# articles

feed_id: 22e97f741a4cdb8768f72e9561b1d7c0
title: Sea-level rise
uri: 2021-02-05-Sea-level-rise
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#5_February_2021_%28Sea-level_rise%29
content:
<p>
Now a yet higher estimate of sea-level rise by 2100.  <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/feb/02/sea-level-rise-could-be-worse-than-feared-warn-researchers">Now around 4 feet</a>.

<p>
I expect these estimates to keep increasing.


feed_id: 2dc52c158ec292148bb9dd20e9bf56be
title: Class warfare
uri: Class-warfare
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#5_February_2021_%28Class_warfare%29
content:
<p>
*The Oligarchy Knows Class Warfare Is the Real Fight—<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2021/02/02/oligarchy-knows-class-warfare-real-fight-why-dont-liberals">Why Don't Liberals</a>?*

<p>
The article linked to just above displays symbolic bigotry by
capitalizing "black" but not "white".  (To avoid that bigotry,
capitalize both words or neither one.)  I object to bigotry, and
normally I decline to link to articles which promote it.  But I make
an exception occasionally for an article which makes an important
point.  That article is one of the exceptions.


feed_id: 80b807c247e495650f6014664f86683a
title: Noise from traffic
uri: Noise-from-traffic
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#5_February_2021_%28Noise_from_traffic%29
content:
<p>
Noise from traffic <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/science/2021/feb/03/human-noise-affects-animal-behaviour-studies-show">interferes with behavior of some animals</a>.


feed_id: 952133eb27ae2975a0918970435b1645
title: Alexey Navalny protests
uri: Alexey-Navalny-protests
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#5_February_2021_%28Alexey_Navalny_protests%29
content:
<p>
Russians <a href="https://theintercept.com/2021/02/02/russia-moves-stifle-dissent-poisoned-putin-critic-alexey-navalny-sentenced/">protested the sentencing of Alexey Navalny</a>.


feed_id: f92cb535c7d883747b5661f976188566
title: Fintech-tied regulators
uri: Fintech-tied-regulators
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#5_February_2021_%28Fintech-tied_regulators%29
content:
<p>
*Robinhood Highlights Dangers of Biden Administration <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2021/02/01/robinhood-highlights-dangers-biden-administration-appointing-fintech-tied">Appointing Fintech-Tied
Regulators</a>.*

<p>
The article shows questions that anyone considered for an important
government position ought to be asked.


feed_id: e414e038f845a8b8392948192bd3412e
title: Murder of people on the border
uri: Murder-of-people-on-the-border
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#5_February_2021_%28Murder_of_people_on_the_border%29

content:
<p>
Mexican thugs have been charged <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/feb/03/twelve-mexican-police-arrested-over-mass-killing-of-migrants-near-us-border">with murdering a group of 19 people
near the US border</a>.


feed_id: a2a17e200b258ad36a39728c22aff69e
title: Progress on extreme poverty reversed
uri: Progress-on-extreme-poverty-reversed
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#5_February_2021_%28Progress_on_extreme_poverty_reversed%29

content:
<p>
*Decades of progress on extreme poverty <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2021/feb/03/decades-of-progress-on-extreme-poverty-now-in-reverse-due-to-covid">now in reverse due to Covid</a>.*


feed_id: bb7cb584e5b4a91140d66e0271f103cb
title: Funny photo
uri: Funny-photo
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#5_February_2021_%28Funny_photo%29
content:
<p>
Humor: <a href="media/0a08ebb9.P1010083.JPG" data-original-source="https://stallman.org/images/P1010083.JPG">Hammer into Anvil</a>


feed_id: adc583fff0be78a4fb57988767358655
title: Suggestion for Biden
uri: Suggestion-for-Biden
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#6_February_2021_%28Suggestion_for_Biden%29
content:
<p>
Ten suggestions for
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2021/02/02/ten-point-plan-make-joe-biden-peace-time-president">how
Biden can become a peace-time president</a>.
<p>
I agree with these points, except for a few parts.
<p>
It is useful to distinguish between terrorism and war; the fact that
movements which are not fighting wars can commit terrorism is part of
the difference.
<p>
A long-term confrontation between the US and China is almost
inevitable if China stays on its current course.  We could hope to
make agreements to keep that non-nuclear, perhaps even non-military,
if China is willing &mdash; but I don't expect China to commit not to
conquer Taiwan.
<p>
However, military affairs will be only a small part of that
confrontation.  Ultimately, the military strength of a nation comes
from its economic strength.
<p>
The US will wear itself out if it continues spending so much on its
military and not healing its people and its broken economy.  So most
of the measures proposed in the article are needed either way.


feed_id: 721b5cb892067fa142853a6d8886e11a
title: The need to put pressure on Senator Manchin
uri: The-need-to-put-pressure-on-Senator-Manchin
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#6_February_2021_%28The_need_to_put_pressure_on_Senator_Manchin%29

content:
<p>
Every important law that Democrats seek to pass
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2021/02/02/pressure-works-and-hes-going-need-lot-more-manchin-backs-fast-track-process-covid-19">will
require firm pressure on Senator Manchin</a>, the plutocratist who
supports <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#doohnibor">dooH niboR</a>.
<p>
Most of them will also require eliminating the filibuster, which will
also require Manchin's support.
<p>
One way to put pressure on Manchin is to threaten not to fund programs
that are important for West Virginia.


feed_id: 79abf80401839a51512156422ba7afdd
title: "Moderates" say helping the poor costs too much
uri: Moderates-say-helping-the-poor-costs-too-much
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#6_February_2021_%28Moderates_say_helping_the_poor_costs_too_much%29

content:
<p>
*<a href='https://www.commondreams.org/views/2021/02/02/so-called-moderates-always-say-helping-poor-costs-too-much-their-lavish-gifts-rich'>So-Called
"Moderates"</a> Always Say Helping the Poor Costs Too Much.*
<p>
The thing that "costs too much" is the thing that's not your priority.


feed_id: 51e2a8fc4dbdfdfd40737fd77a910b2c
title: Child Tax Credit
uri: Child-Tax-Credit
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#6_February_2021_%28Child_Tax_Credit%29
content:
<p>
Biden wants to expand the Child Tax Credit so that it
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2021/02/02/bidens-child-tax-credit-plan-could-right-historical-wrong">helps
children in poor families as much as those in wealthy families</a>.


feed_id: 1f6a4094923291e5ae7c0b59a792c498
title: Protected ocean habitats
uri: Protected-ocean-habitats
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#6_February_2021_%28Protected_ocean_habitats%29
content:
<p>
Success stories for protected ocean habitats that
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2021/02/04/new-report-outlines-how-ocean-protections-help-marine-life-bounce-back">enabled
populations of sea life to recover from damage</a>.


feed_id: 0859b2f00728aa46129e35e6e13bd37d
title: Pandering to GOP
uri: Pandering-to-GOP
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#6_February_2021_%28Pandering_to_GOP%29
content:
<p>
*More Partisanship, Not Less: Democrats
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2021/02/04/more-partisanship-not-less-democrats-shouldnt-compromise-their-solutions-pander-gop">Shouldn’t
Compromise Their Solutions to Pander</a> to a GOP That Is Part of the
Problem.*


feed_id: 69ecbd29d3537e2d4d972f3e6cdc4e1e
title: The corrupt president of Haiti
uri: The-corrupt-president-of-Haiti
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#6_February_2021_%28The_corrupt_president_of_Haiti%29

content:
<p>
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2021/02/04/honor-black-history-month-canada-should-end-its-support-authoritarianism-haiti">Canada
should stop supporting</a> the US-imposed corrupt president of Haiti.
<p>
Background information
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2017-jan-apr.html#16_February_2017_(Haiti_elections)">about
him</a>.


feed_id: 75a48351169da98719b598d78d3de4aa
title: Work hours increase with work-from-home
uri: Work-hours-increase-with-work-from-home
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#6_February_2021_%28Work_hours_increase_with_work-from-home%29

content:
<p>
Staff now working at home, in the US and several other countries, are
working
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/business/2021/feb/04/home-workers-putting-in-more-hours-since-covid-research">two
more hours per day on the average</a>.
<p>
Strangely, even I am spending more hours per day working than I was
before &mdash; and I'm my own boss!


feed_id: eb47f87717eb4e43af1f00bb1ac9aac7
title: Iranian diplomat convicted of providing bomb
uri: Iranian-diplomat-convicted-of-providing-bomb
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#6_February_2021_%28Iranian_diplomat_convicted_of_providing_bomb%29

content:
<p>
An active Iranian diplomat has been
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/feb/04/assadollah-assadi-belgian-court-sentences-iranian-diplomat-20-years-french-bomb-plot">convicted
of providing a bomb to set off at a rally in France</a>.
<p>
That was undeniably state sponsorship of terrorism.  The government of
Iran must commit to preventing any repetition.
<p>
The world must keep this matter separate from the non-nuclear deal,
because that is a more important issue.  Sanctions that block
medicine, such as the US is applying, must not be used to punish
Iranian terrorism, because the sanctions are worse than a bomb.
<p>
What other way is there to apply pressure?  Perhaps seizing an Iranian
oil tanker?


feed_id: 7d83c9490b9cadacd781ea81777cc7ef
title: US government 'deeply disturbed' by prison violence
uri: US-government-deeply-disturbed-by-prison-violence
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#6_February_2021_%28US_government_deeply_disturbed_by_prison_violence%29

content:
<p>
*US
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/feb/04/us-is-deeply-disturbed-by-reports-of-systematic-in-chinas-uighurxinjiang-camps">'deeply
 disturbed'</a> by reports of systematic rape in China's Xinjiang
 camps.*
<p>
I agree fully, but it would be nice if the US government were equally
disturbed by 
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#16_July_2018_(Refugee_women_shackled_in_van)">what
thugs do to women in US deportation prisons</a>.  The US government
can't directly stop China from its massive injustice to Uighurs, but
it ought to be able to put a stop to injustices in US government
activities.
<p>
The first step could be to make sure all guards are US government
employees by 
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#5_February_2021_(Private_immigration_prisons)">eliminating
privatized deportation prisons</a>.


feed_id: b50b1ca82134fd995272ba1589aaaa40
title: Democrats learned from failures of 2009
uri: Democrats-learned-from-failures-of-2009
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#6_February_2021_%28Democrats_learned_from_failures_of_2009%29

content:
<p>
*Democrats Actually
<a href="https://theintercept.com/2021/02/03/democrats-covid-stimulus-obama-lessons/">Learned
From the Failures of 2009</a>.*


feed_id: 260355311d982663cc270bfe434bc5a3
title: Interim government for Libya
uri: Interim-government-for-Libya
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#7_February_2021_%28Interim_government_for_Libya%29
content:
<p>

*UN-sponsored talks produce <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/feb/05/un-libya-talks-produce-interim-government-elections">interim government</a> for Libya.*


feed_id: 9960860dfff4d87d18a04b5d31dc7b37
title: Investigate alleged war crimes
uri: Investigate-alleged-war-crimes
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#7_February_2021_%28Investigate_alleged_war_crimes%29

content:
<p>

*ICC rules it can investigate alleged war crimes in Palestine <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/law/2021/feb/05/icc-rules-it-can-investigate-war-crimes-in-palestine-despite-israeli-objections">despite
Israeli objections</a>.*
<p>
The ICC might prosecute Israeli officials and/or HAMAS officials.


feed_id: 04d3c82152b466f947b986198b600c14
title: (satire) Free Time
uri: (satire)-Free-Time
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#7_February_2021_%28%28satire%29_Free_Time%29
content:
<p>

(satire) *Pundits Warn Removing Marjorie Taylor Greene From Committee
Assignments Could <a href="https://www.theonion.com/pundits-warn-removing-marjorie-taylor-greene-from-commi-1846198622">Leave Her With Free Time</a>.*


feed_id: aaf875086ff6d080a4b869b994548703
title: (satire) Capitol Mob
uri: (satire)-Capitol-Mob
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#7_February_2021_%28%28satire%29_Capitol_Mob%29
content:
<p>

(satire) *Republicans <a href="https://www.theonion.com/republicans-accuse-ocasio-cortez-of-not-being-anywhere-1846200281">Accuse Ocasio-Cortez</a> Of Not Being Anywhere Near
Place They Told Capitol Mob She Would Be.*


feed_id: 710615f75cbdb600fbb26fbcaa4bf838
title: Baby food with high levels of metals
uri: Baby-food-with-high-levels-of-metals
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#7_February_2021_%28Baby_food_with_high_levels_of_metals%29

content:
<p>

Major US baby-food companies knowingly used ingredients with 
<a href="https://www.cnn.com/2021/02/04/health/baby-food-heavy-metal-toxins-wellness/index.html">possibly dangerous high levels of several metals</a> that can cause
brain damage.
<p>
I can't tell from the article whether it is clear that the resulting
food was harmful.  <em>If</em> it was, the argument that they no longer use
these ingredients does not wipe away the culpability, since they used
the ingredients knowingly in the past.


feed_id: 9c0c36d81c4d0b5561dc797d6928ae9a
title: Houthis "terrorist" designation
uri: Houthis-terrorist-designation
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#7_February_2021_%28Houthis_terrorist_designation%29
content:
<p>

Biden will <a href="http://rss.cnn.com/~r/rss/cnn_topstories/~3/GtwnzcvGt_c/index.html">remove the "terrorist" designation</a> from the Houthis.
<p>
It looks like he is serious about trying to take the US out of Yemen's
civil war.


feed_id: 64f5073661ea6a0c238de65046ca26cf
title: UK social mixing restrictions
uri: UK-social-mixing-restrictions
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#7_February_2021_%28UK_social_mixing_restrictions%29
content:
<p>

The UK plans to continue social mixing restrictions <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/feb/04/jeremy-hunt-covid-restrictions-should-stay-until-cases-fall-to-1000-a-day">until new cases fall</a>
to a level which contact tracing can drive down.
<p>
That is valid in theory, but the government needs to get contact
tracing working properly and establish what rate of spread the contact
tracing system can cope with.


feed_id: 207aedd9c246ac87b987be872cee6fbc
title: Noise hurting marine life
uri: Noise-hurting-marine-life
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#7_February_2021_%28Noise_hurting_marine_life%29
content:
<p>

*Cacophony of human noise is <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/feb/04/cacophony-human-noise-hurting-marine-life-scientists-warn">hurting all marine life</a>, scientists warn.*


feed_id: 5f8482e76057cdf3acd3b005af5b285b
title: Ex-governor arrested in Mexico
uri: Ex-governor-arrested-in-Mexico
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#7_February_2021_%28Ex-governor_arrested_in_Mexico%29

content:
<p>

*Mexico: ex-governor <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/feb/04/mexico-mario-marin-arrest-journalist-lydia-cacho">arrested</a> for allegedly ordering torture of journalist.*


feed_id: ee7d813d3be3df880e5e32d68ae37c6b
title: Deportation flight cancelled
uri: Deportation-flight-cancelled
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#7_February_2021_%28Deportation_flight_cancelled%29
content:
<p>

The deportation <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thugs</a> have cancelled a deportation flight so that the
people to be deported can <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/feb/04/ice-cancels-deportation-flight-african-asylum-seekers-brutality">testify in court hearings</a>.
<p>
In other words, their legal rights are significant once again.


feed_id: 014f09b794c4f8c2eb473a0b4056f53a
title: American support for "offensive operations" in Yemen
uri: American-support-for-offensive-operations-in-Yemen
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#7_February_2021_%28American_support_for_offensive_operations_in_Yemen%29

content:
<p>

Biden said he would <a href="https://theintercept.com/2021/02/04/biden-saudi-yemen-arms/">end American support</a> for "offensive operations" in
Yemen by <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#salafi">Salafi Arabia</a>.
<p>
The US will continue selling arms for this.


feed_id: f987ac1f63e8bd7b6980921707436fbf
title: Rejection of Australian coal mine
uri: Rejection-of-Australian-coal-mine
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#7_February_2021_%28Rejection_of_Australian_coal_mine%29

content:
<p>

Australia has <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2021/feb/05/wollongong-south32-dendrobium-coalmine-expansion-rejected-due-to-risk-to-sydney-and-illawarra-water-catchments">rejected expansion</a> of a coal mine, to avoid local toxicity.
<p>
This coal is a special kind, for making steel &mdash; not just to get heat.
It will still be needed after civilization decarbonizes.  It will have to
be part of the emissions that nature absorbs.
<p>
Nonetheless, it looks like Big Coal is losing its power over
Australia.  If so, that is good for civilization's survival.


feed_id: 54f27c96cbaf08e7da34be33164caa6b
title: Ban of mining on sea bottom
uri: Ban-of-mining-on-sea-bottom
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#7_February_2021_%28Ban_of_mining_on_sea_bottom%29
content:
<p>

Australia's Northern Territory will <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2021/feb/05/northern-territory-to-permanently-ban-seabed-mining">ban mining on the sea bottom</a>.
<p>
What makes the practice harmful is the way it is done.  I think there
will be a safe way to mind the sea bottom in the future when robots
can identify valuable nodules and pick them up individually without
touching anything else.


feed_id: 44ba8ec3cff0647ac923092fe128ba51
title: Australia investment in batteries
uri: Australia-investment-in-batteries
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#7_February_2021_%28Australia_investment_in_batteries%29

content:
<p>

Australia is making a big <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2021/feb/05/worlds-biggest-battery-with-1200mw-capacity-set-to-be-built-in-nsw-hunter-valley-australia">investment in large batteries</a> that will
facilitate using solar-generated electricity at night.


feed_id: b06bc95f24550ac464e2241250645dd4
title: (satire) Ugly history of sarcasm
uri: (satire)-Ugly-history-of-sarcasm
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#7_February_2021_%28%28satire%29_Ugly_history_of_sarcasm%29

content:
<p>

(satire) *Activists Call On Sitcom Producers To <a href="https://www.theonion.com/activists-call-on-sitcom-producers-to-reckon-with-genre-1846176834">Reckon With Genre’s
Ugly History Of Sarcasm</a>*.
<p>
It's called a "sit-com" because some people can't stand it.


feed_id: 19e751b5b14ea9839d57f633e2d6ddf6
title: Urgent: Call for censure of Congress members supporting the Capitol attack
uri: Urgent-Call-for-censure-of-Congress-members-supporting-the-Capitol-at
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#7_February_2021_%28Urgent%3A_Call_for_censure_of_Congress_members_supporting_the_Capitol_attack%29

content:
<p>

US citizens: call on Congress to <a href="https://act.pfaw.org/sign/censure-cruz-hawley-mccarthy-scalise-insurrection/">censure the four main leaders in Congress</a>
of support for the attack on the Capitol.

<p>The Capitol Switchboard number is 202-224-3121.</p>
<p>If you call, please spread the word!</p>


feed_id: a039ee56a222134790505d51acf06a52
title: Urgent: Improve access to abortion pills
uri: Urgent-Improve-access-to-abortion-pills
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#7_February_2021_%28Urgent%3A_Improve_access_to_abortion_pills%29

content:
<p>

US citizens: call on Biden to take two steps to <a href="https://action.aclu.org/petition/tell-biden-administration-safe-access-abortion-now">improve access to
abortion pills</a>.


feed_id: c9a37f37355baf22cb4a955b2dea1c37
title: Urgent: Cut the military budget 10%
uri: Urgent-Cut-the-military-budget-10
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#7_February_2021_%28Urgent%3A_Cut_the_military_budget_10%2525%29

content:
<p>

US citizens: call on Congress to <a href="https://act.winwithoutwar.org/act/cut-pentagon-feb-2021">cut the military budget 10%</a>.

<p>The Capitol Switchboard number is 202-224-3121.</p>
<p>If you call, please spread the word!</p>


feed_id: dc601ab0c5d37042ea1fc635f102a374
title: NJ prison thugs face criminal charges
uri: NJ-prison-thugs-face-criminal-charges
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#7_February_2021_%28NJ_prison_thugs_face_criminal_charges%29

content:
<p>
New Jersey prison <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thugs</a> face
<a href="https://www.cnn.com/2021/02/05/us/new-jersey-correctional-officers-charged/index.html">criminal
charges for punching prisoners</a>.  One of the prisoners was
handcuffed when they punched him.


feed_id: 0a365b63da478b027282f53725983f8d
title: Facebook and Apple
uri: Facebook-and-Apple
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#7_February_2021_%28Facebook_and_Apple%29
content:
<p>
*Forget Zuckerberg and Cook's hypocrisy &mdash; it's
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2021/feb/06/mark-zuckerberg-tim-cook-facebook-apple-problem">their
companies that are the real problem</a>.*
<p>
I agree with that point, but the writer is partially mistaken when
projecting Milton Friedman's ideas beyond the past few decades.  In
the 1970s it was generally accepted that a corporation had obligations
to the community in which it operated -- not solely to stockholders.
<p>
Reagan's surrender-to-business revolution established Friedman's ideal
of greed as the norm of society, but we don't have to leave it that
way.


feed_id: e12365d399dd4392ee3d0c6db203e255
title: Navalny lets Putin absurdly put him in prison
uri: Navalny-lets-Putin-absurdly-put-him-in-prison
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#7_February_2021_%28Navalny_lets_Putin_absurdly_put_him_in_prison%29

content:
<p>
By letting Putin absurdly put him in prison, Navalny has
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/feb/06/face-off-the-extraordinary-power-struggle-between-vladimir-putin-and-alexei-navalny">made
Putin look petty and absurd</a>.


feed_id: 246ac060b21df4df274be3ac90b68f74
title: Misogynists in London
uri: Misogynists-in-London
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#7_February_2021_%28Misogynists_in_London%29
content:
<p>
*London’s first commissioner for victims has revealed
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/society/2021/feb/06/misogynists-are-trying-to-silence-me-abuse-bill-commissioner">how
misogynists are attempting to silence her attempts to tackle domestic
violence</a>.*


feed_id: 33d8b86666f95a22d27ff4a2cb85f7cd
title: FBI investigating people who attacked the Capitol
uri: FBI-investigating-people-who-attacked-the-Capitol
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#7_February_2021_%28FBI_investigating_people_who_attacked_the_Capitol_%29

content:
<p>
The FBI is investigating hundreds of people who participated in
attacking the Capitol.  Some are already facing charges of
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2021/feb/06/bored-of-your-four-walls-let-me-share-my-pro-tip-get-some-wild-wallpaper">preparing
to overthrow the government (sedition)</a>.  Others will face such
charges if the FBI finds evidence to charge them.


feed_id: def3d71235b20b6952bf7c3d1604cfde
title: Florida's unemployment compensation system
uri: Florida-s-unemployment-compensation-system
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#7_February_2021_%28Floridas_unemployment_compensation_system%29

content:
<p>
Florida's
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/feb/06/florida-unemployment-coronavirus-workers">stingy
and reluctant</a> unemployment compensation system reflects the spirit
of the Republican Party.


feed_id: 38acf38d04ada9463d91e00da476b1e5
title: Burma's army shuts down internet connectivity
uri: Burma-s-army-shuts-down-internet-connectivity
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#7_February_2021_%28Burmas_army_shuts_down_internet_connectivity%29

content:
<p>
Burma's army has shut down some internet connectivity,
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/feb/06/myanmar-military-shuts-down-internet-as-thousands-protest-against-coup">aiming
to crush protests</a>.


feed_id: 8b9b83179de8d1c536df4fbec9544cc5
title: Thugs threaten to expose asylum-seekers to Covid-19
uri: Thugs-threaten-to-expose-asylum-seekers-to-Covid-19
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#7_February_2021_%28Thugs_threaten_to_expose_asylum-seekers_to_Covid-19%29

content:
<p>
*[Deportation <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thugs</a>]
<a href="https://theintercept.com/2021/02/06/ice-covid-threat-asylum-deportation/">Threatened
to Expose Asylum-Seekers to Covid-19</a> if They Did Not Accept
Deportation.*


feed_id: cc61f3386fab96a2436b3b9bce78db05
title: Extradition to US for alleged crimes on UK soil
uri: Extradition-to-US-for-alleged-crimes-on-UK-soil
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#7_February_2021_%28Extradition_to_US_for_alleged_crimes_on_UK_soil%29

content:
<p>
*<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2021/feb/05/britain-extradition-us-crimes-uk">Britons
should not face extradition to the US</a> for alleged crimes on UK
soil.*


feed_id: 3ca9e8646a88e52a8aed2b7d428d1f98
title: Five utility companies' executives prosecuted
uri: Five-utility-companies-executives-prosecuted
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#7_February_2021_%28Five_utility_companies_executives_prosecuted%29

content:
<p>
<a href="https://www.exposedbycmd.org/2021/02/05/utility-execs-across-u-s-hit-criminal-charges-2020/">Five
US regulated utility companies' executives</a> were prosecuted in the
US in 2020.
<p>
I speculate that the spirit of cheating which pervades the US has
spread from
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2013-jan-apr.html#27_March_2013_(Banksters)">banks</a>,
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#19_March_2018_(Handouts_for_internet%2Fcable_companies)">cable
companies</a>,
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#21_January_2019_(Privatized_immigration_prisons)">prison
companies</a>,
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#9_August_2019_(Big_Pharma%E2%80%99s_Trail_of_Greed)">pharma
companies</a>,
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#16_October_2019_(Private_hospitals_and_universal_national_health_system)">hospital
companies</a> and
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#13_September_2019_(Boeing_now_primarily_a_political_machine)">airplane
manufacturers</a> to utilities.


feed_id: 4256908bafd2177f2df13c8d90b9e2d4
title: UK quietly expels Chinese spies
uri: UK-quietly-expels-Chinese-spies
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#7_February_2021_%28UK_quietly_expels_Chinese_spies%29

content:
<p>
*UK quietly expelled Chinese
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/feb/05/uk-quietly-expelled-chinese-spies-who-posed-as-journalists">spies
who posed as journalists</a>.*


feed_id: 2df50c579732b4d0a2b56601df930797
title: Amazon warehouse workers to vote on unionizing
uri: Amazon-warehouse-workers-to-vote-on-unionizing
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#7_February_2021_%28Amazon_warehouse_workers_to_vote_on_unionizing%29

content:
<p>
Amazon warehouse workers
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2021/feb/05/amazon-workers-nrlb-vote-union-drive">will
soon vote on unionizing</a>.
<p>
(satire) They are called werehouse workers because for each shift
Amazon transforms them from human workers into building components
comparable to robots.  Reportedly the experience is unpleasant.
Perhaps by forming a union they will be able to put a stop to it.


feed_id: fa7ead27bf121ac1bec2d90bfce512f3
title: Some Texas Republican politicians advocate secession
uri: Some-Texas-Republican-politicians-advocate-secession
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#7_February_2021_%28Some_Texas_Republican_politicians_advocate_secession%29

content:
<p>
Some Texas Republican politicians now
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/feb/05/texas-republicans-endorse-legislation-vote-secession">advocate
secession</a>.
<p>
After so much waving of Confederate flags, it does not surprise me
that the white-supremacist lunatic wing of the Republican party now
advocates imitating it.
<p>
Part of me hopes that Texas declares secession, because that would be
grounds to prosecute those officials and imprison them for many years.
<p>
Part of me hopes we allow them to separate a part of Texas, containing
the non-urban mainly-white areas of Texas, and secede with it.
Perhaps some of the small, rural US states will follow them.  Good
riddance to their electoral college votes and their seats in the US
Senate!


feed_id: 2e478fa308bcfef93e70e64f0aea4cd7
title: Voter fraud campaign fraud
uri: Voter-fraud-campaign-fraud
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#8_February_2021_%28Voter_fraud_campaign_fraud%29
content:
<p>
Republican donors are suing to get their money back, claiming to have been
cheated <a href="https://theintercept.com/2021/02/06/election-deniers-profit-lawsuits/">by use of false claims of voter fraud to raise "campaign" money</a>.


feed_id: fe5b34415e5fa6f9acbdd544fdf7eb0e
title: Sedition charges for journalism
uri: Sedition-charges-for-journalism
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#8_February_2021_%28Sedition_charges_for_journalism%29

content:
<p>
*If India can charge journalists with ‘sedition’ for doing their jobs, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2021/feb/06/india-journalists-sedition-no-free-press-police-farmers-modi">it has
no free press</a>.*


feed_id: e4cf952f11d57d5ae730c0fa699ca711
title: Life expectancy decreasing
uri: Life-expectancy-decreasing
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#8_February_2021_%28Life_expectancy_decreasing%29
content:
<p>
The harsh foot of <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#doohnibor">dooH niboR</a> is driving many poor Americans to despair
and opioids.  <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2021/02/05/americas-current-capitalist-system-equipped-handle-potential-tsunami-despair-after">Life expectancy started decreasing after 2015</a>.

<p>
Covid-19 is causing a poverty hit, and that is likely to mean more
opioid deaths.  A country with functioning democracy would do
something about the cause of the poverty.


feed_id: 8c172040e03e979e2871ccde4b8c041d
title: FBI and Cory Doctorow
uri: FBI-and-Cory-Doctorow
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#8_February_2021_%28FBI_and_Cory_Doctorow%29
content:
<p>
An FBI agent asked for and got a meeting with Cory Doctorow.
Then the FBI officially said <a href="https://pluralistic.net/2021/02/07/a-long-surrender/#feeble-excuses">it had no records about him,
which has to be a lie</a>.


feed_id: c3dfc653ad6ebc8eee7bd97a1e24023e
title: Prosecution of the wrecker
uri: Prosecution-of-the-wrecker
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#8_February_2021_%28Prosecution_of_the_wrecker%29
content:
<p>
Republican Representative Cheney <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/feb/07/liz-cheney-criminal-investigation-trump-tweet-mike-pence">proposed prosecuting the wrecker for
inciting violence on Jan 6</a>.


feed_id: 217ab12ebacf290b4d46ebff3b8a3b31
title: Authoritarian governments
uri: Authoritarian-governments
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#8_February_2021_%28Authoritarian_governments%29
content:
<p>
Around the world, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2021/feb/07/myanmar-china-russia-bad-guys-winning-stand-up">authoritarian government is gaining and democracy is losing</a>.


feed_id: c80ff2a190f49488636688842ed10fc1
title: Serving until asked to betray
uri: Serving-until-asked-to-betray
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#8_February_2021_%28Serving_until_asked_to_betray%29
content:
<p>
Vice President Pence served the corrupter with total loyalty <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2021/feb/07/mike-pence-donald-trump-republicans-religion-evangelical">until the
day he was asked to flagrantly betray the republic</a>.
  Now the corrupter's followers loathe Pence for that refusal.


feed_id: 71bba9d467e9978c70714e134da17651
title: Back to the truth
uri: Back-to-the-truth
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#8_February_2021_%28Back_to_the_truth%29
content:
<p>
How can we bring millions of Americans <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2021/feb/07/trump-senate-impeachment-trial-republicans-robert-reich">back to respecting truth</a>.

<p>
People can disagree about what the facts are while still agreeing that
facts count.  That latter is what's at stake here.


feed_id: d8465c18d6db78a5eaa2d890b52ff76c
title: Protests against coup
uri: Protests-against-coup
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#8_February_2021_%28Protests_against_coup%29
content:
<p>
There are large protests <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/feb/07/myanmar-tens-thousands-march-military-coup-second-day">against the military coup in Burma</a>.


feed_id: 2ac5fd13abf5a906bdfd90ca35b29058
title: Fairness doctrine
uri: Fairness-doctrine
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#8_February_2021_%28Fairness_doctrine%29
content:
<p>
Looking at <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2021/02/05/fairness-doctrine-wont-solve-our-problems-it-can-foster-needed-debate">the broadcasting "fairness doctrine" of the US from the
1930s to the 1980s</a>.


feed_id: abd91b9af6b28847a28ae652860f44aa
title: Scrambling for vaccine
uri: Scrambling-for-vaccine
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#8_February_2021_%28Scrambling_for_vaccine%29
content:
<p>
(<a href="https://www.theonion.com/americans-scrambling-for-covid-vaccine-after-cdc-direct-1846206543">satire</a>) *Americans Scrambling For Covid Vaccine After CDC Director
Announces Thousands Of Doses Buried Somewhere In California.*


feed_id: 2c874538e1f0bddceeeaa0dff887015c
title: Corn Dog
uri: Corn-Dog
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#8_February_2021_%28Corn_Dog%29
content:
<p>
(<a href="https://www.theonion.com/biologists-discover-modern-day-corn-dog-descended-from-1846186045">satire</a>) *Biologists Discover Modern-Day Corn Dog Descended From
Ancient Aquatic Sausage.*


feed_id: aeea8ab3f188ba38b54882f2f9bec198
title: Compelled choice
uri: Compelled-choice
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#8_February_2021_%28Compelled_choice%29
content:
<p>
New York State lets companies offer workers the "choice" of a 24-hour
shift; <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2021/02/05/should-we-not-stop-24-hour-shifts-if-there-are-workers-who-it">then they effectively compel workers to "choose" them</a>.


feed_id: ce421ed20f7e14465486ebc0d0527d47
title: Section 230
uri: 2021-02-08-Section-230
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#8_February_2021_%28Section_230%29
content:
<p>
A proposal to reform section 230 of the CDA <a href="https://techcrunch.com/2021/02/05/safe-tech-act-section-230-warner/">would have sweeping disastrous
consequences</a>.


feed_id: c78b14f6c9995f223124c3b39bbffed5
title: FBI investigating people who attacked the Capitol
uri: 2021-02-09-FBI-investigating-people-who-attacked-the-Capitol
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#7_February_2021_%28FBI_investigating_people_who_attacked_the_Capitol_%29

content:
<p>
The FBI is investigating hundreds of people who participated in
attacking the Capitol.  Some are already facing charges of
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/feb/06/us-capitol-insurrection-fbi-investigation">preparing
to overthrow the government (sedition)</a>.  Others will face such
charges if the FBI finds evidence to charge them.


feed_id: 07b6d306972814243eedc717bf7c7789
title: Trades tax or wealth tax
uri: Trades-tax-or-wealth-tax
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#9_February_2021_%28Trades_tax_or_wealth_tax%29
content:
<p>
Either a financial trades tax or a wealth tax <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2021/02/08/year-cheating-poor">could be used to reduce
inequality in the US</a>.

<p>
Why not use both?


feed_id: f2039ee28f68d44159c86173b768fdce
title: Pollen season
uri: Pollen-season
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#9_February_2021_%28Pollen_season%29
content:
<p>
*Pollen season grows 20 days in 30 years <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/feb/08/pollen-season-grows-20-days-climate-crisis-hay-fever">as climate crisis hits hay fever
sufferers</a>.*


feed_id: ca09ac59b69c18014ce158b313e8007a
title: Cracker trying to poison people
uri: Cracker-trying-to-poison-people
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#9_February_2021_%28Cracker_trying_to_poison_people%29

content:
<p>
A cracker got into the computer that controls the water treatment
system of Oldsmar, Florida, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/feb/08/hacker-water-supply-oldsmar-florida">and started pouring large amounts of lye
into the water supply</a>.

<p>
This is one of the things that should not be connected to any networks.


feed_id: bf34a0980f9f9200f7a9a5b2ec14db32
title: Imposing elected governments
uri: Imposing-elected-governments
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#9_February_2021_%28Imposing_elected_governments%29
content:
<p>
The US has been imposing "elected" governments on Haiti <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2021/02/07/us-reporting-fails-note-foreign-roots-haitis-constitutional-crisis">for more than
a decade</a>.


feed_id: 37bbaa044389127f0ac0f7d86a91d064
title: Voting machines in 2020
uri: Voting-machines-in-2020
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#9_February_2021_%28Voting_machines_in_2020%29
content:
<p>
Although we have no evidence that voting machines were used for election
fraud in 2020, <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/outlook/2021/02/03/voting-machines-election-steal-conspiracy-flaws/">we know some are vulnerable to such use</a>.

<p>
People should vote on paper, marking ballots with a pen.  Then a
computerized machine can be used to count them.  That machine <a href="https://stallman.org/evoting.html">should
not be able to alter them</a>.


feed_id: 8cc0f7332ec046eb96e73be141594be3
title: Amazon shifts
uri: Amazon-shifts
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#9_February_2021_%28Amazon_shifts%29
content:
<p>
Amazon is requiring warehouse workers to work a shift <a href="https://www.vice.com/en/article/y3gk3w/amazon-is-forcing-its-warehouse-workers-into-brutal-megacycle-shifts">that starts
after 1am and lasts 10.5 hours</a>.

<p>
Aside from being exhausting and physically dangerous, the workers, who
often do not have cars, have no easy way to get to work at that hour.

<p>
It is ironic that they ask for Lyft rides, <a href="https://stallman.org/lyft.html">since Lyft is an exploitative
gig company</a>
       which keeps track of people, like Amazon.


feed_id: ca0b509358527953a0014f0af90aa722
title: Antitrust law
uri: 2021-02-09-Antitrust-law
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#9_February_2021_%28Antitrust_law%29
content:
<p>
Here are specifics of Senator Klobuchar's plan <a href="https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2021/02/klobuchar-targets-big-tech-with-biggest-antitrust-overhaul-in-45-years/">to strengthen
US antitrust law long several dimensions</a>.

<p>
I think these changes would be very good, <a href="https://stallman.org/articles/progressive-tax-on-business-gross-income.html">but my proposed tax scheme</a>
  to pressure companies to split themselves up, or not merge in the
first place, would be complementary to it.


feed_id: 6e4b95270c9c35f916d31b20d05aa015
title: Punjabi farmers
uri: Punjabi-farmers
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#9_February_2021_%28Punjabi_farmers%29
content:
<p>
In parts of California there are many farmers of Punjabi origin.
They have been protesting <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/feb/08/california-indian-farmers-protest-sikh-punjab-yuba-city">in support of India's farmers against
Modi's dooH niboR farm law</a>.


feed_id: 550d2c00e875cff0dac455618b7782b6
title: Urgent: fire thug
uri: Urgent-fire-thug
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#9_February_2021_%28Urgent%3A_fire_thug%29
content:
<p>
US citizens: <a href="https://act.colorofchange.org/sign/deputy-fournier-has-got-go">call on the Osceola sheriff</a> to fire the thug that
knocked a teenager unconscious in school

<p>
I support not having thugs normally present in schools.  <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2013-nov-feb.html#11_January_2014_('Groundbreaking'_Guidelines_to_Stop_'School-to-Prison_Pipeline')">It is too dangerous</a>.


feed_id: 4ef73e63423c14c0a8b44f4de2ac851a
title: Urgent: tax Wall Street trades
uri: Urgent-tax-Wall-Street-trades
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#9_February_2021_%28Urgent%3A_tax_Wall_Street_trades%29

content:
<p>
US citizens: <a href="https://act.rootsaction.org/p/dia/action4/common/public/">call on Congress</a> to tax Wall Street trades.

<p>
To sign without running nonfree JavaScript code from the web site,
<a href="https://stallman.org/salsalabs-method.html">use the Salsalabs workaround</a>.


feed_id: 21624eefdfe66b6342fce9317ba63a1f
title: Precarious work
uri: Precarious-work
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#9_February_2021_%28Precarious_work%29
content:
<p>
As increasing numbers of Americans are forced into precarious work,
such as an Amazon warehouse, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2021/feb/08/amazon-union-bessmer-alabama">unionization becomes increasingly
important for them</a>.

<p>
They also need many changes in US law, which won't be possible unless
Manchin supports them.


feed_id: c8415f271b4eaeae7452bc0c3ae2834d
title: Regulation of digital sites
uri: Regulation-of-digital-sites
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#9_February_2021_%28Regulation_of_digital_sites%29
content:
<p>
On the best way to impose regulation to prevent digital sites <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2021/feb/08/fake-news-facts-facebook-twitter-fox-news-democracy">from
boosting the internet of political delusion</a>.

<p>
I don't see any way that changing CDA section 230 could help achieve
this goal.

<p>
As for the issue that 80 countries could regulate internet discussions
in 80 different ways, I suggest that the solution is to make it easy
for a web site not to do business in any given country, and then it
would not have to follow that country's regulations.  This should not
involve refusing to let people in that country post comments,
but they could not purchase any services from the site.


feed_id: 7f4c2f769c49ae1de773912f03685cbb
title: Amazon vans surveillance
uri: Amazon-vans-surveillance
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#9_February_2021_%28Amazon_vans_surveillance%29
content:
<p>
Amazon is installing cameras in the vans that deliver for it.
The stated purpose is to monitor the driver all the time,
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2021/02/04/warnings-growing-surveillance-empire-ai-van-cameras-give-amazon-roaming-eyes-every">but they also look at and recognize the people and cars nearby</a>.


feed_id: ebf872cd4dd39181fe299efd3bad6305
title: Urgent: stop snooping
uri: Urgent-stop-snooping
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#10_February_2021_%28Urgent%3A_stop_snooping%29
content:
<p>
US citizens: <a href="https://actionnetwork.org/petitions/stop-amazons-army-of-surveillance-vehicles?nowrapper=true">call on Amazon</a> not to make its delivery vehicles snoop
on everyone they pass by.


feed_id: 32dbd1c4509900ab30faf1b5ddbbea65
title: Thug beating helpless person
uri: Thug-beating-helpless-person
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#10_February_2021_%28Thug_beating_helpless_person%29
content:
<p>
A Canadian <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thug</a> beat up a helpless person, including cruelly giving per
orders while holding per down so that <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#perse">perse</a> could not carry them out,
<a href="https://boingboing.net/2021/02/05/police-in-barrie-ontario-looking-into-video-of-officer-beating-skateboarder-with-taser.html">and beating per for not complying</a>.


feed_id: 68c082d361fae43570de23b599d34c37
title: Sending medical professionals
uri: Sending-medical-professionals
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#10_February_2021_%28Sending_medical_professionals%29

content:
<p>
Denver set up a pilot program to send medical professionals instead of cops
for some emergency calls.  <a href="https://denverite.com/2021/02/02/in-the-first-six-months-of-health-care-professionals-replacing-police-officers-no-one-they-encountered-was-arrested/">It has been a great success</a>.


feed_id: 1e95c41ff380375f2d677a46454e4999
title: Rotten food for prisoners
uri: 2021-02-10-Rotten-food-for-prisoners
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#10_February_2021_%28Rotten_food_for_prisoners%29
content:
<p>
Jails in the US <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2021/02/08/us/prison-meals-qanon-shaman-organic-food/index.html">often serve rotten food to the prisoners</a>.


feed_id: 5d0cc2ecd9f0cbb522de471767138bd3
title: Targeting Wall Street
uri: Targeting-Wall-Street
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#10_February_2021_%28Targeting_Wall_Street%29
content:
<p>
*New Campaign Targets Wall Street Funding <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2021/02/08/new-campaign-targets-wall-street-funding-stop-line-3-tar-sands-pipeline">to Stop Line 3 Tar Sands Pipeline</a>.*


feed_id: 74d9cd434345ab39714ec6abf1179ac2
title: Drop charges against Assange
uri: Drop-charges-against-Assange
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#10_February_2021_%28Drop_charges_against_Assange%29
content:
<p>
Human rights organizations <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2021/02/08/why-biden-doj-should-drop-all-charges-against-julian-assange">have called on Biden to drop charges
against Assange</a>.


feed_id: f1817e0c22e514357ef5941d4129f953
title: Deny government support
uri: Deny-government-support
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#10_February_2021_%28Deny_government_support%29
content:
<p>
Congress can, and should, vote to deny the wrecker <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2021/02/08/no-perks-no-cushy-benefits-twice-impeached-president">the government support
normally provided to former presidents</a>.


feed_id: c093e0e06f57248773cd703db5620944
title: Limited freedom of speech
uri: Limited-freedom-of-speech
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#10_February_2021_%28Limited_freedom_of_speech%29
content:
<p>
Freedom of speech is limited in shocking ways in countries other than
the US.  <a href="https://boingboing.net/2021/02/08/british-police-arrest-man-over-offensive-captain-moore-tweet-giving-it-a-vast-international-audience.html">This example shocked me</a>.

<p>
I hardly know anything about Captain Moore, and I have no wish to
criticize him.  The criticism cited seems crude and harsh.  But
criminalizing it seems wrong.

<p>
I wonder whether <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2011-jul-oct.html#06_October_2011_(Steve_Jobs)">what I said about Steve Jobs</a>
                                              &mdash; that his death put a stop
to his attacks on our freedom &mdash; would be a crime if I were in the UK.


feed_id: eed917787a27c8ce404b24c0baeb5df0
title: Minimum wage
uri: 2021-02-10-Minimum-wage
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#10_February_2021_%28Minimum_wage%29
content:
<p>
Economists dispute whether raising the minimum wage to $15/hr would increase the national debt or decrease it, <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2021/02/08/budget-chair-sanders-hails-cbo-score-proof-congress-can-pass-15-minimum-wage-through">but either way it qualifies to be included
in budget reconciliation</a>.

<p>
Even a rather unfriendly analysis <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2021/02/08/cbo-analysis-raise-wage-act-overwhelmingly-positive">found lots of benefit</a>.

