right-collapsed-could-the-unthinkable-happen-in-germany-too">"firewall"
against the far right</a> collapsed. Could the unthinkable happen in
Germany too?*

<p>
 


title: The war-dreamer eyes manifest destiny
uri: The-war-dreamer-eyes-manifest-destiny
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-nov-feb.html#21_January_2025_(The_war-dreamer_eyes_manifest_destiny)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-nov-feb.html#21_January_2025_(The_war-dreamer_eyes_manifest_destiny)

content:
 
<p>
How can one reconcile <a class="glossary" href="/glossary.html#bullshitter">
the bullshitter's</a> stated wish to be a peacemaker
with <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/jan/20/trump-vows-to-take-back-panama-canal-in-us-foreign-policy-vision">his
demand to seize foreign territory</a>?
<p>
It is silly to try.  They are both bullshit, meant primarily to
energize his supporters or spread anxiety among everyone else.
Neither one necessarily has any seriousness in it.


<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-nov-feb.html#22_January_2025_(Repressor_VS_US_Constitution)
title: Repressor vs US Constitution
uri: Repressor-vs-US-Constitution
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-nov-feb.html#22_January_2025_(Repressor_VS_US_Constitution)
content:
 
<p>
The hater has eliminated all possibility of
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/jan/20/trump-immigration-emergency-executive-order">requesting
asylum at the US-Mexico border</a>.
<p>
The establishment of the right to request asylum was a great advance
in international respect for those who flee oppression.  Not everyone
who comes to or crosses the border is eligible for asylum, so it is
necessary to evaluate each case.  But those who are qualified should
be given asylum.


<p>
 


title: Fluff on high prices, tarrifs
uri: Fluff-on-high-prices-tarrifs
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-nov-feb.html#21_January_2025_(Wrecker's_orders_on_inflation,_climate)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-nov-feb.html#21_January_2025_(Wrecker's_orders_on_inflation,_climate)

content:
 
<p>
<a class="glossary" href="/glossary.html#bullshitter">The
bullshitter</a> claims to have signed executive orders to reduce
inflation and reduce energy costs, but did not say
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/jan/20/trump-inflation-energy-prices">just
what they do</a>.
<p>
I have a hunch that they consist of encouraging more fossil fuel
extraction, and more pipelines to transport them, and
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/jan/20/trump-executive-order-electric-vehicles">ceasing
to require more electric cars</a>.  That could reduce the price of
those fuels, for some years, while making
<a class="glossary" href="/glossary.html#global%20heating">global
heating</a> worse in the medium term.  In a decade or two, staying
alive would become more expensive, and also less likely.


<p>
 


title: Elon Musk's fascist-style saluting
uri: Elon-Musk-s-fascist-style-saluting
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-nov-feb.html#22_January_2025_(Elon_Musk's_fascist-style_saluting)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-nov-feb.html#22_January_2025_(Elon_Musk's_fascist-style_saluting)

content:
 
<p>
<a class=glossary href="/glossary.html#musk">The muskrat</a> made Nazi salutes, but fudged them enough to make them
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2025/jan/20/trump-elon-musk-salute">just
barely deniable</a>.  I expect that he planned them, both the salutes and
the deniability.  The deniability is a way to make a monkey of people
who condemn support for Nazis, saying "I can get away with doing this
and then lying about it."
<p>
Right-wing extremists have no difficulty in recognizing 
<a class="glossary" href="/glossary.html#musk">the muskrat's</a>
variation of a
<a href="https://www.rollingstone.com/politics/politics-news/elon-musk-salute-reaction-right-wing-extremists-1235241866/">Nazi
salute as endorsement of them</a>.  We should not let him off the hook for
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/jan/21/elon-musk-nazi-roman-salute-difference-trump-inauguration">his
quibbles</a>.

<p>
 


title: Federal employees as political appointees
uri: Federal-employees-as-political-appointees
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-nov-feb.html#22_January_2025_(Federal_employees_as_political_appointees)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-nov-feb.html#22_January_2025_(Federal_employees_as_political_appointees)

content:
 
<p>
*[<a class="glossary" href="/glossary.html#corrupter">The corrupter</a>] reclassifies thousands of federal employees, making
them
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/jan/20/trump-executive-order-schedule-f">easier
to fire</a>.*


<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-nov-feb.html#22_January_2025_(Urgent:_Head_of_FBI,_nominee)
title: Urgent: Head of FBI, nominee
uri: Urgent-Head-of-FBI-nominee
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-nov-feb.html#22_January_2025_(Urgent:_Head_of_FBI,_nominee)
content:
 
<p>
US citizens: phone your senators and urge them to reject
<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kash_Patel#Political_views">Kash Patel</a>
as head of the FBI.
<p>
If you phone, please spread the word!                              
Main Switchboard: <a href="tel:+12022243121">+1-202-224-3121</a>


<p>
 


title: ICE at schools, churches, hospitals, US
uri: ICE-at-schools-churches-hospitals-US
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-nov-feb.html#22_January_2025_(ICE_at_schools,_churches,_hospitals,_US)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-nov-feb.html#22_January_2025_(ICE_at_schools,_churches,_hospitals,_US)

content:
 
<p>
In an incremental act of cruelty, the cruel bastard ordered the
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/jan/21/trump-ice-churches-schools-hospitals-sensitive-areas">deportation
police to arrest people</a> at churches and schools.  Perhaps medical
clinics too.
<p>
Note how he uses "criminals" as if everyone being deported were guilty
of a crime.  He claims they will use "common sense", but we know that
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2024-nov-feb.html#4_January_2025_(Immigration_deported_US_citizen's_wife)">we can't trust them to do that</a>.
<p>
I think this will create backlash from parents whose children were
traumatized by arrests in their classes.



<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-nov-feb.html#23_January_2025_(Prison-release_stories,_ISR)
title: Prison-release stories, ISR
uri: Prison-release-stories-ISR
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-nov-feb.html#23_January_2025_(Prison-release_stories,_ISR)
content:
 
<p>
The
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/jan/20/my-arrest-was-illogical-released-palestinians-decry-their-imprisonment">stories
of Palestinian prisoners</a> released by Israel display a pattern of
arbitrary and exaggerated grounds that resemble those of
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2024-mar-jun.html#15_May_2024_(Global_reporting,_journalism_statistics)">supporters
of Palestinians</a> safety and rights
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2024-mar-jun.html#28_April_2024_(Professors_support_for_violated_rights_of_arrested_students)">arrested
in the US</a>.

<p>
 


title: Arctic permafrost carbon emissions
uri: Arctic-permafrost-carbon-emissions
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-nov-feb.html#23_January_2025_(Arctic_permafrost_carbon_emissions)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-nov-feb.html#23_January_2025_(Arctic_permafrost_carbon_emissions)

content:
 
<p>
*A third of the Arctic's
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2025/jan/21/third-of-arctic-carbon-sink-now-a-source-of-emissions-study">vast
carbon sink</a> [tundra] now a source of emissions, study reveals.*

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-nov-feb.html#23_January_2025_(The_personal-connection_urgency)
title: The personal-connection urgency
uri: The-personal-connection-urgency
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-nov-feb.html#23_January_2025_(The_personal-connection_urgency)
content:
 
<p>
Personal contact
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2025/jan/21/ai-jobs-human-work-relationship-tech">in
the context of work</a> helps knit society together and helps both the
workers and the clients.


