# articles

feed_id: 78a3e3c95f31215099debfbee25491d5
title: Religious bigotry in India
uri: Religious-bigotry-in-India
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#28_June_2018_%28Religious_bigotry_in_India%29
content:
<p>
Hindu fanatics are 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/jun/26/indian-foreign-minister-sushma-swaraj-trolls-social-media">spewing
hate</a> at an Indian government minister for intervening to overturn
religious bigotry.
<p>
These fanatics are the equivalent of US neonazis: they are openly
bigots and spew the same hate at anyone who opposes bigotry.


feed_id: 2a4165bdd2f249f21af3723e95ddfaaf
title: Spread of infections in federal prison
uri: Spread-of-infections-in-federal-prison
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#28_June_2018_%28Spread_of_infections_in_federal_prison%29

content:
<p>
Immigration prisoners are being sent to a 
<a href="https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/immigration-detainees-victorville-prison_us_5b2d8b44e4b0040e2742f1c9">federal
prison where infections are spreading</a>.


feed_id: 8f1a1f4012e47e214556dbbb693d15e9
title: Immigration tent prisons
uri: Immigration-tent-prisons
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#28_June_2018_%28Immigration_tent_prisons%29
content:
<p>
The US military is planning to make immigration tent prisons for 
<a href="http://time.com/5319334/navy-detainment-centers-zerol-tolerance-immigration-family-separation-policy/">over
100,000 prisoners</a>.


feed_id: c4d34714a00b147dd50799a7ba2ca330
title: Effects of killings by US thugs
uri: Effects-of-killings-by-US-thugs
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#28_June_2018_%28Effects_of_killings_by_US_thugs%29
content:
<p>
While the blacks killed by US <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thugs</a> number in the thousands, these
killings cause
<a href="https://www.pbs.org/newshour/health/new-study-gives-broader-look-into-how-police-killings-affect-black-americans-mental-health">lasting
psychological symptoms</a> for millions of blacks that live in the
same states.


feed_id: 00d6234e7a4ccff0a442e50e1cd8c4d6
title: Google engineers firm against some evils
uri: Google-engineers-firm-against-some-evils
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#28_June_2018_%28Google_engineers_firm_against_some_evils%29

content:
<p>
Years after Google dropped the motto "Don't be evil", many of the
engineers
<a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2018-06-21/google-engineers-refused-to-build-security-tool-to-win-military-contracts">campaign
firmly against some kinds of evils</a>.
<p>
I wish they would campaign against making services depend on making
the user run nonfree Javascript code and blocking access through Tor.
I used to use Google Search sometimes, back when it would talk to me
in this way, but now it simply doesn't work.


feed_id: d5d04a50eda5e8a98351a9e52439b3c4
title: Former head of Nato barred from US visit
uri: Former-head-of-Nato-barred-from-US-visit
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#28_June_2018_%28Former_head_of_Nato_barred_from_US_visit%29

content:
<p>
Javier Solana, former head of Nato, can't visit the US 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/jun/25/ex-nato-chief-javier-solana-refused-visa-waiver-to-us-iran-trips">because
he visited Iran</a>.


feed_id: fde8fe011324597dc6310373a5e33418
title: No peaceful dinner for troll officials
uri: No-peaceful-dinner-for-troll-officials
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#28_June_2018_%28No_peaceful_dinner_for_troll_officials%29

content:
<p>
"[<a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#bully">The bully</a>'s] officials don't get to eat dinner in peace &mdash; 
<a href='https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2018/jun/25/trump-sarah-huckabee-sanders-civility'>not
while kids are in cages</a>."


feed_id: bd3b48e8542ea0930ae200e2006258a9
title: James Hansen's 1988 Scenario B
uri: James-Hansen-s-1988-Scenario-B
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#28_June_2018_%28James_Hansens_1988_Scenario_B%29
content:
<p>
James Hansen's 1988 Scenario B (moderate emissions cuts) is 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/climate-consensus-97-per-cent/2018/jun/25/30-years-later-deniers-are-still-lying-about-hansens-amazing-global-warming-prediction">proving
accurate</a>, but the Koch brothers' paid liars are still lying about
it.


feed_id: 9a421447ab57066a2d96d3a45dc228e8
title: The election in Turkey
uri: The-election-in-Turkey
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#28_June_2018_%28The_election_in_Turkey%29
content:
<p>
Erdo&gbreve;an won the election in Turkey, and will have almost
despotic power over the country, where there is
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/jun/25/muharrem-ince-concedes-defeat-to-erdogan-in-turkey-elections">no
longer an independent judiciary</a>.


feed_id: b296ac7cbc425c84ee02b030d9ae7c93
title: Very urgent: Demonstrate for immigrants and refugees
uri: Very-urgent-Demonstrate-for-immigrants-and-refugees
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#29_June_2018_%28Very%20urgent%3A_Demonstrate_for_immigrants_and_refugees%29

content:
<p>
In the US: <a href="https://act.moveon.org/event/families-belong-together/search/">join a demonstration</a> on behalf of immigrants and refugees.


