# articles

feed_id: 44e89ac724e2a8e0e50af284db0bae10
title: Indigenous Languages
uri: Indigenous-Languages
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#1_December_2020_%28Indigenous_Languages%29
content:
<p>
*Protecting Indigenous Languages <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2020/11/30/protecting-indigenous-languages-protecting-biodiversity">Is Protecting Biodiversity</a>.*


feed_id: 59d249f30a4b9b839de9d4a46e3e8ed1
title: Criticism of Israel's occupation of Palestine
uri: Criticism-of-Israel-s-occupation-of-Palestine
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#1_December_2020_%28Criticism_of_Israel%27s_occupation_of_Palestine%29

content:
<p>
Craig Murray is facing pressure to censor Alexa by stopping it from
quoting his criticism of Israel's occupation of Palestine.  <a href="https://www.craigmurray.org.uk/archives/2020/11/the-state-you-may-not-criticise/">Supposedly
it represents antisemitism</a>.

<p>
I do not support separating Scotland from the UK.  The problems that
Scotland faces come from the plutocratist government of the UK, and
the right thing to do is fix that for the whole UK, not separate one
piece from it.  Besides, what Murray says about the SNP shows that an
independent Scotland will tend to yield to plutocratist "normality".

<p>
There are also bad <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#business-supremacy">business-supremacy treaties</a> that the UK has agreed
to, but an independent Scotland would surely yield to pressure to sign
the same treaties, so independence would do no good.


feed_id: 4d425f75ac84ad811add530b7c3355de
title: Defending Taiwan
uri: Defending-Taiwan
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#1_December_2020_%28Defending_Taiwan%29
content:
<p>
Dissident Hong Kong bookseller Lam Wing-kee has fled to Taiwan and
operates a book store there.  <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/nov/29/lam-wing-kee-if-they-can-take-hong-kong-back-the-next-place-i-feel-is-taiwan">He warns that we must do more to defend
Taiwan</a>.

<p>
I think the US should recognize Taiwan and tell China, "We hope to
maintain diplomatic relations with China also."


feed_id: 1590d1f73408c25e532a9acfa1ab5389
title: Human rights and environmental crimes
uri: Human-rights-and-environmental-crimes
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#1_December_2020_%28Human_rights_and_environmental_crimes%29

content:
<p>
Switzerland considered a law to hold Swiss companies responsible for
human rights and environmental crimes in other countries, <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2020/11/29/swiss-fall-short-sundays-vote-hold-multinational-corporations-accountable">but it
failed to win in a majority of the cantons</a>.


feed_id: e004e48e54d3e5208b500378460b47b2
title: Landowner subsidy
uri: Landowner-subsidy
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#1_December_2020_%28Landowner_subsidy%29
content:
<p>
One real benefit from the UK's departure from the EU: <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2020/nov/30/environment-to-benefit-from-biggest-farming-shake-up-in-50-years">ending the
landowner subsidy</a>.


feed_id: da42159930583040893217d3833e82b9
title: 100,000 participants in coup
uri: 100-000-participants-in-coup
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#1_December_2020_%28100%2C000_participants_in_coup%29

content:
<p>
100,000 people in Turkey are in jail <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/nov/26/turkish-court-jails-hundreds-life-2016-coup-attempt">facing charges of participating
in the coup attempt several years ago</a>.

<p>
The coup attempt was real and violent, and it is legitimate to try the
people who participated in that.  But it is impossible to have a
secret plan with 100,000 participants.  Most of the people accused
must be innocent, one way or another.


feed_id: b55a8fa04f1abb082115fd092b016497
title: Decommissioning old nuclear power plants
uri: Decommissioning-old-nuclear-power-plants
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#1_December_2020_%28Decommissioning_old_nuclear_power_plants%29

content:
<p>
The cost of decommissioning old nuclear power plants in the UK is
ballooning, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2020/nov/27/uks-nuclear-sites-costing-taxpayers-astronomical-sums-say-mps">and it is going much more slowly that expected</a>.
  This is partly because private companies are hired to do it and
their executives are too busy padding their expense accounts to focus
on doing the job.

<p>
Is the US handling this any better?

<p>
Planning to take 80 years, or even 40 years, to clean up a deactivated
nuclear power plant is totally unrealistic if we do not stop global
heating much sooner than that.  After 40 years of unchecked global
heating, neither the money nor the expertise will be available, as
climate disaster will cause enormous problems (such as hunger) that
will have to take priority.  By 2080 I expect the technology needed
will no longer be available, and warlords/kingpins may be fighting.
Eventually the ocean will take many of the sites.

<p>
In a million years, the radioactive atoms will have mostly decayed and
the results will be much less dangerous than they are now.  The same
may not be true for persistent chemicals such as neonicotinoids and PFAs.

<p>
What the UK needs to do is cancel the construction of Hinkley Point C,
never mind the sunk costs, and give highest priority to cutting
greenhouse gas levels.


feed_id: c2ec490190484fd4693f59a4afd5c4e2
title: Unlocking Covid-19 relief funds
uri: Unlocking-Covid-19-relief-funds
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#2_December_2020_%28Unlocking_Covid-19_relief_funds%29

content:
<p>

A bipartisan proposal might <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2020/dec/01/covid-19-relief-bill-us-congress">unlock Covid-19 relief funds</a> in the Senate.
<p>
For the most part, this compromise has to be better than nothing.
However, one provision is potentially extremely harmful: shielding
businesses from liability for making workers work in conditions that
expose them to Covid-19.
<p>
This could enable businesses to get away with gratuitously increasing
the workers' risk.


feed_id: bb223f11175b1368ecd5b2fd7aedac8b
title: Wildflower meadows for biodiversity
uri: Wildflower-meadows-for-biodiversity
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#2_December_2020_%28Wildflower_meadows_for_biodiversity%29

content:
<p>

*Wildflower meadows to <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2020/dec/01/wildflower-meadows-to-line-all-major-new-uk-roads-in-boost-for-biodiversity-aoe">line England's new roads</a> in boost for biodiversity.*
<p>
Nice try, but it is far better to avoid building new roads
than to build them and put meadows alongside them.


feed_id: 234817179dffe3ae47feeb5fcb89d9a7
title: Italy charging Egyptian government agents
uri: Italy-charging-Egyptian-government-agents
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#2_December_2020_%28Italy_charging_Egyptian_government_agents%29

content:
<p>

Italy plans to <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/nov/30/cairo-rome-conflicting-statements-giulio-regeni-case-egypt-suspend-investigation">charge five Egyptian government agents</a> with the murder
of graduate student Giulio Regeni in Cairo.
<p>
Unsurprisingly, Egypt's repressive government says it has no idea who
was responsible for the murder.
<p>
Regeni's studies involved <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#20_August_2017_(Giulio_Regeni_Egypt_murder)">interviewing people</a> that were on bad terms
with the state.

[pol note about this point]


feed_id: eb3465ffd7bad0877e536a47f1bcdfea
title: Neera Tanden for head of Office of Management and Budget
uri: Neera-Tanden-for-head-of-Office-of-Management-and-Budget
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#2_December_2020_%28Neera_Tanden_for_head_of_Office_of_Management_and_Budget%29

content:
<p>

Biden <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2020/11/30/citing-past-calls-social-security-cuts-progressives-not-pleased-biden-pick-neera">nominated Neera Tanden</a> for head of the Office of Management and
Budget.  She is the head of the "Center for American Progress", a
plutocratist think-tank.
We must expect plutocratist action from her.


feed_id: a02c081abd2d3ddc470dae4f34603284
title: Monopolies and America's Covid response
uri: Monopolies-and-America-s-Covid-response
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#2_December_2020_%28Monopolies_and_America%27s_Covid_response%29

content:
<p>

*Monopolies have <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2020/11/30/perspectives/monopolies-antitrust-covid-19-response/index.html">made America's Covid response worse</a>.*


feed_id: e7aad2811364c3c2ea5d62bfaaba9a21
title: Lisbon temporary rentals
uri: Lisbon-temporary-rentals
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#2_December_2020_%28Lisbon_temporary_rentals%29
content:
<p>

Lisbon has made use of the temporary end of tourism to <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/dec/01/covid-created-an-opportunity-lisbon-turns-20000-tourist-flats-into-homes">convert many
temporary rentals into long-term low-price residences</a>.


feed_id: 349b9df19b0ac830942a9b184bd5d370
title: Crime against an inanimate object
uri: Crime-against-an-inanimate-object
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#2_December_2020_%28Crime_against_an_inanimate_object%29

content:
<p>

Australian soldiers' crime against an inanimate object <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2020/dec/01/photo-reveals-australian-soldier-drinking-dead-taliban-prosthetic-leg">arouses
incredible outrage</a> &mdash; more so, it seems, than their crimes that hurt
human victims, including torture and murder.
<p>
That bespeaks a taboo-based morality, according to which taboos are
more important than people, so violating taboos is worse than killing
people.
<p>
I hereby affirm that, when I am dead, I will not mind at all if
someone takes some valueless part of my property and uses it as a cup.
Or even my bones.  After all, I won't need them any more.
<p>
However, I have willed my body to science, so do let the lab have
first dibs.


feed_id: 9506ea0e5983f5642f54a941c18a34d8
title: Facebook and Youtube helping Vietnam's political censorship
uri: Facebook-and-Youtube-helping-Vietnam-s-political-censorship
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#2_December_2020_%28Facebook_and_Youtube_helping_Vietnam%27s_political_censorship%29

content:
<p>

Amnesty <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/dec/01/facebook-youtube-google-accused-complicity-vietnam-repression">accuses Facebook and Youtube</a> of helping Vietnam's political
censorship.


feed_id: 8f48f1eeb9ec29eb9c81bb145544defa
title: Some UK prostitutes are enslaved
uri: Some-UK-prostitutes-are-enslaved
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#2_December_2020_%28Some_UK_prostitutes_are_enslaved%29

content:
<p>

Some of the prostitutes in the UK are <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2020/nov/30/silent-victims-the-hidden-romanian-women-exploited-in-the-uk-sex-trade">enslaved</a>.  How to put a stop to that?
<p>
This article avoids the frequent prudish assumptions.  It notes the
existence of enslavement in the field of sex work but does not jump
irrationally to the conclusion that all prostitution must be stamped
out.  So it confronts us with the challenge that really exists: to
put an end to enslavement of sex workers.
<p>
The general long-term solution, I believe, is to make sure nobody is
desperate enough to need to take a job offer that is too good to be
true.  But that is an enormous global challenge.
<p>
Treating this like kidnaping or wage theft in any other field,
assuring women who might become prostitutes that they won't be
penalized for that but that registering could enable them to be
rescued, might help.  Legalizing brothels provided they have
registered the owners and managers, and frequently inspecting the
operations of each one, might make it easier to find them, if the
penalty for running an unregistered brothel is years in prison.


feed_id: e799cb57ac1966ceb288cbc8ed2925a4
title: Amazon deforestation surges
uri: Amazon-deforestation-surges
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#2_December_2020_%28Amazon_deforestation_surges%29
content:
<p>

*Amazon deforestation <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2020/dec/01/amazon-deforestation-surges-to-12-year-high-under-bolsonaro">surges</a> to 12-year high under Bolsonaro.*


feed_id: b5d55a9be4522c888077a789e5695f9c
title: Facebook using some newspaper articles
uri: Facebook-using-some-newspaper-articles
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#2_December_2020_%28Facebook_using_some_newspaper_articles%29

content:
<p>

Facebook agreed to a <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2020/dec/01/facebook-to-pay-uk-media-millions-to-licence-news-stories">scheme to pay newspapers</a> for using some of their articles
in a featured way.
<p>
While it is probably a good thing in a general sense for Facebook to
pay some money to newspapers, this will enable Facebook to gain
increased political influence while choosing which newspapers to
support and which to ignore.  I suspect that it is a change for the
worse, overall.


feed_id: d5e3c4bbc6b2c3b7faf311e1f9fc8d33
title: Break up big banks
uri: Break-up-big-banks
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#2_December_2020_%28Break_up_big_banks%29
content:
<p>
*Break up UK's big high street banks, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/business/2020/nov/30/break-up-uk-big-high-street-banks-say-cross-party-mps">say cross-party MPs</a>.*

<p>
I agree.  Big banks, like other big companies, have too much power,
which they can use to exploit, or to lobby.


feed_id: 5a1db95e6964c5bbbb34cae56129f885
title: Understatements on Covid first month
uri: Understatements-on-Covid-first-month
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#2_December_2020_%28Understatements_on_Covid_first_month%29

content:
<p>
A leaked document indicates that China's reports on Covid-19 in the
first few months were understatements, <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2020/11/30/asia/wuhan-china-covid-intl/index.html">but perhaps more the result of
bureaucratic rigidity than any plot to deceive</a>.


feed_id: 888af2353f42b806e2da6084bb3011a5
title: Flood plains
uri: Flood-plains
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#2_December_2020_%28Flood_plains%29
content:
<p>
*How restoring flood plains <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/news/2020/dec/01/weatherwatch-restoring-flood-plains-protect-climate">can help protect the climate</a>.*


feed_id: 4a0822f5ab9f4c89d9e8990c777f6411
title: Losing ecocidal bet
uri: Losing-ecocidal-bet
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#2_December_2020_%28Losing_ecocidal_bet%29
content:
<p>
Queensland has made an ecocidal bet on increased coal and gas royalty
revenue, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2020/dec/01/queensland-budget-coal-and-petroleum-forecasts-labelled-delusional-as-royalties-dive">and it is losing the bet</a>.

<p>
*'Catastrophic' bushfire on Queensland's Fraser Island <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2020/dec/01/catastrophic-bushfire-on-queenslands-fraser-island-threatens-ecological-disaster">threatens ecological
disaster</a>.*


feed_id: ddb4011e44e60e8f5138ce83f188b35e
title: Support in economic warfare
uri: Support-in-economic-warfare
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#2_December_2020_%28Support_in_economic_warfare%29
content:
<p>
Australia needs support <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2020/dec/01/france-and-new-zealand-join-australias-criticism-of-chinese-government-tweet">to stand against China's aggressive economic warfare</a>.

<p>
The conflict started when Australia rejected Chinese mobile phone
base equipment with nonfree software inside, as a security threat.
In fact, all such equipment is a security threat.  If Australia had
taken that position, it would be confronting the whole threat and
without singling out China.


feed_id: f26edb27af7d5948459803bceef6570b
title: Survival of jaguars
uri: Survival-of-jaguars
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#2_December_2020_%28Survival_of_jaguars%29
content:
<p>
*Trump’s border wall construction <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2020/dec/01/trump-border-wall-threatens-jaguars-revival-arizona-sky-islands">threatens survival of jaguars in the US</a>.*


feed_id: 7e56d7342f0b3453ea613f0ad2750e19
title: Climate mayhem
uri: 2020-12-02-Climate-mayhem
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#2_December_2020_%28Climate_mayhem%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#climate">Climate mayhem</a> will bring flooding.  Affordable housing in New York,
Massachusetts, New Jersey and California <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2020/dec/01/climate-crisis-triple-flooding-threat-low-income-us-homes-by-2050">will be especially vulnerable
to flooding</a>.


feed_id: 2a0cb3be26eaafba7922d9448f9dfd84
title: Investigating government cheating
uri: Investigating-government-cheating
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#2_December_2020_%28Investigating_government_cheating%29

content:
<p>
An Australian senate committee is trying to investigate government cheating,
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2020/dec/01/sports-rorts-inquiry-accuses-government-of-obstructing-its-investigation">but can't get answers from the officials involved</a>.


feed_id: afc2249c355f133d0300a3e9c956d9f4
title: Radio telescope collapses
uri: Radio-telescope-collapses
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#2_December_2020_%28Radio_telescope_collapses%29
content:
<p>
The Arecibo radio telescope <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/dec/01/arecibo-radio-telescope-collapses-puerto-rico">collapsed completely</a>.

<p>
China built a 500-meter fixed dish radio telescope in the past decade.
Meanwhile, the US can't keep one operating.  It makes a sad contrast.
The causes are not practical.  Rather, in the US all the money goes
to the plutocrats and the military.

<p>
And it's not just radio telescopes that the US lacks the money to do.
There are other things, even more important, which the US fails to do
&mdash; for instance, giving poor people a decent life.

<p>
Well, at least the US has saved some of the cost of demolition :-{.


feed_id: d03e14b68e1a9689dd9dba18e17645a1
title: Transferring all power to prime minister
uri: Transferring-all-power-to-prime-minister
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#2_December_2020_%28Transferring_all_power_to_prime_minister%29

content:
<p>
Bogus Johnson plans to take another step in the long slow process of
transferring all political power in the UK <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2020/dec/01/boris-johnson-publishes-plans-to-take-power-back-from-courts-and-mps">to the hands of the prime minister</a>.

<p>
The article gives the details of this step, but the overall process
is more important than the details of one step or another.


feed_id: bcd90e6377e5feec8e120fe1e0bee9b4
title: Betrayal
uri: Betrayal
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#2_December_2020_%28Betrayal%29
content:
<p>
*Transport Unions Say Rahm Emanuel Leading DOT <a href="https://theintercept.com/2020/12/01/transportation-unions-biden-rahm-emanuel/">Would Be a "Betrayal"</a>.*


feed_id: 52fced26eb73f137ca53c0302c669bda
title: Not prosecuting Assange
uri: Not-prosecuting-Assange
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#2_December_2020_%28Not_prosecuting_Assange%29
content:
<p>
Will Biden reinstate Obama's reported decision <a href="https://theintercept.com/2020/12/01/assange-first-amendment-biden/">not to prosecute
Assange for espionage</a>?

<p>
Another question I wonder about: if indeed the US had no intention to
prosecute Assange for espionage during those years, did the US intend
to prosecute him in some other way?  If so, what was it?
There were indications <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2018-sep-dec.html#27_November_2018_(Prosecuting_Julian_Assange)">that the US did plan to prosecute him</a>,
  and that Sweden and the UK <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jan-apr.html#17_February_2020_(Nils_Melzer_on_Assange)">were fabricating excuses to get their hands
on him</a>,
  while Obama was president.


feed_id: 469d8755925e8ca1cdfdd7dea5280228
title: Biden and justice
uri: 2020-12-02-Biden-and-justice
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#1_December_2020_%28Biden_and_justice%29
content:
<p>
One good thing about Biden: he advocates <a href="https://joebiden.com/justice/">abolishing the death penalty
in the US</a>.

<p>
He also wants to legalize marijuana and eliminate privatized prisons and
mandatory minimum sentences.  I haven't checked every item in this
long list, but the ones I have looked at seem good.


feed_id: 9373e6e2c3a42988b8b8f79d5b2002fc
title: Minecraft
uri: 2020-12-02-Minecraft
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#1_December_2020_%28Minecraft%29
content:
<p>
If you play Minecraft on an Xbox, can you tell me the
answer to these questions?

<p>
* Which version are you using?

<p>
* Does it force you to save your own worlds only on Microsoft 
servers?   Does it default to saving them on Microsoft servers?

<p>
* Can you play without without having anything to do with Microsoft
servers?

<p>
* Can you export your data from Microsoft servers and take them to
some other server?

<p>
* Can you play Minecraft solitaire without identifying yourself?

<p>
* Can you play Minecraft solitaire saving your data and worlds on a
  server hosted by you?

<p>
* Can you play Minecraft solitaire without using any a server?

<p>
Regardless of the answers, Minecraft is nonfree software.  I urge you
to switch to the free program Minetest and reclaim your freedom.


feed_id: 6246058b68dbc5e16f27feac81d392a3
title: The wrecker is stirring up his cultists
uri: The-wrecker-is-stirring-up-his-cultists
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#3_December_2020_%28The_wrecker_is_stirring_up_his_cultists%29

content:
<p>

The wrecker is now stirring up his cultists to <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2020/dec/01/georgia-election-republicans-trump-gabriel-sterling">commit violence against
Republican election officials</a> that won't cheat for him.


feed_id: f6b7c22452d3f46ac2a9f39ee9784c48
title: Bribery for pardon scheme
uri: Bribery-for-pardon-scheme
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#3_December_2020_%28Bribery_for_pardon_scheme%29
content:
<p>

*US justice department <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2020/dec/01/bribery-president-pardon-scheme-allegation-court-filing">investigates alleged 'bribery for pardon' scheme</a>.*


feed_id: f99ec588d856aa6b0a9f1eec914218ed
title: Covid-19 infections followed evictions
uri: Covid-19-infections-followed-evictions
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#3_December_2020_%28Covid-19_infections_followed_evictions%29

content:
<p>

When states started to permit evictions, a <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2020/11/30/housing-healthcare-evictions-have-exacerbated-covid-19-pandemic-research-shows">big increase (a factor of
2) in Covid-19 infections</a> followed.


feed_id: a0bb5a5cbfd01598baed631e824a0f6a
title: Draft plan to criminalize ecocide
uri: Draft-plan-to-criminalize-ecocide
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#3_December_2020_%28Draft_plan_to_criminalize_ecocide%29

content:
<p>

*To End Impunity for 'Deliberate Destruction' of Planet, International Lawyers
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2020/11/30/end-impunity-deliberate-destruction-planet-international-lawyers-drafting-plan">Drafting Plan to Criminalize Ecocide</a>.*


feed_id: e0c63be004165d6ed65bc2927feaba4f
title: GOP silence on Trump's false election claims
uri: GOP-silence-on-Trump-s-false-election-claims
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#3_December_2020_%28GOP_silence_on_Trump%27s_false_election_claims%29

content:
<p>

*GOP silence on Trump's <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2020/12/01/politics/gop-silence-trump-false-election-claims-mccarthy/index.html">false election claims</a> recalls McCarthy era.*


feed_id: 5ae44e687d8bcedf4ea33cd12e357008
title: UN's periodic human rights review
uri: UN-s-periodic-human-rights-review
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#3_December_2020_%28UN%27s_periodic_human_rights_review%29

content:
<p>

US human rights defenders have <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2020/12/01/communities-look-beyond-washington-solutions-human-rights-threats">sought help in their goal</a> from the UN's
periodic human rights review.
<p>
With countries such as China in the UN Human Rights Council, I hope they won't
do to these reviews what the wrecker did to human rights and justice in the US.


feed_id: 0368a2029214509e3d352e7356357de5
title: Treaty to eliminate subsidies for fishing
uri: Treaty-to-eliminate-subsidies-for-fishing
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#3_December_2020_%28Treaty_to_eliminate_subsidies_for_fishing%29

content:
<p>

14 countries, some of them important in fishing, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2020/dec/02/global-sustainable-fishing-initiative-agreed-by-14-countries">have signed a treaty</a> to
eliminate subsidies for fishing, and take other steps to use the ocean
sustainably.
<p>
Many important fishing countries, including China, Iceland, the UK and
the US, have not signed.


feed_id: 3bff006d0f8620d5b1d18b44ebd34810
title: (satire) Do not enter active crime scene cover-up
uri: (satire)-Do-not-enter-active-crime-scene-cover-up
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#3_December_2020_%28%28satire%29_Do_not_enter_active_crime_scene_cover-up%29

content:
<p>

(satire) *Police Warn Onlookers <a href="https://www.theonion.com/police-warn-onlookers-not-to-enter-active-crime-scene-c-1845775145">Not To Enter Active Crime Scene Cover-Up</a>.*


feed_id: a1a1b8199a30bd172305a955fb7561e0
title: Going "Back to Normal"
uri: Going-Back-to-Normal
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#3_December_2020_%28Going_Back_to_Normal%29
content:
<p>

*Going "Back to Normal" Is <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2020/12/01/going-back-normal-too-dangerous-even-contemplate">Too Dangerous to Even Contemplate</a>.*


feed_id: 464d22eee8efdae71b05f1394277f71a
title: The conman's latest con
uri: The-conman-s-latest-con
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#3_December_2020_%28The_conman%27s_latest_con%29
content:
<p>

The conman's latest con: <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2020/12/01/all-about-grift-trump-reportedly-raises-over-150-million-non-existent-election">raising funds to "combat election fraud"</a>
which will instead go to other purposes.


feed_id: 5dec015c10483a0782580ff5cd3f23b9
title: Ohio "small" nuclear reactors
uri: Ohio-small-nuclear-reactors
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#3_December_2020_%28Ohio_small_nuclear_reactors%29
content:
<p>

Ohio is <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2020/11/30/ohio-nuclear-power-plant-legislation-assailed-safe-energy-and-environmental">passing a law</a> to let the state government promote construction
of "small" nuclear reactors.
<p>
These reactors are "small" only by comparison with the ones
constructed so far, but they will be an absurd waste of money now that
solar and wind power are so cheap.  Furthermore, they will produce
radioactive waste just like all other kinds.  And if <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#global heating">global heating</a>
leads to a much poorer civilization, no one will ever finish
decontaminating them; sooner or later, the waste will simply leak.


feed_id: 3c15e58e4e7b3e7eeb38b6540fbb7871
title: Dealmakers for the military-industrial complex
uri: Dealmakers-for-the-military-industrial-complex
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#3_December_2020_%28Dealmakers_for_the_military-industrial_complex%29

content:
<p>

*<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2020/11/30/some-liberals-and-arms-control-experts-are-cheering-war-profiteers-be-bidens">Enablers now extol potential Cabinet picks</a> who've
combined pushing for continuous war and hugely expensive new weapons
systems with getting rich as dealmakers for the military-industrial
complex.*
<p>
However, Biden's domestic policy choices are generally <a href="https://theintercept.com/2020/12/01/biden-administration-transition-obama/">less completely
plutocratist</a> than Obama's were.


feed_id: 87e7f4fe30edfe20927240a388e6a574
title: Urgent: Support diplomacy with Iran
uri: 2020-12-03-Urgent-Support-diplomacy-with-Iran
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#3_December_2020_%28Urgent%3A_Support_diplomacy_with_Iran%29

content:
<p>

US citizens: call on Congress to <a href="https://act.winwithoutwar.org/act/congress-resist-war-with-iran-support-diplomacy-instead">support diplomacy with Iran</a>.

<p>The Capitol Switchboard numbers are 202-224-3121, 888-818-6641
  and 888-355-3588.</p>
	 
<p>If you call, please spread the word!</p>


feed_id: d01a02eadafae3ccb01ab4870c6da463
title: Prison for organizing protests
uri: Prison-for-organizing-protests
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#3_December_2020_%28Prison_for_organizing_protests%29

content:
<p>
Hong Kong protest organizers have been sentenced to prison <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/dec/02/hong-kong-activist-joshua-wong-jailed-over-protest-police-hq">for the crime
of organizing protests</a>.


feed_id: 1e4fa521c1e87b1a4b403ef4a61cf89c
title: Aftermath of logging
uri: Aftermath-of-logging
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#3_December_2020_%28Aftermath_of_logging%29
content:
<p>
*Photography campaign shows <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/dec/02/canada-forests-clearcutting-ecosystem">the grim aftermath of logging in Canada's
fragile forests</a>.*


feed_id: 87d0fe34e7a540c93d0b2b5898b99f90
title: Advised by lobbyist for corporate tax cut
uri: Advised-by-lobbyist-for-corporate-tax-cut
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#3_December_2020_%28Advised_by_lobbyist_for_corporate_tax_cut%29

content:
<p>
One of Biden's advisers, Cynthia Hogan, *worked as a lead lobbyist for
Apple <a href="https://theintercept.com/2020/12/02/biden-transition-cynthia-hogan/">as it helped push through President Donald Trump’s corporate tax
cut</a>.*

<p>
If Democrats ever control Congress, we must press them to reverse that
tax cut, and some previous tax cuts.  What use is a Democrat who chooses
to get advice from someone who wants to do the opposite?


feed_id: 5b7a25d705f9af528e6ece27ec0d702e
title: Coronavirus recovery for fossil fuel
uri: Coronavirus-recovery-for-fossil-fuel
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#3_December_2020_%28Coronavirus_recovery_for_fossil_fuel%29

content:
<p>
G20 countries are giving lots of "coronavirus recovery" funding <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2020/dec/02/world-is-doubling-down-on-fossil-fuels-despite-climate-crisis-un-report">to
fossil fuel development</a>.
  $230 billion worth.  All of it is worse than wasted.


feed_id: 8fdba528c9c7a24949eb0c967d13e819
title: Gay orgy after anti-gay laws
uri: Gay-orgy-after-anti-gay-laws
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#3_December_2020_%28Gay_orgy_after_anti-gay_laws%29
content:
<p>
Right-wing Hungarian politicians had a "gay orgy" after enacting laws
to deny rights to gays.  They are now being attacked for hypocrisy
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/dec/02/hungary-rightwing-rulers-downplay-mep-jozsef-szajer-gay-orgy-scandal-amid-hypocrisy-accusations">because of this conflict between their personal actions and their
politics</a>.

<p>
They are indeed hypocritical, but it is a mistake to focus on that
contradiction, because it is a side issue and distracts from the
substantive issue.  Would those laws be any less bad if these
politicians practiced what they preach?  Not at all.

<p>
Their laws are the wrong, so let's focus on that.


feed_id: cfb81854b9e4e6676dc483d9542ffd54
title: Climate suicide
uri: Climate-suicide
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#3_December_2020_%28Climate_suicide%29
content:
<p>
*UN secretary general: <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2020/dec/02/us-biden-rejoining-paris-agreement-un-secretary-general-climate-emissions">humanity faces climate 'suicide' without US rejoining
Paris agreement</a>.*

<p>
That statement is surely true.  <em>Avoiding</em> suicide requires a lot
more than the Paris agreement, but can serve a sign of intent.


feed_id: 0a3004bea2789b804d0e04f101d36134
title: Swinger convention and Covid
uri: Swinger-convention-and-Covid
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#3_December_2020_%28Swinger_convention_and_Covid%29
content:
<p>
*Dozens test positive for Covid <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2020/dec/02/new-orleans-swingers-convention-naughty-in-nawlins-coronavirus">after [250-person] swingers convention
 in New Orleans</a>.*

<p>
To have a swinging meeting and avoid propagating Covid-19 must be
very difficult &mdash; best to postpone the meeting until it is safe.


feed_id: a8e3c58e7b311cd6bd56119e25cbb48d
title: Special forces
uri: Special-forces
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#3_December_2020_%28Special_forces%29
content:
<p>
Why Canada responded to atrocities by its "special forces" <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2020/dec/03/war-crimes-former-minister-reveals-why-canada-disbanded-its-special-forces-after-scandal">by
disbanding the unit</a>.

<p>
Maybe they called that unit "special" as a euphemism for "bad behavioral
problems."


feed_id: 40c46ad4972032eae24ab6405f77a353
title: Trafficking survivors in unsafe housing
uri: Trafficking-survivors-in-unsafe-housing
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#3_December_2020_%28Trafficking_survivors_in_unsafe_housing%29

content:
<p>
*Female trafficking survivors in UK <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2020/dec/02/female-trafficking-survivors-in-uk-forced-into-unsafe-housing-report-finds">forced into unsafe housing</a>.*


feed_id: ea0bd82cbae9f7047c8bcbdae96b035d
title: Defund the police
uri: Defund-the-police
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#3_December_2020_%28Defund_the_police%29
content:
<p>
   *Barack Obama criticizes 'Defund the Police' slogan.
   The key is deciding, do you want to actually get
   something done, or do you want to feel good among the people you
   already agree with?*

<p>
   Ilhan Omar of
   Minnesota said, *"defund the police" was not about mere words
   but a "demand for equitable investments and budgets for communities
   across the country."

<p>
Why see a conflict there?  <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2020/dec/02/barack-obama-criticizes-defund-the-police-slogan-backlash">I think they are both right</a>.

<p>
I support the substance of the campaign, articulated by Ilhan Omar.  But
I agree with Obama that that particular slogan is a bad way to
campaign for it.

<p>
How about, "Replace the police"?


feed_id: 39d6e19659b916f5ddebe508d76d533c
title: Denialist arrested during protest
uri: Denialist-arrested-during-protest
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#3_December_2020_%28Denialist_arrested_during_protest%29

content:
<p>
Piers Corbyn, the climate denialist and Covid-denialist brother of
Jeremy Corbyn, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/dec/02/piers-corbyn-found-guilty-of-breaching-regulations-with-lockdown-protest">has been convicted for protesting in London</a>.

<p>
People have a right to protest if they follow the precautions so as
not to transmit Covid-19.  I cannot tell, from this article, whether
Piers Corbyn followed them or not.

<p>
As a denialist, he might well have disregarded those precautions, in
which case he deserves this conviction.  But that raises the question,
what would they have done if he had followed the precautions?

<p>
Does the UK recognize the right to protest, subject to sanitary
precautions?  Or does it prohibit all protest, in the name of sanitary
precautions?


feed_id: 163d0eb29164c4084038d8f32f373f78
title: UK welfare payments for no more than two children
uri: UK-welfare-payments-for-no-more-than-two-children
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#4_December_2020_%28UK_welfare_payments_for_no_more_than_two_children%29

content:
<p>

The UK's policy of giving no extra welfare payments for more than two
children is having a <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/society/2020/dec/03/two-child-limit-on-benefits-a-key-factor-in-many-abortion-decisions-says-charity">significant effect</a> on how many children women have.
The article gives no information for determining how many births were
avoided this way.
<p>
It is very important for people to have <a href="https://stallman.org/articles/children.html">fewer children</a>.
However, this welfare policy is unjust, since it punishes
children.  It can can <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2018-sep-dec.html#16_September_2018_(800_million_people_without_enough_to_eat)">stunt their physical and mental growth</a>.


feed_id: 70327eed5c3047691866849f92bc1a14
title: India's use of robots to eliminate better jobs
uri: India-s-use-of-robots-to-eliminate-better-jobs
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#4_December_2020_%28India%27s_use_of_robots_to_eliminate_better_jobs%29

content:
<p>

India has hundreds millions of paupers who can hardly get jobs they
can live on, and it is working very hard to make more of them, by
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2020/dec/02/robodoc-how-india-robots-are-taking-on-covid-patient-care-mitra">using robots</a> to eliminate better jobs.


feed_id: 1700d25e4a5549ba92ae8a6c6d0faa76
title: Afghan-Taliban peace talks
uri: Afghan-Taliban-peace-talks
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#4_December_2020_%28Afghan-Taliban_peace_talks%29
content:
<p>

*Afghan government and Taliban <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/dec/03/afghan-government-and-taliban-agree-rules-for-peace-talks">agree on rules</a> for peace talks.*
<p>
The author voices concern that the Taliban intend to take all of
Afghanistan after the US pulls out.  I expect that.  And I expect it
to impose a cruel, repressive theocracy.  But that is less bad than
continuing the war for decade after decade.


feed_id: c40b41a6095aee6aba29ae3e79fed578
title: IDF night raids on Palestinian homes
uri: IDF-night-raids-on-Palestinian-homes
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#4_December_2020_%28IDF_night_raids_on_Palestinian_homes%29

content:
<p>

*'A Kind of Terrorism': Israeli Human Rights Groups Offer <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2020/11/30/kind-terrorism-israeli-human-rights-groups-offer-harrowing-look-idf-night-raids">Harrowing Look</a> at
IDF Night Raids on Palestinian Homes.*


feed_id: 6e1fb0b6dba2a009baaec4cb93cddd63
title: Canada's privatized Vaccine Research and Production Lab
uri: Canada-s-privatized-Vaccine-Research-and-Production-Lab
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#4_December_2020_%28Canada%27s_privatized_Vaccine_Research_and_Production_Lab%29

content:
<p>

*Canada Is Now <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2020/12/01/canada-now-paying-price-privatizing-its-vaccine-research-and-production-lab">Paying the Price</a> for Privatizing Its Vaccine Research and
Production Lab.*


feed_id: 34be60bb332fefbaa0a3fd3ec36a698d
title: The Georgia senate races
uri: The-Georgia-senate-races
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#4_December_2020_%28The_Georgia_senate_races%29
content:
<p>

The Georgia senate races <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2020/12/01/future-united-states-stake-georgia">are like Biden vs Trump</a>: center-right
"moderate" Democrats on one side, vs extremist <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#trumpery">trumpery</a> on the other.
<p>
I urge Georgia voters to vote for the Democrats, then publicly protest against
them for not being progressive.


feed_id: 2d8af2af6f96cbb1fe3384e295a1e6b1
title: Protected areas in the Mediterranean
uri: Protected-areas-in-the-Mediterranean
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#4_December_2020_%28Protected_areas_in_the_Mediterranean%29

content:
<p>

*   <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2020/dec/03/auditors-slam-eu-for-marine-protected-areas-that-fail-to-protect-ocean">Only 1% of the 3,000</a> supposedly protected areas in the Mediterranean
ban fishing.*


feed_id: 26eeaccd8e8c2ba9391f367243fa7c23
title: Senator David Perdue Stock Trading
uri: Senator-David-Perdue-Stock-Trading
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#4_December_2020_%28Senator_David_Perdue_Stock_Trading%29

content:
<p>

*Goldman Sachs Log <a href="https://theintercept.com/2020/12/03/david-perdue-senate-cardlytics-stock-lie/">Exposes [Senator] David Perdue Stock Trading Claim as a Lie</a>.*


feed_id: 292bbc44477165982438d34151958b79
title: Oil drilling in Arctic National Wildlife Refuge
uri: Oil-drilling-in-Arctic-National-Wildlife-Refuge
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#4_December_2020_%28Oil_drilling_in_Arctic_Nationnal_Wildlife_Refuge%29

content:
<p>

*Insurance Companies Pressured To <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2020/12/02/insurance-companies-pressured-not-support-oil-drilling-arctic-national-wildlife">Not Support Oil Drilling in Arctic National
Wildlife Refuge</a>.*
<p>
Now that the big US banks have said they will not finance it,
insurance companies are the next step.


feed_id: d0d97f21293baf7e2b0c57582302de3e
title: Pilot program to end rampant deforestation in Borneo
uri: Pilot-program-to-end-rampant-deforestation-in-Borneo
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#4_December_2020_%28Pilot_program_to_end_rampant_deforestation_in_Borneo%29

content:
<p>

Reporting on a <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2020/12/02/best-climate-change-solutions-benefit-humanity-and-nature">pilot program to end rampant deforestation</a> in a part of
Borneo by involving and benefiting the inhabitants.
<p>
The pilot program covers an area around 1/4 that of Rhode Island &mdash;
not large in absolute terms, but enough to prove something.


feed_id: 205cde9c09720ce88c10fd284cebe0b7
title: (satire) Bezylon to undercut Amazon
uri: (satire)-Bezylon-to-undercut-Amazon
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#4_December_2020_%28%28satire%29_Bezylon_to_undercut_Amazon%29

content:
<p>

(satire) *Jeff Bezos announced the <a href="https://www.theonion.com/insatiable-jeff-bezos-launches-new-e-commerce-site-bez-1845784264">launch of new
e-commerce site Bezylon</a> Tuesday to undercut Amazon.*


feed_id: bbab1f851a86094802cd76bdc63dcd35
title: Urgent: Protect electric car drivers' privacy in the UK
uri: Urgent-Protect-electric-car-drivers-privacy-in-the-UK
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#4_December_2020_%28Urgent%3A_Protect_electric_car_drivers%27_privacy_in_the_UK%29

content:
<p>

Residents of the UK: <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/business/2020/dec/02/cma-seeks-to-build-consumer-trust-in-electric-car-charging">tell the Competition and Markets Authority</a> that
it can make drivers more comfortable with electric cars by protecting
their privacy.
<p>
Please tell the agency that you want to be assured that (1) the
recharge station will collect <em>absolutely no</em> data from the car being
recharged &mdash; especially not which car it is &mdash; and (2) that drivers
will be able to pay with cash, anonymously.
<p>
You can say that electric cars must not bring with them an increase in
surveillance of the public, because the UK already has to much of
that.
<p>
Please spread the word to your friends, and post about the issue in
whatever social media or forums it fits in.


feed_id: ce2ad9781c4e4fe34e1405aa2ea52c1b
title: Urgent: abortion in Massachusetts
uri: Urgent-abortion-in-Massachusetts
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#5_December_2020_%28Urgent%3A_abortion_in_Massachusetts%29

content:
<p>
Residents of Massachusetts: <a href="https://action.aclu.org/send-message/urge-governor-baker-support-equitable-abortion-access">call on Governor Baker</a> to sign the bill
relaxing some obstacles to abortion in Masachusetts.


feed_id: fbe30701f08d15bd00df09ba1928712c
title: Incompatible with human rights treaties
uri: Incompatible-with-human-rights-treaties
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#5_December_2020_%28Incompatible_with_human_rights_treaties%29

content:
<p>
UN human rights experts judge that France's new repression law, giving
<a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thugs</a> more power as well as immunity from criticism of their crimes,
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/dec/04/france-security-law-incompatible-human-rights-un-experts">is incompatible with human rights treaties</a>.


feed_id: 73ec994187795e1c845d58356bcc8a26
title: Confusing and divisive definition of antisemitism
uri: Confusing-and-divisive-definition-of-antisemitism
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#5_December_2020_%28Confusing_and_divisive_definition_of_antisemitism%29

content:
<p>
The UK government demands that universities adopt the IHRA
"definition" of antisemitism or face punishment.  *[It] is confusing
and divisive. Forcing its adoption <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2020/dec/02/the-government-should-not-impose-a-faulty-definition-of-antisemitism-on-universities">will not help protect Jewish
students and staff</a>.*

<p>
It turns out that this definition was not even meant to be a set of
rules.  It was designed for classifying data for analysis.

<p>
I am sure the UK ministers are aware of the political side effect &mdash;
to forbid activism against the occupation of Palestine.  I suspect
that this is the principal intent of the order, disguised conveniently
as a plan to fight bigotry.


feed_id: 0c660eec52a4ec7e7aa5ff4f93ca1877
title: Blacklist backfires
uri: Blacklist-backfires
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#5_December_2020_%28Blacklist_backfires%29
content:
<p>
The Democratic Party's blacklist on campaign operatives that worked for
progressive primary challenges seems to have backfired in an ironic way:
<a href="https://theintercept.com/2020/12/03/dccc-election-blacklist-sean-patrick-maloney/">with losses in the November election</a>.


feed_id: c22bb681cb64c7ae8c3d566bffbaea8d
title: Federal Reserve has failed
uri: Federal-Reserve-has-failed
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#5_December_2020_%28Federal_Reserve_has_failed%29
content:
<p>
Ellen Brown: The Federal Reserve has failed to boost the economy.  It
lends to private banks, but they can't find very many businesses or
individuals who want loans and could pay them back.  Public banks <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2020/12/03/why-fed-needs-public-banks">can
get away with a bigger risk level on each loan and still win through</a>.

<p>
It seems to me that this is even more strongly an argument that we
need more direct stimulus payment to individuals.


feed_id: c7949b88e61ecaf367f6998acdf19e79
title: Definition of antisemitism
uri: 2020-12-05-Definition-of-antisemitism
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#5_December_2020_%28Definition_of_antisemitism%29
content:
<p>
Arab academics and writers condemn antisemitism, then point out the
distortion in the IRHA's definition for antisemitism <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/news/2020/nov/29/palestinian-rights-and-the-ihra-definition-of-antisemitism">and why that definition
must be rejected</a>.


feed_id: 0db5f5240157ce02225d4427222e0ad2
title: Ban on smoking in apartments
uri: Ban-on-smoking-in-apartments
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#5_December_2020_%28Ban_on_smoking_in_apartments%29
content:
<p>
*San Francisco <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2020/dec/03/san-francisco-apartment-smoking-ban-cannabis">to ban tobacco smoking in apartments</a>.*
  Even if you live alone, you will be required to go out to the street
to smoke, to protect you from second-hand smoke.  Even if you have mobility
problems and can't actually do it.

<p>
Tobacco is very dangerous, and it is important to encourage people to quit.
But this rule is extreme.


feed_id: 5e49f1e8966b0b451fea517478a07c5c
title: PFAs identified
uri: PFAs-identified
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#5_December_2020_%28PFAs_identified%29
content:
<p>
Hundreds more products that contain PFAs <a href="https://theintercept.com/2020/12/02/pfas-chemicals-products/">have been identified</a>.


feed_id: 974e44fb5b40d58606c32e4827ae85d1
title: Overturning ballot
uri: Overturning-ballot
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#5_December_2020_%28Overturning_ballot%29
content:
<p>
(<a href="https://www.theonion.com/trump-reduced-to-filing-lawsuit-to-overturn-single-ball-1845785939">satire</a>) *Trump Reduced To Filing Lawsuit To Overturn Single Ballot In
Placerville, Idaho.*


feed_id: 2862613918c1f1e7dd56012deb3d641b
title: Beds ans wheelchairs for Christmas
uri: Beds-ans-wheelchairs-for-Christmas
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#5_December_2020_%28Beds_ans_wheelchairs_for_Christmas%29

content:
<p>
American children <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2020/12/01/after-months-obstructing-covid-relief-gop-has-left-children-begging-santa-their">are asking Santa Claus for things like beds and
wheelchairs</a>.