<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-nov-feb.html#23_January_2025_(Gazans_return_to_ruined_homes)
title: Gazans return to ruined homes
uri: Gazans-return-to-ruined-homes
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-nov-feb.html#23_January_2025_(Gazans_return_to_ruined_homes)
content:
 
<p>
*Palestinians begin search for Gaza's missing as they <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/jan/20/palestinians-search-gaza-missing-return-ruined-homes">return to ruined homes</a>.*
<p>
Many people know that relatives were inside a certain building when it
was bombed and then collapsed.  Those relatives are listed as missing
but they are almost surely dead.
<p>
The city of Beit Lahia has been turned entirely into rubble.
I think that is true of a lot more.

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-nov-feb.html#23_January_2025_(South_Korea_and_democracy)
title: South Korea and democracy
uri: South-Korea-and-democracy
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-nov-feb.html#23_January_2025_(South_Korea_and_democracy)
content:
 
<p>
*South Korean democracy <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2025/jan/21/south-korea-democracy-president-scandal">was nearly toppled</a> by its president. It was
saved by its people.*
Imagine Koreans, years from now, celebrating Impeachment Day as the
day that Koreans saved democracy.  Since we are imagining, we can
imagine a future in which they celebrate all across Korea.

<p>
 


title: Democratic-lead states sue over executive order
uri: Democratic-lead-states-sue-over-executive-order
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-nov-feb.html#23_January_2025_(Democratic-lead_states_sue_over_executive_order)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-nov-feb.html#23_January_2025_(Democratic-lead_states_sue_over_executive_order)

content:
 
<p>
*Eighteen <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/jan/21/trump-birthright-citizenship-lawsuit">Democratic-led states sue</a> over Trump birthright citizenship order.*

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-nov-feb.html#23_January_2025_(Labour_soft_on_monopolies)
title: Labour soft on monopolies
uri: Labour-soft-on-monopolies
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-nov-feb.html#23_January_2025_(Labour_soft_on_monopolies)
content:
 
<p>
The UK Labour government is <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/business/2025/jan/21/chair-of-competition-watchdog-steps-down-after-labour-intervention">going soft on monopolies</a>, or at least
proclaims that it will.
<p>
This is an example of the sort of harmful consequences that follow from
deciding not to tax the rich.  The UK need money to fix all the
things that the Tory government broke and the only way to get enough
is to tax the rich.
<p>
Since it won't do that, it has to claim that it will stimulate growth
so as to collect more taxes.  That effectively requires letting
businesses get away with various sorts of unfairness: they threaten
that they won't grow unless they are given privileges, such as unfair
competition.

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-nov-feb.html#23_January_2025_(MPs_arrested)
title: MPs arrested
uri: MPs-arrested
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-nov-feb.html#23_January_2025_(MPs_arrested)
content:
 
<p>
British <a class=glossary href="/glossary.html#thug">thugs</a> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025/jan/19/jeremy-corbyn-john-mcdonnell-police-pro-palestine-march-london">arrested two members of parliament</a>, along with other
people, for breaching rigid customized restrictions on where they
could go while protesting Israel's attacks on Gaza.  One was Jeremy
Corbyn.
<p>
The <a class=glossary href="/glossary.html#thug">thugs</a> are treating protests in support of Gaza as antisemitism,
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2024-mar-jun.html#16_May_2024_(Jeremy_Corbyn's_seat_of_Islington_North)">which they are not</a>.

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-nov-feb.html#23_January_2025_(Afghan_refugees_waited_for_the_US)
title: Afghan refugees waited for the US
uri: Afghan-refugees-waited-for-the-US
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-nov-feb.html#23_January_2025_(Afghan_refugees_waited_for_the_US)
content:
 
<p>
<!---->[The wrecker's] refugee ban
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/jan/21/donald-trump-inauguration-refugee-ban-afghanistan">"strands
Afghans</a> endangered by US withdrawal."
*More than 1,600 people eligible to resettle in the United States are
waiting to flee Afghanistan and Pakistan, say advocates.*
<p>
This is
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2021-sep-dec.html#1_September_2021_(Refugees)">a
betrayal of faith</a>, but <a class="glossary" href="/glossary.html#wrecker">the wrecker</a> has committed much bigger
betrayals and plans to betray the most basic principles of the US.


<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-nov-feb.html#24_January_2025_(DEI_and_ESG_vannish_from_Davos)
title: DEI and ESG vanish from Davos
uri: DEI-and-ESG-vanish-from-Davos
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-nov-feb.html#24_January_2025_(DEI_and_ESG_vannish_from_Davos)
content:
 
<p>
*All the artifice about
<a href="https://robertreich.substack.com/p/the-jig-is-up">corporate responsibility</a>,
echoed year after
year at Davos and by the Business Roundtable and in business schools,
gave lawmakers who wanted one an excuse to sit on their hands,
because, they’d say, big global corporations can be trusted to do
what’s right.*
<p>
But now that US megacorporations and the US government
have conclusively rejected those goals, Davos no longer
claims to be interested either.

<p>
 


title: How our furniture quality fell, US
uri: How-our-furniture-quality-fell-US
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-nov-feb.html#24_January_2025_(How_our_furniture_quality_fell,_US)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-nov-feb.html#24_January_2025_(How_our_furniture_quality_fell,_US)

content:
 
<p>
The economic shifts that replaced good quality furniture in the US with
lousy stuff that won't last
<a href="https://substack.perfectunion.us/p/this-is-why-your-furniture-sucks">correlated with outsourcing</a>.


<p>
 


title: Gaza aid as leverage in ceasefire deal
uri: Gaza-aid-as-leverage-in-ceasefire-deal
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-nov-feb.html#24_January_2025_(Gaza_aid_as_leverage_in_ceasefire_deal)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-nov-feb.html#24_January_2025_(Gaza_aid_as_leverage_in_ceasefire_deal)

content:
 
<p>
Israel agreed in the ceasefire deal
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/jan/17/aid-increase-ceasefire-deal-admission-israel-could-have-done-more-experts-say">to
allow more aid to reach Gaza</a>.  In effect, this proves that Israel
was besieging Gaza all this time, limiting the flow of aid.
<p>
Of course, we who condemned this had no doubt that that was true.


<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-nov-feb.html#25_January_2025_(RMS_Talk_in_Kochi,_India)
title: RMS Talk in Kochi, India
uri: RMS-Talk-in-Kochi-India
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-nov-feb.html#25_January_2025_(RMS_Talk_in_Kochi,_India)
content:
 
<p>
Richard Stallman will <a href="/talks.html#2025-01-27">give a talk</a>
in Kochi, India, Jan 27 at 11:30,
at Jain University,
as
part of the <i>Technology Future Summit</i>.

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-nov-feb.html#24_January_2025_(World_Health_Org_abandoned,_US)
title: World Health Org. abandoned, US
uri: World-Health-Org-abandoned-US
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-nov-feb.html#24_January_2025_(World_Health_Org_abandoned,_US)
content:
 
<p>
<a class="glossary" href="/glossary.html#wrecker">The wrecker</a>
took the US out of WHO again.
This was not only foolish, it was was
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2025/jan/22/donald-trump-leave-who-world-health-organization-pandemic-coming-gordon-brown">based
on false "facts"</a>.


