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Richard Stallman's Political Notes

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Face covering in Quebec

jeudi 26 octobre 2017 à 02:00

Quebec says that its law against covering the face in public transit and in certain interactions with government agencies applies only when a person needs to identify perself. If you don't show a discount card for the bus fare, you don't have to show your face.

I think this makes it tolerable.

Islam in Salafi Arabia

jeudi 26 octobre 2017 à 02:00

The crown prince (and effective ruler) of Salafi Arabia says he will return that country towards the "moderate" Islam that it practiced before 1980.

From what I've read, it had a rather strict form of Islam even then. However, this change has to be a step forward, even if it doesn't reach the level of respecting religious freedom.

E-cigarettes

jeudi 26 octobre 2017 à 02:00

Some see e-cigarettes as a beneficial technology that helps people quit smoking. Others are concerned that exposure to the vapor could lead ex-smokers start again, or could harm babies and fetuses.

We don't have scientific measurements of any of these effects. However, is there a reason to think that nicotine, specifically, is what makes second-hand smoke harmful? If it is the other substances in second-hand tobacco smoke that cause harm, and if those are not present in e-cigarette vapor, then there is no reason to expect that to cause harm to bystanders.

Facebook political ads

jeudi 26 octobre 2017 à 02:00

"The nature of Facebook ads makes it difficult to see when political ads go out, which groups are campaigning for which cause and fact-check what they’re saying."

This suggests approaches for regulation. We should regulate the way ads work, not solely political ads and not solely on Facebook, so that those who advertise are effectively held responsible for what they say.

Global heating denialist

jeudi 26 octobre 2017 à 02:00

The BBC has apologized for giving a global heating denialist the opportunity to spread lies without any criticism.