US citizens: phone your congresscritter to call for closing the carried interest loophole. This is explained in a previous pol note.

The Capitol Switchboard number is 202-224-3121.

If you call, please spread the word!

Meeting in support of Julian Assange, Monday Oct 25 2pm-4pm First Church Cambridge, 11 Garden St, Cambridge Mass.

High-tech methods of producing coffee are far more efficient, in terms of water use and greenhouse gas emissions, but some oppose using these methods because today's coffee farmers would no longer have a livelihood.

We must eliminate most greenhouse gas emissions, because the cost of failing to do so can easily include the collapse of civilization and billions of deaths. We can't take the risk of continuing dangerous pollution to make work for people.

*Apple’s plan to scan images will allow governments into smartphones.*

The Taliban have agreed to restart polio vaccination in Afghanistan.