<p>
 


title: Dangerous Donald shifting sanctions
uri: Dangerous-Donald-shifting-sanctions
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-nov-feb.html#25_January_2025_(Dangerous_Donald_shifting_sanctions)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-nov-feb.html#25_January_2025_(Dangerous_Donald_shifting_sanctions)

content:
 
<p>
<a class="glossary" href="/glossary.html#trump">The persecutor</a> wrecker lifted the US sanctions on <b>violent</b> Israeli extremists
who carry out pogroms against Palestinians, and revived sanctions
against the International
<a href="https://theintercept.com/2025/01/22/trump-israel-settlers-west-bank-sanctions/">Criminal Court</a>.
<p>
When he said that he wanted to be a "peacemaker", maybe it means
that he wants to make deserts and call them "peace".


<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-nov-feb.html#26_January_2025_(indiana_bill_tax_breaks_hospitals)
title: Indiana bill
uri: Indiana-bill
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-nov-feb.html#26_January_2025_(indiana_bill_tax_breaks_hospitals)
content:
 
<p>
*Indiana bill seeks to end tax breaks for non-profit hospitals
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/jan/22/indiana-bill-tax-breaks-non-profit-hospitals-parkview">that
overcharge patients.*</a>
<p>
This is a clever tactic and I can imagine it might work.

<p>
 


title: Nuclear negotiations
uri: 2025-01-27-Nuclear-negotiations
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-nov-feb.html#26_January_2025_(top_iranian_politician_trump_nuclear_negotiations)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-nov-feb.html#26_January_2025_(top_iranian_politician_trump_nuclear_negotiations)

content:
 
<p>
One of Iran's vice presidents has stated his wish for a new
non-nuclear
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/jan/22/top-iranian-politician-appeals-to-trump-to-restart-nuclear-deal-negotiations">agreement with the US,</a>
<p>
saying he hopes the divider will be willing to make one.

<p>
 


title: Immigration crackdown
uri: Immigration-crackdown
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-nov-feb.html#26_January_2025_(justice_department_trump_immigration)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-nov-feb.html#26_January_2025_(justice_department_trump_immigration)

content:
 
<p>
The persecutor's acting Attorney General threatens to prosecute officials
who do not cooperate with the
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/jan/22/justice-department-trump-immigration">persecutor's mass deportations.</a>
<p>
The reason I don't call the persecutor by name is that he seems to be
a narcissist, getting pleasure from people's saying his name.
We can avoid giving him that pleasure &mdash; please join me in depriving
him of it.

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-nov-feb.html#26_January_2025_(kkk_immigrants_flyers_kentucky)
title: Ku Klux Klan flyers
uri: Ku-Klux-Klan-flyers
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-nov-feb.html#26_January_2025_(kkk_immigrants_flyers_kentucky)
content:
 
<p>
The persecutor has reinvigorated the Ku Klux Klan, which is now directing
hatred at
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/jan/22/kkk-immigrants-flyers-kentucky">immigrants rather than at blacks.</a>

<p>
 


title: MIT Internal Grant
uri: MIT-Internal-Grant
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-nov-feb.html#26_January_2025_(mit_israel_military_funding_research_gaza)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-nov-feb.html#26_January_2025_(mit_israel_military_funding_research_gaza)

content:
 
<p>
MIT critics of Israel's bombardment and siege of Gaza, condemning
punishment of student protesters, have reported on years of funding of
<a href="https://theintercept.com/2025/01/16/mit-israel-military-funding-research-gaza/">MIT projects by Israel.</a>

<p>
 


title: Justice Department
uri: Justice-Department
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-nov-feb.html#26_January_2025_(trump_justice_department_fed_gov_investigation)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-nov-feb.html#26_January_2025_(trump_justice_department_fed_gov_investigation)

content:
 
<p>
The persecutor has ordered the Justice Department to investigate "weaponization of the federal government", which is ironic because that's exactly
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/jan/24/trump-executive-orders-justice-department">what this investigation is meant to do.</a>

<p>
 


title: Safety net programs
uri: Safety-net-programs
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-nov-feb.html#26_January_2025_(new_study_work_requirements_employment_failure)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-nov-feb.html#26_January_2025_(new_study_work_requirements_employment_failure)

content:
 
<p>
*New Report Shows That Work Requirements for
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/new-report-shows-that-work-requirements-for-safety-net-programs-fail-to-boost-employment">Safety Net Programs Fail to.*</a>
<p>
To simplify the matter few people make a choice to forego working if
they are poor enough to be eligible for these aid programs.

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-nov-feb.html#26_January_2025_(trump_order_abortion)
title: Trump order abortion
uri: Trump-order-abortion
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-nov-feb.html#26_January_2025_(trump_order_abortion)
content:
 
<p>
The wrecker banned US support to foreign
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/jan/24/trump-order-abortion">medical organizations
that do abortions.</a>
<p>
This rule goes far beyond removing US support from abortions in other
countries.  It also refuses support to organizations that perform a
broad range of medical treatment unless they agree to stop doing
abortions.  Most of them refuses to be bullied, but the reduce is that
the US boycotts their other medical activities.

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-nov-feb.html#26_January_2025_(rachel_reeves_economic_growth)
title: Economic growth
uri: 2025-01-27-Economic-growth
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-nov-feb.html#26_January_2025_(rachel_reeves_economic_growth)
content:
 
<p>
It appears that Labour in the UK has chosen short-termism
(prioritizing economic growth) over long tern survival
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/business/2025/jan/22/rachel-reeves-says-growth-matters-more-than-net-zero-heathrow-third-runway-decision">(reducing
greenhouse gas emissions).</a>
<p>
The basic decision to reject taxing the rich tends to lead to a
bouquet of short-term optimizations that dump the costs on climate
disaster over the next few decades.

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-nov-feb.html#26_January_2025_(california_fast_food_min_wage)
title: Fast food minimum wage
uri: Fast-food-minimum-wage
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-nov-feb.html#26_January_2025_(california_fast_food_min_wage)
content:
 
<p>
California required large "fast food" chains to pay a $20 minimum
wage, disregarding executives who predicted that would cause job
losses.  Indeed, no
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/jan/22/california-fast-food-minimum-wage">such result occurred.</a>
<p>
It is indeed <Em>possible</Em> for raising the minimum wage to reduce employment.
But executives have an interest in stretching the truth about this,
so politicians should get their advice from someone who isn't biased
against workers.

<p>
 


title: Corporate religion VS Democratic party
uri: Corporate-religion-VS-Democratic-party
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-nov-feb.html#26_January_2025_(Corporate_religion_VS_Democratic_party)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-nov-feb.html#26_January_2025_(Corporate_religion_VS_Democratic_party)

content:
 
<p>
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/jan/19/katherine-stewart-money-lies-god-book-christian-nationlism">About a book</a>
on the "reactionary nihilism" of the right-wing extremists
that have seized control of the USA.

<p>
 


title: Earth's billionaires' Dangerous Donald
uri: Earth-s-billionaires-Dangerous-Donald
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-nov-feb.html#26_January_2025_(Earth's_billionaires'_Dangerous_Donald)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-nov-feb.html#26_January_2025_(Earth's_billionaires'_Dangerous_Donald)

content:
 
<p>
Billionaires even in Australia (and I presume everywhere else)
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2025/jan/25/donald-trump-inauguration-australian-politicians-billionaires-support">are
sucking up to him</a>, asking for what will make the US a better
"investment opportunity."
<p>
I urge Australians to elect politicians who will thwart those
billionaires' desires, and make Australia a good place for all
Australians to live in.
<p>
A billionaire whose loyalty <a class="glossary" href="/glossary.html#corrupter">the corrupter</a> has bought is disloyal
to per country.
<p>
Meanwhile, *toadying Brits finally come to realize
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/jan/24/digested-week-desperado-brits-realise-trump-need-of-them">[the
corrupter] has no need of them</a>.*


<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-nov-feb.html#26_January_2025_(Managing_natural_disasters,_US)
title: Managing natural disasters, US
uri: Managing-natural-disasters-US
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-nov-feb.html#26_January_2025_(Managing_natural_disasters,_US)
content:
 
<p>
The wrecker wants to
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/jan/24/trump-fema-emergency">abolish FEMA</a>.
<p>
<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Federal_Emergency_Management_Agency">FEMA</a>
has a mixed record.  Often it has been quite helpful.  Sometimes,
as when New Orleans was hit by
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2005-jul-oct.html#14%20September%202005%20(Lack%20of%20leadership)">Hurricane
Katrina, it was scandalously incompetent</a>.
<p>
The US president then was a Republican, and seems not to have cared
about people who weren't rich enough to do without FEMA's help.


