# articles

feed_id: 78c632a1d0e64469dac3ab6210bcfd58
title: Data collected by new cars about people inside
uri: Data-collected-by-new-cars-about-people-inside
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#31_December_2020_%28Data_collected_by_new_cars_about_people_inside%29

content:
<p>
New cars
<a href="https://www.nbcnews.com/tech/tech-news/snitches-wheels-police-turn-car-data-destroy-suspects-alibis-n1251939">collect
a lot of data about the people inside the car</a>, even aside from
their use of the navigation system and phones.  For instance, with the
accelerometer it may be possible to reconstruct the car's trajectory,
even if you disable the GPS.
<p>
The data can be used for solving nonpolitical crimes.  They can also
be used for repression.  Laws about how the data can be used are
ineffective for resisting repression.  Drivers must have the option to
disable these systems in their cars.


feed_id: a863e0b4a94d11f201224c079f6f00c9
title: Argentina legalizes abortion
uri: Argentina-legalizes-abortion
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#31_December_2020_%28Argentina_legalizes_abortion%29
content:
<p>
Argentina has
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/dec/30/argentina-legalises-abortion-in-landmark-moment-for-womens-rights">legalized
abortion</a>.
<p>
I showed my support for this cause during my last visit to Argentina.


feed_id: eb520125f290e2c3dae947eec4a8a0d2
title: No basis for federal prosecution
uri: 2021-01-01-No-basis-for-federal-prosecution
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#31_December_2020_%28No_basis_for_federal_prosecution%29

content:
<p>
There is no basis for federal prosecution of the <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thugs</a> that killed
Tamir Rice as he was holding an air rifle.

<p>
One article argues that <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2020/12/29/hypocrisy-and-horror-outrage-after-trump-doj-clears-cleveland-cop-who-killed-12-year">there is enough proof that they lied</a>
  and they could be prosecuted for that.  I don't know whether that is so,
but if it is, they definitely should be prosecuted for lying.

<p>
Another article says nothing about that point, but explains <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2020/dec/30/tamir-rice-shooting-justice-department-investigation-ends-without-charges">why the federal government could not prosecute them for the killing</a>.

<p>
This is an instance of a repeating pattern in which white <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thugs</a> shoot
blacks <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2014-sep-dec.html#26_September_2014_(John_Crawford_was_not_threatening_anyone)">after making erroneous snap judgments that they are a threat</a>.
  Snap judgments are often erroneous, thus many of these blacks are
killed for no legitimate reason.  This amounts to an aspect of
systemic racism &mdash; but it is hard to come up with a step in of making
a snap judgment that could be defined as a crime.  The whole process
takes place inside a person's mind.

<p>
Defining some action that the <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thug</a> is required carry out before
shooting someone could slow down the snap judgment, thus providing an
opportunity to think, and to decide not to shoot.  It might also
provide a basis for prosecuting a <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thug</a> who fails to take that action.
"Turn on your body camera and study the person and the scene until it
clicks, which it does after three seconds" might be a suitable action
to require.

<p>
The killing of Tamir Rice is an example of another recurrent pattern:
losing a piece of crucial information in the dispatch process.  I have
an idea for how to make that dangerous problem less frequent.

<p>
Currently those pieces of crucial information are treated as
miscellaneous details.  When such a thing is dropped, it does not
leave a gap &mdash; there is nothing to tell the <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thugs</a> that they are
missing something they needed to know.

<p>
Suppose any information suggesting "Person in question is probably not
threatening or hurting anyone" were represented by use of a different
dispatch code.  This distinction could not be lost, because it is
impossible to drop the dispatch code, and changing it would go against
all habit.

<p>
This would not eliminate the tendency to misjudge based on unconscious
racism, but could make it happen less often.


feed_id: 79aea6ede53ee3b868c8964f8064d833
title: Rapid spread of Covid-19 by covidiots
uri: Rapid-spread-of-Covid-19-by-covidiots
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#1_January_2021_%28Rapid_spread_of_Covid-19_by_covidiots%29

content:
<p>
Covidiots in the UK are rapidly spreading Covid-19 by
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/society/2020/dec/31/doctors-despair-over-britons-breaking-coronavirus-rules">disregarding
even the most basic precautions to avoid it</a>.
<p>
Stores should be padlocked if the staff fail to call the cops when
anyone enters without a mask.


feed_id: 882e88a7a9290ce3d6fe4168cd82da4a
title: Land subsidence
uri: Land-subsidence
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#1_January_2021_%28Land_subsidence%29
content:
<p>
*Land subsidence
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/dec/31/land-subsidence-will-affect-almost-fifth-of-global-population">'will
affect almost fifth of global population'</a>.*


feed_id: b7154261787d52d2df576dc5669dbe82
title: Big Pharma to raise prices of medications
uri: Big-Pharma-to-raise-prices-of-medications
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#2_January_2021_%28Big_Pharma_to_raise_prices_of_medications%29

content:
<p>

*Big Pharma to <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2020/12/31/drugs-dont-work-if-people-cant-afford-them-big-pharma-raise-prices-300-medications">Raise Prices</a> of 300 Medications on Jan. 1.*
<p>
To prevent this requires at least a national medical system.
More radical <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jan-apr.html#16_April_2020_(Gouging_on_insulin)">changes in the system for developing and selling drugs could be an improvement too.


feed_id: d7bcc580bd226022ec6ba8f3d943533f
title: Women in Pakistan charged with "criminal defamation"
uri: Women-in-Pakistan-charged-with-criminal-defamation
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#2_January_2021_%28Women_in_Pakistan_charged_with_criminal_defamation%29

content:
<p>

Pakistan is <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2021/jan/01/pakistans-metoo-movement-hangs-in-the-balance-over-celebrity-case">charging women with "criminal defamation"</a> for accusing a
famous stary of groping them.
<p>
It is an <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jul-oct.html#1_October_2020_(Imprisoned_for_posting_negative_review)">injustice to make defamation a crime</a>.  Doing so <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#6_June_2019_(Making_defamation_a_crime)">invites repression</a>.
Also, we should refuse to pay heed to vague criticisms such as
"inappropriate" whatever.  If an action is wrong, you should describe
it in a concrete way which shows what sort of wrong it is.


feed_id: 0a88766cd6a7341fd2fd853c3768e8b1
title: Free range parenting laws
uri: Free-range-parenting-laws
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#2_January_2021_%28Free_range_parenting_laws%29
content:
<p>

*Let’s Pass Some More <a href="https://www.freerangekids.com/lets-pass-some-more-free-range-parenting-laws-in-2021/">Free-Range Parenting Laws in 2021</a>!*


feed_id: 8d9c3233a6b5bcb44bcb7cc943374fc4
title: Professor of delusion
uri: Professor-of-delusion
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#2_January_2021_%28Professor_of_delusion%29
content:
<p>

<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2021/jan/01/false-hope-pandemic-dangerous-disinformation">Stop giving a media platform</a> to the professor of delusion who keeps
predicting that Covid-19 will fade away to almost nothing, any month
now.


feed_id: 7a7f99542b536f52d15f067d13bc3c79
title: Betting against the ideas of QAnonsense
uri: Betting-against-the-ideas-of-QAnonsense
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#2_January_2021_%28Betting_against_the_ideas_of_QAnonsense%29

content:
<p>

It is possible to get rich by <a href="https://atlantic.com/politics/archive/2021/01/betting-against-qanon-predictit/617396/">systematically betting against the latest ideas of QAnonsense</a>.


feed_id: 2539f4d31c45fa17d0fbda18c328a684
title: Jet engine pollution
uri: Jet-engine-pollution
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#2_January_2021_%28Jet_engine_pollution%29
content:
<p>

Very small particles of pollution, produced by jet engines, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/jan/01/pollutionwatch-fine-particles-affect-lungs-of-those-near-airports">reduce people's
heart and lung function</a> when they are downwind of an airport.


feed_id: 9f8f055de5997388da10d4a40c97e18e
title: Arrest and torture of Rohinga man
uri: Arrest-and-torture-of-Rohinga-man
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#2_January_2021_%28Arrest_and_torture_of_Rohinga_man%29

content:
<p>

Bangladeshi thugs <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2021/jan/01/calls-for-release-of-man-arrested-photographing-transfer-of-rohingyas-abul-karam">arrested and tortured</a> a Rohinga man, Abul Karam, for
taking photographs of the forced transfer of other Rohinga to a dangerous
island which is likely to be flooded.


feed_id: 105e89a8eb3581b698be7ba89480d496
title: The rapid-spreading variant of Covid-19
uri: The-rapid-spreading-variant-of-Covid-19
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#2_January_2021_%28The_rapid-spreading_variant_of_Covid-19%29

content:
<p>

The rapid-spreading variant of Covid-19 <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/jan/01/now-coronavirus-variant-us-since-october">may have been in the US since October</a>.
<p>
I wonder whether the recent increase is due to that variant.


feed_id: d32b471bd731ba36f9470134af3d4d72
title: Repeal of Section 230
uri: Repeal-of-Section-230
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#2_January_2021_%28Repeal_of_Section_230%29
content:
<p>

*Critics Warn Repeal of Section 230 'Would Be <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2020/12/30/critics-warn-repeal-section-230-would-be-devastating-human-rights-social-movements">Devastating for Human Rights</a>,
Social Movements, and Marginalized People'.*
<p>
In other words, don't sell our freedom permanently for a fixed
sum of money, even if it is money for millions of poor hostages.'


feed_id: be619102d5e694728bf35d2873ed0c38
title: The remaining US local newspapers
uri: The-remaining-US-local-newspapers
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#2_January_2021_%28The_remaining_US_local_newspapers%29

content:
<p>

A private equity fund is <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2020/12/31/horror-hedge-fund-alden-accused-bloodless-strip-mining-american-newspapers-moves-buy">buying up the remaining US local newspapers</a>.


feed_id: 2798c5c1fad96763fe0950b37f3327f1
title: "Settler" hate crimes
uri: Settler-hate-crimes
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#2_January_2021_%28Settler_hate_crimes%29
content:
<p>

*"Settler" hate crimes <a href="http://www.kibush.co.il/show_file.asp?num=82742">escalating</a> beyond already high "routine", 
army helps erect settler outposts, destroys Palestinian homes and farm
buildings.*


feed_id: b3e714f1490da0801f0df20196d25be3
title: Construction of colonies in Palestine
uri: Construction-of-colonies-in-Palestine
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#2_January_2021_%28Construction_of_colonies_in_Palestine%29

content:
<p>

Israel is reported to be planning to approve a lot of <a href="https://www.timesofisrael.com/israel-said-planning-to-advance-settlement-building-before-biden-enters-office/">new construction
of colonies</a> in Palestine before Biden takes office.
<p>
The assumption is that he won't have the gumption to denounce anything
that was previously approved by the wrecker.  Maybe he will do that,
but he shouldn't.


feed_id: 7567161c5036cba1828ff1a1cc907854
title: EPA's regulation of greenhouse gas emissions
uri: EPA-s-regulation-of-greenhouse-gas-emissions
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#2_January_2021_%28EPA%27s_regulation_of_greenhouse_gas_emissions%29

content:
<p>

The EPA has regulated greenhouse gas emissions, but grandfathered all
existing models of planes, so that <a href="https://boingboing.net/2020/12/30/the-epa-has-released-the-first-ever-pollution-regulations-for-airplanesbut-they-dont-do-anything.html"the regulation is a no-op</a>.


feed_id: 8a1a52a0eb3a532f08d46e3b2a5673da
title: British author gets 8 years in prison
uri: British-author-gets-8-years-in-prison
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#2_January_2021_%28British_author_gets_8_years_in_prison%29

content:
<p>

Iran has sentenced a British author to <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/dec/13/british-iranian-academic-sentenced-to-eight-years-in-prison-in-iran">8 years in prison</a>, apparently
for writing about the state of things in Iran.


feed_id: 3568db5029f67c494d8c224e8ffc0f1b
title: Pakistan's repression forces
uri: Pakistan-s-repression-forces
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#2_January_2021_%28Pakistan%27s_repression_forces%29
content:
<p>

Pakistan's repression forces have <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2020/dec/14/kidnap-torture-the-plight-of-pakistans-thousands-of-disappeared">disappeared thousands of people</a> and
tortured them.
In most cases the victim is never seen again, so the
<a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thugs</a> have probably killed them.  A fraction are released alive.
A fraction are dumped on the street, dead.
<p>
Human rights defenders that oppose disappearances and torture are a
specially preferred target.


feed_id: 2cc7cb05a62829f31f6d3af37939a4c7
title: Surveillance of workers
uri: Surveillance-of-workers
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#2_January_2021_%28Surveillance_of_workers%29
content:
<p>

*The pandemic has taken <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2020/dec/14/pandemic-workers-surveillance-monitor-jobs">surveillance of workers</a> to the next level.*
<p>
The extreme of this is represented by the Amazon warehouse,
where a worker's every move is controlled by the computer system.
This is one of <a href="https://stallman.org/amazon.html">many reasons to refuse to buy from Amazon</a>.
<p>
Unfortunately, surveillance of workers is not limited to Amazon.  I
think states should pass laws to limit surveillance of workers.  It
should cover independent contractors as well as employees.
<p>
The law should completely forbid demanding that workers run any
specific software on their own computers (keep in mind that portable
phones are computers); the employer who wants that must furnish
the computer at no charge.


feed_id: f78a16784ddff45bd118626518f0c9c9
title: EPA's regulation of greenhouse gas emissions
uri: 2021-01-03-EPA-s-regulation-of-greenhouse-gas-emissions
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#2_January_2021_%28EPA%27s_regulation_of_greenhouse_gas_emissions%29

content:
<p>

The EPA has regulated greenhouse gas emissions, but grandfathered all
existing models of planes, so that <a href="https://boingboing.net/2020/12/30/the-epa-has-released-the-first-ever-pollution-regulations-for-airplanesbut-they-dont-do-anything.html">the regulation is a no-op</a>.


feed_id: f262fefcd9e25c4d6bf53fccaaa9a51c
title: Civilian Conservation Corps
uri: Civilian-Conservation-Corps
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#3_January_2021_%28Civilian_Conservation_Corps%29
content:
<p>
Biden should
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2020/12/08/biden-needs-go-big-rebuild-america">start
a new Civilian Conservation Corps</a>, to repeat its achievements
while correcting some mistakes.


feed_id: 938e0c3a9ae302651b33cf1113e06750
title: HSBC closed bank accounts of pro-democracy exile
uri: HSBC-closed-bank-accounts-of-pro-democracy-exile
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#3_January_2021_%28HSBC_closed_bank_accounts_of_pro-democracy_exile%29

content:
<p>
HSBC bank closed the bank accounts of
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/dec/07/exiled-hong-kong-legislator-calls-for-inquiry-after-hsbc-freezes-bank-account">exiled
Hong Kong legislator Ted Hui and his family</a>.  It relented later
after public outrage, but merely trying this is unacceptable.  Maybe
that company should have to choose between doing business in Hong Kong
and doing business in Europe.


feed_id: e6ae5b14b7de1330d063f5dce321abb5
title: People's capacity for cooperation
uri: People-s-capacity-for-cooperation
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#3_January_2021_%28Peoples_capacity_for_cooperation%29

content:
<p>
*For psychologists, the pandemic has shown
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2021/jan/02/psychologists-pandemic-cooperation-government-public-britain">people’s
capacity for cooperation</a>.*
<p>
When people don't cooperate with Covid-19 protection rules, look for
an explanation in terms of practical needs.
<p>
The US is a special case: the wrecker has trained millions of
ideological covidiots.  But that's not normal behavior for humans.


feed_id: 70536061b9035ec20b5f017063004017
title: When people with privilege ignore Covid rules
uri: When-people-with-privilege-ignore-Covid-rules
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#3_January_2021_%28When_people_with_privilege_ignore_Covid_rules%29

content:
<p>
*People started breaking Covid rules
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2021/jan/02/follow-covid-restrictions-break-rules-compliance">when
they saw those with privilege ignore them</a>.*


feed_id: 9e4d163be7509ecadd32186af77bf168
title: India holding vaccination drills
uri: India-holding-vaccination-drills
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#3_January_2021_%28India_holding_vaccination_drills%29

content:
<p>
India is holding vaccination drills to prepare to
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/jan/02/india-prepares-for-vast-covid-vaccination-push-ahead-of-astrazeneca-oxford-jab-approval">vaccinate
300 million people within six months</a>.
<p>
I hope that it will continue by vaccinating everyone else in the
country and that no one will be denied vaccination.


feed_id: ae2dc8e003b08e84f8e17ed25ee9fb26
title: Business-supremacy treaties
uri: 2021-01-03-Business-supremacy-treaties
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#3_January_2021_%28Business-supremacy_treaties%29
content:
<p>
Foreign corporations are using I-Sue-Democratic-States clauses in
<a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#business-supremacy">business-supremacy treaties</a>
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2021/01/01/bidens-top-trade-official-should-work-protect-governments-rising-number-corporate">to
sue the US and other countries for losses they suffered due to
measures to suppress Covid-19</a>.
<p>
Maybe now we can get rid of those
<a href="https://stallman.org/business-supremacy-treaties.html">business-supremacy
treaties</a>, or at least those clauses.  The business-supremacy
treaties are harmful as a whole because they are instruments of dooH
niboR.  They may cause an increase in overall economic growth, but
poor people don't share in the benefit.


feed_id: b2632d34b47147c877587eeb8ac78f0f
title: Iraq unable to address calamities
uri: Iraq-unable-to-address-calamities
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#3_January_2021_%28Iraq_unable_to_address_calamities%29

content:
<p>
The US occupation of Iraq
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2021/01/01/iraq-today-nightmare-americans-largely-sleep-through">destroyed
the structure of the country</a>, and brought on a series of
calamities which Iraq has never been able to address.
<p>
The US occupation did not cause Covid-19, but its consequences hamper
dealing with it.
<p>
A million Iraqis live in refugee camps, including children whom the
state treats as unpersons.  Meanwhile, most of Mosul was wrecked by
<a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#pissi">PISSI</a> and the war to kick out PISSI, and most of the wrecked buildings
just sit there with the bones of the people who died in them.  Nobody
dares clean up the wreckage because of the booby traps.


feed_id: d3523918a63fe6bd8166d9eedd00ef73
title: Heat island effect
uri: Heat-island-effect
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#3_January_2021_%28Heat_island_effect%29
content:
<p>
The urban heat island effect is more accurately described as a
<a href="https://e360.yale.edu/features/can-we-turn-down-the-temperature-on-urban-heat-islands">minority
and poor people's neighborhoods heat island effect</a>.  As heat waves
cause a fair number of deaths, this contributes to the gap in life
expectancy between poor and non-poor and between disprivileged
demographics and others.
<p>
Low-tech changes in building and street designs can reduce the heat
island; some of them also reduce <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#global heating">global heating</a> by reflecting light
back at the sky.


feed_id: 529f4b4c4278281d2e2fdfe1fc4dae78
title: Women in Pakistan charged with "criminal defamation"
uri: 2021-01-03-Women-in-Pakistan-charged-with-criminal-defamation
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#2_January_2021_%28Women_in_Pakistan_charged_with_criminal_defamation%29

content:
<p>
Pakistan is
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2021/jan/01/pakistans-metoo-movement-hangs-in-the-balance-over-celebrity-case">charging
women with "criminal defamation"</a> for accusing a famous star of
groping them.
<p>
It is an
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jul-oct.html#1_October_2020_(Imprisoned_for_posting_negative_review)">injustice
to make defamation a crime</a>.  Doing so
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#6_June_2019_(Making_defamation_a_crime)">invites
repression</a>.  Also, we should refuse to pay heed to vague
criticisms such as "inappropriate" whatever.  If an action is wrong,
you should describe it in a concrete way which shows what sort of
wrong it is.


feed_id: 998c89a828b54f6f12b34edfda728848
title: Urgent: Oppose Vilsack for Secretary of Agriculture
uri: Urgent-Oppose-Vilsack-for-Secretary-of-Agriculture
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#4_January_2021_%28Urgent%3A_Oppose_Vilsack_for_Secretary_of_Agriculture%29

content:
<p>
US citizens:
<a href="https://act.rootsaction.org/p/dia/action4/common/public/?action_KEY=14040">call
on your senators</a> to vote against Tom Vilsack for Secretary of
Agriculture.
<p>
This petition has trouble when Javascript is disabled, but here is a
workaround for the trouble.
<p>
When you sign the petition with Javascript disabled, it will display a
page containing a URL.  That URL will start with the text "[URL]" --
literally "[", "U", "R", "L" and "]".  That text needs to be replaced
with the proper hostname.
<p>
The address bar of the browser will contain the proper hostname.
Thus, what you should do is to erase all the text in the address bar
<em>except</em> the host name.  Then copy the text from the page contents,
<em>except</em> for "[URL]", into the address bar after the host name.
<p>
If you made the mistake of including two slashes, or no slashes,
after the host name, fix that manually.
<p>
Then visit that page, fill in the form, and finish signing.
<p>
If you sign, please spread the word!


feed_id: a7b87f8e2f6a7730c5fd01a23f9ac146
title: Money for War but Not Public Services?
uri: Money-for-War-but-Not-Public-Services
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#4_January_2021_%28Money_for_War_but_Not_Public_Services%29

content:
<p>
*Jeremy Corbyn:
<a href="https://jacobinmag.com/2020/12/jeremy-corbyn-defense-spending-uk-military">Why
Is There Always Money for War but Not Public Services?</a>*


feed_id: eeb54bff2e34984410cbc9a78c13002f
title: Terrorist pages on Facebook
uri: Terrorist-pages-on-Facebook
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#4_January_2021_%28Terrorist_pages_on_Facebook%29
content:
<p>
Facebook says it works very hard to catch terrorist pages, but it's
<a href="https://apnews.com/article/f97c24dab4f34bd0b48b36f2988952a4">amazing
how much it does not find</a>.


feed_id: 52a06dda71f39ae9516ed9389cbba2fe
title: Governments using Facebook for disinformation
uri: Governments-using-Facebook-for-disinformation
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#4_January_2021_%28Governments_using_Facebook_for_disinformation%29

content:
<p>
Many governments and political factions, in many countries, are
<a href="https://www.buzzfeednews.com/article/craigsilverman/facebook-ignore-political-manipulation-whistleblower-memo">making
massive use of Facebook for disinformation</a>.
<p>
The employee in charge of dealing this was fired, and posted
internally a report on the magnitude of the problem.  It seems that in
most of these cases the staff mean well but they have no idea how to
cope.


feed_id: 1041157c99146c61de3bcd41e2991e9f
title: Britain willing to trade away everything
uri: Britain-willing-to-trade-away-everything
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#4_January_2021_%28Britain_willing_to_trade_away_everything%29

content:
<p>
*‘Global Britain’ is willing to trade away everything.
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2021/jan/03/global-britain-is-willing-to-trade-away-everything-including-scruples">Including
scruples</a>.*
<p>
I
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jul-oct.html#09_July_2016_(UKs_vote_to_leave_the_EU)">told
you so</a>, Britons.
<p>
For leaving the EU to be an opportunity to do anything good, you
needed Labour and Corbyn to be in charge.


feed_id: d71c19809cdc422368cfef5c90e97833
title: Geofencing and GPS on farms
uri: Geofencing-and-GPS-on-farms
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#4_January_2021_%28Geofencing_and_GPS_on_farms%29
content:
<p>
Geofencing and GPS
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/jan/03/a-moo-ving-target-fenceless-grazing-widens-possibilities-for-cows-and-wildlife">can
replace fences on farms</a>.  They can also direct cows to visit
certain spots to eat wild plants there while protecting other spots.


feed_id: c720d66b36eef46447f6d77c765894cf
title: South African game reserves culled
uri: South-African-game-reserves-culled
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#4_January_2021_%28South_African_game_reserves_culled%29

content:
<p>
*South African game reserves
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/jan/03/south-african-game-reserves-forced-to-cull-animals-as-covid-halts-tourism">forced
to cull animals</a> as Covid halts tourism.*
<p>
This shows how precarious laborious protection of endangered species
becomes when human society hits a bump.


feed_id: 04d7eb04347d4a1523648a26fe6e81eb
title: Vicious looters threaten Peruvian archaeologist
uri: Vicious-looters-threaten-Peruvian-archaeologist
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#4_January_2021_%28Vicious_looters_threaten_Peruvian_archaeologist%29

content:
<p>
*Squatters
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/jan/03/squatters-ancient-ruins-peru-death-threats-archeologist-caral">issue
death threats</a> to archaeologist who discovered oldest city in the
Americas.*
<p>
Vicious looters of our past deserve severe punishment.


feed_id: ae30b99ff84017397bdd9b48c6f0d673
title: Parody news report of God impregnating Mary
uri: Parody-news-report-of-God-impregnating-Mary
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#4_January_2021_%28Parody_news_report_of_God_impregnating_Mary%29

content:
<p>
Ireland's public broadcasting group broadcast a parody news report
which said that
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/jan/03/irish-state-broadcaster-apologises-over-tv-comedy-depicting-god-as-rapist">God
had been convicted of forcibly impregnating Mary</a> but was given a
suspended sentence.
<p>
Speaking fictionally, do we know for a fact that Mary was unwilling?
<p>
Anyway, I wish I could have downloaded this, but the satire site seems
to have deleted it.


feed_id: 68553d3bffca9b242f3f1c7179bd1382
title: UK in Covid-19 crisis
uri: UK-in-Covid-19-crisis
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#4_January_2021_%28UK_in_Covid-19_crisis%29
content:
<p>
In the UK, during the summer and fall, an influential right-wing
pressure group pushed for "open up and ignore the virus", much as
happened in the US.  They cited Sweden as an example of success to
imitate.  They got
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2021/jan/03/swedish-model-failed-covid-19">funding
associated with the Koch brothers</a>.
<p>
They got what they wanted, and
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2021/jan/03/coronavirus-restrictions-probably-about-to-get-tougher-says-boris-johnson">now
the UK has a Covid-19 crisis</a> and hospitals are overwhelmed.
<p>
The details were different in the US, but it is the same right-wing
death march.  I wonder if it is funded by the same killers in both
countries.
<p>
I do wonder why Sweden avoided having a major first wave when other
countries had one.  Even though it wasn't a lasting solution, it is an
interesting phenomenon that might be useful.


feed_id: a6bafb39833be0586941d74371952e10
title: Crucial lessons of 2020
uri: Crucial-lessons-of-2020
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#4_January_2021_%28Crucial_lessons_of_2020%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2021/jan/03/healthcare-electoral-college-covid-trump-seven-ways-2020-left-america-exposed">Seven
crucial lessons</a> 2020 taught to reality-oriented Americans.


feed_id: 46e9ac196fe0cd29ef509a6f8d534414
title: Poverty ratchet rule exceptions
uri: Poverty-ratchet-rule-exceptions
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#4_January_2021_%28Poverty_ratchet_rule_exceptions%29

content:
<p>
House Democrats "demoted" the poverty ratchet rule, "Paygo", by
adopting
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2021/01/02/paygo-exemptions-house-rules-will-help-pave-way-green-new-deal-and-medicare-all">exceptions
for laws that address the consequences of the climate crisis or
Covid-19</a>.
<p>
I call it the "poverty ratchet rule" because it said that change would
give the poor more support had to be counteracted by a change to cut
other support for the poor.  The result was that any change that cut
support for the poor without any accompanying increment, that
reduction was effectively permanent.
<p>
Adopting a rule like Paygo represents prioritizing the interests of
the rich over the interests of giving he poor a decent life.  In other
words, the rule is a triumph of neoliberalism and <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#doohnibor">dooH niboR</a>.


feed_id: 303fcd932a7812a26ff8716c303a11cb
title: Israeli soldier shoots Palestinian in back of neck
uri: Israeli-soldier-shoots-Palestinian-in-back-of-neck
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#4_January_2021_%28Israeli_soldier_shoots_Palestinian_in_back_of_neck%29

content:
<p>
Israeli soldiers were trying to take a generator away from a
Palestinian house; some Palestinians were holding on to the generator,
so the soldier shot Haroun Abu Aram in the back of the neck and
<a href="https://www.cnn.com/2021/01/02/middleeast/israeli-soldier-shoots-palestinian/index.html">paralyzed
him permanently</a>.
<p>
Israel was demolishing the house, having declared it "illegal", surely
based on one of the
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2012-may-aug.html#26_July_2012_(100-year-old_Palestinian_building_demolished)">usual
unjust pretexts</a>.


feed_id: c7d72a598b0cebaeee0f8183f70cc8e0
title: Facebook's power over the world
uri: Facebook-s-power-over-the-world
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#4_January_2021_%28Facebooks_power_over_the_world%29
content:
<p>
Comparing Facebook to a doomsday machine: its power over the world is
too great, so we must
<a href="https://www.theatlantic.com/technology/archive/2020/12/facebook-doomsday-machine/617384/">get
rid of it before it wrecks things</a>.
<p>
I am proud that I never had a Facebook account.  But if you did have
one, it is not too late to delete it.


feed_id: bf16122899ef23e0576f3f1787882d97
title: Iran intensifies persecution of Baha'is
uri: Iran-intensifies-persecution-of-Baha-is
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#4_January_2021_%28Iran_intensifies_persecution_of_Bahais%29

content:
<p>
Iran has intensified its continuing persecution of Baha'is,
<a href="https://iran-hrm.com/index.php/2020/11/22/iranian-security-agents-raid-50=">raiding
the homes of 50 of them and seizing their computers</a>.


feed_id: 6127c655195ed23bbf3b9d2434a41ac5
title: Denial of reality
uri: Denial-of-reality
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#5_January_2021_%28Denial_of_reality%29
content:
<p>
Reagan was a forerunner for the wrecker's denial of reality,
<a href="https://theintercept.com/2021/01/04/trump-reagan-showtime-documentary/">practicing some of the same forms of denial of reality
and cruelty</a>.


feed_id: f077ca74da50d47e837787c1d8815940
title: Proud Boys leader arrested
uri: Proud-Boys-leader-arrested
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#5_January_2021_%28Proud_Boys_leader_arrested%29
content:
<p>
The head of the right-wing intimidation group, the Proud Boys,
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/jan/04/enrique-tarrio-rightwing-proud-boys-arrested">has been arrested for threatening actions in a rally</a>.


feed_id: 93a4aa42afe68566b440b9d03fb47e02
title: Flight risk
uri: Flight-risk
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#5_January_2021_%28Flight_risk%29
content:
<p>
There are signs the conman <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/jan/04/trump-biden-inauguration-plane-flight-scotland">may be planning to flee the US before Jan 20</a>.

<p>
If his first stop is Scotland, that doesn't mean he will stay there.
It would be natural for him to flee to a country that would protect
him, such as Russia.


feed_id: 78a36c9e65b0de05f042b2a8c2f0b8cb
title: Pay for prison visit
uri: Pay-for-prison-visit
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#5_January_2021_%28Pay_for_prison_visit%29
content:
<p>
Assad's regime makes prisoners' families <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/jan/04/how-syria-uses-prison-to-extort-money-report-arrest-funding-assad-regime">pay heavily to get the
prisoners released, or even to visit them</a>.

<p>
US prisons make the relatives pay heavily even for phone calls with
the prisoners &mdash; and since those relatives are often very poor, this
may be as hard for them as thousand-dollar bribes are for Syrians.


feed_id: 861d8991258fd47660aa1de996c4c422
title: No extradition
uri: No-extradition
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#5_January_2021_%28No_extradition%29
content:
<p>
The judge in Assange's extradition case, who had appeared persistently
prejudiced against him, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/media/2021/jan/04/julian-assange-ruling-us-prisons-grim-record">ruled against extradition</a>.

<p>
This would be an occasion to celebrate, but the decision is not final.
The UK government will appeal it.

<p>
Additionally, the judge cited as reasons only the cruelty of the US
prison system.  This means there will be no protection in the UK
from US efforts to criminalize journalism.

<p>
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2021/01/02/prosecution-assange-attack-our-own-humanity">Background</a>.


feed_id: 5767b2e3b0943cacfb83483078460067
title: Oil tanker seized
uri: Oil-tanker-seized
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#5_January_2021_%28Oil_tanker_seized%29
content:
<p>
Iranian forces <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/jan/04/iran-resumes-enriching-uranium-breach-nuclear-deal">seized a South Korean oil tanker in the Persian Gulf</a>.

<p>
Both Biden and Iran's leaders have said they want to reestablish the
non-nuclear deal as soon as possible.  So why seize a tanker?  That won't
help Iran get what it wants.

<p>
When the wrecker engages in violent acts toward Iran, we understand
this as trying to thwart renewal of the agreement.

<p>
When someone in Iran engages in violent acts toward the US, we must
speculate that it is someone who has some power and is trying to
thwart renewal of the agreement.


feed_id: 1dcf724b30c961d1b942682e4a31e1f2
title: Chopsticks art
uri: Chopsticks-art
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#5_January_2021_%28Chopsticks_art%29
content:
<p>
Converting used bamboo chopsticks by the million <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/jan/04/waste-not-wontons-innovator-recycled-32m-restaurant-chopsticks">into furniture and art</a>.


feed_id: 61c7011822bc98e95860a5a615918ed2
title: Lies for disenfranchisement
uri: Lies-for-disenfranchisement
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#5_January_2021_%28Lies_for_disenfranchisement%29
content:
<p>
Georgia's lawyers lied to a Federal court to justify <a href="https://www.gregpalast.com/secretary-of-state-raffensperger-speaks-with-a-forked-tongue/">their arbitrary
and unjustified disenfranchisement of almost 200,000 black voters</a>.

<p>
Palast's team may win in the end, but it will be too late for
them to vote in the crucial Jan 5 senate runoff.

<p>
In charge of this is same Brad Raffensperger who continues to resist
the conman's pressure to declare the Georgia presidential election
(which he was in charge of) <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/jan/04/trumps-phone-call-to-brad-raffensperger-five-key-points">to be fraudulent and overturn it</a>.

<p>
Doing the right thing once when it is difficult does not make up for
doing wrong on several other occasions.  However, it makes me wonder
why Raffensperger stubbornly defends democracy on one occasion while
trashing it eagerly on others.


feed_id: e6a1ec3328078554c14b31f47d177a11
title: Manipulation techniques
uri: Manipulation-techniques
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#5_January_2021_%28Manipulation_techniques%29
content:
<p>
The most important of the techniques used by Facebook (and other
antisocial media) <a href="https://medium.com/thrive-global/how-technology-hijacks-peoples-minds-from-a-magician-and-google-s-design-ethicist-56d62ef5edf3">to addict and manipulate victims</a>.


feed_id: fdd2588123369386fc84b61568f107cf
title: Maybe not a good thing
uri: Maybe-not-a-good-thing
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#5_January_2021_%28Maybe_not_a_good_thing%29
content:
<p>
Even Facebook staff are starting to doubt <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2020/11/24/technology/facebook-election-misinformation.html">whether Facebook's existence
is a good thing</a>.


feed_id: 662239380fc0482ee3431a673eaf5df9
title: Parody news report of God impregnating Mary
uri: 2021-01-06-Parody-news-report-of-God-impregnating-Mary
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#4_January_2021_%28Parody_news_report_of_God_impregnating_Mary%29

content:
<p>
Ireland's public broadcasting group broadcast a parody news report
which said that
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/jan/03/irish-state-broadcaster-apologises-over-tv-comedy-depicting-god-as-rapist">God
had been convicted of forcibly impregnating Mary</a> but was given a
suspended sentence.
<p>
Speaking fictionally, do we know for a fact that Mary was unwilling?
<p>
I wish I could have downloaded this, but the satire site seems
to have deleted it.  Can anyone find a copy?


feed_id: 5ea271a5a2ccbefb5cfa8ff8e857cfc2
title: Fighting neofascist Republicans
uri: Fighting-neofascist-Republicans
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#6_January_2021_%28Fighting_neofascist_Republicans%29

content:
<p>

*In 2021, the <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2021/01/04/2021-best-way-fight-neofascist-republicans-fight-neoliberal-democrats">Best Way to Fight Neofascist Republicans</a> Is to Fight Neoliberal
Democrats.*
<p>
"Neoliberal" is a valid name for the right-wing ideology that
"moderate" Democrats support, but I'd rather call it by a name
that says what is wrong with it: "plutocratism" or
"<a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#doohnibor">dooH niboR</a>".


feed_id: 30b2317d99e32785df59a3926253450c
title: Assange extradition case
uri: Assange-extradition-case
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#6_January_2021_%28Assange_extradition_case%29
content:
<p>

More about the <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2021/01/04/uk/julian-assange-extradition-wikileaks-us-gbr-intl/index.html">extradition case against Assange</a>.


feed_id: 1cc16a2c8c7b48d5c63d593be3c3690c
title: Milan reducing greenhouse emissions
uri: Milan-reducing-greenhouse-emissions
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#6_January_2021_%28Milan_reducing_greenhouse_emissions%29

content:
<p>

Milan is taking advantage of the hiatus in office work and tourism
to <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/jan/05/milan-mayor-covid-strategy-beppe-sala-pandemic-green-solutions-crisis">move decisively to reduce greenhouse emissions</a>.
<p>
The one bad thing about the electric cars is that they have done nothing
to reduce the tracking they implement.


feed_id: f0d920927191d33b1ba0983ce6672a48
title: WHO team studying Covid's origins
uri: WHO-team-studying-Covid-s-origins
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#6_January_2021_%28WHO_team_studying_Covid%27s_origins%29

content:
<p>

*China <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/jan/05/china-blocks-entry-to-who-team-studying-covids-origins">blocks entry to WHO team</a> studying Covid's origins.*
<p>
Their plan was to visit Wuhan to investigate how Covid-19 transferred
to human hosts.  I'm curious about what they would do to investigate
this.


feed_id: 2d112fc4ec15191459c9fcaf75884479
title: Privatized deportation prisons
uri: Privatized-deportation-prisons
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#6_January_2021_%28Privatized_deportation_prisons%29
content:
<p>

The US deportation thugs <a href="https://theintercept.com/2021/01/05/ice-detention-center-oversight-report/">cover up the cruelty</a> of the privatized
deportation prisons by sending a privatized inspection team to visit
and report that everything is entirely according to specs.


feed_id: 79125de1ab065ca333a1a5ed9106b680
title: Urgent: Urge your senators to vote no on Neera Tanden
uri: Urgent-Urge-your-senators-to-vote-no-on-Neera-Tanden
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#6_January_2021_%28Urgent%3A_Urge_your_senators_to_vote_no_on_Neera_Tanden%29

content:
<p>

US citizens: call on your senators to <a href="https://act.rootsaction.org/p/dia/action4/common/public/">vote no on Neera Tanden</a>.
<p>
This petition has trouble when Javascript is disabled, but here is a
workaround for the trouble.
<p>
When you sign the petition with Javascript disabled,
it will display a page containing a URL.  That URL will start
with the text "[URL]" &mdash; literally "[", "U", "R", "L" and "]".
That text needs to be replaced with the proper hostname.
<p>
The address bar of the browser will contain the proper hostname.
Thus, what you should do is to erase all the text in the address bar
<em>except</em> the host name.  Then copy the text from the page contents,
<em>except</em> for "[URL]", into the address bar after the host name.
<p>
If you made the mistake of including two slashes, or no slashes,
after the host name, fix that manually.
<p>
Then visit that page, fill in the form, and finish signing.


feed_id: dd91ce271b760722c1c817f750859c72
title: Urgent: Support for the Green New Deal
uri: Urgent-Support-for-the-Green-New-Deal
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#6_January_2021_%28Urgent%3A_Support_for_the_Green_New_Deal%29

content:
<p>

US citizens: state your <a href="https://act.ocasiocortez.com/signup/ads-jacobin-2021q1-gnd/">support for the Green New Deal</a>.


feed_id: 68a12d2e51f3d8a15c3cb88983421dc6
title: Government-run online store
uri: Government-run-online-store
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#6_January_2021_%28Government-run_online_store%29
content:
<p>
Argentina <a href="https://www.opendemocracy.net/en/oureconomy/what-would-state-owned-amazon-look-ask-argentina/">has launched a government-run online store</a>,
CorreoCompras, to compete with the near-monopoly private store,
MercadoLibre, which is the local equivalent of Amazon.

<p>
Although it may avoid many of <a href="https://stallman.org/amazon.html">the evils of Amazon</a>,
  this is not guaranteed.  It is run by a state-owned company, but a
company nonetheless.  It will be subject to the pressure to increase
sales and that will translate into pressure to do the things Amazon
does to increase sales &mdash; except whichever things the state <em>orders</em>
it not to do.

<p>
However, the fundamental direct evils of Amazon are identifying people
when they pay, and making them run non-free JavaScript code.
On these issues, CorreoCompras is no better.


feed_id: af3f9742e4ff5a2010f0ec3cf174ae03
title: Federal crime and state crime
uri: Federal-crime-and-state-crime
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#6_January_2021_%28Federal_crime_and_state_crime%29
content:
<p>
The corrupter's call to pressure Raffensperger to carry out election
fraud was, it appears, a federal crime and a state crime under the
laws of Georgie.  Democrats in Congress <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2021/01/04/open-and-shut-federal-and-state-crime-members-congress-demand-prosecution-trump">are rightly demanding to
prosecute him</a>.
  This may convince Biden not to let him off the hook.  I hope so.

<p>
It is likely that the corrupter tried pressuring officials in other states,
because <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2021/01/03/trump-accused-criminal-extortion-after-asking-georgia-officials-find-11000-votes-him">corrupting Georgia alone would not have brought him victory</a>.

<p>
Some call for Congress to impeach him again, but if there are not
enough Republicans in the Senate willing to convict him, that would be
futile.  Anyway, what's the use of removing him from office a few days
earlier?

<p>
Then we will face the challenge of keeping him in the US to face trial
&mdash; stopping him from fleeing the previous day to a country which will
not extradite him.  The flight he has arranged goes to Scotland, but I
suspect that would only be a temporary stop on the way to his ultimate
destination.


feed_id: 48729b9d3b0fa693171efbe258024773
title: Just cause
uri: Just-cause
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#6_January_2021_%28Just_cause%29
content:
<p>
New York City has prohibited fast-food chain restaurants from firing
workers, or cutting their work hours, <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2021/01/03/want-bargaining-rights">without just cause</a>.

<p>
This should enable workers to be less intimidated by the manager.
Criminal abuses such as <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2015-jan-apr.html#13_March_2015_(Wage_theft)">theft of wages are rife in those restaurants</a>,
                                                             and this
<p>
protection may enable workers to exercise their legal rights by
reporting the abuses.

<p>
I won't presume that the two bills just passed go far enough &mdash; I
don't know enough to have an opinion on that.


feed_id: c82fb840bdd5090df43fa9dbd53bc7f7
title: Contractors union
uri: Contractors-union
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#6_January_2021_%28Contractors_union%29
content:
<p>
200 Google workers <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2021/01/04/tech/google-alphabet-union/index.html">have formed a union</a>.
   They are determined to include contractors, so they have decided
not to apply for formal recognition.  We need to change US law so that
contract workers, even subcontracted workers, can unionize.


feed_id: 55c7fd43ef2c48ec9d1aa9a08d811921
title: Hospital prices
uri: Hospital-prices
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#6_January_2021_%28Hospital_prices%29
content:
<p>
A clock running backwards is right four times a day, and occasionally
the conman does something good.  One of them was to require hospitals
to publish their prices <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2021/01/04/politics/hospital-price-transparency-trump-rule/index.html">for a long list of medical procedures</a>.

<p>
In addition to giving patients the opportunity to say, "I will go
elsewhere" &mdash; those who are well enough to do so &mdash; it is also likely
to result in pressure to lower the prices.  That will help all
patients without insurance.  However, it is likely to pressure on
insurance companies to pay hospitals more, and thus charge more.
Overall it will be an improvement, but the US medical system will
still be lousy overall.

<p>
The US needs a national medical system, also known as Medicare for
All.


feed_id: 9666b51ab14fe318bdf05d7025f516ff
title: Asylum
uri: 2021-01-06-Asylum
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#6_January_2021_%28Asylum%29
content:
<p>
*Mexico's Lopez Obrador <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2021/01/04/mexicos-lopez-obrador-wants-give-asylum-julian-assange">Wants to Give Asylum to Julian Assange</a>.*


feed_id: 18f2b2a10722677052e1a5ce0d9b20c0
title: Fossil-fuel non-proliferation
uri: Fossil-fuel-non-proliferation
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#6_January_2021_%28Fossil-fuel_non-proliferation%29
content:
<p>
A privately designed treaty uses the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2021/01/04/treat-fossil-fuels-nukes-endorse-new-nonproliferation-treaty">as a model to end the spread of fossil fuel extraction</a>.


feed_id: d7ee9b6b883d56bfc50d1475a17f5b17
title: Teledildo
uri: Teledildo
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#6_January_2021_%28Teledildo%29
content:
<p>
A question to ponder: if you are using <a href="https://www.wired.com/story/internet-connected-sex-toys-security">one of those teledildos with
bad security</a>, 
              and a cracker takes control of it, what could the
cracker do to you with it?

