# articles

feed_id: 7ccd4ca3141ad1de741bff49d6157a6b
title: Undertaxation
uri: Undertaxation
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#3_May_2019_%28Undertaxation%29
content:
<p>
Undertaxation of the rich and powerful promotes economic inequality,
naturally.  Turns out it
promotes <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2019/03/01/economic-inequality-and-taxation-are-feminist-issues">other
kinds of inequality</a>, too.


feed_id: 4f55effaf3b2ab77df0d9911a61329e8
title: Fighting in Kashmir
uri: Fighting-in-Kashmir
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#3_May_2019_%28Fighting_in_Kashmir%29
content:
<p>
Arundhati Roy comments on Kashmir: local people's support for those
fighting for independence from India is
a <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2019/03/01/kashmir-potentially-flashpoint-future-nuclear-war-0">more
important fact</a> than Pakistan's outside aid to them.
<p>
Pakistan has at times supported terrorism in India, but attacking a
column of
soldiers <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2017-mar-jun.html#22_June_2017_(Attacking_occupation_forces)">is
not terrorism</a>,
it is simply war.  To note this does not
mean taking a side in the war; it only rejects inflation of the word
"terrorism" to include all fighting.


feed_id: 3ad187880abedc4d5d79376130419327
title: Climate strike letter
uri: Climate-strike-letter
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#3_May_2019_%28Climate_strike_letter%29
content:
<p>
The Climate
Strike's <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2019/03/01/youth-climate-movement-world-leaders-we-will-change-fate-humanity-whether-you-it-or">open
letter</a>.


feed_id: 04df926d5b020ad92da5a6ecee932f84
title: Netanyahu
uri: 2019-05-04-Netanyahu
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#3_May_2019_%28Netanyahu%29
content:
<p>
Netanyahu <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2019/03/01/netanyahu-be-indicted-bribery-fraud-press-tampering-israeli-ag">to
Be Indicted</a> on Bribery, Fraud, Press Tampering: Israeli AG.
<p>
Uri
Avnery <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#15_August_2017_(Netanyahu_indictment)">reported
on these accusations</a> for years.


feed_id: 04bc3a1756ab6dba204053430826e260
title: 'Girl Power' factory
uri: Girl-Power-factory
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#3_May_2019_%28%27Girl_Power%27_factory%29
content:
<p>
Over 100 [Bangladeshi] Workers Claim to Have Been Sacked After
Protesting About Low Wages at Factory
That <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/business/2019/mar/01/charity-t-shirts-made-at-exploitative-bangladeshi-factory">Makes
"Girl Power" T-Shirts</a>.


feed_id: ac53ff62d71cf3f02c435584e47267f8
title: Political priorities
uri: Political-priorities
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#3_May_2019_%28Political_priorities%29
content:
<p>
Stephen
Unger's <a href="http://www1.cs.columbia.edu/~unger/articles/utopia.html">list
of political priorities</a>.
<p>
I agree with them more or less, though not exactly the order of them.


feed_id: 6ea57bcd1605122ec34701ea440464f9
title: Iran's foreign minister
uri: Iran-s-foreign-minister
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#3_May_2019_%28Iran%27s_foreign_minister%29
content:
<p>
Iran's foreign minister's
resignation <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2019/03/01/zarif-resigns-then-returns-stronger-hand">was
not accepted</a>; perhaps it was a ploy to get visible confirmation
that he still has backing from the top for trying to continue the
nonnuclear deal.


feed_id: fdb1c800e9451c1acf3fe42e974f63af
title: Succession of world orders
uri: Succession-of-world-orders
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#3_May_2019_%28Succession_of_world_orders%29
content:
<p>
The succession of world orders, since the 1300s, has arrived at a
world order set up by the US after World War II.  It has good and bad
aspects.  Now it is tottering, and a Chinese world
order <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2019/02/28/what-does-it-take-destroy-world-order">could
replace it</a>.
<p>
I question some of the points &mdash; for instance, Wikipedia's list
of empires seems to include any state that called its ruler "emperor",
even Oman, Korea, and Vietnam.  Most of them are not what we would
call "empires".  The 1600s were full of wars, just like the 1700s,
including the 30 years' war which devastated central Europe worse than
anything since the Black Death.
<p>
But the overall argument may be valid nonetheless.


feed_id: 81c180a0659ec1ca4e8b18c7cba9401d
title: Cohen's testimony
uri: 2019-05-04-Cohen-s-testimony
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#3_May_2019_%28Cohen%27s_testimony%29
content:
<p>
Michael Cohen's testimony provides
some <a href="https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2019/2/27/1838224/-Max-Boot-points-out-five-felonies-Trump-likely-committed-based-on-Cohen-s-testimony">evidence
for five felonies</a> on the part of the conman.


feed_id: f239d74223124aa3b041829579fabee0
title: Cracking car security
uri: Cracking-car-security
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#3_May_2019_%28Cracking_car_security%29
content:
<p>
The person most likely to crack the security on a
car <a href="https://theconversation.com/your-car-is-more-likely-to-be-hacked-by-your-mechanic-than-a-terrorist-111616">is
its mechanic</a>.
<p>
The most likely entity to use the car systems against the owner or
driver is
the <a href="https://www.gnu.org/proprietary/malware-cars.html#records-drivers">manufacturer
or an insurance company</a>.


feed_id: d237859eb1cf254b4866a6af4f107958
title: Dam project in Guinea
uri: Dam-project-in-Guinea
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#3_May_2019_%28Dam_project_in_Guinea%29
content:
<p>
A dam project in Guinea would swamp the wildlife refuge with the
largest population of western Chimpanzees
&mdash; <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/feb/28/chinese-dam-project-in-guinea-could-kill-up-to-1500-chimpanzees">1500
of them</a>.  This would be a substantial reduction in the population
of that subspecies &mdash; perhaps as much as 9% &mdash; and large
populations preserve more genetic diversity much more.
<p>
The fact that a Chinese company has been hired to build the dam seems
like an incidental detail to me.  The government and its funding
sources made the decision to build there; they alone could cancel it.
<p>
However, the choice of that Chinese company means that China is likely to
pressure not to cancel the project.


feed_id: 233206e551b7a22f73568cb0ecaaa968
title: Gender in French words
uri: Gender-in-French-words
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#3_May_2019_%28Gender_in_French_words%29
content:
<p>
The French Academy has made a big mistake, allowing job-title words to
have <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/mar/01/academie-francaise-allows-feminisation-of-job-titles">masculine
and feminine forms</a>.  This introduces a problem of
gender-neutrality into a grammatical area where there wasn't one.
<p>
Although each of these names for jobs and professions has a gender,
it is merely grammatical, and does not make an assertion about the
gender (if any) if the person referred to.  For instance, "un
professeur" can refer to a male, a female, someone who is neither or
both, or someone unknown &mdash; just like the English expression "a
professor".
<p>
The use of "une professeuse" for female professors imposes a
gender-based choice.  Which form do you use when you don't know
someone's gender?  How can you refer to a professor of non-binary
gender?
<p>
The word "personne" in French has feminine gender, regardless of who
it refers to.  I, a man, am therefore "une personne" in French.  You
are "une personne", too.  That says nothing about my gender, or yours.
It is just like "a person" or "un professeur".
<p>
I hope the academy does not recommend the use of "un person"
for males.
<p>
The <a href="https://stallman.org/articles/genderless-pronouns.html">gender-neutrality
problems</a> of English are fortunately much smaller.


feed_id: b9fa1a484c52c419ea0f28270f925363
title: Deportation for being single
uri: Deportation-for-being-single
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#3_May_2019_%28Deportation_for_being_single%29
content:
<p>
If you don't have a lover, how can you prove you are really
homosexual?  How can you prove that to a country that is 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/feb/25/deportation-single-bigotry-gay-people-yew-fook-sam-home-office">seeking
any excuse to deport</a> you?


feed_id: d7aa3067160d0e51de90e0baa21c224f
title: Abortion-sabotage law
uri: Abortion-sabotage-law
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#3_May_2019_%28Abortion-sabotage_law%29
content:
<p>
A Missouri abortion-sabotage law has been 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2019/feb/25/judge-rules-central-missouri-planned-parenthood-clinic-cannot-resume-abortions">upheld
in the first court</a>; one Planned Parenthood center has been blocked
from performing abortions.  This leaves one operating abortion clinic
in the state of Missouri.


feed_id: fc547b94e21ac830497bdb38d764654a
title: Hezbollah
uri: Hezbollah
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#3_May_2019_%28Hezbollah%29
content:
<p>
An 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/mar/02/censured-by-britain-hezbollah-bigger-than-ever-in-beirut">interview
with a Lebanese member of Hezbollah</a>.


feed_id: 75eea6fdec42b80d0165281f7668edfe
title: Mixing up violence with minor annoyance
uri: Mixing-up-violence-with-minor-annoyance
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#3_May_2019_%28Mixing_up_violence_with_minor_annoyance%29

content:
<p>
56% of students polled in the UK reported that they had experienced
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/education/2019/feb/26/more-than-half-of-uk-students-say-they-have-faced-unwanted-sexual-behaviour">"unwanted
sexual behaviour"</a>.  That is a very broad class.  At the upper
limit it includes rape and violence, which are grave.
<p>
However, there is no obvious lower limit to what that could include.
Winking too often?  Staring for a few minutes from a distance?
A request for a date from someone you don't want to go out with?
The high fraction could mean only that the line is drawn too low.
<p>
If we want to deal with the severe problems, mixing up violence with
minor annoyance and everything in between is not a useful approach.


feed_id: e425b3497fe34e509a00a032e3dfac59
title: Big tech
uri: Big-tech
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#3_May_2019_%28Big_tech%29
content:
<p>
Morozov: "The left 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/feb/27/left-radical-big-tech-moderate-solutions">needs
to get radical on big tech</a> &mdash; moderate solutions won't cut
it."
<p>
I've been proposing a 
<a href="https://gnu.org/philosophy/surveillance-vs-democracy.html">radical
and adequate solution</a> for years now.


feed_id: b2b84d7d185d632d13f09ad207435933
title: Infiltration of US Nazi organization
uri: Infiltration-of-US-Nazi-organization
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#3_May_2019_%28Infiltration_of_US_Nazi_organization%29

content:
<p>
James Hart Stern, a black American, infiltrated a US Nazi organization
and convinced them to hand over control of it.  He now intends to 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2019/mar/02/race-whisperer-seizes-control-american-neo-nazi-group">move
it away from radicalism</a>.
<p>
A few decades ago, that might have made a tremendous difference.  My
understanding is that things have changed: in the extreme right wing
today, specific organizations are of diminished importance because
they often make new ones.  His success will still be an improvement,
just not a tremendous one.
<p>
Proving that the organization planned violence at Charlottesville have
the useful effect of disproving some lies.


feed_id: f11caf4884dd2621e3cab9a6857fa2e2
title: Facebook lobbying
uri: Facebook-lobbying
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#3_May_2019_%28Facebook_lobbying%29
content:
<p>
Revealed: Facebook's Global 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2019/mar/02/facebook-global-lobbying-campaign-against-data-privacy-laws-investment">Lobbying
Against Data Privacy Laws</a>.


feed_id: 1199eb6e0ec7c064ca67cdf92001ecdd
title: Trafficked Chinese women
uri: Trafficked-Chinese-women
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#3_May_2019_%28Trafficked_Chinese_women%29
content:
<p>
Trafficked Chinese women were treated as slaves in Florida brothels.
They have been rescued, but they don't feel rescued: they are 
<a href="https://www.bostonglobe.com/metro/2019/02/28/wouldn-wish-this-anybody-window-into-living-conditions-sex-trafficking-victims/Dwn7EMZM5TxKRfwA7lPUIO/story.html">afraid
of being deported</a>.
<p>
Could we encourage customers to report when prostitutes might be
enslaved by not punishing them?


feed_id: b5fd7138d8fb70000fbd56e811954bda
title: Pakistan and India
uri: Pakistan-and-India
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#3_May_2019_%28Pakistan_and_India%29
content:
<p>
Pakistan's peace gesture 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/mar/02/kashmir-at-least-eight-killed-as-india-pakistan-hostilities-resume">did
not end the fighting between Pakistan and India</a>.


feed_id: ce31ce8bade8762c0e0d08f8ec74c993
title: Occasionally racist editor
uri: Occasionally-racist-editor
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#3_May_2019_%28Occasionally_racist_editor%29
content:
<p>
The occasionally racist Alabama editor who recently advocated the KKK
and lynchings followed up by simply 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2019/mar/02/elecia-dexter-democrat-reporter-editor-replaced-kkk">asking
his black employee to take complete charge of the newspaper</a>.
<p>
It seems that she forgave him for these racist outbursts because they
resulted from brain injuries.  I suppose he was aghast on seeing his
own words in a period of lucidity, so he sought immediately to make
sure it would never happen again.
<p>
It is sad when this happens to people, but he did what the situation
required.


feed_id: 48a765d94ad00176bee0924736d158f1
title: Barr's lies to Congress
uri: Barr-s-lies-to-Congress
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#5_May_2019_%28Barrs_lies_to_Congress%29
content:
<p>
Pelosi Says Barr Committed a Crime by 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2019/may/02/pelosi-says-barr-committed-a-by-lying-about-mueller-report">Lying
[to Congress] about Mueller Report</a>.
<p>
It looks like the House of Representatives Congress getting ready to
declare Barr in contempt of Congress, and try to lock him up.
<p>
I wonder whether the conman will send some other armed force
to prevent that.  That would amount to an attempted coup.


feed_id: 6f86f89a319e89268ff2710519b2d5d9
title: Measles outbreak
uri: 2019-05-05-Measles-outbreak
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#5_May_2019_%28Measles_outbreak%29
content:
<p>
Cruise Ship 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/may/02/scientology-cruise-ship-freewinds-st-lucia-quarantined-measles">Quarantined
Off St Lucia Coast</a> over Measles Case.
<p>
The ship's owner is disreputable, but it does not seem to be
responsible for the measles outbreak.


feed_id: bfb05dc117537855d9c8e3a63dbd9624
title: Gaslighting
uri: Gaslighting
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#5_May_2019_%28Gaslighting%29
content:
<p>
Gaslighting is typically associated with domestic relationships, but
it is 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2019/mar/02/abuse-prevention-how-to-turn-off-the-gaslighters">part
of the bullshitter's technique</a> too.


feed_id: 66137c1b6448c7eda58efa97408ebb39
title: Repression of the press
uri: Repression-of-the-press
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#5_May_2019_%28Repression_of_the_press%29
content:
<p>
British journalists who published based on leaked documents about how
killer <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thugs</a> were protected were 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2019/mar/02/police-treatment-no-stone-journalists-violates-media-freedoms">charged
with stealing the documents, then given bail on conditions of
secrecy</a>.  This amounts to repression of the press.


feed_id: c61fcbb76de99d41b37bb05849175fbe
title: Record high temperatures
uri: Record-high-temperatures
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#5_May_2019_%28Record_high_temperatures%29
content:
<p>
Record high temperatures in February 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2019/mar/02/uk-temperature-jump-february-incredible-climate-weather-carbon">would
not have happened if not for the <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#global heating">global heating</a> that provided the base
for them</a>.
<p>
Only a fraction of the UK public recognizes it is a harbinger of
disaster, plus a few members of Parliament.


feed_id: 683f30841e5969625d133d0301418e4c
title: Tax options to reduce inequality
uri: Tax-options-to-reduce-inequality
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#5_May_2019_%28Tax_options_to_reduce_inequality%29
content:
<p>
Tax options for US states to 
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2019/02/24/what-states-can-do-reduce-poverty-and-inequality-through-tax-policy">reduce
inequality and fund important activities</a>.


feed_id: 91f6789173c93f670b88a9a15cc939d1
title: Urgent: Denver initiative 300
uri: Urgent-Denver-initiative-300
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#5_May_2019_%28Urgent%3A_Denver_initiative_300%29
content:
<p>
Citizens of Denver: vote yes on initiative 300 that
will <a href="https://aclu-co.org/aclu-of-colorado-supports-yes-on-300/">legalize
sleeping while homeless</a>.
</p>


feed_id: af57a87fbec29a82897c1aa7b48cbce3
title: Climate emergency
uri: 2019-05-06-Climate-emergency
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#5_May_2019_%28Climate_emergency%29
content:
<p>
A UK Green MP points out how legislators, even while recognizing the
coming climate disaster, cling to attractive policies that would keep
emissions high.  To avoid disaster we must
go <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/mar/04/climate-change-emergency-westminster">beyond
what is "politically possible"</a>, so we need a "climate emergency".


feed_id: 4faefedb7ea661ef491a847659a8f6e8
title: Coal ash pollution
uri: 2019-05-06-Coal-ash-pollution
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#5_May_2019_%28Coal_ash_pollution%29
content:
<p>
Many coal-fired electric
plants <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/mar/04/us-coal-plants-contaminating-groundwater-toxins-analysis">pollute
groundwater</a> with toxins from coal ash.
<p>
This is in addition to the carbon dioxide
and <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2009-may-aug.html#03%20July%202009%20(UK%20protestors%20blocked%20a%20coal%20train)">radioactive
fallout</a> they emit into the air.


feed_id: 5098f72d134aafa10c5e2ef98f4315ae
title: Mohamedou Slahi
uri: Mohamedou-Slahi
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#5_May_2019_%28Mohamedou_Slahi%29
content:
<p>
The reason Mohamedou Slahi asked for a passport is so he
can <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/further/2019/03/01/resolve-not-do-what-was-done-him-guantanamo-diarys-mohamedou-slahi-still-not-free">travel
for medical treatment</a> for the lingering effects of the torture
that the US imposed on him.


feed_id: 6fb03fc3a49a4b078a9bcf7f094ca2cd
title: White supremacists in the armed forces
uri: White-supremacists-in-the-armed-forces
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#5_May_2019_%28White_supremacists_in_the_armed_forces%29

content:
<p>
Some say that the US armed
forces <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/mar/02/christopher-hasson-coast-guard-neo-nazi-far-right">harbor
thousands of white supremacist terrorists</a> planning assassinations,
or mass murder.
<p>
I think some right-wingers hoped for this result all along.
Perhaps including the conman.  They do not want to permit
democracy to take power away from them.


feed_id: a932067b300230a9e5b83de9ebc71577
title: Breaking the Silence
uri: 2019-05-06-Breaking-the-Silence
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#5_May_2019_%28Breaking_the_Silence%29
content:
<p>
The Israeli group Breaking the Silence gives former soldiers an
opportunity to talk about cruel and criminal acts that they witnessed
or committed in the occupation of Palestine.  The Israeli government
is <a href="https://theintercept.com/2019/03/03/breaking-the-silence-israel-idf/">making
every effort</a> short of direct violence to shut it down, because it
falsifies the official myth.  Israelis, Americans, Europeans, are not
supposed to have any concrete idea of what the occupation is like.


feed_id: 2d86e0130b58cf19940e332a3c66200d
title: Internet and power structures
uri: Internet-and-power-structures
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#5_May_2019_%28Internet_and_power_structures%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://theintercept.com/2019/03/03/revolt-of-the-public-martin-gurri/">An
interview with Martin Guerri</a>, a CIA analyst who predicted that
internet organizing would destabilize power structures by denying
elites their spheres of control over information.
<p>
I think Guerri underestimates the influence of demagogues.  It is true
that the bullshitter appealed to a few preexisting hates and desires
of right-wing Americans in order to come within voter-suppression
distance of victory.  But those people were not totally unscrupulous
at the outset.  Many of them would not have openly countenanced and
protected baldface lying and casual violence &mdash; not then.  The
bullshitter transformed them from indignant citizens into a mafia-like
hate gang.
<p>
Meanwhile, the scientific elites that we need to trust &mdash;
including climate scientists and vaccine developers &mdash; are
getting dragged down, too.


feed_id: 85790f0fb20da9988b9f9054e2c51352
title: Reducing homelessness
uri: Reducing-homelessness
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#5_May_2019_%28Reducing_homelessness%29
content:
<p>
New Orleans
has <a href="https://www.wbur.org/hereandnow/2019/02/19/new-orleans-reducing-homeless-hurricane-katrina">reduced
homelessness by 90%</a> by working assiduously to give homeless people
homes.
<p>
It costs money, but not as much as you would expect, because it saves
money on dealing with medical problems and harassment by <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thugs</a>.  The
main obstacle to lasting success is that the failure to build
affordable housing in the US generates more homelessness.


feed_id: c6c65c75a9cb26e2600509c3c330e1b1
title: Internet and antitrust law
uri: Internet-and-antitrust-law
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#5_May_2019_%28Internet_and_antitrust_law%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2019/02/antitrust-enforcement-needs-evolve-21st-century">The
EFF explains</a> how US antitrust law is ineffective for internet
platforms because it is blind to the harmful consequences of
concentration there.
<p>
This critique is not deep enough &mdash; it accepts the idea that
massive surveillance is a mere "cost", rather than
a <a href="https://gnu.org/philosophy/surveillance-vs-democracy.html">threat
to human rights and democracy</a>.
<p>
More generally, the basic approach of US antitrust law is ineffective
in general.
I've <a href="https://stallman.org/articles/progressive-tax-on-business-gross-income.html">proposed
a system</a> to replace it.


feed_id: 0f1dca35c26a5a189a4ae542d1da04bf
title: Doorbell camera
uri: Doorbell-camera
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#5_May_2019_%28Doorbell_camera%29
content:
<p>
The Ring (now Amazon) doorbell camera is designed so that the
manufacturer (now Amazon) can watch all the time.  Now it turns out
that <a href="https://dojo.bullguard.com/dojo-by-bullguard/blog/ring/">anyone
else can also watch</a>, and fake videos too.
<p>
The third party vulnerability is presumably unintentional
and I suppose Amazon will fix it.  I do not expect Amazon
to change the design that allows Amazon to watch.


feed_id: 9fdd810ebfaafd9568ce7f980247c53b
title: Amazon and Seattle tax
uri: Amazon-and-Seattle-tax
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#5_May_2019_%28Amazon_and_Seattle_tax%29
content:
<p>
Amazon bullied Seattle into retracting a tax increase by threatening
to abandon expansion plans there.  Seattle caved in, but Amazon has
<a href="https://www.geekwire.com/2019/amazon-backs-massive-seattle-office-tower-questions-swirl-growth-plans/">cancelled
the plans anyway</a>.
<p>
Amazon is not merely an snooping abusive monopolist.  It is a cheating
snooping abusive monopolist.  You shouldn't trust Amazon to keep a
deal unless you get your benefit in advance.
<p>
This joins a <a href="https://stallman.org/amazon.html">host of other
reasons</a> for refusing to buy from Amazon.
<p>
I urge Seattle to reinstate that tax.  In the long term, we need to
teach these companies that we are the boss.


feed_id: e2a27da2c403e32515d1bdd7c916d499
title: Elsevier subscription
uri: Elsevier-subscription
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#5_May_2019_%28Elsevier_subscription%29
content:
<p>
The University of California system
has <a href="https://www.sciencemag.org/news/2019/02/university-california-boycotts-publishing-giant-elsevier-over-journal-costs-and-open">refused
to resubscribe</a> to Elsevier journals.
<p>
The cause of this decision was something shallow &mdash; disagreement
about price.  The UC system lacks the courage to reject paywalled
scholarly journals in order to put an end to them.  Nonetheless, this
could pull a big brick out of the paywall system, as
I've <a href="http://www.nature.com/nature/debates/e-access/Articles/stallman.html">called
for since 2001</a>, and moving
to <a href="https://stallman.org/articles/free-scientific-publishing.html">free/libre
scientific publishing</a>.


feed_id: 575e6e627a28b8299d48dfc352ccf4af
title: Dakota Access pipeline
uri: 2019-05-06-Dakota-Access-pipeline
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#5_May_2019_%28Dakota_Access_pipeline%29
content:
<p>
The Dakota Access pipeline company lost its SLAPP lawsuit in federal
court, so now it
is <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2019/03/02/dakota-access-pipeline-company-abusing-judicial-system-silence-dissent">suing
in a North Dakota court</a>.
<p>
North Dakota has given plenty of indication of being in the oil
industry's pocket.


feed_id: e1f2e8b72bb854b25db4511a607ac350
title: Urgent: Mega-bank merger
uri: Urgent-Mega-bank-merger
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#7_May_2019_%28Urgent%3A_Mega-bank_merger%29
content:
<p>
US
citizens: <a href="http://act.demandprogress.org/sign/fdic-stop-merger/">Tell
the FDIC</a> to stop the mega-bank merger of SunTrust and BB&amp;T.
</p>
<p>If you sign, please spread the word!</p>


feed_id: 9b412168a23dd8b48f5dd73ecfed1f77
title: Urgent: Trans people in national guard
uri: Urgent-Trans-people-in-national-guard
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#7_May_2019_%28Urgent%3A_Trans_people_in_national_guard%29

content:
<p>
In the
US: <a href="https://act.winwithoutwar.org/act/defy-trumps-trans-ban">call
on the governors of New York and Pennsylvania</a> to protect trans
people in those states' national guard.
</p>
<p>If you sign, please spread the word!</p>


feed_id: 58800fd34458fa3867adbdb042c98311
title: European blacklist
uri: European-blacklist
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#7_May_2019_%28European_blacklist%29
content:
<p>
The US and <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#salafi">Salafi Arabia</a> allied with the forces of corruption
to <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2019/03/01/saudis-join-us-kill-eu-effort-create-dirty-money-blacklist">kill
a proposed European blacklist</a> for countries that disguise money
from taxation.
<p>
This might be one good reason for the UK to leave the EU: to be able
to set up such a blacklist on its own.


feed_id: f5a2f9cc4565843b4a87885ece980a05
title: Pope Pius XII
uri: Pope-Pius-XII
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#7_May_2019_%28Pope_Pius_XII%29
content:
<p>
The Vatican
will <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/mar/04/vatican-to-open-archives-on-controversial-wwii-pope-pius-xii">examine
the records</a> of Pope Pius XII to judge his dealings with Hitler,
and particularly with Hitler's murder of 6 million Jews and a million
other civilians.


feed_id: eaecff39d7525af0d5818083f0b8e4b1
title: US election outcome
uri: US-election-outcome
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#7_May_2019_%28US_election_outcome%29
content:
<p>
If the conman loses the election and tries to hold power by force or
lies, how will
we <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/mar/03/donald-trump-2020-defeat-michael-cohen">defend
the Constitution</a>?


feed_id: 3d01d28bd5c6e7876c290c3184428055
title: Mobile phone numbers for Facebook
uri: Mobile-phone-numbers-for-Facebook
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#7_May_2019_%28Mobile_phone_numbers_for_Facebook%29
content:
<p>
Facebook requested, even occasionally demanded, mobile phone numbers
from its useds in the name of "security",
then <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2019/mar/04/facebook-faces-backlash-over-users-safety-phone-numbers">treated
them as personal identifiers</a> for lookups and advertising.
<p>
Since two-factor authentication requires a Stalin's Dream device, I am
excluded from all digital services which demand two-factor
authentication.  MIT administrative services do this, so I cannot talk
with them on line.
<p>
In September MIT demanded that I take an online course about sexual
harassment; although I don't teach classes or even meet
undergraduates, they treated me like a professor on the "be
overcautious at every opportunity" principle.  But I was unable to do
so until MIT arranged to let me log in on an MIT kiosk terminal and
bypassed the two-factor requirement for me.


feed_id: a93ce25b3fd5063ef1dfbb4794865ffa
title: Ocean heatwaves
uri: Ocean-heatwaves
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#7_May_2019_%28Ocean_heatwaves%29
content:
<p>
After only 1C of
heating, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/mar/04/heatwaves-sweeping-oceans-like-wildfires-scientists-reveal">devastating
heatwaves</a> are sweeping the oceans in many parts of the world.
These kill off species such as coral and kelp that many other species
need in order to continue.  Humanity's supply of seafood, already
reduced due to overfishing and heat of the water, will tumble.


feed_id: 61ec0aff46adeaac29eed29e30e8545c
title: Europe's forests
uri: 2019-05-07-Europe-s-forests
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#7_May_2019_%28Europe%27s_forests%29
content:
<p>
Europe's
Forests <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/mar/04/europes-forests-threatened-by-biodiversity-collapse-warn-campaigners-poland-vistula">Threatened
by Biodiversity Collapse</a>, Warn Campaigners.
<p>
The EU has adopted well-meaning policies meant to reduce greenhouse
gas emissions by
encouraging <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2009-jan-apr.html#06%20February%202009%20(Ethanol%20made%20from%20corn)">burning
ethanol from corn</a>
and <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2018-sep-dec.html#15_September_2018_(EUs_new_greenhouse_gas_law)">burning
wood</a>.
<p>
These practices are harmful, but the EU has been unable to
amend them.


feed_id: c910f38c7cec8bf6ba795234ac5af1c5
title: Mahmoud Abu Zeid
uri: Mahmoud-Abu-Zeid
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#7_May_2019_%28Mahmoud_Abu_Zeid%29
content:
<p>
Award-winning Egyptian journalist Mahmoud Abu Zeid has been a
political prisoner for over 5 years.  He was given a typical Egyptian
trial for political prisoners.  Starting now, he is being allowed to
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/mar/04/photographer-mahmoud-abu-zeid-shawkan-journalist-released-egypt">leave
jail during the daytime</a>.
<p>
I cancelled a planned speaking trip to Egypt just after the coup.  I
urge people not to visit Egypt until the country becomes less
repressive.


feed_id: 7a12fa054ded49fb22d0d63b88f7f049
title: Solitary confinement
uri: 2019-05-07-Solitary-confinement
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#7_May_2019_%28Solitary_confinement%29
content:
<p>
Albert Woodfox writes
about <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2019/mar/04/after-40-years-in-solitary-activist-albert-woodfox-tells-his-story-of-survival">40
years in solitary confinement</a> in Angola State Prison.


feed_id: 9dc9d7315e6397817d424fa1373f3bcd
title: License-plate readers
uri: 2019-05-07-License-plate-readers
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#7_May_2019_%28License-plate_readers%29
content:
<p>
License-plate readers have
been <a href="https://www.theatlantic.com/technology/archive/2016/04/how-license-plate-readers-have-helped-police-and-lenders-target-the-poor/479436/">proliferating
across the US</a>, making it nearly impossible to drive around cities
(and even some small towns) without your movements' being recorded.
<p>
They are now used by companies to hound poor people, as well as by
cities
to <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#29_August_2015_(Mass_incarceration_in_the_US)">fine
poor people</a>.
<P>
It could also come in handy against heroic whistleblowers.
<p>
I am sure things are much worse today than what was describes in that
article from 2016.
<p>
This tracking is a building block for a Chinese-style "social credit"
system.  If we want to avoid that bad end, it is not sufficient to
regulate how the data collected are used.  We need to
make <a href="https://gnu.org/philosophy/surveillance-vs-democracy.html">most
of those cameras disappear</a>.
Regulating use of the data might achieve that end, if the regulation
entirely precludes the usage that was funding the cameras.  Otherwise,
it's inadequate.


feed_id: e6debe4a57133fc72276afc733d95b2a
title: Parents applying for asylum
uri: Parents-applying-for-asylum
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#7_May_2019_%28Parents_applying_for_asylum%29
content:
<p>
29 parents that US immigration prisons deported away from their
offspring have
been <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2019/03/03/after-hours-border-29-parents-separated-their-kids-and-deported-take-step-toward">able
to apply for asylum</a>.


feed_id: 3c2e3af69e4216c1b7a019ec1bc4e06f
title: Young climate activists
uri: Young-climate-activists
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#7_May_2019_%28Young_climate_activists%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/mar/04/can-they-save-us-meet-the-climate-kids-fighting-to-fix-the-planet">Interviews</a>
with young US climate activists.


feed_id: 5b154188af271d765903fb11c8d6cdd4
title: Views on death penalty
uri: Views-on-death-penalty
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#7_May_2019_%28Views_on_death_penalty%29
content:
<p>
Some US conservatives are now calling the death
penalty <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/mar/04/a-broken-system-the-conservatives-against-the-death-penalty">"big
government screwing up."</a>
<p>
It is true that government activities meant to do good sometimes
backfire and hurt people.
<p>
With businesses, by contrast, no backfire is required.  They hurt
people because they can get away with it.  Our most effective tool to
stop
this <a href="https://stallman.org/articles/why-we-need-a-state.html">is
the government</a>.


feed_id: eacd5fdef7170a2f3c397cfa543fc0d1
title: Urgent: Stop corporate support of hate groups
uri: Urgent-Stop-corporate-support-of-hate-groups
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#9_May_2019_%28Urgent%3A_Stop_corporate_support_of_hate_groups%29

content:
<p>
US citizens: 
<a href="https://act.colorofchange.org/sign/stop-funds-to-hate-groups/">call
on corporate "charities"</a> to stop supporting hate groups.


feed_id: 4d3204aa39a0079bb53ee8c3444584ae
title: Urgent: Stop investigation of fictitious "BIE"
uri: Urgent-Stop-investigation-of-fictitious-BIE
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#9_May_2019_%28Urgent%3A_Stop_investigation_of_fictitious_BIE%29

content:
<p>
US citizens:
<a href="https://act.freepress.net/sign/justice_bie_foia/">tell the
FBI</a> to stop its investigation of fictitious "Black Identity
Extremist" and release the documents about that investigation.


feed_id: bf0a48ace402d92d8435770ab06d005e
title: Saving insects to save ourselves
uri: Saving-insects-to-save-ourselves
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#9_May_2019_%28Saving_insects_to_save_ourselves%29
content:
<p>
Humanity 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/may/07/humanity-must-save-insects-to-save-ourselves-scientist-warns">Must
Save Insects To Save Ourselves</a>, Leading Scientist Warns.


feed_id: 930435942b49b54c19b3db2be4c7ce3b
title: Repression of journalism in Burma
uri: Repression-of-journalism-in-Burma
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#9_May_2019_%28Repression_of_journalism_in_Burma%29
content:
<p>
In 2017, Burma 
<a href="">jailed journalists two for reporting about government
involvement in crimes against the Rohingya</a>.  Now they have been
released.
<p>
It's good they were released, but we must still condemn the government
of Burma for its repression of journalism.
<p>
Burma is not alone in this.  The US government did something similar
when it jailed Chelsea Manning.  And now it is trying to attack
journalism even more deeply by prosecuting Julian Assange.  That is as
if Burma were trying to jail the executives of Reuters.


feed_id: 6c97b79fc8bd9e24a93073a1ff09f868
title: Urgent: Fire Koch-funded "fact checkers"
uri: Urgent-Fire-Koch-funded-fact-checkers
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#9_May_2019_%28Urgent%3A_Fire_Koch-funded_fact_checkers%29

content:
<p>
US citizens: 
<a href="https://act.rootsaction.org/p/dia/action4/common/public/?action_KEY=13676">Tell
Facebook</a> to fire its Koch-funded "fact checkers".


feed_id: ceb3b3faaa0a1a0fe3e6598dadd34c9a
title: Urgent: Stop DHS spying on protesters
uri: Urgent-Stop-DHS-spying-on-protesters
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#9_May_2019_%28Urgent%3A_Stop_DHS_spying_on_protesters%29

content:
<p>
US citizens: 
<a href="http://act.demandprogress.org/sign/tell-homeland-security-cancel-intelligence-contracts-spy-protesters-shareprogress/">call
on the Department of Harassment and Subjugation</a> to stop spying on
those protesting against its immigration policies.


feed_id: 5fb0f0995cab3e4cd52075f2dd85b347
title: Urgent: Equality Act
uri: 2019-05-09-Urgent-Equality-Act
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#9_May_2019_%28Urgent%3A_Equality_Act%29
content:
<p>
US citizens: 
<a href="http://act.pfaw.org/sign/urge-your-congress-to-support-Equality-Act/">call
on your congresscritter</a> to support the Equality Act.


feed_id: 6c88699002bb9526e15ecd6746241f28
title: Urgent: Block US war with Venezuela
uri: Urgent-Block-US-war-with-Venezuela
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#9_May_2019_%28Urgent%3A_Block_US_war_with_Venezuela%29

content:
<p>
US citizens: 
<a href="https://act.rootsaction.org/p/dia/action4/common/public/?action_KEY=13602">call
on your congresscritter and senators</a> to block US war with
Venezuela.
<p>
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2019/05/01/biden-sides-trump-bolton-and-pompeo-backing-coup-effort-venezuela">More
information</a>.
<p>
To sign without running any nonfree software, use the 
<a href="https://stallman.org/salsalabs-method.html">Salsalabs workaround</a>.


feed_id: 6a188a5069a8d0db129f9ddeb7b3068f
title: Armenian 'smart' city
uri: Armenian-smart-city
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#9_May_2019_%28Armenian_%27smart%27_city%29
content:
<p>
Armenia is looking at letting Huawei convert
Yerevan <a href="https://eurasianet.org/armenia-mulls-chinese-surveillance-tech">into
a "smart city"</a>.  For "smart", read "snoop".


feed_id: 9ccb4460d55b15a33502360843075897
title: Accusations against Maduro
uri: Accusations-against-Maduro
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#9_May_2019_%28Accusations_against_Maduro%29
content:
<p>
Amnesty
International <a href="https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/news/2019/02/venezuela-hunger-punishment-and-fear-the-formula-for-repression-used-by-authorities-under-nicolas-maduro/">accuses
Maduro's forces</a> of murdering protesters they had arrested and
beaten up, and faking signs of a "gunfight".


feed_id: 3f6a6d0dcf8c8039e4a5d1ed39a8998f
title: Earned Income Tax Credit
uri: Earned-Income-Tax-Credit
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#9_May_2019_%28Earned_Income_Tax_Credit%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2019/03/04/bold-new-idea-boost-wages">Expanding
and increasing</a> the Earned Income Tax Credit could lift most poor
Americans out of poverty.


feed_id: 15ced16a823367bff42a37b458d5d5dd
title: Oakland teachers
uri: Oakland-teachers
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#9_May_2019_%28Oakland_teachers%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2019/03/04/only-beginning-oakland-teachers-return-classroom-after-week-long-strike-vow-build">'Only
the Beginning'</a>: Oakland Teachers Return to Classroom After
Week-Long Strike, But Vow to Build on Victory.


feed_id: 2399acd950909b1abc7a293e5ee99027
title: Border wall by China
uri: Border-wall-by-China
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#9_May_2019_%28Border_wall_by_China%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2019/03/04/swiftian-modest-proposal-president">A
satirical suggestion</a> to the fencer: invite China to build a wall
on the US-Mexico border.  China has plenty of experience with building
walls.
<p>
The proposal fails to mention another argument in favor &mdash; that
China has plenty of experience with surveillance and repression.
<p>
The article is amusing as mockery, but not as a serious suggestion.
Contracting to China would not protect the ecosystems and
border-dwellers that the wall would destroy.  The surveillance systems
would be turned against US security afterward.
<p>
What we need is not a cheaper and well-built wall.  We should not have
a wall there.


feed_id: 2cae27118b8613d674fb00ff3d37d566
title: DNC in 2020
uri: DNC-in-2020
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#9_May_2019_%28DNC_in_2020%29
content:
<p>
Sanders says he expects the DNC to run the nomination process
evenhandedly in 2020, but the corporate right-wing media will attack
him with various
would-be <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2019/03/04/big-obstacle-bernie-isnt-dnc-rigging-its-media-trashing">self-fulfilling
prophesies of defeat</a>.
<p>
When the plutocratist media say we can't win, I recognize that as a
sign that the plutocrats really wish we would give up.  Which means it
is time to fight!
<p>
Meanwhile, please join me in appreciating the important gift that
Wikileaks gave to democracy in the US by reporting the bias of the DNC
in 2016.  That is what led to the reform about superdelegates.


feed_id: 651ad5ce59be2028683dd986ab7afea4
title: Fusion voting
uri: Fusion-voting
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#9_May_2019_%28Fusion_voting%29
content:
<p>
Plutocratist Democrat Governor Cuomo of New York
is <a href="https://theintercept.com/2019/03/04/working-families-party-ny-cuomo/">trying
to prohibit</a> minor parties from running the same candidate as a
major party &mdash; a practice that has been traditional there for a
long time.
<p>
The Green Party campaigns for other states to allow "fusion voting".


feed_id: 169b267bb39e31816e5a9df626e9067e
title: Reading to children
uri: Reading-to-children
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#9_May_2019_%28Reading_to_children%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/books/2019/mar/04/give-older-children-story-time-to-halt-fall-in-young-readers-urge-experts">A
study shows</a> the importance for children of being read to by their
parents, even as old as age 10.
<p>
If plutocracy didn't compel parents to work two jobs, they would find
it easier to do this.  And it would reduce the family stress that can
hurt a child in many ways.


feed_id: c0e9f7fec536a0c8e77081744dae32bf
title: MMR vaccine
uri: MMR-vaccine
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#9_May_2019_%28MMR_vaccine%29
content:
<p>
A large
study <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/society/2019/mar/04/no-link-between-autism-and-mmr-affirms-major-study">found
no relation</a> between the MMR vaccine and autism.
<p>
Alas, I think that the anti-vaxxers will pay little heed to scientific
results that disagree with the views of their cult.  The corrupt,
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#2_March_2018_(Safety_of_vaccines)">fraudulent
study from the 1990s</a>
is the study they believe, and a thousand studies correcting the
falsehood will just bounce off of it.


feed_id: ec1793b5407669e0a42d7e92d8158cdd
title: US involvement in wars
uri: US-involvement-in-wars
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#9_May_2019_%28US_involvement_in_wars%29
content:
<p>
Some Democrats in Congress
have <a href="https://theintercept.com/2019/03/04/common-defense-congress-forever-wars-pledge/">pledged
to wind down US involvement</a> in the unending local wars around the
world.


feed_id: 863149b62837a8eb54e03e76e07b893c
title: List of criminal cops
uri: List-of-criminal-cops
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#9_May_2019_%28List_of_criminal_cops%29
content:
<p>
California Keeps a Secret List Of Criminal Cops.  The attorney general
claims that it
is <a href="https://www.eastbaytimes.com/2019/02/26/california-keeps-a-secret-list-of-criminal-cops-but-says-you-cant-have-it/">illegal
for reporters to keep a copy</a> if they have one.
<p>
That
is <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2013-may-aug.html#25_June_2013_(UK_man_sentenced_to_prison_for_having_copies_of_publications)">UK-style
repression</a>,
and fighting the repression is even more important than kicking out
the criminals.


feed_id: 7048a94299b932808b7c7ae5af699526
title: Ocasio-Cortez interview
uri: Ocasio-Cortez-interview
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#9_May_2019_%28Ocasio-Cortez_interview%29
content:
<p>
Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez interviewed
about <a href="https://www.rollingstone.com/politics/politics-features/alexandria-ocasio-cortez-congress-interview-797214/">her
political strategies</a>.
<p>
It is interesting that she supports Pelosi, saying that Pelosi could not
feasibly do better given the existing forces in Congress than what she
is doing.  Whatever Ocasio-Cortez says is worth thinking about.


feed_id: 86d18d89f111a8a4b0b03fe998dbe16c
title: US sanctions on Iran
uri: 2019-05-10-US-sanctions-on-Iran
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#10_May_2019_%28US_sanctions_on_Iran%29
content:
<p>
Iran 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/may/07/iran-to-announces-partial-withdrawal-from-nuclear-deal">will
cancel some secondary aspects of the non-nuclear deal</a>, because
Europe has failed to protect it from the damage of US sanctions.
<p>
However, it will not cancel the core of the deal.


feed_id: 51c58db6f0c70474e4da21c05df48068
title: Guber's measly pay
uri: Guber-s-measly-pay
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#10_May_2019_%28Gubers_measly_pay%29
content:
<p>
Some Uber drivers have to 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2019/may/07/the-uber-drivers-forced-to-sleep-in-parking-lots-to-make-a-decent-living">sleep
in their cars to work in San Francisco</a>.  They can't afford to live
near that city, on <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#guber">Guber</a>'s measly pay.


feed_id: a6c0a51fec4256deaa6b6bb3e4dc145f
title: Bombardment of Idlib
uri: Bombardment-of-Idlib
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#10_May_2019_%28Bombardment_of_Idlib%29
content:
<p>
Russia and Turkey are bombarding Idlib, and have 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/may/08/russia-and-turkey-landgrab-behind-fresh-syria-bombardment">destroyed
12 medical clinics</a>.


feed_id: fad99e396e4525d637b7633c0dfc4ebe
title: Global heating denial in the US
uri: Global-heating-denial-in-the-US
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#10_May_2019_%28Global_heating_denial_in_the_US%29
content:
<p>
The US is 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/may/07/us-hotbed-climate-change-denial-international-poll">almost
the global champion</a> in the fraction of people that deny the fact
of <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#global heating">global heating</a> caused by humans.


feed_id: abd2da5000de399b3327e8b83485da90
title: The party of Nelson Mandela
uri: The-party-of-Nelson-Mandela
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#10_May_2019_%28The_party_of_Nelson_Mandela%29
content:
<p>
The party of Nelson Mandela 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/may/08/anc-corruption-south-africa-failure-polls">has
become known as the party of corruption</a>.
<p>
All South Africa's presidents since Mandela came from that party, and
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2006-sep-dec.html#08%20September%202006%20(South%20African%20AIDS%20policies)">each</a> <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2008-sep-dec.html#26%20December%202008%20(Government%20of%20South%20Africa)">of</a>
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2010-jan-apr.html#20%20February%202010%20(Chumani%20Maxwele%20gets%20arrested)">them</a>
(perhaps aside from Ramaphosa) was a disaster.


