# articles

feed_id: 9621d107caa59ad77f823b3c33911c20
title: Corrupt and phony armies built by the US
uri: Corrupt-and-phony-armies-built-by-the-US
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#16_November_2015_%28Corrupt_and_phony_armies_built_by_the_US%29

content:
<p>
The Afghan army and Iraqi army and Syrian rebel army that the US spent
millions to build turned out to be 
<a href="http://www.thenation.com/article/how-much-does-it-cost-to-liberate-a-country/">as
corrupt and phony as the construction projects it paid for</a>.


feed_id: 348b2718acd3de1b2170fbf580d1d86e
title: Smoking at home
uri: Smoking-at-home
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#16_November_2015_%28Smoking_at_home%29
content:
<p>
The US government is considering a
<a href="https://reason.com/blog/2015/11/12/hud-proposes-nationwide-smoking-ban-in-p">ban
on smoking in public housing</a>.
<p>
Tobacco is death, and I implore tobacco smokers to quit; but it is
wrong to ban people from smoking in their homes.


feed_id: 14f8cf1752433018381cb982949236e2
title: Prison for pretending to be male
uri: Prison-for-pretending-to-be-male
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#16_November_2015_%28Prison_for_pretending_to_be_male%29

content:
<p>
Gayle Newland has been sentenced to 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2015/nov/12/gayle-newland-sentenced-eight-years-prison-duping-friend-having-sex">8
years in prison</a> for having sex with a woman while pretending to be
male.
<p>
This verdict seems totally absurd to me.  What next?  Will people be
sentenced to prison for having sex while pretending to be rich?  While
pretending to be blonde?


feed_id: 05e733ae236217249e196e0ad2c31671
title: Supporting Israel while condemning occupation
uri: Supporting-Israel-while-condemning-occupation
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#16_November_2015_%28Supporting_Israel_while_condemning_occupation%29

content:
<p>
Most British Jews strongly support Israel, and 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2015/nov/13/diaspora-jews-hope-israel-palestine-irish-americans-northern-ireland">condemn
Israel's occupation policies and refusal to make peace</a>.


feed_id: aca04d195258d00cc1bd12cb1a09c98e
title: Vote-rigging in Haiti
uri: Vote-rigging-in-Haiti
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#16_November_2015_%28Vote-rigging_in_Haiti%29
content:
<p>
Accusations of vote-rigging in Haiti with 
<a href="http://www.ezilidanto.com/zili/2015/11/haitian-street-referendum-to-stop-the-2015-election-scam/">UN
complicity</a>.


feed_id: fd89d579c0ecd3e8ed305691c2ffaa4a
title: Professor fired for political views settles lawsuit
uri: Professor-fired-for-political-views-settles-lawsuit
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#16_November_2015_%28Professor_fired_for_political_views_settles_lawsuit%29

content:
<p>
Professor Salaita, fired by the University of Illinois for his
political views, sued; the university has now 
<a href="http://www.thenation.com/article/steven-salaita-i-will-always-condemn-injustice-no-matter-the-state-of-my-employment/">paid
him a large amount of money, but he still does not have a job
there</a>.  He comments that the injustices that motivated his
controversial tweets have not been corrected.


feed_id: 9c3da7eeb16fca29cf8fdcbcee9b215f
title: Fraudulent foreclosure of home
uri: Fraudulent-foreclosure-of-home
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#16_November_2015_%28Fraudulent_foreclosure_of_home%29

content:
<p>
A Texan family won $5 million in damages for the 
<a href="https://theintercept.com/2015/11/13/5m-jury-award-for-one-foreclosure-fraud-makes-u-s-punishment-look-trivial/">fraudulent
foreclosure of their home</a> — one home among 6 million that US
banksters stole.
<p>
Too bad the Obama regime was 
<a href="https://stallman.org/notes/2011-nov-feb.html#11_February_2012_(Obama_And_Banksters)">on
the side of the fraudsters</a>.


feed_id: 1c630574512adb61dd4f668c78d0ca1a
title: Black Lives Matter tweets
uri: Black-Lives-Matter-tweets
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#16_November_2015_%28Black_Lives_Matter_tweets%29
content:
<p>
The State of Oregon 
<a href="http://www.commondreams.org/views/2015/11/12/black-lives-matter-supporters-oregon-targeted-state-surveillance">systematically
investigated everyone that tweeted</a> in support of Black Lives
Matter.


feed_id: ea4fd75c25ac5d7f22687390d2b15043
title: Fungus wiping out bats in the US
uri: Fungus-wiping-out-bats-in-the-US
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#16_November_2015_%28Fungus_wiping_out_bats_in_the_US%29

content:
<p>
A fungus 
<a href="http://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2015/11/12/bat-killing-fungus-reaches-nebraska">spreading
steadily across the US</a> is wiping out bats.
<p>
The absence of bats will have grave ecological consequences.  If some
bats survive, it it will take a century for the bat populations to
recover.


feed_id: 0173d815092da7acfa8832bf3d3b9a38
title: Ali al-Nimr being denied medical care
uri: Ali-al-Nimr-being-denied-medical-care
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#16_November_2015_%28Ali_al-Nimr_being_denied_medical_care%29

content:
<p>
Ali al-Nimr, sentenced to death for a peaceful protest, is 
<a href="http://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2015/11/12/saudi-authorities-deny-medical-help-protester-sentenced-death-child">being
denied medical care in prison</a>.
<p>
Please 
<a href="https://stallman.org/petitions/petition-saudi/">sign the
petition</a> for boycott, divestment and sanctions against Saudi
Arabia.


feed_id: 1d9715b04b6fcc695319f9a21f59ea58
title: Walmart workers fasting a protest
uri: Walmart-workers-fasting-a-protest
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#16_November_2015_%28Walmart_workers_fasting_a_protest%29

content:
<p>
Walmart workers are fasting as a protest against 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/business/2015/nov/12/walmart-workers-protest-wages-fast-for-15-stolen-lunches">wages
that don't pay them enough to afford lunch</a>.


feed_id: 819b1d1af2a4b48fd14c13c059d7065a
title: TSA agents look for drugs in luggage
uri: TSA-agents-look-for-drugs-in-luggage
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#16_November_2015_%28TSA_agents_look_for_drugs_in_luggage%29

content:
<p>
The US government admits that TSA agents 
<a href="http://www.justice.gov/usao-ndca/pr/three-san-francisco-international-airport-security-screeners-charged-fraud-and">actively
look for drugs in luggage</a>.
<p>
They are supposed to search a bag if an x-ray scan shows something
that looks like drugs.


feed_id: a20da251fc56154ff25f9695d57e07ba
title: Inaudible sounds from ads
uri: Inaudible-sounds-from-ads
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#15_November_2015_%28Inaudible_sounds_from_ads%29
content:
<p>
<p>Some web advertisements <a href="http://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2015/11/beware-of-ads-that-use-inaudible-sound-to-link-your-phone-tv-tablet-and-pc/">play inaudible sounds</a> to be picked up by proprietary malware running on other nearby computers so as to determine that they are nearby.
<p>It is unlikely free software will do this, but malware introduced
by an attack could do it.
<p>I conclude that access to a microphone needs to be controlled like
access to a camera.  Applications should need special authorization to
use the microphone.


feed_id: b3ff1d53dab2ed12f16c17d129294a13
title: Torture by crucifixion
uri: Torture-by-crucifixion
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#15_November_2015_%28Torture_by_crucifiction%29
content:
<p>A <a href="http://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2015/11/13/irish-teen-facing-execution-describes-crucifixions-electrocution-prisoners-egypt">prisoner</a> facing execution in Egypt reports on torture by crucifixion.
<p>He was convicted along with around 500 other people, clearly a joke of a trial.


feed_id: 2796885fd09682d6ae460f3b5442d3fb
title: Call it PISSI
uri: Call-it-PISSI
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#16_November_2015_%28Call_it_PISSI%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://www.bostonglobe.com/opinion/2014/10/09/words-matter-isis-war-use-daesh/V85GYEuasEEJgrUun0dMUP/story.html">Why
it is important</a> not to call PISSI by the names it gives itself.
<p>
It's the same reason we shouldn't call sharing "piracy", or call the
prohibition of sharing "protection".


feed_id: 6b0c79593b79f3fdd5eb74a1a34d6a19
title: Software to recognize microexpressions
uri: Software-to-recognize-microexpressions
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#16_November_2015_%28Software_to_recognize_microexpressions%29

content:
<p>
Software has been developed to 
<a href="http://www.technologyreview.com/view/543501/machine-vision-algorithm-learns-to-recognize-hidden-facial-expressions/">recognize
human microexpressions</a>.  Most people (maybe all) will be unable to
hide their feelings from these.
<p>
This may be good in some circumstances, and bad in others.  Even if
everyone has access to this, it will tend to reinforce the power of
those with more power already.


feed_id: 2cde01acebc71fd2c3b327a5e0404589
title: Campus thugs
uri: Campus-thugs
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#16_November_2015_%28Campus_thugs%29
content:
<p>
<a href="http://www.alternet.org/news-amp-politics/why-campus-cops-are-so-dangerousq">Why
Campus Cops Are So Dangerous</a>.


feed_id: 9312a09ab44950dd288a87e25e90bacb
title: Prison for spraying children with watergun
uri: Prison-for-spraying-children-with-watergun
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#16_November_2015_%28Prison_for_spraying_children_with_watergun%29

content:
<p>
New Mexico has sentenced a man to 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2015/nov/14/new-mexico-man-jailed-spraying-children-semen-loaded-squirt-gun">18
years in prison</a> for spraying children with a watergun containing
water mixed with his semen.
<p>
People should not do this, mainly because if they have some disease,
there is a small chance they could transmit it this way.  But if he
didn't have a disease, I can't see that it did them any harm, or why
they should be called "victims".  This was not really "sexual
contact".


feed_id: 2d747a7e6a10b16d09ce5cf831642e99
title: Kurdish journalist imprisoned by Australia
uri: Kurdish-journalist-imprisoned-by-Australia
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#16_November_2015_%28Kurdish_journalist_imprisoned_by_Australia%29

content:
<p>
Kurdish journalist Behrouz Bouchani fled Iran because he was going to
be imprisoned for his work.  Now he is 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/books/2015/nov/15/day-of-the-imprisoned-writer-behrouz-bouchani-detained-on-manus-island">imprisoned
by Australia for being a refugee</a>.


feed_id: cde4d9a5145a0fdbd3cfe05d81d5449e
title: Americans' medical coverage
uri: Americans-medical-coverage
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#16_November_2015_%28Americans_medical_coverage%29
content:
<p>
Many Americans' medical coverage has such a high deductible that they
<a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2015/11/15/us/politics/many-say-high-deductibles-make-their-health-law-insurance-all-but-useless.html">still
can't afford medical care</a>.
<p>
These insurance plans may be worth their price, because in the event
of hospitalization or a major illness they might save the people far
more than $3000.  But these people are in such a desperate situation
that they can't afford to make rational investments.


feed_id: 48b9b2b3ce8d55f99a4bc99b1fb75bc2
title: Haitians protesting rigged election
uri: Haitians-protesting-rigged-election
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#16_November_2015_%28Haitians_protesting_rigged_election%29

content:
<p>
Haitians are 
<a href="http://www.thenation.com/?post_type=article&p=193899">protesting
massively</a> against the rigged presidential election.


feed_id: b37b6394e3558830cacb6be2794dd0db
title: Winter snowpacks shrinking
uri: Winter-snowpacks-shrinking
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#16_November_2015_%28Winter_snowpacks_shrinking%29
content:
<p>
Global heating is 
<a href="http://www.commondreams.org/news/2015/11/13/declining-snowpack-threatens-water-supply-billions-worldwide">making
winter snowpacks shrink</a>; declining water supply will affect two
billion people.


feed_id: 34f62210f6cf844a522ab99a76019cb8
title: NATO's responsibility for torture
uri: NATO-s-responsibility-for-torture
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#16_November_2015_%28NATOs_responsibility_for_torture%29

content:
<p>
The ICC 
<a href="http://www.commondreams.org/news/2015/11/13/icc-actually-investigating-western-powers-probe-targets-nato-torture-and-abuse">seems
to be investigating</a> NATO's responsibility for torture in
Afghanistan.


feed_id: 0c61f0ee0aa0237c88531b5e5cf98e19
title: Portland bans new fossil fuel infrastructure
uri: Portland-bans-new-fossil-fuel-infrastructure
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#16_November_2015_%28Portland_bans_new_fossil_fuel_infrastructure%29

content:
<p>
Portland, Oregon, has 
<a href="http://www.commondreams.org/news/2015/11/13/tides-are-turning-portland-passes-landmark-resolution-against-fossil-fuel">banned
all new fossil fuel infrastructure</a>.
<p>
The whole world ought to do this.


feed_id: f667aee047c2dd31409933cc5acb58d3
title: Toxic mine waste in Rio Doce
uri: Toxic-mine-waste-in-Rio-Doce
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#16_November_2015_%28Toxic_mine_waste_in_Rio_Doce%29
content:
<p>
As toxic mine waste slowly flows downstream in the Rio Doce, it
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/business/2015/nov/13/brazils-slow-motion-environmental-catastrophe-unfolds">poisons
water and kills fish</a>.
<p>
Some towns are emptying as people in them have no water.  What I
wonder is, how long will it take before the river water is safe again?
Will it be weeks, or decades?
<p>
Talking of "slow-motion environmental catastrophe", the whole world is
facing an even slower one.


feed_id: 957d71fadd9271411d7122b2f8c3d8bf
title: Warning against violence
uri: Warning-against-violence
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#18_November_2015_%28Warning_against_violence%29
content:
<p>A former hostage of PISSI <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2015/nov/16/isis-bombs-hostage-syria-islamic-state-paris-attacks">warns against the mistake</a> of playing into its hands with ill-calculated violence.
</p><p></p>


feed_id: 4ae760988989149b4447e8310e4beea9
title: Reduced elephant poaching
uri: Reduced-elephant-poaching
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#18_November_2015_%28Reduced_elephant_poaching%29
content:
<p>Kenya has succeeded in <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/environment/africa-wild/2015/nov/16/strategies-for-success-in-the-ivory-war">driving elephant poaching way down.
</p><p></p>


feed_id: 785184639ce2d40b2038b8bb5500651c
title: Saudi-US coalition
uri: Saudi-US-coalition
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#18_November_2015_%28Saudi-US_coalition%29
content:
<p>The Saudi-US coalition is <a href="https://theintercept.com/2015/11/16/u-s-and-saudi-bombs-target-yemens-ancient-heritage/">bombing the cultural history of Yemen to bits.
</p><p></p>


feed_id: 4110b36fa02540650f779a262588e6f2
title: Attempt to block research
uri: Attempt-to-block-research
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#18_November_2015_%28Attempt_to_block_research%29
content:
<p>Republicans are trying to <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2015/nov/16/republicans-restrict-abortion-access-research">block students from doing research</a> on the effect of Republican abortion-harassment laws.
</p><p></p>


feed_id: dadca510981058ceb3979074efb1dd3e
title: Massive surveliance
uri: Massive-surveliance
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#18_November_2015_%28Massive_surveliance%29
content:
<p>Raising consciousness about massive surveillance: <a href="http://www.dw.com/en/want-to-be-heard-surveillance-art-project-wants-you-to-let-nsa-listen/a-18848957">do you dare call a number  that's possibly on an NSA suspicion list?</a><br>
Reading stallman.org might do the same thing.
</p><p></p>


feed_id: 307a467789a0db02739cd7e0112cb11b
title: Businesses pretend to have feelings
uri: Businesses-pretend-to-have-feelings
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#18_November_2015_%28Businesses_pretend_to_have_feelings%29

content:
<p>Businesses pretend to have human feelings … <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2015/nov/17/thanks-amazon-solidarite-paris-attacks">to exploit grief.</a><br>The Facebook feature praised in the article is also a way of manipulating users:<br>after any sort of disaster, they are under pressureto be used by Facebook because not doing so would suggest they were among the casualties.
</p><p></p>


feed_id: c953331de4dd800c1ca4ba8af6c1139f
title: Campus thugs
uri: 2015-11-18-Campus-thugs
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#16_November_2015_%28Campus_thugs%29
content:
<p>
<a href="http://www.alternet.org/news-amp-politics/why-campus-cops-are-so-dangerous">Why
Campus Cops Are So Dangerous</a>.


feed_id: 2fb9f5556ccdbb0e48c67ee6cd6428a6
title: Urgent: Oppose war on drugs
uri: Urgent-Oppose-war-on-drugs
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#18_November_2015_%28Urgent%3A_Oppose_war_on_drugs%29

content:
<p>
Citizens of Massachusetts: 
<a href="https://engage.drugpolicy.org/secure/stop-dangerous-drug-war-proposal-massachusetts">Oppose</a>
a bill to ramp up the war on drugs.


feed_id: 61c38357d115ee221da3dd2013753634
title: Witnesses see thugs shoot handcuffed man
uri: Witnesses-see-thugs-shoot-handcuffed-man
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#18_November_2015_%28Witnesses_see_thugs_shoot_handcuffed_man%29

content:
<p>
Protesters blocked a highway after thugs in Minneapolis 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2015/nov/17/jamar-clark-51-arrests-at-protests-over-minneapolis-shooting-by-police">shot
a black man dead</a>. Witnesses say he was in handcuffs, but the thugs
say he wasn't.  Who do you believe?


feed_id: e1103a53a6f01f4bcf64b3299bf1cda8
title: Repressive Wahhabism
uri: Repressive-Wahhabism
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#18_November_2015_%28Repressive_Wahhabism%29
content:
<p>
Accusing Saudi Arabia of poisoning the Muslim world with repressive 
<a href="http://www.thenation.com/article/we-cannot-defeat-isis-without-defeating-the-wahhabi-theology-that-birthed-it/">Wahhabism</a>.


feed_id: 29e13be2d1121a10c3def509e81959f0
title: PISSI
uri: 2015-11-19-PISSI
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#18_November_2015_%28PISSI%29
content:
<p>
PISSI, the 
<a href="http://www.juancole.com/2015/11/modern-raiding-pirate.html">pirates
of the desert</a>.
<p>
Cole's point that it is impossible to "contain" PISSI can be literally
correct, but not in the way he asserts.  It may be that a stable
situation in which PISSI exists for a long time under containment is
impossible; if so, that suggests that containing PISSI would lead to
its collapse, as it could no longer do profitable raids.


feed_id: e55baef6d4fbb5fafb8ee0fc9a93c8f0
title: UK faces ecological derangement
uri: UK-faces-ecological-derangement
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#18_November_2015_%28UK_faces_ecological_derangement%29

content:
<p>
The UK faces 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2015/nov/16/climate-change-putting-uk-wildlife-increasingly-at-risk">ecological
derangement all over</a>, as a result of the 1C of global heating we
have already caused.


feed_id: c69788ed47423875f1e59a4c63f7b2c7
title: Coal
uri: Coal
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#18_November_2015_%28Coal%29
content:
<p>
Coal is 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2015/nov/16/coal-not-solution-energy-poverty-warn-aid-agencies">not
an effective way to extend access to energy</a>, even ignoring that it
could cause ecological disaster.
<p>
Just eliminating coal combustion isn't enough to avoid the disaster;
it's just the first step.


feed_id: 0327b601df62af3a032c202a3bacba82
title: FBI-CMU "research" on Tor
uri: FBI-CMU-research-on-Tor
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#18_November_2015_%28FBI-CMU_research_on_Tor%29
content:
<p>
The Tor Project says that the FBI-CMU "research" to identify Tor users
was a 
<a href="https://blog.torproject.org/blog/did-fbi-pay-university-attack-tor-users">fishing
expedition</a>, aimed at finding anyone they could accuse of anything.


feed_id: cc4af704da4899404b09b88b401a56c8
title: Chinese companies bottling glacier water
uri: Chinese-companies-bottling-glacier-water
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#18_November_2015_%28Chinese_companies_bottling_glacier_water%29

content:
<p>
Chinese companies are hurrying to 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/sustainable-business/2015/nov/16/chinas-bottled-water-industry-eyes-up-the-tibetan-plateau">bottle
water from Himalayan glaciers</a> before global heating melts them.
<p>
Ok, that is a slight exaggeration.


feed_id: e08ff14a4f7ef60db5683446f1144af1
title: Collective punishment
uri: 2015-11-19-Collective-punishment
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#18_November_2015_%28Collective_punishment%29
content:
<p>
Israeli troops carried out a collective punishment, 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/nov/16/two-palestinians-killed-in-clash-with-israeli-troops-in-west-bank">demolishing
a house in a refugee camp</a>; local Palestinians threw stones at
them, so the Israeli troops shot and killed some of them.
<p>
Collective punishment is always an injustice.  In my estimation, the
culpability in this incident falls entirely on the Israeli troops.
They cannot claim the justification of self-defense for shooting if
they were on a mission of wrong.


feed_id: 116788ea5ac60d770c7e41926966b0fe
title: PISSI's hate for civilization
uri: PISSI-s-hate-for-civilization
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#18_November_2015_%28PISSIs_hate_for_civilization%29
content:
<p>
[PISSI] 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2015/nov/16/isis-hates-civilisation-middle-east-violent-jihadi-ideology">Hates
Middle Eastern Civilisation Too</a>.


feed_id: 535df65eaf24b983ebe16aaa7865920c
title: Governments of the World Agree
uri: Governments-of-the-World-Agree
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#18_November_2015_%28Governments_of_the_World_Agree%29

content:
<p>
Lauren's Blog Redux: "Governments of the World Agree: 
<a href='http://lauren.vortex.com/archive/001104.html'>Encryption Must
Die!</a>"


feed_id: 4a73d7835369ec746d16f47cb9c3d2f7
title: Using attacks as excuse to skip debate
uri: Using-attacks-as-excuse-to-skip-debate
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#18_November_2015_%28Using_attacks_as_excuse_to_skip_debate%29

content:
<p>
UK anti-privacy activists 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2015/nov/16/surveillance-bill-scrutiny-lord-carlile-investigatory-powers-bill-paris-attacks">seek
to use the Paris attacks as an excuse</a> to skip debate about new
mass surveillance powers.
<p>
Each terrorist attack, anywhere in the world, provides an excuse for
Big Brother to say we should surrender more freedom so he can
"protect" us.  Aside from the danger of tyranny, which exceeds that of
terrorists, it's 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2015/nov/16/an-ever-more-stringent-national-security-arsenal-is-no-guarantee-of-safety">not
even clear that increased surveillance would achieve its goal</a>.
<p>
There is no limit to how many people a tyrannical state can kill,
torture, or imprison.  We need a state, for the 
<a href="https://stallman.org/articles/why-we-need-a-state.html">many
essential things that states can do</a>, but we must make sure it
remains under our control, and we 
<a href="http://gnu.org/philosophy/surveillance-vs-democracy.html">can't
do that if it knows everywhere we go and everyone we talk with</a>.
<p>
Prohibiting expression of opinions, "advocating" this or that, is a
form of tyranny.  When "extremism" is prohibited, will plutocrats
declare rejection of plutocracy "extreme"?  We be prosecuted for
advocating a return to democracy?


feed_id: 9f04c34c9999354f140622d62da706a4
title: Cease-fire between Assad and his enemies
uri: Cease-fire-between-Assad-and-his-enemies
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#18_November_2015_%28Cease-fire_between_Assad_and_his_enemies%29

content:
<p>
The US and Russia have 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/nov/16/g20-barack-obama-and-vladimir-putin-agree-to-syrian-led-transition">agreed
to ask the UN to broker a cease-fire</a> between Assad and his
enemies.


feed_id: d2c9df93c6b8622d54f1d202e82ed3b5
title: The inequality created by the Tory gov't
uri: The-inequality-created-by-the-Tory-gov-t
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#18_November_2015_%28The_inequality_created_by_the_Tory_govt%29

content:
<p>
Britain's previous Tory prime minister 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/politics/2015/nov/11/john-major-blasts-shocking-inequality-levels-in-britain">rebukes
the current Tory government</a> for the inequality it has created.


feed_id: f10be1f75d87a2d0ae57daf4e66037fa
title: US history of keeping Haiti down
uri: US-history-of-keeping-Haiti-down
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#18_November_2015_%28US_history_of_keeping_Haiti_down%29

content:
<p>
More about the Haitian election and how it relates to the 
<a href="http://www.ezilidanto.com/zili/2015/11/haitian-street-referendum-to-stop-the-2015-election-scam/">US
history of keeping Haiti down</a>.


feed_id: 4c68740ea11dae9112ecf033e9867f1d
title: Businesses pretend to have feelings
uri: 2015-11-19-Businesses-pretend-to-have-feelings
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#18_November_2015_%28Businesses_pretend_to_have_feelings%29

content:
<p>Businesses pretend to have human feelings … <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2015/nov/17/thanks-amazon-solidarite-paris-attacks">to exploit grief.</a><br>The Facebook feature praised in the article is also a way of manipulating users:<br>after any sort of disaster, they are under pressure to be used by Facebook because not doing so would suggest they were among the casualties.
</p><p></p>


feed_id: c892a0d9aad45e8c3aee08dfcf80eb82
title: Employment
uri: 2015-11-20-Employment
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#19_November_2015_%28Employment%29
content:
<p>
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/global-development/economics-blog/2015/nov/17/ilo-dramatic-global-drop-number-working-poor">Global
developments</a> in employment.


feed_id: 13106c2c82bd4633b054b36508764454
title: Greenhouse gas footprints
uri: Greenhouse-gas-footprints
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#19_November_2015_%28Greenhouse_gas_footprints%29
content:
<p>
When a company tried to reduce the greenhouse gas footprints of its
products, that turned out to be a
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/sustainable-business/2015/nov/17/timberland-corporate-social-responsibility-walmart-google-ibm-general-mills-ups-jeff-swartz">big
challenge</a>.
<p>
We need a carbon emissions tax so that the market will factor in your
greenhouse gas footprint.


feed_id: d4763686df522f87aaf1f4706b61dd2a
title: Just what terrorists hoped to achieve
uri: Just-what-terrorists-hoped-to-achieve
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#19_November_2015_%28Just_what_terrorists_hoped_to_achieve%29

content:
<p>
The assassinations at Charlie Hebdo have 
<a href="https://theintercept.com/2015/11/17/film-shows-chilling-climate-for-muslims-in-post-hebdo-france/">elevated
hostility towards Muslims in France</a> — just what terrorists
hoped to achieve.


feed_id: 019a6b38d5530959969536c461d989f7
title: Climate defense march in France
uri: Climate-defense-march-in-France
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#19_November_2015_%28Climate_defense_march_in_France%29

content:
<p>
France 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2015/nov/17/paris-climate-summit-march-in-doubt-after-talks-deadlock">may
block a large climate defense march</a> in the name of safety.
<p>
Global heating is a far bigger danger than PISSI.
If we can't overcome the plutocrats and make states take adequate
action to curb global heating, we might as well be dead.


feed_id: 9378f3d6e1bbb2bc243b50813a2a2b5f
title: Russian airliner destroyed by terrorist bomb
uri: Russian-airliner-destroyed-by-terrorist-bomb
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#19_November_2015_%28Russian_airliner_destroyed_by_terrorist_bomb%29

content:
<p>
It is now ascertained that a 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/nov/17/egypt-plane-crash-bomb-jet-russia-security-service">terrorist
bomb destroyed a Russian airliner over the Sinai</a>, killing 224
people.


feed_id: 541bcab253e96b85ce3f0b911f532475
title: Fossil fuel divestment sit-in at Stanford
uri: Fossil-fuel-divestment-sit-in-at-Stanford
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#19_November_2015_%28Fossil_fuel_divestment_sit-in_at_Stanford%29

content:
<p>
Stanford Students Begin 'Indefinite' 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2015/nov/17/stanford-students-begin-indefinite-sit-in-over-fossil-fuel-divestment">Sit-in
over Fossil Fuel Divestment</a>.


feed_id: bd7c463b0d71c49cf740f3f7b08ae26c
title: Activists charged with "rebellion"
uri: Activists-charged-with-rebellion
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#19_November_2015_%28Activists_charged_with_rebellion%29

content:
<p>
The dictator of Angola has charged activists with "rebellion" 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/nov/17/angolan-activists-charged-rebellion-state-book-reading">for
a book reading event</a>.  The book was about nonviolent resistance.


feed_id: 626133ee40b69b45aad18720520abfcf
title: Urgent: Postal banking
uri: Urgent-Postal-banking
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#19_November_2015_%28Urgent%3A_Postal_banking%29
content:
<p>
US citizens: 
<a href="http://signforgood.com/postalbanking/">call on the postmaster
of the USPS</a> to implement postal banking.


feed_id: 9ae7707bed9daaa2993f588ddcb32404
title: Total surveillance
uri: Total-surveillance
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#19_November_2015_%28Total_surveillance%29
content:
<p>
Total surveillance is giving France so much data that the 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/nov/16/french-and-belgian-intelligence-knew-paris-attackers-had-jihadi-backgrounds">real
terrorists can hide in the plain sight of the national panopticon</a>.


feed_id: c880437a0fcec6af9ea263819ca295fc
title: Mine waste in Brazil
uri: Mine-waste-in-Brazil
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#19_November_2015_%28Mine_waste_in_Brazil%29
content:
<p>
The ecological damage from the mine waste in Brazil could last
decades and when it reaches the ocean, it will 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/nov/16/biologists-relocate-fish-brazil-river-dam-collapse">threaten
ecologically vital areas</a>.


feed_id: e10df96c8dedf66c35e4acdda9b1ee8a
title: Tasers
uri: Tasers
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#19_November_2015_%28Tasers%29
content:
<p>
It is 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/nov/16/caution-is-needed-on-taser-research">not
clear that tasers reduce either killings or injuries</a> from the
actions of thugs.


feed_id: e615ccab233db8a6992f12edbcada258
title: Attacking PISSI
uri: Attacking-PISSI
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#19_November_2015_%28Attacking_PISSI%29
content:
<p>
France is 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/nov/17/france-sends-aircraft-carrier-to-aid-airstrikes-on-isis-in-syria-and-iraq">sending
an aircraft carrier</a> to increase the number of planes it can use to
bomb PISSI.
<p>
There are some fishy things here.  Why use an aircraft carrier
rather than sending additional planes to the land base in Jordan?
Operating planes from a carrier must be more expensive than operating
them from the ground.
<p>
And what's the use of more planes if it is hard to find good targets
to attack?
<p>
On the other hand, the US seems to have found an important vulnerable
point: 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/nov/17/france-launches-fresh-strikes-on-isis-as-pentagon-chief-calls-for-global-coalition">the
trucks PISSI uses for smuggling oil</a>.
<p>
If PISSI is indeed a gang that raid and loots to propagate itself to
loot again, then it can be forced into collapse if it can't get loot
and can't sell oil.
<p>
Capturing PISSI's territory near the Turkish border is strategically
crucial.  However, trying to do this with Western troops would
backfire terribly.


feed_id: 62caa31ec31e3059ce9dbd59ffb9c872
title: Secret interpretation of CISA
uri: Secret-interpretation-of-CISA
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#21_November_2015_%28Secret_interpretation_of_CISA%29

content:
<p>
A secret interpretation may make CISA even 
<a href="https://www.aclu.org/blog/free-future/congress-working-dark-cybersecurity-bill">worse
than its wording appears</a>.  The ACLU is suing to find out.


feed_id: f84a473ec10e2e8291779fa2a75ac7bc
title: Boko Haram still setting off bombs
uri: Boko-Haram-still-setting-off-bombs
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#21_November_2015_%28Boko_Haram_still_setting_off_bombs%29

content:
<p>
Boko Haram is still setting off bombs in cities and 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/nov/17/heavy-casualties-feared-after-nigerian-explosion">causing
hundreds of casualties</a>.


feed_id: 91dd9cad64921cf0b9804a27207709f1
title: High levels of CO2 impede good thinking
uri: High-levels-of-CO2-impede-good-thinking
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#21_November_2015_%28High_levels_of_CO2_impede_good_thinking%29

content:
<p>
High levels of CO<sub>2</sub> in the air 
<a href="http://thinkprogress.org/climate/2015/10/26/3714853/carbon-dioxide-impair-brain/">impede
good thinking</a>.
<p>
Global heating is not likely to raise the general world CO<sub>2</sub>
level enough for this to happen.  But it can already happen inside a
building in a city, and with global heating, the problem inside
buildings in cities will get worse.


feed_id: 9ec566b5af16653274c0f5a173602cd8
title: Protests in Washington
uri: Protests-in-Washington
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#21_November_2015_%28Protests_in_Washington%29
content:
<p>
Protests in Washington are 
<a href="http://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2015/11/16/tpp-protest-blockade-us-trade-rep">aimed
at the US Trade Representative</a>, the office that promotes
antidemocratic treaties such as the TPP.


feed_id: d791b714fb56ca6cd5167481a6f8866e
title: Harming children's academic success
uri: Harming-children-s-academic-success
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#21_November_2015_%28Harming_childrens_academic_success%29

content:
<p>
Parents that 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/education/2015/nov/17/overbearing-parents-can-damage-academic-outcomes-says-study">make
unreasonable academic demands</a> on their children tend to harm their
academic success.


feed_id: 7ba3888880dfacb383b2ef52ac9400c5
title: Another reason to vote for Sanders
uri: Another-reason-to-vote-for-Sanders
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#20_November_2015_%28Another_reason_to_vote_for_Sanders%29

content:
<p>
Another reason to vote for Bernie Sanders for president:
<a href="https://reason.com/archives/2015/11/16/hillarys-appetite-for-war">Clinton
wants more war</a>.
<p>
Haven't we learned 
<a href="http://www.commondreams.org/views/2015/11/16/lets-not-get-it-wrong-time-terrorists-won-after-911-because-we-chose-invade-iraq">how
stupid this is</a>?
<p>
Whereas Sanders recognizes that 
<a href="http://www.commondreams.org/news/2015/11/16/amid-terror-fever-sanders-refuses-back-down-climate-threat-stance">climate
mayhem is a bigger danger than today's terrorists</a>.


feed_id: 1b458de165503e9673c7ff41a782f6d2
title: Curtailing Liberty Provokes Terrorism
uri: Curtailing-Liberty-Provokes-Terrorism
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#20_November_2015_%28Curtailing_Liberty_Provokes_Terrorism%29

content:
<p>
<a href="https://reason.com/blog/2015/11/16/curtailing-liberty-provokes-terrorism">Curtailing
Liberty Provokes Terrorism</a>.


feed_id: 97687830e2ad32924440a3cc4903db32
title: Science museums and planet roasters
uri: Science-museums-and-planet-roasters
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#20_November_2015_%28Science_museums_and_planet_roasters%29

content:
<p>
Several important science museums have 
<a href="http://insideclimatenews.org/news/15112015/science-museums-cut-financial-ties-fossil-fuel-industry-field-museum-california-academy-sciences">stopped
accepting funds from planet roasters</a>.


feed_id: 48efec0b34a024bdb7579cf5e6fed96e
title: PISSI
uri: 2015-11-21-PISSI
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#20_November_2015_%28PISSI%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://reason.com/blog/2015/11/17/does-isis-control-attacks-or-inspire-the">Does
[PISSI] Direct Attacks or Inspire Them?&emdash;And Why That
Matters</a>


feed_id: 75f83f2bbaa77c993ae876e119274724
title: CIA and NSA try to smear Snowden
uri: CIA-and-NSA-try-to-smear-Snowden
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#20_November_2015_%28CIA_and_NSA_try_to_smear_Snowden%29

content:
<p>
The CIA and NSA
<a href="https://theintercept.com/2015/11/17/u-s-mass-surveillance-has-no-record-of-thwarting-large-terror-attacks-regardless-of-snowden-leaks/">have
not found anyone trying to start a terrorist attack in the US</a>.
<p>
But they pretend they have, in order to smear Snowden.


feed_id: 49dbb9f7b15bf227a0350684c613171f
title: Bombing PISSI
uri: 2015-11-21-Bombing-PISSI
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#20_November_2015_%28Bombing_PISSI%29
content:
<p>
Countries are joining the bombing campaign against PISSI, not because
more planes would achieve a military objective, but 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/nov/17/david-cameron-britain-must-extend-airstrikes-to-syria-to-fight-isis">as
a symbol</a>.
<p>
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2015/nov/17/russian-bombs-terror-vladimir-putin-syria-david-cameron">We
Accept That Russian Bombs Can Provoke a Terror Backlash.  Ours Can
Too</a>.
<p>
I am not a pacifist.  Effective military action may be justified even
despite blowback.  But effective military action tends to be
concentrated on enemies, so it causes less blowback.  Reflexive,
ill-calculated military action "because we must bomb something" will
tend to be self-defeating.
<p>
PISSI hopes to provoke Western reactions that would create a war
between the West and all Muslims.
<p>
URL: <a href="https://theintercept.com/2015/11/17/islamic-states-goal-eliminating-the-grayzone-of-coexistence-between-muslims-and-the-west/">https://theintercept.com/2015/11/17/islamic-states-goal-eliminating-the-grayzone-of-coexistence-between-muslims-and-the-west/</a>


feed_id: 6c3835ebfd301a7ffd00a7e4e5bd2e6d
title: Urgent: Release videos of killer thugs
uri: Urgent-Release-videos-of-killer-thugs
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#21_November_2015_%28Urgent%3A_Release_videos_of_killer_thugs%29

content:
<p>
Everyone: 
<a href="http://act.colorofchange.org/sign/release-tapes-justice4jamar/">demand
the release of the videos</A> showing the killing of Jamar Clark.


feed_id: 81ae3c5dcfa42a8cb5e171167eef8bfe
title: Urgent: Diplomacy to end Syrian civil war
uri: Urgent-Diplomacy-to-end-Syrian-civil-war
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#21_November_2015_%28Urgent%3A_Diplomacy_to_end_Syrian_civil_war%29

content:
<p>
US citizens: 
<a href="http://petitions.moveon.org/sign/stand-with-kerry-for">support
Kerry's efforts</a> for diplomacy to end the Syrian civil war and
target PISSI.


feed_id: f2c9f75f366579194399db80c4f4fa7d
title: Urgent: Network neutrality
uri: 2015-11-21-Urgent-Network-neutrality
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#21_November_2015_%28Urgent%3A_Network_neutrality%29
content:
<p>
US citizens: 
<a href="http://act.freepress.net/call/internet_senate_nn_approp/">phone
your senators</a> against riders in a spending bill to eliminate
network neutrality.
<p>
The Capitol Switchboard numbers are 202-224-3121, 888-818-6641
and 888-355-3588.


feed_id: 12902cc6c17127fd43ac1ffa62a4cdf5
title: Neonicotinoid pesticide approval cancelled
uri: Neonicotinoid-pesticide-approval-cancelled
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#21_November_2015_%28Neonicotinoid_pesticide_approval_cancelled%29

content:
<p>
A US appeals court 
<a href="http://earthjustice.org/news/press/2015/federal-court-overturns-epa-approval-of-bee-killing-pesticide">cancelled
the approval of neonicotinoid pesticide sulfoxaflor</a>, saying that
the EPA must first properly test its effects on bees.


feed_id: d2adab97dbab65bce218e20baf89e505
title: Spain wants to arrest Israeli officials
uri: Spain-wants-to-arrest-Israeli-officials
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#21_November_2015_%28Spain_wants_to_arrest_Israeli_officials%29

content:
<p>
Spain wants to arrest 
<a href="https://www.rt.com/news/322465-netanyahu-arrest-warrant-spain/">9
Israeli officials and ex-officials</a> responsible for the deadly
attack on the Mavi Marmara.


feed_id: ca8cd8dc16bf012d357a1ba3034b58a6
title: Reducing our combustion of oil
uri: Reducing-our-combustion-of-oil
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#21_November_2015_%28Reducing_our_combustion_of_oil%29

content:
<p>
The Norwegian oil company Statoil has 
<a href="http://www.commondreams.org/news/2015/11/17/another-arctic-victory-norwegian-oil-giant-abandons-offshore-leases">given
up on drilling in the Chukchi Sea</a>.
<p>
The US government 
<a href="http://www.commondreams.org/news/2015/11/17/utah-possible-turning-point-fight-keep-fossil-fuels-ground">postponed
a sale of oil leases in US public land</a>.
<p>
These are victories, but we will need lots more of them.  We must
reduce our combustion of oil, reduce it to zero in not too much time,
to avoid climate mayhem.


feed_id: fe21a874b25d8ee9c3a6dd30f52de0f4
title: PISSI wants war
uri: PISSI-wants-war
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#21_November_2015_%28PISSI_wants_war%29
content:
<p>
PISSI wants a war between all Muslims and all non-Muslims.  How we can
<a href="http://www.commondreams.org/views/2015/11/17/isis-wants-destroy-grey-zone-heres-how-we-defend-it">avoid
falling into PISSI's trap</a>.


feed_id: b140efe04a9491413608f826bfa6b034
title: Declining wages in the US
uri: Declining-wages-in-the-US
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#21_November_2015_%28Declining_wages_in_the_US%29
content:
<p>
The US has made substantial progress towards the goal of equal pay for
equal work, because of the 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2015/nov/18/gender-pay-gap-men-wages-economic-policy-institute-report">fall
in the income of men</a>.


feed_id: 3b17be972ddf2122915b024bc1f510e3
title: Turkey keeps PISSI's supply lines open
uri: Turkey-keeps-PISSI-s-supply-lines-open
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#21_November_2015_%28Turkey_keeps_PISSIs_supply_lines_open%29

content:
<p>
Turkey 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2015/nov/18/turkey-cut-islamic-state-supply-lines-erdogan-isis">could
cut off PISSI's supply lines</a>, but Erdo&gbreve;an threatened war against
the Kurds just to keep those lines open.


feed_id: f27503649d3bf82936e9f268b3532f13
title: Borqa bans
uri: Borqa-bans
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#21_November_2015_%28Borqa_bans%29
content:
<p>
Several African countries have 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/nov/18/senegal-bans-burqa-stop-terrorists-disquising-islamic-dress">banned
borqas to prevent hiding bombs under them</a>.


feed_id: a1191fe2984929d9e0349720b3e27eba
title: Reduced funding for coal
uri: Reduced-funding-for-coal
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#21_November_2015_%28Reduced_funding_for_coal%29
content:
<p>
The OECD countries 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2015/nov/18/oecd-countries-agree-to-restrict-financing-for-overseas-coal-power-plants">agreed
to reduce funding for coal power</a> in other countries, but Japan
blocked eliminating this funding.
<p>
This may do some good, but it is not the sort of vigorous action that
could save civilization from global disaster.  To risk civilization's
survival for a comparatively small short-term goal, such as improving
access to electricity in some poor countries, is foolhardy.  It won't
help the people of those countries to get electricity in the next
decade, then wiped out in 70 years.
<p>
Besides, solar power is much better for providing electricity to
dispersed rural populations.
<p>
I have to suspect that Japan's representatives were working for the
coal interests and what they said was just an excuse.


feed_id: 82da20c107b4c8afea9491d4d89c1181
title: Global heating
uri: 2015-11-21-Global-heating
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#21_November_2015_%28Global_heating%29
content:
<p>
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2015/nov/18/how-scientific-miscalculations-could-crash-the-climate">2C
of global heating is probably too much</a>, except under unlikely
assumptions.


feed_id: 2592e9c13ff62977134b866904bd285f
title: Killing people by remote control
uri: Killing-people-by-remote-control
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#21_November_2015_%28Killing_people_by_remote_control%29

content:
<p>
What it is like to be a 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/nov/18/life-as-a-drone-pilot-creech-air-force-base-nevada">US
drone pilot</a> and kill hundreds of people by remote control.


feed_id: dae383d1933aad254765d8850816986d
title: France bans rallies for climate defense
uri: France-bans-rallies-for-climate-defense
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#21_November_2015_%28France_bans_rallies_for_climate_defense%29

content:
<p>
France has 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/nov/18/cop21-climate-marches-paris-attacks">banned
rallies during the climate conference</a>.
<p>
This decision is short-termist folly.  Rallies for climate defense are
necessary for public safety.  Terrorists could at worst kill a few
hundred people in a rally.  Global heating is likely to kill 
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2012-jul-oct.html#04_October_2012_(Effect_of_global_heating_on_people)">hundreds
of <em>millions</em> of people</a>, though over a longer time.
<p>
I urge activists to march anyway and dare the state to stop them.


feed_id: 5c2c6a0950c562d286ecddf4d0045407
title: Attackers were European citizens
uri: Attackers-were-European-citizens
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#21_November_2015_%28Attackers_were_European_citizens%29

content:
<p>
It appears the Paris attackers were 
<a href="http://thinkprogress.org/world/2015/11/16/3722838/all-paris-attackers-identified-so-far-are-european-nationals-according-to-top-eu-official/">all
European citizens</a> — most have been identified, and they
included no refugees or visitors.


feed_id: 772878d898db3eb4ee494f399bf8ced6
title: Refugees
uri: 2015-11-21-Refugees
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#21_November_2015_%28Refugees%29
content:
<p>
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2015/nov/18/refugees-paris-europe-enemy">To
Turn On Refugees Because Of Paris Is Weak And Absurd</a>.


feed_id: 43e8549f70eaf9a6293cbe97e5f36f94
title: Victims of PISSI's attack
uri: Victims-of-PISSI-s-attack
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#21_November_2015_%28Victims_of_PISSIs_attack%29
content:
<p>
In France, the victims of PISSI's attack 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/nov/18/paris-attacks-muslim-victims-terrorist-france-isis">include
Muslims</a>.
<p>
In Syria and Iraq, most of PISSI's victims are Muslims.  Ordinary
Muslims and PISSI are natural enemies.


feed_id: c70f468ba1b4439a9c214ce2dce5b07d
title: France making the same mistakes as the US
uri: France-making-the-same-mistakes-as-the-US
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#21_November_2015_%28France_making_the_same_mistakes_as_the_US%29

content:
<p>
Will France now commit the same errors and wrongs that the US did
after the September 2011 attacks?  
<a href="http://www.rutherford.org/publications_resources/john_whiteheads_commentary/to_france_from_a_post_9_11_america_lessons_we_learned_too_late">It
has already started to</a>.


feed_id: 91c9786df113674067bb28e5d18aa0c7
title: Whales killed in marine sanctuary
uri: Whales-killed-in-marine-sanctuary
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#21_November_2015_%28Whales_killed_in_marine_sanctuary%29

content:
<p>
An Australian court found a Japanese whaling company guilty of 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2015/nov/18/australian-court-fines-japanese-whaling-company-1m-for-intentional-breaches">killing
whales in an Australian marine sanctuary</a>.
<p>
It may not be easy to make the company pay the fine.