feed_id: be116eb0df0d250a5556cfe93408fbad
title: Urgent: Ryan's 'compromise' bill
uri: Urgent-Ryan-s-compromise-bill
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#29_June_2018_%28Urgent%3A_Ryan%27s_%27compromise%27_bill%29

content:
<p>
US citizens: <a href="https://www.aclu.org/issues/stop-speaker-ryans-anti-immigrant-bill">phone your congresscritter</a> to oppose Rep. Ryan's
"compromise" bill which is meant to substitute for treating
refugees and other immigrants justly.


feed_id: 205329203128ccf9c05aea97ae9e9cba
title: Urgent: Massachusetts immigrant protection
uri: Urgent-Massachusetts-immigrant-protection
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#29_June_2018_%28Urgent%3A_Massachusetts_immigrant_protection%29

content:
<p>
Citizens of Massachusetts: <a href="https://aclum.org/protect-ma-immigrant-families/">phone your state representative</a> to support
protection for immigrants by the state.


feed_id: 8f530ce7770e6936c11116b222db3347
title: Privatization of prisons
uri: Privatization-of-prisons
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#29_June_2018_%28Privatization_of_prisons%29
content:
<p>
In Australia as in the US, privatization of prisons has created a
prison-industrial complex that lobbies to <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2018/jun/27/i-grew-up-with-a-mother-behind-bars-but-her-innocence-wasnt-the-only-lie-i-was-sold">put more people in prison</a>.
<p>
The blacks that are imprisoned by preference in Australia are
not descendants of Africans, but rather indigenous peoples.


feed_id: 8f7d07bf021272a81a7b6257e30778af
title: Stolen babies
uri: Stolen-babies
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#29_June_2018_%28Stolen_babies%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/jun/26/spanish-doctor-eduardo-vela-trial-franco-era-stolen-babies">Spanish Doctor Stands Trial</a> over Franco-Era 'Stolen Babies'.


feed_id: be648b2c2ff5d3beb78ac42423ab782d
title: Facebook's emails
uri: Facebook-s-emails
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#29_June_2018_%28Facebook%27s_emails%29
content:
<p>
When useds of Facebook stop logging in, Facebook <a href="https://slate.com/technology/2018/06/i-left-facebook-for-10-days-and-facebook-did-not-let-me-forget-it.html">sends them emails</a> to
manipulate them to come back.
<p>
This does no direct harm to the used, but demonstrates how
manipulative Facebook is in general.
<p>
Your real friends will keep in touch in some other way.
Your other "friends", you can do without.


feed_id: bd35aa388f7a038afe02bd49f1569201
title: Rejecting refugees to the US
uri: Rejecting-refugees-to-the-US
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#29_June_2018_%28Rejecting_refugees_to_the_US%29
content:
<p>
The bully wants to tear up the US constitution and reject refugees <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2018/06/24/both-illegal-and-unconstitutional-trump-brazenly-suggests-immediate-deportations">without
any court hearing</a>.
<p>
The saddest part is that this is what happens now, most of the time,
in practice.


feed_id: 186c3fb453b68d08520d16b5091fcf5d
title: Sweatshop service economy workers
uri: Sweatshop-service-economy-workers
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#29_June_2018_%28Sweatshop_service_economy_workers%29

content:
<p>
British courts have ruled several times that sweatshop service economy
workers are employees and are <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/business/2018/jun/25/hermes-couriers-are-workers-not-self-employed-tribunal-rules">entitled to the legal rights</a> of employees.


feed_id: 93cc0583d914de6052aeb484fee8821b
title: Nicaragua's history
uri: Nicaragua-s-history
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#29_June_2018_%28Nicaragua%27s_history%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2018/06/25/nicaragua-barricades-and-crossroads">A summary of Nicaragua's history</a> since the 70s, with a view to explaining
the situation today.


feed_id: b2aaf51f82e162d5642245e5eb57367d
title: Army Ranger's story
uri: Army-Ranger-s-story
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#29_June_2018_%28Army_Ranger%27s_story%29
content:
<p>
Spenser Rapone was an Army Ranger, then <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2018/06/25/soldiers-tale-man-who-went-war-and-realized-his-side-was-enemy">attended West Point officer
training</a>.  The Rangers were invited to brainwash themselves to worship
their rifles and dehumanize civilians.  In West Point he realized he
was "the muscle for those with wealth and status."


feed_id: c858e3a3f40da9e90c868e2dd9d09c82
title: Racist gerrymandering
uri: Racist-gerrymandering
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#29_June_2018_%28Racist_gerrymandering%29
content:
<p>
The Supreme Court <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2018/06/25/severe-blow-voting-rights-supreme-court-preserves-gop-gerrymanders-texas-and-north">protects racist gerrymandering</a>, showing that it is
in cahoots with those that don't want to allow Americans to have fair
elections.