<p>
Sad thing is, instead of a Santa Claus, there are only Republicans.


feed_id: cb700df6ef9cecafdf9413427263da16
title: Shutting down bank accounts
uri: Shutting-down-bank-accounts
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#5_December_2020_%28Shutting_down_bank_accounts%29
content:
<p>
Australian banks are shutting the accounts of remittance companies
that send workers' money to countries that are considered
terrorism-connected, such as Somalia.  And they do this <a href="https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-12-02/remittances-getting-harder-for-african-australians/12938022">even when the
government says the company is innocent of money laundering</a>.


feed_id: ffed94baae8a7fc681b4d839f2ad90af
title: Access on Americans cell phone location data
uri: Access-on-Americans-cell-phone-location-data
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#5_December_2020_%28Access_on_Americans_cell_phone_location_data%29

content:
<p>
*ACLU Sues to Find Out How and Why Federal Agencies <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2020/12/02/aclu-sues-find-out-how-and-why-federal-agencies-are-accessing-americans-cell-phone">Are Accessing Americans'
Cell Phone Location Data</a>.*


feed_id: b8a4871c99c030aa8f85760528c8a731
title: Serving giant agribusinesses
uri: Serving-giant-agribusinesses
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#5_December_2020_%28Serving_giant_agribusinesses%29
content:
<p>
The US Secretary of Agriculture has a lot of power, but since decades
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2020/12/02/who-cares-who-secretary-agriculture">these officials have served the giant agribusinesses</a>.


feed_id: 7b05afff1f2bda0ca536d2bda8a98c7c
title: Subsidy for nuclear power
uri: Subsidy-for-nuclear-power
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#5_December_2020_%28Subsidy_for_nuclear_power%29
content:
<p>
The US Senate <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2020/12/02/100-groups-oppose-latest-nuclear-bailout-scheme">is considering a new subsidy for nuclear power</a>.

<p>
Only an enormous subsidy could make nuclear power viable, but a
smaller subsidy could be enough keep reactors operating and suck funds
from necessary development of renewable generation.


feed_id: 022fdc8604b6097a7cb6e3dc46edcb3a
title: Prejudicing consultation
uri: Prejudicing-consultation
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#5_December_2020_%28Prejudicing_consultation%29
content:
<p>
The government of New South Wales (Australia) held a consultation
about managing water in the biggest river basin.  Officials planned in
advance how to prejudice the decision <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2020/dec/04/murray-darling-basin-nsw-government-officials-busted-favouring-irrigator-groups">in favor of more irrigation and
against preserving ecosystems</a>.


feed_id: 96ae2e32600209b44b05391af686dec2
title: Endangered coral species in US waters
uri: Endangered-coral-species-in-US-waters
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#5_December_2020_%28Endangered_coral_species_in_US_waters%29

content:
<p>

After years of delay, the US is <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2020/dec/04/us-pitches-coral-protections-thousands-miles-climate-change-threat">acting to protect endangered coral
species</a> in US waters.
<p>
Local measures will not succeed unless the US curbs <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2011-may-aug.html#30_May_2011_(Acidification)">ocean acidification</a>.


feed_id: 381332c17ed6e65919c6af4d73c18da0
title: US blocked imports of cotton from Xinjiang
uri: US-blocked-imports-of-cotton-from-Xinjiang
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#5_December_2020_%28US_blocked_imports_of_cotton_from_Xinjiang%29

content:
<p>

The US has blocked imports of cotton from Xinjiang on the grounds that
China is <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2020/12/02/politics/cbp-cotton-imports-china-forced-labor/index.html">using forced labor</a> to produce cotton there.
<p>
I support this decision, but it raises many ironies.  I doubt that the
conman objects to forced labor; surely he has seized an excuse to hurt
China.  I doubt the US will do much to punish Kazakhstan for forcing
children to pick cotton.
<p>
The reason I support this is that weakening China is very important.
We have seen that US world domination generates injustice.
Chinese world domination would lead to total subjugation.


feed_id: dbaa37b64eea17044898a193953e11fb
title: (satire) White House dishwasher offered pardon
uri: (satire)-White-House-dishwasher-offered-pardon
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#5_December_2020_%28%28satire%29_White_House_dishwasher_offered_pardon%29

content:
<p>

(satire) *White House Dishwasher Not Sure Why Trump Keeps <a href="https://www.theonion.com/white-house-dishwasher-not-sure-why-trump-keeps-offerin-1845802048">Offering Him Pardon</a>.*


feed_id: d8329dc63d82ce83ec7241f489de2a2a
title: Cabinet officials who will defend the climate
uri: Cabinet-officials-who-will-defend-the-climate
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#5_December_2020_%28Cabinet_officials_who_will_defend_the_climate%29

content:
<p>

Climate activists <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2020/12/03/campaigners-put-forth-cabinet-climate-test-president-elect-biden">propose cabinet officials</a> who will defend the climate.


feed_id: 51c4d5f298e5256c0661d16cc02598f8
title: A path for peace between Palestine and Israel
uri: A-path-for-peace-between-Palestine-and-Israel
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#5_December_2020_%28A_path_for_peace_between_Palestine_and_Israel%29

content:
<p>

Proposing a path for Biden to work for <a href="http://alonben-meir.com/writing/bidens-opportunity-to-end-the-israeli-palestinian-conflict/">peace between Palestine and Israel</a>.


feed_id: b20dc122ab4e846c3aae8570655b2a83
title: Advocate of ethnic cleansing as head of Israel's holocaust memorial
uri: Advocate-of-ethnic-cleansing-as-head-of-Israel-s-holocaust-memorial
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#5_December_2020_%28Advocate_of_ethnic_cleansing_as_head_of_Israel%27s_holocaust_memorial%29

content:
<p>

The Jewish Forward <a href="https://forward.com/scribe/459226/why-would-the-government-of-israel-undermine-the-legacy-of-yad-vashem/">reproaches the plan</a> to appoint an advocate of
ethnic cleansing to head Yad Vashem, Israel's holocaust memorial.


feed_id: 4cb159aef7f28d755a1f0429103f2ec8
title: Americans' favor of raising taxes on high incomes
uri: Americans-favor-of-raising-taxes-on-high-incomes
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#5_December_2020_%28Americans%27_favor_of_raising_taxes_on_high_incomes%29

content:
<p>

*Two-Thirds of Americans <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2020/12/03/poll-two-thirds-americans-favor-raising-taxes-incomes-over-400k">Favor Raising Taxes on Incomes Over $400K</a>.*


feed_id: 3291a15165f565a49674957ce534537e
title: Google illegally surveilled, interrogated and fired workers
uri: Google-illegally-surveilled-interrogated-and-fired-workers
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#5_December_2020_%28Google_illegally_surveilled%2C_interrogated_and_fired_workers%29

content:
<p>

*Google <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2020/12/03/google-illegally-surveilled-interrogated-and-fired-workers-who-tried-organize-nlrb">Illegally Surveilled, Interrogated, and Fired Workers</a> Who Tried to
Organize, NLRB Says.*
<p>
Google used to have the slogan, "Don't be evil," but that was long ago.
The company has since reconciled with evil.


feed_id: aaf6782665eb482a1dc57a33eb89b98e
title: Income of top 0.1% increased by a factor of 4.4
uri: Income-of-top-0-1-increased-by-a-factor-of-4-4
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#5_December_2020_%28Income_of_top_0.1%2525_increased_by_a_factor_of_4.4%29

content:
<p>

*<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2020/12/02/new-data-show-income-top-01-soared-345-while-bottom-90-stagnated-over-past-40-years">New Data Shows</a> Income of Top 0.1% [increased by factor of 4.4] While
That of Bottom 90% Stagnated, Over Past 40 Years.*


feed_id: 1c6c06908645b5bfc448cf29eab0678b
title: People in the Labour Party bigoted against Muslims
uri: People-in-the-Labour-Party-bigoted-against-Muslims
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#5_December_2020_%28People_in_the_Labour_Party_bigoted_against_Muslims%29

content:
<p>

People have discovered that the Labour Party includes people who are
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2020/dec/04/islamophobia-labour-david-abrahams-british-muslims">bigoted against Muslims</a>.
<p>
(Note: the term <a href="https://stallman.org/antiglossary.html#islamophobia">"Islamophobia"</a> is incorrect because it is a form of
bigotry, which is quite different from a phobia.)
<p>
Since prejudice against Muslims is widespread, it would be surprising
indeed not to find it in the Labour Party.  It has also been observed
in the Tory Party.  So why is the concern focused solely on the former?


feed_id: 9006edd0a798dd27b3b39450f9f82d62
title: Georgia voters suing to get back on the voter list
uri: Georgia-voters-suing-to-get-back-on-the-voter-list
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#5_December_2020_%28Georgia_voters_suing_to_get_back_on_the_voter_list%29

content:
<p>

Almost 200,000 voters in Georgia are <a href="https://www.gregpalast.com/a-lawsuit-in-georgia-claims-that-nearly-200000-registered-voters-were-improperly-purged/">suing to get back on the voter
list</a> after being unjustly purged, supposedly for moving house (but
they had not in fact moved).


feed_id: cd3e17cc827cdbd6fad5eea69266385b
title: Federal government owns 92 percent of US student debt
uri: Federal-government-owns-92-percent-of-US-student-debt
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#5_December_2020_%28Federal_government_owns_92_percent_of_US_student_debt%29

content:
<p>

*The federal government owns 92 percent of all student debt owed in this
country. Canceling it could provide a <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2020/12/03/biden-could-cancel-student-debt-will-he">huge stimulus</a>.*
<p>
It is a mistake to see this primary as an issue concerning race.  Like
many aspects of the US economy that make the poor struggle to live,
student debt weighs on the average more on blacks than on whites,
because racism tends to make blacks poorer on the average.  But that
is a side issue.  The burden of unpayable student debt should be lifted from Americans regardless of their demographic classification.


feed_id: 264e4853a49c896b9a8cddcc2e9e0378
title: The post-Trump national security establishment
uri: The-post-Trump-national-security-establishment
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#5_December_2020_%28The_post-Trump_national_security_establishment%29

content:
<p>

*Biden Is the <a href="https://theintercept.com/2020/12/04/joe-biden-election-national-security/">Perfect Figurehead</a> for the Post-Trump National Security
Establishment.*


feed_id: e1b08c0aaaf46940752a367e29bd27d3
title: Need for action to protect soils
uri: Need-for-action-to-protect-soils
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#5_December_2020_%28Need_for_action_to_protect_soils%29

content:
<p>

The UN warns about the need for <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2020/dec/04/global-soils-underpin-life-but-future-looks-bleak-warns-un-report">action to protect soils</a>.


feed_id: f1f2d148cfbddee5a8234ece2ffffdb5
title: Grown chicken burgers
uri: Grown-chicken-burgers
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#5_December_2020_%28Grown_chicken_burgers%29
content:
<p>

A restaurant now serves chicken burgers <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/food/2020/dec/04/no-kill-lab-grown-chicken-burger-restaurant-israel">grown in a culture vat</a> in its
kitchen.


feed_id: eec7abde51148b3220c82f6148dd8078
title: Republicans are standing up to Trump
uri: Republicans-are-standing-up-to-Trump
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#5_December_2020_%28Republicans_are_standing_up_to_Trump%29

content:
<p>

*<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2020/dec/04/republicans-are-standing-up-to-trump-unfortunately-its-too-little-too-late">Republicans are standing up to Trump</a>. Unfortunately, it's too little, too
late.*
<p>
We can admire them for turning and facing him when he attacks them,
rather than cringing and obeying, but don't let this erase memory of
all their previous wrongs.


feed_id: 1a5a6d92ff9df511a9b705a87fab04d9
title: Bats have other coronaviruses
uri: Bats-have-other-coronaviruses
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#5_December_2020_%28Bats_have_other_coronaviruses%29
content:
<p>

Bats have <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/dec/04/wuhan-virologist-warns-more-bat-coronaviruses-capable-of-crossing-over-covid-beyond-china">other coronaviruses that can infect humans</a>.


feed_id: 2520308a519f0083afc29af12f3513ef
title: Florida governor misled public on Covid as cases rose
uri: Florida-governor-misled-public-on-Covid-as-cases-rose
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#5_December_2020_%28Florida_governor_misled_public_on_Covid_as_cases_rose%29

content:
<p>

*Florida investigation finds governor misled public on Covid as cases rose.*
He promoted anti-mask fanaticism while <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2020/dec/04/florida-governor-rob-desantis-covid-investigation-misled-public">covering up the number of cases</a>.


feed_id: 085ef4faa9bd4623564679f6eee609c2
title: Urgent: abortion in Massachusetts
uri: 2020-12-06-Urgent-abortion-in-Massachusetts
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#5_December_2020_%28Urgent%3A_abortion_in_Massachusetts%29

content:
<p>
Residents of Massachusetts: <a href="https://action.aclu.org/send-message/urge-governor-baker-support-equitable-abortion-access">call on Governor Baker</a> to sign the bill
relaxing some obstacles to abortion in Massachusetts.


feed_id: f1fefce93aecfc11eea90c011d918890
title: DACA must reopen for new applications
uri: DACA-must-reopen-for-new-applications
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#7_December_2020_%28DACA_must_reopen_for_new_applications%29

content:
<p>

*DACA program <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2020/dec/04/daca-program-restored-reopen-trump-administration-court">must reopen for new applications</a>, judge rules.*
<p>
It has taken years to finish stopping what the <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#11_October_2017_(Troll_Daca_border_wall)">bully tried to do to these immigrants</a>.

[pol note about when he started to damage DACA]


feed_id: ad91e851797d2f735cae04189bf7d828
title: Courts resistant to bogus claims of voter fraud
uri: Courts-resistant-to-bogus-claims-of-voter-fraud
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#7_December_2020_%28Courts_resistant_to_bogus_claims_of_voter_fraud%29

content:
<p>

US courts have been <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2020/dec/04/trump-election-lawsuits-losses-michigan-nevada-georgia-arizona">systematically resistant</a> to the conman's bogus claims
of voter fraud.
<p>
The fraud that does occur in US elections is <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jul-oct.html#30_October_2016_(Voter_suppression)">voter suppression</a>.


feed_id: 84956eaf08f84b829f3c4654a08fa21d
title: Immunity from liability if workers die
uri: Immunity-from-liability-if-workers-die
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#7_December_2020_%28Immunity_from_liability_if_workers_die%29

content:
<p>

The Covid-19 "stimulus" package gives companies <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2020/dec/05/tucked-into-the-covid-19-stimulus-package-protection-for-corporations">immunity from
liability</a> if their workers die from Covid-19 in unsafe workplaces.
<p>
Shame on the plutocratist Democrats in the House who let this through.
<p>
Since the bill contains no immediate stimulus for working-class
Americans, maybe it would be better to do nothing for now, and see
what happens in the Georgia Senate runoffs on January 5.  I wonder
whether plutocratist Democratic senators will push for his immunity
too.


feed_id: 3a389c5d918553c065c370af94c60884
title: Loophole in ethics rules for business consultants
uri: Loophole-in-ethics-rules-for-business-consultants
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#7_December_2020_%28Loophole_in_ethics_rules_for_business_consultants%29

content:
<p>

A loophole in ethics rules for business consultants who are appointed
to government offices allows them to <a href="https://theintercept.com/2020/12/05/biden-nominees-disclosure-exemption/">conceal which clients paid them</a>.
<p>
The danger of the revolving door is that officials will pre-sell
corrupt decisions, so this loophole is exactly what corruption needs
to hide.


feed_id: 2253c4ad30d519eece8a758403dc6387
title: Punished for requesting Covid-19 tests
uri: Punished-for-requesting-Covid-19-tests
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#7_December_2020_%28Punished_for_requesting_Covid-19_tests%29

content:
<p>

Prisoners in deportation prison say they were <a href="https://theintercept.com/2020/12/03/etowah-ice-detention-covid-outbreak/">punished for requesting Covid-19 tests</a>.
<p>
I believe them &mdash; it is in character for the sadists of the US
deportation <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thugs</a>.


feed_id: 6431139212c5d06f6b5b83d4219a8f14
title: US troops of Somalia
uri: US-troops-of-Somalia
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#7_December_2020_%28US_troops_of_Somalia%29
content:
<p>

*Trump orders US to <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2020/dec/04/us-troops-somalia-withdrawal-donald-trump">pull troops from Somalia</a>.*
<p>
Even a megalomaniac liar occasionally does something good, even if his
reasons are not good one.  This is one of those exceptions.


feed_id: 9d9b1e9ff4d75243e8ef10b0fc1f6b03
title: 2021 set to be 'catastrophic' for world's poorest
uri: 2021-set-to-be-catastrophic-for-world-s-poorest
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#7_December_2020_%282021_set_to_be_%27catastrophic%27_for_world%27s_poorest%29

content:
<p>

*Urging Tens of Billions in Emergency Aid, Top UN Officials Warn <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2020/12/04/urging-tens-billions-emergency-aid-top-un-officials-warn-2021-set-be-catastrophic">2021 Set to
Be 'Catastrophic' for World's Poorest</a>.*


feed_id: f4099d30f09df61e3518fc2bf8171610
title: Roots of the Planetary Crisis
uri: Roots-of-the-Planetary-Crisis
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#7_December_2020_%28Roots_of_the_Planetary_Crisis%29
content:
<p>

*The Megamachine and the Roots of the <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2020/12/03/megamachine-and-roots-planetary-crisis">Planetary Crisis</a>.*


feed_id: 49fa779480f086a59e7653e5dffdb3e5
title: Modi's plutocratist farm policies
uri: Modi-s-plutocratist-farm-policies
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#7_December_2020_%28Modi%27s_plutocratist_farm_policies%29

content:
<p>

Millions of Indian farmers are <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2020/12/03/indian-farmers-continue-historic-protests-after-250-million-people-rise-against">protesting Modi's plutocratist farm policies</a>.


feed_id: 26ef66530b8dc848a8e9197daaf6e00c
title: Sydney Mardi Gras members
uri: Sydney-Mardi-Gras-members
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#7_December_2020_%28Sydney_Mardi_Gras_members%29
content:
<p>

*Sydney Mardi Gras members <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2020/dec/05/sydney-mardi-gras-members-vote-against-banning-police-from-2021-parade">vote against banning police</a> from 2021 parade.*
<p>
People in certain groups, some racial, some political, have real
reason to fear patrolling <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thugs</a>.  But cops walking in a parade are not
likely to attack anyone.  Their floats are not tanks.  The polarizing
move that was demanded would not have helped to stop the violence of
<a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thugs</a>; it would have vented hostility in a useless way.
<p>
It is much better to put that energy into campaigning to stop <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thugs</a>'
violence.


feed_id: e6a74549ee447ff2e3dd08907e62535d
title: Coho Salmon
uri: Coho-Salmon
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#7_December_2020_%28Coho_Salmon%29
content:
<p>

Scientists have concluded that an antioxidant used in vehicle tires is
<a href="https://www.cnn.com/2020/12/03/us/microplastics-tire-rubber-chemicals-killing-coho-salmon-scn/index.html">washing into the ocean</a> and killing coho salmon.


feed_id: 70fa51cd7beb9f646e2f80ea7318a693
title: Thugs in India often us torture
uri: Thugs-in-India-often-us-torture
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#7_December_2020_%28Thugs_in_India_often_us_torture%29

content:
<p>

Thugs in India often <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2020/12/02/india/police-brutality-india-dst-intl-hnk/index.html">use torture</a> to make accused people confess. Sometimes they kill people in jail.  If the victim is a Dalit or in a
low cast, there is hardly any fuss.


feed_id: 9bc6649da1261d95f20ad442ac7631b4
title: Denmark oil and gas exploration
uri: Denmark-oil-and-gas-exploration
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#7_December_2020_%28Denmark_oil_and_gas_exploration%29

content:
<p>

*Denmark to <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/business/2020/dec/04/denmark-to-end-new-oil-and-gas-exploration-in-north-sea">end new oil and gas exploration</a> in North Sea.*
<p>
This is an example of what the whole world must do.  When a company
has found new reserves, it has made an investment towards extracting
them, and will fight to do so.  Extracting them means death, so we
must fight to prevent that, and blocking the search is the easiest
chance to do so.


feed_id: 0b772597e89bd724f63899bad5b996d4
title: (satire) Concerns about nuclear Iran
uri: (satire)-Concerns-about-nuclear-Iran
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#7_December_2020_%28%28satire%29_Concerns_about_nuclear_Iran%29

content:
<p>

(satire) *Concerns About Nuclear Iran Grow After <a href="https://www.theonion.com/concerns-about-nuclear-iran-grow-after-periodic-table-p-1845792548">Periodic Table Poster Spotted</a> In Tehran High School.*


feed_id: 49f06085786373b1da2661fe9e22c0bd
title: Sri Lanka cremating corpses of dead from Covid-19
uri: Sri-Lanka-cremating-corpses-of-dead-from-Covid-19
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#7_December_2020_%28Sri_Lanka_cremating_corpses_of_dead_from_Covid-19%29

content:
<p>

Sri Lanka has ordered cremation of corpses of people that die from
Covid-19.  Muslims and some Christians are <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/dec/04/muslims-sri-lanka-justice-forced-cremations-covid-victims">outraged</a> because their
religions forbid cremation.
<p>
The main question here is whether there is an objective medical need
to cremate those corpses.  WHO says there isn't.  If there is no need
for the requirement, Sri Lanka should drop it.  Governments should let
people do as they wish when there is no need to interfere.
<p>
In general, when a requirement is medically important to protect the
living, religion is no excuse for disobeying it.


feed_id: 0c2858eee0b0f003f5d799f71f20ed23
title: Classifying athletes by sex
uri: Classifying-athletes-by-sex
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#7_December_2020_%28Classifying_athletes_by_sex%29
content:
<p>

Classifying athletes by sex is causing <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2020/dec/04/world-athletics-accused-over-abusive-sex-testing-of-athletes-from-global-south">boundary line</a> problems again.
<p>
They should give each athlete an individual handicap and eliminate the
need for classifications.


feed_id: aac9b98cbf5c8ddc3a481049794f1678
title: AOC's "tax the rich" sweatshirt
uri: AOC-s-tax-the-rich-sweatshirt
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#7_December_2020_%28AOC%27s_tax_the_rich_sweatshirt%29

content:
<p>

AOC's <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2020/dec/04/alexandria-ocasio-cortez-tax-the-rich-sweatshirt-critics">"tax the rich" sweatshirt</a> costs more because it is made by union workers
in the US.


feed_id: 7f7351e124c5bfbad29378252ed93248
title: Congress stalls on stimulus checks
uri: Congress-stalls-on-stimulus-checks
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#7_December_2020_%28Congress_stalls_on_stimulus_checks%29

content:
<p>

*Congress <a href="https://theintercept.com/2020/12/04/covid-irs-corporation-tax-refunds/">Stalls on Stimulus Checks</a> for Families While Corporations Continue
to Reap Millions from CARES Act.*
<p>
It is morphing into the SCARE Act.


feed_id: 5dbfa55e0556de4ab404119a382a2d34
title: Expedited quarantine
uri: Expedited-quarantine
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#7_December_2020_%28Expedited_quarantine%29
content:
<p>
(<a href="https://www.theonion.com/cdc-introduces-new-expedited-quarantine-period-of-3-5-b-1845802616">satire</a>) *CDC Introduces New Expedited Quarantine Period Of 3-5
Business Days For $29.99.*  Act quickly, limited quantities only!


feed_id: f9500d623e6ec07a855f508a96e928c6
title: Military spending bill
uri: 2020-12-07-Military-spending-bill
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#7_December_2020_%28Military_spending_bill%29
content:
<p>
One good thing about the military spending bill that Congress is
working on is that it would prohibit federal forces <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2020/12/04/politics/bill-federal-forces-badges/index.html">from
patrolling American cities without identifying themselves</a>.

<p>
Another good thing, which is why the wrecker threatens to veto it, is that
it would require <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#8_October_2019_(Army_bases_named_after_Confederate_generals)">renaming of the US military bases named after traitors
who fought for the Confederacy and to prolong slavery</a>.

<p>
What the bill fails to do is cut military spending and redirect
American productivity towards strengthening the American people
(providing food, shelter, education and medical care), and making US
industry less concentrated and thus more resilient.

<p>
Military strength is not the most crucial part of making a country
that is great and strong.


feed_id: 4dafd4efbb84e5c6adaee0c40b2b8063
title: Localism
uri: Localism
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#7_December_2020_%28Localism%29
content:
<p>
Even the downtrodden can fall into narrow-minded localism.  This article
describes efforts by indigenous tribes in Minnesota to block a tar
sands pipeline whose only use would be to increase oil extraction and
hasten global climate disaster.  But the article does not mention that
danger &mdash; <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2020/12/04/strong-hearts-front-indigenous-water-protectors-take-direct-action-against-minnesota">only the possibility of polluting the local rivers</a>.

<p>
Polluting additional rivers is bad, but civilization could survive
that.  Civilization may not survive <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#global heating">global heating</a> disaster, and there
is no room in the world's climate budget for more oil extraction
anywhere in the world.

<p>
Whatever their motivation, I hope those tribes win their battle to
block the pipeline, but presenting this as a purely local problem will
fail to build awareness about the larger, global issue that threatens
every one of us.


feed_id: f1bfd2c60579e1cf6adf4b2f959bc5f5
title: Relief plan
uri: Relief-plan
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#7_December_2020_%28Relief_plan%29
content:
<p>
Sanders opposes the bipartisan Covid-19 relief plan because it fails
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2020/12/04/sanders-opposed-relief-plan-gives-absolutely-no-financial-help-tens-millions">to provide any immediate relief for Americans that need it</a>.


feed_id: d8bd1fc7eb614cef14607bcca85f528a
title: Abolishing forced work
uri: Abolishing-forced-work
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#7_December_2020_%28Abolishing_forced_work%29
content:
<p>
Proposing a constitutional amendment <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2020/12/04/155-years-after-abolition-slavery-still-legal-united-states-democratic-lawmakers-are">to abolish forcing prisoners to
work for little or no pay</a>.

<p>
This practice continues in some US states, and it is still an
incentive to put more people in prison.  When you read about forced
labor in Xinjiang, China, keep in mind that the evil exists here too.


feed_id: 0076eccbac2273090008f73b571bffb0
title: Consolidation of hospitals
uri: Consolidation-of-hospitals
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#7_December_2020_%28Consolidation_of_hospitals%29
content:
<p>
Consolidation of US hospitals and medicine into fewer, bigger
companies is causing big harm to US medical care, <a href="https://www.thenation.com/article/society/coronavirus-healthcare-consolidation/">and Covid-19 makes
the effects plain</a>.


feed_id: 9d3fcd0d3383689d0b702d711d3b9ce3
title: Ghost kitchens
uri: Ghost-kitchens
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#7_December_2020_%28Ghost_kitchens%29
content:
<p>
Food-delivery platforms learn what customers order from restaurants,
then set up "ghost kitchens", phony "restaurants" that do only
delivery, to put restaurants out of business.  <a href="https://publicseminar.org/essays/how-taxpayers-are-picking-up-the-bill-for-the-destruction-of-local-restaurants/">Now the grocery chain
Kroger's is doing it too</a>.

<p>
This could replace millions of not-very-good jobs with gig work for some
and unemployment for the rest.


feed_id: cd208ace0f34ccba9f92eae4ed3133dd
title: Putting refugees in low-lying island
uri: Putting-refugees-in-low-lying-island
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#7_December_2020_%28Putting_refugees_in_low-lying_island%29

content:
<p>
Bangladesh is taking Rohingya refugees <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2020/12/04/short-sighted-and-inhumane-human-rights-groups-sound-warnings-bangladesh-sends">to a low-lying island where
they will drown sooner or later</a>.

<p>
This is indeed inhumane, but calling it "short-sighted" presumes that
Bangladesh's government of the fate it is condemning them to.  That is
impossible &mdash; flooding from storms and sea-level rise is a big concern
in Bangladesh, and hardly anyone can be unaware of it.


feed_id: efc29284f6ea8d2db4b53bc80e508bfd
title: Data on children separation
uri: Data-on-children-separation
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#7_December_2020_%28Data_on_children_separation%29
content:
<p>
A little-known government department finally provided some useful data
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2020/12/03/demands-probe-possible-criminal-charges-trump-accused-withholding-data-needed">about the children that the US separated from parents that can't be
found</a>.

<p>
Searching for those refugee children's parents is a good thing to do,
but when the ACLU does this, it is mission creep.  It should leave the
job of aiding refugee children to charities whose mission is to aid
children or aid refugees, and focus on its own mission: defending
human rights in the US.  If the ACLU ceases to focus on its mission,
its mission will suffer, and that must not be!


feed_id: d46a18563512250cc2bc8c31c1d2c5ae
title: Head of Department of Health and Human Services
uri: Head-of-Department-of-Health-and-Human-Services
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#7_December_2020_%28Head_of_Department_of_Health_and_Human_Services%29

content:
<p>
Gina Raimondo did a lousy job of dealing with Covid-19 as governor of
Rhode Island: she cut spending instead of helping people get well or
not get sick.  She should not be put <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2020/12/03/why-gina-raimondo-would-be-disastrous-pick-hhs">in charge of the Department of
Health and Human Services</a>.


feed_id: d446dce613412e76d57e588af3106f52
title: Head of EPA
uri: Head-of-EPA
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#7_December_2020_%28Head_of_EPA%29
content:
<p>
Opposing Mary Nichols as head of the EPA, because in California she
was too ready <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2020/12/03/70-organizations-oppose-carb-chair-mary-nichols-epa">to let businesses continue polluting the air where
poor people live</a>.


feed_id: 27bb3ca8672634fcc73a787dd071cb3e
title: Celebration
uri: Celebration
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#7_December_2020_%28Celebration%29
content:
<p>
(<a href="https://www.theonion.com/william-barr-celebrates-holidays-by-giving-lethal-injec-1845799993">satire</a>) *William Barr Celebrates Holidays By Giving Lethal Injections
To Those Less Fortunate.*


feed_id: 8ad6ace7735235eb1366bb15852829ff
title: Moral rules for businesses
uri: Moral-rules-for-businesses
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#7_December_2020_%28Moral_rules_for_businesses%29
content:
<p>
Adam Smith called for the owners of businesses to obey the moral rules
of their religions.  Today governments <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/business/2020/dec/05/shareholders-cant-force-businesses-to-act-morally-but-governments-can">must impose moral rules on
businesses</a>.


feed_id: 072559c0d5bab83c6aa3b9c6e860fb75
title: Crime against democracy
uri: Crime-against-democracy
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#7_December_2020_%28Crime_against_democracy%29
content:
<p>
*Corporations Paying Lawmakers to Outlaw Protest <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2020/12/05/corporations-paying-lawmakers-outlaw-protest-crime-against-democracy">Is a Crime Against Democracy</a>.*

<p>
The article linked to just above displays symbolic bigotry by
capitalizing "black" but not "white".  (To avoid that bigotry,
capitalize both words or neither one.)  I object to bigotry, and
normally I decline to link to articles which promote it.  But I make
an exception for articles which give important information, in this
case about an attack that threatens the human rights of all members of
my race &mdash; the human race &mdash; as part of a greater danger that
threatens the lives of all the young members of the human race.


feed_id: b57a62b8824885deb7b0b5d1d74c10b3
title: Spending and regretting
uri: Spending-and-regretting
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#7_December_2020_%28Spending_and_regretting%29
content:
<p>
Online stores manipulate people very effectively into spending and
regretting.  Some people, with psychological problems, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/money/2020/dec/05/retailers-spend-more-online-stores">find it very
hard to resist this</a>.

<p>
Setting up a national state marketplace site which does not get funded
by a share of what people pay would make it easy to fix this problem,
as well as many others.  It could allow people to specify spending
limits for themselves, which the site would then enforce, even limits
on various categories of products.

<p>
It could have clear rules set by law and official regulation.  It
could completely refuse to allow use of personal data for profiling.
Even better, the site could offer anonymous payment through Taler and
anonymous product pickup at post offices and elsewhere.

<p>
This system would eliminate the tax-dodging of Amazon and the lobbying
power of Amazon.


feed_id: 2796959ee23700c616924100ace06a2a
title: Review thugs' body camera videos randomly
uri: Review-thugs-body-camera-videos-randomly
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#8_December_2020_%28Review_thugs%27_body_camera_videos_randomly%29

content:
<p>

A proposal: allow members of the public to <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2020/dec/06/police-cells-scrutiny-body-cameras-policing">review thugs' body camera videos randomly</a>.
<p>
I can see how this would do a lot of good, but it would also violate
the privacy of everyone that cops momentarily look at.  We need to limit
what footage gets uploaded and saved, to make sure it includes violent
encounters, and <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#28_July_2019_(Face_recongnition_and_body_cameras)">does <em>not</em></a> include most other things.


feed_id: 661d562d56f122d33e38da0363f07982
title: Directed pulsed radio waves
uri: Directed-pulsed-radio-waves
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#8_December_2020_%28Directed_pulsed_radio_waves%29
content:
<p>

The US claims that directed pulsed radio waves <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2020/dec/06/havana-syndrome-directed-radio-frequency-likely-cause-of-illness-report">injured diplomats' brains</a>
in Cuba and China.
<p>
It should not be hard to equip embassies, and diplomats' homes, with
detectors.


feed_id: c5ad1e4c107df6c2b7b943b68a6d4d15
title: Kashmiris arrested for tweets
uri: Kashmiris-arrested-for-tweets
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#8_December_2020_%28Kashmiris_arrested_for_tweets%29
content:
<p>

<a href="https://theintercept.com/2020/12/06/kashmir-social-media-police/">Interviews</a> with Kashmiris that were arrested for tweets.
Some report torture.


feed_id: 419abcf84ce8aa0d51ac470c40153484
title: Political statements on the playing field
uri: Political-statements-on-the-playing-field
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#8_December_2020_%28Political_statements_on_the_playing_field%29

content:
<p>

When athletes on the playing field make a political statement, the
fans have a <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/dec/06/millwall-fans-who-booed-players-taking-a-knee-should-be-respected-says-eustice">right to respond with their own opinions</a>.  That means they
have the right to cheer, or the right to boo.
<p>
If players stated their admiration of a right-wing extremist, would
you boo them?  I would.  Therefore I defend the right to boo.  We must
defend the right of fans to express whatever views they wish to
express, within the limits of what is possible in the situation.
<p>
Here are some <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2020/dec/06/our-attitudes-to-race-are-complex-our-response-to-racism-should-be-complex-too">ideas</a> about how to build understanding and support for
eliminating racism.


feed_id: a7a8d3e3c70140e9746b4e9335b62d93
title: Crazed bar owner in Staten Island
uri: Crazed-bar-owner-in-Staten-Island
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#8_December_2020_%28Crazed_bar_owner_in_Staten_Island%29

content:
<p>

A crazed bar owner in Staten Island (the right-wing borough of New
York City) continued serving customers indoors although that was
forbidden.  Cops arrested him for repeated violations, so he allegedly
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2020/dec/06/staten-island-bar-covid-protests-danny-presti-pete-davidson-snl-saturday-night-live">drove his car into a sheriff's deputy</a>, injuring per.
<p.
We can't be sure that a report from cops is true, but I expect that videos
will show for certain what he did.


feed_id: f57aa6c1fb1ba5234ed9fd827c6d4690
title: Poetry on verge of extinction in Xinjiang
uri: Poetry-on-verge-of-extinction-in-Xinjiang
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#8_December_2020_%28Poetry_on_verge_of_extinction_in_Xinjiang%29

content:
<p>

*Poetry, the soul of Uighur culture, on <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/dec/06/poetry-the-soul-of-uighur-culture-on-verge-of-extinction-in-xinjiang">verge of extinction in Xinjiang</a>.*
<p>
Because China is extinguishing the poets.


feed_id: 0b14e3b838b52df3a0bf73567839dd02
title: The bully is eager to execute Lisa Montgomery
uri: The-bully-is-eager-to-execute-Lisa-Montgomery
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#8_December_2020_%28The_bully_is_eager_to_execute_Lisa_Montgomery%29

content:
<p>

The bully is eager to <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2020/12/04/demanding-clemency-lisa-montgomery-un-experts-warn-us-verge-arbitrary-execution">execute Lisa Montgomery</a> before Biden gets a
chance to perhaps commute her sentence to imprisonment; but what
larger conclusions should we draw?
<p>
First of all, this reminds us that US trials are generally sloppy and
often unfair, for the whole range of crimes.  Defendants who are
innocent usually plead guilty, because they have no hope of paying for
a proper defense.
<p>
Second, we see that the US system of public health is horribly
inadequate.


feed_id: 131a6e46251c1752724da5c5dc462529
title: Denmark's 30-year fossil fuel phase-out
uri: Denmark-s-30-year-fossil-fuel-phase-out
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#8_December_2020_%28Denmark%27s_30-year_fossil_fuel_phase-out%29

content:
<p>

*Greta Thunberg Says Denmark's 30-Year Fossil Fuel Phase-Out <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2020/12/04/were-climate-emergency-act-accordingly-greta-thunberg-says-denmarks-30-year-fossil">Not Fast Enough</a>.*
<p>
She's right, of course.  We know from scientific modeling that we need
to get rid of most greenhouse emissions by 2030.  Denmark's decision
to stop all exploration now is good; the rest of its plans are an
improvement but still not good enough.


feed_id: 4354959d3d1a80feb744d225f5baafde
title: Daniel Ellsber joins campaign against Flournoy
uri: Daniel-Ellsber-joins-campaign-against-Flournoy
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#8_December_2020_%28Daniel_Ellsber_joins_campaign_against_Flournoy%29

content:
<p>

*Because She Was Wrong About Iraq, Afghanistan, Syria, Yemen, and Libya,
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2020/12/04/because-she-was-wrong-about-iraq-afghanistan-syria-yemen-and-libya-daniel-ellsberg">Daniel Ellsberg Joins Campaign Against Flournoy</a>.*


feed_id: 056f68a8e776268d900bd022f290f735
title: Urgent: Massachusetts thug department reform bill
uri: Urgent-Massachusetts-thug-department-reform-bill
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#8_December_2020_%28Urgent%3A_Massachusets_thug_department_reform_bill%29

content:
<p>

Massachusetts residents: call on Governor Baker to sign the <a href="https://action.aclu.org/send-message/tell-governor-baker-sign-police-reform-bill/">thug department reform bill</a>.


feed_id: 94fd46ba28fdb3893965d01ca995b410
title: Urgent: Block the arms sale to the UAE
uri: Urgent-Block-the-arms-sale-to-the-UAE
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#8_December_2020_%28Urgent%3A_Block_the_arms_sale_to_the_UAE%29

content:
<p>

US citizens: call on your senators to pass a resolution to <a href="https://act.winwithoutwar.org/act/senators-block-trumps-23-billion-arms-sale-uae">block the arms sale to the UAE</a>.

     <p>The Capitol Switchboard numbers are 202-224-3121, 888-818-6641
       and 888-355-3588.</p>

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


feed_id: ec08e672e980a87d5a3f46c72988fdf5
title: Urgent: Call on Biden to cancel all federal student debt.
uri: Urgent-Call-on-Biden-to-cancel-all-federal-student-debt
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#8_December_2020_%28Urgent%3A_Call_on_Biden_to_cancel_all_federal_student_debt.%29

content:
<p>

US citizens: call on Biden to <a href="https://act.ayannapressley.com/signup/ads-ea-jcbn-cancelstudentdebt">cancel all federal student debt</a>.


feed_id: 60e96365bbbb44eba0ed598c09dfda7c
title: Claiming the wrecker won
uri: Claiming-the-wrecker-won
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#8_December_2020_%28Claiming_the_wrecker_won%29
content:
<p>
Nearly all Republicans in Congress <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2020/12/05/trump-demands-names-27-congressional-republicans-who-acknowledged-bidens-victory">claim that the wrecker won the
presidential election</a>.

<p>
The wrecker made noises about about trying to find out who the few
exceptions are, as if he intended to punish them.  Whether this was
a serious intention, or just trolling, will be seen.

<p>
*Georgia runoff debate: senator Kelly Loeffler <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2020/dec/07/georgia-runoff-debate-dominated-by-trumps-baseless-claims-of-election">refuses three times to accept
Biden victory</a>.*


feed_id: e0475ebb0f3d7e8466581ab14872173b
title: Social aid systems
uri: Social-aid-systems
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#8_December_2020_%28Social_aid_systems%29
content:
<p>
European countries have much better social aid systems than the US, <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2020/12/06/business/europe-covid-inequality-benefits-intl/index.html">but they
don't cover everyone and all kinds of work</a>.


feed_id: 6ed665fd057a02c552f6e3178d94867a
title: Sex workers
uri: 2020-12-08-Sex-workers
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#8_December_2020_%28Sex_workers%29
content:
<p>
Because most of the US criminalizes sex work, sex workers have
suffered especially harshly from the pandemic.  Recent increases in
repression have made it harder for them to find customers.  We should
legalize sex work <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2020/12/06/opinions/decriminalize-sex-work-talukder-this-is-life/index.html">to help put an end to enslavement and trafficking of
sex workers</a>.


feed_id: 7d733267851ac4878589902eea1f9737
title: Organizing war
uri: Organizing-war
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#8_December_2020_%28Organizing_war%29
content:
<p>
The foreign policy advisers that Biden have chosen have a history
(under Obama) of trying to organize war against North Korea,
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2020/12/06/old-obama-hands-korea-policy-could-pose-new-problems-peace">presuming an alliance with South Korea and Japan</a>.  
  The idea of that alliance is absurd &mdash; and so is attacking a nuclear power.
The tyranny of the Kim dynasty is a great injustice, but we cannot eliminate
it militarily.


feed_id: 8638df5cbfee6d05dcccb271ac8f9774
title: Monitoring cops
uri: Monitoring-cops
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#8_December_2020_%28Monitoring_cops%29
content:
<p>
An official proposes to give UK community panels the power to monitor
possibly dangerous interactions of cops with citizens, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2020/dec/06/police-chief-unveils-radical-plans-for-community-panels-to-monitor-race-bias">through their
videos and documents</a>.

<p>
This could be a great step forward in protecting people from thuggish
actions.  It is good that looking at the videos will be limited to
certain situations where people could be hurt &mdash; not all the time
as <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thugs</a> walk around.

<p>
However, we still need to stop <em>the state</em> from looking at the videos
made all the time.


feed_id: b37263b7060c7c68ce97c1a30642e7ba
title: Neologisms
uri: Neologisms
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#8_December_2020_%28Neologisms%29
content:
<p>
Advertising companies churn out a series of neologisms.  <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20201202015759/https://www.nytimes.com/2020/11/25/business/media/thumb-stopping-humaning-b4h-the-strange-language-of-modern-marketing.html">Their latest
ones are ridiculous</a>.
  But don't laugh too long &mdash; if they get you to use their terminology,
they are warping your own thoughts.  And if the other people you know
start using those terms, they will pressure you to use them too.

<p>
That's why I've made <a href="https://stallman.org/antiglossary.html">lists</a> of <a href="https://gnu.org/philosophy/words-to-avoid.html">terms</a> I urge people to reject:


feed_id: 6fd25839bb096c54e8e3fd2c8776af4e
title: Blocking emails without giving reason
uri: Blocking-emails-without-giving-reason
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#8_December_2020_%28Blocking_emails_without_giving_reason%29

content:
<p>
Microsoft has made outlook.com block <a href="https://disroot.org/en/blog/microsoft_hostility">all emails from the site disroot.org
and refuses to give a reason</a>.

<p>
I know nothing else about disroot.org.  If there are any valid
complaints about it, I don't know what they are &mdash; but they are
irrelevant.  Even valid complaints cannot justify "We block you and
won't say why."

<p>
I think that this is part of a tendency which results from the
disappearance of the university and corporate mail servers that many
people formerly used.  This decrease in options has made the big email
companies powerful, and thus arrogant.

