# articles

feed_id: 268627ddd32ea3cdb8004d44c1cf5ed8
title: Risky quarantine
uri: Risky-quarantine
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#17_May_2021_%28Risky_quarantine%29
content:
<p>
*Covid quarantine process in the UK <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/may/14/covid-quarantine-process-in-the-uk-is-riskier-than-being-in-a-red-list-country">is riskier than being in a ‘red list’
country</a>.*

<p>
Properly run Covid-19 quarantine procedures require careful planning
and a lot of money spent on actually work.  The Tory government is
stingy with both.


feed_id: b05c225a82eb008db1d1233d6cb41f7d
title: Easing on Covid-19 will cause new surge
uri: Easing-on-Covid-19-will-cause-new-surge
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#17_May_2021_%28Easing_on_Covid-19_will_cause_new_surge%29

content:
<p>
*Brazil's easing of COVID-19 controls <a href="https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-brazil/brazils-easing-of-covid-19-controls-will-cause-new-surge-experts-warn-idUSKBN2CV211">will cause new surge</a>, experts warn.*

<p>
That can happen in the US too.

<p>
Allowing fully vaccinated people to go unmasked in stores is probably not
significantly dangerous for them or others; but how can you tell whether
the maskless person you see is vaccinated or not?


feed_id: 1e3ebe0877d5a62191fce54e125eca84
title: Food production and climate crisis
uri: Food-production-and-climate-crisis
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#17_May_2021_%28Food_production_and_climate_crisis%29

content:
<p>
*1/3 of global food production <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/may/14/third-of-global-food-production-at-risk-from-climate-crisis">at risk from climate crisis</a>*
    by the end of this century.


feed_id: e1218420db9ad4ded02ff00918653915
title: Facebook violating its promises
uri: Facebook-violating-its-promises
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#17_May_2021_%28Facebook_violating_its_promises%29
content:
<p>
Facebook's plan to merge in data from WhatsApp <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2021/may/14/you-should-be-worried-about-how-much-info-whatsapp-shares-with-facebook">violates a promise it
made when it bought WhatsApp</a>.


feed_id: fa934b72dff5f2afe587b6b3ca2c1a38
title: Oppressed must be allowed a voice
uri: Oppressed-must-be-allowed-a-voice
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#17_May_2021_%28Oppressed_must_be_allowed_a_voice%29
content:
<p>
Opposition leader Bobi Wine: *Young Ugandans are being brutally
oppressed. <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2021/may/14/ugandans-oppressed-museveni-government-bobi-wine">They must be allowed a voice</a>.*


feed_id: e22f9a9b72482a77ab19f22d4f0720e1
title: Extreme standard of secrecy
uri: 2021-05-17-Extreme-standard-of-secrecy
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#17_May_2021_%28Extreme_standard_of_secrecy%29
content:
<p>
Craig Murray has been imprisoned for covering the trial of Alex
Salmond, under an extreme standard of secrecy <a href="https://dissenter.substack.com/p/craig-murray-8-months-prison-sentence">that mainstream media
are not held to</a>.

<p>
I linked to his coverage of the Assange hearing.

<p>
I do not advocate independence for Scotland, but that's a separate
issue.

<p>
The UK does need to have regional governments with some real
authority, but it was <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jul-oct.html#4_October_2020_(Some_Maori_activists)">a terrible mistake to set this up using
Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland as regions</a>.


feed_id: 0754a10ab73e0c867afd3f2361b4d1e9
title: Asim Jamal Shakir Jr
uri: 2021-05-17-Asim-Jamal-Shakir-Jr
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#13_May_2021_%28Asim_Jamal_Shakir_Jr%29
content:
<p>

Asim Jamal Shakir Jr watched an LA <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thug</a>, who is Asim's uncle, tell
another thug to <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/may/11/los-angeles-officer-fired-projectile-nephew-protest">shoot Asim</a>.
I get the impression that he shot Asim with rubber-coated steel bullets.


feed_id: 457e1bf8d285f3060db57b4b23e352b2
title: Climate defender as chair of the Federal Reserve
uri: Climate-defender-as-chair-of-the-Federal-Reserve
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#17_May_2021_%28Climate_defender_as_chair_of_the_Federal_Reserve%29

content:
<p>

It is crucial for Biden to appoint a <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2021/05/13/progressive-groups-demand-biden-appoint-chair-who-will-end-feds-funding-climate">climate defender as the next
chair of the Federal Reserve</a>.


feed_id: 7f5736625d1950b9e3d4f4dbae207c85
title: McDonalds workers' strike
uri: McDonalds-workers-strike
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#17_May_2021_%28McDonalds_workers%27_strike%29
content:
<p>

Workers in McDonalds franchises are planning a <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2021/05/13/fight-15-undeterred-mcdonalds-raises-some-workers-says-us-strike-still-may-19">strike on May 19</a>.


feed_id: cb23e32cb9ec8970c0b19197184be56f
title: Concealed EPA data
uri: Concealed-EPA-data
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#17_May_2021_%28Concealed_EPA_data%29
content:
<p>

The wrecker made the EPA conceal data on developing <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#global heating">global heating</a>
damage, but Biden has it publishing the data again, and it shows <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2021/05/13/epa-data-kept-secret-under-trump-shows-climate-crisis-becoming-more-evident-stronger">how
things have got worse</a>.


feed_id: a76519b7806647b4a06f476c90370c98
title: China student suicides
uri: China-student-suicides
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#17_May_2021_%28China_student_suicides%29
content:
<p>

In China, school officials <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2021/05/14/china/chengdu-student-death-intl-hnk-dst/index.html">cover up student suicides</a>, and if parents
and their neighbors demand information, the state's noise machine says
they are working for the CIA.
<p>
The US likewise places too much pressure on students.  However, such coverups
tend to be limited to <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thug</a> departments after a uniformed thug murders someone.


feed_id: 63c5ae7fdd2531e265969289c43af5d1
title: Texas abortion law
uri: Texas-abortion-law
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#17_May_2021_%28Texas_abortion_law%29
content:
<p>

A proposed Texas law would <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2021/05/14/looming-texas-law-would-allow-anti-choice-vigilantes-sue-anyone-who-aids-or-abets">authorize anyone whatsoever to sue anyone
who helps anyone to get an abortion</a>.
The target could be bankrupted by one 10,000-dollar penalty after another.
<p>
This is the same tactic used in Israel's law that made it impossible
in Israel to advocate boycotting the products made by Israeli
businesses in Israel's colonies in Palestinian territory.  It
threatened such a person with the prospect of penury through unlimited
judgments of "damages".
<p>
The root cause of the Texas law is that Republicans rig the elections
in Texas.


feed_id: 03f0b1d380f3268d9b9996be2ef4480d
title: (satire) Aeolus's bag of wind
uri: (satire)-Aeolus-s-bag-of-wind
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#17_May_2021_%28%28satire%29_Aeolus%27s_bag_of_wind%29

content:
<p>

(satire) *Biden Outlines Renewable Energy Plan To <a href="https://www.theonion.com/biden-outlines-renewable-energy-plan-to-invade-mt-olym-1846897135">Invade Mt. Olympus
And Steal Aeolus’s Bag Of Wind</a>.*
<p>
It should be "Aeolus's" because the "s" in "Aeolus" is not a plural suffix.


feed_id: 139b56808ec1fb194d84cfe64a937606
title: Vaccine disinformation in the US
uri: Vaccine-disinformation-in-the-US
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#17_May_2021_%28Vaccine_disinformation_in_the_US%29
content:
<p>

Most vaccine disinformation in the US comes from <a href="https://www.npr.org/2021/05/13/996570855/disinformation-dozen-test-facebooks-twitters-ability-to-curb-vaccine-hoaxes">12 saboteurs</a>.
<p>
Although their bullshit is likely to kill people, I do not like the
idea of censoring it, because the systems of censorship will be used
against other targets &mdash; perhaps including, some day, people who
question Trump's proclaimed victory in the 2020 election.
<p>
It would be much better to force companies to drop the business model that
promotes postings based on how much "engagement" they provoke.
<p>
*Jacinda Ardern calls for <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/may/15/jacinda-ardern-calls-for-ethical-algorithms-to-help-stop-online-radicalisation">‘ethical algorithms’</a> to help stop online
radicalization.*
<p>
Whether it's white supremacism or radical Islamism, anti-vax or QAnonsense,
I suspect that "social" media promote them all in the same way.


feed_id: f9412114e7a90424c5f7a8a6380c7b94
title: Apple fired a new employee
uri: Apple-fired-a-new-employee
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#17_May_2021_%28Apple_fired_a_new_employee%29
content:
<p>

Apple fired a new employee because he had <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2021/05/13/tech/apple-antonio-garcia-martinez/index.html">published statements of
misogyny in 2016</a>.
<p>
What he wrote about women in 2016 was contemptuous and nasty.  It was
also 5 years ago.  Perhaps he should have been offered a second chance
if he has had a change of heart.
<p>
I can't disregard the other moral issue, that of his job.  The job he
was hired for was adtech, which is itself harmful and exploitative by
nature.  Whoever does that job will do a lot of real harm to people,
more than mere insults can do.


feed_id: f85a06d1c1145d7f220167c8ea309d7e
title: Fossil fuel extraction projects
uri: Fossil-fuel-extraction-projects
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#17_May_2021_%28Fossil__fuel_extraction_projects%29
content:
<p>

Fossil fuel extraction projects are having difficulty <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2021/may/15/australias-fossil-fuel-industry-admits-it-is-harder-to-finance-projects-as-climate-concerns-grow">finding investment
funds and insurance for their projects</a>.
<p>
This is a crucial step forward, but it won't be enough until it makes
those projects come to a halt.


feed_id: 9d2deecbed68deed96ea5685f10424cd
title: Diosdado Cabello
uri: Diosdado-Cabello
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#17_May_2021_%28Diosdado_Cabello%29
content:
<p>

Diosdado Cabello, vice president of Venezuela, <a href="https://www.reuters.com/article/us-venezuela-politics-newspaper/venezuelan-court-seizes-newspaper-office-in-defamation-case-idUSKBN2CW01N">won a libel suit</a>
against a newspaper for republishing an article that accused him of
ties to drug trafficking, and is seizing the newspaper's offices as
payment.
<p>
In the US it is very hard for a public official to win a libel suit.
The standard is set very high so that officials cannot suppress
criticism.


feed_id: e6393ad72ce4a86b172277c0339bf850
title: Australia violating international human rights
uri: Australia-violating-international-human-rights
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#17_May_2021_%28Australia_violating_international_human_rights%29

content:
<p>

Australia's practice of keeping refugees in prison with no time limit,
arbitrarily with no stated reason, violates international human rights
law.  But Australia <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/commentisfree/2021/may/16/indefinite-detention-of-refugees-is-unlawful-under-international-law-but-australia-has-quietly-made-it-legal">quietly made it legal</a> under Australian law.


feed_id: cb35c4155a8b647cd731f7187634ad20
title: Offices of Associated Press and al-Jazeera
uri: Offices-of-Associated-Press-and-al-Jazeera
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#17_May_2021_%28Offices_of_Associated_Press_and_al-Jazeera%29

content:
<p>

Israel destroyed the building in Gaza which <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/may/15/israeli-strikes-destroy-gaza-jalaa-tower-media-al-jazeera-associated-press">held the offices of
Associated Press and al-Jazeera</a>.
<p>
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2021/05/15/israeli-bombs-destroy-gaza-media-center-ap-al-jazeera-others-taken-out">Other media organizations</a> had their offices in that building too.
<p>
The US did something similar in Baghdad in 2003: it bombed the office
of al-Jazeera.  The office was visibly labeled and the US knew where it was.
The attack had to be intentional.
<p>
Israel knew where those offices were in Gaza, so this attack too had
to be intentional.


feed_id: b9d794526f04d768616d45ee94cad09b
title: Against impeachment out of fear
uri: Against-impeachment-out-of-fear
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#17_May_2021_%28Against_impeachment_out_of_fear%29
content:
<p>

*Cheney says some GOP members voted against impeachment <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2021/05/14/politics/liz-cheney-republican-party-cnntv/index.html">out of fear for their
lives</a>.*


feed_id: e371aeea18f01c336b051bc382d4e307
title: Fully vaccinated, wearing masks
uri: Fully-vaccinated-wearing-masks
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#17_May_2021_%28Fully_vaccinated%2C_wearing_masks%29
content:
<p>

Some epidemiologists, fully vaccinated, say why they will <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2021/05/14/opinions/cdc-new-mask-guidance-concerns-holtgrave-rosenberg/index.html">continue
wearing masks</a> when near strangers or non vaccinated people, and why they think
the CDC made it too easy for anti-mask anti-vaxxers to risk their own health
and other people's too.


feed_id: e2defc318e29d47bd41c672457d2ef3f
title: (satire) Missing Tiger
uri: (satire)-Missing-Tiger
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#17_May_2021_%28%28satire%29_Missing_Tiger%29
content:
<p>

(satire) *Houston Authorities Scramble As <a href="https://www.theonion.com/houston-authorities-scramble-as-missing-tiger-disappear-1846887712">Missing Tiger Disappears</a> Into Crowd Of Tigers.*


feed_id: 63877a793a1400b9e82ad2fda56cb5cd
title: Vaccine manufacturing monopolies
uri: Vaccine-manufacturing-monopolies
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#17_May_2021_%28Vaccine_manufacturing_monopolies%29
content:
<p>

Vaccine patents, vaccine manufacturing monopolies, are part of a
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2021/05/14/vaccine-patents-light-out-darkness">neoliberal system of trickle-down</a>.
<p>
Patents were supposed to trickle down both material benefits (products
incentivized by the patent system) and knowledge (made available by
the patent applications since the patent system requires it).  Both of
these trickle-downs have slowed to vary little.  For example, the
vaccine patents do not give enough information for other companies to
make the vaccines commercially.
<p>
Let's <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">eliminate the patent system</a>.  We have little to lose.


feed_id: 0ea060729afe6c6c016169dc3c3dea42
title: Blocking arrests of immigrants
uri: Blocking-arrests-of-immigrants
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#17_May_2021_%28Blocking_arrests_of_immigrants%29
content:
<p>

People in Glasgow massed in the street to <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2021/may/14/a-special-day-how-glasgow-community-halted-immigration-raid">block the arrest of
immigrants for deportation</a>.
<p>
The objection to their arrest was not focused on the idea of deporting
them, not that as such, but rather the idea of keeping them for a long
time in an immigration prison where prisoners are <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2021/05/14/nothing-more-beautiful-solidarity-hundreds-mobilize-stop-arrest-immigrant-neighbors">likely to catch
Covid-19</a>,
as well as the idea of arresting Muslims on a Muslim holiday.
<p>
I can't empathize with that last; if I were going to be put in prison,
I wouldn't care what day of the year it might take place.  If I were
arrested for advocating free software, and it occurred on the
anniversary of the GNU Project, that would make it more ironic but
would not make it more unjust or more painful.


feed_id: 1c110ef6f053ab37f0f27d6f40310d7c
title: Targeting Uighur expats
uri: Targeting-Uighur-expats
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#17_May_2021_%28Targeting_Uighur_expats%29
content:
<p>

China is targeting Uighur expats by <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/may/16/i-cant-be-that-careless-australian-uyghur-activist-targeted-online">inserting spyware into their
computers</a>.


feed_id: a9cca88671368b3a805ff4e9fe63b48b
title: Tigers in the wild
uri: Tigers-in-the-wild
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#17_May_2021_%28Tigers_in_the_wild%29
content:
<p>

There are around 5,000 tigers in captivity in the US,
and only around <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2021/05/13/us/tigers-captive-us-wild-trnd/index.html">4,000 of them in the wild</a>.


feed_id: 2fbd5ba8fb6affc9d522390dcd7d371b
title: Ralph Nader criticizes NPR
uri: Ralph-Nader-criticizes-NPR
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#17_May_2021_%28Ralph_Nader_criticizes_NPR%29
content:
<p>

Ralph Nader <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2021/05/15/npr-50-straying-its-civic-mission">criticizes NPR's deep inadequacies</a>.


feed_id: 96366a303a441ddaf43306452ad6329f
title: Wild jaguars
uri: Wild-jaguars
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#18_May_2021_%28Wild_jaguars%29
content:
<p>
Proposing to release wild jaguars <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/may/17/jaguars-reintroduced-us-south-west-study">in parts of Arizona and New Mexico</a>,
  an area which used to be part of their habitat.


feed_id: 2558c7044051d146ca0ff7dc1e013dc9
title: Abortion
uri: 2021-05-18-Abortion
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#18_May_2021_%28Abortion%29
content:
<p>
The right-wing-dominated US Supreme Court has chosen an opportunity to
undo all or part of the Roe v Wade decision <a href="https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-court-abortion/u-s-supreme-court-takes-up-major-challenge-to-abortion-rights-idUSKCN2CY1GA">which established the
right to an abortion in the US</a>.


feed_id: de0069d961245b511ba8bbf343b3d911
title: Investigation on use of force by police
uri: Investigation-on-use-of-force-by-police
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#18_May_2021_%28Investigation_on_use_of_force_by_police%29

content:
<p>
*The FBI is supposed to track how police use force &mdash; years later, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/may/17/fbi-police-use-of-force-data-records">it’s falling
well short</a>.*

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


feed_id: 1be7ccbab1a4fe523ae5edcb3de99629
title: Problematic thugs database
uri: Problematic-thugs-database
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#18_May_2021_%28Problematic_thugs_database%29
content:
<p>
*There's a database whose mission is to stop problematic [<a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thugs</a>] from
hopping between departments.  <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2021/05/16/us/police-national-decertification-index-database/index.html">But many agencies don't know it exists</a>.*


feed_id: 80c8e6d6fff55b2e4160d6f24b9eed85
title: Unarmed non-thugs
uri: Unarmed-non-thugs
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#18_May_2021_%28Unarmed_non-thugs%29
content:
<p>
Brooklyn Center, Minnesota, has voted to hire unarmed non-<a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thugs</a> to
handle certain kinds of situations, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/may/16/daunte-wright-shooting-minneapolis-brooklyn-center-policing-changes">including people having
psychological crises</a>.
  This change would presumably have prevented Daunte Wright from being killed.

<p>
<a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">Thugs</a> object to some of the changes.


feed_id: 64c3f1f23e68ff0fd9ed47df9c36686b
title: Unwitting spies
uri: Unwitting-spies
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#18_May_2021_%28Unwitting_spies%29
content:
<p>
*How Apple’s AirTag turns us [captives of Apple] <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2021/may/17/how-apples-airtag-turns-us-into-unwitting-spies-in-a-vast-surveillance-network">into unwitting spies
in a vast surveillance network</a>.*

<p>
Inevitably Apple will see where each user's tags are located, so the
state will be able to see that too.  However, the main danger I see is
that of tracking other people or their property.  The safeguards that
are described won't prevent that.


feed_id: 7c70032ea9673bee4d96c48925e94fac
title: Imprisoning writers and poets
uri: Imprisoning-writers-and-poets
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#18_May_2021_%28Imprisoning_writers_and_poets%29
content:
<p>
The Burmese army is imprisoning writers and poets, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2021/may/17/revolution-dwells-in-the-heart-myanmars-poets-cut-down-by-the-miltary">sometimes killing them</a>.


feed_id: ed92da197a7662cf346b8d9d6e299863
title: Targeted advertising
uri: 2021-05-18-Targeted-advertising
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#18_May_2021_%28Targeted_advertising%29
content:
<p>
Big tech companies are making concessions about privacy, so they can
continue their targeted advertising while collecting less data about each
individual.

<p>
Evgeny Morozov suggests that this fails to touch their deepest problem:
the fact that commercial factors <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2021/may/15/privacy-activists-fight-big-tech">determine how the internet treats people</a>.

<p>
I think that tracking individuals is an important moral issue, and it
is not limited to internet service/disservice companies.  The stronger
we can make the movement to demand anonymity and non-tracking, the
better our chance of putting an end to other forms of massive
surveillance, <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jul-oct.html#4_July_2020_(Amazon_deals_with_thug_departments_for_access_to_Ring)">including Amazon Ring video cameras</a>
  and Apple Airtags that could be attached to other people's cars,
property, or clothing.

<p>
At the same time, I think he has a valid point that we shouldn't have to filter
the internet we want through the filter of startups.


feed_id: 6d7477efc8f99f6304590abe8afaaeac
title: Not letting staff wear masks
uri: Not-letting-staff-wear-masks
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#18_May_2021_%28Not_letting_staff_wear_masks%29
content:
<p>
Rep. Doug Lamborn is being sued by a former staffer for compelling his
staff to risk infection with Covid-19 <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2021/05/15/politics/doug-lamborn-former-aide-lawsuit-covid/index.html">by not letting them wear masks
when together in the office</a>.


feed_id: 03f3033e64639ca8d7803a471b342d9c
title: Long working hours
uri: Long-working-hours
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#18_May_2021_%28Long_working_hours%29
content:
<p>
*Long working hours <a href="https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-work-who/long-working-hours-are-a-killer-who-study-shows-idUSKCN2CY00B">are a killer</a>, WHO study shows.*


feed_id: 1949647f5c53ac607428c90c2678640c
title: Bombing of Associated Press
uri: Bombing-of-Associated-Press
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#18_May_2021_%28Bombing_of_Associated_Press%29
content:
<p>
The Associated Press calls for an investigation of <a href="https://www.reuters.com/article/uk-israel-palestinians-ap/aps-top-editor-wants-investigation-into-israeli-bombing-of-its-gaza-office-idUSKCN2CX0I5">why Israel bombed
and destroyed its office in Gaza</a>.


feed_id: 3df9a4934bd1f7d7b77c253a2f5d1b50
title: Pattern of denial
uri: Pattern-of-denial
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#18_May_2021_%28Pattern_of_denial%29
content:
<p>
Authoritarian right-wing rulers <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2021/may/16/republican-trump-covid-vaccination-lies-india-modi-russia-putin">have a pattern of denying Covid-19 and
covering up casualties</a>.


feed_id: 2b89be40dc459ab9ac3d6cb990cdb26a
title: Helping coral survive
uri: Helping-coral-survive
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#18_May_2021_%28Helping_coral_survive%29
content:
<p>
Biologists are scrambling to find a way <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/may/16/could-engineered-coral-save-the-planets-reefs-from-destruction">to help some coral survive
longer against global heating</a>,

<p>
Identifying heat-resistant coral species, or breeding some species to be
more heat-resistant, cannot possibly protect more than a fraction
of the coral species that exist now.  The only way to preserve reef
biodiversity is to halt the increase of CO2 in the air.

<p>
Meanwhile, ocean acidification <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2007-nov-feb.html#24 January 2008 (Global warming is destroying coral reefs)">will eventually wipe out <em>all</em> coral</a>
  and <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#18_December_2019_(Ocean_acidification_and_sea_animal_death)">many other kinds of ocean life</a>.


feed_id: c382b28ac0f6ef570b83a3f9f5977721
title: Outlawing bigotry
uri: Outlawing-bigotry
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#18_May_2021_%28Outlawing_bigotry%29
content:
<p>
*Challenge bigotry by all means, but outlaw it? I’d rather not.*

<p>
The UK is considering a law to prohibit political censorship in
universities and another law to require censorship by antisocial
media.  <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2021/may/16/politicians-wrong-people-to-decide-definition-of-free-speech">Both are projects of the Tory Party</a>.

<p>
Freedom of speech includes the freedom to make statements we disagree
with or disapprove of.  To respect freedom of speech, we must maintain
the distinction between offending people and harming them.


feed_id: 13fca3daedf9aacbd59be5783830af3a
title: Imprisoning refugees
uri: Imprisoning-refugees
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#18_May_2021_%28Imprisoning_refugees%29
content:
<p>
The UK deportation <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thugs</a> imprisoned refugees that they did not need to
imprison, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2021/may/15/torture-victims-kept-in-solitary-by-home-office-for-up-to-a-year">then held them in solitary confinement for more than a year</a>.


feed_id: 56889b43382a22d1c179979225ac75f3
title: Air attacks on civilians
uri: Air-attacks-on-civilians
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#19_May_2021_%28Air_attacks_on_civilians%29
content:
<p>
Amnesty International says Israel <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2021/05/17/israelopt-pattern-israeli-attacks-residential-homes-gaza-must-be-investigated">has a pattern of air attacks on
civilians</a>.


feed_id: 21ea0284d3d412066c30dcf9d0e29edd
title: Acting like police officers
uri: Acting-like-police-officers
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#19_May_2021_%28Acting_like_police_officers%29
content:
<p>
Some unions that represent many cops have adopted policies <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2021/05/17/us/police-unions-intervention-blueprint/index.html">to lead and press them to act like police officers</a>.
  Officially, they will no longer defend <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thugs</a>.

<p>
Making changes in this area is easier said than done.  We will see to what
extent this decision is effective.


feed_id: 3b14a9f1720fcf25fd67ae4e0f103e78
title: Increase rain in Antarctica
uri: Increase-rain-in-Antarctica
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#19_May_2021_%28Increase_rain_in_Antarctica%29
content:
<p>
The melting of ice in Antarctica could cause increased rain there.
This fall of molten ice <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2021/05/17/weather/weather-climate-antarctica-ice-cap-melt/index.html">could make the remaining ice melt even faster</a>.


feed_id: 51a6b08be1823f059243f085f14532a8
title: Emergency to rule by decree
uri: Emergency-to-rule-by-decree
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#19_May_2021_%28Emergency_to_rule_by_decree%29
content:
<p>
The executives of many EU countries have made Covid-19 "emergency"
declarations <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2021/05/17/europe/european-union-rule-of-law-covid-intl-cmd/index.html">which have enabled them to rule by decree</a>.


feed_id: b76b7e096225f82d771d79965dcb29e1
title: Labor shortage
uri: 2021-05-19-Labor-shortage
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#19_May_2021_%28Labor_shortage%29
content:
<p>
The UK's "hostile environment" for foreign workers is driving out so many
long-term residents <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/business/2021/may/17/uk-faces-labour-shortage-as-covid-and-brexit-fuel-exodus-of-overseas-workers">that there is now a labor shortage</a>.


feed_id: df35122cd81dc19c29e9ff60473b0c61
title: Wearing masks when vaccinated
uri: Wearing-masks-when-vaccinated
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#19_May_2021_%28Wearing_masks_when_vaccinated%29
content:
<p>
Millions of Americans have medical problems that call for them <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2021/05/16/health/vaccinated-masks-needed-wellness/index.html">to wear
masks even once they are vaccinated</a>.

<p>
We could eliminate this problem if we cooperated in taking precautions against
transmission.


feed_id: 89f7aa5efeb8b6974fc1a1a2501a5ded
title: Military activities in civilian buildings
uri: Military-activities-in-civilian-buildings
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#19_May_2021_%28Military_activities_in_civilian_buildings%29

content:
<p>
HAMAS says it never operates military activities in civilian buildings,
and in particular not in the building <a href="https://theintercept.com/2021/05/17/gaza-israel-ap-building-hamas/">which housed the AP and al-Jazeera
offices until Israel bombed it</a>.


feed_id: 4681fb465f80d439c6f79279b1bc8a16
title: Dating apps
uri: 2021-05-19-Dating-apps
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#19_May_2021_%28Dating_apps%29
content:
<p>
It looks like I didn't miss anything by not using dating apps; they
are addictive and twisting, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2021/may/17/apps-tinder-dating-women">and not very good for finding love</a>.
  I won't consider using dating apps &mdash; they are nonfree software so I
refuse to run them.


feed_id: a37b9154569fc6ee2e9f932c9a19c842
title: Urgent: chair of the Federal Reserve
uri: Urgent-chair-of-the-Federal-Reserve
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#19_May_2021_%28Urgent%3A_chair_of_the_Federal_Reserve%29

content:
<p>
US citizens: <a href="https://act.350.org/sign/climatefedchair/">call on Biden</a> to nominate a climate leader as chair of
the Federal Reserve.


feed_id: 383b4462cea3b33dae73d6b70fce27e5
title: Urgent: no US aid to trample Palestinians' human rights
uri: Urgent-no-US-aid-to-trample-Palestinians-human-rights
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#19_May_2021_%28Urgent%3A_no_US_aid_to_trample_Palestinians%27_human_rights%29

content:
<p>
US citizens: <a href="https://act.rootsaction.org/p/dia/action4/common/public/?action_KEY=14234">call on Congress</a> to forbid Israel from using US aid
funds for actions that trample Palestinians' human rights.

<p>
In my view, the fact that the trampling is done with US funds is not a
central moral issue.  Those actions would be equally bad if it did not
benefit from US funds.  But the US should not overlook them.

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


feed_id: a62a52304dc42b6bb7535b95968e1c48
title: Selling rainforest
uri: Selling-rainforest
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#19_May_2021_%28Selling_rainforest%29
content:
<p>
*Sierra Leone <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/may/17/sierra-leone-sells-rainforest-for-chinese-fishmeal-plant">sells rainforest for Chinese fish plant</a>.*


feed_id: 3913dc111af24f340a29d11b7a9be201
title: Investing in production of hydrogen
uri: Investing-in-production-of-hydrogen
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#19_May_2021_%28Investing_in_production_of_hydrogen%29

content:
<p>
Australia plans to invest heavily in production of hydrogen, including
production that consumes fossil fuels <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2021/may/17/australias-first-fully-renewable-hydrogen-valley-slated-for-nsw-coal-heartland">and will probably contribute to
CO2 emissions</a>.

<p>
It wants <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2021/may/18/angus-taylor-moves-to-allow-renewable-energy-agency-to-fund-carbon-capture-and-hydrogen">to use "renewable energy" funds for this project</a>.

<p>
The core aim of this planet-roasting bullshit is to paint CO2
generation as acceptable on the expectation supposition that the CO2
will be captured.  Will that really happen?  What fraction will the
hypothetical technology actually succeed in capturing, if it ever
works?  Is it ready for use at industrial scale at all now?

<p>
The loophole for cheating our future is that they will build the
plant, and capturing all the CO2 won't actually be feasible, but they
will insist on using the plant anyway "because we already paid for
it."


feed_id: d405ac769b54c679f88c7ba220cbe62c
title: Greenland ice about to melt
uri: Greenland-ice-about-to-melt
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#19_May_2021_%28Greenland_ice_about_to_melt%29
content:
<p>
A lot of Greenland ice is about to start melting, and <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/may/17/greenland-ice-sheet-on-brink-of-major-tipping-point-says-study">as much as 2 meters
sea level rise may already be unavoidable</a>.


feed_id: 706a22966eae9164f1eea5cd6187a2a4
title: Greenhouse gases not fully accounted for
uri: Greenhouse-gases-not-fully-accounted-for
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#19_May_2021_%28Greenhouse_gases_not_fully_accounted_for%29

content:
<p>
*The warming Arctic tundra will make it harder for the world to curb
 climate change, as thawing permafrost and wildfires release
 greenhouse gases <a href="https://www.reuters.com/article/us-arctic-climate-permafrost/arctic-fires-thawing-permafrost-pose-growing-threat-to-climate-study-idUSKCN2CY2ER">that are not fully accounted for in global emissions
 agreements</a>, a study said on Monday.*


feed_id: 9a7b4995c549b2d4665822788592c6e6
title: Thugs caught planting evidence
uri: Thugs-caught-planting-evidence
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#19_May_2021_%28Thugs_caught_planting_evidence%29
content:
<p>
Canadian <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thugs</a> accused someone of running an illegal casino, but the charges
have been dropped <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/may/17/canada-covid-casino-police-stealing-watches-allegation">after videos showed thugs stealing and planting evidence</a>.


feed_id: b8fb3754665dcb74eb4228269a70b49a
title: Urgent: Block funds for Israel's evictions of Palestinians
uri: Urgent-Block-funds-for-Israel-s-evictions-of-Palestinians
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#19_May_2021_%28Urgent%3A_Block_funds_for_Israel%27s_evictions_of_Palestinians%29

content:
<p>

US citizens: call on your congresscritter to <a href="https://actionnetwork.org/petitions/tell-your-house-member-to-block-funds-for-israels-evictions-of-palestinians">block funds for Israel's
evictions of Palestinians</a>.

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


feed_id: ddf39a117aed926548222140fc7fc6c9
title: Steps to reduce disposable plastic
uri: Steps-to-reduce-disposable-plastic
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#19_May_2021_%28Steps_to_reduce_disposable_plastic%29

content:
<p>

Washington State has <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2021/05/17/gov-inslee-signs-far-reaching-plastic-pollution-bill">banned disposable styrofoam food containers</a> and
packing "peanuts", as well as other steps to reduce disposable
plastic.


feed_id: 485fb4d158fecd7d744ca444253e9f6c
title: Desperate working class
uri: Desperate-working-class
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#19_May_2021_%28Desperate_working_class%29
content:
<p>

Varoufakis: Why do the rich push against stimulus programs?  Ultimately, they
want working-class people to be <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2021/05/17/real-purpose-austerity">desperate and take low pay</a>.


feed_id: 6b8b70bc6f871e97bb0bd04f703b759a
title: (satire) Occupied territories
uri: (satire)-Occupied-territories
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#19_May_2021_%28%28satire%29_Occupied_territories%29
content:
<p>

(satire) *Israel <a href="https://www.theonion.com/israel-returns-occupied-territories-to-palestinians-aft-1846910259">Returns Occupied Territories To Palestinians</a> After
Running Out Of Targets To Hit In Gaza.*


feed_id: 3eebe3a4c1ae8e06e2af3151e5c7f423
title: (satire) Hiding Hamas agents
uri: (satire)-Hiding-Hamas-agents
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#19_May_2021_%28%28satire%29_Hiding_Hamas_agents%29
content:
<p>

(satire) *‘The Onion’ Calls On Israel To <a href="https://www.theonion.com/the-onion-calls-on-israel-to-bomb-our-offices-in-case-1846912378">Bomb Our Offices</a> In Case Any
Hamas Agents Hiding Out There.*


feed_id: 211259183f42b597932cd2409ba4f7d4
title: Peat bog restoration
uri: Peat-bog-restoration
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#19_May_2021_%28Peat_bog_restoration%29
content:
<p>

The UK has announced plans to <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/may/18/sales-of-peat-compost-to-gardeners-to-be-banned-from-2024">protect and restore peat bogs</a>, which absorb
considerable amounts of CO2.


feed_id: 5ccd830fc5f02a9246a0be9cdf32a9f6
title: Congressional investigation into attack on the Capitol
uri: Congressional-investigation-into-attack-on-the-Capitol
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#19_May_2021_%28Congressional_investigation_into_attack_on_the_Capitol%29

content:
<p>

Rep. McCarthy <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/may/18/kevin-mccarthy-rejects-bipartisan-commission-capitol-attack">opposes an official Congressional investigation</a>
into the Jan 6 attack on the Capitol.
<p>
This is a form of the Republican big lie, which claims there was
no attack.
<p>
It appears to me that the proposed investigation, if approved, will be
paralyzed by its structure.  With equal numbers of Democrats and
Republicans required for a subpoena, Republicans could block all
subpoenas.  Is there some crucial point I am missing?


feed_id: bae47d5b91f0794894d143897786e5a8
title: Billion dollar power plant
uri: Billion-dollar-power-plant
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#19_May_2021_%28Billion_dollar_power_plant%29
content:
<p>

Australia will spend almost a billion dollars (AUD, not USD) on a
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2021/may/18/morrison-government-to-fund-600m-gas-fired-power-plant-in-nsw-hunter-region">fossil-fueled power plant</a> that would only rarely be turned on.
<p>
At least it won't emit a lot of CO2 if it rarely operates, but it is a
big waste of money.  How about building storage batteries instead?


feed_id: edd1d20160c0bf4cd0caa5c22c914bd7
title: Mail order guns
uri: Mail-order-guns
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#19_May_2021_%28Mail_order_guns%29
content:
<p>

In the US it is easy to <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/may/18/california-ghost-guns-deadly-toll">get a gun by mail order</a>, with no background
checking.  It comes as parts, which are not considered a gun until
they are assembled.


feed_id: 987e9ee577ce3fe1bf4cfb7f8903031a
title: Chile's elections
uri: Chile-s-elections
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#19_May_2021_%28Chile%27s_elections%29
content:
<p>

The <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/may/18/a-new-chile-political-elite-rejected-in-vote-for-constitutional-assembly">conservative parties lost big</a> in elections for Chile's
constitutional assembly.  Candidates that favor substantial change will
dominate the body.


feed_id: b95da34cd5336a64167a80211258fa24
title: Largest US surveillance network
uri: Largest-US-surveillance-network
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#19_May_2021_%28Largest_US_surveillance_network%29
content:
<p>

*Amazon’s Ring is the <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2021/may/18/amazon-ring-largest-civilian-surveillance-network-us">largest civilian surveillance network</a> the US has ever
seen.*


feed_id: 3d9c79119b799978cbef2b9ffd95afc2
title: Foreign holidays
uri: Foreign-holidays
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#19_May_2021_%28Foreign_holidays%29
content:
<p>

Why is Bogus Johnson so eager to <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2021/may/18/covid-experts-warn-against-foreign-holidays-so-why-is-boris-johnson-so-keen">urge Britons to take foreign holidays</a>,
then warning everyone to be careful about it?


feed_id: e292d7003f1952e9d56b5a05a9a61f0c
title: No more fossil fuel investment
uri: No-more-fossil-fuel-investment
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#19_May_2021_%28No_more_fossil_fuel_investment%29
content:
<p>

The Executive Director of the International Energy Agency says
there must be <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/may/18/no-new-investment-in-fossil-fuels-demands-top-energy-economist">no more investment in fossil fuels anywhere in the world</a>.
<p>
This is important because the IEA has in the past promoted and defended
fossil fuels.  Its departure from that camp will have an influence.
<p>
The same report also explains that putting the economy into full
decarbonization mode will create jobs, and requires no futuristic
technology, only predictable advances.


feed_id: d2f52ae4ee372d247dce78bb4793614a
title: Instagram ads
uri: Instagram-ads
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#19_May_2021_%28Instagram_ads%29
content:
<p>

Signal tried to use Instagram ads to show users how Instagram
was profiling them.  Instagram <a href="https://signal.org/blog/the-instagram-ads-you-will-never-see/">shut down these ads</a>.


feed_id: 0fd8c7e84f3e55d5cf1eedb9a3f0fac9
title: Systemic corruption in government contracts
uri: Systemic-corruption-in-government-contracts
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#19_May_2021_%28Systemic_corruption_in_government_contracts%29

content:
<p>

Bogus Johnson made <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2021/may/18/ministers-lobbied-officials-over-ppe-contracts-court-hears">corruption in awarding government contracts systematic</a>.


feed_id: 49256fa355af4064def1c9746d206a25
title: Navalny's supporters
uri: Navalny-s-supporters
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#19_May_2021_%28Navalny%27s_supporters%29
content:
<p>

Putin will <a href="https://www.reuters.com/article/us-russia-politics-navalny-vote/russia-moves-to-bar-navalny-allies-from-parliamentary-race-idUSKCN2CZ20I">prohibit Navalny's supporters</a> from running for the
basically subservient Russian parliament.


feed_id: 8509b1dd956f8cbdc586047181ee5108
title: Lynch mob in Pakistan
uri: Lynch-mob-in-Pakistan
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#19_May_2021_%28Lynch_mob_in_Pakistan%29
content:
<p>

A lynch mob in Pakistan tried to break into a police station to <a href="https://www.reuters.com/article/us-pakistan-blasphemy/dozens-held-in-pakistan-for-trying-to-lynch-brothers-accused-of-blasphemy-police-idUSKCN2CZ24V">murder
two people accused of minor property damage to a mosque</a>.


feed_id: 1e43c8eda52d9eb3077f35358ed89609
title: Danish citizens involvement in PISSI
uri: Danish-citizens-involvement-in-PISSI
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#19_May_2021_%28Danish_citizens_involvement_in_PISSI%29

content:
<p>

Denmark has decided to <a href="https://www.reuters.com/article/denmark-islamic-state-syria-int/denmark-to-repatriate-women-children-from-syrian-camps-idUSKCN2CZ2DG">admit 22 Danish citizens</a> who are in prison in Syria
for involvement in <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#pissi">PISSI</a>.
<p>
Justice calls for this.  Those people may be accused of participation
in <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#pissi">PISSI</a>'s crimes, but if so, they deserve trials to judge their
actions.  If they are convicted, exile should not be their punishment.


feed_id: 497aba7569b0e0a404b81619b0f54ca6
title: Too much power to ministers
uri: Too-much-power-to-ministers
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#19_May_2021_%28Too_much_power_to_ministers%29
content:
<p>

The British parliament has <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2021/may/17/mps-must-take-back-control-of-lawmaking-says-human-rights-barrister">ceded too much power to ministers</a>.
Nowadays, UK ministers tend to be <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2014-sep-dec.html#02_October_2014_(Corruption_in_UKs_cabinet)">corrupt</a>
and <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jan-apr.html#11_January_2020_(Evading_accountability)">unaccountable</a>.


feed_id: 45b508df05fe7009702cc184955dfd74
title: Pinochet's constitution for Chile
uri: Pinochet-s-constitution-for-Chile
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#19_May_2021_%28Pinochet%27s_constitution_for_Chile%29

content:
<p>

Pinochet's constitution for Chile <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2021/05/17/allende-smiling-chilean-voters-elect-progressive-alliance-rewrite-pinochet-era">imposed a laissez-mourir
"neoliberal" economy</a>.  The vote on the constitutional assembly
indicates repudiation of that ideology &mdash; an intention to allow the
government to limit the power of the rich and to actively help those
that need help.
<p>
It is ironic that some bemoaned the surprise that the explicit
requirement for 50% women in the assembly actually resulted in
slightly increasing the number of men in the assembly.  Does this mean
they now reconsider whether it is right to have an explicit gender
requirement in public elections?
<p>
I also wonder what will happen, or perhaps what did happen, in the
encounter between such a requirement and transgender and
nonbinary gender.


feed_id: a24a0839063e2b22a6cbdd938fda6325
title: The 1980s savings and loan scandal
uri: The-1980s-savings-and-loan-scandal
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#19_May_2021_%28The_1980s_savings_and_loan_scandal%29

content:
<p>

In the 1980s Savings and Loan scandal, hundreds of US banks <a href="https://theanalysis.news/economy/the-best-way-to-rob-a-bank-is-to-own-one-bill-black-pt-1/">engaged in outright cheating</a>.
President Bush I clamped down on the agency that reported the crimes
so that future crimes would be protected.


feed_id: 3f94bcb10b347a3bc44105aa9927ab48
title: Private equity coalitions
uri: Private-equity-coalitions
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#19_May_2021_%28Private_equity_coalitions%29
content:
<p>

Private equity coalitions are trying to <a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2021-05-06/top-buyout-firms-said-to-club-up-for-jumbo-lbo-of-medline">take over Medline</a>, which makes
and resells medical supplies.
<p>
If they destroy this company as they destroyed Toys-Я-Us, any of us
<a href="https://prospect.org/economy/private-equity-club-deal-coming-to-a-pension-fund-near-you/">could die as a direct result</a>.


feed_id: 509df0a59e84a090c0191e33acb6af16
title: Israel targeting journalistic sites
uri: Israel-targeting-journalistic-sites
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#19_May_2021_%28Israel_targeting_journalistic_sites%29

content:
<p>

It looks like Israel must have been <a href="https://theintercept.com/2021/05/18/gaza-journalists-israel-palestine-attacks/">systematically targeting
Palestinian journalistic sites in Gaza</a>.


feed_id: 3c9afc8f963f196eeaa00ea6f1bf54a8
title: Systemic racism example
uri: Systemic-racism-example
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#19_May_2021_%28Systemic_racism_example%29
content:
<p>

<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/may/18/indianapolis-homeowner-fair-housing-appraisal-race">Systemic racism example</a>: Carlette Duffy's home was appraised at a much higher
value when she tacitly let the appraisers think the owner was a white man.
<p>
What's more, it is clear how appraisers used the owner's race in the
appraisal process, leaving no doubt that her race was the cause of the
difference.
<p>
The article linked to just above displays symbolic bigotry by
capitalizing "black" but not "white".  (To avoid endorsing bigotry,
capitalize both words or neither one.)  I object to bigotry, and
normally I decline to link to articles which promote it.  But I make
an exception for articles which give important information about
racism or the fight to eliminate racism.  That article is one of the
exceptions.


feed_id: 9afe0eced336f14d38004cfefd84a303
title: Uber made money last year
uri: Uber-made-money-last-year
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#19_May_2021_%28Uber_made_money_last_year%29
content:
<p>

Bad news: Uber <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/uber-tax-avoidance-50-dutch-shell-companies-5-billion-revenue-2021-5">made money last year</a>.
<p>
More bad news: it paid no US taxes, because it laundered the profits
through a tax haven: the Netherlands.
<p>
The article uses the term "intellectual property".  You might think that refers
to something of inherent monetary and intellectual value, but chances are
it only means some excuses to sign a contract for Uber branch A to pay rent
to Uber branch B.  Please don't use the term <a href="https://gnu.org/philosophy/not-ipr.html">"intellectual property"</a>.


feed_id: ddbcd167e6a57370195612d02685b8e3
title: Cow methane reduction
uri: Cow-methane-reduction
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#19_May_2021_%28Cow_methane_reduction%29
content:
<p>

An dietary additive could <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2021/05/18/business/cow-burps-methane-feed-supplement-mootral-spc-intl/index.html">reduce each cow's methane emissions by 30%</a>.
<p>
I see one potential flaw in the system: once a company has bought the
supplement as an "offset", what will ensure that it reaches farmers
who really feed it to their cows?  If its use is advantageous to the
farmers themselves, they they will arrange to get it and use it; but
if not, it could get put in the trash.


feed_id: 08555ec802e4936fa55c681b57bf7efe
title: Proposed arms sale
uri: Proposed-arms-sale
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#19_May_2021_%28Proposed_arms_sale%29
content:
<p>

Biden's proposed arms sale to Israel includes <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2021/05/18/omar-tlaib-lead-call-stop-appalling-735-million-us-weapons-sale-israel-amid-gaza">more of the missiles</a> that
Israel fires at many civilian homes and institutions in Gaza.
<p>
*Israeli Airstrikes <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2021/05/18/heinous-crime-israeli-airstrikes-damage-gazas-only-coronavirus-testing-lab">Damage Gaza's Only Coronavirus Testing Lab</a>.*


feed_id: 10862c73213e3c5cda2b4e4aaa5dcb03
title: International Energy Agency
uri: International-Energy-Agency
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#19_May_2021_%28International_Energy_Agency%29
content:
<p>

The International Energy Agency <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2021/05/18/ieas-first-15degc-aligned-scenario-bolsters-call-no-new-fossil-fuel-extraction">still has some changes to make</a> to fully
support curbing <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#global heating">global heating</a>.


feed_id: db59cbc616be64346d411d03f34512b4
title: Urgent: no US aid to trample Palestinians' human rights
uri: 2021-05-20-Urgent-no-US-aid-to-trample-Palestinians-human-rights
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#19_May_2021_%28Urgent%3A_no_US_aid_to_trample_Palestinians%27_human_rights%29

content:
<p>
US citizens: <a href="https://act.rootsaction.org/p/dia/action4/common/public/?action_KEY=14234">call on Congress</a> to forbid Israel from using US aid
funds for actions that trample Palestinians' human rights.