<p>
In terms of the public good, increasing the deficit by $5 billion/yr
is hardly significant when compared with the benefits of increasing
the minimum wage.  However, if the minimum wage does not apply to
gig workers, it is not doing its job.


feed_id: 34c871d83530ec43cd82569a793fb0cc
title: Covid PTSD
uri: Covid-PTSD
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#10_February_2021_%28Covid_PTSD%29
content:
<p>
20% of patients in UK who were hospitalized for Covid-19 <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/feb/09/a-third-of-covid-patients-put-on-ventilator-report-ptsd-symptoms">have PTSD
afterward</a>.

<p>
A few percent of he hospitalized patients have continuing "long Covid"
disabilities.

<p>
Thus, even if you don't die, Covid-19 can do you substantial harm.


feed_id: d902dfdecd68f60335ced9486ce5e269
title: Protesting despite ban on gatherings
uri: Protesting-despite-ban-on-gatherings
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#10_February_2021_%28Protesting_despite_ban_on_gatherings%29

content:
<p>
*Myanmar protesters <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2021/feb/09/myanmar-protesters-curfew-junta-demonstrators-army">vow to continue despite ban on gatherings</a>.*


feed_id: 8833a5717394f5f89c313596bef5d622
title: Scaring migrants off vaccination
uri: Scaring-migrants-off-vaccination
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#10_February_2021_%28Scaring_migrants_off_vaccination%29

content:
<p>
The UK's official policy of hostility towards unauthorized immigrants is
likely to scare many of them off Covid-19 vaccination, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/society/2021/feb/08/undocumented-uk-migrants-to-be-offered-covid-vaccine-without-any-checks">despite the decision to make an exception for vaccination</a>.

<p>
This undermines the effort to stop the spread of Covid-19 and thus
harms everyone.


feed_id: 0a9087a67ab35b126bb228c129d32cad
title: Terminating support of offensive
uri: Terminating-support-of-offensive
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#10_February_2021_%28Terminating_support_of_offensive%29

content:
<p>
Biden's termination of support for <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#salafi">Salafi Arabia</a>'s offensive in Yemen
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2021/feb/08/joe-biden-yemen-uk-arms-sales">now includes selling arms for that use</a>.

<p>
That is an important step.  At least one of the US's forever wars may be
brought to an end.  Of course, the UK ought to do likewise.


feed_id: c32cea1812ffa078f65cdfcff1d0a1e1
title: True antisemites
uri: True-antisemites
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#10_February_2021_%28True_antisemites%29
content:
<p>
Finally it emerges that <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/news/2021/feb/08/tory-council-candidate-deselected-antisemitic-tweet-to-jewish-labour-mp-charlotte-nichols">the Tory party has antisemites</a> &mdash; 
   real antisemites, in this case, not <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#19_March_2019_(Alleged_antisemitism)">critics of Israel's occupation policy
smeared as "antisemites."</a>

<p>
During the campaign to force out Corbyn, Tory antisemites were downplayed
so as to focus the unjust condemnation on Corbyn.


feed_id: ea09a53c075e23ca6d80453605341364
title: Planing response to economic warfare
uri: Planing-response-to-economic-warfare
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#10_February_2021_%28Planing_response_to_economic_warfare%29

content:
<p>
Supporters of Taiwan must plan how they will respond <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2021/feb/09/australia-and-allies-must-plan-for-pushback-against-china-over-taiwan-analyst-says">if China launches
economic warfare against Taiwan</a>.


feed_id: dc30e28ecdc0bbdc86c48a50e6a8963d
title: Fossil fuel pollution and life expectancy
uri: Fossil-fuel-pollution-and-life-expectancy
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#10_February_2021_%28Fossil_fuel_pollution_and_life_expectancy%29

content:
<p>
Fossil fuel pollution
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/feb/09/fossil-fuels-pollution-deaths-research">shortens
human life expectancy by one year or more</a>.  This is aside from the
harm that <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#global heating">global heating</a> will do.
<p>
The article says that this pollution caused 8.7 million deaths in
2018, and also that this is 1/5 of all deaths, but something is wrong
since there were around 63 million deaths that year and 1/5 of that is
12.6 million.  However, that error hardly alters any conclusions.


feed_id: 3dc2008450435dfb915cd245cbe9bd87
title: State-owned fossil fuel investments
uri: State-owned-fossil-fuel-investments
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#10_February_2021_%28State-owned_fossil_fuel_investments%29

content:
<p>
*State-owned fossil fuel firms planning
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/feb/09/state-owned-fossil-fuel-firms-planning-19tn-investments">$1.9tn
investments</a>.* This is enough to sink civilization.


feed_id: 947388f8d55ef0a202aafc6adc30a1fe
title: Old bombs killing whales
uri: Old-bombs-killing-whales
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#10_February_2021_%28Old_bombs_killing_whales%29
content:
<p>
Exploding old bombs from World War II underwater (because they were
found on the sea bottom) is
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/feb/09/joanna-lumley-urges-pm-to-stop-detonation-of-bombs-that-deafen-whales">damaging
the hearing of whales</a>.  The whales then die.


feed_id: 711e0997b6a06b62f57cacfa7a377d01
title: Global heating and great white sharks
uri: Global-heating-and-great-white-sharks
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#11_February_2021_%28Global_heating_and_great_white_sharks%29

content:
<p>
Global heating is pushing great white sharks northwards, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/feb/09/climate-crisis-pushing-great-white-sharks-into-new-waters">and now they
are eating sea otters and salmon</a>.


feed_id: 0ad31a0dcee1dd3447fed7d40ad5cceb
title: Protected lands for coal mining
uri: Protected-lands-for-coal-mining
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#11_February_2021_%28Protected_lands_for_coal_mining%29

content:
<p>
Alberta panicked about loss of exports of tar sands, so <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/feb/09/canada-alberta-rockies-battle-big-coal-aoe">it decided to open
up protected lands for coal mining</a>.

<p>
How crazy can you get?


feed_id: 0eb987d438c3c3187337901f80d2eda6
title: Hedge funds coming for health care system
uri: Hedge-funds-coming-for-health-care-system
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#11_February_2021_%28Hedge_funds_coming_for_health_care_system%29

content:
<p>
*Hedge Funds Tried to Kill Gamestop. Now <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2021/02/09/hedge-funds-tried-kill-gamestop-now-theyre-coming-our-health-care-system-too">They’re Coming for Our Health Care System Too</a>.*


feed_id: 0ffecd2618e21728ec2faa69c7060634
title: Blocking iron mine expansion
uri: Blocking-iron-mine-expansion
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#11_February_2021_%28Blocking_iron_mine_expansion%29
content:
<p>
*Inuit hunters <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/feb/09/canada-inuit-hunters-blockade-iron-mine-expansion-plan">blockade iron mine in freezing temperatures [to block
its] expansion</a>.*


feed_id: bbd4e44c0b2f3e378d33452e57e1b369
title: Urgent: end fossil fuel subsidies
uri: Urgent-end-fossil-fuel-subsidies
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#12_February_2021_%28Urgent%3A_end_fossil_fuel_subsidies%29

content:
<p>

US citizens: call on Congress to <a href="https://act.350.org/sign/congress-end-fossil-fuel-subsidies-feb-21/">end fossil fuel subsidies</a>.

<p>The Capitol Switchboard number is 202-224-3121.</p>
  <p>If you call, please spread the word!</p>
  


feed_id: a3644e6461a7106e36d20021c0b73496
title: Climate action could save millions of lives
uri: Climate-action-could-save-millions-of-lives
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#12_February_2021_%28Climate_action_could_save_millions_of_lives%29

content:
<p>

*Climate action could <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/feb/10/climate-action-could-save-millions-of-lives-through-clean-air-diet-and-exercise">save 'millions of lives'</a> through clean air, diet
 and exercise.*


feed_id: f6ec8a5f62b7af45937000a71a2c4108
title: Flammable cladding
uri: Flammable-cladding
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#12_February_2021_%28Flammable_cladding%29
content:
<p>

The UK government has agreed to <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/society/2021/feb/10/jenrick-announces-billions-to-fix-cladding-on-high-rises">pay some part of the costs</a> of replacing
flammable cladding on the outside of apartment buildings.
<p>
This is a classic instance of a job that the government ought to
handle.  The Tories' years of refusal reflect the ideology of
privatization,  of business over people.


feed_id: 72c1475050bea471f231f65451e2bd67
title: Financial Transaction Tax
uri: Financial-Transaction-Tax
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#12_February_2021_%28Financial_Transaction_Tax%29
content:
<p>

*GameStop Fiasco Proves We Need a <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2021/02/10/gamestop-fiasco-proves-we-need-financial-transaction-tax">Financial Transaction Tax</a>.*
<p>
The original reason for proposing that tax was to reduce volatility
of stocks and commodities.  Collecting revenue from rich people
is a secondary benefit.


feed_id: 93d095f719b12ffab8e9b8cd707c1672
title: Putting everyone in danger
uri: Putting-everyone-in-danger
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#12_February_2021_%28Putting_everyone_in_danger%29
content:
<p>

Governments that fail to support working people so that they can stay
away from work are <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2021/feb/10/support-self-isolation-uk-covid-vaccination-effort-virus-replicate-mutations-vaccines">putting everyone in danger</a>.
Firstly, this spreads Covid-19, making more people sick.
Secondly, it makes more chance for the virus to mutate and perhaps
become more dangerous.


feed_id: c05087aca874b0e29f2be3d3a2538073
title: Sobering facts about global heating
uri: Sobering-facts-about-global-heating
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#12_February_2021_%28Sobering_facts_about_global_heating%29

content:
<p>

Some <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/parenting-your-parents/2021/jan/15/the-worlds-forest-areas-have-shrunk-by-178m-hectares-since-1990-climate-emergency-facts">sobering facts</a> about global heating.
<p>
178 million hectares (of lost forests) are about 700,000 square miles.


feed_id: d780540dc8a9d5fb1afbcc52e043645b
title: Banned the bullshitter for life
uri: Banned-the-bullshitter-for-life
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#12_February_2021_%28Banned_the_bullshitter_for_life%29

content:
<p>

Twitter says it has <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/feb/10/trump-twitter-ban-permament-social-media">banned the bullshitter for life</a>.
<p>
That is important.  There are other Republicans who can invent a new lie
every day, but they probably can't do it with same effect as he.


feed_id: 363522698115aa337f5bd7eb63356b2e
title: Georgia prosecutors investigating the wrecker
uri: Georgia-prosecutors-investigating-the-wrecker
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#12_February_2021_%28Georgia_prosecutors_investigating_the_wrecker%29

content:
<p>

Georgia prosecutors are <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/feb/10/trump-georgia-prosecutors-criminal-investigation">investigating the wrecker</a> over his phone call
to the Georgia secretary of state, in which the wrecker demanded that
he "find more votes" so that the wrecker would win that state.
<p>
I wonder whether they can do something to prevent the wrecker from
leaving the US.  I expect that at some point he will try fleeing to
some country from which the US cannot extradite him.


feed_id: 38b38c15c0398dbd2518b47133308588
title: Giuliani pressured Ukraine
uri: Giuliani-pressured-Ukraine
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#12_February_2021_%28Giuliani_pressured_Ukraine%29
content:
<p>

*Giuliani <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/feb/10/giuliani-pressured-ukraine-investigation-into-biden-family-new-transcript-reveals">pressured Ukraine</a> to investigate Biden family.*
<p>
I am curious whether this leads to legal jeopardy for Giuliani or
the wrecker.  I don't see immediately that it does.


feed_id: 329c2050ac3b8d65aed02ef4b1eeb760
title: Humans degrading natural systems
uri: Humans-degrading-natural-systems
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#12_February_2021_%28Humans_degrading_natural_systems%29

content:
<p>

Humans are <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2021/feb/10/planet-public-biodiversity-crisis-pandemic">degrading the natural systems</a> that our lives and civilization
depend on.  We wiped out 40% (estimated) from 1992 to 2014, and unless
we slow down, by 2040 we may have trouble staying alive.
<p>
The problem is broader than greenhouse gas emissions and <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#global heating">global heating</a>.
Waters, soils, forests, we are damaging them all.
<p>
We need to mobilize society and business to work together to protect
our future.


feed_id: b6c79e092b9e9d9e47815a7930df50e5
title: Amazon hired anti-union consultant
uri: Amazon-hired-anti-union-consultant
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#12_February_2021_%28Amazon_hired_anti-union_consultant%29

content:
<p>

*Amazon Hired Koch-Backed Anti-Union Consultant to <a href="https://theintercept.com/2021/02/10/amazon-alabama-union-busting-koch/">Fight Alabama Warehouse
 Organizing</a>.*


feed_id: c9bdb341bb9e5e9368908d2770b6a87a
title: Ralph Nader criticizes the Democrats
uri: Ralph-Nader-criticizes-the-Democrats
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#12_February_2021_%28Ralph_Nader_criticizes_the_Democrats%29

content:
<p>

Ralph Nader <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2021/02/09/democrats-disarm-themselves-trumps-senate-impeachment-trial">criticizes the Democrats</a> in Congress for not bringing up all
the arguments for impeaching the wrecker.
<p>
I am not sure he is right.  There are other urgent things for
the Senate to do, which could change people's lives for the better.
<p>
There was a moment when it looked like Republicans might vote to
convict him, but now it is clear they won't dare do that.  Democrats
may figure that showing them extra reasons to convict would be wasting
their breath.


feed_id: cbb00945af98828c89a36c406302f34e
title: Covid-19 infection rates are going down
uri: Covid-19-infection-rates-are-going-down
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#12_February_2021_%28Covid-19_infection_rates_are_going_down%29

content:
<p>

At long last, Covid-19 infection rates are <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2021/02/09/health/us-coronavirus-tuesday/index.html">going down</a>.  We must not
stop the precautions against transmitting it.


feed_id: af8887d7c1a330e8358fbe476dbc8bb7
title: Apps in iMonsters
uri: Apps-in-iMonsters
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#12_February_2021_%28Apps_in_iMonsters%29
content:
<p>

Apple's total control over installing apps in iMonsters
gives Apple <a href="https://www.matthewball.vc/all/applemetaverse">dangerous power over computing</a> and other companies.
<p>
Even though Apple occasionally uses this power to stop other companies
from exploiting users, it is not a trustworthy defender of the public's
safety or rights.  The right way to do that is through democracy and
freedom.
<p>
The article is written based on premises that accept nonfree software
as legitimate, so I disagree with a lot of what it says.


feed_id: 3b6be0df7ba6e1d040a8caf59a54eabe
title: Lukashenko defeated the protest movement
uri: Lukashenko-defeated-the-protest-movement
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#12_February_2021_%28Lukashenko_defeated_the_protest_movement%29

content:
<p>

Dictator Lukashenko has <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/feb/10/lukashenko-plans-peoples-assembly-but-belarus-reform-unlikely">defeated the protest movement</a> in Belarus,
using force and repression.


feed_id: 0ce70358fc2caaef850d0f69669f19a0
title: China imprisoned a publisher
uri: China-imprisoned-a-publisher
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#12_February_2021_%28China_imprisoned_a_publisher%29
content:
<p>

China has <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/feb/10/chinese-publisher-who-spoke-up-for-dissident-academic-is-jailed-for-three-years">imprisoned a publisher</a> for publishing censored books.
She pled guilty, but the article leaves it clear whether she really
published them.


feed_id: 452b1988ddc9cbf8fdbbca803c2bde09
title: Burmese protesters
uri: Burmese-protesters
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#12_February_2021_%28Burmese_protesters%29
content:
<p>

Burmese protesters are <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/feb/10/myanmar-protesters-streets-naypyitaw-yangon-police-coup-violence">continuing their nonviolence</a>.  The thugs are
using the usual forms of violence.


feed_id: dec8012281c74a3a2b14f2d926e2f06d
title: Tendency to whitewash imperialism
uri: Tendency-to-whitewash-imperialism
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#12_February_2021_%28Tendency_to_whitewash_imperialism%29

content:
<p>
President Higgins of Ireland criticizes <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/feb/11/irish-president-michael-d-higgins-critiques-feigned-amnesia-over-british-imperialism">the tendency to whitewash imperialism</a>
     (and specifically the British rule over Ireland).  At the same
time, he warns against narrowminded nationalism, including condemning
all British over the current policies of the UK.


feed_id: 3c73ccc28e0ac641447f06981fe5115a
title: Underground resistance to military rule
uri: Underground-resistance-to-military-rule
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#12_February_2021_%28Underground_resistance_to_military_rule%29

content:
<p>
On Burma's tradition <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2021/feb/11/generals-myanmar-seizure-power-military">of underground resistance to military rule</a>.

<p>
The EU trained Burmese <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thugs</a> in "crowd control", which in this case
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/feb/11/eu-provided-crowd-control-training-to-myanmar-police-units">means repressing protests to restore democracy</a>.


feed_id: 3e27ef297c3d557dc029478c3ab2cbc4
title: Renewable energy
uri: 2021-02-12-Renewable-energy
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#12_February_2021_%28Renewable_energy%29
content:
<p>
Scientists say it is possible to move to 100% renewable energy system
by 2035, <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2021/02/09/10-point-declaration-global-coalition-top-energy-experts-says-100-renewables">with coordinated global action</a>.

<p>
This would go a long way preventing <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#global heating">global heating</a> disaster, and
eliminate much of the pollution that kills millions of people every
year.

<p>
But not all of it.  For instance, vehicle tires produce an important
part of particulate pollution; changing the source of
the energy that moves the vehicle will not affect that pollution.


feed_id: dcad494d35f69020cc4047f5fd776839
title: Work on a Tuesday
uri: Work-on-a-Tuesday
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#12_February_2021_%28Work_on_a_Tuesday%29
content:
<p>
(<a href="https://politics.theonion.com/gop-senators-argue-it-s-unconstitutional-to-be-forced-t-1846231123">satire</a>) *GOP Senators Argue It’s Unconstitutional To Be Forced To Work On A Tuesday.*


feed_id: 8efc858ef07724ba33c988fc06674bba
title: Corporate concentration in food system
uri: Corporate-concentration-in-food-system
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#12_February_2021_%28Corporate_concentration_in_food_system%29

content:
<p>
*Corporate Concentration in the US Food System <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2021/02/09/corporate-concentration-us-food-system-makes-food-more-expensive-and-less">Makes Food More Expensive and
Less Accessible</a>*.

<p>
At the other end of the food system are the farmers.
The same powerful middlemen squeeze them too.


feed_id: 8f9d2a141d37fbed7bc6c47f8af4a1eb
title: Bill to prohibit super-PACs
uri: Bill-to-prohibit-super-PACs
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#12_February_2021_%28Bill_to_prohibit_super-PACs%29
content:
<p>
Massachusetts is considering bills <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2021/02/09/abolish-super-pacs-ban-foreign-corporate-money-state-legislators-introduce-two">to prohibit super-PACs in elections
in Massachusetts</a>.


feed_id: d1be37bf191e0d9ae90cb3649ae7a98b
title: Weapons in outer space
uri: Weapons-in-outer-space
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#12_February_2021_%28Weapons_in_outer_space%29
content:
<p>
It's time to negotiate <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2021/02/09/time-negotiate-peace-space">a treaty banning weapons in outer space</a>.


feed_id: 2b42e8b4fac4f7884c36992d8db22485
title: Federal electric company
uri: Federal-electric-company
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#12_February_2021_%28Federal_electric_company%29
content:
<p>
The Tennessee Valley Authority is a large federally-owned electric
company.  <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2021/02/09/tennessee-valley-authority-must-commit-100-clean-energy-align-biden-climate-goal">It must plan to decarbonize</a>.


feed_id: 35e930d6ec0b6adb067d06580e9a6f92
title: Profits out of misery
uri: Profits-out-of-misery
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#12_February_2021_%28Profits_out_of_misery%29
content:
<p>
*   Hedge funds and private equity firms make profits off our misery <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2021/02/09/hedge-funds-tried-kill-gamestop-now-theyre-coming-our-health-care-system-too">and
   threaten any future health care reform</a>.*


feed_id: e19889d3828d1c0aebe192a23e7bd57d
title: Forced into marriage
uri: Forced-into-marriage
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#12_February_2021_%28Forced_into_marriage%29
content:
<p>
In Pakistan, 1000 Hindu and Christian women a year are forced into
marriage by Muslim men, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2021/feb/10/family-of-girl-12-forced-to-marry-abductor-condemn-pakistan-authorities">who in many cases kidnap them first</a>.


feed_id: b00315a294057dc11d281b473bbc7411
title: Given contractors same rights as employees
uri: Given-contractors-same-rights-as-employees
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#12_February_2021_%28Given_contractors_same_rights_as_employees%29

content:
<p>
The Labor Party of Australia has proposed to give contractors many of
the same rights that employees have, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2021/feb/10/gig-economy-workers-labors-plan-to-boost-job-security-pay-and-entitlements">including minimum wage, sick
leave, pension, and right to unionize</a>.

<p>
It's not the "Alternative Liberal Party" anymore.


feed_id: 408dbfba4572a78345b013bbfa90ac95
title: Subway station pollution
uri: Subway-station-pollution
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#12_February_2021_%28Subway_station_pollution%29
content:
<p>
US subway stations suffer <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/feb/10/subway-air-pollution-new-york-washington-dc">from extremely high levels of particulate
pollution</a>.

<p>
What amazes me most is that it varies greatly from one station to
another.  This implies that much of the problem is due to very local
causes, that could be corrected quickly and easily.


feed_id: b337cde6c29ab3e780295132f762e1be
title: Book about army incompetence
uri: Book-about-army-incompetence
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#12_February_2021_%28Book_about_army_incompetence%29
content:
<p>
The British Army fought hard to suppress publication of a book <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/books/2021/feb/10/the-changing-of-the-guard-by-simon-akam-review-the-shocking-truth-about-the-british-army">that
revealed its incompetence, both personal and structural</a>.

<p>
We should not, however, blame the British Army in 2003 for having
few in its ranks who had fought in combat.  It was a good thing that
the UK went 20 years without fighting a war.


feed_id: ef5be20b41cf84816283073ce07d9355
title: NDAs about discrimination in the companies
uri: NDAs-about-discrimination-in-the-companies
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#12_February_2021_%28NDAs_about_discrimination_in_the_companies%29

content:
<p>
California is considering a bill to prevent companies from using NDAs
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/feb/10/california-sb331-nda-harassment-discrimination">to gag workers about any sort of discrimination in the company</a>.

<p>
I support this.  And why not include other things that businesses should
not be allowed to conceal, such as practices that endanger the public?
Consider the examples of <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2005-may-aug.html#10 June 2005 (Tobacco companies paid German scientists)">tobacco companies</a> and <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#28_March_2018_(Big_oil_climate_denial)">oil companies</a>.


feed_id: 5b3f47e1ec22939d439d3fecc677a2af
title: Birth rate
uri: 2021-02-12-Birth-rate
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#12_February_2021_%28Birth_rate%29
content:
<p>
China's birth rate fell 15% in 2020.  <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/feb/10/china-birthrate-slumps-experts-blame-changing-attitudes">This is being considered a problem</a>.

<p>
China is overusing its natural systems, like many other countries.
Now that most Chinese are not horribly poor &mdash; a very good thing, in
itself &mdash; they have pushed agriculture to the point of causing
problems for the land.  China imports large number of pigs, too.
If China's population drops to half a billion, it will reach a
better balance.

<p>
Perhaps the decreased birth rate can enable China to cancel <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2018-sep-dec.html#28_September_2018_(Global_heating_vulnerability)">some of
then new coal-fired power plants it is planning to build in coming
years</a>.

<p>
As for the predicted economic problems of an aging population,
adjustment in policies can handle them, for the few decades that they
last.


feed_id: 6df5eab44c929c7a5e2cc1789276fe8c
title: Urgent: Support Deb Haaland
uri: Urgent-Support-Deb-Haaland
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#13_February_2021_%28Urgent%3A_Support_Deb_Haaland%29

content:
<p>

US citizens: support <a href="http://act.democracyforamerica.com/sign/Haaland_4_Int_Sec/">Deb Haaland for secretary of the interior</a>.


feed_id: d4d4c64bf0d38b527a3b0c8c45a80aa7
title: Urgent: pull the US out of the war in Afghanistan
uri: Urgent-pull-the-US-out-of-the-war-in-Afghanistan
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#13_February_2021_%28Urgent%3A_pull_the_US_out_of_the_war_in_Afghanistan%29

content:
<p>

US citizens: call on Congress to <a href="https://act.rootsaction.org/p/dia/action4/common/public/?action_KEY=14013">pull the US out of the war in Afghanistan</a>.
<p>
To sign without running nonfree JavaScript code from the web site,
use the <a href="https://stallman.org/salsalabs-method.html">Salsalabs workaround</a>.

<p>The Capitol Switchboard number is 202-224-3121.</p>
  <p>If you call, please spread the word!</p>
  


feed_id: b6d2635773d0243fe5f1441e4bfdde8e
title: Food delivery apps not worth the cost
uri: Food-delivery-apps-not-worth-the-cost
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#13_February_2021_%28Food_delivery_apps_not_worth_the_cost%29

content:
<p>
  *I quit food delivery apps -– the absurd convenience was <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/food/2021/feb/11/i-quit-food-delivery-apps-the-absurd-convenience-was-not-worth-the-cost">not worth the cost</a>.*
<p>
 The author considers the cost to society and the cost to her tranquility,
as well as the price of food ordered that way.


feed_id: 836fcd2c8db31598b3390e00da9df156
title: New Zealand Neckties
uri: New-Zealand-Neckties
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#13_February_2021_%28New_Zealand_Neckties%29
content:
<p>
New Zealand's parliament has <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/feb/11/new-zealand-male-mps-no-longer-have-to-wear-ties-after-maori-mp-ejected">dropped the requirement for neckties</a>
after one rebellious MP of Maori origin refused to wear one.
<p>

Hooray! I have compared ties to nooses since I was a teenager.
<p>
Nowadays, they do more than hurt your feelings (if they do that).


feed_id: 1067386be2819839cefcfd68d3e9bf50
title: US Covid-19 failures
uri: US-Covid-19-failures
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#13_February_2021_%28US_Covid-19_failures%29
content:
<p>
If the US had handled Covid-19 as well as other developed countries,
it would have had <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/feb/10/us-coronavirus-response-donald-trump-health-policy">40% fewer deaths</a> from the disease.
<p>
The US could have averted even more of those deaths if it had set up a
true national medical system earlier, rather than leaving Americans to
be the prey of greedy drain-em-dry pharma and clinic companies,
plus a proper safety net so they would have places to self-isolate and
could afford to stay home from work when sick.


feed_id: 51aaff1158896b031964cc6e8b2fbca2
title: Salmon farming damage
uri: Salmon-farming-damage
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#13_February_2021_%28Salmon_farming_damage%29
content:
<p>
The scale of salmon farming is causing <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/feb/11/global-salmon-farming-harming-marine-life-and-costing-billions-in-damage">global environmental problems</a>.
<p>
If the human population were just one billion, we could help wild
salmon recover and sustainably catch enough of them to satisfy our
wish for salmon.


feed_id: 77e18d03de7f4d1ae472b724d532e665
title: Extractivist Australia
uri: Extractivist-Australia
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#13_February_2021_%28Extractivist_Australia%29
content:
<p>
Despite the latest information and recommendations, Australia's
extractivist government proposes a <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/feb/11/morrison-government-flouts-own-review-by-proposing-watered-down-environmental-standards">weak way</a> to prevent further
environmental damage.


feed_id: 7c858b06df481bc50a88f8498f5654be
title: Environmental racism
uri: 2021-02-14-Environmental-racism
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#13_February_2021_%28Environmental_racism%29
content:
<p>
Environmental racism makes people of disprivileged groups
life in sickness and <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/feb/11/environmental-racism-americas-dirty-divide">die earlier</a>.
<p>
The right way to correct this is not by spreading the polluting
facilities through the areas where more privileged people live. The
right way is to fix them not to pollute.


feed_id: 2b9f7340bdd1daa6152005319ab48434
title: Arab spring dreams crushed
uri: Arab-spring-dreams-crushed
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#13_February_2021_%28Arab_spring_dreams_crushed%29
content:
<p>
*President Sisi has <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2021/feb/11/president-sisi-mubarak-egypt-arab-spring">destroyed Egyptians' hopes</a> after they ended Mubarak's
hellish reign* (10 years ago).


feed_id: a74ee78d321d42cf76e9e4b149ba9650
title: California drought is worse this year
uri: California-drought-is-worse-this-year
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#13_February_2021_%28California_drought_is_worse_this_year_%29

content:
<p>
California's long-term drought is <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/feb/11/california-dry-weather-drought-wildfire-agriculture">getting worse this year</a>.
With little rain in winter, the fires of summer, fall and next winter
could be very bad again.
<p>


feed_id: 994868ff4ed09b0932d1454e65173bdf
title: iWombs
uri: iWombs
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#14_February_2021_%28iWombs%29
content:
<p>
(satire) *Tim Cook Unveils Rows Of Artificial Wombs After Announcing
Apple Will Begin <a href="https://www.theonion.com/tim-cook-unveils-rows-of-artificial-wombs-after-announc-1846231807">Manufacturing Own Employees</a> In House.*


feed_id: fe5c63665cc6386107ea4608296d4ab5
title: Yemen drone strikes continue
uri: Yemen-drone-strikes-continue
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#14_February_2021_%28Yemen_drone_strikes_continue%29
content:
<p>
The US <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2021/02/11/ending-other-war-yemen?cd-origin=rss">continues</a> secretive sporadic drone attacks in Yemen.


feed_id: c9bc5a39ace8001939dc5686c30acc4f
title: White House Press Secretary truth
uri: White-House-Press-Secretary-truth
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#14_February_2021_%28White_House_Press_Secretary_truth%29

content:
<p>
The new White House Press Secretary doesn't show contempt for the idea
of truth, but that <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2021/02/11/fawning-coverage-psakis-performance-suggests-some-press-have-forgotten-spin-doctors?cd-origin=rss">doesn't mean she always tells the truth</a>.
<p>
We are back to the pre-2017 approach of crafting a consistent picture which
may have falsehoods embedded in a matrix of mostly truth.


feed_id: 1bfc0d31a43f2024428f150dd01660db
title: Party of lawlessness
uri: Party-of-lawlessness
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#14_February_2021_%28Party_of_lawlessness%29
content:
<p>
*Republicans Are Now the <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2021/02/11/republicans-are-now-party-lawlessness-and-disorder?cd-origin=rss">Party of Lawlessness and Disorder</a>.*


feed_id: fe78b1f1564256f624438d2404b0f50b
title: Evidence planted with malware to imprison activists
uri: Evidence-planted-with-malware-to-imprison-activists
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#14_February_2021_%28Evidence_planted_with_malware_to_imprison_activists%29

content:
<p>
The computer forensics firm Arsenal Consulting says that someone <a href="https://scroll.in/latest/986517/bhima-koregaon-key-evidence-against-accused-activists-was-planted-using-malware-says-report">used
malware</a> to plant incriminating phony letters on prisoners' rights
activist Rona Wilson's laptop.  Thugs seized his laptop, "discovered"
these letters, and used them to imprison Wilson and other activists.


feed_id: db83210a99b9d629da5d7f95d4718530
title: Global green recovery failures
uri: Global-green-recovery-failures
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#14_February_2021_%28Global_green_recovery_failures%29

content:
<p>
*Global green recovery plans fail to match 2008 stimulus, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/feb/12/global-green-recovery-plans-fail-to-match-2008-stimulus-report-shows">report shows</a>.*


feed_id: 43016e3e2fc3bffb1664d21c0f8be677
title: Useless UK pollution laws
uri: Useless-UK-pollution-laws
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#14_February_2021_%28Useless_UK_pollution_laws%29
content:
<p>
The UK has set limits on pollution from farms, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/feb/12/revealed-no-penalties-issued-under-useless-uk-farm-pollution-laws">but never bothers to
enforce them</a>.


feed_id: 3aca53063ec685b487a1596c45392fdf
title: Honduras jail murder
uri: Honduras-jail-murder
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#14_February_2021_%28Honduras_jail_murder%29
content:
<p>
In Honduras, Keyla Martínez was <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/feb/12/honduras-femicide-keyla-martinez-women-violence">murdered in jail</a>, strangled inside her cell.


feed_id: 6d7abe39216a5a36ade484ba844e0c8f
title: Burma's military follows GOP's example
uri: Burma-s-military-follows-GOP-s-example
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#14_February_2021_%28Burma%27s_military_follows_GOP%27s_example%29

content:
<p>
Burma's military is <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/feb/12/election-officials-held-in-myanmar-in-bid-to-prove">imitating the Republican Party</a>, making bogus
accusations of election fraud.
<p>Except that it can arrest the officials
in charge and brutalize them into confessing.


feed_id: acb92d5b06f47628ce8dd575fa57e833
title: Black history month strikes for 15$
uri: Black-history-month-strikes-for-15
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#14_February_2021_%28Black_history_month_strikes_for_15%24%29

content:
<p>
*US fast food workers hold Black History Month <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/feb/12/fast-food-workers-15-cities-black-history-month-strike-15-an-hour">strikes to demand $15 an hour</a>.*


feed_id: 4ce4eab5fb8975085cfb2707525d831c
title: College savings to prevent eviction
uri: College-savings-to-prevent-eviction
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#14_February_2021_%28College_savings_to_prevent_eviction%29

content:
<p>
*America 'Should Be Ashamed': Texas Teen <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2021/02/10/america-should-be-ashamed-texas-teen-forced-use-college-savings-prevent-moms?cd-origin=rss">Forced to Use College Savings</a> to
Prevent Mom's Eviction.*


feed_id: cc112209afc1e5a111d2a2dd29120962
title: Reverse autopsy
uri: Reverse-autopsy
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#14_February_2021_%28Reverse_autopsy%29
content:
<p>
(satire) *Botched Autopsy Brings Murder Victim <a href="https://www.theonion.com/botched-autopsy-brings-murder-victim-back-to-life-1846234016">Back To Life</a>.*


feed_id: b66bd10ae2ef0efc53a6e3382e59766f
title: We can push Biden for fundamental change
uri: We-can-push-Biden-for-fundamental-change
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#14_February_2021_%28We_can_push_Biden_for_fundamental_change%29

content:
<p>
*We Can Push Biden for Fundamental Change at the <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2021/02/10/we-can-push-biden-fundamental-change-usda-and-beyond?cd-origin=rss">USDA and Beyond</a>.*
We need to push together, with organization.


feed_id: 6bd3425cd9a8a1468b70a7538e998582
title: Meaty meals for cats
uri: Meaty-meals-for-cats
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#14_February_2021_%28Meaty_meals_for_cats%29
content:
<p>
*Meaty meals and play stop cats killing wildlife, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/science/2021/feb/11/meaty-meals-and-play-stop-cats-killing-wildlife-study-finds">study finds</a>.*
<p>
Brightly colored collars seem to protect birds but not mice.
Putting a bell on the cat was observed to have no effect.
I think the cats learned to avoid jingling the bells.
There goes the fable of Belling the Cat.


feed_id: b85ecfc2801ff878f1359081d741831a
title: Restrictive probation for released Saudi political prisoner
uri: Restrictive-probation-for-released-Saudi-political-prisoner
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#14_February_2021_%28Restrictive_probation_for_released_Saudi_political_prisoner%29

content:
<p>
Salafi Arabia has released political prisoner Loujain al-Hathloul from
prison but has <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/feb/11/saudi-arabia-loujain-al-hathloul-release-sparks-calls-for-real-justice">imposed restrictive probation conditions</a>.


feed_id: ae445014671b1e2acec656af31971a96
title: Food delivery apps not worth the cost
uri: 2021-02-14-Food-delivery-apps-not-worth-the-cost
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#13_February_2021_%28Food_delivery_apps_not_worth_the_cost%29

content:
<p>
  *I quit food delivery apps – the absurd convenience was <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/food/2021/feb/11/i-quit-food-delivery-apps-the-absurd-convenience-was-not-worth-the-cost">not worth the cost</a>.*
<p>
 The author considers the cost to society and the cost to her tranquility,
as well as the price of food ordered that way.


feed_id: 0480e8880d6e13d3e2b68437067f7f9c
title: Sanders calls out Neera Tanden
uri: Sanders-calls-out-Neera-Tanden
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#14_February_2021_%28Sanders_calls_out_Neera_Tanden%29

content:
<p>
*At Confirmation Hearing, Bernie Sanders <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2021/02/10/confirmation-hearing-bernie-sanders-calls-out-neera-tandens-history-vicious-attacks?cd-origin=rss">Calls Out</a> Neera Tanden's History of
'Vicious Attacks' on Progressives.*


feed_id: 3162c51251690356f623df4ee4ab39e6
title: Polluters support GOP
uri: Polluters-support-GOP
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#14_February_2021_%28Polluters_support_GOP%29
content:
<p>
*Fossil Fuel and Other Polluters <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2021/02/10/fossil-fuel-and-other-polluters-gave-tens-millions-campaign-cash-gop-lawmakers?cd-origin=rss">Gave Tens of Millions</a> in Campaign Cash to GOP
Lawmakers Opposing Biden's Leasing Freeze.*


feed_id: c81fd7c668305e4d3b0b506f26d74826
title: Second National Anthem
uri: Second-National-Anthem
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#14_February_2021_%28Second_National_Anthem%29
content:
<p>
Rep. Clyburn proposed to designate Lift Every Voice and Sing as something
like a <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2021/02/11/us/lift-every-voice-and-sing-james-clyburn/index.html">second national anthem for the US</a>.
<p>
  
The song is a beautiful and moving expression of striving for freedom,
aside from a few annoying hints at excessive religious sentiment,
until the disaster at the end: it becomes an explicit prayer!  I will
never sing that!  I am sure many other Atheists will likewise refuse.
<p>
They could correct this problem by deleting the last stanza.


feed_id: 265d955e31a8671b225aa460396460f1
title: Emission cuts not nearly enough
uri: Emission-cuts-not-nearly-enough
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#14_February_2021_%28Emission_cuts_not_nearly_enough%29

content:
<p>
*<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2021/02/11/study-warns-emissions-cuts-must-be-80-more-ambitious-meet-even-dangerously?cd-origin=rss">Study Warns</a> Emissions Cuts Must Be 80% More Ambitious to Meet Even the
Dangerously Inadequate 2°C Target.*


feed_id: 7ce3ce68b84b23924b3913646d69464e
title: Israel arms exports
uri: Israel-arms-exports
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#14_February_2021_%28Israel_arms_exports%29
content:
<p>
*Israel has been exporting arms to the world’s most repressive governments. <a href="https://www.972mag.com/israel-arms-exports-database/">A
new project</a> aims to hold it accountable by tracking these confidential sales.*


feed_id: 56a8887a8bcffc6998b67e6c1557df35
title: FAIR Act
uri: FAIR-Act
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#14_February_2021_%28FAIR_Act%29
content:
<p>
The FAIR Act is a bill that would <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2021/02/11/progressives-applaud-fair-act-reintroduction-aimed-ending-anti-worker-anti-consumer?cd-origin=rss">eliminate forcing arbitration</a> on
workers and customers.


feed_id: 303f750d15b83a4336814e59f59a03c8
title: Thugs who knocked down Martin Gugino
uri: Thugs-who-knocked-down-Martin-Gugino
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#14_February_2021_%28Thugs_who_knocked_down_Martin_Gugino%29

content:
<p>

The thugs who knocked down protester Martin Gugino will <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2021/02/12/us/buffalo-police-protester-comments-charges/index.html">face no charges</a> because the grand jury voted not to indict them.
<p>
It is always a surprise when a grand jury votes not to indict, because that hardly ever happens.  Prosecutors <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2014-sep-dec.html#08_December_2014_(Indictment_of_non-thugs)">dominate grand juries</a> so effectively
that they almost always get the results they want.  Thus, I have to
wonder whether the prosecutor intended to fail.  Prosecutors want good
cooperation with <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thugs</a> and often have right-wing views, so it is
plausible that a prosecutor might choose to fail to prosecute <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thugs</a>
for attacking a protester.
<p>
Whether that happened in this case is only speculation, but we know it
does happen.  Members of a grand jury accused the attorney general of
Kentucky of <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jul-oct.html#8_October_2020_(The_district_attorney_who_asked_for_prosecution_of_the_thug_that_killed_Breonna_Taylor)">concealing options</a> so as to prevent indictment of thugs,
then lying to the public about what he had done.


feed_id: c853c2d880dca6bda1b4b62868952f9c
title: Arresting organizers of protests
uri: Arresting-organizers-of-protests
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#14_February_2021_%28Arresting_organizers_of_protests%29

content:
<p>

The Burmese army is <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/feb/13/myanmar-army-chiefs-order-arrest-of-leading-coup-opponents">arresting organizers of protests</a>.


feed_id: d4650ebf322ae2bb24e837c418dcc83a
title: Slowing first class mail
uri: Slowing-first-class-mail
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#14_February_2021_%28Slowing_first_class_mail%29
content:
<p>

DeJoy has <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2021/02/12/dejoys-new-plan-usps-slower-mail-higher-prices-sources-say/">another plan</a> to slow down some first class mail.


feed_id: 271a9ae5d13e820e81b2de0a9c3afef7
title: Blocking Hong Kongers from leaving Hong Kong
uri: Blocking-Hong-Kongers-from-leaving-Hong-Kong
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#14_February_2021_%28Blocking_Hong_Kongers_from_leaving_Hong_Kong%29

content:
<p>

China plans to arbitrarily <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/feb/13/hong-kong-alarm-over-proposed-law-that-could-ban-anyone-from-leaving">block Hong Kongers from leaving Hong Kong</a>.
Presumably it would do this to stop people from emigrating.
<p>
The Soviet Union used to require citizens to get exit visas to be
allowed to leave that country.  The assumption was that most people,
if they could ever get out, would not return.  Does China do this
nowadays?
<p>
Another tactic used by the Soviet Union was to use relatives of hostages:
you would not be allowed to leave unless some of your family stayed home.
I expect to see this in Hong Kong too.


feed_id: 8127bc46be982d5e944e69425647206c
title: Facebook's dangerous censorship
uri: Facebook-s-dangerous-censorship
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#14_February_2021_%28Facebook%27s_dangerous_censorship%29

content:
<p>

*Facebook might <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2021/feb/11/facebook-might-censor-criticism-of-zionists-thats-dangerous">censor criticism of Zionists</a>. That’s dangerous.*


feed_id: 3827789dd80f9aca81a1f9628d450c7e
title: Proctorio
uri: Proctorio
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#14_February_2021_%28Proctorio%29
content:
<p>

Proctorio is such a proktos that, when students analyze its nastyware, it <a href="https://www.vice.com/en/article/n7wxvd/students-are-rebelling-against-eye-tracking-exam-surveillance-tools">forbids them to run its software</a>.
Which software is nominally required to pass courses at many
benighted schools.
<p>
I urge students to organize to demand a way to take the exam
without using their own computers.


feed_id: 40bdf0752d2ed2ef0e09a04d6e122b30
title: Asylum seekers allowed to wait in the US
uri: Asylum-seekers-allowed-to-wait-in-the-US
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#14_February_2021_%28Asylum_seekers_allowed_to_wait_in_the_US%29

content:
<p>

Biden has allowed asylum seekers to <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/feb/12/asylum-seekers-waiting-mexico-allowed-into-us-biden-trump">wait in the US</a>, those that the bully forced
to wait for a decision in Mexico instead.


feed_id: 0cf6ac5274f80f774e9d8d960b8340dd
title: Facial recognition for police use
uri: Facial-recognition-for-police-use
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#14_February_2021_%28Facial_recognition_for_police_use%29

content:
<p>

*Minneapolis poised to <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/feb/12/minneapolis-police-facial-recognition-software">ban facial recognition for police use</a>.*
<p>
That's just the first step!  Systematic face recognition should be
banned for <em>all</em> use aside from a few limited exceptions.


feed_id: 65965d0004060436af565ba9ba833e9a
title: Override Moderna's patent
uri: Override-Moderna-s-patent
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#14_February_2021_%28Override_Moderna%27s_patent%29
content:
<p>

Calling on Biden to <a href="https://theintercept.com/2021/02/12/covid-vaccine-south-africa-apartheid/">override Moderna's patent</a> and thus allow low-cost
production of vaccine.
<p>
Forget squabbling over which country gets how many doses: this is what
we really need.


feed_id: 78cef32cac9faca93abf7e409bb0ac6c
title: If the Senate does not convict the wrecker
uri: If-the-Senate-does-not-convict-the-wrecker
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#14_February_2021_%28If_the_Senate_does_not_convict_the_wrecker%29

content:
<p>

If the Senate does not convict the wrecker, Republicans will have
declared that they <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2021/feb/12/acquitting-trump-grave-danger-us-democracy">endorse overturning elections by force</a>.