feed_id: 0522e18043072b9078018b358ae24713
title: Pledge of allegiance in prison
uri: Pledge-of-allegiance-in-prison
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#29_June_2018_%28Pledge_of_allegiance_in_prison%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">Thugs</a> force prisoners in immigration prison to recite the US pledge of
allegiance every day to <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2018/06/25/detained-children-forced-recite-pledge-allegiance-out-respect-country-tore-them-away">express their "respect"</a> for the US.
The US should show more respect for them, but I think that the one-sidedness
of this is intentional.  <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#bully">The bully</a>'s idea of making America "great" is that
all bow down to it.  The <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#2_November_2017_(Unauthorized_immigrant)">authoritarian followers</a>
that are his supporters will groove on seeing him make others bow
down.  "You have to respect us and we don't have to respect you" is
what he stands for.


feed_id: 607345796474e4d282178bb883cf5fbc
title: Being moved around the US
uri: Being-moved-around-the-US
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#29_June_2018_%28Being_moved_around_the_US%29
content:
<p>
Tim Wilkins encountered multiple groups of teenagers and children
being moved around the US in commercial flights, accompanied by people
who tried to <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2018/06/22/heres-story-how-i-met-detained-minors-my-flight-texas">stop them from talking with him</a>.
<p>
One of them very much wanted to talk with him, but was scared to do
so.  Probably she had been punished very harshly and knew what they
would do to her.  She said she had arrived in the US alone, but the
toddlers were surely brought by their parents.
<p>
The word "detained" is designed to deemotionalize a vicious crime.
Please join me in refusing to use that word in this context.
We don't have to let official policies impose vocabulary on us.


feed_id: f02970ec604fde699ce8507ed8c85d1b
title: Reminder to journalists
uri: 2018-06-30-Reminder-to-journalists
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#26_June_2018_%28Reminder_to_journalists%29
content:
<p>
(Satire) Sarah Huckabee Sanders reminded journalists Friday that
children under the age of 14 are <a href="https://politics.theonion.com/exasperated-huckabee-sanders-reminds-press-corps-that-c-1827054897">unable to experience pain</a>.


feed_id: aa581648521abd3ae2c519d450e6fccb
title: Destruction of tropical forest
uri: Destruction-of-tropical-forest
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#1_July_2018_%28Destruction_of_tropical_forest%29
content:
<p>
Destruction of tropical forest has 
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2018/06/27/terrifying-trends-collide-surging-deforestation-making-world-hotter-drier-place">hit
a record pace</a>.  It is a positive-feedback system for global
heating.
<p>
Plutocratist governments that promote deforestation for the sake of
business are a big part of the cause.


feed_id: 4ef87a57562268dd4be75a41f606e6d4
title: The Janus decision
uri: The-Janus-decision
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#1_July_2018_%28The_Janus_decision%29
content:
<p>
The Janus decision doesn't have to kill public employee unions.
It does mean that they have to 
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2018/06/27/janus-decision-wrong-teachers-know-how-organize-around-it">put
much more effort into organizing</a>.


feed_id: c38dea2807905ccb8af30c7d72dc1bda
title: Court sentencing based on AI programs
uri: Court-sentencing-based-on-AI-programs
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#1_July_2018_%28Court_sentencing_based_on_AI_programs%29

content:
<p>
Defendants in US courts are sentenced based on secret AI programs and
told they are 
<a href="https://boingboing.net/2018/06/20/unknowable-evidence.html">not
allowed to find out what the basis was for the decision</a>.
<p>
The founders of the US considered trade secrecy antisocial,
to the point that one argument for having a patent system
is to discourage trade secrecy.
<p>
How about if we discourage trade secrecy by eliminating the laws
that artificially facilitate it?


feed_id: e1de3032513e1ff3736b8c959b466b57
title: Right-wing extremist
uri: 2018-07-01-Right-wing-extremist
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#1_July_2018_%28Right-wing_extremist%29
content:
<p>
The right-wing extremist that murdered Heather Heyer 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/jun/27/charlottesville-james-alex-fields-charged-heather-heyer">faces
federal hate crime charges</a>.


feed_id: 33acbfa5e40aabd6558b8bef764fdaf4
title: Right-wing anti-Muslim terrorist plot
uri: Right-wing-anti-Muslim-terrorist-plot
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#1_July_2018_%28Right-wing_anti-Muslim_terrorist_plot%29

content:
<p>
France is 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/jun/27/ten-face-charges-in-france-over-suspected-far-right-terror-plot">prosecuting</a>
people accused of planning a right-wing anti-Muslim terrorist plot.
<p>
The plotters included an ex-<a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thug</a>, so it seems likely they could
have really committed terrorism.


feed_id: 6c7afe6444c99d663178669df2b278a4
title: UK civil partnerships
uri: UK-civil-partnerships
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#1_July_2018_%28UK_civil_partnerships%29
content:
<p>
The UK has 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2018/jun/27/the-guardian-view-on-heterosexual-civil-partnerships-a-good-thing">extended
civil partnerships to different-sex couples</a>.