<p>
If it were Durand Durand's sex machine, which he uses to try to kill
Barbarella, that crack could be deadly (unless you're as innocent in
your sexuality as Barbarella).  But if it's only a vibrator, you could
resist its effects until you take it off.

<p>
The one thing the toy could really do for the cracker is snoop on you
for per.  That would be in addition to snooping on you for the
manufacturer &mdash; which is exactly what the manufacturer designed it to
do.

<p>
So if you don't want to be snooped on, <em>don't use that thing at all</em>.
Nearly all products in the Internet of Things <a href="https://gnu.org/malware/proprietary-surveillance.html ">are designed to snoop
on the "owner", and worse</a>.

<p>
Demand a teledildo run by free software so that <em>you</em> can control who,
if anyone, can communicate with it.


feed_id: 6ec7b8a6c8a4040ef86a7301eb7a9a1e
title: No chance of conviction
uri: No-chance-of-conviction
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#7_January_2021_%28No_chance_of_conviction%29
content:
<p>
The state of Wisconsin said there is no chance of convicting the cop
that shot and paralyzed Jacob Blake.  The events as he reported them
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/jan/05/jacob-blake-officers-not-charged-kenosha-wisconsin-shooting">would justify his plea to have fired in self defense</a>.
   whether or not he was actually in immediate danger.

<p>
We can't take for granted that the state reached the correct
conclusion.  The officials may not have tried hard enough.


feed_id: 5e787c758f8e011391a6e13e7a8c0bdc
title: Pro-democracy politicians arrested
uri: Pro-democracy-politicians-arrested
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#7_January_2021_%28Pro-democracy_politicians_arrested%29

content:
<p>
*   More than 50 pro-democracy politicians and campaigners have been
   arrested in Hong Kong <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/jan/06/dozens-of-hong-kong-pro-democracy-figures-arrested-in-sweeping-crackdown">under the [so-called] national security law</a>.*


feed_id: cc325ae551ebcb96b7f620b176df3da0
title: Crushing of Press Freedom
uri: Crushing-of-Press-Freedom
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#7_January_2021_%28Crushing_of_Press_Freedom%29
content:
<p>
*Assange Wins. The Cost: <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2021/01/04/assange-wins-cost-crushing-press-freedom">The Crushing of Press Freedom</a>.* 
   Instead of the freedom Assange deserves, he may get a form of
clemency on the grounds that cruelty has left him mentally ill.


feed_id: 899556ec3a3b98adb8668789ece19884
title: Will to overthrow democracy
uri: Will-to-overthrow-democracy
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#7_January_2021_%28Will_to_overthrow_democracy%29
content:
<p>
(<a href="https://www.theonion.com/rueful-trump-wishes-he-knew-republicans-this-willing-to-1845984905">satire</a>) *Rueful Trump Wishes He Knew Republicans This Willing To
Overthrow Democracy Earlier In Term.*


feed_id: c3ba7a2946a5d1815016ab371735bffc
title: Patients on the edge of death
uri: Patients-on-the-edge-of-death
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#7_January_2021_%28Patients_on_the_edge_of_death%29
content:
<p>
California hospitals are full, so ambulance crews have been directed
<a href="https://www.cnn.com/world/live-news/coronavirus-pandemic-vaccine-updates-01-05-21/h_3690ed33c0ebc7efaf094f296aa79ecd">not to bring in patients who are on the edge of death</a>.

<p>
This is what happens when you choose to let a communicable disease run
rampant.


feed_id: 39e86ef8fc290dec76c73043f8ba5b58
title: Feral cats
uri: 2021-01-07-Feral-cats
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#7_January_2021_%28Feral_cats%29
content:
<p>
Feral cats <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/jan/06/australian-wildlife-20-times-more-likely-to-encounter-deadly-feral-cats-than-native-predators">are pushing many Australian species to extinction</a>.


feed_id: bd9a96160e9619150f32ca3a541edaee
title: Remain in Mexico Policy
uri: Remain-in-Mexico-Policy
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#7_January_2021_%28Remain_in_Mexico_Policy%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#bully">The bully</a>'s "remain in Mexico" policy "needlessly and foreseeably
exposed [asylum seekers] to considerable risk of serious harm",
ranging from armed robbery to rape to kidnapping, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/jan/06/remain-in-mexico-migrants-trump-biden-human-rights-watch">according to Human
Rights Watch</a>.
  Some of these crimes were committed by Mexican government <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thugs</a>.


feed_id: 86d891634b66d4f67c7601f5192374da
title: Unionized delivery employees
uri: Unionized-delivery-employees
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#7_January_2021_%28Unionized_delivery_employees%29
content:
<p>
Uber propagandized Californians to pass Proposition 22, which allowed
companies to treat drivers as precarious contractors.  Now Albertsons,
which owns several chains of supermarkets (Vons and Safeway, as well
as Albertsons) <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2021/01/05/devastating-effects-ca-prop-22-begin-albertsons-stores-move-replace-unionized">is firing unionized delivery employees and switching to
contractors</a>.

<p>
I won't have a supermarket deliver, not even with union workers,
because I can't do that anonymously.


feed_id: d9e469bf2615fa5cd261a6490b3d7f45
title: Concept of death
uri: Concept-of-death
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#7_January_2021_%28Concept_of_death%29
content:
<p>
(<a href="https://www.theonion.com/scientists-attempt-to-convince-public-to-take-covid-mor-1845989249">satire</a>) *Scientists Attempt To Convince Public To Take Covid More Seriously By
Explaining Concept Of Death.*


feed_id: 8457412b6b592f80bf5d0b4d32ff1f02
title: Unemployment check
uri: Unemployment-check
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#7_January_2021_%28Unemployment_check%29
content:
<p>
*More than a million Americans are reportedly still waiting on their
   first unemployment check thanks in large part to a fragmented U.S.
   benefit system that has been marred <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2021/01/05/decades-anti-government-politics-blamed-1-million-us-still-waiting-months-jobless">by years of inadequate funding,
   outdated technology, and right-wing attacks</a>.*


feed_id: bdcd8a5cd0729a3f8f458ba767ec0a0e
title: Arrest of the bully
uri: Arrest-of-the-bully
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#7_January_2021_%28Arrest_of_the_bully%29
content:
<p>
Iran has asked Interpol <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2021/01/05/iran-issues-red-notice-demand-interpol-arrest-trump-47-us-officials-soleimani">to arrest the bully on charges of
assassination</a>.

<p>
They have a good reason to do this, but the <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#bully">bully</a> should be tried in
the US for trying to overthrow the government and installing a
nondemocratic regime.


feed_id: 060039a429421bfa166e41d721c2c05b
title: Prohibition of nuclear weapons
uri: Prohibition-of-nuclear-weapons
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#7_January_2021_%28Prohibition_of_nuclear_weapons%29
content:
<p>
*Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons: <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2021/01/05/treaty-prohibition-nuclear-weapons-road-there-and-road-ahead">The Road There and the Road
Ahead</a>.*


feed_id: 218b5916ece8656073a922584ae47af0
title: Carbon tax
uri: 2021-01-07-Carbon-tax
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#7_January_2021_%28Carbon_tax%29
content:
<p>
Advocating a carbon tax, combined with and giving the tax revenue to
poor people <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2021/jan/05/simple-way-green-economy-cash-prizes-carbon-dividend">so that it is revenue-neutral</a>.


feed_id: 4b283d2203c6a09c02340332072d8cff
title: Covid cognitive problems
uri: Covid-cognitive-problems
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#7_January_2021_%28Covid_cognitive_problems%29
content:
<p>
A study of thousands of people who had Covid-19 for over a month
found that <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/society/2021/jan/05/many-long-covid-sufferers-unable-fully-work-six-months-later">85% of them suffered from cognitive and memory problems
six months later</a>.
  Almost one quarter of them are now unable to work.

<p>
There is, as yet, no way of knowing whether they will ever recover.

<p>
The study did not use a rigorous sample, so it could be subject to
various biases.  But if it turns out that even 50% have a mental
disability, it is still a tremendous risk.  The flu might kill you
(though the chances are much less than with Covid-19), but it won't
mentally handicap you.

<p>
It is very important to help other people avoid Covid-19.


feed_id: 2d5d256f803f9e855bfd84fd6c0a4449
title: Punishing lawyers
uri: Punishing-lawyers
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#7_January_2021_%28Punishing_lawyers%29
content:
<p>
China is punishing lawyers <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/jan/05/china-moves-to-punish-lawyers-who-helped-hong-kong-activists">who worked for some recently persecuted
dissidents</a>.

<p>
It's one of the ways that the Chinese state ensures that people it wishes
to crush do not really have any legal rights, notwithstanding laws which
say that they do.


feed_id: cac6c949b3e1dd03f6f9df548a7b5b5a
title: Far-right German provocateur
uri: Far-right-German-provocateur
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#8_January_2021_%28Far-right_German_provocateur%29
content:
<p>

*The far-right German provocateur who <a href="https://boingboing.net/2021/01/03/the-far-right-german-provocateur-who-faked-being-a-syrian-refugee.html">faked being a Syrian refugee</a>.*
He has been charged with planning false-flag assassinations to give
real refugees a bad name.


feed_id: c315eb8e333b8ea2b86415527caf94c4
title: Christian fanatics in Ohio
uri: Christian-fanatics-in-Ohio
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#8_January_2021_%28Christian_fanatics_in_Ohio%29
content:
<p>

Christian fanatics in Ohio have found a new way to harass women who
get abortions: to <a href="https://thehill.com/homenews/state-watch/532259-ohio-governor-signs-bill-requiring-women-to-choose-burial-or-cremation">make them pay for the burial or cremation of the
aborted fetus</a>.


feed_id: 994c847bba89b19bf62f2f8b94e3d607
title: Oil and gas companies planning to increase their extraction
uri: Oil-and-gas-companies-planning-to-increase-their-extraction
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#8_January_2021_%28Oil_and_gas_companies_planning_to_increase_their_extraction%29

content:
<p>

The world's oil and gas companies are still making a profit and still
planning to <a href="https://nymag.com/intelligencer/2020/03/shell-climate-change.html">increase their extraction</a> to make more profit.
<p>
When they talk about "going green", it is part distraction (look at
the wind farms we are building and ignore all the CO2 our oil
generates, look at our reduction in emissions from our own operations
and ignore the emissions when customers burn our product), and part
co-optation (when Shell buys a solar energy company that doesn't
necessarily increase solar energy investment).  All designed to let
them keep increasing the problem.
<p>
They want us to give them subsidies for green energy systems even
bigger than the the subsidies they get for extracting oil and gas.
Then they would make the transition, but slowly.
<p>
They would be quite capable of putting earnest efforts into a
transition to green energy, if we eliminate the subsidies for
gas and oil and replace them with a <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#28_October_2019_(Carbon_taxes)">carbon tax</a>.


feed_id: fe198f06667c193d793727c83adccc2c
title: Pennsylvania state senate
uri: Pennsylvania-state-senate
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#8_January_2021_%28Pennsylvania_state_senate%29
content:
<p>

Republicans dominate the Pennsylvania state senate, but they decided
to increase their majority by arbitrarily <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2021/01/05/shameful-power-grab-pennsylvania-gop-state-senators-slammed-refusing-seat-certified">refusing to seat one
Democratic state senator</a>.
<p>
Democrats criticized this action, but I wonder, can they do anything to
stop it?
<p>
Pennsylvania has a Democratic majority, but Republicans have imposed
minority rule in the state senate via gerrymandering.


feed_id: 2e191c686b4b4912ce63ee2f29b1f1d2
title: Police treatment of insurrectionists
uri: Police-treatment-of-insurrectionists
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#8_January_2021_%28Police_treatment_of_insurrectionists%29

content:
<p>

People have noticed that the Capitol police were very gentle with the
insurrectionists, and <a hef="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/jan/06/us-capitol-trump-mob-police-protesters">contrasted this</a> with the violence of thugs in
many cities towards peaceful protesters for Black Lives Matter and
other progressive causes.
<p>
That the Capitol police restrained their violence was a good thing,
and I think that helped some Republican leaders to withdraw their
support from the wrecker.  What was not good is that <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thugs</a> did not
extend the same respect and decency towards progressive protesters.
<p>
Why this difference?  I think the Capitol police have been trained in
how to deal with protesters with restraint and respecting their
rights.  They expect protests and expect journalists to be watching.
<p>
By contrast, the <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thug</a> departments of cities vary.  Some of them have
a culture of violence toward progressives and especially blacks.
<p>
As has been <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jul-oct.html#1_October_2020_(Right_wing_extremists_infiltrating_thugs)">pointed out</a>,
most <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thugs</a> are right-wing and have cheered on right-wing
counterprotesters even when those are <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jul-oct.html#29_August_2020_(Outrage_grows_over_police_treatment_of_alleged_Kenosha_Killer)">killing Black Lives Matter
protesters</a>.
I saw a rumor that some even took selfies with the insurrectionists
at the Capitol.


feed_id: 6ee56e0e285ec4a86bfbd8c88dff2bb7
title: Punishments for violations Covid-19 emergency regulations
uri: Punishments-for-violations-Covid-19-emergency-regulations
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#8_January_2021_%28Punishments_for_violations_Covid-19_emergency_regulations%29

content:
<p>

Records show that nonwhites in the US tend to get <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2021/jan/06/covid-violations-people-of-color-punished-more-harshly">worse punishments</a>
than whites for violations of Covid-19 emergency regulations.
This demonstrates racist injustice at work.
<p>
The article linked to just above displays symbolic bigotry by
capitalizing "black" but not "white".  (To avoid that bigotry,
capitalize both words or neither one.)  I object to bigotry, and
normally I decline to link to articles which promote it.  But I make
an exception for articles which give important information about
racism or the fight to eliminate racism.  That article is one of the
exceptions.


feed_id: 8e53b029dbeb97854709a230894e8ec7
title: Trying to organize unions in tech companies
uri: Trying-to-organize-unions-in-tech-companies
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#8_January_2021_%28Trying_to_organize_unions_in_tech_companies%29

content:
<p>

The Communications Workers of America is <a href="https://www.code-cwa.org/about-code-cwa">trying to organize unions</a>
in tech companies.
<p>
I support this, even though many of those companies distribute unjust
<a href="https://gnu.org/philosophy/free-software-even-more-important.html">nonfree software</a> or operate online dis-services.
<p>
Those companies should not exist in their current form &mdash; but as long
as the company does exist, it's good to make it workers better.


feed_id: ef82a8f4dd9685d206bbfa441b2250a6
title: Auctions of oil leases in Arctic refuge
uri: Auctions-of-oil-leases-in-Arctic-refuge
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#8_January_2021_%28Auctions_of_oil_leases_in_Arctic_refuge%29

content:
<p>

*[Sabotage] auction of oil leases in Arctic refuge <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/jan/06/trump-arctic-refuge-auction-oil-leases">attracts barely any
 bidders</a>.*
<p>
In the end, the State of Alaska ended up leasing most of the tracts.
This makes sense as sabotage &mdash; to prevent protection of ANWR.  But
the federal government should have legitimate ways of convincing
Alaska to accept cancellation of those leases.


feed_id: 21bb5e5ea1158faadefdeba1f46a1c25
title: Republican support for the wrecker
uri: Republican-support-for-the-wrecker
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#8_January_2021_%28Republican_support_for_the_wrecker%29

content:
<p>

Since the violent insurrection at the Capitol was overcome, a number
of Republican officials have denounced the wrecker and his coup
attempt.  Some have, it seems, dropped their support for their part in
it.
<p>
Ilhan Omar is preparing to impeach the wrecker again.  I share her
disgust for him, but would this do any good?
<p>
The first impeachment was ineffective because the Republicans in the
Senate protected him.  Is it worth trying again?  Perhaps now enough
Republican senators are ready to remove him from office.  If not, some
Republican support for impeachment &mdash; if there is any &mdash; might educate
Republicans.
<p>
However, bad results are also possible.  Firstly, it would not affect
any of the sabotage that Republicans will continue doing until Jan 20.
Pence would continue those efforts.
<p>
Secondly, if Pence becomes president he might pardon the wrecker.
<p>
Indeed, I've seen speculation that the wrecker might resign so that
Pence can pardon him.  But I don't know if he could bear the
humiliation of leaving office early.


feed_id: 7367425f05a1504a3e6d7289716c1d5c
title: Supporters of the wrecker broke into the capital by force
uri: Supporters-of-the-wrecker-broke-into-the-capital-by-force
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#8_January_2021_%28Supporters_of_the_wrecker_broke_into_the_capital_by_force%29

content:
<p>

The wrecker spoke to crowd of his supporters in DC and sent them to
attack the Capitol.  They <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/jan/06/us-capitol-trump-mob-election-democracy">broke in by force and interrupted Congress</a>,
and tried to take over the building.
<p>
Violence against the US under a Confederate flags declares treason as
well as racism.
<p>
Rebecca Solnit: *   I call it a <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2021/jan/06/trump-mob-storm-capitol-washington-coup-attempt">coup attempt</a> because, though I assume that it will not
   prevent the Biden presidency, it certainly intended to.*
<p>
I agree.
<p>
Using rioters in the streets alongside action by insiders is common
practice in coup attempts.  That worked, temporarily, in Bolivia in
2018.  I think it was employed in Czechoslovakia in 1948.  I am sure
there are other examples that don't come to my mind now.
<p>
I criticize Solnit on one point.  She repeatedly describes the actions
of the coup supporters as "white male rage."  That is an unjust
racist/sexist generalization: it falsely imputes that attitude to all
white males.  Bernie Sanders is a white male; so are various other                                                                                                                                                progressive leaders.  So is Biden.  They do not participate in that
"white male rage".  I am not of Sanders's stature, but I too have
rejected that attitude all my life.
<p>
This stereotype is just as wrong as the hostile stereotypes about
blacks and about women, which I am sure Solnit would call out.


feed_id: c0a4ebc2fb0271712e3b98636818e1b8
title: Molluscs of the eastern Mediterranean
uri: Molluscs-of-the-eastern-Mediterranean
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#8_January_2021_%28Molluscs_of_the_eastern_Mediterranean%29

content:
<p>

The heat of the eastern Mediterranean is <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/jan/06/severe-climate-driven-loss-of-native-molluscs-reported-off-israels-coast">quickly wiping out</a> the
molluscs that live there.
<p>
As <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#global heating">global heating</a> proceeds, the extinction of molluscs will spread to
more areas of the sea.


feed_id: e1cbcf982e6caa4e5dd6f20f7610fada
title: Report on the insurrection
uri: Report-on-the-insurrection
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#8_January_2021_%28Report_on_the_insurrection%29
content:
<p>
Reporting on <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/jan/06/trump-capitol-american-carnage-washington">the insurrectionist mob at the Capitol</a>.

<p>
Some of the insurrectionists <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/jan/07/capitol-attack-trump-targeted-journalists">attacked journalists</a>.


feed_id: 289cc5526542a2dad987f6a2d0c6a06c
title: Domestic terrorists
uri: Domestic-terrorists
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#8_January_2021_%28Domestic_terrorists%29
content:
<p>
Biden called the Capitol insurrectionists "domestic terrorists"
and <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/jan/07/joe-biden-trump-mob-domestic-terrorists">condemned the wrecker as the enemy of the Constitution</a>.

<p>
This suggests he has dropped the idea of letting the wrecker off the
hook.  I am very glad.

<p>
Democratic politicians and progressive groups are calling for Pence
and the cabinet to declare the wrecker unfit and remove him from
office, which they have the power to do.  I would support this call,
except for one thing: Pence would become president and might pardon
the wrecker straightaway.

<p>
If Pence were committed not to pardon him, then I would support it.

<p>
Impeaching the wrecker now would run into similar problems.
Appropriate though it would be in principle, prosecuting him later is
more important than whatever we do to him for the next 12 days.


feed_id: a4849823357e927cd136bae754eb68e7
title: Resigning
uri: Resigning
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#8_January_2021_%28Resigning%29
content:
<p>
(<a href="https://theintercept.com/2021/01/07/trump-administration-resignations/">satire</a>) *Why I Am Resigning After Stabbing 97 People for Donald Trump.*


feed_id: c32ee6346eed4b3ad5fc870320e3b87a
title: Net zero emissions
uri: Net-zero-emissions
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#8_January_2021_%28Net_zero_emissions%29
content:
<p>
*Global heating could stabilize <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/jan/07/global-heating-stabilize-net-zero-emissions">if net zero emissions achieved,
 scientists say</a>.*


feed_id: 512a936ad87ea3307a3c494e2025b229
title: Mobs with guns
uri: Mobs-with-guns
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#8_January_2021_%28Mobs_with_guns%29
content:
<p>
Mobs of Republicans assembled around various state Capitols,
often with guns, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/jan/06/trump-rally-protest-statehouses-capitols-state-capitals">and threatened the state officials</a>.


feed_id: 11a0a3e81be1881dfac0c6462d36e2da
title: Mental health initiative
uri: Mental-health-initiative
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#8_January_2021_%28Mental_health_initiative%29
content:
<p>
(<a href="https://www.theonion.com/new-mental-health-initiative-to-add-10-000-beds-to-nati-1845853116">satire</a>) *New Mental Health Initiative To Add 10,000 Beds To Nation’s Prisons.*


feed_id: 94d83dcaa61d42e67850aa7b09bd77ba
title: Commerce secretary
uri: Commerce-secretary
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#8_January_2021_%28Commerce_secretary%29
content:
<p>
*Why Progressives Should Care <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2021/01/06/why-progressives-should-care-about-bidens-pick-commerce-secretary">About Biden's Pick for Commerce Secretary</a>.*


feed_id: 7b1e244eb785855f45e2c1051d55d43b
title: No excuse
uri: No-excuse
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#8_January_2021_%28No_excuse%29
content:
<p>
*If Democrats Control the Senate They Have No Excuse: <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2021/01/06/if-democrats-control-senate-they-have-no-excuse-restore-net-neutrality-ban">Restore Net Neutrality,
Ban Facial Recognition, Protect Section 230, End Big Tech Data Harvesting,
and Defend Online Human Rights</a>.*


feed_id: 8382d51114de73e12f0937ee94754e66
title: Last effort
uri: Last-effort
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#8_January_2021_%28Last_effort%29
content:
<p>
(<a href="https://www.theonion.com/ted-cruz-makes-last-effort-to-block-election-result-by-1846001142">satire</a>) *Ted Cruz Makes Last Effort To Block Election Result By
Unleashing Wave Of Locusts From Mouth To Black Out Sun.*


feed_id: 5673f27f3741d7e42b83393f0c334c5b
title: Science demands
uri: Science-demands
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#8_January_2021_%28Science_demands%29
content:
<p>
* The press must measure the Biden administration’s actions [on
   climate defense] <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2021/01/06/climate-action-finally-table-journalists-must-redouble-their-commitment-climate">against what the science demands</a>.*

<p>
"Not getting worse quite as fast as before" is not sufficient.


feed_id: 8d1b04e6250d4fa33e4e14f326eee077
title: Summary of events
uri: Summary-of-events
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#8_January_2021_%28Summary_of_events%29
content:
<p>
A detailed summary of events <a href="https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2021/1/6/2006527/-Social-Studies-Teachers-What-should-we-teach-today-about-events-in-Washington-DC?_=2021-01-06T16:34:26.373-08:00">in the Jan 6 insurrection at the US Capitol</a>.


feed_id: 27f4c14aa6804358c31224a4a4044267
title: Urgent: Drop charges against Julian Assange
uri: Urgent-Drop-charges-against-Julian-Assange
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#10_January_2021_%28Urgent%3A_Drop_charges_against_Julian_Assange%29

content:
<p>

Everyone: call on the US to <a href="https://i.diem25.org/petitions/43">drop charges against Julian Assange</a>.


feed_id: 2ab5ba81f9778ebcab85dba258346994
title: 2020 tied for hottest year
uri: 2020-tied-for-hottest-year
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#10_January_2021_%282020_tied_for_hottest_year%29
content:
<p>

2020 was <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/jan/08/climate-crisis-experts-2020-joint-hottest-year-ever-recorded">tied for the hottest year</a> ever since records began.


feed_id: 3629a57af5f4c7ad1d7c29d767329cf9
title: Tories allowed Covid-19 to get out of control in the UK
uri: Tories-allowed-Covid-19-to-get-out-of-control-in-the-UK
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#10_January_2021_%28Tories_allowed_Covid-19_to_get_out_of_control_in_the_UK%29

content:
<p>

The Tories foolishly allowed Covid-19 to get out of control in the UK,
by "reopening the economy" and running incompetent privatized contact
tracing.  Now the <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/jan/08/the-worst-by-a-cataclysmic-margin-the-race-to-save-the-nhs-from-covid">NHS is overwhelmed</a> by far more patients than it can
handle, and the numbers keep increasing.
<p>
It takes mental firmness to hate a buffoon who laughs off all his
deadly wrong decisions, but Britons must summon that firmness.


feed_id: b4b2d5a27a7effec393c67bf5fc94923
title: A challenge getting Democrats to agree
uri: A-challenge-getting-Democrats-to-agree
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#10_January_2021_%28A_challenge_getting_Democrats_to_agree%29

content:
<p>

With a margin of 51 to 50 in the Senate, it <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/jan/08/50-50-senate-split-joe-biden">will be a challenge</a> to get
all the Democrats to agree.
<p>
The first law they pass should be statehood for Washington, DC.
That would mean two more senators, certainly Democrats.
<p>
I used to feel that making basic decisions like that for partisan
reasons went counter to civic spirit.  However, this year, seeing how
Republicans have done counter to civic spirit to an enormous degree, I
concluded that this small amount against them is excusable.


feed_id: aa8ed343ac56b00277fcd20000521d57
title: WhatsApp users compelled to hand over their data
uri: WhatsApp-users-compelled-to-hand-over-their-data
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#10_January_2021_%28WhatsApp_users_compelled_to_hand_over_their_data%29

content:
<p>

Facebook will compel all WhatsApp users to <a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/carlypage/2021/01/08/whatsapp-tells-users-share-your-data-with-facebook-or-well-deactivate-your-account/">"agree" to hand over their personal data</a> to Facebook (or else be kicked off).
<p>
One lesson from this is, always be prepared to stop using any digital
"service" at very short notice.
<p>
This announcement reveals what data WhatsApp collects about each user.
To collect all that data is the first level of injustice.
<p>
Pooling the data between the company's dis-services is a significant
issue because Facebook is so powerful already and this would give it
more power.  For a smaller company, I think we should focus entirely
on the wrong of collecting the information at all.


feed_id: 447e29dfc9a58b41299f6bbbfa13f106
title: The Fascist movement in the US
uri: The-Fascist-movement-in-the-US
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#10_January_2021_%28The_Fascist_movement_in_the_US%29

content:
<p>

The Fascist movement in the US is too strong for mere civility to make
it wither away.  That will <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2021/jan/08/threat-fascism-us-storming-capitol-far-right-trump">require defeats</a>, such as the one it experienced
on Wednesday.
<p>
We can't expect overconfidence and naive exuberance to give it more
defeats.  The government must take steps to ensure they happen.
<p>
Passing and enforcing laws requiring everyone to wear a mask (or show
a doctor's excuse) in most public places could help.  Arrogantly
threatening people's lives by refusing to wear masks is one of their
ways of looking strong and attracting support from people who want to
follow someone strong; when they have to back down, they won't attract                                                                                                                                            as much support.
<p>
Many of the wrecker's rich and powerful backers have abandoned him.
That does not imply they have abandoned Fascism.  They will surely be
waiting for a more skillful enemy of our Constitution to come along.
To preserve our democratic structures, we need to restore the
substance of democracy by taking away the political power of the rich
and powerful (plutocracy).


feed_id: b67c73d424ede44349e4735d32e33c64
title: The wrecker may be planning a war with Iran
uri: The-wrecker-may-be-planning-a-war-with-Iran
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#10_January_2021_%28The_wrecker_may_be_planning_a_war_with_Iran%29

content:
<p>

Daniel Ellsberg believes the wrecker is <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2021/jan/08/donald-trump-war-iran-tehran-daniel-ellsberg">planning to start a war
against Iran</a> in the 11 days remaining to him as president.
<p>
I would not put it past him.  If he tries, I hope that the US military
will consider it an illegal order.
<p>
Ellsberg asks people in the Pentagon to leak the plans for provoking
a war with Iran.


feed_id: 01f8dbbe23eabcaa4a57fc970e14fda7
title: Conniptions
uri: Conniptions
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#11_January_2021_%28Conniptions%29
content:
<p>
Some of the wrecker's supporters are having conniptions <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/jan/08/trump-incites-anger-among-acolytes-let-down-by-lack-of-support">watching 
the talk where he condemned them for the violence he urged them to commit</a>.

<p>
I can understand that they feel whipsawed by the contradiction between
the two things he said.  What is interesting is that they cling to his
earlier persistent incitement to violence and reject his later
denunciation of it.

<p>
Long ago I read a book of anthropology describing the events in a
small prophetic cult in the US (1950s) whose central prophecy
specified a date.  Naturally it failed to occur.  Some of the
participants rejected the cult after that, but others redefined the
prophecy so it could happen at a later date.  (If you know the book's
title, please tell me.)

<p>
I expect that some of Trump's cultists will redefine the cult to shift
it away from him, rather than reject it.


feed_id: 579f3c5b98dfd1f436055d33457c633a
title: Laptops stolen
uri: Laptops-stolen
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#11_January_2021_%28Laptops_stolen%29
content:
<p>
Two laptops <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/jan/08/capitol-attack-computer-theft-information-security">were stolen from the Capitol during the insurrection</a>.


feed_id: 53588226d2d2e6687106cfd2b136605e
title: Operation to not have children
uri: Operation-to-not-have-children
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#11_January_2021_%28Operation_to_not_have_children%29

content:
<p>
Women who don't want children and ask for operations to prevent it
face persistent resistance from doctors <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/society/2021/jan/08/why-is-it-such-a-scandalous-thing-the-women-who-have-to-fight-for-their-right-to-be-child-free">that presume everyone will
ultimately regret not having children</a>.

<p>
In 1983, after I had made the announcement of the plan to develop GNU,
the announcement which started the free software movement, a woman I
loved asked me to support her and the children we would have in a
middle-class lifestyle.  I said no, because I did not want that life,
and because it would have meant abandoning GNU.  That no implied great
loneliness, but now I am proud of what I have achieved with my
child-free life.

<p>
If I had said yes, I doubt I'd have achieved anything important, and I
would have regretted every day the decision to give up trying.

<p>
I am sure some fraction of women who get sterilized later regret it,
just as some women have children later regret it.  That is true for
every choice people make: always, some fraction regret their choice.
But it's impossible to postpone all choices forever.


feed_id: 35ac3f076e78a8b170ce072ce1b158e6
title: Actively aiding insurrectionists
uri: Actively-aiding-insurrectionists
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#11_January_2021_%28Actively_aiding_insurrectionists%29

content:
<p>
The Capitol Police went way beyond being gentle with Wednesday's rioters.
Some of them <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2021/01/07/unacceptable-probe-demanded-after-footage-shows-capitol-police-standing-aside-pro">actively aided the insurrectionists to enter</a>.


feed_id: 54066fd937b6056d34b2a0af265dfba0
title: Rioters attacking reporters
uri: Rioters-attacking-reporters
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#11_January_2021_%28Rioters_attacking_reporters%29
content:
<p>
The rioters at the Capitol menaced and sometimes attacked reporters.
They said <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2021/01/07/murder-media-pro-trump-insurrectionists-target-journalists-covering-attack-us">they hated all reporters</a>.

<p>
Sometimes they stole reporters' equipment and destroyed it.


feed_id: 84976f03ceb507bf63f697dc75856097
title: Opening door for extremists
uri: Opening-door-for-extremists
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#11_January_2021_%28Opening_door_for_extremists%29
content:
<p>
Right-wing extremists stormed Oregon's state Capitol on December 21
after a Republican state legislator <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2021/01/08/us/oregon-legislator-entry-protest-december-trnd/index.html">opened a locked door and let them
in</a>.

<p>
The legislature is investigating him; I hope that the experience in Washington
convinces them that this is grave enough to expel him.


feed_id: 091f2571845364d3f6dde86d316cf283
title: Criminal charges against the wrecker
uri: Criminal-charges-against-the-wrecker
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#11_January_2021_%28Criminal_charges_against_the_wrecker%29

content:
<p>
Laying out the criminal charges <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2021/01/08/opinions/donald-trump-prosecution-capitol-mob-honig/index.html">that could be brought against the wrecker
for promoting insurrection</a> &mdash; 
  supposing he does not get a valid pardon.


feed_id: 436b06266a75f1c748a4564d2721695a
title: Amazon dry plain
uri: Amazon-dry-plain
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#11_January_2021_%28Amazon_dry_plain%29
content:
<p>
A study predicts that due to <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#global heating">global heating</a> and deforestation the
Amazon rain forest will pass a tipping point before 2064 <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2021/01/08/amazon-rainforest-will-collapse-2064-new-study-predicts">that will
convert it into a dry plain with shrubs</a>.
  The forest would become too little to cause enough rain for it to survive.
  
<p>
That would be a global disaster, since it would release a lot of
greenhouse gases and the transformed land would no longer store carbon.


feed_id: e4b086653b83b56e92515f8d126d115f
title: Anti-Protest Legislation
uri: Anti-Protest-Legislation
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#11_January_2021_%28Anti-Protest_Legislation%29
content:
<p>
*Civil Society Groups <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2021/01/08/civil-society-groups-warn-against-anti-protest-legislation-following-siege-us">Warn Against Anti-Protest Legislation Following
Siege of US Capital</a>.*

<p>
I agree.  The right to protest is nothing if we don't respect it for
those we oppose.

<p>
But when protest gives way to intimidation, we need to keep it in check
so that it doesn't grow into domination.


feed_id: 11ab11e3b60abf6a029ee1545717b6c0
title: Manorial computing
uri: Manorial-computing
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#11_January_2021_%28Manorial_computing%29
content:
<p>
Nonfree software establishes "manorial computing" &mdash; a local
aristocrat (nowadays a corporation, not a person) offers to take care
of you and protect you in your computing, <a href="https://locusmag.com/2021/01/cory-doctorow-neofeudalism-and-the-digital-manor/">and you in return submit
helplessly to its dominion</a>.

<p>
Doctorow's "Ulysses Pact" refers to a point I've made in many speeches
condemning Apple's eagerness to spy for China.  It is applicable to
you as well.  If you erase Windows, MacOS, or Android, and get rid of
an iMonster, people will understand it is futile to ask you to use it.

<p>
Making people serfs on a manor is as evil now as it was a thousand
years ago.  Medieval Europe experienced many revolts of the people
against aristocrats; one of them created a free country that still
exists: Switzerland.  The Swiss revolt spread from valley by valley
over a period of hundreds of years.  I've cited this inspiring example
in my speeches in Switzerland.

<p>
So pick up your digital pitchforks and chase those aristos out of your
computer!

<p>
Alas, the story of William Tell appears to be a myth, though the context
it is set in is real.


feed_id: 03157a710ea404bdfc9bf9a0d72cafa5
title: Bullying Facebook
uri: Bullying-Facebook
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#11_January_2021_%28Bullying_Facebook%29
content:
<p>
Right-wing manipulators have bullied Facebook by accusing it of bias
against them, <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2021/01/04/conservatives-spent-2020-accusing-facebook-being-biased-against-them-engagement">even as its real bias was in favor of them</a>.

<p>
Making Facebook adjust its bias would be an improvement, but would
continue to be an arbitrary choice by a business.  I have proposed
imposing public control over Facebook's algorithm for showing things
to its useds.  However, I think we need to make Facebook less powerful
by making it smaller.


feed_id: fe5d8adbc9b3005ade069f3a6ac35b85
title: Attempts to storm parliaments
uri: Attempts-to-storm-parliaments
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#11_January_2021_%28Attempts_to_storm_parliaments%29
content:
<p>
*   Far-right attempts to storm parliaments and government offices <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2021/jan/07/what-happened-in-washington-dc-is-happening-around-the-world">have
   happened in Germany, Hungary and the Netherlands in recent years</a>.*

<p>
The mainstream right-wing politicians think they can use the fanatics
to boost their strength, but once that happens, they find that the fanatics
have become their masters.


feed_id: c81de1ba5705fb8f6caec9d08a120f74
title: Indigenous leader murder
uri: Indigenous-leader-murder
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#11_January_2021_%28Indigenous_leader_murder%29
content:
<p>
*Guatemala mine's ex-security chief <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2021/jan/07/guatemala-nickel-mine-death-adolfo-ich">convicted of Indigenous leader's murder</a>.*

<p>
It is gratifying to see one extractionist tool get punished.  However,
the world does nickel.  What should we do to get it?

<p>
If mines operate with the best safety precautions, and handsomely
compensate all harm that the mines do, local inhabitants will probably
not object to them.  Of course, nickel will cost more &mdash; but that's fair.


feed_id: 1fc3343708aff76e54477d25991e155d
title: Incitement of violence
uri: Incitement-of-violence
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#11_January_2021_%28Incitement_of_violence%29
content:
<p>
A timeline of the final stages of <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/jan/07/trump-incitement-inflammatory-rhetoric-capitol-riot">the wrecker's incitement of the storming
of the Capitol</a>.

<p>
His arousal of violence <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#24_May_2016_(Should_Trump_be_excluded_from_the_UK_)">started years ago</a>.


feed_id: e15c985cdb7fbc61983184f65e1eefef
title: Safe to eat with other people
uri: Safe-to-eat-with-other-people
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#11_January_2021_%28Safe_to_eat_with_other_people%29
content:
<p>
I have an idea for a device that would make it safe for people to eat
while in a room with other people.

<p>
The idea is to make a sanitizable negative-pressure hood which seals
around the head and torso and hands, with a flat torso-mounted table
inside in the front.  Elastic could hold the seal closed around the
body; I think that would be good enough.  It could pump air in through
a filter and out through a filter.