feed_id: 8275ca7854c8c1ec402d0aa4dedd286b
title: New York Sate rest home Covid-19 deaths
uri: New-York-Sate-rest-home-Covid-19-deaths
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#14_February_2021_%28New_York_Sate_rest_home_Covid-19_deaths%29

content:
<p>

Governor Cuomo of New York State is responsible for <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/feb/12/andrew-cuomo-new-york-nursing-home-covid-deaths-leaked-recording">covering up the
number of deaths</a> from Covid-19 in nursing homes.
<p>
His aide said that the reason for covering it up was to stop the
wrecker from launching a politically motivated investigation.  I
sympathize, but I don't think that justifies the course of action.


feed_id: aad8a86583b98afb0bc8475ffc79bf90
title: Child slavery lawsuit
uri: Child-slavery-lawsuit
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#14_February_2021_%28Child_slavery_lawsuit%29
content:
<p>

*Mars, Nestlé and Hershey [and other large companies that sell
chocolate] to <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2021/feb/12/mars-nestle-and-hershey-to-face-landmark-child-slavery-lawsuit-in-us">face child slavery lawsuit in US</a>.*
<p>
This is because the farms they buy from use forced labor of children,
and the companies can't help knowing it.


feed_id: bb70bceeaf98baaedff11d02f118a5ee
title: Looting of ancient artifacts
uri: Looting-of-ancient-artifacts
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#14_February_2021_%28Looting_of_ancient_artifacts%29
content:
<p>

Reporting progress in stopping the looting of <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2021/feb/13/cambodia-looted-statues-ancient-khmer-objects">ancient artifacts from
Cambodia</a>.
<p>
In the case of the statue that was stolen from Koh Kher, it sounds
like people know exactly where it came from.  Therefore scholars can
learn from the fact of its prese at that spot.  That is unusual &mdash;
looters do not normally record where exactly they found each object,
nor the non-valuable things that they disturbed. and the result is the
loss of precious information about the past, information that could
eventually help us understand ancient peoples' way of life.


feed_id: 55a364ed923c7c733bace1bf9c3983a3
title: Facebook blocked the Burmese military government
uri: Facebook-blocked-the-Burmese-military-government
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#14_February_2021_%28Facebook_blocked_the_Burmese_military_government%29

content:
<p>

Facebook has <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2021/02/12/tech/facebook-myanmar-military-intl-hnk/index.html">blocked the Burmese military government</a> for spreading
misinformation.


feed_id: a611ce39d1171cade52dded12f87e766
title: Make the US a society of healthy people
uri: Make-the-US-a-society-of-healthy-people
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#14_February_2021_%28Make_the_US_a_society_of_healthy_people%29

content:
<p>

A panel chartered by The Lancet concluded that Medicare for All is the <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2021/02/11/medicare-all-only-way-forward-concludes-lancet-panel-study-detailing-death-and">only
way</a> to make the US a society of healthy people.


feed_id: 37c1e9318127df15e13144a2dbbbbb1f
title: Israeli high school seniors
uri: Israeli-high-school-seniors
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#14_February_2021_%28Israeli_high_school_seniors%29
content:
<p>

60 Israeli high school seniors this year <a href="https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2021/2/10/2015238/-Israeli-Student-Activists-Challenge-the-Occupation-of-Palestine">refused to be drafted</a> into the army,
for political reasons.


feed_id: 126fd51479227adddae08470f00747d8
title: Economic Warfare
uri: Economic-Warfare
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#14_February_2021_%28Economic_Warfare%29
content:
<p>

The US policy of <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/feb/11/us-sanctions-have-catastrophic-impact-amid-covid-say-progressive-democrats">inflicting extreme sanctions</a>, effectively economic
warfare, should be rethought.
They inflict great suffering, and now even perpetuating Covid-19.
Meanwhile, they do not convince governments to do as the US demands.
<p>
US sanctions on Iran and Venezuela are <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/feb/11/us-sanctions-have-catastrophic-impact-amid-covid-say-progressive-democrats">perpetuating Covid-19</a>.


feed_id: 8603ebd28a73184caa04bd0dbb3ab51e
title: Evidence planted with malware to imprison activists
uri: 2021-02-14-Evidence-planted-with-malware-to-imprison-activists
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#14_February_2021_%28Evidence_planted_with_malware_to_imprison_activists%29

content:
<p>
The computer forensics firm Arsenal Consulting says that someone <a href="https://scroll.in/latest/986517/bhima-koregaon-key-evidence-against-accused-activists-was-planted-using-malware-says-report">used
malware</a> to plant incriminating phony letters on prisoners' rights
activist Rona Wilson's laptop.  <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">Thugs</a> seized his laptop, "discovered"
these letters, and used them to imprison Wilson and other activists.


feed_id: 7b935efb1e1ed49d4b820ab7b9853178
title: Restrictive probation for released Saudi political prisoner
uri: 2021-02-14-Restrictive-probation-for-released-Saudi-political-prisoner
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#14_February_2021_%28Restrictive_probation_for_released_Saudi_political_prisoner%29

content:
<p>
<a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#salafi">Salafi Arabia</a> has released political prisoner Loujain al-Hathloul from
prison but has <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/feb/11/saudi-arabia-loujain-al-hathloul-release-sparks-calls-for-real-justice">imposed restrictive probation conditions</a>.


feed_id: d5c1ba507357f3557b9ecfe3f085d345
title: Accountability for future political leaders
uri: Accountability-for-future-political-leaders
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#15_February_2021_%28Accountability_for_future_political_leaders%29

content:
<p>

*   The January 6 assault on our democracy should lead to <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2021/02/12/we-must-expose-insurrection-financiers">greater
   accountability</a> for future political leaders—and their wealthy financial
   backers.*


feed_id: e264a1fcc61dff54edfb1951507bf32d
title: Burning wood to get energy
uri: Burning-wood-to-get-energy
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#15_February_2021_%28Burning_wood_to_get_energy%29
content:
<p>

Burning wood to get energy sounds like a renewable system, but in
practice <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2021/02/12/500-scientists-demand-stop-tree-burning-climate-solution">it isn't</a>.


feed_id: dd0af804e587f132b1e48ed4e6dbaa3e
title: Payment on U.S. funds to Sisi's Egypt
uri: Payment-on-U-S-funds-to-Sisi-s-Egypt
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#15_February_2021_%28Payment_on_U.S._funds_to_Sisi%27s_Egypt%29

content:
<p>

*Biden Should <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2021/02/12/biden-should-stop-payment-us-funds-sisis-egypt">Stop Payment</a> on U.S. Funds To Sisi's Egypt.*


feed_id: e8ff1e7128bccdbd6a119dc085f27e9d
title: Interesting moral issues
uri: Interesting-moral-issues
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#15_February_2021_%28Interesting_moral_issues%29
content:
<p>

<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/feb/14/coronavirus-covid-19-cost-price-life">Interesting moral issues</a> raised by the question of strategy for
dealing with Covid-19.
<p>
Covid-19 is <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2021/feb/14/is-covid-more-deadly-and-contagious-than-seasonal-flu">far more deadly than flu</a>.


feed_id: 68a4670b06587653d8de54dc85ba7069
title: The "For the People Act"
uri: The-For-the-People-Act
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#15_February_2021_%28The_For_the_People_Act%29
content:
<p>

*The “For the People Act” of 2021 Would <a href="https://theintercept.com/2021/02/14/democracy-voting-campaign-finance-hr1/">Make the U.S. a Democracy</a>*,
or at least closer to it.
<p>
We to have a real democracy we would also need to restrict the
political power of the rich, both <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2017-jan-apr.html#23_March_2017_(The_Citizens_United_decision)">power over elections</a>
and <a href="https://promarket.org/2021/01/19/systemic-corruption-america-biden-cabinet-sarah-chayes/">power of corruption</a>.


feed_id: cdc85bd3cebe05f045d89bb530f454ca
title: Fight the system
uri: Fight-the-system
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#15_February_2021_%28Fight_the_system%29
content:
<p>

*We Must <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2021/02/14/we-must-fight-system-not-each-other">Fight the System</a>, Not Each Other.*
<p>
I agree with Ms Farmand's criticism of capitalism as it is practiced
by powerful companies in the US today &mdash; plutocracy, extractivism and
<a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#doohnibor">dooH niboR</a> &mdash; but I don't believe in eliminating all capitalism (all
private business).  Rather, I advocate <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#15_February_2021_(The_For_the_People_Act)">eliminating the political power
of business</a>, and restoring democracy.


feed_id: 8e75225908ab92740b87cebf2c7ffb04
title: China denied data to the WHO team
uri: China-denied-data-to-the-WHO-team
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#15_February_2021_%28China_denied_data_to_the_WHO_team%29

content:
<p>

China <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/feb/14/who-investigator-claims-china-refused-to-hand-over-key-covid-information">denied some raw data</a> to the WHO team investigating the origin of
Covid-19, and did not allow them to arrange meetings freely.


feed_id: edbf75e3e51d2d8d513338d4f3c0b39e
title: When would Republican lawmakers say, "No more"?
uri: When-would-Republican-lawmakers-say-No-more
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#15_February_2021_%28When_would_Republican_lawmakers_say%2C_No_more_%29

content:
<p>

*Having first indulged and then
endorsed Trump’s trampling of constitutional norms and abuse of the
presidency, when would Republican lawmakers say, "No more"?*
<p>
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2021/feb/14/republicans-will-never-stand-up-to-trump">*Never.*</a>
<p>
*Republicans have <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2021/feb/14/republicans-have-betrayed-american-democracy-and-boosted-the-worlds-dictators">betrayed American democracy</a> &mdash; and boosted the world's
dictators.*


feed_id: 619e63263b6ad1a36eb0ab9ff0ba68b8
title: The wrecker's flunkies
uri: The-wrecker-s-flunkies
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#15_February_2021_%28The_wrecker%27s_flunkies%29
content:
<p>

Most Republican senators have demonstrated <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2021/feb/14/republicans-will-never-stand-up-to-trump">they are the
wrecker's flunkies</a>.  No crime is so bad they would condemn him
for it.


feed_id: c9afbcc11ef97f36302b67f560213e16
title: The wrecker said there would be no rally Jan 6
uri: The-wrecker-said-there-would-be-no-rally-Jan-6
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#15_February_2021_%28The_wrecker_said_there_would_be_no_rally_Jan_6%29

content:
<p>

The wrecker told the organizers of the Jan 6 rally there would be no march &mdash; <a href="https://www.gregpalast.com/?p=26747">then he surprised them</a> by calling for a march on the Capitol.
<p>
And why did the Capitol Police let the criminals leave without noting
down who they were?
<p>
He also <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2021/02/11/analysis-reveals-trump-operation-paid-35-million-organizers-rally-led-deadly-capitol">provided at least 3.5 million</a> to those organizers
through hidden channels.


feed_id: 8fbc1b486db42c44ac035b7a832c13bf
title: Brazil's indigenous refuse to be vaccinated
uri: Brazil-s-indigenous-refuse-to-be-vaccinated
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#15_February_2021_%28Brazil%27s_indigenous_refuse_to_be_vaccinated%29

content:
<p>

Christian extremists have taught some of Brazil's indigenous people's
to <a href="https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-brazil-amazon/indigenous-leaders-warn-of-missionaries-turning-amazon-villages-against-vaccines-idUSKBN2AB2JR">refuse to be vaccinated</a> for Covid-19.
<p>
I wonder if they will refuse vaccination for measles too.  If that gets loose
among them, large numbers could die.


feed_id: eacd4ebb5c7655d0df10b5eb8c5cd23c
title: Vaccine passports
uri: Vaccine-passports
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#16_February_2021_%28Vaccine_passports%29
content:
<p>
The "pros and cons of Covid vaccine passports" <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/feb/14/what-pros-and-cons-covid-vaccine-passports-immunity-certificates-travel">does not mention the two
issues about them that most concern me</a>.

<p>
I have no objection to requiring a traveler to present a certificate of
vaccination along with per passport when crossing a border.  But if
the system requires the traveler to have a portable phone, that makes
it unjust.  Portable phones are tracking and listening devices, which
is why I refuse to carry one.

<p>
If restaurants and other businesses check these certificates, that
could require people to have portable phones to enter them.  But even
if they accept paper certificates, the system could still result in
identifying every vaccinated person who visits them.  Tracking
people's movements creates a database for repression, whenever a
government chooses to use it.


feed_id: 21cae3a6b586523c86584511b1c86e40
title: Power over legislators
uri: Power-over-legislators
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#16_February_2021_%28Power_over_legislators%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#bully">The bully</a>'s power over Republican legislators, even after he sent people
to kill them, <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2021/02/14/who-were-republican-senators-afraid-when-they-acquitted-their-own-attempted">reflects their dependence on donations from billionaires</a>.


feed_id: 885b91e3572f90e992b66c8ecd54d7cb
title: Ending ICE abuses
uri: Ending-ICE-abuses
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#16_February_2021_%28Ending_ICE_abuses%29
content:
<p>
*This Is Biden's Chance <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2021/02/14/bidens-chance-end-ices-abuses-good">to End ICE's Abuses—For Good</a>.*


feed_id: 8f5d8d794c159df122bc349b4458ca5c
title: Calling activists conspirators
uri: Calling-activists-conspirators
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#16_February_2021_%28Calling_activists_conspirators%29

content:
<p>
Greta Thunberg published advice on how to support the Indian farmers'
nonviolent (most of the time) protests with nonviolent action.
India's freedom-trashing government calls this an "attack on India"
and has arrested an activist, Disha Ravi, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/feb/15/india-activist-arrested-over-protest-toolkit-shared-by-greta-thunberg">calling her a "conspirator"
in writing the advice</a>.

<p>
According to the Indian state, to "spread disaffection" against it is
a criminal act.  In other words, criticizing the state's actions is
repressed.


feed_id: 2b7a3c2d981285b05b386823cea099ae
title: Taxes on the wealthiest
uri: Taxes-on-the-wealthiest
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#16_February_2021_%28Taxes_on_the_wealthiest%29
content:
<p>
US taxes on the wealthiest, measured against their total wealth, <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2021/02/13/taxes-rich-one-sixth-what-they-used-be">are
1/6 the fraction that they were in 1953</a>.


feed_id: d94431d440a87a16aa2d26ad07ae4e64
title: Punishing boycotting Israel
uri: Punishing-boycotting-Israel
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#16_February_2021_%28Punishing_boycotting_Israel%29
content:
<p>
*Federal Court Strikes Down Arkansas Attempt <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2021/02/13/federal-court-strikes-down-arkansas-attempt-punish-proponents-boycotting-israel">to Punish Proponents of
Boycotting Israel Over Its Treatment of Palestinians</a>.*


feed_id: 1310483d53c78b9d83ba03821c1da3cd
title: Need to organize pressure
uri: Need-to-organize-pressure
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#16_February_2021_%28Need_to_organize_pressure%29
content:
<p>
It's true that we will need to organize pressure on Biden to make
larger positive changes &mdash; <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2021/02/13/its-myth-presidents-welcome-movement-pressure-and-biden-no-different">but false that Biden wants us to do this</a>.


feed_id: 6b4a626a940cd658d7e6ef5fb0b2b7f0
title: Proud boys and cops
uri: Proud-boys-and-cops
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#16_February_2021_%28Proud_boys_and_cops%29
content:
<p>
The Proud Boys is fragmenting, and <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/feb/13/proud-boys-far-right-group-future">cops have stopped treating the group
as an ally</a>.

<p>
I hope that will help defeat the plans to restrict basic freedoms so
as to defeat right-wing violence.  That would be a disaster,
exchanging a possible defeat for actual defeat.


feed_id: 495edcb27fd6b749fe5ca7b64a4be694
title: Deforestation beef
uri: Deforestation-beef
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#16_February_2021_%28Deforestation_beef%29
content:
<p>
Walmart, Costco and Kroger are selling beef from JBS, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/feb/13/walmart-selling-beef-from-firm-linked-to-amazon-deforestation">known as a
seller of deforestation production</a>.


feed_id: 631b39bc4102ae06575a298456f7c6bf
title: Corrupting plan for managing water
uri: Corrupting-plan-for-managing-water
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#16_February_2021_%28Corrupting_plan_for_managing_water%29

content:
<p>
The saboteur-in-chief's officials <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/feb/13/california-water-trump-administration-endangered-species">corrupted the federal plan for
managing California's water</a>.


feed_id: b450bbe718628e5f2c7c3c2a9dd861ba
title: Undermining accountability
uri: Undermining-accountability
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#16_February_2021_%28Undermining_accountability%29
content:
<p>
Bogus Johnson is undermining accountability in the British government
with a pervasive system of secrecy <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2021/feb/13/freedom-of-information-is-right-but-the-government-is-intent-on-suppressing-it">about information that might embarrass
present or past officials</a>.


feed_id: 38f056d4ef6f04b8924959cebca23d9c
title: Fighting for freedom of press and human rights
uri: Fighting-for-freedom-of-press-and-human-rights
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#16_February_2021_%28Fighting_for_freedom_of_press_and_human_rights%29

content:
<p>
Larry Flynt fought in court over and over <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2021/02/13/us/larry-flynt-first-amendment/index.html">for freedom of the press
and other human rights</a>.


feed_id: 80b2a4d45280124071eaff475bb912ff
title: Challenge of scaling up
uri: Challenge-of-scaling-up
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#16_February_2021_%28Challenge_of_scaling_up%29
content:
<p>
The head of a vaccine manufacturer in India says that the limitation
on quantity of vaccine available <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2021/feb/14/we-took-a-huge-risk-the-indian-firm-making-more-covid-jabs-than-anyone">is the challenge of scaling up
production</a>.

<p>
Maybe that is so, but nonetheless it seems like we are producing
vaccine too slowly.  To stretch it out over 18 months is more
efficient, for sure, but producing twice as fast could save millions
from dying from Covid-19 during the extra 9 months.


feed_id: 275683006d1aff7f84d6b875dfa2db7b
title: Evidence
uri: Evidence
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#16_February_2021_%28Evidence%29
content:
<p>
Reviewing the evidence that the wrecker <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2021/02/12/politics/trump-mccarthy-shouting-match-details/index.html">encouraged the attack on the Capitol
even as it was happening</a>.

<p>
He wanted the attackers <a href="https://theintercept.com/2021/02/13/trump-impeachment-republican-senators/">to seize and harm Pence, Pelosi and other officials
that were not doing his will</a>.


feed_id: d41dcd7dc9e6ea76ace9eae4b5e3c890
title: Avalanche in Himalayas
uri: Avalanche-in-Himalayas
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#16_February_2021_%28Avalanche_in_Himalayas%29
content:
<p>
A deadly avalanche of ice and rock, in the foothills of the Himalayas, <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2021/02/12/asia/india-glacier-raini-village-chipko-intl-hnk/index.html">was
made possible by global heating</a>.

<p>
Like most disasters, this one had <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2013-may-aug.html#29_June_2013_(Heavy_rain_in_Indian_Himalayas)">several underlying causes, including
deforestation, as well as its precipitating cause</a>.


feed_id: 9c9c17a382af78ee0c59f55366287dfa
title: Economic Warfare
uri: 2021-02-16-Economic-Warfare
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#14_February_2021_%28Economic_Warfare%29
content:
<p>

The US policy of <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/feb/11/us-sanctions-have-catastrophic-impact-amid-covid-say-progressive-democrats">inflicting extreme sanctions</a>, effectively economic
warfare, should be rethought.
They inflict great suffering, and now even perpetuating Covid-19.
Meanwhile, they do not convince governments to do as the US demands.


feed_id: aa792fb51ea42835b47d79145a7caeae
title: Still supporting him
uri: Still-supporting-him
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#17_February_2021_%28Still_supporting_him%29
content:
<p>
Most Republicans still support the corruptor, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/feb/16/trump-2024-poll-republicans-most-popular-candidate">and want to run him for
president in 2024</a>.


feed_id: 131b2d0fa9fff072493569e9d33d63cd
title: Blocking vaccines
uri: Blocking-vaccines
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#17_February_2021_%28Blocking_vaccines%29
content:
<p>
*Israel <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/feb/16/israel-blocked-covid-vaccines-from-entering-gaza-say-palestinians">blocked Covid vaccines from entering Gaza</a>, say Palestinians.*


feed_id: 19a67494cc8de1405f7b3966f7edffa8
title: Urgent: USPS governing board
uri: Urgent-USPS-governing-board
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#17_February_2021_%28Urgent%3A_USPS_governing_board%29

content:
<p>
US citizens: <a href="http://act.democracyforamerica.com/sign/Fire_DeJoy/">call on Biden</a> to fill the USPS governing board so they
can fire DeJoy.


feed_id: 87d60ba6129f62c143eee205600fae0e
title: Spying
uri: 2021-02-17-Spying
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#17_February_2021_%28Spying%29
content:
<p>
Russia jailed Ivan Safronov on charges of spying.  Perhaps a journalist he wrote a report for is a spy, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/feb/15/russia-refuses-to-tell-me-what-i-committed-says-ex-journalist">but unless there were secrets in it, so what</a>?


feed_id: 86fde90cb6acb20834d8aae7f05c1325
title: Animal trading
uri: Animal-trading
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#17_February_2021_%28Animal_trading%29
content:
<p>
*Animals traded for pet industry, bushmeat, traditional medicine, ivory
   and lab use <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/feb/15/wildlife-trade-drives-species-decline-study-aoe">declined locally by up to 99.9%</a>.*


feed_id: 8f06689f662d0381c707f677770e3a15
title: Easier to Buy guns
uri: Easier-to-Buy-guns
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#17_February_2021_%28Easier_to_Buy_guns%29
content:
<p>
Bolsonaro has made it easier <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/feb/15/jair-bolsonaro-brazil-guns-easier-to-acquire">to buy guns in Brazil</a>.
  I can't help worrying whether he is setting up a civil war between his
supporters and his opponents.


feed_id: 4670c021edf71c3aa933c2daa06e24a4
title: Trial for advocating democracy
uri: Trial-for-advocating-democracy
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#17_February_2021_%28Trial_for_advocating_democracy%29

content:
<p>
Leaders of the Hong Kong democracy movement <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/feb/16/high-profile-pro-democracy-figures-go-on-trial-over-hong-kong-protests">are now being tried for advocating
democracy</a>.

<p>
Of course, the repressive government has other names for it, which are
designed to disguise repression.


feed_id: e91bf9c924831c59ed14e268cca94a67
title: Conclusions on Lincoln
uri: Conclusions-on-Lincoln
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#17_February_2021_%28Conclusions_on_Lincoln%29
content:
<p>
Historians state their conclusions <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2021/02/14/opinions/abraham-lincoln-divided-we-stand-roundup/index.html">about President Lincoln</a>.


feed_id: 306d7f5ec6d1f7d6ea652750c139c904
title: Spy chip
uri: Spy-chip
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#17_February_2021_%28Spy_chip%29
content:
<p>
A massive Chinese espionage system used chips inserted secretly <a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/features/2021-supermicro/">in
computers made in China for US companies</a>.


feed_id: 745d9786d7832ac8d08352cd942dd121
title: Investigation on terrorist attack
uri: Investigation-on-terrorist-attack
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#17_February_2021_%28Investigation_on_terrorist_attack%29

content:
<p>
A commission should investigate the terrorist attack on the Capitol,
<a href="https://slate.com/news-and-politics/2021/02/trump-acquittal-911-commission-capitol-riot.html">much as a commission investigated the 2001 terrorist attacks</a>.

<p>
Impeachment was a failure politically; <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2021/02/14/now-time-really-prosecute-case-against-trump-pivoting-real-democratic-reform">the commission could convert it into
the beginning of a victory</a>.

<p>
Congress <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/feb/15/us-capitol-attack-commission-9-11-style-trump">is considering it now</a>.


feed_id: c8c8c02b58b8cd12bef705e99d95317f
title: Thugs with drones
uri: Thugs-with-drones
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#17_February_2021_%28Thugs_with_drones%29
content:
<p>
UK <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thugs</a> now frequently watch protests with drones.  This includes
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2021/feb/14/drones-police-england-monitor-political-protests-blm-extinction-rebellion">Black Lives Matter, Extinction Rebellion, animal rights protests,
and lockdown protests</a>.

<p>
I suggest that one crucial issue to regulate is whether drones are
allowed to take footage that can be used to recognize individuals.
Perhaps it should be illegal to use drones capable of doing that in
any place unless violence is occurring there or a warrant has been issued
for there.


feed_id: 854f95aecdc8c6e369eea0ced1022859
title: Urgent: domestic terrorism
uri: Urgent-domestic-terrorism
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#17_February_2021_%28Urgent%3A_domestic_terrorism%29
content:
<p>
US citizens: <a href="https://actionnetwork.org/forms/sign-now-to-congress-dont-expand-national-security-powers-at-the-expense-of-our-rights">call on Congress</a> not to expand the power to arbitrarily
repress activities called "domestic terrorism".

<p>
Punishment of groups, and their members, must operate by way of a trial.
Surveillance must be controlled via warrants.

<p>
Extremist groups are potentially dangerous.  So are states.  So we
need to walk a fine line, making the state strong enough to suppress
the danger of extremist groups while keeping it from being itself a
danger.

<p>
Whatever additional power we give the state, a violent extremist group
known as "Republicans" may someday wield.


feed_id: abd4967b9b21441be8f35007a31e4bfd
title: Use of glyphosate
uri: Use-of-glyphosate
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#18_February_2021_%28Use_of_glyphosate%29
content:
<p>

US officials helped <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/business/2021/feb/16/revealed-monsanto-mexico-us-glyphosate-ban">convince Mexico</a> to continue the use of glyphosate.


feed_id: 08221ae8c1023a68af8258c228238985
title: (satire) Injured carrying out capitol attack
uri: (satire)-Injured-carrying-out-capitol-attack
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#18_February_2021_%28%28satire%29_Injured_carrying_out_capitol_attack%29

content:
<p>

(satire) *Police Union <a href="https://www.theonion.com/police-union-honors-law-enforcement-officers-injured-ca-1846261382">Honors Law Enforcement</a> Officers Injured
Carrying Out Capitol Attack.*


feed_id: 544c656f982f84440e1b53201c60973f
title: Diplomatic triumph
uri: Diplomatic-triumph
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#18_February_2021_%28Diplomatic_triumph%29
content:
<p>

Biden could have started his term with a diplomatic triumph by
immediately <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2021/02/15/biden-committing-diplomatic-suicide-over-iran-nuclear-agreement">resuming the non-nuclear deal with Iran</a>.
Instead he risks
failure by demanding Iran comply first.


feed_id: be081764ecde14cf4556a04147254704
title: Global food crisis
uri: Global-food-crisis
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#18_February_2021_%28Global_food_crisis%29
content:
<p>

*<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2021/02/15/more-challenging-year-last-un-envoy-warns-global-food-crisis-getting-worse-not">UN Envoy Warns</a> Global Food Crisis
Getting Worse.*


feed_id: 0f97c88b47c939ae491440b68a75cf82
title: Subsubsubcontracted gig workers
uri: Subsubsubcontracted-gig-workers
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#18_February_2021_%28Subsubsubcontracted_gig_workers%29

content:
<p>

Many well-known US companies use <a href="https://www.propublica.org/article/meet-the-customer-service-reps-for-disney-and-airbnb-who-have-to-pay-to-talk-to-you">subsubsubcontracted gig workers</a> to do
customer service.  Each worker has to pay for training and services to
be able to do the job at all, which leaves very little income for the
worker.
<p>
The companies that use Arise to exploit customer service agents include
Airbnb, Amazon, Apple, AT&T, Barnes & Noble, Comcast, Disney, eBay,
Instacart, Intuit, Home Depot, Staples, Princess Cruises, Peloton,
Signet Jewelers, Virgin Atlantic and Walgreens.
<p>
This is what plutocracy looks like &mdash; laws written to let companies
shit on people.


feed_id: 01d50e6efb37af5f14af4e5eb1e617b7
title: Abortion in Tennessee
uri: Abortion-in-Tennessee
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#18_February_2021_%28Abortion_in_Tennessee%29
content:
<p>

Right-wing extremist legislators in Tennessee propose to allow the
father of a fetus to <a href="https://www.huffpost.com/entry/tennessee-lawmakers-introduce-bill-allow-fathers-veto-abortions_n_6025ae58c5b6f88289fa797a">prohibit aborting it</a>.
<p>
A woman is not an incubator; no one should have the power to force her
to give birth to the fetus.


feed_id: 102bbd93b1448a7ae9046347d7aa467f
title: True the Vote
uri: True-the-Vote
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#18_February_2021_%28True_the_Vote%29
content:
<p>

"True the Vote" raised 250 million dollars, supposedly to sue to overturn
the fictitious fraudulent election, but all those lawsuits went nowhere
and the money will actually go to <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/investigations/true-vote-lawsuit-fraud-eshelman/2021/02/15/a7017adc-6724-11eb-886d-5264d4ceb46d_story.html">serve the wrecker</a> in other ways.
One donor is suing to demand 2 million dollars back.


feed_id: 09a7d219e2567ce670120d8b2af32efe
title: Risk of food shortage
uri: Risk-of-food-shortage
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#18_February_2021_%28Risk_of_food_shortage%29
content:
<p>

*Risk of global food shortages due to Covid <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/feb/15/risk-of-global-food-shortages-covid-increased-un-envoy-agnes-kalibata">has increased</a>, says UN envoy.*


feed_id: 9cf29438136014681cfedd84950bef80
title: Cancelling people's citizenship
uri: Cancelling-people-s-citizenship
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#18_February_2021_%28Cancelling_people%27s_citizenship%29

content:
<p>

One <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/feb/16/ardern-blasts-morrison-for-shirking-responsibility-for-suspected-isis-terrorist-who-grew-up-in-australia">secondary injustice</a> of cancelling people's citizenship for crimes
is to dump them on other countries they are citizens of.


feed_id: edb45aaf4ec20c57214e9108f9f8e8c9
title: Ring home security video
uri: Ring-home-security-video
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#18_February_2021_%28Ring_home_security_video%29
content:
<p>

*LAPD <a href="https://theintercept.com/2021/02/16/lapd-ring-surveillance-black-lives-matter-protests/">Sought Ring Home Security Video</a> Related to Black Lives Matter Protests.*


feed_id: b02fb795cebc0231aa6e3c3eac5f4afc
title: Construction of single-family homes in cities
uri: Construction-of-single-family-homes-in-cities
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#18_February_2021_%28Construction_of_single-family_homes_in_cities%29

content:
<p>

A German MP from the Green Party proposes to <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/feb/16/german-green-mp-calls-for-ban-on-new-urban-single-family-houses">ban construction of
new single-family homes</a> in cities.
<p>
I support this plan, which Hamburg has already carried out.


feed_id: 94f15fc3459b8211f97720685d9abc7f
title: Plants wiped out in Australian fires
uri: Plants-wiped-out-in-Australian-fires
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#18_February_2021_%28Plants_wiped_out_in_Australian_fires%29

content:
<p>

116 species of plants in Australia may have been wiped out by the
fires a year ago, because <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2021/feb/17/more-than-100-australian-plant-species-lost-in-black-summer-bushfires-study-finds">all known populations of them</a> were burned.
Some of these species may regrow from seeds or roots.
<p>
Hundreds more species have been pushed a long way towards extinction.


feed_id: b7fff4cad89f7803742fbaa4bb500f85
title: Any effective vaccine better than none
uri: Any-effective-vaccine-better-than-none
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#18_February_2021_%28Any_effective_vaccine_better_than_none%29

content:
<p>

Vaccination with any effective Covid-19 vaccine is <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2021/feb/17/im-an-epidemiologist-ill-be-glad-to-get-whatever-vaccine-im-offered">much better than none</a>.


feed_id: 4d2461ee4e298c390b4e7dea82cc7738
title: Understaffed NHS
uri: Understaffed-NHS
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#18_February_2021_%28Understaffed_NHS%29
content:
<p>

The Tories have understaffed the NHS to the point where doctors in their
first years of work have trouble finding time to go to the toilet, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/society/2021/feb/16/why-some-junior-doctors-havent-had-a-covid-vaccine">let
alone get vaccinated for Covid-19</a>.
<p>
Perhaps bringing vaccination to their workplaces so they can be vaccinated
while on duty would help.


feed_id: 9a3ec20df3dae5659eb446c404e85846
title: Strikes on Tuesday
uri: Strikes-on-Tuesday
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#18_February_2021_%28Strikes_on_Tuesday%29
content:
<p>

Various groups of workers in the US will <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/feb/16/minimum-wage-strikes-us-cities-15-dollar">strike on Tuesday</a> demanding
a $15/hour minimum wage.


feed_id: c0260fd73966872770afc66a862b5ca9
title: Cease-fires to allow for vaccination
uri: Cease-fires-to-allow-for-vaccination
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#18_February_2021_%28Cease-fires_to_allow_for_vaccination%29

content:
<p>

<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2021/feb/17/dominic-raab-calls-for-ceasefires-to-enable-covid-vaccinations">Proposing cease-fires</a> in wars around the world to allow for vaccination.


feed_id: d7fa2102c49d424dc5d71ddc66ce1184
title: Overnight military raids and criminals
uri: Overnight-military-raids-and-criminals
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#18_February_2021_%28Overnight_military_raids_and_criminals%29

content:
<p>

*Since the coup, people in Yangon have been <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2021/feb/15/they-want-division-on-patrol-with-myanmars-civilian-night-watch">patrolling the streets</a> to
protect neighbors from overnight military raids and criminals.*


feed_id: c4aa92f79f4ff330bec982639c0b21d2
title: How the Covid pandemic could end
uri: How-the-Covid-pandemic-could-end
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#18_February_2021_%28How_the_Covid_pandemic_could_end%29

content:
<p>

*How the Covid pandemic <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2021/feb/15/covid-pandemic-end-global-travel-restrictions-vaccine-access">could end</a> &mdash; and what will make it happen faster.*


feed_id: dc5f07bd6712450fb06741e240d12dee
title: Urgent: Declare climate emergency
uri: Urgent-Declare-climate-emergency
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#18_February_2021_%28Urgent%3A_Declare_climate_emergency%29

content:
<p>

US citizens: call on Congress to <a href="https://act.350.org/letter/climate-emergency-petition/">urge Biden to declare a climate
emergency</a>.

<p>The Capitol Switchboard number is 202-224-3121.</p>

  <p>If you call, please spread the word!</p>
  


feed_id: dca7b887b4ffe7cb2724c73f66498717
title: Still supporting him
uri: 2021-02-18-Still-supporting-him
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#17_February_2021_%28Still_supporting_him%29
content:
<p>
Most Republicans still support the corrupter, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/feb/16/trump-2024-poll-republicans-most-popular-candidate">and want to run him for
president in 2024</a>.


feed_id: 22387ac6e9c1737265108000cb406b67
title: Secret recordings by Princess Latifa
uri: Secret-recordings-by-Princess-Latifa
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#18_February_2021_%28Secret_recordings_by_Princess_Latifa%29

content:
<p>
Secret recordings <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/feb/16/secret-videos-raise-fears-for-princess-latifa-forcibly-returned-to-dubai">made by Princess Latifa as a prisoner in Dubai</a>
   say that <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#21_January_2019_(Sheikha_Latifa)">she was captured in 2018 by Indian soldiers</a>
  who handed her over to Dubai's forces.

<p>
They also give reason to think that her friends released the videos because
she is either dead or being imprisoned in a worse situation.


feed_id: ebe2fa58117710dae7026c3a6a2f184d
title: Murdering of prisoners
uri: Murdering-of-prisoners
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#18_February_2021_%28Murdering_of_prisoners%29
content:
<p>
The PKK, and underground Kurdish guerrilla group, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/feb/16/erdogan-vows-to-expand-fight-against-pkk-after-deaths-of-13-hostages">killed 13 Turkish
soldiers and cops that they had captured</a>.

<p>
Killing prisoners is wrong no matter who they are, but remember that
Erdoğan is guilty of far worse.  He ordered atrocities which dwarf
this one.  He started a civil war a few years ago <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#17_August_2015_(Provoking_PKK)">so he could rerun an
election and get a better outcome</a>.


feed_id: a06c7e035fbec1f65aebdd046763c759
title: NAACP suing the wrecker
uri: NAACP-suing-the-wrecker
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#19_February_2021_%28NAACP_suing_the_wrecker%29
content:
<p>

The NAACP is <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2021/02/16/naacp-files-federal-lawsuit-accusing-trump-and-giuliani-inciting-us-capitol-riot">suing the wrecker</a> for organizing the attack on the Capitol. That is good, but is it adequate as a response to his deeds?
Normally, civil lawsuits cannot result in a judgment that puts
someone in prison.  Is this lawsuit an exception?  If not,
I think it is not enough.


feed_id: 01837cd0925d7e79bda093c7d496ad38
title: Poor Peoples Campaign
uri: Poor-Peoples-Campaign
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#19_February_2021_%28Poor_Peoples_Campaign%29
content:
<p>

The Poor Peoples Campaign in West Virginia is pressuring the plutocratist
senator Manchin to <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2021/02/16/im-speaking-you-senator-manchin-west-virginians-blast-democrat-opposing-15-minimum">support increasing the minimum wage</a>.


feed_id: de40187b24ce6e43d036ca292e3aed6f
title: Two-party politics
uri: Two-party-politics
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#19_February_2021_%28Two-party_politics%29
content:
<p>

*The Guardian view on two-party politics: <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2021/feb/17/the-guardian-view-on-two-party-politics-a-binary-choice-is-bad-for-democracy">a binary choice is bad for
 democracy</a>.*
<p>
The article focuses on the UK &mdash; where proportional representation, as
in most European parliaments, would give Corbyn's supporters a chance
to succeed with another party &mdash; but the US has the same problem.


feed_id: 6db393fb1e703dc06aa90b58041b0198
title: Pressure on Salafi Arabia
uri: Pressure-on-Salafi-Arabia
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#19_February_2021_%28Pressure_on_Salafi_Arabia%29
content:
<p>

Biden is using a <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/feb/17/biden-saudi-arabia-crown-prince-mohammed-bin-salman">clever method</a> to pressure Salafi Arabia to reduce the
power of the acting king, Prince Bone Saw, 
and deal instead with King Salman.
<p>
This rebukes the prince, but not the country.


feed_id: f5ca351dd438293dc73f0269ec8d0476
title: California bill to ban fracking
uri: California-bill-to-ban-fracking
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#19_February_2021_%28California_bill_to_ban_fracking%29

content:
<p>

*California bill would <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/feb/17/fracking-california-senate-bill-ban">ban fracking</a> in state by 2027.*
<p>
Hooray!


feed_id: cea281b413356bb9df0ddd5daec95392
title: Covid vaccine doses on hold
uri: Covid-vaccine-doses-on-hold
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#19_February_2021_%28Covid_vaccine_doses_on_hold%29
content:
<p>

*Taiwan suggests <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/feb/17/taiwan-china-pressure-covid-vaccine-deal-biontech">China to blame</a> after deal for 5m Covid vaccine doses is put
on hold.*
<p>
Geographical allocation of distribution of a product should never
group Taiwan with China.  Instead, group Taiwan with countries that
are rivals with China.
<p>
Taiwan's <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2021/feb/17/humour-over-rumour-taiwan-fake-news">humorous response to disinformation</a> is effective.


feed_id: f5a00e9d7abfae06218d99162636b1da
title: Baby sea turtles
uri: Baby-sea-turtles
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#19_February_2021_%28Baby_sea_turtles%29
content:
<p>

Light pollution and delectable floating plastic are <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2021/feb/17/dead-and-stranded-turtle-hatchlings-alarm-queensland-officials">killing baby sea
turtles</a> in Australia.


feed_id: d86195bdd7179b2ed2d7f0616f6b79af
title: People's Tribunal
uri: People-s-Tribunal
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#19_February_2021_%28People%27s_Tribunal%29
content:
<p>

BLM UK will <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/feb/17/blm-uk-to-fund-peoples-tribunal-for-deaths-in-custody">contribute to a "people's tribunal"</a> to investigate the death
of people in jail, prison, and locked wards.


feed_id: 41625c87cddc8aeea89c190ccc07ba04
title: Princess Latifa's prison
uri: Princess-Latifa-s-prison
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#19_February_2021_%28Princess_Latifa%27s_prison%29
content:
<p>

Princess Latifa's <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/feb/17/uk-proof-missing-dubai-princess-alive-and-well-raab-sanctions-latifa-father">description of her prison</a>, which is effectively
long-term solitary confinement.


feed_id: 4b236e7615b60a2d710e0e11438ab9c3
title: Oromo protest leaders
uri: Oromo-protest-leaders
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#19_February_2021_%28Oromo_protest_leaders%29
content:
<p>

Abiy, ruler of Ethiopia, has <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2021/feb/17/tensions-rise-amid-ethiopia-opposition-hunger-strike">arrested some Oromo protest leaders</a>,
making accusations that are fishy, and they have been on hunger strike
to the point of organ damage.


feed_id: eb9458c0e65a0e8eef82f8e6fb9bb14d
title: Jamaica's laws prohibiting homosexual sex
uri: Jamaica-s-laws-prohibiting-homosexual-sex
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#19_February_2021_%28Jamaica%27s_laws_prohibiting_homosexual_sex%29

content:
<p>

The Inter-American Commission on Human Rights ruled that Jamaica must <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/feb/17/jamaica-should-repeal-homophobic-laws-rights-tribunal-rules">repeal
its laws prohibiting homosexual sex</a>.


feed_id: 8abeecc2b015e953f026d82ee3d559b9
title: New York State sued Amazon
uri: New-York-State-sued-Amazon
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#19_February_2021_%28New_York_State_sued_Amazon%29
content:
<p>

New York State has <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2021/feb/17/amazon-sued-new-york-failure-protect-workers-pandemic-claims">sued Amazon</a> for failing to protect its warehouse
workers from Covid-19, and for firing a worker who tried to organize
to demand protection.


feed_id: e8849745c33bb3e91ad9ea3741bbd3c0
title: Colorado City
uri: Colorado-City
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#19_February_2021_%28Colorado_City%29
content:
<p>

The Republican mayor of a town called Colorado City told the residents
to <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/feb/17/texas-mayor-tom-boyd-quits-storm-sink-or-swim">"Sink or swim" on their own</a> &mdash; that they should not expect any help
from the city or anyone else.
<p>
That's what passes for morality among Republicans today.
<p>
If you would like governments to organize efforts to help and take care of
people that need help, vote for progressive Democrats and Greens.


feed_id: deb96356415009955c8c80d29996ca8f
title: Low-carbon public housing
uri: Low-carbon-public-housing
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#19_February_2021_%28Low-carbon_public_housing%29
content:
<p>

Progress in designing public housing to be <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/a-place-called-home/2021/jan/18/energy-saving-council-homes-the-architects-taking-council-house-design-to-a-new-level">low-carbon and good to live in</a>.


feed_id: 6ce7c24ec542eecac315ab5afb25a1e2
title: Crew of beached oil tanker
uri: Crew-of-beached-oil-tanker
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#19_February_2021_%28Crew_of_beached_oil_tanker%29
content:
<p>

*Crew of oil tanker beached off UAE to go home after <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/feb/17/crew-of-oil-tanker-beached-off-uae-to-go-home-after-four-years-stranded-at-sea">four years
stranded at sea</a>.*
<p>
They could have left before, but they would have forfeited their back pay
for years on the ship.
<p>
Their ordeal is over, but what we really need is a treaty to assure
that stranded crew do not face that unjust choice in the future.
Perhaps the nearest country should be allowed to seize the ship,
pay off the crew, sell it for auction, take enough to cover what
was paid to the crew plus something for its trouble, and send the
rest to the previous owner.


feed_id: d2e298aea5715d287cd453438ddc2c35
title: Snowstorms in Texas
uri: Snowstorms-in-Texas
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#19_February_2021_%28Snowstorms_in_Texas%29
content:
<p>

*Heating Arctic <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/science/2021/feb/17/arctic-heating-winter-storms-climate-change">may be to blame</a> for snowstorms in Texas, scientists argue.*
<p>
<a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#global heating">Global heating</a> is not uniform &mdash; it does not mean that every part of
the Earth gets steadily hotter.  It is possible for a region to get
quite cold for a few weeks a year, while its average temperature
rises.
<p>
It is even possible for a region to get colder on the average even as
the Earth's surface overall gets hotter on the average.
<p>
Right-wing anti-truthers blame renewable generators for power outages
in Texas, which in fact are the result of <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/feb/17/conservatives-falsely-blame-renewables-for-texas-storm-outages">problems in fossil-fuel
generators</a>.


feed_id: f7cdd03fcc7395cc0a96bb3dc8dd84f8
title: UK bill to oppose de-platforming
uri: UK-bill-to-oppose-de-platforming
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#19_February_2021_%28UK_bill_to_oppose_de-platforming%29

content:
<p>

The UK government is considering a <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/education/2021/feb/16/proposed-free-speech-law-will-make-english-universities-liable-for-breaches">bill to oppose de-platforming</a> in
universities, giving the universities and student unions a
responsibility not to censor staff, students, and visiting speakers.
<p>
The University and College Union replies that the UK government itself
is a big threat to freedom of speech on campus.  That accusation seems
plausible to me, and I would like to see examples.  Does criticism of
Israel's occupation of Palestine faces repression there through
labeling it "antisemitism"?
<p>
However, if freedom of speech is in danger from two sides, the
two dangers to not balance each other out.  Rather, they add.


feed_id: 3f0ffea4d86b0b671c3ef49b87fde81d
title: Imprisonment of climate activist
uri: Imprisonment-of-climate-activist
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#19_February_2021_%28Imprisonment_of_climate_activist%29

content:
<p>
The imprisonment of climate activist Disha Ravi epitomizes the Indian
government's readiness <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/feb/18/disha-ravi-the-climate-activist-who-became-the-face-of-indias-crackdown-on-dissent">to outrage the world in order to crush dissent</a>.


feed_id: 262add048c8df10f51bdffa89b8adef9
title: Spreading fast among school children
uri: Spreading-fast-among-school-children
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#19_February_2021_%28Spreading_fast_among_school_children%29

content:
<p>
Now that England has reopened many schools, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/feb/18/covid-infections-in-england-fall-by-two-thirds-but-spreading-fastest-among-young">Covid-19 is spreading fast
among school children there</a>.


feed_id: 05c9f07c94f79d9b7dc40f2382421133
title: Tar sands oil
uri: 2021-02-19-Tar-sands-oil
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#19_February_2021_%28Tar_sands_oil%29
content:
<p>
Planet-roasters keep trying desperately to ship abrasive tar sands oil
from Alberta to some coastline.  Biden <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2021/02/16/message-joe-biden-stop-line-3">should cancel the Line 3 pipeline
to protect the world from that oil</a>.


feed_id: 49df3e6baeb100bd6917935f4d7c0219
title: Dangerous cult
uri: Dangerous-cult
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#19_February_2021_%28Dangerous_cult%29
content:
<p>
*The GOP Is a Dangerous Cult <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2021/02/16/gop-dangerous-cult-democrats-should-not-negotiate">That Democrats Should Not Negotiate With</a>.*

<p>
The question is, how to twist the arms of senators Manchin and Sinema,
Democratic in affiliation but with politics like pre-tea-party
Republicans.


feed_id: b2e8a7f4ea0110e7c047e21076409ef6
title: Go back where you come from
uri: Go-back-where-you-come-from
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#19_February_2021_%28Go_back_where_you_come_from%29
content:
<p>
(<a href="https://www.theonion.com/you-go-back-where-you-came-from-says-texan-pointing-1846280081">satire</a>) *"You Go Back Where You Came From," Says Texan Pointing Gun
At Snowman Trespassing On Property.*


feed_id: 6725dd0395a0283aba4f0dca102b6bb1
title: Perfectionist sculptor
uri: Perfectionist-sculptor
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#19_February_2021_%28Perfectionist_sculptor%29
content:
<p>
(<a href="https://www.theonion.com/historians-reveal-terra-cotta-army-result-of-perfection-1846260221">satire</a>) *Historians Reveal Terra-Cotta Army Result Of Perfectionist
Sculptor Screwing Up Soldier Statue Thousands Of Times.*


feed_id: 602bb1c7c92f1a85454178c1a6a9e7c8
title: Better Burma
uri: Better-Burma
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#19_February_2021_%28Better_Burma%29
content:
<p>
*Reversing Myanmar's Coup Isn't Enough. Here’s <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2021/02/16/reversing-myanmars-coup-isnt-enough-heres-how-build-better-burma">How to Build a Better Burma</a>.*


feed_id: 39c26d5c08dcbc3a6ccafe1390666293
title: Blocking all news
uri: Blocking-all-news
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#19_February_2021_%28Blocking_all_news%29
content:
<p>
Facebook responded by the requirement to pay for carrying news articles
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2021/feb/18/time-to-reactivate-myspace-the-day-australia-woke-up-to-a-facebook-news-blackout">by blocking all news sites and lots of other sites as well</a>.

