# articles

feed_id: b99867f38247897ac5b8bfe3fa99f187
title: Refugee Behrouz Boochani forcibly dumped on Manus Island
uri: Refugee-Behrouz-Boochani-forcibly-dumped-on-Manus-Island
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#13_August_2019_%28Refugee_Behrouz_Boochani_forcibly_dumped_on_Manus_Island%29

content:
<p>
Refugee Behrouz Boochani, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/books/2019/aug/12/behrouz-boochani-wins-25000-national-biography-award-and-accepts-via-whatsapp-from-manus">forcibly dumped on Manus Island by
Australia</a>, has won Australia's national biography award.


feed_id: 9cc36614e28f34d95dbcbca2e185bf69
title: Bogus Johnson punishing harder the bulk of street crime
uri: Bogus-Johnson-punishing-harder-the-bulk-of-street-crime
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#13_August_2019_%28Bogus_Johnson_punishing_harder_the_bulk_of_street_crime%29

content:
<p>
Bogus Johnson is aiming for a cheap and meaningless &quot;success&quot; by
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/aug/12/boris-johnson-crime-fighting-crusade-posturing-brexit">punishing harder the bulk of street crime</a>, which is falling anyway.
<p>
Meanwhile, the kind of crime that Britain is not effectively handling
is rape. But this needs changes in investigation and trial,
not more <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thugs</a> on the street.


feed_id: 92f6f1346cd9fa55a8cd2352b127591e
title: Russia developing a cruise missile
uri: Russia-developing-a-cruise-missile
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#13_August_2019_%28Russia_developing_a_cruise_missile%29

content:
<p>
Russia is developing a <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/aug/10/russian-nuclear-agency-confirms-role-in-rocket-test-explosion">cruise missile powered by a nuclear reactor</a>.
It could fly for hours, perhaps days, on an evasive path, making
defense very difficult &mdash; if it doesn't explode on the ground and
release fallout.


feed_id: 24575a19d2f4d617b070a534ff8c1f66
title: US neo-Nazi leader
uri: US-neo-Nazi-leader
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#13_August_2019_%28US_neo-Nazi_leader%29
content:
<p>
A US neo-Nazi leader, who adores the bully, has been <a href="https://www.splcenter.org/news/2019/08/10/weekend-read-neo-nazi-leader-must-pay-more-14-million-damages">ordered to pay 14
million dollars in damages</a> for leading a campaign of harassment
against Tanya Gersh.
<p>
It is unfortunate that the article promotes the incoherent term
&quot;intellectual property&quot;. Since it &quot;refers&quot; to many unrelated kinds
of assets, it would have been clearer simply to say &quot;assets&quot;.


feed_id: fd33ef8226534900c049d4476eb42d99
title: Cure for Ebola
uri: Cure-for-Ebola
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#13_August_2019_%28Cure_for_Ebola%29
content:
<p>
There is now a <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/aug/12/ebola-now-curable-after-trials-of-drugs-in-drc-say-scientists">more-or-less cure for Ebola</a>. When people seek
treatment quickly, over 90% of them can be cured.


feed_id: b20d442ede894224c1895b966a62652e
title: Invasive species threaten US forests
uri: Invasive-species-threaten-US-forests
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#13_August_2019_%28Invasive_species_threaten_US_forests%29

content:
<p>
Invasive species <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/aug/12/us-forests-pests-risk-climate-crisis-resource">threaten 40% of US forests</a>.
<p>
The death of trees means that trees will not absorb CO2 as we expected
them to. In addition, it means that planting trees will be less
effective that it might seem. Planting a sapling does no good unless
it lives to become a large tree.
<p>
If a tree is going to die anyway, it could be better to cut it down
and soak it in something that will kill the pests and keep the carbon
in the wood, than to let pests convert its carbon into CO2.


feed_id: f5f633f3c12eb8736229c0a1b166cd58
title: Government saboteurs are making hard to protect species
uri: Government-saboteurs-are-making-hard-to-protect-species
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#13_August_2019_%28Government_saboteurs_are_making_hard_to_protect_species%29

content:
<p>
US <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/aug/12/endangered-species-act-trump-administration-protection-changes">government saboteurs are making it hard to protect species</a> that are
one step away from bring endangered. To start the protection later
means more chance they will ultimately become extinct.


feed_id: 7224f88306664a37230fd4062c09e80d
title: Goldsmiths College banned selling beef on campus
uri: Goldsmiths-College-banned-selling-beef-on-campus
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#13_August_2019_%28Goldsmiths_College_banned_selling_beef_on_campus%29

content:
<p>
Goldsmiths College in London has banned selling beef on campus,
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/aug/12/goldsmiths-bans-beef-from-university-cafes-to-tackle-climate-crisis">because of its greenhouse gas impact</a>.
<p>
This is in addition to divesting from fossil fuel companies.
<p>
I support this change. However, the article errs when it says that the best
way to reduce your climate footprint is to avoid meat and cheese. The real
best way is to <a href="https://stallman.org/articles/children.html">avoid having children</a>.


feed_id: 7b1aa7ff87fd83f4fcf8dc54f0afcda4
title: Fiji's greenhouse gas reduction plan
uri: Fiji-s-greenhouse-gas-reduction-plan
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#12_August_2019_%28Fijis_greenhouse_gas_reduction_plan%29

content:
<p>
Fiji is proposing a 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/aug/07/fight-for-our-lives-fiji-calls-world-leaders-selfish-as-it-lays-out-climate-crisis-blueprint">strong
greenhouse gas reduction plan</a>, hoping it will exert moral suasion
at the coming Pacific Islands Forum.
<p>
At the forum: Tuvalu Children Welcome Leaders with a 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/aug/11/pacific-islands-forum-tuvalu-children-welcome-leaders-with-a-climate-plea">Climate
Plea</a>.


feed_id: d7c29b9cf4d2765b18529c3b9eeb7b34
title: NPR's biased coverage of Venezuela
uri: NPR-s-biased-coverage-of-Venezuela
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#12_August_2019_%28NPRs_biased_coverage_of_Venezuela%29

content:
<p>
Analyzing NPR's 
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2019/08/06/npr-shreds-ethics-handbook-normalize-regime-change-venezuela">biased
coverage</a> of Venezuela and other countries in Latin America.


feed_id: e8c4d3df9e063959c9b061714fea1add
title: Large animals that live in rivers
uri: Large-animals-that-live-in-rivers
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#12_August_2019_%28Large_animals_that_live_in_rivers%29

content:
<p>
Large animals that live in rivers are 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/aug/10/giant-river-animals-on-verge-of-extinction-report-warns">rapidly
being wiped out</a>, around the world.


feed_id: 770a878c4128cb6f432fd129994951b8
title: Foxconn
uri: Foxconn
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#12_August_2019_%28Foxconn%29
content:
<p>
Foxconn hires workers 16 years old, then 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2019/aug/08/schoolchildren-in-china-work-overnight-to-produce-amazon-alexa-devices">illegally
has them working at night and in overtime</a>.
<p>
Even worse, their work is to make spy devices intended to seduce users
into leaving them on and listening.  What Mata Hari only pretended to
have done, these devices really do.
<p>
This is bad enough when presented without distortion, so let's avoid
the exaggeration of calling 16-year-olds "schoolchildren".


feed_id: 081b2ff54d886e4b6009462199d2e59a
title: The Amazon rainforest
uri: The-Amazon-rainforest
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#12_August_2019_%28The_Amazon_rainforest%29
content:
<p>
Ricardo Galvão, formerly in charge of protecting the Amazon, says that
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/aug/09/bolsonaro-blessed-brutal-assault-rainforest-sacked-scientist-warns">if
Bolsonaro's attack continues, the forest will be ruined</a>.


feed_id: d029e2b2c1fd4854d71ca629ebaf3a89
title: The US gun debate
uri: The-US-gun-debate
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#12_August_2019_%28The_US_gun_debate%29
content:
<p>
Arguing that "the intensity and polarization of the US gun debate
makes much more sense when understood 
<a href='https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2019/aug/08/racism-gun-control-dying-of-whiteness'>in
the context of whiteness and white privilege</a>."
<p>
Black men who carry guns lawfully are 
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2018-sep-dec.html#2_December_2018_(When_the_NRA_says,_good_guy_with_a_gun)">likely
to get killed for it</a>, because a thug will feel threatened by it
and kill them, so in practice that is a privilege for white man only.


feed_id: ffa83205fed1c8f66257bf3bf3e0a25b
title: Bully's "maximum pressure" foreign policy
uri: Bully-s-maximum-pressure-foreign-policy
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#12_August_2019_%28Bullys_maximum_pressure_foreign_policy%29

content:
<p>
Why [the <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#bully">bully</a>'s] "Maximum Pressure" Foreign Policy
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2019/aug/11/trump-foreign-policy-venezuela-north-korea-iran-results-2020">Yields
Minimum Results</a>.


feed_id: 342befd89e3eb8f2e53f7882207a7bd1
title: Brands
uri: Brands
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#12_August_2019_%28Brands%29
content:
<p>
20 years after No Logo warned against 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/books/2019/aug/11/no-logo-naomi-klein-20-years-on-interview">colonization
of people's thoughts by brands</a>, "The biggest change since&hellip;
is that neoliberalism has created so much precarity that the
commodification of the self is now seen as the only route to any kind
of economic security."
<p>
I point out that I do very little that directly boosts Google,
Facebook, Amazon, Apple or Microsoft.  It is not as hard as the
article makes it out to be.  Just reject services that mistreat you.


feed_id: f2c019856483a3134282f74b15898ed3
title: Urgent: stop Japanese companies funding coal plants
uri: Urgent-stop-Japanese-companies-funding-coal-plants
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#12_August_2019_%28Urgent%3A_stop_Japanese_companies_funding_coal_plants%29

content:
<p>
US citizens: <a href=" https://act.priceofoil.org/sign/japan-olympics-coal/?t=1002">call on Japan</a>, and some big Japanese companies, to stop
funding more coal plants.
<p>
If you sign, please spread the word!


feed_id: 775c788be1c55a8bf75d4577b5655312
title: Palestinian human rights defender
uri: Palestinian-human-rights-defender
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#12_August_2019_%28Palestinian_human_rights_defender%29

content:
<p>
An Israeli government web called a <a href="https://electronicintifada.net/blogs/ali-abunimah/israel-incites-death-threats-against-human-rights-defenders">Palestinian human rights defender a
&quot;terrorist&quot;</a>, which inspired comments calling for murdering him.


feed_id: 03b808ceb5a3977842d5c3fa8c8f5974
title: Sell drugs to a sex worker
uri: Sell-drugs-to-a-sex-worker
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#12_August_2019_%28Sell_drugs_to_a_sex_worker%29
content:
<p>
A proposed law to make certain crimes even more illegal would also
make it possible <a href="https://reason.com/2019/08/06/selling-drugs-to-sex-workers-could-be-human-trafficking-under-the-senates-new-protect-act">to charge anyone that sells drugs to a sex worker
with &quot;sex trafficking&quot;</a>, and likewise anyone that trades drugs for sex
(even with someone that isn't a sex worker).


feed_id: d2be419f156d3fac0fb3380d7fb9d0f2
title: Drought killing German forests
uri: Drought-killing-German-forests
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#12_August_2019_%28Drought_killing_German_forests%29
content:
<p>
Drought is <a href=" https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/aug/07/part-of-german-soul-under-threat-as-forests-die">killing German forests</a>.
<p>
The article does not specifically relate this to <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#global heating">global heating</a>
but they surely are connected.


feed_id: cff3e05b673415e54e1cfe14d768569d
title: The bullshitter following Hitler's methods
uri: The-bullshitter-following-Hitler-s-methods
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#12_August_2019_%28The_bullshitter_following_Hitler%27s_methods%29

content:
<p>
The bullshitter is <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2019/08/09/leading-civil-rights-lawyer-shows-20-ways-trump-copying-hitlers-early-rhetoric-and">following Hitler's methods</a> &mdash; and not by
coincidence. He studied Hitler's speeches.
<p>
Here's substantiation for what it says about his <a href="https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/donald-trump-used-to-keep-a-book-of-hitlers-speeches-by-his-bed-according-to-his-ex-wife-a6765391.html">having a copy of Hitler's speeches</a>.
<p>
It is strange to include rejection of <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#business-supremacy">business-supremacy treaties</a>, or
even outright protectionism, in a list of similarities to Hitler's
methods. Protectionism was standard practice in the 1930s, while
<a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#business-supremacy">business-supremacy treaties</a> as found today did not exist then.
<p>
But the overall point is valid even without those. The agreements
Hitler tore up included arms limitation treaties, and the
bullshitter is doing the same.


feed_id: b16fd4e8aec9fa42000867f2d6851f7e
title: US public libraries fighting to lend ebooks
uri: US-public-libraries-fighting-to-lend-ebooks
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#12_August_2019_%28US_public_libraries_fighting_to_lend_ebooks%29

content:
<p>
US public libraries are <a href="https://edition.cnn.com/2019/08/02/opinions/libraries-fight-publishers-over-e-books-west/index.html">to continue &quot;lending&quot; unjust ebooks</a> on <a href="media/d0d5800c.ebooks.pdf" data-original-source="https://stallman.org/articles/ebooks.pdf">terms that no one should stand for</a>.


feed_id: a6bb3bbb8534e9cced5652a7c9f4b9db
title: Myth of ideal communities fades
uri: Myth-of-ideal-communities-fades
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#12_August_2019_%28Myth_of_ideal_communities_fades%29

content:
<p>
&quot;The good old days? Look deeper and the <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/aug/11/good-old-days-look-deeper-and-myths-of-ideal-communities-fades">myth of ideal communities fades</a>.&quot;


feed_id: 7161f291d30c7754c71daa55dd76ad24
title: Amazon trying to defeat Seattle city councillor
uri: Amazon-trying-to-defeat-Seattle-city-councillor
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#12_August_2019_%28Amazon_trying_to_defeat_Seattle_city_councillor%29

content:
<p>
Amazon is spending lots of money to <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2019/aug/05/amazon-seattle-councilwoman-kshama-sawant-re-election-bid">defeat Seattle city councillor
Kshama Sawant</a>.
<p>
Let's give our support to <a href="https://stallman.org/amazon.html">defeating Amazon</a>.


feed_id: 16e28422877922f3bcdee1eaa8fa1111
title: Give thugs a license to kill
uri: Give-thugs-a-license-to-kill
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#12_August_2019_%28Give_thugs_a_license_to_kill%29
content:
<p>
Bolsonaro wants to give thugs a <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/aug/06/jair-bolosonaro-says-criminals-will-die-like-cockroaches-under-proposed-new-laws">license to kill with impunity</a>.


feed_id: c9af215530835a2031b3be66dfc6239d
title: US Rights Volunteer
uri: US-Rights-Volunteer
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#12_August_2019_%28US_Rights_Volunteer%29
content:
<p>
Philippines: US Rights Volunteer Branded <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/aug/08/philippines-us-rights-volunteer-branded-enemy-of-state-shot-outside-home">&quot;Enemy of State&quot; Shot Outside Home</a>.


feed_id: 658f1c59bde53099c1a5ad9d653b4e3d
title: Ethical AI
uri: Ethical-AI
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#12_August_2019_%28Ethical_AI%29
content:
<p>
Study if the idea of &quot;ethical AI&quot; often suffers from a lack of
firm starting principles to base it on, which makes it easy to be
stretch to <a href="https://cis-india.org/internet-governance/blog/what-is-the-problem-with-2018ethical-ai2019-an-indian-perspective">serve the interests of whoever in charge of the system</a>.


feed_id: b87358c817878f44f85093e24a0b125c
title: Christ coming back would be weird
uri: Christ-coming-back-would-be-weird
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#14_August_2019_%28Christ_coming_back_would_be_weird%29

content:
<p>
(satire) Christ announced
Monday that He has <a href="https://www.theonion.com/christ-calls-off-plans-for-return-after-realizing-it-s-1837174798
">called off plans</a> for His return upon coming to the
realization that He has been gone so long at this point that coming
back “would just be weird.”


feed_id: b8b79b704a736969deaee545fe3b6330
title: Salmon farm can do harm
uri: Salmon-farm-can-do-harm
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#14_August_2019_%28Salmon_farm_can_do_harm%29
content:
<p>
A salmon farm on a small island in the middle of protected wildlife
could do <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2019/aug/12/proposed-salmon-farm-raises-environmental-concerns-in-hebrides
">many kinds of harm.</a>


feed_id: 53ff60c029d0b1335e63a0c2248e3b40
title: Oscar Myer
uri: Oscar-Myer
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#14_August_2019_%28Oscar_Myer%29
content:
<p>
(satire) the Pentagon awarded Oscar Mayer a
five-year, $102 million contract Monday to develop <a href="https://www.theonion.com/pentagon-awards-oscar-mayer-102-million-contract-for-n-1837167096
">military-grade hot
dogs,</a> complete with all the fixings.


feed_id: f21a3e7b16026e61f3b8418e29b5b88b
title: Exxon's intimidation
uri: Exxon-s-intimidation
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#14_August_2019_%28Exxon%27s_intimidation%29
content:
<p>
 New York State says that Exxon's subpoenas to its investors are meant
to intimidate them from testifying in <a href="
https://insideclimatenews.org/news/06082019/exxon-climate-fraud-investigation-witness-pressure-investors-new-york-attorney-general">court against Exxon.
</a>
<p>
Remember to avoid the solecism of pronouncing <a href="stallman.org/articles/exxon.html">Exxon" like "exon"</a> ;-).


feed_id: 8cea53ef4cd98e7e1123ea841dfdeb99
title: Foxconn's deal with Wisconsin
uri: Foxconn-s-deal-with-Wisconsin
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#14_August_2019_%28Foxconn%27s_deal_with_Wisconsin%29

content:
<p>
Foxconn's "pay us to make jobs" deal with Wisconsin is complete crap,
and can't be fixed to "benefit" the state even when judged by the
foolish standard of <a href="
https://www.theverge.com/2019/8/6/20747166/wisconsin-foxconn-deal-state-report-lcd-factory-innovation-centers">"getting enough jobs for the money."</a>

<p>
"Subsidize a business to make jobs" is a form of trickle-down: making
welfare payments to businesses so that a fraction of the money will
reach non-rich citizens. As governments do this, they help businesses
pressure them to do ever more of it.
<p>
Wisconsin should cancel the Foxconn deal the way New Yorkers <a href="https://www.propublica.org/article/fbi-domestic-terrorism-arrest-data
">cancelled
NYC's Amazon deal.</a>


feed_id: 78f350ed68a2943f85347ad14e1666f2
title: Domestic terrorism
uri: Domestic-terrorism
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#14_August_2019_%28Domestic_terrorism%29
content:
<p>
The FBI Told Congress Domestic Terror Investigations Led to 90 Recent
Arrests. It <a href="https://www.propublica.org/article/fbi-domestic-terrorism-arrest-data
">Wouldn’t Show Us Records</a> of Even One.


feed_id: f4bc4e36c60e1e1b8e891a6e0fb4c6f2
title: US pharma system's design
uri: US-pharma-system-s-design
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#14_August_2019_%28US_pharma_system%27s_design%29
content:
<p>
The US pharma system was designed so that the public pays for the
research, and the profits <a href="
https://newrepublic.com/article/149438/big-pharma-captured-one-percent">go to rich owners.</a> It was set up this way
by a scheme advised by right-wing economists and carried out by
business lobbyists.

<p>
More recently, private equity companies have taken over many pharma companies
and drive the gouging.
<p>
Pharma is one of the areas where patents do <a href="
https://www.luc.edu/media/lucedu/law/students/publications/llj/pdfs/45_1_stallman.pdf">special harm.
</a>
<p>
It is unfortunate that the article occasionally says "IP" when it
means patents. This encourages the confusion that the
bogus <a href="
https://gnu.org/philosophy/not-ipr.html">overgeneralization "intellectual property" embodies.</a>

<p>
The article suggests using compulsory licenses to knock down these
patents when they endanger the public. I'm entirely in favor of that,
but I think we need to cure the disease, not just treat the symptoms.
The cure I recommend is to take the testing of drugs out of the hands
of drug manufacturers, thus eliminating their argument for artificial
monopolies, and turn them into generic manufacturers.


feed_id: e2a880e376375b53bdd362af0ab4b4bf
title: Sanders and Biden beats the bullshitter
uri: Sanders-and-Biden-beats-the-bullshitter
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#14_August_2019_%28Sanders_and_Biden_beats_the_bullshitter%29

content:
<p>
In <a href="
https://www.commondreams.org/news/2019/08/12/bernie-sanders-acing-electability-test-another-poll-shows-senator-crushing-trump?cd-origin=rss">opinion polls,</a> Sanders beats the bullshitter by the same margin as Biden.

<p>
So they are equally electable. However, Sanders would make a dent in
plutocracy, while Biden would protect it.


feed_id: ca8f358e8385c19fd122a616e3c57205
title: China offers surveillance
uri: China-offers-surveillance
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#14_August_2019_%28China_offers_survaliance%29
content:
<p>
China now offers any would-be totalitarian state the technology to <a href="
https://reason.com/2019/08/12/china-exports-its-panopticon/">watch
and control everyone.
</a>
<p>
<a href="
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-7332789/China-deploys-robotic-traffic-policemen-equipped-facial-recognition-cameras.html">Mobile robots with face recognition</a> now spread state control on streets.

<p>
China invites users of social media to <a href="https://www.reuters.com/article/us-china-internet/china-launches-platform-to-stamp-out-online-rumors-idUSKCN1LF0HL
">act as stool pigeons</a> in case
any dissent goes unnoticed by the professional monitors and AI.


feed_id: a4e40b3d7e63398b36ea3f1fc6a9c5a9
title: Brain injuries from football
uri: Brain-injuries-from-football
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#14_August_2019_%28Brain_injuries_from_football%29
content:
<p>
A study of college football players' brain scans found most of them
showed signs of brain injury after <a href="
https://www.sciencemag.org/news/2019/08/just-one-season-playing-football-even-without-concussion-can-cause-brain-damage">just one season.
</a>
<p>
I think schools should not promote football.


feed_id: edfd807220a9ce0fe658aadf039e3c93
title: Global heating denial
uri: 2019-08-14-Global-heating-denial
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#14_August_2019_%28Global_heating_denial%29
content:
<p>
Despite the blatant evidence of <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#global heating">global heating</a>, a few lingering
organized denial campaigns (including the 
<a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#heatland">Heatland
Institute</a>) struggle on 
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2019/08/12/deniers-deflated-climate-reality-hits-home">with
their eyes wide shut</a>.
<p>
The fossil fools have plenty of money, and as long as they gain a
little from these campaigns, they will keep funding them.


feed_id: 3f709e8fbcab6810c221afa980b618f4
title: EPA bans glyphosate warning labels
uri: EPA-bans-glyphosate-warning-labels
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#14_August_2019_%28EPA_bans_glyphosate_warning_labels%29

content:
<p>
The Environmental Poisoning Agency 
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2019/08/12/playing-role-pesticide-cheeleader-epa-rebukes-calif-ban-warning-labels-roundup">ordered
California not to put warning labels on glyphosate</a> about its
tendency to cause cancer.
<p>
The EPA was formerly the Environmental Protection Agency, but the
<a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#saboteur">saboteur</a>-in-chief took control of it and turned it against its
intended purpose.
<p>
I hope California will have a chance to overcome this in court.


feed_id: 3bf31674238b78d641fbf7f445bc3e62
title: Yemenite forces
uri: Yemenite-forces
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#14_August_2019_%28Yemenite_forces%29
content:
<p>
Yemenite forces backed by the UAE are fighting with Yemenite forces
backed by <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#salafi">Salafi Arabia</a>.  Those two countries were 
<a href="https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-49308199">supposedly
intervening in Yemen as allies</a>.


feed_id: 7607973c2df3353fac792c395f8e164a
title: Demanding "consent" for personal data
uri: Demanding-consent-for-personal-data
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#14_August_2019_%28Demanding_consent_for_personal_data%29

content:
<p>
Cathay Pacific's solution to the risk of data breeches: demand nominal
"consent" from passengers 
<a href="https://www.news.com.au/travel/travel-advice/flights/cathay-pacific-is-spying-on-you-through-inflight-entertainment-and-even-recording-your-movement/news-story/acdafae60ab25a8a1610f7ceacb9c67b">to</a>
collect data from cameras and other sources, and keep it as long as
the company wishes.
<p>
This is an example of the "manufacture of consent," and shows why "you
must get the surveillance object's consent" is ineffective for
protecting privacy.


feed_id: 4e8a720a17162877247b5d8e6e88dad5
title: UK involvement with CIA torture
uri: UK-involvement-with-CIA-torture
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#14_August_2019_%28UK_involvement_with_CIA_torture%29

content:
<p>
The UK government was 
<a href="https://truepublica.org.uk/united-kingdom/british-complicity-exposed-in-latest-cia-torture-unredacted-report/">closely
involved in CIA torture</a>.


feed_id: ee6266cd01f37f05dfee28d52ea98538
title: Companies with connections to bullshitter
uri: Companies-with-connections-to-bullshitter
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#14_August_2019_%28Companies_with_connections_to_bullshitter%29

content:
<p>
A 
<a href="https://grabyourwallet.org/">list of companies</a> that some
people are boycotting because of connections to the bullshitter.
<p>
They explain why they don't advocate boycotting Facebook.  I also do
not advocate boycotting Facebook.  I advocate 
<a href="https://stallman.org/facebook.html">protecting yourself from Facebook</a>
(including Instagram and Whatsapp) by not letting them _use you_.
Don't be a zucker!


feed_id: dd7d741c8031e87cd29385ceb4cc36d3
title: Protection of species
uri: Protection-of-species
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#14_August_2019_%28Protection_of_species%29
content:
<p>
The <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#saboteur">saboteur</a>-in-chief 
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2019/08/12/trump-administration-finalizes-sweeping-rollbacks-endangered-species-act-regs">plans
several changes to undermine protection of species</a>.
<p>
With <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#global heating">global heating</a> putting more species in danger, this is the other
arm of the pincers: undermining efforts to protect them.  Both
measures will assure maximum destruction to Earth's natural
ecosystems, getting them out of the way so that plutocrats can build,
mine and farm anywhere they like.


feed_id: 59657d75021e3f231113eb2b9250a165
title: Urgent: Not to make food stamps harder to get
uri: Urgent-Not-to-make-food-stamps-harder-to-get
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#14_August_2019_%28Urgent%3A_Not_to_make_food_stamps_harder_to_get%29

content:
<p>
US citizens: <a href="https://act.credoaction.com/sign/food-stamps-comment-19?t=1001">call on the US government</a> not to make food stamps harder to get.
<p>
If you sign, please spread the word!


feed_id: 98822def6838f6187d70b7f99aa7a413
title: Wireless car keys make car theft easier
uri: Wireless-car-keys-make-car-theft-easier
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#14_August_2019_%28Wireless_car_keys_make_car_theft_easier%29

content:
<p>
Wireless substitutes for car keys <a href="https://www.bbc.com/news/business-49273028">make car theft even easier</a>.
<p>
The wireless switch can screw you even without a thief. Once two
of us were borrowing a car, and my friend drove to an errand without
having the key. (We didn't realize it was in my pocket.) It worked
fine on the way to the errand &hellip;


feed_id: 0b7c90639347e2043f50aa51dac40c6c
title: Trade controlled by business-supremacy treaties
uri: Trade-controlled-by-business-supremacy-treaties
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#14_August_2019_%28Trade_controlled_by_business-supremacy_treaties%29

content:
<p>
Faced with <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2019/08/12/why-would-democrats-want-be-tough-trade-opposed-smart-trade">trade controlled by business-supremacy treaties</a>, which were
designed to boost the rich owners of companies, the idea of being
&quot;tough on trade&quot; only repeats the bullshit that national interests
are competing.
<p>
What we need from officials in the area of trade is that they be
honest rather that stooges.


feed_id: df92e246bbdc0e0ba7f28a7cb453dd62
title: Sanctions on businesses owned by the Burmese army
uri: Sanctions-on-businesses-owned-by-the-Burmese-army
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#14_August_2019_%28Sanctions_on_businesses_owned_by_the_Burmese_army%29

content:
<p>
Since Burma continues expelling Rohingya, and is buying arms from
North Korea to attack other minorities, Congress should impose
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2019/08/12/will-congress-hold-those-who-commit-and-profit-genocide-accountable">sanctions on businesses owned by the Burmese army</a>.


feed_id: c95bf348ee9dd3560d4fb2aae721f0a7
title: Global heating has only started melting Greenland's ice
uri: Global-heating-has-only-started-melting-Greenland-s-ice
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#14_August_2019_%28Global_heating_has_only_started_melting_Greenland%27s_ice%29

content:
<p>
<a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#global heating">Global heating</a> has only started melting Greenland's ice, but it is making
<a href=" https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/aug/13/climate-crisis-mental-health-environmental-anguish">traditional ways of life impossible for Greenlanders</a>.
<p>
Extreme weather at the North Pole, including lightning, may be related
to a <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2019/aug/13/north-pole-multiple-lightning-strikes-follow-record-low-sea-ice-levels">new record for loss of sea ice</a>.


feed_id: 2aadf53794b11f78acbdad58e10b2ab7
title: No to the Cashless Future and to Cashless Stores
uri: No-to-the-Cashless-Future-and-to-Cashless-Stores
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#14_August_2019_%28No_to_the_Cashless_Future_and_to_Cashless_Stores%29

content:
<p>
ACLU: Say <a href="https://www.aclu.org/blog/privacy-technology/consumer-privacy/say-no-cashless-future-and-cashless-stores">No to the &quot;Cashless Future&quot;</a> &mdash; and to Cashless Stores.
<p>
I have made &quot;cash-only&quot; my firm policy for buying any product. Aside
from flights &mdash; which cannot be bought anonymously anyway &mdash; I never
use my bank cards to pay for anything. Once you make this a firm policy,
you won't be tempted to make any exceptions.
<p>
Don't be apologetic about refusing to pay by tracked digital methods.
<p>
A store which tries to pressure you into identifying yourself is doing
an injustice to you and the public. Show indignation when you say no!


feed_id: ec9f123aa4ff99b265fd060d45c5f45a
title: Developers in London
uri: Developers-in-London
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#14_August_2019_%28Developers_in_London%29
content:
<p>
Developers in London are <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/society/2019/aug/13/talk-public-housing-renaissance-london-fake-news-housing-crisis">increasing the amount of &quot;affordable housing&quot;</a>
by stretching the definition of &quot;affordable&quot;.


feed_id: 13e9a05f84a5387a7a4abe91b77d353b
title: Rocky Mountains polluted by plastic microfibers
uri: Rocky-Mountains-polluted-by-plastic-microfibers
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#14_August_2019_%28Rocky_Mountains_polluted_by_plastic_microfibers%29

content:
<p>
Rain in the Rocky Mountains is <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2019/aug/12/raining-plastic-colorado-usgs-microplastics">polluted by plastic microfibers</a>.


feed_id: 5c221102bf7e91f7cb560434ee183adb
title: Salman al-Odah tortured and brainwashed in prison
uri: Salman-al-Odah-tortured-and-brainwashed-in-prison
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#14_August_2019_%28Salman_al-Odah_tortured_and_brainwashed_in_prison%29

content:
<p>
Salman al-Odah has been a political prisoner in <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#salafi">Salafi Arabia</a> for two
years, ever since he suggested, two years ago, that it resume friendly
relations with Qatar. He has been tortured and brainwashed in prison.
<p>
He is <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/aug/13/saudi-arabia-salman-al-odah-arrest-death-sentence">likely to be executed</a>.


feed_id: f1f945204f42f1d5aaa3403ee1da87c1
title: American supporters of India's Hindu-nationalists
uri: American-supporters-of-India-s-Hindu-nationalists
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#14_August_2019_%28American_supporters_of_India%27s_Hindu-nationalists%29

content:
<p>
American supporters of India's Hindu-nationalists pressured a US
congresscritter into apologizing for a letter which criticized India's
<a href="http://www.ofmi.org/rss-paramilitarys-affiliates-pressure-us-lawmaker-into-withdrawing-kashmir-support/">repressive suppression of Kashmir</a>.


feed_id: eeb79242b55e8fb552ec2e10f115d8a4
title: London face recognition cameras
uri: London-face-recognition-cameras
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#14_August_2019_%28London_face_recognition_cameras%29

content:
<p>
People in London seem to be <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2019/aug/13/people-at-kings-cross-site-express-unease-about-facial-recognition">bothered by face recognition cameras</a>, except
for those that have already surrendered to Big Brother.
<p>
You can help inspire them to un-surrender by standing firm against use
of snooping technologies yourself.


feed_id: 6009226908d26945e927271c8e91c20e
title: Christ coming back would be weird
uri: 2019-08-14-Christ-coming-back-would-be-weird
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#14_August_2019_%28Christ_coming_back_would_be_weird%29

content:
<p>
(satire) Christ announced Monday that He has <a href="https://www.theonion.com/christ-calls-off-plans-for-return-after-realizing-it-s-1837174798">called off plans</a> 
for His return upon coming to the realization that He has been gone 
so long at this point that coming back &quot;would just be weird.&quot;


feed_id: 6e88baa86333aa0cfd5e4ac87396eaa6
title: Salmon farm can do harm
uri: 2019-08-14-Salmon-farm-can-do-harm
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#14_August_2019_%28Salmon_farm_can_do_harm%29
content:
<p>
A salmon farm on a small island in the middle of protected wildlife
could do <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2019/aug/12/proposed-salmon-farm-raises-environmental-concerns-in-hebrides">many kinds of harm.</a>


feed_id: edc33192745fa6123296b629d109234d
title: Oscar Myer
uri: 2019-08-14-Oscar-Myer
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#14_August_2019_%28Oscar_Myer%29
content:
<p>
(satire) the Pentagon awarded Oscar Mayer a five-year, $102 million contract 
Monday to develop <a href="https://www.theonion.com/pentagon-awards-oscar-mayer-102-million-contract-for-n-1837167096">military-grade hot dogs,</a> complete with all the fixings.


feed_id: e503a92405853ebd83886eb5aecbc5ae
title: Exxon's intimidation
uri: 2019-08-14-Exxon-s-intimidation
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#14_August_2019_%28Exxon%27s_intimidation%29
content:
<p>
New York State says that Exxon's subpoenas to its investors are meant to intimidate 
them from testifying in <a href="https://insideclimatenews.org/news/06082019/exxon-climate-fraud-investigation-witness-pressure-investors-new-york-attorney-general">court against Exxon.</a>
<p>
Remember to avoid the solecism of pronouncing 
<a href="stallman.org/articles/exxon.html">&quot;Exxon&quot; like &quot;exon&quot;</a> ;-).


feed_id: 9696a978954d847a9a88aef8f36a438e
title: Foxconn's deal with Wisconsin
uri: 2019-08-14-Foxconn-s-deal-with-Wisconsin
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#14_August_2019_%28Foxconn%27s_deal_with_Wisconsin%29

content:
<p>
Foxconn's &quot;pay us to make jobs&quot; deal with Wisconsin is complete crap,
and can't be fixed to &quot;benefit&quot; the state even when judged by the
foolish standard of <a href="https://www.theverge.com/2019/8/6/20747166/wisconsin-foxconn-deal-state-report-lcd-factory-innovation-centers">&quot;getting enough jobs for the money.&quot;</a>
<p>
&quot;Subsidize a business to make jobs&quot; is a form of trickle-down: making
welfare payments to businesses so that a fraction of the money will
reach non-rich citizens. As governments do this, they help businesses
pressure them to do ever more of it.
<p>
Wisconsin should cancel the Foxconn deal the way New Yorkers <a href="https://www.propublica.org/article/fbi-domestic-terrorism-arrest-data">cancelled NYC's Amazon deal.</a>


feed_id: 1a0c57faf97382c13909afb1f271a38c
title: US pharma system's design
uri: 2019-08-14-US-pharma-system-s-design
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#14_August_2019_%28US_pharma_system%27s_design%29
content:
<p>
The US pharma system was designed so that the public pays for the
research, and the profits <a href="https://newrepublic.com/article/149438/big-pharma-captured-one-percent">go to rich owners.</a> It was set up this way by a scheme advised by right-wing 
economists and carried out by business lobbyists.
<p>
More recently, private equity companies have taken over many pharma companies
and drive the gouging.
<p>
Pharma is one of the areas where patents do <a href="media/1dcfd209.45_1_stallman.pdf" data-original-source="https://www.luc.edu/media/lucedu/law/students/publications/llj/pdfs/45_1_stallman.pdf">special harm.</a>
<p>
It is unfortunate that the article occasionally says &quot;IP&quot; when it
means patents. This encourages the confusion that the
bogus <a href="https://gnu.org/philosophy/not-ipr.html">overgeneralization 
&quot;intellectual property&quot; embodies.</a>
<p>
The article suggests using compulsory licenses to knock down these
patents when they endanger the public. I'm entirely in favor of that,
but I think we need to cure the disease, not just treat the symptoms.
<p>
The cure I recommend is to take the testing of drugs out of the hands
of drug manufacturers, thus eliminating their argument for artificial
monopolies, and turn them into generic manufacturers.


feed_id: cc063782a545f4925e16c78987afa6ed
title: Sanders and Biden beats the bullshitter
uri: 2019-08-14-Sanders-and-Biden-beats-the-bullshitter
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#14_August_2019_%28Sanders_and_Biden_beats_the_bullshitter%29

content:
<p>
In <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2019/08/12/bernie-sanders-acing-electability-test-another-poll-shows-senator-crushing-trump">opinion polls,</a> Sanders beats the 
bullshitter by the same margin as Biden.
<p>
So they are equally electable. However, Sanders would make a dent in
plutocracy, while Biden would protect it.


feed_id: 41331dc97c4674876d1b0104fb1e19af
title: China offers surveillance
uri: 2019-08-14-China-offers-surveillance
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#14_August_2019_%28China_offers_survaliance%29
content:
<p>
China now offers any would-be totalitarian state the technology to <a href="https://reason.com/2019/08/12/china-exports-its-panopticon/">watch and control everyone.</a>
<p>
<a href="https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-7332789/China-deploys-robotic-traffic-policemen-equipped-facial-recognition-cameras.html">Mobile robots with face recognition</a> now spread state control on streets.
<p>
China invites users of social media to <a href="https://www.reuters.com/article/us-china-internet/china-launches-platform-to-stamp-out-online-rumors-idUSKCN1LF0HL">act as stool pigeons</a> in case
any dissent goes unnoticed by the professional monitors and AI.


feed_id: 8c36b480b392041d41aa379e1b8f86af
title: Brain injuries from football
uri: 2019-08-14-Brain-injuries-from-football
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#14_August_2019_%28Brain_injuries_from_football%29
content:
<p>
A study of college football players' brain scans found most of them
showed signs of brain injury after <a href="https://www.sciencemag.org/news/2019/08/just-one-season-playing-football-even-without-concussion-can-cause-brain-damage">just one season.</a>
<p>
I think schools should not promote football.


feed_id: d162bed81a40ca4ae7ebda3227700d79
title: Companies with connections to bullshitter
uri: 2019-08-15-Companies-with-connections-to-bullshitter
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#14_August_2019_%28Companies_with_connections_to_bullshitter%29

content:
<p>
A 
<a href="https://grabyourwallet.org/">list of companies</a> that some
people are boycotting because of connections to the bullshitter.
<p>
They explain why they don't advocate boycotting Facebook.  I also do
not advocate boycotting Facebook.  I advocate 
<a href="https://stallman.org/facebook.html">protecting yourself from Facebook</a>
(including Instagram and Whatsapp) by not letting them <i>use you</i>.
Don't be a zucker!


feed_id: d628b0f9fffda6b38d2189d5d2c0bf2e
title: Urgent: No vote on NAFTA 2.0 until it's fixed
uri: Urgent-No-vote-on-NAFTA-2-0-until-it-s-fixed
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#15_August_2019_%28Urgent%3A_No_vote_on_NAFTA_2.0_until_its_fixed%29

content:
<p>
US citizens: phone your congresscritter and say, "No vote on NAFTA 2.0
until it's fixed."
<p>
I think 1-855-973-4213 is a number you can use.  Here are points you
can mention.
<ul>
<li>
Big Pharma loves NAFTA 2.0 because it guarantees them monopoly powers
to delay generic competition and lock in high drug prices.</li>
<li>
Big oil is lobbying for the deal because it lets them attack Mexican
climate and environmental policies.</li>
<li>
Corporations that have used NAFTA to outsource hundreds of thousands
of jobs to Mexico to pay workers pennies on the dollar are thrilled
the revised deal's labor and environmental terms are too weak to stop
more job outsourcing.</li>
<li>
US agribusiness has used NAFTA to ruin Mexican peasants.  They can't
produce as cheaply as machines in US factory farms, but Mexico had
enough food.</li>
</ul>
<p>
If you sign, please spread the word!


feed_id: 3375dd2a8358a8f00691cfebc3a7fe4a
title: Urgent: Real health care debate
uri: Urgent-Real-health-care-debate
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#15_August_2019_%28Urgent%3A_Real_health_care_debate%29

content:
<p>
US citizens: 
<a href="https://act.credoaction.com/sign/abc-univision-healthcare-debate">Tell
ABC and Univision</a> that we need a real health care debate.


feed_id: f3b96262f0c4dcae0c6c8f54298f1f6f
title: Facebook's audio recordings of useds
uri: Facebook-s-audio-recordings-of-useds
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#15_August_2019_%28Facebooks_audio_recordings_of_useds%29

content:
<p>
Facebook admits having presented 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2019/aug/13/facebook-messenger-user-recordings-contractors-listening">audio
recordings of conversation between useds</a> for purposes of improving
its speech recognition.
<p>
I think this is a secondary issue.  The job being done is not
malicious in its own right.
<p>
What I find more worrisome is that Facebook (or Google, or Apple)
could transcribe conversations automatically and use the results
automatically for purposes such as surveillance capitalism,
censorship, and repression.


feed_id: 9ccb30b7916bcdd1cb18b16a9d8ed1f6
title: Yemenite factions
uri: Yemenite-factions
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#15_August_2019_%28Yemenite_factions%29
content:
<p>
More about the split between various 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2019/aug/14/scores-killed-in-yemen-as-uae-backed-fighters-seize-parts-of-aden">Yemenite
groups that were previously supported by the "coalition"
intervention</a>.
<p>
The "government" of Yemen has no particular legitimacy.  It was
"internationally backed" in the sense that <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#salafi">Salafi Arabia</a> and the UAE
(two cruel and vicious states) supported it, along with their unsavory
allies.
<p>
May the rest of the world help the Yemenite factions make peace,
instead of stirring up war.


feed_id: 28a597db0bc191a44aa5bda1303b224c
title: Propaganda letters from Chinese prisons
uri: Propaganda-letters-from-Chinese-prisons
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#15_August_2019_%28Propaganda_letters_from_Chinese_prisons%29

content:
<p>
Abdurahman Memet 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/aug/14/uighur-man-held-after-leaking-letters-from-xinjiang-camp-inmates-says-family">published
the propaganda letters</a> his relatives in Chinese prisons were
forced to send, and now he has disappeared.


feed_id: 974696af106ec73aa2f279887b4dd9db
title: Australia's planet-roaster government
uri: 2019-08-15-Australia-s-planet-roaster-government
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#15_August_2019_%28Australias_planet-roaster_government%29

content:
<p>
Australia's planet-roaster government was 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/aug/14/australia-coal-pacific-tension-scott-morrison-forum">unable
to buy approval</a> from the island states that Australia is helping
to inundate.  The host of the Pacific Islands Forum said that no
amount of funding makes up for Australia’s failure to cut emissions.


feed_id: e82cf623f4cf4f6ecb44d31b6f16c97f
title: Suppression of Arab vote in Israel
uri: Suppression-of-Arab-vote-in-Israel
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#15_August_2019_%28Suppression_of_Arab_vote_in_Israel%29

content:
<p>
Israel's ruling party suppressed the Arab vote by setting up
<a href="https://972mag.com/voter-intimidation-palestinians-israel-elections/142642/">video
recorders inside voting places where many Arabs live</a>.


feed_id: 092189de93670b1213e5fc2825a5d435
title: Occupied Palestine
uri: 2019-08-15-Occupied-Palestine
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#15_August_2019_%28Occupied_Palestine%29
content:
<p>
Israel is trying to drive the Palestinian inhabitants out of a region
of occupied Palestine by 
<a href="https://palsolidarity.org/2019/08/water-series-theres-no-law-in-the-world-that-says-you-can-cut-water-from-humans/">cutting
them off from water</a>.  This includes destroying their water pipes
and blocking trucks.


feed_id: 3755e494e5104887342c94a94ffcd1a6
title: Courage of feminist Loujain al-Hathloul
uri: Courage-of-feminist-Loujain-al-Hathloul
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#15_August_2019_%28Courage_of_feminist_Loujain_al-Hathloul%29

content:
<p>
Imprisoned feminist Loujain al-Hathloul in <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#salafi">Salafi Arabia</a> was offered
release from prison if she would say, for a published video, that she
had not been tortured.  
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/aug/13/jailed-saudi-feminist-refuses-release-in-exchange-for-denying-torture">She
refused</a>.
<p>
What courage!


feed_id: 887cdecddd3995021537cd8fe05dbd6a
title: India is treating Kashmir has just conquered
uri: India-is-treating-Kashmir-has-just-conquered
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#15_August_2019_%28India_is_treating_Kashmir_has_just_conquered%29

content:
<p>
India is treating Kashmir like a <a href="">country it has just conquered</a>.
<p>
Some Kashmiris expect India to <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/aug/14/narendra-modi-kashmir-hindu-first-india-autonomy">treat Kashmir the way Israel treats
Palestine</a>.
<p>
I was thinking the same thing myself.


