# articles

feed_id: 510158a112154eaa631eaaf92a7c51bf
title: Urgent: No Fossil Fuel Money pledge
uri: 2019-03-27-Urgent-No-Fossil-Fuel-Money-pledge
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#26_March_2019_%28Urgent%3A_No_Fossil_Fuel_Money_pledge%29

content:
<p>
US
citizens: <a href="https://act.climatetruth.org/sign/nffm-gnd/">call
on congresscritters</a> that support the Green New Deal to take the No
Fossil Fuel Money pledge.
</p>
<p>
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2019/03/23/leaked-audio-exposes-oil-gas-execs-laughing-joy-over-cozy-access-trump-officials">Leaked
Audio</a> Exposes Oil & Gas Execs Laughing With Joy Over Cozy Access
to [the <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#saboteur">saboteur</a>'s] Officials.
</p>
<p>If you sign, please spread the word!</p>


feed_id: ce1f39590a2b624268adcd7f6999310a
title: Polar bears in the playground
uri: Polar-bears-in-the-playground
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#26_March_2019_%28Polar_bears_in_the_playground%29
content:
<p>
"<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/feb/12/polar-bears-insects-killing-planet">Polar
bears in the playground</a>, Insectageddon … and it’s all our fault."
<p>
If we don't want unauthorized polar bear immigrants fleeing to our
cities to escape certain death, we should stop making their icy realm
too hot for them to survive in.
Bears <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/shortcuts/2019/feb/11/polar-bears-russian-apartment-block-climate-crisis">can't
live on molten ice</a>.
<p>
It will be some decades before things get this desperate for humans,
so this is a timely warning about our possible future in 2050 or 2060.


feed_id: 75a49f3cb4c5235868d1dfd37caa175c
title: Refugee lawsuit
uri: Refugee-lawsuit
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#26_March_2019_%28Refugee_lawsuit%29
content:
<p>
Refugee families
are <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2019/feb/11/immigrant-families-sue-us-government-over-family-separation">suing
the US</a> for traumatizing their children.


feed_id: 1b259cf54cc7fa0263a324216ac9d2c0
title: Denver teachers
uri: Denver-teachers
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#26_March_2019_%28Denver_teachers%29
content:
<p>
Denver teachers
are <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2019/feb/11/denver-teacher-strike-wave-of-walkouts">starting
strike actions</a>.


feed_id: d9f40cef66514954c60cbbac3d1d233d
title: Journalists at Mexico-US border
uri: Journalists-at-Mexico-US-border
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#26_March_2019_%28Journalists_at_Mexico-US_border%29
content:
<p>
US border <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thugs</a>
are <a href="https://cpj.org/2019/02/several-journalists-say-us-border-agents-questione.php">threatening
journalists</a> crossing the Mexico-US border, and near the border,
demanding information about refugees.  The journalists threatened
include US citizens.


feed_id: 7e7f636a7167ed649263405dad820916
title: Socialism for the rich
uri: 2019-03-27-Socialism-for-the-rich
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#26_March_2019_%28Socialism_for_the_rich%29
content:
<p>
The modern US: socialism for the
rich, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/feb/11/trump-offers-socialism-for-the-rich-capitalism-for-everyone-else">capitalism
for everyone else</a>.


feed_id: 7e989ca188bee21a98a79f98e3bae07c
title: Polar bear invasion
uri: Polar-bear-invasion
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#26_March_2019_%28Polar_bear_invasion%29
content:
<p>
Dozens of polar bears
have <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/feb/11/russian-islands-emergency-mass-invasion-polar-bears-novaya-zemlya">come
to Novaya Zemlya</a> and are searching for food in human garbage.
<p>
We have seen predictions that <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#global heating">global heating</a>, and the consequent
reduction in sea ice in the summer, would make it hard for polar bears
to eat enough to last through the winter.  I have a feeling this is
what we are seeing, and that it represents the last gasp for the
species in that region.


feed_id: d810e5f39dbb10bc6ed49ed113eae3f5
title: Bahraini expat dissident
uri: Bahraini-expat-dissident
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#26_March_2019_%28Bahraini_expat_dissident%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/feb/11/thailand-to-free-bahraini-footballer-hakeem-al-araibi">Thailand
has decided</a> not to hand Bahraini expat dissident Hakeem Al-Araibi
to Bahrain.


feed_id: 0b072ed1ab405feb8e1305a1011138fc
title: Parkland shooting survivors
uri: Parkland-shooting-survivors
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#26_March_2019_%28Parkland_shooting_survivors%29
content:
<p>
Parkland shooting survivors
are <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2019/feb/11/parkland-student-activists-march-for-our-lives-year-later-2019">ready
for the long haul</a>.


feed_id: 2ef1acff70f448ade9b98ab39b186435
title: US medical care costs
uri: US-medical-care-costs
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#26_March_2019_%28US_medical_care_costs%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://www.beckershospitalreview.com/finance/40-of-patients-skip-treatment-because-of-cost-7-survey-findings.html">A
poll found</a> that 40% of US adults have skipped medical procedures
because of their cost.  36% have used up all their savings because of
the expense of medical care.
<p>
30% had to make a choice between food, heating, or housing and medical
care, because of the expense.
<p>
Another survey found that medical costs contributed
to <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2019/02/07/new-medical-bankruptcy-study-two-thirds-filers-cite-illness-and-medical-bills-0">65%
of bankruptcies</a> from 2013 to 2016.


feed_id: 4698c6f78f33c9eef6b546e7a36f660f
title: UK student strike
uri: UK-student-strike
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#26_March_2019_%28UK_student_strike%29
content:
<p>
UK schools are trying to prevent students from striking
by <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/education/2019/feb/10/pupil-strike-climate-change-puts-schools-on-spot">threatening
to fine their parents</a>.
<p>
Students: to win, you must show that such chickenshit threats mean
nothing when your survival and that of civilization are at stake.


feed_id: 4f69683e1259c1ff3f0787116bc3d622
title: Ousting Senator Collins
uri: Ousting-Senator-Collins
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#26_March_2019_%28Ousting_Senator_Collins%29
content:
<p>
The campaign to oust Senator Collins for voting to confirm Kavanaugh
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2019/02/09/we-wont-forget-new-digital-ad-campaign-targets-susan-collins-over-kavanaugh-vote">is
reminding everyone</a> in Maine about her claim that Kavanaugh had
promised to respect the Roe v Wade decision.
<p>
There are grounds for impeaching Kavanaugh, but that won't be
effective unless the Senate subsequently convicts him.  We need to
prepare for that now.


feed_id: a603c1e422aad4d76b96de8cbe3f52f8
title: Blocked coal mine
uri: Blocked-coal-mine
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#26_March_2019_%28Blocked_coal_mine%29
content:
<p>
An Australian judge
has <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/feb/11/the-win-to-stop-the-rocky-hill-coalmine-happened-in-the-right-place-and-just-in-time">blocked
a proposed coal mine</a> because of how it would exacerbate global
heating.


feed_id: a1e1508fa84e7b9eed8f2820ef2db173
title: Lobbyists hired to oppose Medicare for All
uri: Lobbyists-hired-to-oppose-Medicare-for-All
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#26_March_2019_%28Lobbyists_hired_to_oppose_Medicare_for_All%29

content:
<p>
Lobbyists and PR people are writing letters to the editor to oppose
Medicare for All, 
<a href="https://splinternews.com/look-at-these-absolutely-ordinary-americans-who-hate-me-1833380461">without
saying this is their job</a>.


feed_id: 1b47a20b61d6c97f030e9e2c3a887aad
title: Refusing vaccination
uri: Refusing-vaccination
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#26_March_2019_%28Refusing_vaccination%29
content:
<p>
Refusing vaccination (even your own) 
<a href="https://blogs.scientificamerican.com/observations/opting-out-of-vaccines-should-opt-you-out-of-american-society/">endangers
other people's lives and health</a>; it is comparable to driving while
drunk.


feed_id: 3ee43610935b5028b1e321aa43de02c8
title: Symptom of deeper problems
uri: Symptom-of-deeper-problems
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#26_March_2019_%28Symptom_of_deeper_problems%29
content:
<p>
Whether Impeached or Voted Out or Stays Put, Ocasio-Cortez Says [the
<a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#bully">bully</a>] 
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2019/03/24/whether-impeached-or-voted-out-or-stays-put-ocasio-cortez-says-trump-symptom-much">'Symptom
of Much Deeper Problems'</a>.
<p>
This is true, but it is also true that his efforts have spread
right-wing radicalization.


feed_id: 8883eb5d500ba698ec7ba7b7dc0535a8
title: The harm of systemic prejudice
uri: The-harm-of-systemic-prejudice
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#26_March_2019_%28The_harm_of_systemic_prejudice%29
content:
<p>
NASA demonstrates how a system can have the effect of 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/science/2019/mar/25/nasa-all-female-spacewalk-canceled-women-spacesuits">placing
handicaps on a certain group of people</a>.
<p>
The harm done by systemic prejudice adds to what results from
individual prejudice.


feed_id: 54df0e8d6bff866ffff0672931a12fda
title: Commercially-implanted gift-giving "custom"
uri: Commercially-implanted-gift-giving-custom
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#26_March_2019_%28Commercially-implanted_gift-giving_custom%29

content:
<p>
Japanese women are 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/feb/11/japanese-women-push-back-against-valentines-tradition-of-obligation-chocolate">rebelling
against a commercially-implanted holiday gift-giving "custom"</a>:
that female employees must give chocolate gifts to male coworkers.
<p>
I hope the male employees likewise rebel against the reverse holiday
in March.  It's nice to give chocolate, if it's because of your own
feelings.


feed_id: 69a1d62e8524460b93343ad150d88940
title: Indonesian thugs
uri: Indonesian-thugs
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#26_March_2019_%28Indonesian_thugs%29
content:
<p>
Indonesian <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thugs</a> terrified a criminal suspect by 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/feb/11/indonesian-police-apologise-after-terrorising-suspected-thief-with-snake">letting
a snake wind around him and pushing it to bite him</a>.
<p>
This wasn't the first time.


feed_id: 4bc94e963f5fc2e671273123850b8362
title: Philippines prosecuting journalists
uri: Philippines-prosecuting-journalists
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#26_March_2019_%28Philippines_prosecuting_journalists%29

content:
<p>
The Philippines is 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/media/2019/feb/07/outcry-as-rappler-journalists-in-philippines-hit-with-new-charges">prosecuting
award-winning journalists</a> for "defamation".
<p>
The unjust law being used (making "defamation" a crime is inherently
unjust) was adopted after the article that is being prosecuted.


feed_id: 4c67fc8456ae8c8e2e3307581560f420
title: Virginia Lt Gov faces rape accusations
uri: Virginia-Lt-Gov-faces-rape-accusations
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#26_March_2019_%28Virginia_Lt_Gov_faces_rape_accusations%29

content:
<p>
Virginia's lieutenant governor faces 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2019/feb/09/virginia-crisis-justin-fairfax-sexual-assault-allegations-calls-for-resignation">two
accusations of rape</a>.
<p>
I believe these accusations, because most accusations of rape are
true.
<p>
The term "sexual assault" which lumps together less grave acts
together with rape, in effect downplaying the difference.  That can
lead to underestimating the gravity of rape.  I've decided not to use
that term.


feed_id: 5f928721e07b51afa8e6755f2f4f36d1
title: Urgent: Oppose pharma monopolies
uri: Urgent-Oppose-pharma-monopolies
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#26_March_2019_%28Urgent%3A_Oppose_pharma_monopolies%29

content:
<p>
US citizens:
<a href="https://actionnetwork.org/petitions/eliminate-nafta-20-terms-that-lock-in-high-drug-prices?nowrapper=true&referrer=group-social-security-works">call
on Congress</a> to reject the extended pharma monopolies in the new
NAFTA.
<p>
If you sign, please spread the word!


feed_id: 5e8d93be23bb81b9e4cf881c93e56cec
title: Urgent: Oppose censorship of science
uri: Urgent-Oppose-censorship-of-science
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#26_March_2019_%28Urgent%3A_Oppose_censorship_of_science%29

content:
<p>
US citizens: 
<a href="https://act.credoaction.com/sign/EPA-dontdelete">call on the
EPA</a> not to censor science, especially climate science, on epa.gov.
<p>
If you sign, please spread the word!


feed_id: a63ea7b7dbda6b355fc86b8e3e2cb2ad
title: Scheme to replace human teachers
uri: Scheme-to-replace-human-teachers
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#26_March_2019_%28Scheme_to_replace_human_teachers%29

content:
<p>
Pearson and Google have a scheme to replace human teachers with a
cloudy (i.e., shady) online disservice that will 
<a href="https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2019/3/25/1844909/-Pearson-and-Google-Partner-to-Steal-the-Minds-of-Children">collect
lots of data about children</a> in the name of providing a low-grade
education.


feed_id: eebb3314db600f467a1ffad165a0dec1
title: Manning defending freedom of the press
uri: Manning-defending-freedom-of-the-press
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#26_March_2019_%28Manning_defending_freedom_of_the_press%29

content:
<p>
Daniel Ellsberg: Chelsea Manning has gone to jail to 
<a href="https://freedom.press/news/daniel-ellsberg-responds-unjust-jailing-whistleblower-chelsea-manning/">defend
freedom of the press</a>.
<p>
Over the years, many reporters have 
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2005-may-aug.html#08%20July%202005%20(Reporter%20is%20going%20to%20jail)">done
the like</a>.


feed_id: 0a208daa6ba12a2fece35a04bca8c8fe
title: Pentagon's accounts
uri: Pentagon-s-accounts
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#26_March_2019_%28Pentagons_accounts%29
content:
<p>
The Pentagon's accounts are so full of errors that it is 
<a href="https://www.rollingstone.com/politics/politics-features/pentagon-budget-mystery-807276/">almost
impossible to detect new errors, or new frauds</a>.


feed_id: 38a8d6a316f3fb3dd887850ba43ff967
title: New Zealand's "security" forces
uri: New-Zealand-s-security-forces
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#26_March_2019_%28New_Zealands_security_forces%29
content:
<p>
New Zealand's "security" forces 
<a href="https://consortiumnews.com/2019/03/15/misguided-spying-and-the-new-zealand-massacre/">were
paying little attention to the danger of white-supremacist
terrorists</a>, because they were focused on environmentalists.
<p>
The environmentalists are not terrorists, not even close, but
planet-roasters with lots of money propagandize that they are
dangerous, and governments ted to listen to their money.


feed_id: fb5ca84ac60dd76008bb08a4358d5b28
title: UK thugs control singers' song topics
uri: UK-thugs-control-singers-song-topics
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#26_March_2019_%28UK_thugs_control_singers_song_topics%29

content:
<p>
UK <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thugs</a> have grabbed the power to order singers to avoid certain
topics and 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/feb/09/since-when-was-it-police-job-to-impose-sanctions-on-drill-musicians">will
jail them if they do not</a>.
<p>
The former ASBOs were used to 
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2013-nov-feb.html#12_January_2014_(UK_pushing_law_to_make_ASBOs_even_more_sweeping_and_arbitrary)">punish
people for actions that are not crimes</a>.  Under such a situation,
in effect no one has any legal rights.


feed_id: 0c58b4d767ef51c4674facaa12c349ae
title: Betrayal by Australian defense lawyers
uri: Betrayal-by-Australian-defense-lawyers
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#26_March_2019_%28Betrayal_by_Australian_defense_lawyers%29

content:
<p>
Some Australian defense lawyers made a systematic practice of
betraying their clients by 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2019/feb/10/deeper-wider-longer-lawyer-x-inquiry-reveals-corruption-of-justice-system">passing
information to the prosecutors</a>.


feed_id: 217e74ee4c9ae231d9e7623fd0088451
title: China's repression of Uighurs
uri: China-s-repression-of-Uighurs
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#26_March_2019_%28Chinas_repression_of_Uighurs%29
content:
<p>
Turkey denounced 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/feb/10/chinas-treatment-of-uighurs-is-embarrassment-for-humanity-says-turkey">China's
repression of Uighurs</a>.
<p>
This may be because Uighurs are a Turkic people.


feed_id: 63bdd135b735ee18451aa9af30a024f0
title: Tencent's WeChat messaging system
uri: Tencent-s-WeChat-messaging-system
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#26_March_2019_%28Tencents_WeChat_messaging_system%29

content:
<p>
Tencent, and its messaging system WeChat, are 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/media/commentisfree/2019/feb/10/chinese-company-stake-reddit-normalise-censorship-rights">trying
many avenues to corrupt and manipulate people and elections outside
China</a>.  Its investment in non-Chinese tech companies threatens to
lead them into new forms of corruption.
<p>
US tech companies are not exactly known for a reluctance to profit
from trashing people's human rights and well being.


feed_id: cfa6bf1ba07ae30d39e3e8fff696f736
title: Ignorance of the holocaust
uri: Ignorance-of-the-holocaust
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#26_March_2019_%28Ignorance_of_the_holocaust%29
content:
<p>
Ignorance of the holocaust is 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/feb/10/ignorance-holocaust-wilful-disbelief-poll-denial-antisemitism">spreading</a>;
many people don't know that Hitler tried to murder all the Jews in the
world.
<p>
Although I am an Atheist, I am fully aware that Nazis would have
murdered me, if I had been alive at that time and they had got their
hands on me.
<p>
There are the people who construct a fictional world in which this
didn't happen &mdash; or vaccines don't protect people from diseases
&mdash; or <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#global heating">global heating</a> is not caused by humanity's greenhouse gas
emissions.  Denialism is willful mistake.


feed_id: 8e93e7aad587383499b43cc418b7206e
title: Democratic Socialism
uri: 2019-03-27-Democratic-Socialism
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#27_March_2019_%28Democratic_Socialism%29
content:
<p>
What 
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2019/03/24/what-democatic-socialism-and-what-it-not">Democratic
Socialism</a> Is&hellip; And What It Is Not.
<p>
Democratic Socialism includes public ownership of a large fraction of
the "means of production", though the word "production" is too narrow
to fit modern society, but definitely not all of it.


feed_id: 916cfecf9cf7a72066b41a503bed675d
title: Unions
uri: 2019-03-27-Unions
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#27_March_2019_%28Unions%29
content:
<p>
The non-rich depend on solidarity.  Unions promote it, as 
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2019/03/22/how-billionaires-are-using-hate-divide-us">plutocrats
work to set people against each other</a>.


feed_id: 87b812f50c19857862d62f0c8a35a5b8
title: Zero tolerance
uri: 2019-03-27-Zero-tolerance
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#27_March_2019_%28Zero_tolerance%29
content:
<p>
A 7th grade student was 
<A href="https://abc7.com/7th-grader-suspended-for-drawing-stick-figure-with-gun/3270596/">suspended
from school for drawing a stick figure of a hunter holding a
rifle</a>.
<p>
This sort of fussiness about things that are only suggestive of danger
is often called "zero tolerance".


feed_id: da05c9db7c016d11826bebc934c1b13e
title: National Butterfly Center
uri: National-Butterfly-Center
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#27_March_2019_%28National_Butterfly_Center%29
content:
<p>
The National Butterfly Center, based on a special microclimate and
ecosystem that extends from the edge of the Rio Grande, is 
<a href="https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2019/2/4/1832164/-Trump-s-wall-bulldozers-have-arrived-at-National-Butterfly-Center-down-in-Texas">threatened
with imminent destruction by bulldozers</a>.
<p>
It would be trivial to build a wall but skip the wide zone behind it.
Such a small area would be easy to patrol.  But Republicans think
their strength is measured by their refusal to turn their bulldozers
to spare whatever turns up in their path.


feed_id: 01a3f9d8c17dbc2c0702713b31f3a37c
title: ‘Oumuamua
uri: Oumuamua
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#27_March_2019_%28Oumuamua%29
content:
<p>
A prominent astronomer claims that ‘oumuaua is 
<a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/style/harvards-top-astronomer-says-an-alien-ship-may-be-among-us--and-he-doesnt-care-what-his-colleagues-think/2019/02/04/a5d70bb0-24d5-11e9-90cd-dedb0c92dc17_story.html">accelerating
under its own power</a>, which would imply it is a spaceship.
<p>
However, it is hard to clearly rule out natural explanations for its
acceleration.


feed_id: 5df0e34ff09a3a2eaec0b87c243b781f
title: Disguising and legitimizing biases
uri: Disguising-and-legitimizing-biases
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#27_March_2019_%28Disguising_and_legitimizing_biases%29

content:
<p>
Given a health system riddled with inequity, 
<a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2019/01/31/opinion/ai-bias-healthcare.html">using
algorithms to decide who gets treatment</a> could disguise and
legitimize biases.


feed_id: 4064f3516e8ea6c334fb1515c03dc836
title: Refusing to play along with bullshitter
uri: Refusing-to-play-along-with-bullshitter
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#27_March_2019_%28Refusing_to_play_along_with_bullshitter%29

content:
<p>
California will follow New Mexico in 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2019/feb/11/california-governor-gavin-newsom-trump-border-troops">moving
its National Guard troops away from the border with Mexico</a>,
refusing to play along with the bullshitter's claim that there is a
crisis there that requires military action.
<p>
The bullshitter decided to speak in El Paso, so the city council voted
to denounce his bullshit about the city.  I hope the city finds a way
to present a statement to the attendees and reporters at the
bullshitter's talk.


feed_id: 7972c996f315369a3a9699d33a131d06
title: Sander's campaign rally in LA
uri: Sander-s-campaign-rally-in-LA
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#27_March_2019_%28Sanders_campaign_rally_in_LA%29
content:
<p>
Sanders's campaign rally in Los Angeles 
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2019/03/24/reigniting-spirit-2016-run-bernie-draws-massive-crowds-california">drew
an enormous crowd</a>.  I think people can't wait for the chance to
elect him president.


feed_id: 130595b68c073da2b6f64202be10339b
title: British Army's recruiting ads
uri: British-Army-s-recruiting-ads
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#27_March_2019_%28British_Armys_recruiting_ads%29
content:
<p>
The British Army planned its recruiting ads for the time 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2019/mar/24/army-ads-accused-of-targeting-youngsters-during-january-blues-snowflake">when
many young people would be feeling somewhat discouraged</a>, which
made them vulnerable.


feed_id: 59a4fcf689b6d52abcaf7f23bc9c2da4
title: Completion of Mueller's investigation
uri: Completion-of-Mueller-s-investigation
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#27_March_2019_%28Completion_of_Muellers_investigation%29

content:
<p>
It is reassuring that Mueller 
<a href="https://theintercept.com/2019/03/24/robert-mueller-may-not-have-found-evidence-of-collusion-but-his-report-proves-the-system-worked/">was
able to complete</a> his investigation.


feed_id: fc8a25cf951fb81ebc51730c3c78f47c
title: US state taxes
uri: US-state-taxes
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#27_March_2019_%28US_state_taxes%29
content:
<p>
US state taxes are (for the most part) 
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2019/03/22/unfair-state-tax-codes-also-exacerbate-racial-inequity">regressive</a>:
poor people pay a bigger fraction of their income than rich people.


feed_id: c7dec6f7bc8984a78b9e28e801514e3c
title: Jury nullification
uri: 2019-03-28-Jury-nullification
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#27_March_2019_%28Jury_nullification%29
content:
<p>
A law has been proposed in Tennessee to 
<a href="https://blog.tenthamendmentcenter.com/2019/02/tennessee-bills-would-require-courts-to-fully-inform-juries/">require
judges to inform juries</a> about jury nullification.


feed_id: 330d120725559a6142d54e06b87a4026
title: The EU
uri: 2019-03-28-The-EU
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#27_March_2019_%28The_EU%29
content:
<p>
George Soros: the EU 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/feb/12/eu-soviet-union-european-elections-george-soros">could
be broken up if its citizens don't prevent that</a>.
<p>
Soros points out that the EU lacks the strength to protect democracy
and human rights in its member countries.  I add that it lacks the
strength of democracy to change the 
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2013-jan-apr.html#28_March_2013_(Euro-Zone)">euro-zone
rules</a> that force poverty on many countries.


feed_id: cc65a11a57c5bb6a7e1dcd2e5e225e91
title: Face recognition cameras
uri: Face-recognition-cameras
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#27_March_2019_%28Face_recognition_cameras%29
content:
<p>
The Chicago commuter train agency, Metra, wants to install face
recognition cameras 
<a href="https://wgntv.com/2019/02/08/metra-looking-to-add-interior-cameras-to-trains/">capable
of seeing everyone inside the train</a>.
<p>
The article does not say whether these cameras can be viewed remotely.
If they record locally, and physical access to the car is required to
see each recording, the system is not a surveillance threat.
<p>
If they want to count passengers in the car, they should do that with
a different camera, one that can transmit the data but is not adequate
for recognizing individuals.
<p>
Citizens of Chicago, you can win this if you organize to demand it.
And demand it for the CTA trains as well.


feed_id: d0896d32488e30683aa23222444f1949
title: Thug body cameras
uri: 2019-03-28-Thug-body-cameras
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#27_March_2019_%28Thug_body_cameras%29
content:
<p>
Making body cameras serve the purpose of restraining <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thugs</a>' violence
requires laws to make the recordings available when the public needs
them.  
<a href="https://www.aclu.org/blog/privacy-technology/surveillance-technologies/ohio-bucks-bad-trend-new-police-body-camera-law">Ohio
has passed such a law</a>.
<p>
It is also necessary to 
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#29_May_2018_(Body_cameras_with_face_recognition)">stop
thugs from turning them off as preparation for committing crimes</a>.
<p>
One other thing they need is a law to prevent the state from scanning
all the videos to find minor crimes.  Has any state or city made an
attempt at this?


feed_id: 1f3bfab47a0bf63d4f80b510ec72dcd5
title: Urgent: Mueller report
uri: Urgent-Mueller-report
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#28_March_2019_%28Urgent%3A_Mueller_report%29
content:
<p>
US citizens: 
<a href="https://act.credoaction.com/sign/make-mueller-public">call on
Congress</a> to insist on publication of the Mueller report.


feed_id: 5769f0eb3d6b3c6ffa3c57ac0d1e3f3f
title: Urgent: Cancel contract with deportation thugs
uri: Urgent-Cancel-contract-with-deportation-thugs
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#28_March_2019_%28Urgent%3A_Cancel_contract_with_deportation_thugs%29

content:
<p>
US citizens: 
<a href="https://act.demandprogress.org/sign/tell-amazon-cancel-contract-with-ice/">call
on Amazon</a> to cancel its contract with the deportation thugs.
<p>
I must not mention Amazon without pointing out that it does many other
injustices.  We really ought to shut it down entirely.


feed_id: 4a93925908fb557ae99995cf4115940a
title: Urgent: Green New Deal
uri: 2019-03-28-Urgent-Green-New-Deal
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#28_March_2019_%28Urgent%3A_Green_New_Deal%29
content:
<p>
US citizens: 
<a href="https://diy.rootsaction.org/petitions/co-sponsor-the-green-new-deal">call
on Speaker Pelosi</a> to co-sponsor the Green New Deal.


feed_id: 494b82a808d6582d22d3a284d25bc9fb
title: Urgent: Release Mueller report
uri: Urgent-Release-Mueller-report
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#28_March_2019_%28Urgent%3A_Release_Mueller_report%29

content:
<p>
US citizens: 
<a href="https://act.democracyforamerica.com/sign/mueller-report-release/">call
on Barr</a> to release the Mueller report.


feed_id: 5b44395b36ab139f619b90dd6ec4fa58
title: Measles
uri: 2019-03-28-Measles
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#28_March_2019_%28Measles%29
content:
<p>
Measles has 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/feb/12/measles-outbreak-in-philippines-kills-70-with-vaccine-fear-mongering-blamed">killed
70 children</a> in the Philippines since the start of the year.


feed_id: 62056df6c39d9f603ae8d9dc260ed209
title: Refugee children taken from parents
uri: 2019-03-28-Refugee-children-taken-from-parents
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#28_March_2019_%28Refugee_children_taken_from_parents%29

content:
<p>
The US government is still taking refugee children away from their
parents.  In El Paso, it happens at least 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2019/feb/12/trump-el-paso-family-separations-migrants-immigration">once
or twice a week</a>.


feed_id: fedeccddabb0e72360cd70937f8a4385
title: Border wall funding
uri: Border-wall-funding
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#28_March_2019_%28Border_wall_funding%29
content:
<p>
Congressional leaders
have <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2019/feb/12/donald-trump-border-wall-deal-shutdown">reached
a "compromise"</a> with the bully that gives him 1/5 of the funds he
demanded to build the pointless border wall.
<p>
If he does this a few more times, he will get all he wanted.
<p>
Two lessons from this:
<ul>
  <li>
    "Meeting someone half way", or even 1/5 of the way, if he will
    have a chance to make more demands and be met 1/5 of the way
    again, is not a fair compromise.
  </li>
  <li>
    When your adversary demands painful changes, you should not make
    the status quo your negotiating goal.  Instead, demand other
    changes that you want.
  </li>
</ul>
So the Democrats should have responded by demanding more funds
for Planned Parenthood, in exchange for funds for the wall,
and offered to meet the <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#bully">bully</a> half way.


feed_id: 52aecc6ddf37fe866e0b462e20b4fc04
title: Breaking the Silence
uri: 2019-03-28-Breaking-the-Silence
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#28_March_2019_%28Breaking_the_Silence%29
content:
<p>
Israeli right-wing lawfare
groups <a href="https://972mag.com/turn-human-rights-activists-traitors-just-easy-steps/140016/">try
persistently to smear</a> Breaking the Silence as criminal and
treasonous.
<p>
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2011-jan-apr.html#05%20January%202011%20(The%20team%20of%20Breaking%20the%20Silence)">Breaking
the Silence</a> gives former Israeli soldiers an opportunity to talk
about the crimes they have seen soldiers commit as part of occupying
Palestine.
Israel <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#20_May_2016_(Breaking_the_Silence)">goes
to great lengths</a> to connive at such crimes.


feed_id: 4c96598e1e82bc97520df4a560ee3b95
title: Online travel booking
uri: Online-travel-booking
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#28_March_2019_%28Online_travel_booking%29
content:
<p>
New Amnesty Report Examines How Airbnb, Booking.com, Expedia, And TripAdvisor
<a href="https://mondoweiss.net/2019/01/examines-tripadvisor-occupation/">Benefit
from the Israeli Occupation</a>.
<p>
Airbnb announced it would stop this, then decided not to stop.


feed_id: 35bd62ac74bacdb00422590b58c59f28
title: Bedouin evictions
uri: Bedouin-evictions
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#28_March_2019_%28Bedouin_evictions%29
content:
<p>
Israel plans
to <a href="https://www.mintpressnews.com/largest-land-grab-since-1948-israel-to-expel-36000-palestinians-from-negev/254564/">evict
36,000 bedouin</a> from their homes in the Negev.
<p>
Having already legally confiscated their home villages, Israel plans
to build other things over them so that the Palestinians have no way
of rebuilding their homes.


feed_id: f6c64848eed4708bc05486a61e7bada6
title: Student climate strike
uri: Student-climate-strike
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#28_March_2019_%28Student_climate_strike%29
content:
<p>
The union of school principals in the UK
has <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2019/02/12/because-society-leaps-forward-when-people-take-action-uk-headteachers-union-backs">endorsed
the students' climate strike</a>.
<p>
That's good on them, but the best news is that the students will
strike regardless of "permission".
<p>
If you want to save civilization, you must not let piddling
administrative rules stop you.


feed_id: 0d6e26e55c353af872b7e44675cc17e5
title: Passive income
uri: Passive-income
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#28_March_2019_%28Passive_income%29
content:
<p>
(satire) impoverished 53-year-old Luke Reilly has never earned passive
income from stock dividends a day in his life. “It’s an absolute
disgrace that there are people in this country
who <a href="https://local.theonion.com/lazy-poor-person-has-never-earned-passive-income-from-s-1832537497">can’t
even be bothered</a>&hellip;


feed_id: 1aa08a5c10b5bd3cbb4cfb2cff12eb59
title: Oil exploration bill
uri: Oil-exploration-bill
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#28_March_2019_%28Oil_exploration_bill%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2019/02/11/new-legislation-aims-avert-arctic-giveway-corporate-polluters-sneaked-gop-tax-scam">A
bill proposes</a> to cancel the permission to explore the Arctic
National Wildlife Refuge for oil deposits.
<p>
The known oil deposits are far too much; using them up would mean even
worse <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#global heating">global heating</a> disaster.  Therefore, we should absolutely
prohibit all exploration for oil and other fossil fuels.
<p>
This is one of the
points <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#5_March_2019_(Green_New_Deal)">that
is missing</a> from the Green New Deal resolution.


feed_id: aed9b1f8bb06a23ecdf845469ce0e2e6
title: Virginia Governor
uri: Virginia-Governor
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#28_March_2019_%28Virginia_Governor%29
content:
<p>
Most blacks in Virginia want Governor
Northam <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/feb/12/black-virginians-ralph-northam-resign">not
to resign</a>, even though he wore blackface 30 years ago.
<p>
Apparently they think that his likely replacement as governor, an
official who belongs to the Republican Party today and does not
apologize for it, would be a change for the worse.


feed_id: 46b581ab79cbba02655a3c978272d7f6
title: Thugs in Pittsburgh
uri: Thugs-in-Pittsburgh
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#28_March_2019_%28Thugs_in_Pittsburgh%29
content:
<p>
Pittsburgh
has <a href="https://pittsburgh.cbslocal.com/2019/02/05/new-procedure-prohibits-police-from-questioning-immigration-status-of-passengers-in-traffic-stops/">adopted
several measures</a> to stop thugs from checking for unauthorized
immigrants.


feed_id: 20d294253187367991bef090fe0cb504
title: Climate and economic risks
uri: Climate-and-economic-risks
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#28_March_2019_%28Climate_and_economic_risks%29
content:
<p>
"Climate and economic
risks <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/feb/12/climate-and-economic-risks-threaten-2008-style-systemic-collapse">'threaten
2008-style systemic collapse'</a>."


feed_id: 1ebc416d89ea7bf6f70740a0c74b3d99
title: Local control over thug tech
uri: Local-control-over-thug-tech
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#28_March_2019_%28Local_control_over_thug_tech%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://blog.tenthamendmentcenter.com/2019/02/arizona-bill-takes-on-federal-police-militarization-and-the-surveillance-state/">An
Arizona bill proposes</a> to give each local government control over
<a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thug</a> departments in obtaining or using both surveillance technology
and military equipment.
<p>
This is very important; I hope they avoid loopholes.


feed_id: a8e3fb938c0736a6f0797857c10e192d
title: Dying insects
uri: Dying-insects
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#28_March_2019_%28Dying_insects%29
content:
<p>
"Politicians are complicit in
the <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/feb/12/politicians-killing-insects-ecosystems">killing
of our insects</a> &mdash; we will be next."


feed_id: e4a0bc7e72764014662cb9c2789f55a8
title: No Repression
uri: No-Repression
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#28_March_2019_%28No_Repression%29
content:
<p>
<p>
When it comes to "sex offenders", some officials believe that <a href="https://blog.simplejustice.us/2019/03/25/you-cant-take-the-a-train/">no
repression is beyond the limit</a>.
</p>
<p>
Under a new proposal, a woman who, decades before (as a teenager)
sexted her boyfriend more than once could be banned from travelling on
the subway forever.
</p>


feed_id: a1809763be7247a3b4b6a271f5f7a0ab
title: Police Misconduct
uri: Police-Misconduct
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#28_March_2019_%28Police_Misconduct%29
content:
<p>
<p>
A dishonest thug who <a href="https://www.app.com/story/news/investigations/watchdog/shield/2019/03/21/nj-police-misconduct-lying-cop-ruined-mans-life-could-happen-you/3213964002/">fabricated accusations</a> (and evidence for them)
put people in prison and ruined people's lives.  When the state
determined he was a liar, it did not inform the people he had done
this to.
</p>


feed_id: 686687242afc5c666bc4e210a879bc51
title: Spending Priorities
uri: Spending-Priorities
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#28_March_2019_%28Spending_Priorities%29
content:
<p>
<p>
GM spent billions on stock buybacks, <a href="https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2019/3/23/1844106/-GM-poured-billions-into-stock-buybacks-then-closed-plants-this-week-in-the-war-on-workers?detail=emaildkre">now says it can't afford to keep
paying</a> US workers.
</p>


feed_id: 72496ab54e73d3593bfa6e9b886f1866
title: Personality Data
uri: Personality-Data
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#28_March_2019_%28Personality_Data%29
content:
<p>
<p>
Many programs and systems <a href="https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/the-internet-knows-you-better-than-your-spouse-does/
">can deduce information</a> about a person's
personality traits from various sorts of data.
</p>
<p>
This will tend to put people at a disadvantage in dealing with whoever
uses the techniques.  Systematically, those with less power will
suffer losses from this.  We need to cancel that out or prevent it,
but how?
</p>
<p>
I think that using software which monitors indications of whether you
are about to enter a depressive phase is perfectly sensible, provided
the software is free and runs on your own computer, and the data stays
in that computer.  But if any nonfree software is involved, you must
expect it to spy on you.
</p>


feed_id: 86743d973803df0d5b38e29bd6dde6fb
title: Vaccine Policy
uri: Vaccine-Policy
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#28_March_2019_%28Vaccine_Policy%29
content:
<p>
<p>
Rockland County in New York <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/society/2019/mar/26/measles-outbreak-new-york-state-of-emergency-rockland-county">has banned minors not vaccinated</a> against
measles from "public spaces."
</p>
<p>
I think that something along these lines is justified, but this law
may go too far.  I am not sure what "public spaces" includes.
Streets?  Hospitals?
</p>


feed_id: 029a7c9165a8bcd3c4966b9f16288bb1
title: Pollination Decline
uri: Pollination-Decline
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#28_March_2019_%28Pollination_Decline%29
content:
<p>
<p>
Many species of insect pollinators in Britain <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/mar/26/widespread-losses-of-pollinating-insects-revealed-across-britain">have declined greatly</a>
since 2007.
</p>
<p>
<a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#global heating">Global heating</a> may be directly responsible for some of these species.
</p>


feed_id: 928a03eb3d6c40ef2b06fe0ca274daec
title: Complicity in Torture
uri: Complicity-in-Torture
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#28_March_2019_%28Complicity_in_Torture%29
content:
<p>
<p>
Tunisian President <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/mar/26/tunisian-president-accused-of-complicity-in-torture-report">Accused Of Complicity in Torture</a> (while an official
in Bourguiba's dictatorship).
</p>
<p>
The current president is also accused of arranging to block the
prosecution of many officials for corruption.
</p>
<p>
People in a dictatorship generally obey many nasty orders because they
see no safe way to avoid it.  It is wrong to prosecute someone for
failing to do something heroic and dangerous when there was a chance.
</p>
<p>
But even under a dictatorship it is easy to avoid taking a job which
includes torturing others, so I think we should hold those who did
those jobs responsible for what they did.
</p>


feed_id: cc67586b6273fa0a9d8344563e4a7342
title: Copyright Directive
uri: Copyright-Directive
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#28_March_2019_%28Copyright_Directive%29
content:
<p>
<p>
The EU has <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/media/2019/mar/26/meps-approve-sweeping-changes-to-copyright-law-european-copyright-directive">adopted the disastrous copyright directive</a> which requires
automated copyright censorship filters.
</p>
<p>
This is a grave setback for internet freedom.
</p>


feed_id: 90934f15670c01ec82cf78caf1e15646
title: Cheollima Vs Monarchy
uri: Cheollima-Vs-Monarchy
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#28_March_2019_%28Cheollima_Vs_Monarchy%29
content:
<p>
<p>
Cheollima uses direct action, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/mar/27/cheollima-the-self-styled-government-in-exile-fighting-to-free-north-korea">but perhaps not violence</a>, to try to
bring down the North Korean dictatorship.
</p>
<p>
Its spokesperson <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/mar/27/secretive-group-seeking-to-topple-kim-jong-un-says-it-carried-out-north-korea-embassy-raid-spain">claims credit for the forced entry</a> to the North Korean
embassy in Spain, saying it didn't use violence.
</p>


feed_id: b36a6cd216208d4cfcc8f1a932a1cd96
title: Bolsonaro Coup
uri: Bolsonaro-Coup
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#28_March_2019_%28Bolsonaro_Coup%29
content:
<p>
<p>
Bolsonaro is holding a ceremony to <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/mar/27/brazil-bolsonaro-military-coup-1964">celebrate the military coup</a> of
1964 that brought in murder and torture.
</p>


feed_id: fb15bcde980af65a2f0b876ee99e5ccb
title: EU bans chlorothalonil
uri: EU-bans-chlorothalonil
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#29_March_2019_%28EU_bans_chlorothalonil%29
content:
<p>
The EU has banned the fungicide chlorothalonil because of its 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/mar/29/eu-bans-widely-used-pesticide-over-safety-concerns">danger
to animals</a>, including perhaps humans.


feed_id: 4c8fad563c28d3f7eadb395a386557cc
title: Right-to-repair
uri: 2019-03-30-Right-to-repair
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#29_March_2019_%28Right-to-repair%29
content:
<p>
Senator Warren 
<a href="https://motherboard.vice.com/en_us/article/d3mb5k/elizabeth-warren-calls-for-a-national-right-to-repair-law">advocates
right-to-repair</a>, for farm equipment only.
<p>
It would be a step forward, but how small!  We need more than a tiny
exception, we need freedom.  Farmers deserve the right to modify their
tractors, not just repair them.  And the rest of us likewise.


feed_id: acb080a20907de63c39f00a7fcf3023b
title: Outsourcing
uri: 2019-03-30-Outsourcing
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#29_March_2019_%28Outsourcing%29
content:
<p>
We must not leave development of new antibiotics to 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/business/2019/mar/27/nationalised-drug-companies-may-be-needed-to-fix-antibiotics-market">companies
whose priority is profit</a>.
<p>
I have the impression that 60 years ago drug companies still carried
on some of the idealism of their founders, but that is long gone.
<p>
Outsourcing government services in the UK is now 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/society/2019/mar/29/tide-turning-against-public-service-privatisation">recognized
as a disaster</a>.
<p>
Why did it take people so long to recognize the obvious?  I suspect
that most people did not dare say outsourcing had no clothes.


feed_id: 13eb24425e8b11332a76ed7fced2eadc
title: "Predictive policing"
uri: 2019-03-30-Predictive-policing
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#29_March_2019_%28Predictive_policing%29
content:
<p>
Los Angeles tried "predictive policing" based on suspecting the usual
suspects.  Analysis says this achieved nothing except to turn people
<a href="https://www.techdirt.com/articles/20190317/14031341811/lapd-watchdog-says-departments-data-based-policing-is-producing-nothing-wasted-time-rights-violations.shtml">randomly
chosen into frequent targets</a>.


feed_id: 41ce4098266fc84ee74e3e7bb91f7b7d
title: Mass surveillance
uri: 2019-03-30-Mass-surveillance
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#29_March_2019_%28Mass_surveillance%29
content:
<p>
Utah is 
<a href="https://www.techdirt.com/articles/20190325/18283141868/utah-senate-passes-bill-that-would-lock-government-out-warrantless-access-to-third-party-records.shtml">considering
a law</a> that would limit NSA spying on everyone.


feed_id: 3a95876a8693d56264ecbfe31c665e51
title: Racial groups in Venezuela
uri: Racial-groups-in-Venezuela
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#29_March_2019_%28Racial_groups_in_Venezuela%29
content:
<p>
In Venezuela, 
<a href="https://www.gregpalast.com/in-venezuela-white-supremacy-is-a-key-to-trump-coup/">the
classes are equivalent to the racial groups</a>.  Guaidó's base is
made up of the non-poor, the whites.
<p>
This doesn't excuse Maduro's repression and violation of the
constitution, or even his incompetence.  However, putting the more
powerful race/class in charge of the government is not the solution.


feed_id: e76484c135e6184e88a15d9cfef54052
title: Germany to prosecute torturers
uri: Germany-to-prosecute-torturers
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#29_March_2019_%28Germany_to_prosecute_torturers%29
content:
<p>
Germany will prosecute 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/feb/13/germany-arrests-two-suspected-syrian-secret-service-officers">two
of Assad's torturers</a>.


feed_id: a01f77bcf212a98f43150b42871a4e3e
title: Use of marijuana as a teenager
uri: Use-of-marijuana-as-a-teenager
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#29_March_2019_%28Use_of_marijuana_as_a_teenager%29
content:
<p>
Using marijuana as a teenager 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/society/2019/feb/13/cannabis-smoking-in-teenage-years-linked-to-adulthood-depression">seems
to cause later depression for some people</a>.


feed_id: 21d17c3d8dab29702c5da7036fdef184
title: Nuclear weapons
uri: 2019-03-30-Nuclear-weapons
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#29_March_2019_%28Nuclear_weapons%29
content:
<p>
The madman's development of 
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2019/02/12/doomsday-redux-just-how-many-minutes-midnight">smaller
"more usable" nuclear weapons</a> could make nuclear war "thinkable",
and thus make it happen.
<p>
There is no reason to suppose that it would not extend gradually to
"large" nuclear weapons.


feed_id: f8b84faaad469d3215a68d077889ee54
title: Urgent: Mueller report
uri: 2019-03-30-Urgent-Mueller-report
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#29_March_2019_%28Urgent%3A_Mueller_report%29
content:
<p>
US citizens: 
<a href="https://act.credoaction.com/sign/barr-letter-media">call on
the media</a> to stop assuming that Barr's summary of the Mueller
report is accurate.
<p>
If you sign, please spread the word!