<p>
We should either regulate those companies strictly or break them up.
 


feed_id: 7631d1dcb33aecf92273a40a41641054
title: Rent strike
uri: Rent-strike
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#8_December_2020_%28Rent_strike%29
content:
<p>
*UK students <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/education/2020/dec/06/we-wont-be-cash-cows-uk-students-plan-the-largest-rent-strike-in-40-years">plan the largest rent strike in 40 years</a>.*


feed_id: 44c2f2cb71e5da56fa81a2c6c3fd7ccf
title: Space pollution
uri: Space-pollution
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#8_December_2020_%28Space_pollution%29
content:
<p>
Space business is growing rapidly &mdash; <a href="https://newrepublic.com/article/160303/monetizing-final-frontier">and polluting low Earth orbit
with unnecessary space junk that could ruin everything permanently</a>.

<p>
We need governments to apply anti-pollution laws before they
ruin everything.


feed_id: 052dec8800a55a2fe22b05d4b3e4174c
title: Pretending a win
uri: Pretending-a-win
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#8_December_2020_%28Pretending_a_win%29
content:
<p>
Inside the White House, the wrecker's officials humored him, <a href="https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/us-election-2020/election-results-trump-king-george-b1763487.html">pretending
that he had won the election</a>.
  Those who couldn't fake it kept away &mdash; while still refusing to
admit the truth.


feed_id: 76a25a1f06ac0880ee3e678ea938a62a
title: Learning from New Deal
uri: Learning-from-New-Deal
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#8_December_2020_%28Learning_from_New_Deal%29
content:
<p>
*What the Green New Deal Can Learn from the New Deal,*
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2020/12/06/states-change-what-green-new-deal-can-learn-new-deal">especially in regard to what individual US states can do</a>.


feed_id: 4368fabc93c2a38e0d7b5659881fcc22
title: Democracy
uri: Democracy
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#8_December_2020_%28Democracy%29
content:
<p>
*  "In a society fully committed to democracy, Congress would use this
   lame-duck period to impeach, convict, and disqualify Donald Trump from
   pursuing public office in the future, <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2020/12/06/democracy-has-be-defended-it-possible-and-necessary-critics-say-stop-trump-running">as the Constitution allows</a>."*

<p>
That is clearly true, but our society comes nowhere near that.  To
remove the wrecker from office would would require the votes of
Republicans.  Today's Republicans value the wrecker more than their
country; their commitment to truth is not enough to get them to
recognize the outcome of the election.


feed_id: fb885d9a107ab808c98bb3ad26620cd2
title: Pardon Julian Assange
uri: Pardon-Julian-Assange
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#8_December_2020_%28Pardon_Julian_Assange%29
content:
<p>
*'You Alone Can Save His Life': Edward Snowden <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2020/12/03/you-alone-can-save-his-life-edward-snowden-urges-trump-pardon-julian-assange">Urges Trump to Pardon Julian Assange</a>.*

<p>
The conman does not hate Assange the way most politicians do (or
pretend to do).  He acts from interest or from whim, so he might do
this.  One may as well ask.


feed_id: 1a087e6eb5cd908de1d4d64235bf2f7e
title: State curbs
uri: State-curbs
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#8_December_2020_%28State_curbs%29
content:
<p>
*   Fears over [Cuban] state curbs on live shows <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/dec/06/havanas-artists-find-their-voice-in-a-call-to-defend-creative-freedom">lead to hunger strike, arrests and
   street standoff with government</a>.*


feed_id: ec98d92b1fa42f3c36ef3a592d5fa760
title: High officials
uri: High-officials
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#8_December_2020_%28High_officials%29
content:
<p>
Some progressive leaders state satisfaction <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2020/dec/06/joe-biden-progressives-staff-nominations-democrats">with some of Biden's choices for
high officials</a>.

<p>
Robert Reich: *Joe Biden's economic team beats Trump's goon squad &mdash;
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2020/dec/06/joe-biden-economic-team-trump-robert-reich">but it faces a steep challenge</a>.*


feed_id: 9fea5df17bbe8429def1c4e0e3b4fc7a
title: Crazed bar owner in Staten Island
uri: 2020-12-08-Crazed-bar-owner-in-Staten-Island
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#8_December_2020_%28Crazed_bar_owner_in_Staten_Island%29

content:
<p>

A crazed bar owner in Staten Island (the right-wing borough of New
York City) continued serving customers indoors although that was
forbidden.  Cops arrested him for repeated violations, so he allegedly
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2020/dec/06/staten-island-bar-covid-protests-danny-presti-pete-davidson-snl-saturday-night-live">drove his car into a sheriff's deputy</a>, injuring per.
<p>
We can't be sure that a report from cops is true, but I expect that videos
will show for certain what he did.


feed_id: 4f7ffbfff5e143ab1f924368176e287a
title: AI ethics researcher Timnit Gebru
uri: AI-ethics-researcher-Timnit-Gebru
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#8_December_2020_%28AI_ethics_researcher_Timnit_Gebru%29

content:
<p>

Google fired AI ethics researcher Timnit Gebru, who studies the
effects of AI systems, after she <a href="https://www.bbc.com/news/technology-55187611">refused to retract a paper</a> when
ordered to by management.
<p>
The paper draws <a href="https://www.technologyreview.com/2020/12/04/1013294/google-ai-ethics-research-paper-forced-out-timnit-gebru/">negative conclusions</a> about Google's textual
machine learning.
<p>
Google claims there are flaws in her paper, but criticizing a
scientist's research paper is a job for other scientists (mostly not
from the same company), not for per managers.
<p>
I support the three demands made in the <a href="https://googlewalkout.medium.com/standing-with-dr-timnit-gebru-isupporttimnit-believeblackwomen-6dadc300d382">letter</a> that defends her.
<p>
It may well be that Google's working environment manifests
racism and sexism, which I disapprove of.  But I don't think that
is what this wrong is about.  I don't think that Google made this
demand because of her gender or her skin color.
<p>
Rather, it seems that Google is attempting to suppress the truth.
  


feed_id: 7e8a132050a47e8a065716fd0df4becd
title: Iran's spying accusations
uri: Iran-s-spying-accusations
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#8_December_2020_%28Iran%27s_spying_accusations%29
content:
<p>

Iran has a penchant for accusing dual-nationals of spying, even the
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/dec/07/iran-mariam-claren-mother-nahid-taghavi-evin-prison">unlikeliest of them</a>.


feed_id: 8c96f0cf9a3325147b1ae4b84bb63a8c
title: Racism ages Black Americans faster
uri: Racism-ages-Black-Americans-faster
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#8_December_2020_%28Racism_ages_Black_Americans_faster%29

content:
<p>

*Racism literally <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2020/dec/07/racism-ages-black-americans-faster">ages Black Americans faster</a>, according to our 25-year study.*


feed_id: e05dd1cbf8677ba6436ac25c84dc2492
title: Twitter accused of censoring Salil Tripathi
uri: Twitter-accused-of-censoring-Salil-Tripathi
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#8_December_2020_%28Twitter_accused_of_censoring_Salil_Tripathi%29

content:
<p>

*Twitter accused of <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2020/dec/07/twitter-accused-censoring-indian-critic-hindu-nationalism-salil-tripathi">censoring Salil Tripathi</a>, Indian critic of Hindu
nationalism.*


feed_id: edede66ffc6c81aac1147cd96f1734b8
title: Demanding Congress not give immunity from coronavirus-related liability-lawsuits
uri: Demanding-Congress-not-give-immunity-from-coronavirus-related-liabilit
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#8_December_2020_%28Demanding_Congress_not_give_immunity_from_coronavirus-related_liability-lawsuits%29

content:
<p>

*A coalition of &hellip; civil rights, consumer advocacy, and labor
organizations is demanding that Congress <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2020/12/07/140-rights-groups-demand-congress-leave-corporate-immunity-provisions-out-covid">[not give] corporations
immunity</a> from coronavirus-related [liability lawsuits].*


feed_id: 75ee0e713928c4e3627f60cae0b16113
title: Giuliani exposed Republican officials to Covid-19
uri: Giuliani-exposed-Republican-officials-to-Covid-19
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#8_December_2020_%28Giuliani_exposed_Republican_officials_to_Covid-19%29

content:
<p>

Giuliani, who has tested positive for Covid-19, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2020/dec/07/rudy-giuliani-covid-19-trump">recklessly exposed</a> Republican officials to Covid-19 in several states.
<p>
If some of them get sick, will it teach them to support wearing masks?


feed_id: f72d02e4447fee408325bf39f9dbca54
title: Water is traded on Wall Street
uri: Water-is-traded-on-Wall-Street
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#8_December_2020_%28Water_is_traded_on_Wall_Street%29

content:
<p>

Water is now a <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2020/12/07/future-we-are-looking-wall-street-begin-betting-water-scarcity">Wall Street traded commodity</a>.  This is a sign of the extent
to which water supplies have been privatized.
<p>
I don't see that the commodity trading will directly hurt people, but
the privatization could mean that some people can't afford water to
drink.


feed_id: 6fdd3c47ad30aab4a58d89d0b3d7dbfc
title: Slovakia's mass Covid testing
uri: Slovakia-s-mass-Covid-testing
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#8_December_2020_%28Slovakia%27s_mass_Covid_testing%29

content:
<p>

*Slovakia's mass Covid testing <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/dec/07/slovakia-mass-covid-tests-cut-infection-rate-by-60-researchers-find">cut infection rate by 60%</a>, researchers say.*
<p>
People who tested positive were ordered to quarantine and their wages
were paid.
<p>
Let's do this in the US!


feed_id: 88f7622c90adb556dfdedd6829c832f3
title: Associated with severe case of Covid-19
uri: Associated-with-severe-case-of-Covid-19
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#9_December_2020_%28Associated_with_severe_case_of_Covid-19%29

content:
<p>
One common PFA chemical <a href="https://theintercept.com/2020/12/07/pfas-pfba-severe-covid-study/">is associated with more severe cases of Covid-19</a>.

<p>
Blacks tend to have more severe cases of Covid-19, on the average.
Blacks also tend to have greater exposure to many toxic pollutants.
It could be that blacks are more likely to have high levels of
PFBA and that this explains the greater severity they experience
on the average.


feed_id: 9ccb3355231609aef1523b5f4938be86
title: Urgent: immediate payment of stimulus bill
uri: Urgent-immediate-payment-of-stimulus-bill
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#9_December_2020_%28Urgent%3A_immediate_payment_of_stimulus_bill%29

content:
<p>
US citizens: <a href="https://actionnetwork.org/forms/sign-now-to-demand-covid-relief-include-stimulus-checks?nowrapper=true">call on Congress</a> to include immediate payments for
individuals in the stimulus bill.


feed_id: b394bcc6128803615802bca36e21204e
title: Urgent: investigate call for violence
uri: Urgent-investigate-call-for-violence
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#9_December_2020_%28Urgent%3A_investigate_call_for_violence%29

content:
<p>
US citizens: <a href="https://act.pfaw.org/sign/investigate-trump-lawyer-digenova/">call on the District of Columbia bar association's Office of
Disciplinary Counsel</a> to investigate a Republican lawyer's call for violence.


feed_id: bcaf17f1236faf716d75dc81af225446
title: Children shot dead
uri: Children-shot-dead
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#9_December_2020_%28Children_shot_dead%29
content:
<p>
Someone shot two children dead in a favela in Brazil.
Witnesses say <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/dec/07/brazil-girls-killing-black-lives-matter">the killer was a uniformed thug</a>.

<p>
It is not surprising that the murdered children are black.  2/3 of
favela inhabitants are black.  People live in favelas because they are
poor.


feed_id: 1ab667cd68957b8cc38acf6b4c5c3060
title: Harassed for refusing cover up
uri: Harassed-for-refusing-cover-up
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#9_December_2020_%28Harassed_for_refusing_cover_up%29

content:
<p>
When Florida started covering up Covid-19 data, Rebekah Jones refused
to manipulate data and was fired.  Since then she has been posting
honest data.  Now state thugs <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2020/dec/07/florida-police-raid-data-scientist-coronavirus">have raided her home, pointing guns, and
seized her computers</a>.

<p>
She says she will not give up.

<p>
Reference to past events.


feed_id: 3e95501d63583dcec37be8c45a223c17
title: Increase in surveillance powers
uri: Increase-in-surveillance-powers
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#9_December_2020_%28Increase_in_surveillance_powers%29

content:
<p>
Australia's proposals to increase surveillance powers <a href="https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-12-04/dennis-richardson-electronic-surveillance-overhaul-proposed-spy/12950026">are dangerous on
many points</a>.

<p>
The spy agency argues against a clear, simple rule, "To spy on an
Australian in Australia, get a specific authorization," by citing edge
cases and asking to be able to spy in those cases without asking for
specific permission.  The agency would stretch those edge cases wide;
we know they cannot be trusted not to.

<p>
I wonder how often those edge cases really occur.  Ten times a year?
It would be no burden to ask for specific permission ten more times a
year.  But if the agency gets an exception in can interpret on its own,
it could stretch that to cover thousands of cases a year.

<p>
Deregulation government spy agencies is as dangerous as deregulation in
business.


feed_id: 02d39f63d95ddaa73137634bd7628c6c
title: Collection and redistribution of data
uri: Collection-and-redistribution-of-data
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#9_December_2020_%28Collection_and_redistribution_of_data%29

content:
<p>
A journalist investigated the complex web of companies through which
data about his movements was collected via his phone and redistributed,
<a href="https://nrkbeta.no/2020/12/03/my-phone-was-spying-on-me-so-i-tracked-down-the-surveillants/">ultimately reaching the US deportation thugs</a>.

<p>
He concludes that the GDPR are not, in practice, doing much to prevent
this sort of spying.  Also that anonymization of the location dossier
does hardly any good.

<p>
He warns that this sort of data can be dangerous "in the wrong hands".
It is crucial to realize that there are no "right" hands.  We must design
systems so that they can't be used to snoop on people.

<p>
If this makes targeted advertising impossible, great!


feed_id: 22df5d888af9e9710d1957bd59745505
title: Anonymously owned companies
uri: Anonymously-owned-companies
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#9_December_2020_%28Anonymously_owned_companies%29
content:
<p>
Congress may soon <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2020/12/03/us-congress-close-ending-anonymous-companies-abused-criminals-and-corrupt-actors">abolish the tax-dodge of anonymously owned companies</a>.


feed_id: 10136ea7d728f8b1e0790be1c634305d
title: Declining cabinet post
uri: Declining-cabinet-post
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#9_December_2020_%28Declining_cabinet_post%29
content:
<p>
Criticism of Gina Raimondo's center-right record as governor of Rhode
Island <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2020/12/03/facing-opposition-progressives-gina-raimondo-withdraws-consideration-bidens-hhs">led her to decline a cabinet post as head of the Department of
Health and Human Services</a>.


feed_id: 5bf02facc65e461d63b838fe896bf8d8
title: Millionaire tax
uri: Millionaire-tax
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#9_December_2020_%28Millionaire_tax%29
content:
<p>
*Argentina Passes "Millionaire's Tax" <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2020/12/06/argentina-passes-millionaires-tax-fund-covid-19-recovery">to Fund Covid-19 Recovery</a>.*


feed_id: f7c1918c325f3c416532c6338da9d1a1
title: Stopped from buying Covid-19 vaccine
uri: Stopped-from-buying-Covid-19-vaccine
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#9_December_2020_%28Stopped_from_buying_Covid-19_vaccine%29

content:
<p>
Iran says the US is using its money transfer sanctions <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2020/12/07/insane-and-pathological-head-irans-central-bank-says-us-blocking-covid-19-vaccine">to stop Iran
from buying Covid-19 vaccine sold under the auspices of WTO</a>.


feed_id: 67093668e84e5d3636c2f25b2ccd803b
title: Scrolling social media
uri: Scrolling-social-media
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#9_December_2020_%28Scrolling_social_media%29
content:
<p>
(<a href="https://local.theonion.com/man-catches-himself-scrolling-social-media-while-he-sup-1845810176">satire</a>) *Man Catches Himself Scrolling Social Media While He Supposed To Be
Masturbating.*


feed_id: fdb8ce81b042fd2c50d7c1f152cc0bf7
title: Oil and gas flotilla
uri: Oil-and-gas-flotilla
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#9_December_2020_%28Oil_and_gas_flotilla%29
content:
<p>
*Iran Sends Oil, Gas Flotilla to Venezuela. Will Trump Attack It <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2020/12/07/iran-sends-oil-gas-flotilla-venezuela-will-trump-attack-it-sabotage-biden">to Sabotage
Biden</a>?*


feed_id: 20723a548df3fa9d8f0efc01e80a0e15
title: Not showing up at debate
uri: Not-showing-up-at-debate
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#9_December_2020_%28Not_showing_up_at_debate%29
content:
<p>
Senator Purdue failed to show up at his debate, <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2020/12/07/perdue-pleaded-fifth-ossoff-debates-empty-podium-gop-senator-no-shows-amid-scrutiny">perhaps afraid of
incriminating himself for insider stock trading</a>.

<p>
For some years we had a law, the STOCK Act, that <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2012-jan-apr.html#4_February_2012_(Urgent:_US_Citizens)">members of Congress
could not trade stocks based on information they got as part of their
duties</a>.
  Then <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2013-jan-apr.html#21_April_2013_(Congress_and_Obama_gut_the_STOCK_act)">they voted to repeal it</a>.

<p>
Each one who voted to repeal it manifested an intention to be corrupt.


feed_id: b53372b332c25e6ef0b251097fbf6179
title: Not pushing for Medicare for All
uri: Not-pushing-for-Medicare-for-All
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#9_December_2020_%28Not_pushing_for_Medicare_for_All%29

content:
<p>
Xavier Becerra supports Medicare for All in principle, <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2020/12/07/xavier-becerra-biden-nominee-lead-hhs-said-2017-he-absolutely-supports-medicare-all">but has promised he
won't push for it if he becomes secretary of HHS</a>.


feed_id: 21a2e439043fc6eb70ed68348f51315b
title: Biden's economic team
uri: Biden-s-economic-team
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#10_December_2020_%28Biden%27s_economic_team%29
content:
<p>

The job we need Biden's economic team to do is more than just getting
out of a downturn.  It includes <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2020/12/08/biden-says-hell-take-inequality-good-you-need-hold-him-it">curing structural inequality</a>.


feed_id: 1098d5ee699f952fcbfd62ad790a5397
title: Social Security disability payments
uri: Social-Security-disability-payments
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#10_December_2020_%28Social_Security_disability_payments%29

content:
<p>

The wrecker is <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2020/12/07/trump-launches-despicable-last-minute-attack-social-security-rule-aiming-restrict">trying to take away</a> Social Security disability payments
from hundreds of thousands of disabled Americans.
<p>
Right-wingers believe people who can't get enough money should suffer,
even die.  They would like to eliminate <em>all</em> social security benefits.
But sometimes it is easier to reduce them step by step until nobody
considers them important any more.
<p>
*On Way Out the Door, Trump EPA <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2020/12/07/way-out-door-trump-epa-rejects-tightening-deadly-soot-pollution-standards">Rejects Tightening Deadly Soot Pollution
Standards</a>.*


feed_id: 91804e6f111ea089b276c2b6d439f33b
title: A world of total surveillance
uri: A-world-of-total-surveillance
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#10_December_2020_%28A_world_of_total_surveillance%29

content:
<p>

Here's how they are working already to <a href="https://www.dezeen.com/2020/10/02/big-bjarke-ingels-ai-city-beijing-terminus-group-news/">sell a world of total surveillance</a>: every move you make will be controlled by the AI that runs
your "smart neighborhood".


feed_id: 2f460296e40aca32696fcf5ccbf6ad29
title: Biden's rejection of Michèle Flournoy
uri: Biden-s-rejection-of-Michèle-Flournoy
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#10_December_2020_%28Biden%27s_rejection_of_Mich%C3%83%C2%A8le_Flournoy%29

content:
<p>

Biden rejected Michèle Flournoy to head the Pentagon and <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2020/12/08/bad-news-biden-picks-retired-general-and-raytheon-board-member-lloyd-austin-pentagon">instead named
a retired general, Lloyd Austin</a>, who now works for the
military-industrial complex.


feed_id: a92b99b38b87d366b0022dc3ba9ba156
title: Punishing people without convicting them
uri: Punishing-people-without-convicting-them
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#10_December_2020_%28Punshing_people_without_convicting_them%29

content:
<p>

Australia is increasing the practice of <a href="https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-12-08/afp-seizes-alleged-adelaide-paedophiles-house/12960450">punishing people without convicting them</a>.
<p>
Confiscation without trial is frequent in the US.  Vague suspicion
(usually related to drugs) is enough.  For years we have campaigned
to eliminate this practice.
<p>
Punishment without trial is unjust regardless of what the alleged
crime might be.  What's the hurry?  Why can't they wait for a trial to
decide whether that man is guilty?
<p>
Aside from that, this is one of a number of reasons why criminalizing
the possession of some published work is a terrible threat to liberty.
Various countries have criminalized works on various criteria, but it
is dangerous regardless of the criteria.  It provides an excuse to
search people's computers at any time.  What's more, it is easy to
make someone guilty of this crime without per knowledge.  It is common
for your computer to contain image files that you did not ask for and
never looked at.  You may have a copy of a message even though you
deleted it unread.


feed_id: 810d8e91d7915e43c641d1e06be64652
title: Biden's positions on climate defense
uri: Biden-s-positions-on-climate-defense
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#10_December_2020_%28Biden%27s_positions_on_climate_defense%29

content:
<p>

Biden has taken different positions on <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2020/12/07/how-biden-should-tackle-climate-crisis">climate defense</a>.  We need to
keep working to convince him to do more rather than less.
<p>
50 proposals for <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2020/12/03/last-decade-save-planet-group-puts-forth-50-bold-climate-actions-biden">what he should do</a> &mdash; many of which are clever and
surprised me.
<p>
*As World Teeters on Brink [of unstoppable climate disaster], Over 250
Scientists and Scholars Warn of Full-Fledged <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2020/12/07/world-teeters-brink-over-250-scientists-and-scholars-warn-full-fledged-societal">'Societal Collapse'</a>.*


feed_id: 456bb7f94e95c618d6306d9e8e15842e
title: Mining lithium
uri: Mining-lithium
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#10_December_2020_%28Mining_lithium%29
content:
<p>

Electric cars need lithium batteries, and mining lithium <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/news/2020/dec/08/the-curse-of-white-oil-electric-vehicles-dirty-secret-lithium">causes
environmental damage</a>.
But it won't be as bad as <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#global heating">global heating</a>.
<p>
I wonder if hydrogen fuel, instead of batteries, would avoid this problem.


feed_id: 0a6b780c9ed88338930de46e4463bbd7
title: Texas thugs raid home
uri: Texas-thugs-raid-home
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#10_December_2020_%28Texas_thugs_raid_home%29
content:
<p>

Texas thugs <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2020/dec/08/fort-worth-texas-police-elderly-black-couple">raided the home</a> of an old black couple and trashed their
things.
They did it by mistake.
<p>
The man died a few weeks later, perhaps from the stress.
<p>
Why so cruel?  Racism, perhaps.


feed_id: 89509221be2b061fed40b1d60080724a
title: HSBC freezing bank accounts
uri: HSBC-freezing-bank-accounts
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#10_December_2020_%28HSBC_freezing_bank_accounts%29
content:
<p>

HSBC is <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/dec/08/hong-kong-church-pastor-says-hsbc-froze-personal-and-charity-bank-accounts">freezing the bank accounts</a> of Hong Kong people and institutions
that gave support to the democracy movement.
<p>
Freezing people's accounts under the tyrannical laws of China is
serving tyranny.  HSBC should reimburse those depositors with funds in
some other country.
<p>
HSBC can afford that cost, and should understand it as its punishment
for obeying China.


feed_id: fba13cd2afc5f367ad85256a92d37e36
title: Nonexistent Foxconn factory
uri: Nonexistent-Foxconn-factory
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#10_December_2020_%28Nonexistent_Foxconn_factory%29
content:
<p>

Mount Pleasant, Wisconsin, bullied many residents into <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2020/dec/08/wisconsin-foxconn-factory-residents-displaced">selling their
houses cheap</a> for the nonexistent Foxconn factory.
<p>
Apparently the deal was constructed so that the town had to borrow a
lot of money to build new roads, and now that Foxconn isn't doing
anything, those roads are a stranded asset and the town won't get funds
to repay.
<p>
Deals for governments to pay a company "to create jobs" are swindles.
They should be entirely illegal.


feed_id: 89ce7553c2ed3b017f19340a45cbb79a
title: Labour under Starmer
uri: Labour-under-Starmer
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#10_December_2020_%28Labour_under_Starmer%29
content:
<p>

Young organizers of the Labour Party, who supported Corbyn and are
very concerned about <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#global heating">global heating</a>, say that Labour under Starmer is
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2020/dec/08/labour-risks-loss-of-young-voters-by-going-backwards-on-climate">pulling back on its climate defense plans</a>
(which were comparable to the Green New Deal).
<p>
This is a reflection of Starmer's rejection of Corbyn, who is the only
reason those voters ever supported Labour.


feed_id: 418f655bc80ccd379c2e11fc8c7b4ead
title: Amazon Ring surveillance camera
uri: Amazon-Ring-surveillance-camera
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#10_December_2020_%28Amazon_Ring_surveillance_camera%29

content:
<p>

Anti-racist groups call on various product-rating organizations to <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2020/12/08/more-15-civil-rights-groups-call-consumer-reports-cnet-toms-guide-and-other-tech">stop
mentioning the Amazon Ring surveillance camera</a> because it imposes
surveillance on the movements of people that may be persecuted for being
in neighborhoods where racists think they should not go.
<p>
I agree, but I insist that surveilling middle-class white males
is equally intolerable.  And surveillance of dissidents, regardless
of their demographics, <a href="https://gnu.org/philosophy/surveillance-vs-democracy.html">threatens the free society</a>.


feed_id: 4bf4073d8dd3574d01dea2962424acb1
title: Fossil fuel company bonds
uri: Fossil-fuel-company-bonds
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#10_December_2020_%28Fossil_fuel_company_bonds%29
content:
<p>

The Yes Men announced, on behalf of the Bank of England, that it would
<a href="https://theyesmen.org/project/boe/reveal">refuse to buy bonds</a> from fossil fuel companies.
Too bad it isn't really so.
<p>
Bravo to the Yes Men.  Remember when they sent a participant to a
meeting of plutocratists to present a proposal to increase business
efficiency by <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2006-sep-dec.html#16%20November%202006%20(Buying%20Africans)">converting workers into property</a> of their employers?
Nobody was shocked by the idea.


feed_id: a43b4d5d5b6dac624ed5cc72d6bd20e5
title: Second batch of Covid-19 vaccine doses
uri: Second-batch-of-Covid-19-vaccine-doses
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#10_December_2020_%28Second_batch_of_Covid-19_vaccine_doses%29

content:
<p>

"Centrists" are criticizing the wrecker for <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2020/12/08/trump-america-first-vaccine-order-denounced-false-choice-ignores-real-problem-pharma">not putting the US ahead
of other countries</a> in the queue for a second batch of doses of
Covid-19 vaccine.
<p>
Meanwhile, the wealthy countries generally are <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/society/2020/dec/09/nine-out-of-10-in-poor-nations-to-miss-out-on-inoculation-as-west-buys-up-covid-vaccines">buying up the vaccine</a>
production for next year, leaving the poor countries to wait till
2022.
<p>
Instead of letting the Pharma companies (and their servants, the
patent offices) set us against each other to squabble about which
country will get vaccines first, let's turn our criticism on the
system of monopolies that is limiting production and helping some
companies to gouge.
<p>
Why there <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">should not be patents</a> on drugs or anything in medicine.


feed_id: 6041c321a7509c3def69308a80cbcc24
title: U.S. Commission on Civil Rights
uri: U-S-Commission-on-Civil-Rights
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#10_December_2020_%28U.S._Commission_on_Civil_Rights%29

content:
<p>

*Biden Should Revive the <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2020/12/08/biden-should-revive-us-commission-civil-rights">U.S. Commission on Civil Rights</a>.*


feed_id: 44a13a1358b1b1cc255c6a25ab84fa57
title: The new district attorney of Los Angeles County
uri: The-new-district-attorney-of-Los-Angeles-County
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#10_December_2020_%28The_new_district_attorney_of_Los_Angeles_County%29

content:
<p>

The new district attorney of Los Angeles County will no longer seek
the death penalty, no longer try children as adults, no longer ask the court
to make a sentence longer.
<p>
In addition, the new DA will <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2020/12/08/us/los-angeles-da-criminal-justice-reform/index.html">not ask for cash bail</a>, except for violent or serious felonies.  To this, the thug union had a completely
bullshit response.
<p>
The response presents us with a fantasy world in which (1) everyone
who gets bail was charged with shooting a gun and (2) making people
facing such charges pay bail is going to make them less dangerous.
<p>
It is bullshit because those are serious, violent felonies, so the DA's
no-bail policy does not apply to them at all.


feed_id: b842107e69dcc328891a4164072084cf
title: Call for sanction of Trump Campaign's legal team
uri: Call-for-sanction-of-Trump-Campaign-s-legal-team
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#10_December_2020_%28Call_for_sanction_of_Trump_Campaign%27s_legal_team%29

content:
<p>

*Citing 'Historic Abuse' of Judicial Process, Over 1,500 Attorneys Call for
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2020/12/07/citing-historic-abuse-judicial-process-over-1500-attorneys-call-sanction-trump">Sanction of Trump Campaign's Legal Team</a>* by state bar associations.


feed_id: 59936689550fe4048a0064ea3cb8d1a2
title: ALEC is lobbying to give Pennsylvania's votes to the wrecker
uri: ALEC-is-lobbying-to-give-Pennsylvania-s-votes-to-the-wrecker
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#10_December_2020_%28ALEC_is_lobbying_to_give_Pennsylvania%27s_votes_to_the_wrecker%29

content:
<p>

ALEC is lobbying Pennsylvania officials to <a href="https://www.exposedbycmd.org/2020/12/08/alecs-pennsylvania-leaders-lobby-overturn-2020-election-results-last-minute-effort/">disregard the voters</a> and
give the state's electoral votes to the wrecker.
<p>
A Republican official in Texas is directly asking the Supreme Court to
make an <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2020/dec/08/texas-lawsuit-donald-trump-election-georgia-michigan-pennsylvania-wisconsin">arbitrary decision</a> to give the election to the wrecker.


feed_id: be96e07a2c37589c7bd4e591dece4b5e
title: The Great Reset
uri: The-Great-Reset
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#10_December_2020_%28The_Great_Reset%29
content:
<p>

*<a href="https://theintercept.com/2020/12/08/great-reset-conspiracy/">The Great Reset</a> is an attempt to create a plausible impression that
the huge winners in this system are on the verge of voluntarily
setting greed aside to get serious about solving the raging crises
that are radically destabilizing our world.*
<p>
I looked at the Great Reset web page and saw a long list of disparate
ideas, but I did not see anything clear to say what it was for.
I read one article that had been recommended and it didn't seem
to have a clear point.
<p>
So I spent no more time on it.


feed_id: a0cc5535a6d75ebf6312edb24326c16b
title: Indian farmers are on strike
uri: Indian-farmers-are-on-strike
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#10_December_2020_%28Indian_farmers_are_on_strike%29
content:
<p>

Indian farmers are <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/dec/08/nationwide-farmers-strike-shuts-down-large-parts-of-india">on strike</a>, demanding repeal of new farm laws that
are said to help corporations dominate farmers.
<p>
Kejriwal, the highest local official of Delhi was prevented by
national <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thugs</a> from joining the protest.
<p>
I don't know any specifics about these laws, but his support suggests to me
that the farmers have good reason.


feed_id: e1315e2fdba62b942a45ac9f818100e7
title: Urgent: oppose the CASE Act.
uri: Urgent-oppose-the-CASE-Act
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#10_December_2020_%28Urgent%3A_oppose_the_CASE_Act.%29

content:
<p>

US citizens: phone your congresscritter ASAP to <a href="https://act.eff.org/action/tell-congress-don-t-let-a-quasi-court-bankrupt-internet-users-a9e11873-62f9-4fa1-a05e-675474e095e5">oppose the CASE Act</a>,
which would set up a new court for quick and easy copyright repression against anyone who shares a copy of anything.
<p>
Please do NOT use their web service to make the call.  Instead, call
202-224-3121, 888-818-6641 or 888-335-3588 and ask for your
representative.


feed_id: 2af88692be111b92bd973ad4e51faf82
title: Eritrean troops fighting alongside the Ethiopian army
uri: Eritrean-troops-fighting-alongside-the-Ethiopian-army
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#10_December_2020_%28Eritrean_tropps_fighting_alongside_the_Ethiopian_army%29

content:
<p>

Eritrean troops are fighting in Tigray against the TPLF and <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/dec/08/diplomats-back-claims-eritrean-troops-have-joined-ethiopia-conflict">alongside
the Ethiopian army</a>.
<p>
Eritrean is famous for forcing all most men into <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2015-jan-apr.html#26_April_2015_(Dictatorship_and_slavery_in_Eritreas)">slave labor</a>; as a result,
many Eritrean men flee into exile.


feed_id: f0b6a17ff5fb1291c63fb112d8e52f84
title: Arctic transforming into 'an entirely different climate'
uri: Arctic-transforming-into-an-entirely-different-climate
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#10_December_2020_%28Arctic_transforming_into_%27an_entirely_different_climate%27%29

content:
<p>

*Greenhouse gas emissions transforming the Arctic into 'an <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/dec/08/arctic-report-climate-crisis-wildfires-ice-loss">entirely different climate</a>'.*


feed_id: bd13fc5af061dfae602e23787302c284
title: Covid used as pretext
uri: Covid-used-as-pretext
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#10_December_2020_%28Covid_used_as_pretext%29
content:
<p>
*Covid used as pretext <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2020/dec/09/covid-used-as-pretext-to-curtail-civil-rights-around-the-world-finds-report">to curtail civil rights around the world, finds report</a>.*

<p>
One increase in surveillance that they may not mention is when
countries encourage (or even order) people to stop paying cash.
One way to defend your freedom is to insist on paying cash when you
buy things &mdash; I always do.

<p>
Countries whose freedom ratings were reduced this year include
the US, Costa Rica, Ivory Coast, Iraq, the Philippines and Slovenia.


feed_id: f8a977ad15bab2c5c1e48212450267e6
title: Free market
uri: 2020-12-10-Free-market
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#10_December_2020_%28Free_market%29
content:
<p>
Every market has rules, and society chooses the rules.  When people
advocate a "free market", what they mean is one with rules that favor
the most powerful.  In our times, that choice is a one for most
people, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2020/dec/09/inequality-free-market-myth-billionaires">and we don't have an obligation to accept it</a>.


feed_id: f0af589d5ac7ae4d1548af45989bc39e
title: Corruption taking hold
uri: Corruption-taking-hold
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#10_December_2020_%28Corruption_taking_hold%29
content:
<p>
*Under Boris Johnson, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2020/dec/09/boris-johnson-britain-corruption-cronyism-checks-balances">corruption is taking hold in Britain</a>.*

<p>
Corruption is not just starting to take hold.  It was well established
in 2013 in the choice of cladding for the apartment building that
subsequently had a fatal fire.
  That was due to insufficient efforts by the state to verify the
honesty of construction, which was due to a government that didn't
consider this very important.

<p>
What is happening now is that corruption is practiced visibly and
shamelessly by ministers.


feed_id: 80e5579bf8115f35869bf81b052ebc90
title: Human-made materials
uri: Human-made-materials
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#10_December_2020_%28Human-made_materials%29
content:
<p>
*Human-made materials <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2020/dec/09/human-made-materials-now-outweigh-earths-entire-biomass-study">now outweigh Earth's entire biomass</a>.*

<p>
We should not foolishly suppose that it is "sinful", 
but it is a sign that we have the ability to mess things up in
yet another way.


feed_id: 667674a7d4ab66709bca1a56c4d2dfe2
title: Reasons to put someone in prison
uri: Reasons-to-put-someone-in-prison
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#10_December_2020_%28Reasons_to_put_someone_in_prison%29

content:
<p>
In Xinjiang, reasons to put someone in prison include <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/dec/09/being-young-leads-to-detention-in-chinas-xingiang-region">(1) being under 40
and (2) talking with relatives living outside China</a>.

<p>
Switzerland allowed Chinese agents to enter secretly and interview
Chinese citizens <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/dec/09/secret-deal-reveals-chinese-spies-free-rein-switzerland">that Switzerland was considering deporting to China</a>.

<p>
This can't help but work to the harm of Chinese dissidents who ask for
asylum.  No country should be interested in the Chinese government's
opinion on such questions.


feed_id: 4e72da3928e41296daa24bec76cb795f
title: Not protecting prisoners
uri: Not-protecting-prisoners
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#10_December_2020_%28Not_protecting_prisoners%29
content:
<p>
The US deportation <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thugs</a> hardly tried to protect prisoners from
Covid-19, and thus <a href="https://theintercept.com/2020/12/09/ice-covid-detention-centers/">created hotspots in the prisons and the communities
around the prisons</a>.

<p>
In general, prisons have tended to spread Covid-19 to nearby
communities.  The guards get sick along with the prisoners, then take
the virus home to their families.


feed_id: a6f28121c145807fe3fcf730cae9e01c
title: Supreme court declines
uri: Supreme-court-declines
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#10_December_2020_%28Supreme_court_declines%29
content:
<p>
The Supreme Court's right-wing majority <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2020/dec/09/republicans-trump-election-democracy">declined an opportunity to
throw the election to the bullshitter</a>.

<p>
It looks like they have decided to respect the vote.


feed_id: 1246d97dffea37cb5be98a0570a19232
title: Respecting all views
uri: Respecting-all-views
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#10_December_2020_%28Respecting_all_views%29
content:
<p>
Cambridge University rejected a proposal to require people to respect
all views of others.  It decided that tolerating other people's views
is enough &mdash; that is, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/dec/09/cambridge-university-rejects-proposal-it-be-respectful-of-all-views">to respect people's right to hold their views</a>.

<p>
This is the correct policy.  I could not possibly respect the views of
Osama bin Laden, or a Republican today, or a pious religious believer,
or a "centrist" Democrat, or a Communist, or a flat-earther, without
being brainwashed.  Likewise, you should not be required to respect my
views.


feed_id: 19f103fe28bed6a38a7489e4c74d9e19
title: Tegu lizards
uri: Tegu-lizards
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#10_December_2020_%28Tegu_lizards%29
content:
<p>
Introduced Argentine tegu lizards <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2020/12/07/us/argentine-black-and-white-tegus-southeast-invasion-trnd/index.html">are becoming a threat to other wildlife
in Florida and Georgia</a>.

<p>
There is a simple solution: catch them for skins and meat.  People do that
in Argentina.


feed_id: 5ea8e2222d565886cf132fd7d92bb038
title: Our chances
uri: Our-chances
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#10_December_2020_%28Our_chances%29
content:
<p>
After convincing people to protect each other by wearing masks proved
to be so difficult, have we got any chance <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2020/12/07/opinions/technology-progress-covid-vaccine-agar-whatley/index.html">to make the changes needed
to avoid deadly climate disaster 30 years from now</a>?


feed_id: e6712dd1853705ce4417a091e494d0e3
title: Boycotts and antisemitism
uri: Boycotts-and-antisemitism
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#10_December_2020_%28Boycotts_and_antisemitism%29
content:
<p>
Pompeo has tried to arbitrarily declare <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2020/12/07/dangerous-move-crack-down-protests-against-israel">support for any sort of
boycott against Israel to be "antisemitic."</a>

<p>
That is bullshit, of course.

<p>
I support the boycott started by Gush Shalom, the Israeli campaign for
peace between Israel and Palestine.  <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2014-may-aug.html#29_May_2014_(DePaul_students_vote_to_divest_from_occupation_profiteers)">This boycott targets products of Israel's
colonies in Palestinian territory, whose existence violates UN treaties
Israel has signed</a>.
  According to Pompeo, I am supposedly antisemitic, and so was
Uri Avnery, the great Israeli supporter of peace, <a href="http://zope.gush-shalom.org/home/en/channels/downloads/truth/Truth%20Against%20Truth%20-%20English">who founded Gush Shalom</a>
  and started that boycott.

<p>
Israel passed a law exposing anyone who advocated the boycott <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2018-sep-dec.html#19_October_2018_(Boycott_of_Israeli_institutions)">to
lawsuits for unlimited damages</a>,
                   so people in Israel had to stop advocating the
boycott.  I in the US am safe from that law, so I continue.


feed_id: e2013d8add2487a23826e5045a7007a4
title: Victory for polar bears and climate
uri: Victory-for-polar-bears-and-climate
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#10_December_2020_%28Victory_for_polar_bears_and_climate%29

content:
<p>
*In 'Huge Victory for Polar Bears and Our Climate,' <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2020/12/07/huge-victory-polar-bears-and-our-climate-court-rejects-trump-approval-offshore">Court Rejects Trump
Approval of Offshore Drilling Project in Arctic</a>.*

<p>
I think he will find it difficult to get the policy to take effect before
Biden cancels it.


feed_id: f387f6d27bdd52b5c24d9becd5a13310
title: Building up bombing
uri: Building-up-bombing
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#10_December_2020_%28Building_up_bombing%29
content:
<p>
The wrecker has built up bombing in Afghanistan.  In 2019 <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2020/12/07/report-blames-trump-admin-330-rise-afghan-civilian-casualties">there were
over 700 civilian casualties</a>.


feed_id: b55ad37f6dc25ee1c25df32f24725aff
title: War on terror
uri: 2020-12-10-War-on-terror
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#10_December_2020_%28War_on_terror%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#bully">The bully</a> has started reorienting the US military away from the
self-defeating "war on terror" and <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2020/12/07/trumps-pernicious-military-legacy">towards a possible war with China
and/or Russia</a>.

<p>
Ending the "war on terror" is a good thing, because terrorism is a tactic,
not an enemy, <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jul-oct.html#9_September_2020_(War_on_Terror)">and war is not an effective way to put an end to it</a>.
 But what about the military's new orientation?

<p>
I think the US can easily avoid war with Russia, because Putin doesn't
aim to rule the world.  He has started local wars in battling over
regional influence, and he stirs the pot further away, but he is
willing to keep peace when the US is.  The US foolishly and
provocatively <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2014-mar-jun.html#12_March_2014_(US_broke_1990_commitment_by_pushing_NATO_to_borders_of_Russia)">tried to extend NATO into the former Soviet Union right
up to the borders of Russia</a>;
        it should have been content to have a buffer zone.  Buffer
zones between powers make for peace between the powers.
I think it is not too late for the US and Russia to use that approach.

<p>
It is true that Putin has corrupted and destroyed democracy in Russia
and runs a corrupt and repressive regime, but war is not the way to
deal with that.

<p>
It should be possible once again to agree with Russia on limiting
nuclear weapons; <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#9_December_2019_(Putin_on_nuclear_weapons)">Russia was amenable before</a>.
  But it may be necessary now to include China in that system.

<p>
The confrontation with China is a more difficult problem.  China is
rapidly expanding its military and is set on capturing Taiwan, but
unlike Hong Kong, Taiwan can't be captured except by war.  I doubt
China would stop after that &mdash; successful conquest tends to inspire
more conquest.

<p>
We must not allow that, but what should we do to stop it?  We want to
avoid having to fight that war, but one aspect of avoiding a war is,
as always, preparing to win it if it starts.

<p>
But that's not the only way to avoid a war, and increasing the size of
the armed forces is not the principal way to make a nation strong.
Nor is shooting the only form of war.

<p>
China has moved from preparations for economic warfare to overt
economic aggression.  The US needs to stop China from agrandizing itself
this way.

<p>
That will be difficult, because China has been strengthening itself as
an economic power for decades, even as the US has perverted its
economy to weaken itself.

<p>
Poor, hungry, sick working people in debt for their education
   do not make a country strong &mdash; or great, for that matter.
Private equity predators
  and outsourcing
  do not make productive industry.  They are designed to make the rich richer.

<p>
It is paradoxical that in China, the state owns big business, whereas
in the US, big business owns the state &mdash; amusing because they sound
equivalent.  They do have some things in common.  Both lead to
making people suffer and denying them political power, for example.
But there is also a difference.