<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-nov-feb.html#26_January_2025_(Ukraine_war_a_global_struggle)
title: Ukraine war a global struggle
uri: Ukraine-war-a-global-struggle
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-nov-feb.html#26_January_2025_(Ukraine_war_a_global_struggle)
content:
 
<p>
The
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2025/jan/25/the-observer-view-on-russian-aggression-the-west-risks-a-far-worse-conflict-if-it-fails-ukraine-now">West must stand by Ukraine</a>
now or fight Putin later.
<p>
It is better to fight him now with Ukraine's help, than later without it.

<p>
 


title: Congressional anti-immigrant hysteria
uri: Congressional-anti-immigrant-hysteria
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-nov-feb.html#26_January_2025_(Congreesional_anti-immigrant_hysteria)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-nov-feb.html#26_January_2025_(Congreesional_anti-immigrant_hysteria)

content:
 
<p>
Congress is working on a
<a href="https://theintercept.com/2025/01/24/republicans-violence-women-deport-immigrants/">bill
that would call for deportation</a> of any unauthorized immigrant who
is <em>accused</em> of couple-violence &mdash; without a trial.
<p>
Another bill was recently passed would do the same thing for various
accusations of crime, including theft.  In both cases, a false accusation
would dispose of whoever you don't like.
<p>
I would not be surprised if deportation <a class="glossary" href="/glossary.html#thug">thugs</a> start inventing false
accusations to get an excuse to deport someone fast.

<p>
 


title: Hegseth confirmed, Sec. of Defense
uri: Hegseth-confirmed-Sec-of-Defense
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-nov-feb.html#26_January_2025_(Hegseth_confirmed,_Sec._of_Defense)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-nov-feb.html#26_January_2025_(Hegseth_confirmed,_Sec._of_Defense)

content:
 
<p>
Pete Hegseth, <!---->the wrecker's
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/jan/24/pete-hegseth-confirmed-defense-secretary">middle-finger
nominee</a> for Secretary of Defense, was confirmed by the Senate
despite three Republicans who voted against him.
<p>
Senators who criticized him focused their objections on personal failings:
drunkenness and "sexual assault", but I think what really disqualified him
is support for Christianitist extremism.  He might take steps to exclude
Americans other than <a class="glossary" href="/glossary.html#christianist">Christianist</a> extremists from the armed services.
<p>
If it were a matter of excluding everyone but Islamist extremists, the
danger of this would be obvious &mdash; but <!---->Christianist extremists are far
more numerous in the US than Islamist extremists, so the threat of the
former is far greater.
<p>
However, the accused personal shortcomings helped 
<a class="glossary" href="/glossary.html#wrecker">the wrecker</a>
demonstrate that he can get any candidate through the Senate, no
matter how hostile to American political, constitutional, legal or
diplomatic traditions.
<p>
"<a href="/antiglossary.html#assault">Sexual assault</a>"
is such a stretchable term that it is incoherent to
form a judgment of a person's conduct or character or fitness for
office based on that.  What was
<a class="glossary" href="/glossary.html#perse">perse</a> actually
accused of?  What it a grave crime, such as attempted rape, or was it
merely annoying, such as a stolen kiss?  Or something in between?  If
you accuse an act that is grave, call it by a name that reflects the
gravity of the act and I will consider the accusation with the
appropriate gravity.  If it might be just a stolen kiss, I will treat
it as a minor social faux pas.

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-nov-feb.html#26_January_2025_(Fauci_security_detail_derailed)
title: Fauci security detail derailed
uri: Fauci-security-detail-derailed
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-nov-feb.html#26_January_2025_(Fauci_security_detail_derailed)
content:
 
<p>
<!---->The persecutor has cancelled the
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/jan/24/trump-fauci-security-protections">government
bodyguards for Anthony Fauci</a>.  This means he will be in danger of
assassination by terrorists stirred up by <!---->the persecutor's own
rhetoric.  I expect <a class="glossary" href="/glossary.html#trump">the persecutor</a> to crow if Fauci is murdered.
<p>
Likewise for officials who authorized in 2020 the
<a href="https://robertreich.substack.com/p/heres-how-trumps-vengeance-machine">US's
assassination of an Iranian general</a>
<em>on orders from <!---->the wrecker himself</em>.
<p>
If <a class="glossary" href="/glossary.html#wrecker">the wrecker</a>
controlled "the force", he would using it to kill his underlings, like
Darth Vader.  Robert Reich calls this his "vengance machine".


<p>
 


title: Rallies decry shift towards Russia, SVK
uri: Rallies-decry-shift-towards-Russia-SVK
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-nov-feb.html#26_January_2025_(Rallies_decry_shift_towards_Russia,_SVK)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-nov-feb.html#26_January_2025_(Rallies_decry_shift_towards_Russia,_SVK)

content:
 
<p>
<p>
In Slovakia
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/jan/25/slovakian-pm-rejects-calls-to-quit-as-tension-grows-over-policy-shift-towards-russia">2%
of he population rallied</a> to demand that the Putin-loving prime
minister resign.  That is comparable to a rally of 6 million
Americans.
<p>
He responded by claiming that only new elections can result in a
change in the government.  Well, have new elections.

<p>
 


title: Permanent ISR-LBN ceasefire in doubt
uri: Permanent-ISR-LBN-ceasefire-in-doubt
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-nov-feb.html#26_January_2025_(Permanent_ISR-LBN_ceasefire_in_doubt)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-nov-feb.html#26_January_2025_(Permanent_ISR-LBN_ceasefire_in_doubt)

content:
 
<p>
*With both
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/jan/25/we-dont-know-what-will-happen-northern-israeli-town-lebanon-ceasefire-end">Israel
and Hezbollah</a> having violated the [ceasefire] agreement [between
them], people in Metula fear the fighting will resume.*

<p>
 


title: Center for Disease Control abandoned
uri: Center-for-Disease-Control-abandoned
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-nov-feb.html#27_January_2025_(Center_for_Disease_Control_abandoned)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-nov-feb.html#27_January_2025_(Center_for_Disease_Control_abandoned)

content:
 
<p>
US activities for dealing with bird flu are gravely handicapped by the
wrecker's ban on
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/jan/24/us-health-agencies-funding-cuts-trump">travel
by federal employees</a> of everything related to public health,
including research.
<p>
The ban also covers reviewing and publishing research.  I forecast that
it will eventually be replaced with censorship of research based on
whether disinformationists like the results or not.
<p>
Americans, this stance will block research that can save your lives.
American farmers, this will prevent efforts to save your cattle from bird flu.