feed_id: 19e21afe3a941730059ebf22077b325c
title: Urgent: Investigate climate fraud
uri: Urgent-Investigate-climate-fraud
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#22_November_2015_%28Urgent%3A_Investigate_climate_fraud%29

content:
<p>
US citizens: 
<a href="http://act.credoaction.com/sign/exxon_SEC">call on the
SEC</a> to investigate Exxon's climate fraud.


feed_id: 280ce79e9cb7959175c578ada7bdf551
title: Antibiotic-resistant bacteria
uri: Antibiotic-resistant-bacteria
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#22_November_2015_%28Antibiotic-resistant_bacteria%29

content:
<p>
Many bacteria are 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/science/2015/nov/18/antibiotic-defences-against-serious-diseases-under-threat-experts-warn">developing
resistance to the last line of antibiotics we have left</a>.
<p>
This was caused by feeding the antibiotics to pigs.
<p>
All sorts of surgery will become quite dangerous if we don't develop
new antibiotics — and stop farms from ruining them!


feed_id: 151f34a76774db4f84e85d1b76ed1a03
title: Workers protest Clinton's failure
uri: Workers-protest-Clinton-s-failure
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#22_November_2015_%28Workers_protest_Clintons_failure%29

content:
<p>
Walmart workers protested Clinton's 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2015/nov/18/walmart-protesters-hillary-clinton-campaign-brooklyn">failure
to endorse a raise in the minimum wage</a>.


feed_id: c3a8a07940b8fbe22cc3770dddf88132
title: Shoot-to-kill Won't Make Us Safe
uri: Shoot-to-kill-Won-t-Make-Us-Safe
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#22_November_2015_%28Shoot-to-kill_Wont_Make_Us_Safe%29

content:
<p>
Shoot-to-kill Won't Make Us Safe from Terror — 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2015/nov/18/shoot-to-kill-terror-fear-prejudice-jean-charles-de-menezes">Just
Sorry</a>.


feed_id: 73c8fa970ab8f4bf22319d6ca24838fa
title: Prepare for peace
uri: Prepare-for-peace
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#22_November_2015_%28Prepare_for_peace%29
content:
<p>
French Pirate Party: 
<a href="http://www.partipirate.org/Si-vis-pacem-para-pacem">If you
want peace, prepare for peace</a>.


feed_id: 67fc373a67582b426610865adaba93fd
title: US to sell more weapons to Saudi Arabia
uri: US-to-sell-more-weapons-to-Saudi-Arabia
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#22_November_2015_%28US_to_sell_more_weapons_to_Saudi_Arabia%29

content:
<p>
The US will sell repressive, Islamist Saudi Arabia 
<a href="http://www.commondreams.org/news/2015/11/17/despite-atrocities-us-approves-129-billion-deal-re-arm-saudi-arabia">over
a billion dollars more</a> in weapons.
<p>
Human Rights Watch calls on the US to stop selling bombs to Saudi
Arabia because it is 
<a href="http://www.motherjones.com/politics/2015/11/human-rights-watch-united-states-bombs-saudi-arabia">dropping
them on Yemen and killing lots of civilians</a>.
<p>
Saudi Arabia, a US "ally", seems to have 
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2015-jul-oct.html#20_August_2015_(Middle_Eastern_troublemaker)">helped
start the Islamist armed revolt in Syria</a>, aided by US "ally"
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2015-mar-jun.html#14_June_2015_(Fund_arm_jihadi_group)">Turkey</a>.
<p>
Meanwhile, Saudi money has been 
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2014-sep-dec.html#10_October_2014_(Rebel_group_has_taken_the_capital_of_Yemen)">behind
the spread of Wahhabism</a>, the extremist and oppressive form of
Islam that has been pushing out the more humane forms of Islam.


feed_id: ad8da984b607075a4182073e6f9cc747
title: Iran dismantling nuclear program
uri: Iran-dismantling-nuclear-program
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#22_November_2015_%28Iran_dismantling_nuclear_program%29

content:
<p>
Iran Starts Dismantling Nuclear Programme, 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/nov/18/iran-starts-dismantling-nuclear-programme-says-un-watchdog">Says
UN Watchdog</a>.


feed_id: 41a3e3dc94e4243e19763f48a1a27faa
title: Neonicotinoids
uri: 2015-11-22-Neonicotinoids
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#22_November_2015_%28Neonicotinoids%29
content:
<p>
Neonicotinoids found to 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2015/nov/18/neonicotinoids-pesticides-stop-bumblebees-from-pollinating-apple-trees-research-finds">impede
pollination by bumblebees</a>.


feed_id: 4282534e62bf432bf4c9d7ec24f260e5
title: Warning from former US drone operators
uri: Warning-from-former-US-drone-operators
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#22_November_2015_%28Warning_from_former_US_drone_operators%29

content:
<p>
Former US drone operators warn that 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/nov/18/obama-drone-war-isis-recruitment-tool-air-force-whistleblowers">US
drone attacks are important recruiting forces</a> for PISSI and
terrorists.


feed_id: 62e44d54a65719d79c6af52fc1c34849
title: UK climate and energy policy
uri: UK-climate-and-energy-policy
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#22_November_2015_%28UK_climate_and_energy_policy%29
content:
<p>
Is UK Climate And Energy Policy 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2015/nov/18/is-uk-climate-and-energy-policy-hypocritical-or-just-incompetent">Hypocritical
or Just Incompetent</a>?


feed_id: 3a48f4faec6d18ac610aa52361f22e8e
title: Islamists
uri: Islamists
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#22_November_2015_%28Islamists%29
content:
<p>
It's a mistake to say that the US (or France) is at war with "radical
Islam".  Even most radicals 
<a href="http://www.thenation.com/article/democrats-are-right-were-not-at-war-with-radical-islam/">don't
want to attack western countries</a>.
<p>
Islamists are not necessarily violent enemies of anyone, but their
views make them political enemies of human rights.


feed_id: faac86eec864ec467fb3283dc9fb84bc
title: Extremist parties in Israels gov't
uri: Extremist-parties-in-Israels-gov-t
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#22_November_2015_%28Extremist_parties_in_Israels_govt%29

content:
<p>
Extremist parties that call for demolishing the al-Aqsa mosque are now
included in Israel's government.  It is 
<a href="https://electronicintifada.net/content/destruction-al-aqsa-no-conspiracy-theory/14991">not
wild imagination to suppose they might actually do it</a>.
<p>
Building the "third temple" is part of 
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2004-may-aug.html#21%20July%202004%20(Uncritical%20support%20for%20Israeli%20policies%20from%20Christian%20fanatics)">what
US Christian nuts think is necessary to bring about their prophesied
apocalypse</a>.  I suspect that some of them are spending millions to
help those parties.


feed_id: be449b50da978bcf17f1ec9ce9a4fe26
title: Jailed Palestinian minors
uri: Jailed-Palestinian-minors
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#22_November_2015_%28Jailed_Palestinian_minors%29
content:
<p>
Israel jails Palestinian minors 
<a href="https://electronicintifada.net/content/israel-strip-searches-children-new-detention-center/14999">as
young as 8</a> in painful conditions and arbitrarily hampers them from
talking with their families.
<p>
I expect that most of these minors are teenagers, but some really are
children.


feed_id: 94d092c87761e1c5c79920318be6446c
title: Harassment faced by Palestinians
uri: Harassment-faced-by-Palestinians
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#22_November_2015_%28Harassment_faced_by_Palestinians%29

content:
<p>
Palestinians living in part of Hebron face 
<a href="http://www.countercurrents.org/cook111115.htm">additional
harassment</a> designed to drive them to abandon their homes.
<p>
Israeli troops 
<a href="http://palsolidarity.org/2015/11/human-rights-activists-evicted-from-tel-rumeida-apartment-again/">forced
international human rights activists out</a> of the apartment they had
rented in Hebron.
<p>
These activists serve as witnesses to how Israelis officially and
unofficially treat Palestinians, which makes their presence
inconvenient.  In practice, the state supports the 
<a href="http://972mag.com/why-cant-palestinians-harvest-olives-in-peace/113832/">repeated
pogroms carried out by Israeli fanatics</a>.


feed_id: 66c299671a973c83e659a1f9a9c77a84
title: Collective punishment
uri: 2015-11-22-Collective-punishment
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#22_November_2015_%28Collective_punishment%29
content:
<p>
<a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2015/11/15/world/middleeast/israel-palestinians-home-demolitions-west-bank.html">Demolishing
a family home</a> because one person in it committed (or is accused
of) a crime is an unjust collective punishment.
<p>
Israel says it will carry out unjust collective punishment on any
family, but in practice it's 
<a href="https://electronicintifada.net/content/israels-cruelest-punishments-reserved-palestinians/14989">only
done to Palestinians</a>.  And it already has inspired relatives to
respond with violence.


feed_id: 702fbdd69fd5cfaf22d5a3b8ae870324
title: Urgent: Regulate oil well emissions
uri: Urgent-Regulate-oil-well-emissions
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#22_November_2015_%28Urgent%3A_Regulate_oil_well_emissions%29

content:
<p>
US citizens:
<a href="https://secure3.convio.net/ucs/site/Advocacy?pagename=homepage&page=UserAction&id=5010">call
on the EPA</a> to regulate methane emissions from old and new oil
wells.


feed_id: ddecfea614d23021d3e31a5a52b4e682
title: Doctors in UK's NHS to strike
uri: Doctors-in-UK-s-NHS-to-strike
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#22_November_2015_%28Doctors_in_UKs_NHS_to_strike%29
content:
<p>
Doctors in the UK's National Health Service have
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/society/2015/nov/19/nhs-strikes-junior-doctors-vote-action-bma">voted
to strike</a>, as the government's program of spreading poverty and
stress targets them.


feed_id: 0dd5d522500cf2b5799d1837f9baada8
title: Stateless in the Dominican Republic
uri: Stateless-in-the-Dominican-Republic
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#22_November_2015_%28Stateless_in_the_Dominican_Republic%29

content:
<p>
The Dominican Republic arbitrarily deprived of citizenship
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/nov/19/dominican-republic-violated-human-rights-haitians-citizens">four
generations of people born in that country if they are of Haitian
ancestry</a>.  Many of them are not Haitian citizens, and if they can
get into Haiti it is only because that failed state can't control its
borders.


feed_id: 10bfbfeb301dbcb65f12af8ba57a0d4e
title: The craving for revenge
uri: The-craving-for-revenge
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#22_November_2015_%28The_craving_for_revenge%29
content:
<p>
You
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2015/nov/19/paris-attacks-pacifist-response-september-11">Needn't
Crave Revenge</a> After Attacks like Those in Paris.  I Didn't After
9/11.
<p>
What I crave is to
<a href="https://www.stallman.org/archives/archive-2001.html#civiliberties">defend
against the follow-on attack which targets our freedom</a>.


feed_id: 880abb34e5b4ac7aa1b3aea4d4c9f248
title: Renewable energy in tropical countries
uri: Renewable-energy-in-tropical-countries
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#22_November_2015_%28Renewable_energy_in_tropical_countries%29

content:
<p>
Many tropical countries are
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2015/nov/19/renewables-are-changing-the-climate-narrative-from-sacrifice-to-opportunity">investing
heavily in renewable energy</a>.


feed_id: 0d6d8321dd19a5805644ca8b42241f78
title: Male-female sex-change
uri: Male-female-sex-change
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#22_November_2015_%28Male-female_sex-change%29
content:
<p>
Germaine Greer
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/books/2015/nov/18/transgender-activists-protest-germaine-greer-lecture-cardiff-university">had
to struggle to be allowed to speak in a UK university</a>.  She says
that a male-female sex-change operation doesn't produce a real woman,
and many condemn her views.
<p>
I think Greer is right in a narrow sense, but perhaps wrong at a
deeper level.
<p>
What is the difference between a typical man and a typical woman?
It's actually many miscellaneous differences.  Changing one of them in
a man won't produce a woman.  Changing several of them might result in
a close-enough woman.
<p>
Not all men are alike, and not all women either.  Perhaps the man that
wants to be a transsexual starts out woman-like on some of those
points.


feed_id: 9fa252f4a0c5281c1b112c61b891d32f
title: Curfews
uri: Curfews
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#22_November_2015_%28Curfews%29
content:
<p>
Various countries are
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/cities/2015/nov/19/cities-at-night-right-to-use-public-spaces-after-dark-curfews-lockout-laws">shutting
down city streets and parks at night</a>.  This narrows the life of
the city and narrows human rights.
<p>
Other cities are
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/public-leaders-network/2015/nov/19/oklahoma-walking-car-culture-pedestrians-cities">promoting
walking on the streets</a>.


feed_id: ced195f916aa4dc65a974e32db9a1792
title: Housing crisis in Europe
uri: Housing-crisis-in-Europe
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#22_November_2015_%28Housing_crisis_in_Europe%29
content:
<p>
Europe is suffering from a lasting
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/nov/19/damning-report-exposes-europes-escalating-housing-crisis">housing
crisis</a>.
<p>
This is part of the reason I have not encouraged European countries to
take in lots of refugees.  They have not got enough housing or enough
jobs for their current population.  If they don't adopt policies to
create a lot more housing and jobs, the refugees will have to compete
with the poor for too little.


feed_id: 4ecd2ccb89935b94f1411098013a9fbe
title: DA wants back door in mobile devices
uri: DA-wants-back-door-in-mobile-devices
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#22_November_2015_%28DA_wants_back_door_in_mobile_devices%29

content:
<p>
<a href="https://www.privacysos.org/node/1853">The Paris attackers did
not use encryption</a>, it seems.
<p>
Meanwhile, a district attorney
<a href="http://boingboing.net/2015/11/18/manhattan-da-calls-for-backdoo.html">wants
to require back door in all operating systems for mobile devices</a>.
<p>
Doesn't he know that
<a href="http://gnu.org/proprietary/proprietary-back-doors.html">all
mobile phones already have them</a>?
<p>
Just as in 2001, the next target is our freedom!


feed_id: bd3f2e248c6ccf3169a622a5e6cccdb1
title: CMU's Tor-cracking investigation
uri: CMU-s-Tor-cracking-investigation
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#22_November_2015_%28CMUs_Tor-cracking_investigation%29

content:
<p>
CMU says that the FBI didn't pay for its Tor-cracking investigation,
but
<a href="http://www.wired.com/2015/11/carnegie-mellon-denies-fbi-paid-for-tor-breaking-research/">refuses
to answer any more questions</a>.
<p>
Maybe it was paid for by some other US agency rather than the FBI.


feed_id: 68bc9eb9a1c649c0dbff74e203895784
title: Myth of genetic determinism
uri: Myth-of-genetic-determinism
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#22_November_2015_%28Myth_of_genetic_determinism%29
content:
<p>
Our culture is
<a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/scott-f-gilbert/dna-as-our-soul-believing_b_8590902.html">erecting
a myth of genetic determinism</a>.
<p>
Note that it is clearer to make a clear distinction between a cell's
genetic sequence and its epigenetic tagging.  They are both found in
DNA, but they are quite different.


feed_id: 6176999187f92753df7c04e3300e4346
title: Emails with embedded URLs
uri: Emails-with-embedded-URLs
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#22_November_2015_%28Emails_with_embedded_URLs%29
content:
<p>
If you allow emails to embed URLs, you're asking to be
<a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2015/11/19/technology/personaltech/foiling-electronic-snoops-in-email.html">mistreated</a>.
I normally look at an email via the ASCII text in it.  On the
occasions that I look at HTML, I render it with lynx, which ignores
anything embedded.  None of these tracking methods work on me, and if
you use this method, they won't work on you either.


feed_id: 1a4fe5fdf2416fef63f819f1f94d7fd5
title: Conservatives attracted by subjection of women
uri: Conservatives-attracted-by-subjection-of-women
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#22_November_2015_%28Conservatives_attracted_by_subjection_of_women%29

content:
<p>
Conservative westerners are attracted by
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/commentisfree/2015/nov/19/conservatives-yearning-for-islam-is-the-love-that-dare-not-speak-its-name">Islamists'
subjection of women</a>.


feed_id: 9109d689613632695b0d5b1419598e71
title: Very urgent: Join climate defense rallies
uri: Very-urgent-Join-climate-defense-rallies
content: <p> Join a <a href="https://350.org">climate defense rally</a> near you, or start one.
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#23_November_2015_%28Urgent%3A_Join_climate_defense_rallies%29


feed_id: 4756fbe36c1282edc6b449085285dbb3
title: Urgent: Curb global heating
uri: 2015-11-24-Urgent-Curb-global-heating
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#23_November_2015_%28Urgent%3A_Curb_global_heating%29

content:
<p>
Everyone: 
<a href="https://secure.nrdconline.org/site/Advocacy?cmd=display&page=UserAction&id=3887">call
on world leaders to take strong action to curb global heating.


feed_id: 9b9e9d4f5b339f7615afaedf6bd777bd
title: Asylum for threatened cultural treasures
uri: Asylum-for-threatened-cultural-treasures
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#23_November_2015_%28Asylum_for_threatened_cultural_treasures%29

content:
<p>
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/jonathanjonesblog/2015/nov/20/asylum-artefacts-paris-terrorists-louvre-isis">France
will offer asylum</a> to cultural treasures threatened by fanatics.


feed_id: f91a634c2a65fcd96df27261d1c39fc1
title: Bahrain refuses to prosecute thugs
uri: Bahrain-refuses-to-prosecute-thugs
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#23_November_2015_%28Bahrain_refuses_to_prosecute_thugs%29

content:
<p>
Bahrain Refuses to Prosecute 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/media/greenslade/2015/nov/20/bahrain-refuses-to-prosecute-police-who-tortured-journalist">Police
Who Tortured Journalist</a>.


feed_id: fa9376d4738f9d3f4543dfd55cd6f99e
title: Pulling CO2 out of the atmosphere
uri: Pulling-CO2-out-of-the-atmosphere
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#23_November_2015_%28Pulling_CO2_out_of_the_atmosphere%29

content:
<p>
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/books/2015/nov/20/climate-crisis-future-brighter-tim-flannery">Technologies
being developed today</a> might be able to pull large amounts of
CO<sub>2</sub> out of the atmosphere.


feed_id: b5596440a276c03e185cf51e38ff8daf
title: Heat stress and deaths of farm workers
uri: Heat-stress-and-deaths-of-farm-workers
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#23_November_2015_%28Heat_stress_and_deaths_of_farm_workers%29

content:
<p>
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/sustainable-business/2015/nov/20/heat-stress-public-health-prodcutivity-el-salvador-sugarcane-workers-chronic-kidney-disease">Heat
stress could be responsible</a> for the death of many farm workers in
Central America.
<p>
Global heating is going to 
<a href="https://www.stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#25_October_2015_(Best_temperature_for_economic_productivity)">make
people less productive</a> in most of the world.


feed_id: c28d0a8e7bbcc31d28ba4365b4fa1ec4
title: Water damage due to global heating
uri: Water-damage-due-to-global-heating
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#23_November_2015_%28Water_damage_due_to_global_heating%29

content:
<p>
Our 1C of global heating has 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2015/nov/20/uk-heritage-hit-by-climate-change-warns-national-trust">quadrupled
weather damage to historic properties</a> in the UK.


feed_id: 2816ab603507b4e6521bd397b41a6a08
title: Massive incarceration in the US
uri: Massive-incarceration-in-the-US
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#23_November_2015_%28Massive_incarceration_in_the_US%29

content:
<p>
Massive incarceration in the US goes 
<a href="https://www.jacobinmag.com/2015/03/mass-incarceration-war-on-drugs/">beyond
the war on drugs</a>.
<p>
The topic is too big, and I know too little about it, for me to have
an overall opinion.  All I can say is that we need to eliminate
private prisons, and that we should release most convicts that have
become so old that they are not likely to commit crimes again.


feed_id: 531774102f12491d7f7f35d203caaa27
title: Thugs tase man to death
uri: Thugs-tase-man-to-death
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#23_November_2015_%28Thugs_tase_man_to_death%29
content:
<p>
Thugs 
<a href="http://www.msnbc.com/msnbc/driven-hospital-virginia-man-tased-shackled-and-dies-police-custody">killed
Linwood Lambert by tasing him 20 times</a>, then lied about the
circumstances.
<p>
They could have just left him alone, since they did not think he had
done anything wrong.


feed_id: 9273c540287b72a1bd557bfb3299e718
title: Evidence of corruption in unions and NGOs
uri: Evidence-of-corruption-in-unions-and-NGOs
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#23_November_2015_%28Evidence_of_corruption_in_unions_and_NGOs%29

content:
<p>
Suggestive evidence that unions and NGOs, such as the League of
Conservation Voters, have endorsed Clinton 
<a href="http://www.commondreams.org/views/2015/11/18/oligarchy-vs-people-why-we-need-political-revolution">even
though Clinton doesn't support their cause as well as Sanders</a>.
Maybe they have been corrupted.


feed_id: b46b26dd4a8b68411d5579984482c0a8
title: What Elsevier considers "stealing"
uri: What-Elsevier-considers-stealing
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#23_November_2015_%28What_Elsevier_considers_stealing%29

content:
<p>
Elsevier Says 
<a href="https://www.techdirt.com/articles/20151117/09383132839/elsevier-says-downloading-content-mining-licensed-copies-research-papers-could-be-considered-stealing.shtml">Downloading
And Content-Mining Licensed Copies Of Research Papers</a> 'Could Be
Considered' Stealing.
<p>
This isn't the last straw.  Elsevier's last straw was years ago.
I urge academics to refuse to review papers for any Elsevier journal
except when there is a specific overriding moral imperative to do so.


feed_id: 6e6d65396cec231fab934805b5aa29cd
title: US ISPs undermining net neutrality
uri: US-ISPs-undermining-net-neutrality
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#23_November_2015_%28US_ISPs_undermining_net_neutrality%29

content:
<p>
US ISPs are undermining network neutrality by 
<a href="http://motherboard.vice.com/read/so-this-is-how-net-neutrality-dies">giving
special deals to certain sites and then charging more for access to
everywhere else</a>.


feed_id: ad836ddb6d17a03f26460eadc9b9f8b5
title: Detroit thug convicted
uri: Detroit-thug-convicted
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#23_November_2015_%28Detroit_thug_convicted%29
content:
<p>
A Detroit thug has been convicted of attacking Floyd Dent.  The thug
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2015/nov/19/detroit-robocop-found-guilty-beating-floyd-dent">punched
Dent 16 times in the head</a>, for no evident reason.


feed_id: 5f1e902a6139fdb98617f639bb307fc8
title: Minneapolis thugs beat up protesters
uri: Minneapolis-thugs-beat-up-protesters
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#23_November_2015_%28Minneapolis_thugs_beat_up_protesters%29

content:
<p>
Thugs in Minneapolis 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2015/nov/19/jamar-clark-minneapolis-police-shooting-naacp-vigil">beat
up two women</a> who were protesting the killing of Jamar Clark.


feed_id: 4625e7e5778063a752164bfd2d1ce93b
title: US attack drone controllers
uri: US-attack-drone-controllers
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#23_November_2015_%28US_attack_drone_controllers%29
content:
<p>
US attack drone controllers have developed a 
<a href="https://theintercept.com/2015/11/19/former-drone-operators-say-they-were-horrified-by-cruelty-of-assassination-program/">callousness</a>
towards killing civilians, even children.


feed_id: 70b4dba0494648f32625a43ed3976489
title: Trump wants special ID cards
uri: Trump-wants-special-ID-cards
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#23_November_2015_%28Trump_wants_special_ID_cards%29
content:
<p>
Trump wants to require Muslims to carry 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2015/nov/19/donald-trump-muslim-americans-special-identification-tracking-mosques">special
ID cards</a>.
<p>
It is unamerican to require people to carry ID cards.
Why not make them wear armbands with a star and crescent?


feed_id: 646e3a1e01f992db8dfdbab0e97f6472
title: French intelligence knew Paris attackers
uri: French-intelligence-knew-Paris-attackers
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#23_November_2015_%28French_intelligence_knew_Paris_attackers%29

content:
<p>
French intelligence 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/nov/19/how-french-intelligence-agencies-failed-before-the-paris-attacks">knew
several of the Paris attackers</a>.  If the goal was to prevent these
attacks, total surveillance of everyone was irrelevant.


feed_id: 846ad6045235cadf48e9ffb7519d282f
title: Repression in Morocco
uri: 2015-11-24-Repression-in-Morocco
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#23_November_2015_%28Repression_in_Morocco%29
content:
<p>
Morocco 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/nov/19/journalists-activists-trial-morocco">uses
unjust pretexts</a> to repress journalists and human rights defenders.


feed_id: 2ef965c504c7ed04bf85913b8f02d1ce
title: FBI entrapment
uri: 2015-11-24-FBI-entrapment
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#23_November_2015_%28FBI_entrapment%29
content:
<p>
The FBI entrapped Eric McDavid into a fantastic bombing scheme, then
<a href="https://theintercept.com/2015/11/19/an-fbi-informant-seduced-eric-mcdavid-into-a-bomb-plot-then-the-government-lied-about-it/">lied
to convict him and concealed evidence to support the lie</a>.
<p>
When he asked for an explanation for the illegal concealment of
evidence, the US responded by threatening to jail him again.
<p>
This is what the FBI means when it says it "protects" us.


feed_id: cba91995d231fddb25aefa4d5b2981ff
title: Sale of genetically modified salmon
uri: Sale-of-genetically-modified-salmon
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#23_November_2015_%28Sale_of_genetically_modified_salmon%29

content:
<p>
The FDA has 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2015/nov/19/fda-approves-genetically-modified-salmon">approved
sale</a> of genetically modified salmon.
<p>
I expect that these salmon are safe to eat, because there is nothing
that would tend to make them dangerous.  However, the defenses against
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2010-jul-oct.html#9%20September%202010%20(Risky%20business:%20GM%20salmon)">contaminating
wild salmon genetically</a> are not enough.  The company wants to get
to market now, not in several years after developing more levels of
defense.  Thus, the company will always tend to take insufficient
precautions.


feed_id: 131a086d21cfe4b02c615acc8d4a30e6
title: Livestock population
uri: Livestock-population
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#23_November_2015_%28Livestock_population%29
content:
<p>
The livestock population is 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2015/nov/19/population-crisis-farm-animals-laying-waste-to-planet">increasing
faster than the human population</a> and is a big environmental
threat.
<p>
The statements in the article about limiting human population growth
are self-contradictory.  It says, "When there is almost nothing to be
done, there is no requirement to act," but then shows that the world
could reduce human population growth quite a bit.  I am glad I have
contributed to this goal by 
<a href="https://stallman.org/articles/children.html">having no
children myself</a>, and I recommend you think about it too.


feed_id: 746ec30907e1bbaa41b957b88f4d10fc
title: France attacking itself
uri: France-attacking-itself
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#23_November_2015_%28France_attacking_itself%29
content:
<p>
France passed an "emergency" law 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/nov/19/french-mps-vote-to-extend-state-of-emergency-after-paris-terror">permitting
the state to impose house arrest on anyone with no judicial review,
and examine any computer without a warrant</a>.
<p>
Poor France, attacking itself at a level that mere terrorists cannot
reach.


feed_id: 2efd86facb84cea9a3c3e9020b9e7965
title: UK gov't keeps global heating advancing
uri: UK-gov-t-keeps-global-heating-advancing
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#23_November_2015_%28UK_govt_keeps_global_heating_advancing%29

content:
<p>
The UK government is 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2015/nov/19/uk-reversing-undoing-climate-change-policies-say-doctors-and-nurses">going
all-out</a> to keep global heating advancing.


feed_id: 025a89b7a17ecaaa5b509da12f7080df
title: Rallies for climate protection
uri: Rallies-for-climate-protection
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#23_November_2015_%28Rallies_for_climate_protection%29

content:
<p>
Rallies for climate protection are planned 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2015/nov/19/organisers-of-cancelled-paris-climate-march-urge-global-show-of-support">around
the world</a> instead of the banned march in Paris.
<p>
Activists should 
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#21_November_2015_(France_bans_rallies_for_climate_defense)">defy
the ban and march in Paris anyway</a>.  There are too many lives at
stake here to let the government's minor short-term concerns get in
the way.


feed_id: 6afb23b551110a24bfb27944ba1cc736
title: Adapting the Marseillaise
uri: Adapting-the-Marseillaise
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#24_November_2015_%28Adapting_the_Marseillaise%29
content:
<p>
Adapting the Marseillaise to the
<a href="https://stallman.org/chant-du-29-novembre.html">
greatest threat to civilization</a>.


feed_id: a29761979d3a29f6bed3b90dca59c363
title: Urgent: Defeat anti-environment riders
uri: Urgent-Defeat-anti-environment-riders
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#24_November_2015_%28Urgent%3A_Defeat_anti-environment_riders%29

content:
<p>
US citizens: 
<a href="https://secure.earthjustice.org/site/Advocacy?cmd=display&page=UserAction&id=1807">Call
on Congress</a> to defeat anti-environment riders in spending bills.


feed_id: 3ec64138084ade05d86b05cc1914f449
title: Urgent: No more Goldman Sachs insiders
uri: Urgent-No-more-Goldman-Sachs-insiders
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#24_November_2015_%28Urgent%3A_No_more_Goldman_Sachs_insiders%29

content:
<p>
US citizens: 
<a href="https://www.dailykos.com/campaigns/1521">demand</a> no more
Goldman Sachs insiders in the Federal Reserve management.


feed_id: 34cfc64384b5e4aa10d2ace791b902ec
title: Islamist fanatics attack hotel in Mali
uri: Islamist-fanatics-attack-hotel-in-Mali
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#24_November_2015_%28Islamist_fanatics_attack_hotel_in_Mali%29

content:
<p>
Islamist fanatics attack a hotel in Mali and 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/nov/20/mali-attack-highlights-global-spread-extremist-violence">took
hostages, killing some</a>.


feed_id: 30d9682de8c5fc3f5a89512c4937e6ea
title: Murder of human rights activists in Colombia
uri: Murder-of-human-rights-activists-in-Colombia
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#24_November_2015_%28Murder_of_human_rights_activists_in_Colombia%29

content:
<p>
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/nov/20/colombia-human-rights-activists-murders">Over
700 human rights activists</a> have been murdered in Colombia in the
past 20 years.


feed_id: 35f11b75360336873ee113523137daff
title: Deforestation in the Amazon
uri: 2015-11-25-Deforestation-in-the-Amazon
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#24_November_2015_%28Deforestation_in_the_Amazon%29
content:
<p>
Deforestation in the Amazon 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2015/nov/20/amazon-tree-species-risk-extinction-deforestation">threatens
extinction for thousands of tree species</a> that live only there.
<p>
Global heating is likely to wipe out large parts of the Amazon
rainforest, through drought and fire.


feed_id: 69305bd7b9d616ecceeea3885ce6e10c
title: Syrian free software leader Bassel Khartabil
uri: Syrian-free-software-leader-Bassel-Khartabil
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#24_November_2015_%28Syrian_free_software_leader_Bassel_Khartabil%29

content:
<p>
<a href="http://joi.ito.com/weblog/2015/11/13/urgent-reports-.html">Rumors</a>
say that imprisoned Syrian free software leader Bassel Khartabil is
going to be executed by Assad's men.
<p>
Unfortunately there is no better source of information about whether
this is true.  Syrian thugs are even more secretive about their
killings than US thugs.


feed_id: c2f774e8332d174004a3c242890e165a
title: US thugs frequently steal
uri: US-thugs-frequently-steal
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#24_November_2015_%28US_thugs_frequently_steal%29
content:
<p>
US thugs only occasionally hit, kick or kill people, but they are 
<a href="https://reason.com/archives/2015/11/18/law-enforcement-loves-legal-larceny">very
frequently stealing</a> under the cover of law.


feed_id: c545caff38705bcc16dfe18121cf2b17
title: Ultrasonic surveillance audio
uri: Ultrasonic-surveillance-audio
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#24_November_2015_%28Ultrasonic_surveillance_audio%29

content:
<p>
TV commercials now include 
<a href="http://www.theatlantic.com/technology/archive/2015/11/your-phone-is-literally-listening-to-your-tv/416712/">ultrasonic
surveillance audio</a>, meant to be detected by malware in any nearby
mobile device.
<p>
The main wrong here is in the malware, which should be prohibited.
However, television regulators should prohibit the inclusion of these
sounds in broadcasts.
<p>
The hypothetical example in China is silly, because it is easy for Big
Brother to determine that several cell phones are in the same place,
just through the normal tracking that is done.  This tracking, and the
remotely-enabled capability to listen on all conversations in the
room, are why I call those phones "Stalin's dream", and the main
reason why I refuse to carry one.


feed_id: 3e6d18526e76ecc00accad02548e4f16
title: Bill to reduce corporate tax
uri: Bill-to-reduce-corporate-tax
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#24_November_2015_%28Bill_to_reduce_corporate_tax%29
content:
<p>
Senator Warren 
<a href="http://www.commondreams.org/news/2015/11/19/elizabeth-warren-blasts-tax-plan-giant-wet-kiss-corporate-america">blasted
Congress's bill to reduce taxes for multinational corporations</a>.
<p>
The low taxes on businesses and rich people are the cause of all the
US's fiscal problems.


feed_id: d101d1244ef0cbfc0d13867682c9a329
title: French gov't attack on human rights
uri: French-gov-t-attack-on-human-rights
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#24_November_2015_%28French_govt_attack_on_human_rights%29

content:
<p>
La Quadrature du Net describes the French government's 
<a href="http://www.laquadrature.net/en/police-state-in-france">blitzkrieg
against human rights</a>.
<p>
Amnesty International 
<a href="http://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2015/11/19/france-emergency-measures-must-protect-public-without-trampling-human-rights">criticizes
it</a> too.


feed_id: 39a350efcf86d74882375c0a12873612
title: Republican candidates' apps
uri: Republican-candidates-apps
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#24_November_2015_%28Republican_candidates_apps%29
content:
<p>
Certain Republican candidates distribute apps that 
<a href="http://www.vocativ.com/news/250162/all-your-data-are-belong-to-ted-cruz/">collect
lots of personal data</a>, even the user's contact list.
<p>
These apps are proprietary software, so they are 
<a href="https://gnu.org/philosophy/free-software-even-more-important.html">software
for suckers</a>.  They run on proprietary platforms that are also
software for suckers.  For that reason alone, it's foolish to run
them, and wrong to develop them.  I won't reject a candidate for
having such apps, because I know they are following the usual
standards of Americans.  But I hope you will learn to reject nonfree
apps and nonfree platforms.


feed_id: 2c95b33724a2d1d26f7399b1431928d7
title: Methane-charged undersea permafrost
uri: Methane-charged-undersea-permafrost
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#24_November_2015_%28Methane-charged_undersea_permafrost%29

content:
<p>
Methane-charged undersea permafrost is 
<a href="http://www.dailykos.com/stories/2015/11/18/1451488/-Methane-feeds-subsea-ice-mounds-off-Siberia-and-may-be-the-step-before-the-dreaded-methane-blowout">becoming
active in the Arctic Ocean</a>.
<p>
This suggests we are approaching the point where lots of methane will
be released, causing global heating positive feedback.


feed_id: 60b76a9d167e19f6b9bf429d094a81c9
title: UK thug department apologizes
uri: UK-thug-department-apologizes
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#24_November_2015_%28UK_thug_department_apologizes%29

content:
<p>
A UK thug department has apologized for the 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2015/nov/20/met-police-apologise-women-had-relationships-with-undercover-officers">undercover
thugs that infiltrated various dissident groups by forming long-term
relationships with women in the groups</a>.
<p>
The thug department has not admitted encouraging the thugs to form
such relationships, but that could hardly be false when so many did
it.


feed_id: 9a74aebba6a05162a1ab11c8edd4053c
title: Protests against racism
uri: Protests-against-racism
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#24_November_2015_%28Protests_against_racism%29
content:
<p>
Protests against racism have 
<a href="http://www.motherjones.com/politics/2015/11/missouri-student-protests-racism">spread
to many US universities</a>.
<p>
There are many things that universities can do to reduce racism,
but one demand they should reject is to punish the 
<a href="http://reason.com/reasontv/2015/11/18/yale-mizzou-students-should-protest-but">expression
of racist views</a>.
<p>
When students demand the university "suspend" Professor Swain, they
advocate conduct comparable to that which 
<a href="https://www.stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#16_November_2015_(Professor_fired_for_political_views_settles_lawsuit)">Professor
Salaita</a> received.
<p>
I agree more or less with Professor Salaita's controversial
statements.  I mostly disagree with Professor Swain's controversial
statements (*).  But whether you or I agree with someone's views is
beside the point.  We must respect people's rights to express views
whether we agree or disagree, and that includes professors.
<p>
* I think that Islam is dangerous in some situations, and the same
applies to Christianity, Judaism, Hinduism, and even occasionally
Buddhism.  Or rather, the 
<a href="https://www.stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#09_November_2015_(Local_social_relationships)">bad
aspects of human nature can find in religion a field to express
themselves</a>.


feed_id: 304d83b2c21c43e21911283e6a79bbb1
title: Antibiotic resistance
uri: 2015-11-25-Antibiotic-resistance
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#24_November_2015_%28Antibiotic_resistance%29
content:
<p>
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2015/nov/20/antibiotic-awareness-week-resistance-world-health-organisation-prescription">What
we must do</a> to confront antibiotic resistance.


feed_id: c44eba30b0e9b825f9ff7997609d50d4
title: Adapting the Marseillaise
uri: 2015-11-25-Adapting-the-Marseillaise
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#24_November_2015_%28Adapting_the_Marseillaise%29
content:
<p>
Adapting the Marseillaise to the
<a href="https://stallman.org/articles/chant-du-29-novembre.html">
greatest threat to civilization</a>.


feed_id: a440bbff0379bb34e77ec0cb6c7355d6
title: Convention on Children's Rights
uri: Convention-on-Children-s-Rights
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#25_November_2015_%28Convention_on_Children%27s_Rights%29

content:
<p>
The US is the
<a href="https://www.aclu.org/blog/speak-freely/theres-only-one-country-hasnt-ratified-convention-childrens-rights-us">
only country that has not ratified</a> the UN Convention on
Children's Rights.


feed_id: 0f11190d02b0a5a7159838aac99d0145
title: Medical records privacy law
uri: Medical-records-privacy-law
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#25_November_2015_%28Medical_records_privacy_law%29
content:
<p>
The US medical records privacy law doesn't apply to many kinds of
medical
data
<a href="https://www.propublica.org/article/privacy-not-included-federal-law-lags-behind-new-tech">
including the data collected by excercise trackers</a>.
<p>
This is a problem because of exercise trackers that contain
proprietary software and are designed to send the user's personal data
to a company site.
<a href="http://gnu.org/philosophy/free-software-even-more-important.html">
Such products are essentially unethical</a>,
  and people should not be surprised when the
<a href="http://gnu.org/proprietary/">
proprietary software
turns out to be malware</a>.
<p>
The US medical records privacy law (HIPAA) is totally inadequate when
it comes to government access to your records.


feed_id: 32fa0095ed114dbc2b6bd10c9732ab07
title: Fanatics in Mississippi
uri: Fanatics-in-Mississippi
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#25_November_2015_%28Fanatics_in_Mississippi%29
content:
<p>
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2015/nov/21/mississippi-teacher-suspended-cucumber-condom-demonstration">
Christian fanatics in Mississippi fired a teacher</a> for allowing a
student
to demonstrate, with a cucumber, the correct way to put on a condom.
<p>
The Christian fanatics want to keep teenagers ignorant of this
so that they will get pregnant, and then the fanatics can claim
that proves they should not have had sex.
<p>
Do you think I am exaggerating?  All that is literally true.


feed_id: 59c12ba0495aa79d3b26d085367198a0
title: Pfizer tax rate
uri: Pfizer-tax-rate
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#25_November_2015_%28Pfizer_tax_rate%29
content:
<p>
Pfizer misleads about the tax rate it pays by
<a href="http://www.commondreams.org/news/2015/11/10/pfizers-tax-rate-fiction-exposed-pays-less-everyone-you-know">
not mentioning most of
its income</a>.


feed_id: 4e9ba74e6c0086f06c9f0d436b8b3652
title: Texas state textbooks
uri: Texas-state-textbooks
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#25_November_2015_%28Texas_state_textbooks%29
content:
<p>
Texas officials 
<a href="http://www.csmonitor.com/USA/Education/2015/1118/Texas-rejects-allowing-academics-to-fact-check-public-school-textbooks">refused
to allow academics to check state textbooks for falsehoods</a>.
Miseducating children is their goal.


feed_id: bc34d8f0ff21daba44438fe745e4a13a
title: Tracking
uri: Tracking
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#25_November_2015_%28Tracking%29
content:
<p>
Trump 
<a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/the-fix/wp/2015/11/20/donald-trump-backs-a-federal-database-to-track-muslims-but-not-gun-sales/">wants
to track all Muslims in the US but opposes tracking all guns</a>.


feed_id: 197a63a4a7f97ce5c2101c951c88d33b
title: Urgent: Sentencing Reform Act
uri: Urgent-Sentencing-Reform-Act
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#25_November_2015_%28Urgent%3A_Sentencing_Reform_Act%29

content:
<p>
US citizens: 
<a href="https://engage.drugpolicy.org/secure/tell-your-representative-reform-harsh-drug-laws">ask
your congresscritter</a> to support the Sentencing Reform Act.


feed_id: 4e6dbe7d9f7dcd8d53101611cd0b4529
title: Hostility towards Muslims
uri: Hostility-towards-Muslims
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#25_November_2015_%28Hostility_towards_Muslims%29
content:
<p>
General hostility towards Muslims is 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/nov/21/there-is-a-massive-paranoia-uk-muslims-on-life-after-paris">spreading
in the UK</a>, whereas in the US Trump called for making all Muslims
carry 
<a href="https://www.stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#23_November_2015_(Trump_wants_special_ID_cards)">special
ID cards</a>.
<p>
This is just what PISSI hoped to achieve.


feed_id: ece81bf7b36d9c7105dabc9689858a2c
title: "Right to be forgotten"
uri: Right-to-be-forgotten
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#25_November_2015_%28Right_to_be_forgotten%29
content:
<p>
The EU is considering a 
<a href="https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2015/11/unintended-consequences-european-style-how-new-eu-data-protection-regulation-will">directive
to extend the current "right to be forgotten"</a>, which is currently
a right for person P to demand that some pages be removed from
searches for the name P, so that it would cover comments that others
post which say things about P.
<p>
This would turn it it into a system of censorship.


feed_id: 6af885ed7f70dce035fc0e4ec822fe6e
title: Local back doors in mobile devices
uri: Local-back-doors-in-mobile-devices
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#25_November_2015_%28Local_back_doors_in_mobile_devices%29

content:
<p>
<a href="http://www.commondreams.org/views/2015/11/19/baseless-calls-expand-surveillance-fit-familiar-cynical-pattern">Baseless
Calls to Expand Surveillance</a> Fit Familiar, Cynical Pattern.
<p>
A law has been proposed to require a 
<a href="media/b453d265..1520Report20on20Smartphone20Encryption20and20Public20Safety.pdf" data-original-source="http://manhattanda.org/sites/default/files/11.18.15%20Report%20on%20Smartphone%20Encryption%20and%20Public%20Safety.pdf">local
back door in all mobile devices</a>.
<p>
Once the back door was leaked, anyone who stole your device would be
able to decrypt its disk.
<p>
When citizens can't keep secrets from the state, 
<a href="http://gnu.org/philosophy/surveillance-vs-democracy.html">democracy
is in danger</a>.


feed_id: fd52961dba8943794592b1afa40a5625
title: Fighting PISSI
uri: 2015-11-25-Fighting-PISSI
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#25_November_2015_%28Fighting_PISSI%29
content:
<p>
The UN Security Council 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/nov/21/un-calls-for-all-able-member-states-to-join-fight-against-isis">called
for all countries to fight PISSI</a>.
<p>
I am in favor of fighting PISSI, but not in stupid ways.


feed_id: 4c748d2c676de9152015b4c5d084f9d7
title: Saudi court sentences poet to death
uri: Saudi-court-sentences-poet-to-death
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#25_November_2015_%28Saudi_court_sentences_poet_to_death%29

content:
<p>
Saudi Court 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/nov/20/saudi-court-sentences-poet-to-death-for-renouncing-islam">Sentences
Poet to Death</a> for Renouncing Islam.


feed_id: 7057249192ee191b03c45e74c2b196a5
title: CNN "suspends" correspondent for opinion
uri: CNN-suspends-correspondent-for-opinion
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#25_November_2015_%28CNN_suspends_correspondent_for_opinion%29

content:
<p>
CNN "suspended" a correspondent for 
<a href="https://theintercept.com/2015/11/20/cnns-punishment-of-refugee-defending-journalist-highlights-media-abdication/">expressing
the wrong opinion off the air</a>.


feed_id: 22e4406e626115e4c04599f03bbd4958
title: The practice of "swatting"
uri: The-practice-of-swatting
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#25_November_2015_%28The_practice_of_swatting%29
content:
<p>
Congress is considering a law to make it a serious crime to 
<a href="http://motherboard.vice.com/read/proposed-national-law-would-crack-down-on-swatters-with-serious-jail-time">send
a SWAT team to someone's house by making a false report</a>.
<p>
I don't think this will put an end to the practice of "swatting".  It
is too easy to make these false reports.  Meanwhile, the practice is
made easier by thug departments that use SWAT teams too readily.  The
lower the bar for sending the SWAT team to raid your house, the less
someone needs to do to get them to send it.


feed_id: aebcb9adff78551de133adf62aa437a9
title: Surveillance using stringrays
uri: Surveillance-using-stringrays
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#25_November_2015_%28Surveillance_using_stringrays%29

content:
<p>
A US court has 
<a href="http://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2015/11/judge-stingrays-are-simply-too-powerful-without-adequate-oversight/">imposed
strict limits</a> on surveillance using stingrays (cell tower
simulators).
<p>
I expect that the Supreme Court will eventually decide the question.
<p>
Even if stingrays were banned, or did not exist, the government could
get their location records from the phone company.  For me, that is
too intrusive already.