<p>
In China, the state reasserts control when necessary so that Chinese
businesses make the country stronger.  By contrast, the US submits
when businesses impose policies that weaken the country.  US
capitalists strip-mine the ground they and we stand on.  China does
not allow its capitalists to do that.


feed_id: fc550e380c82d695ee396b41f1e9f570
title: Urgent: climate-oriented cabinet
uri: Urgent-climate-oriented-cabinet
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#11_December_2020_%28Urgent%3A_climate-oriented_cabinet%29

content:
<p>
US citizens: <a href="https://go.justicedemocrats.com/signup/add-your-name-climate-cabinet-jacobin/">call on Biden</a> to appoint a climate-oriented cabinet.


feed_id: d57dbe6ea5bb048afe8af90333484e3a
title: Torture of prisoners
uri: Torture-of-prisoners
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#11_December_2020_%28Torture_of_prisoners%29
content:
<p>
Azerbaijan tortured, even beheaded Armenian prisoners, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/dec/10/human-rights-groups-detail-war-crimes-in-nagorno-karabakh">including civilians</a>.
  Armenia has done some of this, too.


feed_id: 2ed94af9d73bb5b8e32ef204bc7c6d8c
title: Blocking eviction
uri: Blocking-eviction
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#11_December_2020_%28Blocking_eviction%29
content:
<p>
Portland activists are blocking <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2020/dec/10/portland-protest-family-eviction-red-house">the eviction a family from its home of
65 years</a>.

<p>
It is surely no coincidence that the family is black.
But all the other residents have already been pushed out.


feed_id: c45c7fdac91aaff74de5333698da5a99
title: Very bad pick
uri: Very-bad-pick
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#11_December_2020_%28Very_bad_pick%29
content:
<p>
*Sustainable Farming Advocates Warn Biden <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2020/12/08/sustainable-farming-advocates-warn-biden-vilsack-very-bad-pick-ag-secretary">That Vilsack 'A Very Bad Pick' for
[Agriculture] Secretary</a>.*

<p>
Progressives call him "Mr Monsanto" <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2020/12/09/terrible-decision-progressives-denounce-biden-pick-mr-monsanto-tom-vilsack-ag">for his assistance to that company's
GMOs</a>.
  In addition to their biological effects, <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2013-may-aug.html#15_May_2013_(Supreme_Court_rules_for_Monsanto_against_farmer)">Bayer/Monsanto seeds spread
patent pollution</a>.

<p>
Aside from that Vilsack eliminated many safety regulations that we
should bring back.


feed_id: a85eccc53c1a8ca5175415a72e39b7b3
title: Finding sources
uri: Finding-sources
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#11_December_2020_%28Finding_sources%29
content:
<p>
Rebekah Jones says that the seizure of her phone will enable
Republican officials to find out which employees <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2020/12/08/us/rebekah-jones-whistleblower-raid-invs/index.html">have been giving her Covid-19
statistics that the Republican governor wants to suppress</a>.


feed_id: e79d42d955c8a340e63410113a73ab75
title: Making difficult to limit air pollution
uri: Making-difficult-to-limit-air-pollution
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#11_December_2020_%28Making_difficult_to_limit_air_pollution%29

content:
<p>
       *New EPA rule could [and was probably intended to] <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2020/12/09/politics/epa-clean-air-act-cost-analysis-rule/index.html">make it more
        difficult to limit air pollution</a>.*


feed_id: 99870abf37951f459a84b927e37d263a
title: Criminal Justice To-Do List
uri: Criminal-Justice-To-Do-List
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#11_December_2020_%28Criminal_Justice_To-Do_List%29
content:
<p>
*A Criminal Justice To-Do List <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2020/12/09/bold-and-visionary-criminal-justice-do-list-new-administration">for the New Administration</a>.*


feed_id: e6049cea34b3d41419df984203d13cf9
title: Holiday present
uri: Holiday-present
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#11_December_2020_%28Holiday_present%29
content:
<p>
If you are thinking of buying a holiday present from Amazon, <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2020/12/09/thinking-amazon-workers-holiday-season">look at the
crushing treatment of workers that you'd be supporting</a>.


feed_id: 051a009a571efb82be381ef5b585fa22
title: US defense department head
uri: US-defense-department-head
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#11_December_2020_%28US_defense_department_head%29
content:
<p>
Biden's choice to head the US "defense" department, Lloyd Austin, has
only three flaws: he is a recently retired general for a post where a
civilian ought to be, he is in the revolving door, <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2020/12/09/bidens-defense-secretary-pick-shows-revolving-door-military-contractors-remains">and under Obama he
tended to be pro-war</a>.

<p>
He's not as bad as Flournoy, but that's not enough to qualify as good.


feed_id: 420b6670028c0d63fa179ccff9b68d6e
title: Voter suppression again
uri: Voter-suppression-again
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#11_December_2020_%28Voter_suppression_again%29
content:
<p>
Georgia Republicans are trying to suppress minority voters by reducing
the number of early voting sites <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2020/12/08/civil-rights-groups-sound-alarm-over-planned-closure-more-half-early-runoff-voting">in a county where many of them live</a>.


feed_id: 174ff9fa33ed5888588bdf60ddc63383
title: Suing Facebook
uri: Suing-Facebook
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#11_December_2020_%28Suing_Facebook%29
content:
<p>
The US and most US states have sued Facebook <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2020/dec/09/facebook-lawsuit-antitrust-whatsapp-instagram-ftc">with the aim of making it
separate off Instagram and WhatsApp</a>.

<p>
This would somewhat increase competition and somewhat reduce
Facebook's lobbying power, but it would not make the Facebook
dis-service safe for democracy.  Its business model of targeted
advertising makes it dangerous and promotes snooping.

<p>
We should prohibit targeted advertising, but most of all <a href="https://gnu.org/philosophy/surveillance-vs-democracy.html">we should
prohibit systems that systematically collect data on people</a>.


feed_id: dfcd9e353ef248f2a94623c68c6557a3
title: Wells of profit
uri: Wells-of-profit
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#11_December_2020_%28Wells_of_profit%29
content:
<p>
*Offshore Tax Havens <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2020/12/09/offshore-tax-havens-deep-wells-profit-oil-giants-report-shows">'Deep Wells of Profit' For Oil Giants, Report Shows</a>.*

<p>
The New York State pension fund says <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2020/12/09/major-victory-226-billion-new-york-pension-fund-announces-largest-fossil-fuel">it will end investment in fossil
fuels</a>.
  Alas, it set itself a deadline of 2040, which is too far away.
It will do some divestment sooner, but it's not clear how much.


feed_id: 52531f4cd6a9b68f944721c38bca4025
title: Dropping war crimes probe
uri: Dropping-war-crimes-probe
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#11_December_2020_%28Dropping_war_crimes_probe%29
content:
<p>
*'Severe Blow to Iraqi Torture Survivors': <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2020/12/09/severe-blow-iraqi-torture-survivors-despite-evidence-uk-war-crimes-icc-drops-war">Despite Evidence of UK War Crimes, ICC Drops War Crimes Probe</a>.*

<p>
The reason given was that the UK appears able to prosecute soldiers itself.
Is it really going to do so?


feed_id: f17fd12f8e3dd03bda4f64ccc0c21e3c
title: Years of cruel imprisonment
uri: Years-of-cruel-imprisonment
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#11_December_2020_%28Years_of_cruel_imprisonment%29
content:
<p>
Hamid Reza Shakib was imprisoned in Iran for campaigning for human
rights.  He escaped and went to Australia, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2020/dec/10/fire-in-front-of-me-and-fire-behind-me-all-hope-lost-in-the-green-hell-of-manus">which used Papua New Guinea
to imprison him for asking for asylum</a>.
  After years of cruel
imprisonment, he now has received asylum in France.


feed_id: 53c59137fe2b041006d005a95e1922bb
title: Sign of a dying biosphere
uri: Sign-of-a-dying-biosphere
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#11_December_2020_%28Sign_of_a_dying_biosphere%29
content:
<p>
Greta Thunberg: *<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2020/dec/10/greta-thunberg-we-are-speeding-in-the-wrong-direction-on-climate-crisis">'We are speeding in the wrong direction' on climate crisis</a>.*

<p>
*Our global fire crisis is the sign of a dying biosphere. <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2020/dec/08/our-global-fire-crisis-is-the-sign-of-a-dying-biosphere-but-we-can-take-action">But we can take
action</a>.*
  If we can push away the dying hand of the businesses that profit from
roasting our planet.


feed_id: 0019d16595bb8107c767b40b8c010a3f
title: Brutal IDF arrests of Palestinian teens
uri: Brutal-IDF-arrests-of-Palestinian-teens
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#12_December_2020_%28Brutal_IDF_arrests_of_Palestinian_teens%29

content:
<p>

*Tired and afraid, Palestinian [teens and preteens] report <a href="https://www.ynetnews.com/magazine/article/rJkJ3GN5w">brutal IDF
 arrests</a>.*

*EU <a href="https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/12/5/eu-calls-for-probe-into-palestinian-teens-killing-by-israel">calls for probe</a> into Palestinian teen's killing by Israel.*
<p>
Israel <a href="https://electronicintifada.net/blogs/tamara-nassar/israel-kills-child-and-then-lies">killed another Palestinian teenager</a> a week ago.


feed_id: 1984ba590f154793d90d03e5a28a3542
title: Labeling the wrecker's main points as falsehoods
uri: Labeling-the-wrecker-s-main-points-as-falsehoods
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#12_December_2020_%28Labeling_the_wrecker%27s_main_points_as_falsehoods%29

content:
<p>

Labeling the wrecker's main points as falsehoods, on Facebook and
Twitter, has <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2020/12/08/tech/facebook-twitter-election-labels-trump/index.html">failed to prevent them from influencing his followers</a>.
<p>
As often happens, the most harmful lies are in the presupposed
premises, and refuting those requires pulling them out in the open so
people can see what they are.  A simple label that "this is not true"
doesn't try to do that.


feed_id: 9b18f1d542254e9b8da4da93b13346b0
title: Planet-roaster congresscritter as "liaison"
uri: Planet-roaster-congresscritter-as-liaison
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#12_December_2020_%28Planet-roaster_congresscritter_as_liaison%29

content:
<p>

Biden named a planet-roaster congresscritter as "liaison" to
environmentalists, but protests and lawsuits are persuading
US banks to <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2020/12/10/how-stop-big-energy-its-tracks-quite-literally">give up on some fossil fuel projects</a>.
<p>
However, world-wide, planet-roaster projects are mostly not held back
by this.  Newly funded fossil fuel development plans would use up <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2020/12/10/new-report-shows-how-finance-industry-blowing-paris-carbon-budget">3/4
of the carbon budget</a>.
<p>
In Africa, <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2020/12/09/business/africa-coal-energy-goldman-prize-dst-hnk-intl/index.html">China is offering lots of investment</a> in planet-roaster projects.


feed_id: 9aa01201ad6f4c617381160eefae26b7
title: China regulating the practice of profiling users
uri: China-regulating-the-practice-of-profiling-users
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#12_December_2020_%28China_regulating_the_practice_of_profiling_users%29

content:
<p>

China is regulating the <a href="https://www.sixthtone.com/news/1006494/can-a-new-regulation-fix-chinas-big-data-backstabbing-problem%3F">practice ofprofiling users</a> and charging some users more.
<p>
By contrast, the US and most other countries don't even think of
preventing this abusive treatment.
<p>
I say, let's <a href="https://gnu.org/philosophy/surveillance-vs-democracy.html">stop companies from collecting enough data</a> about us that
they could even think about trying to profile people.


feed_id: 93ab44dac181447e119e16f8c1cf0609
title: Letting companies control your computers
uri: Letting-companies-control-your-computers
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#12_December_2020_%28Letting_companies_control_your_computers%29

content:
<p>

Cory Doctorow <a href="https://pluralistic.net/2020/12/05/trusting-trust/#thompsons-devil">updates the issue</a> of the danger of letting companies
control your computers.
<p>
In 2002 I rejected the propaganda term <a href="https://gnu.org/philosophy/can-you-trust.html">"trusted computing"</a>.
Based on what it does, we should call it "treacherous computing".


feed_id: 9393ebfd2a18f326c937dbe020597584
title: Thug shooting of Casey Goodson Jr.
uri: Thug-shooting-of-Casey-Goodson-Jr
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#12_December_2020_%28Thug_shooting_of_Casey_Goodson_Jr.%29

content:
<p>

A thug <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2020/12/10/us/casey-goodson-jr-family-columbus-ohio/index.html">shot Casey Goodson, Jr., in the back</a> as he was opening the door
of his house.  The family called 911 and when other <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thugs</a> arrived, they
treated the whole family as criminals.
<p>
It is surely not a coincidence that Goodson was black.
<p>
Without a witness or a video, we cannot prove anything about what the
killer thug did.  Those who believe <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thugs</a> by default will believe
whatever that <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thug</a> says.
<p>
It could be that the <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thug</a> mistook Goodson for someone else and fired
immediately without verifying that snap judgment.  I think that would
be a crime if you or I did it.  It should be a crime if a <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thug</a> does
it, but I don't know whether it is.
<p>
I waited before posting about this, hoping to get a clearer picture of
what happened.  I think this is as clear as it's going to get in the
near term, so I am posting now.


feed_id: 08d0df32c002251469193aa10a76bc1d
title: Muslims on the no-fly list
uri: Muslims-on-the-no-fly-list
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#12_December_2020_%28Muslims_on_the_no-fly_list%29
content:
<p>

The Supreme Court has ruled that Muslims that the FBI tried to <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#bully">bully</a>
into spying, by putting them on the no-fly list, can <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2020/12/10/big-win-religious-freedom-us-supreme-court-rules-muslims-put-no-fly-list-can-sue-fbi">sue for damages</a>.
<p>
I am elated by this rebuke to government bullying.
<p>
Banning someone from flying is a form of punishment by the government,
and under the US constitution it should not be allowed except under
"due process of law", which ought to mean a criminal trial.


feed_id: 2c5c0f55b8f5a792391c6712c1e9f2d3
title: (satire) Facebook to break up U.S. Government
uri: (satire)-Facebook-to-break-up-U-S-Government
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#12_December_2020_%28%28satire%29_Facebook_to_break_up_U.S._Government%29

content:
<p>

(satire) *Facebook Announces Plan To <a href="https://www.theonion.com/facebook-announces-plan-to-break-up-u-s-government-bef-1844121902">Break Up U.S. Government</a> Before It Becomes Too Powerful.*


feed_id: d67135dc3302618869b46c35c4e30e3d
title: Iran willing to resume the nuclear deal
uri: Iran-willing-to-resume-the-nuclear-deal
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#12_December_2020_%28Iran_willing_to_resume_the_nuclear_deal%29

content:
<p>

Iran is willing to resume the nuclear deal if the US <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/dec/03/iran-comply-nuclear-deal-biden-lifts-all-sanctions">drops its sanctions</a> and commits not to pulling out again.
<p>
Presuming that "all sanctions" means "all sanctions related to nuclear
activities", that seems like a fair deal to me.  
<p>
As for the expiration of the deal in 2025. I am sure the two countries
can negotiate a deal to extend it.
<p>
Meanwhile,  the European countries should recover their
sovereignty over economic dealings with other countries, so that the US
can no longer forcibly stop them.


feed_id: 5d10f9d8d3c7279b038a98b20444f8d0
title: Zhang Zhan being force fed
uri: Zhang-Zhan-being-force-fed
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#12_December_2020_%28Zhang_Zhan_being_force_fed%29
content:
<p>

Zhang Zhan, imprisoned for reporting on the Covid-19 situation in Wuhan, 
started a hunger strike and has been <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/dec/10/citizen-journalist-detained-over-wuhan-reporting-restrained-and-fed-by-tube">force fed</a> &mdash;
not <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2006-jan-apr.html#02%20January%202006%20(Hunger%20Strike)">Guantanamo-style, through the nose, but with a tube surgically inserted into her stomach.


feed_id: 8468cc7190cf565be0421017eebc91b9
title: Deb Haaland for Secretary of the Interior
uri: Deb-Haaland-for-Secretary-of-the-Interior
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#12_December_2020_%28Deb_Haaland_for_Secretary_of_the_Interior%29

content:
<p>

The Sunrise Movement supports <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2020/dec/10/deb-haaland-interior-secretary-bill-mckibben">Deb Haaland for Secretary of the Interior</a>.
Since they do, I do too.


feed_id: 3d0002151eb1913fcd7602390561dc30
title: Egyptian repression forces charged with murdering Giulio Regeni
uri: Egyptian-repression-forces-charged-with-murdering-Giulio-Regeni
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#12_December_2020_%28Egyptian_repression_forces_charged_with_murdering_Giulio_Regeni%29

content:
<p>

Italy has <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/dec/10/italy-charges-four-egyptians-over-of-giulio-regeni">charged officials of Egyptian repression forces</a> with
murdering Giulio Regeni.


feed_id: 9af3fb602ae106493244ad1a0b19470e
title: China took two Canadian's hostage
uri: China-took-two-Canadian-s-hostage
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#12_December_2020_%28China_took_two_Canadian%27s_hostage%29

content:
<p>

China took two Canadian visitors hostage after Canada <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/dec/10/china-canadians-held-two-years-charged-huawei">arrested Mang Wanzhou</a>,
executive of Huawei, at the request of the US.
<p>
It is clear now that China's charges against those two Canadians were
just excuses.  The same might be true of the charges against Mang, or
might not; I have no way of knowing.


feed_id: c48731a223b203359f374a019e83bd52
title: Harassing and threatening officials
uri: Harassing-and-threatening-officials
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#12_December_2020_%28Harassing_and_threatening_officials%29

content:
<p>

Right-wing extremists are <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2020/dec/09/trump-voter-fraud-threats-violence-militia">harassing and threatening officials</a>, even election workers, claiming that their master won the election.


feed_id: 3ddacd630cbb2ca15d864a716beea12e
title: The EU's budget has been approved
uri: The-EU-s-budget-has-been-approved
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#12_December_2020_%28The_EU%27s_budget_has_been_approved%29

content:
<p>

The EU's budget has <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/dec/10/eu-breaks-stalemate-on-18tn-seven-year-budget-and-recovery-fund">been approved</a>, including conditioning payments on
a country's respect for the independence of the judiciary
(which is a part of "rule of law").


feed_id: 438843902df83a115d4327f46db126b9
title: Venezuela legislative elections
uri: Venezuela-legislative-elections
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#12_December_2020_%28Venezuela_legislative_elections%29

content:
<p>

Venezuela held legislative elections.  <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2020/12/10/low-turnout-free-elections-venezuela-are-blow-regime-change">Observers said they were free</a>.
<p>
Guaidó's opposition faction boycotted the election, and the turnout
was low, but not much lower than the US.  It is partly because many
Venezuelans have moved to other countries.


feed_id: aed2681a006d9da7157520daaedbf4ad
title: Minneapolis violence prevention and mental health
uri: Minneapolis-violence-prevention-and-mental-health
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#12_December_2020_%28Minneapolis_violence_prevention_and_mental_health%29

content:
<p>

*Minneapolis switches $8m from police budget to <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2020/dec/10/minneapolis-defund-switches-police-budget-to-violence-prevention">violence prevention* and
mental health teams</a>.
<p>
That is under 5% of the entire <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thug</a> department budget, but increasing
the funding of those other programs may be helpful.


feed_id: d7bf7915a340df12865f3915ef9200c3
title: Unsustainable overproduction of clothing
uri: Unsustainable-overproduction-of-clothing
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#12_December_2020_%28Unsustainable_overproduction_of_clothing%29

content:
<p>

Bangladeshis have gone from <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2020/dec/10/i-thought-about-killing-my-children-the-desperate-bangladesh-garment-workers-fighting-for-pay">exploitative work to no work</a>, as the
wasteful and unsustainable overproduction of clothing has collapsed
(at least for the time being), and their ex-employers have stolen
their wages.
<p>
Getting them their stolen wages would help only temporarily.  Resuming
the unsustainable production would not solve the problem for many
years; as the population Bangladesh increases, increasing amounts of
wasteful production would be required, and that increase could not
continue.
<p>
Bangladesh needs to stabilize and reduce its population, by limiting
births, so that the babies who do get born can survive, and climb out
of poverty.


feed_id: bd9ece4883f9f119ebbc25b4737f5cd9
title: Urgent: make coronavirus vaccination gratis for all Americans
uri: Urgent-make-coronavirus-vaccination-gratis-for-all-Americans
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#12_December_2020_%28Urgent%3A_make_coronavirus_vaccination_gratis_for_all_Americans%29

content:
<p>

US citizens: call on Congress to <a href="https://actionnetwork.org/forms/tell-congress-make-coronavirus-vaccines-free-for-all-americans">make coronavirus vaccination gratis for
all Americans</a>.

<p>The Capitol Switchboard numbers are 202-224-3121, 888-818-6641
  and 888-355-3588.</p>

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


feed_id: 1ca931dc9d33251dbadde353615d5c34
title: The new district attorney of Los Angeles County
uri: 2020-12-12-The-new-district-attorney-of-Los-Angeles-County
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#10_December_2020_%28The_new_district_attorney_of_Los_Angeles_County%29

content:
<p>

The <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2020/12/07/first-day-office-la-county-district-attorney-george-gascon-announces-move-end-unsafe">new district attorney of Los Angeles County</a> will no longer seek
the death penalty, no longer try children as adults, no longer ask the court
to make a sentence longer.
<p>
In addition, the new DA will <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2020/12/08/us/los-angeles-da-criminal-justice-reform/index.html">not ask for cash bail</a>, except for violent or serious felonies.  To this, the thug union had a completely
bullshit response.
<p>
The response presents us with a fantasy world in which (1) everyone
who gets bail was charged with shooting a gun and (2) making people
facing such charges pay bail is going to make them less dangerous.
<p>
It is bullshit because those are serious, violent felonies, so the DA's
no-bail policy does not apply to them at all.


feed_id: 5e3a508bf9e793dbf31344936dc6a069
title: Lawsuit to set aside votes of Georgia, Michigan, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin
uri: Lawsuit-to-set-aside-votes-of-Georgia-Michigan-Pennsylvania-and-Wisc
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#13_December_2020_%28Lawsuit_to_set_aside_votes_of_Georgia%2C_Michigan%2C_Pennsylvania_and_Wisconsin%29

content:
<p>

The Supreme Court rejected the lawsuit in which 19 other states asked
it to <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2020/dec/11/supreme-court-rejects-trump-backed-texas-lawsuit-aiming-to-overturn-election-results">set aside the votes</a> of Georgia, Michigan, Pennsylvania and
Wisconsin.


feed_id: ba7f494a3c3f44062426dd11a47432c1
title: Australia has freed five refugees
uri: Australia-has-freed-five-refugees
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#13_December_2020_%28Australia_has_freed_five_refugees%29

content:
<p>

Australia has <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2020/dec/12/kurdish-refugee-shocked-by-australias-decision-to-free-him-after-seven-years-in-detention">freed five refugees</a> from immigration prison, just before
a court was going to make a decision that might rule Australia's
policies illegal.
<p>
These five were able to sue because Australia transferred them from
Manus or Nauru because they were ill.  The rest of the prisoners that
Australia put into prison on Manus or Nauru have no chance to start a
court case.


feed_id: 7da606b1c88447c908e76c84694962b9
title: Boise health board
uri: Boise-health-board
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#13_December_2020_%28Boise_health_board%29
content:
<p>

Fanatical anti-maskers, by intimidating the families of members of the
Boise health board, <a href="https://apnews.com/article/us-news-public-health-police-coronavirus-pandemic-boise-8f13d99fa5ddc8720c106a2f8ff50663">succeeded in canceling a meeting</a> of the health
board as it was considering a local mask requirement.
<p>
The local <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thug</a> department asked the board members to interrupt their
meeting in the name of "public safety".  This is ironic because the
mask requirement is the first step towards public safety.
<p>
The board, and the government behind it, must show it is strong enough
that fanatics cannot force it to do the wrong thing.  But I expect they
will do the exact opposite.


feed_id: e430db3c701b80be0ddd222e4d63cc18
title: A warning to Americans on the wrecker's coup attempt
uri: A-warning-to-Americans-on-the-wrecker-s-coup-attempt
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#13_December_2020_%28A_warning_to_Americans_on_the_wrecker%27s_coup_attempt%29

content:
<p>

A Turk who has seen several coup attempts in her country warns Americans
that <a href="https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2020/12/trumps-farcical-inept-and-deadly-serious-coup-attempt/617309/">the wrecker's coup attempt was a serious threat</a>.  With Republican imposed minority rule as a permanent base, the next one may succeed.


feed_id: fde9a324813e8dbca6ff12fdc9f1eaba
title: Biden will have White House disinfected
uri: Biden-will-have-White-House-disinfected
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#13_December_2020_%28Biden_will_have_White_House_disinfected%29

content:
<p>

*Biden will have White House <a href="https://thehill.com/changing-america/well-being/prevention-cures/529660-biden-will-have-white-house-disinfected-after">disinfected after [the disease-spreader] leaves</a>.*
<p>
It would not shock me if the disease-spreader were to smear infectious
material in the White House specifically to make Biden and his team sick.


feed_id: 4f5eac9c6675dd86c11a52d7da551f3c
title: Medicare for All could be cheaper than the existing US medical system
uri: Medicare-for-All-could-be-cheaper-than-the-existing-US-medical-system
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#13_December_2020_%28Medicare_for_All_could_be_cheaper_than_the_existing_US_medical_system%29

content:
<p>

The Congressional Budget Office studied the costs of Medicare for All and
determined that it could cover everyone and cost <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2020/12/11/seems-good-policy-cbo-shows-medicare-all-could-cover-everyone-650-billion-less-year">$650 billion less annually</a>
than the existing US medical system.


feed_id: 33fef0f2020932e9d52f3f4fbcdd3841
title: Good and bad things Vilsack did to family farms
uri: Good-and-bad-things-Vilsack-did-to-family-farms
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#13_December_2020_%28Good_and_bad_things_Vilsack_did_to_family_farms%29

content:
<p>

The National Family Farm Coalition describes good and bad things that Vilsack
did to family farms.  It does not see him as a monster, but says he had better
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2020/12/10/family-farm-coalition-reacts-vilsack-nomination">commit to protecting farmers</a> against agribusiness.
<p>
Why not choose someone who will hustle to resist agribusines?
<p>
Vilsack <a href="https://theintercept.com/2020/12/11/democrat-tom-vilsack-usda-secretary-farms/">tried to pass useful reforms</a> in 2010, but dawdled till after
the Republicans took control of the House of Representatives.
<p>
The Sunrise Movement rebuked Biden for choosing Vilsack
rather than the progressive Rep. Marcia Fudge who has focused
on agriculture policy in her career.

<blockquote>
     We're glad to see @RepMarciaFudge in the cabinet, but she
     lobbied to be the Ag. secretary

     It's insulting that, instead of a progressive black woman,
     @JoeBiden & @Transition46 chose Vilsack, who covered up
     racial discrimination last time he had the
     job.
</blockquote>

(I quote that tweet without linking to it, because Twitter is shutting
down the ability to view tweets without running nonfree JS code.
I copied that tweet from an article that I decline to reference
on account of its bigotry in writing "Black" and "white", but the tweet
I've quoted states its main point.)


feed_id: 03ad63298dc6e0b9314fe2feb6d8096d
title: Vaccine authorization ultimatum
uri: Vaccine-authorization-ultimatum
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#13_December_2020_%28Vaccine_authorization_ultimatum%29

content:
<p>

*White House chief of staff told FDA chief [that] vaccine must be
authorized Friday <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2020/12/11/politics/white-house-fda-chief-approve-covid-vaccine-resign/index.html">or he needs to resign</a>.*
<p>
The corrupter ordered the head of the FDA to do something the latter
might have been about to do anyway.  Indeed, he did <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/dec/11/fda-approves-pfizer-biontech-covid-19-coronavirus-vaccine-for-use-in-us">approve the
vaccine on Friday</a>,
but now we have to wonder whether he approved it based on his best
judgment, or set that judgment aside to obey the order.  Whatever he
<em>says</em>, the doubt will remain, and with it doubt about whether the
vaccine was indeed ready to approve.
<p>
I think that is something the corrupter wants.  The corrupter will now
be able to simultaneously claim credit for the vaccine and sow
distrust for it.  His own followers probably won't take the vaccine
anyway, since they believe Covid-19 is a fantasy.
<p>
The corrupter played a vicious trick on commissioner Hahn with that
threat, since he will appear to have made a cowardly surrender whether
he actually did so or not.  But there is a way he can demonstrate that
his approval of the vaccine was not influenced by the threat: to
resign right away!  This would win him the admiration of sane
Americans.


feed_id: 9e9ab1f097186addb1b021bc710dcb1b
title: The current road to hell
uri: The-current-road-to-hell
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#13_December_2020_%28The_current_road_to_hell%29
content:
<p>

*'We Need to <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2020/12/11/we-need-get-current-road-hell-say-former-un-climate-leaders">Get Off the Current Road to Hell</a>,' Say Former UN Climate Leaders.*


feed_id: d0dca1ffdd9a45f557ea422b92e278cd
title: Australia's PM steps toward greenhouse emissions reduction
uri: Australia-s-PM-steps-toward-greenhouse-emissions-reduction
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#13_December_2020_%28Australia%27s_PM_steps_toward_greenhouse_emissions_reduction%29

content:
<p>

Australia's PM took a step towards real greenhouse emissions reduction
by agreeing <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/dec/11/australia-wont-use-kyoto-carryover-credits-to-meet-paris-climate-targets-scott-morrison-confirms">not to present Kyoto treaty credits as "reductions"</a>.
<p>
This is still nowhere near enough to do Australia's share of what is
needed to avoid <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#global heating">global heating</a> disaster.


feed_id: 157e84f16719d6c4b18f90414b8b7c42
title: The corrupter's string of executions
uri: The-corrupter-s-string-of-executions
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#13_December_2020_%28The_corrupter%27s_string_of_executions%29

content:
<p>

The corrupter's string of executions is <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/dec/11/brandon-bernard-execution-abolish-death-penalty">galvanizing opposition</a> to the death penalty,
which has not been very visible in the US for a decade or so.


feed_id: e365a88a9563428ddabbd6e10618b440
title: China arrested Chinese journalist
uri: China-arrested-Chinese-journalist
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#13_December_2020_%28China_arrested_Chinese_journalist%29

content:
<p>

China has <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/dec/11/chinese-authorities-detain-citizen-who-works-for-bloomberg-news">arrested a Chinese journalist</a> that works for Bloomberg News,
supposedly for "endangering national security".  That is a
far-fetched claim, so I conclude the accusation has a political purpose.


feed_id: 38e3bf41d2fe9e290c94c28670eea23c
title: Canadian office guilty of assault
uri: Canadian-office-guilty-of-assault
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#13_December_2020_%28Canadian_office_guilty_of_assault%29

content:
<p>

*Canadian officer found <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/dec/11/canadian-police-officer-guilty-assault-black-woman-dalia-kafi">guilty of assault</a> for slamming black woman to floor.*


feed_id: 4cf74936e3f70f176572ac150d11d6d7
title: 1000 prisoners have died in Egypt
uri: 1000-prisoners-have-died-in-Egypt
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#13_December_2020_%281000_prisoners_have_died_in_Egypt%29

content:
<p>

1000 prisoners <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/dec/11/not-just-giulio-regeni-hundreds-have-died-in-egyptian-custody-says-report">have died in Egypt</a> since the coup replaced Morsi with
a military dictatorship.
<p>
They are not precisely comparable to Giulio Regeni's case, since he
was not in prison when suppression agents killed him.  But that is
just a detail &mdash; the article's point is valid.
<p>
The article also covers other crimes of the Egyptian regime.


feed_id: a5697231fd4a7401e95a3582b5daccfb
title: Australia's cruelty to refugees
uri: 2020-12-13-Australia-s-cruelty-to-refugees
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#13_December_2020_%28Australia%27s_cruelty_to_refugees%29

content:
<p>

Australia's cruelty to refugees carries over to their children, who may
be <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2020/dec/12/what-about-my-child-children-born-to-refugee-parents-caught-up-in-harsh-offshore-policy">made stateless</a>.


feed_id: 27cf12d0216ead98ee1c8af704093536
title: Republicans want to cease sick leave
uri: Republicans-want-to-cease-sick-leave
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#13_December_2020_%28Republicans_want_to_cease_sick_leave%29

content:
<p>

Republicans are <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2020/12/09/beyond-incomprehensible-bipartisan-covid-relief-package-would-let-paid-sick-and">determined to cease paying for sick leave</a> for Americans,
as the pandemic races on.
<p>
Compelling workers that deal with the public to work even when sick
tends to spread the disease.


feed_id: afda6ef1afb375b14c01e2c49c0a55e6
title: Mask ordinance in South Dakota
uri: Mask-ordinance-in-South-Dakota
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#13_December_2020_%28Mask_ordinance_in_South_Dakota%29

content:
<p>

In a town in South Dakota where everyone believes in the Republican
denial cult, the death of esteemed citizens of the town has convinced
some to call for a mask requirement.  But in order to pass a weak
version of the ordinance, the town council had to <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2020/12/09/south-dakota-mitchell-covid-masks/?arc404=true">endure a meeting in which anti-maskers coughed at them</a>.
<p>
Wearing an ordinary mask will not prevent the masked councilors from
catching Covid-19 from a maskless infected person.  I hope the law
they passed will enable them to keep unmasked people out of their
meetings in the future.
<p>
The covidiots of that town have been swindled by a callous liar; they
are victims, and deserve our pity.  At the same time, they endanger
anyone they come near.  We must stop them from spreading their disease
to those who don't want to catch it, and since the disease can cause
lasting damage or death, force is justified for stopping them.
<p>
Some of them will die from their lunacy.  May those deaths awaken the
rest to the nature of the lies they have swallowed.


feed_id: b8c37aa93c35cd227db8de927bc35cc2
title: Oil majors shift billions to tax havens
uri: Oil-majors-shift-billions-to-tax-havens
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#13_December_2020_%28Oil_majors_shift_billions_to_tax_havens%29

content:
<p>

*How oil majors <a href="https://www.reuters.com/article/global-oil-tax-havens-specialreport-int/special-report-how-oil-majors-shift-billions-in-profits-to-island-tax-havens-idUSKBN28J1IE">shift billions</a> in profits to island tax havens.*


feed_id: 8e104585807d45e73d5730624b70efe7
title: (satire) A foot in the door as State Senator
uri: (satire)-A-foot-in-the-door-as-State-Senator
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#13_December_2020_%28%28satire%29_A_foot_in_the_door_as_State_Senator%29

content:
<p>

(satire) *Aspiring Lobbyist Gets <a href="https://www.theonion.com/aspiring-lobbyist-gets-foot-in-door-as-state-senator-1845845553">Foot In Door As State Senator</a>.*


feed_id: 5a9147c58fd2daad238cbfb194543e6d
title: Biden's appointments close with Facebook, Amazon, Google and Apple
uri: Biden-s-appointments-close-with-Facebook-Amazon-Google-and-Apple
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#13_December_2020_%28Biden%27s_appointments_close_with_Facebook%2C_Amazon%2C_Google_and_Apple%29

content:
<p>

Biden is <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2020/12/09/case-against-facebook-heightens-need-independent-executive-branch">considering appointing</a> (or has appointed) several people with
close ties to Facebook, Amazon, Google and Apple.


feed_id: b95f25a25bcf41305ba04386ec126541
title: We are losing the battle against hunger
uri: We-are-losing-the-battle-against-hunger
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#13_December_2020_%28We_are_losing_the_battle_against_hunger%29

content:
<p>

*Receiving Nobel Prize, World Food Programme Chief Warns 'We Are
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2020/12/10/receiving-nobel-prize-world-food-programme-chief-warns-we-are-losing-battle-against">Losing Battle Against Hunger</a>'.*


feed_id: 49cf9919844393b44b19a72b56f551e4
title: Israel's calculated ethnic cleansing of Palestinians
uri: Israel-s-calculated-ethnic-cleansing-of-Palestinians
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#13_December_2020_%28Israel%27s_calculated_ethnic_cleansing_of_Palestinians%29

content:
<p>

Calling on the West to <a href="https://www.972mag.com/palestinian-humanization-sheikh-jarrah/">recognize Israel's slow, calculated ethnic
cleansing</a> of Palestinians from occupied Palestine.
<p>
One current <a href="https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/palestine-israel-jerusalem-bab-hutta-neighbourhood-evacuation">target for expulsion</a> is a neighborhood, Bab Hutta, near
the center of old Jerusalem.


feed_id: c8998fb4c7f593ae059c9b8eb304ecc0
title: Urgent: renew the non-nuclear deal with Iran
uri: Urgent-renew-the-non-nuclear-deal-with-Iran
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#13_December_2020_%28Urgent%3A_renew_the_non-nuclear_deal_with_Iran%29

content:
<p>

US citizens: call on Biden to <a href="https://act.winwithoutwar.org/act/biden-rebuild-the-JCPOA">renew the non-nuclear deal with Iran</a>.


feed_id: 07c0cfc6c80344a0f46a0db3ea669a8c
title: Israel's road construction in Palestinian territory
uri: Israel-s-road-construction-in-Palestinian-territory
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#13_December_2020_%28Israel%27s_road_construction_in_Palestinian_territory%29

content:
<p>

Israel's road construction in Palestinian territory is <a href="https://www.ynetnews.com/magazine/article/H1GfxLsoD">designed as a step
towards annexation</a>.


feed_id: b8dd5980acf7947d2ff1aff2571bfeba
title: Urgent: Block mining in historic district
uri: Urgent-Block-mining-in-historic-district
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#14_December_2020_%28Urgent%3A_Block_mining_in_historic_district%29

content:
<p>
US citizens: <a href="https://act.winwithoutwar.org/act/save-oak-flat">call on Congress</a> to block mining in the
Chí’chil Biłdagoteel Historic District of Arizona.


feed_id: 6debb4dafb606d81564ce08093954d69
title: Urgent: discard pay-as-you-go rule
uri: Urgent-discard-pay-as-you-go-rule
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#14_December_2020_%28Urgent%3A_discard_pay-as-you-go_rule%29

content:
<p>
US citizens: <a href="https://actionnetwork.org/forms/sign-on-say-no-to-austerity-and-end-house-paygo?nowrapper=true">call on Congress</a> to discard the "pay-as-you-go" rule,
whose only purpose was to make sure suffering inflicted on the
poor could not be reversed.


feed_id: 6e91ca1761e412476f7d2048db4df7f6
title: Urgent: limits on face recognition
uri: Urgent-limits-on-face-recognition
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#14_December_2020_%28Urgent%3A_limits_on_face_recognition%29

content:
<p>
Massachusetts residents: <a href="https://action.aclu.org/send-message/tell-lawmakers-reject-bakers-amendments-re-enact-original-policing-bill">call on your Mass legislators</a> to pass the
full original limits on policing and on face recognition.


feed_id: 2467d2827726f43e90ed9576c0b5d9ef
title: Urgent: MORE act
uri: Urgent-MORE-act
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#14_December_2020_%28Urgent%3A_MORE_act%29
content:
<p>
US citizens: <a href="http://act.democracyforamerica.com/sign/MORE_ACT_Reich/">call on the Senate</a> to pass the Marijuana Opportunity
 Reinvestment and Expungement Act (MORE Act).


feed_id: 6e9931dcd959869a4ff0220786630e74
title: Still plotting a coup
uri: Still-plotting-a-coup
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#14_December_2020_%28Still_plotting_a_coup%29
content:
<p>
Republican fanatics are still plotting a coup.  Some are asking swing states'
legislators to set aside the actual votes and substitute Republican electors;
others <a href="https://www.exposedbycmd.org/2020/12/11/conservative-activist-leaders-call-for-an-end-to-democracy/">are trying to convince those  congressional delegations to do likewise</a>.

<p>
Republicans control those states' legislatures and congressional
delegations via gerrymandering (cheating).


feed_id: 138af027b51d24e1600ffc639568049e
title: Same zeal attacking democracy on the back end
uri: Same-zeal-attacking-democracy-on-the-back-end
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#14_December_2020_%28Same_zeal_attacking_democracy_on_the_back_end%29

content:
<p>
*   Historians could mark 2020 as the moment when Republicans applied
   the same zeal they have used to attack democracy in advance of
   elections, through voter suppression and gerrymandering, to attacking
   democracy on the back end, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2020/dec/12/five-ways-republicans-attack-democracy-post-election">by trying to deny and overturn the results</a>.*


feed_id: 5d7f7d052863ca28bd221c0454d0613c
title: Climate emergencies
uri: Climate-emergencies
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#14_December_2020_%28Climate_emergencies%29
content:
<p>
*UN secretary general <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2020/dec/12/un-secretary-general-all-countries-declare-climate-emergencies-antonio-guterres-climate-ambition-summit">urges all countries to declare climate emergencies</a>.*


feed_id: 1dedbd45def9cf0bd81182b2f6568cab
title: Deal to cut emissions
uri: Deal-to-cut-emissions
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#14_December_2020_%28Deal_to_cut_emissions%29
content:
<p>
*EU leaders reach deal <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/dec/11/eu-leaders-reach-deal-to-cut-emissions-by-at-least-55-by-end-of-decade">to cut emissions by at least 55% by end of decade</a>.*

<p>
That comes in range of the sort of change, and speed, that we need.


feed_id: 2227386627bb739ea96a7d9e814690df
title: Inheriting from slavery
uri: Inheriting-from-slavery
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#14_December_2020_%28Inheriting_from_slavery%29
content:
<p>
A rich and influential Tory politician inherited the family riches
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/dec/12/hes-the-mp-with-the-downton-abbey-lifestyle-but-the-shadow-of-slavery-hangs-over-the-gilded-life-of-richard-drax">which it got via slavery starting in the 1600s</a>.

<p>
This is more than the statue of a slaveholder: the slaveholders'
money, greatly increased over time, is working even today to promote
inequality and suffering for poor blacks and poor whites in Britain.


feed_id: d678663f76928d25f6af655dad4a468e
title: Executed for criticism
uri: Executed-for-criticism
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#14_December_2020_%28Executed_for_criticism%29
content:
<p>
Iran executed Ruhollah Zam for publishing criticism of officials,
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/dec/12/iran-executes-dissident-journalist-for-inspiring-2017-protests">including the statements of protesters</a>.


feed_id: 8d01b0a3427dd3b90cca05faca3b183e
title: Wild macadamia nut vulnerable
uri: Wild-macadamia-nut-vulnerable
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#14_December_2020_%28Wild_macadamia_nut_vulnerable%29

content:
<p>
Farming macadamia nut trees in Australia <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2020/dec/12/in-a-nutshell-how-the-macadamia-became-a-vulnerable-species-aoe">endangers the wild macadamia
nut trees and their genetic diversity</a>.
  The wild species is now designated as vulnerable.


feed_id: 69856e3e38077c9a4898e447bcb7e59a
title: Torturer facing prosecution
uri: Torturer-facing-prosecution
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#14_December_2020_%28Torturer_facing_prosecution%29
content:
<p>
One of Assad's torturers <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/dec/12/my-goal-is-justice-for-all-syrians-one-mans-journey-from-jail-to-witness-for-the-prosecution">faces prosecution in Germany</a>.


feed_id: b13791634e0ad13a7cda2e0423510149
title: Overseas aid cuts
uri: Overseas-aid-cuts
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#14_December_2020_%28Overseas_aid_cuts%29
content:
<p>
*Children will die <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2020/dec/12/children-will-die-due-to-uk-overseas-aid-cuts-paediatricians-say">due to UK overseas aid cuts, pediatricians say</a>.*

<p>
I am sure it is true.  As children in the UK are dying due to years of
Tory cuts in welfare benefits, with more to come.  But the Tories have
no choice &mdash; the plutocrats' demands cannot go unsatisfied.

<p>
Corbyn would have done something about this.


feed_id: a0fa1209f0d7e5a069dcb103e3af2c8b
title: Diverse team
uri: Diverse-team
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#14_December_2020_%28Diverse_team%29
content:
<p>
*The Biden team will be 'diverse'. <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2020/dec/12/joe-biden-diversity-class-workers-power">That doesn't mean it will help struggling
people</a>.*

<p>
People who have experienced coping with racism, poverty, and other
handicap will have an advantage in understanding how to help others
cope with them &mdash; <em>if</em> they want to <em>try</em>.  The problem with making
identity (that is, a person's background) the main criterion is that
it's easy to find plutocratists who have the desired background, but
the wrong values and goals.


feed_id: aa04bc8dceab78df4063deb72eaf6afa
title: Career positions
uri: Career-positions
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#14_December_2020_%28Career_positions%29
content:
<p>
The wrecker is shifting his supporters, appointed by him to
official positions, into "career" positions <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2020/12/10/dozens-trumps-political-appointees-have-already-burrowed-career-federal">that the president is not
supposed to be able to dismiss arbitrarily</a>.