<p>
With luck, people will adapt by finding other ways to see news articles
<a href="https://stallman.org/facebook.html">and stop letting Facebook use them</a>.


feed_id: 45465cc8733f638d8d787b758ffff9b2
title: Decriminalizing psychedelics
uri: Decriminalizing-psychedelics
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#19_February_2021_%28Decriminalizing_psychedelics%29
content:
<p>
*California bill would decriminalize psychedelics, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/feb/17/california-bill-decriminalize-psychedelic-drugs">paving the way for medical
treatment</a>.*


feed_id: 220ece1438fcb55b3e077b70a8f993f1
title: Black and Hispanic cops
uri: Black-and-Hispanic-cops
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#19_February_2021_%28Black_and_Hispanic_cops%29
content:
<p>
In Chicago, black and Hispanic cops <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/feb/11/chicago-black-hispanic-police-officers-force-arrests-study">are substantially less thuggish
than white cops, on the average</a>.

<p>
The article linked to just above displays symbolic bigotry by
capitalizing "black" but not "white".  (To avoid that bigotry,
capitalize both words or neither one.)  I object to bigotry, and
normally I decline to link to articles which promote it.  But I make
an exception for articles which give important information about
racism or the fight to eliminate racism.  That article is one of the
exceptions.


feed_id: 71f60dd49ce3a76811a0f3d2189644b4
title: War on drugs
uri: 2021-02-19-War-on-drugs
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#19_February_2021_%28War_on_drugs%29
content:
<p>
The War on Drugs is so drugged-out that <a href="https://uprootingthedrugwar.org/">its damage shows up in many
aspects of life</a>.

<p>
I would say to bring the drug war's soldiers home, but the problem
is that that's where they are; their war is against Americans.
Let's <em>demobilize</em> them.


feed_id: 442652dc23ae7acffe3648dc16d51d09
title: Human right not to live in poverty
uri: Human-right-not-to-live-in-poverty
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#19_February_2021_%28Human_right_not_to_live_in_poverty%29

content:
<p>
When considering issues about aid to the poor, <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2021/02/16/we-must-put-human-life-corporate-profits">we should keep in mind
the human right not to live in poverty</a>.


feed_id: 78da1a31946a88d4ecbfc0873c7aa511
title: Permission to leave
uri: Permission-to-leave
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#19_February_2021_%28Permission_to_leave%29
content:
<p>
Nepal is considering a law to make females under 40 years old <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2021/feb/17/nepalis-protest-ridiculous-ban-women-travelling-abroad-trafficking">get
permission to leave the country</a>.

<p>
This is supposed to be a measure to prevent them from being trafficked
and enslaved.  However, the result is patriarchal.  Meanwhile,
trafficking and enslavement is not limited to females, and the forced
labor they do is not limited to sex.
   Perhaps a law should strongly encourage every Nepali who plans to
leave to take a course of study about how enslavers actually work and
the lures they use.


feed_id: 5d9fa4988f87e110438a88ee6bbe1caf
title: Limbaugh Ranting
uri: Limbaugh-Ranting
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#22_February_2021_%28Limbaugh_Ranting%29
content:
<p>
(satire) *Doctor Assures Limbaugh Family It [is] <a href="https://www.theonion.com/doctor-assures-limbaugh-family-it-normal-for-body-to-co-1846290628">Normal</a> For Body To
Continue Ranting About Welfare Queens Hours After Death.*


feed_id: 24969d1e5882d3f44431323636be4790
title: Georgia voter suppression
uri: Georgia-voter-suppression
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#22_February_2021_%28Georgia_voter_suppression%29
content:
<p>
The Georgia state senate is <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2021/02/17/senate-subcommittees-consider-anti-voting-bills-dark?cd-origin=rss">secretly</a> considering bills for voter suppression.


feed_id: e38eab2b9d6cad8e412d5aa2540fc150
title: Remove the termites' nest
uri: Remove-the-termites-nest
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#22_February_2021_%28Remove_the_termites%27_nest%29
content:
<p>
To disprove the impunity the wrecker still claims to have, we must
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2021/02/17/gop-senators-said-trump-was-culpable-private-citizen-now-fine-indict-him-one?cd-origin=rss">prosecute</a> him for inciting the attack on the Capitol.
<p>
  Failure to prosecute him would encourage him and others to sabotage
  our system of government.
<p>
  
Are we so desperate to rebuild our house that we can't afford to
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2021/02/17/failure-prosecute-trumps-serial-assaults-republic-would-be-indefensible?cd-origin=rss">remove</a> the termites' nest?


feed_id: 441a82b5861dced0b45399b7488215c3
title: US Missiles to Egypt
uri: US-Missiles-to-Egypt
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#22_February_2021_%28US_Missiles_to_Egypt%29
content:
<p>
Biden <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2021/02/17/after-vowing-no-more-blank-checks-\
trumps-favorite-dictator-biden-seeks-200-million?cd-origin=rss">proposes to give/sell</a> $200 million in ship-to-air missiles for
the Egyptian military government.
<p>
At least they can't be used to repress dissidents.


feed_id: f288a1ff8061b35fad8de2fbd0d2d880
title: Prosecutor sacked
uri: Prosecutor-sacked
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#22_February_2021_%28Prosecutor_sacked%29
content:
<p>
    *Senior UK fraud prosecutor unfairly sacked after US sabotage,
    tribunal <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/law/2021/feb/17/sfo-unfairly-sacked-prosecutor-after-doj-sabotage-tribunal-finds">finds</a>.*
    <p>
The article is concerned with how UK officials acted, but I'm most
concerned with the possible dishonesty of the US officials.


feed_id: e64c2704813e44658b4bc5325fe5e848
title: Forest sprites
uri: Forest-sprites
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#22_February_2021_%28Forest_sprites%29
content:
<p>
(satire) *Studio Ghibli Theme Park Opening Delayed After Construction
Site <a href="https://www.theonion.com/studio-ghibli-theme-park-opening-delayed-after-construc-1846290666">Overrun</a> With Curious Forest Sprites.*


feed_id: 8ad93977203896b4ab56d6d874424142
title: Everything we need as a commons
uri: Everything-we-need-as-a-commons
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#22_February_2021_%28Everything_we_need_as_a_commons%29

content:
<p>
Vandana Shiva argues for treating "everything we need" <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2021/02/18/reclaiming-our-common-home-expand-commons-include-everything-we-need?cd-origin=rss">as a commons</a>.
<p>
  
  I think that goes too far -- it is, in effect, Communism, and we have
  not seen that come out well.
<p>
  In societies where each family can do its own gathering, or its own
gardening, there is no need to make food part of an economy.  But we
are far away from that now.  It is not feasible for everyone to grow
food, not in India and even less so in the US.  No one farm will grow
all the foodstuffs that people eat nowadays, not even in India.  There
must be a system to handle growing food, processing food (do you want
bread, flour, or just whole grains of wheat) and providing it to those
who don't grow it.  If it doesn't work by rationing, it needs to be a
market.
<p>
A market is based on rules, and there are many choices for society to
make in those rules.  The big economic issues, the causes of hunger
and penury, have to do with the rules of the market for food.  Through
the 1970s the US used ot have many family farms, and governments made
sure its policies enabled them to stay in business.  Reagan suckered
farmers into accepting loans they <a href="https://www.stallman.org/doggerel.html#OldMacDonald">could not pay back</a>, and this caused a big leap in consolidation. His deregulation and his weakening of
antimonopoly laws allowed megabusinesses to dominate and eventually
buy most of the remaining family farms, while mistreating the eating
public too.
<p>
Likewise for water. In a city, you can't get water from your own
well. There needs to be a system to handle it. What should the
system's rules be? How should it charge for water -- and how do we
make sure poor people water to drink and to wash? Those are crucial
political questions today, with poor families' water being disconnected
just as they are told they need to wash their hands frequently.
But "dig your own well" is not a solution.
<p>
An acquifer should be a common -- but successful commons need rules
  about who gets to take how much.


  


feed_id: 621e9450c9500e5a236a884cf819d287
title: Oracle complicit in Chinese repression
uri: Oracle-complicit-in-Chinese-repression
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#22_February_2021_%28Oracle_complicit_in_Chinese_repression%29

content:
<p>
Oracle <a href="https://theintercept.com/2021/02/18/oracle-china-police-surveillance/">provided the software</a> for the Chinese state to make effective
repressive use of the massive data it collects about everyone in
China.<p>
    The crucial evil is in the <a href="https://gnu.org/philosophy/surveillance-vs-democracy.html">collection of the data</a>, but that is no excuse for helping in any other stage of repression.


feed_id: 834cc06bf12c7e1f985042606940d450
title: Insanely long US prison sentences
uri: Insanely-long-US-prison-sentences
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#22_February_2021_%28Insanely_long_US_prison_sentences%29

content:
<p>
Around 15% of prisoners in the US are sentenced to 50 or more <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2021/02/18/new-study-finds-extreme-sentencing-increasing?cd-origin=rss">years in
prison</a>.
<p>
    There is rarely a rational basis for such a long sentence.


feed_id: 8031da1e68db15395ba136050b3204ff
title: Indian political prisoner
uri: Indian-political-prisoner
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#22_February_2021_%28Indian_political_prisoner%29
content:
<p>
Calling on India to <a href="https://scroll.in/latest/884552/united-nations-rights-experts-urge-india-to-release-jailed-delhi-university-professor-gn-saibaba">release</a> political prisoner Professor G N Saibaba.


feed_id: 5ae0aba1484728820e4a26a7f1e55a7a
title: Nursing home industry
uri: Nursing-home-industry
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#22_February_2021_%28Nursing_home_industry%29
content:
<p>
*Nursing Home Industry <a href="https://theintercept.com/2021/02/20/covid-nursing-home-cuomo-clyburn/">Avoids Scrutiny</a> for Covid-19 Deaths as Powerful Lobby
 Goes to Work.*


feed_id: b8f639b8a6d82ca85090b4326dae041b
title: Government workers strike Burma
uri: Government-workers-strike-Burma
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#22_February_2021_%28Government_workers_strike_Burma%29

content:
<p>
Civilian government workers in Burma are <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/feb/20/myanmar-protesters-democracy-demonstrators">striking</a> against the military takover.


feed_id: 22f7e623e20fe0b2a594fe05bced3ce7
title: UK summer beaches
uri: UK-summer-beaches
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#22_February_2021_%28UK_summer_beaches%29
content:
<p>
Large numbers of people in the UK going to the beach last summer seems
to have had <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/feb/19/how-the-beach-super-spreader-myth-can-inform-uks-future-covid-response">no Covid-spreading effect</a>.


feed_id: 7112bfc3906ebb8b8cfb6098e7d44ffb
title: Uber drivers UK
uri: Uber-drivers-UK
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#22_February_2021_%28Uber_drivers_UK%29
content:
<p>
The UK Supreme Court <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2021/feb/19/uber-drivers-workers-uk-supreme-court-rules-rights">ruled</a> that Uber drivers are employees.
<p>
  
  This should result in giving them many forms of employment rights.
<p>
Meanwhile, in California, the initiative that decided drivers are not
employees has enabled Uber to <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/feb/18/uber-lyft-doordash-prop-22-drivers-california">cut the drivers' pay</a>.


feed_id: 1fd648438dcad1a32ac9bc3a81ced03a
title: Columbian army killed noncombatants
uri: Columbian-army-killed-noncombatants
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#22_February_2021_%28Columbian_army_killed_noncombatants%29

content:
<p>
The Colombian army killed <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2021/feb/19/colombia-farc-tribunal-false-positives">at least</a> 6400 noncombatants and disguised
them as FARC guerrillas killed in combat.
<p>
    The soldiers were rewarded based on body count.


feed_id: d5a7f266ebd78a2f808aa2d3a51be0b1
title: Dubai princesses
uri: Dubai-princesses
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#22_February_2021_%28Dubai_princesses%29
content:
<p>
The imprisonment of two Dubai princesses illustrates how Dubai
legally makes women <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2021/feb/18/uae-release-latifa-shamsa-women-rights">second-class citizens</a>.
<p>
  European countries did this in the 1800s, and even into the 1900s;
it went much further than just denying women the vote.


feed_id: 6ae2cdc4f5d6af7c64c3968396d2fe5d
title: Tories undoing damage to NHS
uri: Tories-undoing-damage-to-NHS
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#22_February_2021_%28Tories_undoing_damage_to_NHS%29
content:
<p>
The Tories are more or less <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2021/feb/08/tories-nhs-u-turn-billions-wasted-hospitals">undoing</a> their previous harmful
reorganization which introduced competition and privatization into the
workings of the NHS, which they did based on plutocratist ideology.


feed_id: 32b36f1db120fb19d68a82869ef74a0f
title: Tax international flights
uri: Tax-international-flights
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#22_February_2021_%28Tax_international_flights%29
content:
<p>
*<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/feb/18/call-to-tax-international-flights-to-raise-climate-funds-for-poor-countries">Call</a> to tax international flights to raise climate funds for poor countries.*
<p>
  I am in favor.


feed_id: 63800b3015b6a34d8d8c57d05be75642
title: Elsevier paywalls
uri: Elsevier-paywalls
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#22_February_2021_%28Elsevier_paywalls%29
content:
<p>
Elsevier is corrupting "open science" in Europe by worming its way
into operating the systems to <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/science/political-science/2018/jun/29/elsevier-are-corrupting-open-science-in-europe">monitor scientific publication</a>.
<p>
  
That is in addition to publishing paywalled journals, which should
not exist at all.


feed_id: 70bb9bbe47dd7ae4851cd1eb8b8472e5
title: Facebook avoids fact-checking
uri: Facebook-avoids-fact-checking
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#22_February_2021_%28Facebook_avoids_fact-checking%29

content:
<p>
*To Avoid Backlash, Facebook Reportedly <a href="https://gizmodo.com/to-avoid-backlash-facebook-reportedly-relaxed-fact-che-1844656073">Relaxed Fact-Checking Standards</a> on
Conservative Pages.*


feed_id: 990e640233a7ce24594c2dbd58f6cd06
title: Librarian burns books
uri: Librarian-burns-books
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#22_February_2021_%28Librarian_burns_books%29
content:
<p>
A librarian has been <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/feb/18/librarian-tennessee-donald-trump-ann-coulter-books">fired</a> for taking books by Ann Counter and Donald Trump
off the shelves and burning them.
<p>
  
Although I think those books are contemptible, destroying books in the
library's collection is not acceptable.  Burning books is especially
bad.


feed_id: 7791d3e7f2dcff54ce10f3a18c77a3e0
title: SpaceX donations
uri: SpaceX-donations
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#22_February_2021_%28SpaceX_donations%29
content:
<p>
SpaceX <a href="https://www.exposedbycmd.org/2021/02/18/elon-musks-spacex-gave-119000-to-congress-members-who-voted-to-overturn-the-presidential-election/">donated</a> over $100k to members of Congress that tried to overturn
the election.


feed_id: 77f43488c8062d077039fd1900c989d1
title: Magnetic field Neanderthals
uri: Magnetic-field-Neanderthals
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#22_February_2021_%28Magnetic_field_Neanderthals%29
content:
<p>
The Earth's magnetic field flipped direction 42,000 years ago.
It now appears this may have caused problems including an increase
in UV radiation hitting the Earth, and might have caused extinctions
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/science/2021/feb/18/end-of-neanderthals-linked-to-flip-of-earths-magnetic-poles-study-suggests">including the full-blooded Neanderthals</a>.
<p>
The Neanderthals did have descendants of course -- us.


feed_id: 12dce2d10bf1983edb21ae9072bf9253
title: UK Ministers bypass parliament
uri: UK-Ministers-bypass-parliament
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#22_February_2021_%28UK_Ministers_bypass_parliament%29

content:
<p>


UK ministers are becoming <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/law/2021/feb/18/trust-in-law-at-risk-if-ministers-bypass-parliament-says-ex-legal-chief">habituated</a> to deciding laws without letting
Parliament vote.<p>

    This is not a democracy.


feed_id: 7d537818ec5c1587ca84f23916b4a52f
title: Belarus jails journalists
uri: Belarus-jails-journalists
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#22_February_2021_%28Belarus_jails_journalists%29
content:
<p>
*Belarus <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/feb/18/belarus-jails-two-journalists-covered-lukashenko-protest">jails</a> two journalists who covered Lukashenko protest.*


feed_id: 346d2d373b34bfc3eac7c5c907554828
title: Britons going hungry
uri: Britons-going-hungry
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#22_February_2021_%28Britons_going_hungry%29
content:
<p>
When Britons claim welfare payments after losing their jobs,
1/6 of them <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/society/2021/feb/19/new-universal-credit-claimants-forced-skip-meals-covid">can't afford food</a>.


feed_id: 519d629dbdf80e5a7d4784fef7b62e8c
title: Iran nuclear deal and Biden
uri: Iran-nuclear-deal-and-Biden
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#22_February_2021_%28Iran_nuclear_deal_and_Biden%29
content:
<p>
*Iran [non-]nuclear deal: US <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/feb/19/iran-nuclear-deal-us-agrees-to-join-talks-brokered-by-eu">agrees</a> to join talks brokered by EU.*
<p>
  It looks like Biden decided he wants to make progress towards a deal,
rather than put Iran in the wrong.


feed_id: afb5bece18dbc42c8f14f59e380c0df0
title: Facebook News Australia
uri: Facebook-News-Australia
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#22_February_2021_%28Facebook_News_Australia%29
content:
<p>
Facebook's rejection of Australian news sources makes visible the injustice
of internet connections that <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/feb/19/facebooks-australia-ban-threatens-to-leave-pacific-without-key-news-source">privilege</a> Facebook over other sites.
<p>
  
Such schemes ought to be prohibited in the name of market competition,
among other reasons.


feed_id: 02f5567c17d3f1d8c43ecefc73280bd3
title: Australia Facebook
uri: Australia-Facebook
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#22_February_2021_%28Australia_Facebook%29
content:
<p>
*Facebook is <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2021/feb/19/facebook-is-gambling-australia-cant-live-without-it-imagine-if-we-prove-them-wrong">gambling</a> Australia can't live without it.* More
precisely, without finding news articles in it.  *Imagine if we prove
them wrong.*


feed_id: 152a59222a34710b54cbf364b53e9aeb
title: Biden against defunding police
uri: Biden-against-defunding-police
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#22_February_2021_%28Biden_against_defunding_police%29

content:
<p>
Biden opposes defunding local police, apparently <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2021/02/17/politics/defunding-police-biden-town-hall-trnd/index.html">even partially</a>.
<p>
  Fortunately, localities can do this without federal approval.


feed_id: 15214e2ec774ccf125064c6195cf4faa
title: Climate pretenders
uri: Climate-pretenders
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#22_February_2021_%28Climate_pretenders%29
content:
<p>
Britain, Canada and Norway <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2021/02/17/world/climate-hypocrites-uk-canada-norway-intl/index.html">pretend</a> to be leaders in reducing
greenhouse gas emissions while exporting lots of fossil fuel.


feed_id: 4f46e16953c6bff48d4047f45465e73d
title: Siberian cavities
uri: Siberian-cavities
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#22_February_2021_%28Siberian_cavities%29
content:
<p>

  Cavities in Siberia, filled with methane, are producing large craters
when they <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2021/02/17/world/siberia-craters-arctic-climate-change-scn/index.html">explosively release</a> the methane into the atmosphere.


feed_id: 4c57f9a18fd6cfdd3d2b7185aa4a905d
title: Texas disaster
uri: Texas-disaster
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#22_February_2021_%28Texas_disaster%29
content:
<p>
  Texas's gas-fired power plants <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/feb/18/why-is-texas-suffering-power-blackouts-during-the-winter-freeze">failed</a> due to cold.
<p>
  

Republican deregulation enabled and encourage Texas's electric utilities
to save money by <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2021/02/17/covid-mass-power-outages-texas-republican-party-has-created-failed-state?cd-origin=rss">not preparing</a> for winter storms.
<p>

The power grid should be run by the state so it will be accountable.
<p>
Texas cities kept the electricity on in downtown areas because
of the critical facilities there.  This had the side <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/feb/17/texas-winter-storm-power-outages">effect</a> of keeping
power on for business that wasted power on lights for publicity.
<p>
  
Maybe there needs to be a law that the city can order a building to
turn off all external lights and all light in rooms that no one is in.
This will make more power available to keep the current on in other
neighborhoods.

  


feed_id: 2a97fdd429667d55e503849c2170b985
title: DeSantis vaccines for wealthy
uri: DeSantis-vaccines-for-wealthy
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#22_February_2021_%28DeSantis_vaccines_for_wealthy%29

content:
<p>
Florida's governor, DeSantis, took the initiative to offer special
"pop-up" vaccination for two zip-codes whose residents <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/feb/19/florida-covid-vaccination-distribution-ron-desantis">happen to be</a>
particularly wealthy.<p>
    DeSantis was previously known for <a href="https://www.stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#5_December_2020_(Florida_governor_misled_public_on_Covid_as_cases_rose)">covering up statistics</a> about deaths
from Covid-19, and <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/jan/17/florida-rebekah-jones-covid-data-analyst-arrest-warrant">prosecuting the whistleblower</a> who arranged to leak the true numbers.


feed_id: 31b727f00adcf7c855593ea6049214a6
title: UK welfare fraud investigations
uri: UK-welfare-fraud-investigations
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#22_February_2021_%28UK_welfare_fraud_investigations%29

content:
<p>


The UK government goes to <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/society/2021/feb/14/dwp-excessive-surveillance-on-suspected-fraudsters-privacy-international">great lengths</a> to investigate welfare fraud,
even demanding information from the NHS.<p>
    

Investigating benefits fraud would be legitimate if the support one
could get by being honest were adequate to live on.  As in the US,
what motivates the overemphasis on poor people's frauds rather than
<a href="https://www.stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#2_November_2020_(IRS_audits)">rich people's frauds</a>
 as well as the push to reduce welfare for the poor in order
to increase welfare <a href="https://www.stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#20_December_2020_(Consequences_of_50_years_of_tax_cuts_for_the_rich)">for the rich</a> is the cruel attitude of despising poor people and <a href="https://www.stallman.org/archives/2013-jan-apr.html#31_January_2013_(Blaming_the_poor_for_their_poverty)">blaming them</a> for
their poverty.


feed_id: baf1cdb35faf688d590e834740e258f1
title: Tax returns
uri: 2021-02-22-Tax-returns
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#22_February_2021_%28Tax_returns%29
content:
<p>


The Supreme Court is <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2021/02/18/politics/supreme-court-trump-taxes-vance/index.html">blocking</a> a grand jury request to see the
corrupter's tax returns.


feed_id: ef74ad158eb60c7532ad63fd87c7fed1
title: Maryland digital ad tax
uri: Maryland-digital-ad-tax
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#22_February_2021_%28Maryland_digital_ad_tax%29
content:
<p>
Maryland has <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2021/02/18/tech/maryland-digital-ad-tax-lawsuit/index.html">enacted a tax</a> on digital advertising.  Proxies for Big Tech
are suing to overturn it.
<p>
  
Facebook is being <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2021/02/18/tech/facebook-ad-reach-lawsuit/index.html">sued</a> based on claims that it cheated advertisers
by exaggerating the effectiveness of ads.


feed_id: 31f4a941fe6f4851c98cf6ca340d549c
title: US Military Muslim apps
uri: US-Military-Muslim-apps
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#22_February_2021_%28US_Military_Muslim_apps%29
content:
<p>
*House Dems Demand Probe Into US Military <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2021/02/18/we-need-answers-house-dems-demand-probe-us-military-purchases-location-data-muslim?cd-origin=rss">Purchases</a> of
Location Data From Muslim-Focused Apps.*<p>
    
I see the motive for this, but they're trying to cure a symptom rather
than the real problem.  Why protect only Muslims and not <a href="https://gnu.org/philosophy/surveillance-vs-democracy.html">other
Americans?</a>
      <p>

Congress ought to investigate what allows those apps, and thousands of
other apps, to collect location data about their users.  Then they
should legislate to put a stop to this.


feed_id: 1a2e1be533546fe8e148ad37a62c1283
title: Fictional Australia
uri: Fictional-Australia
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#22_February_2021_%28Fictional_Australia%29
content:
<p>
(satire) *Facebook <a href="https://www.theonion.com/facebook-takes-down-all-posts-spreading-misinformation-1846301464">Takes Down All Posts</a> Spreading Misinformation About
Fictional Nation Of "Australia."*


feed_id: dcc50fe907fe4de175b2839374f63965
title: Maine lobster advisory
uri: Maine-lobster-advisory
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#22_February_2021_%28Maine_lobster_advisory%29
content:
<p>
(satire) *Maine Residents Placed Under <a href="https://local.theonion.com/maine-residents-placed-under-boil-lobster-advisory-1846297869">Boil Lobster Advisory</a>.*


feed_id: 214901ca237df000a8e89cd0122bf3f8
title: Ending US Tax evasion
uri: Ending-US-Tax-evasion
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#22_February_2021_%28Ending_US_Tax_evasion%29
content:
<p>
The <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2021/02/18/ro-khanna-introduces-bill-end-runaway-tax-evasion-us-millionaires-and-billionaires?cd-origin=rss">Stop CHEATERS Act</a> would invest $100 billion in IRS systems and audits,
which is expected to increase tax revenue by a trillion dollars.


feed_id: 74643135cbc350f83a6f604b7eb2dfec
title: Everything we need as a commons
uri: 2021-02-22-Everything-we-need-as-a-commons
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#22_February_2021_%28Everything_we_need_as_a_commons%29

content:
<p>
Vandana Shiva argues for treating "everything we need" <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2021/02/18/reclaiming-our-common-home-expand-commons-include-everything-we-need?cd-origin=rss">as a commons</a>.
<p>
  
  I think that goes too far -- it is, in effect, Communism, and we have
  not seen that come out well.
<p>
  In societies where each family can do its own gathering, or its own
gardening, there is no need to make food part of an economy.  But we
are far away from that now.  It is not feasible for everyone to grow
food, not in India and even less so in the US.  No one farm will grow
all the foodstuffs that people eat nowadays, not even in India.  There
must be a system to handle growing food, processing food (do you want
bread, flour, or just whole grains of wheat) and providing it to those
who don't grow it.  If it doesn't work by rationing, it needs to be a
market.
<p>
A market is based on rules, and there are many choices for society to
make in those rules.  The big economic issues, the causes of hunger
and penury, have to do with the rules of the market for food.  Through
the 1970s the US used to have many family farms, and governments made
sure its policies enabled them to stay in business.  Reagan suckered
farmers into accepting loans they <a href="https://www.stallman.org/doggerel.html#OldMacDonald">could not pay back</a>, and this caused a big leap in consolidation. His deregulation and his weakening of
anti-monopoly laws allowed mega-businesses to dominate and eventually
buy most of the remaining family farms, while mistreating the eating
public too.
<p>
Likewise for water. In a city, you can't get water from your own
well. There needs to be a system to handle it. What should the
system's rules be? How should it charge for water -- and how do we
make sure poor people water to drink and to wash? Those are crucial
political questions today, with poor families' water being disconnected
just as they are told they need to wash their hands frequently.
But "dig your own well" is not a solution.
<p>
An aquifer should be a common -- but successful commons need rules
  about who gets to take how much.


  


feed_id: e7eaeb671b00eaf1961334c069887022
title: Government workers strike Burma
uri: 2021-02-22-Government-workers-strike-Burma
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#22_February_2021_%28Government_workers_strike_Burma%29

content:
<p>
Civilian government workers in Burma are <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/feb/20/myanmar-protesters-democracy-demonstrators">striking</a> against the military takeover.


feed_id: 492c8a76e42ddce5f64d2256cd0f2b94
title: Elsevier paywalls
uri: 2021-02-22-Elsevier-paywalls
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#22_February_2021_%28Elsevier_paywalls%29
content:
<p>
Elsevier is corrupting "open science" in Europe by worming its way
into operating the systems to <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/science/political-science/2018/jun/29/elsevier-are-corrupting-open-science-in-europe">monitor scientific publication</a>.
<p>
  
That is in addition to publishing pay-walled journals, which should
not exist at all.


feed_id: 69e0d672c6cc5aa3a0eef84274cc4348
title: Urgent: no military weapons for thugs
uri: Urgent-no-military-weapons-for-thugs
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#23_February_2021_%28Urgent%3A_no_military_weapons_for_thugs%29

content:
<p>
US citizens: <a href="https://act.rootsaction.org/p/dia/action4/common/public/?action_KEY=14112">call on Congress</a> to stop providing military weapons to
US <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thug</a> departments.

<p>
To sign <a href="https://gnu.org/philosophy/javascript-trap.html">without running nonfree JavaScript code</a>
                                                from the web site,
<a href="https://stallman.org/salsalabs-method.html">use the Salsalabs workaround</a>.


feed_id: d2e258414dee81b34b16762dcca8f83c
title: The next worst thing
uri: The-next-worst-thing
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#23_February_2021_%28The_next_worst_thing%29
content:
<p>
Bogus Johnson gave the UK <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2021/02/20/europe/boris-johnson-brexit-deal-aftermath-gbr-intl/index.html">the next worst thing to a no-deal exit from
the EU</a>.

<p>
I warned that the only way to get good results from leaving the EU
was to put Corbyn in charge.


feed_id: 720f80786b229675824c36beb31fb04e
title: Phthalates
uri: 2021-02-23-Phthalates
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#23_February_2021_%28Phthalates%29
content:
<p>
Studies have linked phthalates in the mother's blood <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2021/02/20/health/baby-brain-damage-plastic-phthalates-wellness/index.html">with the
frequencies of various subsequent brain disorders in children</a>.


feed_id: 4ed78a99634ce31bb6a6e7c46ddc1ec7
title: Biometric collect through exams
uri: Biometric-collect-through-exams
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#23_February_2021_%28Biometric_collect_through_exams%29

content:
<p>
Students are suing Northwestern University <a href="https://dailynorthwestern.com/2021/02/18/campus/nu-faces-lawsuit-for-improperly-capturing-and-storing-students-biometric-data/">for collecting students' biometric
information through exam software</a>.

<p>
Bravo!  The law in use is limited to that one state, but if one university
shows it can do without these vicious pieces of proprietary malware,
other universities will obviously also be able to do so.


feed_id: 201d412e9bd7abb202078661861a4f4b
title: Urgent: Migratory Bird Protection Act
uri: 2021-02-23-Urgent-Migratory-Bird-Protection-Act
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#23_February_2021_%28Urgent%3A_Migratory_Bird_Protection_Act%29

content:
<p>
US citizens: <a href="https://us.e-activist.com/page/email/click/10063/762022?email=471kpd1a5HzVc13nGfQogg==&campid=8HiTqJdOigeZkArzVWMSmA==">call on the Fish and Wildlife Service</a> to restore the
protections of the Migratory Bird Protection Act.


feed_id: ba6be27a8e31930b7997e27007aacdf7
title: Domestic violence
uri: 2021-02-23-Domestic-violence
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#23_February_2021_%28Domestic_violence%29
content:
<p>
A lesson on <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/society/2021/feb/21/jane-monckton-smith-in-control-domestic-abuse-murder-public-protection">how domestic violence and controlling relationships really
unfold</a>.


feed_id: 8ba1ed3668f7efce75ac15475f6b6148
title: Air pollutants from refineries shut down
uri: Air-pollutants-from-refineries-shut-down
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#23_February_2021_%28Air_pollutants_from_refineries_shut_down%29

content:
<p>
*Texas freeze led to release of <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/feb/21/texas-freeze-oil-refineries-shut-release-air-pollutants">tons of air pollutants as refineries shut</a>.*
  These emissions can be equivalent to many years of normal operation.


feed_id: 2fe53785a0f098b1baf77fcb52d751ed
title: Deregulation is the cause for power failure
uri: Deregulation-is-the-cause-for-power-failure
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#23_February_2021_%28Deregulation_is_the_cause_for_power_failure%29

content:
<p>
Ideologically imposed Republican deregulation is the cause
of Texas's power failure <a href="https://www.gregpalast.com/texas-gets-layd-how-the-bush-family-turned-off-the-lights/">and the cause of the bankruptcies
caused by gouging on natural gas</a>.

<p>
Some Texans have been bankrupted by the thousands of dollars that
the gas companies charged while their electricity was out.  Republicans
now aim to use them as hostages to protect the windfall profits for the future.
They want the federal government to ransom the hostages <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/feb/21/texas-republicans-federal-funds-energy-bills">by paying what
 pay the utility gouging</a>.

<p>
It is good to rescue the hostages, but what will happen next time
there is a <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#global heating">global heating</a> disaster or a natural disaster in Texas?
Should the utilities be able to gouge again, and the federal
government ransom their hostages again?  We must not throw our money
down the toilet from which utilities feed.

<p>
The deal to ransom the hostages <em>this time</em> must include regulating
utility prices in Texas so that,<em>next time</em>, the utilities can't
gouge again.

<p>
Paying ransom for hostages to the enemies of the American people was
Reagan's policy.  It must not be ours today.


feed_id: e797bcf47588928e1e697963adef7029
title: Malcolm X murder
uri: Malcolm-X-murder
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#23_February_2021_%28Malcolm_X_murder%29
content:
<p>
*Malcolm X family says letter <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/feb/21/malcolm-x-death-family-letter-nypd-fbi">shows NYPD and FBI conspired in his murder</a>.*

<p>
I would not be very surprised if they did.


feed_id: d81ebf87845c6d637a0e7e14f718b4f8
title: Using freezing cold for torture
uri: Using-freezing-cold-for-torture
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#23_February_2021_%28Using_freezing_cold_for_torture%29

content:
<p>
Privatized deportation prison <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thugs</a> use the current freezing cold to
torture prisoners.  When they complain of the cold in their unheated
cells, <a href="https://theintercept.com/2021/02/19/ice-detention-cold-freezing-texas-louisiana/">the thugs turn on fans to make it worse</a>.

<p>
That is but the most shocking of many forms of cruelty and neglect,
just as one must expect from any privatized government function.


feed_id: c70399b6306efd7407323275cdcd7c9d
title: War with nature
uri: War-with-nature
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#23_February_2021_%28War_with_nature%29
content:
<p>
Secretary General Guterres warned that <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2021/02/18/americas/un-report-climate-making-peace-intl/index.html">humanity needs to end its "war
with nature."</a>

<p>
I am concerned, however, that use of the term "natural capital" will
backfire, leading people to accept the practice of selling off natural
systems as long as the price is high enough.  The capitalist will sell
the ladder he is standing on, and won't even climb down before it is
taken away.


feed_id: 69a7e12f59cb448a7dd7520e2fd8e183
title: Uighurs getting weaker and sicker
uri: Uighurs-getting-weaker-and-sicker
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#23_February_2021_%28Uighurs_getting_weaker_and_sicker%29

content:
<p>
A non-Uighur teacher in Xinjiang was ordered to teach shackled Uighurs
<a href="https://www.cnn.com/2021/02/18/asia/china-xinjiang-teacher-abuse-allegations-intl-hnk-dst/index.html">and saw them get weaker and sicker as time went by</a>.


feed_id: f5d99155d0a8784c6554cbcfa14f3131
title: Medicare and important drugs
uri: Medicare-and-important-drugs
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#23_February_2021_%28Medicare_and_important_drugs%29
content:
<p>
What Medicare pays for some important drugs <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2021/02/18/congress-must-end-national-embarrassment-says-sanders-after-cbo-reveals-high-drug">is much higher than other
US government programs</a>.

<p>
If they were unified into a single buying bloc, they would get even
lower prices.  And with most of the country's population as members, they
could push it down even more.  This is what most advanced countries do,
and it works for them.


feed_id: 58069e75ed3fa3de30216d52483255ea
title: Records of thugs misconduct
uri: Records-of-thugs-misconduct
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#23_February_2021_%28Records_of_thugs_misconduct%29
content:
<p>
A court ruled that New York City can publish <a href="https://boingboing.net/2021/02/17/police-union-loses-bid-to-keep-list-of-bad-cops-secret.html">the records of misconduct
of its official thugs</a>.
   Thug unions sued to block publication, and lost.


feed_id: 02949c56cf5ea3ffd4cd9bf9083a3a05
title: Special vaccination for wealthy residents
uri: Special-vaccination-for-wealthy-residents
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#23_February_2021_%28Special_vaccination_for_wealthy_residents%29

content:
<p>
Florida's governor, DeSantis, took the initiative to offer special
"pop-up" vaccination for two zipcodes <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/feb/19/florida-covid-vaccination-distribution-ron-desantis">whose residents happen to be
particularly wealthy</a>.