feed_id: 9dbeca843b6322908006d2ff2ab79abe
title: The "gray zone" of mutual tolerance
uri: The-gray-zone-of-mutual-tolerance
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#25_November_2015_%28The_gray_zone_of_mutual_tolerance%29

content:
<p>
The 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2015/nov/20/isis-binary-struggle-grey-zone-jihadism">"gray
zone" of mutual tolerance</a> that PISSI wants to eliminate is what we
should defend.


feed_id: 16de25e73caff82fb86cadf835f89e90
title: Civilian casualties
uri: Civilian-casualties
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#25_November_2015_%28Civilian_casualties%29
content:
<p>
The Pentagon admitted, in very bureaucratic language, that 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/nov/20/four-iraqi-civilians-child-killed-us-airstrike">perhaps
some civilians were killed</a> in one of its air attacks against
PISSI.
<p>
It is impossible to fight a war and totally avoid civilian casualties.
This attack was aimed at soldiers and hit some civilians that were
near them.  I don't think it was a war crime.
<p>
But I can't believe that only two attacks in Syria have killed
civilians.  No army can be that close to perfect.  Thus, I suspect the
US is still covering up civilian casualties.  In addition, the
standoffish and bureaucratic language of the Pentagon's statement is
likely to offend the very people it is trying to mollify.
<p>
PISSI kills civilians brutally and shamelessly.  In regard to violence
in Syria and Iraq, the US is ethically far above PISSI.  That's not
sufficient.  The US should be frank about civilian casualties.  The US
must properly respect civilians' lives.
<p>
However, the comparison between the US and PISSI is pertinent in a
different way.  Civilians under PISSI's rule will make that comparison
when choosing sides.  If we want them to regard PISSI as occupiers, we
need to think about how they will judge us and PISSI.


feed_id: 9a1c191611d3389fe72aaa96df0f24f0
title: Emails with embedded URLs
uri: 2015-11-25-Emails-with-embedded-URLs
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#22_November_2015_%28Emails_with_embedded_URLs%29
content:
<p>
If you allow emails to embed URLs, you're asking to be
<a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2015/11/19/technology/personaltech/foiling-electronic-snoops-in-email.html">mistreated</a>.
<p>
I normally look at an email via the ASCII text in it.  On the
occasions that I look at HTML, I render it with lynx, which ignores
anything embedded.  None of these tracking methods work on me, and if
you use this method, they won't work on you either.


feed_id: bff3dd8f88cae488f81111151f2dca09
title: Urgent: Close "revolving door"
uri: Urgent-Close-revolving-door
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#25_November_2015_%28Urgent%3A_Close_revolving_door%29

content:
<p>
Everyone: 
<a href="http://action.sumofus.org/a/gs-revolvingdoor/">call on
Goldman Sachs</a> to close the "revolving door" that carries its
employees into US government service.


feed_id: d5fe89c5577aef947a7786c8e9ffd7e9
title: Urgent: Tighten laws for buying guns
uri: Urgent-Tighten-laws-for-buying-guns
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#25_November_2015_%28Urgent%3A_Tighten_laws_for_buying_guns%29

content:
<p>
US citizens: 
<a href="http://act.credoaction.com/sign/McConnell_GunViolence">call
for tightening laws</a> for buying guns so that terrorist suspects
can't buy them.


feed_id: 99c06e6bd51b8403f1bda36fb11e100c
title: Urgent: Stop torture in Tibet
uri: Urgent-Stop-torture-in-Tibet
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#25_November_2015_%28Urgent%3A_Stop_torture_in_Tibet%29

content:
<p>
Everyone: 
<a href="http://freetibet.org/petitions/3131">call on China</a> to
stop torture in Tibet.


feed_id: 1b4aaa2344e67361838dfec5762fc085
title: Urgent: No more mass surveillance
uri: Urgent-No-more-mass-surveillance
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#25_November_2015_%28Urgent%3A_No_more_mass_surveillance%29

content:
<p>
US citizens: 
<a href="http://act.freepress.net/sign/internet_surveillance_tragedy/">call
on Obama</a>: no more mass surveillance.
<p>
See also 
<a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2015/11/18/opinion/mass-surveillance-isnt-the-answer-to-fighting-terrorism.html">http://www.nytimes.com/2015/11/18/opinion/mass-surveillance-isnt-the-answer-to-fighting-terrorism.html</a>.


feed_id: a02b9629c928961f66dc6eb1c2235f59
title: Australia's greenhouse gas emissions
uri: Australia-s-greenhouse-gas-emissions
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#25_November_2015_%28Australias_greenhouse_gas_emissions%29

content:
<p>
Using technicalities, Australia will claim it has met its commitment to
reduce greenhouse gas emissions; never mind that they are actually
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2015/nov/23/australia-to-claim-success-on-climate-target-with-help-of-accounting-rules">increasing</a>.


feed_id: edb604cbbafefee345910b9c6943bb76
title: Fungibility and the Loss of Demandingness
uri: Fungibility-and-the-Loss-of-Demandingness
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#25_November_2015_%28Fungibility_and_the_Loss_of_Demandingness%29

content:
<p>
The View from Hell: 
<a href="http://theviewfromhell.blogspot.com/2012/11/fungibility-and-loss-of-demandingness.html">Fungibility
and the Loss of Demandingness</a>.
<p>
I don't know how to summarize this one, so I could only quote
its title.  It is a fascinating idea.


feed_id: f74e761475c10176dba3fe575e6c9f18
title: Pharmaceutical ads
uri: Pharmaceutical-ads
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#25_November_2015_%28Pharmaceutical_ads%29
content:
<p>
The American Medical Association 
<a href="http://www.commondreams.org/news/2015/11/17/break-big-pharmas-stranglehold-doctors-vote-ban-drug-ads">has
called for a ban</a> on direct advertising of pharmaceuticals.


feed_id: c0536c05b6fd2cef58d23ecf035a2679
title: Let's Not Get It Wrong This Time
uri: Let-s-Not-Get-It-Wrong-This-Time
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#25_November_2015_%28Lets_Not_Get_It_Wrong_This_Time%29

content:
<p>
Let's Not Get It Wrong This Time: 
<a href="http://www.commondreams.org/views/2015/11/16/lets-not-get-it-wrong-time-terrorists-won-after-911-because-we-chose-invade-iraq">The
Terrorists Won After 9/11 Because We Chose to Invade Iraq, Shred Our
Constitution</a>.


feed_id: 2dc8846f104e1f7219a508d3cc0843d9
title: Torture of prisoners in Bahrain
uri: Torture-of-prisoners-in-Bahrain
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#25_November_2015_%28Torture_of_prisoners_in_Bahrain%29

content:
<p>
Bahrain makes a practice of torturing prisoners.  The UK 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/nov/23/human-rights-watch-report-says-bahrain-is-torturing-detainees">looks
the other way</a>.  So does the US.


feed_id: cf4031ccf518df0a2e4a748d85330cdf
title: Human Ponzi Scheme
uri: Human-Ponzi-Scheme
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#25_November_2015_%28Human_Ponzi_Scheme%29
content:
<p>
Human Ponzi Scheme of 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/nov/22/human-ponzi-scheme-of-population-growth-cant-go-on-for-ever">Population
Growth</a> Can't Go On For Ever.


feed_id: 29703362d3c84dd00bf3cd2cba5bedbb
title: Trump and Carson advocate torture
uri: Trump-and-Carson-advocate-torture
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#25_November_2015_%28Trump_and_Carson_advocate_torture%29

content:
<p>
Trump and Carson 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2015/nov/22/donald-trump-ben-carson-isis-support-waterboarding">explicitly
advocate torture</a>.
<p>
They are appealing to the worst side of Americans by saying that since
PISSI is evil, we should be evil too.
<p>
Obama opened the path to this by 
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2015-jul-oct.html#19_August_2015_(Prosecution_of_Bush_regime_officials)">failing 
to prosecute Dubya and his henchmen for their torture</a>.  As a
result, Trump and Carson expect they can get away with this crime.


feed_id: da9ba1c468c5a932e506707f776309f1
title: Barbaric cruelty
uri: Barbaric-cruelty
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#25_November_2015_%28Barbaric_cruelty%29
content:
<p>
Analyzing the situational factors that led to a form of Islamism that
incorporates 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2015/nov/22/islam-terror-morality-paris">barbaric
cruelty</a>.
<p>
There seems to be an aspect of human nature that includes dehumanizing
enemies.  What is unusual about PISSI is that it dehumanizes nearly
everyone.


feed_id: 0273ad9c8ed324754b0f51d58489816b
title: Home robot sends what you say to Amazon
uri: Home-robot-sends-what-you-say-to-Amazon
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#25_November_2015_%28Home_robot_sends_what_you_say_to_Amazon%29

content:
<p>
The home robot that listens to you, and 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/technology/2015/nov/21/amazon-echo-alexa-home-robot-privacy-cloud">sends
everything you say to an Amazon server</a>.
<p>
Don't fool yourself by calling it 
<a href="http://gnu.org/philosophy/words-to-avoid.html#CloudComputing">"the
cloud"</a>.


feed_id: 084ba3b9d487b2ad497fcf76eb08f3f7
title: NSA bulk collection of emails
uri: NSA-bulk-collection-of-emails
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#25_November_2015_%28NSA_bulk_collection_of_emails%29

content:
<p>
The NSA "shut down" its bulk collection of emails, but only because it
had 
<a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2015/11/20/us/politics/records-show-email-analysis-continued-after-nsa-program-ended.html">found
another way to get them</a>.


feed_id: 0df8d30db829453a85a07ec2c53cb129
title: Arab "allies"
uri: Arab-allies
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#25_November_2015_%28Arab_allies%29
content:
<p>
Arab "allies" against PISSI are 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/nov/22/arab-states-under-pressure-fight-isis-iran-syria-saudi-arabia">not
doing much to fight PISSI</a>.


feed_id: b7e8619ca26e24b6b34b2f3a989df646
title: Easiest method of economic sabotage
uri: Easiest-method-of-economic-sabotage
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#25_November_2015_%28Easiest_method_of_economic_sabotage%29

content:
<p>
The easiest method of economic sabotage is to 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/nov/22/singapore-airlines-flight-san-francisco-singapore-bomb-threat">phone
and say you put a bomb on an airplane</a>.
<p>
There have been real bombs on airplanes, but was there <em>ever</em>
been a case where a bomb threat call was made for a flight that had a
real bomb?


feed_id: f5dcb1b43a3a1617ffd71759896a961f
title: Weeding robot
uri: Weeding-robot
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#25_November_2015_%28Weeding_robot%29
content:
<p>
A fast weeding robot could 
<a href="http://www.fastcoexist.com/3053230/this-is-weed-destroying-farm-robot-is-going-to-replace-farm-workers">reduce
farm work and herbicide usage</a>.
<p>
I think this sort of efficiency improvement is a good thing provided
that those who become unemployed can share in the resulting bounty.
<p>
In the past, automation handled only a limited range of work, so many
new jobs were created and unemployment did not result.  But now we are
likely to automate away all the jobs most people can get.


feed_id: 9c069460b0b2fcd2fed3512f9b174fc5
title: Speed cameras
uri: Speed-cameras
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#25_November_2015_%28Speed_cameras%29
content:
<p>
Speed cameras 
<a href="http://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2015/11/chicago-issued-2-4-million-bogus-traffic-tickets-from-speed-cameras/">systematically
issue speeding tickets illegally</a>.


feed_id: b7707319b12a830273791e98bdaa5a7d
title: Thieving thugs
uri: Thieving-thugs
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#25_November_2015_%28Thieving_thugs%29
content:
<p>
In 2014, US thugs took 
<a href="http://www.armstrongeconomics.com/archives/39102">more money
and property from the public than burglars took</a>.


feed_id: 12e7e064d4dc9f99354da5fb8cfc42d2
title: Unionizing in Juarez, Mexico
uri: Unionizing-in-Juarez-Mexico
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#25_November_2015_%28Unionizing_in_Juarez%2C_Mexico%29

content:
<p>
Factory workers in Juarez, Mexico, are trying to 
<a href="http://www.thenation.com/article/the-maquiladora-workers-of-juarez-find-their-voice/">start
unions</a>.
<p>
The aim of "free trade" treaties is to enable manufactures to create
the lousy working conditions of Juarez.  They do this by threatening
to move production elsewhere unless workers lie down and take it.
<p>
This is why we must abolish the "free trade" treaties.  We must pin
down production to some country (whichever one it may be), so that
workers in each country have the chance to campaign for better wages
and working conditions.


feed_id: a5212132a1561f81fedc3a52af2a32fd
title: Urgent: Pressure to fight PISSI
uri: Urgent-Pressure-to-fight-PISSI
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#25_November_2015_%28Urgent%3A_Pressure_to_fight_PISSI%29

content:
<p>
US citizens: call for 
<a href="http://petitions.moveon.org/sign/stand-with-hillary-bernie">pressure
on Turkey, Saudi Arabia and Qatar</a> to start really fighting PISSI.
<p>
In the case of Turkey, this is really pressure to 
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#21_November_2015_(Turkey_keeps_PISSIs_supply_lines_open)">stop supporting PISSI</a>.


feed_id: 192aca1fa451d062a8dc5f76f2ebd8a2
title: Restoring power to the people
uri: Restoring-power-to-the-people
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#25_November_2015_%28Restoring_power_to_the_people%29

content:
<p>
Ralph Nader: Candidates for public office, especially at the state and
national levels, are never asked this 
<a href="http://www.commondreams.org/views/2015/11/20/one-question-reporters-never-ask-candidates">central
question of politics</a>: "Since the people are sovereign under our
Constitution, how do you specifically propose to restore power to the
people in their various roles as voters, taxpayers, workers and
consumers?"
<p>
Sanders spontaneously presents his answer to at least part of this
question.


feed_id: a82dbde79f62af1ff4f0dfafed7afc93
title: "Biodegradable" plastics
uri: Biodegradable-plastics
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#25_November_2015_%28Biodegradable_plastics%29
content:
<p>
"Biodegradable" plastics 
<a href="http://www.commondreams.org/news/2015/11/20/biodegradable-bunk-worlds-ocean-waste-baskets-still-filled-plastic-trash">may
not biodegrade in the ocean</a> — and the label might encourage
littering.


feed_id: 39ca4c635d61d3baf4d757f2c529f583
title: Foreign policy experience
uri: Foreign-policy-experience
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#25_November_2015_%28Foreign_policy_experience%29
content:
<p>
<a href="http://www.commondreams.org/views/2015/11/20/terrorism-dummies-clintons-neo-conservativsm-simply-dangerous">Clinton's
foreign policy experience</a> provides plenty of reasons not to vote
for her.
<p>
Clinton's vote for attacking Iraq was a bad decision, but it was not a
"mistake".  It reflects her bad general positions.  I won't vote for
Clinton, any more than I would vote for the Republican candidates.
<p>
While Sanders is not my ideal candidate in regard to foreign policy,
he is superior to everyone else in the race.


feed_id: 1194acc1490b2a24d9ca64c7d27f94af
title: WTO forbids "dolphin-safe" labels on tuna cans
uri: WTO-forbids-dolphin-safe-labels-on-tuna-cans
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#25_November_2015_%28WTO_forbids_dolphin-safe_labels_on_tuna_cans%29

content:
<p>
The WTO decided that protecting dolphins by allowing tuna cans to
carry a "dolphin-safe" label is a 
<a href="http://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2015/11/20/world-trade-organization-puts-dolphins-risk">forbidden
"obstacle to trade"</a>.
<p>
This stems from the wrong fundamental values of the WTO, which place
business profit above everything important.
<p>
The TPP would further strengthen the power of businesses to attack
measures to protect the environment.  We need to abolish all the
existing business-supremacy treaties, but we are still on the
defensive.  First we need to block the TPP, the TTIP, and the TISA.
<p>
If you have not done so, I urge you to contact your elected officials
to call for rejection of the TPP.  We must not put democracy in a
<a href="media/c9a9c30b.trance-pacific-partnership.en.jpg" data-original-source="https://stallman.org/images/trance-pacific-partnership.en.jpg">trance</a>.


feed_id: 1514a1b8302c6a3d41814200edb05677
title: UK's housing problem
uri: UK-s-housing-problem
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#25_November_2015_%28UKs_housing_problem%29
content:
<p>
The UK's housing problem comes from 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/money/blog/2015/nov/21/foreign-buyers-british-property">allowing
the rich to make homes into investments</a>.  Even some conservatives
see this.
<p>
The conservatives' proposed solution is unnecessarily nationalist.
Increasing taxes on large houses and apartments, especially those that
are no one's primary residence, would do the same job without
discriminating against anyone.  That would also encourage foreigners
to sell the real estate investments they have already bought.


feed_id: d92f06df8c0d0af49de84891c954a3df
title: Talking to bank over internet unsafe
uri: Talking-to-bank-over-internet-unsafe
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#25_November_2015_%28Talking_to_bank_over_internet_unsafe%29

content:
<p>
In the UK, 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/money/2015/nov/21/safe-internet-banking-cyber-security-online">talking
to your bank over the internet is unsafe</a>, because if someone
steals your password and uses it to take your money, the bank holds
you responsible.
<p>
Does anyone know whether the situation is the same in the US?


feed_id: f8b12ff1ef57aa4d18b738a164233677
title: Confronting PISSI
uri: Confronting-PISSI
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#25_November_2015_%28Confronting_PISSI%29
content:
<p>
Confronting PISSI does not call for revenge, or destructive gestures, or
cruelty.  It 
<a href="https://theintercept.com/2015/11/19/outside-powers-must-end-proxy-wars-in-syria/">calls
for a strategy</a>.
<p>
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2015/nov/21/anxiety-to-defeat-isis-must-not-dictate-the-wests-military-strategy">Anxiety
to Defeat [PISSI] Must Not Dictate the West's Military Strategy</a>.


feed_id: 123fe82f5ee14dcdf386729706d25d7f
title: Traditions of oppression
uri: Traditions-of-oppression
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#25_November_2015_%28Traditions_of_oppression%29
content:
<p>
Acceptance of other ethnic groups and their religions 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2015/nov/22/progressive-liberalism-enemy-of-tolerance">must
never include acceptance of their traditions of oppression</a>.
<p>
I agree with the author about this issue, but I think he is making a
mistake by claiming that "progressive liberals" take the other side.
Some do, but I call myself "progressive" and "liberal", and I don't.


feed_id: e26b31229eecf55cacd360b6a98702a9
title: UK thug infiltration of dissident groups
uri: UK-thug-infiltration-of-dissident-groups
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#25_November_2015_%28UK_thug_infiltration_of_dissident_groups%29

content:
<p>
The UK thugs (except the department in London) refuse to commit to
stop 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2015/nov/22/seduced-in-the-name-of-the-law-undercover-policing">infiltrating
dissident groups and pretending to love female members</a>.


feed_id: 729889042264aaa41493be45b4a036ab
title: PISSI manipulation
uri: PISSI-manipulation
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#25_November_2015_%28PISSI_manipulation%29
content:
<p>
Since PISSI's strategic goal is to make Muslims and non-Muslims hate
each other, we must 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2015/nov/22/together-we-can-conquer-isis-savage-world-view">refuse
to be manipulated</a> into doing so.


feed_id: 0d23fec5b4e17844032aa3031e4985f2
title: Effects of global heating
uri: 2015-11-26-Effects-of-global-heating
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#25_November_2015_%28Effects_of_global_heating%29
content:
<p>
Around the world, the effects of global heating are 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2015/nov/22/paris-climate-talks-six-years-on-destroying-cattle-killing-fish">hurting
people</a>.


feed_id: a9864c94fbd9f286d80de7eca2d98d93
title: Liberté, Égalité, Fraternité
uri: Liberté-Égalité-Fraternité
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#25_November_2015_%28Liberte%2C_Egalite%2C_Fraternite%29

content:
<p>
Paris Attacks: Security and Surveillance Cast a 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/nov/22/paris-attacks-security-liberte-fraternite">Dark
Shadow over France's Love of "Liberté" and
"Fraternité"</a>.
<p>
I've been using those two words in France to rebuke the state
for decades now.


feed_id: 7f9c1e6db5ca38ded32c503681ff4779
title: Medical records privacy law
uri: 2015-11-26-Medical-records-privacy-law
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#25_November_2015_%28Medical_records_privacy_law%29
content:
<p>
The US medical records privacy law doesn't apply to many kinds of
medical
data
<a href="https://www.propublica.org/article/privacy-not-included-federal-law-lags-behind-new-tech">
including the data collected by exercise trackers</a>.
<p>
This is a problem because of exercise trackers that contain
proprietary software and are designed to send the user's personal data
to a company site.
<a href="http://gnu.org/philosophy/free-software-even-more-important.html">
Such products are essentially unethical</a>,
  and people should not be surprised when the
<a href="http://gnu.org/proprietary/">
proprietary software
turns out to be malware</a>.
<p>
The US medical records privacy law (HIPAA) is totally inadequate when
it comes to government access to your records.


feed_id: 9a953504f2d00b8157ee79583debb484
title: Urgent: Condemn proposed repression
uri: Urgent-Condemn-proposed-repression
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#28_November_2015_%28Urgent%3A_Condemn_proposed_repression%29

content:
<p>
US citizens: 
<a href="http://act.democracyforamerica.com/sign/condemn_trump/">Condemn
Trump's proposed repression</a> of US Muslims.


feed_id: 73f3d3cfe2acf605d2b4ca1c6f0f1a63
title: Urgent: Congressional Review Act
uri: Urgent-Congressional-Review-Act
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#28_November_2015_%28Urgent%3A_Congressional_Review_Act%29

content:
<p>
US citizens:  
<a href="http://support.edf.org/site/VoteCenter?page=voteInfo&voteId=23192">Thank
or criticize your senators</a> for their votes on the Congressional
Review Act.


feed_id: fb13e3043b492e5804a2c99bef2e0ea2
title: MIT Cozies Up to Fossil Fuels
uri: MIT-Cozies-Up-to-Fossil-Fuels
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#28_November_2015_%28MIT_Cozies_Up_to_Fossil_Fuels%29

content:
<p>
<a href="http://www.truth-out.org/opinion/item/33748-rejecting-campus-consensus-mit-cozies-up-to-fossil-fuels">Rejecting
Campus Consensus</a>, MIT Cozies Up to Fossil Fuels.


feed_id: f8ed33ea4e3d9f9d54114fb4d14dd0b1
title: Global heating denial
uri: 2015-11-29-Global-heating-denial
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#28_November_2015_%28Global_heating_denial%29
content:
<p>
The denialists who claimed they had found a 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/environment/climate-consensus-97-per-cent/2015/nov/24/study-drives-a-sixth-nail-in-the-global-warming-pause-myth">"hiatus"
in global heating applied criteria that were rather loose</a>.


feed_id: d3831998ae86ca38afc98ec003a1113d
title: Downed Russian fighter plane near Turkey
uri: Downed-Russian-fighter-plane-near-Turkey
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#28_November_2015_%28Downed_Russian_fighter_plane_near_Turkey%29

content:
<p>
Turkish planes 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/nov/24/turkey-shoots-down-jet-near-border-with-syria">shot
down a Russian fighter plane</a> near the Turkey-Syria border.
<p>
Turkey and Russia have been enemies for centuries.  They are also at
odds in regard to Syria.  Erdo&gbreve;an 
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#21_November_2015_(Turkey_keeps_PISSIs_supply_lines_open)">quietly 
supports and protects PISSI</a>, while Putin supports Assad and may
now actually want to fight PISSI due to the 
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#19_November_2015_(Russian_airliner_destroyed_by_terrorist_bomb)">bombed 
airliner</a>.  To have Russian planes operating near the Turkish
border is going to be a danger spot.
<p>
Russian troops are 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/nov/24/turkey-caught-between-aiding-turkmen-and-economic-dependence-on-russia">fighting
a Turkic minority in Northern Syria</a>.


feed_id: 0f979ea29129cf96c9942d14058a76ab
title: Decline of butterfly numbers
uri: Decline-of-butterfly-numbers
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#28_November_2015_%28Decline_of_butterfly_numbers%29
content:
<p>
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2015/nov/24/pesticide-butterflies-declining-uk-study">Neonicotinoid
pesticides are associated</a> with decline of butterfly numbers.


feed_id: f31ae9255ad854790d2b49a95caccec6
title: Trump wants to torture
uri: Trump-wants-to-torture
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#28_November_2015_%28Trump_wants_to_torture%29
content:
<p>
Trump wants to torture suspected terrorists 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2015/nov/24/donald-trump-on-waterboarding-even-if-it-doesnt-work-they-deserve-it">for
sheer sadism</a>.


feed_id: 2ff5f2de78b4de172a5ac4ddd634c3dd
title: Texas thugs charged with homicide
uri: Texas-thugs-charged-with-homicide
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#28_November_2015_%28Texas_thugs_charged_with_homicide%29

content:
<p>
Texas thugs have been arrested and charged with negligent homicide for
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2015/nov/24/two-texas-police-jailers-indicted-over-jonathan-pauls-death-in-custody">squeezing
a prisoner by the neck and then pepper-spraying him</a>.  He died
shortly thereafter.


feed_id: 9d54ac73c4ad047a731865cd21e69dfd
title: Proposed US regulations for drones
uri: Proposed-US-regulations-for-drones
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#28_November_2015_%28Proposed_US_regulations_for_drones%29

content:
<p>
The proposed US regulations for drones are a 
<a href="http://lauren.vortex.com/archive/001135.html">disaster</a>.


feed_id: f76baf62e18e622e65a45102a145c0ca
title: Municipal use of fossil fuel energy
uri: Municipal-use-of-fossil-fuel-energy
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#28_November_2015_%28Municipal_use_of_fossil_fuel_energy%29

content:
<p>
Various cities are 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2015/nov/23/sadiq-khan-promises-london-will-be-run-on-clean-energy-by-2050">pledging
to stop municipal use of fossil fuel energy by 2050</a>.
<p>
These pledges may stimulate the climate defense movement, but in
practice the time scale is too long for them to make much difference.
What matters is to get rid of most fossil fuel use sooner rather than
later.


feed_id: 4f6a5b4e5a4bfd851e799f66c51a4153
title: Vatican corruption
uri: Vatican-corruption
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#28_November_2015_%28Vatican_corruption%29
content:
<p>
The Committee to Protect Journalists says the Vatican should drop 
<a href="https://www.cpj.org/2015/11/cpj-calls-on-vatican-to-drop-charges-against-two-i.php">charges
against two journalists who investigated Vatican corruption</a>.
<p>
The Vatican should focus on eradicating the corruption, and thank
those who helped shed light on it.


feed_id: 3d8bcadc1d36f9b0ee1d0046abef2594
title: Snooping
uri: Snooping
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#28_November_2015_%28Snooping%29
content:
<p>
To stop terrorist attacks, the state doesn't need to snoop on
everyone.  It's enough to 
<a href="https://theintercept.com/2015/11/18/terrorists-were-already-known-to-authorities/">watch
those that are already known and suspected</a>.
<p>
Many tech companies are allying to 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/technology/2015/nov/23/apple-google-microsoft-weakening-encryption-back-doors">oppose
state demands for back doors</a>.
<p>
Most of these companies don't deserve your trust, for other reasons.
You must not rely, for your privacy, on 
<a href="http://gnu.org/proprietary/">proprietary software</a>.


feed_id: 1f7097e006bda6bd0bada8cd372fc282
title: Austeria
uri: Austeria
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#28_November_2015_%28Austeria%29
content:
<p>
Welcome to Austeria — a Nation 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2015/nov/23/austerity-robbing-poor-george-osborne">Robbing
Its Poor to Pay for the Next Big Crash</a>.


feed_id: 5a21282c64502d93b15155542025ac8c
title: Black lives matter
uri: Black-lives-matter
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#28_November_2015_%28Black_lives_matter%29
content:
<p>
Why responding to "black lives matter" with 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2015/nov/23/all-lives-matter-racist-trump-weekend-campaign-rally-proved-it">"all
lives matter"</a> is a statement of racism.
<p>
Responding with "all lives matter" misrepresents the position of the
anti-racists, pretending that their slogan "black lives matter" means
"only black lives matter".  But they don't say, or mean, "only".
<p>
Properly understood, "black lives matter" is not racist at all.  It is
a compact way of saying that "black lives matter just as much".  It is
a rebuke to the covert, racist "black lives don't matter" movement,
which few overtly endorse but many act to support.


feed_id: 21c6084aa87b9db447784a2c3aca2406
title: The lockdown of Brussels
uri: The-lockdown-of-Brussels
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#28_November_2015_%28The_lockdown_of_Brussels%29
content:
<p>
The lockdown of Brussels is 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/nov/23/deep-anxiety-pervades-brussels-as-lockdown-continues">starting
to chafe</a>.
<p>
It's an overreaction which serves PISSI's purposes.


feed_id: 51ccd53f52792ff2ebcb222e71454a85
title: Censorship in Poland
uri: Censorship-in-Poland
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#28_November_2015_%28Censorship_in_Poland%29
content:
<p>
Poland's new right-wing government is 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/nov/23/polish-minister-tries-to-ban-nobel-winners-pornographic-play">starting
to censor the theater</a>.


feed_id: 91797b592eb87f3297a609e0d9b6af1a
title: Climate mayhem in Somaliland
uri: Climate-mayhem-in-Somaliland
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#28_November_2015_%28Climate_mayhem_in_Somaliland%29
content:
<p>
In Somaliland, [climate mayhem] Is Now a 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2015/nov/23/somaliland-climate-change-drought-cyclones-life-or-death-challenge">Life-Or-Death
Challenge</a>.


feed_id: 7dce0eae588d91b352e1a1d07b8cbf9e
title: Thugs having sex pretending not to be thugs
uri: Thugs-having-sex-pretending-not-to-be-thugs
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#28_November_2015_%28Thugs_having_sex_pretending_not_to_be_thugs%29

content:
<p>
If it is just to imprison a woman for having sex pretending to be a
man, why not imprison an 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2015/nov/22/who-pays-the-price-of-police-spies-betrayals">undercover
thug that has sex pretending not to be a thug</a>?


feed_id: fbb5e2c32c091ffed7a12cd66a796ee5
title: Alberta to tax carbon emissions
uri: Alberta-to-tax-carbon-emissions
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#28_November_2015_%28Alberta_to_tax_carbon_emissions%29

content:
<p>
Alberta will impose a 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2015/nov/23/alberta-to-introduce-carbon-tax">tax
on carbon emissions</a>.  The article does not make it clear whether
this covers fuel <em>burned</em> in Alberta or fuel <em>extracted</em>
in Alberta.


feed_id: a39c5ec4311443b03168340ea07096c2
title: Human Rights
uri: Human-Rights
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#29_November_2015_%28Human_Rights%29
content:
<p>
The UK says it will start applying human rights concerns in its
foreign policy — <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/news/defence-and-security-blog/2015/nov/24/saudi-arabia-unashamedly-championed-in-uk-security-review">but not to Salafi Arabia of course</a>.
</p><p></p>


feed_id: 332a6f71d5b915e3703e84d86ce93d38
title: Bypassing censorship
uri: Bypassing-censorship
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#29_November_2015_%28Bypassing_censorship%29
content:
<p>Tor gives people in Bangladesh <a href="http://www.dailydot.com/politics/bangladesh-social-media-ban-tor-encryption-anonymity-protests/">a way to bypass tight censorship.</a><p></p><p></p>
<p>Many supposedly "free" countries censor the internet, including France and the UK.</p>


feed_id: b79fab729e15361c17caa6c87b093dda
title: Clean energy future
uri: Clean-energy-future
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#29_November_2015_%28Clean_energy_future%29
content:
<p>The Clean Energy Future: a roadmap for <a href="http://www.commondreams.org/views/2015/11/24/us-can-go-fossil-free-heres-how">moving the US to renewable energy</a> and expanding jobs.
</p><p></p>


feed_id: ff481976d02cae8d49df17b270fe75bd
title: Urgent: Human-readable GMO labels
uri: Urgent-Human-readable-GMO-labels
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#29_November_2015_%28Urgent%3A_Human-readable_GMO_labels%29

content:
<p>
US citizens: 
<a href="http://salsa3.salsalabs.com/o/1881/p/salsa/web/common/public/content?content_item_KEY=14137">phone
Senator Stabenow's office</a> to oppose the plan to put GMO labels
into non-human-readable QR codes.


feed_id: 1767fae312c36cc517e94d37868a9792
title: Surveillance of voters
uri: Surveillance-of-voters
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#29_November_2015_%28Surveillance_of_voters%29
content:
<p>
Surveillance of voters 
<a href="https://www.schneier.com/blog/archives/2015/11/voter_surveilla.html">enables
campaigns to say different things to different groups of people</a>,
and effectively cover up the difference.


feed_id: 9546a5aa5fae84cbf0270256c840cc06
title: Solar storm could destroy electrical grids
uri: Solar-storm-could-destroy-electrical-grids
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#29_November_2015_%28Solar_storm_could_destroy_electrical_grids%29

content:
<p>
A powerful solar storm, like one that happened in 1859, could 
<a href="http://motherboard.vice.com/read/the-small-agency-trying-to-prevent-catastrophic-solar-storms">destroy
electrical grids world-wide</a>.  It could take ten years to rebuild.
<p>
Preparing to reduce the damage is part of the government's job.
To do its job, it needs to collect more taxes — from those
that are paying too little.


feed_id: 763a426f5e5d19df8e6c0925aaf73041
title: Pakistan's Electronic Crime Bill
uri: Pakistan-s-Electronic-Crime-Bill
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#29_November_2015_%28Pakistans_Electronic_Crime_Bill%29

content:
<p>
The 
<a href="https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2015/11/sorry-tale-pecb-pakistans-terrible-electronic-crime-bill">Sorry
Tale of the PECB</a>, Pakistan's Terrible Electronic Crime Bill.


feed_id: 6fa7ab774ce53b49a34ea4b2c3632ca9
title: Quiet electric cars
uri: Quiet-electric-cars
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#29_November_2015_%28Quiet_electric_cars%29
content:
<p>
The US 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2015/nov/25/too-quiet-electric-and-hybrid-cars-create-headache-for-us-regulators">may
require quiet electric cars to make sounds</a> to warn pedestrians and
cyclists.


feed_id: be67f0395b20a2ff19bda46a09bb3098
title: Global heating
uri: 2015-11-29-Global-heating
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#29_November_2015_%28Global_heating%29
content:
<p>
Fossil Fuel Companies 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2015/nov/25/fossil-fuel-companies-risk-wasting-2tn-paris-climate-deal">Risk
Wasting $2tn of Investors' Money</a>, Study Says.
<p>
Developing Countries Will Need 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2015/nov/25/developing-countries-will-need-270bn-more-to-adapt-to-climate-change-study">$270bn
More</a> to Adapt to [2C of] Climate Change.


feed_id: a5e74ea42ff109fb7873d14f382a4c12
title: Chicago thug charged for murder
uri: Chicago-thug-charged-for-murder
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#29_November_2015_%28Chicago_thug_charged_for_murder%29

content:
<p>
A Chicago thug has been 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2015/nov/24/laquan-mcdonald-police-killing-chicago-video-released">charged
for murdering Laquan McDonald</a>.
<p>
McDonald was perhaps carrying a knife when the thugs confronted him,
but he never tried to attack them.  A group of 8 thugs with guns
should not have had to kill him preemptively in case he might, just
might, try to attack them with a knife.  They could have waited for
such an attack to start before they shot.
<p>
Prosecution of killer thugs in the US is 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2015/nov/24/laquan-mcdonald-video-release-changes-ferguson-riots">on
the rise</a>, but what we really need, to change the situation, is to
change the way thugs are 
<a href="https://www.stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#12_November_2015_(US_thugs_trained_to_shoot_without_thinking)">trained
to kill at the first suspicion</a> (especially if the person has a
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2015-mar-jun.html#14_June_2015_(Thugs)">skin
color that tends to inspire suspicion</a>).


feed_id: 79e2629d774222831972ca76a296898b
title: UK's "fit for work" tests
uri: UK-s-fit-for-work-tests
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#29_November_2015_%28UKs_fit_for_work_tests%29
content:
<p>
The UK's "fit for work" tests have 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2015/nov/24/fit-for-work-sick-disabled-people-death-collateral-damage">normalised
the suffering of sick and disabled people</a>.
<p>
I think this is a goal of the Tories, not merely a byproduct of
spending cuts.  Tories believe poor people are morally inferior and
suffering is what they deserve.


feed_id: dc98b3d4114d64df48222554d95c536a
title: Primates on endangered species list
uri: Primates-on-endangered-species-list
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#29_November_2015_%28Primates_on_endangered_species_list%29

content:
<p>
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2015/nov/24/more-than-half-of-the-worlds-primates-now-on-endangered-species-list">More
Than Half</a> of the World's Primates on Endangered Species List.


feed_id: dcee3949ed1e8eacead0a181f253507d
title: Attack on US water supply
uri: Attack-on-US-water-supply
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#29_November_2015_%28Attack_on_US_water_supply%29
content:
<p>
Polluters are using the bill to exclude Syrian refugees as an
opportunity to 
<a href="https://theintercept.com/2015/11/24/lobbyists-refugee-crisis/">attack
US water supply</a>.


feed_id: 283b8fa09ecc377416e2e9505492fa8a
title: Refugees in EU countries
uri: Refugees-in-EU-countries
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#29_November_2015_%28Refugees_in_EU_countries%29
content:
<p>
Sweden has 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/nov/24/sweden-asylum-seekers-refugees-policy-reversal">taken
all the refugees it can cope with</a>, and now refuses to accept more.
<p>
EU countries are 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2015/nov/24/eu-countries-diverting-overseas-aid-to-cover-refugee-bills-report-says">diverting
foreign aid</a> to pay for the refugees they have admitted.


feed_id: 0a188a58c49331d89dce0bd644135264
title: Mistaken accounting
uri: Mistaken-accounting
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#29_November_2015_%28Mistaken_accounting%29
content:
<p>
Economists have claimed that advancing technology enables more
production with less in the way of material inputs.  But this was just
a mirage produced by 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2015/nov/24/consume-conserve-economic-growth-sustainability">mistaken
accounting</a>.


feed_id: 3a87d9fb17c61f0bf5d2c90ac18779c0
title: Alberta's green economy plan
uri: Alberta-s-green-economy-plan
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#29_November_2015_%28Albertas_green_economy_plan%29
content:
<p>
Alberta's green economy plan sounds great, but it 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/environment/true-north/2015/nov/24/dont-cheer-albertas-premier-demand-she-break-the-oil-barons-vice-grip">protects
tar sands extraction for too long</a>.


feed_id: 15c23e84b1b3c855311fae8c2918c411
title: Colorado Shooter
uri: Colorado-Shooter
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#29_November_2015_%28Colorado_Shooter%29
content:
<p>Our Culture And Laws <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2015/nov/28/planned-parenthood-colorado-springs-shooter-culture-gun-laws-motive">Enabled the Colorado Shooter</a>, Whatever His Motive.
</p><p></p>


feed_id: 4a00715dbe2d12ccd7ca00b1770a5c36
title: Urgent: Israeli colonies in Palestine
uri: Urgent-Israeli-colonies-in-Palestine
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#29_November_2015_%28Urgent%3A_Israeli_colonies_in_Palestine%29

content:
<p>US citizens: oppose the plan to make the 
<a href="http://petitions.moveon.org/sign/reject-pro-settlement">Export-Import 
Bank</a> support building more Israeli colonies in Palestine.


feed_id: 68ca437251052d8102fdd7f130d331c8
title: Urgent: rebuke Governor Baker
uri: Urgent-rebuke-Governor-Baker
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#29_November_2015_%28Urgent%3A_rebuke_Governor_Baker%29

content:
<p>Massachusetts citizens: rebuke Governor Baker for saying he wants to 
<a href="https://ssl.capwiz.com/aclu/ma/issues/alert/?alertid=68674626&type=SW">exclude 
Syrian refugees from Massachusetts.</a>


feed_id: 79004ac5e17197dcd3fe490c125d0175
title: Urgent: preserve network neutrality
uri: Urgent-preserve-network-neutrality
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#29_November_2015_%28Urgent%3A_preserve_network_neutrality%29

content:
<p>US citizens: <a href="http://act.freepress.net/call/internet_house_nn_approp_leadership/">phone 
congressional leaders</a> to preserve network neutrality.
<p>The Capitol Switchboard numbers are 202-224-3121, 888-818-6641 and 888-355-3588.


feed_id: cb0af64f735e331790b2f0d608e92c72
title: Urgent: unauthorized poetry in Saudi Arabia
uri: Urgent-unauthorized-poetry-in-Saudi-Arabia
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#29_November_2015_%28Urgent%3A_unauthorized_poetry_in_Saudi_Arabia%29

content:
<p>Everyone: 
<a href="http://petitions.moveon.org/sign/saudi-arabia-dont-behead">call 
on Saudi Arabia</a> not to behead a poet for unauthorized poetry.


feed_id: 55076c33361f134458586d39d9f8b548
title: Brazilian bloggers shot dead
uri: Brazilian-bloggers-shot-dead
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#29_November_2015_%28Brazilian_bloggers_shot_dead%29
content:
<p>Two Brazilian bloggers have been shot dead, <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/media/greenslade/2015/nov/26/second-brazilian-blogger-shot-dead-after-criticising-politicians">apparently for criticizing local politicians.</a>


feed_id: 2898fbe12c4b1a9a14dc5b191fe9650d
title: Ebola overwhelmed World Health Organization
uri: Ebola-overwhelmed-World-Health-Organization
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#29_November_2015_%28Ebola_overwhelmed_World_Health_Organization%29

content:
<p>Ebola Overwhelmed the World Health Organisation: <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2015/nov/26/ebola-world-health-organisation-never-again-matshidiso-moeti">It Must Never Happen Again.</a>


feed_id: 516cb57b0305610bbf4cfb0833bc4fba
title: Trump's latest bullying
uri: Trump-s-latest-bullying
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#29_November_2015_%28Trump%27s_latest_bullying%29
content:
<p>Trump's latest bullying: <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2015/nov/26/new-york-times-outrageous-donald-trump-mocking-reporter-disability">mocking a reporter</a> for a visible disability.
<p>However, Trump's bullying goes far beyond mockery.  He incited his
supprters to <a href="http://www.thenation.com/article/black-lives-matter-activists-shot-while-trump-busy-sharing-neo-nazi-graphic-on-twitter/">physically attack</a> a Black Lives Matter protester who came to his campaign rally.
<p>He should be arrested and charged for this, and I hope soon
to post a link to a petition to that effect.  If he loses
the Republican nomination, and chooses to run independently,
he shouls start the Childish Bullies Party.


feed_id: 44a214f9df15513e2c71616ef098b6de
title: Impunity of thugs in Chicago
uri: Impunity-of-thugs-in-Chicago
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#29_November_2015_%28Impunity_of_thugs_in_Chicago%29
content:
<p>Measuring impunity for thugs in Chicago: <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2015/nov/25/laquan-mcdonald-jason-van-dyke-misconduct-chicago-police">only 4% of complaints</a> made against them are upheld by the thug department.
<p>60% of the complaints were made by blacks, but only 25% of the
complaints upheld were made by blacks.


feed_id: e8f570228fa6d6a58d0f1f69e47a91a4
title: Australia's government proposes Reagenomics
uri: Australia-s-government-proposes-Reagenomics
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#29_November_2015_%28Australia%27s_government_proposes_Reagenomics%29

content:
<p>Australia's government proposes to apply Reaganomics by reducing tax rates — for businesses only.  Benefits of this are supposes to <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/grogonomics/2015/nov/26/cut-company-tax-rate-to-grow-revenue-thats-magical-thinking">trickle down to the people.</a>


feed_id: d7a6b8ebc2b39f34039ed014e60e7da6
title: Murder of Laquan McDonald
uri: Murder-of-Laquan-McDonald
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#29_November_2015_%28Murder_of_Laquan_McDonald%29
content:
<p>Call on officials that tried to minimize the murder of Laquan McDonald to resign, and <a href="http://petitions.moveon.org/sign/demand-justice-for-laquan">call for a special prosecutor.</a>


feed_id: 97b32851537d0ae8fec3ebdd749278ba
title: ISIS That Has Made It
uri: ISIS-That-Has-Made-It
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#29_November_2015_%28ISIS_That_Has_Made_It%29
content:
<p><a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2015/11/21/opinion/saudi-arabia-an-isis-that-has-made-it.html">Saudi Arabia,</a> an ISIS That Has Made It.


feed_id: 0674bfa6d85790e40544348e7c3b8ffd
title: Blocked roads into Crimea
uri: Blocked-roads-into-Crimea
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#29_November_2015_%28Blocked_roads_into_Crimea%29
content:
<p>Interviews with people in Ukraine, near the Crimean border, where they
have blocked the roads leading into Crimea, <a href="http://www.thenation.com/article/ukraine-and-crimea-a-report-from-the-front/
">which puts pressure on Putin.</a>


feed_id: dc8fd38f54c8137260180b28d71a82fd
title: Caterpillar back doors
uri: Caterpillar-back-doors
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#29_November_2015_%28Caterpillar_back_doors%29
content:
<p>Caterpillar vehicles have <a href="http://www.zerohedge.com/news/2015-11-19/caterpillar-depression-has-never-been-worse-it-has-cunning-plan-how-deal-it">remote shut-off back doors.</a>


feed_id: 3cc77ba6d540d2ca664656a22e97a02a
title: Thugs prosecution delayed for 400 days
uri: Thugs-prosecution-delayed-for-400-days
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#29_November_2015_%28Thugs_prosecution_delayed_for_400_days%29

content:
<p>The <a href="http://www.commondreams.org/news/2015/11/24/chilling-video-alleged-murder-made-public-chicago-cop-finally-charged
">only reason</a> the Chicago thug that killed Laquan McDonald is
getting prosecuted is that a court ordered release of the video
showing the killing.  The prosecutor delayed the release, and the
prosecution, for 400 days.
<p>I don't think we can trust that prosecutor to make a sincere attempt
to win a conviction.