feed_id: 863786a285c2c823e1743291c1a6bba1
title: Inefficient lightbulbs
uri: Inefficient-lightbulbs
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#29_March_2019_%28Inefficient_lightbulbs%29
content:
<p>
The <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#saboteur">saboteur</a>-in-chief 
<a href="https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2019/3/26/1845331/-Trump-to-roll-back-Obama-era-lightbulb-standards-will-pollute-more-and-cost-consumers-12-billion">wants
to continue to permit inefficient lightbulbs</a>.
<p>
That will lead most Americans to keep burning fossil fuels wastefully.


feed_id: 329fc8a2ee7cbfed2c1aa537f66204dd
title: Trauma caused by border thugs
uri: Trauma-caused-by-border-thugs
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#29_March_2019_%28Trauma_caused_by_border_thugs%29
content:
<p>
Congressional hearings are exposing the 
<a href="https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2019/3/26/1845431/-Doctor-testifies-at-family-separation-hearing-that-boy-she-met-was-shell-of-his-previous-self">lasting
trauma</a> caused when border thugs take children away from their
parents.


feed_id: ae5127902786d06ac3a3e412353b8329
title: Social Security Expansion Act
uri: Social-Security-Expansion-Act
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#29_March_2019_%28Social_Security_Expansion_Act%29
content:
<p>
Sanders's Social Security Expansion Act, if passed, 
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2019/02/13/ensure-dignity-most-vulnerable-among-us-bernie-sanders-introduces-bill-expand-social">would
give retired Americans an adequate income</a>.


feed_id: 06eb070c73298948defd0e6d048fa9cf
title: Security cameras in taxis
uri: Security-cameras-in-taxis
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#29_March_2019_%28Security_cameras_in_taxis%29
content:
<p>
The UK plans to require security cameras in taxis, and says they will
be designed to 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2019/feb/12/cctv-could-be-made-mandatory-in-taxis-in-england-and-wales">stop
them from being used for surveillance when there is no crime</a>.
<p>
It will be necessary to verify that their design achieves this
purpose, but I call this good news.


feed_id: 04854482c2977dd53f1f2c496646d103
title: Manipulation of UK politics
uri: Manipulation-of-UK-politics
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#29_March_2019_%28Manipulation_of_UK_politics%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/feb/13/dark-money-hard-brexit-targeted-ads-facebook">Anonymous
wealthy funders</a> are manipulating UK politics about leaving the EU.
<p>
My guess is that the money is being spent by someone who has invested
a lot of money in short sales of British businesses' stock.


feed_id: 70dddbfe1271c13e621fcc998acbc624
title: War on Drugs
uri: 2019-03-30-War-on-Drugs
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#29_March_2019_%28War_on_Drugs%29
content:
<p>
After decades of the War on Drugs, we have repeated proof that
imprisoning any number of traffickers, at any and all levels of the
drug gangs, 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/feb/13/el-chapo-conviction-drug-war-drug-trade">does
nothing to reduce the drug trade</a>.  But it creates lots of
bloodshed and corruption in Mexico.
<p>
The only thing that has made an improvement, where it has been tried,
is to 
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2010-sep-dec.html#6%20September%202010%20(Harm%20reduction%20examples)">stop
prosecuting people for possessing and using drugs</a>.


feed_id: dd5c165bae40cc819a3a7f24977a73af
title: Voter ID
uri: Voter-ID
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#29_March_2019_%28Voter_ID%29
content:
<p>
7% of eligible UK voters do not have a photo ID card.  Denying them the vote
would do 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/feb/13/voter-id-trials-government-court-local-elections">big
harm to democracy</a> there, as it does in the US.


feed_id: 0100db4f990d98badad27ab7ba47a949
title: Urgent: Low-yield nuclear weapons
uri: Urgent-Low-yield-nuclear-weapons
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#31_March_2019_%28Urgent%3A_Low-yield_nuclear_weapons%29

content:
<p>
US
citizens: <a href="https://diy.rootsaction.org/petitions/hold-the-lyne-on-the-new-low-yield-trident-nuclear-warhead">call
on Congress</a> to cancel the war-lover's low-yield nuclear weapons.
</p>
<p>If you sign, please spread the word!</p>


feed_id: ba113372c2b99183b9d24a9e6f4f0142
title: Urgent: Education budget cuts
uri: Urgent-Education-budget-cuts
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#31_March_2019_%28Urgent%3A_Education_budget_cuts%29
content:
<p>
US
citizens: <a href="https://act.credoaction.com/sign/devos-cuts">call
on Congress</a> to block DeVos' budget cuts for education.
</p>
<p>If you sign, please spread the word!</p>


feed_id: e1ff82aacbadd572ac137b28412f592f
title: War Powers Act
uri: War-Powers-Act
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#31_March_2019_%28War_Powers_Act%29
content:
<p>
The House of
Representatives <a href="https://theintercept.com/2019/02/13/yemen-war-us-involvement-congress/">voted
to invoke</a> the War Powers Act and order US forces to stop
participating in the war in Yemen.
<p>
The Senate voted for this last year.  If it does so again now,
the <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#bully">bully</a> might stop the participation, or defy the law.


feed_id: 97af6b4295e13b392ed09093b6279eb8
title: Quackery and cancer medicine
uri: Quackery-and-cancer-medicine
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#31_March_2019_%28Quackery_and_cancer_medicine%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/feb/14/my-patient-swapped-chemotherapy-for-essential-oils-arguing-is-a-fools-errand">An
oncologist's heartbreak</a> at seeing patients choose quackery that
will drain their bank accounts while they die, rather than scientific
medicine.
<p>
Scientific medicine's treatments have been tested experimentally, providing
evidence that they have a certain probability of success in certain kinds
of cases.  The quacks can claim anything at all with no fear that empirical
fact could contradict them.


feed_id: ca13511f4aa3657cef3ea1fee13a737a
title: New Yorkers and Amazon
uri: New-Yorkers-and-Amazon
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#31_March_2019_%28New_Yorkers_and_Amazon%29
content:
<p>
New
Yorkers <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2019/02/14/nyregion/amazon-hq2-queens.html">made
Amazon back down</a> and thus cancelled the planned
multibillion-dollar subsidy that politicians had offered to Amazon.


feed_id: b799618950d402207eb76d1aaa65a15e
title: Maria Ressa
uri: Maria-Ressa
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#31_March_2019_%28Maria_Ressa%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/feb/14/maria-ressa-arrest-everything-you-need-to-know-about-the-rappler-editor">About
Maria Ressa</a>, the great Philippine editor that Do-dirty arrested.
<p>
“<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/feb/14/rappler-editor-maria-ressa-freed-on-bail-after-outcry">This
is the sixth time</a> that I have posted bail and I will pay more bail
than convicted criminals. I will pay more bail than Imelda Marcos.”


feed_id: 24801c1cb8fad7036eb7888439162608
title: Radicalized by PISSI
uri: Radicalized-by-PISSI
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#31_March_2019_%28Radicalized_by_PISSI%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/feb/14/shamima-begum-grooming-islamic-state-pregnant-uk">What
do we do today</a>, with people who were radicalized by PISSI and ran
off to join it?


feed_id: 20561599f8bdf76ef506a8ce7d77f197
title: Pesticides in drinking water
uri: Pesticides-in-drinking-water
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#31_March_2019_%28Pesticides_in_drinking_water%29
content:
<p>
The Environmental Pollution
Agency <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/feb/14/epa-toxic-chemicals-pfos-pfoa-delay">will
go slowly</a> in deciding whether to keep toxic pesticides out of
drinking water.


feed_id: 352b30895dbdedc1819147f443dd9e98
title: Green New Deal battle lines
uri: Green-New-Deal-battle-lines
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#31_March_2019_%28Green_New_Deal_battle_lines%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://theintercept.com/2019/02/13/green-new-deal-proposal/">The
Battle Lines Have Been Drawn</a> on the Green New Deal.
It is the battle to save civilization and at least part of nature as
we have known it.


feed_id: 9b4b823f05f4fa811cf510fcb892c5ec
title: Imports from Israeli colonies
uri: Imports-from-Israeli-colonies
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#31_March_2019_%28Imports_from_Israeli_colonies%29
content:
<p>
Ireland
is <a href="https://www.counterpunch.org/2019/02/06/the-empathy-of-the-irish-for-palestinians-is-in-no-way-anti-semitic/">considering
a law</a> to ban imports from Israeli colonies in Palestinian
territory, on the grounds that such colonization violates
international law.  Naturally, Israel is calling this "antisemitism,"
which is its usual practice towards anyone that opposes crimes and
injustices of the occupation and siege.


feed_id: 7e7810d802307454b566036dea228fcd
title: Bees in Bavaria
uri: Bees-in-Bavaria
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#31_March_2019_%28Bees_in_Bavaria%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/feb/14/bavaria-campaigners-abuzz-as-bees-petition-forces-farming-changes">10%
of Bavarian voters</a> have signed a petition requiring agricultural
changes to protect bees.


feed_id: 786eb5756ca5a5dbd0c7daa2e9a69a99
title: Blinded by tear gas grenade
uri: Blinded-by-tear-gas-grenade
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#31_March_2019_%28Blinded_by_tear_gas_grenade%29
content:
<p>
Laith Kanaan Barghouti was blinded in one eye by an Israeli soldier's
tear gas grenade.  If that wasn't enough, he was about to get an
operation to fix consequences that put his life in danger, so Israeli
troops arrested him
and <a href="http://imemc.org/article/ending-a-chefs-dream-and-maybe-his-life/">stopped
the operation from happening</a>.
<p>
Being hit in the head with a tear gas grenade is not a freak accident.
It happens when soldiers shoot the grenade at a person's head, rather
than between
people <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2013-sep-dec.html#11_September_2013_(Israel_closes_inquiry_into_death_of_protester_killed_by_soldier)">as
official orders say</a>.


feed_id: 561a517b7f175a45846cfff3242a0a68
title: Surveillance pills
uri: Surveillance-pills
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#31_March_2019_%28Surveillance_pills%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2017/11/13/health/digital-pill-fda.html">New
digital surveillance pills</a> monitor whether (and when) the patient
takes them.
<p>
The pill monitor has no other sensors, so all it can detect is when
pills were taken.  That might be acceptable.  However, sending that
data to your doctor (or, someday, your insurance company) requires a
portable phone,
and <a href="https://gnu.org/malware/malware-mobiles.html ">you know
what that implies</a>.


feed_id: 4184b0009ea9972a08a8eec7ca37f9a8
title: YouTube's copyright strikes
uri: YouTube-s-copyright-strikes
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#31_March_2019_%28YouTube%27s_copyright_strikes%29
content:
<p>
YouTube's Copyright Strikes Have Become
a <a href="https://www.theverge.com/2019/2/11/18220032/youtube-copystrike-blackmail-three-strikes-copyright-violation">Tool
for Extortion</a>.
<p>
Google is not committing the extortion, but it is responsible for
operating a system that makes false accusations of copyright
infringement both powerful and risk-free.


feed_id: ef8d3dd09a86626b488041bb19bbb27d
title: Urgent: Support HR 1
uri: Urgent-Support-HR-1
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#31_March_2019_%28Urgent%3A_Support_HR_1%29
content:
<p>
US citizens: 
<a href="http://act.pfaw.org/sign/urge-your-sen-to-support-HR1/">call
on senators</a> to support HR 1, the bill to make elections honest.
<p>
If you sign, please spread the word!


feed_id: ebc34fa6440b3e189587ee89776dc48d
title: Urgent: Oppose bully's border racism
uri: Urgent-Oppose-bully-s-border-racism
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#31_March_2019_%28Urgent%3A_Oppose_bullys_border_racism%29

content:
<p>
US citizens: 
<a href="http://act.democracyforamerica.com/sign/no-border-funding-letter/">call
on Congress</a> not to fund the bully's border racism.
<p>
If you sign, please spread the word!


feed_id: cc23068bf2622877b909463a2c396282
title: WeChat's Chinese censorship
uri: WeChat-s-Chinese-censorship
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#31_March_2019_%28WeChats_Chinese_censorship%29
content:
<p>
WeChat's Chinese censorship now 
<a href="https://www.japantimes.co.jp/opinion/2019/03/28/commentary/world-commentary/worried-huawei-take-closer-look-tencent/">affects
100 million people (or more) outside China</a>.
<p>
It also requires nonfree client software running on a nonfree phone
operating system.  That alone is a reason to reject it totally.


feed_id: 2fef72cb489e9043ce7bb326af1d48fb
title: Tesla's auto-drive
uri: Tesla-s-auto-drive
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#31_March_2019_%28Teslas_auto-drive%29
content:
<p>
A Tesla 
<a href="https://patch.com/new-jersey/eastbrunswick/self-driving-tesla-crashes-rt-1-north-brunswick-police">spontaneously
pulled off the highway and collided with some signs</a>.  The
non-driver says he tried to drive the car back onto the road but the
steering wheel was locked.
<p>
Piling on more injury, the state blames him (rather than Tesla) for
the damage.
<p>
The Tesla's auto-drive is clearly not ready for public roads, but this
is not the biggest threat they pose.  There is also 
<a href="https://www.gnu.org/proprietary/proprietary-surveillance.html#SpywareInVehicles">surveillance</a> and the potential for 
<a href="https://www.gnu.org/proprietary/proprietary-back-doors.html#alter-data">disappearing
people</a>.


feed_id: d76170c93ef0e80b57326de04aef6b72
title: Erotic treats for elderly shut-ins
uri: Erotic-treats-for-elderly-shut-ins
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#31_March_2019_%28Erotic_treats_for_elderly_shut-ins%29

content:
<p>
(satire) Meals on Wheels volunteers reportedly delivered hundreds of
packages containing 
<a href="https://www.theonion.com/meals-on-wheels-volunteers-deliver-body-chocolate-edib-1832630215">body
chocolate, edible underwear, and other erotic treats</a> to elderly
shut-ins [on Valentine's Day].


feed_id: 716951dc1e8b97a05003624d13e7dd6b
title: Rejection of racism in Virginia
uri: Rejection-of-racism-in-Virginia
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#31_March_2019_%28Rejection_of_racism_in_Virginia%29
content:
<p>
If Northam remains governor of Virginia, 
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2019/02/14/if-northam-wants-do-better-racism-standing-against-confederate-monuments-easy-first">he
had better push harder</a> for rejection of racism, including changing
the law that forbids removing the monuments that celebrate the
Confederacy.
<p>
Not just that, of course.  There is a lot to do to remedy the
disadvantages placed on blacks, even more in Virginia than in most of
the US, and he had better press hard for this for the rest of his
term.


feed_id: a4373885ca3bd130117214070c6fedda
title: "Wall" of increased hi-tech surveillance
uri: Wall-of-increased-hi-tech-surveillance
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#31_March_2019_%28Wall_of_increased_hi-tech_surveillance%29

content:
<p>
A "wall" of increased hi-tech surveillance, at the US border and
extending a hundred miles into the US, is likely to be 
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2019/02/14/more-border-surveillance-tech-could-be-worse-human-rights-wall">far
worse than a physical wall</a>.
<p>
Increased surveillance threatens everyone's freedom, and if associated
with the "border", it would impact everyone that lives in the US
within a hundred miles of the border -- which is more than half the
population.
<p>
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2019/02/14/fight-future-slams-bipartisan-spending-bill-which-funds-invasive-surveillance">More
info</a> about the plan for increased surveillance.


feed_id: 74d0cc7e9208048c2dfac4702ee79631
title: Assisted fertility technology
uri: Assisted-fertility-technology
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#31_March_2019_%28Assisted_fertility_technology%29
content:
<p>
Arguing that 
<a href="https://reason.com/archives/2019/02/14/choosing-smart-embryos-isnt-im">parents
should be free to choose</a> (by embryo selection, for instance) to
have the more intelligent of their possible offspring.
<p>
I agree with the argument.  However, it would be unfair to make this
option available only to the elites.  Elites already employ many
methods to ensure that their children dominate the future.
<p>
I don't think that assisted fertility technology should be used at all
until humanity has a stable and sustainable population.


feed_id: 1fa5e2f57ababc4e235a974140639750
title: Billionaires pretend to serve humanity
uri: Billionaires-pretend-to-serve-humanity
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#31_March_2019_%28Billionaires_pretend_to_serve_humanity%29

content:
<p>
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/books/2019/feb/14/winners-take-all-by-anand-giridharadas-review">Winners
Take All</a> presents the ideas of the billionaires who think the
world is meant for them to own, and pretend that they are serving
humanity by grabbing for all of it.


feed_id: dd0215f5beb4b86be51b7c64963989f0
title: Britain Decision
uri: Britain-Decision
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#1_April_2019_%28Britain_Decision%29
content:
<p>
<p>
The British government system <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/mar/31/archaic-authoritarian-unequal-to-the-challenge-parliament-is-broken">is unable to cope with the ripping</a> caused by
inability to agree on whether and how to leave the European Union.
</p>
<p>
As far as I'm concerned, the EU is a government that is half trade treaty
and that makes it impossible to reverse a terrible mistake.  It should
be replaced completely.
</p>


feed_id: 89113b1f8b86cb991d0e1e6cedff8130
title: Saudi Arabia
uri: 2019-04-01-Saudi-Arabia
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#1_April_2019_%28Saudi_Arabia%29
content:
<p>
<p>
Medical reports indicate that <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/mar/31/leaked-reports-reveal-abuse-saudi-arabia-political-prisoners">Saudi Arabia tortures political prisoners</a>.
</p>


feed_id: 18ef37ed5a97793811fa493ab73be846
title: Brunei Boycott
uri: Brunei-Boycott
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#1_April_2019_%28Brunei_Boycott%29
content:
<p>
<p>
Boycott the hotels <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/mar/31/elton-john-joins-call-for-boycott-of-brunei-owned-hotels-george-clooney">owned by the sultan of Brunei</a>, who has decided to impose
Islamic law in a murderous way.
</p>


feed_id: 502a0ba9bdb3930ad108c99757455cd5
title: Minister Salvini
uri: Minister-Salvini
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#1_April_2019_%28Minister_Salvini%29
content:
<p>
<p>
Minister Salivini (*) <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/mar/31/roberto-saviano-gomorra-libel-battle-matteo-salvini
">is salivating to put anti-mafia writer Roberto Saviano</a>
in prison for criticizing him. The target is more than just Saviano.  Dissent in Italy is also a target.
</p>
<p>
Italians, if you support the Cinque Stelle party, I urge you to
campaign within the party to refuse to join in government with Salivini.
</p>
<p>
* I know his official name is Salvini.
</p>


feed_id: bf01c1720b8be441ad5867ac31f5dba8
title: Conman Corruption
uri: Conman-Corruption
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#1_April_2019_%28Conman_Corruption%29
content:
<p>
<p>
Enough Collusion Talk.  <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/mar/31/trump-russia-collusion-mueller-corruption">It's Time to Focus</a> on [the conman's] Corruption.
</p>
<p>
It is still possible that his campaign colluded with Russia,
but we don't know that for certain.  We can achieve more by
focusing on the overt collusion with plutocracy.
</p>


feed_id: 1e63f73aa958c18aa1c2d3d7ae894a43
title: Political Prison
uri: Political-Prison
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#1_April_2019_%28Political_Prison%29
content:
<p>
<p>
Notorious Portuguese Political Prison <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/mar/31/notorious-portuguese-political-prison-becomes-museum-of-freedom">Becomes Museum of Resistance</a>.
</p>


feed_id: 90f89bf12ea8d0d37c5a5070e10e6d0e
title: Crime to Surveillance
uri: Crime-to-Surveillance
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#1_April_2019_%28Crime_to_Surveillance%29
content:
<p>
<p>
A legitimate way for homeowners (and stores) to <a href="https://www.daytondailynews.com/news/crime--law/how-police-are-using-the-rise-home-surveillance-systems-quickly-solve-cases/7TSYlutYzhvU3CmKaPMKvN/">make video footage
available for catching criminals</a>: instead of letting the state watch
through the camera all the time, invite state agents to request a copy
of footage for the time when a crime has occurred.
</p>
<p>
This fights crime without furthering massive surveillance.
</p>


feed_id: 7207c0363b8f6729e82126f2aab8b839
title: Killer Drones
uri: Killer-Drones
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#1_April_2019_%28Killer_Drones%29
content:
<p>
<p>
Google is <a href="https://theintercept.com/2019/03/25/google-project-maven-pentagon-foia/">working on a project pertaining to killer drones</a>,
but we can't find out anything about it, because even the general
ideas are secret.
</p>


feed_id: 884d7843c4afe68b48348caa34459004
title: Private Prison
uri: Private-Prison
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#1_April_2019_%28Private_Prison%29
content:
<p>
<p>
Queensland, a part of Australia, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2019/mar/26/queensland-to-end-private-jails-experiment-after-scathing-report">will eliminate private prisons
because of their cruelty</a>. It is bad for public safety as well as gratuitously harmful
to convicts.
</p>


feed_id: b69a20e094aef09670b38caa8beb9d18
title: Masked Donations
uri: Masked-Donations
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#1_April_2019_%28Masked_Donations%29
content:
<p>
<p>
A right-wing political campaigning organization in Massachusetts is
<a href="https://www.bostonglobe.com/metro/2019/03/24/massfiscal-has-quietly-created-another-nonprofit-that-become-its-biggest-funder/76cAIAmfy2GhWMyXBPtr3K/story.html?et_rid=1841749494&s_campaign=metroheadlines:newsletter">tunneling its donations from businesses</a> through another organization
so that it can hide where those donations come from.
</p>
<p>
This ought to be illegal, but getting rid of it might require
overriding the <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#corporationsunited">Corporations United</a> decision.
</p>


feed_id: 652aed2c0e3877d45b6f3c25bb72af71
title: Egyptian journalist waits for asylum
uri: Egyptian-journalist-waits-for-asylum
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#2_April_2019_%28Egyptian_journalist_waits_for_asylum%29

content:
<p>
Egyptian journalist Osama Gaweesh, who would surely be a political
prisoner if he were still in Turkey, 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/mar/30/i-do-not-deserve-this-the-egyptian-asylum-seeker-in-limbo-in-uk">has
been waiting a year</a> for the UK to decide whether to give him
asylum.  In the meantime, he cannot work and has to live on around 7
dollars a day.


feed_id: f952f3d9d8299f1aaa9426041cacf63b
title: Fossil fuel financing
uri: Fossil-fuel-financing
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#2_April_2019_%28Fossil_fuel_financing%29
content:
<p>
A protester talks about the 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/mar/30/barclays-climate-fossil-fuel-action-protest">campaign
to make Barclays Bank stop</a> financing fossil fuels.


feed_id: fd0197e1960afe0e1f2bf73bac59212c
title: Corruption of our political system
uri: Corruption-of-our-political-system
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#2_April_2019_%28Corruption_of_our_political_system%29

content:
<p>
It is no coincidence Boeing, Facebook, Wells Fargo and Bayer-Monsanto
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/mar/30/corporations-endanger-american-facebook-boeing-monsanto-trump">have
treated human beings with contempt</a>.  These are examples of the the
systematic corruption of our political system by Plutocratists.  The
agencies that were set up to keep them in check now work for them.
The elected officials that are supposed to represent us represent them
instead.
<p>
Sad to say, it isn't just the Republicans.
"Centrist" or "moderate" Democrats are their second line of defense.


feed_id: 77a2695a6c3bc81d6e0439dc71d9d126
title: Republican Party may cancel primaries
uri: Republican-Party-may-cancel-primaries
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#2_April_2019_%28Republican_Party_may_cancel_primaries%29

content:
<p>
The Republican Party 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2019/mar/30/trump-2020-election-republicans-primary-rivals">may
cancel primaries</a> so that there can be no challenge to the bully.
<p>
Will they cancel the general election next?


feed_id: 13fbfe241433dd02350f9f7f255416ba
title: Migrants in desperation take ship
uri: Migrants-in-desperation-take-ship
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#2_April_2019_%28Migrants_in_desperation_take_ship%29

content:
<p>
The migrants who took over a ship and made it go to Malta had been
rescued at sea from a boat.  When they saw they were being taken back
to Libya, they started to fight using whatever weapons they could
improvise, until the ship's crew 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/mar/30/hijacked-captain-recalls-horror-in-mediterranean-sea-as-migrants-took-over-ship">turned
the ship north</a>.
<p>
I understand the fears of the crew, but also the desperation of the
migrants.  Ultimately the crew was never in real danger.


feed_id: 83df2f0aec18f24d6b73765094a77b0c
title: Amazon pays no federal tax
uri: Amazon-pays-no-federal-tax
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#2_April_2019_%28Amazon_pays_no_federal_tax%29
content:
<p>
Amazon made 11 billion dollars in profit and 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2019/feb/15/amazon-tax-bill-2018-no-taxes-despite-billions-profit">paid
no federal income tax</a>.


feed_id: 63abf2a068a5171d4379a428da300150
title: Young people protest
uri: Young-people-protest
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#2_April_2019_%28Young_people_protest%29
content:
<p>
George Monbiot: "My generation trashed the planet. So I salute the
<a href='https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/feb/15/planet-children-protest-climate-change-speech'>children
striking back</a>."
<p>
His point about moving from denial to despair is generally applicable
to increasing problems backed by a political lobby in favor of the bad
practice.  For instance, massive surveillance.


feed_id: ae937dd0cbf55b16ccd7e0747f8f19a7
title: Democrats give in on the substance
uri: Democrats-give-in-on-the-substance
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#2_April_2019_%28Democrats_give_in_on_the_substance%29

content:
<p>
All the Democrats achieved by resisting the <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#bully">bully</a>'s border demands was
some virtue signaling.  They
<a href="https://theweek.com/articles/823307/democrats-total-capitulation-border">gave
in on the substance</a>.
<p>
Lawsuits 
<a href="https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2019/02/national-emergencies-constitutional-and-statutory-restrictions-presidential-powers">may
stop the <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#bully">bully</a> from using a "state of emergency" to get more money for
the wall</a>, but even if that happens, the bully has
already won a victory.  If he does the same thing twice a year, he
will get most of what he wants by the 2020 election.
<p>
This demonstrates the error of negotiating by making sticking to the
status quo your demand.  Your adversary can easily suggest making a
"compromise" where you give up a part of what it wants.  Each time
this happens, you lose.
<p>
If you have made a deal, and your adversary demands to change it, you
should respond by demanding a change in the opposite direction.  Say
something like this:
<blockquote>
<p>
The previous spending levels do not represent what we stand for.
They are a compromise: we made concessions to get that agreement.
<p>
If now you tear up that compromise and demand more, we do the same.
In response to your demand for A, B and C, we now demand X, Y and Z.
</blockquote>
<p>
After that, the natural way to meet each other "half way" is to
stick with the status quo.


feed_id: 132154705953dfb227526b077619494c
title: Freedom in Afghanistan
uri: Freedom-in-Afghanistan
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#2_April_2019_%28Freedom_in_Afghanistan%29
content:
<p>
The almost unstoppable victory of the Taliban 
<a href="https://theintercept.com/2019/02/15/afghanistan-peace-talks-taliban/">could
eliminate what elements of freedom Afghanistan has gained</a>, unless
a compromise protects them.
<p>
The Taliban are confident they can defeat the Afghan government army.
They can't fully defeat the US army in battle, but they can chip away
at the territory until soldiers control only the ground they stand on.
The one thing they could not defeat is a force of Afghans fighting for
their freedom.
<p>
If young urban Afghan women would like to retain freedom in the
future, I recommend form militias with in some Kurdish and Yazidi
women soldiers as officers.  A force like that would have a chance of
maintaining control of some part of the country, so if it asks for
assistance, that assistance would not be wasted.


feed_id: cfe2a3178f0328b44919317cf5748f8d
title: Urgent: Ronald Vitiello
uri: Urgent-Ronald-Vitiello
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#1_April_2019_%28Urgent%3A_Ronald_Vitiello%29
content:
<p>
US
citizens: <a href="https://act.credoaction.com/sign/vitiello-ice">call
on the senate</a> to reject the nomination of Ronald Vitiello to head
the deportation agency.
</p>
<p>If you sign, please spread the word!</p>


feed_id: c43744083b726bd9f184217eedc05ca5
title: Urgent: CIA drone attacks
uri: Urgent-CIA-drone-attacks
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#1_April_2019_%28Urgent%3A_CIA_drone_attacks%29
content:
<p>
US
citizens: <a href="https://act.winwithoutwar.org/act/ban-cia-drone-strikes-now">Call
on your senators and congresscritter</a> to bar the CIA from doing
drone attacks.
</p>
<p>If you sign, please spread the word!</p>


feed_id: c12babef5eb7e7872450438520c6fe4a
title: Chinese visits to New Zealand
uri: Chinese-visits-to-New-Zealand
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#1_April_2019_%28Chinese_visits_to_New_Zealand%29
content:
<p>
China tells New Zealand that Chinese tourists
are <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/feb/15/huawei-ban-chinese-state-media-claims-tourists-avoiding-new-zealand">canceling
visits to New Zealand</a>, presenting this as their spontaneous
decision.
<p>
I don't know whether there is really a decrease in Chinese visits to
New Zealand, but China could easily cause that to happen by deducting
"social credit" from anyone who goes there.
<p>
The totalitarian system
of <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#10_January_2016_(Surveillance_and_punishment)">"social
credit"</a>
is meant to convert
everyone in China into a part of a social organism resembling an ant
colony.  It hasn't entirely reached that point, as of yet, but no
aspect of Chinese people's behavior can be presumed to be decided by
the people themselves.
<p>
I wonder how many points of "social credit" you lose in China
currently if you go to New Zealand.


feed_id: eea0c023ccb699dbdb8381e7a179b9d6
title: Visa for 90-year-old man
uri: Visa-for-90-year-old-man
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#1_April_2019_%28Visa_for_90-year-old_man%29
content:
<p>
The UK
government <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2019/feb/14/home-office-apologises-to-man-90-told-to-fly-to-us-to-renew-visa">has
apologized</a> for telling a 90-year-old man that he had to go to the
US to apply for a visa to live there with his wife.
It says that it discovered he had had permission to live in the UK
since long ago, and that it had somehow lost track of this fact.
<p>
That is good for him, but you can see they are preserving their option
to be equally nasty to someone else.


feed_id: 83cb404201cc317607f615047e315049
title: Jovenel Moise
uri: Jovenel-Moise
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#1_April_2019_%28Jovenel_Moise%29
content:
<p>
Haitians
are <a href="https://www.mintpressnews.com/protests-in-haiti-like-frances-yellow-vests-threaten-oligarchic-structure/255009/">protesting
to kick out</a> corrupt president Jovenel Moise, who was imposed by
the
US <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2017-jan-apr.html#16_February_2017_(Haiti_elections)">using
a fake election.</a>
<p>
The <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thugs</a> are becoming reluctant to shoot the protesters.


feed_id: bee0faf5efc62ff2e5b4b923ca3e0856
title: Condoms and pregnancy
uri: Condoms-and-pregnancy
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#1_April_2019_%28Condoms_and_pregnancy%29
content:
<p>
Distributing condoms in secondary schools reduces the spread of
disease
but <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2019/feb/15/giving-teenagers-condoms-does-not-lead-to-promiscuity-or-cut-pregnancy-rates-un-study">does
not seem to reduce pregnancy</a> (or increase it).


feed_id: afcfc4086a24d82940ba1f4a1f1eea12
title: School climate strike
uri: School-climate-strike
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#1_April_2019_%28School_climate_strike%29
content:
<p>
"I am taking part in the school climate
strike. It’s <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/feb/15/school-climate-strike-classroom-climate-change">the
only power I have</a>."
<p>
I am impressed with how cogently the student strikers argue.  They
dare to face the facts and what the facts imply, dare to recognize
what must be done.  Adults tend to lack the courage.


feed_id: 205eed83c2c3ff3da931d6585d7a80b5
title: Parthenon marbles
uri: Parthenon-marbles
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#1_April_2019_%28Parthenon_marbles%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/2019/feb/15/the-parthenon-marbles-debate-british-museum-acropolis-athens-elgin-marbles">A
way to resolve</a> the issue of who should get the Parthenon marbles
&mdash; give half to Greece and half to the British Museum.


feed_id: c06ac5623f9278b7bfb940f1a7e2e9a4
title: Imprisoned in UAE
uri: Imprisoned-in-UAE
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#1_April_2019_%28Imprisoned_in_UAE%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/feb/15/i-was-sure-i-would-die-ali-issa-ahmad-uk-football-fan-detained-in-uae-feared-for-his-life">Ali
Issa Ahmad says</a> that he was stabbed by thugs and imprisoned in the
United Arab Emirates, and the <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thugs</a> beat him and knocked out one of
his teeth.
His wounds substantiate the claim.
<p>
The UAE repression officials claim he is not being prosecuted for
wearing a Qatar shirt, but I wouldn't believe a word they say.
<p>
I hope he will not be forcibly sent back to the UAE.


feed_id: df0af0380a2475a524823df68725c244
title: Nigerian election
uri: Nigerian-election
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#1_April_2019_%28Nigerian_election%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/feb/15/revealed-nigerian-voter-data-is-statistically-impossible">Implausible
voter numbers</a> show that the Nigerian election is being rigged.


feed_id: 3e63c98c19fdad0aa3de34ada6cd658b
title: College students in NH
uri: College-students-in-NH
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#1_April_2019_%28College_students_in_NH%29
content:
<p>
New Hampshire
Is <a href="https://www.aclu.org/blog/voting-rights/fighting-voter-suppression/new-hampshire-trying-stop-college-students-registering">Trying
to Stop College Students</a> From Registering to Vote.


feed_id: 93aca68397e534f729b2f69807d8211b
title: Black snow in Siberia
uri: Black-snow-in-Siberia
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#1_April_2019_%28Black_snow_in_Siberia%29
content:
<p>
Coal mining in the Kuzbass region of Siberia turns the region's snow
black.  Not surprising that people
there <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/feb/15/toxic-black-snow-covers-siberian-coalmining-region">die
a few years earlier</a> than elsewhere in Russia.
<p>
That coal is likely to make human civilization die earlier, too.


feed_id: 4103277854c663586e77d31e9c29f2d8
title: Harassed for speaking Spanish
uri: Harassed-for-speaking-Spanish
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#1_April_2019_%28Harassed_for_speaking_Spanish%29
content:
<p>
A border <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thug</a> harassed two US citizens for speaking to each other in
Spanish, in a town on the Canadian border.  Since this became known,
they have
been <a href="https://www.aclu.org/blog/immigrants-rights/ice-and-border-patrol-abuses/border-patrol-detained-me-speaking-spanish">receiving
hate mail from bigots</a>, especially in their formerly friendly town.
<p>
I wish them success in their lawsuit against the border <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thugs</a>, but I
have a question for Ms Suda: ¿Cómo se
pronuncia <a href="https://stallman.org/antiglossary.html#latinx">"latinx"</a>
en español?  Es absurda esa palabra.


feed_id: 8c2745e1dc577134a0c29bdbcc04d1fe
title: PredPol software
uri: PredPol-software
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#1_April_2019_%28PredPol_software%29
content:
<p>
The sort of crime prediction that
the <a href="https://motherboard.vice.com/en_us/article/xwbag4/academics-confirm-major-predictive-policing-algorithm-is-fundamentally-flawed">proprietary
PredPol software</a> claims to do is absurd &mdash; it presupposes
that cops are unbiased and that all crimes are reported.


feed_id: 84252688fc576f83fccb6fd142344670
title: Hunting and Lions
uri: Hunting-and-Lions
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#1_April_2019_%28Hunting_and_Lions%29
content:
<p>
<p>
Intense hunting <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/mar/30/lions-genetic-strength-dna-declines-survival-in-question">has made lions inbred</a> and less capable of adapting.
</p>
<p>
I wonder if we could restore some of the lost genetic diversity by inserting
some of the lost genes into existing lions.
</p>


feed_id: 8050ebb7201f6035f738012de34bdf52
title: Brazilian Dictatorship
uri: Brazilian-Dictatorship
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#1_April_2019_%28Brazilian_Dictatorship%29
content:
<p>
<p>
Brazil: Tortured Dissidents Appalled by <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/mar/30/brazil-bolsonaro-regime-military-dictatorship">Bolsonaro's Praise for Dictatorship</a>.
</p>


feed_id: f1f4d65fa46748b1eebd5a637c0759f1
title: Australia Logging
uri: Australia-Logging
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#1_April_2019_%28Australia_Logging%29
content:
<p>
<p>
Australia's system for preserving native forests <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/mar/30/record-numbers-of-australias-wildlife-species-face-imminent-extinction">is not trying very hard</a>.
48 threatened species are being harmed by logging.
</p>


feed_id: 6c8ebac4c6df1739947658a3bbc80304
title: Climate Defense
uri: Climate-Defense
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#1_April_2019_%28Climate_Defense%29
content:
<p>
<p>
350.org <a href="https://350action.org/2020-tracker/">rates the presidential candidates</a> on climate defense.
</p>
<p>
Senators <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2019/03/27/warren-sanders-and-gillibrand-top-performers-2020-climate-leadership-scorecard?cd-origin=rss">Gillibrand, Sanders and Warren</a> got the highest rating.
</p>


feed_id: 5d234b2d78ea624d4fe7d33297d651a8
title: Milk in China
uri: Milk-in-China
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#1_April_2019_%28Milk_in_China%29
content:
<p>
<p>
China's production of milk <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/mar/29/can-the-world-quench-chinas-bottomless-thirst-for-milk">is unsustainable, and damaging the climate</a>.
</p>
<p>
Other countries have their own intolerable impacts.  We need to agree to get
rid of all of them.
</p>


feed_id: be8c6f9880ae44f7bd469c03e2113d5b
title: Factors in Obesity
uri: Factors-in-Obesity
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#1_April_2019_%28Factors_in_Obesity%29
content:
<p>
<p>
Supermarket Special Offers <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/society/2019/mar/27/supermarket-special-offers-contribute-to-obesity-says-report">Contribute To Obesity</a>, Says Report.
</p>
<p>
Specifically, it refers to special offers for food that is fattening.
</p>


feed_id: 4a6145cbe98a66c5ca4e293861d11f52
title: Oil Extraction
uri: Oil-Extraction
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#1_April_2019_%28Oil_Extraction%29
content:
<p>
<p>
A federal judge cancelled the saboteur-in-chief's <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/mar/30/alaska-judge-blocks-trump-arctic-atlantic-drilling">order to allow
oil extraction</a> in the Arctic and Atlantic oceans.
</p>
<p>
Three will surely be an appeal, and I fear that the right-wing majority
of the Supreme Court will invent some silly excuse to reverse this decision.
</p>


feed_id: 03e759b8cc5c455b9dda65366b92dfe7
title: Keystone Permit
uri: Keystone-Permit
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#1_April_2019_%28Keystone_Permit%29
content:
<p>
<p>
The numskull's <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2019/03/29/snubbing-law-and-climate-trump-issues-new-permit-keystone-xl?cd-origin=rss">gave the Keystone XL planet-roaster pipeline a permit</a> _again_
because the first one was blocked by a court.
</p>
<p>
This looks silly.  Perhaps it really is silly, and meant only for
distraction, but I wonder &mdash; could it be that the second permit is
somehow different from the first, and might force a different ruling?
Is it meant to provide an opportunity to go to a different court and
perhaps get a different ruling?
</p>


feed_id: 95632daa1c7a561876171045827ab769
title: Debt of the People
uri: Debt-of-the-People
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#1_April_2019_%28Debt_of_the_People%29
content:
<p>
<p>
With plutocracy dominating even the "wealthy" countries, the poor countries
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/business/2019/mar/30/west-austerity-africa-debt-aid-loans">have no hope of being rescued</a> from their crushing debts.
</p>


feed_id: c516627bc195cc923777c2a84cf6c014
title: North Korean Mindset
uri: North-Korean-Mindset
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#1_April_2019_%28North_Korean_Mindset%29
content:
<p>
<p>
An Australian studying in North Korea says that the North Koreans
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/mar/31/im-the-only-australian-living-in-north-korea-let-me-tell-you-about-it">don't resemble "stereotypical 'brainwashed' people</a>."
</p>
<p>
That's because the stereotype is not representative of people who have
been brainwashed since childhood.
</p>


feed_id: c7d3abf432a1a7addff97b31bef5ae0a
title: The US electoral college
uri: The-US-electoral-college
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#2_April_2019_%28The_US_electoral_college%29
content:
<p>
The design of the US electoral college 
<a href="https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2019/3/27/1844639/-The-Electoral-College-what-is-its-purpose-and-has-it-succeeded">makes
no sense in terms of present-day politics</a>.


feed_id: bcc8ccf30cfa9d236eb7015ba75b59d9
title: Stopping people from getting painkillers
uri: Stopping-people-from-getting-painkillers
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#2_April_2019_%28Stopping_people_from_getting_painkillers%29

content:
<p>
Is 
<a href="https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2019/3/24/1844629/-Knee-jerk-opioid-limits-violate-my-rights-in-the-same-way-anti-choice-laws-do-Here-s-why">stopping
people that suffer from chronic pain from getting painkillers</a> any
more legitimate than stopping them from getting abortions?
<p>
I agree with the author about this.  Indeed, I have a friend who
suffers from pain that incapacitates per, and <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#perse">perse</a> can't get enough
painkiller for every day of the month, which results in a few days
each month when <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#perse">perse</a> can't get get out of bed.


feed_id: f41435ce821b42e64fcb774079fff9f1
title: Human organs in China
uri: Human-organs-in-China
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#2_April_2019_%28Human_organs_in_China%29
content:
<p>
Some countries are 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/law/2019/apr/01/uk-patients-china-organ-tourism-ban">banning
their citizens for travelling to China for organ transplants</a>.
This is because of suspicion that China kills people to get their
organs.


feed_id: 7a967fdd6b42c9d5631e4ff0c1880ea2
title: Patents on new uses of a drug
uri: Patents-on-new-uses-of-a-drug
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#2_April_2019_%28Patents_on_new_uses_of_a_drug%29
content:
<p>
The US government permits patenting new uses of a drug &mdash; which
is nuts.  The US government 
<a href="https://theweek.com/articles/831637/why-government-allowing-drug-research-monopolized-profit">gave
itself a patent on using the drug truveda to prevent transmission of
HIV</a>, which is unjust.  Now the US government permits a company to
gouge on the price of truveda &mdash; which is vicious and probably
deadly.
<p>
There should be 
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2015-jan-apr.html#27_April_2015_(Big_Pharma)">no
patents on pharmaceuticals</a>.  Governments should pay the cost of
testing them for safety and efficacy.


feed_id: 0dcf7b21c8bbc4a1b194c004ee874cb2
title: Surveilling and tracking students
uri: Surveilling-and-tracking-students
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#2_April_2019_%28Surveilling_and_tracking_students%29

content:
<p>
"Protecting" students from the extremely rare danger of a shooting in
school is cited as the excuse for 
<a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2019/02/13/parkland-school-turns-experimental-surveillance-software-that-can-flag-students-threats/">surveilling
and tracking them all the time in school</a>.
<p>
This surveillance would be used to shove some of them into the
school-to-prison pipeline.  If extended to all US schools, it could
wreck tens of thousands of lives each year.


feed_id: 0e98b288ad27556a150a4761d67c20ba
title: Clever hacks of iMonsters
uri: Clever-hacks-of-iMonsters
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#2_April_2019_%28Clever_hacks_of_iMonsters%29
content:
<p>
Clever hacks are permitting users of iMonsters to 
<a href="https://www.reuters.com/article/us-apple-piracy/software-pirates-use-apple-tech-to-put-hacked-apps-on-iphones-idUSKCN1Q3097">break
Apple's censorship and install patched versions of malicious apps,
turning off some of the malicious functionalities</a>.
<p>
This is a step forward, ethically, but it does <em>not</em> make them
ethically equivalent to free software.


feed_id: 83c13f0410faa3664da6f9274332ad04
title: AI generates coherent-sounding text
uri: AI-generates-coherent-sounding-text
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#2_April_2019_%28AI_generates_coherent-sounding_text%29

content:
<p>
A new AI program can generate coherent-sounding bogus text 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2019/feb/14/elon-musk-backed-ai-writes-convincing-news-fiction">following
the style of a sample text</a>.
<p>
It is much more coherent than what the bullshitter says.


feed_id: e1fe02be16b4639e06d343ddd3cdf1e6
title: Impeaching the bullshitter
uri: 2019-04-03-Impeaching-the-bullshitter
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#2_April_2019_%28Impeaching_the_bullshitter%29
content:
<p>
Some lawyers call for impeaching the bullshitter 
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2019/02/15/after-trumps-national-emergency-declaration-legal-scholar-says-initiate-impeachment">for
his bogus national emergency</a>.
<p>
There are plenty of grounds to impeach him.  That won't result in
removing him from office, because the Republicans in the Senate will
protect him.  So impeaching him now would be a political gesture --
which could be useful or not, depending on what it would politically
achieve.  I can't judge that question.


feed_id: 2959b7a8401e6eda153d41057c4dec6c
title: Urgent: Call on Varma to resign
uri: Urgent-Call-on-Varma-to-resign
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#3_April_2019_%28Urgent%3A_Call_on_Varma_to_resign%29

content:
<p>
US citizens: 
<a href="https://actionnetwork.org/petitions/seema-verma">call on
Seema Varma</a> to resign as head of Medicare.