<p>
DeSantis was previously known for covering up statistics about deaths
from Covid-19,
  and prosecuting the whistleblower who arranged to leak the true numbers.


feed_id: 05b23ec44c76b73834f7e7063828cfac
title: Urgent: Bar Trump from running for office
uri: Urgent-Bar-Trump-from-running-for-office
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#24_February_2021_%28Urgent%3A_Bar_Trump_from_running_for_office%29

content:
<p>
US citizens:
<a href="http://act.democracyforamerica.com/sign/Bar_Trump/">call on
Congress</a> to vote to bar Trump from running for office, using the
14th amendment, on the grounds that he participated in insurrection.


feed_id: 35a33266430ec796f354278e7096fece
title: Urgent: Massachusetts bills
uri: Urgent-Massachusetts-bills
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#24_February_2021_%28Urgent%3A_Massachusetts_bills%29

content:
<p>
US citizens: call on the Massachusetts legislature to
<a href="https://action.aclu.org/send-message/tell-lawmakers-regulate-face-surveillance-and-end-debt-based-license-suspensions">pass
a bill to regulate face recognition, and a bill to end the practice of
suspending drivers' licenses because of debts</a>.
<p>
Many people are too poor to pay their debts, and losing their drivers'
licenses means they lose their jobs and get even further in debt.  The
fact that now half of all Americans are in poverty or close to it
means that this harmful feedback loop does even more harm.


feed_id: 75d4e67092d73de1cc67cca05c28f6b9
title: "Working with business"
uri: Working-with-business
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#24_February_2021_%28Working_with_business%29
content:
<p>
Starmer says that
*<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2021/feb/18/keir-starmer-labour-must-work-with-business-to-create-fairer-society">Labour
must work with business to create fairer society</a>.*
<p>
"Working with business" sounds good to people who dislike conflict,
like "working with Republicans", but both are programmed to fail.
Working for more fairness together with the main source of unfairness
is not likely to get very far.
<p>
Even worse, announcing that that's your intended approach gives the
source of unfairness veto power.  "Working with" thus turns into
"begging the indulgence of."
<p>
Frederick Douglass reminds us that "Power concedes nothing without a
demand."  Starmer would like Britons to forget to make the demand.


feed_id: e35dda1a1d88caa590d2d817b2f1b43b
title: Columbia University students on strike
uri: Columbia-University-students-on-strike
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#24_February_2021_%28Columbia_University_students_on_strike%29

content:
<p>
A thousand students at Columbia University are on strike, refusing to
pay their tuition fees,
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2021/feb/18/the-columbia-university-student-strike-is-about-far-more-than-tuition">demanding
a reduction in those fees</a> but also other changes in the name of
justice, such as fossil fuel divestment.


feed_id: d1a32daa7e453f237b01233a6a0d282a
title: The misguided concept of "Cultural appropriation"
uri: The-misguided-concept-of-Cultural-appropriation
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#24_February_2021_%28The_misguided_concept_of_Cultural_appropriation%29

content:
<p>
Rihanna
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/music/2021/feb/18/rihanna-angers-hindus-with-disrespectful-ganesha-pendant">wore
a pendant with an image of Ganesha</a>, and is being criticized for it
using <a>the misguided concept of
"<a href="https://www.stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#13_November_2020_(The_concept_of_cultural_appropriation)">cultural
appropriation</a>."
<p>
Setting aside that confusion, is there something to criticize about
Rihanna's pendant?  I am not sure.  Was it disrespectful to the
worshipers of Ganesha?  Perhaps a little -- in that it acts to
disconnect the appearance of Ganesha from its context and meaning.
<p>
I disagree with every religion, more or less, and I might use one's
symbolic images as well as its words to make a point about it, perhaps
to criticize it, much as Nina Paley did (better than I ever could) in
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#15_April_2018_(Rape_in_India)">Sita
Sings the Blues</a>.
<p>
But I would not disconnect them from their context.  I may criticize a
religion but I do not want to undermine knowledge or awareness about
it.


feed_id: e9e6b99448a2c73d631cbebc251a7df6
title: Filtering or breaking down microplastics
uri: Filtering-or-breaking-down-microplastics
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#24_February_2021_%28Filtering_or_breaking_down_microplastics%29

content:
<p>
Progress in
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/feb/18/microplastics-oceans-environment-science">filtering
or breaking down microplastics</a>, though not yet at commercial
scale.


feed_id: 3c77fdbf402a695810fbaf117e3c1c79
title: Republicans' spreading of Covid-19
uri: Republicans-spreading-of-Covid-19
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#24_February_2021_%28Republicans_spreading_of_Covid-19%29

content:
<p>
Republicans' spreading of Covid-19 was the culmination of a
decades-long trend: plutocratist policies of deregulation and
marketization have
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2021/02/19/american-social-and-medical-disorder-pre-existing-condition-doomed-us-covid">made
the US more unequal in life expectancy</a> as well as in income.


feed_id: b15826f031742515987bae63e20331d8
title: When businesses run their own inspection
uri: When-businesses-run-their-own-inspection
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#24_February_2021_%28When_businesses_run_their_own_inspection%29

content:
<p>
The "new idea" of letting pork processing plants do their own
inspections was tried experimentally under Obama.  In 2014-2017, the
plants which did this had
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2021/02/19/pilot-swine-slaughter-plants-self-inspection-rules-have-almost-twice-many">twice
as many violations as other plants</a>.
<p>
Does this surprise you?  It does not surprise me.  In general, the
reason businesses lobby to run their own inspection is so that they
can do a quick and sloppy job of it, and sell things they should have
discarded.  The result can spread disease.
<p>
In general, the reason why government agencies accept these proposals
from business is that they are trying to serve business rather than
serve the public.  A good government would teach its officials to
laugh those lobbyists out of the office.
<p>
The US should simply cancel this bad policy.


feed_id: 65adbfe1283a628d1d34a1cca4842fe3
title: Conflicting proposal to enforce freedom of speech
uri: Conflicting-proposal-to-enforce-freedom-of-speech
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#24_February_2021_%28Conflicting_proposal_to_enforce_freedom_of_speech%29

content:
<p>
A UK minister's proposal to legally enforce freedom of speech in
universities conflicts with his 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/education/2021/feb/19/hidden-dangers-in-the-proposed-free-speech-law">plan
to label criticism of Israel's occupation of Palestine as
"antisemitism"</a>.


feed_id: 7e3fb9772a1ce1514ef158b4309204bb
title: Condemnation for parents doing the best possible
uri: Condemnation-for-parents-doing-the-best-possible
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#24_February_2021_%28Condemnation_for_parents_doing_the_best_possible%29

content:
<p>
The US must stop condemning parents for "neglecting" their children
when they are
<a href="https://imprintnews.org/child-welfare-2/biden-child-welfare-focus-removing-poverty-neglect/50041">doing
the best possible given their poverty</a>.


feed_id: c63eb26c2ac628a5f5742929ddec1c0b
title: Serious symptoms after Covid-19 "recovery"
uri: Serious-symptoms-after-Covid-19-recovery
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#24_February_2021_%28Serious_symptoms_after_Covid-19_recovery%29

content:
<p>
A study found that
<a href="https://www.cnn.com/2021/02/19/health/post-covid-syndrome-long-haulers-gupta-wellness/index.html">30%
of patients with mild cases of Covid-19</a> had serious symptoms for
months after their "recovery".
<p>
The wrecker decided to expose tens of millions of Americans to
Covid-19 when he could have chosen not to.  That will mean millions of
people partially or wholly disabled months from now.


feed_id: aa47de86374d0ef011fc0e406dd4c088
title: Republicans propose ban on municipal broadband
uri: Republicans-propose-ban-on-municipal-broadband
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#24_February_2021_%28Republicans_propose_ban_on_municipal_broadband%29

content:
<p>
Republicans propose to give Americans better internet bandwidth by
<a href="https://www.techdirt.com/articles/20210217/07093546258/new-bill-tries-to-ban-community-broadband-during-pandemic.shtml">prohibiting
cities from helping out with municipal broadband</a>.
<p>
Plutocratist politicians will propose <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#doohnibor">dooH niboR</a> as the solution to
any problem whatsoever.


feed_id: 18e1b960f712e45b70505a384661b950
title: US production of N95 masks
uri: US-production-of-N95-masks
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#24_February_2021_%28US_production_of_N95_masks%29
content:
<p>
The US has increased production of N95 masks, but
<a href="https://www.cnn.com/2021/02/19/health/masks-n95-fema-export/index.html">has
not yet ordered hospitals to buy N95 masks for their staff</a>.


feed_id: c743e95a4c44e684c9e40b45810672f9
title: Allowing companies to set up local governments
uri: Allowing-companies-to-set-up-local-governments
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#24_February_2021_%28Allowing_companies_to_set_up_local_governments%29

content:
<p>
Nevada is considering a bill to
<a href="https://apnews.com/article/legislature-legislation-local-governments-nevada-economy-2fa79128a7bf41073c1e9102e8a0e5f0">allow
companies to set up their own local governments</a>.
<p>
They will surely find ways to harass whistleblowers in those
companies.


feed_id: ffd8b20d12bb8e4b3c92062c7fddd5bc
title: Cronyism
uri: Cronyism
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#24_February_2021_%28Cronyism%29
content:
<p>
*Cronyism in Britain <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2021/feb/22/cronyism-britain-rampant-banana-republic-covid-contracts-government">is rampant and goes unpunished</a>.*
  This is because Bogus Johnson is its biggest sponsor.


feed_id: e2213210656b9f1304991015986d3969
title: Ending Covid-19 precautions
uri: Ending-Covid-19-precautions
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#24_February_2021_%28Ending_Covid-19_precautions%29
content:
<p>
Some Tories want to end UK's Covid-19 precautions by the end of April.
Scientific modeling predicts <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/feb/22/relaxing-covid-rules-too-early-likely-to-bring-huge-death-toll-scientists-say">this would lead to another wave
of Covid-19, and tens of thousands more deaths</a>.

<p>
Part of the problem is that children are not being vaccinated.  They
could spread the disease to those adults who remain vulnerable
(including the fraction for whom the vaccine is not effective).
Eradicating the disease without strong social precautions requires
vaccination of children.


feed_id: ef59610a560cf941a95d977613e5f1ed
title: Seizing of records and communications
uri: Seizing-of-records-and-communications
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#24_February_2021_%28Seizing_of_records_and_communications%29

content:
<p>
The FBI, to investigate the attack on the Capitol, has seized call
records and "actual communications" <a href="https://theintercept.com/2021/02/22/capitol-riot-fbi-cellphone-records/">from portable phones of everyone
there</a>.

<p>
I think that is legitimate in response to a crime, especially a
heinous crime like that one.  The majority of the people there were
engaged in insurrection.

<p>
What we must fight against is the establishment of systems that
collect data about people in general when there is no reason to think
they are engaged in a serious crime.  That is fuel for tyranny.


feed_id: a4ff0ac3cb09a778b7fbea583b235d74
title: Renaming schools
uri: Renaming-schools
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#24_February_2021_%28Renaming_schools%29
content:
<p>
San Francisco plans to rename many schools, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/feb/22/san-francisco-schools-renamed-lincoln-washington">including the ones named
after George Washington and Abraham Lincoln</a>.

<p>
I think that would be a mistake.

<p>
We designate people as heroes because we admire their actions.
However, as our moral standards change, over time we come to perceive
some of their actions as wrongs, flaws.  When we talk about them, we
should criticize their flaws.

<p>
In some cases, the flaws we discover may be so large that we conclude
they were not heroes at all, merely evildoers.  I think Columbus is a
candidate for that.

<p>
However, it is a mistake to demand that past heroes be flawless.  If
we designate them as evildoers at the sight of the first serious
flaw-by-our-standards, by and by we will have no heroes left.
Therefore I think we should continue to admire a hero if per great
deeds greatly outweigh per flaws.


feed_id: bdb736e3fee938ac4d42ca38e771f297
title: Prison phone calls
uri: Prison-phone-calls
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#24_February_2021_%28Prison_phone_calls%29
content:
<p>
*Connecticut Lawmakers Want to Try Again <a href="https://theintercept.com/2021/02/22/prison-phone-calls-connecticut/">to Make Prison Phone Calls
 [gratis]</a>.*


feed_id: 1e65a848444331d4fe41d25d816ae644
title: History of violent racism
uri: History-of-violent-racism
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#24_February_2021_%28History_of_violent_racism%29
content:
<p>
The US has a history of white supremacists staging violent overthrow
of properly elected state governments, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/feb/22/us-white-supremacy-democracy-capitol-attack">then imposing racist rule with
rigged elections</a>.
  Jan 6 was not the first time.  The article describes an instance
in 1876.

<p>
That article is pervaded by symbolic bigotry, expressed by
capitalizing "black" but not "white".  (To avoid such bigotry,
capitalize both words or neither one.)

<p>
I object to bigotry, and normally I refuse to link to articles which
instantiate it.  I made an exception for this article because it
teaches something very important about the history of racist violence,
and I didn't see much chance of finding another article on the topic
without the bigotry.

<p>
Nonetheless, I rebuke the article's bigotry.  Spitting at all whites
is wrong, and far from helping to eliminate racism, it is more likely
to do the opposite.


feed_id: 56aacfea0765a79eb51b872270c3665c
title: Planet roasters tactics
uri: Planet-roasters-tactics
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#24_February_2021_%28Planet_roasters_tactics%29
content:
<p>
Claiming falsely that a blackout was caused by renewable generation
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/feb/23/australia-was-the-first-casualty-of-the-big-blackout-lie-blaming-wind-power-the-us-could-be-next">is a standard tactic of planet roasters</a>.


feed_id: bd4e3e3ca6ed4ca7b7d6cb6517a92a25
title: Beach pollution
uri: Beach-pollution
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#24_February_2021_%28Beach_pollution%29
content:
<p>
Israel's entire coastline <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/feb/22/take-decades-clean-oil-spill-oil-spill-ravages-east-mediterranean">has been polluted by an oil spill</a>.

<p>
By luck, Gaza escaped the pollution.  Could Israelis, yearning to
bathe in the sea, make peace with Gaza so that this will be possible?
Probably not, but it is a nice idea to think about.


feed_id: 7dc94279aa1c21239997704b90ad3aa2
title: Death penalty abolished
uri: Death-penalty-abolished
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#24_February_2021_%28Death_penalty_abolished%29
content:
<p>
Virginia <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/feb/22/virginia-capital-punishment-bill-lawmakers-approve">has abolished the death penalty</a>.

<p>
Almost half the states in the US have done this.  I hope Biden will
encourage progress.


feed_id: 74b12d2529f4f6b5dbd3d32d37deafd4
title: The Guardian
uri: The-Guardian
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#24_February_2021_%28The_Guardian%29
content:
<p>
Nathan J. Robinson, former columnist for The Guardian, explains how
the paper's US editor <a href="https://www.currentaffairs.org/2021/02/how-the-media-cracks-down-on-critics-of-israel">terminated dealings with him after he was
absurdly accused of antisemitism</a>.

<p>
In the article, he explains both the paper's good aspects which are
why I refer principally to its stories, and its bad aspects, such as
helping to give Corbyn the shaft.


feed_id: 668e7e124d5ed4c948678fa8d24a6be3
title: Pandemic of human rights abuses
uri: Pandemic-of-human-rights-abuses
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#24_February_2021_%28Pandemic_of_human_rights_abuses%29

content:
<p>
Secretary General Guterres: *The world faces <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2021/feb/22/world-faces-pandemic-human-rights-abuses-covid-19-antonio-guterres">a pandemic of human
rights abuses in the wake of Covid-19</a>.*


feed_id: bf6eb12c9fa85dbe83fb3c7b64936419
title: Helping continue war
uri: Helping-continue-war
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#24_February_2021_%28Helping_continue_war%29
content:
<p>
Oxfam says that the UK's arms sales to Salafi Arabia <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/feb/22/british-arms-sales-prolonging-saudi-war-in-yemen-says-oxfam">are helping it
continue fighting in Yemen</a>.


feed_id: 86b76516b87cfff6ed30d49fbc6c0661
title: Continuing fighting Covid
uri: Continuing-fighting-Covid
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#24_February_2021_%28Continuing_fighting_Covid%29
content:
<p>
The US must continue using masks, keeping distance, and
<a href="https://www.cnn.com/2021/02/21/health/us-coronavirus-sunday/index.html">avoiding/prohibiting activities that tend to spread Covid-19</a>.

<p>
Otherwise the newer, more infectious strains are likely to spread
and cause another surge in cases.


feed_id: 28c61bf388a3ba9a28cf7ac67d356367
title: Paying the electricity bill
uri: Paying-the-electricity-bill
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#24_February_2021_%28Paying_the_electricity_bill%29
content:
<p>
The Republican governor of Texas says Republicans <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2021/02/20/us/texas-storm-electric-bills.html">will somehow spare
Texans from paying the thousands of dollars that they have been
charged for electricity during the storm</a>.

<p>
That's a step in the right direction, but it would have been better
for Texans <a href="https://www.stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#23_February_2021_(Deregulation_is_the_cause_for_power_failure)">to have voted for Democrats and avoided both the gouging
and the unreliability of the power grid</a>.


feed_id: c0872cbc1f4ac2c44cd60d8b58424e01
title: Travel vetoed by husband
uri: Travel-vetoed-by-husband
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#24_February_2021_%28Travel_vetoed_by_husband%29
content:
<p>
Iran's women's skiing team has gone to the world championship without
its coach &mdash; <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/feb/18/iranian-womens-ski-coach-barred-from-going-to-world-championships-by-husband">her husband vetoed her travel</a>.


feed_id: 25406f9e71f346ff9ec351d4847786aa
title: Urgent: No sale of water sources to private equity
uri: Urgent-No-sale-of-water-sources-to-private-equity
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#25_February_2021_%28Urgent%3A_No_sale_of_water_sources_to_private_equity%29

content:
<p>
US citizens:
<a href="https://action.storyofstuff.org/letter/nestle-sale-oversight/">call
on Congress</a> to resist Nestlé's plan to sell some water sources to
private equity.


feed_id: 21870b05e0a98f12f2711a8a96725a55
title: The thugs that killed Daniel Prude
uri: The-thugs-that-killed-Daniel-Prude
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#25_February_2021_%28The_thugs_that_killed_Daniel_Prude%29

content:
<p>
The <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thugs</a> that killed Daniel Prude in Rochester
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/feb/23/daniel-prude-death-rochester-officers-grand-jury-decision">will
not be prosecuted</a> because the grand jury voted not to indict.
<p>
I am sure that Letitia James tried her best to get an indictment.  The
refusal is therefore quite unusual.  It might perhaps represent
racism, or an insistence to "support your local police."
<p>
One way or another, we need to stop <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thugs</a> from holding people down
with their knees.


feed_id: 6492b3ca74805b7facfc4aecd99ab17d
title: Why Republicans 'Fear' Green New Deal
uri: Why-Republicans-Fear-Green-New-Deal
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#25_February_2021_%28Why_Republicans_Fear_Green_New_Deal%29

content:
<p>
*Republicans 'Fear' Green New Deal, Argues Naomi Klein,
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2021/02/22/republicans-fear-green-new-deal-argues-naomi-klein-because-its-viable-alternative">Because
It's a Viable Alternative to Free-Market Failure</a>.*


feed_id: 5b12d82c7816ad48b1b0421a902f2971
title: When and how to reopen schools
uri: When-and-how-to-reopen-schools
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#25_February_2021_%28When_and_how_to_reopen_schools%29

content:
<p>
Thinking nonpolitically about
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2021/02/22/politicizing-schools-and-science-again">when
and how to reopen schools</a>.
<p>
I agree that remote education is necessary while Covid-19 rages.  But
using nonfree software is not necessary, and morally not acceptable.


feed_id: c2579ba67de46e72cb9b32761440c776
title: Half of America In or Near Poverty
uri: Half-of-America-In-or-Near-Poverty
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#25_February_2021_%28Half_of_America_In_or_Near_Poverty%29

content:
<p>
*<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2021/02/22/2021-update-half-america-or-near-poverty">Half
of America</a> In or Near Poverty.*


feed_id: 27c3a1f9e63056ab9adb21b241a90e25
title: Credit for Covid deaths
uri: Credit-for-Covid-deaths
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#25_February_2021_%28Credit_for_Covid_deaths%29
content:
<p>
(satire) *Trump Worried Biden Will Take Credit For
<a href="https://politics.theonion.com/trump-worried-biden-will-take-credit-for-500-000-covid-1846326694">500,000
Covid Deaths [Trump] Made Possible</a>.*


feed_id: e9f2742d9392537b308566451ca09ca9
title: Filibuster disease
uri: Filibuster-disease
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#25_February_2021_%28Filibuster_disease%29
content:
<p>
(satire) *Joe Manchin
<a href="https://www.theonion.com/joe-manchin-reverses-stance-on-abolishing-filibuster-af-1846326684">Reverses
Stance On Abolishing Filibuster</a> After Son Diagnosed With
Filibuster Disease.*


feed_id: a05c377ac903038134e7a863f74884ed
title: Corruptor's outside income while president
uri: Corruptor-s-outside-income-while-president
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#25_February_2021_%28Corruptors_outside_income_while_president%29

content:
<p>
The corrupter had
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2021/02/22/trump-reported-making-more-16-billion-while-president">over
1.6 billion dollars in outside income</a> while he was president.
This was due to various sorts of corruption.


feed_id: 7fb23c0bf6f596b52d155607aab0bd61
title: Release of wrecker's tax returns to prosecutors
uri: Release-of-wrecker-s-tax-returns-to-prosecutors
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#25_February_2021_%28Release_of_wreckers_tax_returns_to_prosecutors%29

content:
<p>
The Supreme Court's decision to allow release of the wrecker's tax returns
was not about release to the public.  It was about private release to
prosecutors
<a href="https://www.cnn.com/2021/02/22/politics/supreme-court-trump-taxes-vance/index.html">for
use in a grand jury to try to indict him</a>.
<p>
I think that's the most important thing to do with them.


feed_id: 235fe69a152623d04102732ee845cd40
title: How Uber cheats drivers
uri: How-Uber-cheats-drivers
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#25_February_2021_%28How_Uber_cheats_drivers%29
content:
<p>
Uber cheats drivers by
<a href="https://www.vice.com/en/article/wx8yvm/uber-shuts-down-app-that-lets-users-know-how-badly-theyve-been-cheated">underestimating
the distance they must travel</a>.


feed_id: def688fcdb075825464d75ce45453b2f
title: Capitol Police leaders absent during riot
uri: Capitol-Police-leaders-absent-during-riot
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#25_February_2021_%28Capitol_Police_leaders_absent_during_riot%29

content:
<p>
The Capitol Police faced extreme violence from the attackers on Jan 6,
using all sorts of weapons short of guns.  And their leaders seemed to
have
<a href="https://www.propublica.org/article/i-dont-trust-the-people-above-me-riot-squad-cops-open-up-about-disastrous-response-to-capitol-insurrection">disappeared</a>.


feed_id: ff758d9afede7704c254e8843e1be7db
title: Iran reaches deal with global nuclear watchdog
uri: Iran-reaches-deal-with-global-nuclear-watchdog
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#25_February_2021_%28Iran_reaches_deal_with_global_nuclear_watchdog%29

content:
<p>
*Iran reaches deal with global nuclear watchdog for
<a href="https://www.cnn.com/2021/02/21/middleeast/iran-iaea-nuclear-deal-intl-hnk/index.html">inspections
over the next 3 months</a>.*
<p>
However, the deal is somewhat limited.


feed_id: 7748295090dcf0ce25c6de68042ced6c
title: Federal program for jobs that benefit the public
uri: Federal-program-for-jobs-that-benefit-the-public
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#25_February_2021_%28Federal_program_for_jobs_that_benefit_the_public%29

content:
<p>
Ayanna Pressley proposes a federal program to
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2021/02/18/demanding-dignified-work-and-living-wage-legal-rights-ayanna-pressley-unveils-jobs">provide
work doing jobs that benefit the public</a>.
<p>
I support the plan, but in political terms I wonder how this
resolution, which is not a bill and thus can't actually create the
program, will help establish it.


feed_id: 40aaf17b8f1d994cdefb4bbad4cc2047
title: AI program uses video to recognize emotions
uri: AI-program-uses-video-to-recognize-emotions
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#25_February_2021_%28AI_program_uses_video_to_recognize_emotions%29

content:
<p>
A new AI program
<a href="https://edition.cnn.com/2021/02/16/tech/emotion-recognition-ai-education-spc-intl-hnk/index.html">uses
video to recognize people's emotions</a>.  Reportedly it helps
teachers figure out what a student needs.  But who gets that
information?  Since the program is, apparently, nonfree, nobody should
trust it.
<p>
It is even less trustworthy given that it is developed in Hong Kong.
China will surely find a way to make it serve to catch potential or
actual dissidents, and not only among students and teachers.


feed_id: 364c18b8e240f6fa1869ed5c3e4990e3
title: Australia reaches compromise with Facebook
uri: Australia-reaches-compromise-with-Facebook
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#25_February_2021_%28Australia_reaches_compromise_with_Facebook%29

content:
<p>
Australia
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/media/2021/feb/23/facebook-reverses-australia-news-ban-after-government-makes-media-code-amendments">reached
a compromise</a> with Facebook about the requirement to pay news
publishers.
<p>
The situation is too complex for me to have any idea what the results
will be.  I can't tell whether this deal will permit Facebook to get
away with paying news publishers little or nothing.  I wish someone
would tell me which side won in the confrontation.
<p>
What I am sure of is that it isn't enough to make Facebook safe for
society, whether in Australia, the US, or anywhere else.


feed_id: 38ce565d573d68ddfefb4212a82440dd
title: Migratory freshwater fish at risk of extinction
uri: Migratory-freshwater-fish-at-risk-of-extinction
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#25_February_2021_%28Migratory_freshwater_fish_at_risk_of_extinction%29

content:
<p>
*Populations of migratory freshwater fish have
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/feb/23/global-freshwater-fish-populations-at-risk-of-extinction-study-finds">plummeted
by 76% since 1970</a>, and large fish &mdash; those weighing more than
30kg &mdash; have been all but wiped out in most rivers.*


feed_id: f2218faccc58577b02c8128d7dbdc959
title: Deaths of young, healthy migrant workers in Qatar
uri: Deaths-of-young-healthy-migrant-workers-in-Qatar
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#25_February_2021_%28Deaths_of_young%2C_healthy_migrant_workers_in_Qatar%29

content:
<p>
Too many young and healthy migrant workers die in Qatar, and the
government has
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2021/feb/23/revealed-migrant-worker-deaths-qatar-fifa-world-cup-2022">ignored
calls to investigate why</a>.


feed_id: 804f1619445692c71711c3acb4546828
title: Neera Tanden's confirmation in jeopardy
uri: Neera-Tanden-s-confirmation-in-jeopardy
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#25_February_2021_%28Neera_Tanden%27s_confirmation_in_jeopardy%29

content:
<p>
Neera Tanden's confirmation by the Senate is in jeopardy, for the
wrong reasons: <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2021/02/22/politics/shalanda-young-omb-neera-tanden/index.html">for condemning Republicans</a>, 
                                           not <a href="https://www.stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#31_December_2020_(Whats_bad_about_Neera_Tanden)">for working with
plutocratists</a>.

<p>
I wonder why progressive senators plan to vote for her.  If they have
a reason to think having her as head of the OMB would be good, I would
like to know it.


feed_id: 4b0c8339ea9e88d229e6312946f04824
title: Giving everyone Covid-19 vaccine
uri: Giving-everyone-Covid-19-vaccine
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#25_February_2021_%28Giving_everyone_Covid-19_vaccine%29

content:
<p>
For $25 billion, the US <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2021/02/22/analysis-shows-us-could-help-vaccinate-world-25-billion-biden-pledged-just-2-billion">could easily give everyone Covid-19 vaccine</a>.

<p>
Given what Russia and China are doing, providing vaccine to everyone
else would cost considerably less.  Wouldn't it be great to put an end
to Covid-19 sooner?  And the US would win gratitude for this generosity,
just as Russia and China are winning it now

<p>
But the US should not spend the money on windfall profits by paying
high prices.  First it should allow other manufacturers, <a href="https://www.stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#14_February_2021_(Override_Moderna's_patent)">to reduce
what vaccines cost</a>.

<p>
The article refers to patents as "intellectual property".  That term
causes confusion <a href="https://gnu.org/philosophy/not-ipr.html">which benefits patent holders as they try to restrict
others</a>.
                                                 It's a shame that
representatives of organizations that seek to serve the public good
speak in ways that build up the obstructive power of patents.


feed_id: 1257c96d9afbf79707b8b75f005174ef
title: Arrested for walking
uri: Arrested-for-walking
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#25_February_2021_%28Arrested_for_walking%29
content:
<p>
Texas thugs arrested a man <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/feb/22/texas-police-drop-charge-black-man-arrested-walking-home-snowstorm">for walking while black during a snowstorm</a>.
  Fortunately, nothing worse resulted.


feed_id: f9d956e08ea1d993f2a6904e73a8daf5
title: Alliance between airlines
uri: Alliance-between-airlines
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#25_February_2021_%28Alliance_between_airlines%29
content:
<p>
The Department of Transportation agreed to an alliance between
American Airlines and Jet Blue.  But now it will reconsider the decision,
<a href="https://www.travelweekly.com/Travel-News/Airline-News/DOT-review-approval-of-American-JetBlue-deal">because such alliances are anticompetitive</a>.


feed_id: 979d41a4879de393700dcca346d8b9c5
title: Equity funds profitability
uri: Equity-funds-profitability
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#25_February_2021_%28Equity_funds_profitability%29
content:
<p>
How private equity funds <a href="https://www.institutionalinvestor.com/article/b1qhc5mxfwvgkl/Private-Equity-Firms-Try-to-Manipulate-Their-Performance-When-Raising-Money">exaggerate the profitability of investing in
them</a>.
  Don't trust what they claim they can do.


feed_id: 1186a96179968fd15280747d085d89b8
title: Paying small publishers
uri: Paying-small-publishers
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#25_February_2021_%28Paying_small_publishers%29
content:
<p>
Google is paying powerful News Corp (the Wall Street Journal, etc)
for presenting its articles in Australia, <a href="https://digiday.com/media/googles-motives-in-paying-off-news-corp/">but don't forget about
smaller publishers</a>.

<p>
I think it is good to make large, profitable online services
pay to make use of publications, but we must be on guard against
any attempt to turn that into a part of copyright power and impose
the same requirement on nonprofit web sites.

<p>
However, it might be good to direct some of this money to the authors.
Why not?


feed_id: b27185ea71ad27aa75fed7a2bf225766
title: Control by a guardian
uri: Control-by-a-guardian
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#25_February_2021_%28Control_by_a_guardian%29
content:
<p>
Nearly all US states make it too easy <a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/nextavenue/2016/05/24/guardianship-laws-improving-but-problems-persist/">to subject a person to total,
permanent control by a "guardian"</a>.
  This is often done without properly notifying the target of the
court hearing which will decide about per fate.


feed_id: 44e54ecb236bd19e9b1d0c579169008d
title: Alex Jones on Facebook
uri: Alex-Jones-on-Facebook
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#25_February_2021_%28Alex_Jones_on_Facebook%29
content:
<p>
Zuckerberg personally ordered Facebook not to ban Alex Jones
<a href="https://www.buzzfeednews.com/article/ryanmac/mark-zuckerberg-joel-kaplan-facebook-alex-jones">when the company's policy said to ban him</a>.


feed_id: bbfde4eb1a0429ecb62d1fc943331453
title: Plutocratist as Secretary of Agriculture
uri: Plutocratist-as-Secretary-of-Agriculture
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#25_February_2021_%28Plutocratist_as_Secretary_of_Agriculture%29

content:
<p>
The Senate confirmed thoroughly plutocratist Tom Vilsack <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2021/02/23/politics/tom-vilsack-confirmed-agriculture-secretary/index.html">as Secretary
of Agriculture</a>.

<p>
He is expected to favor the big middleman companies
<a href="https://www.stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#4_January_2021_(Urgent:_Oppose_Vilsack_for_Secretary_of_Agriculture)">over people that eat food or grow food</a>.


feed_id: dafaf57db70a22bfabd43d14703d08c5
title: Nuclear deal
uri: 2021-02-25-Nuclear-deal
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#25_February_2021_%28Nuclear_deal%29
content:
<p>
Biden has brought the issue of Americans accused of crimes in Iran
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/feb/21/us-iran-talks-detention-americans">into the negotiations on resuming the non-nuclear deal</a>.

<p>
I think that is a mistake.  Keeping Iran non-nuclear is far more
important than freeing a few people who may be unjustly accused, and
sanctions that interfere with medical treatment for millions can't be
justified by those few either.


feed_id: 461b56c592229087a42cb06c4bcc0f07
title: Oranges into electricity
uri: Oranges-into-electricity
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#25_February_2021_%28Oranges_into_electricity%29
content:
<p>
*How Seville <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/feb/23/how-seville-is-turning-leftover-oranges-into-electricity">is turning leftover oranges into electricity</a>.*

<p>
I have occasionally wondered why the city does not replace
the trees gradually with other orange trees that will produce
fruit people will like to eat.


feed_id: 0883fd3fd0062eb90e3257f12e07c198
title: Telephone support
uri: Telephone-support
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#25_February_2021_%28Telephone_support%29
content:
<p>
Many companies are using Covid-19 as an excuse <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2021/feb/23/will-i-ever-get-to-complain-to-a-human-again-or-has-lockdown-killed-the-company-helpline">to terminate (for all
practical purposes) telephone support</a>.

<p>
Inaccessible sites are a problem for more than just blind people.  I
am not blind, but many websites are inaccessible for me because they
demand visitors run nonfree JavaScript code.

<p>
I avoid many of these problems by not dealing with those companies.  I
never purchase anything over the internet.  But there are sites that
do really important jobs, such as scheduling Covid-19 vaccinations,
which are inaccessible in the Free World.  Fortunately I found a
vaccination site that would make an appointment by phone.


feed_id: 5ca3b72420489f8f527d93016f609025
title: Renewable energy growth
uri: Renewable-energy-growth
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#25_February_2021_%28Renewable_energy_growth%29
content:
<p>
Australia's renewable energy generation is growing so fast that the
market <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2021/feb/24/renewable-energy-could-render-five-of-australias-remaining-coal-plants-unviable-by-2025">will compel shutting several fossil fuel plants by 2025</a>.

<p>
This does not mean Australia is on track towards doing its share
of what civilization needs to survive.


feed_id: 5b854e378265c373355ecda5c115ddc9
title: Sanctions
uri: 2021-02-25-Sanctions
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#25_February_2021_%28Sanctions%29
content:
<p>
US senators have introduced a bill to put sanctions <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/feb/23/us-democratic-senators-honduras-sanction-president-bill">on the president
of Honduras and on the Honduran military</a>.


feed_id: 69034cf22d01cbb85d25fe1899f52627
title: NATO
uri: 2021-02-25-NATO
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#25_February_2021_%28NATO%29
content:
<p>
NATO was set up to defend Western Europe from possible invasion by the
Soviet Union.  Now <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2021/02/23/what-planet-nato-living">it makes plans for attacking Russia</a>.

<p>
I can't see how attacking Russia could be justified in a world like
this one, nor why we should maintain an alliance for that purpose.

<p>
I disagree with some of the article's other points.  I think the
almost bloodless displacement of the Taliban from Afghanistan might
have lead to a better Afghanistan if we had not dropped it from our
attention to prioritize the unjustified attack on Iraq.  Of course,
there is no way to make sure.

<p>
China's campaign for world hegemony calls for countries to unite in
opposition, but that opposition will need to be economic and
diplomatic, not military (except for a few countries that prepare to
deter or repel China's announced plan to attack Taiwan).  It does not
require NATO.


feed_id: fdccf9a828d8116f112865ea08c6431b
title: Jeep Cherokee Issues
uri: Jeep-Cherokee-Issues
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#25_February_2021_%28Jeep_Cherokee_Issues%29
content:
<p>
The Cherokee tribe <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/business/2021/feb/22/jeep-cherokee-name-chuck-hoskin">asked</a> Jeep to stop using its name as the name of a
line of products.
<p>
  
I think businesses should have to get explicit permission to use the
name of any person, ethnic group or community in commercial publicity.


feed_id: e3368f8f2898d1b40aa09bb348583e8e
title: Assad-related torture verdict
uri: Assad-related-torture-verdict
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#26_February_2021_%28Assad-related_torture_verdict%29

content:
<p>
*Germany convicts former Assad regime agent in historic Syria <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/feb/24/germany-convicts-former-assad-regime-agent-in-historic-syria-torture-verdict">torture verdict</a>.*


feed_id: 2a2e02c029d883a6fcc154b5b7cc4e7d
title: Bats dying
uri: Bats-dying
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#26_February_2021_%28Bats_dying%29
content:
<p>
Due to global heating, bats in some places are <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/feb/24/race-to-save-bats-flying-foxes-from-overheating-as-temperatures-rise-aoe">dying from heat</a>.


feed_id: ef7446e24e30e72098f69489e8a86137
title: China divorce
uri: China-divorce
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#26_February_2021_%28China_divorce%29
content:
<p>
*Woman <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/feb/24/woman-awarded-7700-for-five-years-of-housework-in-china-divorce-ruling">awarded</a> $7,700 for five years of housework in China divorce
 ruling.*
<p>
It is a long-standing feminist complaint about social practices that
women tend to do the chores, and their work is undervalued because it
is unpaid.  It seems that China takes this argument seriously.


feed_id: 826e9f5d79c07e08083461c3cd90ca58
title: Yazidi refugee camps
uri: Yazidi-refugee-camps
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#26_February_2021_%28Yazidi_refugee_camps%29
content:
<p>
Many Yazidis <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2021/feb/24/yazidis-iraq-justice-jobs-safe-return-home-nadia-murad">cannot go home</a> to Shinjar, and continue to live in
dismal refugee camps.  With Covid-19 on top of that, some young people
are committing suicide.
<p>
If the wrecker had continued the campaign to eradicate PISSI, perhaps
more of the Yazidis could go home.
<p>
  
I am surprised by the statement that some Yazidis remain prisoners of
PISSI.  PISSI no longer controls territory; where can it hold its
prisoners.  The statement is so brief and sketchy that it is hard to
make sense of.  The reference given does not seem to say anything
about this.


feed_id: d8f6b51dd07e7bb90cd3ee525259ff70
title: Israeli checkpoint
uri: Israeli-checkpoint
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#26_February_2021_%28Israeli_checkpoint%29
content:
<p>
*Israeli checkpoint killing of Palestinian was an execution, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/feb/23/israeli-checkpoint-killing-of-palestinian-was-an-execution-report-claims">report claims</a>.*


feed_id: 78e1472efdd7ecaf08b69235e8f28be0
title: Justice Dept. Spots
uri: Justice-Dept-Spots
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#26_February_2021_%28Justice_Dept._Spots%29
content:
<p>
*Corporate Lawyers <a href="https://theintercept.com/2021/02/23/merrick-garland-justice-department-corporate-lawyers/">Line Up</a> for Justice Department Top Slots.*


feed_id: 5974081d23793b04e35d73a2f70c0494
title: Phone vaccination
uri: Phone-vaccination
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#26_February_2021_%28Phone_vaccination%29
content:
<p>
Greece is pushing to require people to <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/feb/24/four-key-questions-on-a-covid-certification-scheme-in-england">use phones</a> to present proof
of vaccination, and the UK is looking at the idea too.
<p>
  
Even if the government does not require digital surveillance for this,
companies might do it too.


feed_id: 02be56deb2ddc04bbefc8a1f596877bb
title: Sri Lanka Risk
uri: Sri-Lanka-Risk
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#26_February_2021_%28Sri_Lanka_Risk%29
content:
<p>
*Sri Lanka at 'tipping point’ with risk of return to past atrocities,
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2021/feb/24/sri-lanka-risks-return-to-past-atrocities-activists-warn\
-rajapaksa">activists warn</a>.*


feed_id: bff5ce697b3babf428b5df90f312dded
title: Giant gas power plant
uri: Giant-gas-power-plant
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#26_February_2021_%28Giant_gas_power_plant%29
content:
<p>
Protests have put an end <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/business/2021/feb/25/drax-scraps-plan-yorkshire-gas-plant-climate-protests">to the plan to build a giant gas power plant
in England</a>.

<p>
The UK should build batteries or other energy storage units instead.


feed_id: f9fd6a51b67da5fab76b7982c95c7105
title: Oil wells cleanup
uri: Oil-wells-cleanup
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#26_February_2021_%28Oil_wells_cleanup%29
content:
<p>
*Who will clean up the 'billion-dollar mess' <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/feb/25/us-abandoned-oil-wells-leak-methane-climate-crisis">of abandoned US oil wells</a>?*

<p>
Collapse, by Jared Diamond, explains how the same thing happens with
mines: when the mine becomes unprofitable to operate, there is no
money left in the company that owns it to clean it up.

<p>
Often the actual ownership of wells is left in small companies that
can be allowed to go bankrupt, while the profits are in the
megacorporations that buy from those small companies.  <em>Those</em>
will never go bankrupt.

<p>
A carbon tax could solve the problem.  Part of the tax money could pay
for closing wells.  Of course, the tax should be a lot bigger than
that, because its purpose is also to encourage switching to renewable
energy.


feed_id: 260af83b926ba8b488ae3c8a126a16f1
title: New social contract
uri: New-social-contract
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#26_February_2021_%28New_social_contract%29
content:
<p>
*Covid and the climate crisis show <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2021/feb/25/covid-climate-crisis-new-social-contract-old-young">why we need a new social contract between
old and young</a>.*

<p>
Let's resist supposing that the question is whether to blame the baby
boomers in general or generation z in general, because maybe it's
neither.  Plutocrats often play divide and rule.  Setting the old and
the young against each other is just their sort of thing.

<p>
The argument that we need to retire later, and thus keep working
longer, makes perfect sense, but how can that be reconciled with the
fact that lots of people in their 50s are already terminally out of
work?

<p>
Meanwhile, the lifestyles of Americans are terribly inefficient.
Surely we can do something to move to greater efficiency in our
consumption.


feed_id: 9c5a9105e131b39fbbb7f1a7cb07efe2
title: More extreme weather
uri: More-extreme-weather
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#26_February_2021_%28More_extreme_weather%29
content:
<p>
*   Decline in system underpinning Gulf Stream <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/feb/25/atlantic-ocean-circulation-at-weakest-in-a-millennium-say-scientists">could lead to more extreme
   weather in Europe and higher sea levels on US east coast</a>.*


feed_id: 8b7c1387095daf82dca49fdb10f12639
title: Overlooking evidence
uri: Overlooking-evidence
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#26_February_2021_%28Overlooking_evidence%29
content:
<p>
The Environmental Poisoning Agency engaged <a href="https://theintercept.com/2021/02/25/epa-cancer-pesticide-telone/">in the most blatant stupidity to
overlook evidence that Telone is carcinogenic</a>.


feed_id: b482f351f7f3963e3156c34c68253bdd
title: Frequent forest fires
uri: Frequent-forest-fires
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#26_February_2021_%28Frequent_forest_fires%29
content:
<p>
Frequent forest fires <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/feb/25/fiercer-more-frequent-fires-may-reduce-carbon-capture-forests">reduce the forest's carbon capture</a>.

<p>
This is another positive feedback that will push us towards disaster.


feed_id: db44eccb43fea0150ea1d99cf90db833
title: Collapsing ecosystems
uri: Collapsing-ecosystems
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#26_February_2021_%28Collapsing_ecosystems%29
content:
<p>
*Australian scientists warn urgent action needed <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/feb/26/australian-scientists-warn-urgent-action-needed-to-save-19-collapsing-ecosystems">to save 19 'collapsing'
ecosystems</a>.*


feed_id: ea0059da0cfa88a33e9bcec2959799d3
title: Interfaces to Twitter
uri: Interfaces-to-Twitter
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#26_February_2021_%28Interfaces_to_Twitter%29
content:
<p>
Now that all the official interfaces to Twitter require nonfree
Javascript code, the Free Software Foundation <a href="https://www.fsf.org/blogs/community/new-changes-to-twitter-make-it-even-worse-for-free-software-users">uses unofficial free
software to post on Twitter</a>.


feed_id: 96e4a19ea0e1425fbdb1956e39084071
title: Yazidi refugee camps
uri: 2021-02-26-Yazidi-refugee-camps
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#26_February_2021_%28Yazidi_refugee_camps%29
content:
<p>
Many Yazidis <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2021/feb/24/yazidis-iraq-justice-jobs-safe-return-home-nadia-murad">cannot go home</a> to Shinjar, and continue to live in
dismal refugee camps.  With Covid-19 on top of that, some young people
are committing suicide.
<p>
If the wrecker had continued the campaign to eradicate <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#pissi">PISSI</a>, perhaps
more of the Yazidis could go home.
<p>
  
I am surprised by the statement that some Yazidis remain prisoners of
<a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#pissi">PISSI</a>.  PISSI no longer controls territory; where can it hold its
prisoners.  The statement is so brief and sketchy that it is hard to
make sense of.  The reference given does not seem to say anything
about this.


feed_id: f11644d2eba71a9258be56a6db8f7bf0
title: China to require HK candidates to swear they are Xi-ple
uri: China-to-require-HK-candidates-to-swear-they-are-Xi-ple
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#26_February_2021_%28China_to_require_HK_candidates_to_swear_they_are_Xi-ple%29

content:
<p>
China will
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/feb/23/hong-kong-plans-to-make-politicians-swear-oath-of-loyalty-to-beijing">require
all candidates for office in Hong Kong to swear they are Xi-ple</a>.


feed_id: 417b677c3161dcb2133fbba0a21468c8
title: Effect of arctic ice loss on polar bears
uri: Effect-of-arctic-ice-loss-on-polar-bears
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#26_February_2021_%28Effect_of_arctic_ice_loss_on_polar_bears%29

content:
<p>
*Arctic ice loss forces polar bears [and some other predators]
to<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/feb/24/arctic-ice-loss-forces-polar-bears-to-use-four-times-as-much-energy-to-survive-study">use
four times as much energy to survive</a>.*


feed_id: 61e9f5468f0b363dcfd6f6fd4c66abcf
title: Pakistani Christians face execution for "blasphemy"
uri: Pakistani-Christians-face-execution-for-blasphemy
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#26_February_2021_%28Pakistani_Christians_face_execution_for_blasphemy%29

content:
<p>
Two Pakistani Christians, Shagufta Kausar and Shafqat Emmanuel,
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/feb/24/pakistan-court-again-delays-appeal-shagufta-kausar-shafqat-emmanuel-couple-convicted-blasphemy">face
execution for "blasphemy"</a> on account of text messages they may not
even have sent.
<p>
The two are married but imprisoned separately in solitary confinement
for 7 years so far.
<p>
Any law against "blasphemy" expresses contempt for freedom of
expression.  I was invited once to Pakistan, but I decided it is not
safe there &mdash; not for me, nor for anyone.


feed_id: dd8864e6bc233ead6e27803d84e83cd2
title: North Korean prisoners forced to mine coal for export
uri: North-Korean-prisoners-forced-to-mine-coal-for-export
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#26_February_2021_%28North_Korean_prisoners_forced_to_mine_coal_for_export%29

content:
<p>
Accusing North Korea of
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/feb/24/north-korea-enslaves-prisoners-in-producing-coal-for-export-report-says">forcing
prisoners to mine coal for export</a>.
<p>
Where does the exported coal go?  China, I suppose.  Few other
countries would buy it.
<p>
There is no way to stop North Korea from exporting coal to China, and
no way to pressure China from ceasing to buy it.  But this becomes
part of a bigger issue: China must stop burning coal!  We can, and
already do, put pressure on China to cut down and eventually cease its
use of coal.
<p>
I don't know from the article whether the exported coal is thermal
coal (burned for the heat alone) or coking coal (used to mix carbon
into iron).  That makes a difference, since the world needs to
eliminate use of thermal coal, but it will not cease the much smaller
use of coking coal.


feed_id: b425c65512e594069dab49592e344cad
title: Another man killed by thug keeping knee on neck
uri: Another-man-killed-by-thug-keeping-knee-on-neck
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#26_February_2021_%28Another_man_killed_by_thug_keeping_knee_on_neck%29

content:
<p>
Another man killed because a <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thug</a>
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/feb/24/angelo-quinto-us-navy-veteran-mental-health-crisis-died-officer-knelt-neck">kept
a knee on his neck for 5 minutes</a>.
<p>
The <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thugs</a> had come, supposedly, to help him because he was freaking
out.  If Antioch, California, had defunded the "police", 9-1-1 would
have sent paratherapists instead of <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thugs</a>, and they would have talked
him down with no loss of life.


feed_id: c488bae8600075e2a3f5b7732ad5a595
title: Prisoner of conscience
uri: Prisoner-of-conscience
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#26_February_2021_%28Prisoner_of_conscience%29
content:
<p>
Is
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/feb/24/alexei-navalny-loses-amnesty-prisoner-of-conscience-label">Alexei
Navalny</a> a prisoner of conscience?
<p>
Plainly he is: he has been jailed for nonviolent defense of democracy.
Therefore Amnesty demands his release.  However, it has got itself in
a pickle by stating criteria for designating someone as a "prisoner of
conscience" which include other requirements besides being a prisoner
of conscience.
<p>
The other pertinent requirement is "who has not advocated violence".
Does comparing immigrants to "rotten teeth" constitute advocating
violence against them?  It could be interpreted that way.  But it is
not relevant to his imprisonment today; Russia has not accused him of
"hostility towards immigrants."  (Not that an opinion could justify
imprisoning someone.)  So Amnesty should not consider his past or
present views on immigrants relevant to determining whether he is a
prisoner of conscience.
<p>
If Amnesty wants a designation limited to people who have been
exemplary in all aspects of their political lives, it would do better
to call that something different &mdash; perhaps "exemplary prisoner
of conscience."  Then it could recognize Navalny as a prisoner of
conscience who has not been exemplary.


feed_id: 3e2c25f8a4d4df6eeb8a66a3ab1715c1
title: Palm oil in Canadian milk and butter
uri: Palm-oil-in-Canadian-milk-and-butter
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#26_February_2021_%28Palm_oil_in_Canadian_milk_and_butter%29

content:
<p>
Canadian milk and butter appear to contain
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/feb/24/canada-butter-dairy-industry-palm-oil">increasing
amounts of palm oil</a>.


feed_id: 642ef8f2f0cec9ed0e886473799f39a4
title: Philadelphia's new district attorney
uri: Philadelphia-s-new-district-attorney
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#26_February_2021_%28Philadelphias_new_district_attorney%29

content:
<p>
Philadelphia elected a new district attorney, who
<a href="https://theintercept.com/2021/02/24/larry-krasner-reelection-police-philadelphia/">supports
criminal justice reform</a>.  Philadelphia thugs want to bring back
the old district attorney, for whom a <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thug</a> could do no wrong.  So they
blame all crime on the new district attorney.


feed_id: 6d187aee706e22c93052f09481cd6ee1
title: Urgent: Massachusetts bills
uri: 2021-02-28-Urgent-Massachusetts-bills
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#24_February_2021_%28Urgent%3A_Massachusetts_bills%29

content:
<p>
Citizens of Massachusetts: call on the Massachusetts legislature to
<a href="https://action.aclu.org/send-message/tell-lawmakers-regulate-face-surveillance-and-end-debt-based-license-suspensions">pass
a bill to regulate face recognition, and a bill to end the practice of
suspending drivers' licenses because of debts</a>.
<p>
Many people are too poor to pay their debts, and losing their drivers'
licenses means they lose their jobs and get even further in debt.  The
fact that now half of all Americans are in poverty or close to it
means that this harmful feedback loop does even more harm.


feed_id: 3ed380e9f37d20d79af303d1534fa774
title: Sri Lanka Risk
uri: 2021-03-01-Sri-Lanka-Risk
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#26_February_2021_%28Sri_Lanka_Risk%29
content:
<p>
*Sri Lanka at 'tipping point’ with risk of return to past atrocities,
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2021/feb/24/sri-lanka-risks-return-to-past-atrocities-activists-warn-rajapaksa">activists warn</a>.*


feed_id: e53d360cd72a6b5b8fe97dc03c3a208f
title: Urgent: Rochester thugs investigation
uri: Urgent-Rochester-thugs-investigation
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#1_March_2021_%28Urgent%3A_Rochester_thugs_investigation%29

content:
<p>
US citizens: <a href="https://act.colorofchange.org/sign/investigate-rpd/">call on the Department of Justice</a> to investigate the
Rochester <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thug</a> department for civil rights violations and racist
violence.


feed_id: 401f960d78d8cacb0d5a56199f77b588
title: Urgent: enact VOTERS act
uri: Urgent-enact-VOTERS-act
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#1_March_2021_%28Urgent%3A_enact_VOTERS_act%29
content:
<p>
Residents of Massachusetts: <a href="https://action.aclu.org/send-message/tell-lawmakers-support-access-democracy">call on Massachusetts legislators</a> to enact
the VOTERS act and require public meetings to be accessible virtually

<p>
I added the following text:

<blockquote>
<p>
I ask you push to amend HD2828 (Garlick/Lewis) in two ways:

<p>
* To require virtual meetings to be accessible by phone as well as by
internet.