feed_id: a4bc1330b64448e1ee7352a8e645c140
title: Global heating denialist organizations
uri: Global-heating-denialist-organizations
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#29_November_2015_%28Global_heating_denialist_organizations%29

content:
<p>A textual study found evidence that global heating denialist organizations were <a href="http://www.commondreams.org/news/2015/11/24/bolstering-case-against-exxon-new-study-confirms-vast-damage-denial-campaign">working together.</a>


feed_id: e57b6d60000466ab374fb30af9c81269
title: "Criminal justice reform"
uri: Criminal-justice-reform
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#29_November_2015_%28Criminal_justice_reform%29
content:
<p>The push for "criminal justice reform" ran into trouble because liberals
want to reduce prosecution of individuals, while the Koch brothers only
want <a href="https://theintercept.com/2015/11/25/koch-alliance-on-criminal-justice-reform-exposed-as-trojan-horse/
">to reduce prosecution of corporations.</a>


feed_id: 50be8c03b27bef2671172feec7fb3971
title: Pervasive anxiety about security
uri: Pervasive-anxiety-about-security
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#29_November_2015_%28Pervasive_anxiety_about_security%29

content:
<p>Pervasive anxiety about security helps right-wing politicians make budget
cuts <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2015/nov/25/anxiety-is-pervading-our-society-and-bleeding-into-our-politics
">that make everyone's lives insecure.</a>
<p>These budget cuts are likely to kill a lot more people than terrorists,
even if you consider only the suicides.


feed_id: be4d2adeb7ae58f6c3aa690be64befaf
title: Cruise missile fired at ceramics factory
uri: Cruise-missile-fired-at-ceramics-factory
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#29_November_2015_%28Cruise_missile_fired_at_ceramics_factory%29

content:
<p>Salafi Arabia fired a UK-made cruise missile at a ceramics factory, <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/nov/25/uk-made-missile-hit-civilian-target-yemen-say-human-rights-groups">for no apparent military reason.</a>


feed_id: d3fbb984cf2f53596dbbfa065c68ca8e
title: Shelling MSF hospital in Kunduz
uri: Shelling-MSF-hospital-in-Kunduz
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#29_November_2015_%28Shelling_MSF_hospital_in_Kunduz%29

content:
<p>The US Army says that the crew of the plane shelling the MSF hospital
in Kunduz thought they were in a different place attacking a different
building.  Their inability to recognize the error was due to several
systems that were <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/nov/25/medecins-sans-frontieres-kunduz-hospital-attack-us-military-17-minutes-to-act">nonfunctional or even missing.</a>
<p>Do the rules say that the crew was <em>supposed</em> to continue the
mission despite such problems?  If so, the US is asking for such
mistakes, and must be considered responsible due to negligence.


feed_id: ae62414061d4d10ad3e85b5b2915f73b
title: Protest next to Guantanamo prison
uri: Protest-next-to-Guantanamo-prison
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#29_November_2015_%28Protest_next_to_Guantanamo_prison%29

content:
<p>Americans will protest next to the Guantanamo prison, <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2015/nov/25/guantanamo-bay-protest-thanksgiving-fast">across the border in Cuba.</a>
<p>Cuba does not respect human rights <a href="https://www.stallman.org/archives/2012-nov-feb.html#15_November_2012_(Cuban_dissidents_arrested)">either,</a> but as a patriotic American I am most pained by these crimes when
they are committed by my own country.


feed_id: 152068426c766880f3e0a1ad244515de
title: Thug that killed Laquan McDonald
uri: Thug-that-killed-Laquan-McDonald
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#29_November_2015_%28Thug_that_killed_Laquan_McDonald%29

content:
<p>The thug that killed Laquan McDonald could easily have remained at a
greater distance where McDonald could not possibly have hurt him.
If he felt "threatened", <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2015/nov/25/laquan-mcdonald-video-chicago-police-shooting-questions-remain">his own incompetence was to blame.</a>
<p>Will the thugs who erased the video be prosecuted for obstruction of justice?
That is called for.


feed_id: 43076e84183739aac0808e1587507738
title: Punishing people who express ideas
uri: Punishing-people-who-express-ideas
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#29_November_2015_%28Punishing_people_who_express_ideas%29

content:
<p>France is trying to kill ideas by <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/nov/25/french-comedian-dieudonne-prison-sentence-hate-speech">punishing people who express them.</a>
<p>Here in the US, it is possible to speak honestly about the holocaust.
There is plenty of evidence proving that it occurred.  See, for
instance, the book Hitler's Willing Executioners, by Daniel Goldhagen,
and Story of a Secret State, by Jan Karski.
<p>However, no honest statements about that question are possible
in a country such as France, that imposes censorship on the subject.
<p>France also bans free discussion of the question of the <a href="https://www.stallman.org/articles/hrant-dink.html">genocide of the Armenians.</a>


feed_id: 25dd5ea15843cb5e865678fcd09bcff7
title: Shots at Black Lives Matter protesters
uri: Shots-at-Black-Lives-Matter-protesters
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#29_November_2015_%28Shots_at_Black_Lives_Matter_protesters%29

content:
<p>Racist terrorists fired shots at Black Lives Matter protesters.
The protesters were in a camp, <a href="http://www.startribune.com/several-people-were-shot-near-black-lives-matter-protest-site/353121881/">doing nothing noteworthy to anyone,</a> but most of them were engaged in protesting while black.
<p>Thugs were present and <a href="http://www.thenation.com/article/black-lives-matter-activists-shot-while-trump-busy-sharing-neo-nazi-graphic-on-twitter/">did nothing to catch the shooters.</a>  Because the shooters were whites?
<p>(I will post about Trump later.)
<p>A particularly vicious thug refused to call an ambulance for the
wounded protesters, then claimed that being shot by white supremacists
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2015/nov/25/minneapolis-protest-shooting-police-killing-jamar-clark
">was what the protesters wanted.</a>
<p>Perhaps the thug was projecting — he was the one who wanted the
protesters to be shot.
<p>Then other thugs came and sprayed the wounded protesters (and those
trying to care for them) with mace.


feed_id: a783d1ae70e293a7257426a4dd6fa92c
title: Persistent drought in Somaliland
uri: Persistent-drought-in-Somaliland
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#29_November_2015_%28Persistent_drought_in_Somaliland%29

content:
<p>In Somaliland, global heating has brought a persistent drought.
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2015/nov/25/somaliland-drought-gargara-we-need-what-all-humans-need">The people cannot survive there.</a>
<p>They deserve help, but if Somaliland can no longer sustain its
population, the requisite help includes contraception.  Under such
circumstances, each birth causes a death.


feed_id: 7c1641e4854ea92aaaa03abe40ca47df
title: Uzbekistan's tyrant
uri: Uzbekistan-s-tyrant
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#29_November_2015_%28Uzbekistan%27s_tyrant%29
content:
<p>Uzbekistan's tyrant seems to seek to kill a dissident living in Sweden.
Not having killer drones to send there, he sends <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/nov/25/swedish-prosecutor-accuses-uzbek-regime-of-trying-to-kill-dissident">human assassins.</a>


feed_id: 44cfe72f250b3dcde54dd4d231792818
title: banned sales of bottled water
uri: banned-sales-of-bottled-water
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#29_November_2015_%28banned_sales_of_bottled_water%29

content:
<p>A university banned sales of bottled water, and found that consumption
of bottles increased — <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2015/nov/25/eco-guide-to-bottled-water">people bought soda and juice instead.</a>
<p>A hefty deposit on each plastic bottle might be effective for reducing
bottles while not making an incentive to choose something other than
water.


feed_id: f79b6c47ee2f4561c09bc0e5d0243f4d
title: Two-faced Exxon
uri: Two-faced-Exxon
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#29_November_2015_%28Two-faced_Exxon%29
content:
<p>Two-faced Exxon: the <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/environment/climate-consensus-97-per-cent/2015/nov/25/two-faced-exxon-the-misinformation-campaign-against-its-own-scientists">Misinformation Campaign</a> Against Its Own Scientists.


feed_id: 40522a7fb540ee32b9d2dc16cb6e30f7
title: Mine waste dams
uri: Mine-waste-dams
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#29_November_2015_%28Mine_waste_dams%29
content:
<p>Brazil's standards for mine waste dams are inadequate; <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/sustainable-business/2015/nov/25/brazils-mining-tragedy-dam-preventable-disaster-samarco-vale-bhp-billiton">several such dams have burst,</a> and the mine waste is a lot more harmful than water from a reservoir.


feed_id: 9fa629c9fe7d901544fc8283b0204a94
title: Organs available by default in Wales
uri: Organs-available-by-default-in-Wales
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#29_November_2015_%28Organs_available_by_default_in_Wales%29

content:
<p>Wales will assume by default that any dead body's organs <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/society/2015/nov/25/organ-donation-wales-pioneers-opt-out">are available for use to save living people.</a>


feed_id: 603d165adc8ce17623afc094cb35d3ff
title: Fanatics beat teenager to death
uri: Fanatics-beat-teenager-to-death
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#29_November_2015_%28Fanatics_beat_teenager_to_death%29

content:
<p>Christian fanatics in New York beat a teenager to death because he wanted to <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2015/nov/25/pastor-among-seven-charged-with-of-teen-in-new-york-church">leave their church.</a>
<p>Saudi Arabia says <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/nov/25/cultural-figures-human-rights-groups-call-release-ashraf-fayadh-poet-facing-execution">it will do the same thing</a> to a poet who said he wanted to leave their church.
<p>Saudi Arabia's form of Islam, Salafism, is poison.  PISSI is its most
extreme form, but it's a threat to human rights <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/nov/25/the-struggle-for-mali
">in any form.</a>
<p>I will try out referring to that countri as Salafi Arabia.


feed_id: a92d46eefcbbfa38e44e9bbf981b9b94
title: Towns for Jews where Bedouin now live
uri: Towns-for-Jews-where-Bedouin-now-live
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#29_November_2015_%28Towns_for_Jews_where_Bedouin_now_live%29

content:
<p>Israel <a href="http://972mag.com/new-jewish-settlements-planned-on-top-of-bedouin-villages/114104/">plans</a> to build towns for Jews where Bedouin now live.
<p>These Bedouin are Israeli citizens but they don't have equal rights.


feed_id: 40bf3835fd901523991824df36bee32f
title: Sponsors of Paris climate conference
uri: Sponsors-of-Paris-climate-conference
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#29_November_2015_%28Sponsors_of_Paris_climate_conference%29

content:
<p>Major sponsors of the coming Paris climate conference have <a href="http://www.commondreams.org/news/2015/11/23/new-report-digs-dirt-corporate-criminals-sponsoring-climate-talks">big investments in fossil fuel, even in coal.</a>
<p>If this conference does not reach an adequate agreement, some
countries that will be devastated by climate mayhem might launch
last-ditch military attacks at the fossil fuel facilities that are
trying to kill them.


feed_id: ee628c83250ccb8a762a778835ff3a7a
title: Merger between Pfizer and Allergan
uri: Merger-between-Pfizer-and-Allergan
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#29_November_2015_%28Merger_between_Pfizer_and_Allergan%29

content:
<p>A merger between Pfizer and Allergan would reduce competition, increase drug prices especially in the US, and <a href="http://www.commondreams.org/news/2015/11/23/biggest-tax-evasion-scheme-its-kind-big-pharma-becomes-behemoth
">help Pfizer taxes.</a>
<p>The US should make it quite difficult for major companies to merge, and it should tax both domestic and foreign companies (when operating in the US) more.


feed_id: dce11e36b71f67a18c2d0807b3645090
title: Cuts in welfare
uri: 2015-11-30-Cuts-in-welfare
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#29_November_2015_%28Cuts_in_welfare%29
content:
<p>The UK government has investigated how cuts in welfare will hurt poor families, <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2015/nov/25/documents-showing-how-cuts-to-family-payments-will-bite-are-kept-secret-by-government">and is keeping the conclusions secret.</a>


feed_id: 53372f7d6227a693f30ea7fe8b40e679
title: Eating less meat
uri: Eating-less-meat
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#29_November_2015_%28Eating_less_meat%29
content:
<p>Eating Less Meat Isn't Just Good for You, <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2015/nov/28/eating-less-meat-save-planet-dietary-guidelines">It Could Save the Planet.
</p><p></p>


feed_id: a0810ded4c11abbfbac47119d5cacdc1
title: Very urgent: No prize for Netanyahu
uri: Very-urgent-No-prize-for-Netanyahu
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#30_November_2015_%28Urgent%3A_No_prize_for_Netanyahu%29

content:
<p>
US citizens: phone the White House and urge Obama not to give
Netanyahu any military consolation prize for failing to block the
nuclear peace deal with Iran.  
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#22_November_2015_(Collective_punishment)">Israel
carries out collective punishment</a> and 
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#07_November_2015_(Restrictions_on_Palestinians_in_Hebron)">continues
expanding colonies in Palestine</a>.


feed_id: cc6a88e53b65c55c19d5f832269d20db
title: US media system
uri: US-media-system
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#30_November_2015_%28US_media_system%29
content:
<p>
The business-dominated, concentrated US media system is 
<a href="http://www.commondreams.org/views/2015/11/25/us-represents-cautionary-tale-about-media-system-dominated-market-values">not
the only possible system</a>.
<p>
Many other countries have a lot of newspapers, and even though some
are dominated by right-wing thought, they have exceptions too.
<p>
US "public" media are also business-dominated, because many programs
depend on funding from business or from business owners such as the
Kochs.  This too is not inevitable; it developed in the 1990s.  Now a
Koch is on the WGBH-TV board, in a position to limit coverage of
global heating so as to protect the effectiveness of 
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2014-sep-dec.html#13_September_2014_(Urgent:_Remove_Koch_brother_from_WGBH_board)">the
Kochs' paid denialism</a>.


feed_id: cd3569c36292f824a980bdf43505313e
title: Hype and exaggeration about terrorism
uri: Hype-and-exaggeration-about-terrorism
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#30_November_2015_%28Hype_and_exaggeration_about_terrorism%29

content:
<p>
It's proper for news media to cover terrorism, but they don't need to
<a href="http://www.commondreams.org/views/2015/11/25/once-again-media-terrorize-public-terrorists">hype
and exaggerate</a> in a way that plays into terrorists' hands by
traumatizing the public.


feed_id: 4e7ee4c35612c022a1581db40c0d2784
title: EPA cancels approval of toxic pesticide
uri: EPA-cancels-approval-of-toxic-pesticide
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#30_November_2015_%28EPA_cancels_approval_of_toxic_pesticide%29

content:
<p>
The EPA has 
<a href="http://www.commondreams.org/news/2015/11/25/epa-turnaround-toxic-herbicide-huge-victory-future-food">cancelled
its approval</a> of the latest toxic pesticide, which certain GMOs
were designed to operate with.


feed_id: 1b4ec4cd938a2fabe8acbb5919675e1f
title: Sanders on US immigration policy
uri: Sanders-on-US-immigration-policy
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#30_November_2015_%28Sanders_on_US_immigration_policy%29

content:
<p>
Sanders says he will 
<a href="http://www.commondreams.org/news/2015/11/25/cheers-sanders-unveils-most-progressive-immigration-plan">fix
the cruelties</a> of US immigration policy.


feed_id: c1b4a4d59a8b08cd9b0867d3bd3e94bd
title: Gaps in report about attack on MSF
uri: Gaps-in-report-about-attack-on-MSF
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#30_November_2015_%28Gaps_in_report_about_attack_on_MSF%29

content:
<p>
MSF says that the Pentagon's report about the attack on the MSF
hospital in Kunduz has 
<a href="http://www.commondreams.org/news/2015/11/25/more-questions-answers-msf-not-buying-pentagon-probe-hospital-attack">suspicious
gaps</a>, while showing procedures that amount to negligence.
<p>
I pointed out some instances of 
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#29_November_2015_(Shelling_MSF_hospital_in_Kunduz)">negligence</a>.


feed_id: 84bbf05f4a844d80ec1e1903c77af94a
title: Prison for letting child play outside
uri: Prison-for-letting-child-play-outside
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#30_November_2015_%28Prison_for_letting_child_play_outside%29

content:
<p>
A mother in Sacramento is 
<a href="http://reason.com/blog/2015/11/25/mom-could-get-30-days-in-jail-for-lettin">threatened
with six months in prison</a> for letting her child play outside the
house.
<p>
The point that the child is in far more danger riding in a car with a
parent is especially cogent.  American society is tied up in knots by
obsession with some rare and unlikely dangers, such as child-snatching
and terrorism.


feed_id: 60579fc9b487ffeecdf5e647f83dfc10
title: Statistics for "sex trafficker" arrests
uri: Statistics-for-sex-trafficker-arrests
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#30_November_2015_%28Statistics_for_sex_trafficker_arrests%29

content:
<p>
US statistics for arrests of "sex traffickers" are 
<a href="http://reason.com/blog/2015/11/25/doj-distorts-sex-trafficking-stats">grossly
inflated</a>: most of them are sex workers and customers.  Some pimps
that aren't traffickers are also included.


feed_id: 7c0e97df805e10bdd76d695a8c8035f5
title: Banning strong encryption
uri: Banning-strong-encryption
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#30_November_2015_%28Banning_strong_encryption%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://medium.com/backchannel/even-if-terrorists-do-use-strong-encryption-we-still-need-it-548657f5b080">Don't
fall into the trap</a> of agreeing that banning strong encryption
would be justified if terrorists or criminals ever use it.


feed_id: 098e759ebcb79079fd006dddcaaa352b
title: Turkey's downing of Russian plane
uri: Turkey-s-downing-of-Russian-plane
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#30_November_2015_%28Turkeys_downing_of_Russian_plane%29

content:
<p>
On 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/nov/26/russia-turkey-jet-mark-galeotti">the
significance</a> of Turkey's downing a Russian plane.
<p>

The article doesn't mention it has been standard Russian practice for
the past few years to probe many countries' borders persistently.  In
a way, that's asking for a violent response.  However, that changes
things only slightly.


feed_id: a4d5bea4141ae034d623184d8ce7ea63
title: Climate meeting in France excludes public
uri: Climate-meeting-in-France-excludes-public
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#30_November_2015_%28Climate_meeting_in_France_excludes_public%29

content:
<p>
By 
<a href="http://www.commondreams.org/views/2015/11/23/whats-really-stake-paris-climate-conference-now-marches-are-banned">banning
the public parts of the climate meeting</a>, France decided that the
people hardest hit by global heating should not be heard.
<p>
Bravo for the Swedish government official who wasn't totally
distracted from impending global disaster by a crime that killed 130
people.  The danger of climate mayhem, perhaps 
<a href="http://in.reuters.com/article/2012/09/25/climate-inaction-idINDEE88O0HH20120925">100
million killed by 2030</a>, and far more afterward, dwarfs that of
terrorism.
<p>
Indeed, the terrorism is a part of the effect of global heating's
climate mayhem, which 
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2015-jan-apr.html#08_March_2015_(Failure_of_agriculture_in_Syria)">created 
the impetus for the Syrian civil war</a>, which in turn led to 
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2014-jul-oct.html#29_September_2014_(PISSI)">PISSI</a>.
<p>
I urge those in Paris to 
<a href="https://stallman/articles/chant-du-29-novembre.html">defy the
French state and march anyway</a>.


feed_id: 17d82f0a11fa4aaa8939254454c0d4ce
title: Fertilizer polluting lake in Wisconsin
uri: Fertilizer-polluting-lake-in-Wisconsin
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#30_November_2015_%28Fertilizer_polluting_lake_in_Wisconsin%29

content:
<p>
The cultivation of cranberries in Wisconsin pours fertilizer into the
nearby lake.  This pollution 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2015/nov/26/thanksgiving-cranberry-sauce-wisconsin-poison-native-american-lac-courte-oreilles-tribe">kills
the fish and makes the lake water unsafe</a>.
<p>
Would diverting the waste into a holding pond solve the problem?
Would the pond have to grow each year, or could it be used to separate
the fertilizer and apply it again?


feed_id: c7a8fb6a8cd4fed991ec467874909bae
title: UK has no strategy for defeating PISSI
uri: UK-has-no-strategy-for-defeating-PISSI
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#30_November_2015_%28UK_has_no_strategy_for_defeating_PISSI%29

content:
<p>
The UK government is determined to bomb PISSI in Syria as a symbolic
gesture of commitment — never mind that there is 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/politics/2015/nov/26/syria-airstrikes-cameron-case-highly-contentious">no
strategy for actually defeating PISSI</a>.
<p>
Britons are 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/nov/26/thousands-expected-uk-protests-against-syria-airstrikes">planning
protests against this bombing</a>.
<p>
A proper campaign to defeat PISSI militarily would probably include
air attacks as well as artillery and infantry.  I would support the
bombing of PISSI fighters.  However, bombing with no strategy and few
militarily justified targets will achieve nothing and tend to kill
civilians.


feed_id: 658ef970e48920c546e6de62091d5d34
title: Snooping with Hello Barbie
uri: Snooping-with-Hello-Barbie
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#30_November_2015_%28Snooping_with_Hello_Barbie%29
content:
<p>
Crackers can 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/technology/2015/nov/26/hackers-can-hijack-wi-fi-hello-barbie-to-spy-on-your-children">take
over a Hello Barbie to listen to the kids in the room</a>.  They can
listen all the time.
<p>
It's a lot like a 
<a href="http://gnu.org/proprietary/malware-mobiles.html">portable
phone</a>.
<p>
This is what you must expect from devices with proprietary software
and a network connection.  It's the Internet of Snooping Things,
Telemarketers, Cheaters, and worse.


feed_id: 70cb64c9641034191806800b4339ad1d
title: Sweden's fossil fuel challenge
uri: Sweden-s-fossil-fuel-challenge
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#30_November_2015_%28Swedens_fossil_fuel_challenge%29

content:
<p>
Sweden Is Challenging the World to 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2015/nov/26/sweden-is-challenging-the-world-to-go-fossil-fuel-free">Go
Fossil Fuel-Free</a>.


feed_id: 018b21c3c481ad87b50f3002b024e568
title: Bushfires in Australia
uri: Bushfires-in-Australia
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#30_November_2015_%28Bushfires_in_Australia%29
content:
<p>
As Australia suffers 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2015/nov/26/south-australian-bushfires-that-killed-two-like-armageddon-survivor-says">"horrific"
bushfires</a>, will the Australian government agree to greenhouse gas
measures to limit how much worse they will get?


feed_id: f582fcdf4d9489e368140b0f410548e9
title: The "dying cat" rhetorical switch
uri: The-dying-cat-rhetorical-switch
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#30_November_2015_%28The_dying_cat_rhetorical_switch%29

content:
<p>
The 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2015/nov/26/activists-dying-cat-paris-beirut-whataboutery">"dying
cat" rhetorical switch</a> — blocking consideration of an
important, uncomfortable issue by bringing out a very emotional issue
and arguing about which is more important.


feed_id: 1f00c4d46b6a7145131999d9035829fc
title: Trump's latest bullying
uri: 2015-12-01-Trump-s-latest-bullying
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#29_November_2015_%28Trump%27s_latest_bullying%29
content:
<p>Trump's latest bullying: <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2015/nov/26/new-york-times-outrageous-donald-trump-mocking-reporter-disability">mocking a reporter</a> for a visible disability.
<p>However, Trump's bullying goes far beyond mockery.  He incited his
supporters to <a href="http://www.thenation.com/article/black-lives-matter-activists-shot-while-trump-busy-sharing-neo-nazi-graphic-on-twitter/">physically attack</a> a Black Lives Matter protester who came to his campaign rally.
<p>He should be arrested and charged for this, and I hope soon
to post a link to a petition to that effect.  If he loses
the Republican nomination, and chooses to run independently,
he should start the Childish Bullies Party.


feed_id: a4f4bdcc92f3db68d6b8f67238c5fea9
title: Fanatics beat teenager to death
uri: 2015-12-01-Fanatics-beat-teenager-to-death
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#29_November_2015_%28Fanatics_beat_teenager_to_death%29

content:
<p>Christian fanatics in New York beat a teenager to death because he wanted to <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2015/nov/25/pastor-among-seven-charged-with-of-teen-in-new-york-church">leave their church.</a>
<p>Saudi Arabia says <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/nov/25/cultural-figures-human-rights-groups-call-release-ashraf-fayadh-poet-facing-execution">it will do the same thing</a> to a poet who said he wanted to leave their church.
<p>Saudi Arabia's form of Islam, Salafism, is poison.  PISSI is its most
extreme form, but it's a threat to human rights <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/nov/25/the-struggle-for-mali
">in any form.</a>
<p>I will try out referring to that country as Salafi Arabia.


feed_id: 69958d37d83160ffc738adf7928b6321
title: Urgent: Reject special prejudice
uri: Urgent-Reject-special-prejudice
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#01_December_2015_%28Urgent%3A_Reject_special_prejudice%29

content:
<p>
US citizens: 
<a href="http://act.couragecampaign.org/sign/SyrianRefugees/">call on
Senators</a> to reject laws that would impose special prejudice
against Syrian refugees.


feed_id: 8801977d896cba0dd07172bdadd94c69
title: Urgent: Condemn racism
uri: Urgent-Condemn-racism
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#01_December_2015_%28Urgent%3A_Condemn_racism%29
content:
<p>
Everyone: 
<a href="http://act.colorofchange.org/sign/GOP_white_supremacy/">call
on Republican candidates</a> to condemn racism in their supporters and
in other candidates.


feed_id: d05e48164263b46fd64cb0db675610b5
title: Turkey torturing Syrian refugees
uri: Turkey-torturing-Syrian-refugees
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#01_December_2015_%28Turkey_torturing_Syrian_refugees%29

content:
<p>
Turkey is 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/nov/27/amnesty-international-turkey-syrian-refugees-human-rights-abuse">torturing
Syrian refugees</a> into "voluntarily" leaving.


feed_id: 1ddc32e2b2263164d3bfc4ab1aa35327
title: Venezuelan candidate assassinated
uri: Venezuelan-candidate-assassinated
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#01_December_2015_%28Venezuelan_candidate_assassinated_%29

content:
<p>
An opposition candidate in Venezuela was 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/nov/27/venezuela-criticises-us-luis-diaz-murder-elections">assassinated
in a rally</a>.
<p>
I don't know whether the socialist party is responsible for the
killing, but it has arrested and blocked a number of opposition
candidates in the past.  Their current leaders do not have the stature
of Chavez, and they don't seem to know how to correct policies that
have bad consequences.


feed_id: c7404379e7cb92e7400c88ae3fe762f0
title: Pissing on train station wall in Germany
uri: Pissing-on-train-station-wall-in-Germany
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#01_December_2015_%28Pissing_on_train_station_wall_in_Germany%29

content:
<p>
A train station in Germany proposes to discourage pissing on a wall by
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/nov/27/walls-that-pee-back-people-urinate-in-public">making
streams of liquid bounce back</a>.
<p>
I sympathize with those who want to discourage pissing on these walls,
but I have to wonder why so many people piss there.  Does the train
station have toilets?  If so, why don't homeless people use them?  Is
there some obstacle?


feed_id: 7bc1d72da0f4b2537ee6c1d19478756d
title: Making cities porous
uri: Making-cities-porous
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#01_December_2015_%28Making_cities_porous%29
content:
<p>
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/cities/2015/nov/27/delhi-electronic-market-urbanist-dream">How
to make cities, neighborhoods and buildings porous</a> rather that
monofunctional and controlling.


feed_id: 66125adf3e1e189d1e84a05d0a2397a9
title: Attacks on Israelis by Palestinians
uri: Attacks-on-Israelis-by-Palestinians
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#01_December_2015_%28Attacks_on_Israelis_by_Palestinians%29

content:
<p>
This year, Palestinians have frequently attacked Israelis.  Many of
the attacks have occurred at 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/nov/27/gush-etzion-occupied-west-bank-symbol-escalating-violence">a
crossroads in Palestine where Israelis travel between the (illegal)
colonies in Palestine and Israel</a>.
<p>
Those colonies are the root of the current violence.  They are not a
mere provocation, but a tremendous injustice.  They were established
as a scheme to 
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2009-jul-oct.html#21%20August%202009%20(Netanyahu%20changing%20tactics?)">take
Palestinians' land and water and drive Palestinians to flee</a>.
Netanyahu has used them to
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2015-jul-oct.html#30_October_2015_(Permanent_oppression_of_Palestinians)">make
sure peace negotiations would be a sham</a>.
<p>
The US should demand that Israel tear down those colonies, and should
put its money behind it.  Aid to Israel should be proportional to the
decrease in size of the colonies, until they are gone.


feed_id: 13f607298bb852fbe80ddf59fb933b27
title: The TTIP
uri: 2015-12-02-The-TTIP
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#01_December_2015_%28The_TTIP%29
content:
<p>
A central goal of the TTIP is to 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2015/nov/27/oil-sands-transatlantic-trade-and-investment-partnership-climate-talks-cop21-paris">export
massive amounts of tar sands oil from Canada to Europe</a>, with
disastrous effects world-wide.
<p>
The TTIP is a business-supremacy deregulation treaty, and it would
abolish the regulations that currently ban import of tar sands oil
because it is so toxic.
<p>
Business-friendly politicians will find no end of opportunities to
betray the public in the name of "growth" (for the rich) and other
goals that are not important enough to justify the harm they will do.
<p>
Americans, vote for Bernie Sanders for president.  He will kill the
TTIP.


feed_id: 93e0661d5887789fc1f9ad6b8ed27eef
title: UK prosecuting people who went to fight PISSI
uri: UK-prosecuting-people-who-went-to-fight-PISSI
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#01_December_2015_%28UK_prosecuting_people_who_went_to_fight_PISSI%29

content:
<p>
While the UK bombs PISSI, it continues to prosecute 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2015/nov/26/soldier-who-went-fight-isis-in-syria-arrested-manchester">people
who have gone to fight PISSI alongside the Kurds</a>.


feed_id: 72e150abd6ccd67f0d42c3f6e3acbf89
title: Replanting mangrove forests
uri: Replanting-mangrove-forests
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#01_December_2015_%28Replanting_mangrove_forests%29
content:
<p>
Replanting mangrove forests 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/travel/2015/nov/26/ecuador-eco-tour-el-nino-isla-corazon-mangrove-replanting">may
reduce the coastal damage caused by El Niño</a>.


feed_id: 9b6c7d359d2c316dcceb3e6006d0780f
title: Protesters block entrance to Heathrow
uri: Protesters-block-entrance-to-Heathrow
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#01_December_2015_%28Protesters_block_entrance_to_Heathrow%29

content:
<p>
Protesters against airport expansion blocked an entrance to Heathrow
airport, and spoke about the need to 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2015/nov/26/heathrow-protest-chaos-block-entrance-terminal-airport-plane-stupid">curb
flying in general to put brakes on global heating</a>.


feed_id: deb45183380af9099395cadfdb3b821b
title: Suicide advisor resigns as doctor
uri: Suicide-advisor-resigns-as-doctor
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#01_December_2015_%28Suicide_advisor_resigns_as_doctor%29

content:
<p>
Suicide advisor Philip Nitschke resigned as a doctor 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2015/nov/27/philip-nitschke-burns-medical-certificate-and-says-he-will-promote-euthanasia">so
he can continue giving suicide advice</a> to people who want to die.


feed_id: 3f5d537199203d9119ecc9bc5ab52da0
title: Journalists face "espionage" charges
uri: Journalists-face-espionage-charges
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#01_December_2015_%28Journalists_face_espionage_charges%29

content:
<p>
Turkish journalists are facing 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/nov/27/turkish-journalists-charged-over-claim-that-secret-services-armed-syrian-rebels">charges
of "espionage" and "divulging state secrets"</a> for publishing that
Turkey armed Islamists in Syria.
<p>
Calling this a "state secret" implies the report is true.
However, it an act of tyranny to prosecute them,
whether the statement is true or not.


feed_id: a7552e5023b0bbc8b2fa159d28ec5c37
title: "Nation building"
uri: Nation-building
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#01_December_2015_%28Nation_building%29
content:
<p>
The US used to be able to build anything and do a pretty good job.
Nowadays, when it tries 
<a href="http://www.tomdispatch.com/post/176073/tomgram%3A_rebecca_gordon%2C_corruption_u.s.a./">"nation
building"</a>, it gets everything wrong.  But the corruption extends
to the US too.
<p>
The reason the US could build anything in the 50s and 60s
is due to the high tax rate placed on rich people and businesses
under that Republical socialist, President Eisenhower.


feed_id: dff601722399248d58ce1cdce6396ace
title: Co-responsibility for terrorism
uri: Co-responsibility-for-terrorism
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#01_December_2015_%28Co-responsibility_for_terrorism%29

content:
<p>
A UK politician 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/politics/2015/nov/27/livingstone-blames-blair-for-77-deaths">dares
to blame B'liar</a> for provoking terrorism with an unjust war.
<p>
Terrorism is wrong, and the terrorists are always responsible for that
wrong; however, when the terrorism was provoked by an even larger
wrong such as launching a war based on lies, those who did that are
co-responsible for the terrorism as well.


feed_id: 2815b29794b61585d66050a0d325e3e9
title: Carbon emissions from Unilever
uri: Carbon-emissions-from-Unilever
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#01_December_2015_%28Carbon_emmissions_from_Unilever%29

content:
<p>
Unilever 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2015/nov/27/unilever-to-stop-using-coal-for-energy-within-five-years">says
it will become "carbon positive"</a> in regard to its direct energy
use by 2030.
<p>
This does not mean, however, that its products would be carbon
positive.  Its suppliers and its shipping may account for the majority
of their emissions footprint.


feed_id: 583017f377b44394fed9affcc2198ca1
title: Wearable thermometer
uri: Wearable-thermometer
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#01_December_2015_%28Wearable_thermometer%29
content:
<p>
A new thermometer allows parents, and probably various businesses too,
to
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/architecture-design-blog/2015/nov/26/fever-scout-wearable-thermometer-for-kids">monitor
a child's body temperature all the time</a>.


feed_id: 3e6440fb8bb3e51e99b70a6230ad9278
title: Peace
uri: Peace
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#01_December_2015_%28Peace%29
content:
<p>
You Won't Win a War Against [PISSI] 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/belief/2015/nov/26/you-wont-win-a-war-against-isis-if-you-dont-know-what-the-peace-looks-like">If
You Don't Know What the Peace Looks Like</a>.
<p>
I disagree with one point.  PISSI is an army; there is no good in
underestimating the enemy.  But that is not crucial to the article's
point, which I think is valid.


feed_id: 7b25676fe7db3f335b7e990d7aa8226b
title: Wasting your money
uri: Wasting-your-money
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#01_December_2015_%28Wasting_your_money%29
content:
<p>
Beware, if you choose what to buy based on a symbol of what sort of
person you like to think you are!  You are being 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/media-network/2015/nov/26/psychology-impulsive-shopping-christmas-black-friday-sales">manipulated
by subtle psychology into wasting your money</a>.  And it could be
a <em>lot</em> of your money.
<p>
There is one situation where buying a product to communicate a
symbolic message to others is rational and wise: to support a worthy
cause.


feed_id: 01e2a79e376687217212918aa78c6864
title: Strong marijuana
uri: Strong-marijuana
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#1_December_2015_%28Strong_marijuana%29
content:
<p>Very strong marijuana can cause serious harm to long-term users,<br>but prohibition <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2015/nov/27/cannabis-legalised-brain-damage-skunk">makes it hard to get milder forms</a>.
</p><p></p>


feed_id: e9342f7322ccdb363170c90f7db854b5
title: Whaling
uri: 2015-12-02-Whaling
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#1_December_2015_%28Whaling%29
content:
<p>Japan Under Fire Over Decision to <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/nov/29/japan-to-resume-whaling-programme">Resume Whaling</a>.
</p><p></p>


feed_id: 96f366926bd77f2fc90c9870f9aee648
title: Microsoft
uri: Microsoft
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#1_December_2015_%28Microsoft%29
content:
<p>Microsoft Once Again <a href="http://techrights.org/2015/11/27/microsoft-overrides-settings-again/">Disregards People's Settings and Abuses Them</a>, Again Pretends It's Just an Accident.
</p><p></p>


feed_id: 7368dcf36e17a5282f7e1ec3d3d9a99f
title: Paris Attacks
uri: Paris-Attacks
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#1_December_2015_%28Paris_Attacks%29
content:
<p>Paris Attacks Plot Was <a href="http://www.wsj.com/articles/paris-attacks-plot-was-hatched-in-plain-sight-1448587309">Hatched in Plain Sight</a>.
</p><p></p>


feed_id: 51aa60ccfa0a7786ca176888ea39d9a0
title: The human brain
uri: The-human-brain
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#1_December_2015_%28The_human_brain%29
content:
<p>Every human's brain is a <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/science/2015/nov/30/brain-sex-men-from-mars-women-venus-not-so-says-new-study">mosaic of male and female characteristics</a>.
</p><p></p>


feed_id: 0fe6a27807b076392e833e0478c09538
title: 'War' on Terrorism
uri: 2015-12-02-War-on-Terrorism
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#1_December_2015_%28%27War%27_on_Terrorism%29
content:
<p>Why a 'War' on Terrorism <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/media/greenslade/2015/nov/30/why-a-war-on-terrorism-will-generate-yet-more-terrorism">Will Generate Yet More Terrorism</a>.
</p><p></p>


feed_id: 4999de11b5082ec55b65a51f92f5d0bd
title: Arundhati Roy meeting Edward Snowden
uri: Arundhati-Roy-meeting-Edward-Snowden
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#02_December_2015_%28Arundhati_Roy_meeting_Edward_Snowden%29

content:
<p>Arundhati Roy <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2015/nov/28/conversation-edward-snowden-arundhati-roy-john-cusack-interview">reports</a> on meeting Edward Snowden, and ideas about refugees.
<p>The recent actions of the French government and recent statements of
Republican political candidates show how right Snowden is.


feed_id: 3f424a7ec5b5140b6024234b2d771c35
title: Conversing through digital devices
uri: Conversing-through-digital-devices
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#02_December_2015_%28Conversing_through_digital_devices%29

content:
<p>Conversing mainly through digital devices may have to do with the <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2015/nov/28/step-away-from-your-phone-the-new-rules-of-conversation">decline in ability to empathize</a> seen in young Americans.


feed_id: 826a2b2c09d2f14f3223dff91e7d065c
title: Shooting at Colorado Planned Parenthood
uri: Shooting-at-Colorado-Planned-Parenthood
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#02_December_2015_%28Shooting_at_Colorado_Planned_Parenthood%29

content:
<p>A man shot people at Planned Parenthood in Colorado because he had been stirred up by <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2015/nov/29/suspect-in-planned-parenthood-attack-said-no-more-baby-parts-after-arrest">deceptive attack videos.</a>
<p>He's also identifying fetuses with babies, which is a common
irrationality among those that want to ban abortion.
<p>The main terrorist threat in the US comes from fanatics like those,
who call themselves "pro-life" but they mean "life for fetuses —
not for real human beings."


feed_id: e81a0ca960cbddd4597d45af85da0825
title: US social decay
uri: US-social-decay
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#02_December_2015_%28US_social_decay%29
content:
<p>The common theme in US social decay: redesigning various systems to privilege the rich and <a href="http://www.alternet.org/news-amp-politics/5-depressing-signs-america-just-isnt-country-it-used-be">push the rest down.</a>


feed_id: 674bb435638e68b1fe6846ee69e1f660
title: Unhealthful food
uri: Unhealthful-food
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#02_December_2015_%28Unhealthful_food%29
content:
<p>Poverty, in today's social system, <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2015/nov/29/kis-junk-food-dont-blame-parents
">forces parents to feed their children unhealthful food.</a>  Healthful food costs too much, requires time and skill to cook that these parents don't have.
<p>It may not even be on sale in many urban areas where the stores are geared
towards those that don't cook.
<p>To touch on the unrelated topic of the last section of the article, I
see nothing wrong with protesting a speaker by theatrically walking
out of the talk.  As long as the protest doesn't compel everyone to
participate, those who want to hear the speaker can do so.


feed_id: 2adf782d89b3de739d7e79118ff26280
title: Anatomy of the Deep State
uri: 2015-12-02-Anatomy-of-the-Deep-State
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#02_December_2015_%28Anatomy_of_the_Deep_State%29
content:
<p>Essay: <a href="http://billmoyers.com/2014/02/21/anatomy-of-the-deep-state/">Anatomy of the Deep State.</a>  The US government is deadlocked, but the president and the executive spy and war agencies are allowed
to do almost anything with no checks.


feed_id: 76f5564bc0954abeb6191000ee36918f
title: Western response to PISSI
uri: Western-response-to-PISSI
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#02_December_2015_%28Western_response_to_PISSI%29
content:
<p>Uri Avnery: the western response to PISSI is feckless and absurd
because politicians don't think straight about the problem.
Meanwhile, <a href="http://zope.gush-shalom.org/home/en/channels/avnery/1448673709/">Netanyahu is working to confuse them.</a>


feed_id: 8b9e34a86cedf861568e65def16da2c5
title: Prostitution in Morocco
uri: Prostitution-in-Morocco
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#02_December_2015_%28Prostitution_in_Morocco%29
content:
<p>Many Arab countries have banned a film presenting prostitution in Morocco,
and the people who made the film are receiving <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/nov/28/morocco-film-tunisia-festival-prostitutes">death threats.</a>


feed_id: c1e8699925cf93374b14ff40df38be00
title: Etat d'urgence climatique
uri: Etat-d-urgence-climatique
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#02_December_2015_%28Etat_d%27urgence_climatique%29
content:
<p><a href="http://us2.campaign-archive1.com/?u=9cab96bfe505511c484211a4d&id=a1e040c129&e=dea46f12b5">From France:</a> "Etat d'urgence climatique: mobilisons-nous!"


feed_id: ed4dc877f95d66657a6750a32b366cee
title: Fasting on Thanksgiving
uri: Fasting-on-Thanksgiving
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#02_December_2015_%28Fasting_on_Thanksgiving%29
content:
<p>Fasting on Thanksgiving in solidarity with the <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2015/nov/28/thanksgiving-protest-guantanamo">hunger-striking prisoners of Guantanamo.</a>


feed_id: 341f49b1f80fcbeccc49466c119621ed
title: Extraction of ground water
uri: Extraction-of-ground-water
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#02_December_2015_%28Extraction_of_ground_water%29
content:
<p>California has failed to limit farmers' extraction of ground water.
They are pumping so much that the land is sinking up to <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2015/nov/28/california-central-valley-sinking-farmers-deepwater-wells">2 inches a month</a> in some places.
<p>The unequal sinking is destroying infrastructure.
<p>If normal rainfall returns for a few years, these farms may turn into
lakes.  But they will dry out again, more or less forever, in a few
decades.


feed_id: dc57818c4f5bbf262f9fa84cbc38af07
title: Future global heating
uri: Future-global-heating
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#02_December_2015_%28Future_global_heating%29
content:
<p>The foretaste of future global heating did not discourage <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2015/nov/28/thousands-march-over-climate-change-in-brisbane-and-across-new-zealand">large climate marches</a> in Australia and New Zealand.


feed_id: fe129ce4bf51fc48182d67e014842d1d
title: Urgent: Call for arresting Trump
uri: Urgent-Call-for-arresting-Trump
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#02_December_2015_%28Urgent%3A_Call_for_arresting_Trump%29

content:
<p>
US citizens: 
<a href="http://act.presente.org/sign/arresttrump/">call for arresting
Trump</a> for inciting violence.


feed_id: 8a5b747e2c51f6c88a59dca24fb941e1
title: Urgent: Press Turkey to free journalists
uri: Urgent-Press-Turkey-to-free-journalists
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#02_December_2015_%28Urgent%3A_Press_Turkey_to_free_journalists%29

content:
<p>
US citizens: 
<a href="http://www.justforeignpolicy.org/act/turkey-free-journalists-syria-arms-smuggling">call
on Obama and Congress</a> to press Turkey to free the journalists
prosecuted for reporting on arms smuggling to Syria.


feed_id: 4aae3cf7993d8eeb993f6fb5f7b2929a
title: Banning anonymity
uri: Banning-anonymity
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#02_December_2015_%28Banning_anonymity%29
content:
<p>
The idea of preventing terrorist attacks by collecting more data
and banning anonymity is inherently impossible.
It can oppress dissidents very well, and crush protests,
but 
<a href="https://www.lawfareblog.com/limits-panopticon">can't
distinguish a small group of terrorists from any small group of
friends</a>.


feed_id: 0212e073f6bd85f6c1c8b485edc60ddc
title: New Zealand bows to business
uri: New-Zealand-bows-to-business
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#02_December_2015_%28New_Zealand_bows_to_business%29
content:
<p>
The bow-to-business government of New Zealand sabotaged efforts to
reduce obesity, because they might interfere with the 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2015/nov/28/i-quit-after-14-years-pushing-slimness-over-obesity-nothings-changed">profits
of fat-food establishments</a>.  (That seems a more accurate term than
"fast food").
<p>
The excuse these bow-to-business politicians use is, "If it is
possible for heroic people to resist, there is no need to help the
rest."  I've seen people use the same excuse to justify letting
companies lure and pressure people into being surveilled.


feed_id: 88649f281b7f3e3e2f24e26aa00f80f1
title: Thugs want to prosecute for mockery
uri: Thugs-want-to-prosecute-for-mockery
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#02_December_2015_%28Thugs_want_to_prosecute_for_mockery%29

content:
<p>
Australian thugs illegally searched for 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2015/nov/16/police-may-have-acted-illegally-in-search-for-facebook-memes-mocking-officers">mocking
statements made by Rhys Liam Halvey to his friends</a>.  They wanted
to prosecute him for mockery.
<p>
The thugs withdrew the case against Halvey when a judge 
<a href="https://www.techdirt.com/articles/20151118/07495532852/australian-police-officials-smacked-around-judge-support-illegal-surveillance-closed-facebook-account.shtml">threatened
to expose their illegal methods</a> of searching for what Halvey had
said.
<p>
That doesn't seem like enough of a punishment for them.
<p>
But supposing they had not used those illegal methods, supposing they
had been able to find Halvey's mocking statements in a legal way,
wouldn't Halvey have the right to mock them?
<p>
Doesn't Australia have any vestige of freedom of speech?


feed_id: a7f5fbe096c174a3b69c5e740a9b2877
title: Deforestation in Brazil
uri: Deforestation-in-Brazil
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#02_December_2015_%28Deforestation_in_Brazil%29
content:
<p>
Deforestation in Brazil has 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/nov/27/amazon-deforestation-report-brazil-paris-climate-talks">increased
16%</a>.


feed_id: af1e2f09e48ec4264036bf4fd2793261
title: Australia imprisons refugees without telling why
uri: Australia-imprisons-refugees-without-telling-why
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#02_December_2015_%28Australia_imprisons_refugees_without_telling_why%29

content:
<p>
Australia imprisons refugees for years 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2015/nov/28/a-phonecall-a-meeting-then-indefinite-detention-the-refugees-at-the-mercy-of-asio">without
telling them why</a>.