<p>
If you know of something like this, or have a suggestion, or see a
flaw, please email me.


feed_id: 0158f750a7ce074aa5bba0ecdccdc2b2
title: Anti-reality extremists' call for violence
uri: Anti-reality-extremists-call-for-violence
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#10_January_2021_%28Anti-reality_extremists%27_call_for_violence%29

content:
<p>

Anti-reality extremists were calling for violence in DC on Jan 6 for
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2021/01/09/far-right-activists-social-media-telegraphed-violence-weeks-advance-attack-us">weeks before that date</a>.
<p>

*Extremists <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2021/01/08/us/online-extremism-inauguration-capitol-invs/index.html">intensify calls</a> for violence ahead of Inauguration Day.*


feed_id: 2911f33625847cd792da4865617cfa24
title: Maskless anti-truth extremists attacked a black woman
uri: Maskless-anti-truth-extremists-attacked-a-black-woman
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#10_January_2021_%28Maskless_anti-truth_extremists_attacked_a_black_woman%29

content:
<p>

A mob of maskless anti-truth extremists in LA <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2021/01/08/black-woman-heartbroken-after-vicious-attack-racist-maga-mob-downtown-los-angeles">ganged up on a black
woman</a>, hitting her and pulling her hair.
<p>
A mob attack like that can easily develop into dangerous violence.


feed_id: 57f078e168062025eb387460b2ec8434
title: Sanders supports impeaching the wrecker
uri: Sanders-supports-impeaching-the-wrecker
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#10_January_2021_%28Sanders_supports_impeaching_the_wrecker%29

content:
<p>

Sanders <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2021/01/08/why-impeach-trump-late-date-one-word-says-bernie-sanders-precedent">supports impeaching the wrecker</a>.


feed_id: 58a68807050880f6683c4863bb20c006
title: Senator Manchin will try to block more immediate aid
uri: Senator-Manchin-will-try-to-block-more-immediate-aid
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#10_January_2021_%28Senator_Manchin_will_try_to_block_more_immediate_aid%29

content:
<p>

Senator Manchin, a Democrat whose views are similar to Republicans of
2015, will <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2021/01/08/just-democrats-claim-senate-majority-manchin-condemned-vowing-absolutely-not-support">try to block giving Americans</a> in general more immediate
aid.
<p>
He's probably right that some of that money will go to Americans who
did not lose income.  But that is quibbling.  Nearly all will go to
Americans who are poor and need aid -- because the amount tapers off
as the person's past income increases.  For most of them, $2000 won't
be enough.
<p>
Manchin puts more weight on small chance of giving some low-income
American a little more than was supposedly intended for right now,
than on the certainty of giving millions too little.  These are the
priorities of a plutocratist.


feed_id: 471e6b247f30fd6f28bfdf45abd44795
title: Indigenous water protectors charged for peaceful protests
uri: Indigenous-water-protectors-charged-for-peaceful-protests
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#10_January_2021_%28Indigenous_water_protectors_charged_for_peaceful_protests%29

content:
<p>

*As Pro-Trump Mob Boasts About Roles in Deadly Capitol Invasion, Indigenous
Water Protectors <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2021/01/08/pro-trump-mob-boasts-about-roles-deadly-capitol-invasion-indigenous-water-protecters">Charged for Peaceful Keystone XL Protests</a>.*
<p>
This double standard has been shown over and over.
<p>
I continue to feel that the term "water protectors" understates in a
distracting way the importance of the fight against building new
fossil fuel infrastructure.  They are protecting global civilization,
not merely the water supply in a region of the US.


feed_id: 8e2675b19b29e5fe58e372349f3df565
title: (satire) Betsy DeVos apologizes for public education
uri: (satire)-Betsy-DeVos-apologizes-for-public-education
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#10_January_2021_%28%28satire%29_Betsy_DeVos_apologizes_for_public_education%29

content:
<p>

(satire) *Betsy DeVos <a href="https://www.theonion.com/betsy-devos-apologizes-for-ever-being-complicit-with-so-1846021893">Apologizes For Ever Being Complicit</a> With
Something As Toxic As Public Education.*


feed_id: b2fdea0f9659a73e5d93d69f9a188a0d
title: Massive-Scale Mobilization on climate emergency
uri: Massive-Scale-Mobilization-on-climate-emergency
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#10_January_2021_%28Massive-Scale_Mobilization_on_climate_emergency%29

content:
<p>

*One Year After Declaring Climate Emergency, Scientists Say <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2021/01/07/one-year-after-declaring-climate-emergency-scientists-say-massive-scale-mobilization">'Massive-Scale Mobilization' Necessary</a>.*


feed_id: b4bb58c42a1b03b9fa55250084f43e05
title: Surplus military gear for police departments
uri: Surplus-military-gear-for-police-departments
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#10_January_2021_%28Surplus_military_gear_for_police_departments%29

content:
<p>

The US military have been <a href="https://taskandpurpose.com/news/military-surplus-equipment-inspector-general-audit/">pouring surplus gear</a> into thug departments
and many of them don't even say they have a use for it.
<p>
This is not to mention the equipment they use in SWAT teams that they may
claim to need, but which <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#28_August_2018_(Militarized_SWAT_teams)">we may consider harmful</a>.


feed_id: 61f9e6e695cd89a83c557e6c3e8c192c
title: Rowan Atkinson denounces the cancel culture
uri: Rowan-Atkinson-denounces-the-cancel-culture
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#10_January_2021_%28Rowan_Atkinson_denounces_the_cancel_culture%29

content:
<p>

Rowan Atkinson <a href="https://variety.com/2021/tv/global/mr-bean-rowan-atkinson-cancel-culture-1234878676/">denounces the cancel culture</a>.


feed_id: 1c246769001022f901a68738587d9345
title: End to limits to contacts with Taiwanese officials
uri: End-to-limits-to-contacts-with-Taiwanese-officials
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#10_January_2021_%28End_to_limits_to_contacts_with_Taiwanese_officials%29

content:
<p>

Pompeo has <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/jan/09/mike-pompeo-restrictions-us-taiwan-china">ended limits</a> that the US has put on contacts with Taiwanese
officials to placate China.
<p>
I don't have an easy way of checking, but I expect that these limits
were put in place decades ago, when China was not a world power and
the US wanted China's support.  Back then, it was arguably a wise
concession to make.  It isn't now.


feed_id: b38231494fc823d2f83796447299e029
title: Internet random error amplification
uri: Internet-random-error-amplification
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#12_January_2021_%28Internet_random_error_amplification%29

content:
<p>
Internet random error amplification is
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/books/2021/jan/07/helen-keller-why-is-a-tiktok-conspiracy-theory-undermining-her-story">convincing
teenagers of the misinformation that Helen Keller was not deaf and
blind</a>.
<p>
When I was young, children read about her story, but left out the part
where she became a Socialist and joined the IWW.


feed_id: 4232eb66fd9fbd08dbfa3ae085e4c763
title: Republican voters' views
uri: Republican-voters-views
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#12_January_2021_%28Republican_voters_views%29
content:
<p>
*Among
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2021/01/07/poll-shows-nearly-half-gop-voters-lied-right-wing-media-approve-us-capitol">Republican
voters</a>, 45% approve of the storming of Capitol, 30% think the
perpetrators are 'patriots', 52% think Biden is at least partly to
blame for it, and 85% think it would be inappropriate to remove Trump
from office after this.*


feed_id: dfa36f4a506d69789ad9f2dc7a0f7268
title: Repeal of law authorizing endless wars
uri: Repeal-of-law-authorizing-endless-wars
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#12_January_2021_%28Repeal_of_law_authorizing_endless_wars%29

content:
<p>
*Biden and Congress
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2021/01/07/biden-and-congress-must-repeal-law-authorizing-endless-wars">Must
Repeal</a> Law Authorizing Endless Wars.*


feed_id: c7e9c6d9d6c5c6214750fe1b0141f98e
title: Bad choice for Secretary of Commerce
uri: Bad-choice-for-Secretary-of-Commerce
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#12_January_2021_%28Bad_choice_for_Secretary_of_Commerce%29

content:
<p>
Governor Raimondo
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2021/01/07/profoundly-troubling-pick-progressives-slam-biden-choice-gov-raimondo-commerce-chief">would
be a bad choice</a> for Secretary of Commerce, for much of the same
reasons she would have been a bad choice for Secretary of Health and
Human Services.
<p>
I wonder why Biden is trying so hard to give her an important post.


feed_id: 76f1b9bae4517dc0fc03420fe934fbfd
title: GOP senator's bullshit apology
uri: GOP-senator-s-bullshit-apology
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#12_January_2021_%28GOP_senators_bullshit_apology%29
content:
<p>
(satire) *"This Apology Is Bullshit And I Am Lying To You," Says GOP
Senator To
<a href='https://www.theonion.com/this-apology-is-bullshit-and-i-am-lying-to-you-says-1846012923'>Widespread
Media Praise</a>.*


feed_id: fdb491d88bffba673e54c348fb58cea0
title: Capitol Police
uri: Capitol-Police
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#12_January_2021_%28Capitol_Police%29
content:
<p>
A retired official accuses the Capitol Police of
<a href="https://www.cnn.com/2021/01/07/opinions/unprepared-or-unwilling-police-failed-at-the-us-capitol-alexander/index.html">not
even trying to be ready to keep rioters out</a>.
<p>
He accuses the officials in charge of Capitol security of being either
incompetent or disloyal.  Indeed,
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/jan/08/us-capitol-breach-police-chief-steven-sund-two-security-officials-resign-criticism-bungled-efforts">three
are resigning</a>.
<p>
As for why the National Guard were not available to help, I read
somewhere that the wrecker blocked the attempt to activate them.


feed_id: ac2e420e111b3e1995d9904f13ffc241
title: Venezuela offers sympathy for US
uri: Venezuela-offers-sympathy-for-US
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#12_January_2021_%28Venezuela_offers_sympathy_for_US%29

content:
<p>
*After Right-Wing Coup Effort in DC, Venezuela Offers Sympathy for US
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2021/01/06/after-right-wing-coup-effort-dc-venezuela-offers-sympathy-us-suffering-what-it-has">Suffering
What 'It Has Generated' Elsewhere</a>.*


feed_id: 19b4b9ccca03d58e94abc61b3e3aefe8
title: Impeachment
uri: 2021-01-12-Impeachment
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#11_January_2021_%28Impeachment%29
content:
<p>
Impeaching the wrecker
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2021/jan/07/we-must-impeach-trump-and-bar-him-from-holding-office-again-now">provides
a way to disqualify him from ever holding any sort of government
office</a>, and this requires only a majority of the Senate.
<p>
However, it is not clear to me whether the Senate can do that without
first convicting him, and that requires 2/3 of the Senate, which is
probably out of reach.


feed_id: fee45bf9316dfb7c81e13ad692b9a6d0
title: Removal of the wrecker
uri: Removal-of-the-wrecker
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#11_January_2021_%28Removal_of_the_wrecker%29
content:
<p>
Some politicians say we need to remove the wrecker from office right
away to
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/jan/07/donald-trump-final-13-days-security-threat-politicians-activists-warn">stop
him from wreaking more havoc as president</a>.
<p>
That danger may be real.  On the other hand, it would still be a shame
if this allows Pence to pardon him.


feed_id: 37b47e2fcd47628cd08030470c4b9117
title: The insurrectionist who was killed
uri: The-insurrectionist-who-was-killed
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#11_January_2021_%28The_insurrectionist_who_was_killed%29

content:
<p>
One of the insurrectionists
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/jan/07/ashli-babbitt-woman-shot-and-killed-in-storming-of-us-capitol-named">was
killed trying to break down a door in the Capitol</a>.
<p>
Normally, cops should not shoot someone just for breaking down a door.
They should first try to restrain per, and will normally succeed.  But
in that situation there may have been no easy option.  She was part of
an armed mob bent on violence, and allowing her to break down a door
might have enabled the mob to attack people.
<p>
Some of the insurrectionists had guns, and bombs were found too.


feed_id: 165cb986472a681a0187becfac183a38
title: Legislators culpable for coup
uri: Legislators-culpable-for-coup
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#11_January_2021_%28Legislators_culpable_for_coup%29
content:
<p>
The legislators that supported the inside arm of the wrecker's coup
are
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2021/jan/07/trump-washington-dc-enablers">culpable
for the coup, even if they did not commit a crime</a>.  They are a
threat to the republic.
<p>
Those helped the wrecker create the movement that was the base for his
coup attempt are morally culpable for that, even if they turned aside
before Wednesday's last step.  They could see, just as we all could,
where the wrecker was aiming that movement.  But their culpability is
less than that of the first group.
<p>
I support the
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2021/01/06/progressives-back-rep-cori-bushs-resolution-expel-lawmakers-who-incited-violent">plan
for the House</a> to expel the first group.
<p>
The districts will hold new elections to replace them.


feed_id: a6a4e95c136483b41360f02f90967988
title: Urgent: stop funding extremist candidates
uri: Urgent-stop-funding-extremist-candidates
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#12_January_2021_%28Urgent%3A_stop_funding_extremist_candidates%29

content:
<p>
Everyone: <a href="https://act.weareultraviolet.org/sign/stop-enabling-extremism">call on companies</a> to stop funding
extremist US candidates.


feed_id: 71ad609c7063a035521bf5995d331147
title: Violent insurrection
uri: Violent-insurrection
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#12_January_2021_%28Violent_insurrection%29
content:
<p>
The insurrection was <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2021/01/09/media/reliable-sources-january-8/index.html">more violent than appeared in the immediate coverage</a>.


feed_id: 32e5666c9f50ac183f2eabb0fef1367f
title: Forcing out attorneys
uri: Forcing-out-attorneys
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#12_January_2021_%28Forcing_out_attorneys%29
content:
<p>
The wrecker forced out the US attorney for Georgia and put in a
replacement loyal to him.  This was evidently meant <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2021/01/09/politics/white-house-trump-georgia-us-attorney-resigns/index.html">as part of his
efforts to steal the election there</a>.

<p>
To defend against a future fascist president, we need to make it more
difficult for the president to arbitrarily fire US attorneys, and the
attorney general.  But whose approval should be required for firings?
A majority of the senate?  The courts?  I don't see an obvious good
answer.


feed_id: aa6c4dd3ffc13003b39faef8fc1a9c89
title: Voter suppression
uri: 2021-01-12-Voter-suppression
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#12_January_2021_%28Voter_suppression%29
content:
<p>
After a US court ordered Georgia to reverse a fraudulent voter purge,
Raffensperger used a series of tricks and maneuvers <a href="https://www.gregpalast.com/raffensperger-ignored-evidence-of-wrongful-purges-before-runoff/">to avoid letting
those almost 200,000 voters vote in the Jan 5 runoffs</a>.


feed_id: f6c49d93615ce137ef152c25fe3a06b8
title: Rehabilitation
uri: 2021-01-12-Rehabilitation
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#12_January_2021_%28Rehabilitation%29
content:
<p>
Beware when rich people and corporations seek to rehabilitate the
reputations <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2021/01/10/confederates-capitol-re-enactment-lost-cause">of those who tried to seize power on Jan 6</a>.

<p>
They did that to the survivors of the slave-owners, and gave us a
century of <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2013-may-aug.html#01_July_2013_(Replacement_for_racist_Jim_Crow_laws)">Jim Crow</a>.


feed_id: c5dfef505133d0a1ba2579cad723f451
title: Neonicotinoids
uri: 2021-01-12-Neonicotinoids
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#12_January_2021_%28Neonicotinoids%29
content:
<p>
A factory that "recycles" neonicotinoid-treated seeds into ethanol
emits pollution <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/jan/10/mead-nebraska-ethanol-plant-pollution-danger">that harms the health of people that live nearby</a>.

<p>
Since neonicotinoids do not naturally degrade, they will accumulate
dangerously in the environment near that factory, just as they do near
the farms where those seeds are used.


feed_id: 0ca238f8a0bb059d53eaa8f6b6229c75
title: Deer population
uri: Deer-population
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#12_January_2021_%28Deer_population%29
content:
<p>
The deer population in Britain is exploding because restaurants are no longer
buying venison.  <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/jan/10/wild-deer-set-to-wreak-havoc-in-uk-woodlands-as-venison-demand-plunges">This threatens other wildlife</a>.

<p>
If this were a permanent change, the long-term solution might be to
have more wolves.  However, it is likely to be short-term, so the
government will have to pay hunters to keep the deer down until
restaurants start paying them again.


feed_id: d6f9cd19b2c879e64d540336f5f1a16c
title: Secretive investment company
uri: Secretive-investment-company
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#12_January_2021_%28Secretive_investment_company%29
content:
<p>
Two of Biden's cabinet nominees <a href="https://theintercept.com/2021/01/10/spac-blank-check-companies-biden/">are associated with a secretive
investment company</a>.
  This is not proof of a crime, or even evidence to suspect a crime,
but it exemplifies their participation in plutocract which we should
not have in cabinet secretaries.


feed_id: 371166a84fca3512db8b09a69261c5ed
title: Gratis pot
uri: Gratis-pot
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#12_January_2021_%28Gratis_pot%29
content:
<p>
Proposing to offer pot gratis <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/society/2021/jan/10/call-uk-prisons-trial-free-cannabis-see-cuts-drug-deaths">to prisoners that are addicted to other drugs</a>.


feed_id: d684dab11b08102da297fcfe01822966
title: Level of happiness
uri: Level-of-happiness
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#12_January_2021_%28Level_of_happiness%29
content:
<p>
Focusing on your level of happiness (present, or future) <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/science/2021/jan/10/why-its-time-to-stop-pursuing-happiness">interferes
paradoxically with feeling happy</a>.


feed_id: 09a5b50056b4853e50d1f1b2ec287faa
title: Arrest of insurrectionists
uri: Arrest-of-insurrectionists
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#12_January_2021_%28Arrest_of_insurrectionists%29
content:
<p>
Each day more of the Jan 6 insurrectionists <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/jan/10/us-capitol-mob-rioters-arrests-violence-brutality">are being arrested and
charged</a>.

<p>
I hope that the Capitol cop who did a fist bump with one of the
insurrectionists has been fired.

<p>
<a href="https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2021/1/10/2007974/-Criminal-Charges-in-the-Assault-on-the-U-S-Capitol">More information</a> on some of the charges insurrectionists could face.

<p>
I think that the "felony murder" law as it sometimes interpreted is
too broad.  A should only be guilty of B's killing if the killing is a
natural possible outgrowth of what they joined in doing.

<p>
If A and B decide to do an armed robbery with a gun and B kills
someone, A should be liable because killing is a natural possible
outgrowth of pointing a gun at someone.  It isn't the usual
consequence in a robbery, but it is hardly surprising.  However, if A
and B decide to steal something without using weapons, and B pulls a
gun and shoots someone dead, that isn't a natural outgrowth of an
unarmed robbery, so A should not be guilty of the killing.


feed_id: 5f4594c3ccd3be5f2b497529655a37ac
title: False accusations
uri: 2021-01-12-False-accusations
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#12_January_2021_%28False_accusations%29
content:
<p>
*Woman charged after <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/jan/10/woman-falsely-accuses-black-teenager-stealing-phone-miya-ponsetto">falsely accusing Black teenager of stealing her phone*
and then grabbing him</a>.


feed_id: e5ca97c09836d238a12b95c7c861e5cf
title: Homeless housing
uri: Homeless-housing
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#12_January_2021_%28Homeless_housing%29
content:
<p>
In 2017, Manchester (England) set out to get homeless people into
housing.  <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/society/2021/jan/10/how-manchester-found-homes-hundreds-rough-sleepers-home-partnership">Almost 300 of them still have housing</a>.

<p>
We could do this anywhere, with some priority and some money.
The billionaires don't need quite so much.

<p>
In 2020, as a precaution against spread of Covid-19, the UK moved to
get all homeless people off the street.  <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2021/jan/10/first-lockdown-england-homelessness-everyone-in-streets">But didn't continue paying
for this</a>.

<p>
If we gave more priority to the well-being of poor people, fewer of
them would develop the sort of problems that make it hard for them to
rent housing.  Building more housing (public, and private) would also
help.

<p>
Reducing population growth, which we need to do anyway, would help
with this also.  Rents would come down and thus so would the cost of
living.


feed_id: 45612b170b5653404496b8573b63d23c
title: Domestic terrorism
uri: 2021-01-12-Domestic-terrorism
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#12_January_2021_%28Domestic_terrorism%29
content:
<p>
The debate about a proposed law <a href="https://theintercept.com/2021/01/10/capitol-hill-riot-domestic-terrorism-legislation/">to define some crimes as "domestic
terrorism"</a>.

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

<p>
The proposed law would not directly attack freedom of speech, but
there's a danger it would be applied with a racist bias, thus
exacerbating the bias that we see in comparing DC <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thugs</a>' harshness
towards Black Lives Matter protests with their laxity towards
insurrectionists.

<p>
In addition, it is an injustice to designate an organization as
"terrorist" except by convicting it as a crime.


feed_id: 98fa73ecaec4044da05bb28d042fca16
title: Inhumane prisons
uri: Inhumane-prisons
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#12_January_2021_%28Inhumane_prisons%29
content:
<p>
*A British judge said US prisons are dangerously inhumane. <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2021/jan/09/a-british-judge-said-us-prisons-are-dangerously-inhumane-sadly-shes-right">Sadly, she's right</a>.*

<p>
US prisons were, most of them, much more humane before the ideological
increase in imprisonment started by Reagan for ideological reasons.
Back then, US prisons tried to rehabilitate prisoners.
  It is hard to treat prisoners decently or try to help them
rehabilitate when too many people are in prison.

<p>
If we end the war on drugs, we could could improve this.
But it would still be wrong to prosecute Assange.


feed_id: b36d76e96b7c2f78910dd0af8a915bd9
title: Conniptions
uri: 2021-01-12-Conniptions
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#11_January_2021_%28Conniptions%29
content:
<p>
Some of the wrecker's supporters are having conniptions <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/jan/08/trump-incites-anger-among-acolytes-let-down-by-lack-of-support">watching 
the talk where he condemned them for the violence he urged them to commit</a>.

<p>
I can understand that they feel whipsawed by the contradiction between
the two things he said.  What is interesting is that they cling to his
earlier persistent incitement to violence and reject his later
denunciation of it.

<p>
Long ago I read a book, When Propechy Fails by Festinger et al, which
described the events in a small prophetic cult in the US (1950s) whose
central prophecy specified a date.  Naturally it failed to occur.
Some of the participants rejected the cult after that, but others
redefined the prophecy so it could happen later, so that they could
cling to the cult.

<p>
I expect that some of Trump's cultists will redefine the cult to shift
it away from him, rather than reject it.


feed_id: 9df0497f651df11336c8a47f1c36d65f
title: Senator Manchin will try to block more immediate aid
uri: 2021-01-12-Senator-Manchin-will-try-to-block-more-immediate-aid
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#10_January_2021_%28Senator_Manchin_will_try_to_block_more_immediate_aid%29

content:
<p>
Senator Manchin, a Democrat whose views are similar to Republicans of
2015, <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2021/01/08/just-democrats-claim-senate-majority-manchin-condemned-vowing-absolutely-not-support">will try to block giving Americans in general more immediate
aid</a>.

<p>
He's not alone.  *Billionaire-Owned Media Look Out for Neediest <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2021/01/09/billionaire-owned-media-look-out-neediest-demanding-they-get-no-more-money?cd-origin=rss">by
Demanding They Get No More Money</a>.*

<p>
Manchin is probably right that some of that money will go to Americnas
who did not <em>lose</em> income during 2020.  But that is quibbling.  Nearly
all will go to Americans who are poor and need aid &mdash; wealthy people
will not get any of this.

<p>
For most of Americans who receive the whole $2000, it won't be enough.

<p>
Manchin puts more weight on small chance of giving some low-income
Americans a little more than was supposedly intended for them right
now, than on the certainty of giving millions too little.  These are
cruel priorities.


feed_id: b95eef1972b5e72f0900056e1fe9dca9
title: Housing values appreciation
uri: Housing-values-appreciation
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#13_January_2021_%28Housing_values_appreciation%29
content:
<p>

In New Zealand, and many other countries, most people who own houses
want them to appreciate in price.  So they insist on <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/commentisfree/2021/jan/11/new-zealands-public-secret-house-prices-wont-come-down-until-we-really-want-them-to">limiting construction</a>, and that makes it hard for everyone to have a place to
live.


feed_id: 6d78b44c66905edb27fb38ea62cc6a34
title: Impeaching the wrecker again
uri: Impeaching-the-wrecker-again
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#13_January_2021_%28Impeaching_the_wrecker_again%29
content:
<p>

The House of Representatives is <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/jan/11/trump-impeachment-house-democrats-charge-president-with-incitement-of-insurrection">impeaching the wrecker again</a>, but there is not enough support in the Senate to convict him.
<p>
I don't see the point of this exercise.
<p>
This article argues that the impeachment will have <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2021/jan/11/democrats-impeach-donald-trump-exile-base">more bad influence
than good</a> on the wrecker's followers.  "The wiser move would be to let Trump
drift into exile, not stoke the sense of grievance among his base," it
says.  I don't know whether that is true.  But I think it is crucial
to take measures that will deal them real setbacks.  Expressing
hostility to them is something they eat up.
<p>
I wonder if there is be a way to enforce the 14th amendment in court
to block the wrecker from running for office in the US in the future.
That would not require a vote in the Senate.
<p>
I think it would be wise to move the inauguration to a secure
location, perhaps indoors.  I would not be surprised if Republicans in
the army stole a drone to try to assassinate Biden and everyone else
there.


feed_id: f686e6eb7a5119e6909763b1182305dc
title: The debate on market-dominating tech companies banning the wrecker
uri: The-debate-on-market-dominating-tech-companies-banning-the-wrecker
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#13_January_2021_%28The_debate_on_market-dominating_tech_companies_banning_the_wrecker%29

content:
<p>

On the <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/jan/11/opinion-divided-over-trump-being-banned-from-social-media">debate about whether market-dominating tech companies should
ban the wrecker</a>, or should have banned him long ago.
<p>
Merkel said that laws should set the criteria for banning someone from
communicating on internet sites, but in the US that would directly
violate the first amendment.


feed_id: 007f8ac7309ea74b4774aaadddeb7a9c
title: Insect populations damaged by human activity
uri: Insect-populations-damaged-by-human-activity
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#13_January_2021_%28Insect_populations_damaged_by_human_activity%29

content:
<p>

Human activity is <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/jan/11/insect-populations-suffering-death-1000-cuts-scientists">damaging insect populations</a> in many parts of the world.
Perhaps everywhere, but there is no data from many places.
<p>
Fewer insects means many other animals will die for lack of food.


feed_id: ba949a14ec0d37850dcc56bbe9bc94c8
title: How far the US Senate is from democratic
uri: How-far-the-US-Senate-is-from-democratic
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#13_January_2021_%28How_far_the_US_Senate_is_from_democratic%29

content:
<p>

Measuring <a href="https://www.vox.com/2021/1/6/22215728/senate-anti-democratic-one-number-raphael-warnock-jon-ossoff-georgia-runoffs">how far the US Senate is from democratic</a>.

According to the figures in the spreadsheet in that article:

Population the 50 Republican senators represent: <b>142,991,983 (56%)</b><br/>
Population the 50 Democratic senators represent: <b>184,541,791 (44%)</b>


feed_id: 67642661fe57916bca2f2021cfa7fa12
title: Gorilla war
uri: Gorilla-war
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#13_January_2021_%28Gorilla_war%29
content:
<p>

A <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/jan/11/six-park-rangers-killed-in-ambush-in-eastern-congo-gorilla-sanctuary-virunga">gorilla war</a> is taking place in Virunga national park in the Congo.


feed_id: c092191bbd1f31509f3be5c37df008c0
title: A mob attacked the Capitol for Trump
uri: A-mob-attacked-the-Capitol-for-Trump
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#13_January_2021_%28A_mob_attacked_the_Capitol_for_Trump%29

content:
<p>

*A Mob <a href="https://theintercept.com/2021/01/10/capitol-riot-far-right/">Attacked the Capitol for Trump</a>. Now What?*
<p>
Over and over they take one more step along the path towards rebellion
and mass murder.  Some of them envision massive terrorism as the
outcome.


feed_id: 1abbc209525a156faef727818679a634
title: Antitruth right-wing extremism
uri: Antitruth-right-wing-extremism
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#13_January_2021_%28Antitruth_right-wing_extremism%29

content:
<p>

One of the roots in antitruth right-wing extremism was the <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/jan/09/us-capitol-attackers-violence-rural-west">violent
defiance</a> of environmental limits on grazing cattle.
<p>
Indeed, people should be free to do as they wish, unless they are
doing harm.  Those people's actions do harm.
<p>
The problem with their actions is like that of the anti-maskers: their
individual activities add up to predictable and big harm to the world.
One rancher who insists on grazing cattle in an area with wildlife can
safely do so; the cattle and the wildlife can coexist.  But there are
thousands of ranchers in the US and they aim to increase their herds.
Without something to limit the herds they put on protected lands, they
will predictably wipe out wildlife.
<p>
If only one man refused to wear a mask, he might at some point catch
Covid-19 and then infect some others.  But they, with their masks.
would not re-transmit the infection very far.  Indeed, if others take
the proper precautions, our one man will probably never catch Covid-19
and his lack of mask won't hurt anyone.
<p>
However, to extend this to millions of people is covidiotic.  It was
entirely predictable that they would overload the hospitals and cause
hundreds of thousands of deaths.


feed_id: fe6ffb4fb5e200add5cbe0836a4fd261
title: Pawns will probably be prosecuted
uri: Pawns-will-probably-be-prosecuted
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#13_January_2021_%28Pawns_will_probably_be_prosecuted%29

content:
<p>
Dozens or hundreds of the pawns who stormed the Capitol will probably
be prosecuted.  What will we do <a href="https://theintercept.com/2021/01/12/trump-riot-prosecution-accountability/">to preserve democracy from the
competing threats</a>?


feed_id: 06703294e04600f7c566ae9bbe5be566
title: Unmarried mothers
uri: Unmarried-mothers
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#13_January_2021_%28Unmarried_mothers%29
content:
<p>
Ireland's unmarried mothers, and their babies, were in many cases
compelled to live in "mother and baby homes" which vented on them <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/jan/12/ireland-report-appalling-abuse-mother-baby-homes">the
Catholic Church's hatred of women who had sex outside marriage</a>.

<p>
They didn't even give the children adequate food.


feed_id: 351210ff7b23d006b43c415db0d7aea5
title: Charges for poisoning
uri: Charges-for-poisoning
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#13_January_2021_%28Charges_for_poisoning%29
content:
<p>
Governor Snyder <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/jan/12/flint-water-scandal-charges-ex-governor-michigan-rick-snyder">faces charges for poisoning the people of Flint, Michigan</a>.

<p>
It always seemed implausible to me that he did not know what his
lieutenants were doing.


feed_id: e09747768029dd435a62b7fd66ee6d65
title: Ron Paul blocked from Facebook
uri: Ron-Paul-blocked-from-Facebook
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#13_January_2021_%28Ron_Paul_blocked_from_Facebook%29

content:
<p>
Ron Paul, former congresscritter, <a href="https://nypost.com/2021/01/11/facebook-censors-ron-paul/">has been blocked from his Facebook
page and given no explanation</a>.

<p>
Ron Paul is an <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#anti">Antisocialist</a> (he says, "Libertarian"): he advocates
civil liberties for individuals and deregulation for business.  I
support the former and oppose the latter, but that's not the point here.

<p>
The crucial point is that he has not supported the anti-truth
right-wing disinformation, let alone the insurrection, and yet he is
being silenced in its wake.

<p>
Evidently we can't count on Facebook to silence only coup plotting.
We can't in general expect Facebook to do the right thing,
<a href="https://stallman.org/facebook.html">since it has done so much wrong</a>.

<p>
"Have the tech companies silence the disinformationists" sounds like
a solution, but it gives those companies unchecked power.  Their
obvious next step would be to censor people who


feed_id: 736ce299bd68503c1fc5779078ffa33b
title: Suspended for sympathy towards insurrectionists
uri: Suspended-for-sympathy-towards-insurrectionists
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#13_January_2021_%28Suspended_for_sympathy_towards_insurrectionists%29

content:
<p>
Two officers of the Capitol Police have been suspended <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/jan/11/capitol-police-officers-suspended-riot-inauguration">for showing sympathy
towards the insurrectionists during the insurrection</a>.

<p>
People in general have the right to express that opinion, but anyone
who feels that way is not fit to hold a job protecting against
insurrections.


feed_id: e8c427d4668df3dbd11cae8befa37da4
title: Clamping down on QAnonsense
uri: Clamping-down-on-QAnonsense
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#13_January_2021_%28Clamping_down_on_QAnonsense%29
content:
<p>
Twitter is clamping down on QAnonsense, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2021/jan/12/twitter-suspends-70000-accounts-sharing-qanon-content">blaming it for stirring up
the insurrection</a>.

<p>
Facebook is putting a limit (easy to work around) <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2021/jan/11/facebook-stop-the-steal-trump-ban-sheryl-sandberg">on one PR phrase
used in election disinformation</a>.

<p>
If anything deserves to be censored, it the fascist movement, because
that is dangerous to Americans and our freedom.  But it was the power
of these giant companies that enabled the wrecker to build the fascist
movement, and that power is dangerous in itself, aside from the danger
of the fascist movement.

<p>
We need to reduce their power, not reassure ourselves that "They are
protecting us now."

<p>
The right wing's <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2021/01/10/trump-social-media-and-orwellian-bullshit">Orwellian shift</a>:
   from praising media dominated by big
business as "freedom" to condemning this as tyrannical censorship.


feed_id: 9b408f90f631065693cf7b08a9508f6d
title: WHO team permitted entry
uri: WHO-team-permitted-entry
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#13_January_2021_%28WHO_team_permitted_entry%29
content:
<p>
China has permitted the WHO team studying the origin of Covid-19 <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/jan/12/who-experts-covid-mission-not-about-finger-pointing-at-china">to
enter China</a>.

<p>
The topic under investigation is scientific, not an attempt to blame China
or establish conspiracy theories.


feed_id: 8997058c7fbf46e32eaf6bf28fcf9576
title: Collusion with the wrecker
uri: Collusion-with-the-wrecker
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#13_January_2021_%28Collusion_with_the_wrecker%29
content:
<p>
A vast network of Republicans colluded with the wrecker <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2021/01/10/trump-coup-and-collusion-made-it-possible">to organize
the Republican autogolpe effort on Jan 6</a>.

<p>
The preparations included orders to prevent the National Guard from
protecting the Capitol.  I am not sure that obeying orders is properly
called "collusion" &mdash; I think the word implies actions taken
by choice.  However, the <em>giving</em> of those orders was culpable.

<p>
The Spanish word "autogolpe" is used to describe seizure of power by
the current head of the government &mdash; not an attempt to install a new
government, but rather to keep it in power in defiance of the
country's constitution.  That is what the wrecker was trying to do.


feed_id: 02f121e61d97cde056ca8b2ce9a7963d
title: Urgent: military greenhouse emissions
uri: Urgent-military-greenhouse-emissions
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#13_January_2021_%28Urgent%3A_military_greenhouse_emissions%29

content:
<p>
Everyone: <a href="https://actionnetwork.org/petitions/stop-excluding-military-pollution-from-climate-agreements?nowrapper=true">call on John Kerry and the US Congress</a> to include military
greenhouse gas emissions in agreements to reduce emissions.


feed_id: 1f2b0541faa98c2a5018a8483051e437
title: Lobbyists disappointed
uri: Lobbyists-disappointed
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#13_January_2021_%28Lobbyists_disappointed%29
content:
<p>
(<a href="https://dcs.megaphone.fm/SONY7079993660.mp3?key=55529351ca9a5db90a3cd70067dab88f">satire</a>) Lobbyists are disappointed that congresscritters are so easy
to influence.  It hardly even takes a bribe any more.


feed_id: d7bcec24ccc9ae7d1e8890abd6577fe3
title: Domestic terrorism
uri: 2021-01-13-Domestic-terrorism
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#13_January_2021_%28Domestic_terrorism%29
content:
<p>
New "domestic terrorism" legislation would be very effective
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2021/01/11/oldest-play-book-critics-warn-new-domestic-terror-laws-aimed-pro-trump-mob-would-be">for crushing Black Lives Matter and other progressive causes</a>.

<p>
Some Republican-controlled state legislatures have started planning
new laws to repress protest, supposedly to be used against domestic
terrorists but actually <a href="https://theintercept.com/2021/01/12/capitol-riot-anti-protest-blm-laws/">to be used against protesters against
pollution and abusive businesses</a>.

<p>
There is a push <a href="https://www.fastcompany.com/90592060/capitol-attack-fascism-surveillance-censorship">to increase the PAT RIOT Act surveillance powers</a>.

<p>
No special surveillance facility was needed to see that fanatics were
talking about attacking the Capitol.  What was missing was the
willingness to take their threat seriously.

<p>
Does anyone know what ultimately happened to the felony charges,
mentioned in one of those articles, against the "J20" activists for
being near where property damage was committed?


feed_id: e84973d2c8cdd0dd31ac390cec6f6170
title: Lured into camp
uri: Lured-into-camp
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#13_January_2021_%28Lured_into_camp%29
content:
<p>
China lured Gulbahar Haitiwaji to return from France to sign some
retirement papers in Xinjiang.  This was pretext to imprison her in a
're-education' camp for Uighurs.  She describes <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/jan/12/uighur-xinjiang-re-education-camp-china-gulbahar-haitiwaji">the torture and
brainwashing carried out there</a>.


feed_id: b4d474514cbd137bd77868641f565561
title: Apartheid
uri: Apartheid
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#13_January_2021_%28Apartheid%29
content:
<p>
The leader of B'tselem <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2021/jan/12/israel-largest-human-rights-group-apartheid">denounces Israel's system of slightly veiled
apartheid</a>.


feed_id: d4dd72ceb4f2bb5f0d84b5dc952fb20a
title: Plan to deal with Covid-19 in 2022
uri: Plan-to-deal-with-Covid-19-in-2022
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#13_January_2021_%28Plan_to_deal_with_Covid-19_in_2022%29

content:
<p>
British scientists: Britain needs to plan <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/jan/10/plan-for-the-future-now-or-covid-will-last-for-years-uk-scientists-warn">to deal with Covid-19 into
2022, or even later</a>.

<p>
The virus could reappear after every human has been vaccinated if it
can survive in nonhuman hosts.  We might be able to eradicate it from
those hosts &mdash; we could at least try.


feed_id: 3fc9867417ccf2bbc229efa192ef0453
title: Offshore prisons
uri: Offshore-prisons
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#13_January_2021_%28Offshore_prisons%29
content:
<p>
The Taliban, in peace negotiations <a href="https://theintercept.com/2021/01/11/afghanistan-guantanamo-prison-taliban-peace-talks/">demand the release of two prisoners
in Guantanamo</a>.

<p>
The US should release all the prisoners in Guantanamo, because they
have been imprisoned without trial and many have been tortured as
well.

<p>
*As 'Dark Stain' of Guantánamo Begins 20th Year, <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2021/01/11/dark-stain-guantanamo-begins-20th-year-groups-demand-biden-close-offshore-prison">Groups Demand Biden Close
Offshore Prison</a>.*

<p>
The main practical obstacle is finding a place each one can go
&mdash; but these two Afghans do have a place to go.


feed_id: f8a641839717538b3efc73f3f51455d8
title: How far the US Senate is from democratic
uri: 2021-01-14-How-far-the-US-Senate-is-from-democratic
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#13_January_2021_%28How_far_the_US_Senate_is_from_democratic%29

content:
<p>

Measuring <a href="https://www.vox.com/2021/1/6/22215728/senate-anti-democratic-one-number-raphael-warnock-jon-ossoff-georgia-runoffs">how far the US Senate is from democratic</a>.

<p>
According to the figures in the spreadsheet in that article:

<p>
Population the 50 Republican senators represent: <b>142,991,983 (44%)</b><br/>
Population the 50 Democratic senators represent: <b>184,541,791 (56%)</b>


feed_id: a75f4b7c3903bf2cc19ad9cb8dfc7b19
title: Criminal complaint against the wrecker
uri: Criminal-complaint-against-the-wrecker
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#14_January_2021_%28Criminal_complaint_against_the_wrecker%29

content:
<p>

Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington has filed a
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2021/01/12/cannot-go-unanswered-govt-watchdog-group-files-criminal-sedition-complaint-against">criminal complaint against the wrecker</a> for sedition on Jan 6.
<p>
This means that officials need to decide whether to charge him, and
if they don't, the public can call on them to justify their decision.


feed_id: 2a061bfe81b2a46fc034ba343895f528
title: If Wall Street believed in defending our Democracy
uri: If-Wall-Street-believed-in-defending-our-Democracy
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#14_January_2021_%28If_Wall_Street_believed_in_defending_our_Democracy%29

content:
<p>

*'If Wall Street Really Believed in Defending Our Democracy,' Says Sanders, It
Would <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2021/01/12/if-wall-street-really-believed-defending-our-democracy-says-sanders-it-would-end">End Political Donations... Forever</a>*


feed_id: 1dd0829bdfebcc41d5e541427ceaf415
title: 63 Billionaires who bankrolled Trump
uri: 63-Billionaires-who-bankrolled-Trump
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#14_January_2021_%2863_Billionaires_who_bankrolled_Trump%29

content:
<p>

*These <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2021/01/12/these-63-billionaires-who-bankrolled-trump-all-way-insurrection-have-no-right-feel">63 Billionaires Who Bankrolled Trump</a> All the Way to Insurrection Have 'No Right to Feel Shocked'.*


feed_id: b63e19b5c3694da1bcfa73affff0ab2f
title: Extinction Rebellion activists face prosecution
uri: Extinction-Rebellion-activists-face-prosecution
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#14_January_2021_%28Extinction_Rebellion_activists_face_prosecution%29

content:
<p>

1000 Extinction Rebellion activists in the UK <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/jan/08/more-than-1000-extinction-rebellion-activists-taken-to-court">face prosecution</a> for
blocking roads in protests against Shell.
<p>
Compared to what Shell is doing to all of us, blocking roads is nothing.


feed_id: d7f4a607e1991c2f4e62c79fba13465b
title: Loss of political stability
uri: Loss-of-political-stability
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#14_January_2021_%28Loss_of_political_stability%29
content:
<p>

The Capitol insurrection makes visible the <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2021/01/07/america-has-entered-weimar-era">loss of political stability</a>
that plutocracy in the US has brought about.


feed_id: 31909a05902129d5a551fe7c9089b612
title: Solution to the Coronavirus recession
uri: Solution-to-the-Coronavirus-recession
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#14_January_2021_%28Solution_to_the_Coronavirus_recession%29

content:
<p>

*The Solution to the Coronavirus Recession Is a <a href="https://progressive.international/wire/2020-05-04-the-solution-to-the-coronavirus-recession-is-a-global-green-new-deal/en">Global Green New Deal</a>.*
<p>
An economist <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/business/2021/jan/07/developing-economies-need-a-fairer-way-to-help-them-decarbonise">argues for something similar</a>.


feed_id: d03a9af656b1afad1ab5b35aa860337c
title: UK supermarkets enforce mask requirements
uri: UK-supermarkets-enforce-mask-requirements
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#14_January_2021_%28UK_supermarkets_enforce_mask_requirements%29

content:
<p>

UK supermarkets are now <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/jan/12/we-cant-stop-everyone-without-face-mask-sainsburys-morrisons-security-guards-on-new-rules">enforcing mask requirements</a>.
<p>
We should do the same in the US.  People's lives are at stake,
and a preference to go without a mask must yield to the duty
to protect other people's lives.


feed_id: f24e4faf06f573a8289efc884ce264f0
title: Indian agriculture laws
uri: Indian-agriculture-laws
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#14_January_2021_%28Indian_agriculture_laws%29
content:
<p>

*Indian court <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/jan/12/indian-court-suspends-new-agriculture-laws-after-mass-protests">suspends new agriculture laws</a> after mass protests.*


feed_id: 5f9b0e80ac4ea7d56eb6b6f89f725b86
title: Artificial obstacles to producing Covid-19 vaccine
uri: Artificial-obstacles-to-producing-Covid-19-vaccine
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#14_January_2021_%28Artificial_obstacles_to_producing_Covid-19_vaccine%29

content:
<p>

Artificial obstacles to producing Covid-19 vaccine will <a href="https://theintercept.com/2020/12/31/covid-vaccine-countries-scarcity-access/">make billions
of people wait years to be vaccinated</a>.
<p>
The article focuses on a side issue: given that production is
insufficient, who will get it first?
<p>
That is a distraction.  There is no need for production to be so slow.
It is slow because of the artificial scarcity created by giving
businesses the power to limit production.  To squabble over which
country gets vaccine this year, since there isn't enough, is to
legitimize the artificial scarcity.
<p>
Let's resist being distracted.  As James Love says, let's make them
produce enough vaccine so that we can <em>all</em> get it first!


feed_id: 38aef955613a0b31e7b8e0f2d966a9a2
title: NYC thug posting bigoted hate messages
uri: NYC-thug-posting-bigoted-hate-messages
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#14_January_2021_%28NYC_thug_posting_bigoted_hate_messages%29

content:
<p>

The NYC thug in charge of investigating harassment was <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/jan/12/nypd-james-kobel-retires-suspension">secretly posting
bigoted hate messages</a> on a bulletin board for thugs.
<p>
It is hard for me to understand the thoughts of a person who becomes
obsessed with hate.


feed_id: 5b70d4eb818b19bd55118940ec868f23
title: Washing polyester clothing
uri: Washing-polyester-clothing
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#14_January_2021_%28Washing_polyester_clothing%29
content:
<p>

Washing polyester clothing is <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/jan/12/clothes-washing-linked-to-pervasive-plastic-pollution-in-the-arctic">filling the Arctic Ocean with
microfibers</a> that endanger sea life.


feed_id: f829bde8201eadd738cf91eaf72e02b2
title: Deportation thugs didn't give soap to prisoners
uri: Deportation-thugs-didn-t-give-soap-to-prisoners
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#14_January_2021_%28Deportation_thugs_didn%27t_give_soap_to_prisoners%29

content:
<p>

The US deportation thugs <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/jan/12/immigrants-detention-center-lacked-soap-covid">didn't even give prisoners soap</a> to wash their
hands with.  No wonder many caught Covid-19.


feed_id: 3e649f767f3ed0198b06482b5b24cb8d
title: Republican congresscritters infected two Democrats
uri: Republican-congresscritters-infected-two-Democrats
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#14_January_2021_%28Republican_congresscritters_infected_two_Democrats%29

content:
<p>

Republican congresscritters <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/jan/12/us-lawmakers-capitol-attack-covid-positive-test-pramila-jayapal-bonnie-watson-coleman">infected two Democrats</a> while they were
sheltering together during the insurrection, by refusing to protect
them with masks.
<p>
Fining Republicans for doing that won't dissuade them &mdash; Republican
billionaires would gladly pay their fines.  They should be charged with
reckless endangerment.


feed_id: 45cf42c0caabdef3bd811290be15d8c5
title: Limited use of license plate cameras
uri: Limited-use-of-license-plate-cameras
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#14_January_2021_%28Limited_use_of_license_plate_cameras%29

content:
<p>

California is considering a law to <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/jan/12/california-police-automated-license-plate-readers">limit the use of license plate cameras</a> by thug departments.
<p>
It is a step forward but not strict enough.  And it should <a href="https://gnu.org/philosophy/surveillance-vs-democracy.html">apply to
all parties</a>, not just certain government agencies.


feed_id: e2da3cd3ba45f042c340368c74e05ba6
title: Idea to extradite the wrecker to Iraq
uri: Idea-to-extradite-the-wrecker-to-Iraq
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#14_January_2021_%28Idea_to_extradite_the_wrecker_to_Iraq%29

content:
<p>

One way to get the wrecker off our backs would be to extradite him to Iraq,
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/jan/07/iraqi-court-issues-arrest-warrant-for-trump-over-killing-of-top-military-commander">where he faces murder charges</a>.
<p>
I don't think it is an ethical option, though.  I doubt that Iraqi courts
follow proper legal standards.


feed_id: 11684b15c2b6fed4d51be7a542bd39fe
title: Urgent: Stop the president from starting a nuclear war
uri: Urgent-Stop-the-president-from-starting-a-nuclear-war
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#14_January_2021_%28Urgent%3A_Stop_the_president_from_starting_a_nuclear_war%29

content:
<p>

US citizens: call on Congress to pass legislation to stop the
president from <a href="https://act.winwithoutwar.org/act/take-nuclear-button-away-trump">unilaterally starting a nuclear war</a>.


feed_id: 5810a00da95f55fd8888f81e0d033c7b
title: Urgent: Prosecute insurrectionists
uri: Urgent-Prosecute-insurrectionists
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#14_January_2021_%28Urgent%3A_Prosecute_insurrectionists%29

content:
<p>

US citizens: call on the DoJ to <a href="https://act.pfaw.org/sign/prosecute-the-insurrection/">prosecute insurrectionists</a> to the
fullest extent of the law.


feed_id: f57c0236a2606b1779e8374a4951095d
title: Ghastly future of mass extinction
uri: Ghastly-future-of-mass-extinction
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#14_January_2021_%28Ghastly_future_of_mass_extinction%29

content:
<p>
*Top scientists warn of 'ghastly future of mass extinction' <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/jan/13/top-scientists-warn-of-ghastly-future-of-mass-extinction-and-climate-disruption-aoe">and climate
disruption</a>.*

<p>
They warn we will face *climate-induced mass migrations, more
pandemics and conflicts over resources* unless we hasten to curb
<a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#global heating">global heating</a>, and take power away from businesses that demand
perpetual economic growth.


feed_id: 3f48ab76db51cf1204f6b1375ef71941
title: Diverting attention
uri: Diverting-attention
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#14_January_2021_%28Diverting_attention%29
content:
<p>
Wole Soyinka: *Global outrage at the storming of the US Capitol <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2021/jan/13/wole-soyinka-uganda-election-africa">risks
diverting attention from repression by Uganda’s president</a>.*


feed_id: 25e66be93afdd8c164737d7f5351420e
title: Record ocean heat
uri: Record-ocean-heat
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#14_January_2021_%28Record_ocean_heat%29
content:
<p>
*Climate crisis: record ocean heat in 2020 <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/jan/13/climate-crisis-record-ocean-heat-in-2020-supercharged-extreme-weather">supercharged extreme weather</a>.*


feed_id: 0a38a995af83489e9c87e4c98e0318a7
title: 45 days of water
uri: 45-days-of-water
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#14_January_2021_%2845_days_of_water%29
content:
<p>
Istanbul is 45 days away from running out of water.  Turkey's other
major cities, and farmers, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/jan/13/turkey-drought-istanbul-run-out-water-45-days">are in trouble too</a>.