<p>
In my view, the fact that the trampling is done with US funds is not a
central moral issue.  Those actions would be equally bad if it did not
benefit from US funds.  But the US should not overlook them.

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


feed_id: 923080467dad322a7a925906192e5a25
title: Prize lottery to vaccinated
uri: Prize-lottery-to-vaccinated
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#20_May_2021_%28Prize_lottery_to_vaccinated%29
content:
<p>
Ohio is offering a prize lottery to people that get vaccinated, and
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/may/19/ohio-covid-vaccination-lottery-prize-million-dollar">this boosted interest in vaccination</a>.


feed_id: 13f6587633a8da205000d7923bcf1d9d
title: Proud of voter suppression
uri: Proud-of-voter-suppression
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#20_May_2021_%28Proud_of_voter_suppression%29
content:
<p>
Republicans are no longer ashamed to say their intention is to stop
legitimate voters from voting.  On the contrary, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2021/may/19/republicans-are-winning-at-normalizing-voter-suppression">many Republicans are
proud to do that</a>.

<p>
They are picking up the "by hook or by crook" attitude that the wrecker
has promoted.


feed_id: 03c562b56b0897a179c434945b2dead7
title: Misleading information about people killed
uri: Misleading-information-about-people-killed
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#20_May_2021_%28Misleading_information_about_people_killed%29

content:
<p>
*   A review of California cases shows that [<a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thug</a> departments] frequently
   publish highly misleading information about people they've killed &mdash;
   <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/may/19/us-police-shootings-george-floyd-press-releases-reports">just like the first George Floyd press release</a>.*


feed_id: f4e4c24a843f0421b8169957574561af
title: Illegal timber sales
uri: Illegal-timber-sales
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#20_May_2021_%28Illegal_timber_sales%29
content:
<p>
*Brazilian police raid environment ministry <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/may/19/brazilian-police-raid-environment-ministry-timber-sales">over ‘illegal’ timber sales</a>.*

<p>
The minister, a close ally of Bolsonaro, seems to be one of the suspects.


feed_id: e3a2c4c023016c53732e0915c94b4983
title: Blocking news site and arresting journalists
uri: Blocking-news-site-and-arresting-journalists
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#20_May_2021_%28Blocking_news_site_and_arresting_journalists%29

content:
<p>
Belarus blocked the news site Tut.by <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2021/may/19/belarus-blocks-top-news-site-in-full-scale-assault-on-free-press">and arrested its journalists</a>.


feed_id: 8c78564f0e09c48770dfd525ff38772f
title: Plastic waste
uri: Plastic-waste
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#20_May_2021_%28Plastic_waste%29
content:
<p>
The UK was exporting plastic waste to Turkey, but once it arrived <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/may/19/turkey-to-ban-plastic-waste-imports">the
companies just burned it or littered it</a>.
  Now Turkey will stop accepting such waste.

<p>
Cheaters will keep looking for countries they can pollute in that way,
but we had better stop making large quantities of unrecyclable plastic.


feed_id: 46a83b8008dc0784004197ba24d06a8f
title: Troops attacking protesters
uri: Troops-attacking-protesters
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#20_May_2021_%28Troops_attacking_protesters%29
content:
<p>
Chad's troops <a href="https://www.reuters.com/article/chad-security-int/chadian-security-forces-clash-with-protesters-denouncing-military-takeover-idUSKCN2D01KC">attacked protesters denouncing the military coup</a>.


feed_id: 01729a8937578ebb24d1551fc656fc7f
title: Sanctions
uri: 2021-05-20-Sanctions
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#20_May_2021_%28Sanctions%29
content:
<p>
US sanctions against Venezuela are cutting into planting, and <a href="https://www.reuters.com/article/us-venezuela-diesel-agriculture-feature/diesel-shortages-paralyze-venezuelan-farms-prompting-sanctions-debate-idUSKCN2D0188">the
threatening the country with food shortage later</a>.


feed_id: a5e75fb76bd70e7d535823381ac4d875
title: Feeding supporters
uri: Feeding-supporters
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#20_May_2021_%28Feeding_supporters%29
content:
<p>
The government of Honduras feeds the supporters of the ruling party.
<a href="https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-immigration-honduras-corruption-i/partisan-politics-in-honduras-fuels-exodus-migrants-say-idUSKCN2D017B">Others have to flee to get food</a>.


feed_id: 93fd4d715411b06dcbe5c3800d119690
title: Survivors of massacre
uri: Survivors-of-massacre
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#20_May_2021_%28Survivors_of_massacre%29
content:
<p>
Survivors of the 1921 massacre of blacks in Tulsa <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/may/19/viola-fletcher-tulsa-race-massacre-congress-oldest-survivor">testified about it in Congress</a>.
  They were children when 300 people in their neighborhood were killed.

<p>
It's bad enough that this happened once, but the wrecker is trying to make
it happen again.


feed_id: a8dcdd4ae3d4bab0fdf1dc82ff7f96c8
title: Jailing child traffickers
uri: Jailing-child-traffickers
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#20_May_2021_%28Jailing_child_traffickers%29
content:
<p>
*Ivory Coast <a href="https://www.reuters.com/article/us-cocoa-ivorycoast-trafficking/ivory-coast-jails-child-traffickers-after-cocoa-farm-raids-idUSKCN2D023X">jails child traffickers after cocoa farm raids</a>.*


feed_id: 06eb77761429a811b9d2baa63bdd7ce5
title: Selling product of deforestation
uri: Selling-product-of-deforestation
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#20_May_2021_%28Selling_product_of_deforestation%29
content:
<p>
Food companies Cargill, Bunge and Cofco were caught <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/may/19/food-giants-accused-of-links-to-amazon-deforestation">selling soy beans
produced by deforesters in Brazil</a>.


feed_id: 6d6d83a307a0ddacac8f5a09aa1efbc5
title: Subpoena to identify critics
uri: Subpoena-to-identify-critics
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#20_May_2021_%28Subpoena_to_identify_critics%29
content:
<p>
When the wrecker was in charge, the Department of Justice gave Twitter
a subpoena to try to identify the operator of <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/may/18/devin-nunes-mother-twitter-trump-justice-department">a parody account that made
fun of abject supporter Rep. Devin Nunes</a>.
  It went so far as to make Twitter keep the subpoena secret.

<p>
This looks like an attempt to use the government to repress criticism of Nunes.


feed_id: 1ea16e87a52e9f5aff215865ba832835
title: Reporters under attack
uri: Reporters-under-attack
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#20_May_2021_%28Reporters_under_attack%29
content:
<p>
*Israeli TV reporters <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/may/18/israeli-tv-reporters-face-attacks-threats-jewish-extremists">face attacks and threats from Jewish extremists</a>.*

<p>
Soon they may have to flee to the West Bank and seek the protection of
the Palestinian Authority ;-}{.


feed_id: e6981a7add283e88f454c66eddc0d86e
title: Prejudice from staff of stores
uri: Prejudice-from-staff-of-stores
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#20_May_2021_%28Prejudice_from_staff_of_stores%29
content:
<p>
In a survey, 90% of US blacks said <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/may/18/black-shoppers-racial-profiling-report">they had experienced some sort of
prejudice from the staff of stores</a>.


feed_id: d66056ff65fef8961355cf6dc4bfe20b
title: Urgent: Abolish the death penalty for federal crimes
uri: Urgent-Abolish-the-death-penalty-for-federal-crimes
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#22_May_2021_%28Urgent%3A_Abolish_the_death_penalty_for_federal_crimes%29

content:
<p>

US citizens: call on Congress to <a href="https://act.ayannapressley.com/signup/apem-20210518/">abolish the death penalty</a> for federal
crimes.

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


feed_id: 3881fc2b21ca025234b022a1da20de2b
title: Urgent: Investigate the corrupter and his associates
uri: Urgent-Investigate-the-corrupter-and-his-associates
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#22_May_2021_%28Urgent%3A_Investigate_the_corrupter_and_his_associates%29

content:
<p>

US citizens: call on the DOJ to create a task force to <a href="https://actionnetwork.org/forms/sign-the-petition-demand-the-doj-initiate-a-task-force-to-investigate-trump-and-his-associates">investigate
the corrupter and his associates</a>.


feed_id: ff7a9dbb0646f9352ca0ef3fd1e25024
title: Urgent: Pass Medicare for All
uri: Urgent-Pass-Medicare-for-All
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#22_May_2021_%28Urgent%3A_Pass_Medicare_for_All%29
content:
<p>

US citizens: call on Congress to <a href="https://act.rootsaction.org/p/dia/action4/common/public/?action_KEY=14199">pass Medicare for All</a>.
<p>
To sign without running <a href="https://gnu.org/philosophy/javascript-trap.html">nonfree JavaScript code</a>
from the web site, use the <a href="https://stallman.org/salsalabs-method.html">Salsalabs workaround</a>.

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


feed_id: 1ea4581d8c847c65961ae2bea4e9b238
title: Israel and HAMAS
uri: Israel-and-HAMAS
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#22_May_2021_%28Israel_and_HAMAS%29
content:
<p>

Israel and HAMAS have <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/may/20/israels-security-cabinet-approves-gaza-ceasefire-reports">agreed on a cease-fire</a>.
<p>
I think that Biden privately pressured Netanyahu to accept it,
while publicly defending Netanyahu.  That seems to be his approach.


feed_id: 09666ba9792158a561571a62cc590e6c
title: Take strain off our planet
uri: Take-strain-off-our-planet
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#22_May_2021_%28Take_strain_off_our_planet%29
content:
<p>

*Declining birthrates will <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/may/20/declining-birthrates-will-take-the-strain-off-our-planet">take the strain off our planet</a>.*
<p>
I agree with the first two letters.  However, I have to point out
that, for the societies that live in an ecologically inefficient way,
the effects of one more immigrant are not very different from the
effects of one more baby.  Either one adds to the population
and is likely to result in further growth in subsequent generations.


feed_id: c207b431e4113f16f6866e92c3db4f6a
title: Pro-Palestine movement
uri: Pro-Palestine-movement
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#22_May_2021_%28Pro-Palestine_movement%29
content:
<p>

*The pro-Palestine movement is broad but it <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2021/may/20/pro-palestine-movement-antisemitism-london">can’t be a home to antisemitism</a>.*
Furthermore, the presence of Jews, and a majority of people who are neither
violent nor extremist nor antisemitic, must not be taken as proof
that none of its supporters are violent or extremist or antisemitic.


feed_id: 14f63db1d6b629ddad63a665afec9ee9
title: Peace between Jews and Arabs
uri: Peace-between-Jews-and-Arabs
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#22_May_2021_%28Peace_between_Jews_and_Arabs%29
content:
<p>

Israeli state <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thugs</a>, plus thuggish right-wing private citizens, are
committing repeated violence that has <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2021/may/20/peaceful-coexistence-jaffa-falling-apart-israeli-police">poisoned the peace</a> between Jews
and Arabs that prevailed in Jaffa for many years.


feed_id: cb5c9f905c25444ff8b675084d412ee3
title: Oxford statue
uri: Oxford-statue
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#22_May_2021_%28Oxford_statue%29
content:
<p>

Oriel College in Oxford decided <a href="https://www.reuters.com/article/us-britain-statues-rhodes/rhodes-will-not-fall-oxford-college-to-retain-statue-idUSKCN2D11H4">not to remove Rhodes's statue</a>.  It did
not refuse on principle, but rather because some laws create an
obstacle.
<p>
Rhodes's main activity was colonial conquest.  He did good with some
of the riches he got from colonialism, but that can't compensate for
the harm by which he got those riches.  Therefore, I conclude that
there are no good reasons why the statue ought to remain.
<p>
I hope that the UK will change whatever laws interfere with removing
such statues.


feed_id: 65c89255f39c61d6fa91db97c0567b28
title: India's Covid-19 crisis
uri: India-s-Covid-19-crisis
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#22_May_2021_%28India%27s_Covid-19_crisis%29
content:
<p>

India's Covid-19 crisis has <a href="https://www.reuters.com/article/health-coronavirus-covax-int/covid-fight-could-return-to-square-one-experts-sound-vaccines-alarm-idUSKCN2D11Z3">eliminated vaccine supply</a> for most other
countries.
<p>
The world needs more production capacity, for other countries and for
India too.


feed_id: 36e06fddcb370896be66928116cbc404
title: Bill to audit the Pentagon
uri: Bill-to-audit-the-Pentagon
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#22_May_2021_%28Bill_to_audit_the_Pentagon%29
content:
<p>

Sanders and other senators have introduced a bipartisan bill to <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2021/05/19/end-absurdity-wasteful-military-spending-sanders-introduces-bill-audit-pentagon">audit
the Pentagon</a>.
<p>
This is long overdue.


feed_id: c3b7eb10e7b8b131fc5d2a54c5db9b06
title: Republican cultists
uri: Republican-cultists
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#22_May_2021_%28Republican_cultists%29
content:
<p>

Some Republican cultists in the House of Representatives refused to
wear masks, and <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/may/19/republicans-masks-us-house-chamber-congress">got a warning</a> for the first violation of that rule.
<p>
They believe that getting away with this makes them look brave to voters,
and that may be true.  The House needs to take measures stern enough that
it will make them back down.  For instance, keeping them off the house
floor for the next ten hours of being in session.


feed_id: cbe378426666a463b9d97ec4f5ebc759
title: Jan 6 investigation
uri: Jan-6-investigation
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#22_May_2021_%28Jan_6_investigation%29
content:
<p>

Even though the Jan 6 investigation had been pre-undermined with a
requirement for Republican agreement to issue any subpoena, most
Republicans in the House <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/may/19/us-january-6-commission-house-republicans-trump">voted not to have any investigation</a>.
<p>
Democrats compromised by giving Republicans <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/may/19/us-house-capitol-attack-commission-vote">equal representation in
the commission</a>, hoping to win some Republican support.  In response to
that, Senator McConnell called it a "slanted and unbalanced proposal."
<p>
McConnell can probably kill the investigation entirely.
<p>
It was foolish was of the Democrats to agree to a compromise without
getting a final deal as part of the compromise.  It appears that what
they will ultimately get for their concession is nothing &mdash; and making
a concession uselessly only looks weak.


feed_id: cbda35cc8854285d4c23091d6ac503df
title: (satire) Scarf in Afghanistan
uri: (satire)-Scarf-in-Afghanistan
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#22_May_2021_%28%28satire%29_Scarf_in_Afghanistan%29
content:
<p>

(satire) *U.S. Military Leaves Scarf In Afghanistan So It Has <a href="https://www.theonion.com/u-s-military-leaves-scarf-in-afghanistan-so-it-has-exc-1846918024">Excuse To Go Back Later</a>.*


feed_id: cef3c06ddaa6d96c268f9e8d7343fc64
title: Tigray hospital raided
uri: Tigray-hospital-raided
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#22_May_2021_%28Tigray_hospital_raided%29
content:
<p>

Ethiopian soldiers <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2021/05/18/africa/ethiopian-soldiers-raid-axum-hospital-intl/index.html">raided a hospital</a> in Tigray searching for staff and
patients that told journalists about interference with humanitarian
aid to that region.


feed_id: dcb007d16b73e563558ff4bde808c62b
title: Contempt for the public
uri: Contempt-for-the-public
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#22_May_2021_%28Contempt_for_the_public%29
content:
<p>

Despising politics, and expecting elected officials not to care about
what people need, gets us elected officials that <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2021/05/18/congressman-hell-symptom-our-rotten-political-system">show contempt for
the public</a>.
<p>
I disagree, however, with the criticism of sleeping in the office.
That space is theirs to use, and their using it 10 more hours
each day does not cost the government anything significant.


feed_id: 143ac8d14738d0b852344ea2b4c0a6fb
title: (satire) Pothole as historic landmark
uri: (satire)-Pothole-as-historic-landmark
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#22_May_2021_%28%28satire%29_Pothole_as_historic_landmark%29

content:
<p>

(satire) *Neighborhood Rallies To <a href="https://local.theonion.com/neighborhood-rallies-to-designate-pothole-as-historic-l-1846915388">Designate Pothole As Historic Landmark</a>.*


feed_id: e8d3df651d23ade2866c06fc6c4a669b
title: Nonfree software in the car
uri: Nonfree-software-in-the-car
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#22_May_2021_%28Nonfree_software_in_the_car%29
content:
<p>

Ford is considering programming the nonfree software in the car
to <a href="https://gizmodo.com/get-ready-for-in-car-ads-1846888390">impose ads on the people in the car</a>.
The owner could pay extra to turn off the ads.
<p>
This is what you get with a device that contains nonfree software
and can communicate in any fashion.


feed_id: e4d9a01f4a2b53ea58a2b0ff2e50375f
title: US waste companies
uri: US-waste-companies
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#22_May_2021_%28US_waste_companies%29
content:
<p>

US waste companies continue to <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2021/03/12/climate/plastics-waste-export-ban.html">send the waste to countries that won't try to recycle it</a>.


feed_id: 13328ee7a314f09c6bc99b9bf2023bf9
title: Apolitical fact-checking
uri: Apolitical-fact-checking
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#22_May_2021_%28Apolitical_fact-checking%29
content:
<p>

Fact-checking and debunking, as Snopes does, used to be apolitical and
fun, as well as educational.  People who read the explanations often
learned from this.
<p>
Nowadays, refuting the spew of right-wing lies <a href="https://gen.medium.com/snopes-debunked-the-world-then-the-world-changed-420e8a5fbebc">is ineffective</a>;
right-wing fanatics don't change their minds no matter how much
evidence is piled on them.
<p>
If someone you know has fallen under the truth-hating spell, then unless
you have the best information on how to lead someone out of it, and wish
to put a lot of patience and effort into it, I suggest cutting off those
conversations rapidly.


feed_id: b124bd9b4c10c6559e3c667f14ee4783
title: Further power to businesses
uri: Further-power-to-businesses
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#22_May_2021_%28Further_power_to_businesses%29
content:
<p>

European ministers look forward to <a href="https://www.reuters.com/article/us-eu-trade/europe-eyes-new-basis-for-trade-ties-with-u-s-idUSKCN2D11MR">joining Biden in policies</a> that give businesses further power over democracy in the US and the EU.
<p>
The area of <a href="https://stallman.org/business-supremacy-treaties.html ">business-supremacy treaties</a>
was one of the few policy areas in which the corrupter made things better, keeping the US out of
the <a href="media/c9a9c30b.trance-pacific-partnership.en.jpg" data-original-source="https://stallman.org/images/trance-pacific-partnership.en.jpg">TPP</a>
and modifying NAFTA to remove the ISDN clause (I Sue Democratic States).
<p>
Will Biden return to something like Obama's bad policy?
Can progressive legislators block it?


feed_id: 767944bb8c5f7db79f4a2ec8a4f38915
title: Justified in shooting Andrew Brown
uri: Justified-in-shooting-Andrew-Brown
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#22_May_2021_%28Justified_in_shooting_Andrew_Brown%29

content:
<p>

*North Carolina prosecutor says [thugs] were <a href="https://www.reuters.com/article/legal-usa-police-north-carolina/north-carolina-prosecutor-says-police-were-justified-in-fatally-shooting-andrew-brown-idUSKCN2CZ1VH">justified in fatally shooting
 Andrew Brown</a>.*  He claimed Brown was driving his car at the thugs.
<p>
Brown's family's lawyer says the video <a href="https://www.cbsnews.com/news/andrew-brown-jr-killing-bodycam-video-car-deputies-lawyers/">contradicts the prosecutor's claims</a>.  The family has seen the video but the public
is not allowed to see it.
<p>
False accusations against blacks have <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2021/05/17/opinions/andrew-brown-body-cam-barber-wilson-hartgrove/index.html">played an important role</a> in
history and politics in that region of Virginia.  
The prosecutor is not entitled to say, "take my word for it!"


feed_id: f389cbf39863464bf98a762a4c18616b
title: You better be right
uri: You-better-be-right
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#22_May_2021_%28You_better_be_right%29
content:
<p>

*Michigan "Big Lie" lawmaker proposes eerie bill that would <a href="https://boingboing.net/2021/05/12/michigan-big-lie-lawmaker-proposes-eerie-bill-that-would-punish-fact-checkers-you-better-be-right.html">punish fact
checkers</a>: "You better be right".*
<p>
I suspect they will draw up the law such that it will be easy to
launch lawsuits that will deter people from criticizing, even if they
would ultimately fail.


feed_id: 615d8ef57da65b465f7820cd4e3ca79f
title: Refuse to concede
uri: Refuse-to-concede
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#22_May_2021_%28Refuse_to_concede%29
content:
<p>

*What will the institutions of liberal democracy do when Republican
   officials simply <a href="https://washingtonmonthly.com/2021/05/08/what-happens-when-republicans-simply-refuse-to-certify-democratic-wins/">refuse to concede Democratic victories</a>?*


feed_id: 352ed04f7265ed815c0abd5f7dc7b787
title: (satire) Events of January 9
uri: (satire)-Events-of-January-9
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#22_May_2021_%28%28satire%29_Events_of_January_9%29
content:
<p>

(satire) *Congress Reaches Compromise To <a href="https://www.theonion.com/congress-reaches-compromise-to-investigate-events-of-ja-1846926783">Investigate Events Of January
9</a>.*
<p>
(There was nothing on January 9 that Republicans don't want investigated.)


feed_id: 394b76fbde2cc7d64bf89c2646bed8c2
title: Colossal planning failure
uri: Colossal-planning-failure
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#22_May_2021_%28Colossal_planning_failure%29
content:
<p>

*The Most <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2021/05/19/most-colossal-planning-failure-human-history">Colossal Planning Failure in Human History</a>:* setting up a
civilization to run on fossil fuels without planning for how to stop
using them.


feed_id: 8cbea1dc58a80527d2059a64e905a23a
title: Jan 6 investigation
uri: 2021-05-22-Jan-6-investigation
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#22_May_2021_%28Jan_6_investigation%29
content:
<p>

Even though the Jan 6 investigation had been pre-undermined with a
requirement for Republican agreement to issue any subpoena, most
Republicans in the House <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/may/19/us-january-6-commission-house-republicans-trump">voted not to have any investigation</a>.
<p>
Democrats compromised by giving Republicans <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/may/19/us-house-capitol-attack-commission-vote">equal representation in
the commission</a>, hoping to win some Republican support.  In response to
that, Senator McConnell called it a "slanted and unbalanced proposal."
<p>
McConnell can probably kill the investigation entirely.
<p>
It was foolish of the Democrats to agree to a compromise without
getting a final deal as part of the compromise.  It appears that what
they will ultimately get for their concession is nothing &mdash; and
making a concession uselessly only looks weak.


feed_id: bde3d6129bf6f1dbc06bffd983da2674
title: Further power to businesses
uri: 2021-05-23-Further-power-to-businesses
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#22_May_2021_%28Further_power_to_businesses%29
content:
<p>

European ministers look forward to <a href="https://www.reuters.com/article/us-eu-trade/europe-eyes-new-basis-for-trade-ties-with-u-s-idUSKCN2D11MR">joining Biden in policies</a> that give businesses further power over democracy in the US and the EU.
<p>
The area of <a href="https://stallman.org/business-supremacy-treaties.html ">business-supremacy treaties</a>
was one of the few policy areas in which the corrupter made things better, keeping the US out of
the <a href="media/c9a9c30b.trance-pacific-partnership.en.jpg" data-original-source="https://stallman.org/images/trance-pacific-partnership.en.jpg">TPP</a>
and modifying NAFTA to remove the ISDS clause (I Sue Democratic States).
<p>
Will Biden return to something like Obama's bad policy?
Can progressive legislators block it?


feed_id: 03724b44af9c7c4c747b33b615f28e56
title: Urgent: Shareholder resolutions 4-8 at Facebook's annual meeting
uri: Urgent-Shareholder-resolutions-4-8-at-Facebook-s-annual-meeting
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#23_May_2021_%28Urgent%3A_Shareholder_resolutions_4-8_at_Facebook%27s_annual_meeting%29

content:
<p>

Everyone: call on BlackRock, Fidelity, State Street, T. Rowe Price and
Vanguard to <a href="https://act.freepress.net/sign/shareholders_hold_fb_accountable">vote for shareholder resolutions 4–8</a> at Facebook’s annual
meeting on May 26.


feed_id: 3212d2b6e9bacf1340876aa5c87ff78e
title: Urgent: California water extraction
uri: Urgent-California-water-extraction
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#23_May_2021_%28Urgent%3A_California_water_extraction%29

content:
<p>

US citizens: call on the Forest Service <a href="https://act.couragecampaign.org/sign/no-new-water-permit-nestle/">not to permit Nestlé's
successor to extract California's water</a>.


feed_id: 13dbc48bf11a82693319d940fc911e45
title: Urgent: Jan 6 insurrection
uri: Urgent-Jan-6-insurrection
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#23_May_2021_%28Urgent%3A_Jan_6_insurrection%29
content:
<p>

US citizens: call on the Senate to <a href="https://act.pfaw.org/sign/tell-senate-support-january-6-commission/">support the Jan 6 insurrection
investigation</a>.


feed_id: 25ff49c98e82e7fa31c798f9c72e46ab
title: Drop in Arctic wildlife populations
uri: Drop-in-Arctic-wildlife-populations
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#23_May_2021_%28Drop_in_Arctic_wildlife_populations%29

content:
<p>

*Climate crisis behind <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/may/20/climate-crisis-drastic-drop-arctic-wildlife-populations-aoe">drastic drop</a> in Arctic wildlife populations.*


feed_id: c807bbfc04bf058ff11eb6df844b2c38
title: Jet fuel for Burma
uri: Jet-fuel-for-Burma
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#23_May_2021_%28Jet_fuel_for_Burma%29
content:
<p>

China is <a href="https://www.reuters.com/article/us-myanmar-politics-jetfuel-exclusive/exclusive-petrochina-ships-jet-fuel-to-junta-ruled-myanmar-data-shows-idUSKCN2D10NX">supplying jet fuel to Burma</a>.  The military uses that for air
attacks.
<p>
The US has a history of similar behavior, and progressives criticize it.
We should not treat it as less bad when China does it.


feed_id: fa117c0ddd80b172bcb10abf9a02ed33
title: Hong Kong jury trial
uri: Hong-Kong-jury-trial
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#23_May_2021_%28Hong_Kong_jury_trial%29
content:
<p>

*Hong Kong court <a href="https://www.reuters.com/article/us-hongkong-security/hong-kong-court-denies-jury-trial-to-first-person-charged-under-national-security-law-idUSKCN2D10ET">denies jury trial</a> to first person charged under national
 security law.*


feed_id: 6cb867b3680e35bddf4c7dcdc35cbf67
title: Intercity buses
uri: Intercity-buses
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#23_May_2021_%28Intercity_buses%29
content:
<p>

The US government should <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2021/may/20/the-us-should-nationalize-the-greyhound-bus-company-hear-me-out">buy Greyhound</a> and provide intercity buses
as a government service.
<p>
This would be great as long as it is not used as a surveillance system.
Greyhound asks for passengers' names but mostly does not seem to check
their identities.  It should stop asking!


feed_id: 1388b080c182b0275dfa7bbc693d2125
title: German soldier
uri: German-soldier
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#23_May_2021_%28German_soldier%29
content:
<p>

A German soldier who is apparently a Nazi is being tried for <a href="https://www.reuters.com/article/us-germany-security-trial/german-army-officer-on-trial-for-planning-attack-posing-as-syrian-refugee-idUSKCN2D113T">planning to assassinate politicians</a> while posing as a Syrian refugee.
<p>
Catching him after those murders would have revealed that he was no
Syrian.  I wonder why he did not consider that a flaw in his plan.
Perhaps he assumed it would take so long to catch him that the truth
would never overcome his lie.  Or perhaps he expected Nazis to reject
the truth whenever it did come out.


feed_id: 5c69cdf3712abe0309ec222ca396c424
title: Vaccine profits
uri: Vaccine-profits
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#23_May_2021_%28Vaccine_profits%29
content:
<p>

Covid-19 vaccine profits have made <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2021/05/20/covid-ravages-poor-nations-pharma-vaccine-profiteering-has-created-9-new">nine people billionaires</a>.
<p>
They are not satisfied &mdash; they and their businesses are determined to
get as many billions as they can from vaccination, even by slowing the
process of vaccinating everyone.
<p>
Many of the experts and think tanks that argue for strict application
of patents and trade secrets on Covid vaccine production are <a href="https://theintercept.com/2021/05/20/covid-vaccine-patent-waiver-conflicts/">supported
by drug money</a>.
The mainstream media do not mention this when citing their "wise"
advice.
<p>
This sort of practice makes it necessary to be skeptical of the motives
of scientists and other experts, and that hurts society deeply.


feed_id: 1e831db3d0eb525ed79fad99eb9dccd7
title: Argentina's medical system
uri: Argentina-s-medical-system
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#23_May_2021_%28Argentina%27s_medical_system%29
content:
<p>

Argentina's medical system is <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2021/may/20/argentina-covid-coronavirus-cases-deaths-hospitals">collapsing</a> under the strain of so many cases
of Covid-19.
<p>
As in the US, politicians are exploiting resentment against public
health measures, boosting their careers by killing some fraction
of the public.


feed_id: 5d22183e5791f05af2e9a58affe11817
title: Financing coal development
uri: Financing-coal-development
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#23_May_2021_%28Financing_coal_development%29
content:
<p>

The G7 countries have agreed to <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/may/21/richest-nations-agree-to-end-support-for-coal-production-overseas">stop financing coal development</a> in
other countries.
<p>
That will be a significant step, if they carry it out quickly.
But then we need similar policies regarding oil and natural gas.


feed_id: 60da1c853057e59989bdc834dd05fa1c
title: Ethiopia soldiers
uri: Ethiopia-soldiers
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#23_May_2021_%28Ethiopia_soldiers%29
content:
<p>

Ethiopia has <a href="https://www.reuters.com/article/us-ethiopia-conflict/four-ethiopian-soldiers-convicted-of-crimes-against-civilians-in-tigray-idUSKCN2D21US">convicted four of its soldiers</a> of rape or murder of civilians.
<p>
Every army has a duty to enforce the laws against war crimes, but
disorder in the army is out of control in Tigray;
Ethiopia has a long way to go.


feed_id: a280df2bd7b6d9d7a457ddf483b87608
title: 2013 protests in Gezi Park
uri: 2013-protests-in-Gezi-Park
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#23_May_2021_%282013_protests_in_Gezi_Park%29
content:
<p>

Erdoğan is still working on <a href="https://www.reuters.com/article/uk-turkey-security-kavala/turkish-court-opens-latest-trial-of-kavala-over-2013-gezi-protests-idUSKCN2D20UH">convicting</a>
the organizers of the <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2013-may-aug.html#14_June_2013_(Gezi_Park_protesters_strong_commitment_to_nonviolence_and_decorum)">2013 protests in Gezi Park in Istanbul</a>.
<p>
That was his first big foray into repression.  Since then he has done
much worse things, such as starting a civil war so he could rerun an <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2014-may-aug.html#12_August_2014_(Authoritarian_wins_Turkish_election)">election</a>
that he had lost.


feed_id: b911a08106b80fc22ed151891b34bc61
title: Guatemala stopped prosecuting corrupt officials
uri: Guatemala-stopped-prosecuting-corrupt-officials
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#23_May_2021_%28Guatemala_stopped_prosecuting_corrupt_officials%29

content:
<p>

Guatemala has decided to stop prosecuting corrupt officials and
instead <a href="https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-central-america-corruption-guatem/guatemala-detains-ex-tax-chief-who-took-on-oligarchs-idUSKCN2D02MT">prosecute the officials who tried to make the rich pay taxes</a>.
<p>
Sounds like Guatemala's equivalent of Trump or Bolsonaro is in charge.


feed_id: 37e733f0cc93eb1f47f36153a3a75a7b
title: Families of the dead of flight PS752
uri: Families-of-the-dead-of-flight-PS752
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#23_May_2021_%28Families_of_the_dead_of_flight_PS752%29

content:
<p>

The families of people who died in Ukraine International Airlines flight PS752
<a href="https://www.reuters.com/article/us-iran-crash-canada/canadian-court-finds-iran-liable-for-downed-ukrainian-plane-idUSKCN2D12O5">won a lawsuit against the government of Iran</a>.
<p>
There is no question that Iranian forces shot down the plane, but I
am surprised by the conclusion that they knowingly and intentionally
targeted an airliner.  What evidence exists for that?


feed_id: f27908817fcae0c68bfdaab246f3d070
title: Asthma in toddlers
uri: Asthma-in-toddlers
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#23_May_2021_%28Asthma_in_toddlers%29
content:
<p>

*Asthma in toddlers linked to in-utero <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/may/21/asthma-in-toddlers-linked-to-in-utero-exposure-to-air-pollution-ufps-study-finds">exposure to air pollution</a>.*


feed_id: f475221f57450c37171f97af07c8fd1f
title: Republican governors plan to cut unemployment
uri: Republican-governors-plan-to-cut-unemployment
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#23_May_2021_%28Republican_governors_plan_to_cut_unemployment%29

content:
<p>

Republican governors plan to <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/may/21/us-unemployment-benefits-pandemic-cut-republican-states">cut the unemployment benefits</a> of 3 and a
half million unemployed Americans.


feed_id: ad5c6385e07008dd5e9ccac248077d21
title: Australian climate defense strikes
uri: Australian-climate-defense-strikes
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#23_May_2021_%28Australian_climate_defense_strikes%29

content:
<p>

In approximately Covid-free Australia, students are <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/may/21/school-strike-for-climate-thousands-take-to-streets-around-australia">striking again for
climate defense</a>.


feed_id: 3b5486e57743acea43678cf28d2d4c5c
title: Exposure to air pollution
uri: Exposure-to-air-pollution
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#23_May_2021_%28Exposure_to_air_pollution%29
content:
<p>

Excluding the <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/may/21/pollutionwatch-ignore-naysayers-low-emission-zones-do-work">most polluting vehicles from densely populated areas</a> is
an effective way to reduce the general level of exposure to air pollution,
and the medical harm which that pollution does.
<p>
However, when the exclusion is implemented by systematically tracking
all vehicles, that is a form of oppression.  Tracking the movements of
people in general is inherently oppressive.  The system should be
implemented so that it does not notice the movements of low-emission
cars, only the presence of a high-emission car.


feed_id: bb72be9401f3334265222d98a135b019
title: Weapons to repress protests
uri: Weapons-to-repress-protests
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#23_May_2021_%28Weapons_to_repress_protests%29
content:
<p>

*The U.S. Must Stop Providing Weapons Used to <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2021/05/20/us-must-stop-providing-weapons-used-repress-colombias-protests">Repress Colombia’s Protests</a>.*


feed_id: 7c9e0da81fe19467cc5fa5c7b4e15313
title: Scarce battery resources
uri: Scarce-battery-resources
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#23_May_2021_%28Scarce_battery_resources%29
content:
<p>

The <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2021/05/20/post-petroleum-resource-race-and-what-make-it">scarce resources for making efficient batteries</a>, as it is
currently done, will cause conflict among states.


feed_id: 7d576f3e6b3bbd5bfc46529220c49a41
title: Ronald Greene killed by thugs
uri: Ronald-Greene-killed-by-thugs
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#23_May_2021_%28Ronald_Greene_killed_by_thugs%29
content:
<p>

*His family says they were told he died in a car wreck.  Video now
shows Ronald Greene was <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2021/05/20/us/ronald-greene-video-louisiana-police-death/index.html">kicked, dragged and tased by [thugs]</a>.*
Then, as usual, they lied about it.  At least this time they did not
try to frame him.


feed_id: 24db3424c74b7a12ad529a18b6e9be0e
title: EPA errors
uri: EPA-errors
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#23_May_2021_%28EPA_errors%29
content:
<p>

*The EPA effectively
   <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2021/05/19/biden-epa-reveals-prior-approval-monsantos-roundup-failed-account-risks-monarch">admitted grave errors</a> in EPA’s 2020 interim registration of glyphosate,
   best known as the active ingredient in Monsanto’s Roundup pesticides,
   and asked the court for permission to re-do the agency’s faulty
   assessments.*


feed_id: 754e8642df3e934a6170d3e7b8eff1fd
title: Gaza media coverage
uri: Gaza-media-coverage
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#23_May_2021_%28Gaza_media_coverage%29
content:
<p>

*Committee to Protect Journalists Accuses Israel of <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2021/05/19/committee-protect-journalists-accuses-israel-trying-shut-down-gaza-coverage-bombing">Trying to 'Shut Down' Gaza Coverage</a> by Bombing Media Outlets.*


feed_id: a7a19155ce49519659bee82f26c40157
title: Bill to cancel water debts
uri: Bill-to-cancel-water-debts
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#23_May_2021_%28Bill_to_cancel_water_debts%29
content:
<p>

*Democrats unveil $30bn bill to <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/may/20/democrats-bill-water-utility-companies-coronavirus">cancel water debts</a> and bail out utility firms.*


feed_id: 3f51f129bdd7bf562a60b304dab685a1
title: Bogus Johnson blames Britons
uri: Bogus-Johnson-blames-Britons
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#23_May_2021_%28Bogus_Johnson_blames_Britons%29
content:
<p>

To evade the responsibility for bad decisions on protecting the UK
from Covid-19, Bogus Johnson is <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2021/may/20/unvaccinated-covid-patients-bolton-matt-hancock-virus">blaming the Britons who did not want
to be vaccinated</a>.
<p>
This is even more absurd than it looks like. because vaccination in
the UK is limited by supplies of vaccine.  If one person chose not to
be vaccinated, another person got the chance to be vaccinated early.
This had no effect on the vulnerability to the more transmissible
Indian strains.


feed_id: 70b8d487be92c265537ab80bf35fe048
title: Urgent: Allow Medicare to negotiate drug prices
uri: Urgent-Allow-Medicare-to-negotiate-drug-prices
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#24_May_2021_%28Urgent%3A_Allow_Medicare_to_negotiate_drug_prices%29

content:
<p>
US citizens: <a href="https://actionnetwork.org/petitions/abbvies-price-gouging-is-despicable-congress-needs-to-act-now?nowrapper=true">call on Congress</a> to allow Medicare to negotiate drug
prices.


feed_id: 48ebdac6f972daf57c402663fc424222
title: Urgent: condition military aid to Israel
uri: Urgent-condition-military-aid-to-Israel
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#24_May_2021_%28Urgent%3A_condition_military_aid_to_Israel%29

content:
<p>
US citizens: <a href="https://actionnetwork.org/forms/no-apartheid?nowrapper=true&referrer=group-rootsactionorg&source=group-rootsactionorg">call on the US</a> to condition military aid to Israel on
ending the occupation of Palestine, human rights abuses, and war crimes.


feed_id: 60b8b8ac799c22b69262b4115cf96032
title: Urgent: Lift sanctions temporarily
uri: Urgent-Lift-sanctions-temporarily
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#24_May_2021_%28Urgent%3A_Lift_sanctions_temporarily%29

content:
<p>
US citizens: <a href="https://actionnetwork.org/petitions/tell-biden-to-lift-sanctions-for-covid-relief?nowrapper=true">call on Biden and cabinet secretaries</a> to lift US
sanctions temporarily to facilitate countries' imports of food and
medicines required to deal with Covid-19.


feed_id: 8ca31c58921a9695566469b533ac0cf2
title: Urgent: no facial recognition for unemployed benefits
uri: Urgent-no-facial-recognition-for-unemployed-benefits
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#24_May_2021_%28Urgent%3A_no_facial_recognition_for_unemployed_benefits%29

content:
<p>
US citizens: <a href="https://actionnetwork.org/petitions/tell-states-to-stop-requiring-facial-recognition-for-unemployed-benefits?nowrapper=true">call on states</a> to stop requiring facial recognition for
unemployed benefits.


feed_id: 21090336ca2d7e944e950e6872fa3b7b
title: Pushing bigotry back in a bigoted way
uri: Pushing-bigotry-back-in-a-bigoted-way
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#24_May_2021_%28Pushing_bigotry_back_in_a_bigoted_way%29

content:
<p>
Chicago's mayor, a black woman, has set a policy <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2021/05/20/media/chicago-mayor-lori-lightfoot-interviews/index.html">of refusing to give interviews
to white journalists</a>.

<p>
Blacks in the US continue to meet with individual bigotry as well as
systemic racism.  But you can't help cure bigotry by pushing back in a
bigoted way.


feed_id: 010433480b72f7adfe5392c3c68c7a43
title: Funds for endangered species
uri: 2021-05-24-Funds-for-endangered-species
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#24_May_2021_%28Funds_for_endangered_species%29
content:
<p>
The Extinction Prevention Act would provide funds <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2021/05/20/conservationists-celebrate-federal-introduction-extinction-prevention-act">to help save many
endangered species that live in the US</a>.


feed_id: aed5fdbbd2b74ded0319e22a2116cabf
title: COVID relief money on surveillance
uri: COVID-relief-money-on-surveillance
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#24_May_2021_%28COVID_relief_money_on_surveillance%29

content:
<p>
*Tech Companies Want Schools <a href="https://www.vice.com/amp/en/article/pkbpz7/tech-companies-want-schools-to-use-covid-relief-money-on-surveillance-tools">to Use COVID Relief Money on Surveillance Tools</a>.*


feed_id: ec7af147cef5459d243a1d447c8ea90b
title: Lies about shooting
uri: Lies-about-shooting
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#24_May_2021_%28Lies_about_shooting%29
content:
<p>
It's standard practice for <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thugs</a> to lie about the people they
gratuitously shoot.  In Ronald Greene's case, <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2021/05/20/opinions/ronald-greene-andrew-brown-police-message-bailey/index.html">we now see the truth</a>.

<p>
With Andrew Brown, we have indications of it but the <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thugs</a> are still
keeping the facts secret.

<p>
<a href="https://www.cnn.com/2021/05/20/us/ronald-greene-what-we-know/index.html">More info about Ronald Greene's killing</a>.


feed_id: 2b450904562c409b386e7c548de6609f
title: Climate strike movement
uri: Climate-strike-movement
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#24_May_2021_%28Climate_strike_movement%29
content:
<p>
Australia's climate strike movement <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2021/05/21/aussie-youth-target-pm-morrison-climate-strikes-because-he-only-serves-fossil-fuels">has made the planet-roaster
Australian government its main target</a>.


feed_id: 9cebc4f579b369a3cd4c5171402c6e30
title: Bombing of medical facilities
uri: Bombing-of-medical-facilities
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#24_May_2021_%28Bombing_of_medical_facilities%29
content:
<p>
Israel's bombing <a href="https://news.un.org/en/story/2021/05/1092172">has damaged 19 medical facilities in Gaza</a>.


feed_id: c4d3d30392dc33adf509a5552f0066b0
title: Herd immunity
uri: 2021-05-24-Herd-immunity
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#24_May_2021_%28Herd_immunity%29
content:
<p>
Bolsonaro wanted to achieve herd immunity by having most Brazilians catch
Covid-19, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/may/22/brazil-bolsonaro-never-wanted-vaccines-says-senator">rather than by vaccinating most Brazilians</a>.

<p>
The article errs by using the term "herd immunity" only for the first
option.  Both recovery from an infection and vaccination convey the
same sort of immunity; a sufficiently large fraction with immunity from
whatever cause results in herd immunity.