feed_id: 7e35f92320acb6b46a36f670dc0cf52a
title: Urgent: Cancel DCCC blacklist rule
uri: Urgent-Cancel-DCCC-blacklist-rule
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#3_April_2019_%28Urgent%3A_Cancel_DCCC_blacklist_rule%29

content:
<p>
US citizens: 
<a href="https://go.ourrevolution.com/page/s/dccc-primary-blacklist">tell
the DCCC</a> to cancel its blacklist rule.


feed_id: fd8b1cadbaade04b2386e4202a81f9ee
title: Survivors of attacks in India
uri: Survivors-of-attacks-in-India
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#3_April_2019_%28Survivors_of_attacks_in_India%29
content:
<p>
Throwing acid on women's faces is 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2019/apr/02/indian-acid-attack-survivor-and-model-speaks-out-reshma-qureshi">becoming
frequent in India</a> (as well as elsewhere); the attackers are
usually part of their extended family.
<p>
The women attacked used to despair, but now they are helping each
other get on with their lives.


feed_id: 6a5218d2b8dbbf5ba68f9d1bbe96bd9a
title: Slovakia's new president
uri: Slovakia-s-new-president
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#3_April_2019_%28Slovakias_new_president%29
content:
<p>
Slovakia has elected a 
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2019/04/01/erin-brockovich-slovakia-elected-nations-first-female-president">progressive
environmental campaigner</a> as president.


feed_id: f773b8998935c76a990086586b24783a
title: Prison company also runs charter schools
uri: Prison-company-also-runs-charter-schools
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#3_April_2019_%28Prison_company_also_runs_charter_schools%29

content:
<p>
A company that runs prisons for immigrants also runs charter schools,
and they are
<a href="https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2019/4/1/1846797/-Promesa-Worst-Charter-Chain-or-Just-the-Tip-of-the-Iceberg">not
much better than prisons</a>.
<p>
The food was so crappy that students held a hunger strike.
<p>
We should make it easy for the parents of students to convert
a charter school into a public school.


feed_id: 4e33e1c2f5e4f28647e7437d54553a41
title: Flood in North Dakota
uri: Flood-in-North-Dakota
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#3_April_2019_%28Flood_in_North_Dakota%29
content:
<p>
A flood hit North Dakota, augmented by <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#global heating">global heating</a> effects, and
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2019/04/01/floodwaters-rise-gop-lawmakers-are-frantically-building-levees-climate-denial">destroyed
2000 houses</a>.  Republican planet-roasters are working even harder
to keep the blindfold on.
<p>
These fossil fools should go back to their own planet and leave ours
alone.


feed_id: 318196ce8490c109b0132a2da9ad1b7f
title: Excessive response to protester
uri: Excessive-response-to-protester
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#3_April_2019_%28Excessive_response_to_protester%29
content:
<p>
Protester Terry Maher stood on the roof of St Pancras Station waving a
flag, and is
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2019/apr/01/eurostar-services-brexit-disrupter-admits-public-nuisance-offence">said
to have "caused" the cancellation of various trains</a>.
<p>
Given the facts, is that claim valid?  It may be true that officials
cancelled the trains as a reaction to the protest, but was that
necessary, or was it an overreaction?  He could hardly harm anyone or
anything in the station from up on the roof, not even with a flag or a
knife.  And he never showed an inclination to try.
<p>
If the officials overreacted, they are the ones to blame for the
resulting gratuitous inconvenience.  The court must not hold a
protester responsible for excessive response.  A policy of punishing
people for the worst case fantasies they inspire is unjust and
threatens all protesters.


feed_id: 57e68527a189e12398d4f89bbe9ce274
title: Purdue Pharma opioid deaths
uri: Purdue-Pharma-opioid-deaths
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#3_April_2019_%28Purdue_Pharma_opioid_deaths%29
content:
<p>
(satire) &hellip; Purdue Pharma officials reported Monday that deaths
from opioids had fallen 
<a href="https://www.theonion.com/purdue-pharma-reports-opioid-deaths-falling-short-of-qu-1833721077">well
short of their quarterly goals</a>.


feed_id: 2ce6511048cbe3d0c23f9d26eacbfe31
title: Single-use plastic bags
uri: Single-use-plastic-bags
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#3_April_2019_%28Single-use_plastic_bags%29
content:
<p>
New York State has adopted a 
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2019/04/01/massive-win-environment-new-york-state-bans-single-use-plastic-bags">ban
on most single-use plastic bags</a>.
<p>
This tackles only a small fraction of plastic consumption, but I think
it could do a great deal to educate the public about the harm that
plastic does.


feed_id: 3cb9a41eb501f7b718bd3fcfaea8b73d
title: UK making problems at school worse
uri: UK-making-problems-at-school-worse
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#3_April_2019_%28UK_making_problems_at_school_worse%29

content:
<p>
The UK wants to make doctors and teachers report teenagers that show
signs of having been attacked with knives.  
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/education/2019/apr/01/knife-prevention-plan-unfair-on-teachers-say-unions">Teachers
who don't notice will be punished</a>.
<p>
The government does not intend to help those teenagers; that costs
money, and the government has already cut such help.  It must intend
to repress or harass them somehow; but since they are already under
great pressure, I think that will make them snap.  In other words,
it will make the problem worse.


feed_id: 7ad1387d7385b3e657d8e00058b91aa8
title: Google's AI ethics council
uri: Google-s-AI-ethics-council
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#3_April_2019_%28Googles_AI_ethics_council%29
content:
<p>
Google Urged to Boot 
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2019/04/01/google-urged-boot-anti-lgbtq-and-anti-immigrant-right-winger-ai-ethics-council">'Anti-LGBTQ
and Anti-Immigrant' Right-Winger</a> From AI Ethics Council.


feed_id: 9e333c5f73a9fc19897ec5e5e8de84ca
title: Shooting in Vallejo
uri: Shooting-in-Vallejo
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#3_April_2019_%28Shooting_in_Vallejo%29
content:
<p>
Six Vallejo <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thugs</a> found a black man asleep at the wheel of his parked
car.  They woke him
and <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2019/feb/12/california-police-shooting-willie-mccoy">shot
him dead</a>.
<p>
Vallejo's <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thugs</a> are reported to victimize black men frequently.


feed_id: 61e899b797d5c1126c13f85d846e9306
title: Lyft donation to Oakland
uri: Lyft-donation-to-Oakland
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#3_April_2019_%28Lyft_donation_to_Oakland%29
content:
<p>
Lyft would like us to think that a donation to Oakland, California
&mdash; a donation consisting partly of discounts on Lyft's own
surveilled ride service
&mdash; <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2019/feb/13/lyft-oakland-donald-uber-ride-hailing-tax">compensates
for its lobbying</a> campaign to kill a tax that would have brought
Oakland more money.


feed_id: 1f7c289fc51d6ba9c1aec7c126d45b99
title: Amazon's size
uri: Amazon-s-size
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#3_April_2019_%28Amazon%27s_size%29
content:
<p>
Amazon ought to be investigated and punished for using its size
to <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/feb/16/amazon-from-new-york-we-must-do-more">kill
off competitors</a>.
<p>
Unfortunately, the worst things Amazon does are not illegal.  They
include DRM, spying, back doors, antisocializing contracts,
proprietary software, and requiring people to identify themselves.


feed_id: 9bfc003740f43d6e6acc2140e82d684f
title: Schultz campaign coverage
uri: Schultz-campaign-coverage
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#3_April_2019_%28Schultz_campaign_coverage%29
content:
<p>
The mainstream media are giving Billionaire Schultz's presidential
campaign <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/feb/16/presidential-candidate-howard-schultz-trump">lots
of gratis publicity</a> now as a loss leader: they assume later he
will spend a lot on advertising.


feed_id: 8261c9477f31b4ee2eb5d030dab05574
title: Freezing federal jail
uri: Freezing-federal-jail
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#3_April_2019_%28Freezing_federal_jail%29
content:
<p>
Locked Inside a Freezing Federal Jail, They United to Protest Their
Conditions
&mdash; <a href="https://theintercept.com/2019/02/16/metropolitan-detention-center-mdc-brooklyn-jail/">Only
to Face Reprisals</a>.


feed_id: 115236b9b9b205c4f03e2b55c13fe962
title: Deepfake videos
uri: Deepfake-videos
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#3_April_2019_%28Deepfake_videos%29
content:
<p>
Deepfake Videos
Could <a href="https://theconversation.com/deepfake-videos-could-destroy-trust-in-society-heres-how-to-restore-it-110999">Destroy
Trust in Society</a>.
That would be continuing a process started by fake news.
<p>
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#12_February_2019_(Blockchain_technology)">Bruce
Schneier explained</a> why blockchain is not a magic fix for this.


feed_id: 901e6b7dea5b8f38404de2d0fb099057
title: Getting info on Americans
uri: Getting-info-on-Americans
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#3_April_2019_%28Getting_info_on_Americans%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://theconversation.com/most-americans-dont-realize-what-companies-can-predict-from-their-data-110760">Most
Americans don't understand</a> how much information companies can get
about them through unjust digital technology, or how much harm can be
done to them that way.


feed_id: 5c5a36559769f96663a0ffbf350a1236
title: Portland thug infiltration
uri: Portland-thug-infiltration
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#3_April_2019_%28Portland_thug_infiltration%29
content:
<p>
A high-ranking Portland
thug <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/feb/15/joey-gibson-portland-police-relationship-cooperation-text-messages">is
an infiltrator</a> for a right-wing extremist group.


feed_id: a3d9f08ba87757bf601177510dc60399
title: Economic damage from global heating
uri: 2019-04-04-Economic-damage-from-global-heating
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#3_April_2019_%28Economic_damage_from_global_heating%29

content:
<p>
It's not only the fires, floods and
droughts: <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2019/feb/15/us-coastal-businesses-hit-by-everyday-impact-of-climate-change-study-shows">creeping
everyday effects</a> of global heating are causing economic damage
around US coasts every week.
<p>
Big water pumps will help for a couple of decades.
For beyond that, we need the Green New Deal, to reduce
future sea-level rise.


feed_id: be325ea0bf0c93d1eb4d1007d925b48f
title: Adult complacency
uri: Adult-complacency
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#3_April_2019_%28Adult_complacency%29
content:
<p>
"Children [and teenagers] skipping classes to take the moral lead is
an <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/feb/15/young-climate-change-greta-thunberg-children">indictment
of adult complacency</a>."


feed_id: e0dc2a44ff4716b96e319ae0fe045992
title: Facebook and anti-vaxxers
uri: Facebook-and-anti-vaxxers
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#3_April_2019_%28Facebook_and_anti-vaxxers%29
content:
<p>
Facebook <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2019/feb/15/facebook-anti-vaccination-advertising-targeting-controversy">facilitates
targeting ads</a> at people susceptible to anti-vaxxer myths.
This is surely used to promote those sometimes-deadly myths.


feed_id: 930b8ee779c23eedb74d89f020a5c65c
title: Prenatal medical care
uri: Prenatal-medical-care
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#3_April_2019_%28Prenatal_medical_care%29
content:
<p>
A Salvadorean woman
was <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/feb/15/el-salvador-supreme-court-overturns-30-year-sentence-for-a-teen-victim">convicted
of "killing" a baby</a> by not getting prenatal medical care.
<p>
I oppose laws criminalizing maltreatment of a fetus because they lead
to results like her conviction.


feed_id: 1f374a827c01621d050ec4d7ae6c49a8
title: Stopping people from getting painkillers
uri: 2019-04-04-Stopping-people-from-getting-painkillers
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#2_April_2019_%28Stopping_people_from_getting_painkillers%29

content:
<p>
Is 
<a href="https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2019/3/24/1844629/-Knee-jerk-opioid-limits-violate-my-rights-in-the-same-way-anti-choice-laws-do-Here-s-why">stopping
people that suffer from chronic pain from getting painkillers</a> any
more legitimate than stopping them from getting abortions?
<p>
I agree with the author about this.  Indeed, I have a friend who
suffers from pain that incapacitates per, and <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#perse">perse</a> can't get enough
painkiller for every day of the month, which results in a few days
each month when <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#perse">perse</a> can't get out of bed.


feed_id: 1d3a159d526688bd73e356f257b6dcf2
title: Statistics in School
uri: Statistics-in-School
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#4_April_2019_%28Statistics_in_School%29
content:
<p>
<p>
Proposing to teach statistics in a way that <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/education/2019/apr/03/what-do-you-get-if-you-dont-teach-stats-properly-farage-and-trump">helps people see through</a>
misleading use of statistics.
</p>


feed_id: b9afc86440cceed1d3f54bb77ffb8a91
title: Wendell Primus
uri: Wendell-Primus
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#4_April_2019_%28Wendell_Primus%29
content:
<p>
<p>
Pelosi's medical policy advisor Wendell Primus met with insurance
company executives and <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2019/04/03/jayapal-confronts-top-pelosi-aide-inappropriate-effort-undermine-medicare-all?cd-origin=rss">repeated the usual bogus criticisms</a> of Medicare
for All.
</p>


feed_id: 8a66ff240969446a7c4e41109e90b2cf
title: Low-Income Families
uri: Low-Income-Families
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#4_April_2019_%28Low-Income_Families%29
content:
<p>
<p>
Why Congress Must <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2019/04/03/why-congress-must-lift-spending-caps-help-low-income-families?cd-origin=rss">Lift the Spending Caps</a> to Help Low-Income Families.
</p>


feed_id: 224700a2af73454a0f234ce776da40c3
title: Mics in Cars
uri: Mics-in-Cars
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#4_April_2019_%28Mics_in_Cars%29
content:
<p>
<p>
Car companies are coming up with a clever list of reasons why they
"have to" <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2019/03/28/business/autonomous-cars-technology-privacy.html">put cameras and microphones</a> in the car.
</p>
<p>
BMW says its software does not store any driver-monitoring
information.  If that means that none of the data that come out of the
cameras and microphones can be seen by anyone else, the cameras and
microphones are not dangerous.  But should we trust BMW on this claim?
The only way it can deserve rational trust is if the software is free.
</p>


feed_id: 9771bf7920308adb165a772d73c3050f
title: Ocean Protection
uri: Ocean-Protection
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#4_April_2019_%28Ocean_Protection%29
content:
<p>
<p>
A specific plan for marine sanctuaries to <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/apr/04/campaign-to-save-oceans-maps-out-global-network-of-sanctuaries">protect 1/3 of the ocean</a> by
2030.
</p>


feed_id: c63ace3a8439f5976422bbb51df70a26
title: Tax Returns Requested
uri: Tax-Returns-Requested
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#4_April_2019_%28Tax_Returns_Requested%29
content:
<p>
<p>
The chairman of the House Ways and Means committee has <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2019/apr/03/trump-tax-returns-house-democrats-irs
">formally demanded</a>
<a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#cheater">the cheater</a>'s income tax returns.
</p>


feed_id: 70232e88c1b569729ce6357f493edf3b
title: Indonesian Obama
uri: Indonesian-Obama
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#4_April_2019_%28Indonesian_Obama%29
content:
<p>
<p>
Indonesia's President Widodo was hailed as "<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/apr/04/joko-widodo-how-indonesias-obama-failed-to-live-up-to-the-hype">Indonesia's Obama</a>".  Like Obama,
he is more right-wing than people expected.
</p>


feed_id: 220a885a8ec3bfac1f9acd055b1f1214
title: Facebook Bias
uri: Facebook-Bias
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#4_April_2019_%28Facebook_Bias%29
content:
<p>
<p>
<a href="https://theintercept.com/2019/04/03/facebook-ad-algorithm-race-gender/">Facebook imposes bias</a> on showing housing and employment ads even if
the advertiser does not ask for any.
</p>


feed_id: a2543d82ce1d57ff5fbd103b9f2fa1f9
title: Knives in School
uri: Knives-in-School
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#4_April_2019_%28Knives_in_School%29
content:
<p>
<p>
A UK teacher says that what schools need is <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/education/2019/apr/02/knife-crime-headteacher-exclude-child-parents">not more repression of students
that carry knives</a> "for their own protection", but rather funds for activities
to help them find safe ways to stop.
</p>


feed_id: 93813fcc7ec24345cf4343e604f05809
title: Effects of 5G
uri: Effects-of-5G
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#4_April_2019_%28Effects_of_5G%29
content:
<p>
<p>
There is no real evidence that current cell phone communications cause
harm to the human body, but there are reasons why <a href="https://www.wired.com/story/why-5g-makes-reconsider-health-effects-cellphones/">5G might be a problem</a>.
</p>


feed_id: b9bd20af85b51b273a4fb6afa4dd281b
title: The people killed by Philippine thugs
uri: The-people-killed-by-Philippine-thugs
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#4_April_2019_%28The_people_killed_by_Philippine_thugs%29

content:
<p>
The Philippine supreme court ordered the <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thugs</a> to release their
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/apr/03/philippines-court-orders-release-of-police-files-on-thousands-of-drug-war-deaths">files
on thousands of people (allegedly drug dealers) that they have
killed</a>.  This could make it possible to investigate whether the
<a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thugs</a> planned to kill them.


feed_id: aa170da3b9f7f491c843344ae8dc35cf
title: Tech giants displacing people from homes
uri: Tech-giants-displacing-people-from-homes
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#4_April_2019_%28Tech_giants_displacing_people_from_homes%29

content:
<p>
The tech giants are 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2019/apr/03/facebook-amazon-google-big-tech-activists-new-york-berlin-toronto-">pushing
working people out of their homes</a> in cities around the world, by
setting up new campuses.
<p>
Part of the blame for this problem is that the larger economic and
legal system discourages construction of enough housing.


feed_id: ad7bed7f369b9b0277bbdf83f9789a9d
title: Avoiding climate disaster
uri: 2019-04-05-Avoiding-climate-disaster
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#4_April_2019_%28Avoiding_climate_disaster%29
content:
<p>
To avoid climate disaster, we need to 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/apr/03/let-nature-heal-climate-and-biodiversity-crises-say-campaigners">defend
forests and other natural ecosystems</a> as well as reduce greenhouse
emissions from human systems.
<p>
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/apr/03/natural-world-climate-catastrophe-rewilding">More
about this</a>.


feed_id: 9690139b6108fd18474b2215cfe9d4a7
title: University of Arizona charges protesters
uri: University-of-Arizona-charges-protesters
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#4_April_2019_%28University_of_Arizona_charges_protesters%29

content:
<p>
The University of Arizona has charged protesters with a crime for
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2019/apr/02/arizona-students-protest-border-patrol-charges">chanting
outside a presentation by border thugs</a>.


feed_id: 04ccaf92952facad899fc5961c8629f4
title: Life expectancy in democratic countries
uri: Life-expectancy-in-democratic-countries
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#4_April_2019_%28Life_expectancy_in_democratic_countries%29

content:
<p>
Countries that became democratic since 1970 experienced a 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/mar/13/democracy-is-good-for-your-health-and-heart-major-study-finds">faster
increase in life expectancy</a> than countries which were
nondemocratic and have remained so.
<p>
What makes this most interesting is that it is not due to economic
growth if any since that time.


feed_id: dc0bd42229e05fa17bbd98644b10b071
title: NPR and PBS tilt towards right wing
uri: NPR-and-PBS-tilt-towards-right-wing
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#4_April_2019_%28NPR_and_PBS_tilt_towards_right_wing%29

content:
<p>
Ralph Nader: NPR and PBS tilt towards the right wing; even famous
progressives such as he are hardly ever invited, 
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2019/02/15/realized-temptations-npr-and-pbs">only
right-leaning pundits</a>.
<p>
I used to listen to NPR often in the early 1990s, and donated, till I
became aware that they had gone beyond thanking donors (I considered
that acceptable) to reading advertisements praising their products.


feed_id: d144d910dcf6e55269bfc2bb36e56c47
title: Troll shows the Constitution who's boss
uri: Troll-shows-the-Constitution-who-s-boss
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#4_April_2019_%28Troll_shows_the_Constitution_whos_boss%29

content:
<p>
(satire) Donald Trump’s political base cheered on the president Friday
for standing up to the U.S. Constitution. "He stayed strong and 
<a href='https://politics.theonion.com/trump-base-celebrates-president-for-standing-up-to-cons-1832659448'>really
showed the Constitution who’s boss</a>&hellip;"


feed_id: 90ba9239eaedd918d0ef1c3830038f6d
title: Refugees in Indonesian prison
uri: Refugees-in-Indonesian-prison
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#4_April_2019_%28Refugees_in_Indonesian_prison%29
content:
<p>
Refugees in Indonesia wait in prison years or decades for
resettlement, living on very little money.  Two recently 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2019/feb/17/refugees-in-indonesia-say-few-would-risk-a-boat-ride-to-australia">set
themselves on fire after a hunger strike was ignored</a>.


feed_id: 63cebf2c46b3ee87212aea63fac1c6cd
title: Student loan debt
uri: Student-loan-debt
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#5_April_2019_%28Student_loan_debt%29
content:
<p>
A Senator in the Cruel Heart Party wants to collect student loan debt
via <a href="https://www.studentloanborrowerassistance.org/mandatory-wage-garnishment-for-all-student-loan-borrowers/">automatic
payroll deductions</a>.
That party says, "Go without food and medicine first."
<p>
We should instead make it possible to eliminate student loan debt via
bankruptcy.
<p>
However, it could be better to make student loan payments a function
of the graduate's income.  That is how the UK does it.
<p>
In many countries, studying in a public university is gratis.


feed_id: 148a47a7a921ada746e835a7cd779b04
title: Cracking for the UAE
uri: Cracking-for-the-UAE
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#5_April_2019_%28Cracking_for_the_UAE%29
content:
<p>
The UAE hires Americans to work as crackers, using US technology,
to <a href="https://www.middleeastobserver.org/2019/01/31/inside-the-uaes-secret-hacking-team-of-american-mercenaries-reuters/">spy
on human rights defenders</a> (and others).
<p>
One of them quit when she found US citizens on her list of targets.


feed_id: e1128ce5f333947b0b0a8ac337713358
title: Extinct plants
uri: Extinct-plants
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#5_April_2019_%28Extinct_plants%29
content:
<p>
Humans <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2019/feb/17/joy-growing-extinct-plants">preserve
plant species</a> that are extinct in the wild.


feed_id: 33b6b18767b9edd3af632835c2aa85e0
title: Campaign funds from corporate PACs
uri: Campaign-funds-from-corporate-PACs
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#5_April_2019_%28Campaign_funds_from_corporate_PACs%29

content:
<p>
The Democratic National
Committee <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2019/02/16/dnc-rejects-ban-corporate-pac-money-delaying-decision-until-2020">rejected
a proposal</a> to reject campaign funds from corporate PACs.
It decided to postpone the question until next year.
<p>
The extra funds can help a candidate win, but tend to render the candidate
incapable of standing up firmly to take away the power of business.


feed_id: 56490ea6ae5aeb9191df1b009c3d0f3e
title: Civil rights as security issue
uri: Civil-rights-as-security-issue
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#5_April_2019_%28Civil_rights_as_security_issue%29
content:
<p>
Kamala Harris is trying to present civil
rights <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2019/02/16/kamala-harris-and-rest-us-will-regret-portraying-civil-rights-national-security">as
a "security" issue</a>.  This will do harm even if it "works"; and it
may backfire and not "work".


feed_id: 55785d560f7558d9892b6b60c87e560f
title: Samsung spy fridges
uri: Samsung-spy-fridges
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#5_April_2019_%28Samsung_spy_fridges%29
content:
<p>
Samsung is desperately trying to make people want to give it personal
data about what foods they have in their Spy fridges, so it
is <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/feb/17/refrigerdating-would-you-date-someone-whats-in-fridge">trying
the "social" ploy</a>.


feed_id: 34251e983a8aae3a0232013ba5fe078d
title: Age of environmental breakdown
uri: Age-of-environmental-breakdown
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#5_April_2019_%28Age_of_environmental_breakdown%29
content:
<p>
This is
the <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2019/02/12/we-have-entered-age-environmental-breakdown-report-details-world-edge-runaway">age
of environmental breakdown</a> &mdash; already!


feed_id: 9b38c3dc792a3d3cf642d8775849185d
title: UK investigation of Facebook
uri: UK-investigation-of-Facebook
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#5_April_2019_%28UK_investigation_of_Facebook%29
content:
<p>
The UK Parliament's investigation of Facebook concluded that
Facebook's
operations <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2019/feb/18/key-points-from-parliamentary-inquiry-into-disinformation">violate
various laws</a> and that it intentionally tried to mislead the
investigation.
<p>
The suggestion of requiring users to think more than once before they
post anything seems good to me.


feed_id: cebcdc2b29a924f030176cd18a4546bd
title: Hodeida
uri: 2019-04-05-Hodeida
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#5_April_2019_%28Hodeida%29
content:
<p>
The contending sides in Yemen have agreed
to <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/feb/17/yemen-and-houthi-rebels-agree-to-withdrawal-deal">pull
forces out of Hodeida</a>.


feed_id: ff380d678e912408567df39f028adb89
title: Dispute in Venezuela
uri: Dispute-in-Venezuela
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#5_April_2019_%28Dispute_in_Venezuela%29
content:
<p>
Venezuelan
academics <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/feb/17/proposal-to-end-the-crisis-in-venezuela">propose
a referendum</a> to resolve the dispute between Maduro and Guaidó.


feed_id: 2326392947a26b8642c06f2c17d6529c
title: PISSI offshoots
uri: PISSI-offshoots
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#5_April_2019_%28PISSI_offshoots%29
content:
<p>
The <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/feb/17/without-territory-or-new-recruits-islamic-state-is-in-its-death-throes">loss
    of its territory</a> has
denied <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#pissi">PISSI</a> most of its ability to attract and train recruits.
<p>
However, some of its offshoots and affiliates do have some territory
&mdash; in Africa, and in Afghanistan.


feed_id: fb8f62687d303ee7596342ab243f99f0
title: Atmospheric methane
uri: Atmospheric-methane
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#5_April_2019_%28Atmospheric_methane%29
content:
<p>
The methane level in the atmosphere has been rising faster in the past
few years.
Scientists <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/feb/17/methane-levels-sharp-rise-threaten-paris-climate-agreement">do
not yet know</a> where it is coming from.
<p>
Increased methane will mean increased <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#global heating">global heating</a> over the next few
decades.  After that, today's methane will probably have been
converted into other chemicals; but if it provokes positive feedback
cycles in the meanwhile, its heating effect will propagate.


feed_id: 599e07b1d275af804da4f8be97506a8f
title: Urgent: FOIA requests about Project Maven
uri: Urgent-FOIA-requests-about-Project-Maven
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#5_April_2019_%28Urgent%3A_FOIA_requests_about_Project_Maven%29

content:
<p>
US citizens: 
<a href="http://act.demandprogress.org/sign/tell-pentagon-stop-blocking-foia-requests-about-googles-project-maven/">call
on the Pentagon</a> to stop blocking FOIA requests about Google's
Project Maven.


feed_id: 12772a83de25d9f5389446d9b1e17136
title: Urgent: Berta Caceres Act
uri: Urgent-Berta-Caceres-Act
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#5_April_2019_%28Urgent%3A_Berta_Caceres_Act%29
content:
<p>
US citizens: 
<a href="https://act.rootsaction.org/p/dia/action4/common/public/?action_KEY=13632">call
on Congress</a> to pass the Berta Caceres Act, which would cut off US
support to Honduras's <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thugs</a> and army until the Honduran government
investigates their human rights abuses.
<p>
To sign this without running nonfree Javascript code, use
the 
<a href="https://stallman.org/salsalabs-method.html">Salsalabs workaround</a>.


feed_id: 6a378578e7f651357959323b2c57ba17
title: UK banks accused of faking signatures
uri: UK-banks-accused-of-faking-signatures
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#5_April_2019_%28UK_banks_accused_of_faking_signatures%29

content:
<p>
UK banks are accused of 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/money/2019/feb/16/banks-faking-signature-campaign-evidence">faking
signatures on legal papers to repossess homes</a>.
<p>
The big US banks 
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#20_June_2016_(US_banksters)">did
this massively</a>, so why would any other banks hold back?


feed_id: 3c9475a57bb57fc0f1a74c68aa795fd6
title: Google's snoop city division
uri: Google-s-snoop-city-division
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#5_April_2019_%28Googles_snoop_city_division%29
content:
<p>
Google's "Sidewalk Labs" snoop city division wants to get a 
<a href="https://www.cnbc.com/2019/02/15/alphabets-sidewalk-labs-wants-a-cut-of-toronto-taxes-for-smart-city.html">percentage
of Toronto's income in exchange for spying on people</a>.


feed_id: ba8a115817c29eb094e0bf37402d9537
title: Gun control
uri: 2019-04-06-Gun-control
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#5_April_2019_%28Gun_control%29
content:
<p>
Rep. Cicilline has introduced a 
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2019/02/15/violence-policy-center-statement-support-representative-cicillines-bill-banning">bill
to ban military-style "assault" rifles</a>.
<p>
This bill is clearly good.  Just how good it is depends on whether it
would prohibit only sales of military-style rifles, or possession of
them as well.  The latter is what we really need; the former would do
only part of the job.
<p>
The reason we need it is that the shots from these rifles 
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jan-apr.html#1_March_2018_(Banning_assault_weapons)">cause
more damage in the body, and are more likely to kill</a>.  If would-be
killers had only the ordinary civilian firearms, we would all be
substantially safer.


feed_id: cb1d3877ed29360060ccd5b079bc0827
title: China
uri: 2019-04-06-China
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#5_April_2019_%28China%29
content:
<p>
(satire) “We’ve become so polarized between 
<a href="https://www.theonion.com/chinese-man-worried-you-can-t-have-respectful-debate-ab-1832652900">people
who believe we’re the best country in the world and people who believe
we’re the best in the galaxy</a>,” said Chen, calling for a more nuanced
dialogue when discussing how President Xi Jinping will restore the
nation to past glory.


feed_id: 88be8881e340240ab7787d8f684fb189
title: Bavarian referendum for bee protection
uri: Bavarian-referendum-for-bee-protection
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#5_April_2019_%28Bavarian_referendum_for_bee_protection%29

content:
<p>
Bavarian voters' initiative petition will 
<a href="https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2019/2/14/1834641/-Huge-win-for-Save-the-Bees-biodiversity-referendum-in-Germany-s-largest-state">require
Bavaria to hold a referendum on measures to protect bees</a>.


feed_id: 2c24c9d513206133d9b9020731ad3890
title: Texas Discrimination
uri: Texas-Discrimination
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#7_April_2019_%28Texas_Discrimination%29
content:
<p>
<p>
Texas plans to <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2019/apr/05/texas-sb17-lgbt-discrimination-religious-freedom">legalize discrimination</a> against queer people by state
employees when it is carried out in the name of religion.
</p>
<p>
This way, queer people will be denied their rights by officials.
</p>


feed_id: b1ac898128135ced7f6c20e10ce1f889
title: Foolish Punishment
uri: Foolish-Punishment
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#7_April_2019_%28Foolish_Punishment%29
content:
<p>
<p>
For most prisoners, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/apr/06/prisons-damage-british-government-reform-short-sentences">imprisonment is a foolish punishment</a>,
doing gratuitous harm to many people and not benefiting society.
Some countries have nearly eliminated prison.
</p>


feed_id: bf604840c916fa11e4e7966b9641f8b7
title: Crime of Opposition
uri: Crime-of-Opposition
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#7_April_2019_%28Crime_of_Opposition%29
content:
<p>
<p>
The military government of Thailand has <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/apr/06/thailand-party-leader-charged-with-sedition-after-strong-poll-showing">charged an opposition
political leader</a> with the crime of opposition, officially known as
"sedition."
</p>
<p>
The junta wants to be seen as permitting democracy as long as the democracy
is without effect.
</p>


feed_id: ae0369e281eada0f89e8b48db3dcae9e
title: Chicago Mayor
uri: Chicago-Mayor
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#7_April_2019_%28Chicago_Mayor%29
content:
<p>
<p>
Chicago's newly elected mayor is black and lesbian, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/commentisfree/2019/apr/06/lori-lightfoot-chicago-mayor-criticism-progressive-record">but that doesn't make
her progressive</a>.
</p>
<p>
"Diversity™ focuses on the achievements of individuals versus
meaningful systemic change. It celebrates difference as long as it’s
not actually trying to do anything too different."
</p>


feed_id: f02ebd5bcb99563199ba2e26a66d25f0
title: Climate Change
uri: 2019-04-07-Climate-Change
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#7_April_2019_%28Climate_Change%29
content:
<p>
<p>
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/apr/06/us-mexico-immigration-climate-change-migration">Global heating is destroying agriculture</a> in El Salvador, Honduras and
Guatemala.  This is forcing many people to emigrate or die.
</p>


feed_id: 29a475c53f5a3079c9dd76402d4b7aa8
title: General haftar
uri: General-haftar
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#7_April_2019_%28General_haftar%29
content:
<p>
<p>
General Haftar <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/apr/06/un-expresses-deep-concern-for-libya-as-haftar-closes-on-tripoli">is at the point of conquering</a> most of Libya.
</p>
<p>
The UN has settled its mandate on another government.  It might be
better, or might only be more politically convenient for the great
powers.
</p>
<p>
From what I've read in news articles, I can't begin to guess whether
Haftar is better or worse than that, and than the warlords and
militias that control the other parts of Libya now.  It might be good
for Libya to have peace instead of militias fighting.  However, their
opposition to Haftar him might make it just as hard for him to control
their cities as it is for them to control the cities Haftar holds.
</p>


feed_id: 8ded81a69b7e20a3fec3ff1862e819c0
title: Urgent: No Ban Act
uri: Urgent-No-Ban-Act
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#7_April_2019_%28Urgent%3A_No_Ban_Act%29
content:
<p>
<p>
US citizens: support <a href="https://act.winwithoutwar.org/act/tell-congress-support-no-ban-act?source=em20190403&t=1004&akid=3334%2E223515%2EHTQsUK">the No Ban Act</a>, which would deny the president
authority to impose arbitrary selective bans on immigration based on
origin or religion.
</p>


feed_id: 35ac159948299868725f0f341f24c624
title: Urgent: Paycheck Fairness
uri: Urgent-Paycheck-Fairness
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#7_April_2019_%28Urgent%3A_Paycheck_Fairness%29
content:
<p>
<p>
US citizens: <a href="https://actionnetwork.org/forms/equalpayday2019?nowrapper=true&referrer=group-naral-pro-choice-america-2&source=direct_link">support the Paycheck Fairness Act</a>.
</p>


feed_id: 93a8b785548e2cce40c0f9a83b2177d8
title: Urgent: Stephen Moore
uri: Urgent-Stephen-Moore
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#7_April_2019_%28Urgent%3A_Stephen_Moore%29
content:
<p>
<p>
US citizens: oppose <a href="https://act.credoaction.com/sign/stephen-moore-is-a-hack?t=1001&akid=32166%2E1183552%2ElzjDq0">Stephen Moore's nomination</a> to the Federal Reserve Board of
Governors.
</p>
<p>
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2019/apr/05/stephen-moore-trump-federal-reserve-board-divorce">More information</a> about Moore.
</p>


feed_id: 9e87dc34b1dadaebaf9dc7c4cd9b91b1
title: Chelsea Manning
uri: 2019-04-07-Chelsea-Manning
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#7_April_2019_%28Chelsea_Manning%29
content:
<p>
<p>
Chelsea Manning <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2019/04/04/thank-frickin-god-chelsea-manning-released-solitary-confinement?cd-origin=rss">has been released</a> from solitary imprisonment.
</p>


feed_id: ca53a4e9cb6cf4f0f19fd8bd9b3d8a42
title: Ethics Board
uri: Ethics-Board
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#7_April_2019_%28Ethics_Board%29
content:
<p>
<p>
Georgia Republicans are tired of being reported on by journalists,
so they propose to create an "<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2019/04/04/peach-state-or-banana-republic-critics-howl-over-georgia-gops-proposal-target?cd-origin=rss">ethics board</a>" that they can appoint
to fine journalists and demand their raw interviews.
</p>


feed_id: 5952d86e06d355f4fffec6df2405473e
title: Urgent: Repeal cheater's tax cuts
uri: Urgent-Repeal-cheater-s-tax-cuts
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#6_April_2019_%28Urgent%3A_Repeal_cheaters_tax_cuts%29

content:
<p>
US citizens: 
<a href="https://act.credoaction.com/sign/repeal-trump-tax-scam-2019/">Call
on Democratic officials</a> and candidates to repeal the cheater's tax
cuts for the rich.


feed_id: 3036988f214d85726ed82e39b0b29508
title: Chernobyl's radiation
uri: Chernobyl-s-radiation
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#6_April_2019_%28Chernobyls_radiation%29
content:
<p>
Scientists 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/apr/04/chernobyl-nuclear-power-climate-change-health-radioactivity">undercounted
the medical harm</a> caused by Chernobyl's radiation because a lot of
it came down in places that nobody was studying.  It turns out to have
caused a lot of sickness; in one place, only 10% of the children born
were healthy.


feed_id: a62e6cf20fb4dce567b61ee0763f0810
title: Washington Post fossil fuel interest ad
uri: Washington-Post-fossil-fuel-interest-ad
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#6_April_2019_%28Washington_Post_fossil_fuel_interest_ad%29

content:
<p>
The Washington Post sold an advertisement to fossil fuel interests,
and 
<a href="https://theintercept.com/2019/04/03/branded-content-fossil-fuel-companies/">presented
it in a way that was hard to distinguish from a news article</a>.


feed_id: 9031d70eb9729a610a17ca2a63d8f223
title: Morning-after pill same-day delivery
uri: Morning-after-pill-same-day-delivery
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#6_April_2019_%28Morning-after_pill_same-day_delivery%29

content:
<p>
The morning-after pill will be available with 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/society/shortcuts/2019/apr/03/same-day-delivery-for-the-morning-after-pill-its-about-time">same-day
delivery</a> in the UK.


feed_id: 48c6fa0bda0d253a335a1216f282ce09
title: Great Barrier Reef
uri: 2019-04-07-Great-Barrier-Reef
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#6_April_2019_%28Great_Barrier_Reef%29
content:
<p>
Great Barrier Reef Suffers 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/apr/04/great-barrier-reef-suffers-89-collapse-in-new-coral-after-bleaching-events">89%
Collapse in New Coral</a> after Bleaching Events.


feed_id: d2108b37fe4c9c704a2238d2aa32b19a
title: Restricting thugs' use of surveillance data
uri: Restricting-thugs-use-of-surveillance-data
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#6_April_2019_%28Restricting_thugs_use_of_surveillance_data%29

content:
<p>
A bill being considered in Vermont would 
<a href="https://blog.tenthamendmentcenter.com/2019/03/vermont-bill-would-would-establish-oversight-help-end-unchecked-police-surveillance/">require
thugs to get approval</a> for using surveillance technology or data
that others obtain from surveillance technology.


feed_id: 38447b43b0bff44fcc658b0472537dcd
title: Urgent: Basic human rights agenda
uri: Urgent-Basic-human-rights-agenda
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#6_April_2019_%28Urgent%3A_Basic_human_rights_agenda%29

content:
<p>
The ACLU presents the basic human rights agenda that it asks
candidates to 
<a href="https://www.aclu.org/blog/executive-branch/rights-all-will-put-civil-rights-and-civil-liberties-front-and-center-2020">pledge
to support</a>.


feed_id: 9655f0253bbe8afc84f07f9aeb555c8b
title: Urgent: Georgia boycott
uri: Urgent-Georgia-boycott
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#7_April_2019_%28Urgent%3A_Georgia_boycott%29
content:
<p>
US
citizens: <a href="https://act.credoaction.com/sign/hollywood-hb-481">call
on movie companies</a> to boycott Georgia for its law banning
abortion.
</p>
<p>If you sign, please spread the word!</p>


feed_id: bf62e2dcecad31298625525fa52ee36f
title: Urgent: Waiter tips
uri: Urgent-Waiter-tips
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#7_April_2019_%28Urgent%3A_Waiter_tips%29
content:
<p>
US
citizens: <a href="https://www.coworker.org/petitions/protect-restaurant-workers-from-tip-theft">protect
waiters</a> from restaurants that steal their tips.
</p>
<p>If you sign, please spread the word!</p>


feed_id: d4818faacc11a21721cd15388d7acc8e
title: Amazon crippling America
uri: Amazon-crippling-America
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#7_April_2019_%28Amazon_crippling_America%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2019/02/18/how-failing-capitalist-system-allowing-amazon-cripple-america">How
a Failing Capitalist System</a> Is Allowing Amazon to Cripple America.
<p>
I think the phrase "undermine and sicken" fits the situation better
than "cripple".
<p>
I have never done business with Amazon, because it requires customers
to identify themselves &mdash; and I would guess, nowadays, to run
nonfree JavaScript code.  But I won't use its online competitors,
either, for the same reasons.


feed_id: 6dd3898bdd42b4d0f2faae082b87612f
title: 'Returning' exhibits
uri: Returning-exhibits
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#7_April_2019_%28%27Returning%27_exhibits%29
content:
<p>
The demands for museums to "return" their exhibits are reaching the
absurd.
Gibraltar <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2019/feb/18/uk-museums-face-pressure-to-repatriate-foreign-items">demands
two Neanderthal skulls</a>, age 50,000 years or more, on the grounds
they were found in Gibraltar.
<p>
Gibraltar was part of the British empire, so placing the skulls in the
British Museum was legitimate &mdash; and surely more useful to
paleontology than keeping them in out-of-the-way Gibraltar.
<p>
I urge museums to stop arguing that laws forbid them from "returning"
exhibits, and start building the case that there is no reason to do so.


feed_id: b679987863698e1f6de6ab5eca2a6870
title: Hair style discrimination
uri: Hair-style-discrimination
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#7_April_2019_%28Hair_style_discrimination%29
content:
<p>
New York City
will <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2019/feb/18/new-york-hairstyle-discrimination-ban-african-american">prohibit
discrimination</a> against hair styles typically worn by particular
racial groups.


feed_id: 8b01ef92faa86c381b930c6dbfc60bf1
title: Deradicalizing
uri: Deradicalizing
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#7_April_2019_%28Deradicalizing%29
content:
<p>
"Britain could deradicalise Shamima Begum
&mdash; <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/feb/18/britain-deradicalise-shemima-begum-isis">with
compassion</a>."


feed_id: 5c631dc69a7c498f38d978bc2edeeb6c
title: Repression of marijuana use
uri: Repression-of-marijuana-use
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#7_April_2019_%28Repression_of_marijuana_use%29
content:
<p>
Repression of marijuana
use <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/society/2019/feb/18/cannabis-policies-young-people">fails
to discourage teenagers</a> from using it.
<p>
Regardless of what harm marijuana might do, or not do, repression does
not reduce it.  So end the repression!


feed_id: 575229b20d40b513a99b2f2d41111749
title: Refugees and forests
uri: Refugees-and-forests
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#7_April_2019_%28Refugees_and_forests%29
content:
<p>
Refugees in Uganda
are <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2019/feb/18/massive-deforestation-by-refugees-in-uganda-sparks-clashes-with-local-people">cutting
down forests</a> to make houses and to burn the wood.
<p>
This is a small foretaste of what hundreds of millions of climate
refugees will do in a few decades.  It will be difficult for any
forest to survive if we don't limit the overrunning human population.


feed_id: 847b9c1cc763779a5bbbdd4af7920219
title: Ethanol from corn as fuel
uri: Ethanol-from-corn-as-fuel
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#7_April_2019_%28Ethanol_from_corn_as_fuel%29
content:
<p>
US farmers
are <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2019/feb/18/iowa-ethanol-corn-caucus-democrats-west-wing">still
pushing the idea</a> that adding ethanol made from corn would reduce
vehicles' consumption of fossil fuel.
<p>
The flaw in that approach is that growing corn the US
way <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2012-nov-feb.html#11_February_2013_(Factory_farming_big_contributor_to_global_heating)">uses
up fossil fuel</a> &mdash; too much of it.


feed_id: 21b4d6d6ca2670bcdb5e74d0a8ac6340
title: Tracking passengers' movements
uri: Tracking-passengers-movements
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#7_April_2019_%28Tracking_passengers%27_movements%29
content:
<p>
Uber and Lyft have tracked their passengers' movements for many years.
Now New York
City <a href="https://boingboing.net/2019/02/11/new-york-citys-new-rideshare.html">tracks
those passengers' movements too</a>.
<p>
Please do not call what these companies do "sharing".
That is an absurd misnomer.


feed_id: e8a05fe5bba5e77e89b7278ab37a7c75
title: Printer cartridges
uri: Printer-cartridges
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#7_April_2019_%28Printer_cartridges%29
content:
<p>
Epson is trying to block compatible printer cartridges by ordering
Amazon and eBay
to <a href="https://www.openrightsgroup.org/blog/2019/patently-unfair-epson-takedowns-continue">delete
offers to sell them</a>.
<p>
The complete fix for this is to change patent law.