<p>
Population increase and the concomitant development is part of the
problem, but the other jaw is <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#global heating">global heating</a>.


feed_id: e1fcf21d619f79f67d297fcc6865c841
title: Unemployment compensation
uri: Unemployment-compensation
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#14_January_2021_%28Unemployment_compensation%29
content:
<p>
US states are failing to provide unemployment compensation <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/business/2021/jan/07/us-states-fail-to-provide-unemployment-help-amid-covid-crisis">to all the
unemployed workers that are trying to apply for it</a>.


feed_id: f8e68eb1fdcf43f9a797f4607a24acaa
title: Focus on future generations
uri: Focus-on-future-generations
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#14_January_2021_%28Focus_on_future_generations%29
content:
<p>
*A Post-Election Strategy for (long term) National Unity: <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2021/01/07/post-election-strategy-national-unity-focus-future-generations">Focus on
 Future Generations</a>.*


feed_id: a9501e2433b85765d93fa5b2000c308d
title: No need for new laws
uri: No-need-for-new-laws
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#14_January_2021_%28No_need_for_new_laws%29
content:
<p>
*America doesn't need new security laws <a href="https://theweek.com/articles/959827/america-doesnt-need-new-security-laws-prosecute-insurrection">to prosecute insurrection</a>.*

<p>
And those laws <a href="https://www.stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#13_January_2021_(Domestic_terrorism)">are likely</a> to be used <a href="https://www.stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#12_January_2021_(Domestic_terrorism)">to crush even nonviolent dissent</a>.

<p>
The article recommends that we instead reorganize all "security" agencies
with personnel that are not right-wing extremists.

<p>
I hope we can find enough such personnel to staff them.


feed_id: 433ffd54f87c8f0d16655c57d965a021
title: Section 230
uri: Section-230
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#14_January_2021_%28Section_230%29
content:
<p>
Many important US politicians grossly misrepresent section 230 of the
Communications Decency Act.  That section is crucial to protect
freedom of speech, <a href="https://www.techdirt.com/articles/20200531/23325444617/hello-youve-been-referred-here-because-youre-wrong-about-section-230-communications-decency-act.shtml">and most of the "problems" it is criticized for are
fictitious</a>.


feed_id: 548234d10f0c1f031117b619975bb169
title: Grave underestimate of greenhouse gas emissions
uri: Grave-underestimate-of-greenhouse-gas-emissions
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#14_January_2021_%28Grave_underestimate_of_greenhouse_gas_emissions%29

content:
<p>
Colorado's reports of its contribution to world greenhouse gas
emissions are bogus; they gravely underestimate its own operations and
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2021/01/12/new-report-finds-oil-and-gas-industry-responsible-70-percent-colorados">don't even try to count the emissions from burning the fossil fuels
extracted there</a>.

<p>
This sort of underestimation must be very common around the world.


feed_id: 0c0823ed98e1b59522f87ed8886f1099
title: Those who gave money
uri: Those-who-gave-money
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#14_January_2021_%28Those_who_gave_money%29
content:
<p>
Here are some of the corporations that gave lots of money <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2021/01/12/ultraviolet-publishes-list-top-corporate-donors-gop-members-congress">to some
senators that tried to overturn the election</a>.


feed_id: 0f130629294310da7669d9c7ceaf06e1
title: Dancing on the pipeline construction site
uri: Dancing-on-the-pipeline-construction-site
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#14_January_2021_%28Dancing_on_the_pipeline_construction_site%29

content:
<p>
Hundreds of pipeline protesters interrupted construction of the Line 3
planet-roaster pipeline <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2021/01/12/hundreds-water-protectors-walk-line-3-worksite-8-arrested">by dancing in the construction site</a>.


feed_id: 75b2724db00c865bef1479571bfe6d2e
title: Exceptionalism
uri: 2021-01-14-Exceptionalism
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#14_January_2021_%28Exceptionalism%29
content:
<p>
(<a href="https://www.theonion.com/nation-settles-on-being-home-to-rock-roll-hall-of-fam-1846042011">satire</a>) *Nation Settles On Being Home To Rock &amp; Roll Hall Of Fame As
New Foundation For American Exceptionalism.*


feed_id: 5eb470da816d2586429b2e911a99851b
title: Outside laptop
uri: Outside-laptop
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#14_January_2021_%28Outside_laptop%29
content:
<p>
(<a href="https://local.theonion.com/child-weirded-out-after-bumping-into-teacher-outside-la-1846042797">satire</a>) *Child Weirded Out After Bumping Into Teacher Outside Laptop.*


feed_id: 6f7213c4cf6f9461a0bd686e6a833244
title: Between two threats
uri: Between-two-threats
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#14_January_2021_%28Between_two_threats%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2021/01/12/will-more-dangerous-far-right-spring-corpse-trumpism">The US is caught between two threats</a>: the lunatic anti-truth movement,
and the plutocratist elites who would be glad to "protect" us by
exacerbating the social deprivation that led millions to join the
lunatic anti-truth movement.


feed_id: 4f2e3bb74ff821315344bb65cb490cb6
title: Sabotaging relations
uri: Sabotaging-relations
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#14_January_2021_%28Sabotaging_relations%29
content:
<p>
The wrecker has tried to sabotage US relations with Cuba <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2021/01/12/trump-administrations-parting-outrage-against-cuba">by falsely
claiming it promotes terrorism</a>.

<p>
The Cuban government does not recognize freedom of speech, and does not
obey its own constitution.
  It has even <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2013-may-aug.html#21_August_2013_(Oswaldo_Paya's_relatives_have_sued)">killed dissidents</a>.
  However, injustices like that in a country do not compel the US to engage
in economic warfare with it.  

<p>
<a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#salafi">Salafi Arabia</a> is far, far worse, and has started wars in its region,
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2018-sep-dec.html#26_October_2018_(Khashoggi_admission)">as well as killing dissidents</a>.
  Despite that, the US is quite friendly with <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#salafi">Salafi Arabia</a>.


feed_id: 2a1c58a29573a9dabb27b0128dcc6639
title: Alleged insurrectionists on the TSA's no-fly list
uri: Alleged-insurrectionists-on-the-TSA-s-no-fly-list
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#14_January_2021_%28Alleged_insurrectionists_on_the_TSA%27s_no-fly_list%29

content:
<p>

Senator Schumer wants to put <a href="https://theintercept.com/2021/01/13/capitol-riot-no-fly-list-schumer/">alleged insurrectionists on the TSA's
no-fly list</a>.
<p>
The no-fly list is punishment without trial.  It should never have been
set up, and we should get rid of it in the name of freedom.


feed_id: c52b0a95788aaeb493caa449779043a3
title: Republican representatives that voted to impeach Trump
uri: Republican-representatives-that-voted-to-impeach-Trump
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#14_January_2021_%28Republican_representatives_that_voted_to_impeach_Trump%29

content:
<p>

10 Republicans in the House of Representatives <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/jan/13/republicans-donald-trump-impeached-house">voted to impeach Trump</a>.
The rest of them continued to defend him even after he had launched an
attack on the House of Representatives.


feed_id: 612c54488ffbc596d26a44a39a4244cb
title: Hong Kong protests vs US insurrection against democracy
uri: Hong-Kong-protests-vs-US-insurrection-against-democracy
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#14_January_2021_%28Hong_Kong_protests_vs_US_insurrection_against_democracy%29

content:
<p>

Hong Kong's puppet leader equates protests in Hong Kong for democracy
and against repression with insurrection against democracy in the US.
She <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/jan/12/carrie-lam-hong-kong-accuses-west-of-double-standards-over-attack-on-us-capitol">condemns them both alike</a>.
<p>
The wrecker equates them too.  He supports them both alike.


feed_id: 8db19592a062215d65fbda0e9c2059af
title: BlackRock's "divestment" from coal
uri: BlackRock-s-divestment-from-coal
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#14_January_2021_%28BlackRock%27s_divestment_from_coal%29

content:
<p>

BlackRock pledged to divest from coal, but all it did was <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/business/2021/jan/13/blackrock-holds-85bn-in-coal-despite-pledge-to-sell-fossil-fuel-shares">move its
coal investments</a> into companies which do other things as well.


feed_id: 27fd45b177dfaa30071a524a9007756f
title: Urgent: Support the COUP Act
uri: Urgent-Support-the-COUP-Act
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#15_January_2021_%28Urgent%3A_Support_the_COUP_Act%29

content:
<p>

US citizens: <a href="https://actionnetwork.org/forms/add-your-name-in-support-of-the-coup-act">support the COUP Act</a>, which will establish a commission
to investigate the weaknesses (and perhaps worse) of the Capitol Police.


feed_id: c47e216bd8a79ff8b9fea45aea6b1d13
title: Urgent: Remove congress members that won't denounce the insurrection
uri: Urgent-Remove-congress-members-that-won-t-denounce-the-insurrection
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#15_January_2021_%28Urgent%3A_Remove_congress_members_that_won%27t_denounce_the_insurrection%29

content:
<p>

US citizens: call on Congress <a href="http://act.democracyforamerica.com/sign/remove-insurrectionist/">remove members that won't denounce
    the insurrection</a>.

<p>The Capitol Switchboard number is 202-224-3121.</p>

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


feed_id: cab0758448ea2d9567e72c6f74e0b455
title: Experiment
uri: Experiment
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#15_January_2021_%28Experiment%29
content:
<p>
*Google's 'experiment' hiding Australian news <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2021/jan/14/googles-experiment-hiding-australian-news-just-shows-its-inordinate-power">just shows its inordinate power</a>.*


feed_id: 67931c4c7f225e9701425bbe555c12e1
title: Suing NYPD
uri: Suing-NYPD
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#15_January_2021_%28Suing_NYPD%29
content:
<p>
*New York attorney general <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/jan/14/letitia-james-nypd-new-york-attorney-general-lawsuit-protests">sues NYPD over response to BLM protests</a>.*

<p>
*We found a pattern of deeply concerning and unlawful practices that
 the NYPD utilized in response to these largely peaceful protests.*

<p>
Suing the department may be a good way to take action, but I am
convinced that changing the behavior of <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thugs</a> requires some sort of
sanction on individual <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thugs</a>.


feed_id: ffe899857ef3cecb5cb7bb6e8b5ee926
title: Quiet nuclear test
uri: Quiet-nuclear-test
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#15_January_2021_%28Quiet_nuclear_test%29
content:
<p>
(<a href="https://www.theonion.com/north-korea-holds-quiet-low-key-nuclear-test-just-for-1845879459">satire</a>) *North Korea Holds Quiet, Low-Key Nuclear Test Just For Self.*


feed_id: e33694d0bab60012dfa037c78e3a6a16
title: Overshadow
uri: Overshadow
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#15_January_2021_%28Overshadow%29
content:
<p>
(<a href="https://www.theonion.com/josh-hawley-condemns-pro-trump-rioters-for-upstaging-hi-1846010370">satire</a>) Senator Hawley: *Yesterday, I was shocked and disappointed to see a
destructive mob break through the Capitol building’s security and
overshadow my own planned grandstanding.*


feed_id: 1e4b88a0124e79e9842fe99e311f3fd4
title: Anti-truthers bullying
uri: Anti-truthers-bullying
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#15_January_2021_%28Anti-truthers_bullying%29
content:
<p>
As Rep. Bustos flew home from Washington after the fright of the
insurrection in the Capitol, <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2021/01/13/opinions/trump-impeachment-capitol-riot-bustos/index.html">other passengers who were anti-truthers
not up and began bullying other passengers</a>.

<p>
They took off their masks to intimidate people.
That's reckless endangerment again.


feed_id: 4e073b77c708e0153202f699c7fd4a62
title: Mobile tracking
uri: Mobile-tracking
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#15_January_2021_%28Mobile_tracking%29
content:
<p>
Venice identifies all tourists <a href="https://www.cnn.com/travel/article/venice-control-room-tourism/index.html">by their mobile phones and tracks
their movements</a>.

<p>
The article is propaganda in favor of massive surveillance, presenting
it as an exciting advance in technology.  Since the city tracks boats and
tides, it implies, of course it should track you and me also.

<p>
But they won't track me, not that way, because I don't carry a
personal tracking and listening device.  This tracking is one of
the two reasons I don't.


feed_id: 8106e036a981914690c8d0a9c7650c67
title: Fridays for Future
uri: Fridays-for-Future
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#15_January_2021_%28Fridays_for_Future%29
content:
<p>
Fridays for Future <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2021/01/13/demanding-immediate-action-over-empty-promises-youth-climate-movement-announces-next">will resume global climate strike actions on March 19</a>.

<p>
If I can, I will report on no-Javascript ways to participate.


feed_id: f97086c3e1ef126b5edb109436047e17
title: Global instability
uri: Global-instability
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#15_January_2021_%28Global_instability%29
content:
<p>
*The US <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/business/2021/jan/13/the-us-is-now-the-focus-of-global-instability">is now the focus of global instability</a>.*
  And it is likely to remain such until such time as right-wing
terrorism diminishes.


feed_id: f514b08129a5bcc9da5d6c1423435c2e
title: Aid in insurrection
uri: Aid-in-insurrection
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#15_January_2021_%28Aid_in_insurrection%29
content:
<p>
There are indications that some Republicans in Congress aided the
insurrection, <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2021/01/13/politics/capitol-insurrection-insider-help/index.html">including helping participants plan in advance how to
attack the Capitol</a>.


feed_id: 9952bc621455426c9bb96d9e546d5677
title: Funding Senator
uri: Funding-Senator
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#15_January_2021_%28Funding_Senator%29
content:
<p>
(<a href="https://www.theonion.com/citigroup-begrudgingly-keeps-funding-marco-rubio-after-1846053257">satire</a>) *Citigroup Begrudgingly Keeps Funding Marco Rubio After
Learning Senator Voted For Election Certification.*


feed_id: 72345027cd4ad02fc0b62c5c14bf00cb
title: Shut down of Parler
uri: Shut-down-of-Parler
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#15_January_2021_%28Shut_down_of_Parler%29
content:
<p>
Glenn Greenwald notes that when three Big Tech quasimonopolies shut
down Parler, <a href="https://greenwald.substack.com/p/how-silicon-valley-in-a-show-of-monopolistic">they demonstrated that they have considerable censorship
power over society</a>.

<p>
He also says that, counter to widespread impressions, Parler did not
intentionally promote any particular political current, did not permit
advocacy of violence, and was not the main way insurrectionists
communicated to prepare for insurrection.

<p>
*If these firms are so powerful that they can be the primary
gatekeepers between a president and the public, <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2021/01/13/kicking-trump-social-media-wont-save-democracy-say-antitrust-experts">then they have outgrown
democratic control</a>.*


feed_id: 52f94279812b027307c2f434d73d1cb1
title: DNA engineering
uri: DNA-engineering
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#15_January_2021_%28DNA_engineering%29
content:
<p>
Is DNA engineering anything like programming?  Can we reach
any ethical conclusions about its "source code"?

<p>
Look at <a href="https://berthub.eu/articles/posts/reverse-engineering-source-code-of-the-biontech-pfizer-vaccine/">the workings of a Covid-19 RNA vaccine</a>.

<p>
That RNA is not compiled from "source code"; there is no such
technology.  I don't think it is much like programming, either; this
looks to me like a field of physical engineering.  So I don't think we
should try to understand it based on software.  We should think about
it independently, based on our general principles; some of the principles
we apply to software may be pertinent here, but they won't lead to
the same conclusions.


feed_id: 274e024e0dbc4a5257f034dd8fae55f1
title: Big tech crack down
uri: Big-tech-crack-down
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#15_January_2021_%28Big_tech_crack_down%29
content:
<p>
Big Tech companies decided to crack down on right-wing mobs set on
overthrowing the US government (or worse) just after they learned
that Democrats would control the Senate.  It could be a scheme <a href="https://theintercept.com/2021/01/13/big-tech-antitrust-biden-ftc/">to
convince them not to break up those Big Tech companies</a>.

<p>
I would guess that Big Tech is also working on acquiring a few
Democratic senators to block anything that might reduce their power.


feed_id: 304c9b4383b262f135f32df164b768ae
title: Working with insurrection
uri: Working-with-insurrection
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#15_January_2021_%28Working_with_insurrection%29
content:
<p>
ALEC, the right-wing state law lobbying group is working on a campaign
with a group <a href="https://www.exposedbycmd.org/2021/01/13/alec-working-in-partnership-with-turning-point-usa-major-player-in-capitol-insurrection/">that promotes voter fraud lies and helped organize the
preparations for the insurrection</a>.

<p>
Some state legislators that are members of ALEC <a href="https://www.exposedbycmd.org/2021/01/13/alec-lawmakers-traveled-d-c-rally-march-that-led-fatal-insurrection/">participated in the rally
that was the staging ground for the insurrection</a>.


feed_id: 7356df80425e16c334fadbf5489915dd
title: Journalists will be threatened
uri: Journalists-will-be-threatened
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#15_January_2021_%28Journalists_will_be_threatened%29

content:
<p>
Reporters Without Borders warns that anti-truth right-wing extremists
<a href="https://rsf.org/en/news/us-ahead-inauguration-day-rsf-gravely-concerned-media-safety">will threaten journalists, in the days leading up to the inauguration</a>.

<p>
I see no reason to assume they will stop then.


feed_id: 1f51f21f0f5bff29c3ef01241d1c4a2c
title: Qatar imprisoned and tortured professor Lukman Thalib
uri: Qatar-imprisoned-and-tortured-professor-Lukman-Thalib
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#18_January_2021_%28Qatar_imprisoned_and_tortured_professor_Lukman_Thalib%29

content:
<p>

Qatar <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/jan/16/australian-professor-lukman-thalib-and-his-son-ismail-thalib-freed-after-being-allegedly-tortured-in-qatar">imprisoned and tortured professor Lukman Thalib</a> for 5 months
and never tried to give any reason for it.


feed_id: fc5054826e59c4948b46d9629a74c65a
title: Whale beachings in Pacific
uri: Whale-beachings-in-Pacific
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#18_January_2021_%28Whale_beachings_in_Pacific%29
content:
<p>

*<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/jan/16/left-stranded-us-military-sonar-linked-to-whale-beachings-in-pacific-say-scientists">US military sonar linked to whale beachings in Pacific</a>, say
scientists.*


feed_id: f29eb55793267e363db4d728ed4ddcc5
title: Capitol rioters planned to capture and kill politicians
uri: Capitol-rioters-planned-to-capture-and-kill-politicians
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#18_January_2021_%28Capitol_rioters_planned_to_capture_and_kill_politicians%29

content:
<p>

*Capitol rioters <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/jan/15/capitol-rioters-planned-capture-kill-officials-say-prosecutors">planned to capture and kill politicians</a>, say prosecutors.*


feed_id: 56b2d762d4b20da5052fff5aa8ba59e3
title: Sci-Hub is under attack
uri: Sci-Hub-is-under-attack
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#18_January_2021_%28Sci-Hub_is_under_attack%29
content:
<p>

<a href="https://www.sciencemag.org/news/2021/01/twitter-shuts-down-account-sci-hub-pirated-papers-website">Sci-Hub is under attack</a>.
<p>
The loss of Sci-Hub would be a disaster for science around the world.
The loss of Elsevier, Wilie and the American Chemical Society would be
a plus.  There are already libre scientific journals, and once the
non-libre journals are gone, the libre ones would enjoy complete
success.


feed_id: 9b046c04a583511bb41548b8005c225d
title: Air pollution will make refugees
uri: Air-pollution-will-make-refugees
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#18_January_2021_%28Air_pollution_will_make_refugees%29

content:
<p>

Air pollution will make <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/jan/15/air-pollution-will-lead-to-mass-migration-say-experts-after-landmark-ruling">millions of people refugees</a>.
<p>
There will not be places for millions (or billions) of people to
migrate to.  The only practical solution is to reduce the pollution,
in all countries.
<p>
Not just this sort of pollution, of course.  We have to make it safe
for people to live in their own countries.


feed_id: b104517cd7fa4aca06cd4c528f358760
title: India's unrestrained repression
uri: India-s-unrestrained-repression
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#18_January_2021_%28India%27s_unrestrained_repression%29

content:
<p>

2020 was the year that India imposed <a href="https://pieterjfriedrich.medium.com/horror-and-hope-for-new-india-in-2020-part-1-869e6bd9a7ad">unrestrained repression</a>.
<p>
*By June 2020, the Modi regime began its gradual "unlocking"
 process. Yet, as restrictions were slowly eased, the damage was
 already done. The anti- CAA/NRC protests had been squashed, internal
 migrants were impoverished or lay dead, the general populace had
 endured the unhinged brutality of the police as they enforced the
 lockdown, the jailing of dissidents had expanded, and the already
 ascendant RSS had entrenched itself far deeper into society than ever
 before.*


feed_id: d2a229d62b16ef63e6e7dac89e660ab4
title: Ghastly future of global heating
uri: Ghastly-future-of-global-heating
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#18_January_2021_%28Ghastly_future_of_global_heating%29

content:
<p>

<a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#global heating">Global heating</a>, degradation of ecosystems, increasing general human
hunger and sickness, increasing general extinction for other species
&mdash; looking at the <a href="https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fcosc.2020.615419/full">ghastly future</a> facing us if we don't pull humanity
away from it.


feed_id: f330ce5e627c6bf51102a71979c29cec
title: Price fixing on e-books
uri: Price-fixing-on-e-books
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#18_January_2021_%28Price_fixing_on_e-books%29
content:
<p>

A lawsuit accuses Amazon plus the four giant book publishers of <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/books/2021/jan/15/amazoncom-and-big-five-publishers-accused-of-ebook-price-fixing">fixing
prices on e-books</a> distributed anywhere but on Amazon.
<p>
I doubt that whatever damages they have to pay for this will make them
really stop doing this.  I expect instead that they will find a
different way to dress it up.  But this use of their market power is
only a symptom: the disease is that they control so much of the
market.
<p>
We need laws that effectively prevent so much concentration of any
industry, regardless of how that concentration was or is achieved.
Antimonopoly law, or better said antioligopoly and antioligopsony law,
should discard the question of whether excess concentration was
achieved by "unfair" means or not, and focus on protecting society
from the unjust power that concentration generally tends to create.
<p>
Achieving a fair, competitive price for the not-really-sale of e-books
would not make them cease to be unjust.  The principal injustices of
commercial e-books today are in the other aspects of their distribution:
<a href="defectivebydesign.org">imposing DRM</a> and its concomitant nonfree reader software,
carrying an antisocializing contract instead of actual purchase,
and requiring the not-really-buyers to identify themselves.
<p>
I would rather do without the e-book than submit to <a href="media/3f1e898d.ebooks.pdf" data-original-source="https://stallman.org/ebooks.pdf">those wrongs</a>.


feed_id: 2e3aaedc4033d86989108c2dc7d7a39b
title: Nigeria to fund work for young workers
uri: Nigeria-to-fund-work-for-young-workers
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#18_January_2021_%28Nigeria_to_fund_work_for_young_workers%29

content:
<p>

Nigeria is starting a New Deal that will <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/film/2021/jan/14/some-kind-of-heaven-the-villages-florida-film">fund work for 750,000 young
workers</a> to reduce the economic damage of Covid-19.


feed_id: b36ba0b1c4e9649ee8fb63fe865de175
title: Urgent: End participation in the war in Yemen
uri: Urgent-End-participation-in-the-war-in-Yemen
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#18_January_2021_%28Urgent%3A_End_participation_in_the_war_in_Yemen%29

content:
<p>

US citizens: call on Biden to <a href="https://act.winwithoutwar.org/act/Biden-end-US-complicity-in-Yemen">end US participation in the war in
Yemen</a>.


feed_id: bdd54a45fae0daba4d48a1da6f13288a
title: Urgent: Convict the wrecker
uri: Urgent-Convict-the-wrecker
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#18_January_2021_%28Urgent%3A_Convict_the_wrecker%29
content:
<p>

US citizens: call on the Senate to <a href="https://actionnetwork.org/petitions/add-your-name-remove-donald-trump-now">convict the wrecker and disqualify
him from all offices</a>.


feed_id: 6cc22317f3674b61bfe6457f760f9210
title: Urgent: pass HR 1
uri: Urgent-pass-HR-1
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#18_January_2021_%28Urgent%3A_pass_HR_1_%29
content:
<p>

US citizens: call on Congress to <a href="https://www.signherenow.org/petition/democracy-reform/six-pac/">pass HR 1</a> to make US elections more
democratic.


feed_id: e0390bf51331cbb6658662fe6d0a3ce5
title: Urgent: Stop donations to legislators that tried to overturn the election
uri: Urgent-Stop-donations-to-legislators-that-tried-to-overturn-the-elect
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#18_January_2021_%28Urgent%3A_Stop_donations_to_legislators_that_tried_to_overturn_the_election%29

content:
<p>

US citizens: call on big tech and media companies to <a href="https://act.freepress.net/sign/cut_funding_seditious_legislators">stop donating to
legislators that tried to overturn the election and/or encouraged the
coup</a>.


feed_id: 0d17ce5a749c9a1716edeceeeb7d8f20
title: Capitol Police
uri: 2021-01-18-Capitol-Police
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#18_January_2021_%28Capitol_Police%29
content:
<p>
Racism and explicit racist bullying <a href="https://boingboing.net/2021/01/14/black-officers-say-racism-is-endemic-in-capitol-police.html">are rife in the Capitol Police</a>.

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


feed_id: fa4ca4b20396804feb4c2ac097c55981
title: Climate change and structural racism
uri: Climate-change-and-structural-racism
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#18_January_2021_%28Climate_change_and_structural_racism%29

content:
<p>
*How the Biden-Harris Administration <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2021/01/15/how-biden-harris-administration-can-fight-climate-change-and-structural-racism">Can Fight Climate Change and
Structural Racism</a>.*


feed_id: 571b834232e33cdb411cc5626d64ab9e
title: Giant copper mine
uri: Giant-copper-mine
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#18_January_2021_%28Giant_copper_mine%29
content:
<p>
The corrupter's officials hastily approved a giant copper mine, <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2021/01/15/trump-approves-sacred-land-swap-foreign-owned-mining-corporation-silences">rushing
the environmental impact statement</a>.

<p>
I hope that this haste offers opportunity to challenge the decision
and that Biden will be able to quash it.


feed_id: 4610dc15d4a7c3ed0eddedd608c3a32e
title: Seven cent
uri: Seven-cent
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#18_January_2021_%28Seven_cent%29
content:
<p>
(<a href="https://www.theonion.com/u-s-mint-introduces-new-seven-cent-coin-to-bolster-cit-1845108468">satire</a>) *officials from the U.S. Mint announced Friday a new
 seven-cent coin to bolster citizens’ math skills.*


feed_id: 902a85941400ff3419928533b9df22d7
title: Cancel culture
uri: 2021-01-18-Cancel-culture
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#18_January_2021_%28Cancel_culture%29
content:
<p>
(<a href="https://invidio.us/watch?v=RSt9CWAgdJg">satire</a>) Cancel culture in the Middle Ages.

<p>
The link will bring you to a page listing links to the same video on
many invidious proxies.  Follow any one of those links to see the
video.


feed_id: 2397082895a0ef9523ff7fe123b8fdd1
title: Terrorist organization
uri: Terrorist-organization
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#18_January_2021_%28Terrorist_organization%29
content:
<p>
The wrecker designated the Houthis in Yemen as a "terrorist organization",
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2021/01/13/houthi-designation-tone-deaf-foreign-policy-tone-deaf-administration">which will impede humanitarian aid to that starving region</a>.

<p>
The article does not explain why Biden could not cancel this on Jan 21.
I would like to know.


feed_id: 353a4383dc8a35e2954a74720305098b
title: Food monopolies
uri: Food-monopolies
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#18_January_2021_%28Food_monopolies%29
content:
<p>
Calling for <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2021/01/13/family-farm-action-alliance-releases-toolkit-new-congress-tackle-food-monopoly">federal action against food monopolies</a>.

<p>
I support this, of course, but we need not look at the issue of
monopolies on an industry-by-industry basis.  Concentration is harmful
in any industry, so we should take general steps to reduce it
drastically across the board.

<p>
And how about an import tariff that is based on the size of the company
doing the exporting?


feed_id: c92b0fe040642093caf91d5553ba94c2
title: Social Destructive Business Model
uri: Social-Destructive-Business-Model
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#18_January_2021_%28Social_Destructive_Business_Model%29

content:
<p>
*To Protect Democracy, Lawmakers Must Fix [antisocial media's] <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2021/01/13/protect-democracy-lawmakers-must-fix-big-techs-socially-destructive-business">Socially
Destructive Business Model</a>.*

<p>
Not all the big tech companies use that business model.
Apple <a href="https://stallman.org/apple.html">does other evils</a>,
   not that one.  Likewise <a href="https://stallman.org/microsoft.html">Microsoft</a>,
   <a href="https://stallman.org/amazon.html">Amazon</a>,
   and <a href="https://stallman.org/uber.html.">Uber</a>.


feed_id: 4901f45c284f53de66aa25313b8e101c
title: Usage of force
uri: Usage-of-force
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#18_January_2021_%28Usage_of_force%29
content:
<p>
US thugs are three times as likely to use force <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/jan/13/us-police-use-of-force-protests-black-lives-matter-far-right">against peaceful
leftwing protests than against peaceful rightwing protests</a>.

<p>
When violent protests are included, the ratio is almost as large.


feed_id: 670ead061353bd2963838cc019aecc8c
title: Painfully difficult to terminate membership
uri: Painfully-difficult-to-terminate-membership
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#18_January_2021_%28Painfully_difficult_to_terminate_membership%29

content:
<p>
Amazon has made it painfully difficult <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2021/01/14/ftc-complaint-ending-amazon-prime-membership-deceptive-unlawful-ordeal">to terminate membership in
Amazon Prime</a>.


feed_id: 8070a27e63375d176f7ed279221f1e5e
title: Policy of separating families
uri: Policy-of-separating-families
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#18_January_2021_%28Policy_of_separating_families%29
content:
<p>
The inspector general of the Department of Justice said that Sessions
imposed the policy of separating families <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/jan/14/trump-official-family-separation-policy-rod-rosenstein">because he wanted to punish
unauthorized immigrants more</a>.


feed_id: ff3b4411a0be91c00cc800574182534d
title: History of promoting war
uri: History-of-promoting-war
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#18_January_2021_%28History_of_promoting_war%29
content:
<p>
Victoria Nuland, whom Biden proposed as an official in the State Department, <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2021/01/14/will-senate-confirm-coup-plotter-victoria-nuland">has a history of promoting war</a>.


feed_id: a5e1d26d4af9eba6bb5c61c6b8922840
title: Vulnerable voting machines
uri: Vulnerable-voting-machines
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#18_January_2021_%28Vulnerable_voting_machines%29
content:
<p>
Some voting machines used in some US states, specifically the Dominion
Voting Systems ICE and the ESS ExpressVote machines, are vulnerable to
cracking.  Crackers could install software that would alter the vote
printed it on the ballot <a href="https://freedom-to-tinker.com/2021/01/11/ess-voting-machine-company-sends-threats/">before the machine deposits it in the ballot box</a>.

<p>
Voters must vote directly on paper.


feed_id: f14a5b3bbf05868866bfb43ba827981d
title: Censorship
uri: 2021-01-18-Censorship
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#18_January_2021_%28Censorship%29
content:
<p>
There is little practical difference between <a href="https://locusmag.com/2020/01/cory-doctorow-inaction-is-a-form-of-action/">censorship by
an oligopoly of businesses and censorship by the state</a>.
  And even less differences when the state defines the framework for
censorship by these businesses.

<p>
I object to those businesses for other reasons, so I don't use any of them;
I never did use them to communicate with people.  I think we should bring the internet back to the stage when it let users connect with each other.


feed_id: 5dff4e4d3cc12b311c744a544ebe9154
title: Little power for workers
uri: Little-power-for-workers
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#18_January_2021_%28Little_power_for_workers%29
content:
<p>
*It's now clear this government <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2021/jan/15/government-uk-workers-power-conservatives-britain-rights">wants UK workers to have as little power as
possible</a>.*

<p>
Not just workers &mdash; <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/society/2021/jan/15/politicians-and-media-getting-more-hostile-towards-charities-poll-finds">campaigners' freedom is threatened too</a>.

<p>
For instance, "Don't you dare embarrass us by talking about past
profits from slavery!  And make a contract not to criticize government
policy!"


feed_id: ed7fc9b1d96cbf04d58b6958a237503b
title: Urgent: expel coup denialists
uri: Urgent-expel-coup-denialists
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#19_January_2021_%28Urgent%3A_expel_coup_denialists%29

content:
<p>
US citizens: <a href="http://act.democracyforamerica.com/sign/remove-insurrectionist/?t=1001&refcode=g-ExpelMoC0116.d-20210116.m-26013.s-162787&akid=26013%2E1906019%2EU6L4j7">call on Congress</a> to expel the members of Congress that
deny there was a coup attempt.


feed_id: a40b75ef6de74b67340613ce1672ec76
title: Navalny arrested
uri: 2021-01-19-Navalny-arrested
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#19_January_2021_%28Navalny_arrested%29
content:
<p>
Alexei Navalny returned to Russia, where he was immediately arrested
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/jan/17/alexei-navalny-detained-at-airport-on-return-to-russia">and faces years in prison for absurdly unfair charges</a>.

<p>
*Poison squad stalked Alexei Navalny on 40 flights, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/jan/17/poison-squad-stalked-alexei-navalny-on-40-flights-says-bellingcat-investigator">says Bellingcat
investigator</a>.*


feed_id: 76f4a1e805ac8bd94a741ccbd691695a
title: Economic understanding of politics
uri: Economic-understanding-of-politics
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#19_January_2021_%28Economic_understanding_of_politics%29

content:
<p>
An interesting abstract economic understanding <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/jan/17/were-on-the-verge-of-breakdown-a-data-scientists-take-on-trump-and-biden">of the politics of the
US these days</a>.

<p>
However, as for continuing that 50-year cycle, there are many things
which are getting worse and will keep getting worse for more than 50
years, due to underlying physical and biological factors: global
heating, resource exhaustion, and pollution of various kinds.


feed_id: 71dac8399989f3b308f6312793bed21d
title: Carbon capture
uri: 2021-01-19-Carbon-capture
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#19_January_2021_%28Carbon_capture%29
content:
<p>
There is a debate between those who argue that carbon capture and
storage (CCS) is a necessary system for reducing emissions and those
who argue <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/jan/16/carbon-capture-vital-meeting-climate-goals-scientists-cut-emissions">that it is ineffective and an expensive distraction</a>.

<p>
I readily agree that CCS is an acceptable method in principle.  If you
can make it work, please go ahead.  But when it comes to public
investment, it has to compete with the other methods for reducing
emissions.  If we spend X on reducing emissions, which way of spending
it would achieve the biggest reduction?

<p>
The article mentions that debate, and gives me the impression that
the opponents of CCS are right, at least while while other cheaper
methods are waiting to be used.

<p>
Or maybe we should treble our spending on emissions reduction and
try all the methods at once.


feed_id: ea64919782d632993366a929f9219ba0
title: Killer venerated
uri: Killer-venerated
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#19_January_2021_%28Killer_venerated%29
content:
<p>
*Mahatma Gandhi's killer venerated <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/jan/17/mahatma-gandhis-killer-venerated-as-hindu-nationalism-resurges-in-india">as Hindu nationalism resurges in India</a>.*

<p>
"Hindu nationalism" despises non-Hindus (especially Muslims, but
Christians too, and maybe Buddhists) and seeks to oppress them within
India or expel them.  That's why Modi's supporters adopted two
citizenship laws which, together, make an excuse to deny the
citizenship of non-Hindus and expel them.

<p>
Paradoxically they also want India to control areas inhabited mainly
by Muslims, such as Kashmir, whether they want to be part of India or
not.  (India promised Kashmiris a referendum about independence, but
never carried it out.)

<p>
Those who condemn Gandhi for supporting partition between India and
Pakistan apparently wish that Pakistan and Bangladesh were part of
India today, so that they could oppress or expel Muslims there too.

<p>
This looks like the return of the sort of territorial expansionism
that mostly disappeared after World War II, together with religious
hatred.


feed_id: 5321121026f2ebfa51470deac8b1412a
title: Rigged election
uri: 2021-01-19-Rigged-election
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#19_January_2021_%28Rigged_election%29
content:
<p>
President Museveni of Uganda says he won reelection, but his opponent,
Bobi Wine, <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2021/01/16/africa/uganda-presidential-election-yoweri-museveni-bobi-wine-intl/index.html">says the election was rigged</a>.

<p>
Some forms of rigging are undeniable &mdash; for instance, shutting down
the internet, and repeatedly arresting Wine.  That makes it plausible
Museveni has done other things to rig this election.


feed_id: 09851d1c9cbf7afe70c30517aeb426bb
title: Taser is a lethal weapon
uri: Taser-is-a-lethal-weapon
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#19_January_2021_%28Taser_is_a_lethal_weapon%29
content:
<p>
Prosecutors <a href="https://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory/house-speakers-office-invader-put-house-arrest-75287119">have recognized that the taser is a lethal weapon</a>.

<p>
The taser is meant to be a nonlethal weapon, though "less lethal" is a
more accurate term for it.  Yet these weapons can kill; and many of
them can maim.

<p>
It is a good thing that cops carry these weapons; it stands to reason
that the availability of that alternative to shooting a gun has
avoided many killings.  At the same time, the wild use of less-lethal
weapons by <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thugs</a> has caused many avoidable injuries.  We need to consider
their misuse as a serious matter <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jul-oct.html#16_September_2020_(Physicians_for_Human_Rights_calls_for_banning_rubber-coated_hard_bullets)">even when they cause damage less than fatal</a>.

<p>
And even when they don't cause any lasting damage _that_ time, it is a
serious matter because it is crucial that cops don't have bad habits
of using them.


feed_id: 70b57fd12961e4ae898f225bd52f4faf
title: Identity politics
uri: 2021-01-19-Identity-politics
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#19_January_2021_%28Identity_politics%29
content:
<p>
US politics today is a battle between evil yoked to identity politics
and some kinds of justice yoked to identity politics &mdash; and the
identity politics <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2021/01/16/trump-may-be-trial-you-can-bet-system-produced-him-will-be-acquitted">will make the two camps fight on and on</a>.

<p>
I have to point out, however, that Republicans stole the 2016
presidential election, <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2016-sep-dec.html#11_December_2016_(Democrats)">with voter-suppression</a>.
  They try this every time.  Sometimes the Democrats win by a
sufficient amount to overcome the Republican election-rigging, and
sometimes they don't.


feed_id: d3183be093ef85e7a2c83fbb3912812e
title: Excuse to ban protests
uri: Excuse-to-ban-protests
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#19_January_2021_%28Excuse_to_ban_protests%29
content:
<p>
Wales is using Covid-19 as an excuse to completely ban protests, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2021/jan/16/mohamud-hassan-death-woman-faces-covid-fine-over-cardiff-protests">for instance
about the death of a black prisoner in jail</a>.

<p>
People must always have the right to protest, as long as they follow safety
rules such as masks and distancing.


feed_id: b291afcf853b8c992dd0235518fafa2b
title: No surprise from thugs
uri: No-surprise-from-thugs
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#19_January_2021_%28No_surprise_from_thugs%29
content:
<p>
It is no surprise that <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/jan/16/us-capitol-riot-police-neo-nazis-far-right">thugs with badges participated in a crime
intended to overthrow the US government</a>.

<p>
<a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">Thugs</a> have had a tendency towards violent right-wing views for a long
time.  What has changed is that the wrecker convinced many of them to
believe in a fantasy world in which the US government was guilty of
imaginary wrongs.

<p>
The <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thugs</a> who actually participated will be prosecuted.  However,
<a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thugs</a> who support white supremacism or Nazism are, and were, unfit to
work as police, and would be unfit even if they did not support
a coup attempt.  How can we expel them?

<p>
The US has almost 18,000 <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thug</a> departments, some very large and many
quite small.  Any <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thug</a> who is dismissed from one department because of
basic hostility to some aspect of justice can almost certainly get
hired by another.

<p>
To clean any one form of that hostility &mdash; such as, right-wing
extremism &mdash; out of these departments requires some sort of system to
block that tendency.  I can think of two ideas.  There could be a
system of blacklisting (thought that would call for safeguards against
wrongful blacklisting).  There could be a system of rebooting <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thug</a>
departments <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#7_September_2019_(Camden_police_department)">as was done Camden, New Jersey</a>.

<p>
I wonder if it is possible to deny those ex-<a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thugs</a> the right to carry
guns.


feed_id: 100d59882f2d9cddae5f4569854ae85d
title: Presidential Science Advisor
uri: Presidential-Science-Advisor
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#19_January_2021_%28Presidential_Science_Advisor%29
content:
<p>
*By elevating the role of the Presidential Science Advisor to the
 Cabinet level, scientists will be at the table and in the room <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2021/01/16/biden-harris-just-made-monumental-decision-champion-science">when
 key issues are discussed and decisions are made</a>.*


feed_id: d80dc277b1537009206a807781bedc7a
title: Fascist
uri: Fascist
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#19_January_2021_%28Fascist%29
content:
<p>
*If Trump looks like a fascist and acts like a fascist, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2021/jan/16/if-trump-looks-like-a-fascist-and-acts-like-a-fascist-then-maybe-he-is-one">then maybe he is one</a>.*

<p>
One difference between the Republican death cult and 20th century
fascism is that the former is a lot more lunatic.  It discards
grounding in reality as well sa grounding in morality.


feed_id: 2d6dbc555e0d7461bb850a5e9e947357
title: Population stabilization
uri: Population-stabilization
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#19_January_2021_%28Population_stabilization%29
content:
<p>
*21 Reasons <a href="https://www.populationconnection.org/21-reasons-we-need-population-stabilization-in-2021/">We Need Population Stabilization in 2021</a>.*


feed_id: c677e13cf3481df16e39ff85ab5dd6e9
title: Purge of disloyal soldiers
uri: Purge-of-disloyal-soldiers
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#19_January_2021_%28Purge_of_disloyal_soldiers%29
content:
<p>
The Pentagon is working on purging soldiers that are so disloyal that
<a href="https://www.cnn.com/2021/01/14/politics/pentagon-extremism/index.html">they might support a right-wing overthrow of the government</a>.

<p>
The problem of right-wing extremism and racism among military
personnel has been known for decades.  The Air Force Academy <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2005-mar-jun.html#16 May 2005 (Christian extremists)">was more
or less taken over by Christian extremists who bullied cadets to join
their cult</a>.

<p>
The wrecker encouraged them to increase their extremism to the point
of lunacy and disloyalty, and that made the problem much more grave.


feed_id: 56b4aeddf0186b303d9baf06b6d28a41
title: Unity
uri: Unity
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#19_January_2021_%28Unity%29
content:
<p>
*If Lawmakers Really Care About "Unity" <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2021/01/15/if-lawmakers-really-care-about-unity-they-should-support-policies-voters-actually">They Should Support Policies Voters
Actually Want</a>.*


feed_id: f54255ec0831f142598dd738b59a6763
title: Urgent: Prohibit naming federal property after the wrecker
uri: Urgent-Prohibit-naming-federal-property-after-the-wrecker
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#20_January_2021_%28Urgent%3A_Prohibit_naming_federal_property_after_the_wrecker%29

content:
<p>

US citizens: call on Congress to <a href="http://act.democracyforamerica.com/sign/No_Trump_Federal_Property/">prohibit naming any federal property
after the wrecker</a>.