<p>
Where they differ is that catching Covid-19 can result in death, or
in lasting disability (perhaps permanent) in a few percent of the
infected people.  Vaccination does not do this.

<p>
Out of 200 million Brazilians, letting the disease run rampant may
imply a few million dead and a few million disabled on the path to
herd immunity.

<p>
This is why it makes sense to use various methods to reduce the fraction
of people that ever catch Covid-19.


feed_id: 9cd3cb263a13a7dceada3bd16b7ce5a9
title: Disinformation to undermine cohesion
uri: Disinformation-to-undermine-cohesion
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#24_May_2021_%28Disinformation_to_undermine_cohesion%29

content:
<p>
Taiwan says that China is using disinformation <a href="https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-taiwan/taiwan-says-china-is-spreading-fake-news-during-covid-spike-idUSKCN2D302P">to undermine Taiwanese
cohesion in responding to Covid-19</a>.
  Taiwan asked everyone to stay home this weekend so as to break the chain
of transmission.


feed_id: d1f616b31b6de88a461021e14121e17d
title: Conflict of interest
uri: 2021-05-24-Conflict-of-interest
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#24_May_2021_%28Conflict_of_interest%29
content:
<p>
*Charles Koch funded eviction push <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/may/21/charles-koch-foundation-eviction-real-estate">while investing in real estate companies</a>.*


feed_id: 98f06381be5593e588b23e583cf0fb79
title: Tibetan culture
uri: Tibetan-culture
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#24_May_2021_%28Tibetan_culture%29
content:
<p>
China has been suppressing Tibetan culture for so long that, soon,
<a href="https://www.reuters.com/article/us-tibet-leader/running-out-of-time-tibetan-president-elect-warns-of-cultural-genocide-idUSKCN2D21TO">little will be left</a>.

<p>
We should not forget that many imperialist countries have suppressed
the culture of colonized peoples.  The US did, Canada did, and so did
some European countries to their minorities.  Nowadays, these countries
no longer have such policies, while China does.


feed_id: 5caf883a8c7aa4579fb682a6ac359a95
title: Children independence outdoors
uri: Children-independence-outdoors
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#24_May_2021_%28Children_independence_outdoors%29
content:
<p>
Texas passed a law allowing parents <a href="https://www.freerangekids.com/texas-goes-free-range-reasonable-independence-bill-becomes-law/">to give their children reasonable
independence outdoors</a>.

<p>
The article does not make it clear whether the law also includes
allowing children to be home alone.  It would be logical if it did,
but can anyone find out and tell me?


feed_id: bc22989c9cf29cf1719c62f3bbec2c4c
title: Standing firm against antisemitism
uri: Standing-firm-against-antisemitism
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#25_May_2021_%28Standing_firm_against_antisemitism%29

content:
<p>
Supporters of Palestinians' rights <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2021/05/21/has-stop-palestinian-rights-advocates-condemn-anti-semitic-incidents-us">stand firm against antisemitism</a>.


feed_id: 60f7f538110f376dc3e6f51da23bb252
title: Mask when vaccinated
uri: Mask-when-vaccinated
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#25_May_2021_%28Mask_when_vaccinated%29
content:
<p>
Covid-19 vaccination makes you pretty safe from actual harm, but does
not guarantee you can't get a mild case and transmit the virus to
others.  Thus, some people <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2021/05/22/us/vaccinated-covid-new-normal-trnd/index.html">rationally decide to keep wearing masks</a>.

<p>
I continue to wear a mask when in the proximity of strangers.


feed_id: 4d33177c3332140411133a26b5969fe0
title: Cops Kill banner
uri: Cops-Kill-banner
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#25_May_2021_%28Cops_Kill_banner%29
content:
<p>
Barrett Brown went to a protest in the UK and multiple times helped
hold a banner that said "Cops Kill".  The last time, it had been
rearranged to say "Kill Cops" &mdash; and <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2021/may/21/us-journalist-barrett-brown-arrested-incitement">he was arrested for incitement to
violence</a>.

<p>
If I understand right, that would not count as incitement to violence
in the US.  The US has a very strict definition of that crime.


feed_id: e335d15fc7b8da619c2a08334ac55f21
title: Insist on the infrastructure/job plan
uri: Insist-on-the-infrastructure-job-plan
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#25_May_2021_%28Insist_on_the_infrastructure%2Fjob_plan%29

content:
<p>

Exhorting Biden to insist on the infrastructure/jobs plan, <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2021/05/21/progressives-biden-you-are-making-huge-mistake-weakening-infrastructure-proposal">not cut
it back in the hope Republicans will deign to accept it</a>.

<p>
A general principle of negotiation, when you're working for something
other than your own gain, is never to propose a concession.  You can
accept all or part of a concession proposed by the opposition,
preferably attaching a condition (a quid-pro-quo); that is the way
deals are reached.  But initiating a concession says, "I am desperate
and weak-willed."  It invites the opposition to respond, "That's not
enough &mdash; make a <em>real</em> concession!"


feed_id: a19bb49954393f566427219b5718c9f6
title: Number of Covid deaths
uri: Number-of-Covid-deaths
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#25_May_2021_%28Number_of_Covid_deaths%29
content:
<p>
WHO estimates that the number of deaths caused by Covid-19 is <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2021/05/21/who-says-covid-has-killed-6-8-million-people-two-three-times-more-officially">two or
three times the official reported total of 3.4 million</a>.
  Perhaps even more.

<p>
Many countries don't have good systems for reporting cause of death,
In some cases it is hard to determine whether Covid-19 was to blame.
And then there are the cover-ups.


feed_id: 963690f9772458e0a015ca5eb4879e6e
title: Murdered by thugs in prison
uri: Murdered-by-thugs-in-prison
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#25_May_2021_%28Murdered_by_thugs_in_prison%29
content:
<p>
William Jennette was in jail in Tennessee, and handcuffed, when a
group of thugs <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2021/05/21/absolute-nightmare-video-shows-tennessee-officers-taunted-hogtied-man-he-died">killed him by kneeling on his back for several minutes</a>.


feed_id: 3bdda049d01ad1f6657141bff0abfc96
title: Returning soldier
uri: Returning-soldier
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#25_May_2021_%28Returning_soldier%29
content:
<p>
(<a href="https://local.theonion.com/and-you-lived-in-afghanistan-for-how-long-asks-suspi-1846695194">satire</a>) *"And You Lived In Afghanistan For How Long?" Asks Suspicious Agent
Questioning Returning Soldier At Customs.*


feed_id: 72e31f430ffe2e22bbe4e6c6601faeeb
title: BBC reform
uri: BBC-reform
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#25_May_2021_%28BBC_reform%29
content:
<p>
The former dishonest journalist, Bogus Johnson, must not be allowed
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2021/may/23/the-bbc-had-blundered-but-its-enemies-must-not-be-free-to-define-its-future">to reform the BBC after his own heart</a>.


feed_id: 88e3132775501f3cf1132341e0d65725
title: Legal action for scientific criticism
uri: Legal-action-for-scientific-criticism
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#25_May_2021_%28Legal_action_for_scientific_criticism%29

content:
<p>
*World expert in scientific misconduct faces legal action <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/science/2021/may/22/world-expert-in-scientific-misconduct-faces-legal-action-for-challenging-integrity-of-hydroxychloroquine-study">for challenging
integrity of hydroxychloroquine study</a>.*

<p>
It is remarkable that Dr Raoult would escalate this far to silence a
scientific criticism, and also that he has the resources to do so.
I wonder where those resources come from.


feed_id: 9b27210b42fdd8dbb3ff70a073259394
title: Government cover up for thugs
uri: Government-cover-up-for-thugs
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#25_May_2021_%28Government_cover_up_for_thugs%29
content:
<p>
The UK government is covering up the results of an investigation into police
corruption from 34 years ago, corruption <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2021/may/22/daniel-morgan-independent-panel-priti-patel-metropolitan-police">which resulted in the murder of
a private detective who was investigating it</a>.

<p>
This demonstrates that the corruption is not just a thing of the past.


feed_id: 71c0dc5585b9c8abd099e80aa46873d8
title: University free speech requirement
uri: University-free-speech-requirement
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#25_May_2021_%28University_free_speech_requirement%29

content:
<p>
An argument against the UK's proposed university free speech
requirement shows real problems, but it also shows that the author
(Renton) <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2021/may/22/the-free-speech-law-will-make-university-debate-harder-not-easier">advocates a lot of censorship</a>.

<p>
I disagree politically with Yiannopoulos, and when Renton criticizes
things Yiannopoulos said, I agree with the criticism.  However,
censoring such statements is another matter.  In arguing for that,
Renton shows little support for freedom of speech.

<p>
Naturally, right-wing politicians in power will try to crush dissent.
The solutions they propose will tend to be unfair.  But that doesn't
mean there is no problem.


feed_id: 24f40cc0b3e8e14c1762e1f549e0921a
title: Covid-19 spread in workplaces
uri: Covid-19-spread-in-workplaces
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#25_May_2021_%28Covid-19_spread_in_workplaces%29
content:
<p>
The UK is hardly trying to make businesses <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/may/22/thousands-of-work-related-covid-deaths-go-unreported-in-uk">prevent Covid-19 spread in
workplaces</a>.


feed_id: ec1fa244d83dcd1a0edfa2b0bb0d08be
title: Fueling hatred
uri: Fueling-hatred
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#25_May_2021_%28Fueling_hatred%29
content:
<p>
*Don't let Middle East violence <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2021/may/22/dont-let-middle-east-violence-fuel-hatred-on-the-streets-of-britain">fuel hatred on the streets of Britain</a>.*


feed_id: 8f3240d0785997bb090cfa16b8b16661
title: New Covid-19 variant in schools
uri: New-Covid-19-variant-in-schools
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#25_May_2021_%28New_Covid-19_variant_in_schools%29
content:
<p>
Bogus Johnson suppressed information <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/may/22/no-10-tried-to-block-data-on-spread-of-new-covid-variant-in-english-schools">on spread of new Covid-19
variants via schools</a>.


feed_id: d953694efa8a7167e8c3845f036e8e40
title: More harm to children from variants
uri: More-harm-to-children-from-variants
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#25_May_2021_%28More_harm_to_children_from_variants%29

content:
<p>
The more transmissible Covid-19 variants <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/may/23/children-with-covid-why-are-some-countries-seeing-more-cases-and-deaths">are more likely to make children
gravely ill, even kill them, than before</a>.

<p>
People age 12-15 are not children.  They are adolescents.
Please do not infantilise adolescents.


feed_id: 4fb973219e0a683fb3e58b881ec76b0c
title: Urgent: Right to an abortion in federal law
uri: Urgent-Right-to-an-abortion-in-federal-law
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#25_May_2021_%28Urgent%3A_Right_to_an_abortion_in_federal_law%29

content:
<p>

US citizens: call on Congress to enact the <a href="http://act.democracyforamerica.com/sign/make_roe_law/">right to an abortion in
federal law</a>.

<p>The White House comments line is 202-456-1111.</p>
<p>If you call, please spread the word!</p>


feed_id: 907921f1fb3e6392301159bb17bfb862
title: Urgent: Support the VOTES act
uri: Urgent-Support-the-VOTES-act
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#25_May_2021_%28Urgent%3A_Support_the_VOTES_act%29
content:
<p>

Massachusetts residents: call on Massachusetts legislators to support the
<a href="https://action.aclu.org/send-message/ma-votes-act-hearing">VOTES act</a>.
<p>
<a href="https://www.commoncause.org/massachusetts/resource/the-votes-act-summary/">Here</a>
is more explanation of that proposed law.


feed_id: e1935516e82505374ed043171d835f75
title: Urgent: Break Free from Plastic Pollution Act
uri: Urgent-Break-Free-from-Plastic-Pollution-Act
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#25_May_2021_%28Urgent%3A_Break_Free_from_Plastic_Pollution_Act%29

content:
<p>

US citizens: call on Congress to pass the <a href="http://petitions.signforgood.com/break-free-from-plastics-act/">Break Free from Plastic
Pollution Act</a>.
<p>
<a href="https://www.plasticpollutioncoalition.org/break-free-from-plastic-pollution-act-summary">Here</a>
is a description of that proposed law.


feed_id: 5b7c1770aa32da7f29d6f4d0754aa55c
title: Video entertainment
uri: Video-entertainment
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#25_May_2021_%28Video_entertainment%29
content:
<p>

Video entertainment attracts people so strongly that they <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2021/may/23/television-is-good-that-we-are-working-less-to-watch-more-of-it">reduce their
working hours</a> to do it.
<p>
(The article says "television", but that word introduces a specificity
that I suspect is spurious.)
<p>
If you want to watch video, I urge you to make sure your choices are
not being tracked by some snooping tech.  Don't use nonfree software
(including nonfree Javascript code from a web site) or a streaming
dis-service or a cable box.


feed_id: 564cfb41497f6d5f25979d52db74b827
title: Cancel culture
uri: 2021-05-26-Cancel-culture
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#25_May_2021_%28Cancel_culture%29
content:
<p>

*Both left and right <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2021/may/23/both-left-and-right-pratise-cancel-culture-both-should-stop">practice "cancel culture"</a>. Both should stop.*


feed_id: 41bbc427e6e324f9832c5f9a3585ee39
title: Blood Legacy
uri: Blood-Legacy
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#25_May_2021_%28Blood_Legacy%29
content:
<p>

<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/books/2021/may/23/blood-legacy-by-alex-renton-review-family-fortunes-built-on-brutality">Blood Legacy</a>, by Alex Renton, examines Britain's involvement in
slavery through his family's investment in slave plantations in
the Caribbean.


feed_id: 56534572512589d11956b1900502a3f6
title: Atrocities in Ethiopia
uri: Atrocities-in-Ethiopia
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#25_May_2021_%28Atrocities_in_Ethiopia%29
content:
<p>

*Washington toughens stance to <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/may/23/washington-toughens-stance-to-fight-atrocities-in-ethiopia">fight atrocities in Ethiopia</a>.*


feed_id: 9d637b6926a5ae97bd973018b1a359d7
title: Threats to kill lawmakers
uri: Threats-to-kill-lawmakers
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#25_May_2021_%28Threats_to_kill_lawmakers%29
content:
<p>

*Police records show <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/may/23/police-records-capitol-attack-lawmakers">threats to kill lawmakers</a> in wake of Capitol attack.*
<p>
This is a part of the Republican campaign to attack the truth about
the election.


feed_id: 0bf3775e4e3e17cb48871111ea9efa25
title: Being denied tenure
uri: Being-denied-tenure
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#25_May_2021_%28Being_denied_tenure%29
content:
<p>

*What is at stake with Nikole Hannah-Jones <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2021/may/23/nikole-hannah-jones-tenure-universities-new-york-times">being denied tenure</a>.*


feed_id: e9cce28c6384e82eb7740ead789736f8
title: Anti-Sinasian hate in Canada
uri: Anti-Sinasian-hate-in-Canada
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#25_May_2021_%28Anti-Sinasian_hate_in_Canada%29
content:
<p>

Vancouver, with its large population of immigrants from China and
nearby countries, is becoming the focus of <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/may/23/vancoucer-anti-asian-hate-crimes-increase">anti-Sinasian hate</a> in
Canada.
<p>
I use the term "Sinasian" because the target group of this particular
hate movement includes countries such as Indonesia and the
Philippines, which are not in Asia.  Also because it does not include
countries such as Israel, Palestine, Syria, Iran, Pakistan and India,
which are in Asia.
<p>
People from those countries are also currently targets of bigotry and
hatred, and that is just as wrong as when the targets are Chinese or
neighboring.  But when people say "anti-Asian", they don't have in
mind the western parts of Asia.


feed_id: 5e0f2f7f601a1778330fe3e7ecaa7525
title: Belarus forced down an airliner
uri: Belarus-forced-down-an-airliner
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#25_May_2021_%28Belarus_forced_down_an_airliner%29
content:
<p>

Belarus forced down an airliner crossing its airspace in order to
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/may/23/belarus-diverts-ryanair-plane-to-arrest-blogger-says-opposition">arrest a passenger</a> &mdash; Roman Protasevich, a Belarusiano protest
organizer who had gone into exile.
<p>
Lukashenko's toadies say they will kill him.
<p>
How to push back?  Other countries could close their airspace to
flights going to or from Belarus airspace, until Lukashenko frees
Protasevich and commits not to do this again.
<p>
In spirit, this resembles what the UK did to David Miranda when he
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2013-may-aug.html#21_August_2013_(UK_gov't_said_it_interrogated_Miranda_because_he_was_carrying_stolen_documents)">transited through the UK</a> with a copy of Snowden material.
However, that did not involve forcing down an airliner.


feed_id: 8a16e8c1fe74bd6cb56d3e3abd12a238
title: Non-GMO corn
uri: Non-GMO-corn
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#25_May_2021_%28Non-GMO_corn%29
content:
<p>

*Mexico Wants to Import Non-GMO Corn and US Farmers Say <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2021/05/22/mexico-wants-import-non-gmo-corn-and-us-farmers-say-they-can-deliver-it">They Can
 Deliver It</a>.*
<p>
However, Mexicans can also grow it, and that might enable a lot of Mexicans
to get out of the poverty that NAFTA pushed them into.


feed_id: b47aa548ff3b71925a56050fe761bb2b
title: Actively managed fires
uri: Actively-managed-fires
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#25_May_2021_%28Actively_managed_fires%29
content:
<p>

In Arnhem Land, in northern Australia, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2021/may/24/fire-money-how-indigenous-land-management-is-transforming-arnhem-land">indigenous rangers actively
manage fires</a>.
<p>
This sort of management can reduce destructive fires and protect species.
However, whether it will succeed in storing carbon long-term depends on
how bad <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#global heating">global heating</a> gets.  It is good to pay rangers to do it,
but we should not take for granted it will reduce net emissions.
<p>
Indeed, I think we should not plan for curbing <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#global heating">global heating</a> in terms
of "net emissions" and "offsets".  Rather, we should make plans to
reduce emissions; and we should also make plans to protect various
sorts of terrain.


feed_id: aa04b94376365a2bf24a8275abb97f4b
title: Papers with grabby conclusions
uri: Papers-with-grabby-conclusions
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#25_May_2021_%28Papers_with_grabby_conclusions%29
content:
<p>

*Academics suspect papers with grabby conclusions are <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/science/2021/may/21/research-findings-that-are-probably-wrong-cited-far-more-than-robust-ones-study-finds">waved through
 more easily</a> by [peer] reviewers.*


feed_id: 4f7469de8e96945bb0d287847b45592b
title: WHO plenary meeting
uri: WHO-plenary-meeting
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#25_May_2021_%28WHO_plenary_meeting%29
content:
<p>

The WHO has <a href="https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-taiwan-who/taiwan-slams-whos-indifference-after-failing-to-get-into-key-meeting-idUSKCN2D501F">refused to allow Taiwan</a> to send observers to participate
in its plenary meeting.
<p>
I think western powers should bite the bullet and start recognizing
Taiwan as "Taiwan".  There could, by chance, be a more convenient
moment in the future, but it won't get easier.


feed_id: eaa24e15ea9ef8cc65c8407e344aae5a
title: Burma's democracy movement
uri: Burma-s-democracy-movement
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#25_May_2021_%28Burma%27s_democracy_movement%29
content:
<p>

Burma's democracy movement is shifting into a <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/may/24/myanmar-police-clashes-anti-coup-movement-deaths-peoples-defence-force">guerrilla uprising</a>
and getting involved with minority ethnic separatist movements
that have maintained autonomous zones for decades.
<p>
Don't expect China to be any less violent in its imperialism than the
US has been.  However, its denials will be in the bullshitter's style,
broad and blatant denial of truth, rather than subtle lies.


feed_id: 3a5a5703ec7cc766750e0c840b7a69f3
title: Non-violent autogolpe
uri: Non-violent-autogolpe
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#25_May_2021_%28Non-violent_autogolpe%29
content:
<p>

Samoa's prime minister is holding on to power with a sort of
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/may/24/political-crisis-in-samoa-as-prime-minister-elect-locked-out-of-parliament-to-prevent-swearing-in">nonviolent autogolpe</a>.


feed_id: 9fcedaf8851f43cc3d4559d59a0b5c0a
title: Wave of Covid-19 in Japan
uri: Wave-of-Covid-19-in-Japan
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#25_May_2021_%28Wave_of_Covid-19_in_Japan%29
content:
<p>

Japan is suffering a wave of Covid-19 in Ocaka which is <a href="https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-japan-osaka/no-ones-safe-anymore-japans-osaka-city-crumples-under-covid-19-onslaught-idUSKCN2D5026">overwhelming
the medical system there</a>.
<p>
I wonder why Japan has failed to apply the necessary discipline to
suppress the disease.  It seemed to do so effectively a year ago,
though I don't recall details.
<p>
Could it be that the government has denied the severity so as to
reduce pressure to cancel the Olympic games?


feed_id: 78f5d878fb19d78935e218bced83d325
title: Polycystic ovary syndrome
uri: Polycystic-ovary-syndrome
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#25_May_2021_%28Polycystic_ovary_syndrome%29
content:
<p>

Around 10% of women have a medical problem, polycystic ovary syndrome,
which <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2021/05/23/health/women-covid-pcos-high-risk/index.html">can cause severe complications</a> if they catch Covid-19.
Most Covid-19 medical studies have not paid attention to it, and most
of these women don't know they have it.


feed_id: 0fb53e0a17dd78a657992e794f97abbf
title: Lunatic extremists
uri: Lunatic-extremists
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#25_May_2021_%28Lunatic_extremists%29
content:
<p>

Even in 2012, lunatic extremists were <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2021/05/23/politics/republicans-extremists-worse-than-2012/index.html">altering the Republican Party</a>.
They were not yet a majority, but the trend was clear.


feed_id: 63636c2688ed499f03fee04efe808c2d
title: Right-wing cancellationists
uri: Right-wing-cancellationists
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#25_May_2021_%28Right-wing_cancellationists%29
content:
<p>

Right-wing cancellationists have <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2021/05/23/ap-firing-shows-right-wing-hypocrisy-illusion-objectivity">got two noteworthy journalists fired</a>
for past support for Palestinians' rights.


feed_id: cc4eb074588a8a01e5fd5082ebf3b486
title: Republican party long-term plan
uri: Republican-party-long-term-plan
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#25_May_2021_%28Republican_party_long-term_plan%29
content:
<p>

50 years ago, plutocratist in the Republican Party started a long-term plan
to <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2021/05/23/blowing-billionaires-con-thats-shattering-america">convince Americans that the government should work mainly for the rich</a>.
It has been very effective.
<p>
I love the German businessman's explanation for why he did not resent
the high income tax bracket he was in: "I don’t want to be a rich man
in a poor country."  Today's plutocratists are aiming precisely for
that situation.


feed_id: 0a5f7e717504a1259d2c21fa71727219
title: Overcome by Covid-19
uri: Overcome-by-Covid-19
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#25_May_2021_%28Overcome_by_Covid-19%29
content:
<p>

Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand and Vietnam are being <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/may/24/south-east-asian-countries-battle-covid-resurgence-amid-lack-of-vaccines">overcome by
Covid-19</a>.
<p>
The lack of enough vaccine is not pertinent to why things are worse
than a year ago, since vaccine is more plentiful now than then.
<p>
The more transmissible B.1.617 strain may be part of the cause.  But
it seems that they are failing to take adequate measures against
transmission.
<p>
Australia showed the right example: take local measures immediately
that are strong enough to end transmission.  Don't wait, because
waiting will require the measures to cover more areas.


feed_id: ab6d88e805b2ee0a08f89da224177ca2
title: Editor of Frontier Myanmar imprisoned
uri: Editor-of-Frontier-Myanmar-imprisoned
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#25_May_2021_%28Editor_of_Frontier_Myanmar_imprisoned%29

content:
<p>

The Burmese military rulers <a href="https://www.reuters.com/article/us-myanmar-politics-journalist/myanmar-news-site-says-american-editor-detained-idUSKCN2D51A7">imprisoned the editor of Frontier Myanmar</a>,
an American, as he was about to fly out of the country.


feed_id: d2ddeb7c37934d7d45cdc181a696af0b
title: The UK has punished Belarus
uri: The-UK-has-punished-Belarus
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#25_May_2021_%28The_UK_has_punished_Belarus%29
content:
<p>

The UK has punished Belarus for arresting Roman Protasevich
by <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/may/24/uk-planes-told-to-cease-flying-over-belarus-after-blogger-arrest">forbidding Belarus's airline from flying to the UK</a> and ordering
British planes not to fly over Belarus.
<p>
That is a substantial step, but I think it is inadequate.  At the very
least, other countries should ban any flights between their airports
and Belarus &mdash; regardless of which airline &mdash; and ban flights from or
to Belarus from crossing their airspace.  This would cut off Belarus from
air transportation with anywhere except Russia.
<p>
As a separate matter, they should to prohibit flights that have
crossed Belarusian airspace from entering their airspace.  That would
would not punish Belarus any further, but it would make all flights
avoid the territory of Belarus, and that would ensure the safety of
passengers in those flights.
<p>
Belarus is not the only country which interfered with travel in
foreign country's civilian aircraft.  When Snowden was seeking a way
to reach Ecuador, and the US wanted to keep him stuck in Russia, the
plane of the president of Ecuador went to Europe.  The US suspected it
would bring Snowden to Ecuador on its return there, and had its allies
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2013-may-aug.html#05_July_2013_(Vienna_forced_Morales_to_submit_his_plane_to_a_search_for_Snowden)">compel the plane to land</a> in a country which then forcibly searched it.
<p>
Fortunately, Snowden was not aboard.
<p>
They did not threaten violence against the Ecuadorian plane or order
it to land at a specific place.  But they did box it in by forbidding
it to enter various countries' airspace.  And they likewise compelled
Ecuador to allow it to be searched.
<p>
It would be a mistake to draw blanket conclusions about the US
government or the Belarus government from this.  Each one is capable
of doing evil.  Lukashenko's regime is unremitting tyranny and
unremitting evil; the US has some hope of being better.


feed_id: 404d3950fbc35a66a96e284837d62291
title: Advocating LGBTQ in Ghana
uri: Advocating-LGBTQ-in-Ghana
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#25_May_2021_%28Advocating_LGBTQ_in_Ghana%29
content:
<p>

Ghana has <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/may/24/outcry-people-arrested-ghana-advocating-lgbtq-activities">arrested people</a> for holding an event and "advocating LGBTQ
activities", then held them incommunicado without access to lawyers.


feed_id: 53931b7bae13580afe9e4d05f48e8870
title: End to extractivism
uri: End-to-extractivism
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#25_May_2021_%28End_to_extractivism%29
content:
<p>

To avoid global heating disaster, we need to <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2021/may/24/climate-change-crisis-culture-politics-technology">put an end to extractivism</a>
as the basis for our economy.
<p>
It is an error to suppose that local cultures of the past had an
inherent understanding of sustainability.  Some groups recognized
problems and adopted ways of life to protect their environment.
Others did not, and caused environmental crises that wiped them out.
<p>
In regard to our current situation, the problem that drives us to too
much growth is partly in the desires of masses of people, and partly
embedded in laws and institutions.  For instance, the fairly new
"principle" (adopted in the 1980s) that a corporation "must" maximize
return to its investors regardless of all other values.


feed_id: 770788e6d4bb24e2be2841600992fe6f
title: Choking independent reporting
uri: Choking-independent-reporting
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#25_May_2021_%28Choking_independent_reporting%29
content:
<p>

Belarus is <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/may/24/belarus-hijacking-is-test-for-international-community">choking off all avenues for independent reporting</a> and trying to
imprison all dissidents.  Even dissidents in exile are not safe.


feed_id: 5f10963eb1b3e53c220bcc6a4fee731f
title: Explosive weapons
uri: Explosive-weapons
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#26_May_2021_%28Explosive_weapons%29
content:
<p>
90% of the casualties caused by military explosive weapons when used in
cities, in the past ten years, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/law/2021/may/25/explosive-weapons-used-in-cities-kill-civilians-91-of-time-finds-study">have been civilians</a>.

<p>
This fuels a campaign to end the use of explosive weapons in cities.

<p>
(Writing "91%" gives the number too much precision.  I can't believe
the data are reliable enough that we could tell whether the true
percentage is 90% or 91% or 92%.)


feed_id: a2a4642cf84601fc31b76a3d7925de66
title: Plastic trash
uri: Plastic-trash
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#26_May_2021_%28Plastic_trash%29
content:
<p>
Plastic trash that washes up on tropical beaches makes the beach sand
substantially hotter.  This causes <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/may/25/plastic-debris-on-remote-islands-raises-temperatures-by-25c-and-threatens-turtle-populations">most sea turtle eggs to come out
female</a>.
  The lack of males endangers the species.

<p>
<a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#global heating">Global heating</a> will eventually have the same effect anyway, but that
will take longer and maybe we will stop it.


feed_id: 29d9d7e1010f1f4d28c8de19b5544594
title: Hidden deportation
uri: Hidden-deportation
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#26_May_2021_%28Hidden_deportation%29
content:
<p>
In 1945, the UK secretly deported hundreds of Chinese seamen <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/news/2021/may/25/chinese-merchant-seamen-liverpool-deportations">who had helped
run the UK's merchant marine during World War II</a>.
  The government did not tell Parliament, nor did it tell the men's
British wives and children.


feed_id: fbb34f9cde5a70c3297a9cda359cb17a
title: Trademark on ethnic group name
uri: Trademark-on-ethnic-group-name
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#26_May_2021_%28Trademark_on_ethnic_group_name%29
content:
<p>
A British clothing company <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2021/05/24/business/timbuktu-yoruba-trademark-scli-gbr-intl/index.html">registered "Yoruba" as a trademark</a>.
  That is absurd &mdash; the name of an ethnic group, or other group of
people, should never be anyone's monopoly.  Imagine if a company in
Africa made "British" its trademark!  It would be the same wrong.

<p>
However, using the term "cultural appropriation" to describe this wrong
is a confusion.

<p>
A fitting term for what happened here would be "cultural enclosure":
the attempt to seize part of the common.


feed_id: 77248461b37f2fb078980f470c39c602
title: Compromising
uri: Compromising
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#26_May_2021_%28Compromising%29
content:
<p>
Biden offers to give up on central progressive commitments to try to
"compromise" with Republicans <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2021/05/24/dont-abandon-climate-care-jobs-and-justice-activists-decry-biden-concessions-gop">whose goal is to make him fail</a>.


feed_id: 1adf4389d4b8d95e37b02351d429b898
title: Apple privacy in China
uri: Apple-privacy-in-China
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#26_May_2021_%28Apple_privacy_in_China%29
content:
<p>
Don't believe Apple's claims to care about users' privacy.  In China,
it stores all user data <a href="https://www.cpomagazine.com/data-privacy/icloud-data-turned-over-to-chinese-government-conflicts-with-apples-privacy-first-focus/">on servers controlled by the Chinese government</a>.


feed_id: 82f32d2c91e62b13cdcb7b06e419b404
title: Looting stores refusing currency
uri: Looting-stores-refusing-currency
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#26_May_2021_%28Looting_stores_refusing_currency%29
content:
<p>
*Venezuelans in mining town loot stores <a href="https://www.reuters.com/article/us-venezuela-economy-looting/venezuelans-in-mining-town-loot-stores-that-refuse-to-accept-cash-idUSKCN2D600V">that refuse to accept
[Venezuelan currency]</a>.*


feed_id: 16c9357db141558a0ee0dd9790266ed4
title: Legal limits on carrying gun
uri: Legal-limits-on-carrying-gun
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#26_May_2021_%28Legal_limits_on_carrying_gun%29
content:
<p>
Texas has removed nearly all legal limits on carrying a gun in public.
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/may/24/texas-unlicensed-handgun-carry-bill">No safety training (or accuracy training) is required</a>.

<p>
A lot more people have reasons to drive cars than to carry guns.
When will Texas eliminate the requirement for a driver's license?

<p>
If Democrats start urging Americans not to cut their ears off with a
kitchen knife, will Republicans insist on upholding the freedom to do
that?


feed_id: bf2670a0b2f0927edf78052308172dee
title: Reaction to Covid-19 escaping quarantine
uri: Reaction-to-Covid-19-escaping-quarantine
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#26_May_2021_%28Reaction_to_Covid-19_escaping_quarantine%29

content:
<p>
Australia's quick and strong reaction when Covid-19 somehow escaped
from quarantine <a href="https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-australia/australia-reinstates-covid-19-curbs-in-melbourne-after-fresh-outbreak-idUSKCN2D6025">demonstrates the way to defeat the virus</a>.

<p>
Any country can do this, if it has sufficient social cohesion to trust
that the inconvenient measures will pay off.  And they do pay off,
even economically, if you judge with a time frame as long as six
months.


feed_id: 40a1d9577b5880572b56f21c47721787
title: Airbnb Quarter
uri: Airbnb-Quarter
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#26_May_2021_%28Airbnb_Quarter%29
content:
<p>
(<a href="https://www.theonion.com/new-orleans-airbnb-touts-location-in-heart-of-historic-1846943993">satire</a>) *New Orleans Airbnb Touts Location In Heart Of Historic
Airbnb Quarter.*


feed_id: 65ff795960d0d225d98eb419989ab3bf
title: Cherishing every moment
uri: Cherishing-every-moment
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#26_May_2021_%28Cherishing_every_moment%29
content:
<p>
(<a href="https://www.theonion.com/patient-with-18-months-to-live-not-sure-she-can-sustain-1846936877">satire</a>) *Patient With 18 Months To Live Not Sure She Can Sustain
Cherishing Every Moment That Long.*


feed_id: a4ede71bdccf3595859eec72a31492d4
title: Stop and search
uri: 2021-05-26-Stop-and-search
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#26_May_2021_%28Stop_and_search%29
content:
<p>
*EU report highlights <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/may/25/eu-report-highlights-widespread-use-of-stop-and-search-on-ethnic-minorities">widespread use of ‘stop and search’ on ethnic minorities</a>*


feed_id: 8eea7a599741d62bdb25476f1c764e4f
title: Farm subsidies
uri: 2021-05-26-Farm-subsidies
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#26_May_2021_%28Farm_subsidies%29
content:
<p>
The EU is about to change its farm subsidies <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/may/24/fewer-bigger-more-intensive-eu-vows-to-stem-drastic-loss-of-small-farms">to avoid promoting
concentration and intensification</a>.


feed_id: 0403443590a094eb4c8af193f2efbf2f
title: Requirement to allow subcontracting
uri: Requirement-to-allow-subcontracting
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#26_May_2021_%28Requirement_to_allow_subcontracting%29

content:
<p>
Italy seeks EU funds that come <a href="https://www.reuters.com/article/italy-politics-bureaucracy/italys-recovery-plan-decree-to-speed-public-works-hits-opposition-idUSKCN2D50YV">with a requirement to allow more
subcontracting</a>.

<p>
When businesses subcontract work, it tends to imply lower pay,
  worse working conditions,
  and in many cases illegal working conditions.


feed_id: 6f5895a35bed2869d79e635dd7a528c7
title: Sanction oil and potash producers
uri: Sanction-oil-and-potash-producers
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#26_May_2021_%28Sanction_oil_and_potash_producers%29
content:
<p>
*Kremlin critic Khodorkovsky tells Europe: <a href="https://www.reuters.com/article/us-belarus-politics-khodorkovsky/kremlin-critic-khodorkovsky-tells-europe-sanction-belaruss-oil-and-potash-producers-idUSKCN2D51CX">sanction Belarus's oil and potash
 producers</a>.*


feed_id: 6f33dfc015cda9a936dc8d19c760e78e
title: Wave of Covid-19 in Japan
uri: 2021-05-27-Wave-of-Covid-19-in-Japan
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#25_May_2021_%28Wave_of_Covid-19_in_Japan%29
content:
<p>
Japan is suffering a wave of Covid-19 in Osaka which is
<a href="https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-japan-osaka/no-ones-safe-anymore-japans-osaka-city-crumples-under-covid-19-onslaught-idUSKCN2D5026">overwhelming
the medical system there</a>.
<p>
I wonder why Japan has failed to apply the necessary discipline to
suppress the disease.  It seemed to do so effectively a year ago,
though I don't recall details.
<p>
Could it be that the government has denied the severity so as to
reduce pressure to cancel the Olympic games?


feed_id: a049cf1bdb286dfac51791a13f41917e
title: Unlocking travelers computers
uri: Unlocking-travelers-computers
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#27_May_2021_%28Unlocking_travelers_computers%29
content:
<p>
The ACLU is continuing to advance the lawsuit <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2021/05/25/opinions/warrantless-electronic-searches-at-the-us-border-zorri/index.html">challenging US border
thugs' power to unlock any traveler's computers arbitrarily</a>.

<p>
However, this lawsuit does not go far enough.  The border <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thugs</a> should have to
ask a judge to sign a warrant before they can search a traveler's computer.

<p>
(Every smart phone <em>is</em> a computer.  Maybe some nonsmart phones
should also be treated as computers.)


feed_id: fb905d25cbe3fda7d7951c08bf3b772d
title: Head of Civil Rights Division
uri: Head-of-Civil-Rights-Division
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#27_May_2021_%28Head_of_Civil_Rights_Division%29
content:
<p>
The new head of the Civil Rights Division at the Department of Justice,
Kristen Clarke, <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2021/05/25/historic-day-historic-nominee-kristen-clarke-becomes-first-woman-confirmed-lead">has made a career of fighting against bigotry and bias</a>.


feed_id: 0d742003ff1e650c7078613bb7b94317
title: Third reconstruction
uri: Third-reconstruction
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#27_May_2021_%28Third_reconstruction%29
content:
<p>
*A Third Reconstruction Is Pragmatically Achievable <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2021/05/25/third-reconstruction-pragmatically-achievable-and-could-end-american-poverty">and Could End
American Poverty</a>.*

<p>
By "reconstruction", the author means the elimination of the systems
that disenfranchise and impoverish poor people and disprivileged
demographic groups.


feed_id: 97c29752d9c336a5291732f2d80bcddb
title: Coal stock price
uri: Coal-stock-price
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#27_May_2021_%28Coal_stock_price%29
content:
<p>
Even as many public pension funds divest from coal, <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2021/05/25/new-york-state-teachers-pension-fund-increases-coal-investments-over-300-million">some others are
gobbling up the shares that they sell</a>.

<p>
The net result is not zero.  It drives down the stock price of the
companies that do coal development, which is a positive step.  But not
a big positive step.  We need laws to make fossil fuel industries
shrink.

<p>
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2012-may-aug.html#02_June_2012_(Carbon_tax_would_help)">A carbon tax</a> is one method that can do it.


feed_id: 7e3a6d40c8c575438adbc6361fe405d5
title: Damage on water and electricity infrastructure
uri: Damage-on-water-and-electricity-infrastructure
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#27_May_2021_%28Damage_on_water_and_electricity_infrastructure%29

content:
<p>
Israel's bombing of Gaza damaged a lot of the water and electricity
infrastructure.  400 thousand <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2021/05/25/israels-assault-gaza-left-400000-without-regular-access-clean-water-oxfam">have no access to water except by going
to fetch some</a>.

<p>
This makes it hard for people to wash their hands regularly, as they
need to do.


feed_id: d2a559b68aaedbe064371a0ab3c8ab88
title: Hiding threats
uri: Hiding-threats
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#27_May_2021_%28Hiding_threats%29
content:
<p>
*IG Report Shows Top Trump Officials at EPA <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2021/05/25/ig-report-shows-top-trump-officials-epa-hid-threats-toxic-dicamba-herbicide">Hid Threats of Toxic
Dicamba Herbicide</a>.*


feed_id: af744dd3a675da857c4bdaaa1c715ad4
title: Class action against god
uri: Class-action-against-god
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#27_May_2021_%28Class_action_against_god%29
content:
<p>
(<a href="https://www.theonion.com/class-action-suit-against-god-pays-out-45-extra-seconds-1846964107">satire</a>) *Class-Action Suit Against God Pays Out 45 Extra Seconds Of
Life To Every Creature.*


feed_id: 258431150746226d37709ecf670c3a1c
title: Stop flow of Lukashenko money
uri: Stop-flow-of-Lukashenko-money
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#27_May_2021_%28Stop_flow_of_Lukashenko_money%29
content:
<p>
Calling on the UK <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/business/2021/may/25/belarus-end-flow-of-corrupt-money-via-uk-says-estonia-president">to stop the flow of Lukashenko's tax-dodging money
through UK banks</a>.