feed_id: a46c682e7515225f58d48f4fd8ab15b9
title: Abortions in Argentina
uri: Abortions-in-Argentina
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#10_May_2019_%28Abortions_in_Argentina%29
content:
<p>
It is standard practice in Argentina to 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2019/mar/05/thousands-young-girls-denied-abortion-argentina">deny
abortion to girls who have been raped</a>, by delaying for months
until an ordinary abortion is no longer possible.


feed_id: 277183f333ed0eabd6d2793ed7ce2118
title: Wasteful buying and global heating
uri: Wasteful-buying-and-global-heating
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#10_May_2019_%28Wasteful_buying_and_global_heating%29

content:
<p>
To avoid <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#global heating">global heating</a> disaster we need to 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/mar/05/climate-breakdown-uk-greener-new-deal-cap-consumption">reduce
the amount of stuff people buy</a>.  With today's wasteful, ad-driven
system, there is plenty of room to do this without causing any actual
hardship.


feed_id: 36677c8be49a1effc5fc0e94887a5720
title: Citizenship and human rights
uri: Citizenship-and-human-rights
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#10_May_2019_%28Citizenship_and_human_rights%29
content:
<p>
Countries must not banish citizens for becoming inconvenient, and
human rights such as the 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/mar/05/shamima-begum-citizenship">right
to a fair trial must not be limited to citizens</a>.


feed_id: 82f2af5e45eaa304fe61f1b01c5128c0
title: The US intervention in Afghanistan
uri: 2019-05-10-The-US-intervention-in-Afghanistan
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#9_May_2019_%28The_US_intervention_in_Afghanistan%29
content:
<p>
The US is looking at ending its intervention in Afghanistan.  Will it
learn anything about 
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2019/03/04/us-quietly-negotiates-peace-honor-afghanistan">whether
to intervene elsewhere in the future</a>?
<p>
I was in favor of the intervention in Afghanistan, at first.  I
thought victory would be easy and would bring Afghans peace, under a
less oppressive rule than the Taliban's.
<p>
Things in Afghanistan went bad 
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2010-jul-oct.html#06%20July%202010%20(It%20is%20foolish%20to%20try%20to%20win%20a%20war%20in%20Afghanistan)">after
the US invaded Iraq (for no valid reason at all)</a>.  Perhaps
Afghanistan would have turned out better if the US had focused on
Afghanistan and not started an unnecessary and unjust war elsewhere.
I thought so, but there is no way to be sure.
<p>
Whatever the US does now, it will not attain all the goals in
Afghanistan we would wish for in our dreams.  Or perhaps any of them.
We should not criticize a plan to end the war merely for that.
<p>
I recommend Novel Without a Name, by Duong Thu Huong.  It portrays a
North Vietnamese officer who fights grimly for victory despite great
suffering, the loss of his connection to life, and the aristocratic
arrogance of Communist officials.  At the end, as he participates in
the capture of Saigon, he has lost everything.  The book is informed
by her experience serving as a singer and nurse for North Vietnamese
troops fighting in South Vietnam.  Vietnam does not publish her books
nowadays.
<p>
The US exit from Vietnam was indeed abandonment without honor.
However, honor alone is not enough justification for subjecting a
country to unending bloody war.  All in all, it was good that Nixon
ended that war, even the way he did, even considering how corrupt and
repressive the
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2015-jan-apr.html#26_April_2015_(Oppressive_communism_to_corrupt_capitalism)">Vietnamese
government</a> is.
<p>
Afghans will, I think, be better off if we don't force continued war
on them.
<p>
If other Afghans hate the Taliban's rule enough to keep fighting of
their own initiative, I think we should support them.  But it has to
be their decision, not our imposition.


feed_id: d7b6aa6ea23d9d0af9d185a9e4bf1b18
title: PISSI
uri: 2019-05-10-PISSI
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#9_May_2019_%28PISSI%29
content:
<p>
(satire) FAIR issued a statement Monday condemning the American press
for only referring to &hellip; jihadist Hoda Muthana as "bride of
[<a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#pissi">PISSI</a>] soldier."  [FAIR said that] "Ms. Muthana is an accomplished
[<a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#pissi">PISSI</a>] member in her own right, having 
<href="https://www.theonion.com/sexist-media-keeps-only-referring-to-woman-as-bride-of-1833041408">joined
one of the top terrorist organizations in the world at the age of only
20</a>," &hellip;
<p>
I use the name "<a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#pissi">PISSI</a>" to avoid defaming the Egyptian goddess or the
English river by using their name to refer to a group of violent
fanatics.  And to reject the group's claim that its newly constructed
ideology truly represents Islam.


feed_id: 4c122483588793a01d3c26384ca9eaaf
title: Urgent: Pay from government shutdown
uri: Urgent-Pay-from-government-shutdown
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#11_May_2019_%28Urgent%3A_Pay_from_government_shutdown%29

content:
<p>
US
citizens: <a href="https://act.credoaction.com/sign/workers-backpay-shutdown">support
the bill</a> to pay low-wage contractors the pay that they lost during
the federal government shutdown.
</p>
<p>If you sign, please spread the word!</p>


feed_id: 1d8aea2edeac88beb7d472e76f3162b7
title: Urgent: Scientific Integrity Act
uri: Urgent-Scientific-Integrity-Act
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#11_May_2019_%28Urgent%3A_Scientific_Integrity_Act%29

content:
<p>
US
citizens: <a href="https://act.credoaction.com/sign/scientific-integrity-act">call
on Congress</a> to pass the Scientific Integrity Act.
</p>
<p>If you sign, please spread the word!</p>


feed_id: 613e198ddbe8b527478aa9efe5119ce0
title: Urgent: 'Emergency' request
uri: Urgent-Emergency-request
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#11_May_2019_%28Urgent%3A_%27Emergency%27_request%29
content:
<p>
US
citizens: <a href="https://act.credoaction.com/sign/defund-hate-stephen-miller">call
on Congress</a> to reject the bully's "emergency" request for more
money to make refugees suffer.
</p>
<p>If you sign, please spread the word!</p>


feed_id: 3ebf5d2f2cd385204d7feda5b1748ba6
title: 'Floating Silicon Valley'
uri: Floating-Silicon-Valley
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#11_May_2019_%28%27Floating_Silicon_Valley%27%29
content:
<p>
Copenhagen's planned new "floating silicon valley" will, alas, not
really float.  It will be made
of <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/cities/2019/mar/06/artificial-archipelago-copenhagen-plans-floating-silicon-valley">low-lying
islands</a>.
<p>
If it really floated, it might last out the coming century.


feed_id: b3082ce7365349c3aa8470bfc0c6f0c4
title: Selling British territory
uri: Selling-British-territory
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#11_May_2019_%28Selling_British_territory%29
content:
<p>
Plutocratist governments in the UK have sold 10% of the territory of
Britain out of public
hands, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/mar/05/the-guardian-view-on-the-biggest-privatisation-the-land-beneath-our-feet">mostly
to businesses</a>.
<p>
When looting the state, privatizers are not limited to property than can be
carried away.  They loot what's nailed down, too.


feed_id: 5e5c75f3e59194fe3f1e64495bfd7d8e
title: Theranos patent
uri: Theranos-patent
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#11_May_2019_%28Theranos_patent%29
content:
<p>
The Theranos medical device fraud was founded on a US patent issued
for an application that consisted
of <a href="https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2019/03/theranos-how-a-broken-patent-system-sustained-its-decade-long-deception/">"aspirational
science fiction"</a>.
<p>
This was not an aberration.  The US patent office takes the assertions
in the application for granted.  It gets paid per patent application,
so it keeps its customers (patent applicants) happy by not
scrutinizing them much.
<p>
We would be better
off <a href="media/1dcfd209.45_1_stallman.pdf" data-original-source="https://www.luc.edu/media/lucedu/law/students/publications/llj/pdfs/45_1_stallman.pdf">without
any patent system</a>.


feed_id: 980789db6b6d17769f8b486909554f97
title: Automatic copyright filters
uri: Automatic-copyright-filters
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#11_May_2019_%28Automatic_copyright_filters%29
content:
<p>
Plutocratists in the European Parliament tried to rush the vote on the
automatic copyright filters directive, so as to hold
it <a href="https://boingboing.net/2019/03/04/march-23-march.html">before
the March 23 public protest</a> against it.
<p>
They were thwarted.


feed_id: 06e59c04471d537cd7f45150b7e93e1b
title: False DMCA takedown
uri: False-DMCA-takedown
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#11_May_2019_%28False_DMCA_takedown%29
content:
<p>
An Indian record company got a copyright law blog removed from
Google's search engine by filing
a <a href="https://torrentfreak.com/record-label-targets-copyright-experts-with-bogus-takedown-request">false
DMCA takedown notice</a>.
<p>
In theory, there is a punishment for intentionally false takedown
notices.  This provides little protection, perhaps because it is very
hard to prove that any particular false takedown notice was
intentional.
<p>
I have not read that copyright law blog, but I can tell from its name
that it promotes confusion between copyright law and other unrelated
laws by lumping them together under
the <a href="https://gnu.org/philosophy/not-ipr.html">bogus concept of
"IP"</a>.
<p>
The article does a disservice to moral thought by referring to
copyright infringement
as <a href="https://www.gnu.org/philosophy/words-to-avoid.html#Piracy">"pirated
material"</a>.  Piracy means attacking ships; it is very bad.  Sharing
is good.  Let's not refer to the two by the same word.


feed_id: a006d4ae3ca6d9cac03f200bac40944b
title: Forced arbitration
uri: 2019-05-12-Forced-arbitration
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#11_May_2019_%28Forced_arbitration%29
content:
<p>
Most Democrats in Congress
have <a href="https://thinkprogress.org/lawmakers-declare-war-on-the-biggest-civil-rights-problem-youve-probably-never-heard-of-eaf3b5459034/">cosponsored
a bill</a> to eliminate the forced arbitration requirements that
companies impose on customers and employees.


feed_id: dfea0972759d7f0cd78817361bd08072
title: Tiina Jauhiainen
uri: Tiina-Jauhiainen
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#11_May_2019_%28Tiina_Jauhiainen%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2019/mar/05/dubai-princess-latifa-escape-uae-tiina-jauhiainen-one-year-on">An
interview with Tiina Jauhiainen</a>, who helped organize Princess
Latifa's escape from Dubai and was with her when they were captured,
at sea near India.
<p>
Were their captors real Indian coast guard troops?  Did Modi cooperate
with this?


feed_id: e2037a7525769761b15ea49239d94a06
title: Fracking and infections
uri: Fracking-and-infections
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#11_May_2019_%28Fracking_and_infections%29
content:
<p>
Fracking in
Pennsylvania <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2019/03/05/new-study-ties-spike-hospitalizations-genital-skin-and-urinary-ailments-fracking">correlates
with an increase</a> in kidney and urinary tract infections that
caused hospitalization.
<p>
The infections can't be causing the fracking, so the fracking must be
causing the infections.
<p>
To protect planetary health, we must eliminate fracking.  There is no
room for it in our carbon budget.  Damage to the health of many
individual humans' health is an additional reason.


feed_id: de9f920f7cefeb1a1efc8f28ecfc49e8
title: Racism in the UK
uri: 2019-05-12-Racism-in-the-UK
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#11_May_2019_%28Racism_in_the_UK%29
content:
<p>
Racism in the UK comes mainly from the lower middle
class, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/society/2019/mar/05/middle-income-earners-behind-rising-racial-tensions-research-suggests">not
from the poor people</a> who supposedly have been harmed by
immigrants.
<p>
The poor people have indeed been
harmed, <a href="media/62a79bb0.anuran-bevan.jpg" data-original-source="https://stallman.org/images/anuran-bevan.jpg">by
Tories</a>.


feed_id: 11f1fb304e181e1c9ab0c0af6d6f593f
title: European bank scandal
uri: European-bank-scandal
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#11_May_2019_%28European_bank_scandal%29
content:
<p>
Big European
banks <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/mar/05/troika-laundromat-revelations-hit-european-bank-shares">are
in a scandal</a> for moving lots of money belonging to Russian
oligarchs into secret tax havens.


feed_id: 8c72e1bc4b5144a41e5ee00cb1da669c
title: Tapanuli orangutan
uri: 2019-05-12-Tapanuli-orangutan
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#11_May_2019_%28Tapanuli_orangutan%29
content:
<p>
The Tapanuli orangutan, identified last year as a distinct species,
would probably go extinct if a new dam is built.  A
court <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/mar/05/worlds-rarest-orangutan-under-threat-in-indonesia-after-court-battle-against-dam-fails">just
approved the project</a> in a narrow-minded decision which ignored
this issue.


feed_id: f887ee7f287b2a6cb71d4ae72ddeb1ab
title: Tax exemption
uri: Tax-exemption
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#11_May_2019_%28Tax_exemption%29
content:
<p>
The IRS
has <a href="https://reason.com/2019/03/05/the-irs-targets-drug-policy-re">adopted
a rule</a> which would deny tax-exemption to organizations that
campaign to legalize drugs, or to reduce the onerous conditions on
state-legalized marijuana sales.
<p>
These decisions should not discriminate based on what cause an
organization campaigns for.


feed_id: 4076a8e8eb9b7300c60fdbe6a0810078
title: Nazi clowning
uri: Nazi-clowning
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#13_May_2019_%28Nazi_clowning%29
content:
<p>
For <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2019/mar/07/newport-beach-swastika-anne-frank-stepsister">some
teenagers in the US</a>, Nazi clowning is a silly fad.  They don't
know anything about what Nazis really did.  This ignorance makes them
vulnerable to learning antisemitism and racism.


feed_id: 652c1bac223a56ec582c5617305c352c
title: Cashless society
uri: 2019-05-14-Cashless-society
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#13_May_2019_%28Cashless_society%29
content:
<p>
"Going contactless is gloriously convenient
&mdash; <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/mar/07/going-contactless-is-gloriously-convenient-for-all-the-wrong-people">for
all the wrong people</a>."
<p>
Finally, someone outside our community gets the point!  The
conclusion, "Let's use cash more," is not as firm as my response,
"Don't be tracked &mdash; pay cash!", but it is the first step in that
direction.  To keep our freedom, we must choose freedom over
convenience.
<p>
Nearly everyone in the UK still carries cash
to <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/money/2019/mar/07/britons-use-cash-everyday-payments-report-finds">use
it for certain purposes</a>, but the systems for people to get cash
are <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/money/2019/mar/06/uk-cash-system-on-the-verge-of-collapse-report-finds">rapidly
being eliminated</a> in many places.


feed_id: b7361a65f636567e113e1fe4e7a23ffa
title: Healthcare in Mali
uri: Healthcare-in-Mali
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#13_May_2019_%28Healthcare_in_Mali%29
content:
<p>
"Incredible Moment": Impoverished Mali
to <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2019/mar/07/incredible-moment-impoverished-mali-to-give-free-healthcare-to-under-fives">Give
[Gratis] Healthcare</a> To Under-Fives.


feed_id: c9067339af374bd7fdf0588fd45487d7
title: Women's rights in China
uri: Women-s-rights-in-China
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#13_May_2019_%28Women%27s_rights_in_China%29
content:
<p>
The movement for women's rights in
China <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/commentisfree/2019/mar/07/chinas-womens-movement-has-not-only-survived-an-intense-crackdown-its-grown">is
spreading</a> despite the state's repression.


feed_id: d107ede3bda279cd6540df2c9398d12d
title: Activist surveillance
uri: Activist-surveillance
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#13_May_2019_%28Activist_surveillance%29
content:
<p>
The US deportation <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thugs</a>
specifically <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2019/03/06/report-ice-spied-anti-trump-activists-nyc">surveilled
activists that opposed the bully</a>, hoping to deport them.


feed_id: 29fc1d1741c9c655aa6502002a1b3ead
title: Nuclear war game
uri: Nuclear-war-game
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#13_May_2019_%28Nuclear_war_game%29
content:
<p>
The US held a nuclear war game in 1983, but its use of encrypted
messages and readying actual nuclear forces led the USSR's leadership
to <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2019/03/06/nuclear-brinkmanship-back-why-we-need-new-peace-movement">think
it was a real attack</a>.
<p>
The war game included firing a single nuclear missile at Kiev, as a
"signal".  The outcome of the game was a general nuclear war that, we
now know, would have caused a nuclear winter and destroyed
civilization.


feed_id: 5dbf04f1b1da0c0ad00b69467943bae4
title: Glencore campaign
uri: Glencore-campaign
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#13_May_2019_%28Glencore_campaign%29
content:
<p>
The multinational mining company Glencore funded since 2017 an
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/business/2019/mar/07/revealed-glencore-bankrolled-covert-campaign-to-prop-up-coal">international
anti-environmentalist campaign</a> to protect coal mining.  It
included trying to get dirt on organizations such as Greenpeace and
350.org to try to weaken them, as well as false accusations.
<p>
They seem to work with a group of planet-roaster Australian
politicians who set up the "Mon-ash forum".  Is Mon ash
as <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#5_May_2019_(Coal_ash_pollution)">toxic
as coal ash</a>?
<p>
There is no room in a democracy for companies powerful enough to do
things like this.


feed_id: 3a9c6b9f638f00f426e49dd11d6e3e0c
title: Medicare for All attacks
uri: Medicare-for-All-attacks
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#13_May_2019_%28Medicare_for_All_attacks%29
content:
<p>
Democratic Rep. Bustos, head of Democratic Party fundraising for
congressional candidates
is <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2019/03/06/dccc-chair-accused-echoing-right-wing-talking-points-after-calling-medicare-all">attacking
Medicare for All</a> on the usual false grounds of its cost.
<p>
Her position, in effect: "We can't afford 32 trillion &mdash; we must
insist on paying the 50 trillion that the current system will cost."
<p>
Most other Democrats in the House of Representatives are
still <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2019/03/06/there-are-106-democratic-co-sponsors-medicare-all-whats-other-130">taking
the plutocratist side</a>.
We need to try to replace them in 2020 with progressives.


feed_id: ed3e318d46e16edd47ae039a488e0065
title: Rural US communities
uri: Rural-US-communities
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#13_May_2019_%28Rural_US_communities%29
content:
<p>
Plutocracy in the US is crushing
essentially <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2019/03/06/rural-america-reeling-whats-remedy"><em>all</em>
rural communities</a>.
<p>
"Financial uncertainty, disappearance of their social
systems, lack of access to basic services, isolation, and emigration."
<p>
The right-wing politicians that have done this distract the people of
those communities by demonizing scapegoats, and via religion.  Meanwhile,
as they drive more people out of those places, ever tinier fractions
of the US get to elect a senator.
<p>
In the 1980s, when Democrats were not yet plutocratists, it was the
Republicans elected by rural America that helped
banksters <a href="https://stallman.org/doggerel.html#OldMacDonald">take
away most family farms</a>.


feed_id: eb453a093c9743c92d2b66a19553429f
title: Kicked out of Britain
uri: Kicked-out-of-Britain
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#13_May_2019_%28Kicked_out_of_Britain%29
content:
<p>
The UK government is hardly trying to repair its errors of kicking out
people with valid right to live and work in Britain, even though
its <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2019/mar/06/home-office-woefully-complacent-despite-windrush-scandal-reveals-mps-public-accounts-committee-report">own
deletion of records</a> was at fault.
<p>
Such a pattern of behavior does not happen by accident.  It results
from a basic attitude of prejudice.  I conjecture that setting up
the official policy, officially named the "hostile environment", taught
the relevant departments an attitude of hostility towards anyone
whose situation was in the slightest way irregular.
<p>
It seems that everyone involved with welfare benefits was taught the
same kind of attitude towards people who received benefits.  It's not
just that the system's rules demanded that people who couldn't walk go
up stairs for required meetings or face fines.  It's that the people
employed as chips and cogs in the system were taught to see them as
would-be cheaters and treat them like enemies.


feed_id: 56dfa549519918f10600742be3946947
title: Avoiding climate disaster
uri: 2019-05-14-Avoiding-climate-disaster
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#13_May_2019_%28Avoiding_climate_disaster%29
content:
<p>
The only truly pragmatic approach to avoiding climate disaster is one
that <a href="https://theweek.com/articles/826608/big-problem-climate-realism">has
a chance to do the job</a>.
<p>
Ocasio-Cortez may be right that Pelosi could not achieve more
by pushing the Green New Deal now.  But she should not denigrate it.


feed_id: d15c8355c795b6ee9e06d940afc35f4f
title: Protests in Sacramento
uri: Protests-in-Sacramento
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#13_May_2019_%28Protests_in_Sacramento%29
content:
<p>
Thugs <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2019/mar/06/stephon-clark-shooting-sacramento-police-protests">violently
attacked protesters</a> in Sacramento, and journalists covering them.
The protest was against the <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thugs</a>' rush to kill Stephon Clark.


feed_id: 15812043146d59feb1ae91f0e8f50c68
title: US military funding
uri: US-military-funding
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#13_May_2019_%28US_military_funding%29
content:
<p>
If America Can Find $716bn for the Military, It 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/mar/06/progressive-agenda-us-military-funding">Can
Fund the Green New Deal</a>.


feed_id: ad20da7cc8604b2ab181febf83eaf2e5
title: Adders no longer need to hibernate
uri: Adders-no-longer-need-to-hibernate
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#13_May_2019_%28Adders_no_longer_need_to_hibernate%29

content:
<p>
Adders in the UK no longer need to hibernate &mdash; it no longer gets
so cold.  But 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/mar/06/adders-now-active-all-year-with-warmer-uk-weather">when
there is a cold snap, this can kill them</a>.
<p>
I thought the adder population was decreasing because deforestation
was eliminating the log tables they need in order to multiply.  ;-}.


feed_id: ad1faacc5020d0a5ef59fd4168b3681a
title: Gender identity and sports
uri: Gender-identity-and-sports
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#13_May_2019_%28Gender_identity_and_sports%29
content:
<p>
We should be open to the idea that a person's gender identity is
significant for certain purposes, while per genetic and developmental
background could be significant for certain purposes.  One area where
this may be useful is 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/mar/06/sport-trans-martina-navratilova">dividing
sports competitors into classes</a>.
<p>
Dividing sporting competitions into classes is a way of compensating
for systematic differences in bodily strength or size.  In many sports
competitors are classed based on sex, but not always only that: boxing
has classes based on weight, because otherwise the heavier boxers
would have an inherent advantage.
<p>
Perhaps we could handicap each sport based on certain pertinent body
measurements -- for instance, for running, leg length and/or lung
capacity.  This could potentially do a better job than sex-based
classes, or gender-based classes, or prior-sex-based classes, and do
it without reference to sex or gender.
<p>
There would be no reason to fuss if you took drugs that gave you
longer legs, or bigger muscles, if your handicap took account of the
effect.


feed_id: 7e113bee3394ff7e24c1a6dd3acf2726
title: Isle Royale National Park
uri: Isle-Royale-National-Park
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#13_May_2019_%28Isle_Royale_National_Park%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#global heating">Global heating</a> has 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/mar/06/wolves-us-canada-moose-michigan">cut
off Isle Royale National Park from the Michigan mainland</a>, blocking
local wolves from interpreding with mainland wolves and resulting in
an excess of moose.
<p>
The so-called "balance of nature" is often very fragile.  It often
readjusts to a change with a plethora of other changes, sometimes
bigger than the first change.


feed_id: 9794c21bba275897b7dc67d26246c7e6
title: Bernie Sanders' personal history
uri: Bernie-Sanders-personal-history
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#13_May_2019_%28Bernie_Sanders_personal_history%29
content:
<p>
Bernie Sanders talked about his personal history.  He 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/mar/06/bernie-sanders-personal-story">knows
all about the poverty, and the plutocratic system that magnifies
it</a>.


feed_id: 682e8cb5e8cb633958ff638b782aa458
title: Urgent: Hold thug departments accountable
uri: Urgent-Hold-thug-departments-accountable
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#14_May_2019_%28Urgent%3A_Hold_thug_departments_accountable%29

content:
<p>
US citizens: 
<a href="https://actionnetwork.org/petitions/sign-the-petition-the-justice-department-must-publicly-hold-police-accountable-for-the-deaths-of-civilians-in-custody-2">call
on the Justice Department</a> to publicly hold thug departments
accountable for the deaths of people they are holding prisoner.
<p>
(I reject there emotionless term 
<a href='https://stallman.org/antiglossary.html#custody'>"custody"</a>
for being held prisoner.)


feed_id: 28cc11a563f55165863d0711e3f0ebde
title: Urgent: Puerto Rico disaster relief bill
uri: Urgent-Puerto-Rico-disaster-relief-bill
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#14_May_2019_%28Urgent%3A_Puerto_Rico_disaster_relief_bill%29

content:
<p>
US citizens: 
<a href="https://act.credoaction.com/sign/puerto-rico-disaster-relief-bill">call
on Congress</a> to fully fund the rebuilding and healing of Puerto
Rico.


feed_id: 0bc7c6c53d7cdfcfe7b8e164721c1e23
title: Picking up trash while black
uri: Picking-up-trash-while-black
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#14_May_2019_%28Picking_up_trash_while_black%29
content:
<p>
Picking up trash at home while black: Boulder <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thugs</a> found a black
college student sitting in front of his house, armed with a trash
picker and a bucket, and 
<a href="https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2019/3/6/1839969/-Colorado-cops-swarm-and-pull-guns-on-black-college-student-picking-up-trash-in-his-own-yard">called
for backup to harass and menace him</a>.
<p>
This incident did not go as far as some: they did not shoot him or
arrest him.  But he must have feared that they would.  It was a clear
example of racism, since they had no non-racist grounds to bother him
at all.
<p>
Boulder deserves a thug chief who will recognize that racist <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thugs</a> are
a far bigger danger to the peace of the city than picking up trash
around your home.
<p>
These smaller incidents are far more frequent than killings.  That
makes them a good opportunity to teach <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thugs</a> to be less thuggish.
Frequent small punishments for small wrongs have much more teaching
effect than big punishments for the occasional big wrongs.


feed_id: 505d9ec947ab150fa1b3ebdcfcaabb37
title: Uniformed thugs in school
uri: Uniformed-thugs-in-school
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#14_May_2019_%28Uniformed_thugs_in_school%29
content:
<p>
The ACLU reports that 
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2019/03/07/17-million-students-attend-schools-police-no-counselors-new-data-show">students
are over 3 times more likely to be arrested in school</a> if a
uniformed <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thug</a> is stationed in the school.
<p>
This is not a controlled study; we cannot be sure that the assignment
of a <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thug</a> to the school is responsible for all of that disparity.
We can be sure, though, that having a <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thug</a> handy means more arrests,
more students pushed into the school-to-prison pipeline.
<p>
It is also clear that having a <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thug</a> to punish students even for little
outbursts or indiscipline is no substitute for having nurses, social
workers and psychologists to help them.


feed_id: 8e41ac2aa2f696461cd7bd187146e39d
title: US needs law against starting nuclear war
uri: US-needs-law-against-starting-nuclear-war
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#14_May_2019_%28US_needs_law_against_starting_nuclear_war%29

content:
<p>
The US needs to pass a law against using nuclear weapons 
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2019/03/06/modest-proposal-dont-start-nuclear-war">except
in retaliation for nuclear weapons</a>.
<p>
This could 
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2019/03/06/fmr-nuclear-launch-officer-tells-congress-take-no-first-use">indirectly
discourage other countries from first use</a> of nuclear weapons
against the US.


feed_id: 2a2791409acc13a822ab2009fe63b675
title: Civilians killed by drone bombings
uri: Civilians-killed-by-drone-bombings
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#14_May_2019_%28Civilians_killed_by_drone_bombings%29

content:
<p>
<a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#bully">The bully</a> has ordered that the US 
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2019/03/06/shameful-trump-ends-rule-requiring-us-disclose-number-civilians-killed-drone-strikes">will
no longer say how many</a> civilians it kills with drone bombings.
<p>
That will facilitate concealing the truth.
<p>
The UK, by contrast, has claims that the over 4,000 casualties of
its air attacks against <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#pissi">PISSI</a> included 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2019/mar/07/mod-challenged-over-ludicrous-claim-of-one-civilian-death-in-isis-raids">just
one civilian</a>.
<p>
More precisely, it says that it has <em>identified</em> just one
civilian.  Any other civilian casualties are unidentified, so we are
invited to pretend they did not exist.


feed_id: 6894e12c749de6b14b620d436657a761
title: Rebel Tech
uri: Rebel-Tech
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#14_May_2019_%28Rebel_Tech%29
content:
<p>
Evgeny Morozov: "Breaking up the tech giants, having them pay a fair
share of taxes, making better use of their data are all necessary but,
alas, insufficient conditions for 
<a href='https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/may/11/big-tech-progressive-vision-silicon-valley'>effective
social &mdash; not just individual or institutional &mdash;
transformation</a>."
<p>
Morozov calls for "Rebel Tech" which would overturn the current
dominion of technology, which locks the current plutocratic system in
place.  Free Software is the original Rebel Tech, and any effective
solution has to start there.


feed_id: 0cbf27c1c592d96fa5d9dff448725dd8
title: Robot drone border guards
uri: Robot-drone-border-guards
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#14_May_2019_%28Robot_drone_border_guards%29
content:
<p>
The European Union is developing 
<a href="https://theintercept.com/2019/05/11/drones-artificial-intelligence-europe-roborder/">robot
drone border guards</a>.
<p>
They are meant for borders, but once those robots exist, it will be
hard to prevent them from being used in every city.


feed_id: beec4c8c3f2a4b6c8d033c17063b1d0e
title: Urgent: Make Uber and Lyft pay fair share
uri: Urgent-Make-Uber-and-Lyft-pay-fair-share
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#14_May_2019_%28Urgent%3A_Make_Uber_and_Lyft_pay_fair_share%29

content:
<p>
US citizens: 
<a href="https://actionnetwork.org/petitions/sign-now-demand-that-uber-and-lyft-pay-their-fair-share">call
on Congress</a> to make Uber and Lyft pay their share of social
security and medicare.


feed_id: 896b59e025d33c68339d1d0e4b84aa1e
title: Large new coal power plant proposed
uri: Large-new-coal-power-plant-proposed
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#14_May_2019_%28Large_new_coal_power_plant_proposed%29

content:
<p>
Australia proposes to build a large new coal power plant.  This 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/mar/07/site-planned-hunter-coal-plant-is-endangered-birds-only-nsw-breeding-area">would
be a global disaster</a>.
<p>
One endangered bird, one of whose crucial nesting areas is near the
proposed site of the power plant, may protect the whole world from
this power plant.


feed_id: 498abe97c8816f57da57397cd80047de
title: Italy makes refugees homeless
uri: Italy-makes-refugees-homeless
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#14_May_2019_%28Italy_makes_refugees_homeless%29
content:
<p>
Italy is making thousands of refugees homeless by 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2019/mar/06/salvini-crackdown-bulldozers-clear-italian-camp-housing-1500-refugees">destroying
their shanty towns</a>.


feed_id: d8984036def31e2b79d7af5c4a4b78ac
title: Application for asylum
uri: Application-for-asylum
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#14_May_2019_%28Application_for_asylum%29
content:
<p>
A lot more Central Americans are 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2019/mar/06/us-mexico-border-trump-administration-failure">crossing
the US border unofficially to ask for asylum</a>, now that official
border crossings arbitrarily refuse to let them apply.
<p>
There are some kinds of respect we should give to everyone, but
refraining from insulting them is not one of those.
<p>
Sad to say, many European countries are not much better &mdash; for
instance, 
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2013-jan-apr.html#15_March_2013_(Activist_mocks_Sarkozy_gets_criminal_conviction)">France</a>.


feed_id: 4a91b36b69a992b35e06ece71a0f22d6
title: Endangered species
uri: 2019-05-15-Endangered-species
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#14_May_2019_%28Endangered_species%29
content:
<p>
Republican saboteurs are 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/mar/06/endangered-species-face-disaster-under-trump-administration">working
to block, and undo</a>, protection of endangered species.
<p>
Here are 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/mar/06/five-species-under-threat-in-the-age-of-trump">some
species that are in particular danger now</a>.
<p>
The logic seems to be that if you can wipe out a species it will never
get in your way again.


feed_id: 85917f2a456d00e19285109cbe30aa52
title: Urgent: FAMILY Act
uri: Urgent-FAMILY-Act
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#15_May_2019_%28Urgent%3A_FAMILY_Act%29
content:
<p>
US
citizens: <a href="http://actnow.prochoiceamerica.org/signup/support-family-act-and-expand-paid-family-leave-all_live/">support
the FAMILY Act</a> which would give American workers paid family
leave.
</p>
<p>If you sign, please spread the word!</p>


feed_id: c6700b7740e1cb48a1255802f520a89a
title: Large internet platforms
uri: Large-internet-platforms
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#15_May_2019_%28Large_internet_platforms%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://theintercept.com/2019/03/08/elizabeth-warrens-facebook-google-amazon/">Senator
Warren's plan</a> to break up large internet platforms into parts
would address substantial parts of the problem of surveillance
capitalism.
<p>
The part that it does not handle is the practice of collecting lots of
personal data about lots of people.  Companies can find ways to use
that data together even if it is stored in different places.  And the
US government, under the PAT RIOT Act, can collect <em>all</em> the
data and put it together even if the companies don't.


feed_id: f3cbbec702a67a2ddcc4096de8c30916
title: Deepfake videos
uri: 2019-05-16-Deepfake-videos
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#15_May_2019_%28Deepfake_videos%29
content:
<p>
Ideas
for <a href="https://giorgiop.github.io/posts/2018/03/17/AI-and-digital-forgery/">resisting
the loss of trust</a> that deepfake videos may cause.


feed_id: a787dd00c3c7827cacd00b52d331929d
title: Electrical failure in Venezuela
uri: Electrical-failure-in-Venezuela
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#15_May_2019_%28Electrical_failure_in_Venezuela%29
content:
<p>
Venezuela has been hit by
a <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/mar/08/venezuela-power-outage-maduro-schools-closed">nationwide
electrical failure</a> due to a problem in a large hydroelectric dam.
<p>
Opponents of Maduro say it is his fault, but give no proof.
Maduro says it is sabotage, but gives no proof.
<p>
I suspect both are partly at fault: that it was caused by US sanctions
combined with Maduro's bad management.
<p>
US right-wingers are using fake news
to <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2019/03/08/we-are-being-lied-war-again">push
for intervention</a> in Venezuela.
<p>
Note, though, that Venezuela's constitution does, however, authorize
the head of the national assembly to declare perself interim president
and hold elections.  That aspect of what Guaidó has done is not the outrage
they present it as.


feed_id: 009b3350d200c0cc176aec8ab4b1ad6a
title: Family farms
uri: 2019-05-16-Family-farms
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#15_May_2019_%28Family_farms%29
content:
<p>
Sanders sought support from farming states by proposing to stop
corporations
from <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2019/03/08/iowa-sanders-addresses-rural-community-issues-we-almost-never-hear-about-factory">taking
over family farms</a>.
<p>
Merely enforcing the existing antitrust laws will not be enough.


feed_id: e1f7bed48b5f3b5b92ac568b9711f19a
title: Lawsuit for abortion
uri: Lawsuit-for-abortion
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#15_May_2019_%28Lawsuit_for_abortion%29
content:
<p>
Alabama
has <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/mar/08/the-terrifying-case-of-a-six-week-embryo-suing-an-abortion-clinic">allowed
a lawsuit</a> against a woman in the name of the six-week-old embryo
she aborted.


feed_id: d99492ddc7fafa227480b619fe0639aa
title: Fossil fuel divestment
uri: 2019-05-16-Fossil-fuel-divestment
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#15_May_2019_%28Fossil_fuel_divestment%29
content:
<p>
Norway's state investment fund will divest
from <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/mar/08/norways-1tn-wealth-fund-to-divest-from-oil-and-gas-exploration">some
fossil fuel activities</a>.
<p>
It is insufficient, but momentous nonetheless.


feed_id: b6ac1bdd278e42243044191475de86f9
title: Sports and women's rights
uri: Sports-and-women-s-rights
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#15_May_2019_%28Sports_and_women%27s_rights%29
content:
<p>
Teaching boys sports can be a way to teach them
to <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/mar/08/be-a-sport-games-coaches-teach-boys-how-to-be-better-men">respect
women's rights and dignity</a>.
<p>
It's unions
that <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/mar/08/celebrate-international-womens-day-why-not-join-union">win
rights for women</a>.  That calls for more than just <em>equal</em>
pay for women.  It means that no one
is <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/mar/08/women-feminism-trade-unions-feminism">trapped
in a specific job</a>.
<p>
It is hard for women to maintain women's rights if they are
economically dependent on men.


feed_id: e736801f2ead6c63240838484acc15c3
title: Tribute to Stalin
uri: Tribute-to-Stalin
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#15_May_2019_%28Tribute_to_Stalin%29
content:
<p>
As Russians paid tribute to the murderous tyrant, Stalin,
thugs <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/mar/08/homage-to-evil-russians-activists-detained-over-stalin-protest">arrested
two protesters</a> who cried out denunciation of his crimes.
<p>
Russians have plenty of reason to hate Stalin.  According to the
figures cited in Wikipedia, Stalin killed almost 3 million people in
the Soviet Union by execution, imprisonment or internal exile, plus 5
to 10 million by avoidable famine.  The 1941 German invasion killed
around 10 million civilians, and Stalin is responsible for some of
those deaths through his elimination of 30,000 Red Army generals and
high officers in 1937.  The resulting lack of competent leadership 
allowed German forces to advance much farther.
<p>
You don't need to be a Communist to despise Stalin for the personal
treachery of killing all the other Communist leaders that he started
out among.  The Communist Party was repressive already under Lenin,
but Stalin distilled the essence cruelty, much as the bullshitter is
doing with the Republican Party today.


feed_id: 77243e14e3d132c72cb728da0c3ff292
title: Predisposed lab rat
uri: Predisposed-lab-rat
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#15_May_2019_%28Predisposed_lab_rat%29
content:
<p>
(satire)
Scientists <a href="https://www.theonion.com/scientists-genetically-engineer-lab-rat-predisposed-to-1833131856">Genetically
Engineer Lab Rat</a> Predisposed To Think Anything Wrong With It Might
Be Cancer.


feed_id: 0116db87342579ab2b2cf0351f2a5c61
title: Pretext of the border
uri: Pretext-of-the-border
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#15_May_2019_%28Pretext_of_the_border%29
content:
<p>
ACLU: "The government cannot use the pretext of the border to target
activists critical of its policies, lawyers providing legal
representation, or journalists simply doing their jobs."  But that's
what the
bully <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2019/03/07/outrageous-violation-first-amendment-leaked-docs-reveal-trump-tracked-journalists">tells
border thugs to do</a>.


feed_id: 2108e7fa4a512566b7da150d2ccdf59e
title: Thugs beating a homeless man
uri: Thugs-beating-a-homeless-man
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#15_May_2019_%28Thugs_beating_a_homeless_man%29
content:
<p>
Two Boston public transit <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thugs</a> have been charged
with <a href="https://www.bostonglobe.com/metro/2019/03/06/transit-police-officer-and-two-sergeants-under-investigation-for-civil-rights-violations/C73t6K2v29edjn8AI7N6mN/story.html">beating
up a helpless homeless man</a>.
<p>
Beatings by <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thugs</a> are a lot more frequent than killings by thugs.
If we want to change their culture to stop being thuggish,
punishing the beatings is what we need to do.


feed_id: f81ce42fe132b474369bd071f530bb3b
title: Polarization and plutocracy
uri: Polarization-and-plutocracy
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#15_May_2019_%28Polarization_and_plutocracy%29
content:
<p>
The central problem of US politics is not "polarization" within the
public; rather, that a small but wealthy plutocratic minority imposes
its
will <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2019/03/05/opinion/oppression-majority.html">against
a substantial majority</a>, of 60% to 90%, of the public.


feed_id: e472295df0d70bdfc88b0117945f66ed
title: Urgent: Protect prairie dogs
uri: Urgent-Protect-prairie-dogs
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#16_May_2019_%28Urgent%3A_Protect_prairie_dogs%29
content:
<p>
US citizens: 
<a href="https://secure.defenders.org/site/Advocacy?cmd=display&page=UserAction&id=3469">call
on the Fish and Wildlife service</a> to protect prairie dogs
effectively.
<p>
If you sign, please spread the word!


feed_id: 6888f8c29a5907c87f5b7b175d46e1b3
title: Urgent: Support the CARE Act
uri: Urgent-Support-the-CARE-Act
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#16_May_2019_%28Urgent%3A_Support_the_CARE_Act%29
content:
<p>
US citizens: 
<a href="https://engage.drugpolicy.org/secure/save-lives-new-overdose-prevention-bill-congress">support</a>
the CARE Act.
<p>
If you sign, please spread the word!


feed_id: bfb951523d6c639eea71e26ed655241a
title: Urgent: Pass the ROE act
uri: Urgent-Pass-the-ROE-act
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#16_May_2019_%28Urgent%3A_Pass_the_ROE_act%29
content:
<p>
Massachusetts citizens: 
<a href="https://action.aclu.org/send-message/ma-roe-act-urgent">call
on the state to pass the ROE act</a>.  This would eliminate abortion
restrictions, most of which have been overturned due to Supreme Court
decisions that are now in danger of being reversed.
<p>
<a href="https://prochoicemass.org/issue/expanding-abortion-access/">More
details</a>.
<p>
If you sign, please spread the word!


feed_id: 65516e2e7e04239cdb4da51b15056bcc
title: Urgent: End DCCC blacklist
uri: Urgent-End-DCCC-blacklist
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#16_May_2019_%28Urgent%3A_End_DCCC_blacklist%29
content:
<p>
US citizens: 
<a href="https://actionnetwork.org/petitions/end-the-dccc-boycott?nowrapper=true">call
on the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee</a> to end its
blacklist against campaign services that work for primary challengers.
<p>
If you sign, please spread the word!


feed_id: 9940476690f28b8106aa789e9574e3fc
title: Urgent: Oppose military intervention
uri: Urgent-Oppose-military-intervention
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#16_May_2019_%28Urgent%3A_Oppose_military_intervention%29

content:
<p>
US citizens: 
<a href="https://act.rootsaction.org/p/dia/action4/common/public/?action_KEY=13677">oppose</a>
military intervention in Venezuela.
<p>
To sign without running nonfree Javascript code, use the 
<a href="https://stallman.org/salsalabs-method.html">Salasalabs
workaround</a>.
<p>
If you sign, please spread the word!


feed_id: f57edc85773bbb4f942e98484a3d87f5
title: The smears against Assange
uri: The-smears-against-Assange
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#16_May_2019_%28The_smears_against_Assange%29
content:
<p>
Caitlin Johnstone: 
<a href="https://caitlinjohnstone.com/2019/04/20/debunking-all-the-assange-smears/">Debunking
All The Assange Smears</a>.


feed_id: 88250e689c32b65ed74bae4f9dd4b886
title: Ships fined for rescuing migrants
uri: Ships-fined-for-rescuing-migrants
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#16_May_2019_%28Ships_fined_for_rescuing_migrants%29
content:
<p>
Salivini ordered rescue ships to pay a large fine for rescuing migrants
from the sea: 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/may/13/italy-fine-ngo-boats-migrants-salvini">over
$6,000 per person saved</a>.
<p>
A cardinal reconnected the electric power for a building occupied by
poor squatters, and said he 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/may/13/popes-aide-promises-to-pay-electricity-bills-for-homeless-squatters">would
pay their electric bill</a>.  Salivini did not like this.  He wants to
make the poor and helpless suffer.


feed_id: f270416a7a3191e1afb5320b3970a774
title: Defendants' right to counsel
uri: Defendants-right-to-counsel
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#17_May_2019_%28Defendants_right_to_counsel%29
content:
<p>
New Orleans Prosecutors 
<a href="https://theintercept.com/2019/05/15/new-orleans-prosecutors-sixth-amendment-right-to-counsel-bail/">Routinely
Violate Defendants’ Right to Counsel</a> to Keep Them in Jail.


feed_id: 5dfed45adcc787c7adbef2bc2dbda8de
title: Path towards low wages
uri: Path-towards-low-wages
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#17_May_2019_%28Path_towards_low_wages%29
content:
<p>
The European Union is following the US's path towards low wages for
millions of workers who 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/may/15/cash-credits-and-crisis-life-in-the-new-european-precariat">can't
quite pay for the expenses of life</a>.
<p>
The EU swallowed the neoliberal business-controlled globalization
agenda, and since then it serves the plutocrats more than the people.
For instance, businesses are 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/may/15/eu-clean-water-laws-under-attack-from-industry-lobbyists">lobbying
to weaken rules against water pollution</a>.
<p>
They must believe they have a chance to prevail now on an issue where
previously they lost.
<p>
Europeans have not found a path for making the EU democratic, and
instead 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/may/15/majority-of-europeans-expect-end-of-eu-within-20-years">most
now expect it to crumble</a>.


feed_id: 4f1718de5ac62b2a951e6efec8cbb34e
title: Thinning Antarctic ice
uri: Thinning-Antarctic-ice
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#17_May_2019_%28Thinning_Antarctic_ice%29
content:
<p>
1/4 of the West Antarctic ice sheet has started thinning, because the
ice is 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/may/16/thinning-of-antarctic-ice-sheets-spreading-inland-rapidly-study">flowing
into the ocean faster than before</a>.  This means that sea level rise
will proceed faster than was previously expected.