feed_id: 2d63cb56d5e32eda9d30f6f73f203c75
title: 6,000 prisoners kept in solitary
uri: 6-000-prisoners-kept-in-solitary
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#15_August_2019_%286%2C000_prisoners_kept_in_solitary%29

content:
<p>
Of 6,000 prisoners that the deportation <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thugs</a> kept in solitary,
<a href="https://theintercept.com/2019/08/14/ice-solitary-confinement-mental-illness/">40% had mental illness</a>.


feed_id: a0cab1c53a03cfef0b807bef435d273d
title: Statue of Liberty Shown Cuffed and Arrested
uri: Statue-of-Liberty-Shown-Cuffed-and-Arrested
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#15_August_2019_%28Statue_of_Liberty_Shown_Cuffed_and_Arrested%29

content:
<p>
Statue of Liberty Shown <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2019/aug/14/statue-of-liberty-mural-las-vegas-ice-immigration-arrest">Cuffed and Arrested by Immigration Officials in New
Mural</a>.


feed_id: 30e8acb143c3b2c046d581798ef9149f
title: Bogus Johnson ceasing press conferences where journalists ask questions
uri: Bogus-Johnson-ceasing-press-conferences-where-journalists-ask-question
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#15_August_2019_%28Bogus_Johnson_ceasing_press_conferences_where_journalists_ask_questions%29

content:
<p>
Bogus Johnson has followed the bullshitter in ceasing to hold <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2019/aug/14/boriss-facebook-pmqs-show-how-politicians-can-bypass-scrutiny">press
conferences where journalists ask questions</a>.


feed_id: 5bf333155777332a48225cc4a1a21f15
title: National campaign against voter suppression
uri: National-campaign-against-voter-suppression
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#15_August_2019_%28National_campaign_against_voter_suppression%29

content:
<p>
Stacey Abrams will lead a <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2019/aug/14/stacey-abrams-voter-suppression-campaign-states">national campaign against voter suppression</a>.


feed_id: e4b7656253fea409db0b33f48e748860
title: Sugar cane farmers funding a denialist
uri: Sugar-cane-farmers-funding-a-denialist
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#15_August_2019_%28Sugar_cane_farmers_funding_a_denialist%29

content:
<p>
Sugar cane farmers in Australia a funding a tour by a denialist
ex-professor who pretends that agricultural runoff from
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2019/aug/15/managers-funded-by-queensland-government-grant-urge-cane-farmers-to-question-reef-science">cane farms doesn't harm the Great Barrier Reef</a>.
<p>
The goal of this is to scrap regulations that would protect the reef.
<p>
This denialism won't fool the coral. It will die anyway. Then the
farmers could argue that it wasn't the runoff, it was the ocean
heating and the dissolved CO2 that did it.
<p>
Indeed, we must stop all three to save that reef, and all the other
coral reefs in the world.


feed_id: b7c817c965191af8c06304f201f99047
title: Falling snow is full of microplastics
uri: Falling-snow-is-full-of-microplastics
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#15_August_2019_%28Falling_snow_is_full_of_microplastics%29

content:
<p>
Falling <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/aug/14/microplastics-found-at-profuse-levels-in-snow-from-arctic-to-alps-contamination">snow is full of microplastics</a> which it concentrates out of the air. Are they causing lung cancer?


feed_id: 55edad470de23b31691100d7152d8cc5
title: Mainstream Media Smear Sanders
uri: Mainstream-Media-Smear-Sanders
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#15_August_2019_%28Mainstream_Media_Smear_Sanders%29
content:
<p>
Mainstream Media <a href="https://caitlinjohnstone.com/2019/08/14/msm-smears-sanders-for-saying-msm-smears-sanders/">Smear Sanders for Saying That the Mainstream Media
Smear Sanders</a>.


feed_id: 1d504ab2431dc925251b01a6d6539e8e
title: Clothing designed to appear a license-plate
uri: Clothing-designed-to-appear-a-license-plate
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#15_August_2019_%28Clothing_designed_to_appear_a_license-plate%29

content:
<p>
Clothing has been <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/aug/13/the-fashion-line-designed-to-trick-surveillance-cameras">designed to appear to license-plate readers as a
license-plate</a>.


feed_id: b289a80f129641d96f5698cae1277bd0
title: Iceland commemorates vanished glacier
uri: Iceland-commemorates-vanished-glacier
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#15_August_2019_%28Iceland_commemorates_vanished_glacier%29

content:
<p>
Iceland <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/aug/14/glaciers-iceland-country-loss-plaque-climate-crisis">commemorates the first vanished glacier</a>.


feed_id: ffae889c7bcfd1f7727905d05b614a15
title: Ring gave rewards to snitch whoever looked suspicious
uri: Ring-gave-rewards-to-snitch-whoever-looked-suspicious
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#11_August_2019_%28Ring_gave_rewards_to_snitch_whoever_looked_suspicious%29

content:
<p>
The Ring company (before it was bought by Amazon) gave customers
rewards for getting together
to <a href="https://www.vice.com/en_us/article/ne8wqx/ring-told-people-to-snitch-on-their-neighbors-in-exchange-for-free-stuff">snitch
on whoever they thought was &quot;suspicious.&quot;</a>


feed_id: e4f505583fb96341d4650d7413db9c69
title: The free software movement
uri: The-free-software-movement
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#15_August_2019_%28The_free_software_movement%29
content:
<p>
By these criteria for
<a href="https://www.effectivealtruism.org/articles/introduction-to-effective-altruism/">effective
altruism</a>, the free software movement is a good choice to have a
high impact.  Their criteria are
<ul>
<li>
Great in scale (it affects many people’s lives, by a
<a href="https://gnu.org/philosophy/free-software-even-more-important.html">great
amount</a>)</li>
<li>
Highly neglected (few other people are working on addressing the
problem), and</li>
<li>
Highly solvable (additional resources will do a great deal to address
it).</li>
</ul>
Is the free software cause "highly neglected"?  Thousands of people
are working on developing free programs, but most of them call the the
programs
<a href='https://gnu.org/philosophy/open-source-misses-the-point.html'>"open
source"</a> and are not thinking about the injustice of nonfree
software.  So they don't look for projects that could enable many
users to escape from some nonfree software.


feed_id: 0c729aaf617ec609ac84fd0c1a7bf2d9
title: The "cancel" culture
uri: The-cancel-culture
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#15_August_2019_%28The_cancel_culture%29
content:
<p>
The "cancel" culture &mdash; 
<a href="https://reason.com/2019/08/14/sarah-silverman-has-been-canceled/">one
strike and you're out</a>.


feed_id: 7b2e7367f57c5e22344cee9cf65638b6
title: Threatened endangered species
uri: Threatened-endangered-species
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#15_August_2019_%28Threatened_endangered_species%29
content:
<p>
The US is already adopting an 
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2019/08/14/trump-administration-denies-protection-six-more-imperiled-species">anti-protection
agenda for threatened and endangered species.
<p>
The plutocrats regard these species as obstacles to untrammeled
exploitation of the whole world.


feed_id: a288d30ce610349ccf0d94028a7a5a2c
title: Cause of methane level increase
uri: Cause-of-methane-level-increase
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#15_August_2019_%28Cause_of_methane_level_increase%29

content:
<p>
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2019/08/14/fracking-boom-us-and-canada-largely-blame-massive-rise-global-methane-levels-study">How
researchers deduce</a> that the increase in methane level since 2000
is mainly due to fracking in the US.


feed_id: 1da3a237f6e71492f95a5c266de0f245
title: Boeing executives
uri: Boeing-executives
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#15_August_2019_%28Boeing_executives%29
content:
<p>
It Is Time to 
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2019/08/14/it-time-haul-boeing-executives-congress-testify-under-oath">Haul
Boeing Executives Before Congress to Testify Under Oath</a>.


feed_id: fb44e95c850c3dddb3fb72a6c0f7a3d9
title: CEOs' income
uri: CEOs-income
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#15_August_2019_%28CEOs_income%29
content:
<p>
The CEOs of big US companies now get an income (on average) of 
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2019/08/14/now-earning-278-times-more-average-worker-new-study-shows-ceo-pay-has-grown-more">275
times what the workers get</a>.
<p>
The expression "1000%" is somewhat inflationary &mdash; I think the
CEOs' income has increased by a factor of 11 since 1978.


feed_id: 2795596b24e0c5f00f501c458bfebcd0
title: India accepts government lies as normal
uri: India-accepts-government-lies-as-normal
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#15_August_2019_%28India_accepts_government_lies_as_normal%29

content:
<p>
In India, government lies used for political manipulation 
<a href="https://thewire.in/politics/bjp-kashmir-terrorist-threat-lie-article-370">have
become accepted as normal</a>.
<p>
Comparing it to the credulousness of today's US Republicans, it
appears not to go to the same lengths, but covers a majority of the
people.


feed_id: f8cb6fc206fd3ab86b8fc408285b7c75
title: Koreans conscripted by Japan during WWII
uri: Koreans-conscripted-by-Japan-during-WWII
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#15_August_2019_%28Koreans_conscripted_by_Japan_during_WWII%29

content:
<p>
Japan conscripted 240,000 Koreans during World War II.  (Japan was
able to do this since it had conquered Korea in 1910.)  After the
war, South Korea called them traitors.  
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/aug/15/i-dont-have-much-hope-koreans-search-for-loved-ones-who-died-fighting-for-japan">Their
families have little information about what happened to them</a>.
<p>
The people in those families were wronged twice, and I am sorry for
them.  But sorry also that they put so much importance on scraps of
information that wouldn't change anything about those wrongs.
<p>
No good can come from obsessing about the corpse of someone who died
in 1943.  Every Korean, and every Japanese, is familiar with the basic
ideas of Buddhism.  This attachment causes suffering, and only
suffering.
<p>
It would be so much wiser to redirect the feeling of loss into efforts
to avoid future wars, future conscription, and future suffering.


feed_id: c7e3d7c4076252ec94b30e579b1fae42
title: Hallucinogenic mushrooms
uri: 2019-08-16-Hallucinogenic-mushrooms
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#15_August_2019_%28Hallucinogenic_mushrooms%29
content:
<p>
A 
<a href="https://reason.com/2019/08/13/oregonians-are-one-step-closer-to-voting-on-magic-mushroom-legalization/">proposed
Oregon ballot initiative</a> would legalize use of hallucinogenic
mushrooms in carefully managed situations.


feed_id: 3041f58cfdba9b27f8831716209cccc1
title: The plan to defeat Hong Kong democracy
uri: The-plan-to-defeat-Hong-Kong-democracy
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#15_August_2019_%28The_plan_to_defeat_Hong_Kong_democracy%29

content:
<p>
The Chinese plan to defeat Hong Kong's democracy movement is <a href="
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/aug/14/beijing-tactics-crush-hong-kong-protests">subtle
and cunning.</a>
<p>
Drawing them into violence and into annoying other Hong Kongers is part
of it.
<p>
<a href="
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/aug/14/frightened-angry-and-exhausted-hong-kong-protesters-apologise-for-airport-violence">'Frightened, Angry And Exhausted'</a> Hong Kong Protesters Apologies for Airport
Violence.
<p>
It looks like they understand the game Chine is playing.


feed_id: 0214c4fc67855f4f3733ad90fc0173e4
title: Fracking increases methane emissions
uri: Fracking-increases-methane-emissions
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#15_August_2019_%28Fracking_increases_methane_emissions%29

content:
<p>
Fracking is the <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/aug/14/fracking-causing-rise-in-methane-emissions-study-finds
">major cause</a> of increased methane emissions.


feed_id: bcdce64b93ee052606ed5823823e1269
title: School board decided to hide murals
uri: School-board-decided-to-hide-murals
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#15_August_2019_%28School_board_decided_to_hide_murals%29

content:
<p>
The San Francisco school board has decided to <a href="
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2019/aug/14/san-francisco-school-board-mural-george-washington-high-school">hide, not paint over,</a>
the controversial paintings that showed George Washington's
involvement in fighting indigenous peoples and owning slaves.
<p>
If the problem is presenting these paintings without context, the solution
is obvious &mdash; provide context!


feed_id: e91d0cacabc5cc99a0be68a4180ee243
title: Museums showing the interaction of humans and wildlife
uri: Museums-showing-the-interaction-of-humans-and-wildlife
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#15_August_2019_%28Museums_showing_the_interaction_of_humans_and_wildlife%29

content:
<p>
Museums of natural history are showing very graphically what human
activities are doing to wildlife. This makes a <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/aug/14/museum-shrouds-endangered-wildlife-exhibits-in-mourning-veil
">powerful impression</a> on
children.


feed_id: 24980c6318410a91fe5813980089eb68
title: Netanyahu's response to the killing of a Israeli
uri: Netanyahu-s-response-to-the-killing-of-a-Israeli
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#15_August_2019_%28Netanyahu%27s_responce_to_the_killing_of_a_Israeli%29

content:
<p>
Netanyahu plans to respond to the killing of an Israeli with
collective punishment: <a href="
https://electronicintifada.net/blogs/maureen-clare-murphy/netanyahu-pledges-build-more-illegal-settlements-after-teen-killed">expanding Israeli colonies</a> in Palestinian
territory.
<p>
Netanyahu assumes that the killing was politically motivated (therefore
terrorism) and done by a Palestinian, but that is just a surmise.
The facts are simply not known. But he does know who he wants to punish.


feed_id: c8a6e2ce833c34cdff5b099e116a25ca
title: Chaldean church renovated
uri: Chaldean-church-renovated
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#15_August_2019_%28Chaldean_church_renovated%29
content:
<p>
Basra's Chaldean church has been renovated, but there are few
Christians left in Basra, and not many in Iraq.
The upheavals caused by US wars have <a href="
https://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/originals/2019/08/basras-chaldean-church-renovated-but-seldom-visited.html#ixzz5wArqQVVd">chased them out.</a>
<p>
When they come to the US, is that one of the "faith-based initiatives"
that <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#dubya">Dubya</a> wanted?


feed_id: dbcfef5dfe9dcc274e64f33b759587f1
title: False definition of anti-semitism
uri: False-definition-of-anti-semitism
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#15_August_2019_%28Falsedefinition_of_annti-semitism%29

content:
<p>
The IHRA definition of "anti-semitism" is being used to<a href="
https://972mag.com/antisemitism-israel-jews-ihra/142622/"> demonize
criticism</a> of the occupation of Palestine as anti-semitism.
<p>
Real anti-semites, including Nazis, find the IHRA definition useful
for defending themselves -- they argue that they support Israel, so we
should ignore the fact that they hate Jews.


feed_id: 8fe27373475f88bc9946037c4529fabd
title: India is treating Kashmir has just conquered
uri: 2019-08-16-India-is-treating-Kashmir-has-just-conquered
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#15_August_2019_%28India_is_treating_Kashmir_has_just_conquered%29

content:
<p>
India is treating Kashmir like a <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/aug/14/kashmir-more-protests-expected-as-india-marks-independence">country it has just conquered</a>.
<p>
Some Kashmiris expect India to <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/aug/14/narendra-modi-kashmir-hindu-first-india-autonomy">treat Kashmir the way Israel treats
Palestine</a>.
<p>
I was thinking the same thing myself.


feed_id: 77bc20bc57b5c359a0e5d03f606cf230
title: US congress members blocked from Israel
uri: US-congress-members-blocked-from-Israel
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#17_August_2019_%28US_congress_members_blocked_from_Israel%29

content:
<p>
Netanyahu decided <a href="
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2019/aug/15/israels-decision-to-block-congresswomen-omar-and-tlaib-draws-widespread-criticism">not to allow</a> Rep. Omar and Rep. Tlaib to lead a tour
of members of Congress to Palestine.

<p>
This has earned him a lot of criticism already. But I think he has
become a supporter of his fellow right-wing extremist, the <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#bully">bully</a>, and
does not care about alienating Democratic US Jews.


feed_id: 9130d98d7cddd13e98f0ed7b41158558
title: Urgent:US citizens: call on Democratic Presidential Candidates to take the "NoKXL Pledge"
uri: Urgent-US-citizens-call-on-Democratic-Presidential-Candidates-to-take
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#17_August_2019_%28Urgent%3AUS_citizens%3A_call_on_Democratic_Presidential_Candidates_to_take_the_NoKXL_Pledge%29

content:
<p>
US citizens: call on Democratic Presidential Candidates to take the
"NoKXL Pledge" &mdash; to <a href="https://act.oilchangeus.org/sign/NoKXL-Pledge">cancel the Keystone XL planet-roaster pipeline</a>
first thing if elected.
<p>
If you sign, please spread the word!


feed_id: a2290c772774d5b3a4af2ee5520de7e4
title: Urgent:US citizens: call on Walmart to publish plans to stop using HFCs as refrigerants.
uri: Urgent-US-citizens-call-on-Walmart-to-publish-plans-to-stop-using-HFC
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#17_August_2019_%28Urgent%3AUS_citizens%3A_call_on_Walmart_to_publish_plans_to_stop_using_HFCs_as_refrigerants.%29

content:
<p>
US citizens: <a href="
https://greenamerica.salsalabs.org/cool-it-walmart/index.html">call on Walmart</a> to publish plans to stop using HFCs as
refrigerants.

<p>
To sign without running nonfree Javascript code, use lynx.
<p>
If you sign, please spread the word!


feed_id: 05458e3583ee00c498e61d8db68b9858
title: Zimbabwe's new dictator intimidation
uri: Zimbabwe-s-new-dictator-intimidation
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#17_August_2019_%28Zimbabwe%27s_new_dictator_intimidation%29

content:
<p>
Zimbabwe's new dictator has deployed thugs in advance to <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/aug/15/armed-police-patrol-zimbabwes-capital-ready-to-stifle-protests
">intimidate a planned protest.</a>


feed_id: d0bb290f5fffff0180050152e0d6d9ff
title: Searching with out suspicion
uri: Searching-with-out-suspicion
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#17_August_2019_%28Searching_with_out_suspicion%29
content:
<p>
In the UK as in the US, searching people on the street with no
specific suspicion does little to reduce street crime, but it's <a href="
https://www.theguardian.com/law/2019/aug/13/stop-search-extension-knife-crime-police-home-secretary">a
great way</a> to harass minority groups and make them resentful.

<p>
No wonder Bogus Johnson wants to do more of it.


feed_id: 757eda70fb88fa08dd144ac6fb8bb14f
title: The Third Way
uri: The-Third-Way
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#17_August_2019_%28The_Third_Way%29
content:
<p>
"The Third Way", a think-tank for plutocratists in the Democratic
Party, published a report in favor of <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#business-supremacy">business-supremacy treaties</a>
with <a href="https://theintercept.com/2019/08/13/koch-brothers-third-way/
">funding from the Koch brothers.</a>


feed_id: b9c98fa8fb3dacb20f0ffa75d105bf0f
title: Treating racial slurs as unutterable taboos
uri: Treating-racial-slurs-as-unutterable-taboos
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#17_August_2019_%28Treating_racial_slurs_as_unutterable_taboos%29

content:
<p>
Americans who oppose racism are going nuts, and treating racial slurs
as unutterable taboos, rather than the insults that they are. Even to
quote a use of the taboo word, regardless of why, <a href="
https://www.theguardian.com/books/2019/aug/15/white-professor-investigated-quoting-james-baldwin-use-of-n-word-laurie-sheck">unleashes
condemnation.</a>

<p>
In fear of that taboo, a famous writers' famous quotation was altered
and missed its intended point, and a professor is being investigated
for calling attention to that.
<p>
I urge people to familiarize themselves with the difference between
using a word and mentioning it. I don't <em>use</em> racial slurs, because I
don't want to insult people, but it is impossible to discuss racism
clearly without <em>mentioning</em> (talking about) those slurs.
<p>
Likewise, I never <em>use</em> the term "intellectual property", but I
<em>mention</em> it to say <a href="https://gnu.org/philosophy/not-ipr.html
">why it spreads confusion.</a>


feed_id: d2fd26aef240f23fe767839257542599
title: Destruction of oceans has doubled
uri: Destruction-of-oceans-has-doubled
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#17_August_2019_%28Destruction_of_oceans_has_doubled%29

content:
<p>
Humanity's Destruction of Oceans Nearly Doubled Over a Decade, Scientists
Warn, and <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2019/08/13/humanitys-destruction-oceans-nearly-doubled-over-decade-scientists-warn-and-could?cd-origin=rss
">Could Double Again</a> Without Urgent Action.


feed_id: 5c807bb2cecdf3138c4e7e250e1949eb
title: Military power religion
uri: Military-power-religion
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#17_August_2019_%28Military_power_religion%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2019/08/13/wars-and-weapons-we-trust-military-strength-americas-national-religion?cd-origin=rss
">Military power and its use</a> considered as the national religion of the US.


feed_id: 739f157e01d68b0ce2db24908065de8a
title: Saboteurs in the Department of Energy
uri: Saboteurs-in-the-Department-of-Energy
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#17_August_2019_%28Saboteurs_in_the_Department_of_Energy%29

content:
<p>
Saboteurs in the Department of Energy want to use clean energy funds
to build a <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2019/08/13/trump-tours-petrochemical-plant-activist-groups-push-back?cd-origin=rss
">fossil fuel storage facility.</a>


feed_id: d7ef5ac77e14d69935788cc67dc1911d
title: Ryan Twyman
uri: Ryan-Twyman
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#17_August_2019_%28Ryan_Twyman%29
content:
<p>
A gang of LA <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thugs</a> came up suddenly at Ryan Twyman as he was sitting
in his car, and <a href="
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2019/aug/15/police-shootings-los-angeles-sheriffs-department-ryan-twyman">quickly began shooting.</a> Then they harassed his family.


feed_id: ea33e4fcc8961f370747e86b1181d45b
title: US history against Hispanics
uri: US-history-against-Hispanics
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#16_August_2019_%28US_history_against_Hispanics%29
content:
<p>
The US has a long history of violence against Hispanics; <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2019/aug/14/it-can-happen-again-americas-long-history-of-attacks-against-latinos
">initially Mexicans.</a>


feed_id: 5f0c5bb9125a8cdf3b6272e555957b2e
title: Free movement of plant diseases
uri: Free-movement-of-plant-diseases
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#16_August_2019_%28Free_movement_of_plant_diseases%29

content:
<p>
"Free movement of goods" includes free movement of plant diseases.
Many species of trees will be <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/aug/15/ash-dieback-killer-plagues-britain-trees
">wiped out</a> in many countries.


feed_id: 65b4477f7e0da2067584365d71995d1c
title: India's plan to declare Muslims stateless
uri: India-s-plan-to-declare-Muslims-stateless
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#16_August_2019_%28India%27s_plan_to_delcare_Muslims_stateless%29

content:
<p>
India is requiring Bengali-speaking inhabitants of Assam to prove
their <a href="
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/aug/15/india-millions-stateless-assam-red-tape-illegal-immigrants">ancestors lived in Assam</a> before 1971, or face being declared
stateless. Many of them are illiterate and can't understand the
documents they need to search for. If they can't prove they are
descended from Indian citizens at that time, they will be presumed
stateless.
<p>
This seems to be a scheme to eliminate Muslim citizens from India.


feed_id: c2d6cf25e550d04d24c9c608b7d419ff
title: Urgent: Accountability for poisoning people
uri: Urgent-Accountability-for-poisoning-people
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#16_August_2019_%28Urgent%3A_Accountability_for_poisoning_people%29

content:
<p>
US citizens: 
<a href="https://act.credoaction.com/sign/pfas-accountability">call on
Congress</a> to hold corporations accountable for knowingly poisoning
Americans with per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances.


feed_id: abf33a2c950eada004436251ce645da3
title: Iraq's harvest reduced by fires
uri: Iraq-s-harvest-reduced-by-fires
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#16_August_2019_%28Iraqs_harvest_reduced_by_fires%29
content:
<p>
Iraq's harvest has been 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2019/aug/15/iraq-burning-problem-mysterious-fires-destroy-crops-and-livelihoods">greatly
reduced due to an unusual number of farm fires</a>, some of which are
due to arson.
<p>
I wonder if <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#global heating">global heating</a> is partly responsible.  July set a world
temperature record as hottest month since records began.  Did it set a
temperature record in Iraq, too?


feed_id: d8c30423217ff5287301c9c68d7d0cc4
title: Urgent: Block fossil fuel developments
uri: Urgent-Block-fossil-fuel-developments
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#16_August_2019_%28Urgent%3A_Block_fossil_fuel_developments%29

content:
<p>
US citizens: 
<a href="https://actionnetwork.org/forms/sign-the-last-chance-petition">call
on California governor Newsom</a> to block all new fossil fuel
developments and cut back use of existing fossil fuel facilities.


feed_id: 36cdb922dc470a5f78e20174ee8ccf2a
title: Salafi Arabia's attacks on civilians
uri: Salafi-Arabia-s-attacks-on-civilians
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#16_August_2019_%28Salafi_Arabias_attacks_on_civilians%29

content:
<p>
<a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#salafi">Salafi Arabia</a> and its allies 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/aug/15/report-documenting-saudi-cover-up-of-unlawful-airstrikes-in-yemen-submitted-to-uk">covered
up attacks on civilians</a>, so any promises it makes about how it
will use arms that are sold to it are worthless.
<p>
In other words, if you sell bone saws, don't believe promises from
<a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#salafi">Salafi Arabia</a> that they won't be used for murder.


feed_id: 548454d61786fe29bc6c32098fc1bf68
title: Fish stocks in Belize
uri: Fish-stocks-in-Belize
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#16_August_2019_%28Fish_stocks_in_Belize%29
content:
<p>
Belize has 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/aug/14/why-tiny-belize-is-a-world-leader-in-ocean-protection">banned
fishing in 16% of its waters</a>, including waters near the coast, and
enforced fishing licenses.  As a result, its fish stocks are stable.


feed_id: 472cfea3cccad30c3e007fa308bd37d9
title: Harvard admission process
uri: Harvard-admission-process
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#16_August_2019_%28Harvard_admission_process%29
content:
<p>
(satire) Harvard Streamlines Admission Process By 
<a href="https://www.theonion.com/harvard-streamlines-admission-process-by-directly-growi-1837206500">Directly
Growing New Students From DNA Of Top Donors</a>.


feed_id: 25cf04d90e517e3fbc1010b6865bb938
title: Muzzle velocities
uri: Muzzle-velocities
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#16_August_2019_%28Muzzle_velocities%29
content:
<p>
When I posted
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#5_April_2019_(Gun_control)">that assault weapons should be banned because they fire
with higher muzzle velocities</a>, and therefore the wounds they cause are
more grievous and more likely to be fatal, I misinterpreted the
article I was referring to.  This was pointed out to me by a reader.
<p>
The comparison actually described by the surgeon was between
high-powered rifles and handguns.  The point is that all high-powered
rifles produce wounds that are more harmful and more likely to kill,
than the wounds made by handguns.  This means I need to change the
conclusions I drew.
<p>
My revised conclusion is that we should require high-powered rifles
owned by the public to be designed to hold a small number of rounds,
contained in a fixed part of the rifle rather than in a magazine that
can be quickly replaced.


feed_id: cc261ebf770058450a6e2cab8414f037
title: Urgent: Reject balanced budget amendment
uri: Urgent-Reject-balanced-budget-amendment
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#17_August_2019_%28Urgent%3A_Reject_balanced_budget_amendment%29

content:
<p>
US citizens: 
<a href="https://act.credoaction.com/sign/dems-wall-street-budget-amendment">call
on Congress</a> to reject the balanced budget amendment.
<p>
If you sign, please spread the word!


feed_id: cdc54b16d18cd2d868d97358e86c184c
title: Urgent: Lawsuit against Sprint/T-mobile merger
uri: Urgent-Lawsuit-against-Sprint-T-mobile-merger
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#17_August_2019_%28Urgent%3A_Lawsuit_against_Sprint%252FT-mobile_merger%29

content:
<p>
US citizens: 
<a href="https://act.freepress.net/sign/consol_tmo_sprint_ag_lawsuit">support
the states' lawsuit</a> against the Sprint/T-mobile merger.
<p>
If you sign, please spread the word!


feed_id: 2d7caa92aab92d251770357e7eb07397
title: Cost of war on Uber drivers' cars
uri: Cost-of-war-on-Uber-drivers-cars
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#17_August_2019_%28Cost_of_war_on_Uber_drivers_cars%29

content:
<p>
Uber drivers are unaware of the cost of wear on their cars, but it adds
up to 
<a href="https://uberpeople.net/threads/article-how-uber-makes-its-drivers-pay.345884/">11
billion dollars a year</a>.


feed_id: b1862a60a81eec64af478451b76826ac
title: Tracking people on the road
uri: Tracking-people-on-the-road
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#17_August_2019_%28Tracking_people_on_the_road%29
content:
<p>
Mexico's president 
<a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2019-08-09/mexico-mulls-banning-cash-for-gasoline-purchases-highway-tolls">threatens
to require mobile phones</a> to pay for gasoline, road tolls, and
public transportation.


feed_id: 38d3bd81e7b43b1f333ef67ad50da6d2
title: Pro-establishment bias in media
uri: Pro-establishment-bias-in-media
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#17_August_2019_%28Pro-establishment_bias_in_media%29

content:
<p>
Former MSNBC Reporter Spills 
<a href="https://caitlinjohnstone.com/2019/08/16/former-msnbc-reporter-spills-details-on-pro-establishment-bias-in-media/">Details
On Pro-Establishment Bias In Media</a>.
<p>
If You Are Looking for 
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2019/08/15/if-youre-looking-evidence-wapo-media-bias-against-bernie-sanders-here-it">Evidence
of WaPo Media Bias Against Bernie Sanders</a>, Here It Is.


feed_id: 5dc6537dccc49d4b12e1921fc3e55479
title: English
uri: English
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#17_August_2019_%28English%29
content:
<p>
(satire) Why English is a 
<a href="https://www.theonion.com/new-study-finds-english-developed-as-secret-language-be-1837300308">weird,
incoherent, insane-sounding language</a>.


feed_id: cdb6bed3f5bb56eacf46909b74bec416
title: Snooper wants to extend "USA Freedom Act"
uri: Snooper-wants-to-extend-USA-Freedom-Act
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#17_August_2019_%28Snooper_wants_to_extend_USA_Freedom_Act%29

content:
<p>
The snooper wants to extend the "USA Freedom Act", which 
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2019/08/16/alarm-trump-requests-permanent-reauthorization-nsa-mass-spying-program-exposed">gave
the NSA power to spy on Americans</a>.
<p>
Meanwhile, the rest of the U SAP AT Riot Act was already made
permanent, but we need to get rid of it.


feed_id: 02c3909bcd2f9a240e6ff472a18058bd
title: Israeli government policies
uri: Israeli-government-policies
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#17_August_2019_%28Israeli_government_policies%29
content:
<p>
Israel 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2019/aug/16/israel-to-allow-entry-to-rashida-tlaib-for-humanitarian-visit">offered
to allow Rep. Tlaib to visit Palestine on "humanitarian" grounds</a>
&mdash; so she could visit her grandmother.
<p>
However, this 
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2019/08/16/refusing-be-humiliated-rashida-tlaib-rejects-israels-restrictive-conditions-visiting">included
a condition of staying silent on politics</a>, which she decided she
should not accept.
<p>
Meanwhile, Israel 
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#6_August_2019_(MP_Rosena_Allin-Khan)">bars
some Palestinians in Gaza from visiting their sick relatives getting
treatment in hospitals in Israel</a>.
<p>
"The extent to which the Israeli government has
<a href='https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/aug/16/shocked-israel-would-ban-rashida-tlaib-and-ilhan-omar-dont-be'>designated
opposition to its policies as not just illegitimate but also
illegal</a> is now plain to see."


feed_id: f50ba8a70f8e93d2ea82288d31896cf8
title: "Reverse warrants"
uri: Reverse-warrants
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#17_August_2019_%28Reverse_warrants%29
content:
<p>
"Reverse warrants" threaten privacy because they 
<a href="https://www.thedailybeast.com/manhattan-da-cy-vance-made-google-give-up-info-on-everyone-in-area-in-hunt-for-antifa-after-proud-boys-fight">permit
the state to investigate thousands of people at once</a>.


feed_id: 49cc0b640b9a22e15f1acf38a61c10dd
title: Epstein Guards
uri: Epstein-Guards
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#17_August_2019_%28Epstein_Guards%29
content:
<p>
(satire) <a href="https://www.theonion.com/epstein-guards-placed-on-disciplinary-leave-for-allowin-1837280966">Epstein Guards Placed On Disciplinary Leave</a> 
For Allowing Selves To Be Distracted By Mischievous Monkey That Stole Key Ring.


feed_id: d9a79ca2df06e7ee6d313b071f0e7d37
title: Australia's overt contempt for the global heating
uri: Australia-s-overt-contempt-for-the-global-heating
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#17_August_2019_%28Australia%27s_overt_contempt_for_the_global_heating%29

content:
<p>
Australia's overt <a href="
https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2019/aug/16/pacific-islands-will-survive-climate-crisis-because-they-can-pick-our-fruit-australias-deputy-pm-says">contempt for the global heating threat to islands in the Pacific</a> opens the door to Chinese influence.
<p>
China is contributing massively to <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#global heating">global heating</a>, but there is no
such thing as domestic public opinion in China, so you're not as
likely to hear about it.
<p>
Australia could prosper by dropping fossil fuels, but <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/aug/16/scott-morrisons-betrayal-of-the-pacific-was-immoral-and-completely-unnecessary">the rich people that the right-wing government obeys</a> would not profit as much.


feed_id: 0ab87364a0c960194732be1053061740
title: Ring Surveillance Cameras
uri: Ring-Surveillance-Cameras
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#17_August_2019_%28Ring_Surveillance_Cameras%29
content:
<p>
[US thugs] Promised Witnesses [gratis] Ring Surveillance Cameras <a href="https://www.vice.com/en_us/article/kz4agn/police-promised-witnesses-free-ring-surveillance-cameras-if-they-testified-against-neighbors">If They Testified Against Neighbors</a>.


feed_id: e600fb4938b1fd5c752c321623d5a4a8
title: Zuckerberg gave a false answer testifying to Congress
uri: Zuckerberg-gave-a-false-answer-testifying-to-Congress
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#17_August_2019_%28Zuckerberg_gave_a_false_answer_testifying_to_Congres%29

content:
<p>
Zuckerberg <a href="https://www.reuters.com/article/us-facebook-privacy-congress/democratic-senator-asks-facebook-ceo-if-he-gave-incomplete-testimony-idUSKCN1V51UQ">gave a false answer testifying to Congress</a> about Facebook's audio surveillance.


feed_id: f405668f12f311c291c8899cebe11678
title: Slavery in Virginia starting in 1619
uri: Slavery-in-Virginia-starting-in-1619
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#17_August_2019_%28Slavery_in_Virginia_starting_in_1619%29

content:
<p>
Many articles are being published which describe slavery in Virginia
as starting in 1619. In fact, the Africans arriving then were
indentured, like many of the white settlers. It was <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2019/aug/14/slavery-in-america-1619-first-ships-jamestown">several decades
later that this was replaced with slavery and racism</a>.
<p>
Being indentured was rotten, but still left some minimal rights, and
the indenture ended after specified term of years.


feed_id: 6cdef08d3a9ed2e7ce9db7a6a1bae486
title: Compostable bowls contain environmental toxin
uri: Compostable-bowls-contain-environmental-toxin
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#17_August_2019_%28Compostable_bowls_contain_environmental_toxin%29

content:
<p>
Compostable bowls contain PFAS, a <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/aug/16/is-your-takeout-lunch-bowl-covered-in-toxic-forever-chemicals">persistent environmental toxin</a>.
<p>
This article explains why that matters.


feed_id: f84e492d214405340a75d6bcbbb2c7fa
title: Salafi Arabian deportation thugs
uri: Salafi-Arabian-deportation-thugs
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#17_August_2019_%28Salafi_Arabian_deportation_thugs%29

content:
<p>
Salafi Arabian deportation thugs <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2019/aug/16/ethiopians-face-beatings-and-bullets-as-saudi-deportation-machine-cranks-up">treat Ethiopians the way US border thugs treat Hondurans</a>, but with less hesitation.


feed_id: cb2b424e8d7b27fdc700ad60ecfad182
title: White supremacism seeping into ALEC
uri: White-supremacism-seeping-into-ALEC
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#17_August_2019_%28White_supremacism_seeping_into_ALEC%29

content:
<p>
<a href="https://www.exposedbycmd.org/2019/08/15/alec-fails-denounce-dangerous-racist-views-leaders-members/">White supremacism is seeping into ALEC</a>.
<p>
I don't think racism is any part of ALEC's mission. ALEC is a dooH
niboR campaign and focuses 100% on promoting class injustice. But
it's impossible nowadays to package lots of Republican plutocratists
without finding crumbs of white supremacism mixed in.


feed_id: 62670403e5698a3baee7cc59c0ef2d68
title: Hong Kong protesters' symbol the woman whose eye was shot
uri: Hong-Kong-protesters-symbol-the-woman-whose-eye-was-shot
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#17_August_2019_%28Hong_Kong_protesters%27_symbol_the_woman_whose_eye_was_shot%29

content:
<p>
Hong Kong protesters have adopted as their hero and symbol the woman
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/aug/16/an-eye-for-an-eye-hong-kong-protests-get-figurehead-in-woman-injured-by-police">whose eye was shot by thugs</a>.


feed_id: f88034673e034370a5519ff65e1924bb
title: Right to change our minds
uri: Right-to-change-our-minds
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#17_August_2019_%28Right_to_change_our_minds%29
content:
<p>
&quot;Social media must not rob us of the right to change our minds.&quot;
<p>
That is <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/aug/16/social-media-hypocrisy-twitter-public-discourse">what Twitter does</a>.
<p>
I refuse to be part of a &quot;tribe&quot; of people who have to agree.
<p>
I hope to persuade you of various views, but I don't want to lead
a tribe in which people would be compelled to follow my views.


feed_id: 3e507b6d333f1c9dedf17f09de73eaad
title: Cut off donations to protect the Amazon forest
uri: Cut-off-donations-to-protect-the-Amazon-forest
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#17_August_2019_%28Cut_off_donations_to_protect_the_Amazon_forest%29

content:
<p>
Germany and Norway have cut off donations to a Brazilian fund that is supposed
to be used to <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/aug/16/norway-halts-amazon-fund-donation-dispute-brazil-deforestation-jair-bolsonaro">protect the Amazon forest</a>.
<p>
Bolsonaro has undermined the activity this was supposed to support.


feed_id: f094123a01dede912d17b14e87206caf
title: Global &quot;epidemic&quot; of face recognition cameras
uri: Global-epidemic-of-face-recognition-cameras
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#17_August_2019_%28Global_%2526quot%3Bepidemic%2526quot%3B_of_face_recognition_cameras%29

content:
<p>
Big Brother Watch warns of a <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2019/aug/16/privacy-campaigners-uk-facial-recognition-epidemic">global &quot;epidemic&quot; of face recognition cameras</a>.


feed_id: 09b68d16c6f6f5c6aef03b0d37307f1e
title: Israel Should Not Receive Billions in US Military Aid
uri: Israel-Should-Not-Receive-Billions-in-US-Military-Aid
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#17_August_2019_%28Israel_Should_Not_Receive_Billions_in_US_Military_Aid%29

content:
<p>
Sanders Says, If Israel Wants to [refuse admission to] Members of
Congress, It <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2019/08/16/sanders-says-if-israel-wants-ban-members-congress-it-should-not-receive-billions-us">Should Not Receive Billions in US Military Aid</a>.


feed_id: 7be564f73bc5ac48facf66fa27f6e005
title: Buenos Aires Judge Bans Delivery Apps
uri: Buenos-Aires-Judge-Bans-Delivery-Apps
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#17_August_2019_%28Buenos_Aires_Judge_Bans_Delivery_Apps%29

content:
<p>
Buenos Aires Judge <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/cities/2019/aug/16/buenos-aires-judge-bans-delivery-apps-after-road-accidents-spike">Bans Delivery Apps After Road Accidents Spike</a>.
<p>
The company PR department said its first priority is the health of its
couriers, but the dispatcher was evidently taught to value the product
more. How can we interpret this contradiction? I suspect that the
dispatcher was taught the company's real values by the real pressures
placed on per.
<p>
Nothing teaches managers to avoid work accidents like making the
company pay for them. That's what worker's compensation is for. But
the piecework sweatshop economy makes the workers &quot;independent
contractors&quot;, so they don't get workers' compensation. Change that,
and the companies may learn to truly value the workers' health.


feed_id: 0350a82e6952d876dbb7880e356c7dce
title: Help more people sit in crowded German regional trains
uri: Help-more-people-sit-in-crowded-German-regional-trains
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#17_August_2019_%28Help_more_people_sit_in_crowded_German_regional_trains%29

content:
<p>
Proposing to <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/aug/16/german-mp-sparks-row-after-proposing-an-end-to-first-class-rail-travel">help more people sit in crowded German regional trains</a>
by making all cars second-class.


feed_id: 111804a94adfd987ae8d6212d502c168
title: The Pacific Island Forum
uri: The-Pacific-Island-Forum
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#17_August_2019_%28The_Pacific_Island_Forum%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/aug/16/revealed-fierce-pacific-forum-meeting-almost-collapsed-over-climate-crisis">The Pacific Island Forum almost failed</a> to reach any agreement on a
communique, because of the dispute between some countries threatened
by <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#global heating">global heating</a> and the planet roasters of Australia. After many
hours they reached a compromise which calls for some action &mdash; but
which Australia will not heed.
<p>
I think it was a strategic mistake to compromise with Australia.
<p>
These callous right-wingers will continue working for disaster no
matter what they say. It would have been better for the event to
split and make a statement condemning Australia (and China, and the
US, etc.).


feed_id: 1186d2f5a08c73bd4e81b8b33edf908e
title: Hippocratic oath for mathematicians and developers
uri: Hippocratic-oath-for-mathematicians-and-developers
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#17_August_2019_%28Hippocratic_oath_for_mathematicians_and_developers%29

content:
<p>
Proposing a <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/science/2019/aug/16/mathematicians-need-doctor-style-hippocratic-oath-says-academic-hannah-fry">Hippocratic oath for mathematicians and software developers</a>.


feed_id: 92d62baf06f89ec2771e04ea6eb8baa0
title: Listening to people's problems
uri: Listening-to-people-s-problems
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#17_August_2019_%28Listening_to_people%27s_problems%29

content:
<p>
Listening to people's problems and their causes can sometimes
<a href=" https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/aug/16/britain-brexit-public-services-whitehall">find an amazingly simple social solution</a>.


feed_id: 367d348cbf891f4ced854d7abb5d9e20
title: Sudan accord
uri: Sudan-accord
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#18_August_2019_%28Sudan_accord%29
content:
<p>
Sudan Opposition And Military
Sign <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/aug/17/sudan-opposition-group-and-military-sign-power-sharing-accord">Final
Power-Sharing Accord</a>.


feed_id: df0d75d186beb4eb56b95fb3ea2ecc27
title: Proposed 'war on terror'
uri: Proposed-war-on-terror
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#18_August_2019_%28Proposed_%27war_on_terror%27%29
content:
<p>
Some
politicians <a href="https://theintercept.com/2019/08/17/domestic-terrorism-war-on-terror/">call
for a "war on terror"</a> in the US which would surely include general
repression and denial of our human rights.


feed_id: f73bf2ed584a83af9821abb4e815538e
title: Nuclear arms race
uri: Nuclear-arms-race
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#18_August_2019_%28Nuclear_arms_race%29
content:
<p>
The Nuclear Arms Race Is Back …
And <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/aug/17/nuclear-arms-race-is-back-and-more-dangerous-than-before">Ever
More Dangerous Now</a>.


feed_id: 57ab01eade0445f872d36173cc7e3b7d
title: Mauna Kea telescope
uri: Mauna-Kea-telescope
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#18_August_2019_%28Mauna_Kea_telescope%29
content:
<p>
Hawaiians say that blocking construction of a telescope
is <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2019/aug/16/hawaii-telescope-protest-mauna-kea">fighting
"corporate culture"</a>.
<p>
Notice the words "it is said" which the article used to cast doubt
on the practical reasons to put the telescope there, while saying nothing
about what they are.
<p>
Some obvious reasons why Mauna Kea is an unusually good place to put
the world's biggest telescope: Mauna Kea is high (better seeing
conditions); the air is clean (better seeing conditions); there is
very little light pollution (fainter objects are visible); it is
fairly close to the equator (can view nearly all the sky); there is
already a good road down to facilities not far away (makes construction
cheaper).
<p>
Blocking the telescope would do no actual good for Hawaiians and would
be a loss for all humanity.


feed_id: ed1a1cbcdd1fd2cc9f4f6e10a331731e
title: Plastic recycling
uri: 2019-08-18-Plastic-recycling
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#18_August_2019_%28Plastic_recycling%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/aug/17/plastic-recycling-myth-what-really-happens-your-rubbish">'Plastic
Recycling Is a Myth'</a>: What Really Happens to Your Rubbish?


feed_id: 40cf219d0f70b4618dc57c846a53a2a1
title: Moderate orc voter
uri: Moderate-orc-voter
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#18_August_2019_%28Moderate_orc_voter%29
content:
<p>
(satire) We Need a Wizard Who Can Appeal to
the <a href="https://www.mcsweeneys.net/articles/we-need-a-wizard-who-can-appeal-to-the-moderate-orc-voter">Moderate
Orc Voter</a>.