<p>
It ought to stop this for all tax-dodging, but (like so many other
countries) it stubbornly insists on continuing to profit from
assisting.


feed_id: 1647cad45fb282a34ee51761101a1fea
title: Fixing presidential election
uri: Fixing-presidential-election
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#27_May_2021_%28Fixing_presidential_election%29
content:
<p>
*Iran’s leadership accused of fixing presidential election* <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/may/25/irans-leadership-accused-of-fixing-presidential-election">by
authorizing the main hard-line candidate and blocking the popular
softer candidates</a>.


feed_id: a52fdbf6e9d5a7ccac894d9d4547463f
title: Journalists getting death threats
uri: Journalists-getting-death-threats
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#27_May_2021_%28Journalists_getting_death_threats%29
content:
<p>
Belarusian journalists in exile <a href="https://www.reuters.com/article/us-belarus-politics-media-insight/death-threats-and-arrests-belarus-opposition-media-struggles-at-home-and-abroad-idUSKCN2D62MB">are getting lots of death threats</a>.


feed_id: bc1ea515e69230a5af9839bc7442e429
title: Plan for elections
uri: Plan-for-elections
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#27_May_2021_%28Plan_for_elections%29
content:
<p>
Somalia <a href="https://www.reuters.com/article/us-somalia-politics/somalia-reaches-agreement-paving-way-for-elections-foreign-minister-idUSKCN2D62OI">has a plan for elections for president</a>.


feed_id: bb9ca6396e47b42f2b8b01e706fe5c74
title: Pulling plastic from river
uri: Pulling-plastic-from-river
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#27_May_2021_%28Pulling_plastic_from_river%29
content:
<p>
*Nile fishermen protect [fish] stocks <a href="https://www.reuters.com/article/us-egypt-environment-nile/nile-fishermen-protect-stocks-by-pulling-plastic-from-river-idUSKCN2D61VB">by pulling plastic from river</a>.*


feed_id: 17d0851aa3ad35e47fa4f67af3b8c25c
title: Raiding refugee camp
uri: Raiding-refugee-camp
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#27_May_2021_%28Raiding_refugee_camp%29
content:
<p>
Eritrean and Ethiopian soldiers <a href="https://www.reuters.com/article/us-ethiopia-conflict/eritrean-and-ethiopian-soldiers-detain-hundreds-in-tigray-idUSKCN2D61LI">raided refugee camps and violently
took away 500 refugees</a>.


feed_id: a8d3d1f4829e28e81d730600a6debd8e
title: Fossil fuel is still profitable
uri: Fossil-fuel-is-still-profitable
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#27_May_2021_%28Fossil_fuel_is_still_profitable%29
content:
<p>
Fossil fuel development continues because it is still profitable.  To curb global heating we must take such strong steps <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2021/may/25/big-oil-companies-profit-green-renewables-fossil-fuels-net-zero">to discourage it that it won't be profitable any more</a>.


feed_id: 5c12bd74444d4c1c625cb2745509e41b
title: Uncontrolled mass surveillance violates human rights
uri: Uncontrolled-mass-surveillance-violates-human-rights
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#27_May_2021_%28Uncontrolled_mass_surveillance_violates_human_rights%29

content:
<p>
The European Court of Human Rights ruled that the UK's GCHR was
violating human rights <a href="https://www.reuters.com/article/uk-britain-security-ruling/uk-spies-violated-human-rights-with-bulk-intercepts-european-rights-court-rules-idUSKCN2D6111">through its uncontrolled massive surveillance</a>.


feed_id: e54c1c82c6eb38f77e24bfe9969bb8e9
title: Republican anti-mask anti-vaxxer punished
uri: Republican-anti-mask-anti-vaxxer-punished
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#27_May_2021_%28Republican_anti-mask_anti-vaxxer_punished%29

content:
<p>
Nevada's legislature has given a strong punishment to a Republican
anti-mask anti-vaxxer.  She is 
<a href="https://boingboing.net/2021/05/24/nevada-gop-no-masker-has-been-stripped-of-voting-and-speaking-privileges-until-she-apologizes.html">barred
from speaking or voting in the legislature unless she apologizes</a>
for breaking the chamber's mask rule.
<p>
Her firmness in defense of principle would be admirable, if not for
the fact that the principle being defended is "Spread disease!"


feed_id: da9e5f154eee5a2886641091f39c04dc
title: Fashionable ways to impress people
uri: Fashionable-ways-to-impress-people
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#27_May_2021_%28Fashionable_ways_to_impress_people%29

content:
<p>
A guide to the fashionable ways to impress people,
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2021/may/25/a-handheld-grater-will-make-guests-want-to-have-sex-with-you-the-anatomy-of-a-grown-up-apartment">for
those who can't afford a mansion</a>.


feed_id: 531e5c5346b027bb8f4509b299b762d9
title: Cancer Alley chemical plant
uri: Cancer-Alley-chemical-plant
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#27_May_2021_%28Cancer_Alley_chemical_plant%29
content:
<p>
The construction of a new, potentially polluting chemical plant in
Cancer Alley is
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2021/05/24/advocates-applaud-state-ags-call-review-proposed-cancer-alley-petrochemical-plant">running
into government resistance</a>.
<p>
Instead of trying to clean up Cancer Alley, how about if we move the
people out of there?  Here's how we could do it.
<p>
Help out each of the families that lives in the polluted area, paying
enough that it can afford a home in a city some distance away.
<p>
Set up bus lines from those cites to the area where the polluting
plants are, taxing all chemical plants nationwide to pay to run them.
<p>
Put all new chemical plants in such a zone, so that they won't pollute
places where anybody lives.


feed_id: b8977cf7b1275555d0687c8388f7a416
title: Eliminating the filibuster
uri: Eliminating-the-filibuster
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#27_May_2021_%28Eliminating_the_filibuster%29
content:
<p>
How Democrats can maneuver the political process so that Manchin
<a href="https://badnews.substack.com/p/how-the-filibuster-goes-down">votes
reluctantly to eliminate the filibuster</a>.
<p>
It seems to me that they are working on a plan like that.


feed_id: 616909ef20ecbfd7dfff7d52ad3bf55e
title: Cory Doctorow on "intellectual property"
uri: Cory-Doctorow-on-intellectual-property
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#27_May_2021_%28Cory_Doctorow_on_intellectual_property%29

content:
<p>
Cory Doctorow has endorsed my denunciation of "intellectual property"
as a
<a href="https://jacobinmag.com/2021/05/cory-doctorow-interview-bill-gates-intellectual-property">bogus
overgeneralization</a>.
<p>

See
<a href="https://gnu.org/philosophy/not-ipr.html">"Did You Say
'Intellectual Property'?  It's a Seductive Mirage"</a>, for how I
stated the point.
<p>
Doctorow does a good job of explaining the point, and will reach a
bigger public.


feed_id: 7d59c79b4606d965aa15e839675cd889
title: Patients sued by Community Health Systems
uri: Patients-sued-by-Community-Health-Systems
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#27_May_2021_%28Patients_sued_by_Community_Health_Systems%29

content:
<p>
Community Health Systems, Inc. owns 84 hospitals, and watch out if you
end up in one!  That company
<a href="https://edition.cnn.com/2021/05/17/us/hospital-lawsuits-pandemic-invs/index.html">sues
lots patients that can't pay their medical bills</a>.
<p>
Most Americans can't raise $400 for an emergency expense.  Can you
raise $162,000?


feed_id: 98fb9491e399f4ede30fa8162233ffc6
title: Android user location tracking
uri: Android-user-location-tracking
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#27_May_2021_%28Android_user_location_tracking%29
content:
<p>
Android tracked users’ location across third party apps,
<a href="https://www.azmirror.com/2021/05/24/newly-unredacted-documents-show-google-shared-location-with-other-apps-and-more/">even
if the user disabled "location"</a>.  Installing a Google-disconnected
operating system, such as the not-entirely-libre LineageOS or the
totally libre
<a href="https://replicant.us/">Replicant</a>, was the only way to
stop this.
<p>
In addition, it tracked users' location via which WiFi networks the
phone could see.
<p>


feed_id: f925f6d2584d950299583b3dbbd98593
title: More absurd charges against Navalny
uri: More-absurd-charges-against-Navalny
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#27_May_2021_%28More_absurd_charges_against_Navalny%29

content:
<p>
Navalny says an official told him of
<a href="https://www.reuters.com/article/us-russia-politics-navalny-investigation/russia-opens-new-investigations-into-jailed-kremlin-critic-navalny-navalnys-instagram-idUSKCN2D60XK">additional
criminal charges</a>.  They all seem absurd to me.


feed_id: b932e421fd0b3fc9be6ebdddf3e3a967
title: Britons living in vans
uri: Britons-living-in-vans
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#27_May_2021_%28Britons_living_in_vans%29
content:
<p>
Poverty, and
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2021/may/25/i-was-sleeping-in-laybys-the-people-who-have-spent-the-pandemic-living-in-vans">inadequate
government support for the poor</a>, forces many Britons to live in
vans because they can't afford any housing.


feed_id: f39050d9df5428e9c1bf0540e711406e
title: Sabotage of democracy by fanatics
uri: Sabotage-of-democracy-by-fanatics
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#27_May_2021_%28Sabotage_of_democracy_by_fanatics%29
content:
<p>
The US
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2021/05/25/biden-should-stop-placating-republicans-jan-6-commission-look-chile-costs">must
not accept "compromise" with right-wing fanatics</a> about whether
right-wing fanatics are allowed to sabotage democracy.


feed_id: 3c6e841cadb0470c5e258ea8fe8fb43d
title: The UK has punished Belarus
uri: 2021-05-28-The-UK-has-punished-Belarus
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#25_May_2021_%28The_UK_has_punished_Belarus%29
content:
<p>

The UK has punished Belarus for arresting Roman Protasevich
by <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/may/24/uk-planes-told-to-cease-flying-over-belarus-after-blogger-arrest">forbidding Belarus's airline from flying to the UK</a> and ordering
British planes not to fly over Belarus.
<p>
That is a substantial step, but I think it is inadequate.  At the very
least, other countries should ban any flights between their airports
and Belarus &mdash; regardless of which airline &mdash; and ban flights from or
to Belarus from crossing their airspace.  This would cut off Belarus from
air transportation with anywhere except Russia.
<p>
As a separate matter, they should to prohibit flights that have
crossed Belarusian airspace from entering their airspace.  That would
would not punish Belarus any further, but it would make all flights
avoid the territory of Belarus, and that would ensure the safety of
passengers in those flights.
<p>
Belarus is not the only country which interfered with travel in
foreign country's civilian aircraft.  When Snowden was seeking a way
to reach Bolicia, and the US wanted to keep him stuck in Russia, the
plane of the president of Bolicia went to Europe.  The US suspected it
would bring Snowden to Bolivia on its return there, and had its allies
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2013-may-aug.html#05_July_2013_(Vienna_forced_Morales_to_submit_his_plane_to_a_search_for_Snowden)">compel the plane to land</a> in a country which then forcibly searched it.
<p>
Fortunately, Snowden was not aboard.
<p>
They did not threaten violence against the plane or order
it to land at a specific place.  But they did box it in by forbidding
it to enter various countries' airspace.  And they likewise compelled
Bolivia to allow it to be searched.
<p>
It would be a mistake to draw blanket conclusions about the US
government or the Belarus government from this.  Each one is capable
of doing evil.  Lukashenko's regime is unremitting tyranny and
unremitting evil; the US has some hope of being better.


feed_id: 26a96e51c8f32674ec52643b39172bc4
title: Urgent: reject facial recognition
uri: Urgent-reject-facial-recognition
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#28_May_2021_%28Urgent%3A_reject_facial_recognition%29

content:
<p>
US citizens: <a href="https://www.banfacialrecognition.com/stores/#scorecard">call on big store chains</a> to reject using facial
recognition on customers.


feed_id: 26909668cda95e4b51736e3a1a575afd
title: Urgent: George Floyd Justice in Policing Act
uri: 2021-05-28-Urgent-George-Floyd-Justice-in-Policing-Act
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#28_May_2021_%28Urgent%3A_George_Floyd_Justice_in_Policing_Act%29

content:
<p>
US citizens: <a href="http://act.democracyforamerica.com/sign/George_Floyd_Justice_In_Policing_2021/">call on the Senate</a> to pass the George Floyd Justice in
Policing Act.


feed_id: d4b1d2eaec7ca545a8542c40b7147c7a
title: Uncomfortable with investigation
uri: Uncomfortable-with-investigation
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#28_May_2021_%28Uncomfortable_with_investigation%29
content:
<p>
Republican senators say they are uncomfortable with a congressional
investigation into the attack on the Capitol <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2021/05/25/politics/january-6-commission-latest/index.html">because it could stir up
awareness of Republican support for attacking the Capitol</a>.

<p>
It might also help Americans remember, for the next election, how
Republican elected officials continue giving support to the same lies
that Republicans used to organize the attack on the Capitol.


feed_id: 28e95037622d75f22942e32408e94e62
title: Shooting prisoners and reporting natural death
uri: Shooting-prisoners-and-reporting-natural-death
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#28_May_2021_%28Shooting_prisoners_and_reporting_natural_death%29

content:
<p>
Franco's fascist rebels shot prisoners, <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2021/05/25/europe/spain-almagro-cemetery-exhumation-scli-intl-scn/index.html">then recorded their deaths as
due to natural causes</a>.


feed_id: c54e0cfbcc132a01a63313d4dbd993b6
title: General duty of care
uri: General-duty-of-care
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#28_May_2021_%28General_duty_of_care%29
content:
<p>
The Australian Federal Court ruled that the environment minister
has a general "duty of care" <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2021/may/27/australian-court-finds-government-has-duty-to-protect-young-people-from-climate-crisis">to protect young people from future
climate disaster</a>.
  Ministers will have to defend their specific decisions based on this
standard.

<p>
This is not a final decision.  The Federal Court is an appellate
court, but an appeal could still be made to Australia's High Court.


feed_id: ee9144f28a93a8cad4afd4b4985ba251
title: Vaccine for travel overseas
uri: Vaccine-for-travel-overseas
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#28_May_2021_%28Vaccine_for_travel_overseas%29
content:
<p>
*Australians travelling overseas <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2021/may/27/australians-travelling-overseas-should-be-forced-to-have-covid-vaccine-doctors-say">should be forced to have Covid
vaccine</a>, doctors say.*

<p>
I support this, but there should be an exception for people
who, for medical reasons, cannot be vaccinated.


feed_id: 99836df11a947756e11367b100637268
title: Confessions to silence dissent
uri: Confessions-to-silence-dissent
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#28_May_2021_%28Confessions_to_silence_dissent%29
content:
<p>
*Belarus regime <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/may/26/belarus-regime-uses-video-confessions-tool-silence-dissent-raman-pratasevich">uses video confessions as a tool to silence dissent</a>.*

<p>
They extract confessions by torture and threats of violence.
They don't mind if the confessions are false.

<p>
Ms Sapega was forced to confess to an activity that would not be a
crime in a free country.  In effect, Lukashenko is the one who has
confessed, on two different levels.


feed_id: 03c597f32bc981aef503cbe30a60ef22
title: Anti-abortion law violating religious freedom
uri: Anti-abortion-law-violating-religious-freedom
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#28_May_2021_%28Anti-abortion_law_violating_religious_freedom%29

content:
<p>
The Satanic Temple of Texas is suing to overturn some of the new Texas
restrictions on abortion, claiming that they violate the state
Religious Freedom Restoration Act <a href="https://boingboing.net/2021/05/22/the-satanic-temple-in-texas-is-suing-the-state-due-to-new-abortion-restrictions.html">by imposing gratuitous preconditions
(and financial costs) on the temple's abortion ritual</a>.

<p>
As the Satanic Temple's page says, "The state might as well tax and
regulate Mass."

<p>
This is the legal equivalent of aikido, and a great hack.


feed_id: 88a5405557f23a1848bd078d5428af98
title: Incompetence in dealing with Covid-19
uri: Incompetence-in-dealing-with-Covid-19
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#28_May_2021_%28Incompetence_in_dealing_with_Covid-19%29

content:
<p>
Dominic Cummings accused Bogus Johnson of displaying incompetence,
carelessness, dishonesty, appointing incompetents with connections,
and disregard for human life, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2021/may/26/boris-johnson-is-unfit-to-be-prime-minister-says-dominic-cummings">in dealing with Covid-19</a>.
  Other high officials participated, including Cummings himself,
he admits.

<p>
Tens of thousands of Britons got sick and died as a result.

<p>
*The Dominic Cummings circus is <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2021/may/26/dominic-cummings-circus-indictment-governing-class-failures-uk">an indictment of the entire governing class</a>.*


feed_id: a17cf9ca594680a6e3c2712d4eba6872
title: Hiding something about uranium
uri: Hiding-something-about-uranium
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#28_May_2021_%28Hiding_something_about_uranium%29
content:
<p>
The International Atomic Energy Agency says that Iran <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/may/26/iran-failure-explain-uranium-traces-big-problem-iaea-un">is hiding something about
its processing of uranium</a>.

<p>
Just what that might be is not clear.


feed_id: 9c19dbb73249d919f28a76f4349b62ad
title: Targeting journalists in mosque
uri: Targeting-journalists-in-mosque
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#28_May_2021_%28Targeting_journalists_in_mosque%29
content:
<p>
*Israeli Police <a href="https://theintercept.com/2021/05/26/israel-journalists-palestinian-jerusalem-al-aqsa/">Target Palestinian Journalists at Al Aqsa Mosque</a>.*


feed_id: 43c4939558833e339f489392b15bf992
title: Suing government over mass-surveillance laws
uri: Suing-government-over-mass-surveillance-laws
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#28_May_2021_%28Suing_government_over_mass-surveillance_laws%29

content:
<p>
*WhatsApp sues Indian government <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/may/26/whatsapp-sues-indian-government-over-mass-surveillance-internet-laws">over ‘mass surveillance’ internet laws</a>.*


feed_id: b0af53ed30122098550d4e0169415d7a
title: Parliament has no say
uri: Parliament-has-no-say
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#28_May_2021_%28Parliament_has_no_say%29
content:
<p>
The UK is at the mercy of Bogus Johnson, who can impose
business-supremacy treaties arbitrarily; <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2021/may/26/australian-trade-deal-global-britain-boris-johnson-uk-farmers">Parliament has no say</a>.


feed_id: 03e638d83f5ab91412a48943d180f71e
title: Health minister lies
uri: Health-minister-lies
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#28_May_2021_%28Health_minister_lies%29
content:
<p>
Bogus Johnson's former chief advisor, Dominic Cummings, stated that
the health minister lied about how the UK was dealing with Covid-19 in
April 2019, falsely claiming that all patients were getting the
requisite treatments <a href="https://www.reuters.com/article/uk-health-coronavirus-britain-hancock/uk-health-minister-should-have-been-fired-for-lying-pm-johnsons-ex-adviser-idUSKCN2D7145">and that supplies of protective equipment were
under control</a>.


feed_id: 9202ee50acf6440c0c92881e849de3f6
title: Distress from global heating
uri: Distress-from-global-heating
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#28_May_2021_%28Distress_from_global_heating%29
content:
<p>
Living through the impacts of <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#global heating">global heating</a> effects, or just fearing
future impacts, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/may/26/climate-crisis-inflicting-huge-hidden-costs-mental-health">are causing widespread mental illness and distress</a>.


feed_id: 015d4d977b0270e7dcb85cd87826bd62
title: Israeli thugs arrest Arabs for protesting
uri: Israeli-thugs-arrest-Arabs-for-protesting
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#28_May_2021_%28Israeli_thugs_arrest_Arabs_for_protesting%29

content:
<p>

Israeli thugs <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2021/05/25/there-needs-be-global-outcry-palestinians-and-allies-decry-israeli-mass-arrests?">eagerly arrest Arabs for protesting</a>; meanwhile, they
usually don't even try to interfere when fanatical Jews attack Arabs
or their property.


feed_id: 3aafe48e1867d4146b124317cacc954c
title: Influencers denigrate the Pfizer vaccine
uri: Influencers-denigrate-the-Pfizer-vaccine
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#28_May_2021_%28Influencers_denigrate_the_Pfizer_vaccine%29

content:
<p>

A secretive and mysterious PR campaign tried to hire influencers to
denigrate the Pfizer vaccine.  The company whose name was on the offer
may not exist at all, but the people listed as involved had <a href="https://www.france24.com/en/europe/20210525-france-hit-by-mystery-campaign-to-discredit-pfizer-vaccine-via-influencers">internet
ties to Russia</a>.
<p>
Whether this campaign had anything to do with Russia is not clear.


feed_id: bba706d8b2d904f2b75120b670cb680c
title: Non-vaccinated Americans
uri: Non-vaccinated-Americans
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#28_May_2021_%28Non-vaccinated_Americans%29
content:
<p>

Non-vaccinated Americans <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2021/05/26/health/us-coronavirus-wednesday/index.html">should not assume they are safe</a> from Covid-19
simply because many of the other Americans they encounter are vaccinated.
The problem is that the fraction that are vaccinated is insufficient
to reach herd immunity; the virus still circulates and you can still
catch it.  And in some regions, it is even less.
<p>
Indeed, vaccinated individuals can catch the disease and spread it,
and may not experience any symptoms.  This is less likely for
vaccinated individuals than for non-vaccinated, but the chance is not
zero.


feed_id: a4e02f373b57c2f5002c40bae248734b
title: Tesla cars in China
uri: Tesla-cars-in-China
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#28_May_2021_%28Tesla_cars_in_China%29
content:
<p>

Tesla cars collect lots of data for the company, including the precise
trajectory of movement of the car.  Henceforth, all the <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2021/05/26/business/tesla-china-data-center-intl-hnk/index.html">data for Tesla cars in China</a> will be at the tentacletips of the Chinese state.
<p>
Tesla will offer the misleading response that it is legally required
to store data collected from cars in China in servers in China that
the state can easily browse through.  That is true, but it evades the
issue.  The wrong is that the car <a href="https://gnu.org/philosophy/surveillance-vs-democracy.html">collects that data in the first place</a>.


feed_id: eb61e360b0c893ff00e136accdb441eb
title: The Man Who Lived Underground
uri: The-Man-Who-Lived-Underground
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#28_May_2021_%28The_Man_Who_Lived_Underground%29
content:
<p>

It took 80 years for the whole of The Man Who Lived Underground, by
Richard Wright, to be <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2021/05/26/opinions/richard-wright-man-who-lived-underground-george-floyd-seymour/index.html">published this year</a>.


feed_id: b950722f23589d96f4bbc6b2f510ea93
title: Environmental Protection Agency
uri: Environmental-Protection-Agency
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#28_May_2021_%28Environmental_Protection_Agency%29
content:
<p>

The EPA is becoming the Environmental Protection Agency again.  It has
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2021/05/26/victory-public-health-bidens-epa-reverses-trump-era-secret-science-rule">cancelled the rule that Republicans invented</a> to exclude most medical
studies from consideration for EPA decisions.
That rule converted the EPA into the Environmental Poisoning Agency.


feed_id: da120a0750a845b892ea9b11e8903cde
title: Climate activist shareholders
uri: Climate-activist-shareholders
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#28_May_2021_%28Climate_activist_shareholders%29
content:
<p>

Climate activist shareholders ran candidates for Exxon's board of
directors, and shareholders <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2021/05/26/seismic-shift-big-oil-activist-investors-score-surprise-win-exxonmobil-board-seats">elected two or more of their candidates</a>.


feed_id: 37bea40359c3fa3dd0ee8e38fb80c100
title: Lab-leak theory
uri: Lab-leak-theory
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#28_May_2021_%28Lab-leak_theory%29
content:
<p>

Some scientists are coming to see the lab-leak theory of SARS-Cov-2 <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2021/05/25/politics/wuhan-lab-covid-origin-theory/index.html">as
plausible</a>, due to reports that workers in the Wuhan virus lab got
badly sick a month before the identification of the disease Covid-19.
<p>
According to this theory, China's applied its standard approach to
problems &mdash; cover up and deny! &mdash; and this led to the pandemic.
<p>
There is not much evidence for that theory; what exists is <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/may/27/did-covid-come-from-a-wuhan-lab-what-we-know-so-far">not clear
or conclusive</a>.
<p>
If the lab-leak theory is true, it does not mean that China deserves
all the blame for the harm that the disease has done.
<p>
Last December, people had little knowledge about what this virus would
do.  The Chinese authorities may have believed they could prevent the
disease from spreading, get rid of it, and the world would never
notice a problem or complain.  Such a response would have been risky,
but not vicious.
<p>
Later efforts to <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jul-oct.html#28_July_2020_(Suppression_of_information_and_cover_up)">cover up the outbreak</a> were injustices, of course,
regardless of whether there was a lab leak.
<p>
More blameworthy are the right-wing rulers such as <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jan-apr.html#1_April_2020_(Covid-19_denial)">Bolsonaro</a>, <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jul-oct.html#4_August_2020_(Bogus_Johnson's_efforts_backfiring)">Johnson</a>,
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jul-oct.html#4_August_2020_(Modi_arresting_journalists_that_criticize_his_handling_of_Covid-19)">Modi</a> and <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jul-oct.html#16_September_2020_(Covid-19_death_cult)">Trump</a>,
who decided to let their compatriots die rather than
take action to bring the epidemic to a halt.  That <em>was</a> murderous.


feed_id: c340f89d84b541b2d3da24bf85b108db
title: Proposed oil drilling in Alaska
uri: Proposed-oil-drilling-in-Alaska
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#28_May_2021_%28Proposed_oil_drilling_in_Alaska%29
content:
<p>

Climate defenders call on Biden to tell the Department of Justice to <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/may/27/biden-administration-alaska-oil-gas-drilling-project">stop
defending proposed oil drilling in Alaska</a>.
<p>
This would be new development of fossil fuel extraction infrastructure,
and there is no room for <em>any</em> such development in the carbon budget.


feed_id: 5275f407000a13acae126135fbcd8c8d
title: Compensation for Namibia
uri: Compensation-for-Namibia
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#28_May_2021_%28Compensation_for_Namibia%29
content:
<p>

Germany will pay Namibia <a href="https://www.reuters.com/article/us-namibia-germany-genocide/germany-to-fund-namibian-projects-worth-1-1-billion-euros-for-colonial-horrors-namibian-media-say-idUSKCN2D81UU">enormous compensation</a> for the atrocities
it committed after conquering Namibia.


feed_id: 64eb0fb3497ec2183b16f24a762b71db
title: Venezuelan oil union leader
uri: Venezuelan-oil-union-leader
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#28_May_2021_%28Venezuelan_oil_union_leader%29
content:
<p>

Tweets about fuel shortages led to Venezuelan oil union leader's <a href="https://www.reuters.com/article/us-venezuela-oil-labor-exclusive/exclusive-tweets-about-fuel-shortages-led-to-venezuelan-oil-union-leaders-arrest-document-shows-idUSKCN2D81UD">arrest</a>.
last year.
<p>
Regardless of the facts, those charges seem morally invalid to me.
<p>
I wonder what happened after that hearing.  Was Girot jailed until
trial, or not?


feed_id: af01caf7d1e290546733730db8744b64
title: Victory over GCHQ's surveillance
uri: Victory-over-GCHQ-s-surveillance
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#28_May_2021_%28Victory_over_GCHQ%27s_surveillance%29

content:
<p>

A privacy campaigner puts the recent court <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2021/may/27/court-ruling-british-state-surveillance-methods-unlawful">victory over GCHQ's massive
surveillance</a> in context.


feed_id: 28d3c4444ec3b40c30bc1b0b7e8e67e9
title: Shell greenhouse gas emissions
uri: Shell-greenhouse-gas-emissions
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#28_May_2021_%28Shell_greenhouse_gas_emissions%29
content:
<p>

A Dutch court <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/business/2021/may/26/court-orders-royal-dutch-shell-to-cut-carbon-emissions-by-45-by-2030">ordered Shell</a> to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions 45%
by 2030.
<p>
When I first read about this, the vague words did not make it clear
whether this meant a 45% decrease in the emissions from Shell's own
operations, or a 45% decrease in emissions from the energy and fuel
that Shell delivers to customers.  That difference is crucial: the
former would be insignificant, while the latter would be revolutionary.
<p>
From this article, I think it is the latter.  Hooray!  Even though this
is just the first of many such battles, Hooray anyway!


feed_id: e3f31a6eca8e2dba61f44dca6202192c
title: Lukashenko "bomb threat"
uri: Lukashenko-bomb-threat
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#28_May_2021_%28Lukashenko_bomb_threat%29
content:
<p>

The "bomb threat" which Lukashenko used as an excuse to force down the
plane carrying Roman Protasevich was <a href="https://www.reuters.com/article/us-belarus-politics-email/email-bomb-threat-sent-after-bloggers-plane-was-diverted-over-belarus-swiss-email-provider-idUSKCN2D81HN">posted after the attack had
already started</a>.


feed_id: 12874cdff58d83bdbdc39921c264ccdf
title: Death from heat
uri: Death-from-heat
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#28_May_2021_%28Death_from_heat%29
content:
<p>

Global heating, in Miami, means that <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/may/27/miami-chief-heat-officer-jane-gilbert-climate-crisis">death from heat</a> will continue to
increase.
<p>
Global heating has <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2021/05/25/sport/olympics-heat-climate-change-spt-intl/index.html">increased the range of summer temperatures</a> in
Tokyo.  Sometimes it gets so hot that vigorous exercise becomes
hazardous to health.
<p>
*Investing 0.1% of global GDP could <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/may/27/nature-financial-value-investing-global-gdp-avoid-breakdown-ecosystems-un-report-aoe">avoid breakdown of ecosystems</a>,
says UN report.*
<p>
But the work that is done would become insufficient as the climate crisis
gets worse.
<p>
It is absurd to think we can afford to cope with the consequences of
<a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#global heating">global heating</a> each decade, as each decade will bring new changes
bigger than the old ones.  The costs will rise until they become more
than we can cover.
<p>
The only solution we can afford is to <em>stop</em> <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#global heating">global heating</a>.
It will be a big expense, but we only have to do it once.


feed_id: 313ad6f5139732811630cc63863daf83
title: Hydrogen plant
uri: Hydrogen-plant
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#28_May_2021_%28Hydrogen_plant%29
content:
<p>

Oman plans to build a large plant to <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/may/27/oman-plans-to-build-worlds-largest-green-hydrogen-plant">make hydrogen from renewable
energy</a>.
<p>
That's the right spirit!


feed_id: 8ec7970a6400ebc44b3864797010ac82
title: Cyclones in the Indian Ocean
uri: Cyclones-in-the-Indian-Ocean
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#28_May_2021_%28Cyclones_in_the_Indian_Ocean%29
content:
<p>

Global heating is causing <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/may/27/rapid-heating-of-indian-ocean-worsening-cyclones-say-scientists">more and bigger cyclones</a> in the Indian Ocean.
<p>
In the Atlantic, Hurricanes (as they are called there) are also becoming
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#12_October_2019_(Extreme_weather_and_extinction)">more damaging</a>.


Taiwan had made a deal to buy vaccine from Pfizer-BioNTech, but China
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/may/27/taiwan-president-accuses-china-interfering-covid-vaccine-deals">intervened to cancel it</a>.


feed_id: b1408c41f4e4df42d423e94d5062afe7
title: RMS Talk - Monday May 31
uri: RMS-Talk-Monday-May-31
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#29_May_2021_%28RMS_Talk_-_Monday_May_31%29
content:
<p>

Richard Stallman will be giving a talk/interview on Monday May 31, titled
<a href="https://stallman.org/live/stream-debxp-may-31.html">"Live de Segunda #80 - Uma conversa com Richard Stallman"</a>
(Monday's Live #80 - A conversation with Richard Stallman).
<p>
People can send in their questions from #debxp:matrix.org via Matrix or
#debxp on freenode via IRC.


feed_id: 8681d55df7b6d90d3723ef1777d80c54
title: Urgent: Face recognition technology
uri: Urgent-Face-recognition-technology
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#29_May_2021_%28Urgent%3A_Face_recognition_technology%29

content:
<p>

Everyone: call on large store chains to <a href="https://www.banfacialrecognition.com/stores/#scorecard">reject using face
recognition technology on customers</a>.


feed_id: 7e83c9ffe06e6ed733855d1466029479
title: Urgent: Corporation taxes
uri: Urgent-Corporation-taxes
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#29_May_2021_%28Urgent%3A_Corporation_taxes%29
content:
<p>

US citizens: call on Biden to <a href="https://actionnetwork.org/petitions/sign-now-tell-president-biden-to-hold-firm-on-making-corporations-pay-their-fair-share?nowrapper=true">hold firm on increasing corporation
taxes</a>.


feed_id: 91b0da4c85cd24ba9a2306a1d5e8460b
title: Sanctions on violent regimes
uri: Sanctions-on-violent-regimes
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#29_May_2021_%28Sanctions_on_violent_regimes%29
content:
<p>

Imposing sanctions on violent regimes is <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2021/may/27/sanctions-achieve-nothing-belarus-lukashenko">usually ineffective</a>, and
often hurts the people that the regime oppresses.
<p>
He is mostly right, but (as is his tendency) he falls into simplistic
exaggeration.
<p>
I contend that some of the sanctions against Belarus are likely to be more
effective than usual.

<ul>
<li>

Making it hard to fly to the west from Belarus will mainly hurt the
elites.  The borders are not closed.  Ordinary people travelling out
out of Belarus can take a bus or train; it is not far.

<li>
Cutting down on purchases of oil via Belarus pipelines will hurt the regime
directly, and can fit into a plan to reduce fossil fuel use.

</ul>

Insisting that flights not fly over Belarus is not primarily a
sanction, it is a necessary safety precaution.


feed_id: ab75dc2b2ce55ffa38d736abd5dea8ae
title: Amazon merging with MGM
uri: Amazon-merging-with-MGM
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#29_May_2021_%28Amazon_merging_with_MGM%29
content:
<p>

The US should <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2021/05/26/stop-monopoly-madness-biden-urged-block-amazons-85-billion-purchase-mgm">block Amazon from merging with MGM</a>.
<p>
In general, large companies should not be allowed to merge <em>at all</em>.
The larger the company, the more lobbying power it has, and the more
it can mislead the public about science and the public interest.
We should take steps to make it difficult in general for companies
to be large.


feed_id: 9e753e55ce4e863a7ecfcb46752bcd90
title: Insurance companies profiting
uri: Insurance-companies-profiting
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#29_May_2021_%28Insurance_companies_profiting%29
content:
<p>

The big US insurance companies are eagerly profiting from <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2021/05/26/us-insurance-giants-worsening-climate-crisis-biodiversity-loss-and-human-rights">encouraging
business that increase global heating</a>, destroy ecosystems, and violate
human rights.
<p>
This is to be expected.  The US adopted a twisted policy around 1980
which says that corporations are legally required to maximize profit
at the expense of everything else that ought to matter, and this is
the natural result.
<p>
Far from requiring psychopathic behavior, we should require all entities
to have a care for the rest of society.


feed_id: 302af437c069648b991e6e18e5029813
title: (satire) No way to prevent this
uri: (satire)-No-way-to-prevent-this
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#29_May_2021_%28%28satire%29_No_way_to_prevent_this%29

content:
<p>

(satire) *<a href="https://www.theonion.com/no-way-to-prevent-this-says-only-nation-where-this-r-1846975039">‘No Way To Prevent This,’</a> Says Only Nation Where This
Regularly Happens.*


feed_id: 48125e9df78e5f053f06fdbb0875ae46
title: Forced arbitration
uri: 2021-05-30-Forced-arbitration
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#29_May_2021_%28Forced_arbitration%29
content:
<p>

Forced arbitration <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2021/05/26/new-report-finds-forced-arbitration-hurts-workers-and-small-businesses">harms small businesses as well as individuals</a>.
<p>
When companies are able to impose arbitration requirements, it is
generally because they are large and don't have many competitors.
Large companies often try to change laws in ways that benefit them at
the expense of everyone else.  Prohibiting businesses from imposing
arbitration requirements on customers, workers or suppliers would
reduce that harmful advantage.


feed_id: f4039930396992c3d34cef964c34cc2a
title: Arab protesters
uri: Arab-protesters
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#29_May_2021_%28Arab_protesters%29
content:
<p>

Israeli thugs are <a href="https://www.thenation.com/article/world/israel-mass-arrests/">arresting Arab protesters</a> by the hundreds.


feed_id: 0841d5a84632656df09ab304a40850de
title: Covid-19 long term symptoms
uri: Covid-19-long-term-symptoms
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#29_May_2021_%28Covid-19_long_term_symptoms%29
content:
<p>

*Nearly three-quarters of patients with moderate-to-severe Covid-19
had at least one <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2021/05/27/health/us-coronavirus-thursday/index.html">long-term symptom</a>.*
<p>
A friend of mine had Covid-19 a few months ago; he needs to sleep
two hours more every night.


feed_id: ccb8a2a8ba5cd0163f3ddb2086a0a4a0
title: (satire) Coronavirus to compete
uri: (satire)-Coronavirus-to-compete
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#29_May_2021_%28%28satire%29_Coronavirus_to_compete%29

content:
<p>

(satire) *Coronavirus Variant <a href="https://www.theonion.com/coronavirus-variant-excited-to-compete-with-world-s-top-1846974422">Excited To Compete</a> With World's Top
Mutations In Tokyo This Summer.*


feed_id: 5fa75bb909a7af74b79a759368314d29
title: Energy with less greenhouse emissions
uri: Energy-with-less-greenhouse-emissions
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#29_May_2021_%28Energy_with_less_greenhouse_emissions%29

content:
<p>

Chevron's stockholders voted to require the company to <a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2021-05-26/chevron-investors-back-climate-proposal-in-rebuke-to-management">deliver energy
with less greenhouse gas emissions</a>.
That would require the company to invest in renewable energy,
or perhaps increasing the customers' energy efficiency.


feed_id: 74dc068f868742ece7e6f2638b8832db
title: Australian climate plaintiff
uri: Australian-climate-plaintiff
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#29_May_2021_%28Australian_climate_plaintiff%29
content:
<p>

One of the Australian climate plaintiffs talks about their recent
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2021/may/28/we-are-passionate-climate-warriors-our-legal-battle-is-not-over-but-my-heart-is-a-bit-lighter">partial victory in court</a>.


feed_id: 762671032995c34b355d8994a54e54f8
title: Crimes in Gaza conflict
uri: Crimes-in-Gaza-conflict
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#29_May_2021_%28Crimes_in_Gaza_conflict%29
content:
<p>

*UN rights council votes for probe into <a href="https://www.reuters.com/article/israel-palestinians-un-int/u-n-launches-investigation-into-whether-israel-hamas-committed-crimes-idUSKCN2D82MY">crimes committed in Gaza conflict</a>.*
<p>
Israel refuses to cooperate with the investigation.


feed_id: 4ebd51472a01645caff86aeb7ece738f
title: American support for war in Yemen
uri: American-support-for-war-in-Yemen
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#29_May_2021_%28American_support_for_war_in_Yemen%29
content:
<p>

Biden's administration have not explained to Congress what they really
mean by <a href="https://theintercept.com/2021/05/27/yemen-biden-support-congress-letter/">ending "all American support for offensive operations in the war in Yemen</a>, including relevant arms sales."


feed_id: 09f7b0b9432cc4a3fe1b17fbfec5b403
title: Protesters shot in the eye
uri: Protesters-shot-in-the-eye
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#29_May_2021_%28Protesters_shot_in_the_eye%29
content:
<p>

Colombian thugs <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2021/may/27/colombia-protests-paola-holguin-stop-crying-one-eye">shot protesters in the eye</a> so often that people think
they were intentionally aiming to render people half blind.  A
right-wing leader mocked them for complaining about it.
<p>
The spirit of right-wing arrogance is to mock their victims.


feed_id: ab5aa9564ffb8c6514ff1dc5989487b8
title: United Nations
uri: United-Nations
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#29_May_2021_%28United_Nations%29
content:
<p>

The United Nations has not brought world peace, but the documents
around its founding <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2021/05/27/permanent-structure-peace">still point the way</a>.


feed_id: b811b1e03ad667890ba0dc967cd0f869
title: Bogus Johnson's decisions
uri: Bogus-Johnson-s-decisions
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#29_May_2021_%28Bogus_Johnson%27s_decisions%29
content:
<p>

Scientists agree that Bogus Johnson's decisions led to <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/may/27/avoidable-deaths-covid-dominic-cummings-right-scientists-agree">tens of thousands of avoidable Covid deaths</a>.


feed_id: 00376b38d7f45cb5311437d0ef48a7b8
title: Facebook deleting old photos
uri: Facebook-deleting-old-photos
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#29_May_2021_%28Facebook_deleting_old_photos%29
content:
<p>

Facebook has been <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2021/may/28/facebook-accused-of-discriminatory-and-racist-behaviour-after-removing-historical-png-images">deleting photos</a> from many years ago showing
New Guinea natives nude in ceremonies that called for nudity.


feed_id: 8849b1046621bb6d1434fd4f9a4f2d85
title: Drop African debt
uri: Drop-African-debt
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#29_May_2021_%28Drop_African_debt%29
content:
<p>

*Protesters call on banks to <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2021/may/28/protesters-call-on-uk-banks-to-drop-african-debt-in-wake-of-covid">"drop African debt"</a> in wake of Covid.*
<p>
Much of the debt was borrowed by dictators who then stole the money
from their country, leaving it with only the debt.  Once the dictator
is ousted, the country should be able to repudiate those debts.


feed_id: ea50cafb8450f88386892938ab940386
title: Tortured by prison thugs
uri: Tortured-by-prison-thugs
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#29_May_2021_%28Tortured_by_prison_thugs%29
content:
<p>

Eric King, anarchist, has been <a href="https://theintercept.com/2021/05/28/bop-prison-white-supremacist-anti-fascist/">tortured by US prison thugs</a>, who then
claimed he had attacked them.


feed_id: a5ae2149e0cb4801e3bc5f08403a1425
title: Right wing "center"
uri: Right-wing-center
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#29_May_2021_%28Right_wing_center%29
content:
<p>

Rebecca Solnit discusses the right-wing assumption that the <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2021/may/28/centrism-insidious-bias-unjust-status-quo">"center"
is morally superior</a>, a priori, and other views bear the onus of their
disagreement with that "center".
<p>
The article does not mention the second-stage lie: referring to a
fictitious "center" position which is actually rather right-wing
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#2_January_2018_(US_mainstream_media)">compared with what most people think</a>.


feed_id: 765fa66e5b5d59d7e93ce9d871fee4fb
title: UK profiling and stereotyping
uri: UK-profiling-and-stereotyping
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#29_May_2021_%28UK_profiling_and_stereotyping%29
content:
<p>

Whether the UK's "hostile environment" targets a particular foreign
visitor is largely a matter of what the border officials suppose <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#perse">perse</a>
will do in Britain.  That is largely a matter of <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2021/may/28/home-office-hostile-britain-brexit-detain-eu-citizens">profiling and stereotyping</a>.


feed_id: aa21adb7f704e9a58ef7099e5e6cdf7f
title: Mexico's ancient ruins
uri: Mexico-s-ancient-ruins
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#29_May_2021_%28Mexico%27s_ancient_ruins%29
content:
<p>

Mexico is <a href="https://www.reuters.com/article/us-mexico-teotihuacan/illegal-building-threatens-conservation-of-ancient-mexican-metropolis-idUSKCN2D90DE">failing to protect Teotihuacan</a> from a private construction
project that is destroying ancient ruins without properly excavating
them.


feed_id: 0fb04492e0644eb5ba41f5787202848b
title: Biden's military budget
uri: Biden-s-military-budget
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#29_May_2021_%28Biden%27s_military_budget%29
content:
<p>

*Biden's military budget puts <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2021/05/28/memorial-day-cant-hide-bidens-bloated-pentagon-budget">lots of money into weapons</a> that the US
 is better off without.*


feed_id: 52dde39fcb12000ac9cc43504c845c3f
title: Lab-leak theory
uri: 2021-05-30-Lab-leak-theory
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#28_May_2021_%28Lab-leak_theory%29
content:
<p>

Some scientists are coming to see the lab-leak theory of SARS-Cov-2 <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2021/05/25/politics/wuhan-lab-covid-origin-theory/index.html">as
plausible</a>, due to reports that workers in the Wuhan virus lab got
badly sick a month before the identification of the disease Covid-19.
<p>
According to this theory, China's applied its standard approach to
problems &mdash; cover up and deny! &mdash; and this led to the pandemic.
<p>
There is not much evidence for that theory; what exists is <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/may/27/did-covid-come-from-a-wuhan-lab-what-we-know-so-far">not clear
or conclusive</a>.
<p>
If the lab-leak theory is true, it does not mean that China deserves
all the blame for the harm that the disease has done.
<p>
In December 2019, people had little knowledge about what this virus would
do.  The Chinese authorities may have believed they could prevent the
disease from spreading, get rid of it, and the world would never
notice a problem or complain.  Such a response would have been risky,
but not vicious.
<p>
Later efforts to <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jul-oct.html#28_July_2020_(Suppression_of_information_and_cover_up)">cover up the outbreak</a> were injustices, of course,
regardless of whether there was a lab leak.
<p>
More blameworthy are the right-wing rulers such as <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jan-apr.html#1_April_2020_(Covid-19_denial)">Bolsonaro</a>, <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jul-oct.html#4_August_2020_(Bogus_Johnson's_efforts_backfiring)">Johnson</a>,
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jul-oct.html#4_August_2020_(Modi_arresting_journalists_that_criticize_his_handling_of_Covid-19)">Modi</a> and <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jul-oct.html#16_September_2020_(Covid-19_death_cult)">Trump</a>,
who decided to let their compatriots die rather than
take action to bring the epidemic to a halt.  That <em>was</a> murderous.


feed_id: 48876ebc8f4754b112d069ef6e67a4c0
title: Lab-leak theory
uri: 2021-05-30-Lab-leak-theory
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#28_May_2021_%28Lab-leak_theory%29
content:
<p>

Some scientists are coming to see the lab-leak theory of SARS-Cov-2 <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2021/05/25/politics/wuhan-lab-covid-origin-theory/index.html">as
plausible</a>, due to reports that workers in the Wuhan virus lab got
badly sick a month before the identification of the disease Covid-19.
<p>
According to this theory, China's applied its standard approach to
problems &mdash; cover up and deny! &mdash; and this led to the pandemic.
<p>
There is not much evidence for that theory; what exists is <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/may/27/did-covid-come-from-a-wuhan-lab-what-we-know-so-far">not clear
or conclusive</a>.
<p>
If the lab-leak theory is true, it does not mean that China deserves
all the blame for the harm that the disease has done.
<p>
In December 2019, people had little knowledge about what this virus would
do.  The Chinese authorities may have believed they could prevent the
disease from spreading, get rid of it, and the world would never
notice a problem or complain.  Such a response would have been risky,
perhaps reckless, but not murderous.
<p>
Later efforts to <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jul-oct.html#28_July_2020_(Suppression_of_information_and_cover_up)">cover up the outbreak</a> were injustices, of course,
regardless of whether there was a lab leak.
<p>
More blameworthy are the right-wing rulers such as <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jan-apr.html#1_April_2020_(Covid-19_denial)">Bolsonaro</a>, <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jul-oct.html#4_August_2020_(Bogus_Johnson's_efforts_backfiring)">Johnson</a>,
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jul-oct.html#4_August_2020_(Modi_arresting_journalists_that_criticize_his_handling_of_Covid-19)">Modi</a> and <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jul-oct.html#16_September_2020_(Covid-19_death_cult)">Trump</a>,
who decided to let their compatriots die rather than
take action to bring the epidemic to a halt.  That <em>was</em> murderous.


feed_id: 961a6f2de827d608bb8be17a0a9d2343
title: Urgent: transportation funds
uri: Urgent-transportation-funds
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#31_May_2021_%28Urgent%3A_transportation_funds%29
content:
<p>
US citizens: <a href="https://actionnetwork.org/forms/sign-now-tell-congress-to-create-transit-parity?nowrapper=true">call on Congress</a> to divide transportation funds 50-50
between mass transit and highways.


feed_id: 63c63c821f612a51f09235cfdcc3afdf
title: Urgent: cancel student debt
uri: Urgent-cancel-student-debt
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#31_May_2021_%28Urgent%3A_cancel_student_debt%29
content:
<p>
US citizens: <a href="https://act.rootsaction.org/p/dia/action4/common/public/?action_KEY=14113">call on Congress</a> to cancel all student debt.

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


feed_id: cf65e79fd1b914cfebb95acc4f6932c0
title: Subpoena of Github
uri: Subpoena-of-Github
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#31_May_2021_%28Subpoena_of_Github%29
content:
<p>
A man condemned to execution has subpoena'd secret source code from
GitHub for a program that the court used to analyze evidence.  (If the
program is flawed, that might invalidate the conviction.)  But GitHub
is in another state, <a href="https://gizmodo.com/a-death-row-inmate-has-waited-years-for-github-to-provi-1846976389">and has ignored the subpoena for years</a>.

<p>
The article explains that the difficulty of accessing secrets needed
as evidence can drive people to please guilty.

<p>
In this particular case, the court should conclude that it can't get
the source code, therefore it can't trust that program, and overturn
the conviction.  Society should adopt a general rule that programs used to
evaluate evidence for a court must be free/libre so that their validity
can be analyzed.


feed_id: 154401b3d58fa778216d27ac98c8a3e5
title: Infrastructure plan
uri: 2021-05-31-Infrastructure-plan
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#31_May_2021_%28Infrastructure_plan%29
content:
<p>
Senate Republicans <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2021/05/27/end-game-dems-urged-ditch-gop-after-woefully-inadequate-infrastructure-offer">have decided also to mostly kill Biden's
infrastructure plan</a>.
  Biden yearns for bipartisan cooperation, but it is worth than
useless to try to cooperate with saboteurs.


feed_id: 1bfa8ac33c3c42968a338a63814c1ffa
title: Vaccine factories for the whole world
uri: Vaccine-factories-for-the-whole-world
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#31_May_2021_%28Vaccine_factories_for_the_whole_world%29

content:
<p>
A study concludes it would cost 25 billion dollars <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2021/05/27/rich-nations-could-make-enough-vaccine-world-just-25-billion-analysis">to build vaccine
factories sufficient to vaccinate the whole world in a year</a>.


feed_id: e6849f1efe000518baa5f3578a0f442f
title: Memory of Tulsa massacre
uri: Memory-of-Tulsa-massacre
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#31_May_2021_%28Memory_of_Tulsa_massacre%29
content:
<p>
*How my family's memory of the Tulsa massacre <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2021/05/27/opinions/tulsa-massacre-1921-january-6-capitol-riot-bruner/index.html">sheds new light on Jan. 6
Capitol riot</a>.*


feed_id: 120aa779e4b1927b252a26072ec8d597
title: Technological miracles
uri: Technological-miracles
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#31_May_2021_%28Technological_miracles%29
content:
<p>
We don't need technological miracles <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2021/05/27/why-bill-gates-john-kerry-and-other-climate-dudes-are-dead-wrong">to curb global heating and prevent
climate disaster</a>.