<p>The Capitol Switchboard number is 202-224-3121.</p>


feed_id: 05893a7d04b41b9bc96948da7dfe99a5
title: Biden antitrust personnel
uri: Biden-antitrust-personnel
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#20_January_2021_%28Biden_antitrust_personnel%29
content:
<p>

*Big Tech Critics <a href="https://theintercept.com/2021/01/18/biden-big-tech-antitrust-renata-hesse/">Alarmed at Direction of Biden Antitrust Personnel</a>.*


feed_id: 51c9d310f6136b634b8f499c113d8f54
title: Failing to protect seas from being over-fished
uri: Failing-to-protect-seas-from-being-over-fished
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#20_January_2021_%28Failing_to_protect_seas_from_being_over-fished%29

content:
<p>

The EU is <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/jan/18/ngos-demand-action-not-promises-as-eu-accused-of-failing-to-protect-seas">failing to effectively protect seas</a> from being over-fished
and destroyed.


feed_id: 26f08914313e3c665bd5d0a1ae4f7647
title: Uighur campaigners
uri: Uighur-campaigners
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#20_January_2021_%28Uighur_campaigners%29
content:
<p>

*Uighur campaigners to <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/jan/18/uighur-campaigners-to-target-2022-beijing-winter-olympics-sponsors">target 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics sponsors</a>.*


feed_id: 8cfb48272754bdbfb3ccda9141908e69
title: Fear of insider attack on Biden inauguration
uri: Fear-of-insider-attack-on-Biden-inauguration
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#20_January_2021_%28Fear_of_insider_attack_on_Biden_inauguration%29

content:
<p>

*US defense officials <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/jan/18/us-defense-officials-fear-insider-attack-biden-inauguration">fear insider attack</a> on Biden inauguration.*
<p>
This fear is justified by the participation of military personnel in the
coup attempt.
<p>
*The Capitol riot wasn't a fringe 'uprising'.  It was enabled by very deep
pockets.*
<p>
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2021/jan/18/the-capitol-riot-wasnt-a-fringe-uprising-it-was-enabled-by-very-deep-pockets
<p>
I can't rule out that billionaires would welcome the chaos of the assassination
of the new president and vice president.  But even if they don't, what they
started may be beyond their control.


feed_id: 1b03a841d0fbeaef8ee260fd4f3e9592
title: Russia's supply of natural gas
uri: Russia-s-supply-of-natural-gas
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#20_January_2021_%28Russia%27s_supply_of_natural_gas%29

content:
<p>

The US and its allies <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/jan/18/how-biden-era-could-kickstart-coordinated-approach-to-russia">confront Russia</a> and its tantalizing supply of
natural gas.
<p>
I think I see what ought to be done: instead of building the new
pipeline, start a Marshall Carbon Plan to decarbonize Germany on the
double, and help it get past the period of shortage before that is
finished.
<p>
The outcome will be a loss for Russia, but a victory for civilization.


feed_id: 3e7eb8fb3329848a51a4c5a2561acd39
title: Toxic music svengali
uri: Toxic-music-svengali
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#20_January_2021_%28Toxic_music_svengali%29
content:
<p>

*Phil Spector <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/jan/18/phil-spector-toxic-svengali-music-industry">defined the toxic music svengali</a> &mdash; a figure that
 persists today.*
<p>
I have to believe the accounts women give of how the men they loved
imprison them.  They sound like horrible pain.  But I see nothing like
this in my life experience.  Are many of the women I meet being
treated secretly like that, and forced to hide it?


feed_id: 6f8cf3e4b4116eb5e77c68a8baeb519c
title: Cash for big business, nothing for the poorest
uri: Cash-for-big-business-nothing-for-the-poorest
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#20_January_2021_%28Cash_for_big_business%2C_nothing_for_the_poorest%29

content:
<p>

*Britain has plenty of cash to bail out big business, yet <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2021/jan/18/boris-johnson-covid-policies-poverty-universal-credit">nothing for the
poorest</a>.*
<p>
Tories work for the rich; naturally they do this.


feed_id: ad3fa3250fa6ff147d9ea30e21b4238a
title: N95 masks in Germany
uri: N95-masks-in-Germany
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#20_January_2021_%28N95_masks_in_Germany%29
content:
<p>

Germany is moving to the <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/jan/18/germany-weighs-up-mandatory-ffp2-masks-in-shops-and-on-transport">use of N95 masks for everyone</a>.  There may
be transient problems in this, but it might do some good.
<p>
I've read that the main cause of spreading is indoor gatherings
where people may take off their masks.


feed_id: 1c0edec0eb6ebf15423817fdfec9b47d
title: After hospitalization for Covid-19
uri: After-hospitalization-for-Covid-19
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#20_January_2021_%28After_hospitalization_for_Covid-19%29

content:
<p>

People in England who went home after hospitalization for Covid-19
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/society/2021/jan/18/almost-30-of-covid-patients-in-england-re-admitted-to-hospital-after-discharge-study">were not out of the woods</a>.  1/3 of them were back in the hospital
within 5 months.  1/8 of them died within that time.


feed_id: 839594f7bf1e8910aa9edc394ef195d4
title: Psychiatrists warned what the wrecker would do
uri: Psychiatrists-warned-what-the-wrecker-would-do
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#20_January_2021_%28Psychiatrists_warned_what_the_wrecker_would_do%29

content:
<p>

Psychiatrists <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2021/01/17/one-group-who-knew-all-along-how-dangerous-trump-was-mental-health-experts">tried to warn</a> about what the wrecker would do, even that
he would try a coup before giving up. However, the American Psychiatric Association made a rule that they
were forbidden to publish such predictions.


feed_id: 35c55b27cfa3e32e2df8363bfc40c249
title: Denial of American Fascism
uri: Denial-of-American-Fascism
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#20_January_2021_%28Denial_of_American_Fascism%29
content:
<p>

*Denial of American Fascism Has <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2021/01/17/denial-american-fascism-has-cost-us-dearly">Cost Us Dearly</a>.*
Includes interesting proposals for how to help today's fascists start to see
reality and how to check their armed threat.


feed_id: 1fc1411bd10e8fda2cc8bdfcfd0e34ca
title: Military training by the UK
uri: Military-training-by-the-UK
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#20_January_2021_%28Military_training_by_the_UK%29
content:
<p>

*UK trained military of 15 countries with <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2021/jan/17/uk-trained-military-of-13-countries-with-poor-human-rights-records">poor human rights records</a>.*


feed_id: b9dead681dc3a6fbce864f4909455538
title: Israel's treaty obligation
uri: Israel-s-treaty-obligation
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#20_January_2021_%28Israel%27s_treaty_obligation%29
content:
<p>

Israel as occupying power has a treaty obligation to provide medical
care to the occupied population as to its own.  Instead, Israel is
<a href="https://jacobinmag.com/2021/01/israel-palestine-covid-vaccine-coronavirus-gaza">denying Covid-19 vaccine to Palestinians</a>.


feed_id: 0fec070de6c08190d1389a8c04b46d8e
title: Palestinian legislative elections in May
uri: Palestinian-legislative-elections-in-May
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#20_January_2021_%28Palestinian_legislative_elections_in_May%29

content:
<p>

Palestine will hold <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/jan/16/abbas-announces-first-palestinian-elections-in-15-years">legislative elections</a> in May, or try to.  It will
not be easy to do, under occupation and with Gaza held by HAMAS and
under siege.


feed_id: 747f56f0315a94b4dc5d5630113c1158
title: Letter condemning the first political party started by Menachem Begin
uri: Letter-condemning-the-first-political-party-started-by-Menachem-Begin
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#20_January_2021_%28Letter_condemning_the_first_political_party_started_by_Menachem_Begin%29

content:
<p>

28 prominent US Jews, including Albert Einstein and Hannah Arendt,
<a href="http://wilsonweb.physics.harvard.edu/HUMANRIGHTS/Einstein_Letter_Warning_Of_Zionist_Facism_In_Israel.html">signed this letter</a> condemning as fascist and murderous the first political
party started by Menachem Begin. He later founded the Likud Party, which
now heads the government of Israel.


feed_id: 2d6358aa3b0762e59fa0e411ccdf1304
title: Modern method of character assassination
uri: Modern-method-of-character-assassination
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#20_January_2021_%28Modern_method_of_character_assassination%29

content:
<p>

Assange, Corbyn and leftist filmmaker Ken Loach have been targeted for
the <a href="https://consortiumnews.com/2021/01/08/olluding-in-character-assassination/">modern method of character assassination</a>, which works by accusing them
of things their supporters would consider very bad.
<p>
Yannis Varoufakis also has been.  He describes it 48 minutes into
<a href="https://invidious.snopyta.org/watch?v=uuaohhDxIG4">this video</a>.


feed_id: 575b36d5628de4fdb822d7e775a125f7
title: Plastic particles
uri: Plastic-particles
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#20_January_2021_%28Plastic_particles%29
content:
<p>

Dead seagrass leaves <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/jan/15/seagrass-neptune-balls-sieve-millions-of-plastic-particles-from-water-study-finds">collect and sequester plastic particles</a>.


feed_id: 9c500c7ccefa502d195fc667a910bd0d
title: Illinois to eliminate bail
uri: Illinois-to-eliminate-bail
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#20_January_2021_%28Illinois_to_eliminate_bail%29
content:
<p>

Illinois is about to <a href="https://theintercept.com/2021/01/17/illinois-cash-bail-reform/">eliminate bail</a>, and establish more freedom
of movement for accused people subject to location tracking.
<p>
There is a need, however, for a way to keep someone in jail
who is accused of trying to overthrow the government for the wrecker.


feed_id: 478cf1cc53ef65de07d00add05d8df19
title: Trump's Twitter ban
uri: Trump-s-Twitter-ban
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#20_January_2021_%28Trump%27s_Twitter_ban%29
content:
<p>

*Should we celebrate Trump’s Twitter ban? Five free speech experts <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/jan/17/trump-twitter-ban-five-free-speech-experts-weigh-in">weigh in</a>.*


feed_id: 6ac32d155b53eda5392a47bc84da1759
title: Taser is a lethal weapon
uri: 2021-01-20-Taser-is-a-lethal-weapon
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#19_January_2021_%28Taser_is_a_lethal_weapon%29
content:
<p>
Prosecutors <a href="https://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory/house-speakers-office-invader-put-house-arrest-75287119">have recognized that the taser is a lethal weapon</a>.

<p>
The taser is meant to be a nonlethal weapon, though "less lethal" is a
more accurate term for it.  Yet these weapons can kill; and many of
them can maim.

<p>
It is a good thing that cops carry these weapons; it stands to reason
that the availability of that alternative to shooting a gun has
avoided many killings.  At the same time, the wild use of less-lethal
weapons by <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thugs</a> has caused many avoidable injuries.  We need to consider
their misuse as a serious matter <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jul-oct.html#16_September_2020_(Physicians_for_Human_Rights_calls_for_banning_rubber-coated_hard_bullets)">even when they cause damage less than fatal</a>.

<p>
And even when they don't cause any lasting damage <em>that</em> time, it is a
serious matter because it is crucial that cops don't have bad habits
of using them.


feed_id: 35ede13ff1d2d5e44fbb3310f251c253
title: Water bills
uri: 2021-01-20-Water-bills
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#20_January_2021_%28Water_bills%29
content:
<p>
*California households <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/jan/19/california-water-bills-affordability-debt-crisis">owe $1bn in water bills as affordability crisis
 worsens</a>.*

<p>
A moratorium on shutoffs, evictions and foreclosures is not enough,
because it only defers the day of disaster.  The government must
rescue people whom Covid-19 has pushed into debt.


feed_id: a2c8bab86c406624a46367e0216a91b9
title: 43 years in prison for criticism
uri: 43-years-in-prison-for-criticism
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#20_January_2021_%2843_years_in_prison_for_criticism%29

content:
<p>
A Thai has been sentenced to 43 years in prison <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/jan/19/woman-jailed-for-record-43-years-for-insulting-thai-monarchy">for forwarding audio
clips that criticized the monarchy</a>.


feed_id: 0215433b4db7047135c2b1c5f32f1567
title: Crime of criticizing the army
uri: Crime-of-criticizing-the-army
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#20_January_2021_%28Crime_of_criticizing_the_army%29
content:
<p>
In Pakistan it is now a crime to criticize the army, <a href="https://www.dw.com/en/pakistan-journalists-military-press-freedom/a-56265949">which is very
politically powerful</a>.

<p>
The world is full of threats to freedom of sane speech.


feed_id: 1529d412544cbe413d59c3e76f745630
title: Census
uri: Census
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#20_January_2021_%28Census%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#cheater">The cheater</a>'s effort to get the 2020 Census to omit unauthorized
immigrants <a href="https://slate.com/news-and-politics/2021/01/trump-census-apportionment-undocumented-immigrants-fail.html">has failed</a>.

<p>
He also tried intimidate them (by threatening to deport them)
so that they would not respond to the census.
  I don't know to what extent that may have succeeded.


feed_id: 22d3eb10a3d4bf14bd3877cc2266d3be
title: Vaccine and credit history
uri: Vaccine-and-credit-history
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#20_January_2021_%28Vaccine_and_credit_history%29
content:
<p>
*Vaccine Site Uses Credit History <a href="https://www.vice.com/en/article/y3gq9j/nyc-vaccine-site-credit-history-experian-identity-rejected">to Verify Patients’ Identities</a>.*

<p>
This gives information about the vaccination to the credit reporter.
It is wrong to spread people's personal data that way.


feed_id: 418ab6bd6bf63fd73e09ad23ad4cb81b
title: Economic growth in 2020
uri: Economic-growth-in-2020
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#20_January_2021_%28Economic_growth_in_2020%29
content:
<p>
China's economy grew in 2020, <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2021/01/17/economy/china-gdp-2020-intl-hnk/index.html">while most other countries' declined</a>.
  It's clear this is because China took the necessary actions to quash
Covid-19.

<p>
I wonder what happened economically to Australia, New Zealand, and Taiwan,
which also quashed Covid-19 effectively.  It is possible that they had
economic declines because of loss of tourism or trade with other countries
that did not respond effectively.


feed_id: 9e43b2a93d375db68b0ac251a59e2e47
title: Shutting down the internet while stealing election
uri: Shutting-down-the-internet-while-stealing-election
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#20_January_2021_%28Shutting_down_the_internet_while_stealing_election%29

content:
<p>
As Museveni was stealing the presidential election in Uganda, he was
shutting down the internet <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2021/01/18/africa/uganda-election-internet-intl-hnk/index.html">so that the citizens could not report what
they were seeing</a>.


feed_id: 4c4e53122dc6388cd481943a5217f400
title: Consumer Financial Protection Bureau choice
uri: Consumer-Financial-Protection-Bureau-choice
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#20_January_2021_%28Consumer_Financial_Protection_Bureau_choice%29

content:
<p>
Senator Warren highly approves Biden's choice <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2021/01/18/fearless-champion-consumers-warren-applauds-biden-pick-rohit-chopra-head-cfpb">to run the Consumer
Financial Protection Bureau</a>.


feed_id: 3c98b7c60f02df13c5a59115c29fb03e
title: Luther King on Palestine
uri: Luther-King-on-Palestine
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#20_January_2021_%28Luther_King_on_Palestine%29
content:
<p>
What would Martin Luther King jr say about Israel's occupation of
Palestine?  In 1967, shortly after Israel conquered Palestine, <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2021/01/18/israel-was-designated-apartheid-state-btselem-what-martin-luther-king-jr-would">he
had a feeling it was going to become oppressive</a>.


feed_id: 092895f55d956b31f07ecd9c4942bf0a
title: Blindsided
uri: Blindsided
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#20_January_2021_%28Blindsided%29
content:
<p>
(<a href="https://www.theonion.com/god-blindsided-after-illegitimate-son-from-andromeda-ga-1846069193">satire</a>) *God Blindsided After Illegitimate Son From Andromeda Galaxy
Tracks Him Down In Heaven.*


feed_id: 41dd2be6e0e9700b57f41acf199faed1
title: Rushing to deport
uri: Rushing-to-deport
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#20_January_2021_%28Rushing_to_deport%29
content:
<p>
The sadist has rushed to deport Paul Pierrilus, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/jan/18/trump-administration-to-deport-man-to-haiti-who-has-never-been-there">who came to the US
with his parents at age 5</a>.
  They became US citizens, but seem not to have  that for their son.


feed_id: b098fa8f703096f50fba429ff6be58fd
title: Nonviolence
uri: Nonviolence
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#20_January_2021_%28Nonviolence%29
content:
<p>
Bernice King: *We still have a choice today &mdash; <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/jan/18/martin-luther-king-bernice-nonviolence-atlanta">nonviolent coexistence
or violent co-annihilation</a>.*

<p>
She advocates sticking to nonviolence in protests, which I endorse.
When the <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thugs</a> start the violence, we can win by making it clear
that violence comes from them and is their fault.


feed_id: 23b6cb899650b6b94cf203679a2b20c3
title: Sabotage of candidacy
uri: Sabotage-of-candidacy
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#20_January_2021_%28Sabotage_of_candidacy%29
content:
<p>
An investigation shows that the Massachusetts Democratic Party was <a href="https://theintercept.com/2021/01/18/alex-morse-umass-amherst-report/">more
deeply involved in sabotaging Alex Morse's candidacy</a>
  than we previously knew.


feed_id: 2716ba1a1550fe38391a905180faf7f4
title: Army against refugees
uri: Army-against-refugees
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#20_January_2021_%28Army_against_refugees%29
content:
<p>
Guatemala has sent its army to attack a group of thousands of Hondurans <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/jan/18/guatemala-troops-migrant-caravan-honduras">trying
to cross Guatemala (and then Mexico) to reach the US</a>.

<p>
The US is surely <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jan-apr.html#29_January_2020_(Honduran_refugees_blocked_by_Guatemala)">behind Guatemala's military response to these refugees</a>.

<p>
The US is also behind their flight from Honduras.  It sponsored a coup
in Honduras in 2009.
  If the US allowed Hondurans to have a better government
they might not need to search for a place to move to.


feed_id: 3c0c7c7a49538c3dc225f96ace374784
title: Bernie Sanders in Senate Budget Committee
uri: Bernie-Sanders-in-Senate-Budget-Committee
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#20_January_2021_%28Bernie_Sanders_in_Senate_Budget_Committee%29

content:
<p>
Bernie Sanders as head of the Senate Budget Committee will have
substantial power <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2021/01/17/paul-ryan-nikki-haley-gop-nightmare-senate-budget-chair-bernie-sanders-about-come">to help poor Americans instead of rich Americans</a>.

<p>
He will face the challenge of preventing <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#3_November_2019_(Manchin_is_a_plutocratist_Democrat)">only-nominally-Democratic
Senator Manchin from blocking these efforts</a>.


feed_id: 6ec89b12413fcb482baf8806cce0abe2
title: Urgent: military spending reduction
uri: Urgent-military-spending-reduction
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#21_January_2021_%28Urgent%3A_military_spending_reduction%29

content:
<p>
US citizens: <a href="https://act.rootsaction.org/p/dia/action4/common/public/?action_KEY=14054">call on your congresscritter</a> and senators to join the
Military Spending Reduction Caucus.

<p>
To sign this without running nonfree Javascript code, use the
<a href="https://stallman.org/salsalabs-method.html">Salsalabs workaround</a>.


feed_id: 2869a4a5baaa8d6f9ba1df08e148c3bd
title: Stop making life unbearable
uri: Stop-making-life-unbearable
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#21_January_2021_%28Stop_making_life_unbearable%29
content:
<p>
Changes Biden needs to bring about <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2021/01/19/biden-must-go-beyond-simply-ending-trumps-barbaric-border-policies-we-need-deeper">so as to stop making life in
Central America unbearable</a>.


feed_id: 551f3c1ad2ea683d6e585746821ccf53
title: Up-And-Coming White Supremacist
uri: Up-And-Coming-White-Supremacist
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#21_January_2021_%28Up-And-Coming_White_Supremacist%29

content:
<p>
(<a href="https://www.theonion.com/up-and-coming-white-supremacist-added-to-fbi-s-terroris-1846069500">satire</a>) *Up-And-Coming White Supremacist Added To FBI’s Terrorists To
Watch List.*


feed_id: d4d5cec9a2f7ea631b70ed255b19ec77
title: Kicking out tenants with public money
uri: Kicking-out-tenants-with-public-money
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#21_January_2021_%28Kicking_out_tenants_with_public_money%29

content:
<p>
*Report Shows Corporate Landlords <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2021/01/19/subsidizing-spread-covid-report-shows-corporate-landlords-received-public-funding">Received
Public Funding Yet Still Kicked Out Tenants</a>.*

<p>
Since large companies as landlords are nastier to tenants, we should
take steps to discourage being a large company landlord.  Higher taxes
for them, for instance.  Or, increase taxes for landlords that
frequently make a tenant leave.


feed_id: 0e0558c8a56dd12b5a217afc34d6755a
title: Deported with valid visa
uri: Deported-with-valid-visa
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#21_January_2021_%28Deported_with_valid_visa%29
content:
<p>
Vladimir Fardin, a 9-year-old Haitian, arrived in the US with a valid
visa, in the company of his older brother who also had a valid visa.
The immigration thugs jailed them for two days incommunicado, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/jan/20/haitian-boy-9-detained-as-trumps-family-separation-policy-pursued-to-bitter-end">then
separated them and deported the older brother to Mexico for no reason</a>.

<p>
However, the deportation of Paul Pierrilus 
  was cancelled.


feed_id: 035f49744875ff0ac6286d4268b175cd
title: Filibuster
uri: Filibuster
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#21_January_2021_%28Filibuster%29
content:
<p>
Several center-right Democratic senators seem to want to maintain the
filibuster rule, thus enable Republicans to block progressive laws.
Can Biden "carry them along" to eliminate it?  <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2021/01/19/reconciliation-nuclear-strike-filibuster-progressive-memo-details-steps-biden-can">If not, what can he do</a>?


feed_id: 7d852d254f3575a71614a703eaa04906
title: Betting all wealth
uri: Betting-all-wealth
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#21_January_2021_%28Betting_all_wealth%29
content:
<p>
When society pressures people to bet all their wealth on a path to
future success, it's inevitable that many of them will lose that bet.
It is unfair <a href="https://psyche.co/ideas/the-mathematical-case-against-blaming-people-for-their-misfortune">to blame the individuals who lose for that loss</a>.

<p>
Society could do more to help people make a new start after such a bet
goes wrong.


feed_id: 1914670967fcba78a70d2082fd47c2b4
title: Hyper-responsibility
uri: Hyper-responsibility
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#21_January_2021_%28Hyper-responsibility%29
content:
<p>
Contending that the quality a good citizen needs today <a href="https://psyche.co/ideas/to-be-a-responsible-citizen-today-it-is-not-enough-to-be-reasonable">is being
hyper-responsible about adoption of beliefs</a>.


feed_id: b57eb42b33c48d076fce0aef5c5c4f2f
title: Disregarding the rest of Luther King's message
uri: Disregarding-the-rest-of-Luther-King-s-message
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#21_January_2021_%28Disregarding_the_rest_of_Luther_King%27s_message%29

content:
<p>
US government agencies are trying to co-opt the antiracist part of
Martin Luther King jr's message, <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2021/01/18/progressives-push-back-trump-pentagon-and-ice-hijack-mlks-message">while disregarding the rest</a>.


feed_id: 172288701664a6f0ae60f73bdba09329
title: Depending on cash
uri: Depending-on-cash
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#21_January_2021_%28Depending_on_cash%29
content:
<p>
Ten million people in the UK <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/business/2021/jan/19/uk-shoppers-paying-cash-covid-19-crisis">still depend on paying cash</a>.

<p>
The way to defend the right to pay cash is to insist on depending on it.
So join me in doing so!  Tell stores, "No cash, no sale!"


feed_id: d1a795d1d3b3117fe88e1c920e3c6364
title: Doing too good a job
uri: Doing-too-good-a-job
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#21_January_2021_%28Doing_too_good_a_job%29
content:
<p>
Pelosi removed progressive Democrat Katie Porter from the Financial
Services Committee <a href="https://www.nakedcapitalism.com/2021/01/pelosi-removes-katie-porter-bringing-joy-gratitude-to-every-crooked-bankster-on-wall-street.html">because banks and big businesses thought she was
doing too good a job</a>.


feed_id: 506984cb980cb8b6909de11c3df2e715
title: Eliminating competitors
uri: Eliminating-competitors
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#21_January_2021_%28Eliminating_competitors%29
content:
<p>
Facebook proposes to eliminate online radicalism by establishing
regulations <a href="https://pluralistic.net/2021/01/15/hoover-calling/#hens-need-foxes">that would eliminate its competitors and allow
only Facebook</a>.

<p>
Lobbyists will repeat absurd arguments like this with a straight face,
while bought members of Congress accept them as valid.

<p>
Remember what happened when one of the Yes Men went to a meeting of a
campaign for privatization and advocated slavery?
                                                  Nobody denounced the
idea.  If you think of everything as property for what businesses own,
you will try to treat workers that way.


feed_id: 2a48ef08fe2b3e6177d86d129dd33fa7
title: Last-minute pardons
uri: Last-minute-pardons
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#21_January_2021_%28Last-minute_pardons%29
content:
<p>
The wrecker's last-minute pardons reportedly <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/jan/20/donald-trump-pardons-steve-bannon-amid-last-acts-of-presidency-report">do not include people
accused of storming the Capitol, his family, or himself</a>.

<p>
I worried that he would pardon them.


feed_id: 2e0d157f4f8cee31ead99012fe0eb784
title: Grant to make PPE
uri: Grant-to-make-PPE
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#21_January_2021_%28Grant_to_make_PPE%29
content:
<p>
*Syria's White Helmets <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/jan/20/syrias-white-helmets-awarded-117m-to-make-ppe">awarded £1.17m to make PPE</a>.*


feed_id: 43dca24f4dcf8df1aaf379d3bff1c0e2
title: Reindeer having a hard time finding food
uri: Reindeer-having-a-hard-time-finding-food
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#22_January_2021_%28Reindeer_having_a_hard_time_finding_food%29

content:
<p>

<a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#global heating">Global heating</a> is making it hard for reindeer to find food.  Sweden
will <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/jan/20/sweden-to-build-bridges-for-reindeer-to-safely-cross-roads-and-railways">build bridges</a> so they can cross highways and train tracks.
<p>
Those bridges will postpone disaster, but to prevent it requires stabilizing
global temperatures.


feed_id: c867d7e3230c900c8dbf1531c9f6ef60
title: Inauguration went as planned
uri: Inauguration-went-as-planned
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#22_January_2021_%28Inauguration_went_as_planned%29
content:
<p>

The inauguration <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/jan/20/joe-biden-sworn-in-46th-president-inauguration">went as planned</a>, with no violence.
<p>
This should not have required comment, but I expected fanatics to try again.
That they did not is somewhat reassuring.


feed_id: 1fb39257953013d89b81c78596aaa2fb
title: Gorgonzola with marijuana
uri: Gorgonzola-with-marijuana
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#22_January_2021_%28Gorgonzola_with_marijuana%29
content:
<p>

A new product consists of <a href="https://stallman.org/puns.html#gorgonzola">gorgonzola cheese
with marijuana mixed in.  One look and you get stoned.


feed_id: 6a270a870677aaaca57159376fda08fc
title: First 100 days for Biden
uri: First-100-days-for-Biden
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#22_January_2021_%28First_100_days_for_Biden%29
content:
<p>

*Incoming Senate Budget Chair Bernie Sanders Lays Out Visionary <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2021/01/20/people-are-demanding-action-incoming-senate-budget-chair-bernie-sanders-lays-out">First
 100 Days for Biden</a>.*


feed_id: e88bfc51cf7fc2398788b88729d8bbcd
title: Arizona GOP chair
uri: Arizona-GOP-chair
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#22_January_2021_%28Arizona_GOP_chair%29
content:
<p>

*Arizona GOP Chair <a href="https://theintercept.com/2021/01/14/capitol-riot-mercers-election-unrest/">Urged Violence at the Capitol</a>.
The Mercers Spent $1.5 Million Supporting Her.*


feed_id: b88319231e0f876fdd8966d420d14ad5
title: US back into Paris climate agreement
uri: US-back-into-Paris-climate-agreement
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#22_January_2021_%28US_back_into_Paris_climate_agreement%29

content:
<p>

Biden has brought the US <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/jan/20/paris-climate-accord-joe-biden-returns-us">back into the Paris climate agreement</a>, but let's not forget that that <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#28_April_2016_(Paris_climate_agreement)">is inadequate</a>.


feed_id: 5ff79bacfa1ce36513dfcfd21b352f71
title: New domestic war on terror
uri: New-domestic-war-on-terror
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#22_January_2021_%28New_domestic_war_on_terror%29
content:
<p>

Glenn Greenwald: *The <a href="https://greenwald.substack.com/p/the-new-domestic-war-on-terror-is">New Domestic War on Terror</a> is Coming.*
<p>
Domestic terrorism is real; if we did not know this already, Jan 6
proved it.  But a "war on terror" is an absurd response; it would
crush dissent of all stripes.
<p>
We can't solve the problem of 70 million voters that have lost touch
with reality by trying to imprison them.


feed_id: 8bcf756ed3d4cc776c93e2df01269f1c
title: Alabama coast forest
uri: Alabama-coast-forest
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#22_January_2021_%28Alabama_coast_forest%29
content:
<p>

A forest on the Alabama coast was inundated 60,000 years ago.
Now it is a unique wonder of the world, and <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/jan/20/ancient-underwater-forest-alabama-coast">needs to be protected</a>.


feed_id: cc2179a2590492b5c75afc13dc0a2401
title: Biden must put an end to business as usual
uri: Biden-must-put-an-end-to-business-as-usual
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#22_January_2021_%28Biden_must_put_an_end_to_business_as_usual%29

content:
<p>

Sanders: *Joe Biden must <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2021/jan/20/joe-biden-action-bernie-sanders">put an end to business as usual</a>. Here's where
to start.*
<p>
If we want Biden to address the big problems, we will have to pressure him.
That's what Sanders is trying to lead us to do.


feed_id: 44affe13607131eec6eddd78e58006f0
title: Kleptocrats
uri: Kleptocrats
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#22_January_2021_%28Kleptocrats%29
content:
<p>

*<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/jan/20/kleptocrats-will-try-to-block-libya-elections-says-un-envoy">'Kleptocrats'</a> will try to block Libya elections, says UN envoy.*
<p>
Meanwhile, foreign powers that support the various sides may refuse
to remove the mercenaries that both sides agreed should leave.


feed_id: 050e14a3acb1d9e57be95a9e95667ecc
title: A substitute for progressive policies
uri: A-substitute-for-progressive-policies
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#22_January_2021_%28A_substitute_for_progressive_policies%29

content:
<p>

Biden will try to offer us a feeling of hope <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2021/01/19/dont-let-president-biden-make-us-dupes-our-hopes">as a substitute for
progressive policies</a>.


feed_id: e5936bf73c3b75de67618fa34a838a09
title: Biden will achieve nothing in the center
uri: Biden-will-achieve-nothing-in-the-center
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#22_January_2021_%28Biden_will_achieve_nothing_in_the_center%29

content:
<p>

If Biden tries to move to the fictitious "center" &mdash; the average of
plutocratist Democrats and lunatic Republicans &mdash; <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2021/01/19/biden-must-drive-stake-through-heart-dead-end-centrism">he will achieve
nothing there</a>. He must at least try to do what the country needs.


feed_id: d79a1725f983d7c0dd5e3ec3b64cff2e
title: (satire) Trump's fingerprints all over the White House
uri: (satire)-Trump-s-fingerprints-all-over-the-White-House
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#22_January_2021_%28%28satire%29_Trump%27s_fingerprints_all_over_the_White_House%29

content:
<p>

(satire) *Trump was reportedly panicking Tuesday
   after realizing <a href="https://politics.theonion.com/trump-panicking-after-realizing-fingerprints-all-over-w-1846086481">his fingerprints were all over the White House</a>.*


feed_id: b55a4fbbf4c85463409b06dd8caf2c20
title: Even in prison Navalny is seen as a threat
uri: Even-in-prison-Navalny-is-seen-as-a-threat
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#22_January_2021_%28Even_in_prison_Navalny_is_seen_as_a_threat%29

content:
<p>

This article says that Navalny has <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/jan/19/even-in-a-moscow-jail-alexei-navalny-is-dangerous-to-putin">caused significant trouble</a> for
Putin and has got under his skin.
So that, even in prison, Navalny is seen by
Putin as a threat.
<p>
If that is true, I think Navalny will not live long.  There are lots of
ways to kill someone in prison.


feed_id: b536fcf55ee2b9317ed425fd1326160f
title: Serving rich donors
uri: Serving-rich-donors
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#22_January_2021_%28Serving_rich_donors%29
content:
<p>
When Senator Manchin opposed stimulus payments to Americans, it wasn't
because his constituents in West Virginia would disapprove if he
supported them.  Progressives played an ad on the radio in West
Virginia criticizing his stance, <a href="https://theintercept.com/2021/01/21/joe-manchin-stimulus-checks/">and he changed it on the double</a>.

<p>
I think this shows that his motive for opposing them was not a matter
of appealing to voters, but rather one of satisfying rich donors.


feed_id: f7db83f7c50c7742450d5a282a344380
title: Torture of civilians
uri: Torture-of-civilians
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#22_January_2021_%28Torture_of_civilians%29
content:
<p>
The European Court of Human Rights ruled that Russian forces tortured
and murdered Georgian civilians and burned their houses, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/jan/21/russia-human-rights-violation-georgia-war-echr-ruling">in the 2008
war between Russia and Georgia</a>.

<p>
Bizarrely, it was Georgia which started that war <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2008-jul-oct.html#10 August 2008 (Duplicity in the Russia-Georgia war)">by attacking Russia,
perhaps hoping to get NATO support when Russia counterattacked</a>.
  But NATO declined to be drawn in.

<p>
I can't criticize Russia for counterattacking when attacked, but that
doesn't excuse war crimes.


feed_id: 774f467e05c173b1f805553b76e28f16
title: Embezzlement in Vatican
uri: Embezzlement-in-Vatican
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#22_January_2021_%28Embezzlement_in_Vatican%29
content:
<p>
*Former head of Vatican bank <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/jan/21/former-head-of-vatican-bank-sentenced-to-jail-for-embezzlement">sentenced to jail for embezzlement</a>.*


feed_id: 924f3723d5bfcf32a06fd1e84228d49c
title: Slavery today
uri: Slavery-today
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#22_January_2021_%28Slavery_today%29
content:
<p>
Slavery today is a personal injustice <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2021/jan/21/blame-modern-slavery-criminals-problem-exploitation">with a macroeconomic cause</a>.


feed_id: 07a5d1b374a90f598b6ad05697527ec1
title: Sounds and smells of the countryside
uri: Sounds-and-smells-of-the-countryside
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#22_January_2021_%28Sounds_and_smells_of_the_countryside%29

content:
<p>
France has legally protected the sounds and smells of the countryside
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/jan/21/france-passes-sensory-heritage-law-after-plight-of-maurice-the-noisy-rooster">against lawsuits from annoyed neighbors</a>.


feed_id: f04f894c209cb02337ba7526dc3d3bfd
title: Need for much faster action
uri: Need-for-much-faster-action
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#22_January_2021_%28Need_for_much_faster_action%29
content:
<p>
John Kerry, the US "climate envoy", <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/jan/21/john-kerry-climate-crisis-joe-biden-envoy">publicly recognizes the need for
much faster action to curb fossil fuels</a>.

<p>
The article does not say whether he mentioned reduction of emissions
from agriculture as crucial.


feed_id: 944417d7b4e152f18930434aabaa76d2
title: Disappeared students
uri: Disappeared-students
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#22_January_2021_%28Disappeared_students%29
content:
<p>
A document from years ago reports that a witness testified that Mexican
soldiers took the 43 disappeared students to an army base and questioned them,
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/jan/21/mexico-witness-ayotzinapa-rural-teachers-college-disappearance-soldiers">then handed them over to a drug gang which presumably killed them</a>.


feed_id: 216884ad7fa2e4d7435b34246d710475
title: Espionage Act
uri: Espionage-Act
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#22_January_2021_%28Espionage_Act%29
content:
<p>
*Biden Should End <a href="https://theintercept.com/2021/01/21/espionage-act-biden-whistleblowers-journalists/">Espionage Act Prosecutions of Whistleblowers and
 Journalists</a>.*


feed_id: 7ffb154de57a75dfd307727163114f4b
title: Poverty
uri: 2021-01-22-Poverty
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#22_January_2021_%28Poverty%29
content:
<p>
Don't be distracted by "food" poverty, "fuel" poverty, "period"
poverty, "digital" poverty, or even "child" poverty.  The problem is
that people, even families, live in <em>poverty</em>, and that <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2021/jan/21/poverty-food-child-fuel-britons-action">it casts a
pervasive pall over their lives</a>.

<p>
The solution to the problem of poverty is simple in principle: give
poor people an income that is sufficient for the necessities of life.
There are many ways to do that, but a government headed by <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#doohnibor">dooH niboR</a>
will fail to see any of them.

<p>
There is a specific problem with the term "digital poverty", because
it calls <a href="https://gnu.org/philosophy/free-software-even-more-important.html">for helping poor people to be mistreated by nonfree software</a>
                                                             and
on-line dis-services in the same foolish way that most wealthier
people are.


feed_id: 47de46d91a2a7a2a78977d2c47e68533
title: Support for coup-instigator
uri: Support-for-coup-instigator
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#22_January_2021_%28Support_for_coup-instigator%29
content:
<p>
Biden is continuing US sanctions <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2021/01/20/pure-sadism-biden-blasted-continuing-trumps-recognition-guaido-coup-regime-and">against Venezuela and support for
coup-instigator Guaidó</a>.

<p>
President Maduro is responsible for political injustice and economic
problems, but Guaidó seeks only to convert his country <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#22_March_2019_(Venezuela's_oil_reserves)">into an
unofficial colony of the US</a>.


feed_id: 67e2c020b5fcf5f00741aceea81c7e6e
title: QAnonsense in an uproar
uri: QAnonsense-in-an-uproar
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#22_January_2021_%28QAnonsense_in_an_uproar%29
content:
<p>
The believers in QAnonsense are in an uproar <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2021/01/20/tech/qanon-believers-inauguration-reaction/index.html">after their central
prophecy failed to occur</a>.

<p>
Some are piling lunacy on lunacy by professing that the bullshitter is
the real president and is pulling Biden's strings.


feed_id: 18655e8c390bdf15a54120349be5bdbb
title: Economic proposals
uri: Economic-proposals
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#22_January_2021_%28Economic_proposals%29
content:
<p>
Biden's economic proposals would make improvements in many areas.
They would, for instance, <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2021/01/20/economy/biden-economy/index.html">substantially increase taxes on rich
people and companies</a>.


feed_id: a600758c323462b8477e522996f7fcf4
title: Censoring writers for their views
uri: Censoring-writers-for-their-views
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#22_January_2021_%28Censoring_writers_for_their_views%29

content:
<p>
Substack may be targeted by campaigns <a href="https://onezero.medium.com/the-moderation-war-is-coming-to-spotify-substack-and-clubhouse-9fe00672091b?gi=sd">to demand that it censor writers
for their views</a>.

<p>
If I understand rightly, Substack is a publishing site, not a social
media site &mdash; it doesn't provide a forum for readers in general to
post their views.  That means readers cannot have much influence via
Substack.

<p>
I think that the main danger of antisocial media is that they allow
disinformation snowballs to grow.  In these snowballs, people invent
and circulate new wrinkles of disinformation which others can then
pick up in repeat.  I think that can only happen on a special media
site; thus, not on Substack.

<p>
That may help convince people to stop bullying Substack to censor.


feed_id: 38badfe3a49b95e67cd12b0e9d77b166
title: PCBs leaking into the sea
uri: PCBs-leaking-into-the-sea
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#22_January_2021_%28PCBs_leaking_into_the_sea%29
content:
<p>
PCBs leaking out of landfills and into the sea <a href="https://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-55625096">are damaging
the fertility of male harbor porpoises</a>.
  And probably other species of dolphins, such as killer whales.