feed_id: 5bfd21b30fd4dea5f17ee9481d4e8a8c
title: Bigotry in Indonesia
uri: Bigotry-in-Indonesia
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#17_May_2019_%28Bigotry_in_Indonesia%29
content:
<p>
A film about a homosexual dancer has been chosen by bigots in
Indonesia as a target for demonization.  The director is 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2019/may/16/moral-panic-over-gender-identity-film-sparks-backlash-in-indonesia">getting
death threats</a>.
<p>
Indonesia has a tradition of gender flexibility, but now it is
becoming repressive, due to 
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2017-mar-jun.html#27_May_2017_(Islamist_bigotry)">severe
forms of Islam spread with funds from Salafi Arabia</a>.


feed_id: 90883886924796475e68b16e607388ab
title: Pardoning Snowden and Assange
uri: Pardoning-Snowden-and-Assange
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#17_May_2019_%28Pardoning_Snowden_and_Assange%29
content:
<p>
Tulsi Gabbard said would 
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2019/05/15/tulsi-gabbard-says-she-would-pardon-snowden-and-drop-all-us-charges-against-assange">pardon
Snowden and Assange</a> if elected president.
<p>
That is one point in her favor, but it is 
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#28_February_2019_(Only_partly_progressive)">not
enough</a> to win my support.


feed_id: 28bf2ef3e30b39103355f03cdd96e3b0
title: Food aid trucks set on fire
uri: Food-aid-trucks-set-on-fire
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#17_May_2019_%28Food_aid_trucks_set_on_fire%29
content:
<p>
Trucks meant to carry food aid to Venezuela were set on fire by an
<a href="https://theintercept.com/2019/03/10/nyts-expose-on-the-lies-about-burning-humanitarian-trucks-in-venezuela-shows-how-us-govt-and-media-spread-fake-news/">anti-Maduro
protester's Molotov cocktail</a>.  The US news media reported that
they were intentionally burned by Maduro's forces.


feed_id: f4b8e60f04be60dc0697be8c18bd2db1
title: China suffocating Tibet and culture
uri: China-suffocating-Tibet-and-culture
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#17_May_2019_%28China_suffocating_Tibet_and_culture%29

content:
<p>
China continues slowly 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/mar/10/they-took-everyone-from-me-anger-lingers-60-years-after-tibet-crackdown">suffocating
Tibet and Tibetan culture</a>.
<p>
This does not mention the annexation of large portions of Tibet.
<p>
Perhaps the cruelest single thing that China has done to Tibet was
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2017-mar-jun.html#13_May_2017_(The_Panchen_Lama)">disappearing
the newly-designated Panchen Lama along with his whole family</a>.
They might be dead; they might be sentenced in effect to life in a
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2013-jan-apr.html#09_January_2013_(Chinas_labor_camps)">special
prison</a>.


feed_id: 1cc67616fd8354b49975b95cded77bba
title: Avoiding oppressive countries
uri: Avoiding-oppressive-countries
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#17_May_2019_%28Avoiding_oppressive_countries%29
content:
<p>
How about 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/mar/10/turkey-how-repressive-does-a-country-have-to-be-before-it-becomes-a-guilt-trip-for-tourists">avoiding
oppressive countries for your vacation</a>?
<p>
I have a list of countries that oppress people so eagerly that you
<a href="https://stallman.org/stay-away-countries.html">should stay away even if you are
not an activist in criticizing that country</a>.  However, the set of
countries that persecute critics is larger than that.


feed_id: a16ee1eb0ee72ec5a459a684af651f80
title: Algeria
uri: Algeria
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#17_May_2019_%28Algeria%29
content:
<p>
How Bouteflika 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/mar/10/algeria-regime-faces-collapse-kamel-daoud">clings
to power in Algeria</a> despite being almost totally an invalid.
<p>
I feel obliged to point out that having half the population under 30
indicates unsustainable population growth.  Whatever happens
politically this year, that growth rate will cause problems for the
next decade, and different problems later this century.  We need to
learn to stop seeing fast population growth as a mere background fact,
to stop reacting solely with concern for young people's interests in a
way that ignores the need to make fewer of them from now on.


feed_id: d0db766c7dca84fca4146bca0000f90e
title: Renewable energy research funding
uri: Renewable-energy-research-funding
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#17_May_2019_%28Renewable_energy_research_funding%29
content:
<p>
The oil-puppet 
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2019/03/09/going-backwards-trump-slash-renewables-funding-new-budget">wants
to eliminate 70% of the funding</a> for research into renewable energy
methods.


feed_id: 8f6fb5986ede34eeca2b71d00601e4bc
title: Ban on use of face recognition by thugs
uri: Ban-on-use-of-face-recognition-by-thugs
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#17_May_2019_%28Ban_on_use_of_face_recognition_by_thugs%29

content:
<p>
San Francisco 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2019/may/14/san-francisco-facial-recognition-police-ban">voted
to ban the thug department from using face recognition</a>.
<p>
In order for that to be fully effective, the city has to have a rule
against providing camera videos to any organization that might do face
recognition on them.  In particular, to other <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thug</a> agencies that are
not covered by San Francisco's rule.


feed_id: 2c6a2b6617e8266f056496bf4c9301f2
title: Reject Uber
uri: Reject-Uber
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#17_May_2019_%28Reject_Uber%29
content:
<p>
The National Labor Relations Board 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2019/may/14/uber-drivers-contractors-federal-labor-board-ruling">ruled
that Uber's workers are not employees</a>.  They will have to depend
on electing progressives to achieve that.  In the mean time, the more
we 
<a href="https://stallman.org/uber.html">reject Uber</a>, the more the drivers will be
able to get better wages driving taxis and respecting our anonymity
and privacy.


feed_id: e0002fd2bdc2c1ca11f6c189c6411435
title: Distrust of medical works in North Kivu
uri: Distrust-of-medical-works-in-North-Kivu
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#17_May_2019_%28Distrust_of_medical_works_in_North_Kivu%29

content:
<p>
People in North Kivu say they distrust the medical workers trying to
quash the Ebola outbreak of 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2019/may/15/health-workers-just-fill-their-pockets-mistrust-mars-congo-ebola-response">personal
corruption</a>.


feed_id: b11e46de11897d064b7f71ecab6a5b4e
title: US cuts in food aid
uri: US-cuts-in-food-aid
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#17_May_2019_%28US_cuts_in_food_aid%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/may/15/1-million-face-hunger-in-gaza-after-us-cut-to-palestine-aid">Gaza
will soon face hunger</a> as US cuts in food aid hit home.


feed_id: 93077c5f02950c083fbf2a2012207788
title: Phone call surveillance
uri: Phone-call-surveillance
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#17_May_2019_%28Phone_call_surveillance%29
content:
<p>
Reportedly the US government has 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2019/mar/05/us-surveillance-programme-unlikely-to-be-renewed-says-adviser-edward-snowden">dropped
a specific surveillance program that got info on all long-distance
phone calls in the US</a>.
<p>
Does this mean the US government no longer tracks all those phone
calls?  It could be so -- but it could also be the case that some
other surveillance agency gets more-or-less the same data, described
differently, from a different place in a different way.

Or perhaps surveillance agencies now have a list of 50 million
Americans, including all known or suspected journalists, and track all
their calls rather than all of everybody's calls.
<p>
Given these agencies' 
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2013-sep-dec.html#20_November_2013_(NSA_provided_information_to_other_agencies)">history
of hoodwinking the FISA court</a>, we could hardly trust their good
will.


feed_id: 0e271bc0e928b4ace53fd6163496feca
title: Populists
uri: Populists
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#17_May_2019_%28Populists%29
content:
<p>
Defining "populism" as organizing to fight a minority accused of
having taken power, a study found that populists 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/commentisfree/2019/mar/09/dont-try-to-silence-populists-listen-to-them">often
motivate marginalized and exploited people to get involved in
politics</a>.
<p>
Some populists attack political freedoms, but this is not unique to
them.  In the UK, the Tories and New Labour were hardly populists, but
they have attacked political freedoms.  In France, Macron has done it.
<p>
Leftist populists often do achieve something against the problem: they
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/mar/07/revealed-populist-leaders-linked-to-reduced-inequality">reduce
economic inequality</a>.
<p>
Right-wing populists will not oppose the real powerful minority, the
plutocrats, so they need to falsely accuse and scapegoat other
minorities.  This makes them dishonest and unjust.  Despite that, they
may achieve some changes for the better -- but it would have been
possible to do the same thing without the dishonesty and unjustice.


feed_id: 62d081aa7ab8fa40c0c125ed178f6a11
title: Arrested for singing protest song
uri: Arrested-for-singing-protest-song
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#17_May_2019_%28Arrested_for_singing_protest_song%29
content:
<p>
Senior Amnesty Figure 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/mar/07/senior-amnesty-figure-arrested-in-indonesia-for-singing-famous-protest-song">Arrested
in Indonesia</a> for Singing Famous Protest Song.
<p>
The protest song is a parody of the Indonesian army's official song,
written and widely sung in the 90s to oppose Suharto's military
dictatorship.  That gave way to a democracy of sorts.  Prohibiting
this song is almost an endorsement of military rule.  I've been told
that the military has been slowly taking more power at the expense of
civil society.
<p>
This illustrates the danger of criminalizing "hate speech".  That
practice often starts out well-meant, intended to put an end to
intimidation and bigotry.  But it is such a handy tool for repression
that it always tempts the powerful to use it for that.


feed_id: f5b9ef3e6a1af1676d9ae6ad70b995f7
title: Thug kills man waiting for assistance
uri: Thug-kills-man-waiting-for-assistance
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#17_May_2019_%28Thug_kills_man_waiting_for_assistance%29

content:
<p>
A Florida <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thug</a> has been convicted for 
<a href="https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2019/3/7/1840252/-For-the-first-time-in-30-years-a-Florida-on-duty-police-officer-is-convicted-of-killing-of-citizen">killing
a man who was sitting by his disabled truck</a>, waiting for
assistance.
<p>
The driver had a gun, and was waiting right next to the truck to make
sure his drum kit was not stolen.  But it was the <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thug</a> who started the
violence &mdash; without identifying himself as a <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thug</a>.


feed_id: 67ec58efceb0b5c009d7eb480c1f9809
title: Award cancelled for criticizing bully
uri: Award-cancelled-for-criticizing-bully
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#17_May_2019_%28Award_cancelled_for_criticizing_bully%29

content:
<p>
The US State Department gave Finnish investigative journalist Jessikka
Aro an award for revealing corruption in Russia, and enduring threats
to do so.  Then it 
<a href="https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2019/3/7/1840286/-State-Dept-rescinds-prestigious-award-after-discovering-the-recipient-is-no-fan-of-Trump">canceled
the award on discovering she had published criticism of the bully</a>.


feed_id: 3f7a99cd9988d01159a65d34b661197e
title: Urgent: Not Invisible Act
uri: Urgent-Not-Invisible-Act
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#17_May_2019_%28Urgent%3A_Not_Invisible_Act%29
content:
<p>
US
citizens: <a href="https://act.credoaction.com/sign/not-invisible-act">call
on Congress</a> to pass the Not Invisible Act to help get justice for
indigenous women who have been enslaved or killed.
</p>
<p>If you sign, please spread the word!</p>


feed_id: 2aade6bead21fd478cb2750d726fe5ac
title: Urgent: Legalizing marijuana
uri: Urgent-Legalizing-marijuana
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#17_May_2019_%28Urgent%3A_Legalizing_marijuana%29
content:
<p>
US
 citizens: <a href="https://engage.drugpolicy.org/secure/contact-congress-help-us-fight-legalization-nationwide-0">call
 on your congresscritter</a> to support legalizing marijuana.
</p>
<p>If you send a message, please spread the word!</p>


feed_id: 0974ea40a9f4db03acd58e34fa2ce7a4
title: Public funding for campaigns
uri: Public-funding-for-campaigns
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#17_May_2019_%28Public_funding_for_campaigns%29
content:
<p>
The House of Representatives has passed HR 1, which
includes <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2019/03/08/house-passes-sweeping-pro-democracy-reforms-face-stiff-k-street-opposition">public
funding for campaigns</a>.
<p>
The Green Party criticized this bill, saying that the requirements for
parties other than the principal ones to get any public funding are
hard to meet.  I think the bill should be amended about that.


feed_id: e1b9b20e31f50980ff2d61855457a97d
title: UK political censorship
uri: UK-political-censorship
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#17_May_2019_%28UK_political_censorship%29
content:
<p>
A
court <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2019/mar/08/uks-prevent-guidance-to-universities-unlawful-court-rules">overturned
one brick</a> in the UK's wall of political censorship, specifically
in the system that intimidates students who show any interest in
issues such as Islamism.
<p>
I condemn Islamism and all forms of theocratic rule because those systems
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2014-may-aug.html#04_July_2014_(Nigerian_Atheist_receives_death_threats)">violate
human rights</a>.
The UK's violation of human rights is not less bad merely because
it isn't theocratic.


feed_id: 65efafaf9a567d87152db8a092ba1d0a
title: Killing Medicare for All
uri: Killing-Medicare-for-All
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#17_May_2019_%28Killing_Medicare_for_All%29
content:
<p>
Big Pharma, Insurers,
Hospitals <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2019/03/08/big-pharma-insurers-hospitals-team-kill-medicare-all">Team
Up to Kill</a> Medicare for All.


feed_id: b283a5f0b7c8a2486d7bdf4810448b16
title: Particles in Fukushima
uri: Particles-in-Fukushima
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#17_May_2019_%28Particles_in_Fukushima%29
content:
<p>
Scientists
have <a href="https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2018/02/180228092241.htm">found
microscopic particles</a> of nuclear fuel scattered around the land in
Fukushima.
<p>
Whether these pose a significant hazard to human health is a separate
question.  I don't know enough to deduce the answer.  It would depend,
among other things, on how numerous these particles are, and how often
they get into human bodies.  Perhaps also on precisely how they do so.
<p>
Whatever level of danger they pose, it will continue for a long time.
Uranium 235's half life is 700 million years.  Unless we find a way to
sweep them up, people living on Earth will occasionally ingest or
inhale them.


feed_id: 1fedd50b56a37dcabe9d5106d62158aa
title: Monkeys in Fukushima
uri: Monkeys-in-Fukushima
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#17_May_2019_%28Monkeys_in_Fukushima%29
content:
<p>
Japanese macaques living in the Fukushima
region <a href="https://beyondnuclearinternational.org/2018/03/11/stark-health-findings-for-fukushima-monkeys-of-concern-for-humans/">exhibit
blood abnormalities</a>.  The amount of abnormality in each monkey
correlates with its level of radioactive cesium.
<p>
In addition, fetuses conceived after the nuclear accident have smaller
brains than normal.


feed_id: 186ee814fc3cf7a5c92d07c092bcaa87
title: Census and citizenship
uri: Census-and-citizenship
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#17_May_2019_%28Census_and_citizenship%29
content:
<p>
The US Census Bureau is looking to get data about each person's
citizenship
status <a href="https://apnews.com/0f33f3454d7f4fd78803455d4da672c6">from
other government agencies</a>.
<p>
If the Department of Heartlessness and Suffering already has a
person's address, that the Census Bureau gets a copy would not make
the person more vulnerable.  On the other hand, if <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#perse">perse</a> has moved,
<a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#perse">perse</a> would be scared to give that new address to the census, thus
scared to respond.
<p>
Regardless of details, the <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#bully">bully</a> will spread fear of the census
among immigrants both authorized and not, to achieve their goal
of undercounting immigrants and biasing the census.


feed_id: 821d1ac2b64860c7ceb3c0f7b517bc69
title: Billionaires and new governors
uri: Billionaires-and-new-governors
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#17_May_2019_%28Billionaires_and_new_governors%29
content:
<p>
Billionaires and their tools
are <a href="https://www.exposedbycmd.org/2019/03/04/right-wing-funded-groups-battle-new-state-governors/">organizing
to fight against</a> whatever measures newly elected Democratic
governors propose.


feed_id: f6b8be01fe2fff114b6561f893debd8e
title: EPA board member
uri: EPA-board-member
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#17_May_2019_%28EPA_board_member%29
content:
<p>
New EPA administrator Wheeler has put
a <a href="https://www.exposedbycmd.org/2019/02/14/acting-epa-chief-appoints-climate-denier-john-r-christy-to-science-advisory-board/">global
heating denialist</a> on the EPA's Science Absurdity Board (SAB).


feed_id: b8b5a70ab1bdf1a03465ed88d86782cb
title: Musk's marijuana
uri: Musk-s-marijuana
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#17_May_2019_%28Musk%27s_marijuana%29
content:
<p>
Elon Musk may lose his security
clearance <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2019/mar/07/elon-musk-security-clearance-under-review-pentagon">because
he used marijuana</a>.
<p>
In effect, the US government is proving how stupid and bullheaded it can be.


feed_id: 107d3702bc010de660b280721b9dbadd
title: Welfare fraud detector
uri: Welfare-fraud-detector
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#17_May_2019_%28Welfare_fraud_detector%29
content:
<p>
UK local governments plan to use a program with
a <a href="https://news.sky.com/story/thousands-face-incorrect-benefit-cuts-from-automated-fraud-detector-11651031">20%
error rate</a> to make accusations of fraud against welfare
recipients.
<p>
Why not roll dice?  With dice, they could easily arrange a 50% error
rate.


feed_id: fe703798ffd3f792f20541ac63d4f9d4
title: Chicago reparations
uri: Chicago-reparations
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#17_May_2019_%28Chicago_reparations%29
content:
<p>
Chicago <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/news/2019/mar/08/chicago-reparations-won-police-torture-school-curriculum">is
paying reparations</a> to criminal suspects that thugs tortured into
confessions, and teaching about the issue in public schools.


feed_id: 2b2bd837a1bcd98397f7be52965fd3b7
title: Kashmir and charities
uri: Kashmir-and-charities
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#17_May_2019_%28Kashmir_and_charities%29
content:
<p>
Pakistan
is <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/mar/08/pakistan-launches-major-crackdown-extremist-groups-kashmir">making
a serious effort</a> to shut down charities that support rebellion in
Kashmir.


feed_id: 7cdd6bf4caae86fdd59ca1784241fd68
title: Urgent: Oppose military intervention
uri: 2019-05-18-Urgent-Oppose-military-intervention
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#16_May_2019_%28Urgent%3A_Oppose_military_intervention%29

content:
<p>
US citizens: 
<a href="https://act.rootsaction.org/p/dia/action4/common/public/?action_KEY=13677">oppose</a>
military intervention in Venezuela.
<p>
To sign without running nonfree Javascript code, use the 
<a href="https://stallman.org/salsalabs-method.html">Salsalabs
workaround</a>.
<p>
If you sign, please spread the word!


feed_id: 9cfe15b9818140fc89ea979644a7cfa1
title: Urgent: Chelsea Manning
uri: 2019-05-19-Urgent-Chelsea-Manning
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#19_May_2019_%28Urgent%3A_Chelsea_Manning%29
content:
<p>
US citizens: 
<a href="https://boingboing.net/2019/05/15/drop-the-subpoena.html">call
on the US government</a> to drop its latest subpoena against Chelsea
Manning.
<p>
If she holds out for the maximum 18 months, she will be hit with half
a million dollars in fines.  I don't suppose she has the money to pay
that, or that she would agree to work to get the money to pay that.
<p>
If you sign, please spread the word!</p>


feed_id: 6bd06d542fd51bb80b34f9eefe84d3a6
title: Urgent: Stop financing private prisons
uri: Urgent-Stop-financing-private-prisons
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#19_May_2019_%28Urgent%3A_Stop_financing_private_prisons%29

content:
<p>
US citizens: 
<a href="https://act.credoaction.com/sign/bofa-suntrust-backersofhate">call
on Bank of America and SunTrust</a> to stop financing private prisons.
<p>
If you sign, please spread the word!</p>


feed_id: a7141c8da1458dfd59671beba82421dc
title: America's family farms
uri: America-s-family-farms
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#19_May_2019_%28Americas_family_farms%29
content:
<p>
How factory farms and corporations 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/mar/09/american-food-giants-swallow-the-family-farms-iowa">swallowed
the America's family farms</a>.
<p>
They have done more than take over farms; they have reshaped the
economy to leave hardly any space for smaller farms.


feed_id: 166afe0e829355721e370dedd495f35d
title: Ellsberg's career as whistleblower
uri: Ellsberg-s-career-as-whistleblower
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#19_May_2019_%28Ellsbergs_career_as_whistleblower%29
content:
<p>
An interview with Daniel Ellsberg about his career as a whistleblower,
starting from the crucial night
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2019/05/18/truth-teller-pentagon-papers-doomsday-machine">when
he heard President Johnson lie on TV about the fabricated "Gulf of
Tonkin incident"</a>.  Ellsberg knew, from his job, that Johnson the
incident was fictitious.

<blockquote>
"   With the benefit of hindsight, I now see the Cold War as, in part, a
   marketing campaign for the continual, massive subsidies to the
   aerospace industry."
</blockquote>
   
People sometimes ask me how I separate truth from lies.  An important
part is that I believe people like Ellsberg, and disbelieve whoever
contradicts or disparages them.  Likewise, I believe Edward Snowden
and disbelieve whoever contradicts or disparages him.
<p>
In these areas, the pressure to lie is very strong.  Ellsberg and
Snowden have demonstrated they can resist it, while most people can't.


feed_id: a99ba1fb515a6d8a86d5dec68a7ca0b5
title: Urgent: Automatic voter registration
uri: Urgent-Automatic-voter-registration
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#19_May_2019_%28Urgent%3A_Automatic_voter_registration%29

content:
<p>
US citizens:
<a href="https://act.rootsaction.org/p/dia/action4/common/public/?action_KEY=12916">call
on your state officials</a> to adopt automatic voter registration.
<p>
Note that this will not in and of itself put an end to gerrymandering
and Republican voter suppression.  But it will work against them.
<p>
To sign without running nonfree Javascript code, use the
<a href="https://stallman.org/salsalabs-method.html">Salsalabs workaround</a>.
<p>
If you sign, please spread the word!</p>


feed_id: 5b3dd6dd4a0d7e46d04049cd6317c26d
title: Urgent: Fire thugs
uri: 2019-05-20-Urgent-Fire-thugs
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#19_May_2019_%28Urgent%3A_Fire_thugs%29
content:
<p>
US citizens:
<a href="https://campaigns.organizefor.org/petitions/justice-for-lucca">call
for firing</a> the two thugs that beat up Delucca Rolle and put him in
the hospital, and then lied trying to put him in prison.
<p>
They ought to be prosecuted, not merely fired.
<p>
If you sign, please spread the word!</p>


feed_id: a7c214709c820ac8a5c6c802c547b259
title: Urgent: Oppose use of facial recognition
uri: Urgent-Oppose-use-of-facial-recognition
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#19_May_2019_%28Urgent%3A_Oppose_use_of_facial_recognition%29

content:
<p>
In the US, or if you visit the US:
<a href="http://act.demandprogress.org/sign/tell-jetblue-stop-their-invasive-privacy-violating-biometric-passenger-scanning/">Tell
JetBlue</a> to stop using facial recognition to identify passengers.
<p>
If you sign, please spread the word!</p>


feed_id: f08424de838a1c4c60b91efceaae43b2
title: 911 calls
uri: 2019-05-20-911-calls
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#19_May_2019_%28911_calls%29
content:
<p>
New York State has
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2019/05/18/new-york-passes-bill-ensure-no-one-loses-their-home-calling-police">passed
a law barring cities from punishing people that often call 911</a>.
<p>
They don't do this frivolously; they do it because they are
threatened.


feed_id: f1d56c8b63f9c30b81a98566b6176ea8
title: Urgent: Prevention of Unconstitutional War with Iran
uri: Urgent-Prevention-of-Unconstitutional-War-with-Iran
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#19_May_2019_%28Urgent%3A_Prevention_of_Unconstitutional_War_with_Iran%29

content:
<p>
US citizens:
<a href="https://act.credoaction.com/sign/stop-bolton">call on
Congress</a> to pass S.1039 / H.R. 2354, the Prevention of
Unconstitutional War with Iran Act.
<p>
If you sign, please spread the word!</p>


feed_id: 511e9ea879161a267be89a973d6d4387
title: A republic and its constitution
uri: A-republic-and-its-constitution
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#19_May_2019_%28A_republic_and_its_constitution%29
content:
<p>
About
<a href="https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2019/3/2/1838924/-Liberals-and-the-left-fail-to-notice-and-celebrate-the-intellectual-death-of-conservatism">the
nature of a republic and its constitution</a> &mdash; including the
unwritten constitution as well as the written one, loyalty to the
common good, and avoidance of excesses of wealth.


feed_id: c07018b0f88de71e5b8edfb5943be4b5
title: Unlicensed prison holds 1600 teenagers
uri: Unlicensed-prison-holds-1600-teenagers
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#19_May_2019_%28Unlicensed_prison_holds_1600_teenagers%29

content:
<p>
An unlicensed prison &mdash; oops, "shelter" &mdash; holds 1600
teenagers that entered the US without their families.  They are
forbidden to talk to the press, they are punished if they touch each
other in any way, and they are
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2019/mar/06/immigration-migrant-children-homestead-florida">used
as bait to catch and deport their relatives</a>.


feed_id: 74f388f7c356f0c19e8721f3e02770e4
title: Federal judgeship vacancies
uri: Federal-judgeship-vacancies
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#19_May_2019_%28Federal_judgeship_vacancies%29
content:
<p>
Republicans in the Senate are
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2019/03/06/mitch-nuclear-option-mcconnell-poised-turn-steady-stream-trumps-right-wing-judges">considering
rules changes</a> so that they can fill all vacancies in federal
judgeships before the end of 2020.
<p>
For years they
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#14_June_2015_(Republicans)">rejected
all Obama's judicial nominees, without even considering their
qualifications</a>, so they would get a chance to appoint right-wing
extremists now.


feed_id: 3f95c0d7a4a13bc7d1785dcf04af1df5
title: Urgent: Climate debate
uri: Urgent-Climate-debate
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#19_May_2019_%28Urgent%3A_Climate_debate%29
content:
<p>
US
citizens: <a href="https://actionnetwork.org/petitions/tell-the-democratic-national-committee-hold-a-climate-debate">call
on the Democratic National Committee</a> to hold a climate debate.
</p>
<p>If you sign, please spread the word!</p>


feed_id: 3c8774cee0c55f05b1109709076ff4e2
title: Urgent: Pharma merger
uri: Urgent-Pharma-merger
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#19_May_2019_%28Urgent%3A_Pharma_merger%29
content:
<p>
US
citizens: <a href="https://act.credoaction.com/sign/bristol-myers-celgene-pharma-merger">call
on the Federal Trade Commission</a> to block the merger of
Bristol-Myers Squibb with Celgene.
</p>
<p>
The name of the first of those companies shows that too many mergers
have already been permitted.
</p>


feed_id: dd9f1557a1294a557491c32efbb5bdd8
title: Urgent: Salafi Arabia charges
uri: Urgent-Salafi-Arabia-charges
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#19_May_2019_%28Urgent%3A_Salafi_Arabia_charges%29
content:
<p>
US
citizens: <a href="https://pen.org/2019-freedom-to-write-petition/">call
on Salafi Arabia</a> to drop charges against heroes of freedom of the
press.
</p>
<p>If you sign, please spread the word!</p>


feed_id: 8fc7031f776b46d5ea02961595542407
title: Urgent: Sandra Bland
uri: Urgent-Sandra-Bland
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#19_May_2019_%28Urgent%3A_Sandra_Bland%29
content:
<p>
US
citizens: <a href="https://act.colorofchange.org/sign/tell-district-attorney-elton-mathis-re-open-sandra-blands-case/">call
on District Attorney Elton Mathis</a> to re-open Sandra Bland's case.
</p>
<p>If you sign, please spread the word!</p>


feed_id: 1aa7075b1c2355a131d4a98f6909a906
title: US state abortion laws
uri: US-state-abortion-laws
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#19_May_2019_%28US_state_abortion_laws%29
content:
<p>
Several US states
have <a href="https://theintercept.com/2019/03/11/roe-v-wade-aboriton-restrictions-georgia/">passed
laws to prohibit abortion</a> and punish doctors that perform
abortions.
<p>
Supposedly there are a few exceptions, such as in case of rape or
medical necessity, but they are not clear; doctors that tried to rely
on them might be prosecuted anyway.
<p>
Women might be imprisoned for using abortion medicines.


feed_id: b1509584e9669eef9a12e5f5195de30f
title: Protecting homeless people
uri: Protecting-homeless-people
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#19_May_2019_%28Protecting_homeless_people%29
content:
<p>
Could UK local
governments <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/mar/11/homeless-people-rough-sleepers">protect
homeless people</a> from people that hate them?
<p>
In principle they could, but it isn't likely to happen as long as governments
would rather persecute them.


feed_id: a601930c9d7c9bc25fe18c265c389205
title: Recycling plastic
uri: 2019-05-20-Recycling-plastic
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#19_May_2019_%28Recycling_plastic%29
content:
<p>
Recycling isn't a solution for the disposal of plastic.  We need
to <a href="https://www.bostonglobe.com/metro/2019/03/09/recycling-isn-enough/IAyiyINKYJ214ZFD5EwsDP/story.html">produce
much less waste</a>.


feed_id: febab0272af96035919e40a4e61ab11c
title: Visiting Turkey
uri: Visiting-Turkey
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#19_May_2019_%28Visiting_Turkey%29
content:
<p>
Turkey warned that people who participate in rallies in Germany in
support of
Kurds <a href="https://www.dw.com/en/german-travel-warning-for-turkey-after-minister-threatens-terrorists-traitors/a-47796961">could
be imprisoned</a> if they visit Turkey.
<p>
Don't take the risk: don't go to Turkey.


feed_id: 36346b3d5dadfa3fe978f9422c209902
title: Data to medical providers
uri: Data-to-medical-providers
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#19_May_2019_%28Data_to_medical_providers%29
content:
<p>
Imagine if your medical provider could collect data from absolutely
everything you did and everywhere you went.  Then it could force you
to do the healthy
thing, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/delivering-digital-transformation/2018/dec/10/can-data-sharing-improve-our-wellbeing">all
the time</a>.


feed_id: dcd2fcbad7df2f53035df6baf269fe7e
title: Commune in Kurdish Syria
uri: Commune-in-Kurdish-Syria
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#19_May_2019_%28Commune_in_Kurdish_Syria%29
content:
<p>
Yazidi women, former slaves of <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#pissi">PISSI</a>,
have <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/feb/25/yazidis-isis-female-only-commune-jinwar-syria">started
a female-only commune</a> in Kurdish Syria.


feed_id: 967b8e26825f4cb2a7b0e04624523522
title: Prisoners on Nauru
uri: Prisoners-on-Nauru
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#19_May_2019_%28Prisoners_on_Nauru%29
content:
<p>
Australia passed a law that it can bring its prisoners on Nauru to
Australian territory for medical care.  However, to make sure this
almost never happens, Nauru
has <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2019/mar/02/the-medevac-bill-is-law-what-does-that-mean-for-ailing-offshore-refugees">prohibited
all telemedicine</a> for those prisoners.
<p>
I can't believe that Nauru would pass any laws to impede Australia
from removing its prisoners from Nauru except at Australia's command.
But Australia's government can claim that it did not order this,
and no one can literally prove that claim is false.
<p>
This dishonest cruelty is typical of Australia's perpetual punishment
for those who had the temerity to try to flee there.


feed_id: 28688a41c2ae65db93a780bef91eddda
title: Population of China
uri: Population-of-China
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#19_May_2019_%28Population_of_China%29
content:
<p>
The Chinese government seems to be convinced that China's diminishing
population <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/mar/02/china-population-control-two-child-policy">is
a bad thing</a>.
<p>
The only putative reason cited in this article is that taking care of
old people will be a lot of work.  Yes, it will, but younger adults
could take care of more old people if they are taking care of fewer
children.  Anyway, In 30 years, robots will do a lot of that work.  In
addition, a larger fraction of people over 60 will be able to work.
The natalists do not respond to these points.
<p>
I suspect that an additional unstated reason is that a bigger
population could make China more powerful internationally.  That is
not a moral justification to increase any country's population.
<p>
Some claim that the one-child policy had no significant effect after
1981.  Others claim that continuing it reduced the birth rate even
more.  Those claims cannot both be true.
<p>
Now that Chinese are becoming somewhat prosperous &mdash; which they
deserve, as everyone does &mdash; China is starting to drive worldwide
production of some goods, much as the US and Europe do.  That is part
of why we are exhausting our planet.  We need to reduce the Earth's
human population to achieve sustainability.
<p>
So we need to reject the idea that the population must not fall.


feed_id: 7417d3e57f33a3747a458c58951757e5
title: Surveillance capitalism
uri: 2019-05-20-Surveillance-capitalism
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#19_May_2019_%28Surveillance_capitalism%29
content:
<p>
Shoshana Zuboff gets the point that the question of "who owns data
about
you" <a href="https://www.democracynow.org/2019/3/1/big_tech_stole_our_data_while">is
a distraction</a> &mdash; such "ownership of data" is inadequate to
restrain surveillance capitalism.
<p>
She also gets the point that "consent"
is <a href="https://gnu.org/philosophy/free-software-even-more-important.html">merely
a formality</a> for the people who don't have the moral strength to
say no.  (You and I do not need to be so weak!)
<p>
She does not seem to be aware that a nonfree program is almost surely
a surveillance device.


feed_id: 4d18a9bd23afcdedcfeae8d38ee1c53b
title: Tauqir Sharif
uri: Tauqir-Sharif
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#19_May_2019_%28Tauqir_Sharif%29
content:
<p>
The
UK <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2019/mar/04/aid-worker-stranded-in-syria-after-british-citizenship-revoked">revoked
Tauqir Sharif's citizenship</a> for going to Syria and setting up a
noted humanitarian aid organization.
<p>
As usual, the government refuses to show him justification, let alone
give him a trial so he can confront them in court.  That adds up to
two separate injustices: exiling a citizen, and punishment without
trial.
<p>
His daughter, born a UK citizen too, has been effectively denied
citizenship too because he is not permitted to apply for a passport
for her.


feed_id: f518bab91869fc571be3a3b1df7e3bf1
title: Regulating surveillance platforms
uri: Regulating-surveillance-platforms
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#19_May_2019_%28Regulating_surveillance_platforms%29
content:
<p>
The point where Senator Warren's plan to "break up" surveillance
platforms falls short is when she proposes
a <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2019/mar/10/elizabeth-warren-break-up-amazon-google-facebook-socialism-capitalism">"level
playing field"</a> for the competition to surveil us.
<p>
To say "may the best corporation win" in surveilling us is to get
distracted from the real issue.  What we need is to stop anyone from
playing that game.


feed_id: 4666880caece634e7a2eb1a8882b628b
title: Replacing EU treaties
uri: 2019-05-20-Replacing-EU-treaties
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#19_May_2019_%28Replacing_EU_treaties%29
content:
<p>
Mélenchon, the leader of what remains of France's left, calls
for <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/mar/10/abandon-foolish-brussels-treaties-emmanuel-macron">replacing
the EU treaties</a> that impose neoliberalism.
<p>
I support this.


feed_id: 9cc23f5677bacd7fee39d3db9b07eef5
title: European Parliament election
uri: European-Parliament-election
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#20_May_2019_%28European_Parliament_election%29
content:
<p>
Britons are using the European Parliament election as a
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2019/may/20/pro-anti-brexit-parties-neck-and-neck-eu-election-poll">proxy
to express their opinion about whether the UK should leave the EU</a>.
<p>
What a foolish way to vote!  That is the one major political decision
affecting the UK over which the people elected to the European
Parliament will have absolutely no say.
<p>
If the UK does remain in the EU, those elected as MEPs will
participate in many important decisions.  Don't Britons care how their
representatives will approach the issues they can really affect?
<p>
If I were a citizen of the EU, I expect I would vote Green or Pirate
for the European Parliament.


feed_id: 3c79414ebca176902696ade703748474
title: Urgent: Prevent war with Iran
uri: 2019-05-21-Urgent-Prevent-war-with-Iran
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#21_May_2019_%28Urgent%3A_Prevent_war_with_Iran%29
content:
<p>
US
citizens: <a href="https://act.winwithoutwar.org/act/pelosi_schumer_stop_war_with_iran">call
on Pelosi and Schumer</a> to prevent war with Iran.
</p>
<p>If you sign, please spread the word!</p>


feed_id: 88e1a9eaec05409a66ebf5f4521e72a6
title: Urgent: Pharma merger
uri: 2019-05-21-Urgent-Pharma-merger
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#21_May_2019_%28Urgent%3A_Pharma_merger%29
content:
<p>
US
citizens: <a href="https://actionnetwork.org/petitions/tell-the-ftc-oppose-the-latest-pharma-merger?nowrapper=true">Call
on the FTC</a> to bar the merger of Bristol-Myers Squibb and Celgene.
</p>
<p>If you sign, please spread the word!</p>


feed_id: c72632254e4c15715dbba2ba2372d13a
title: Urgent: Use of military force
uri: Urgent-Use-of-military-force
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#21_May_2019_%28Urgent%3A_Use_of_military_force%29
content:
<p>
US
citizens: <a href="https://act.winwithoutwar.org/act/support-AUMF-repeal-now">support
repeal</a> of the Authorization for Use of Military Force.
</p>
<p>If you sign, please spread the word!</p>


feed_id: dd8519c8fb717bfe4e1ab88a5d9a3ee6
title: Urgent: Plane certification
uri: Urgent-Plane-certification
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#21_May_2019_%28Urgent%3A_Plane_certification%29
content:
<p>
US
citizens: <a href="http://act.demandprogress.org/sign/boeing-faa/">call
on the FAA</a> not to let Boeing certify its own planes.
</p>
<p>If you sign, please spread the word!</p>


feed_id: ff4c92582f6a37e6003cec0f6b32ee57
title: Protest in Sacramento
uri: Protest-in-Sacramento
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#21_May_2019_%28Protest_in_Sacramento%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">Thugs</a> in Sacramento surrounded and besieged a group of protesters,
then ordered them to disperse (which the <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thugs</a> stopped them from
doing),
then <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2019/03/05/sacramento-police-arrest-reporter-protesters-march-against-stephon-clark-shooting/?noredirect=on">arrested
the protesters</a> and journalists covering them.
<p>
To force people to do A, and blame them for not doing B instead,
displays contempt for the very idea of justice.  However, if the <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thugs</a>
had permitted them to disperse, that doesn't excuse doing so to
sabotage a protest against the <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thugs</a>' killing.


feed_id: 082a5c9111e19f362625b11119120316
title: UK pay toilets
uri: UK-pay-toilets
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#21_May_2019_%28UK_pay_toilets%29
content:
<p>
Some major UK train stations
are <a href="https://www.thescottishsun.co.uk/news/3644799/glasgow-central-edinburgh-waverley-train-stations-toilet-charges-axed-2019/">eliminating
pay toilets</a>, making the toilets gratis.
<p>
Everybody needs to be able to use a toilet.  Pay toilets make this
aspect of life nasty occasionally, and disrespectful the rest of the
time.  A good society does not allow them.


feed_id: 6bc672dd61e864b9215fe54d86ab2fed
title: Violence in Gaza
uri: Violence-in-Gaza
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#21_May_2019_%28Violence_in_Gaza%29
content:
<p>
The UN says Israel's violence in Gaza extends
into <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/mar/12/israel-gaza-un-2018-protests-occupation">the
range of war crimes</a>.  Will the world make Israel face its
responsibility for that?


feed_id: c15a8fe04dd973a2d52b3dc0bae944f1
title: Bouteflika presidency
uri: Bouteflika-presidency
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#21_May_2019_%28Bouteflika_presidency%29
content:
<p>
When Bouteflika said he would not run again for
president, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/mar/12/algeria-president-abdulaziz-bouteflika-reforms-protests-crisis">was
that a swindle</a>?


feed_id: 21a7d3f3d79b9d74e34ee21cd12b4220
title: Robertus Robet
uri: Robertus-Robet
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#21_May_2019_%28Robertus_Robet%29
content:
<p>
<a href="http://indonesiaatmelbourne.unimelb.edu.au/military-comeback-or-police-overreaction-the-arrest-of-robertus-robet/">An
analysis</a> of the arrest in Indonesia of Robertus Robet of Amnesty
for singing a protest parody from 20 years ago.


feed_id: d91ea5da1f1a8b4ca5570298eb61e452
title: Centrism
uri: Centrism
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#21_May_2019_%28Centrism%29
content:
<p>
Centrism is not a philosophy, it is
a <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/mar/12/worshipping-meh-ocasio-cortez-deride-moderate-politics">pusillanimous
attitude</a> towards life's great challenges.
<p>
Ocasio-Cortez is right on target in describing cynicism as a way of
disguising defeatism as wisdom.  "Don't ask me to help &mdash; I know
better than to believe any of us might survive this."


feed_id: 9596c6c8fd4a15317ca56e8d92b677a9
title: Dirty air in Europe
uri: Dirty-air-in-Europe
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#21_May_2019_%28Dirty_air_in_Europe%29
content:
<p>
Researchers say dirty air
is <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/mar/12/air-pollution-deaths-are-double-previous-estimates-finds-research">killing
800,000 people a year</a> in Europe, and urge the phasing out of
fossil fuel burning.
<p>
World-wide, air pollution kills almost 9 million people per year.


feed_id: fc96d9e0d86ee9fdc319821bba04cb9e
title: Progress with North Korea
uri: Progress-with-North-Korea
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#21_May_2019_%28Progress_with_North_Korea%29
content:
<p>
Even though North Korea is not disarming, the reduction of hostility
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/mar/11/trump-kim-summit-north-korea-another-iraq">is
a real step forward</a>.


feed_id: 1213ae1636e7a25eab402fbb8015442c
title: Immigrants' rights activists
uri: Immigrants-rights-activists
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#21_May_2019_%28Immigrants%27_rights_activists%29
content:
<p>
US <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thugs</a> and Mexican thugs joined together
to <a href="https://theintercept.com/2019/03/11/southern-us-border-mexico-journalists/">investigate
and repress</a> immigrants' rights activists, including journalists
and lawyers.


feed_id: ca4bb5163b45bb539fdcdf4168914064
title: PISSI and cults
uri: PISSI-and-cults
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#21_May_2019_%28PISSI_and_cults%29
content:
<p>
Comparing <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#pissi">PISSI</a> with nonwarlike cults &mdash;
they <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/mar/11/shamima-begum-cult-victim-isis">have
a lot in common</a>.


feed_id: b370e75d5e442d2de1e58356a5cfaa40
title: Arab citizens of Israel
uri: Arab-citizens-of-Israel
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#21_May_2019_%28Arab_citizens_of_Israel%29
content:
<p>
Netanyahu played the racist card, saying that Arab citizens
are <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/mar/11/hes-using-his-last-bullet-israeli-arabs-condemn-netanyahu-comments">second-class
citizens</a>.


feed_id: b56106147a8bfd0d4acd2ea6b6289eaa
title: Algerian president
uri: 2019-05-21-Algerian-president
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#21_May_2019_%28Algerian_president%29
content:
<p>
Bouteflika, the authoritarian president of Algeria, said he
will <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/mar/11/algerian-president-says-he-will-not-run-again-after-weeks-of-protests">not
run for another term</a>.