feed_id: 43370ba739cfa129e64409789fde3104
title: Bombing PISSI in cities can backfire
uri: Bombing-PISSI-in-cities-can-backfire
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#02_December_2015_%28Bombing_PISSI_in_cities_can_backfire%29

content:
<p>
Bombing PISSI in the cities it holds 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/politics/2015/nov/27/uk-airstrikes-isis-syria-goals-risks">can
backfire</a>.


feed_id: 0d93c168e79cc5eb84f00eb5f7f03fa0
title: EU bowing to Turkish blackmail
uri: EU-bowing-to-Turkish-blackmail
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#02_December_2015_%28EU_bowing_to_Turkish_blackmail%29

content:
<p>
The EU, desperate for Turkish help in reducing migration of Syrian
refugees, is at the point of 
<a href="Providing money to support the Syrian refugees in Turkey is
both wise and ethical, but aside from that, this is a terrible
mistake.  Turkey keeps open PISSI">bowing to Turkish blackmail</a>.
<p>
Providing money to support the Syrian refugees in Turkey is both wise
and ethical, but aside from that, this is a terrible mistake.  Turkey
keeps open 
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2014-sep-dec.html#29_September_2014_(PISSI)">PISSI</a>'s
lifeline for 
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#21_November_2015_(Turkey_keeps_PISSIs_supply_lines_open)">money,
arms and foreign recruits</a>.  To defeat PISSI requires, one way or
another, a confrontation with Turkey.


feed_id: 961e36d20b87eb05307a1cb8e3ffccb2
title: Pamplona calls for murder investigation
uri: Pamplona-calls-for-murder-investigation
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#02_December_2015_%28Pamplona_calls_for_murder_investigation%29

content:
<p>
The city of Pamplona 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/nov/27/pamplona-spain-investigation-francisco-franco-dictatorship-crimes-civil-war">calls
for an investigation</a> into Franco's murders.


feed_id: a4777743a7c70a2a099437adc0e9273c
title: The election in Burma
uri: The-election-in-Burma
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#02_December_2015_%28The_election_in_Burma%29
content:
<p>
The election in Burma was 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/global-development-professionals-network/2015/nov/26/myanmar-millions-of-ethnic-minorities-denied-vote-as-aung-san-suu-kyi-claims-power-rohingya">not
free for the Rohingya minority</a>, whose candidates were banned.


feed_id: e99f3a488f27743d9f0e4ab233f87fde
title: Proprietary software in drones
uri: Proprietary-software-in-drones
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#02_December_2015_%28Proprietary_software_in_drones%29

content:
<p>
The US may require proprietary software in every drone, to 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/technology/2015/nov/26/drone-regulations-united-states-testing-air-traffic-control-system-precisionhawk">implement
surveillance and a back door</a>.
<p>
The article says the location of every drone will be sent to "the
cloud", meaning "don't ask who will store this data or for how long."
I think it's not a good idea to fly a drone in a cloud.
<p>
Avoiding drone collisions is important, but it can be done using local
communication which doesn't track them all.  Keep in mind that it
won't be hard to disconnect this system entirely.  Criminals will
easily be able to overcome the system; it won't be able to directly
stop them from doing anything.  Its total surveillance and back door
will fall on non-criminals, who would cooperate willingly with a less
nasty system that would achieve the same goal.


feed_id: b2eee80176cf33ab02c166c071cc107c
title: Repressive state of emergency in France
uri: Repressive-state-of-emergency-in-France
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#02_December_2015_%28Repressive_state_of_emergency_in_France%29

content:
<p>
The state of emergency in France has become 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/nov/26/frances-state-of-emergency-could-lead-to-abuses-human-rights-groups-warn">repressive</a>.
<p>
People have been arbitrarily placed in house arrest, blocked from
working, for no apparent reason.  This includes the leader of a
charitable organization that helps Muslim prisoners.
<p>
But repression is not limited to Muslims.  Many people suspected of
planning climate protests have been 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2015/nov/27/paris-climate-activists-put-under-house-arrest-using-emergency-laws">raided
and arrested</a> too.
<p>
These repressive actions have nothing to do with the officially stated
goal of preventing more terrorist attacks.  The French thugs know full
well that these climate defenders are not terrorists.  Their goal is
to crush anyone who would dare to <em>disobey</em> — because, to
a tyranny, disobedience is worse than terrorism.  Terrorism offers
tyranny an excuse, but disobedience can make tyranny weaker.
<p>
The harm done to France by this attack on liberty will dwarf that of
the terrorist attacks — only to be dwarfed in turn by the global
heating disaster that this repression is helping to increase.


feed_id: 448f000574591f8dac0980feccd7aad6
title: Cameron's Drive to Bomb Syria
uri: Cameron-s-Drive-to-Bomb-Syria
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#02_December_2015_%28Camerons_Drive_to_Bomb_Syria%29
content:
<p>
Cameron's Drive to Bomb Syria Is 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2015/nov/27/david-cameron-syria-macho-foolish-labour-jeremy-corbyn">Macho,
Foolish And Must Be Stopped</a>.
<p>
Jürgen Todenhöfer: I Know [PISSI] Fighters.  
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2015/nov/27/bomb-isis-west-learned-nothign-from-war-terror-defeat-muslim-world-equal-partner">Western
Bombs Falling on Raqqa Will Fill Them with Joy</a>.
<p>
The proposed response has one problem.  We can't "help" Turkey seal
the border through which PISSI, because Turkey secretly supports and
arms PISSI.  The border would have to be sealed despite Turkey's
interference.


feed_id: 20cbd4054876bbb3c4e388b4eb2e7d87
title: Attempts to block freedom of communication
uri: Attempts-to-block-freedom-of-communication
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#02_December_2015_%28Attempts_to_block_freedom_of_communication%29

content:
<p>
Western attempts to block freedom of communication on the internet are
<a href="http://mobile.nytimes.com/2015/11/24/business/international/china-cuts-mobile-service-of-xinjiang-residents-evading-internet-filters.html">providing
cover to China in doing the same thing</a>.


feed_id: d7830308639a5ea3f1cafa03820bc606
title: UK data retention plans
uri: UK-data-retention-plans
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#02_December_2015_%28UK_data_retention_plans%29
content:
<p>
UK data retention plans are 
<a href="http://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2015/11/uk-isp-boss-points-out-massive-technical-flaws-in-investigatory-powers-bill/">based
on outdated ideas</a> of what is technically feasible or not.


feed_id: 491d18face89dcf7877f66e72823541f
title: Having multiple lovers
uri: Having-multiple-lovers
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#02_December_2015_%28Having_multiple_lovers%29
content:
<p>
Famous men who have many lovers are called "prodigious" while 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/books/2015/nov/27/iris-murdoch-letters-sexism">women
who do likewise are sneered at</a>.
<p>
I can't tell from this information whether Ms Murdoch was promiscuous;
that's not the same as having multiple lovers.


feed_id: f62646e6c6a920afc38f95c6c912884c
title: Salafi Arabia
uri: Salafi-Arabia
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#02_December_2015_%28Salafi_Arabia%29
content:
<p>
Salafi Arabia 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/nov/27/saudi-arabia-execute-50-terrorists-reports-jihadi-al-qaida">executes
terrorists and peaceful dissidents</a> — to those religious
fanatics, the difference is insignificant.


feed_id: 3133f2807fba0a228ef477cf8ff912df
title: Effect of global heating on birds
uri: Effect-of-global-heating-on-birds
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#02_December_2015_%28Effect_of_global_heating_on_birds%29

content:
<p>
Global heating is systematically 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2015/nov/27/climate-change-already-forcing-worlds-birds-towards-poles-says-report">pushing
birds away from the equator, or up mountains</a>.
<p>
Those that run out of somewhere to go will become extinct.


feed_id: b27b07bd7f8d5c36e133bfe9c8ab8141
title: Pissing on train station wall in Germany
uri: 2015-12-02-Pissing-on-train-station-wall-in-Germany
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#01_December_2015_%28Pissing_on_train_station_wall_in_Germany%29

content:
<p>
A train station in Germany proposes to discourage pissing on a wall by
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/nov/27/walls-that-pee-back-people-urinate-in-public">making
streams of liquid bounce back</a>.
<p>
I sympathize with those who want to discourage pissing on these walls,
but I have to wonder why so many people piss there.  Does the train
station have toilets?  If so, why don't homeless people use them?  Is
there some obstacle?
<p>
A person in Germany confirmed that pay toilets are the usual in
Gemrany, and that's why people piss on walls.  Instead of spending
lots of money on piss-reflecting surfaces, they should spend it on
giving people a proper place to use the toilet.


feed_id: 21c8973ea0195ae130a247b7500fa2b3
title: Urgent: Electronic Communications Privacy Act
uri: Urgent-Electronic-Communications-Privacy-Act
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#02_December_2015_%28Urgent%3A_Electronic_Communications_Privacy_Act%29

content:
<p>US citizens: phone your representatives and senators to support
full reform of the Electronic Communications Privacy Act, <a href="https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2015/12/house-judiciary-committee-considers-long-overdue-ecpa-reform">requiring a search warrant in all cases.</a>


feed_id: c47dd1ed233adec539155252085e3108
title: Urgent: don't let Republicans put riders in a spending bill
uri: Urgent-don-t-let-Republicans-put-riders-in-a-spending-bill
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#02_December_2015_%28Urgent%3A_don%27t_let_Republicans_put_riders_in_a_spending_bill%29

content:
<p>US citizens: <a href="http://www.mcclatchydc.com/news/politics-government/congress/article47259075.html
">phone your senators</a> and say, don't let Republicans put
riders in a spending bill to do nasty things such as exclude Syrian
refugees, or attack Planned Parenthood, or cancel network neutrality.
<p>The Capitol Switchboard numbers are 202-224-3121, 888-818-6641 and 888-355-3588.


feed_id: 0653e032bfda10794148d5e5e4c835cc
title: Urgent: support diplomacy in Syria
uri: 2015-12-03-Urgent-support-diplomacy-in-Syria
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#02_December_2015_%28Urgent%3A_support_diplomacy_in_Syria%29

content:
<p>In the US: call on the TV show <a href="http://petitions.moveon.org/sign/facethenation-jdickerson?source=c.url&r_by=1135580
">Face the Nation</a> to have some guests that support diplomacy in Syria.


feed_id: 5abaa98a718a9af9c95105be0c72c1ae
title: Urgent: investigate attacks on abortion providers as terrorism
uri: Urgent-investigate-attacks-on-abortion-providers-as-terrorism
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#02_December_2015_%28Urgent%3A_investigate_attacks_on_abortion_providers_as_terrorism%29

content:
<p>US citizens:  call on the <a href="http://act.credoaction.com/sign/PP_DOJ">Department of Justice</a> to investigate attacks
on abortion providers as terrorism.


feed_id: e0490fdc2525629b53a31eb0dde76513
title: Urgent: denying global heating
uri: Urgent-denying-global-heating
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#02_December_2015_%28Urgent%3A_denying_global_heating%29

content:
<p>Everyone: call on the Philippes to start soon their <a href="http://action.sumofus.org/a/big-oil-climate-change-investigation/?akid=15440.881131.mrq6Hx&rd=1&sub=fwd&t=1002">investigation</a> into companies suspected of dishonestly denying global heating.


feed_id: 53dca359296a116e8a30c73fdf4c4998
title: Urgent: stop terrorist suspects from buying guns
uri: Urgent-stop-terrorist-suspects-from-buying-guns
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#02_December_2015_%28Urgent%3A_stop_terrorist_suspects_from_buying_guns%29

content:
<p>US citizens: call on Senator McConnell to <a href="http://act.credoaction.com/sign/McConnell_GunViolence?t=1002&akid=16203.1183552.FeGQsI">support a law</a> to stop identified terrorist suspects from buying guns.


feed_id: a8036b3198a145f3e0b3a2c1f433a1ce
title: Saddam did not have weapons of mass destruction
uri: Saddam-did-not-have-weapons-of-mass-destruction
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#02_December_2015_%28Saddam_did_not_have_weapons_of_mass_destruction%29

content:
<p>Dubya and B'liar <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/nov/30/blair-and-bush-went-to-war-in-iraq-despite-south-africas-wmd-assurances">ignored an expert report</a> saying that Saddam Hussein did not have weapons of mass destruction.
<p>This does not surprise me.  After so much effort to manufacture a lie,
why would they have cared about the truth?


feed_id: 59a8f3bbdcb5a8976d4f7260cd3f98f6
title: "Prosperous" cities expensive to live
uri: Prosperous-cities-expensive-to-live
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#02_December_2015_%28Prosperous_cities_expensive_to_live%29

content:
<p>Many "prosperous" cities are so expensive to live in that ordinary workers can only rent <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/cities/2015/nov/30/beyond-maximum-cities-booming-party-ny-rio-mumbai">8-hour shifts in a bed.</a>


feed_id: 1bbf6438984939d69c85b763ea03ad62
title: Fight PISSI directly
uri: Fight-PISSI-directly
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#02_December_2015_%28Fight_PISSI_directly%29
content:
<p>Some Republican senators want to send US troops to fight <a href="https://www.stallman.org/archives/2014-sep-dec.html#29_September_2014_(PISSI)">PISSI</a> directly.
<p>They are right that defeating PISSI requires ground troops, but
Westerners that don't speak Arabic won't be able to do it.  Many will
hate the civilians, call them by ethnic slurs, and dehumanize them.
They will have frequent misunderstandings with civilians they can't
talk with, often fatally.  The civilians will consider PISSI the
lesser evil.
<p>How do I know?  Because we saw this happen in Iraq just 10 years ago, and <a href="https://www.stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#8_November_2015_(Consequences_of_Iraq_war)">this is what PISSI came out of.</a>
<p>For Turkish troops to fight PISSI is a pipedream, since they'd have to
mutiny first.  Erdogan has been <a href="https://www.stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#15_November_2015_(PISSI's_violence_helps_Erdogan)">protecting PISSI's communications.</a>  He wants to attack the Kurds, and PISSI has proved helpful in this.
<p>Troops from Salafi Arabia might fight PISSI, but they would spread
Salafism which is the basis of PISSI's ideology.  Troops from Egypt
might do the job.


feed_id: a92cd49caa769c58e279d872f6d44d63
title: The power of repeated lie
uri: The-power-of-repeated-lie
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#02_December_2015_%28The_power_of_repeated_lie%29
content:
<p>Trump demonstrates the power of the repeated lie, as his supporters too claim they saw the <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2015/nov/29/donald-trump-muslims-cheering-911-attacks">nonexistent TV broadcasts.</a>
<p>This wasn't the first time.  Dubya succeeded in convincing many Americans that Saddam Hussein had had <a href="https://www.stallman.org/archives/2009-jul-oct.html#06 July 2009 (US mass media about Saddam Hussein)">weapons of mass destruction</a> in 2003, even though US inspectors after the conquest said he didn't.


feed_id: c2002033234ef3843371ed7315a13aac
title: "Endanger the public order"
uri: Endanger-the-public-order
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#02_December_2015_%28Endanger_the_public_order%29
content:
<p>The French state has given itself the power to abolish any
organization that does things that "might" prove useful to others that
"endanger the public order" (for instance, criminals or protests).
Organizations that promote encryption, or provide a place for people
to meet and talk without being listed to, <a href="http://arstechnica.co.uk/tech-policy/2015/11/france-passes-new-emergency-snooping-censorship-law-in-wake-of-paris-attacks/">might be banned.</a>
<p>In addition, may be made a crime simply to look at a web site that the state
calls "terrorist".
<p>A state like this, systematically crushing freedom, does more harm
over the long term than the terrorists it claims to be protecting
people from — unless repression also fuels the terrorists,
which is possible.


feed_id: acd7d187c460cdf79e0c2c32eb880d0e
title: Clinton wants more war
uri: Clinton-wants-more-war
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#02_December_2015_%28Clinton_wants_more_war%29
content:
<p>Clinton wants more war against PISSI, <a href="http://www.commondreams.org/news/2015/11/19/clinton-sheds-progressive-facade-bold-rightward-lurch">never mind strategy.</a>
<p>She is also against fixing the problems in the US medical system which
exist because of the compromises Obama made to insurance companies.


feed_id: 73279631ea64d6ca1be34c47385c25f4
title: Pushing a cashless society
uri: Pushing-a-cashless-society
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#02_December_2015_%28Pushing_a_cashless_society%29
content:
<p>Why The Powers That Be Are Pushing A <a href="http://www.washingtonsblog.com/2015/05/why-the-powers-that-be-are-pushing-a-cashless-society.html">Cashless Society.</a>
<p>This is partly speculative, and I am not sure it is true, but it might be true.


feed_id: 42690e4f965803ac72aae81e38ac13a5
title: Global heating denialism
uri: 2015-12-03-Global-heating-denialism
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#02_December_2015_%28Global_heating_denialism%29
content:
<p>Global heating denialism has seeped into several <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2015/nov/23/california-public-school-textbooks-mislead-students-climate-study-says">public school textbooks</a> in California.
<p>We must suspect this reflects the influence of some rich denialist, such
as Exxon or a Koch brother or the Heatland Institute.


feed_id: f9505d5b0fb072283a28b1bc322e5f6d
title: Multinational digital companies
uri: Multinational-digital-companies
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#02_December_2015_%28Multinational_digital_companies%29

content:
<p>Multinational digital companies screw the rest of us out of <a href="http://www.salon.com/2015/11/27/apple_amazon_and_microsofts_mega_million_con_how_titans_of_the_new_economy_screw_us_all_on_taxes/">millions of dollars in taxes.</a>  In the US, this adds up to $130 billion a year.
<p>This is why America can no longer do things right: the wealthy in
America have <a href="https://www.stallman.org/archives/2011-jul-oct.html#16_August_2011_(Study_On_Wealthy_Americans)">stopped providing funds</a> for what America needs to do.
<p>To the extent that international agreements about taxation get in the
way of fixing this problem, states must defy the agreements and fix
the problem anyway.  But that requires voting out the politicians who
would rather say they can't do this than dare to try.
<p>A <a href="https://www.stallman.org/articles/progressive-tax-on-business-gross-income.html">progressive tax</a> on a business's gross income could help fix this.


feed_id: 8f7b8dc9ad17c2e19ba1e9326e167d03
title: Right-wing rhetoric
uri: Right-wing-rhetoric
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#02_December_2015_%28Right-wing_rhetoric%29
content:
<p>Right-wing rhetoric calling for killing abortion doctors translates repeatedly into <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2015/nov/29/planned-parenthood-colorado-springs-shooting-no-more-baby-parts">murderous attacks.</a>
<p>The term "pro-choice" represents a weak decision not to defend
abortion itself.  The issue here is not "choice", it is the right to
get an abortion when you want one.


feed_id: 1f086abd302ff2b4a6425de16f19ccc5
title: Labour Party against bombing Syria
uri: Labour-Party-against-bombing-Syria
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#02_December_2015_%28Labour_Party_against_bombing_Syria%29

content:
<p>The <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/politics/2015/nov/29/syria-war-debate-struggle-heart-labour-party-future">UK Labour Party</a> is turning against bombing Syria.
<p>The question is not whether to consider PISSI an enemy, but rather
what to do about that.  Is it wise or ethical to drop bombs on people
as an act symbolic participation, without a strategy to win, in a way
that is likely to strengthen the enemy by <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/nov/29/raqqa-exiles-bashar-al-assad-isis-bombing">killing lots of civilians</a>  which would aid PISSI's recruiting as well as being an injustice in itself?
<p>Cameron responds to these questions with "but the symbol is so
important!" and "I have a rabbit in my hat".
<p>The problems presented by the Raqqa exiles are so complex that there
may not be way to avoid all of them.  However, ignoring them is
a recipe for doing harm and losing.


feed_id: 40cd9465c10ffdd374a2689ea4759df0
title: French banned from marching
uri: French-banned-from-marching
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#02_December_2015_%28French_banned_from_marching%29
content:
<p>The French, banned from marching to demand defense of Earth's climate,
are making <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/environment/commentisfree/2015/nov/29/the-paris-climate-summit-a-real-test-of-humanity
">a pile of shoes</a> to symbolize the march they would have done.
<p>It would be more effective to defy the ban and march anyway.
<p>A substantial climate protest in Paris was taken over by "black bloc" people that <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2015/nov/29/peaceful-paris-climate-gathering-descends-into-clashes-with-police">wanted to fight with the thugs.</a>
<p>I can't disagree with what they said, but it was a stupid choice of
tactics.  A nonviolent confrontation, maintaining the moral high ground,
would have put the state in the wrong, but this senseless violence gave
the state a victory.
<p>In past protests, the "black bloc" was infiltrated by <a href="https://www.stallman.org/archives/2005-jul-oct.html#19 October 2005 (Police who viciously attacked sleeping protestors)">state provocateurs.</a>  Perhaps that occurred this time too.


feed_id: 914eecaf169e5bc85900d0c13c9c224a
title: Nuclear safety regulations
uri: Nuclear-safety-regulations
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#02_December_2015_%28Nuclear_safety_regulations%29
content:
<p>Companies designing "advanced" nuclear reactors want safety regulations <a href="http://www.technologyreview.com/news/542411/advanced-nuclear-industry-to-regulators-give-us-a-chance/">taken out of their way.</a>
<p>Then nothing would stop them from making us guinea pigs for their
radioactive experiments, just when the nuclear power is becoming
pointless because of the tremendously superior efficiency of renewable
energy.


feed_id: affe657d5b16cfdeecf962fb8832cd74
title: Flaws of Alcoholics Anonymous
uri: Flaws-of-Alcoholics-Anonymous
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#02_December_2015_%28Flaws_of_Alcoholics_Anonymous%29

content:
<p>Confronting the flaws of Alcoholics Anonymous — not limited to insisting people surrender to a "higher power" <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/society/2015/nov/29/alcoholics-anonymous-saved-my-life-but-i-lost-my-faith">even though they know there isn't one.</a>


feed_id: 5605a4377a44c4ec5f5c4751bc568d5c
title: Bottom-fishing and dredging
uri: Bottom-fishing-and-dredging
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#02_December_2015_%28Bottom-fishing_and_dredging%29
content:
<p>Modern bottom-fishing and dredging equipment destroys <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/science/2015/nov/29/shipwrecks-risk-fishing-bulldozers">precious sunken ships,</a>  as well as the <a href="https://www.stallman.org/archives/2015-jan-apr.html#25_January_2015_(Bottom-trawling)">life</a> on the bottom.


feed_id: bedf2e278d969c8fea019ca6b38f237d
title: Future of work
uri: 2015-12-03-Future-of-work
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#02_December_2015_%28Future_of_work%29
content:
<p>Predicting that work will become more precarious, lower paid, and involve intrusive surveillance, <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/society/2015/nov/29/five-ways-work-will-change-future-of-workplace-ai-cloud-retirement-remote">for those who can find work at all.</a>
<p>I don't use computer systems that want me to talk to them, except when
I'm talking to a company's computer by phone.  In that case, I expect
the company to know and remember what I say.  But when it comes to my
own activities, the server company that would translate the speech to
text has no right to know, let alone remember, what I say.
<p>I will also refuse to use a "fitness tracker" that reports to anyone
other than me.


feed_id: f39c66e57316caf0dab481c9b93f0aa6
title: Thugs' avoidable feeling of "danger"
uri: Thugs-avoidable-feeling-of-danger
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#02_December_2015_%28Thugs%27_avoidable_feeling_of_danger%29

content:
<p>How thugs created an avoidable feeling of "danger" in dealing with <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2015/nov/29/tamir-rice-cleveland-prosecutor-releases-analysis-surveillance-footage">Tamir Rice.</a>


feed_id: 4ba4ae3f4c45832445b3705854d35b15
title: Women's rights defenders murdered
uri: Women-s-rights-defenders-murdered
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#02_December_2015_%28Women%27s_rights_defenders_murdered%29

content:
<p>Women's rights defenders <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2015/nov/29/end-the-violence-womens-rights-defenders-killed-2015-16-days-activism">murdered</a> for their activism in 2015.


feed_id: a09cf536017a4ea1873d9ceec02d84e0
title: Pissing on train station wall in Germany
uri: 2015-12-03-Pissing-on-train-station-wall-in-Germany
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#01_December_2015_%28Pissing_on_train_station_wall_in_Germany%29

content:
<p>
A train station in Germany proposes to discourage pissing on a wall by
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/nov/27/walls-that-pee-back-people-urinate-in-public">making
streams of liquid bounce back</a>.
<p>
I sympathize with those who want to discourage pissing on these walls,
but I have to wonder why so many people piss there.  Does the train
station have toilets?  If so, why don't homeless people use them?  Is
there some obstacle?
<p>
A person in Germany confirmed that pay toilets are the usual in
Germany, and that's why people piss on walls.  Instead of spending
lots of money on piss-reflecting surfaces, they should spend it on
giving people a proper place to use the toilet.


feed_id: 808a5d8f1e29825d8d418220d46607c7
title: Planned parenthood
uri: Planned-parenthood
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#4_December_2015_%28Planned_parenthood%29
content:
<p>Planned Parenthood employees <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2015/dec/01/planned-parenthood-emloyees-every-day-someone-threatened-to-kill-me">receive death threats constantly</a>.</p><p></p>


feed_id: 2e209322a164cb68bcfb7da7e59e8e85
title: Uruguary
uri: Uruguary
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#4_December_2015_%28Uruguary%29
content:
<p>Uruguay <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2015/dec/03/uruguay-makes-dramatic-shift-to-nearly-95-clean-energy">gets over 50% of its energy from renewables</a>.
</p><p></p>


feed_id: 97de1bef5f4b1ace0e1b673334d38ba3
title: Public shootings
uri: Public-shootings
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#4_December_2015_%28Public_shootings%29
content:
<p>For gun manufacturers, public shootings are <a href="https://theintercept.com/2015/12/03/mass-shooting-wall-st/">good for business</a>.
</p><p></p>


feed_id: 592655e929d253a1ce0c72b68beb82ab
title: Discrimination against women
uri: Discrimination-against-women
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#4_December_2015_%28Discrimination_against_women%29
content:
<p>At least 155 countries still have laws that <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/global-development-professionals-network/2015/dec/03/women-legal-discrimination-worldwide-consequences">discriminate against women</a>.
</p><p></p>


feed_id: e1cb6cfcfc77bb31f779b2bdf2d8237b
title: Fish disappearing from Cambodia's Tonle Sap
uri: Fish-disappearing-from-Cambodia-s-Tonle-Sap
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#04_December_2015_%28Fish_disappearing_from_Cambodia%27s_Tonle_Sap%29

content:
<p>Fish are disappearing from Cambodia's giant lake Tonle Sap. 1/3 of the protein eaten by Cambodians <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2015/dec/01/cambodia-tonle-sap-lake-fish-stocks-dwindle-conservation">comes from those fish.</a>


feed_id: 5cf132322b631da4c2b1ed24d7b4e6c8
title: Dow's new dual pesticide
uri: Dow-s-new-dual-pesticide
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#04_December_2015_%28Dow%27s_new_dual_pesticide%29
content:
<p>The EPA should carry out independent tests of the effects of Dow's new dual pesticide, not accept <a href="http://www.motherjones.com/tom-philpott/2015/11/epa-dow-not-so-fast-herbicide-cocktail">Dow's own experiments.</a>


feed_id: 960fa4125154e9a0497df395b382a178
title: Licenses to carry concealed guns
uri: Licenses-to-carry-concealed-guns
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#04_December_2015_%28Licenses_to_carry_concealed_guns%29

content:
<p><a href="http://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2015/dec/01/michigan-gun-control-boards-law-eliminated">Michigan</a> has made it easier for possibly dangerous people to get licenses to carry concealed guns.
<p>Gun nuts say they are opposed to the government's "taking their guns
away."  But this shows that their goal is not a matter of keeping guns,
but rather expanding the possession and use of guns.
<p>(There may be some guns that ought to be taken away from everyone.)


feed_id: a2dbc8ad264fd6e91efc348062131f37
title: Uncertainty about climate change
uri: Uncertainty-about-climate-change
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#04_December_2015_%28Uncertainty_about_climate_change%29

content:
<p>Greater uncertainty about climate change means bigger risks and <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/environment/climate-consensus-97-per-cent/2015/dec/01/uncertainty-is-exxons-friend-but-its-not-ours">more reason to act.</a>
<p>If we don't want to take a foolish bet, with civilization at stake,
we must work hard enough to make survival almost certain.
<p>Paris Climate Talks: Vulnerable Countries Demand <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2015/nov/30/paris-climate-talks-vulnerable-countries-demand-15c-warming-limit">1.5C Warming Limit.</a>
<p>We all need this, because we can't measure the distance to the
cliff — all we know is that <a href="https://www.stallman.org/archives/2015-jan-apr.html#17_March_2015_(Energy_use_and_global_disaster)">we are heading towards it.</a>


feed_id: 92e8f605f856b57d642180fa6d24449f
title: Ways to counter PISSI
uri: Ways-to-counter-PISSI
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#04_December_2015_%28Ways_to_counter_PISSI%29
content:
<p>A <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/nov/30/eight-alternatives-airstrike-isis-syria">list</a> of possible ways to counter PISSI.
<p>Only the gullible thought that killing Osama bin Laden was going to
achieve anything.  (And the US should have captured him and put him
on trial, since it was in a position to do so.)


feed_id: f423b3786368a370934aa7fdb3c4c50e
title: Poverty means lower life expectancy
uri: Poverty-means-lower-life-expectancy
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#04_December_2015_%28Poverty_means_lower_life_expectancy%29

content:
<p>In the UK, poverty means a lower life expectancy.  <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2015/nov/30/we-need-to-be-shocked-into-action-about-why-wealth-still-dictates-life-expectancy">Up to 16 years less.</a>


feed_id: b6a8fda2fb206e5c38219e9c0c1a30f3
title: Shkreli would not lower drug price
uri: Shkreli-would-not-lower-drug-price
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#04_December_2015_%28Shkreli_would_not_lower_drug_price%29

content:
<p>Shkreli, the drug gouger who said he would lower the price, <a href="https://www.techdirt.com/articles/20151125/06031232900/turing-refuses-to-lower-cost-daraprim-hides-news-ahead-thanksgiving-holiday.shtml">did not really mean it.</a>  Just before Thanksgiving he announced he would not lower it.
<p>The asshole is to blame for his own actions, but we should not allow
him to get away with them.  Specifically, we should not allow him
to take measures to block manufacture of equivalent generics.


feed_id: f34dcfcaa66d0873bb2832b48294d1fd
title: Public policy journalism in the US
uri: Public-policy-journalism-in-the-US
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#04_December_2015_%28Public_policy_journalism_in_the_US%29

content:
<p>Public policy journalism in the US is now available only to insiders and businesses willing to pay <a href="http://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2015/11/washington-trade-press/417366/">high subscription fees.</a>


feed_id: 275296a624ab6fb4218dacd690316e40
title: Today's Republicans
uri: 2015-12-04-Today-s-Republicans
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#04_December_2015_%28Today%27s_Republicans%29
content:
<p>Today's Republicans make Dubya look good on one specific issue: he refused
to stir up public hatred towards Muslims in general.  However, this virtue
was the exception to <a href="https://theintercept.com/2015/11/30/lets-not-whitewash-george-w-bushs-actual-heinous-record-on-muslims-in-the-u-s/">many other forms of cruelty and injustice</a> towards American Muslims.


feed_id: 2da71e8bed0d679ab871979ed5802d8d
title: Blackberry will cease operations in Pakistan
uri: Blackberry-will-cease-operations-in-Pakistan
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#04_December_2015_%28Blackberry_will_cease_operations_in_Pakistan%29

content:
<p>Blackberry, in an act of <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/technology/2015/nov/30/blackberry-pakistan-government-surveillance
">unusual courage,</a> will cease operations in Pakistan rather than betray all its customers.
<p>The UK wants to make such companies secretly betray all their customers.


feed_id: a923f825ab51943d51ba2c767c21cc70
title: US cooperation with Kurds
uri: US-cooperation-with-Kurds
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#04_December_2015_%28US_cooperation_with_Kurds%29
content:
<p><a href="http://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2015/nov/30/kurdish-fighters-us-special-forces-isis-combat">US soldiers</a> are fighting in Iraq in close cooperation with Kurds.
<p>I don't see any danger in this.  They are fighting on battlefields
against enemy soldiers, and few civilians will be killed.  This
is not the sort of situation where the danger of intervention lies.


feed_id: 76ba864cde71a3cca3370cd92960b61e
title: President of the Maldives
uri: President-of-the-Maldives
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#04_December_2015_%28President_of_the_Maldives%29
content:
<p>The elected president of the Maldives, Mohammed Nasheed, cannot contribute to saving humanity from global heating disaster.  He is <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2015/nov/30/paris-summit-is-missing-one-of-great-world-leaders-on-climate-change
">in prison,</a> overthrown by tyrants that work in cahoots with the fossil fuel industry.
<p>I have to wonder whether fossil fuel magnates arranged the coup to remove an inconvenient hero of humanity.


feed_id: 73e1f14cc49f87dbd7607956ef4101fc
title: Kidnapped and burned to death
uri: Kidnapped-and-burned-to-death
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#04_December_2015_%28Kidnapped_and_burned_to_death%29

content:
<p>Israelis who kidnapped a Palestinian and burned him to death <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/nov/30/mohammed-abu-khdeir-israeli-youths-guilty-of-murder-after-palestinian-teenager-was-burned-to-death">have been convicted of murder.</a>
<p>It is good that Israel can still do justice for some cases of violence against Palestinians.  How sad that so many are ignored.


feed_id: 4b72905ee47528f342cebb3297a74e1a
title: Likely to be killed by a thug
uri: Likely-to-be-killed-by-a-thug
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#04_December_2015_%28Likely_to_be_killed_by_a_thug%29

content:
<p>US thugs have killed <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2015/nov/16/the-counted-killed-by-police-1000">1000 people</a> so far, this year.
<p>An American is much more likely to be killed by a thug than by a terrorist.


feed_id: 512b2110efcd47e255bd2405660e7fc3
title: Christianist terrorist attack
uri: Christianist-terrorist-attack
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#04_December_2015_%28Christianist_terrorist_attack%29

content:
<p>The latest Christianist terrorist attack <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2015/nov/29/colorado-planned-parenthood-shooting-victims-named-by-family-members">murdered two people</a> who were visiting the Planned Parenthood clinic.
<p>Anti-abortion Christianist terrorism in the US has got much worse since the <a href="http://www.thenation.com/article/the-colorado-shooting-comes-amidst-an-alarming-escalation-of-anti-abortion-violence/">deceptive attack videos</a> that were aimed at Planned
Parenthood.


feed_id: baedbe56902239af5e2753ecdee86060
title: New Atheists
uri: New-Atheists
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#04_December_2015_%28New_Atheists%29
content:
<p>Some of the New Atheists have become supporters of <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2015/nov/30/we-can-save-atheism-from-the-new-atheists">right-wing Christianist policies.</a>
<p>I am disappointed with them.
<p>For the most part, in the West, Christianity is willing to coexist
with non-Christians.  But Christianism, as a political movement, is
dangerous.  There are plenty of Christian fanatics who are prepared to
lie to stir up <a href="https://www.stallman.org/archives/2015-mar-jun.html#12_June_2015_(Embattled_abortion_workers)">terrorism against abortion providers.</a>


feed_id: 3e12baeab99b4defc3ddc88d7d5b79a3
title: Spin failure in Paris
uri: Spin-failure-in-Paris
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#04_December_2015_%28Spin_failure_in_Paris%29
content:
<p>People are already trying to spin failure in Paris as the start of a <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2015/nov/30/what-paris-climate-negotiators-are-up-against-and-what-it-means-for-australia">"long road"</a> to curbing global heating in the future.
<p>If only we had that much time to do the job!  Slowness now will make
doom come faster and harder.  This article seems to reach for
self-delusion to avoid despair.


feed_id: c6360b0ca6b370488a949f0797838453
title: EU participation in "peace process"
uri: EU-participation-in-peace-process
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#04_December_2015_%28EU_participation_in_peace_process%29

content:
<p>Now that the EU has stopped Israel from passing off products of colonies
in Palestine as "Made in Israel", Netanyahu has <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/nov/29/israel-suspends-contact-eu-bodies-labelling-west-bank-produce">retaliated</a> by cancelling EU participation in the "peace process".
<p>The joke is that the "peace process" involving the EU is pure theater,
just like the one that the US tried to broker.  Netanyahu used them to <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2009-mar-jun.html#29%20March%202009%20(Avnery%20-%20peace%20initiatives%20designed%20to%20fail)">pretend he wanted peace.</a>  Now he has "canceled" the remaining one, pretending that that makes a real difference and that it is a real punishment for the EU.  Who knows, he may fool a few dumb klucks.
<p>Netanyahu is pretending to have sabotaged a real peace process as an
act of blackmail.  If he had really done that, it would be despicable
of him — but since it was a sham anyway, he hasn't really done
anything.  Somehow he claims that his pretense puts the EU in the
wrong.
<p>All this would be risible if the occupation and its effects were not
so tragic.
<p>The sham "peace process" shielded Netanyahu effectively from pressure
for peace, while he made sure it would never get anywhere.  Its demise
is one shield stripped away.


feed_id: ae92aa6019b5f93d757433548ec9e5ae
title: NSA's legal authority
uri: NSA-s-legal-authority
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#04_December_2015_%28NSA%27s_legal_authority%29
content:
<p>The NSA's legal authority to collect everyone's phone call records in the US <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2015/nov/28/nsa-bulk-metadata-collection-expires-usa-freedom-act">has just expired.</a>
<p>Will the NSA really stop?
<p>I don't think phone companies should be allowed to keep records of all of everyone's phone calls, either.


feed_id: 28a46049fc28668c1134df4b589ce8e5
title: Kurdish human rights defender assassinated
uri: Kurdish-human-rights-defender-assassinated
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#04_December_2015_%28Kurdish_human_rights_defender_assassinated%29

content:
<p>A prominent Kurdish human rights defender was assassinated <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/nov/29/thousands-gather-to-mourn-kurdish-lawyer-gunned-down-in-turkey">while talking to the press.</a>
<p>We don't know whether the Turkish state was responsible for the Elci's
assassination, but we know it was responsible for his completely
indefensible prosecution.  The Turkish state has often engaged in
violence, even fatal, against opposition political groups; this has
gone on for decades.
<p>Erdogan's party seems to have got PISSI to help out with a couple of
handy bombings of Kurdish rallies.  That doesn't prove it arranged the
assassination, but I doubt it would have scrupled to do so.


feed_id: 86b96fe96c1302cc0a236eafa20bc4dc
title: ALEC and global heating disaster
uri: ALEC-and-global-heating-disaster
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#04_December_2015_%28ALEC_and_global_heating_disaster%29

content:
<p>ALEC, <a href="http://www.prwatch.org/news/2015/11/12981/alec-agenda-scottsdale-2015">with the support of Ben Carson,</a> continues to sabotage attempts to avoid global heating disaster.
<p>ALEC has lost over a hundred sponsors, but it still gets plenty of
money from the Koch brothers.


feed_id: b1c08b075134886fbc952f2f1e4e7b7a
title: Protest messages in Paris
uri: Protest-messages-in-Paris
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#04_December_2015_%28Protest_messages_in_Paris%29
content:
<p>People are looking for <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2015/nov/30/paris-climate-talks-world-leaders--carbon-emissions">clever ways</a> to express protest messages in Paris.
<p>I suggest the way that the civil rights movement used: walk with a
sign, chanting, and dare the authorities to interfere.


feed_id: f572486352ae6324cee26783997fd528
title: TPP and TTIP
uri: TPP-and-TTIP
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#04_December_2015_%28TPP_and_TTIP%29
content:
<p>The TPP and TTIP, ostensibly meant to "liberalize trade" but designed
mainly to give business more power, can sabotage efforts to avoid <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/sustainable-business/2015/nov/30/paris-climate-change-talks-secretive-trade-agreements-ttp-ttip">global heating disaster.</a>


feed_id: a107d4311ddf977e600f2dd1b3d04205
title: Schoolchildren's personal data
uri: Schoolchildren-s-personal-data
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#05_December_2015_%28Schoolchildrens_personal_data%29

content:
<p>
Many schoolchildren in the US are being told by their schools to use
mobile computers with proprietary software, and the machines typically
<a href="https://www.eff.org/studentprivacy-casestudy">give the
children's personal data to some company</a> (often Google or Apple).
<p>
If a school makes an account in a student's name with a company, it
has already violated that student's privacy.  If the account does not
have the student's name or other personal details, sending it
unencrypted information about the student's school work violates that
student's privacy.
<p>
These mobile computers always run nonfree software.  Parents shouldn't
allow their young children to be given nonfree software by anyone.
<p>
I was surprised that the EFF legitimizes the term "the cloud", which
is meant to cloud people's thinking about letting companies have their
data and do things with it.  There is no cloud, only computers
belonging to various companies.  The term "cloud" is intended to
encourage people not to ask, "Which company is getting which data,
what does it do with that data, and which country's jurisdiction is it
under?"  Please, EFF, stop encouraging this cloudy thinking.


feed_id: 5537a627cb1d01d1bde40a22ee3e9182
title: Salafi Arabia's expensive PR campaign
uri: Salafi-Arabia-s-expensive-PR-campaign
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#05_December_2015_%28Salafi_Arabias_expensive_PR_campaign%29

content:
<p>
Salafi Arabia's expensive PR campaign has 
<a href="https://theintercept.com/2015/12/01/inside-saudi-charm-campaign/">close
ties to the Clinton campaign</a>.


feed_id: 797534055e1a8633fd7c466514b2d9d9
title: The hard way to curb global heating
uri: The-hard-way-to-curb-global-heating
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#05_December_2015_%28The_hard_way_to_curb_global_heating%29

content:
<p>
Billionaires' investments in
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/environment/true-north/2015/dec/01/will-bill-gates-and-his-billionaire-friends-save-the-planet">centralized,
subsidized and profitable energy long-shots</a> are the hard way to
curb global heating.


feed_id: bbf7c154113ef12e88fbeac16f64359f
title: Investigation of insider trading
uri: Investigation-of-insider-trading
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#05_December_2015_%28Investigation_of_insider_trading%29

content:
<p>
Republicans in Congress are 
<a href="https://theintercept.com/2015/12/01/congress-moves-again-to-block-investigation-of-congressional-insider-trading/">trying
to sabotage an investigation</a> against some of them for insider
stock trading.


feed_id: 2b01125b3452567c46d62fc2ff7d28b4
title: Imprisoned in Guantanamo by mistake
uri: Imprisoned-in-Guantanamo-by-mistake
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#05_December_2015_%28Imprisoned_in_Guantanamo_by_mistake%29

content:
<p>
After 13 years the US has admitted it put Mustafa al-Aziz al-Shamiri
in Guantanamo prison 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2015/dec/01/mistaken-identity-guantanamo-bay-mustafa-al-aziz-al-shamiri">by
mistake</a>, but still won't let him go.


feed_id: d7b93c6aa52a0888aa3900a4a0802fd4
title: Claims made by Tamir Rice's killer
uri: Claims-made-by-Tamir-Rice-s-killer
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#05_December_2015_%28Claims_made_by_Tamir_Rices_killer%29

content:
<p>
Tamir Rice's killer was allowed to testify to his own grand jury.  He
made 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2015/dec/01/tamir-rice-shooting-cleveland-police-timothy-loehmann-grand-jury">claims
that can't fit the timeline shown by the video</a>.


feed_id: b8ac6a238d1647e2210f29f9d543033b
title: How to fight PISSI
uri: How-to-fight-PISSI
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#05_December_2015_%28How_to_fight_PISSI%29
content:
<p>
Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2015/dec/01/cameron-failed-show-bombing-syria-isil-work-jihadist">applies
practical sense</a> to the question of how to fight PISSI.


feed_id: 377713b45737fef8c9b432a33009d705
title: Obama plans to use US troops against PISSI
uri: Obama-plans-to-use-US-troops-against-PISSI
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#05_December_2015_%28Obama_plans_to_use_US_troops_against_PISSI%29

content:
<p>
Obama 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2015/dec/01/us-military-expeditionary-force-isis-iraq-syria">plans
to station US troops in Iraq</a> to attack PISSI independently.
<p>
While I think the aim of attacking PISSI is legitimate, using US
troops to do it is asking for trouble.  Do they speak Arabic?


feed_id: 482b9eaa73a9a1d42908522ed16374f6
title: Chicago thug chief fired
uri: Chicago-thug-chief-fired
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#05_December_2015_%28Chicago_thug_chief_fired%29
content:
<p>
Chicago's thug chief has been fired for 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2015/dec/01/chicago-mayor-fires-police-superintendent-laquan-mcdonald-shooting-protests">helping
to protect a thug from punishment for murdering Laquan McDonald</a>.


feed_id: b7b205752fdc379d1aa74d60d6bd57c7
title: "Male" and "female" brain features
uri: Male-and-female-brain-features
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#05_December_2015_%28Male_and_female_brain_features%29

content:
<p>
Features in a human brain, which may have a form that is typically
"male" or one that is typically "female", 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/science/2015/dec/01/brain-sex-many-ways-to-be-male-and-female">can
change with experiences</a>, sometimes in 15 minutes.
<p>
This suggests that the reason it is most common for the feature to
have a certain form in males or in females is that males and females
tend to have certain kinds of life experiences.


feed_id: 9c0183aa1d78cf13466325e3ec784b13
title: Tobacco company bribery
uri: Tobacco-company-bribery
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#05_December_2015_%28Tobacco_company_bribery%29
content:
<p>
A global tobacco company 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/business/2015/nov/30/british-american-tobacco-bribing-panorama-smoking">bribed
officials and politicians</a> in various African companies to
undermine laws intended to reduce smoking.
<p>
Big Tobacco 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2015/dec/01/big-tobacco-industry-targets-young-people-poor-countries-smoking">Targets
the Young in Poor Countries</a> — with Deadly Consequences.


feed_id: 44c1ca2240bbac1d64224f7de11fbff8
title: Chicago DA protects thugs from prosecution
uri: Chicago-DA-protects-thugs-from-prosecution
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#05_December_2015_%28Chicago_DA_protects_thugs_from_prosecution%29

content:
<p>
It is no surprise that Chicago DA Alvarez prosecuted Laquan McDonald's
killer only when compelled to.  She shows a pattern of 
<a href="http://www.dailykos.com/stories/2015/11/24/1453982/-The-horrifying-behavior-of-Anita-Alvarez-Chicago-s-head-prosecutor">going
to any length to protect thugs from prosecution</a>, even prosecuting
victims for complaining.
<p>
She also defends false convictions, even harassing law students who
are working pro bono to investigate them, on the principle that the
system should never admit a mistake.