<p>
What we need is firmness and determination.


feed_id: 103bbb0914c1195c6e32ee59d639a38b
title: Ending poverty in richest country
uri: Ending-poverty-in-richest-country
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#31_May_2021_%28Ending_poverty_in_richest_country%29
content:
<p>
Progressives in Congress: *Ending Poverty in the Richest Country on
Earth: <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2021/05/28/ending-poverty-richest-country-earth">poverty exists because we allow it to exist</a>.*

<p>
*We can't end poverty without attacking the interconnected injustices
of systemic racism, inequality, militarism and the climate
emergency.*


feed_id: 418e5b49ec5da28ef77306ef88e9443c
title: Filibuster
uri: 2021-05-31-Filibuster
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#31_May_2021_%28Filibuster%29
content:
<p>
Republicans used a filibuster to block the Senate from voting <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/may/28/senate-republicans-6-january-capitol-attack-commission">on an
investigation of the January 6 Republican attack on the Capitol</a>.

<p>
Those Republicans now endorse the obvious falsehood that there was no
attack, or else it was an attack by "antifa".  This is a lie <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2021/may/28/republicans-trying-rewrite-history-capitol-attack">about events
that Americans saw less than 4 months ago</a>.

<p>
They have, in effect, endorsed 1984-style rewriting of history.
Having convinced their followers to accept this, on something very
visible, I expect that they will do it over and over.

<p>
It is noteworthty that Republicans accuse Democrats of trying to deny
the truth of who won the 2020 election, when in fact it is Republicans
who have done that ever since November, and are still trying with
irregular "audits" in Arizona and Georgia.  The attack on the Capitol
was specifically part of that.

<p>
This may be preparation for <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2021/05/27/fears-mount-gops-big-lie-2020-just-test-run-what-comes-next">a bigger attack on the mechanism
of US democracy in 2022 or 2024</a>.

<p>
Will Democrats <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/may/28/republicans-capitol-attack-commission-vote-analysis">take this threat seriously</a>?


feed_id: ec48cd57f67787f93dcd3fc11d534d04
title: Miners attacking police and indigenous homes
uri: Miners-attacking-police-and-indigenous-homes
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#31_May_2021_%28Miners_attacking_police_and_indigenous_homes%29

content:
<p>
*Brazilian wildcat miners <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/may/28/brazil-wildcat-miners-police-indigenous-amazon">attack police and burn indigenous homes in Amazon</a>.*


feed_id: 7330928c81788834d5d61426159c1ec9
title: Temple of Johnson
uri: Temple-of-Johnson
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#31_May_2021_%28Temple_of_Johnson%29
content:
<p>
*A dangerous cult now runs Britain &mdash; <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2021/may/28/cult-britain-boris-johnson-prime-minister">the worshippers at the Temple of Johnson</a>.*

<p>
I don't think that worship is as complete and blind as what is found
in the US, though.


feed_id: 1ec405cf0baf5afb7284f3c7918e8d66
title: National strike
uri: National-strike
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#31_May_2021_%28National_strike%29
content:
<p>
The opposition in Belarus <a href="https://www.reuters.com/article/us-belarus-politics-netherlands/nationwide-strike-planned-in-belarus-opposition-leader-says-idUSKCN2D91DX">plans a national strike</a>.


feed_id: 90923abf3c4ff0fe58b8909ee95cf5d2
title: Members of parliament dying from Covid-19
uri: Members-of-parliament-dying-from-Covid-19
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#31_May_2021_%28Members_of_parliament_dying_from_Covid-19%29

content:
<p>
5% of the members of the Democratic Republic of Congo's parliament
<a href="https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-congo-parliament/covid-19-kills-32-members-of-congos-parliament-idUSKCN2D91G9">have died from Covid-19</a>.
  It seems that they don't practice physical distancing and don't wear
masks.


feed_id: 130d2c1374d9ff5e3a5a0ecace7e3475
title: Prosecuting leader of opposition
uri: Prosecuting-leader-of-opposition
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#31_May_2021_%28Prosecuting_leader_of_opposition%29
content:
<p>
Erdoğan is prosecuting the leader of the opposition for saying that
the supreme election board <a href="https://www.reuters.com/article/turkey-politics-istanbul-int/prosecutors-seek-jail-for-istanbul-mayor-for-insulting-election-board-idUSKCN2D91PF">was foolish to cancel a previous election</a>.

<p>
His attitude towards laws is like that of Republicans: they are
opportunities to imprison whoever he wishes.  At least this time
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#17_August_2015_(Provoking_PKK)">he did not launch a civil war</a>.


feed_id: b42819cd72585f92332eaa91e0a7c78c
title: Power assist
uri: Power-assist
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#31_May_2021_%28Power_assist%29
content:
<p>
Biden is running <a href="https://theintercept.com/2021/05/28/biden-pentagon-defense-contractors/">the Pentagon's revolving door with power assist</a>.

<p>
*Meet the Senate Nuke Caucus, Busting the Budget <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2021/05/27/meet-senate-nuke-caucus-busting-budget-and-making-world-less-safe">and Making the World Less
Safe</a>.*


feed_id: 46f3a10c0492b259e12972458c474bc3
title: Urgent: line 3 pipeline
uri: Urgent-line-3-pipeline
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#1_June_2021_%28Urgent%3A_line_3_pipeline%29
content:
<p>
US citizens: <a href="https://act.350.org/sign/revoke-line-3-permit/">call on Biden</a> to revoke the permit to build the Line 3
pipeline.


feed_id: ca4492dc0104b33b8da8be3445737c61
title: Urgent: end filibuster
uri: Urgent-end-filibuster
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#1_June_2021_%28Urgent%3A_end_filibuster%29
content:
<p>
US citizens: <a href="http://act.boldprogressives.org/survey/petition_filibuster_jan6_commission/">call on the Senate</a> to end the filibuster and approve the
Jan 6 investigation commission.


feed_id: 7189829454d5a2d7646e187366f162ed
title: Suicide after being canceled
uri: Suicide-after-being-canceled
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#1_June_2021_%28Suicide_after_being_canceled%29
content:
<p>
A promising choreographer killed himself after he was canceled <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/stage/2021/may/28/liam-scarlett-inquest-opens-into-ballet-choreographers-death">in
response to unsubstantiated accusations of some sort of sexual
wrongdoing</a>.

<p>
Although an investigation found no indication the accusations were valid,
<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Liam_Scarlett">institutions proceeded with the cancellation anyway</a>.
  The decision to stop performing his work, the fact that there was no
way he could clear his name or ever be able to practice his art again,
must have made him feel he was as good as dead already, his art
already buried.

<p>
A few developers of useful free software have been convicted of grave
crimes, even murder.  (With the large number of contributors, by
chance we must expect this.)  We disapprove of murder, but we don't
reject their code on that account.


feed_id: e45f8a6cb57cee8789a8a26eec0dd124
title: Seeding Covid
uri: Seeding-Covid
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#1_June_2021_%28Seeding_Covid%29
content:
<p>
*Kumbh Mela: how a superspreader festival <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/may/30/kumbh-mela-how-a-superspreader-festival-seeded-covid-across-india">seeded Covid across India</a>.*

<p>
All around the world, fervent religion has been deadly in
spreading Covid-19.  We have seen this with Christianity
in Brazil,
  South Korea,
  the US of course;
  with Judaism in the US,
  and now with Hinduism in India.

<p>
If death followed quickly, it would be easier for believers to stay in
touch with reality.  But nobody is likely to die of Covid-19 from a
religious ceremony until a couple of weeks later, and most of the
victims will not have participated in the ceremony themselves, but
rather got the disease indirectly via participants.


feed_id: d6d5c3ddaadd6294e961a4302c43bac2
title: MORE Act
uri: MORE-Act
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#1_June_2021_%28MORE_Act%29
content:
<p>
The 2021 version of the MORE Act, which would legalize marijuana, <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2021/05/28/rights-groups-applaud-reintroduction-more-act-reverse-harms-war-drugs">would also
eliminate some continuing punishment of people with old convictions</a>.


feed_id: a2eb9bba837c9e21e89eee5d8889f23e
title: Statue facing the wall
uri: Statue-facing-the-wall
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#1_June_2021_%28Statue_facing_the_wall%29
content:
<p>
*The statue of Cecil Rhodes at Oriel College, Oxford, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/education/2021/may/29/rhodes-statue-should-be-turned-to-face-wall-says-antony-gormley">should be turned to face the wall in shame</a>.*

<p>
I like it.


feed_id: 6e904145ee62d4a428fafb885864ae8a
title: New variant
uri: New-variant
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#1_June_2021_%28New_variant%29
content:
<p>
Covidiots beware &mdash; a new variant <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/may/29/vietnam-discovers-new-hybrid-covid-variant-state-media-reports">has appeared which spreads faster
than the other bad variants</a>.

<p>
It is currently limited to one country, but it will get to the others
soon enough.


feed_id: b9b27e7407aaf146a1194765de56c69f
title: Rushing too eliminate restrictions once again
uri: Rushing-too-eliminate-restrictions-once-again
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#1_June_2021_%28Rushing_too_eliminate_restrictions_once_again%29

content:
<p>
Bogus Johnson is once again rushing to eliminate all Covid-19 restrictions,
and <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/may/29/dont-drop-data-not-dates-approach-uk-adviser-warns-as-covid-cases-surge">this is producing yet another surge of infections</a>.


feed_id: 1d67a896ed0421f1c68ef01660a89d1b
title: Attack on protesters
uri: Attack-on-protesters
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#1_June_2021_%28Attack_on_protesters%29
content:
<p>
Most of of the protests in Colombia have been peaceful recently.
However, in Cali, protesters have made barricades blocking roads.
Official state thugs attack the protesters, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/may/29/further-unrest-in-colombia-as-talks-stall-between-government-and-protesters">sometimes killing or
maiming them</a>.
  Unidentified nonuniformed <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thugs</a> joined in shooting at protesters.

<p>
If the protesters manage to kill or capture one of those, maybe it
will be possible to determine what their affiliations are.


feed_id: 8a4fd09f3d572cc44a200fe82b1f1b13
title: Protests against Bolsonaro
uri: 2021-06-01-Protests-against-Bolsonaro
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#1_June_2021_%28Protests_against_Bolsonaro%29
content:
<p>
There were large protests across Brazil against Bolsonaro and <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/may/29/tens-of-thousands-of-brazilians-march-to-demand-bolsonaros-impeachment">his
callous disregard for Covid-19 and Brazilians' lives</a>.


feed_id: a9e692a0b93be0ca41d42b89db040a0a
title: New evidence on Fauci
uri: New-evidence-on-Fauci
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#1_June_2021_%28New_evidence_on_Fauci%29
content:
<p>
(<a href="https://www.theonion.com/new-evidence-shows-fauci-may-have-been-created-in-chine-1846984205">satire</a>) *New Evidence Shows Fauci May Have Been
   Created In Chinese Lab.*


feed_id: e68424bd4eec1f1b2553683f1ad44791
title: Budget and extinction of species
uri: Budget-and-extinction-of-species
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#1_June_2021_%28Budget_and_extinction_of_species%29
content:
<p>
Biden's budget <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2021/05/28/biden-budget-fails-address-extinction-crisis">does not try to prevent extinction of species in the US</a>.


feed_id: 4f3f7bdb32416b6700e387c6dc9792ff
title: Power of filibuster
uri: Power-of-filibuster
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#1_June_2021_%28Power_of_filibuster%29
content:
<p>
An idea for step-by-step reduction <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2021/05/28/heres-how-end-filibuster-and-protect-democracy">of the power of filibuster</a>.


feed_id: 4c7bae921a56b0f4143d2bdf2e167fde
title: Call for law to answer truthfully
uri: Call-for-law-to-answer-truthfully
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#1_June_2021_%28Call_for_law_to_answer_truthfully%29
content:
<p>
Relatives of victims of government misconduct call for a law requiring
ministers government departments and advisers <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/2021/may/28/covid-bereaved-join-call-for-hillsborough-law-to-force-duty-of-candour">to answer truthfully in 
investigations and court proceedings</a>.


feed_id: 0328bcd1bf0251b1bb4da8714523024f
title: Thugs and dogs
uri: Thugs-and-dogs
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#1_June_2021_%28Thugs_and_dogs%29
content:
<p>
Thugs that bring dogs sometimes tell them to bite people &mdash; <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2021/05/28/opinions/k9-police-violence-lacy/index.html">around
4000 people a year in the US</a>.

<p>
Usually the dog bites whoever the <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thug</a> directs.  Sometimes it bites
someone else who happens to be in the vicinity.  Sometimes the bite is
fatal.


feed_id: 4fe70a4afb9639c5b76aef3fb9b4f44b
title: Urgent: Whole American Families and Jobs Plan
uri: Urgent-Whole-American-Families-and-Jobs-Plan
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#1_June_2021_%28Urgent%3A_Whole_American_Families_and_Jobs_Plan%29

content:
<p>

US citizens: call on Democrats to reject ruinous Republican
"compromises" and <a href="http://act.boldprogressives.org/survey/petition-2022-infrastructure-gobold/">pass the whole American Families and Jobs Plan</a>.


feed_id: 2fd89946a56e73155471417fd97dfd25
title: Describing the wrecker's cult
uri: Describing-the-wrecker-s-cult
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#1_June_2021_%28Describing_the_wrecker%27s_cult%29
content:
<p>

Let's stop describing the supporters of the wrecker's cult as
"conservatives".  Most Republicans today are <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2021/05/28/many-members-republican-party-are-not-conservatives-theyre-extremists">no longer conservatives,
they are right-wing extremists</a>.


feed_id: 769689c4a1875f0ef550904b3cf3b371
title: Cloudy digital services
uri: Cloudy-digital-services
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#1_June_2021_%28Cloudy_digital_services%29
content:
<p>

It's foolish for anyone to entrust secrets to cloudy digital
"services".  It's especially foolish when these secrets concern
<a href="https://www.bellingcat.com/news/2021/05/28/us-soldiers-expose-nuclear-weapons-secrets-via-flashcard-apps/">guarding or accessing nuclear weapons</a>, but that doesn't mean you ought to make the same mistake.
<p>
Is there a free software "flash card" learning application program?


feed_id: a6ef4a7d072d2a944657ebaacb4b0815
title: Refused to reopen Mark Duggan case
uri: Refused-to-reopen-Mark-Duggan-case
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#1_June_2021_%28Refused_to_reopen_Mark_Duggan_case%29

content:
<p>

The UK agency that investigates crimes by uniformed thugs <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2021/may/28/mark-duggan-family-police-lack-courage-to-reopen-investigation">refused to
reopen its astonishing conclusion</a> about the thugs' killing of Mark
Duggan, despite new analysis that makes the conclusion even more
astonishing.


feed_id: b2501c62a3acf4a509ce09e38eaf928e
title: Regular Covid vaccine approval
uri: Regular-Covid-vaccine-approval
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#1_June_2021_%28Regular_Covid_vaccine_approval%29
content:
<p>

Many Americans will decide to get vaccinated when they can get a Covid-19 
vaccine that has a <a href="https://arstechnica.com/science/2021/05/cdc-loosened-mask-guidance-to-encourage-vaccination-it-failed-spectacularly/">regular (not emergency) approval</a>.
<p>
That will probably be soon.


feed_id: 5cffee3252281515283d303e4cba8141
title: More poverty and crime
uri: More-poverty-and-crime
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#1_June_2021_%28More_poverty_and_crime%29
content:
<p>

*The Ugly Truth: Republicans Want <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2021/05/29/ugly-truth-republicans-want-more-poverty-and-crime">More Poverty and Crime</a>.*
<p>
Their cuts in aid to the poor, and cuts in workers rights (which makes
more workers poor), encourage crime, which Republicans then cite as an
excuse to bash the poor some more.


feed_id: 208f19093a79f9671178b594ec48fd8c
title: Britons will lose their homes
uri: Britons-will-lose-their-homes
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#1_June_2021_%28Britons_will_lose_their_homes%29
content:
<p>

Millions of Britons will <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/money/2021/may/29/tenants-in-england-fear-losing-homes-after-eviction-ban-ends-says-shelter">lose their homes soon</a> &mdash;
perhaps this week.


feed_id: 7582683b799c6ce5c2e05c290c0b7958
title: Secret lists
uri: Secret-lists
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#1_June_2021_%28Secret_lists%29
content:
<p>

Even if the US takes you off the no-fly list, you may still be on some
<a href="https://theintercept.com/2021/05/30/no-fly-list-terrorism-watchlist/">secret list</a> that cues other countries to interrogate you blindfolded for days.
<p>
There is no way to confirm whether you're on one of these lists, and
no legal procedure for getting yourself taken off.


feed_id: 8590548e9f27972d0b97796e354f2f2d
title: Archaeology in the UK
uri: Archaeology-in-the-UK
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#1_June_2021_%28Archaeology_in_the_UK%29
content:
<p>

<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/science/2021/may/30/help-our-profession-or-uks-shared-history-will-be-lost-say-archaeologists">Archaeology in the UK is in crisis</a> because projects can't hire
Europeans any more.


feed_id: 1ae075a650711f2ca2b281133eebfcff
title: People power
uri: People-power
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#1_June_2021_%28People_power%29
content:
<p>

The "people power" methods of making autocrats step down no longer
work.  Repressive regimes have learned that they can <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2021/may/30/belarus-china-hong-kong-russia-human-rights-democracy-people-power">crush a dissident
movement, then survive being hated</a>.
<p>
We see this today in <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#19_August_2017_(China_campaigners_jailed)">China</a>, <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2012-sep-dec.html#09_October_2012_(Repression_of_dissidents_in_Belarus)">Belarus</a> and <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2012-sep-dec.html#09_October_2012_(Repression_of_dissidents_in_Belarus)">Burma</a>,
but it was <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2014-jan-apr.html#14_April_2014_(Sadistic_treatment)">Egypt</a>, <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2014-sep-dec.html#10_September_2014_(Bahrain_continues_to_repress_dissidents)">Bahrain</a>, <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2012-may-aug.html#11_June_2012_(Student_dissidents)">Turkey</a> and <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2012-jan-apr.html#4_February_2012_(Syrian_Dissidents)">Syria</a> that demonstrated this.
<p>
China and Russia are setting up an informal bloc to defend repressive
countries that are willing to have a bad relationship with the US.
Colombia won't reach out to them, but countries farther from the US
will.


feed_id: f461c94caec64b57e468d99c30bd1762
title: Election officials
uri: Election-officials
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#1_June_2021_%28Election_officials%29
content:
<p>

*Republicans who embraced Trump’s big lie <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/may/30/republicans-trump-election-fight-to-vote">run to become election officials</a>.*
<p>
Since they endorse cheating, Republican extremists will vote for them so that
they can cheat.


feed_id: 1dae3cc4f207fdc61f1591c30dfdcb46
title: Tulsa 1921 pogrom
uri: Tulsa-1921-pogrom
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#1_June_2021_%28Tulsa_1921_pogrom%29
content:
<p>

In Tulsa, nobody dared talk about the 1921 pogrom against blacks,
especially not the few survivors.  Official records were destroyed.
It took persistence and hard work to <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/may/30/tulsa-race-massacre-scott-ellsworth-historian">pull the story into the open</a>.


feed_id: bcf0cf09b32885a80685952c2379a4f3
title: US relationship to Israel
uri: US-relationship-to-Israel
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#1_June_2021_%28US_relationship_to_Israel%29
content:
<p>

Calling for the US to <a href="https://foreignpolicy.com/2021/05/27/its-time-to-end-the-special-relationship-with-israel/">adopt a more normal, less "special" relationship with Israel</a>.
<p>
I think the US should remain committed to protecting Israel's survival,
while at the same time pushing to end the occupation of the West Bank
and the siege of Gaza.


feed_id: 7dbba8f29d80a9e3a96cb0c585dcb750
title: US spying on European allies
uri: US-spying-on-European-allies
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#1_June_2021_%28US_spying_on_European_allies%29
content:
<p>

The US spied on its European allies <a href="https://www.reuters.com/article/us-denmark-defence/u-s-security-agency-spied-on-merkel-other-top-european-officials-through-danish-cables-broadcaster-dr-idUSKCN2DB0I7">via facilities in Denmark</a>.
<p>
Denmark investigated this starting in 2015 based on information
released by Edward Snowden.  The results of the investigation have
only now been published, but the Danish government seems to have been
acting to prevent a repetition.


feed_id: 164fffc6873e1075263611d22a6d94e7
title: Minerals, wood and fish
uri: Minerals-wood-and-fish
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#1_June_2021_%28Minerals%2C_wood_and_fish%29
content:
<p>

China's appetite for minerals, wood and fish from the Pacific
is having a <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/may/31/the-3bn-bargain-how-china-dominates-pacific-mining-logging-and-fishing">big economic impact, and a big ecological impact too</a>.


feed_id: c158b9426c15f6edfb5ae7f795d1f5e1
title: Wild animal market in Wuhan
uri: Wild-animal-market-in-Wuhan
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#1_June_2021_%28Wild_animal_market_in_Wuhan%29
content:
<p>

A virologist calls for <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/may/30/covid-team-interview-wuhan-market-virologist-animals">interviewing the individual stall operators</a>
at the wild animal market in Wuhan.
The goal is to find out which kinds of wild animals were traded in
2019.


feed_id: c813879063f47ffdad0245e9122ed4cf
title: Undermining interoperability
uri: Undermining-interoperability
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#1_June_2021_%28Undermining_interoperability%29
content:
<p>

Apple is <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2021/may/30/gadgets-have-stopped-working-together-interoperability-apple">systematically undermining interoperability</a>.  At the hardware
level, it does this via nonstandard plugs, buses and networks.
At the software level, it does this by not letting the user have any data
except within one app.


feed_id: 7f2612f4d85fd1a3e36e01e984353e08
title: NHS patient data
uri: NHS-patient-data
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#1_June_2021_%28NHS_patient_data%29
content:
<p>

The NHS has a plan to <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/society/2021/may/30/gps-warn-plans-share-patient-data-third-parties-england">redistribute patient data</a> to university labs and
even companies.
<p>
This can be useful for progress in medicine, but if it isn't held in
check by an organization whose main priority is privacy, it could ruin
some people's lives.
<p>
Please don't refer to the redistribution of personal data between companies
with the word <a href="https://gnu.org/philosophy/words-to-avoid.html#SharingPersonalData">"sharing"</a>.
<p>
*<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2021/may/29/data-oil-metaphor-tech-companies-surveillance-capitalism">Data isn’t oil</a>, whatever tech commentators tell you: it’s people’s lives.*


feed_id: 3331465fccc195af087e13501537fe15
title: Contempt for works and for art
uri: Contempt-for-works-and-for-art
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#1_June_2021_%28Contempt_for_works_and_for_art%29
content:
<p>

Thinking of art works as <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2021/may/29/jeff-bezos-amazon-mgm-cultural-heritage">"intellectual property"</a> demonstrates contempt
for these works and for art,
much like calling them <a href="https://gnu.org/philosophy/words-to-avoid.html#Content">"content."</a>
<p>
I've described several reasons to reject the term <a href="https://gnu.org/philosophy/not-ipr.html">"intellectual property"</a>
entirely.
This is one additional reason.


feed_id: d1ab52d0018a0fe111cb13b774d11988
title: President Kagame of Rwanda
uri: President-Kagame-of-Rwanda
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#1_June_2021_%28President_Kagame_of_Rwanda%29
content:
<p>

President Kagame of Rwanda is now being recognized for his <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2021/may/27/paul-kagame-rwanda-macron-french-president">persistent
repression of opposition leaders</a>.
It's on a level with Putin and Lukashenko.


feed_id: 8bbe99766bbb50c87907cd81e4e09561
title: Naftali Bennett
uri: Naftali-Bennett
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#2_June_2021_%28Naftali_Bennett%29
content:
<p>
Juan Cole: Naftali Bennett, who personally advocates annexing the
Palestinians' land and treating them as unwanted residents, may become
prime minister of Israel <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2021/05/31/why-proposed-new-israeli-pm-extreme-right-naftali-ive-killed-lot-arabs-bennett-even">with the support of a coalition of parties
with a spectrum of different views</a>.

<p>
Ironically, he may need one Arab party's votes.  I can't begin to
guess how much of Bennett's personal views would get implemented by
that coalition.

<p>
But it could stay in power long enough for Netanyahu to be formally
prosecuted for corruption.  Maybe then he could not become prime
minister again, and the political situation would change permanently.


feed_id: 674d82f01e4c2a1ba9e5f2210cd121bb
title: Trickle-up economics
uri: Trickle-up-economics
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#2_June_2021_%28Trickle-up_economics%29
content:
<p>
Trickle-up economics: economic modeling including the "velocity of
wealth" predicts that giving a larger share of economic growth to the
non-wealthy increases economic growth, and this benefits everyone
including the wealthy &mdash; <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2021/05/31/how-everyone-getting-more-equal-slices-economic-pie-can-curb-velocity-wealth">while decreasing the gap between them</a>.

<p>
The result is to increase the total level of consumption.  That would
be good if it benefited mainly the non-wealthy, except for one
problem: nowadays it is not clear that we can sustain more consumption
in the US.


feed_id: 07a9de782682d088bb9f89947a25988e
title: Secret report on attacking China
uri: Secret-report-on-attacking-China
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#2_June_2021_%28Secret_report_on_attacking_China%29
content:
<p>
Daniel Ellsberg published a secret US report <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2021/05/22/us/politics/nuclear-war-risk-1958-us-china.html">that proposed using
nuclear weapons against China in 1958</a>, 
  supposing China were to attack Taiwan.

<p>
Now he dares the US government to charge him under the Espionage
Act, as it has charged other leakers including Edward Snowden,
  as well as journalist Julian Assange.


feed_id: bae35c44427775891eb610edd91f4891
title: Charging journalists
uri: Charging-journalists
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#2_June_2021_%28Charging_journalists%29
content:
<p>
Lukashenko has charged the editor-in-chief of TUT.BY with tax evasion
"on an especially large scale," <a href="https://www.reuters.com/article/us-belarus-politics-media/chief-editor-of-belarus-news-outlet-charged-in-tax-case-colleagues-say-idUSKCN2DC1QK">which could only be a fabricated excuse</a>.


feed_id: 4eec25b580102ceb414701daf0a52da6
title: Police standing by
uri: Police-standing-by
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#2_June_2021_%28Police_standing_by%29
content:
<p>
*Colombia to probe police who stood by <a href="https://www.reuters.com/article/us-colombia-protests/colombia-to-probe-police-who-stood-by-as-civilians-shot-at-protesters-idUSKCN2DC1JA">as civilians shot at protesters</a>.*


feed_id: d21708877718922288cc555bb1255d1e
title: Talk-show host removed after criticizing military
uri: Talk-show-host-removed-after-criticizing-military
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#2_June_2021_%28Talk-show_host_removed_after_criticizing_military%29

content:
<p>
Pakistani talk-show host Hamid Mir criticized the military's
censorship of media, <a href="https://www.reuters.com/article/us-pakistan-media-censorship/popular-pakistani-talk-show-host-taken-off-screen-after-criticizing-military-idUSKCN2DC1ND">and was removed from his show with no explanation</a>.


feed_id: 005b3740e99d31811399db1de74f78ac
title: Unsustainable logging
uri: Unsustainable-logging
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#2_June_2021_%28Unsustainable_logging%29
content:
<p>
Unsustainable logging in the Solomon Islands <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/jun/01/lush-forests-laid-to-waste-how-pacific-islands-got-hooked-on-logging">will eliminate its
natural forests in 15 years</a>.
  I suppose this will cause extinction of many species.  Ecological
damage is everywhere.


feed_id: 2cf274fe30c63ff1a58c977e412e9cb6
title: Money to authors of used books
uri: Money-to-authors-of-used-books
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#2_June_2021_%28Money_to_authors_of_used_books%29
content:
<p>
Some used book stores <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/books/2021/jun/01/authors-to-earn-royalties-on-secondhand-books-for-first-time">will give money to the book's author when they
sell a book</a>.

<p>
I'd be in favor of this if it were accompanied by a move to narrow the power
of copyright.


feed_id: f8a0d55a4a7679559ca182bccbccc690
title: Fighting the army
uri: Fighting-the-army
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#2_June_2021_%28Fighting_the_army%29
content:
<p>
Many local armed groups <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/jun/01/rise-of-armed-civilian-groups-in-myanmar-fuels-fears-of-civil-war">are fighting the Burmese army</a>.

<p>
The army <a href="https://www.reuters.com/article/us-myanmar-politics/myanmar-carries-out-air-strikes-after-militia-attacks-witnesses-idUSKCN2DC1MZ">is using artillery and helicopters to attack them</a>.


feed_id: fd10c9847da823297b449a12122cac10
title: Arrest of solitary protester
uri: Arrest-of-solitary-protester
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#2_June_2021_%28Arrest_of_solitary_protester%29
content:
<p>
Hong Kong's repression agency arrested a solitary protester <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/may/31/hong-kong-grandma-wong-arrested-for-solo-tiananmen-protest">who called
attention to the 1989 massacre in Beijing's Tien An Men square,
Grandma Wong</a>.


feed_id: fdcf69761bc2199f1b4517f34274e5a6
title: Oath keepers militia members charged
uri: Oath-keepers-militia-members-charged
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#2_June_2021_%28Oath_keepers_militia_members_charged%29

content:
<p>
19 members of Oath Keepers militias <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/may/31/capitol-attack-four-more-oath-keepers-indicted">have been charged with attacking
the Capitol</a>.


feed_id: abef07a25a505e03eb9ffedd062a10e2
title: Voter-suppression law
uri: Voter-suppression-law
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#2_June_2021_%28Voter-suppression_law%29
content:
<p>
The new Texas voter-suppression law will do more than stop
disprivileged people from voting.  It will also give judges an easy way
<a href="https://www.cnn.com/2021/05/30/opinions/texas-ominous-voter-suppression-obeidallah/index.html">to perceive a problem of election fraud, even when there wasn't one</a>.

<p>
Democrats blocked it for the moment <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/may/31/texas-democrats-late-night-walkout-republicans-restrict-voting-rights-bill-failure">because the legislative session
was ending</a>.


feed_id: 77dd434ba09be7366b864cca82150197
title: Attacks on voting by mail
uri: Attacks-on-voting-by-mail
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#2_June_2021_%28Attacks_on_voting_by_mail%29
content:
<p>
*   The Arizona Legislature is continuing its attack on voting by mail. In
   a party-line vote, the state house advanced a bill that would turn
   allegedly mismatched signatures on mail ballots <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2021/05/30/arizona-bill-would-refer-mismatched-mail-ballot-signatures-prosecutors">into potential criminal
   cases</a>.*

<p>
A Republican who rejects the very idea of truth would have little
difficulty reporting a "mismatch" between two identical signatures.

<p>
A voter who is informed of an alleged mismatch might wish to go
through the process to cure it, but there are various innocent reasons
why <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#perse">perse</a> might not do so.  Here are a few that occur to me.

<ul>
  <li><a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#perse">Perse</a> is out of town.</li>
  <li><a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#perse">Perse</a> has no time off from work.</li>
  <li><a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#perse">Perse</a> fears persecution by racist officials.</li>
</ul>


feed_id: 16d8a40b7cf931f55aca26763e5ad7c7
title: Stop destruction of life
uri: Stop-destruction-of-life
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#2_June_2021_%28Stop_destruction_of_life%29
content:
<p>
*   We must ensure that rich companies and nations stop this destruction of
   life in the oceans, which not only impoverishes wildlife but also the
   coastal communities <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2021/05/30/why-we-need-strong-global-ocean-treaty">that are truly dependent on small-scale fishing for
   survival</a>.*


feed_id: 57de7597643726d9171f4a6c56c0760b
title: False confessions
uri: 2021-06-02-False-confessions
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#2_June_2021_%28False_confessions%29
content:
<p>
Yang Hengjun, prisoner of China, says he was tortured and drugged, and
made to say things <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/may/31/they-tortured-me-australian-yang-hengjun-says-as-he-awaits-verdict-after-trial-in-china">that were probably recorded to be presented as
(false) confessions</a>.


feed_id: 2fd7c708745c2674a8cb91233e9438a6
title: Law against deceiving juvenile suspects
uri: Law-against-deceiving-juvenile-suspects
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#2_June_2021_%28Law_against_deceiving_juvenile_suspects%29

content:
<p>

*Illinois lawmakers pass a bill <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2021/05/31/us/illinois-bill-ban-police-deception-minors-trnd/index.html">banning police from deceiving juvenile
suspects</a> during interrogations.*
<p>
You may call me hyperstrict, but I think there should be limits on
manipulative treatment of adults, too.  Adults are not immune to being
pressured into false confessions.  I agree that an adult ought be
strong enough to resist the pressure to lie, but that doesn't imply
that adults who are <em>not</em> strong enough to resist deserve a false
conviction.


feed_id: 961f6d8c73a3eb33b55c993078a9c1c1
title: US mega-dairies
uri: US-mega-dairies
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#2_June_2021_%28US_mega-dairies%29
content:
<p>

*How US mega-dairies are <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/jun/01/there-are-ghosts-in-the-land-how-us-mega-dairies-are-killing-off-small-farms">killing off small farms</a>.*


feed_id: 7ba9f243bc850f165e03ab8a19c228d3
title: Chinese censors
uri: Chinese-censors
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#2_June_2021_%28Chinese_censors%29
content:
<p>

Chinese censors are very creative at <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/jun/01/china-jails-blogger-who-slandered-dead-in-india-border-clash">inventing speech crimes</a>.


feed_id: 96ef3b1c43f8f6d58ad3884e3f20065c
title: Uttar Pradesh
uri: Uttar-Pradesh
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#2_June_2021_%28Uttar_Pradesh%29
content:
<p>

*An Indian court has ruled that a local government administration in
Uttar Pradesh <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/jun/01/india-mosque-demolition-report-filed-on-muslim-leaders-false-court-finds">filed a "false and unfounded" police report</a> against
eight Muslim leaders who had opposed the "illegal" demolition of
their mosque.*


feed_id: be36692af084b24db6553265dc494bd6
title: Stepan Latypov in court
uri: Stepan-Latypov-in-court
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#2_June_2021_%28Stepan_Latypov_in_court%29
content:
<p>

Belarusian protester Stepan Latypov cut his throat in court, saying
that he had pled guilty because Lukashenko's men had <a href="https://www.reuters.com/article/us-belarus-politics-court-prisoners/belarusian-prisoner-tries-to-cut-own-throat-in-court-hearing-local-media-idUSKCN2DD3P6">threatened to
imprison his family and neighbors if he did not</a>.
<p>
I suppose he had been tortured already and expected more torture, so
he attempted to escape a fate worse than death.
<p>
He may have failed in that attempt &mdash; but he did land a blow on the
enemy in the process.  I bow to the courage he displayed in doing
this.


feed_id: 6aa111887d304c78df9e849b140b2a75
title: Amazon devices
uri: Amazon-devices
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#2_June_2021_%28Amazon_devices%29
content:
<p>

Amazon gave customers just one week to opt out of having
their Amazon devices <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2021/jun/01/amazon-us-customers-given-one-week-to-opt-out-of-mass-wireless-sharing">offer wifi connections  to other people's
devices</a>.
<p>
I don't think that letting other people's devices connect is as bad as
the spying that Amazon devices do.  However, giving people one week to
opt out of <em>anything</em> should be prohibited.  The FCC should set
standards for this, and any company that doesn't follow the standard
should be prosecuted.
<p>
If a company is too big to prosecute then it is too big to exist.


feed_id: f9c6728a5db390122d84a349a61f7e00
title: New digital patient data system
uri: New-digital-patient-data-system
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#2_June_2021_%28New_digital_patient_data_system%29
content:
<p>

A campaign asks the UK's NHS doctors to <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/society/2021/jun/01/gps-urged-to-refuse-to-hand-over-patient-details-to-nhs-digital">refuse to put patient data
into the new digital system</a> that makes it available to companies.


feed_id: 27cfd0118600d5ebd7c9489ac20a6d1b
title: Indian variant of Covid-19 in Australia
uri: Indian-variant-of-Covid-19-in-Australia
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#2_June_2021_%28Indian_variant_of_Covid-19_in_Australia%29

content:
<p>

Australia has an outbreak of the Indian variant of Covid-19, and finds
that <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2021/jun/01/victoria-covid-update-authorities-worry-variant-in-melbourne-being-transmitted-through-fleeting-contact">it can spread when people brush past each other momentarily</a>.
<p>
This is very dangerous &mdash; people need to get vaccinated.


feed_id: 5b853f089bf859c118fda494ab827e99
title: Response to mass looting
uri: Response-to-mass-looting
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#2_June_2021_%28Response_to_mass_looting%29
content:
<p>

A year ago, *NYPD Took <a href="https://theintercept.com/2021/06/01/nypd-looting-violence-protest/">Hours to Respond</a> to Mass Looting,
 Despite Quickly Cracking Down on Protests.*


feed_id: 34b3d5d42f23d9d197a70a666f1b29d2
title: Oil and gas companies
uri: Oil-and-gas-companies
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#2_June_2021_%28Oil_and_gas_companies%29
content:
<p>

*Oil and Gas Companies Get Enormous Welfare,
<a href="https://www.exposedbycmd.org/2021/06/01/oil-and-gas-companies-get-enormous-welfare-still-lay-off-workers-and-enrich-executives/"> Still Lay Off Workers and Enrich Executives</a>.*
And they are "too busy" to testify at a congressional hearing.


feed_id: 9ae3549d4e690139434ac422f3eb7926
title: Opposition to military aid for Israel
uri: Opposition-to-military-aid-for-Israel
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#2_June_2021_%28Opposition_to_military_aid_for_Israel%29

content:
<p>

Israel's request for more military aid from the US faces <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2021/06/01/not-another-nickel-says-progressive-jewish-group-israel-plans-request-1-billion-more">opposition from
US Jews</a>, including Jewish Voice for Peace, and Senator Sanders. 
<p>
The US has offered aid to rebuild Gaza.  That influence over Gaza, plus
the influence the US has on Israel when it dares to use it, could be
sufficient to prevent more violence &mdash; if the US can also guide Israel
away from the apartheid and fanaticism that could spark violence.


feed_id: b0a6b9ed7f0a640bd2ff11ede629633d
title: Democracy at risk
uri: Democracy-at-risk
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#2_June_2021_%28Democracy_at_risk%29
content:
<p>

*[Republican] initiatives are transforming several
 states into political systems that <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2021/06/01/our-entire-democracy-now-risk-because-gop-attacks-warn-100-scholars">no longer meet the minimum conditions</a> for free and fair elections. Hence, our entire democracy is
now at risk.*


feed_id: 810114e5d7deb09d3fe9a6207bec1101
title: (satire) Removing mask straps for the first time
uri: (satire)-Removing-mask-straps-for-the-first-time
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#2_June_2021_%28%28satire%29_Removing_mask_straps_for_the_first_time%29

content:
<p>

(satire) *Couple Who Met During Pandemic <a href="https://www.theonion.com/couple-who-met-during-pandemic-tenderly-remove-each-oth-1846983744">Tenderly Remove Each Other’s Mask Straps For First Time</a>.*


feed_id: ba9907bf4313b325c45fc652cf235fc0
title: Tortured then charged with defamation
uri: Tortured-then-charged-with-defamation
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#3_June_2021_%28Tortured_then_charged_with_defamation%29

content:
<p>
Pakistan's army tortured journalist Asad Toor in his home,
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2021/jun/02/hamid-mir-journalists-speak-out-after-pakistani-vlogger-asad-toor-tortured">then charged him with "defaming" the government</a>.

<p>
The next step will be to explicitly criminalize criticism of the
government.


feed_id: 2a3f2b882c17194de16079b28269678e
title: Groupthink
uri: Groupthink
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#3_June_2021_%28Groupthink%29
content:
<p>
*By representing [UK government policy] failures as the outcome of the
psychological nature of groups, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2021/jun/02/covid-mistakes-groupthink-government-dominic-cummings">"groupthink" hides their political
basis</a>.*


feed_id: 783ffeb10c0c8ec0d2ad1627d5e5925a
title: TPP
uri: 2021-06-03-TPP
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#3_June_2021_%28TPP%29
content:
<p>
The Tories <a href="https://www.reuters.com/article/uk-britain-asia-trade/uk-gets-green-light-to-start-talks-on-joining-pacific-trade-deal-idUSKCN2DE0C0">want to put the UK into the TPP</a>.

<p>
That would imply subjecting it to the ISDN clause ("I sue democratic
states") <a href="https://stallman.org/business-supremacy-treaties.html">that gives foreign companies more rights than citizens</a>.

<p>
Australia has suffered greatly <a href="https://theconversation.com/when-even-winning-is-losing-the-surprising-cost-of-defeating-philip-morris-over-plain-packaging-114279">from the ISDS clauses</a>.


feed_id: 6099dbffe7380804b912c83ce7f272c7
title: Ship with toxic chemicals sinking
uri: Ship-with-toxic-chemicals-sinking
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#3_June_2021_%28Ship_with_toxic_chemicals_sinking%29
content:
<p>
A ship laden with chemicals, many of them more or less toxic,
is sinking near Sri Lanka and <a href="https://www.reuters.com/article/us-sri-lanka-ship/disaster-feared-as-chemical-cargo-ship-sinks-off-sri-lanka-idUSKCN2DE0JG">is likely to poison the wildlife
in that area</a>.
  The effects could last for decades.


feed_id: 62758cb2e0de1997dfae17331be00857
title: Suspending oil drilling leases
uri: Suspending-oil-drilling-leases
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#3_June_2021_%28Suspending_oil_drilling_leases%29
content:
<p>
*Biden suspends <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/jun/01/biden-suspends-oil-drilling-leases-alaska-arctic-refuge-trump-era">Trump-era oil drilling leases in Alaska’s Arctic refuge</a>.*

<p>
This is one step towards what we need for ecosurvival.  There is no room
in the carbon budget for additional fossil fuel infrastructure.  We need
to end the drilling world-wide.


feed_id: f473e8a33fe73f02de3bff20b5f76c4f
title: Key species at risk
uri: Key-species-at-risk
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#3_June_2021_%28Key_species_at_risk%29
content:
<p>
*Key species at risk <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/jun/02/key-species-at-risk-if-planet-heats-up-by-more-than-15c-report-finds">if planet heats up by more than 1.5C</a>.*

<p>
The loss of those species can upend ecosystems and thus cause havoc.


feed_id: 3fc2a336fc44afc6a21fc95ab439e978
title: Export of coal emissions
uri: Export-of-coal-emissions
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#3_June_2021_%28Export_of_coal_emissions%29
content:
<p>
*Emissions from coal mined in Australia but exported and burnt overseas
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/jun/02/australian-coal-burnt-overseas-creates-nearly-twice-the-nations-domestic-emissions">were almost double the nation’s domestic greenhouse gas footprint in
2020</a>.*

<p>
When coal is mined in country A and burnt in country B, which one is
responsible for those emissions?  Both share the responsibility, since
both work together to arrange to burn that coal.

<p>
If we had sufficient pressure to stop burning coal, country B would
stop buying it and stop burning it.  Country A would not be able to
prevent that.

<p>
But the world does not put enough pressure on country B to bring the
practice to an end; thus, pressure to stop mining the coal is needed
too.


feed_id: b12793061fecd1f503ecaa14c01b471f
title: Attacks on ambulance
uri: Attacks-on-ambulance
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#3_June_2021_%28Attacks_on_ambulance%29
content:
<p>
Since Covid-19, ambulance crews in the UK have been attacked enough
times <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/society/2021/jun/02/ambulance-crews-in-england-to-get-body-cameras-after-30-rise-in-assaults">that they will now wear body cameras to document the attacks</a>.

<p>
What's the cause of this, I wonder?


feed_id: a6c9eeec2a02b255f863edab2900d15f
title: Planning on destroying coral reefs
uri: Planning-on-destroying-coral-reefs
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#3_June_2021_%28Planning_on_destroying_coral_reefs%29

content:
<p>
When cruise ships start operating again, they plan to destroy coral reefs
around Gran Cayman Island <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2021/05/31/tourism-returns-we-cant-allow-cruise-companies-destroy-coral-reefs-profit">to build a bigger harbor and unload far more
tourists every day</a>.


feed_id: fc3d99df1ac8d73b138bf723061a94b9
title: Lobbying to kill right-to-repair
uri: Lobbying-to-kill-right-to-repair
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#3_June_2021_%28Lobbying_to_kill_right-to-repair%29
content:
<p>
Amazon, Apple, Google and Microsoft <a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2021-05-20/microsoft-and-apple-wage-war-on-gadget-right-to-repair-laws">are lobbying to kill right-to-repair bills
in many US states</a>.