feed_id: 3012de7f1a8e2df4b43cba1735e1ee45
title: Dated Policy
uri: Dated-Policy
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#22_May_2019_%28Dated_Policy%29
content:
<p>
<p>
3500 American women per month <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/may/22/revealed-21000-us-women-order-abortion-pills-in-six-months">ask for gifts of abortion medicines</a> from
overseas.
<p>
<p>
These gifts cannot be sent by from the US because the US requires a
prescription for these medicines.  That decision was originally made
from caution, but even though the evidence since became clear that these
medicines are safe, antiabortionists have lobbied against the removal
of that requirement.
<p>


feed_id: 2c98575b18e4f7add9b8e497e0e9e15f
title: Effects of Politics
uri: Effects-of-Politics
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#22_May_2019_%28Effects_of_Politics%29
content:
<p>
<p>
"A leading United Nations poverty expert has compared <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2019/may/22/un-report-compares-tory-welfare-reforms-to-creation-of-workhouses">Conservative
welfare policies to the creation of 19th-century workhouses</a> and warned
that unless austerity is ended, the UK’s poorest people face lives that
are 'solitary, poor, nasty, brutish, and short'."
<p>


feed_id: c25407499d1d73207e38107b3b7636a2
title: Chemical Lobby
uri: Chemical-Lobby
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#22_May_2019_%28Chemical_Lobby%29
content:
<p>
<p>
Internal Emails Reveal How the Chemical Lobby <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2019/may/22/internal-emails-reveal-how-the-chemical-lobby-fights-regulation">Fights Regulation</a>. Even for chemicals that are clearly toxic, these companies will try to delay regulation as long as possible.
<p>


feed_id: 9a098502970d5f84fb1f43c1144ee0a9
title: Future of Capitalism
uri: Future-of-Capitalism
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#22_May_2019_%28Future_of_Capitalism%29
content:
<p>
<p>
"Capitalism used to promise a better future. <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/may/22/capitalism-broken-better-future-can-it-do-that">Can it still do that</a>?"
<p>
<p>
Capitalism generally provides a better future to those who have
political power.  Historically, that included most workers only when
and where governments helped the workers demand that.  In the US
before the New Deal, bosses often crushed unions with violence
using <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thugs</a> such as the Pinkertons.
<p>


feed_id: 1dff52292d49123e086ff24a68f1d678
title: Climate Journalism
uri: Climate-Journalism
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#22_May_2019_%28Climate_Journalism%29
content:
<p>
<p>
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/may/22/climate-crisis-ed-murrow-bill-moyers">Bill Moyers's speech to a conference</a> on climate journalism: "Soon,
some of you will be traveling to the ends of the earth to report on
this Great Disruption" &mdash; the effects of <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#climate">climate mayhem</a>.
<p>


feed_id: b3f0fd17ab297048186ebb77ebbf13c8
title: Toxic Products
uri: Toxic-Products
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#23_May_2019_%28Toxic_Products%29
content:
<p>
Explained: the <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2019/may/22/toxic-chemicals-everyday-items-us-pesticides-bpa">Toxic Threat in Everyday Products</a>, from Toys to Plastic.
<p>


feed_id: 59f3cb77fb8ab94cb8d2ca30a014584b
title: Plastic ban
uri: Plastic-ban
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#23_May_2019_%28Plastic_ban%29
content:
<p>
<p>
The UK will <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/may/22/england-plastic-straws-ban">ban more single-use plastic</a> items.
<p>
<p>
I am in favor of this, but what we really need is a general system
to make sure non-durable plastic items are practical to recycle.
<p>


feed_id: 1a348246d7fbcb6c7a9439e83c6e487d
title: Captive Activist
uri: Captive-Activist
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#23_May_2019_%28Captive_Activist%29
content:
<p>
<p>
UN Rapporteurs Urge India Again to <a href="https://thewire.in/rights/un-rapporteurs-gn-saibaba-release-health">Release Ailing Activist-Academic G.N.
Saibaba</a>.
<p>


feed_id: b4cc9503f2e5222c51d2ecfcb30882f4
title: Trade War
uri: Trade-War
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#23_May_2019_%28Trade_War%29
content:
<p>
<p>
China and the US are <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/business/2019/may/21/huawei-analysis-us-china-trade-skirmishes-obscure-the-start-of-tech-cold-war">starting a world-wide competition</a> for which will
control digital technology and networks.
<p>
<p>
What is the role of human beings in this competition?  We are supposed
to be prey &mdash; the little bits of "land" that they will compete to
dominate, monitor, and control.
<p>
<p>
Therefore, the battle that matters for us is between the tech
companies of the two superpowers, and people.
<p>
<p>
We, the people, need to defeat both of those competing "sides" that
aim to control us.
<p>


feed_id: b4d1e3b8c0d83be6fa3174067bf986a1
title: Detained Immigrants
uri: Detained-Immigrants
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#23_May_2019_%28Detained_Immigrants%29
content:
<p>
<p>
The US deportation thugs put their <a href="https://theintercept.com/2019/05/21/ice-solitary-confinement-whistleblower/">immigration prisoners into solitary
confinement</a> (which drives people mad) as the default method for
dealing with anyone who is inconvenient.  Including those who are mad.
Including those who are mad as a result of solitary confinement.
  Including those who <a href="https://theintercept.com/2019/05/21/ice-solitary-confinement-immigration-detention/
">tried to kill themselves</a> to
get out of solitary confinement
<p>
<p>
I suspect the staff do this because they hate immigrants and are eager
to hurt them.  <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2019/05/20/mindless-murdering-savages-border-agent-used-slurs-before-allegedly-hitting-migrant-with-his-truck/">Here's a report</a> about a thug that vented such hatred
many times, and came close to murdering one border-crosser.
<p>
<p>
It does not follow that all the border <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thugs</a> are as bad as he is.
But they didn't treat his salivating, murderous hatred as a problem,
which implies that this hatred is more or less accepted among them.
<p>


feed_id: 4b3efe0bb2e4f8e8e91af31ada1be99f
title: Protesting a pipeline a crime in Texas
uri: Protesting-a-pipeline-a-crime-in-Texas
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#22_May_2019_%28Protesting_a_pipeline_a_crime_in_Texas%29

content:
<p>
Texas has 
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2019/05/21/outrage-texas-senate-passes-unconstitutional-bill-would-hit-pipeline-protestors-10">made
it a crime</a> to protest a pipeline and "impair operations".
<p>
The word "impair" is easy to stretch.  I can imagine that anything
which the pipeline company finds inconvenient could be called
"impairing" by means of an exaggeration.


feed_id: a5f35e2c9ff8aebea578251e9cea2f79
title: Influence of Purdue Pharma on WHO
uri: Influence-of-Purdue-Pharma-on-WHO
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#22_May_2019_%28Influence_of_Purdue_Pharma_on_WHO%29
content:
<p>
WHO guidelines for prescribing oxycontin show 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2019/may/22/purdue-pharma-opioid-world-health-organization-painkiller-global-sales">unmistakable
influence of Purdue Pharma</a>.


feed_id: 6d56b307dc0226cb59cb4bd85c083606
title: Urgent: Infrastructure plan
uri: 2019-05-23-Urgent-Infrastructure-plan
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#22_May_2019_%28Urgent%3A_Infrastructure_plan%29
content:
<p>
US citizens: call for an infrastructure plan 
<a href="https://actionnetwork.org/petitions/sign-now-demand-an-infrastructure-plan-paid-for-by-the-rich-and-corporations">paid
for by the rich and corporations</a>.


feed_id: 4a81169f779849e968d7c999d7bed870
title: Urgent: Prevent war with Iran
uri: 2019-05-23-Urgent-Prevent-war-with-Iran
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#22_May_2019_%28Urgent%3A_Prevent_war_with_Iran%29
content:
<p>
US citizens: 
<a href="https://act.credoaction.com/call/calls-stop-bolton/">phone
the offices of Pelosi and Schumer</a> to urge them to do all they can
to prevent war with Iran.
<p>
The Capitol Switchboard numbers are 202-224-3121, 888-818-6641
and 888-355-3588.</p>


feed_id: 99ee7b3cf67ebc459391d95366e554ad
title: Tracking devices attached to offspring
uri: Tracking-devices-attached-to-offspring
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#22_May_2019_%28Tracking_devices_attached_to_offspring%29

content:
<p>
Overcontrolling US parents can now buy tracking devices to attach to
their offspring, which are impossible to remove.  These adolescents
are then 
<a href="https://truthout.org/articles/big-brother-steps-closer-as-parents-shackle-teens-to-ankle-monitors/">treated
as prisoners</a>.


feed_id: 2767318734c96bb5171f7faf2a39e35f
title: Apartments converted into spy homes
uri: Apartments-converted-into-spy-homes
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#22_May_2019_%28Apartments_converted_into_spy_homes%29

content:
<p>
Some landlords invade tenants' privacy by converting the apartment
into a
<a href="https://www.cnet.com/news/your-landlord-turns-your-apartment-into-a-smart-home-now-what/">spy
home</a>.
<p>
They call it "smart".  
<a href="https://gnu.org/malware/proprietary-surveillance.html">For
"smart", read "spy"</a>.  The cure I suggest is to disconnect all the
landlord's devices from sensors and everything they control, and
install your own non-snoop devices to control things.  Maybe you can
install deadbolt locks with keys &mdash; then leave the "smart" lock
unlocked all the time.


feed_id: 572b14b8553453ccbef4f8b7e9aa535f
title: Guantanamo
uri: 2019-05-23-Guantanamo
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#22_May_2019_%28Guantanamo%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#bully">The bully</a> plans to keep all the prisoners in Guantanamo until they die.
Some of them are 
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2019/03/07/plans-wheelchair-accessible-cells-gitmo-paint-chilling-picture-detainees-held">starting
to need wheel chairs</a>.


feed_id: 555bf2dc10868efa51dc2d5410f77a18
title: Prohibition of sleeping in a car
uri: Prohibition-of-sleeping-in-a-car
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#22_May_2019_%28Prohibition_of_sleeping_in_a_car%29
content:
<p>
"It's for your own good that we prohibit sleeping in a car -- we think
you'd be better off in a hotel room.  But if you can't afford one, 
<a href="https://www.wsls.com/news/virginia/roanoke/roanoke-county-bans-sleeping-in-carsOO">you
can sleep at the bottom of the lake</a>."


feed_id: 600c1819fcae0fc055fbd7acf632a1c5
title: Urgent: Biden and fossil fuels
uri: Urgent-Biden-and-fossil-fuels
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#23_May_2019_%28Urgent%3A_Biden_and_fossil_fuels%29
content:
<p>
US
citizens: <a href="https://act.oilchangeus.org/sign/biden-nffm-2020/">call
on Biden</a> to sign the no-fossil-fuel-money pledge.
</p>
<p>If you sign, please spread the word!</p>


feed_id: 9cfc8041f8c55d3a5f26d82fa8faaadd
title: Women's driving rights activists
uri: Women-s-driving-rights-activists
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#23_May_2019_%28Women%27s_driving_rights_activists%29

content:
<p>
<a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#salafi">Salafi Arabia</a> is putting women's driving rights activists on trial,
with reporters and
diplomats <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/mar/13/saudi-womens-rights-activists-go-on-trial-in-riyadh">excluded
from the courtroom</a>.
This may be a way to prevent verification of their charges of torture.
If they have cracked and confess, no one will be able to say that they
seem to have been brainwashed.


feed_id: f20265a459a1f4865eba9e2e374b8307
title: 'Alternative' treatments on Netflix
uri: Alternative-treatments-on-Netflix
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#23_May_2019_%28%27Alternative%27_treatments_on_Netflix%29

content:
<p>
Science writer Ginny Smith accuses Netflix
of <a href="http://cosmicshambles.com/words/blogs/ginnysmith/dear-netflix">promoting
"alternative" treatments</a> based on discredited, or imaginary,
evidence.


feed_id: ad6fe6083684dd4dab4b4ac2ce263cb1
title: Combatants for Peace
uri: Combatants-for-Peace
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#23_May_2019_%28Combatants_for_Peace%29
content:
<p>
Combatants for Peace is a joint Arab-Jewish organization that
campaigns nonviolently for reconciliation between the two peoples.
The word "combatants" refers to the fact that its founders were former
fighters on both sides.
<p>
The US
just <a href="https://972mag.com/palestinian-peace-activist-denied-entry-u-s-speaking-tour/140426/">blocked
one of its Arab activists</a> from visiting the US for a speaking
tour.
<p>
The border <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thugs</a> gave no explanation for the decision, but he says
that the questions they asked him were about the organization.


feed_id: 9f4352b3d923ee9c5882decc8e06ec4d
title: Zakaria Zubeidi
uri: Zakaria-Zubeidi
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#23_May_2019_%28Zakaria_Zubeidi%29
content:
<p>
Israel
has <a href="http://www.kibush.co.il/show_file.asp?num=79860">arrested
a Palestinian</a> who opposes the occupation with political theater.
<p>
He has been held for two weeks, with no charges yet.
I suppose they are aiming for a false confession of
something or other.


feed_id: dd47b0a92e55046dc870a0e6ef9742d1
title: Wing flap
uri: Wing-flap
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#23_May_2019_%28Wing_flap%29
content:
<p>
(satire) Butterfly Fears Damaging Our Timeline with
an <a href="https://local.theonion.com/butterfly-under-immense-pressure-not-to-fuck-up-timelin-1833232233">Ill-Judged
Wing Flap</a>.


feed_id: 973d245aaebf09d0f816b80d9079fcb0
title: Intervention in Venezuela
uri: 2019-05-24-Intervention-in-Venezuela
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#23_May_2019_%28Intervention_in_Venezuela%29
content:
<p>
Guaidó has suggested he will invite US military intervention in
Venezuela.  The US
is <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2019/03/12/escalation-fears-grow-venezeula-guaido-signals-support-foreign-intervention-and-us">removing
its diplomats</a>, suggesting an intention to attack.


feed_id: 242b8e30fa9b461fd8262ab209c5bb67
title: BirthStrikers
uri: BirthStrikers
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#23_May_2019_%28BirthStrikers%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2019/mar/12/birthstrikers-meet-the-women-who-refuse-to-have-children-until-climate-change-ends">BirthStrikers</a>
&mdash; an organization of people who refuse to have children until we
avoid <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#global heating">global heating</a> disaster.
<p>
The article's discussion of how laws and individual decisions can
affect the future population is flawed.  It may be true that a global
one-child policy would not make the population smaller by 2100, but
simply reducing the increase is a step away from disaster.
<p>
I agree that individual decisions are not enough to avoid disaster,
but the conclusion from that is a reason to push for more.
<p>
I think that convincing many people not to have children is a goal we
should work for.  The fact that so many people report being unable
to resist natalist pressure on their own shows how much room there is
to make progress.
<p>
There are <a href="https://stallman.org/articles/children.html ">many
other reasons</a> not to have children.


feed_id: b5f3e0c973f9e6acf0aa86e42340c3cc
title: Production in the West Bank
uri: Production-in-the-West-Bank
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#23_May_2019_%28Production_in_the_West_Bank%29
content:
<p>
A UN investigation compiled in 2013 a list of companies involved in
production in Israel's colonies in Palestine's West Bank.  The UN has
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2019/03/12/un-fails-name-and-shame-firms-aiding-israels-illegal-settlements">kept
the list secret</a>, under pressure from the US.


feed_id: 1f2306446360a5b7f790f18b9d4d4625
title: International trade
uri: International-trade
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#23_May_2019_%28International_trade%29
content:
<p>
Walden Bello, cofounder of Focus on the Global South, summarizes how
the WTO arranges "the corporate capture of international trade" based
on an
ideology <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2019/03/12/why-free-trade-bad-you-or-most-you-any-rate">disconnected
from economic facts</a>.
<p>
He does not mention
the <a href="https://stallman.org/business-supremacy-treaties.html">harmful <em>political</em>
effects</a> of business-supremacy treaties.


feed_id: 1e86c590837dad1f2aefe99d2fc49e51
title: Arab-Jewish leftist party
uri: Arab-Jewish-leftist-party
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#23_May_2019_%28Arab-Jewish_leftist_party%29
content:
<p>
A subcommittee of the Knesset voted
to <a href="https://www.jpost.com/Israel-Elections/Disqualification-of-Arab-Israeli-party-a-political-ploy-analysts-say-582835">ban
an Arab-Jewish leftist party</a> from running for election, based on
its political position.
<p>
Mainstream (right-wing extremist) politicians
are <a href="https://www.timesofisrael.com/arab-israeli-party-sues-journalist-for-calling-it-a-terror-organization/">calling
it "terrorist"</a>.
<p>
One
candidate <a href="https://www.jpost.com/Israel-Elections/Hadash-candidate-banned-from-election-pending-court-case-582662">was
banned</a> for advocating a Palestinian state alongside Israel.


feed_id: 7775b024d79e03cebb74b8f782baafbe
title: Warren's Facebook ads
uri: Warren-s-Facebook-ads
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#23_May_2019_%28Warren%27s_Facebook_ads%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2019/mar/11/elizabeth-warren-facebook-ads-break-up-big-tech">Facebook
blocked</a> Senator Warren's ads that called for breaking up Facebook.
<p>
It reminds me of when
Amazon <a href="https://stallman.org/amazon.html#1984">remotely
deleted copies of 1984</a>:
so ironic that it is hard to believe they wouldn't know better.


feed_id: 3d4809e8b513a58024951d63f88974ab
title: Face recognition for flights
uri: Face-recognition-for-flights
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#23_May_2019_%28Face_recognition_for_flights%29
content:
<p>
The US is using international flights as an opportunity
to <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2019/03/11/privacy-advocates-sound-alarm-cbp-scrambling-deploy-facial-recognition-major-us">impose
more face recognition</a>.


feed_id: 209d499cbee873eb1f9bf63717264a2f
title: American teenagers
uri: American-teenagers
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#24_May_2019_%28American_teenagers%29
content:
<p>
American teenagers are <a href="http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/reason/Articles/~3/Z-1mQUAADN8/">taking better precautions against sexually
transmitted diseases, and pregnancy</a>.  The pregnancy rate among
teenagers continues steadily falling.


feed_id: 9b6ad72fb6063f44e8424be3abc5873a
title: Eradicated malaria
uri: Eradicated-malaria
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#24_May_2019_%28Eradicated_malaria%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2019/may/23/argentina-and-algeria-stamp-out-malaria-in-historic-achievement">Argentina and Algeria</a> have eradicated malaria.
<p>
It can be done in other countries too, if we put up the required
funds.
Will we have the courage to take the funds away from the plutocrats?


feed_id: e0acc77867361c615a4c24f60a3fed20
title: Wiping out all the larger animals
uri: Wiping-out-all-the-larger-animals
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#24_May_2019_%28Wiping_out_all_the_larger_animals%29
content:
<p>
Humans are wiping out all the larger animals.  <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/may/23/humans-causing-shrinking-of-nature-as-larger-animals-die-off">This will turn
ecosysems upside down</a>, resulting in more extinctions.
<p>
Republicans Aren't Just Climate Deniers.  <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/may/23/republicans-arent-just-climate-deniers-they-deny-the-extinction-crisis-too">They Deny the Extinction
Crisis,
Too</a>.


feed_id: 3cc495adf66568589cb66c9fb2506136
title: PFAS
uri: PFAS
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#24_May_2019_%28PFAS%29
content:
<p>
Some chemicals in the PFAS class cause <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2019/may/23/chemical-colorado-springs-military-communities-pfcs">medical problems even in small
quantities</a>.  Many different products expose people to various
chemicals
in the class.  It is not clear what level of exposure is safe.


feed_id: 397a4716dd547309b8757843c8a2e506
title: Chlorofluorocarbon gas
uri: Chlorofluorocarbon-gas
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#24_May_2019_%28Chlorofluorocarbon_gas%29
content:
<p>
Some <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/may/23/china-factories-releasing-thousands-of-tonnes-of-illegal-cfc-gases-study-finds">Chinese factories are (or were recently) emitting
chlorofluorocarbon gas</a>, in disregard of the treaty to close the ozone
hole.
<p>
China may be cracking down on them.


feed_id: 121a0e656da57d9eb4a119c73b0db20a
title: Rampant overfishing
uri: Rampant-overfishing
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#24_May_2019_%28Rampant_overfishing%29
content:
<p>
Rampant overfishing is <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/may/09/seas-stop-eating-fish-fishing-industry-government">driving almost all the world's fish stocks to a
level below viability</a>.  The highly concentrated fishing industry
refuss to be regulated effectively until it is brought to a halt by
its own success.


feed_id: a6c335d97451608c4867e01054e45873
title: Modi
uri: Modi
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#24_May_2019_%28Modi%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/may/23/the-guardian-view-on-narendra-modi-landslide-bad-for-india-soul">Hinduist extremist Modi won the election in India.</a>
<p>
I fear he will ramp up the repression of Muslims, Christians, and
Buddhists, as well as Dalits and perhaps Sikhs.


feed_id: 83224bbbdc85d8fa66d74bc6bd2669a2
title: Workers block shipment of war material
uri: Workers-block-shipment-of-war-material
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#24_May_2019_%28Workers_block_shipment_of_war_material%29

content:
<p>
Workers have
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2019/05/21/we-will-not-be-complicit-protesting-assault-yemen-italian-dock-workers-refuse-load">blocked
a ship from onloading war material for Salafi Arabia</a>, first in
France, then in Italy.


feed_id: 71b0f2284b2a89452aa79dc7d0ccd66b
title: Face recognition
uri: 2019-05-25-Face-recognition
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#24_May_2019_%28Face_recognition%29
content:
<p>
Will face recognition be 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/may/21/facial-recognition-privacy-prepared-regulation">"everywhere"</a>?
<p>
I think we can stop it if we fight &mdash; but we must not pull our
punches.  We must demand a ban on camera recognition carried out on
people or their vehicles in places where the public is admitted,
regardless of who or what entity carries it out, with only narrow and
specific exceptions.


feed_id: 945ed6d4dca1b085c1aa8c05d3627f54
title: Face recognition and fingerprinting
uri: Face-recognition-and-fingerprinting
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#24_May_2019_%28Face_recognition_and_fingerprinting%29

content:
<p>
The UK government is now 
<a href="https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-47461035">subjecting visitors to
prisons to face recognition and fingerprinting</a>.
<p>
I'd decline to visit under those circumstances.


feed_id: 6c596e7dde4532e91d0a61e061fe4b91
title: Fracking
uri: 2019-05-25-Fracking
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#24_May_2019_%28Fracking%29
content:
<p>
Fracking 
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2019/03/11/climate-crisis-be-damned-shale-revolution-poised-make-us-net-exporter-oil-three">threatens
to increase US oil extraction tremendously</a>, and thus increase
world oil extraction.
<p>
To avoid disaster we will need to shut off that increase.  Perhaps
with a very heavy emissions tax.


feed_id: 6aefc1720405aa62e2f663271b33a55a
title: Plutocrats' last, best hope
uri: Plutocrats-last-best-hope
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#24_May_2019_%28Plutocrats_last%2C_best_hope%29
content:
<p>
Senator Biden is the plutocrats' last, best hope for 
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2019/03/11/here-comes-joe-biden-and-its-worse-you-thought">a
2020 race in which no major party candidate will deserve our
votes</a>.  He has fought persistently for banks against debtors, for
racial inequality, for military spending, and for war.


feed_id: 224b452d546e221147a74f150faf7583
title: Attacks on science education
uri: Attacks-on-science-education
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#24_May_2019_%28Attacks_on_science_education%29
content:
<p>
Republican state legislators are 
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2019/03/11/right-wing-state-legislators-working-destroy-climate-and-science-education-analysis">trying
to attack science education</a>.  Ignorance is their best ally.


feed_id: d1225a8db38e0439163b343b40a233b8
title: Erectile dysfunction among teenagers
uri: Erectile-dysfunction-among-teenagers
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#24_May_2019_%28Erectile_dysfunction_among_teenagers%29

content:
<p>
Teenagers that become 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2019/mar/11/young-men-porn-induced-erectile-dysfunction">habituated
to porn</a> often develop erectile dysfunction.  This was almost
unheard of, among teenagers.
<p>
Criticism of porn often carries a whiff of Christian prudery.  I
reject that attitude wherever I see it.  However, if porn leads people
to unhappy results, we should make it easier to watch less porn.
<p>
The taboo still placed on actual sex, especially for adolescents, may
leave many of them with porn as the only choice.  Impediments in
getting birth control, and lack of acceptance of condoms, can cause
rational anxiety about sex, and that too would drive some to porn.


feed_id: df64afab417de831cfd70755229338f4
title: Import of genetically modified salmon
uri: Import-of-genetically-modified-salmon
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#24_May_2019_%28Import_of_genetically_modified_salmon%29

content:
<p>
The Frobbed-DNA Administration 
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2019/03/11/fda-lifts-import-ban-genetically-engineered-salmon">will
allow</a> import of genetically modified salmon.
<p>
It is unlikely that this salmon would cause any problems for human
eaters, other than those with a bad reaction to natural salmon.  
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2017-jan-apr.html#23_January_2017_(GM_salmon)">Their
danger is to wild salmon in oceans and rivers</a>.


feed_id: 93db95403529e7be8422d00cc1c130af
title: 911 calls from Amazon's warehouses
uri: 911-calls-from-Amazon-s-warehouses
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#24_May_2019_%28911_calls_from_Amazons_warehouses%29
content:
<p>
Amazon's warehouses have a 
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2019/03/11/they-treat-us-robots-frequent-911-calls-amazon-warehouses-reveal-employees-driven">high
rate of 911 calls</a>, as they stress the staff so much that they
often tend to get sick.


feed_id: 6df017839f8c117744feac91b2ea14b7
title: Thugs arrested for murdering legislator
uri: Thugs-arrested-for-murdering-legislator
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#24_May_2019_%28Thugs_arrested_for_murdering_legislator%29

content:
<p>
Brazil has arrested 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/mar/12/police-officers-arrested-murder-brazilian-politician-marielle-franco">former
thugs</a> for murdering legislator Marielle Franco.


feed_id: 46d2cb73d16d687532a5d105d61b6688
title: Abortion Ban
uri: Abortion-Ban
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#24_May_2019_%28Abortion_Ban%29
content:
<p>
<p>
What <a href="https://foreignpolicy.com/2019/05/16/what-actually-happens-when-a-country-bans-abortion-romania-alabama/">Actually Happens When a Country Bans Abortion</a>: Romania under
Ceausescu created a dystopian horror of overcrowded, filthy
orphanages, and thousands died from back-alley abortions.
<p>


feed_id: 494b260d30ebde3e2cac1c6b8cfed764
title: Cryptographer Ban
uri: Cryptographer-Ban
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#24_May_2019_%28Cryptographer_Ban%29
content:
<p>
<p>
Famous cryptographers <a href="https://www.schneier.com/blog/archives/2019/05/why_are_cryptog.html">have been denied entry</a> into the US
for conferences.
<p>


feed_id: a3ee0a54317412eed1922c68c2bf3e1b
title: Suppressing Extremists
uri: Suppressing-Extremists
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#24_May_2019_%28Surppressing_Extremists%29
content:
<p>
<p>
The EFF's comments on New Zealand's <a href="https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2019/05/christchurch-call-good-not-so-good-and-ugly">call for a global effort</a> to suppress
internet publications that encourage violent extremism and terrorism.
<p>


feed_id: 3184bd5e391038693c7c9997b5bee606
title: Service Strike
uri: Service-Strike
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#24_May_2019_%28Service_Strike%29
content:
<p>
<p>
The outsourced cleaners and food servers working in UK ministries
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2019/may/21/westminster-support-staff-strike-missed-pay-cheques">have gone on strike</a>, demanding to be paid on time, and to be paid
the official living wage.
<p>
<p>
As usual, outsourcing work harms the workers.
<p>


feed_id: 693cdcd0a1063f7c45ed57999fe12a48
title: Deregulation
uri: Deregulation
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#24_May_2019_%28Deregulation%29
content:
<p>
<p>
The conman's <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2019/05/21/regulatory-rollbacks-defied-public-opinion-reward-big-corporations?cd-origin=rss">acts of deregulation</a> systematically work for businesses
against most Americans.
<p>


feed_id: 16e300e432c27968d3787a46f5683914
title: Israeli Justice
uri: Israeli-Justice
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#24_May_2019_%28Israeli_Justice%29
content:
<p>
<p>
The Israeli Supreme Court only rarely impedes government excuses to
destroy Palestinians' houses.  <a href="https://mondoweiss.net/2019/05/continuing-israeli-justice/">For those rare occasions</a>, the ruling
right-wing demonizes it and calls for eliminating its power.
<p>


feed_id: 580d6000f02b0e6c02173ea8123d7e10
title: Iran Threat
uri: Iran-Threat
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#24_May_2019_%28Iran_Threat%29
content:
<p>
<p>
US officials report that the Iranian "threat" that they imagined in
recent days <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/may/21/iran-us-latest-news-threat-diminished-says-defense-secretary">has vanished as mysteriously as it appeared</a>.
<p>


feed_id: c0869559a3653ee8edf086874a929119
title: Border Thugs
uri: 2019-05-25-Border-Thugs
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#24_May_2019_%28Border_Thugs%29
content:
<p>
<p>
CBP (the US border thugs) <a href="https://rightsanddissent.org/news/cbp-admits-to-targeting-journalists-activists-after-civil-society-groups-including-defending-rights-dissent-demanded-answers/">Admits to Targeting Journalists, Activists,
After Civil Society Groups</a>, Including Defending Rights & Dissent,
Demanded Answers.
<p>


feed_id: e972337b3e7c445e9526a3eaa906f013
title: Wiping out all the larger animals
uri: 2019-05-25-Wiping-out-all-the-larger-animals
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#24_May_2019_%28Wiping_out_all_the_larger_animals%29
content:
<p>
Humans are wiping out all the larger animals.  <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/may/23/humans-causing-shrinking-of-nature-as-larger-animals-die-off">This will turn
ecosystems upside down</a>, resulting in more extinctions.
<p>
Republicans Aren't Just Climate Deniers.  <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/may/23/republicans-arent-just-climate-deniers-they-deny-the-extinction-crisis-too">They Deny the Extinction
Crisis,
Too</a>.


feed_id: 68dd51df217549f66fdf4a6cf8c6d4b0
title: Rampant overfishing
uri: 2019-05-25-Rampant-overfishing
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#24_May_2019_%28Rampant_overfishing%29
content:
<p>
Rampant overfishing is <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/may/09/seas-stop-eating-fish-fishing-industry-government">driving almost all the world's fish stocks to a
level below viability</a>.  The highly concentrated fishing industry
refuses to be regulated effectively until it is brought to a halt by
its own success.


feed_id: 18b7db1a81a0b61ef6e63465cf27edd0
title: Urgent: Military budget
uri: 2019-05-26-Urgent-Military-budget
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#25_May_2019_%28Urgent%3A_Military_budget%29
content:
<p>
US
citizens: <a href="https://act.credoaction.com/sign/democrats-budget-military-spending">call
on Democrats in Congress</a> to cut the military budget.
</p>
<p>If you sign, please spread the word!</p>


feed_id: 3e4c679930743ca3d2f93678902aa361
title: Urgent: Abdikadir Mohamed
uri: Urgent-Abdikadir-Mohamed
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#25_May_2019_%28Urgent%3A_Abdikadir_Mohamed%29
content:
<p>
US
citizens: <a href="https://campaigns.organizefor.org/petitions/bring-abdi-home-freeabdi">call
on the US government</a> to allow Abdikadir Mohamed to stay with his
family, pursuant to the visa he had already obtained, so he can get
treatment for the illnesses he developed due to mistreatment in
immigration prison.
</p>
<p>
It seems he was imprisoned because <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thugs</a> questioned him without an
interpreter and caused a miscommunication
that <a href="https://theintercept.com/2019/05/13/customs-border-protection-profiling-airport/">could
be fatal to him</a>.
</p>
<p>If you sign, please spread the word!</p>


feed_id: 9f2111b2f07841e37a740a8a42d9e206
title: AFL-CIO and global heating
uri: AFL-CIO-and-global-heating
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#25_May_2019_%28AFL-CIO_and_global_heating%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2019/03/13/environmentalists-call-labor-support-green-new-deal">Calling
on the AFL-CIO</a> to recognize that avoiding global heating disaster
is more important than a few more union jobs today.
<p>
The Green New Deal would create a lot of jobs as a byproduct of curbing
greenhouse gas emissions.


feed_id: 403a8004110eb497399f68bd05041dab
title: Separating minors from parents
uri: Separating-minors-from-parents
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#25_May_2019_%28Separating_minors_from_parents%29
content:
<p>
US border <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thugs</a> continue separating minors from their parents, but the
government <a href="https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2019/3/12/1841539/-Detained-kids-were-told-they-wouldn-t-be-reunited-with-relatives-if-they-misbehaved-senator-says">lies
about it</a>, claiming that those minors arrived alone.


feed_id: 69a0838841710738550156373c61e207
title: Voting system backdoor
uri: Voting-system-backdoor
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#25_May_2019_%28Voting_system_backdoor%29
content:
<p>
Researchers
Find <a href="https://motherboard.vice.com/en_us/article/zmakk3/researchers-find-critical-backdoor-in-swiss-online-voting-system">Critical
Backdoor</a> in Swiss Online Voting System.
<p>
It's not unusual for those in charge of the election to dismiss the idea
that they themselves might rig it, but that very danger is the worst one.
<p>
Any online voting system
has <a href="https://stallman.org/evoting.html">fundamental flaws</a>.


feed_id: 518c0866e800cd2610b68686c86eee95
title: Testicular Bill of Rights
uri: Testicular-Bill-of-Rights
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#25_May_2019_%28Testicular_Bill_of_Rights%29
content:
<p>
The <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2019/03/12/gop-attacks-womens-reproductive-freedoms-testicular-bill-rights-would-restrict-mens">Testicular
Bill of Rights</a> presents the natural conclusion of the antiabortion
bill that Georgia passed.


feed_id: 0e0992fb17b2ad6609a42b13e489f8f2
title: College admission fraud
uri: College-admission-fraud
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#25_May_2019_%28College_admission_fraud%29
content:
<p>
33 wealthy parents have
been <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2019/mar/13/college-cheating-scam-felicity-huffman-lori-loughlin">charged
with using fraud</a> to get their offspring admitted to prestigious
colleges.
<p>
One of the beneficiaries demonstrated her lack of interest in the
college education she had access to thanks to this fraud, by saying
she was only
there <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2019/mar/12/college-admissions-scandal-lori-loughlin-daughter-olivia-jade">for
the parties and games</a>.
<p>
What else would you expect from the sort of person who has chosen the
parasitic career of influencer?  That is, a person whose whole life is
an advertising campaign.
<p>
I suppose she could be equally happy at a school that doesn't offer as
much in the way of education.  Many of those gladly admit anyone for
30,000 dollars a year, no fraud required.
<p>
This fraud is unfair, but compared with other systemic unfairnesses to
the non-wealthy, this one is rather small in importance.  For most
non-wealthy Americans have more pressing worries than whether Harvard
or UCLA would consider their applications fairly, such as "Will we be
evicted this month" and "Food for me, or medicine for my mother?"


feed_id: 88064d5823ae85b923d2884ee284255f
title: License plate readers and immigrants
uri: License-plate-readers-and-immigrants
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#25_May_2019_%28License_plate_readers_and_immigrants%29

content:
<p>
Many cities' <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thug</a> departments are using license plate readers to
track all cars, and sending records to the US deportation <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thugs</a>
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2019/mar/13/us-immigration-ice-undocumented-immigrants-license-plates">to
catch immigrants</a>.
<p>
They cooperate indirectly via a private company which holds all the
data.  That evades legal accountability.  Local <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thug</a> departments do
this even in places such as California where it is specifically
illegal.
<p>
The <a href="https://gnu.org/philosophy/surveillance-vs-democracy.html">solution
I've proposed</a>
would make the system refuse to do this.


feed_id: c5bfde7a00442444b63231a7481ee223
title: Execution moratorium
uri: Execution-moratorium
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#25_May_2019_%28Execution_moratorium%29
content:
<p>
The governor of California ordered a moratorium on executions.
<a href="https://theintercept.com/2019/03/13/california-death-penalty-moratorium/">There
is hope</a> he could go further.


feed_id: f92efe92f9599ba21718f60f2fef111a
title: Civil war in Somalia
uri: Civil-war-in-Somalia
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#25_May_2019_%28Civil_war_in_Somalia%29
content:
<p>
The US has no reason
to <a href="https://reason.com/2019/03/12/escalation-in-somalia-is-a-foreign-polic">involve
itself in the civil war</a> in Somalia.


feed_id: 35a0f19f40e2e4f5254c9f6e7b649464
title: Thugs' union of Queensland
uri: Thugs-union-of-Queensland
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#25_May_2019_%28Thugs%27_union_of_Queensland%29
content:
<p>
The <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thugs</a>' union of Queensland
is <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2019/mar/13/queensland-to-repeal-police-discipline-system-set-up-after-fitzgerald-inquiry">pushing
to repeal the system</a> that was set up to prosecute crooked thugs.


feed_id: 62146dbb4ac5f5ff7a36b8edab5ae539
title: Manafort charges
uri: Manafort-charges
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#25_May_2019_%28Manafort_charges%29
content:
<p>
Manafort
faces <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2019/mar/13/paul-manafort-latest-new-york-crimes-prosecutors">New
York State felony charges</a>.  His master can't pardon him for those.


feed_id: 9f7711d21498181fe21b648267ef27c6
title: Senator Harris and bank deal
uri: Senator-Harris-and-bank-deal
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#25_May_2019_%28Senator_Harris_and_bank_deal%29
content:
<p>
Senator Harris signed on to the very bad deal Obama's men arranged
with the banks over their fraudulent foreclosures.  She touts that
<a href="https://theintercept.com/2019/03/13/kamala-harris-mortage-crisis/">as
a big victory</a>.


feed_id: 5a005a7f9987f3c0c18861beddc3c3fa
title: British national ID cards
uri: British-national-ID-cards
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#25_May_2019_%28British_national_ID_cards%29
content:
<p>
A Tory wants to use leaving the EU as an excuse
to <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2019/mar/13/id-cards-a-possibility-after-brexit-says-uk-immigration-minister">impose
national ID cards</a> on Britain.


feed_id: 83f64a053f911b5e1374b8e150a6a105
title: Bogus "emergency" to be fabricated
uri: Bogus-emergency-to-be-fabricated
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#26_May_2019_%28Bogus_emergency_to_be_fabricated%29
content:
<p>
The bullshitter is going to fabricate another bogus "emergency" and
use it as an 
<a href="https://theintercept.com/2019/05/24/us-saudi-arabia-arms-sales/">excuse
to bypass Senate approval of arms sales to <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#salafi">Salafi Arabia</a> and the
UAE</a>.
<p>
I suggest that the law permitting emergency international arms sales
should exclude sales that were proposed more than a month previously
as well as sales that would take more than a month to physically
implement.


feed_id: 424fab1f98f856afa82425d0a31e8d32
title: Urgent: Equality Act
uri: 2019-05-26-Urgent-Equality-Act
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#26_May_2019_%28Urgent%3A_Equality_Act%29
content:
<p>
US citizens: 
<a href="http://act.pfaw.org/sign/urge-the-senate-to-pass-the-equality-act/">call
on the Senate</a> to pass the Equality Act.


feed_id: 9efb6bc975101ea5ad9226e3938fed77
title: Urgent: Stop donating to anti-abortion candidates
uri: Urgent-Stop-donating-to-anti-abortion-candidates
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#26_May_2019_%28Urgent%3A_Stop_donating_to_anti-abortion_candidates%29

content:
<p>
Everyone: 
<a href="https://act.credoaction.com/sign/war-on-women-backers-att">Call
on AT&amp;T, Walmart, Coca-Cola, Pfizer, Aetna and Eli Lilly</a> to
stop donating to the campaigns of anti-abortion candidates.
<p>
If you sign, please spread the word!</p>


feed_id: ebe49a7fcd61468ac771545c8bb0c4ee
title: Urgent: Block construction of Line 3
uri: Urgent-Block-construction-of-Line-3
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#26_May_2019_%28Urgent%3A_Block_construction_of_Line_3%29

content:
<p>
Everyone: 
<a href="https://act.oilchangeus.org/sign/stop-line-3_walz/">call on
the governor of Minnesota</a> to block construction of the Line 3 tar
sands oil pipeline.
<p>
If you sign, please spread the word!</p>


feed_id: 16eef933cb0825d6b69c283287805d7c
title: International cooperation between unions
uri: International-cooperation-between-unions
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#26_May_2019_%28International_cooperation_between_unions%29

content:
<p>
International cooperation between unions can 
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2019/03/15/unions-can-take-international-fights-and-win">resist
international power plays of capital</a>.


feed_id: 576635325aa8b4762042e5ef7b4f61ed
title: Proposal made by Sanders in 1976
uri: Proposal-made-by-Sanders-in-1976
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#26_May_2019_%28Proposal_made_by_Sanders_in_1976%29
content:
<p>
Sanders proposed in 1976 
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2019/03/15/president-nationalizing-major-industries-please-can-we-have-76-bernie-2020">to
penalize companies for closing factories, and to convert big
businesses into worker-controlled businesses</a>.
<p>
Sounds good to me.


feed_id: c42621980c0a95c19baa8d1752116bfb
title: Cover campaign
uri: Cover-campaign
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#26_May_2019_%28Cover_campaign%29
content:
<p>
(satire) Beto O’Rourke announced Thursday that he was starting a
   Barack Obama cover
   <a href="https://politics.theonion.com/beto-o-rourke-announces-he-starting-obama-cover-campaig-1833305932">campaign</a>. “I’ve
   always loved Barack’s early stuff from back in ’08, even ’04,
   &hellip;


feed_id: 0e4c7500bddf10b2cb2d9c3bff6037a0
title: Action against plastic pollution
uri: Action-against-plastic-pollution
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#26_May_2019_%28Action_against_plastic_pollution%29
content:
<p>
US Accused of 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/mar/15/us-accused-of-blocking-ambitious-global-action-against-plastic-pollution-un-conference-environment">Blocking</a>
Ambitious Global Action against Plastic Pollution.
<p>
The US is ruled by environmental saboteurs; naturally they would
sabotage this.


feed_id: 63d65fa8b25682dcbc23187e6f62970a
title: Lawsuits over accusations of any kind
uri: Lawsuits-over-accusations-of-any-kind
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#26_May_2019_%28Lawsuits_over_accusations_of_any_kind%29

content:
<p>
Michael Jackson Fan Groups [in France] 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/music/2019/mar/15/michael-jackson-fan-groups-france-lawsuit">to
Sue Accusers</a> for 'Sullying His Memory'.
<p>
If this lawsuits succeeds, anyone who states an accusation of any kind
against anyone famous enough to have a fan club will face even more
pressure and retaliation.
<p>
Increased impunity for everyone rich and famous is hardly an
improvement.  Therefore, we need to quash all such lawsuits, one way
or another.
<p>
The fact that this one is about Michael Jackson is a mere detail.
If it were about someone else, the issue would be the same.


feed_id: 80cf47f5bb28f7dd81d8bb274ce4fae6
title: When people like the conman are in power
uri: When-people-like-the-conman-are-in-power
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#26_May_2019_%28When_people_like_the_conman_are_in_power%29

content:
<p>
Preet Bharara, who was US attorney for New York City and vicinity
until the conman 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/books/2019/mar/15/preet-bharara-interview-doing-justice">kicked
him out for being honest</a>, says he worries that his life is in
danger while people like the conman are in power.


feed_id: 026dc06ab729c42d3222c5ce74b34756
title: Urgent: DISCLOSE Act
uri: 2019-05-27-Urgent-DISCLOSE-Act
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#27_May_2019_%28Urgent%3A_DISCLOSE_Act%29
content:
<p>
US
citizens: <a href="http://act.pfaw.org/sign/support-the-DISCLOSE-Act/">call
on Congress</a> to pass the DISCLOSE Act to provide some transparency
of funding for campaign advertising.
</p>
<p>If you sign, please spread the word!</p>


feed_id: 300a5ce3cf2033c5c4fc8ad2969474a1
title: Urgent: Women's Health Protection Act
uri: Urgent-Women-s-Health-Protection-Act
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#27_May_2019_%28Urgent%3A_Women%27s_Health_Protection_Act%29

content:
<p>
US
citizens: <a href="https://act.weareultraviolet.org/sign/WHPA2019_Petition/">call
on congress</a> to co-sponsor the Women's Health Protection Act, which
would establish abortion rights.
</p>
<p>If you sign, please spread the word!</p>


feed_id: 75898d490420c6ca8853a5aa4042ca1d
title: Urgent: Military funding
uri: Urgent-Military-funding
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#27_May_2019_%28Urgent%3A_Military_funding%29
content:
<p>
US
citizens: <a href="https://act.credoaction.com/sign/democrats-budget-military-spending">call
on Democrats</a> to cut military funding.
</p>
<p>If you sign, please spread the word!</p>


feed_id: 2c9ad3b84f8141b342da7d21317b3ab9
title: Urgent: Puerto Rico's recovery
uri: Urgent-Puerto-Rico-s-recovery
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#27_May_2019_%28Urgent%3A_Puerto_Rico%27s_recovery%29

content:
<p>
US
citizens: <a href="https://actionnetwork.org/petitions/sign-the-petition-increase-puerto-ricans-access-to-lifesaving-hurricane-recovery-funds">call
on the Senate</a> to support Puerto Rico's recovery from hurricane
damage, with more funds.
</p>
<p>If you sign, please spread the word!</p>


feed_id: d11afddfbf71b19f95337db0a79f17ee
title: Killer robots
uri: 2019-05-27-Killer-robots
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#27_May_2019_%28Killer_robots%29
content:
<p>
I Quit My Job to Protest My Company’s Work
on <a href="https://www.aclu.org/blog/national-security/targeted-killing/i-quit-my-job-protest-my-companys-work-building-killer">Building
Killer Robots</a>.
<p>
The article uses the word "hacking" to refer to breaking security.
That's <a href="https://stallman.org/articles/on-hacking.html">unkind
and unfair</a> to us hackers.
But it presents good arguments against killer robots.
<p>
However, if we want to avoid the development of killer robots, we need
more than for some people, or many people, to refuse to develop them.


feed_id: 09d321e740f59e9f84d6999a58d442c5
title: Human rights violations
uri: 2019-05-27-Human-rights-violations
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#27_May_2019_%28Human_rights_violations%29
content:
<p>
China <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/mar/14/china-hits-back-at-us-prejudice-in-human-rights-tit-for-tat-row">excuses
its violations</a> of human rights by pointing at US violations.


feed_id: 12005999ef03a5c8b41fd7e30a0d2552
title: Disguised hatred
uri: Disguised-hatred
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#27_May_2019_%28Disguised_hatred%29
content:
<p>
Right-wing extremists
have <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/commentisfree/2019/mar/15/do-the-christchurch-shootings-expose-the-murderous-nature-of-ironic-online-fascism">adopted
a disguised way</a> of stating their hatred and calls for violence,
for deniability.


feed_id: 03bcb3c554be62f0b0b21acba11862bc
title: Climate strike rally
uri: Climate-strike-rally
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#27_May_2019_%28Climate_strike_rally%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://www.exposedbycmd.org/2019/03/15/like-breath-fresh-air-youth-climate-strikes-lift-off-125-countries/">Over
a million of us</a> joined the climate strike rally on March 15.
<p>
It won't be enough to overcome resistance.  If you weren't there,
please join in next time and help make it 2 million.