feed_id: d8a5a73686a4a6563a375bcef2594867
title: Face recognition for marijuana
uri: Face-recognition-for-marijuana
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#18_August_2019_%28Face_recognition_for_marijuana%29
content:
<p>
Some Massachusetts politicians want to repress marijuana purchasers
<a href="https://www.bostonglobe.com/news/marijuana/2019/08/14/your-marijuana-delivery-here-now-smile-for-body-cam/V1F1c7TpFeaTB577Hzq9PJ/story.html">with
face recognition</a>.


feed_id: 45173e6abfe7eed078b88f999ebee7dd
title: Immigration prison hunger strikes
uri: Immigration-prison-hunger-strikes
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#18_August_2019_%28Immigration_prison_hunger_strikes%29

content:
<p>
Hundreds of
prisoners <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2019/aug/15/more-than-3000-hunger-strikes-at-immigration-centres-in-uk-since-2015">go
on hunger strike</a> each year in the UK's immigration prisons.


feed_id: 145038452df501a4ca7d74934995472a
title: Protest in Melbourne
uri: Protest-in-Melbourne
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#18_August_2019_%28Protest_in_Melbourne%29
content:
<p>
There was a protest in favor of democracy in Hong Kong in Melbourne,
Australia.  State-managed Chinese social media stirred up a lot of
young Chinese expats to rally against them.
A <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2019/aug/17/pro-hong-kong-rally-in-melbourne-turns-violent-amid-clashes-with-china-supporters">physical
tussle developed</a>.
<p>
The article does not say, but I expect that the supporters of China
started the tussle.  Propaganda has taught them that the cause of
China's power is sacred and that anyone who questions it is evil.
<p>
Many Chinese students go to Australia, and China has a history of
using them
for <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#6_August_2019_(China_surveils_students_abroad)">political
intimidation</a> in Australia.
It is important to develop systematic ways to expose students from
China to other values while they are in Australia.
<p>
One idea that occurs to me is to have a kiosk which can tell people
whether their mobile phones, which they have "switched off", are
really off.  It would be interesting to tell students from China
whether China is snooping on the conversations around them.  It would
be interesting for everyone else that carries a Stalin's Dream device,
too.


feed_id: 81b8df1e0622373ff97802eca82ea6c9
title: Bringing relatives to the US
uri: Bringing-relatives-to-the-US
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#18_August_2019_%28Bringing_relatives_to_the_US%29
content:
<p>
The
bully's <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2019/08/15/trumps-contempt-working-class-expressed-new-expanded-public-charge-rule">latest
act of contempt</a> for the non-rich is to forbid them from bringing
spouses or relatives to the US.
<p>
Ironically, the effect of this is much worse because of the decreasing
real wages that employers in the US have been permitted to pay.


feed_id: e52e41d7131f8b6c708ee95846d49eb3
title: Huawei helps spy on political opponents
uri: Huawei-helps-spy-on-political-opponents
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#18_August_2019_%28Huawei_helps_spy_on_political_opponents%29

content:
<p>
Huawei Technicians Helped African Governments 
<a href="https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2019/08/15/huawei-employees-helped-african-governments-spy-opponents/">Spy
on Political Opponents</a>.


feed_id: eb180b0f01350564113542a9c8aa1b9c
title: Goodyear workers underpaid in Mexico
uri: Goodyear-workers-underpaid-in-Mexico
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#18_August_2019_%28Goodyear_workers_underpaid_in_Mexico%29

content:
<p>
"They (unionized Goodyear workers) are 
<a href='https://www.commondreams.org/views/2019/08/15/tire-should-inspire-fear-heart-workers'>not
mad at the workers in Mexico</a>.  They are mad that Goodyear went
down there and underpaid those workers. They are mad that Goodyear is
taking our work and moving it there."


feed_id: 3f8829ee0f6310d1f2abf7f47e9bb9c3
title: Google's proposed contract with thugs
uri: Google-s-proposed-contract-with-thugs
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#18_August_2019_%28Googles_proposed_contract_with_thugs%29

content:
<p>
Google Employees Protest 
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2019/08/15/we-refuse-be-complicit-google-employees-protest-proposed-contract-ice-and-cbp">Proposed
Contract</a> with [border thugs and deportation thugs].


feed_id: 53608e6da915016c8c7d0e8b37e675a6
title: Answer to burn-out at work
uri: Answer-to-burn-out-at-work
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#18_August_2019_%28Answer_to_burn-out_at_work%29
content:
<p>
The Answer To Burn-Out At Work Isn’t "Self-Care" &mdash; It’s
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2019/08/15/answer-burn-out-work-isnt-self-care-its-unionizing">Unionizing</a>.


feed_id: f0a51e46af32f90407bff89ab472970d
title: Crippled Apple devices
uri: Crippled-Apple-devices
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#18_August_2019_%28Crippled_Apple_devices%29
content:
<p>
When Apple suspects a user of fraud, it 
<a href="https://qz.com/1683460/what-happens-to-your-itunes-account-when-apple-says-youve-committed-fraud/">judges
the case secretly and presents the verdict as a fait accompli</a>.
The punishment to a user found guilty is being cut off for life, which
more-or-less cripples the user's Apple devices forever.  There is no
appeal.


feed_id: d2864eb2ba500e4ed5756d11b2c78df6
title: Planned Parenthood
uri: 2019-08-19-Planned-Parenthood
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#18_August_2019_%28Planned_Parenthood%29
content:
<p>
Planned Parenthood is 
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2019/08/15/planned-parenthood-demands-federal-court-intervene-stop-trump-attack-abortion-rights">on
the verge of losing its federal funding</a>, which will cut off a
large fraction of its activities.


feed_id: dc972d3a119b3a3f80fadd44062c05cf
title: "Apple's cloud" farms out data
uri: Apple-s-cloud-farms-out-data
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#18_August_2019_%28Apples_cloud_farms_out_data%29
content:
<p>
Apple charges a high price for storage on "Apple's cloud", which turns
out to be a cloudy thing: it 
<a href="https://www.zdnet.com/article/apple-sued-for-not-disclosing-that-icloud-storage-relies-on-aws-azure-google/">farms
out the data to other companies</a>.


feed_id: 0f71d35b1ac359c8aa64e411d917fbce
title: Bernie Sanders's plans
uri: Bernie-Sanders-s-plans
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#20_August_2019_%28Bernie_Sanderss_plans%29
content:
<p>
Sanders stated 
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2019/08/18/sanders-unveils-plan-end-cash-bail-ban-private-prisons-and-fundamentally-transform">his
plans for the criminal justice system</a>: eliminating cash bail,
shortening sentences, legalizing marijuana, ending the death penalty,
and banning government use of face recognition.
<p>
I basically support these plans.  Naturally I don't agree with them
100%, but they would be a great step forward.  We need to prohibit
most use of face recognition regardless of what entity is doing it.
<p>
I might permit use of face recognition in narrow circumstances, one of
them being under a specific court order to look for specified persons
in a specified area.


feed_id: 255f9b536a3730fc3330458af42ff4aa
title: Climate crisis nihilism
uri: Climate-crisis-nihilism
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#20_August_2019_%28Climate_crisis_nihilism%29
content:
<p>
The next step after climate crisis denial: climate crisis nihilism.
Currently it takes the form of 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/aug/17/greta-thunberg-brexit-culture-war-nigel-farage">spewing
hate and lies towards Greta Thunberg</a>.
<p>
This is a sign of how right-wing extremists have endorsed bullying
and have no respect for truth.
<p>
Focusing on her excessively is a fault on the part of her supporters.
They should 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/aug/19/greta-thunberg-attackers-climate-crisis-activist">heed
her advice and take action instead</a>.
<p>
I don't think Thunberg will regret not having had a conventional
adolescence.  20 years from now, as everyone her age copes with the
climate disaster, she will know that her efforts made it somewhat
less.  Everyone will know this.
<p>
A gang 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2019/aug/18/owen-jones-attackers-targeted-me-for-my-politics">waited
for and attacked UK journalist Owen Jones</a> as he left a pub.


feed_id: d403d736cea71c035e5ccd1e82251d50
title: The FBI and far-right violence
uri: The-FBI-and-far-right-violence
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#20_August_2019_%28The_FBI_and_far-right_violence%29
content:
<p>
The FBI 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/aug/15/far-right-violence-fbi-terrorism-hate-crime">could
fight far-right violence if they wanted to</a> &mdash; but they don't.


feed_id: de3936ffc9cc8294430119644cf5ffed
title: Raising minimum wage
uri: 2019-08-20-Raising-minimum-wage
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#20_August_2019_%28Raising_minimum_wage%29
content:
<p>
New York City Raised Minimum Wage to $15, And 
<a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/nyc-restaurant-industry-thriving-after-15-dollar-minimum-wage-2019-8">Its
Restaurants Outperformed the Nation</a>.


feed_id: 0208b2d9455e3304b72fcaaa05e122e0
title: Travel warnings against visiting the US
uri: Travel-warnings-against-visiting-the-US
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#20_August_2019_%28Travel_warnings_against_visiting_the_US%29

content:
<p>
Various countries, and Amnesty International, have published 
<a href="https://www.oregonlive.com/politics/2019/08/countries-offer-travel-warnings-over-us-violence-and-racism-donald-trump-threatens-retaliation.html">travel
warnings against visiting the US</a>, because visitors might get shot,
or even that they might get shot by racist <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thugs</a>.


feed_id: 281a918b72531dc9894d101e98e8d442
title: Face recognition in UK
uri: Face-recognition-in-UK
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#20_August_2019_%28Face_recognition_in_UK%29
content:
<p>
Face recognition 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/aug/18/facial-recognition-is-now-rampant-implications-for-our-freedom-are-chilling">by
companies and public agencies</a> is spreading around the UK.


feed_id: 044ce29728db2144a30950728f8272f8
title: Workers ordered to attend conman's rally
uri: Workers-ordered-to-attend-conman-s-rally
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#20_August_2019_%28Workers_ordered_to_attend_conmans_rally%29

content:
<p>
Shell Chemicals 
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2019/08/17/workers-were-reportedly-ordered-not-protest-or-show-any-resistance-trump-rally">ordered
workers to attend the conman's rally and pretend to be supporters</a>.


feed_id: 441cdb13f912fcabc9d860ae96f86ee6
title: Difficulties predicted by leaked document
uri: Difficulties-predicted-by-leaked-document
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#20_August_2019_%28Difficulties_predicted_by_leaked_document%29

content:
<p>
A secret UK government document 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2019/aug/18/number-10-furious-leak-document-predicting-no-deal-brexit-shortages">predicted
grave difficulties at the border if the UK leaves the EU without a
trade deal</a>.  This was leaked.  Naturally, the Tories now in power
condemn the leak, not their plans.


feed_id: 22fbe353b25876417b351f3031630288
title: Russian tanks sent to Ukraine
uri: Russian-tanks-sent-to-Ukraine
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#20_August_2019_%28Russian_tanks_sent_to_Ukraine%29
content:
<p>
Russia sent tanks into Ukraine to 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/aug/18/new-video-evidence-of-russian-tanks-in-ukraine-european-court-human-rights">fight
for the Russian-sponsored rebels</a>.


feed_id: 5dd98d5dce3b27e67bb3d3b9b1652db4
title: Head of non-immigration
uri: Head-of-non-immigration
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#20_August_2019_%28Head_of_non-immigration%29
content:
<p>
Cucinelli, appointed head of non-immigration, 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/aug/18/trump-statue-of-bigotry-cuccinelli-confederate">tried
to make Virginia officials show support for the Confederacy</a>.


feed_id: a8926761b00b48b2cafeb054187a562f
title: Papuan independence protesters arrested
uri: Papuan-independence-protesters-arrested
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#20_August_2019_%28Papuan_independence_protesters_arrested%29

content:
<p>
Indonesia has 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/aug/18/indonesia-arrests-dozens-of-west-papuans-over-claim-flag-was-thrown-in-sewer">arrested
43 Papuan independence protesters</a> for nothing more than throwing
the Indonesian flag into a sewer.
<p>
Conservative minds want to demand "respect" and punish people for not
giving it.  This is morally misguided: to get respect, you must earn
it, and that goes for states as well as people.


feed_id: 58d49e5490556c73c126622793d5c87e
title: Very urgent: Real climate debate by DNC
uri: Very-urgent-Real-climate-debate-by-DNC
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#19_August_2019_%28Urgent%3A_Real_climate_debate_by_DNC%29

content:
<p>
US citizens: 
<a href="https://act.credoaction.com/call/climate_debate_calls/">call
your representative</a> in the Democratic National Committee and say
you want a real climate debate.
<p>
When you enter your zip code, it should show you a number to call.


feed_id: 4982939c0cff1ebcbef1141e34743ba9
title: Urgent: Support H.R. 3222
uri: Urgent-Support-H-R-3222
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#19_August_2019_%28Urgent%3A_Support_H.R._3222%29
content:
<p>
US citizens: call on Congress to pass the 
<a href="https://act.credoaction.com/sign/dont-fund-public-charge-rule">No
Federal Funds for Public Charge Act</a> (H.R. 3222).  This would
prevent implementation of the cruel bastard's rule change that is
designed to block low-income Americans from bringing their spouses and
children to the US.


feed_id: 0d0e5ce6c6acc386ad4d749b2980a807
title: Tuvalu's global heating presentations
uri: Tuvalu-s-global-heating-presentations
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#19_August_2019_%28Tuvalus_global_heating_presentations%29

content:
<p>
Tuvalu's 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/aug/18/our-people-are-dying-australias-climate-confrontation-in-the-pacific">presentations
about global heating disaster</a> failed to penetrate the closed eyes
of Australian politicians, but did spoil their pretense of reaching
out in friendship to the Pacific island nations.


feed_id: e1bf382408baf39e711b6d7408b15f04
title: The vaquita porpoise
uri: 2019-08-20-The-vaquita-porpoise
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#19_August_2019_%28The_vaquita_porpoise%29
content:
<p>
The CITES meeting offers, perhaps, 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/aug/17/frog-tortoises-cites-wildlife-summit">one
last chance to prevent extinction of the vaquita porpoise</a>, and
many other endangered species.


feed_id: 362b2eebffdd31e9cbe4cb68a02d88f8
title: UK thugs resisting face recognition
uri: UK-thugs-resisting-face-recognition
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#19_August_2019_%28UK_thugs_resisting_face_recognition%29

content:
<p>
In the UK, 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/aug/17/police-halt-trials-face-recognition-systems-surveillance-technology">even
thug departments are resisting face recognition</a>.


feed_id: 68949d1a21b9f875880d42bb48256985
title: Pay toilets
uri: 2019-08-20-Pay-toilets
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#19_August_2019_%28Pay_toilets%29
content:
<p>
A town in the UK is installing extremely expensive toilets that will
be
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2019/aug/16/seasides-town-new-toilets-feature-high-tech-anti-sex-measures">designed
to harass anyone that tries to sleep or have sex in them</a>.
<p>
And if that's not bad enough, they plan to charge money to use them.


feed_id: f27d6b5bb73c178df744472a69ee7265
title: Destruction of US public lands
uri: Destruction-of-US-public-lands
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#19_August_2019_%28Destruction_of_US_public_lands%29
content:
<p>
Republican saboteurs are 
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2019/08/17/how-counter-trumps-disastrous-attack-our-public-lands">permitting
rapid destruction of US public lands</a>.


feed_id: 0ec831444b3ed33d16a8ef8d3f07ef6c
title: Insecurity of wireless networks
uri: Insecurity-of-wireless-networks
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#19_August_2019_%28Insecurity_of_wireless_networks%29

content:
<p>
The insecurity of wireless networks is making them 
<a href="https://krebsonsecurity.com/2019/08/who-owns-your-wireless-service-crooks-do/">dangerous
for phone users</a>.


feed_id: cc604f428740408a5abc5a3cbc782e3b
title: Biometric ID
uri: Biometric-ID
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#19_August_2019_%28Biometric_ID%29
content:
<p>
Is your bank pressuring you to use biometric ID?
If so, please write to rms at gnu dot org.
It could be useful if you document what is happening.


feed_id: 898bfa00b645ef1c3b7fa8b35b616ec2
title: Imprisonment of immigrant minors
uri: Imprisonment-of-immigrant-minors
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#22_August_2019_%28Imprisonment_of_immigrant_minors%29

content:
<p>
<a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#bully">The bully</a> wants to keep immigrant minors and families in prison
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2019/aug/21/us-to-remove-limit-on-how-long-immigrant-children-can-be-detained">without
limits</a>, perhaps for years.


feed_id: dd5c12ad3c4755c871a8bbe5dff08874
title: Building irrational anti-semitism
uri: Building-irrational-anti-semitism
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#22_August_2019_%28Building_irrational_anti-semitism%29

content:
<p>
<a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#bully">The bully</a> 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/aug/21/jew-baiting--trump-playbook-its-a-feature-not-a-bug">accused
American Jews of "disloyalty"</a> &mdash; disloyalty to what, one
wonders &mdash; for being loyal Americans and voting for the Democrats
who (more or less) support their views of what is good for the US,
instead of supporting his right-wing extremist flunky, Netanyahu.
<p>
I think his aim is to build up the irrational anti-semitism which is
one of the bases of his support, and an illogical reason is as
effective as a logical one.


feed_id: b8d131f899ba7d748517589072750869
title: Deportations from Australia
uri: Deportations-from-Australia
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#22_August_2019_%28Deportations_from_Australia%29
content:
<p>
Australia is 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2019/aug/21/papua-new-guinea-refuses-entry-man-deported-australia-character-test-law-gus-kuster">following
the example of the US</a>, in deporting people to places where they
have not been since infancy, don't know anyone, and don't speak the
language.


feed_id: 508495a887c38bb4ee68e7d9587a7979
title: President of Venezuela
uri: 2019-08-23-President-of-Venezuela
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#22_August_2019_%28President_of_Venezuela%29
content:
<p>
Maduro has been 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/aug/21/venezuelan-leader-nicolas-maduro-confirms-months-of-secret-us-talks">talking
with the US government about stepping down as president of
Venezuela</a>.
<p>
The hard question is, 
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#12_August_2018_(Arrest_of_Venezuelan_opposition_leaders)">how
to find a replacement that won't sell the whole country to Venezuelan
and American oligarchs</a>.


feed_id: 7daafd87d285a331e6f3fac22b095841
title: Arrest of would-be mass shooters
uri: Arrest-of-would-be-mass-shooters
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#22_August_2019_%28Arrest_of_would-be_mass_shooters%29

content:
<p>
Six would-be mass shooters have been 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/aug/20/el-paso-shooting-plot-white-supremacist-attacks">arrested
in the US</a> in just two weeks.
<p>
Although these people appear feckless, I think they posed somewhat of
a real threat -- more so than the Walter Mitty-ish would-be Islamist
terrorists that the FBI used to arrest.  Here is why.
<p>
Those people dreamed of making a bomb, but would never have been in a
position to make one without help from FBI "informants" &mdash; thus,
they were not really capable of hurting anyone.  In addition,
sometimes those "informants" persuaded people who were reluctant to
get involved at all.
<p>
It appears that these people wanted to use guns, which maybe they
could have obtained, and they announced the plans on their own.


feed_id: 9b1b918ddbebd48d59a1f8750948ab0c
title: China
uri: 2019-08-23-China
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#22_August_2019_%28China%29
content:
<p>
China says it makes two commitments: to healthy life and the wild,
and to economic growth,  In practice, the latter takes priority.
Neither China nor the US can easily escape from the 
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2019/08/20/you-cant-put-capitalism-over-sustainability-and-other-lessons-china">trap
of extreme capitalism</a>.


feed_id: 6f322b63efc573f955993c9437a9281a
title: Amazon forest
uri: Amazon-forest
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#22_August_2019_%28Amazon_forest%29
content:
<p>
Ranchers are 
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2019/08/20/prayforamazonia-goes-viral-twitter-users-call-attention-international-emergency">burning
down large parts of the Amazon forest</a>, deforesting it in the way
that contributes the most possible to <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#global heating">global heating</a>.


feed_id: bd9aefaf609d671b73c0c1cbfde2b19f
title: Business supremacy treaties
uri: 2019-08-23-Business-supremacy-treaties
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#22_August_2019_%28Business_supremacy_treaties%29
content:
<p>
A UK mining company used an ISDS treaty to 
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2019/08/20/approval-armenian-gold-mine-shows-corporate-courts-crush-democracy">force
Armenia to allow a gold</a> mine that threatens the country's main
water supply:
<a href="https://stallman.org/photos/armenia/sevan/">Lake Sevan</a>.
<p>
Armenia is rather arid to begin with.
<p>
ISDS stands for "I Sue Democratic States", and it is one of the ways
business subjugate the governments that are supposed to be democratic.


feed_id: afccaba758a11e4a14579485f8c36252
title: Ads about danger of global heating
uri: Ads-about-danger-of-global-heating
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#22_August_2019_%28Ads_about_danger_of_global_heating%29

content:
<p>
Canadian election officials say that advertisements talking about the
danger of <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#global heating">global heating</a> are 
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2019/08/20/absolutely-ludicrous-canadian-election-officials-tell-green-groups-ads-urging-rescue">illegal
because of denialist politicians</a>.


feed_id: 3eb0aae22b68f7a907e2c2c3c038d35c
title: Imprisoning pipeline protesters
uri: Imprisoning-pipeline-protesters
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#22_August_2019_%28Imprisoning_pipeline_protesters%29

content:
<p>
American Fuel &amp; Petrochemical Manufacturers, a planet roaster lobbying
group, has
got <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2019/08/20/leaked-audio-shows-oil-lobbyist-bragging-about-success-criminalizing-pipeline">9
US states to pass laws</a> to imprison pipeline protesters.


feed_id: 19bb69575a5c1525e8526da56d811988
title: US deportation prisons
uri: US-deportation-prisons
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#22_August_2019_%28US_deportation_prisons%29
content:
<p>
A <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2019/08/20/lawsuit-behalf-55000-migrants-accuses-trump-administration-torture-ice-detention">class-action
lawsuit</a> accuses US deportation prisons of failing to provide basic
medical care, and sometimes even food.


feed_id: c8d73a49526e36de29beec0bfab4f52c
title: US children and teenagers
uri: US-children-and-teenagers
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#22_August_2019_%28US_children_and_teenagers%29
content:
<p>
US children and teenagers today are more often depressed, more often
anxious, and more often suicidal.  It may be because their lives are
regimented and isolated all the time,
like <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2019/08/17/opinion/sunday/childhood-suicide-depression-anxiety.html">living
in a reeducation camp</a>.


feed_id: fafcdc89d0c5d28d7122dfbd29bf8aea
title: US missile testing
uri: US-missile-testing
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#22_August_2019_%28US_missile_testing%29
content:
<p>
The US
has <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2019/aug/20/russian-china-us-missile-test-arms-race">already
tested a missile</a> banned by the 1987 intermediate-range missile
treaty which the numskull just cancelled.


feed_id: aab19d6fa9e17224d98f830313f1cf5c
title: Open Arms rescue ship
uri: Open-Arms-rescue-ship
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#22_August_2019_%28Open_Arms_rescue_ship%29
content:
<p>
Spain
is <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/aug/20/spain-sends-warship-to-pick-up-migrants-stranded-in-italian-waters">sending
a ship</a> to take the refugees off the Open Arms rescue ship that
Salvini forced to stay at sea.


feed_id: 4ac4dc75b3b2d99617ee97e246d1ea15
title: Air pollution and mental health
uri: Air-pollution-and-mental-health
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#22_August_2019_%28Air_pollution_and_mental_health%29

content:
<p>
Growing Up in Air-Polluted
Areas <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/society/2019/aug/20/growing-up-in-air-polluted-areas-linked-to-mental-health-issues">Linked
to Mental Health Issues</a>.
These include depression and schizophrenia.


feed_id: 47f78d887840ef6693b92869d0fb4829
title: Carbon offsetting
uri: Carbon-offsetting
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#22_August_2019_%28Carbon_offsetting%29
content:
<p>
"Carbon offsetting" sounds simple, but planting a tree is not guaranteed
to sequester carbon later.  That will happen only if the tree grows large.
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/shortcuts/2019/aug/20/why-carbon-offsetting-is-not-the-panacea-harry-and-meghan-might-think-it-is">But
it might die instead.</a>
<p>
The tree might be cut down.  It might burn in a wildfire.  It might die because
the region becomes arid.  It might be killed by a tropical parasite that moves
into the area because it is hotter.


feed_id: 31dc0730c4773ac66bed653453455a18
title: Moscow internet voting
uri: Moscow-internet-voting
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#22_August_2019_%28Moscow_internet_voting%29
content:
<p>
The Moscow city government will allow internet voting, and the system
<a href="https://arxiv.org/abs/1908.05127">is easy to crack</a>.  That
election will be garbage.


feed_id: 1a787d04db4b33296f887734137360fd
title: UK consulate employee in Hong Kong
uri: UK-consulate-employee-in-Hong-Kong
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#22_August_2019_%28UK_consulate_employee_in_Hong_Kong%29

content:
<p>
China has jailed an employee of the UK consulate in Hong Kong, and
is <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/aug/20/employee-at-uk-consulate-in-hong-kong-detained-in-china">holding
him incommunicado</a>.
<p>
It is not safe to visit China.  You could be used as a pawn
to punish your country.


feed_id: da873ad869929353e63c341efe16ca0d
title: Climate mayhem and US cities
uri: Climate-mayhem-and-US-cities
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#22_August_2019_%28Climate_mayhem_and_US_cities%29
content:
<p>
How <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#climate">climate mayhem</a>
will <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/cities/2019/aug/20/death-blackouts-melting-asphalt-ways-the-climate-crisis-will-change-how-we-live">directly
affect US cities</a>.
<p>
This does not include the indirect effects of <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#climate">climate mayhem</a> elsewhere,
such as crop failures and expensive food.


feed_id: f82f2306ed4e865a8b3725213dd0073b
title: US oil and gas extraction
uri: US-oil-and-gas-extraction
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#22_August_2019_%28US_oil_and_gas_extraction%29
content:
<p>
US oil and gas extraction is 
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2019/08/20/new-report-nearly-two-thirds-worlds-new-oil-and-gas-come-us">expected
to increase 25% in the next decade</a>.  That would guarantee global
disaster, if it happens.


feed_id: d2f7d1709c6ddb76568f6e1115b3e5f0
title: Saboteur of the interior
uri: Saboteur-of-the-interior
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#22_August_2019_%28Saboteur_of_the_interior%29
content:
<p>
The <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#saboteur">saboteur</a> of the interior is 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/aug/20/david-bernhardt-interior-secretary-ethics-jordan-cove">pushing
a pipeline project he was employed not long ago to lobby for</a>.


feed_id: 62ac325c2dd03f099091197b98993ba8
title: Ring creates insecurity for all
uri: Ring-creates-insecurity-for-all
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#22_August_2019_%28Ring_creates_insecurity_for_all%29

content:
<p>
Ring
<a href="https://www.vice.com/en_us/article/zmjxvj/cities-asked-ring-to-share-registry-lists-of-customers-who-bought-surveillance-cameras">Creates
Insecurity for All</a>, Including for Owners Whose Life Details Are
[handed to the state and the <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thugs</a>].


feed_id: 13e4190021b8ae28b79e6eeab78baae8
title: Firing of thug who choked Eric Garner
uri: Firing-of-thug-who-choked-Eric-Garner
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#22_August_2019_%28Firing_of_thug_who_choked_Eric_Garner%29

content:
<p>
Firing of [<a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thug</a>] Who Put Eric Garner in Chokehold is
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2019/aug/21/eric-garner-police-chokehold-firing-pantaleo">Just
First Step to Justice</a>.


feed_id: 99484d95f75cb7c7c41b0d0d3c4d902b
title: Elimination of polio in Nigeria
uri: Elimination-of-polio-in-Nigeria
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#21_August_2019_%28Elimination_of_polio_in_Nigeria%29

content:
<p>
Nigeria seems to have eliminated polio.  The 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2019/aug/21/major-milestone-africa-on-brink-of-eliminating-polio">last
case was in 2016</a>.
<p>
That leaves only Afghanistan and Pakistan, which suffer from the
Islamist form of 
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#30_March_2018_(Allowing_polio_vaccination)">anti-vaxx
superstition</a>.


feed_id: 0ab605728d14bec9a8a5ab98b75d9221
title: Repression of protesters in Queensland
uri: Repression-of-protesters-in-Queensland
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#21_August_2019_%28Repression_of_protesters_in_Queensland%29

content:
<p>
Queensland, in Australia, is strengthening the repression of
protesters 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2019/aug/20/queensland-police-to-get-new-powers-to-search-climate-change-protesters">in
response to Extinction Rebellion</a>.


feed_id: be2e76bf349d73c7d3eea5e679b742e5
title: Cruel and callous variant of capitalism
uri: Cruel-and-callous-variant-of-capitalism
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#21_August_2019_%28Cruel_and_callous_variant_of_capitalism%29

content:
<p>
The cruel and callous variant of capitalism in the US, and the tight
control and regimentation of workers, can be 
<a href="https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2019/08/14/magazine/slavery-capitalism.html">traced
to the system of slavery</a>.


feed_id: 9a7b00b040e16f52ff22b30852280692
title: Pacific Islands Forum
uri: Pacific-Islands-Forum
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#21_August_2019_%28Pacific_Islands_Forum%29
content:
<p>
Vanuatu, which will host next year's Pacific Islands Forum, 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/aug/20/vanuatu-will-host-the-next-pacific-islands-forum-we-want-to-know-if-australia-really-wants-a-seat-at-the-table">calls
on Australia not to be a climate obstructionist</a> as it was this
year.


feed_id: 9295a2126030e8a1805c81b6df649907
title: Bright coloring of of Doritos bag
uri: Bright-coloring-of-of-Doritos-bag
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#21_August_2019_%28Bright_coloring_of_of_Doritos_bag%29

content:
<p>
(satire) Experts Confirm Doritos Bag Developed Bright, Distinctive
Coloring To 
<a href="https://www.theonion.com/experts-confirm-doritos-bag-developed-bright-distincti-1837374853">Warn
Potential Predators That It Could Kill Them</a>.


feed_id: 8cc4b5e52c9a4e951d78a1028c0ed8fc
title: Campaign to ban killer robots
uri: Campaign-to-ban-killer-robots
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#21_August_2019_%28Campaign_to_ban_killer_robots%29
content:
<p>
The campaign to ban killer robots is 
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2019/08/19/campaign-renews-demand-ban-killer-robots-calls-out-us-obstruction">being
held back</a> by the US, Russia, and some other less powerful
countries.


feed_id: 2e93a0ab6bbcfbb68d50f69e4857d849
title: Voting machines
uri: 2019-08-23-Voting-machines
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#21_August_2019_%28Voting_machines%29
content:
<p>
Voting machines still in use in US elections are 
<a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2019/08/12/def-con-hackers-lawmakers-came-together-tackle-holes-election-security/">vulnerable
to cracking</a>.


feed_id: 95845508ae10a094ca863ba5c2cf40ab
title: Snoopphones
uri: Snoopphones
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#21_August_2019_%28Snoopphones%29
content:
<p>
A couple of snoopphones on the table 
<a href="https://www.dallasnews.com/news/science-medicine/2019/08/12/smu-researchers-find-new-way-snoop-smartphones-worried">can
figure out what someone is typing on a keyboard on that table</a>.


feed_id: c2064913f7705681b927de40f313f06c
title: High rents
uri: 2019-08-23-High-rents
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#21_August_2019_%28High_rents%29
content:
<p>
Reducing the high rents 
<a href="https://reason.com/2019/08/19/the-rent-is-too-damn-high-and-its-going-to-stay-that-way/">in
the cities where the jobs will require eliminating the zoning rules
and laws that limit housing construction</a>.
<p>
The people who want low density are getting it at the expense of the
poor.


feed_id: 2b5c19e0e1c751c04b9a37d8456bbf1f
title: Cutting US donations to Israel
uri: Cutting-US-donations-to-Israel
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#21_August_2019_%28Cutting_US_donations_to_Israel%29
content:
<p>
Israel's refusal to admit Reps. Tlaib and Omar 
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2019/08/19/political-upheaval-over-tlaib-and-omar-shows-power-bds">has
made it acceptable in the US to talk about cutting US donations to
Israel</a>.
<p>
I hope that this enables the US to press to shut down the Israeli
colonies in Palestine (specifically, in the West Bank) and hand them
over to Palestine.


feed_id: 05cca670ed5b51b95c466b05e97b9994
title: Republicans' stretched moral standards
uri: Republicans-stretched-moral-standards
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#21_August_2019_%28Republicans_stretched_moral_standards%29

content:
<p>
Now that nearly the whole Republican Party has stretched its moral
standards to accept the conman, there is 
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2019/08/19/there-will-be-no-justice-trumps-enablers">little
chance any of them will pay a political penalty for doing so</a>.


feed_id: ebce4fee38aecfda675e2f8344a5fd60
title: Rejection of "shareholders above all"
uri: Rejection-of-shareholders-above-all
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#21_August_2019_%28Rejection_of_shareholders_above_all%29

content:
<p>
Many large US corporations have 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/business/2019/aug/19/leading-us-bosses-group-drops-principle-of-shareholder-first">officially
rejected</a> the evil principle of "shareholders above all else in the
world."
<p>
Arguably, what they do in practice isn't maximizing the return to
shareholders, but 
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2019/08/19/ceos-say-they-will-stop-maximizing-shareholder-value-would-be-better-if-they">maximizing
the CEOs' pay</a>.  Nonetheless, the rejection of that supposed
obligation will be of help politically.


feed_id: 3cf95536031b9b5a07236caa137dcb4f
title: Children held at US border
uri: Children-held-at-US-border
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#21_August_2019_%28Children_held_at_US_border%29
content:
<p>
Appeals Court Upholds Ruling That Children Held at [US] Border
<a href="https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2019-08-15/children-border-sanitary-conditions-flores-agreement-9th-circuit">Must
Have Adequate Food, Bedding, Sanitation</a>.


feed_id: 69bfc317283bacb2b8f857f58f1692e0
title: Urgent: Eliminate the bail system
uri: Urgent-Eliminate-the-bail-system
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#20_August_2019_%28Urgent%3A_Eliminate_the_bail_system%29

content:
<p>
US citizens: 
<a href="https://www.signherenow.org/petition/bail-reform/courage/">call
on Congress</a> to eliminate the bail system.
<p>
If you sign, please spread the word!


feed_id: 3a5e0292059033a06b3ae35382a2d244
title: Urgent: Oppose internet censorship
uri: Urgent-Oppose-internet-censorship
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#20_August_2019_%28Urgent%3A_Oppose_internet_censorship%29

content:
<p>
US citizens: 
<a href="https://actionnetwork.org/petitions/censor-the-internet">call
on the bully</a> not to impose internet censorship.
<p>
If you sign, please spread the word!


feed_id: d612e1442cda9e2e4c5faa6f3a276361
title: Urgent: Stop supplying immigration prisons
uri: Urgent-Stop-supplying-immigration-prisons
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#20_August_2019_%28Urgent%3A_Stop_supplying_immigration_prisons%29

content:
<p>
US citizens: 
<a href="https://act.credoaction.com/sign/wayfair-profits-camps">call
on Wayfair</a> to stop supplying immigration prisons.
<p>
If you sign, please spread the word!


feed_id: dd4423cfbd36a6c65ffc73a831ffbd2c
title: Property tax rate
uri: Property-tax-rate
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#20_August_2019_%28Property_tax_rate%29
content:
<p>
California Is Headed Toward a Titanic 
<a href="https://nymag.com/intelligencer/2019/08/2020-property-tax-battle-in-california-could-be-epic.html">Battle
Over Raising Property Taxes</a> (for commercial real estate only, not
for homes).
<p>
I'm in favor of this, but I suggest also establishing a progressive
tax rate for property taxes.  There is no reason to limit the tax rate
on mansions to the same percentage as the tax rate on ordinary homes.


feed_id: 537df7928c96663e863210b1912d08d0
title: Marvel chairman supports Orange Skull
uri: Marvel-chairman-supports-Orange-Skull
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#20_August_2019_%28Marvel_chairman_supports_Orange_Skull%29

content:
<p>
Art Spiegelman wanted to compare the Red Skull, Captain America's
enemy decades ago, to the Orange Skull that threatens America today,
in his introduction to a book about the first decade of Marvel Comics.
But the chairman of Marvel is a big supporter of the conman, and
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/books/2019/aug/16/art-spiegelmans-marvel-essay-refused-publication-for-orange-skull-trump-dig">demanded
Spiegelman remove it</a>.  So Spiegelman published his introduction
elsewhere.


feed_id: 63de80061a74b49c6ca4ed5001f6c96a
title: Voting age
uri: Voting-age
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#20_August_2019_%28Voting_age%29
content:
<p>
Arguing for allowing people to vote 
<a href="http://crookedtimber.org/2019/08/17/give-children-the-vote/">starting
at age 16</a>.


feed_id: ccd0a85c778d1229b4d8d571c7f77e2b
title: The refugees on Manus Island
uri: The-refugees-on-Manus-Island
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#20_August_2019_%28The_refugees_on_Manus_Island%29
content:
<p>
The last 120 remaining refugees dumped by Australia on Manus Island
will be
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2019/aug/20/remaining-manus-island-refugees-offered-voluntary-relocation-to-port-moresby">permitted
to move to the capital of Papua New Guinea</a>.
<p>
In a city they may have a better chance to fit in
and avoid being noticed in unpleasant ways.


feed_id: d682c63b4df691566dde289ec826baf1
title: Endless wars
uri: Endless-wars
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#20_August_2019_%28Endless_wars%29
content:
<p>
Here's why it is so hard for the US to end the wars that it can't win:
because
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/aug/19/trump-peace-plan-betrayal-afghanistan">fools
say we owe it to the soldiers that died to keep sending more soldiers
to die</a>.
<p>
We did not know in 2001 how the war in Afghanistan would turn out.
Perhaps the US could have achieved a better outcome 
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2007-jan-apr.html#14%20April%202007%20(Extend%20tours%20of%20duty)">if
Dubya had not conquered and occupied Iraq</a>.  But now we know that
continuing the war achieves nothing except to kill more Afghans and
more Americans. It behooves us to stop.
<p>
Then 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/aug/19/with-kabul-wedding-attack-isis-aims-to-erode-taliban-supremacy">the
Taliban can fight PISSI</a>.


feed_id: 270a271d06746497da230915a285e6da
title: Bombing Idlib into rubble
uri: Bombing-Idlib-into-rubble
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#20_August_2019_%28Bombing_Idlib_into_rubble%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/aug/19/turkish-convoy-hit-by-syrian-airstrikes-ankara-claims
">Assad's forces and Russian forces</a> are bombing Idlib into rubble,
advancing in a wave behind which is a desert. No civilians wait to be
captured.


feed_id: 30d563c81e95db977de00591c895975d
title: California has made it easier to prosecute thugs
uri: California-has-made-it-easier-to-prosecute-thugs
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#20_August_2019_%28California_has_made_it_easier_to_prosecute_thugs%29

content:
<p>
California has made it easier to prosecute killer <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thugs</a>. Now they
need a reasonable basis to feel threatened &mdash; just claiming to have
felt threatened <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2019/aug/19/california-use-of-force-law-stephon-clark
">is not enough.</a>


feed_id: 44d1dfe8e1ff3050bae803a61f4024fd
title: NYC has fired thug
uri: NYC-has-fired-thug
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#20_August_2019_%28NYC_has_fired_thug%29
content:
<p>
New York City has fired the <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thug</a> that put Eric Garner in a choke-hold
and <a href="
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2019/aug/19/eric-garner-daniel-pantaleo-nypd-officer">thus killed him.
</a>
<p>
It should not have taken years to do this.


feed_id: 8e47ef7d66b517c1cb56c8f8a4c06209
title: Salvini is keeping refugees at sea
uri: Salvini-is-keeping-refugees-at-sea
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#20_August_2019_%28Salvini_is_keeping_refugees_at_sea%29

content:
<p>
Salvini is keeping a hundred refugees, rescued at sea, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/aug/19/people-on-rescue-ship-off-italy-at-breaking-point-say-doctors
">bottled up for
weeks on a ship</a> where they have no room to walk.


None of the refugees would stay in Italy &mdash; they already have
invitations to other EU countries. But that does not deter Salivini's
sadism: he hurts them <em>because he can</em>, to demonstrate his strength,
fascist style. We know the recipe: pick some people too weak to
defend themselves, call them a menace, and vent sadism at them. If
they die, that proves Salvini's worthiness to rule and wreak more
suffering.


feed_id: 1511968bfc6dd3f186f4fdae0525926a
title: The land of farmers
uri: The-land-of-farmers
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#20_August_2019_%28The_land_of_farmers%29
content:
<p>
US government policies, compared with racist voting restrictions,
took away the land of a <a href="
https://www.democracynow.org/2019/8/16/vann_newkirk_great_land_robbery">million black farmers,</a> especially from 1950 to 1969.