<p>
However, last month, the wrecker made an order authorizing agency heads
to designate thousands of jobs as "fire (them) at will".  If he can do that,
Can Biden do the same to the wrecker's formerly political appointees?


feed_id: 2829f6e393d93b8716083622eed05048
title: Pressing the wrecker to pardon Edward Snowden
uri: Pressing-the-wrecker-to-pardon-Edward-Snowden
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#15_December_2020_%28Pressing_the_wrecker_to_pardon_Edward_Snowden%29

content:
<p>

Republicans are <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2020/12/13/gop-lawmaker-claims-trump-listening-many-us-who-are-urging-him-pardonsnowden">pressing the wrecker</a> to pardon Edward Snowden.
<p>
Meanwhile, Snowden asked him to pardon Julian Assange.
<p>
If he does either of them, I will rejoice at that.  However, that
won't outweigh in my judgement my condemnation of his attempt to
set up a tyrannical state.


feed_id: dd3c7f4cb4c56013166c587b9563df4c
title: Plastic bags and flexible packaging
uri: Plastic-bags-and-flexible-packaging
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#15_December_2020_%28Plastic_bags_and_flexible_packaging%29

content:
<p>

*   Plastic bags and flexible packaging are the deadliest plastic items in
   the ocean, killing wildlife including whales, dolphins, turtles and
   seabirds around the globe.*

https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2020/dec/14/scam-bitcoin-ads-using-unauthorised-celebrity-images-fool-tens-of-thousands-of-australians


feed_id: 1fe6fd94fcdd73a3ecb96066bf65edb2
title: (satire) Space Force ordered to discover other planets
uri: (satire)-Space-Force-ordered-to-discover-other-planets
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#15_December_2020_%28%28satire%29_Space_Force_ordered_to_discover_other_planets%29

content:
<p>

(satire) *Trump Orders Space Force to <a href="https://www.newyorker.com/humor/borowitz-report/trump-orders-space-force-to-discover-other-planets-with-courts">Discover Other Planets</a> with Courts.*


feed_id: 3ea995ebac451b882d3b07be84a0aa62
title: Transferring prisoners out of Guantanamo
uri: Transferring-prisoners-out-of-Guantanamo
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#15_December_2020_%28Transferring_prisoners_out_of_Guantanamo%29

content:
<p>

Biden will probably <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2020/dec/13/guantanamos-last-inmates-detect-a-glimmer-of-hope-after-19-years-inside">resume transferring prisoners</a> out of Guantanamo
prison.
<p>
However, politicians have difficulty coming up with what to do
about the 10 or so prisoners who are accused of specific terrorist
crimes.  They have difficulty because they don't follow the reasoning
to its conclusion.
<p>
The conclusion is simple: release them.  Those prisoners have been in
prison for well over a decade, and they have been tortured.  The
torture of those prisoners was a grave crime committed by the United
States.  Holding them in prison without trial is another crime, which
the US still continues.  The US must stop committing this crime.
<p>
As for the claim that some of the prisoners are "too dangerous" to
release, that is balderdash.  There cannot be anything special that
they could contribute to violent Islamist movements today.  Some had
important terrorist contacts, but those contacts are dead.  Anything
specific they knew 15 years ago is obsolete; anything general must be
known to many other terrorists who are still at large.
<p>
At most, the freed prisoners would constitute a few terrorist recruits
on top of the other thousands.  That would have no significant effect
on the security of the US or anyone else.
<p>
The president should commute the prisoners' potential sentences to
time served.  Those who can find a place to go, should be allowed to
go there.  The US will have to house the rest, but not as prisoners.


feed_id: ddf6ef0d3c39f8795f43c28691aed980
title: Companies lie and cheat as normal practice
uri: Companies-lie-and-cheat-as-normal-practice
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#15_December_2020_%28Companies_lie_and_cheat_as_normal_practice%29

content:
<p>

It is <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2020/dec/13/the-grenfell-inquiry-exposes-market-forces-at-their-deadliest">normal practice now for companies to lie and cheat</a>, even if it
kills people.
<p>
We need not wonder why.  It is because governments have ceased trying
much to prevent this.  Governments do less and less to check what
businesses do, and less and less to punish the businesses and the
personnel for cheating.


feed_id: 3ef7eb546556ab7659c035921b62a9aa
title: Norms that guided the functioning of the US government
uri: Norms-that-guided-the-functioning-of-the-US-government
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#15_December_2020_%28Norms_that_guided_the_functioning_of_the_US_government%29

content:
<p>

A proposal for <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2020/dec/13/after-trump-review-reform-biden">laws to firm up the norms</a> that guided the functioning of the US government, which the wrecker has broken.
<p>
I doubt Republicans will willingly allow this to be done, as long as
the wrecker tells them not to.  As with so many other things, it depends
on defeating the wrecker conclusively.


feed_id: cfd8a4e26c1f61a616efc35b6b32d198
title: Classifying Houthis as terrorists
uri: Classifying-Houthis-as-terrorists
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#15_December_2020_%28Classifying_Houthis_as_terrorists%29

content:
<p>

*Classifying Houthis as terrorists will <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/dec/13/classifying-houthis-as-terrorists-will-worsen-famine-in-yemen-trump-is-warned">worsen famine in Yemen</a>, Trump is
warned.*


feed_id: 95ab99f87ed501078c689ef1d957b128
title: Low-wage warehouse workers demand access to the vaccine
uri: Low-wage-warehouse-workers-demand-access-to-the-vaccine
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#15_December_2020_%28Low-wage_warehouse_workers_demand_access_to_the_vaccine%29

content:
<p>

*Low-wage warehouse workers, many of whom are temporary, are <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2020/12/12/warehouse-workers-front-lines-covid-crisis-are-worried-theyll-be-passed-over">demanding
access to the vaccine</a>.*
<p>
Here's an idea: require companies to pay for the vaccine for every
worker.  Maybe companies will decide it is better to give each worker
more hours &mdash; something they generally want.


feed_id: b890f8af0bdfbe77887416ecc3e11718
title: The thug that killed Casey Goodson Jr
uri: The-thug-that-killed-Casey-Goodson-Jr
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#15_December_2020_%28The_thug_that_killed_Casey_Goodson_Jr%29

content:
<p>

The thug that killed Casey Goodson Jr claims that <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2020/12/12/us/casey-goodson-jr-what-we-know/index.html">Goodson pulled a gun on him</a>. There is no evidence to support that claim, and I am skeptical of it.


feed_id: 20e8a0ce134866d8c311e5098ca27f2c
title: Rep Ocasio-Cortez's list of achievements
uri: Rep-Ocasio-Cortez-s-list-of-achievements
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#15_December_2020_%28Rep_Ocasio-Cortez%27s_list_of_achievements%29

content:
<p>

Rep. Ocasio-Cortez lists what she has achieved in two years in
Congress.  It is a <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2020/12/11/just-two-ish-minutes-aoc-details-progressive-accomplishments-first-two-years-office">substantial list</a>.


feed_id: 01890e44b5ae7363c507813fa7c18207
title: The text of the 14th Amendment
uri: The-text-of-the-14th-Amendment
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#15_December_2020_%28The_text_of_the_14th_Amendment%29

content:
<p>

Rep. Pascrell argues that the Republicans who supported the Texas
lawsuit (to disregard the voters) <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2020/12/11/citing-14th-amendment-pascrell-says-these-gop-house-members-shouldnt-even-be-sworn">made themselves ineligible to serve
in Congress</a>.  "The text of the 14th Amendment expressly forbids
members of Congress from engaging in rebellion against the United
States."


feed_id: 27245cafc80305193870fbebb9954594
title: (satire) Legislators determined to overturn the will of voters
uri: (satire)-Legislators-determined-to-overturn-the-will-of-voters
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#15_December_2020_%28%28satire%29_Legislators_determined_to_overturn_the_will_of_voters%29

content:
<p>

(satire) *‘The Onion’ Salutes The Courageous Legislators Determined To
<a href="https://politics.theonion.com/the-onion-salutes-the-courageous-legislators-determin-1845865496">Overturn The Will Of Voters</a>.*


feed_id: 834d0e1b64c69ed071bfbd95bc51088d
title: How should the Left Judge Biden's success?
uri: How-should-the-Left-Judge-Biden-s-success
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#15_December_2020_%28How_should_the_Left_Judge_Biden%27s_success_%29

content:
<p>

*Question: <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2020/12/11/question-how-should-left-judge-bidens-success-answer-leftist-how-many-people-stop">How Should the Left Judge Biden's Success?</a> Answer From a Leftist:
'How Many People Stop Going Hungry' Is One Good Way.*


feed_id: 45e63cb20254bc5a539a01c99fb86e1c
title: Letter to the Boston Globe
uri: Letter-to-the-Boston-Globe
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#15_December_2020_%28Letter_to_the_Boston_Globe%29
content:
<p>

Here's a letter I sent to the Boston Globe on Dec 6.
<p>
Dear Editor, 
<p>
It wasn't Albert Einstein who said that insanity is "doing the same
thing over and over and expecting a different result," but it's a
valid point.  So when will Governor Baker change his ineffective
response to the increase of Covid-19 in Massachusetts?
<p>
In early September, when it was around 200 cases a day and rising, he
urged residents to take the same precautions we were taking.  By early
October we had 500 cases per day, so he did that again.  By Election
Day it had doubled, so he did the same thing plus one real change
(ordering mask use outdoors).  Now, with almost 5000 cases per day,
he's back to the same old same old.  By Christmas it could be 10,000 a
day, then 20,000 after holiday spreading parties.  It won't stop
there.
<p>
Governor, whatever you're going to do then, would you please start it
now?  It may be unpleasant, but the sooner we start, the fewer weeks
it must continue.
<p>
Sincerely,<br/>
Richard Stallman


feed_id: fcff0e1741f1b36360b9405922b0fd54
title: Discrimination against Palestinian citizens
uri: Discrimination-against-Palestinian-citizens
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#15_December_2020_%28Discrimination_against_Palestinian_citizens%29

content:
<p>

*Israeli court rules that <a href="https://mondoweiss.net/2020/12/israeli-court-rules-that-nation-state-law-calls-for-discrimination-against-palestinian-citizens/">Nation State law calls for discrimination against
Palestinian citizens</a> [of Israel].*


feed_id: d3c9d269551bc7ddd18845ceb393de91
title: Urgent: Erase the database that is supposed to predict criminals
uri: Urgent-Erase-the-database-that-is-supposed-to-predict-criminals
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#15_December_2020_%28Urgent%3A_Erase_the_database_that_is_supposed_to_predict_criminals%29

content:
<p>

Everyone: call on Pasco County to <a href="https://act.colorofchange.org/sign/tell-superintendent-browning-stop-sharing-our-kids-data-police/">erase the database</a> that is supposed to
predict which students will be criminals.
<p>
Making predictions about young people tends to bring about the
predicted outcome.


feed_id: 4220e44d7cd556fb466206b131bccc65
title: Sponsors-of-terror list
uri: Sponsors-of-terror-list
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#15_December_2020_%28Sponsors-of-terror_list%29
content:
<p>
The US has removed Sudan <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/dec/14/us-ends-sudan-pariah-status-by-removing-country-from-terror-list">from the sponsors-of-terror list</a>.


feed_id: adb0ba35597d6efdc70edf6825ff50fa
title: Permanent restrictions on protests
uri: Permanent-restrictions-on-protests
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#15_December_2020_%28Permanent_restrictions_on_protests%29

content:
<p>
The UK government <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2020/dec/14/british-government-right-to-protest-limitations-freedoms-pandemic-legislation">is planning new permanent restrictions on protests</a>.
  They have not yet what those restrictions will be, but democracy in
the UK is undermined already and this will make things worse.  The
Tories <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#21_December_2017_(UK_voter-ID_system)">are already trying out voter-ID</a> to suppress the votes of poor
people who are unlikely to vote Tory, and working on giving more power
to <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thugs</a>.


feed_id: b4bfb3a43500be3fdf91a7cbe3951260
title: New variant of Covid-19
uri: New-variant-of-Covid-19
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#15_December_2020_%28New_variant_of_Covid-19%29
content:
<p>
A new variant of Covid-19 seems to spread faster.  That means <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/dec/14/new-strain-of-covid-19-may-be-cause-of-rise-in-cases-hancock-tells-mps">stronger
measures will be required to stop it from spreading</a>.

<p>
The existence of that mutant variant is the result of letting Covid-19
spread to so many people.  If we had taken adequate measures to stop
the spread quickly at the outset, the mutation would not have occurred.


feed_id: 8c82db8e64eb439d48f9041104da6a87
title: Detained without charges for 5 months
uri: Detained-without-charges-for-5-months
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#15_December_2020_%28Detained_without_charges_for_5_months%29

content:
<p>
*Australian professor and son detained in Qatar <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/dec/15/australian-professor-and-son-detained-in-qatar-for-five-months-without-charge">for five months without charge</a>.*

<p>
It's not impossible a priori that they committed a crime, but if Qatar
can't say what it was, it must release them.


feed_id: 6470101622ff84cdf232fcd6208b4eda
title: Breaking off deals
uri: Breaking-off-deals
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#15_December_2020_%28Breaking_off_deals%29
content:
<p>
Individuals and companies <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2020/dec/13/the-guardian-view-on-chinas-treatment-of-the-uighurs-from-unthinkable-to-irrefutable">are starting to break off dealings with
Xinjiang and companies there</a>.

<p>
That is a good start, but China's existing totalitarian oppression of
Uygurs is likely to be followed by China's future totalitarian
oppression in Taiwan, if we don't stop it.  We had better take action
now to stop that, so that it doesn't come to a shooting war.


feed_id: 19188766401a7c1a0741ebefc738f560
title: Deporting asylum seekers
uri: Deporting-asylum-seekers
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#15_December_2020_%28Deporting_asylum_seekers%29
content:
<p>
Australia frequently deports asylum-seekers to countries where they are
in danger, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2020/dec/14/deported-to-danger-and-death-australia-returns-people-to-violence-and-persecution">and many have been attacked afterward</a>.


feed_id: 763b0e1990c8f0ebace168abb7ba084b
title: Revision to surveillance law
uri: Revision-to-surveillance-law
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#15_December_2020_%28Revision_to_surveillance_law%29
content:
<p>
Australia has proposed <a href="https://www.zdnet.com/article/surveillance-bill-to-hand-afp-and-acic-a-tr=">a revision to its terrifying computer
surveillance law</a>.

<p>
I think the various kinds of warrants described in this article are
acceptable in principle.  That some do not require a judge's
authorization is very dangerous.

<p>
The secrecy requirement &mdash; imprisonment for disclosing any information
about a warrant &mdash; is a shield for the abuses which every system like this
tends to generate.

<p>
The "assistance order" is extremely dangerous unless it has firm and
clear limits about who can the ordered to assist, and what kinds of
assistance can be demanded.  Otherwise, what is to stop an agency from
ordering you to put a back door into a program?

<p>
Statements about the usual "intended" usage scenarios of that power
are meaningless if nothing stops the government from using it
in other ways.


feed_id: 1d302d0fbc052af6b2ffc82c2fe0bd9d
title: Pressured to skimp on environmental reviews
uri: Pressured-to-skimp-on-environmental-reviews
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#15_December_2020_%28Pressured_to_skimp_on_environmental_reviews%29

content:
<p>
The officials that regulate mining in Australia's Northern Territory
say <a href="https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-12-10/nt-icac-sent-allegations-of-bullyi=">they were pressured to skimp on environmental review so as to
let mining proceed</a>.

<p>
I have no proof, but I would expect that the mining companies
knew that they were paying officials to cheat in their behalf.


feed_id: d500c8c108bf6cf8ab086523a88dc43b
title: Dividing into two countries
uri: Dividing-into-two-countries
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#15_December_2020_%28Dividing_into_two_countries%29
content:
<p>
A not-entirely-serious proposal to divide the US into two countries,
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2020/12/13/americas-political-divide-modest-proposal">the one where Republicans dominate and the one where Democrats dominate</a>.

<p>
It could not be implemented in practice, for a host of reasons.


feed_id: a72387c3567e3abb9c45c932ebd15f49
title: Not supporting reversing the election
uri: Not-supporting-reversing-the-election
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#15_December_2020_%28Not_supporting_reversing_the_election%29

content:
<p>
It looks like neither the House nor the Senate <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2020/12/13/us/politics/trump-allies-election-overturn-congress-pence.html">will support reversing
the election and pretending that the wrecker won it</a>.
  (To do that would require both houses of Congress to decide to.)

<p>
That is a good thing &mdash; but would it be good if Republicans tried and
failed?  It would make the hostility between the parties so visible
that no one could deny that "bipartisanship" is a fantasy and
"compromise" means surrender.  If the Democrats win the Georgia Senate
run-offs, that awareness might be what is needed to convince them
to eliminate the filibuster and pass laws that Republicans don't like.


feed_id: ff1be090d8a905fc616c8a49d8b4ac93
title: Modifying agricultural policy for climate
uri: Modifying-agricultural-policy-for-climate
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#15_December_2020_%28Modifying_agricultural_policy_for_climate%29

content:
<p>
Proposals <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2020/12/13/roadmap-biden-harris-administration-redesigning-farm-systems-climate-crisis">for modifying US agricultural policy to defend the climate</a>.

<p>
I agree with the article in its criticism of "carbon markets" &mdash; which
means, trading credits for emissions &mdash; but a tax on greenhouse gas
emissions is a different story.  Such a tax, with the tax rate
scheduled by law to increase annually, will be totally predictable.

<p>
One thing not mentioned in the article is the need to discourage
eating so much meat.


feed_id: 717a89d8051323117b7c9b5e58b6482f
title: Allow prisoners to vote
uri: Allow-prisoners-to-vote
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#15_December_2020_%28Allow_prisoners_to_vote%29
content:
<p>
We should <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2020/12/13/let-everybody-vote-even-if-theyre-incarcerated">allow prisoners to vote</a>.

<p>
In some parts of the US, systemic racism includes systematically
imprisoning blacks.  That, combined with barring prisoners from
voting, has the effect of systematically suppressing blacks' votes.


feed_id: 1d50072705dbf252d401e7d5c9e88830
title: Low grades
uri: Low-grades
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#15_December_2020_%28Low_grades%29
content:
<p>
A teacher says: *Low grades are not a sign of lazy students. Low grades are not a sign
   of unintelligent students. In my experience, <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2020/12/13/failing-students-need-support-not-blame">low grades mean something
   is wrong</a>.*


feed_id: c9f026e5f086fb6a2526153f5cdfa69a
title: Fracking harms help
uri: Fracking-harms-help
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#16_December_2020_%28Fracking_harms_help%29
content:
<p>

Scientific research increasingly shows that <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2020/12/14/new-analysis-fracking-science-nearly-2000-studies-finds-grave-health">fracking harms the health
of people living nearby</a>, especially children.
<p>
This is in addition to contributing greatly to short-term <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#global heating">global heating</a>
due to <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#26_June_2018_(Methane_leaks)">leaks of methane</a>.
<p>
Fracking is taking humanity to frack and fruin, so we need to stop it
completely.


feed_id: c109d617fa57e44fa2e6ec05188ffde9
title: Medics need two jobs to survive
uri: Medics-need-two-jobs-to-survive
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#16_December_2020_%28Medics_need_two_jobs_to_survive%29

content:
<p>

New York medics are paid less than a living wage, so Lauren Kwei
models nude to make up the difference.  Some old fashioned prudes
found this scandalous and tried to ruin her life.  AOC defends her,
saying, "The Actual Scandalous Headline Is <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2020/12/14/actual-scandalous-headline-medics-need-two-jobs-survive-aoc-defends-paramedic-outed">Medics Need Two Jobs to
Survive</a>."
<p>
Sad to say, the site on which she sells her photos practices an
injustice on the customers: it requires nonfree Javascript to access
it.  I have not tried that site, but I know that it takes special
effort to accept credit card payments over the net without sending
nonfree JS, and I think only the Free Software Foundation does this.
<p>
Perhaps in a few years that site will accept <a href="https://taler.net">Taler payments</a>,
and be accessible from the Free World.
    


feed_id: 9825c937a776423934ede3cb1cacd89c
title: US business control of laws and institutions
uri: US-business-control-of-laws-and-institutions
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#16_December_2020_%28US_business_control_of_laws_and_institutions%29

content:
<p>

The US has let business control its laws and institutions, and
business <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2020/12/14/pandemic-failure-vaccine-success-indict-american-monopoly-capitalism">could not profit</a> by saving the people from Covid-19, so the
US did not really try.
<p>
The result has been a <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2020/12/14/it-never-had-be-300000-dead-us-covid-19-under-donald-j-trump">disproportionate rate of fatalities</a> per population,
now reaching 300,000 people killed by Covid-19.


feed_id: eebe409c82eb4ef63c372d482636b9e2
title: Bipartisan relief bill
uri: Bipartisan-relief-bill
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#16_December_2020_%28Bipartisan_relief_bill%29
content:
<p>

There may soon be a <a href="https://www.cnn.com/world/live-news/coronavirus-pandemic-vaccine-updates-12-14-20/h_265f5fda2946b81bc55aebe8a9468c5b">bipartisan relief</a> bill that does not
shield businesses from liability.
<p>
That is good news, because it means the bill will not do long-term
legal harm.  The only remaining question is how much good it does for
the rich, and how much to the non-rich.
<p>
The bill does not provide aid to states, which <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2020/12/14/what-failed-state-looks-gop-under-fire-blocking-necessary-funds-covid-vaccine">need aid desperately</a>
to cover what some states have spent protecting the public from Covid-19.
States cannot even afford to operate vaccination.
But they can hold out till Jan 20 for that aid, and if the
Georgia runoff elections go well, we can give states the aid then without
shielding business from liability.
<p>
Regarding liability, businesses should be liable for failing to do
what was possible.  In April, when masks were in short supply, it
would have been unfair to punish a business for not finding masks.
Now that masks are available, businesses have no excuse for not
providing masks, and likewise other PPE, enhanced air ventilation, and
every other thing that ought to be done for worker's safety.
<p>
One thing that stores <em>must</em> do, for the safety of workers and
customers alike, is make anyone leave immediately who has entered
without a mask.


feed_id: 9729ab19d570a3a3219329fb36b2dedd
title: CO2 offsets
uri: CO2-offsets
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#16_December_2020_%28CO2_offsets%29
content:
<p>

Big companies pay significant sums to "offset" their CO2 emissions
by <a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/features/2020-nature-conservancy-carbon-offsets-trees/">protecting trees from being cut down</a>.  Except that those trees
were not going to be cut down.  The fees are for greenwashing.
<p>
By contrast, projects that directly extract CO2 from the air are valid.
But "offsets" meant to provide benefit in the future are chickens
that might hatch some day.
<p>
Such "offsets" are used as a substitute for real cuts in emissions,
and we should not trust them.  Likewise, we should distrust commitments
stated in terms of "net" emissions.  We should demand commitments to
reduce emissions.
<p>
*'Grossly Insufficient': ExxonMobil <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2020/12/14/grossly-insufficient-exxonmobil-lambasted-over-emissions-reduction-plan-pledges-no">Lambasted Over Emissions Reduction Plan</a>
That Pledges No Reduction in Absolute Emissions.*
<p>
I think Exxon is counting the emissions from its own use of energy,
and not the emissions that will result when the fossil fuels it
extracts get burned by customers.  If so, it is sidestepping the issue.


feed_id: e23393321c639f9200b18cf7995f79c2
title: Trying to eliminate democracy
uri: Trying-to-eliminate-democracy
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#16_December_2020_%28Trying_to_eliminate_democracy%29

content:
<p>

The Republican officials that stood up against democracy may not be
scared only of losing the next election at the hands of conman's
lunatic followers.  It could be that their rich backers are trying to
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2020/12/14/its-time-we-called-it-what-it-fascism">eliminate democracy</a>, as they did when FDR was elected.


feed_id: 25a903e28e15d59d322a28f256d3a644
title: US cinema production
uri: US-cinema-production
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#16_December_2020_%28US_cinema_production%29
content:
<p>

US cinema production is concentrated <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2020/12/13/business/media/apple-gawker-tim-cook.html?mc_cid=26624abe89&mc_eid=[UNIQID">in the hands of a few companies</a> controlled
by billionaires whose main interests are other things.
<p>
Nothing can be made which harms those other interests.


feed_id: f6d29da97a0c9cb8e4ede09e4e6b92d1
title: (satire) Amazon holiday overtime shift
uri: (satire)-Amazon-holiday-overtime-shift
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#16_December_2020_%28%28satire%29_Amazon_holiday_overtime_shift%29

content:
<p>

(satire) *Amazon Worker Emerges From Holiday Overtime Shift To Find
<a href="https://www.theonion.com/amazon-worker-emerges-from-holiday-overtime-shift-to-fi-1845852867">3,000 Years Have Passed In Outside World</a>.*


feed_id: 8a872d3a7a64f0aa5727107f0cd61968
title: If Democrats want to succeed
uri: If-Democrats-want-to-succeed
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#16_December_2020_%28If_Democrats_want_to_succeed%29
content:
<p>

*If Democrats Want to Succeed, They Will Have to Implement Policies That
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2020/12/13/if-democrats-want-succeed-they-will-have-implement-policies-primarily-benefit">Primarily Benefit the Working Class</a>.*


feed_id: f38e5d89b7d48312ea7a6cad580162dc
title: China buying coal from nearby countries
uri: China-buying-coal-from-nearby-countries
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#16_December_2020_%28China_buying_coal_from_nearby_countries%29

content:
<p>

Australia's prime minister is outraged that China has decided to
buy coal from other nearby countries <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/dec/15/scott-morrison-lashes-china-over-reported-ban-on-australian-coal-imports">rather than from Australia</a>.
<p>
The real outrage is that China continues to burn so much coal
and is not working hard to cut down.


feed_id: a73078c008d757fcd675bb97bb18d38a
title: Illegal Chinese fishing vessel
uri: Illegal-Chinese-fishing-vessel
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#16_December_2020_%28Illegal_chinese_fishing_vessel%29

content:
<p>

*Tiny Pacific nation of Palau <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/dec/15/pacific-nation-of-palau-detains-chinese-fishing-crew">detains 'illegal' Chinese fishing vessel</a>.*
<p>
I see no reason to doubt Palau's accusation; fishing boats don't go anywhere so
far from home except to fish there.
<p>
China is one of several countries that send large fishing fleets to
denude the world's oceans of sea life.  We need a world-wide fishing
treaty that would prevent this.


feed_id: 00c985eb4129f4c91177ead667eb49e0
title: Attorney General Barr effectively fired
uri: Attorney-General-Barr-effectively-fired
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#16_December_2020_%28Attorney_General_Barr_effectively_fired%29

content:
<p>

Attorney General Barr has been, in effect, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2020/dec/14/william-barr-out-attorney-general-donald-trump">fired</a> &mdash; apparently for
refusing to endorse false accusations of massive fraudulent voting.
<p>
The fraud that really occurred was Republicans; <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#8_July_2017_(Mass_Voter_Suppression)">massive fraudulent denial of the right to vote</a>.
<p>
It is, interesting that a substantial fraction of Republicans that
frequently practice by-hook-or-by-crook morality do still have limits
of conscience.


feed_id: b1ea4712cbacc385794bd4f86229029b
title: Plastic bags and flexible packaging
uri: 2020-12-16-Plastic-bags-and-flexible-packaging
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#16_December_2020_%28Plastic_bags_and_flexible_packaging%29

content:
<p>

*   Plastic bags and flexible packaging are the <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2020/dec/14/deadliest-plastics-bags-and-packaging-biggest-marine-life-killers-study-finds">deadliest plastic items</a> in
   the ocean, killing wildlife including whales, dolphins, turtles and
seabirds around the globe.*


feed_id: ffadfa3afb0c2acfd93b21895cfedaa5
title: Cementing gerrymandering
uri: Cementing-gerrymandering
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#16_December_2020_%28Cementing_gerrymandering%29
content:
<p>
Republicans have cemented their gerrymandering power for another decade
and maybe longer, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2020/dec/15/gerrymandering-republicans-map-charts-states">by dominating state legislatures again</a>.

<p>
The only way I can see to overcome this is to reform the Supreme Court.


feed_id: 6c461d7307a677a47ef3403a902cd1b5
title: Mutation
uri: Mutation
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#16_December_2020_%28Mutation%29
content:
<p>
A single mutation, called delta 69/70, has appeared in several strains
of Covid-19, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/dec/15/uk-should-boost-vaccine-programme-to-tackle-covid-variant-says-leading-scientist">and makes each of them spread more easily</a>.
  Perhaps this is part of the reason that Covid-19 is now
increasing so fast in the US and Europe.

<p>
Each time a person gets infected, that is an opportunity for Covid-19
to mutate.  If the world had cracked down on Covid-19 effectively, the
way China, Taiwan, South Korea (initially), Australia and New Zealand
did, the pandemic would already be over, the deaths would be few, the
economic losses would be much less, and this mutation would never have
occurred.


feed_id: 8be22b1c8e5ceac8a9ff89a3f770124f
title: Opposing disinformation campaigns
uri: Opposing-disinformation-campaigns
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#16_December_2020_%28Opposing_disinformation_campaigns%29

content:
<p>
Facebook says that France and Russia targeted the voters of the
Central African Republic <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2020/dec/15/central-african-republic-facebook-disinformation-france-russia">with opposing disinformation campaigns</a>.


feed_id: a052b09dc4be554a891201a56acf03c4
title: Stimulus bill
uri: Stimulus-bill
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#16_December_2020_%28Stimulus_bill%29
content:
<p>
The new stimulus bill has <a href="https://theintercept.com/2020/12/15/covid-relief-bill-tax-deduction-ppp/">a subtle but large tax deduction for businesses
that received PPP loans</a>.

<p>
Perhaps it should be limited to 100k dollars per organization.
That would save small businesses a big surprise tax bill
but not give much to big businesses.


feed_id: e980496d1a79918b25d029ae0c11de61
title: Poisoning of Navalny
uri: Poisoning-of-Navalny
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#16_December_2020_%28Poisoning_of_Navalny%29
content:
<p>
Bellingcat present's evidence that the FSB (successor of the KGB)
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/dec/14/russian-fsb-hit-squad-poisoned-alexei-navalny-report-says">poisoned Navalny after following him around since 2017</a>.

<p>
Putin had to have approved these plans.  Anyone who did such things in
Russia without his approval would be fired immediately.


feed_id: a5bac07dbca179b85cc3e694b8858f56
title: Wise restrictions
uri: Wise-restrictions
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#16_December_2020_%28Wise_restrictions%29
content:
<p>
South Korea is very wise to impose restrictions to slow the increase
of Covid-19 <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/dec/15/south-korea-how-early-covid-competence-gave-way-to-a-second-wave">while the number of people infected is still small</a>.

<p>
To delay, and allow the numbers to increase before acting, would not
help anything.


feed_id: 78f62cc9a43b6fb11fa27ec28f3c9a21
title: Christmas and hospitals
uri: Christmas-and-hospitals
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#16_December_2020_%28Christmas_and_hospitals%29
content:
<p>
UK medical journals say the UK must cancel plans to allow households
to mix during Christmas.  <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/dec/15/uk-medical-journals-call-for-christmas-covid-rules-to-be-reversed">Those plans would overload the hospitals</a>.


feed_id: 29b1caca6239b89155e1f208867fa5ea
title: Slave work
uri: Slave-work
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#16_December_2020_%28Slave_work%29
content:
<p>
Half a million slaves <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/dec/15/xinjiang-china-more-than-half-a-million-forced-to-pick-cotton-report-finds">are forced to pick cotton in Xinjiang, China</a>.

<p>
Keep in mind that Uzbekistan also forces slaves to pick
cotton, perhaps even more of them.

<p>
What Uzbekistan does is not an excuse for China, and what China does
is not an excuse for Uzbekistan.  Countries should refuse to buy cotton from
those countries until they stop using forced labor.


feed_id: 41787fe5106ca4626f10adaea4b75ddf
title: Restoring woodland
uri: Restoring-woodland
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#16_December_2020_%28Restoring_woodland%29
content:
<p>
*Restore UK woodland <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2020/dec/15/restore-uk-woodland-trees-report-rewilding-britain">by letting trees plant themselves, says report</a>.*

<p>
I have wondered for years why it is necessary to plant trees.
Trees produce lots of seeds and have mechanisms to disperse them.
Why isn't that enough?

<p>
This is a serious question.  Since I am not an expert, I will not try
to claim that there is no need to plant forests, but I think it is an important
question why we do need that.


feed_id: 2fd84bf427d5dfbfebbd32122e5a5d26
title: Fair use
uri: 2020-12-16-Fair-use
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#16_December_2020_%28Fair_use%29
content:
<p>
EFF: Youtube's automatic copyright filter has punished fair use to the
point where people have learned not to even try it.  <a href="https://www.eff.org/wp/unfiltered-how-youtubes-content-id-discourages-fair-use-and-dictates-what-we-see-online">In effect, it has
taken that right away</a>.

<p>
To fix this, we need to eliminate the relevant parts of the DMCA.

<p>
I wish they would not refer to works of art and communication as "content".
<a href="https://gnu.org/philosophy/words-to-avoid.html#Content">That term disparages all such works</a>.


feed_id: c316ab59558b17b1e2182133b2a222e4
title: Getting rich off of ads
uri: Getting-rich-off-of-ads
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#16_December_2020_%28Getting_rich_off_of_ads%29
content:
<p>
*Facebook Gets Rich Off Of <a href="https://www.buzzfeednews.com/article/craigsilverman/facebook-ad-scams-revenue-china-tiktok-vietnam">Ads That Rip Off Its Users</a>.*

<p>
I must disagree with the first example, though: it is prudish to
consider an ad harmful on account of showing adolescents dancing.  Was
there is something else bad about those ads that the article fails to
explain?


feed_id: 06fa322ad7eb3a077c96dacd0509fb59
title: Killed by pollution
uri: Killed-by-pollution
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#17_December_2020_%28Killed_by_pollution%29
content:
<p>
An inquest in the UK ruled that <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2020/dec/16/girls-death-contributed-to-by-air-pollution-coroner-rules-in-landmark-case">a girl was killed by a high level of
air pollution</a>.

<p>
This may spur efforts to reduce pollution.


feed_id: 23c698709454ff015d541c2ae1291cea
title: Repeated flooding
uri: Repeated-flooding
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#17_December_2020_%28Repeated_flooding%29
content:
<p>
Repeated flooding is driving Bangladeshis out of their rural homes,
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2020/dec/16/how-floods-are-emptying-bangladesh-villages">to become urban poor</a>.


feed_id: b358885e668bc2c212315f590ddd4ac5
title: Security law
uri: Security-law
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#17_December_2020_%28Security_law%29
content:
<p>
Mexico has passed a new "security" law that would undermine
cooperation <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/dec/15/mexico-security-law-dea-agents-us">between Mexican government agencies and the US Drug
Enforcement Agency agents that operate in Mexico</a>.
  Those agents would have to give all their information to Mexican agencies
that would probably leak the information to the gangs.

<p>
If you think of the issue as how to fight the "War on Drugs", this
change is foolish and self-defeating.  But that war is itself foolish
and self-defeating.  Maybe Amlo is trying looking for an excuse to
pull back from it.

<p>
If the US legalizes and strictly regulates sale of drugs, the Mexican
drug gangs would lose a major source of their income.  That could be
more effective than the DEA will ever be.


feed_id: d0dd082d698325aad9bf5153abaae08d
title: Credit rating scores
uri: Credit-rating-scores
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#17_December_2020_%28Credit_rating_scores%29
content:
<p>
Credit rating scores now control who can rent an apartment or get
hired for a job, as well as who can get a loan.  Other mysterious
algorithms <a href="https://www.technologyreview.com/2020/12/04/1013068/algorithms-create-a-poverty-trap-lawyers-fight-back/">decide who gets welfare or medical treatment</a>.

<p>
The root cause of many of these problems is the general US approach of
being stingy towards the poor and suffering.  The basic motivation for
that is that the rich keep demanding a bigger share of everything.

<p>
Transparent and valid ways of evaluating people would be an
improvement, but we can do better than that.  For many of these
purposes, we shouldn't evaluate people at all.  We should help
everyone who needs help.

<p>
With Medicare for All, everyone would get medical care, eliminating
any need to judge people.  If we had a policy of giving poor people
housing, we wouldn't need to evaluate people for that either.  With a
guaranteed basic income, whether you can get a job would be less
important.

<p>
And credit ratings should be used only for loans.


feed_id: 975baf91b3307c68c5ce11c1f0d9c5a7
title: Thugs behavior
uri: Thugs-behavior
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#17_December_2020_%28Thugs_behavior%29
content:
<p>
Why did Chicago <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thugs</a> break the door of Ms Young's house, find her
there naked, then handcuff her naked <a href="https://boingboing.net/2020/12/15/city-of-chicago-doesnt-want-you-to-see-video-of-cops-raiding-wrong-house-humiliating-naked-woman.html">and refuse to give her a blanket
to cover herself with</a>?

<p>
The third step, handcuffing Ms Young without letting her put on any
clothing, was an act of callous contempt, very likely reflecting
ingrained racism.  But the wrongs did not start there.

<p>
The first step, seeking to enter that house, reflected incompetence:
they didn't bother to check that the person they were looking for
lived next door.  Disdain, perhaps racist, is surely part of why they
did not bother.

<p>
The second step, breaking down that door, was due to excessive
willingness to do harm violent.  Even if they had chosen the right
house, they shouldn't have done this.  Owning an illegal gun doesn't
mean a person is inclined to shoot if <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thugs</a> use a megaphone to say
"Police, open up!"  Disdain, perhaps racist, may be part of why they
did not bother.

<p>
Perhaps Chicago should do what Camden, New Jersey did: <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#7_September_2019_(Camden_police_department)">disband its
hopelessly corrupt, violent and racist thug department</a>
                                                       and start a new
one.


feed_id: f828e537722415907e3421ee29dacb0f
title: Tanker inspection
uri: Tanker-inspection
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#17_December_2020_%28Tanker_inspection%29
content:
<p>
The Houthis have agreed to let the United Nations inspect an abandoned
tanker filled with oil in 2021, <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2020/12/15/researchers-warn-looming-oil-spill-four-times-larger-exxon-valdez-if-urgent-action">but experts warn the ship may start leaking
massive quantities of oil any day</a>.
  That leak would kill the marine life in the Red Sea.


feed_id: a0204c8d112309d464b29ca52bc9e52d
title: Museum of Military Medicine
uri: Museum-of-Military-Medicine
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#17_December_2020_%28Museum_of_Military_Medicine%29
content:
<p>
The UK proposes to move the Museum of Military Medicine to Cardiff, in
Wales, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2020/dec/15/military-museum-dumped-people-cardiff-aldershot">and has received a surprising variety of objections</a>.

<p>
Some of the objectors are using the issue for Welsh nationalism.
I don't sympathize with Welsh nationalism so I am not impressed.

<p>
Some want to preserve the existing park with its full size.
Would building it on a city block be better?
The expense might be prohibitive, though.


feed_id: 1bc780fd6088cb7cd1699cb1fce1fd04
title: Nonviolent citizen action
uri: Nonviolent-citizen-action
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#17_December_2020_%28Nonviolent_citizen_action%29
content:
<p>
*Why we need nonviolent citizen action &mdash; not street fighting with the
   Proud Boys &mdash; <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2020/12/15/here-and-now-dangers-standing-down-and-standing-donald-trump">to protect the election results and democracy</a>.*


feed_id: 312d7d6618ac6d16963f125ea397f170
title: Nuclear Deal
uri: Nuclear-Deal
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#17_December_2020_%28Nuclear_Deal%29
content:
<p>
*Rouhani to Biden: <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2020/12/15/rouhani-biden-if-us-comes-back-nuclear-deal-so-will-iran">If US Comes Back to Nuclear Deal, So Will Iran</a>.*


feed_id: ee11fae34a1bb6146f695120945410fe
title: Attacks on journalists
uri: Attacks-on-journalists
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#17_December_2020_%28Attacks_on_journalists%29
content:
<p>
*Report Details 'Staggering' Number of <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2020/12/14/report-details-staggering-number-attacks-us-journalists-press-freedoms-2020">Attacks on US Journalists, Press
Freedoms in 2020</a>.*

<p>
*How the Biden Administration Can Help <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2020/12/14/how-biden-administration-can-help-rejuvenate-journalism-after-four-years-carnage">Rejuvenate Journalism After Four Years
of Carnage</a>.*


feed_id: d21bc21b184f9b4806db1fcb0a54b60b
title: Giant Antarctic iceberg
uri: Giant-Antarctic-iceberg
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#17_December_2020_%28Giant_Antarctic_iceberg%29
content:
<p>
A scientific team will study the giant Antarctic iceberg <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2020/dec/15/scientists-plan-mission-to-biggest-iceberg-as-it-drifts-towards-island">as it drifts
towards South Georgia Island</a>.

<p>
Given the sort of harm it may do if it grounds there, I wonder if
there is a way to gently push the iceberg so as to direct it away from
the island.  Perhaps with large sails?