feed_id: c043261fbc2c18186121991f3a311c91
title: Republican appointee for Supreme Court
uri: Republican-appointee-for-Supreme-Court
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#1_July_2018_%28Republican_appointee_for_Supreme_Court%29

content:
<p>
Justice Kennedy, a Republican appointee who was not an extremist, is
retiring.  The Republicans 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/law/2018/jun/27/anthony-kennedy-us-supreme-court-justice-to-retire">will
replace him with another extremist</a>.


feed_id: abde93ee9a5988b843d50a8f8ab237f0
title: UK prisons
uri: 2018-07-01-UK-prisons
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#1_July_2018_%28UK_prisons%29
content:
<p>
"In prison I saw the futility of 
<a href='https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2018/jun/27/prison-women-minor-crimes'>locking
up women for minor crimes</a>."
<p>
I am disappointed that this statement is limited to women.  UK (and
US) prisons for men, nowadays, offer no rehabilitation and clearly do
harm in many cases.


feed_id: 06b4941360767aa24c0ec0704a433cd1
title: Failure to punish thugs
uri: Failure-to-punish-thugs
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#1_July_2018_%28Failure_to_punish_thugs%29
content:
<p>
Our legal system 
<a href="https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2018/6/22/1774573/-Dash-cam-footage-shows-Ohio-cop-s-blatant-abuses-of-power-against-daughter-s-boyfriend-and-friends">fails
to properly punish thugs</a> even for the nastiest illegalities.


feed_id: 96a74941307c269d3493baaa0133efb7
title: Public-employee unions
uri: 2018-07-01-Public-employee-unions
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#1_July_2018_%28Public-employee_unions%29
content:
<p>
Public-employee unions in the US 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2018/jun/27/supreme-court-unions-fair-share-ruling">can
no longer collect fees from all the workers they serve</a>.
<p>
Republicans have worked for decades to kill off those unions and cut
public employees' pay.  Now it looks like they will succeed.


feed_id: 3036913c45184fe63b8054042cfdccc9
title: Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez
uri: Alexandria-Ocasio-Cortez
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#1_July_2018_%28Alexandria_Ocasio-Cortez%29
content:
<p>
Progressive Democrat Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2018/jun/27/alexandria-ocasio-cortez-who-is-she-democrats-new-york-life-career-policies">defeated
right-wing Democrat Joe Crowley in the primary</a>.
<p>
Crowley is one of those so-called "centrists" that support the power
of business over the state.  If we are to restore democracy, we have
to replace them as well as replacing Republicans.


feed_id: 88fc8847f72be3afd53b79487d671b98
title: Censorship
uri: 2018-07-01-Censorship
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#1_July_2018_%28Censorship%29
content:
<p>
Poland may be repealing criminal penalties for using expressions such
as "Polish death camps", but 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/jun/27/poland-partial-u-turn-controversial-holocaust-law">still
thinks it has the power to impose fines on publications in other
countries</a>.
<p>
The expression "Polish death camps" makes a false statement about
history.  The death camps in which millions of Jews were murdered were
not run by Poland or by Poles.  They were set up and run by German
Nazis.
<p>
Patriotic Poles in occupied Poland would never have aided the Germans
in killing Jews.  They 
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#5_February_2018_(Poland%27s_Holocaust_ghosts)">did
it all on their own</a>.
<p>
Regardless of those facts, it is dangerous for any country, whether
Poland or China or another, to have the power to impose global
censorship.  Other countries should make sure their courts will not
enforce fines imposed by foreign courts for violating censorship.


feed_id: 58928aee98e063d6ab3b9fc7dcf8b465
title: North Korea upgrading nuclear reactor
uri: North-Korea-upgrading-nuclear-reactor
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#1_July_2018_%28North_Korea_upgrading_nuclear_reactor%29

content:
<p>
North Korea is 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/jun/27/north-korea-nuclear-reactor-upgrades-summit-pledges">upgrading
its nuclear reactor</a>.
<p>
This is not treacherous.  It reflects the fact that North Korea has
not made an agreement for nuclear disarmament.
<p>
I think that peace between North and South Korea would make the
nuclear issue much less important.


feed_id: 0e09a95a58caf8a28207180b8ae211a7
title: Supreme Court legitimizes bigotry
uri: Supreme-Court-legitimizes-bigotry
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#1_July_2018_%28Supreme_Court_legitimizes_bigotry%29
content:
<p>
The Supreme Court's approval of the <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#bully">bully</a>'s veiled ban on Muslim visitors
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2018/jun/27/muslim-ban-ruling-trumps-bigotry">legitimizes
bigotry</a>.


feed_id: fc539458f77b725628d3bb57f1080636
title: Military-industrial mutual funds
uri: Military-industrial-mutual-funds
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#1_July_2018_%28Military-industrial_mutual_funds%29
content:
<p>
CODEPINK is 
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2018/06/26/who-making-killing-killing">investigating
US mutual funds</a> to expose how much they invest in the
military-industrial complex.