<p>
* To require the state to use its own servers for this purpose, rather
than any company's servers, starting no later than June 2023.

<p>
The companies such as Zoom that offer the use of their servers for
virtual meetings impose their own rules about what may be said and who
may participate. It is intolerable for any governmental activity or
state entity to be covered by commercial censorship, so the state must
have a firm policy not to use commercial servers for its meetings
except in an emergency. However, recognizing that the state will need
time to set up its own facilities, I propose a transition period of
two years before the requirement to use them becomes effective.
</blockquote>


feed_id: 529fffaca7a53174917f3cd426bbfb76
title: Urgent: college loan debt
uri: Urgent-college-loan-debt
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#1_March_2021_%28Urgent%3A_college_loan_debt%29
content:
<p>
US citizens: <a href="https://act.rootsaction.org/p/dia/action4/common/public/?action_KEY=14113">call on Congress</a> to cancel Americans' college loan debt.

<p>
I entered this text.

<blockquote>
<p>
I advocate cancelling student debt for undergraduate education,
and for postgraduate education except when it is for a professional degree
and the person has or will become employed in that profession.
We don't need to forgive doctors' and lawyers' expenses for
medical school and law school.
</blockquote>

<p>
To sign <a href="https://gnu.org/philosophy/javascript-trap.html">without running nonfree JavaScript code</a>
                                                from the web site,
<a href="https://stallman.org/salsalabs-method.html">use the Salsalabs workaround</a>.


feed_id: 71c10a8fe72a44c6fa5d392dad82c5f0
title: Rich nation and Covid
uri: Rich-nation-and-Covid
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#1_March_2021_%28Rich_nation_and_covid%29
content:
<p>
*Rich nations must <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/business/2021/feb/23/richer-countries-developing-nations-covid-19-g7">either help developing countries fight Covid or
live in a fortress</a>.*

<p>
The first thing advanced countries need to do is get themselves
governments that will help those very countries fight Covid-19.  With
leaders like Trump and Bogus Johnson, they are charging off to defeat.


feed_id: 08f10cd3359561b0b6f2614336be9de0
title: White-supremacists in the military
uri: White-supremacists-in-the-military
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#1_March_2021_%28White-supremacists_in_the_military%29

content:
<p>
The US military has done next to nothing to keep out white-supremacist
radicalization.  Nazis openly talked about their views.  Aside from
the Navy, <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2021/02/24/politics/pentagon-report-white-supremacists/index.html">the US armed forces treated this as acceptable</a>.


feed_id: 298713f1537ba4a068f6906fdd3c964f
title: Overconsuming groundwater
uri: Overconsuming-groundwater
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#1_March_2021_%28Overconsuming_groundwater%29
content:
<p>
India <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2021/02/24/asia/india-groundwater-study-intl-hnk-scn/index.html">is overconsuming its ground water</a>,
  and is approaching a deadly shortage.  Food production would be
insufficient.  Some major cities are faced with the threat of having
no drinking water.

<p>
Solar-powered desalination of sea water can help provide drinking
water, but it would take a long time for India to make enough capacity to
serve the purpose.  Shipping water to inland Delhi, Bangalore and
Hyderabad (36 million people) would also be enormously expensive.  I
don't know if that solution is feasible even with a desperate effort.

<p>
Looking at what Modi has done with the desperate protests of farmers
over a change in laws, I expect that Modi will try to hide the water
shortage when it comes, rather than address it.


feed_id: f75db411b23d56bcf7c6d9db1c3e5eff
title: Litter of mars rovers
uri: Litter-of-mars-rovers
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#1_March_2021_%28Litter_of_mars_rovers%29
content:
<p>
(<a href="https://www.theonion.com/nasa-welcomes-litter-of-mars-rovers-after-successful-br-1846346625">satire</a>) *NASA Welcomes Litter Of Mars Rovers After Successful
Breeding Of Perseverance, Curiosity.*


feed_id: 55b84f61bd3eccf2e089f53ecef03abc
title: Held government accountable
uri: Held-government-accountable
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#1_March_2021_%28Held_government_accountable%29
content:
<p>
*If the UK government isn't held to account for its Covid failures, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2021/feb/24/uk-covid-government-held-to-account-freedom">democracy
may never recover</a>.*

<p>
Even before this, democracy in the UK was rather decrepit.  Corbyn,
the only leader for decades who had any chance of redirecting the UK to
serve most of its citizens, <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#31_December_2019_(Can_be_used_against_anyone)">was shot down by character assassination</a>.
  A democracy which gives such a leader no chance to succeed is not
much of one.

<p>
Nonetheless the article is valid as regards the threat to the little democracy
that remains.


feed_id: 22d21fe457b755727592600860fd9614
title: Coronavirus death toll
uri: Coronavirus-death-toll
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#1_March_2021_%28Coronavirus_death_toll%29
content:
<p>
*The Coronavirus Death Toll Reached 500,000 <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2021/02/25/trumpedemic-coronavirus-death-toll-reached-500000-because-trump-sabotaged-covid">Because [the wrecker]
Sabotaged the Covid Response</a>.*


feed_id: 76b5e1444e102b8530154ef121e58c93
title: Fracking banned
uri: Fracking-banned
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#1_March_2021_%28Fracking_banned%29
content:
<p>
Fracking <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2021/02/25/fracking-ban-delaware-river-basin-historic-victory">has been banned in the Delaware river basin</a>.

<p>
That still leaves large parts of the US where we need to ban fracking.
Of course, no new fossil fuel development of any kind should be allowed.
But fracking is particularly bad, since <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#15_August_2019_(Cause_of_methane_level_increase)">it tends to leak methane</a>
  and <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2016-sep-dec.html#26_December_2016_(Impacts_of_fracking_on_drinking_water)">can pollute local water supplies</a>.


feed_id: a8a899cc56960eca5bbe7f7df0d46731
title: Derailing climate targets
uri: Derailing-climate-targets
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#1_March_2021_%28Derailing_climate_targets%29
content:
<p>
*UK's gas power plans <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/business/2021/feb/25/uks-gas-power-plans-risk-derailing-climate-targets-thinktank-says">risk derailing climate targets</a>.*

<p>
If civilization survives, new fossil fuel power plants will not remain
in use long enough to recoup their investment costs.  And likewise if
civilization collapses.  So there has to be some dirty reason for
proposing to build them.


feed_id: da833b388c1a873d6323b1243f7a7443
title: Solar power satellite
uri: Solar-power-satellite
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#1_March_2021_%28Solar_power_satellite%29
content:
<p>
NASA is testing the main component <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2021/02/23/americas/space-solar-energy-pentagon-science-scn-intl/index.html">for a future large solar power
satellite</a>.

<p>
In the 1980s I helped the L5 Society campaign for this.


feed_id: 0818aa708e825ea386d61d8a767ded01
title: Critical supply chains
uri: Critical-supply-chains
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#1_March_2021_%28Critical_supply_chains%29
content:
<p>
Biden has ordered prioritizing protecting critical supply chains <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2021/02/24/politics/biden-executive-order-review-supply-chains/index.html">from
risk of interruption due to dependence on foreign suppliers</a>.

<p>
The US should have started this in the 1990s if not before.
Indeed, I wonder if the US used to pay attention to this,
and whether it ceased as part of Republican deregulation.
Can anyone find out and tell me?


feed_id: 0b16f2db4ebeefdb980b4b65124b7f40
title: Deal on USPS
uri: Deal-on-USPS
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#1_March_2021_%28Deal_on_USPS%29
content:
<p>
Biden and some Democrats in Congress think they can get a "bipartisan"
deal to change some laws for the USPS <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2021/02/24/politics/postmaster-general-dejoy-democrats/index.html">by leaving Saboteur DeJoy in office
as its head</a>.

<p>
It is not entirely lunacy to try to make a deal with Republicans, but
you must check your pockets frequently during the meeting, a well as
after.  The leader of their cult made a practice of not paying his
debts
      and not keeping his deals, so you must not give them anything on
credit.  Allowing <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jul-oct.html#23_August_2020_(Post_Office_saboteur_opposes_reconnection_of_sorting_machines)">a known saboteur</a>
                                   to remain in place would be asking
for trouble, even as part of a deal.  To give him more opportunities
for sabotage indefinitely in hope there might be a deal is idiotic.

<p>
If there is a good deal to be had, the Democrats can get it without
DeJoy.  But they can't possibly get a good deal by acting desperate
for one.


feed_id: 67cea1ddf8525723bf4dd999350c12e3
title: Thousands of fossil fuel wells approved
uri: Thousands-of-fossil-fuel-wells-approved
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#1_March_2021_%28Thousands_of_fossil_fuel_wells_approved%29

content:
<p>
California has approved thousands of fossil fuel wells <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2021/02/24/newsom-administration-sued-over-thousands-unlawful-oil-gas-projects">without the
environmental approvals required by law</a>.

<p>
They have also omitted the required public hearings about the projects.


feed_id: 808f801aa7f04d91c54a8cc0f724c8eb
title: Remote surveillance of workers
uri: Remote-surveillance-of-workers
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#2_March_2021_%28Remote_surveillance_of_workers%29
content:
<p>

Remote work has led to a <a href="https://prospect.org/labor/remote-controlled-workers-digital-surveillance/">great jump in remote surveillance</a> of workers.
They can be monitored far more than they were in the office.
<p>
Amazon is putting cameras in delivery vans to <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2021/02/25/tech/amazon-driver-monitoring/index.html">monitor drivers</a>.
I hope the drivers go on a camera strike, all covering the cameras
on the same day.  
<p>
However, given all the other nasty things Amazon does, I urge you
never to buy from Amazon &mdash; and to urge your friends not to buy any
presents for you from Amazon.


feed_id: d91eb1322b941c16bc5c10b0beaab725
title: Biggest carbon polluter in history
uri: Biggest-carbon-polluter-in-history
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#2_March_2021_%28Biggest_carbon_polluter_in_history%29

content:
<p>

*The United States Is the <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2021/02/25/united-states-biggest-carbon-polluter-history-now-time-bold-action">Biggest Carbon Polluter in History</a> &mdash; Now Is the Time
for Bold Action.*
<p>
Or a cowardly drift into disaster.


feed_id: eaa8d4855c0248e47003986ef08bfd32
title: Hamas in Palestinian elections
uri: Hamas-in-Palestinian-elections
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#2_March_2021_%28Hamas_in_Palestinian_elections%29
content:
<p>

*Is Israel trying to <a href="https://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/originals/2021/02/israel-arrest-threats-hamas-west-bank-palestinian-elections.html">keep Hamas from running</a> in Palestinian elections?*


feed_id: df8aa44f546f32250d07acf3c8816bd4
title: Law not to boycott Israel
uri: Law-not-to-boycott-Israel
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#2_March_2021_%28Law_not_to_boycott_Israel%29
content:
<p>

Georgia passed a law requiring speakers at universities <a href="http://www.kibush.co.il/show_file.asp?num=82949">not to boycott
Israel</a>.  One speaker threatened to sue; Georgia is changing that law.


feed_id: 87872d3341a668a63453c15cc90282fc
title: (satire) Ballotless Voting
uri: (satire)-Ballotless-Voting
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#2_March_2021_%28%28satire%29_Ballotless_Voting%29
content:
<p>

(satire) *Florida GOP Introduces <a href="https://politics.theonion.com/florida-gop-introduces-ballotless-voting-in-disenfranch-1846356214">Ballotless Voting</a> In Disenfranchised Communities.*


feed_id: 8f85cf6f34cf6f6ee709a30a14ae37b3
title: Increasing minimum wage
uri: Increasing-minimum-wage
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#2_March_2021_%28Increasing_minimum_wage%29
content:
<p>

The Senate parliamentarian ruled that increasing the minimum wage is
not a budgetary measure, thus thwarting the plan to include that in
the Covid-19 relief bill.  Democrats now have <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2021/02/26/politics/minimum-wage-increase-senate-democrats/index.html">plans to work around that decision</a>.
<p>
I advocate increasing the minimum wage, but I think the
parliamentarian made the right decision.  It is stretching things
to say that any measure that could will have fiscal effects
is a budget measure.
<p>
There seem to be <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/feb/27/us-minimum-wage-senate-explainer">other ways</a> to raise the minimum wage.
<p>
Raising the minimum wage will give the US economy a boost that <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2021/feb/26/the-fight-for-15-isnt-just-about-justice-its-good-economics">focuses
on working people</a>, rather that trickle down.


feed_id: 233b58146c9e0da736cbd26869f59f4e
title: Artificial sweeteners
uri: 2021-03-02-Artificial-sweeteners
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#2_March_2021_%28Artificial_sweeteners%29
content:
<p>

An experiment found that various artificial sweeteners <a href="http://www.sci-news.com/?p=75079">promoted gene
transfer between bacteria</a>.
<p>
The gene transfer can speed the evolution of multi-drug-resistant
strains.  Since tons of these chemicals now appear in human wastes,
they can easily affect
<p>
It seems like an amazing coincidence that several chemicals whose only
point of commonality is to taste sweet would also have this effect on
bacteria.  So I suppose there is an explanation to be found.


feed_id: 51084c32647c2a869d0c28ab5540b40f
title: US military personnel refuse Covid vaccine
uri: US-military-personnel-refuse-Covid-vaccine
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#2_March_2021_%28US_military_personnel_refuse_Covid_vaccine%29

content:
<p>

*A third of US military personnel <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/feb/27/covid-coronavirus-us-military-vaccine">refuse Covid vaccine</a>.*
<p>
It shocks me that blacks often refuse the vaccine.  It can't be due to
heeding white-supremacist right-wing extremists.  Since the same
vaccines are being offered to whites, it should be clear that this is
not a case of offering blacks something dangerous.  They are doing
themselves harm by refusing.
<p>
If a way can be found to win over the blacks in the military, a few
months to observe will convince most people that the vaccine is safe
enough.  (Unless a problem appears.)
<p>
The main remaining group of refusers will be white-supremacist
right-wing extremists.  Requiring vaccination of all service members
&mdash; no choice about it &mdash; might convince some of them to leave the
military, which is exactly what the country needs.


feed_id: 6ba64cb3ff862f1729b74a0e0e621d98
title: Monarch butterflies are threatened
uri: Monarch-butterflies-are-threatened
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#2_March_2021_%28Monarch_butterflies_are_threatened%29

content:
<p>

Monarch butterflies are threatened.  The population this winter is <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2021/02/25/eastern-monarch-butterfly-population-falls-again">only 1/3
of what is needed</a> to keep the species safe.


feed_id: d8dff6c9790b7d81c8ac1bd7d4060b3c
title: Burning of plastics
uri: Burning-of-plastics
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#2_March_2021_%28Burning_of_plastics%29
content:
<p>

*New research links Delhi’s thick smogs to <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/feb/26/not-just-oceans-plastic-polluting-air-delhi-smog">burning of plastics</a>.*


feed_id: ca0539df15767589a2242dac45845930
title: Boulders as obstructions
uri: Boulders-as-obstructions
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#2_March_2021_%28Boulders_as_obstructions%29
content:
<p>

Since the UK government has failed to stop bottom-trawling in
"protected" marine areas, Greenpeace is doing so &mdash; by setting up
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2021/feb/26/if-the-uk-government-stop-industrial-fishing-oceans-activists-greenpeace">lines of boulders as obstructions</a>.
<p>
Bravo!


feed_id: b3e8a5b037d3bd6d84b6c53770652404
title: Government-for-hire
uri: Government-for-hire
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#2_March_2021_%28Government-for-hire%29
content:
<p>

Both Republicans and Democrats are <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2021/feb/26/what-the-neera-tanden-affair-reveals-about-the-washington-dc-swamp">papering over</a> the ways Neera Tanden
has boosted government-for-hire.
<p>
I am disappointed that Sanders supports her.  I wish I could ask him
why he does.
<p>
Meanwhile, some of the senators that are very hostile to Deb Haaland
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/feb/26/deb-haaland-confirmation-hearings-republican-senators-fossil-fuels">own fossil fuel stock</a>.


feed_id: 4a5444150f7ad91f6eb32b01e3052f19
title: Ancient city of Axum
uri: Ancient-city-of-Axum
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#2_March_2021_%28Ancient_city_of_Axum%29
content:
<p>

When the Ethiopian government captured the ancient city of Axum,
its soldiers (and allied Eritreans) <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/feb/26/hundreds-died-in-axum-massacre-during-tigray-war-says-amnesty">rampaged and massacred</a> civilians &mdash; hundreds, at least.


feed_id: 1019af3de4aad8af6ecf4828ebd87eca
title: Radicalization camps
uri: Radicalization-camps
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#2_March_2021_%28Radicalization_camps%29
content:
<p>

The prison camps for captured women and children of <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#pissi">PISSI</a> have become
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/feb/26/isis-women-languish-in-dire-conditions-al-hawl-shamima-begum">radicalization camps</a>, ruled by the most fanatical prisoners.
<p>
I can't tell from the article whether there are prisoners in those
camps that no longer support <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#pissi">PISSI</a>.  If there are, I hope they get a
chance to go somewhere they can live in peace.
<p>
Fanatics should not be allowed to raise children.  The children
should be adopted by families that do not support <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#pissi">PISSI</a>.
<p>
In general, what to do with prisoners that support violent extremist
cults is a question with no evident good answer.


feed_id: 3d9172bee678a9e44c070b82bedf9197
title: Twitter's old web interface
uri: Twitter-s-old-web-interface
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#2_March_2021_%28Twitter%27s_old_web_interface%29
content:
<p>

Twitter <a href="https://www.fsf.org/blogs/community/new-changes-to-twitter-make-it-even-worse-for-free-software-users">shut down its old web interface</a> that permitted tweeting without
running nonfree Javascript code.


feed_id: 3278099787dbabeee416f8251eded245
title: Urgent: Voting Rights Advancement Act
uri: 2021-03-02-Urgent-Voting-Rights-Advancement-Act
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#2_March_2021_%28Urgent%3A_Voting_Rights_Advancement_Act%29

content:
<p>
US citizens: <a href="https://action.aclu.org/send-message/congress-protect-our-voting-rights">call on Congress</a> to pass the Voting Rights Advancement
 Act.


feed_id: e084172bbf3f2a7f4bd9e9df7f983b0b
title: Urgent: Black Maternal Health Momnibus Act
uri: Urgent-Black-Maternal-Health-Momnibus-Act
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#2_March_2021_%28Urgent%3A_Black_Maternal_Health_Momnibus_Act%29

content:
<p>
US citizens: <a href="https://actionnetwork.org/forms/sign-the-petition-support-saving-black-lives-support-the-black-maternal-health-momnibus-act?nowrapper=true">Support</a> the Black Maternal Health Momnibus Act.

<p>
This bill would do many things <a href="http://reproductiverights.org/story/center-cheers-reintroduction-black-maternal-health-momnibus-act-us-congress">to reduce death in childbirth in the US</a> &mdash; 
  which is shockingly frequent in the US.  Contrary to its name, its benefits
would expect to all poor women; they would not be limited to blacks.


feed_id: 23ef8a8d9d07ba97495ed1d79949e576
title: Laws to repress protests
uri: Laws-to-repress-protests
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#2_March_2021_%28Laws_to_repress_protests%29
content:
<p>
The US must not increase the laws to repress protests.  Instead it should
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2021/02/23/law-enforcements-dangerous-double-standards-protest">start using its existing powers adequately against right-wing extremists
and stop overusing them against nonviolent leftists</a>.

<p>
Many states are passing laws for repression of nonviolent protest action
against dangerous business activities, and <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thugs</a> tend to be extra
harsh against all left-wing protests.  Compare that with <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jul-oct.html#29_August_2020_(Outrage_grows_over_police_treatment_of_alleged_Kenosha_Killer)">the friendliness
of thugs with the Kenosha killer, Rittenhouse</a>,
  and the Capitol
Police leaders' betrayal of their mission on Jan 6.


feed_id: 003a9c34f4120b486a770ed3ae1475b3
title: Social Security and tax
uri: Social-Security-and-tax
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#2_March_2021_%28Social_Security_and_tax%29
content:
<p>
The US should boost Social Security by eliminating the cap <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2021/02/23/scrap-cap-today-day-millionaires-and-billionaires-stop-paying-social-security">on how much income
a person pays the tax on</a>.

<p>
The reason this cap exists is because there is an idea that each
person is supposed to receive support based on per own earnings.
Following that idea, if there is a limit on how much Social Security
will pay a retire rich person, there has to be a limit on how much
that person pays Social Security.

<p>
I think it is perfectly fine to say that rich people will help support
the rest, through Social Security as well as in other ways.


feed_id: 5de9130af5fb60f5c01104074d9bc3c9
title: Cool Teen Migrant Detainment Center
uri: Cool-Teen-Migrant-Detainment-Center
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#2_March_2021_%28Cool_Teen_Migrant_Detainment_Center%29

content:
<p>
(<a href="https://www.theonion.com/biden-unveils-cool-teen-migrant-detainment-center-where-1846336705">satire</a>) *Biden Unveils Cool Teen Migrant Detainment Center Where
Youths Can Hang Out And Never Leave.*


feed_id: 957581034898184d08e51186fc04c057
title: Social safety net
uri: 2021-03-02-Social-safety-net
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#2_March_2021_%28Social_safety_net%29
content:
<p>
Americans believe that their country has a "social safety net" which
will protect them from absolute penury when something goes wrong.  In
recent decades, many cords of the net have been removed or stretched,
so now people tend to fall through it.  <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2021/02/23/how-country-fails-its-most-vulnerable">Here are the details</a>.

<p>
A good government arranges to do better for its people than merely set
up a net somewhere beneath them in case they fall.  It provides good
things for its people so that everyone can have a good life.


feed_id: 638bcb57020e7245becdd8bb1449f068
title: Benefits of brexit
uri: Benefits-of-brexit
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#2_March_2021_%28Benefits_of_brexit%29
content:
<p>
One benefit for the UK (and the world) of its departure from the EU
is that <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2021/feb/27/ubers-uk-supreme-court-defeat-should-mean-big-changes-to-the-gig-economy">Goober will have to stop paying British drivers peanuts</a>.

<p>
I made a mistake in a previous note of saying that the drivers were
now "employees."  It seems that in the UK makes a distinction between
"employees" and "workers"; the drivers are now "workers."  I am not
sure what rights workers have, but it is more than "independent"
contractors.


feed_id: 6ae3d3eaa3ba57a57148269a7b5ad71c
title: Switching tactics
uri: Switching-tactics
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#2_March_2021_%28Switching_tactics%29
content:
<p>
Planet roasters can no longer convince by denying that <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#global heating">global heating</a>
is occurring, so they have switched to other methods to stop society
from taking sufficient steps to curb the heating.  <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/feb/27/climatologist-michael-e-mann-doomism-climate-crisis-interview">Interview with
Michael Mann</a>.

<p>
There is no evidence that Wikileaks was part of a scheme to elect the
wrecker.  It published evidence in 2016 that the Democratic Party <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jul-oct.html#1_August_2016_(Personal_details_in_leaked_emails)">had
corruptly prevented Sanders from winning the nomination</a>.
  That corruption was a bigger problem than the fact that it was leaked.


feed_id: 73d65da3b7fb90c53644b207e69e59d2
title: Exaggerating support for democracy
uri: Exaggerating-support-for-democracy
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#2_March_2021_%28Exaggerating_support_for_democracy%29

content:
<p>
Western countries, no longer as powerful as in the past, are
exaggerating <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2021/feb/27/myanmar-western-powers-protesters-military-coup">what they might do to support democracy in Burma</a>.

<p>
This is leading some Burmese to expect an armed rescue.  They might
start a rebellion which would be crushed.


feed_id: 1007d2d5f46a2fa74e813e7e01f28bc0
title: Trump inauguration
uri: Trump-inauguration
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#2_March_2021_%28Trump_inauguration%29
content:
<p>
QAnincompoops now claim that Trump <a href="https://www.vox.com/policy-and-politics/22280323/qanon-march-president-trump-inaugration-conspiracy-theory">will be inaugurated as president on
March 4</a>.

<p>
When this fails to occur, they may pretend that it did.


feed_id: d8bf558f970c81ee533a13288907f11a
title: Business supremacy treaty for energy infrastructure
uri: Business-supremacy-treaty-for-energy-infrastructure
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#2_March_2021_%28Business_supremacy_treaty_for_energy_infrastructure%29

content:
<p>
A special business supremacy treaty <a href="https://www.opendemocracy.net/en/oureconomy/this-obscure-energy-treaty-is-the-greatest-threat-to-the-planet-youve-never-heard-of/">specifically for energy
infrastructure has a ISDS clause</a>.
  Under this treaty, countries must pay for permission to adopt climate
policies that make foreign-owned fossil fuel infrastructure less useful.

<p>
All business-supremacy treaties <a href="https://stallman.org/business-supremacy-treaties.html">are instruments to crush democracy</a>.
  Countries should refuse to sign them, withdraw from them, ideally join
together to cancel them out entirely.

<p>
For this treaty, one possible last-resort solution would be for
countries to declare war on each other and bomb each other's fossil
fuel infrastructure, disabling it from functioning.  Then they could
decline responsibility on the grounds that the damage was an act of
war.

<p>
I don't suggest bombing the power plant into rubble &mdash; that would
cause pollution &mdash; just destroying some key part of it, without which
it does not operate.

<p>
Is this idea shocking?  There are better ways to stop burning fossil
fuels, but it is good to have this fall-back method if the others prove
too difficult.  Don't say it can't be done!


feed_id: f245562ba75ccc4c51abdc4bfbc8e1da
title: Definition of antisemitism
uri: 2021-03-02-Definition-of-antisemitism
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#2_March_2021_%28Definition_of_antisemitism%29
content:
<p>
The faculty at University College London <a href="https://electronicintifada.net/blogs/asa-winstanley/academics-uk-university-reject-ihra-anti-semitism-definition">rejected the UHRA definition
of antisemitism</a>.

<p>
It was not designed to be used as a basis to judge people for their actions.


feed_id: 0a407d4accb32530f6c004138951be85
title: Killers of Maltese journalist charged
uri: Killers-of-Maltese-journalist-charged
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#2_March_2021_%28Killers_of_Maltese_journalist_charged%29

content:
<p>
Malta says all those who masterminded killing of Maltese journalist Daphne
Caruana Galizia <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/feb/24/all-suspects-in-daphne-caruana-galizia-arrested-says-police-chief">have now confessed or been charged</a>.

<p>
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#24_October_2017_(Maltese_reporter_murdered)">More info about her</a>.


feed_id: f5f8e5d505f8040cb94af33502a14373
title: Sanctions on ICC personnel
uri: Sanctions-on-ICC-personnel
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#2_March_2021_%28Sanctions_on_ICC_personnel%29
content:
<p>
The wrecker put sanctions on personnel of the International Criminal Court;
a month after inauguration, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/feb/26/biden-trump-sanctions-icc-prosecutors-israel">Biden has not lifted them</a>.

<p>
How the US should approach the ICC may be a complex question, but
sanctions on its personnel cannot be a valid answer.

<p>
It was Dubya that began <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2006-jan-apr.html#06 January 2006 (Pressure and bribes)">attacking the ICC and trying to make it
ineffective</a>.
   The US should end that, too.


feed_id: 613055cd4b8cbf0ed66d691f0025789e
title: Global heating disaster
uri: 2021-03-02-Global-heating-disaster
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#2_March_2021_%28Global_heating_disaster%29
content:
<p>
*CO2 emissions: nations' pledges <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/feb/26/co2-emissions-nations-pledges-far-away-from-paris-target-says-un">'far away' from Paris target</a>, says UN.*

The Paris agreement's target <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#13_December_2015_(Paris_climate_deal)">is far from sufficient to avoid global
heating disaster</a>.


feed_id: cd03bcab724159319b14bd8cc5fe8c58
title: Iran non-nuclear deal
uri: 2021-03-03-Iran-non-nuclear-deal
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#3_March_2021_%28Iran_non-nuclear_deal%29
content:
<p>

Iran refuses to discuss resuming the non-nuclear deal unless the US
does more to <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/feb/28/iran-says-it-wont-attend-talks-with-us-over-nuclear-deal">lift the the sanctions</a> that the wrecker imposed when be broke the deal.
<p>
I think it would be wiser for the US and Iran to stop delaying
negotiations by disputing how to start them.  But since the US broke
the deal, the US should go out of its way to resume the deal.
<p>
Perhaps the US should suspend sanctions for a year, and extend that
to a permanent cessation if the deal is remade.


feed_id: a394ffc763e403647ca8d13b302f2387
title: UN calls for global banking reform
uri: UN-calls-for-global-banking-reform
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#3_March_2021_%28UN_calls_for_global_banking_reform%29

content:
<p>

*   UN report claims up to 10% of the world’s wealth could be hidden "offshore"
   and calls for <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/business/2021/feb/25/tax-abuse-and-money-laundering-is-trapping-billions-in-poverty-says-un">global banking reform</a>.*
<p>
"Offshore" means "in a tax haven".  Some important tax havens are in
quasi-independent islands, but Switzerland, Belgium, the UK and the US
also function as <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2016-sep-dec.html#26_December_2016_(Worlds_most_damaging_tax_havens)"tax havens</a>.
<p>
All that money concealed from taxation leaves governments short on funds,
which translates into poverty.


feed_id: 39ca1688360dffbc2d29ba26f4e3de5a
title: Used electrical appliances and gadgets
uri: Used-electrical-appliances-and-gadgets
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#3_March_2021_%28Used_electrical_appliances_and_gadgets%29

content:
<p>

* The UK government is considering <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/business/2021/feb/26/kerbside-scheme-collect-electronic-waste-uk">nationwide curbside collection</a> of
   used electrical appliances and gadgets, and requiring retailers,
   even online ones, to take them back.*


feed_id: ab7d5e42a6d52bf7ea3ef6be779731af
title: IMF wants to do some good
uri: IMF-wants-to-do-some-good
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#3_March_2021_%28IMF_wants_to_do_some_good%29
content:
<p>

For once, the IMF wants to <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2021/02/26/us-treasury-needs-move-quickly-imf-relief-and-support-full-amount-save-lives">do some good</a>.  It needs approval from the US.


feed_id: 5dbdbe034fc5751af1cee7c3bf1474ff
title: Emergency ban on evictions
uri: Emergency-ban-on-evictions
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#3_March_2021_%28Emergency_ban_on_evictions%29
content:
<p>

A federal court ruled that the CDC's <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2021/02/26/cdc-must-appeal-immediately-trump-appointed-judge-strikes-down-pandemic-eviction">emergency ban on evictions is
unconstitutional</a>.
<p>
The ban is indeed an emergency measure, not a permanent solution.  The
US needs to set up a system that will give everyone in the US a place
to live that meets our standards.


feed_id: bc55edc70730c758ee8c602d2ab0a7be
title: Modernizing nuclear missiles
uri: Modernizing-nuclear-missiles
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#3_March_2021_%28Modernizing_nuclear_missiles%29
content:
<p>

"Modernizing" the world's nuclear missiles would only provide us with
a <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2021/02/26/trillions-our-tax-dollars-new-nuclear-missiles-lets-stop-omnicider">fancier way to cause a fast mass extinction</a>.  We should cancel it.


feed_id: 01de95d25d36e15c98a8a26af8a13e1a
title: Independent journalism in Belarus
uri: Independent-journalism-in-Belarus
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#3_March_2021_%28Independent_journalism_in_Belarus%29

content:
<p>

*Two-year jail terms signal bid to <a href="https://rsf.org/en/news/two-year-jail-terms-signal-bid-crush-all-independent-journalism-belarus">crush all independent journalism</a> in
 Belarus.*
Journalists were convicted on a *trumped-up
charge of organizing a protest they simply filmed.*


feed_id: 3d6169307e96e8bfd71a871e6cb05bc9
title: Uber drivers' rights
uri: Uber-drivers-rights
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#3_March_2021_%28Uber_drivers%27_rights%29
content:
<p>

Uber is trying to <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2021/mar/01/uber-accused-of-using-loaded-questions-in-drivers-survey">falsify an impression</a> that drivers really want to
have no rights.


feed_id: 67c9c75f144f10c16718d3582e55d45b
title: Clean Water
uri: Clean-Water
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#3_March_2021_%28Clean_Water%29
content:
<p>

Many California towns inhabited by poor Hispanics <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/feb/28/california-east-orosi-toxic-america-water">don't deliver clean
water</a>.
<p>
In some places the threat of future water shortage is the obstacle to
fixing it.  The only fix for that is to use a lot less water &mdash; which means,
less farming and fewer people.


feed_id: fd8003b606bf18edd91372783badfca3
title: Facebook's Australian news wipeout
uri: Facebook-s-Australian-news-wipeout
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#3_March_2021_%28Facebook%27s_Australian_news_wipeout%29

content:
<p>

*Facebook's Australian news wipeout showed it can <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2021/mar/01/facebooks-australian-news-wipeout-showed-it-can-delete-our-history-at-any-time">delete [zuckers']
history</a> at any time.*
<p>
It can't delete any of <em>my</em> history, because I don't put it there.
You shouldn't either.


feed_id: 9c3af7c19ab58b3f0f7b84c6a3f36e06
title: Criminalizing protests
uri: Criminalizing-protests
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#3_March_2021_%28Criminalizing_protests%29
content:
<p>

The Tories are planning to <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2021/feb/28/government-seeks-to-retain-lockdown-limits-on-protests">criminalize protests</a> that interfere with anything.
Chain yourself to a door and you'll be wearing chains for years.


feed_id: b4f0b93d8eb8c4bd8f9ebb675b3c2adc
title: Right-wing UK "defenders"
uri: Right-wing-UK-defenders
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#3_March_2021_%28Right-wing_UK_defenders%29
content:
<p>

Some right-wing UK "defenders" of freedom of speech <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/education/2021/feb/27/gavin-williamson-using-misleading-research-to-justify-campus-free-speech-law">criticized a
no-platforming</a> which did not actually happen.  They, and the minister
in charge, were careless with the facts.
<p>
Nonetheless, another instance they cite did really occur, and so do
others.  If 53 speakers were vetoed in one year, that may be a small
fraction of all speakers that year, but it is still a lot of
censorship.
<p>
I gather that the Equality Act is meant to prohibit discrimination and
harassment.  I support that goal, but campaigning for that goal should
not go so far as to ban controversial speakers from giving talks.
Even in a good cause, there must be limits on how far we can go.  I
would not try to ban people from praising proprietary software, even
though I disagree with such praise.  People have a right to disagree
with me, or with you, or with anyone.
<p>
I also agree that the government can easily be a worse threat to freedom
of speech than any collection of students.


feed_id: 83f7a662f2597b1730740b6983eab44a
title: Environmental defenders sue California
uri: Environmental-defenders-sue-California
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#3_March_2021_%28Environmental_defenders_sue_California%29

content:
<p>

Environmental defenders have sued California and Governor Newsom
for <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2021/02/24/avowed-climate-champion-gavin-newsom-sued-completely-unacceptable-approval-oil-and">illegally issuing</a> thousands of oil and gas drilling permits.
<p>
I am not sure how much Governor Newsom was personally involved in granting those licenses, but he's in charge of the state government, so it's his
responsibility to stop it &mdash; and, if possible, to cancel those leases.


feed_id: 821dc9f64455da588dfd0f8e4b54da3d
title: "Counterterrorism"
uri: Counterterrorism
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#3_March_2021_%28Counterterrorism%29
content:
<p>

*From 2018 to 2020, the United States government undertook what it
 labeled “counterterrorism” activities in 85 countries.*  <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2021/02/25/new-map-shows-us-post-911-war-activities-85-countries">This map</a> shows
what it did where.


feed_id: 1825a2902262c82cf06aad57bb63f3b6
title: Vaccines to Palestine
uri: Vaccines-to-Palestine
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#3_March_2021_%28Vaccines_to_Palestine%29
content:
<p>

Israel is going out of its way to <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2021/02/23/disgrace-israel-sending-covid-vaccines-overseas-occupied-palestinians-left-without">deny vaccine to Palestine<p>.
<p>
We need to immunize almost everyone against Covid-19, and the rate of
production means many will have to wait.  Who has to wait more and who
gets to wait less is a secondary matter that I usually don't dwell on;
instead I campaign for faster production so that the waiting is less.
<p>
Palestine is an exceptional case because it is under military
occupation.  Israel as occupying power is responsible for public
health in Palestine and thus has the obligation to secure vaccine for
Palestinians, if it can.  We see that it can.  When Israel has extra
vaccine in its hands, it should carry out its responsibility.


feed_id: c424f684feca2d7839b186444ad7dfa1
title: Necessary Changes in Society
uri: Necessary-Changes-in-Society
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#3_March_2021_%28Necessary_Changes_in_Society%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://stallman.org/articles/necessary-changes.html">Necessary Changes in
Society</a>


feed_id: 67960e4fd6883733b51d9cd510794d25
title: Making Labour into a right-wing party
uri: Making-Labour-into-a-right-wing-party
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#3_March_2021_%28Making_Labour_into_a_right-wing_party%29

content:
<p>
Starmer is so frightened people will accuse Labour of raising taxes
and spending too much that he is
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2021/feb/26/keir-starmer-tax-pandemic">making
it into a right-wing party</a>.


feed_id: 46c62291cc2f776aa588c870e7614ff2
title: Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation
uri: Atlantic-Meridional-Overturning-Circulation
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#3_March_2021_%28Atlantic_Meridional_Overturning_Circulation%29

content:
<p>
<a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#global heating">Global heating</a> is
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2021/feb/26/atlantic-currents-climate-oceans-next-century">reducing
the strength of the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation</a>,
which includes the Gulf Stream.  This could eventually result in
freezing Ireland and Britain.


feed_id: 68d5a207cabe0267cc3f1e4365b80d2f
title: UK arbitrarily terminates citizenship
uri: UK-arbitrarily-terminates-citizenship
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#3_March_2021_%28UK_arbitrarily_terminates_citizenship%29

content:
<p>
The UK government has
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2021/feb/26/the-guardian-view-on-shamima-begum-she-ought-to-have-her-day-in-court">arbitrarily
terminated the citizenship of Shamima Begum</a>.  Attempts to block
that decision failed.
<p>
Exile of citizens is not an acceptable punishment.
<p>
What makes this even worse is that the punishment was
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2021/feb/26/shamima-begum-ruling-sets-dangerous-precedent-say-legal-experts">imposed
without a trial</a>.  No punishment should be imposed without a trial.
<p>
Adding insult (to the public) to that injury, the minister who decided
on exile for her cited an absurd excuse.  She has no other
citizenship, but the minister did not wish to recognize the fact that
this would leave her stateless.  So the he claimed it was sufficient
that she <em>would be</em> entitled to citizenship in Bangladesh
&mdash; theoretically.
<p>
No one knows what would happen if she tried to apply for citizenship
in Bangladesh.  Perhaps that country deny her citizenship, citing
something like the UK's grounds for terminating her citizenship.
<p>
The US has unjustly terminated citizenship, too.  US citizen Emma
Goldman was deported as punishment for advocating resistance to the
draft.


feed_id: 530cb65514d19b636f0b0fb1e0c2b034
title: No personal sanctions on Prince Bone Saw
uri: No-personal-sanctions-on-Prince-Bone-Saw
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#2_March_2021_%28No_personal_sanctions_on_Prince_Bone_Saw%29

content:
<p>
Biden put official personal sanctions on many officials of Salafi
Arabia, but
<a href="https://theintercept.com/2021/02/26/biden-balks-at-sanctions-on-saudi-crown-prince-after-release-of-report-on-killing-of-jamal-khashoggi/">not
directly on Prince Bone Saw himself</a>.
<p>
This may be a clever indirect form of sanction against him.  Cozying
up to the king and shunning the prince has a chance of causing his
demotion in the Salafi Arabian court, whereas direct hostility could
inspire the rest of the power structure to close ranks behind him.
<p>
Salafi Arabis is culpable for many different wrongs:

<ol>
<li>
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2018-sep-dec.html#11_November_2018_(War_in_Yemen)">Waging
war</a> on Yemen.</li>

<li>
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#20_November_2017_(War_with_Iran)">Trying
to start a war</a> between the US and Iran.</li>

<li>
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jan-apr.html#11_January_2020_(Meeting_in_secret)">Supporting
the wrecker</a> (fortunately no longer possible).</li>

<li>
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#02_December_2015_(Salafi_Arabia)">Killing
dissidents</a>, often by sentencing them to death, and occasionally by
dirtier means.</li>

<li>
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2018-sep-dec.html#12_November_2018_(Salafi_Arabia_execution)">Sexist
laws</a> in Salafi Arabia.</li>

<li>
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#8_February_2019_(Islamic_law)">Denial
of religious freedom</a> towards everyone inside Salafi Arabia.</li>

<li>
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#25_July_2017_(Culture_of_jihadism)">Spreading
a rigid and harsh cruel form if Islam</a>, Salafism, around the Muslim
world.</li>

<li>
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2006-mar-jun.html#22%20April%202006%20(Bonfire%20of%20the%20hypocrisies)">Destroying
many ancient sites</a> from the early days of Islam.</li>
</ol>

<p>
The US does not have the power to make <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#salafi">Salafi Arabia</a> desist from all
these wrongs; as a result, it is not immediately obvious what stance
would be best for the US to take so as to reduce some.</p>
<p>
Most of these have gone on since long before Mohammad bin Salman
became crown prince.  I think he started item 2; he certainly
started item 3.</p>
<p>
As for the other wrongs, the US is already starting to try to end 1.
The others will take time.</p>


feed_id: 6a1a409b9204fc96c6627df5c6647615
title: Biden orders attack at Iran-linked militias
uri: Biden-orders-attack-at-Iran-linked-militias
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#2_March_2021_%28Biden_orders_attack_at_Iran-linked_militias%29

content:
<p>
Biden ordered an attack at two Iran-linked militias in Syria.
<p>
This raises
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2021/02/26/sanders-warns-biden-attack-syria-puts-us-path-continuing-forever-war-instead-ending">two
moral issues</a>: was it harmful to nuclear negotiations with Iran,
and did it violate the War Powers Act.
<p>
This is a decrease in level of violence compared with when the wrecker
was president, so I tend to think it won't affect the negotiations.
However, Biden has done
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2021/feb/26/biden-iran-deal-diplomacy-syria">other
things that may put these negotiations at risk</a>.
<p>
*Lawmakers Say Biden Admin
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2021/02/26/lawmakers-say-biden-admin-must-present-congress-legal-justification-bombing-syria">Must
Present Congress Legal Justification for Bombing of Syria</a>.*


feed_id: 715778d0e6f081bd6a52cd15b5919aa1
title: Murder of Khashoggi ordered by acting king
uri: Murder-of-Khashoggi-ordered-by-acting-king
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#2_March_2021_%28Murder_of_Khashoggi_ordered_by_acting_king%29

content:
<p>
US agencies say that the acting king of <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#salafi">Salafi Arabia</a>
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/feb/26/jamal-khashoggi-mohammed-bin-salman-us-report">ordered
the murder of Jamal Khashoggi</a>.


feed_id: f0a6a9986140ff0fdeffed0668bd28b0
title: The WATER Act
uri: 2021-03-03-The-WATER-Act
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#2_March_2021_%28The_WATER_Act%29
content:
<p>
The WATER Act would
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2021/02/25/amid-unprecedented-national-water-crises-comprehensive-water-access-safety-and">ensure
Americans can get clean water to drink</a> even if they are poor.


feed_id: b79504fb9dadb91a7a6abde64ccb1480
title: Ban on discrimination based on sexual orientation
uri: Ban-on-discrimination-based-on-sexual-orientation
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#2_March_2021_%28Ban_on_discrimination_based_on_sexual_orientation%29

content:
<p>
The House of Representatives has
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/feb/25/us-house-equality-act-lgbtq-americans-discrimination">passed
a bill banning discrimination based on sexual orientation</a>.
<p>
Republicans will block this, along with every bill to fix the nation's
permanent problems, unless Democrats find a way to make Manchin and
Sinema vote to abolish the filibuster.


feed_id: 70ad499463b718920009aff19a53b35d
title: Arbitrary searches by UK thug departments
uri: Arbitrary-searches-by-UK-thug-departments
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#2_March_2021_%28Arbitrary_searches_by_UK_thug_departments%29

content:
<p>
The UK Inspectorate of Constabulary says that <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thug</a> departments are
going overboard in their arbitrary searches of blacks on the
street, and
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/law/2021/feb/26/police-watchdog-castigates-forces-over-use-of-stop-and-search">cannot
justify them</a>.  I can't escape the conclusion that this is bias at
work.
<p>
I suppose the <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thugs</a> have had training about unconscious bias already,
and it does not seem to have helped.  Here's an approach using
feedback that might be good to try, with each cop separately.
<ul>
<li>
For the coming weeks, don't actually stop and search anyone.  Instead
we will have a consultation about about who you would have thought of
stopping and searching.
<li>
You will be told, at the outset, the expected average number of people
per day a cop on your beat ought to stop and search.  This is not a
minimum, or a maximum; it is a guideline.  On any given day day a wise cop
might search more, or less, than the guideline number.
<li>
When you see someone you would think of stopping and searching,
make a video of per instead, and upload it.  Speak into the video
why you thought that person should be searched.
<li>
At the end of each day, review the day's videos.
In the review,
label which of them you would choose first for searching.
Label a quantity comparable to the guideline number,
but not necessarily equal to it.  For each one you label,
explain your reasons.
<li>
Right after labeling the videos, send all of them to the coach.
The coach is an expert on
unconscious bias and knows what really typifies real street criminals.