<p>
We have worked out how to do this with asteroids.


feed_id: 1787e25838d14672ef0e359086a84387
title: Blow up the conman's casino for charity
uri: Blow-up-the-conman-s-casino-for-charity
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#18_December_2020_%28Blow_up_the_conman%27s_casino_for_charity%29

content:
<p>

*Atlantic City to auction off chance to <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2020/dec/16/atlantic-city-auction-blow-up-trump-casino">blow up [the conman's] former casino</a>, for charity.


feed_id: cb30de7bb482b590ef52df6e07042905
title: The challenge of replacing speaker Pelosi
uri: The-challenge-of-replacing-speaker-Pelosi
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#18_December_2020_%28The_challenge_of_replacing_speaker_Pelosi%29

content:
<p>

AOC on the <a href="https://theintercept.com/2020/12/16/aoc-nancy-pelosi-needs-to-go-but-theres-nobody-to-replace-her-yet/">challenge of replacing Speaker Pelosi</a> and the need to reduce
the power of the leadership of the Democratic Party.


feed_id: 7b87fa9ed29d68f355fad2a40b61177f
title: Bodily changes from trauma
uri: Bodily-changes-from-trauma
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#18_December_2020_%28Bodily_changes_from_trauma%29
content:
<p>

Awareness of how traumatic experiences can cause changes in bodily
systems has created a pitfall: people can be <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2020/dec/16/think-about-trauma-vital-move-labelling">held back in dealing with
painful experiences</a> by the belief that it is no use trying because
trauma has damaged their brains in ways they can't overcome.
<p>
It turns out that making an adequate income without overwork enables a lot
of people to recover from trauma.


feed_id: 045d06fe8288deaa241548c1cff4921a
title: War and Wall Street appointees
uri: War-and-Wall-Street-appointees
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#18_December_2020_%28War_and_Wall_Street_appointees%29

content:
<p>

*Ocasio-Cortez <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2020/12/16/ocasio-cortez-warns-biden-war-and-wall-street-appointees-are-huge-reason-we-got">Warns Biden</a> That War and Wall Street Appointees Are a 'Huge Reason We Got Trump'.*


feed_id: 4f13aa4fe50c9c732608b17ba10d00bb
title: Cladding for UK apartment buildings
uri: Cladding-for-UK-apartment-buildings
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#18_December_2020_%28Cladding_for_UK_apartment_buildings%29

content:
<p>

The companies that supplied cladding for apartment buildings in the
UK, and whose staff said it would burn, pretended after the fire to be
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2020/dec/16/a-raging-inferno-testimony-reveals-how-deadly-cladding-ended-up-on-grenfell-tower">shocked by the fatal fire</a>.


feed_id: d23b5bc56015f5076bd4b6b255c94636
title: Trickle Down Theory is a sham
uri: Trickle-Down-Theory-is-a-sham
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#18_December_2020_%28Trickle_Down_Theory_is_a_sham%29

content:
<p>

*<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2020/12/16/study-50-years-tax-cuts-rich-confirms-trickle-down-theory-absolute-sham">Study of 50 Years of Tax Cuts</a> For Rich Confirms 'Trickle Down' Theory Is an
Absolute Sham.*


feed_id: 4120111dda094bbb541805baba2c3ca6
title: DeJoy's meeting schedule
uri: DeJoy-s-meeting-schedule
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#18_December_2020_%28DeJoy%27s_meeting_schedule%29
content:
<p>

Congress and a court ordered the USPS to hand over DeJoy's meeting schedule,
but when it did, nearly every word in it <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2020/12/16/months-after-aoc-demand-and-federal-suit-usps-releases-dejoy-calendar-almost">had been redacted</a>.


feed_id: fffb67c6fe33f449bd11561754769a2d
title: Buttigieg's experience in transportation
uri: Buttigieg-s-experience-in-transportation
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#18_December_2020_%28Buttigieg%27s_expreience_in_transporation%29

content:
<p>

Buttigieg has <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2020/12/15/political-consolation-prize-biden-picks-buttigieg-transportation-secretary-despite">little experience</a> in the field of transportation, but he has the experience is most harmful in government today: experience in
having transportation special interests fund his campaign.


feed_id: 7e3f0b3bf5897f90752beb0f855a1ab6
title: Simple demands to help non-rich Americans
uri: Simple-demands-to-help-non-rich-Americans
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#18_December_2020_%28Simple_demands_to_help_non-rich_Americans%29

content:
<p>

Nine recommended simple <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2020/12/15/after-one-hundred-911s-here-are-9-life-saving-actions-progressives-must-demand-now">progressive demands</a> to help non-rich Americans.
<p>
I have to reject the last item, promoting "access" to "online learning".
What today's "online learning" teaches is how to be a sucker.


feed_id: 87b7c36d1e66866f38bfbb2715443803
title: Wiping out monarch butterflies
uri: Wiping-out-monarch-butterflies
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#18_December_2020_%28Wiping_out_monarch_butterflies%29

content:
<p>

Glyphosate is <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2020/12/15/despite-90-population-plunge-trump-admin-refuses-monarch-butterflies-endangered">wiping out monarch butterflies</a> by wiping out the milkweed that monarch caterpillars must eat.
<p>
However, the queue for endangered species protection is long, so
monarchs must <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2020/12/15/monarch-butterflies-put-candidate-waiting-list-endangered-species-act-protection">wait for protection</a>.  47 species have gone extinct while
waiting for protection.


feed_id: 0d60354e761b15b030df2c7816d48f24
title: Arab poor are getting poorer
uri: Arab-poor-are-getting-poorer
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#18_December_2020_%28Arab_poor_are_getting_poorer%29
content:
<p>

In nearly every Arab country, people say that the <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2020/dec/17/arab-spring-people-middle-east-poll">poor have got poorer</a>
in the last decade since the Arab Spring.
<p>
This does not imply that the Arab Spring is crucially responsible for
that change.


feed_id: f17d1ea71b89c3883e0b3e62d2ebacc0
title: Gerald Bryson illegally fired from Amazon
uri: Gerald-Bryson-illegally-fired-from-Amazon
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#18_December_2020_%28Gerald_Bryson_illegally_fired_from_Amazon%29

content:
<p>

The NLRB concluded that Amazon illegally fired Gerald Bryson for
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2020/dec/17/amazon-fired-warehouse-worker-nlrb-gerald-bryson">protesting working conditions</a>.
<p>
Amazon said it fired him for violating its "vulgar language" policy.
Fuck you, Amazon!
<p>
I would start a boycott over this policy, but alas I can't &mdash; I'm
boycotting Amazon for other reasons already.


feed_id: f5c94bf02438c6cab23f0806b266b22d
title: Chelsea Manning equated to Terrorists
uri: Chelsea-Manning-equated-to-Terrorists
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#18_December_2020_%28Chelsea_Manning_equated_to_Terrorists%29

content:
<p>

*Pentagon Training <a href="https://theintercept.com/2020/12/17/chelsea-manning-terrorism-defense-department/">Equates Whistleblower Chelsea Manning With Terrorists</a>.*


feed_id: b13b5a81f49dfaf6586427a5293a922a
title: We want Americans infected
uri: We-want-Americans-infected
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#18_December_2020_%28We_want_Americans_infected%29
content:
<p>

Paul Alexander, appointed by the wrecker to work with the Department
of Health, told officials of that department, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/dec/17/trump-appointee-urged-herd-immunity-covid-paul-alexander">"We want [Americans] infected."</a>
(for herd immunity, that was).


feed_id: 91cce633bad1947de45daa3dc8f54851
title: Urgent: Stop the line 3 pipeline
uri: Urgent-Stop-the-line-3-pipeline
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#18_December_2020_%28Urgent%3A_Stop_the_line_3_pipeline%29

content:
<p>

US citizens: call on your congresscritter to <a href="https://act.350.org/letter/tell-congress-stop-line-3">stop the line 3
pipeline</a>.

<p>The Capitol Switchboard numbers are 202-224-3121, 888-818-6641
  and 888-355-3588.</p>

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


feed_id: afd5e15ac7bfd279f63c2fde69127878
title: Sailors right to leave a ship
uri: Sailors-right-to-leave-a-ship
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#20_December_2020_%28Sailors_right_to_leave_a_ship%29

content:
<p>

The International Labor Organization has ordered countries to <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2020/dec/18/humanitarian-crisis-un-panel-decries-covid-rules-that-trapped-crews-at-sea">respect the treaties</a> that give sailors the right to leave a ship to get
medical care or to go home.


feed_id: 0db2a47cbb455233d8d227afd18237ae
title: Fishing the Po river delta
uri: Fishing-the-Po-river-delta
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#20_December_2020_%28Fishing_the_Po_river_delta%29
content:
<p>

Volunteers <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2020/dec/18/pirate-hunters-of-the-po-the-nightly-fight-to-clear-italy-delta-of-poachers">find and stop fishing</a> in the Po river delta, which is
forbidden since the water is full of industrial pollution so the fish
are not safe to eat.


feed_id: 0759a94d03766db8b8d02965e180c539
title: CIA report on Khashoggi's assassination
uri: CIA-report-on-Khashoggi-s-assassination
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#20_December_2020_%28CIA_report_on_Khashoggi%27s_assassination%29

content:
<p>

*Jamal Khashoggi’s fiancee urges Joe Biden to release CIA report*
on Khashoggi's assassination.

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/dec/18/jamal-khashoggis-fiancee-urges-joe-biden-to-release-cia-report


feed_id: fd8ba95aac6fa6b0b116254228225c09
title: Wood-burning stoves cause indoor pollution
uri: Wood-burning-stoves-cause-indoor-pollution
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#20_December_2020_%28Wood-burning_stoves_cause_indoor_pollution%29

content:
<p>

Scientists say wood-burning stoves <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2020/dec/18/wood-burners-triple-harmful-indoor-air-pollution-study-finds">cause a lot of indoor pollution</a>
and should carry health warnings.


feed_id: 44bc8cf8cb14bdd101c24488edbc823c
title: Devastating health and wealth disparities
uri: Devastating-health-and-wealth-disparities
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#20_December_2020_%28Devastating_health_and_wealth_disparities%29

content:
<p>

*   Medicare and Medicaid are not independent sources of compassionate
   care, but rather parts of a larger system that <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2020/12/16/public-option-wont-save-us-sick-and-disabled-need-medicare-all">condemns the sick and
   disabled</a> to a life of devastating health and wealth disparities.*
<p>
Small improvements in that system won't enable people who are
destitute to cope.


feed_id: d460df289b4e388746623b15cf888b64
title: Weakening of an anti-corruption rule
uri: Weakening-of-an-anti-corruption-rule
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#20_December_2020_%28Weakening_of_an_anti-corruption_rule%29

content:
<p>

The Securities and Exchange Commission just voted to <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2020/12/16/progressives-denounce-trump-secs-gift-oil-industry-anti-corruption-rule-gets">weaken an anti-corruption
rule for oil companies</a>.
<p>
Biden will have a chance to replace one of the commissioners in June
and perhaps put back the old rule or an even stricter rule.  But that
depends on whether Republicans in the Senate have the power to block
the appointment.  Wikipedia does not tell me whether these
appointments require Senate approval.


feed_id: 4aacc7e183eb142838fa6d7301cc9d3a
title: Declare a climate emergency
uri: Declare-a-climate-emergency
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#20_December_2020_%28Declare_a_climate_emergency%29
content:
<p>

Calling on all news publishers to <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2020/12/16/2020-ends-its-time-news-outlets-declare-climate-emergency">declare a climate emergency</a>.
<p>
In the long term, it is a far bigger threat than Covid-19.


feed_id: 39763828caaa9c06805e05fd810f0579
title: Consequences of 50 years of tax cuts for the rich
uri: Consequences-of-50-years-of-tax-cuts-for-the-rich
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#20_December_2020_%28Consequences_of_50_years_of_tax_cuts_for_the_rich%29

content:
<p>

Study of the consequences of 50 years of tax cuts for the rich, in
many countries, shows that they had <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2020/12/16/study-50-years-tax-cuts-rich-confirms-trickle-down-theory-absolute-sham">exactly the effect you would
naively expect</a>: making the rich richer, while tramping down the poor
by reducing the government aid they depend on.
<p>
In other words, it's <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#doohnibor">dooH niboR</a> at work.
<p>
And the Republicans have been making it worse for 4 years.


feed_id: d6fea21f2eefc0d391b738d5eb9166b7
title: Amazon's embrace of plastic packaging
uri: Amazon-s-embrace-of-plastic-packaging
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#20_December_2020_%28Amazon%27s_embrace_of_plastic_packaging%29

content:
<p>
*Amazon's <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2020/12/16/amazon-must-stop-flooding-our-oceans-plastic-waste">apparent embrace of plastic packaging</a> is hindering its
commitment to help the fight against [climate disaster].*


feed_id: 656a75c02500434b02df6061097fa390
title: Climate champions for important posts
uri: Climate-champions-for-important-posts
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#20_December_2020_%28Climate_champions_for_important_posts%29

content:
<p>

Reports say that Biden will <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2020/12/16/two-powerhouse-leaders-environmentalists-applaud-biden-selections-granholm-mccarthy">nominate two climate champions</a> for
important posts.
<p>
However, Food and Water Watch warns that Gina McCarthy <a href="https://www.foodandwaterwatch.org/news/epa-chief-touts-environmental-legacy-what-about-fracking ">encouraged
fracking</a> when she was administrator of the EPA.
Will she do that now as climate advisor?


feed_id: 9d4a4bdd69a59fb8c357de3776875c30
title: New York bans hate symbols on state grounds
uri: New-York-bans-hate-symbols-on-state-grounds
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#20_December_2020_%28New_York_bans_hate_symbols_on_state_grounds%29

content:
<p>

*New York <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2020/12/17/us/confederate-flag-ban-new-york-trnd/index.html">bans display of Confederate flag</a> and other hate symbols on state
grounds.*
<p>
It is a small step in the right direction.


feed_id: f437c3e39b2b01ac7e697acb4912c4f8
title: Israel has the responsibility to vaccinate Palestinians
uri: Israel-has-the-responsibility-to-vaccinate-Palestinians
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#20_December_2020_%28Israel_has_the_responsibility_to_vaccinate_Palestinians%29

content:
<p>

*"Israel has the legal, moral, and humanitarian <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2020/12/17/palestinians-left-wait-and-die-israel-prepares-vaccinate-against-covid-19">responsibility to
   vaccinate</a> the Palestinian population, which lives in distress under
   its control."*
<p>
But Israel's right-wing government is not going to try any time soon.


feed_id: a73bfe415cf76bbef74a6f2ec964a288
title: Reorient the Department of Labor
uri: Reorient-the-Department-of-Labor
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#20_December_2020_%28Reorient_the_Department_of_Labor%29

content:
<p>

Calling on Biden to <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2020/12/17/peoples-action-and-24-member-groups-urge-biden-admin-new-letter-transform-dol">reorient the Department</a> of Labor to protect
workers and increase their power.


feed_id: fdf956cae57cb114b07feba5f85171ab
title: Cease insuring of new coal, tar sands and Arctic oil
uri: Cease-insuring-of-new-coal-tar-sands-and-Arctic-oil
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#20_December_2020_%28Cease_insuring_of_new_coal%2C_tar_sands_and_Arctic_oil%29

content:
<p>

Lloyd's of London will <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/business/2020/dec/17/lloyds-market-to-quit-fossil-fuel-insurance-by-2030">cease insuring</a> new coal, tar sands, and Arctic
oil investments.
<p>
However it will take 10 years to phase out coverage for existing
facilities &mdash; and it won't cover all fossil fuels.  It is a step
forward, but not grounds for a celebration.


feed_id: 5abb106a7d22368b6cdddfebbf86d90a
title: Most profitable US companies
uri: Most-profitable-US-companies
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#20_December_2020_%28Most_profitable_US_companies%29
content:
<p>

*Most Profitable US Companies <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2020/12/17/sick-most-profitable-us-companies-fired-workers-enriched-shareholders-during">Fired Workers, Enriched Shareholders</a>
During Pandemic.*


feed_id: 7b1ac362380fd8ac53d0c2814f06f0c0
title: Blockchain makes online voting worse
uri: Blockchain-makes-online-voting-worse
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#20_December_2020_%28Blockchain_makes_online_voting_worse%29

content:
<p>

Rivest et al show that, while all online voting is deeply untrustworthy,
<a href="media/e80afe40.PSNR20.pdf" data-original-source="https://people.csail.mit.edu/rivest/pubs/PSNR20.pdf">adding a blockchain makes it even worse</a>.


feed_id: 7aa8bcbbd4ea46caba32a4295861aac8
title: Software designed to recognize a Uighur
uri: Software-designed-to-recognize-a-Uighur
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#20_December_2020_%28Software_designed_to_recognize_a_Uighur%29

content:
<p>

Alibaba has software designed to recognize from a person's face
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/business/2020/dec/17/alibaba-offered-clients-facial-recognition-to-identify-uighur-people">whether perse is a Uighur</a>.
<p>
This will be used for various sorts of repression in China.


feed_id: 15e4c3ad3e5faeffc1c0e0f1b9ec0eaa
title: Americans don't want appointed a corporate cabinet
uri: Americans-don-t-want-appointed-a-corporate-cabinet
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#20_December_2020_%28Americans_don%27t_want_appointed_a_corporate_cabinet%29

content:
<p>

*Survey Shows Americans—Regardless of Partisan Affiliation—<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2020/12/16/survey-shows-americans-regardless-partisan-affiliation-dont-want-biden-appoint">Don't Want Biden to Appoint a Corporate Cabinet</a>.*
<p>
So if he does appoint one, we will know it is not in response
to popular demand.


feed_id: 9cd63302146e7720e509632b4c6b0eb9
title: Toxic air pollution in the UK
uri: Toxic-air-pollution-in-the-UK
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#20_December_2020_%28Toxic_air_pollution_in_the_UK%29

content:
<p>

Rosamund Kissi-Debrah calls for a new law in the UK to <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2020/dec/17/ella-kissi-debrahs-mother-calls-for-clean-air-act-in-wake-of-landmark-ruling">reduce toxic
air pollution</a>, as a memorial to her daughter who was killed by that.
<p>
Why did it take seven years to investigate the cause of her death?  I
have a hunch it delayed by the lobbying of car and gas companies,
which have great political influence on the Tories.
<p>
The measures that need to be taken are basically the same ones needed
to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from transport.  Basically, the UK
now knows it has two reasons to carry out those measures.  The question
is whether the Tories will bow to those reasons and stop resisting.
<p>
I expect the US has the same problem.  Would someone like to send
me a reference?


feed_id: fd5d7bcdee782843c47a71b821fa269e
title: Visa and Mastercard
uri: Visa-and-Mastercard
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#21_December_2020_%28Visa_and_Mastercard%29
content:
<p>

It is dangerous to allow Visa and Mastercard to <a href="https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2020/12/visa-and-mastercard-are-trying-dictate-what-you-can-watch-pornhub">decide what you can pay for</a.
<p>
Recall that they <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2011-jan-apr.html#29%20January%202011%20(Visa%20Blocking%20Wikileaks)">blocked donations to Wikileaks</a>. They were <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2012-may-aug.html#19_July_2012_(Wikileaks_credit_card_payments)">forced to back down</a> because European law regulates them
strictly, since that field has so little competition.
<p>
The EFF article explains why sex web sites &mdash; especially exploitative
ones like Pornhub &mdash; offer a perfect opportunity to establish new
systems of repression, which afterword will endanger the rights of
anyone and everyone.


feed_id: c540452563464d615df0c8315f67077f
title: The direct persecution of facial recognition
uri: The-direct-persecution-of-facial-recognition
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#21_December_2020_%28The_direct_persecution_of_facial_recognition%29

content:
<p>

A hundred years ago, having your face photo circulated as a suspect
could <a href="https://slate.com/technology/2020/02/rogues-gallery-facial-recognition-technology-history.html">direct persecution at you</a> &mdash; for instance, making it impossible to get a job.
<p>
Now it can cause you to be arrested randomly for walking down the street.
<p>
If stores use face recognition inside the store, they should not be
allowed to use photos for matching against people in the store
except for photos they have taken in that store, and photos
of people convicted of theft and fraud.


feed_id: 2ba10e8759c42ad5711deda5515f1418
title: Covid-19 infections in prison
uri: Covid-19-infections-in-prison
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#21_December_2020_%28Covid-19_infections_in_prison%29

content:
<p>

<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2020/12/18/pandemic-rages-analysis-finds-1-5-people-us-prisons-infected-covid-19">1/5 of the people in prison</a> in the US are infected with Covid-19.
<p>
The prison staff catch it and spread it in their communities.


feed_id: a44c20f3a002b439a3c4566b5597c14e
title: Mediterranean shore too hot for holidays in the summer
uri: Mediterranean-shore-too-hot-for-holidays-in-the-summer
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#21_December_2020_%28Mediterranean_shore_too_hot_for_holidays_in_the_summer%29

content:
<p>

The Mediterranean shore is expected to get <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/news/2020/dec/19/will-the-mediterranean-become-too-hot-for-tourists">too hot for holidays in the summer</a>.


feed_id: 211f8189ba97e34d3e1f4a548a26e476
title: Republicans' plan for future elections
uri: Republicans-plan-for-future-elections
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#21_December_2020_%28Republicans%27_plan_for_future_elections%29

content:
<p>

<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2020/dec/19/republicans-strategize-future-elections-harder-to-vote">Republicans' plan for future elections</a>: suppress voters harder.


feed_id: 8d59c919978575e38402b51e904cc609
title: Mixing marijuana with tobacco
uri: Mixing-marijuana-with-tobacco
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#21_December_2020_%28Mixing_marijuana_with_tobacco%29

content:
<p>

People who mix marijuana with tobacco are <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/society/2020/dec/19/cannabis-users-fail-to-grasp-health-risks-of-smoking-study-says">risking becoming tobacco addicts</a>.


feed_id: 4e6883328e47c1c9546a6b005fd483ac
title: 737 MAX tests rigged
uri: 737-MAX-tests-rigged
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#21_December_2020_%28737_MAX_tests_rigged%29
content:
<p>

It appears that Boeing and the FAA <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2020/dec/19/737-max-boeing-inappropriately-coached-test-pilots-say-senators">arranged to rig the tests</a> to recertify the 737 MAX so as to assure get a positive outcome.
<p>
Is the US so corrupt that it can't honestly regulate product safety
even in the most crucial and visible cases?


feed_id: 3d63bf3d4285f3644fe082a2875a62ad
title: Florida governor's encouragement of spread of Covid-19
uri: Florida-governor-s-encouragement-of-spread-of-Covid-19
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#21_December_2020_%28Florida_governor%27s_encouragement_of_spread_of_Covid-19%29

content:
<p>

Florida governor DeSantis did <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2020/12/17/us/desantis-covid-florida-invs/index.html">everything possible</a> to encourage spread of Covid-19, including distracting people from the danger, delaying
reporting deaths, and making sure no one could be fined for not
wearing a mask.
<p>
That last is something that Massachusetts's Republican governor is
also doing.  He is putting people in danger here.


feed_id: 047c63b549f656696187d17cb4b5ee1d
title: Hungry children in the UK
uri: Hungry-children-in-the-UK
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#21_December_2020_%28Hungry_children_in_the_UK%29
content:
<p>

*British government says UNICEF <a href="https://boingboing.net/2020/12/17/british-government-says-unicef-should-be-ashamed-for-feeding-hungry-children-there.html">should be "ashamed"</a> for feeding hungry
children [in the UK].*
<p>
The Tories want those children to go hungry!


feed_id: df796d0e6177dcac8a6420255946795f
title: More loopholes to sabotage the election
uri: More-loopholes-to-sabotage-the-election
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#21_December_2020_%28More_loopholes_to_sabotage_the_election%29

content:
<p>

There remain more loopholes that Republican senators, with Pence, could use
to <a href="https://thehill.com/opinion/white-house/530306-no-biden-hasnt-won-yet-one-more-nightmare-scenario">sabotage the election</a> if they are desperate enough.
<p>
We could end up on Jan 20 with a dispute about who is president.


feed_id: ff2e15efedb356924ea236ca9a0b8192
title: Civil forfeiture
uri: 2020-12-21-Civil-forfeiture
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#21_December_2020_%28Civel_forfeiture%29
content:
<p>

"Civil forfeiture" is a system of punishment without trial that <a href="media/48fa2f18.policing-for-profit-3-web.pdf" data-original-source="https://ij.org/wp-content/themes/ijorg/images/pfp3/policing-for-profit-3-web.pdf">allows thug departments in the US to confiscate billions of dollars a year</a>,
in cash and goods.
<p>
The <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thugs</a> claim we should tolerate this injustice on the grounds that it
"reduces crime."  We can reply that forfeiture might as well be crime.
However, now we can also reply that it simply isn't true.
That article presents evidence refuting the <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thugs</a>' claim.


feed_id: 3180fb5c2dd430b0294d716b18445482
title: Reduce the harm done by the products you by as gifts
uri: Reduce-the-harm-done-by-the-products-you-by-as-gifts
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#21_December_2020_%28Reduce_the_harm_done_by_the_producst_you_by_as_gifts%29

content:
<p>

With hard work you can <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2020/dec/18/dodging-greenwashed-gifts-marketers-know-we-are-primed-and-waiting-with-our-wallets-open">reduce the harm done by the products you buy as
gifts</a>, on the commercial purchasing holidays where people are told
they must give lots of gifts.
<p>
But it isn't very hard to opt out of giving and receiving gifts, when you have
no wish to do so other than nostalgia inculcated by millions of dollars
of advertising, with the pretense that participating in the spending 
is going to make you happy.


feed_id: d526853ee3e1deeff77bbe03a3373ac6
title: Hold Guantanamo torturers accountable
uri: Hold-Guantanamo-torturers-accountable
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#21_December_2020_%28Hold_Guantanamo_torturers_accountable%29

content:
<p>

A Guantanamo defense attorney calls on Biden to <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2020/12/17/guantanamo-defense-attorney-implores-biden-stop-cycle-impunity-holding-trump">hold torturers
accountable</a> &mdash; including the bully himself.


feed_id: a2822d872415b43d4314c9c27e420e5e
title: Yet another lawsuit against Google
uri: Yet-another-lawsuit-against-Google
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#21_December_2020_%28Yet_another_lawsuit_against_Google%29

content:
<p>

States have filed yet <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2020/12/17/we-are-monumental-turning-point-sued-38-attorneys-general-google-hit-third-antitrust">another lawsuit against Google</a>, about using the
market power of Google Search to skew markets for other things.
<p>
These lawsuits may make Google change in ways that save people money.
But only through luck could they reduce the great wrongs that Google
commits:


feed_id: e607322fe45225347cde388c1b8d667d
title: A foreigner trafficked into the UK
uri: A-foreigner-trafficked-into-the-UK
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#21_December_2020_%28A_foreigner_trafficked_into_the_UK%29

content:
<p>

A UK court ruled that the government must give a foreigner who had
been trafficked into the UK the <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2020/dec/18/trafficked-woman-has-right-to-work-as-cleaner-in-uk-rules-judge">right to work there</a>.
<p>
Previously they could ask for permission to work, but would have to wait years
for their cases to be considered.  The government does not give the department
that considers those applications enough funds to do the job faster; those
who hate foreigners are pleased with the suffering that results.


feed_id: 39c55a2a7e11bf3d9e47c8a4cb37038c
title: Rockefeller foundation to divest from fossil fuels
uri: Rockefeller-foundation-to-divest-from-fossil-fuels
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#21_December_2020_%28Rockefeller_foundation_to_divest_from_fossil_fuels%29

content:
<p>

The Rockefeller Foundation has <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2020/12/18/investing/rockefeller-foundation-divest-fossil-fuels-oil/index.html">pledged to divest</a> its endowment from
fossil fuels.


feed_id: 190141ba5154bd1592c364e8c69ba7d9
title: UK thugs investigated officially with a listening device
uri: UK-thugs-investigated-officially-with-a-listening-device
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#21_December_2020_%28UK_thugs_investigated_officially_with_a_listening_device%29

content:
<p>

A special unit of <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thugs</a> in the UK was investigated officially with a
listening device.  The thugs were found to be <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2020/dec/18/six-hampshire-police-officers-guilty-of-misconduct-over-offensive-comments">emitting racist, sexist
and other kinds of hate</a> in their private discussions, and it looks
like they will be punished for this.
<p>
Planting a microphone is a legitimate way to investigate suspected
official misconduct, when the recording authorized legally.  What
those <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thugs</a> did is grave misconduct because the attitudes they taught
each other that way will bias them in doing their job.


feed_id: 670ee8928a0f3b256d494ec37d6ded2c
title: Apple supressing human rights critics
uri: Apple-supressing-human-rights-critics
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#21_December_2020_%28Apple_supressing_human_rights_critics%29

content:
<p>

*Apple <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2020/12/18/apple-suppressing-human-rights-critics-shareholders-warn">Suppressing Human Rights Critics</a>* for China.


feed_id: fd2099719d4f10bd02c0ecc8a2067185
title: Australian music festival
uri: Australian-music-festival
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#21_December_2020_%28Australian_music_festival%29
content:
<p>

An Australian music festival is asking musicians to sign a contract not to
do anything that <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/culture/2020/dec/18/perths-fringe-festival-under-fire-for-gag-order-clause-in-artist-contracts">would criticize the fossil fuel company</a> that sponsors it.
<p>
It would be better to cancel it than to turn it into an instrument of
ecocide and genocide.


feed_id: eaee2b3c468d4aa80cd28106102f69d6
title: Visa and Mastercard
uri: 2020-12-21-Visa-and-Mastercard
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#21_December_2020_%28Visa_and_Mastercard%29
content:
<p>

It is dangerous to allow Visa and Mastercard to <a href="https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2020/12/visa-and-mastercard-are-trying-dictate-what-you-can-watch-pornhub">decide what you can pay for</a>.
<p>
Recall that they <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2011-jan-apr.html#29%20January%202011%20(Visa%20Blocking%20Wikileaks)">blocked donations to Wikileaks</a>. They were <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2012-may-aug.html#19_July_2012_(Wikileaks_credit_card_payments)">forced to back down</a> because European law regulates them
strictly, since that field has so little competition.
<p>
The EFF article explains why sex web sites &mdash; especially exploitative
ones like Pornhub &mdash; offer a perfect opportunity to establish new
systems of repression, which afterward will endanger the rights of
anyone and everyone.


feed_id: dcde155e39b1e94a0711134409dd4474
title: Making elections more fair
uri: Making-elections-more-fair
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#21_December_2020_%28Making_elections_more_fair%29
content:
<p>
Some things that Biden could do to make US elections more fair
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2020/dec/20/joe-biden-voting-rights">even if Republicans still hold the Senate</a>.


feed_id: 13c714cb49107dd57b7acaed87b83adb
title: Herd immunity
uri: 2020-12-21-Herd-immunity
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#21_December_2020_%28Herd_immunity%29
content:
<p>
Sweden's initial success in keeping Covid-19 down <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/dec/20/as-covid-death-toll-soars-ever-higher-sweden-wonders-who-to-blame">without banning
activities has turned to failure</a>,
    disappointing many US and British advocates of pursuing herd immunity.

<p>
However, Sweden never pursued herd immunity.  Sweden tried to keep the
spread slow without strict measures.  To pursue herd immunity means
trying to spread the disease faster (which is what the spreader cult
does), and Sweden never did that.


feed_id: c580eec5f161dfc4d3ab0ac4c93635d8
title: Urgent: stop funding anti-abortion
uri: Urgent-stop-funding-anti-abortion
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#21_December_2020_%28Urgent%3A_stop_funding_anti-abortion%29

content:
<p>
Everyone: <a href="https://act.weareultraviolet.org/sign/reproreceipts_petition/">call on AT&T, Coca-Cola, Disney, Nike, Procter &
 Gamble, and Uber</a> to stop funding right-wing politicians, especially those
 opposed to abortion rights.


feed_id: 2150e8d42585bf3d15933832cb57baaf
title: Rich for the next wave
uri: Rich-for-the-next-wave
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#21_December_2020_%28Rich_for_the_next_wave%29
content:
<p>
*Hospital CEOs Have Gotten Rich Cutting Staff and Supplies. <a href="https://theintercept.com/2020/12/20/covid-hospital-ceos-nurses/">Now They’re Not Ready for the Next Wave</a>.*


feed_id: 0e27c11aa0f5784a7b59038f0885a999
title: Hostage
uri: Hostage
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#21_December_2020_%28Hostage%29
content:
<p>
Should the UK state that Iran <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/news/2020/dec/20/nazanin-zaghari-ratcliffe-is-a-hostage-the-government-needs-to-call-her-that">is using Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe
as a hostage</a>?

<p>
Taking hostages is a great crime, and it is a mistake to pay a ransom
to free them.  However, the money Iran demands would not be a ransom.
The money is rightfully Iran's and was all along.  So the UK should
pay it.  With luck Iran will then free the hostages.


feed_id: 55580d92c0504a3eb390bca28f414ed0
title: Radioactive roads
uri: Radioactive-roads
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#21_December_2020_%28Radioactive_roads%29
content:
<p>
The Environmental Protection Agency regulated phosphogypsum strictly
because of its radioactive atoms, and prohibited using it to make
roads.  Now the Environmental Poisoning Agency <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2020/12/18/lawsuit-challenges-trump-epas-approval-radioactive-roads">wants to permit making
radioactive roads</a>.


feed_id: c47db09aaef0bea13c7658a89f8d8d89
title: Patents worldwide
uri: Patents-worldwide
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#21_December_2020_%28Patents_worldwide%29
content:
<p>
Pfizer participated in the campaign to make the WTO impose patents
worldwide, including patents on drugs.  Now it cites that plutocatist
coup <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2020/12/18/pfizer-helped-create-global-patent-rules-now-its-using-them-undercut-access-covid">as a "principle" that it would be unthinkable to reject</a>.

<p>
My view is that we should eliminate patents entirely, and most
especially <a href="media/1dcfd209.45_1_stallman.pdf" data-original-source="https://www.luc.edu/media/lucedu/law/students/publications/llj/pdfs/45_1_stallman.pdf">eliminate them from medicine, agriculture and software</a>.

<p>
The article has a confusion because <a href="https://gnu.org/philosophy/not-ipr.html ">it uses the term "intellectual
property"</a>.
            That is a catch-all term for several unrelated laws
(patent law being one), so sometimes the article is talking about patents
and sometimes it is implicitly talking about other things as well.


feed_id: 47f400a5df4de446ffd1bd81851d8f72
title: Murder teams
uri: Murder-teams
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#21_December_2020_%28Murder_teams%29
content:
<p>
The CIA has been <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2020/12/18/investigative-reporting-details-massacres-reign-terror-us-backed-death-squads">directing and managing Afghan murder teams</a>.
  The teams carry out various sorts of violence, including kidnapping,
mutilation and murder.  Sometimes they attack schools and kill the
children.


feed_id: 91625af1ad525489138ba1ddd0051639
title: Security of whom
uri: Security-of-whom
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#21_December_2020_%28Security_of_whom%29
content:
<p>
For a Chinese "security" executive at Zoom, "security" meant <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2020/12/18/zoom-helped-china-surveillance/">the security of
the Chinese regime</a>.
  He reported on users to China, and snooped on meetings.  If they
discussed the Tien An Men Square massacre, he terminated the meetings
and the participants' accounts, on the orders of China.

<p>
Zoom management responded to the scandal by promising that in the
future Zoom would only cancel an account on China's command this way
if the user is in China.

<p>
Other compagnies that help the Chinese government impose repression
include <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2017-jan-apr.html#20_January_2017_(Apples_censorship_system)">Apple</a>
                            and <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jan-apr.html#7_January_2020_(Companies_that_censor_for_China)">Google</a>.

<p>
Can we expect a big company to have the scruples to decline the
invitation to gain access to the "Chinese market" by becoming part of
the system of oppression?

<p>
No, we can't <em>expect</em> it.
But we must <em>demand</em> it.


feed_id: 317fd1876847a876969c947ae7eea7e2
title: Dissidents
uri: Dissidents
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#21_December_2020_%28Dissidents%29
content:
<p>
Some Cuban dissidents <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2020/12/19/are-cuban-protesters-freedom-fighters-or-us-pawns">get US backing and even support the wrecker</a>.
  What they believe would be bad for Cuba just as it is bad for the US.

<p>
However, that doesn't excuse Cuba's imprisonment of them for saying
what they think.

<p>
Not all Cuban dissidents support right-wing extremism.
Oswaldo Payá did not.
  The Cuban government <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2013-jan-apr.html#09_March_2013_(Driver_of_the_car_Oswaldo)">had him killed</a>.


feed_id: 3ffd85cc3877b2eb873f8fa7d308ac1b
title: Social credit scores
uri: Social-credit-scores
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#21_December_2020_%28Social_credit_scores%29
content:
<p>
The IMF proposes using people's digital dossiers <a href="https://gizmodo.com/your-credit-score-should-be-based-on-your-web-history-1845912592">to calculate their
credit scores</a> &mdash; 
   which would in effect convert them into <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#16_November_2019_(Social-credit_score_systems_in_America)">social credit scores</a>.


feed_id: dca4d97ae47fec3b4b6356bd564a1cfb
title: Hatch act undermined
uri: Hatch-act-undermined
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#21_December_2020_%28Hatch_act_undermined%29
content:
<p>
The corrupter <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2020/12/18/opinions/hatch-act-trump-holmes/index.html">has totally undermined the Hatch Act</a>,
  which is supposed to prohibit most federal employees from taking
partisan actions.  Its enforcement depends on backing from the
president.


feed_id: 7ca29b0412aa651d3632f73c9d0b0700
title: Life in prison for $20 deal
uri: Life-in-prison-for-20-deal
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#21_December_2020_%28Life_in_prison_for_%2420_deal%29

content:
<p>
*A homeless man sentenced to life in prison <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2020/12/18/us/fate-winslow-louisiana-release-trnd/index.html">for a $20 marijuana sale is freed
after 12 years</a>.*

<p>
The war on drugs must have taken some very bad drugs 12 years ago.


feed_id: 4c3f7cf27e96dff713320298a740de05
title: Putting the blame on the poor
uri: Putting-the-blame-on-the-poor
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#21_December_2020_%28Putting_the_blame_on_the_poor%29

content:
<p>
The Tories have been squeezing the poor for a decade.  No surprise
that they want poor whites to blame their bad treatment <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2020/dec/18/tories-class-inequality-liz-truss-identity-politics">on the poor blacks
instead of the rich</a>.

<p>
We've seen similar tactics in the US.
  It is the standard right-wing form of divide and rule.


feed_id: 5c9c1a9c130f342fa155220465aca670
title: Plan for gas extraction
uri: Plan-for-gas-extraction
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#21_December_2020_%28Plan_for_gas_extraction%29
content:
<p>
Australia has a plan <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2020/dec/19/zero-return-government-savaged-over-taxpayer-grants-to-open-up-new-gas-basin-in-australia">for additional subsidy for gas extraction</a>.


feed_id: e29d8d155a7e7241e538108650f0ea44
title: Agents involved in poisoning Navalny
uri: Agents-involved-in-poisoning-Navalny
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#22_December_2020_%28Agents_involved_in_poisoning_Navalny%29

content:
<p>

Navalny says he tricked one of the agents involved in poisoning him
into <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/dec/21/navalny-russian-agent-novichok-death-plot">explaining how it was done</a>.
<p>
Here's a <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/dec/21/what-does-alexei-navalny-say-the-duped-russian-spy-admitted-about-his-poisoning">transcript of the call</a>.
<p>
This is not necessarily the truth.  For one thing, the agent could
have been lying.


feed_id: 0d955e794cc862cde291b18ceb6cfae3
title: Cash benefits pilot program in Indonesia
uri: Cash-benefits-pilot-program-in-Indonesia
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#22_December_2020_%28Cash_benefits_pilot_program_in_Indonesia%29

content:
<p>

A cash benefits pilot program in Indonesia was observed to <a href="https://advances.sciencemag.org/content/6/24/eaaz1298">reduce
deforestation</a> in the areas where it was tried.


feed_id: e85b75a9f3f953b12a3eb6b8a6b5b0dc
title: Slavery and existing UK institutions and fortunes
uri: Slavery-and-existing-UK-institutions-and-fortunes
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#22_December_2020_%28Slavery_and_existing_UK_institutions_and_fortunes%29

content:
<p>

Academics that investigate connections between past slavery and existing UK
institutions and fortunes are experiencing <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2020/dec/20/ive-been-unfairly-targeted-says-academic-at-heart-of-national-trust-woke-row">politicized attacks</a>.
<p>
This is part and parcel of right-wing disinformation.


feed_id: c4aea0d78c7322e1ad3c57bf88952f54
title: The pandemic has hastened the elimination of jobs
uri: The-pandemic-has-hastened-the-elimination-of-jobs
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#22_December_2020_%28The_pandemic_has_hastened_the_elimination_of_jobs%29

content:
<p>

The pandemic has hastened the elimination of jobs and their
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2020/dec/20/the-sneaky-revolution-its-changing-absolutely-every-job">replacement with low-paid precarious gig work</a> which surveils and
oppresses workers and customers alike. This report is about Australia but I expect it is similar
in the US.
<p>
The real solution to this is a guaranteed income.  However, we can help
make work activity less precarious by rejecting the gig platforms.
<p>
The <a href="food-delivery.html">food delivery</a> companies parasitize restaurants so much that it can
drag them under. In Cambridge, Mass, I've seen signs on the street
that urge people to pick up the take-out food they order, rather than
asking using a gig platform to deliver it.  The restaurant gets more
money from the former than from the latter, even though the customer
probably pays less.  And if you pick up the order yourself, you can
pay cash and avoid even more surveillance.
<p>
In a store, you can reject the self-checkout machines, as I do.  In
some stores, the self-checkout machines won't accept cash, which is
another reason to refuse to use them.  But even where the machines do
accept cash, I refuse to use them because they should hire more humans
instead.
<p.
If we use the self-checkout machines, they will reduce staffing.  If
we don't use the self-checkout machines, they will increase staffing.
So I decided to be the first to refuse.  You can be the second!
    


feed_id: 7bc0683bb21fbd76d516c26ba4b7f0f9
title: Chicago's head lawyer resigned
uri: Chicago-s-head-lawyer-resigned
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#22_December_2020_%28Chicago%27s_head_lawyer_resigned%29

content:
<p>

Mark Flessner, Chicago's head lawyer, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2020/dec/20/top-chicago-lawyer-resigns-anjanette-young-wrongful-police-raid">resigned, and it seems to be
related to the <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thugs</a>' mistaken raid on Anjanette Young's house, in
which they handcuffed her naked and wouldn't let her cover herself.
(And wrecked the door of her house.)
<p>
The article does not specify why he resigned, but it looks like the
city's lawyers were trying to prevent her at all costs from
demonstrating what had happened to her, trying to thwart justice.
<p>
Even if the head lawyer did not specifically tell the other lawyers
what to do about this case, it was his job to teach them what values
and goals should guide their work for the city.
<p>
Maybe the feeling of responsibility for what the other lawyers did
impelled him to resign.  If so, that is very honorable by US
standards.


feed_id: f01d01be511c0b5bb55d3fd170ad5903
title: Security of whom
uri: 2020-12-22-Security-of-whom
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#21_December_2020_%28Security_of_whom%29
content:
<p>
For a Chinese "security" executive at Zoom, "security" meant <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2020/12/18/zoom-helped-china-surveillance/">the security of
the Chinese regime</a>.
  He reported on users to China, and snooped on meetings.  If they
discussed the Tien An Men Square massacre, he terminated the meetings
and the participants' accounts, on the orders of China.

<p>
Zoom management responded to the scandal by promising that in the
future Zoom would only cancel an account on China's command this way
if the user is in China.

<p>
Other companies that help the Chinese government impose repression
include <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2017-jan-apr.html#20_January_2017_(Apples_censorship_system)">Apple</a>
and <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jan-apr.html#7_January_2020_(Companies_that_censor_for_China)">Google</a>.

<p>
Can we expect a big company to have the scruples to decline the
invitation to gain access to the "Chinese market" by becoming part of
the system of oppression?

<p>
No, we can't <em>expect</em> it.
But we must <em>demand</em> it.
<p>
This was the work of a rogue employee, but what made it possible
is that Zoom's design lets staff snoop on every conversation as it
passes through the server without getting a search warrant.


feed_id: 3dce744279e73351f2ed2a6118fe9343
title: The pandemic has hastened the elimination of jobs
uri: 2020-12-22-The-pandemic-has-hastened-the-elimination-of-jobs
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#22_December_2020_%28The_pandemic_has_hastened_the_elimination_of_jobs%29

content:
<p>

The pandemic has hastened the elimination of jobs and their
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2020/dec/20/the-sneaky-revolution-its-changing-absolutely-every-job">replacement with low-paid precarious gig work</a> which surveils and
oppresses workers and customers alike. This report is about Australia but I expect it is similar
in the US.
<p>
The real solution to this is a guaranteed income.  However, we can help
make work activity less precarious by rejecting the gig platforms.
<p>
The <a href="food-delivery.html">food delivery</a> companies parasitize restaurants so much that it can
drag them under. In Cambridge, Mass, I've seen signs on the street
that urge people to pick up the take-out food they order, rather than
asking using a gig platform to deliver it.  The restaurant gets more
money from the former than from the latter, even though the customer
probably pays less.  And if you pick up the order yourself, you can
pay cash and avoid even more surveillance.
<p>
In a store, you can reject the self-checkout machines, as I do.  In
some stores, the self-checkout machines won't accept cash, which is
another reason to refuse to use them.  But even where the machines do
accept cash, I refuse to use them because they should hire more humans
instead.
<p>
If we use the self-checkout machines, they will reduce staffing.  If
we don't use the self-checkout machines, they will increase staffing.
So I decided to be the first to refuse.  You can be the second!
    


feed_id: 41c0006fcdebf6cdb8d43381242b4e17
title: Conscription
uri: Conscription
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#22_December_2020_%28Conscription%29
content:
<p>
The Eritrean army, invading Tigray, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2020/dec/21/slaughtered-like-chickens-eritrea-heavily-involved-in-tigray-conflict-say-eyewitnesses">seized and conscripted Eritrean
refugees who had fled there</a>.

<p>
Eritrea's conscription is basically condemnation to a life of servitude,
which is why so many people have fled from there.


feed_id: bb9a1a3dd1e597dbec1a74a55093ebc5
title: Thugs killing
uri: Thugs-killing
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#22_December_2020_%28Thugs_killing%29
content:
<p>
Video of the death of Muhammad Muhaymin Jr in 2017 shows that thugs <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2020/aug/20/muhammad-muhaymin-jr-death-phoenix-police-custody-footage">killed him
pretty much the way they killed George Floyd this year</a>.


feed_id: 189f41c4802424e736b07837cf011f72
title: Global food industry
uri: Global-food-industry
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#22_December_2020_%28Global_food_industry%29
content:
<p>
*Global food industry <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2020/dec/21/global-food-industry-to-drive-rapid-habitat-loss-research">on course to drive rapid habitat loss</a>.*


feed_id: 61c137f69067fa8841d946979d1eadfe
title: Flank leverage
uri: Flank-leverage
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#22_December_2020_%28Flank_leverage%29
content:
<p>
AOC: *"One major difference between GOP and Dems is that [Republicans]
   leverage their right flank to gain policy concessions and generate
   enthusiasm, while Dems lock their left flank in the basement <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2020/12/20/congressional-leaders-strike-relief-deal-aoc-slams-democrats-trying-lock-their-left">[because]
   they think that will make Republicans be nicer to them</a>."*

<p>
In addition, we see that the Democratic leadership adopted a fool's
strategy to respond to Sen. Toomey's demand for a last-minute
concession: namely, to insist on the deal already made.  This led,
unsurprisingly, to a "compromise" which was to give (in some rough
sense) half the concession that was demanded.  Democrats have done
this foolish thing before.