feed_id: a5580c15fc5206112314e35c4593b7d3
title: Web site terms and conditions
uri: Web-site-terms-and-conditions
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#7_April_2019_%28Web_site_terms_and_conditions%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://boingboing.net/2019/02/14/i-agree-to-disagree.html">A
survey of 500 important web sites</a> found that most of them have
terms and conditions that only a minority of Americans have the
competence to read and understand.
<p>
We should not allow web sites to set their own terms and conditions
however they wish.  That gives them too much power over the public.  I
don't agree to the terms of a web site without checking it; and most
of the terms I check, I find intolerable so I don't accept them.
<p>
The article uses the bogus concept "intellectual property", which
spreads confusion because people think it refers to some coherent
thing.  <a href="https://gnu.org/philosophy/not-ipr.html">No such
thing exists.</a>


feed_id: 529200e3c0fe3a70613e66b017324fd1
title: Price-fixing AI
uri: Price-fixing-AI
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#7_April_2019_%28Price-fixing_AI%29
content:
<p>
AI systems to choose prices for sellers tend to evolve strategies
<a href="https://boingboing.net/2019/02/14/skynet-price-gouging.html">equivalent
to price-fixing</a>, even without any artificial encouragement.
<p>
<a href="https://voxeu.org/article/artificial-intelligence-algorithmic-pricing-and-collusion">More
information.</a>


feed_id: af69f138618cd8ecd8a044f688c663a6
title: Automatic censorship in India
uri: Automatic-censorship-in-India
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#7_April_2019_%28Automatic_censorship_in_India%29
content:
<p>
India
is <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2019/02/14/technology/india-internet-censorship.html">proposing
laws</a> to require automatic censorship filters based on various
kinds of prohibitions.
<p>
The article does not mention copyright as one of the bases that would require
automatic censorship, but I doubt it would be omitted.  Some of the other
grounds for censorship could be even more dangerous.


feed_id: 3f373a4ce858c5d4ef54b079729d2333
title: Saboteur shuts off Congress-appropriated funds
uri: Saboteur-shuts-off-Congress-appropriated-funds
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#8_April_2019_%28Saboteur_shuts_off_Congress-appropriated_funds%29

content:
<p>
The <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#saboteur">saboteur</a> has 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/apr/08/trump-administration-sabotages-major-conservation-effort-defying-congress">shut
off the funds appropriated by Congress</a> for the Landscape
Conservation Cooperatives, and shut them down.
<p>
Several decades ago, presidents used to decline to spend funds
appropriated by Congress.  This was normal.  Then a law was passed
(accepted by both Congress and the president of the day) saying that
the president cannot do this.
<p>
What I wonder is, why did it take months for this to become news?


feed_id: f50a1b9ede49812ccc2141b4600fa29a
title: Work permits for asylum-seekers
uri: Work-permits-for-asylum-seekers
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#8_April_2019_%28Work_permits_for_asylum-seekers%29
content:
<p>
Suggestion: give asylum-seekers 
<a href="https://reason.com/archives/2019/04/08/a-costless-and-humame-fix-to-the-border">temporary
work permits that last until the next hearing</a>.


feed_id: abeb0abf2ed2bffc3fb3e3b7fa3b85a5
title: Stay away from Egypt
uri: Stay-away-from-Egypt
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#8_April_2019_%28Stay_away_from_Egypt%29
content:
<p>
Hazem Hamouda was 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/apr/03/australian-man-on-his-way-home-after-more-than-400-days-in-egyptian-prison">imprisoned
without charges in Egypt for 400 days</a>.
<p>
When he was ordered released from prison, <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thugs</a> grabbed him and put
him in a cell again.  Then the authorities took his papers, and told
them he couldn't leave without those papers.
<p>
Don't go to Egypt!


feed_id: 194726dbf81da4f28808a2ae7391f771
title: Amazon employees left to suffer
uri: Amazon-employees-left-to-suffer
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#8_April_2019_%28Amazon_employees_left_to_suffer%29
content:
<p>
Revealed: Amazon Employees Are 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2019/apr/02/revealed-amazon-employees-suffer-after-workplace-injuries">Left
to Suffer After Workplace Injuries</a>.


feed_id: 1eb7c56f6d8aed7ded9bb7ee2281babe
title: Google "Nest Secure" microphone
uri: Google-Nest-Secure-microphone
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#8_April_2019_%28Google_Nest_Secure_microphone%29
content:
<p>
Google's alarm system, "Nest Secure", turns out to have 
<a href="https://www.csoonline.com/article/3336227/security/nest-secure-had-a-secret-microphone-can-now-be-a-google-assistant.html">contained
a microphone all along</a> &mdash; but only recently started
listening.
<p>
The article also mentions two-factor authentication, which in and of
itself could be a useful technique (though I've read that crackers can
now defeat it), but has the flaw of requiring a mobile phone.  My rule
#2 for digital security is not to have a mobile phone.


feed_id: 94991d9cf733182e2e29bc21f1ed5533
title: Bernie Sanders for president
uri: 2019-04-09-Bernie-Sanders-for-president
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#8_April_2019_%28Bernie_Sanders_for_president%29
content:
<p>
Sanders is 
<a href="https://theintercept.com/2019/02/19/bernie-sanders-running-president-wants-one-million-campaign-volunteers/">running
for president again</a>.  I will vote for him again.


feed_id: 92caa6ba738cee42598fd5f718b1ed8d
title: US mainstream media
uri: 2019-04-09-US-mainstream-media
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#8_April_2019_%28US_mainstream_media%29
content:
<p>
The US mainstream media are 
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2019/02/18/trump-pushing-regime-change-venezuela-critics-warn-news-outlets-failing-us-viewers">boosters
for intervention in Venezuela</a>.


feed_id: 9b60eb2551c3b05e2ea243c6404eda03
title: Rojava asks for international border force
uri: Rojava-asks-for-international-border-force
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#8_April_2019_%28Rojava_asks_for_international_border_force%29

content:
<p>
Rojava has asked for an international border force to 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/feb/19/syrian-kurdish-leader-ilham-ahmed-international-force-kurds-turkey-border">deter
Turkey from attacking</a>.


feed_id: 662905637555437d0233ac146a226a04
title: Chinese attack drones
uri: Chinese-attack-drones
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#8_April_2019_%28Chinese_attack_drones%29
content:
<p>
Chinese attack drones are almost as good as US drones, and much
cheaper, so 
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2019/02/18/china-flooding-middle-east-cheap-drones">many
countries are buying them</a>.
<p>
A drone, used as a weapon of war, is not inherently morally worse than
an artillery piece or a ground-attack plane that could do the same
job.  I would not criticize Nigeria for using drones in battle against
Boko Haram or Iraq for using them against <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#pissi">PISSI</a>.  (Turkey's tyrant
started the fighting with the Kurds in order to get more votes, so he
has no justification in that fighting no matter what weapons are
used.)
<p>
What makes drones specially bad is their use for assassinations,
away from battlefields.


feed_id: 45ae0ad0607183ed8d4e803086f38c50
title: Thugs in schools
uri: 2019-04-09-Thugs-in-schools
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#8_April_2019_%28Thugs_in_schools%29
content:
<p>
An 11-year-old student was 
<a href="https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2019/2/17/1835473/-11-year-old-boy-arrested-after-refusing-to-recite-racist-Pledge-of-Allegiance-at-school">arrested
in school for refusing to recite the Pledge of Allegiance</a>.
<p>
It is his constitutional right to refuse to recite that text.  I would
refuse to say the words "under god".  But the biggest wrong here is
the presence of a <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thug</a> in the school, ready at any moment to arrest
students for breaking rules and try to feed them into the
school-to-prison pipeline.
<p>
As this example shows, even articulate, gifted students are in danger
from that.


feed_id: a9cdbc04b14b1aa4a54933abbfb17602
title: Urgent: Stephen Moore
uri: 2019-04-09-Urgent-Stephen-Moore
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#7_April_2019_%28Urgent%3A_Stephen_Moore%29
content:
<p>
<p>
US citizens: oppose <a href="https://act.credoaction.com/sign/stephen-moore-is-a-hack">Stephen Moore's nomination</a> to the Federal Reserve Board of
Governors.
</p>
<p>
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2019/apr/05/stephen-moore-trump-federal-reserve-board-divorce">More information</a> about Moore.
</p>


feed_id: 744d39e3029eac6621726a74c71a9fcb
title: Urgent: Sharing copies of e-books
uri: Urgent-Sharing-copies-of-e-books
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#9_April_2019_%28Urgent%3A_Sharing_copies_of_e-books%29

content:
<p>
UK residents: write to your MP and to the Business Secretary to
condemn
the <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/books/2019/apr/08/philip-pullman-uk-government-ebook-piracy-kazuo-ishiguro">push
for repression</a> on sharing copies of e-books.
</p>
<p>
What you say is up to you, but if I were in the UK, I would say that I
would choose to buy authorized copies if I could do so anonymously,
without DRM, and without signing a contract.  I buy printed books that
way, and I'd buy e-books the same way, if they let me.  However,
today's commercially published ebooks generally carry all those
oppressive characteristics, and even one of them is unacceptable.  I'd
suggest they
read <a href="https://gnu.org/philosophy/ebooks.html">https://gnu.org/philosophy/ebooks.html</a>.
</p>
<p>
I would say that sharing is good, and they should stop insulting
sharers with the smear of "pirate".
</p>
<p>
I would also say that all else being equal I would like to support
authors with money; but I suspect that most of the money goes to other
parties, and I have no wish to donate to those others.  Would they
please set up a system for anonymous donations, of which at least 90%
goes to whichever author we select?
</p>
<p>
Finally I would say that Pullman's prediction of the disappearance of
all art is an exaggeration, obviously intended to encourage unjust
laws, and they should put a sock in it.
</p>
<p>
Because of Pullman's antagonism towards sharing, I have never read any
of his books.  There are lots of other authors whose books are worth
reading &mdash; why choose his?  But if you feel you need to read
some, borrow them from a friend.
</p>


feed_id: 46f3237f30afcf1e050fa613efb4abfe
title: Urgent: Menstrual Equity For All act
uri: Urgent-Menstrual-Equity-For-All-act
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#9_April_2019_%28Urgent%3A_Menstrual_Equity_For_All_act%29

content:
<p>
US
citizens: <a href="https://act.credoaction.com/sign/menstrual-equality-act">support</a>
the Menstrual Equity For All Act.
</p>
<p>
I support this bill, but at the same time I believe that most of the
problems it tries to correct are symptoms of a much bigger problem:
excessive income inequality.
</p>
<p>If you sign, please spread the word!</p>


feed_id: 9b5d226d534e643f9628685638cce827
title: RFIDs for cactus plants
uri: RFIDs-for-cactus-plants
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#9_April_2019_%28RFIDs_for_cactus_plants%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/feb/20/to-catch-a-cactus-thief-national-parks-fight-a-thorny-problem">Tagging
cactus plants</a> with RFIDs demonstrates what is requiring for such
technology to be acceptable.
<p>
Plants are not entitled to privacy regarding their movements.
We humans are.


feed_id: 914d3bdc85c39b55938335becdbf2747
title: Arizona DNA collection
uri: Arizona-DNA-collection
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#9_April_2019_%28Arizona_DNA_collection%29
content:
<p>
Arizona
is <a href="https://www.azcentral.com/story/news/politics/arizona/2019/02/19/arizona-bill-would-create-massive-statewide-dna-database/2873930002/">considering
a bill</a> to collect DNA samples from people in many circumstances,
including many kinds of jobs.
<p>
They already demand fingerprints from people in those jobs, which as
far as I'm concerned is enough reason to refuse to take them.  But the
DNA requirement makes things worse &mdash; so if you are in Arizona,
please phone the offices of your state legislators to oppose the bill.


feed_id: 947ec56798aff6c5b024cd5c22e89d70
title: Phony national emergency
uri: Phony-national-emergency
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#9_April_2019_%28Phony_national_emergency%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2019/feb/19/donald-trump-national-emergency-solid-case-analysts">Legal
experts say</a> we cannot count on courts to overrule the would-be
dictator's phony "national emergency".


feed_id: 74b43bd5dbcbc13b71a928343ce0ae73
title: Sharing nuclear technology
uri: Sharing-nuclear-technology
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#9_April_2019_%28Sharing_nuclear_technology%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/feb/19/white-house-saudi-arabia-nuclear-technology-house-oversight-inquiry-report">House
Investigates</a> 'White House Plan' to Share Nuclear Technology with
[<a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#salafi">Salafi Arabia</a>].
<p>
Who would claim to be so opposed to possible Iranian nuclear weapons
as to propose to launch a war, while facilitating possible Salafi
Arabian nuclear weapons?  Only someone willing to endorse the most
absurd lies could do that.
<p>
Oops.


feed_id: 60a3b5ef70936dd831b07f969ac9128c
title: Sanders' radicalism
uri: Sanders-radicalism
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#9_April_2019_%28Sanders%27_radicalism%29
content:
<p>
Why Bernie Sanders'
Radicalism <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/feb/19/bernie-sanders-perfect-weapon-trump">Can
Take Out Trump</a>.


feed_id: 2cc9a97054e14073e7dd3a1b95b9273c
title: Bias against female candidates
uri: Bias-against-female-candidates
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#9_April_2019_%28Bias_against_female_candidates%29
content:
<p>
Media bias against female candidates takes the form
of <a href="https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2019/2/18/1835705/-Seven-weeks-into-2019-we-already-know-the-media-didn-t-learn-2016-s-lesson-about-sexism">harping
on them for minor flaws</a> which may have no importance.


feed_id: 58daccf60b6d5b3279a6f767c6eba211
title: Spying on soldiers
uri: Spying-on-soldiers
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#9_April_2019_%28Spying_on_soldiers%29
content:
<p>
It turns out to be easy to spy on an army
by <a href="https://www.wired.com/story/nato-stratcom-catfished-soldiers-social-media/">talking
to individual soldiers through Facebook</a>, and even sabotage
operations.


feed_id: 5c3a4963d0d56d599e97f88fa114e7ec
title: Adani coal mine
uri: 2019-04-09-Adani-coal-mine
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#9_April_2019_%28Adani_coal_mine%29
content:
<p>
Adani is still trying to start a new coal mine in Australia, even
though not the previously intended megamine, and still faces
opposition.  It is following a plan
to <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/business/2019/feb/19/adanis-legal-intimidation-tactics-against-community-groups-a-threat-to-democracy">silence
opposition with threats</a>.


feed_id: 1ac6003619273884ef70950282ed555e
title: Every brutal means
uri: Every-brutal-means
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#9_April_2019_%28Every_brutal_means%29
content:
<p>
(satire) "If America’s interests are threatened anywhere in the world,
the U.S. retains the right to
use <a href="https://politics.theonion.com/trump-confirms-all-violent-options-on-the-table-in-vene-1832729737">every
brutal means it has at its disposal</a>, whether that’s using drone
strikes or chemical weapons, or just carpet bombing hospitals."


feed_id: 42b2e478df7e5a034f1d63948424d8be
title: Joe Crowley lobbying
uri: Joe-Crowley-lobbying
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#9_April_2019_%28Joe_Crowley_lobbying%29
content:
<p>
The plutocratist Democrat that Rep. Ocasio-Cortez defeated has
demonstrated why it was important to defeat him &mdash;
by <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2019/02/19/not-surprising-so-shameful-ousted-ocasio-cortez-joe-crowley-heads-k-street-lobbying">joining
a lobbying company</a>.
<p>
Before plutocratist congresscritters become lobbyists, they constitute the
targets of lobbyists.  If we convert them all into lobbyists, the lobbyists
will become ineffective.


feed_id: 4bc56248c13f5c210d03fbffc86cd958
title: Virginia teacher strike
uri: Virginia-teacher-strike
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#9_April_2019_%28Virginia_teacher_strike%29
content:
<p>
Virginia teachers went on strike to protest at the state capitol
and <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2019/02/19/flooding-state-capitol-west-virginia-teachers-save-public-education-privatization">defeated
a bill</a> to privatize public schools.
<p>
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2019/feb/19/west-virginia-teachers-strike-education-bill">More
info</a> (written before the strike occurred).


feed_id: fa7f939dcc3c31ccf5a8e52b92aee496
title: Shamima Begum
uri: Shamima-Begum
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#9_April_2019_%28Shamima_Begum%29
content:
<p>
The UK
government <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/feb/19/isis-briton-shamima-begum-to-have-uk-citizenship-revoked">intends
to cancel the citizenship</a> of PISSI-wife Shamima Begum, born in the
UK, on the grounds that supposedly she could get Bangladeshi
citizenship if she applied for it.
<p>
No matter what crimes a citizen has committed, exile is an unjust
punishment.  Moreover, the reckless approach intended here by the UK
(and likewise by
Australia <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#17_March_2019_(Neil_Prakash)">in
a similar case</a>)
is sure to result in making people stateless, some of the time.
It is, in effect, a way of pretending to avoid that outcome while
being systematically careless and thus assuring it will happen.


feed_id: 10055d030b89ff5d0369f0809453bcf9
title: Ilhan Omar
uri: 2019-04-10-Ilhan-Omar
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#10_April_2019_%28Ilhan_Omar%29
content:
<p>
<p>
Ilhan Omar <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2019/04/07/bigotry-deadly-warnings-normalized-hate-speech-after-latest-threats-targeting-rep?cd-origin=rss">is receiving death threats</a> from people whose hatred has 
been stirred up by the bigot-in-chief.
</p>


feed_id: 6d27f0fc561307a6ef1bb45531d64b2c
title: American Myths
uri: American-Myths
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#10_April_2019_%28American_Myths%29
content:
<p>
<p>
The bullshitter has exposed the falsehood of <a href="<p>https://www.commondreams.org/views/2019/04/08/all-his-endless-lies-trump-has-exposed-some-important-truths?cd-origin=rss">some American myths</a>
that have been false for a long time.
</p>


feed_id: 48f982cfaf31674b03d50956ecd4f893
title: Barbara Budget
uri: Barbara-Budget
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#10_April_2019_%28Barbara_Budget%29
content:
<p>
<p>
Criticizing Rep. Barbara Lee's <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2019/04/08/rep-barbara-lees-startling-vote-boost-military-spending?cd-origin=rss">vote for a military budget</a> that includes
increases over the current bloated military budget.
</p>


feed_id: 3e7f83da8163fc979a8cffd73162e8da
title: University Birthright
uri: University-Birthright
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#10_April_2019_%28University_Birthright%29
content:
<p>
<p>
The truly rich don't have to cheat to buy their children's way into
an elite university.  <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2019/04/08/myth-meritocracy?cd-origin=rss">They treat it as a birthright</a>.
</p>
<p>
I think that the deepening poverty that the US imposes on the non-rich
is a more important problem than the decrease of their always-tiny
chance of becoming rich.  However, it seems plausible that the two are
results of the same cause: plutocracy.
</p>
<p>
It was democracy, and the policies it established, that made a good
college education available to non-rich young adults.  Now it's
plutocracy that fuels all the decisions that make it unavailable.
</p>
<p>
I don't think people need to earn merit to deserve a bearable life.
Everyone deserves that.  
</p>


feed_id: f641eb910c37362d0828156e210f1694
title: Medicare for All
uri: 2019-04-10-Medicare-for-All
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#10_April_2019_%28Medicare_for_All%29
content:
<p>
<p>
Don't mistake caution for practicality. Medicare for All is <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2019/04/08/take-it-economist-medicare-all-most-sensible-way-fix-health-care?cd-origin=rss">the only
practical path</a> to controlling costs and covering everyone.
</p>


feed_id: 2429af06e583ceb315580578782f7792
title: Human Rights
uri: 2019-04-10-Human-Rights
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#10_April_2019_%28Human_Rights%29
content:
<p>
<p>
The UN Human Rights Committee <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2019/04/08/un-recognizes-access-clean-affordable-water-and-climate-justice-civil-rights?cd-origin=rss">added the right</a> to clean, affordable
water, and safety from climate damage, to its list of human rights.
</p>
<p>
I basically agree with this change, but we need to recognize that it
is easier in principle to give people freedoms than to fill their
material rights.
</p>
<p>
For instance, a government can respect freedom of speech by abolishing
laws that infringe it.  Giving people feasible access to clean water
takes a lot of work, and that work may take years.  It is shameful
that the US has regressed in that department; I put it down to
plutocracy.
</p>
<p>
As to climate damage, counteracting the effects of <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#global heating">global heating</a> will
be totally hopeless in the long term.  The only way civilization can
protect itself from those effects is to prevent them.
</p>


feed_id: 3797b3f18aa3c60ccf0cbd1b5bc5a37a
title: Urgent: Electoral College
uri: Urgent-Electoral-College
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#10_April_2019_%28Urgent%3A_Electoral_College%29
content:
<p>
<p>
US citizens: call on Congress to <a href="ttps://act.credoaction.com/sign/abolish-electoral-college_pa?prefill=1&email=rms@gnu.org&name=Richard+Stallman&zip=02142&link_id=0&can_id=8b24519448cbedadde1c8a966f94caad&source=email-abolish-the-electoral-college&email_referrer=email_525164&email_subject=abolish-the-electoral-college">start the process of eliminating the
electoral college</a>.
</p>
<p>
The page gives <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#cheater">the cheater</a> a concession he does not deserve.  He did
not really win the election in the electoral college.  Rather,
Republicans stole the election in a few states.
</p>


feed_id: 371b5aac6a4a04c45f9b54f606ddcbc9
title: Sanders on Fox
uri: Sanders-on-Fox
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#10_April_2019_%28Sanders_on_Fox%29
content:
<p>
<p>
Sanders <a href="ttps://www.commondreams.org/news/2019/04/08/sanders-says-he-agreed-fox-news-town-hall-send-simple-message-trump-voters-he-lied?cd-origin=rss">will answer questions on Fox News</a> to show Republicans how the
bullshitter lied to them.
</p>


feed_id: 66b205eb72fcabed90f7289e40637d77
title: President Do Dirty
uri: President-Do-Dirty
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#10_April_2019_%28President_Do_Dirty%29
content:
<p>
<p>
As President Do-dirty <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2019/04/08/its-time-end-us-military-aid-philippines?cd-origin=rss">imposes repression on the Philippines</a>, including
imprisonment of officials and journalists, US aid to the military and
<a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thugs</a> fuels the repression.
<p>
<p>
I think there are good reasons to support the Philippines in
confronting Chinese maritime expansionism.  China is more repressive
than Do-dirty, and more likely to export repression.  The kind of
military support that helps resist China is mostly different from what
is useful for repression.  Perhaps it is possible to do the former and
cut off the latter.
</p>


feed_id: f4674c9471b9f609a28b0a4e1c9d4a84
title: Israel Policy
uri: Israel-Policy
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#10_April_2019_%28Israel_Policy%29
content:
<p>
<p>
All the parties that may govern Israel <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2019/04/08/annexation-happening-whether-netanyahu-reelected-or-not?cd-origin=rss">want to annex parts of the West Bank
and treat Palestinians as second-class citizens forever</a>.
</p>


feed_id: 87d309d1b1cf00442e20b8af0684fc0b
title: New leader of Algeria
uri: New-leader-of-Algeria
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#9_April_2019_%28New_leader_of_Algeria%29
content:
<p>
Uproar in Algeria as 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/apr/09/uproar-in-algeria-as-old-president-abdelaziz-bouteflika-ally-abdelkader-bensalah-named-new-leader">Ally
of Former President Named New Leader</a>.


feed_id: 880ecb82974f7e5865fcc2ebefe209c1
title: Corruption of DOJ
uri: Corruption-of-DOJ
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#9_April_2019_%28Corruption_of_DOJ%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#cheater">The cheater</a> has corrupted the Department of Justice so that it has
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2019/apr/09/dojs-new-stance-on-foreign-payments-or-gifts-to-trump-blurs-lines-experts">adopted
a very narrow definition of corruption</a>, which allows many routes
for other countries' government to effectively bribe <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#cheater">the cheater</a> and
other US officials.
<p>
Who needs proof of past collusion between <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#cheater">the cheater</a> and Russia?
We can see he wants to legalize future collusion.


feed_id: 65fa72e4c7d1e95e3a01956617cb5619
title: Advice for parents of teens in love
uri: Advice-for-parents-of-teens-in-love
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#9_April_2019_%28Advice_for_parents_of_teens_in_love%29

content:
<p>
Thoughtful advice for parents of teenagers that are in love, to 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/global/2019/apr/09/how-cope-when-child-first-falls-in-love">help
them be helpful instead of dogmatic or jealous</a>.
<p>
Alas, the 
<a href="https://stallman.org/articles/genderless-pronouns.html">foolish fashion of using
"them" to refer to a single person</a> makes one sentence so ambiguous
that I don't feel confident I know what meaning is intended.


feed_id: dde7a6f52aaf8dd7c1ac4a7a0371f436
title: Racist fascists in Italy
uri: Racist-fascists-in-Italy
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#9_April_2019_%28Racist_fascists_in_Italy%29
content:
<p>
Racist fascists have taken over soccer in Italy to the point where
they
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/apr/09/moise-kean-far-right-italy-football-juventus">intimidate
even the most admired teams</a>.


feed_id: 0d30068cb935550948d6e070b69e5d11
title: Alcoholic beverage companies
uri: Alcoholic-beverage-companies
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#9_April_2019_%28Alcoholic_beverage_companies%29
content:
<p>
Alcoholic beverage companies are 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2019/apr/09/australian-instagram-influencers-often-plug-alcohol-but-do-not-declare-sponsorship">secretly
recruiting Instagram influencers to show themselves drinking alcohol</a>.
<p>
This is similar to the "product placement" in movies and TV that many
kinds of companies pay for.  In general I find it sleazy.
<p>
If you didn't let those shallow people influence you via Instagram.
could Instagram continue to exist?  Let's try it and see!


feed_id: 1882ffdffc00254a0b531792ae0d29c6
title: Nielsen forced out of DHS
uri: Nielsen-forced-out-of-DHS
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#9_April_2019_%28Nielsen_forced_out_of_DHS%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#bully">The bully</a> has 
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2019/04/08/nielsen-out-and-stephen-miller-driving-immigration-policy-critics-fear-worst-yet">forced
out Kirstjen Nielsen as head of the Department of Hatred and
Suffering</a>.  It seems that she was unwilling to totally disregard
federal law.


feed_id: 2c2191f1ff67537e37cc1566def80aa1
title: Polio
uri: Polio
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#9_April_2019_%28Polio%29
content:
<p>
The many-decade project to eradicate polio is being thwarted by
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2019/feb/20/polio-spreads-in-afghanistan-and-pakistan-due-to-unchecked-borders">anarchy
at the border between Afghanistan and Pakistan</a>.
<p>
I suspect that the other zone where polio remains endemic, Nigeria, is
related to Boko Haram.


feed_id: 4e09988c59ef73f7dca186c29735141b
title: Cheap clothing that falls apart quickly
uri: Cheap-clothing-that-falls-apart-quickly
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#9_April_2019_%28Cheap_clothing_that_falls_apart_quickly%29

content:
<p>
Many young people are 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/feb/20/shopping-addiction-fashion-environment">addicted
to buying new cheap clothing that will fall apart quickly</a>.  It
reminds me of addiction to various other harmful or wasteful things,
such as sugar, Facebook, and Instagram.
<p>
Here's my idea: Add a substantial, dissuasive tax to each article of
new clothing, perhaps between 10 and 50 pounds depending on the kind
of item.  However, the tax rate should start to decrease once a
product is on the market longer than two months.  By the time it is on
the market for four months, this tax could decrease to zero.
<p>
We could also require clothing to be sold with a guarantee against
falling apart inside of six months after sale.
<p>
If that doesn't do it, I'm sure there are ways to push harder.
It is a question of political will.


feed_id: e81e52572859ecb3903655354ae711cf
title: FSF Hiring
uri: FSF-Hiring
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#9_April_2019_%28FSF_Hiring%29
content:
<p>
The FSF is looking to hire a <a href="https://www.fsf.org/news/fsf-job-opportunity-campaigns-manager-1">campaigns manager</a>.
</p>


feed_id: c7257da4a64f7b057fb70d00f44bc55e
title: American Myths
uri: 2019-04-10-American-Myths
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#10_April_2019_%28American_Myths%29
content:
<p>
<p>
The bullshitter has exposed the falsehood of <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2019/04/08/all-his-endless-lies-trump-has-exposed-some-important-truths?cd-origin=rss">some American myths</a>
that have been false for a long time.
</p>


feed_id: 5e3715c3be6bd07013db1c5d0f6cfcad
title: Urgent: Clean water standards
uri: Urgent-Clean-water-standards
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#11_April_2019_%28Urgent%3A_Clean_water_standards%29
content:
<p>
US
citizens: <a href="https://act.credoaction.com/sign/dirty-water-rule">call
on the EPA</a> to preserve clean water standards.
</p>
<p>If you sign, please spread the word!</p>


feed_id: 4f9eee656098920806855fcd9d26e70d
title: Urgent: Nuclear missile protesters
uri: Urgent-Nuclear-missile-protesters
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#11_April_2019_%28Urgent%3A_Nuclear_missile_protesters%29

content:
<p>
US
citizens: <a href="https://www.kingsbayplowshares7.org/global-petition">drop
charges</a> against the protesters that symbolically "damaged" nuclear
missiles.
</p>
<p>If you sign, please spread the word!</p>


feed_id: 465384e8d8ecb6a6a9f97d1ee890abb6
title: Urgent: DCCC blacklist policy
uri: Urgent-DCCC-blacklist-policy
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#11_April_2019_%28Urgent%3A_DCCC_blacklist_policy%29
content:
<p>
US
citizens: <a href="https://actionnetwork.org/petitions/end-the-dccc-blacklist">call
on the DCCC</a> to drop its blacklist policy, that aims to make
progressive primary challenges unfeasible.
</p>
<p>If you sign, please spread the word!</p>


feed_id: 8b4ff77fa7e3c366f87255834698bdd8
title: speakout.tech
uri: speakout-tech
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#11_April_2019_%28speakout.tech%29
content:
<p>
The site
speakout.tech <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2019/feb/19/facebook-google-whistleblowers-ad-tech">invites
employees to blow the whistle</a> on unethical technical systems.
<p>
This could be great if it covered all the major kinds of unethical
activity,
including <a href="https://gnu.org/philosophy/free-software-even-more-important.html">distributing
nonfree software to users</a> and collecting sensitive personal
information including where people go, what they do,
and <a href="https://gnu.org/philosophy/surveillance-vs-democracy.html">who
they talk with</a>, and other forms
of <a href="https://gnu.org/malware/">malicious functionalities</a>.
<p>
However, I expect they limit themselves to much narrower categories of
unethical technology.


feed_id: de90f17a2009ec19486ef40b379917c4
title: Macron and opposition to Zionism
uri: Macron-and-opposition-to-Zionism
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#11_April_2019_%28Macron_and_opposition_to_Zionism%29

content:
<p>
Macron <a href="https://theintercept.com/2019/02/21/french-presidents-promise-crack-anti-semitism-threaten-critics-israel/">wants
to prosecute</a> opposition to Zionism, and condemnation of Israel
because of its discriminatory laws, as "anti-semitism".
That is a falsehood.
<p>
Anti-semitism is a form of bigotry and hatred.  I condemn it because I
condemn bigotry and hatred, and perhaps a little more strongly seeing
as I am part of the group that its hate is directed at.
<p>
However, questioning the legitimacy of Israel's laws and policies is
not anti-semitism.  Confusing the two is the lie that the supporters
of Israel's discrimination and its occupation policies have been
pushing for years.


feed_id: 199c29be914367460746b765eb83dc62
title: Activists as lobbyists
uri: Activists-as-lobbyists
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#11_April_2019_%28Activists_as_lobbyists%29
content:
<p>
Governor Cuomo plans to make groups of activist volunteers register as
<a href="https://theintercept.com/2019/02/21/andrew-cuomo-budget-proposal-lobbying-reform/">professional
lobbying organizations</a>.
<p>
This would greatly hamper their activities, which I suppose is what
Cuomo wants, he being a plutocratist Democrat.


feed_id: 1345664040f30226823df5ec1ce3d067
title: Shooter of Willie McCoy
uri: Shooter-of-Willie-McCoy
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#11_April_2019_%28Shooter_of_Willie_McCoy%29
content:
<p>
One of the <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thugs</a> that shot sleeping Willie McCoy had killed another
unarmed black man a year before &mdash; and seems to
have <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2019/feb/21/willie-mccoy-police-shooting-taco-bell">invented
an excuse to justify it</a>.


feed_id: e75984b93279efaa59d2dddbff2f5de2
title: Contempt for international rules
uri: Contempt-for-international-rules
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#11_April_2019_%28Contempt_for_international_rules%29

content:
<p>
<a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#bully">The bully</a>'s contempt for international rules has surely encouraged
Russia and China to treat them with contempt
in <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2019/feb/22/sydney-opal-tower-report-finds-multiple-design-and-construction-faults">several
recent examples</a>.


feed_id: 7d07d8a8fd9a505f8dc2cea841213314
title: 2030 greenhouse gas target
uri: 2030-greenhouse-gas-target
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#11_April_2019_%282030_greenhouse_gas_target%29
content:
<p>
Greta Thunberg told the EU that its greenhouse gas target for 2030
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/feb/21/greta-thunberg-tells-eu-your-greenhouse-gas-targets-are-too-low">needs
to be 80% reduction</a>, not merely 45%.
<p>
If that is only meant to be enough to keep heating within 2C, it is
still not sufficient.  Local disasters are already happening
world-wide and we have not even reached 1.5C yet.


feed_id: 246e2b00aed33a81f14baaa1ddb34cd0
title: Chinese censorship effect
uri: Chinese-censorship-effect
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#11_April_2019_%28Chinese_censorship_effect%29
content:
<p>
China has trained Chinese people to be so sheeplike that even when
they visit other countries and have the opportunity to learn the
things that China
censors, <a href="https://www.hrw.org/news/2019/02/20/how-chinas-censorship-machine-crosses-borders-and-western-politics">they
don't bother</a>.
<p>
This indicates how powerful internet censorship and surveillance can be.
Nothing guarantees it will be limited to China.


feed_id: c96114daa86b200d2bfb366496873130
title: Online voting test
uri: Online-voting-test
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#11_April_2019_%28Online_voting_test%29
content:
<p>
Switzerland was going to test online voting, but leaks of
code <a href="https://motherboard.vice.com/en_us/article/vbwz94/experts-find-serious-problems-with-switzerlands-online-voting-system-before-public-penetration-test-even-begins">show
glaring flaws</a> in the design.
<p>
That is in addition to
the <a href="https://stallman.org/evoting.html">inherent, unavoidable
grave flaws</a> of online voting.


feed_id: ca376c652345b6adda7af28e072140f4
title: Global heating and food shortages
uri: Global-heating-and-food-shortages
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#11_April_2019_%28Global_heating_and_food_shortages%29

content:
<p>
<a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#global heating">Global heating</a> is causing food shortages around the world, but this is
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/science/2019/feb/21/climate-change-cause-of-most-under-reported-humanitarian-crises-report-finds">not
being reported much</a>.


feed_id: 61c01cb7b7ba1ee581cca36c43a6960f
title: Complete medical coverage
uri: Complete-medical-coverage
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#11_April_2019_%28Complete_medical_coverage%29
content:
<p>
The president of Physicians for a National Health
Program <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2019/02/20/exciting-dangerous-moment-medicare-all">explains
why</a> we need true Medicare for All, a complete medical coverage
that pays for all medical expenses, not tweaks to the existing system.


feed_id: f81b58b6914e8137a322c6b7b76477b6
title: Patient support groups on Facebook
uri: Patient-support-groups-on-Facebook
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#11_April_2019_%28Patient_support_groups_on_Facebook%29

content:
<p>
Facebook leads its useds into joining "private" medical patient
support groups, but "private" is misleading since
they <a href="https://thehill.com/policy/technology/430634-patients-health-data-experts-accuse-facebook-of-exposing-personal-health">aren't
safe from being profiled</a> based on this.


feed_id: bce7033d13659184a0416ee4a258e6c6
title: Forced conversion therapy
uri: Forced-conversion-therapy
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#11_April_2019_%28Forced_conversion_therapy%29
content:
<p>
Forced "conversion therapy" seems
to <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/feb/20/conversion-therapy-can-result-in-mental-illness-poll-finds">result
often in mental illness</a>.
<p>
This was not a scientific study, so it would be a mistake to attach
significance to the frequency reported, but does suggest
it is a significant effect.


feed_id: c44b44c666673dc3b74a18cb36c0ae3e
title: Sanders on Fox
uri: 2019-04-12-Sanders-on-Fox
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#10_April_2019_%28Sanders_on_Fox%29
content:
<p>
<p>
Sanders <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2019/04/08/sanders-says-he-agreed-fox-news-town-hall-send-simple-message-trump-voters-he-lied?cd-origin=rss">will answer questions on Fox News</a> to show Republicans how the
bullshitter lied to them.
</p>


feed_id: 91376f79f706d8183fa4146c1c2a352d
title: White supremacist PISSI members
uri: White-supremacist-PISSI-members
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#13_April_2019_%28White_supremacist_PISSI_members%29
content:
<p>
(satire) [<a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#pissi">PISSI</a>] leaders &hellip; have 
<a href="https://www.theonion.com/isis-adds-few-violent-white-supremacists-in-bid-to-get-1833890999">added
a few violent white supremacists to the group</a> &hellip;


feed_id: aee2fde0d1efcc9c5d9c8ae83f99573b
title: Eating less meat
uri: 2019-04-13-Eating-less-meat
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#13_April_2019_%28Eating_less_meat%29
content:
<p>
Research suggests Europe could grow enough food using little
fertilizer and pesticides, 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/feb/20/european-farms-could-grow-green-and-still-be-able-to-feed-population">if
people ate less meat</a> (a change which would be healthier for the
people).


feed_id: 36c6b7eebc2e8ddcf05ea07109a32c17
title: Advice for climate strikers
uri: Advice-for-climate-strikers
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#13_April_2019_%28Advice_for_climate_strikers%29
content:
<p>
George Monbiot: 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/feb/20/manifesto-youth-climate-strikers-win-fight">strategy
advice</a> for the climate strikers, so they can win the battle that
they cannot afford to lose.
<p>
For the most part, I think the advice is wise.  I am not convinced
however, that advice about farming is valid.  It might be, but as far
as I know it has not yet been scientifically established.
<p>
I wish Monbiot would not refer to teenagers as "children".  Some of
the youngest climate strikers are children on the verge of
adolescence, but most of them are adolescents.  Greta Thunberg is no
child!  She is 16 years old.


feed_id: 6223e8569ab36987c016180d982fad39
title: European Union
uri: 2019-04-13-European-Union
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#12_April_2019_%28European_Union%29
content:
<p>
"My grandfather was a Nazi.  I've seen 
<a href='https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/feb/20/grandfather-nazi-eu-world-war-two-germans-peace'>why
we need the EU</a>."
<p>
I agree that we need a European Union &mdash; but 
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#21_May_2016_(European_Union)">we
cannot tolerate one that is plutocratist and subjects Europe to the
power of the rich</a>.


feed_id: 8bffae331dbd84b06a8d5cb5ea4d4b3d
title: Denver threatens immigrant teachers
uri: Denver-threatens-immigrant-teachers
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#12_April_2019_%28Denver_threatens_immigrant_teachers%29

content:
<p>
Denver 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2019/feb/20/denver-teachers-strikes-immigrants-work-visas-jeopardized">threatened
immigrant teachers with deportation if they join strikes</a>.  So do
other parts of the US.


feed_id: a2a8bfe14b82058b64ed61e1b4e8ce98
title: Student attacked for reciting pledge
uri: Student-attacked-for-reciting-pledge
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#12_April_2019_%28Student_attacked_for_reciting_pledge%29

content:
<p>
The 11-year-old student in Florida was, according to the school, not
arrested for refusing to recite the Pledge of Allegiance; rather, for
getting upset when 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2019/feb/20/florida-boy-arrested-refused-pledge-of-allegiance-school">attacked
and punished for refusing</a>.
<p>
That detail is of no importance.  It is wrong, it is crazy, to arrest
children for getting upset in school.  We must take the <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thugs</a> out of
the schools!


feed_id: c6dba3f3ca505b249d436bb2bf5c3c79
title: Growing number of hate groups
uri: Growing-number-of-hate-groups
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#12_April_2019_%28Growing_number_of_hate_groups%29
content:
<p>
Southern Poverty Law Center reports that the US has 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/feb/20/trump-hate-groups-ideas-spread-report-southern-poverty-law-center">more
hate groups now than ever since it began counting them</a>.  I believe
that was in 2001.


feed_id: f4674b8872a7055022cc8d6c623f92cb
title: North Korean ambassador defects
uri: North-Korean-ambassador-defects
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#12_April_2019_%28North_Korean_ambassador_defects%29
content:
<p>
The North Korean ambassador to Italy defected.  His daughter, who was
studying in a school in Italy, was reportedly 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/feb/20/north-korea-accused-of-abducting-its-former-ambassadors-daughter">forcibly
sent back to North Korea</a>, though it is not clear from where.


feed_id: a8f743929205cef3bb2815e9af6f6f4d
title: Flanders Stream
uri: Flanders-Stream
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#14_April_2019_%28Flanders_Stream%29
content:
<p>
<p>
Flanders Stream So Polluted "<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/apr/12/flanders-stream-so-polluted-water-could-be-used-as-pesticide">Water Could Be Used as Pesticide</a>."
</p>


feed_id: 8bb4186df09ce18d4f8bc9a42ec65fe3
title: Climate Strikers
uri: Climate-Strikers
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#14_April_2019_%28Climate_Strikers%29
content:
<p>
<p>
Student climate strikers <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/apr/12/students-climate-strikes-protests-london-environment">shut down</a> one of London's main streets.
</p>


feed_id: c2275a3878d12c548da9e55c3243e250
title: Dictator Policy
uri: Dictator-Policy
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#14_April_2019_%28Dictator_Policy%29
content:
<p>
<p>
The bully's <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/apr/13/trump-immigration-dictators-playbook">Immigration Moves</a> Are Straight from the Dictator's
Playbook.
</p>


feed_id: b573f428558a8a0ba5c9d442b867fa57
title: Extinction Rebellion
uri: 2019-04-14-Extinction-Rebellion
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#14_April_2019_%28Extinction_Rebellion%29
content:
<p>
<p>
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/apr/13/extinction-rebellion-calls-protesters-block-london-streets">Extinction Rebellion</a> Calls on Protesters to Block London Streets.
</p>


feed_id: 80c8075aa10be44579019e52ad686207
title: Sanctuary Cities
uri: Sanctuary-Cities
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#14_April_2019_%28Sanctuary_Cities%29
content:
<p>
<p>
The bully <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2019/04/12/despicable-treating-human-beings-political-pawns-trump-reportedly-pushed-drop-asylum?cd-origin=rss">demonstrated his contempt for immigrants</a> by proposing to
release them all in sanctuary cities, presuming the inhabitants would
view them with contempt and resentment like his.
</p>
<p>
Unfortunately, some of the inhabitants would &mdash; perhaps the same ones
that want to repress the homeless.
</p>


feed_id: 7fa3821f3a694867efd42fa09c2a197e
title: MA Data Law
uri: MA-Data-Law
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#14_April_2019_%28MA_Data_Law%29
content:
<p>
<p>
A proposed Massachusetts law would <a href="https://www.workplaceprivacyreport.com/2019/04/articles/consumer-privacy/proposed-legislation-in-massachusetts-would-create-private-right-of-action-for-improper-collection-of-personal-or-biometric-information/">limit the collection</p> and use of personal
information.
</p>
<p>
The bill is weak because businesses could effectively punch holes in
it by saying, "If you don't agree to all if this, we will simply close
your account."
</p>
<p>
I don't think the bill covers deduced information, such as the
conclusion that you are pregnant, or gay, or disabled, based on
tracking your interests.  But I can't be sure about that.
</p>
<p>
In addition, it covers only disclosure to other businesses, not
disclosure to the forces of potential repression.  It would not make
me feel safe with collection of data about me.  I want to be free to
do things anonymously.
</p>
<p>
One detail: it says the company must give you a chance to
refuse distribution of data about you to other companies.
But if it distributes data to 3 other companies, does it
have to let you say yes or no to each other company?
</p>
<p>
Suppose one company is Facebook, one is Google, and one is
your insurance company.  You need to permit giving the data
to your insurance company.  If the options offered to you
are yes-yes-yes and no-no-no, you can't approve that
without also approving distribution to Facebook and Google too.
</p>


feed_id: 192b6e48d2c41a8ca6132b35c520fccc
title: Sudan General
uri: Sudan-General
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#14_April_2019_%28Sudan_General%29
content:
<p>
<p>
Sudan's army <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/apr/12/sudanese-protesters-jubilant-after-military-leader-rapidly-replaced">replaced the first head of the military government</a>
with another general, who is not linked with Bashir's crimes.
</p>
<p>
That article says the Sudanese seem to think the new general is better.
However, this article says that <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/apr/13/north-africa-sudan-algeria-revolutions-rarely-end-happily">protesters demand a more
credible change</a>.
</p>
<p>
Protests against military government in Sudan have <a href="
https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2019/apr/12/no-more-old-men-in-uniform-sudan-protesters-demand-civil-government-military-power-omar-al-bashir">brought together the
Christian minority with the Muslim protesters</a>.
</p>


feed_id: 0870302e12ed366c2e920f17c750b991
title: Undermining
uri: Undermining
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#14_April_2019_%28Undermining%29
content:
<p>
<p>
"Undermining judges, scientists and journalists is designed to <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/apr/12/societies-referees-judges-scientists-journalists-powerful">create
societies where the powerful can do what they like</a>."
</p>


feed_id: 5aab682cd683c7185609b98e40a2101c
title: Dirty Tactics
uri: Dirty-Tactics
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#14_April_2019_%28Dirty_Tactics%29
content:
<p>
<p>
Bahrain is trying to punish exiled human rights defender Sayed Ahmed
Alwadaei by <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/apr/11/end-bahrain-persecution-of-sayed-ahmed-alwadaei-and-his-family">hurting his relatives</a> that still live in Bahrain.
</p>


feed_id: f6a4160e3e29df724bdc25e2379adae9
title: Swiss Referendum
uri: Swiss-Referendum
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#14_April_2019_%28Swiss_Referendum%29
content:
<p>
<p>
Switzerland held a referendum on a change in tax law.  A court ruled the
referendum was invalid because the <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/apr/11/switzerland-court-overturns-referendum-as-voters-were-poorly-informed">voters were not properly informed</a>
about the law.
</p>
<p>
Switzerland's system gives direct democracy a major role.  It holds
referendum votes several times a year.  I think this is admirable.
That courts ensure the honesty of the referendum system makes it even
better.
</p>