<li>
Then you and the expert will discuss them.  The expert will try to
help you recognize your own patterns of unconscious
bias, and learn to disregard them.
</ul>
<p>
The hope is that, over time, the cop learns to filter out spurious
triggers of suspicion.</p>
<p>
Has anything like this been tried?</p>


feed_id: 66dc8ea1213b0035bc411ed08bafe368
title: Illinois eliminates bail for accused
uri: Illinois-eliminates-bail-for-accused
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#2_March_2021_%28Illinois_eliminates_bail_for_accused%29

content:
<p>
Illinois has
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2021/02/24/all-other-states-should-follow-advocates-applaud-illinois-approves-elimination-cash">eliminated
bail for those accused of crimes</a>.  Suspects will no longer be kept
in jail until trial simply because they are poor.


feed_id: 9d3b367629099ff95c881aa7d069df68
title: Policies in support of Israel's occupation policy
uri: Policies-in-support-of-Israel-s-occupation-policy
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#2_March_2021_%28Policies_in_support_of_Israels_occupation_policy%29

content:
<p>
*Jewish Groups
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2021/02/24/jewish-groups-urge-biden-review-and-revoke-trump-era-made-israel-settlement-goods">Urge
Biden to 'Review and Revoke'</a> Trump-Era 'Made in Israel' Settlement
Goods Policy.*
<p>
The US should not allow any of the wrecker's policy changes in support
of Israel's occupation policy to stand.


feed_id: 17bca8f54a57a68838ba1baa15b9402b
title: Manchin on West Virginians
uri: Manchin-on-West-Virginians
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#2_March_2021_%28Manchin_on_West_Virginians%29
content:
<p>
(satire) *Joe Manchin Claims West Virginians
<a href="https://politics.theonion.com/joe-manchin-claims-west-virginians-too-deficient-in-cha-1846338661">Too
Deficient In Character, Grit To Deserve $15 Minimum Wage</a>.*


feed_id: 3e1b8af3c380520c5f57df66ce8e03dd
title: Mexico bans glycosate-resistant corn
uri: Mexico-bans-glycosate-resistant-corn
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#2_March_2021_%28Mexico_bans_glycosate-resistant_corn%29

content:
<p>
Mexico has
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2021/02/24/mexicos-decision-ban-glyphosate-has-rocked-agribusiness-world">banned
both growing glycosate-resistant corn and importing it</a>.


feed_id: 2ba0ea1f4c730827e911e867f056d14a
title: What US voters want
uri: What-US-voters-want
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#2_March_2021_%28What_US_voters_want%29
content:
<p>
*Majority of US Voters Want Government to
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2021/02/24/majority-us-voters-want-government-invest-more-healthcare-education-and-fighting">Invest
More in Healthcare, Education, and Fighting Poverty</a>.*


feed_id: a2c0be6662c6392f4394a7e7c98e36bf
title: US government definition of "national security"
uri: US-government-definition-of-national-security
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#2_March_2021_%28US_government_definition_of_national_security%29

content:
<p>
Will the US government define "national security" in terms of power to
fight future threats, or in terms of
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2021/02/24/answer-climate-crisis-not-more-us-militarism">helping
other countries be safe from disasters</a>?


feed_id: 4dd5a9c5b1d1fea48234877fc6620f55
title: Corporate-controlled Texas
uri: Corporate-controlled-Texas
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#2_March_2021_%28Corporate-controlled_Texas%29
content:
<p>
Jim Hightower on Texas: *Not only must our corporate-controlled
electric grid be replaced; so must our corporate-controlled ag
policy&mdash;and our
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2021/02/24/what-texas-deep-freeze-revealed-about-corporate-run-government">corporate-controlled
elected officials</a>.*


feed_id: 187c76c166097f6d6c29bb0e48cc0138
title: Loss of jobs in 2020
uri: Loss-of-jobs-in-2020
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#2_March_2021_%28Loss_of_jobs_in_2020%29
content:
<p>
US wages increased on the average in 2020, because
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2021/02/24/wages-grew-2020-because-low-wage-workers-experienced-brunt-job-losses">many
low-wage workers lost their jobs</a>.
<p>
I suspect that if we tabulate household income rather than wages, we
will see a shift towards lower income.


feed_id: 1b3221d3829ff78b4f0daf923a671fd8
title: UN calls for global banking reform
uri: 2021-03-03-UN-calls-for-global-banking-reform
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#3_March_2021_%28UN_calls_for_global_banking_reform%29

content:
<p>

*   UN report claims up to 10% of the world’s wealth could be hidden "offshore"
   and calls for <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/business/2021/feb/25/tax-abuse-and-money-laundering-is-trapping-billions-in-poverty-says-un">global banking reform</a>.*
<p>
"Offshore" means "in a tax haven".  Some important tax havens are in
quasi-independent islands, but Switzerland, Belgium, the UK and the US
also function as <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2016-sep-dec.html#26_December_2016_(Worlds_most_damaging_tax_havens)">tax havens</a>.
<p>
All that money concealed from taxation leaves governments short on funds,
which translates into poverty.


feed_id: e3be7c13883777b341e9f2c19f767ba7
title: Urgent: Military weapons to thugs
uri: Urgent-Military-weapons-to-thugs
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#3_March_2021_%28Urgent%3A_Military_weapons_to_thugs%29

content:
<p>
US citizens: <a href="https://act.rootsaction.org/p/dia/action4/common/public/?action_KEY=14112">call on Congress</a> and the president to stop all transfer
of military weapons to US <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thug</a> departments.

<p>
To sign <a href="https://gnu.org/philosophy/javascript-trap.html">without running nonfree JavaScript code</a>
                                                from the web site,
use <a href="https://stallman.org/salsalabs-method.html">the Salsalabs workaround</a>.


feed_id: b8e8e238006415723d66f8d096eee875
title: Accusing opposition of terrorism
uri: Accusing-opposition-of-terrorism
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#3_March_2021_%28Accusing_opposition_of_terrorism%29
content:
<p>
The US does little to restrain Erdoğan <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2021/03/01/opinions/turkey-erdogan-biden-counterterrorism-cotler-kanter/index.html">from accusing political
opposition of "terrorism"</a>.


feed_id: bc6ba257ef0910d9561a2f297fae51e4
title: More efficient on every measure
uri: More-efficient-on-every-measure
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#3_March_2021_%28More_efficient_on_every_measure%29
content:
<p>
Electric vehicles are <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/business/2021/mar/01/fossil-fuel-cars-make-hundreds-of-times-more-waste-than-electric-cars">more efficient than fossil fuel vehicles on
every measure</a>.

<p>
Then use less energy, and less materials &mdash; even if you don't count
the fuel.


feed_id: 0c1087dd43711996230c8dd3a8a18df7
title: Property tax
uri: Property-tax
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#3_March_2021_%28Property_tax%29
content:
<p>
The US has a kind of wealth tax &mdash; the property tax &mdash; and rich people
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2021/02/28/average-american-pays-tax-over-half-their-wealth-shouldnt-very-rich-do-same">pay much less property tax (as a fraction of their wealth) than anyone
else</a>.

<p>
Renters pay a high fraction, because their rent covers the real
estate tax on the dwellings they live in (but do not own).


feed_id: d872c8d75d61f8ee7cb7ec5cec82b1f1
title: Negotiating under sanctions
uri: Negotiating-under-sanctions
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#3_March_2021_%28Negotiating_under_sanctions%29
content:
<p>
Explaining Iran's refusal to negotiate <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2021/02/28/irans-refusal-meet-not-surprising">while the US keeps all the
sanctions going</a>.
  The article shows the diplomatic harm this would do to Iran.

<p>
For me, <a href="https://www.stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#1_February_2021_(Non-nuclear_deal_with_Iran)">a much simpler explanation was sufficient</a>.


feed_id: e1f7643689eca8f8003c811febc4e340
title: Fossil fuel emissions
uri: Fossil-fuel-emissions
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#3_March_2021_%28Fossil_fuel_emissions%29
content:
<p>
*Fossil fuel emissions <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/mar/02/fossil-fuel-emissions-in-danger-of-surpassing-pre-covid-levels">in danger of surpassing pre-Covid levels</a>.*

<p>
This is no surprise.  What it shows was that people should not let the
Covid-19 recession relax their demand for policies that cut emissions.


feed_id: 8f4cdf9a21d6f780a41a9a715721b888
title: Refusing to believe
uri: Refusing-to-believe
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#3_March_2021_%28Refusing_to_believe%29
content:
<p>
Since people can refuse to believe the bullshitter when he says he won
the last election, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/mar/02/former-pope-benedict-fanatical-catholics-wont-believe-resignation">they can also refuse to believe Ex-pope Benedict
when he sais he resigned</a>.


feed_id: 5278744ea61a8e9fa7241efe96fce847
title: Fired for calling for safety measures
uri: Fired-for-calling-for-safety-measures
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#3_March_2021_%28Fired_for_calling_for_safety_measures%29

content:
<p>
*   Ben Bonnema says he was [fired by Trader Joe's] after writing a letter to company’s
   CEO <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/mar/01/trader-joes-employee-fired-covid-protections">calling for a series of safety measures for workers</a>.*


feed_id: 83ebef80d6cbb61c16fdee9e58b57907
title: Crime of insulting the king
uri: Crime-of-insulting-the-king
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#3_March_2021_%28Crime_of_insulting_the_king%29
content:
<p>
Spain makes it a crime to insult the king.  <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/music/2021/mar/01/like-pablo-hasel-spain-wants-me-jailed-for-rap-lyrics-but-artists-must-not-self-censor">This system of censorship
is an injustice</a>.

<p>
I strongly dislike Tarantino's movies, those I have seen any of.  I
don't intend to see any more.  I would probably dislike those rappers'
performances, too &mdash; except that they probably speak too fast for me,
and with Spanish colloquialisms I don't know, so I would not
understand them.  But my tastes are irrelevant to the issue.  Their
works don't need to appeal to my taste to be covered by freedom of
expression.


feed_id: 5f2fe63fc5090267bc506de681f2cc3a
title: Minimum wage
uri: 2021-03-03-Minimum-wage
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#3_March_2021_%28Minimum_wage%29
content:
<p>
Biden is awfully quick to admit defeat on legislating to raise the
minimum wage to $15 (over a period of a few years).  <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2021/mar/01/joe-biden-minimum-wage-democrats">He ought to try
his damnedest before giving up</a>.


feed_id: b367bed9ca63abecbb669871c56c4c70
title: Sarkozy guilty
uri: Sarkozy-guilty
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#3_March_2021_%28Sarkozy_guilty%29
content:
<p>
*[Ex-president]  Sarkozy found guilty of corruption and influence peddling <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/mar/01/former-french-president-nicolas-sarkozy-sentenced-to-three-years-for-corruption">but is
   unlikely to spend time in prison</a>.*


feed_id: b9145ae3beb1fbd327af579b661e7221
title: Qualified Immunity
uri: Qualified-Immunity
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#3_March_2021_%28Qualified_Immunity%29
content:
<p>
*Ayanna Pressley and Ed Markey <a href="https://theintercept.com/2021/03/01/qualified-immunity-ayanna-pressley-ed-markey/">Push to Abolish Qualified Immunity</a>.*


feed_id: e2b3ad1555065c7d7743e60090e03bb8
title: Refugees and PTSD
uri: Refugees-and-PTSD
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#3_March_2021_%28Refugees_and_PTSD%29
content:
<p>
*More than 75% of Syrian refugees <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2021/mar/01/more-than-75-of-syrian-refugees-may-have-ptsd-says-charity">may have PTSD, says charity</a>.*


feed_id: 14cf506f7f93b7b2828cd3d7aead1207
title: Filibuster
uri: 2021-03-03-Filibuster
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#3_March_2021_%28Filibuster%29
content:
<p>
*Senate Democrats <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2021/02/28/senate-democrats-can-and-must-abolish-filibuster-now">Can and Must Abolish the Filibuster. Now</a>.*


feed_id: 37e07286786936600e03c78256530d33
title: Putting protest leaders on trial
uri: Putting-protest-leaders-on-trial
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#3_March_2021_%28Putting_protest_leaders_on_trial%29
content:
<p>
Hong Kong is putting protest leaders on trial for political charges.
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/mar/01/hong-kong-court-protests-democracy-activists-national-security-law">1000 people came to protest</a>.

<p>
China has crushed freedom in Hong Kong.  What about freedom in the US
and the UK?  <a href="https://www.stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#2_March_2021_(Laws_to_repress_protests)">Both</a> are <a href="https://www.stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#3_March_2021_(Criminalizing_protests)">threatened</a> now.


feed_id: 2bddb4c940deab43cd87f61c13c51980
title: Jamaica criminalizes homosexuality
uri: Jamaica-criminalizes-homosexuality
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#4_March_2021_%28Jamaica_criminalizes_homosexuality%29

content:
<p>

Jamaica's laws criminalize homosexuality.  The Inter-American
Commission on Human Rights ruled that these laws violate human rights
and inspire violence, especially by the uniformed <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thugs</a>, which extends
as far as murder.
<p>
The <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2021/mar/02/jamaica-lgbtq-violence-homophobic-laws-">challenge of changing those laws</a>, and changing the hatred, remains.


feed_id: c3b4f34768685ae79b49f100ed07b09f
title: Bogus Johnson's personal conveniences
uri: Bogus-Johnson-s-personal-conveniences
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#4_March_2021_%28Bogus_Johnson%27s_personal_conveniences%29

content:
<p>

Bogus Johnson openly manipulates the government to <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2021/mar/02/creating-a-charity-to-pay-for-pms-flat-refurb-would-be-an-outrage">pay for personal
conveniences</a> for him.
<p>
Tories have legitimized corruption to the point where they don't need to
disguise it.
<p>
Meanwhile, Labour has become so "centrist" that there is a serious proposal
for it to <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2021/feb/20/labour-mps-dismayed-at-orders-to-maintain-radio-silence-on-brexit">become the "party of business"</a>,
instead of the party of working people and those in need.
<p>
A party of the rich and the bigots and a party of business &mdash; that's
what the US had under Clinton.  Progressive Democrats are gradually
changing that.


feed_id: 81c0273f60cde8cd299291d6a8e25653
title: Toxic fracking chemicals
uri: Toxic-fracking-chemicals
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#4_March_2021_%28Toxic_fracking_chemicals%29
content:
<p>

A study found toxic fracking chemicals in the <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2021/03/01/investigation-chemical-exposure-fracking-pennsylvania-provokes-call-rapid-phaseout">air, water and human bodies</a>
in the region of fracking in Pennsylvania, 
even in people who live five miles away.
<p>
Fracking ought to be banned on account of its <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#global heating">global heating</a>
contribution alone, but local pollution adds another good reason.


feed_id: c89ef7669c42408afac9824a14ac97f0
title: Neera Tanden's nomination
uri: Neera-Tanden-s-nomination
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#4_March_2021_%28Neera_Tanden%27s_nomination%29
content:
<p>

Neera Tanden's nomination <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/mar/02/neera-tanden-withdraws-nomination-biden-cabinet">has been spiked</a> in response to angry tweets.
<p>
Why were progressive senators such as Sanders planning to vote for her?


feed_id: 9f495a18e8e40540f9d73341d87ab580
title: Planet roasters distract with side issues
uri: Planet-roasters-distract-with-side-issues
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#4_March_2021_%28Planet_roasters_distract_with_side_issues%29

content:
<p>

Planet roasters try to distract Americans with concerns about <a href="a href=">side
issues</a> such as "energy independence" so that they can keep
pumping oil to export.
<p>
They have obtained plenty of oil leases that they are not using yet,
so Biden's moratorium on approving additional leases won't affect them
for a long time.
<p>
I do not wish to take a nationalistic viewpoint towards the global
problem of planetary heating.  If country C is going to buy oil and
burn it, it is not worse if that oil comes from the US.  And refusing
to export it will mean some other country exports that oil, perhaps
<a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#salafi">Salafi Arabia</a>.  That is not a step forward.
<p>
On the other hand, if several countries compete to export oil, they
will export more oil, which is the opposite of what we need.  We need
a treaty to limit and reduce oil exports.
<p>
But it may be possible for one oil-exporting country to exert
influence on its own.
<p>
Here's an idea: the US should agree to continue exporting oil to China
for the next 10 years, provided China agrees to build no new coal
power plants and shut down all its existing coal-fired plants on a
pre-agreed schedule during that time.  And replace them with renewable
electric generation.  And not to export any coal.
<p>
The energy independence that Earth needs is independence from
nonrenewable or unsustainable energy.


feed_id: 91971f758079e15dd03674872636e978
title: (satire) As much as they can realistically back out of
uri: (satire)-As-much-as-they-can-realistically-back-out-of
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#4_March_2021_%28%28satire%29_As_much_as_they_can_realistically_back_out_of%29

content:
<p>

(satire) *World Leaders Pledge To Cut Emissions By As Much As They Can <a href="https://politics.theonion.com/world-leaders-pledge-to-cut-emissions-by-as-much-as-the-1846380996">Realistically
Back Out Of</a>.*


feed_id: 8327345bdb38c0b1870d277b626da4e6
title: (satire) Anger management counseling
uri: (satire)-Anger-management-counseling
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#4_March_2021_%28%28satire%29_Anger_management_counseling%29

content:
<p>

(satire) *U.S. Allocates $500 Million For Mohammed Bin Salman To Use
On Anger Management Counseling.*

https://www.theonion.com/u-s-allocates-500-million-for-mohammed-bin-salman-to-1846389601


feed_id: 21111aed2b754a1461928f6f86bb441f
title: Government transfer of funds
uri: Government-transfer-of-funds
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#4_March_2021_%28Government_transfer_of_funds%29
content:
<p>

The federal government <a href="https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2021/2/28/2018639/-Eliminate-Federal-Red-State-Republican-Subsidies?_=2021-02-28T17:36:59.730-08:00">transfers funds</a> from more urban, Democratic
states to rural Republican states.  Perhaps that offers a lever to
influence the Republican voters.
<p>
To punish them would be pretty easy, but would not help enact
progressive policies.  How to use these programs to win over some
Republicans is harder &mdash; and how to do it with changes Democrats
can enact is even more challenging.


feed_id: 2eb1b7ede7d3c616f7b24655d88cd1ac
title: Sanctions over Navalny poisoning
uri: Sanctions-over-Navalny-poisoning
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#4_March_2021_%28Sanctions_over_Navalny_poisoning%29
content:
<p>

*US hits Russian officials with <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/mar/02/us-russian-officials-fresh-sanctions-navalny">fresh sanctions</a> over Navalny poisoning.*


feed_id: d08e49cd225b2229adc4915ada75f399
title: Guterres cancels planned coal projects
uri: Guterres-cancels-planned-coal-projects
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#4_March_2021_%28Guterres_cancels_planned_coal_projects%29

content:
<p>

Secretary-General António Guterres called for <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/mar/02/cancel-all-planned-coal-projects-globally-to-end-deadly-addiction-says-un-chief">cancellation of all
planned coal projects</a>.
<p>
We have understood this for years, but that the head of the UN says so
is a big step towards making it happen.


feed_id: 9a2e5265a5a2bdc9af3fa6d23672661d
title: Damage in Australia by global heating
uri: Damage-in-Australia-by-global-heating
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#4_March_2021_%28Damage_in_Australia_by_global_heating%29

content:
<p>

The damage caused by <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#global heating">global heating</a> in Australia will get to be so
costly that <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2021/mar/02/climate-change-could-put-insurance-out-of-reach-for-many-australians">insurance will no longer be a feasible way</a> for people to
protect themselves from damage.
<p>
I think the same thing will <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2021/mar/02/climate-change-could-put-insurance-out-of-reach-for-many-australians">happen in California</a>.
<p>
The only effective remedy will be to curb <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#global heating">global heating</a>.


feed_id: e807652502b1118e602f6c593d9ea968
title: McDonalds scared of workers' rights
uri: McDonalds-scared-of-workers-rights
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#4_March_2021_%28McDonalds_scared_of_workers%27_rigts%29

content:
<p>

*McDonald's <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2021/mar/02/mcdonalds-unions-workers-rights">spies on union activists</a> &mdash; that's how scared they are of workers'
rights.*


feed_id: 535a54f3722b97d44280d7ef29c9b75c
title: Complaint against Prince Bone Saw
uri: Complaint-against-Prince-Bone-Saw
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#4_March_2021_%28Complaint_against_Prince_Bone_Saw%29

content:
<p>

RSF has filed a complaint against Prince Bone Saw in Germany, over
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/mar/02/criminal-complaint-filed-against-mohammed-bin-salman-in-german-court">systematic persecution of journalists</a>.
This includes the murder of Khashoggi and lots more.
<p>
This is possible because Germany asserts universal jurisdiction over
crimes against humanity.


feed_id: 6cdff3a579b50c693683afc835954983
title: (satire) No-nonsense negotiator
uri: (satire)-No-nonsense-negotiator
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#4_March_2021_%28%28satire%29_No-nonsense_negotiator%29

content:
<p>

(satire) *No-Nonsense Negotiator Strong-Arms Landlord Into <a href="https://local.theonion.com/no-nonsense-negotiator-strong-arms-landlord-into-fixing-1846366704">Fixing Toilet For Rent Increase</a>.*


feed_id: 65e9a1cf1fa7324acd4b8e3238f4f386
title: Trump regulatory rollbacks
uri: Trump-regulatory-rollbacks
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#4_March_2021_%28Trump_regulatory_rollbacks%29
content:
<p>

*Biden Can <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2021/03/01/biden-can-freeze-potentially-dozens-harmful-last-minute-trump-regulatory">Freeze Potentially Dozens</a> of Harmful, Last-Minute Trump
Regulatory Rollbacks.*


feed_id: 5fa5b90025e62d678ca738699737faeb
title: Zimbabwe's tyrannical government
uri: Zimbabwe-s-tyrannical-government
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#4_March_2021_%28Zimbabwe%27s_tyrannical_government%29

content:
<p>

The leader of Zimbabwe's principal opposition party
calls on world powers to <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2021/feb/18/international-community-despots-regimes-africa">stop supporting its tyrannical government</a>.
<p>
It is harder for western powers to restrain the government of Zimbabwe
now that China is <a href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/7354428.stm">shipping arms to it</a>.
<p>
In this regard, China is not uniquely evil.  Western countries gave
tyrannical governments similar support in the past, and still do with
some.  Nonetheless, the fact that China does it today has bad
repercussions in many parts of the world.  Western governments
sometimes join together to push for freedom, but China won't care at
all.


feed_id: 479e8359642443ae6edee015968de4b9
title: Disregard Parliamentarian
uri: Disregard-Parliamentarian
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#4_March_2021_%28Disregard_Parliamentarian%29
content:
<p>
Sanders called on the Senate Democrats <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2021/03/02/urging-senate-ignore-parliamentarian-sanders-force-vote-15-minimum-wage-amendment">to disregard the views of
the Parliamentarian</a>.


feed_id: e0c9e85cdf587f5fdd246f69c1e068a9
title: Too little and too big
uri: Too-little-and-too-big
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#4_March_2021_%28Too_little_and_too_big%29
content:
<p>
Varoufakis: *Both supporters and critics of US President Joe Biden’s $1.9 trillion
   stimulus plan assume that there is a dollar amount that is just right.
   In fact, no such figure exists: every possible stimulus size <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2021/03/02/biden-must-go-beyond-fiscal-stimulus">is
   simultaneously too little and too big</a>.*

<p>
In addition to a stimulus, Biden needs to *lift the spending power of those
   who have next to none.*


feed_id: 15d05d93391cf8f8013b5e696dae83d6
title: Unconscious bias training
uri: Unconscious-bias-training
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#4_March_2021_%28Unconscious_bias_training%29
content:
<p>
Unconscious bias training does not seem to be effective <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/money/2021/mar/02/unconscious-bias-training-alone-will-not-stop-discrimination-say-critics">in reducing
unconscious bias</a>.


feed_id: 945e50edf890f81b70c542351b042a43
title: Powerful current of racism
uri: Powerful-current-of-racism
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#4_March_2021_%28Powerful_current_of_racism%29
content:
<p>
Chinese-Australians face a powerful current of racism.
Almost 1/5 <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2021/mar/03/nearly-one-in-five-chinese-australians-threatened-or-attacked-in-past-year-survey-finds">have suffered violence or threats of violence</a>.

<p>
People of Chinese origin or ancestry are not necessarily supporters
of the Chinese government.  Indeed, some of them hate it.

<p>
I've seen articles recently about prejudice in the US against
"Asian-Americans".  Racial prejudice is bad regardless of the details,
but I do wonder what people "Asian-Americans" means.  Asia is the
biggest continent and includes a variety of peoples, and they do not
look similar, so it is implausible that all Asian-Americans are
involved.

<p>
Are Americans of Turkish descent facing prejudice?  Iranian?  What
about people from India and neighboring countries?  Siberians?  Do
Balinese musicians face threats?  Hawaiians?

<p>
Are these articles really about people of Chinese descent, or who
resemble Chinese?  If so, please don't mislead us with "Asian".


feed_id: f4da0f68011a1dd09a909a6b9e60d0fe
title: Factory farms emissions
uri: Factory-farms-emissions
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#4_March_2021_%28Factory_farms_emissions%29
content:
<p>
Factory farms emit large amounts of greenhouse gases.  We need <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2021/03/01/factory-farms-new-epa-emissions-data-should-guide-biden-agriculture-and-climate">to
regulate farms to bring those emissions down</a>.


feed_id: 7e6e995d1e2baea5c79c723de9f884ce
title: Workers lending pay
uri: Workers-lending-pay
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#4_March_2021_%28Workers_lending_pay%29
content:
<p>
A restaurant chain, threatened with closure, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/business/2021/mar/01/steakhouse-chain-asks-staff-to-lend-10-per-cent-of-wages-amid-covid-crisis">asks workers to "lend" it
10% of their pay</a>.

<p>
Considering how little most restaurant employees make, they may have
trouble doing without 10% even supposing they will get it back.
But will they get it back?

<p>
If the restaurant chain stays in business and becomes successful
again, it will probably repay the loan, but we can't be sure.
Wage theft from restaurant staff is not unusual.

<p>
However, if the restaurant chain goes broke, which apparently might
happen, I expect the workers will probably lose the lent pay.


feed_id: c6872c2c01b81d1257779eb8b81938dd
title: Virtual visitor logs
uri: Virtual-visitor-logs
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#4_March_2021_%28Virtual_visitor_logs%29
content:
<p>
*Biden Criticized for Lack of Transparency <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2021/03/01/biden-criticized-lack-transparency-after-refusing-publicize-virtual-visitor-logs">After Refusing to Publicize Virtual
Visitor Logs</a>.*


feed_id: e950c8a61496334904d4ad8eaede8aea
title: Hybrid cars
uri: Hybrid-cars
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#4_March_2021_%28Hybrid_cars%29
content:
<p>
Hybrid cars use more fuel and emit more pollution <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/business/2021/mar/02/plug-in-hybrid-cars-burn-more-fuel-than-tests-record-says-which">than they are
advertised to emit</a>.

<p>
In other words, they are a green swindle.


feed_id: 889caa340dbd93d9574e6fab4b88cd6b
title: Greenwash
uri: Greenwash
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#4_March_2021_%28Greenwash%29
content:
<p>
*Net zero increasingly involves highly
   questionable carbon accounting. As a result, the new politics swirling
   around net zero targets <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2021/mar/03/climate-crisis-carbon-accounting-tricks-big-finance">is rapidly becoming a confusing and dangerous
   mix of pragmatism, self-delusion and weapons-grade greenwash</a>.*


feed_id: 5a9a313af753e0cdad97b30667deaeb3
title: Utility bills and undocumented immigrants
uri: Utility-bills-and-undocumented-immigrants
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#4_March_2021_%28Utility_bills_and_undocumented_immigrants%29

content:
<p>
*[The deportation thugs] reached a new low: using utility bills <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2021/mar/03/ice-reached-a-new-low-using-utility-bills-to-hunt-undocumented-immigrants">to
 hunt undocumented immigrants</a>.*


feed_id: ced6ccfe32fa24929a8efdb29c89eaef
title: Admitting torture and murder
uri: Admitting-torture-and-murder
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#4_March_2021_%28Admitting_torture_and_murder%29
content:
<p>
*Emmanuel Macron has admitted French soldiers tortured and killed a
well-known Algerian lawyer and activist <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/mar/03/french-soldiers-killed-algerian-lawyer-in-war-of-independence-macron-admits">during [Algeria's]
independence war</a>.*

<p>
The fact was already known, but the government's recognition of its
involvement is a step forward toward justice.


feed_id: 5584573b13dce10c4fc9e588555a65b9
title: Incel killer
uri: Incel-killer
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#4_March_2021_%28Incel_killer%29
content:
<p>
The Canadian "incel" killer has been convicted of murders, and will
presumably <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/mar/03/toronto-van-attack-guilty-murder">be sentenced to spend a long time "in cell."</a>


feed_id: 0ef45cf23743fe0a8579d87862846d7b
title: Protesters murdered
uri: Protesters-murdered
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#4_March_2021_%28Protesters_murdered%29
content:
<p>
Burmese soldiers and thugs <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/mar/03/dozens-killed-in-myanmars-worst-day-of-violence-since-coup">shot protesters in various
cities</a>.
  They must have received orders to do that.  They killed at least 33 people.


feed_id: d7958ed45144b227986b0bbcb9d1498b
title: Eliminating rules to slow Covid-19
uri: Eliminating-rules-to-slow-Covid-19
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#4_March_2021_%28Eliminating_rules_to_slow_Covid-19%29

content:
<p>
The Republican governor of Texas <a href="https://www.texastribune.org/2021/03/02/greg-abbott-texas-announcement/">has eliminated nearly all rules
designed to slow the spread of Covid-19</a>.
  I think he wants as many Texans as possible to get infected before
it is too late.


feed_id: 1c0b0d7a8fa73fb65dabac90af3b363a
title: Tax bills for unemployment assurance payments
uri: Tax-bills-for-unemployment-assurance-payments
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#4_March_2021_%28Tax_bills_for_unemployment_assurance_payments%29

content:
<p>
Millions of Americans are receiving tax bills <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2021/03/02/we-should-be-taxing-rich-not-unemployed-millions-set-receive-surprise-bills-pandemic">for their unemployment
insurance payments over the past year</a>.

<p>
After decades of rule by <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#doohnibor">dooH niboR</a>, most Americans live close to the
edge.  Especially those who lost their jobs last year.  An expense of
$500 dollars will push them over the edge.

<p>
Millions of Americans are falling over the edge, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/business/2021/mar/02/us-unemployed-millions-without-benefits">because they
have not received unemployment benefits</a>.


feed_id: ba575c669086bdf8593d0005c70e22f8
title: (satire) Sharing vaccine supplies and technology
uri: (satire)-Sharing-vaccine-supplies-and-technology
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#5_March_2021_%28%28satire%29_Sharing_vaccine_supplies_and_technology%29

content:
<p>

(satire) *<a href="https://www.theonion.com/pros-and-cons-of-sharing-vaccine-supplies-and-technolog-1846392056">Pros And Cons</a> Of Sharing Vaccine Supplies And Technology.*


feed_id: 4da686c0a7fd7e524d57478692961e35
title: (satire) Military diversity initiative
uri: (satire)-Military-diversity-initiative
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#5_March_2021_%28%28satire%29_Military_diversity_initiative%29

content:
<p>

(satire) *New <a href="https://www.theonion.com/new-military-diversity-initiative-aims-to-make-leadersh-1846391375">Military Diversity Initiative</a> Aims To Make Leadership
Look More Like Countries They Invade.*


feed_id: 40fee76610091e142279aebf8b0b66e6
title: Competitive Disadvantage
uri: Competitive-Disadvantage
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#5_March_2021_%28Competitive_Disadvantage%29
content:
<p>

*Blaring Quiet Part Out Loud, GOP Lawyer Admits to Supreme Court That Easier
Voting Puts Republicans at <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2021/03/03/blaring-quiet-part-out-loud-gop-lawyer-admits-supreme-court-easier-voting-puts">'Competitive Disadvantage'</a>.*


feed_id: 884af433198caf991b7b90d63bfa61f2
title: The CLEAN Act
uri: The-CLEAN-Act
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#5_March_2021_%28The_CLEAN_Act%29
content:
<p>

The CLEAN Act would take some steps forward towards decarbonizing, but has
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2021/03/02/green-new-dud-progressives-warn-house-climate-bill-fails-grasp-fundamental-truth">big shortcomings</a>.


feed_id: 0cbeae59f6473c47a8c51ca6f1934c04
title: Jailed for protesting repeatedly
uri: Jailed-for-protesting-repeatedly
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#5_March_2021_%28Jailed__for_protesting_repeatedly%29

content:
<p>

A protester has been <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2021/03/02/disgrace-first-nation-pipeline-opponent-gets-90-days-jail-after-ceremony-along-trans">jailed for protesting repeatedly</a> in the vicinity
of the Trans Mountain Pipeline.
<p>
The article makes a big fuss about the protester's ethnic background.
I do not think that makes any difference.  I would admire anyone
equally for doing the same thing.


feed_id: 64ffe348d1ff413647ceb6d345c3c41e
title: Campaign to discredit BBC
uri: Campaign-to-discredit-BBC
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#5_March_2021_%28Campaign_to_discredit_BBC%29
content:
<p>
*China's Communist party <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/mar/04/chinas-communist-party-ran-campaign-to-discredit-bbc-thinktank-finds">ran campaign to discredit BBC</a>, thinktank finds.*


feed_id: 6d9b8d27eb7d117c25fc0a2c0a2aeff5
title: Shrinking carbon footprint
uri: Shrinking-carbon-footprint
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#5_March_2021_%28Shrinking_carbon_footprint%29
content:
<p>
Warning the UK that <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/mar/04/international-climate-scientists-join-call-to-halt-leeds-bradford-airport-expansion">it can't shrink its carbon footprint and expand
an airport</a>.


feed_id: cf79db1d160e2aec4f9e859c8f01d670
title: Prosecuting volunteers rescuing migrants
uri: Prosecuting-volunteers-rescuing-migrants
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#5_March_2021_%28Prosecuting_volunteers_rescuing_migrants%29

content:
<p>
Italy is prosecuting the volunteer crew members of boats <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2021/mar/04/refugee-rescuers-charged-in-italy-with-complicity-in-people-smuggling">that went to sea
to rescue migrants traveling to Italy on smugger boats</a>.

<p>
The US has likewise prosecuted people <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#14_February_2019_(Food_and_water_in_the_desert)">who leave water in
the desert for people trying to migrate from Mexico</a>.


feed_id: 0d6b352fc29c58a3529a8912bbb57a3f
title: Talks on nuclear deal
uri: Talks-on-nuclear-deal
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#5_March_2021_%28Talks_on_nuclear_deal%29
content:
<p>
*Iran and IAEA <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/mar/04/iran-and-iaea-clear-potential-roadblock-to-talks-with-us-on-nuclear-deal">clear potential roadblock to talks with US on nuclear deal</a>.*


feed_id: 984d53b1dfde3c3753587dc2fa92962d
title: George Floyd Act
uri: George-Floyd-Act
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#5_March_2021_%28George_Floyd_Act%29
content:
<p>
*The George Floyd Act <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2021/mar/04/the-george-floyd-act-wouldnt-have-saved-george-floyds-life-thats-says-it-all">wouldn't have saved George Floyd’s life</a>.*

<p>
I will look for more information about the Breathe Act.  However, the
George Floyd act does try to prevent other injustices committed by
uniformed <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thugs</a>.


feed_id: e518ef40896f539ecb51686ae2dafc5d
title: ICC prosecution
uri: ICC-prosecution
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#5_March_2021_%28ICC_prosecution%29
content:
<p>
The ICC might prosecute Israeli officials, even a minister, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/law/2021/mar/03/israeli-officials-start-to-feel-the-impact-of-icc-investigation">who were
involved in bombing Gaza in 2014</a>.
  They might be unable to travel internationally.

<p>
It is even possible that the court might investigate the crime of
settling Israelis in the occupied West Bank.


feed_id: cc1ea0d3afe48f56f89ac69e27be5716
title: Investigating use of bombs
uri: Investigating-use-of-bombs
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#5_March_2021_%28Investigating_use_of_bombs%29
content:
<p>
An Italian court is investigating <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/mar/03/italian-judge-extends-inquiry-into-yemen-deaths">the use of bombs made in Italy by
Salafi Arabia in Yemen</a>.


feed_id: 58588db36b6a7af5b24d45882e86ca19
title: Punishing making vaccine
uri: Punishing-making-vaccine
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#5_March_2021_%28Punishing_making_vaccine%29
content:
<p>
The drug company lobby is lobbying heavily for the US to punish countries
<a href="https://theintercept.com/2021/03/03/vaccine-coronavirus-big-pharma-biden/">that propose to save lives by making their own Covid-19 vaccine</a>.

<p>
The article follows the misguided practice of using the term
"intellectual property".  That term <a href="https://gnu.org/philosophy/not-ipr.html">spreads both bias and confusion</a>;
  I urge people to reject it entirely as I do.


feed_id: 946e55ac7a302e65cd883bd2ec696e7e
title: Oil companies net zero emissions
uri: Oil-companies-net-zero-emissions
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#5_March_2021_%28Oil_companies_net_zero_emissions%29
content:
<p>
*Global oil companies have committed to 'net zero' emissions. <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2021/mar/03/global-oil-companies-have-committed-to-net-zero-emissions-its-a-sham">It's a sham</a>.*

<p>
They say they will make "offsets" so big, by 2050, that they will cancel out
fossil fuel combustion and leaks.

<p>
There's no way to absolutely prove this won't work, until 2050.  Then
they can say, "Too bad, we tried," but everyone alive then will suffer
the ecological damage.


feed_id: 617926eb89198ca78adf3aeb17f3f225
title: Death of transgender soldier
uri: Death-of-transgender-soldier
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#5_March_2021_%28Death_of_transgender_soldier%29
content:
<p>
*South Korea's first transgender soldier <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/mar/04/south-koreas-first-transgender-soldier-found-dead">found dead</a>.*

<p>
Of suicide, it appears.


feed_id: d4ec583a673f9ecb5e2530aa20c58bb4
title: Seagrass
uri: Seagrass
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#5_March_2021_%28Seagrass%29
content:
<p>
Humans are rapidly destroying the world's remaining seagrass meadows.
That is a shame, because <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/mar/04/catastrophic-uk-has-lost-90-of-seagrass-meadows-study-finds">they shelter baby fish and sequester carbon in the
sea bottom</a>.


feed_id: e6d12738deee26d7ee48136470462dca
title: Chairman resigns after destruction of historical site
uri: Chairman-resigns-after-destruction-of-historical-site
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#5_March_2021_%28Chairman_resigns_after_destruction_of_historical_site%29

content:
<p>
The chairman of the board of Rio Tinto will step down, following
several executives, due to the scandal resulting <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/business/2021/mar/03/rio-tinto-investors-welcome-chairs-decision-to-step-down-after-juukan-gorge-scandal">from the company's
destruction of 46000-year-old cave habitations in Juukan Gorge</a>.

<p>
Management had got legal approval to do this, and acted as if nothing
else mattered.


feed_id: a4501a1ee412e467816dd18440b5c4d7
title: Misinformation on Facebook
uri: Misinformation-on-Facebook
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#5_March_2021_%28Misinformation_on_Facebook%29
content:
<p>
Right-wing misinformation on Facebook attracts more attention than
truthful information.  Left-wing misinformation <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2021/03/03/tech/facebook-right-wing-misinformation/index.html">attracts less attention
than truthful information</a>.