<p>
Under Reagan, most US family farms (even those owned by whites) were
wiped out by luring owners to take <a href="https://stallman.org/doggerel.html#OldMacDonald">loans they could not pay back.</a>


feed_id: 44277e305f6438d0900b570544f2a8e6
title: Biden's lack of excitement
uri: Biden-s-lack-of-excitement
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#20_August_2019_%28Biden%27s_lack_of_excitement%29
content:
<p>
Perhaps the US voters prefer Biden because of his <a href="
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/aug/19/joe-biden-exciting-candidate">lack of excitement.</a>
<p>
If so, how sad and how foolish, because he won't do anything to
restrain the plutocrats, not push hard enough to save us from global
heating disaster. If he is nominated, I will vote Green. I'd rather
vote for a good candidate that loses than a useless candidate that
wins.


feed_id: cdcc26cadbdb58abad50f6cea613006d
title: Mercy killer sentenced to thirteen years
uri: Mercy-killer-sentenced-to-thirteen-years
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#20_August_2019_%28Mercy_killer_sentenced_to_thirteen_years%29

content:
<p>
Donna Green asked her boyfriend, Robert Ronald Cooper, to give her a fatal
dose of heroin to end her painful illness. He did so, and has been
sentenced to <a href="
https://www.hot91.com.au/news/national-news/96779-sydney-mercy-killer-jailed-for-10-years">13 years in prison.</a>

<p>
Given the other stated circumstances, I could understand doubting his
assertion that she requested this. But supposing she did so, he does
not deserve to punished <em>at all</em> for helping her escape that pain.


feed_id: 43aed1c1eeb871c4a0bb08c022eff32a
title: China is deploying robot judges
uri: China-is-deploying-robot-judges
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#20_August_2019_%28China_is_deploying_robot_judges%29

content:
<p>
Reportedly China is deploying <a href="
https://radiichina.com/china-now-has-ai-powered-robot-judges/">robot judges.
</a>
<p>
I suppose text-to-speech is sufficient for announcing a verdict that was decided in advance.


feed_id: a246823f6eb2648b0407c7dec0da569b
title: MD MA helps alcoholics
uri: MD-MA-helps-alcoholics
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#20_August_2019_%28MDMA_helps_alcholics%29
content:
<p>
It appears that MDMA helps alcoholics <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/society/2019/aug/19/mdma-treatment-alcoholism-relapse-study
">stay off</a> alcohol.


feed_id: 1ec578662946f7ff0ef18ad87500a0c4
title: Iranian oil tanker now freed
uri: Iranian-oil-tanker-now-freed
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#20_August_2019_%28Iranian_oil_tanker_now_freed%29
content:
<p>
The Iranian oil tanker seized by Gibraltar <a href="
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/aug/19/iran-warns-us-against-oil-tanker-seizure-as-ship-leaves-gibraltar">is free to leave.</a>
The question now is whether the US will seize it on the high seas.


feed_id: accbc5d2e9f32b64c2e684ebdc6936d6
title: Deceptive abortion clinics
uri: Deceptive-abortion-clinics
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#20_August_2019_%28Deceptive_abortion_clinics%29
content:
<p>
The deceptive "crisis pregnancy centers" that pretend to be abortion clinics
use a <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/aug/19/google-loophole-anti-abortion-clinics-deceptive-ads
">loophole to get listed</a> in Google searches without any indication
to the user that they are not real abortion clinics.


feed_id: 3c8883aa0dab2412dbda3d3197f96466
title: Austrian party says it'll ban right-wing extremists
uri: Austrian-party-says-it-ll-ban-right-wing-extremists
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#20_August_2019_%28Austrian_party_says_it%27ll_ban_right-wing_extreamists%29

content:
<p>
An Austrian party, likely to form the next government, says it will
ban a <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/aug/19/austrian-peoples-party-promises-to-ban-far-right-identitarians
">violent right-wing extremist group.</a>


feed_id: 6590ec6ae2d308415be1681089be7b73
title: Jamaica has charged thugs for murder
uri: Jamaica-has-charged-thugs-for-murder
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#20_August_2019_%28Jamaica_has_charged_thugs_for_murder%29

content:
<p>
Jamaica has charged six thugs with murder for <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2019/08/16/six-police-officers-charged-over-killing-matthew-lee-jamaica">shooting a man on the street.</a>


feed_id: 0211746aae4fbddbede7b96f3d86184b
title: Investigation of professor Sheck dropped
uri: Investigation-of-professor-Sheck-dropped
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#20_August_2019_%28Investigation_of_professor_Sheck_dropped%29

content:
<p>
The New School <a href="
https://www.thefire.org/victory-professor-exonerated-for-quoting-iconic-black-writer-at-the-new-school/">has dropped</a> its investigation of Professor Sheck.
<p>
Her alleged wrong was to quote author James Baldwin correctly.


feed_id: 62b5d54782c0d0d94f5b374ac043717f
title: Amazon workers shipped in packages
uri: Amazon-workers-shipped-in-packages
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#20_August_2019_%28Amazon_workers_shipped_in_packages%29

content:
<p>
(satire) Amazon Workers Now Being <a href="
https://www.theonion.com/amazon-workers-now-being-shipped-in-packages-to-persona-1837312673">Shipped In Packages</a> To Personally Assure
Customers They're Treated Well.


feed_id: 8a3503949ee375bd090fb806bf366d7d
title: Protests against Bolsonaro
uri: Protests-against-Bolsonaro
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#20_August_2019_%28Protests_against_Bolsonaro%29
content:
<p>
The mainstream media are <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2019/08/17/media-blackout-brazils-anti-bolsonaro-protests?cd-origin=rss
">downplaying</a> large protests against Bolsonaro.


feed_id: caf5c681b1f0329224f14ea395b1b141
title: Feeling Down? Talk to a Stranger!
uri: Feeling-Down-Talk-to-a-Stranger
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#20_August_2019_%28Feeling_Down__Talk_to_a_Stranger%21%29

content:
<p>
Feeling Down? <a href="https://letgrow.org/feeling-down-talk-to-a-stranger/
">Talk to a Stranger!</a>


feed_id: 6ba5a4e6d95022a43c10ecc8ab1f3af3
title: North Sea cod crashing again
uri: North-Sea-cod-crashing-again
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#20_August_2019_%28North_Sea_cod_crashing_again%29
content:
<p>
The cod in the North Sea recovered when given protection, but now
they are <a href="
https://www.theguardian.com/business/2019/aug/18/where-did-all-the-cod-go-fish-chips-north-sea-sustainable-stocks">crashing again.
</a>
<p>
The water there may now be <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#7_September_2017_(Gulf_of_Maine_cod)">too warm</a> for them.


feed_id: 0948c7f67bbad1a5b8508be77e422895
title: Censorship
uri: 2019-08-24-Censorship
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#23_August_2019_%28Censorship%29
content:
<p>
When Antifa demands government censorship of right-wing extremists, it
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2019/08/21/antifa-not-terrorist-organization-doesnt-make-it-good">goes
too far</a>.
<p>
We all depend on the freedom to state our political views.
We who oppose right-wing extremists must fight against government
censorship, because if government censorship is allowed, we will
be the first to be stopped from speaking.


feed_id: af5ef40967a7dbff7d19753df644234a
title: Urgent: Eliminate abortion gag rules
uri: Urgent-Eliminate-abortion-gag-rules
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#23_August_2019_%28Urgent%3A_Eliminate_abortion_gag_rules%29

content:
<p>
US citizens: 
<a href="https://act.credoaction.com/sign/pp-titlex-gagrule">call on
the Senate</a> to eliminate the domestic and global abortion gag
rules.
<p>
If you sign, please spread the word!


feed_id: b5a6832b3fd87b80857f328e623b5a6a
title: Israeli army destroys water tank
uri: Israeli-army-destroys-water-tank
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#23_August_2019_%28Israeli_army_destroys_water_tank%29

content:
<p>
The Israeli Army 
<a href="https://imemc.org/article/army-destroys-irrigation-tank-in-jordan-valley/">destroyed
a water tank used by Palestinians in the Jordan Valley for
irrigation</a>.  Israel is trying to chase them out, so it never gives
permission to build anything, not even a water tank.  This policy made
the water tank "unauthorized", which was an excuse to destroy it.


feed_id: 0f3173bbc56bc3af6b7f027f42b69366
title: Land confiscated by Israel
uri: Land-confiscated-by-Israel
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#23_August_2019_%28Land_confiscated_by_Israel%29
content:
<p>
The village where Rashida Tlaib's grandmother lives has 
<a href="https://972mag.com/occupation-rashida-tlaib-west-bank/142846/">lost
a large part of its land due to Israeli confiscation</a>.


feed_id: 2c64f79adc3ff2a2d9e9dc84a6297cac
title: Microsoft snoops on recordings of users
uri: Microsoft-snoops-on-recordings-of-users
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#23_August_2019_%28Microsoft_snoops_on_recordings_of_users%29

content:
<p>
Microsoft 
<a href="https://www.vice.com/en_us/article/43kv4q/microsoft-human-contractors-listened-to-xbox-owners-homes-kinect-cortana">recorded
users of Xboxes</a> and had human workers listen to the recordings.
<p>
Morally I see no difference between having human workers listen and
having speech-recognition systems listen.  Both intrude on privacy.


feed_id: 0e9d305c7cd9e5a716db3ba2509903c7
title: Review of anarchism
uri: Review-of-anarchism
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#23_August_2019_%28Review_of_anarchism%29
content:
<p>
A 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/books/2019/aug/22/the-government-of-no-one-by-ruth-kinna-review-anarchism">review
of anarchism</a>.
<p>
A hundred years ago, there were anarchist societies on Earth, places
where there was no state, no government.  But that did not in all
cases mean that everyone was equal.  In some peoples in Melanesia, the
men who were most politically adroit gained a kind of political power
by drawing other men into client relationships with them.  Those who
had many clients were called "big men", and sometimes they would lead
their clients to fight the clients of other big men.
<p>
The fighting continued until European colonial states made them stop.
"Big men" continued to exist, but they were limited to peaceful means
in their competition for power.
<p>
I feel an attraction to anarchy, but I do not endorse anarchism
because there are 
<a href="https://stallman.org/articles/why-we-need-a-state.html">many jobs we need the
state to do</a>.


feed_id: ae77a667efeff0adc53b87a1a7bb6cf5
title: Tuvalu and Australia
uri: Tuvalu-and-Australia
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#23_August_2019_%28Tuvalu_and_Australia%29
content:
<p>
A message of hope: Australians could yet succeed in 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/aug/22/six-sentences-of-hope-defining-a-unifying-vision-in-the-face-of-the-climate-crisis">stopping
their government from wiping out Tuvalu and then Australia</a>.
<p>
If peaceful means do not succeed in preventing the murder of billions,
violent means will be justified.  Given that Australia's present
course of action will predictably kill tens of millions of people
(that would be Australia's share of the billions), destroying
Australia's fossil fuel facilities should be legally justified under
the principle of necessity (to prevent a worse crime).
<p>
Since the operation of Australia's fossil fuel facilities and shipping
will contribute to making many lands uninhabitable, including Tuvalu,
they are in effect weapons of mass destruction.  Perhaps Tuvalu should
declare war on Australia and send commandos to destroy those
facilities and sink the coal ships.


feed_id: 2f5fedf38bdb661e9d193ce8be1431e0
title: Bully cancels trip to Denmark
uri: Bully-cancels-trip-to-Denmark
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#23_August_2019_%28Bully_cancels_trip_to_Denmark%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#bully">The bully</a> said he wanted to buy Greenland from Denmark.  When Denmark
refused to sell, he 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/aug/21/the-guardian-view-on-trump-and-greenland-no-sale">cancelled
a coming trip there</a>, as punishment to Denmark.
<p>
I suppose Danes feel relieved rather than punished.
<p>
This is not the first time the US demanded to buy another country's
territory.  In 1845 the US asked to buy a part of Mexico.  When Mexico
refused, the US Army fought its way to Mexico City and occupied it
until Mexico's government agreed to the sale.  Henry David Thoreau
famously went to jail rather than pay tax for that war of aggression.
<p>
The treaty promised that Mexicans in the transferred territory could
keep speaking Spanish.


feed_id: 812a41ed8454b51ea3ff874f5271a0a9
title: Idlib province
uri: Idlib-province
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#23_August_2019_%28Idlib_province%29
content:
<p>
As Assad's forces slowly recapture Idlib province, 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/aug/21/syria-war-hope-reporting-daily-horrors">the
millions of Syrians that fled there fear being murdered by them</a>.
<p>
Assad and Russia have 
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#22_February_2016_(Attacks_on_MSF_facilities)">systematically
bombarded medical facilities there</a>.
<p>
It appears that Turkey 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/aug/19/turkish-convoy-hit-by-syrian-airstrikes-ankara-claims">tried
to reinforce Khan Sheikhoun a week ago</a>, and was stopped by air
attacks.
<p>
The situation is complicated by the fact that the rebel forces in
Idlib, which have Turkey's support, are 
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2018-sep-dec.html#3_September_2018_(Reconquest_of_Idlib)">the
Islamist militants that used to control most of Syria</a> and used to
confiscate the arms and supplies that the US provided to non-Islamist
militants.


feed_id: 0b20c2ae49ed19b23ca517f57f3b93c1
title: Melbourne losing water
uri: Melbourne-losing-water
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#25_August_2019_%28Melbourne_losing_water%29
content:
<p>
Melbourne, Australia, is 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/aug/23/melbourne-loses-15000-megalitres-of-water-annually-from-logging-study-finds">losing
valuable water each year by cutting down mature trees</a> &mdash;
because the young trees that replace them soak up more water.


feed_id: a2e66c83c2adf891072bbe45362497ab
title: Diplomacy with Iran
uri: Diplomacy-with-Iran
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#25_August_2019_%28Diplomacy_with_Iran%29
content:
<p>
Iran has 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/aug/22/aras-amiri-iranian-prison-british-governments">jailed
another Iranian citizen who works for the UK government</a>.
<p>
I feel for Tyson, and for Amiri; but when he demands that the British
government do something to free Amiri, he mistakes the UK for the
great power that it once was.  Bogus Johnson tried demanding that Iran
free Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe, and Iran responded with 
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#16_November_2017_(Iran_prisoner_pawn)">"You
can't make me, nyah nyah!"</a>
<p>
Her husband also wants to meet with officials to demand they "do
something" more.  But that would be futile again.
<p>
Imprisoning people as pawns is cruel and unjust, when Iran does it and
when China does it.  But there is nothing the UK can do to prevent it.
<p>
The only way the UK government could help free Amiri is with quiet,
slow diplomacy.  But first the UK should stop supporting the conman's
plans for war with Iran.


feed_id: 3b8090234a985d2f358c3f6d8ada2a9f
title: New will made by Epstein before suicide
uri: New-will-made-by-Epstein-before-suicide
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#25_August_2019_%28New_will_made_by_Epstein_before_suicide%29

content:
<p>
Epstein made a new will two days before his suicide.  It seems
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2019/aug/22/jeffrey-epstein-trust-fund-will-damages">designed
to prevent his victims from getting damages from him</a>.


feed_id: 8f3e996d3b63025924c9eff7e470f2a0
title: Planned Parenthood
uri: 2019-08-26-Planned-Parenthood
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#25_August_2019_%28Planned_Parenthood%29
content:
<p>
Planned Parenthood's 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/aug/22/why-planned-parenthood-was-right-to-refuse-federal-funding">decision
to refuse to parrot antiabortionists' lies</a> was the only moral
choice, and the only honorable choice.


feed_id: 8cb09eeb509750b61584567ba1c82dc2
title: Opposition to abortion rights
uri: Opposition-to-abortion-rights
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#25_August_2019_%28Opposition_to_abortion_rights%29
content:
<p>
Americans that oppose abortion rights 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/aug/22/a-new-poll-shows-what-really-interests-pro-lifers-controlling-women">tend
to be against women's rights and women's equality in general</a>.
<p>
Their obsession about the "life" of a fetus was a rationalization.


feed_id: 9f8b2821735bfd29a35ed105ec400067
title: Global heating
uri: 2019-08-26-Global-heating
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#25_August_2019_%28Global_heating%29
content:
<p>
It has become so hot in the UK that 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/aug/22/global-heating-ancient-plants-set-to-reproduce-in-uk-after-60m-years">a
cycad can reproduce there</a>.


feed_id: ef209674e4a38fd03752bdbac539e28f
title: Algeria
uri: 2019-08-26-Algeria
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#25_August_2019_%28Algeria%29
content:
<p>
Algeria is still 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/aug/22/stalemate-in-algeria-six-months-after-start-of-protests-that-ousted-leader">stuck
between the democracy protesters and the military government</a>.


feed_id: 0c7f9a142b7daab8bce2b81768c613cf
title: Hunting intrusive pythons in Florida
uri: Hunting-intrusive-pythons-in-Florida
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#25_August_2019_%28Hunting_intrusive_pythons_in_Florida%29

content:
<p>
Hunting intrusive pythons is becoming a 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/aug/22/florida-python-action-team-snake-epidemic">passionate
hobby for some in Florida</a>.
<p>
It behooves us to think of protecting the Everglades from being
inundated, too.


feed_id: a5c59a419ed8a45ad3e208e0456672da
title: Microplastics
uri: 2019-08-26-Microplastics
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#25_August_2019_%28Microplastics%29
content:
<p>
Science 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/aug/22/microplastics-in-water-not-harmful-to-humans-says-who-report">has
not detected any medical effects on humans</a> of microplastics in
water.


feed_id: 8274cf94269f15c9ae30d6f06054623b
title: E-cigarettes
uri: 2019-08-26-E-cigarettes
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#25_August_2019_%28E-cigarettes%29
content:
<p>
Use of e-cigarettes 
<a href="https://reason.com/2019/08/21/vaping-may-be-driving-down-smoking-says-federal-survey-report/">does
not lead Americans to smoke</a>.  On the contrary, a lot fewer
Americans smoke now than in 2002.


feed_id: 10f74c2ee17309081a70af349f098cf5
title: Voting with no paper ballot
uri: Voting-with-no-paper-ballot
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#25_August_2019_%28Voting_with_no_paper_ballot%29
content:
<p>
16 million Americans will be directed to vote in 2020 with 
<a href="https://www.technologyreview.com/s/614148/16-million-americans-will-vote-on-hackable-paperless-voting-machines/">no
paper ballot</a>.  This is <a href="https://stallman.org/evoting.html">fundamentally
untrustworthy</a>.


feed_id: 5d08a3cc08c638bb42d39963e6d29e30
title: Refugee minors and families
uri: Refugee-minors-and-families
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#25_August_2019_%28Refugee_minors_and_families%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#bully">The bully</a> says he will keep refugee minors and families 
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2019/08/21/will-cause-irreparable-harm-horror-trump-unveils-rule-allow-indefinite-detention">in
prison with no time limit</a>.


feed_id: 07344ef84861749ba189f8a4c168f244
title: Urgent: Amazon forest destruction
uri: Urgent-Amazon-forest-destruction
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#26_August_2019_%28Urgent%3A_Amazon_forest_destruction%29

content:
<p>
US
citizens: <a href="https://actionnetwork.org/petitions/sign-the-petition-demand-blackrock-stop-financing-amazon-destruction?nowrapper=true">call
on BlackRock</a> to stop financing destruction of the Amazon forest.
</p>
<p>If you sign, please spread the word!</p>


feed_id: 9fa8be48d242fe067a34f4ee7c5fc5e9
title: Urgent: Funds for deportation thugs
uri: Urgent-Funds-for-deportation-thugs
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#26_August_2019_%28Urgent%3A_Funds_for_deportation_thugs%29

content:
<p>
US
citizens: <a href="https://www.aclu.org/issues/immigrants-rights/no-more-money-ice?splash=off">call
your congresscritter</a> and say, no additional funds for the
deportation <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thugs</a> and their concentration camps.
</p>
<p>If you phone, please spread the word!</p>


feed_id: ef5521c6355ca4360d19a6bb9fd4c70d
title: Internet in New Guinea
uri: Internet-in-New-Guinea
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#26_August_2019_%28Internet_in_New_Guinea%29
content:
<p>
Indonesia says that its colony in New Guinea has "returned to normal",
but <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/aug/23/west-papua-indonesia-claims-province-has-returned-to-normal-amid-internet-blackout">"no
internet connection"</a> isn't normal there.


feed_id: 22f2a51e834b5d53564b1f0e06c29044
title: Alaska changing
uri: Alaska-changing
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#26_August_2019_%28Alaska_changing%29
content:
<p>
Alaska used to be cold.  There, as in many other places, global
heating has caused
a <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/cities/2019/aug/23/there-is-no-silver-lining-why-alaska-fires-are-a-glimpse-of-our-climate-future">permanent
change in life</a>.
<a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#global heating">Global heating</a> denial must give way to global heating Denali.


feed_id: 34e70a9739b9b100fd1eac5b82681ef4
title: Climate debate
uri: Climate-debate
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#26_August_2019_%28Climate_debate%29
content:
<p>
The Democratic National Committee didn't approve a climate debate, but
did decide to let candidates join to
hold <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2019/08/22/dnc-advances-resolution-reverse-ban-2020-candidates-side-side-participation">other
non-DNC debates</a>.


feed_id: b948b7fb33d5ad645e99ddd789dbec7b
title: Interdimensional immigration prison
uri: Interdimensional-immigration-prison
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#26_August_2019_%28Interdimensional_immigration_prison%29

content:
<p>
(satire) The US deportation <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thugs</a> are opening
an <a href="https://www.theonion.com/ice-opens-interdimensional-detention-center-to-indefini-1837476700">interdimensional
immigration prison</a> so they can store any number of prisoners.  It
will also have the capability to drop prisoners into a black hole.


feed_id: e6dbd5c3cdf758c2eafa3258d2a16715
title: Stock buybacks
uri: 2019-08-26-Stock-buybacks
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#26_August_2019_%28Stock_buybacks%29
content:
<p>
Stock buybacks enabled CEOs and large stockholders
to <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2019/08/22/how-become-corporate-ceo-scam-artist-five-easy-steps">screw
the rest of the world</a>.


feed_id: c4f03d5b836746ea39646e236b6b8847
title: Google searches
uri: Google-searches
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#26_August_2019_%28Google_searches%29
content:
<p>
Google is using its monopoly power to drive searchers to Google
disservices.  <a href="https://sparktoro.com/blog/less-than-half-of-google-searches-now-result-in-a-click/">Less
than half</a> of Google searches result in a visit to a non-Google
site.
<p>
I can't access Google search: I browse through Tor, with LibreJS
blocking nontrivial nonfree Javascript code, and google.com blocks
such access.  I find that unfortunate, because sometimes Google
searches used to find interesting things I did not find in
duckduckgo.com/html.  But I won't accept either of those two tracking
mechanisms, so bye bye Google search.


feed_id: 08074a55746ea8a5bdc59a6803cee5d6
title: DRM and the DMCA
uri: DRM-and-the-DMCA
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#26_August_2019_%28DRM_and_the_DMCA%29
content:
<p>
DRM <a href="https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2019/08/cycle-renewal-broken-how-big-tech-and-big-media-abuse-copyright-law-slay">is
still evil</a>, and the DMCA is still unjust.
<p>
<a href="https://defectivebydesign.org">More about the injustice</a>
of Digital Restrictions Management.
<p>
Nowadays, a cable box is malware in more than one way.  It still does
DRM, but nowadays it snoops on people too.  I refuse to tolerate this
injustice, so I do not have a cable box.


feed_id: b90014b0a6e5403e7d62af9a021b7a2b
title: Informal land titles
uri: Informal-land-titles
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#26_August_2019_%28Informal_land_titles%29
content:
<p>
Blacks and indigenous Americans often have informal title to their
land, and this has been used in the US to alienate their land.
Senator Warren
has <a href="https://www.propublica.org/article/elizabeth-warren-announces-plans-to-help-heirs-property-owners">proposed
a plan</a> to help them formally clarify the title.


feed_id: 0a275a3b5be5198496f489bad7a48199
title: Fighting a class war
uri: Fighting-a-class-war
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#26_August_2019_%28Fighting_a_class_war%29
content:
<p>
Sanders dares to say that the rich people of the US have been
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2019/08/21/after-decades-corporate-decimation-unions-sanders-says-it-time-workers-win-class-war">fighting,
and winning,</a> a class war.


feed_id: e7e68103eedbf95794737547cea9bee6
title: 'Blame the poor' playbook
uri: Blame-the-poor-playbook
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#26_August_2019_%28%27Blame_the_poor%27_playbook%29
content:
<p>
The "Blame the Poor" Playbook &mdash; Used by Republicans and
Democrats Alike &dash;
Is <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2019/08/21/blame-poor-playbook-used-republicans-and-democrats-alike-back-vengeance">Back
With a Vengeance</a>.
<p>
[<a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#bully">The bully</a>'s] Re-election
Strategy: <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2019/08/21/trumps-re-election-strategy-pit-us-against-each-other">Pit
Us Against Each Other</a>.
Specifically, teach the almost-poor to resent the meager help
that poor people receive.
<p>
The fact that rich people don't pay their fair share of taxes
has pushed a lot of the burden onto the not-yet-poor.


feed_id: 9410e53dd54f05c427f406f32c129557
title: Urgent: Oppose Facebook helping FBI spy
uri: Urgent-Oppose-Facebook-helping-FBI-spy
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#26_August_2019_%28Urgent%3A_Oppose_Facebook_helping_FBI_spy%29

content:
<p>
Everyone: 
<a href="https://act.credoaction.com/sign/social-media-spies">call on
Facebook</a> not to help the FBI spy on people.
<p>
If you sign, please spread the word!


feed_id: 453f5d6c92b4a7ccaba17b860efcae53
title: Urgent: Stop DNA testing of refugee families
uri: Urgent-Stop-DNA-testing-of-refugee-families
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#26_August_2019_%28Urgent%3A_Stop_DNA_testing_of_refugee_families%29

content:
<p>
US citizens: 
<a href="https://act.demandprogress.org/sign/tell-ice-stop-using-dna-testing-immigrant-families/">call
on the deportation thugs</a> to stop DNA testing of refugee families.
It is an unjust surveillance system, and not necessary for keeping the
family together.
<p>
If you sign, please spread the word!


feed_id: 745f8c4b0dff3f044394cd7306a02789
title: Urgent: Preserve the right to encryption
uri: Urgent-Preserve-the-right-to-encryption
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#26_August_2019_%28Urgent%3A_Preserve_the_right_to_encryption%29

content:
<p>
US citizens: 
<a href="https://www.savesecurity.org/">call on lawmakers</a> to
preserve the right to encryption.
<p>
If you sign, please spread the word!


feed_id: 0ea4c5f5c8c5db7cbdc42fa4891414de
title: Pentagon security clearance for Bezos
uri: Pentagon-security-clearance-for-Bezos
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#26_August_2019_%28Pentagon_security_clearance_for_Bezos%29

content:
<p>
Bezos got the Pentagon to give him a security clearance and an
advisory appointment despite not having been investigated.  Naturally
he 
<a href="https://www.propublica.org/article/how-amazon-and-silicon-valley-seduced-the-pentagon">used
this for Amazon sales</a>.
<p>
A bureaucrat who pointed out the irregularity, through channels, and
was punished for doing so.
<p>
The government 
<a href="https://gnu.org/philosophy/government-free-software.html">should
never trust businesses to run its computer systems</a>.


feed_id: 0fae6d790653ecd4e0478acc79d4fe63
title: Turkey forcing refugees back to Syria
uri: Turkey-forcing-refugees-back-to-Syria
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#26_August_2019_%28Turkey_forcing_refugees_back_to_Syria%29

content:
<p>
Turkey is 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2019/aug/23/its-not-legal-un-stands-by-as-turkey-deports-vulnerable-syrians">forcing
Syrian refugees back to Syria</a> &mdash; even queer Syrians who could
be murdered when sent back to Idlib, ruled by Islamist rebels.
<p>
I wonder if they would be any safer in Assad's territory.


feed_id: 9cbd703514a450f84c5b7e0ee817b3db
title: Judges with white nationalist links
uri: Judges-with-white-nationalist-links
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#26_August_2019_%28Judges_with_white_nationalist_links%29

content:
<p>
The Department of Justice sent email to 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2019/aug/22/us-justice-department-white-nationalist-website">immigration
judges with links to white nationalist web sites</a>.


feed_id: e606d68da50233701a68b20d54312521
title: Comedian Samantha Kureya
uri: Comedian-Samantha-Kureya
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#26_August_2019_%28Comedian_Samantha_Kureya%29
content:
<p>
Comedian Samantha Kureya, who 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/aug/23/zimbabwean-comedian-samantha-kureya-goes-into-hiding-after-abduction-and-beating">satirizes
the tyrannical Zimbabwean regime</a>, was grabbed by armed men,
beaten, and made to drink sewage (dangerous to health).
<p>
Adding insult to injury, they also stripped her.


feed_id: f714c10b7fd87a0a33452fce6016c113
title: Bogus Johnson's lies
uri: Bogus-Johnson-s-lies
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#26_August_2019_%28Bogus_Johnsons_lies%29
content:
<p>
Bogus Johnson and his pro-rogue supporters keep lying to the British
about 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/aug/23/brexit-deal-british-press-boris-johnson">imaginary
concessions that the EU will supposedly offer</a>, any day now.
<p>
I think I know what Bogus Johnson intends: to get the UK out of the EU
through any lies necessary, so as to force it into a much worse set of
<a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#business-supremacy">business-supremacy treaties</a> with predatory governments such as the US
and China.


feed_id: 3ba67abeb3a34b2151f80bcd0202abbf
title: Koch brothers
uri: 2019-08-27-Koch-brothers
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#26_August_2019_%28Koch_brothers%29
content:
<p>
One of the Koch brothers 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2019/aug/23/david-koch-dead-republican-donor-billionaire-">will
no longer harm the world</a>.
<p>
Those who inherit his wealth might be just as bad, or might be better.


feed_id: 7cb5daab2ae148eecead747591805149
title: Amazon rainforest fires
uri: Amazon-rainforest-fires
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#26_August_2019_%28Amazon_rainforest_fires%29
content:
<p>
Amazon Rainforest Fires: Global Leaders Urged to Divert Brazil from
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/aug/23/amazon-fires-global-leaders-urged-divert-brazil-suicide-path">'Suicide'
Path</a>.


feed_id: 39b7da60e084bab3432560a05ed98e6a
title: Indian soldier clamp down on Kashmiris
uri: Indian-soldier-clamp-down-on-Kashmiris
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#26_August_2019_%28Indian_soldier_clamp_down_on_Kashmiris%29

content:
<p>
Kashmiris tried to organize a mass protest in Srinagar, so Indian
soldiers 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/aug/23/kashmir-city-srinagar-india-lockdown-calls-protest-march">clamped
down completely</a>.


feed_id: a89a7ab579a9b1a3b4745c897ce87020
title: Monsanto
uri: 2019-08-27-Monsanto
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#26_August_2019_%28Monsanto%29
content:
<p>
Monsanto lobbied Congress to pressure regulatory agencies to go easy
on Roundup.  When the International Agency for Research on Cancer
declined to do so, Monsanto 
<a href="https://theintercept.com/2019/08/23/monsanto-republicans-cancer-research/">organized
a campaign to cut its funding</a>.


feed_id: b5dfb2f5690ffa1bb96766683dd64d2f
title: America's gun violence problem
uri: America-s-gun-violence-problem
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#26_August_2019_%28Americas_gun_violence_problem%29
content:
<p>
A real solution to America's gun violence problem goes beyond
regulations on buying guns.  We need to have 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2019/aug/22/gun-control-policy-debate-reform-anti">a
lot fewer guns, and more control over where they are</a>.
<p>
Michael Moore, in Bowling for Columbine, reported that Canada has
strict safety regulations on handling a gun when taking it out of the
house.  That might be a good idea.


feed_id: f28ab2945da0ef23940a7bc39938274e
title: Graph structure of hate networks
uri: Graph-structure-of-hate-networks
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#26_August_2019_%28Graph_structure_of_hate_networks%29

content:
<p>
Analyzing the graph structure of hate networks suggests 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/science/2019/aug/22/online-hate-extremism-physics-science">methods
of weakening them</a>.


feed_id: 5b706c6442f03e6aed9e3fc972de4489
title: Watching a lot of shallow cartoons
uri: Watching-a-lot-of-shallow-cartoons
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#27_August_2019_%28Watching_a_lot_of_shallow_cartoons%29

content:
<p>
Thee is some evidence that spending a lot of time watching shallow
cartoons, instead of something they might draw experience from, 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2019/aug/23/does-overconsumption-bad-tv-lead-to-populism">leads
people to grow up as fodder for shallow politics</a>.
<p>
Please don't use the term 
<a href="https://gnu.org/philosophy/words-to-avoid.html#Consume">"consume"</a>
for watching or reading anything, not even for silly cartoons.


feed_id: 7fe4eb18581f4a81fe4729e855142849
title: Green New Deal
uri: 2019-08-28-Green-New-Deal
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#27_August_2019_%28Green_New_Deal%29
content:
<p>
Greening Your Life Is All Very Well &mdash; But 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/aug/23/greening-your-life-global-approach">Only
a Global Climate Strategy Will Fix This</a>.
<p>
Bernie Sanders’ Manhattan Project: The Game-Changing 
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2019/08/23/bernie-sanders-manhattan-project-game-changing-green-new-deal">Green
New Deal</a>.


feed_id: 31fbf9d045998a2bd73bfc1c678820fd
title: Texas thug faces murder charges
uri: Texas-thug-faces-murder-charges
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#27_August_2019_%28Texas_thug_faces_murder_charges%29

content:
<p>
A Texas <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thug</a> whose lies 
<a href="https://reason.com/2019/08/23/houston-narcotics-cop-who-instigated-a-deadly-drug-raid-is-charged-with-murder/">led
to a "drug raid" that killed two innocent people in their home</a> now
faces murder changes.


feed_id: ca2464d799d7bda449d686fe49c73e73
title: The Israel Project
uri: 2019-08-28-The-Israel-Project
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#27_August_2019_%28The_Israel_Project%29
content:
<p>
The Israel Project, which did dirty tricks against US organizations
that opposed Israel's treatment of Palestinians, 
<a href="https://electronicintifada.net/blogs/asa-winstanley/israel-lobbys-commando-force-taken-out">has
shut down</a>.
<p>
The proximate cause is that it ran out of money, but I wonder whether
its supporters have moved to a new organization which has not yet
acquired a bad reputation.


feed_id: 0ffff54060a14fe0eebaca4b172cf332
title: Assad intends to conquer all of Syria
uri: Assad-intends-to-conquer-all-of-Syria
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#27_August_2019_%28Assad_intends_to_conquer_all_of_Syria%29

content:
<p>
Assad 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/aug/24/civilians-idlib-syria-bashar-al-assad-total-victory">stated
he intends to conquer all of Syria</a>.
<p>
That includes Idlib, now ruled by Islamists but inhabited by millions
of Syrian civilians that would not be safe in Assad's hands.  It also
includes Rojava.
<p>
If Rojava has no ally to rely on, it cannot resist forever.


feed_id: 9d36b228838c1356d1b9b842522a1283
title: UK consulate jailed by China
uri: UK-consulate-jailed-by-China
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#27_August_2019_%28UK_consulate_jailed_by_China%29
content:
<p>
Simon Cheng, employee of the British consulate in Hong Kong, has been
released by China 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/aug/24/uk-consulate-worker-hong-kong-simon-cheng-detained-in-china-is-freed">after
being jailed with no announcement</a>.
<p>
It is absurd to jail someone for hiring prostitutes, but when China
wants to use someone as a pawn, it will make up any sort of excuse.


feed_id: 423ce5cc9a2d3b88d60e56a050b6c8c3
title: Total repression imposed on Biarritz
uri: Total-repression-imposed-on-Biarritz
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#27_August_2019_%28Total_repression_imposed_on_Biarritz%29

content:
<p>
A meeting of the G7 ministers in Biarritz has been the occasion to
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/aug/24/biarritz-lockdown-g7-summit-descends-french-resort">impose
total repression</a> on that town.


feed_id: c79b1a5f362213ffa898c74fa7f63dcc
title: Orange County neo-Nazis
uri: Orange-County-neo-Nazis
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#27_August_2019_%28Orange_County_neo-Nazis%29
content:
<p>
Orange County, California, has had neo-Nazis for decades.  It should
be no surprise that
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2019/aug/23/orange-county-nazi-salute-pacifica-high-school">high-school
students there give Nazi salutes</a>.


feed_id: b7cb9a4bd88e147327eedf085ee3c5ae
title: Amazon fires
uri: Amazon-fires
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#27_August_2019_%28Amazon_fires%29
content:
<p>
Protesters 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/aug/23/brazil-protests-amazon-bolsonaro-failure-protect">Besiege
Brazilian Embassies Worldwide</a> over Amazon Fires.
<p>
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/aug/24/brazilian-protesters-bolsonaro-amazon-fires">Brazilians
are protesting</a>, too.


feed_id: d605fe8fb36b19156adb7c875fa91528
title: Politicians' interest in interviews
uri: Politicians-interest-in-interviews
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#27_August_2019_%28Politicians_interest_in_interviews%29

content:
<p>
Why politicians, regardless of party, are 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/media/2019/aug/23/the-political-interview-is-not-dead-but-it-is-on-life-support">less
interested in interviews</a>.


feed_id: 483c56242764de0a02c11f6af543ca27
title: US Republicans promoting deforestation of the Amazon
uri: US-Republicans-promoting-deforestation-of-the-Amazon
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#27_August_2019_%28US_Republicans_promoting_deforestation_of_the_Amazon%29

content:
<p>
<a href="
https://theintercept.com/2019/08/23/gop-lobbyists-help-brazil-recruit-u-s-companies-to-exploit-the-amazon/">US Republicans are promoting US business</a> to invest in deforesting the Amazon.


feed_id: b9793a38d4d8ad31166f76fda51e6535
title: Lead in Newmark, New Jersey water
uri: Lead-in-Newmark-New-Jersey-water
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#27_August_2019_%28Lead_in_Newmark%2C_New_Jersy_water%29

content:
<p>
Newark, New Jersey, has a problem with lead in the water. This should
not be an excuse to take control of the city's water <a href="
https://www.commondreams.org/news/2019/08/22/water-rights-group-calls-newark-officials-resist-privatization-citys-water-supply">permanently away
from the city.</a>


feed_id: 2b250ac9a87ef16559b8759b417857c4
title: Firefighters with flamethrowers
uri: Firefighters-with-flamethrowers
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#27_August_2019_%28Firefighters_with_flamethrowers%29

content:
<p>
(satire) Brazilian Government Equips Firefighters With Flamethrowers
<a href="
https://www.theonion.com/brazilian-government-equips-firefighters-with-flamethro-1837487135">To Combat Massive Amazon Rainforest.</a>


feed_id: e4c9d5b683ce89c7656c262cec3b7d9c
title: US teachers spend their own money for supplies
uri: US-teachers-spend-their-own-money-for-supplies
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#27_August_2019_%28US_teachers_spend_their_own_money_for_supplies%29

content:
<p>
US teachers spend an <a href="
https://www.commondreams.org/news/2019/08/22/subsidizing-underfunded-schools-us-teachers-spend-459-their-own-money-each-year">average of $450 a year</a> buying school supplies for their
classes.

<p>
This reflects the extent to which US plutocracy regards most people as trash.


feed_id: bb72e2665ac0a841cb3b74ff075e89c1
title: Sander's plan for labor rights
uri: Sander-s-plan-for-labor-rights
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#27_August_2019_%28Sander%27s_plan_for_labor_rights%29

content:
<p>
Sanders's plan for <a href="https://theweek.com/articles/860217/bernie-sanders-plan-rebuild-labor-unions-huge-win-working-americans
">improving labor rights</a> in the US.


feed_id: cc88f8fb860f281f399d6eeb4c094ba3
title: Me-too frenzy
uri: Me-too-frenzy
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#27_August_2019_%28Me-too_frenzy%29
content:
<p>
In "me-too" frenzy, crossed signals about sex can easily be <a href="https://reason.com/2019/08/23/im-radioactive/
">inflated
into "rape".</a> If people rush to judgment, in an informal way, that can
destroy a man's career without any trial in which to clear his name.


feed_id: 90d8932f6678d9be57e18a4a34d8c407
title: Racist bias in danger of being extended to Jewish roles
uri: Racist-bias-in-danger-of-being-extended-to-Jewish-roles
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#27_August_2019_%28Racist_bias_in_danger_of_being_extended_to_Jewish_roles%29

content:
<p>
The racist bias that presents itself as opposition to "cultural
appropriation" is in danger of being extended to <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/stage/2019/aug/23/jewface-row-west-end-musical-falsettos-decried-for-cultural-appropriation
">roles that are Jews.
</a>
<p>
I can understand the argument that actors from visually distinctive
ethnic groups should be chosen for roles of those groups because they
tend to be excluded from other roles. But now that so many old plays
are being redone with women in male roles, why couldn't we have
non-Caucasian actors in Caucasian roles too?
<p>
That issue does not apply to Jews, because Jews have not, in general,
been excluded from roles that are not defined as Jewish. Nobody
suggested that Zero Mostel should not play Pseudolus on the grounds
that that character was a Roman.
<p>
That sort of nonsense might happen in the future if the idea that
Jewish parts go with Jewish actors catches on.


feed_id: 88ae83f64c7fe3d42a7dc50ecbbd53ac
title: US legal system isn't effective at fair trials
uri: US-legal-system-isn-t-effective-at-fair-trials
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#27_August_2019_%28US_lgal_system_isn%27t_effective_at_fair_trials%29

content:
<p>
The US legal system is not effective at giving everyone a fair trial.
When the US gets desperate about punishing a certain group, it has a
tendency to railroad some of them. Hamid Hayat was convicted falsely
of being part of a "terror network" that <a href="
https://www.ocregister.com/2019/08/16/lodi-terror-case-shows-injustice-results-when-fear-rules/">didn't exist at all.</a>


feed_id: eaf596f6aa4b42295a96b453cea90f4b
title: University reparations for slave money
uri: University-reparations-for-slave-money
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#27_August_2019_%28University_reparations_for_slave_money%29

content:
<p>
Glasgow University will dedicate <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2019/aug/23/glasgow-university-slave-trade-reparations
">20 million pounds to research on
development,</a> in conjunction with a university in Jamaica, as reparations
for donated money obtained from slavery.
<p>
I support reparations for slavery (and, in the US, for the
century-long subsequent legal discrimination against blacks). The
reparations should be designed to correct the self-perpetuating damage
that is now inflicted on the descendants of those who were legally
discriminated against
<p>
I don't know what would be effective at making a long-term change, but
I think it needs to be done at the level of society, not just by
universities.


feed_id: 9ca423499d7f2813e375cbe6bd3b9b6b
title: Pressuring Bolsonaro to curb fires
uri: Pressuring-Bolsonaro-to-curb-fires
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#27_August_2019_%28Pressuring_Bolsonaro_to_curb_fires%29

content:
<p>
France and Ireland are pressuring Bolsonaro to <a href="
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/aug/23/ireland-could-oppose-trade-deal-brazil-fails-stop-amazon-fires-leo-varadkar">curb the burning</a> of the
Amazon forest.


feed_id: 70cbf07100c47547d13b272b566d38ac
title: Australia wants refugees in prison
uri: Australia-wants-refugees-in-prison
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#27_August_2019_%28Austrailia_wants_refugees_in_prision%29

content:
<p>
The Australian government put hundreds of refugees into prison in its
client state, Nauru. When they get sick, Australia wants to <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/aug/23/pakistani-refugee-sets-himself-alight-on-nauru
">keep them
there till they die.</a>


feed_id: 3b645f1ac89f02ac4475a12cdc55d82f
title: Urgent: Don't extradite Julian Assange
uri: Urgent-Don-t-extradite-Julian-Assange
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#27_August_2019_%28Urgent%3A_Don%27t_extradite_Julian_Assange%29

content:
<p>
Everyone: call on the UK <a href="
https://i.diem25.org/en/petitions/1/">not to extradite Julian Assange.</a>
<p>
If you sign, please spread the word!
</p>
</p>


feed_id: 0f856b15e5c46b96080007311466b537
title: Urgent: US climate strike
uri: Urgent-US-climate-strike
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#27_August_2019_%28Urgent%3A_US_climate_strike%29
content:
<p>
In the US, on Sep 20, <a href="https://actionnetwork.org/event_campaigns/us-climate-strikes?nowrapper=true&referrer=group-350org-network&source=350org-network
">join a climate strike action.</a></p>


feed_id: 26e635f1f27edaa5e444ffa31c1410cb
title: Urgent: Election security reform
uri: Urgent-Election-security-reform
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#28_August_2019_%28Urgent%3A_Election_security_reform%29

content:
<p>
US citizens: 
<a href="https://actionnetwork.org/petitions/tell-the-gop-stop-blocking-election-security-reform">call
on Congress</a> not to let Mitch McConnell block election security
reform.
<p>
If you sign, please spread the word!


feed_id: bedd6a22ecf6f126c86fe05bb6807380
title: Urgent: Oppose racial discrimination
uri: Urgent-Oppose-racial-discrimination
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#28_August_2019_%28Urgent%3A_Oppose_racial_discrimination%29

content:
<p>
US citizens: 
<a href="https://act.credoaction.com/sign/no-algorithims-in-housing">oppose</a>
allowing use of algorithms to implement racial discrimination in
housing.
<p>
If you sign, please spread the word!


feed_id: 4f8942d6e33e76a63eda9dce1f650839
title: Oil extractors
uri: Oil-extractors
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#28_August_2019_%28Oil_extractors%29
content:
<p>
Oil extractors 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2019/aug/26/great-australian-bight-oil-industry-would-need-decades-of-subsidies-report-warns">want
big subsidies</a> to drill in deep waters off Australia's south coast,
and risk a big spill.
<p>
There will be no risk about the contribution to global disaster,
however.  That will be a certainty.


feed_id: 17e314f1b3015d7c4d61987c6befa72b
title: Repression of protests
uri: 2019-08-29-Repression-of-protests
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#28_August_2019_%28Repression_of_protests%29
content:
<p>
Planet-roaster governments are 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/aug/22/australias-climate-change-inaction-is-now-bipartisan-protest-is-all-we-have-left">moving
towards strict repression of protests</a>.


feed_id: a728f2f3b1440a6c81f06464fac365f3
title: Growing up in immigration prison
uri: Growing-up-in-immigration-prison
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#28_August_2019_%28Growing_up_in_immigration_prison%29

content:
<p>
Growing up in Australia's Nauru immigration prison causes 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2019/aug/25/australia-is-a-bigger-cage-the-ongoing-trauma-of-naurus-child-refugees">grave
mental illness</a> for unfortunate refugees.


feed_id: 753b18ac0f6ed238a225d4f2f9b95797
title: The elk of Colorado
uri: The-elk-of-Colorado
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#28_August_2019_%28The_elk_of_Colorado%29
content:
<p>
Americans are 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/aug/25/hiking-elk-driven-to-brink-colorado-vail">putting
the elk of Colorado in danger</a> simply by visiting the wilderness so
much.


feed_id: 3ec76a7a788dddd5272aa81410416f35
title: Avoiding global heating disaster
uri: 2019-08-29-Avoiding-global-heating-disaster
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#28_August_2019_%28Avoiding_global_heating_disaster%29

content:
<p>
David Wallace-Wells feels some hope that we will avoid <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#global heating">global heating</a>
disaster because the American public is now 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/aug/25/david-wallace-wells-interview-climate-crisis-heating-migration-extinction-rebellion-greta-thunberg">very
concerned about the issue</a>.
<p>
It's just a possibility, not a sure thing,


feed_id: d08e87440a06e0c1daf57c15952aef7f
title: Lead in Newark water supply
uri: Lead-in-Newark-water-supply
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#28_August_2019_%28Lead_in_Newark_water_supply%29
content:
<p>
The lead in the water supply of Newark, New Jersey, is 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2019/aug/25/newark-lead-water-crisis-flint">due
to corroded pipes</a>.  They need to be replaced.  In the mean time,
the city is providing residents with water filters.


feed_id: 71c9579b7de3ad87336e91c17c4369eb
title: Nauru
uri: 2019-08-29-Nauru
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#28_August_2019_%28Nauru%29
content:
<p>
Nauru bars the foreign press, but it has enough democracy that 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/aug/25/naurus-president-baron-waqa-reportedly-loses-seat-in-parliament">leading
politicians can lose elections</a>.


feed_id: 09374a164d8b7071c8915999aa05a719
title: "Centrist" Democrats
uri: 2019-08-29-Centrist-Democrats
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#28_August_2019_%28Centrist_Democrats%29
content:
<p>
Plutocratistic "centrist" Democrats could lose the next election.  They
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2019/08/24/centrists-are-going-kill-us">could
also kill you</a>, some decades down the line.


feed_id: 17ae39e98f47c2fca26e7bf4948bb4d1
title: Flawed voting machines
uri: Flawed-voting-machines
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#28_August_2019_%28Flawed_voting_machines%29
content:
<p>
"Express Vote", a system that US states are buying in 2019, has 
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2019/08/23/nationally-widespread-new-voting-system-ready-2020-elections">two
big flaws</a>: the ballots are marked by computer with bar codes (and
the voter is required to trust that computer isn't cheating), and even
so the scanner can't read them all correctly.
<p>
A court 
<a href="https://www.cnet.com/news/judge-bars-georgia-from-using-current-voting-technology-in-2020/">prohibited
the use of Georgia's voting machines</a>, which make no paper ballots
at all.
<p>
I hope Georgia won't switch to "Express Vote".


feed_id: 1d414958df0c569d0bb7b97fabd70647
title: A world without David Koch
uri: A-world-without-David-Koch
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#28_August_2019_%28A_world_without_David_Koch%29
content:
<p>
(satire) "I don’t want to keep living in a world without David Koch,"
said former Wisconsin governor Scott Walker, one amongst
<a href="https://politics.theonion.com/aides-struggle-to-stop-dozens-of-kerosene-soaked-republ-1837517131">a
throng of weeping Republicans</a> including Mike Pence, Ted Cruz, Rick
Scott, and Mitt Romney&hellip;


feed_id: ae526937f6696b60b1c5d05bc19bb79c
title: Christmas-obsessed
uri: Christmas-obsessed
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#28_August_2019_%28Christmas-obsessed%29
content:
<p>
(satire) Christmas-Obsessed Woman 
<a href="https://local.theonion.com/christmas-obsessed-woman-worships-christ-year-round-1837506283">Worships
Christ Year-Round</a>.