<P>


feed_id: d60c4ff80358f8bd3e50eea9b4c64675
title: Urgent: Cameras in airplane seats
uri: Urgent-Cameras-in-airplane-seats
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#13_April_2019_%28Urgent%3A_Cameras_in_airplane_seats%29

content:
<p>
US
citizens: <a href="https://act.demandprogress.org/sign/tell-airline-companies-discontinue-flight-cameras-passengers/">call
on airlines</a> to stop installing cameras and microphones that can
observe passengers in their seats.
</p>
<p>If you sign, please spread the word!</p>


feed_id: bbdc38eca45c8c07c374df55c77df0b2
title: Urgent: Medicare for All
uri: 2019-04-14-Urgent-Medicare-for-All
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#13_April_2019_%28Urgent%3A_Medicare_for_All%29
content:
<p>
US
citizens: <a href="https://actionnetwork.org/petitions/become-a-grassroots-co-sponsor-of-medicare-for-all?nowrapper=true">call
on Congress</a> to support Medicare for All.
</p>
<p>If you sign, please spread the word!</p>


feed_id: 35d2ccc41bf07ec26bdf45a848da9344
title: Urgent: Family separation
uri: Urgent-Family-separation
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#13_April_2019_%28Urgent%3A_Family_separation%29
content:
<p>
US
citizens: <a href="https://act.credoaction.com/sign/senate-dhs-end-family-separation">call
on the Senate</a> to reject nominees that support family separation.
</p>
<p>If you sign, please spread the word!</p>


feed_id: 014f1db3e6ca0c57ed864289fd6dacf6
title: Urgent: Military budget
uri: 2019-04-14-Urgent-Military-budget
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#13_April_2019_%28Urgent%3A_Military_budget%29
content:
<p>
US
citizens: <a href="https://act.rootsaction.org/p/dia/action4/common/public/?action_KEY=13656">call
on your congresscritter</a> to reduce the military budget.
</p>


feed_id: 6391b8e4436f37bab15ce70939bbd32f
title: Progressives in West Virginia
uri: Progressives-in-West-Virginia
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#13_April_2019_%28Progressives_in_West_Virginia%29
content:
<p>
The labor history of West Virginia suggests
that <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/news/2019/feb/22/trump-country-republican-appalachia-virginia-activism">progressive
candidates can win there</a>, if we can defeat cheating plutocratists.


feed_id: 91d99004b62a39ec09bde4f57c9bb0ce
title: 'Terrorist suspects' list
uri: 2019-04-14-Terrorist-suspects-list
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#13_April_2019_%28%27Terrorist_suspects%27_list%29
content:
<p>
The US government gave over 1400 private organizations access to a
list of names of people labeled as "terrorist suspects" &mdash;
and <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2019/02/20/illegal-boondoggle-us-government-rebuked-giving-1400-private-companies-access">lied
about this for years</a>.
<p>
The US government places names on such lists arbitrarily, and people
can only guess (based on experiences of harassment) that they might
be on such a list.


feed_id: 9091c87053a82812b1e48653fa1276e5
title: School lockdowns
uri: School-lockdowns
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#13_April_2019_%28School_lockdowns%29
content:
<p>
"Real" school lockdowns
are <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2019/02/20/viscerally-terrifying-lockdown-mom-experienced-classroom-4-year-olds-id-never">far
more common than shootings</a> in schools.  They are done as a
"precaution" when it appears there is some reason why a shooting might
(but almost certainly won't) occur soon.
<p>
This does psychological harm to lots of children.  Surely hundreds of
times as many, or thousands of times, as the number who witness a
shooting.  The harm is less than being hit by a bullet, but it is not
trivial.
<p>
Do these lockdowns cause more harm than they prevent?
I don't know enough to suggest an answer, but the question is important.


feed_id: 9cc81754d036954d3530ecb68e1704d3
title: Coloring book on racism
uri: Coloring-book-on-racism
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#13_April_2019_%28Coloring_book_on_racism%29
content:
<p>
Fighting racism with the hacker
spirit: <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2019/02/21/are-you-black-white-or-human">a
coloring book</a> entitled "Some of my best friends are colored."


feed_id: 3c39114f4f921d97bdb80cc7adf9d630
title: Real and fake emergencies
uri: Real-and-fake-emergencies
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#13_April_2019_%28Real_and_fake_emergencies%29
content:
<p>
Current plutocratist propaganda equates the real emergency of global
heating with the bullshitter's fake emergency, as a form
of <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2019/02/21/answering-attacks-green-new-deal">false
equivalence</a>.


feed_id: 9313b45cf88010ce3962e2f3fca7a586
title: Times Square AOC sign
uri: Times-Square-AOC-sign
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#13_April_2019_%28Times_Square_AOC_sign%29
content:
<p>
Plutocratists are attacking Rep. Ocasio-Cortez with
a <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2019/02/21/ocasio-cortez-hits-back-after-right-wingers-drop-big-cash-wack-times-square">big
sign in Times Square</a> that starts by pretending NYC lost something
when Amazon walked away, and then blames her for achieving this.
<p>
To pay any company to set up shop in your city is
a <a href="https://stallman.org/articles/states-union.html">sucker's
deal</a>,
but if the company is Amazon you're aiding all sorts of
<a href="https://stallman.org/amazon.html">nasty practices</a>.


feed_id: f20591bf0bada0862f3f518c836ad7ca
title: Bold Democratic agenda
uri: Bold-Democratic-agenda
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#13_April_2019_%28Bold_Democratic_agenda%29
content:
<p>
Resisting Trump Is Not
Enough: <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2019/02/21/resisting-trump-not-enough-20000-activists-ask-democratic-candidates-where-they">20,000
Activists</a> Ask Democratic Candidates Where They Stand on Bold
Agenda.
<p>
The agenda is long, but it looks like I agree pretty much with
all 10 points.


feed_id: ace08124dc8aca0bbee44c44dcb13dbf
title: Pesticide approval
uri: Pesticide-approval
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#13_April_2019_%28Pesticide_approval%29
content:
<p>
The Environment Pillaging
Agency <a href="https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2019/2/20/1836065/-EPA-issued-emergency-approval-to-spray-16-million-acres-with-bee-killing-pesticide">fabricated
an "emergency"</a> to excuse use of a banned bee-killing pesticide in
violation of its rules.


feed_id: 116598a7a4847e7a3f229f39a76ce5ce
title: Kept in prison illegally
uri: Kept-in-prison-illegally
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#13_April_2019_%28Kept_in_prison_illegally%29
content:
<p>
Various Louisiana agencies informally cooperate
to <a href="https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2019/2/18/1835717/-In-Louisiana-a-frightening-pattern-emerges-of-people-kept-locked-up-long-past-their-release-dates">keep
prisoners in prison illegally</a> "by mistake" after their sentences
end.


feed_id: b5c29f4320fefc65361ac133e2c93d3c
title: Advances in Venezuela
uri: Advances-in-Venezuela
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#13_April_2019_%28Advances_in_Venezuela%29
content:
<p>
US media present the economic deterioration of Venezuela
but <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2019/02/21/us-media-erase-years-chavismos-gains">never
mention the great advances</a> Chávez made previously in reducing
poverty and improving medical care.
<p>
Both of these changes have really happened, and neither one makes
the other insignificant.  Maduro has damaged Venezuela's economy even more
than he has damaged Venezuela's democracy and constitution.  The achievements
of Chávez do not excuse Maduro.
<p>
But we should hesitate to see a solution in Guaidó, who we must suspect wishes
to erase Chávez's advances along with Maduro's damage.


feed_id: 4efa9f874b21c7d8b714dd3b61067a2d
title: Uighur disappearances
uri: Uighur-disappearances
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#13_April_2019_%28Uighur_disappearances%29
content:
<p>
China is disappearing prominent Uighur cultural figures.  Comedian
Adil Mijit has not been heard of for months, and his
relatives <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/feb/22/xinjiang-fears-for-uihgur-comedian-missing-amid-crackdown-on-cultural-figures">suppose
he is in prison</a>.
<p>
Several well-known musicians have been disappeared as well.
<p>
China's publication of a photo of one musician demonstrates the extent
of the injustice.   Evidently the musician's family are not allowed
to visit him in prison.  And they were not allowed to see his trial,
if he even had one.


feed_id: 6ed0012dccc502e6d2b89256eb1cd9b3
title: Palestinian state
uri: 2019-04-14-Palestinian-state
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#13_April_2019_%28Palestinian_state%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://www.challenge-mag.com/whos-for-a-palestinian-state/">This
article</a> claims that only middle-aged people in Israel and
Palestine still think about the possibility of a Palestinian state.
<p>
It argues that the only avenue for justice is to make one state which
offers freedom and equality to all its inhabitants.


feed_id: b8e6d852149e93a69b5b456889bed5f9
title: Medical insurance companies
uri: 2019-04-15-Medical-insurance-companies
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#15_April_2019_%28Medical_insurance_companies%29
content:
<p>
The predatory medical insurance companies of the US are lobbying
extremely hard to <a href=" https://www.commondreams.org/news/2019/04/12/i-felt-americans-needed-know-insurance-industry-whistleblower-gives-glimpse-effort?cd-origin=rss">prevent Medicare for All</a>, which would replace them
with somethng less greedy.


feed_id: 62cc94a3cd3625b47459e753ade2d601
title: Boeing 737 instability
uri: Boeing-737-instability
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#15_April_2019_%28Boeing_737_instability%29
content:
<p>
Ralph Nader: the instability of the Boeing 737 Max 8 is due to a
design process that <a href=" https://www.commondreams.org/views/2019/04/05/boeings-homicides-will-give-way-safety-reforms-if-flyers-organize?cd-origin=rss">cut costs at the expense of safety</a>, then tried to
patch that with unexplained software features. The FAA let Boeing
get away with a fundamentally dangerous approach.
<p>
Any airplane can stall. When it stalls, the pilot recovers by pushing
the nose down. In the US, you can't get a pilot's license without
learning to do this. As a pilot, you practice causing stalls and
recovering from them.


feed_id: d5c772c2e7ba870ba4cd0795cf71a8da
title: US state legislators
uri: US-state-legislators
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#15_April_2019_%28US_state_legislators%29
content:
<p>
US state legislators introduced over 10,000 bills (over two years, I
think) whose text was copied from model legislation, most of which was
<a href="https://publicintegrity.org/state-politics/copy-paste-legislate/you-elected-them-to-write-new-laws-theyre-letting-corporations-do-it-instead/">written by business lobbyists</a>.


feed_id: b27e39520fd9496f5da53ea1fd810ab1
title: Moroccan women
uri: Moroccan-women
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#15_April_2019_%28Moroccan_women%29
content:
<p>
Moroccan women working picking strawberries in Spain are <a href=" https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2019/apr/14/rape-abuse-claims-spains-strawberry-industry">forced to live in unsafe conditions</a>, and suffer rape as well.
<p>
When they complain to the thugs, the thugs ignore them, and their
employer/abusers kick them out, leaving them destitute. But the worst
thing is the cruelty of their parents and husbands.
<p>
With all the money that the strawberries bring in, Spain can afford to
deploy inspectors to make sure these workers have safe working
conditions.


feed_id: d59a58ad6eb4c59bdbd34f74751969fb
title: Anti-death penality
uri: Anti-death-penality
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#15_April_2019_%28Anti-death_penality%29
content:
<p>
An odd couple that campaign to <a href=" https://theintercept.com/2019/04/14/anti-death-penalty-advocates/">end the death penalty</a>:
<p>
one that was exonerated from death row, and one that realized
it was wrong to execute her mother's murderer.


feed_id: 9ada4caed7c84f912714cd95efc2d21d
title: Anti-vax idiocy
uri: Anti-vax-idiocy
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#15_April_2019_%28Anti-vax_idiocy%29
content:
<p>
Anti-vax idiocy is <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/apr/14/as-ebola-kills-in-africa-in-the-west-lies-over-vaccines-beguile-the-complacent">becoming deadly</a>, in the US, Europe, and Africa.
<p>
But the biggest danger is in Africa.
<p>
You can use anti-vax as a diagnostic for people that are inclined to
believe bullshit. That won't save their lives, but at least it will
save you from the influence of other conspiracy theories.


feed_id: 1530262c25b701485aa2c7a13f2c8f9d
title: Convicts allowed to vote
uri: Convicts-allowed-to-vote
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#15_April_2019_%28Convicts_allowed_to_vote%29
content:
<p>
Why <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2019/04/12/bernie-sanders-wants-incarcerated-people-vote-heres-why-hes-right?cd-origin=rss">convicts should be allowed to vote</a>.
<p>
For reasons stated in the article, I think they should vote in their
home districts, not in the town where the prison is located.


feed_id: 2c6a0a4766248fec198a4f3220c03ff9
title: Julian Assange
uri: 2019-04-15-Julian-Assange
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#15_April_2019_%28Julian_Assange%29
content:
<p>
(satire ) "We denounce Julian
Assange in the strongest possible terms for his negligence in publicly
demonstrating the kinds of work <a href=" https://www.theonion.com/media-condemns-julian-assange-for-reckless-exposure-of-1834010623">journalists could actually be doing</a> to
investigate government malfeasance&hellip;"


feed_id: b5272053984f85fb6868e477bbe0d787
title: Cashless stores
uri: Cashless-stores
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#15_April_2019_%28Cashless_stores%29
content:
<p>
A backlash against <a href="https://apnews.com/98613f20d0254b8bacd908ef12107fef">cashless stores</a> is spreading across the US.
<p>
We should support this. However, the article doesn't state the most
important reason to do so. It focuses on people who find it difficult
to pay other than with cash, and doesn't mention the reason why you
should refuse to do it even if you can do it.


feed_id: 748ca97921253c460fb96c0f032d258c
title: Tesla cover up work injuries
uri: Tesla-cover-up-work-injuries
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#15_April_2019_%28Tesla_cover_up_work_injuries%29
content:
<p>
Tesla pressured a clinic to <a href=" https://www.revealnews.org/article/how-tesla-and-its-doctor-made-sure-injured-employees-didnt-get-workers-comp/">cover up work injuries</a>, cheating the injured workers.


feed_id: 7f668d7f8f1fe94f37a48a1d181b01b8
title: Australia breeding hate
uri: Australia-breeding-hate
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#15_April_2019_%28Australia_breeding_hate%29
content:
<p>
For Australia to stop <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2019/apr/14/have-we-australia-become-a-country-that-breeds-mass-murderers-with-our-words">breeding hate</a>, it must stop treating refugees as monsters.


feed_id: 8a54f643664810144bf072cae782b601
title: Alexa service snooping
uri: Alexa-service-snooping
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#15_April_2019_%28Alexa_service_snooping%29
content:
<p>
Some of users' commands to the Alexa service are <a href="https://www.bloombergquint.com/technology/is-anyone-listening-to-you-on-alexa-a-global-team-reviews-audio">recorded for Amazon staff</a>
to listen to.
<p>
Saying that some computing activity is "in the cloud"
is a soothing way of saying "We won't tell you which computers
it's done in, or even in which country." The only cloud involved
is in the minds of people who accept the vague answer.
Please join me in absolutely <a href="https://gnu.org/philosophy/words-to-avoid.html#CloudComputing">refusing to use that term</a>.
<p>
Google and Apple do similar things.


feed_id: 952155350690047c8118175cbf9d73b6
title: Press Freedoms
uri: Press-Freedoms
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#15_April_2019_%28Press_Freedoms%29
content:
<p>
Glenn Greenwald: The U.S. Government’s Indictment of Julian Assange
<a href="https://theintercept.com/2019/04/11/the-u-s-governments-indictment-of-julian-assange-poses-grave-threats-to-press-freedoms/">Poses Grave Threats to Press Freedoms</a>.
<p>
The Assange Prosecution <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/apr/12/the-assange-prosecution-threatens-modern-journalism">Threatens Modern Journalism</a>.
<p>
Here is an <a href="https://www.npr.org/2019/04/11/712173436/police-in-london-arrest-julian-assange-after-ecuadorean-embassy-evicts-him">interview with Glenn Greenwald</a> which NPR unexplainedly lost.


feed_id: 942c1ef7560e67b59951332b51cdea7e
title: Clinton's welfare reform
uri: Clinton-s-welfare-reform
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#15_April_2019_%28Clinton%27s_welfare_reform%29
content:
<p>
President Clinton's welfare "reform" law has done what progressives
predicted at the time: it has <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/apr/11/2020-presidential-candidates-welfare-reform-universal-basic-income">greatly increased extreme poverty</a>.
<p>
You can't reduce dependence for people who can barely survive by
yanking away their support. That's like trying to reduce dependence
on wheelchairs by confiscating wheelchairs.


feed_id: d4158b8f76c3502924dc4e2eddee5993
title: Burning down churches
uri: Burning-down-churches
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#15_April_2019_%28Burning_down_churches%29
content:
<p>
A white man is accused of <a href=" https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2019/apr/11/louisiana-church-fires-suspect-arrested">burning down three churches in Louisiana</a>
that were used by mostly black congregations.


feed_id: 689c221ccbed259900c29d076f2746fa
title: Enslaved workers
uri: 2019-04-15-Enslaved-workers
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#15_April_2019_%28Enslaved_workers%29
content:
<p>
The owners of a corporation through which they enslaved workers from Lithuania
have been ordered to <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2019/apr/11/lithuanian-workers-win-exploitation-case-against-kent-gangmasters-darrell-houghton-jacqueline-judge-chicken-catching">compensate those workers personally</a>.
<p>
That's good, but I hope that anyone doing such things nowadays would be
convicted of a crime.
<p>
See the <a href="https://stallman.org/enslaved-workers.html">enslaved
workers</a> page.


feed_id: 1d9140fc0af257692cc9f06fc8e44a6b
title: Alleged Theft
uri: Alleged-Theft
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#15_April_2019_%28Alleged_Theft%29
content:
<p>
Texas Woman <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2019/apr/12/texas-woman-jailed-for-alleged-theft-of-1-and-being-unable-to-post-12000-bail">Jailed for Alleged Theft of $1</a> &mdash; And Being Unable to Post
$12,000 Bail.


feed_id: eacd2dfec3ede1453b4c8a5283bdbea1
title: Palestinian leader Omar Barghouti
uri: Palestinian-leader-Omar-Barghouti
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#15_April_2019_%28Palestinian_leader_Omar_Barghouti%29

content:
<p>
The US denied entry to Palestinian leader Omar Barghouti, cofounder
of the Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions movement.
<p>
"It's an immigration matter" conveys zero information &mdash; denying
someone entry is always an "immigration matter". So that response was
a non-answer pretending to be something more.
<p>
I do not advocate the BDS movement &mdash; rather, <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2018-nov-feb.html#15_January_2019_(BDS_campaign_and_Donorbox)">I support a boycott of Israel's colonies in Palestinian territory</a>, which was founded by Gush
Shalom.
<p>
However, it is despicable for the US to exclude advocates of a
nonviolent political cause. Pretending that's not what's happening
makes it a little more despicable.


feed_id: dba6205bad0d94d20201760636d064c8
title: Prohibition on transgender
uri: Prohibition-on-transgender
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#15_April_2019_%28Prohibition_on_transgender%29
content:
<p>
The bully's <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2019/apr/12/transgender-ban-military-trump-take-effect-dont-ask-dont-tell">prohibition on transgender persons in the military</a> has
brought back the damaging "don't ask, don't tell" policy that was
formerly applied to homosexuals.


feed_id: 54955156abcd7180de243ba482c94f04
title: Internet Archive
uri: Internet-Archive
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#15_April_2019_%28Internet_Archive%29
content:
<p>
The French government <a href=" https://boingboing.net/2019/04/11/one-hour-service.html">ordered the Internet Archive to take down the
Project Gutenberg archive, Grateful Dead recordings and Prelinger
Archive</a>, calling them "terrorism".
<p>
It is vitally important to reject such demands, not seek ways to
satisfy them. Compromising, trying to satisfy them, strengthens the
movement for global censorship. The proper response is, "Censor and
be damned!" If the French government blocks access to the Internet
Archive, it will show the citizens of France how repressive its
policies are &mdash; which is exactly what they need to know.


feed_id: 4fd0f1edc0397f5ed7a7c6e7aa69c868
title: Christianity in public schools
uri: Christianity-in-public-schools
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#15_April_2019_%28Christianity_in_public_schools%29
content:
<p>
Republicans in Florida are pushing the <a href=" https://www.commondreams.org/views/2019/04/13/florida-graveyard-american-public-education?cd-origin=rss">teaching of Christianity in
public schools</a>, and state funding of unaccountable private schools.


feed_id: 61154419690e7375c9644f71b4dfc6b8
title: Open-plan office
uri: Open-plan-office
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#15_April_2019_%28Open-plan_office%29
content:
<p>
(satire) Pity the poor CEO who <a href="https://local.theonion.com/benefits-of-open-office-not-extended-to-ceo-1834005155">doesn't get to share in the benefits of an
open-plan office</a>.


feed_id: 8bb057ff4ae08a10acba0f66cf135292
title: Mueller report
uri: Mueller-report
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#15_April_2019_%28Mueller_report%29
content:
<p>
(satire) Explaining that he would present the investigation’s
findings in a format that offered the most richly detailed portrayal of
its full meaning, Attorney General William Barr reportedly agreed
Friday to <a href=" https://politics.theonion.com/william-barr-agrees-to-release-nonverbal-abstract-visu-1834004014">release a nonverbal, abstract visual representation of the
Mueller report</a>.


feed_id: 29b650c4a09d93cd74cefbd0b7c5670a
title: MDMA for psychotherapy
uri: MDMA-for-psychotherapy
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#15_April_2019_%28MDMA_for_psychotherapy%29
content:
<p>
The US has approved experiments using <a href=" https://www.theguardian.com/science/2019/apr/14/psychedelic-renaissance-could-mdma-help-with-ptsd-depression-and-anxiety">MDMA for psychotherapy</a>.


feed_id: a8dddb612c32e4c699e8fd222be5522d
title: Extinction Rebellion protesters
uri: Extinction-Rebellion-protesters
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#15_April_2019_%28Extinction_Rebellion_protesters%29
content:
<p>
<a href=" https://www.theguardian.com/science/2019/apr/13/extinction-rebellion-heads-to-america-climate-change-protest">Extinction Rebellion protesters in the US</a> are willing to be beaten up
by uniformed <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thugs</a>.


feed_id: fb352c6d1aa47fe63c73d75888657c6f
title: Demonize Ilhan Omar
uri: Demonize-Ilhan-Omar
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#15_April_2019_%28Demonize_Ilhan_Omar%29
content:
<p>
The lies used to demonize Ilhan Omar are <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/apr/14/ilhan-omar-republicans-silence">partly intended to cover up what she really says</a>.


feed_id: 621021a179e1653c4f36544f8bffe9f6
title: New York Post boycott
uri: New-York-Post-boycott
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#15_April_2019_%28New_York_Post_boycott%29
content:
<p>
Yemenis run thousands of small grocery stores in New York City.
<p>
They have decided to <a href=" https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2019/apr/13/yemeni-bodegas-new-york-post-boycott-ilhan-omar">stop selling the New York Post</a> because of
its nasty lies about Ilhan Omar.


feed_id: 521e1b3f1259784cf27a1c9a9fbb26af
title: Amnesty International
uri: 2019-04-15-Amnesty-International
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#15_April_2019_%28Amnesty_International%29
content:
<p>
Amnesty International calls on Canada <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2019/04/11/amnesty-international-us-and-canada-directors-condemn-proposals-restrict-refugee?cd-origin=rss">not to deny asylum to refugees</a> who tried asking for asylum in the US.


feed_id: e3d362e8264b3a50ebb9e35b4884f80f
title: US income tax
uri: US-income-tax
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#15_April_2019_%28US_income_tax%29
content:
<p>
60 of the Fortune 500 companies <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2019/04/11/bolstered-trump-tax-scam-number-us-corporations-paying-not-dime-federal-taxes?cd-origin=rss
">paid no US income tax</a> in 2018.


feed_id: 742aa4666ca53390ce1706f889018701
title: Green New Deal
uri: 2019-04-15-Green-New-Deal
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#15_April_2019_%28Green_New_Deal%29
content:
<p>
Some large investment funds now call on Congress to adopt a <a href=" https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2019/04/11/investors-support-green-new-deals-call-climate-action?cd-origin=rss">Green New Deal</a>.


feed_id: 335b5684da9d29fba7d83c2a60d9ea3e
title: Medical insurance companies
uri: 2019-04-15-Medical-insurance-companies
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#15_April_2019_%28Medical_insurance_companies%29
content:
<p>
The predatory medical insurance companies of the US are lobbying
extremely hard to <a href=" https://www.commondreams.org/news/2019/04/12/i-felt-americans-needed-know-insurance-industry-whistleblower-gives-glimpse-effort?cd-origin=rss">prevent Medicare for All</a>, which would replace them
with something less greedy.


feed_id: 8bf457678d1976002f73f7304882f42e
title: Moroccan women
uri: 2019-04-15-Moroccan-women
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#15_April_2019_%28Moroccan_women%29
content:
<p>
Moroccan women working picking strawberries in Spain are <a href=" https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2019/apr/14/rape-abuse-claims-spains-strawberry-industry">forced to live in unsafe conditions</a>, and suffer rape as well.
<p>
When they complain to the <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thugs</a>, the thugs ignore them, and their
employer/abusers kick them out, leaving them destitute. But the worst
thing is the cruelty of their parents and husbands.
<p>
With all the money that the strawberries bring in, Spain can afford to
deploy inspectors to make sure these workers have safe working
conditions.


feed_id: c2fda9232ccf89b0d490eeab43b35a31
title: MA Data Law
uri: 2019-04-15-MA-Data-Law
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#14_April_2019_%28MA_Data_Law%29
content:
<p>
<p>
A proposed Massachusetts law would <a href="https://www.workplaceprivacyreport.com/2019/04/articles/consumer-privacy/proposed-legislation-in-massachusetts-would-create-private-right-of-action-for-improper-collection-of-personal-or-biometric-information/">limit the collection</a> and use of personal
information.
</p>
<p>
The bill is weak because businesses could effectively punch holes in
it by saying, "If you don't agree to all if this, we will simply close
your account."
</p>
<p>
I don't think the bill covers deduced information, such as the
conclusion that you are pregnant, or gay, or disabled, based on
tracking your interests.  But I can't be sure about that.
</p>
<p>
In addition, it covers only disclosure to other businesses, not
disclosure to the forces of potential repression.  It would not make
me feel safe with collection of data about me.  I want to be free to
do things anonymously.
</p>
<p>
One detail: it says the company must give you a chance to
refuse distribution of data about you to other companies.
But if it distributes data to 3 other companies, does it
have to let you say yes or no to each other company?
</p>
<p>
Suppose one company is Facebook, one is Google, and one is
your insurance company.  You need to permit giving the data
to your insurance company.  If the options offered to you
are yes-yes-yes and no-no-no, you can't approve that
without also approving distribution to Facebook and Google too.
</p>


feed_id: da86b35378539a8eab6c8ebeb0d15588
title: Urgent: Journalists at US border
uri: Urgent-Journalists-at-US-border
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#15_April_2019_%28Urgent%3A_Journalists_at_US_border%29

content:
<p>
US
citizens: <a href="https://actionnetwork.org/petitions/sign-now-end-the-harassment-and-surveillance-of-journalists-at-our-southern-border?nowrapper=true">call
on Congress</a> to end the harassment and surveillance of journalists
at the US southern border.
</p>
<p>If you sign, please spread the word!</p>


feed_id: b05efb93c1f010ce30e1e14b59c59341
title: Subservient sex robots
uri: Subservient-sex-robots
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#15_April_2019_%28Subservient_sex_robots%29
content:
<p>
Some Swedish feminists want
to <a href="https://sputniknews.com/europe/201902211072612639-sweden-sex-robots-feminism/">ban
sex robots</a> lest they influence men to want subservient females.
That would be a tyrannical thought-control regime.
<p>
I don't have a high opinion of hypothetical sex robots designed for
subservience.  I do not want my lovers/sweethearts to be subservient;
if a robot is less than a person, it would hardly be a substitute for
a lover that is a person.
<p>
However, I can see one good use for a sex robot: to teach men how to
be good lovers and companions.  This would mean programming the robot
for teaching, rather than for subservience.  It could help
inexperienced men overcome their fear of making a horrible mistake and
being rejected for it, and learn to be considerate and pleasing to a
lover; also learn how to pick up on what a lover does or doesn't feel
and want.
<p>
After this education, they could have good relationships with human
women.


feed_id: aaf3785df04dd83465a65bb5fdf555dc
title: Feinstein and climate protesters
uri: Feinstein-and-climate-protesters
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#15_April_2019_%28Feinstein_and_climate_protesters%29

content:
<p>
Feinstein, a plutocratist Democrat from
California, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2019/feb/22/dianne-feinstein-sunrise-movement-green-new-deal">told
teenage climate protesters</a>, "You didn't vote for me (because
you're under voting age)."
<p>
If this were fencing, Feinstein would have scored a point.  A point of
no real importance compared to the vital issue at stake.
<p>
Unfortunately, it is not fencing.  It is campaigning for the survival
of civilization.


feed_id: a8c1e4773b3a536ac3300383a6d2fe55
title: Details of US torture
uri: Details-of-US-torture
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#15_April_2019_%28Details_of_US_torture%29
content:
<p>
The US says the details of Ammar al-Baluchi's
torture <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/law/2019/feb/22/ammar-al-baluchi-pre-trial-911-cia-guantanamo-bay-torture">are
too secret</a> to give to his defense lawyers, but did provide them
for the film Zero Dark Thirty.
<p>
The US owes an apology and compensation to everyone that was tortured.
It is required for our national honor.


feed_id: df3b37d23c7d436566115d93641e757a
title: India's wildlife refuges
uri: India-s-wildlife-refuges
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#15_April_2019_%28India%27s_wildlife_refuges%29
content:
<p>
India's overpopulation has reached the point
where <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/feb/22/millions-of-forest-dwelling-indigenous-people-in-india-to-be-evicted">there
is a conflict</a> between indigenous peoples (generally called
"tribals" there) and wildlife refuges.
<p>
The human species is in no danger of extinction; some species living
in those forests surely are.  In principle, therefore, preventing
extinction of species should take precedence.
<p>
Whether the humans and the wildlife can coexist in these forests, I
don't know.  That seems to be possible in some places.  However, when
human populations grow, they tend to wipe out some other forms of life
and start changing the overall ecology &mdash; just as our ancestors
did.


feed_id: 59ee0e6b556c3ac613801bda3b05fe0d
title: Throwing rocks in Hebron
uri: Throwing-rocks-in-Hebron
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#15_April_2019_%28Throwing_rocks_in_Hebron%29
content:
<p>
A mob of Israeli colonists, with
soldiers, <a href="https://mondoweiss.net/2019/02/foreigners-following-expulsion/">rampaged
in the center of Hebron</a>, shouting "death to Arabs!" and throwing
rocks (but they did no damage).


feed_id: 011e6a2e84b5dcef82f32510c5cc93b5
title: Anti-semitism in France
uri: Anti-semitism-in-France
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#15_April_2019_%28Anti-semitism_in_France%29
content:
<p>
Real anti-semitism
has <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/feb/22/france-antisemitism-gilets-jaunes">spread
widely in France</a>.
<p>
This is not, however, an excuse for conflating support for Palestinian's rights
or opposition to the state racism of Israeli law with anti-semitism.


feed_id: c871f52242f35fe327fdd51a27b24343
title: Statue in Belgium
uri: Statue-in-Belgium
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#15_April_2019_%28Statue_in_Belgium%29
content:
<p>
Belgium erected a statue of a Congolese black slave looking up at his
enslaver, King Leopold.  15 years ago,
hackers <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/feb/22/statue-missing-hand-colonial-belgium-leopold-congo">cut
off the slave's hand</a>
&mdash; not as puerile vandalism, but to illustrate the punishment
that Leopold inflicted on many of the Congolese that he didn't kill.


feed_id: 5da56a5edfaff7928d7d79aa49dc3208
title: Hush money investigation
uri: Hush-money-investigation
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#15_April_2019_%28Hush_money_investigation%29
content:
<p>
The corruptor in chief asked Acting Attorney General Whitaker to
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2019/feb/22/trumps-steps-to-upend-russia-inquiry-are-unprecedented-even-nixon-wasnt-like-him">hamstring
the investigation</a> into his hush money payments by putting someone
in charge of it who would undermine it.
Whitaker declined to do as requested, but I think that merely asking for
it was a crime on the corruptor's part.
<p>
But I don't think that will daunt him &mdash; he will simply dare
Congress to impeach him.
<p>
I think this is just a step in a plan to eliminate rule of law in the
US.  It's not just that he would like to be an autocrat (though I
suppose he does).  I think he wants the US to eliminate the idea that
people (other than him) have rights or political power.
<p>
Will Senate Republicans defend him no matter what the crime, no matter
how solid the proof?  Could he blatantly shoot someone on 5th avenue
and get away with it, as he claimed in 2016?


feed_id: a706a79535541ed505708e887773ac3d
title: US unions in 2016 and 2020
uri: US-unions-in-2016-and-2020
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#15_April_2019_%28US_unions_in_2016_and_2020%29
content:
<p>
In 2016, US unions made the mistake of supporting the plutocratist,
Clinton, instead of the candidate who defends non-wealthy Americans,
Sanders.
<p>
They
should <a href="https://jacobinmag.com/2019/02/organized-labor-unions-bernie-sanders-president/">not
make this mistake again</a>.


feed_id: 00375f6e498c9af7b56edaa3a726e585
title: Art censorship in Cuba
uri: Art-censorship-in-Cuba
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#15_April_2019_%28Art_censorship_in_Cuba%29
content:
<p>
Artists
are <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/2019/feb/22/tania-bruguera-cuba-artist-crackdown-decree-349">campaigning
against</a> Cuba's censorship of the arts.


feed_id: 8b576bc1609751093daa25a10b9b4479
title: Aid for Venezuela
uri: Aid-for-Venezuela
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#15_April_2019_%28Aid_for_Venezuela%29
content:
<p>
US offers of "humanitarian aid" for Venezuela, even if they are not a
mask for military
intervention, <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2019/02/22/us-venezuela-aid-convoy-story-clearly-bogus-no-one-wants-say-it">are
duplicitous</a>.  The aid offered would hardly come near making up for
the increased shortage of food and medicine that new US economic
sanctions will cause.
<p>
They also won't be enough to fill the shortages caused by Maduro's bad
policies.
<p>
To treat the offer just like an armed attack is neither right nor good
tactics.  Venezuela could use the aid, and I expect the government can
arrange to make sure it does not contain weapons.


feed_id: 760a1e76a74a2e6dad20518a450f624b
title: Trapped by fake university
uri: Trapped-by-fake-university
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#15_April_2019_%28Trapped_by_fake_university%29
content:
<p>
The US
government <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2019/feb/22/institutional-racism-britain-stephen-lawrence-inquiry-20-years">made
a fake university</a> to lure unauthorized immigrants into applying.
<p>
Then US persecutors pretended that the students knew it was fake and
signed up only as a fraud &mdash; but that is clearly false in many
cases, perhaps all.


feed_id: 22a19666150fd6c9eca2984f6c48d0ce
title: UK ban harmful material
uri: UK-ban-harmful-material
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#15_April_2019_%28UK_ban_harmful_material%29
content:
<p>
The UK plans to <a href="https://www.wired.com/story/uk-tech-backlash-could-change-internet/">ban "harmful" material on the internet</a>, including disinformation.
<p>
UK sites would be <a href="https://boingboing.net/2019/04/09/constitutional-monarchs-r-us.html">forced to delete the material</a>; other sites would be
blocked by the Great Firewall of Britain if they did not.
<p>
It isn't surprising to see Singapore set up a <a href="https://www.afp.com/en/news/717/breaking-internet-new-regulations-imperil-global-network-doc-1fi14j2">"ministry of truth" for the internet</a>. Singapore is repressive in many ways. But it may shock people to see the UK proposing something similar.
<p>
When the UK censors, it goes to <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2014-jul-oct.html#29_October_2014_(Extreme_pornography_law)">extremes</a>.


feed_id: 08818d3cda1f699a47369043b26b835f
title: Wisconsin factory
uri: Wisconsin-factory
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#15_April_2019_%28Wisconsin_factory%29
content:
<p>
Wisconsin gave Foxconn billions of dollars to build a factory
and <a href="https://boingboing.net/2019/04/10/ai-8k-5g-ecosystem.html">it has not even built the factory</a>.
<p>
Wisconsin's deal to subsidize a Foxconn factory was fundamentally
wrong, regardless of specifics. To subsidize the rich so they will
move jobs to your locality from some other localities adds up to dooH
niboR.
<p>
I suppose many "moderate" politicians really believe that this policy
serves the public interest. That way, they can go along with dooH
niboR and not feel ashamed. But today's Republicans are so dishonest
and corrupt that they don't need to believe that. For them, enriching
the rich is the goal. They don't mind if the state gets cheated of
the supposed public interest, as long as the rich get richer.


feed_id: 1aea0752fe1a40b7fdfacd65f5ac7427
title: Prisoners' visits
uri: Prisoners-visits
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#15_April_2019_%28Prisoners%27_visits%29
content:
<p>
Many US jails are putting an <a href="https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2019/04/more-jails-replace-in-person-visits-with-awful-video-chat-products/">end to prisoners' visits from relatives</a>.
<p>
They replace this with a video call service that gouges the relatives
and which gives the jail a kickback.
<p>
Anything that reduces prisoners' contact with relatives tends to
result in increased recidivism. Surely this will, too. For the city
or state that runs the jail, it's a false economy.


feed_id: 43179c6c3ce76c6cd18a6596442e6f91
title: Expensive college
uri: Expensive-college
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#15_April_2019_%28Expensive_college%29
content:
<p>
Refuting the position that <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2019/04/05/pete-buttigieg-argues-against-free-college-this-is-why-progressives-cant-agree-about-subsidizing-tuition/?noredirect=on">college should be expensive</a> because graduates have bigger incomes.
<p>
There is another counterargument that this article misses: if our tax
system were progressive, those who gain income from a college degree
_would_ pay more to support government services. Taxing the rich more
would achieve the same goal as charging heavily for college.


feed_id: 31c5583048b4d2f04b7a515e67f5cb19
title: Escape poverty
uri: Escape-poverty
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#15_April_2019_%28Escape_poverty%29
content:
<p>
To help working people escape poverty, the US <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2019/04/10/its-time-15-and-union?cd-origin=rss">needs to adopt a higher
minimum wage, and facilitate unionization</a>.
<p>
But it needs to work on the other side of inequality &mdash; to stop
wealthy people's incomes from growing so fast and so much.


feed_id: fdc13197739d34c0ab89534f99f0eb35
title: China randomly searches people's phones
uri: China-randomly-searches-people-s-phones
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#15_April_2019_%28China_randomly_searches_people%27s_phones%29

content:
<p>
Reportedly <a href="https://www.thesun.co.uk/news/8827966/chinese-cops-concentration-camps-facebook-stop-search/">China randomly searches people's phones</a> in Xinjiang
and imprisons people for having the Twitter or Facebook app.


feed_id: 1d7a5e87370f041c3a3049bba67c4cc6
title: Baby boom generation
uri: Baby-boom-generation
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#15_April_2019_%28Baby_boom_generation%29
content:
<p>
After the baby boom generation, the developed world has been <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/business/2019/apr/10/millennials-squeezed-middle-class-oecd-uk-income">pushing people out 
of the middle class</a> and into low income.


feed_id: bd85daa8ad4e759a4100c6de8c077978
title: Socially instilled bias
uri: Socially-instilled-bias
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#15_April_2019_%28Socially_instilled_bias%29
content:
<p>
"Any woman professional is familiar with a nagging doubt: Am I being
taken seriously?" Socially instilled bias encourages people to <a href=" https://www.commondreams.org/views/2019/04/10/do-women-get-be-experts?cd-origin=rss">doubt that women really know their fields</a>.
<p>
There are indeed some people who pretend to more expertise than they
really have. I would hazard a guess that the fraction of men that do
this is bigger than the fraction of women, because bluffing is
considered "manly". But that is independent of the social bias
phenomenon that the article describes.


feed_id: cd9cae2387e0edbda5a71a3d1a3316ba
title: Chicago renewable energy
uri: Chicago-renewable-energy
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#15_April_2019_%28Chicago_renewable_energy%29
content:
<p>
Chicago adopted the goal of <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2019/04/10/chicago-becomes-largest-city-country-committed-100-percent-clean-energy?cd-origin=rss">migrating completely to renewable energy</a> by 2035.
<p>
This is surely a step forward, but how big a step? I wonder about these
questions:


feed_id: ed83695e565650a006672bce9af0e521
title: Tracking Kids
uri: Tracking-Kids
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#15_April_2019_%28Tracking_Kids%29
content:
<p>
Chicago is <a href="https://theappeal.org/chicago-electronic-monitoring-wiretapping-juveniles/">Tracking Kids With GPS Monitors</a> That Can Call and Record Them Without Consent.
<p>
If the suspect could refuse to accept a call, and if the device could not
listen unless <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#perse">perse</a> has accepted a call, that might make the device
acceptable in this situation (as a bail condition).


feed_id: b3140c62e9103bcb977d920d9d738998
title: Mexico refugees deportation
uri: Mexico-refugees-deportation
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#15_April_2019_%28Mexico_refugees_deportation%29
content:
<p>
Under US pressure, Mexico has <a href="https://theintercept.com/2019/04/13/us-mexico-asylum-border-wall-deportations/">deported hundreds of thousands of refugees</a> to Central America, 
sometimes without giving them the chance to apply for asylum.
<p>
The article reports on one who was murdered in 2017, a few months
after being sent back to face death threats.


feed_id: d1bd1c3d86be8b14a6fb39217ff0034f
title: Reject bully's policy
uri: Reject-bully-s-policy
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#15_April_2019_%28Reject_bully%27s_policy%29
content:
<p>
37 former European foreign ministers call for Europe to reject the
bully's policy and continue <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/apr/14/europe-must-stand-by-the-two-state-solution-for-israel-and-palestine">supporting a real state for Palestine</a>.


feed_id: 92c0c9d4b841efdc2abc5f9a5af4d8dc
title: Shock Doctrine
uri: Shock-Doctrine
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#15_April_2019_%28Shock_Doctrine%29
content:
<p>
Immigration and the <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2019/04/13/immigration-and-shock-doctrine?cd-origin=rss">Shock Doctrine</a>.


feed_id: 646a7374967591850e94d14f78ea1592
title: Crime lord
uri: Crime-lord
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#15_April_2019_%28Crime_lord%29
content:
<p>
The crime lord told an <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2019/04/13/egregious-abuse-power-report-says-trump-offered-pardon-cbp-head-if-he-broke-law-and?cd-origin=rss">official to break the law</a>, saying he'd pardon the official if necessary.


feed_id: c80d69cc3146f12830496f423b0536fa
title: Coal Ash Pits
uri: Coal-Ash-Pits
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#15_April_2019_%28Coal_Ash_Pits%29
content:
<p>
Who Will Pay to <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2019/04/14/who-will-pay-clean-duke-energys-coal-ash-pits?cd-origin=rss">Clean Up Duke Energy's Coal Ash Pits?</a>


feed_id: 616f022094dd599d27869e0917042b55
title: Trump’s Empty Threats
uri: Trump-s-Empty-Threats
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#15_April_2019_%28Trump%C3%A2%C2%80%C2%99s_Empty_Threats%29

content:
<p>
The Politics Behind Donald Trump’s Empty <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2019/04/14/politics-behind-donald-trumps-empty-threats-mexico-border?cd-origin=rss">Threats on Mexico Border</a>.
<p>
Both his words and his actions are meant to stir up his base,
not to achieve anything else.


feed_id: 4659697689c4ee187e34cba514a3235c
title: UK suspiciously persecution
uri: UK-suspiciously-persecution
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#15_April_2019_%28UK_suspiciously_persecution%29
content:
<p>
The UK is suspiciously persecuting married couples that <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2019/apr/14/couples-sham-marriage-crackdown-hostile-environment">include a
citizen and an immigrant</a>.


feed_id: 7b43580202de3c2ea7c379f586d5a842
title: Sanitation workers tracked
uri: Sanitation-workers-tracked
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#15_April_2019_%28Sanitation_workers_tracked%29
content:
<p>
Some <a href="https://www.theverge.com/2019/4/6/18298562/these-chinese-sanitation-workers-have-to-wear-location-tracking-bracelets-now">sanitation workers are tracked all the time</a> while on the job.
The agency wanted to harass them if they ever stopped moving for 20 minutes.