<p>
If they were seriously ready to fight, they would have come back
demanding a concession of equal importance in the other direction.
Then the natural compromises would have been "both concessions" or
"neither concession."


feed_id: aad9bdb9a8e36825f38e8c47d5cff63e
title: Trickle-down
uri: Trickle-down
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#22_December_2020_%28Trickle-down%29
content:
<p>
Biden should reject the dogma of trickle-down, now packaged as "to make life easier for everyone, make the rich richer first", and start investing their money
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2020/dec/20/joe-biden-trickle-down-economics-build-up">in making our country better for everyone</a>.

<p>
The more income you have, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2020/dec/20/the-more-you-earn-the-less-unfair-the-world-seems-to-you">the more satisfied you tend to be with
economic inequality</a>.

<p>
The article makes the error of equating "your income" with "how much
you earn."  That is an error because, as we know, the rich mostly
don't "earn" all their income &mdash; but they try to claim they do.


feed_id: ae2061e2bbb31e7a328bdac018187d02
title: U.S. Government Architecture
uri: U-S-Government-Architecture
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#23_December_2020_%28U.S._Government_Architecture%29
content:
<p>

<a href="https://stallman.org/articles/us-government-architecture.html">US Government Architecture Should Not Aim to be Fine Art</a>


feed_id: f027d244a5e25637b0173d85592a704b
title: The stimulus is too small
uri: The-stimulus-is-too-small
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#23_December_2020_%28The_stimulus_is_too_small%29
content:
<p>

The stimulus package that Congress just passed is <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2020/12/21/last-minute-congress-stimulus-package-terrorism-austerity">too small to keep
the economy going</a>, too small to enable states to do their jobs.


feed_id: e52d9fa8040e58a5044f802b4aefba77
title: Putin's lifetime immunity from prosecution
uri: Putin-s-lifetime-immunity-from-prosecution
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#23_December_2020_%28Putin%27s_lifetime_immunity_from_prosecution%29

content:
<p>

Putin has given himself <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/dec/22/putin-signs-bill-granting-lifetime-immunity-to-former-russian-presidents">lifetime immunity</a> from prosecution
no matter what crimes he might commit.  And his children, too.
<p>
Boy, wouldn't the conman love this!


feed_id: 6aa7fd2a3528fee8e5775b8ac9c3cb1c
title: Suppressing the new coronavirus variant
uri: Suppressing-the-new-coronavirus-variant
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#23_December_2020_%28Suppressing_the_new_coronavirus_variant%29

content:
<p>

*It's vital we act now to <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2020/dec/22/new-coronavirus-variant-b117-transmitting">suppress the new coronavirus variant</a>* &mdash; but
 is that still possible?
<p>
We know that this virus is not held back by borders.  Since it is now
found in Italy and Denmark &mdash; and a similar strain in South Africa &mdash;
cutting off travel to Britain won't do the job.  The UK and the EU and
South Africa would need to cut off all travel to any other parts of the
world, except under tightly controlled conditions.  And that may not be
enough either.
<p>
The crucial question is whether the current vaccines work against
these mutant varieties.  If they do, we can continue with vaccination
plans and eventually wipe out all varieties of the virus.
<p>
But if the current vaccines are inadequate against this strain, then
it is desperately important to limit its spread.


feed_id: 073a560373939aaced1ba627f7796f15
title: Children walking outside without parents
uri: Children-walking-outside-without-parents
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#23_December_2020_%28Children_walking_outside_without_parents%29

content:
<p>

*When Is It Legal for My Kid To Walk Outside Without Me?*
<a href="https://www.freerangekids.com/when-is-it-legal-for-my-kid-to-walk-outside-without-me/">It depends on the state</a>; some states impose a reign of terror
on parents without a helicopter.


feed_id: 21c98bde12743991a39eed98084adf99
title: Rio de Janeiro's mayor arrested
uri: Rio-de-Janeiro-s-mayor-arrested
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#23_December_2020_%28Rio_de_Janeiro%27s_mayor_arrested%29

content:
<p>

Rio de Janeiro's mayor, an ally of Bolsonaro, has been <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/dec/22/rio-de-janeiro-mayor-marcelo-crivella-arrested-in-corruption-investigation">arrested for corruption</a>.


feed_id: 24e4828418d3fd62a9b1219a6e6d2598
title: 90 year old copyright
uri: 90-year-old-copyright
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#23_December_2020_%2890_year_old_copyright%29
content:
<p>

Arthur Conan Doyle died in 1930, but the copyright on his writing
is <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/books/2020/dec/22/lawsuit-copyright-warmer-sherlock-holmes-dismissed-enola-holmes">still screwing people today</a>, 90 years later.
This demonstrates the absurdity of the unjustified restrictions
imposed by copyright as it exists today.
<p>
I say we should shorten copyright to 10 years from the work's date of
publication.  See <a href="https://gnu.org/philosophy/copyright-vs-community.html">https://gnu.org/philosophy/copyright-vs-community.html</a>
for a long explanation of why.


feed_id: 81ae0e1839e4b8937e6921144d8a82a6
title: Outrage in the Philippines
uri: Outrage-in-the-Philippines
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#22_December_2020_%28Outrage_in_the_Philippines%29
content:
<p>

*The brazen killing of a mother and her son at close range by an
   off-duty officer has caused outrage in the Philippines and
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/dec/22/philippines-mother-and-son-by-police-officer-ignites-calls-for-change"reignited calls for reform</a> of the country’s [thug] force.*
<p>
This implicates president Do-dirty because he encourages and
legitimizes wanton violence by <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thugs</a>.


feed_id: 7f280f8425eaed30a02b2d7c517c6ff8
title: String of failures helped Covid-19 to mutate
uri: String-of-failures-helped-Covid-19-to-mutate
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#22_December_2020_%28String_of_failures_helped_Covid-19_to_mutate%29

content:
<p>

*How a string of failures by the British government <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2020/dec/22/uk-government-blamed-covid-19-mutation-occur">helped Covid-19 to
mutate</a>.*
<p>
A string of successes by the <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#saboteur">saboteur</a> in chief may be enabling it to mutate even more in the US even as you read this.


feed_id: 4612b60555cad083514f2c21b2b74295
title: Torture team
uri: Torture-team
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#23_December_2020_%28Torture_team%29
content:
<p>
Calling on senators <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2020/12/21/no-joe-dont-roll-out-red-carpet-torture-enablers">to vote against Biden's torture team, Avril Haines
and Mike Morell</a>.


feed_id: 23a4fab1c91be8bacb4f00181939b014
title: Cruel hoax
uri: Cruel-hoax
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#23_December_2020_%28Cruel_hoax%29
content:
<p>
*Does Biden Really Understand <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2020/12/21/does-biden-really-understand-trickle-down-economics-cruel-hoax">That Trickle-Down Economics Is a Cruel Hoax</a>?*

The US needs more public investment.  That is what makes a country great.
We can get the money by taxing the rich, <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jul-oct.html#18_September_2020_(Government_spending_without_tax_increases)">or by expanding the money supply
as far as the economy can use it</a>.


feed_id: 60833c70ab24db5715cf8c5769917c9f
title: Not electable
uri: Not-electable
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#23_December_2020_%28Not_electable%29
content:
<p>
Democratic primary voters, are you thinking of voting for a "moderate"
center-right Democrat because the progressive that stands for Medicare
for All is "not electable"?  <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2020/12/21/no-co-sponsor-medicare-all-has-lost-reelection-past-decade-even-gop-leaning">Yes they are</a>.

On the contrary, if corporate Democrats set an uninspiring agenda,
that could give Republicans a big victory.  <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2020/12/21/why-progressives-must-not-give-joe-biden-political-honeymoon">It happened to Carter and
Obama</a>.


feed_id: 225acf9b686fa4f5f617575d0006dbd8
title: Prosecuting journalists
uri: Prosecuting-journalists
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#23_December_2020_%28Prosecuting_journalists%29
content:
<p>
Laura Poitras tells the US that by prosecuting journalists like
Assange under the Espionage Act, <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2020/12/21/opinion/laura-poitras-assange-espionage-act.html">it threatens to prosecute other
journalists, including her</a>.

As the article shows, that law is fundamentally unjust.  We must
change it to protect whistleblowers, and the journalists like Poitras
that report their revelations.


feed_id: dbf4daa3a776f3405dc003df409652fc
title: Already disabled
uri: Already-disabled
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#23_December_2020_%28Already_disabled%29
content:
<p>
(<a href="https://www.newyorker.com/humor/borowitz-report/russian-hackers-disappointed-to-find-us-government-already-disabled">satire</a>) *Russian [Crackers] Disappointed to Find U.S. Government Already
Disabled.*


feed_id: e31f9968cdbb334d2d034eeeb610643e
title: Political interference
uri: Political-interference
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#23_December_2020_%28Political_interference%29
content:
<p>
*House Democrats Subpoena HHS and CDC Chiefs <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2020/12/21/house-democrats-subpoena-hhs-and-cdc-chiefs-over-alleged-political-interference">Over Alleged Political
Interference in Covid-19 Response</a>.*


feed_id: 33cb49a45bb57f4b0f962ee2d39e28fb
title: Progressive praise
uri: Progressive-praise
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#23_December_2020_%28Progressive_praise%29
content:
<p>
Progressive praise <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2020/12/21/progressives-win-key-appointments-bidens-economic-team">for some of Biden's economic advisor team</a>.


feed_id: 514546f000af20859cd38d73160a6951
title: Humane eviction
uri: Humane-eviction
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#23_December_2020_%28Humane_eviction%29
content:
<p>
(<a href="https://www.theonion.com/humane-trap-and-removal-program-sedates-tenants-so-they-1845914469">satire</a>) *Humane Trap-And-Removal Program Sedates Tenants So They
Unconscious During Eviction.*


feed_id: f99f71cf36c511d5deeae71f7f97adb4
title: Outrage in the Philippines
uri: 2020-12-23-Outrage-in-the-Philippines
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#22_December_2020_%28Outrage_in_the_Philippines%29
content:
<p>

*The brazen killing of a mother and her son at close range by an
   off-duty officer has caused outrage in the Philippines and
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/dec/22/philippines-mother-and-son-by-police-officer-ignites-calls-for-change">reignited calls for reform</a> of the country’s [thug] force.*
<p>
This implicates president Do-dirty because he encourages and
legitimizes wanton violence by <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thugs</a>.


feed_id: f3d7767a6f600f55ae4ee8deeb34ac7e
title: Block of social media
uri: Block-of-social-media
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#24_December_2020_%28Block_of_social_media%29
content:
<p>
Russia will block US social media companies <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/dec/23/russian-parliament-backs-bills-enabling-moscow-to-block-us-social-media">that mark Russian
government claims as dubious</a>.

<p>
There is no way to prevent this.  The only thing an honest company can
do is stop doing business with Russia.  A dishonest company will cede
to Russia's pressure.

<p>
Of course, a similar situation exists in the US with regard to the
bullshitter's bullshitter.


feed_id: a881dabcbf9bcd76ddc5ad762b503bd3
title: Editor sentenced to prison
uri: Editor-sentenced-to-prison
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#24_December_2020_%28Editor_sentenced_to_prison%29
content:
<p>
Prominent Turkish editor Can Dündar, driven into exile by absurd
accusations of terrorism, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/dec/23/turkey-sentences-journalist-can-dundar-27-years-jail">has now been sentenced to a long prison term</a>.

<p>
Fortunately Erdoğan is unable to imprison Dündar, but the prognosis for freedom
in Turkey is not very good.


feed_id: 8bb78552e83531df2c0b4186c3e75d8f
title: Unpayable debt
uri: Unpayable-debt
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#24_December_2020_%28Unpayable_debt%29
content:
<p>
Puerto Rico's creditors for its unpayable debt are about to impose
crushing, impossible taxes to pay the debt.  <a href="https://theintercept.com/2020/12/22/trump-puerto-rico-debt-board-vulture/">This would leave almost
everyone there in penury</a>.


feed_id: 818f960ae3831f8b4e2cfa2216e763e3
title: Pitting white working class against black people
uri: Pitting-white-working-class-against-black-people
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#24_December_2020_%28Pitting_white_working_class_against_black_people%29

content:
<p>
*The [Tories] <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2020/dec/23/conservatives-white-working-class-black-racial-inequality">are pitting the white working class against black people</a>.*

<p>
That's the standard distraction of the plutocratist right wing.


feed_id: ff582847b8fb3e7c5658f54a4ae4d1c5
title: Pollution killing
uri: Pollution-killing
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#24_December_2020_%28Pollution_killing%29
content:
<p>
*Pollution <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/dec/23/pollution-killed-nearly-17-million-people-in-india-in-2019-study">killed nearly 1.7m people in India in 2019</a> – study.*

<p>
That is on the order of 1/10 of the total annual deaths in India.


feed_id: 4027608d832c23d4bcad1ef2b7d5b2c2
title: Eliminating the virus
uri: Eliminating-the-virus
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#24_December_2020_%28Eliminating_the_virus%29
content:
<p>
*With Covid mutating, it's clearer than ever <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2020/dec/23/covid-mutating-eliminate-virus-eradicate-variants">why we must eliminate this virus</a>.*

<p>
The idea of letting Covid-19 run rampant until it produced herd
immunity was always nonsense &mdash; the US is demonstrating that it
implies lots of deaths along the way.  But now we see that it won't
necessarily ever stop, if mutations produce strains that old immunity
doesn't protect against.

<p>
This also shows that we can't protect the population of one country
without protecting all countries.  If one large population continues to
have Sar-Cov-2 circulating in it, it will generate mutant varieties
that will then spread world-wide.

<p>
Thus, we must make plans to vaccinate all populations and thus
eradicate the virus everywhere.

<p>
*Delayed Covid vaccines for poor countries '<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/dec/23/delayed-covid-vaccines-for-poor-countries-will-leave-europe-vulnerable-for-years">will leave Europe
vulnerable for years</a>'.*


feed_id: dba0c59218eb6b12def7ae446df28e55
title: Surveillance
uri: 2020-12-24-Surveillance
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#24_December_2020_%28Surveillance%29
content:
<p>
US <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thugs</a> get tremendous amounts of location surveillance data from
phone companies, and now <a href="https://theintercept.com/2020/12/23/police-phone-surveillance-dragnet-cellhawk/">have special analysis software to understand
the activities of many individuals</a>.


feed_id: ae8ea595c1bbaec4d16e7f4c321586ac
title: Human rights activist found dead
uri: Human-rights-activist-found-dead
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#24_December_2020_%28Human_rights_activist_found_dead%29

content:
<p>
A Pakistani human rights activist, living in exile in Canada, was found dead
while taking a walk.  <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/dec/22/karima-baloch-pakistani-human-rights-activist-found-dead-in-canada">It seems likely she was murdered</a>.

<p>
Balochistan has a strange situation.  Balochis are a distinct ethnic
group and face persecution by the majority because they adhere to a
different sect of Islam.  Some of them started a violent independence
movement, and the Pakistani state responds by violence against
Balochis based on suspicion.


feed_id: ae82695238318d752e8125b766773f57
title: Pardoning murderers
uri: Pardoning-murderers
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#24_December_2020_%28Pardoning_murderers%29
content:
<p>
The murderer in chief <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/dec/23/trump-pardons-blackwater-contractors-jailed-for-massacre-of-iraq-civilians">pardoned Blackwater mercenaries for the massacre
they committed in Iraq in 2007</a>.


feed_id: 2734f88bcffeaca4e30840cdbd4dd4d5
title: Copyright repression in Covid relief bill
uri: Copyright-repression-in-Covid-relief-bill
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#24_December_2020_%28Copyright_repression_in_Covid_relief_bill%29

content:
<p>
Congress has put copyright repression measures <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2020/12/21/congress-only-has-600-covid-relief-they-managed-cram-controversial-changes">into the Covid relief
bill</a>.

<p>
I greatly regret that I did not hear about Fight for the Future's
campaign until now.  If I had, I would have supported it.  Not that I
expect that would have given us victory, but at least I would have
done my part.

<p>
Copyright law is based on a balance, but not the one people usually
cite (between interests of readers and interests of writers).  That is
<a href="https://gnu.org/philosophy/misinterpreting-copyright.html">a fundamental misunderstanding of the intended purpose of copyright</a>.

<p>
The right balance is between the public's interest in promoting the
making of new works, and the public's interest in using existing
works.

<p>
Current copyright law is nowhere near giving the public the best
results, because it is designed to maximize the income and power
of the big companies that get most of the benefit of copyright.
It is an unjust law that deserves to be spat on, and those companies
deserve to be wiped out entirely.


feed_id: 0202218dc8b060bda1858b838bfa07bb
title: Elimination of repressive policy
uri: Elimination-of-repressive-policy
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#24_December_2020_%28Elimination_of_repressive_policy%29

content:
<p>
The catch-all relief bill eliminates one repressive policy: <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2020/12/21/drug-policy-alliance-statement-congress-eliminating-barriers-people-criminal">denying aid to students based on criminal convictions</a>.

<p>
Policies like that one compel anyone convicted once to endure a life
of poverty or crime or both.  If we want people to get out of crime,
we must remove the artificial barriers that prevent it.


feed_id: d825fb9704ad4ed2fde606f519c16ada
title: Release of political prisoner
uri: Release-of-political-prisoner
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#24_December_2020_%28Release_of_political_prisoner%29

content:
<p>
*   The European court of human rights has ordered <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/dec/22/human-rights-court-orders-turkey-to-free-kurdish-politician-selahattin-demirtas">the immediate release of
   the prominent Kurdish politician Selahattin Demirtaş from prison in
   Turkey</a>.*


feed_id: bfb9d45efb23fb7e33c9728b49606fe9
title: Super-urgent: Remove CASE Act from Covid-19 relief bill
uri: Super-urgent-Remove-CASE-Act-from-Covid-19-relief-bill
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#24_December_2020_%28Urgent%3A_Remove_CASE_Act_from_Covid-19_relief_bill%29

content:
<p>
US citizens: call your congresscritter and your senators to tell them
to
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2020/12/21/atrocious-congress-crams-language-criminalize-online-streaming-meme-sharing-5500">remove
the copyright and trademark changes</a> from the Covid-19 relief bill.
<p>
The wrecker's veto, while surely intended for manipulation,
offers the chance to fix this.  Let's seize the opportunity.
<p>
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2020/12/23/case-act-just-beginning-next-copyright-battle">Why
the copyright repression of the CASE Act is so bad</a>.
<p>
Increasing the relief payments would also be a good thing, but if the
wrecker were sincere about wanting that, he could have said so two
weeks ago and got it with much less fuss.


feed_id: f54a7ab1202eb98d1f41830163a6b86c
title: The could of the Democratic Party
uri: The-could-of-the-Democratic-Party
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#26_December_2020_%28The_sould_of_the_Democratic_Party%29

content:
<p>

<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2020/12/23/restoring-soul-america">Restoring the soul of the Democratic Party</a> &mdash; will it stand for anything?


feed_id: 9e38ee47505030c792b2a246e88b186e
title: Pay cut of low-paid restaurant workers
uri: Pay-cut-of-low-paid-restaurant-workers
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#26_December_2020_%28Pay_cut_of_low-paid_restaurant_workers%29

content:
<p>

The wrecker's last-minute rule will enable restaurants to <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2020/12/23/emblematic-parting-blow-trump-moves-take-700-million-year-out-tipped-workers-pockets">cut the pay
of their low-paid workers</a>.


feed_id: 197fdfb5bb1535dca0f9e384c2317f14
title: Off duty official thug vehicle
uri: Off-duty-official-thug-vehicle
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#26_December_2020_%28Off_duty_official_thug_vehicle%29

content:
<p>

An off-duty Boston <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thug</a> drove an official thug vehicle through a red
light, <a href="https://www.bostonglobe.com/2020/12/19/metro/an-off-duty-officer-crashed-into-disabled-grandmother-year-later-shes-still-fighting-city-hall/">into Anne-Marie Castor's car</a>, totaling it and injuring her.
The city has refused to pay for it, so she replaced it herself, but the
result is that she can't afford food.
<p>
Will someone get these marauders off our streets?


feed_id: b0a3ff262cd6d122dd95e6e931fe90cd
title: EU ban on plastic waste exports
uri: EU-ban-on-plastic-waste-exports
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#26_December_2020_%28EU_ban_on_plastic_waste_exports%29

content:
<p>

*EU Ramps Up Fight Against Pollution With <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2020/12/23/eu-ramps-fight-against-pollution-ban-plastic-waste-exports-poorer-countries">Ban on Plastic Waste Exports to
Poorer Countries</a>.*
<p>
Keeping the plastic waste in the EU does not directly reduce the harm
the plastic does, but it will pressure the EU to adopt policies to
generate less plastic waste.


feed_id: 99667e35ced612a438115110ea47ed1f
title: Israel's discrimination against non-Jewish citizens
uri: Israel-s-discrimination-against-non-Jewish-citizens
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#26_December_2020_%28Israel%27s_discrimination_against_non-Jewish_citizens%29

content:
<p>

Israel's "Nation State" law, which legislates discrimination against
non-Jewish citizens (which includes most Arabs), is <a href="https://www.972mag.com/nation-state-law-judaism-religious-right/">also being used
to discriminate against non-orthodox Jews</a>.


feed_id: 101d3dc372ccba2e9f2adf3e882e9b43
title: Paris agreement and non-nuclear deal with Iran as treaties
uri: Paris-agreement-and-non-nuclear-deal-with-Iran-as-treaties
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#26_December_2020_%28Paris_agreement_and_non-nuclear_deal_with_Iran_as_treaties%29

content:
<p>

Right-wing extremist senators are pushing the wrecker to submit the
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2020/12/22/cruz-and-graham-working-block-biden-rejoining-paris-climate-and-iran-nuclear-deals">Paris agreement and the non-nuclear deal with Iran to the Senate as
treaties</a>, the idea being that the Senate will reject them and then
Biden would somehow be unable to reenter the US in them.
<p>
I am skeptical that this would deal a mortal blow to US participation
in those agreements &mdash; simply because officially approving them is not
crucial to making them effective.
<p>
What Iran wants is for the US to drop sanctions.  If the president
drops sanction against Iran, Iran will comply with its side of the
deal.  Whether the US continues in that policy is a political
question, as the wrecker has already shown.  So Biden can drop the
sanctions, and Iran can limit its uranium enrichment, even if the
deal is not official.
<p>
As for the Paris agreement, all it does is require the US to make a
weak pledge to reduce emissions.  Biden can do that even if the US
can't officially rejoin the Paris agreement.
<p>
However, survival requires the US to do a lot more than that.  So
let's focus on getting a policy that meets the physical world
criterion.


feed_id: 237ebe6e61cf3ed9bb7bcde245ecb210
title: Lead compounds in spices
uri: Lead-compounds-in-spices
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#26_December_2020_%28Lead_compounds_in_spices%29
content:
<p>

Children in India <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2020/dec/24/dangerous-spices-why-indias-cooking-powders-pose-a-risk-of-lead-poisoning">suffer from lead poisoning</a> because of lead compounds
used as coloring in the spices Indians use in everyday cooking.


feed_id: 9368a00196473677ecd5b3351362bf9e
title: The conman destroying White House records
uri: The-conman-destroying-White-House-records
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#26_December_2020_%28The_conman_destroying_White_House_records%29

content:
<p>

Rep. Maloney, chair of the House Oversight Committee, is concerned
that the conman is <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2020/12/21/house-oversight-chair-says-grave-concerns-trump-team-trashing-white-house-records">destroying White House records</a> without the
consultations that the law requires.


feed_id: 98ca9d319eba7c14cd93965a160b148f
title: Jethro DeVane
uri: Jethro-DeVane
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#26_December_2020_%28Jethro_DeVane%29
content:
<p>

<a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">Thugs</a> in South Carolina were searching for some teenage vandals at 4am
and saw Jethro DeVane peek out the door of his house to see what the
commotion was.  A thug <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2020/dec/23/black-man-71-held-naked-gunpoint-police-jethro-devane-south-carolina">pointed a gun at his head and forced him to
stand outside naked</a>.
<p>
DeVane must be incredibly youthful for his 71 years, if the <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thug</a>
thought he was a teenager.  Or maybe the darkness of his skin obscured
the signs of age.


feed_id: 718eab980744c1ce74872dcaa4d72c7b
title: Cheap, quick, inaccurate Covid-19 test
uri: Cheap-quick-inaccurate-Covid-19-test
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#26_December_2020_%28Cheap%2C_quick%2C_inaccurate_Covid-19_test%29

content:
<p>

The UK tested 1/4 of the population of Liverpool with a <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/dec/23/scientists-in-liverpool-mass-covid-testing-trial-defend-rapid-tests">cheap, quick,
inaccurate Covid-19 test</a> that misses a substantial fraction of the cases,
<p>
That test is not useful for demonstrating that someone is not infected
&mdash; though the best tests do not guarantee that &mdash; but it is useful for finding
many people who are infected.  If the state takes appropriate action,
such as quarantining them and paying their salaries for that period,
it could greatly cut the spread of the disease.


feed_id: 7a856e636670dddc2ca106a135039312
title: Missiles on drones
uri: Missiles-on-drones
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#28_December_2020_%28Missiles_on_drones%29
content:
<p>
Germany has decided to consider the question further <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2020/12/24/activists-and-parliamentarians-join-together-prevent-armed-drones-germany">rather than
attach missiles to its drones</a>.


feed_id: 5f2f180c52fa0cf48ea6b9a71c983a90
title: Public consensus
uri: Public-consensus
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#28_December_2020_%28Public_consensus%29
content:
<p>
*The two parties don't even try anymore to forge a public consensus on
   what we need to spend on and what we should tax. Neither party
   seemingly assesses long-term spending needs, <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2020/12/24/ugly-part-900-billion-stimulus-bill">nor proposes a tax
   structure to align with those needs</a>.*


feed_id: e6df71c2b47b578dfe48cde675c46a45
title: Still talking about war
uri: Still-talking-about-war
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#28_December_2020_%28Still_talking_about_war%29
content:
<p>
The wrecker is still talking about starting a war against Iran <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2020/12/24/unhinged-lame-duck-president-wants-start-war-warnings-trump-blames-iran-rocket">during
the remaining time he has the power to do so</a>.


feed_id: 1ffb220bb0bae65eeceb54b25baa5e6a
title: Diagnosis of the global economy
uri: Diagnosis-of-the-global-economy
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#28_December_2020_%28Diagnosis_of_the_global_economy%29

content:
<p>
Varoufakis presents his diagnosis of the global economy
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2020/12/23/what-new-institutions-do-we-need-international-green-new-deal-be-feasible">and his suggestions for a better one</a>.

<p>
Alas, he can't see a way it could be done.  I can't either.


feed_id: 3a345613e4ba1f3ae5bf9387e39457f2
title: Thoughts about war
uri: Thoughts-about-war
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#28_December_2020_%28Thoughts_about_war%29
content:
<p>
The US should base its thoughts about war on the self-inflicted
disasters of Vietnam and Iraq, <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2020/12/22/lessons-two-failed-wars-reflections-vietnam-and-iraq">not on victory over Hitler</a>.


feed_id: 9fad3251649397b335f2b521152c8d53
title: Privatisation corrodes democracy
uri: Privatisation-corrodes-democracy
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#28_December_2020_%28Privatisation_corrodes_democracy%29

content:
<p>
*The Covid crisis has shown <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2020/dec/24/covid-crisis-privatisation-democracy-outsourcing">how privatisation corrodes democracy</a>.*

<p>
*Not only has outsourcing failed citizens during the pandemic &mdash; it makes
states less responsive and less accountable.*


feed_id: f6d9e48c25b01758fe0e8b3fa16e790f
title: Surprise trade deal
uri: Surprise-trade-deal
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#28_December_2020_%28Surprise_trade_deal%29
content:
<p>
Bogus Johnson got serious in the last three weeks <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2020/dec/24/from-tariffs-to-visas-heres-whats-in-the-brexit-deal">and negotiated a trade
deal with the EU in the nick of time</a>.

<p>
This surprised me.  His refusal to confront the disagreements led me
to think he wanted the UK to exit with no deal.  It is now clear that
he did not really want that.

<p>
So why did he keep proposing impossible solutions and disregarding the
importance of the problem?  I don't know, but my guess is that until
earlier this month he thought he could make the problem go away by
refusing to acknowledge it.  And he thought the EU negotiators were
bluffers like him.

<p>
Here's <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2020/dec/24/the-guardian-view-on-a-brexit-deal-relief-that-leaves-a-bitter-taste">what the Guardian says about this</a>.


feed_id: 6c7b1df7351c5795d7e75242991835d3
title: Critical infrastructure
uri: Critical-infrastructure
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#28_December_2020_%28Critical_infrastructure%29
content:
<p>
The SolarWinds crack gained access to companies that service
infrastructure such as turbines.  <a href="https://theintercept.com/2020/12/24/solarwinds-hack-power-infrastructure/">The crackers may be able to wreck
machinery</a>,
  much as the US did to Iran's uranium centrifuges some years ago.

<p>
No one in the US knows whether they are in a position to shut off, or
wreck, critical infrastructure.

<p>
I've said for many years that we should not connect such thing to the internet.


feed_id: 5e4be10050b36466d73d47c7209e80e9
title: Corruption
uri: 2020-12-28-Corruption
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#28_December_2020_%28Corruption%29
content:
<p>
*Democratic senators call on Biden to adopt measures <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2020/12/22/after-four-years-outright-grift-under-trump-trio-democratic-senators-urges-biden">to forbid some
 practices that nourish corruption</a>.*


feed_id: d77198378b9f1d7a9b11e6b863a33b58
title: Biometric surveillance
uri: Biometric-surveillance
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#28_December_2020_%28Biometric_surveillance%29
content:
<p>
New York State has temporarily <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2020/12/22/new-yorks-suspension-facial-recognition-surveillance-schools-should-serve-national">banned biometric surveillance of students in
schools</a>.

<p>
Biometric surveillance should be forbidden except for specific circumstances,
and those exceptions should be strictly regulated.


feed_id: 3364e77cb3736233cf519153cacd88bc
title: Social Security
uri: 2020-12-28-Social-Security
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#28_December_2020_%28Social_Security%29
content:
<p>
Biden has named Bruce Reed, who wants to cut Social Security, <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2020/12/22/biden-taps-bruce-reed-deficit-hawk-and-longtime-enemy-social-security-deputy-chief">to a
White House position, deputy chief of staff</a>.

<p>
I don't know whether that position will give Reed much of an opportunity
to attack Social Security and other programs to help non-rich Americans,
but that Biden would even consider such a person is bad.

<p>
Biden praised the stimulus bill as a "model" <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2020/12/22/no-more-caving-austerity-warns-sanders-after-biden-lauds-paltry-covid-19-relief-deal">despite not doing enough
to help non-rich Americans</a>.
  Maybe that's what Biden means by "bipartisanship" &mdash; praise the right wing
for not being as bad as one could imagine.

<p>
As usual, Sanders shows what our model should be.


feed_id: 32dfe8aa9ceefb7027be866b80473021
title: Number of murdered journalists
uri: Number-of-murdered-journalists
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#28_December_2020_%28Number_of_murdered_journalists%29

content:
<p>
*Number of Journalists Murdered in Retaliation for Their Work <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2020/12/22/number-journalists-murdered-retaliation-their-work-more-doubled-2020-report">More Than
Doubled in 2020</a>.*


feed_id: d3452642e894a6e7200d7120015616ca
title: Thugs attacking protesters
uri: Thugs-attacking-protesters
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#28_December_2020_%28Thugs_attacking_protesters%29
content:
<p>
Videos show Boston thugs attacking BLM protesters <a href="https://www.bostonglobe.com/2020/12/18/metro/leaked-boston-police-body-camera-videos-show-officers-shoving-pepper-spraying-protesters/?p1=Article_Inline_Text_Link">and spewing hatred
at them</a>.

<p>
The hatred is important because it tends to preclude acting like a
police office rather than a <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thug</a>.

<p>
I wonder whether the people who started the "violent protests" were
real protesters, or right-wing provocateurs.  We know that right-wing
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jul-oct.html#30_July_2020_(Right-wing_provocateur_breaking_windows_during_protest)">provocateurs did this in Minneapolis</a>.

<p>
The provocateurs succeeded in leading real protesters to go berserk,
and that may have poisoned the public's perception of the protests.

<p>
I have no specific information, but we know that right-wing extremists
communicate around the country and even internationally.  If it was
effective in Minneapolis, they would surely have tried it in other
cities.


feed_id: ca6c10828a37d51a14df7664b05310cf
title: Drug Czar
uri: Drug-Czar
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#28_December_2020_%28Drug_Czar%29
content:
<p>
*Biden’s Drug Czar <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2020/12/22/bidens-drug-czar-must-be-someone-willing-diverge-our-countrys-failed-drug-war">Must Be Someone Willing to Diverge From Our Country’s
Failed Drug War</a>.*

<p>
I think we should treat any addictive recreational drug as dangerous.
For instance, taking enough alcohol to make you tipsy is risking that
the habit will develop, gradually over years, into alcoholism.  (This
does not happen to everyone, but you don't know how it will affect
you.)  And don't touch an opioid at all unless it is for physical pain
you can't bear.

<p>
Drugs cause real problems, but prohibition doesn't fix them; rather,
it swaps them for worse problems.  Prohibition of alcohol only built
the Mafia, and prohibition of opioids makes them more dangerous.

<p>
We should to treat drug use problems as medical problems and give the
people afflicted treatment, not imprisonment.


feed_id: e80855058f7a722f0829a45eaf9c04a0
title: IHRA censors Palestinians by design
uri: IHRA-censors-Palestinians-by-design
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#29_December_2020_%28IHRA_censors_Palestinians_by_design%29

content:
<p>

*The IHRA <a href="https://vashtimedia.com/2020/12/23/ihra-definition-censors-palestinians-antisemitism/">censors Palestinians by design</a>, not by accident.*
<p>
Some pro-occupation activists push the legal adoption of the IHRA's
definition of antisemitism with the specific intention of shutting
down Palestinians BDS campaign.  They claim that even using the
expression "Israeli apartheid" is "antisemitism".
<p>
That definition, which was designed for data analysis, is not suitable
as a <a href="https://www.stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#5_December_2020_(Definition_of_antisemitism)">criterion for judging
a statement as antisemitic or not.


feed_id: c04112d70f6e1dc891ed3f514bb58a30
title: Authority to cancel student debt
uri: Authority-to-cancel-student-debt
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#29_December_2020_%28Authority_to_cancel_student_debt%29

content:
<p>

Biden <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2020/12/24/unacceptable-and-immoral-say-progressives-after-biden-admits-he-will-be-unlikely">hesitates to believe</a> he has the authority to cancel student debt
without Congress.
<p>
I am not a lawyer; I am not the one to judge whether the president has
the authority to do this.  But lawyers argue for that, and if it is
plausible, he should try it.


feed_id: 8a7cf69b226c10e1b084b36b19df68ea
title: Reminders on fuel pumps
uri: Reminders-on-fuel-pumps
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#29_December_2020_%28Reminders_on_fuel_pumps%29
content:
<p>

Cambridge, Massachusetts, will post very general <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2020/dec/25/massachusetts-city-to-post-climate-change-warning-stickers-at-gas-stations">reminders on fuel pumps</a>
that burning fossil fuels is dangerous.
<p>
Asking individuals to conserve is inadequate to address the problem;
it takes the government to mobilize a country for changes such as are
needed.  It takes a lot more than the feeble efforts made under Obama,
which have now been reversed by the wrecker.
<p>
However, these frequent reminders of the danger we live under may help
bring about the necessary action.
<p>
Two years ago, there was an upsurge in use of less gentle-sounding terms
such as "<a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#global heating">global heating</a>", but media seem to have backed down.  Not me!


feed_id: ee40271e58d1225b33496c3e6748d219
title: Labor movement victory under the New Deal
uri: Labor-movement-victory-under-the-New-Deal
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#29_December_2020_%28Labor_movement_victory_under_the_New_Deal%29

content:
<p>

Since 1990, US companies have found it easy to crush unions, so it is
<a href="https://theintercept.com/2020/12/25/labors-untold-story-book-review-union/">useful to teach Americans</a> about the decades of struggle that led the
labor movement to victory under the New Deal.


feed_id: 243c2714750e428d96fe64d41974e894
title: Will the US prosecute the conman
uri: Will-the-US-prosecute-the-conman
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#29_December_2020_%28Will_the_US_prosecute_the_conman%29

content:
<p>

<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2020/dec/25/donald-trump-prosecution-post-presidency">Will the US prosecute the conman</a> when Biden becomes president?
<p>
I agree that failure to do so will confirm that presidents are above
the law, and encourage a rerun.
<p>
However, in an era when Republicans will let a Republican president
get away with any sort of corruption and undermining, being able to
prosecute per afterward <em>if there is an afterward</em> is not enough
protection for democracy.


feed_id: 5c29eb1598485b1cc9789eb50fe25790
title: DNA barcoding
uri: DNA-barcoding
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#29_December_2020_%28DNA_barcoding%29
content:
<p>

<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2020/dec/25/discovery-of-cryptic-species-shows-earth-is-even-more-biologically-diverse-aoe">DNA barcoding has revealed</a> that what we thought was one species can be
ten or more visually indistinguishable species.  This means a lot more
species that we're in the process of driving to extinction.


feed_id: 87bb9e831c4f587a47faf1e1120a5d1a
title: Testing the solidarity and organization of society
uri: Testing-the-solidarity-and-organization-of-society
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#29_December_2020_%28Testing_the_solidarity_and_organization_of_society%29

content:
<p>

Covid-19 <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2020/dec/25/covid-19-good-health-biology-pandemic-unequal-effects">tests the solidarity and organization of a society</a>.
<p>
Those that have organized well to protect the health of all
have done well.  Those like the US and UK, where those who dominate
do not care about the rest, have suffered terrible infestations.


feed_id: c1979ee1748f2ce81c31404be1b55944
title: Labour Party of New Zealand moved to the right
uri: Labour-Party-of-New-Zealand-moved-to-the-right
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#29_December_2020_%28Labour_Party_of_New_Zealand_moved_to_the_right%29

content:
<p>

Prime Minister Ardern has <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/dec/25/the-secret-of-jacinda-arderns-success-lies-in-her-conservatism">moved the Labour Party of New Zealand to the right</a>.
She has done a good job of dealing with crises, but she is denying
the party's purpose by not pushing to help the poor.
<p>
It's not as bad there as in the US.  At least New Zealand has a national
medical system.


feed_id: 8a3fb0127dc070172242a653f8cd829e
title: Calling on Miguel Cardona to block facial recognition surveillance
uri: Calling-on-Miguel-Cardona-to-block-facial-recognition-surveillance
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#29_December_2020_%28Calling_on_Miguel_Cardona_to_block_facial_recognition_surveillance%29

content:
<p>

Calling on Miguel Cardona, if he becomes Secretary of Education,
to <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2020/12/23/why-biden-nominee-miguel-cardona-should-make-sure-facial-recognition-stays-out">block facial recognition surveillance</a>.


feed_id: 6ed5ff7b068d3e70c2b51ac44b68e6f1
title: A billion dollars from Medicare fraud
uri: A-billion-dollars-from-Medicare-fraud
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#29_December_2020_%28A_billion_dollars_from_Medicare_fraud%29

content:
<p>

The conman pardoned someone who had <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2020/12/23/medicare-fraudster-who-exploited-elderly-13-billion-scheme-embodies-grotesque">taken in a billion dollars</a> from
Medicare fraud.
<p>
Perhaps seeing another conman punished tugs at his heartstrings.


feed_id: cd6e3b2f13de16ac8e7110480ad2f33a
title: Protecting students from software snooping
uri: Protecting-students-from-software-snooping
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#29_December_2020_%28Protecting_students_from_software_snooping%29

content:
<p>

Here is a good proposed first step towards <a href="https://www.studentprivacymatters.org/how-students-should-be-protected-from-surveillance-during-remote-learning/">protecting student privacy</a>
by preventing some sorts of software snooping.
<p>
What is missing?


feed_id: 56d15c8e790822d618ddedb9d7b07450
title: Blanket copyright repression
uri: Blanket-copyright-repression
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#29_December_2020_%28Blanket_copyright_repression%29
content:
<p>

Congress is considering a law to establish blanket copyright repression
over the internet, and <a href="https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2020/12/disastrous-copyright-proposal-goes-straight-our-naughty-list">mandate copyright filters</a> that will err on the side
of censorship.


feed_id: e7a6baeb4705214b6c8b646a58cb385d
title: Pharmacy deserts
uri: Pharmacy-deserts
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#29_December_2020_%28Pharmacy_deserts%29
content:
<p>

Many poor Americans <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2020/12/24/us/pharmacy-deserts-covid-19-vaccine/index.html">live in "pharmacy deserts"</a>; there is no pharmacy
in walking distance.  Being poor, they often don't have cars.
Many of them have grave medical conditions &mdash; in the US medical
system, that could be why you are poor.
<p>
Someday soon, when there's a Covid-19 vaccine available for the, they
will have trouble getting vaccinated.


feed_id: c1cf72e2d462ea051723f836cb7bff5f
title: The handover of power to a new president
uri: The-handover-of-power-to-a-new-president
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#29_December_2020_%28The_handover_of_power_to_a_new_president%29

content:
<p>

The wrecker could still try to <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2020/12/24/trumps-foreseeable-coup-attempt">mount an autogolpe to prevent the handover
of power</a> to a new president.  He is setting up personnel to do it.
<p>
However, he is also making arrangements that assume he will be replaced
on Jan 20.  Maybe he has given up, or will give up, on the autogolpe.


feed_id: 38978712886dc505e656a57f36281317
title: Georgia shutting early voting sites
uri: Georgia-shutting-early-voting-sites
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#29_December_2020_%28Georgia_shutting_early_voting_sites%29

content:
<p>

Georgia is <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2020/12/24/civil-rights-groups-denounce-georgia-officials-closing-early-voting-sites-ahead">shutting early voting sites</a> in some places where many
blacks and hispanics live. It looks like voter suppression.


feed_id: 7dae66eff04896e6fe1df97bda339e44
title: Told to lie
uri: Told-to-lie
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#29_December_2020_%28Told_to_lie%29
content:
<p>
Brian Murphy, official in charge of intelligence at the Department of
Harshness and Sadism, testified he was told to lie and blame "Far Left
groups" more than they deserved, and blame white supremacists less
than they deserved, <a href="https://www.reuters.com/article/amp/idUSKBN28R33L">regarding violence in protests last summer</a>.

<p>
He also said that Kirstjen Nielsen, who was the head of that
department, falsified this in her testimony to Congress.


feed_id: f9370cbb1c6755e0edfd2edcb17e02b3
title: Psychopathic tendencies
uri: Psychopathic-tendencies
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#29_December_2020_%28Psychopathic_tendencies%29
content:
<p>
*New study links psychopathic tendencies <a href="https://www.psypost.org/2020/12/new-study-links-psychopathic-tendencies-to-racial-prejudice-and-right-wing-authoritarianism-58852">to racial prejudice and right-wing
authoritarianism</a>.*

<p>
There is previous evidence for this relationship.


feed_id: 091ffceb50ba99b44c3e024abb126968
title: Ball of discarded packaging
uri: Ball-of-discarded-packaging
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#29_December_2020_%28Ball_of_discarded_packaging%29
content:
<p>
(<a href="https://www.theonion.com/5-000-foot-ball-of-discarded-packaging-material-barrels-1845853302">satire</a>) *5,000-Foot Ball Of Discarded Packaging Material Barrels Across Nation
Consuming Everything In Path.*


feed_id: 0c7ab960dd32c7df529f3dc3d2cba61e
title: PR spree
uri: PR-spree
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#29_December_2020_%28PR_spree%29
content:
<p>
*After Dismembering [Jamal Khashoggi], [Salafi] Arabia <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2020/12/26/freedom-blossoming-after-dismembering-journalist-saudi-arabia-goes-pr-spree">Goes on a PR
Spree</a>.*


feed_id: bbafb1e1e87d6ff34f2c96b752e868b9
title: Clash of fantasies
uri: Clash-of-fantasies
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#29_December_2020_%28Clash_of_fantasies%29
content:
<p>
US politics analyzed <a href="https://theintercept.com/2020/12/26/biden-trump-political-fantasy/">as a clash of two fantasies, disconnected
from reality</a>.