<p>
This is in addition to other threats they face.


feed_id: 1ee633b54191bf300ef6368a1edf2a9d
title: Disinformation
uri: 2021-01-22-Disinformation
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#22_January_2021_%28Disinformation%29
content:
<p>
Arguing that we can't expect communication systems to filter out
disinformation <a href="https://ethanzuckerman.com/2021/01/18/fixing-disinformation-wont-save-us/">while important officials and candidates are promoting
it</a>.


feed_id: 972031da8acb42440751528b39db4ba1
title: Number of species of bees
uri: Number-of-species-of-bees
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#24_January_2021_%28Number_of_species_of_bees%29
content:
<p>

The <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/jan/22/quarter-of-known-bee-species-have-not-been-recorded-since-1990">number of species of bees</a> reported from 2006 to 2015 is 3/4 the
number reported before 1990.
<p>
The other 25% have become too scarce to be observed very often.


feed_id: 5f2609f3eadaac2efad47c29cf8e2ade
title: Removing tax haven status
uri: Removing-tax-haven-status
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#24_January_2021_%28Removing_tax_haven_status%29
content:
<p>

The EU is <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/jan/22/meps-vote-to-add-channel-and-british-virgin-islands-to-tax-haven-blacklist">removing tax haven status</a> from various British territories.


feed_id: 9293aa8de73e919b5978418412228dc5
title: California civil rights inquiry
uri: California-civil-rights-inquiry
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#23_January_2021_%28California_civil_rights_inquiry%29

content:
<p>

*California opens <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/jan/22/california-los-angeles-county-sheriffs-department-civil-rights-investigation">civil rights inquiry</a> into LA county sheriff's department.*


feed_id: a504814886457ca952d98769723b95f8
title: Putin arrested some of Navalny's supporters
uri: Putin-arrested-some-of-Navalny-s-supporters
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#23_January_2021_%28Putin_arrested_some_of_Navalny%27s_supporters%29

content:
<p>

Putin has <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/jan/22/russia-detains-navalny-aides-and-warns-against-saturday-protests">arrested some of Navalny's supporters</a> and accused them of
planning protests.


feed_id: e1406bdb45960e30ec2ea9751e0ff6f9
title: Democracy for All Amendment
uri: Democracy-for-All-Amendment
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#23_January_2021_%28Democracy_for_All_Amendment%29
content:
<p>

The Democracy for All Amendment would <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2021/01/21/public-citizen-supports-bipartisan-constitutional-amendment-overturn-citizens">reverse the "Citizens" United
decision in a narrow way</a>; it would authorize laws to limit campaign
spending by non-human entities.
<p>
This would be a change for the better.  However, the Supreme Court's
ruling that human rights in general apply to corporations has caused
harm in other ways &mdash; for example, through the idea that a corporation
is entitled to religious freedom including refusing to pay for
abortion coverage for employees.
<p>
Therefore, I think we should pass the <a href="movetoamend.org">We The People Amendment</a>, which
would reject in general the idea that human rights apply to
corporations.


feed_id: 57625ff7acfaeed26b54750c4907cfad
title: Laptops given to students contained malware
uri: Laptops-given-to-students-contained-malware
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#23_January_2021_%28Laptops_given_to_students_contained_malware%29

content:
<p>

Reports say that Windows laptops provided to UK students <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/education/2021/jan/21/malware-reportedly-found-laptops-children-england">contained malware</a>.
Alas, they did not recognize that <a href="https://gnu.org/malware/malware-microsoft.html ">Windows is itself malware</a>.


feed_id: 96390e469f3af53892425af52673fdc1
title: Gas is over
uri: Gas-is-over
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#23_January_2021_%28Gas_is_over%29
content:
<p>

The President of the European Investment Bank said that <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2021/01/21/reality-starting-sink-says-mckibben-after-european-investment-bank-chief-admits-gas">"gas is over"</a>.
<p>
I hope that the EIB translates this into a policy that will stop
all investment in facilities for extracting or using natural gas.
It would naturally follow, but you can't count on such organizations
to make their actions conform to their stated goals.


feed_id: 29cbff9b146b11cf8e22e5db31c1f5fe
title: A way to unite the country
uri: A-way-to-unite-the-country
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#23_January_2021_%28A_way_to_unite_the_country%29
content:
<p>

*A Good Way to Unite the Country Would Be to <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2021/01/21/good-way-unite-country-says-watchdog-would-be-convict-and-prosecute-donald-trump">Convict and Prosecute
Donald Trump</a>.*
<p>
This is a counter intuitive claim.  How could that unite the country
when his supporters will surely not like it?  The answer is that it
will make some of his supporters reconsider their support for him,
and that will take a step towards unifying the United States.
<p>
One might fantasize about some simple, magical way to unify America
all at once, but this way is the only way I see.


feed_id: 241dfd86d7cbeb070914760641738bde
title: Option to eliminate the filibuster
uri: Option-to-eliminate-the-filibuster
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#23_January_2021_%28Option_to_eliminate_the_filibuster%29

content:
<p>

Senate Democrats are keeping open the <a href="https://thehill.com/homenews/senate/535197-democrats-shoot-down-mcconnells-filibuster-gambit">option of eliminating the filibuster</a>.
<p>
Since even "moderate" Republican Senators oppose more Covid-19 relief
any time soon, the only way Democrats can pass it is to eliminate the
filibuster.
<p>
What will happen in the Senate if there is no organizing resolution?


feed_id: a738c9055a83ca9797d935c31b9b6e83
title: Financial Disclosures
uri: Financial-Disclosures
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#23_January_2021_%28Financial_Disclosures%29
content:
<p>

*Biden Administration Must Go Further in <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2021/01/21/biden-administration-must-go-further-financial-disclosures-reveal-possible">Financial Disclosures</a> to Reveal
Possible Conflicts of Interest in Foreign Policy Making.*


feed_id: f67f8488eb8e0f7d4b4cf9f9780d7767
title: (satire) Greatest issues facing the nation
uri: (satire)-Greatest-issues-facing-the-nation
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#23_January_2021_%28%28satire%29_Greatest_issues_facing_the_nation%29

content:
<p>

(satire) *Inaugural Address <a href="https://politics.theonion.com/inaugural-address-spills-over-into-second-day-as-biden-1846102197">Spills Over Into Second Day</a> As Biden
Continues To List Greatest Issues Facing Nation.*


feed_id: 03f418c69c88a7fb933b731f37ba16d3
title: Temporary halt to drilling on public lands
uri: Temporary-halt-to-drilling-on-public-lands
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#23_January_2021_%28Temporary_halt_to_drilling_on_public_lands%29

content:
<p>

The <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2021/01/21/lets-turn-temporary-halt-permanent-ban-biden-praised-pause-drilling-leases">temporary halt</a> to fossil fuel drilling on public lands is a good
first step, but it should be permanent.
<p>
If it is limited to public lands, will it be sufficient to
prevent increase in fossil fuel capacity?  Wells on private property
increase emissions just as much.


feed_id: c5b70137bf48a6280025e3ba5c6b1354
title: Amazon's right to evict Parler
uri: Amazon-s-right-to-evict-Parler
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#23_January_2021_%28Amazon%27s_right_to_evict_Parler%29

content:
<p>

A court ruled that Section 230 of the CDA gives Amazon the <a href="https://www.npr.org/2021/01/21/956486352/judge-refuses-to-reinstate-parler-after-amazon-shut-it-down">right to
evict Parler</a> from its hosting service.
<p>
What enabled right-wing lunatic extremism to become so powerful, and
thus so dangerous, was that Facebook promoted its posts because they
generated "engagement".  This gave lunacy access to recruit millions
of zuckers.  I hold Facebook's promotion algorithm responsible and
I believe it should be regulated.
<p>
While I understand the wish to eliminate Parler, because I wish there
were no right-wing lunatic extremism, I think it is dangerous to shut
discussion sites for hosting discussions of that or any other
political tendency.  Which one will be shut next?


feed_id: 16ad9ffc4cc379fceb825cd0df9cb988
title: Always wear a mask
uri: Always-wear-a-mask
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#23_January_2021_%28Always_wear_a_mask%29
content:
<p>

Why you should <a href="https://www.nbclosangeles.com/news/coronavirus/ucla-study-coronavirus-face-masks-gdp-economy-covid-19-spread-pandemic/2508463/">always wear a mask</a> when you go near others outside
your household.
<p>
Adequate ventilation is very important for avoiding Covid-19
transmission when you're inside a building or a car.
<p>
(hack) If an anti-masker approaches you to try to infect you with Covid-19,
<a href="https://invidio.us/pa6BlJlrL-k">fire your mask gun at per face</a>.


feed_id: 19972e02a194083617367759c15e01f1
title: (satire) Constitutional Crisis
uri: (satire)-Constitutional-Crisis
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#23_January_2021_%28%28satire%29_Constitutional_Crisis%29

content:
<p>

(satire) *U.S. Enters <a href="https://politics.theonion.com/u-s-enters-constitutional-crisis-after-forgetting-whet-1846059735">Constitutional Crisis</a> After Forgetting Whether
Transfer Of Presidential Power Happens At 12 A.M. Or 12 P.M.*
<p>
On Jan 20 after noon I told people that Trump claimed he was still
president in California until 3pm Eastern time.  They believed it, so
I acknowledged I was only kidding.


feed_id: f8d8b8cddb5658d7de218ceae6767bc7
title: Bypassing Republicans' filibuster
uri: Bypassing-Republicans-filibuster
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#23_January_2021_%28Bypassing_Republicans%27_filibuster%29

content:
<p>

Bernie Sanders describes what he <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2021/01/20/we-must-act-unprecedented-boldness-meet-these-historical-crises">aims to achieve</a> by using the budget
reconciliation process to bypass the Republicans' use of the
filibuster.


feed_id: 70fc7607022399bc4bf6f3d769c4dabd
title: False balance
uri: False-balance
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#23_January_2021_%28False_balance%29
content:
<p>

*Even After an Insurrection, Corporate Media <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2021/01/20/even-after-insurrection-corporate-media-cant-let-go-false-balance">Can't Let Go of False
 Balance</a>.*
The article points out some exceptions.
<p>
Reporting with false balance gives an advantage to whichever side
does the more extreme things.


feed_id: c5a3ab37d39c6bdbc61a48adab2e8d09
title: Things Biden can fix
uri: Things-Biden-can-fix
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#23_January_2021_%28Things_Biden_can_fix%29
content:
<p>

More things <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2021/01/20/ten-ways-biden-can-be-transformational-even-without-congress">Biden can fix</a> without passing laws.
If he does them all he will make the US considerably better than it
was in 2016.
<p>
*To achieve a real legacy, Biden will have to <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2021/jan/22/to-achieve-a-real-legacy-biden-will-have-to-be-more-radical-and-ready-to-fight">be more radical &mdash; and
ready to fight</a>.*


feed_id: 5bb822e70adddd5c63b5fe58e3d153d6
title: (satire) Paw on Inaugural Bible
uri: (satire)-Paw-on-Inaugural-Bible
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#23_January_2021_%28%28satire%29_Paw_on_Inaugural_Bible%29

content:
<p>

(satire) *Stray Doberman <a href="https://politics.theonion.com/stray-doberman-accidentally-sworn-in-as-president-after-1846086877">Accidentally Sworn In As President</a> After
Putting Paw On Inaugural Bible.*


feed_id: 9e4201b839a4c6f28d9ed7f0a2b59be7
title: Danger of new "domestic terrorism" laws
uri: Danger-of-new-domestic-terrorism-laws
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#23_January_2021_%28Danger_of_new_domestic_terrorism_laws%29

content:
<p>

Rashida tlaib campaigns against the <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2021/01/20/warning-against-further-erosion-civil-liberties-tlaib-leads-charge-against-new">danger of new "domestic terrorism"
laws</a>.


feed_id: 15527f81d505ad6ae9b1077879fcb42d
title: First organized slave revolt in the Americas
uri: First-organized-slave-revolt-in-the-Americas
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#23_January_2021_%28First_organized_slave_revolt_in_the_Americas%29

content:
<p>

The history of the <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/jan/22/dutch-exhibition-offers-new-insight-into-berbice-slave-uprising">first organized slave revolt</a> in the Americas.


feed_id: 0b021cea3e7690afab21ac4c7f0ac086
title: Reversal of climate-related sabotage
uri: Reversal-of-climate-related-sabotage
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#23_January_2021_%28Reversal_of_climate-related_sabotage%29

content:
<p>

Biden has or will <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2021/01/20/president-biden-announces-plans-set-us-course-toward-greener-healthier-future">reverse many acts of climate-related sabotage</a>
carried out by the wrecker.
This will resume the climate defense policies that were already
in force in 2016 &mdash; but they were woefully insufficient to succeed
in avoiding disaster.
<p>
World leaders must <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/jan/22/a-million-young-people-urge-governments-to-prioritise-climate-crisis">change the plans to boost the economy</a> by
subsidizing fossil fuels.
<p>
I disagree vehemently with the demand to prioritize adaptation to the
current painful foretaste of coming disaster.  That is foolish
short-term thinking.
<p>
We must respond to <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#global heating">global heating</a> in the way that does the most to
reduce the ultimate global disaster and ensure the survival of
civilization.  That is to put priority on cutting emissions (treating
the disease).
<p>
To invest in coping with extreme weather is treating the symptoms.  If
our funds for doing that do not come from the funds we could use to
reduce the ultimate disaster, then let's do it.  But it is not equal
in priority; it is clearly secondary.
<p>
Today it looks easy to get more money for both long-term prevention
and short-term gecko.  That is because what we are spending on
long-term prevention is far too little.
<p>
The harm caused today by the foretaste seems like a lot, because we
judge it against the recent past.  When we judge it against the
likely future we will see it is secondary.


feed_id: 85b7b1dfb968243fb4f71e7c7a16a0e5
title: Hitting protesters with felony gang charges
uri: Hitting-protesters-with-felony-gang-charges
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#23_January_2021_%28Hitting_protesters_with_felony_gang_charges%29

content:
<p>

*Arizona Prosecutors Pretend "ACAB" Is Gang Lingo To <a href="https://www.techdirt.com/articles/20210117/16075846074/arizona-prosecutors-pretend-acab-is-gang-lingo-to-hit-protesters-with-felony-gang-charges.shtml">Hit Protesters With Felony Gang Charges</a>.*
<p>
"ACAB" is an acronym that stands for "All Cops Are Bastards".  It has
nothing to do with gangs.  The prosecutors can't help knowing this,
but &mdash; like the <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thugs</a> they are trying to support &mdash; they don't object
to lying to help <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thugs</a>.
<p>
I do not agree with that slogan.  Some cops are honest and will not
lie to repress protests.  They are a small minority, but maybe in the
future there will be more of them.
<p>
Aside for that, I do not use the word "bastard" as a derogatory term
because being the child of two people who were not married to each other
is not a moral flaw.  Indeed, the child has no choice about it.


feed_id: 808c079eb1da81b4c1a72c14fad77c7d
title: Oil and white supremacy
uri: Oil-and-white-supremacy
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#25_January_2021_%28Oil_and_white_supremacy%29
content:
<p>
*   The oil, gas, and coal industries <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2021/01/21/how-fossil-fuel-industry-funds-fascism">support and fund white supremacy and
   far-right politics</a>.*


feed_id: f7ffd7b5e1a36406ef1f8b1f1fd6db85
title: Executive orders
uri: Executive-orders
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#25_January_2021_%28Executive_orders%29
content:
<p>
Government by executive order is not the way things ought to work.
It happens in the US <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2021/01/21/politics/what-matters-january-21/index.html">because Congress is unable to function</a>.

<p>
This does not mean that Biden's executive orders are bad.  I have not
read about each and every one of them, but the ones I have read about
are vitally necessary.

<p>
To get a functioning Congress we need to have fair elections, not
rigged by voter suppression and gerrymandering.  Then Congress would
pass the crucial legislation that most Americans want, such as a
national medical system (aka <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2012-may-aug.html#12_July_2012_(Urgent:_Support_medicare_for_all)">Medicare for All</a>),
   the Green New Deal, increased rights for workers, and abortion rights.


feed_id: ef56691171b7247e2267dd0805878250
title: Pressure
uri: Pressure
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#25_January_2021_%28Pressure%29
content:
<p>
The corrupter pressured the high officials of the Department of
Justice to attack Georgia's election results, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/jan/23/trump-florida-white-house-washington-plot-report">but they refused</a>.

<p>
The corrupter also bullied the US attorney in Atlanta into resigning,
<a href="https://www.cnn.com/2021/01/21/politics/doj-watchdog-investigating-atlanta-us-attorney-resignation/index.html">hoping his temporary replacement would help bully Georgia officials</a>.

<p>
The corrupter reveled in showing contempt for ethics rules.  These rules
were meant to impose accountability on officials who would be embarrassed
to have found to have violated them.  When the president spits on them,
there is no way to enforce them short of impeachment.  We need a way.


feed_id: 2b974914774fcce301a9a9e8b9fd08ae
title: Peace deals
uri: Peace-deals
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#25_January_2021_%28Peace_deals%29
content:
<p>
If the US resumes the non-nuclear deal with Iran, it ought to be
able <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2021/01/22/battle-lines-drawn-ending-yemen-war">to reach a peace deal with the Houthis in Yemen</a>.

<p>
I see no reason why the US should insist on a unified Yemen.  A few
decades ago, North Yemen and South Yemen were separate countries
(though West and East Yemen would have described them more
accurately.)  If the Yemenis disagree too much to accept one single
government, the rest of the world need not make them fight until they
do.


feed_id: 94c9e9db29b545ad023ccd76f14b4fb3
title: Recurring direct payments
uri: Recurring-direct-payments
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#25_January_2021_%28Recurring_direct_payments%29
content:
<p>
*Ilhan Omar Calls on Biden <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2021/01/22/one-more-check-not-enough-ilhan-omar-calls-biden-back-recurring-direct-payments">to Back Recurring Direct Payments</a>.*

<p>
This would amount to a basic income for all American households
except those earning over a certain comfortable level.


feed_id: ae7ea226e3eba57e4af80e2e38d17349
title: Planet roasters PR machine
uri: Planet-roasters-PR-machine
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#25_January_2021_%28Planet_roasters_PR_machine%29
content:
<p>
A distributed campaign <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2021/01/22/we-need-stop-fossil-fuel-industrys-pr-machine">to defeat the planet roasters' PR machine</a>.


feed_id: cda952d79632de6b284123270ecf43b1
title: Feast
uri: Feast
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#25_January_2021_%28Feast%29
content:
<p>
*As Economic Suffering Grips Regular Americans, <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2021/01/22/economic-suffering-grips-regular-americans-wall-street-behemoths-ready-feast-stock">Wall Street Behemoths Ready
Feast of Stock Buybacks</a>.*


feed_id: d26f42ce8ba9b47374c2646d5a1c54dc
title: Neonicotinoid and sleep cycles
uri: Neonicotinoid-and-sleep-cycles
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#25_January_2021_%28Neonicotinoid_and_sleep_cycles%29

content:
<p>
Neonicotinoid insecticides in small quantities <a href="http://www.sci-news.com/?p=74025">interfere with the
sleep cycles of bees and fruit flies</a>.

<p>
The reason they tested this on fruit flies is that those are the
principal insect species for scientific study, studied more and
understood better than any other species of insect.  Easy to raise,
too.  Then they tested a species of bee as well because we are very
concerned about bees.


feed_id: 927a467e0ed421a81bcd2b07be75ed17
title: Firing of civil service employees
uri: Firing-of-civil-service-employees
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#25_January_2021_%28Firing_of_civil_service_employees%29

content:
<p>
Biden has reverted the wrecker's order to give the president the power
to fire civil service employees <a href="https://www.npr.org/sections/president-biden-takes-office/2021/01/22/959468734/biden-to-toss-trump-plan-that-would-have-made-it-easier-to-fire-top-civil-servan">and replace them with his own loyal
flunkies</a>.

<p>
That's good as far as it goes, but we need a law to prevent future presidents
from trying the same trick again.  Meanwhile, what about the flunkies
that the wrecker opt in?  Has Biden pushed them out?  Can he push them out?


feed_id: bcd148d6f901b0a90bdcb00126d2387d
title: Election-stealer senators
uri: Election-stealer-senators
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#25_January_2021_%28Election-stealer_senators%29
content:
<p>
It looks like the election-stealer senators will not be expelled.
So <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2021/01/22/schumer-urged-deny-committee-seats-hawley-cruz-and-other-republicans-who-incited">there is a campaign to deny them committee assignments</a>.

<p>
Would that punishment achieve anything but to give them a chance to
demonstrate defiance?

<p>
I do not know the rules that govern Senate committee assignments or
how easily they can be set aside by 50 senators plus the vice
president.  Would denying those senators committee assignments imply
giving extra committee assignments to other Republicans?  Or would it
mean Republicans get less than half the committee assignments?
How can the senate move forward without an organizing resolution?


feed_id: 619476e0a9e73cf3356f89e7e99b5a58
title: New Guantanamo trial
uri: New-Guantanamo-trial
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#25_January_2021_%28New_Guantanamo_trial%29
content:
<p>
The US Army <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/jan/22/bali-bombings-us-to-move-ahead-with-trial-of-suspects-held-in-guantanamo">is planning to start another bogus Guantanamo trial</a>.
  The suspects are accused of specific crimes of terrorism, and they
may actually be guilty.  It would be good to try them, provided the
trials are fair.  However, Guantanamo does not hold real trials; <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2004-may-aug.html#27 August 2004 (Kangaroo Courts)">its
kangaroo courts are inherently unfair</a>.

<p>
Have the suspects been tortured?  A trial based on so-called evidence
obtained by torture cannot be valid, since torture extracts false
confessions.

<p>
They have been in prison for 17 years.  To make people wait that long
for trial is an injustice in itself.  A terrorists who was convicted
and sentenced years ago in Indonesia for one of these bombings is now
being released.  I suggest giving these suspects clemency, saying that
17 years is enough.

<p>
Another solution might be to extradite them to Indonesia.  If there is
no extradition treaty, they might choose to go to Indonesia for trial,
so they can serve their sentences and be released, rather than stay in
Guantanamo forever.


feed_id: 3fef26b75ab9d22bf8c125de44cde8c5
title: Doctors for delusion
uri: Doctors-for-delusion
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#25_January_2021_%28Doctors_for_delusion%29
content:
<p>
One of the perpetrators of the attack on the Capitol <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/jan/22/coronavirus-misinformation-simone-gold-americas-frontline-doctors">was also the head
of an organization that could be called Doctors for Delusion</a>.


feed_id: 78ae8c1b038ac7f2b6807d912d3ebfc3
title: Color of rivers
uri: Color-of-rivers
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#25_January_2021_%28Color_of_rivers%29
content:
<p>
1/3 of the rivers in the US <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/jan/22/one-third-us-rivers-changed-color-recent-decades">have visibly changed color in the past 40
years</a>.

<p>
The direct causes may vary, but the underlying causes is
almost certainly human activity in nearly every case.


feed_id: a385f616ca2a03c19251fc3cd31c5c4d
title: New Yorker staff on strike
uri: New-Yorker-staff-on-strike
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#25_January_2021_%28New_Yorker_staff_on_strike%29
content:
<p>
The staff of The New Yorker <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2021/01/21/lawmakers-journalists-back-new-yorker-magazine-work-stoppage-protest-egregious-wage">went on strike for 24 hours to demand
higher pay</a>.

<p>
I applaud this, but the union should also defend employees such as Toobin
who have been fired for vaguely stated grounds.


feed_id: 1aab99cf0b8a1b882580ed7aebb0ed8d
title: Increased attacks on properties
uri: Increased-attacks-on-properties
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#25_January_2021_%28Increased_attacks_on_properties%29

content:
<p>
Israeli terrorism keeps increasing in Palestine, as the ideological
Israeli "settlers" who build and occupy housing in Palestine <a href="http://www.kibush.co.il/show_file.asp?num=82803">increase
their attacks on Palestinian property</a>.

<p>
Israel just announced plans <a href="https://peacenow.org.il/en/2572-settlement-housing-units-in-tenders-are-published-on-the-eve-of-the-change-in-government-in-washington">to build 2,500 more units of housing
in Palestinian land</a>.

<p>
Housing any Israelis in occupied Palestine violates the laws of
occupation.


feed_id: 071c9498263f3ff6284c29a755a98234
title: Petition to impeach attorney general of Kentucky
uri: Petition-to-impeach-attorney-general-of-Kentucky
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#26_January_2021_%28Petition_to_impeach_attorney_general_of_Kentucky%29

content:
<p>

Three of the members of the grand jury that was manipulated into placing no
charges for shooting Breonna Taylor are among the signatories of a <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2021/01/22/us/kentucky-attorney-general-daniel-cameron-impeachment-petition/index.html">petition
to impeach the attorney general of Kentucky</a>, who did the manipulating.
<p>
He falsely told them that there was <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2021/01/22/us/kentucky-attorney-general-daniel-cameron-impeachment-petition/index.html">no legal basis</a> for any charges
against that <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thug</a>.


feed_id: 396ca3e08ec4aa6cfe4f117144e4563c
title: Planes that fly on biofuel
uri: Planes-that-fly-on-biofuel
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#26_January_2021_%28Planes_that_fly_on_biofuel%29
content:
<p>

Boeing plans to make planes that can <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/jan/23/boeing-says-it-will-make-planes-able-to-fly-on-100-biofuel-by-2030">fly exclusively on biofuel</a>.
That won't do the ecosphere much good if the biofuel is
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#27_December_2017_(Biofuel_for_airplanes)">made by growing crops</a>
using the same resources, and causing the same
pollution, used for growing food.
<p>
Perhaps boeing should look at using hydrogen that will be made using
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jul-oct.html#19_September_2020_(Hydrogen_fuel_for_vehicles_generated_by_solar_energy)">solar-generated electricity</a>, and will produce only water.


feed_id: b63fde8371ae9663c930903cb42d1f32
title: Leftwing protesters in Portland
uri: Leftwing-protesters-in-Portland
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#26_January_2021_%28Leftwing_protesters_in_Portland%29

content:
<p>

*Portland: leftwing protesters <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/jan/21/portland-leftwing-protesters-democrats-headquarters">damage Oregon Democrats’ headquarters</a>.*
<p>
I share their disapproval of Biden for failing to support crucial
programs such as Medicare for All and the Green New Deal.  However, this
vandalism is self-defeating: it will turn the public away.
<p>
Given the composition of the Senate, with a few center-ring Democrats
and 50 Republicans, it won't be easy to get it to vote even for
Biden's reforms.


feed_id: bd43f4e68abf3bbdbc541b1e9befc6d6
title: Talking can spread Covid
uri: Talking-can-spread-Covid
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#26_January_2021_%28Talking_can_spread_Covid%29
content:
<p>

*Talking can <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/jan/20/talking-can-spread-covid-as-much-as-coughing-says-research">spread Covid as much as coughing</a>, says research.*


feed_id: d5e87b8aa9447bc520bcb59c6016c86e
title: Holocaust day to decry persecution of Uighurs
uri: Holocaust-day-to-decry-persecution-of-Uighurs
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#26_January_2021_%28Holocaust_day_to_decry_persecution_of_Uighurs%29

content:
<p>

*Jewish leaders use Holocaust Day to <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/jan/24/jewish-leaders-use-holocaust-day-to-decry-persecution-of-uighurs">decry persecution of Uighurs</a>.*


feed_id: ac68fec0218fec139883ed28fe9c40fe
title: Toxic Chemicals threaten human reproduction
uri: Toxic-Chemicals-threaten-human-reproduction
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#26_January_2021_%28Toxic_Chemicals_threaten_human_reproduction%29

content:
<p>

*Toxic Chemicals <a href="https://theintercept.com/2021/01/24/toxic-chemicals-human-sexuality-shanna-swan/">Threaten Humanity’s Ability to Reproduce</a>.*
And other animals too.
<p>
Humanity is reproducing to dangerous excess; a certain amount of
decrease in humans' reproductive capacity would reduce the coming
disaster and could increase the number of humans who reach the end of
this century.  (I expect that each additional human birth in coming
decades will result in <em>more than one</em> additional human death in the
disaster.)
<p>
But <em>too much</em> decrease in human reproductive capacity could wipe out
our species.


feed_id: 25f4e50f2c39a657e7b49f5c8e7bdd51
title: Pushback against Facebook
uri: Pushback-against-Facebook
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#26_January_2021_%28Pushback_against_Facebook%29
content:
<p>

Facebook has experienced powerful pushback in response to its
announced <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2021/jan/24/whatsapp-loses-millions-of-users-after-terms-update">coming change in use of the personal data it collects</a>.
<p>
Although this change would have increased the use of the collected
data for profiling, the underlying wrong &mdash; the collection of the data
is happening already.  Collecting personal data is the primary wrong
in WhatsApp.  Even if Facebook decides to cancel the change, this
reason to reject WhatsApp will still exist, as it has existed for
years.
<p>
There are <a href="https://stallman.org/whatsapp.html">other reasons to reject WhatsApp</a>, starting with the fact that it
requires users to run nonfree client software on their own computers.


feed_id: 376e4694fa851bb541227fa906a54b4e
title: Indian comedian held
uri: Indian-comedian-held
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#26_January_2021_%28Indian_comedian_held%29
content:
<p>

*Indian comedian held over ‘indecent’ jokes at show <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/jan/24/indian-comedian-held-over-indecent-jokes-at-show-where-he-did-not-perform">where he did not perform</a>.*
He did not perform because a gang of bigots prevented him.  (They
are bigots in the name of Hinduism.)  Then the gang had him arrested
and jailed for a "crime" of criticizing Hindu gods and a government
official.  Criminalizing criticism is oppression in its own right.
<p>
For some hilarious criticism of some Hindu gods, watch Sita Sings the
Blues, by Nina Paley, available on archive.org.


feed_id: db4d79f1e42e4843ace716555797f6eb
title: Big business and democracy
uri: Big-business-and-democracy
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#26_January_2021_%28Big_business_and_democracy%29
content:
<p>

For big business to <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2021/jan/24/donald-trump-twitter-facebook-corporate-sedition">defend democracy</a> requires more than silencing one
of democracy's enemies, namely Trump.  Big business corrupted our
democracy in the 1990s and is fighting to keep control.


feed_id: 97bfc48cbb166de3b0d96be6445b7042
title: Employees classified as contractors
uri: Employees-classified-as-contractors
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#26_January_2021_%28Employees_classified_as_contractors%29

content:
<p>

Will the Department of Labor please <a href="https://www.propublica.org/article/arise-department-of-labor-2010">become less of a pushover</a> when
dealing with companies that classify their employees as contractors?


feed_id: 4ed004bbd8facde7cae0a0e2910a6f6c
title: NYC thugs killing people with chokeholds
uri: NYC-thugs-killing-people-with-chokeholds
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#26_January_2021_%28NYC_thugs_killing_people_with_chokeholds%29

content:
<p>

New York City thugs keep on regularly <a href="https://pluralistic.net/2021/01/21/i-cant-breathe/#chokeholds">killing people with chokeholds</a>
and not being punished, even though the <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thug</a> department formally
prohibited choke holds 28 years ago.  The system that judges
accusations against <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thugs</a> is structured so as not to punish them.


feed_id: 86ea1eb2496e259bfb04d9da0b9e0bb7
title: Alarm buttons removed from US Representative's office
uri: Alarm-buttons-removed-from-US-Representative-s-office
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#26_January_2021_%28Alarm_buttons_removed_from_US_Representative%27s_office%29

content:
<p>

While sheltering in her office on Jan 6, Rep. Ayanna Pressley and her
staff discovered that all the alarm buttons in her office had been
<a href="https://www.bostonglobe.com/2021/01/13/nation/it-was-like-looking-evil-capitol-attack-through-eyes-massachusetts-delegation/">removed at some earlier time</a>.
<p>
This looks suspiciously like insider participation in a plan for
violence against her.
<p>
I've voted for Pressley twice, and I want to do so many more times.


feed_id: 8ef29efd173e97ee6a9d872a4bf35376
title: Privatizing the fight against fascism
uri: Privatizing-the-fight-against-fascism
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#26_January_2021_%28Privatizing_the_fight_against_fascism%29

content:
<p>

*Beware Corporate ‘Democracy Washing’: Twitter, Trump, and the Danger of
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2021/01/23/beware-corporate-democracy-washing-twitter-trump-and-danger-privatizing-fight">Privatizing the Fight Against Fascism</a>.*
<p>
If a publicly owned system operated with Facebook's incentives, it
would act like Facebook and tend to do the same harm that Facebook
does.  I've proposed a system which would serve Facebook's original
purpose &mdash; giving people a way to enable others to find them by name
&mdash; and do nothing else.
<p>
As an experiment, there is one: <a href="https://plumebio.com">plumebio.com</a>.


feed_id: 01f9e63dd190b1e9d57300f6fe8ebb24
title: Power of China's government
uri: Power-of-China-s-government
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#26_January_2021_%28Power_of_China%27s_government%29
content:
<p>

<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/business/2021/jan/23/the-strange-case-of-alibabas-jack-ma-and-his-three-month-vanishing-act">China's government is so powerful</a> that even the biggest businesses and
the richest billionaires can't push the country around.
Alas, China has the opposite problem: the government can crush anyone.
<p>
We are left with the challenge of making a government that is powerful
enough to stand up to businesses day after day, but that respects
human rights.


feed_id: a08f6911f55ddc81436d7ce8b799a349
title: Reinvigorating the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
uri: Reinvigorating-the-National-Highway-Traffic-Safety-Administration
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#26_January_2021_%28Reinvigorating_the_National_Highway_Traffic_Safety_Administration%29

content:
<p>

Ralph Nader calls for reinvigorating the National Highway Traffic
Safety Administration, so it can once again <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2021/01/23/new-auto-safety-report-demands-biden-strengthen-federal-programs-now">protect Americans from
injury in traffic collisions</a>, and other problems that vehicles cause.
<p>
I wish he recognized that cars with computers remotely controlled by
the manufacturer pose threats that are not limited to being taken over
by some third party.


feed_id: c4f8bffd9aba0c5271364cf694c8e7a5
title: Wholesale fruit and vegetable market workers
uri: Wholesale-fruit-and-vegetable-market-workers
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#26_January_2021_%28Wholesale_fruit_and_vegetable_market_workers%29

content:
<p>

The "essential workers" at New York City's wholesale fruit and
vegetable market demonstrated how essential they are by <a href="https://theintercept.com/2021/01/23/covid-nyc-hunts-point-strike/">going on strike</a>
demanding one additional dollar per hour.


feed_id: 3b072d6300a81d84b45049bc98c4aad0
title: Insurrectionist Senators
uri: Insurrectionist-Senators
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#26_January_2021_%28Insurrectionist_Senators%29
content:
<p>

John Dean: *<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2021/01/23/john-dean-insurrectionist-senators-are-co-conspirators-and-should-not-sit-judgment">Insurrectionist Senators are Co-Conspirators</a> and Should Not Sit in
Judgment of Trump.*
<p>
One of them threatens that Republicans will <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/jan/23/senate-republican-john-cornyn-impeachment-trump-past-democratic-presidents">impeach past Democratic
presidents</a> even if they didn't launch a mob to attack the Capitol,
if and when Republicans ever take control of Congress.
<p>
This is a silly distraction.  If Republicans have a majority in the
house and 2/3 of the Senate, retroactive impeachment of past
presidents (supposing the Constitution permits it &mdash; recall that the
wrecker's second impeachment occurred while he was still president)
would be the least of our worries.
<p>
However, it is not just any old distraction.  The purpose of maneuvers
like these is to suck all ideas of right and wrong, of rights and
duties, out of life.  With them gone, evil and good look the same, and
the only distinction that can be seen is that between the powerful and
the weak.  They want this because they serve the powerful and they
want nothing to impede them from trampling the weak.


feed_id: d6bb1cbceadfbe3a7955ef2d8b82efb1
title: Investigate Bolsonaro
uri: Investigate-Bolsonaro
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#26_January_2021_%28Investigate_Bolsonaro%29
content:
<p>

Asking the International Criminal Court to investigate Bolsonaro for
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/jan/23/jair-bolsonaro-could-face-charges-in-the-hague-over-amazon-rainforest">damaging the Amazon forest</a>.


feed_id: 3b99cb39d807af49d2653105b567f7ba
title: Guns in the house chamber
uri: Guns-in-the-house-chamber
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#26_January_2021_%28Guns_in_the_house_chamber%29
content:
<p>

Republican congresscritters who threatened the lives of Alexandria
Ocasio-Cortez and other progressives now defy the Capitol Police and
the rules of the House by bringing <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2021/jan/23/squad-terrified-colleagues-congress-aoc-capitol-riot">guns into the chamber</a>.
<p>
In 2020, right-wing extremists adopted the tactic of breaking safety
rules to menace people, and made themselves look powerful by showing
no one could stop them.  In effect, their message is, "Join our mob
and intimidate people with us!"  Backing off to avoid an immediate
conflict is a bad option when they point to this as proof of their
power.  Congress needs to impose on them rules they can't get
away with breaking.


feed_id: 87ac1c18a2c7f08c88b076eb0510e2aa
title: Protests against Putin
uri: Protests-against-Putin
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#26_January_2021_%28Protests_against_Putin%29
content:
<p>

The jailing of Navalny inspired <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/jan/23/the-problem-is-putin-protesters-throng-the-streets-to-support-navalny">massive protests against Putin</a>.
<p>
It looks like Navalny' judgment was correct: returning to Russia
and facing jail struck a blow against Putin.


feed_id: 0be24869eb909d5cb49ceddc93705e0e
title: Showing links to news articles
uri: Showing-links-to-news-articles
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#26_January_2021_%28Showing_links_to_news_articles%29

content:
<p>

Australia is considering requiring Google and Facebook to <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2021/jan/22/googles-threat-to-withdraw-its-search-engine-from-australia-is-chilling-to-anyone-who-cares-about-democracy">pay for
showing links to news articles</a>.
<p>
To restrict linking in general would destroy the Web, but making big
surveillance capitalism companies pay would do no harm.  If it pushes
one of those companies out of Australia, good for Australia!
<p>
However, the plan should not be discriminatory.  It should apply to
any large company which does a suitable sort of business, regardless
of what country it comes from.
<p>
Please stop referring to works of journalism as "content", because
that term disparages whatever works you apply it to.  Their importance
to society comes from not being a commodity.


feed_id: a63f03a345fb10cf2b7807e7e6bae0a7
title: Refuting Covid-19 disinformation
uri: Refuting-Covid-19-disinformation
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#26_January_2021_%28Refuting_Covid-19_disinformation%29

content:
<p>

<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/jan/22/reasons-why-covid-variant-could-kill-more-people-are-uncertain">Refuting Covid-19 disinformation</a> &mdash; and some bad news about mutants.


feed_id: b7f61d9ec73e730bd4b4093497cae3bd
title: North Korea nuclear disarmament
uri: North-Korea-nuclear-disarmament
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#26_January_2021_%28North_Korea_nuclear_disarmament%29

content:
<p>

The US should realize that North Korea <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/jan/23/north-korea-diplomacy-is-only-used-to-advance-nuclear-programme-says-top-us-official">will not agree</a> to nuclear
disarmament no matter what the US might offer.


feed_id: 8c62a7fc5ac914a25342aa43f1450061
title: Gorgonzola with marijuana
uri: 2021-01-26-Gorgonzola-with-marijuana
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#22_January_2021_%28Gorgonzola_with_marijuana%29
content:
<p>

A new product consists of <a href="https://stallman.org/puns.html#gorgonzola">gorgonzola cheese
with marijuana mixed in.  One look and you're stoned.


feed_id: dc5c8c31c0b354b1fe784a65ff2f24b5
title: Downplaying Covid, then catching it
uri: Downplaying-Covid-then-catching-it
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#26_January_2021_%28Downplaying_Covid%2C_then_catching_it%29

content:
<p>
President AMLO told Mexico that the end of Covid-19 was at hand, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/jan/25/mexico-president-andres-manuel-lopez-obrador-contracts-covid">then caught it
himself</a>.

<p>
I have an impression that AMLO like the square root of Trump.  Nowhere
near as bad, but with some of the same bad tendencies.


feed_id: 3125a8eb1b05b6c49f1087fa1b54ac47
title: Ice melting faster
uri: Ice-melting-faster
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#26_January_2021_%28Ice_melting_faster%29
content:
<p>
The world's big ice sheets are melting faster and faster.  The
melting <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/jan/25/global-ice-loss-accelerating-at-record-rate-study-finds">is following the IPCC worst-case scenario</a>.
  Will humanity ignore this fire alarm?


feed_id: 81e9f7368180a2e909080c2b27c04e9c
title: Opponent arrest ruled illegal
uri: Opponent-arrest-ruled-illegal
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#26_January_2021_%28Opponent_arrest_ruled_illegal%29
content:
<p>
*Ugandan court rules <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/jan/25/ugandan-court-rules-bobi-wine-house-arrest-judge-says">Bobi Wine house arrest illegal</a>.*


feed_id: 6aff8b349e942eb0a50cc611cf10baaa
title: Covid-19 used as excuse to ban protests
uri: Covid-19-used-as-excuse-to-ban-protests
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#26_January_2021_%28Covid-19_used_as_excuse_to_ban_protests%29

content:
<p>
The UK government <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2021/jan/25/four-charged-colston-statue-damage-bristol-tried-crown-court">using Covid-19 as an excuse to ban demonstrations</a>
  outside the trial of people accused of toppling the statue
                                                             of
slave-trafficker Edward Colston.


<p>
Of course, people must take precautions against transmitting Covid-19
whenever they come near strangers, and that includes when protesting.
They must wear masks all the time while there, and stay two meters
apart.  As long as they do so, they must be allowed to protest.

<p>
Protesting is more than a human right, it is a crucial aspect of
democracy.


feed_id: e1a31176af2c82f697984ed6e93c9049
title: Managing forests
uri: Managing-forests
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#26_January_2021_%28Managing_forests%29
content:
<p>
Although forest fires in Oregon are increasing due to <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#global heating">global heating</a>,
managing forests for the long term <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2021/01/24/burning-questions-about-future-pacific-northwest-forests">can help the forests keep growing
notwithstanding the occasional fire</a>.


feed_id: c4acfff7b37524b3afc5f501f9bdceb0
title: Illegal nightclub
uri: Illegal-nightclub
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#26_January_2021_%28Illegal_nightclub%29
content:
<p>
Police shut down an illegal nightclub in Lawrence, Mass, <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2021/01/24/us/illegal-nightclub-covid-lawrence-massachusetts/index.html">for spreading
Covid-19</a>.

<p>
A nightclub is not a horrible thing In ordinary times, but nowadays
that sort of thing keeps Covid-19 spreading and evolving.


feed_id: c19be8144c8a90bb412f992388016001
title: Tracing app
uri: Tracing-app
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#26_January_2021_%28Tracing_app%29
content:
<p>
Singapore's contact tracing app, supposedly intended to detect
possible transmission of dangerous virus, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/jan/05/singapore-says-police-will-be-given-access-to-covid-19-contact-tracing-data">will also be used to detect
possible transmission of dangerous dissident ideas</a>.

<p>
I would be glad to let a contact-tracing device track when I come
close to another contact-tracing device, provided they don't
record my whereabouts the rest of the time and it releases information
about me only when I tell it to.


feed_id: eda583c04b14055540f88db8d4e9b825
title: Downplaying Covid, then catching it
uri: 2021-01-26-Downplaying-Covid-then-catching-it
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#26_January_2021_%28Downplaying_Covid%2C_then_catching_it%29

content:
<p>
President AMLO told Mexico that the end of Covid-19 was at hand, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/jan/25/mexico-president-andres-manuel-lopez-obrador-contracts-covid">then caught it
himself</a>.

<p>
I have an impression that AMLO is like the square root of Trump.
Nowhere near as bad, but with some of the same bad tendencies.


feed_id: 21a4cd118399cdec49484b49a1d55d78
title: Illegal nightclub
uri: 2021-01-26-Illegal-nightclub
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#26_January_2021_%28Illegal_nightclub%29
content:
<p>
Police shut down an illegal nightclub in Lawrence, Mass, <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2021/01/24/us/illegal-nightclub-covid-lawrence-massachusetts/index.html">for spreading
Covid-19</a>.

<p>
A nightclub is not a horrible thing in ordinary times, but nowadays
that sort of thing keeps Covid-19 spreading and evolving.


feed_id: 90e16b60f3900d5bd2faf6259ee373f7
title: Climate crisis help
uri: Climate-crisis-help
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#27_January_2021_%28Climate_crisis_help%29
content:
<p>
*Helping poorest tackle climate crisis <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/jan/25/helping-poorest-tackle-climate-crisis-will-boost-global-growth-says-imf-head">will boost global growth, says
 IMF head</a>.*


feed_id: 090f4071ba9f99dfc0c58fef0249b949
title: Battling Covid-19 bullshitters
uri: Battling-Covid-19-bullshitters
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#27_January_2021_%28Battling_Covid-19_bullshitters%29

content:
<p>
A few doughty defenders of rationality <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/jan/25/the-information-warriors-fighting-robot-zombie-army-of-coronavirus-sceptics">are battling Covid-19-disinforming
bullshitters</a>.


feed_id: 77b3e57600c4f82c9910afc4a3a4e30d
title: Doctors forbidden to wear masks
uri: Doctors-forbidden-to-wear-masks
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#27_January_2021_%28Doctors_forbidden_to_wear_masks%29

content:
<p>
A Wuhan doctor says that in January 2020 he and his colleagues were
forbidden to warn the public that Covid-19 was being transmitted from
person to person.  They were forbidden to wear masks <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/jan/26/wuhan-doctor-china-authorities-stopped-me-sounding-alarm-on-covid">because people
would figure out what that meant</a>.


feed_id: e681c69227369b61f1d351465104d571
title: Capitol police testing positive
uri: Capitol-police-testing-positive
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#27_January_2021_%28Capitol_police_testing_positive%29

content:
<p>
38 of the Capitol Police tested positive for Covid-19 after the
riot <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2021/01/24/politics/capitol-police-riot-coronavirus/index.html">in which many rioters ostentatiously refused to wear masks</a>.

<p>
I have to wonder whether in some of those cases the person was
infected due to refusing to wear as mask.


feed_id: f9dd98d6d07f6cd7b4b1fcce37ede85f
title: Raising kids in captivity
uri: Raising-kids-in-captivity
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#27_January_2021_%28Raising_kids_in_captivity%29
content:
<p>
*Are You Raising Kids in Captivity, <a href="https://letgrow.org/are-you-raising-kids-in-captivity-then-expecting-them-to-survive-in-the-wild/">then Expecting Them to Survive in the
Wild</a>?*


feed_id: 1c844bcfa5fd075bce31ea0e008545c9
title: Protecting good people
uri: Protecting-good-people
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#27_January_2021_%28Protecting_good_people%29
content:
<p>
(<a href="https://www.theonion.com/sarah-huckabee-sanders-vows-to-protect-good-people-arka-1846128504">satire</a>) *Sarah Huckabee Sanders Vows To Protect Good People Of
Arkansas From Any Questions.*


feed_id: 20e8181ecf4d6ad29fcd8576bd73e4a1
title: Ending investments in fossil fuel projects
uri: Ending-investments-in-fossil-fuel-projects
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#27_January_2021_%28Ending_investments_in_fossil_fuel_projects%29

content:
<p>
The EU's ministers agreed to a commitment <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2021/01/25/eu-foreign-ministers-commit-push-end-fossil-fuel-subsidies-and-finance-pressure">to end European investment
in fossil fuel projects outside the EU</a>.

<p>
It is not clear from the article how close this is to a binding
decision, nor whether it would cover private funds.


feed_id: eb7cb3ab38cd7c75e56adb9871dac428
title: Blocking transport of tanks
uri: Blocking-transport-of-tanks
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#27_January_2021_%28Blocking_transport_of_tanks%29
content:
<p>
Canadians blocked the transport of Canada-made tanks <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2021/01/25/canadians-against-war-yemen-block-shipment-armoured-vehicles-headed-saudi-arabia">to the port where
they would be shipped to Salafi Arabia</a>.


feed_id: 719d32676d0ee23d0eb07f38bc971e2d
title: Infiltrated drone
uri: Infiltrated-drone
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#27_January_2021_%28Infiltrated_drone%29
content:
<p>
(<a href="https://www.theonion.com/disguised-amazon-drone-sneaks-into-worker-meeting-to-di-1846126546">satire</a>) *a disguised Amazon drone reportedly snuck into a worker
meeting Monday to disrupt union talks.*


feed_id: 735bfa97d31ecb13668e4cf7a97cea49
title: Digital exploitation
uri: Digital-exploitation
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#27_January_2021_%28Digital_exploitation%29
content:
<p>
Proposals for how the Biden administration <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2021/01/25/five-ways-biden-labor-team-can-defend-workers-against-lawless-digital-economy">can protect workers from
digital exploitation</a>.