feed_id: ec516a60475f79f126f8a572874d49af
title: EPIC facial recognition
uri: EPIC-facial-recognition
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#15_April_2019_%28EPIC_facial_recognition%29
content:
<p>
EPIC is trying to <a href="media/869e82d6.EPIC-HAC-TSABudget-Apr2019.pdf" data-original-source="https://epic.org/testimony/congress/EPIC-HAC-TSABudget-Apr2019.pdf">restrain the TSA from using facial recognition</a> on air travellers without
getting public comment and following other legal requirements.


feed_id: e942aa3247b38f9909adf19d016631ab
title: Firefighters act as thugs
uri: Firefighters-act-as-thugs
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#15_April_2019_%28Firefighters_act_as_thugs%29
content:
<p>
The plan to make <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/apr/15/firefighters-police-officers-devon-somerset-separate">firefighters act as thugs</a> as well is extremely misguided.


feed_id: 758eed1832d0e099640ad20fa1951a92
title: Workers on strike
uri: Workers-on-strike
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#15_April_2019_%28Workers_on_strike%29
content:
<p>
Customers are avoiding Stop and Shop stores now that the <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2019/apr/15/stop-shop-strike-new-england-elizabeth-warren">workers are on strike</a>.
<p>
I often shop there, but not now; I am respecting the picket line.


feed_id: 8943d8c99d6cf5428a69c0cee032d24f
title: Omar Barghouti
uri: Omar-Barghouti
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#17_April_2019_%28Omar_Barghouti%29
content:
<p>
<p>
Omar Barghouti talks about <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/apr/16/bds-movement-omar-barghouti-denied-entry">being banned from the US</a> for his political
stance: defending human rights for Palestinians through peaceful means.
</p>


feed_id: 5fb40fe43a0ff81db7ab9e5010f42610
title: Facebook Posts
uri: Facebook-Posts
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#17_April_2019_%28Facebook_Posts%29
content:
<p>
<p>
Facebook Allowed Violent Posts by <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2019/apr/16/facebook-allowed-violent-posts-by-man-charged-with-ilhan-omar-death-threat">Man Charged with</a> Ilhan Omar Death Threat.
</p>


feed_id: 98d7f9b37e0b4d8e385ce26f3e97d4fd
title: Deutsche Bank
uri: 2019-04-17-Deutsche-Bank
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#17_April_2019_%28Deutsche_Bank%29
content:
<p>
<p>
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2019/apr/16/house-subpoenas-deutsche-bank-for-trump-related-financial-documents">House Subpoenas Deutsche Bank</a> for Trump-Related Financial Documents.
</p>


feed_id: eabbacd934853207aed8668699136144
title: Bahrain Rebellion
uri: Bahrain-Rebellion
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#17_April_2019_%28Bahrain_Rebellion%29
content:
<p>
<p>
Bahrain <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/apr/16/bahrain-court-jails-139-after-terrorism-trial">has imprisoned 139 Shi'ites</a> accused of trying to start a
rebellion.
</p>
<p>
I have no reason to think the charges are true, but I can't be sure
they care false either.  What I can say is that if Bahrain had not wanted a rebellion, it should have respected the right to peaceful protest.
</p>


feed_id: f997f48d15ab3a5bbb6b928dc6cb0550
title: Marijuana Arrests
uri: Marijuana-Arrests
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#17_April_2019_%28Marijuana_Arrests%29
content:
<p>
<p>
Even after 10 states have legalized possession of marijuana,
<a href="http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/reason/Articles/~3/Q8nc1Ijb7ss/">6% of the arrests in the US</a> are still for possession of marijuana.
</p>


feed_id: 3d0e97bd6acc803ca85794f37ccf0327
title: Gov V Subversion
uri: Gov-V-Subversion
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#17_April_2019_%28Gov_V_Subversion%29
content:
<p>
<p>
"British, West German and French intelligence agencies sought advice
from South America’s bloody 1970s dictatorships on how to combat
leftwing 'subversion'."  <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/apr/15/operation-condor-european-spies-dictators-cia-documents">Through assassination</a>, that is.
</p>


feed_id: 3b6e80ea2c35d66dbd5bb74d286e7ceb
title: Egyptian Protest
uri: Egyptian-Protest
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#17_April_2019_%28Egyptian_Protest%29
content:
<p>
<p>
Egyptians <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2019/apr/16/no-one-believes-this-vote-will-be-fair-egypt-protestors-cast-doubt-on-poll">dare to protest</a> against al-Sisi's efforts to be president for life.
</p>


feed_id: 5c8c17d4cad50c8f43c3acc32999946e
title: Urgent: Let Ex-Cons Vote
uri: Urgent-Let-Ex-Cons-Vote
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#17_April_2019_%28Urgent%3A_Let_Ex-Cons_Vote%29
content:
<p>
<p>
Everyone: call on Florida legislators to <a href="https://actionnetwork.org/petitions/stop-this-attack-on-rights-restoration-in-florida?nowrapper=true">respect amendment 4</a> and let
ex-cons vote.
</p>


feed_id: c19507b7a174b2932596ebf219e5a77c
title: Urgent: Call on Businesses
uri: Urgent-Call-on-Businesses
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#17_April_2019_%28Urgent%3A_Call_on_Businesses%29
content:
<p>
<p>
US citizens: <a href="https://act.credoaction.com/sign/ceos-no-room-for-hate?t=1001&akid=32255%2E1183552%2EqOeYGb">call on businesses</a> not to hire, or put on the board,
anyone involved in the <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#bully">bully</a>'s family separation policy.
</p>


feed_id: e2165efbf53434b038e38f9c20ad3237
title: Urgent: Call on DNC
uri: Urgent-Call-on-DNC
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#17_April_2019_%28Urgent%3A_Call_on_DNC%29
content:
<p>
<p>
US citizens: call on the <a href="https://actionnetwork.org/petitions/tell-the-democratic-national-committee-hold-a-climate-debate?nowrapper=true">Democratic National Committee</a> to hold a
climate debate in the 2020 presidential campaign.
</p>


feed_id: db20de0d9f9e4bd4645f40d566a62c55
title: Urgent: Social Security
uri: 2019-04-18-Urgent-Social-Security
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#17_April_2019_%28Urgent%3A_Social_Security%29
content:
<p>
US
citizens: <a href="https://actionnetwork.org/petitions/ssa-cards?nowrapper=true">call
on the Social Security Administration</a> to stop pushing policies
that undermine Social Security.
</p>
<p>If you sign, please spread the word!</p>


feed_id: 2c379d240c6a8dc8eb16b691b59e259c
title: Urgent: Medicare for All
uri: 2019-04-18-Urgent-Medicare-for-All
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#17_April_2019_%28Urgent%3A_Medicare_for_All%29
content:
<p>
US
citizens: <a href="https://actionnetwork.org/petitions/become-a-grassroots-co-sponsor-of-medicare-for-all?nowrapper=true">Become
a Grassroots Co-Sponsor</a> of Medicare for All.
</p>
<p>If you sign, please spread the word!</p>


feed_id: d8bd5d7c901beee93551609a83b66d20
title: Urgent: National Popular Vote Compact
uri: Urgent-National-Popular-Vote-Compact
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#17_April_2019_%28Urgent%3A_National_Popular_Vote_Compact%29

content:
<p>
US
citizens: <a href="https://act.democracyforamerica.com/sign/national_popular_vote_petition/">call
on your state</a> to join the National Popular Vote Compact.
</p>
<p>If you sign, please spread the word!</p>


feed_id: d8bea19cf63a790f8e28aec546a36d01
title: Overthrowing Maduro
uri: Overthrowing-Maduro
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#17_April_2019_%28Overthrowing_Maduro%29
content:
<p>
Sanders <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2019/02/22/trump-pushes-overthrow-venezuela-sanders-warns-against-repeating-historys-mistake">opposes
US intervention</a> to overthrow Maduro.


feed_id: 4fdafe462eca09aceb6ebdb929139fe9
title: Falsifying evidence
uri: Falsifying-evidence
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#17_April_2019_%28Falsifying_evidence%29
content:
<p>
(satire) &hellip; members of the Chicago Police Department on Friday
credited
their <a href="https://www.theonion.com/chicago-police-credit-their-extensive-experience-falsif-1832825796">own
extensive experience</a> falsifying evidence with helping them solve
the case of actor Jussie Smollett’s staged attack.


feed_id: 74e398d92ccab2e523d151bb0898f57c
title: Alexandria Villaseñor
uri: Alexandria-Villaseñor
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#17_April_2019_%28Alexandria_Villasenor%29
content:
<p>
Alexandria Villaseñor, age 13, has become
a <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2019/02/22/13-year-old-us-activist-hailed-glorious-threat-those-driving-planetary-disaster">leader
by example</a> in the US climate defense movement.


feed_id: 3abe7ceaad7741a8471d6de92fb2a3cc
title: Italian League party
uri: Italian-League-party
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#17_April_2019_%28Italian_League_party%29
content:
<p>
There
are <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/feb/22/italian-mps-demand-answers-over-claims-salvinis-league-sought-kremlin-funding">plausible
accusations</a> that the Italian League party, which preaches hatred,
got secret funding from Russia.


feed_id: 0f1fff405509e8bd0a8428890c594a3b
title: Microsoft army contract
uri: Microsoft-army-contract
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#17_April_2019_%28Microsoft_army_contract%29
content:
<p>
'We Refuse to Create Technology for Warfare and Oppression': Microsoft
Workers <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2019/02/23/we-refuse-create-technology-warfare-and-oppression-microsoft-workers-demand-company">Demand
Company End Army Contract</a> (for augmented-reality systems for
firing weapons).
<p>
Their position does not seem coherent to me.  I am not a pacifist
&mdash; I don't believe that fighting is inherently wrong.  I don't
see that it is worse to fire a weapon this way than to fire it with
older technology.
<p>
One might worry that this would encourage soldiers to dehumanise those
they fire at.  However, as we know from
the <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2010-jan-apr.html#13%20April%202010%20(Josh%20Stieber%20talks%20about%20Collateral%20Murder%20video)">Collateral
Murder video</a>,
US soldiers can
dehumanise "enemy" civilians even with existing technology.
Would these headsets exacerbate that?  There is no way to know.
<p>
Convincing one company &mdash; or one country &mdash; not to make a
certain kind of weapon will not for long prevent it from being adopted
and eventually considered normal.  It could perhaps lead to an arms
control treaty which would prevent the use of that kind of weapon.
That is what they need to aim for.
<p>
Meanwhile, Microsoft does wrong
to <a href="https://gnu.org/malware/malware-microsoft.html ">all its
users, every day</a>, with proprietary software, surveillance, DRM and
back doors.
This is not limited to battlefields; it happens every day all around
the world.
<p>
These wrongs are nowhere near as bad as killing people.  But they are
bad enough that we should think of Microsoft's existence as basically
a bad thing.


feed_id: 296663779be1903a3cdcc2c52c8231f4
title: Finnish railroad
uri: Finnish-railroad
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#17_April_2019_%28Finnish_railroad%29
content:
<p>
Finland proposes an Arctic railroad whose construction would scar
Lapland.  If it is built, the trains would make the Sami's reindeer
herding <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/feb/23/battle-save-lapland-want-to-build-railroad">too
dangerous to continue</a>.
<p>
Even worse, the railroad is supposed to be used to extract undersea
oil and gas.  New fossil fuel facilities must not be allowed.


feed_id: e77ded74392d60ff0d54829e75544a6f
title: Fleeing Salafi Arabia
uri: Fleeing-Salafi-Arabia
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#17_April_2019_%28Fleeing_Salafi_Arabia%29
content:
<p>
Two sisters from <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#salafi">Salafi Arabia</a> planned to flee to Australia, but
officials stopped them from travelling on from Hong Kong.  They
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/feb/23/saudi-sisters-trapped-in-hong-kong-fear-death-penalty-if-deported">are
now trapped there</a> and fear being forcibly sent back.
<p>
Punishing former Muslims who have converted is one of
the <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/archive-2000.html#Younus_Shaikh">standard
vicious aspects</a> of Islamic law.


feed_id: f944806edda4fccfb2f4f526d4841689
title: Russian roulette
uri: Russian-roulette
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#17_April_2019_%28Russian_roulette%29
content:
<p>
(satire) The Russian agent in the White House makes political appointees
<a href="https://politics.theonion.com/trump-demands-william-barr-prove-loyalty-by-putting-gun-1832816704">play
Russian roulette</a>.


feed_id: 19ee13a1b9ca0e9788f6ccaf76b9acc7
title: Starbucks tax dodging
uri: Starbucks-tax-dodging
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#17_April_2019_%28Starbucks_tax_dodging%29
content:
<p>
Schultz is trying to buy the presidency while
Starbucks <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2019/02/22/howards-end">dodges
US taxes</a>.


feed_id: 68ae4d152c1ce063e9783deb4e14e40a
title: Institutional racism
uri: Institutional-racism
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#17_April_2019_%28Institutional_racism%29
content:
<p>
Institutional racism is ingrained in British society and government in
many different ways, but they all end up hurting
the <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2019/feb/22/institutional-racism-britain-stephen-lawrence-inquiry-20-years">same
disprivileged groups</a>.


feed_id: 14709040a24cf1a4f40de00c2e0d8a9a
title: Wall through cemetery
uri: Wall-through-cemetery
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#17_April_2019_%28Wall_through_cemetery%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#bully">The bully</a>'s wall
would <a href="https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2019/2/21/1836642/-Trump-s-border-wall-will-destroy-a-cemetery-that-was-also-a-stop-on-the-Underground-Railroad">destroy
a farm family's cemetery</a> that was started 200 years ago and is
still being used.


feed_id: ea3ca246e71801fd59539bbd51f3aa95
title: Air bombardment casualties
uri: Air-bombardment-casualties
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#17_April_2019_%28Air_bombardment_casualties%29
content:
<p>
The
US <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2019/02/21/ihchr-11800-civilians-killed-us-led-air-strikes-syria-iraq">refuses
to acknowledge</a> all the civilian casualties of its air bombardments
in the war against <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#pissi">PISSI</a>.
<p>
Whether it was feasible to avoid these casualties, I don't know.
But there is no justification for trying to cover them up.


feed_id: 3abf17bc097d67e27eb0f6d6dde71e46
title: Threat to human food supply
uri: Threat-to-human-food-supply
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#17_April_2019_%28Threat_to_human_food_supply%29
content:
<p>
The UN Food and Agriculture Organisation warns that the 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2019/feb/21/worlds-food-supply-under-severe-threat-from-loss-of-biodiversity">rapid
loss of biodiversity</a> is a "severe threat" to the human food
supply.
<p>
This is what you'd expect to happen in the last stages of
overpopulation.


feed_id: 85afc7fd3530db84ca1e099d08baf200
title: Right-wing terrorism
uri: 2019-04-18-Right-wing-terrorism
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#17_April_2019_%28Right-wing_terrorism%29
content:
<p>
The US justice department
<a href="https://theintercept.com/2019/02/21/white-nationalist-coast-guard-terrorism-justice-department-christopher-hasson/">shows
surprisingly little interest</a> in boasting about preventing a
planned right-wing terrorist attack.
<p>
One must suspect that this is because the would-be terrorist has
clearly part of the bullshitter's base.


feed_id: 2a6a48a36df2a7100f196fc76820b586
title: Anti-vaxx irrationality
uri: Anti-vaxx-irrationality
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#17_April_2019_%28Anti-vaxx_irrationality%29
content:
<p>
High Risk (to babies): Anti-Vaxxers 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/news/2019/feb/21/anti-vaxxers-delivery-ward-doctor-mother-newborn">in
the Delivery Ward</a>.
<p>
It is easy for mothers to disbelieve in the danger of preventable rare
diseases that they have never heard of, nor heard of anyone who
suffered from them.  But their denial of these treatments for their
children, which puts them in grave though unlikely danger, is because
fake news (starting with the fraudulent claim that a vaccine caused
autism) has taught them to judge all preventive treatments
irrationally.
<p>
Please do not spread the anti-vaxx irrationality.


feed_id: dbdfaa2e95df7458c6b6d2135e6fd8e0
title: License-plate tracking
uri: 2019-04-18-License-plate-tracking
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#17_April_2019_%28License-plate_tracking%29
content:
<p>
Use of license-plate cameras to track everyone is dangerous to all
motorists.  When the list of "stolen cars" has an error, it has the
<a href="https://www.techdirt.com/articles/20190217/08240241618/deputies-sued-after-false-alpr-hit-leads-to-guns-out-traffic-stop-california-privacy-activist.shtml">potential
to be fatal</a>.
<p>
At least when the car is recorded as "stolen" there is a legitimate
reason to want to track it.  For most cars, there is no justification
even for that.


feed_id: 392f2f3620b0930f31bc2d7f0770df6e
title: Assange’s extradition
uri: Assange-s-extradition
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#17_April_2019_%28Assange%C3%A2%C2%80%C2%99s_extradition%29

content:
<p>
Varoufakis: Journalists who fail to <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2019/04/17/first-they-came-assange?cd-origin=rss">oppose Assange’s extradition</a> to
the US could be next on the hit list of a president who considers them
the 'enemy of the people.'


feed_id: 2c18bdacd665893ad613a403a150389c
title: Nuclear bomb
uri: Nuclear-bomb
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#17_April_2019_%28Nuclear_bomb%29
content:
<p>
It looks like North Korea is starting to make <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/apr/17/north-korea-nuclear-site-shows-signs-of-activity">nuclear bomb fuel again</a>.


feed_id: 73e984950c643d8eaf8a114492deeb7f
title: War in Yemen
uri: 2019-04-18-War-in-Yemen
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#17_April_2019_%28War_in_Yemen%29
content:
<p>
As expected, the aggressor criminal vetoed the <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2019/apr/16/trump-yemen-war-veto-military-aid">congressional resolution
to stop US participation in the war in Yemen</a>.
<p>
A resolution under the War Powers Act should not be subject to veto,
because it is the means for Congress to decline to approve something
that requires congressional authorization: namely, war.
<p>
It was useful to get Republicans to join in opposing that policy.
If they are willing to put it in a law that the aggressor won't
want to veto &mdash; for instance, funding for the military -- he might
have to eat it.


feed_id: 881df8144143739859b6d81dcedae95d
title: Public schools
uri: Public-schools
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#17_April_2019_%28Public_schools%29
content:
<p>
Public schools in New York State are so underfunded that they have to
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/apr/12/buy-supplies-kids-schools-crowdfund">beg parents to donate supplies</a>. But only wealthy parents can afford
to do this.
<p>
We must make the rich pay a lot more taxes.


feed_id: 7f7af64500b2274b151f657d95b59583
title: Fossil fuel pipelines
uri: Fossil-fuel-pipelines
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#17_April_2019_%28Fossil_fuel_pipelines%29
content:
<p>
The <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#saboteur">saboteur</a>-in-chief will try to use executive orders to force
construction of various <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2019/04/10/trumps-executive-orders-seek-expedite-pipelines-energy-infrastructure?cd-origin=rss">fossil fuel pipelines and facilities</a>.


feed_id: 3c5826f5fe2254a691dd8624c32812b2
title: Julian Assange Extradition
uri: Julian-Assange-Extradition
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#17_April_2019_%28Julian_Assange_Extradition%29
content:
<p>
Whatever You Think of Julian Assange, His <a href=" https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/apr/12/julian-assange-extradition-wikileaks-america-crimes">Extradition to the US</a> Must Be Opposed.
<p>
Assange _did_ "make himself available" to be questioned about the Swedish
charges &mdash; questioned inside the Ecuadorian embassy.
<p>
Assange and Ecuador also agreed to his extradition to Sweden
provided Sweden agreed not to send him to the US.
<p>
This was all Sweden needed to pursue those charges.
<p>
However, once the prosecutors were in a position to do what they had
demanded to do, they stalled and then lost interest.
<p>
I concluded that the prosecutors had only feigned interest in those
charges, as an excuse for serving the US.
<p>
I do not know whether the two women were honest in making the
accusations, so I will not say anything about that question. However,
I have read that the acts they accused Assange of would not constitute
rape as defined in the US.


feed_id: 6b0a802ef39c8154f14fd1db51134d8a
title: PACs money
uri: PACs-money
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#17_April_2019_%28PACs_money%29
content:
<p>
Some candidates that pledged to accept no money from corporate PACs, then
interpreted that in a literal sense which <a href="https://theintercept.com/2019/04/13/democrats-corporate-pac-money/">lets them take money from PACs</a>
funded largely by corporations.


feed_id: a7e7cc6181dded1d05be49b89fcd7a75
title: Salvini's demonization
uri: Salvini-s-demonization
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#17_April_2019_%28Salvini%27s_demonization%29
content:
<p>
Salvini's targets for <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/apr/13/steve-bannon-matteo-salvini-pope-francis-is-the-enemy">demonization include the pope</a> (unacceptably
benevolent to the poor and to immigrants) as well as poor immigrants.


feed_id: 93b908d9c48b2e02936e0fb977a2a5b4
title: Misleading statistics
uri: Misleading-statistics
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#17_April_2019_%28Misleading_statistics%29
content:
<p>
Misleading with statistics: focusing on just federal income taxes,
right-wingers paint a progressive picture of US taxation. They omit
the <a href="https://theintercept.com/2019/04/13/tax-day-taxes-statistics/">regressive parts of the tax system</a>.


feed_id: 544d48975cdc8129b97d1bdaebb1cf5b
title: Pupil Poverty
uri: Pupil-Poverty
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#17_April_2019_%28Pupil_Poverty%29
content:
<p>
Tired, Hungry And Shamed: <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/education/2019/apr/14/tired-hungry-shamed-pupil-poverty-stops-learning">Pupil Poverty "Stops Learning"</a>.
UK teachers report that this is increasing. Some students report
they have had no food for two days, because their parents can't
buy any.
<p>
The teachers can't do anything directly about the poverty; that
requires electing a Labour government. But they may be able to do
something about the shame. Being victimized by powerful greedy
bastards is no reason to feel shame -- only anger.
<p>
I am not a teacher, so I am not an expert on what would work. Perhaps
it would be useful to have students work in teams, each of which
includes some destitute students as well as some who are better off.
<p>
I expect that something similar happens in the US. Can anyone send me
an article from 2017, 2018 or 2019 about the effects of student poverty
in the US?


feed_id: db6aba9755ae44666acb21568ae0c1d7
title: Urgent: Speaker Pelosi
uri: Urgent-Speaker-Pelosi
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#19_April_2019_%28Urgent%3A_Speaker_Pelosi%29
content:
<p>
US
citizens: <a href="https://act.credoaction.com/sign/pelosi-lead-now">call
on Speaker Pelosi</a> to lead the change Democratic voters want to
see.
</p>
<p>If you sign, please spread the word!</p>


feed_id: 18bb5569b7f6aa4b4660017a70abc236
title: Urgent: BE HEARD in the Workplace Act
uri: Urgent-BE-HEARD-in-the-Workplace-Act
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#19_April_2019_%28Urgent%3A_BE_HEARD_in_the_Workplace_Act%29

content:
<p>
US
citizens: <a href="https://act.credoaction.com/sign/pass-heard-act">call
on Congress</a> to pass the BE HEARD in the Workplace Act.
</p>
<p>If you sign, please spread the word!</p>


feed_id: 96029a8881549a4e79f421cf92b8b053
title: Selling dinosaur fossils
uri: Selling-dinosaur-fossils
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#19_April_2019_%28Selling_dinosaur_fossils%29
content:
<p>
Sale of dinosaur fossils to non-scientists is causing science to lose
out.  Paleontologists
have <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/science/2019/feb/24/dinosaur-fossils-collectors-museums-price-sale">asked
for a ban</a> on selling them to collectors.


feed_id: 5c0e7ec2b65743efdd0782f1ec99c2ff
title: Indoctrination app
uri: Indoctrination-app
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#19_April_2019_%28Indoctrination_app%29
content:
<p>
President Xi's indoctrination app for Chinese
people <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/feb/24/how-xi-jinping-became-networked-authoritarian-thanks-to-little-red-app">borrows
the techniques</a> of commercial social networks to pressure them to
immerse themselves for long periods in his propaganda.
The aim is to produce a nation of Xip.


feed_id: 746130b6007b414f698c624c5e952ac5
title: The Democrat-Reporter
uri: The-Democrat-Reporter
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#19_April_2019_%28The_Democrat-Reporter%29
content:
<p>
The Democrat-Reporter, an Alabama newspaper, published an editorial
calling for reviving the KKK, and was rebuked.
Now <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2019/feb/24/alabama-newspaper-at-centre-of-kkk-outcry-appoints-black-female-editor">it
has a new editor</a>: a black woman, Elecia Dexter.
<p>
The article says it is not clear whether the old owner sold the
newspaper (To Ms Dexter? To someone else?), or hired her.  I think it
is an interesting question.


feed_id: 555dbcc501df63622297dc4076cd9858
title: An influenced of Instagram
uri: An-influenced-of-Instagram
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#19_April_2019_%28An_influenced_of_Instagram%29
content:
<p>
The danger of Facebook is becoming one of its useds.  The principal
danger of Instagram, by contrast,
is <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/feb/24/instagram-lifestyle-envy-lulls-people-into-debt">becoming
an influenced</a>.
<p>
Aside from that, it accumulates personal data about everyone that
posts there.  Does it get personal data about people that only look at
postings?  I don't know, but I suspect so.


feed_id: 22f680a57dbb149aa6cb0475531e31e4
title: Paid family leave
uri: 2019-04-19-Paid-family-leave
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#19_April_2019_%28Paid_family_leave%29
content:
<p>
Paid Family Leave Is
an <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2019/02/23/paid-family-leave-investment-public-health-not-handout">Investment
in Public Health</a>, Not a Handout.
<p>
Republicans are interested in children only when it comes to forcing
women to have them.  Once the children lose utility for attacking
women's rights, Republicans no longer support protecting them.
<p>
I take the opposite stand.  I want to discourage the making of children,
so that the population stops rising and starts decreasing.  However, I think
that those who do get born should get public help to have a good life.


feed_id: d2d65edb709dd5e47a69a9ba383a1979
title: Crash-recovery policies
uri: Crash-recovery-policies
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#19_April_2019_%28Crash-recovery_policies%29
content:
<p>
A decade after the financial
crisis, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/business/2019/feb/23/global-economy-slowing-down-what-can-governments-do">many
countries continue</a> the "emergency" crash-recovery policies for
expanding the money supply.  What will they do now if there is a
recession?


feed_id: 4f12d547dfeb24fd24461d27c868540b
title: Criticisms of Vox video
uri: Criticisms-of-Vox-video
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#19_April_2019_%28Criticisms_of_Vox_video%29
content:
<p>
Vox lawyers got Youtube
to <a href="https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2019/02/the-verge-briefly-censored-youtubers-who-mocked-its-bad-pc-building-advice/">take
down criticisms</a> of a video published by Vox, and threaten the
critics with punishment, too.
<p>
The videos were almost surely fair use, but Youtube decided against
the critics anyway.  This shows how Youtube's general submission to
the copyright industry constricts people's rights.


feed_id: 8f936c6ffa2c63836baaa5aa633f8bdd
title: MP3 players for prisoners
uri: MP3-players-for-prisoners
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#19_April_2019_%28MP3_players_for_prisoners%29
content:
<p>
Florida prisons swindled prisoners by selling them MP3 players and
copies of songs, then confiscating them all because it found a more
profitable
deal.  <a href="https://www.jacksonville.com/news/20190219/florida-prisoners-could-form-class-action-to-demand-refund-on-confiscated-media-players-and-files">The
prisoners may sue.</a>
<p>
It is wise to save a backup copy.


feed_id: 455db8d7496911e3394e02f274d6d39b
title: Human genetic modifications
uri: Human-genetic-modifications
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#19_April_2019_%28Human_genetic_modifications%29
content:
<p>
The genetic modification made to two human fetuses in
China <a href="https://www.technologyreview.com/s/612997/the-crispr-twins-had-their-brains-altered/">could
provide more benefit</a> than just resistance to HIV.  That genetic
change is believed to raise intelligence, and improve recovery from
strokes.
<p>
Although the development of this treatment is risky, someday giving
everyone these benefits would be a big step forward for humanity.  If
we allow parents to cause their children a small risk by denying them
brain-protecting <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/news/2019/feb/21/anti-vaxxers-delivery-ward-doctor-mother-newborn">injections
of Vitamin K</a>,
a denial which gives the children no possible benefit,
why stop parents from giving them a possibly risky treatment
that offers the potential of significant benefits?


feed_id: 0cfdc9b1c53c6573ac09cd6989064fee
title: DNA samples from Uighurs
uri: DNA-samples-from-Uighurs
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#19_April_2019_%28DNA_samples_from_Uighurs%29
content:
<p>
China is forcibly collecting DNA samples from large numbers of
Uighurs.  China likes to say that this
repression <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2019/02/21/business/china-xinjiang-uighur-dna-thermo-fisher.html">constitutes
"fighting crime"</a>.
<p>
China describes its prison camps for a million Uighurs
as <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/feb/24/china-says-preventive-work-in-xinjiang-detention-camps-should-be-applauded">part
of the "war on terror"</a>.
<p>
Think of it as the Chinese Guantanamo, 10,000 times as big.
<p>
US <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thugs</a> have shown a tendency to
spontaneously <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#22_March_2019_(FBI_invents_imaginary_terrorist_threat)">repress
progressives</a>
and <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#16_March_2019_(Neo_Nazis)">support
neo-Nazis</a>.
We need to limit their power to collect DNA samples (and do other
things).


feed_id: 09e1d73319c8188b0db9ff3008feb5d9
title: CQ Roll Call
uri: CQ-Roll-Call
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#19_April_2019_%28CQ_Roll_Call%29
content:
<p>
The millions of fraudulent comments opposing network neutrality
regulation, that the FCC received, have been traced to the company CQ
Roll
Call <a href="https://gizmodo.com/how-an-investigation-of-fake-fcc-comments-snared-a-prom-1832788658">based
on detailed data</a> about the filing of those comments.


feed_id: 15f27afaea232134d4157d137c2bae11
title: Planned Parenthood funding
uri: 2019-04-19-Planned-Parenthood-funding
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#19_April_2019_%28Planned_Parenthood_funding%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#bully">The bully</a>
has <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2019/02/22/horrific-attack-womens-health-trump-pence-regime-blasted-new-domestic-gag-rule">invented
a new excuse</a> to stop funding Planned Parenthood for providing
medical services other than abortion.


feed_id: 778fbb2814ae2fa3b3631bc7180d0d93
title: Witnesses to crimes by Israeli colonists
uri: Witnesses-to-crimes-by-Israeli-colonists
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#20_April_2019_%28Witnesses_to_crimes_by_Israeli_colonists%29

content:
<p>
Israeli colonists in part of Palestine's West Bank have 
<a href="https://972mag.com/settlers-palestinian-jobs-human-rights/139951/">threatened
to deny work to Palestinians that cooperate with some Israeli human
rights organizations</a>.
<p>
These organizations act as witnesses for when some of those colonists
commit crimes against Palestinians.
<p>
The rate of such crimes has been 
<a href="http://www.maannews.com/Content.aspx?id=782577">increasing
for years</a>.


feed_id: d8447e1ebc1f23f6e86eaf1ae147bd65
title: Natural history museums
uri: Natural-history-museums
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#20_April_2019_%28Natural_history_museums%29
content:
<p>
Natural history museums hold specimens with DNA of species we are driving to
extinction, but 
<a href="https://psmag.com/ideas/the-priceless-secrets-of-americas-disappearing-natural-history-museums">the
museums are endangered too</a>.
<p>
I don't expect hungry mobs to break in to museums to eat the specimens
&mdash; nobody would think they are edible &mdash; but in 50 years
they may be considered a luxury that society cannot afford.


feed_id: d231eb967987bdc57f71b10617f98bc4
title: China deploys robot cops
uri: China-deploys-robot-cops
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#20_April_2019_%28China_deploys_robot_cops%29
content:
<p>
China is 
<a href="https://www.ozy.com/fast-forward/china-turns-to-robotic-policing/86559">deploying
robot cops with face recognition systems</a>.  The article does not
mention "social credit", but it is clear that these robots are tied
into the system and that their decision to label you as a "suspect"
can depend on whatever the Chinese state wants it to depend on.
<p>
The most dangerous aspect of them is that they can (and surely will)
report on everyone they see.  I predict that any "equilibrium" between
security and privacy that <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thugs</a> may choose will give privacy short
shrift.


feed_id: a7346e04c1066e4a308ab5d1a011ddd4
title: Clawing money from welfare recipients
uri: Clawing-money-from-welfare-recipients
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#20_April_2019_%28Clawing_money_from_welfare_recipients%29

content:
<p>
Australia's 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2019/feb/22/robodebt-scheme-costs-government-almost-as-much-as-it-recovers">automated
system to claw money back from welfare recipients</a> has brought in
only a little more than it cost.
<p>
Right-wingers won't mind, though, because they are determined to serve
the principle that poor people should get as little help as possible,
and never, ever allowed one dollar more than they can rigorously
justify.  Any excess money they keep would deprive deserving tycoons.


feed_id: a5fecb6ab31d45a9a8157868a972022e
title: Ballot-tampering
uri: Ballot-tampering
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#20_April_2019_%28Ballot-tampering%29
content:
<p>
A North Carolina Republican candidate for Congress has 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2019/feb/21/north-carolina-board-orders-new-election-disputed-house-race">yielded
to the demand for a new election</a>, since he can no longer hope that
a court will overlook the ballot-tampering that has been tied to his
campaign.


feed_id: 2f248535f78d62e8fec642e3212d21ce
title: Global Heating
uri: 2019-04-21-Global-Heating
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#20_April_2019_%28Global_Heating%29
content:
<p>
<p>
Extinction Rebellion organizers proclaim success in making <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#global heating">global heating</a>
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/apr/19/extinction-rebellion-and-attenborough-put-climate-in-spotlight">a focus of social discussion</a>.
</p>


feed_id: c6f1f8e93e95fcb5463da50cfdb3dd1c
title: Fish Farms
uri: Fish-Farms
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#20_April_2019_%28Fish_Farms%29
content:
<p>
<p>
Fish farm interests in Iceland are <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/apr/19/huge-plans-to-expand-icelands-fish-farms-risk-decimating-wild-fish-populations">pushing for an ecologically dangerous
expansion</a>, and intimidating scientists into silence.
</p>


feed_id: b149804e533258d454a8bf10f2db0835
title: Pets
uri: 2019-04-21-Pets
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#20_April_2019_%28Pets%29
content:
<p>
<p>
Many millenials are <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/apr/19/millennials-fur-babies-responsibility-pamper-pet">having pets</a> instead of babies.
</p>
<p>
If that helps you avoid children, it is a good idea, but what's the
sense of paying someone else to keep company with your dog instead of
you?  It's like paying someone else to spend time with your friends
for you: it defeats the purpose of friendship, whether that be with a
human or with a dog.
</p>
<p>
It is absurd to pamper your dog expensively; that obsession makes for
stress and spoils the fun.  A dog will not live as long as a human,
and a dog's death is not the same loss as a human's death.
</p>


feed_id: 1529cac4197c00711ccf23d6ff7efed9
title: Notre Dame Fire
uri: Notre-Dame-Fire
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#20_April_2019_%28Notre_Dame_Fire%29
content:
<p>
<p>
Right-wing liars <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/apr/16/social-media-platforms-failed-to-counter-notre-dame-fire-conspiracies-say-critics">eagerly spread falsehoods</a> about the Notre Dame fire.
</p>


feed_id: d762d8cf29de5109f99cdc222b963167
title: Tunisian Diplomacy
uri: Tunisian-Diplomacy
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#20_April_2019_%28Tunisian_Diplomacy%29
content:
<p>
<p>
Tunisia <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/apr/18/tunisia-holds-un-libya-arms-trafficking-expert-in-jail">Holds UN Libya Arms Trafficking Expert</a> in Jail.
</p>
<p>
The fear is that the government has been caught sending arms to Libya and will
not let him talk.
</p>


feed_id: f96c2f7b2c70a0922427b158b2603406
title: Guilty Until Innocent
uri: Guilty-Until-Innocent
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#20_April_2019_%28Guilty_Until_Innocent%29
content:
<p>
<p>
The bully's henchman <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2019/04/17/heartless-punishment-against-vulnerable-people-ag-william-barr-rules-asylum-seekers?cd-origin=rss">gave an order to keep asylum-seekers in prison</a>
while their cases are heard, perhaps for years.
</p>


feed_id: 8eafef0836dc1db44d98937da39738bf
title: Zero Tolerance
uri: 2019-04-21-Zero-Tolerance
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#20_April_2019_%28Zero_Tolerance%29
content:
<p>
<p>
"Zero tolerance" gives UK schools <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/education/2019/apr/17/teaching-union-calls-zero-tolerance-school-policies-inhumane">lots of excuses</a> to put children in isolation. That causes them psychological harm.
</p>


feed_id: 85fed3297ea891e6e6d6941aa3cc3748
title: Gwenn Seemel
uri: Gwenn-Seemel
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#20_April_2019_%28Gwenn_Seemel%29
content:
<p>
<p>
Gwenn Seemel's art was <a href="https://www.newsweek.com/trump-art-make-america-white-again-pulled-exhibit-1394215">censored from an exhibit</a> because it cursed
at the <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#bully">bully</a>.
</p>
<p>
She managed to get the art reinstalled.  May we have a similar victory
over the <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#bully">bully</a>, and put him in prison where he belongs.
</p>


feed_id: 02ed9f7a70bd1930e2fe0284cf912174
title: Implicit Trust
uri: Implicit-Trust
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#20_April_2019_%28Implicit_Trust%29
content:
<p>
<p>
The US and EU are starting again to <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2019/04/17/food-standards-menu-us-eu-talks?cd-origin=rss">negotiate a business-supremacy treaty</a>.
One of the specific goals is to require each to trust implicitly
the other's safety inspections.
</p>
<p>
With the US pressing constantly to undermine its own inspection of
meat, the EU should not trust the US to do that job right.
</p>


feed_id: 0cf382a6542e915f37675f173f829998
title: Clinton Emails
uri: Clinton-Emails
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#20_April_2019_%28Clinton_Emails%29
content:
<p>
<p>
Trump Claimed <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2019/apr/18/trump-claimed-he-knew-about-damaging-clinton-emails-in-advance">He Knew about Damaging Clinton Emails</a> in Advance.
</p>


feed_id: 3aee969fc3992ec0035574a932afd5bd
title: Uber and Lyft
uri: 2019-04-21-Uber-and-Lyft
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#20_April_2019_%28Uber_and_Lyft%29
content:
<p>
<p>
Uber and Lyft Drivers Say <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2019/apr/18/uber-lyft-drivers-surge-pricing-wages">Apps Are Short-Changing Wages</a> While Raising Fares.
</p>


feed_id: d3c840d5bd5ad70c5f9ae0e7cda41363
title: Greta Thunberg
uri: 2019-04-21-Greta-Thunberg
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#20_April_2019_%28Greta_Thunberg%29
content:
<p>
<p>
Greta Thunberg <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2019/04/17/you-cannot-ignore-science-emotional-plea-greta-thunberg-begs-eu-take-urgent-climate?cd-origin=rss">exhorts MEPs to carry out their mission</a> and protect Europe
from <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#global heating">global heating</a> disaster.
</p>
<p>
How <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2019/04/17/bernie-sanders-raises-bar-even-further-climate-vow-ban-fracking-all-new-fossil-fuel?cd-origin=rss">Sanders intends to tackle the problem</a>.
</p>


feed_id: 6c166aafc0294bd562117a873455c425
title: Urgent: Override the Veto
uri: Urgent-Override-the-Veto
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#20_April_2019_%28Urgent%3A_Override_the_Veto%29
content:
<p>
<p>
US citizens: phone your senators and call on them to override the
killer's veto of the resolution to end US support to <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#salafi">Salafi Arabia</a>'s
intervention in Yemen.
<p>
<p>The Capitol Switchboard numbers are 202-224-3121, 888-818-6641                                                             
     and 888-355-3588.
</p>


feed_id: 0ccc76f9a2804dfa6222ed661540b201
title: London Thugs
uri: London-Thugs
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#20_April_2019_%28London_Thugs%29
content:
<p>
<p>
The London thug department <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/apr/18/scotland-yard-defends-response-to-climate-change-protests">has been surprisingly restrained</a> in responding to
Extinction Rebellion's firmly nonviolent stance.
</p>


feed_id: 4e7e56cc2b6a61b937ac8edb55bdf3a9
title: City Efficiency
uri: City-Efficiency
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#20_April_2019_%28City_Efficiency%29
content:
<p>
<p>
New York City <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2019/apr/18/new-york-city-buildings-greenhouse-gas-emissions">will require most buildings to upgrade</a> their energy efficiency
by 40% unless they use renewable energy.
</p>


feed_id: 66b77fd881c114e288d4a2784beaeb91
title: Bully Collusion
uri: Bully-Collusion
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#20_April_2019_%28Bully_Collusion%29
content:
<p>
<p>
The Mueller report did not find proof that the <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#bully">bully</a> conspired with Russia,
but did find <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/apr/18/trump-collusion-russia-mueller-barr">plenty of collusion between them</a>.
<p>
<p>
It presents many instances on which the bully did <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/apr/18/the-guardian-view-on-the-mueller-report-now-we-see-it-what-next">things that might be
criminal</a>.  Congress can investigate them.
<p>
<p>
It seems that the bully <a href="http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/reason/Articles/~3/brPh9xKQ3Vk/">tried to commit various crimes</a> and was
thwarted by staff who refused to carry them out.
</p>
<p>
The bully's henchmen <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2019/apr/18/trump-mueller-report-obstruction-end-presidency-anyone-else">acquiesced in Russia’s interference</a>, while he
himself sought the Kremlin’s approval for multimillion-dollar property
deal in Moscow.
</p>
<p>
This shows how much <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#cheater">the cheater</a> has damaged America's moral standards.
</p>


feed_id: b55f648b857c003e0c0a1575640c94b0
title: Khartoum Protests
uri: Khartoum-Protests
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#20_April_2019_%28Khartoum_Protests%29
content:
<p>
<p>
Hundreds of thousands of Sudanese <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/apr/19/sudan-huge-crowds-call-for-civilian-rule-in-biggest-protest-since-bashir-ousting">are protesting in Khartoum</a>,
demanding an end to military rule.
</p>


feed_id: 5e97f283bf80b4705f9a1914bca2a4a3
title: Starving Country
uri: Starving-Country
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#20_April_2019_%28Starving_Country%29
content:
<p>
<p>
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2019/apr/19/zimbabwe-in-crisis-cyclone-idai-drought">70% of Zimbabwe's population was starving due to drought</a>.  Then Cyclone Idai
destroyed most of the remaining crops.
</p>
<p>
Long droughts and big rains are both typical effects of <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#global heating">global heating</a>.
If millions of people flee Zimbabwe for the wealthier countries that
have some food, it will be partly our fault that they can't survive at home.
</p>


feed_id: e94246d1a17267879dcc31c1177ac6fb
title: Student Trauma
uri: Student-Trauma
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#20_April_2019_%28Student_Trauma%29
content:
<p>
<p>
School shootings affect a tiny fraction of the students in US schools,
but <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2019/apr/19/columbine-parkland-how-mass-shootings-changed-us-schools">the preparations for dealing with the possibility</a> subject every
student to psychological trauma.
</p>
<p>
This article doesn't even count the school-to-prison pipeline in the harm.
</p>


feed_id: 07f4f70d53d20999bf436efb3bbbb2d2
title: Algerian president
uri: Algerian-president
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#21_April_2019_%28Algerian_president%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/feb/25/algerian-rally-against-president-abdelaziz-bouteflika-plan-seek-fifth-term">Algerians
Take to the Streets</a> over President's Plan to Seek Fifth Term.
<p>
Algeria is rather repressive; protesting like that is not an easy choice.


feed_id: 8dfc5342ee05739e257f51b51e194b98
title: Green New Deal and fiscal responsibility
uri: Green-New-Deal-and-fiscal-responsibility
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#21_April_2019_%28Green_New_Deal_and_fiscal_responsibility%29

content:
<p>
A Green New Deal
Is <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/feb/25/green-new-aoc-deal-fiscally-responsible-climate-inaction">Fiscally
Responsible</a>.  Climate Inaction Is Not.
<p>
"Who are the true realists?  Those backing the Green New Deal, or
those
backing <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2019/02/24/realists-are-courting-global-devastation">ineffective
half measures</a>?"


feed_id: c3fdf4e45e5a100382d70531f108d6f9
title: Anti-vaxx cult in Japan
uri: Anti-vaxx-cult-in-Japan
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#21_April_2019_%28Anti-vaxx_cult_in_Japan%29
content:
<p>
In Japan, the anti-vaxx cult includes
an <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/feb/25/japan-battles-worst-measles-outbreak-in-a-decade">actual
religious cult</a> which seems to resemble Christian "science".


feed_id: 24891c4dd0716c59cebc9a84a848b59c
title: NAFTA and safety regulations
uri: NAFTA-and-safety-regulations
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#21_April_2019_%28NAFTA_and_safety_regulations%29
content:
<p>
NAFTA contains a system
that <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2019/02/24/agribusinesss-secretive-plans-unravel-food-safety-and-worker-protections">quietly
eliminates safety regulations</a> including for food safety.