feed_id: 6eb9e32d62c9ec023307fce5e9eb0193
title: Light activism
uri: Light-activism
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#27_May_2019_%28Light_activism%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">Thugs</a> in Washington
DC <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/further/2019/03/14/people-are-getting-busted-committing-freedom-speech-which-not-good-sign">arrested
an activist</a> for projecting light on a government building.
<p>
It appears the <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thugs</a> claim that shining light is illegal only if it
carries a message &mdash; a mere spotlight, making only a patch of
light on the building, would according to them not be a crime.


feed_id: e03d27a4e17f1ce79a0c2dbbde451f46
title: Victim's rights laws
uri: Victim-s-rights-laws
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#27_May_2019_%28Victim%27s_rights_laws%29
content:
<p>
The latest fashion in "victim's rights" laws in US
states <a href="https://reason.com/2019/03/16/can-victims-rights-go-too-far">endangers
the rights of the accused</a>.


feed_id: db0d153c8e92ea344325af8efdd4db44
title: Transition to junk food
uri: Transition-to-junk-food
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#27_May_2019_%28Transition_to_junk_food%29
content:
<p>
How unhealthful eating practices have changed food itself as well as
the way we consume it.
China <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/books/2019/mar/16/snack-attacks-the-toxic-truth-about-the-way-we-eat">presents
an indicative example</a> of the transition to junk food.


feed_id: 5d3b8af3cba875d1c2ab5f60c39c029a
title: Senator report cards
uri: Senator-report-cards
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#27_May_2019_%28Senator_report_cards%29
content:
<p>
<a href="http://www.demandjustice.org/report-card/">Grading
non-Republican senators</a> for resisting right-wing judicial
appointments.
<p>
Slowing these appointments down is useful even when it is impossible
to block them, since at slow speed the Republicans may not be able
to fill all the slots by the end of 2020.


feed_id: 269039c48224651f5f1b64b296b2b5c5
title: Supreme Court size
uri: Supreme-Court-size
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#27_May_2019_%28Supreme_Court_size%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2019/03/15/expanding-supreme-court-may-be-only-way-protect-democracy">Increasing
the size</a> of the Supreme Court may be necessary to overcome the
power of five Republican-appointed justices that generally support
plutocracy and oppose women's rights.
<p>
Enough gains in Congress would also bring the possibility of
impeaching Kavanaugh for his attempted rape, and other personal
actions (as distinguished from his ideology) that render him unfit for
any political office.


feed_id: a3a4cbade207a6fa19b4f9685ceb97a1
title: Nuclear reactor inspections
uri: Nuclear-reactor-inspections
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#27_May_2019_%28Nuclear_reactor_inspections%29
content:
<p>
US nuclear reactor
operators <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2019/03/15/era-aging-reactors-nuclear-industrys-push-deregulation-sparks-warning-collision">want
to reduce inspections</a> and conceal small problems.
<p>
Even if these small problems cause no harm to the public, the rate at
which they happen is an indication of the state of maintenance and
quality of the reactor.


feed_id: 020a4da0446ba086066d065892063615
title: US war crimes investigation
uri: US-war-crimes-investigation
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#27_May_2019_%28US_war_crimes_investigation%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#bully">The bully</a> plans
to <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2019/03/15/trump-administration-attempts-thwart-international-criminal-court-investigators">deny
or cancel visas</a> to prevent officials of the International Criminal
Court from investigating accusations of US war crimes in Afghanistan.


feed_id: a3ffd6413feba4889a310f28d7ce3033
title: Family reunites
uri: Family-reunites
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#27_May_2019_%28Family_reunites%29
content:
<p>
6-year-old Ariel, imprisoned by the US government for 10 months,
<a href="https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2019/3/14/1842064/-6-year-old-boy-reunited-with-his-family-after-being-separated-by-the-Trump-admin-for-nearly-a-year?">was
reunited</a> with his dear deported father.


feed_id: 0a9dd7bf38a59ce3f5d5c57254e09450
title: Death of North Atlantic right whales
uri: Death-of-North-Atlantic-right-whales
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#29_May_2019_%28Death_of_North_Atlantic_right_whales%29

content:
<p>
How 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/may/27/right-whale-population-decline-tied-to-ocean-warming-research-says">global
heating is indirectly responsible</a> for the death of North Atlantic
right whales.


feed_id: 9ca9795b124bdb12d34daebef72bf18a
title: Money behind push to ban abortion
uri: Money-behind-push-to-ban-abortion
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#29_May_2019_%28Money_behind_push_to_ban_abortion%29
content:
<p>
The 
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2019/05/26/secret-money-behind-push-ban-abortion">Secret
Money</a> Behind the Push to Ban Abortion.


feed_id: e252c08a7d9784fdf62ca62daba4df3a
title: Overprotection of children
uri: 2019-05-29-Overprotection-of-children
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#29_May_2019_%28Overprotection_of_children%29
content:
<p>
An interview with Lenore Skenazy about 
<a href="https://reason.com/2019/05/27/parenting-without-fear/">the
causes of obsessive overprotectiveness and its effects</a>.


feed_id: cc565ea6397d8c817c1c6bfc5882e856
title: Brazil's election
uri: Brazil-s-election
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#29_May_2019_%28Brazils_election%29
content:
<p>
Relating 
<a href="https://edri.org/it-starts-with-free-pokemon-go-it-ends-with-bolsonaro/">zero-rating</a>,
in which ISPs allow gratis access only to certain platforms, and the
election of Brazil's murderous Bolsonaro.


feed_id: 2ad8ad86a6715caae03f1bf74d755818
title: Stockholder votes
uri: Stockholder-votes
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#29_May_2019_%28Stockholder_votes%29
content:
<p>
Bezos 
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2019/05/23/worlds-richest-man-jeff-bezos-hides-backstage-amazon-workers-demand-bold-rapid">hid
while the stockholders of Amazon voted on a resolution to act to curb
global heating</a>.
<p>
I expect that many of the stockholders voting considered themselves
bound by a commitment to put the profits of some other group above
everything else in the world, and as a result they felt obligated to
keep hurrying towards disaster.  We need to legal abolish the idea
that a corporation must place its profits over all else, which was
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2012-mar-jun.html#18_April_2012_(Shareholders)">established
only in the 1980s</a>.


feed_id: b3465552f99589eda81c28654335c487
title: Urgent: Democracy For All amendment
uri: Urgent-Democracy-For-All-amendment
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#29_May_2019_%28Urgent%3A_Democracy_For_All_amendment%29

content:
<p>
US citizens: phone your representative to ask per to 
<a href="http://act.pfaw.org/call/call-your-rep-to-support-Democracy-For-All/">support
the Democracy For All amendment</a>.
<p>
This would explicitly give Congress the power to regulate political
campaign fund-raising and spending for elections.
<p>
This is a narrow plan to override the <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#corporationsunited">Corporations United</a> decision.
Another proposed amendment would reject the idea that corporations are
in general entitled to all human rights.  I support either or both.
<p>
The Capitol Switchboard numbers are 202-224-3121, 888-818-6641
and 888-355-3588.


feed_id: 9217a407d3713a83445c26f248aac4ef
title: Wilderness
uri: Wilderness
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#29_May_2019_%28Wilderness%29
content:
<p>
Much of what people take for "wilderness" was 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/mar/22/thanks-to-humans-the-wilderness-no-longer-exists-but-we-can-make-things-on-earth-better">made
intentionally by humans in the past</a>.  What does this imply for our
choices today?
<p>
The author of that article seems to reject any objective meaning for
"preserving nature".  If we can't aim to keep nature "untouched", he
argues, we may as well reshape it however we like.  His subjective
judgment is that the sparse trees favored by the aboriginals was more
"beautiful" than today's farms and woods.  Surely some Australians
think farms and woods are more beautiful.
<p>
"Untouched" is not the only sensible objective interpretation of
"preserving nature".  We can interpret it as preserving species from
extinction.  That gives an objective criterion.


feed_id: 1da0f143e7f04691923294e4a11356eb
title: Thailand's election
uri: Thailand-s-election
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#29_May_2019_%28Thailands_election%29
content:
<p>
Thailand's First Election in Eight Years 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/mar/22/thailands-first-election-in-eight-years-not-free-or-fair-say-democracy-activists">Not
Free Or Fair</a>, Say Democracy Activists.
<p>
The system is designed to keep the military in power, and then the
military banned all the parties that truly opposed doing so.


feed_id: 0db426f1447873cbae03df165698252d
title: Republicans' lame-duck power grab
uri: Republicans-lame-duck-power-grab
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#29_May_2019_%28Republicans_lame-duck_power_grab%29
content:
<p>
A Wisconsin court ruled that the Republicans' lame-duck power grab
<a href="https://www.prwatch.org/news/2019/03/13460/wisconsin-gop%E2%80%99s-lame-duck-power-grab-ruled-unconstitutional">violated
Wisconsin's constitution</a>, which includes text specifically to
prevent that kind of trick.


feed_id: 4fb0ef50fd6f258cf04c9b1030734bd5
title: Banning military-style weapons
uri: Banning-military-style-weapons
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#29_May_2019_%28Banning_military-style_weapons%29
content:
<p>
New Zealand has gone 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/mar/21/explainer-how-are-new-zealands-gun-laws-changing">beyond
banning the sale of military-style semiautomatic rifles and
large-magazine pistols</a>.  Their possession will be banned as well,
after a transition period, except for those with a special license.
<p>
These measures should be enough to slow down the shooting by future
terrorists, and 
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jan-apr.html#1_March_2018_(Banning_assault_weapons)">reduce
the damage done by each bullet that hits someone</a>.
<p>
I worried that the planned web interface mentioned in the article
might require the current owners of these guns to 
<a href="https://gnu.org/philosophy/javascript-trap.html">run nonfree
software to register them</a>.
<p>
Fortunately, New Zealand has avoided that problem: people will be
allowed to do this 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/mar/21/new-zealand-brings-in-sweeping-gun-law-changes-in-wake-of-christchurch-attacks">by
phone call instead</a>.


feed_id: 00ec28fdee4793119947429cb150aa87
title: Urgent: Snoop city project
uri: Urgent-Snoop-city-project
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#29_May_2019_%28Urgent%3A_Snoop_city_project%29
content:
<p>
Canadians: <a href="http://www.blocksidewalk.ca/">help the
campaign</a> against Google's snoop city project in Toronto.
</p>
<p>
Of course, Google calls it a "smart city", but "smart" means "snoop".
</p>


feed_id: 7b90f7e005daee722cc40f110131e1b8
title: Urgent: Phone metadata collection
uri: Urgent-Phone-metadata-collection
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#29_May_2019_%28Urgent%3A_Phone_metadata_collection%29

content:
<p>
US
citizens: <a href="https://act.demandprogress.org/sign/tell-senate-shut-down-section-215/">call
on the Senate</a> to allow expiration of the PAT RIOT Act's massive
phone metadata collection.
</p>
<p>
Against massive surveillance, every small victory contributes to
winning further victories.
</p>
<p>If you sign, please spread the word!</p>


feed_id: 0be5a945984a64d4ff3cead86d77e694
title: Urgent: Convict voting
uri: Urgent-Convict-voting
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#29_May_2019_%28Urgent%3A_Convict_voting%29
content:
<p>
US
citizens: <a href="https://actionnetwork.org/petitions/every-citizen-deserves-a-vote-end-felony-disenfranchisement?nowrapper=true">call
on Congress and states</a> to allow convicts to vote.
</p>
<p>If you sign, please spread the word!</p>


feed_id: a655b9b99180af887b72167c229858c7
title: Urgent: EACH Woman Act
uri: 2019-05-29-Urgent-EACH-Woman-Act
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#29_May_2019_%28Urgent%3A_EACH_Woman_Act%29
content:
<p>
US
citizens: <a href="https://actionnetwork.org/petitions/sign-this-petition-ensure-our-access-to-reproductive-healthcare-support-the-each-woman-act">call
on Congress</a> to support the EACH Woman Act, which would insist that
medical insurance cover abortion.
</p>
<p>If you sign, please spread the word!</p>


feed_id: 04c79f82d62e9599b61eebbb576cb863
title: Cyclone Idai
uri: Cyclone-Idai
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#29_May_2019_%28Cyclone_Idai%29
content:
<p>
Cyclone
Idai <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2019/mar/21/we-dont-have-anything-the-fight-for-survival-after-cyclone-idai">created
a large lake</a>, 78 miles by 16 miles, in what used to be land.
Rescuing the people trapped on what are now islands is going slowly.


feed_id: 7da65498b87972bb83e067a15e4dbd25
title: Cleaning the ocean
uri: Cleaning-the-ocean
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#29_May_2019_%28Cleaning_the_ocean%29
content:
<p>
Cleaning plastic out of sea water can make a significant difference in
harbors and bays, but cleaning the whole ocean that way
is <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/mar/22/plastic-pollution-can-the-ocean-really-be-cleaned-up">far
out of reach</a>.


feed_id: 0b3511edc6c7679464f9914fcdab974a
title: Hillary Clinton 2.0
uri: Hillary-Clinton-2-0
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#29_May_2019_%28Hillary_Clinton_2.0%29
content:
<p>
Joe Biden
Is <a href="https://theintercept.com/2019/03/21/joe-biden-2020-hillary-clinton/">Hillary
Clinton 2.0</a> &mdash; Democrats Would Be Mad to Nominate Him.


feed_id: 4181efe6e960a790d111b1999a6844b5
title: Surveillance reform debate
uri: Surveillance-reform-debate
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#29_May_2019_%28Surveillance_reform_debate%29
content:
<p>
Privacy Advocates Call on U.S. Congress
to <a href="https://www.accessnow.org/privacy-advocates-call-on-u-s-congress-to-release-information-crucial-for-surveillance-reform-debate/">Release
Information</a> Crucial for Surveillance Reform Debate.


feed_id: b62f29e9466e1934228db599b0efc820
title: Wells Fargo's practices
uri: Wells-Fargo-s-practices
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#29_May_2019_%28Wells_Fargo%27s_practices%29
content:
<p>
Employees report that Wells Fargo Bank is still following practices
that <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2019/03/16/wells-fargo-redux">harm
its customers</a>.


feed_id: 9f492cbf64e846108de16a238da4ceeb
title: Virginia and Amazon
uri: Virginia-and-Amazon
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#29_May_2019_%28Virginia_and_Amazon%29
content:
<p>
I saw a petition demanding that Virginia pressure Amazon to stop
providing support for the US deportation <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thugs</a>.  Why Virginia?
Because Virginia agreed to give Amazon a handout of 3/4 billion
dollars.
<p>
I could not sign it, because I think it legitimizes the handout
itself.  The handout would still be unacceptable even if Amazon
terminated all its services to nasty government activities.
<p>
Governor
Northam's <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#22_March_2019_(Blackface)">kidding
around with racism</a> may have ended 30 years ago, but his support
for plutocracy evidently has not stopped.  I hope Virginia replaces
him in the next election with someone more progressive.


feed_id: be8cbd56942fe6aa4020631ce558dfa3
title: Eyeglass monopoly
uri: Eyeglass-monopoly
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#29_May_2019_%28Eyeglass_monopoly%29
content:
<p>
Eyeglass sales in the US have
become <a href="https://www.latimes.com/business/lazarus/la-fi-lazarus-glasses-lenscrafters-luxottica-monopoly-20190305-story.html">nearly
a monopoly</a>.
The unsurprising result is high prices ten times what they ought to
be.
<p>
My <a href="https://stallman.org/articles/progressive-tax-on-business-gross-income.html">progressive
sales tax proposal</a> can be adapted to increase the tax rate for a
given market depending on what fraction of that market a company has.


feed_id: 1e1b4cd148b8f1aede467014b8393504
title: Scooter tracking
uri: Scooter-tracking
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#29_May_2019_%28Scooter_tracking%29
content:
<p>
Every transportation system that tracks people's movements is a
massive surveillance system, since a company can follow who goes
where.  At any moment, the state can convert it into state
surveillance.
<p>
In Los Angeles, that moment is now.  The city plans to require
hire-scooters
to <a href="https://boingboing.net/2019/03/12/rise-of-the-surveillance-scoot.html">transmit
their GPS locations</a> all the time when in use.
<p>
We need to develop anonymizing systems to pay for renting these
devices &mdash; systems that collect the rental fee but don't record
anything about who goes where.  Even recording the start and end
points of each trip would track some users, since it will often be
possible to guess with high probability who used the scooter based on
the endpoints.


feed_id: c41199f2bc099ee707f13fc8700ebbf5
title: Swiss online voting system
uri: Swiss-online-voting-system
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#29_May_2019_%28Swiss_online_voting_system%29
content:
<p>
The shiny new Swiss online voting system has a devastating security
hole: those running the election
could <a href="https://motherboard.vice.com/en_us/article/zmakk3/researchers-find-critical-backdoor-in-swiss-online-voting-system">replace
the entire collection</a> of votes.
<p>
Online voting normally offers another security flaw: if the voter's
computer has been cracked, that will quite likely make it possible to
falsify per vote.
<p>
Then there is the general danger of all remote voting, whether digital
or not: your boss or your spouse can control how you vote.  Until
society no longer makes people vulnerable to such pressure, we should
limit remote voting to people who present a specific valid
justification.


feed_id: af9c59aebae50239c3116d06b6d026cb
title: Insulting Iran's rulers
uri: Insulting-Iran-s-rulers
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#29_May_2019_%28Insulting_Iran%27s_rulers%29
content:
<p>
An American visitor in Iran was sentenced to prison
for <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/mar/16/iran-sentences-us-navy-veteran-michael-white-to-10-years-in-jail">insulting
one of Iran's rulers</a>.
<p>
Regardless of the details, this is an
injustice.  <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2013-jan-apr.html#15_March_2013_(Activist_mocks_Sarkozy_gets_criminal_conviction)">France</a>
and
other <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2013-sep-dec.html#15_December_2013_(Freedom_of_political_speech_widely_threatened_across_Europe)">"free"
countries</a> do similar injustices.


feed_id: e295cc672eab2d45dd593c02ac8fdb83
title: Rigged college admissions
uri: Rigged-college-admissions
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#29_May_2019_%28Rigged_college_admissions%29
content:
<p>
Of Course College Admissions Rigged for the
Rich. The <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2019/03/14/course-college-admissions-rigged-rich-whole-economic-system">Whole
Economic System</a> Is.


feed_id: 3cb9fb5df58caf10da13e7f968bf9760
title: Rural need for New Deal
uri: Rural-need-for-New-Deal
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#29_May_2019_%28Rural_need_for_New_Deal%29
content:
<p>
The rural, agricultural
US <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/mar/15/rural-america-is-ready-for-some-sort-of-a-new-deal-preferably-green">needs
a New Deal</a>, especially a Green New Deal.


feed_id: fbee279d3abd30467feb287b4cadd376
title: Urgent: Oppose merger of Sprint and T-Mobile
uri: Urgent-Oppose-merger-of-Sprint-and-T-Mobile
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#29_May_2019_%28Urgent%3A_Oppose_merger_of_Sprint_and_T-Mobile%29

content:
<p>
US citizens: call Assistant Attorney General Makan Delrahim at
202-514-2401 to oppose the proposed merger of Sprint and T-Mobile.
<p>
Free Press recommends saying this
<blockquote>
I’m calling to ask you to block the T-Mobile/Sprint merger. Our
antitrust laws should protect us from mergers like this that would
raise prices and crush competition.
</blockquote>
but it can't hurt to use your own words.


feed_id: 9761f019aaaeb0bbdfefe18c54d5c4c7
title: Killing of elephants
uri: Killing-of-elephants
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#29_May_2019_%28Killing_of_elephants%29
content:
<p>
Killing of elephants has declined by 2/3 since 2011, but the rate of
killing is
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/may/28/africas-elephant-poaching-is-in-decline-analysis-suggests">still
high enough to wipe them out</a> if it continues.


feed_id: 13f3a2d9f5915b74c4cc15203e8eba26
title: Horrific "uplifting" stories
uri: Horrific-uplifting-stories
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#29_May_2019_%28Horrific_uplifting_stories%29
content:
<p>
The Homeless 8-Year-Old Chess Champion and Other 
<A href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2019/03/27/homeless-8-year-old-chess-champion-and-other-horrific-uplifting-stories">Horrific
"Uplifting" Stories</a>.
<p>
A good outcome for some of the homeless and poor is an entertaining
distraction from changing the unjust system that dumps millions into
poverty in the middle of riches.


feed_id: 442b94cd6d71fca52db84940b23fb3dc
title: Single-use plastics
uri: 2019-05-30-Single-use-plastics
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#29_May_2019_%28Single-use_plastics%29
content:
<p>
The EU has 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/mar/27/the-last-straw-european-parliament-votes-to-ban-single-use-plastics">adopted
a ban</a> on many single-use plastics.


feed_id: dcb49ed71f928aac7200cf2a9f6c8033
title: EU ships stopped from rescuing refugees
uri: EU-ships-stopped-from-rescuing-refugees
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#29_May_2019_%28EU_ships_stopped_from_rescuing_refugees%29

content:
<p>
Italy's Minister Salivini must be salivating after 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/mar/27/eu-to-stop-mediterranean-migrant-rescue-boat-patrols">making
the EU stop operating ships to rescue drowning refugees</a>.


feed_id: 8c66fe1e9a7a4feeffdadef54d6ad728
title: Paramedic shot while treating protester
uri: Paramedic-shot-while-treating-protester
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#29_May_2019_%28Paramedic_shot_while_treating_protester%29

content:
<p>
Israeli soldiers 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/mar/27/israeli-soldiers-kill-teenage-palestinian-medic-near-bethlehem">shot
and killed</a> Palestinian paramedic Sajid Muzher as he was treating a
protester that soldiers had shot.
<p>
He was wearing an orange medic vest and other clothing to indicate his
role as a medic.  The soldier who shot him was either incompetent or
murderous.


feed_id: c3d91a9c3fdb918481f710e3b3996cda
title: Charter schools
uri: 2019-05-30-Charter-schools
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#29_May_2019_%28Charter_schools%29
content:
<p>
Beto O’Rourke’s 
<a href="https://theintercept.com/2019/03/27/beto-orourke-charter-schools/">Free
Ride on Charter Schools Won’t Last for Long</a>.


feed_id: 5f20965ce0988668459695d90fe25050
title: Errors in vote on EU copyright directive
uri: Errors-in-vote-on-EU-copyright-directive
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#29_May_2019_%28Errors_in_vote_on_EU_copyright_directive%29

content:
<p>
Errors in the vote on the EU copyright directive could mean a 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/media/2019/mar/27/mep-errors-mean-european-copyright-law-may-not-have-passed">chance
to get rid of Article 13</a> (and maybe Article 11 as well).


feed_id: 517c9f9d3e5e6e0f53ef5e4cb6a9410f
title: Experience of Labour with antisemitism
uri: Experience-of-Labour-with-antisemitism
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#29_May_2019_%28Experience_of_Labour_with_antisemitism%29

content:
<p>
The experience of Labour with antisemitism demonstrates a general
principle: 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/may/29/radical-anti-racism-save-labour-antisemitism">defending
people from bigotry should be separated completely from support or
criticism for their political views</a>.


feed_id: ba87f00a25e1e97672c5b15bd577d0c5
title: Personal surveillance devices
uri: Personal-surveillance-devices
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#29_May_2019_%28Personal_surveillance_devices%29
content:
<p>
One activity that is still immune from current personal surveillance
devices is sleep.  A new Pokemon game will 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/games/shortcuts/2019/may/29/pokemon-sleep-are-games-really-the-best-way-to-get-rest">lure
people to yield up their sleep to surveillance</a>.


feed_id: fd7d0910f327ad273140f311731fcb89
title: Hurdles to getting an abortion
uri: Hurdles-to-getting-an-abortion
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#29_May_2019_%28Hurdles_to_getting_an_abortion%29
content:
<p>
Some US states have made abortion almost impossible by attaching
pointless hurdles 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2019/may/29/louisiana-abortion-rights-six-week-ban">designed
only to make it impossible</a>.
<p>
Each of these regulations demonstrates the dishonesty of the
antiabortionists.


feed_id: 88e31786d1152159130158f5059f2c59
title: Abortion rights
uri: 2019-05-30-Abortion-rights
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#29_May_2019_%28Abortion_rights%29
content:
<p>
Latin American Rape Survivors Who Were Denied Abortions 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2019/may/29/latin-american-survivors-who-were-denied-abortions-turn-to-un">Turn
to UN (human rights committee)</a>.


feed_id: ad7981bca4c3025f6bf5c1c7db9726bf
title: Racism awareness training
uri: Racism-awareness-training
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#29_May_2019_%28Racism_awareness_training%29
content:
<p>
Some kinds of racism awareness training, meant to help whites
empathize more with the handicap racism places on blacks, 
<a href="https://reason.com/2019/05/29/white-privilege-study-sympathetic-black-people/">backfire
in practice</a> &mdash; their effect is simply to reduce empathy for
whites that suffer misfortune despite their "privilege".


feed_id: 4a6f7621daacf82c1ae3afe8b122eced
title: Urgent: Reduce intrusive surveillance
uri: Urgent-Reduce-intrusive-surveillance
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#29_May_2019_%28Urgent%3A_Reduce_intrusive_surveillance%29

content:
<p>
US citizens: call for 
<a href="https://act.credoaction.com/sign/tlaib-insurance-credit">prohibiting
insurance companies from looking at people's credit ratings</a> when
setting prices for automobile insurance.
<p>
My reason for supporting this is not based on supposing this will
generally reduce the cost of car insurance.  I don't know whether this
law would have that effect.  I support the bill because it reduces the
use of intrusive surveillance.
<p>
If you sign, please spread the word!</p>


feed_id: 37068af4e83ad3b2957d026522151d30
title: Unvaccinated minors
uri: Unvaccinated-minors
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#29_May_2019_%28Unvaccinated_minors%29
content:
<p>
Rockland County in New York has made an emergency order barring
unvaccinated minors from indoor public places, such as 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2019/mar/27/measles-outbreak-new-york-ban-children-rockwood-country-latest">schools,
shopping centers, restaurants, and churches</a>.  It does not apply
outdoors.
<p>
I think that's a 
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#28_March_2019_(Vaccine_Policy)">good
place to draw the line</a>.


feed_id: aebebb2e70ebd3208eaaf80ad6888105
title: San Diego Chinese-style surveillance
uri: San-Diego-Chinese-style-surveillance
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#29_May_2019_%28San_Diego_Chinese-style_surveillance%29

content:
<p>
San Diego Has Been Turned Into a 
<a href="https://blog.tenthamendmentcenter.com/2019/03/san-diego-has-been-turned-into-a-massive-chinese-style-public-surveillance-network/">Massive
Chinese-Style Public Surveillance Network</a>.
<p>
The system is designed to track anyone the city wants to track.


feed_id: 9091d786db9fa6e6b2ae9c33fba6b0b8
title: Medical data privacy scam
uri: Medical-data-privacy-scam
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#29_May_2019_%28Medical_data_privacy_scam%29
content:
<p>
ACLU: watch out for a scam that pretends to increase privacy for
medical data but seems 
<a href="https://www.aclu.org/blog/privacy-technology/medical-and-genetic-privacy/beware-tech-industrys-latest-privacy-trojan">designed
to backfire</a>.


feed_id: fed65aaccb8234a7baa1f9bfafcabb75
title: Thug body cameras
uri: 2019-05-30-Thug-body-cameras
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#29_May_2019_%28Thug_body_cameras%29
content:
<p>
It appears that body cameras 
<a href="https://www.governing.com/topics/public-justice-safety/gov-body-camera-effects-research-gmu-study.html">reduce
<a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thugs</a>' use of force in the places where they don't have the option of
turning the cameras off</a>, but not in places where they do.


feed_id: d347c174c6e73edcf578723ab22ef9dd
title: Deportation thugs
uri: Deportation-thugs
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#29_May_2019_%28Deportation_thugs%29
content:
<p>
Officials of the deportation <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thugs</a> often 
<a href="https://www.cnn.com/2019/03/13/us/ice-supervisors-dont-always-review-deportation-warrants-invs/index.html">illegally
sign their bosses' names to arrest warrants</a>.


feed_id: 2218448bb5f25360e78c19578e2f94da
title: UCLA strike
uri: UCLA-strike
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#31_May_2019_%28UCLA_strike%29
content:
<p>
Decrying 'War Being Waged Against Working People,'
Sanders <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2019/03/21/decrying-war-being-waged-against-working-people-sanders-joins-striking-union-members">Joins
Striking Union Members</a> at UCLA.


feed_id: b192ab557fd10c74a52a77e77df605f1
title: Lawsuit against Twitter
uri: Lawsuit-against-Twitter
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#31_May_2019_%28Lawsuit_against_Twitter%29
content:
<p>
Rep. Nunes's lawsuit against Twitter, demanding to know the names of
people that criticize him there, will be thrown out, because of court
decisions that strongly protect freedom of speech.  However,
right-wing repressive
judges <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2019/03/21/devin-nunes-has-cow-and-free-speech-endangered">put
this protection in danger</a>.


feed_id: 5c08272505ccc0c99e234dbc300084b6
title: Coachella VIP
uri: Coachella-VIP
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#31_May_2019_%28Coachella_VIP%29
content:
<p>
(satire) &hellip; Coachella organizers on Thursday reportedly unveiled
premium VIP areas where fans will be able
to <a href="https://entertainment.theonion.com/coachella-unveils-premium-vip-areas-where-fans-will-be-1833469831">see
and hear the bands</a>.


feed_id: ece7a35be4d44986c0246920341b941e
title: Florida voter registration
uri: Florida-voter-registration
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#31_May_2019_%28Florida_voter_registration%29
content:
<p>
Gillum's Drive Aims
to <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2019/03/21/gillums-drive-aims-register-one-million-new-florida-voters-help-serve-trump-eviction">Register
One Million New Florida Voters</a> to Help Serve Trump 'Eviction
Notice' in 2020.


feed_id: 8f11e132b5b351d8999322e1ccb77ca7
title: Future of PISSI
uri: Future-of-PISSI
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#31_May_2019_%28Future_of_PISSI%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#pissi">PISSI</a> has crumbled as an organized force, but the factors that enabled
it to take off are still there
and <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/mar/23/the-rise-and-fall-of-the-isis-caliphate">threaten
to provoke a new uprising</a>.


feed_id: a5e914e7f1e3d32d793433cd625b0a2f
title: Big Oil and climate action
uri: Big-Oil-and-climate-action
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#31_May_2019_%28Big_Oil_and_climate_action%29
content:
<p>
Big Oil publicly pretends to support climate defense action, but
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/business/2019/mar/22/top-oil-firms-spending-millions-lobbying-to-block-climate-change-policies-says-report">quietly
pays millions</a> for lobbying and targeted ads to promote more fossil
fuel use and block real climate defense action.


feed_id: 8fabda8719303843365845e019ef24bb
title: Criminality of thugs
uri: Criminality-of-thugs
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#31_May_2019_%28Criminality_of_thugs%29
content:
<p>
33 California journalistic organizations
have <a href="https://www.poynter.org/newsletters/2019/collaborative-effort-involves-33-newsrooms-cleveland-com-files-suit-denver-wants-to-take-it-back/">agreed
to work together</a> to expose the criminality of thugs.


feed_id: 4e0265ae929385804bbda9de98ae20bc
title: AIPAC event
uri: AIPAC-event
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#31_May_2019_%28AIPAC_event%29
content:
<p>
Some presidential candidates for 2020 have said they
will <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2019/03/22/2020-dem-presidential-hopefuls-flee-israel-lobbies-aipac-after-moveonorg-boycott">not
attend the annual AIPAC event</a>.
<p>
This is the strongest pushback that Israel has got in the US, in regard
to the occupation of Palestine, in many decades.


feed_id: e960e6fd68773179471534ecd4a73a69
title: Another Obama
uri: Another-Obama
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#31_May_2019_%28Another_Obama%29
content:
<p>
Biden aims to be another Obama &mdash;
another <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2019/03/22/lets-not-restore-or-mythologize-obama">servant
of big business</a>.
<p>
Sanders for President!


feed_id: a75285fadc48fd768f7d8a772684ef72
title: War and dirty water
uri: War-and-dirty-water
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#31_May_2019_%28War_and_dirty_water%29
content:
<p>
Dirty modern war typically includes attacking civilian infrastructure such
as water supplies.  So people have to drink dirty water, and this kills many.
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2019/mar/22/dirty-water-20-times-deadlier-to-children-in-conflict-zones-than-bullets-unicef">A
study found</a> that it kills a lot more under-15s than the shooting
does.


feed_id: aacee9fcc86c7ef5f02d003fdf9ca57f
title: Progressive campaigns
uri: Progressive-campaigns
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#31_May_2019_%28Progressive_campaigns%29
content:
<p>
The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee is trying to use its
market power
to <a href="https://theintercept.com/2019/03/22/house-democratic-leadership-warns-it-will-cut-off-any-firms-who-challenge-incumbents/">hamper
progressive campaigns</a> aiming to replace plutocratist Democrats.
<p>
We can push back on this by supporting progressive Democrats in
primaries.  And don't give to the DNCC; that only helps maintain
Plutocracy Lite.


feed_id: 35bac147b388411a8cba12a2b17570c2
title: Death penalty appeal
uri: Death-penalty-appeal
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#31_May_2019_%28Death_penalty_appeal%29
content:
<p>
The Supreme Court considered only administrative issues
in <a href="https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2019/3/19/1843418/-Supreme-Court-okays-execution-of-inmate-sentenced-to-death-by-racist-juror">rejecting
a death penalty appeal</a> from black man whose sentence was decided
by a jury with a biased member.
<p>
I can't understand why the racism of a juror is an issue regarding the
sentence.  Isn't it grounds to question the conviction itself?
<p>
Meanwhile, it is unconscionable to penalize anyone in any way for
delays caused by the government.


feed_id: 804270a982991fff87fc4c4d29d820e6
title: Outsourcing
uri: 2019-06-01-Outsourcing
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#31_May_2019_%28Outsourcing%29
content:
<p>
UK local governments are discovering that outsourcing is 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/society/2019/may/29/bringing-services-back-in-house-is-good-councils">ripping
them off</a>, and bringing various services into public activity.
<p>
This raises the question of how to kill off the remaining long-term
outsourcing contracts that hold the state hostage.  I recommend
defining the concept of parasitic outsourcing -- outsourcing that
should never have been allowed -- and giving the state the power to
cancel such contracts with a year's notice even if the contract said
it was to run for longer.
<p>
This would give Chicago a way to cancel Rahm Emanuel's contract for
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2012-may-aug.html#14_June_2012_(New_York_parking_meter_privatization)">parking
revenue farming</a>.


feed_id: 0507a95dc088517e81cd86f577622e72
title: USGS climate modeling
uri: USGS-climate-modeling
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#31_May_2019_%28USGS_climate_modeling%29
content:
<p>
The US Geological Survey 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/may/29/climate-crisis-science-trump-cabinet">will
cut off its climate modeling at 2040</a>.  This way, climate disaster
will not appear in the results.  It also creates an excuse to build
facilities that will be flooded starting in 2050.
<p>
It's a great way to distract people from the coming disaster &mdash;
for a while.  But by then it will be too late.


feed_id: fa9655d0dc54a2dca70f481c8fdf2efb
title: Chinese "fishing boats"
uri: Chinese-fishing-boats
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#31_May_2019_%28Chinese_fishing_boats%29
content:
<p>
Chinese "fishing boats" 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2019/may/29/australian-navy-pilots-hit-with-lasers-during-south-china-sea-military-exercise">fired
lasers</a> at pilots of Australian planes flying from a carrier in
international waters.
<p>
This sort of poking at each other seems to be typical of interactions
between unfriendly navies when they are not at war.  Usually they poke
back.  The question is, how do you poke at a "fishing boat" that fires
a laser that could blind a pilot, but was set at a lower setting so
that it didn't cause actual damage?


feed_id: 406a4d865c7e9cc9705a4b569cb85197
title: Hateful Buddhist monk
uri: Hateful-Buddhist-monk
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#31_May_2019_%28Hateful_Buddhist_monk%29
content:
<p>
Buddhist monk Wirathu has called for hatred towards Muslims for years.
Now that he 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/may/29/myanmar-police-hunt-buddhist-bin-laden-over-suu-kyi-comments">targeted
Aung San Suu Kyi</a> as well, he is wanted for arrest.
<p>
He must be a very bad Buddhist.  In the same way, the supporters of
the <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#bully">bully</a> are very bad Christians.


feed_id: e853b3910ed7fbf656d9dc6ee4b276e9
title: China's Ministry of Public Security
uri: China-s-Ministry-of-Public-Security
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#31_May_2019_%28Chinas_Ministry_of_Public_Security%29

content:
<p>
(satire) &hellip; China's Ministry of Public Security 
<a href="https://www.theonion.com/chinese-government-asks-entire-nation-to-pose-while-mil-1835063362">asked
the entire nation to pose</a> Tuesday while millions of government
security cameras took photographs.


feed_id: e135b739351b502501a593ec9318f105
title: Israel's lethal actions in Gaza
uri: Israel-s-lethal-actions-in-Gaza
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#31_May_2019_%28Israels_lethal_actions_in_Gaza%29
content:
<p>
The 
<a href="http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/51268.htm">Truth Is
Out</a> About Israel's Lethal Actions in Gaza.  Will the World Listen?


feed_id: 8e33f4c692c799f2d3a8018f82ad8e95
title: Mergers of large companies
uri: Mergers-of-large-companies
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#31_May_2019_%28Mergers_of_large_companies%29
content:
<p>
Elizabeth Warren's Plan to Lift Up Family Farmers Includes 
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2019/03/27/elizabeth-warrens-plan-lift-family-farmers-includes-barring-big-ag-mega-mergers">Barring
Big Ag Mega-Mergers Like Monsanto-Bayer</a>.
<p>
Her plan goes beyond blocking future mergers; she aims to reverse the
Monsanto-Bayer merger.
<p>
I've proposed a tax system that could 
<a href="https://stallman.org/articles/progressive-tax-on-business-gross-income.html">pressure
many large companies to split up</a>.


feed_id: 359581dbe598434cb5754b3d0d7e61c3
title: Toxic masculinity
uri: 2019-06-02-Toxic-masculinity
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#2_June_2019_%28Toxic_masculinity%29
content:
<p>
Explaining the term 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/jun/01/seriously-meryl-streep-toxic-masculinity-doesnt-hurt-men-it-kills-them">"toxic
masculinity"</a>.


feed_id: 73a57bb9fb753e1aa7b2614dd1ae110c
title: Urgent: Drug prices
uri: 2019-06-02-Urgent-Drug-prices
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#2_June_2019_%28Urgent%3A_Drug_prices%29
content:
<p>
US citizens: 
<a href="https://act.credoaction.com/sign/pelosi-pharma-house-dems">call
on Pelosi</a> not to accept a NAFTA replacement that imposes high drug
prices.
<p>
If you sign, please spread the word!


feed_id: ee4e14222c0087b93d9ee69c5d507779
title: Urgent: Shut down face recognition
uri: Urgent-Shut-down-face-recognition
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#2_June_2019_%28Urgent%3A_Shut_down_face_recognition%29

content:
<p>
US citizens: 
<a href="https://act.demandprogress.org/sign/tell-ftc-shut-down-ever-apps-secret-facial-recognition-ai/">call
on the FTC</a> to shut down Ever's face recognition.
<p>
If the fact they trained it using photos obtained by users who didn't
consent is a lever for doing that, that is good.  However, the real
moral issue of that company is not how it got faces to train the
neural network, but using that network to identify people.
<p>
If you sign, please spread the word!


feed_id: bd63c4cee216af64d36951d77ab8f040
title: Conservative extremism of Justice Thomas
uri: Conservative-extremism-of-Justice-Thomas
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#2_June_2019_%28Conservative_extremism_of_Justice_Thomas%29

content:
<p>
The 
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2019/03/26/dangerous-and-unrelenting-extremism-clarence-thomas">increasing<a>
conservative extremism of Justice Thomas.


feed_id: 35a3ef7d82d967518686f7dba2b7c6ff
title: Murder of prisoners
uri: Murder-of-prisoners
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#2_June_2019_%28Murder_of_prisoners%29
content:
<p>
Two Palestinians drove their car into some Israeli soldiers.  Other
soldiers 
<a href="https://www.btselem.org/press_releases/20190324_grave_suspicion_in_kafr_nima_killings">waited
over 4 minutes before shooting them dead</a>, then tried to cover up
the fact they had waited.
<p>
It is pretty clear that the shooting was not defense of soldiers but
rather murder of prisoners.


feed_id: 4623395e5262c809f78d0c5f7fb7562d
title: AIPAC
uri: AIPAC
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#2_June_2019_%28AIPAC%29
content:
<p>
AIPAC 
<a href="https://forward.com/opinion/421455/aipac-is-playing-the-victim-but-its-palestinians-who-are-being-silenced/">pretends
that it is being silenced</a> when people disagree with its views.


feed_id: f747b6a767baa386e1883459da276978
title: Arrests of journalists and media workers
uri: Arrests-of-journalists-and-media-workers
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#2_June_2019_%28Arrests_of_journalists_and_media_workers%29

content:
<p>
Israel has recently arrested 
<a href="https://imemc.org/article/mada-demands-release-of-journalists/">24
Palestinian journalists and media workers</a>.


feed_id: e66265ce6486bf4443d0079ccaae8f4f
title: Urgent: Peace with Iran
uri: Urgent-Peace-with-Iran
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#2_June_2019_%28Urgent%3A_Peace_with_Iran%29
content:
<p>
US
citizens: <a href="https://act.rootsaction.org/p/dia/action4/common/public/?action_KEY=13684">call
on the bully</a> to make peace with Iran.
</p>
<p>If you sign, please spread the word!</p>


feed_id: 73ee8fca20fde0e6ade6ab374aa6a009
title: Urgent: Same-day registration
uri: Urgent-Same-day-registration
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#2_June_2019_%28Urgent%3A_Same-day_registration%29
content:
<p>
Massachusetts
citizens: <a href="https://action.aclu.org/send-message/ma-empower-democracy">call
on your Massachusetts legislators</a> to support same-day
registration.
</p>
<p>If you send a message, please spread the word!</p>


feed_id: 0b60915ce18a22725f8eaf75545c92ca
title: Urgent: Arms sales
uri: Urgent-Arms-sales
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#2_June_2019_%28Urgent%3A_Arms_sales%29
content:
<p>
US
 citizens: <a href="https://act.winwithoutwar.org/act/tell-congress-ban-saudi-and-emirati-arms-sales-now">call
 on Congress</a> to ban arms sales to Salafi Arabia and the UAE.
</p>
<p>If you sign, please spread the word!</p>


feed_id: 94bb08c5d7552fef457568dbfd0d83b2
title: Blackstone Group
uri: Blackstone-Group
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#2_June_2019_%28Blackstone_Group%29
content:
<p>
UN <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2019/mar/26/blackstone-group-accused-global-housing-crisis-un">Accuses
Blackstone Group</a> of Contributing to Global Housing Crisis.
<p>
The main owner of Blackstone is Schwarzman, who just bought the favor of MIT
by donating a lot of the money he has gouged from tenants.


feed_id: 0ae377342f1fa2bb6a01d9910668313f
title: Sunni guerrilla in Iraq
uri: Sunni-guerrilla-in-Iraq
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#2_June_2019_%28Sunni_guerrilla_in_Iraq%29
content:
<p>
As Iraq tortures and kills Sunni prisoners, a Sunni guerrilla
including ex-<a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#pissi">PISSI</a>
fighters <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/mar/26/caliphate-isis-islamic-state-guerrilla">is
already starting</a>.
<p>
This is basically a fight between Iraqis.  Can we get out of it in such a way
that we won't be the enemy of either side any more?


feed_id: d6daebebcc12550ca43c28f4f6d5101e
title: EU vision
uri: EU-vision
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#2_June_2019_%28EU_vision%29
content:
<p>
"The EU needs to become a realm
of <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2019/03/25/defeat-far-right-and-inane-establishment-progressives-launch-citizen-takeover-eu">shared
prosperity, peace, and solidarity</a> for all Europeans."
<p>
I agree, but "democracy, freedom and anonymity" must be added to that
list to make it sufficient.


feed_id: 71e7de29ea1756f940451fbc649d2056
title: Hamas rocket
uri: Hamas-rocket
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#2_June_2019_%28Hamas_rocket%29
content:
<p>
A Hamas
rocket <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2019/03/25/trump-gives-thumbs-illegal-annexation-israel-starts-bombing-gaza-again">destroyed
an Israeli civilian house</a>.  How many civilian houses will the
Israeli retaliation destroy?
<p>
Netanyahu doesn't really care, and he hopes to gain votes by showing
he does not care.


feed_id: 0be071da4d0e69ba8ef5ce7d5983b890
title: Happiest countries
uri: Happiest-countries
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#2_June_2019_%28Happiest_countries%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://theweek.com/articles/830229/what-america-learn-from-worlds-happiest-countries">What
America Can Learn</a> from the World's Happiest Countries.