feed_id: 31c6866af25b2194c29a4766c099cbc5
title: Murder of Union organizers in Honduras
uri: Murder-of-Union-organizers-in-Honduras
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#05_December_2015_%28Murder_of_Union_organizers_in_Honduras%29

content:
<p>
Union organizers in Honduras face murder, in which 
<a href="http://www.thenation.com/article/more-than-30-trade-unionists-have-been-killed-in-honduras-since-2009/">employers
may be involved</a>.  The government, set up by the 
<a href="https://www.stallman.org/archives/2009-jul-oct.html#29%20July%202009%20(Clinton%20and%20the%20coup%20in%20Honduras)">US-backed
coup</a>, is firmly on the side of the businesses.


feed_id: 7cf1dc7b1a371f4457bbae8e1d3b5566
title: Poor Americans
uri: Poor-Americans
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#05_December_2015_%28Poor_Americans%29
content:
<p>
Poor Americans are 
<a href="http://commondreams.org/views/2015/11/30/evidence-poor-people-arent-lazy">not
lazy</a>.  They work harder (on the average) than people who have more
money.


feed_id: bceb5dbd2be7fce7c4935468fb7057a7
title: Former head of DIA says US reacted stupidly
uri: Former-head-of-DIA-says-US-reacted-stupidly
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#05_December_2015_%28Former_head_of_DIA_says_US_reacted_stupidly%29

content:
<p>
General Flynn, former head of the Defense Intelligence Agency,
<a href="http://commondreams.org/news/2015/11/30/huge-error-former-us-military-chief-admits-iraq-invasion-spawned-isis">admitted
that the US reacted stupidly</a> in response to the September 2001
attacks.


feed_id: 54e0c1ac353fde6551af47dac3383c00
title: Protest for climate defense in Paris
uri: Protest-for-climate-defense-in-Paris
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#05_December_2015_%28Protest_for_climate_defense_in_Paris%29

content:
<p>
<a href="http://commondreams.org/news/2015/11/30/defying-shock-doctrine-paris-thousands-march-despite-protest-ban">Ten
thousand protested peacefully</a> for climate defense in Paris,
forming a human chain in defiance of the state's ban.
<p>
I love the way Naomi Klein says what's what.
<p>
After that, thousands of people formed a 
<a href="http://commondreams.org/views/2015/11/30/thousands-defy-french-ban-public-protest-demand-liberte-and-action-cop21">protest
march</a>.


feed_id: 47440cb73ddad76c9be6d339e8540038
title: Teacher and staff sit-in at CUNY
uri: Teacher-and-staff-sit-in-at-CUNY
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#05_December_2015_%28Teacher_and_staff_sit-in_at_CUNY%29

content:
<p>
Teachers and staff at the City University of New York have held a
sit-in and are 
<a href="http://www.thenation.com/article/cuny-faculty-and-staff-are-taking-austerity-head-on/">moving
towards a strike</a>.


feed_id: db9be710027708c299884e5c857671cc
title: Assad's forces bomb MSF hospital
uri: Assad-s-forces-bomb-MSF-hospital
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#05_December_2015_%28Assads_forces_bomb_MSF_hospital%29

content:
<p>
Assad's forces 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/dec/01/syria-msf-hospital-homs-barrel-bombing">bombed
an MSF hospital</a>, and bombed again a few minutes later to kill
medics aiding the victims.


feed_id: 4e184dcf1ebce29b09100a8dcbb4ea4b
title: India's ban on The Satanic Verses
uri: India-s-ban-on-The-Satanic-Verses
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#05_December_2015_%28Indias_ban_on_The_Satanic_Verses%29

content:
<p>
A minister in power when India banned The Satanic Verses says the ban
was a mistake — but the book 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/books/2015/dec/01/banning-salman-rushdies-satanic-verses-was-wrong-says-indian-minister">remains
banned</a>.


feed_id: da285407fecdf89775acfb64e07162df
title: Bombing PISSI not enough
uri: Bombing-PISSI-not-enough
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#05_December_2015_%28Bombing_PISSI_not_enough%29
content:
<p>
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2015/dec/01/talk-to-isis-jihadis-ira-negotiate-military-political-solution">Bombing
[PISSI] Is Not Enough — We'll Need to Talk to Them Too</a>.
<p>
If we can have a peaceful relationship with a state as cruel and
barbaric as Salafi Arabia, in principle we can do the same with PISSI.


feed_id: 230f3c64834666b39e7e303f2debcd9a
title: Distrust of thugs
uri: Distrust-of-thugs
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#05_December_2015_%28Distrust_of_thugs%29
content:
<p>
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2015/dec/01/people-more-likely-to-report-suspected-violent-extremists-if-they-trust-police">People
More Likely to Report Suspected Violent Extremists 'If They Trust
Police'</a>.


feed_id: 59418fe6c021b3d6a0344ce05eb142cc
title: Climate refugees
uri: Climate-refugees
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#05_December_2015_%28Climate_refugees%29
content:
<p>
Global heating is already sending climate refugees 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/cities/2015/dec/01/dhaka-city-climate-refugees-reality">fleeing
to Dhaka from rural Bangladesh</a>.


feed_id: 59d50fcca5eed8dcbebe6adbdc95bbf8
title: Protest messages in Paris
uri: 2015-12-05-Protest-messages-in-Paris
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#04_December_2015_%28Protest_messages_in_Paris%29
content:
<p>People are looking for <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2015/nov/30/paris-climate-talks-world-leaders--carbon-emissions">clever ways</a> to express protest messages in Paris.
<p>I suggest the way that the civil rights movement used: walk with a
sign, chanting, and 
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#02_December_2015_(Etat_d%27urgence_climatique)">dare 
the authorities to interfere</a>.


feed_id: 07e04915aba5cffe5d161e1935652c06
title: Thugs deleted footage to cover up murder
uri: Thugs-deleted-footage-to-cover-up-murder
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#6_December_2015_%28Thugs_deleted_footage_to_cover_up_murder%29

content:
<p>Thugs 
<a href="http://www.dailykos.com/stories/2015/12/1/1455876/-Screencaps-show-Chicago-PD-tampering-with-Burger-King-video-of-Laquan-McDonald-murder?detail=email">
deleted</a>
 part of the Burger King store's security video recording
in order to cover up the murder of Laquan McDonald.
</p>


feed_id: 273ab4cc648fa172c4715ba6e4c6f7db
title: Court case over Facebook data storage in the US
uri: Court-case-over-Facebook-data-storage-in-the-US
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#6_December_2015_%28Court_case_over_Facebook_data_storage_in_the_US%29

content:
<p>A European court case demands that Facebook 
<a href="http://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2015/12/after-safe-harbour-ruling-legal-moves-to-force-facebook-to-stop-sending-data-to-us/">
cease sending Europeans' data to the US</a>.
</p>


feed_id: 89558d4d1a4bec9d26899a869dab7fa1
title: Corporations exempting themselves from tax
uri: Corporations-exempting-themselves-from-tax
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#6_December_2015_%28Corporations_exempting_themselves_from_tax%29

content:
<p>Around the world corporations are 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/business/2015/dec/03/civilians-shoulder-greater-tax-burden-companies-oecd">
exempting themselves from taxation</a>,
 forcing too much tax burden onto individuals, especially the non-rich.
</p>
<p>In the past, countries have been weakened because too much property
ended up in the hands of untaxable churches.  Churches or
corporations, it's the same phenomenon.</p>


feed_id: 87852696a961fc66bfcbec4c96e59841
title: On trial for handing out jury pamphlet
uri: On-trial-for-handing-out-jury-pamphlet
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#6_December_2015_%28On_trial_for_handing_out_jury_pamphlet%29

content:
<p>Prosecutors 
<a href="http://reason.com/blog/2015/12/02/michigan-activist-faces-five-years-in-pr">
stretch laws and ignore the constitution</a>
 to attack people that distribute information from the Fully Informed Jury
Association
about the purpose of juries.
</p>
<p>When someone is on trial for handing out a pamphlet, I wonder whether
the pamphlet must be entered in evidence for the jury to examine.</p>


feed_id: 7f4f931145c09f5657b41069677c8b66
title: Westerners who fight PISSI prosecuted
uri: Westerners-who-fight-PISSI-prosecuted
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#6_December_2015_%28Westerners_who_fight_PISSI_prosecuted%29

content:
<p>Westerners who fight along with the Kurds in Syria and Iraq, against
PISSI, are 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2015/dec/04/anti-islamic-state-fighter-ashley-dyball-says-hes-being-deported-to-australia">
often prosecuted</a>
 just like those that fight for PISSI.
</p>


feed_id: 5f628338cbc0a056ea2ec715243dfecc
title: Urgent: reject spending bills with Republican riders
uri: Urgent-reject-spending-bills-with-Republican-riders
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#6_December_2015_%28Urgent%3A_reject_spending_bills_with_Republican_riders%29

content:
<p>US citizens: phone the White House at (202) 456-1111 and leave a
message for President Obama, calling for rejecting spending bills with
nasty Republican riders.</p>
<p>Whether they are tax breaks for companies, or attacks on Planned
Parenthood, or attacks on the environment, or attacks on food labeling
requirements, or anything else, Obama should reject them one and all.</p>


feed_id: 0cbbaab5846ecec6302d547ca7aceef5
title: SCROTUS preparing tax breaks for businesses
uri: SCROTUS-preparing-tax-breaks-for-businesses
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#6_December_2015_%28SCROTUS_preparing_tax_breaks_for_businesses%29

content:
<p>While SCROTUS continue to cut spending that helps people, they are
preparing 
<a href="https://theintercept.com/2015/12/03/tax-extenders-bill-swells-massively-under-lobbyist-onslaught/">
big tax breaks</a>
 for businesses.
</p>


feed_id: 3135d28ad0bae3a7b4b6c52eab73175d
title: Thirty meter telescope cancelled
uri: Thirty-meter-telescope-cancelled
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#6_December_2015_%28Thirty_meter_telescope_cancelled%29

content:
<p>The thirty meter telescope, which would have been by far the largest
telescope
in the northern hemisphere, 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2015/dec/03/hawaii-court-revokes-permit-controversial-telescope-mauna-kea">
has been cancelled</a>
 because some of the ground it would be built on is considered "sacred".
Faith has, apparently, triumphed over knowledge.</p>
<p>Can any other place can be found to build this telescope?</p>
<p>Another telescope, even larger, is planned for Chile, where it will be
able to observe the southern skies — but parts of the northern
skies will be outside its range.</p>


feed_id: 5419629eec859d5eee952219b53ea6e3
title: Zuckerberg helps himself
uri: Zuckerberg-helps-himself
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#6_December_2015_%28Zuckerberg_helps_himself%29
content:
<p>Zuckerberg "donated" most of his assets — to a 
<a href="https://www.propublica.org/article/how-mark-zuckerbergs-altruism-helps-himself">
new corporation he owns</a>.
And he calls that "charity".</p>


feed_id: 5f183c383cc08e4bb1a77cdabfd1530f
title: Trudeau only good compared to predecessor
uri: Trudeau-only-good-compared-to-predecessor
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#6_December_2015_%28Trudeau_only_good_compared_to_predecessor%29

content:
<p>New Canadian PM Trudeau looks great on global heating, but only
because he is 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/environment/true-north/2015/dec/03/trudeaus-climate-rhetoric-is-riveting-so-what-about-the-reality">
compared with the over planet-roaster Harper</a>.
</p>


feed_id: b9098d26452728f93bf47099c323f977
title: Chicago Mayor in murder coverup
uri: Chicago-Mayor-in-murder-coverup
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#6_December_2015_%28Chicago_Mayor_in_murder_coverup%29

content:
<p>Chicago Mayor Emanuel seems to have tried to 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2015/dec/03/laquan-mcdonald-shooting-rahm-emanuel-chicago-political-battle">
cover up the murder of Laquan McDonald</a>
 in order to get the black vote for reelection as mayor.
</p>
<p>I gave to Chuy Garcia's campaign.  I hope he wins next time.</p>


feed_id: 4adb130a505ae9d1246507621b47a3f2
title: UK decides to bomb PISSI
uri: UK-decides-to-bomb-PISSI
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#6_December_2015_%28UK_decides_to_bomb_PISSI%29
content:
<p>The UK decided to bomb PISSI in Syria, a gesture that will have 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/news/defence-and-security-blog/2015/dec/03/bombing-syria-may-please-allies-but-will-have-little-effect-on-isis">
negligible military effect</a>.
</p>
<p>I'm not necessarily opposed to gestures, but gestures are not a valid
reason to kill people.</p>


feed_id: 391dc658f1afa873f22f874c5bf5ba22
title: James Hansen calls for increasing fee on emissions
uri: James-Hansen-calls-for-increasing-fee-on-emissions
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#6_December_2015_%28James_Hansen_calls_for_increasing_fee_on_emissions%29

content:
<p>James Hansen calls for a 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2015/dec/03/un-wrong-track-plans-limit-global-warming-2c-top-scientist-climate-change">
predictably increasing fee</a>
 on carbon emissions.
</p>


feed_id: 46acb95fc5eed461ea21e17bfb58bc2e
title: Sanders' proposal for affordable college
uri: Sanders-proposal-for-affordable-college
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#6_December_2015_%28Sanders%27_proposal_for_affordable_college%29

content:
<p>How Bernie Sanders proposes to 
<a href="http://www.thenation.com/article/bernie-sanderss-college-for-all-plan-is-fair-smart-and-achievable/">
make college affordable</a>
 for masses of Americans, as we did before.
</p>
<p>The other candidates are too much in cahoots with the rich.</p>


feed_id: c5ab2853ecc442aaf665e04870d1382b
title: US extremists trying to cut off women from contraception
uri: US-extremists-trying-to-cut-off-women-from-contraception
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#6_December_2015_%28US_extremists_trying_to_cut_off_women_from_contraception%29

content:
<p>US Christianist extremists are trying to 
<a href="http://www.dailykos.com/stories/2015/12/1/1455744/-Ted-Cruz-lie-1-078-Conservatives-don-t-want-to-ban-contraception?detail=email">
cut off American women from contraceptives</a>,
 but pretend this isn't so.
</p>


feed_id: 48587dc32014da4b458a61b26fc0fe78
title: Urgent: please donate to the Free Software Foundation
uri: Urgent-please-donate-to-the-Free-Software-Foundation
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#6_December_2015_%28Urgent%3A_please_donate_to_the_Free_Software_Foundation%29

content:
<p>Everyone: please 
<a href="https://fsf.org/appeal">
donate</a>
 to the Free Software Foundation.
</p>


feed_id: e9bd5e65d451eb9c7b4f9f06ea9e0ec1
title: SCROTUS threatens with government shutdown
uri: SCROTUS-threatens-with-government-shutdown
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#6_December_2015_%28SCROTUS_threatens_with_government_shutdown%29

content:
<p>SCROTUS are planning to 
<a href="http://www.commondreams.org/views/2015/12/01/dont-let-wall-street-get-away-dodd-frank-reform-rollbacks">
threaten a government shutdown</a>
 to abolish some of the laws that regulate banksters.
</p>
<p>SCROTUS stands for Sleazy Congressional Republicans Of The United
States.</p>


feed_id: b720ef11eb793f55917a0663ef607183
title: Demanding resignation of Chicago Mayor
uri: Demanding-resignation-of-Chicago-Mayor
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#6_December_2015_%28Demanding_resignation_of_Chicago_Mayor%29

content:
<p>Demanding the 
<a href="http://www.commondreams.org/news/2015/12/01/chicago-top-cop-fired-demand-grows-mayor-emanuel-be-next">
resignation of Chicago Mayor Emmanual</a>.
</p>


feed_id: 168c9ea5943134f603dc90573d34d375
title: Climate negotiators hope physics will make concessions
uri: Climate-negotiators-hope-physics-will-make-concessions
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#6_December_2015_%28Climate_negotiators_hope_physics_will_make_concessions%29

content:
<p>The climate negotiators in Paris hope that nature (physics) will make
concessions, if they 
<a href="http://www.commondreams.org/views/2015/12/01/international-community-attempts-negotiate-nature-paris">
show good intentions</a>.
</p>


feed_id: 4ad91d67e807de71638b0ed4f9842fb2
title: Safe zone for PISSI
uri: Safe-zone-for-PISSI
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#6_December_2015_%28Safe_zone_for_PISSI%29
content:
<p>Turkey wants to set up a 
<a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/robert-naiman/guess-whos-against-a-safe_b_8689652.html">
"safe zone"</a>
 in Northern Turkey — safe
for PISSI, that is.  Thus, the Kurds are opposed to it.
</p>


feed_id: 69ccf6227d6df883d302c999104fd7aa
title: Prosecution of US torturers
uri: Prosecution-of-US-torturers
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#6_December_2015_%28Prosecution_of_US_torturers%29
content:
<p>Human Rights Watch demands 
<a href="https://www.hrw.org/node/283564">
prosecution of US torturers</a>.
</p>


feed_id: 6f1bbce555dc1b58e801573216377fd9
title: Prison for Â3D printer files
uri: Prison-for-Â3D-printer-files
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#6_December_2015_%28Prison_for_%C3%823D_printer_files%29

content:
<p>A state in of Australia will 
<a href="http://www.popsci.com/owning-blueprints-to-3d-print-gun-is-now-crime-in-new-south-wales">
imprison people</a>
 for having 3D printer files for making a gun.
</p>
<p>It is legitimate to prohibit making guns, but any law that makes it a
crime to have a copy of some published work is tyranny.  It subjects
innocent people to great danger from anyone that wants to get them
in trouble.</p>


feed_id: 5e2968306076ad7aede3ad56bf3fd388
title: Trump exploits the internet
uri: Trump-exploits-the-internet
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#6_December_2015_%28Trump_exploits_the_internet%29
content:
<p>Trump exploits the internet with speeches that are a series
of clickbait.  They 
<a href="http://www.digitaltrends.com/opinion/donald-trump-works-the-internet-better-than-you-do/">
don't need to be coherent</a>
 to succeed.
</p>
<p>I occasionally use Google search, but Google never knows who I am.  If
you do the same, then your Google search is the same as mine; Google
can't tell us apart.</p>


feed_id: ed6bf8beb71cef908cca2d460932039b
title: South Korea repressing labor protesters
uri: South-Korea-repressing-labor-protesters
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#6_December_2015_%28South_Korea_repressing_labor_protesters%29

content:
<p>The President of South Korea is 
<a href="http://www.thenation.com/article/in-south-korea-a-dictators-daughter-cracks-down-on-labor/">
repressing labor protesters</a>
 and tried to associate them with hypothetical terrorists.
</p>


feed_id: 798ebcf2dc508f6185a34105b703e2a9
title: Myths about Rosa Parks
uri: Myths-about-Rosa-Parks
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#6_December_2015_%28Myths_about_Rosa_Parks%29
content:
<p>Rosa Parks, whose arrest sparked the Montgomery bus boycott,
was a mature lifelong activist who had 
<a href="http://www.thenation.com/article/10-myths-about-rosa-parks/">
plenty of experience</a>.
</p>


feed_id: f022f808ca68cd77121ae614d2fdcaec
title: Airstrikes don't change much
uri: Airstrikes-don-t-change-much
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#6_December_2015_%28Airstrikes_don%27t_change_much%29

content:
<p>People in Raqqa say that 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/dec/02/airstrikes-routine-people-raqqa-syria-says-activist">
airstrikes alone don't change much</a>.
Aside from Russian airstrikes, which often hit civilians.</p>


feed_id: 66044adce9546574fcc013343ccde17c
title: ALEC organizing sabotage of climate plans
uri: ALEC-organizing-sabotage-of-climate-plans
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#6_December_2015_%28ALEC_organizing_sabotage_of_climate_plans%29

content:
<p>ALEC, funded by fossil fuel businesses, is trying to organize
Republican-controlled US states to 
<a href="http://www.prwatch.org/news/2015/12/12984/alec-works-scuttle-global-climate-agreement">
actively sabotage US plans</a>
 to avoid global heating disaster.
</p>


feed_id: 15e166f9fd152afaf461ef830bfb8429
title: UK Tories adapting Republican gerrymandering
uri: UK-Tories-adapting-Republican-gerrymandering
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#6_December_2015_%28UK_Tories_adapting_Republican_gerrymandering%29

content:
<p>The UK Tories are 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2015/dec/02/british-democracy-disenfranchised-voters-boundary-changes">
adapting Republican techniques</a>
 of voter suppression and gerrymandering to make the UK government
nondemocratic.
</p>


feed_id: 9eef046fec0604dc9c095cd1270bab67
title: Truth shines through North Korean propaganda movie
uri: Truth-shines-through-North-Korean-propaganda-movie
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#6_December_2015_%28Truth_shines_through_North_Korean_propaganda_movie%29

content:
<p>A Russian director, authorized to make a deceptive North Korean
propaganda movie, 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/dec/02/north-korea-under-the-sun-vitaly-mansky-film">
found a clever way</a>
 to show some of the truth.
</p>


feed_id: 5b300e808a73f4f4c98161d2e37ece40
title: UK cuts mean no parks, libraries, museums
uri: UK-cuts-mean-no-parks-libraries-museums
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#6_December_2015_%28UK_cuts_mean_no_parks%2C_libraries%2C_museums%29

content:
<p>Right-wing cuts in the UK mean no parks, no public libraries, no
museums, no place for young people to 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/society/2015/dec/02/atomised-council-stripped-basics-services-future-local-government">
do anything but get in trouble</a>.
</p>


feed_id: bff35c07121cfd8f984280b671b018d4
title: Paying to keep forests standing
uri: Paying-to-keep-forests-standing
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#6_December_2015_%28Paying_to_keep_forests_standing%29

content:
<p>
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2015/dec/02/climate-talks-rich-countries-should-pay-to-keep-tropical-forests-standing">
Rich Countries Should Pay to Keep Tropical Forests Standing.</a>
</p>
<p>Avoiding global disaster will be well worth the price, but there are
two issues that we must resolve:
<ul>
<li>
Making sure the money spent really preserves the forests.</p>
<li>
Making the rich and the multinationals pay a fair share of tax,
so they can't shrug the cost of this onto the non-rich.
</ul></p>
<p>Paying a price to preserve forests is one thing; assigning them a
value in money is another.  It is a mistake to see the issue in the
narrow economic terms such as "ecosystem services" and "buying them".
That encourages people to treat them as fungible.</p>


feed_id: 910a85bf4d8c2598a3ae7e9f682e0f4f
title: Richest 10% produce half of emissions
uri: Richest-10-produce-half-of-emissions
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#6_December_2015_%28Richest_10%25_produce_half_of_emissions%29

content:
<p>
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2015/dec/02/worlds-richest-10-produce-half-of-global-carbon-emissions-says-oxfam">
The World's Richest 10% Produce Half of Global Carbon Emissions.</a>
</p>
<p>The US must do a lot more to switch to renewable energy.
This calls for spending money, perhaps instead of some weapons.</p>


feed_id: 9d1711aa98dfb62d7ab57b6253ec14f9
title: Egyptian journalist charged for talk about rebels
uri: Egyptian-journalist-charged-for-talk-about-rebels
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#6_December_2015_%28Egyptian_journalist_charged_for_talk_about_rebels%29

content:
<p>Another Egyptian journalist has been 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/dec/02/egyptian-journalist-detained-in-cairo-for-spreading-false-news-after-berlin-trip">
charged with "spreading false news"</a>
 for giving a talk about the Islamist rebels in the Sinai.
</p>


feed_id: 979bfe4cd70b8fbec014f581f439487f
title: China to cut emissions from electricity
uri: China-to-cut-emissions-from-electricity
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#6_December_2015_%28China_to_cut_emissions_from_electricity%29

content:
<p>China 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2015/dec/02/china-says-it-will-cut-power-sector-emissions-60-by-2020">
states the plan</a>
 to make huge cuts in CO2 emissions from electricity by 2020.
</p>
<p>This would be a real step forward, but don't forget the emissions
from transport, home heating, factories, and agriculture.</p>


feed_id: dcee31087feac327e7078e84f264bab1
title: Struggle to protect marine species
uri: Struggle-to-protect-marine-species
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#6_December_2015_%28Struggle_to_protect_marine_species%29

content:
<p>The slow struggle to establish protection of marine species threatened
by overfishing takes place in the shadow of the CO2 threat to 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/global/the-coral-triangle/2015/dec/02/cove-directors-new-doc-warns-of-impending-ecological-catastrophe">
wipe out entire ecosystems and families</a>.
</p>


feed_id: 65cc04237c62ee0bba02435bb3e94c20
title: US troops in Syria likely to make things worse
uri: US-troops-in-Syria-likely-to-make-things-worse
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#6_December_2015_%28US_troops_in_Syria_likely_to_make_things_worse%29

content:
<p>Sending independently operating US combat troops to fight in Syria
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2015/dec/02/more-troops-in-iraq-will-sew-the-exact-same-chaos-as-americas-libya-folly">
invites making things worse</a>.
</p>


feed_id: 75e572a264cca0b7b528bbaae4821fde
title: A Turkish Gollum
uri: A-Turkish-Gollum
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#6_December_2015_%28A_Turkish_Gollum%29
content:
<p>Repression in Turkey has reached the point where a state employee 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/dec/02/turkish-court-asks-gollum-experts-if-erdogan-comparison-insult">
has been fired</a>
 for comparing Erdoğan's face to that of Gollum.
</p>
<p>When Erdoğan doesn't understand is that he is the one bringing
Turkey into
disrepute.</p>


feed_id: 162c3d2e742f1805f2e259b87ebb15bc
title: Putin expelling Turkish citizens
uri: Putin-expelling-Turkish-citizens
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#6_December_2015_%28Putin_expelling_Turkish_citizens%29

content:
<p>Putin is 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/dec/02/turks-in-russia-hit-by-putins-serious-consequences-after-downing-of-warplane">
expelling Turkish citizens</a>
 from Russia in the harshest possible way,
clearly meant as a gesture to prove what a bully he can be.
</p>
<p>The reasons stated for this action include bullshit, plus an
accusation that is probably true: that Turkey is protecting PISSI's
oil export trade.</p>
<p>Both Turkey and Russia 
<a href="http://www.veteranstoday.com/2015/11/29/belgian-physicists-calculate-that-everyone-is-lying-about-the-downed-russian-jet/">
must be lying</a>
 about what happened in the downing of the Russian jet.
</p>


feed_id: 8e9003c178c149c6f1e13c76bd0d1d49
title: Loan companies force spyware on borrowers
uri: Loan-companies-force-spyware-on-borrowers
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#6_December_2015_%28Loan_companies_force_spyware_on_borrowers%29

content:
<p>Loan companies, in Africa and the US, make would-be borrowers submit
to total surveillance by 
<a href="http://consumerist.com/2015/12/01/lending-startups-use-borrowers-smartphone-behavior-to-decide-if-they-are-creditworthy/">
installing spyware</a>
 in their phones.
</p>
<p>I think we need laws to prohibit companies from requiring or even
asking customers (including borrowers) to run any nonfree software.</p>
<p>A "smart" phone is a computer.  If your computer runs nonfree
software, it is someone else's tool to mistreat you.  There are
smartphones that can run the free operating system Replicant in the
main or "application" processor, but all mobile phones have nonfree
software, at least in the radio communication processor.</p>


feed_id: 5bec3510be08d1e619afb7a75e1d0b74
title: Fined for refusing fingerprinting
uri: Fined-for-refusing-fingerprinting
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#6_December_2015_%28Fined_for_refusing_fingerprinting%29

content:
<p>An arrested protester in Paris has been 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/dec/02/woman-fined-1000-for-refusing-to-be-fingerprinted-at-paris-climate-rally">
fined for refusing to be fingerprinted</a>.
</p>
<p>Bravo!</p>
<p>However, I do not approve of throwing bottles or cans at the thugs.
This plays into the hands of repressors.</p>


feed_id: dab9c1007d339c6b4bd843ad653183ea
title: Muslims
uri: Muslims
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#7_December_2015_%28Muslims%29
content:
<p>Muslims in London 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2015/dec/06/youaintnomuslimbruv-leytonstone-paris-hashtag">
have started a campaign against fanaticism</a>
,
telling a fanatic who attacked someone in a train that he is not
a real Muslim.
</p>


feed_id: 24c07a3f5ce417a828a0edea6763cceb
title: Surveillance technology
uri: Surveillance-technology
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#7_December_2015_%28Surveillance_technology%29
content:
<p>Advancing surveillance technology 
<a href="http://www.rutherford.org/publications_resources/john_whiteheads_commentary/life_in_the_electronic_concentration_camp_the_surveillance_state_is_al">
threatens</a>
 to make it impossible to
do anything that the state does not follow.
</p>


feed_id: 1c9136a314c9f6cc6826a2fe52b07e6e
title: War on PISSI
uri: War-on-PISSI
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#7_December_2015_%28War_on_PISSI%29
content:
<p>The US and France 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/dec/06/warplanes-libya-next-battlefront-isis-nato">
may attack PISSI in Libya</a>
, where it is expanding
and is viewed by most of the public as merely an occupying army.
</p>
<p>However, we 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/dec/06/isis-expansion-libya-not-sign-of-weakness">
should take care not to consider its expansion in Libya as
a sign of weakness</a>
 in Syria and Iraq.
</p>
<p>Many have lost wars by underestimating the enemy.</p>


feed_id: 2a27c4afc0460b713dcde1314be138ff
title: UK Government
uri: 2015-12-07-UK-Government
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#7_December_2015_%28UK_Government%29
content:
<p>The UK government 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2015/dec/02/climate-change-david-cameron-bomb-syria-global-warming">
is eager to bomb someone</a>
, saying it must try to
protect Britons from terrorism even if that is ineffective or
backfires.  Meanwhile, it rejects the effective measures to protect
the British people from the larger threat of global heating.
</p>


feed_id: 5883378048d215c585a0fea4f8feee91
title: Arable Land
uri: Arable-Land
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#7_December_2015_%28Arable_Land%29
content:
<p>Earth 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2015/dec/02/arable-land-soil-food-security-shortage">
Has Lost a Third of Arable Land</a>
 in Past 40 Years, Scientists Say.
</p>
<p>We're riding the Earth too hard, and we can't keep it up for long.
</p>


feed_id: 3854069c8941d4184a7d8d1eaf92c2a2
title: Religions
uri: Religions
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#7_December_2015_%28Religions%29
content:
<p>Christianist terrorists, like Islamist terrorists, 
<a href="http://www.dailykos.com/story/2015/12/01/1455800/-Planned-Parenthood-Right-Wing-Christian-Terrorist-believed-he-d-be-forgiven-for-anything?detail=email">
believe that their religion
authorizes</a>
 any ort of crimes.
</p>


feed_id: 95d4dfda6fd4ba392f17352eb8320288
title: Canadian thugs
uri: Canadian-thugs
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#7_December_2015_%28Canadian_thugs%29
content:
<p>The Canadian national thugs 
<a href="http://motherboard.vice.com/read/rcmp-warrantless-access-to-data-would-certainly-assist-new-cyber-crime-unit">
want to access personal data</a>
 without warrants.
</p>


feed_id: 577ef292caa1ca706c9c5af8c53cc8e8
title: Elon Musk
uri: Elon-Musk
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#7_December_2015_%28Elon_Musk%29
content:
<p>Elon Musk 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2015/dec/03/elon-musk-says-robust-carbon-tax-would-speed-global-clean-energy-transition">
condemns</a>
 the 5 trillion dollars a year in damage that the fossil
fuel industry is not being forced to pay for.
</p>


feed_id: 228025253400ac6efe7fd87fc8c409d1
title: Nuclear power
uri: Nuclear-power
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#7_December_2015_%28Nuclear_power%29
content:
<p>James Hansen and some other scientists 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2015/dec/03/nuclear-power-paves-the-only-viable-path-forward-on-climate-change">
say nuclear power is needed</a>

to end carbon emissions.
</p>
<p>I respect James Hansen, but I think he
is mistaken.  To develop
nuclear power at the rate he proposes would require ignoring safety.
He is talking about hypothetical advanced reactors that could only
work many years from now, and certainly won't be available soon.</p>
<p>This amount of nuclear power would be so expensive that it would be
cheaper to build an excess of renewable energy, plus power storage
capacity.</p>


feed_id: e5b92a7d51a9abf76f436eaa02c9f694
title: SCROTUS
uri: 2015-12-07-SCROTUS
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#7_December_2015_%28SCROTUS%29
content:
<p>Another SCROTUS budget bill rider 
<a href="http://www.freepress.net/blog/2015/12/04/exact-same-newscast-every-single-channel">
would allow</a>
 increased consolidation
in US television.
</p>
<p>SCROTUS = Sleazy Congressional Republicans Of The United States.</p>


feed_id: 5183d1cfe3debbc7307ca020d2791a2b
title: Janet Alder
uri: Janet-Alder
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#7_December_2015_%28Janet_Alder%29
content:
<p>After Janet Alder's brother was killed by UK thugs, she started
campaigning for justice, and 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/undercover-with-paul-lewis-and-rob-evans/2015/dec/03/questions-remain-over-police-surveillance-of-bereaved-sister">
thugs started snooping</a>
 on her life
looking for some way to throw dirt on her.
</p>
<p>If it is impossible to convict the thugs in charge of this operation,
the law must be changed so that next time a conviction is obtained.</p>


feed_id: cdcb4ab680bcc839ef8c6477d755d09e
title: Businesses's lies
uri: Businesses-s-lies
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#7_December_2015_%28Businesses%27s_lies%29
content:
<p>Businesses surround us with 
<a href="http://truthseekers.cultureunplugged.com/truth_seekers/2011/01/the-ubiquitous-matrix-of-lies-1.html">
little lies</a>
 that no one expects us to take
seriously. This can devalue truth in general.
</p>


feed_id: e4e81a4ebf72151aed5f4c198084bbcf
title: Sanders's tax plan
uri: Sanders-s-tax-plan
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#7_December_2015_%28Sanders%27s_tax_plan%29
content:
<p>Sanders' tax plan for multinational companies 
<a href="http://www.commondreams.org/views/2015/12/04/sanders-corporate-tax-reform-plan">
would raise</a>
 all the money
the US needs for its infrastructure.
</p>
<p>I hope he will put a lot of the revenue into renewable energy.
</p>


feed_id: 5f907f83324151833449e4c4cf68092d
title: Damage of global heating
uri: Damage-of-global-heating
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#7_December_2015_%28Damage_of_global_heating%29
content:
<p>Multinational oil companies 
<a href="http://www.commondreams.org/news/2015/12/04/big-oil-faces-historic-human-rights-inquiry-complicity-climate-change">
face an investigation</a>
 for complicity in
causing the damage of global heating.
</p>


feed_id: 53376b387a020545cd8553aaada2d419
title: Drone attack whistleblowers
uri: Drone-attack-whistleblowers
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#7_December_2015_%28Drone_attack_whistleblowers%29
content:
<p>The US mainstream media 
<a href="http://www.commondreams.org/views/2015/12/04/killer-drone-news-blackout-continues-mainstream-media-ignore-air-force">
ignore</a>
 the drone attack whistleblowers.
</p>


feed_id: 905bf37cdd1115ea256df9231d8b139b
title: Faking violence
uri: Faking-violence
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#7_December_2015_%28Faking_violence%29
content:
<p>When someone was stabbed during an art event in Miami,
witnesses 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/2015/dec/05/woman-charged-over-miami-stabbing-that-was-mistaken-for-performance-art">
thought the attack was theater</a>
, part if the performance.
</p>
<p>Faking violence as a hoax or "art" can indirectly hurt people by
confusing society about how to react.  It should not be illegal, but
it is wise to disapprove of it.</p>


feed_id: 2be879b000026b0113e5ba7e847c9140
title: Laquan McDonald
uri: Laquan-McDonald
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#7_December_2015_%28Laquan_McDonald%29
content:
<p>The official statements of several thugs about the murder of Laquan
McDonald

<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2015/dec/05/laquan-mcdonald-knife-police-report-chicago">
were lies</a>
 — and the video proves it.
</p>
<p>Is it a crime
to report falsely?</p>


feed_id: 6e724dead8837d34e66c964377cf13ea
title: Banning for no-fly listed people
uri: Banning-for-no-fly-listed-people
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#7_December_2015_%28Banning_for_no-fly_listed_people%29

content:
<p>Democrats proposed a law to ban people on the no-fly list from buying
guns,
and 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2015/dec/05/no-fly-list-terrorism-gun-control-democrats-debate-republicans">
SCROTUS blocked it</a>
 as a denial of due process.
</p>
<p>The no-fly list is already punishment without due process.  Being
stopped
from flying is more of a punishment than being stopped from buying a gun,
and this is why the no-fly list must be abolished, or else redesigned
so that people are only placed in it by a court's judgment.</p>
<p>At that point, it could also be applied to purchase of guns.</p>


feed_id: 89edc182d6923d137b37f917813e9975
title: NSA snooping
uri: 2015-12-07-NSA-snooping
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#7_December_2015_%28NSA_snooping%29
content:
<p>The NSA still 
<a href="http://reason.com/archives/2015/12/03/the-spies-who-ruin-us">
has the power to snoop massively</a>
 on Americans,
never limited as the Constitution calls for.
</p>
<p>We have evidence from France and the US that this power doesn't
prevent terrorist attacks anyway.</p>


feed_id: 5f74ad0bf76e9b6cd3dde07d4f3d1c34
title: US parents
uri: US-parents
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#7_December_2015_%28US_parents%29
content:
<p>US parents 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/film/2015/dec/04/parents-more-worried-about-sex-than-violence-in-film-survey">
would rather their children see violence</a>
 than sex.
</p>


feed_id: 4eb50a6e8cd1fcd7c058fd7795a68ef4
title: Indian energy plans
uri: Indian-energy-plans
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#7_December_2015_%28Indian_energy_plans%29
content:
<p>Modi talks about boosting solar power in India, but 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/cities/gallery/2015/dec/04/a-city-built-on-fire-indias-coal-rush-in-pictures">
he still plans</a>
 to double
coal extraction.
</p>
<p>To some extent, the new coal mines in India will replace coal imports.
However, continuing to burn so much coal will bring disaster regardless
of where it is mined.
</p>


feed_id: be8717da0dbdbe6c6382b14928333c86
title: Hello Barbie
uri: Hello-Barbie
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#7_December_2015_%28Hello_Barbie%29
content:
<p>A week with Hello Barbie: it constantly tells you what good friends you
are,
then 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2015/dec/04/hello-barbie-talking-doll-mattel-toytalk-fashion">
asks you for personal informations</a>
.
</p>
<p>Seems designed to manipulate children into giving personal data.
</p>


feed_id: 7896e43c3ece0b3425a736911714c34e
title: Active Investigations
uri: Active-Investigations
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#7_December_2015_%28Active_Investigations%29
content:
<p>Why 'Active Investigations' Don\u2019t Justify 
<a href="https://www.aclu.org/blog/free-future/why-active-investigations-dont-justify-keeping-police-video-secret">
Keeping Police Video Secret</a>
.
</p>


feed_id: a17d62d3ee47ce1870f60258cfc78b84
title: Global heating
uri: 2015-12-07-Global-heating
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#7_December_2015_%28Global_heating%29
content:
<p>By 2050, global heating 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2015/dec/04/climate-change-global-hunger-usda-report">
will disrupt</a>
 food production in every region
of the world.  This will add to the harm done by population increase.
</p>


feed_id: 31861e705d6b16c56fed5306b3fd2f25
title: Clinton Super PAC Donor
uri: Clinton-Super-PAC-Donor
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#7_December_2015_%28Clinton_Super_PAC_Donor%29
content:
<p>Clinton Super PAC Donor 
<a href="https://theintercept.com/2015/12/04/clinton-super-pac-donor-is-former-goldman-exec-and-foreclosure-crisis-profiteer/">
is Former Goldman Exec and Foreclosure Crisis
Profiteer</a>
.
</p>
<p>Clearly he expects her not to clamp down on the power of the
banksters.
</p>


feed_id: d6542e63d74d20a45019d242bc34fd5a
title: TPP
uri: 2015-12-07-TPP
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#7_December_2015_%28TPP%29
content:
<p>The TPP 
<a href="https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2015/12/tpp-threatens-security-and-safety-locking-down-us-policy-source-code-audit">
would prohibit laws</a>
 requiring certain products come with
source code, which is needed for their security and for users' right
to repair.
</p>


feed_id: 6a99e520d14122371180c54a2dd7f9ff
title: Censorship in Thailand
uri: Censorship-in-Thailand
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#7_December_2015_%28Censorship_in_Thailand%29
content:
<p>The tyranny of Thailand is demonstrated by 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/dec/04/thai-printer-blanks-another-international-new-york-times">
repeated censorship of New
York Times articles</a>
 that can hardly be said to actually criticize the
Thai monarchy.
</p>


feed_id: 2922fabab8d46d3101bb4af40215a9f4
title: Terrorism
uri: 2015-12-07-Terrorism
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#7_December_2015_%28Terrorism%29
content:
<p>Many Americans 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2015/dec/04/san-bernardino-shooting-america-divided-terrorism">
are too quick to assume a killing is terrorism when the
killer is a Muslim</a>
, but drag their feet against acknowledging
Christianist terrorism.
</p>
<p>I use the term "Christianist" for Christians that want to impose laws
that come from their religion, by analogy with "Islamist".  Only a
fraction of Christianists and Islamists are violent, but all are
enemies of human rights.
</p>


feed_id: 9a102e4986214612245bd9d50469268a
title: Brazil women
uri: Brazil-women
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#7_December_2015_%28Brazil_women%29
content:
<p>Brazil 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2015/dec/04/brazil-zika-virus-pregnancy-microcephaly-mosquito-rare-birth-defect">
has advised</a>
 women not to get pregnant now, because a virus once
in a rare while causes microcephaly.
</p>
<p>It ought to be possible to abort the very few fetuses that develop
microencephaly, but I suppose Brazil doesn't respect women's rights
that much.</p>
<p>On the other hand, a substantial reduction in births would be quite
useful too.</p>


feed_id: ac7570b063f5431a8e2c21fc3b40aded
title: MSF clinic bombed
uri: MSF-clinic-bombed
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#7_December_2015_%28MSF_clinic_bombed%29
content:
<p>US-supported Salafi Arabia 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/dec/04/msf-accuses-saudi-led-coalition-of-bombing-clinic-in-yemen">
bombed</a>
 an MSF clinic in Yemen.
</p>


feed_id: 84223f1aeb075e135754885b68369abf
title: Kazakhstan
uri: Kazakhstan
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#7_December_2015_%28Kazakhstan%29
content:
<p>Kazakhstan, which is a total tyranny, 
<a href="http://www.zdnet.com/article/kazakhstan-forces-its-citizens-into-installing-internet-backdoors/">
is ordering all internet users
to install back doors</a>
 in their computers.
</p>
<p>This goes only a little beyond how the UK plans to attack all internet
users.
</p>


feed_id: 8901ca039f0b6a619a77855216cc5677
title: Burundi
uri: 2015-12-07-Burundi
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#7_December_2015_%28Burundi%29
content:
<p>The tyrant of Burundi 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2015/dec/04/burundi-fear-political-crisis-flee-pierre-nkurunziza">
demands</a>
 that everyone join his party; those
who don't are beaten.  Those who try to flee are killed if caught.
</p>


feed_id: 7f65c1eee7878430a81d13ea479d7843
title: Moral Character of Cryptographic Work
uri: Moral-Character-of-Cryptographic-Work
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#7_December_2015_%28Moral_Character_of_Cryptographic_Work%29

content:
<p>
<a href="http://web.cs.ucdavis.edu/~rogaway/papers/moral.html">
The Moral Character of Cryptographic Work</a>
.
</p>
<p>Encryption alone cannot protect our privacy from all the systems of
snooping that have been set up in today's "free" countries —
only partly from some.  We need to 
<a href="http://gnu.org/philosophy/surveillance-vs-democracy.html">
redesign systems</a>
 so that they do
not accumulate data about people other than court-designated suspects.
</p>


feed_id: 726575e929139fa4860c8e4987427518
title: Population growth
uri: 2015-12-07-Population-growth
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#7_December_2015_%28Population_growth%29
content:
<p>Human population growth 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2015/dec/04/climate-change-population-crisis-paris-summit">
continues to threaten humanity</a>
, as it is on a
collision course with the food shortages that global heating does and
will cause.
</p>
<p>If we don't want people to remain poor, we must make fewer of them.
</p>


feed_id: 486b58fc670b0346af9a51859f15bbe5
title: CO2
uri: CO2
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#7_December_2015_%28CO2%29
content:
<p>We must go beyond "zero carbon emissions" and 
<a href="http://www.commondreams.org/views/2015/12/03/message-paris-we-can-reverse-global-warming">
actively reduce</a>
 the
CO2 level in Earth's atmosphere.
</p>
<p>The urgency is in the first step.  Once that is done, reducing the CO2
level may prevent the subsequent inundation of some of the cities that
are threatened.</p>


feed_id: 8bd083f22fefc1fa748952c9f2d39f62
title: Maria Hasankolli
uri: Maria-Hasankolli
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#7_December_2015_%28Maria_Hasankolli%29
content:
<p>Maria Hasankolli overslept and her 8-year-old child walked to school.
She 
<a href="http://reason.com/blog/2015/12/03/mom-who-overslept-while-son-walked-to-sc">
faces ten years</a>
 in prison for this unconscious act.
</p>
<p>When I was 8 years old, I walked to school every day.  So did everyone
else in my school.  But that was in Manhattan.  Perhaps these nasty
fools think that Connecticut is a more dangerous place than Manhattan.
</p>


feed_id: d6d197f7be661d30dfed644d6668912d
title: Trade In Services Agreement
uri: Trade-In-Services-Agreement
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#7_December_2015_%28Trade_In_Services_Agreement%29
content:
<p>The secret negotiations for the Trade In Services Agreement 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/business/2015/dec/03/secret-trade-talks-climate-targets-paris-geneva">
porpose</a>
 to
prohibit subsidies, or any sort of preferences, for renewable energy.
</p>
<p>This is typical of how "trade treaties" betray the people:
subordinating
everything that really matters to business interests.</p>
<p>This is
based on the 
<a href="http://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2015/12/03/wikileaks-exposes-environmental-threat-trade-services-agreement">
leaked text</a>
 of one chapter.
</p>


feed_id: 16daa6e544017786323e55827a5289da
title: Muslims
uri: 2015-12-07-Muslims
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#7_December_2015_%28Muslims%29
content:
<p>Muslims in London 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2015/dec/06/youaintnomuslimbruv-leytonstone-paris-hashtag">
have started a campaign against fanaticism</a>,
telling a fanatic who attacked someone in a train that he is not
a real Muslim.
</p>


feed_id: a350345c2cb142a3c0f9ddeed1bc1c50
title: Religions
uri: 2015-12-07-Religions
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#7_December_2015_%28Religions%29
content:
<p>Christianist terrorists, like Islamist terrorists, 
<a href="http://www.dailykos.com/story/2015/12/01/1455800/-Planned-Parenthood-Right-Wing-Christian-Terrorist-believed-he-d-be-forgiven-for-anything?detail=email">believe 
that their religion authorizes</a> any sort of crimes.
</p>


feed_id: 7599af3d8f5e2501c1cf78d77f609f10
title: Hello Barbie
uri: 2015-12-07-Hello-Barbie
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#7_December_2015_%28Hello_Barbie%29
content:
<p>A week with Hello Barbie: it constantly tells you what good friends you
are,
then 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2015/dec/04/hello-barbie-talking-doll-mattel-toytalk-fashion">
asks you for personal information</a>
.
</p>
<p>Seems designed to manipulate children into giving personal data.
</p>


feed_id: 3bbc6187894f5b1cb71528a5d97dc2cb
title: Trade In Services Agreement
uri: 2015-12-07-Trade-In-Services-Agreement
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#7_December_2015_%28Trade_In_Services_Agreement%29
content:
<p>The secret negotiations for the Trade In Services Agreement 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/business/2015/dec/03/secret-trade-talks-climate-targets-paris-geneva">
propose</a>
 to
prohibit subsidies, or any sort of preferences, for renewable energy.
</p>
<p>This is typical of how "trade treaties" betray the people:
subordinating
everything that really matters to business interests.</p>
<p>This is
based on the 
<a href="http://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2015/12/03/wikileaks-exposes-environmental-threat-trade-services-agreement">
leaked text</a>
 of one chapter.
</p>


feed_id: 93d30b25752335bc0344530278cb029c
title: More government snooping
uri: More-government-snooping
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#07_December_2015_%28More_government_snooping%29
content:
<p>Clinton, like the Republicans, wants more <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2015/dec/06/paris-attacks-san-bernardino-shooting-surveillance-hillary-clinton-donald-trump-election">government snooping.</a>  She wants to pressure companies into bypassing encryption.
<p>Her bogus premise is that we should keep increasing snooping
until it identifies in advance all attacks by small groups.
But <a href="https://www.stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#19_November_2015_(Total_surveillance)">no amount of surveillance</a> is enough to do that, so she will always have an excuse to demand more surveillance.
<p>Vote for Sanders for president.