<p>
Proposal 4 includes a small step in the direction of free software,
though it doesn't get all the way there.


feed_id: 6964019cd0c292ee1a2ca7d7c6fb3885
title: USPS commissioners
uri: USPS-commissioners
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#27_January_2021_%28USPS_commissioners%29
content:
<p>
Urging Biden to fire the current USPS commissioners for cause, <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2021/01/25/biden-urged-fire-entire-postal-service-board-complicity-devastating-arson-trump-and">because
they praised DeJoy or stayed silent while he was sabotaging the USPS</a>.


feed_id: e6dbb68fe009a2a5fb98186c2fcaec9d
title: Selling fossil fuel investments
uri: Selling-fossil-fuel-investments
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#27_January_2021_%28Selling_fossil_fuel_investments%29

content:
<p>
New York City's pension funds have begun <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2021/01/25/nyc-pension-funds-begin-historic-fossil-fuel-divestment">gradually selling their
fossil fuel investments</a>.


feed_id: 24bff6ddf227670897dcb3d8d79569cc
title: Water, Utility shutoffs
uri: Water-Utility-shutoffs
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#27_January_2021_%28Water%2C_Utility_shutoffs%29
content:
<p>
*New Research Shows Stopping Water, Utility Shutoffs <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2021/01/25/new-research-shows-stopping-water-utility-shutoffs-would-have-prevented">Would Have Prevented
Thousands of COVID Deaths</a>*
   in the US.

<p>
The basic principle, that you can't wash your hands if you have bad
access to water, will apply anywhere, but the specifics will vary.


feed_id: c3a57dd0ee59ca9c0056b225971d5a4b
title: Buy-from-our-country
uri: Buy-from-our-country
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#27_January_2021_%28Buy-from-our-country%29
content:
<p>
Biden promised to renegotiate trade treaties <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2021/01/25/buy-american-order-good-first-step-enacting-eos-goals-requires-president-biden">to make "buy American" rules
more powerful</a>.

<p>
We are told to think about "buy-American" rules (and "buy-European"
rules in the EU, "buy-Chinese" rules in China, etc.) in terms of
competition with other countries.  If it were only that, I would be
against those rules.  The one good aspect of trade agreements is that
they reject this sort of economic hostility.

<p>
The reason I support "buy-from-our-country" rules is that in each country
that will help workers organize and demand higher wages.  In other words, it
will work against the business-supremacy-treaty aspect of them.


feed_id: aa54d2ffe317fe6712705c1e50560915
title: Stripped in front of male prisoners
uri: Stripped-in-front-of-male-prisoners
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#27_January_2021_%28Stripped_in_front_of_male_prisoners%29

content:
<p>
An indigenous woman in jail in Australia <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2021/jan/26/aboriginal-woman-in-act-prison-alleges-she-was-stripped-naked-in-front-of-male-inmates">accuses the guards of
stripping her in front of male prisoners</a>.

<p>
The racism in Australia is directed mainly at ine indigenous people
and manifests very strongly, even more than US racism against blacks.
Americans are prejudiced to some extent against indigenous, but not like this.


feed_id: cc99755a9c904bb30cc634d98f501b6a
title: Lawsuits against the corrupter
uri: Lawsuits-against-the-corrupter
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#28_January_2021_%28Lawsuits_against_the_corrupter%29

content:
<p>

The Supreme Court <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2021/01/25/thats-insane-he-still-has-money-scotus-tosses-emoluments-lawsuits-targeting-trump">dismissed lawsuits against the corrupter</a> for violating the "emoluments" prohibition in the US Constitution, simply because
he is no longer president.
<p>
In order for that to be honest, the courts should speed up these cases to hear them before
it is too late.


feed_id: 58a568b376cc4519aa22fdd502e955ce
title: Indonesian hospitals
uri: Indonesian-hospitals
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#28_January_2021_%28Indonesian_hospitals%29
content:
<p>

In some parts of Indonesia, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/jan/26/covid-patients-turned-away-as-hospitals-in-indonesia-face-collapse">hospitals are full</a> and
some people sick with Covid-19 cannot be properly treated.


feed_id: 46710ad7b495b68687c1cfda2b390b08
title: Pandemic to break unions
uri: Pandemic-to-break-unions
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#28_January_2021_%28Pandemic_to_break_unions%29
content:
<p>

*US companies using pandemic as a <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/jan/26/coronavirus-pandemic-unions-break">tool to break unions</a>, workers claim.*


feed_id: 0b04c881a50a5bb94ac582a6f169d3a0
title: Ireland's asylum system
uri: Ireland-s-asylum-system
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#28_January_2021_%28Ireland%27s_asylum_system%29
content:
<p>

*Ireland is repeating its mother and baby home scandal with its <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2021/jan/26/ireland-mother-and-baby-home-scandal-asylum-system">asylum system</a>.*


feed_id: 1bd665114361498234eb4b939dd53bd7
title: Ads for combat gear
uri: Ads-for-combat-gear
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#28_January_2021_%28Ads_for_combat_gear%29
content:
<p>

*Facebook is <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2021/jan/26/facebook-ads-combat-gear-rightwing-users">bombarding rightwing users</a> with ads for combat gear.*


feed_id: 49f3269fa3636e18d44eca096d9d01b1
title: Indian farmers protesting
uri: Indian-farmers-protesting
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#28_January_2021_%28Indian_farmers_protesting%29
content:
<p>

Masses of Indian farmers protesting a devastating new law
entered Delhi and <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/jan/26/violent-clashes-as-indian-farmers-storm-delhis-red-fort">captured ... the Red Fort</a>???
<p>
The Red Fort was a real fortress in 1700, but now it is a historical relic.
<p>
I support the farmers' cause, but I think it would be better to hold
protests elsewhere to keep historical relics safe.


feed_id: f3b77e5107069d6d9180054e2c43e276
title: Insurrection and Big Lie
uri: Insurrection-and-Big-Lie
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#28_January_2021_%28Insurrection_and_Big_Lie%29
content:
<p>
*ALEC's Numerous <a href="https://www.exposedbycmd.org/2021/01/27/alecs-numerous-ties-to-the-capitol-insurrection-and-big-lie/">Ties to the Capitol Insurrection and "Big Lie"</a>.*


feed_id: 9e91a334e9f18c31138605e2f6d9ecfe
title: PFAS and vaccination
uri: PFAS-and-vaccination
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#28_January_2021_%28PFAS_and_vaccination%29
content:
<p>
Prior exposure to PFAS <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2021/jan/27/will-my-exposure-to-forever-chemicals-make-the-covid-19-vaccine-less-effective">can make vaccination less effective</a>.

<p>
It is one of <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#25_October_2019_(Toxicologist_speaks_out_about_PFAS)">various harmful effects they have</a>.


feed_id: 30bd0a3e4d4037e352c7cea2b82b7301
title: Stop minority rule
uri: Stop-minority-rule
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#28_January_2021_%28Stop_minority_rule%29
content:
<p>
*The Democrats' priority in power <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2020/dec/06/havana-syndrome-directed-radio-frequency-">must be to stop minority rule</a>.*


feed_id: 55334be354a5369c152a2823d353efed
title: Global heating and whales
uri: Global-heating-and-whales
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#28_January_2021_%28Global_heating_and_whales%29
content:
<p>
Global heating <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/jan/27/humpback-whales-may-be-struggling-to-breed-as-climate-crisis-depletes-food">is wiping out the humpback whales' food</a>.


feed_id: 8658472fd84fcffe5daff55e43fb4f0e
title: Emissions cut
uri: Emissions-cut
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#28_January_2021_%28Emissions_cut%29
content:
<p>
*Australia needs to cut emissions <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2021/jan/28/australia-needs-to-cut-emissions-by-at-least-50-by-2030-to-meet-paris-goals-experts-say">by at least 50% by 2030 to meet Paris goals,
experts say</a>.*

<p>
It would have been easy to achieve this, if the planet-roasters had
not taken control of Australia and prevented it from starting these
reductions years ago.


feed_id: f27475c761a3d721da37e9d0d946efea
title: Too much influence
uri: Too-much-influence
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#28_January_2021_%28Too_much_influence%29
content:
<p>
Google's news-blocking search "experiment" in Australia <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2021/jan/28/important-stories-hidden-in-googles-experiment-blocking-australian-news-sites">kept some stories
entirely out of search results, for the users targeted</a>.

<p>
What this tells me is that Google has too much influence.


feed_id: a96db851a465b9612c268e5cb27d8e76
title: Accepting lower pay
uri: Accepting-lower-pay
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#28_January_2021_%28Accepting_lower_pay%29
content:
<p>
Lyft makes drivers <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2021/01/25/poverty-mode-app-based-drivers-slam-lyfts-latest-pay-cut-scheme">compete for rides by accepting lower pay</a>.


feed_id: 400aa838f1855715b8b5e4c5a6f4192b
title: Big lie and little lies
uri: Big-lie-and-little-lies
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#28_January_2021_%28Big_lie_and_little_lies%29
content:
<p>
The bullshitter's big lie <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2021/01/25/opinions/big-lie-ben-ghiat/index.html">depended on all the little lies</a>.


feed_id: f747d4f5c3c5e455a5ad8b0596b0711c
title: Deportation moratorium blocked
uri: Deportation-moratorium-blocked
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#28_January_2021_%28Deportation_moratorium_blocked%29

content:
<p>
A judge blocked Biden's order <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/jan/26/judge-blocks-biden-bid-halt-deportations">to suspend deportations for 100 days</a>.


feed_id: db677c62967ea0f1306045d6b61332d6
title: Racial equity
uri: Racial-equity
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#28_January_2021_%28Racial_equity%29
content:
<p>
*Biden signs more executive orders <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/jan/26/joe-biden-executive-orders-us-racial-equity">in effort to advance US racial equity</a>.*


feed_id: c1953732e5739fba75dff9c38245e30a
title: Tearful Trudeau
uri: Tearful-Trudeau
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#28_January_2021_%28Tearful_Trudeau%29
content:
<p>
(<a href="https://www.theonion.com/tearful-justin-trudeau-chains-self-to-keystone-pipeline-1846111163">satire</a>) *Tearful Justin Trudeau Chains Self To Keystone Pipeline To
Stop Biden Administration From Destroying Oil Industry Heritage Site.*


feed_id: 41279f9adb2d648af88875648fe624de
title: Loss of taste
uri: Loss-of-taste
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#28_January_2021_%28Loss_of_taste%29
content:
<p>
*'Pleasure ripped out': the people suffering <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/jan/27/pleasure-ripped-out-the-people-suffering-long-term-loss-of-taste-after-covid">long-term loss of taste after
Covid</a>.*

<p>
The fraction of patients that suffer from lasting loss of smell would
seem to be roughly 20%.  This worries me more than the danger of
death.


feed_id: 70c491773fff93a26e5458e81b97f0d9
title: Pepper spraying spreader
uri: Pepper-spraying-spreader
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#28_January_2021_%28Pepper_spraying_spreader%29
content:
<p>
The mayor of Portland, Oregon, used pepper spray against a hostile stranger
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/jan/26/ted-wheeler-portland-mayor-pepper-spray-maskless-man-covid-rules">who masklessly started breathing in his face</a>.

<p>
It was kind of him to give the assailant a bottle of water afterward.

<p>
I suggest giving pulling out the pepper spray before the spreader
arrives at six feet away.  With luck the spreader will back off then.


feed_id: 1b23279cb335ceb4c2ad4505036e2a46
title: No drug projects
uri: No-drug-projects
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#28_January_2021_%28No_drug_projects%29
content:
<p>
Of the 16 most potentially dangerous infectious diseases, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/science/2021/jan/26/pharmaceutical-giants-not-ready-for-next-pandemic-report-warns">there are no drug projects for 10 of them</a>.

<p>
Where there are treatments, the wealthy countries do little to get
these drugs to people in poor countries.  As we have seen, allowing a
disease to run rampant through any part of the world encourages
mutations that can make it worse.  We need to recognize that public
health is a global issue and protect public health globally, and
proactively.


feed_id: 8a97a6e33593637ccec8e3871543ade5
title: Enforcing laws
uri: Enforcing-laws
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#28_January_2021_%28Enforcing_laws%29
content:
<p>
It's not enough for China to strengthen its laws to keep animal
diseases away from humans.  <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/jan/26/chinas-new-animal-health-rules-alone-wont-stop-zoonotic-outbreaks-experts-warn">It needs to start enforcing those laws</a>.


feed_id: 07bdb4ef17643bfc8d0e9fd811e616fa
title: Stop minority rule
uri: 2021-01-29-Stop-minority-rule
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#28_January_2021_%28Stop_minority_rule%29
content:
<p>
*The Democrats' priority in power <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2021/jan/27/the-democrats-priority-in-power-must-be-to-stop-minority-rule">must be to stop minority rule</a>.*


feed_id: 551630dbb5b75f7c7b0843e22dd6090b
title: Deportation moratorium blocked
uri: 2021-01-29-Deportation-moratorium-blocked
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#28_January_2021_%28Deportation_moratorium_blocked%29

content:
<p>
A judge blocked Biden's order <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/jan/26/judge-blocks-biden-bid-halt-deportations">to suspend deportations for 100 days</a>.

<p>
<a href="https://www.cnn.com/2021/01/26/politics/deportation-biden/index.html">More information</a>.


feed_id: 15d7a96ffaf850f2da4dbd3ad5308977
title: Urgent: no increase in surveillance
uri: Urgent-no-increase-in-surveillance
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#29_January_2021_%28Urgent%3A_no_increase_in_surveillance%29

content:
<p>
US citizens: <a href="https://actionnetwork.org/petitions/tell-congress-expanding-surveillance-wont-make-us-safer?nowrapper=true">call on Congress</a> not to increase surveillance.


feed_id: 31935ac3293b176b6735f57e34bd7a72
title: Political ads data
uri: Political-ads-data
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#29_January_2021_%28Political_ads_data%29
content:
<p>
Facebook said it will make <a href="https://www.axios.com/facebook-researchers-political-ad-data-88ec104f-06c7-4ca4-bd13-ed0ec4c45265.html">some kinds of data about its political 
ads from Aug 3 to Nov 3 available to researchers</a>.

<p>
It is a step in the direction of permitting society to find out what
Facebook actually does and how that affects public thought, but there
is a long way to go.


feed_id: 145b4241982c7342db96cfad349b4c0e
title: Climate emergency
uri: 2021-01-29-Climate-emergency
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#29_January_2021_%28Climate_emergency%29
content:
<p>
*Schumer Says Biden <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2021/01/26/incredible-schumer-says-biden-should-declare-climate-emergency">Should Declare a Climate Emergency</a>.*


feed_id: ad21c653cad8eb65abfbac56ac51da1e
title: Privatized prisons
uri: 2021-01-29-Privatized-prisons
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#29_January_2021_%28Privatized_prisons%29
content:
<p>
Biden ordered the Department of Justice <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2021/01/26/big-step-progressives-welcome-biden-executive-order-ending-doj-private-prison">not to sign contracts for
privatized prisons</a>.
  That means that privatized prisons will gradually disappear from the 
Department of Justice's activity.

<p>
However, this order did not apply to immigration prisons.


feed_id: be6651e92a12524799b5d6e779817ef7
title: Republicans logic
uri: Republicans-logic
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#29_January_2021_%28Republicans_logic%29
content:
<p>
Republican senators delayed the wrecker's second impeachment trial.
Then almost all of them <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2021/01/26/after-delaying-trump-impeachment-trial-all-5-gop-senators-vote-favor-saying-now-its">voted that it is too late to hold the trial</a>.

<p>
Today's Republicans don't notice that there is a conflict in principle
between the two actions, so Republican senators don't need to
recognize it.


feed_id: b33d1b8c637570f54dcc8e27b163e7ab
title: Livestock antibiotic overuse
uri: Livestock-antibiotic-overuse
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#29_January_2021_%28Livestock_antibiotic_overuse%29
content:
<p>
*Coalition Calls <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2021/01/26/coalition-calls-urgent-action-livestock-antibiotic-overuse">for Urgent Action On Livestock Antibiotic Overuse</a>.*

<p>
We've known for decades that this will kill people.  Now it is killing
people.  But keeping herds producing without indiscriminate use of
antibiotics would apparently cost more.

<p>
How many thousands of deaths will it take to overcome the
lobbying power of Big Ag?


feed_id: 3bdf2d41f59782b80effcf740d0a4b12
title: Survivor of Nazism seeing American Nazis
uri: Survivor-of-Nazism-seeing-American-Nazis
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#29_January_2021_%28Survivor_of_Nazism_seeing_American_Nazis%29

content:
<p>
Dr Irene Butter, survivor of Nazi persecution and now a US citizen, <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2021/01/26/opinions/holocaust-fascism-un-capitol-riots-butter/index.html">speaks
about seeing American Nazis try to seize the US Capitol</a>.

<p>
*Democrats stunned by briefing on Capitol's security before insurrection: <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2021/01/26/politics/democrats-stunned-by-capitol-briefing-insurrection/index.html">'It
was only by pure dumb luck' more weren't killed</a>.*
  The officials in charge of security for the Capitol saw every hint of
an attack coming and thought it would look bad if they reinforced
security to stop it.


feed_id: ab260142f1cf156f4101f6ee3959283b
title: Goya's fanatical support
uri: Goya-s-fanatical-support
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#29_January_2021_%28Goya%27s_fanatical_support%29
content:
<p>
The CEO of Goya has gone down the rabbit hole into fanatical support of
the wrecker.  <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2021/01/26/business/goya-ceo-robert-unanue-silenced/index.html">The board of directors told him to shut up</a>.

<p>
I never made an explicit decision to boycott Goya, but ever since he
praised the wrecker last July, and received a corrupt commercial
endorsement from the White House in return, I have not felt like
buying any Goya products.


feed_id: e2ebaeb562ce681003e71b51fcb92769
title: Deficit
uri: Deficit
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#29_January_2021_%28Deficit%29
content:
<p>
The corporate media forgot about "deficit" during the corrupter's
handouts to big business, but now that Democrats are ready to help
non-rich Americans, <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2021/01/26/clockwork-corporate-media-become-deficit-hawks-when-it-comes-passing-progressive">those media have remembered their old friend</a>.


feed_id: b95f63e14db6489fde32737bae0fd184
title: Renewable electric generation
uri: 2021-01-29-Renewable-electric-generation
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#29_January_2021_%28Renewable_electric_generation%29
content:
<p>
Europe is moving rapidly to renewable electric generation, which this year
exceeded fossil fuel electric generation there.  <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2021/01/26/president-biden-us-capable-too-europe-generates-more-electricity-renewables-fossil">The US must do the same</a>.


feed_id: 817ab160c6eb45a17aa11de2b13d2cde
title: Hospitals without staff
uri: Hospitals-without-staff
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#29_January_2021_%28Hospitals_without_staff%29
content:
<p>
The UK government spent 700 million dollars to rapidly build hospital
buildings, but they are not operating because the UK does not have
staff to run them.  Why not?  <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2021/jan/27/empty-nightingale-hospitals-government-healthcare-staff">Because the government has bad policies
towards staff</a>.

<p>
The Tories think of working people's pay as a diversion of money that
was meant for a plutocrat.  They want to pay them less, impose harsh
rules, and employ fewer of them.  They have found it difficult to
approach workers who treat sick people in a different spirit.


feed_id: 06c5c0e850ffc0c6518078f782103eb0
title: Secret tunnel
uri: Secret-tunnel
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#29_January_2021_%28Secret_tunnel%29
content:
<p>
Opponents of the HS2 high-speed train line secretly built a tunnel
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/jan/27/hs2-protesters-hope-to-occupy-euston-tunnel-for-weeks">next to Euston Station to block construction</a>,
  using techniques from prison escape tunnels.

<p>
What astounds me even more is that they consider blocking an electric
train line to be part of climate defense.  The usual reason for
high-speed trains is to substitute for air travel and thus reduce
<a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#global heating">global heating</a>.

<p>
It does seem like bad design to run that line out of Euston rather than
from St Pancras, where the high-speed trains arrive from France.  It
is only 10 minutes' walk from St Pancras to Euston, but the need to
change trains will make a much bigger delay.


feed_id: 5f021c747c7f297d8913c36adaa6adff
title: Hottest world for 12,000 years
uri: Hottest-world-for-12-000-years
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#29_January_2021_%28Hottest_world_for_12%2C000_years%29

content:
<p>
*Climate crisis: world now <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/jan/27/climate-crisis-world-now-at-its-hottest-for-12000-years">at its hottest for 12,000 years</a>.*


feed_id: c9ede2e91c10f8ca69a6da3c94286e5c
title: Shark and ray population crash
uri: Shark-and-ray-population-crash
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#29_January_2021_%28Shark_and_ray_population_crash%29

content:
<p>
*Global shark and ray population <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/jan/27/sharks-rays-global-population-crashed-study">crashed more than 70% in past 50 years</a>.*


feed_id: 58ce441e4f86ddf10fc1d0f79be216ed
title: Fanatical barging into hospitals
uri: Fanatical-barging-into-hospitals
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#29_January_2021_%28Fanatical_barging_into_hospitals%29

content:
<p>
Fanatical lunatics are barging into hospitals in the UK and claiming
that patients badly ill from Covid-19 are not really sick &mdash; <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/jan/27/hospital-incursions-by-covid-deniers-putting-lives-at-risk-say-leaders">and that
the hospitals are killing them</a>.

<p>
Despite the danger of that lunatic movement, I see danger also in
censoring them.  Consider another movement which is much more
rational, the animal rights movement.  One of its methods was to enter
farms and make videos of how they treated animals.  Some US states
have repressed this with special laws, <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2013-jan-apr.html#12_April_2013_(Ag_Gag_bill_introduced_in_North_Carolina)">the "Ag Gag" laws</a>.
  Although I do not support animal rights, I condemn those laws for
their offense against the activists' human rights.  It will be difficult
to oppose the Ag Gag laws while endorsing laws against doing the same thing
in a hospital.

<p>
However, if the intruders don't wear masks, it is legitimate to
prosecute them for that.


feed_id: f3b49f0372d16e87bbd92f0352fe7c32
title: Republicans' bills to restrict voting rights
uri: Republicans-bills-to-restrict-voting-rights
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#31_January_2021_%28Republicans%27_bills_to_restrict_voting_rights%29

content:
<p>

*Republicans considering more than <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/jan/28/republicans-considering-100-bills-restrict-voting-rights">100 (state) bills</a> to restrict
 voting rights.*


feed_id: 34a174dee6f2e4c48c479c5cb68a6d45
title: Covid-19 cases decreasing in India
uri: Covid-19-cases-decreasing-in-India
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#31_January_2021_%28Covid-19_cases_decreasing_in_India%29

content:
<p>

Covid-19 cases in India are <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/jan/28/dramatic-drop-in-covid-cases-gives-india-hope-of-return-to-normal-life">decreasing</a>; the country may have come close to
herd immunity.
<p>
The large fraction of young people, due to a dangerously high birth rate,
may have reduced the fraction of people that died from Covid-19.
But it is surely a large number in absolute terms, and I would guess that
the official count of deaths is vastly under-counted.


feed_id: ed038ebcb94b2051ae20f201b097ccaf
title: FDA job appointment
uri: FDA-job-appointment
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#31_January_2021_%28FDA_job_appointment%29
content:
<p>

*Biden urged not to give top FDA job to official over her <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/jan/28/fda-janet-woodcock-opioids-biden">role in opioid
crisis</a>.*


feed_id: 0a3d2bf00594e36e1def44aaae763c50
title: Hawks intimidate Biden
uri: Hawks-intimidate-Biden
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#31_January_2021_%28Hawks_intimidate_Biden%29
content:
<p>

Hawks, supporters of hostilities and perhaps war with Iran, are trying
to intimidate Biden <a href="https://theintercept.com/2021/01/28/iran-biden-robert-malley-smear-campaign/">out of choosing an envoy who is inclined
to establish peace</a>.


feed_id: 2f750afdf2f3433671ea5da0f00d2de8
title: Chagos Islands
uri: 2021-01-31-Chagos-Islands
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#31_January_2021_%28Chagos_Islands%29
content:
<p>

The UN ruled that the Chagos Islands <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/jan/28/un-court-rejects-uk-claim-to-chagos-islands-in-favour-of-mauritius">belong to Mauritius</a>, not to the
UK.
<p>
This will be uncomfortable for the UK, and for the US, which has made
the largest of those islands into naval and air base.
<p>
It might eventually allow the Chagos Islanders to return home.


feed_id: 167413baf81d3fd4a007955f91b638a0
title: (satire) Under-performing Covid misinformation videos
uri: (satire)-Under-performing-Covid-misinformation-videos
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#31_January_2021_%28%28satire%29_Underperforming_Covid_misinformation_videos%29

content:
<p>

(satire) *YouTube <a href="https://www.theonion.com/youtube-removes-thousands-of-underperforming-covid-misi-1846143718">Removes Thousands Of Under-performing Covid
Misinformation Videos</a>.*


feed_id: a8c11aa0355e550bf9c47924c3f38555
title: (satire) Shoot down greenhouse gases
uri: (satire)-Shoot-down-greenhouse-gases
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#31_January_2021_%28%28satire%29_Shoot_down_greenhouse_gases%29

content:
<p>

(satire) *Biden Authorizes U.S. Military To <a href="https://www.theonion.com/biden-authorizes-u-s-military-to-shoot-down-any-harmfu-1846144967">Shoot Down Any Harmful
Greenhouse Gases</a> That Enter Nation’s Airspace.*


feed_id: 2fb8c616f1967e996bcb0c144fb95f9e
title: Do not equate anti-Zionism with antisemitism
uri: Do-not-equate-anti-Zionism-with-antisemitism
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#31_January_2021_%28Do_not_equate_anti-Zionism_with_antisemitism%29

content:
<p>

Jewish Voice for Peace is pressuring Facebook <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2021/01/27/human-rights-campaign-launched-prevent-facebook-adding-word-zionist-hate-speech">not to equate
anti-Zionism with antisemitism</a>.
<p>
Curiously, some sects of orthodox Jews profess that the existence of
Israel goes against their religion.  Many of their adherents live in
Israel and hold that Israel, as a state, should not exist.
<p>
Whatever one might think about them, they are not antisemitic,
but they are anti-Zionist.


feed_id: 96d213af1ddef51c8ba5788e35b58e5b
title: Very powerful censorship
uri: Very-powerful-censorship
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#31_January_2021_%28Very_powerful_censorship%29
content:
<p>

Non-government organizations can <a href="https://pluralistic.net/2021/01/24/1a/#talk-hard">impose very powerful censorship</a>.


feed_id: fa6d063bd29dda462cfca7304f507c4d
title: Moratoriums on evictions
uri: Moratoriums-on-evictions
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#31_January_2021_%28Moratoriums_on_evictions%29
content:
<p>

Examining statistics shows that a <a href="media/b74cd2ab.w28394.pdf" data-original-source="https://www.nber.org/system/files/working_papers/w28394/w28394.pdf">moratorium on evictions, and a
moratorium on disconnection of utilities</a>, substantially reduce death
from Covid-19.


feed_id: 8a92840a1eb69bde083856e94e7545e2
title: (satire) Endless sleep under Mount Rushmore
uri: (satire)-Endless-sleep-under-Mount-Rushmore
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#31_January_2021_%28%28satire%29_Endless_sleep_under_Mount_Rushmore%29

content:
<p>

(satire) *National Guard <a href="https://www.theonion.com/national-guard-returns-to-endless-sleep-under-mount-rus-1846136599">Returns To Endless Sleep</a> Under Mount Rushmore
Until Nation Calls Upon Them Again.*


feed_id: 591d29b71156111c27ff31a8fb93df20
title: The US system is rigged
uri: The-US-system-is-rigged
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#31_January_2021_%28The_US_system_is_rigged%29
content:
<p>

Jesse Jackson: *The US System Is Rigged <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2021/01/26/us-system-rigged-so-minority-can-rule-over-majority">So the Minority Can Rule Over
the Majority</a>.*


feed_id: 0b08db6a7a224e0e3de51a3f2715f359
title: Privatized automated education
uri: Privatized-automated-education
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#31_January_2021_%28Privatized_automated_education%29

content:
<p>

"Innovative" businesses are selling <a href="https://www.thedenverchannel.com/news/investigations/douglas-co-schools-paid-nearly-1-million-for-e-learning-platform-teachers-say-isnt-worth-the-cost">privatized automated education</a> to
US public schools.
<p>
Implemented with unjust nonfree software, of course.  I expect that
the system collects data which sooner or later helps profile the
subjects.


feed_id: fd856a874fcaeee273247935eb4731fb
title: (satire) Protester has no idea what he's chanting
uri: (satire)-Protester-has-no-idea-what-he-s-chanting
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#31_January_2021_%28%28satire%29_Protester_has_no_idea_what_he%27s_chanting%29

content:
<p>

(satire) *Late-Arriving Protester Has <a href="https://www.theonion.com/late-arriving-protestor-has-no-idea-what-he-s-chanting-1846129654">No Idea What He’s Chanting</a>.*
<p>
I think the chant that he could not make out was, "The gostak distims
the doshes!"  See the story, "The Gostak and the Doshes," by Miles
Breuer.


feed_id: 306eb6a392c0197daeef12a5a78142ba
title: California relaxing Covid control measures
uri: California-relaxing-Covid-control-measures
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#31_January_2021_%28California_relaxing_Covid_control_measures%29

content:
<p>

California is <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/jan/27/covid-surge-california-lifts-stay-at-home-order">relaxing Covid control measures</a> in response to a
fractional decrease in the Covid-19 case rate.
<p>
The hospitals are no longer full, so everyone that gets badly sick can
at least get treated.  But allowing the case rate to remain so high
will mean that many do get sick and die &mdash; and more infectious strains
will take over.  I share the view of the experts quoted that this
is foolish.


feed_id: 5bf8574567f4d236ed237b32fc09c0d6
title: Urgent: Vote against Tom Vilsack
uri: Urgent-Vote-against-Tom-Vilsack
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#31_January_2021_%28Urgent%3A_Vote_against_Tom_Vilsack%29

content:
<p>

US citizens: call on senators to <a href="https://act.rootsaction.org/p/dia/action4/common/public/?action_KEY=14059&amp;tag=RA210122&amp;">vote against Tom Vilsack</a>.
<p>
To sign without running nonfree Javascript code, use <a href="https://stallman.org/salsalabs-method.html">this workaround</a>.


feed_id: 0b0991e08524d1d81587077aaab9516a
title: Urgent: Expel members of Congress that incited the storming of the Capitol
uri: Urgent-Expel-members-of-Congress-that-incited-the-storming-of-the-Cap
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#31_January_2021_%28Urgent%3A_Expel_members_of_Congress_that_incited_the_storming_of_the_Capitol%29

content:
<p>

US citizens: call on Congress to <a href="http://act.democracyforamerica.com/sign/remove-insurrectionist/">expel members of Congress</a> that incited or
planned the storming of the Capitol.

<p>The Capitol Switchboard number is 202-224-3121.</p>

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


feed_id: 4e4df66beb3144d3c37c3a1ec475251e
title: Urgent: End family separations at the border
uri: Urgent-End-family-separations-at-the-border
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#31_January_2021_%28Urgent%3A_End_family_separations_at_the_border%29

content:
<p>

US citizens: call on Biden to fully <a href="https://action.aclu.org/petition/reunite-separated-families-and-provide-relief-now">end family separations at the border</a>.


feed_id: 931c06ae8b86bd30a570b1147b05b85c
title: Urgent: Stop construction of Line 3 pipeline
uri: Urgent-Stop-construction-of-Line-3-pipeline
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#31_January_2021_%28Urgent%3A_Stop_construction_of_Line_3_pipeline%29

content:
<p>

US citizens: call on Biden to <a href="https://actionnetwork.org/petitions/tell-biden-stop-line-3">stop construction of Line 3 pipeline</a>.


feed_id: b262552793ff4d9a11cf757b020fc9fa
title: Urgent: Reject Samantha Power
uri: Urgent-Reject-Samantha-Power
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#31_January_2021_%28Urgent%3A_Reject_Samantha_Power%29

content:
<p>

US citizens: call on your Senators to <a href="https://act.rootsaction.org/p/dia/action4/common/public/?action_KEY=14070">reject Samantha Power</a>.
<p>
To sign without running nonfree JS code, use the <a href="https://stallman.org/Salsalabs-method.html">Salsalabs workaround</a>.

<p>The Capitol Switchboard number is 202-224-3121.</p>

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


feed_id: 9220ccc85ec950e9b2de60283d3fb5fb
title: Urgent: Full investigation of the arrest of Christopher Lynch
uri: Urgent-Full-investigation-of-the-arrest-of-Christopher-Lynch
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#31_January_2021_%28Urgent%3A_Full_investigation_of_the_arrest_of_Christopher_Lynch%29

content:
<p>

US citizens: call on North Carolina Attorney General to do a <a href="http://act.democracyforamerica.com/sign/Justice_for_Lynch/">full
 investigation</a> of the violent arrest of Christopher Lynch


feed_id: 0a3d8ee0f54855026d4f4bdfeb2a94aa
title: Urgent: Eliminate the filibuster
uri: Urgent-Eliminate-the-filibuster
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#31_January_2021_%28Urgent%3A_Eliminate_the_filibuster%29

content:
<p>

  US citizens: call on the Senate to <a href="https://act.demandprogress.org/sign/end-filibuster/">eliminate the filibuster</a>.
  	 <p>The Capitol Switchboard number is 202-224-3121.</p>

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


feed_id: cebd2539136866cc8cc528476bbd0e57
title: Billionaire wealth gain during pandemic
uri: Billionaire-wealth-gain-during-pandemic
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#1_February_2021_%28Billionaire_wealth_gain_during_pandemic%29

content:
<p>

*$1.1 Trillion Billionaire Wealth Gain During Pandemic <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2021/01/26/unseemly-11-trillion-billionaire-wealth-gain-during-pandemic-could-fully-fund-biden">Could Fully
Fund Biden Relief Plan for Working Class</a>.*


feed_id: ff33f77a609323920346cfcf20dcee9e
title: Politicians who voted to overturn the election
uri: Politicians-who-voted-to-overturn-the-election
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#1_February_2021_%28Politicians_who_voted_to_overturn_the_election%29

content:
<p>

*The <a href="https://www.exposedbycmd.org/2021/01/28/the-real-money-behind-the-politicians-who-voted-to-overturn-the-election/">Real Money Behind the Politicians</a> Who Voted to Overturn the
Election.*


feed_id: f6ff2711d905d359f4b6fac759734f6f
title: Alpine plants face extinction
uri: Alpine-plants-face-extinction
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#1_February_2021_%28Alpine_plants_face_extinction%29
content:
<p>

*Alpine plants <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/jan/29/global-heating-alpine-plants-extinction-melting-glaciers-aoe">face extinction</a> as melting glaciers force them higher,
warns study.*


feed_id: 6bb9e4afc4af9411e3ae9c84f6591c33
title: Warnings against overbroad changes to Section 230
uri: Warnings-against-overbroad-changes-to-Section-230
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#1_February_2021_%28Warnings_against_overbroad_changes_to_Section_230%29

content:
<p>

*70+ Civil Rights and Progressive Organizations <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2021/01/27/70-civil-rights-and-progressive-organizations-warn-against-repealing-or-making">Warn Against Repealing
or Making Overbroad Changes</a> to Section 230 in Wake of Capitol Attack.*


feed_id: 91b13f7c710caee52d51c4439ff84ae3
title: (satire) Israel building settlements in Albuquerque
uri: (satire)-Israel-building-settlements-in-Albuquerque
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#1_February_2021_%28%28satire%29_Isreal_building_settlements_in_Albuquerque%29

content:
<p>

(satire) *Increasingly Bold Israel Begins <a href="https://www.theonion.com/increasingly-bold-israel-begins-building-settlements-in-1846135102">Building Settlements</a> In
Downtown Albuquerque.*


feed_id: b7e5fdd554b88faa3f1d841cf61a33af
title: Creature of the lie
uri: Creature-of-the-lie
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#1_February_2021_%28Creature_of_the_lie%29
content:
<p>

Marjorie Greene is a creature of the lie; she claims that various
school massacres did not occur.  And the Republican Party in Congress
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2021/01/28/appalling-dems-incensed-gop-appoints-marjorie-taylor-greene-sandy-hook-massacre">endorses this disrespect for truth</a>.
<p>
Greene <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2021/01/28/if-someone-rep-marjorie-taylor-greene-shoots-and-kills-me-says-david-hogg-politicize">personally harassed David Hogg</a>, a survivor of one of the
massacres she denies.
Hogg said that if Greene or someone else like her murders him,
people should politicize his death.


feed_id: 5b5fa62edad1f5c706a25a9c10c744dd
title: Former staffers of the corrupter
uri: Former-staffers-of-the-corrupter
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#1_February_2021_%28Former_staffers_of_the_corrupter%29

content:
<p>

*Corporate America is ready to put the past behind them and <a href="https://prospect.org/politics/as-the-revolving-door-turns-trump-staffers-corporate-jobs/">hire
former staffers [of the corrupter]</a>.*
<p>
<a href="https://littlesis.org/swamped">Here is a list</a> of where specific fairly high officials have gone.
<p>
The list starts with 10 people whose current employment is unknown,
but after that, plenty of people are listed with new employers.


feed_id: 4953c3f814f7edc72894ee49e3e9fdc4
title: How the wrecker failed Covid-19 response
uri: How-the-wrecker-failed-Covid-19-response
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#1_February_2021_%28How_the_wrecker_failed_Covid-19_response%29

content:
<p>

*New government report details how [the wrecker] <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2021/01/28/new-government-report-details-how-trump-failed-covid-19-response-across-board">failed Covid-19
response</a> 'across the board'.*


feed_id: 628af0730f64169e11ed5c5aec3fb340
title: National Security State
uri: National-Security-State
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#1_February_2021_%28National_Security_State%29
content:
<p>

*How the National Security State Has Come to <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2021/01/28/how-national-security-state-has-come-dominate-civilian-government">Dominate a "Civilian"
Government</a>.*


feed_id: 31c91d9c5ee8babdd4d2cf50ff186d7c
title: "Settlers" destroyed Palestinians' crops
uri: Settlers-destroyed-Palestinians-crops
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#1_February_2021_%28Settlers_destroyed_Palestinians%27_crops%29

content:
<p>

Israeli "settlers" <a href="https://english.wafa.ps/Pages/Details/123032">destroyed Palestinians' crops</a>, so Israeli soldiers join in and destroyed more.


feed_id: 45742b5418632901b3170b067fdff4c8
title: Sanctions against the International Criminal Court
uri: Sanctions-against-the-International-Criminal-Court
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#1_February_2021_%28Sanctions_against_the_International_Criminal_Court%29

content:
<p>

Calling on the US to <a href="http://www.kibush.co.il/show_file.asp?num=82837">cancel sanctions</a> against the International
Criminal Court.


feed_id: 9f220e3e7b8f45128d582663a19ecf5c
title: B'tselem's accusation of Israel
uri: B-tselem-s-accusation-of-Israel
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#1_February_2021_%28B%27tselem%27s_accusation_of_Israel%29

content:
<p>

B'tselem's <a href="https://www.arabnews.com/node/1795826">accusation</a> that Israel is guilty of the crime of apartheid
puts pressure on the US to cease to approve of it.
<p>
B'tselem reports that "settlers" <a href="https://www.btselem.org/press_releases/20210128_all_foreseen_and_not_prevented_spike_in_settler_violence_backed_and_encouraged_by_state">increased their harassing violence</a>
against Palestinians in the West Bank, and gets the state's support
(as has been the case for decades).
<p>
Six US policies that favor Israel against Palestine, which the US
should not have, and which <a href="https://www.antiwar.com/blog/2021/01/23/biden-could-reverse-six-harmful-israel-policies-with-the-only-power-that-stops-israels-lobby/">Biden could reverse</a>.


feed_id: 018bf1437ef6083741e44db3718d1f97
title: Campaigns of Republican coup-supporters
uri: Campaigns-of-Republican-coup-supporters
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#1_February_2021_%28Campaigns_of_Republican_coup-supporters%29

content:
<p>

Fossil fuel companies <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2021/01/28/fossil-fuel-pacs-donated-88-million-republican-sedition-caucus">paid a lot of money</a> to the campaigns of
Republican coup-supporters.
<p>
Fossil fuel companies are in the business of destroying civilization
slowly.  To keep that business going, why not spend money on keeping
us helpless to shut them down?


feed_id: e85150a7f5c5effa1f89bcf90da88df4
title: Right-wing disinformationist
uri: Right-wing-disinformationist
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#1_February_2021_%28Right-wing_disinformationist%29
content:
<p>

A right-wing disinformationist faces federal charges for organizing
a campaign to <a href="https://www.nbcnews.com/tech/internet/twitter-troll-arrested-election-interference-related-disinformation-campaign-n1255864">tell voters that they could vote by sending texts</a>.
<p>
I am very glad that such sabotage can be counteracted.


feed_id: 14d35d258436d281bb62580e0512e3e0
title: Moving away from political violence
uri: Moving-away-from-political-violence
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#1_February_2021_%28Moving_away_from_political_violence%29

content:
<p>

An expert says that for a country to move away from political violence
it needs to do <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2021/01/28/three-step-solution-prevent-future-election-violence">three things</a> &mdash; and in the first two, it seems the US
is stymied by Republicans' power.


feed_id: 875ef6517e30ae9b7c7525c7269c4c7d
title: Covid-19 elimination strategy
uri: Covid-19-elimination-strategy
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#1_February_2021_%28Covid-19_elimination_strategy%29
content:
<p>

*All countries should pursue a <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/commentisfree/2021/jan/28/all-countries-should-pursue-a-covid-19-elimination-strategy-here-are-16-reasons-why">Covid-19 elimination strategy</a>.*
The article gives powerful reasons.
<p>
Elimination requires short periods of strict discipline, but it
tremendously reduces the number that get sick, and adds up to much
less pain even for those who would not have got sick.


feed_id: 93b865fe0831a9e5001e4182e6c05578
title: Danger of right-wing fanatics
uri: Danger-of-right-wing-fanatics
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#1_February_2021_%28Danger_of_right-wing_fanatics%29
content:
<p>

The US government <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/jan/27/us-terrorism-bulletin-homeland-security-joe-biden">warns of continuing danger</a> of terrorism by
right-wing fanatics.


feed_id: 37705eec27a9598844d7388a3bc9b699
title: Non-nuclear deal with Iran
uri: Non-nuclear-deal-with-Iran
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#1_February_2021_%28Non-nuclear_deal_with_Iran%29
content:
<p>

Biden is moving slowly on <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/jan/28/iran-disappointed-after-biden-administration-says-sanctions-to-stay-in-place">restoring the non-nuclear deal</a> with Iran.
<p>
Since it was the US that cancelled the deal, the US ought in fairness
to take the lead in restoring the deal.  Dropping part of the
sanctions now would show Iran that it can expect full restoration of
the deal and should aim for that outcome.  That might even encourage
Iranians to elect officials who will do so.
<p>
Meanwhile, Israel is <a href="https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/israel-iran-us-biden-threats-expose-slap-down">threatening to attack Iran</a> in an attempt
to sabotage restoring the deal.


feed_id: b8b8deb657a8448814b4cf59eb5e57f7
title: Biden shut down the Keystone XL pipeline
uri: Biden-shut-down-the-Keystone-XL-pipeline
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#1_February_2021_%28Biden_shut_down_the_Keystone_XL_pipeline%29

content:
<p>

Biden shut down the Keystone XL pipeline, but that and reversing the
wrecker's acts of sabotage <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2021/jan/28/joe-biden-keystone-pipeline-climate-crisis">does not add up to fast enough action</a> to
avoid <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#global heating">global heating</a> disaster.


feed_id: 2bf7c00ba06a8dcd72d81bc479d8e398
title: Former Facebook lawyer
uri: Former-Facebook-lawyer
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#1_February_2021_%28Former_Facebook_lawyer%29
content:
<p>

*Merrick Garland Wants Former Facebook Lawyer to <a href="https://theintercept.com/2021/01/28/antitrust-facebook-merrick-garland/">Top Antitrust
Division</a>.*
<p>
This would put her in charge of the antitrust lawsuit against
Facebook.


feed_id: 1c1d3801612e0a78f635942b8cd09857
title: Gamestop manipulation
uri: Gamestop-manipulation
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#1_February_2021_%28Gamestop_manipulation%29
content:
<p>
The mass manipulation of Gamestop <a href="https://newrepublic.com/article/161082/gamestop-saga-shows-casino-capitalism-eating-world">mainly shows how absurd Wall Street is</a>.