feed_id: c2ae5dfc5db87abc64ffb733bd9ccbf3
title: Court ruling on PACs
uri: Court-ruling-on-PACs
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#2_June_2019_%28Court_ruling_on_PACs%29
content:
<p>
A court ruling permits PACs to use candidates' names &mdash;
even <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2019/03/22/think-dishonest-politics-and-dark-money-elections-bad-now-court-ruling-opens">falsely
and misleadingly</a>.


feed_id: f1b3d77189300dcb3a2ede3facad8871
title: Nitrites in ham
uri: Nitrites-in-ham
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#2_June_2019_%28Nitrites_in_ham%29
content:
<p>
The stated reason for adding nitrites to ham is to prevent botulism,
but ham companies studied this and discovered that nitrites in ham
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/food/2019/mar/23/nitrites-ham-bacon-cancer-risk-additives-meat-industry-confidential--report">don't
actually protect</a>.


feed_id: 6be781ad424c5b3f0d734a05c67848eb
title: Burned news kiosks
uri: Burned-news-kiosks
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#2_June_2019_%28Burned_news_kiosks%29
content:
<p>
The black bloc of the gilets jaunes burned news kiosks.
Now <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/mar/23/paris-news-kiosks-burnt-protests-crowdfunder">people
are donating</a> to help the individual businesspeople that operate
the burned kiosks.
<p>
It is a sad fact that nearly all crowdfunding sites require running nonfree
software in order to donate.  No matter how much I support a cause,
I would not donate that way.


feed_id: b9af38bc1bdccbcea5b4f0f0c7f537a5
title: Happy countries
uri: Happy-countries
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#2_June_2019_%28Happy_countries%29
content:
<p>
Countries that make everyone's well-being a goal, and strive to aid
the
non-rich, <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2019/03/20/social-democratic-nations-rank-happiest-global-index-again-us-ranking-falls-again">make
people happier</a> than the US does.
<p>
Here is the list: 
<ol>
<li>Finland (7.769)</li>
<li>Denmark (7.600)</li>
<li>Norway (7.554)</li>
<li>Iceland (7.494)</li>
<li>Netherlands (7.488)</li>
<li>Switzerland (7.480)</li>
<li>Sweden (7.343)</li>
<li>New Zealand (7.307)</li>
<li>Canada (7.278)</li>
<li>Austria (7.246)</li>
<li>Australia (7.228)</li>
<li>Costa Rica (7.167)</li>
<li>Israel (7.139)</li>
<li>Luxembourg (7.090)</li>
<li>United Kingdom (7.054)</li>
<li>Ireland (7.021)</li>
<li>Germany (6.985)</li>
<li>Belgium (6.923)</li>
<li>United States (6.892)</li>
</ol>


feed_id: 6c2dce9c0125cff43ae3443ae65585d2
title: Sherine Abdel-Wahab
uri: Sherine-Abdel-Wahab
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#2_June_2019_%28Sherine_Abdel-Wahab%29
content:
<p>
Egyptian singer Sherine Abdel-Wahab complained that Egypt has no
freedom of speech.  The military tyrants demonstrated the truth of
this accusation
by <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/mar/23/egypt-bans-singer-from-performing-over-free-speech-remarks">charging
her with "insulting Egypt"</a>.
<p>
It is hardly necessary to insult a country that insults itself so
effectively.  The point is, don't go there.


feed_id: 510f20ebfb886a64006a33e3f6a33f43
title: Eugene Debs
uri: 2019-06-03-Eugene-Debs
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#2_June_2019_%28Eugene_Debs%29
content:
<p>
The man that inspired Bernie
Sanders <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/mar/23/american-socialism-bernie-sanders-eugene-debs">was
Eugene Debs</a>.


feed_id: 113187addbd6e94c83234589989abdab
title: Violent far-right extremists
uri: Violent-far-right-extremists
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#2_June_2019_%28Violent_far-right_extremists%29
content:
<p>
Violent Far-Right Extremists
Are <a href="https://theintercept.com/2019/03/23/domestic-terrorism-fbi-prosecutions/">Rarely
Prosecuted as Terrorists</a>.
Most politicians don't even want to call them "terrorists".
<p>
This reflects a bias in the structure of the legal system and
government agencies.


feed_id: f760c3bcda76974f9a8576169cea4242
title: Face recognition
uri: 2019-06-03-Face-recognition
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#2_June_2019_%28Face_recognition%29
content:
<p>
Face recognition is a 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/may/30/san-francisco-ban-facial-recognition-surveillance">real
danger to the usual targets of repression</a>.


feed_id: 7163a44ab7da0ef7c3f83225c7d4bc3e
title: Governor working to crush union drive
uri: Governor-working-to-crush-union-drive
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#2_June_2019_%28Governor_working_to_crush_union_drive%29

content:
<p>
Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee’s Office Is 
<a href="https://theintercept.com/2019/05/30/volkswagen-anti-union-tennesse-governor-bill-leee/">Working
With Volkswagen to Crush a Union Drive</a>.


feed_id: 5f0db8b034dab6758558e48689db0a36
title: Protests
uri: 2019-06-03-Protests
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#2_June_2019_%28Protests%29
content:
<p>
Rebecca Solnit: 'Every protest 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/books/2019/jun/01/rebecca-solnit-protest-politics-world-peterloo-massacre">shifts
the world's balance</a>'.


feed_id: e00de3555ba3fbfb0754c1bf45b1315a
title: US cancels Iran disinformation program
uri: US-cancels-Iran-disinformation-program
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#2_June_2019_%28US_cancels_Iran_disinformation_program%29

content:
<p>
The US cancelled its Iran disinformation program after it 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2019/may/31/us-cuts-funds-for-anti-propaganda-group-that-trolled-activists">criticized
everyone that disagreed with the push for war</a>.


feed_id: 0e3a050e9228f371bcb3e58bd99730bf
title: Uber social credit system
uri: Uber-social-credit-system
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#2_June_2019_%28Uber_social_credit_system%29
content:
<p>
Uber has set up a social credit system: passengers that get bad
ratings from drivers will be 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2019/may/31/uber-to-ban-riders-with-low-ratings">blacklisted</a>
(refused disservice).
<p>
One must suspect that customers' racial and ethnic appearance
influences the ratings, so one effect will be discrimination.
However, the chinification will do wrong to every customer,
including those who are blacklisted, and those who only face
the possibility of being blacklisted.
<p>
This reinforces my conclusion that transportation services should not
be allowed to identify their customers.


feed_id: 9649abe077b4c5a4da7e69426d6bc78c
title: Far-right radicalisation
uri: Far-right-radicalisation
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#2_June_2019_%28Far-right_radicalisation%29
content:
<p>
The mainstream media and mainstream politicians 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/mar/28/media-far-right-radicalisation-politics-hatred">promote
far-right radicalisation</a>.


feed_id: a36dc6445c9e10a5aac12590d13ffcb7
title: Brunei to execute homosexuals
uri: Brunei-to-execute-homosexuals
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#2_June_2019_%28Brunei_to_execute_homosexuals%29
content:
<p>
Brunei 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/mar/28/brunei-brings-in-death-by-stoning-as-punishment-for-gay-sex">will
execute homosexuals</a>.  This is part of implementing Islamic law,
which is often 
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2014-may-aug.html#04_July_2014_(Nigerian_Atheist_receives_death_threats)">vicious
and cruel</a>.


feed_id: d62bce897cd09a30f19bb8b2c46fdd98
title: Imprisonment of Uighurs
uri: Imprisonment-of-Uighurs
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#2_June_2019_%28Imprisonment_of_Uighurs%29
content:
<p>
One of the <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#bully">bully</a>'s ministers rebuked China for 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2019/mar/28/mike-pompeo-urges-china-to-immediately-halt-detention-of-uighurs-in-xinjiang">imprisoning
perhaps a million Uighurs</a>.
<p>
Meanwhile, his boss is striving mightily to beat China's total.


feed_id: 578a40f5d8a127d414f15a0ffc703bd2
title: Making buildings more energy-efficient
uri: Making-buildings-more-energy-efficient
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#2_June_2019_%28Making_buildings_more_energy-efficient%29

content:
<p>
An investment of 500 billion dollars in making US buildings more
energy-efficient 
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2019/03/26/real-win-win-win-new-report-reveals-benefits-500-billion-investment-energy">would
be very profitable</a>, as well as reducing greenhouse emissions.


feed_id: 006d6132735026c7ac751c6767aa47e8
title: 2016 presidential campaign
uri: 2016-presidential-campaign
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#2_June_2019_%282016_presidential_campaign%29
content:
<p>
(satire) A shocked Vladimir Putin reportedly came to the realization
Tuesday that he didn’t conspire with Donald Trump’s 2016 presidential
campaign after all. 
<a href="https://politics.theonion.com/shocked-vladimir-putin-slowly-realizing-he-didn-t-consp-1833575011">"What
the hell? I worked so hard on this&hellip;"</a>


feed_id: e0ef11f1d792e6f0455627930ed63dfe
title: HR 1 weakened
uri: HR-1-weakened
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#2_June_2019_%28HR_1_weakened%29
content:
<p>
A committee 
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2019/03/26/house-appropriators-can-act-now-remove-anti-democracy-riders-targeted-hr-1">added
three amendments</a> to HR 1, which weakened it.


feed_id: cd17bcd6d28a01da392cfb3673a6fe3f
title: AT&amp;T to set up surveillance system
uri: AT-T-to-set-up-surveillance-system
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#3_June_2019_%28ATT_to_set_up_surveillance_system%29
content:
<p>
AT&amp;T aims to set up an 
<a href="https://www.theverge.com/2019/5/22/18635674/att-location-ad-tracking-data-collection-privacy-nightmare">integrated
advertising and surveillance system</a> even more controlling than
Facebook and Google.


feed_id: 9a1937e5c46dc2bc79170e2e4e60dafc
title: Business-supremacy treaties
uri: 2019-06-03-Business-supremacy-treaties
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#3_June_2019_%28Business-supremacy_treaties%29
content:
<p>
If the UK makes a new trade deal with the US, the <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#bully">bully</a> will demand an
extreme business-supremacy treaty that 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2019/jun/02/us-wants-access-to-nhs-in-post-brexit-deal-ambassador-to-uk-says">would
allow US companies to privatize the National Health Service</a>.
<p>
These treaties are generally unjust, and plutocratist rulers want to
make them even more unjust.


feed_id: fbeac1a496383b4b07191f2879dfe26d
title: Gilets jaunes protest
uri: Gilets-jaunes-protest
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#3_June_2019_%28Gilets_jaunes_protest%29
content:
<p>
Injured Gilets Jaunes 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/jun/02/injured-gilets-jaunes-protest-against-police-violence-march-of-the-mutilated">Protest
in Paris against Police Violence</a>.
<p>
I agree with their demand, but the gilets jaunes must also join 
to reject violence from people who join them.


feed_id: 7975f5f7a92a1648ed5fb05bc49b07be
title: Biodiversity
uri: Biodiversity
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#3_June_2019_%28Biodiversity%29
content:
<p>
With so many species threatened, we might want to 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/jun/01/save-the-solendrons-endangered-species">evaluate
each species's contribution to biodiversity</a>.  If a species is the
last of its genus, that would add more importance to its loss; if it
is the last in its family, that would add even more.
<p>
There are other ways to evaluate the significance of a species.
But if we stop provoking a mass extinction, we might not need
to choose which species to save.


feed_id: 0d97a5590accc4096ab35bfe970bea98
title: Urgent: Reject new natural gas infrastructure
uri: Urgent-Reject-new-natural-gas-infrastructure
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#3_June_2019_%28Urgent%3A_Reject_new_natural_gas_infrastructure%29

content:
<p>
US citizens: 
<a href="https://act.priceofoil.org/sign/Gas-Myth">call on state
governors</a> to reject new infrastructure for natural gas.
<p>
If you sign, please spread the word!


feed_id: bbd7f7eb2ddec31f8b81191f1aec204c
title: Urgent: Have Mueller testify
uri: Urgent-Have-Mueller-testify
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#3_June_2019_%28Urgent%3A_Have_Mueller_testify%29
content:
<p>
US citizens: 
<a href="http://act.pfaw.org/sign/mueller-must-testify/">call on
Congress</a> to have Mueller testify.
<p>
If you sign, please spread the word!


feed_id: a2c43d20598fabd59094a5a6c08ccb22
title: Urgent: Block Jordan Cove gas terminal
uri: Urgent-Block-Jordan-Cove-gas-terminal
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#3_June_2019_%28Urgent%3A_Block_Jordan_Cove_gas_terminal%29

content:
<p>
US citizens: 
<a href="https://act.oilchangeus.org/sign/Jordan-Cove-FERC/">call on
the FERC</a> to block the Jordan Cove gas terminal and its pipeline.
<p>
If you sign, please spread the word!


feed_id: 0cb379ad0d2bb8332fbf4d845748ccef
title: Bombing of school and hospital in Idlib
uri: Bombing-of-school-and-hospital-in-Idlib
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#3_June_2019_%28Bombing_of_school_and_hospital_in_Idlib%29

content:
<p>
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/mar/28/school-and-hospitals-in-idlib-syria-were-among-bashar-al-assad-targets-says-amnesty-international">Assad's
planes</a> bombed a school and a hospital in Idlib.


feed_id: abc705f5d42b7e4520d27d2b3b9f6256
title: Facebook's targeted ads
uri: Facebook-s-targeted-ads
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#3_June_2019_%28Facebooks_targeted_ads%29
content:
<p>
Facebook 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2019/mar/28/facebook-ads-housing-discrimination-charges-us-government-hud">Charged
with Housing Discrimination</a> in Targeted Ads.


feed_id: 8e9c55a23b7135558e74551a7094ad38
title: Right-wing repression
uri: Right-wing-repression
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#3_June_2019_%28Right-wing_repression%29
content:
<p>
US right-wing Christians gave 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/mar/28/us-fundamentalists-spent-38m-on-european-politics">50
million dollars</a> to promote right-wing repression in Europe.


feed_id: ac6815da3586b44f271cbd17e203d8fc
title: Mosquitoes moving further from equator
uri: Mosquitoes-moving-further-from-equator
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#3_June_2019_%28Mosquitoes_moving_further_from_equator%29

content:
<p>
Mosquitoes that spread diseases are 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/society/2019/mar/28/mosquito-spread-diseases-may-endanger-millions-in-new-places-due-to-climate-change">moving
to new habitats further from the equator</a>.  The diseases may join
them.


feed_id: 9b03ac9d3f34d51cf9a2087e27eea73e
title: Destruction of the Earth
uri: Destruction-of-the-Earth
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#3_June_2019_%28Destruction_of_the_Earth%29
content:
<p>
George Monbiot: The destruction of the Earth is a crime. It 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/mar/28/destruction-earth-crime-polly-higgins-ecocide-george-monbiot">should
be prosecuted</a>.


feed_id: b6023e44eab5f898615e6897ec707002
title: License-plate reader data
uri: License-plate-reader-data
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#4_June_2019_%28License-plate_reader_data%29
content:
<p>
Whatever governments, businesses, and <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thug</a> departments may say about
limiting the use of license-plate reader
data, <a href="https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2019/03/heres-why-you-cant-trust-what-cops-and-companies-claim-about-automated-license">don't
believe it is true</a>.


feed_id: 700e1c84cea758bfeb7361c1388e0f2d
title: Profiling black drivers
uri: Profiling-black-drivers
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#4_June_2019_%28Profiling_black_drivers%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">Thugs</a> systematically practice racial profiling to stop black drivers
more often
&mdash; <a href="https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2019/3/14/1842101/-100-million-traffic-stops-show-massive-racial-bias-in-policing">during
the day</a>, when they can see the driver's skin color.
<p>
At night, the bias disappears, which demonstrates that it is bias,
implemented by looking at drivers' skin color.


feed_id: 97e6c797f06fe7871aa2fc82cc4c92fd
title: National DNA data base
uri: National-DNA-data-base
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#4_June_2019_%28National_DNA_data_base%29
content:
<p>
The US is developing, in effect,
a <a href="https://slate.com/technology/2019/03/national-dna-database-law-enforcement-genetic-genealogy.html">national
DNA database</a>, which works by searching for commercial DNA data
bases for people who are relatives of the person sought.


feed_id: 90905ba0f2f964359495b3eac60ef5ea
title: New speed cameras
uri: New-speed-cameras
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#4_June_2019_%28New_speed_cameras%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://www.devonlive.com/news/devon-news/plymouth-gdynia-way-speed-cameras-1998182">New
speed cameras</a> work by recording the license number of each car
that passes two different cameras, and calculating the average speed
between them.
<p>
I think it is wrong in principle to have robots enforce laws against
humans.  But unless the system forgets about each license number that
doesn't get fined, it is doing something even worse: massive
surveillance.
<p>
Having the camera check for details of the driver's behavior is
nastier still.  Eating or drinking while driving is safe enough,
except for special situations.
<p>
I fear it can also recognize faces.


feed_id: 666eeeb10d7a3bacf1ed5dfe77cb826e
title: Listening phones
uri: Listening-phones
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#4_June_2019_%28Listening_phones%29
content:
<p>
People
report <a href="https://www.thesun.co.uk/tech/8678640/proof-phones-listening-to-us/">demonstrating
empirically</a> that their phone apps are listening to their
conversations.
<p>
The only truly trustworthy way to stop this is to make sure that
<a href="https://gnu.org/philosophy/free-software-even-more-important.html">only
free software</a> can get data from the microphone.


feed_id: cbdf9a344578ad5110137c873f41165a
title: Summary of Mueller's report
uri: Summary-of-Mueller-s-report
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#4_June_2019_%28Summary_of_Mueller%27s_report%29
content:
<p>
Barr's summary of Mueller's report is misleading
on <a href="https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2019/3/25/1844916/-The-Barr-letter-is-not-the-Mueller-report-it-s-a-gift-to-Donald-Trump">several
important points</a>.
<p>
Don't say Trump is
exonerated. It's <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/mar/26/dont-say-trump-is-exonerated-its-too-soon-for-that">too
soon for that</a>.


feed_id: 15335430cc446fbfb05921296c7f9b35
title: Medical care lawsuit
uri: Medical-care-lawsuit
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#4_June_2019_%28Medical_care_lawsuit%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#bully">The bully</a>'s Just-Us department
is <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2019/mar/26/trump-administration-pushes-to-completely-gut-obamacare-in-dramatic-escalation">supporting
a lawsuit</a> to eliminate Obama's medical care plan.  I suppose they
have reason to believe the Supreme Court would vote for this.


feed_id: 17e05326562051cead28bfc783cc6a3f
title: Projects in Afghanistan
uri: Projects-in-Afghanistan
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#4_June_2019_%28Projects_in_Afghanistan%29
content:
<p>
Yet another problem for US projects to "rebuild Afghanistan": the
Afghan <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thugs</a> and soldiers
used <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2019/mar/26/us-rebuild-afghanistan-beset-by-theft-abuse-from-security-forces">force,
imprisonment and threats</a> to squeeze money out of workers and
companies.
<p>
This is aside from the projects that
were <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jul-oct.html#6_October_2016_(The_nation_building_drain_in_Afghanistan)">pure
corruption or totally useless</a>.


feed_id: aedb7cd82973c6ae057abc5dc9def840
title: OxyContin lawsuits
uri: OxyContin-lawsuits
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#4_June_2019_%28OxyContin_lawsuits%29
content:
<p>
Purdue Pharma and Johnson &amp; Johnson face 2000 lawsuits alleging
deceptive marketing of OxyContin.
Purdue <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2019/mar/26/purdue-pharma-agrees-to-settle-oxycontin-opioid-case-with-oklahoma">just
settled one</a> to avoid an embarrassing trial.


feed_id: a21024a6f5e15a533d2be6d693cb91bc
title: Thai election
uri: Thai-election
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#4_June_2019_%28Thai_election%29
content:
<p>
Thai Election Process 'Deeply
Flawed', <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/mar/26/thai-election-process-deeply-flawed-independent-observers">Say
Independent Observers</a>.
<p>
Let's not grant this the legitimacy of a "return to democracy".


feed_id: 62bbfc229b03bd3d8b63c98587bba9c3
title: EPA's oil spill plan
uri: EPA-s-oil-spill-plan
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#4_June_2019_%28EPA%27s_oil_spill_plan%29
content:
<p>
The EPA's plan for handling an oil spill, last updated in 1994, says
to apply dispersants.  This proved harmful in 2010, but the EPA has
been <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/mar/26/thirty-years-after-exxon-valdez-the-response-to-oil-spills-is-still-all-wrong">dragging
its feet since 2015</a> on revising the plan.


feed_id: ba8c31ec1a99b1a2049709875f286d3f
title: Women Church World
uri: Women-Church-World
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#4_June_2019_%28Women_Church_World%29
content:
<p>
The women who ran Women Church World, a Vatican magazine for
women, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/mar/26/female-journalists-quit-in-protest-at-vatican-climate-of-distrust">all
quit</a> after condemning a plan to put some men in charge of them.
They had published about sexual abuse of nuns by priests.


feed_id: eb15ae1cc1ba6cf73cae9ef22d9e4933
title: Charter school funding
uri: 2019-06-05-Charter-school-funding
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#4_June_2019_%28Charter_school_funding%29
content:
<p>
Florida Republicans 
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2019/06/02/why-democratic-presidential-candidates-may-have-choose-between-teacher-pay-raises">want
to make school districts fund charter schools</a> which have no
accountability to them.


feed_id: a7578133d02eeeb18fdc283ab18576b3
title: Philippine election
uri: Philippine-election
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#4_June_2019_%28Philippine_election%29
content:
<p>
Accusing Do-dirty of 
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2019/06/03/congress-stop-funding-duterte">stealing
the Philippine election and killing dissidents</a>.
<p>
I should point out, in fairness, that there are real armed Islamist
rebel groups in Mindanao, and the army had to fight very hard, a few
years ago, 
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#21_June_2018_(Plutocratist_terrorism_in_Philippines)">to
retake the city they had captured</a>.  That is no excuse for stealing
the election or killing nonviolent dissidents, but it means that there
is a legitimate need for a strong army.
<p>
I fear that Do-dirty is making the US and China compete for the
Philippines' support.


feed_id: 1dbb7f4053c999dc9459d86082683ec8
title: Fighting global heating
uri: 2019-06-05-Fighting-global-heating
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#4_June_2019_%28Fighting_global_heating%29
content:
<p>
Stiglitz: we 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/jun/04/climate-change-world-war-iii-green-new-deal">can't
afford <em>not</em> to</a> fight and defeat global heating.


feed_id: 1e6a77c4ba7acc393a52bbc14081b92d
title: China silences exiled dissident
uri: China-silences-exiled-dissident
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#4_June_2019_%28China_silences_exiled_dissident%29
content:
<p>
China has silenced an exiled dissident 
<a href="https://theintercept.com/2019/06/04/badiucao-china-google/">by
threatening his family</a>.


feed_id: ff77e74e73d5f668646cacc36debc9dd
title: Urgent: Ban new fossil fuel infrastructure
uri: Urgent-Ban-new-fossil-fuel-infrastructure
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#4_June_2019_%28Urgent%3A_Ban_new_fossil_fuel_infrastructure%29

content:
<p>
US citizens: 
<a href="https://act.350.org/go/81878">call on New York Governor
Cuomo</a> to ban all new fossil fuel infrastructure in New York State,


feed_id: 19fe865607541a8bb2b495c46f42ee30
title: Face recognition
uri: 2019-06-05-Face-recognition
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#4_June_2019_%28Face_recognition%29
content:
<p>
Using face recognition to identify airline passengers is dangerous
in various ways.  Regulations about how long to store the photos
<a href="https://papersplease.org/wp/2019/05/07/air-travelers-question-use-of-facial-recognition/">address
only part of the problem</a> &mdash; and I suspect they will have
loopholes to allow some agency to keep any or every photo for as long
as it wishes just by saying there was some nonspecific reason.


feed_id: e0304bea9ef0b09a3bb275576827da45
title: US deportation thug department
uri: US-deportation-thug-department
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#4_June_2019_%28US_deportation_thug_department%29
content:
<p>
The US deportation <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thug</a> department has a 
<a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/immigration/ice-provides-local-police-a-way-to-work-around-sanctuary-policies-act-as-immigration-officers/2019/05/06/f651ff38-7029-11e9-9eb4-0828f5389013_story.html">scheme
to deputize local thugs in sanctuary cities</a>, to give them an
excuse to disregard the city's policy of refusing to hold immigrants
for the deportation <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thugs</a>.
<p>
Maybe sanctuary cities can protect themselves by making it a firing
offense to accept such deputization.


feed_id: c253d59eec55aa77d2bc534593fbab2a
title: Imported drugs
uri: Imported-drugs
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#4_June_2019_%28Imported_drugs%29
content:
<p>
Most of the generic drugs sold in the US are imported.  Surprise
inspections of the factories in India found that 
<a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2019/05/11/opinion/sunday/generic-drugs-safety.html">4/5
of them were cheating and concealing practices that could be
dangerous</a>.
<p>
So what did the FDA learn from this?  It decided to warn Indian
factories about all inspections.  That was under Obama, who didn't
generally appoint the sort of agency director who would crusade
against the power of business.


feed_id: 15004ae0b60dd7e347f85dcfdec1a466
title: The Theater of Security Authority
uri: The-Theater-of-Security-Authority
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#4_June_2019_%28The_Theater_of_Security_Authority%29
content:
<p>
When the TSA (Theater of Security Authority) says that people will
need TSA-approved ID cards in order to fly, this is 
<a href="https://papersplease.org/wp/2019/04/04/tsa-plans-to-put-new-lying-signs-in-airports/">simply
false</a>.
<p>
I've verified this page with an expert.


feed_id: 32e090f97bb30469575ea03c09bc7391
title: Repression of journalists
uri: 2019-06-06-Repression-of-journalists
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#5_June_2019_%28Repression_of_journalists%29
content:
<p>
Australia is 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/media/2019/jun/05/abc-offices-raided-by-australian-federal-police">repressing
journalists and a publisher</a> over publication of leaked information
about Australia's government activities.
<p>
This comes after searching the records of a journalist who reported on
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2019/jun/04/federal-police-raid-home-of-news-corp-journalist-annika-smethurst">plans
to extend Australia's spying on Australians</a>.
<p>
I have a feeling that this reflects the example of US repression
of Julian Assange and Wikileaks.


feed_id: 40d570f084b423090abdb9409b31e30a
title: Freedom of speech in Europe
uri: Freedom-of-speech-in-Europe
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#5_June_2019_%28Freedom_of_speech_in_Europe%29
content:
<p>
Freedom of speech in Europe is subject to narrow limits, and an EU
court is
<a href="https://reason.com/2019/06/04/the-european-union-may-order-facebook-to-stop-you-from-calling-austrian-politicians-corrupt-oafs/">considering
ordering Facebook to impose these limits world-wide</a>.
<p>
A multinational communications platform is inherently dangerous
because many governments will try to censor it.


feed_id: e614484bff519edb74407c38b5af08b5
title: Sex workers rally in Washington, DC
uri: Sex-workers-rally-in-Washington-DC
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#5_June_2019_%28Sex_workers_rally_in_Washington%2C_DC%29

content:
<p>
Sex workers in Washington, DC, rallied to support a 
<a href="https://reason.com/2019/06/04/d-c-sex-workers-want-decriminalization-and-city-council-members-agree/">bill
to legalize sex work there</a>.


feed_id: defaad2cf814a909a9d187b7aba43a49
title: Corporate tax-dodging in the UK
uri: Corporate-tax-dodging-in-the-UK
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#5_June_2019_%28Corporate_tax-dodging_in_the_UK%29
content:
<p>
The UK is the 
<a href="https://www.independent.co.uk/news/business/news/uk-corporate-tax-avoidance-havens-justice-network-dodging-a8933661.html">world
leader in facilitating</a> the global tax-dodging of corporations.


feed_id: 6e13e94b7ebd619d2dddef2c7b210151
title: Last-ditch climate change report
uri: Last-ditch-climate-change-report
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#5_June_2019_%28Last-ditch_climate_change_report%29
content:
<p>
(satire) Last-Ditch Climate Change Report 
<a href="https://www.theonion.com/last-ditch-climate-change-report-provides-locations-of-1835244382">Provides
Locations Of Weapons, Current Whereabouts Of Oil Executives</a>.


feed_id: 082df6a867c726d3c8a4704c95d6e310
title: Loyalty to plutocrats
uri: Loyalty-to-plutocrats
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#5_June_2019_%28Loyalty_to_plutocrats%29
content:
<p>
Biden has 
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2019/06/04/bidens-climate-plan-not-nearly-enough-say-green-groups">given
in to pressure and agreed to a climate defense plan</a>.
<p>
I don't feel confident he would carry out this plan if elected.  The
amount of pressure it took to get him to agree demonstrates that
Biden's first loyalty is to the plutocrats and planet-roasters.


feed_id: 8fa26d7e4ea42a5a394c3733c399c421
title: Citizen-issued traffic tickets
uri: Citizen-issued-traffic-tickets
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#5_June_2019_%28Citizen-issued_traffic_tickets%29
content:
<p>
Allowing citizens to issue traffic tickets could lead to 
<a href="https://reason.com/2019/05/13/d-c-bill-would-let-regular-citizens-issue-parking-tickets/">problems</a>.


feed_id: ea7c72dbf73afb0fea95c7024db8c547
title: Bully's attacks on journalism
uri: Bully-s-attacks-on-journalism
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#5_June_2019_%28Bullys_attacks_on_journalism%29
content:
<p>
Chelsea Manning warns that the <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#bully">bully</a> is 
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2019/05/12/chelsea-manning-warns-trump-administration-clearly-wants-go-after-journalists">attacking
journalists and journalism</a>.


feed_id: df72f56a73c8b4923b7413a47742c724
title: Anger
uri: Anger
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#5_June_2019_%28Anger%29
content:
<p>
In some cultures, adults 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2019/may/12/the-inuit-dont-shout-at-their-children-so-why-do-we">gently
teach children and teenagers not to get angry</a>, without ever
getting angry at them.


feed_id: 30982906b20da460fcc42f60c7cac1b2
title: Backwards-compatible hammers
uri: Backwards-compatible-hammers
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#5_June_2019_%28Backwards-compatible_hammers%29
content:
<p>
(satire) &hellip; Craftsman announced Monday that its newest line
   of hammers would indeed be backwards-compatible with previous
   generations of nails.


feed_id: 0a39d229667a6d29ad9684f28a6ec50e
title: Deportation of university students
uri: Deportation-of-university-students
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#5_June_2019_%28Deportation_of_university_students%29

content:
<p>
Dundee University is accused of cheating blind foreign students by
giving them inadequate equipment, then failing them and getting them
deported, while
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/education/2019/may/13/blind-student-facing-deportation-says-university-reneged-on-promised-support-dundee-university">keeping
their money</a>.
<p>
I criticize one point of Agbakuribe's conduct: having children when he
was not yet in a position to support them.  He should have been smart
enough to put off reproducing until he had his PhD and a job.
Meanwhile, four children is too many; nobody should have four
children.
<p>
But that is a separate issue, and it has nothing to do with how we
judge the university's conduct.


feed_id: 0308778b1b9b2791dedaa2558a94be5c
title: Urgent: Stop union busting
uri: Urgent-Stop-union-busting
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#6_June_2019_%28Urgent%3A_Stop_union_busting%29
content:
<p>
Everyone: 
<a href="https://actionnetwork.org/petitions/tell-volkswagen-its-time-to-stop-your-war-on-workers">call
on Volkswagen</a> to stop its union busting in Tennessee.


feed_id: ef1af701492c272bb3e527244c293e2c
title: AI weapons
uri: AI-weapons
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#6_June_2019_%28AI_weapons%29
content:
<p>
Speculating about the effect of future AI weapons: if they are
introduced at all, 
<a href="media/3adb2161.1905.03899.pdf" data-original-source="https://arxiv.org/pdf/1905.03899.pdf">competition will drive
them into totally autonomous systems</a> that are always active and
try to trick the adversary's AI into a "normal accident".


feed_id: e35ef7e1239ba29a2701a51283a32228
title: Destruction of unsold consumer products
uri: Destruction-of-unsold-consumer-products
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#6_June_2019_%28Destruction_of_unsold_consumer_products%29

content:
<p>
France 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/jun/04/france-to-ban-the-destruction-of-unsold-consumer-products">to
Ban the Destruction of Unsold Consumer Products</a>.
<p>
This could be a great step forward, if companies don't circumvent it
sending products to other countries to be destroyed there.


feed_id: e75b1964356eb3153035c6a29838a2ce
title: Using GDPR to punish journalists
uri: Using-GDPR-to-punish-journalists
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#6_June_2019_%28Using_GDPR_to_punish_journalists%29
content:
<p>
Romania is 
<a href="https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2019/06/europes-gdpr-elevated-privacy-over-press-freedom/590845/">using
the GDPR to punish journalists</a>.


feed_id: 612743a6105fbd9be31c88f96126cec1
title: Face recognition
uri: 2019-06-06-Face-recognition
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#6_June_2019_%28Face_recognition%29
content:
<p>
A landlord in Brooklyn has set up face recognition that 
<a href="https://www.theatlantic.com/technology/archive/2019/05/the-us-and-china-a-tale-of-two-surveillance-states/590542/">tracks
all the residents</a>.


feed_id: e01c027bdbaed811f28421f90d4551b1
title: Women defying menace and mistrust
uri: Women-defying-menace-and-mistrust
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#6_June_2019_%28Women_defying_menace_and_mistrust%29
content:
<p>
The Women Defying Menace and Mistrust 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2019/may/14/the-women-defying-menace-and-mistrust-to-rid-pakistan-of-polio">to
Rid Pakistan of Polio</a>.


feed_id: 302d6c7a649794fef2accd615238fbf3
title: Gender mainstreaming
uri: Gender-mainstreaming
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#6_June_2019_%28Gender_mainstreaming%29
content:
<p>
"Gender mainstreaming" in Vienna means that 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/cities/2019/may/14/city-with-a-female-face-how-modern-vienna-was-shaped-by-women">each
city department makes sure to serve the needs of women as well as
those of men</a>.
<p>
Many of the policies chosen to serve women better should also help
handicapped people and old people, as well as people that don't own
cars.


feed_id: 13962f90579ebf90a2f43c4d9b0f5177
title: The left's focus
uri: The-left-s-focus
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#6_June_2019_%28The_lefts_focus%29
content:
<p>
When the left tries to compete with right-wing bigot parties by making
immigration an issue, it loses, and maybe even 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/news/2019/may/14/why-copying-the-populist-right-isnt-going-to-save-the-left">ends
up helping them</a>.
<p>
The left must focus on its central cause, opposing plutocracy.


feed_id: 1fa96b96d55c60c47fd2ceb7381bb3d1
title: Putting parents in jail
uri: Putting-parents-in-jail
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#6_June_2019_%28Putting_parents_in_jail%29
content:
<p>
Kamala Harris is proud of the California law that 
<a href="https://reason.com/2019/05/13/kamala-harris-truancy-law-lies/">jails
parents whose children misses school</a>, but claims it is not her
responsibility that parents have been jailed as a result.


feed_id: da525b97228b1a0eb022a321ed607110
title: Urgent: FBI funds
uri: Urgent-FBI-funds
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#6_June_2019_%28Urgent%3A_FBI_funds%29
content:
<p>
US
citizens: <a href="https://act.freepress.net/sign/fbi_blanket_category">call
on the FBI</a> to show how much funds it puts into preventing white
supremacist terrorism, vs. how much it puts into preventing the
fictitious "black identity extremism."
</p>
<p>If you sign, please spread the word!</p>


feed_id: d24feb354a8d275bf25d406e66c94a7f
title: Urgent: First use of nuclear weapons
uri: Urgent-First-use-of-nuclear-weapons
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#6_June_2019_%28Urgent%3A_First_use_of_nuclear_weapons%29

content:
<p>
US
citizens: <a href="https://actionnetwork.org/petitions/sign-the-petition-demand-presidential-candidates-oppose-the-first-use-of-nuclear-weapons?nowrapper=true">call
on all presidential candidates</a> to pledge no first use of nuclear
weapons.
</p>
<p>If you sign, please spread the word!</p>


feed_id: 76c07425528efc90bff04d30e6d5ea4d
title: Denying global heating
uri: Denying-global-heating
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#6_June_2019_%28Denying_global_heating%29
content:
<p>
Germany's right-wing nonsense party
is <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/may/14/germanys-afd-attacks-greta-thunberg-as-it-embraces-climate-denial">putting
a lot of energy</a> into denying global heating.
It is connected with other denialists and bullshitters including the
<a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#heatland">Heatland Institute</a>.


feed_id: 1ff78eae30e8d3af4a52567c7a09f767
title: Support for Myanmar military
uri: Support-for-Myanmar-military
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#6_June_2019_%28Support_for_Myanmar_military%29
content:
<p>
UN <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2019/may/14/un-urges-worldwide-withdrawal-of-support-for-myanmar-military">Urges
Worldwide Withdrawal</a> of Support for Myanmar Military.


feed_id: cccf56556e29047f3f4b34f3e1684d32
title: Australia's election
uri: Australia-s-election
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#6_June_2019_%28Australia%27s_election%29
content:
<p>
Australia's
election <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/may/14/weve-run-out-of-elections-to-waste-this-is-the-last-chance-to-make-a-difference-on-climate-change">gives
Australians a chance</a> to insist on cutting greenhouse gas
emissions.


feed_id: 4db6b0cef05a95e73c531be763815f8a
title: Wanting a better world
uri: Wanting-a-better-world
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#6_June_2019_%28Wanting_a_better_world%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/books/2019/may/14/black-mirror-literary-utopias-offer-the-seeds-of-better-real-life">Don't
be ashamed</a> of wanting a better world &mdash; and what we have
already achieved shows it can be done.


feed_id: 574956e541f2bbd0247370c4a198bdd5
title: Machu Picchu tourism
uri: Machu-Picchu-tourism
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#6_June_2019_%28Machu_Picchu_tourism%29
content:
<p>
Peru
is <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/cities/2019/may/15/archaeologists-outraged-over-plans-for-machu-picchu-airport-chinchero">destroying
part of the region</a> around Machu Picchu to help more tourists
overrun it.


feed_id: ad3fdcda58a802dffd72d2ebf6f89cb2
title: Single-use plastic
uri: 2019-06-07-Single-use-plastic
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#6_June_2019_%28Single-use_plastic%29
content:
<p>
Single-use
plastic <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/may/15/single-use-plastics-a-serious-climate-change-hazard-study-warns">is
a significant contributor</a> to global heating,
as well as polluting rivers and oceans and endangering the wildlife there.


feed_id: c9f12315943be3ce6d50bf58b0f26328
title: No Iran threat
uri: No-Iran-threat
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#6_June_2019_%28No_Iran_threat%29
content:
<p>
No Iran Threat in Syria or
Iraq, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2019/may/14/no-iran-threat-in-syria-or-iraq-says-top-british-officer-in-defiance-of-us">Top
British Officer Says</a>, Contradicting US.


feed_id: cb42eb9382d5af517d22ca9a12cba450
title: Cancer lawsuit
uri: Cancer-lawsuit
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#6_June_2019_%28Cancer_lawsuit%29
content:
<p>
Bayer/Monsanto lost another cancer lawsuit, this time with punitive
damages
of <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/business/2019/may/13/monsanto-cancer-trial-bayer-roundup-couple">2
billion dollars</a> for covering up the danger of glyphosate.
The company continues to try to cover it up, citing the bogus science that
it constructed.
<p>
The real corruption of science by big business (tobacco, pesticides, oil)
causes indirect dangers as well as its direct harm: it inclines people
to suspect any and all science of being corrupt.
<p>
Science is a system for finding and correcting errors.  It includes
lots of wrong results, and subsequent research corrects them sooner or
later.  Take for example the fraudulent research that reported that a
vaccine caused autism: because the issue was
important, <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#9_May_2019_(MMR_vaccine)">large
studies were funded</a> and they conclusively showed this wasn't true.
<p>
To keep science repeating a bogus conclusion takes a continuing
campaign employing corruption in many ways that support each other,
and that costs a lot of money.


feed_id: b4028f0c85cfe62123b7f6639c43e8fa
title: Faux Opinion
uri: Faux-Opinion
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#6_June_2019_%28Faux_Opinion%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#faux">Faux News</a> and Faux
Opinion <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2019/05/13/so-called-news-division-fox-has-not-had-one-misinformation-free-day-so-far-year">spread
the same disinformation</a> together.


feed_id: 14cb3476155e3f971065431097feeb26
title: Cloud modeling
uri: Cloud-modeling
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#6_June_2019_%28Cloud_modeling%29
content:
<p>
Recent research on cloud modeling suggests that <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#global heating">global heating</a> will go
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2019/05/13/global-warming-how-hot-exactly-it-going-get">5
to 6 degrees C</a>, rather than 4 to 5 degrees, if we don't reduce
emissions.
Each additional degree will lead to far bigger practical effects.
<p>
Modeling like this is the only activity that ought to be
called <a href="https://gnu.org/philosophy/words-to-avoid.html#CloudComputing">"cloud
computing."</a>
In the internet, there is no cloud, only computers belonging to
various entities.  But in the sky there are still clouds, for the time
being.


feed_id: a6a30f77854c47a722f1218b53a89eb5
title: So-called middle ground
uri: So-called-middle-ground
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#6_June_2019_%28So-called_middle_ground%29
content:
<p>
The <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2019/05/13/so-called-middle-ground-and-tyranny-capitalism">So-Called
"Middle Ground"</a> and the Tyranny of Capitalism.


feed_id: 14508faf7ca232b827f5d7a59e0513aa
title: Coal mine pollution review
uri: Coal-mine-pollution-review
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#6_June_2019_%28Coal_mine_pollution_review%29
content:
<p>
The Australian government corrupted the pollution review of the new
Adani coal mine.  The responsible agencies
were <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/business/2019/may/14/adani-mine-emails-revealing-pressure-on-csiro-spark-calls-to-review-approval">ordered
from above</a> to ignore their concerns.
<p>
Pollution of local water supplies is a serious problem, but if one even
needs to discuss the issue it is because the <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#planet">planet roasters</a> are in charge.
No new coal mines should be permitted anywhere.


feed_id: 1b93c75be985e64d731836bbd0ea4bd9
title: US-imposed privatization
uri: US-imposed-privatization
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#6_June_2019_%28US-imposed_privatization%29
content:
<p>
Doctors and teachers in Honduras are 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/jun/05/honduras-protests-teachers-doctors-president">protesting
against US-imposed privatization</a>.  The US-imposed "president" is
deploying troops to shoot them.


feed_id: aa4cf484576f2c93fe2271b651b60b7e
title: System to check for fake medicines
uri: System-to-check-for-fake-medicines
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#6_June_2019_%28System_to_check_for_fake_medicines%29

content:
<p>
A new system has been set up to 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2019/jun/05/fake-medicine-makers-blockchain-artificial-intelligence">help
patients check for fake medicines</a>.
<p>
I hope it is possible to use this system without running a nonfree app
on a nonfree phone operating system &mdash; otherwise it gives people
the choice, "Your freedom or your life."
<p>
This sort of system can catch the bogus medicines that come from
unapproved factories.  It won't catch the bogus medicines made by
approved factories that are cheating.
<p>
When the US FDA checked, it found that 
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#4_June_2019_(Imported_drugs)">cheating
was rife</a>.  Nowadays it doesn't see the cheating because it has
chosen not to look.


feed_id: 84042f3a2603f22c51c48a77143531a2
title: Mexico caves to bully's threat
uri: Mexico-caves-to-bully-s-threat
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#6_June_2019_%28Mexico_caves_to_bullys_threat%29
content:
<p>
Mexico has caved to the <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#bully">bully</a>'s tariff threat and is 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/jun/05/migrants-brave-the-beast-as-mexico-cracks-down-under-us-pressure">repressing
refugees</a> from Central America that want to go through to the US.
<p>
Mexicans have also grown tired of welcoming and helping them.


feed_id: ef3af5af86723d193021d19f12e4519a
title: Greenpeace activists display banner
uri: Greenpeace-activists-display-banner
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#6_June_2019_%28Greenpeace_activists_display_banner%29

content:
<p>
Greenpeace activists dangled from the Sydney Harbor Bridge and
displayed banners 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2019/may/14/sydney-harbour-bridge-protest-10-arrested-in-climate-demonstration">calling
for Australia to declare a climate emergency</a>.
<p>
I am amazed that anyone can claim, with a straight face, that there is
something not to "condone" about this harmless method of protesting.
Hooray for Greenpeace!


feed_id: 82ac687eb81516792cf4b3b34cb5757d
title: Do-dirty's supporters
uri: Do-dirty-s-supporters
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#6_June_2019_%28Do-dirtys_supporters%29
content:
<p>
Do-dirty's supporters 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/may/14/philippines-mid-term-elections-duterte-closes-in-on-victory-senate">won
the legislative elections in the Philippines</a>.
<p>
I've spoken with a couple of Filipinas about him, over the past couple
of years, and was shocked to find that they supported him.  They seem
to believe that anyone his death squads kill must be guilty.


feed_id: 171c1c0b5805308397d7219bf12476dc
title: Making defamation a crime
uri: Making-defamation-a-crime
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#6_June_2019_%28Making_defamation_a_crime%29
content:
<p>
Indian women who accused powerful men of rape are now 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/may/14/indias-metoo-backlash-accusers-battle-intimidation-threats-and-lawsuits">on
trial for criminal defamation</a>.
<p>
Making defamation a crime is a recipe for tyranny, because people
are generally prosecuted for defaming the powerful.