<p>
Some of the arguments they use amount to, "We designed these products
to be tricky to repair," and the obvious response is, "You had better
not do that any more."

<p>
Looking at the information in the article from the standpoint of users'
freedom, we see that Chromebooks (some of them? all of them?) are designed
not to work unless it can spy on the user.


feed_id: d3281a0154e82d2b2059bee54d7e6007
title: Pharma companies lobbying
uri: Pharma-companies-lobbying
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#3_June_2021_%28Pharma_companies_lobbying%29
content:
<p>
Pharma companies spent $$44 million last year on lobbying EU countries,
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2021/06/01/watchdog-shines-light-big-pharmas-fierce-eu-lobbying-campaign-against-vaccine-patent">and much of it was to oppose generic vaccines</a>.


feed_id: 91cd89689f877dc57e0e17902f01f76d
title: No constructive action
uri: No-constructive-action
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#3_June_2021_%28No_constructive_action%29
content:
<p>
*At a Time When America Faces Cascading Crises, Republicans Just Say No* &mdash;
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2021/06/01/time-when-america-faces-cascading-crises-republicans-just-say-no">to every constructive action</a>.


feed_id: ace7783a750ee48e4b70c0bd63ae0987
title: Amazon rate of injury
uri: Amazon-rate-of-injury
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#3_June_2021_%28Amazon_rate_of_injury%29
content:
<p>
Amazon's harsh working conditions and workloads result in <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2021/06/01/primed-pain-new-report-shows-amazon-workers-injured-more-twice-industry-average">a rate
of injury 50% higher than in competing companies</a>.

<p>
Please don't buy from Amazon.  I refuse to buy from Amazon for my own
protection, because buying from Amazon entails being identified and
running nonfree software.  In addition, I boycott Amazon, so I ask
others, when they are getting anything for me, not to get it from
Amazon.

<p>
There's no harm in looking at products in Amazon's web site as long as
you've blocked it from identifying you or running nonfree software on
your machine.


feed_id: 340bc5b28fb6df52d477e41b799389b4
title: Keep precautions while vaccines are rolled out
uri: Keep-precautions-while-vaccines-are-rolled-out
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#3_June_2021_%28Keep_precautions_while_vaccines_are_rolled_out%29

content:
<p>
* &hellip;coronavirus infections, hospitalizations and deaths would
   continue to rise [in North Carolina] if pandemic precautions such
   as quarantine, school closures, social distancing and mask-wearing
   <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2021/06/01/health/pandemic-precautions-vaccination-impact/index.html">were lifted while vaccines were being rolled out</a>.*


feed_id: 99090ac269e9bd6f6a356d52e2eb5f3a
title: Business-supremacy treaties
uri: 2021-06-04-Business-supremacy-treaties
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#3_June_2021_%28Business-supremacy_treaties%29
content:
<p>
The British and Australian governments
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2021/may/30/alarm-at-secret-court-scheme-in-uk-australia-trade-deal">plan
to subject those two countries to a business-supremacy treaty</a>
which gives businesses direct power over what laws the countries can
have.
<p>
This would be implemented with an
<a href="https://stallman.org/business-supremacy-treaties.html">ISDS clause</a> ("I Sue
Democratic States") that would empower foreign businesses to sue the
state if it does anything that would reduce the profits those
businesses expect to make.
<p>
The advocates of taking the UK out of the European Union said that the
goal was to recover Britain's sovereignty.  I warned that the Tories
would 
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jul-oct.html#17_October_2016_(Unjust_domination)">give
that sovereignty to global business instead</a>, and now they are
about to do it.
<p>
Australia has 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2021/jun/01/a-clause-in-the-uk-australia-trade-deal-could-let-companies-sue-governments-we-have-been-here-before">bad
experiences with an ISDS clause</a>, and politicians should have
learned their lesson never to accept one again.  But the current
government of Australia is irredeemably plutocratist.


feed_id: 6e386c3d96bfe0d6b517c20349737d6a
title: Ringleader of Arizona Election Audit Circus
uri: Ringleader-of-Arizona-Election-Audit-Circus
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#4_June_2021_%28Ringleader_of_Arizona_Election_Audit_Circus%29

content:
<p>
*Top ALEC Official <a href="https://www.exposedbycmd.org/2021/06/02/top-alec-official-is-ringleader-of-arizona-election-audit-circus/">Is Ringleader of Arizona Election Audit Circus</a>.*


feed_id: d2b43a4227398aefd9310b6646806ee7
title: Artwork rejected for reference to Assange
uri: Artwork-rejected-for-reference-to-Assange
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#4_June_2021_%28Artwork_rejected_for_reference_to_Assange%29

content:
<p>
*Ai Weiwei accuses curators <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/2021/jun/02/ai-weiwei-accuses-curators-of-rejecting-artwork-over-julian-assange-content">of rejecting artwork over [a reference to]
Julian Assange</a>.*


feed_id: a474f1eec26841ded632a27d35fa9179
title: Arrestation of opposition candidate
uri: Arrestation-of-opposition-candidate
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#4_June_2021_%28Arrestation_of_opposition_candidate%29

content:
<p>
Nicaragua's dictatorial president Ortega has arrested the main opposition
candidate, Chamorro, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/jun/02/nicaragua-police-detain-opposition-leader-cristiana-chamorro">on charges of money laundering</a>.

<p>
It is not impossible that these charges could be valid, but it is
implausible.  Ms Chamorro has been under state harassment for many
years.  Would she take the risk of committing a real crime and giving
Ortega a valid reason to prosecute her?  Of course not.


feed_id: 57605ebc04486f918dbfe8dda6dc8865
title: New drive for vaccination
uri: New-drive-for-vaccination
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#4_June_2021_%28New_drive_for_vaccination%29
content:
<p>
Biden has announced a new drive <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/jun/02/joe-biden-covid-coronavirus-vaccine-americans-fourth-of-july">to vaccinate 70% of Americans against Covid-19</a>.

<p>
If this is achieved, uniformly over the population, the US will be at
or near herd immunity, safe against the disease.  Unless we encounter
a variant that is more transmissible, in which case herd immunity
would need a higher fraction to be vaccinated.


feed_id: 9aa6c0e67caded532b02033dbd4d485f
title: Opposition through street names
uri: Opposition-through-street-names
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#4_June_2021_%28Opposition_through_street_names%29
content:
<p>
The mayor of Budapest will demonstrate opposition to building a branch
of a Chinese university in Budapest <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/jun/03/free-hong-kong-road-budapest-renames-streets-to-frustrate-chinese-campus-plan">through street names China will
not like</a>.

<p>
I love this sort of mischievous hacktivism.  And I have a suggestion.

<p>
How about naming a plaza in the vicinity of the university site Tien
An Men Square?  Then they could have a rally for democracy (in China,
in Hungary, world-wide) every June 4.


feed_id: 0c488f3f1fe405e3588595a5683fa4f2
title: Special medical care
uri: Special-medical-care
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#4_June_2021_%28Special_medical_care%29
content:
<p>
Giving babies special medical care and education for five years
<a href="http://www.sci-news.com/biology/abecedarian-project-learning-adult-brain-structure-09717.html">resulted in visible increases in the size of some brain regions at age
40</a>.


feed_id: 4d34213dc0c8cbb52e30b1170a71f8de
title: Nuclear fission power plant
uri: Nuclear-fission-power-plant
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#4_June_2021_%28Nuclear_fission_power_plant%29
content:
<p>
Two billionaires want to build <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/jun/03/bill-gates-warren-buffett-new-nuclear-reactor-wyoming-natrium">a molten-salt nuclear fission power
plant using US government money</a>.

<p>
I am skeptical of the claim that this would be "clean" energy.  It would
not emit greenhouse gases, but it would create radioactive material.


feed_id: 1d2ea7b3f2f5f9f803988d170722c234
title: Financial side-effects
uri: Financial-side-effects
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#4_June_2021_%28Financial_side-effects%29
content:
<p>
Many Americans refuse Covid-19 vaccination <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2021/06/01/fear-surprise-bills-contributing-vaccine-hesitancy-us">because they fear it would
cause them financial side-effects</a>.

<p>
When properly understood, that concern is a reason to get vaccinated
as soon as you can.  Vaccination is gratis, but if you get a severe
case of Covid-19, treatment is not.

<p>
However, the US needs to do a better job of showing everyone that
vaccination is gratis.


feed_id: 59c9a15c74bcdeb1d1085586c60277f9
title: Price of medical data
uri: Price-of-medical-data
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#4_June_2021_%28Price_of_medical_data%29
content:
<p>
*Revealed: NHS England bosses meet with tech and pharmaceutical giants
<a href="https://www.theregister.com/2019/12/12/nhs_england_database/">to discuss price list of millions of Brits' medical data</a>.*

<p>
The data would be "anonymized", but we know that it is easy to
identify most of the "anonymized" individuals <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#5_February_2018_(Data_anonymization)">given several data
about each one</a>.

<p>
The NHS has no inherent need to sell anyone access to data about its
patients.  The illusion of a need comes from the Tory policy of
starving the NHS of funds, <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#10_December_2019_(Future_of_Health_Service)">since 2019</a>,
  which I believe is intended to lead to privatizing the NHS
and thus effectively destroying it.

<p>
<img src="media/62a79bb0.anuran-bevan.jpg" data-original-source="https://stallman.org/images/anuran-bevan.jpg" alt="cartoon" />

<p>
Tories now plan to include this in a business-supremacy treaty with
the US, so that future UK governments would have their hands tied.


feed_id: cb00d02f53435cdd68ddf16692bfb324
title: Not trying
uri: Not-trying
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#4_June_2021_%28Not_trying%29
content:
<p>
*"DOJ Antitrust is run by people promoted under Trump/Barr!"*, and
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2021/06/01/critics-warn-bidens-antitrust-vacancies-threaten-vows-rein-big-tech">they are not trying to restrain monopolies</a>.


feed_id: 865078a38015f4447ede4f9ab874f0bd
title: Green new deal
uri: Green-new-deal
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#4_June_2021_%28Green_new_deal%29
content:
<p>
The EU's Green New Deal has many fundamental flaws.  <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2021/06/01/dont-be-fooled-european-green-deal-isnt-all-its-cracked-be">Here they are</a>.


feed_id: ef2cb0c618237ed1a2d0030a7b09268d
title: Oxygen in lakes
uri: Oxygen-in-lakes
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#4_June_2021_%28Oxygen_in_lakes%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#global heating">Global heating</a> is causing the level of oxygen in lakes to decrease &mdash;
by 20% so far.  This endangers wildlife <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/jun/02/climate-crisis-is-suffocating-the-worlds-lakes-study-finds">and can taint drinking water</a>.


feed_id: ffdb0e1661dc8bc95ea48fb55deda2d0
title: Harm to 16-25 years old
uri: Harm-to-16-25-years-old
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#4_June_2021_%28Harm_to_16-25_years_old%29
content:
<p>
For Europeans 16-25 years old, Covid-19 has caused great harm to their
lives.  2/3 of them <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/jun/02/a-sacrificed-generation-psychological-scars-of-covid-on-young-may-have-lasting-impact">are at risk of depression</a>.


feed_id: 665eb628e98b0dea47679bd8ff2332e6
title: Billions more to fossil fuel
uri: Billions-more-to-fossil-fuel
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#4_June_2021_%28Billions_more_to_fossil_fuel%29
content:
<p>
*G7 nations committing <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/jun/02/g7-nations-committing-billions-more-to-fossil-fuel-than-green-energy">billions more to fossil fuel than green energy</a>.*


feed_id: 9ad3273f2131c9832891f19022d7de59
title: Microwave weapons
uri: Microwave-weapons
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#4_June_2021_%28Microwave_weapons%29
content:
<p>
*Microwave weapons <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/science/2021/jun/02/microwave-weapons-havana-syndrome-experts">that could cause Havana Syndrome exist</a>, experts say.*


feed_id: 0424eff251f86f7c3c0510de17af1694
title: Cloudy digital services
uri: 2021-06-04-Cloudy-digital-services
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#1_June_2021_%28Cloudy_digital_services%29
content:
<p>

It's foolish for anyone to entrust secrets to cloudy digital
"services".  It's especially foolish when these secrets concern
<a href="https://www.bellingcat.com/news/2021/05/28/us-soldiers-expose-nuclear-weapons-secrets-via-flashcard-apps/">guarding or accessing nuclear weapons</a>, but that doesn't mean you ought to make the same mistake.

<p>
The guards should use one of the free/libre programs for flashcard
learning &mdash; some are listed in
the <a href="https://directory.fsf.org/">free software directory</a>.
They won't send anything to remote servers unless you ask them to.


feed_id: 7ffbc35bc1f962929844d418f26c9feb
title: Severity of greenhouse emissions
uri: Severity-of-greenhouse-emissions
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#5_June_2021_%28Severity_of_greenhouse_emissions%29
content:
<p>
All of humanity is under attack by the greenhouse emissions that
humanity makes.
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2021/jun/03/media-climate-change-crisis-emergency">Television
news fails</a> to show the severity of this.


feed_id: bf30ec39d56709a90a488f4c6d938788
title: Denmark law to deport asylum seekers
uri: Denmark-law-to-deport-asylum-seekers
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#5_June_2021_%28Denmark_law_to_deport_asylum_seekers%29

content:
<p>
*Denmark agrees
<a href="https://www.reuters.com/article/us-denmark-immigration/denmark-agrees-law-to-deport-asylum-seekers-outside-europe-idUSKCN2DF10I">law
to deport asylum seekers outside Europe</a>.*
<p>
This sounds somewhat like the horrible things that Australia has done.


feed_id: ffa966b878b80d165f64055974478ce8
title: Filibuster and voting rights laws
uri: Filibuster-and-voting-rights-laws
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#5_June_2021_%28Filibuster_and_voting_rights_laws%29
content:
<p>
Biden is
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/jun/03/joe-biden-voting-rights-legislation">raising
the pressure on senators Manchin and Sinema</a> to eliminate the
filibuster and pass voting rights laws.


feed_id: 36d2f30a8aac83e21851aeeb960a76c9
title: US promise to stop spying on allies
uri: US-promise-to-stop-spying-on-allies
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#5_June_2021_%28US_promise_to_stop_spying_on_allies%29

content:
<p>
Norway says that in 2014 it objected to US spying on allies, and the
US
<a href="https://www.reuters.com/article/us-denmark-defence-norway/u-s-says-it-stopped-spying-on-allies-in-2014-says-norway-pm-idUSKCN2DF1UB">promised
it would stop</a>.


feed_id: 87bd07e5ab108f8cd69c2e7423fd8a71
title: Climate tipping points
uri: 2021-06-05-Climate-tipping-points
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#5_June_2021_%28Climate_tipping_points%29
content:
<p>
*Climate tipping points
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/jun/03/climate-tipping-points-could-topple-like-dominoes-warn-scientists">could
topple like dominoes</a>, warn scientists.*


feed_id: ac73dd5ba13a61e1f8c8b8aa3059b6d2
title: "Delta" variant of Covid-19
uri: Delta-variant-of-Covid-19
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#5_June_2021_%28Delta_variant_of_Covid-19%29
content:
<p>
The Indian "delta" variant of Covid-19 is twice as likely to cause a
severe case that requires hospitalization.  It also
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/jun/03/india-covid-variant-may-increase-risk-of-hospital-admission-early-data-suggests">spreads
more easily</a>.  This is evolution at work.
<p>
The article does not state anything quantitative about effectiveness
of vaccines against it.


feed_id: 68a96c2a903b7fc9954fdf53dca94b61
title: Blasphemy conviction overturned
uri: Blasphemy-conviction-overturned
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#5_June_2021_%28Blasphemy_conviction_overturned%29
content:
<p>
*Pakistan court
<a href="https://www.reuters.com/article/us-pakistan-blasphemy-acquittal/pakistan-court-overturns-blasphemy-conviction-of-christian-couple-idUSKCN2DF20P">overturns
blasphemy conviction</a> of Christian couple.*


feed_id: 92131d2dc6cee5ba6cf4e3ba785a1968
title: Urgent: Cancel student debt now
uri: Urgent-Cancel-student-debt-now
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#5_June_2021_%28Urgent%3A_Cancel_student_debt_now%29
content:
<p>
US citizens:
<a href="http://act.democracyforamerica.com/sign/Cancel_Student_Debt_Now/">call
on Biden</a> to cancel student debt now. At least some of it!


feed_id: b2b0179ddc63673ba5b55d5238aae303
title: Urgent: Reduce military spending
uri: Urgent-Reduce-military-spending
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#5_June_2021_%28Urgent%3A_Reduce_military_spending%29

content:
<p>
US citizens:
<a href="https://act.winwithoutwar.org/act/more-money-for-weapons-and-war">call
on Congress</a> to reduce military spending.


feed_id: d999891891c457968d9faca8d97ed40a
title: Voter-suppression measures in Texas voting bill
uri: Voter-suppression-measures-in-Texas-voting-bill
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#5_June_2021_%28Voter-suppression_measures_in_Texas_voting_bill%29

content:
<p>
A long list of
<a href="https://www.cnn.com/2021/06/02/politics/fact-check-texas-elections-bill-voting-sb7-republicans-abbott/index.html">voter-suppression
measures in the Texas Republican voting bill</a> that Democrats
recently blocked.


feed_id: e751370c7325ff073be6573019e9bf9b
title: US defending exploitation by tech companies
uri: US-defending-exploitation-by-tech-companies
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#5_June_2021_%28US_defending_exploitation_by_tech_companies%29

content:
<p>
The US is
<a href="https://www.cnn.com/2021/06/02/tech/ustr-digital-services-tariffs/index.html">threatening
trade sanctions against countries that tax tech platforms on their
revenue in those countries</a>.
<p>
The US proposal for subdividing international taxation would be a step
forward, but it is wrong to use the nation's power to defend those
companies' exploitation.
<p>
<a href="https://stallman.org/facebook.html">Facebook, Google, and Amazon, etc</a>
mistreat their "users"; I say that Facebook does not have users, only
useds.


feed_id: 516602e962179c140c08a1540a92736b
title: Canceling joint climate action plan with China
uri: Canceling-joint-climate-action-plan-with-China
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#5_June_2021_%28Canceling_joint_climate_action_plan_with_China%29

content:
<p>
Schumer's bill to focus on China as a threat
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2021/06/02/schumers-anti-china-bill-sacrifices-climate-empire">would
cancel the joint climate action plan that Kerry has negotiated</a>.
<p>
China's growing power, and its practice of using that to build an
empire of repression, is a threat to the world.  However, the actions
we can take to defend against that are mostly in specific areas of
activity.  <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#global heating">Global heating</a> is also a threat to the world.  We should be
able to work together on climate defense.


feed_id: 8165e85979f7e401fa453df661d4b700
title: (satire) Feinstein considers eliminating filibuster
uri: (satire)-Feinstein-considers-eliminating-filibuster
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#5_June_2021_%28%28satire%29_Feinstein_considers_eliminating_filibuster%29

content:
<p>
(satire) *Dianne Feinstein
<a href="https://www.theonion.com/dianne-feinstein-considers-eliminating-filibuster-over-1846993952">Considers
Eliminating Filibuster Over Upcoming Vote On Smoot-Hawley Tariff</a>.*


feed_id: 44a635f346292e375d881ed26739a76b
title: Renewable resources in America
uri: Renewable-resources-in-America
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#5_June_2021_%28Renewable_resources_in_America%29
content:
<p>
*America Has
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2021/06/03/america-has-more-enough-renewable-resources-meet-all-its-energy-needs-says-report">More
Than Enough Renewable Resources to Meet All of Its Energy Needs</a>,
Says Report.*


feed_id: 1ba0fafc72d532ede1ebfea64114234f
title: Corruption wins in Indonesia
uri: Corruption-wins-in-Indonesia
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#5_June_2021_%28Corruption_wins_in_Indonesia%29
content:
<p>
Indonesia's
<a href="https://www.reuters.com/article/us-indonesia-corruption/indonesian-graft-agency-could-be-doomed-says-sacked-investigator-idUSKCN2DF0Y4">leading
anti-corruption investigator has been fired</a>, and says it is
because corruption has won.


feed_id: c1205bd57b45a70e1859ea8243068f7f
title: China setting up internet for African countries
uri: China-setting-up-internet-for-African-countries
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#5_June_2021_%28China_setting_up_internet_for_African_countries%29

content:
<p>
China is setting up the internet for many African countries, and China
is reportedly
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2021/jun/03/chinas-splinternet-blockchain-state-control-of-cyberspace">implementing
a different architecture that allows it to monitor and control all
usage</a>.


feed_id: 369ae82bd856c236a5621df3a7cbe131
title: Concentration of book publishing through mergers
uri: Concentration-of-book-publishing-through-mergers
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#5_June_2021_%28Concentration_of_book_publishing_through_mergers%29

content:
<p>
*‘If publishers become afraid, we’re in trouble’:
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/books/2021/jun/03/if-publishers-become-afraid-were-in-trouble-publishings-cancel-culture-debate-boils-over">publishing’s
cancel culture debate</a> boils over.*
<p>
40 years ago there were many substantial independent publishers with
distribution to bookstores.  If a few refused to publish a book, it
could still reach the public.  Nowadays there are four large
publishing empires (or is it now just three?).  It is easy to keep a
book from reaching bookstores.
<p>
The concentration of book publishing results from plutocratist
policies which continue to allow mergers in nearly all industries.
<p>
We need to deconcentrate industry, to make the large companies split up
into many competing pieces.  My
<a href="https://stallman.org/articles/progressive-tax-on-business-gross-income.html">tax
proposal</a> is a way to do this without needing a lot of lawsuits.


feed_id: aef69d557b417b247cbb1b7cd55cab49
title: Apple shifts more production to China
uri: Apple-shifts-more-production-to-China
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#5_June_2021_%28Apple_shifts_more_production_to_China%29

content:
<p>
In 2021, Apple has been
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2021/jun/03/apple-uses-more-suppliers-from-china-than-taiwan-for-first-time-data-shows">shifting
more production to China</a>.


feed_id: 8d2b46ce3bc407eeb3b585ff81d7a5de
title: Giant redwood trees destroyed by fire
uri: Giant-redwood-trees-destroyed-by-fire
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#5_June_2021_%28Giant_redwood_trees_destroyed_by_fire%29

content:
<p>
A fire in 2020 seems to have destroyed
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/jun/02/sequoias-destroyed-california-castle-fire">1/10
of the world's giant redwood trees</a>.
<p>
The fire's intensity was partly due to human fire-suppression
activity.  We could prevent wildfires from being intense enough to
damage those trees by doing a lot more controlled burns, but that is
easier said than done.  It is hard to keep a controlled burn under
control in times of deep drought, and even harder when flammable
debris has accumulated.
<p>
It would make sense to grow more giant redwood groves in widely
separated places.


feed_id: a51460608df819e98f7d57a20eeb442e
title: Israeli progressive talking about 'apartheid'
uri: Israeli-progressive-talking-about-apartheid
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#5_June_2021_%28Israeli_progressive_talking_about_apartheid%29

content:
<p>
*Why Israeli progressives have
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2021/jun/03/israeli-apartheid-israel-jewish-supremacy-occupied-territories">started
to talk about ‘apartheid’</a>.*


feed_id: 68bcc06d0b7b857218b98466993e9238
title: Russia to extradite exile
uri: Russia-to-extradite-exile
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#5_June_2021_%28Russia_to_extradite_exile%29
content:
<p>
Russia will extradite a Belarusian exile to Belarus, who is charged
with protesting and is
<a href="https://www.reuters.com/article/us-belarus-politics-extradition/belarusian-protester-fights-extradition-from-russia-idUSKCN2DF0GG">likely
to be tortured there</a>.
<p>
This is not surprising given that Putin is fundamentally similar to
Lukashenko in his contempt for opposition and dissent.


feed_id: e457d6185e802063a05700af0b5e097a
title: Persecution of leakers
uri: Persecution-of-leakers
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#5_June_2021_%28Persecution_of_leakers%29
content:
<p>
*Trump justice department
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/jun/03/trump-justice-department-secretly-obtained-new-york-times-reporters-phone-records-paper-says">secretly
obtained New York Times reporters’ phone records</a>, paper says.*
<p>
This was, of course, a hunt for leakers (whistleblowers).  The US
should stop persecuting leakers, because they serve the public.


feed_id: 0ac9aa086c7237871cac65ef01c3d67d
title: Why governments should keep spending
uri: Why-governments-should-keep-spending
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#5_June_2021_%28Why_governments_should_keep_spending%29

content:
<p>
*Why governments
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2021/jun/03/governments-worrying-about-inflation-damage-recovery">should
keep spending</a>, and stop worrying about inflation.*
<p>
We are still in a slump, and the way to end a slump is with deficit
spending.
<p>
However, we should stop putting government funds into fossil fuel
development and
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2021/06/03/new-report-america-verge-renewable-future">move
it all to renewable energy</a>.
<p>
The only obstacle to a renewable energy future is that governments
still put their money into civilization-killing fossil fuels.


feed_id: fb07c001d30e9eed5c15e342ebd1216b
title: Arab party endorses annexationist as PM of Israel
uri: Arab-party-endorses-annexationist-as-PM-of-Israel
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#5_June_2021_%28Arab_party_endorses_annexationist_as_PM_of_Israel%29

content:
<p>
An Arab party has
<a href="https://www.reuters.com/article/uk-israel-politics-islamist-abbas/arab-islamist-helps-clinch-israels-new-anti-netanyahu-government-idUSKCN2DF0XB">endorsed
right-wing annexationist Naftali Bennett as prime minister of
Israel</a>.  Without the Arab party, Bennett would lose his majority.
This may restrain him from passing new unjust laws.


feed_id: 57a772bf54716c98758e23d06edc53f5
title: TPP
uri: 2021-06-06-TPP
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#3_June_2021_%28TPP%29
content:
<p>
The Tories <a href="https://www.reuters.com/article/uk-britain-asia-trade/uk-gets-green-light-to-start-talks-on-joining-pacific-trade-deal-idUSKCN2DE0C0">want to put the UK into the TPP</a>.

<p>
That would imply subjecting it to the ISDS clause ("I sue democratic
states") <a href="https://stallman.org/business-supremacy-treaties.html">that gives foreign companies more rights than citizens</a>.

<p>
Australia has suffered greatly <a href="https://theconversation.com/when-even-winning-is-losing-the-surprising-cost-of-defeating-philip-morris-over-plain-packaging-114279">from the ISDS clauses</a>.


feed_id: e15b4f8465ab41ccca8e7e1924ce1f69
title: Urgent: End filibuster and pass For the People Act
uri: Urgent-End-filibuster-and-pass-For-the-People-Act
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#6_June_2021_%28Urgent%3A_End_filibuster_and_pass_For_the_People_Act%29

content:
<p>
US citizens:
<a href="https://act.pfaw.org/sign/end-filibuster-pass-for-the-people-act/">call
on the Senate</a> to end the filibuster and pass the For the People
Act.


feed_id: b7d8ca1139cd1ee12ba3d59da549e64d
title: Commemoration of Tiananmen Square massacre
uri: Commemoration-of-Tiananmen-Square-massacre
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#6_June_2021_%28Commemoration_of_Tiananmen_Square_massacre%29

content:
<p>
Han Dongfang
<a href="https://www.reuters.com/article/us-hongkong-tiananmen-handongfang/hong-kong-not-dead-yet-says-tiananmen-veteran-taking-lone-stand-in-park-for-june-4-vigil-idUSKCN2DG17P">commemorated
the Tiananmen Square massacre alone in Hong Kong</a>.  He lived through that massacre in 1989 and will not stop resisting.
"Before your last breath, don’t tell yourself you are dead."
<p>
*Residents light candles, lay flowers and paint messages as
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/jun/04/hong-kong-finds-new-ways-to-remember-tiananmen-square-amid-vigil-ban">police
enforce ban on annual vigil for massacre</a>.*


feed_id: 316212f950b3cfd1b1dc0449eef189e8
title: Vaccine production
uri: Vaccine-production
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#6_June_2021_%28Vaccine_production%29
content:
<p>
The EU has
<a href="https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-eu-vaccine/resisting-patent-waiver-eu-submits-vaccine-plan-to-wto-idUSKCN2DG13P">proposed
"we'll try a little harder" as a substitute for unlocking vaccine
production</a>.
<p>
The point at the end about the existing WTO for compulsory licensing
of patents is true (though countries including the US
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2012-jan-apr.html#14_March_2012_(Patent_License)">have
pressured countries not to do this</a>), but it is fundamentally
inadequate because it only allows a country to make vaccine for its
own use.  Most countries, other than big economies, can't do their own
vaccine manufacturing.  The bigger and more capable countries must be
allowed to make vaccine for the smaller/poorer countries.
<p>
Globally, the world has to choose between efficiency (and profit), and
finishing the job of vaccinating everyone quickly.

The efficient way to vaccinate everyone is to make just enough vaccine
plants, then run them until they make enough vaccine for everyone.
That costs less but will take a long time.

The rapid way is to keep building vaccine plants, so that the
production will accelerate.  This way, we will get enough vaccine to
vaccinate everyone, sooner.
<p>
The drawback is that many of those vaccine plants won't run for a
whole year.  The expense of running them may seem wasteful.  Private
companies would call it wasteful, but so would the governments that
have to pay to get them running.  "Why be in such a rush", they will
argue.  "We have enough plants now &mdash; be patient and you'll all
get vaccine."
<p>
However, while billions of people are "being patient", tens or
hundreds of millions of them will be patients, and millions of them
might die from Covid-19.
<p>
In addition, the virus might mutate and become even more dangerous
than the Delta and Kappa variants are now.  They might kill hundreds
of millions of people.
<p>
Producing vaccine as fast as we can until the job is finished
is worth the cost.


feed_id: c106452350dc85f244e76b72768c2d20
title: EU bans Belarus plans from EU airspace
uri: EU-bans-Belarus-plans-from-EU-airspace
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#6_June_2021_%28EU_bans_Belarus_plans_from_EU_airspace%29

content:
<p>
The EU has
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/jun/04/eu-bans-belarus-planes-from-its-airspace-over-blogger-raman-pratasevich-arrest">banned
Belarus planes from EU airspace</a>, and orders its planes not to fly
over Belarus.
<p>
What about planes registered in other countries &mdash; the UK, for
instance?  Should the EU allow UK planes flying to or from EU cities
to cross Belarus?


feed_id: be8b8f04a58ae3f31355dff6e91f3af4
title: Restoring ecosystems
uri: Restoring-ecosystems
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#6_June_2021_%28Restoring_ecosystems%29
content:
<p>
*<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/jun/04/soils-great-pressure-un-pollution-report-food-farming-mining">World's
soils "under great pressure"</a>, says UN pollution report.*
<p>
*UN Agencies
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2021/06/03/un-agencies-call-decade-restoring-ecosystems-confront-biodiversity-and-climate">Call
for a Decade of Restoring Ecosystems</a> to Confront Biodiversity and
Climate Emergencies.*
<p>
*World
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/jun/03/rewild-on-massive-scale-to-heal-nature-and-climate-says-un-decade-on-ecosystem-restoration-aoe">must
rewild on massive scale</a> to heal nature and climate, says UN.*
<p>
Rewilding is often a difficult task, and in some cases nobody knows a
way to make it successful.  We can't count on being able to duplicate
an ecosystem that has been eliminated in a place, not even if that
ecosystem still exists elsewhere.  And even less, if it does not.


feed_id: f6901199be71cb3baee6e43308f767f0
title: Jailing of opposition leader in Nicaragua
uri: Jailing-of-opposition-leader-in-Nicaragua
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#6_June_2021_%28Jailing_of_opposition_leader_in_Nicaragua%29

content:
<p>
Dissident leaders in Nicaragua
<a href="https://www.reuters.com/article/us-nicaragua-politics/calls-grow-for-strike-in-nicaragua-after-opposition-leader-detained-idUSKCN2DF2BU">call
for a general strike</a> to protest the jailing of the opposition
leader.


feed_id: 0db262c917fc911ae8f554973724b08f
title: Multinational tax havens
uri: Multinational-tax-havens
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#6_June_2021_%28Multinational_tax_havens%29
content:
<p>
EU agrees to
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/business/2021/jun/02/eu-agrees-to-force-multinationals-to-disclose-tax-piling-pressure-on-uk">compel
multinationals to publish how much tax they pay in each EU country and
in some non-EU countries</a> (though some of the biggest tax havens
are missing from that list).
<p>
For countries that charge businesses no tax, will they be required to
publish how much of their income flows through them?
<p>
*Microsoft Irish subsidiary
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/jun/03/microsoft-irish-subsidiary-paid-zero-corporate-tax-on-220bn-profit-last-year">paid
zero corporate tax on £220bn profit</a> last year.*
<p>
This subsidiary is only nominally Irish, since it "pays taxes" in
Bermuda, and it sucks in money from around the world.


feed_id: 697ea254b88c0ac4e4d6a9ef46fbc794
title: Texas governor threatens child care facilities
uri: Texas-governor-threatens-child-care-facilities
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#6_June_2021_%28Texas_governor_threatens_child_care_facilities%29

content:
<p>
The Republican motto is "Say it with cruelty."  The governor of Texas
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2021/06/02/unfathomable-cruelty-texas-order-would-revoke-licenses-child-care-facilities-housing">plans
to cancel the licenses of the child care facilities that take care of
immigrant minors</a>, trying to compel the federal government to keep
them in prisons instead.
<p>
The federal government could transport them to new facilities outside
Texas.  But Texas is big, so they would need to spend a long time in a
bus, exposed to catching Covid-19 from each other.


feed_id: f9fdbb0024d6de8c67725bec9a8896e8
title: Business-supremacy treaties
uri: 2021-06-07-Business-supremacy-treaties
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#6_June_2021_%28Business-supremacy_treaties%29
content:
<p>
If governments agree to liberate manufacture of vaccines,
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2021/06/03/corporations-should-not-have-power-undermine-global-efforts-vaccinate-people">companies
could sue them</a> using
<a href="https://stallman.org/business-supremacy-treaties.html">business-supremacy
treaties</a>.  "You're not allowed to save lives if that reduces our
profits," is the motto of plutocracy.


feed_id: 0b49edb4c2a93faaaa3731d962846a69
title: Feral driverless car
uri: Feral-driverless-car
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#6_June_2021_%28Feral_driverless_car%29
content:
<p>
(satire) *Homeowner
<a href="https://www.theonion.com/homeowner-shoos-away-feral-driverless-car-rooting-aroun-1847026293">Shoos
Away Feral Driverless Car</a> Rooting Around Garage.*


feed_id: 2bfe4891070de7833a06f74be78659ad
title: Congress takes field trip to Goldman Sachs
uri: Congress-takes-field-trip-to-Goldman-Sachs
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#6_June_2021_%28Congress_takes_field_trip_to_Goldman_Sachs%29

content:
<p>
(satire) *Congress Takes Field Trip To Goldman Sachs
<a href="https://www.theonion.com/congress-takes-field-trip-to-goldman-sachs-to-learn-how-1846994562">To
Learn How Laws Get Made</a>.*


feed_id: cf1d2198e23efaf585854c9c4f3bc0b4
title: Supreme Court limits breadth of CFAA
uri: Supreme-Court-limits-breadth-of-CFAA
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#6_June_2021_%28Supreme_Court_limits_breadth_of_CFAA%29

content:
<p>
The Supreme Court limited the breadth of the Computer Fraud and Abuse
Act, ruling that
<a href="https://www.cnn.com/2021/06/03/politics/supreme-court-cybercrime-law-case/index.html">accessing
data for invalid purposes was not a violation</a>.
<p>
This was the right decision.  Justice Thomas was confused in his
arguments.  It should be prohibited to pull a fire alarm when there is
no file &mdash; and it is prohibited, by another law, one which has
nothing to do with using a digital system.  The CFAA should not apply.


feed_id: 4f7cf1e645cd01d050a76c60cc854d22
title: Giving every US household hundreds of dollars
uri: Giving-every-US-household-hundreds-of-dollars
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#6_June_2021_%28Giving_every_US_household_hundreds_of_dollars%29

content:
<p>
The recent experiment in giving every US household hundreds of dollars 
showed that this made a
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2021/06/02/just-give-people-money-study-finds-covid-survival-checks-reduced-food-insecurity">big
help in easing poverty</a>.  So let's do it every year.


feed_id: 45a367b8a2908bb1b4cc858c392340da
title: Valedictorian condemns Texas anti-abortion law
uri: Valedictorian-condemns-Texas-anti-abortion-law
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#6_June_2021_%28Valedictorian_condemns_Texas_anti-abortion_law%29

content:
<p>
Paxton Smith, high school valedictorian,
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2021/06/02/dallas-high-school-valedictorian-scraps-approved-speech-speak-out-against-states">focused
her speech on condemning the new Texas anti-abortion law</a>.


feed_id: 5e8ca343c2f31e9f8659cfc41133c86e
title: Amazon's gratuitous drug testing of employees
uri: Amazon-s-gratuitous-drug-testing-of-employees
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#6_June_2021_%28Amazons_gratuitous_drug_testing_of_employees%29

content:
<p>
Amazon has
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2021/06/02/drug-policy-alliance-statement-amazon-committing-no-longer-test-most-employees">cancelled
its policy</a> of gratuitous drug testing of employees.
<p>
This is a change for the better, but Amazon continues to
mistreat
<a href="https://stallman.org/amazon.html">its staff and its customers</a> so I won't
start buying there because of this change.
<p>
Many large companies have this policy of harassment.  Drug testing is
part of the war on drugs, and it's not a good solution to real
problems.
<p>
For employees such as drivers whose ability to concentrate is crucial
for safe work, it is better to test their concentration and reflexes
each day than to test them for drugs once in a while.


feed_id: a24ab6297415addac9cc8cc925c6a37c
title: Workers pushed into poverty by pandemic
uri: Workers-pushed-into-poverty-by-pandemic
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#6_June_2021_%28Workers_pushed_into_poverty_by_pandemic%29

content:
<p>
*UN Labor Agency Finds Pandemic Pushed
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2021/06/02/un-labor-agency-finds-pandemic-pushed-over-100-million-workers-poverty">Over
100 Million Workers</a> Into Poverty.*


feed_id: 110fc422d3258200933f871b96ccbda7
title: Pentagon understates number of civilians killed
uri: Pentagon-understates-number-of-civilians-killed
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#6_June_2021_%28Pentagon_understates_number_of_civilians_killed%29

content:
<p>
The Pentagon
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2021/06/02/biden-joins-long-line-presidents-woefully-undercount-civilians-killed-us-wars">continues
understating the number of civilians killed by US military
operations</a>.  It
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2012-sep-dec.html#09_December_2012_(Taliban_reportedly_use_children_in_combat)">tends
to call casualties "enemy combatants" regardless of facts</a>.


feed_id: 49f20e2d7c3a4d4f0f914cab139cf924
title: Right-wing Americans more likely to believe fake news
uri: Right-wing-Americans-more-likely-to-believe-fake-news
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#6_June_2021_%28Right-wing_Americans_more_likely_to_believe_fake_news%29

content:
<p>
A study found that right-wing Americans are
<a href="https://www.cnn.com/2021/06/02/health/conservatives-false-news-study/index.html">more
likely to believe fake news</a>.  Also, that right-wing viral stories
tend to be fake.


feed_id: 3f6bb559efd25e610481ff115acb142c
title: Tank man on Bing
uri: Tank-man-on-Bing
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#7_June_2021_%28Tank_man_on_Bing%29
content:
<p>
*Microsoft blocks Bing <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2021/jun/04/microsoft-bing-tiananmen-tank-man-results">from showing image results for Tiananmen "tank man"</a>.*

<p>
If you support Chinese censorship, Microsoft, move to China!


feed_id: 857ad52d6421db341c559077e12941f3
title: Condemning occupation policies
uri: Condemning-occupation-policies
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#7_June_2021_%28Condemning_occupation_policies%29
content:
<p>
Even Zionists <a href="https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2021/6/2/2033345/-Opposition-to-Israeli-Policy-is-Not-Anti-Semitism">can condemn Israel's occupation policies</a>.


feed_id: 9836b8470680dfd1fdcfbe0ae5c40372
title: Ceasing to treat abortion as taboo
uri: Ceasing-to-treat-abortion-as-taboo
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#7_June_2021_%28Ceasing_to_treat_abortion_as_taboo%29

content:
<p>
US movies are ceasing to treat abortion as taboo, ceasing to present
female characters <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/film/2021/jun/02/plan-b-unpregnant-movies-us-reproductive-rights">who find abortion too stressful to go through with</a>.


feed_id: d810e6a12d087620e7227fc38fc97a82
title: SARS-CoV-2 spreads by aerosols
uri: SARS-CoV-2-spreads-by-aerosols
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#7_June_2021_%28SARS-CoV-2_spreads_by_aerosols%29
content:
<p>
It turns out that SARS-CoV-2 spreads by aerosols &mdash; <a href="https://www.wired.com/story/the-teeny-tiny-scientific-screwup-that-helped-covid-kill/">usually not
travelling a long distance, but it can do so</a>.


feed_id: 79aa4c2da2fc81f29ed2b5f529cfc93a
title: Coping booth
uri: Coping-booth
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#7_June_2021_%28Coping_booth%29
content:
<p>
Some Amazon warehouses provide a booth which a staff person can get
into for some sort of help in coping <a href="https://www.vice.com/en/article/wx5nmw/amazon-introduces-tiny-zenbooths-for-stressed-out-warehouse-workers">with the pressure of working in
an Amazon warehouse</a>.

<p>
I suspect Amazon will keep track of what employees say and do while in
the booth, and use that as well as other profiling that information to
decide how to pressure them and whether to fire them.


feed_id: e3448c66d33a8a7589e5488a4f1ecc3c
title: Thug lying
uri: Thug-lying
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#7_June_2021_%28Thug_lying%29
content:
<p>
A thug involved in killing Ronald Greene lied about what the <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thugs</a> had
done, <a href="https://www.startribune.com/ap-top-cop-in-black-mans-deadly-arrest-withheld-cam-video/600060706/">then falsely claimed not to have any body camera footage</a>.
  Officials including the governor participated in the coverup.

<p>
Somehow, that body camera footage showed up recently.  I am curious how.


feed_id: 1e99cb2eea0266ffd93370b13dcdb749
title: Transformational action
uri: Transformational-action
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#7_June_2021_%28Transformational_action%29
content:
<p>
*126 Nobel Laureates Warn '<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2021/06/03/126-nobel-laureates-issue-urgent-call-ahead-g7-summit-demanding-decade-action-combat">Humanity Taking Colossal Risks With Our Common
Future</a>'*.
  They say that "transformational action this decade" is absolutely necessary.


feed_id: 1ca19dba0d1e53c3dad8edc4628a201e
title: Police and mental health calls
uri: Police-and-mental-health-calls
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#7_June_2021_%28Police_and_mental_health_calls%29
content:
<p>
*More than a dozen cities push <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2021/06/04/us/police-alternate-response-mental-health/index.html">to minimize or even eliminate police
presence at mental health calls</a>.*

<p>
This is an important part of the substance that "defund the police"
refers to.  However, it is also important to take armed <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thugs</a> out of
traffic law enforcement.  That is another big source of opportunities
to mess up someone's life.


feed_id: 177fceac92e3954ac5890f1d54b8e1f3
title: Chaplain at Guantanamo
uri: Chaplain-at-Guantanamo
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#7_June_2021_%28Chaplain_at_Guantanamo%29
content:
<p>
The Muslim chaplain at Guantanamo prison saw that some prisoners were
being tortured, and saw that the officials knew most prisoners were
innocent, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2021/jun/04/experience-i-was-an-imam-at-guantanamo-bay">and saw that Dubya would not release them because that would
mean admitting a mistake</a>.

<p>
After his scheduled return to the US at the end of his tour of duty,
he was jailed and kept in solitary confinement with some of the same
sorts of torture, based on the general feeling that he sympathized
with the prisoners and must therefore be a terrorist.


feed_id: e50b32fb3f70c82f13317f355cff13c8
title: Firefighters coverage by VA
uri: Firefighters-coverage-by-VA
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#7_June_2021_%28Firefighters_coverage_by_VA%29
content:
<p>
*Firefighters Denied Coverage by Veterans Affairs <a href="https://theintercept.com/2021/06/05/pfas-firefighting-foam-veterans-afff/">After Exposure to PFAS
 Firefighting Foam</a>.*


feed_id: 8ef6fb226016d20ac67f9cfe7a59b948
title: AR-15 and swiss knife
uri: AR-15-and-swiss-knife
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#7_June_2021_%28AR-15_and_swiss_knife%29
content:
<p>
A federal judge, who is a second-amendment extremist, ruled that <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/jun/05/california-assault-rifles-ban-gavin-newsom-judge-roger-benitez-ar-15-swiss-army-knife">an
AR-15 is legally equivalent to a swiss army knife</a>.

<p>
It is possible to hurt someone or destroy something with a swiss army
knife, but it isn't particularly good for that use.  It is mainly
designed for other things.