feed_id: a9d3916cc8097e9a530566c8abb6360c
title: New fossil fuel plant
uri: New-fossil-fuel-plant
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#21_April_2019_%28New_fossil_fuel_plant%29
content:
<p>
Australia's greenhouse gas reduction fund will be used
to <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/feb/25/emissions-reduction-fund-to-pay-for-fossil-fuel-plant-that-would-be-built-anyway">pay
for a fossil fuel plant</a>, which was going to be built privately
anyway.
<p>
The Australian government does not really want to reduce greenhouse
gas emissions.  It is run by planet-roasters.


feed_id: d4ebb9564d27755bfd3aa4f281fd912d
title: Rejecting fast fashion
uri: Rejecting-fast-fashion
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#21_April_2019_%28Rejecting_fast_fashion%29
content:
<p>
Some Britons
are <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/fashion/2019/feb/19/dont-feed-monster-the-people-who-have-stopped-buying-new-clothes">rejecting
fast fashion</a> and buying clothes to keep, trade, and occasionally
modify.
<p>
The story idiotically says that this is a "new way to consume
clothing", when the whole point is to treat clothes as durable goods
<em>instead of</em> consuming them.


feed_id: 3cdfa5f50a8b2f7c2c72b6cc39134628
title: Venezuela's healthcare system
uri: Venezuela-s-healthcare-system
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#21_April_2019_%28Venezuela%27s_healthcare_system%29
content:
<p>
"Collapse of Venezuela’s healthcare system
could <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2019/feb/21/venezuela-crisis-threatens-disease-epidemic-across-continent-experts">fuel
spread of malaria</a> and other diseases across region."
<p>
The article does not mention that Venezuela before Chávez did not
offer medical care for the non-wealthy.  The doctors served the middle
and upper classes, those who could pay, and did not try to serve the
poor.  Chávez set up a medical system for all, which still exists but
is not working very well.
<p>
I see no reason to think that Guaidó would care about the poor enough
to make that system function.  He might just as likely abolish it.


feed_id: a79d356febfa5e0ea83116d1b84540bc
title: Sensitive data to Facebook
uri: Sensitive-data-to-Facebook
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#21_April_2019_%28Sensitive_data_to_Facebook%29
content:
<p>
Many apps send "sensitive" data to Facebook, including data women
enter
in <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2019/feb/23/facebook-app-data-leaks">tracking
their periods</a>.
<p>
For privacy's sake, store your sensitive data on your <em>own</em>
computer.  Don't accept vague, cloudy stories about where your data
is.


feed_id: fe12e631e7e3fa7f2286e5caad63ad25
title: Google's real estate
uri: Google-s-real-estate
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#21_April_2019_%28Google%27s_real_estate%29
content:
<p>
Google is secretly buying land and building buildings around the US,
and <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/economy/google-reaped-millions-of-tax-breaks-as-it-secretly-expanded-its-real-estate-footprint-across-the-us/2019/02/15/7912e10e-3136-11e9-813a-0ab2f17e305b_story.html?noredirect=on">getting
special tax breaks</a> for them.


feed_id: 81ebc4b2d7d9a5daa5d1b908fce71719
title: Feasibility of Green New Deal
uri: Feasibility-of-Green-New-Deal
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#21_April_2019_%28Feasibility_of_Green_New_Deal%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2019/02/23/green-new-deal-feasible-and-affordable">An
economist presents estimates</a> arguing that the Green New Deal is
feasible.


feed_id: da58792877dd563c3a7e6255fc37b0f9
title: Antisemitism and anti-Zionism
uri: Antisemitism-and-anti-Zionism
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#21_April_2019_%28Antisemitism_and_anti-Zionism%29
content:
<p>
"Antisemites use the language of
anti-Zionism.  <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/feb/24/antisemites-use-language-of-anti-zionism-the-two-are-distinct">The
two are distinct.</a>"
<p>
The article distinguishes between various forms of opposition to Zionism,
saying that some of them include antisemitism, while others are not.
<p>
Based on this, one can see how the IHRA definition of antisemitism
draws the line at the wrong place in that area.
<p>
I am not an anti-Zionist myself.  I continue to wish for the outcome
Uri Avnery wished for: two states, in a peaceful relationship.  However,
the time for Israelis to permit that is running out.
<p>
Some report that antisemitism in France now has two
sources: <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/feb/24/alain-finkielkraut-winds-of-antisemitism-in-europe-gilets-jaune">neo-Nazis
and Islamist extremists</a>.


feed_id: f688261e55f877b14103a16272a4d829
title: Brain changes and gender
uri: Brain-changes-and-gender
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#21_April_2019_%28Brain_changes_and_gender%29
content:
<p>
The human brain changes, even in shape, as the human learns and
adapts.  Therefore, when society treats people differently based on
gender, that will bring about brain differences that correlate with gender.
<p>
As a result, we cannot tell from the examination we know how to do
whether there is any innate gender effect on human brains.  If there
is any, it could
be <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/science/2019/feb/24/meet-the-neuroscientist-shattering-the-myth-of-the-gendered-brain-gina-rippon">dwarfed
by the differences</a> due to differing life experiences.


feed_id: 71fe86715ee28632ba6b9db27d9d2eb6
title: Pets
uri: 2019-04-21-Pets
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#20_April_2019_%28Pets%29
content:
<p>
<p>
Many millennials are <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/apr/19/millennials-fur-babies-responsibility-pamper-pet">having pets</a> instead of babies.
</p>
<p>
If that helps you avoid children, it is a good idea, but what's the
sense of paying someone else to keep company with your dog instead of
you?  It's like paying someone else to spend time with your friends
for you: it defeats the purpose of friendship, whether that be with a
human or with a dog.
</p>
<p>
It is absurd to pamper your dog expensively; that obsession makes for
stress and spoils the fun.  A dog will not live as long as a human,
and a dog's death is not the same loss as a human's death.
</p>


feed_id: 382a947d017b81342586e49b08f8eca3
title: Right-Wing Militia
uri: Right-Wing-Militia
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#21_April_2019_%28Right-Wing_Militia%29
content:
<p>
<p>
A right-wing militia has been <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2019/apr/20/fbi-arrests-member-of-rightwing-militia-accused-of-detaining-migrants">capturing migrants that cross the
US-Mexico border</a>, mostly with the intention of contacting officials
and asking for asylum.  One member has been arrested for illegal guns.
</p>


feed_id: 44a2cfcfec9b92a2ac11cec3386e78f1
title: Distraction Campaign
uri: Distraction-Campaign
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#21_April_2019_%28Distraction_Campaign%29
content:
<p>
<p>
Planet-roasters's <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/apr/20/stroud-cotswold-town-that-spawned-radical-protest">distraction campaign</a>: focus on who started
Extinction Rebellion instead of on the danger of <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#global heating">global heating</a>.
</p>
<p>
The cogent response is, "Why so concerned about who it is that reminds
you that your house is on fire?  Have some sense and put it out!"
</p>


feed_id: 29a549466eb886474d74decdc0fc0534
title: Cathedral Repairs
uri: Cathedral-Repairs
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#21_April_2019_%28Cathedral_Repairs%29
content:
<p>
<p>
Gilets jaunes in Paris ask, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/apr/20/gilets-jaunes-battle-riot-police-and-light-fires-in-paris-over-high-taxes">why a million euros</a> for repairing a
cathedral while the poor cannot get by?
</p>
<p>
I think that preserving the great works of the past is important.  But
there is enough money for both, if only governments tax the rich enough.
</p>


feed_id: c95278c91e224ff7f0b005215b1e8ed5
title: Ukrainian Candidate
uri: Ukrainian-Candidate
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#21_April_2019_%28Ukrainian_Candidate%29
content:
<p>
<p>
A comedian is <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/apr/20/ukraine-election-set-to-deliver-damning-verdict-on-traditional-politics">set to win Ukraine's presidential election</a>, based on a campaign
as vague as Obama's "hope" and "change". He might be pledged to obey a billionaire.
</p>


feed_id: 586bb876da663adb5688a5a1b80f455b
title: Farewell Address
uri: Farewell-Address
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#21_April_2019_%28Farewell_Address%29
content:
<p>
<p>
Washington's farewell address <a href="https://theintercept.com/2019/04/20/mueller-report-george-washington-farewell-address/">warned of the danger</a> of foreign meddling
in US politics, and of the consequent danger of politicians that
accept foreign meddling if it helps them win.
</p>
<p>
The article errs in saying that <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#cheater">the cheater</a> won the 2016 election.
It was stolen by Republican voter-suppression.
</p>


feed_id: b6e1275cac628e21c2a61820d27a4ba1
title: Extinction Rebellion
uri: 2019-04-22-Extinction-Rebellion
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#21_April_2019_%28Extinction_Rebellion%29
content:
<p>
<p>
What it was like in the <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/apr/20/battle-of-waterloo-bridge-a-week-of-extinction-rebellion-protests">Extinction Rebellion</a> protests in London.
</p>
<p>
The article's title is misleading: the protest was nothing like a
battle, and that's a very good thing.  If they had tried to battle the
cops, who at other times are <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thugs</a>, they would have lost.
Thoughtfully and admirably, they did not do this.
</p>


feed_id: 16c4850aba2e54b8b6bece1d9ccd7250
title: Former Pope
uri: Former-Pope
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#21_April_2019_%28Former_Pope%29
content:
<p>
<p>
The repressive former pope, with support from right-wing extremists,
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/apr/20/popes-church-catholicism-easter-francis-steve-bannon
">is campaigning</a> to undermined Pope Francis.
</p>


feed_id: bae56411da8303c2fa5945239ec9c22a
title: Role Model
uri: Role-Model
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#21_April_2019_%28Role_Model%29
content:
<p>
<p>
Teacher Lauren Miranda was fired because school officials think that <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2019/apr/19/lauren-miranda-teacher-topless-photo-speaks-out">having
a private sex life</a> makes one a bad "role model".
</p>
<p>
I think asexuality is the bad role model &mdash; like "abstinence-only"
non-sex non-education.
</p>
<p>
Sex therapists say that <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2019/apr/18/bedrooms-confidential-what-sex-therapists-hear-from-couch">the taboo on discussion related to sex</a> is as
strong as it was in the 1980s.  People are held back in their
relationships by ignorance of their own bodies and feelings, as well
as their lovers'.
</p>


feed_id: 93ec6c7225ef271cab779a0404d5ca00
title: Pentagon Whistleblower
uri: Pentagon-Whistleblower
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#21_April_2019_%28Pentagon_Whistleblower%29
content:
<p>
<p>
Nearly 100,000 Pentagon Whistleblower Complaints <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2019/04/18/nearly-100000-pentagon-whistleblower-complaints-have-been-silenced?cd-origin=rss">Have Been Silenced</a>
(concealed from the public).
</p>


feed_id: 5340027b47510e64c81ea91e77112939
title: Song: The Man Who Metamorphosed.
uri: Song-The-Man-Who-Metamorphosed
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#22_April_2019_%28Song%3A_The_Man_Who_Metamorphosed.%29

content:
<p>
<a href="https://stallman.org/doggerel.html#metamorph">Song: The Man
  Who Metamorphosed.</a>
</p>


feed_id: d9f0fc9ec5edd888f2acca97972278fc
title: Urgent: No war with Iran
uri: Urgent-No-war-with-Iran
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#23_April_2019_%28Urgent%3A_No_war_with_Iran%29
content:
<p>
US
citizens: <a href="https://act.winwithoutwar.org/act/tell-senate-no-war-iran">call
on Congress</a> to block the US government from attacking Iran.
</p>
<p>If you sign, please spread the word!</p>


feed_id: c713c62ad4470a451dce85bcb422a7f1
title: Urgent: Atlantic Coast Pipeline
uri: Urgent-Atlantic-Coast-Pipeline
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#23_April_2019_%28Urgent%3A_Atlantic_Coast_Pipeline%29

content:
<p>
Everyone: <a href="https://act.priceofoil.org/sign/BoA-Atlantic-Coast-Pipeline/">tell
Bank of America</a> to stop financing the Atlantic Coast Pipeline.
</p>
<p>If you sign, please spread the word!</p>


feed_id: dc76f944f8eab6ab37280379aef7cd07
title: Urgent: Kavanaugh hiring
uri: Urgent-Kavanaugh-hiring
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#23_April_2019_%28Urgent%3A_Kavanaugh_hiring%29
content:
<p>
Everyone: call
on <a href="https://act.credoaction.com/sign/george-mason-kavanaugh">George
Mason University</a> not to hire sexual predator Brett Kavanaugh.
</p>
<p>If you sign, please spread the word!</p>


feed_id: f341b465d99372c71f1c1f197d8816d3
title: Privatized immigration prisons
uri: 2019-04-23-Privatized-immigration-prisons
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#23_April_2019_%28Privatized_immigration_prisons%29
content:
<p>
Privatized immigration prisons frequently violate prisoners' rights.
The companies know they can get away with it
and <a href="https://www.techdirt.com/articles/20190203/10225041517/report-shows-ice-almost-never-punishes-contractors-housing-detainees-no-matter-how-many-violations-they-rack-up.shtml">won't
be punished</a>, because ICE hardly ever insists.
<p>
This is an example of a general principle: privatizing a government
activity makes it unaccountable, and the businesses cheat.
<p>
Private prisons should be abolished.  In general, no government activity
should be privatized, unless there is no reason for the government to be
involved at all.


feed_id: 2d77c25a81f2819f988999298495edc9
title: 'Smart' gadget activity reporting
uri: Smart-gadget-activity-reporting
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#23_April_2019_%28%27Smart%27_gadget_activity_reporting%29

content:
<p>
Amazon and Google want "smart" gadgets
to <a href="https://www.bloombergquint.com/onweb/your-smart-light-can-tell-amazon-and-google-when-you-go-to-bed">report
all activity to them</a>.
<p>
In other words, if you have a "smart" (read "spy") light bulb with that
proposed feature, and tell an Amazon or Google listening device about
it, thenceforth any time you switched it on or off <em>no matter
how</em>, it would send a report to Amazon or Google.
<p>
Even today, the only way to make "smart" products safe is to ensure
they cannot connect to anyone else's systems.


feed_id: 1abf4e9ceb1d2843959b3aa063459a96
title: Collusion with far-right extremists
uri: Collusion-with-far-right-extremists
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#23_April_2019_%28Collusion_with_far-right_extremists%29

content:
<p>
Texts Show Collusion between Police and Far-Right
Extremists, <a href="https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/oregon-official-texts-show-collusion-between-police-far-right-extremists-n971926">Oregon
Official Claims</a>.


feed_id: d948091d59b82dfa6c1d534973d54a0b
title: Huawei automotive system
uri: Huawei-automotive-system
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#23_April_2019_%28Huawei_automotive_system%29
content:
<p>
Huawei is developing an automotive system that would lock the controls
and perhaps call the <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thugs</a>, if the driver appears to
be <a href="https://www.carkeys.co.uk/news/huawei-driverless-cars-will-call-police-on-drunk-or-sleepy-drivers">sleepy,
drunk,</a> or on a list of enemies of the state.
<p>
Huawei does not mention the third condition, but it would be easier to
implement than the other two.


feed_id: ccba2968a81ddf38f0a883adbd198b2b
title: Terrorism-related publications
uri: Terrorism-related-publications
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#23_April_2019_%28Terrorism-related_publications%29
content:
<p>
The UK's censorship has reached the predictable vicious
extreme: <a href="https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/crime/terrorist-propaganda-website-online-prison-sentence-uk-isis-a8776226.html">a
law proposes</a> to imprison people for even looking at any
publications possibly relating to terrorism.
<p>
Let's not get distracted with the minor details, such as how many
times you'd have to look at such publications, or how many different
publications, before it would count as grounds to imprison you.  This
is tyranny.  The existing law against having copies is tyranny too.
<p>
Any law prohibiting possession of any published material is an injustice.
And it provides an easy tool to make any chosen target into a criminal.


feed_id: 357db4ae8a367e8940f07d615e273adb
title: Living wage is common sense
uri: Living-wage-is-common-sense
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#23_April_2019_%28Living_wage_is_common_sense%29
content:
<p>
Ocasio-Cortez: Living Wage for Staff
Is <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2019/02/25/ocasio-cortez-living-wage-staff-common-sense-policy-not-communism">'Common-Sense'
Policy</a> Not 'Communism'.


feed_id: d617ecf01916514ddd95cae7e828c4aa
title: Zero emissions in Costa Rica
uri: Zero-emissions-in-Costa-Rica
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#23_April_2019_%28Zero_emissions_in_Costa_Rica%29
content:
<p>
Costa
Rica <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/feb/25/costa-rica-plan-decarbonize-2050-climate-change-fight">Unveils
Plan</a> to Achieve Zero Emissions by 2050.


feed_id: b80530262399a623a34bea5c7949ca1f
title: North Korea relations
uri: North-Korea-relations
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#23_April_2019_%28North_Korea_relations%29
content:
<p>
Although North Korea may never agree to get rid of its nuclear
weapons, at least there
is <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/feb/25/say-what-you-will-about-trump-but-his-tactics-on-north-korea-are-working">no
longer active belligerence</a> between it and the US and South Korea.
<p>
Now if only the <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#bully">bully</a> were not pushing for war with Iran instead, we might
even have a basis to praise him.


feed_id: 155448b7c2794297ae1948487cc6efa0
title: Measles outbreaks
uri: Measles-outbreaks
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#23_April_2019_%28Measles_outbreaks%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/feb/25/vaccine-scepticism-rises-in-line-with-votes-for-populists-study-finds">Measles
increases</a> where right-wing hate parties grow.


feed_id: a9c3030057c7f85bc16d702a577daf01
title: Emissions from concrete
uri: Emissions-from-concrete
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#23_April_2019_%28Emissions_from_concrete%29
content:
<p>
8% of humanity's CO2 emissions come from concrete, and production of
concrete is forecast to increase.
A <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/cities/2019/feb/25/concrete-is-tipping-us-into-climate-catastrophe-its-payback-time-cement-tax">heavy
tax on concrete</a> could slow this down.
Forms of concrete that emit less CO2 could be taxed less.
<p>
The article refers to the Paris agreement for emissions targets, but
we know
they <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#13_December_2015_(Paris_climate_deal)">don't
go far enough</a>.


feed_id: 52e3086db5ca6111a2b5736376d82cde
title: Curbing global heating
uri: 2019-04-23-Curbing-global-heating
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#23_April_2019_%28Curbing_global_heating%29
content:
<p>
For the task of curbing <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#global heating">global heating</a>, the "adults in the room" are
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/feb/25/adults-room-climate-change-dianne-feinstein">unwilling
to recognize</a> the urgency of action.


feed_id: f27615f934a7de74462bf2ed63910a85
title: Poverty in America
uri: 2019-04-23-Poverty-in-America
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#23_April_2019_%28Poverty_in_America%29
content:
<p>
"In today's America, the real emergency is that
a <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/feb/25/america-urgent-emergencies-border-poverty">quarter
of a million people die</a> from poverty each year."


feed_id: 757cdce64afc91054dd385ad54a20917
title: Thug Accounts
uri: Thug-Accounts
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#23_April_2019_%28Thug_Accounts%29
content:
<p>
<p>
Thugs often <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2019/apr/22/facebook-law-enforcement-fake-profiles-ice">make Facebook accounts under aliases</a> to spy on other useds
of Facebook, such as unauthorized immigrants.
</p>
<p>
I cannot join the EFF in pressing Facebook to enforce its real-name
rule more strictly, because that rule does harm to others.  Facebook
should relax that rule for non-<a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thugs</a> rather than enforce it more
strictly on <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thugs</a>.
</p>


feed_id: 2a668e65403081f08f5506e94b9c5d1c
title: Global Heating
uri: 2019-04-24-Global-Heating
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#23_April_2019_%28Global_Heating%29
content:
<p>
<p>
One effect of global heating: <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/society/2019/apr/22/weatherwatch-climate-change-hay-fever-sufferers">the hay fever season lasts longer</a>.
</p>


feed_id: 9293c81e30a3e0f85e6adb09fad669f3
title: Chelsea Appeal
uri: Chelsea-Appeal
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#23_April_2019_%28Chelsea_Appeal%29
content:
<p>
<p>
Chelsea Manning's <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2019/04/22/i-will-not-give-appeals-court-rejects-chelsea-mannings-bid-release?cd-origin=rss">appeal against imprisonment</a> was rejected,
but she continues to refuse to testify.
</p>


feed_id: e0677071f4b99191cd7f882320a0cb57
title: Media Coverage
uri: Media-Coverage
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#23_April_2019_%28Media_Coverage%29
content:
<p>
<p>
Suggestions for how <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/apr/22/why-is-the-us-news-media-so-bad-at-covering-climate-change">US news media should cover global heating</a>
so that the urgency will come across.
</p>
<p>
I will add one other suggestion: call it "<a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#global heating">global heating</a>",
not "climate change".
</p>


feed_id: cf8fa628fb6bc21e17dad641c3c7b72a
title: Stephen Smith
uri: Stephen-Smith
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#23_April_2019_%28Stephen_Smith%29
content:
<p>
<p>
Tories made Stephen Smith <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/apr/22/stephen-smith-benefits-system-dying">fight for his legal right</a> to welfare
payments in the UK even as he was so sick he was not supposed to leave
the hospital.  This is standard practice for Tories. And yet their supporters shrug it off.
</p>


feed_id: 5874c74c7fe155eb0033e4991ef655d9
title: Tolerance
uri: Tolerance
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#23_April_2019_%28Tolerance%29
content:
<p>
<p>
Brunei asks for "<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/apr/22/brunei-defends-stoning-death-gay-sex-letter-eu">tolerance and understanding</a>" for killing gays
and cutting hands off thieves.
</p>
<p>
What monumental irony.
</p>


feed_id: e8c149b416c7e5975d197857363cab0c
title: Pelosi's Advice
uri: Pelosi-s-Advice
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#23_April_2019_%28Pelosi%27s_Advice%29
content:
<p>
<p>
Pelosi <a href="https://theintercept.com/2019/04/22/drug-pricing-legislation-democrats/">gets her advice on reducing drug prices</a> mainly from lobbyists.
</p>


feed_id: 11717b07bc56b7a1757b76459ab45438
title: Sri Lanka Bombing
uri: Sri-Lanka-Bombing
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#23_April_2019_%28Sri_Lanka_Bombing%29
content:
<p>
<p>
The terrorist bombing in Sri Lanka is said to have been <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/apr/22/sri-lanka-bombings-islamist-group-blamed-but-focus-also-on-failure-of-security-forces">carried out by
a local Islamist group</a>.
</p>


feed_id: aa48bdac7cea605e7f4edfaef92efa81
title: Greta Thunberg
uri: 2019-04-24-Greta-Thunberg
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#23_April_2019_%28Greta_Thunberg%29
content:
<p>
<p>
Greta Thunberg addressed the <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/apr/22/greta-thunberg-backs-general-strike-climate-change-environment">Extinction Rebellion protesters</a> in London
today and called for a general strike for climate defense.
</p>
<p>
Extinction Rebellion viewed as an <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/apr/22/extinction-rebellion-youthful-politics-change-britain">instance of a generational change</a> in
politics.
</p>


feed_id: 4628df44ae0cc42d6fb30535c845069f
title: Digital repression
uri: Digital-repression
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#23_April_2019_%28Digital_repression%29
content:
<p>
Advocates of US domination of Latin America warn that China is 
<a href="https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/policy/defense-national-security/china-selling-high-tech-tyranny-to-latin-america-stoking-us-concern">selling
governments digital technology to surveil and control people</a>.
<p>
I find that alarming &mdash; however, the US is doing its level best
to catch up with China in digital repression, and I find that even
more alarming.
<p>
Americans, will we rush to be more surveilled than Chinese, or will we
fight to keep our country free?  Will we help Latin American countries
stay free from repressive digital technology, or will we compete with China
to sell them some?


feed_id: ed6e3351e76b2f7551b130c641afd0e9
title: Repressive laws
uri: Repressive-laws
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#23_April_2019_%28Repressive_laws%29
content:
<p>
The UK is planning yet another repressive law: arbitrarily labeling
places in the world as "forbidden", and 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2019/apr/12/britons-moving-terror-hotspots-face-10-years-jail-under-new-laws">imprisoning
Britons for having been there</a>.
<p>
The law would also make it easy to demand journalists hand over their
notebooks identify their sources.


feed_id: e7560940a17323a986582f8de4961afc
title: Ship crews stranded and unpaid
uri: Ship-crews-stranded-and-unpaid
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#23_April_2019_%28Ship_crews_stranded_and_unpaid%29
content:
<p>
The United Arab Emirates permits shipowners to discard ships with
their crew aboard.  The owners leave them 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2019/apr/12/abandoned-at-sea-the-crews-cast-adrift-without-food-fuel-or-pay">stranded
and unpaid</a>, sometimes for years.


feed_id: 0fb022c3c497ea18a885907b6a716e61
title: Protests against military rule
uri: Protests-against-military-rule
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#23_April_2019_%28Protests_against_military_rule%29
content:
<p>
Protesters in Sudan continue their protests, now 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/apr/12/sudan-protesters-defy-army-curfew-bashir-overthrown">against
military rule</a>.


feed_id: 3936d4d5b6b5b640b2090fc74d11093e
title: The genocide in Chile and Argentina
uri: The-genocide-in-Chile-and-Argentina
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#23_April_2019_%28The_genocide_in_Chile_and_Argentina%29

content:
<p>
Mapuche are asking the International Criminal Court to investigate 
the 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/apr/12/indigenous-mapuche-accuse-chile-brazil-genocide">genocide
carried out by Chile and Argentina in the 19th century</a>.


feed_id: a3903973036aad27033a0a0c96168ddb
title: Keep pet cats indoors
uri: Keep-pet-cats-indoors
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#23_April_2019_%28Keep_pet_cats_indoors%29
content:
<p>
Coyotes now live in many US cities, and they 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/apr/12/protect-your-pets-cats-make-up-one-fifth-of-coyotes-diet-in-los-angeles">eat
pet cats</a> that go outside the house.  Cat owners are learning to
keep their cats indoors.
<p>
Another reason to keep cats indoors is so that they won't eat birds.
Cats are responsible for 
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#10_June_2016_(Keep_cats_indoors)">killing
large numbers of small birds</a>.


feed_id: 1ef9ba6a982569cae653e72704d632de
title: Green New Deal
uri: 2019-04-24-Green-New-Deal
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#23_April_2019_%28Green_New_Deal%29
content:
<p>
The Labour Party is 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/apr/12/youth-climate-change-strikers-labour-green-new-deal-uk">converging
with the environmentalist demand</a> for a Green New Deal for Britain.


feed_id: e8e736dc8c7d31efd575b4d11056dc23
title: Urgent: Electronics at the border
uri: Urgent-Electronics-at-the-border
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#25_April_2019_%28Urgent%3A_Electronics_at_the_border%29

content:
<p>
US
citizens: <a href="https://act.demandprogress.org/sign/tell-cbp-stop-searching-personal-electronics-border/">Tell
the border thugs</a> to stop searching personal electronics at the
border.
</p>
<p>
I object to presenting the Apple example, because it presumes that
looking at commercial secrets is worse than violating the privacy of a
human being.  No way!
</p>
<p>If you sign, please spread the word!</p>


feed_id: 347e2adb597bd71044e4021e93233b31
title: Urgent: Death of prisoners
uri: Urgent-Death-of-prisoners
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#25_April_2019_%28Urgent%3A_Death_of_prisoners%29
content:
<p>
US
citizens: <a href="https://actionnetwork.org/petitions/sign-the-petition-the-justice-department-must-publicly-hold-police-accountable-for-the-deaths-of-civilians-in-custody-2">call
on the Justice Department</a> to require thug departments to report
death of prisoners.
</p>
<p>
I reject the gentle-sounding
word <a href="https://stallman.org/antiglossary.html#custody">"custody"</a>
for putting someone in jail.
</p>
<p>If you sign, please spread the word!</p>


feed_id: a5fc60cfd44c882154882727f58588c5
title: Urgent: Meat processing inspection
uri: Urgent-Meat-processing-inspection
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#25_April_2019_%28Urgent%3A_Meat_processing_inspection%29

content:
<p>
US
citizens: <a href="https://act.credoaction.com/sign/meat-inspection-cuts">call
on the USDA</a> not to put meat processing companies in charge of
inspecting their own production.
</p>
<p>If you sign, please spread the word!</p>


feed_id: bce9dd542b9a477f7e583db1c037fdde
title: Iran nonnuclear deal
uri: Iran-nonnuclear-deal
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#25_April_2019_%28Iran_nonnuclear_deal%29
content:
<p>
Iran's foreign minister, a supporter of the nonnuclear
deal, <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2019/02/25/iran-foreign-minister-javad-zarif-resigns-hours-after-meeting-us-peace-delegation">has
resigned</a> after saying that European countries have not continued
enough trade with Iran to make it worth continuing the deal.
<p>
This is likely
to <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2019/02/26/iran-experts-zarif-resignation-may-bolster-irans-hardliners-and-trumps-hawkish">strengthen
the Iranian politicians</a> that want more confrontation with the US
&mdash; effectively, their equivalent of US neocons.
<p>
It might be rational for Iran to make nuclear concessions in exchange
to keep the deal.  But Iranians have national pride, as well as a valid
grudge against the US.


feed_id: 287acaa19b9b009d141ceead271b7670
title: Roundup research
uri: Roundup-research
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#25_April_2019_%28Roundup_research%29
content:
<p>
In a case where the plaintiff claims Roundup caused his cancer, the
jury will consider scientific studies, some of which found that
Roundup can cause cancer, while others found that it could not.  The
judge ruled that the jury
is <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/business/2019/feb/25/monsanto-federal-trial-roundup-cancer">not
allowed to know</a> that Monsanto influenced and manipulated some of
the latter studies.
<p>
This means, in effect, that Monsanto cheated and now can get away with it.
<p>
Drug companies
often <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2004-jan-apr.html#28%20April%202004%20(Drug%20Company%20Research)">manipulate
studies</a> of
the <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2010-nov-feb.html#10%20February%202011%20(Hide%20experimental%20results)">effects
of drugs</a>.
To have honest medical science we must cut off their channels of
manipulation.  We should fund these studies with government funds, and get
the funds by taxing business more.


feed_id: 6f25243b8f619a113e6a1ab8efd827ee
title: Plea deal for Epstein
uri: Plea-deal-for-Epstein
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#25_April_2019_%28Plea_deal_for_Epstein%29
content:
<p>
(Now) Labor Secretary Acosta's plea deal for Jeffrey Epstein was not
only extremely lenient, it was so lenient
that <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2019/02/21/time-acosta-resign-judge-rules-labor-secretarys-plea-deal-billionaire-sex-offender">it
was illegal</a>.
<p>
I wonder whether this makes it possible to resentence him to a longer
prison term.
<p>
I disagree with some of what the article says about Epstein.
Epstein is not, apparently, a pedophile, since the people he raped
seem to have all been postpuberal.
<p>
By contrast, calling him a "sex offender" tends to minimize his
crimes, since it groups him with people who committed a spectrum of
acts of varying levels of gravity.  Some of them were not crimes.
Some of these
people <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#10_May_2018_(Sex_offenders_list)">didn't
actually do anything</a> to anyone.
<p>
I think the right term for a person such as Epstein is "serial rapist".


feed_id: 39ba89ed4b03ff36aee21fc1ab8deab4
title: Maduro interviewer
uri: Maduro-interviewer
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#25_April_2019_%28Maduro_interviewer%29
content:
<p>
Journalist Jorge Ramos interviewed
Maduro <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/feb/25/jorge-ramos-univision-detained-venezuela-maduro-interview">and
was arrested</a> (then released).  Indirect reports say he showed
Maduro a video of Venezuelans looking for food in the trash.
<p>
Some Americans look for food in the trash, and nowadays millions of Americans
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jul-oct.html#01_August_2016_(America_under_plutocratic_rule)">can't
afford food every day</a>.
I expect that conditions are currently much worse in Venezuela
under Maduro.  But don't forget that Guaidó is allied with the right-wing
neoliberals that brought hunger back to the US.


feed_id: 05f7abbfc23e76ae5ffd61a024af3eca
title: Sex workers and FOSTA
uri: Sex-workers-and-FOSTA
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#25_April_2019_%28Sex_workers_and_FOSTA%29
content:
<p>
<a href="http://reason.com/blog/2019/02/14/fighting-fosta-in-2019">Sex
workers write about</a> how the censorship law FOSTA has made their
lives harder.


feed_id: 1fd28a72ae79109b4908503f7d421b3f
title: Secret TSA watchlist
uri: Secret-TSA-watchlist
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#25_April_2019_%28Secret_TSA_watchlist%29
content:
<p>
The TSA has a secret "watchlist" for passengers it considers
troublemakers.  The criteria for putting people on the list, and what
it does to those on the
list, <a href="https://www.fff.org/explore-freedom/article/the-tsas-secret-watchlist-for-travelers-who-dont-kowtow/">are
secret</a>.


feed_id: b511d8f07795d917766ec7788f012709
title: Extinction Rebellion
uri: 2019-04-26-Extinction-Rebellion
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#25_April_2019_%28Extinction_Rebellion%29
content:
<p>
Extinction Rebellion
planned <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2019/02/25/extinction-rebellion">world-wide
civil disobedience</a> on April 15.
<p>
Chris Hedges recommends totally rejecting violence, and communicating
with the cops about this.  Nonviolent protests should never
tolerate a violent "black bloc", but when he says that "The state
&hellip; has been hollowed out by neoliberalism," he's generalizing
from the UK.  In the US, austerity spares the instruments of
repression.


feed_id: 5ed27fba9e1a4e97deeadaac4d8e44f3
title: Israeli draft
uri: Israeli-draft
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#25_April_2019_%28Israeli_draft%29
content:
<p>
Hilel Garmi
is <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2019/02/25/teenage-war-resister-israel">resisting
the Israeli draft</a> so that he will not have to oppress
Palestinians.
<p>
In Israel, draft resisters are jailed for a few weeks, then jailed for
a few weeks again, and so on.


feed_id: 25fef9cc44cf79351665742967cbc278
title: Global heating cause
uri: Global-heating-cause
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#25_April_2019_%28Global_heating_cause%29
content:
<p>
Human activities cause the observed global
heating: <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2019/02/25/evidence-human-caused-climate-crisis-has-now-reached-gold-standard-level-certainty">a
study has validated this</a> to the five-sigma level, meaning the
chance it might be a coincidence is one in a million.


feed_id: 7888a2eeb06a38f13c5318f398cedd1c
title: Green New Deal substitute
uri: Green-New-Deal-substitute
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#25_April_2019_%28Green_New_Deal_substitute%29
content:
<p>
Senator Feinstein proposed
an <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2019/02/25/senator-feinstein-proposes-weak-green-new-deal-substitute">inadequate
substitute</a> for the Green New Deal.
<p>
A carbon tax could be a step forward, but in order to make a real
difference it would have to be programmed to increase every year and
become quite heavy in just a few years.  This would pressure companies
and government agencies to invest heavily in reducing their emissions.
<p>
If the tax is gentle enough that they don't kick and scream, that
shows it won't make them change.


feed_id: 820c5cafc6ad556f0af3efce9bd5b3d4
title: Netanyahu's alliance
uri: Netanyahu-s-alliance
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#25_April_2019_%28Netanyahu%27s_alliance%29
content:
<p>
(satire) &hellip; Benjamin Netanyahu defended &hellip; his new
alliance with the country’s
far-right <a href="https://politics.theonion.com/netanyahu-defends-new-alliance-with-israel-s-far-right-1832879468">Aryan
Supremacy Party</a>.
<p>
Here are the facts being satirized: Netanyahu is making alliances with
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/feb/25/pro-israel-us-group-condemns-netanyahu-pact-with-extremists">Jew-supremacist
parties</a>.
<p>
Jews have a long tradition of opposing bigotry, which is why some US
Jewish groups condemned his move.


feed_id: c75a9b2596f7008f86dcc12e442d35c7
title: Atmospheric CO2 levels
uri: Atmospheric-CO2-levels
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#25_April_2019_%28Atmospheric_CO2_levels%29
content:
<p>
If the atmospheric CO2 level reaches 1200 parts per million, which
could happen with a century if unabated, it would trigger a
positive-feedback cycle by eliminating stratocumulus clouds.  That
could cause
an <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2019/02/25/world-without-clouds-think-about-minute-new-study-details-possibility-devastating">additional
8C of heating</a>.


feed_id: f03f4beae5e40abb74977af545b8eec9
title: Underwater communications cables
uri: Underwater-communications-cables
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#27_April_2019_%28Underwater_communications_cables%29

content:
<p>
China is 
<a href="https://www.bloombergquint.com/business/china-spying-the-internet-s-underwater-cables-are-next">taking
over the business of building underwater communications cables.  That
means China can spy on the data.
<p>
I expect that the US also spies on that data.  During the cold war the
US used submarines to attack snooping devices to the Soviet Union's
cables.  Perhaps both countries are attaching such devices now to the
cables made by the other country.
<p>
One should not make an excessive fuss about state espionage against
hostile states, but these countries could well be listening to you and
me.
<p>
If transmission on the cable is encrypted across the cable's whole
communication system, such spying would be futile, but I'd be
surprised if such encryption is in use.


feed_id: b5c6eb727f71a644b108f771fc36d7e8
title: 'Smart' gadget activity reporting
uri: 2019-04-27-Smart-gadget-activity-reporting
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#23_April_2019_%28%27Smart%27_gadget_activity_reporting%29

content:
<p>
Amazon and Google want "smart" gadgets
to <a href="https://www.smh.com.au/technology/alexa-is-someone-else-listening-to-us-sometimes-someone-is-20190411-p51d4g.html">report
all activity to them</a>.
<p>
In other words, if you have a "smart" (read "spy") light bulb with that
proposed feature, and tell an Amazon or Google listening device about
it, thenceforth any time you switched it on or off <em>no matter
how</em>, it would send a report to Amazon or Google.
<p>
Even today, the only way to make "smart" products safe is to ensure
they cannot connect to anyone else's systems.


feed_id: 54007ad7bb6699bb6b031286fe7c33fb
title: Urgent: Amtrak
uri: Urgent-Amtrak
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#27_April_2019_%28Urgent%3A_Amtrak%29
content:
<p>
Can someone please try traveling on Amtrak with a seat reservation
and not giving a name?  Or at least, not giving your real name?
I would like to know if it is feasible to do this; specifically,
whether the reservation requires a name and whether it requires ID.
</p>


feed_id: 033625c4251648f102ae0d3118e06d0a
title: Urgent: Social Security benefits
uri: 2019-04-28-Urgent-Social-Security-benefits
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#27_April_2019_%28Urgent%3A_Social_Security_benefits%29

content:
<p>
US
citizens: <a href="https://actionnetwork.org/petitions/2100act?nowrapper=true">call
on Congress</a> to expand Social Security Benefits and tax rich people
to pay for it.
</p>
<p>If you sign, please spread the word!</p>


feed_id: bef35b48d3b9b1075ac8a17166df5b56
title: Urgent: Fund managers
uri: Urgent-Fund-managers
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#27_April_2019_%28Urgent%3A_Fund_managers%29
content:
<p>
Everyone: <a href="https://actionnetwork.org/petitions/sign-the-petition-demand-blackrock-vanguard-and-fidelity-use-their-power-to-fight-climate-change">call
on BlackRock, Vanguard, and Fidelity</a> to use their investments to
fight <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#global heating">global heating</a>.
</p>
<p>If you sign, please spread the word!</p>


feed_id: 9e6b2927a691f007eb01690bc1d6a8a7
title: Urgent: Indigenous voters
uri: Urgent-Indigenous-voters
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#27_April_2019_%28Urgent%3A_Indigenous_voters%29
content:
<p>
US
citizens: <a href="https://act.credoaction.com/sign/native-american-voting-rights/">call
for</a> making voting practically possible for members of indigenous
people.
</p>
<p>
I dislike the term "native American" as used in this petition,
and I do not use it myself, but I signed the petition anyway
because the substance is important.
</p>
<p>If you sign, please spread the word!</p>


feed_id: 11aa8b2eac0faca0b82ee9601196baa0
title: Untreated pain
uri: Untreated-pain
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#27_April_2019_%28Untreated_pain%29
content:
<p>
Untreated strong pain is reported to lead, in some cases,
to <a href="https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2019/01/28/1828001/-KosAbility:-The-Negative-Effects-of-Undertreated-Chronic-Acute-Pain">various
kinds of physical damage</a> to the body.
<p>
This doesn't seem to be a rigorous study, but even if we don't know
how frequently this occurs, we can still draw conclusions: don't deny
people enough painkiller to treat their pain.


feed_id: c1e1dfd401420b603ad0b2c020e0f611
title: Nigerian election
uri: 2019-04-28-Nigerian-election
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#27_April_2019_%28Nigerian_election%29
content:
<p>
Nigerian Opposition
Leader <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/feb/27/nigerian-opposition-leader-atiku-abubakar-rejects-muhammadu-buhari-election">Rejects
Buhari's Election Victory</a>.


feed_id: 0709122f409638bd2d2bc0d94332e488
title: Seizure of Crimea
uri: Seizure-of-Crimea
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#27_April_2019_%28Seizure_of_Crimea%29
content:
<p>
Foreign ministers of 11
countries <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/feb/27/west-crimea-ukraine-russian-occupation">remind
us that</a> Russia's seizure of the Crimea was an act of war, followed
by repression.
<p>
It is possible that an honest referendum in the Crimea would have
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jul-oct.html#9_August_2016_(Detente_with_Russia)">voted
to unite with Russia</a> &mdash; but that doesn't legitimize Putin's
bogus referendum.
<p>
The US efforts to extend NATO to Ukraine and Georgia
were <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jul-oct.html#18_July_2016_(NATO)">stupid
and provocative</a>, but not belligerent, so they don't justify
Russia's act of conquest.


feed_id: a0891f085b7466ac8bea2baf2daa9248
title: Accusations against right-wingers
uri: Accusations-against-right-wingers
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#27_April_2019_%28Accusations_against_right-wingers%29

content:
<p>
Accusations against
right-wingers <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/feb/27/media-covington-students-bias">can
be false</a>.  We must not be quick to suppose they did every bad
thing they are accused of doing.


feed_id: 1105d9adeb7b08269313c29680da1e9b
title: Land in Venezuela
uri: Land-in-Venezuela
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#27_April_2019_%28Land_in_Venezuela%29
content:
<p>
Poor people in Venezuela expect that a plutocratist new
regime <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2019/02/26/notes-streets-venezuela-people-are-resilient-face-foreign-intervention">would
seize the land</a> that they took away from plutocrats 20 years ago.


feed_id: 23767ab42c7538486278bbfa2a1a9840
title: Human rights violations
uri: Human-rights-violations
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#27_April_2019_%28Human_rights_violations%29
content:
<p>
As the international powers increasingly disregard human rights
violations, various countries in the Middle East and North Africa are
learning they
can <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2019/02/26/global-indifference-human-rights-violations-mena-fuelling-atrocities-and">get
away with more and more of them</a>.


feed_id: edabf3cee843b789a620ed2e46ec78ab
title: Sanders' progressive direction
uri: Sanders-progressive-direction
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#27_April_2019_%28Sanders%27_progressive_direction%29

content:
<p>
Sanders has the potential
to <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2019/02/26/can-bernie-sanders-fix-broken-american-dream">swing
the US</a> in a progressive direction.
<p>
Rep. Ocasio-Cortez cannot run for vice president in 2020 because that
requires being at least 35 years of age.  Aside from that, I think it
would be wise for her to get more experience in lower office before
aiming for higher office.
<p>
It takes time to become a steady pillar of justice.  We know that no
defeat will make Sanders give up, because he has had many defeats.  In
Congress, Ocasio-Cortez will encounter defeats.  Over time, she will
become another steady pillar.
<p>
I hope I will live long enough to help elect Ocasio-Cortez president
some day, perhaps in 2036.


feed_id: 291f2649c0d65d4324e68fad42025097
title: Colonists in Palestine
uri: Colonists-in-Palestine
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#27_April_2019_%28Colonists_in_Palestine%29
content:
<p>
Israel has planted 600,000 colonists in occupied Palestine in
violation of international law.  Several government
ministers <a href="https://mondoweiss.net/2019/02/ministers-palestinian-communities/">just
signed a pledge</a> to situate 2 million more colonists.
<p>
This would involve taking large stretches of land from the Palestinian
inhabitants.
<p>
Meanwhile, Israeli ethnic cleansers are using biased laws
to <a href="https://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/originals/2019/02/sheikh-jarrah-forced-evictions-nakba-settlements-israel.html">seize
houses in Jerusalem</a> one by one.


feed_id: 2467d832cc91e83a2eec8bfefef2e81b
title: Laying a wreath
uri: Laying-a-wreath
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#27_April_2019_%28Laying_a_wreath%29
content:
<p>
(satire) Trump Solemnly Lays Wreath At
Site <a href="https://politics.theonion.com/trump-solemnly-lays-wreath-at-site-where-he-would-have-1832907992">Where
He Would Have Died</a> During Vietnam War If He Weren't Rich.
<p>
I don't think it is right to criticize any American for avoiding
fighting in the Vietnam War.  The thing to criticize is that some
Americans were not allowed to avoid it.