<p>
 


title: Center for Disease Control censored
uri: Center-for-Disease-Control-censored
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-nov-feb.html#27_January_2025_(Center_for_Disease_Control_censored)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-nov-feb.html#27_January_2025_(Center_for_Disease_Control_censored)

content:
 
<p>
<a class="glossary" href="/glossary.html#wrecker">The wrecker</a> has
<a href="https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2025/1/22/2298419/-Trump-doesn-t-want-you-to-know-if-another-deadly-pandemic-might-kill-you?detail=emailaction">stopped the CDC</a>
from publishing anything at all,
including news about the spread of bird flu.
<p>
Is he aiming to cause panic, is his goal to make Americans sitting ducks?

<p>
 


title: Urgent: LA fires victims' relief
uri: Urgent-LA-fires-victims-relief
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-nov-feb.html#27_January_2025_(Urgent:_Relief_for_LA_fires_victim)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-nov-feb.html#27_January_2025_(Urgent:_Relief_for_LA_fires_victim)

content:
 
<p>
US citizens: <a href="https://actionnetwork.org/forms/tell-congress-provide-immediate-disaster-relief-for-la-fires?nowrapper=true&referrer=group-hd&source=group-hd">call on Congress</a>
to provide immediate disaster relief for LA fires.
<p>
If you phone, please spread the word!                              
Main Switchboard: <a href="tel:+12022243121">+1-202-224-3121</a>


<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-nov-feb.html#27_January_2025_(Billionaires_hijacking_noosphere)
title: Billionaires hijacking noosphere
uri: Billionaires-hijacking-noosphere
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-nov-feb.html#27_January_2025_(Billionaires_hijacking_noosphere)
content:
 
<p>
*Extreme weather failing to encourage political climate action, says
activist Luisa Neubauer.* Right-wing disinformationist billionaires
have convinced extremists that the real danger is
from <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2025/jan/24/extreme-weather-failing-encourage-political-climate-action-luisa-neubauer">climate
activists</a>.
<p>
Why do the billionaires do that?  My speculation is that they want to
wipe out all of humanity except for a fraction that they convert into
their serfs.  I consider that plausible because of
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#14_July_2018_(Billionaire_consultation)">the
meeting that Douglas Rushkoff reported</a>.


<p>
 


title: RMS will give a speech in Bangaluru
uri: RMS-will-give-a-speech-in-Bangaluru
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-nov-feb.html#27_January_2025_(RMS_will_give_a_speech_in_Bangaluru)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-nov-feb.html#27_January_2025_(RMS_will_give_a_speech_in_Bangaluru)

content:
 
<p>
Richard Stallman will <a href="/talks.html#2025-01-29">give a speech</a>
in Bengaluru, India, Jan 27 11am&ndash;1pm
<p>
The speech will be at Jain University, as
part of the <i>Technology Future Summit</i>.
<p>
Bengaluru is also known as the
Silicon Valley of India, and as the
IT Capital of India.

<p>
 


title: 4.7M voters suppressed by red states, US
uri: 4-7M-voters-suppressed-by-red-states-US
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-nov-feb.html#27_January_2025_(4.7M_voters_supressed_by_red_states,_US)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-nov-feb.html#27_January_2025_(4.7M_voters_supressed_by_red_states,_US)

content:
 
<p>
Greg Palast reports the details: if not for aggressive Republican
voter-suppression,
<a href="https://www.gregpalast.com/trump-lost-vote-suppression-won/">Harris would have won</a>
the popular vote and the
electoral college.
<p>
The current US government is fraudulent and illegitimate at multiple
levels.


 


title: More North Korea troops for Ukraine war
uri: More-North-Korea-troops-for-Ukraine-war
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-nov-feb.html#27_January_2025_(More_North_Korea_troops_for_Ukraine_war)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-nov-feb.html#27_January_2025_(More_North_Korea_troops_for_Ukraine_war)

content:
 
<p>

  *North Korea preparing to <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/jan/24/north-korea-preparing-to-send-more-troops-to-ukraine-war-says-south-korea">send more troops to Ukraine war</a>, says South Korea.*
</p>
<p>
If Ukraine can use naval drones to attack the transports taking those
troops from North Korea to Russia, it could destroy nearly all of
those troops before they can fire a shot.  Dictator Kim might abandon
the idea after a defeat like that.
</p>
</li>

 


title: Corrupter's election a crisis like no other
uri: Corrupter-s-election-a-crisis-like-no-other
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-nov-feb.html#27_January_2025_(Corrupter's_election_a_crisis_like_no_other)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-nov-feb.html#27_January_2025_(Corrupter's_election_a_crisis_like_no_other)

content:
 
<p>

Canadian columnist Andrew Coyne: *[<a class=glossary href="/glossary.html#corrupter">the corrupter's</a>] Election is a
<a href="https://robertreich.substack.com/p/a-view-from-north-of-the-border">Crisis like No Other</a>, Not Only for the U.S. But For the World.*
</p>
</li>

 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-nov-feb.html#27_January_2025_(Bombs_buried_in_rubble_in_Gaza)
title: Bombs buried in rubble in Gaza
uri: Bombs-buried-in-rubble-in-Gaza
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-nov-feb.html#27_January_2025_(Bombs_buried_in_rubble_in_Gaza)
content:
 
<p>

  *<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/jan/25/bombs-buried-in-gaza-rubble-put-at-risk-thousands-returning-to-homes-say-experts">Bombs buried in Gaza rubble</a> put at risk thousands returning to homes,
say experts.*
</p>
<p>
Why would they move that rubble?  Perhaps to look for corpses of
their relatives.
</p>
</li>

 


title: Botanical gardens running out of capacity
uri: Botanical-gardens-running-out-of-capacity
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-nov-feb.html#27_January_2025_(Botanical_gardens_running_out_of_capacity)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-nov-feb.html#27_January_2025_(Botanical_gardens_running_out_of_capacity)

content:
 
<p>

As more and more plant species become endangered, botanical gardens are
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2025/jan/25/the-risk-of-extinction-is-accelerating-worlds-botanic-gardens-raise-alarm-with-space-to-protect-endangered-plants-running-out">running out of capacity</a> to handle many more species.
</p>
</li>

 


title: Russian dissidents kept in US border prison
uri: Russian-dissidents-kept-in-US-border-prison
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-nov-feb.html#27_January_2025_(Russian_dissidents_kept_in_US_border_prison)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-nov-feb.html#27_January_2025_(Russian_dissidents_kept_in_US_border_prison)

content:
 
<p>

The US, under the Biden administration, has been keeping Russian dissidents
who fled and asked for asylum <a href="https://theintercept.com/2025/01/25/russia-uzbekistan-immigrants-aslyum-detention/">at the US border in prison</a>, calling them
"threats to national security".
</p>
<p>
According to the article this was an automatic consequence of labeling
people from certain countries, Russia, Georgia, Moldova, Kyrgyzstan,
Uzbekistan, and Tajikistan, for "expedited removal".  Why would Biden
have done this?  My guess is that they were suspected of being spies
for Putin.  But it is horrible that enemies of Putin got this
treatment.
</p>
<p>
When Germany invaded Poland, Britain jailed all Germans as potential
enemy agents, never mind if they had fled to Britain fleeing Hitler's
persecution.  It took Britain a year or more to realize that they were
in fact allies, but once that was recognized they were treated as the
allies they were, and welcomed into the war effort.
</p>
<p>
We can't predict what <a class=glossary href="/glossary.html#trump">the persecutor</a> will do to them.  He may consider
Putin's agents as his friends, but most of these people are _not_
Putin's agents, and he surely regards anyone committed to human rights
and resistance to tyranny as his natural enemy.  So I expect him to
try to expel them, or crush them.
</p>
</li>