<p>
Conversely, it may be possible to use an AR-15 for something that
doesn't involve sloppy destruction, but it isn't designed for that.
Indeed, it would be a clever hack to do so.


feed_id: 60f82ebb3bccd08c6c44031e595da2f8
title: Arctic sea ice
uri: 2021-06-07-Arctic-sea-ice
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#7_June_2021_%28Arctic_sea_ice%29
content:
<p>
*Arctic sea ice <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/jun/04/arctic-sea-ice-thinning-twice-as-fast-as-thought-study-finds">thinning twice as fast as thought</a>, study finds.*

<p>
This will accelerate <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#global heating">global heating</a>.


feed_id: 80a5c2cbd553163add11fb111e731b0a
title: End destruction of nature
uri: End-destruction-of-nature
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#7_June_2021_%28End_destruction_of_nature%29
content:
<p>
*End destruction of nature <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/jun/04/end-destruction-of-nature-to-stop-future-pandemics-say-scientists">to stop future pandemics</a>, say scientists.*

<p>
The immediate cause is that people get into closer contact with
wildlife.  However, the amount of travel (between regions and between
countries) is increasing, and that helps a disease become a pandemic.


feed_id: 143a79e03057e5399d12cc1937621ca0
title: Outbreak and hospital capacity
uri: Outbreak-and-hospital-capacity
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#7_June_2021_%28Outbreak_and_hospital_capacity%29
content:
<p>
Parts of Peru have a Covid-19 outbreak that exceeds hospital capacity
in some regions.  In those regions, many of the sick people die <a href="https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-peru/in-perus-hinterland-a-town-battles-worlds-worst-covid-19-outbreak-idUSKCN2DG11I">even though
standard treatment could have saved them</a>.


feed_id: 42413b1d6039bd373a3301c95b0659d1
title: Drivers union
uri: Drivers-union
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#7_June_2021_%28Drivers_union%29
content:
<p>
Uber recognized a drivers' union in the UK, but the contract signs away
collective bargaining on their rate of pay.  <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2021/jun/04/drivers-uber-british-union-deal-not-all-it-seems-collective-bargaining-on-pay-removal">One driver says it's a "dud"</a>.


feed_id: 6c676b12a2ddd971df010b4a52cc0561
title: Urgent: repeal the 2002 Authorization for Use of Military Force
uri: Urgent-repeal-the-2002-Authorization-for-Use-of-Military-Force
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#7_June_2021_%28Urgent%3A_repeal_the_2002_Authorization_for_Use_of_Military_Force%29

content:
<p>

US citizens: call on Congress to <a href="https://act.winwithoutwar.org/act/end-endless-war-repeal-2002-aumf">repeal the 2002 Authorization for Use
of Military Force</a>.
This was meant for a misguided and harmful purpose &mdash; to authorize
attacking and occupying Iraq &mdash; but continues to be stretched to justify
other wars.

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


feed_id: 3f855764f98dbd4f3baa68553e32702a
title: Saving monarch butterflies
uri: Saving-monarch-butterflies
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#7_June_2021_%28Saving_monarch_butterflies%29
content:
<p>

Californians are trying to save monarch butterflies by <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/jun/04/monarch-butterflies-california-conservation-milkweed">planting more
milkweed for their caterpillars</a>.
But they don't know whether this will do the job.


feed_id: 602f3de735fc3439dd55b122fcb68c40
title: Monitoring by means of AI-based surveillance
uri: Monitoring-by-means-of-AI-based-surveillance
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#7_June_2021_%28Monitoring_by_means_of_AI-based_surveillance%29

content:
<p>

Computerized systems to monitor old people, perhaps partly demented,
for their safety, work by means of <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/jun/03/elder-care-artificial-intelligence-software">AI-based surveillance</a>, and their
actions can feel oppressive to the people they "help".
<p>
However, the problem goes deeper: they contain proprietary software, so
neither the people to be "served" nor the people who install the system
have real control over it.
<p>
In particular, they can't be sure which sorts of events are being
observed and reported to companies by the system, and used to profile
or manipulate people.


feed_id: 7fe69cfab548102e2457f60d49c9c57f
title: Protesters trapped and besieged
uri: Protesters-trapped-and-besieged
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#7_June_2021_%28Protesters_trapped_and_besieged%29
content:
<p>

A 3D model of the movements of protesters in Charlotte, a year ago, as
well as the <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thugs</a> who had surrounded them, demonstrates that thugs
<a href="https://theintercept.com/2021/06/02/kettling-protests-charlotte-police/">intentionally trapped and besieged the protesters</a>.
<p>
Then they attacked the trapped protesters with tear gas and other
weapons.


feed_id: 0f1d083301df35d4eb560bcae020e260
title: UK asylum requests
uri: UK-asylum-requests
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#7_June_2021_%28UK_asylum_requests%29
content:
<p>

UK officials told asylum seekers in immigration jails that complaining
about the conditions there would <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/jun/06/asylum-seekers-in-napier-barracks-face-blacklist-threat-for-speaking-out">jeopardize their asylum requests</a>.


feed_id: 2370abae484ac1edd4582917ad935870
title: For the People Act
uri: 2021-06-08-For-the-People-Act
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#7_June_2021_%28For_the_People_Act%29
content:
<p>

Manchin has effectively <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/jun/06/joe-manchin-opposes-for-the-people-act-democrats-voting-rights">killed the For the People Act</a>.
<p>
This means nothing can be done to stop Republicans from stealing the
next election at the level of various states.


feed_id: 1ca1dd5c227c910e76cb89ef2adbffae
title: Jailing the opposition
uri: Jailing-the-opposition
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#7_June_2021_%28Jailing_the_opposition%29
content:
<p>

Uganda's president has <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/jun/06/uganda-bobi-wine-yoweri-museveni-hundred-opposition-activist-detained-without-trial-new-wave-repression">jailed hundreds of the opposition</a> after his
"reelection."


feed_id: 4ed7b3dd66ba7ffefcc9b1b7340b33fb
title: Council of elders
uri: Council-of-elders
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#7_June_2021_%28Council_of_elders%29
content:
<p>

The 2,000 inhabitants of Wagina island, in the Solomons, won a court
case to prevent a bauxite mine on their small island.  Then 8 of them
appointed themselves a "council of elders" and <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/jun/07/the-little-island-that-won-how-a-tiny-pacific-community-fought-off-a-giant-mining-company">claimed to authorize
the mine</a>.
<p>
I wonder what inducement convinced those 8 people to do this.


feed_id: a61b9c55c11056984898b79754fcbd79
title: Alarm over tax proposals
uri: Alarm-over-tax-proposals
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#7_June_2021_%28Alarm_over_tax_proposals%29
content:
<p>

*The Tax Foundation [Cites] Mythical Taxpayers to Cause Alarm Over
Proposals That [Would] <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2021/06/03/tax-foundation-uses-mythical-taxpayers-cause-alarm-over-proposals-only-impact">Only Impact the Wealthiest Among Us</a>.*


feed_id: e533721ff74b993dc3f251c6f60ed31f
title: Rich countries cooperating with poor countries
uri: Rich-countries-cooperating-with-poor-countries
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#7_June_2021_%28Rich_countries_cooperating_with_poor_countries%29

content:
<p>

A business leader says that rich countries must cooperate with
vaccinating poor countries in order for poor countries to <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/society/2021/jun/05/share-vaccines-or-climate-deal-will-fail-rich-countries-are-told">cooperate with
climate defense</a>.
<p>
I don't know whether the two issues are linked, but I am not sure it
matters.  Rich countries must cooperate with vaccinating poor
countries.  Poor countries must cooperate with climate defense.


feed_id: 632f8db893e0d1a9ceb6b31016f1e71b
title: FBI demands IP addresses
uri: FBI-demands-IP-addresses
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#7_June_2021_%28FBI_demands_IP_addresses%29
content:
<p>

The FBI demanded from USA Today the <a href="https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-57367093">IP addresses of everyone that read
a certain newspaper article</a>.
<p>
The power to get that information is dangerous to a free society.  I
take steps to prevent such information from being recorded about me.
This is also why I do not identify myself when accessing any online
publication, whether text, music, video, or whatever.
<p>
Now the Department of Justice says it <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/media/2021/jun/05/us-department-of-justice-obtain-reporters-phone-records-biden-trump-new-york-times-washington-post-cnn">won't demand reports' phone records</a>
for leak investigations.
<p>
That is a small change for the better, but what we really need to do
is change the Espionage Act and whatever other laws whistleblowers may
be prosecuted under.


feed_id: eece17e7d170450e5e5e999431a1f494
title: Bill to support vaccine doses
uri: Bill-to-support-vaccine-doses
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#7_June_2021_%28Bill_to_support_vaccine_doses%29
content:
<p>

Some democrats ask Biden to *support a
$25 billion investment in the <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2021/06/05/world-cannot-wait-house-democrats-urge-biden-invest-25-billion-boost-global-vaccine">production of roughly eight billion mRNA
vaccine doses</a>.*
<p>
Is that what we need?  The words are not precise enough for me to
tell.
<p>
Whatever vaccine production lines exist will surely keep running,
producing vaccine, as long as there are people who want to be
vaccinated.  I expect funds will be found to pay for the vaccine and
vaccinate someone or other.  Pledging funds towards that will be
necessary, but doing so in advance won't speed things up.
<p>
The way to funds to speed up vaccinating the world is by increasing
the <em>future rate of production</em>: building more plants, sooner.  If
that's what this plan would do, I'm in favor of it.
<p>
So which one are they proposing to do with that money?
<p>
If it refers to <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2021/05/27/rich-nations-could-make-enough-vaccine-world-just-25-billion-analysis">this proposal</a>, then it would be spent on boosting production.  In that case, I'm
in favor of it.


feed_id: f185128cfe322eeb4786edbc7cc570fd
title: Spikes on family couch
uri: Spikes-on-family-couch
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#7_June_2021_%28Spikes_on_family_couch%29
content:
<p>

(satire) *L.A. Mayor Prevents His Kid From Lazing About By <a href="https://www.theonion.com/l-a-mayor-prevents-his-kid-from-lazing-about-by-instal-1847020330">Installing
Spikes On Family Couch</a>.*


feed_id: b1cf3049ea94a086b36643fc76e012fc
title: Covid-19 response and the cult of the invisible hand
uri: Covid-19-response-and-the-cult-of-the-invisible-hand
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#7_June_2021_%28Covid-19_response_and_the_cult_of_the_invisible_hand%29

content:
<p>

The connection between the lousy US response to Covid-19 and the
laissez-mourir plutocracy of the cult of the invisible hand calls for
an investigation, but there is <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2021/06/03/swept-covid-hell-profits">no visible intention to investigate
this</a>.


feed_id: c109a23d92b51602cfd2f1bc170c7f35
title: Rivers have rights
uri: Rivers-have-rights
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#7_June_2021_%28Rivers_have_rights%29
content:
<p>

Florida is considering a constitutional amendment to declare that
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2021/06/02/first-us-rights-nature-state-constitutional-amendment-filed-florida-protect">rivers have rights</a>.
<p>
I am in favor of the goals of this amendment, and practical rules such
as are likely to follow from it.  However, it should not be formulated
this way.
<p>
It is a confusion to extend "rights", as such, to anything other than
intelligent beings.  To exercise a right is to make a decision.  A
river cannot make any decision whatsoever, so it cannot exercise any
right whatsoever.
<p>
If you think a river can have rights, next you'll believe that a
corporation can have rights.  Reject these absurd ideas!
<p>
It would be legitimate to decide that rivers have inherent value, that
there is an imperative to preserve them in good state, that their
health counts in some sorts of legal questions.  Just don't call this
"rights".


feed_id: 1462e743ccec2c463013887d7b8383de
title: Colossal risks
uri: Colossal-risks
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#7_June_2021_%28Colossal_risks%29
content:
<p>

*126 Nobel Laureates Warn <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2021/06/03/126-nobel-laureates-warn-humanity-taking-colossal-risks-our-common-future">"Humanity Taking Colossal Risks With Our Common
Future."</a>*


feed_id: 6d1fc7d9dedbc88842f33a7d0a36f5f8
title: Signs of fascism on the rise
uri: Signs-of-fascism-on-the-rise
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#7_June_2021_%28Signs_of_fascism_on_the_rise%29
content:
<p>

<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2021/06/04/top-10-signs-looming-fascism">10 signs</a> of fascism on the rise.
The US faces an immediate fascist threat, not merely a potential one.


feed_id: 68b45646f3b62692d6a21b932013ca89
title: "Compromise" infrastructure bill
uri: Compromise-infrastructure-bill
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#7_June_2021_%28Compromise_infrastructure_bill%29
content:
<p>

The progressive caucus warned Biden that they would not vote for a
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2021/06/04/2-trillion-was-already-compromise-progressive-revolt-brews-over-bidens">"compromise" infrastructure bill</a> dictated by Republican senators.
<p>
Afterward, Biden rejected the Republican proposal.
<p>
We need to get Manchin and Sinema to vote to abolish the filibuster.
Rejecting Republican sabotage "solutions" for the infrastructure bill
might put on enough pressure to achieve that goal.
<p>
Biden's plan is already a "compromise" compared to <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2021/06/01/making-build-back-better-better-aligning-climate-jobs-and-justice">what we really need</a>.
<p>
What's at stake in the infrastructure plan: prosperity, democracy,
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2021/05/31/why-infrastructure-so-much-bigger-just-infrastructure">saving civilization from climate disaster</a>.
Also making America great again, with health and strength rather
than bullying and cruelty.


feed_id: f891d3df29f268780cc7772496c05828
title: Nicaragua opposition presidential candidate
uri: Nicaragua-opposition-presidential-candidate
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#7_June_2021_%28Nicaragua_opposition_presidential_candidate%29

content:
<p>

Nicaragua has jailed a <a href="https://www.reuters.com/article/us-nicaragua-politics/nicaraguan-police-detain-another-opposition-presidential-contender-idUSKCN2DI01N">second opposition presidential candidate</a>.
<p>
The charges are vague, of course.


feed_id: 44e5cb52625eea0ca78cf5f81f45d129
title: Grab-it capitalism
uri: Grab-it-capitalism
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#7_June_2021_%28Grab-it_capitalism%29
content:
<p>

*Psychopath-Driven Inequality (grab-it capitalism) Is <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2021/06/04/psychopath-driven-inequality-making-our-society-sick">Making Our
Society Sick</a>.*
<p>
Rewarding the "move fast and break things" approach makes the US even
more psychopath-favorable today than it was before.


feed_id: 4065740f5d790378fa4c72a034d71f81
title: App to "check in"
uri: App-to-check-in
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#7_June_2021_%28App_to_check_in%29
content:
<p>

Victoria (a state in Australia) reportedly requires everyone to use an
app to <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2021/jun/02/victoria-makes-covid-check-in-mandatory-at-shops-after-transmissions-from-fleeting-visits">"check in" when entering a supermarket</a> (or any other store).
<p>
The app is nonfree software and runs on a portable phone.  Since I
won't run a nonfree program and refuse to carry a portable phone, I
wonder what I what I would do there to get food.
<p>
I have imagined standing outside near the door with a sign, "Will pay
cash for food," but I don't know whether that would work.


feed_id: 51a2f806cdeef1d0f786fb6cc98cc1d0
title: Synthetic pesticides ban
uri: Synthetic-pesticides-ban
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#8_June_2021_%28Synthetic_pesticides_ban%29
content:
<p>
*Swiss to vote on whether to become first European nation <a href="https://www.reuters.com/article/us-swiss-vote-pesticides/swiss-to-vote-on-whether-to-become-first-european-nation-to-ban-synthetic-pesticides-idUSKCN2DJ0I1">to ban
synthetic pesticides</a>.*


feed_id: abe08e9b34b2d2a6d2aacfe0749fe9d6
title: Chinese university
uri: Chinese-university
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#8_June_2021_%28Chinese_university%29
content:
<p>
Hungary says that the proposed Budapest branch of the chinese
university Fudan has not been approved, <a href="https://www.reuters.com/article/us-hungary-china-university/hungary-appears-to-back-pedal-on-chinese-university-plans-after-protests-idUSKCN2DJ0OQ">and suggest it could be
cancelled if local people don't like it</a>.

<p>
It could be an excuse to silence controversy and quietly proceed with
the plan.


feed_id: 74eb186da43bfabe22af3859a9d0c57d
title: Male fertility
uri: Male-fertility
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#8_June_2021_%28Male_fertility%29
content:
<p>
We don't know enough about the things that affect male fertility
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2021/jun/07/scare-stories-falling-sperm-counts-male-infertility-science">to draw conclusions from the sperm count data</a>.

<p>
What we do know is that the world's human population is still increasing,
and that is still dangerous.


feed_id: e9ab19396506e428209db738d3cb4704
title: March through Jerusalem
uri: March-through-Jerusalem
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#8_June_2021_%28March_through_Jerusalem%29
content:
<p>
*Israeli police <a href="https://www.reuters.com/article/us-israel-palestinians-jerusalem-march/israeli-police-bar-right-wing-march-through-jerusalems-old-city-idUSKCN2DJ1AJ">bar right-wing march through Jerusalem's Old City</a>.*

<p>
I guess the authorities have noticed that they couldn't keep playing
with that fire.


feed_id: fc47da01373df8d4bf202dd5193e2e80
title: Claim that Amazon harms competitors
uri: Claim-that-Amazon-harms-competitors
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#8_June_2021_%28Claim_that_Amazon_harms_competitors%29

content:
<p>
The attorney general of Washington DC is suing Amazon, claiming that
<a href="https://pluralistic.net/2021/06/01/you-are-here/#prime-facie">Amazon Prime uses Amazon's size to harm competitors</a>.


feed_id: 7061f96dce89dd7e7b75e08bf6884838
title: Efficiency over robustness
uri: Efficiency-over-robustness
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#8_June_2021_%28Efficiency_over_robustness%29
content:
<p>
Today's industry, at least in the west, has prioritized efficiency
over robustness.  The result is that <a href="https://pluralistic.net/2021/06/03/jitters/#brittleness">lots of things don't work</a>.


feed_id: d8a89a6046ab1a4cbc1e99c9c9743965
title: Restraining thugs
uri: Restraining-thugs
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#8_June_2021_%28Restraining_thugs%29
content:
<p>
The president of Colombia announced measures <a href="https://www.reuters.com/article/us-colombia-protests/colombia-president-announces-policing-changes-amid-brutality-accusations-idUSKCN2DI0DU">to try to restrain the thugs' violence against protesters</a>.

<p>
I don't know how effective they will be, but at least this
acknowledges the problem.


feed_id: cb91b2ff3d17774577ff4db27b7edf67
title: Politicians who like very rich people
uri: Politicians-who-like-very-rich-people
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#8_June_2021_%28Politicians_who_like_very_rich_people%29

content:
<p>
*Our decision to structure patent and copyright monopolies in a way that allows for a small number of people to get incredibly rich is <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2021/06/06/patent-monopolies-and-inequality-when-we-give-rich-people-money-why-does-inequality">because we have politicians who like very rich people</a>.*

<p>
If China is on track to provide vaccines to most of the world by early
2022, it seems that a western investment in increased vaccine
production would be a waste now, because it is too late to help.  It
would, reportedly, produce enough vaccine to vaccinate the world by
the end of 2022, but long before that it won't be needed any more.

<p>
Why is China going faster?  I suspect it has more to do with the (low)
competence of the western business system than with the competence of
western engineers.  This too is due to having politicians who like
very rich people.


feed_id: d904eced1b1bbc873c9f077e18917340
title: Arresting journalist
uri: Arresting-journalist
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#8_June_2021_%28Arresting_journalist%29
content:
<p>
Israeli <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thugs</a> beat up, then arrested al-Jazeera journalist Givara Budeiri
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2021/06/06/israel-only-middle-east-democracy-criminalizes-journalism-arrests-al-jazeera">while she was covering a protest</a>.
  As usual, the <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thugs</a> fabricated outrageous accusations against her,
but even if they were true, they would not have justified ordering her
to stop covering the protests for 15 days.


feed_id: 99a439d7e6972c1b7c4f35f6443e7a76
title: Censorship
uri: 2021-06-08-Censorship
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#8_June_2021_%28Censorship%29
content:
<p>
The UK minister for domestic oppression wants internet platforms to
delete postings <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2021/jun/06/priti-patel-seeks-ban-on-social-media-posts-that-glamourise-migrant-crossings">that "glamourise" migrants' crossing the channel
illegally</a>.

<p>
This shows that censorship is now the go-to British solution for
unpleasant communications.


feed_id: 5a930401a46669cd5ef974b752882300
title: Plutocracy interference
uri: Plutocracy-interference
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#8_June_2021_%28Plutocracy_interference%29
content:
<p>
Plutocracy interferes at every political level <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2021/06/05/perils-america-first-climate-policy">in efforts to save
civilization from global heating disaster</a>.

<p>
The world can no longer allow profit-seeking companies such as Shell <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2021/jun/07/its-time-to-nationalize-shell-private-oil-companies-are-no-longer-fit-for-purpose">to manage
the continued use of fossil fuels</a>.
  They will try to drag it out as long as they can.

<p>
The wealthy countries have put a lot of money <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/jun/07/wealthy-nations-breaking-climate-pledge-with-gas-dash-in-global-south">into developing new
fossil fuel facilities in poor countries</a>.
  This is busting the carbon budget and directing civilization toward
disaster.


feed_id: c44e5a8bef047258a056295cb0f7751e
title: Ban of Twitter
uri: Ban-of-Twitter
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#8_June_2021_%28Ban_of_Twitter%29
content:
<p>
Nigeria says that use of Twitter is banned <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2021/06/05/africa/nigeria-prosecute-twitter-users-intl/index.html">and it will prosecute anyone
who tweets</a>.

<p>
Publishing news obtained from Twitter <a href="https://www.reuters.com/article/us-nigeria-twitter/nigeria-orders-broadcasters-not-to-use-twitter-to-gather-information-idUSKCN2DJ1ML">is banned too</a>.


feed_id: 82ef7ba39b8220f94fc75190c8fce1f0
title: Trying to get reporters email logs
uri: Trying-to-get-reporters-email-logs
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#8_June_2021_%28Trying_to_get_reporters_email_logs%29

content:
<p>
The Dept of Justice <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2021/06/05/politics/justice-department-leak-investigations-reporters-new-york-times/index.html">tried to get reporters' email logs for a leak
investigation</a>.


feed_id: 5652558ac5862430dd70fe7058298547
title: Global G7 deal
uri: Global-G7-deal
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#8_June_2021_%28Global_G7_deal%29
content:
<p>
*Global G7 deal <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2021/jun/06/global-g7-deal-may-let-amazon-off-hook-on-tax-say-experts">may let Amazon off hook on tax</a>, say experts.*


feed_id: 13059eadd0ab4e317445ee4e867a979e
title: Stopping unsustainable logging
uri: Stopping-unsustainable-logging
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#8_June_2021_%28Stopping_unsustainable_logging%29
content:
<p>
Protesters in British Columbia <a href="https://www.reuters.com/article/us-canada-forestry-oldgrowth-blockades-f/factbox-fairy-creek-blockades-the-dispute-over-logging-canadas-old-growth-forests-idUSKCN2DI0B7">are trying to stop the unsustainable logging
of old-growth forests</a>.

<p>
Humans have already eliminated most of the old-growth forests that
existed 100 years ago.  It's time <a href="https://www.reuters.com/article/us-canada-forestry-oldgrowth/save-fairy-creek-the-battle-over-western-canadas-ancient-forests-idUSKCN2DI0B1">to stop before they are all gone</a>.

<p>
As the supply of these woods decreases, their price will rise.  If
today's high prices are taken as a reason not to stop now, higher
prices in the future will always be a reason to keep logging &mdash; until
there are no old-growth forests left.  That is absurd, so this reason
is invalid.


feed_id: 2a0fbecaeb0604ee5588bb34995461be
title: Urgent: Federal infrastructure bill
uri: Urgent-Federal-infrastructure-bill
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#8_June_2021_%28Urgent%3A_Federal_infrastructure_bill%29

content:
<p>

US citizens: tell Congress that the federal infrastructure bill must
be <a href="https://actionnetwork.org/petitions/sign-the-petition-federal-infrastructure-bill-must-be-big-bold-and-green">big, bold and green</a>.
<p>The Capitol Switchboard number is 202-224-3121.</p>
  <p>If you call, please spread the word!</p>


feed_id: 161f939329e8b8009d68300477e1b80c
title: California drought
uri: 2021-06-09-California-drought
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#8_June_2021_%28California_drought%29
content:
<p>

California is in <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/jun/07/california-drought-oregon-west-climate-change">deep drought</a>, exacerbated by global heating.  Many
farms will be idle this year for lack of water.  There may be big
wildfires again.
<p>
I wonder whether lakes will have water available to put out the fires.


feed_id: fabad709f5e0d8fc95201933018e59cb
title: Beef, soy and palm oil production
uri: Beef-soy-and-palm-oil-production
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#8_June_2021_%28Beef%2C_soy_and_palm_oil_production%29

content:
<p>

*China <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/jun/07/chinese-banks-urged-to-divest-from-firms-linked-to-deforestation">funneling billions into harmful production</a> of beef, soy and palm
oil, says campaign group.*


feed_id: de0591f245630a995ee04aca4385c19b
title: Economic impact of global heating disaster
uri: Economic-impact-of-global-heating-disaster
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#8_June_2021_%28Economic_impact_of_global_heating_disaster%29

content:
<p>

Researchers say that the economic impact of <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#global heating">global heating</a> disaster, in 2060,
will be <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/jun/07/climate-crisis-to-shrink-g7-economies-twice-as-much-as-covid-19-says-research">twice that of Covid-19</a>.


feed_id: c6aadb07d27c7b47caef8d72ebd2be5c
title: Great ape habitat
uri: Great-ape-habitat
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#8_June_2021_%28Great_ape_habitat%29
content:
<p>

African great apes are predicted to <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/jun/07/great-apes-predicted-to-lose-90-of-homelands-in-africa-study-finds">lose 90% of their habitats</a>.
<p>
Their survival in the wild could be impossible.


feed_id: 2719937afbf123a6c94c34359c6e223e
title: Reducing bird collisions
uri: Reducing-bird-collisions
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#8_June_2021_%28Reducing_bird_collisions%29
content:
<p>

Turning off the light in half the windows of a large building can <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/jun/07/turning-off-building-lights-at-night-cuts-bird-collisions-study-shows">reduce
bird collisions</a> by a factor of ten.


feed_id: 869e0c53cea3eecf30fdf66448bb4531
title: Plague of mice
uri: Plague-of-mice
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#8_June_2021_%28Plague_of_mice%29
content:
<p>

In Australia A <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2021/jun/08/nsws-plan-to-use-more-potent-mouse-plague-poison-could-devastate-threatened-parrots-experts-say">plague of mice</a> is destroying crops, even houses,
but the poison that might be effective would kill endangered parrots,
as well as predators that eat mice.


feed_id: 791b997a34e8b60423a8b78771ea6e58
title: Medicare advantage programs
uri: Medicare-advantage-programs
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#8_June_2021_%28Medicare_advantage_programs%29
content:
<p>

NYC unions plan to move their retirees onto <a href="https://theintercept.com/2021/06/07/medicare-new-york-public-sector-unions/">Medicare Advantage programs</a> whether they like it or not.
<p>
These insurance programs reduce the subscriber's costs when the subscriber
is more or less well, and can <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#6_October_2019_(Medicare_profiteers)">increase them by thousands of dollars</a> when the subscriber needs expensive medicines.


feed_id: db50d9f285454436e226d42616639ed9
title: Hawaii tourism
uri: Hawaii-tourism
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#8_June_2021_%28Hawaii_tourism%29
content:
<p>

*Hawaii bill seeks to gut funding aimed at <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/jun/07/hawaii-bill-seeks-to-cut-funding-protect-environment">protecting environment from
 tourism</a>.*


feed_id: 780ae11ae1b60eb2da7022d352e6e4f1
title: Spread of religious opposition to abortion
uri: Spread-of-religious-opposition-to-abortion
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#8_June_2021_%28Spread_of_religious_opposition_to_abortion%29

content:
<p>

Republican state governments are using federal funds, meant to support
poor families, to fund phony "crisis pregnancy centers" whose purpose is to
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/jun/04/states-divert-federal-welfare-funding-anti-abortion-clinics">spread religious opposition to abortion</a>.


feed_id: e914bb6e7e40c3b88d5d904d567603c0
title: Risk of Tokyo Games during pandemic
uri: Risk-of-Tokyo-Games-during-pandemic
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#8_June_2021_%28Risk_of_Tokyo_Games_during_pandemic%29

content:
<p>

*Top Japanese virologist <a href="https://www.reuters.com/article/us-olympics-2020/top-japanese-virologist-warns-of-risks-of-tokyo-games-during-pandemic-paper-idUSKCN2DK06T">warns of risks</a> of Tokyo Games during pandemic.*
<p>
The Olympic games tend to do lasting harm wherever they are held:
to <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2017-mar-jun.html#25_May_2017_(Neighborhood_evicted_for_Rio_Olympics)">homeless people</a>, to <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jan-apr.html#7_February_2020_(Taking_surveillance_to_an_other_level)">anonymity (via public surveillance)</a>, and to
the <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2014-nov-feb.html#16_January_2015_(Price_of_Olympic_games)">public treasury</a>.
<p>
  If your city proposes to hold them, I suggest <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#05_August_2015_(Opposition_to_Olympic_games)">campaigning against the bid</a>.  This has been successful.


feed_id: f71375f9a25da7a52397f53b6e6333b5
title: Decision about the CFAA
uri: Decision-about-the-CFAA
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#8_June_2021_%28Decision_about_the_CFAA%29
content:
<p>

The EFF <a href="https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2021/06/van-buren-victory-against-overbroad-interpretations-cfaa-protects-security">analyzes the Supreme Court's decision</a> about the CFAA.
<p>
It pretty clearly rejects the twisted interpretation that was
used against Aaron Swartz, then at the end creates some doubt.


feed_id: c60ee1b095dea45abff1ac3dda511d66
title: Informing on drug mules
uri: Informing-on-drug-mules
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#8_June_2021_%28Informing_on_drug_mules%29
content:
<p>

The US <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2021/06/06/us/politics/older-americans-drug-trafficking.html">informs other countries about drug mules</a> so that those countries can catch them and imprison them.  Most of these drug mules are old,
and many have been tricked into carrying drugs.
<p>
Aside from the special case of cognitively impaired old drug mules,
what about drug mules in general?  Many of them claim to be duped,
too.  Some of those are lying, some are telling the truth.
<p>
What of those who participate knowingly?  Indeed, they are committing
crimes.  But what purpose is served by practice of imprisoning them?
As far as I can see, it does a lot of harm to them, and achieves
little good for anyone else.  The whole War On Drugs does <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#29_March_2019_(War_on_Drugs)">more harm than good</a>, even when it concerns drugs that are dangerous.


feed_id: 0d0acf258dde2afd7bc623f537bf9430
title: Oil industry fraud
uri: Oil-industry-fraud
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#8_June_2021_%28Oil_industry_fraud%29
content:
<p>

*How Third-Party Auditors Make <a href="https://www.desmog.com/2021/06/03/miller-energy-kpmg-auditors-oil-fraud/">Oil Industry Fraud Possible</a>.*


feed_id: 39fd4f52127260aaaea5bebf30a32e34
title: Amazon customers demanding arbitration
uri: Amazon-customers-demanding-arbitration
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#8_June_2021_%28Amazon_customers_demanding_arbitration%29

content:
<p>

75,000 customers of Amazon filed cases demanding arbitration, so
Amazon <a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2021-06-01/amazon-to-let-customers-sue-after-thousands-of-alexa-complaints">withdrew the rule</a> saying that customers can't do class-action
suits.
<p>
Companies should not make their customers or employees use arbitration
instead of suing.  If what happened to Amazon convinces companies to
stop, that will solve the problem.  But if arbitration requirements
continue, we need laws to negate them.


feed_id: 75a424f36dc104f4f806b1d2a3ec8001
title: (satire) Partially demolishing Brooklyn Bridge
uri: (satire)-Partially-demolishing-Brooklyn-Bridge
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#8_June_2021_%28%28satire%29_Partially_demolishing_Brooklyn_Bridge%29

content:
<p>

(satire) *Biden Offers Infrastructure Concession By Partially
<a href="https://www.theonion.com/biden-offers-infrastructure-concession-by-partially-dem-1847047132">Demolishing Brooklyn Bridge</a>.*


feed_id: 9381d81392b4d67e1312d6b48981f84f
title: GOP Oregon lawmaker
uri: GOP-Oregon-lawmaker
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#8_June_2021_%28GOP_Oregon_lawmaker%29
content:
<p>

*In a secretly recorded video, GOP Oregon lawmaker tells protesters how he
will <a href="https://boingboing.net/2021/06/07/in-a-secretly-recorded-video-gop-oregon-lawmaker-tells-protesters-how-he-will-help-them-enter-closed-state-capitol.html">help them enter closed state Capitol</a>.*
<p>
Will the legislature expel him?


feed_id: 6a69a0107a0bbbb3a08a7f932fbcc7c6
title: Journalists' communications records
uri: Journalists-communications-records
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#8_June_2021_%28Journalists%27_communications_records%29

content:
<p>

The Department of Justice <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2021/06/07/washington-post-publisher-says-biden-doj-intensified-trump-era-attacks-press-freedom">continued trying to subpoena journalists' communications records</a> even as Biden was saying his administration would not do this.
<p>
One can never rule out lying by a politician, but another explanation
seems plausible: institutional inertia.  People appointed by the <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#bully">bully</a>
may still be in their positions, and committing sabotage to serve him.
Others may still be following orders they received which reflected
his policies.
<p>
The DOJ recently said it would not do this any more, so it looks
like Biden took the necessary action to overcome the <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#bully">bully</a>'s
policies.


feed_id: 076785c48eff94d025fd66e3c8debb44
title: Atmospheric CO2
uri: 2021-06-09-Atmospheric-CO2
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#8_June_2021_%28Atmospheric_CO2%29
content:
<p>

The last time Earth had <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2021/06/07/atmospheric-carbon-dioxide-hits-highest-level-over-4-million-years">this level of atmospheric CO2</a>, it was 7F hotter
(around 4C) and sea level was around 80 feet higher.
<p>
If we don't get the CO2 level back down to 350 ppm, we are likely to
see all of today's coastal cities inundated, by and by.


feed_id: 7e0edb824a2504350ae1cf5110a2c0b0
title: Chinese university
uri: 2021-06-09-Chinese-university
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#8_June_2021_%28Chinese_university%29
content:
<p>
Hungary says that the proposed Budapest branch of the Chinese
university Fudan has not been approved, <a href="https://www.reuters.com/article/us-hungary-china-university/hungary-appears-to-back-pedal-on-chinese-university-plans-after-protests-idUSKCN2DJ0OQ">and suggest it could be
cancelled if local people don't like it</a>.

<p>
It could be an excuse to silence controversy and quietly proceed with
the plan.


feed_id: 5184619530825649d3d1ef840367e8ab
title: Arrest of opponent
uri: Arrest-of-opponent
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#9_June_2021_%28Arrest_of_opponent%29
content:
<p>
*Nicaraguan police arrest <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/jun/08/nicaragua-felix-maradiaga-daniel-ortega-president">third potential Ortega opponent</a>.*

<p>
How many other Nicaraguans might possibly run against Ortega?
Is there anyone in the country that certainly  won't do so?


feed_id: 81ffad77a3f9665ae79a6b3d2413f449
title: Knowledge of medicinal plants at risk
uri: Knowledge-of-medicinal-plants-at-risk
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#9_June_2021_%28Knowledge_of_medicinal_plants_at_risk%29

content:
<p>
*Knowledge of medicinal plants at risk <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/jun/08/knowledge-of-medicinal-plants-at-risk-as-languages-die-out">as (indigenous) languages die
 out</a>.*


feed_id: 139945915eedc3c462e35c216fa477b7
title: Progress in campaigns against female genital mutilation
uri: Progress-in-campaigns-against-female-genital-mutilation
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#9_June_2021_%28Progress_in_campaigns_against_female_genital_mutilation%29

content:
<p>
African activists are making some progress campaigning <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2021/jun/08/on-a-rampage-the-african-women-fighting-to-end-fgm">against female
genital mutilation</a>.


feed_id: 70a0b9688ad9dad591597f426b1c7042
title: Weakening environmental protection
uri: Weakening-environmental-protection
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#9_June_2021_%28Weakening_environmental_protection%29

content:
<p>
The Australian government plans to weaken environmental protection
laws, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2021/jun/08/labor-greens-and-key-crossbencher-reject-morrison-governments-overhaul-of-environment-laws">and thus "fast-track extinctions."</a>


feed_id: 04f1ddac15b87c432e348396744fc212
title: Abolishing HDP
uri: Abolishing-HDP
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#9_June_2021_%28Abolishing_HDP%29
content:
<p>
Erdoğan is now trying <a href="https://www.reuters.com/article/us-turkey-security-hdp/turkeys-pro-kurdish-party-says-closure-case-is-political-operation-idUSKCN2DK0HX">to entirely abolish the HDP (Peoples’ Democratic Party)</a>.

<p>
The party did well in an election,
  so Erdoğan launched a civil war against Kurds and announced victory.
Then he held a new election in which the HDP did not do so well.
Whether this was because nationalists were elated by the "victory" of
Turkey over part of Turkey, or because some HDP voters were dead, I
don't know.


feed_id: 8f715a3189f8a5274b85e5c9ff879909
title: Overlooking hostage practices
uri: Overlooking-hostage-practices
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#9_June_2021_%28Overlooking_hostage_practices%29
content:
<p>
Biden appears to overlook al-Sisi's practice <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2021/jun/08/biden-accused-of-u-turn-over-egypts-human-rights-abuses">of taking relatives of
dissidents as hostages to intimidate them</a>.


feed_id: 552dd26b0f87956c7c362fc5794c2841
title: Plan to distribute patients data
uri: Plan-to-distribute-patients-data
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#9_June_2021_%28Plan_to_distribute_patients_data%29
content:
<p>
The plan for the NHS to distribute patient data (or use of it) <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/society/2021/jun/08/nhs-plan-to-share-gp-patient-data-in-england-delayed-to-september">has been
postponed for reconsideration</a>.

<p>
It's very useful to make medical records available for medical research,
but there must be a very strict system to prevent it from being used
to judge people or discriminate between them.

<p>
"Sharing" is something that people do with people; let's not use that
word for this.


feed_id: b9eb7d73bd04f221e1f320cead952993
title: Dishonesty among ministers
uri: Dishonesty-among-ministers
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#9_June_2021_%28Dishonesty_among_ministers%29
content:
<p>
Bogus Johnson's former advisor said he had witnessed dishonesty among
the ministers, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2021/jun/08/dominic-cummings-fails-provide-evidence-accusations-boris-johnson">but has failed to give any evidence of dishonesty</a>.


feed_id: c61e23977278d85d422edcbfe8c7a9b0
title: Election sabotage
uri: Election-sabotage
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#9_June_2021_%28Election_sabotage%29
content:
<p>
The nastiest forms of Republican election sabotage <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2021/06/06/politics/voting-laws-analysis/index.html">are those designed
to destabilize the system of counting votes</a>.


feed_id: 09a7dd9e0c1ae40cce3bd06a57bd59c5
title: Pressure to investigate
uri: Pressure-to-investigate
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#9_June_2021_%28Pressure_to_investigate%29
content:
<p>
The bully <a href="https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-giuliani-ukraine/giuliani-pressed-ukrainians-to-probe-biden-allegations-in-2019-call-cnn-idUSKCN2DK00B">did pressure Ukraine to investigate Biden's son</a>.
  His lawyer, Giuliani, did this on a phone call, of which a recording
has now leaked.


feed_id: 804396fa0eba551f6100b2103c360313
title: Convicted of genocide
uri: Convicted-of-genocide
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#9_June_2021_%28Convicted_of_genocide%29
content:
<p>
Ratko Mladić <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/jun/08/ratko-mladic-butcher-of-bosnia-loses-appeal-genocide-conviction">has been finally convicted of genocide in Bosnia</a>.
  He ordered the Bosnian Serb to kill Bosnian Muslims with the aim of
driving Muslims out (euphemistically referred to as "ethnic cleansing").


feed_id: eb1f80323c68e82446d11414b2d8ccec
title: Convicted of aborting a pregnancy
uri: Convicted-of-aborting-a-pregnancy
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#9_June_2021_%28Convicted_of_aborting_a_pregnancy%29
content:
<p>
El Salvador convicted Sara Rogel of aborting a pregnancy, <a href="https://www.reuters.com/article/us-el-salvador-abortion/salvadoran-woman-freed-from-jail-after-30-year-abortion-sentence-idUSKCN2DJ2MC">and sentenced
her to 30 years in prison</a>.

<p>
She has been released by a judge after 8 years in prison.


feed_id: 20387097f1629ef7be40b3fe310582e3
title: Prohibition of useless lawns
uri: Prohibition-of-useless-lawns
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#9_June_2021_%28Prohibition_of_useless_lawns%29
content:
<p>
Nevada will prohibit useless lawns in the Las Vegas area, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/jun/07/las-vegas-drought-ban-useless-grass">because
the grass wastes scarce water</a>.


feed_id: 3ffba1b99228306cb1dea35e6754548a
title: Documentaries as stories
uri: Documentaries-as-stories
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#9_June_2021_%28Documentaries_as_stories%29
content:
<p>
Criticizing the fashion for making documentaries as stories, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/film/2021/jun/07/less-storytelling-please-why-documentaries-will-benefit-from-getting-real">and
prioritizing empathy (for individuals) over understanding (of a
phenomenon that affects individuals)</a>.