feed_id: 91d2f89cb7b074e3eec0722cdb210bc9
title: Hypothetical crimes
uri: Hypothetical-crimes
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#07_December_2015_%28Hypothetical_crimes%29
content:
<p>The UK spy agency argues it should be allowed to spy on people with
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2015/dec/01/gchq-accused-of-persistent-illegal-hacking-at-security-tribunal
">hardly any limits,</a> and attack their computers, just because the hypothetical
crimes are really bad.
<p>Note the similarity between the argument in favor of massive
surveillance and the argument in favor of torture: that it "just might
someday" make it possible to prevent a crime.  But neither <a href="https://www.stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#19_November_2015_(Total_surveillance)">massive surveillance</a> nor <a href="https://www.stallman.org/archives/2011-jul-oct.html#23_September_2011_(Rumsfeld_And_Dubya)">torture</a> really does this.


feed_id: d56d4b3d925e9b26d73da35f54b52e78
title: Malaysia approves security law
uri: Malaysia-approves-security-law
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#07_December_2015_%28Malaysia_approves_security_law%29

content:
<p>Malaysia Approves Security Law Amid Warning It Could Lead to <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/dec/04/malaysia-approves-security-law-amid-warning-it-could-lead-to-dictatorship">Dictatorship.</a>
<p>France is following the <a href="https://www.stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#02_December_2015_(Repressive_state_of_emergency_in_France)">same path;</a> I fear for France.


feed_id: 1706ede7b5eb8d674ad9bc8826286e00
title: Greenhouse gases emitted by airplanes
uri: Greenhouse-gases-emitted-by-airplanes
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#07_December_2015_%28Greenhouse_gases_emitted_by_airplanes%29

content:
<p>Crackpot theories about <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/environment/georgemonbiot/2015/dec/04/the-contrails-conspiracy-is-not-just-garbage-its-letting-aviation-off-the-hook">"chemtrails"</a> are distracting people from the dangerous greenhouse gases emitted by airplanes.
<p>Here's a conspiracy theory.  Maybe the "chemtrails" idiocy was funded by the Heatland Institute (*) through ALEC.
<p>* It calls itself the "Heartland Institute", but since its goal is to make the Earth hotter, <a href="https://www.stallman.org/archives/2014-may-aug.html#04_May_2014_(The_Heatland_Institute)">"Heatland"</a> fits it better.


feed_id: a7eb21fcf1ee60e6c98fec89cbfe23dc
title: Disobeying terms of service
uri: Disobeying-terms-of-service
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#07_December_2015_%28Disobeying_terms_of_service%29
content:
<p>A US appeals court endorsed a <a href="https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2015/12/federal-court-appeals-rejects-notion-violating-your-employers-computer-use">narrow interpretation of the CFAA:</a> disobeying terms of service is not a crime.
<p>This might have saved Aaron Swartz from being <a href="https://www.stallman.org/archives/2013-may-aug.html#03_June_2013_(Aaron_Swartz_was_not_depressed)">hounded to death.</a>


feed_id: 1344ff2d6f9a1583daefecdc27125d96
title: Urgent: Make oil and gas extractors pay
uri: Urgent-Make-oil-and-gas-extractors-pay
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#08_December_2015_%28Urgent%3A_Make_oil_and_gas_extractors_pay%29

content:
<p>
US citizens: 
<a href="http://action.foe.org/p/dia/action3/common/public/?action_KEY=18784">Support 
the BLM's proposed rule</a> to make oil and gas extractors pay for all
they extract.


feed_id: 5b603fd1ff0321fe5a6bee3e362ccfe4
title: Urgent: Emanuel and Alvarez's resignation
uri: Urgent-Emanuel-and-Alvarez-s-resignation
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#08_December_2015_%28Urgent%3A_Emanuel_and_Alvarez%27s_resignation%29

content:
<p>
Everyone: 
<a href="http://act.democracyforamerica.com/sign/resign_rahm/">call on 
Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel and prosecutor Anita Alvarez</a> to resign.


feed_id: 95082f3ef4f6b96c06ea29c478fcedd3
title: Urgent: Day in court for torture victims
uri: Urgent-Day-in-court-for-torture-victims
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#08_December_2015_%28Urgent%3A_Day_in_court_for_torture_victims%29

content:
<p>
US citizens: 
<a href="https://ssl.capwiz.com/aclu-action/issues/alert/?alertid=68796701">call 
on the attorney general</a> to let victims of US torture have their
day in court.


feed_id: 627c4a90ae09b3669469b68b4b10c5af
title: Global heating denial
uri: 2015-12-10-Global-heating-denial
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#10_December_2015_%28Global_heating_denial%29
content:
<p>
Fossil fuel companies continue funding denialism.  Fortunately, one of
their events in Paris was a 
<a href="http://www.commondreams.org/news/2015/12/07/climate-deniers-paris-event-sparsely-attended-journalists-still-kicked-out">risible
failure</a>.
<p>
I fear the companies that are 
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#29_November_2015_(Sponsors_of_Paris_climate_conference)">"sponsoring"
the Paris climate negotiations</a> are having a lot more influence.


feed_id: 9446a070a40aebda591adfb77058d357
title: Renewable energy plan for Africa
uri: Renewable-energy-plan-for-Africa
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#10_December_2015_%28Renewable_energy_plan_for_Africa%29

content:
<p>
A large renewable energy plan could 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2015/dec/07/africa-plans-renewable-energy-initiative-solar-hydro-cut-emissions">lead
Africa away from fossil fuels</a>.
<p>
This could make life better for many people in Africa, but
if we don't make India drop its plans for burning coal, people may not
be able to live there at all.


feed_id: bf31621a2a707a067efcc7886c4cfefb
title: The WTO
uri: The-WTO
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#10_December_2015_%28The_WTO%29
content:
<p>
The WTO 
<a href="http://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2015/12/07/wto-authorizes-over-1-billion-sanctions-unless-us-guts-popular-country-origin-0">will
try to fine the US a billion dollars</a> unless it abolishes
country-of-origin meat labels.
<p>
Let's abolish the WTO instead.  The WTO's purpose is to undermine
democracy in all the countries that have signed it, transferring power
from the legislature to multinational businesses.
<p>
The plutocratists try to distract us from this effect by comparing
exports and imports, which slips in the assumption that the interests
of Americans are nothing but a matter of total economic consumption.
<p>
Even aside from questions of whether the economy is sustainable,
economic growth in all countries doesn't help most people if it is
achieved in a way that benefits the rich at the expense of the
non-rich.  To prevent that, we need to make laws that assure the
wealth is spread around and that businesses don't hurt the public.
These laws are precisely what "free trade" treaties attack.  They also
make it hard to maintain unions.
<p>
Don't let the plutocratists distract you from the real issue at stake.
And please organize now to 
<a href="https://stallman.org/trance-pacific-partnership.html">defeat
the TPP</a>!


feed_id: 9ae39800f712f9edc98709d9c2cf63b9
title: Global greenhouse emissions
uri: Global-greenhouse-emissions
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#10_December_2015_%28Global_greenhouse_emissions%29
content:
<p>
Global greenhouse emissions 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2015/dec/07/global-emissions-to-fall-for-first-time-during-a-period-of-economic-growth">fell
in 2015</a>, but they are still so high that disaster will result; and
the decrease may not last.


feed_id: e43a8d28a14fbb18a4cebd3cab0fa6d5
title: UK rightwing gov't plans for universities
uri: UK-rightwing-gov-t-plans-for-universities
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#10_December_2015_%28UK_rightwing_govt_plans_for_universities%29

content:
<p>
The UK's rightwing government plans to reduce universities to the
status of 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/higher-education-network/2015/dec/07/universities-as-markets-we-shouldnt-be-valued-just-in-economic-terms">training
institutions for the "labor market"</a>.


feed_id: d7bbbe767c986931b1e139618372beae
title: Urgent: Endorse a president
uri: Urgent-Endorse-a-president
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#11_December_2015_%28Urgent%3A_Endorse_a_president%29

content:
<p>
US citizens: 
<a href="http://act.couragecampaign.org/sign/EndGunViolence_GavinNewson_Gavin/">tell
Democracy For America</a> who you suggest it should endorse for
president.  (I chose Sanders.)


feed_id: f465a5a6debcda8535c6a3e153199b34
title: Human rights violations in Rio
uri: Human-rights-violations-in-Rio
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#11_December_2015_%28Human_rights_violations_in_Rio%29

content:
<p>
Rio Olympics 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/dec/08/rio-olympics-2016-human-rights-violations-report">Linked
to Widespread Human Rights Violations</a>, Report Reveals.
<p>
When the games start, other forms of harshness are likely to start,
including chasing away street vendors so certain elect businesses can
get the spectators' business.  Meanwhile, there may well be new
systems of surveillance and new harsh laws that will be permanent.
<p>
The city of Boston 
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2015-jul-oct.html#05_August_2015_(Opposition_to_Olympic_games)">wisely
killed Boston's bid</a> to hold Olympic games.


feed_id: c2311cf0b9b60684e24b45c2223a624f
title: Planned highways and railroads in Africa
uri: Planned-highways-and-railroads-in-Africa
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#11_December_2015_%28Planned_highways_and_railroads_in_Africa%29

content:
<p>
Planned highways and railroads in Africa 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2015/dec/08/africa-transport-blueprint-could-be-road-to-ruin-wildlife-study-says">could
destroy the currently roadless ecosystems</a> they run through.


feed_id: b1360182c19f84a0321cab7cf9bd0344
title: Demand for ivory in China falling
uri: Demand-for-ivory-in-China-falling
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#11_December_2015_%28Demand_for_ivory_in_China_falling%29

content:
<p>
Demand for ivory in China is 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2015/dec/08/ivory-price-drop-in-china-signals-fall-in-demand-report-says">falling</a>,
which bodes well for elephants.
<p>
The question is whether this is due to a change in attitudes or only
to China's current economic slump.


feed_id: 1265b856d106b983dd8d0f73ae112c19
title: Legalizing MDMA
uri: Legalizing-MDMA
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#11_December_2015_%28Legalizing_MDMA%29
content:
<p>
MDMA (Ecstasy) is already quite safe, but
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2015/dec/08/is-ecstasy-really-that-dangerous-all-your-questions-answered">legalizing
it would make it even safer</a>.


feed_id: bb24bb3429cb5b85cba41dcec678e204
title: Forcible return of exiled Chinese dissidents
uri: Forcible-return-of-exiled-Chinese-dissidents
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#11_December_2015_%28Forcible_return_of_exiled_Chinese_dissidents%29

content:
<p>
Several countries are 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/dec/08/china-forcible-return-citizens-amnesty">forcibly
handing exiled Chinese dissidents to China</a>.  They include
Thailand, and even Vietnam, which is not generally friendly with
China.


feed_id: d99e95c9283ed37dcdecb0a1843530a4
title: Canadian oil exports
uri: Canadian-oil-exports
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#11_December_2015_%28Canadian_oil_exports%29
content:
<p>
Even without the cancelled Keystone XL pipeline, Canadian oil exports
via the US have 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2015/dec/08/tar-sands-alarm-as-us-crude-exports-to-europe-rise">almost
doubled since a year ago</a>.


feed_id: f21341d003e014f6937dd7a8167715cd
title: How Trump attracts support
uri: How-Trump-attracts-support
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#11_December_2015_%28How_Trump_attracts_support%29
content:
<p>
Much like PISSI with its beheading videos, Trump attracts support by
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2015/dec/08/i-dont-care-donald-trump-brushes-off-horrified-reaction-to-his-muslim-ban">proposing
shocking actions</a>.
<p>
His reaction is 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/dec/08/trumps-hateful-rhetoric-feeds-into-age-old-west-v-islam-narrative">what
PISSI hopes to provoke</a>.  So is the success of bigots in French
elections.


feed_id: d79465a34db068c6b91aedb7d6c633f3
title: Zuism
uri: Zuism
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#11_December_2015_%28Zuism%29
content:
<p>
Iceland has its own counterpart to Pastafarianism: Zuism worships
ancient Sumerian gods, and 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/dec/08/new-icelandic-religion-sumerian-gods-tax-rebates-zuism">will
give its members a refund of their mandatory tax surcharge to support
churches</a>.


feed_id: db7845f512f341efbbffc7075d4f3326
title: Australian islands being flooded
uri: Australian-islands-being-flooded
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#11_December_2015_%28Australian_islands_being_flooded%29

content:
<p>
As Australia pushes for more coal export, some Australian islands are
gradually being flooded, and 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2015/dec/08/were-sinking-here-climate-change-laps-at-front-door-of-torres-strait-islands">changing
weather is killing their crops</a>.


feed_id: 65ef1786d8f97e96abcb71037f044041
title: Enforcement of Geneva Conventions
uri: Enforcement-of-Geneva-Conventions
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#11_December_2015_%28Enforcement_of_Geneva_Conventions%29

content:
<p>
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2015/dec/08/conflict-what-should-we-do-world-burning-restoring-laws-of-war-geneva-conventions">Proposing
a mechanism</a> to enforce compliance with the Geneva Conventions.


feed_id: 32c202ea8b842e09d76714143816bbdd
title: PISSI's loss of profitability
uri: PISSI-s-loss-of-profitability
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#11_December_2015_%28PISSIs_loss_of_profitability%29
content:
<p>
A commentator suggests that PISSI's loss of profitability 
<a href="http://fortruss.blogspot.in/2015/11/the-real-history-of-islamic-state-and.html">might
make the groups that support it split apart</a>.


feed_id: 0e0be06ecdc25515cf96c61393ec958d
title: Trump cites unscientific poll
uri: Trump-cites-unscientific-poll
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#11_December_2015_%28Trump_cites_unscientific_poll%29

content:
<p>
Trump Cites 
<a href="https://theintercept.com/2015/12/07/trump-cites-unscientific-poll-from-fringe-group-in-call-for-banning-muslim-immigration/">Unscientific
Poll From Fringe Group</a> in Call for Banning Muslim Immigration.


feed_id: 0507c402c77a02d62209dc82b4d29150
title: Liberate scientific knowledge
uri: Liberate-scientific-knowledge
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#11_December_2015_%28Liberate_scientific_knowledge%29

content:
<p>
<a href="http://custodians.online/">Calling on the public</a> to
liberate scientific knowledge through forbidden sharing of the
articles and books that embody it.


feed_id: dbd1563bc97c8eb499b03ec172704078
title: Tortured in Egypt, imprisoned in Australia
uri: Tortured-in-Egypt-imprisoned-in-Australia
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#11_December_2015_%28Tortured_in_Egypt%2C_imprisoned_in_Australia%29

content:
<p>
Mubarak's thugs tortured Sayed Abdellatif into confessions that appear
to be false, but Australia uses them as an 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/dec/08/for-sayed-abdellatif-the-mental-scars-of-detention-add-insult-to-injury">excuse
to imprison him</a>.


feed_id: f3d0534288afeb88fd2edd7dfc9ab10b
title: England hit hard with floods
uri: England-hit-hard-with-floods
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#11_December_2015_%28England_hit_hard_with_floods%29
content:
<p>
Global heating is 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2015/dec/07/hide-evidence-storm-desmond-floods-paris-talks">hitting
England hard with great floods</a> that would have been extremely rare
in the past.
<p>
The government continues going all-out to make this worse.


feed_id: 16a35be874dd73f1b55959c299fbeee3
title: The Paris conference
uri: The-Paris-conference
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#11_December_2015_%28The_Paris_conference%29
content:
<p>
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2015/dec/07/paris-climate-change-deal-summit-guide">10
criteria</a> for judging whether the agreement from the Paris
conference will do what needs to be done.


feed_id: 5bda8ce3fea725bc6990970f7052e9d2
title: Finland considers universal basic income
uri: Finland-considers-universal-basic-income
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#11_December_2015_%28Finland_considers_universal_basic_income%29

content:
<p>
Finland is considering a 
<a href="http://www.commondreams.org/news/2015/12/06/lift-quality-life-and-economy-finland-champions-universal-basic-income">universal
basic income</a>.


feed_id: 92ecb08b0a753490f7d11c204105eec7
title: Disagreeing with Putin
uri: Disagreeing-with-Putin
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#11_December_2015_%28Disagreeing_with_Putin%29
content:
<p>
A "liberal" Russian TV channel which disagrees with Putin is being
examined for 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/dec/07/independent-russian-tv-channel-subjected-to-extremism-investigation">"extremism"</a>.


feed_id: 4f7d3ed2a209db9f167f37831c3e7e11
title: 1.5C limit for global heating
uri: 1-5C-limit-for-global-heating
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#11_December_2015_%281.5C_limit_for_global_heating%29

content:
<p>
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2015/dec/07/paris-climate-talks-biggest-polluters-back-tougher-warming-target">The
US, China, Canada and the EU</a> are supporting a 1.5C limit for
global heating.
<p>
It is necessary to make India accept this target.  Flooding other
countries is an act of war; perhaps the US and China should convey to
Modi that they will preemptively bomb India's coal-burning power
plants to stop India from flooding cities such as New York,
Washington, Miami, Nanjing and Shanghai.
<p>
Of course, this would be hypocritical if the US and China don't
do their share to prevent the flooding.


feed_id: 165b57afd1f0fcf256e34663e622192e
title: Killings by thugs and tax cuts
uri: Killings-by-thugs-and-tax-cuts
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#12_December_2015_%28Killings_by_thugs_and_tax_cuts%29

content:
<p>
<a href="http://www.commondreams.org/views/2015/12/09/will-any-presidential-candidate-connect-federal-tax-policy-and-police-killings">
Relating</a>
 killings by US thugs to US tax cuts.
</p>


feed_id: 21d10229612273a8e119cdc499976e4f
title: Cory Doctorow
uri: Cory-Doctorow
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#12_December_2015_%28Cory_Doctorow%29
content:
<p>Cory Doctorow: don't think of trying to work for the NSA so as to
limit its wrongs.  Great heroes 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2015/dec/11/west-point-cybersecurity-nsa-privacy-edward-snowden">
have tried and failed</a>
.
</p>


feed_id: a14aec53707b50eb38b4d2b3fd6fab09
title: Low price of oil
uri: Low-price-of-oil
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#12_December_2015_%28Low_price_of_oil%29
content:
<p>The low price of oil is making most oil extraction projects
unprofitable to invest in.  It the price stays low, 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2015/dec/11/cheap-oil-climate-change-fossil-fuel-extraction-tar-sands">
it will limit
the oil extracted</a>
 to the fraction which is cheap to extract.
</p>
<p>That's good, but the low price also reduces the incentive to invest in
renewable energy and increased efficiency.  And it tends to encourage
investment in burning oil in the future (though that may take years).</p>
<p>Increased tax on oil, or a carbon tax, would give us the best of both
worlds: the extraction projects would still be unprofitable, while
renewables and efficiency increases would be encouraged.</p>


feed_id: 24674dc12e05e463cbeea5eb10794a93
title: US stopped a hunger strike
uri: US-stopped-a-hunger-strike
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#12_December_2015_%28US_stopped_a_hunger_strike%29
content:
<p>Demonstrating cruelty, the 
<a href="Http://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2015/dec/11/alabama-immigration-detainees-end-hunger-strike">
US government stopped</a>
 a hunger strike in an
immigration prison by threatening to force-feed the prisoners.
</p>
<p>Remember that most of these prisoners have not been charged with a
crime, let alone convicted.  The US keeps them in prison as
preparation for possibly deporting them.  It may be legitimate
to deport them, but that is no excuse for force-feeding them.</p>


feed_id: 966100bec4eeea956ace853a15c95cfb
title: DuPont and Dow Merger
uri: DuPont-and-Dow-Merger
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#12_December_2015_%28DuPont_and_Dow_Merger%29
content:
<p>The DuPont and Dow Chemical Merger: 
<a href="http://www.commondreams.org/news/2015/12/11/dupont-and-dow-chemical-merger-bad-deal-people-and-planet">
Bad Deal</a>
 for People and the Planet.
</p>
<p>The merger of two large companies that operate in the same areas
reduces competition in all the areas they both operate in.
Splitting that company according to area of operation does
nothing to increase competition in any one of the areas.
Thus, the overall effect is to reduce competition.</p>


feed_id: 164ac3ff4a3fe183be0f71cecc2055e2
title: Pinochet's man
uri: Pinochet-s-man
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#12_December_2015_%28Pinochet%27s_man%29
content:
<p>One of General Pinochet's men 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/dec/11/former-chilean-soldier-charged-murder-radio-confession">
phoned a talk show to confess to murdering
dissidents</a>
 under orders.
</p>
<p>I guess his conscience insisted on this.  He said that he would have
been
killed if he refused.</p>


feed_id: 04101f6af5be798d2030f3eb9446b21a
title: Turkey
uri: 2015-12-12-Turkey
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#12_December_2015_%28Turkey%29
content:
<p>On the politics and irrationality of Western responses to Syria:
"So 
<a href="http://www.commondreams.org/views/2015/12/11/so-why-did-turkey-shoot-down-russian-plane">
Why Did Turkey Shoot Down That Russian Plane</a>
?"
</p>


feed_id: d76a0f04ee69530c377e7cab9870cd12
title: Oklahoma thug
uri: Oklahoma-thug
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#12_December_2015_%28Oklahoma_thug%29
content:
<p>Oklahoma thug 
<a href="http://www.motherjones.com/politics/2015/12/12-white-people-decide-case-white-ex-cop-acussed-raping-12-black-women">
convicted</a>
 of raping 12 women after intimidating them with
is power to threaten them.
</p>


feed_id: c62083cfd86d5c94f63d161d4bf4ba15
title: Airlines and global heating
uri: Airlines-and-global-heating
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#12_December_2015_%28Airlines_and_global_heating%29
content:
<p>If Airlines Care About [global heating] 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/sustainable-business/2015/dec/11/heathrow-business-travel-climate-change-paris">
They Should Make Everyone Travel
Economy</a>
.
</p>


feed_id: a1ab7fc989477b88a43470b250781247
title: Egypt's censorship
uri: Egypt-s-censorship
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#12_December_2015_%28Egypt%27s_censorship%29
content:
<p>Egypt's censorship 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/books/2015/dec/11/egypt-shuts-down-novelist-alaa-al-aswanys-public-event-and-media-work">
is being applied</a>
 repressively to all media.
</p>


feed_id: 8bda8a2cfb404bdc1adec057f9819496
title: UK praises China
uri: UK-praises-China
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#12_December_2015_%28UK_praises_China%29
content:
<p>The UK is sucking up to China so hard that 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/dec/11/britain-criticised-for-praising-china-on-un-human-rights-day">
it praised China on Human
Rights Day</a>
.
</p>


feed_id: b6daa54acdc54d68f696eeef5060c7a6
title: Decline of US middle class
uri: Decline-of-US-middle-class
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#12_December_2015_%28Decline_of_US_middle_class%29
content:
<p>Figures 
<a href="http://www.pewsocialtrends.org/2015/12/09/the-american-middle-class-is-losing-ground/">
demonstrate the decline</a>
 of the US middle class.
</p>


feed_id: df4c310fe299d66455d4c4ddb344bb9b
title: US meat production
uri: US-meat-production
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#12_December_2015_%28US_meat_production%29
content:
<p>US meat production 
<a href="http://www.motherjones.com/tom-philpott/2015/12/meat-industry-still-cant-get-enough-antibiotics">
has decreased</a>
 since 2009, but use of antibiotics
in farms has increased by almost 1/4.
</p>
<p>We're going to pay with our lives for this folly.
</p>


feed_id: a68f8650d41f1c23870d7bf94ebbabd6
title: Third Runway
uri: Third-Runway
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#12_December_2015_%28Third_Runway%29
content:
<p>
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2015/dec/11/third-runway-heathrow">
Never Mind a Third Runway</a>
 — What Heathrow Needs Is Managed Decline.
</p>


feed_id: 333277af51299704c641e96e20dc2630
title: 1.5C as maximum target
uri: 1-5C-as-maximum-target
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#12_December_2015_%281.5C_as_maximum_target%29
content:
<p>1.5C of heating as a maximum target 
<a href="http://350.org/1-5-c-is-better-for-all-of-us-but-it-means-one-thing/">
is a lot safer</a>
 for everyone than
2C.
</p>
<p>The farther heating goes, the more chance of triggering some positive
feedback which would shove it far above 2C.</p>


feed_id: 95e87ab6b2fde1801a9b98ef07de7fd7
title: Ohio thug
uri: Ohio-thug
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#12_December_2015_%28Ohio_thug%29
content:
<p>An Ohio thug 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2015/dec/10/ohio-police-officer-charged-murder-shooting">
has been indicted</a>
 for two different killings.
</p>


feed_id: 04d49b5abe65480f2afd89c0858bebaf
title: Cuban dissidents
uri: Cuban-dissidents
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#12_December_2015_%28Cuban_dissidents%29
content:
<p>Cuban Dissidents 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/dec/10/cuba-dissidents-arrested-protests-international-human-rights-day">
Say 100 Detained in Human Rights Day Protest</a>
 Crackdown.
</p>


feed_id: ba019e5c52c57b4084f06b7ac7aadd54
title: Raif Badawi on hunger strike
uri: Raif-Badawi-on-hunger-strike
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#12_December_2015_%28Raif_Badawi_on_hunger_strike%29
content:
<p>Jailed 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/dec/10/jailed-saudi-blogger-raif-badawi-on-hunger-strike">
Saudi Blogger Raif Badawi</a>
 on Hunger Strike.
</p>


feed_id: 42257b2dca898080d7281df24976e53d
title: US plans to punish Europeans
uri: US-plans-to-punish-Europeans
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#12_December_2015_%28US_plans_to_punish_Europeans%29
content:
<p>The US plans to punish Europeans with connections to Iran because of
a murder carried out by by Pakistanis 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/iran-blog/2015/dec/10/iranian-americans-scapegoats-for-terrorist-acts-by-us-congress-hr158">
inspired by Salafi Arabia</a>
.
However, neither Pakistan nor Salafi Arabia are affected by this bill.
</p>
<p>I suggest that the European Union retaliate by requiring visas from
Americans whose family name starts with R.  Paul Ryan, for instance.
The absurdity of this response will show the absurdity of what the US
is doing.
</p>


feed_id: 82fe1f7a18026cd0db8d0d3b587c4fb1
title: Fight against PISSI
uri: Fight-against-PISSI
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#12_December_2015_%28Fight_against_PISSI%29
content:
<p>The US announces "progress" in fighting PISSI, but 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/dec/10/us-airstrikes-killed-350-islamic-state-fighters-iraq-isis">
the supposed
progress may not mean anything</a>
.
</p>
<p>The US tends to label any "military-age males" killed by air strikes
as enemy fighters, but that's definitely an exaggeration.  If air
strikes in Ramadi killed 350 military-age males, we have no idea how
many were fighting for PISSI and how many were civilians.</p>
<p>The caution of the army attacking Ramadi is likely to result in fewer
casualties to soldiers, but could cause more casualties to civilians
in Ramadi, which would build support for PISSI.</p>
<p>As for a few leaders killed, such a group can always replace them
as long as more people are volunteering.</p>


feed_id: b0696cd8af97fbf838d6022c62ded9b7
title: Malaria
uri: Malaria
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#12_December_2015_%28Malaria%29
content:
<p>People have made great progress against malaria using
insecticide-treated
mosquito nets, but mosquitos 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2015/dec/10/malaria-deaths-world-health-organisation-report-sub-saharan-africa">
are developing resistance</a>
 to
the
insecticides.
</p>
<p>If we step up the effort, we could cut off malaria transmission in
some areas.</p>


feed_id: a2066c3782765a5c77a2370bff0fc613
title: Thailand
uri: Thailand
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#12_December_2015_%28Thailand%29
content:
<p>Thai 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/dec/10/thai-man-arrested-facebook-like-photo-king">
Man Arrested</a>
 for Facebook 'like' of Doctored Royal Photo.
He supported a campaign that criticized Thai corruption.</p>
<p>After a Thai investigator fled to Australia fearing for his life,
Thailand 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/dec/11/thailand-considers-defamation-case-against-human-trafficking-investigator">
looks to charge</a>
 him with "defamation" for saying so.
</p>
<p>Thailand's repressive government does not care that he said it in
Australia.</p>
<p>To visit Thailand is an act of folly -- stay away!</p>


feed_id: 735e5c728ba092c73190a2b4c7300a72
title: Volkswagen
uri: Volkswagen
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#12_December_2015_%28Volkswagen%29
content:
<p>Volkswagen explains that the "defeat devices" that faked emissions
levels
for tests 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/business/2015/dec/10/volkswagen-emissions-scandal-systematic-failures-hans-dieter-potsch">
came from a system</a>
 that had a tendency to do
this.
</p>


feed_id: 2081fac75e3b71abbdda3a5a82fbea4f
title: Overprotectiveness
uri: Overprotectiveness
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#12_December_2015_%28Overprotectiveness%29
content:
<p>A 
<a href="http://reason.com/blog/2015/12/10/president-obama-signs-first-federal-free">
small step against overprotectiveness</a>
: the US "no child left alone"
law has been amended to say that it does not criminalize parents for
allowing a child to walk to school.
</p>


feed_id: a30a9933d6e88724ac23a42388a03eb9
title: Discussion of Islamic terrorism
uri: Discussion-of-Islamic-terrorism
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#12_December_2015_%28Discussion_of_Islamic_terrorism%29

content:
<p>Western discussion of Islamic terrorists 
<a href="http://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2015/12/09/elephant-room-terrorism-and-us-gulf-states-alliance">
studiously avoids</a>
 mentioning
how Salafi Arabia and Qatar promote their ideology and fund their
attacks.
</p>


feed_id: 0c3e3e7a46eb74f9486a13e6037c2508
title: US teachers
uri: US-teachers
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#12_December_2015_%28US_teachers%29
content:
<p>Some US teachers 
<a href="http://www.motherjones.com/politics/2015/12/muslim-kids-bullying-schools-teachers-islamophobia">
are leading their students</a>
 to treat Muslim students
as terrorists.
</p>
<p>I think it would be useful for non-Islamist Muslims to invent a term
to describe themselves, so that they can say in a positive way what they
stand for, without using a negation.  Then, when someone asks them,
"Are you an Islamist", they can say, "No, I'm an XYZ, and proud of it."
</p>


feed_id: 2e25b87c6feeaa92dd0866bb3eefd4e5
title: Give away expired food
uri: Give-away-expired-food
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#12_December_2015_%28Give_away_expired_food%29
content:
<p>France 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/dec/10/france-vote-force-supermarkets-give-away-unsold-food-waste">
is passing a law</a>
 to require supermarkets to give away
"expired" food.
</p>


feed_id: 1ebe8b912896c4bf2ac605b3d1b610c3
title: Sanders on Trump
uri: Sanders-on-Trump
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#12_December_2015_%28Sanders_on_Trump%29
content:
<p>Sanders 
<a href="http://www.motherjones.com/mixed-media/2015/12/bernie-sanders-donald-trump-tonight-show">
presents</a>
 the positive response to Trump's randomly scattered
hatred.
</p>


feed_id: 70c28fa8306737ef3e9b35a9e3320e41
title: Mental health care
uri: 2015-12-12-Mental-health-care
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#12_December_2015_%28Mental_health_care%29
content:
<p>Mental health care 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2015/dec/10/risk-of-being-killed-by-police-16-times-greater-mental-illness">
is unavailable</a>
 to half the Americans that need it.
Perhaps as a result, they are more likely to get killed by thugs.
</p>


feed_id: ac8094da96c2be9a2c9fcb1688a5a9e9
title: Global heating
uri: 2015-12-12-Global-heating
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#12_December_2015_%28Global_heating%29
content:
<p>Global heating 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2015/dec/10/climate-change-chesapeake-bay-tangier-island">
threatens to inundate</a>
 Tangier Island in the Chesapeake Bay,
turning it first into a marsh, then later into open water.
</p>
<p>Only 500 people live their now, but it's not the only place in the US
that is going to be under water.</p>
<p>Spending money to protect each vulnerable place is stupid.  We should
spend it to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and thus protect them all
at once.
</p>


feed_id: 63132c8353bd215ad6afba1b87abcd83
title: Syria
uri: 2015-12-12-Syria
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#12_December_2015_%28Syria%29
content:
<p>
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2015/dec/10/without-syrians-no-lasting-peace-civil-war-talks">
Without Syrians</a>
 at the Front And Centre of Talks, There Can Be No Lasting
Peace.
</p>


feed_id: e623e82223d327a19ea24424eaf3164d
title: ACLU
uri: ACLU
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#12_December_2015_%28ACLU%29
content:
<p>ACLU: FBI Director 
<a href="http://www.privacysos.org/node/1864">
Completely Ignores</a>
 Anti-Abortion, Right-Wing
Terror, Focuses Exclusively on Muslims.
</p>


feed_id: 10ac01f493796360bc94432b243519f9
title: UK tax on renewable energy
uri: UK-tax-on-renewable-energy
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#12_December_2015_%28UK_tax_on_renewable_energy%29
content:
<p>The UK's government isn't satisfied with eliminating subsidies for
wind and solar energy.  Now 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/business/2015/dec/09/vat-hike-tax-renewable-energy-wind-power-solar-panels-hmrc">
it plans to tax</a>
 them heavily.
</p>


feed_id: 2dbfc91bc8f0fe0196f5b89595c6cd9b
title: China
uri: 2015-12-12-China
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#12_December_2015_%28China%29
content:
<p>China 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/dec/10/china-promises-rights-citizens-born-violation-one-child-policy">
has cancelled</a>
 the punishments applied to children who were
born in violation of the one-child-per-family law.
</p>
<p>I supported limiting families to one child, but it was wrong to punish
the children.  They are not responsible for who decided to have them.
</p>


feed_id: d78da0a9b4ac10293e4ee0d730d19803
title: California thug
uri: California-thug
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#12_December_2015_%28California_thug%29
content:
<p>A woman raped by a California thug, under the guise of a "cavity
search", 
<a href="http://www.dailykos.com/stories/2015/12/8/1458068/-California-cop-rapes-21-year-old-with-internal-cavity-search-department-attempts-to-bribe-her?detail=email">
had the courage to report it</a>
 and sue.
</p>


feed_id: c7842f9b20d3237ab16cb5a41a4123b1
title: France will not ban Tor
uri: France-will-not-ban-Tor
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#12_December_2015_%28France_will_not_ban_Tor%29
content:
<p>The Prime Minister of France says France 
<a href="http://www.connexionfrance.com/Wifi-internet-ban-banned-17518-view-article.html">
will not ban</a>
 public WiFi or
use of Tor.
</p>
<p>It is not clear how broad the requirement for companies to break their
client's encryption will be.</p>


feed_id: 63faf2715aa34d4413f1207f4bc7e95d
title: Dow and DuPont
uri: Dow-and-DuPont
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#12_December_2015_%28Dow_and_DuPont%29
content:
<p>Dow and DuPont 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/business/2015/dec/09/dow-chemical-dupont-chemical-giant-merger">
want</a>
 to merge.
</p>
<p>Large companies should never be allowed to merge.  Let's hope that
today's
weakened antitrust laws provide a basis to block it.
</p>


feed_id: ad809423b904763e50248cb82cb573a3
title: Elections in Venezuela
uri: Elections-in-Venezuela
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#12_December_2015_%28Elections_in_Venezuela%29
content:
<p>The Venezuelan right wing has repeatedly accused Chavez of stealing
elections.  We see now that 
<a href="http://www.thenation.com/article/democracy-as-usual-in-venezuela/">
the elections in Venezuela are honest</a>
.
</p>
<p>However, I fear that the antisocialists, now in power, will change
that.  Republicans in the US have perfected several methods of rigging
elections that they could follow.</p>


feed_id: ef2049a4f42abe718b19aa09e48b99df
title: China
uri: 2015-12-12-China
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#12_December_2015_%28China%29
content:
<p>China 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/dec/10/china-labour-rights-crackdown">
has arrested</a>
 many labor activists in Canton (Guangdong).
</p>


feed_id: a32fc7159e563c1eefa2f367948b82f9
title: Ivory smuggling
uri: Ivory-smuggling
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#12_December_2015_%28Ivory_smuggling%29
content:
<p>Japan's failure 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2015/dec/10/japans-blind-eye-fuelling-illegal-ivory-trade-as-demand-rises-study-finds">
to act against</a>
 ivory smuggling is impeding efforts
to protect elephants.
</p>


feed_id: b0478b9393221eff5a26d0f1256ce776
title: Human Trafficking Investigator
uri: Human-Trafficking-Investigator
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#12_December_2015_%28Human_Trafficking_Investigator%29

content:
<p>Thailand's Most Senior Human Trafficking Investigator to Seek

<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/dec/10/thailands-most-senior-human-trafficking-investigator-to-seek-political-asylum-in-australia">
Political Asylum in Australia</a>
.
</p>
<p>The investigations lead to
people high up in the army and the thugs.
</p>


feed_id: b433b1cdb974ddb70f7b083cb3333f47
title: South Korea
uri: South-Korea
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#12_December_2015_%28South_Korea%29
content:
<p>South Korea is becoming repressive: a union leader who sought refuge in
a Buddhist temple 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/dec/10/monk-standoff-ends-as-south-korean-police-arrest-buddhist-temple-fugitive">
has been arrested</a>
.
</p>


feed_id: 36d1dc0147d04b9312baf2df099057d4
title: Feminism
uri: Feminism
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#12_December_2015_%28Feminism%29
content:
<p>Now that feminism has revived, it can do a lot of good, but also

<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2015/dec/10/i-love-feminism-now-but-laws-need-to-change-to-deal-with-abuse">
threatens censorship</a>
.
</p>
<p>I support feminism except when it
starts to attack freedom of speech.
Calling someone a "slut" is nasty, and foolish as well: it presumes a
prudish sexist idea of good and bad sexual conduct.  Let's rebuke
anyone who calls anyone a "slut" — we could call then "Taliban"
— but people have a right to say nasty, prudish, sexist things.</p>
<p>No matter how nasty a statement is, censorship is nastier.
</p>


feed_id: fae4a5daaf32aef8ede2abca42da623b
title: dooH niboR
uri: dooH-niboR
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#12_December_2015_%28dooH_niboR%29
content:
<p>UK right-wing policies of dooH niboR 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/society/2015/dec/10/justin-welby-hunger-tragedy-welfare-reform-blame-poverty">
are spreading</a>
 hunger.
</p>


feed_id: 0d075eb014f2f497a50bbaf59467e49b
title: Homs
uri: Homs
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#12_December_2015_%28Homs%29
content:
<p>Syrian rebels 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/dec/09/syrian-civilians-rebels-pull-out-neighbourhood-in-homs">
evacuated</a>
 the city of Homs, under cease fire.
</p>


feed_id: 20e50c1b75b15b553e1095dcbf7c6b59
title: Antibiotics to animals
uri: Antibiotics-to-animals
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#12_December_2015_%28Antibiotics_to_animals%29
content:
<p>Many countries 
<a href="http://www.motherjones.com/environment/2015/12/antibiotic-resistance-animals">
feed more antibiotics</a>
 to healthy animals than the
humans use.
This provokes antibiotic resistance in the bacteria that inhabit the
animals,which spreads to bacteria that can infect humans.
</p>


feed_id: 7373f96d70d5963704362f0dd7ae70a6
title: "Reconciled" CISA
uri: Reconciled-CISA
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#12_December_2015_%28Reconciled_CISA%29
content:
<p>The "reconciled" version of CISA 
<a href="http://www.commondreams.org/news/2015/12/09/groups-cry-foul-congress-readies-super-bill-pure-terribleness">
contains all the worst snooping provisions</a>

approved by the House and Senate.
</p>


feed_id: 4f16ce68d22120288064be8da495f43f
title: US competition law
uri: US-competition-law
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#12_December_2015_%28US_competition_law%29
content:
<p>Anheuser-Busch 
<a href="http://www.motherjones.com/tom-philpott/2015/12/big-beer-wants-take-away-your-craft-beer">
is taking advantage</a>
 of a gap in US competition law to push
small competitors out of supermarkets.
</p>
<p>This shows one more way that US competition law needs to be
strengthened.  It should also prohibit the sort o contracts that
Microsoft pushed on PC manufacturers, by which they agree to pay
for a Windows license even when they sell a computer without Windows.</p>


feed_id: 4e20936a573cad8a15afc04fe5e5946f
title: Thailand's censorship
uri: Thailand-s-censorship
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#12_December_2015_%28Thailand%27s_censorship%29
content:
<p>Under Thailand's tyranny, 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/dec/09/thailand-police-investigate-us-ambassador-defamed-monarchy">
any criticism of repression can be twistedly
labeled as "insulting the monarchy"</a>
 which makes it a target of repression.
</p>


feed_id: 89cbe03375d80e695c3f143ba2a80c26
title: Vicious ideas
uri: Vicious-ideas
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#12_December_2015_%28Vicious_ideas%29
content:
<p>You can't stop vicious ideas, whether those of Trump or those of PISSI,
by 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2015/dec/09/banning-things-isnt-the-way-to-confront-the-far-right">
banning</a>
 them.
</p>


feed_id: aa4f59b37a493dd6b026fee82f9bd1f4
title: Alaska permafrost
uri: Alaska-permafrost
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#12_December_2015_%28Alaska_permafrost%29
content:
<p>One quarter of Alaska permafrost 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2015/dec/09/alaska-permafrost-melting-us-geological-survey-study">
could melt</a>
 by 2100 — US
Geological Survey.
</p>
<p>Since this would release a lot of methane, we'd be truly cooked.
</p>


feed_id: be335757052222769ee0213b0f5acc6d
title: FBI director
uri: FBI-director
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#12_December_2015_%28FBI_director%29
content:
<p>The FBI director 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2015/dec/09/fbi-director-tech-companies-backdoors-user-data-access-counter-terrorism">
has returned to demanding</a>
 an end to encryption that
really works.
</p>
<p>Imagine if someone like Trump becomes president and starts using the
US
spy apparatus to find and imprison scapegoats.</p>


feed_id: c9a04f09d610b054591c447953edb99b
title: Louvre
uri: Louvre
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#12_December_2015_%28Louvre%29
content:
<p>Activists 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2015/dec/09/activists-arrested-in-louvre-oil-protests">
protested at the Louvre</a>
 against its acceptance of sponsorship
from an oil company.
</p>
<p>Isn't it cute how the oil company sums up plutocratic rule: "In recent
years, the relationship between business and society has changed."</p>
<p>Protests like this are very important for turning fossil fuel
companies into the pariahs they deserve to be.  Having dealings with
those companies should make a person or organization the object of
general scorn.  This is necessary because it will reduce their
plutocratic power to block necessary action to avoid disaster.</p>


feed_id: 6691f938bce4b425d3614a6aab7005f2
title: CISA
uri: 2015-12-12-CISA
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#12_December_2015_%28CISA%29
content:
<p>Librarians and privacy advocates 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/dec/09/cisa-cybersecurity-bill-congress-american-library-association-letter">
oppose</a>
 CISA together.
</p>


feed_id: 11f0338287395735db5d79a4b0353c92
title: Ramie Abounaja
uri: Ramie-Abounaja
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#12_December_2015_%28Ramie_Abounaja%29
content:
<p>Ramie Abounaja displayed a Palestinian flag from his dorm window, so
George Washington University 
<a href="https://theintercept.com/2015/12/09/gw-palestinian-flag/">
sent a thug</a>
 to make him take it down,
then made some unclear disciplinary accusation against him.
</p>
<p>It is formally prohibited to hang flags from a window,
but students that hang other flags never get bothered.
</p>


feed_id: 26bef14b2cc875760119d74c0287d6b9
title: War in Ukraine
uri: War-in-Ukraine
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#12_December_2015_%28War_in_Ukraine%29
content:
<p>The war in Ukraine 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/dec/09/ukraine-conflict-9000-dead-says-un">
has quieted down</a>
 since August; the cease-fire has
held.
It is no longer serves Putin's purposes to heat it up.</p>
<p>A total of 9,000 deaths are estimated.
</p>


feed_id: 6178ce9da1ef71a3a6196a7f2a87b649
title: Senate's torture report
uri: 2015-12-12-Senate-s-torture-report
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#12_December_2015_%28Senate%27s_torture_report%29
content:
<p>While Obama's officials refuse to read the Senate's torture report,
Republicans 
<a href="https://theintercept.com/2015/12/09/one-year-after-the-senate-torture-report-no-ones-read-it-and-it-might-be-destroyed/">
are trying to destroy</a>
 all copies, so as to cover up US crimes.
</p>


feed_id: 62b6fd50ca9bab1742d8e03cf4898dda
title: Germany pays fascists
uri: Germany-pays-fascists
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#12_December_2015_%28Germany_pays_fascists%29
content:
<p>Germany 
<a href="http://www.counterpunch.org/2015/12/08/germany-still-paying-pensions-to-spanish-fascists-who-fought-with-the-wehrmacht/">
is still paying</a>
 pensions to those still living of 37,000
Spaniards who fought for Hitler.
</p>


feed_id: f1f249218fbbf5541d057adb160d5c67
title: Encryption
uri: 2015-12-12-Encryption
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#12_December_2015_%28Encryption%29
content:
<p>"Everything 
<a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/the-switch/wp/2015/12/08/you-already-use-encryption-heres-what-you-need-to-know-about-it/">
you need to know</a>
 about encryption: Hint, you\u2019re already using 
it."
</p>
<p>This article exhibits a blind spot that is common in writing about the
issue:
namely, it is unwilling to consider that the US government's official use
of
a back door might be for evil.</p>
<p>I'm not willing to maintain that blind spot.  What if we have President
Trump,
or someone like him?
</p>


feed_id: 6bd3bedf683d5e0f002807c37179e339
title: Scapegoat the Internet
uri: Scapegoat-the-Internet
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#12_December_2015_%28Scapegoat_the_Internet%29
content:
<p>Trump and Clinton 
<a href="http://www.dailydot.com/politics/trump-closing-the-internet-up-in-some-way/">
are both scapegoating</a>
 the internet.
</p>


feed_id: 82ebc9f5b0f6894c27984ce15948955d
title: American housing
uri: American-housing
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#12_December_2015_%28American_housing%29
content:
<p>Community land trusts and public housing 
<a href="http://www.thenation.com/article/how-to-get-rid-of-your-landlord-and-socialize-american-housing-in-3-easy-steps/">
can make life better</a>
 for people
that privately owned housing.
</p>


feed_id: ba9e6a7dd445c5a7b814394150b50865
title: Diesel generators
uri: Diesel-generators
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#12_December_2015_%28Diesel_generators%29
content:
<p>The UK 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/business/2015/dec/08/heavily-polluting-diesel-farms-make-millions-subsidies-ippr">
is promoting</a>
 diesel generators over renewable generators.
</p>


feed_id: 03bbb6b09936552e044384217985f41a
title: Afghan army
uri: Afghan-army
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#12_December_2015_%28Afghan_army%29
content:
<p>The Afghan army is having trouble winning support from the people