 


title: Extended jail term for Just Stop Oil protester
uri: Extended-jail-term-for-Just-Stop-Oil-protester
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-nov-feb.html#27_January_2025_(Extended_jail_term_for_Just_Stop_Oil_protester)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-nov-feb.html#27_January_2025_(Extended_jail_term_for_Just_Stop_Oil_protester)

content:
 
<p>

  *Just Stop Oil protester, 78, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/society/2025/jan/25/gaie-delap-just-stop-oil-climate-protester-prison-term-extended-wrist-tag">has jail term extended</a> after no suitable
[tracking] tag found.*
</p>
<p>
When people are fighting in the streets over food, these
functionaries' children will at least have the satisfaction of saying,
"I am proud of my parent for making sure the people who tried to save
us from this were jailed for precisely the full time of their
sentences."
</p>
<p>
Louise Lancaster, sentenced to four years in prison for a nonviolent
climate defense protest, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2025/jan/25/just-stop-oil-jailed-four-years-non-violent-climate-protest-prison-diary">publishes her prison diary</a>.
</p>
<p>
She mainly describes the injustice of the court and prison systems and
how they treat many other prisoners unjustly.
</p>
</li>

 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-nov-feb.html#27_January_2025_(Officer_fired_over_racist_slurs)
title: Officer fired over racist slurs
uri: Officer-fired-over-racist-slurs
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-nov-feb.html#27_January_2025_(Officer_fired_over_racist_slurs)
content:
 
<p>

  *Mississippi police department <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/jan/24/mississippi-police-officer-slurs">hires officer fired over racist slurs</a> to Latino
man.*
</p>
<p>
In general, freedom of speech must include unfounded insults, because
prosecuting people for that would lead to repression.  However, a
<em><a class=glossary href="/glossary.html#police">police officer</a></em> must not make such insults, because an officer's job
is to treat <em>everyone</em> with respect (even while arresting per).
Someone who fails to do that is not fit for the job,
</p>
</li>

 


title: Autocrat reaching for limitless power
uri: Autocrat-reaching-for-limitless-power
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-nov-feb.html#27_January_2025_(Autocrat_reaching_for_limitless_power)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-nov-feb.html#27_January_2025_(Autocrat_reaching_for_limitless_power)

content:
 
<p>

*Through the blizzard of edicts, see [<a class=glossary href="/glossary.html#wrecker">the wrecker</a>] for what he is: <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2025/jan/24/donald-trump-executive-orders-autocrat-limitless-power">an
    autocrat reaching for limitless power</a>.*
</p>
</li>

 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-nov-feb.html#27_January_2025_(Deportation_thugs_raised_Newark)
title: Deportation thugs raised Newark
uri: Deportation-thugs-raised-Newark
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-nov-feb.html#27_January_2025_(Deportation_thugs_raised_Newark)
content:
 
<p>

  Deportation <a class=glossary href="/glossary.html#thug">thugs</a> raised Newark and <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/jan/23/newark-mayor-immigration-raid">arrested over 500 people</a>,
including US citizens as well as unauthorized immigrants.
</p>
<p>
They questioned a US citizen veteran and doubted the validity of his
discharge papers.  I wonder if he was, perhaps, Hispanic &mdash; could they
have disbelieved him because of his race?
</p>
<p>
Will we find people put in deportation prison for days, or longer,
because they did not have their papers at the time of the raid?
</p>
</li>

 


title: UK canceled special use of neonicotinoid pesticide
uri: UK-canceled-special-use-of-neonicotinoid-pesticide
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-nov-feb.html#27_January_2025_(UK_canceled_special_use_of_neonicotinoid_pesticide)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-nov-feb.html#27_January_2025_(UK_canceled_special_use_of_neonicotinoid_pesticide)

content:
 
<p>

  The UK <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2025/jan/23/government-decision-not-to-authorise-pesticide-is-sweet-as-honey-for-pollinators">canceled its Tories' special exception</a> to permit use of a neonicotinoid pesticide.
</p>

 


title: Criminalizing having and abortion as murder
uri: Criminalizing-having-and-abortion-as-murder
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-nov-feb.html#27_January_2025_(Criminalizing_having_and_abortion_as_murder)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-nov-feb.html#27_January_2025_(Criminalizing_having_and_abortion_as_murder)

content:
 
<p>

Republicans in several states are pushing laws to <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/jan/23/abortion-homicide-bills">criminalize having
    an abortion as murder</a>, or prosecute people for helping anyone travel
for an abortion.
</p>
</li>

 


title: CBS meteorologist fired for condemning the muskrat's salutes
uri: CBS-meteorologist-fired-for-condemning-the-muskrat-s-salutes
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-nov-feb.html#27_January_2025_(CBS_meteorologist_fired_for_condemning_the_muskrat's_salutes)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-nov-feb.html#27_January_2025_(CBS_meteorologist_fired_for_condemning_the_muskrat's_salutes)

content:
 
<p>

  CBS TV station <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2025/jan/23/elon-musk-cbs-meteorologist-salute">fired its meteorologist</a> for posting, on her personal channel,
condemnation of <a class=glossary href="/glossary.html#musk">the muskrat</a> for his two slightly modified Nazi salutes.
</p>
<p>
I expect we will see many businesses join in trying to repress
Americans for calling a Nazi a Nazi.
</p>
</li>

 


title: Poland warned on Netanyahu visiting Auschwitz Memorial
uri: Poland-warned-on-Netanyahu-visiting-Auschwitz-Memorial
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-nov-feb.html#27_January_2025_(Poland_warned_on_Netanyahu_visiting_Auschwitz_Memorial)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-nov-feb.html#27_January_2025_(Poland_warned_on_Netanyahu_visiting_Auschwitz_Memorial)

content:
 
<p>

  *<a href="https://theintercept.com/2025/01/23/netanyahu-auschwitz-memorial-poland-icc-warrant/">Poland Is Warned</a>: Welcoming Netanyahu to Auschwitz Memorial Would Be
a "Grave Mistake".*
</p>
<p>
Poland, as a member of the ICC, ought to tell him it will hold him for
the ICC if he comes.
</p>
</li>

 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-nov-feb.html#27_January_2025_(Rejection_of_pardon)
title: Rejection of pardon
uri: Rejection-of-pardon
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-nov-feb.html#27_January_2025_(Rejection_of_pardon)
content:
 
<p>

Pamela Hemphill, convicted for the Jan 6 attack on the Capitol, has
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/jan/23/maga-granny-trump-pardon">rejected the pardon</a> that <a class=glossary href="/glossary.html#wrecker">the wrecker</a> gave her for that act she has come
to recognize as a wrong to her country.
</p>
</li>

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-nov-feb.html#27_January_2025_(New_pun)
title: New pun
uri: 2025-01-28-New-pun
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-nov-feb.html#27_January_2025_(New_pun)
content:
 
<p>
New pun:  <a href="/pns.html#"oughtism">Stallman-Org says</a> we ought not do this and that.