feed_id: 75e244a8699f292e84d30fa90e9461ab
title: Future of fossil fuel
uri: Future-of-fossil-fuel
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#27_April_2019_%28Future_of_fossil_fuel%29
content:
<p>
The head of <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#salafi">Salafi Arabia</a>'s state oil company warns that the
expectation that the fossil fuel industry is likely to shrink
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/business/2019/feb/26/saudi-aramco-oil-industry-faces-crisis-of-perception">endangers
its certitude</a> of rushing us off the climate cliff without any
slowdown.
<p>
If oil prices go down, that encourages users to use oil rather than
switch to renewables or reduce energy use.
<p>
If oil prices go up, that encourages planet-roaster companies to build
more oil wells.
<p>
But if we put a heavy tax on use of oil, we get the best of both
possibilities: a high selling price that encourages users to use less
oil, and low income for oil companies that discourages planet-roasters
from drilling for more.
<p>
To achieve this goal, it needs to be a heavy tax &mdash; a small tax
would have a small effect.  Weak measures of any kind won't achieve
the goal.


feed_id: 9803ea7d0fed66b7a047f71e7796a007
title: Defeating the bullshitter
uri: Defeating-the-bullshitter
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#27_April_2019_%28Defeating_the_bullshitter%29
content:
<p>
Almost any Democrat could defeat the bullshitter, but it won't do much
good unless that Democrat is
a <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2019/02/26/democrats-its-time-we-had-talk-about-power">credible
change agent</a>.
<p>
Trump can't legitimately win in the electoral college, but the
Republicans might steal that election, as
they <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2016-sep-dec.html#11_December_2016_(Democrats)">stole
the 2016 election</a>.


feed_id: 5f89e3c7ac191f202804e42f34439074
title: Swiss bank fine
uri: Swiss-bank-fine
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#27_April_2019_%28Swiss_bank_fine%29
content:
<p>
The Swiss bank UBS will
be <a href="https://boingboing.net/2019/02/24/milk-tickets.html">fined
over 4 billion dollars</a> for helping rich French clients hide their
wealth from taxation.
<p>
Note how the article suggests that making rich people pay taxes
could be disadvantageous to a country in competing to attract
the favors of powerful international capital.
<p>
Participating in that competition is surrender to the arrogant power
that lost this case, and makes that power stronger and more
oppressive.  This case is a small step towards taking away its
strength.


feed_id: 435d1988d60e73aed678104443b83788
title: Underwater communications cables
uri: 2019-04-28-Underwater-communications-cables
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#27_April_2019_%28Underwater_communications_cables%29

content:
<p>
China is 
<a href="https://www.bloombergquint.com/business/china-spying-the-internet-s-underwater-cables-are-next">taking
over the business of building underwater communications cables.</a>
That means China can spy on the data.
<p>
I expect that the US also spies on that data.  During the cold war the
US used submarines to attack snooping devices to the Soviet Union's
cables.  Perhaps both countries are attaching such devices now to the
cables made by the other country.
<p>
One should not make an excessive fuss about state espionage against
hostile states, but these countries could well be listening to you and
me.
<p>
If transmission on the cable is encrypted across the cable's whole
communication system, such spying would be futile, but I'd be
surprised if such encryption is in use.


feed_id: 2de7358af44139ab398479c829bbd711
title: UK data base of citizenship
uri: UK-data-base-of-citizenship
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#29_April_2019_%28UK_data_base_of_citizenship%29
content:
<p>
The UK is developing a data base of the 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2019/apr/10/government-immigration-database-deeply-sinister-say-campaigners">citizenship
or immigration status of everyone in the UK</a>.  This is presumably
meant to extend the "hostile environment" to more areas of life, in
combination with identifying people more often.
<p>
The EU just 
<a href="https://www.zdnet.com/article/eu-votes-to-create-gigantic-biometrics-database/">voted
to do the same thing</a>.  This will surely be used for repression.


feed_id: 8dfe01d6a29364826ed3411cca5e00e6
title: Vote Green, then Labor
uri: Vote-Green-then-Labor
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#29_April_2019_%28Vote_Green%2C_then_Labor%29
content:
<p>
Australians: 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2019/apr/29/coalition-gets-a-miserable-4-on-climate-change-policy-scorecard">vote
Green</a>, then Labor.
<p>
The Greens are pretty good on human rights, too.


feed_id: 2bbc2efc5f4f04dda24566e70693516b
title: Replacement campaign service companies
uri: Replacement-campaign-service-companies
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#29_April_2019_%28Replacement_campaign_service_companies%29

content:
<p>
Marie Newman has found replacement campaign service companies so she
can 
<a href="https://theintercept.com/2019/04/26/dccc-blacklist-marie-newman-dan-lipinski/">continue
running in the Democratic primary</a> despite the DCCC's
boycott/pressure campaign.


feed_id: 8eae6b9936e0edf6026c6c2030192d47
title: Asking Lyft to drive child to school
uri: Asking-Lyft-to-drive-child-to-school
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#29_April_2019_%28Asking_Lyft_to_drive_child_to_school%29

content:
<p>
Asking a piecework sweatshop company such as Lyft to drive your child
to school can be very dangerous for you and your child.
One mother tried that and was 
<a href="https://reason.com/2019/04/26/mother-arrested-for-letting-child-take-lyft-to-school/">charged
with a crime</a>.
<p>
Both she and her child are now suffering the effects of that
injustice.  If the <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thugs</a> don't drop the charges fast, the damage is
likely to last for years.


feed_id: 11b01c376c05f93c3add34a33e4464a2
title: The WATER Act
uri: The-WATER-Act
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#29_April_2019_%28The_WATER_Act%29
content:
<p>
The WATER Act would 
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2019/02/28/lawmakers-introduce-sweeping-legislation-fix-nations-crumbling-water-infrastructure">rebuild
inadequate US water infrastructure</a> and aim to give all Americans
water that is safe to drink.


feed_id: c8e7c845d0cb5f2e4dcc7b6cc2bc5890
title: Divestment from fossil fuels
uri: 2019-04-30-Divestment-from-fossil-fuels
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#29_April_2019_%28Divestment_from_fossil_fuels%29
content:
<p>
Citizens and legislators of New York State are 
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2019/02/27/delivering-thousands-petitions-new-yorkers-take-creative-action-lobby-fossil">pushing
back</a> against a state official who resists divestment from fossil
fuels.


feed_id: 49e3bdd95b90fde03034103594f789f4
title: Tory cutbacks
uri: Tory-cutbacks
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#29_April_2019_%28Tory_cutbacks%29
content:
<p>
The Tories have not shafted poor people enough yet.  They 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/money/2019/feb/28/thousands-of-poorest-pensioners-will-lose-out-government-reveals">plan
to deny pensions</a> to a small segment of the population &mdash;
retired people whose spouses are not old enough to retire (and mostly
still working).
<p>
The cutback will hit a mere 
<a href="media/62a79bb0.anuran-bevan.jpg" data-original-source="https://stallman.org/images/anuran-bevan.jpg">60,000 poor
people</a>.


feed_id: b8b3d44e20e0c452dbcdfa8a64fd24e1
title: False accusations against activists
uri: False-accusations-against-activists
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#29_April_2019_%28False_accusations_against_activists%29

content:
<p>
Progressive activists are bombarded with false accusations of
"antisemitism", fabricated via wild extrapolation and based on
anything or nothing.  Almost anything they say is 
<a href="https://www.jonathan-cook.net/blog/2019-02-16/anti-semitism-vigilantes-are-feeding-the-far-right/">distorted
into "antisemitism"</a>.
<p>
Meanwhile, real antisemites such as neo-Nazis, the people that
really hate Jews, are not getting much criticism.


feed_id: 7caf3c49ec0a4a65c6ac6cf84ce41c60
title: Florida's governor
uri: Florida-s-governor
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#29_April_2019_%28Floridas_governor%29
content:
<p>
Florida's new governor, though a Republican, 
<A href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/feb/27/florida-everglades-climate-change-environmental-disaster-hope-for-future">seems
to be a sincere about protecting the environment</a>, including the
Everglades.
<p>
I don't see how that can possibly be done if <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#global heating">global heating</a> (and thus
sea-level rise) continue unabated.  The Everglades will become
ordinary ocean.


feed_id: 5cf0ad343f8181790b39466a1fcaa36c
title: Doctor's notes about Assange seized
uri: Doctor-s-notes-about-Assange-seized
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#29_April_2019_%28Doctors_notes_about_Assange_seized%29

content:
<p>
Dr. Sondra Crosby says the Ecuadorian embassy 
<a href="https://theintercept.com/2019/04/15/julian-assange-health-medical-care/">sneakily
seized and copied her medical notes about Julian Assange</a>, which
she had left there temporarily, not expecting such mischief.
<p>
She reports that Assange is suffering serious and lasting medical
problems as a result of his seven years in the embassy.


feed_id: d3f9ee51a2f375b24334c35d1a26c99e
title: Voting machines and election tampering
uri: Voting-machines-and-election-tampering
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#29_April_2019_%28Voting_machines_and_election_tampering%29

content:
<p>
America's New Voting Machines Bring New Fears of 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2019/apr/22/us-voting-machines-paper-ballots-2020-hacking">Election
Tampering</a>.


feed_id: b15e100938e56f94584ed54880a1c55c
title: Anti-vaxxer internet troll mobs
uri: Anti-vaxxer-internet-troll-mobs
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#29_April_2019_%28Anti-vaxxer_internet_troll_mobs%29
content:
<p>
Anti-vaxxers are 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2019/feb/27/facebook-anti-vaxx-harassment-campaigns-doctors-fight-back">forming
internet troll mobs to intimidate and silence doctors</a> that defend
the effectiveness of vaccination.
<p>
The anti-vaxxers risk their own illness, and I believe people have a
right to do that if they wish.  However, by organizing to mislead
people about vaccines, they lure potentially millions of others to
their deaths.  They also endanger the people that, due to various
other medical conditions, cannot be vaccinated.  The only protection
for them is to be surrounded by a society in which nearly everyone
else is vaccinated.
<p>
In the DR Congo, 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2019/feb/28/arsonists-attack-ebola-clinics-in-drc-as-climate-of-distrust-grows">distrust
for medicine leads to hostility towards the treatment for Ebola</a>.
The outbreak there has continued for months, since the methods that
have ended other outbreaks cannot be applied.
<p>
This could lead to the death of thousands, maybe even hundreds of
thousands, who if treatment had been allowed would not even have
caught the infection.


feed_id: 70a49711c92321fe8841bc38e9697a6b
title: Deportation to Salafi Arabia
uri: Deportation-to-Salafi-Arabia
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#29_April_2019_%28Deportation_to_Salafi_Arabia%29
content:
<p>
Two sisters from <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#salafi">Salafi Arabia</a> face imminent deportation back there,
if they don't get a visa today.  That would be followed by 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/feb/28/saudi-sisters-hiding-in-hong-kong-face-imminent-deportation-australia">execution
or life in solitary confinement</a>.
<p>
I would urge them to commit a spectacular suicide before Hong Kong
agents capture them and condemn them to a far worse fate.  This
rational martyrdom would deal a heavy blow to the misogynist theocracy
of <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#salafi">Salafi Arabia</a>.  It's not what they deserve &mdash; life in freedom
is what they deserve &mdash; but it may be the best end they can get.
<p>
It is easy to imagine doing what is heroic, harder to do it.  It is
easier to analyze a bad situation when one is not suffering the stress
of being in it.  I don't know whether I would be able to follow my own
advice, but I hope I could.
<p>
I urge Australians to reprove their government for cutting off the
sisters' escape.


feed_id: e6de38e5c8bca644e7f4c4e060e2f16a
title: "Philanthropy" of the rich
uri: Philanthropy-of-the-rich
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#29_April_2019_%28Philanthropy_of_the_rich%29
content:
<p>
Depending on the "philanthropy" of the rich means we 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/feb/28/anand-giridharadas-interview-winners-take-all">can't
get to the root of our economic problems</a>.  "We have outsourced the
betterment of our world to people with a vested interest in making
sure we don’t make it too, too much better."


feed_id: 5bace1efebc4453ba145ac326898e94c
title: Absurdity of treating a lake as human
uri: Absurdity-of-treating-a-lake-as-human
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#29_April_2019_%28Absurdity_of_treating_a_lake_as_human%29

content:
<p>
Toledo, Ohio, has 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2019/feb/28/toledo-lake-erie-personhood-status-bill-of-rights-algae-bloom">voted
to grant human rights to Lake Erie</a>.
<p>
I hope the article misrepresents what has actually been decided.
I am in favor of strengthening laws to protect Lake Erie (and all
lakes) from pollution, including helping more entities sue polluters.
But not by descending into nonsense.
<p>
This law, as described in the article, is nonsense.  Treating a lake
as human is even more absurd than treating a corporation as human.  A
corporation does have preferences, and can make decisions &mdash; all
actually decided by its directors and stockholders &mdash; yet still
does not deserve human rights.  A lake is unable to desire or decide
anything, or consent to anything, and it <em>has no chance of ever
being able to do so</em>.  A human in such a condition would have its
life support switched off.
<p>
To defend the idea of rights for humans (and other comparable
intelligent beings), and to defeat the idea that a corporation is as
good as a human, we must not go around according the status of human
to mere things.


feed_id: c3a2f2d9799a2a839eb1ad8fedb3ba71
title: Killing of protesters by Israeli army
uri: Killing-of-protesters-by-Israeli-army
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#29_April_2019_%28Killing_of_protesters_by_Israeli_army%29

content:
<p>
A UN investigation reported that Israeli army faces 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/feb/28/gaza-israel-un-inquiry-killings-protest-war-crimes-army">plausible
accusations of war crimes</a> in the killing of protesters that did
not pose any immediate threat to the soldiers.
<p>
As usual, Israel refused to cooperate with the investigation.  Hand in
hand with US Republicans, Israel has redefined "right" to mean
"whatever we do" and "wrong" to mean "opposing or criticizing us."


feed_id: bc8eb2f7325c8c1f506b894f1ac97400
title: Death sentence for same-sex marriage
uri: Death-sentence-for-same-sex-marriage
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#29_April_2019_%28Death_sentence_for_same-sex_marriage%29

content:
<p>
The Prime Minister of Luxembourg 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/feb/28/luxembourg-pm-xavier-bettel-takes-arab-leaders-to-task-on-gay-rights-at-summit">reproached
leaders of Arab countries in an international meeting</a> because they
would sentence him to death for his same-sex marriage.


feed_id: 967caa53cdfec2b406b80507bf470d37
title: 11-year-old forced to carry fetus
uri: 11-year-old-forced-to-carry-fetus
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#29_April_2019_%2811-year-old_forced_to_carry_fetus%29

content:
<p>
An 11-year-old Argentine was 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2019/feb/28/girl-11-gives-birth-to-rapists-child-after-argentina-refuses-abortion">forced
to carry fetus made by rape</a>.  After 23 weeks she was able to get
it removed.


feed_id: 76afeb5becc50c1fc84af77d2949fb9d
title: English Collective of Prostitutes
uri: English-Collective-of-Prostitutes
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#29_April_2019_%28English_Collective_of_Prostitutes%29

content:
<p>
The English Collective of Prostitutes 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/society/2019/feb/28/decriminalise-sex-work-to-protect-us-from-prostitutes-say">calls
for permitting sex workers to work together</a>, forming brothels, not
only alone.


feed_id: 1db362551ca2f5c096a256d8049db764
title: Urgent: Outsourcing jobs
uri: Urgent-Outsourcing-jobs
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#29_April_2019_%28Urgent%3A_Outsourcing_jobs%29
content:
<p>
US
citizens: <a href="https://act.credoaction.com/sign/no-outsourcing-2019">call
on Congress</a> to stop giving corporations tax breaks for outsourcing
jobs.
</p>
<p>If you sign, please spread the word!</p>


feed_id: b1a98ffe77380db4cd878779e07b250f
title: Urgent: Plastic bottle returns
uri: Urgent-Plastic-bottle-returns
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#29_April_2019_%28Urgent%3A_Plastic_bottle_returns%29

content:
<p>
Everyone: <a href="http://action.storyofstuff.org/sign/coke-bottle-deposits/">call
on Coca Cola</a> to support a returnable deposit on plastic bottles.
</p>
<p>If you sign, please spread the word!</p>


feed_id: 27a38defa2cf58d8f32615681971b74e
title: Urgent: Big Pharma companies
uri: Urgent-Big-Pharma-companies
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#29_April_2019_%28Urgent%3A_Big_Pharma_companies%29
content:
<p>
US
citizens: <a href="https://act.credoaction.com/sign/pelosi-pharma-arbitration">call
on Speaker Pelosi</a> to break up Big Pharma companies rather than
endorsing the weak reform of drug price arbitration panels.
</p>
<p>If you sign, please spread the word!</p>


feed_id: 7c2e201e2b1bf5a10509bfad4af9728f
title: Canadian bribery prosecution
uri: Canadian-bribery-prosecution
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#29_April_2019_%28Canadian_bribery_prosecution%29
content:
<p>
Former Canadian Minister of Justice Wilson-Raybould testified that
Trudeau's
aids <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/feb/27/canada-trudeau-snc-lavalin-jody-wilson-raybould">made
threats to stop her</a> from prosecuting a large Canadian construction
company for bribery.
<p>
The sad thing is that the other major party, the Conservative Party,
is even more right-wing, and climate-denialist too.  The New
Democratic Party is better than the other two on many issues, but has
supported tar sands oil in Alberta.
<p>
Short-term thinking values oil jobs and profits today over survival of
civilization in a few decades.


feed_id: 9ded0de1a9569101a1cbf3c3f1b3280c
title: Cardinal Pell
uri: Cardinal-Pell
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#29_April_2019_%28Cardinal_Pell%29
content:
<p>
Cardinal Pell, who held a very high post in the Vatican's government,
was convicted of raping two young adolescents in the church choir, and
is now in jail.  The Vatican
is <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2019/feb/28/vatican-opens-investigation-that-could-lead-to-george-pell-being-defrocked">now
going to consider</a> whether to eject him from the priesthood.
<p>
The rape seems to have driven one of them into drugs,
which <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2019/feb/28/the-kid-and-the-choirboy-the-harrowing-story-of-george-pells-victims">eventually
killed him</a>.


feed_id: 36da9fcfed250a884a7e335380ca8aae
title: Prosecution for leaks
uri: Prosecution-for-leaks
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#29_April_2019_%28Prosecution_for_leaks%29
content:
<p>
When the <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#bully">bully</a> prosecutes people for leaks, they are typically leaks
about
crimes <a href="https://theintercept.com/2019/02/27/trump-russia-leaks-mueller-investigation/">committed
by him and his henchmen</a>.
This <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2012-may-aug.html#24_June_2012_(Attacking_whistleblowers)">contrasts
with Obama</a>, who prosecuted people who reported on US war crimes or
on how the US government spies on everyone.


feed_id: 2fe03ff4692311553985e8377afcaa8e
title: North Carolina election fraud
uri: North-Carolina-election-fraud
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#29_April_2019_%28North_Carolina_election_fraud%29
content:
<p>
A Republican campaign official in North Carolina has
been <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2019/feb/27/north-carolina-election-fraud-case-political-operative-charged">charged
with election fraud</a>.  The fraud itself has been demonstrated, and
the
election <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#20_April_2019_(Ballot-tampering)">will
be repeated</a>.


feed_id: aa9de00e9b45d8ee78c07e14c7945acd
title: India and Pakistan
uri: India-and-Pakistan
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#29_April_2019_%28India_and_Pakistan%29
content:
<p>
"Who will pull India and Pakistan back from the edge this time?"  The
US
is <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/feb/27/who-will-pull-india-and-pakistan-back-from-the-edge-this-time">no
longer fit to help much</a>.
<p>
I share the suspicion that Pakistan secretly supports Islamist
extremists and terrorists, including groups that operate in Kashmir.
Meanwhile, the Indian government is increasingly bigoted and
repressive, and Modi wants to appear belligerent so as to win votes.


feed_id: 94b58bb7abc9fc3100ee9dba0fc2ecd9
title: Michael Cohen testimony
uri: Michael-Cohen-testimony
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#29_April_2019_%28Michael_Cohen_testimony%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2019/feb/27/michael-cohen-donald-trump-testimony-latest-news">Michael
Cohen</a>: "I am ashamed that I chose to take part in concealing Mr
Trump’s illicit acts rather than listening to my own conscience.  I am
ashamed because I know what Mr Trump is. He is a racist. He is a
conman. He is a cheat."
<p>
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2019/feb/27/michael-cohen-testimony-takeaways-trump">Other
interesting information</a> from his testimony.
<p>
"Loyalty to Trump cost Michael Cohen everything. Republicans pay
heed."  As Republican congresscritters attacked Cohen, each
blow <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/feb/27/loyalty-trump-cost-michael-cohen-republicans">fell
on the conman</a>.
<p>
Cohen told them, "I'm responsible for your silliness because I did the
same thing that you're doing now for 10 years.  I protected Mr Trump
for 10 years."
<p>
Regarding the Democratic National Committee emails leaked by
Wikileaks, I disapprove greatly of Wikileaks's support for conman, but
the revelation of how the DNC rigged the selection of its candidate in
favor of
Clinton <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jul-oct.html#07_August_2016_(Resignation_of_three_DNC_officials)">was
a great service</a> to the United States.


feed_id: 45a46e6ea24b7bfdae889408a390b823
title: Extinction Rebellion protesters
uri: 2019-04-30-Extinction-Rebellion-protesters
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#29_April_2019_%28Extinction_Rebellion_protesters%29
content:
<p>
Extinction Rebellion
protesters <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/feb/27/extinction-rebellion-activists-arrested-outside-london-oil-conference">face
prosecution</a> for gluing themselves to the windows of a hotel.
<p>
"Aggravated trespass" is a name invented by the UK government when it
decided
to <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2011-jan-apr.html#17%20January%202011%20(Harassing%20Activists)">repress
nonviolent protest</a> more strongly.
When you see that term, think "repression".
<p>
A crowd of supporting protesters could have prevented the <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thugs</a> from
hiding the glued protesters from the public.  There was no need for
that, except as a way to make the protest less effective &mdash;
evidently to serve the <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#planet">planet roasters</a> meeting in the hotel.


feed_id: 4b6de238cdbca83b1630745cd461a5f4
title: Heathrow runway protest
uri: Heathrow-runway-protest
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#29_April_2019_%28Heathrow_runway_protest%29
content:
<p>
Protesters have blocked construction of a new runway at Heathrow
Airport since 2010.  Now government agents are trying
to <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/feb/27/bailiffs-move-in-on-heathrow-runway-protest-camp">forcibly
remove them</a>.
<p>
I would not sympathize much with these protests if it were just a
matter of NIMBY.  However, the whole world is threatened by increases
in flying and the consequent greenhouse gas emission.  Although new
planes are maybe 15% more fuel-efficient than those made 20 years ago,
that would only compensate for a 15% increase in flying across 20 years,
and only if all the old planes were replaced.


feed_id: 8312780af5997ce6aeb99588e4a5b0f7
title: New MIT college name
uri: New-MIT-college-name
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#29_April_2019_%28New_MIT_college_name%29
content:
<p>
MIT has named its new "College of
Computing" <a href="https://www.penews.com/articles/blackstone-promotes-new-energy-fund-as-oil-prices-rise-20180510">after
the CEO</a> of the private equity company Blackstone.
<p>
Blackstone has invested many billions in fossil fuels in the past few
years.
<p>
Just in 2015 it
was <a href="https://business.financialpost.com/investing/blackstone-scrambling-to-invest-more-than-us10b-in-oil-and-gas-firms">investing
ten billion</a>.
<p>
Blackstone is
also <a href="https://oilprice.com/Latest-Energy-News/World-News/Blackstone-Snatches-Up-Permian-Oil-Assets.html">buying
up oil wells</a>
in <a href="https://www.desmog.co.uk/2018/01/24/uk-s-oil-industry-unaccountable-us-companies">various
countries</a>.
<p>
Blackstone has bought up a lot of US housing.  It spent millions to
<a href="https://theintercept.com/2018/10/12/prop-10-california-rent-control-wall-street/">defeat
a ballot initiative</a> for rent control in California.
<p>
Blackstone also invests in the company NSO that makes the Pegasus
attack
software.  <a href="https://cpj.org/blog/2018/10/how-the-saudis-may-have-spied-on-jamal-khashoggi.php">There
is some sign</a> that this product was used to spy on Jamal
Khashoggi's conversations with a dissident from <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#salafi">Salafi Arabia</a>.


feed_id: 8539090553e413870f094b7066bbd78c
title: Passenger monitoring
uri: Passenger-monitoring
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#29_April_2019_%28Passenger_monitoring%29
content:
<p>
Many public transport systems
are <a href="https://www.masstransitmag.com/technology/passenger-info/article/13000010/loyalty-programs-and-gamification-in-public-transit">setting
up gamification traps</a> to lure passengers into being monitored
more.
<p>
I think we should adopt laws to prevent this from being done in a
way that collects personal data on people's travel.


feed_id: 757f0813a290fd4f57005bf16d052260
title: India and Pakistan air battles
uri: India-and-Pakistan-air-battles
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#29_April_2019_%28India_and_Pakistan_air_battles%29
content:
<p>
India and Pakistan
are <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/feb/27/pakistan-india-jets-shot-down-airstrikes-kashmir">involved
in air battles</a> which could lead to a bigger war.


feed_id: 62a1827509d5a6d64c7bb72c4981f0ca
title: The Intercept on chemical attack
uri: The-Intercept-on-chemical-attack
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#29_April_2019_%28The_Intercept_on_chemical_attack%29

content:
<p>
Russian disinformation misrepresented The Intercept, which reported
last year that either Syrian or Russian planes had dropped chlorine on
Douma and killed people.  The disinformation cited The
Intercept <a href="https://theintercept.com/2019/02/27/syria-chemical-attack-the-intercept-russia/">as
saying the opposite</a>.


feed_id: 41a1376b5c196f7c0b8be5baa63de6f9
title: Urgent: Violence Against Women Act
uri: 2019-05-01-Urgent-Violence-Against-Women-Act
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#1_May_2019_%28Urgent%3A_Violence_Against_Women_Act%29

content:
<p>
US
citizens: <a href="https://actionnetwork.org/petitions/sign-the-petition-urge-senators-to-co-sponsor-the-reauthorization-of-the-violence-against-women-act?nowrapper=true">Urge
Senators</a> to co-sponsor the reauthorization of the Violence Against
Women Act.
</p>
<p>If you sign, please spread the word!</p>


feed_id: 0a9d420def547252f81ce77878b7569d
title: Urgent: Prisoner voting
uri: Urgent-Prisoner-voting
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#1_May_2019_%28Urgent%3A_Prisoner_voting%29
content:
<p>
US
citizens: <a href="http://act.democracyforamerica.com/sign/voting-disenfranchisement/">call
for</a> allowing prisoners to vote.
</p>
<p>If you sign, please spread the word!</p>


feed_id: 9269891ca6aad0f3ef50c1a7ee0cb06b
title: Urgent: Discriminatory dress codes
uri: Urgent-Discriminatory-dress-codes
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#1_May_2019_%28Urgent%3A_Discriminatory_dress_codes%29

content:
<p>
Everyone: <a href="https://act.colorofchange.org/sign/end-discriminatory-parent-dress-codes/">Tell
the Houston Independent School District</a> to end discriminatory
dress codes.
</p>
<p>
Some aspects of this dress code discriminates against Muslims and Jews,
but <em>all</em> aspects are unjustified bullying.
</p>
<p>
I don't, however, understand what they refer to when they say
"shaming".  Why would pushing people around provoke shame?  What I'd
expect is indignation.
</p>
<p>If you sign, please spread the word!</p>


feed_id: be5007ef4f70f9e56aedbaca71d45f2e
title: Green New Deal substitute
uri: 2019-05-01-Green-New-Deal-substitute
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#1_May_2019_%28Green_New_Deal_substitute%29
content:
<p>
Activists pressured Senator Feinstein
into <a href="https://theintercept.com/2019/03/01/dianne-feinstein-green-new-deal-sunrise-movement/">dropping
an inadequate substitute</a> for the Green New Deal.


feed_id: 735dbbb6431cc342afb153d1cd547fc6
title: Hoda Muthana
uri: Hoda-Muthana
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#1_May_2019_%28Hoda_Muthana%29
content:
<p>
The effort to annul Hoda Muthana's US citizenship was started by Obama
and <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/mar/01/hoda-muthana-trump-birthright-citizenship-isis">continued
by the bully</a>.  Regardless of who does it, or from which party, it
is dangerous and wrong to try to make US citizenship (or citizenship
in any country) precarious.


feed_id: 0ff73bd26711756b3b607a94ed2866b0
title: Mauritanian passport
uri: Mauritanian-passport
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#1_May_2019_%28Mauritanian_passport%29
content:
<p>
Mauritania <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/books/2019/mar/01/guantanamo-diary-author-blocked-from-travelling-for-medical-treatment">denied
Mohamedou Ould Slahi a passport</a> arbitrarily at the request of the
US.
The US does not want people who travel who are guilty of being victims
of US torture.


feed_id: 6c9efb06e5f91f9d65d1808a2f372f9b
title: Unsustainable toilet paper
uri: Unsustainable-toilet-paper
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#1_May_2019_%28Unsustainable_toilet_paper%29
content:
<p>
Making luxurious toilet paper for the US is unsustainable: it involves
cutting
down <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/mar/01/canada-boreal-forest-toilet-paper-us-climate-change-impact-report">48000
square miles</a> of Canadian forest every year.
<p>
Canada really should put a stop to this, but Canadian politicians are
pressed down by the hand of the US government, which amplifies and
leverages the thumb of business.


feed_id: e7a5332f609b7527387b0eedb223ead0
title: Patriot Prayer fight
uri: Patriot-Prayer-fight
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#1_May_2019_%28Patriot_Prayer_fight%29
content:
<p>
At a rally of the Christian right-wing group Patriot Prayer, some of
them <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2019/mar/01/exclusive-video-shows-portland-officers-made-deal-with-far-right-group-leader">got
into a fight</a> with counterprotesters.  Portland (Oregon) thugs
arrested some counterprotesters, but let members of the Christian
right-wing group Patriot Prayer go.
<p>
If the <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thugs</a> had gone easy on both sides, after breaking up the fight,
that would have been fair and might have been wise, assuming there was
no serious damage.  But there is no excuse for preferring right-wingers
for whom intimidation is a political stance.


feed_id: a389bf1ac41e8e986b492c284dbc05fb
title: Recognizing a conman
uri: Recognizing-a-conman
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#1_May_2019_%28Recognizing_a_conman%29
content:
<p>
The supporters of the conman won't be shocked by proof he is a conman.
That is what they support him for &mdash; though they have engineered
their minds
to <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/feb/28/donald-trump-michael-cohen-racist-conman-america">refuse
to recognize it</a>.
<p>
The age of the image is not the conman's creation.  Its earlier form
is described in The Image, by Daniel Boorstin: media pseudo-events
which have nothing interesting except the extent of their publicity,
celebrities that are famous for being famous.  These now continue in a
more blatantly foolish form in the person of Instagram influencers,
commercial social networks that people want to be used by because so
many others are, and Republicans, maneuvered step by step into supporting
any lie as long as it serves their cult leader.


feed_id: 8034bc6e3b57a980fa0df48a64d8e1ec
title: Unions and the Green New Deal
uri: Unions-and-the-Green-New-Deal
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#1_May_2019_%28Unions_and_the_Green_New_Deal%29
content:
<p>
US labor unions are skeptical of the Green New Deal.  They fear it will
<a href="https://theintercept.com/2019/02/28/green-new-deal-labor-unions/">lead
to fewer union jobs</a>.
<p>
The plan already includes measures to stimulate employment, so they
are being overcautious.  However, the crucial point is that they are
judging against a fictitious alternative, continuation of the current
situation.  That will be impossible for more than a decade, as the
increasing effects of <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#global heating">global heating</a> will harm all aspects of life,
including the jobs of their members.


feed_id: 4827b4cc5cf837128e7561e9805b16e0
title: Speed of Global Heating
uri: Speed-of-Global-Heating
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#1_May_2019_%28Speed_of_Global_Heating%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#global heating">Global heating</a> is now coming on fast, will affect everyone, and will
be worse than what we thought.  It could be much worse than the Great
Depression.  The unpredicted effects
may <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2019/02/27/our-five-biggest-delusions-about-climate-change">dwarf
the ones we now anticipate</a>.
<p>
Ocasio-Cortez:
"<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/mar/01/could-climate-delayer-become-the-political-epithet-of-our-times">Climate
delayers aren’t much better</a> than climate deniers."
<p>
Under an ultimatum from nature, delaying action is effectively denial.


feed_id: 828a2325e9eb4f7c42edc11badb03d42
title: Affording Medicare for All
uri: Affording-Medicare-for-All
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#1_May_2019_%28Affording_Medicare_for_All%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2019/02/27/we-cant-afford-keep-our-failing-healthcare-system-we-absolutely-can-afford-medicare">We
Can't Afford</a> to Keep Our Failing Healthcare System. But We
Absolutely Can Afford Medicare for All.


feed_id: 733335e90fd81667d9d2515cfa619a41
title: Dalit immigrants
uri: Dalit-immigrants
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#1_May_2019_%28Dalit_immigrants%29
content:
<p>
Dalit immigrants to the
US <a href="https://www.wgbh.org/news/international-news/2019/02/25/surajs-shadow-wherever-he-goes-his-caste-follows-even-in-america">face
caste prejudice here</a>.  It does not get left behind in India.
<p>
Most Indian immigrants are from upper castes,
and <a href="https://www.wgbh.org/news/national-news/2019/02/26/no-escape-from-caste-on-these-shores-untouchables-from-india-say">treat
Dalits with contempt</a>.
<p>
Brandeis University
is <a href="https://www.wgbh.org/news/national-news/2019/02/27/caste-bias-isnt-illegal-in-the-united-state-but-this-university-is-trying-to-fight-it">adopting
a rule</a> against caste discrimination even though that is not
included in antidiscrimination laws.


feed_id: 771fb035ae590601c6c2afee2a1cc4bf
title: WOMAD UK
uri: WOMAD-UK
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#1_May_2019_%28WOMAD_UK%29
content:
<p>
The WOMAD UK music and dance festival says that the UK's "hostile
environment" is making it difficult to bring performers from other
countries.  They don't want to bother with a visa application to be
sent to functionaries who have been told to
seek <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/culture/2019/feb/28/womad-uk-festival-artists-performers-brexit-visas">any
possible excuse to say no</a>.


feed_id: 5f8c91c9e4a26d0e075ed3cebb6ca2c0
title: Streets of Pyongyang
uri: Streets-of-Pyongyang
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#1_May_2019_%28Streets_of_Pyongyang%29
content:
<p>
(satire) North Korean leader Kim Jong-un reportedly panicked Thursday
as he walked through
the <a href="https://www.theonion.com/kim-jong-un-panics-after-returning-to-north-korea-to-fi-1832966153">abandoned
streets of Pyongyang&hellip;</a>


feed_id: e9656b2317fd978158857c3697afff67
title: Coup Attempt
uri: Coup-Attempt
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#1_May_2019_%28Coup_Attempt%29
content:
<p>
Guaidó <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/apr/30/venezuela-caracas-violence-guaido-maduro">tried to launch a coup in Venezuela</a>, but it got no substantial
military support so it led only to protests by his supporters.
<p>
The <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/apr/30/us-declares-support-for-venezuela-coup-attempt">US supports the coup</a> attempt.
<p>
<p>
Guaidó and his supporters want to be the local overseers of foreign
companies.  Maduro wants to graft off the government.  Neither one
offers Venezuela a good future.


feed_id: 942142ce246dd5738cfa44cac220d617
title: Email passwords
uri: Email-passwords
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#1_May_2019_%28Email_passwords%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/facebook-uploaded-1-5-million-users-email-contacts-without-permission-2019-4">Facebook asked its new useds to give it their email passwords</a>, and 1.5
million did so.
<p>
It then used the password to read each zucker's list of email
contacts without telling per.


feed_id: 2ac467b74313ab86055be65c80ca3c16
title: Mueller Report DMCA takedown
uri: Mueller-Report-DMCA-takedown
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#1_May_2019_%28Mueller_Report_DMCA_takedown%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://qz.com/1599975/scribd-taking-down-the-mueller-report-is-what-eu-article-13-looks-like/">Scribd was compelled to delete the Mueller report</a>, by a false DMCA
takedown notice.
<p>
As for Scribd itself, that is a site you shouldn't use, because
<a href="https://gnu.org/philosophy/javascript-trap.html">viewing anything there requires running Javascript code which is
non-free</a>, and thus not to be trusted.
That is a tangent to the point of this article, but we should
not legitimize Scribd or its practices.


feed_id: 950eec4cce225bcbbc19f02c039acc47
title: Ola Bini
uri: Ola-Bini
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#1_May_2019_%28Ola_Bini%29
content:
<p>
Ecuador has <a href="https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2019/04/free-ola-bini">shown no grounds to arrest or prosecute free software
developer Ola Bini</a>.
Apparently the state wanted a good scapegoat and found him.


feed_id: b848f3fc136e6ed4dccf52bf3df20c23
title: Obscene epoch
uri: Obscene-epoch
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#2_May_2019_%28Obscene_epoch%29
content:
<p>
In addition to global heating, humans are <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2019/02/28/why-anthropocene-not-climate-change?cd-origin=rss">changing many aspects of
Earth's
chemistry</a> and systems.  Many of the changes are dangerous.
<p>
Coping with the new Obscene epoch requires figuring out how to
navigate them all together.


feed_id: b96bdf422c830909efb20aee1d323efd
title: Penalties against landlords
uri: Penalties-against-landlords
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#2_May_2019_%28Penalties_against_landlords%29
content:
<p>
A <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/mar/01/right-to-rent-demise-hostile-environment-home-office-unlawful">court ordered the UK to drop the law</a> that imposes great penalties
against landlords unless they enforce immigration law very strictly.


feed_id: 5dcd662c129f00092a186325daecc2df
title: Lichen
uri: Lichen
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#2_May_2019_%28Lichen%29
content:
<p>
Lichen are <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/mar/01/easter-island-statues-leprosy">destroying the famous stone statues of Easter Island</a>.


feed_id: dfa5d9462064b7755d9ca98a5605552e
title: New York's Money
uri: New-York-s-Money
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#2_May_2019_%28New_York%27s_Money%29
content:
<p>
New York <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2019/mar/01/amazon-bezos-new-york-open-letter-reconsider-cuomo">Governor Cuomo is going all out to plead for Amazon</a> to come
take New York's money.


feed_id: 0f31dc9f9f4eb1de2847570d45c1f136
title: Guns drawn
uri: Guns-drawn
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#2_May_2019_%28Guns_drawn%29
content:
<p>
The thugs of Vallejo, California, made a practice of approaching black
men who were asleep in cars, with their guns drawn.  It was only a
matter of time before something would startle them in the act, and
they would shoot immediately, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2019/mar/01/the-life-and-death-of-rapper-willie-mccoy-executed-by-police">effectively murdering their chosen
victim</a>.  The murdered man was musician Willie McCoy.


feed_id: 6a8866e0fb3d0d9e2b833ab15f8f8065
title: Republican pro-war speech
uri: Republican-pro-war-speech
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#2_May_2019_%28Republican_pro-war_speech%29
content:
<p>
[Republican congresscritter] Gave Pro-War Speech on Yemen &mdash; by
<a href="https://theintercept.com/2019/05/02/yemen-war-powers-resolution-saudi-lobbyists/">Reading
Saudi Lobbyist's Talking Points Verbatim</a>.


feed_id: 26d881c142254ae9448d4e3020b08eb5
title: Urgent: IRS tax filing service
uri: Urgent-IRS-tax-filing-service
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#2_May_2019_%28Urgent%3A_IRS_tax_filing_service%29
content:
<p>
US citizens: 
<a href="https://act.credoaction.com/sign/free-online-tax-filing">call
on Congress</a> to permit the IRS to run its own online service for
filing your tax returns.
<p>
My view of this issue is fundamentally different from that of the
petition.  When it says "free", it means "gratis".  I don't care
whether I pay a small fee for using some computing system to report
my tax information.  What matters to me is whether I have to
run any nonfree software, and whether I have to show any personal
data to a company.
<p>
This is not the typical kind of anonymity issue, because my tax return
data must, of course, go to the IRS.  That's the point of it.  But
there is no reason any company should get to see it.
<p>
However, if the petition convinces Congress, and if the IRS runs its
own server for filing tax returns, the task of making it
freedom-respecting will become much smaller.


feed_id: 71bd1c3c860fd87d0e1b98037d8fe435
title: Urgent: Remove Judge McClusky
uri: Urgent-Remove-Judge-McClusky
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#2_May_2019_%28Urgent%3A_Remove_Judge_McClusky%29
content:
<p>
US citizens: 
<a href="https://act.weareultraviolet.org/sign/remove_judge_mccluskey/">Tell
the New York Commission of Judicial Conduct</a> to remove Judge
McClusky from his judgeship, for giving such a light sentence for
rape.


feed_id: 7877bec40d73dfff299b8fd4ec93d090
title: Urgent: Medicare for All
uri: 2019-05-03-Urgent-Medicare-for-All
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#2_May_2019_%28Urgent%3A_Medicare_for_All%29
content:
<p>
US citizens: 
<a href="https://www.paction.us/medicare4all/progressamerica">call on
Congress</a> to vote on Medicare for All bill.


feed_id: e4b846715812c1c9365b6436dacccdee
title: Urgent: Document racial bias of thug stops
uri: Urgent-Document-racial-bias-of-thug-stops
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#2_May_2019_%28Urgent%3A_Document_racial_bias_of_thug_stops%29

content:
<p>
Citizens of Massachusetts: 
<a href="https://action.aclu.org/send-message/ma-police-oversight-and-accountability">call
on Massachusetts</a> to collect demographic statistics about drivers
stopped by <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thugs</a> on the street.
<p>
This will document the racial bias of that activity.


feed_id: 0531a459fdbd944efa4f9d334cd89586
title: Urgent: Cut funds for ICE and CBP
uri: Urgent-Cut-funds-for-ICE-and-CBP
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#2_May_2019_%28Urgent%3A_Cut_funds_for_ICE_and_CBP%29

content:
<p>
US citizens: 
<a href="https://act.credoaction.com/sign/no-ice-slush-fund">call on
Rep. Lowey</a> to cut the funds for ICE (the deportation thugs) and
CBP (the border <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thugs</a>).


feed_id: 24ce67607fbfd8f98f1ca30bd00588f9
title: Urgent: AMC Theatres overtime pay
uri: Urgent-AMC-Theatres-overtime-pay
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#2_May_2019_%28Urgent%3A_AMC_Theatres_overtime_pay%29

content:
<p>
Everyone: 
<a href="https://www.coworker.org/petitions/amending-motion-picture-theater-overtime-exempt-rule-from-flsa">call
on AMC Theatres</a> to offer overtime pay, holiday pay, and paid sick
leave to all its employees.


feed_id: fee7fa173e8a517a853be2243321c319
title: Guns drawn
uri: 2019-05-03-Guns-drawn
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#2_May_2019_%28Guns_drawn%29
content:
<p>
The <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thugs</a> of Vallejo, California, made a practice of approaching black
men who were asleep in cars, with their guns drawn.  It was only a
matter of time before something would startle them in the act, and
they would shoot immediately, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2019/mar/01/the-life-and-death-of-rapper-willie-mccoy-executed-by-police">effectively murdering their chosen
victim</a>.  The murdered man was musician Willie McCoy.


feed_id: e4eb06c786ed66836296c371c1e08ff8
title: Chemical Weapons Inspectors
uri: Chemical-Weapons-Inspectors
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#3_May_2019_%28Chemical_Weapons_Inspectors%29
content:
<p>
Chemical Weapons Inspectors <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/mar/02/chlorine-was-used-in-attack-on-syrian-rebel-town-of-douma-watchdog-says">Confirm Gas Cylinders Were Fired</a> at a
Housing Block in the Deadly Assault [in Douma] in April 2018.


feed_id: 100ca7fd63e606ed8d895d9678e610a5
title: Inept at Diplomacy
uri: Inept-at-Diplomacy
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#3_May_2019_%28Inept_at_Diplomacy%29
content:
<p>
The dealmaker <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/feb/28/hanoi-summit-collapse-trump-amateur-hour">proved inept at diplomacy</a> with Dictator Kim.


feed_id: 8e33413fb6a36d3c52b9449d8bd108f4
title: Crimes against humanity
uri: Crimes-against-humanity
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#3_May_2019_%28Crimes_against_humanity%29
content:
<p>
Prosecution of Assad for his crimes against humanity is <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/mar/01/assad-europe-lawyers-syrian-war-criminals">still
possible</a>.


feed_id: e27fbdab31b8359faa8ff25f6c202928
title: Conman's Mafia
uri: Conman-s-Mafia
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#3_May_2019_%28Conman%27s_Mafia%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/mar/01/michael-cohen-hearing-republicans-trump">Congressional Republicans are now the soldiers of the conman's mafia.</a>
<p>
When one of them attacked Cohen for lying, his retort was clever.  I
suggest an alternate one that I like better: "So you should nominate
me
for president."


feed_id: 70870f669a94a983027bc56db24bd1d6
title: Death Sentences
uri: Death-Sentences
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#3_May_2019_%28Death_Sentences%29
content:
<p>
Global <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2019/mar/01/global-war-on-drugs-could-harm-efforts-to-abolish-death-sentences-study">War on Drugs Could Harm Efforts</a> to Abolish Death Sentences.