feed_id: 19bbf3b27722fb3882fa2710d1433275
title: Greenhouse gas emissions from shipping
uri: Greenhouse-gas-emissions-from-shipping
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#6_June_2019_%28Greenhouse_gas_emissions_from_shipping%29

content:
<p>
The International Maritime Organization has 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/may/14/un-agency-meets-to-tackle-pollution-and-emissions-by-ships">set
a very weak target for reducing greenhouse gas emissions from
shipping</a>, and has been negotiating about it for a decade with no
progress.
<p>
Extinction Rebellion protesters are at work outside its headquarters.


feed_id: e8210ea9907b618870e8db0bb49d5fea
title: Urgent: Stop union busting
uri: 2019-06-07-Urgent-Stop-union-busting
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#6_June_2019_%28Urgent%3A_Stop_union_busting%29
content:
<p>
Everyone: 
<a href="https://actionnetwork.org/petitions/tell-volkswagen-its-time-to-stop-your-war-on-workers">call
on Volkswagen</a> to stop its union busting in Tennessee.
<p>
If you sign, please spread the word!


feed_id: 06e511f1e0adc78c3fc8f98628f4b9fb
title: Centralized platforms
uri: Centralized-platforms
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#7_June_2019_%28Centralized_platforms%29
content:
<p>
Youtube finds it is 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2019/jun/06/youtube-blocks-history-teachers-uploading-archive-videos-of-hitler">not
easy to distinguish Nazi propaganda from history of Nazism</a>.
<p>
I think that centralized platforms make society vulnerable.


feed_id: 566154fe91d30a1c09afd94426beee92
title: UK worries about climate crisis
uri: UK-worries-about-climate-crisis
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#7_June_2019_%28UK_worries_about_climate_crisis%29
content:
<p>
"UK public 
<a href='https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/jun/05/greta-thunberg-effect-public-concern-over-environment-reaches-record-high'>more
worried about climate crisis than economy, crime and immigration</a>."
<p>
That is wise on their part.  <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#global heating">Global heating</a> disaster will make the
issues of today's economy, today's crime (even including tax dodging)
and immigration look tiny.


feed_id: eb8cb32b93b5a329a8bfb8f0f86b8486
title: Almost Republican
uri: Almost-Republican
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#7_June_2019_%28Almost_Republican%29
content:
<p>
Biden 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2019/jun/05/joe-biden-abortion-supports-hyde-amendment">opposes
government funding for abortions</a>.
<p>
When vice president, he 
<a href="https://theintercept.com/2019/06/05/joe-biden-worked-to-undermine-the-affordable-care-acts-coverage-of-contraception/">worked
hard to undermine insurance coverage for contraception</a>.
<p>
He is almost a Republican.


feed_id: 71ae7bf35cfcae25a0be3732800d1734
title: Oppose face recognition systems
uri: Oppose-face-recognition-systems
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#7_June_2019_%28Oppose_face_recognition_systems%29
content:
<p>
If you are taking a flight in the US that uses face recognition for
boarding, 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2019/jun/05/airlines-facial-recognition-privacy">explicitly
opt out</a>.  That is a way to show your opposition to face
recognition systems.


feed_id: a7936924ac5fb09cb024e4985ed8b62f
title: Doctors to protest AMA
uri: Doctors-to-protest-AMA
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#7_June_2019_%28Doctors_to_protest_AMA%29
content:
<p>
Doctors 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/jun/06/why-were-fighting-the-american-medical-association">plan
to protest the American Medical Association</a>, which supports
private medical insurance companies by opposing Medicare for All.


feed_id: 24b5c21e1fbdcc83aa0a836363f28101
title: Using a mobile phone in a store
uri: Using-a-mobile-phone-in-a-store
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#7_June_2019_%28Using_a_mobile_phone_in_a_store%29
content:
<p>
Using a mobile phone while in a store 
<a href="https://theconversation.com/using-your-smartphone-at-the-supermarket-can-add-41-to-your-shopping-bill-117619">makes
people much more susceptible to impulse buying</a>.  On average they
spend 40% more.


feed_id: 278fc5c6f916e02fda42e019df5e933e
title: Solitary confinement
uri: 2019-06-08-Solitary-confinement
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#7_June_2019_%28Solitary_confinement%29
content:
<p>
Ocasio-Cortez: 
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2019/06/05/calling-solitary-confinement-government-torture-ocasio-cortez-says-release-everyone">No
prisoner should be in solitary confinement</a>, not even Manafort.


feed_id: 25593fc1fcc92d3cc3d7b38c14b4b739
title: Silencing authors' works
uri: Silencing-authors-works
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#7_June_2019_%28Silencing_authors_works%29
content:
<p>
A pressure campaign 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/books/2019/jun/05/doctor-who-anthology-writer-transgender-tweets-gareth-roberts">convinced
BBC Books to drop a story by from an anthology</a> because the author
has criticized the idea of transexuality.
<p>
I don't agree with his claims, or his opinions &mdash; for instance,
if you want to become a woman, why shouldn't you try to become a
glamorous one? &mdash; but pressuring publishers to silence an
author's work over unrelated statements and opinion is a dangerous
practice.  When right-wing extremists or Christian theocrats get
organized, which unrelated opinions will they cite to demand authors
be dropped?


feed_id: 4b6fd684490fb3344660ad7d782e5a9b
title: Alabama abortion bill
uri: Alabama-abortion-bill
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#7_June_2019_%28Alabama_abortion_bill%29
content:
<p>
How to fight the Alabama abortion bill that 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2019/may/15/were-in-the-fight-of-our-lives-alabama-abortion-bill-spurs-lawsuits-and-protests">bans
abortions nearly as much as in Nicaragua</a>.


feed_id: 11325fba2ea64a9a518af2eabe460d06
title: Hodeidah
uri: Hodeidah
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#7_June_2019_%28Hodeidah%29
content:
<p>
After the Houthis withdrew from Hodeidah and handed it (as agreed) to
Yemen's coast guard,
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/may/15/yemen-ceasefire-broken-as-fresh-fighting-breaks-out-in-hodeidah">fighting
started again</a>.  I get the impression it was the US-supported side
which started it.
<p>
I too wonder who Yemen's coast guard are, and who backs them.


feed_id: 6255542091dc200fa825eb2988492f70
title: Global heating
uri: 2019-06-08-Global-heating
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#7_June_2019_%28Global_heating%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#global heating">Global heating</a> effects are forcing many towns in the US midwest to
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2019/may/15/it-has-to-be-dealt-with-what-is-the-future-for-midwest-towns-affected-by-climate-change">consider
whether flooding has made their existence untenable</a>.


feed_id: de45db5660e3411a9276a6fe80c67420
title: Raising revenue with wealth tax
uri: Raising-revenue-with-wealth-tax
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#7_June_2019_%28Raising_revenue_with_wealth_tax%29
content:
<p>
"Not only would a wealth tax raise revenue and help bring the economy
back into balance, but it would also 
<a href='https://www.commondreams.org/views/2019/05/14/why-we-need-wealth-tax'>protect
our democracy by reducing the influence of the super-rich</a> on our
political system."


feed_id: df987e7fa0c7f8825509b8e3176e9c48
title: Schools censoring valedictorians
uri: Schools-censoring-valedictorians
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#9_June_2019_%28Schools_censoring_valedictorians%29
content:
<p>
Some US high schools are 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/education/2019/jun/07/climate-crisis-emergency-graduation-message-censoring-class-of-0000">censoring
valedictorians that want to talk about global heating</a>.
<p>
Valedictorians, do it anyway!  If you get dragged off the stage,
publish video and your message will reach even more people.


feed_id: 026a0aa52ffecf5d418745dec60f76f6
title: Urgent: Pensions
uri: Urgent-Pensions
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#9_June_2019_%28Urgent%3A_Pensions%29
content:
<p>
US citizens: call on the Senate to 
<a href="https://act.credoaction.com/sign/secure-act">reject plans to
let pensions cheat old people</a> out of their pension money.
<p>
If you sign, please spread the word!


feed_id: 9228bf1e493822703cb6c6450b3d7895
title: Promotion of tobacco to young people
uri: Promotion-of-tobacco-to-young-people
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#9_June_2019_%28Promotion_of_tobacco_to_young_people%29

content:
<p>
Tobacco company Philip Morris was exposed as 
<a href="https://www.reuters.com/article/us-philipmorris-ecigs-instagram-exclusiv/exclusive-philip-morris-suspends-social-media-campaign-after-reuters-exposes-young-influencers-idUSKCN1SH02K">paying
"influencers"</a> to promote tobacco to young people.


feed_id: 09256d598a7b42aca7c28092256f4a9d
title: Repression of queer people
uri: Repression-of-queer-people
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#9_June_2019_%28Repression_of_queer_people%29
content:
<p>
Militant Muslims are 
<a href="https://www.thejakartapost.com/academia/2019/05/12/ban-kucumbu-tubuh-indahku-garin-nugroho.html">imposing
repression of queer people in Indonesia</a>, and they don't hesitate
to express their intolerance with violence.
<p>
Fervent religion often expresses itself as repression.


feed_id: 9e44e0f78b865b8cea299579084de627
title: Bank removes possessions from White House
uri: Bank-removes-possessions-from-White-House
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#9_June_2019_%28Bank_removes_possessions_from_White_House%29

content:
<p>
(satire) &hellip; employees sent by Deutsche Bank began removing
   possessions from the White House 
   <a href="https://politics.theonion.com/deutsche-bank-begins-removing-possessions-from-white-ho-1834776775">after
   Donald Trump defaulted on his loans</a> &hellip;


feed_id: 7636da823d739e32a0e36d05216a7ae8
title: Sabotage of UK's unwritten constitution
uri: Sabotage-of-UK-s-unwritten-constitution
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#8_June_2019_%28Sabotage_of_UKs_unwritten_constitution%29

content:
<p>
The Tories are 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/jun/07/tories-parliament-charles-brexit-leadership-contest">sabotaging</a>
the UK's unwritten constitution.


feed_id: a0e7d5aac751298fc7db6200349b480f
title: African Union suspends Sudan
uri: African-Union-suspends-Sudan
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#8_June_2019_%28African_Union_suspends_Sudan%29
content:
<p>
African Union Suspends Sudan over 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/jun/06/sudan-african-union-suspension-military-rulers">Violence
against Protesters</a>.


feed_id: 38cb972841106e815f6218ede5fa7e2f
title: Urgent: Ban stock trading by Congress members
uri: Urgent-Ban-stock-trading-by-Congress-members
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#8_June_2019_%28Urgent%3A_Ban_stock_trading_by_Congress_members%29

content:
<p>
US citizens: call on Congress to 
<a href="https://act.credoaction.com/sign/ban-congressional-stock-trading">ban
members of Congress from trading in stocks</a>.
<p>
If you sign, please spread the word!


feed_id: 4a12038a7bc77a2ec69bdd3a1d057e0b
title: Urgent: Ban styrofoam containers
uri: Urgent-Ban-styrofoam-containers
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#8_June_2019_%28Urgent%3A_Ban_styrofoam_containers%29

content:
<p>
US citizens: call on state governments to 
<a href="https://act.rootsaction.org/p/dia/action4/common/public/?action_KEY=13697">ban
styrofoam containers</a>.  They remain in the environment forever.
<p>
If you sign, please spread the word!


feed_id: b1c2a7cda452bde1363ddd3faf4a2b58
title: Worse than outcome of attack on Iraq
uri: Worse-than-outcome-of-attack-on-Iraq
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#8_June_2019_%28Worse_than_outcome_of_attack_on_Iraq%29

content:
<p>
Why a US attack on Iran 
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2019/05/15/top-ten-differences-between-iraq-war-and-trumps-proposed-iran-war">would
lead to an even worse outcome</a> than the attack on Iraq.


feed_id: 15161c733050916cc317b7e366ad0ca6
title: Dolphin hunt
uri: Dolphin-hunt
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#8_June_2019_%28Dolphin_hunt%29
content:
<p>
A resident of Taiji 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/may/16/japanese-man-prepares-for-landmark-case-against-dolphin-hunts-taiji">plans
to testify in a court case to ban the annual dolphin hunt</a>.


feed_id: 4c1040bc866deddbea9a720f855ae042
title: Privatization of government services
uri: 2019-06-09-Privatization-of-government-services
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#8_June_2019_%28Privatization_of_government_services%29

content:
<p>
The UK privatized the handling of probation for convicts, with 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/may/16/the-guardian-view-on-privatising-probation-a-disaster-ignored">very
bad results</a>.
<p>
As a general rule, privatizing government services is bad.  It leads
to unaccountability, low pay for the workers, and cheating the public.
<p>
When the service that is privatized depends on understanding the
specific needs of individuals, it is even worse.


feed_id: 008b9f7b363d4e3d4e7f644d715b5227
title: Fabricating excuses to stop peace process
uri: Fabricating-excuses-to-stop-peace-process
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#8_June_2019_%28Fabricating_excuses_to_stop_peace_process%29

content:
<p>
<a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#salafi">Salafi Arabia</a> and its servant, the US, seem to be 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/may/16/new-fighting-in-yemen-threatens-un-deal">fabricating
excuses to stop the peace process in Yemen</a>.  The UN says that the
Houthis are carrying out the cease fire and withdrawal agreement, but
they claim no.
<p>
Would you believe anything <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#salafi">Salafi Arabia</a> says about the war in
Yemen?<br>
Would you believe anything the US says about the war in Yemen?


feed_id: d5b0028c5834877bc5c69bad65287a7b
title: Keeping women down
uri: Keeping-women-down
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#8_June_2019_%28Keeping_women_down%29
content:
<p>
Banning abortion in the US is a means for 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/may/16/alabama-abortion-ban-us-women-state-senate">keeping
poor women down</a>.
<p>
Northern Ireland still suffers under an abortion law 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2019/may/15/abortion-law-harsher-northern-ireland-alabama-campaigners">nastier
than the one Alabama just passed</a>.


feed_id: b5fdcc065d134bdf5ba8b9bf1cc16421
title: Urgent: Customer service workers
uri: Urgent-Customer-service-workers
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#8_June_2019_%28Urgent%3A_Customer_service_workers%29

content:
<p>
Everyone: <a href="https://www.coworker.org/petitions/we-want-stools">call
on American Airlines</a> to give its customer service workers stools,
so they don't have to stand for the whole shift.
</p>
<p>If you sign, please spread the word!</p>


feed_id: 6b733e36445a4102a8b5f4d61a2d6df0
title: Urgent: Jailing refugee minors
uri: Urgent-Jailing-refugee-minors
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#8_June_2019_%28Urgent%3A_Jailing_refugee_minors%29
content:
<p>
US
citizens: <a href="https://actionnetwork.org/petitions/sign-the-petition-close-the-homestead-child-detention-center">call
on the US</a> to stop jailing refugee minors.
</p>
<p>
The article says "children" but I expect that most of them are teenagers.
Either way, jailing them is wrong.
</p>
<p>
Reports <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2019/jun/07/us-migrant-detention-facilities-egregious-conditions-reports">Reveal
"Egregious" Conditions</a> in US Migrant [prison] Facilities.
</p>


feed_id: a145cb8c2434b2adfe27901b64b26011
title: Urgent: Definition of poverty
uri: Urgent-Definition-of-poverty
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#8_June_2019_%28Urgent%3A_Definition_of_poverty%29
content:
<p>
US
citizens: <a href="https://actionnetwork.org/letters/take-action-today-tell-the-omb-dont-shrink-the-poverty-line-to-take-benefits-from-millions">call
on the OMB</a> not to reduce the definition of poverty, which would
cut benefits for millions over the years.
</p>
<p>If you send a letter, please spread the word!</p>


feed_id: 222a6281915dccc2172a1e365e68a705
title: Plastic in the oceans
uri: Plastic-in-the-oceans
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#8_June_2019_%28Plastic_in_the_oceans%29
content:
<p>
Scientists cleaned rubbish from the shores of the small, remote Cocos
Islands and
found <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/may/16/414-million-pieces-of-plastic-found-on-remote-island-group-in-indian-ocean">400
million pieces of plastic</a> &mdash; and a million shoes.
<p>
Most of the plastic was from consumer products.
<p>
Only around 4% of the rubbish was visible on the surface.  The rest
was buried up to 10cm under the beach.


feed_id: e990a5ec9fd5c7fad6670a6bcf507bd5
title: Child poverty in Britain
uri: Child-poverty-in-Britain
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#8_June_2019_%28Child_poverty_in_Britain%29
content:
<p>
"<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/may/16/tories-children-poverty-britain-austerity">Tories
should bear the shame</a> that child poverty in Britain is the new
normal."
<p>
"Don't talk about 'food poverty'
&mdash; <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/food/2019/may/16/dont-talk-about-food-poverty-jay-rayner">it's
just poverty</a>."
<p>
If your income is not enough for the essentials of life, you may be
able to choose which essential you lack.  Some do without food to buy
medicine or pay the rent &mdash; or to buy food for their children.
Some do without medicine so they can eat.  Some have to live on the
street and beg for money to buy food.


feed_id: c95e6605780927df6895dcd859102b0e
title: US concentration of wealth
uri: US-concentration-of-wealth
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#8_June_2019_%28US_concentration_of_wealth%29
content:
<p>
US concentration of wealth: in the 1970s, the wealthiest 10% owned 35%
of all US wealth.  Now the wealthiest 10% own 75% of it.  This
translates into political power (plutocracy).  Taxing wealth
will <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2019/05/14/why-we-need-wealth-tax">work
against the concentration</a>.


feed_id: 779877044995a0a29aeba59ffb3d8c42
title: Bolton's Iran plan
uri: Bolton-s-Iran-plan
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#8_June_2019_%28Bolton%27s_Iran_plan%29
content:
<p>
Bolton is going all-out to launch a war with Iran, and has a plan to
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2019/05/14/disturbing-trump-reportedly-reviewed-bolton-plan-threaten-iran-sending-120000-troops">send
120,000 US troops</a> for an attack on Iran.
<p>
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/may/14/oil-sales-nuclear-deal-iran">Iran
has threatened</a> to ditch the non-nuclear deal entirely in 60 days
unless European countries break free of US-imposed sanctions blocking
their trade with Iran.
<p>
<a href="http://commonwonders.com/wars-unanswered-questions/">War's
Unanswered Questions.</a>


feed_id: c035e833faff547f59bb3efdebb841fe
title: UK student loans
uri: UK-student-loans
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#8_June_2019_%28UK_student_loans%29
content:
<p>
British students in UK universities take out large loans, but unless
they make large incomes, they never have to repay the whole loan.
Those who get low
incomes <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/education/2019/may/14/most-people-dont-understand-how-student-loans-work-this-must-change">don't
have to repay any of it</a>.
<p>
The US system appears superficially similar, but in fact it is much
worse because students are saddled with these loans for life
regardless of their incomes.


feed_id: 69445302bd38b8f04010efdcfd7fbc40
title: Amazon's predatory behavior
uri: Amazon-s-predatory-behavior
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#8_June_2019_%28Amazon%27s_predatory_behavior%29
content:
<p>
Amazon's predatory behavior towards sellers of goods adds up to an
<a href="http://nymag.com/intelligencer/2019/05/amazon-antitrust-monopoly.html">unusual
use of monopolistic power</a>.


feed_id: d321bffb026dc9c6eb11032102d42b25
title: Warship protest
uri: Warship-protest
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#8_June_2019_%28Warship_protest%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2019/05/14/shadow-warships-and-climate-emergency-getting-arrested-bath-iron-works">Protesters
blocked buses</a> of guests coming to the christening of a new US
warship, to call for cuts in US military spending and military
greenhouse gas emissions.
<p>
The ship in question is not a battleship; it is a missile-firing
destroyer.


feed_id: 84b85125ccc89b1a5ab2d1cc7c4cbe2c
title: Struggling farmers
uri: Struggling-farmers
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#8_June_2019_%28Struggling_farmers%29
content:
<p>
(satire) &hellip; Trump sought to reassure struggling American
   farmers Tuesday by stating that he has never seen one of them and
<a href="https://politics.theonion.com/trump-reassures-struggling-farmers-he-has-never-seen-on-1834754990">cannot
be sure they actually exist</a>.


feed_id: 2486aa985790689cb4ac31b100abad35
title: Construction blacklisting
uri: Construction-blacklisting
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#8_June_2019_%28Construction_blacklisting%29
content:
<p>
UK construction companies
have <a href="media/0ce81780.152x152.png" data-original-source="https://assets.guim.co.uk/images/favicons/fee5e2d638d1c35f6d501fa397e53329/152x152.png">agreed
to pay damages</a> to workers that they blacklisted (with the help of
<a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thugs</a> that spied on them).
The motive for blacklisting those workers is that they supported
forming a union.


feed_id: 97bdc14e92a7a97e0a86541691aeebfa
title: Biden and Republicans
uri: Biden-and-Republicans
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#8_June_2019_%28Biden_and_Republicans%29
content:
<p>
Biden says Republicans will return to non-fanatical plutocratism so
that he and they
can <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2019/05/14/after-front-row-seat-obama-years-biden-called-remarkably-naive-saying-he-expects-gop">serve
the rich elite together</a>.
<p>
I think the Republicans of 20 years ago would have done this, but most
of today's Republicans are too imbued with right-wing extremist
hatred to give it up.


feed_id: df53772ba9c5aab89b93c09cd8689daf
title: Atheist in the Oval Office
uri: Atheist-in-the-Oval-Office
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#8_June_2019_%28Atheist_in_the_Oval_Office%29
content:
<p>
It's Time for [the US] to Have
an <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/its-time-for-us-to-have-an-unapologetic-atheist-in-the-oval-office/2019/05/08/0f3e0020-6c27-11e9-be3a-33217240a539_story.html">Unapologetic
Atheist in the Oval Office</a>.


feed_id: 51c4e124b6986500b706ab45f11070b4
title: Anti-vaxxing in Pakistan
uri: Anti-vaxxing-in-Pakistan
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#8_June_2019_%28Anti-vaxxing_in_Pakistan%29
content:
<p>
Don't forget how a US government fueled anti-vaxxing in Pakistan, when
the
CIA <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2019/05/15/wapo-must-acknowledge-cia-role-pakistan-polio-crisis">mounted
a fake vaccination campaign</a>.
<p>
This gave fuel to the anti-vaxxing campaign but does not justify it.
It is natural for Pakistanis to feel suspicion of vaccination
campaigns after having been lied to once, but that doesn't mean most
vaccination campaigns are lies.  If they are rational, they will
recognize that honest vaccination campaigns are a good thing &mdash;
then take organized steps to assure the bona fides of each campaign.
<p>
Finding Osama bin Laden was of no particular importance for stopping
Islamist terrorism.  It was not a real
victory, <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#23_January_2018_(Polio_vaccination)">only
a symbolic one</a>.  Large underground movements do not depend
crucially on one leader.  It is possible that the news of the CIA's
fake vaccination campaign boosted al-Qa'ida more than the killing of
bin Laden hampered it.
<p>
Having found bin Laden, the US should have put him on trial rather
than <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2012-sep-dec.html#03_September_2012_(Osama_bin_Ladens_death)">killing
him summarily</a>.


feed_id: 38ae59cd4e3907df2db9054cd849ad72
title: Urgent: Ken Cuccinelli
uri: Urgent-Ken-Cuccinelli
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#10_June_2019_%28Urgent%3A_Ken_Cuccinelli%29
content:
<p>
US
citizens: <a href="http://act.pfaw.org/sign/vote-no-cuccinelli/">call
on the Senate</a> to reject Ken Cuccinelli as Director of U.S.
Citizenship and Immigration Services.  He hates immigrants and would
convert them into dis-services.
</p>
<p>If you sign, please spread the word!</p>


feed_id: 9533d6c027f0666f8d0763cfb237e92d
title: Urgent: H.R. 6
uri: Urgent-H-R-6
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#10_June_2019_%28Urgent%3A_H.R._6%29
content:
<p>
US
citizens: <a href="https://actionnetwork.org/forms/supporthr6?nowrapper=true">call
on the Senate</a> to pass H.R. 6, to give a path to citizenship for
some of the immigrants that were brought to the US many years ago as
minors.
</p>
<p>
Here's <a href="https://www.majorityleader.gov/content/look-hr6-dream-and-promise-act-2019">more
information</a>.
</p>


feed_id: e3b341ac8e4c6908745301bb86405956
title: Attack software lawsuit
uri: Attack-software-lawsuit
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#10_June_2019_%28Attack_software_lawsuit%29
content:
<p>
Amnesty International
is <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/may/18/israeli-firm-nso-group-linked-to-whatsapp-spyware-attack-faces-lawsuit">suing
the company</a> that sells attack software which appears to have been
used to crack some of Amnesty International's phones.


feed_id: cccb0be01c5e24404085d050c368be35
title: Welsh village
uri: Welsh-village
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#10_June_2019_%28Welsh_village%29
content:
<p>
A village in Wales of 850 people will be abandoned to the sea, its
residents left with nowhere to go.  It will
be <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/may/18/this-is-a-wake-up-call-the-villagers-who-could-be-britains-first-climate-refugees">the
first of many</a>.
<p>
This will bring home to Britons the harm that <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#global heating">global heating</a>
is going to cause.


feed_id: 3e000692eb7994b8ca4006a3a3fcc20e
title: Refugee children in 1920s and now
uri: Refugee-children-in-1920s-and-now
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#10_June_2019_%28Refugee_children_in_1920s_and_now%29

content:
<p>
Contrasting the US and European cold shoulder to refugee children
today with the attitude towards starving children
from <a href="https://reason.com/2019/05/18/the-heartbreaking-lifesaving-practice-of-welcoming-unaccompanied-child-migrants/">central
Europe in the 1920s</a>.


feed_id: 3f9c601ea51846551b160b32cc1a551f
title: Aircraft in Persian Gulf
uri: Aircraft-in-Persian-Gulf
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#10_June_2019_%28Aircraft_in_Persian_Gulf%29
content:
<p>
The US warns that civilian aircraft flying over the Persian Gulf might
be <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/may/18/iran-war-us-risk-civilian-aircraft">shot
down by mistake</a>.
<p>
There is a real danger that the US Navy will do this.  It is one
of the secondary dangers resulting from the <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#bully">bully</a>'s push for war.
<p>
It's typical of right-wingers that they accuse their opponents of
committing (or planning to commit) the sorts of wrongs that
right-wingers actually have done.


feed_id: 3d1625db384edf47d4946ecf5f9495a6
title: Alabama lawmakers
uri: Alabama-lawmakers
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#10_June_2019_%28Alabama_lawmakers%29
content:
<p>
(satire) &hellip; Alabama woman Alison Kyles, 29, reportedly hurried
   towards home Thursday after spotting
   a <a href="https://local.theonion.com/woman-walking-alone-at-night-picks-up-pace-after-spotti-1834815925">pickup
   truck full of Alabama lawmakers</a> slowly following her.


feed_id: bdba0c365b08cded19f2f8a168f0cc12
title: Prosecuting corruption
uri: Prosecuting-corruption
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#10_June_2019_%28Prosecuting_corruption%29
content:
<p>
Supreme Court decisions in recent years
have <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2019/05/16/dont-rebrand-corruption">narrowed
the kinds of corruption</a> that can be prosecuted.


feed_id: 16f68aa7f9a516f99db6bdfc8ea281de
title: Arms lobbyists
uri: Arms-lobbyists
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#10_June_2019_%28Arms_lobbyists%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2019/05/16/how-lobby-washington-death">The
same lobbyist companies</a> work for Salafi Arabia and for the big US
arms manufacturers that provide bombs to drop on Yemen.


feed_id: b1084b041bf9bcab4fe183c439bd7606
title: Greta Thunberg
uri: 2019-06-10-Greta-Thunberg
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#10_June_2019_%28Greta_Thunberg%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2019/05/16/now-i-am-speaking-whole-world-how-teen-climate-activist-greta-thunberg-got-everyone">A
profile</a> of Greta Thunberg.


feed_id: 33c880f15e309fb31ecc25c6e40bfbbb
title: New underground railroad
uri: New-underground-railroad
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#10_June_2019_%28New_underground_railroad%29
content:
<p>
The <a href="https://www.bostonglobe.com/metro/2019/05/16/via-social-media-abortion-activists-open-their-doors-women-need-assistance/Med2mNRJm946vVxIlvE53H/story.html">new
underground railroad</a> will help women who need to go to other
states for an abortion.


feed_id: 508c1cc4f778af70b1999a77575e8c33
title: Prosecution for cartoon
uri: Prosecution-for-cartoon
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#10_June_2019_%28Prosecution_for_cartoon%29
content:
<p>
Journalists in Northern
Cyprus <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/may/17/northern-cyprus-judge-acquits-two-journalists-of-insulting-erdogan">won
a partial victory</a>.  They were being prosecuted for "insulting"
Erdoğan, with a cartoon.
<p>
The judge ruled that their cartoon was not an insult.  The victory was
only partial, because the law criminalizing insulting Erdoğan remains
in force, although the scope of what is prohibited is not as wide as
what Erdoğan wanted.


feed_id: a4ebf6f8b5e1a5bac14581276f90dafa
title: Embassy invasion
uri: Embassy-invasion
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#10_June_2019_%28Embassy_invasion%29
content:
<p>
US <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thugs</a> invaded Venezuela's embassy in Washington and arrested some
of the group house-sitting there for Venezuela's government.  One of
them, Professor Adrienne
Pine, <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2019/05/16/academic-arrested-protecting-venezuela-embassy">explains
the background</a> for her participation in the house-sit.
<p>
The US Green
Party <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2019/05/16/green-party-united-states-statement-venezuelan-embassy">explains
the legal situation</a>.


feed_id: 92fa19a02762c5f8c1ad0c00f16f9741
title: War messages in the media
uri: War-messages-in-the-media
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#10_June_2019_%28War_messages_in_the_media%29
content:
<p>
US major media are credulously repeating the war messages of the
<a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#bully">bully</a>'s officials, without a hint of trying to do real journalism.
<a href="https://theintercept.com/2019/05/17/us-media-journalists-iran-coverage/">Here's
advice</a> on how they could start to do that.
<p>
A <a href="https://theintercept.com/2019/05/17/iran-war-congress-democratic-candidates/">bill
under consideration</a> in the Senate would block the US from
attacking Iran.  At least, if the military obeys the law.


feed_id: 940b51e5b14bd0b18e1f86b7f0fa1570
title: Relating an artist's life to per work
uri: Relating-an-artist-s-life-to-per-work
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#10_June_2019_%28Relating_an_artists_life_to_per_work%29

content:
<p>
Michael Jackson as a test case for 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/books/2019/jun/07/margo-jefferson-on-michael-jackson">how
to relate an artist's life to per work</a>.
<p>
I was never particularly a fan of Michael Jackson, so I have no
emotional baggage about what to think about him.  But the author's
approach seems wise.


feed_id: a73428877df5ac34edb8e98a3669edd4
title: Deportation thugs leave children in van
uri: Deportation-thugs-leave-children-in-van
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#10_June_2019_%28Deportation_thugs_leave_children_in_van%29

content:
<p>
Parents are threatened with punishment for leaving children in a car
regardless of the weather, even for a few minutes, but deportation
<a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thugs</a> 
<a href="https://reason.com/2019/06/06/migrant-kids-as-young-as-5-were-left-in-vans-overnight-while-waiting-to-reunite-with-their-families/">left
children in a van for more than a day in Texas in July</a>.


feed_id: 3474fc92cf8e7b303c269278aff9e493
title: Thugs plant drugs on journalist
uri: Thugs-plant-drugs-on-journalist
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#10_June_2019_%28Thugs_plant_drugs_on_journalist%29
content:
<p>
Russian <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thugs</a> 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/jun/07/russian-police-accused-of-arresting-critical-journalist-on-false-charges-ivan-golunov">planted
bags of drugs on an investigative journalist</a>.


feed_id: 062f9d7cdfd71997a3b176b3c6759ee4
title: 4 million Venezuelan refugees
uri: 4-million-Venezuelan-refugees
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#10_June_2019_%284_million_Venezuelan_refugees%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/jun/07/venezuela-exodus-4-million-un-refugee-agency">4
million</a> Venezuelans have fled to other countries.


feed_id: 2c9d6831b41853601ec71d525eecabf3
title: Google's donation to phony abortion org
uri: Google-s-donation-to-phony-abortion-org
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#10_June_2019_%28Googles_donation_to_phony_abortion_org%29

content:
<p>
Google is 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2019/may/17/google-anti-abortion-obria-group-carolyn-maloney">donating
ads to a phony abortion advice organization</a>.  It opposes all real
birth control, too.


feed_id: 13201923b825b02d14ad0d4e98a3d6cc
title: Hindu-extremist movement in India
uri: Hindu-extremist-movement-in-India
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#10_June_2019_%28Hindu-extremist_movement_in_India%29

content:
<p>
The true nature of the Hindu-extremist movement in India showed when
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/may/17/modi-gandhi-campaigns-end-indian-election">candidates
praised the man who assassinated Mahatma Gandhi in 1946</a>.  He
belonged to an organization with the same general spirit.


feed_id: 4f44f83acb6d1b4572944c44406c8330
title: US supporters of abortion rights
uri: US-supporters-of-abortion-rights
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#10_June_2019_%28US_supporters_of_abortion_rights%29
content:
<p>
State laws banning abortion, and the likelihood that the Supreme Court
will cease to block them, 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/may/17/we-have-to-fight-alabamas-extreme-abortion-ban-sparks-wave-of-activism">have
roused US supporters of abortion rights to political activity</a> as
never before.
<p>
Given democracy, the strength of local supporters of abortion rights
could be the best defense of abortion rights, more reliable than a
Supreme Court decision.  But Republicans no longer respect democracy,
and once in power in a state, they 
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#22_July_2017_(Election_of_US_senators)">seek
to rig its future elections</a>.


feed_id: d4b5e44f7c9cae358d21cba1e097cbca
title: Patriarchal murder
uri: Patriarchal-murder
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#10_June_2019_%28Patriarchal_murder%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#patriarchalmurder">Patriarchal murder</a> 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2019/may/17/pakistan-authorities-record-a-dozen-cases-of-honour-killing-in-a-fortnight">goes
unpunished in Pakistan</a> as murderers have control.
<p>
The killers do not even hide.  I think that under the circumstances
Pakistani women would be justified in organizing a campaign to shoot
them.


feed_id: 861e194c5dcf84a1e515c3a812d73638
title: NYC thugs
uri: 2019-06-10-NYC-thugs
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#10_June_2019_%28NYC_thugs%29
content:
<p>
A New York City <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thug</a> lieutenant 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2019/may/16/eric-garner-death-chokehold-nypd-lieutenant-text-not-a-big-deal">texted
"not a big deal"</a> after being told of how thugs had killed Eric
Garner.


feed_id: 9558e98d1ce9f1a6979165f66c949983
title: UK thugs can fine people for cursing
uri: UK-thugs-can-fine-people-for-cursing
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#10_June_2019_%28UK_thugs_can_fine_people_for_cursing%29

content:
<p>
In the UK, <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thugs</a> can fine people merely for 
<a href="https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/crime/facial-recognition-cameras-technology-london-trial-met-police-face-cover-man-fined-a8756936.html">cursing
at them in response to mistreatment</a>.


feed_id: 59625a009f59823fbc41419b1a551cfd
title: AT&amp;T job cuts
uri: AT-T-job-cuts
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#10_June_2019_%28ATT_job_cuts%29
content:
<p>
AT&amp;T 
<a href="https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2019/05/att-promised-7000-new-jobs-to-get-tax-break-it-cut-23000-jobs-instead/">Promised
7,000 New Jobs to Get Tax Break</a> &mdash; It Cut 23,000 Jobs
Instead.
<p>
When a business says it will give something useful afterward in
exchange for a permanent change of policy, don't believe it.  Insist
on a binding written commitment with a penalty clause that it can't
wriggle out of or defy.


feed_id: f1a864f109a6424ee59be65b8a95f7e4
title: US labor law
uri: 2019-06-10-US-labor-law
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#10_June_2019_%28US_labor_law%29
content:
<p>
How the US should change labor law to 
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2019/05/15/pro-act-pathway-power-workers">enable
unions and union workers to resist intimidation and harassment by
employers</a>.


feed_id: 8df44e4a7ba5f9c45fafb9cf23207059
title: Massachusetts State Thug Department
uri: Massachusetts-State-Thug-Department
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#10_June_2019_%28Massachusetts_State_Thug_Department%29

content:
<p>
The Massachusetts State Thug Department 
<a href="https://www.bostonglobe.com/metro/2019/05/14/state-police-destroyed-old-records-despite-year-long-probe-and-signs-fraud/cmv7ie6vkyj74GxownH3LP/story.html">destroyed
records that were essential to an investigation into its
practices</a>.


feed_id: d8c9ba6e8d105fcbaa1961e33eae6fe0
title: Million protesters march in Hong Kong
uri: Million-protesters-march-in-Hong-Kong
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#11_June_2019_%28Million_protesters_march_in_Hong_Kong%29

content:
<p>
A million protesters marched in Hong Kong 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/jun/10/hong-kong-protests-china-state-media-foreign-forces-extradition-bill">to
oppose China's extradition bill</a>.
<p>
China has been proceeding for several years to eliminate human rights
in Hong Kong, 
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2004-mar-jun.html#11%20April%202004%20(Hong%20Kong%20Election%20Law)">step
by step</a>.
<p>
The members of Hong Kong's legislature are mostly 
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2015-jan-apr.html#27_April_2015_(Elections)">appointed
rather than elected by the public</a>.  In addition, people that
defend human rights have been
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jul-oct.html#11_August_2016_(HK_legislative_candidates_banned)">barred
from running for the elected seats</a>.  I don't think mere marching
will deter them from carrying out their evil mission.  A general
strike might have a chance.


feed_id: 9e5d61d9eb409a5b2ff23bb951d57918
title: Brazil's "operation car wash"
uri: Brazil-s-operation-car-wash
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#11_June_2019_%28Brazils_opoeration_car_wash%29
content:
<p>
A whistleblower has given The Intercept 
<a href="https://theintercept.com/2019/06/09/brazil-archive-operation-car-wash/">internal
emails from Brazil's "operation car wash"</a>, whose official goal was
to prosecute corruption, proving that its participants corruptly set
out to attack the Workers Party.


feed_id: a4cda77c0a945d049700a1265bc19870
title: Urgent: Local thugs and deportation thugs
uri: Urgent-Local-thugs-and-deportation-thugs
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#11_June_2019_%28Urgent%3A_Local_thugs_and_deportation_thugs%29

content:
<p>
US citizens: call on Congress to 
<a href="https://actionnetwork.org/petitions/demand-congress-pass-the-protect-immigration-act-and-end-all-287g-ice-agreements">stop
local thugs from working for the deportation thugs</a>.
<p>
If you sign, please spread the word!


feed_id: 5058a4d2c73f85889ea0140fec2f1526
title: Gangster's personal repression agency
uri: Gangster-s-personal-repression-agency
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#11_June_2019_%28Gangsters_personal_repression_agency%29

content:
<p>
With obedient and unprincipled Barr 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2019/may/19/william-barr-donald-trump-robert-mueller-congress">in
charge of the Justice Department</a>, the gangster can use it as his
personal repression agency.
<p>
Creating an equivalence between investigating crime and committing
crime is part of the standard Republican strategy.  It enables
Republicans to deny that there is any standard of right and wrong,
other than obedience to them.


feed_id: 5a8e0eed05eceaac087ceda9e69f0825
title: Plans to pardon convicted war criminals
uri: Plans-to-pardon-convicted-war-criminals
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#11_June_2019_%28Plans_to_pardon_convicted_war_criminals%29

content:
<p>
The scoundrel 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2019/may/18/trump-pardon-us-soldiers-war-crimes-new-york-times">plans
to pardon US soldiers convicted of war crimes</a>, and others that
could be tried for war crimes.
<p>
I think such pardons would violate of the Geneva conventions that
define war crimes.  Countries at war with the US could cite this as
an excuse to commit war crimes against Americans.


feed_id: 40c5ca476c68a7dbab62a96689514c4a
title: Catering to the bully
uri: Catering-to-the-bully
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#11_June_2019_%28Catering_to_the_bully%29
content:
<p>
When the UK's general in Iraq said he saw no particular Iranian
threats in Iraq and Syria, the UK government 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2019/may/16/uk-raises-threat-level-for-british-forces-in-iraq">hastened
to contradict him</a>, claiming it did see some.
<p>
I understand this as catering to the <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#bully">bully</a>.  For shame!


feed_id: 693b5fa63f45253817fe11e4b6942610
title: Invitation to talk about abortions
uri: Invitation-to-talk-about-abortions
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#11_June_2019_%28Invitation_to_talk_about_abortions%29

content:
<p>
Women are 
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2019/05/17/speak-and-be-allies-men-asked-join-women-sharing-stories-abortion">inviting
men to talk</a> about how abortions have affected their lives.


feed_id: 055af4d5f2dff7473713aa01c8ee926b
title: The hatred that fuels banning abortion
uri: The-hatred-that-fuels-banning-abortion
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#11_June_2019_%28The_hatred_that_fuels_banning_abortion%29

content:
<p>
The hatred that fuels banning abortion does not stop there.  It spills
over to affect women whose fetuses die, even women whose babies die
after birth.  It 
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2019/05/17/gop-road-mass-lockups-women-who-have-miscarriages">treats
women as property of men</a>.
<p>
It also kills women, 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2019/may/19/abortion-ban-alabama-women-of-color-poor">especially
poor women</a>.
<p>
The US is already killing women in other countries by 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/may/17/trump-takes-war-on-abortion-worldwide-as-policy-cuts-off-funds">shifting
aid funds from real medical clinics to theocratic organizations that
oppose abortion and birth control</a>.
<p>
Romance novelists are talking about 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/books/2019/may/17/romance-novelists-abortion-alabama">rehabilitating
abortion</a>.  Their books generally regard it as unthinkable, which
has the effect of promoting a sort of natalist ideology.


feed_id: 383bd8e76331874d9a67a614cbb0dee7
title: Nuclear reactor safety
uri: Nuclear-reactor-safety
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#11_June_2019_%28Nuclear_reactor_safety%29
content:
<p>
Gregory Jaczko was head of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission in 2011
when the Fukushima meltdowns occurred.  His agency called for safety
modifications in US nuclear reactors, but the owners and manufacturers
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2019/05/17/i-oversaw-us-nuclear-power-industry-now-i-think-it-should-be-banned">blocked
them with lobbying</a>.  Now he calls for replacing nuclear reactors
with the much cheaper, and safe, renewable generation.


feed_id: 3bb2dfd718b54863c8c75bde66c3fcdf
title: Stretching meaning of terms
uri: Stretching-meaning-of-terms
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#11_June_2019_%28Stretching_meaning_of_terms%29
content:
<p>
Should we accept 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2019/may/17/ohio-state-report-reveals-team-doctor-sexually-abused-at-least-177-athletes">stretching
the terms "sexual abuse" and "molestation" to include looking without
touching</a>?
<p>
I do not accept it.


feed_id: 55959741d50cedc4e3c68e763b2388f0
title: Labels used by FBI
uri: Labels-used-by-FBI
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#11_June_2019_%28Labels_used_by_FBI%29
content:
<p>
The FBI tends to label similar acts 
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2019/06/01/theres-simple-explanation-racial-disparities-terrorism-prosecutions-racism">as
"terrorism" if committed by Muslims and as "hate crimes" when
committed by white supremacists</a>.


feed_id: f625605674106d0e1441467448a5fd60
title: The support needed by children
uri: The-support-needed-by-children
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#11_June_2019_%28The_support_needed_by_children%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/jun/05/to-thrive-american-children-need-a-stronger-safety-net">US
institutions don't try to assure children the support they need</a> to
grow up into capable adults.


feed_id: 6d83f2ff2b2dac03db50ea9f17ef3189
title: Bigots attack actors
uri: Bigots-attack-actors
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#11_June_2019_%28Bigots_attack_actors%29
content:
<p>
Bigots 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2019/jun/09/southampton-theatre-cancels-lgbt-play-performances-after-actors-attacked">attacked
actors on their way to a performance of a play about a queer
couple</a>, and the theater canceled the performance.
<p>
Canceling the performance gave the attackers a victory.  If I had been
one of those actors, I would have said, "The show must go on!"


feed_id: edcb4f3ee1a6be97d36c554b0f1bb292
title: FAA's Boeing-biased officials
uri: FAA-s-Boeing-biased-officials
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#11_June_2019_%28FAAs_Boeing-biased_officials%29
content:
<p>
Notice to FAA’s Boeing-Biased Officials: 
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2019/06/08/faas-boeing-biased-officials-recuse-yourselves-or-resign">Recuse
Yourselves or Resign</a>.


feed_id: 83ca237a7c0d2565fb56b5367c25cc96
title: Urgent: Limit emergency powers of presidency
uri: Urgent-Limit-emergency-powers-of-presidency
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#11_June_2019_%28Urgent%3A_Limit_emergency_powers_of_presidency%29

content:
<p>
US citizens: 
<a href="https://act.credoaction.com/sign/trump_saudi_arms_nea">call
on Congress</a> to amend the National Emergencies Act &mdash; to limit
the emergency powers of the presidency.
<p>
If you sign, please spread the word!