feed_id: 3ca02ad5f802394cb4c588f9099da772
title: Gas export plant in Mozambique
uri: Gas-export-plant-in-Mozambique
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#28_August_2019_%28Gas_export_plant_in_Mozambique%29
content:
<p>
The US Export-Import Bank has 
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2019/08/23/50-billion-exim-financing-mozambique-lng-plant-fuels-us-contribution-climate">resumed
financing increased CO<sub>2</sub> emissions</a> with a gas export
plant in Mozambique.
<p>
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2016-sep-dec.html#11_December_2016_(Export-Import_Bank)">Plutocratist
"centrist" Democrats joined with Republicans</a> (always
plutocratists) to restart that organization.
<p>
The secondary argument that Mozambique might itself have a use for
burning that gas rather than exporting it is an example of obsolete
thinking.  Where that gas might be burnt is a side issue; to reduce
global disaster, which will fall on Mozambique along with everywhere
else, we must keep fossil fuels in the ground.


feed_id: 49d10b88eceee0a636a5a30b7ed51aef
title: Urgent: Domestic Workers Bill of Rights
uri: Urgent-Domestic-Workers-Bill-of-Rights
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#30_August_2019_%28Urgent%3A_Domestic_Workers_Bill_of_Rights%29

content:
<p>
US citizens: 
<a href="https://actionnetwork.org/petitions/sign-the-petition-urge-congress-to-support-and-protect-domestic-workers?nowrapper=true">call
on Congress</a> to support the Domestic Workers Bill of Rights Act.
<p>
The article brings up race in a way that is not truly pertinent.  The
US society of extreme inequality dumps injustice on the poor, and due
to racism and other forms of prejudice, members of disprivileged
groups are more likely to be poor.  Therefore, many unrelated
injustices hit them harder, including the mistreatment of domestic
workers.
<p>
But we don't need to refer to that to justify this bill, because it is
a simple matter of right and wrong.  Domestic workers deserve justice
regardless of their demographics and regardless of whether they suffer
from prejudice.


feed_id: 458bfd5a71479d3266ab211cce5c2376
title: Urgent: Media coverage of Amazon fires
uri: Urgent-Media-coverage-of-Amazon-fires
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#30_August_2019_%28Urgent%3A_Media_coverage_of_Amazon_fires%29

content:
<p>
US citizens: 
<a href="https://act.democracyforamerica.com/sign/media-attention-brazil">call
on media</a> to cover the fires in the Amazon as much as they covered
the fire in Notre Dame cathedral.


feed_id: 390bd89eb792f479f19dc8d8b208f571
title: Useless G7 meetings
uri: Useless-G7-meetings
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#30_August_2019_%28Useless_G7_meetings%29
content:
<p>
The G7 meetings have become useless, 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/aug/26/biarritz-g7-syria-us-china-trade">ineffective
at doing pretty much anything</a>.
<p>
The fact that the <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#bully">bully</a> uses them only as opportunities to humiliate
other countries' leaders is only part of the reason.  But next year,
when the US hosts the meeting, he 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2019/aug/26/trump-2020-g7-summit-national-doral-miami-resort">will
reduce it totally to a manipulatory event</a>, once he has filled his
pockets with government money by holding the meeting in his own hotel.


feed_id: 3265ea5d8cdfeb1456bdfd2d526a434e
title: Stretching the term "autism"
uri: Stretching-the-term-autism
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#30_August_2019_%28Stretching_the_term_autism%29
content:
<p>
The term "autism" has been 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/aug/26/autism-neurodiversity-severe">stretched
so far that it is incoherent</a>: to stretch from the mild
abnormalities or Asperger's syndrome to mentally crippling
disabilities.
<p>
It may be the case that they all result from the same biological cause
&mdash; does science know?  But even if so, we can distinguish them
for moral, social and legal purposes.


feed_id: f4cdaf1df472f82b36d9ae4de22e2810
title: Regulation on face recognition
uri: Regulation-on-face-recognition
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#30_August_2019_%28Regulation_on_face_recognition%29
content:
<p>
The EU is 
<a href="https://www.cityam.com/eu-considers-giving-citizens-explicit-rights-over-facial-recognition-data/">considering
a weak regulation</a> on face recognition.  All it would do is give
people the right to be informed when their face was recognized &mdash;
and not always even that.
<p>
This by itself would not protect society from massive surveillance,
but the information obtained could aid campaigns to do that.


feed_id: 5573bf0a2014ae24d2c096a162ccc54f
title: Bogus Johnson acting like monarch
uri: Bogus-Johnson-acting-like-monarch
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#30_August_2019_%28Bogus_Johnson_acting_like_monarch%29

content:
<p>
Bogus Johnson has 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2019/aug/26/boris-johnson-warning-mps-block-no-deal-brexit">openly
told Parliament it has no authority over what he does</a>.
<p>
He is trying to act the absolute monarch.  The last time someone tried
that, Parliament had him executed.  The death penalty is wrong, but
Parliament could sentence Johnson to life in prison.


feed_id: 2247b6d62a5df641adc4168574996f00
title: TSA traumatizes transgender passengers
uri: TSA-traumatizes-transgender-passengers
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#30_August_2019_%28TSA_traumatizes_transgender_passengers%29

content:
<p>
Transgender passengers 
<a href="https://www.propublica.org/article/tsa-transgender-travelers-scanners-invasive-searches-often-wait-on-the-other-side">often
find an encounter with the TSA traumatic</a>.


feed_id: ddd26100513b95b3ebda5a97368608c9
title: Singapore to invite people to be tracked
uri: Singapore-to-invite-people-to-be-tracked
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#30_August_2019_%28Singapore_to_invite_people_to_be_tracked%29

content:
<p>
Singapore 
<a href="https://www.digitaltrends.com/health-fitness/fitbit-singapore-health-contract-fitness-trackers/">will
invite people to be tracked as they walk around the city</a> by
offering gratis tracking devices.


feed_id: 2516ef44e0f8bdc65338e6b4c30377f0
title: Cuba reforms fishing laws
uri: Cuba-reforms-fishing-laws
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#30_August_2019_%28Cuba_reforms_fishing_laws%29
content:
<p>
Cuba Drastically Reforms Fishing Laws to 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/aug/26/cuba-drastically-reforms-fishing-laws-to-protect-coral-reef-sharks-and-rays">Protect
Coral Reef, Sharks And Rays</a>.


feed_id: a8b0defd574d34c20b3b6958f1ac022d
title: Bangladesh will stop classifying women as virgin or not
uri: Bangladesh-will-stop-classifying-women-as-virgin-or-not
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#30_August_2019_%28Bangladesh_will_stop_classifying_women_as_virgin_or_not%29

content:
<p>
Bangladesh will stop classifying women as "virgin" or not,
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/aug/27/bangladesh-to-remove-the-word-virgin-from-muslim-marriage-certificates
">when they marry.</a>


feed_id: 6fead7f829f4eb371f969f80b1e33014
title: Chinese expat writer Yang Hengjun is being investigated for spying
uri: Chinese-expat-writer-Yang-Hengjun-is-being-investigated-for-spying
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#30_August_2019_%28Chinese_expat_writer_Yang_Hengjun_is_being_investigated_for_spying%29

content:
<p>
Chinese expat writer Yang Hengjun <a href="
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/aug/27/australian-writer-yang-hengjun-charged-spying-china">is being investigated for spying.</a>

<p>
More precisely, with "committing espionage crimes", which could mean
anything that China wants us to think of as if it were spying.
Tyrannical governments often are very secretive and may consider
ordinary journalism, picking up information from the public, as
spying.


feed_id: 0b1c7f93a79a52d0998214c38e0d527c
title: Obama upholds Office tradition
uri: Obama-upholds-Office-tradition
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#30_August_2019_%28Obama_upholds_Ofice_tradition%29
content:
<p>
(satire) <a href="
https://www.theonion.com/obama-upholds-in-office-tradition-by-releasing-2019-sum-1837592496">Obama Upholds In-Office Tradition By Releasing 2019 Summer Kill List.</a>


feed_id: 2f6d45ee87ff29a9f700c11c198bbcdc
title: Congress Must Require Voting Machine Vendors to Explain Poor Security
uri: Congress-Must-Require-Voting-Machine-Vendors-to-Explain-Poor-Security
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#30_August_2019_%28Congress_Must_Require_Voting_Machine_Vendors_to_Explain_Poor_Security%29

content:
<p>
Congressional Committees Must Require Voting Machine Vendors to Explain <a href="
https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2019/08/26/congressional-committees-must-require-voting-machine-vendors-explain-poor">Poor
Security Record & Practices.</a>


feed_id: 7b197570dd528b77f5b2a1df2e5b4fe6
title: Bully's harm to contributions for international aid and rights
uri: Bully-s-harm-to-contributions-for-international-aid-and-rights
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#30_August_2019_%28Bully%27s_harm_to_contributions_for_international_aid_and_rights%29

content:
<p>
The bully has done great harm around the world by <a href="
https://www.commondreams.org/views/2019/08/26/trump-has-done-incalculable-damage-humanity-backing-out-un-programs">cutting US contributions</a>
to important international aid and rights programs.


feed_id: d76045d02486d9b03dcecf931e905837
title: US Forest Disservice
uri: US-Forest-Disservice
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#30_August_2019_%28US_Forest_Disservice%29
content:
<p>
The US Forest Disservice proposes to eliminate <a href="
https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2019/08/26/conservation-groups-blast-draft-forest-service-rule-gut-bedrock-environmental">environmental
disclosure and public comment</a> for over 90% of its decisions about
permitting roads and exploitation in national forests.
<p>
It would be able to trash any amount of forest land provided it does
so in medium-size chunks.


feed_id: 91bb23d41cdaba5685723bfec8980767
title: Virtually any Democrat
uri: Virtually-any-Democrat
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#30_August_2019_%28Virtually_any_Democrat%29
content:
<p>
"Virtually any Democrat would be favored to beat [the current
Republican senator] in Colorado, and <a href="
https://www.commondreams.org/views/2019/08/26/progressives-shouldnt-be-interested-john-hickenlooper-senate">virtually any Democrat is better
than John Hickenlooper."</a>


feed_id: 3c92b91bb08c2cd59127118691287423
title: Comparing attackers of Earth's ecosphere
uri: Comparing-attackers-of-Earth-s-ecosphere
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#30_August_2019_%28Comparing_attackers_of_Earth%27s_ecosphere%29

content:
<p>
Comparing the <a href="
https://www.commondreams.org/views/2019/08/26/brazil-isnt-only-far-right-government-destroying-planet">US saboteur in chief with Bolsonaro</a> in regard to attacking
Earth's ecosphere.


feed_id: 7c5743f228775ee6e9e1b977fb650f25
title: The cruel structure of the gig economy
uri: The-cruel-structure-of-the-gig-economy
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#30_August_2019_%28The_cruel_structre_of_the_gig_economy%29

content:
<p>
The cruel structure of the gig economy &mdash; or service sweatshop economy
&mdash; is illustrated by a <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/business/2019/aug/26/widow-driver-ruth-don-lane-died-hospital-visit-fine-faces-homelessness
">British family about to become homeless</a>, after
the breadwinner died because he didn't dare skip work to see a doctor.


feed_id: 359f0e69744113237fedd437d3b641d4
title: Macron tried to use the G7 meeting to push for relaxation with Iran.
uri: Macron-tried-to-use-the-G7-meeting-to-push-for-relaxation-with-Iran
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#30_August_2019_%28Macron_tried_to_use_the_G7_meeting_to_push_for_relaxation_with_Iran.%29

content:
<p>
Macron tried to use the G7 meeting to <a href="
https://www.commondreams.org/views/2019/08/26/france-upstages-trump-g7-inviting-iran-salvage-nuclear-deal">push for relaxation with Iran.
</a>
<p>
So far there has been no visible effect, but it was worth a try.


feed_id: c4edecd0d88b61cf10538ef3abf8d533
title: A community college fired a professor for saying he supported Antifa.
uri: A-community-college-fired-a-professor-for-saying-he-supported-Antifa
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#30_August_2019_%28_A_community_college_fired_a_professor_for_saying_he_supported_Antifa.%29

content:
<p>
A community college fired a professor for <a href="
https://reason.com/2019/08/26/antifa-professor-jeff-klinzman-kirkwood/">saying he supported Antifa.
</a>
<p>
It appears that someone claimed those views made per feel "unsafe".
Such feelings are not justification for punishing anyone.


feed_id: 766faccc38e6638aafece85d5b8a84f1
title: Global aircraft production down after Boeing crashes
uri: Global-aircraft-production-down-after-Boeing-crashes
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#30_August_2019_%28Global_aircraft_production_down_after_Boeing_crashes%29

content:
<p>
<a href="
https://www.theguardian.com/business/2019/aug/26/aircraft-production-down-24-globally-after-boeing-737-max-crashes">Aircraft Production Down 24%</a> Globally after Boeing 737 Max Crashes.

<p>
Each airplane contributes greatly to <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#global heating">global heating</a>. If this
downturn means less flying in the future, that will be a good thing.
But we cannot leave that to chance &mdash; we need a tax to make
sure it happens.


feed_id: e9dff89c176d99e979fc97f06c926e89
title: Ten reasons to be worried about facial recognition
uri: Ten-reasons-to-be-worried-about-facial-recognition
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#30_August_2019_%28Ten_reasons_to_be_worried_about_facial_reconnition%29

content:
<p>
<a href="
https://www.commondreams.org/views/2019/08/25/facial-recognition-ten-reasons-you-should-be-worried-about-technology">Facial Recognition: Ten Reasons You Should Be Worried About the Technology.</a>
<p>
This may help you wake up some of the sheeple who think that
powerful governments and companies won't ever hurt them.


feed_id: b2978e6640c040d48346d5a1eb9f09c6
title: US economic warfare against Venezuela
uri: US-economic-warfare-against-Venezuela
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#30_August_2019_%28US_economic_warefare_against_Venezuela%29

content:
<p>
US economic warfare against Venezuela has
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2019/08/25/economic-sanctions-war-another-name?cd-origin=rss">killed
tens of thousands of people,</a> though it is hard to be sure
precisely who they were.


feed_id: 41de3af958aa3a24093d5c2dd26c0d4f
title: US banking and tax regulations
uri: US-banking-and-tax-regulations
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#30_August_2019_%28US_banking_and_tax_regulations%29
content:
<p>
US banking and tax regulations are ruining the lives of <a href="
https://www.theguardian.com/business/2019/aug/25/british-citizens-born-in-us-risk-having-uk-bank-accounts-frozen">hundreds of
thousands of people in other countries,</a> who were born while their
mothers visited the US and thus have US citizenship but were not aware
of that.
<p>
The US should exempt foreign citizens who have not, in the past 10
years or since reaching adulthood, done anything to assert or
acknowledge a connection to the US. However, in the mean time,
other countries should protect their citizens.


feed_id: d4dfbabd9329893c331ffbb8112a0362
title: Racism pervades the North Carolina courts death penalty
uri: Racism-pervades-the-North-Carolina-courts-death-penalty
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#30_August_2019_%28Racism_pervades_the_North_Carolina_courts_death_penalty%29

content:
<p>
 How racism pervades the North Carolina courts in <a href="
https://www.commondreams.org/views/2019/08/25/will-north-carolinas-supreme-court-allow-racism-remain-persistent-factor-its-death">their application of
the death penalty.
</a>
<p>
Bias in trials is always an injustice.
The death penalty is also always an injustice.


feed_id: bccac3b717c2071fb1e0d80cf2bdc287
title: Policy changes are needed to fight the Amazon fires
uri: Policy-changes-are-needed-to-fight-the-Amazon-fires
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#30_August_2019_%28Policy_changes_are_needed_to_fight_the_Amazon_fires%29

content:
<p>
Some of the G7 countries offered money to fight the Amazon fires,
but it will take major policy changes to <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/aug/26/chump-change-g7-cash-to-put-out-amazon-wildfires-not-enough-say-campaigners
">correct the problem.</a>


feed_id: 5853e5d582aba37204ed0868cbb08697
title: Bolivia also has a problem of forest fires
uri: Bolivia-also-has-a-problem-of-forest-fires
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#30_August_2019_%28Bolivia_also_has_a_problem_of_forest_fires%29

content:
<p>
Bolivia also has a problem of forest fires in its part of the Amazon forest,
<a href="https://www.euronews.com/2019/08/22/bolivia-like-neighbour-brazil-battles-intense-wildfires-that-have-so-far-burnt-500-000-hec
">although its government has done nothing to encourage them.</a>


feed_id: 3d2c3471a46cf94d760f8095fdc1e261
title: Correction on Gun Control Note
uri: Correction-on-Gun-Control-Note
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#29_August_2019_%28Correction_on_Gun_Control_Note%29
content:
<p>
In 2018 I thought I understood an article to say that military-style
rifles make wounds that are more likely to kill or maim than ordinary
hunting rifles.
I <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jan-apr.html#1_March_2018_(Banning_assault_weapons)">posted
    about that</a>, and referred back to it several
times.
<p>
Later it was pointed out to me that the article was really comparing
rifles to handguns.
<p>
This led me to change my conclusions, so I have changed that 2018
political note.


feed_id: 7626ae25b8516dc6c8f2cd0224d866b2
title: Urgent: Election security reform
uri: 2019-08-30-Urgent-Election-security-reform
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#28_August_2019_%28Urgent%3A_Election_security_reform%29

content:
<p>
US citizens: 
<a href="https://actionnetwork.org/petitions/tell-the-gop-stop-blocking-election-security-reform?nowrapper=true">call
on Congress</a> not to let Mitch McConnell block election security
reform.
<p>
If you sign, please spread the word!


feed_id: 368314f60482a39726f7977a06a0c63a
title: "Centrist" Democrats
uri: 2019-08-30-Centrist-Democrats
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#28_August_2019_%28Centrist_Democrats%29
content:
<p>
Plutocratist "centrist" Democrats could lose the next election.  They
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2019/08/24/centrists-are-going-kill-us">could
also kill you</a>, some decades down the line.


feed_id: 3e0fd0a9807bcd0d4792232c9e395371
title: Urgent: US climate strike
uri: 2019-08-30-Urgent-US-climate-strike
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#27_August_2019_%28Urgent%3A_US_climate_strike%29
content:
<p>
In the US, on Sep 20, 
<a href="https://actionnetwork.org/event_campaigns/us-climate-strikes?nowrapper=true">join
a climate strike action.</a></p>


feed_id: 4865dfc72eb69adeca2891e06db25d2d
title: Urgent: DoorDash tips
uri: Urgent-DoorDash-tips
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#30_August_2019_%28Urgent%3A_DoorDash_tips%29
content:
<p>
In the
US: <a href="https://act.credoaction.com/sign/doordash-wage-theft">call
    on DoorDash</a> to stop confiscating workers' tips.
</p>
<p>
You can also ask the restaurant, before you order takeout, "Do you use
DoorDash for deliveries?"  If it does, say "I will order somewhere
else."
</p>
<p>If you sign, please spread the word!</p>


feed_id: d33d49f4946d50d477ee13b8d9cb43e1
title: FBI search list
uri: FBI-search-list
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#30_August_2019_%28FBI_search_list%29
content:
<p>
Journalist Dave Lindorff has been put on an FBI-controlled list for an
extra search when he boards a plane to the US.  He knows this because
a British official told him
&mdash; <a href="https://www.thenation.com/article/trump-terrorism-travel-watchlist/">the
FBI won't confirm it</a>.
<p>
Fortunately for him, his harassment is minor: the usual quick
explosives test, when he flies to the US.  For others, it results in
substantial harassment.  The fact that a journalist is on the list
suggests this is all politically motivated.


feed_id: cecc81ae144c0cd47005b9ef2758c6d9
title: Amazon deforestation
uri: 2019-08-30-Amazon-deforestation
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#30_August_2019_%28Amazon_deforestation%29
content:
<p>
Brazilian Amazon deforestation Surges
to <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/aug/27/brazilian-amazon-deforestation-surges-to-break-august-records">Break
August Records</a>.


feed_id: 9b503da633b651809011e33fa45f5412
title: Global heating and investments
uri: Global-heating-and-investments
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#30_August_2019_%28Global_heating_and_investments%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#global heating">Global heating</a> will make
our <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/aug/27/a-record-hot-summer-burned-the-first-fruit-of-my-apple-tree-and-left-a-bad-taste-in-my-mouth">investments
in the future crumble</a>.


feed_id: bc8e35a5db15e0fce72d10435917b1bb
title: Hostages in Kashmir
uri: Hostages-in-Kashmir
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#30_August_2019_%28Hostages_in_Kashmir%29
content:
<p>
India
is <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/aug/27/kashmir-families-torn-apart-mass-arrests-continue-india">taking
hostages in Kashmir</a>, kidnaping people in order to exchange them
for specific people that the occupying forces could not find.
<p>
The
US <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2005-nov-feb.html#30%20January%202006%20%28More%20hostages%29">did
something similar</a> during the occupation of Iraq.
<p>
Israel
has <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2007-jan-apr.html#09%20April%202007%20(Israeli%20atrocities%20in%20Palestine)">done
something similar</a> in the occupation of Palestine.


feed_id: 92cee12214914aeb9a2844260f8c9d82
title: Private social credit system
uri: Private-social-credit-system
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#30_August_2019_%28Private_social_credit_system%29
content:
<p>
Private companies including Uber, Airbnb and WhatsApp are building a
<a href="https://www.fastcompany.com/90394048/uh-oh-silicon-valley-is-building-a-chinese-style-social-credit-system">private
social credit system</a>, in which anyone can be banned arbitrarily
from the very dis-services that people say they "can't live without".
<p>
If a bar or restaurant insisted on knowing who I am before letting me in,
I'd leave pre-emptively.


feed_id: 7e81a3ed34bc5348675f977960f4846a
title: Google's browser dominance
uri: Google-s-browser-dominance
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#30_August_2019_%28Google%27s_browser_dominance%29
content:
<p>
Google uses its dominance over browsers
to <a href="https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2019/08/why-some-experts-are-skeptical-of-googles-new-web-privacy-strategy/">defend
its ad business</a>.
<p>
This exactly what antitrust law was designed to deal with.  It
suggests that breaking up Google would do some good.  It would not go
far enough, however, because it would not put an end to surveillance
capitalism.


feed_id: e0c014a6e133e295b2ad2cc78d7865fe
title: Money for Amazon fires
uri: Money-for-Amazon-fires
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#30_August_2019_%28Money_for_Amazon_fires%29
content:
<p>
Burner Bolsonaro rejected the 20 million dollars to help put out fires
in the Amazon, not for being too little,
but <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/aug/27/amazon-fires-brazil-to-reject-20m-pledged-by-g7">for
being too much</a>.
  (More than zero is too much.)
<p>
The latest idiotic distraction is to call this "colonialism".
The Brazilian government claims the power to burn every tree in Brazil.


feed_id: 83346baaadd02edf72bdca8e97494fd2
title: The next G7
uri: The-next-G7
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#30_August_2019_%28The_next_G7%29
content:
<p>
"We need
to <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/aug/27/cancel-g7-lets-resume-them-when-trump-is-gone">cancel
the next G7</a>. Let's resume them when Trump is gone."
<p>
The point of the G7 meetings is cooperation (even if only partial)
among the most powerful countries.  The bullshitter has no interest in
that.  It is useless to make a deal with him, since he may break it
the next day or the next month.
<p>
He will attend the meeting only to sow discord &mdash; he is the drama
queen that would be king.  Why make an opportunity for him?


feed_id: 4c5bfa38d52abdf1461fc73498008f1e
title: Koch brothers campaigns
uri: Koch-brothers-campaigns
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#30_August_2019_%28Koch_brothers_campaigns%29
content:
<p>
The Koch brothers funded organized campaigns
to <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2019/aug/26/koch-activists-phoenix-ban-light-rail">block
construction of public transport</a> in various cities across the US.
<p>
Less public transit means they sell more oil.  In a few decades, it means
a bigger disaster with a bigger chance of killing you.


feed_id: 7573ecfa7de7a97233c574082b773952
title: Vaping and recycling
uri: Vaping-and-recycling
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#30_August_2019_%28Vaping_and_recycling%29
content:
<p>
Vaping's Other Problem: Are
E-Cigarettes <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/society/2019/aug/26/vapings-other-problem-are-e-cigarettes-creating-a-recycling-disaster">Creating
a Recycling Disaster</a>?
<p>
There is an obvious solution: impose a deposit that is high enough to
discourage one-time use.


feed_id: 273906dd3bd73d92438b7f2596fe6861
title: Deportation of gravely ill children
uri: Deportation-of-gravely-ill-children
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#31_August_2019_%28Deportation_of_gravely_ill_children%29

content:
<p>
<a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#bully">The bully</a> is moving to deport children staying in the US for medical
care for cancer, cystic fibrosis, HIV, and other grave illnesses,
along with their parents.  This is 
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2019/08/27/death-sentence-trump-reportedly-moving-deport-kids-cancer-hiv-and-other-deadly">likely
to kill most of those children</a>.
<p>
Adding insult to injury (though "injury" is an understatement; they
will die if deported), deportation officials are 
<a href="https://www.bostonglobe.com/metro/2019/08/26/immigrant-families-with-severely-ill-children-face-deportation-advocates-say/EMXZQURTzE0U25L6xQlYBN/story.html">giving
these people confusing information</a>.


feed_id: 7f3d3cb23756f5696c3cb4175225f389
title: Deportation based on friends' social media
uri: Deportation-based-on-friends-social-media
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#31_August_2019_%28Deportation_based_on_friends_social_media%29

content:
<p>
The US border <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thugs</a> cancelled freshman Ismail Ajjawi's visa 
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2019/08/27/lawless-and-despicable-harvard-freshman-deported-after-immigration-agents-search">because
of things his friends said on some social media platform</a>
(Facebook?).b


feed_id: c9be5caa952e70707042e30c4b164bc5
title: Revealing bulletproof vests
uri: Revealing-bulletproof-vests
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#31_August_2019_%28Revealing_bulletproof_vests%29
content:
<p>
(satire) "We’ve been seeing some students wearing revealing
bulletproof vests, so I just wanted to remind all you ladies that your
kevlar
<a href="https://local.theonion.com/school-administration-reminds-female-students-bulletpro-1837617262">must
cover all your vital organs</a>," &hellip;


feed_id: 16be032bb89ce4bdb1272fca8a487bf5
title: Subsidized rent
uri: Subsidized-rent
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#31_August_2019_%28Subsidized_rent%29
content:
<p>
Santa Monica 
<a href="https://laist.com/2019/08/20/santa_monica_senior_rental_housing_subsidies.php">subsidizes
the rent for some of the old people who live there</a>.
<p>
This is better than not doing so, but it has a drawback: it is a
private subsidy for landlords, and as rents increase, the subsidy will
increase too.  It would be better to build public housing, which means
that the state makes the investment and gets the profit, but less
profit, because this will expand the housing supply.


feed_id: 7d910323823e06cd8c239dfd06001189
title: Witnesses who are thugs
uri: Witnesses-who-are-thugs
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#31_August_2019_%28Witnesses_who_are_thugs%29
content:
<p>
California prosecutors now have 
<a href="https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2019-08-26/brady-list-prosecutors-los-angeles-sheriff-california-supreme-court-police-misconduct">permission
to inform defense lawyers when a witness that is a <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thug</a> has some
characteristic that leads to suspicion <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#perse">perse</a> might give false
testimony</a>.
<p>
This doesn't assure that they <em>will</em> inform defense lawyers.
<p>
The mere fact that the witness is a <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thug</a> is, in itself, reason for
such suspicion.  The defense lawyers already know that.  Alas, most
jurors won't believe it.


feed_id: c9c2180e4d61748317102466fda6cdee
title: Tracking devices in Mercedes cars
uri: Tracking-devices-in-Mercedes-cars
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#31_August_2019_%28Tracking_devices_in_Mercedes_cars%29

content:
<p>
Mercedes 
<a href="https://www.thesun.co.uk/motors/9756250/mercedes-spies-drivers-tracking-devices/">puts
tracking devices into its cars</a>, and getting a car loan requires
agreeing to be tracked.


feed_id: 20515ad262c48e62b5855faf7e71ace6
title: Urgent: Reject Steven Menashi
uri: Urgent-Reject-Steven-Menashi
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#1_September_2019_%28Urgent%3A_Reject_Steven_Menashi%29

content:
<p>
US citizens: 
<a href="https://act.credoaction.com/sign/menashi">call on the
Senate</a> to reject Steven Menashi as a federal judge.


feed_id: 06ff502aac24ddfbda164e7838dcfc5a
title: Urgent: No President is Above the Law Act
uri: Urgent-No-President-is-Above-the-Law-Act
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#1_September_2019_%28Urgent%3A_No_President_is_Above_the_Law_Act%29

content:
<p>
US citizens: 
<a href="https://act.credoaction.com/sign/Above-the-law-act">call on
Congress</a> to pass the No President is Above the Law Act, so
presidents that are criminals can be prosecuted after they leave
office.


feed_id: 9495bd437754e29f0fdf2775722fd4c7
title: Urgent: Oppose Hyten's confirmation
uri: Urgent-Oppose-Hyten-s-confirmation
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#1_September_2019_%28Urgent%3A_Oppose_Hytens_confirmation%29

content:
<p>
US citizens: 
<a href="https://act.winwithoutwar.org/act/oppose-hytens-confirmation">call
on the Senate</a> to Oppose Hyten's confirmation.


feed_id: 291ce688ee5b48a1725dbff743068ece
title: Urgent: End copays for medical care in prison
uri: Urgent-End-copays-for-medical-care-in-prison
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#1_September_2019_%28Urgent%3A_End_copays_for_medical_care_in_prison%29

content:
<p>
US citizens: 
<a href="https://actionnetwork.org/petitions/sign-the-petition-support-ending-unjust-and-unfair-prison-copays">call
on Congress and states</a> to end the copays for medical care in
prison.


feed_id: 69a5fbb6c8102efc73a42c1536e36970
title: Attacks on Palestinian farmers
uri: Attacks-on-Palestinian-farmers
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#1_September_2019_%28Attacks_on_Palestinian_farmers%29

content:
<p>
The Palestinian farmers of Beit Ummar face continual violent attacks
from the nearby Israeli colonies.  They are 
<a href="https://palsolidarity.org/2019/08/al-shoroq-the-activist-farmers-resisting-israeli-annexation-in-beit-ummar/">organizing
nonviolent resistance</a>.
<p>
This is 
<a href="https://www.counterpunch.org/2019/08/23/jewish-settlers-rule-the-roost-in-israel-but-at-what-price/">part
of a general plan</a> to force Palestinians out and annex the land.


feed_id: a31291877aad751c836a12897228473f
title: Israel-Palestine two-state deal
uri: Israel-Palestine-two-state-deal
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#1_September_2019_%28Israel-Palestine_two-state_deal%29

content:
<p>
Sanders and Warren advocate 
<a href="https://mondoweiss.net/2019/08/leverage-israels-policies/">pushing
Israel and Palestine towards a two-state deal</a>.
<p>
It was 
<a href="https://www.timesofisrael.com/the-day-netanyahu-helped-anti-israel-democrats-gain-resonance-and-credibility/">Netanyahu's
toadying to the bully</a> that made it acceptable in mainstream US
political discourse to condemn Israel's occupation of Palestine, and
advocate using pressure to change it rather than merely begging.
<p>
The article speaks of "anti-Israel Democrats", but that is unfair.
Sanders and Warren are not against Israel, they are against Israel's
occupation of Palestine.  That is also my position, and I am very glad
to support US presidential candidates who advocate it.
<p>
More on how Netanyahu was 
<a href="https://www.thedailybeast.com/why-did-benjamin-netanyahu-flip-flop-on-rashida-tlaib-and-ilhan-omar">obeying
orders from the bullshitter</a>.


feed_id: cca762b2be048990a5ac1c11eff4f8ff
title: Ecuador tries to imprison Ricardo Patiño
uri: Ecuador-tries-to-imprison-Ricardo-Patiño
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#1_September_2019_%28Ecuador_tries_to_imprison_Ricardo_Patino%29

content:
<p>
Ecuador 
<a href="https://www.nodal.am/2019/04/ecuador-revolucion-ciudadana-denuncia-persecucion-politica-de-lenin-moreno-tras-la-orden-de-prision-contra-excanciller-patino/">tried
to imprison Ricardo Patiño</a>, one of Correa's ministers, for trying
to launch a wave of protests.  He fled to Peru before the order was
made.
<p>
Sorry that I have only a reference in Spanish.
<p>
The protests were going to be 
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#1_September_2019_(Accepting_help_from_the_IMF)">against
the IMF's "help"</a>.


feed_id: 5018d5025c6a11ec2c8ef3d950b0c7cc
title: US border thugs
uri: 2019-09-02-US-border-thugs
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#1_September_2019_%28US_border_thugs%29
content:
<p>
Many visitors to the US report being sent back after border <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thugs</a>
search their phones, reportedly 
<a href="https://techcrunch.com/2019/08/27/border-deny-entry-united-states-social-media/">on
account of things said by people they know</a>.  Currently it seems
they are mostly Muslims, but there is no telling what group the <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thugs</a>
might target next.


feed_id: 7dca12bf89f8e8711562a643e3b88e74
title: Nestle wants more water from river
uri: Nestle-wants-more-water-from-river
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#1_September_2019_%28Nestle_wants_more_water_from_river%29

content:
<p>
Nestle wants to take 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/business/2019/aug/26/nestle-suwannee-river-ginnie-springs-plan-permit">more
water from Florida's Santa Fe river than the river can sustain</a>.


feed_id: 47b491522f4ea433c82d149051e1179c
title: Human chain in Hong Kong
uri: Human-chain-in-Hong-Kong
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#1_September_2019_%28Human_chain_in_Hong_Kong%29
content:
<p>
Peaceful protests like this human chain 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/aug/27/hong-kong-way-peaceful-protest">help
to counteract the violence and cynicism</a> shrouding the city (of
Hong Kong).
<p>
However, the spell didn't take on China's satrap for Hong Kong, Ms
Lam, who 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/aug/28/a-nuclear-option-hong-kong-and-the-threat-of-the-emergency-law">threatens
to declare something comparable to martial law</a>.


feed_id: 1a9fc30a86344549a90dabe96b5b30c4
title: Accepting "help" from the IMF
uri: Accepting-help-from-the-IMF
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#1_September_2019_%28Accepting_help_from_the_IMF%29
content:
<p>
When a country accepts "help" from the IMF, it gets a 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/aug/27/imf-economics-inequality-trump-ecuador">permanent
jolt of oligarchy and inequality</a>.  Sometimes injustice, too.


feed_id: b5eec92f442b3577a7dcbb4d14ec24f8
title: Amazon forest destruction and the bully
uri: Amazon-forest-destruction-and-the-bully
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#1_September_2019_%28Amazon_forest_destruction_and_the_bully%29

content:
<p>
One of the <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#bully">bully</a>'s backers 
<a href="https://theintercept.com/2019/08/27/amazon-rainforest-fire-blackstone/">owns
companies heavily involved in destroying the Amazon forest</a>.


feed_id: 91ddf8e0103def09a64471696c6eb3b9
title: Contract workers' rights
uri: Contract-workers-rights
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#1_September_2019_%28Contract_workers_rights%29
content:
<p>
California Uber and Lyft Drivers 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2019/aug/27/california-uber-and-lyft-drivers-rally-for-bill-granting-rights-to-contract-workers">Rally
for Bill Granting Rights to Contract Workers</a>.


feed_id: bcec35532a1819864c109f0dba18eaf9
title: Site that leads Muslims away from extremism
uri: Site-that-leads-Muslims-away-from-extremism
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#1_September_2019_%28Site_that_leads_Muslims_away_from_extremism%29

content:
<p>
The UK set up a media web site to lead Muslims away from extremism by
<a href="https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/revealed-woke-media-outfit-thats-actually-uk-counterterror-programme">raising
other important social and political issues</a>.
<p>
It seems like a good idea to me, but why treat it as a secret?
Is there some other side to it that we still don't know about?


feed_id: 0eb321f9a502527f25e68626f800cf4f
title: Rematerialised ghosts of facists
uri: Rematerialised-ghosts-of-facists
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#1_September_2019_%28Rematerialised_ghosts_of_facists%29

content:
<p>
The west is being destroyed, not by migrants, but by the fear of
migrants. In country after country, 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2019/aug/27/immigration-panic-how-the-west-fell-for-manufactured-rage">the
ghosts of the fascists have rematerialised</a> &hellip; They have
successfully convinced their populations that the greatest threat to
their nations isn’t government tyranny or inequality or climate
change, but immigration.


feed_id: dcc55a056d2cb0ce750101c24d2d387a
title: Dangerous consolidation of media
uri: Dangerous-consolidation-of-media
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#1_September_2019_%28Dangerous_consolidation_of_media%29

content:
<p>
Sanders's 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/aug/27/bernie-sanders-media-democracy">plan
to protect media from dangerous consolidation</a>: block mergers, undo
some past consolidation, fund independent media, and limit the
dominance of Facebook and Google over media.
<p>
I'd like to see more details of how he would limit the dominance of
Facebook and Google, but in principle I'm in favor.  I support the
rest of the plan, too.
<p>
This would be a candidate for using my proposed progressive tax on
business to pressure media giants to split up.


feed_id: f57ab4e2558978b4c51008a6c5a8176b
title: Regulations on lead in water supply
uri: Regulations-on-lead-in-water-supply
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#1_September_2019_%28Regulations_on_lead_in_water_supply%29

content:
<p>
US regulations on lead in the water supply 
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2019/08/27/flints-water-crisis-wasnt-just-blip-our-water-standards-need-bold-change">should
be much more strict</a>, and we should replace all the lead water
pipes.


feed_id: f3d77c833a23e50176e99ee04f6da7ca
title: Student's phones
uri: Student-s-phones
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#3_September_2019_%28Students_phones%29
content:
<p>
Many US schools require students to 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/education/2019/aug/27/highschoolers-phones-yondr-distraction">lock
their phones into a pouch during the school day</a>.
<p>
This seems to be a good thing, as far as I can tell from the article,
but it doesn't do the whole job.  It ought to block the phone's radio
reception and transmission, so that the phone can't track the
students' movements in school.  It should also block sound; otherwise
any phone can keep listening to the whole class, if its software has
been remotely modified to do that.


feed_id: ab7e7a98881a7311acb5f4cf315ba408
title: Infliction of suffering on Palestinians
uri: Infliction-of-suffering-on-Palestinians
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#3_September_2019_%28Infliction_of_suffering_on_Palestinians%29

content:
<p>
One of the ways Israel inflicts suffering on Palestinians in Gaza is
by 
<a href="https://gisha.org/updates/10337">limiting electricity
there</a>.  Israel just cut it in half.


feed_id: 00b1f9f38351278a95e54add26e3a2cf
title: Choosing a plutocratist Democrat
uri: Choosing-a-plutocratist-Democrat
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#4_September_2019_%28Choosing_a_plutocratist_Democrat%29

content:
<p>
Explaining the 
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2019/08/30/nyt-steers-dems-away-obvious-formula-defeating-trump">fallacies
in arguments for choosing a plutocratist Democrat</a>.
<p>
The Worker's Friend? Here’s How Trump Has 
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2019/08/30/workers-friend-heres-how-trump-has-waged-his-war-workers">Waged
His War on Workers</a>.


feed_id: 796c94e12ada240797b83ef701362947
title: Bully's immigration prisons
uri: Bully-s-immigration-prisons
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#4_September_2019_%28Bullys_immigration_prisons%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#bully">The bully</a>'s immigration prisons 
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2019/08/30/house-democrats-denounce-dhs-blocking-lawmakers-access-detention-centers-amid">refused
Congress access to inspect them</a>.


feed_id: 74a9fb8671c27c32885fc3b57445129d
title: "Kessler syndrome"
uri: Kessler-syndrome
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#4_September_2019_%28Kessler_syndrome%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/science/2019/aug/31/space-wars-trumps-ready-for-his-next-big-fight-in-orbit">Destruction
of satellites in war</a> could bring on the "Kessler syndrome"
depicted in the film Gravity, making all space travel impossible.
<p>
This problem 
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2004-may-aug.html#04%20July%202004%20(Space%20Junk)">has
already started</a>, and it is getting worse, but very slowly.  There
are efforts to design a system to clean up the debris.
<p>
When I saw the film Gravity, all I felt at the end was sadness for
this great loss.  The survival of one astronaut made hardly any
difference relative to that.


feed_id: 71bdf1d12906030c7a2888518b819a81
title: Consuming less
uri: Consuming-less
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#4_September_2019_%28Consuming_less%29
content:
<p>
"A sustainable environment means 
<a href='https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/aug/31/shop-less-green-future-sustainable-environment-retail'>consuming
less</a>, not differently.  With retail therapy losing its appeal,
that should be easy."
<p>
Oxfam Urges Shoppers 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/fashion/2019/aug/31/oxfam-urges-shoppers-not-to-buy-new-clothes-for-a-month">Not
to Buy New Clothes for a Month</a>.
<p>
It should be easy.  In most months, I don't buy any article of
clothing.


feed_id: 5a55cc050f11986bf8b0641bffa973c1
title: Residents of Assam declared non-citizens
uri: Residents-of-Assam-declared-non-citizens
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#4_September_2019_%28Residents_of_Assam_declared_non-citizens%29

content:
<p>
India has 
<a href="https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-49520593">declared
2 million residents of Assam to be non-citizens</a>, supposedly
Bangladeshis though India made no effort to verify that.
<p>
The aim, I believe, is to kick out Muslims by labeling them as
foreigners, but some Hindus were thus designated also.  Court cases
were decided in such a sloppy fashion you'd think it was Alabama.
<p>
In principle these people could be deported, but in practice
Bangladesh will not accept them.  With the cruelty of the BJP, they
could be imprisoned until dead, or made into a caste of enslaved
workers.


feed_id: 4b318692ebde2c14c82e0a0c1f1a49df
title: Phone location tracking
uri: Phone-location-tracking
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#4_September_2019_%28Phone_location_tracking%29
content:
<p>
Phone systems 
<a href="https://www.techdirt.com/articles/20190828/02412742871/you-know-that-mobile-phone-tracking-data-you-used-as-evidence-over-10000-court-cases-turns-out-some-it-was-wrong-were-not-sure.shtml">don't
always track phone location data correctly</a>.  Errors can lead to
false criminal convictions.
<p>
In principle, they can also lead to false acquittals.
<p>
The crucial point about these errors is that they aren't enough
to make phone location tracking safe for society.


feed_id: 81123c89be7f12d25d296cf33fef6073
title: The sweatshop service economy
uri: The-sweatshop-service-economy
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#4_September_2019_%28The_sweatshop_service_economy%29

content:
<p>
Workers in the sweatshop service economy are 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/books/2019/aug/31/the-new-resistance-how-gig-economy-workers-are-fighting-back">inventing
ways to organize and even strike</a>.
<p>
Gaming the system can get you something, but real victory comes only
when you make the system change.  Unions, when they were strong,
achieved that by means of contracts with the company.  These forms of
resistance rarely reach that point.  They need support from the state.
<p>
To put an end to this oppression of workers, vote for Sanders and
Corbyn.


feed_id: 4ff593cc9ec2fd71ca726a04e0077c01
title: Tucson summer
uri: Tucson-summer
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#4_September_2019_%28Tucson_summer%29
content:
<p>
In Tucson summer, the heat and humidity are not quite at the
automatically fatal point, but they come near that point.  This 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/aug/31/tucson-heat-inequality-summer">can
kill people who are old or who are working vigorously outside</a>.


feed_id: af35bd5dcc3ba3deea52603fde8d0194
title: Ecocide
uri: Ecocide
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#4_September_2019_%28Ecocide%29
content:
<p>
A just international order 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/aug/31/brazil-amazon-fires-justify-environmental-interventionism">should
stop and punish ecocide</a> as well as genocide.
<p>
It will be hard to get plutocratist governments to do this.
They are on the side of destruction.


feed_id: 2a85bf2a7d1917287eb1f3a79cf747b8
title: Intimidation by DEA agents
uri: Intimidation-by-DEA-agents
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#4_September_2019_%28Intimidation_by_DEA_agents%29
content:
<p>
DEA agents 
<a href="https://theintercept.com/2019/08/31/dea-amtrak-passenger-search-albuquerque/">regularly
intimidate people into allowing their luggage to be searched</a>, and
hardly anyone dares to stand on per rights not to be searched.
<p>
They make use of the passenger name records to find and intimidate
individual suspects.
<p>
Sometimes they 
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2013-may-aug.html#07_August_2013_(Forfeiture)">steal
people's money on mere suspicion</a>.


feed_id: 29b095b105ace35d13dc393a04a0a956
title: Educators must demand climate justice
uri: Educators-must-demand-climate-justice
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#4_September_2019_%28Educators_must_demand_climate_justice%29

content:
<p>
A Teachable Moment: 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/aug/30/climate-strike-teachers-students-greta-thunberg">Educators
Must Join Students</a> in Demanding Climate Justice.


feed_id: 4c27a67a97b94b09cb9df42ae24b8d78
title: Rescuing democracy
uri: Rescuing-democracy
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#4_September_2019_%28Rescuing_democracy%29
content:
<p>
To Rescue Democracy, We Must Revive The 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/aug/30/democracy-capitalism-progressive-era-gilded-age">Reforms
Of The Progressive Era (1900-1910)</a>.  And more.