<p>
A good, quick heuristic for finding valid information is look at
whatever left-wing information comes your way.


feed_id: 9d9e7e028216ecde84b3609cff1231fa
title: Urgent: Investigate and prosecute Trump and his network
uri: Urgent-Investigate-and-prosecute-Trump-and-his-network
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#6_March_2021_%28Urgent%3A_Investigate_and_prosecute_Trump_and_his_network%29

content:
<p>
US citizens:
<a href="https://actionnetwork.org/forms/sign-the-petition-prosecute-trump-and-his-network-for-their-crimes?nowrapper=true">call
on Merrick Garland</a> to investigate and prosecute Trump and his
network.


feed_id: 3bed1174edc74d5e4a25fe5c325a6d68
title: Urgent: Senator Warren's wealth tax
uri: Urgent-Senator-Warren-s-wealth-tax
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#6_March_2021_%28Urgent%3A_Senator_Warrens_wealth_tax%29

content:
<p>
US citizens:
<a href="https://act.demandprogress.org/sign/tell-congress-pass-wealth-tax/">call
on Congress</a> to pass Senator Warren's wealth tax.


feed_id: 6e2f4ec6a1119bfcfb559baacaa7c797
title: Urgent: Stop construction of Line 3 pipeline
uri: 2021-03-07-Urgent-Stop-construction-of-Line-3-pipeline
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#6_March_2021_%28Urgent%3A_Stop_construction_of_Line_3_pipeline%29

content:
<p>
US citizens:
<a href="https://act.350.org/call/Rep_line3/">phone your congressional
representative</a> and ask per to pressure Biden to stop construction
of the Line 3 pipeline.


feed_id: a1b4314f7e5acd0a3e4135faa06aef09
title: Israeli border thugs gratuitously shoot man dead
uri: Israeli-border-thugs-gratuitously-shoot-man-dead
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#6_March_2021_%28Israeli_border_thugs_gratuitously_shoot_man_dead%29

content:
<p>
Israeli border <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thugs</a>
<a href="https://www.972mag.com/forensic-ahmad-erekat-killing/">gratuitously
shot Ahmad Erekat dead</a> after he had an embarrassing car crash,
then lied about the circumstances.
<p>
<a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">Thugs</a> in various countries have a
practice of thinking, "What accusations can we make against the victim
that no one can disprove."  But in this case they seem to have
exceeded that limit.
<p>
When my friends die, I miss them.  It doesn't matter whether I even
see their corpses.  But it occurs to me that there may be a sinister
reason why Israel holds permanently the corpses of Palestinians that
Israelis kill: to prevent autopsies that could provide objective
evidence about how they were killed.  Making this a blanket policy
avoids the need to conjure up an individual excuse.


feed_id: 444610824d41a0542bba18a83a7e9d7f
title: Biden gives in to demand to reduce stimulus
uri: Biden-gives-in-to-demand-to-reduce-stimulus
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#6_March_2021_%28Biden_gives_in_to_demand_to_reduce_stimulus%29

content:
<p>
Biden gave in to a demand from Manchin and Sinema to
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2021/03/03/madness-cave-right-wing-dems-biden-agrees-further-limit-eligibility-direct-payments">reduce
the stimulus payments for people whose 2019 income was above $80k</a>.
Whether they were unemployed most of 2020 or not.


feed_id: 41cbe7a8449c546570833c02c20608e3
title: UK Green Party proposals
uri: UK-Green-Party-proposals
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#6_March_2021_%28UK_Green_Party_proposals%29
content:
<p>
A UK Green MEP explains
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2021/03/03/joy-tax-economy-common-good">the
Green Party proposals</a> for reversing the Tories' dooH niboR cuts in
business taxes, plus a steadily increasing carbon tax.


feed_id: 283a2e5a16f94dcdf832b8528ffdb0fe
title: New Covid variants and states reopening
uri: New-Covid-variants-and-states-reopening
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#6_March_2021_%28New_Covid_variants_and_states_reopening%29

content:
<p>
*US experts warn new Covid variants and states reopening
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/mar/05/new-covid-variants-us-states-reopening-fourth-wave">may
lead to fourth wave</a>.*
<p>
*Fauci: US shouldn't loosen coronavirus restrictions
<a href="https://www.cnn.com/2021/03/04/health/us-coronavirus-thursday/index.html">until
daily new cases fall below 10,000</a>.*
<p>
That is assuming your goal is to make Covid-19 go away.  Republicans,
who boosted the infection last year and killed perhaps 300,000
Americans who otherwise would not have caught it, are still trying to
spread it.  Perhaps their motive is that they expect it to
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jan-apr.html#13_April_2020_(Effects_of_Covid-19_on_poor_and_marginalized)">kill
mainly blacks</a>.
<p>
I would add an additional proviso: we should not loosen coronavirus
restrictions unless we can determine that R will remain substantially
under 1 after they are loosened.


feed_id: e3d587a0467eba95a7f0c1270f9e33ec
title: Texas
uri: 2021-03-07-Texas
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#6_March_2021_%28Texas%29
content:
<p>
(satire) *Covid Announces Plan To Move Operations To Texas Full-Time
<a href="https://www.theonion.com/covid-announces-plan-to-move-operations-to-texas-full-t-1846400325">To
Escape Burdensome Regulations</a>.*
<p>
(satire) *New Texas Law
<a href="https://www.theonion.com/new-texas-law-requires-all-masks-have-word-pussy-writ-1846399079">Requires
All Masks Have Word ‘Pussy’ Written Across Front</a>.*


feed_id: 3658a5f21b8eace5eed93d273466f85b
title: Letting biotech industry rewrite GMO safety laws
uri: Letting-biotech-industry-rewrite-GMO-safety-laws
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#6_March_2021_%28Letting_biotech_industry_rewrite_GMO_safety_laws%29

content:
<p>
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2021/03/04/how-eu-commission-broke-its-own-rules-let-biotech-industry-help-rewrite-gmo">How
the EU Commission Broke Its Own Rules</a> to Let the Biotech Industry
Help Rewrite GMO Safety Laws.
<p>
By selecting the questions to ask, and who to ask them of, it is not
hard to shape the answers.


feed_id: a3ccccb189f28a62400719b4a3b3daa5
title: Too little and too big
uri: 2021-03-07-Too-little-and-too-big
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#4_March_2021_%28Too_little_and_too_big%29
content:
<p>
Varoufakis: *Both supporters and critics of US President Joe Biden’s
$1.9 trillion stimulus plan assume that there is a dollar amount that
is just right.  In fact, no such figure exists: every possible
stimulus size
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2021/03/02/biden-must-go-beyond-fiscal-stimulus">is
simultaneously too little and too big</a>.*
<p>
In addition to a stimulus, Biden needs to *lift the spending power of
those who have next to none.*


feed_id: 78ae72e36a9a6d7914d34192396262d8
title: (satire) Anger management counseling
uri: 2021-03-08-(satire)-Anger-management-counseling
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#4_March_2021_%28%28satire%29_Anger_management_counseling%29

content:
<p>
(satire) *U.S. Allocates $500 Million For Mohammed Bin Salman To Use
On
<a href="https://www.theonion.com/u-s-allocates-500-million-for-mohammed-bin-salman-to-1846389601">Anger
Management Counseling</a>.*


feed_id: 6f0ef7edf4ee67be7ad6f67e560cfe3a
title: Urgent: The Fight to Free Knowledge
uri: Urgent-The-Fight-to-Free-Knowledge
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#7_March_2021_%28Urgent%3A_The_Fight_to_Free_Knowledge%29

content:
<p>

The New Enlightenment And the Fight to Free Knowledge, a book by Peter
Kaufman, describes the forces that have purposely crippled efforts to
share knowledge widely and freely, and proposes how to defeat them.
In the interest of full disclosure I have to admit that the book
says very nice things about me.  But it's about a lot more than me.
<p>
The book is being <a href="https://new-enlightenment.pubpub.org/">published on line</a>
one chapter at a time, under CC-BY; eventually the whole book will be
there.  Nicely printed copies are also available.


feed_id: 1399263223985f7c5a34d39a21380855
title: Urgent: Call on McDonald's to stop snooping on workers' advocacy
uri: Urgent-Call-on-McDonald-s-to-stop-snooping-on-workers-advocacy
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#7_March_2021_%28Urgent%3A_Call_on_McDonald%27s_to_stop_snooping_on_workers%27_advocacy%29

content:
<p>

Everyone: call on McDonald's to <a href="https://actionnetwork.org/petitions/stop-mcdonalds-creepy-surveillance-program">stop snooping</a> on workers' advocacy
of raising the minimum wage.


feed_id: cd4f8aa800a58b526529556b7a738e24
title: China could push emissions higher
uri: China-could-push-emissions-higher
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#7_March_2021_%28China_could_push_emissions_higher%29

content:
<p>

*China's five year plan could <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/mar/05/china-five-year-plan-emissions">push emissions higher</a> unless action is taken.*


feed_id: f8c9f4ce362dd1f271e216738ebe53ff
title: Admiration of underpaid "heroes"
uri: Admiration-of-underpaid-heroes
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#7_March_2021_%28Admiration_of_underpaid_heroes%29
content:
<p>

Asking the public to admire underpaid "heroes" is an <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2021/mar/05/boris-johnson-clap-patients-pay-offer">excuse for not giving them a raise</a>.  The Tories' treatment of the NHS shows this clearly.


feed_id: 876dc01d67e80d240d1f9ea154d89563
title: NHS Covid patients after the pandemic
uri: NHS-Covid-patients-after-the-pandemic
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#7_March_2021_%28NHS_Covid_patients_after_the_pandemic%29

content:
<p>

*NHS may face a <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/society/2021/mar/05/nhs-long-covid-patients-after-pandemic">million long Covid patients</a> after pandemic.*
<p>
If 16% of the people in a country are debilitated this way,
it would cripple the country.  Will that happen to the US?


feed_id: 0e3e844efc682fff0d1e3f9465155f39
title: Right-Wing, Intolerant Modi Government
uri: Right-Wing-Intolerant-Modi-Government
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#7_March_2021_%28Right-Wing%2C_Intolerant_Modi_Government%29

content:
<p>

*Aussie State Senator <a href="https://pieterjfriedrich.medium.com/aussie-state-senator-calls-out-right-wing-intolerant-modi-government-506a4d17b165">Calls Out</a> "Right-Wing, Intolerant Modi Government".*


feed_id: ff53283ded15c58b0990b4fc64862ce9
title: Total number of butterflies
uri: Total-number-of-butterflies
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#7_March_2021_%28Total_number_of_butterflies%29
content:
<p>

* The total number of butterflies west of the Rockies <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/mar/04/butterfly-numbers-plummeting-us-west-climate-crisis">has fallen</a> 1.6%
   a year since 1977.*
<p>
That amounts to around 50% since then.


feed_id: 11f98b42b8d8394a04b14100b982316d
title: Rapist told to marry victim to avoid jail
uri: Rapist-told-to-marry-victim-to-avoid-jail
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#7_March_2021_%28Rapist_told_to_marry_victim_to_avoid_jail%29

content:
<p>

*India's top judge tells accused rapist to <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/mar/04/indias-top-judge-tells-accused-rapist-to-marry-victim-to-avoid-jail">marry victim to avoid jail</a>.*
<p>
The article does not suggest he considered what the girl wanted.


feed_id: c668e7e7a39cf54eb9c883981315c8f3
title: De-facto annexation
uri: De-facto-annexation
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#7_March_2021_%28De-facto_annexation%29
content:
<p>

*   More than 400 European parliamentarians have urged leaders to use Joe
   Biden's new presidency as an opportunity to stop what they term
   Israel's <a href="https://www.france24.com/en/middle-east/20210301-european-lawmakers-urge-action-against-israel-s-de-facto-annexation-of-west-bank">"de-facto annexation"</a> of the occupied West Bank.*


feed_id: 362350c2033cebee70996d234ae7faf1
title: Waive Covid vaccine patents
uri: Waive-Covid-vaccine-patents
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#7_March_2021_%28Waive_Covid_vaccine_patents%29
content:
<p>

*WHO chief: <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/mar/05/covid-vaccines-who-chief-backs-patent-waiver-to-boost-production">waive Covid vaccine patents to put world on 'war footing'.*
<p>
Here are <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2021/mar/05/vaccination-covid-vaccines-rich-nations">his actual words</a>:
<p>
More precisely, he calls for allowing any manufacturer to make
vaccine.  Anyone doing so would still be required to pay a royalty.
That cost by itself could slow vaccination.
<p>
I am disappointed that he used the ill-conceived concept of
<a href="https://gnu.org/philosophy/not-ipr.html">"intellectual property"</a>, since that overgeneralization spreads confusion
and every use of it creates resistance to what he is trying to do.


feed_id: 03789fc7dadd7c1623bbbf3adb18c9cd
title: Assad will confiscate homes
uri: Assad-will-confiscate-homes
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#7_March_2021_%28Assad_will_confiscate_homes%29
content:
<p>

Assad will <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/mar/05/displaced-syrians-face-losing-homes-to-new-government-fines">confiscate the homes</a> of Syrians who have fled his tyranny.


feed_id: b32c3cce786f06808e5cc5f6d32b686e
title: Election misinformation
uri: Election-misinformation
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#7_March_2021_%28Election_misinformation%29
content:
<p>

*   A handful of <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/mar/05/election-misinformation-trump-rightwing-super-spreader-study">rightwing “super-spreaders”</a> on social media were
   responsible for the bulk of election misinformation in the run-up to
   the Capitol attack,*
<p>
They were not independent &mdash; they were working together.


feed_id: 81ac04a786c7d6d1556b37b09c72c1bc
title: Supporters of democracy
uri: Supporters-of-democracy
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#7_March_2021_%28Supporters_of_democracy%29
content:
<p>

Nearly all the principal supporters of democracy in Hong Kong are now
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2021/mar/05/hong-kong-is-crumbling-seven-days-that-crushed-citys-last-resistance">facing charges</a>, or at least arrested.
<p>
China's rulers make up bullshit to justify each instance of injustice,
but they don't try to make the justification plausible to people
outside their control.  They consider it sufficient brainwashed
supporters believe it, since almost everyone in China is a brainwashed
supporter now, or pretends to be.


feed_id: 856415503866b0672b8d1db4bbc1d6a1
title: Digital nautical charts
uri: Digital-nautical-charts
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#7_March_2021_%28Digital_nautical_charts%29
content:
<p>

The NOAA is planning to convert to publishing nautical charts <a href="https://www.noaa.gov/media-release/noaa-begins-transition-exclusively-to-electronic-navigation-charts">only in
digital form</a>.  In principle, that may not bad.  But will people be able to
access charts from the Free World?
<p>
If you are a mariner, please investigate the system of publication
that NOAA used.  Try accessing it with LibreJS active, and see what
results you get.
<p>
And if it does not work, complain to NOAA.


feed_id: 9a55bc045de0e6bfea3f13e9c5a0dc85
title: Meat packing companies against Covid-19 protections
uri: Meat-packing-companies-against-Covid-19-protections
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#7_March_2021_%28Meat_packing_companies_against_Covid-19_protections%29

content:
<p>

Meatpacking companies <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2021/03/03/utterly-damning-docs-reveal-meatpacking-industry-fought-feeble-covid-19-safeguards">lobbied hard</a> against rules to protect workers
from Covid-19, and kept outbreaks secret.


feed_id: 09bdc9ee1918de741f7492150a2956fd
title: Bedouin's crops
uri: Bedouin-s-crops
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#7_March_2021_%28Bedouin%27s_crops%29
content:
<p>

Israeli soldiers are <a href="http://www.kibush.co.il/show_file.asp?num=82968">destroying Bedouin's crops</a>.


feed_id: f67d8f7d6b01b5ef46e76f3aa0dfbbcc
title: Palestinians protesting in Israel
uri: Palestinians-protesting-in-Israel
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#7_March_2021_%28Palestinians_protesting_in_Israel%29

content:
<p>

Palestinians in Israel protested that the local <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thugs</a> were doing nothing
about organized crime.  The thugs began <a href="https://www.timesofisrael.com/arab-community-calls-for-probe-after-35-hurt-by-police-in-anti-crime-protest/">attacking many of them with weapons</a>.
Some of the protesters required hospitalization.
<p>
The violence was clearly directed by officers.


feed_id: f36068281605f27de7b741daed966522
title: Urgent: End qualified immunity
uri: Urgent-End-qualified-immunity
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#8_March_2021_%28Urgent%3A_End_qualified_immunity%29
content:
<p>
US citizens: <a href="https://act.ayannapressley.com/signup/end-qualified-immunity-ap">call on Congress</a> to end "qualified immunity" for thugs.


feed_id: ce5f89ff5df2c92221ec2dc973225eb9
title: Urgent: Stop snooping on workers
uri: Urgent-Stop-snooping-on-workers
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#8_March_2021_%28Urgent%3A_Stop_snooping_on_workers%29

content:
<p>
US citizens: <a href="https://actionnetwork.org/petitions/stop-mcdonalds-creepy-surveillance-program?nowrapper=true">call on McDonald's</a> to stop snooping on workers' advocacy
of raising the minimum wage.


feed_id: 325f4bf338386edc0b4e91f45d154139
title: Urgent: making Covid-19 vaccines
uri: Urgent-making-Covid-19-vaccines
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#8_March_2021_%28Urgent%3A_making_Covid-19_vaccines%29

content:
<p>
US citizens: <a href="https://actionnetwork.org/petitions/dont-let-pfizer-play-chicken-with-virus-mutation-lets-end-the-pandemic-everywhere?nowrapper=true">call on Biden</a> to clear away obstacles so all countries
can make Covid-19 vaccines.


feed_id: 01a9780a4980cc09f257d9a2f6b3306f
title: Urgent: Stop helping deportation thugs
uri: Urgent-Stop-helping-deportation-thugs
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#8_March_2021_%28Urgent%3A_Stop_helping_deportation_thugs%29

content:
<p>
Citizens of Massachusetts: <a href="https://action.aclu.org/send-message/tell-lawmakers-protect-immigrants-rights">call on the state government</a> to stop
helping the deportation <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thugs</a> deport Massachusetts residents.


feed_id: 7651fdc351ee9331a0553185c153d80e
title: Urgent: Wealth tax bill
uri: Urgent-Wealth-tax-bill
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#8_March_2021_%28Urgent%3A_Wealth_tax_bill%29
content:
<p>
US citizens: <a href="https://actionnetwork.org/petitions/become-a-grassroots-co-signer-of-elizabeth-warrens-pramila-jayapals-and-brendan-boyles-new-wealth-tax?nowrapper=true">call on Congress</a> to pass the wealth tax bill.


feed_id: ca962e323ff3de244a0c56c34232cdab
title: ICC
uri: ICC
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#8_March_2021_%28ICC%29
content:
<p>
Blinken should open his eyes and see why the ICC <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2021/03/04/why-biden-dead-wrong-icc-and-occupied-palestine">has jurisdiction to
investigate war crimes committed on the territory of Palestine</a>.


feed_id: 2b9c38cf5c9e77bdaef163ab7bfe623e
title: For the People Act
uri: For-the-People-Act
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#8_March_2021_%28For_the_People_Act%29
content:
<p>
The For the People Act has many good provisions, but also some bad
ones.  They increase the power of money in politics, <a href="https://www.gp.org/hr1">and put parties
other than the big two at an increased disadvantage</a>.


feed_id: 018efbe1967eb4860defca8bc0ee8199
title: Democratic senators against raising minimum wage
uri: Democratic-senators-against-raising-minimum-wage
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#8_March_2021_%28Democratic_senators_against_raising_minimum_wage%29

content:
<p>
Eight Democratic senators <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/mar/05/us-coronavirus-relief-package-congress-senate-biden-sanders">voted against raising the minimum wage</a>.

<p>
The minimum wage would have been raised by steps, reaching $15 per hour
in a few years.


feed_id: 4a99a475f3c9e4109596f91059dd8b93
title: Masks and closed restaurants
uri: Masks-and-closed-restaurants
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#8_March_2021_%28Masks_and_closed_restaurants%29
content:
<p>
Requiring masks, and closing restaurants, <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2021/03/05/health/mask-mandates-restaurants-covid-19-cdc-study/index.html">correlate with lower rates of growth
of Covid-19 or higher rates of decrease</a>.


feed_id: 2edb781ed5adeff72c8a3d933916f3c6
title: Never-Before-Seen
uri: Never-Before-Seen
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#8_March_2021_%28Never-Before-Seen%29
content:
<p>
(<a href="https://entertainment.theonion.com/disney-announces-next-movie-will-feature-princess-with-1846416867">satire</a>) *Disney Announces Next Movie Will Feature Princess With
Never-Before-Seen Ethnicity.*


feed_id: 80f6136e6ea04c5fa8a676407f22a28c
title: Drone killing program
uri: Drone-killing-program
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#8_March_2021_%28Drone_killing_program%29
content:
<p>
*ACLU to Biden: Do Not 'Review' Drone Killing Program—-<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2021/03/05/aclu-biden-do-not-review-drone-killing-program-end-it-once-and-all">End It Once and
 for All</a>.*

<p>
Assassination via drone cannot be justified as war.  <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2012-sep-dec.html#26_November_2012_(Obama_plans_new_rulebook_for_assassination_via_drones)">If considered as
war, it is a war crime</a>.


feed_id: 7955fd3c117768de311d82fd2ae12844
title: Low traffic neighborhoods
uri: Low-traffic-neighborhoods
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#8_March_2021_%28Low_traffic_neighborhoods%29
content:
<p>
Low traffic neighborhoods reduce pollution in that neighborhood, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/mar/04/how-low-traffic-schemes-fuel-inequality">but they can
increase traffic elsewhere</a>.
  Often "elsewhere" is where poor people live.

<p>
One key question, I think, is whether the low traffic neighborhood
leads people who live there travel carelessly for a substantial
fraction of trips.  If it does, it can decrease the total pollution.


feed_id: cf36d000fd5777ff9ee959f5371dd05f
title: Polygraphs
uri: Polygraphs
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#8_March_2021_%28Polygraphs%29
content:
<p>
The UK systematically uses polygraphs <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/science/2021/mar/05/there-is-no-bomb-what-i-learned-taking-a-polygraph-test">to interrogate some convicts on
parole</a>.

<p>
Making someone sit still for 3 hours answering questions, and accusing
per of cheating if <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#perse">perse</a> fidgets, while threatening jail if perse does
not answer, is a subtle form of harsh interrogation &mdash; a psychological
equivalent of a "stress position."  The polygraph itself might not be
necessary.

<p>
However, it won't cause real injury.  Perhaps using it to get
confessions of parole violations is acceptable.


feed_id: 9a81e9cfe69e7c5ab302f046080e7e61
title: Handing out food or water
uri: Handing-out-food-or-water
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#8_March_2021_%28Handing_out_food_or_water%29
content:
<p>
Georgia Republican officials claim that handing out food or water to
voters waiting for hours on line to vote &mdash; as blacks are often
compelled to do &mdash; <a href="https://www.gregpalast.com/pizza-outlawed-in-georgia/">is a crime</a>.

<p>
They have adopted various mesures to suppress the black vote.

<ul>
  <li>Limit early voting on Sundays to just one Sunday.  Blacks often go to vote
   after church.</li>
  <li>Require a verified excuse to receive an absentee ballot.</li>
  <li>Eliminate mobile voting stations and reduce ballot drop-boxes.</li>
  <li>Require submitting ID with a mail-in ballot.</li>
</ul>

With luck, Covid-19 will no longer be a big threat, next time there is
an election in Georgia.  People can develop convenient and safe water
dispensers on carts with which to distribute tap water to waiting
voters.  Tap water is not an "object of (monetary) value", so the law
might not apply to it.

<p>
Perhaps it would be lawful to sell snacks, rather than giving them away.

<p>
This article <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/mar/04/fight-to-vote-georgia-republicans-attacking-democracy">describes additional voter-suppression measures</a>.

<p>
Republicans figure that each obstacle will block or deter a certain
number of voters and bring them closer to "winning".

<p>
One of the Republican officials involved in these disenfranchisement efforts
is Brad Raffensperger.  Meanwhile, the press lionizes him <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2021/03/05/corporate-media-praise-republicans-who-oppose-trump-whitewash-their-extremism-and">for refusing to
of committing outright election fraud for the bully</a>.

<p>
By refusing, he did his job honestly in that particular, but that does not make
him a hero.


feed_id: 0c704ee658a3f916f11fe00a504db6c5
title: Fixing Covid reports
uri: Fixing-Covid-reports
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#8_March_2021_%28Fixing_Covid_reports%29
content:
<p>
* New York governor [Cuomo]’s aides rewrote report, which was not yet
   public, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/mar/05/andrew-cuomo-nursing-home-deaths-aides-report">to omit 9,250 deaths of nursing home residents</a>.*
  They would never have done such a thing without Cuomo's knowledge.

<p>
Don't forget that Governor DeSantis of Florida falsified te death
figures there.
  Is there any reason to believe that he has stopped?


feed_id: b00c9e079f63621c539fa3925ea2ae4c
title: Building warships
uri: Building-warships
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#9_March_2021_%28Building_warships%29
content:
<p>
China is building warships in large numbers, <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2021/03/05/china/china-world-biggest-navy-intl-hnk-ml-dst/index.html">which could make the defense
of Taiwan very difficult</a>.


feed_id: a9dac34f6622c217b0c2ba5002bb7f16
title: Drone strikes
uri: Drone-strikes
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#9_March_2021_%28Drone_strikes%29
content:
<p>
*Biden orders temporary limits <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/biden-counterterrorism-drone-strike-policy/2021/03/04/f70fedcc-7d01-11eb-85cd-9b7fa90c8873_story.html">on drone strikes outside war zones</a>.*
  This is an interim measure while they develop new permanent limits.

<p>
Ultimately we will have to judge by the results.


feed_id: 3c85486d55e9efa12ac3cb555f30abfb
title: Looming Plot
uri: Looming-Plot
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#9_March_2021_%28Looming_Plot%29
content:
<p>
(<a href="https://politics.theonion.com/congress-cancels-thursday-session-after-authorities-war-1846407459">satire</a>) *Congress Cancels Thursday Session After Authorities Warn Of
Looming Plot To Pass Stimulus Bill.*


feed_id: d9f6bb088c69bc9cf6edd0ddc2cffebf
title: Irish slaves
uri: Irish-slaves
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#9_March_2021_%28Irish_slaves%29
content:
<p>
White supremacists fabricated a story of Irish slaves in the Americas
to distract attention from concern with racism in Ireland <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/mar/07/trinity-college-reckons-with-slavery-links-as-ireland-confronts-collusion-with-empire">and the
involvement of wealthy Irish in slave plantations in the past</a>.

<p>
Any Irish that went to the Americas in the 1700s and 1800s went voluntarily,
or else as punishment for a crime.  However, many of them were driven to go
by the activities of <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#doohnibor">dooH niboR</a> in Ireland.


feed_id: a60457689ca2118d0f51c3526c1dfe5a
title: Ten years of civil war
uri: Ten-years-of-civil-war
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#9_March_2021_%28Ten_years_of_civil_war%29
content:
<p>
Ten years since the Syrian civil war began have turned Syria <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2021/mar/07/ten-grim-lessons-the-world-has-learned-from-a-decade-of-war-in-syria">into a horrible
mess of suffering that no one sees how to heal</a>.


feed_id: 327cb1863751f70768f61e92a2ee563e
title: Secret risk assessment
uri: Secret-risk-assessment
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#9_March_2021_%28Secret_risk_assessment%29
content:
<p>
Secret "risk assessment" algorithms are still being used to steer the
education of black and Latin college students <a href="https://www.getrevue.co/profile/themarkup/issues/the-rise-and-the-recurring-bias-of-risk-assessment-algorithms-418128">away from the tracks
followed by white students</a>.


feed_id: 64a4a737b8be4cb94cdeecd1e8d57d1c
title: Mask requirements
uri: Mask-requirements
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#9_March_2021_%28Mask_requirements%29
content:
<p>
Is the governor of Texas prematurely dropping mask requirements <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2021/03/06/typical-republican-racism-and-anti-science-behind-texas-gov-greg-abbots-lifting">just
to please business interests</a>?

<p>
I don't think it's only that.  I think this is suppression of nonwhite
(and probably Democratic) voters who are more likely to die.

<p>
I suspect also that it is partly that the refusal to protect oneself
or others from the disease is an act of bravado that can inspire fools
to join in.


feed_id: e8ebb3c1b581b82ff0b384d3697d2e10
title: War on drugs
uri: 2021-03-09-War-on-drugs
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#9_March_2021_%28War_on_drugs%29
content:
<p>
The War on Drugs has perverted many aspects of life in the US.
*There are serious consequences for drug use in nearly every sector of
civil life — <a href="https://uprootingthedrugwar.org/">education, employment, housing, child welfare,
immigration, and public benefits</a>.*

<p>
You could say that the US is addicted to drug punishment.

<p>
In the State of Washington, until recently, you could be convicted for
possessing drugs <a href="https://drugpolicy.medium.com/derailing-the-drug-war-train-in-washington-state-the-case-that-took-down-a-flawed-simple-eac727cb1af6">which you did not know were inside something that had
been given to you</a>.


feed_id: 83830e225d65a588a94607f4e64f77b9
title: Finding far-fetched reasons
uri: Finding-far-fetched-reasons
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#9_March_2021_%28Finding_far-fetched_reasons%29
content:
<p>
Republican officials in Texas found far-fetched reasons <a href="https://www.npr.org/2021/03/06/974417969/texas-wont-reduce-16-billion-in-electricity-charges-from-winter-storm">why it would
be wrong to reduce the impossible charges for gas or electricity
during the big storm</a>.

<p>
Look for instance at the claim that people trying to cope with various
urgent problems caused by the storm should have looked at the high prices
and used no energy.


feed_id: b5990fec02b7b0a4ea8cee32170df1c1
title: Spring break
uri: Spring-break
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#9_March_2021_%28Spring_break%29
content:
<p>
*Spring break could be a perfect storm for spreading coronavirus variants.
<a href="https://www.cnn.com/2021/03/06/health/spring-break-2021-coronavirus/index.html">Don't let that happen</a>.*


feed_id: 1423f689267d0b0538718b8126db743a
title: Social clubs
uri: Social-clubs
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#9_March_2021_%28Social_clubs%29
content:
<p>
Facing the explicit and implicit social clubs of the well-off
students, British students from working-class families, who went to
state schools, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/education/2021/mar/06/bullingdon-in-reverse-working-class-student-93-club-taking-on-elitism">have founded their own 93% Clubs to socialize, and to
organize</a>.

<p>
I hope in their organizing they look beyond the goal of "social
mobility."  Increased social mobility means that a larger fraction of
those starting poor will achieve a comfortable level of income.
That's good, but it would not end poverty.  A real solution would give
everyone in society, even the poorest, a comfortable life.


feed_id: 10cf94af1da3fe244479d0ac95d39f90
title: Universal paid sick and family leave
uri: Universal-paid-sick-and-family-leave
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#9_March_2021_%28Universal_paid_sick_and_family_leave%29

content:
<p>
*The Richest Country in the World <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2021/03/05/richest-country-world-should-guarantee-universal-paid-sick-and-family-leave">Should Guarantee Universal Paid Sick and
Family Leave</a>.*

<p>
This won't be sufficient if it is limited to employees.  We need to make it
cover gig workers too.


feed_id: 74b7f362f88eeddd18f464decaec8470
title: Authorizations for war
uri: Authorizations-for-war
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#9_March_2021_%28Authorizations_for_war%29
content:
<p>
Biden said he would work with Congress <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2021/03/05/we-need-make-sure-its-done-right-peace-advocates-welcome-biden-move-limit-war-powers">to reduce the authorizations
for war</a>.


feed_id: 762c490272f8fbbb0444ee5aedd5bdf6
title: Censorship
uri: 2021-03-09-Censorship
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#9_March_2021_%28Censorship%29
content:
<p>
Glenn Greenwald: Congressional plans to compel Facebook to censor
<a href="https://greenwald.substack.com/p/congress-escalates-pressure-on-tech">would violate the first amendment</a>.
  Worse than that, the censorship might not stay limited to right-wing
domestic terrorists.

<p>
Right-wing disinformation on Facebook and Twitter puts our lives and our
freedom in danger.  But we can't defend our freedom through censorship.

<p>
This is why I propose to require them to change their algorithms
fundamentally so as not to promote articles because of how much
"engagement" they generate.  Let's recognize Facebook as running an
engagement ring, and prohibit that.


feed_id: bf53575a8f20551c870f1e00f09552a9
title: For the People Act
uri: 2021-03-09-For-the-People-Act
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#9_March_2021_%28For_the_People_Act%29
content:
<p>
To pass the For the People Act, Biden must do as President Johnson did
in 1964 to pressure a few hold-out Democratic senators <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2021/mar/07/joe-biden-lbj-lyndon-johnson-voting-rights-filibuster">into passing
the Voting Rights Act</a>.

<p>
However, the For the People Act has a few bad changes designed to
create hardship for parties other than Republican and Democrat.  The
Green Party says:

<blockquote>
No doubt you've heard from "progressive" groups about how HR1 contains
much-needed voter protections. And it's true, HR1 contains some badly
needed reforms. That makes it all the more shameful for the Democrats
to use those reforms as cover to eliminate competition from
alternative parties.
</blockquote>

<p>
The changes would put smaller parties <a href="https://www.gp.org/hr1">at a bigger disadvantage in
funding</a>,
              and make it so expensive to get a presidential candidate
on the ballot that they may have to give up.  There may be no one on
the ballot in 2024 I would consider voting for.  For the first time
since I became old enough to vote, <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jul-oct.html#28_August_2020_(Vote_Biden_or_Green)">I may cast no vote for president</a>.

<p>
The Green Party asks people to oppose the For the People Act.  I do
will not oppose it, because its good changes are absolutely necessary.
What I will do is call my senators and urge them to remove the bad
provisions from the bill.


feed_id: 7b93e364543b4d42012325c7a31cdd4d
title: Even 1.5C is disastrous
uri: Even-1-5C-is-disastrous
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#9_March_2021_%28Even_1.5C_is_disasterous%29
content:
<p>
At 1.5C of global heating, only .4C more than now, fatal weather
will start to occur <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/science/2021/mar/08/global-heating-tropical-regions-human-livability">fairly often</a> in topical areas.


feed_id: a908ec91e1c083e523120304d52bd507
title: Lula free to run
uri: Lula-free-to-run
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#9_March_2021_%28Lula_free_to_run%29
content:
<p>
Lula is <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/mar/08/lula-convictions-annulled-by-brazil-judge-bolsonaro-election-2022">free to run again</a> for president of Brazil.


feed_id: ad9544e496b87c3f98c0285601fe9277
title: Humanity needs forests and wetlands
uri: Humanity-needs-forests-and-wetlands
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#9_March_2021_%28Humanity_needs_forests_and_wetlands%29

content:
<p>
Forests and wetlands are more <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/mar/08/land-could-be-worth-more-left-to-nature-than-when-farmed-study-finds-aoe">useful for humanity</a> if preserved as they are
than if they were converted to other uses.


feed_id: 42d6e72c9d6e07d7cc37dd6e83a1b8b3
title: India arrests refugees
uri: India-arrests-refugees
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#9_March_2021_%28India_arrests_refugees%29
content:
<p>
India has arrested Rohingya refugees and threatens to deport them
to Burma, where they <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/mar/08/india-detains-rohingya-refugees-and-threatens-to-deport-them-to-myanmar">might be killed</a>.


feed_id: 85a4aaf06a78ca73e81843fc3314409f
title: Ethiopian suppression
uri: Ethiopian-suppression
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#9_March_2021_%28Ethiopian_suppression%29
content:
<p>
  Ethiopia's <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/mar/08/atrocities-insurgency-ethiopia-tigray">violent suppression</a> of Tigray has triggered guerrilla resistance.
<p>
  This could continue for years.


feed_id: ec220bc9b3cf6e80d08beb1fa6550061
title: Colorado covidiots
uri: Colorado-covidiots
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#9_March_2021_%28Colorado_covidiots%29
content:
<p>
A thousand covidiots were <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2021/03/07/us/boulder-colorado-large-party-officers-injured/index.html">joyfully infecting each other</a> in Boulder,
Colorado, when cops tried to make them stop.
<p>
  I don't know whether the cops acted like thugs -- one can never
presume they did not -- but some of the covidiots did.
<p>
The location outdoors would have tended to interfere with transmitting
virus, but with no masks and no distancing, they could have done it
anyway.


feed_id: 67ef9759d6e46d0bfc17ab9de3b42d0c
title: NYC Scooters
uri: NYC-Scooters
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#9_March_2021_%28NYC_Scooters%29
content:
<p>
New York City is about to introduce municipal rental scooters that
will <a hfef="https://citylimits.org/2020/12/11/opinion-citys-e-scooter-program-must-ensure-privacy-for-riders/">track whoever uses them</a>.
<p>
  
Don't be distracted by the side issue of rules for access to this
tracking data.  Whatever rules New York City adopts, the FBI won't be
required to heed them.  It will be empowered to collect the whole data
base at will -- once a month, or once a minute.
<p>
Making systems respect privacy means designing them not to _collect_
sensitive data (such as locations) about people without a specific
justification validated by a court.
<p>
I would not use these scooters unless I could use them anonymously.
Likewise, I would not use Uber unless I could use them anonymously.


feed_id: a72a61c45b2733df6a57b1daa126d43a
title: US hypocrisy
uri: US-hypocrisy
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#9_March_2021_%28US_hypocrisy%29
content:
<p>
* The U.S. can't [persuasively] rebuke global tyranny when our companies <a href="https://www.fastcompany.com/90601037/american-surviellance-state-facial-recognition-hypocrisy">sell [face
   recognition] tools that enable it</a>.*


feed_id: e676b00d7fa09fc16b08eec5c7981eaf
title: Burmese thugs
uri: Burmese-thugs
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#9_March_2021_%28Burmese_thugs%29
content:
<p>
Burmese thugs and soldiers have <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/mar/08/myanmar-police-occupy-hospitals-in-yangon-ahead-of-national-strike">taken over hospitals</a>, presumably to
arrest (or worse) protesters they have wounded.


feed_id: 4460e1331f83f504ec531230d4b1467f
title: Chamber of Commerce votes
uri: Chamber-of-Commerce-votes
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#9_March_2021_%28Chamber_of_Commerce_votes%29
content:
<p>
The US Chamber of Commerce, an extreme plutocratist organization, has endorsed
the wrecker's campaign to <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2021/03/06/politics/chamber-of-commerce-republicans-january-6/index.html">override US voters' votes</a>.


feed_id: 50f32fe582b3acd7e26725cb69b39bf9
title: UK research backs helping workers
uri: UK-research-backs-helping-workers
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#9_March_2021_%28UK_research_backs_helping_workers%29

content:
<p>
*Research reveals that financial support of infected workers <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2021/mar/07/when-will-we-realise-that-without-sick-pay-the-ill-must-work">benefits everyone</a>, but the [UK] government won’t budge.*
<p>
The US government isn't doing much about it either.


feed_id: c619db2e1abbfbfdc4111535e423c4b6
title: Dutch poetry
uri: Dutch-poetry
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#9_March_2021_%28Dutch_poetry%29
content:
<p>
Kenan Malik: * Race should <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2021/mar/07/amanda-gorman-in-segregating-identity-our-human-experience-gets-lost-in-translation">not be a factor</a> in who turns the poetry of
Amanda Gorman into Dutch.*
<p>
  
The idea that particular art or culture should on principle be limited
to certain subsets of humanity -- even certain subsets of intelligent
life, if we meet intelligent non-humans -- is pernicious
discrimination, and unjust.
<p>
Criticism of "cultural appropriation" is an <a href="https://www.stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#13_November_2020_(The_concept_of_cultural_appropriation)">outgrowth of that unjust idea</a>.


feed_id: 5584ce8d2cb3bd0e3c6510a50fed9aeb
title: Dem voting rights
uri: Dem-voting-rights
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#9_March_2021_%28Dem_voting_rights%29
content:
<p>
Rep Clyburn: Democrats *need to find a way to
   pass major voting rights legislation <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/mar/07/james-clyburn-interview-filibuster-voting-rights">or they will lose control</a> of
   Congress.*


feed_id: d55377fb569adc73cb767fe6723c92af
title: US cities police budgets
uri: US-cities-police-budgets
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#9_March_2021_%28US_cities_police_budgets%29
content:
<p>
*More than 20 major [US] cities have reduced police budgets in some form, and
   activists are fighting to ensure that is <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/mar/07/us-cities-defund-police-transferring-money-community">only the start</a>.*


feed_id: 30edb06477b14c493cb6435600671984
title: UK Migrant Workers
uri: UK-Migrant-Workers
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#9_March_2021_%28UK_Migrant_Workers%29
content:
<p>
  The UK has been very successful at <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/mar/07/exodus-of-foreign-workers-a-threat-to-uk-recovery">chasing away</a> migrant workers.
<p>
  Their absence may prolong the recession.
<p>
Over a period of years, according to economics, wages for construction
jobs may increase and draw more Britons into those jobs.  But most of
them (except that of waiter) require training.


feed_id: a3e89b30a929a3743406248943b47d93
title: Extremist military recruits
uri: Extremist-military-recruits
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#9_March_2021_%28Extremist_military_recruits%29
content:
<p>
The US military has a long tradition of <a href="https://theintercept.com/2021/03/07/military-white-supremacy-extremism/">not worrying</a> about whether
its recruits are racists or right-wing extremists.


feed_id: ab3cb0b63c92cf102261aaa831aa11f8
title: Prince Bone Saw
uri: Prince-Bone-Saw
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#9_March_2021_%28Prince_Bone_Saw%29
content:
<p>
Prince Bone Saw is so important the US thinks that it <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2021/03/07/talented-mr-bin-salman?cd-origin=rss">can't afford
sanctions</a> against him.
<p>
  But Salafi Arabia is one among many regimes that regularly get away
with murder.  Partly because making sanctions effective is harder that
it might appear.  If the US wants sanctions to exert positive
influence rather than only look tough or cause mass suffering, it
needs to be very clever about them.


feed_id: 5200edeaffbff53b84f2424992bf25cf
title: US base attacked
uri: US-base-attacked
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#9_March_2021_%28US_base_attacked%29
content:
<p>
The US blames a missile attack on a US base in Iraq on Iran-supported militias
and <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/mar/07/us-iraq-missile-strike-iran-defense-secretary-lloyd-austin">plans to retaliate</a>.
<p>
  
If we consider only that one attack on a US base, as a narrow issue
without context, I think that retaliating is justified in general.
It may not be wise, though.
<p>
However, considering that attack in its context, as following several
much worse US attacks on Iran's <a href="https://www.stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#1_December_2020_(Shooting_of_Iranian_nuclear_scientist)">officials</a> and <a href="https://www.stallman.org/archives/2020-jan-apr.html#7_January_2020_(Drone_assassination_of_Iranian_general)">installations</a>, I think
the US should realize that it is more perpetrator than victim in this
exchange.  Instead of retaliating, it should ask for negotiations.


feed_id: 818234f1ca5ff75ab575025ed62d7dfa
title: Swiss face coverings
uri: Swiss-face-coverings
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#9_March_2021_%28Swiss_face_coverings%29
content:
<p>
Switzerland approved by referendum a law to <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/mar/07/switzerland-on-course-to-ban-wearing-of-burqa-and-niqab-in-public-places">prohibit covering</a> your
face in public.
<p>
I am not Muslim, and I am not a woman, but that law will infringe my freedom
to defend myself from surveillance, when I am there.


feed_id: 40d9c748a85b0cdd1ee8f5ab17d17d1a
title: Multimillionaire Dems reject 15$
uri: Multimillionaire-Dems-reject-15
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#9_March_2021_%28Multimillionaire_Dems_reject_15%24%29

content:
<p>

Seven of the eight Democratic senators that rejected the minimum wage increase
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2021/03/05/shameful-millionaire-senators-vote-against-popular-minimum-wage-raise-would-lift?cd-origin=rss">are multimillionaires</a>.
<p>
  
The article's reasoning about Senator Sinema is too aggressive.  She
may have a million dollars; she may have several.  But I wouldn't try
to deduce that from her salary.  With an income of $174,000 per year,
it is likely to take more than a decade to save a million dollars.


feed_id: 15882001eba0a2cc8012f5c77a06bb60
title: Prosecutors hide evidence
uri: Prosecutors-hide-evidence
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#9_March_2021_%28Prosecutors_hide_evidence%29
content:
<p>
  Prosecutors keep on <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2021/03/05/politics/queens-ny-wrongful-convictions/index.html">concealing evidence</a> to exonerate defendants.
<p>
  Freeing some defendants 25 years after a false conviction is a rather
unsatisfying form of justice.  Can't the US develop a system that will
assure this form of prosecutor cheating does not happen?


feed_id: d11e3d11fec36e285006d6646a959153
title: Best way to weaken the far right
uri: Best-way-to-weaken-the-far-right
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#10_March_2021_%28Best_way_to_weaken_the_far_right%29

content:
<p>

*The best way for Democrats to <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2021/mar/09/labor-movement-working-class-america-politics">weaken the far right</a>? Build up the labor
movement.*