<p>
I think the article's statement that the conman only pretended to set
up an authoritarian system is too strong.  His systematic efforts to
destroy all checks on his power and corrupt agencies to do his will
did succeed to the point of overturning the election (not yet, at
least), but <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jan-apr.html#15_April_2020_(Firing_corruption_investigator)">when he fired inspectors general</a>
  and suffered no punishment, and <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#9_April_2019_(Nielsen_forced_out_of_DHS)">fired heads of departments until
he got one that would do his dirty work</a>,
  he made himself above the law.


feed_id: 549031b04b5e04e680894d32bb2f9fde
title: Calling protests a conspiracy
uri: Calling-protests-a-conspiracy
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#29_December_2020_%28Calling_protests_a_conspiracy%29

content:
<p>
Detroit is suing BLM protesters <a href="https://theintercept.com/2020/12/21/detroit-black-lives-matter-lawsuit/">saying that protest is a "conspiracy"</a>.


feed_id: 549f1324e0776b5b6c5e2694504151c8
title: Migrating bird deaths
uri: Migrating-bird-deaths
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#29_December_2020_%28Migrating_bird_deaths%29
content:
<p>
Hundreds of thousands of migrating birds, coming from the north, died over the US southwest <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2020/dec/26/mass-die-off-of-birds-in-south-western-us-caused-by-starvation-aoe">because they were undernourished for a long time</a>.


feed_id: e69b15b66334d8656b3de506e56ee394
title: Road through Amazonia
uri: Road-through-Amazonia
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#29_December_2020_%28Road_through_Amazonia%29
content:
<p>
Bolsonaro plans <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2020/dec/26/alarm-over-amazon-road-project-brazil-bolsonaro-biodoverse-indigenous-communities">to build a road through a national park in Amazonia</a>.

<p>
This will inevitably speed deforestation &mdash; and there is only a small way to go
before the entire Amazon forest dies and becomes grasslands.


feed_id: 68fc8ce1d36c236f1e57eeb423ed3feb
title: Killer cop fired
uri: Killer-cop-fired
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#29_December_2020_%28Killer_cop_fired%29
content:
<p>
Andre Hill's killer <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2020/12/24/us/andre-hill-shooting-officer-termination/index.html">has been fired by the chief of the thug department,
who excoriated him</a>.

<p>
The question is, will he be prosecuted for his hasty shooting?

<p>
But another idea occurs to me: teaching a lesson to the rest of the
<a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thugs</a> in that department.  The idea is that it could be useful to ask
them to meet with Hill's relatives, to listen to them and feel their
pain, and show they are sorry for the way the killed acted.  It might
have an effect on how they behave in the future.

<p>
Does anyone know whether this approach is useful?


feed_id: 13cf49b97d6e5fc68de61e3fa0d8d24c
title: Autogolpe
uri: Autogolpe
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#29_December_2020_%28Autogolpe%29
content:
<p>
To carry out an autogolpe, officials would have to take steps
which, legally, they don't have grounds to do.  <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2020/12/24/illegality-does-not-mean-impossibility-and-seeking-consolation-about-trump-legal">That won't
necessarily stop them</a>.

<p>
In November we saw Republican state officials almost unanimously
refuses to throw the election.
                               They willingly make elections unfair,
                                                                but
drew the line at disregarding the actual votes.

<p>
In January the matter will depend on Republican federal officials,
many of them chosen specifically by the wrecker himself.  Have they
got enough loyalty to constitutional government to disobey him?

<p>
One of them <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2020/dec/26/trump-william-barr-doj-jeffrey-rosen">will be the new acting attorney general</a>.

<p>
With only 25 days to go, he may be able to avoid helping by stalling.


feed_id: f948ffaef85de84dc9b7efc081425747
title: Raid on Christmas Eve
uri: Raid-on-Christmas-Eve
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#29_December_2020_%28Raid_on_Christmas_Eve%29
content:
<p>
The Green Valley-Sahuarita Samaritans report that the US deportation
thugs <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2020/12/24/complete-disregard-human-life-us-agents-threaten-christmas-eve-raid-against">had a warrant to raid their aid supplies on Christmas Eve</a>.


feed_id: 84981e74575c32463fba03025736b8c3
title: Intentional decrease of traffic
uri: Intentional-decrease-of-traffic
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#29_December_2020_%28Intentional_decrease_of_traffic%29

content:
<p>
*Digital Watchdog Says Facebook Behind 'Intentional Decrease' in Traffic <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2020/12/24/digital-watchdog-says-facebook-behind-intentional-decrease-traffic-pro-palestinian">to
Pro-Palestinian Pages</a>.*


feed_id: 5aef0fc68f29ba296c305927c5c040f2
title: Met in the middle
uri: Met-in-the-middle
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#29_December_2020_%28Met_in_the_middle%29
content:
<p>
Republicans don't deserve to be <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2020/12/25/biden-won-now-comes-hard-part">"met in the middle."</a>

<p>
They will deserve forgiveness when they apologize, if they demonstrate
that is sincere.


feed_id: 04f6989b8870cb5dca6c1ddcc170fe73
title: Justice system
uri: Justice-system
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#29_December_2020_%28Justice_system%29
content:
<p>
Things Biden can do by executive order <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2020/12/25/opinions/joe-biden-criminal-system-racism-racine-krinsky/index.html">to reduce the oppression of the
US justice system</a>.


feed_id: 6ccf0b298287879ce88cb6e6a62796ef
title: Proper treatments
uri: Proper-treatments
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#29_December_2020_%28Proper_treatments%29
content:
<p>
A black MD had a bad case of Covid-19 and had to fight to get proper
treatment, even to get examined to see what Covid-19 her problems were.
She posted, <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2020/12/24/trying-kill-me-black-doctor-who-died-covid-19-posted-harrowing-video-alleging">saying that black patients are often experience this</a>.

<p>
Subsequently she was hospitalized for a couple of weeks, then died
from Covid-19.  The obvious question is whether she would have
survived if given proper treatment in the earlier period.  I have no
way of guessing the answer, but it is obvious that when blacks
systematically get worse treatment, some of them will die as a result.


feed_id: d3e627813cd8801876fe3b7f05282006
title: The drama queen signed the relief bill
uri: The-drama-queen-signed-the-relief-bill
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#29_December_2020_%28The_drama_queen_signed_the_relief_bill%29

content:
<p>

The drama queen <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2020/dec/28/donald-trump-signs-covid-19-relief-and-spending-bill">signed the relief bill</a>.
<p>
In the short term, this will help millions of Americans who are on the
brink.  In the long term, the <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2020/dec/28/donald-trump-signs-covid-19-relief-and-spending-bill">copyright repression provisions</a>
will enable the copyright industry to ruin thousands of Americans
every year and <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#bully">bully</a> millions.
<p>
Whether this bill is good or bad, overall, I am unable to say.
<p>
By the way, I am aware that this drama queen is male.  But it would be
sexist to limit the term to females.  I think that we should recognize
drama queens regardless of their gender.


feed_id: 1e496e49205dc03743e0ff53f0251767
title: The seed business
uri: The-seed-business
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#29_December_2020_%28The_seed_business%29
content:
<p>

The seed business is highly concentrated, and its success with <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2020/12/28/if-you-own-seeds-you-own-food-system-campaigners-demand-public-ownership-counter-big">plant
variety monopolies</a> has eliminated most of the varieties farmers used
to plant.
<p>
Funded efforts to produce new varieties are useful, but governments can
fund that without restricting use of the results.
<p>
It's a shame that the campaigners have fixed their attention on the
amoral term "open source" rather than on the free software movement.


feed_id: 3e99e8776c7e04b74351c9a1f3982b65
title: Obstructing Biden's national security team
uri: Obstructing-Biden-s-national-security-team
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#29_December_2020_%28Obstructing_Biden%27s_national_security_team%29

content:
<p>

*Biden accuses [the wrecker's] administration of <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2020/dec/28/biden-trump-administration-department-of-defense">obstructing his
 national security team</a>.*
<p>
Sabotage Я Us, says the wrecker.


feed_id: b715c91d883f7498e15305295379dd57
title: Killing of three Kashmir civilians
uri: Killing-of-three-Kashmir-civilians
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#29_December_2020_%28Killing_of_three_Kashmir_civilians%29

content:
<p>

*Indian police charge army officer with <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/dec/28/indian-police-charge-army-officer-killing-kashmir-civilians">killing three Kashmir civilians</a>.*
<p>
There must have been hundreds of Kashmiris killed or maimed by Indian
soldiers without justification.  What puzzles me is that this killer
went to so much effort to pretend.


feed_id: dc528788e00d71a34bec4edf1887e4d1
title: Fattening products at checkout
uri: Fattening-products-at-checkout
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#29_December_2020_%28Fattening_products_at_checkout%29

content:
<p>

England (not the whole UK) <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/business/2020/dec/28/unhealthy-snacks-to-be-banned-from-checkouts-supermarkets-in-england">will prohibit supermarkets</a> from putting fattening
products at checkout isles to tempt undisciplined shoppers into buying them.
<p>
I am in favor of this.  It won't stop you from buying those products if you
really want to, but if your preference is not to buy them, this will help
you stick to that.


feed_id: a232aa792f2659b98fac20bc2afcc3b3
title: Worst customer "service" awards
uri: Worst-customer-service-awards
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#29_December_2020_%28Worst_customer_service_awards%29

content:
<p>

Awards for the <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/money/2020/dec/27/in-the-year-of-covid-the-awards-for-worst-customer-service-go-to">worst customer "service" nastiness</a> in the UK.
<p>
Has anyone done this for the US?


feed_id: 04dfb675a75d1cf388fbc93d22b53032
title: Small Covid-19 outbreak near Sydney
uri: Small-Covid-19-outbreak-near-Sydney
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#29_December_2020_%28Small_Covid-19_outbreak_near_Sydney%29

content:
<p>

There is a small but growing Covid-19 outbreak near Sydney.  In its
spread, unidentified people, probably with no symptoms, have <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2020/dec/28/nsw-warned-mystery-covid-cases-could-be-a-smouldering-forest-fire">played a
significant role</a>.
<p>
Could a contact-tracing app identify the unidentified intermediaries?
It could, if it worked reliably.  I've seen arguments the apps,
knowing nothing but bluetooth-measured proximity, could not
distinguish real transmission opportunities from large numbers of
other pseudo-opportunities.


feed_id: a2f1df27ed3700f020c863d8ebcd86f1
title: Worst 10 weather disasters this year
uri: Worst-10-weather-disasters-this-year
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#29_December_2020_%28Worst_10_weather_disasters_this_year%29

content:
<p>

The <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2020/dec/28/climate-change-fuelling-costly-and-deadly-natural-disasters-report">worst 10 weather disasters</a> of this year cost $150bn in insured
damage. The total damage is much more.  400 billion?  One can only guess.
<p>
This is just the beginning.  By 2030 it may be several trillion a
year.  By 2050, the sum will be much larger, except that money will no
longer be a meaningful measure of it, as the disasters will ruin
people's lives.
<p>
Measuring damages in money is useful when society can repair them and
the cost of said repair is small compared with overall economic
activity.  When the damage is enormous and irreparable, money ceases
to measure it.  If a farm's crops are lost one year, their value can
be estimated.  When the farm (along with thousands of others) must be
abandoned because agriculture in that area is no longer viable, is it
not so easy to estimate the cost to society of the resulting scarcity.
If the shortfall of food can be filled by buying it on the world
market, the cost of that can be determined.  If it is impossible to
purchase that food, what then is the cost of the resulting hunger?
It has to be measured in lives.


feed_id: 72a4901cbc12e3919c7acf4075dfc133
title: Labeled as "made in Israel"
uri: Labeled-as-made-in-Israel
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#29_December_2020_%28Labeled_as_made_in_Israel%29
content:
<p>

The wrecker has <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2020/12/26/palestinians-advocates-blast-new-us-rule-requiring-made-israel-label-settlement">made a rule</a> that products made in Israeli colonies in
Palestine's territory should be labeled as "made in Israel".
This is clearly a step towards accepting Israel's annexation
of the West Bank.
<p>
Will Biden have the courage to undo the unjust concessions that the
wrecker made to Israel?  I think he will find that too controversial.


feed_id: 6663ae519c29fee1bcd5085270f66227
title: Chinese objection to face recognition
uri: Chinese-objection-to-face-recognition
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#29_December_2020_%28Chinese_objection_to_face_recognition%29

content:
<p>

Chinese are objecting to face recognition, and <a href="https://technode.com/2020/12/22/china-voices-face-recognition-is-creeping-chinese-netizens-out/">suing companies</a> for imposing it.


feed_id: 4d3d32837e328bda60a15f9a7ac6a066
title: HDP members arrested
uri: HDP-members-arrested
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#29_December_2020_%28HDP_members_arrested%29
content:
<p>

Erdoğan is trying to crush out the strong-spirited opposition party HDP
by <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/dec/27/as-erdogan-tightens-grip-on-power-last-opposition-politicians-resist-brutal-purge">arresting thousands of its members</a>.


feed_id: e1b4be759e0c6f7af0d8c2625eb1e3f5
title: Patients of the first Covid-19 wave
uri: Patients-of-the-first-Covid-19-wave
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#29_December_2020_%28Patients_of_the_first_Covid-19_wave%29

content:
<p>

Some of the patients of the first Covid-19 wave are <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2020/dec/27/consultant-infectious-diseases-long-covid-not-mild-illness-seriously-debilitated-new-clinics">still suffering symptoms</a> that make them unable to work, almost unable to get through
daily activities.
<p>
When they can get a doctor's attention, no one knows what treatments
to try.
<p>
The private US medical system <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2020/dec/27/america-healthcare-system-coronavirus-covid-long-haul">can't cope with the chronic illnesses</a>
that Covid-19 will leave behind in many of the people who catch it.
<p>
It is also lousy at trying to prevent the chronic diseases that make
people vulnerable to a bad case of Covid-19.


feed_id: 831bc4310a05ba2919ba7d647bf4df8e
title: Jerusalem football team
uri: Jerusalem-football-team
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#29_December_2020_%28Jerusalem_football_team%29
content:
<p>

An oil-sheikh from Abu Dhabi <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/dec/27/far-right-israeli-football-fans-rebel-over-beitar-jerusalems-new-arab-owner">bought a Jerusalem football team</a>, sending
right-wing extremist Israeli fans into fits, while reinvigorating the
Israeli fans who oppose their bigotry.


feed_id: 977fa8d42141ce870012af1e9cbdac61
title: Photos of hospitals overfull
uri: Photos-of-hospitals-overfull
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#29_December_2020_%28Photos_of_hospitals_overfull%29
content:
<p>

How the wrecker prevented <a href="https://theintercept.com/2020/12/27/covid-photography-hospitals/">photos showing</a> what US hospitals look like
when they are overfull.


feed_id: be93980a41ce422e056cff57ded53860
title: Profit Facebook kept in Ireland
uri: Profit-Facebook-kept-in-Ireland
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#29_December_2020_%28Profit_Facebook_kept_in_Ireland%29

content:
<p>

Facebook will move to the US a <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2020/dec/27/facebook-to-close-controversial-irish-holding-companies">large amount of profit that it has kept
in Ireland</a>(and paid hardly any tax on).
<p>
It will pay insufficient tax on these profits in the US, too, but more than
in Ireland.
<p>
The article uses the bogus term "intellectual property", which is
always confusing and vague.  The concrete referent in this case is not
very concrete.  It refers to artificial excuses that Facebook has created
to make various parts of Facebook pay royalties to the part in Iceland.
This is how Facebook moves its profits to Iceland where they are not taxed
much if at all.


feed_id: b7ca48d8f2c3cd3f862cc5ce33702da0
title: Crisis after crisis
uri: Crisis-after-crisis
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#29_December_2020_%28Crisis_after_crisis%29
content:
<p>

*Throughout history Britain’s ruling class has <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2020/dec/27/history-britain-ruling-class-created-crisis-boris-johnson-brexit-covid">created crisis after crisis</a> –
just like now.*
<p>
*The <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2020/dec/27/the-guardian-view-on-britain-out-of-the-eu-a-treasure-island-for-rentiers">Guardian view on Britain</a> out of the EU: a treasure island for rentiers.*


feed_id: 681afaa3d153b40a53124b1df624d1ce
title: Pressure to undermine the CDC's Covid-19 information
uri: Pressure-to-undermine-the-CDC-s-Covid-19-information
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#29_December_2020_%28Pressure_to_undermine_the_CDC%27s_Covid-19_information%29

content:
<p>

Rep. Clyburn says his investigation has <a href="https://boingboing.net/2020/12/21/trump-officials-attacked-cdc-reports-on-coronavirus-downplayed-covid-19-threat-house-probe-finds.html">found evidence of a pressure campaign</a> to undermine the CDC's public information about Covid-19.
<p>
This would have been part of the wrecker's effort to spread the sickness
as much as possible.


feed_id: 8934d69f80c56d02685737b8261f0604
title: Road through Amazonia
uri: 2020-12-30-Road-through-Amazonia
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#29_December_2020_%28Road_through_Amazonia%29
content:
<p>
Bolsonaro plans <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2020/dec/26/alarm-over-amazon-road-project-brazil-bolsonaro-biodoverse-indigenous-communities">to build a road through a national park in Amazonia</a>.

<p>
This will inevitably speed deforestation &mdash; and there is only a small way to go
before the entire Amazon forest dies and becomes grasslands.


feed_id: 723ab0c30a9119c107646ac342cd15fa
title: A Thug shot Andre Hill
uri: A-Thug-shot-Andre-Hill
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#29_December_2020_%28A_Thug_shot_Andre_Hill%29
content:
<p>

A Columbus <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thug</a> shot Andre Hill, who was wielding a phone at the
time.  Hill died later that day.  Hill was black, so racism may have
played a role in the <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thug</a>'s haste to shoot.
<p>
The killer did not activate his body camera, but it saved a video
anyway.  The chief of the department excoriated the killer for wildly
disregarding rules, and <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2020/12/24/us/andre-hill-shooting-officer-termination/index.html">fired him</a>.
<p>
What can be done to prevent other <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thugs</a> from killing other (usually
black) men?  Prosecuting the killer is called for, if his action
included a crime.  But that doesn't seem to teach <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thugs</a> much of a
lesson.
<p>
Is it possible to use empathy teach the other cops not to be <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thugs</a>?
They could meet with Hill's relatives, to listen to them and empathize
with their loss.  Then the department could show them how the killer's
unacceptable handling of the situation was to blame for that loss.
<p>
Does anyone know whether this approach is effective?


feed_id: fc669c9c8797e1268d3078415d8265cf
title: Donor to overturn democracy
uri: Donor-to-overturn-democracy
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#30_December_2020_%28Donor_to_overturn_democracy%29
content:
<p>
*Koch Industries Is Top Corporate Donor to [Republican
Congresscritters] <a href="https://www.exposedbycmd.org/2020/12/29/koch-industries-is-top-corporate-donor-to-reps-who-will-try-to-overturn-democracy/">Who Will Try to Overturn Democracy</a>.*


feed_id: 56fc3d2ddd04fb4f705c91a5b49b54fe
title: Centrist think tank
uri: Centrist-think-tank
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#30_December_2020_%28Centrist_think_tank%29
content:
<p>
Biden's nominee to manage federal spending, Neera Tanden, runs a
"centrist" think tank that aims to please the corporations that fund
it.  His nominee to manage foreign policy, Antony Blinken, <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2020/12/28/neera-tanden-and-antony-blinken-personify-moderate-rot-top-democratic-party">moves
weapons through the revolving door</a>.


feed_id: ba7182a5ebd788270e120922c30f026f
title: Responsible for everything
uri: Responsible-for-everything
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#30_December_2020_%28Responsible_for_everything%29
content:
<p>
An article about how Covid-19 spread so much in California tries to
hold Governor Newsom responsible for everything &mdash; including the ill
will of people who were angry about inconvenience, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2020/dec/28/how-california-went-from-leader-covid-fight-despair">and the sabotage
carried out by lunatic Republicans radicalized by the wrecker</a>.

<p>
Those are not his fault.

<p>
The article tries to have it both ways by bemoaning the unpleasantness
of measures to reduce the spread of Covid-19 even as it criticizes
Newsom for not establishing enough of them.

<p>
I think that the state should have cracked down hard on officials and
businesses that worked against sanitary measures.  For instance, the
state could have passed a law to allow removal and replacement of
defiant sheriffs, and then immediately replaced every one of them.


feed_id: 1da38a33d20ef387a7d6a4ae41e488ff
title: Contaminated material
uri: Contaminated-material
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#30_December_2020_%28Contaminated_material%29
content:
<p>
*   International convention to stop richer countries exporting
   contaminated material for recycling <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2020/dec/29/new-rules-to-tackle-wild-west-of-plastic-waste-dumped-on-poorer-countries">could mean a cleaner ocean in five
   years</a>.*


feed_id: 87c474cd6daae2bf0d0895d166e3e5dc
title: Fractures in iceberg
uri: Fractures-in-iceberg
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#30_December_2020_%28Fractures_in_iceberg%29
content:
<p>
*Fractures to [giant] Antarctic iceberg <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/dec/29/fractures-to-antarctic-iceberg-reduce-risk-to-south-georgia-wildlife">reduce risk to South Georgia wildlife</a>.*

<p>
I continue to believe we should develop a way to break up a large
icebergs so as to avoid that danger &mdash; unless it is inevitable that
such a berg would fracture naturally.


feed_id: a92a75ca0a3eeb9fa3f0d297c163d713
title: Prison for throwing flag on the ground
uri: Prison-for-throwing-flag-on-the-ground
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#30_December_2020_%28Prison_for_throwing_flag_on_the_ground%29

content:
<p>
Tony Chung, of Hong Kong, has been sentenced to 4 months in prison <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/dec/29/hong-kong-teenager-jailed-china-flag-insult-tony-chung-prison-beijing-crackdown-activists">for
throwing China's flag on the ground</a>.

<p>
After that he will probably be sentenced to a much longer prison term
for calling for Hong Kong's independence.

<p>
Authoritarians in the US used to punish people for burning the
American flag, until the Supreme Court ruled that burning the flag
is protected political speech and may not be criminalized.

<p>
A Hong Kong expat, who visited there, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2020/dec/29/hong-kong-democracy-movement-crushed-2020-spirit-resistance-survives">reports that people continue to
find low-profile ways to resist</a>.

<p>
I wonder whether these will amount to more than a pretend opposition.


feed_id: 4416fe4e226562eee27b7ae9d8cdd305
title: Rains in the sea
uri: Rains-in-the-sea
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#30_December_2020_%28Rains_in_the_sea%29
content:
<p>
Heavy rains into arms of the sea can reduce salinity; past a certain
point, that makes dolphins' skin badly sick.  <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2020/dec/29/fatal-freshwater-skin-disease-in-dolphins-linked-to-climate-crisis">This can lead to fatal
infections</a>.

<p>
Can we develop an ultrasound transmitter that will tell dolphins to flee
to the open sea?


feed_id: 869e1cbd7e5d65c2cebbdb7884948502
title: Registry of vaccine refusal
uri: Registry-of-vaccine-refusal
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#30_December_2020_%28Registry_of_vaccine_refusal%29
content:
<p>
*Spain to keep registry of people <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/dec/29/spain-to-keep-registry-of-people-who-refuse-covid-vaccine">who refuse Covid vaccine</a>.*

<p>
That seems like a plan for harsh, secret retribution.
It is one thing to check people, in certain situations,
for proof that they have been vaccinated.  It is another
to check specifically for refusal.

<p>
Refusing vaccination is one thing, and misinforming patients is
another.


feed_id: cf048fcfea9254812ee72db999ff4309
title: Covid theory
uri: Covid-theory
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#30_December_2020_%28Covid_theory%29
content:
<p>
*Shield some and let others carry on? <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2020/dec/29/covid-theory-dangerous-health">This Covid theory is dangerous, and
foolish</a>.*

<p>
It also amounts to telling the more vulnerable people that they are
effectively prisoners in solitary confinement until the pandemic is
over.


feed_id: 280049c8c26892edea0bb23fbd0d4663
title: Voter purge
uri: Voter-purge
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#30_December_2020_%28Voter_purge%29
content:
<p>
*Judge orders Georgia counties <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2020/dec/29/georgia-senate-runoff-counties-judge-halts-voter-purge">to halt voter purge ahead of Senate runoff</a>.*

<p>
Republicans grasp for every excuse to stop poor people from voting.


feed_id: 7dcbb42859b0682e6f91db669de8ddce
title: Voting No on military budget
uri: Voting-No-on-military-budget
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#30_December_2020_%28Voting_No_on_military_budget%29
content:
<p>
*Ro Khanna Applauds 19 House Democrats <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2020/12/29/ro-khanna-applauds-19-house-democrats-who-joined-him-voting-no-bloated-740-billion">Who Joined Him in Voting No on
Military Budget</a>.*

<p>
I applaud them all too.


feed_id: 6bb03a16a8f0b39ab7a159b149bfa964
title: Moving towards a federal democracy in the EU
uri: Moving-towards-a-federal-democracy-in-the-EU
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#30_December_2020_%28Moving_towards_a_federal_democracy_in_the_EU%29

content:
<p>
The UK
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2020/12/28/european-union-free-last">can
no longer block the EU</a> from moving towards a federal democracy.
<p>
Nonetheless, it will be a big struggle to avoid enshrining the power
of the Euro-zone banks to convert national disasters into
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2017-mar-jun.html#18_June_2017_(IMF_backs_down_on_Greece_bailout)">perpetual
national debt peonage</a>.


feed_id: 7f760d2001094ab877a82aebc4549dc0
title: Distribution of Covid-19 vaccine
uri: Distribution-of-Covid-19-vaccine
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#30_December_2020_%28Distribution_of_Covid-19_vaccine%29

content:
<p>
The US could have arranged to make and distribute Covid-19 vaccine
much faster, for an
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2020/12/28/distribution-vaccines-biggest-trump-screw-yet">acceptable
extra cost</a>.


feed_id: fb22e81b67abce30cf732850c49b41cf
title: Doctor fired after condemning spreader-in-chief
uri: Doctor-fired-after-condemning-spreader-in-chief
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#30_December_2020_%28Doctor_fired_after_condemning_spreader-in-chief%29

content:
<p>
*Dr. James Phillips worked at Walter Reed hospital and condemned the
spreader-in-chief for doing a publicity drive-by outside the hospital,
because it endangered the other people with him in the vehicle.
<a href="https://www.cnn.com/2020/12/28/politics/james-phillips-walter-reed-last-shift/index.html">Immediately
afterward he was fired</a>, but since his job was subcontracted, it is
not clear who fired him.*
<p>
As usual, subcontracting work causes a lack of accountability.
We need laws to make subcontracting so expensive that businesses
will only rarely use it.


feed_id: b4ac00d9e638b3a51028ca29ded2000f
title: Polluted sites in the US vulnerable to leaking
uri: Polluted-sites-in-the-US-vulnerable-to-leaking
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#30_December_2020_%28Polluted_sites_in_the_US_vulnerable_to_leaking%29

content:
<p>
The US has around 1600 highly polluted sites in the Superfund's
National Priority List.  Almost 1000 of them are
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2020/12/28/biden-already-facing-pressure-tackle-backlog-unfunded-toxic-waste-sites-threatened">vulnerable
to leaking pollution into the environment in the case of extreme
weather</a>, making it urgent to clean them up.
<p>
The US should impose a tax on sale of any fossil fuel, to pay for
faster cleanup


feed_id: aaaf08fcd61c8467c02f00c6fa45c7f6
title: Sharing of seeds in freedom
uri: Sharing-of-seeds-in-freedom
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#30_December_2020_%28Sharing_of_seeds_in_freedom%29
content:
<p>
There is now
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2020/dec/28/seed-saving-movement-calls-for-seeds-to-be-publicly-owned">a
campaign to encourage the sharing of seeds in freedom</a>.
<p>
As in the software field, the amoral term "open source" predominates,
but the London Freedom Seed Bank talks about sharing "freedom seeds".


feed_id: af966f173e9b7914d3f638d3fc41c923
title: China to split up Alibaba
uri: China-to-split-up-Alibaba
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#30_December_2020_%28China_to_split_up_Alibaba%29
content:
<p>
China has
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/business/2020/dec/28/china-orders-alibaba-founder-jack-ma-break-up-fintech-ant">decided
to split up Alibaba</a>.
<p>
It seems to be easier for China to make such a decision than the US.
That is a sign of too much deregulation of business in the US.


feed_id: 22219e2227f58635985fdf2097bb28f8
title: Inequality and life expectancy
uri: Inequality-and-life-expectancy
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#30_December_2020_%28Inequality_and_life_expectancy%29

content:
<p>
*   By focusing more on battling inequality, new research shows, the
United States could significantly improve
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2020/12/28/fight-against-poor-health-usa-punching-well-below-its-weight">American
life expectancy</a>.*


feed_id: f0993c1074274d9117ef237de518463d
title: The right to housing
uri: The-right-to-housing
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#30_December_2020_%28The_right_to_housing%29
content:
<p>
*Covid-19
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2020/12/28/covid-19-exposed-urgency-right-housing">Exposed
the Urgency for a Right to Housing</a>.*


feed_id: 7342259fafeb2f5972033ec81c33d4b4
title: US monuments to the Confederacy
uri: US-monuments-to-the-Confederacy
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#30_December_2020_%28US_monuments_to_the_Confederacy%29

content:
<p>
Protesters continue demanding the that Marshall County, Alabama,
remove a monument to the Confederacy (and the Confederate flag) from
<a href="https://www.cnn.com/2020/12/27/us/protesters-fake-slave-body-bags-alabama-confederate-trnd/index.html">its
court house</a>.
<p>
The excuse a counterprotester offered for keeping the monument is not
valid.  US monuments to the Confederacy were put up long after the
Civil War, as a political statement.  This one says, "Marshall County
supports racism and Jim Crow."  If the county means that, it deserves
reproach.  If the county does not mean that, it should take down the
monument (and flag) to stop saying that.
<p>
I think it is a mistake to bring John Marshall into the matter.
He had nothing to do with putting up the monument.
<p>
What should we say about John Marshall?
<p>
Marshall established judicial review by the Supreme Court as a legal
principle of the US government, ending previous dispute about the
question.  He also owned slaves.
<p>
The former was a great contribution to justice for the United States,
indeed for the whole world.  The latter was an instance of a
widespread unjust practice.  Slavery overall was a great evil, but
Marshall's part in it was not of special importance.
<p>
When an evil practice is the usual way of life, to reject it is to be
a hero, but failure to be a hero does not make one a monster.  Those
who particularly championed slavery deserve particular condemnation
even today, but there is no reason to focus on slavery when judging
Marshall.
<p>
That is also my view regarding other moral issues, including the issue
of software freedom.  Developing and promoting nonfree software is a
widespread continuing injustice.  I condemn those who have championed
it.  Because it is not a thing of the past, I press people to
recognize that it is wrong, and I urge them to stop developing and
stop using nonfree software.  But because it is a widespread practice,
I do not revile people or refuse to be friends with them just because
they use nonfree software, or even because they are employed to
develop nonfree software.  I'd be going too far if I did that.
<p>
Meanwhile, to the extent that people resist nonfree software, I
express appreciation for their resistance, 
<a href="https://gnu.org/philosophy/saying-no-even-once.html">even if
it is just a little</a>.  Because that is a start.


feed_id: ef899edd599d9e2fbabdb12fb7f250f4
title: Australia to increase coal extraction
uri: Australia-to-increase-coal-extraction
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#30_December_2020_%28Australia_to_increase_coal_extraction%29

content:
<p>
Australia is set to
<a href="https://www.cnn.com/2020/12/27/australia/australia-renewable-energy-climate-intl-dst-hnk/index.html">increase
its coal extraction in the coming decade</a>.
<p>
The mine owners defend mining with willful blindness, such as, "This
mine is a tiny fraction of the whole world's greenhouse gas emissions,
so it is not a problem."  By applying that argument to every mine, we
would conclude that we should calm down and let fossil fuels cause a
mass extinction and destroy civilization &mdash; which proves the
argument is fallacious.
<p>
The article presents that argument without refuting it, but that is to
be expected from a centrist medium such as CNN.


feed_id: 22963e305e8ff9a788ca7def04b01555
title: Border thugs' union supported the bully
uri: Border-thugs-union-supported-the-bully
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#30_December_2020_%28Border_thugs_union_supported_the_bully%29

content:
<p>
The border <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thugs</a>' union acted as a
<a href="https://theintercept.com/2020/12/27/border-patrol-trump-biden-politics/">political
supporter of the bully</a>.


feed_id: 87f8caa560df050069e48feb3096cd7a
title: Opposition under arrest
uri: Opposition-under-arrest
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#31_December_2020_%28Opposition_under_arrest%29
content:
<p>
*Uganda opposition candidate Bobi Wine <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/dec/30/uganda-opposition-candidate-bobi-wine-campaign-team-arrest">says he and team under arrest</a>.*


feed_id: 0c8bda0977f7d0021e1e259dee7ab6a3
title: 2 percent vaccinating a day
uri: 2-percent-vaccinating-a-day
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#31_December_2020_%282_percent_vaccinating_a_day%29
content:
<p>
Israel is vaccinating its citizens at the rate of 2% per day.
At that rate, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/dec/30/how-has-israel-launched-the-worlds-fastest-covid-vaccination-drive">everyone can get both doses in under 4 months</a>.

<p>
However, Israel has no plan to vaccinate the Palestinians living under
Israeli occupation, even though as occupying power it is
responsible for protecting them.


feed_id: 169fce2035a8f1241e797aa6c6fb53ee
title: Union members votes
uri: Union-members-votes
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#31_December_2020_%28Union_members_votes%29
content:
<p>
Many union members voted for the wrecker, because he said he would
oppose offshoring of work, provide funds for jobs, and so on.  Now
that he has proved that was bogus, <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2020/12/29/union-members-who-voted-trump-have-be-organized-not-ignored">maybe progressives can win their
support</a>.


feed_id: 220554723b1526f7d32cebf010f20577
title: Conservative party
uri: Conservative-party
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#31_December_2020_%28Conservative_party%29
content:
<p>
Why the Democratic Party <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2020/12/29/hey-america-you-want-true-conservative-party">has become the US Conservative Party</a>.

<p>
Progressives are a small but growing faction within it.  Our choices
are to vote for progressive Democrats, or the Green Party.


feed_id: 31b2896e8162121b6acc40098c8d214f
title: Deportation moratorium
uri: Deportation-moratorium
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#31_December_2020_%28Deportation_moratorium%29
content:
<p>
Biden could declare a deportation moratorium as an opportunity to
straighten out <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2020/12/29/deportation-moratorium-what-comes-next-biden">the horrible things about the US immigration system</a>.

<p>
I have a feeling that to change the sadistic culture of ICE it will be
necessary to abolish ICE and set up a new agency with different personnel.


feed_id: 9a1aa226096375ec09f8d8e514cdfa02
title: Only by sea
uri: Only-by-sea
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#31_December_2020_%28Only_by_sea%29
content:
<p>
The Schengen zone has been very efficient at preventing Africans from
getting in and staying there.  The result is that <a href="https://progressive.international/wire/2020-12-16-nanjala-nyabola-the-sea-that-eats-our-children/en">they can only go by
sea, and many die there</a>.

<p>
I agree that the correct solution for this problem is for the powerful
countries to stop messing up Africa to enrich the rich.  However,
Africans must play their part by reducing their population growth and
stabilizing their population.  (Every part of Earth must stabilize its
population, then reduce it to a sustainable level by the one humane
method &mdash; fewer births.)


feed_id: 4b6299f063e6fe95f85b90c0425353d1
title: Antibody tests
uri: Antibody-tests
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#31_December_2020_%28Antibody_tests%29
content:
<p>
A survey with Covid-19 antibody tests found that 5% of the people in
Wuhan caught Covid-19.  That is 500,000 people, <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2020/12/29/asia/china-coronavirus-seroprevalence-study-intl-hnk/index.html">ten times the number
of acknowledged cases</a>.


feed_id: 0bddb98ad41acc344c72c46f6b9d489e
title: Urgent: stimulus payments
uri: Urgent-stimulus-payments
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#31_December_2020_%28Urgent%3A_stimulus_payments%29
content:
<p>
US citizens: <a href="http://act.democracyforamerica.com/sign/dfa-em-201229-bernie/?t=1001&refcode=g-Bernie1229.d-20201229.m-25905.s-161312&akid=25905%2E1906019%2EUJsEx5">call on senators</a> to support Sanders in filibustering the
military spending bill to demand passage of $2,000 stimulus payments
to Americans.


feed_id: 0165a22632c5b6a0145ffcf49ec90a0c
title: Director of National Intelligence
uri: 2020-12-31-Director-of-National-Intelligence
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#31_December_2020_%28Director_of_National_Intelligence%29

content:
<p>
*Why Senators Must Reject Avril Haines <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2020/12/29/why-senators-must-reject-avril-haines-intelligence">for [Director of National
Intelligence]</a>.*


feed_id: 8a3588d45da8d750cbff1ed5566498cf
title: Obstacles to abortion
uri: Obstacles-to-abortion
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#31_December_2020_%28Obstacles_to_abortion%29
content:
<p>
The Massachusetts legislature <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2020/12/29/monumental-win-reproductive-freedom-mass-lawmakers-override-governors-veto-affirm">overrode Governor Baker's veto of a bill
to reduce obstacles to abortion</a>.

<p>
Those obstacles are in laws whose enforcement has been suspended due
to the Roe v Wade decision.  The bill has been considered now because
of the danger that the right-wing extremist majority on the Supreme
Court will overturn Roe v Wade and make those laws spring back into
enforcement.

<p>
Massachusetts abortion law continues to have a major flaw, though it
will bite much less often than before.  It protects pregnant girls
under 16 from the trauma that an abortion sometimes causes, by
imposing on them the unending life difficulties that having a baby at
that age almost always causes.  What in the world are those
legislators thinking?

<p>
The younger a girl is, the more important it is that nothing hamper
her access to an abortion.

<p>
Governor Baker is a "moderate" Republican.  He does not champion
outrageous changes for the worse.  Rather, he tries to retard and
reduce every change for the better that Massachusetts tries to make.
I hope we get a better governor in 2022.


feed_id: 9cb5ae0432f3fc29a42fe6151bd5dfc3
title: Universal access to safe water
uri: Universal-access-to-safe-water
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#31_December_2020_%28Universal_access_to_safe_water%29

content:
<p>
*   The Biden Administration must take executive action <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2020/12/29/president-elect-biden-water-must-be-national-priority">to promote
   universal access to safe water for every person</a>.*


feed_id: 5b79300cfd18be865a7f9e2cf430da84
title: Capitalism is dead
uri: Capitalism-is-dead
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#31_December_2020_%28Capitalism_is_dead%29
content:
<p>
Varoufakis: 2020 showed that capitalism &mdash; in the sense of a
competitive market in which investors are compelled to try to outdo
each other, and this makes more wealth &mdash; is dead.  They no longer
need to compete.

<p>
The article also presents <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2020/12/29/seven-secrets-2020">several other crucial lessons</a>.

<p>
In the 1890s, the US suffered from similar concentration of industry,
but we had enough democracy to decide to eliminate it.  The problem now
is that the rich choose the officials, too.


feed_id: 9d489c575a8e077f0294766996c2b428
title: Wake-Up Call
uri: Wake-Up-Call
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#31_December_2020_%28Wake-Up_Call%29
content:
<p>
*Calling Covid-19 Crisis a 'Wake-Up Call,' WHO Experts <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2020/12/29/calling-covid-19-crisis-wake-call-who-experts-warn-next-pandemic-could-be-even-worse">Warn Next Pandemic
Could Be Even Worse</a>.*

<p>
If it is worse, we won't have trouble convincing people to take precautions.
Rather, the problem will be the danger to essential workers.  That could
cause collapse.


feed_id: d1a48d4938b3b0aff85f26151181b071
title: Voter suppression
uri: 2020-12-31-Voter-suppression
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#31_December_2020_%28Voter_suppression%29
content:
<p>
Georgia Republicans have closed some polling places (for early voting)
in black neighborhoods <a href="https://www.gregpalast.com/georgias-cobb-county-slashes-early-voting-in-black-neighborhoods/">but kept them all open in white neighborhoods</a>.

<p>
It is impossible to convince a nonbiased person that this is not
discriminatory.  Republicans must be planning to argue that they can
lawfully practice racist voter-suppression and no one can stop them.


feed_id: f4e8dc5737edf5f6086b07d18361f06c
title: No basis for federal prosecution
uri: No-basis-for-federal-prosecution
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#31_December_2020_%28No_basis_for_federal_prosecution%29

content:
<p>
There is no basis for federal prosecution of the thugs that killed
Tamir Rice as he was holding an air rifle.

<p>
One article argues that <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2020/12/29/hypocrisy-and-horror-outrage-after-trump-doj-clears-cleveland-cop-who-killed-12-year">there is enough proof that they lied</a>
  and they could be prosecuted for that.  I don't know whether that is so,
but if it is, they definitely should be prosecuted for lying.

<p>
Another article says nothing about that point, but explains <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2020/dec/30/tamir-rice-shooting-justice-department-investigation-ends-without-charges">why the federal government could not prosecute them for the killing</a>.

<p>
This is an instance of a repeating pattern in which white thugs shoot
blacks <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2014-sep-dec.html#26_September_2014_(John_Crawford_was_not_threatening_anyone)">after making erroneous snap judgments that they are a threat</a>.
  Snap judgments are often erroneous, thus many of these blacks are
killed for no legitimate reason.  This amounts to an aspect of
systemic racism &mdash; but it is hard to come up with a step in of making
a snap judgment that could be defined as a crime.  The whole process
takes place inside a person's mind.

<p>
Defining some action that the thug is required carry out before
shooting someone could slow down the snap judgment, thus providing an
opportunity to think, and to decide not to shoot.  It might also
provide a basis for prosecuting a thug who fails to take that action.
"Turn on your body camera and study the person and the scene until it
clicks, which it does after three seconds" might be a suitable action
to require.

<p>
The killing of Tamir Rice is an example of another recurrent pattern:
losing a piece of crucial information in the dispatch process.  I have
an idea for how to make that dangerous problem less frequent.

<p>
Currently those pieces of crucial information are treated as
miscellaneous details.  When such a thing is dropped, it does not
leave a gap &mdash; there is nothing to tell the thugs that they are
missing something they needed to know.

<p>
Suppose any information suggesting "Person in question is probably not
threatening or hurting anyone" were represented by use of a different
dispatch code.  This distinction could not be lost, because it is
impossible to drop the dispatch code, and changing it would go against
all habit.

<p>
This would not eliminate the tendency to misjudge based on unconscious
racism, but could make it happen less often.


feed_id: 71d7cc9917ebaa795c755d428314c8e5
title: New, more infectious variety of Covid-19
uri: New-more-infectious-variety-of-Covid-19
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#31_December_2020_%28New%2C_more_infectious_variety_of_Covid-19%29

content:
<p>
The new, more infectious variety of Covid-19 is probably
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/dec/30/coronavirus-us-uk-variant-confirmed-cases-widespread-fears">already
spreading in the US</a>.  That means that the precautions which were
sufficient in the past to prevent an increase in cases will be
insufficient from now on.
<p>
We will need stronger precautions, more firmly enforced.


feed_id: 8436d7e04a7a9c05c124e53024bdbb2a
title: China jails Hong Kong dissidents
uri: China-jails-Hong-Kong-dissidents
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#31_December_2020_%28China_jails_Hong_Kong_dissidents%29

content:
<p>
China has
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/dec/30/hong-kong-china-jails-1o-who-fled-by-boat-to-taiwan-for-up-to-three-years">jailed
Hong Kong dissidents</a> who tried to flee by boat, after a hasty
purported trial.


feed_id: 7146842ae51489be3d5bb5d45199fb95
title: What's bad about Neera Tanden
uri: What-s-bad-about-Neera-Tanden
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#31_December_2020_%28Whats_bad_about_Neera_Tanden%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://www.democracynow.org/2020/12/2/biden_cabinet_picks">What's
so bad</a> about Neera Tanden.