feed_id: 90184f38465cec60869adddc32309585
title: Unconditional basic income
uri: 2018-07-01-Unconditional-basic-income
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#1_July_2018_%28Unconditional_basic_income%29
content:
<p>
Several local trials
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/cities/2018/jun/27/benefit-or-burden-the-cities-trying-out-universal-basic-income">test
the effects of an unconditional basic income</a>.
<p>
These tests are not "universal"; some of them are offered to a
selection of people in a certain locality, rather than everyone.  But
they give some information about the effects of the policy.


feed_id: 889c570c8da3ade407e6992efabb08c4
title: National Health Service
uri: National-Health-Service
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#1_July_2018_%28National_Health_Service%29
content:
<p>
In 1948 Britain, the creation of the National Health Service was
considered the
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2018/jun/27/nhs-70th-birthday-universal-declaration-human-rights">fulfillment
of a human right</a> just agreed on.


feed_id: a5e7593d41d5951bd739fb2299ecfc16
title: Humboldt marten
uri: Humboldt-marten
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#1_July_2018_%28Humboldt_marten%29
content:
<p>
Marijuana cultivation in California is finishing off the endangered
Humboldt marten.  
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2018/jun/27/cannabis-humboldt-marten-california-endangered">Only
300 or so now remain</a>.


feed_id: bc6b6db308270e33b5bc73e1399490e3
title: Privacy ballot initiative
uri: Privacy-ballot-initiative
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#1_July_2018_%28Privacy_ballot_initiative%29
content:
<p>
Digital business lobbyists in California are trying to replace a
proposed privacy ballot initiative with a new privacy law that would
do less to protect privacy.

At the same time, they are 
<a href="https://theintercept.com/2018/06/26/google-and-facebook-are-quietly-fighting-californias-privacy-rights-initiative-emails-reveal/">lobbying
to weaken the proposed law</a> to do even less.


feed_id: 624ef25dd8b54a9653ceb1beafe740ae
title: Urgent: Nominations for Supreme Court
uri: Urgent-Nominations-for-Supreme-Court
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#2_July_2018_%28Urgent%3A_Nominations_for_Supreme_Court%29

content:
<p>
US citizens: phone your senators at 1-844-515-2798 to call on them to
reject <em>all</em> the <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#bully">bully</a>'s
nominations for the Supreme Court.  They all want to abolish the right
to abortion.


feed_id: c9e00e522629859515c8be4dcdc5de5d
title: Tobacco farm workers
uri: Tobacco-farm-workers
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#2_July_2018_%28Tobacco_farm_workers%29
content:
<p>
People who work in tobacco farms are 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2018/jun/28/tobacco-field-workers-cigarettes-work">exposed
to the same addictive nicotine as the people that smoke the
tobacco</a>.  Teenagers are more vulnerable than adults.  So it makes
sense to exclude minors from doing this work.
<p>
However, the adults are surely not really safe, either.  Is there some
sort of safety gear that would protect them from the nicotine without
causing them heat stroke?
<p>
As always, I oppose referring to teenagers as
"<a href='https://stallman.org/antiglossary.html#children'>children</a>".


feed_id: eae23111855ee4609932868063e47797
title: Families separated at border
uri: Families-separated-at-border
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#2_July_2018_%28Families_separated_at_border%29
content:
<p>
US Immigration 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2018/jun/27/us-immigration-must-reunite-families-separated-at-border-federal-judge-rules">Must
Reunite</a> Families Separated at Border, Federal Judge Rules.


feed_id: 39bf8b9086e226173491e156c5bcee66
title: Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez
uri: 2018-07-03-Alexandria-Ocasio-Cortez
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#2_July_2018_%28Alexandria_Ocasio-Cortez%29
content:
<p>
"Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez represents the 
<a href='https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2018/jun/27/alexandria-ocasio-cortez-future-democratic-party'>future
of the Democratic party</a>."


feed_id: 8e507c35f3dce530f6cfd920b1f63193
title: Banning refugees from Yemen and Syria
uri: Banning-refugees-from-Yemen-and-Syria
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#2_July_2018_%28Banning_refugees_from_Yemen_and_Syria%29

content:
<p>
Amnesty: banning refugees from Yemen and Syria is "essentially
<a href='https://www.amnestyusa.org/press-releases/amnesty-international-usa-reaction-to-supreme-court-ruling-on-muslim-ban/'>lighting
a house on fire and locking the escape door shut</a>."


feed_id: f179efaf747931fb2536b22c384b3916
title: Thug charged with homicide
uri: Thug-charged-with-homicide
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#2_July_2018_%28Thug_charged_with_homicide%29
content:
<p>
The <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thug</a> who 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2018/jun/27/pittsburgh-police-officer-charged-in-shooting-death-of-unarmed-black-teen">rushed
to shoot and kill Antwon Rose</a> has been charged with homicide.
<p>
Every time a killer <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thug</a> doesn't get off without charges, I think that
is something to celebrate.


feed_id: dd838163b20d7a95bdf3c6c6d163f624
title: National test scores
uri: National-test-scores
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#2_July_2018_%28National_test_scores%29
content:
<p>
Some UK schools seem to improve their students' average national test scores
by 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/education/2018/jun/26/300-schools-picked-out-in-gcse-off-rolling-investigation">kicking
out students who are likely to do badly</a>.