feed_id: 76933b1a20382a28f43817cc7752e97d
title: Commemorations of WWII events
uri: Commemorations-of-WWII-events
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#4_September_2019_%28Commemorations_of_WWII_events%29

content:
<p>
Various governments are 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/aug/30/truth-is-a-casualty-80-years-after-start-of-second-world-war">twisting
the 80-year commemorations of World War II events to their various
political ends</a>.


feed_id: dbb59b4ada7bf9b1b8b2891cd5a87b11
title: Assassination of Chechen rebel
uri: Assassination-of-Chechen-rebel
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#4_September_2019_%28Assassination_of_Chechen_rebel%29

content:
<p>
The assassin who killed an exiled Chechen rebel in Germany last week
was apparently 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/aug/30/of-chechen-dissident-suspect-linked-to-russian-security-services">sent
by the Russian military</a>.


feed_id: 6d015163a03e3bcfc51d5bd9575e041d
title: Extreme weather reducing wine production
uri: Extreme-weather-reducing-wine-production
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#4_September_2019_%28Extreme_weather_reducing_wine_production%29

content:
<p>
Extreme weather has 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/aug/30/extreme-weather-to-blame-as-frances-wine-output-set-to-fall-by-12">destroyed
12% of France's wine production</a> this year.
<p>
Governments have focused on fossil fuel income and disregarded the
loss of other income that fossil fuels increasingly cause.


feed_id: 0197413fb30b611ad898b636bbb79824
title: Democratic establishment
uri: Democratic-establishment
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#4_September_2019_%28Democratic_establishment%29
content:
<p>
Colorado could elect a progressive Democrat as senator, but 
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2019/08/27/john-hickenlooper-new-joe-lieberman">the
Democratic establishment is supporting plutocratist Hickenlooper</a>.


feed_id: be87963e79874d3c220cfb9f93556730
title: Tribe of isolated rich sociopaths
uri: Tribe-of-isolated-rich-sociopaths
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#4_September_2019_%28Tribe_of_isolated_rich_sociopaths%29

content:
<p>
(satire) Widespread human-caused fires &hellip; revealed a small tribe
of 
<a href="https://www.theonion.com/amazon-deforestation-reveals-tribe-of-isolated-rich-soc-1837623801">isolated
rich sociopaths who are completely untouched by consequence</a>,
&hellip;
<p>
"Decimate" is an interesting word because it means to take or destroy
one tenth of something.  If what you mean is not about one tenth, why
not say simply "destroy", "ravage" or "ruin"?


feed_id: 70ddb4d3e790a7f5b558bc3e2e18954b
title: Mainstream media
uri: 2019-09-04-Mainstream-media
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#4_September_2019_%28Mainstream_media%29
content:
<p>
When mainstream media present unusually hot weather as enjoyable, they
are 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2019/aug/27/holiday-heat-headlines-not-focusing-enough-on-climate-crisis-reality-experts">lulling
you to ignore a fever</a>.


feed_id: 78f116d90766c72b11d912520a70fa5d
title: Bully tells officials to break laws
uri: Bully-tells-officials-to-break-laws
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#4_September_2019_%28Bully_tells_officials_to_break_laws%29

content:
<p>
<a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#bully">The bully</a> shows total contempt for law by 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2019/aug/28/trump-offers-pardon-aides-us-mexico-border-wall-please">telling
officials to break laws to build a border wall</a>, and he will pardon
whatever crimes they may commit in the process.
<p>
By January, I wonder, will he pardon murders?


feed_id: 8fae57fceee658b1df5d9a4e9ce236ed
title: Urgent: Pregnant Workers Fairness Act
uri: Urgent-Pregnant-Workers-Fairness-Act
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#3_September_2019_%28Urgent%3A_Pregnant_Workers_Fairness_Act%29

content:
<p>
US citizens: 
<a href="http://actnow.prochoiceamerica.org/letter/co-sponsoring-hr-2694_v2/">call
on your congresscritter</a> to cosponsor the Pregnant Workers Fairness
Act.
<p>
If you sign, please spread the word!


feed_id: 42db4a05f3a9edd0a375c1dcd22541c6
title: New York City restaurants doing well
uri: New-York-City-restaurants-doing-well
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#3_September_2019_%28New_York_City_restaurants_doing_well%29

content:
<p>
New York City raised the minimum wage for restaurant workers, and
right-wingers said this would cause restaurants to fail &mdash; but
they are 
<a href="media/3a56a1e3.Final_CNYCA_NELP_NYC_Min_Wage_Restaurants.pdf" data-original-source="https://gallery.mailchimp.com/a6170fa466dd7c8eed0aab6be/files/b2f3acd5-3884-42a7-a0bf-fa410b2b6544/Final_CNYCA_NELP_NYC_Min_Wage_Restaurants.pdf">doing
very well</a>.


feed_id: 5d4b2e04b55af70df06fa0a33592170f
title: Coalition of parties in Italy
uri: Coalition-of-parties-in-Italy
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#3_September_2019_%28Coalition_of_parties_in_Italy%29

content:
<p>
Salvini used his coalition partner, the Five-Star Party, to seize
opportunities to show off his cruelty and recruit support based on
cruelty.  Recently he decided it was time to dump the partner and have
another election, after which he hoped for absolute control.  However,
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/aug/29/matteo-salvini-italy-league-party-master-campaigner-counts-cost-of-strategic-errors">the
other parties put together a coalition</a> and there will probably not
be an election.
<p>
He remains dangerous, but at least he won't be able to look so tough.


feed_id: ba9fd6d10bf452ef6592e30dde6357b5
title: Cameras on cars
uri: Cameras-on-cars
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#3_September_2019_%28Cameras_on_cars%29
content:
<p>
Side-view mirrors on cars 
<a href="https://arstechnica.com/cars/2019/08/nhtsa-will-look-at-allowing-mirrorless-side-camera-systems-on-new-cars/">may
be replaced by cameras</a>.
<p>
If the cameras were used only to show the driver the view, at the
moment, I wouldn't object.  But if they record, they are a
surveillance threat.
<p>
I propose a law that cameras installed in a car by the manufacturer
must be designed not to record or transmit the video anywhere.  No
exceptions.


feed_id: 7f0255f23e03036794ac486e230072a7
title: Ring door spy camera system
uri: Ring-door-spy-camera-system
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#3_September_2019_%28Ring_door_spy_camera_system%29
content:
<p>
The ring door spy camera system has 
<a href="https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2019/08/ring-has-more-than-400-police-partnerships-company-finally-says/">"partnewships"
with 400 thug departments</a>.


feed_id: 33c1a39a05004ea738f76b8f0657c912
title: US border thugs
uri: 2019-09-04-US-border-thugs
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#3_September_2019_%28US_border_thugs%29
content:
<p>
A US border <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thug</a> has pled guilty for 
<a href="https://reason.com/2019/08/29/a-border-patrol-agent-pleads-guilty-to-hitting-a-migrant-in-the-face-while-in-custody/">violently
attacking a border crosser</a>.
<p>
Being punched in the face is not part of the legal treatment
of unauthorized immigrants.


feed_id: cf1cd030978c45937430ac03390386de
title: Citizen's assembly for climate crisis
uri: Citizen-s-assembly-for-climate-crisis
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#3_September_2019_%28Citizens_assembly_for_climate_crisis%29

content:
<p>
Politics-As-Usual Can't Fix the Climate Crisis.  Maybe It's Time to
Try a
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/aug/28/climate-crisis-citizens-assembly-extinction-rebellion">Citizens'
Assembly</a>.


feed_id: abc5a974528651bc5cdd5f72486720a3
title: 10 men sentenced for killing of Dalit
uri: 10-men-sentenced-for-killing-of-Dalit
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#3_September_2019_%2810_men_sentenced_for_killing_of_Dalit%29

content:
<p>
India: 10 Men Sentenced to 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/aug/28/india-10-men-sentenced-to-life-for-killing-dalit-christian-kevin-p-joseph">Life
[imprisonment] for Killing of Dalit Christian</a> (for trying to marry
the sister of one of them).


feed_id: 656ace0ee81e4bd3d6832900f5779068
title: Fired under orders from China
uri: Fired-under-orders-from-China
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#3_September_2019_%28Fired_under_orders_from_China%29

content:
<p>
Cathay Pacific Airlines 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/aug/28/cathay-pacific-denounced-for-firing-hong-kong-staff-on-china-orders">fired
two employees under orders from China</a>.


feed_id: d215f68671fde3fbd50bb796b5bfb96e
title: Effective anti-smoking policies
uri: Effective-anti-smoking-policies
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#3_September_2019_%28Effective_anti-smoking_policies%29

content:
<p>
Britain's anti-smoking policies are effective: cigarette use has 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/society/2019/aug/28/1-5bn-fewer-cigarettes-smoked-each-year-since-2011-study-finds">fallen
by 25% since 2011</a>.
<p>
Some fraction of them will have been replaced by e-cigarettes, but
those are surely not as dangerous as ordinary cigarettes.


feed_id: 4df347c213a633904d9c5323b723f861
title: Safe injection places for addicts
uri: Safe-injection-places-for-addicts
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#3_September_2019_%28Safe_injection_places_for_addicts%29

content:
<p>
New York's governor, a rather right-wing Democrat, is 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2019/aug/28/activists-arrested-new-york-governor-opioid-crisis">blocking
the creation of safe injection places for addicts to use</a>.
<p>
The policy of criminalizing opioid addicts, rather than helping them,
is a considerable part of the cause of deaths.


feed_id: 1b588cbe23f2f3a73b2dced97d1189c8
title: Imprisoned refugees in Papua New Guinea
uri: Imprisoned-refugees-in-Papua-New-Guinea
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#3_September_2019_%28Imprisoned_refugees_in_Papua_New_Guinea%29

content:
<p>
As Papua New Guinea prepares to allow its imprisoned refugees (which
it has held on behalf of Australia) move to the capital city, it has
also 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2019/aug/29/manus-refugees-allowance-and-food-rations-stopped-amid-relocation-push-to-port-moresby">stopped
providing them food and money to live on</a>.


feed_id: 7c8910789f6c39bd0b273831f561c742
title: Unsupervised play for kids
uri: Unsupervised-play-for-kids
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#3_September_2019_%28Unsupervised_play_for_kids%29
content:
<p>
Providence, RI, has attracted kids to parks by giving them
<a href="https://letgrow.org/providence-students-returning-to-school-well-fed-happy-thanks-to-genius-program/">opportunities
for unsupervised play</a>.


feed_id: 4b3dfe93b317ee4fac2da0db8a4660f4
title: Federal Election Commission
uri: 2019-09-04-Federal-Election-Commission
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#3_September_2019_%28Federal_Election_Commission%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#bully">The bully</a> has made the Federal Election Commission completely inactive
by not appointing members; now it 
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2019/08/27/democracy-watchdog-warns-fec-courting-disaster-heading-2020-elections-without-quorum">does
not have a quorum</a>.
<p>
Republicans had already made the FEC nearly useless by 
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2011-sep-dec.html#10_November_2011_(FEC_Agency_Nullification)">appointing
partisan cheaters who would never enforce complaints against
Republicans</a>.  It's one of many ways in which Republicans try to
steal elections.  <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#bully">The bully</a> didn't really win the 2016 election
&mdash; he
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2016-sep-dec.html#12_November_2016_(The_election_was_stolen)">got
the last few necessary electoral votes by cheating in a few
states</a>.


feed_id: a083a53b4fc11870d91c4dab7bc40093
title: Prosecution of thugs
uri: 2019-09-04-Prosecution-of-thugs
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#3_September_2019_%28Prosecution_of_thugs%29
content:
<p>
Atlanta has convicted a <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thug</a> for a 
<a href="https://reason.com/2019/08/27/atlanta-cop-gets-fired-sent-to-jail-for-kicking-choking-suspect/">violent
attack on a criminal who was surrendering with his hands up</a>.
<p>
Bravo!  We need to prosecute <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thugs</a> who commit gross violence
and <em>not only</em> when it is fatal.
<p>
Even better, the other cops who were present acted like police
officers, not like <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thugs</a>.


feed_id: 3372c87291927f369e2c8d75e7624b56
title: Urgent: CBS-Viacom merger
uri: Urgent-CBS-Viacom-merger
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#3_September_2019_%28Urgent%3A_CBS-Viacom_merger%29
content:
<p>
US
citizens: <a href="https://act.credoaction.com/sign/cbs-viacom-merger">call
on the Department of Justice</a> to Block the CBS-Viacom merger.
</p>
<p>If you sign, please spread the word!</p>


feed_id: f1739e4bd5a095fb05c728293dccebfd
title: Urgent: Amazon deforestation
uri: Urgent-Amazon-deforestation
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#3_September_2019_%28Urgent%3A_Amazon_deforestation%29

content:
<p>
Everyone: <a href="https://act.credoaction.com/sign/blackrock-amazon_pa">call
on BlackRock</a> to stop financing deforestation of the Amazon region.
</p>
<p>If you sign, please spread the word!</p>


feed_id: 40266367f7ef9efc43897b2e231750bd
title: Johnson and Parliament
uri: Johnson-and-Parliament
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#3_September_2019_%28Johnson_and_Parliament%29
content:
<p>
Bogus Johnson wants to knock Parliament for a loop so he can impose a
neoliberal fate on
Britain, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/aug/28/proroguation-parliament-boris-johnson-brexit">lying
all the way</a>.
<p>
Parliament will have one week to stop him.


feed_id: b144bffbc3586fb8293256a7d64df601
title: United Flooded States
uri: United-Flooded-States
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#3_September_2019_%28United_Flooded_States%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/aug/30/what-500000-americans-hit-by-floods-can-teach-us-about-fighting-climate-change">The
United Flooded States of America</a> organizes Americans whose homes
have been flooded for collective action, such as demanding aid for
moving to higher ground.


feed_id: 092e3d4f3694284f59fbbdb5119131f3
title: Face recognition in school
uri: 2019-09-04-Face-recognition-in-school
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#3_September_2019_%28Face_recognition_in_school%29
content:
<p>
The GDPR may be developing some teeth: a school in
Sweden <a href="https://www.businessinsider.de/a-school-used-facial-recognition-to-illegally-record-class-attendance-2019-8?r=US&IR=T">has
been fined</a> for using face recognition to take attendance.


feed_id: 66f7da8db5e50d798c1da34638ae9206
title: Global heating and Hajj
uri: Global-heating-and-Hajj
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#3_September_2019_%28Global_heating_and_Hajj%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#global heating">Global heating</a> will threaten Hajj pilgrims by making Mecca so hot that
just being there can cause heat stress.  This may happen occasionally
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/aug/30/hajj-muslims-climate-movement-global-heating-pilgrims">as
soon as next year</a>.
<p>
Will this be enough to sway the heart of <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#salafi">Salafi Arabia</a>'s acting king,
and the other Muslim countries that sell fossil fuels?


feed_id: 65f0e3d1e245acf502166e1888b4cfcf
title: Arrests in Hong Kong
uri: Arrests-in-Hong-Kong
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#3_September_2019_%28Arrests_in_Hong_Kong%29
content:
<p>
China is arresting prominent supporters of democracy in Hong Kong,
hoping that the protests will collapse without them &mdash; but the
protests have no organizers,
and <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/aug/30/hong-kongs-be-water-protests-leaves-china-casting-about-for-an-enemy">they
continue anyway</a>.
<p>
Joshua Wong (one of
them) <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/aug/30/joshua-wong-predicted-hong-kong-crackdown">Predicted
Hong Kong Crackdown</a> in Interview Before Arrest.


feed_id: 60984d1964330c59cf18212c2e118aea
title: Forms of money in prison
uri: Forms-of-money-in-prison
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#3_September_2019_%28Forms_of_money_in_prison%29
content:
<p>
Prisoners in the US now use prepaid purchasing cards as a form of
cash.  They also
use <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2019/aug/30/prison-economy-informal-markets-alternative-currencies">various
commodities as money</a>.


feed_id: 843bc4eb59d89e6ef7c6adf6d1366fc1
title: Immigration prison hunger strikes
uri: 2019-09-04-Immigration-prison-hunger-strikes
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#3_September_2019_%28Immigration_prison_hunger_strikes%29

content:
<p>
Some refugees from India are on hunger strike in US immigration
prisons.  Several
are <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2019/aug/30/ajay-kumar-hunger-strike-asylum-seeker-us-detention">being
force-fed</a>, which violates their right to refuse medical treatment.
<p>
One of them is in danger of being killed by incompetent medical care.


feed_id: 7f6be515b8226b56b40e11ee331e5202
title: Killings in Afghanistan
uri: Killings-in-Afghanistan
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#3_September_2019_%28Killings_in_Afghanistan%29
content:
<p>
The Taliban and <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#pissi">PISSI</a>
are <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2019/aug/29/attacks-escalate-afghanistan-human-rights-defenders-report">killing
human rights activists</a> in Afghanistan, and the US-supported
government doesn't care about them.


feed_id: 706390ca8193554915b80f96eba9e419
title: 'Green' initiatives
uri: Green-initiatives
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#3_September_2019_%28%27Green%27_initiatives%29
content:
<p>
Businesses promote "green" initiatives
that <a href="https://thereader.mitpress.mit.edu/plastics-crisis-balancing-green/">make
only a tiny difference</a> but may save them money.
<p>
If the hotel room is 75 F, I will need a powerful fan in order to
sleep.


feed_id: 6f49cd30ccb6995932fd936d179b6a93
title: Leather and Amazon destruction
uri: Leather-and-Amazon-destruction
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#3_September_2019_%28Leather_and_Amazon_destruction%29

content:
<p>
Use of leather
is <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/fashion/2019/aug/29/burning-issue-how-fashions-love-of-leather-is-fuelling-the-fires-in-the-amazon">directly
pushing the destruction</a> of the Amazon forest.  Apparently the
production of beef doesn't produce enough leather as a byproduct.


feed_id: b7f775109a9b6a485f612ffc26fc94a0
title: Rising oceans
uri: 2019-09-05-Rising-oceans
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#4_September_2019_%28Rising_oceans%29
content:
<p>
Leaked UN Draft Report Warns Rising, Warming Oceans 
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2019/08/29/leaked-un-draft-report-warns-rising-warming-oceans-poised-unleash-misery-worldwide">'Poised
to Unleash Misery' Worldwide</a>.


feed_id: fa111effe828abd9681f9200601fb6f6
title: Construction of light rail in Phoenix
uri: Construction-of-light-rail-in-Phoenix
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#4_September_2019_%28Construction_of_light_rail_in_Phoenix%29

content:
<p>
Koch money failed to convince Phoenix voters to put an end to
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2019/08/28/phoenix-voters-say-yes-future-rejecting-koch-backed-effort-ban-light-rail-expansion">construction
of light rail</a> in that city.


feed_id: fd0b0083451d7c9e7c2468b4930ae6fb
title: Misleading shoppers with false savings
uri: Misleading-shoppers-with-false-savings
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#4_September_2019_%28Misleading_shoppers_with_false_savings%29

content:
<p>
Supermarkets [in the UK] Misleading Shoppers with 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/business/2019/aug/28/supermarkets-misleading-shoppers-with-false-savings-which">False
Savings</a>.


feed_id: 459bd7266b5156c8437d17809fc940bd
title: Tongass National Forest
uri: 2019-09-05-Tongass-National-Forest
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#4_September_2019_%28Tongass_National_Forest%29
content:
<p>
The enemies of human civilization will soon be delighted that they 
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2019/08/28/amazon-flames-trump-moves-open-167-million-acre-alaskan-rainforest-corporate">can
cut down the Tongass National Forest</a>.


feed_id: 0bb8ba9c6aab106a6d06990c7a007089
title: How Technology is Hijacking Your Mind
uri: How-Technology-is-Hijacking-Your-Mind
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#4_September_2019_%28How_Technology_is_Hijacking_Your_Mind%29

content:
<p>
How Technology is 
<a href="https://medium.com/thrive-global/how-technology-hijacks-peoples-minds-from-a-magician-and-google-s-design-ethicist-56d62ef5edf3">Hijacking
Your Mind</a> &mdash; from a Magician and Google Design Ethicist.
<p>
I find it regrettable that the article talks of "consuming" whatever
you see on a web site.


feed_id: 06dd8c270b82059ce678a956642ab4a8
title: EPA methane leak regulations
uri: EPA-methane-leak-regulations
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#4_September_2019_%28EPA_methane_leak_regulations%29
content:
<p>
The Environmental Pollution Agency 
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2019/08/29/extraordinarily-harmful-disaster-planet-and-gift-industry-new-trump-rule-would-gut">plans
to cancel the regulations that require fossil fuel extractors to limit
methane leaks</a>.


feed_id: a6405b797f6ebc17c47bfbf29b6088ba
title: The Amazon forest
uri: The-Amazon-forest
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#4_September_2019_%28The_Amazon_forest%29
content:
<p>
Bolivia's president Morales is accused of 
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2019/08/29/no-refuge-amazon-evo-morales-bolivia">letting
business cut down part of the Amazon forest, and holding back on
fighting the fires</a>.


feed_id: 3a6f939807786646ec30e467fc8aafbe
title: Protecting ocean ecosystems
uri: Protecting-ocean-ecosystems
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#4_September_2019_%28Protecting_ocean_ecosystems%29
content:
<p>
Protecting ocean ecosystems is 
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2019/08/29/tackling-climate-emergency-and-protecting-our-oceans-go-hand-hand">linked
with curbing global heating</a>.


feed_id: c472b4b573156422d29b2371bd2f5605
title: Trials for prisoners in Guantanamo
uri: Trials-for-prisoners-in-Guantanamo
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#4_September_2019_%28Trials_for_prisoners_in_Guantanamo%29

content:
<p>
Five prisoners in Guantanamo are 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2019/aug/30/khalid-shaikh-mohammad-9-11-trial-start-date">supposed
to have a trial soon</a>.  It is a special "military tribunal"
designed not to properly respect the rights of the accused.


feed_id: 8b4ef48aa2d03edb077a01cbb6d8ada0
title: Guantanamo prison
uri: 2019-09-05-Guantanamo-prison
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#4_September_2019_%28Guantanamo_prison%29
content:
<p>
Guantanamo prison now requires journalists to be accompanied all the
time and to submit their articles to 
<a href="https://theintercept.com/2019/08/30/guantanamo-bay-press-restrictions/">military
censorship</a>.


feed_id: 08b9cc642fbed16e08941f7c72570a93
title: Independence of western Papua
uri: Independence-of-western-Papua
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#4_September_2019_%28Independence_of_western_Papua%29

content:
<p>
The movement for independence of western Papua 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/aug/31/an-earthquake-racism-rage-and-rising-calls-for-freedom-in-papua">has
come out in the open</a>, very strong.


feed_id: eae2a27111cce065625825172f74be9b
title: United Electrical endorses Green New Deal
uri: United-Electrical-endorses-Green-New-Deal
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#4_September_2019_%28United_Electrical_endorses_Green_New_Deal%29

content:
<p>
United Electrical Becomes 
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2019/08/30/united-electrical-becomes-first-us-industrial-union-endorse-green-new-deal-and">First
US Industrial Union to Endorse Green New Deal and Global Climate
Strike</a>.
<p>
This union also supports Sanders for president.


feed_id: 65ce0f5593925b1587a17e0d23df23fa
title: Pro football and cognitive problems
uri: Pro-football-and-cognitive-problems
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#5_September_2019_%28Pro_football_and_cognitive_problems%29

content:
<p>
A study found that 
<a href="https://www.bostonglobe.com/metro/2019/08/30/nfl-players-six-times-more-likely-than-general-public-report-cognitive-problems-study-finds/6BKMul9OC019g9eAudBQTP/story.html">12%
of pro football players developed cognitive problems in their 30s and
40s</a>, in contrast to 2% of the general public.
<p>
Let's put an end to professional football.  There are lots of
less-dangerous sports that people could obsess over, if they want to
obsess over a sport.


feed_id: 3cb7ee4f176d16079a6a6dbe52c30087
title: Another tax cut for the rich
uri: Another-tax-cut-for-the-rich
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#5_September_2019_%28Another_tax_cut_for_the_rich%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#bully">The bully</a> is 
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2019/08/30/just-ahead-labor-day-trump-floats-tax-cut-condemned-pure-giveaway-wealthy">considering
ordering another tax cut, mainly for the rich</a>.
<p>
Non-rich Americans would get some benefit when they sell their houses,
but they don't do this very often and the benefit would be small by
comparison.  What non-rich Americans need more is the government
spending that would be cut in order to avoid the deficit that this tax
cut will cause.
<p>
It adds up to <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#doohnibor">dooH niboR</a>.


feed_id: 06151b50a1e2302e5cbf4f432bb5b6bf
title: Technology for deducing thoughts
uri: Technology-for-deducing-thoughts
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#5_September_2019_%28Technology_for_deducing_thoughts%29

content:
<p>
Technology for deducing thoughts from observations of the brain is
still in its infancy, but it is 
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2019/08/30/scariest-thing-youll-read-all-day-vox-sounds-alarm-about-lack-laws-brain-reading">not
too early to discuss legal limits for it</a>.
<p>
The right number 1 in this article, "to freely decide you want to use
a given neurotechnology or to refuse it," is obviously insufficient.
You have the right to decide whether an insurance company can track
your car's movements with a GPS box, but many people can't afford the
extra cost of insurance without tracking.  You have the right to work
without a LinkedIn account, but many jobs will pass you by if you
don't.
<p>
We need a stronger version of that right, one which will stop
anyone from pressuring you to say yes.


feed_id: 9d4e4752def3f8268ada8fbea7df3470
title: Armenia's water supply
uri: Armenia-s-water-supply
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#5_September_2019_%28Armenias_water_supply%29
content:
<p>
A foreign mining company wants to open a gold mine that 
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2019/08/30/battle-amulsar-uk-mining-giant-using-corporate-courts-attack-community-opposed">could
poison Armenia's water supply</a>.  Protesters have blocked the mine,
but the company threatened to use <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#business-supremacy">business-supremacy treaties</a> to sue
the country if the government does not attack the protesters.
<p>
The government of Armenia 
<a href="https://stallman.org/business-supremacy-treaties.html">should pull out of those
treaties</a> and negotiate new treaties without ISDS ("I Sue
Democratic States").
<p>
Companies that make exploitative "investment" deals with a corrupt,
nondemocratic government deserve to lose the investment.  That will
teach them not to make exploitative deals with a corrupt,
nondemocratic government.


feed_id: 3a6dac577e4da68bf425b408f58560b3
title: Protests against fracking in Britain
uri: Protests-against-fracking-in-Britain
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#5_September_2019_%28Protests_against_fracking_in_Britain%29

content:
<p>
Protests against fracking have been 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/sep/01/fracking-protesters-priced-out-of-cuadrilla-legal-challenge">effectively
banned in Britain</a>.  The protesters have lost the legal support
from Friends of the Earth because the organization can't afford the
risk of being made to pay the frackers' legal bills.
<p>
The frackers can make that prohibitively expensive just by spending a
lot.


feed_id: 2ee5b98fc411f19a7ec4aa253b33a0d2
title: Indian army occupation of Kashmir
uri: Indian-army-occupation-of-Kashmir
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#5_September_2019_%28Indian_army_occupation_of_Kashmir%29

content:
<p>
Kashmiris report 
<a href="https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-49481180">beatings
and torture</a> by the Indian army of occupation.
<p>
Since India is responsible for the lack of communications in Kashmir
and the lack of official responses, we must presume these accusations
are valid.


feed_id: 2decbd908ec2947675a4a5642a375299
title: Homeless musician in LA murdered in sleep
uri: Homeless-musician-in-LA-murdered-in-sleep
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#5_September_2019_%28Homeless_musician_in_LA_murdered_in_sleep%29

content:
<p>
A homeless musician in LA was 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2019/aug/29/los-angeles-homeless-tent-murder-darrell-fields">murdered
while he slept</a>.  Someone set his tent on fire.
<p>
No word yet on the motive for this killing, but it illustrates the
fact that being homeless puts a person in many kinds of danger, not
least 
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#8_August_2019_(Boston_thugs_threw_wheelchairs_into_crusher_truck)">destruction
of one's meager property by official cruelty</a>.


feed_id: 166d1d02b0a045a3d06cce161409919c
title: Poverty for children in DC
uri: Poverty-for-children-in-DC
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#5_September_2019_%28Poverty_for_children_in_DC%29
content:
<p>
Washington, DC, is 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2019/aug/29/going-to-bed-hungry-the-harrowing-reality-of-poor-children-living-in-dc">worse
than all 50 states</a> in regard to poverty for children.


feed_id: 953722e1954d544fa8c206f4347b81f5
title: Bully's trade war with China
uri: Bully-s-trade-war-with-China
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#5_September_2019_%28Bullys_trade_war_with_China%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#bully">The bully</a>'s trade war with China 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/sep/01/brazil-amazon-wildfires-trump-trade-wars">ricochets
and hits the Amazon forest</a>.
<p>
This is a peculiar result, and I don't think it is a valid argument
for "free trade" (that is, for <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#business-supremacy">business-supremacy treaties</a>).


feed_id: ce54589d00c7347e3c48b7827d945eaa
title: The British constitution
uri: The-British-constitution
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#5_September_2019_%28The_British_constitution%29
content:
<p>
The British constitution, which consists mostly of traditions, has
proved 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/sep/01/sheer-scale-of-crisis-facing-britains-constitution-has-been-laid-bare">unable
to stand up to the dishonesty-without-bounds of Bogus Johnson</a>, who
wields the Queen's authority, never mind that he isn't nominally a
monarch.
<p>
It is not clear that a European-style president and written
constitution would keep Britain safe.  That did not keep Hungary and
Poland safe.  Likewise, <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#cheater">the cheater</a> is attacking the weaknesses of the
written US constitution.


feed_id: 7b4f8b246518a9ce28628445a1c7f69d
title: Massive imprisonment in the US
uri: Massive-imprisonment-in-the-US
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#5_September_2019_%28Massive_imprisonment_in_the_US%29

content:
<p>
President Clinton 
<a href="https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-33545971">accepted
responsibility</a> for contributing to massive imprisonment in the US.
<p>
I think he is mistaken in claiming that his law was an important
factor in reducing crime.  The crime rate fell in the 1990s because of
factors such as removing lead from gasoline in the late 70s.


feed_id: 53e31e2aad257094e1524b7c2d15f066
title: Helping bats cross the road
uri: Helping-bats-cross-the-road
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#5_September_2019_%28Helping_bats_cross_the_road%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/sep/01/worcester-led-lighting-help-bats-cross-road">Installing
red streetlights</a> so bats can cross the road.


feed_id: 1e296b0fc6fae04738498db34509cb53
title: Johnson arranges to shut down Parliament
uri: Johnson-arranges-to-shut-down-Parliament
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#5_September_2019_%28Johnson_arranges_to_shut_down_Parliament%29

content:
<p>
Bogus Johnson has 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2019/aug/29/prorogation-explainer-a-simple-guide-to-what-just-happened-in-uk-politics">arranged
to shut down Parliament</a> after just one week, to prevent it from
doing anything to alter his plan to take the UK out of the EU without
any trade deal.  Since most MPs are against this, they are trying to
pass a law within that one week.
<p>
Meanwhile, Bogus is trying to present himself as the people's hero for
defeating Parliament.  Right-wing authoritarians operate by
scapegoating and condemning democratic institutions.  Bogus has found
a way to combine the two by making Parliament his scapegoat.


feed_id: bd8ac8310427820961f7599bfcb50d16
title: Senator attacked by anti-vaxxer
uri: Senator-attacked-by-anti-vaxxer
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#5_September_2019_%28Senator_attacked_by_anti-vaxxer%29

content:
<p>
California Senator Pan, a pediatrician by profession, is pushing to
make vaccination requirements strict.  An anti-vaxxer 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2019/aug/28/richard-pan-california-vaccines-strictest-law">attacked
him on the street</a>.


feed_id: 2486c6e3c1f6e1b19fdc7f820348cb36
title: Air conditioning and the carbon budget
uri: Air-conditioning-and-the-carbon-budget
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#5_September_2019_%28Air_conditioning_and_the_carbon_budget%29

content:
<p>
The US has set a standard for use of air conditioning that 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/aug/29/the-air-conditioning-trap-how-cold-air-is-heating-the-world">won't
fit its carbon budget</a>, and the rest of the world is copying it.
<p>
The oil price shock of the 1970s made air conditioning (and buildings
designed to require it) a public concern.  But that did not lead to
much change in construction practices.
<p>
Back then, I slept in a room without air conditioning.  In periods of
hot weather, it was too hot for me to sleep, even with a window fan
and a fan blowing at me.  I wish now that I knew what the temperature
was in my room, but I did not get a thermometer because knowing
then would have made no difference.


feed_id: ebd36de6249e8a9015dd3adaed24a319
title: Uber and Lyft
uri: 2019-09-06-Uber-and-Lyft
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#5_September_2019_%28Uber_and_Lyft%29
content:
<p>
Independent analysis of independently collected data says that 
<a href="https://jalopnik.com/uber-and-lyft-take-a-lot-more-from-drivers-than-they-sa-1837450373">Uber
and Lyft keep 10% more of the customer's payment than they claim to
keep</a>.
<p>
The companies say that is false but refuse to cooperate with trying to
verify it.


feed_id: 62f26fda3b3e1cbc5d22aeff2acd6b01
title: Brain-reading software and freedom
uri: Brain-reading-software-and-freedom
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#5_September_2019_%28Brain-reading_software_and_freedom%29

content:
<p>
More about 
<a href="https://www.vox.com/2019/8/30/20835137/facebook-zuckerberg-elon-musk-brain-mind-reading-neuroethics">brain-reading
software and freedom</a>.
<p>
Brain reading is more intimate than sex.  I think that "affirmative
consent for each step" is a little too strict for sex, but maybe it is
the right standard for neurotech.


feed_id: dc3fbe8fbee53b9b4743d10b6bcbc13e
title: DeVos's attacks on students
uri: DeVos-s-attacks-on-students
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#5_September_2019_%28DeVoss_attacks_on_students%29
content:
<p>
DeVos's latest attack on students: if they were defrauded by schools,
they 
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2019/08/31/devos-denounced-student-debt-relief-rule-change-critics-say-takes-scythe-defrauded">must
still repay the loans that went to pay those schools</a>.


feed_id: 1e032261268ad6fac50540690b59e517
title: PISSI operating underground
uri: PISSI-operating-underground
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#5_September_2019_%28PISSI_operating_underground%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#pissi">PISSI</a> has not been wiped out.  It now 
<a href="https://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/originals/2019/08/syria-kurdish-east-euphrates-isis-attacks-terrorist-sdf-war.html">operates
as an underground terror group</a>.


feed_id: a75a4bfa23b18453d7c94d57cf96b68b
title: Conversing with the conman's supporters
uri: Conversing-with-the-conman-s-supporters
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#5_September_2019_%28Conversing_with_the_conmans_supporters%29

content:
<p>
Jane Fonda describes knocking on doors and conversing with voters that
supported the conman &mdash; to 
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2019/08/31/heres-what-happened-when-i-knocked-doors-pennsylvania">listen
and make a connection</a>.
<p>
I think it is a good thing to do if your talents lean towards that.


feed_id: 7a48edd83fc4dc9fc1aa734dfe123534
title: Big ag and the climate crisis
uri: Big-ag-and-the-climate-crisis
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#5_September_2019_%28Big_ag_and_the_climate_crisis%29

content:
<p>
Big Ag Is a 
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2019/08/31/big-ag-major-obstacle-combating-climate-crisis">Major
Obstacle to Combating the Climate Crisis</a>.


feed_id: 1473cda87e0ff9cccf6279cb3d2eb447
title: Taking back control from Bogus Johnson
uri: Taking-back-control-from-Bogus-Johnson
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#5_September_2019_%28Taking_back_control_from_Bogus_Johnson%29

content:
<p>
Jeremy Corbyn talks about 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/aug/31/final-sovereignty-on-brexit-must-rest-with-the-people--jeremy-corbyn">plans
to take back control of the UK</a> from Bogus Johnson.


feed_id: 8f271437b0fc9b2a888c47bc62dfc04a
title: The time and place to teach empathy
uri: The-time-and-place-to-teach-empathy
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#5_September_2019_%28The_time_and_place_to_teach_empathy%29

content:
<p>
An important Massachusetts high school exam asked students to portray
the viewpoint of a white woman refusing to help a runaway slave.  Some
black students were 
<a href="https://www.bostonglobe.com/metro/2019/08/30/controversial-mcas-question-hurt-scores-some-black-students-study-concludes/EmGOOQgiGVNpHvrp8W5ATK/story.html">so
upset by this that they did badly on the rest of the exam from that
point</a>.
<p>
The ability to present viewpoints you disagree with, even strongly
oppose, requires empathy.  Practising that must be a useful exercise;
I think I could have learned a lot if I had practiced it more.  But we
shouldn't ask students to start that exercize in the middle of a
high-stakes exam.  If each student does dozens of such exercizes, over
a period of a few months, with no special pressure, the student may
become comfortable with portraying attitudes that disgust per.


feed_id: d64cf9eae32dfdd4e532b0cbb05e99cf
title: Teen convicted of sending photo of perself
uri: Teen-convicted-of-sending-photo-of-perself
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#6_September_2019_%28Teen_convicted_of_sending_photo_of_perself%29

content:
<p>
As has happened many times before, a teenager in the US has been
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2019/aug/31/maryland-court-teen-girl-video-law">convicted
of sending someone a nude photo of perself</a>.
<p>
It should never be a crime to send a nude photo of yourself, not for
anyone of whatever age.
<p>
It could make sense to prohibit persuading a minor to send a nude
photo of perself, and redistributing one without permission.


feed_id: 72f9ac1ee2144ffd6e5879fbdf0d038d
title: Sanders and Warren
uri: 2019-09-07-Sanders-and-Warren
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#6_September_2019_%28Sanders_and_Warren%29
content:
<p>
The 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2019/aug/31/elizabeth-warren-bernie-sanders-joe-biden-democratic-presidential-nomination">Democratic
presidential race</a> is heading towards Sanders vs Warren.
<p>
The article's title is misleading: Sanders is not "fighting" Warren
and neither is Warren "fighting" Sanders.  I am very glad to see the
way that they compete but refuse to be enemies.
<p>
I would be terribly disappointed if one of them drops out and does
anything other than endorse the other.


feed_id: debb47a1ab12df2580e4d47b59d1caa8
title: PISSI infiltrates refugee camp
uri: PISSI-infiltrates-refugee-camp
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#6_September_2019_%28PISSI_infiltrates_refugee_camp%29

content:
<p>
Reportedly the al-Hawl refugee camp, set up for people who fled <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#pissi">PISSI</a>,
has been 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/aug/31/inside-al-hawl-camp-the-incubator-for-islamic-states-resurgence">infiltrated
by PISSI supporters who now control it</a>.  The Kurdish soldiers
meant to prevent this are outnumbered.


feed_id: dfa6a3c27828ceaea54537e00e6e8a4e
title: Amazon warehouse workers
uri: 2019-09-07-Amazon-warehouse-workers
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#6_September_2019_%28Amazon_warehouse_workers%29
content:
<p>
(satire) &hellip; horrified warehouse worker Paul Diaz awoke from
heavily medicated sleep Friday to find Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos 
<a href="https://www.theonion.com/horrified-amazon-worker-awakes-from-warehouse-accident-1837744284">welding
robotic limbs onto the stumps where his arms once were</a>.


feed_id: 7e04a1db91793686ff53451ff7c5a4b4
title: Deportation thugs
uri: 2019-09-07-Deportation-thugs
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#6_September_2019_%28Deportation_thugs%29
content:
<p>
Calls to End Inhumane Border Conditions Aren't Enough. ICE (the
deportation <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thugs</a>) 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/sep/01/us-mexico-border-abolish-ice">Must
Be Abolished</a>.


feed_id: 92bbbd33027eecaafa679cad39fab8a3
title: Investigation of US war crimes
uri: Investigation-of-US-war-crimes
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#6_September_2019_%28Investigation_of_US_war_crimes%29

content:
<p>
The International Criminal Court tried to investigate some US war
crimes in Afghanistan.  The US 
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2019/08/28/it-was-outrage-mike-pompeo-celebrates-defeated-icc-probe-us-war-crimes">created
obstacles which made the investigation impossible</a>.
<p>
One more victory for crime.


feed_id: aa36004df3e8b25344f309cfe79b5356
title: Climate defense
uri: 2019-09-07-Climate-defense
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#6_September_2019_%28Climate_defense%29
content:
<p>
Climate defense activists 
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2019/08/28/no-time-left-business-usual-climate-activists-plan-day-mass-civil-disobedience">plan
to shut down transportation in Washington DC</a>.
<p>
The danger is enormous, and such annoying protests may be the only way
to make plutocratist officials allow actions to change course.


feed_id: 265b3743d0d3df8781739b4e6fbff2e8
title: Voting machines
uri: 2019-09-07-Voting-machines
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#6_September_2019_%28Voting_machines%29
content:
<p>
A voter made a video showing a voting machine 
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2019/08/28/viral-video-mississippi-voting-machine-changing-mans-vote-prompts-calls-paper">altering
the vote person had entered</a>.


feed_id: e8e8f0f2f507ff2ebe1be4dba54cf760
title: Disaster aid funds shifted to refugee prisons
uri: Disaster-aid-funds-shifted-to-refugee-prisons
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#6_September_2019_%28Disaster_aid_funds_shifted_to_refugee_prisons%29

content:
<p>
The cruel bastard shifted funds from disaster aid to 
<a href="https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-immigration-funds/trump-administration-taps-disaster-cyber-funds-to-cover-immigration-idUSKCN1VH2F7">fund
imprisonment of more refugees</a>.
<p>
This way he can cause suffering for potentially everyone located in
the US whether citizens or not.


feed_id: 20de4a2017c4f44b17cd56f5e6234611
title: CEOs and stockholders
uri: CEOs-and-stockholders
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#6_September_2019_%28CEOs_and_stockholders%29
content:
<p>
Stiglitz: even supposing that CEOs have good will when they say that
income for stockholders is not the highest value, we 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/business/2019/aug/29/can-we-trust-ceos-shock-conversion-to-corporate-benevolence">can't
count on them to change in practice</a>.


feed_id: ffe12d5a11213dacd32b7c27578fa6bd
title: Violent thugs enter home without warrant
uri: Violent-thugs-enter-home-without-warrant
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#6_September_2019_%28Violent_thugs_enter_home_without_warrant%29

content:
<p>
<a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">Thugs</a> entered a home without a warrant and 
<a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2019/08/27/video-appears-show-police-entering-home-without-warrant-choking-teen/">one
started choking a teenager</a> who had properly refused to open the
door.  The <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thug</a> desisted after being informed he was on candid camera.
<p>
A lawsuit is not enough to redress this act of violence.  It calls for
criminal prosecution.


feed_id: 3c3a5d3cd0756ea011ca0fb28da67c12
title: Inclusive new Texas bill
uri: Inclusive-new-Texas-bill
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#8_September_2019_%28Inclusive_new_Texas_bill%29
content:
<p>
(satire) Inclusive New Texas Bill Prevents Gun Sellers From <a href="https://www.theonion.com/inclusive-new-texas-bill-prevents-gun-sellers-from-disc-1837874385
">Discriminating On
Basis Of Background Check.</a>


feed_id: 1d2303a4ca2627dc7199c03d23d29a23
title: Warren's climate plan doesn't go far enough
uri: Warren-s-climate-plan-doesn-t-go-far-enough
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#8_September_2019_%28Warren%27s_climate_plan_doesn%27t_go_far_enough%29

content:
<p>
Warren's climate plan doesn't recognize the need to <a href="
https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2019/09/04/senator-warrens-climate-platform-ignores-fossil-fuels">cut down on fossil
fuel extraction everywhere</a> &mdash; not merely on public land.

<p>
An infra-red photon doesn't discriminate between CO2 molecules that
came from fuel mined on public land, and molecules from fuel mined on
private land.


feed_id: 3e17d88d45994a1ea9f081a1e2002307
title: Should We Feed Hungry Children, or the War Machine?
uri: Should-We-Feed-Hungry-Children-or-the-War-Machine
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#8_September_2019_%28Should_We_Feed_Hungry_Children%2C_or_the_War_Machine_%29

content:
<p>
<a href="
https://www.commondreams.org/views/2019/09/05/should-we-feed-hungry-children-or-war-machine">Should We Feed Hungry Children, or the War Machine?</a>
<p>
Plutocratist legislators choose the latter because arms manufacturers
spend more on lobbying than poor people.


feed_id: 4dca6d8e84859c19bad2a63189b54cba
title: The Walton Family Plot to Privatize the Public Schools of Arkansas.
uri: The-Walton-Family-Plot-to-Privatize-the-Public-Schools-of-Arkansas
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#8_September_2019_%28The_Walton_Family_Plot_to_Privatize_the_Public_Schools_of_Arkansas.%29

content:
<p>
The Walton Family Plot to <a href="
https://www.commondreams.org/views/2019/09/05/walton-plot-privatize-public-schools-arkansas">Privatize the Public Schools of Arkansas.</a>


feed_id: fe18924a9591584c8e29714ad7c53779
title: Why is Biden with the co-founder of a natural gas company
uri: Why-is-Biden-with-the-co-founder-of-a-natural-gas-company
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#8_September_2019_%28Why_is_Biden_with_the_co-founder_of_a_natural_gas_company%29

content:
<p>
"If Biden is serious about taking on the power of the fossil fuel
lobby, why is he <a href="
https://www.commondreams.org/news/2019/09/05/corruption-needs-end-biden-urged-cancel-fundraiser-fossil-fuel-executive-day-after">going to a fundraiser</a> hosted by the co-founder of a
natural gas company?"