<p>
 


title: Executor shuns FEMA per Project 2025
uri: Executor-shuns-FEMA-per-Project-2025
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-nov-feb.html#27_January_2025_(Executive_shuns_FEMA_per_Project_2025)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-nov-feb.html#27_January_2025_(Executive_shuns_FEMA_per_Project_2025)

content:
 
<p>
<!---->The wrecker is now out to eliminate FEMA assistance, based on
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/jan/23/trump-fema-natural-disasters">reasons
that are false</a>.  FEMA has done a bad job under Republican
presidents <a class="glossary" href="/glossary.html#dubya">Dubya</a> and <a class="glossary" href="/glossary.html#wrecker">the wrecker</a>, but that is not a reason to
eliminate it, but a reason to have a Democratic president.
<p>
Eliminating FEMA would especially hurt poor people and marginalized
people, and those are the people that <!---->the wrecker wants to
hurt.

<p>
 


title: Settler violence sanctions lifted, ISR
uri: Settler-violence-sanctions-lifted-ISR
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-nov-feb.html#28_January_2025_(Settler_violence_sanctions_lifted,_ISR)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-nov-feb.html#28_January_2025_(Settler_violence_sanctions_lifted,_ISR)

content:
 
<p>
*[<a class="glossary" href="/glossary.html#trump">The persecutor</a>]
Halts Sanctions on Israeli Settlers, Threatens to
<a href="https://join.theintercept.com/go/79437">Seize Assets of War Crimes Investigators</a>.*


<p>
 


title: A cryptocurrency financial crisis, US
uri: A-cryptocurrency-financial-crisis-US
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-nov-feb.html#28_January_2025_(A_cryptocurrency_financial_crisis,_US)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-nov-feb.html#28_January_2025_(A_cryptocurrency_financial_crisis,_US)

content:
 
<p>
Robert Reich: *In effect, <!---->[the corrupter] is writing the rules for a
[cryptocurrency] business venture from which he and his family are personally
profiting. It
<a href="https://robertreich.substack.com/p/trumps-crypto-explosion">could earn them hundreds of billions</a>
of dollars.*
<p>
All regulations that might get in the way are being changed
or will be ignored.
<p>
I expect the direct victims to include the
<a class="glossary" href="/glossary.html#magat">magats</a>
that will put money into them because they trust
<a class="glossary" href="/glossary.html#corrupter">the corrupter</a>.
But we can all lose a lot if banks' holding those crypto-coins and it
causes them to get in some kind of trouble.
<p>
It is also a great opportunity for indirect bribes.  *Any wealthy
person, corporation, or foreign leader wishing to curry favor with
Trump now has a particularly easy means &mdash; just buy
$TRUMP and $MELANIA cryptocurrency tokens.*


<p>
 


title: Urgent: relief for victims of LA fires
uri: Urgent-relief-for-victims-of-LA-fires
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-nov-feb.html#29_January_2025_(Urgent:_relief_for_victims_of_LA_fires)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-nov-feb.html#29_January_2025_(Urgent:_relief_for_victims_of_LA_fires)

content:
 
<p>
US citizens:
<a href="https://actionnetwork.org/forms/tell-congress-provide-immediate-disaster-relief-for-la-fires?nowrapper=true&referrer=group-hd&source=group-hd">call
on Congress</a> to provide immediate disaster relief for LA fires.
<p>
If you phone, please spread the word!                              
Main Switchboard: <a href="tel:+12022243121">+1-202-224-3121</a>

<p>
 


title: Urgent: Reject Dr. Oz as leader of CMS
uri: Urgent-Reject-Dr-Oz-as-leader-of-CMS
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-nov-feb.html#29_January_2025_(Urgent:_Reject_Dr._Oz'_and_his_privatization_plans)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-nov-feb.html#29_January_2025_(Urgent:_Reject_Dr._Oz'_and_his_privatization_plans)

content:
 
<p>
US citizens:
<a href="https://act.demandprogress.org/sign/oz-cms-confirmation-25/">call on the Senate</a>
to reject Dr Oz.
<p>
If you phone, please spread the word!                              
Main Switchboard: <a href="tel:+12022243121">+1-202-224-3121</a>



<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-nov-feb.html#29_January_2025_(War_on_unhoused:_Kalispell,_MO)
title: War on unhoused: Kalispell, MT
uri: War-on-unhoused-Kalispell-MT
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-nov-feb.html#29_January_2025_(War_on_unhoused:_Kalispell,_MO)
content:
 
<p>
Kalispell, Montana, is
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/jan/27/kalispell-montana-homelessness">persecuting homeless people in every way</a>
it can
find.  It has made buses impossible for them to use by requiring
passengers to identify themselves with credit cards &mdash; a vicious
offense against all riders' privacy, even those who have homes.
<p>
The planned next step is to force a homeless shelter to close.


<p>
 


title: Summary, first seven days' wreckage, US
uri: Summary-first-seven-days-wreckage-US
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-nov-feb.html#29_January_2025_(Summary,_first_seven_days'_wreckage,_US)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-nov-feb.html#29_January_2025_(Summary,_first_seven_days'_wreckage,_US)

content:
 
<p>
The <a class="glossary" href="/glossary.html#s-i-c">saboteur in
chief</a> has purported to shut down government-funded activities that
we all depend on.  Americans have
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2025/jan/27/government-workers-trump">a
chance to stop him</a> through the courts.  If that fails, many of us
could suffer losses, sometimes even illness or death.


<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-nov-feb.html#30_January_2025_(Urgent:_Divest_from_fossil_fuels)
title: Urgent: Divest from fossil fuels
uri: 2025-01-30-Urgent-Divest-from-fossil-fuels
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-nov-feb.html#30_January_2025_(Urgent:_Divest_from_fossil_fuels)
content:
 
<p>
US citizens:
<a href="https://actionnetwork.org/forms/tell-big-banks-divest-from-fossil-fuels?nowrapper=true&referrer=group-just-strategy&source=group-just-strategy">call on the Big Banks</a>
to divest from fossil fuels.


<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-nov-feb.html#30_January_2025_(Laken-riley_is_law)
title: Laken-Riley Act is law
uri: Laken-Riley-Act-is-law
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-nov-feb.html#30_January_2025_(Laken-riley_is_law)
content:
 
<p>
Republicans want to give state officials
<a href="https://theintercept.com/2025/01/14/laken-riley-act-immigration-deportation-visas/">power
to veto specific peoples immigration</a> into the US.


<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-nov-feb.html#30_January_2025_(Urgent:_Location_Shield_Act)
title: Urgent: Location Shield Act
uri: Urgent-Location-Shield-Act
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-nov-feb.html#30_January_2025_(Urgent:_Location_Shield_Act)
content:
 
<p>

Massachusetts voters: call on your state representative and state
senator to <a href="https://action.aclu.org/send-message/ma-privacy-and-protection">pass the Location Shield Act (HD2965/SD501) and the Dignity
    Not Deportations Act (HD3596/SD1107)</a>.
</p>
<p>
  Each of these bills does <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2023-may-aug.html#4_July_2023_(Urgent:_MA_Location_Shield_Act)">far less than what is needed</a>,
but each is a step forward nonetheless.
</p>

 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-nov-feb.html#30_January_2025_(Fighters_in_Syria)
title: Fighters in Syria
uri: Fighters-in-Syria
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-nov-feb.html#30_January_2025_(Fighters_in_Syria)
content:
 
<p>

*Fighters [who belonged to <a class=glossary href="/glossary.html#pissi">PISSI</a>] in Syria could escape from prison
with help from <a class=glossary href="/glossary.html#wrecker">the wrecker's</a> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025/jan/28/is-fighters-in-syria-could-break-free-amid-trump-aid-cut-terrorism-expert-warns">stoppage of US aid</a> to the forces keeping
them in prison.
</p>
</li>