feed_id: 76842ada00917840d5910b5ba3afa176
title: US ammonia fertilizer plants
uri: US-ammonia-fertilizer-plants
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#11_June_2019_%28US_ammonia_fertilizer_plants%29
content:
<p>
Actual measurement shows the US ammonia fertilizer plants are 
<a href="https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2019-06/cu-fpe060619.php">leaking
100 times as much methane as the owners claimed</a>.
<p>
This is 3 times what the EPA estimates for <em>all</em> US
manufacturing.  The real total could be many times that.
<p>
This is 
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2019/06/07/study-shows-methane-emissions-vastly-underestimated-warnings-us-fracked-gas-export">contributing
heavily to global heating</a>.  It shows we must reject "natural gas".


feed_id: 72192bc876cc3976887f397ebe91ef6c
title: Arms sales to Salafi Arabia
uri: 2019-06-12-Arms-sales-to-Salafi-Arabia
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#12_June_2019_%28Arms_sales_to_Salafi_Arabia%29
content:
<p>
French
journalists <a href="https://theintercept.com/2019/05/17/france-takes-unprecedented-action-against-reporters-who-published-secret-government-document/">face
prosecution</a> for publishing secret information about sales of arms
to <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#salafi">Salafi Arabia</a> for its attack on Yemen.
<p>
Macron is as much the enemy of democracy in France as Obama and the
conman <a href="https://gnu.org/philosophy/surveillance-vs-democracy.html">have
been in the US</a>.


feed_id: f21dcacdb0eb27f57974e84d527f12ad
title: Vaccination laws
uri: Vaccination-laws
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#12_June_2019_%28Vaccination_laws%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://reason.com/2019/05/19/meet-the-teens-who-want-to-get-vaccinated-against-their-parents-wishes/">Bizarre
laws</a> stop teenagers in the US from getting themselves vaccinated
for measles or anything else.


feed_id: 09eccc2a2ecb68ff351f14469bdc62a8
title: Sniper thugs in Brazil
uri: Sniper-thugs-in-Brazil
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#12_June_2019_%28Sniper_thugs_in_Brazil%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">Thugs</a> in Rio de Janeiro are choosing to kill people rather than arrest
them.
Snipers <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/may/17/free-rein-rio-residents-police-violence-far-right-rule">shoot
and kill residents</a> who seem to have been chosen arbitrarily.


feed_id: 77cc35d078e72ace8ad97023f608ac1e
title: Khashoggi murder
uri: 2019-06-12-Khashoggi-murder
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#12_June_2019_%28Khashoggi_murder%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/may/17/jamal-khashoggi-fiancee-the-world-still-has-not-done-anything">Jamal
Khashoggi's fiancée notes</a> that the world has not held Salafi
Arabia responsible for murdering him.
<p>
To a large extent that is the conman's fault.


feed_id: e6773749503c4a83b6e5793f1f4353ad
title: Cloud Peak Energy
uri: Cloud-Peak-Energy
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#12_June_2019_%28Cloud_Peak_Energy%29
content:
<p>
The bankruptcy of a coal company, Cloud Peak
Energy, <a href="https://theintercept.com/2019/05/16/coal-industry-climate-change-denial-cloud-peak-energy/">revealed
that it was funding</a> global heating denialist organizations and
plutocratist lobbying campaigns.
<p>
The company also falsely claimed it did not do this.


feed_id: 2cf0fa5b453c40d2d4c8f4816a4a6016
title: Independent contractors
uri: Independent-contractors
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#12_June_2019_%28Independent_contractors%29
content:
<p>
Big companies
are <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/may/16/racial-justice-corporations">buying
state laws</a> to classify certain kinds of workers as independent
contractors rather than employees.
<p>
I think it is a confusion to associate this issue with racism, because
those are two separate issues, and the easiest way to understand them
is separately.  Laws to squash the poor are unjust no matter what
demographic groups they belong to.


feed_id: 09a461f58896e539fdb33622ef054065
title: Rewriting Chinese history
uri: Rewriting-Chinese-history
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#12_June_2019_%28Rewriting_Chinese_history%29
content:
<p>
Chinese totalitarianism
includes <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/may/19/china-wants-us-to-forget-the-horrors-of-tiananmen-as-it-rewrites-its-history">rewriting
history</a>, even that of thousands of years ago, as well as of the
last few decades.
<p>
One point I disagree with: I don't think the Xia dynasty was mythical.
When I studied Chinese history in 1970, I was told that the Shang
dynasty was mythical; my teachers did not know about the discovery at
Anyang of the last Shang capital, and writings that documented the
reigns of late Shang kings.
<p>
Earlier Shang capitals have not been identified, but surely they
existed.  I expect the Xia dynasty existed too, even though we have no
archaeological material yet that we can connect with it.  Trying to
find some is a rational and useful project.
<p>
But is it any use to look for them under President Xi's
history-distorting rule?  If people report finding traces of the Xia
dynasty, should we believe them?


feed_id: fa8e6cb1bf72546a7b8c05ce6bd6e937
title: Climate refugee forecast
uri: Climate-refugee-forecast
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#12_June_2019_%28Climate_refugee_forecast%29
content:
<p>
The forecast for <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#global heating">global heating</a> disaster is at least 2 billion climate
refugees by the end of this century.
<p>
I think it will be more, because scientists keep discovering more
positive-feedback loops that will make things worse than was previously
predicted.  The refugees may well end up dead.
<p>
The disaster that happens in this century will be just the start.
After 2100, things will keep getting
worse <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/may/18/climate-crisis-heat-is-on-global-heating-four-degrees-2100-change-way-we-live">for
thousands of years</a>.
<p>
Supporting a baby will get harder and harder as <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#global heating">global heating</a> and
resource exhaustion bite.  We must emphasize the importance of
reducing human reproduction.
<p>
If you want to take risks with your own life, or about how you will
live, you are entitled to.  But don't make a baby if it will have to
share such risks with you.  More children growing up stunted by
precarity do not give the world hope &mdash; they pull it down.
<p>
If you are not in a situation where you can be reasonably confident
you can support a baby, you should not make one.  Use birth control,
and if it does not work, have an abortion.


feed_id: 2fb4db43d511b9c6fd932b3a6dfc5b14
title: Hungarian government on Facebook
uri: Hungarian-government-on-Facebook
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#12_June_2019_%28Hungarian_government_on_Facebook%29
content:
<p>
Hungary's right-wing repressive
government <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/may/18/hungary-crucible-facebook-attempt-banish-fake-news">posts
lies on Facebook</a>, then complains when it deletes any of them.


feed_id: 1524b7048622382feb232016ceff34b8
title: Far right rape jokes
uri: Far-right-rape-jokes
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#12_June_2019_%28Far_right_rape_jokes%29
content:
<p>
"When the far right crack rape jokes, it's part of
a <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/may/18/when-the-far-right-crack-rape-jokes-part-of-a-systemic-bid-to-demean">systemic
bid to demean</a>."
<p>
When they say, "I wouldn't bother to rape you", they are confessing
that they would rape someone else.  You can denounce them as would-be
rapists.


feed_id: d5715109987652eacb11463db467a88a
title: Declining sex rates
uri: Declining-sex-rates
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#12_June_2019_%28Declining_sex_rates%29
content:
<p>
Many demographic categories report having sex less now than in the
past.  It might be due to
the <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2019/may/18/truth-about-sex-we-are-not-getting-enough">general
stress and anxiety</a> of life in the advanced countries.
<p>
I suspect it is also due to the lack of any generally accepted way for
men to express romantic or sexual interest in women.  By "generally
accepted", I mean that he can count on a woman who declines his
interest not to revile him for expressing it that way.


feed_id: 9849ba5fe75b51d8410d94151d0ab146
title: Conman impeachment
uri: Conman-impeachment
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#12_June_2019_%28Conman_impeachment%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://reason.com/2019/05/18/rep-justin-amash-says-trump-has-engaged-in-impeachable-conduct/">One
Republican congresscritter</a> says that the conman qualifies for
impeachment.
<p>
If other Republicans were loyal to their country, and to democracy,
they would reach similar conclusions.


feed_id: c2960afd2bf232abbd5b919baf0e525c
title: Prohibition on going to help Syrian Kurds
uri: Prohibition-on-going-to-help-Syrian-Kurds
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#13_June_2019_%28Prohibition_on_going_to_help_Syrian_Kurds%29

content:
<p>
The UK will 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2019/may/20/british-nationals-to-be-banned-from-parts-of-syria-under-new-law">imprison
people that go to help the Syrian Kurds</a>.
<p>
This prohibition applies also to the rebels in Idlib.  They are
Islamists, but not a threat to anyone now.


feed_id: e5112ab933f3527406c0c59bcea378c7
title: Exxon
uri: 2019-06-13-Exxon
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#13_June_2019_%28Exxon%29
content:
<p>
Exxon's scientists, in 1982, 
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2019/05/19/are-exxonmobil-execs-most-evil-people-200k-year-history-humanity">predicted
the Earth's current CO<sub>2</sub> level</a> with fair accuracy, and
anticipated some (but not all) of the disastrous effects that are
already starting.  The author compares the executives of ExxonMobil to
fictional characters that destroyed planets.
<p>
The US Constitution prohibits ex-post-facto laws, correctly so.  There
is no way to retroactively criminalize what those executives did.
<p>
However, it may be possible for a wealth tax to impose a higher tax
rate on wealth derived from fossil fuels.


feed_id: 7d9799a79e521301c234d67ec4cd4106
title: Crackers steal US border thug data base
uri: Crackers-steal-US-border-thug-data-base
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#13_June_2019_%28Crackers_steal_US_border_thug_data_base%29

content:
<p>
Crackers stole the 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/jun/10/malicious-cyber-attack-exposes-travelers-photos-says-us-customs-agency">data
base of the people crossing the US border</a>, straight from the US
border <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thugs</a>.


feed_id: 6777074f42b28a8156ccae1aea8c4caf
title: Authoritarian European countries
uri: Authoritarian-European-countries
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#13_June_2019_%28Authoritarian_European_countries%29
content:
<p>
Several authoritarian European countries are following Orban's example
and 
<a href="https://euobserver.com/opinion/145063">taking effective
control of the major media</a>.


feed_id: 92fcccbaa23171fd6ab901857e144bb2
title: Law "against fake news"
uri: Law-against-fake-news
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#13_June_2019_%28Law_against_fake_news%29
content:
<p>
Singapore's law "against fake news" also 
<a href="https://www.techdirt.com/articles/20190603/18492642323/singapores-fake-news-law-is-also-internet-surveillance-law.shtml">requires
web sites to identify their visitors, and communication services to
break encryption</a>.


feed_id: e2a10e16ed8cbae79b93fade2cff5cb8
title: Insufficient competition in making drugs
uri: Insufficient-competition-in-making-drugs
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#13_June_2019_%28Insufficient_competition_in_making_drugs%29

content:
<p>
Questcor raised the price of an old drug from $40 to almost $40,000,
and is accused of bribing doctors to prescribe it at that price.
Mallinckrodt, which bought Questcor, now brings in a billion dollars a
year from that drug.
<p>
Mallinckrodt expects to pay $15 million &mdash; 
<a href="https://gizmodo.com/drug-company-to-pay-just-15-4-million-over-doctor-brib-1835274587">5
days' sales</a> &mdash; to get off the hook for that accusation.
<p>
It is too easy for the individuals involved to avoid prosecution and
punishment.  But the root of this problem is that there is too much
concentration, and insufficient competition, in making generic drugs
for the US.
<p>
I suspect this has to do with the 
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#4_June_2019_(Imported_drugs)">offshoring
of most of that production</a>.


feed_id: d7e93809386dc3b995e7713f4c79b81a
title: Mining the ocean floor
uri: Mining-the-ocean-floor
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#13_June_2019_%28Mining_the_ocean_floor%29
content:
<p>
Mining metal nodules from the ocean floor 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/may/20/scientists-fear-impact-of-deep-sea-mining-on-search-for-new-medicines">can
cause ecological damage</a>, and it can take a long time to recover.
Scientists don't yet know enough to determine how to do it safely, but
companies are rushing to start.


feed_id: 52f6176b46517cc13e77595e83a55b1a
title: Destruction of civilization
uri: Destruction-of-civilization
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#13_June_2019_%28Destruction_of_civilization%29
content:
<p>
Turkey and Cyprus are disputing which country will have the right to
help destroy civilization by 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/may/20/turkey-insists-on-right-to-drill-for-energy-reserves-off-cyprus">drilling
for oil in the sea near both countries</a>.
<p>
The only answer that is acceptable for civilization's future is, 
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2018-sep-dec.html#22_September_2018_(Melting_permafrost)">"Nobody!"</a>


feed_id: 7c818424f05de330f952a4aa029cbd36
title: Urgent: Ban Conflicted Trading Act
uri: Urgent-Ban-Conflicted-Trading-Act
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#14_June_2019_%28Urgent%3A_Ban_Conflicted_Trading_Act%29

content:
<p>
US
citizens: <a href="https://act.credoaction.com/sign/ban-congressional-stock-trading_pa">call
on Congress</a> to pass the Ban Conflicted Trading Act, to limit
corruption opportunities for Congresscritters.
</p>
<p>If you sign, please spread the word!</p>


feed_id: 7743144873eacb7799c6e164286b93e8
title: Urgent: Immigrant families
uri: Urgent-Immigrant-families
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#14_June_2019_%28Urgent%3A_Immigrant_families%29
content:
<p>
US
citizens: <a href="https://www.paction.us/family_separation/courage">call
on Congress</a> to end separation of immigrant families.
</p>
<p>If you sign, please spread the word!</p>


feed_id: 9b550139f1d8bc70fcf01a8c0f0c08f5
title: Characters for products
uri: Characters-for-products
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#14_June_2019_%28Characters_for_products%29
content:
<p>
Thousands of people are fascinated
by <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/may/21/bella-hadid-lil-miquela-terrifying-glimpse-calvin-klein">fictitious
characters</a> that exist specifically to manipulate them to buy
particular products.
<p>
The fictitious characters in movies are also used to manipulate
audiences to buy particular products.  Companies pay for their
products to be shown in the movies &mdash; this is called "product
placement".
<p>
At least movies are not made solely to show products.  They typically
try to present something else of interest.  Perhaps the fictitious
"influencers" represent an evolution in the direction of pure and
simple manipulation &mdash; in how to lead people to crave the anxiety
of being commercially manipulated.


feed_id: 7b1464b3cc92b13ce1ddb0e900b3474b
title: Regime in Hungary
uri: Regime-in-Hungary
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#14_June_2019_%28Regime_in_Hungary%29
content:
<p>
The Council of
Europe <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/may/21/hungary-accused-of-fuelling-xenophobia-human-rights-violations">rebuked
Orbán's repressive regime</a> for violating human rights.
<p>
Orbán makes elections just unfair enough that there is no practical
possibility of removing him from power &mdash; much like US
Republicans.
<p>
The European Union is quite capable of trampling
freedom <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#28_March_2019_(Copyright_Directive)">for
the sake of rich companies</a>
but is almost powerless against member country governments
that disrespect human rights or democracy.


feed_id: efdb45c6670c0a2c1756ce9d578f032a
title: Megacorp campaign funding
uri: Megacorp-campaign-funding
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#14_June_2019_%28Megacorp_campaign_funding%29
content:
<p>
Megacorporations AT&amp;T, Walmart, Pfizer, Eli Lilly, Coca-Cola, and Aetna
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2019/05/20/despite-inclusive-rhetoric-corporations-back-extremist-state-legislators-waging-war">funded
the campaigns</a> of state legislators that recently voted to ban
abortion.


feed_id: 932e1a73b41390ad751a91d0bb5df19f
title: BP headquarters
uri: BP-headquarters
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#14_June_2019_%28BP_headquarters%29
content:
<p>
Greenpeace activists
have <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2019/05/20/because-bp-fueling-climate-emergency-greenpeace-blockades-london-hq-massive-metal">shut
down BP's headquarters</a> in London, calling for the company to stop
looking for new fossil fuel deposits and drilling new wells.
<p>
This policy must be applied world-wide.


feed_id: ed151745ea29c78947c08c3c7bff3130
title: Sending receipts to Google
uri: Sending-receipts-to-Google
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#14_June_2019_%28Sending_receipts_to_Google%29
content:
<p>
Another piece of Google's surveillance capitalism: when stores mail
receipts to a gmail.com account, Google figures out
and <a href="https://www.cnbc.com/2019/05/17/google-gmail-tracks-purchase-history-how-to-delete-it.html">records
who bought what</a>.
<p>
I think that the store itself should not get this information,
which is why I always pay cash and never give my name.


feed_id: 2dfd1c140e73c07f80d15d633f238c0d
title: Exporting wealth
uri: Exporting-wealth
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#14_June_2019_%28Exporting_wealth%29
content:
<p>
Poor countries remain poor because multinational
companies <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2019/05/19/983-ghanas-gold-remains-hands-multinational-corporations">export
their wealth</a>.
<p>
I think we need to exclude predatory "investments" from the
requirement to fully compensate owners when some activity is
nationalized.  The motive for respecting that requirement is to avoid
discouraging future investment &mdash; but there are some kinds of
"investment" that we need to discourage: those that are predatory.
Investment in privatization is one example; that is predatory in
general.


feed_id: e37112602be1158e3b52d9f441d32a0e
title: Extradition to Turkey
uri: Extradition-to-Turkey
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#14_June_2019_%28Extradition_to_Turkey%29
content:
<p>
Turkey continually tries to extradite people from the UK for political
crimes, and the UK
government <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/law/2019/may/20/british-barrister-facing-extradition-to-turkey-over-tweets">keeps
approving these demands</a>.
<p>
The requests ultimately fail in the UK courts, but the UK government
should not help foreign repression get that far.


feed_id: 381f0d31dc119cd465e2c9dc5b5394e6
title: Air pollution and heat waves
uri: Air-pollution-and-heat-waves
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#14_June_2019_%28Air_pollution_and_heat_waves%29
content:
<p>
Reducing toxic air pollution
will <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/may/20/tackling-air-pollution-heatwaves-longer-more-likely-study">increase
deadly heat waves</a>, unless we curb greenhouse gas emissions too.


feed_id: 420f08b89ab8f64bf6706c81c51e110f
title: Sanders on Nicaragua
uri: Sanders-on-Nicaragua
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#14_June_2019_%28Sanders_on_Nicaragua%29
content:
<p>
Sanders <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2019/05/20/despite-anti-american-baiting-nyt-sanders-makes-no-apologies-opposing-reagan-backed">refused
to be intimidated</a> when a New York Times reporter tried to shame
him for opposing Reagan's campaign to overthrow the government of
Nicaragua in the 1980s.
<p>
Many readers may not know what Sanders was opposing, so I will
summarize it.
<p>
The US Congress prohibited Reagan from spending money on overthrowing
the government of Nicaragua, so he sold arms as ransom to
Iran-supported kidnapers who had taken hostages in Lebanon.  Then he
used the proceeds to fund mercenaries to run a campaign of violence
and sabotage in Niaragua.
<p>
The Times reporter contended that if the US commits a grave crime and
the victims respond by hating the US, Americans are morally obligated
to consider that as excusing or justifying the crime.  Nonsense!  Our
duty as patriotic Americans is to make our country do what is right.
That is what Sanders tried to do. 
<p>
As for the people who criticize him for not remaining perfectly calm
in the face of that dishonest attack, they should stop demanding a
superhuman.


feed_id: 0c6833cfbdc85034aba058a53b86e60f
title: Democracy in Venezuela
uri: 2019-06-14-Democracy-in-Venezuela
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#14_June_2019_%28Democracy_in_Venezuela%29
content:
<p>
The US
media <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2019/05/12/distorting-democracy-venezuela-coverage">take
a one-sided stance</a> in order to call Guaidó the leader of a
"democracy movement" in Venezuela.
<p>
Set against these valid points, I have to point out a couple of things
that tarnish Maduro's own democratic credentials.
<p>
He arranged to strip the national legislature of its powers once the
opposition won control of it.  He did this by creating another body
and giving it power
to <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#22_August_2017_(Venezuela_Maduro_parliament)">override
the legislature at will</a>.  One could argue that Venezuela's
constitution is no longer being observed.
<p>
Maduro has also had opposition candidates barred arbitrarily from
running,
and <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#12_August_2018_(Arrest_of_Venezuelan_opposition_leaders)">arrested
some of them</a>.
<p>
This doesn't make Guaidó worthy of support, but it shows that Maduro
isn't either.


feed_id: f665b879311e0269a9ea0ea7ae330923
title: George Washington murals
uri: George-Washington-murals
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#14_June_2019_%28George_Washington_murals%29
content:
<p>
Murals in George Washington High School in San Francisco depict
Washington's participation in war with indigenous Americans and in
holding slaves.  Some
students <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2019/may/20/san-francisco-high-school-mural-removal">demand
these murals be taken down</a> because they feel oppressed by them.
<p>
Those murals were intended to depict wrongs, to show the aspects of
Washington's life we nowadays disapprove of.  Showing them helps teach
people to judge the moral issues depicted.  Covering them up would
encourage people to forget those acts, and that would weaken society's
resolve not to repeat them.


feed_id: 151361da2babf8187578e2f7b403a75e
title: White House lawyers
uri: White-House-lawyers
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#14_June_2019_%28White_House_lawyers%29
content:
<p>
The conman's official White House lawyers appear to be helping him
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2019/may/20/donald-trump-lawyers-william-barr-justice">subvert
the US legal system</a>, in counter to their responsibility as
lawyers.


feed_id: 838ea7283f6978f8e1796c7d373c91b7
title: Oil company "donations"
uri: Oil-company-donations
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#14_June_2019_%28Oil_company_donations%29
content:
<p>
Oil company Mobil "donated" to universities and civic groups to 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/business/2019/jun/12/mobil-tax-exempt-donations-promote-interests-environmental-regulation-documents">buy
influence against regulation to protect society from toxic
pollution</a>.
<p>
This included 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/business/2019/jun/12/mobil-foundation-donations-oil-company">supporting
experts who would downplay the effects of toxic pollution</a>.


feed_id: 237f16b907a70863e8281bf8581fe27e
title: Urgent: Debt relief for Puerto Rico
uri: Urgent-Debt-relief-for-Puerto-Rico
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#14_June_2019_%28Urgent%3A_Debt_relief_for_Puerto_Rico%29

content:
<p>
US citizens: 
<a href="https://act.credoaction.com/sign/debt-relief-puerto-rico-2019">call
on Congress</a> to pass debt relief for Puerto Rico.
<p>
If you sign, please spread the word!


feed_id: d99231ff8e5846a37b224eed5ad84980
title: Criminal charge for rescuing refugees
uri: Criminal-charge-for-rescuing-refugees
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#14_June_2019_%28Criminal_charge_for_rescuing_refugees%29

content:
<p>
Rescue ship captain Pia Klemp will have to spend years fighting
criminal charges in Italy for rescuing drowning refugees.  If she
loses, she 
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2019/06/11/sea-rescues-have-been-criminalized-german-boat-captain-faces-20-years-prison-saving">would
be sent to prison for 20 years</a>.


feed_id: 3fa7bcc3e6a5e79b9b7ebbec14de7f28
title: The conman's tax returns
uri: The-conman-s-tax-returns
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#14_June_2019_%28The_conmans_tax_returns%29
content:
<p>
IRS lawyers say that Mnuchin has 
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2019/05/22/no-amount-legal-advice-will-stop-lawlessness-and-lies-leaked-irs-memo-says-mnuchin">no
legal grounds for refusing</a> to give Congress the conman's tax
returns.


feed_id: 9ed14b9e41f8ad8f1ad1729eaf45a200
title: Water supply for Tripoli shut off
uri: Water-supply-for-Tripoli-shut-off
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#14_June_2019_%28Water_supply_for_Tripoli_shut_off%29

content:
<p>
Haftar's supporters captured a water system control room and 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/may/21/millions-without-water-libya-armed-group-cuts-off-supply">shut
off the water supply</a> for Tripoli.


feed_id: 4cf0eedc9439e60f2910a0226067b188
title: Nazis in government of Estonia
uri: Nazis-in-government-of-Estonia
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#14_June_2019_%28Nazis_in_government_of_Estonia%29
content:
<p>
Nazis have got into the government of Estonia, and they are already 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/may/21/racism-sexism-nazi-economics-estonia-far-right-in-power-ekre">trying
to intimidate journalists with threats</a>.


feed_id: 49c767196190a2d8dcc4a100756e4182
title: Modi's sectarian politics
uri: Modi-s-sectarian-politics
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#14_June_2019_%28Modis_sectarian_politics%29
content:
<p>
"If the Indian prime minister [Modi] is returned to office, his
sectarian politics 
<a href='https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/may/21/five-more-years-narendra-modi-india-dark-place'>will
make bigotry the defining ideal of the republic</a>."


feed_id: f89bd36718c93d7ebefc2ccc491de939
title: Importance of outdoor physical games
uri: Importance-of-outdoor-physical-games
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#14_June_2019_%28Importance_of_outdoor_physical_games%29

content:
<p>
Children that don't play physical games outdoors lose a lot in 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/cities/2019/may/21/how-can-we-get-our-children-playing-outside-again">motor
skills and social skills</a>.


feed_id: e2e4243c89199b0b9d5330b4c1c92d11
title: Urgent: Corporate Transparency Act
uri: Urgent-Corporate-Transparency-Act
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#16_June_2019_%28Urgent%3A_Corporate_Transparency_Act%29

content:
<p>
US citizens:
<a href="https://act.credoaction.com/sign/corporate-transparency-act-2019">call
on the House of Representatives</a> to restrict use of corporations
whose owners are anonymous, to stop tax-dodging and other crimes.
<p>
If you sign, please spread the word!


feed_id: 92777ae49e495b423a8644506a09c1b2
title: Urgent: Climate debate
uri: 2019-06-16-Urgent-Climate-debate
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#16_June_2019_%28Urgent%3A_Climate_debate%29
content:
<p>
US citizens:
<a href="https://act.credoaction.com/sign/DNC-climate-debate">call on
the members of the DNC</a> to insist on a climate debate.
<p>
If you sign, please spread the word!


feed_id: ada623084f5b358adcea0ff1a119f964
title: Urgent: Fire thugs
uri: 2019-06-16-Urgent-Fire-thugs
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#16_June_2019_%28Urgent%3A_Fire_thugs%29
content:
<p>
US citizens:
<a href="https://act.credoaction.com/sign/justicefor-ericgarner-delrawnsmall">call
on Mayor de Blasio</a> to fire the thugs that killed Eric Garner and
Delrawn Small.
<p>
If you sign, please spread the word!


feed_id: b14544dc0322f639ae293c4a496cb996
title: Purdue Pharma lobbying
uri: Purdue-Pharma-lobbying
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#16_June_2019_%28Purdue_Pharma_lobbying%29
content:
<p>
Two congresspeople accuse the World Health Organization of having been
<a href="https://www.bostonglobe.com/metro/2019/05/22/mass-lawmaker-claims-purdue-pharma-has-corrupted-world-health-organization/VG5g30qrvl711cPmvaNelJ/story.html">corrupted
by Purdue Pharma lobbying</a>.


feed_id: b82eff2f4fe27629164f765359ea3867
title: Lockdown drill nightmares
uri: Lockdown-drill-nightmares
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#16_June_2019_%28Lockdown_drill_nightmares%29
content:
<p>
American
children <a href="https://www.bostonglobe.com/metro/2019/05/22/age-school-lockdown-drills-children-are-playing-new-version-cops-and-robbers-call-active-shooter/9yh4cWJkgPi9PRjEIkg31J/story.html">now
have nightmares</a> about lockdown drills in school.
<p>
At most hundreds of children get shot in school in a year, but this
is traumatizing tens of millions of children.
<p>
I fear it will also distort their politics when they grow up, making
them more susceptible to politicians that invite them to surrender
their freedom for "security" against the nightmares that no level of
"security" could possibly prevent.


feed_id: fcaf19f5de1c104ec916eb0314cf5c66
title: Policies for sale
uri: Policies-for-sale
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#16_June_2019_%28Policies_for_sale%29
content:
<p>
The Democrat presidential candidates, other than Sanders and Warren,
are eagerly asking rich
people <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2019/05/22/2020-democrats-cozy-wall-street-donors-warren-and-sanders-refuse-play-big-money-game">to
buy policies</a> that will suit them.
<p>
The article gives specifics about Biden, Buttigieg, Harris, and
Klobuchar, but they are not the only ones who do this.
The effects of this can be seen in the not-very-progressive positions
those candidates take.
<p>
That, in turn, is the reason I will never vote for them.


feed_id: b1ee8ec11edd01f89664a6e87867b439
title: Solitary confinement
uri: 2019-06-16-Solitary-confinement
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#16_June_2019_%28Solitary_confinement%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2019/05/22/criminal-whistleblower-reports-thousands-gay-trans-and-disabled-immigrants-have-been">A
whistleblower reports</a> that the US deportation thugs put prisoners
in solitary confinement for their sexual orientation, or for their
gender identity, even for needing a cane to walk.
<p>
"Solitary confinement was being used as the first resort, not the last
resort" &mdash; since 2014.  I suppose the <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thugs</a> have become even more
cruel since the <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#bully">bully</a> began encouraging cruelty towards refugees.


feed_id: 3044de840c81a399a536fed97eca77d0
title: ISP lobbyists
uri: 2019-06-16-ISP-lobbyists
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#16_June_2019_%28ISP_lobbyists%29
content:
<p>
Plutocratist Democrats in Congress are working against network
neutrality
by <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2019/05/22/telecom-friendly-house-democrats-are-pushing-letter-undermine-net-neutrality">amplifying
the voice</a> of ISP lobbyists.


feed_id: e13bac20dbf57389cc62aec6cf47b881
title: Protesters in Gaza
uri: 2019-06-16-Protesters-in-Gaza
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#16_June_2019_%28Protesters_in_Gaza%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2019/05/22/foreign-aid-costs-arm-and-leg-literally">1700
people in Gaza</a>, protesters wounded at long distance by Israeli
snipers, face amputation of their arms or legs because the siege of
Gaza makes it impossible to operate to save their limbs.


feed_id: e7b6b08d84d362af47a7ad8054f6a6a2
title: US foreign policy
uri: 2019-06-16-US-foreign-policy
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#16_June_2019_%28US_foreign_policy%29
content:
<p>
Proposing to base US foreign policy on the
principle, <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2019/05/22/us-foreign-policy-three-simple-words-do-no-harm">"Do
no harm"</a>.
<p>
I have to disagree with one minor point.  North Korea has made a big
fuss about testing a new missile, but it seems to be fairly short range
and not meant for nuclear weapons.  I see that as a gesture rather than
a significant action.  Dictator Kim and would-be Dictator Trump
seem to have a similar approach to diplomacy.


feed_id: 6cf6499ccebf46187a348c654651cd30
title: Charges against Assange
uri: Charges-against-Assange
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#16_June_2019_%28Charges_against_Assange%29
content:
<p>
The
US <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/media/2019/may/23/wikileaks-founder-julian-assange-with-violating-the-espionage-act-in-18-count-indictment">has
charged Assange</a> with the crime of inciting others to reveal
government crimes.
<p>
This is a direct attack on freedom of the press.


feed_id: 00976cb2bb75c606e6a7f7efb532c5c1
title: Raqqa in ruins
uri: Raqqa-in-ruins
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#16_June_2019_%28Raqqa_in_ruins%29
content:
<p>
Amnesty International visited Raqqa and reports
that <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/may/23/raqqa-ruins-bombing">80%
of the city is ruined</a> &mdash; buildings reduced to rubble.  It
identified 1000 of the estimated 1600 civilians killed by air attacks.
The US, UK and France continue to deny the visible facts.
<p>
I doubt there was any option for defeating <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#pissi">PISSI</a> that would have
perfectly avoided harming their human shields.  So I would not demand
perfection.  But there is no excuse for cover-ups.


feed_id: 100f7c3facb8e77d98636818225cd547
title: Livestock farm subsidies
uri: Livestock-farm-subsidies
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#16_June_2019_%28Livestock_farm_subsidies%29
content:
<p>
EU <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/may/22/eu-ignoring-climate-crisis-with-livestock-farm-subsidies-campaigners-warn">Ignoring
Climate Crisis</a> with Livestock Farm Subsidies.


feed_id: 255ba1bfdcbd3af37e0328551bd27106
title: Colony named after conman
uri: Colony-named-after-conman
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#16_June_2019_%28Colony_named_after_conman%29
content:
<p>
Netanyahu said he
will <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/may/22/israel-plans-name-golan-heights-settlement-occupied-land-trump">name
a new colony</a> in conquered territory after the conman.
<p>
It seems he has decided to bet that the right wing will hold its grip
over the US, because he is telling most American Jews that he supports
US Nazis.


feed_id: f64b178e6e6bf4f6bb2b5d0388ba8101
title: Unreliable annuities
uri: Unreliable-annuities
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#16_June_2019_%28Unreliable_annuities%29
content:
<p>
Democrat congresscritters
have <a href="https://theintercept.com/2019/05/22/secure-act-retirement-accounts/">made
a deal with the cheater</a> to enable companies to offer their workers
unreliable annuities for their retirement funds.


feed_id: c2376658ae80210a5569b6c91728a5c5
title: Charged for offering humanitarian aid
uri: Charged-for-offering-humanitarian-aid
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#17_June_2019_%28Charged_for_offering_humanitarian_aid%29

content:
<p>
Hundreds of people in Europe have faced charges for offering
humanitarian aid to unauthorized migrants or immigrants.  Right-wing
extremist politicians 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/jun/15/are-only-kinds-of-people-deemed-worthy-of-our-compassion">dehumanise
them and consider them unworthy of compassion</a>.


feed_id: 0f7fc508e6707aa89d7da682a5dbdb7d
title: Surveillance cameras vs security cameras
uri: Surveillance-cameras-vs-security-cameras
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#17_June_2019_%28Surveillance_cameras_vs_security_cameras%29

content:
<p>
This $3.2 Billion Industry (AI video analysis) Could Turn Millions of
Surveillance Cameras Into an 
<a href="https://www.aclu.org/blog/privacy-technology/surveillance-technologies/32-billion-industry-could-turn-millions">Army
of Robot Security Guards</a>.
<p>
This reinforces my previous conclusion that we should forbid the
installation of surveillance cameras &mdash; cameras that send a video
feed somewhere else &mdash; and 
<a href="https://gnu.org/philosophy/surveillance-vs-democracy.html">allow
only <b>security cameras</b></a> that keep the recording locally,
erase it after a reasonable time (two weeks, a month) and require
physical access to look at it.


feed_id: 4c4c4f3bf221291401b4bc3e975e86bd
title: Global heating a food production
uri: Global-heating-a-food-production
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#17_June_2019_%28Global_heating_a_food_production%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#global heating">Global heating</a> will cut food production in Africa through 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/science/2019/jun/14/africa-global-heating-more-droughts-and-flooding-threat">floods
and droughts</a>.
<p>
Africa needs to reduce its birth rate.


feed_id: 3ecd6a8407d7229b1cea86d6642f756a
title: Urgent: Reparations for slavery
uri: Urgent-Reparations-for-slavery
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#17_June_2019_%28Urgent%3A_Reparations_for_slavery%29

content:
<p>
US citizens: 
<a href="https://action.aclu.org/send-message/reparations-slavery-now">call
for paying reparations</a> for slavery.


feed_id: 1f0964d3c5267959871f903afe68da49
title: Urgent: Just and Reasonable Communications Act
uri: Urgent-Just-and-Reasonable-Communications-Act
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#17_June_2019_%28Urgent%3A_Just_and_Reasonable_Communications_Act%29

content:
<p>
US citizens: call on Congress to 
<a href="https://act.freepress.net/sign/justice_prisonphone_senatebill">pass
the Just and Reasonable Communications Act</a>, so that prison phone
companies cannot gouge prisoners and their families.
<p>
If you sign, please spread the word!


feed_id: 9b5261870e7a63c37e8d070e3d62ce24
title: Supporting freedom for Chinese people
uri: Supporting-freedom-for-Chinese-people
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#17_June_2019_%28Supporting_freedom_for_Chinese_people%29

content:
<p>
How can the US effectively support freedom for Chinese people?
"Rhetoric about being 'tough' on China doesn’t always seem to equate
with 
<a href='https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/commentisfree/2019/jun/15/the-us-must-stand-with-the-people-of-hong-kong'>actually
standing with the people of China</a>."


feed_id: 2d639b66d7fd9e916e2e79320404fed9
title: Fabricated charges against Golunov
uri: Fabricated-charges-against-Golunov
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#17_June_2019_%28Fabricated_charges_against_Golunov%29

content:
<p>
The fabricated charges against Golunov were dropped, but there are 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/jun/15/accused-the-russians-facing-politically-motivated-charges">many
others</a> in Russia that have been framed on putined-up charges for
political reasons.


feed_id: 15b512cc0c55c99e1a5446098e7c1135
title: Long-term need vs short-term pressure
uri: Long-term-need-vs-short-term-pressure
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#17_June_2019_%28Long-term_need_vs_short-term_pressure%29

content:
<p>
"In decades to come we must rethink our agriculture, 
<a href='https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/jun/15/transform-lives-burning-planet-agriculture-consumption'>our
love of consumption and our short-termist priorities</a>."
<p>
Oddly enough, that's the same problem I find in fighting against
nonfree software and internet dis-services.  Some people understand
that in the long term they kill democracy and human rights.  The
challenge is inspiring them to put that long-term need over short-term
pressure.


feed_id: f89aa0e45c0f8833e367ebeb89dfbc54
title: Commercial genetic tests
uri: Commercial-genetic-tests
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#17_June_2019_%28Commercial_genetic_tests%29
content:
<p>
"When you take a commercial genetic test, you 
<a href='https://boingboing.net/2019/06/12/whats-yours-is-mine.html'>opt
your whole family into warrantless state genetic surveillance</a>."
<p>
Government agents should have to get a warrant before they can 
<a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2019/06/11/opinion/police-dna-warrant.html">match
DNA samples against your relatives' uploaded DNA</a> in order to find
you.  And the warrants should be allowed only for serious crimes.
<p>
This may not be enough.  Democracy depends on whistleblowers, and
identifying people through their relatives' DNA means that
whistleblowers need to avoid leaving a DNA sample.
<p>
I conclude that, for the sake of holding back tyranny, it is your duty
not to upload your own DNA.


feed_id: 41b8236f8cff9f862cf02d745bc07a00
title: Business-supremacy treaties
uri: 2019-06-17-Business-supremacy-treaties
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#17_June_2019_%28Business-supremacy_treaties%29
content:
<p>
Tweaking NAFTA and other <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#business-supremacy">business-supremacy treaties</a> is nibbling
around the edges.  The US 
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2019/06/14/making-sense-nafta-and-its-replacement">needs
to adopt an industrial policy</a> and shun treaties that would conflict
with one.
<p>
The author falls into a widespread confusion by using the term
"intellectual property" it spreads confusion.  That term does not fit
the reality of the legal system, because it tries to generalize about
a bunch of unrelated laws which have nothing important in common.
<p>
A few of those laws raise important moral and social issues.  But each
law raises <em>different</em> issues!  If you treat them as a single
topic and look for a single way to treat them, you are already headed
for a bad decision.
<p>
Please joining me in rejecting the misguided overgeneralization of
"intellectual property" and 
<a href="https://gnu.org/philosophy/not-ipr.html">treating each of
those laws as a separate issue</a>.


feed_id: 2ec61c255d0bbdd4de0a38a6271c9d61
title: Senator supports fossil fuel extraction
uri: Senator-supports-fossil-fuel-extraction
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#17_June_2019_%28Senator_supports_fossil_fuel_extraction%29

content:
<p>
Klobuchar has endorsed the Green New Deal in the abstract, but
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2019/06/14/klobuchar-must-reject-line-3-pipeline-or-contradict-her-green-new-deal-support">continues
to support policies of increased fossil fuel extraction and use</a>.


feed_id: 3af7c3053fa07ac5d5aa49f15a58055e
title: Loveless marriage
uri: Loveless-marriage
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#17_June_2019_%28Loveless_marriage%29
content:
<p>
(satire)  Leila and Tom Gerhart
   admitted Monday that they 
   <a href="https://local.theonion.com/couple-wouldn-t-have-stayed-in-loveless-marriage-if-the-1835375519">would
   not have continued their loveless marriage</a> if they had known
   their son Harris, 21, would turn out the way he did.


feed_id: 96841ade3bd49d268ccdbddac36ba6a7
title: Dismissal for defending accused criminal
uri: Dismissal-for-defending-accused-criminal
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#17_June_2019_%28Dismissal_for_defending_accused_criminal%29

content:
<p>
ACLU: Harvard was wrong to dismiss a house dean for 
<a href="https://www.aclu.org/blog/free-speech/harvard-was-wrong-dismiss-its-dean-representing-harvey-weinstein">working
as a defense lawyer for a widely hated accused criminal</a>.
<p>
I basically agree, with one proviso: perhaps the students in a house
should be entitled to reject the house dean at will.  If we accept
that, then it wasn't wrong for the students in that house to reject
this dean.
<p>
But if we accept that, it should be an explicit policy, so it does not
look like the dean has been found guilty of anything other than
displeasing the students.


feed_id: a6ddc709b0f1b168533e5265f4214c74
title: Scheme to reduce Social Security benefits
uri: Scheme-to-reduce-Social-Security-benefits
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#17_June_2019_%28Scheme_to_reduce_Social_Security_benefits%29

content:
<p>
The conman has a scheme to reduce Social Security benefits over time,
by 
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2019/05/21/beware-trumps-sneak-attack-social-security">changing
the calculation of the poverty line so it will be lower in the
future</a>.


feed_id: 1a01c06cf696b80f2e8f35e61bcc3e45
title: Georgia's abortion ban
uri: Georgia-s-abortion-ban
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#17_June_2019_%28Georgias_abortion_ban%29
content:
<p>
Several Georgia district attorneys said they will not prosecute under
the 
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2019/05/21/we-need-more-das-standing-georgia-prosecutors-vow-not-charge-women-under-states">recently-passed
abortion ban</a>.


feed_id: 9b0d02ee7666f91600f340a52269eefc
title: Indicted for allowing immigrant in courtroom
uri: Indicted-for-allowing-immigrant-in-courtroom
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#17_June_2019_%28Indicted_for_allowing_immigrant_in_courtroom%29

content:
<p>
Massachusetts Judge Shelley Joseph has been 
<a href="https://www.bostonglobe.com/metro/2019/05/21/low-profile-judge-indicted-for-allegedly-helping-undocumented-immigrant-finds-herself-harsh-spotlight/PTHdKNcBoT59uEM1i8W55M/story.html">indicted
for allowing an immigrant in her courtroom</a> to evade Bush regime
<a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thugs</a> who wanted to deport per.


feed_id: 61be604304c2495762ea5d853dc6f044
title: One-sided mainstream US journalism
uri: One-sided-mainstream-US-journalism
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#17_June_2019_%28One-sided_mainstream_US_journalism%29

content:
<p>
Mainstream US journalism about Iran is so one-sided that it would tip
over if it weren't 
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2019/05/22/has-new-york-times-declared-war-iran">constantly
propped up by omissions and lies</a>.


feed_id: da7642a7739f7f9fd549ec6c06c99868
title: Urgent: State Department
uri: Urgent-State-Department
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#17_June_2019_%28Urgent%3A_State_Department%29
content:
<p>
US citizens: call on the State Department to 
<a href="https://actionnetwork.org/petitions/chill-free-speech">stop
demanding visa applicants give all their email addresses and social
media accounts</a>.


feed_id: 72568ab72bb20ffc4b5029a21626e17f
title: Urgent: Oppose proposed military spending
uri: Urgent-Oppose-proposed-military-spending
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#17_June_2019_%28Urgent%3A_Oppose_proposed_military_spending%29

content:
<p>
US citizens: 
<a href="https://act.winwithoutwar.org/act/dear-congress-progressive-values-our-foreign-policy-now">call
on your congresscritter</a> to oppose certain proposed military
spending.
<p>
If you sign, please spread the word!


feed_id: 6a0eb23d5635081931df87323f919037
title: China harvesting organs from prisoners
uri: China-harvesting-organs-from-prisoners
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#17_June_2019_%28China_harvesting_organs_from_prisoners%29

content:
<p>
An investigation 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/jun/17/china-is-harvesting-organs-from-detainees-uk-tribunal-concludes">concludes
that China is harvesting organs from prisoners</a>.  Perhaps mainly
from Falun Gong practitioners.


feed_id: e9779083e769fe847a335d5dec2f3c76
title: Windrush
uri: Windrush
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#17_June_2019_%28Windrush%29
content:
<p>
Tory politicians in the 1950s and 60s wanted to ;
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2019/jun/16/windrush-scandal-the-long-betrayal-archived-documents-david-olusoga">exclude
blacks from the Caribbean from moving to Britain, while permitting
whites</a>.  Eventually they designed a system to have a
discriminatory effect without acknowledging its racist purpose.


feed_id: 7379c76f4c94d61dd72e245a17337bae
title: US sanctions on Venezuela
uri: US-sanctions-on-Venezuela
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#17_June_2019_%28US_sanctions_on_Venezuela%29
content:
<p>
Economists estimate that US sanctions on Venezuela have 
<a href="http://cepr.net/press-center/press-releases/report-finds-us-sanctions-on-venezuela-are-responsible-for-tens-of-thousands-of-deaths">killed
tens of thousands of people there</a>.