<p>
Biden may not have known Goldman founded a fossil fuel company,
but he knows Goldman is rich. Biden is too friendly with
plutocrats to be any use in taking their power away.


feed_id: 9817fd346d5a9c0b9bb4e30df5ef0ad0
title: US citizens on terrorist watch list violates rights
uri: US-citizens-on-terrorist-watch-list-violates-rights
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#8_September_2019_%28US_citizens_on_terrorist_watchlist_violates_rights%29

content:
<p>
A federal court ruled that putting US citizens on the "terrorist watch list"
<a href="
https://techcrunch.com/2019/09/04/federal-judge-rules-that-the-terrorist-watchlist-database-violates-u-s-citizens-rights/">violates their constitutional rights.
</a>
<p>
Bravo! But we have to see whether this leads to a real change.
<p>
And it is unfair to foreigners, too.


feed_id: cbccb6789937447289ecd0b4b123ea0e
title: Comparing Biden, Sanders and Warren in regard to global heating.
uri: Comparing-Biden-Sanders-and-Warren-in-regard-to-global-heating
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#8_September_2019_%28Comparing_Biden%2C_Sanders_and_Warren_in_regard_to_global_heating.%29

content:
<p>
Comparing Biden, Sanders and Warren <a href="
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/sep/05/democratic-2020-hopefuls-split-over-tackling-climate-crisis">in regard to <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#global heating">global heating</a>.
</a>
<p>
Each one made a valid point, but Biden's point is useless without the
other points. The only way the US can get other countries to do more to
curb <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#global heating">global heating</a> is by doing more itself.


feed_id: bd8ee31377ae91237680dfe8eb06a667
title: If AI is an effective lie detector power will grow
uri: If-AI-is-an-effective-lie-detector-power-will-grow
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#8_September_2019_%28If_AI_is_an_effective_lie_dector_power_will_grow%29

content:
<p>
If AI leads to an effective lie detector, those that have <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2019/sep/05/the-race-to-create-a-perfect-lie-detector-and-the-dangers-of-succeeding
">dangerous
power already will leverage it to get more power.</a>


feed_id: 5c990a61ff8c00cde1e3fb1176a87294
title: NRA designated as a terrorist organization
uri: NRA-designated-as-a-terrorist-organization
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#8_September_2019_%28NRA_designated_as_a_terrorist_organization%29

content:
<p>
San Francisco's city council voted to designate the National Rifle Association
as a <a href="
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-49574445?intlink_from_url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world&link_location=live-reporting-story">"terrorist organization".
</a>
<p>
The NRA uses disinformation tactics to promote sales of guns, and supports
candidates that are right-wing extremists (Republicans).

<p>
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#17_May_2016_(NRA_misleads_and_misrepresents)">
That is</a>
harmful, but it is not terrorism.
<p>
It is wrong for any government (or the UN) to arbitrarily attach the
label of "terrorist" to an organization. Such designation is
legitimate only as the result of a fair trial.


feed_id: a41cd6028d0c18438eab6fbc91316735
title: US intervention against al-Shabaab cannot succeed
uri: US-intervention-against-al-Shabaab-cannot-succeed
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#8_September_2019_%28US_intervention_against_al-Shabaab_cannot_succeed%29

content:
<p>
The US intervention in Somalia against al-Shabaab cannot succeed, because it
<a href="
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/sep/05/ilhan-omar-send-her-back-somalia-us-foreign-policy">doesn't recognize the role that al-Shabaab plays in life in Somalia.
</a>
<p>
The article omits to mention that the US is responsible for the very
existence of al-Shabaab. The Islamic courts movement had taken
control of Somalia had established peace. Peace with incomplete
respect for human rights, to be sure &mdash; Islamists oppose some aspects
of human rights &mdash; but peace with incomplete human rights was a big
step up from faction war with incomplete human rights.
<p>
Then Ethiopia intervened, clearly as a US proxy, to destroy the
Islamic courts government. One part of it, no longer in power, was
al-Shabaab.


feed_id: b3f607749c4f6878ff36a4fcde155d75
title: Erdoğan demands help for a safe zone in Turkey for refugees
uri: Erdoğan-demands-help-for-a-safe-zone-in-Turkey-for-refugees
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#8_September_2019_%28Erdo%C3%84%C2%9Fan_demands_help_for_a_safe_zone_in_Turkey_for_refugees%29

content:
<p>
Erdoğan demands western help in setting up a <a href="
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/sep/05/erdogan-ill-let-syrian-refugees-leave-turkey-for-west-unless-safe-zone-set-up">"safe zone" in Turkey</a> for
refugees to return to.

<p>
In principle, this is reasonable. But neither Assad nor the Syrian
Islamists would run a zone that is safe for Syrians in general. The
Idlib domain of the Islamists is <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#26_August_2019_(Turkey_forcing_refugees_back_to_Syria)">not safe for transgender Syrians.</a>


feed_id: 7ccda801c7b8144ff3777fbc79b21d4e
title: Bogus Johnson told aids plan to prorogue Parliament
uri: Bogus-Johnson-told-aids-plan-to-prorogue-Parliament
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#8_September_2019_%28Bogus_Johnson_told_aids_plan_to_prorouge_Parliament%29

content:
<p>
 Bogus Johnson told his aides weeks ago that he planned to prorogue
Parliament (and effectively rule without Parliament), even as he
continued to say publicly <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2019/sep/03/johnson-suspend-parliament-before-asking-queen-court-hears
">he had no such intention.</a>


feed_id: 02009d0eeee9c88cc2633d048414a04e
title: Solitary confinement has made prisoner severely mentally ill
uri: Solitary-confinement-has-made-prisoner-severely-mentally-ill
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#8_September_2019_%28Solitary_confinement_has_made_prisoner_severely_mentally_ill%29

content:
<p>
A prisoner in Virginia was kept in solitary confinement for almost 2
years, <a href="
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2019/sep/04/virginia-prisons-solitary-confinement-tyquine-lee">and it made him severely mentally ill.</a> For instance, he can no
longer communicate in English, only mutter unintelligibly. And he
cannot recognize his mother any more.
<p>
This makes me think of the terribly sad ending of the great movie,
Brazil.
<p>
The nastiest part is the fact that prisoners in solitary in Virginia
that can't communicate in written English can _never_ get out of
solitary. What kind of fool cannot recognize the injustice of this?


feed_id: 7f1a37be36ee8a6c452dcb74e8d40335
title: Young Chinese posting messages to attack Hong Kong protesters
uri: Young-Chinese-posting-messages-to-attack-Hong-Kong-protesters
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#8_September_2019_%28Young_Chinese_posting_messages_to_attack_Hong_Kong_protesters%29

content:
<p>
Young Chinese are <a href="
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/society/article/3024223/emergence-and-evolution-chinas-internet-warriors">posting lots of messages</a> to attack Hong Kong
protesters and sentimentally support mindless loyalty to their
mind-controlling government.

<p>
Thoroughly credulous teenager volunteers work along with paid
propagandists. They are organized into groups and follow government
orders; they simply are not paid.
<p>
They can be compared with the credulous Americans who thought that
<a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#dubya">Dubya</a> did Iraq a favor by hijacking the US military to conquer and
occupy that country.


feed_id: 0cbfd5b28ebb2c8c57f2f9ad842d0993
title: Bogus couldn't imitate the whole Troy party
uri: Bogus-couldn-t-imitate-the-whole-Troy-party
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#8_September_2019_%28Bogus_couldn%27t_imitate_the_whole_Troy_party%29

content:
<p>
The conman has much in common with Britain's conman (Bogus Johnson),
but one difference is that Bogus couldn't intimidate the <a href="
https://theintercept.com/2019/09/04/boris-johnson-brexit-trump/
">whole Tory
party into supporting him.</a>


feed_id: 4f3ed77cf400dfaf3309a061b4d7c217
title: Carrie Lam has declared extradition bill dead
uri: Carrie-Lam-has-declared-extradition-bill-dead
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#8_September_2019_%28Carrie_Lam_has_declared_extradition_bill_dead%29

content:
<p>
<a href="
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/sep/04/beijing-hong-kong-compromise-too-little-too-late-carrie-lam-china">Carrie Lam has finally declared the extradition bill dead,</a>
demonstrating that this was not impossible.

<p>
The protesters, meanwhile,
have added democratic elections to their demands, as well as release
of the political prisoners jailed over the months of protests.


feed_id: 8169320a9745ef60d796804eb8821fa7
title: Italy's new coalition government excludes League party
uri: Italy-s-new-coalition-government-excludes-League-party
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#8_September_2019_%28Italy%27s_new_coalition_goverment_excludes_League_party%29

content:
<p>
Italy has a new coalition government <a href="
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/sep/04/matteo-salvini-replaced-by-migration-specialist-in-new-italy-coalition">which excludes the bullying-based
League party.</a>

<p><a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#salivini">
Salivini
</a>
is no longer a minister, so he won't be able to recruit support
by public displays of cruelty.


feed_id: fd67bb274afcb3063e9c69fff11adcaa
title: Compassionate conservatives ploy 17
uri: Compassionate-conservatives-ploy-17
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#8_September_2019_%28Compassionate_conservitives_ploy_17%29

content:
<p>
Ploy 17 in the plutocratic repertoire: after taking lots of money
away from the poor, <a href="
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/sep/04/sajid-javid-reversing-austerity-cuts">offer a much smaller increment</a> in aid so as to
look like "compassionate conservatives".

<p>
Proposed Tory tax cuts (not for the poor) would force <a href="
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/sep/05/tory-spending-increases-tax-cuts-austerity-economic-stimulus-boris-johnson-sajid-javid">even bigger cuts
</a>in support for the poor.

<p>
As always, right-wing tax cuts are <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#doohnibor">dooH niboR</a>.


feed_id: dcee2fa00a1821182755759464758409
title: Never talk to the cops
uri: Never-talk-to-the-cops
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#8_September_2019_%28Never_talk_to_the_cops%29
content:
<p>
Officer Mcgruff says, <a href="https://i.redd.it/hs3nes34xkk31.jpg
">"Never talk to the cops."</a>


feed_id: e410507173549b36b2fdb7117d7fbbee
title: Refugee children separated from parents are suffering from PTSD
uri: Refugee-children-separated-from-parents-are-suffering-from-PTSD
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#8_September_2019_%28Refugee_children_seperated_from_parents_are_suffering_from_PTSD%29

content:
<p>
The inspector general’s office in the Department of Health and Human
Services reports that some refugee children separated from their parents
<a href="
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2019/sep/04/child-separation-ptsd-trump-zero-tolerance">suffer from PTSD.</a>


feed_id: cb4797d2b1c9ccbf26b87da6aa293bc1
title: Sexual violence in Samoa
uri: Sexual-violence-in-Samoa
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#7_September_2019_%28Sexual_violence_in_Samoa%29
content:
<p>
Sexual violence is rife in Samoa &mdash; 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2019/sep/03/family-abuse-epidemic-uncovered-in-samoa">60%
of women say they have been victims</a>.  It is part of a society of
male domination.
<p>
Many Samoan women are 
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2013-jan-apr.html#24_March_2013_(Misplaced_sympathy_for_Steubenville_rapists)">raped
and then compelled to marry the rapist</a>.  Men rape women
specifically for that purpose.


feed_id: 2c2876c52b4188945e9f65f842813daf
title: Devastation in the Bahamas
uri: Devastation-in-the-Bahamas
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#7_September_2019_%28Devastation_in_the_Bahamas%29
content:
<p>
Hurricane Dorian is devastating the Bahamas.  Its winds were stronger
than in other hurricanes.  No one could get around, not even
ambulances.  Some houses were flooded up to the second story by the
ocean.
<p>
<a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#global heating">Global heating</a> will bring us even stronger hurricanes in the future if
we allow the plutocrats to keep it going.


feed_id: c1180a0ebed97412c7ce8384e6376e97
title: Netherlands tax haven
uri: Netherlands-tax-haven
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#7_September_2019_%28Netherlands_tax_haven%29
content:
<p>
The Netherlands is a tax haven, and 
<a href="https://www.reuters.com/article/us-netherlands-uber-tax/dutch-minister-i-did-not-have-contact-with-uber-on-tax-plan-idUSKCN1VN1EI">companies
including Uber are taking advantage of it</a>.
<p>
Rather than convincing tax havens to change their laws, I think other
countries should cancel the deductability of payments to businesses in
those countries.


feed_id: fe9786c35e581c0fde7fc8553a4b731f
title: New constitution for the UK
uri: New-constitution-for-the-UK
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#7_September_2019_%28New_constitution_for_the_UK%29
content:
<p>
Proposing that the UK should 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/sep/03/prorogation-crisis-uk-written-constitution">let
citizens write a new constitution</a>, as Iceland did.


feed_id: a4b65295e330e0510ca76192c3ffa8b5
title: Bogus Johnson
uri: 2019-09-08-Bogus-Johnson
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#7_September_2019_%28Bogus_Johnson%29
content:
<p>
Bogus Johnson appears to be 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2019/sep/03/brussels-baffled-by-boris-johnsons-brexit-progress-claims">lying
about negotiations with the EU in order to manipulate domestic
politics</a>.
<p>
I think it would be wiser for the EU to cancel discussions with Bogus
so that he can't pretend he is on the verge of making a deal.


feed_id: 2beb99fe74f7d6fcfba40a2292e11aef
title: Artificial creation of memory
uri: Artificial-creation-of-memory
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#7_September_2019_%28Artificial_creation_of_memory%29

content:
<p>
Artificial creation of a memory has been 
<A href="https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/a-successful-artificial-memory-has-been-created/">done
in a lab in transgenic mice</a>.
<p>
Although it is several big steps from there to mind control of humans,
it is not too early to think about where we need to stop this.  And it
is certainly not too early to think about establishing democratic
control over the state, which is what we would need in order to stop
this at any future point.


feed_id: 53e0c7e14c9ea94f6fcdd0e78ae5f94d
title: Drones at airport
uri: Drones-at-airport
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#7_September_2019_%28Drones_at_airport%29
content:
<p>
"Activists <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/sep/04/history-kind-heathrow-climate-protesters-stop-us-flying">plan
to release drones</a> near [Heathrow] airport. Their possible arrest
is a small price to pay for fighting the climate crisis."


feed_id: 610ea2f1da7eb7ccaa5f1231751f401e
title: Amazon income tax
uri: Amazon-income-tax
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#7_September_2019_%28Amazon_income_tax%29
content:
<p>
Amazon has tripled its income tax payments in the UK, from just barely
more than nothing
to <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2019/sep/03/amazon-accused-of-handing-over-diddly-squat-in-corporation-tax-despite-tripling-payment">little
more than nothing</a>.


feed_id: 43856fceb4fc585c4271e26b26e5fecf
title: Lies about unions
uri: Lies-about-unions
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#7_September_2019_%28Lies_about_unions%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2019/09/03/5-biggest-corporate-lies-about-unions">5
Biggest Corporate Lies</a> About Unions.


feed_id: 9757754c6676bcf7e2dd53d43ba70318
title: Retail face recognition
uri: Retail-face-recognition
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#7_September_2019_%28Retail_face_recognition%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2019/sep/02/facial-recognition-technology-scrapped-at-kings-cross-development">Public
pressure</a> eliminated use of face recognition on cameras in a retail
area in London.


feed_id: 8936199166cea01cd3b690bfd0e2e0e5
title: Carrie Lam
uri: Carrie-Lam
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#7_September_2019_%28Carrie_Lam%29
content:
<p>
Carrie Lam, who heads Hong Kong's government, was recorded telling
Hong Kong business owners
that <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/sep/02/hong-kong-carrie-lam-would-quit-if-had-choice-leaked-audio">she
wished she could quit</a> but China was somehow stopping her.  She
also told them they could not expect China to send its army in as a
"solution" to the inconvenience of protests.
<p>
Of course she could quit.  She could flee to the US and ask for asylum.
Her whole family could go.
<p>
For a government to have a "CEO" is despicable in itself, but that
accurately describes the despicable governmental system of Hong Kong.


feed_id: 7051ff61a4885a6742d5367baba280e8
title: Photos with wild animals
uri: Photos-with-wild-animals
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#7_September_2019_%28Photos_with_wild_animals%29
content:
<p>
Interacting with wild animals, even coming close to them, can cause
them stress that injures them.  But tourists now do
this <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/sep/03/its-scary-wildlife-selfies-harming-animals-experts-warn">seeking
an appealing photo</a>.


feed_id: cbe72a1e1860687fe33ad1bd809065c6
title: Camden police department
uri: Camden-police-department
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#7_September_2019_%28Camden_police_department%29
content:
<p>
Camden, New Jersey,
is <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2019/08/21/police-must-first-do-no-harm-how-one-nations-roughest-cities-is-reshaping-force-tactics/">trying
to organize</a> a police department in place of the thug department it
used to have.
Cops are now trained in many ways to deal with problems without force.


feed_id: af3855877764fd59c5664f61a7992485
title: Extinction Rebellion protesters
uri: 2019-09-08-Extinction-Rebellion-protesters
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#7_September_2019_%28Extinction_Rebellion_protesters%29

content:
<p>
Sometimes the British NHS treats nonviolent Extinction Rebellion protesters
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2019/sep/01/nhs-reports-protester-to-prevent-extinction-rebellion">as
if they were terrorists</a>.


feed_id: 437eb5bb5aed9297ffa8c89af0084493
title: Expensive school uniforms
uri: Expensive-school-uniforms
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#7_September_2019_%28Expensive_school_uniforms%29
content:
<p>
Many state schools in England are driving families into penury by
demanding students
wear <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/education/2019/aug/31/schools-back-parents-cant-keep-up-with-cost-of-branded-uniforms">expensive
customized uniforms</a>.
<p>
I can think of two ways parents can work together to resist this swindle:
<ul>
<li>
Make unauthorized copies of the school's logo and sew it onto cheap
  generic uniforms.
</li>
<li>
Organize a "uniform strike".  If enough parents together refuse to buy the expensive uniforms, they can make the school back down.
</li>
</ul>
Meanwhile, they can teach their children how to respond with defiance
if anyone in the school sneers at them for not having the fancy
expensive school-specific uniform: "My parents are right to prioritize
things that we really need.  If you want to blame someone, blame the
Tories for allowing schools to demand expensive uniforms which are a
burden on students' families.  And for making so many Britons poor."


feed_id: 663a944cfcca95619f235e990a25e509
title: Free software and GitHub
uri: Free-software-and-GitHub
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#7_September_2019_%28Free_software_and_GitHub%29
content:
<p>
Why your free software project should
be <a href="https://sanctum.geek.nz/why-not-github.html">independent
of GitHub</a>.


feed_id: f5899709d3c4c75e1cdfa76ddc38217e
title: Identification of war criminals in Yemen
uri: Identification-of-war-criminals-in-Yemen
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#7_September_2019_%28Identification_of_war_criminals_in_Yemen%29

content:
<p>
A UN investigation is identifying war criminals in Yemen.  There are
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/sep/03/uk-us-and-france-may-be-complicit-in-yemen-war-crimes-un-report">some
on all sides</a>.


feed_id: 9c219e7a8a9222f41ab4543afbfd99b7
title: Elites golfing
uri: Elites-golfing
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#7_September_2019_%28Elites_golfing%29
content:
<p>
Elites are golfing 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/sep/03/how-much-destruction-is-needed-for-us-to-take-climate-change-seriously">as
global heating effects destroy and kill</a>.  How much destruction and
death will it take before they stop?


feed_id: ef3b3539684737c38ae6e20ab8306817
title: Writings from the past
uri: Writings-from-the-past
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#7_September_2019_%28Writings_from_the_past%29
content:
<p>
"<a href='https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/sep/03/enid-blyton-racism'>Enid
Blyton had racist views. But I still read her.</a>"
<p>
I agree that we would be fools to "cancel" writings from the past over
prejudice in them.  Readers who understand what prejudice is will be
able to note it and criticize it as they read.
<p>
However, young or naive readers may simply accept it as normal, and
that is what we would want to prevent.  Perhaps it would be good to
publish these works with a preface that points out the prejudice
mentioning a few instances and challenges the reader to spot other
instances.


feed_id: 7d985d767c9018484f7ace0bf0fbfa09
title: Social media, anxiety and depression
uri: Social-media-anxiety-and-depression
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#7_September_2019_%28Social_media%2C_anxiety_and_depression%29

content:
<p>
Indirect evidence suggests that social media were 
<a href="https://uk.reuters.com/article/us-health-mental-undergrads/depression-anxiety-rising-among-u-s-college-students-idUKKCN1VJ25Z">responsible
for a big increase in anxiety and depression</a> in US college
students, around 2012.


feed_id: d9ee415943fd3e7f6cb35ca90bc4e025
title: Door spy cameras
uri: Door-spy-cameras
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#7_September_2019_%28Door_spy_cameras%29
content:
<p>
Ring does not support face recognition &hellip; 
<a href="https://www.buzzfeednews.com/article/nicolenguyen/amazon-ring-facial-recognition-ukraine">yet</a>.


feed_id: d0338079fd008943b9fb47975d6b6a8f
title: Message from peoples of the Amazon
uri: Message-from-peoples-of-the-Amazon
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#7_September_2019_%28Message_from_peoples_of_the_Amazon%29

content:
<p>
"<a href='https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/sep/02/amazon-destruction-earth-brazilian-kayapo-people'>You
destroy our lands, poison the planet and sow death, because you are
lost. And soon it will be too late to change.</a>"
<p>
If that rebuke is addressed to the plutocrats, the ones that Bolsonaro
and the bullshitter serve, it is valid.  It doesn't seem fair when
addressed to me.  I supported Lula; I still do.  It is bad to lose a
crucial battle, but that's not the same as being on the wrong side.


feed_id: c4477f3dd12dd4b2d41b6cf83352e9aa
title: Sex workers' safety
uri: Sex-workers-safety
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#7_September_2019_%28Sex_workers_safety%29
content:
<p>
Some cities are setting up 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/cities/2019/sep/02/drive-thru-brothels-why-cities-are-building-sexual-infrastructure">infrastructure
to help sex workers' safety and quality of life</a>.
<p>
What remains to be done is find an effective way to free trafficked
workers (whether in sex work or some other kind of work).


feed_id: 32f39679aa2fb99cc9f59bc9674efdb9
title: Georgia Republicans harassing opponents
uri: Georgia-Republicans-harassing-opponents
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#7_September_2019_%28Georgia_Republicans_harassing_opponents%29

content:
<p>
Georgia Republicans are harassing their opponents with 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2019/sep/02/georgia-republians-political-opponents-voter-intimidation">subpoenas
based on no grounds</a>.
<p>
The Republican Party stands for "power by hook or by crook."


feed_id: 8b588ad836d611e92430bdfa3f2ee811
title: Greta Thunberg
uri: 2019-09-08-Greta-Thunberg
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#7_September_2019_%28Greta_Thunberg%29
content:
<p>
Greta Thunberg says that 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/sep/02/greta-thunberg-responds-to-aspergers-critics-its-a-superpower">her
form of Asperger's syndrome makes her stronger</a>.
<p>
Her rebuke makes Andrew Bolt look very small-minded and foolish.
However, his mockery may be effective with the right-wing audience he
hopes to influence.  They often judge people by condemning those who
disrespect authority or seem somehow not to be as people "should" be.
Pointing out these things about Thunberg might reduce her influence
and that may be all he cares about.


feed_id: 280b2db644ff0640effd139a409c1e71
title: Urgent: Accountability for selling PFAS
uri: Urgent-Accountability-for-selling-PFAS
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#8_September_2019_%28Urgent%3A_Accountability_for_selling_PFAS%29

content:
<p>
US citizens: 
<a href="https://actionnetwork.org/petitions/sign-the-petition-demand-congress-regulate-chemicals-in-our-household-cleaners-and-drinking-water?nowrapper=true">call
on Congress</a> to hold companies accountable for selling PFAS
chemicals and concealing the danger of them.
<p>
If you sign, please spread the word!


feed_id: b0342d692783de271c319eb829390ea8
title: Doomsday machine
uri: Doomsday-machine
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#8_September_2019_%28Doomsday_machine%29
content:
<p>
Experts Want to 
<a href="https://www.vice.com/en_us/article/59n3y5/experts-want-to-give-control-of-americas-nuclear-missiles-to-ai">Give
Control of America's Nuclear Missiles to AI</a>.
<p>
This is called a "doomsday machine."  See the movie, Dr Strangelove,
for what that could do.


feed_id: 610871667faaef8136616b7a58b8ee57
title: Fighting Big Agriculture
uri: Fighting-Big-Agriculture
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#8_September_2019_%28Fighting_Big_Agriculture%29
content:
<p>
The 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/sep/04/democrats-2020-midwest-elections-farming">Secret
to Democrats Winning the Midwest</a>: Fight Big Agriculture.


feed_id: 4ad1550e7ef854b2642a7130449f1840
title: Food producers' role in climate crisis
uri: Food-producers-role-in-climate-crisis
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#8_September_2019_%28Food_producers_role_in_climate_crisis_%29

content:
<p>
Global Food Producers 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/sep/04/global-food-producers-climate-crisis">'Failing
to Face Up to Role'</a> in Climate Crisis.


feed_id: b726de92db6d9e20989f0ffbf3f700fb
title: Military occupation of Kashmir
uri: Military-occupation-of-Kashmir
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#8_September_2019_%28Military_occupation_of_Kashmir%29

content:
<p>
The military occupation of Kashmir has now lasted 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/sep/04/civilians-killed-kashmir-crackdown-army-india">30
days</a>.
<p>
We cannot believe anything that the Indian government says about what
is happening there.  Perhaps five civilians have been killed. but it
could be 500 or 50,000.


feed_id: ee71cf574244f53a9f9991346177b274
title: Facebook anti-vaccine searches
uri: Facebook-anti-vaccine-searches
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#8_September_2019_%28Facebook_anti-vaccine_searches%29

content:
<p>
Facebook to 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/society/2019/sep/04/facebook-to-redirect-anti-vaccine-searches-to-public-health-pages">Redirect
Anti-Vaccine Searches to Public Health Pages</a>.


feed_id: fb7246518f35d41e4fdcb70a6d6f1bec
title: British oil tanker held by Iran
uri: British-oil-tanker-held-by-Iran
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#8_September_2019_%28British_oil_tanker_held_by_Iran%29

content:
<p>
Iran is 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/sep/04/iran-gives-europe-two-months-to-save-nuclear-deal">still
holding the British oil tanker</a> that it seized in apparent
retaliation for the Iranian tanker that the UK had seized.
<p>
This does not seem justified to me, nor an effective way to push back
against the US tactics.


feed_id: 24bd80f5f31364a3d709e87f2124f59b
title: Germany to ban glyphosate
uri: Germany-to-ban-glyphosate
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#8_September_2019_%28Germany_to_ban_glyphosate%29
content:
<p>
Germany has 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/sep/04/germany-ban-glyphosate-weedkiller-by-2023">announced
a ban on glyphosate</a>.


feed_id: 73b64660a4cc92513ae3d764f2c42f4c
title: Agricultural yields
uri: Agricultural-yields
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#8_September_2019_%28Agricultural_yields%29
content:
<p>
Modelling suggests that European agriculture will 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/sep/04/benefits-to-farmers-of-global-heating-outweighed-by-losses-says-report">lose
around 15% of its yield by 2050</a>.
<p>
It is probably similar for the US.


feed_id: 202ff02f3f31921cd27e061fa415cc36
title: Assets of US workers
uri: Assets-of-US-workers
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#8_September_2019_%28Assets_of_US_workers%29
content:
<p>
US workers now have as much assets, on the average, as they had in
2007.  But still 
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2019/09/02/labor-day-us-workers-one-third-poorer-2003-while-top-1-now-two-times-richer">30%
less than in 2003</a>.


feed_id: 174a9e4f865ea5774196e15cf851d15a
title: Solitary confinement has made prisoner severely mentally ill
uri: 2019-09-09-Solitary-confinement-has-made-prisoner-severely-mentally-ill
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#8_September_2019_%28Solitary_confinement_has_made_prisoner_severely_mentally_ill%29

content:
<p>
A prisoner in Virginia was kept in solitary confinement for almost 2
years, <a href="
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2019/sep/04/virginia-prisons-solitary-confinement-tyquine-lee">and it made him severely mentally ill.</a> For instance, he can no
longer communicate in English, only mutter unintelligibly. And he
cannot recognize his mother any more.
<p>
This makes me think of the terribly sad ending of the great movie,
Brazil.
<p>
The nastiest part is the fact that prisoners in solitary in Virginia
that can't communicate in written English can <i>never</i> get out of
solitary. What kind of fool cannot recognize the injustice of this?


feed_id: 652a1801f70da426e68afc21af5d0e4a
title: DNC refuses to allow climate policy debate
uri: DNC-refuses-to-allow-climate-policy-debate
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#10_September_2019_%28DNC_refuses_to_allow_climate_policy_debate%29

content:
<p>
The Democratic National Committee stubbornly 
<a href="https://earther.gizmodo.com/dnc-votes-222-137-against-allowing-candidates-to-partic-1837543829">refused
to allow candidates to debate each other about climate policy</a>.  It
refused to sponsor such a debate, and insisting it would exclude any
candidates that participated in an unofficial debate.
<p>
This illustrates the plutocratic domination of the Democratic Party
structure, which we can also see in the 
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#16_May_2019_(Urgent:_End_DCCC_blacklist)">blacklisting
of consultants that work for primary challengers</a>.


feed_id: 92b25667f97ab39fc3879d396ba53739
title: The Keystone XL planet-roaster pipeline
uri: The-Keystone-XL-planet-roaster-pipeline
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#10_September_2019_%28The_Keystone_XL_planet-roaster_pipeline%29

content:
<p>
Most Democratic candidates have 
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2019/09/04/democratic-presidential-candidates-sign-nokxl-pledge-stop-keystone-xl-pipeline">pledged
to cancel the permit</a> for the Keystone XL planet-roaster pipeline.
<p>
One, however, is Biden his time, or perhaps under pressure from rich
fossil fools that support him.


feed_id: 8594de395bb8f163970bde6b9ba9e7a1
title: European Green New Deal
uri: European-Green-New-Deal
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#10_September_2019_%28European_Green_New_Deal%29
content:
<p>
Proposing a 
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2019/09/04/g7-was-joke-three-degrees-warming-isnt">European
Green New Deal</a>, including an Environmental Justice Commission for
compensating colonized countries for the harm done by extraction
there, and prosecuting ecocide.


feed_id: 531675d9bd23694a806271667c1dae92
title: Medicare for All
uri: 2019-09-10-Medicare-for-All
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#10_September_2019_%28Medicare_for_All%29
content:
<p>
How Medicare for All will avoid the 
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2019/09/04/heres-real-deal-medicare-all">imaginary
problems that for-profit medical insurance lobbyists warn us
about</a>.


feed_id: 68a279bd17234b844f88535284034882
title: Conman uses racism to disguise looting
uri: Conman-uses-racism-to-disguise-looting
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#10_September_2019_%28Conman_uses_racism_to_disguise_looting%29

content:
<p>
AOC: the conman's real purpose is looting the treasury, but he 
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2019/09/04/always-about-con-ocasio-cortez-says-virtually-every-trump-policy-designed-loot">uses
racism to disguise it</a>.  (To his followers, racism looks better
than looting.)  We need to attack the cynical racism to expose the
sincere looting.


feed_id: 5f1f4f6f42671fe71ee35edd1ea71e38
title: Light sentence for rapist NYC thugs
uri: Light-sentence-for-rapist-NYC-thugs
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#10_September_2019_%28Light_sentence_for_rapist_NYC_thugs%29

content:
<p>
Two New York City <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thugs</a> received a shockingly light sentence for
<a href="https://reason.com/2019/09/04/brickbat-teaching-them-a-lesson/">having
sex with a handcuffed prisoner</a>.
<p>
A prisoner literally cannot refuse, so that was rape.


feed_id: 4e87af7cb5d172cde4ea7bfbc3ae1a23
title: Brazil's indigenous peoples
uri: Brazil-s-indigenous-peoples
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#10_September_2019_%28Brazils_indigenous_peoples%29
content:
<p>
Bolsonaro has declared his hatred for Brazil's indigenous peoples.
Evidently he wants to burn them out of their homes.  People in Brazil
and elsewhere are 
<a href="https://amazonwatch.org/news/2019/0904-the-amazon-burns-and-the-world-responds">organizing
to fight this</a>.


feed_id: eef585a005c0ea093538a35871aa5cf3
title: Google search ads
uri: Google-search-ads
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#10_September_2019_%28Google_search_ads%29
content:
<p>
Accusing Google search ads of being a 
<a href="https://www.cnbc.com/2019/09/04/google-paid-search-ads-shakedown-basecamp-ceo-says.html">shakedown
for businesses</a>.


feed_id: 74a7bd8eed5037e3e139640fe3fe14a9
title: Legalizing dumpster diving in Germany
uri: Legalizing-dumpster-diving-in-Germany
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#10_September_2019_%28Legalizing_dumpster_diving_in_Germany%29

content:
<p>
The 
<a href="https://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/germany-examines-legality-of-dumpster-diving-a-1284079.html">campaign
to legalize dumpster diving</a> in Germany.


feed_id: 18018a6b283aae68547a14814e23ec8f
title: Urgent: Divestment from fossil fuels
uri: Urgent-Divestment-from-fossil-fuels
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#9_September_2019_%28Urgent%3A_Divestment_from_fossil_fuels%29

content:
<p>
US citizens: 
<a href="https://act.priceofoil.org/sign/FossilFreeEIB-germany/">call
on Germany</a> to make the European Investment Bank get out of fossil
fuels.
<p>
If you sign, please spread the word!


feed_id: 53c9b76dc3352abce26a67a32505c809
title: Urgent: Stop funding fake abortion clinics
uri: Urgent-Stop-funding-fake-abortion-clinics
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#9_September_2019_%28Urgent%3A_Stop_funding_fake_abortion_clinics%29

content:
<p>
US citizens: 
<a href="https://actionnetwork.org/petitions/sign-the-petition-congress-must-stop-hhs-from-awarding-title-x-funds-to-obria-and-other-anti-birth-control-anti-abortion-fake-centers?nowrapper=true">call
on Congress</a> to stop HHS from spending medical funds on Obria and
other anti-birth control, anti-abortion fake clinics.
<p>
If you sign, please spread the word!


feed_id: 623a12d62efbd9e02a41883e52203495
title: Urgent: Cut funding for ICE and CBP
uri: Urgent-Cut-funding-for-ICE-and-CBP
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#9_September_2019_%28Urgent%3A_Cut_funding_for_ICE_and_CBP%29

content:
<p>
<a href="https://act.credoaction.com/sign/congress-defund-hate-2019">Call
on Congress</a> to cut funding for ICE and CBP and put a stop to the
agencies' backdoor money grabs.
<p>
If you sign, please spread the word!


feed_id: 9250b6faad924f733149d43246d05975
title: Monsanto, John Deere, nonfree software
uri: Monsanto-John-Deere-nonfree-software
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#9_September_2019_%28Monsanto%2C_John_Deere%2C_nonfree_software%29

content:
<p>
Monsanto and John Deere 
<a href="https://www.npr.org/sections/thesalt/2014/01/21/264577744/should-farmers-give-john-deere-and-monsanto-their-data">want
to scan the production of each spot in a farm and analyze how to use
it</a>.
<p>
The farmer should be able to do this using free software on per own
computer.


feed_id: 3857b8687441ec92a5b3814756226a9f
title: Thugs permanently paralyze prisoner
uri: Thugs-permanently-paralyze-prisoner
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#9_September_2019_%28Thugs_permanently_paralyze_prisoner%29

content:
<p>
Prison <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thugs</a> in Florida attacked prisoner Cheryl Weimer and 
<a href="https://reason.com/2019/09/04/lawsuit-savage-beating-by-guards-at-florida-womens-prison-leaves-inmate-paralyzed/">broke
her neck</a>.  She is now permanently paralyzed.
<p>
The motive for the attack is that she complained that her work was
causing her pain due to a physical ailment.


feed_id: 64dc6524019868bcca017f8fb0c64af5
title: Complete ban on fracking
uri: Complete-ban-on-fracking
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#9_September_2019_%28Complete_ban_on_fracking%29
content:
<p>
Sanders 
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2019/09/04/ahead-climate-forum-bernie-sanders-urges-all-2020-democrats-back-federal-fracking">urged
all candidates to join him</a> in supporting a complete ban on
fracking.


feed_id: 9516dd27258ace474957ca3d49a7d0f1
title: Crime goes down as thugs reduce presence
uri: Crime-goes-down-as-thugs-reduce-presence
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#9_September_2019_%28Crime_goes_down_as_thugs_reduce_presence%29

content:
<p>
New York City <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thugs</a> are carrying out a slowdown strike.
Interestingly, 
<a href="https://reason.com/2019/09/04/new-york-cops-protest-pantaleos-firing-by-hassling-fewer-people-crime-is-still-going-down/">crime
has gone down</a>.


feed_id: 0b1dd477781c603b55aeb4f312d8b893
title: Urgent: No logging in Tongass National Forest
uri: Urgent-No-logging-in-Tongass-National-Forest
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#10_September_2019_%28Urgent%3A_No_logging_in_Tongass_National_Forest%29

content:
<p>
US citizens: 
<a href="https://act.credoaction.com/sign/tongass-perdue">call on the
Department of Agriculture</a> not to allow logging in the Tongass
National Forest.
<p>
If you sign, please spread the word!


feed_id: da441e00550dcc96e7b327b9db87aa59
title: Urgent: Stop Nestle from overdraining river
uri: Urgent-Stop-Nestle-from-overdraining-river
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#10_September_2019_%28Urgent%3A_Stop_Nestle_from_overdraining_river%29

content:
<p>
Everyone: 
<a href="https://act.credoaction.com/sign/nestle-santa-fe">call on the
Suwannee River Water Management District</a> not to let Nestle
overdrain the Santa Fe river.
<p>
If you live in a place where the public water supply is potable, you
can also help by avoiding bottled water.  When I travel I carry a
refillable water bottle, and I rarely use bottled water except
where it is medically necessary.
<p>
If you sign, please spread the word!


feed_id: 8daa40ea94b5d9cb522efbc1cb9e89f1
title: Bogus Johnson declares himself autocrat
uri: Bogus-Johnson-declares-himself-autocrat
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#10_September_2019_%28Bogus_Johnson_declares_himself_autocrat%29

content:
<p>
"Boris Johnson is using the act of leaving the EU as a vehicle for his
goal &mdash; 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/sep/09/prorogue-parliament-brexit-power-boris-johnson-impotence">showing
the impotence of his adversaries."  And that of Parliament</a>.  In
effect, he is declaring himself autocrat and defying anyone in Britain
to prove him wrong.  Even though Parliament is fighting back, he could
build support for brushing away democracy.
<p>
The UK's democracy has grave problems.  As in most countries,
plutocrats have too much power and subvert the state to their
interests.  However, the remedy must be more democracy, not less.


feed_id: aadfbd8c05bb339a418cd2cd57e1eb33
title: Robot cash registers
uri: Robot-cash-registers
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#10_September_2019_%28Robot_cash_registers%29
content:
<p>
The AFL-CIO is supporting an Oregon ballot initiative to 
<a href="https://oraflcio.org/press-releases-statements/2019/9/4/ballot-initiative-to-reduce-self-checkout-machines-moves-forward">limit
the number of robot cash registers a store can operate</a>.
<p>
I support this initiative but I'd rather set the limit at zero
and extend it to other kinds of stores.


feed_id: 153921f80f0aa3eddc5da02ba5d8f8b8
title: Too many small required tasks
uri: Too-many-small-required-tasks
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#10_September_2019_%28Too_many_small_required_tasks%29

content:
<p>
Many people's lives have become so full of small required tasks that
they
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2019/sep/07/i-feel-bombarded-with-to-dos-the-hell-of-life-admin-and-how-to-get-on-top">can't
keep up with all of them</a>.


feed_id: 9483d520faf539bd573d875dfcb6ee1a
title: Internet of Stings
uri: 2019-09-11-Internet-of-Stings
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#10_September_2019_%28Internet_of_Stings%29
content:
<p>
The <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#internetofstings">Internet of Stings</a> has stung users of a proprietary program for
adjusting a certain telescopic rifle sight.  The US has 
<a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/thomasbrewster/2019/09/06/exclusive-feds-demand-apple-and-google-hand-over-names-of-10000-users-of-a-gun-scope-app/">demanded
the list of all the 10,000 or more people who have downloaded the
app</a>.
<p>
The investigation aims at possible illegal export of the telescopic
sight.  The goal seems valid to me, but seizing data about over 10,000
people to investigate the crimes of a few of them should not be
allowed.
<p>
If the program had been free software, the issue would not even arise.
Thus, one of the forms of surveillance attached to many proprietary
programs is keeping track of who uses it.


feed_id: bedc2fd8478884b5aaeb751279eba366
title: "Canceled" for criticizing thugs and flag
uri: Canceled-for-criticizing-thugs-and-flag
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#10_September_2019_%28Canceled_for_criticizing_thugs_and_flag%29

content:
<p>
The University of Alabama squeezed out a dean because he had
<a href="https://reason.com/2019/09/06/alabama-dean-jamie-riley-resign-breitbart/">criticized
US thugs and the American flag</a> for their association (over time)
with racism.
<p>
The flag of the US stands for the country.  I love my country but
recognize that it kept blacks in slavery for a long time.  So even
though I would not draw the overall conclusion about the US and its
flag that Dean Riley drew, I can't fault his criticism.
<p>
I also agree with the article's disapproval of "cancel culture".


feed_id: 26227682e90d7876cf542f6d336c5a7d
title: Funds for military intervention in Yemen
uri: Funds-for-military-intervention-in-Yemen
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#10_September_2019_%28Funds_for_military_intervention_in_Yemen%29

content:
<p>
A bipartisan group in Congress 
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2019/09/03/sanders-lee-khanna-gaetz-lead-bipartisan-effort-defund-us-role-saudi-war-yemen">aim
to deny funds</a> for US military intervention in Yemen.


feed_id: a5a9ffbd360360c635195975aa483b5d
title: Greta Thunberg on defense of the climate
uri: Greta-Thunberg-on-defense-of-the-climate
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#10_September_2019_%28Greta_Thunberg_on_defense_of_the_climate%29

content:
<p>
Greta Thunberg refuses to be lionized.  What counts, she says, is that
we all 
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2019/09/02/malicious-and-scientifically-illiterate-bullies-afraid-greta-thunberg">push
for defense of the climate</a>.


feed_id: fdcd1fcd96194a0fc3829b5ec4cb8872
title: Methane release from ice caps
uri: Methane-release-from-ice-caps
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#10_September_2019_%28Methane_release_from_ice_caps%29

content:
<p>
If the ice caps melt, they will release so much methane that it 
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2019/09/02/will-antarctic-ice-doom-us-all">could
cause a lot worse heating</a>.


feed_id: 48889e5c6751d412ef4c623d9260165d
title: Working in an Amazon warehouse
uri: Working-in-an-Amazon-warehouse
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#10_September_2019_%28Working_in_an_Amazon_warehouse%29

content:
<p>
(satire) unconscious Amazon warehouse employee Anthony Cargill, 41,
was reportedly chastised Monday for 
<a href="https://www.theonion.com/unconscious-amazon-employee-chastised-for-not-filing-ti-1837812442">failing
to file a time-off request</a>.


feed_id: 3b51c7a476b5f95ec5d25c63b68669b1
title: Murder rate of women in South Africa
uri: Murder-rate-of-women-in-South-Africa
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#10_September_2019_%28Murder_rate_of_women_in_South_Africa%29

content:
<p>
South Africa has a 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/sep/06/south-africa-faces-national-crisis-of-violence-against-women-says-president">high
rate of murders of women</a>.


feed_id: 6c4f051c9fb9319ff6c0509d924f5020
title: Republican Party primary elections
uri: Republican-Party-primary-elections
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#10_September_2019_%28Republican_Party_primary_elections%29

content:
<p>
The Republican Party rigs its own primary elections, too, by
<a href="https://reason.com/2019/09/06/the-gop-deals-with-trump-competition-by-canceling-elections/">cancelling
them entirely</a>.


feed_id: 94b9117e8cd6932b44a23a1edcfc292e
title: Overt endorsement of bloody military coup
uri: Overt-endorsement-of-bloody-military-coup
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#10_September_2019_%28Overt_endorsement_of_bloody_military_coup%29

content:
<p>
Bolsonaro 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/sep/04/jair-bolsonaro-michelle-bachelet-brazil-police-killings">overtly
endorsed</a> the bloody military coup in Chile.
<p>
He has kept company with supporters of Brazil's military government,
but this is more explicit.


feed_id: 026fce22dfad40b445496ce9bec9e641
title: Neoliberal economists
uri: Neoliberal-economists
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#10_September_2019_%28Neoliberal_economists%29
content:
<p>
"Neoliberal economists present themselves as ‘neutral’ technocrats,
but they’re actually 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/sep/02/austerity-is-a-political-choice-not-an-economic-necessity">partisans
for the status quo</a> [and for inequality]. Don’t fall for it."