feed_id: 2f70addc1285fe33eab07e29b3a7165e
title: Bureau of Consumer Protection saboteur
uri: Bureau-of-Consumer-Protection-saboteur
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#2_July_2018_%28Bureau_of_Consumer_Protection_saboteur%29

content:
<p>
The new head of the US Bureau of Consumer Protection is a <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#saboteur">saboteur</a> who
has represented many companies, some of which have 
<a href="https://theintercept.com/2018/06/27/andrew-smith-ftc/">mistreated
the public</a>.


feed_id: 5640c2005bfbd5afe1f77614e03d0e16
title: Sharing vs commercial use
uri: Sharing-vs-commercial-use
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#2_July_2018_%28Sharing_vs_commercial_use%29
content:
<p>
Tesla 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2018/jun/27/elon-musk-farting-unicorn-mug-cartoon-tom-edwards">appropriated
Tom Edwards's drawing of a unicorn as part of its branding</a>,
without asking him or even telling him.
<p>
I believe everyone is entitled to the freedom to share copies of any
published work, including the farting unicorn.  However, sharing means
<a href="https://gnu.org/philosophy/copyright-vs-community.html">noncommercial
redistribution of exact copies</a>.  What Tesla is doing is commercial
use, not sharing.  Thus I agree with Edwards that Tesla ought to get
his permission and pay him.


feed_id: 291b9386d45bb9ebc457df12a15e958c
title: Unkinder Morgan pipeline
uri: 2018-07-03-Unkinder-Morgan-pipeline
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#2_July_2018_%28Unkinder_Morgan_pipeline%29
content:
<p>
Greenpeace reports that ships carrying toxic tar sands oil away from
the Unkinder Morgan pipeline would 
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2018/06/26/greenpeace-report-trans-mountain-oil-tanker-superhighway-endangers-pacific-coast">threaten
oil spills all along the California coast, as well as near
Vancouver</a>.
<p>
They would harm marine mammals even when they don't spill any oil.


feed_id: acad83278858120f0991a7217b63c26c
title: Earth's biodiversity
uri: Earth-s-biodiversity
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#2_July_2018_%28Earths_biodiversity%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/radical-conservation/2018/jun/28/biodiversity-is-the-infrastructure-that-supports-all-life">How
can we save</a> Earth's biodiversity?
<p>
If <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#global heating">global heating</a> requires species to move to survive, they won't be
able to survive in small wildlife reserves that currently suit them.


feed_id: e531c2b8012b8d1a41393679933db8d9
title: The warlover
uri: The-warlover
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#2_July_2018_%28The_warlover%29
content:
<p>
The warlover seems to be 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2018/jun/28/james-mattis-defence-secretary-marginalised-exit-analysis">planning
to kick out Mattis as Saboteur of Defense</a>.  He is not sabotaging
hard enough, it seems.
<p>
Countries that think of themselves as US "allies" will soon learn that
they can't expect the warlover to let "adult" officials restrain him
very much for very long.


feed_id: d5bf4460e32d2788b32560959e4efa99
title: The 2010 Big Spill
uri: The-2010-Big-Spill
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#2_July_2018_%28The_2010_Big_Spill%29
content:
<p>
Microscopic life 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2018/jun/28/bp-deepwater-horizon-oil-spill-report">has
not yet recovered</a> from the 2010 Big Spill in the Gulf of Mexico.


feed_id: f5d53fe28890a099611d1f5a5dcc1c91
title: Urgent: Mandatory copyright filters
uri: Urgent-Mandatory-copyright-filters
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#2_July_2018_%28Urgent%3A_Mandatory_copyright_filters%29

content:
<p>
EU citizens: <a href="https://edri.org/strategy-against-the-first-obligatory-eu-internet-filter/">take the next step</a> in fighting against mandatory
copyright filters.


feed_id: d48a8527812673adad1622c236b1ab9c
title: Urgent: Stock buybacks
uri: Urgent-Stock-buybacks
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#2_July_2018_%28Urgent%3A_Stock_buybacks%29
content:
<p>
US citizens: <a href="https://act.credoaction.com/sign/ellison_stock_buybacks">support the bill</a> to limit rich corporations' stock buybacks
and give workers a slot in their boards of directors.


feed_id: d92c8a6b3f54806b85c83a68d20bcb7f
title: Urgent: Kratom ban
uri: Urgent-Kratom-ban
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#2_July_2018_%28Urgent%3A_Kratom_ban%29
content:
<p>
US citizens: <a href="https://engage.drugpolicy.org/secure/dea-gearing-ban-kratom-help-us-fight-back">call on the DEA</a> not to ban Kratom.


feed_id: 1d2d81b3ae9ef3fe669e61161b803541
title: Flooded towns
uri: Flooded-towns
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#2_July_2018_%28Flooded_towns%29
content:
<p>
Some towns in Florida are already being <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2018/jun/28/rising-elizabeth-rush-extract-towns-flooding">taken over by the sea</a>.