 


title: Climate crisis beached Brazil's floating communities
uri: Climate-crisis-beached-Brazil-s-floating-communities
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-nov-feb.html#30_January_2025_(Climate_crisis_beached_Brazil's_floating_communities)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-nov-feb.html#30_January_2025_(Climate_crisis_beached_Brazil's_floating_communities)

content:
 
<p>

*The year the rainforest dried up: how the climate crisis <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/gallery/2025/jan/22/amazon-rainforest-dried-up-how-climate-crisis-beached-brazil-floating-communities">beached Brazil’s
    floating communities</a>.*
</p>
<p>
  Not long ago, scientists <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#3_November_2023_(Collapse_of_Earth's_ecosystems)">warned that global heating and deforestation</a>
were going to eliminate the rainfall that keeps the Amazon rainforest
in existence. The death of so many trees will cause a big shot of
greenhouse gases that will hasten climate disaster world-wide.
</p>
</li>

 


title: Wrecker fired 17 inspectors general
uri: Wrecker-fired-17-inspectors-general
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-nov-feb.html#30_January_2025_(Wrecker_fired_17_inspectors_general)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-nov-feb.html#30_January_2025_(Wrecker_fired_17_inspectors_general)

content:
 
<p>

  <a class=glossary href="/glossary.html#wrecker">The wrecker</a> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/jan/25/trump-fires-17-independent-watchdogs-government-agencies">fired 17 inspectors general</a>, apparently illegally.
</p>
</li>

 


title: Heuristically detecting automated insurance coverage denial
uri: Heuristically-detecting-automated-insurance-coverage-denial
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-nov-feb.html#30_January_2025_(Heuristically_detecting_automated_insurance_coverage_denial)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-nov-feb.html#30_January_2025_(Heuristically_detecting_automated_insurance_coverage_denial)

content:
 
<p>

  A new computer program <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/jan/25/health-insurers-ai">heuristically detects</a> medical insurance's
automated denials of coverage.
</p>
<p>
This implies an arms race.  I tend to suspect the insurance companies
will win, that it will be easier to fool whatever the detection program
looks at than to overcome its disguises.  What is really needed is
to change the laws or structure of the insurance system.
</p>
</li>

 


title: Arrest warrants for Taliban leaders
uri: Arrest-warrants-for-Taliban-leaders
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-nov-feb.html#30_January_2025_(Arrest_warrants_for_Taliban_leaders)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-nov-feb.html#30_January_2025_(Arrest_warrants_for_Taliban_leaders)

content:
 
<p>

  *[International Criminal Court] chief prosecutor <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/jan/23/icc-chief-prosecutor-seeks-arrest-warrants-for-taliban-leaders-over-persecution-of-women">seeks arrest warrants</a> for Taliban leaders over persecution of women.*
</p>
<p>
I did not know the ICC had the ability to prosecute crimes like this.
Bravo!
</p>
<p>
I imagine that this step will make the election-riggers in the US hate
the ICC even more, but since they already hate it as hard as
they can, I doubt they can escalate their hostilities.
</p>
<p>
Islamic law <em>is</em> cruelty and injustice to women (and also sometimes to
men).
</p>
</li>

 


title: Spending of big oil on politicians
uri: Spending-of-big-oil-on-politicians
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-nov-feb.html#30_January_2025_(Spending_of_big_oil_on_politicians)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-nov-feb.html#30_January_2025_(Spending_of_big_oil_on_politicians)

content:
 
<p>

  *Big oil <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/jan/23/big-oil-445m-trump-congress">spent $445m in last election cycle</a> to [politicians]
report says.*
</p>
<p>
A lot of this spending was on helping to influence (or fool) the public
to vote for them.
</p>
</li>

 


title: Labour retreats from tax increase on rich
uri: Labour-retreats-from-tax-increase-on-rich
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-nov-feb.html#30_January_2025_(Labour_retreats_from_tax_increase_on_rich)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-nov-feb.html#30_January_2025_(Labour_retreats_from_tax_increase_on_rich)

content:
 
<p>

  Yet again, Labour <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2025/jan/23/rachel-reeves-non-dom-tax-rule-uk-davos">retreats from a planned tax increase</a> on the rich
in response to their threats of pushing back.
</p>
<p>
The right way to respond is with a counter threat.  One idea is a
special tax on income from British business that goes to non-taxed
stockholders?
</p>
</li>

 


title: Wrecker ignored major issues affecting families
uri: Wrecker-ignored-major-issues-affecting-families
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-nov-feb.html#30_January_2025_(Wrecker_ignored_major_issues_affecting_families)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-nov-feb.html#30_January_2025_(Wrecker_ignored_major_issues_affecting_families)

content:
 
<p>

Bernie Sanders:  
*The simple truth is that [<a class=glossary href="/glossary.html#wrecker">the wrecker</a>] <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2025/jan/23/bernie-sanders-trump-inauguration-speech">ignored almost every major issue</a> facing
this country’s working families in his first speech.*
</p>
</li>

 


title: Stretching the definition of "terrorist"
uri: Stretching-the-definition-of-terrorist
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-nov-feb.html#30_January_2025_(Stretching_the_definition_of_terrorist)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-nov-feb.html#30_January_2025_(Stretching_the_definition_of_terrorist)

content:
 
<p>

A crazed young man with no specific political goal or views murdered
several children.  The government <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2025/jan/23/southport-attack-violence-axel-rudakubana-social-care-justice">wants to label such people as
    "terrorist"</a> although that stretches the definition of "terrorist" to
the point of meaninglessness.
</p>
<p>
Terrorism means violence (or threats of violence) against
noncombatants for some cause (regardless of which cause).  That is a
coherent concept, so terrorists thus labeled on the basis of that
definition have something important and clear in common.
</p>
<p>
But once you include people who engage in violence for no specific
reason, the set becomes so broad that it ceases to be coherent.
</p>
<p>
  Some cops <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025/jan/23/declaring-southport-attack-as-terrorism-would-have-helped-detective-says">want those murders to be declared terrorism</a> because it would
allowed them to question the suspect for longer.
</p>
<p>
They advocate stretching the word "terrorism" to be arbitrarily stretchable.
That would make the word entirely meaningless.
</p>
<p>
Should they have been allowed to question that suspect for longer?  I
have no opinion on that; I am not sure what the possibilities are.
But if the UK would like to give cops more time to investigate certain
kinds of suspects, it should do this in a way that avoids causing
collateral damage to the word "terrorism".
</p>
</li>

 


title: Deportation thugs arrested Navajos
uri: Deportation-thugs-arrested-Navajos
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-nov-feb.html#30_January_2025_(Deportation_thugs_arrested_Navajos)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-nov-feb.html#30_January_2025_(Deportation_thugs_arrested_Navajos)

content:
 
<p>

  Deportation <a class=glossary href="/glossary.html#thug">thugs</a> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/jan/27/navajo-nation-immigration-raids">arrested Navajos</a>, who are US citizens.
  It seems that anyone who does not carry government identification
is in danger.
</p>
<p>
It is not a crime in the US to go out and about without ID cards.  But
<a class=glossary href="/glossary.html#wrecker">the wrecker</a> is turning the US into the sort of country where anyone
can be arrested for not carrying one.  This is a terrible attack against
our freedom.
</p>
<p>
Advice to "carry such proof all the time" does not address that wrong.
Though <em>having</em> it may help you protect yourself from attempts to
block you from voting.
</p>
</li>

 