feed_id: 37f8a21f37c8fc8bfd9e01838ba3aa17
title: Urgent: Affordable insulin
uri: Urgent-Affordable-insulin
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#11_September_2019_%28Urgent%3A_Affordable_insulin%29

content:
<p>
<p>
US citizens: <a href="https://act.colorofchange.org/go/178112">call on
Big Pharma</a> to make insulin affordable, as it used to be.
</p>
<p>If you sign, please spread the word!</p>


feed_id: da48343ab93528cf7735ed1c72c6eb8c
title: Panda politics
uri: Panda-politics
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#11_September_2019_%28Panda_politics%29
content:
<p>
China uses pandas as instruments of international public relations.
Now Germans are turning that around by calling two newborn pandas
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/sep/05/berlins-panda-cubs-cause-debate-about-chinese-human-rights">"Hong"
and "Kong"</a>.
<p>
To maintain its monopoly on pandas, China only leases them, never
selling them, and the lease says that all offspring belong to China.
But this is no reason for Germans to call the pandas by the names that
China says are "official".
<p>
One small but significant way to push back on China is by not making
any particular fuss about pandas.


feed_id: eeca35c83c8690237835d3385d785532
title: Cash in Austria
uri: Cash-in-Austria
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#11_September_2019_%28Cash_in_Austria%29
content:
<p>
Austrians have made the right to pay
cash <a href="https://www.euractiv.com/section/data-protection/news/debate-rages-in-austria-over-enshrining-use-of-cash-in-the-constitution/">an
election issue</a>.
<p>
Please help do this where you live.


feed_id: 23a5bf1a37e153a1091b80ff8d396519
title: Levy on sweets
uri: Levy-on-sweets
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#11_September_2019_%28Levy_on_sweets%29
content:
<p>
A 20% levy on cakes and sweets would be more effective than taxing
sugary drinks, suggests
a <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/society/2019/sep/05/tax-on-snacks-would-have-huge-impact-on-obesity-say-experts">study
by nutritionists</a>.


feed_id: 288a66b6ee307fabbb54b1f09d70bb03
title: Dissent in Indonesia
uri: Dissent-in-Indonesia
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#11_September_2019_%28Dissent_in_Indonesia%29
content:
<p>
Indonesia plans
to <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/sep/05/outcry-as-indonesia-seeks-to-arrest-renowned-west-papua-rights-lawyer">prosecute
a prominent human rights lawyer</a> for spreading disagreement with
the official line.
<p>
Following the <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#bully">bully</a>, Indonesia describes this dissent as "fake news".
I've warned for years that laws against "fake news" are an excuse to
prosecute whoever disagrees with the lies of tyrants.


feed_id: 23247684e4f44adab06c33de053c2628
title: 2020 mission
uri: 2020-mission
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#11_September_2019_%282020_mission%29
content:
<p>
The American Left's 2020 Mission: Not Just Defeat [the conman]
&mdash; <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2019/sep/04/american-left-2020-trump-elections-sanders">But
Change The World</a>.


feed_id: 49f831ccf58b8f8bbb1aba3288c36aa7
title: Hurricane Dorian
uri: Hurricane-Dorian
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#11_September_2019_%28Hurricane_Dorian%29
content:
<p>
Michael Mann: Global Heating Made Hurricane Dorian Bigger, Wetter &mdash;
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/sep/04/climate-crisis-hurricane-dorian-floods-bahamas">And
More Deadly</a>.


feed_id: 0a4e883a681ce3d2f0fe85cb26d7e47a
title: Israeli annexation
uri: Israeli-annexation
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#11_September_2019_%28Israeli_annexation%29
content:
<p>
Netanyahu
said <a href="https://imemc.org/article/netanyahu-israel-to-announce-sovereignty-over-settlements/">he
would claim to annex</a> the territory of Israel's colonies.
<p>
The conman will surely say that the US "recognizes" the annexation.
The next president should recognize Palestine as sovereign over the
West Bank.
<p>
US congresscritters' staff went on a tour which included
an <a href="https://mondoweiss.net/2019/08/bipartisan-delegation-celebrating/">Israeli
right-wing extremist</a> who endorsed assassination of the last
Israeli prime minister that was serious about making peace.


feed_id: 62339c200bab0522113fdebb9060d471
title: CIA and Abu Dhabi
uri: CIA-and-Abu-Dhabi
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#11_September_2019_%28CIA_and_Abu_Dhabi%29
content:
<p>
The CIA makes Abu
Dhabi <a href="https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-emirates-spying-insight/why-the-cia-doesnt-spy-on-the-uae-idUSKCN1VG0V3">a
blind-spot</a> (surely under orders from above) as it intervenes in
various other countries.


feed_id: 336240a2fbc07acb692b253c228658a1
title: MUROS surveillance vans
uri: MUROS-surveillance-vans
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#11_September_2019_%28MUROS_surveillance_vans%29
content:
<p>
"Discover, identify and interfere":
the <a href="https://digit.site36.net/2019/08/26/discover-identify-and-interfere-the-muros-from-meckenheim/">MUROS
surveillance vans</a>.
<p>
One use of these is to watch and listen to everyone at a protest or
demonstration.


feed_id: d5868035fdbceb59c1702d4d49673daf
title: Amazon preservation
uri: Amazon-preservation
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#11_September_2019_%28Amazon_preservation%29
content:
<p>
We can't expect billionaires to donate to preserve the Amazon forest;
many of them are profiting from destroying it.  In effect, Bolsonaro
is <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2019/09/03/amazonian-communities-need-solidarity-not-saviours">working
with and for them</a>.
<p>
This article goes too far in treating the Amazon forest solely as the
property of the indigenous people that live in it, and hyping their
authority.  If they decided to sell their land, or accept royalties
from farmers, that would not make it acceptable to cut the forest
down.  The reasons not to allow this are global.
<p>
Calling it "the lungs of the Earth" is basically correct (even though
a little exaggerated, since the rest of the Earth's forest share in
the role).  The extinction of perhaps half a million species (counting
microbes) that live only there would be a disaster even if the forest
had no human inhabitants.  The <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#global heating">global heating</a> effects would also be
disaster.


feed_id: 5e2ef9217ba49e67862068f9e5ee802c
title: Moscow's internet voting system cracked
uri: Moscow-s-internet-voting-system-cracked
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#12_September_2019_%28Moscow_s_internet_voting_system_cracked%29

content:
<p>
An investigating hacker <a href="https://www.france24.com/en/20190828-french-researcher-hacks-into-moscow-s-new-e-voting-system">has cracked</a> Moscow's internet voting system.
<p>
Voting over the internet is an absurd idea.  In the case of Moscow, it hardly
matters since those elections <a href="https://www.stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#11_August_2019_(March_for_free_elections_in_Moscow)"</a>are rigged anyway</a>.


feed_id: 4faf6344a0111e6a1d1b13d43af07a82
title: Face recognition in China's schools
uri: Face-recognition-in-China-s-schools
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#12_September_2019_%28Face_recognition_in_China_s_schools%29

content:
<p>
China <a href="https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-49608459?intlink_from_url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world&link_location=live-reporting-story">announced</a> it would limit face recognition in schools.
<p>
<a href="http://www.globaltimes.cn/content/1162629.shtml">This is the practice</a> that the new plan would restrict.
<p>
Bizarrely, this means China is ahead of the US on one aspect of
anonymity protection.


feed_id: 21dfaf7a9ba705441c872e4a6c95526d
title: DMVs are selling private data
uri: DMVs-are-selling-private-data
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#12_September_2019_%28DMVs_are_selling_private_data%29

content:
<p>
DMVs in States around the US are <a href="https://www.vice.com/en_us/article/43kxzq/dmvs-selling-data-private-investigators-making-millions-of-dollars">taking drivers' personal information and selling it</a> to thousands of businesses.
<p>
Even worse, they are making the info available to other government
agencies that persecute people for reasons unrelated to driving.


feed_id: 8f8033e1d70a1a7430e7d84ed9b3decf
title: Scientist activism
uri: Scientist-activism
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#12_September_2019_%28Scientist_activism%29
content:
<p>
When officials spit on scientific knowledge and invite disaster,
scientists must not limit themselves to developing more scientific
knowledge for officials to ignore.  They need to <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/sep/06/scientists-climate-crisis-activism-extinction-rebellion">join in protests</a>
demanding officials heed science.


feed_id: ea1497c18683d75fb9326405dfa57a4c
title: Climate catastrophe in Europe
uri: Climate-catastrophe-in-Europe
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#12_September_2019_%28Climate_catastrophe_in_Europe%29

content:
<p>
Europe is <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2019/09/06/climate-catastrophe-comes-europe">tasting the beginnings of climate catastrophe</a> that will reduce food production as it kills forests.


feed_id: 781ba393cc6a9189fca4ffe84a1df3b2
title: Liberty University's core mission
uri: Liberty-University-s-core-mission
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#12_September_2019_%28Liberty_Universitys_core_mission%29

content:
<p>
(satire) &hellip; members of the Liberty University board told
reporters Monday they were concerned investigations into Jerry Falwell
Jr.’s corruption risked undermining the college’s core mission of
<a href="https://www.theonion.com/liberty-university-board-concerned-falwell-s-corruption-1837994718">subjugating
women and gay people</a>.


feed_id: 0058750f7dcfec67f973fd7cb6fd8e7c
title: Media Lab to return donated girls
uri: Media-Lab-to-return-donated-girls
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#12_September_2019_%28Media_Lab_to_return_donated_girls%29

content:
<p>
(satire) MIT Media Lab 
<a href="https://www.theonion.com/mit-media-lab-agrees-to-return-all-of-jeffrey-epstein-s-1837986237">Agrees
to Return All of Jeffrey Epstein's Donated Girls</a>.


feed_id: 7418a12aa3f0bb7dab5899914c221aab
title: Taking UK out of EU
uri: Taking-UK-out-of-EU
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#12_September_2019_%28Taking_UK_out_of_EU%29
content:
<p>
The rogue, Bogus Johnson, has pro-rogued Parliament, but Parliament
had made it 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2019/sep/10/brexit-chants-of-shame-as-suspension-of-parliament-descends-into-chaos">illegal
for him to take the UK out of the EU without an agreed-on deal</a>.


feed_id: 6df3cbe5a4d1e06f6636e1cf573f6191
title: Pretending to be perfectly objective
uri: Pretending-to-be-perfectly-objective
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#12_September_2019_%28Pretending_to_be_perfectly_objective%29

content:
<p>
"Conservatives are more open to leftwing arguments when they come from
people who don't 
<a href='https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/sep/10/media-bias-is-ok-if-its-honest'>pretend
to be perfectly objective</a>."
<p>
This makes sense, because that pretense is dishonest; people who sense
a hint of it are likely to distrust the speaker.


feed_id: 5460983e593d7736b974aceec1e2f633
title: Australia's largest river
uri: Australia-s-largest-river
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#12_September_2019_%28Australias_largest_river%29
content:
<p>
Lack of water is causing 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2019/sep/09/plan-to-relocate-fish-as-australias-largest-river-system-faces-ecological-collapse">collapse
of the ecosystems in Australia's largest river</a>.
<p>
The lack is partly due to taking too much for irrigation, and
partly due to <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#global heating">global heating</a>.  Short-termist governments have
encouraged both problems at once.


feed_id: da1761a7a57a2c0c6828ea9d02321b43
title: FBI tracking border protest groups
uri: FBI-tracking-border-protest-groups
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#12_September_2019_%28FBI_tracking_border_protest_groups%29

content:
<p>
Document Reveals The FBI Is Tracking Border Protest Groups 
<a href="https://www.huffpost.com/entry/fbi-tracking-border-protest-groups_n_5d6ff5c2e4b09bbc9ef8ed2b">As
Extremist Organizations</a>.


feed_id: e2dbbc5c3c2acb5f7dd32f538a0dec8d
title: Charter schools
uri: 2019-09-12-Charter-schools
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#12_September_2019_%28Charter_schools%29
content:
<p>
Even nonprofit charter schools 
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2019/09/05/why-2020-dems-should-target-nonprofit-charter-school-industry">offer
opportunities for corrupt profit</a>.


feed_id: 9df42f201782b41e1bdd78d775a90d0a
title: Australia's late-spring wildfires
uri: Australia-s-late-spring-wildfires
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#12_September_2019_%28Australias_late-spring_wildfires%29

content:
<p>
Australia's late-spring wildfires are 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2019/sep/09/like-nothing-weve-seen-queensland-bushfires-tear-through-rainforest">spreading
faster than anyone recalls seeing there</a>.


feed_id: f743c7955d02fd950e5af22b29609f2e
title: Trumpets
uri: Trumpets
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#12_September_2019_%28Trumpets%29
content:
<p>
Trumpets 
<a href="https://www.axios.com/2020-presidential-campaign-trump-allies-journalists-6733432f-b008-45d3-99c2-9dca7931faff.html">seek
to raise 2 million dollars</a> to fund fishing expeditions to find
accusations to make against reporters that publish bad news about
right-wingers.


feed_id: 52463fa0acdc8cf557404ce834889465
title: Exclusion of ex-cons from good jobs
uri: 2019-09-12-Exclusion-of-ex-cons-from-good-jobs
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#12_September_2019_%28Exclusion_of_ex-cons_from_good_jobs%29

content:
<p>
Many US states 
<a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/graphics/2019/business/jobs-after-prison-rhode-island-recently-occupational-licensing/">exclude
ex-cons from nearly all good jobs</a>.  The result appears to be to
drive them back to crime.


feed_id: 2df2ea5dbfdeb8c87ceb8d32e961dd12
title: Fundraiser hosted by nation's bison
uri: Fundraiser-hosted-by-nation-s-bison
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#12_September_2019_%28Fundraiser_hosted_by_nations_bison%29

content:
<p>
(satire) &hellip; the nation’s bison hosted an opulent gala fundraiser
Friday in an 
<a href="https://politics.theonion.com/nation-s-bison-hold-lavish-fundraiser-in-effort-to-get-1837934578">effort
to convince the 2020 Democratic candidates to support the
environment</a>.


feed_id: 0cc43ddf14f221a43cc1628d0ad73e02
title: Social security
uri: Social-security
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#12_September_2019_%28Social_security%29
content:
<p>
Republicans are 
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2019/09/06/joni-ernst-wants-cut-social-security-behind-closed-doors">looking
for a hidden way to cut social security benefits</a>, because they
don't dare admit that is their goal.


feed_id: 2c4f8512dab09d136229ee8fe13f0d0a
title: Construction of fossil fuel facilities
uri: Construction-of-fossil-fuel-facilities
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#11_September_2019_%28Construction_of_fossil_fuel_facilities%29

content:
<p>
The giant planet-roaster companies 
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2019/09/06/definition-insane-greed-investing-billions-new-projects-fossil-fuel-corporations">have
not slowed their construction of fossil fuel facilities</a>.
<p>
Biggest Fossil Fuel Extractors Warned They Risk 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/sep/06/oil-and-gas-companies-undermining-climate-goals-says-report">Wasting
$2.2tn</a> "in a Low-Carbon World."
<p>
That is to say, the money they put into planet-roasting facilities may
win them no profit if governments wake up and prohibit or prevent
actually using it for unlimited extraction.
<p>
Even worse, they might succeed in preventing governments from shutting
off the extraction and the greenhouse gas emission.  Eventually
civilization will start teetering and their profits will not be worth
very much.


feed_id: 792de439fef2ec14a86bab4765737ac0
title: Proposed AI doomsday machine
uri: Proposed-AI-doomsday-machine
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#11_September_2019_%28Proposed_AI_doomsday_machine%29

content:
<p>
A proposed AI doomsday machine 
<a href="https://thebulletin.org/2019/08/strangelove-redux-us-experts-propose-having-ai-control-nuclear-weapons">would
not even appear necessary if the conman hadn't rejected arms
limitation</a>.
<p>
Of all the ways to avoid a nuclear first strike attack, arms control
treaties are the best.  They reduce the danger of accidental nuclear
war as well as intentional nuclear war.  And they save a lot of money,
too.


feed_id: beca0416d8aef163014f03a4f5348fbc
title: Computer game loot box gambling
uri: Computer-game-loot-box-gambling
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#11_September_2019_%28Computer_game_loot_box_gambling%29

content:
<p>
Buying a loot box in a computer game is effectively 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/society/2019/sep/03/two-in-five-prisoners-who-died-in-segregation-in-england-and-wales-known-to-be-at-risk">a
form of gambling</a>, and gambling companies advertise in the games
which sell loot boxes.
<p>
The article may be is using some specific legal definition of
"gambling", which excludes loot boxes.  I don't see any reason to
allow governments to legislate for me what the word "gambling" means.
<p>
What governments can legislate is what kinds of gambling to allow.
Loot boxes don't make games more fun, only more exploitative.
So let's prohibit them.


feed_id: 66d49b51c5f37a3c8e0079d7ee29da64
title: Rohingya refugee camp phone service cut off
uri: Rohingya-refugee-camp-phone-service-cut-off
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#11_September_2019_%28Rohingya_refugee_camp_phone_service_cut_off%29

content:
<p>
Bangladesh has 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2019/sep/05/bangladesh-imposes-mobile-phone-blackout-in-rohingya-refugee-camps">cut
off phone service in Rohingya refugee camps</a>.
<p>
Since India is getting away with doing 
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#10_August_2019_(Kashmir_converted_to_a_pair_of_territories)">this
(and more)</a> as part of its military occupation of Kashmir, other
countries will soon conclude they can get away with doing similar
things to other persecuted groups.


feed_id: bddd24deac32f029dd9d0de342694466
title: Moscow's internet voting system cracked
uri: 2019-09-12-Moscow-s-internet-voting-system-cracked
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#12_September_2019_%28Moscow_s_internet_voting_system_cracked%29

content:
<p>
An investigating hacker <a href="https://www.france24.com/en/20190828-french-researcher-hacks-into-moscow-s-new-e-voting-system">has cracked</a> Moscow's internet voting system.
<p>
Voting over the internet is an absurd idea.  In the case of Moscow, it hardly
matters since those elections <a href="https://www.stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#11_August_2019_(March_for_free_elections_in_Moscow)">are rigged anyway</a>.


feed_id: e704bbc6bb34e5d8a5dbc1ce69ee73fc
title: Diesel cars on hot days
uri: Diesel-cars-on-hot-days
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#13_September_2019_%28Diesel_cars_on_hot_days%29
content:
<p>
NOx emissions from diesel cars <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/cities/2019/sep/10/diesel-cars-emit-more-air-pollution-on-hot-days-study-says
">rise 20% or more</a> on hot days.


feed_id: 45185797ce6da9af9de3f43f4e5f6b9f
title: Climate crisis
uri: 2019-09-13-Climate-crisis
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#13_September_2019_%28Climate_crisis%29
content:
<p>
Climate crisis is <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/law/2019/sep/09/climate-crisis-human-rights-un-michelle-bachelet-united-nations">greatest ever threat to human rights</a>, UN warns.


feed_id: 7c85100396d53f2c6901c9b285d84b66
title: Antitrust law
uri: Antitrust-law
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#13_September_2019_%28Antitrust_law%29
content:
<p>
The perverse reinterpretation of US antitrust law, starting in the
1970s, <a href="https://promarket.org/how-robert-bork-fathered-the-new-gilded-age/">allows big businesses to merge with little restraint, while targeting unions</a>.

<p>
It was proposed and pushed by Robert Bork, but judges adopted it.


feed_id: 11c70a5ec7d410378487e234d8a1523d
title: Amazon responsibility
uri: Amazon-responsibility
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#13_September_2019_%28Amazon_responsability%29
content:
<p>
"Our investigation found Amazon escapes responsibility for its role in deaths
and serious injuries even though the company keeps a tight grip on how
third-party delivery drivers do their jobs."

<p>
<a href="https://features.propublica.org/amazon-delivery-crashes/how-amazon-hooked-america-on-fast-delivery-while-avoiding-responsibility-for-crashes/">Source</a>


feed_id: 7cc2e666c0b98076113e108250e1205e
title: Personal Data in Australia
uri: Personal-Data-in-Australia
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#13_September_2019_%28Personal_Data_in_Australia%29
content:
<p>
Australia's right-wing government seeks to extend its contempt for
human rights to the field of surveillance.  Even the inadequate
protection of requiring consent for redistributing personal data <a href="https://www.zdnet.com/article/consent-removed-from-australias-proposed-data-sharing-legislation/ ">will
be eliminated from the proposed law</a>.


feed_id: b7143fabeab8320d946609e2b58686c6
title: Climate minimizers
uri: Climate-minimizers
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#13_September_2019_%28Climate_minimizers%29
content:
<p>
"Climate minimizers" <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2019/09/07/climate-minimizers-dont-deny-climate-change-find-endless-reasons-reject-sanders">don't deny we are heading for disaster, but consistently downplay its magnitude</a>.  They harm on the cost of avoiding the disaster
and never compare that with the disaster itself.


feed_id: 85a08fa0160ed016787437eb48af3f31
title: India and Assam
uri: India-and-Assam
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#13_September_2019_%28India_and_Assam%29
content:
<p>
India's cruel government says it will expel everyone in Assam <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/sep/09/not-a-single-illegal-immigrant-will-stay-says-india-after-register-excludes-millions">that has been unable to prove Indian ancestry</a>.

<p>
Since Bangladesh won't let them in, India will have to bribe some
country to take them all.  Perhaps Papua New Guinea will take them.
But India might find it easier to make their lives so difficult that
most of them die.


feed_id: ceb30fd737ea2b6c0ccfdab7f4036ed9
title: Democrats and Medicare for All
uri: Democrats-and-Medicare-for-All
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#13_September_2019_%28Democrats_and_Medicare_for_All%29

content:
<p>
With 70% of Americans supporting Medicare for All, you'd expect
Democrats in Congress to rush to endorse it &mdash; but in fact <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2019/09/05/organizing-works-advocates-credit-pressure-campaign-forcing-high-ranking-democrat">we need to pressure them to do so</a>.


feed_id: 8bce0cc5d4aaa11980387124a1e22375
title: The Kardashian Show
uri: The-Kardashian-Show
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#13_September_2019_%28The_Kardashian_Show%29
content:
<p>
(satire) Kim Kardashian <a href="https://entertainment.theonion.com/kim-kardashian-tries-to-escape-l-a-in-rowboat-after-re-1837902924">tried to escape</a> in a rowboat after discovering
that her whole life had been a scripted TV program.


feed_id: 8badeed97ec3b02900ea589ff6b9c43f
title: Corporations tax avoidance
uri: Corporations-tax-avoidance
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#13_September_2019_%28Corporations_tax_avoidance%29
content:
<p>
The 2017 Republican tax cuts enabled more companies to do business in
the US and <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2019/09/05/corporations-getting-zero-gops-inside-help-tax-avoidance">pay no income tax</a>.


feed_id: 02771095b9e46c03db560f284cb72d41
title: Taking the UK out of the EU
uri: Taking-the-UK-out-of-the-EU
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#12_September_2019_%28Taking_the_UK_out_of_the_EU%29
content:
<p>
Taking the UK out of the EU would be an 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/sep/11/brexit-ultras-triumph-neoliberalism">opportunity
for neoliberals to make every aspect of Britain cruel</a> &mdash; if
they are in charge.


feed_id: b909aa5f16db7e0d9121d821ea514075
title: Censorship of climate mayhem mentions
uri: Censorship-of-climate-mayhem-mentions
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#12_September_2019_%28Censorship_of_climate_mayhem_mentions%29

content:
<p>
The International Organization for Migration has 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2019/sep/11/leak-suggests-un-agency-self-censors-on-climate-crisis-after-us-pressure">started
censoring its communication to avoid mentioning climate mayhem</a>,
ceding to US pressure.


feed_id: 655caf215d079ae5ffced5ceae813a79
title: Tourists in danger of arrest in Iran
uri: Tourists-in-danger-of-arrest-in-Iran
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#12_September_2019_%28Tourists_in_danger_of_arrest_in_Iran%29

content:
<p>
You don't need any Iranian ancestry to be jailed in Iran as a pawn.
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/sep/11/british-australian-women-detained-arrested-iran-tehran">Even
tourists are in danger</a>.


feed_id: eb6e1ca6e872928658e976bea514ee26
title: Thug violence against journalists
uri: Thug-violence-against-journalists
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#12_September_2019_%28Thug_violence_against_journalists%29

content:
<p>
Hong Kong Journalists Warn of 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/sep/09/hong-kong-police-accused-of-violence-against-journalists-covering-protests">Rising
Police Violence Against Them</a>.


feed_id: 87e27d3c8666a895698f224ba668fd02
title: Indian troops kill teenager in Kashmir
uri: Indian-troops-kill-teenager-in-Kashmir
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#12_September_2019_%28Indian_troops_kill_teenager_in_Kashmir%29

content:
<p>
Indian troops killed a teenager in Kashmir, then 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/sep/08/family-demand-justice-for-kashmiri-teenager-killed-in-unprovoked-attack">claimed
he was killed by the nonexistent stone-thrower</a>.
<p>
Others have been killed as well, but under military occupation it is
hard to find out how many.


feed_id: b87ff39c5760011e7896ab0baabf33db
title: Malaysia wiping out indigenous peoples
uri: Malaysia-wiping-out-indigenous-peoples
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#12_September_2019_%28Malaysia_wiping_out_indigenous_peoples%29

content:
<p>
Malaysia is 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/sep/07/from-jungle-to-death-trap-fate-of-malaysia-last-nomads">wiping
out its indigenous peoples</a> &mdash; cutting down their jungle
homes, giving them unsafe water, and making them die of unknown
diseases they had no immunity for.
<p>
This is, I suppose, to <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#bully">bully</a> them into becoming Muslims.  Malaysia
officially rejects freedom in the domain of religion.


feed_id: f8d827a9273fbd0430f927059d5ad967
title: Protection of the Amazon forest
uri: Protection-of-the-Amazon-forest
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#12_September_2019_%28Protection_of_the_Amazon_forest%29

content:
<p>
Seven countries which include parts of the Amazon forest have 
<a href="https://www.bbc.com/news/world-latin-america-49609702?intlink_from_url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world&link_location=live-reporting-story">agreed
to steps to protect it</a>.  Paradoxically, Brazil is one of them.


feed_id: bc1aed51ce904c976e5fc1decb5b2a51
title: Money from arms sales
uri: Money-from-arms-sales
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#12_September_2019_%28Money_from_arms_sales%29
content:
<p>
Money From Arms Sales (for attacking Yemen) 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/sep/07/britains-yemen-policy-completely-incoherent-oxfam-report">Dwarfs
Aid</a> for Yemen.


feed_id: 7b1a6e1e1438b0f241339a16374426d1
title: Children's books
uri: Children-s-books
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#12_September_2019_%28Childrens_books%29
content:
<p>
Fat-Shaming Is Just the Start.  
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/sep/07/fat-shaming-is-just-start-seek-fault-in-kids-books-and-it-will-never-end">Seek
Fault in Kids' Books And It'll Never End</a>.


feed_id: b53b6762f33b3473d1024a6a9b12d240
title: Australia deporting New Zealanders
uri: Australia-deporting-New-Zealanders
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#12_September_2019_%28Australia_deporting_New_Zealanders%29

content:
<p>
Australia's government is demonstrating its cruelty by 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2019/sep/08/i-was-petrified-the-new-zealanders-deported-from-australia-despite-decades-working-there">deporting
New Zealanders that have lived there for decades</a>, if they were
sentenced to prison.
<p>
Australia is not finding many refugees to deport, but its government
depends on scapegoating someone.


feed_id: 4b84da26186975fb040356b4f93f6c96
title: Dangerous wildfires in Australia
uri: Dangerous-wildfires-in-Australia
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#12_September_2019_%28Dangerous_wildfires_in_Australia%29

content:
<p>
It's not yet spring, but northern Australia is 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2019/sep/08/crews-battle-two-huge-fires-threatening-south-queensland-towns">suffering
from dangerous wildfires</a>.


feed_id: acfea2271e9c94bcc35b97e46adb53c0
title: Terrifying officials
uri: Terrifying-officials
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#13_September_2019_%28Terrifying_officials%29
content:
<p>


A president <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2019/sep/10/noaa-trump-alabama-sharpiegate-statement-clarify">who terrifies officials</a> that correct his mistakes
is unbearable for officials that retain a shred of honesty.


feed_id: 9573440477e2bdc7be94792888ec626b
title: UK web portal
uri: UK-web-portal
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#13_September_2019_%28UK_web_portal%29
content:
<p>


Bogus Johnson wants to make the main UK government web portal <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/sep/10/no-10-request-user-data-government-website-sparks-alarm">collect personal information</a>.

<p>
Does it permit access via Tor?  With JS disabled?


feed_id: 59cfda1b2c9a6b6e66e561e64c9773bc
title: Firing Bolton
uri: Firing-Bolton
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#13_September_2019_%28Firing_Bolton%29
content:
<p>


The bullshitter <a href="https://reason.com/2019/09/10/ultra-hawk-john-bolton-fired-from-trump-administration/">has fired his hawkish advisor</a>, John Bolton.

<p>
This is surely a change for the better.  But it was the bullshitter
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/sep/10/the-guardian-view-on-john-bolton-good-riddance-but-the-problem-is-his-boss">that was responsible</a> for following Bolton's advice.


feed_id: 54880685ab3dc3ec2e851ad249ca1532
title: World Trace Center collapse
uri: World-Trace-Center-collapse
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#13_September_2019_%28World_Trace_Center_collapse%29
content:
<p>


<a href="https://www.paulcraigroberts.org/2019/09/04/the-official-story-of-the-collapse-of-wtc-building-7-lies-in-ruins/">A study</a> of the collapse of World Trade Center 7 concludes it could not
be due to fire set by the fires in the larger buildings.

<p>
I am not competent to evaluate the investigation reported here.  In
particular, I can't judge whether it is more scientific than other
investigations.  I can only say that the official explanation of the
collapse has always struck me as fishy.


feed_id: 58d50fbf4c4a1ed741a8a30f3986b79a
title: Immigrants surveillance
uri: Immigrants-surveillance
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#13_September_2019_%28Immigrants_surveillance%29
content:
<p>


The US is going to demand immigrants <a href="https://www.zdnet.com/article/us-to-collect-social-media-profiles-from-immigrants-asylum-seekers-and-refugees/">give their user names on many social networking sites</a>.

<p>
If the US looked only at public postings on these sites, perhaps that would
be acceptable.  But we now see that the US examines messages sent to
the immigrant from others, and will bar people for that.


feed_id: b50227c9e07b7fabac9a8865f2d17331
title: Epstein donations
uri: Epstein-donations
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#13_September_2019_%28Epstein_donations%29
content:
<p>


Media Lab Director Joi Ito confessed that he had secretly <a href="https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-49623084?intlink_from_url=&link_location=live-reporting-story">accepted donations from Epstein</a> after MIT had decided not to do so.

<p>
He also accepted funds for some personal activities of his own.

<p>
That dishonesty, and conflict of interest, make his resignation
obligatory.

<p>
But I fear for the effect on the Media Lab.  Under Negroponte, the
lab was notoriously stingy and proprietary.  Ito correct that.
I fear that the next director will undo some of Ito's changes.


feed_id: ddf96e3cd790e918fce538807efe3eec
title: Deportation of the ill
uri: Deportation-of-the-ill
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#13_September_2019_%28Deportation_of_the_ill%29
content:
<p>


Maria Isabel Bueso's medical condition has no cure, but can be treated
in the US.  The deportation thugs <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2019/09/06/nurses-healthcare-workers-galvanize-stop-deportation-patient-could-mean-death">told her to leave the US within 33 days</a>.

<p>
That period is now almost up.


feed_id: 50c0d0afabf035f5c65276c2be4be0a8
title: Appeal against Evelyn Hernández
uri: Appeal-against-Evelyn-Hernández
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#13_September_2019_%28Appeal_against_Evelyn_Hernandez%29

content:
<p>


Evelyn Hernández was acquitted of "murdering" a stillborn fetus,
but the prosecutors <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/sep/06/el-salvador-stillbirth-retrial-evelyn-hernandez">are going to appeal</a>.  

<p>
Allowing an appeal of an acquittal means that even once you are acquitted
you remain in jeopardy.  This should not be allowed.


feed_id: be84661614c7084d23a8692b7b01836b
title: Drug prohibition inequality
uri: Drug-prohibition-inequality
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#13_September_2019_%28Drug_prohibition_inequality%29
content:
<p>


Drug prohibition has had a racist tinge since 1857.
Its repression still falls mostly <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/books/2019/sep/07/from-persecution-to-legalisation-what-is-the-ethical-way-to-end-the-war-on-drugs">on the poor and disprivileged</a>.

<p>
I cheer consumers that are willing to pay 25% more for fair trade
cocaine, but I think it will be unnecessary &mdash; a decrease in
repression would cut the price by far more than that.  Legalizing
sales only through a regulated market might open the door for fair
trade initiatives, as well as make drugs' strength and composition
predictable (thus avoiding most of the deaths) and discouraging some
new users.


feed_id: 15d89dbe4a0b344f1c300c20d7cfb3f3
title: Mexico barrier
uri: Mexico-barrier
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#13_September_2019_%28Mexico_barrier%29
content:
<p>


Mexico <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/sep/06/mexico-us-border-crossings-down-trump-tariffs">has been rather effective</a> serving as the first barrier for the
US against refugees from central America.


feed_id: bf97c6601d6e3827c0c150c0b734d5e6
title: Agriculture and phosphate
uri: Agriculture-and-phosphate
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#13_September_2019_%28Agriculture_and_phosphate%29
content:
<p>


Agriculture depends on phosphate mined from rocks, and if the demand
keeps accelerating we could <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/sep/06/phosphate-fertiliser-crisis-threatens-world-food-supply">run out by 2040</a>.

<p>
If we cut down on beef production, we could eliminate a substantial fraction
of the world's agriculture, and maybe have enough phosphate for a century.
During that time we could arrange to recycle it.


feed_id: 17793cba9e0703e449ad57f3aa03c8a8
title: Fossil fuel
uri: Fossil-fuel
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#13_September_2019_%28Fossil_fuel%29
content:
<p>


Avoiding global heating disaster requires <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/sep/06/democrats-climate-plans-fossil-fuel-industry">defeating the fossil fuel companies</a>, which want to keep expanding production.

<p>
It would be nice if there were a way to finesse this, but I think that
is impossible.  The companies won't accept a compromise in which their
business shrinks to zero, and we won't be safe with anything less.  We
have known for some years that there is no room in the carbon budget
for any new fossil fuel facilities.


feed_id: 5ba53704f3ea32ae7ae3e3eb40f480ae
title: Flight AF1611
uri: Flight-AF1611
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#13_September_2019_%28Flight_AF1611%29
content:
<p>


51 years later, relatives of those who died on flight AF1611 <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/sep/10/flight-af1611-and-families-51-year-wait-for-truth-about-french-plane-crash">want
France to reveal the facts about the crash</a>.  Due to the secrecy, they
believe it was shot down by a missile from a French ship.

<p>
When the USS Vincennes shot down an Iranian airliner by mistake, the
US eventually admitted it.  France should likewise admit its mistake
and publish the information that has been secret.


feed_id: fa44eea645e9cdc700404d8457369462
title: Detecting child trafficking
uri: Detecting-child-trafficking
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#13_September_2019_%28Detecting_child_trafficking%29
content:
<p>


Efforts to train flight attendants to recognize children that are
being trafficked lead to <a href="http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/reason/Articles/~3/jHRyhzvUc6k/">false accusations</a> against parents travelling with adopted children whose skin color is different.

<p>
People who are being trafficked do travel on commercial airlines.
(How else would they travel?)  I'm in favor of efforts to detect and
stop trafficking, in principle, but they must reduce the consequences
of a false positive or they will do more harm than good.


feed_id: 5b6218614c82fb64a978d306f822bfc7
title: Worker rights
uri: Worker-rights
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#13_September_2019_%28Worker_rights%29
content:
<p>


Corbyn promises a new ministry in charge of <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2019/sep/10/jeremy-corbyn-extension-workers-rights-labour-tuc-congress">enforcing workers' rights</a>.

<p>
Of all the kinds of illegal actions of businesses, the ones that most
need to be enforced directly by the state are those that mistreat
workers and customers.  If they have to launch proceedings on their
own, nasty employers can make that very unlikely for workers that are
paid little.


feed_id: aaf02172392632d57ab96b3e7c2552b6
title: Sex between an adult and a child is wrong
uri: Sex-between-an-adult-and-a-child-is-wrong
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#14_September_2019_%28Sex_between_an_adult_and_a_child_is_wrong%29

content:
<p>
Many years ago I posted that I could not see anything wrong about sex
between an adult and a child, if the child accepted it.
<p>
Since then, through personal conversations, I've learned to understand
how sex with a child can harm per psychologically.  This changed my
mind about the matter: I think adults should not do that.  I am
grateful for the conversations that enabled me to understand why.


feed_id: 1a037ac7c785d4171148a6bd732d3af9
title: Journalist imprisoned in Tanzania
uri: Journalist-imprisoned-in-Tanzania
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#13_September_2019_%28Journalist_imprisoned_in_Tanzania%29

content:
<p>
Journalist Erick Kabendera, political prisoner in Tanzania, is
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2019/sep/12/tanzanian-journalist-could-face-up-to-five-years-in-jail-without-trial-erick-kabendera">likely
to be in prison for five years before a trial</a> on dubious charges.


feed_id: 15367492ff9c4ca443d8e352a43bdb99
title: Stingrays planted near White House
uri: Stingrays-planted-near-White-House
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#13_September_2019_%28Stingrays_planted_near_White_House%29

content:
<p>
Israel 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/sep/12/israel-planted-spying-devices-near-white-house-says-report">planted
stingrays near the White House</a> to spy on the officials, perhaps
including the conman.


feed_id: abd9d37e3f3ec428c8858b6fcb8b0e77
title: End to Afghan War
uri: End-to-Afghan-War
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#13_September_2019_%28End_to_Afghan_War%29
content:
<p>
Media 
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2019/09/12/18th-anniversary-911-media-worry-about-premature-end-afghan-war">Worry
About 'Premature' End to Afghan War</a>.


feed_id: ff819b505459ae95edebb1c33543a1b8
title: Rejection of funds for treating AIDS
uri: Rejection-of-funds-for-treating-AIDS
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#13_September_2019_%28Rejection_of_funds_for_treating_AIDS%29

content:
<p>
Florida's Governor Scott 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2019/sep/11/florida-hiv-rick-scott-republican-governor">rejected
federal funds for preventing and treating AIDS</a>.


feed_id: 9ae49739dc24af07a1c312d10f97ad65
title: Overthrowing the Brazilian government
uri: Overthrowing-the-Brazilian-government
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#13_September_2019_%28Overthrowing_the_Brazilian_government%29

content:
<p>
Now Bolsonaro's son has 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/sep/11/carlos-bolsonaro-brazil-democracy-dictatorship-jair">indicated
support for overthrowing the Brazilian government</a>.  This follows
Bolsonaro's endorsement of the military coup in Chile.  Bolosonaro
ought to be impeached for that, but his party protects him in
Congress.


feed_id: cd4906e26fe7a3d957599732a941355c
title: The danger that Bolton worked to create
uri: The-danger-that-Bolton-worked-to-create
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#13_September_2019_%28The_danger_that_Bolton_worked_to_create%29

content:
<p>
Even though Bolton has been fired, the danger of war he worked to
create lives on, and 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/sep/11/john-bolton-path-destruction">he
will seek opportunities to make more</a>.


feed_id: c2fdb6287076e349fe76dd88091a7f87
title: Responsibility for PFAS
uri: Responsibility-for-PFAS
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#13_September_2019_%28Responsibility_for_PFAS%29
content:
<p>
Congress called The 3M Company, the Chemours Company and DuPont to 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2019/sep/11/pfas-toxic-forever-chemicals-hearing-3m-dupont-chemours">testify
about their responsibility for PFAS and their toxic effects</a>.


feed_id: ddf93b795df8dfb8a4eacbf1389d54f0
title: Communications Decency Act
uri: 2019-09-14-Communications-Decency-Act
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#13_September_2019_%28Communications_Decency_Act%29
content:
<p>
Explaining section 230 of the Communications Decency Act, which
<a href="https://reason.com/video/politicians-want-to-destroy-section-230-the-internets-first-amendment/">protects
all internet sites from liability for whatever users post</a>.
<p>
Every reduction in this protection leads to a massive increase in
censorship.


feed_id: 0814547fe8a6342dc1b2b69139a31573
title: Court rules Parliament should reconvene
uri: Court-rules-Parliament-should-reconvene
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#13_September_2019_%28Court_rules_Parliament_should_reconvene%29

content:
<p>
A court 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2019/sep/11/scottish-judges-rule-boris-johnsons-prorogation-unlawful">ruled
that Parliament should reconvene</a> despite the orders of Bogus
Johnson.
<p>
The UK Supreme Court will have the final say.


feed_id: 75f486fd15565294c82132e9821618b2
title: Urgent: Stricter gun control
uri: Urgent-Stricter-gun-control
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#13_September_2019_%28Urgent%3A_Stricter_gun_control%29

content:
<p>
US citizens: 
<a href="https://act.credoaction.com/sign/Congress-Sept-gun-control">call
on Congress</a> to pass stricter gun control.
<p>
If you sign, please spread the word!


feed_id: 5c62b4b79a148b473dc2c5f82034804f
title: Urgent: Stop financing fossil fuels
uri: Urgent-Stop-financing-fossil-fuels
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#13_September_2019_%28Urgent%3A_Stop_financing_fossil_fuels%29

content:
<p>
Everyone: 
<a href="https://act.credoaction.com/sign/banks-fossil-fuels">call on
big US banks</a> to stop financing fossil fuels.
<p>
Warning to investors: 
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2019/09/09/expert-report-shows-high-risk-oil-majors-investors-demand-paris-alignment">investing
in fossil fuels could leave you broke</a>.
<p>
If you sign, please spread the word!


feed_id: b5a1ad3d74bfdccd887ab3c735840643
title: Courageous gynaecologist fights quackery
uri: Courageous-gynaecologist-fights-quackery
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#13_September_2019_%28Courageous_gynaecologist_fights_quackery%29

content:
<p>
A courageous gynaecologist 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2019/sep/08/jennifer-gunter-gynaecologist-womens-health-bodies-myths-and-medicine">fights
both the antiabortion movement and medical quackery</a> (fantasies of
"wellness"), and notes that the two are converging in the language
they use.


feed_id: e8ea30fa6eed21a74dbee5e1de0ff962
title: Pressure on NOAA to legitimize error
uri: Pressure-on-NOAA-to-legitimize-error
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#13_September_2019_%28Pressure_on_NOAA_to_legitimize_error%29

content:
<p>
The <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#saboteur">saboteur</a> of commerce, Wilbur Ross, 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2019/sep/09/wilbur-ross-sharpiegate-alabama-resignation">threatened
to fire the staff of the NOAA</a> if they did not legitimize the
bullshitter's error about the likely trajectory of the hurricane.
They obeyed him.
<p>
They should have summoned the courage to refuse.  The NOAA's chief
scientist 
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2019/09/09/citing-danger-public-safety-chief-noaa-scientist-launches-probe-agency-decision-side">has
rebuked them</a>.


feed_id: dcd526d4509dbc0225fe1d3fd668a03f
title: Avoiding worst effects of global heating
uri: Avoiding-worst-effects-of-global-heating
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#13_September_2019_%28Avoiding_worst_effects_of_global_heating%29

content:
<p>
Avoiding the worst effects of <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#global heating">global heating</a> (including the consequent
extreme weather) 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/sep/10/climate-crisis-world-readiness-effects-gravely-insufficient-report">will
cost trillions of dollars</a>.
<p>
However, preventing even worse <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#global heating">global heating</a> must take priority.
Since we are almost too late to avoid disaster, we must go all out in
trying to avoid it.  It is a mistake to treat the steadily increasing
symptoms at the expense of effort to prevent the disease from getting
worse.


feed_id: 4fc3b3840b5b1da73ddaf695e8522f52
title: Europe's marine sanctuaries
uri: Europe-s-marine-sanctuaries
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#13_September_2019_%28Europes_marine_sanctuaries%29
content:
<p>
Europe's Marine Sanctuaries Are 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/sep/11/europes-marine-sanctuaries-are-paper-parks">No
More Than 'Paper Parks'</a>.


feed_id: 22548c61996628a8461b07df6c2bfa49
title: Boeing now primarily a political machine
uri: Boeing-now-primarily-a-political-machine
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#13_September_2019_%28Boeing_now_primarily_a_political_machine%29

content:
<p>
Boeing, the result of merger of all US companies that made large
jetliners, has become 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/sep/11/boeing-capitalism-deregulation">primarily
a political machine and only secondarily a builder of machines</a>.
"A company once run by engineers is now in the thrall of financiers
and its stock remains high even as its planes fall from the sky."
<p>
The benefit of a free market comes from competition.  When Reagan
gutted the laws meant to maintain lots of competition, this benefit
started to evaporate, not just in making jetliners but all across the
economy.


feed_id: 027545ec3103f2d117af8b8e51e717f9
title: Indian repression forces in Kashmir
uri: Indian-repression-forces-in-Kashmir
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#13_September_2019_%28Indian_repression_forces_in_Kashmir%29

content:
<p>
One neighborhood in Kashmir has 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/sep/11/kashmiri-suburb-indian-control-anchar-srinagar">forced
out the Indian repression forces</a>, using barricades and throwing
stones.
<p>
The Indian forces attack with tear gas, sometimes fired at people not
involved in fighting.


feed_id: 0eb55c32e518c22cce0b5133ae565541
title: Massive surveillance
uri: 2019-09-14-Massive-surveillance
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#13_September_2019_%28Massive_surveillance%29
content:
<p>
Study: The Only Place On Earth More Surveilled Than London Is &hellip; 
<a href="https://summit.news/2019/09/09/study-the-only-place-on-earth-more-surveilled-than-london-is-communist-china/">China</a>.
<p>
(To what extent China is Communist is a difficult question, and not
relevant anyway.  What matters is that China is repressive.)