feed_id: 8183f78c3c9115d2f358db0cf82c9412
title: Change in Salafi Arabia
uri: Change-in-Salafi-Arabia
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#2_July_2018_%28Change_in_Salafi_Arabia%29
content:
<p>
Saudi Arabia Is Not Driving Change &mdash; It Is <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/jun/26/saudi-arabia-is-not-driving-change-it-is-trying-to-hoodwink-the-west">Trying to Hoodwink the West</a>.
<p>
<a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#bully">The bully</a>, of course, is not skeptical when a country serves his personal
interests.


feed_id: 47d17750534c03336ae66676b5111fc8
title: Teaching about Israel and Palestine
uri: Teaching-about-Israel-and-Palestine
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#2_July_2018_%28Teaching_about_Israel_and_Palestine%29

content:
<p>
<a href="https://972mag.com/you-never-told-me-confronting-american-jewish-myths-about-israel/136298/">American Jews campaign</a> for Jewish institutions to stop teaching a
one-sided view of Israel and Palestine.


feed_id: a0ad2aad224fe45b2f8030284fec3d1b
title: Israeli security agents
uri: Israeli-security-agents
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#2_July_2018_%28Israeli_security_agents%29
content:
<p>
In Israel, colonizing fanatics are allowed to attack and even wound
security agents, but Palestinians who slap them <a href="https://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-5290353,00.html">go to prison</a>.


feed_id: 9dcfa235047728ee55f5e987686e2dc7
title: Permanent occupation in the West Bank
uri: Permanent-occupation-in-the-West-Bank
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#2_July_2018_%28Permanent_occupation_in_the_West_Bank%29

content:
<p>
<a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#bully">The bully</a> and Netanyahu plan
to <a href="https://972mag.com/trump-and-netanyahu-have-not-learned-from-history-theyre-repeating-it/136428/">pound
Palestinians into the ground</a> until they accept permanent
occupation in the West Bank.
<p>
<a href="https://www.counterpunch.org/2018/06/22/a-watershed-moment-in-palestinian-history-interview-with-jamal-juma/">More about this plan</a> for non-peace.


feed_id: 37ff2028cba5b46d2885c70585c1403e
title: Corbyn on Palestine
uri: Corbyn-on-Palestine
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#2_July_2018_%28Corbyn_on_Palestine%29
content:
<p>
Corbyn says that he would <a href="https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/palestine-state-recognition-jeremy-corbyn-labour-government-israel-soon-a8413796.html">recognize Palestine as a state</a>, and cut arms
sales to Israel to press for a peace agreement.


feed_id: f4bcd549a2ad3816a43abd67a50bedb3
title: New civility rules
uri: New-civility-rules
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#2_July_2018_%28New_civility_rules%29
content:
<p>
(Satire) The Onion presents the <a href="https://www.theonion.com/tips-for-staying-civil-while-debating-child-prisons-1827147411">new civility rules</a> for criticizing the
US government.


feed_id: 8ea2e880dc430ab3d0cf2d4987830361
title: Partial ban on Muslim visitors
uri: Partial-ban-on-Muslim-visitors
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#2_July_2018_%28Partial_ban_on_Muslim_visitors%29
content:
<p>
ACLU: the Supreme Court upheld the <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#bully">bully</a>'s partial ban on Muslim visitors
by <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2018/06/26/supreme-court-ignores-reality-president-trumps-discriminatory-muslim-ban">closing its eyes to facts</a>.


feed_id: 2f063df09568f88d22884689456ae539
title: Cambodia's ruler
uri: Cambodia-s-ruler
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#2_July_2018_%28Cambodia%27s_ruler%29
content:
<p>
Cambodia's ruler, Hun Sen, has <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/jun/28/cambodian-pm-hun-sen-fully-fledged-military-dictator-says-report">become an absolute dictator</a>.


feed_id: b893cef8a14949b01472d4b822e0921b
title: Using military bases to hunt
uri: Using-military-bases-to-hunt
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#2_July_2018_%28Using_military_bases_to_hunt%29
content:
<p>
British military bases in Cyprus were very heavily used by hunters to
kill migrating songbirds.  The army has taken effective action to
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/jun/28/ministry-defence-campaign-stop-killing-songbirds-cyprus-success">stop most of this</a>.


feed_id: 0e69eee146d0d8e0e0dd298500a7833b
title: Heathrow expansion
uri: 2018-07-03-Heathrow-expansion
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#2_July_2018_%28Heathrow_expansion%29
content:
<p>
The decision to expand London's main airport at the expense of Earth's
ecosphere <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2018/jun/28/brexit-britain-environment-heathrow-expansion">shows what kind of reaction we can expect</a> from the UK
government to other crisis situations, such as leaving the EU.


feed_id: 5d30330ea274c94df426f2f903ec5859
title: Fraudulent businesses
uri: Fraudulent-businesses
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#2_July_2018_%28Fraudulent_businesses%29
content:
<p>
Fraudulent businesses operate based on the <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/news/2018/jun/28/how-to-get-away-with-financial-fraud">weaknesses of the systems
of oversight</a>, such as accounting and reporting.  Fraudulent businesses
can find the accountants that they can corrupt, and then present a picture
of great success that discourages inquiry.