<p>
Something like this has happened in textual journalism.  I sometimes
stop reading an article because the "human story, feel for this human
who was hurt" part is too big and heavy compared to the part that
explains what's going on (events that may hurt lots of people).


feed_id: a47e8b862226dbcabf753affe4a2240f
title: Filibuster in House of Representatives
uri: Filibuster-in-House-of-Representatives
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#9_June_2021_%28Filibuster_in_House_of_Representatives%29

content:
<p>
The House of Representatives once had rules <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2021/06/07/senator-manchin-killing-filibuster-wont-destroy-democracy-you-might">that allowed something
comparable to a filibuster</a>.
  Segregationist Democrats tried to be counted as absent one moment
and present the next.  In 1890, the House stopped permitting them to
be counted as absent while actually physically present.


feed_id: 8df4bf683b327f8ab3a534158d805886
title: Urgent: Try Michael Flynn
uri: Urgent-Try-Michael-Flynn
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#9_June_2021_%28Urgent%3A_Try_Michael_Flynn%29
content:
<p>

US citizens: call on the Secretary of Defense to have <a href="https://act.pfaw.org/sign/demand-michael-flynn-court-martialed/">Michael
Flynn tried for advocating a coup</a>.


feed_id: 2cda018e0850414a7d16d516eceddd1c
title: NHS nurses
uri: NHS-nurses
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#9_June_2021_%28NHS_nurses%29
content:
<p>

The UK NHS is hiring nurses who <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/society/2021/jun/09/nhs-trusts-hiring-non-nurses-for-nursing-roles-union-warns">don't have nursing qualifications</a>.
This, along with the lack of nurses, results from many years of
gradually <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2010-sep-dec.html#26%20December%202010%20(NHS%20cuts%20threaten%20lives)">reducing the NHS's funds</a>, together with the refusal to spend enough on training nurses
and the refusal to employ immigrants.


feed_id: 8b5b009aea4e1f586553fb154cc5580c
title: San Francisco herd immunity
uri: San-Francisco-herd-immunity
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#9_June_2021_%28San_Francisco_herd_immunity%29
content:
<p>

*San Francisco may be first major US city to <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/jun/08/san-francisco-covid-herd-immunity">hit herd immunity</a>, experts say.*


feed_id: ae1813c50ba466743dc5cd3d9938ea3f
title: Caves on Ocean Island
uri: Caves-on-Ocean-Island
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#9_June_2021_%28Caves_on_Ocean_Island%29
content:
<p>

Mining destroyed the caves on Banaba Island (also called Ocean Island)
that preserved water in periods of drought.  Nowadays, when their
desalination plant breaks, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/jun/09/the-island-with-no-water-how-foreign-mining-destroyed-banaba">they have only sea water to drink</a>.


feed_id: 4d8fec98566cb6b6f72c873fcd24eb74
title: A crime to protest
uri: A-crime-to-protest
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#9_June_2021_%28A_crime_to_protest%29
content:
<p>

Lukashenko plans to make <a href="https://www.reuters.com/article/us-belarus-politics-protests/belarus-introduces-prison-sentences-for-taking-part-in-protests-idUSKCN2DK2CI">protesting a crime</a>.
<p>
Also insulting officials &mdash; which is also a crime in many countries that
don't sufficiently respect freedom of speech.  <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2013-jan-apr.html#15_March_2013_(Activist_mocks_Sarkozy_gets_criminal_conviction)">France</a> is an example.


feed_id: ceb19acae735d435b28050dac245902e
title: Secretly imprisoning people
uri: Secretly-imprisoning-people
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#9_June_2021_%28Secretly_imprisoning_people%29
content:
<p>

Human rights defenders in Australia are calling for an <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2021/jun/09/australian-intelligence-officers-secret-jailing-sparks-push-for-minimum-level-of-transparency">end to
imprisoning people secretly</a>.
<p>
Australia keeps the identity of such a prisoner secret by threatening
the relatives and friends who know about per disappearance.
<p>
A trial held in secret is likely to be an unfair trial.  That is true in
Australia just as in the <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#14_June_2015_(Legal_expenses_of_protesters)">UK</a>, <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2012-jan-apr.html#19_March_2012_(Bogus_Trials)">Belarus</a>,
or <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2011-may-aug.html#14_August_2011_(Wang_Lihong_Faces_5_Years)">China</a>.
<p>
There is no reason to suppose that "Witness J" really broke an
Australian law, or that <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#perse">perse</a> did not have an overriding justification
for doing so, as <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jul-oct.html#13_July_2020_(Australia_plans_a_secret_trial_against_witness_K)">Witness K</a> had.


feed_id: 6c00afea617e24b5deb5bf6d7ddcbe21
title: Feral peacocks
uri: Feral-peacocks
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#9_June_2021_%28Feral_peacocks%29
content:
<p>

Feral peacocks have <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/jun/08/peacocks-los-angeles-county">become a nuisance</a> in the northern LA region. 
<p>
I am perplexed by the idea of "relocating" the peafowl.  Peafowl
originated in India; in California, they are an intrusive pest
species.  There is no reason to protect them.
<p>
In India and Europe peafowl were traditionally farmed to be eaten.
We could 


feed_id: bb2ca80f2a82667d42e080f9d5bd712b
title: Prisoner Husain Barakat
uri: Prisoner-Husain-Barakat
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#9_June_2021_%28Prisoner_Husain_Barakat%29
content:
<p>

Bahrain's political prisoner Husain Barakat <a href="https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-bahrain/bahrain-political-prisoner-dies-of-covid-19-activists-say-idUSKCN2DL1GV">died in prison from Covid-19</a>.
Prison tends to put prisoners (and guards) in danger of catching
Covid-19.  That has been true world-wide.  Putting someone in prison
for legitimate political activity, which <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2012-may-aug.html#04_August_2012_(Bahraini_protesters)">repressive governments such
as Bahrain</a> tend to do.  Thus, Bahrain's repression was responsible
for Barakat's death.


feed_id: 9a3039eaa6bdcf9bcb5f2ce2ca83905b
title: Increasing forest cover
uri: Increasing-forest-cover
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#9_June_2021_%28Increasing_forest_cover%29
content:
<p>

The UK government will <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/jun/09/forestry-commission-reveals-plan-to-create-new-english-woodlands">pay landowners for increasing forest cover</a>
in specific beneficial ways.


feed_id: 4c0a5fe900ffe36b0341d135ce2057fc
title: Greenwashing fossil fuel
uri: Greenwashing-fossil-fuel
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#9_June_2021_%28Greenwashing_fossil_fuel%29
content:
<p>

A PR agency for fossil fuels <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2021/06/08/corporate-ad-giant-wpp-targeted-helping-big-oil-greenwash-its-net-zero-hogwash">greenwashes its business</a> by
pledging to reduce the greenhouse emissions of its own activities.
<p>
That reduction is insignificant compared with the increased use of
fossil fuels by others caused by its own PR work.
<p>
Companies that extract or deliver fossil fuels have used this
distraction tactic for years.


feed_id: 277cb6859b6f929300ee4e855e0bbaeb
title: Inflation
uri: Inflation
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#9_June_2021_%28Inflation%29
content:
<p>

Joseph Stiglitz: don't listen to people <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/business/2021/jun/08/joe-biden-spending-plan-inflation-covid-economy">that claim inflation is a real
worry now</a>.


feed_id: d0b93b19f6628ff08cf8ec4bed67c0ef
title: (satire) New driverless car
uri: (satire)-New-driverless-car
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#9_June_2021_%28%28satire%29_New_driverless_car%29
content:
<p>

(satire) *Revolutionary New Driverless Car Requires <a href="https://www.theonion.com/revolutionary-new-driverless-car-requires-zero-function-1847048521">Zero Functional Technology</a> To Generate Profit.*


feed_id: 676825f9b7d0d01f0aee0393f88a2439
title: The Sunrise Movement
uri: The-Sunrise-Movement
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#9_June_2021_%28The_Sunrise_Movement%29
content:
<p>

The Sunrise Movement demands Biden stop trying to make a <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2021/06/08/we-cannot-accept-infrastructure-without-climate-core">ruinous
compromise</a> with Republicans that only want to make him fail.
<p>
I would like to support the Sunrise Movement.  However, I found it was
impossible to participate in any of their activities without running
nonfree software.  When I saw that was completely true, I
unsubscribed.  I wish they would fix this so I could support them.


feed_id: 7ea16661c405dd3fd1efef99e03707dc
title: Anti-Solitary Taskforce
uri: Anti-Solitary-Taskforce
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#9_June_2021_%28Anti-Solitary_Taskforce%29
content:
<p>

The Federal Anti-Solitary Taskforce has developed specific targets for <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2021/06/07/us-justice-groups-release-blueprint-end-torture-solitary-confinement">ending
solitary confinement</a> in US federal prisons.
<p>
Solitary confinement is a kind of torture, but the word "tortuous" has
nothing to do with torture.  It describes a road or path with many
twists and turns.


feed_id: 51ec2767ac0feaf5dcc100c2aef712fc
title: New Zealand greenhouse gas emissions
uri: New-Zealand-greenhouse-gas-emissions
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#9_June_2021_%28New_Zealand_greenhouse_gas_emissions%29

content:
<p>

New Zealand's prime minister <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/jun/09/jacinda-ardern-climate-crisis-life-or-death-landmark-report-new-zealand-electric-cars-farms">tentatively endorsed</a> a big effort to
reduce use of fossil fuel, and reduce other greenhouse gas emissions.


feed_id: 13bedc8fa68eb1ceb1db36459b626700
title: Fake campaign organization
uri: Fake-campaign-organization
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#9_June_2021_%28Fake_campaign_organization%29
content:
<p>

A conman cheated would-be supporters of the bullshitter's campaign by
collecting for a <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/jun/08/robert-trump-barron-trump-fake-social-media">fake campaign organization</a> with the fake support of
the bullshitter's relatives.
<p>
If your aim is to con people. what better place to seek victims than
among people who want to be lied to?  The difference between a fake
charlatan and a real charlatan is a subtle point.


feed_id: 572dbe121cb4676321189715fde59861
title: March in old Jerusalem
uri: March-in-old-Jerusalem
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#9_June_2021_%28March_in_old_Jerusalem%29
content:
<p>

Netanyahu <a href="https://www.reuters.com/article/us-israel-palestinians-jerusalem-march/israel-to-permit-right-wing-march-through-jerusalems-old-city-idUSKCN2DK2C8">approved the right-wing march</a> in old Jerusalem that
officials had previously forbidden.
<p>
I suspect he aims to create difficulties for the new government that
will probably take office next week.


feed_id: aba1b4a14a6484e437803ccfa049c905
title: Urgent: zero emission transit policy
uri: Urgent-zero-emission-transit-policy
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#11_June_2021_%28Urgent%3A_zero_emission_transit_policy%29

content:
<p>
US citizens: <a href="https://actionnetwork.org/forms/zero-emission-transit?nowrapper=true">call on Congress</a> to fully fund a zero
emission transit policy now.


feed_id: e9591d60300fb257907373b85fe7b0eb
title: Urgent: lift sanctions
uri: Urgent-lift-sanctions
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#11_June_2021_%28Urgent%3A_lift_sanctions%29
content:
<p>
US citizens: <a href="https://actionnetwork.org/petitions/tell-biden-to-lift-sanctions-for-covid-relief?nowrapper=true">call on Biden</a> to lift sanctions that are blocking Covid relief.


feed_id: 6f1a57c322836bb2e570d6b0a29b4e40
title: Artificial light on coastal reefs
uri: Artificial-light-on-coastal-reefs
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#11_June_2021_%28Artificial_light_on_coastal_reefs%29

content:
<p>
Artificial light at night on coastal reefs <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/jun/10/young-clownfish-on-coastal-reefs-dying-faster-due-to-exposure-to-artificial-light-study-finds">seems to kill 20% of young
clownfish there</a>.


feed_id: 2baab4b44838b532060f1f70bc906ce0
title: Dam on the Blue Nile
uri: Dam-on-the-Blue-Nile
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#11_June_2021_%28Dam_on_the_Blue_Nile%29
content:
<p>
Ethiopia has build a large dam on the Blue Nile.  Egypt and Sudan
worry that by retaining water in Ethiopia, <a href="https://www.reuters.com/article/us-sudan-egypt-ethiopia/egypt-and-sudan-urge-ethiopia-to-negotiate-seriously-over-giant-dam-idUSKCN2DL26S">it will reduce their share
of the water</a>.

<p>
Egypt and Sudan have coasts, and can do solar-powered desalinization
(very expensive) to purify sea water.  That is the only solution for
the medium-term &mdash; the only way to make enough potable water for the
growing population.

<p>
In the long term, curbing and then reversing population growth is the
only way.


feed_id: d09e9b67bca01ecf57e6f4dd088e04e3
title: Reopened too fast
uri: Reopened-too-fast
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#11_June_2021_%28Reopened_too_fast%29
content:
<p>
The UK has reopened too fast; <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2021/jun/09/sage-modelling-warns-of-risk-of-substantial-covid-third-wave">the Delta variant of Covid-19 is spreading</a>.
  This was quite predictable.

<p>
What the UK needs is leadership in taking the steps to prevent
transmission.  But it won't get that from Bogus Johnson, whose
repeated policy changes have not given Britons a reason to trust his
judgment.
  Officials' breaking their own hygiene rules have led Britons to
disregard the same rules.


feed_id: 4899d7d002a531839a65d00e01500ead
title: Poisoned author
uri: Poisoned-author
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#11_June_2021_%28Poisoned_author%29
content:
<p>
It looks like Russian agents <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/jun/09/fsb-agents-who-tracked-navalny-before-poisoning-also-tailed-author-bellingcat">poisoned author Dmitry Bykov with
novichok in 2019</a>.


feed_id: 537b46f81c8d11cc495c82c0e31e31a3
title: Pipeline
uri: Pipeline
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#11_June_2021_%28Pipeline%29
content:
<p>
The Keystone XL pipeline has been cancelled.  The owner yielded
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/jun/09/keystone-xl-pipeline-canceled">in the face of Biden's decision to revoke the permit</a>.

<p>
Now what about the Line 3 pipeline?  That would carry tar sands oil
too, if it is allowed to be built.


feed_id: c26bfb1b3da7fc80c3c42806a4e02f2f
title: Murdering and disappearing people
uri: Murdering-and-disappearing-people
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#11_June_2021_%28Murdering_and_disappearing_people%29

content:
<p>
Former Guatemalan soldiers face charges <a href="https://www.reuters.com/article/us-guatemala-military/guatemalan-court-charges-retired-soldiers-for-civil-war-killings-disappearances-idUSKCN2DM02A">for murdering and disappearing
people during the US-supported dirty war</a>.


feed_id: 5f3017eb95b637195f360cad96818f78
title: Defense of filibuster
uri: Defense-of-filibuster
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#11_June_2021_%28Defense_of_filibuster%29
content:
<p>
Koch money and the US Chamber of Commerce <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2021/06/08/we-are-coming-poor-peoples-campaign-march-against-manchin-obstructionism-west">are behind senators Manchin
and Sinema's stubborn defense of the filibuster</a>.


feed_id: b52e87eaae5d0582b19abac2eddb0441
title: 1836 Project
uri: 1836-Project
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#11_June_2021_%281836_Project%29
content:
<p>
Texas Republicans have launched the "1836 Project" <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2021/06/08/progressives-warn-more-gop-whitewashing-history-abbott-launches-1836-project">to teach a distorted version
of the reason for Texas's secession from Mexico</a>.

<p>
I expect that the Mexican government and Mexicans elites found the
rapid arrival of so many border-crossing immigrants in Texas worrisome
in itself, independent of the fact that some of them illegally had
slaves.

<p>
I suspect that one of the aims of this project is to pave the way for
an attempt to take nondemocratic control of the US government,
or else secede.


feed_id: e66f6e63e3f02cde7a1d0196460df25b
title: Big banks and global tax plan
uri: Big-banks-and-global-tax-plan
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#11_June_2021_%28Big_banks_and_global_tax_plan%29
content:
<p>
The UK wants to exempt the big banks from the plan <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/business/2021/jun/09/uk-city-of-london-exempt-g7-tax-plan-chancellor-financial-services-global-corporation">for global businesses
to pay tax in the countries where they get the income</a>.

<p>
Even if those banks do pay an adequate tax rate &mdash; and I won't take a
minister's word for that! &mdash; it is still important to make them pay tax
in each country where they operate.


feed_id: ada03584df66467c79f9c75a9dffa7d5
title: Unknown aerial phenomena
uri: Unknown-aerial-phenomena
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#11_June_2021_%28Unknown_aerial_phenomena%29
content:
<p>
When writing about unknown aerial phenomena (UAPs), it is soooo
tempting for writers to presume that at some of them are sightings of
actual objects <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/education/2021/jun/09/ufo-science-classes-us-students">that are actually moving at their apparent high
velocities with their apparent rapid accelerations</a>.
  They <em>look</em> like that, but many are not that.

<p>
The term "unidentified aerial phenomena" is better than "unidentified
flying objects" because it rejects that presumption &mdash; but we need to
remember not to let the presumption sneak in later.

<p>
I find it implausible that alien visitors with high technology would
fail to conceal their presence from us, supposing they were trying to
do conceal it.


feed_id: 6d8d5abdef392fdeacbd831a1b0ec676
title: Billionaires tax rate
uri: Billionaires-tax-rate
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#11_June_2021_%28Billionaires_tax_rate%29
content:
<p>
Due to the deferred US taxes on capital gains, the richest 25 US
billionaires paid an effective tax rate <a href="https://www.propublica.org/article/the-secret-irs-files-trove-of-never-before-seen-records-reveal-how-the-wealthiest-avoid-income-tax">of 3.4% on the increase of
their known wealth</a>.

<p>
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/business/2021/jun/08/richest-25-americans-jeff-bezos-elon-musk-tax">More info</a>.


feed_id: e329f54937d57a1db38d82427acd62dd
title: Fighting secret demand
uri: Fighting-secret-demand
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#11_June_2021_%28Fighting_secret_demand%29
content:
<p>
How CNN fought the <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#bully">bully</a>'s secret demand for Barbara Starr's email
metadata, <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2021/06/09/politics/david-vigilante-cnn-email-secret-court-battle/index.html">which was supported by secret court filings</a>.

<p>
The story is somewhat vague about the ultimate result.  It appears
that CNN ultimately did have to deliver some of this information.

<p>
The US government should stop persecuting whistleblowers.  The US
government should build precedents and laws to prevent persecution if
a subsequent administration sets out to persecute whistleblowers.


feed_id: f63c2e50dc080c793df63cd1bb30e181
title: War on Drugs
uri: 2021-06-11-War-on-Drugs
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#11_June_2021_%28War_on_Drugs%29
content:
<p>
*Poll Shows 83% of Americans Believe So-Called 'War on Drugs' <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2021/06/09/poll-shows-83-americans-believe-so-called-war-drugs-abject-failure">an
Abject Failure</a>.*


feed_id: 285f5f757fd61b53bbd36dcc229d7e26
title: App to "check in"
uri: 2021-06-12-App-to-check-in
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#7_June_2021_%28App_to_check_in%29
content:
<p>

It turns out that Victoria (a state in Australia) does not requires
everyone to use an app
to <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2021/jun/02/victoria-makes-covid-check-in-mandatory-at-shops-after-transmissions-from-fleeting-visits">"check
in" when entering a supermarket</a> (or any other store).
People are allowed to use other methods, including pencil and paper.
Thus, this system does not require  customers to run nonfree software.
<p>
It does track their movements.  Whether that is acceptable, for the
very importat purpose of eradicating outbreaks of Covid-19, depends in
my view on how much that data is available to be used for other purposes.


feed_id: 70d3b5add4817fa46f124d0f5b57031e
title: Urgent: Millionaires surtax
uri: Urgent-Millionaires-surtax
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#12_June_2021_%28Urgent%3A_Millionaires_surtax%29
content:
<p>

US citizens: phone your congresscritter to support the "millionaires
surtax", which would establish higher tax brackets for individuals
with incomes over a million dollars a year.

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


feed_id: 065e241a8dc2a819dcaa0d7de070c255
title: Urgent: For the People Act
uri: 2021-06-13-Urgent-For-the-People-Act
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#12_June_2021_%28Urgent%3A_For_the_People_Act%29
content:
<p>

US citizens: remind Senator Manchin that the For the People Act has
<a href="http://act.boldprogressives.org/survey/petition_ForThePeople_bipartisansupport/">overwhelming bipartisan support</a>.


feed_id: 74e35c12ffdbd96060255fa38bed18b1
title: Greek labor bill
uri: Greek-labor-bill
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#12_June_2021_%28Greek_labor_bill%29
content:
<p>

Many Greek workers are on <a href="Https://www.reuters.com/article/us-greece-labour-reforms-strike/greek-workers-strike-against-labour-reform-bill-idUSKCN2DM0GQ">strike against a labor "flexibility" bill</a> that would
weaken their position in some ways against the demands of employers.


feed_id: 0babdfc539f89a5a87b914d8f79cc7e9
title: Biggest obstacle to ending Covid-19
uri: Biggest-obstacle-to-ending-Covid-19
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#12_June_2021_%28Biggest_obstacle_to_ending_Covid-19%29

content:
<p>

Amnesty International: *The self-interest of G7 countries is the
   <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2021/06/10/g7-support-pharma-monopolies-putting-millions-lives-risk">biggest obstacle</a> to ending the Covid-19 pandemic, a group of
   campaigning organizations said today.*
<p>
To vaccinate the world fast requires building a lot more vaccine
factories, fast.  This requires eliminating the patent obstacle
and making the vaccine companies teach others how to make those
vaccines.
<p>
Under the present circumstances, with the way Big Pharma has <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2013-sep-dec.html#26_December_2013_(Pharmaceutical_Extortion:_Pay_Up,_or_Die)">corrupted</a>
the field of pharmaceuticals, patents on medicines to a lot of harm
and very little good.  (Patents in other fields don't do as much harm,
but they still 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">very little good</a>.)
Any blow against the patent system will be a
good thing.
<p>
However, building the additional vaccine factories may not be
necessary.  If China will finish vaccinating the world by early 2022,
we might not have any way to speed that up by much.


feed_id: be449b3f2f7fd44ff87dbfd6472e3098
title: Call for corporations to quit US Chamber of Commerce
uri: Call-for-corporations-to-quit-US-Chamber-of-Commerce
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#12_June_2021_%28Call_for_corporations_to_quit_US_Chamber_of_Commerce%29

content:
<p>

Student groups call on corporations to <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2021/06/10/student-led-coalition-calls-corporations-quit-us-chamber-over-climate-inaction">quit the US Chamber of Commerce</a>
unless it stops lobbying against climate defense.


feed_id: 4a10adbf70e30a52731efda249bf5b50
title: Right-wing accusations of "corporate-run communism"
uri: Right-wing-accusations-of-corporate-run-communism
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#12_June_2021_%28Right-wing_accusations_of_corporate-run_communism%29

content:
<p>

Right-wing campaign groups are saying that CEOs are engaging in
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2021/06/10/are-crazed-commies-running-american-corporations">"corporate-run communism"</a> when corporations state their opposition to
voter suppression and election sabotage.
<p>
They know that right-wing lunatics today will accept any lie that
supports their side.


feed_id: fcca3914660f1e57c04bd951ad2a1217
title: Fossil fuel exit strategy
uri: Fossil-fuel-exit-strategy
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#12_June_2021_%28Fossil_fuel_exit_strategy%29
content:
<p>

The Fossil Fuel Exit Strategy presents a <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2021/06/10/fossil-fuel-exit-strategy-shows-transition-renewable-future-totally-doable">path to low greenhouse gas
emissions</a> that is feasible with no new technology.


feed_id: 30c96b8b127e6c6736e35252d87fe9d2
title: Law to divest from fossil fuel
uri: Law-to-divest-from-fossil-fuel
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#12_June_2021_%28Law_to_divest_from_fossil_fuel%29
content:
<p>

Maine has passed a law to <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2021/06/09/gift-planet-maine-lawmakers-pass-landmark-fossil-fuel-divestment-bill">divest from fossil fuel assets</a>.
<p>
Every government on Earth must do likewise.


feed_id: 6ed353373963f3dd3ee5060a54b44a3e
title: (satire) Children's museum
uri: (satire)-Children-s-museum
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#12_June_2021_%28%28satire%29_Children%27s_museum%29
content:
<p>

(satire) *Children’s Museum Docent Reminds Guests
   <a href="https://www.theonion.com/children-s-museum-docent-reminds-guests-not-to-touch-th-1847063156">Not To Touch The Kids</a>.*


feed_id: 38c75e2b6c6e1ac2c9771c476721c784
title: Shell greenhouse emissions
uri: Shell-greenhouse-emissions
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#12_June_2021_%28Shell_greenhouse_emissions%29
content:
<p>

A Dutch court ruled that Shell <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/business/2021/jun/09/shell-chief-vows-to-rise-to-challenge-but-feels-singled-out-on-emissions">must reduce its greenhouse emissions</a>.
A company executive makes fallacious arguments that this is unfair.


feed_id: be46877e1bcb65d0e7e1e39f5f384a06
title: Wealth tax on Billionaires
uri: Wealth-tax-on-Billionaires
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#12_June_2021_%28Wealth_tax_on_Billionaires%29
content:
<p>

*Wealth Tax on World's Billionaires Would <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2021/06/09/wealth-tax-worlds-billionaires-would-raise-345-billion-year">Raise $345 Billion</a> a Year.*


feed_id: c14146004ebe8fc9902b4dc7701446fb
title: (satire) Basic dignity to incentivize new hires
uri: (satire)-Basic-dignity-to-incentivize-new-hires
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#12_June_2021_%28%28satire%29_Basic_dignity_to_incentivize_new_hires%29

content:
<p>

(satire) *Desperate Employer Offers <a href="https://www.theonion.com/desperate-employer-offers-basic-dignity-to-incentivize-1847064273">Basic Dignity</a> To Incentivize New Hires.*


feed_id: ae1baea08964a35e664facbfafb08b3d
title: Danger of extracting fossil fuels
uri: Danger-of-extracting-fossil-fuels
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#12_June_2021_%28Danger_of_extracting_fossil_fuels%29

content:
<p>

A growing problem: resistance to fossil fuel infrastructure now
frequently downplays the main danger of extracting and transporting
fossil fuels &mdash; that they might leak methane into the air, or be burnt
and release CO2.  This <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2021/06/09/we-must-divest-oil-pipelines">example</a> does not trouble to mention it at all.
<p>
What's with these people?  I get the impression that they are more
concerned with who owns certain land or waterways than with whether
civilization survives.
<p>
Ironically, the same can be said of the companies that want to extract the
fossil fuels.
<p>
The reason not to build the Line 3 pipeline applies to every other new
oil or gas pipeline, every new refinery, and every new well or mine:
there is <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2013-sep-dec.html#26_October_2013_(The_carbon_budget)">>no room in the world's carbon budget</a>
for any more fossil fuel infrastructure.


feed_id: 46a3d66faaa7222688002fbc733f0ef7
title: Kevin Strickland murder conviction
uri: Kevin-Strickland-murder-conviction
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#12_June_2021_%28Kevin_Strickland_murder_conviction%29

content:
<p>

Kevin Strickland was convicted of murder in 1979.  Since then,
everyone involved in his case agrees he was <a href="https://www.kansascity.com/opinion/editorials/article251998463.html">falsely convicted</a>, even
the prosecutors.  The governor of Missouri is grasping at straws to
excuse keeping Strickland in prison anyway.
<p>
These strict "law and order" fanatics believe that it should be
unthinkable to question a court's decision to punish someone.  Unless
that person is trying to destabilize our democracy for right-wing
ideology.


feed_id: 55658e40b6d82a72942a735becbb5354
title: Thugs charged for pepper spraying protesters
uri: Thugs-charged-for-pepper-spraying-protesters
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#12_June_2021_%28Thugs_charged_for_pepper_spraying_protesters%29

content:
<p>

Columbus, Ohio, thugs have been <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2021/06/09/us/ohio-columbus-officers-charged/index.html">charged with crimes</a> for spraying pepper spray on peaceful protesters who were violating no law or order,
and for covering up lies.
<p>
A Louisville thug faces criminal charges for <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2021/06/10/us/louisville-officer-charged-may-2020-arrest/index.html">nonfatal brutality</a>:
hitting a suspect on the head with a stick while the latter was
kneeling with his hands up.
<p>
No matter what that person was arrested for, or what he had actually
done, nothing can justify hitting him under those circumstances.
<p>
Prosecuting <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thugs</a> for unjustified violence even when it is nonfatal is
crucial for teaching them to practice self-control as required for a
<a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#police">police officer</a>.


feed_id: cea3b1006fe25334a869c97cd549985a
title: Gun manufacturers liability
uri: Gun-manufacturers-liability
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#12_June_2021_%28Gun_manufacturers_liability%29
content:
<p>

New York State has made gun manufacturers <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2021/06/09/us/new-york-passes-gun-industry-liability-law/index.html">legally liable</a> for damages caused by the manner of marketing or selling guns.
<p>
I want those activities to be better regulated, but I am concerned
that this law may be unfair on account of vagueness.  If those
companies are to be required to obey new rules, the rules must be
clear.
<p>
*San Jose mayor proposes gun owners <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2021/06/09/us/san-jose-guns-insurance/index.html">carry insurance</a> and pay annual fee in wake
of mass shooting.*
<p>
I am in favor of this.  Gun owners should also have to get safety
training and keep the guns in ways that prevent theft or unapproved
use of the gun.


feed_id: 9deb3e38118da4150fcf684e081ddd89
title: Payments to COVAX vaccine system
uri: Payments-to-COVAX-vaccine-system
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#12_June_2021_%28Payments_to_COVAX_vaccine_system%29
content:
<p>

*Venezuela says payments to COVAX vaccine system have been <a href="https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-venezuela-vaccine/venezuela-says-payments-to-covax-vaccine-system-have-been-blocked-idUSKCN2DM2PV">blocked</a>*
by US sanctions.


feed_id: 624333463f9d46302629d4f25e016f59
title: Rep. Cori Bush demands records from FBI
uri: Rep-Cori-Bush-demands-records-from-FBI
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#12_June_2021_%28Rep._Cori_Bush_demands_records_from_FBI%29

content:
<p>

Rep. Cori Bush put FBI director Christopher Wray on the spot while he
was testifying to Congress.  She demanded a copy of the <a href="https://theintercept.com/2021/06/10/cori-bush-protest-fbi-surveillance/">records that the FBI had collected on her protest activity</a>.


feed_id: 95a0d2f1fecf014c292a30f02c75c302
title: More power to WTO
uri: More-power-to-WTO
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#12_June_2021_%28More_power_to_WTO%29
content:
<p>

Australia's government wants to <a href="https://www.reuters.com/article/us-g7-summit-australia/australian-pm-to-call-for-wto-reform-as-tensions-with-china-mount-idUSKCN2DK1FE">give the WTO more power</a> to make
countries bow down to foreign businesses.
<p>
This is indeed the purpose of <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#business-supremacy">business-supremacy treaties</a>,
but few governments dare to admit they advocate that purpose.


feed_id: f57431bf86e74adad1162ccb4a21e91d
title: Apparent favoritism
uri: Apparent-favoritism
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#12_June_2021_%28Apparent_favoritism%29
content:
<p>

Now that a court found <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2021/jun/10/high-court-michael-gove-law-cronyism-covid-contracts">"apparent favoritism"</a> by ministers in choice of
companies to get UK contracts, how will that make future decisions
less corrupt?
<p>
The old UK method was that ministers had to resign when visibly
tainted.  Now, like US Republicans, Tories don't object to corrupt
ministers, as long as they are Tories.  So the question is whether
this will weaken ministers' hand in disagreements with civil service
professionals.
<p>
I don't have confidence in that.


feed_id: a4b22740875fd5074b381d66eedcf484
title: Voluntourism
uri: Voluntourism
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#12_June_2021_%28Voluntourism%29
content:
<p>

*Voluntourism: new book explores how volunteer trips <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2021/jun/10/voluntourism-new-book-explores-how-volunteer-trips-harm-rather-than-help">harm rather than help</a>.*


feed_id: f26c75714af168e9a4c681fb7bc75904
title: Oregon house expels Republican
uri: Oregon-house-expels-Republican
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#12_June_2021_%28Oregon_house_expels_Republican%29
content:
<p>

*Oregon house <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/jun/11/oregon-mike-nearman-state-house-far-right-capitol">expels Republican</a> who helped far-right rioters enter capitol.*
<p>
That is the treatment Republicans bent on insurrection deserve.


feed_id: fc91fcf63909c27c7ca91e73e38e05c3
title: Insufficient Covid vaccine donations
uri: Insufficient-Covid-vaccine-donations
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#12_June_2021_%28Insufficient_Covid_vaccine_donations%29

content:
<p>

The G7's pledges to donate an <a href="https://www.reuters.com/article/uk-g7-summit-vaccines-brown/failed-uks-ex-pm-brown-says-g7-covid-vaccine-plan-offers-no-solution-idUSKCN2DN1G0">insufficient quantity</a> of Covid vaccines
constitute a total failure.


feed_id: 3abf5d67190f459825b1271dea03e257
title: Unidentified aerial phenomena
uri: Unidentified-aerial-phenomena
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#12_June_2021_%28Unidentified_aerial_phenomena%29
content:
<p>

Unidentified aerial phenomena may appear to be "out of this world",
but they are in fact <a href="Https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2021/jun/11/i-study-ufos-and-i-dont-believe-the-alien-hype-heres-why">mundane objects</a> that appear mysterious due to the
circumstances of the view.
<p>
None of them are evidence for alien visitors.


feed_id: 300eecbf2b5b5f38557e341ce29c51a0
title: Urgent: Fire and replace a USPS board member
uri: Urgent-Fire-and-replace-a-USPS-board-member
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#13_June_2021_%28Urgent%3A_Fire_and_replace_a_USPS_board_member%29

content:
<p>

US citizens: call on Biden to fire and replace one of the USPS board
members, to <a href="https://actionnetwork.org/petitions/sign-the-petition-to-biden-continue-addressing-our-problems-within-the-usps-make-this-move-in-order-to-oust-dejoy-2">assure the firing of DeJoy</a>.


feed_id: bf90e47d132f60dc0c297596b2ff0f5f
title: Exacerbated effects of PTSD
uri: Exacerbated-effects-of-PTSD
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#13_June_2021_%28Exacerbated_effects_of_PTSD%29
content:
<p>

The <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/jun/11/ptsd-us-soldiers-killing-moral-injury">effects of PTSD on US war veterans</a> are exacerbated by the fact that the US doesn't want to be a society which cheerfully accepts killing.
We want to be a society that fights wars only when just.
Thus, veterans feel guilt about what they have done in war.
<p>
This makes a paradoxical contrast with the fact that the US fights so
many <a href="https://tomdispatch.com/david-bromwich-america-s-serial-warriors/">avoidable wars</a> that one can hardly keep track of them all.
For most of these wars, there is no possibility of
real victory, which means the US has to choose between indefinite
prolongation and <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jul-oct.html#12_September_2020_(Path_to_ending_US_interventions_in_Iraq_and_Afghanistan)">politically unacceptable voluntary defeat</a>.
<p>
Perhaps the best way to reduce the harm done to Americans by PTSD is
by learning to be less ready to fight a war.  If we only fought when
there was a reason to be proud afterward of having fought, perhaps we
would fight fewer wars, fewer veterans would suffer moral injury, and
those who did could be welcomed back and healed.
<p>
Other countries have similar problems.  Samantha Crompvoets
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2021/jun/11/i-wont-be-bullied-expert-who-helped-spark-australias-war-crimes-inquiry-defends-new-book">interviewed Australian veterans about war crimes</a>, and stated
conclusions that the Australian government would rather silence.


feed_id: a19dc332dad3469c0c7dd45387a0c7de
title: Right-wing trumpery
uri: Right-wing-trumpery
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#13_June_2021_%28Right-wing_trumpery%29
content:
<p>

Right-wing <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#trumpery">trumpery</a>: running ads on Facebook for Green Party
candidates in the hope of <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2021/jun/11/facebook-ads-turning-point-usa-rally-forge">dividing Democrats</a>, and pretending not to be
who they really were.


feed_id: e76e77831cb584458229c6b195dfb5ba
title: Sri Lanka pollution ship disaster
uri: Sri-Lanka-pollution-ship-disaster
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#13_June_2021_%28Sri_Lanka_pollution_ship_disaster%29

content:
<p>

The Sri Lanka pollution ship disaster can be traced to the country's
debts, which <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/jun/11/sri-lankas-worst-ever-maritime-disaster-reveals-the-true-cost-of-our-identity-crisis">forced it to lease its ports</a>, long term, to foreign investors
that didn't care about safety.


feed_id: 5d04789f3fb3d7e3761e6abf169c75b2
title: Trade war
uri: Trade-war
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#13_June_2021_%28Trade_war%29
content:
<p>

The UK and the EU are <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2021/jun/11/brexit-sausages-row-stalemate-joe-biden-boris-johnson-eu">headed for a trade war</a>.
<p>
Bogus Johnson saw a collision coming, and pretended for political
purposes that it would magically go away.
<p>
*How Tories <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2021/jun/11/how-tories-changed-their-tune-on-northern-ireland-protocol">changed their tune</a> on Northern Ireland protocol.*


feed_id: 048b2586d42628cc5092d5b4df585e8f
title: Discouraging smoking
uri: Discouraging-smoking
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#13_June_2021_%28Discouraging_smoking%29
content:
<p>

In Britain, smokers overall give more support to <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2021/jun/11/smoke-free-britain-tobacco-addicts">discouraging smoking</a>
than to protecting the right to smoke.
<p>
Tobacco is death for the smoker, as well as disgusting for everyone
else.  I wish I could magically help everyone quit.  Nonetheless, I
oppose prohibition of tobacco, on grounds of personal freedom.


feed_id: 95a52b19b510b1043a15acf339513485
title: Censorship on movies in Hong Kong
uri: Censorship-on-movies-in-Hong-Kong
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#13_June_2021_%28Censorship_on_movies_in_Hong_Kong%29

content:
<p>

China will impose <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/jun/11/hong-kong-authorities-to-censor-films-that-endanger-national-security">political censorship</a> on movies in Hong Kong.
<p>
If you are in Hong Kong, the only way to get copies of movies is through
unofficial channels, sharing from people in countries which have only some
of the oppressive systems that Hong Kong and China have.


feed_id: 5b9440d3d22d0d1383ec1bb4163bd6aa
title: Deals with informants in the Mafia
uri: Deals-with-informants-in-the-Mafia
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#13_June_2021_%28Deals_with_informants_in_the_Mafia%29

content:
<p>

Right-wing Italian prohibitions want to <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/jun/11/im-speechless-italys-collaborator-law-questioned-after-release-of-mafias-most-notorious-killer">repeal the law that allows making
deals with informants in the Mafia</a>.
They want to have their cake (long prison sentences) and eat it too
(get confessions and convictions).


feed_id: e8087e9a264ee20738e8cf9367165b4b
title: Mexican children sent back to danger
uri: Mexican-children-sent-back-to-danger
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#13_June_2021_%28Mexican_children_sent_back_to_danger%29

content:
<p>

*The Biden Administration Is Routinely Sending Mexican Children <a href="https://theintercept.com/2021/06/11/mexico-children-asylum-amnesty/">Back to
 Danger</a>, Report Finds.*


feed_id: 55a5d46658a0c1a308e9063f158eb2e0
title: US military is socialist
uri: US-military-is-socialist
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#13_June_2021_%28US_military_is_socialist%29
content:
<p>

The US military is the <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2021/06/09/want-socialism-try-us-military">largest socialist entity on Earth</a>.
Strange how officers tend to despise socialism.


feed_id: d69178a75832531f60919dd5cdd922d1
title: New workplace rules about Covid-19
uri: New-workplace-rules-about-Covid-19
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#13_June_2021_%28New_workplace_rules_about_Covid-19%29

content:
<p>

The US Labor Department's <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2021/06/10/shameful-failure-bidens-osha-excludes-most-workers-covid-protections">new workplace rules about Covid-19</a> fail to
require most workplaces to do anything to protect employees.


feed_id: 134c4473833fabda5e24215783f9ebe5
title: Greenhouse emissions reduction
uri: 2021-06-14-Greenhouse-emissions-reduction
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#13_June_2021_%28Greenhouse_emissions_reduction%29
content:
<p>

An enormous group of investment funds are calling on governments to
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/business/2021/jun/10/investors-governments-end-support-fossil-fuels-assets-net-zero-targets">speed up greenhouse emissions reduction</a>.
<p>
Two notable exceptions are Blackrock and Vanguard, which deserve
specific rejection by the public.
<p>
If these funds are serious about the matter, they could exert strong
pressure on corporations as stockholders.  Their lobbying power could
be significant too.


feed_id: 323c0dfda6863685b462ec90a77fdee0
title: Shortfall in funds
uri: Shortfall-in-funds
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#13_June_2021_%28Shortfall_in_funds%29
content:
<p>

The UK has received the suggestion to fill a shortfall in funds for
universities <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/education/2021/jun/10/increasing-student-loan-repayments-would-save-government-4bn-a-year">from low-income graduates</a>,
by reducing the income threshold above which they must repay their
student loans.
<p>
That sounds like the sort of soak-the-poor plan that Tories would love.


feed_id: 452fd4cca8285745b2c93b107da74e72
title: (satire) New chalet in the Swiss Alps
uri: (satire)-New-chalet-in-the-Swiss-Alps
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#13_June_2021_%28%28satire%29_New_chalet_in_the_Swiss_Alps%29

content:
<p>

(satire) *Pfizer Announces <a href="https://www.theonion.com/pfizer-announces-breakthrough-medication-that-will-trea-1847072306">Breakthrough Medication</a> That Will Treat
Executives To New Chalet In Swiss Alps.*


feed_id: b7a1c9a49844f44b05fe003e6c71ce47
title: Communication records of Democrats
uri: Communication-records-of-Democrats
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#13_June_2021_%28Communication_records_of_Democrats%29

content:
<p>

The would-be tyrant had the Department of Justice <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2021/06/10/us/politics/justice-department-leaks-trump-administration.html">seize communications
records</a> of Democrats in Congress and their staff and relatives, 
as part of a leak investigation.
<p>
In <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2021/06/10/politics/house-intelligence-committee-apple-data-trump-justice-department-doj/index.html">this article</a>, an official claims this was meant as punishment, not real investigation.


feed_id: 24279f3e7722861f491d60f66cb4dd9a
title: Chip factories in Taiwan
uri: Chip-factories-in-Taiwan
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#13_June_2021_%28Chip_factories_in_Taiwan%29
content:
<p>

Chip factories in Taiwan are <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2021/06/10/tech/taiwan-chip-shortage-covid-climate-crisis-intl-hnk/index.html">having trouble getting enough water</a>, as Taiwan
suffers form a drought.
<a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#global heating">Global heating</a> will lead to more and worse droughts there.
<p>
Powerful countries should not allow their manufacture of any critical
product to be concentrated in one region or a few regions.  Such
centralization leads to vulnerability &mdash; to various kinds of problems.
<p>
The way to reduce the vulnerability, to threats of many unrelated
kinds, is to disperse production.


feed_id: a945f6b355d419fc25c51e6a754ed084
title: Anti-corruption crusaders
uri: Anti-corruption-crusaders
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#13_June_2021_%28Anti-corruption_crusaders%29
content:
<p>

Anti-corruption crusaders in Guatemala have been <a href="https://www.reuters.com/article/us-guatemala-politics/guatemalan-judge-puts-former-tax-chief-under-house-arrest-idUSKCN2DO01O">charged with crimes that
are incredible</a>.
<p>
I can't imagine that anything could motivate those influential people
to intentionally found a political party and list a dead person as
participant.  Why not find a living supporter to list instead?
I conclude the charges must have been fabricated.


feed_id: c511536054e0d93e102e59387c3f6e3e
title: Colombia's defense minister
uri: Colombia-s-defense-minister
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#13_June_2021_%28Colombia%27s_defense_minister%29
content:
<p>

Colombia's former president Santos was previously the defense minister
and thus ultimately responsible for the over 6,000 murders committed
by soldiers during that time.  He says that he took action to stop the
practice when he determined it was happening.  Nonetheless, he <a href="https://www.reuters.com/article/us-colombia-peace/colombia-ex-president-asks-forgiveness-for-armys-extrajudicial-killings-idUSKCN2DN2G9">asks
forgiveness</a>.
<p>
Santos said that the pressure for the murders came from the then
president, Alvaro Horrible (Uribe).
<p>
I think that those who killed, or encouraged or facilitated the
killing, ought to be prosecuted for it.


feed_id: aa251bf112c566d62eda0d44bf80d4d0
title: Invasive species as pets
uri: Invasive-species-as-pets
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#13_June_2021_%28Invasive_species_as_pets%29
content:
<p>

An article about <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/jun/11/hello-possum-the-new-zealanders-who-keep-wild-marsupials-as-pets">keeping an invasive species as pets</a> (Australian
possums in New Zealand) presents the usual emotional pleas, plus a
peculiar nonsequitur about colonial history.
<p>
Perhaps it would be safe and reasonable to permit neutered possums as
pets in New Zealand, provided they are not allowed outdoors.  The
article does not say whether the pet-owners interviewed do that.
<p>
One of them has a cat, too.  Cats in New Zealand are a <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fauna_of_New_Zealand#Invasive_species">similar case</a>.
Even in the US, cats that are allowed outside devastate many species
of birds.  If you want to have a cat, please keep it indoors and
protect wildlife.


feed_id: 2486ef18da561b92f8f3924b54bafed6
title: Starving people in Tigray
uri: Starving-people-in-Tigray
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#13_June_2021_%28Starving_people_in_Tigray%29
content:
<p>

The UN official in charge of food aid accuses the Eritrian army of
<a href="https://www.reuters.com/article/us-ethiopia-conflict-famine-exclusive/exclusive-un-official-accuses-eritrean-forces-of-deliberately-starving-tigray-idUSKCN2DN285">starving people in Tigray</a>.


feed_id: de565791cdb9b899e7e854c909e023c6
title: Mother Corona
uri: Mother-Corona
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#13_June_2021_%28Mother_Corona%29
content:
<p>

One Indian village is <a href="https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-india-temple/indian-village-prays-to-goddess-corona-to-rid-them-of-the-virus-idUSKCN2DO07S">praying to a new goddess, "Mother Corona"</a>, to stop
the disease.
<p>
That's where religion comes from.


feed_id: 181b2c4fbe26e2c0e5824596103374e0
title: G7 global tax system
uri: G7-global-tax-system
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#13_June_2021_%28G7_global_tax_system%29
content:
<p>

The G7's agreement on a global tax system for multinational companies
will mostly <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2021/06/12/g7-promotes-tax-deal-1-not-99">increase tax revenue for their home countries</a>.  It won't do much good for poor countries they operate in.


feed_id: f58e4015f243481b27d26ca84a82a519
title: Whistleblower Craig Murray
uri: Whistleblower-Craig-Murray
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#13_June_2021_%28Whistleblower_Craig_Murray%29
content:
<p>

*Whistleblower Craig Murray Sentenced To <a href="https://dissenter.substack.com/p/craig-murray-8-months-prison-sentence">8 Months In Prison</a> Over His
Reporting On Former Scottish First Minister's Trial.*


feed_id: eff725744fe1686bf3cb600e2902236d
title: Origins of COVID-19
uri: Origins-of-COVID-19
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#14_June_2021_%28Origins_of_COVID-19%29
content:
<p>
*EU leaders urge <a href="https://www.reuters.com/article/uk-health-coronavirus-eu-vonderelyen/eu-leaders-urge-unfettered-probe-into-origins-of-covid-19-idUSKCN2DM0TA">unfettered probe into origins of COVID-19</a>.*

<p>
I too think that is called for.  To achieve it calls for not giving
presenting the possibility of a lab leak as wrongdoing by China.
It would be a mistake.


feed_id: dc96f995e8ba4b0914ac1cf597e83309
title: Resistant diseases
uri: Resistant-diseases
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#14_June_2021_%28Resistant_diseases%29
content:
<p>
How should we fund <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/science/2021/jun/10/more-research-funding-needed-to-avoid-drug-resistant-pandemic-warns-report">the development of drugs to treat resistant diseases</a>?

<p>
This article proposes that governments fund them to do the
development, and later are entitled to the drug at a reasonable price.
That could be good if <em>all</em> governments will be entitled to the drug
at a reasonable price.  But I suspect that all but the sponsoring country
will have to pay through the nose.

<p>
Inviting Big Pharma companies in will surely mean letting them gouge.
They will find an excuse, or simply insist.

<p>
I think that the drug-manufacturing know-how should be available to
any country that either (1) is poor or (2) sponsors drug research
appropriately for the size of its economy.