<p>
The manipulation caused big losses to a private equity fund,
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/business/2021/jan/27/gamestop-three-largest-shareholders-earn-over-2bn-amid-stock-surge">but has given big gains to shareholders in Gamestop</a>.
  I wonder if some of them had something to do with manipulating the
people who did the mass manipulation.


feed_id: d19af311f388b4106fca3d1633e4c52f
title: Sanders responds
uri: 2021-02-01-Sanders-responds
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#1_February_2021_%28Sanders_responds%29
content:
<p>
Sanders responds to the poor little rich investor <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2021/01/29/cry-me-river-sanders-hits-back-billionaire-investor-whines-about-potential-tax-hikes">who was outraged
about possible tax increases on rich people</a>.


feed_id: 67076569cab407ceeab0b5854c557b6b
title: Funding of United Nations Population Fund
uri: Funding-of-United-Nations-Population-Fund
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#1_February_2021_%28Funding_of_United_Nations_Population_Fund%29

content:
<p>
Biden has resumed US funding <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2021/jan/29/biden-move-to-refund-un-population-agency-is-ray-of-hope-for-millions">for the United Nations Population Fund</a>.
  However, far more funds are needed.

<p>
The organization goes by the acronym "UNFPA" which came from its
original name.


feed_id: 18dc01cfb6d72843417ad1a050d605e8
title: FBI lawyer convicted
uri: FBI-lawyer-convicted
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#1_February_2021_%28FBI_lawyer_convicted%29
content:
<p>
An FBI lawyer was convicted of falsifying information <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2021/01/29/politics/kevin-clinesmith-sentencing-durham/index.html">in a request
for a surveillance warrant on Carter Page</a>.

<p>
False justifications are a substantial part of the US system of
surveillance, and if they do it to associates of the president, there
is nobody they wouldn't do it to.


feed_id: 08541a5bdb043500241992b71d8be8f8
title: Turning away from calling out terrorism
uri: Turning-away-from-calling-out-terrorism
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#1_February_2021_%28Turning_away_from_calling_out_terrorism%29

content:
<p>
Biden seems to be turning away from calling out right-wing terrorism,
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2021/jan/27/far-right-extremism-us-terror-biden">perhaps to focus on only certain sectors of it and not the main body</a>.


feed_id: d9c1fd971b74d09e8dacbfc2a2d6618b
title: Empire
uri: Empire
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#1_February_2021_%28Empire%29
content:
<p>
Books that refute <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/books/2021/jan/29/empireland-by-sathnam-sanghera-and-slave-empire-by-padraic-x-scanlan-review">a pleasing picture of the British Empire</a>.


feed_id: a2430a4aa77309f3fbbaa8728ed8c1e5
title: Large spreading weddings
uri: Large-spreading-weddings
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#1_February_2021_%28Large_spreading_weddings%29
content:
<p>
Haredi Jews in London are holding large weddings <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/jan/29/large-weddings-packed-schools-haredi-jews-flout-english-lockdown">where they spread
Covid-19 to each other</a>.

<p>
One response would be to permanently shut and seal the venues where
they hold these weddings.  Another would be to say that if they are
all determined to get Covid-19 there's no need to try to stop them.
They mostly keep to themselves, so they may not be a big danger to
anyone else.


feed_id: d460ff5e513da41072abc74fe5a82eee
title: Insulting a soldier
uri: Insulting-a-soldier
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#1_February_2021_%28Insulting_a_soldier%29
content:
<p>
Israel has convicted Issa Amro for peaceful political campaigning against
Israel's colonization of Palestine, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2021/jan/29/issa-amro-israel-nonviolent-protest-hebron-west--bank">and in particular against seizing
land and settling Israelis on it</a>.

<p>
His "crimes" include "insulting a soldier", which in a free country is
not a crime.


feed_id: 6b8dbb82e08a429da7869a18c512d7ae
title: Leftwing ban
uri: Leftwing-ban
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#1_February_2021_%28Leftwing_ban%29
content:
<p>
*Facebook is banning leftwing users like me &mdash; and <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2021/jan/29/facebook-banned-me-because-i-am-leftwing-i-am-not-the-only-one">it's going largely
 unnoticed</a>.*

<p>
It seems to be yet another case of false balance.  When right-wing fanatics
are attacking the Capitol, false balance takes the worst thing progressives
are doing, and arbitrarily treat that as equivalent to attacking the Capitol.


feed_id: 85538f85ab350d918f45fc063c2181ef
title: Oil damage
uri: Oil-damage
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#1_February_2021_%28Oil_damage%29
content:
<p>
*Court rules Shell Nigeria <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2021/jan/29/finally-some-justice-court-rules-shell-nigeria-must-pay-for-oil-damage">must pay for oil damage</a>.*

<p>
Extraction companies are in many cases profitable only because
they dodge paying the cost of cleaning up their mines or wells.


feed_id: 747dc058b5e6af0a2223a1a458ea027d
title: Forcing protesters out
uri: Forcing-protesters-out
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#1_February_2021_%28Forcing_protesters_out%29
content:
<p>
Indian <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thugs</a> attempted to force tens of thousands of protesting
farmers <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/jan/29/riot-police-attempt-to-clear-farmers-from-delhi-protest-camp">to leave their protest camp near Delhi</a>.
  In a second camp, Hinduist fascists allied with the ruling party
led the attack and were supported by <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thugs</a>.


feed_id: bbcaf73f5d6702913c8951a0e1d4b467
title: Renewal of nuclear treaty
uri: Renewal-of-nuclear-treaty
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#1_February_2021_%28Renewal_of_nuclear_treaty%29
content:
<p>
The US and Russia have agreed <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/jan/29/putin-signs-last-minute-extension-to-nuclear-weapons-treaty-with-us">to renew their principal nuclear weapons
limitation treaty</a>.
  The wrecker was going to let it expire.


feed_id: 9e7d88010e9bf855dd3c768a53a069c6
title: Ban on abortion
uri: Ban-on-abortion
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#1_February_2021_%28Ban_on_abortion%29
content:
<p>
Poland banned abortion of abnormal fetuses.  Women <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/jan/29/third-night-of-protests-in-poland-after-abortion-ban-takes-effect">have protested across
the country for three nights</a>.


feed_id: 06cd5de361d64da2cbc695cc3ce68e78
title: Filibuster
uri: 2021-02-01-Filibuster
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#1_February_2021_%28Filibuster%29
content:
<p>
Senator McConnell dropped his demand for a commitment to preserve the
filibuster <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2021/01/26/mcconnell-caves-filibuster-after-democrats-manchin-and-sinema-reiterate-opposition">when center-right Democrats Manchin and Sinema promised to
vote to preserve it</a>.

<p>
Either way, it will be hard to pass any laws to reduce the harm that
Republicans have done, unless in 2022 we elect more Democrats to the
Senate (unless Sanders can achieve this with the reconciliation tactic).

<p>
In 2022, Republicans will claim, absurdly, that the Democrats "failed
to achieve anything".  They do this every time.
 


feed_id: 7104c02797e807d197f52cdfecfe19de
title: Advocacy of murdering
uri: Advocacy-of-murdering
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#1_February_2021_%28Advocacy_of_murdering%29
content:
<p>
Marjorie Greene's advocacy of murdering members of Congress <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2021/01/27/opinions/gop-responsibility-marjorie-taylor-greene-williams/index.html">disqualifies her for
being in Congress</a>.
  Most Republicans toleration for that advocacy disqualifies them.

<p>
*German neo-Nazi jailed <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/jan/28/german-neo-nazi-jailed-for-murder-of-pro-immigration-politician-walter-lubcke">for murder of pro-immigration politician</a>.*

<p>
Present-day Nazis from around the world are in touch with each other;
that murderer and Rep. Greene
                              run in the same circles.


feed_id: 51ff1725d1493016eefe2d52945bac78
title: Toxic chemicals killing sea lions
uri: Toxic-chemicals-killing-sea-lions
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#2_February_2021_%28Toxic_chemicals_killing_sea_lions%29

content:
<p>

Toxic chemicals made by humans are <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/feb/01/california-sea-lion-deaths-cancer-toxic-chemicals">killing sea lions</a>.
Sea lions are pretty high on the food chain, so they accumulate many
toxins that animals don't have ways to metabolize or excrete.


feed_id: cb8f5fada3bd7f09959eaf04af36b28d
title: Artificial blowhole
uri: Artificial-blowhole
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#2_February_2021_%28Artificial_blowhole%29
content:
<p>

An artificial blowhole will soon <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2021/feb/02/remote-tasmanian-island-to-be-powered-by-blowhole-energy-that-harnesses-waves">generate electricity</a> from ocean waves.


feed_id: b2892f700da9e74391c550bc3f24ef87
title: Republican minority rule
uri: Republican-minority-rule
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#2_February_2021_%28Republican_minority_rule%29
content:
<p>

A dismal forecast that the US will fall into permanent <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2021/01/31/democrats-internal-conflict-over-filibuster-just-getting-started">Republican
minority rule</a>, cemented with undemocratic means that will be
impossible to overcome.


feed_id: 900879d980a65ffc40b6d66127703e8f
title: Military personnel facing charges for attacking the Capitol
uri: Military-personnel-facing-charges-for-attacking-the-Capitol
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#2_February_2021_%28Military_personnel_facing_charges_for_attacking_the_Capitol%29

content:
<p>

Current and former US military personnel are <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2021/01/31/us/capitol-riot-arrests-active-military-veterans-soh/index.html">disproportionally represented</a>
in the people facing charges for attacking the Capitol.
<p>
This reflects the fact that the US military is a dangerous hotbed for
right-wing fanaticism.


feed_id: 648ae0ea3380ad3be034486f3858b4fe
title: Limits on National Guard defending the Capitol
uri: Limits-on-National-Guard-defending-the-Capitol
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#2_February_2021_%28Limits_on_National_Guard_defending_the_Capitol%29

content:
<p>

On Jan 4, the acting secretary of defense <a href="https://www.nationalmemo.com/miller-disarmed-national-guard">placed very narrow limits</a> on
what the National Guard could do to help defend the Capitol from the
expected rioters.
<p>
One must suspect that the wrecker told him to do something like this.


feed_id: c633afa459764d8cc21c026e13374b0d
title: (satire) Law degree from Trump University
uri: (satire)-Law-degree-from-Trump-University
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#2_February_2021_%28%28satire%29_Law_degree_from_Trump_University%29

content:
<p>

(satire) *Trump to Defend Self After Receiving <a href="https://www.newyorker.com/humor/borowitz-report/trump-to-defend-self-after-receiving-law-degree-from-trump-university">Law Degree from Trump
University</a>.*
<p>
One unjust advantage that the bullshitter would enjoy is that he is
sure in advance not to be convicted, no matter how bad a job he does.


feed_id: 3099a23ab859ac80a601854252d0b107
title: Urgent: save USPS
uri: Urgent-save-USPS
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#2_February_2021_%28Urgent%3A_save_USPS%29
content:
<p>
US citizens: <a href="https://actionnetwork.org/petitions/tell-joe-biden-save-the-usps?nowrapper=true">call on Biden</a> to save the USPS.


feed_id: 966ea51939a2cd845e9d5f39185f41a3
title: Homelessness and Covid-19
uri: Homelessness-and-Covid-19
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#2_February_2021_%28Homelessness_and_Covid-19%29
content:
<p>
In Rome (and in many non-tropical places), Covid-19 has increased
homelessness <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/feb/01/rome-covid-rough-sleeper-deaths-italy">and homeless people can't find safe shelter</a>.
   That can be fatal.

<p>
The underlying cause of this problem is a society that prioritizes riches for the rich and allows destitution to threaten the rest.


feed_id: a7c7246e6eedf659d88fd725f1d5a83d
title: Covid-19 and obedience
uri: Covid-19-and-obedience
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#2_February_2021_%28Covid-19_and_obedience%29
content:
<p>
Countries whose culture promotes obedience to rules have been more
effective in dealing with Covid-19 than countries <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/commentisfree/2021/feb/01/loose-rule-breaking-culture-covid-deaths-societies-pandemic">whose culture encourages
ignoring rules</a>.

<p>
It doesn't have to be that way, however.  Australians and New
Zealanders are no more obedient by culture than Americans or British.
But they had leaders who faced up to the danger and led the country to
make Covid-19 precautions effective &mdash; including, when necessary, by
enforcing the rules.  The tightening was temporary <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2021/feb/01/panic-replaces-complacency-as-covid-reality-hits-western-australia-hard">because it was
tight enough to beat the disease down</a>.

<p>
Britain and the US have had leaders that chose not to lead their
countries in the right direction.  With a good leader, or at least a
sincere leader, they could have come through much better.

<p>
The practice of adjusting rules based on variations in the infection
rate, which is common in the US and the UK, is fundamentally harmful.
People will support the effort to stamp out the disease if they
understand that the goal is to eliminate it and we must all work hard
for that.  (They also need support so that they are not rendered
destitute in the process.)  A lackadaisical national reaction will
inspire people to game it.


feed_id: 09522b7c797f1e1ba587e9938094e790
title: Urgent: make Washington DC a state
uri: Urgent-make-Washington-DC-a-state
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#2_February_2021_%28Urgent%3A_make_Washington_DC_a_state%29

content:
<p>
US citizens: <a href="http://act.democracyforamerica.com/sign/MakeDC_51st_State/">call on Congress</a> to make Washington DC a state.


feed_id: 48734d998b805139592ff9127eb58147
title: Arrest of government
uri: Arrest-of-government
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#2_February_2021_%28Arrest_of_government%29
content:
<p>
Burma's army has arrested the civilian government officials and <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/feb/01/aung-san-suu-kyi-and-other-figures-detained-in-myanmar-raids-says-ruling-party">is
apparently doing away with civilian government</a>.

<p>
The coup <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/feb/01/myanmar-coup-us-and-china-divided-in-response-to-army-takeover-aung-san-suu-kyi">has been condemned by the US and the UN</a>, 
  while China sees nothing particularly bad in military rule.


feed_id: 26558b3fdc98f52697f82a0e10102360
title: Blocking mobile internet at protest
uri: Blocking-mobile-internet-at-protest
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#2_February_2021_%28Blocking_mobile_internet_at_protest%29

content:
<p>
*India blocks mobile internet <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/jan/30/india-blocks-mobile-internet-at-sites-of-farmers-protest">at sites of farmers’ protest</a>.*

<p>
Modi is a repressive plutocratist ruler.  What is amazing is that he
has launched repression against half of India.


feed_id: 4766542b557d4477ea6f23ced8a23871
title: Bold climate action to create jobs
uri: Bold-climate-action-to-create-jobs
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#2_February_2021_%28Bold_climate_action_to_create_jobs%29

content:
<p>
Biden calls for <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/jan/30/joe-biden-climate-change-action">bold climate defense action as a way to create jobs</a>.

<p>
Philosophically, I disagree with the idea that creating jobs should be
the reason we protect our future.  Reducing the coming disaster is
absolutely necessary if we want civilization to survive.  That the
process create jobs is not absolutely necessary &mdash; after all, the
state has many ways to make jobs, it just has to hire people.

<p>
However, politically I think it is an intelligent strategy.  It is hard
for plutocratists to attack the plan in the name of economic growth.

<p>
Meanwhile, he is not downplaying the vital reason: the "existential threat” to civilization", as he put it.

<p>
Overall, I am pleased.  The nutcases will have to work mighty hard to
defeat this.


feed_id: daf70e9b794fd9f36ccd6ce6248dd747
title: Trying to get refund
uri: Trying-to-get-refund
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#2_February_2021_%28Trying_to_get_refund%29
content:
<p>
When the bullshitter announced that Hydroxychloroquine was a treatment
for Covid-19, the Republicans that rule Oklahoma bought 100,000 doses
for 2 million dollars.  <a href="https://www.huffpost.com/entry/oklahoma-hydroxychloroquine-stockpile-trump-coronavirus_n_6010c780c5b6c5586aa4d350">Now they are trying to get their money back</a>.


feed_id: 33faad711258f60ece4dff68abefac8e
title: Fanatics shut down vaccination center
uri: Fanatics-shut-down-vaccination-center
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#2_February_2021_%28Fanatics_shut_down_vaccination_center%29

content:
<p>
Fanatics opposed to rational understanding of Covid-19 <a href="https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2021-01-30/dodger-stadiums-covid-19-vaccination-site-shutdown-after-dozens-of-protesters-gather-at-entrance">shut down a
vaccination center in Los Angeles by massing outside</a>.

<p>
They will point to that as a victory.  It is important to make sure their
next action does not stop any aspect of medical care from functioning.

<p>
Nazis in Europe <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/jan/31/hundreds-arrested-at-anti-lockdown-protests-in-brussels-budapest-and-vienna">are holding similar protests</a>.

<p>
Even Nazis have the right to protest, but not while going without masks
or coming dangerously close to anyone.


feed_id: 280ed35c4eccc905edb7e4cad85cbbc4
title: Biden's big plans
uri: Biden-s-big-plans
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#2_February_2021_%28Biden%27s_big_plans%29
content:
<p>
Robert Reich: *Why Republicans <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2021/jan/31/republicans-biden-covid-trump-congress">won’t agree to Biden’s big plans and
why he should ignore them</a>.*

<p>
The only problem is that two Democrats in the Senate are, in their
political views, more or less 2015 Republicans.


feed_id: 3946c2e0c8d84c0ccee5be17095a9509
title: Oumuamua
uri: 2021-02-02-Oumuamua
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#2_February_2021_%28Oumuamua%29
content:
<p>
Avi Loeb calls on scientists <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/science/2021/jan/31/professor-avi-loeb-it-would-be-arrogant-to-think-were-alone-in-the-universe-">to seriously investigate the
possibility that 'Oumuamua is an alien artifact</a>.


feed_id: 78ef85e8d207f259bdc6f70c79d84693
title: Press photographer arrested
uri: Press-photographer-arrested
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#2_February_2021_%28Press_photographer_arrested%29
content:
<p>
The UK arrested a press photographer for having earlier taken photos
at a protest.  The thugs <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/media/2021/jan/30/arrest-of-photographer-at-kent-protest-raises-press-freedom-fears">held him for seven hours and filed charges
against him</a>.

<p>
The protest was at a sort of immigration prison where there is a
Covid-19 outbreak.  The protesters condemned the government for operating
the prison.

<p>
The next day, there was a fire at that prison, apparently set by
someone.  It was a very bad thing to set a fire, and could conceivably
have injured or even killed people.

<p>
I would not assume that the people who set the fire shared the views
of the people who protested.


feed_id: 5fa3ac898bbcc6f6a87980e29e23d2ea
title: Maintaining monopoly
uri: Maintaining-monopoly
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#2_February_2021_%28Maintaining_monopoly%29
content:
<p>
*Forget the furore over Trump &mdash; Facebook is interested only <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2021/jan/30/forget-the-furore-over-trump-facebook-is-interested-only-in-maintaining-its-monopoly">in maintaining its
monopoly</a>.*


feed_id: 08d27a714f068aa923ee6f369be351a4
title: Photos of thugs
uri: 2021-02-02-Photos-of-thugs
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#2_February_2021_%28Photos_of_thugs%29
content:
<p>
There were large protests in France against plans to repress publication
of photos of thugs, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/jan/30/tens-of-thousands-of-people-across-france-protest-against-new-security-bill">including when the thugs are committing crimes</a>.

<p>
I am disappointed that they also condemned the public health precautions
against Covid-19.  We can live with that, temporarily.  What is crucial
is to make sure they <em>all</em> go away once Covid-19 is not much of a threat.


feed_id: c5644754b4071268b9909f6d74c8b794
title: TPP
uri: 2021-02-02-TPP
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#2_February_2021_%28TPP%29
content:
<p>
The Tories <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2021/jan/30/uk-to-apply-to-join-free-trade-pact-with-nations-on-other-side-of-world">want to put Britain into the TPP</a>
  (Treacherous Plutocratic Poison),  a <a href="https://stallman.org/business-supremacy-treaties.html">business-supremacy treaty</a>
with an ISDS clause.

<p>
An ISDS clause makes it almost impossible to impose any new regulation
on an activity that foreign companies (from signatory countries) have
invested in.  The effect is to subordinates the state to foreign
companies.

<p>
<a href="media/c9a9c30b.trance-pacific-partnership.en.jpg" data-original-source="https://stallman.org/images/trance-pacific-partnership.en.jpg">
  <img src="media/2959c8ab.trance-pacific-partnership-small.en.jpg" data-original-source="https://stallman.org/images/trance-pacific-partnership-small.en.jpg" />
</a>


feed_id: d0760c54267b20e46368c2da99023235
title: Eliminate addictive features
uri: Eliminate-addictive-features
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#3_February_2021_%28Eliminate_addictive_features%29
content:
<p>
The UK has ordered slot machine operators <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/society/2021/feb/02/uk-gambling-firms-online-slot-machines">to eliminate some features
that make them addictive</a>.

<p>
The same is needed for many nonfree programs and digital dis-services,
but there is no way to require this change.  However, if they were free
programs, <a href="https://gnu.org/philosophy/free-software-even-more-important.html">the user community could fix such things in them</a>.


feed_id: f0c8c8662c4a491267cf26d4a44e5fdc
title: Urgent: ban on weapons sale
uri: Urgent-ban-on-weapons-sale
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#3_February_2021_%28Urgent%3A_ban_on_weapons_sale%29
content:
<p>
US citizens: <a href="https://act.winwithoutwar.org/act/blinken-arms-sale-ban">call on the Secretary of State</a> to ban weapons sales to
<a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#salafi">Salafi Arabia</a> and the UAE.


feed_id: 5980cbb80f63bb546a7308d6d8e397c6
title: Artificial antibodies
uri: Artificial-antibodies
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#3_February_2021_%28Artificial_antibodies%29
content:
<p>
Each of the various artificial antibodies designed based on the
original Covid-19 virus <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/feb/02/monoclonal-antibodies-great-hope-in-covid-treatments-fails-against-variants">fails against some of the mutant strains now
spreading</a>.

<p>
If doctors can determine which strain a patient is infected with,
they could choose one of the antibodies that does work against it.
Or they could give a combination of all of them.


feed_id: 191d63983d05a9718563378be040ab25
title: Planting hedges
uri: Planting-hedges
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#3_February_2021_%28Planting_hedges%29
content:
<p>
Planting hedges <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/feb/02/reservoirs-of-life-hedgerows-help-uk-net-zero-2050-aoe">can be as good as planting trees</a>.


feed_id: 9e9931ec836be166f7456b59329d39e9
title: Fleeing for her life
uri: Fleeing-for-her-life
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#3_February_2021_%28Fleeing_for_her_life%29
content:
<p>
AOC described how <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2021/feb/02/alexandria-ocasio-cortez-republican-accountability-capitol-attack">she hid and fled from rioters inside the Capitol,
fearing for her life</a>.

<p>
She also pointed out a resemblance between the way trumpets evade
recognizing the wrong of their actions and the way domestic abusers do
so.

<p>
All this was in service of demanding due punishment for those who
participated in <em>or supported</em> the attack on the Capitol, including
some Republicans in Congress.

<p>
AOC referred to a past experience by saying that she was a "survivor
of sexual assault."

<p>
AOC would not exaggerate.  The attack that she refers to must have
been a grave and traumatizing one, one that justifies the term
"survivor."

<p>
I suggest therefore that "sexual assault" is not a good term to
describe it, because that term covers a spectrum of actions that
stretch from the most grave, such as rape, to minor things like a
stolen kiss on the forehead, along with all the territory in between.
Between the ends of that spectrum there is a great gulf: it would be
ridiculous to call someone a "survivor of a stolen kiss."  We should
not equate a kisser to a rapist.

<p>
Therefore, when we talk about grave and traumatizing attacks, let's
use a term which is limited to grave and traumatizing attacks.


feed_id: e79452ae141e823550a597e24f73ad30
title: Ban from Twitter of dissidents
uri: Ban-from-Twitter-of-dissidents
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#3_February_2021_%28Ban_from_Twitter_of_dissidents%29

content:
<p>
The Indian government told Twitter <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/feb/02/twitter-suspends-hundreds-of-indian-accounts-after-government-demand">to turn off the accounts of dissidents
and news sites, and Twitter did it, for a while</a>.


feed_id: d7a9f9c031c43a03feef6f90a599c18d
title: Pepper-spraying kid
uri: Pepper-spraying-kid
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#3_February_2021_%28Pepper-spraying_kid%29
content:
<p>
Thugs in Rochester, New York, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/feb/02/rochester-new-york-police-pepper-spray-girl-mayor">handcuffed a nine-year-old girl,
then pepper-sprayed her</a>.

<p>
I am sure that one full-grown adult cop can restrain a nine-year-old.
What did they do before pepper spray was invented?

<p>
It was incidents like this that inspired the campaign to "defund the
police", which concretely means to train mental health responders and
send them instead.
  They would have known a better way to respond to that call.


feed_id: 67b93919988b9245079cdbee7e985871
title: Animals patterns of movement
uri: Animals-patterns-of-movement
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#3_February_2021_%28Animals_patterns_of_movement%29
content:
<p>
A investigation found that human activities (even recreation and
hunting) tend globally to disturb animals' patterns of movement, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/feb/02/human-activity-forces-animals-to-move-further-to-survive-study-finds">which
can harm them in various ways</a>.


feed_id: 780f522e3f2ed6c247dfa9cb2e632137
title: North Sea oil rigs
uri: North-Sea-oil-rigs
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#3_February_2021_%28North_Sea_oil_rigs%29
content:
<p>
*UK North Sea oil rigs release <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/feb/01/uk-north-sea-oil-rigs-release-as-much-co2-as-coal-fired-power-station-study">as much CO2 as coal-fired power station</a>.*


feed_id: dbaff0bbd8a784303a9b3d6fafda6793
title: Coal
uri: 2021-02-03-Coal
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#3_February_2021_%28Coal%29
content:
<p>
India and China must reduce their use of coal, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/feb/01/world-kick-coal-habit-start-green-recovery-iea-fatih-birol">instead of increasing
it</a>.

<p>
Other countries are not doing enough either, such as <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jul-oct.html#29_August_2020_(21_new_coal_mines)">Australia</a>,
  but China and India are the big emitters.  The combustion of coal
releases <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#5_May_2019_(Coal_ash_pollution)">toxins</a> and <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2009-may-aug.html#03%20July%202009%20(UK%20protestors%20blocked%20a%20coal%20train)">radioactive fallout</a>, 
                                         and both harm people's health.


feed_id: d0226c7c86020f2bef345f7aeff6f675
title: Protecting democratic values
uri: Protecting-democratic-values
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#3_February_2021_%28Protecting_democratic_values%29
content:
<p>
*To protect [Burma's] democratic values, the international community
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2021/feb/01/aung-san-suu-kyis-reputation-tarnished-not-myanmar">will have to work with [Aung San Suu Kyi]'s elected party</a>.*

<p>
The military <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/feb/01/threat-of-myanmar-coup-was-never-far-away">never really gave up the substance of power</a>.


feed_id: 46c35fab11344cbd77cdb1947d6c7632
title: Election fraud
uri: Election-fraud
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#3_February_2021_%28Election_fraud%29
content:
<p>
*Uganda opposition leader Bobi Wine <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/feb/01/uganda-opposition-leader-bobi-wine-calls-on-court-to-nullify-election-result">calls on court to nullify election result</a>.*
  Unlike the bullshitter, whose accusations of election fraud were
bullshit, Bobi Wine has real facts to cite.

<p>
We achieve justice by judging cases by form alone; we need a grounding
in facts to do that, as well as values.


feed_id: 3cf4beaa532373e215b06093dadc02f0
title: Collection of personal data
uri: Collection-of-personal-data
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#3_February_2021_%28Collection_of_personal_data%29
content:
<p>
Shoshana Zuboff endorses laws <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2021/01/29/opinion/sunday/facebook-surveillance-society-technology.html">to stop collection of personal data</a>!

<p>
This is a big step away from the fundamentally inadequate "data
protection" approach.  From there to what I have advocated for many
years &mdash; requiring systems to be designed such that <a href="https://gnu.org/philosophy/surveillance-vs-democracy.html">they <em>can't</em> collect
personal data</a> 
              &mdash; is a much smaller step than the one she has taken.

<p>
I get a feeling that she is still thinking about prohibiting
collection of <em>some</em> personal data rather than requiring complete
nonsurveillance in many activities.

<p>
From thinking about prohibiting data collection (at either level) to
enacting laws to do so is a much bigger step, but I am glad to see the
idea enter public discourse.

<p>
Surveillance companies will do their utmost to lead the public
away from that idea.


feed_id: ef1bfe6825421fc3610031cd1d927aad
title: Abortion
uri: 2021-02-03-Abortion
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#3_February_2021_%28Abortion%29
content:
<p>
Honduras has imposed an almost impossible barrier in its constitution
against legalizing abortion, <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2021/01/31/americas/honduras-abortion-ban-ratified-intl/index.html">and it explicitly forbids ever altering
that barrier</a>.

<p>
Under a democratic government, a valid response to a call for
revolution is, "If most citizens agree with you, you will be able to
enact the changes you want peacefully &mdash; otherwise, you should not
be able to impose them."

<p>
Measures in a country's constitution to make peaceful democratic
change impossible have the effect of invalidating that response,
because they eliminate democracy.  In my view, the government of
Honduras no longer has a moral argument to make against using
revolution to undo this change in the constitution.

<p>
This is not the only reason to consider the government of Honduras
illegitimate.  It <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#27_September_2015_(Secret_support_for_coup_in_Honduras)">was set up by a coup</a>
  and has not been very democratic since.

<p>
Practically speaking, if some neighboring country legalizes abortion
it will be feasible for Honduran women to go there for an abortion.


feed_id: 468ca40ab437df655872196409371582
title: EU-UK vaccine dispute
uri: EU-UK-vaccine-dispute
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#4_February_2021_%28EU-UK_vaccine_dispute%29
content:
<p>

*EU-UK Vaccine Dispute Will Be <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2021/01/29/eu-uk-vaccine-dispute-will-be-first-many-unless-patents-suspended-say">'First of Many'</a> Unless Patents Suspended, Say
Campaigners.*


feed_id: 80b0a4416784b2ad8ee365e69a0f47cc
title: UK prosecuted nonviolent protesters
uri: UK-prosecuted-nonviolent-protesters
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#4_February_2021_%28UK_prosecuted_nonviolent_protesters%29

content:
<p>

The UK <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2021/jan/29/stansted-deportation-flight-protesters-have-convictions-quashed">prosecuted nonviolent protesters</a>, who blocked the departure
of a deportation flight, as "terrorists", and convicted them.
<p>
An appeal has annulled the convictions.


feed_id: 311c313d175435aa0ea8fd8575995b0f
title: Reduction in tendency towards thuggery
uri: Reduction-in-tendency-towards-thuggery
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#4_February_2021_%28Reduction_in_tendency_towards_thuggery%29

content:
<p>

St Petersburg, Florida, has effectively reformed its <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thug</a> department
to <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2020/06/11/opinions/police-reform-is-possible-in-america-irby/index.html">reduce its tendency towards thuggery</a>.


feed_id: 9b0c6982a9614dfc8d9417bc1dccf399
title: No "good guys" among fintech businesses
uri: No-good-guys-among-fintech-businesses
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#4_February_2021_%28No_good_guys_among_fintech_businesses%29

content:
<p>

Don't expect to find any "good guys" among fintech businesses.
They all participate in the plutocratic system.  Even "Robinhood"
is <a href="https://theintercept.com/2021/01/31/fintech-biden-nominees-robinhood/">part of dooH niboR</a>.


feed_id: 29b66a0c74b1510a04e1cb7790e6c7d2
title: Legal repression of Palestinian dissent
uri: Legal-repression-of-Palestinian-dissent
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#4_February_2021_%28Legal_repression_of_Palestinian_dissent%29

content:
<p>

Israel has <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2021/01/29/gamestop-bubble-reveals-financial-system-totally-out-touch-economic-reality">extended its legal repression</a> of Palestinian dissent
to cover the Israeli organization B'tselem.


feed_id: 8d1e92225755cec23c7c0334c506dbfc
title: Australia's gas pipelines
uri: Australia-s-gas-pipelines
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#4_February_2021_%28Australia%27s_gas_pipelines%29
content:
<p>

*Australia's proposed gas pipelines would generate emissions equivalent to <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2021/feb/02/australias-proposed-gas-pipelines-would-generate-emissions-equivalent-to-33-coal-fired-power-plants">33
coal-fired power plants</a>.*
<p>
The article says that the US is even worse.  Will Biden cancel the
Line 3 pipeline?   Domestic pipelines must be cancelled too.


feed_id: 067b995f5da98bb99ebdc0b4bd95be6f
title: New York Times condemned China
uri: New-York-Times-condemned-China
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#4_February_2021_%28New_York_Times_condemned_China%29

content:
<p>

The New York Times <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2021/01/31/nyt-scrutinizes-coronavirus-response-china-where-less-5000-people-have-died-one">condemned China</a> for (1) covering up the Covid-19
situation in January 2020 and (2) donating vaccines to countries such
as Brazil.
<p>
Overall, China has done an effective job of controlling Covid-19, and
the US has not.  To criticize its coverup in January 2020 is
nonetheless valid, because China's tendency is to cover up problems.
<p>
We should not, however, fail to condemn the US government for <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jul-oct.html#17_July_2020_(The_wrecker_ordered_hospitals_to_stop_sending_Covid-19_statistics_to_the_CDC)">covering up</a> the problems of Covid-19 through the end of 2020, 
nor the way Florida has covered it up starting in September.
<p>
I agree it is unfortunate that China gains world influence by donating
vaccines.  The US should counter that by donating more vaccines.
Why doesn't the US do so?  Because the plutocrats that control the US
won't allow it.


feed_id: 13865631cb1e5e353ba23a7c658fb189
title: AI-controlled weapons
uri: AI-controlled-weapons
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#4_February_2021_%28AI-controlled_weapons%29
content:
<p>

A committee of tech insiders say AI-controlled weapons will <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/science/2021/jan/26/us-has-moral-imperative-to-develop-ai-weapons-says-panel">avoid
harming civilians</a>.
<p>
I can imagine that an AI-controlled weapon would do a better job of
following its rules of engagement.  Thus, whether it would harm
civilians less, or harm civilians more, depends on what those rules of
engagement say.
<p>
Would an AI-controlled weapon be better at saying, "We shouldn't be
fighting a war here"?  Would it be even occasionally capable of asking
that?  Would it be capable of asking, "Sergeant, do you think we're
the redcoats?"
<p>
I seem to recall reading that the helicopter crew that stars in the
collateral murder video killed in accord with the letter of the
rules of engagement; that they took advantage of loopholes in it to
justify some of their killings.
<p>
Some AI programs are capable of such reasoning.  Would these weapons
do that?


feed_id: 6f0d97bffcaefe9357bb91c01d6fd073
title: Department of Agriculture suppressed research
uri: Department-of-Agriculture-suppressed-research
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#4_February_2021_%28Department_of_Agriculture_suppressed_research%29

content:
<p>

The Department of Agriculture, when run by Vilsack before, <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2021/01/29/vilsacks-disturbing-suppression-usda-science">suppressed
research</a> that could (or did) cast a negative light on businesses.


feed_id: e482e0d7e5bfdb42210dd17c918005aa
title: (satire) Problems facing rail infrastructure
uri: (satire)-Problems-facing-rail-infrastructure
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#4_February_2021_%28%28satire%29_Problems_facing_rail_infrastructure%29

content:
<p>

(satire) *Pete Buttigieg Learning About Problems Facing Rail
Infrastructure By <a href="https://politics.theonion.com/pete-buttigieg-learning-about-problems-facing-rail-infr-1846154596">Spending Week Living As Train</a>.*


feed_id: 3bfd07db4fdd4e24a477e53c68397a61
title: US warehouse union
uri: US-warehouse-union
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#5_February_2021_%28US_warehouse_union%29
content:
<p>

*Amazon intensifies 'severe' <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2021/feb/03/amazon-intensifies-severe-effort-discourage-first-warehouse-union">effort to discourage</a> first-ever US warehouse
union.*


feed_id: eaf6b44a99e67730d74249339986dd74
title: Poles' involvement in the murder of Jews
uri: Poles-involvement-in-the-murder-of-Jews
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#5_February_2021_%28Poles%27_involvement_in_the_murder_of_Jews%29

content:
<p>

The Polish government is funding a libel case that is meant to <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/books/2021/feb/03/fears-rise-that-polish-libel-trial-could-threaten-future-holocaust-research">prevent
the study of Poles' involvement</a> in the murder of Jews during the Nazi
occupation of Poland.
<p>
The Holocaust was carried out by Germany, not by Poland, but there
was <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#31_January_2018_(Polish_death_camps)">plenty of antisemitism in Poland</a> and Poles showed it frequently.


feed_id: 663483c23447371ed271ce9f5f143f4a
title: French environmental groups
uri: French-environmental-groups
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#5_February_2021_%28French_environmental_groups%29
content:
<p>

French environmental groups <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/feb/03/court-convicts-french-state-for-failure-to-address-climate-crisis">won a lawsuit</a> against the French state for
failing to carry out its commitments to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.


feed_id: d244ca2834962bc7dcd3a95b9cf4ab25
title: The party of "patriotism"
uri: The-party-of-patriotism
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#5_February_2021_%28The_party_of_patriotism%29
content:
<p>

Starmer is making Labour the <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2021/feb/03/labour-red-wall-voters-patriotism-keir-starmer">party of "patriotism"</a> rather than the
party of giving everyone a decent life.

<p>
I feel patriotism, and my patriotism manifests itself as wanting the
US to give American a decent life, and treat the rest of the world
with respect.  But I would not support a party that stands for
patriotism.  I will support a party that stands for what I stand for.


feed_id: 75dd2f6c15eb165a6b14d39f17ac1c1a
title: Anti-vax attack
uri: Anti-vax-attack
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#5_February_2021_%28Anti-vax_attack%29
content:
<p>

*Lawmaker who faced anti-vax attack: 'The movement is <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/feb/03/anti-vaxxers-coronavirus-vaccines-california-richard-pan">growing more violent</a>'.*
<p>
Those fanatics have gone far beyond opposing vaccination.  They want
to cause death.  Some say, outright, that they want to make everyone
catch Covid-19; they say the people that die, die because they were
weak-willed, so they deserve it.
<p>
As for the apparently healthy people that die from Covid-19, and the
people who suffer lasting disability from it, I don't know if they
even recognize that this happens.


feed_id: bedc30fe42332da6ecbb5afab2cf9867
title: Isle of Man
uri: Isle-of-Man
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#5_February_2021_%28Isle_of_Man%29
content:
<p>

The Isle of Man held a <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2021/feb/01/joy-isle-of-man-covid-lockdown-ends">fairly short complete lockdown</a>, eliminated
transmission of the disease, and has opened up again.
<p>
The US was supposedly doing something vaguely like this, starting in
March, but did not implement it completely nor continue long enough.
Republicans imposed "reopening" while the disease was still present and
spreading, with the deadly results that we have seen.


feed_id: bd36e878f88b4ce23533a0ed873cbead
title: Wrecker's attempt to undermine inspection of poultry
uri: Wrecker-s-attempt-to-undermine-inspection-of-poultry
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#5_February_2021_%28Wrecker%27s_attempt_to_undermine_inspection_of_poultry%29

content:
<p>

The Biden administration has <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2021/02/01/big-chicken-bosses-are-no-longer-calling-all-shots-dc">cancelled the wrecker's last attempt</a>
to undermine inspection of poultry, and is listening to the workers
in regard to safety.


feed_id: b3fcdcf69459045d604865b83dca6626
title: Compromise with Republicans
uri: Compromise-with-Republicans
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#5_February_2021_%28Compromise_with_Republicans%29
content:
<p>

Biden <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2021/02/01/real-reason-gop-dont-want-bidens-plan-they-fear-it-will-work">must not compromise with Republicans</a> &mdash; their general goal is to
sabotage him (and the US).
<p>
Compromise is for working with people who disagree with you but are
not your enemies.  There may occasionally be a special issues on which some
Republicans are not enemies.  It will be useful to find those opportunities
to take action with their support, and that can involve a compromise.
<p>
But there is no real compromise with those who are dedicated to
falsehood and destruction.
<p>
Here's my advice on <a href="https://gnu.org/philosophy/compromise.html">>rejecting ruinous compromises</a>.


feed_id: 1456dd748fb5140669bfb87bce08653c
title: (satire) Entire U.S. money supply
uri: (satire)-Entire-U-S-money-supply
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#5_February_2021_%28%28satire%29_Entire_U.S._money_supply%29

content:
<p>

(satire) *Paranoid Janet Yellen Hides Entire U.S. Money Supply In
Treasury Department Drop Ceiling.*

https://politics.theonion.com/paranoid-janet-yellen-hides-entire-u-s-money-supply-in-1846146074


feed_id: ec783caf21b0922a8f5c8d92b6450ced
title: Standards set by the wrecker
uri: Standards-set-by-the-wrecker
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#5_February_2021_%28Standards_set_by_the_wrecker%29
content:
<p>

*Judging Biden by Standards Set by [the wrecker] Would Be an
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2021/02/01/judging-biden-low-standards-set-trump-would-be-unforgivable-catastrophe">Unforgivable Catastrophe</a>.*
<p>
Especially since it seems the wrecker may have been the the conscious
enemy of the US all along.


feed_id: b97697f0480c502bf16cfde4f7dcd973
title: Apartments constructed with unsafe materials
uri: Apartments-constructed-with-unsafe-materials
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#5_February_2021_%28Apartments_constructed_with_unsafe_materials%29

content:
<p>

Millions in the UK have purchased apartments that they now <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/society/2021/feb/02/in-the-dark-millions-left-in-flats-they-cant-sell-of-fix-due-to-unsafe-cladding">cannot sell</a>
because the buildings were constructed with unsafe materials.  Some of them
have been bankrupted by bills to deal with the problem.
<p>
Taking care of such problems is the job of the state.  A state with
effective democracy would do the job.


feed_id: 2a2d6095c3f29730d8cbc8e7fe482a95
title: Private immigration prisons
uri: Private-immigration-prisons
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#5_February_2021_%28Private_immigration_prisons%29
content:
<p>
Prohibiting privatized federal prisons <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2021/02/03/bidens-private-prison-reform-must-include-immigration-detention-centers">should include immigration prisons</a>.


feed_id: 35dab90d9b75c8dc892f8c50439f5289
title: Protesting Erdoğan
uri: Protesting-Erdoğan
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#5_February_2021_%28Protesting_Erdo%C3%84%C2%9Fan%29
content:
<p>
Turkish students <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/feb/04/turkey-student-protests-grow-young-people-vent-frustrations-with-erdogan">are protesting against Erdoğan</a>.


feed_id: 5cdc0f20b95002b2e7e1fc97e7112a68
title: Keeping troops
uri: Keeping-troops
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#5_February_2021_%28Keeping_troops%29
content:
<p>
A congressional panel recommended keeping all the US troops in
Afghanistan <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2021/02/03/secure-lasting-peace-afghanistan-task-force-proposes-prolonging-longest-us-war">to pressure the Taliban to make concessions in negotiations</a>.

<p>
If you suppose that this is a real negotiation, and that concessions
would lead to a preferable outcome, that conclusion would make sense.
But I don't think this is a real negotiation about a real outcome.
Either it is a process for the US to convince itself to stop keeping
the war going, and let the Taliban win, or it is a sham.


feed_id: c0acdd800bd76dd29b6695003499e234
title: Too scared to testify
uri: Too-scared-to-testify
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#5_February_2021_%28Too_scared_to_testify%29
content:
<p>
Some Chinese expats in Australia <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2021/feb/04/some-witnesses-too-afraid-of-chinese-authorities-to-give-evidence-to-australian-senate-inquiry">were too scared to testify about Chinese
threats and intimidation of Chinese expats in Australia</a>.


feed_id: 49e63d62cee586597bdd3a9fb06ad585
title: If Google Search shuts down
uri: If-Google-Search-shuts-down
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-nov-feb.html#5_February_2021_%28If_Google_Search_shuts_down%29
content:
<p>
If Google Search shuts down in Australia, it would be <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2021/feb/03/googles-search-engine-not-as-good-as-its-competitors-for-news-research-finds">little loss
as far as news is concerned, a study finds</a>.