<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/dec/09/afghan-soldiers-kill-nine-children-in-wardak">
because it kills</a>
 too many civilians.
</p>


feed_id: 164a10f57b093ed963b13b30b3985ab3
title: Visa restrictions
uri: Visa-restrictions
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#12_December_2015_%28Visa_restrictions%29
content:
<p>The US is on track 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2015/dec/08/house-visa-waiver-program-bill-restrictions">
to make it inconvenient</a>
 for Europeans to enter the US
if they have visited Iraq, Syria, Iran or Sudan.
</p>
<p>This will hit Europeans who participated in humanitarian, diplomatic
and business activities in those countries.  Yet another US attack
against
Medecins Sans Frontières.</p>
<p>Ironically, it will also hurt any Europeans that worked for the US
mercenary companies such as Blackwater (or whatever it's called
today).</p>


feed_id: 4ce7f8ef7de51e44628a21e97fb19582
title: US thugs
uri: 2015-12-12-US-thugs
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#12_December_2015_%28US_thugs%29
content:
<p>The FBI 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2015/dec/09/fbi-launch-new-system-count-people-killed-police-officers-the-counted">
will start counting</a>
 people killed by thugs in the US.
</p>


feed_id: a80384937c998ff3a14f1840cd1013c8
title: Sanders about fossil fuels
uri: Sanders-about-fossil-fuels
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#12_December_2015_%28Sanders_about_fossil_fuels%29
content:
<p>Sanders 
<a href="http://www.commondreams.org/news/2015/12/07/sanders-climate-revolution-would-cut-80-emissions-2050">
states how he will achieve</a>
 big cuts in US fossil fuel
emissions, as well as banning some of the most dangerous or polluting
forms of fossil fuel extraction.
</p>


feed_id: 6d070317ea96a7888fadc6119bc9a0c6
title: Sanders
uri: 2015-12-12-Sanders
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#12_December_2015_%28Sanders%29
content:
<p>Sanders 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2015/dec/08/bernie-sanders-baltimore-poverty-jobs-isis-questions">
told reporters</a>
 not to neglect US poverty and injustice out of
obsession with how to deal with PISSI.
</p>


feed_id: edfa42f8b8fa64b1413f88a3fdda8348
title: Global heating disaster
uri: Global-heating-disaster
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#12_December_2015_%28Global_heating_disaster%29
content:
<p>Humanity 
<a href="http://www.motherjones.com/environment/2015/12/cost-to-save-the-world-cop21">
must invest</a>
 7 trillion dollars a year to avoid global heating
disaster.
</p>
<p>That is 20 times what we invested in this in 2014.</p>
<p>Fortunately, we can get most of that 7 trillion by taking it from
investment in fossil fuel use.
</p>


feed_id: 0541a7aace565e2b2daedd9c19142dce
title: Trump
uri: Trump
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#12_December_2015_%28Trump%29
content:
<p>A danger from Trump 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2015/dec/08/donald-trump-bans-muslims-us-comment-bigotry-racism-isis">
is that he makes</a>
 serious bigots seem within the range
of normal views.
</p>


feed_id: 6d576560045a54341f2bd53693287b41
title: Gun control
uri: 2015-12-12-Gun-control
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#12_December_2015_%28Gun_control%29
content:
<p>Gun killings in the US today 
<a href="http://www.dailykos.com/story/2015/12/6/1456358/-We-are-more-afraid-than-ever-of-gun-violence-but-the-truth-is-the-murder-rate-is-at-a-50-year-low?detail=email">
are running at half the rate</a>
 of 20 years ago.
Americans need not feel terrified of being shot.</p>
<p>Although the total death rate from shooting is going down,
the death rate from multiple shooting incidents is rising.
Common sense gun control measures can't make multiple shooting
impossible, but could reduce how often they happen.</p>
<p>Also, prohibiting large magazines nationwide would eventually make
them scarce.  That would reduce, in many cases, the number that a
shooter can succeed in killing.
</p>


feed_id: ae70ae520a3de747b40f05ec0f5ddb4a
title: Philip Coleman
uri: Philip-Coleman
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#12_December_2015_%28Philip_Coleman%29
content:
<p>Philip Coleman was lying on a cot in jail when Chicago thugs came into
his sell and 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2015/dec/08/video-chicago-officers-shock-man-repeatedly-taser-jail">
repeatedly tased</a>
 him.  Coleman died shortly after.
</p>


feed_id: 737951e948cbdfaa8b493c57f2683bf4
title: Global heating
uri: 2015-12-12-Global-heating
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#12_December_2015_%28Global_heating%29
content:
<p>Global heating denialists for hire, by the hour, 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2015/dec/08/greenpeace-exposes-sceptics-cast-doubt-climate-science">
to write reports</a>

to support planet-roasters.
</p>


feed_id: de0458f01ef5ffc4d76f7a5d88801ae4
title: Cease-fire in Syria
uri: Cease-fire-in-Syria
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#12_December_2015_%28Cease-fire_in_Syria%29
content:
<p>There 
<a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/robert-naiman/against-isis-in-syria-pre_b_8740828.html">
may be a real prospect</a>
 of a cease-fire in Syria among the
sides other than PISSI.
</p>


feed_id: 2c8b9b751242eb3bf18d8949e57ff734
title: Windows 10
uri: 2015-12-12-Windows-10
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#12_December_2015_%28Windows_10%29
content:
<p>Microsoft 
<a href="http://www.computerworld.com/article/3012278/microsoft-windows/microsoft-sets-stage-for-massive-windows-10-upgrade-strategy.html#tk.rss_all">
is attacking</a>
 computers that run Windows 7 and 8,
switching on a flag that says whether to "upgrade" to Windows 10
when users have turned it off.
</p>
<p>This, by the way, reaffirms the presence of a universal back door
in Windows 7 and 8.
</p>


feed_id: a31e0ece0e17934d0275a26ea4177c90
title: Oil Fuels War
uri: Oil-Fuels-War
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#12_December_2015_%28Oil_Fuels_War%29
content:
<p>Oil Fuels War and Terrorists Like [PISSI].  The Climate Movement 
<a href="http://www.commondreams.org/views/2015/12/08/oil-fuels-war-and-terrorists-isis-climate-movement-can-bring-peace">
Can
Bring</a>
 Peace.
</p>


feed_id: ac242b63f300e876e960443a796b216d
title: TPP
uri: 2015-12-12-TPP
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#12_December_2015_%28TPP%29
content:
<p>Clinton: 
<a href="http://www.commondreams.org/views/2015/12/07/does-clinton-really-oppose-tpp-there-test">
will you take actions</a>
 to oppose the TPP?
</p>


feed_id: b02390fd19fb6f0e74f60a6e132ff5f4
title: PISSI
uri: 2015-12-12-PISSI
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#12_December_2015_%28PISSI%29
content:
<p>Foreign recruits 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/dec/08/isis-foreign-fighters-iraq-syria-doubles-report">
continue</a>
 flowing to PISSI.
</p>
<p>It is very important to cut off the flow, since PISSI's training turns
many somewhat-confused people into expert soldiers.  But the only way
to do it is to close the border with Turkey.  Erdo\u011fan won't do it, so
it
has to be done by ground troops on the Syrian side.
</p>


feed_id: 95977722fdd9b0ea74bbad9563a0ed78
title: Paris climate conference
uri: Paris-climate-conference
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#12_December_2015_%28Paris_climate_conference%29
content:
<p>Saudi Arabia 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2015/dec/08/saudi-arabia-accused-of-trying-to-wreck-the-paris-climate-deal">
is trying</a>
 to poison the Paris climate conference.
</p>
<p>China and India 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2015/dec/08/coalition-paris-push-for-binding-ambitious-climate-change-deal">
are also blocking</a>
 a strong agreement.
</p>


feed_id: 3c3179b9568bf66ac2dab836eb22bbab
title: Disabled people
uri: Disabled-people
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#12_December_2015_%28Disabled_people%29
content:
<p>The UK 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/society/2015/dec/08/cutting-disabled-benefits-wont-work">
is planning to cut the support</a>
 for disabled people, supposedly
to give them an incentive to do the work that they can't do.
</p>


feed_id: d8764496e5c77f3c8914db70863c283a
title: Urgent: Endorse a president
uri: 2015-12-12-Urgent-Endorse-a-president
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#11_December_2015_%28Urgent%3A_Endorse_a_president%29

content:
<p>
US citizens: 
<a href="http://2016.democracyforamerica.com/">tell
Democracy For America</a> who you suggest it should endorse for
president.  (I chose Sanders.)


feed_id: b77e36c14876380d08be80c9df532788
title: Chat program
uri: Chat-program
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#13_December_2015_%28Chat_program%29
content:
<p>A new chat program 
<a href="http://motherboard.vice.com/read/now-that-its-easy-to-encrypt-our-chats-encrypting-metadata-comes-next">
tries to provide privacy</a>
 about who is talking with whom.
</p>
<p>I'm not an encryption expert, and I can't judge whether it provides
good security.
</p>


feed_id: fdc1bee6317c615d352b40dd9b85645f
title: Inequality
uri: 2015-12-13-Inequality
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#13_December_2015_%28Inequality%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/business/2015/dec/08/inequality-is-now-killing-middle-america-joseph-stiglitz">
Inequality Is Now Killing</a>
 [people in] Middle America.
</p>


feed_id: 7b75690f19f283728c55f749eeb4a8a6
title: TPP
uri: 2015-12-13-TPP
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#13_December_2015_%28TPP%29
content:
<p>How the TPP 
<a href="https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2015/12/how-tpp-will-affect-you-and-your-digital-rights">
Will Affect</a>
 You and Your Digital Rights (if it goes into effect).
</p>


feed_id: 2f1eba6d6ec575bdeb178c4084d54d9b
title: Syria
uri: 2015-12-13-Syria
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#13_December_2015_%28Syria%29
content:
<p>After some rebels evacuated al-Waer, in Homs, 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/dec/12/homs-syrian-rebels-assad-ceasefire">
others have made</a>
 a cease fire
with Assad's rule.
</p>


feed_id: 249d1fa72530e6b25d6b5dffeef26b27
title: Poland
uri: Poland
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#13_December_2015_%28Poland%29
content:
<p>Poles 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/dec/12/poland-thousands-march-warsaw-against-democratorship-government">
held a large protest</a>
 against the recently elected right-wing
government which seems to be trying to twist the constitution.
</p>


feed_id: 1f8fe211c2402f2008147869c1b77e09
title: 1.5C of global heating
uri: 1-5C-of-global-heating
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#13_December_2015_%281.5C_of_global_heating%29
content:
<p>With 1.5C of global heating, the Seychelles may still exist.  2C of
global heating 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2015/dec/12/climate-change-seychelles-cop21-economy-collapse">
will probably inundate</a>
 the flat coastal parts of the
islands.
</p>
<p>They would still have the mountainous inland areas, but couldn't grow
any food there.
</p>


feed_id: 9f5a50f1bf09bcdaf74cc45ed6eb3dcd
title: Cell-site simulators
uri: Cell-site-simulators
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#13_December_2015_%28Cell-site_simulators%29
content:
<p>Government, Can You Hear Me Now?  
<a href="https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2015/12/government-can-you-hear-me-now-cell-site-simulators-arent-secret-anymore">
Cell-site Simulators</a>
 Aren\u2019t Secret 
Anymore.
</p>


feed_id: 18d6688916388ad1c83adeb95509dd8d
title: Bernie Sanders
uri: 2015-12-13-Bernie-Sanders
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#13_December_2015_%28Bernie_Sanders%29
content:
<p>A number of interesting 
<a href="http://www.dailykos.com/story/2015/12/10/1458728/-15-Things-You-Didn-t-Know-About-Bernie-Sanders?detail=email">
points about</a>
 Bernie Sanders.
</p>
<p>If Clinton wins the Democratic nomination, I won't vote for her.
She's a plutocratist, part of the problem rather than the solution.
If 
<a href="http://www1.cs.columbia.edu/~unger/articles/niceTough.html">
we keep voting for the lesser plutocratist</a>
, our government will
get more and more plutocratist.
I will vote Green.</p>
<p>I support Sanders because he's not just a lesser evil.  He's good.
</p>


feed_id: bed71a306a02fe8eab89d3390ba28be0
title: Climate
uri: 2015-12-13-Climate
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#13_December_2015_%28Climate%29
content:
<p>"Until governments undertake to keep fossil fuels in the ground, they

<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/environment/georgemonbiot/2015/dec/12/paris-climate-deal-governments-fossil-fuels">
will continue to undermine agreement</a>
 they have just made."
</p>


feed_id: 1c9c016ddd73a742589b2a09cf2a91aa
title: Atheists in Lincoln
uri: Atheists-in-Lincoln
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#13_December_2015_%28Atheists_in_Lincoln%29
content:
<p>Atheists in Lincoln, Nebraska, 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2015/dec/12/nebraska-atheists-humanists-nativity-lincoln-christmas">
booked all the exhibition space</a>
 in the
state capitol building so that no sectarian exhibit can be presented
about Christmas.
</p>
<p>It is not right to promote a religion in a state capitol building.  It
is also not right to censor any view by cornering the market on places
to present it, but the atheists didn't do that.  There must be plenty
of places in Lincoln, outside the capitol, where manger displays for
Christmas can be set up — churches, for instance.
</p>


feed_id: 13f65e9f7f4aad2eab845e0b35a71e82
title: Paris climate deal
uri: Paris-climate-deal
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#13_December_2015_%28Paris_climate_deal%29
content:
<p>The 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2015/dec/12/paris-climate-deal-key-points">
main points</a>
 of the deal agreed in Paris.
</p>
<p>Paris climate agreement \u2018may signal end of fossil fuel era\u2019,

<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2015/dec/13/paris-climate-agreement-signal-end-of-fossil-fuel-era">
according</a>
 to optimits.
</p>
<p>This agreement could very well start a process leading towards truly
curbing
global heating.  I fear 
<a href="http://www.thenation.com/article/the-paris-climate-deal-will-not-save-us/">
we can't afford to lose</a>
 that time in getting started.
The agreement will still raise global temperatures 3 to 4 degrees
centigrade.
The problem is, 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2015/dec/12/james-hansen-climate-change-paris-talks-fraud">
it involves</a>
 "no action, just promises".
When a country adopts a long-term emissions target without
policies that will realize it, it may never adopt suitable policies.
By the time the target is not met, it is too late.</p>


feed_id: c2c636343bbf5f4e4c025aac1ac8ca42
title: France's "states of emergency"
uri: France-s-states-of-emergency
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#13_December_2015_%28France%27s_states_of_emergency%29

content:
<p>France's constitution 
<a href="https://theintercept.com/2015/12/12/terrorist-attacks-spark-crackdown-constitutional-changes-in-france/">
may be changed</a>
 to support long-term repressive
"states of emergency".
</p>


feed_id: 3a7a9bf1b6e71796c240b2444d2a7bca
title: Unhappiness
uri: Unhappiness
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#13_December_2015_%28Unhappiness%29
content:
<p>Some 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2015/dec/12/not-your-fault-if-unhappy-wont-make-sick-either">
research</a>
 suggests that unhappiness does not predispose people
to illness.
</p>
<p>There are distinct questions here:</p>
<p><ol>
<li>Factual: does being unhappy tend to cause other sorts of harm
to you?</p>
<p><li>Moral: is unhappiness something unfortunate that happens to you,
or is it wrong on your part?
</ol></p>
<p>The research suggests that the answer to (1) is no.  That's fortunate,
for unhappy people.  But whatever the answer to (1) is, it does not
mean that being unhappy is blameworthy.  If there is no ethical,
reliable way to decide to be happy, then your unhappiness is no more
your fault than an injury or a birth defect.
</p>


feed_id: f12a9504125bba20127c149c6af42fab
title: H-1B visas
uri: H-1B-visas
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#13_December_2015_%28H-1B_visas%29
content:
<p>Senator Cruz 
<a href="http://www.computerworld.com/article/3014365/it-careers/sen-ted-cruz-wants-minimum-h-1b-wage-of-110-000.html">
is proposing</a>
 to block companies from using H1B visas to
bring foreign workers to the US temporarily for training.
</p>
<p>It is a good cause, but his solution operates by closing off H-1B
visas
except for very highly paid jobs.  I think the solution should more
directly address the problem.</p>
<p>I propose that any company or division hiring H-1B workers should be
forbidden to eliminate any US jobs for the next two years, unless it
has suffered a big drop in gross sales, or to move any work out of the
US or to a subcontractor during that time.  Fines for violations
should be very high.</p>
<p>Also, workers who are told to train their successors (and then be
fired) should refuse to train them, or quit immediately.  Resisting
oppression calls for some guts.</p>


feed_id: 30ece13360fa7a55b3e5478d7f73d96a
title: Spying companies
uri: Spying-companies
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#13_December_2015_%28Spying_companies%29
content:
<p>Making tech companies spy on their users for the state 
<a href="https://www.aclu.org/blog/speak-freely/turning-tech-companies-spies-wont-work">
is unamerican,
and useless too</a>
.
</p>
<p>An issue not mentioned here is, which criterion is used to define
terrorism?  Do attacks on abortion clinics count?  They ought to, but
so far the US government is not treating them as terrorism.</p><Esc>Oa


feed_id: 54df346719e3177160d294fee2894b2e
title: Moral Failure of Computer Scientists
uri: Moral-Failure-of-Computer-Scientists
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#13_December_2015_%28Moral_Failure_of_Computer_Scientists%29

content:
<p>
<a href="http://www.theatlantic.com/technology/archive/2015/12/the-moral-failure-of-computer-science/420012/">
The Moral Failure of Computer Scientists</a>
: an interview with Phillip Rogaway.
</p>
<p>Perhaps we need a Bulletin of the Information Scientists.
</p>


feed_id: 80099d207fd3eeb6bb673f4fb6d34f6d
title: PISSI
uri: 2015-12-13-PISSI
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#13_December_2015_%28PISSI%29
content:
<p>PISSI seduces naive youths 
<a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2015/12/09/us/americans-attracted-to-isis-find-an-echo-chamber-on-social-media.html?hp&action=click&pgtype=Homepage&clickSource=story-heading&module=first-column-region&region=top-news&WT.nav=top-news">
by offering a cause and a community</a>
 to people
who feel that no one takes them seriously.
</p>


feed_id: e7cec71173f6a83425fefa8fa286645a
title: New system for work
uri: New-system-for-work
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#13_December_2015_%28New_system_for_work%29
content:
<p>It would be good to 
<a href="https://medium.com/@mgorbis/designing-a-new-operating-system-for-work-28d1dc3e0f64#.3zdsrl30g">
change legally required pension schemes</a>
 so that they
are not connected with any particular employer.
</p>
<p>The article's picture of the "future of work" shows distortions.  "An
algorithm matches you with a gig that optimizes your income
opportunity"?  Not likely.  Rather, it will optimize the income of the
company that runs it, as it accumulates data about you that it will
sell to someone.</p>
<p>Will you be able to decide when to work?  Maybe in theory,
but in practice you'll find out at 08:00 that you have to work
for 4 hours from 11:00 to 15:00 or go without.</p>


feed_id: 9ea09c236df14eefc9f3b41749218bcc
title: Reliable gene editing
uri: Reliable-gene-editing
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#13_December_2015_%28Reliable_gene_editing%29
content:
<p>Now that reliable gene editing has been developed, it will certainly be
used to 
<a href="https://www.project-syndicate.org/commentary/engineering-the-better-baby-by-arthur-caplan-2015-12">
eliminate hereditary diseases</a>
.  To deny people this remedy would
be too cruel.
</p>
<p>I don't think it is bad in principle to make enhancements using this
technology.  However, designing an enhanced human that doesn't already
exist is not as straightforward as replacing a defective gene with its
normal counterpart.  Until a number of people with a certain supposed
enhancement grow up, we won't know whether the change is an
enhancement or an impediment.</p>


feed_id: 5ff058e30118a13e57e5b01be62f706b
title: CO2 emissions
uri: CO2-emissions
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#13_December_2015_%28CO2_emissions%29
content:
<p>The carbon emissions commitments of some countries 
<a href="http://reason.com/blog/2015/12/11/paris-climate-conference-emissions-promi">
are so weak that their
emissions will keep increasing</a>
.  What should we do about this?
</p>
<p>Since this is about avoiding global disaster, the response implicitly
proposed in the article (Just give up) is stupid.  What we really need
to do is make those countries reduce emissions.</p>
<p>Given the hundreds of millions of deaths this disaster is likely to
cause globally, emitting too much carbon is an act of war.  It would
be justified to bomb coal-burning power plants to stop their emissions,
if nothing less can do the job.</p>


feed_id: 3ce0598fcc169a3f5131828fa68fa949
title: Artificial gene drives
uri: Artificial-gene-drives
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#13_December_2015_%28Artificial_gene_drives%29
content:
<p>Artificial gene drives 
<a href="http://blogs.scientificamerican.com/guest-blog/gene-drives-and-crispr-could-revolutionize-ecosystem-management/">
make it possible to modify entire wild
populations of organisms</a>
 that reproduce sexually and don't take long
to mature.  For instance, we could modify wild mosquitoes so that they
can't carry malaria.  We could wipe out populations of invasive
species, such as zebra mussels or asian carp in the US.
</p>
<p>Because it is possible to remove the drive later, if any of the
drive-harboring asian carp got back to Asia where these fish normally
live, we could easily eliminate the drive to protect the species
in the range where it belongs.</p>


feed_id: 7dd8b50a5c8cadbb80b283372525e695
title: Images generator site taken down
uri: Images-generator-site-taken-down
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#13_December_2015_%28Images_generator_site_taken_down%29

content:
<p>A web site that generated images in the style of handwritten signs
used in the London subway ("Underground") 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2015/dec/11/parody-london-tube-sign-generator-taken-down-after-legal-threats-from-tfl">
was taken down</a>
 at the
request of the subway.
The subway said the site was being used to generate racist signs and
presented this as legal grounds for censorship.
Racist messages are nasty, but it's wrong to shut down a medium of
communication just because some people used it communicate nasty
messages.  The UK does not respect freedom of speech enough, but I hope
that this demand was not legally enforcible there.</p>
<p>I 
<a href="http://gnu.org/philosophy/who-does-that-server-really-serve.html">
would have refused all along to use a web site to generate parody
signs</a>
, because doing such a job using someone else's service is SaaSS
(Service as a Software Substitute).
</p>
<p>Any digital service automatically gives the service operator power
over its users.  This service's operator demonstrated that power when
he shut it down, thus stopping people from making any more signs no
matter what the messages.  In addition, users could not freely alter
any aspects of how the service worked, except those for which it
offered explicit settings.  The service controlled that too.</p>
<p>The right way to make these sign images, or do any computing job that
involves you alone, is with a free program you run in your own
computer.  That way, the program's author does not subsequently have
power over the users once they get copies.</p>
<p>If the developer had released a free program to do this, he would not
have been able to "shut it down" on demand.</p>


feed_id: 31e8e2f6f88ceb809424b7764894d335
title: Addiction to video
uri: Addiction-to-video
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#13_December_2015_%28Addiction_to_video%29
content:
<p>Young children are getting addicted to video 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2015/dec/11/youtube-videos-addictive-antisocial-children-girls-tim-lott-tyler-oakley">
to the point that they don't
experience much real social interaction</a>
.
</p>


feed_id: 0982b03d07ab0faa99802af2810570ae
title: Growth of racist hate groups in the US
uri: Growth-of-racist-hate-groups-in-the-US
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#13_December_2015_%28Growth_of_racist_hate_groups_in_the_US%29

content:
<p>
Trump's bigotry is 
<a href="http://www.commondreams.org/news/2015/12/10/hundreds-us-groups-join-forces-stand-against-dangerous-tide-hatred-violence">encouraging
the growth of racist hate groups</a> in the US.


feed_id: 917966641f82efaea79ebec607157ab0
title: Urgent: Oppose restriction of web linking
uri: Urgent-Oppose-restriction-of-web-linking
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#13_December_2015_%28Urgent%3A_Oppose_restriction_of_web_linking%29

content:
<p>
Everyone: 
<a href="https://savethelink.org/listen?src=158843">call on the EU</a>
not to restrict web linking.


feed_id: ad63c24c6c5adacb537767131e03cfba
title: Urgent: Pardon Jeffrey Sterling
uri: Urgent-Pardon-Jeffrey-Sterling
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#13_December_2015_%28Urgent%3A_Pardon_Jeffrey_Sterling%29

content:
<p>
US citizens: 
<a href="http://act.rootsaction.org/p/dia/action3/common/public/?action_KEY=11832">call
on Obama</a> to pardon Jeffrey Sterling.


feed_id: e2c710e9ea1b9a1d7470f3392d010465
title: Urgent: Stop forced marriages
uri: Urgent-Stop-forced-marriages
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#13_December_2015_%28Urgent%3A_Stop_forced_marriages%29

content:
<p>
Everyone: 
<a href="https://act.amnestyusa.org/ea-action/action?ea.client.id=1839&ea.campaign.id=42762">call
on Burkina Faso</a> to save girls from being forced into marriage.


feed_id: 08bcdb0c6d274e2d6d702585bb424fb2
title: Destroying the Great Barrier Reef
uri: Destroying-the-Great-Barrier-Reef
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#13_December_2015_%28Destroying_the_Great_Barrier_Reef%29

content:
<p>
Australia's planet-roaster "environment minister", whose mission is to
trash the environment, demanded to be allowed to speak after a
documentary about the Great Barrier Reef, which will be 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2015/dec/10/australia-on-spot-over-adani-mine-funding-attenborough-reef-series">destroyed
by CO<sub>2</sub> emissions</a> along with all the other coral reefs.
<p>
It's not just the heat, it's the 
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2012-may-aug.html#10_July_2012_(Ocean_acidification_due_to_CO2)">acidity</a>.


feed_id: 3a5169a3b5381ffb333e4905e538bda3
title: Chicago Mayor's support for killer thugs
uri: Chicago-Mayor-s-support-for-killer-thugs
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#13_December_2015_%28Chicago_Mayors_support_for_killer_thugs%29

content:
<p>
Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanual hopes to get away with having supported
killer thugs by giving an "apology" 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/weather/2015/dec/09/rahm-emanuel-chicago-police-misconduct-laquan-mcdonald-shooting">without
admitting he did anything wrong</a>.
<p>
Emanuel is directly responsible, and 
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#08_December_2015_(Urgent:_Emanuel_and_Alvarez%27s_resignation)">he
should resign</a>.
<p>
After he is gone, Chicago could have a chance to elect someone who
would be mayor during the daytime.  Emanuel is just a night-mayor.


feed_id: 1fe2646d4590976eab4ca1a9de69798a
title: Pakistan's fighting against Taliban
uri: Pakistan-s-fighting-against-Taliban
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#13_December_2015_%28Pakistans_fighting_against_Taliban%29

content:
<p>
Pakistan's fighting against the Taliban has 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/dec/09/afghanistan-security-undermined-by-efforts-to-crush-pakistani-militants">pushed
many foreign jihadis into Afghanistan</a>.
<p>
While this may be difficult for Afghanistan, at least it is a sign of
progress.


feed_id: b88c97dd66c885be2d3f75603b9766d9
title: Raqqa and Mosul are prisons
uri: Raqqa-and-Mosul-are-prisons
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#13_December_2015_%28Raqqa_and_Mosul_are_prisons%29
content:
<p>
People living in Raqqa and Mosul say they are now 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/business/2015/dec/08/decision-financial-transactions-tax-june-eu">simply
prisons</a>.
<p>
Can't they find any guns, any knives, any suicide bombs
with which to kill the PISSI militants?


feed_id: 118ea3698ffe5df2b0ab3210f7430334
title: Urgent: Oppose arms sale to Salafi Arabia
uri: Urgent-Oppose-arms-sale-to-Salafi-Arabia
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#13_December_2015_%28Urgent%3A_Oppose_arms_sale_to_Salafi_Arabia%29

content:
<p>
US citizens: 
<a href="http://act.rootsaction.org/p/dia/action3/common/public/?action_KEY=11818">Reps
and Senators</a>, oppose sale of arms to Salafi Arabia.


feed_id: e087c00cacc07f184b53b00d5d750600
title: Urgent: Include Syrian Kurds in negotiations
uri: Urgent-Include-Syrian-Kurds-in-negotiations
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#13_December_2015_%28Urgent%3A_Include_Syrian_Kurds_in_negotiations%29

content:
<p>
Everyone: 
<a href="http://petitions.moveon.org/sign/in-syria-transition-talks">call
for including the Syrian Kurds</a> in multilateral negotiations about
Syria's future.


feed_id: 118f23ddf63eede30704ad3afbd10b96
title: Injustice of the "no-fly list"
uri: Injustice-of-the-no-fly-list
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#13_December_2015_%28Injustice_of_the_no-fly_list%29
content:
<p>
Rejection of a bill to block gun purchases by people on the "no-fly
list" has called attention to the 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2015/dec/09/no-fly-list-errors-gun-control-obama">injustice
of that list</a>.
<p>
That list is punishment without trial, and if that's not bad enough,
it is punishment secretly sprung on people after they have spent
hundreds or thousands of dollars on nonrefundable tickets they can't
use.  No one lawfully present or resident in the US should be blocked
from riding in US airline flights except as punishment for a crime.
<p>
As for people not lawfully present or resident in the US, the
government has the option of denying them entry, which is both more
effective and more legitimate than the no-fly list.
<p>
Blocking people from buying guns is more legitimate than blocking
people from flying, so it is ok to do that based on weaker criteria.
However, there are limits to what this can achieve.  Blocking a small
list of people will not stop attacks by undetectable small teams.  But
perhaps nothing can stop that.


feed_id: eedb1c63e3d6178631ff890c0e580f9e
title: Microbeads banned from soap
uri: Microbeads-banned-from-soap
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#13_December_2015_%28Microbeads_banned_from_soap%29
content:
<p>
The US House of Representatives passed a bill to 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2015/dec/08/us-to-ban-soaps-other-products-containing-microbeads">ban
microbeads from soap and toothpaste</a>.
<p>
Microbeads are harmful to marine life, and sewage treatment does not
stop them from 
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2013-sep-dec.html#09_September_2013_(Many_products_contain_plastic_microbeads)">getting
into waterways</a>.


feed_id: 97932aa2a01711c102cc2738d93ca525
title: Chicago thugs
uri: 2015-12-13-Chicago-thugs
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#13_December_2015_%28Chicago_thugs%29
content:
<p>
Chicago thugs who 
<a href="http://www.commondreams.org/news/2015/12/07/chicago-brink-after-release-new-police-killing-video">shot
Ronald Johnson dead</a> say he was carrying a pistol.  His mother says
the pistol was planted on him after he was shot.
<p>
DA Alvarez, following her 
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#05_December_2015_(Chicago_DA_protects_thugs_from_prosecution)">general
tendency</a>, is protecting the thugs.
<p>
Neither of them merits our unreserved trust.  The thugs could be lying
to excuse their actions.  The mother could be saying what she wishes
were true.  But the fact that witnesses report that thugs told them
what to say suggests that the thugs are lying.


feed_id: db09ebae72ce67fbbe5b97abc732b8b4
title: Raqqa and Mosul are prisons
uri: 2015-12-14-Raqqa-and-Mosul-are-prisons
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#14_December_2015_%28Raqqa_and_Mosul_are_prisons%29
content:
<p>
People living in Raqqa and Mosul say they are now 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/dec/09/life-under-isis-raqqa-mosul-giant-prison-syria-iraq">simply
prisons</a>.
<p>
Can't they find any guns, any knives, any suicide bombs
with which to kill the PISSI militants?


feed_id: 59d177fd1761d2b77930fd01c7fdb4e8
title: Urgent: Repudiate bigotry
uri: Urgent-Repudiate-bigotry
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#13_December_2015_%28Urgent%3A_Repudiate_bigotry%29
content:
<p>
US citizens:
<a href="http://petitions.moveon.org/sign/wearebetterthanthis-1">repudiate</a>
Trump's bigotry.


feed_id: 51f85bdc28e870f846d62f4d5440ebd0
title: Sweden will finally question Assange
uri: Sweden-will-finally-question-Assange
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#13_December_2015_%28Sweden_will_finally_question_Assange%29

content:
<p>
Sweden
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/media/2015/dec/12/julian-assange-may-face-swedish-interrogation-within-days">will
finally question Assange</a> about the sex charges against him.
<p>
Assange and Ecuador both said years ago that they would
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2012-mar-jun.html#20_June_2012_(Assange_asks_for_political_asylum)">let
Swedish officials question him in the embassy</a>.  Swedish
prosecutors have dragged their feet in a way that confirms that they
are not really interested in justice on these charges, rather using
them as an excuse.
<p>
The acts that Assange is accused of doing are
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2010-nov-feb.html#6%20December%202010%20(Sweden%20still%20after%20Assange)">not
"rape" as the term is normally used</a>. Swedish law is more strict
than in most countries.


feed_id: 7abfa101f0bee49ae03e8f509c77f0dd
title: Altered history of fiscal crisis
uri: Altered-history-of-fiscal-crisis
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#13_December_2015_%28Altered_history_of_fiscal_crisis%29

content:
<p>
Clinton
<a href="http://www.thenation.com/article/hillary-clinton-is-whitewashing-the-financial-catastrophe/">uses
an altered history of the fiscal crisis</a> to excuse her opposition
to the reforms that are really necessary, such as restoring the
Glass-Steagall act.
<p>
I read previously that Bill Clinton had no real choice about the
repeal of Glass-Steagall, because it was passed with a
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2012-mar-jun.html#22_May_2012_(Bankster_culture)">veto-proof
majority</a>.  But this does not excuse anyone from the duty to fight
to bring it back.


feed_id: 897c10b755273d0b27eb3e8542a35f02
title: Chat program
uri: 2015-12-14-Chat-program
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#13_December_2015_%28Chat_program%29
content:
<p>
A new chat program 
<a href="http://motherboard.vice.com/read/now-that-its-easy-to-encrypt-our-chats-encrypting-metadata-comes-next">tries 
to provide privacy</a> about who is talking with whom.</p>
<p>
I'm not an encryption expert, and I can't judge whether it provides
good security.</p>


feed_id: 8477bea9496bbb4841cfaf13f4e5da05
title: Inequality
uri: 2015-12-14-Inequality
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#13_December_2015_%28Inequality%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/business/2015/dec/08/inequality-is-now-killing-middle-america-joseph-stiglitz">Inequality 
Is Now Killing</a> [people in] Middle America.</p>


feed_id: 534b0240274a46538ec1a57b935bb0f2
title: TPP
uri: 2015-12-14-TPP
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#13_December_2015_%28TPP%29
content:
<p>
How the TPP 
<a href="https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2015/12/how-tpp-will-affect-you-and-your-digital-rights">Will 
Affect You and Your Digital Rights</a> (if it goes into effect).</p>


feed_id: c91184a33975e78009e5465b5af73fe1
title: Syria
uri: 2015-12-14-Syria
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#13_December_2015_%28Syria%29
content:
<p>
After some rebels evacuated al-Waer, in Homs, 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/dec/12/homs-syrian-rebels-assad-ceasefire">others 
have made</a> a cease fire with Assad's rule.
</p>


feed_id: 31f4c89938557888978df09521089726
title: Poland
uri: 2015-12-14-Poland
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#13_December_2015_%28Poland%29
content:
<p>
Poles 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/dec/12/poland-thousands-march-warsaw-against-democratorship-government">held 
a large protest</a> against the recently elected right-wing government
which seems to be trying to twist the constitution.</p>


feed_id: a7a77ec5980b4501a1ec3c589773dcff
title: 1.5C of global heating
uri: 2015-12-14-1-5C-of-global-heating
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#13_December_2015_%281.5C_of_global_heating%29
content:
<p>
With 1.5C of global heating, the Seychelles may still exist.  2C of
global heating
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2015/dec/12/climate-change-seychelles-cop21-economy-collapse">will 
probably inundate</a> the flat coastal parts of the islands.</p>
<p>
They would still have the mountainous inland areas, but couldn't grow
any food there.</p>


feed_id: 9e2b960d04423b3fe827edb3d21a0478
title: Cell-site simulators
uri: 2015-12-14-Cell-site-simulators
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#13_December_2015_%28Cell-site_simulators%29
content:
<p>
Government, Can You Hear Me Now? 
<a href="https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2015/12/government-can-you-hear-me-now-cell-site-simulators-arent-secret-anymore">Cell-site 
Simulators</a> Aren't Secret Anymore.</p>


feed_id: 5cbf9fce97864463d4e7ad79f55663d9
title: Bernie Sanders
uri: 2015-12-14-Bernie-Sanders
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#13_December_2015_%28Bernie_Sanders%29
content:
<p>
A number of interesting 
<a href="http://www.dailykos.com/story/2015/12/10/1458728/-15-Things-You-Didn-t-Know-About-Bernie-Sanders">points 
about</a> Bernie Sanders.</p>
<p>
If Clinton wins the Democratic nomination, I won't vote for her.
She's a plutocratist, part of the problem rather than the solution.
If
<a href="http://www1.cs.columbia.edu/~unger/articles/niceTough.html">we 
keep voting for the lesser plutocratist</a>, 
our government will get more and more plutocratist.  I will vote
Green.</p>
<p>
I support Sanders because he's not just a lesser evil.  He's good.</p>


feed_id: 9ae8713fdcc1acc7738d8ed3d4c3805a
title: Climate
uri: 2015-12-14-Climate
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#13_December_2015_%28Climate%29
content:
<p>
"Until governments undertake to keep fossil fuels in the ground, they
<a href='http://www.theguardian.com/environment/georgemonbiot/2015/dec/12/paris-climate-deal-governments-fossil-fuels'>will 
continue to undermine agreement</a> they have just made."</p>


feed_id: 8e54f33f19ef2cddfd70e4371e8c4165
title: Atheists in Lincoln
uri: 2015-12-14-Atheists-in-Lincoln
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#13_December_2015_%28Atheists_in_Lincoln%29
content:
<p>Atheists in Lincoln, Nebraska, 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2015/dec/12/nebraska-atheists-humanists-nativity-lincoln-christmas">booked 
all the exhibition space</a> in the state capitol building so that no 
sectarian exhibit can be presented about Christmas.</p>
<p>
It is not right to promote a religion in a state capitol building.  It
is also not right to censor any view by cornering the market on places
to present it, but the atheists didn't do that.  There must be plenty
of places in Lincoln, outside the capitol, where manger displays for
Christmas can be set up — churches, for instance.</p>


feed_id: 5eb087f8a941e50f8e702bb5b3f6bc4e
title: Paris climate deal
uri: 2015-12-14-Paris-climate-deal
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#13_December_2015_%28Paris_climate_deal%29
content:
<p>
The 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2015/dec/12/paris-climate-deal-key-points">main 
points</a> of the deal agreed in Paris.</p>
<p>
Paris climate agreement 'may signal end of fossil fuel era',
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2015/dec/13/paris-climate-agreement-signal-end-of-fossil-fuel-era">according</a>
to optimists.</p>
<p>
This agreement could very well start a process leading towards truly
curbing global heating.  I fear 
<a href="http://www.thenation.com/article/the-paris-climate-deal-will-not-save-us/">we 
can't afford to lose</a> that time in getting started.  The agreement
will still raise global temperatures 3 to 4 degrees centigrade.  The
problem is,
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2015/dec/12/james-hansen-climate-change-paris-talks-fraud">it 
involves "no action, just promises"</a>.  When a country adopts a
long-term emissions target without policies that will realize it, it
may never adopt suitable policies.  By the time the target is not met,
it is too late.</p>


feed_id: 891c53236c50c6565a428d0f686c0bdd
title: France's "states of emergency"
uri: 2015-12-14-France-s-states-of-emergency
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#13_December_2015_%28France%27s_states_of_emergency%29

content:
<p>
France's constitution 
<a href="https://theintercept.com/2015/12/12/terrorist-attacks-spark-crackdown-constitutional-changes-in-france/">may 
be changed</a> to support long-term repressive "states of emergency".</p>


feed_id: ecbe91dbbb226093e665549f1af759ac
title: Unhappiness
uri: 2015-12-14-Unhappiness
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#13_December_2015_%28Unhappiness%29
content:
<p>Some 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2015/dec/12/not-your-fault-if-unhappy-wont-make-sick-either">research</a>
suggests that unhappiness does not predispose people to illness.</p>
<p>
There are distinct questions here:
<ol>
<li>
Factual: does being unhappy tend to cause other sorts of harm
to you?</li>
<li>
Moral: is unhappiness something unfortunate that happens to you,
or is it wrong on your part?</li>
</ol>
<p>
The research suggests that the answer to (1) is no.  That's fortunate,
for unhappy people.  But whatever the answer to (1) is, it does not
mean that being unhappy is blameworthy.  If there is no ethical,
reliable way to decide to be happy, then your unhappiness is no more
your fault than an injury or a birth defect.</p>


feed_id: a537eb85e36e97d2185f327bb3da04c3
title: H-1B visas
uri: 2015-12-14-H-1B-visas
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#13_December_2015_%28H-1B_visas%29
content:
<p>Senator Cruz 
<a href="http://www.computerworld.com/article/3014365/it-careers/sen-ted-cruz-wants-minimum-h-1b-wage-of-110-000.html">is 
proposing</a> to block companies from using H1B visas to bring foreign
workers to the US temporarily for training.</p>
<p>
It is a good cause, but his solution operates by closing off H-1B
visas except for very highly paid jobs.  I think the solution should
more directly address the problem.</p>
<p>
I propose that any company or division hiring H-1B workers should be
forbidden to eliminate any US jobs for the next two years, unless it
has suffered a big drop in gross sales, or to move any work out of the
US or to a subcontractor during that time.  Fines for violations
should be very high.</p>
<p>
Also, workers who are told to train their successors (and then be
fired) should refuse to train them, or quit immediately.  Resisting
oppression calls for some guts.</p>


feed_id: f407b4684855b334dc8bea67bd50e925
title: Spying companies
uri: 2015-12-14-Spying-companies
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#13_December_2015_%28Spying_companies%29
content:
<p>
Making tech companies spy on their users for the state 
<a href="https://www.aclu.org/blog/speak-freely/turning-tech-companies-spies-wont-work">is 
unamerican, and useless too</a>.</p>
<p>
An issue not mentioned here is, which criterion is used to define
terrorism?  Do attacks on abortion clinics count?  They ought to, but
so far the US government is not treating them as terrorism.</p>


feed_id: c50eceee7e28614d20ba8c0205ba6d3b
title: Moral Failure of Computer Scientists
uri: 2015-12-14-Moral-Failure-of-Computer-Scientists
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#13_December_2015_%28Moral_Failure_of_Computer_Scientists%29

content:
<p>
<a href="http://www.theatlantic.com/technology/archive/2015/12/the-moral-failure-of-computer-science/420012/">The 
Moral Failure of Computer Scientists</a>: an interview with Phillip 
Rogaway.</p>
<p>
Perhaps we need a Bulletin of the Information Scientists.</p>