feed_id: df389962b743d59d8857286686d39379
title: Warren on caging immigrants
uri: Warren-on-caging-immigrants
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#2_July_2018_%28Warren_on_caging_immigrants%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://elizabethwarren.com/border-family-separation/">Senator Warren reports</a> on the cages for immigrants.  Men are packed so
tight that they can't all lie down at once.  Children sit all day
doing nothing.  The prison guards lie about the conditions.


feed_id: 96d95d463ae463c1a02321d14a6ebdd0
title: Plea bargain for Reality Winner
uri: Plea-bargain-for-Reality-Winner
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#2_July_2018_%28Plea_bargain_for_Reality_Winner%29
content:
<p>
Whistleblower Reality Winner, who informed the US about Russian
attacks on states' election computer systems, <a href="https://theintercept.com/2018/06/26/reality-winner-hearing-plea-deal/">accepted a plea bargain</a>
for 5 years in prison.
<p>
Treating whistleblowers as spies is fundamentally wrong.  In effect,
it declares the American people to be the enemy of the US government.
If that's how things are, I choose the people's side.
<p>
To ensure that taking the public's side is not allowed in court,
the Espionage Act explicitly forbids the defendant to argue that
blowing the whistle was a service to the public, even if it was.


feed_id: fede55fba1c4f6ecd267b726f1899c4e
title: Death penalty and sentencing bias
uri: Death-penalty-and-sentencing-bias
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#2_July_2018_%28Death_penalty_and_sentencing_bias%29
content:
<p>
One of many reasons to eliminate the death penalty is because of bias
in sentencing.  One form of bias in the US is against homosexuals.
The Supreme Court <a href="https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2018/6/25/1775226/-A-man-was-sentenced-to-death-instead-of-prison-because-he-s-gay-but-SCOTUS-refused-to-intervene">refused to consider a case</a> in which jurors were
openly and even admittedly motivated by this bias.
<p>
The best way to eliminate bias in applying the death penalty is to
abolish the death penalty.


feed_id: bfee7d9376b2a5d2f27ce4afa5d215a3
title: Tor in Venezuela
uri: Tor-in-Venezuela
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#2_July_2018_%28Tor_in_Venezuela%29
content:
<p>
Venezuela's largest ISP, government-owned, <a href="https://www.engadget.com/2018/06/26/venezuela-largest-isp-blocks-tor/">has blocked Tor</a>.
<p>
Can someone find me a page which presents an up-to-date list of
countries that block Tor?


feed_id: ce3844bea3d6ffe643c594a2369a79bc
title: Program for asylum seekers
uri: Program-for-asylum-seekers
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#2_July_2018_%28Program_for_asylum_seekers%29
content:
<p>
The US immigration <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thugs</a> use a special program to try to estimate
whether an asylum seeker is likely to show up for hearings if
released, or should be imprisoned.  The program is very simple &mdash;
it <a href="https://motherboard.vice.com/en_us/article/evk3kw/ice-modified-its-risk-assessment-software-so-it-automatically-recommends-detention">unconditionally answers "imprison!"</a>


feed_id: 074ac855f6452dddf46c3a0ee080e719
title: Black firefighter
uri: Black-firefighter
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#2_July_2018_%28Black_firefighter%29
content:
<p>
A black firefighter in Oakland was doing fire safety vegetation
inspections of yards of houses, wearing a uniform.  Residents twice
<a href="https://www.sfchronicle.com/bayarea/article/Black-firefighter-on-inspection-duty-in-Oakland-13021084.php">accused him of being a burglar</a>, apparently because of his skin color.


feed_id: 2fe6de0f75246147d86a2aa82c20338d
title: Dictator development
uri: Dictator-development
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#2_July_2018_%28Dictator_development%29
content:
<p>
Mass-murdering dictators usually aren't born that way.  They <a href="http://www.cracked.com/blog/5-reasons-horrible-dictators-always-catch-us-off-guard/">start as
effective and likeable people</a>, which enables them to win the power
with which they later commit atrocities.  Power can teach its wielders
to be capable of callous atrocities.
<p>
I have never been particularly impressed by physical courage, and I
don't particularly admire veterans.  I feel sorry for today's US
military veterans: they joined the military thinking they would "serve
their country," but instead the US used them to invade and destroy
other countries.
<p>
Many of them realized this, and some of them started organizations
against militarism &mdash; in effect using their cachet as veterans to
protect others from being swindled as they had been.  Those are the
veterans I consider heroes.
<p>
When I see organizations promote candidates by saying that they are
veterans, I think, "Is this meant as a substitute for being a strong
progressive champion?"


feed_id: 6b3698554b7b30a407534c48327bbb5a
title: Demand for 'civility'
uri: Demand-for-civility
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#2_July_2018_%28Demand_for_%27civility%27%29
content:
<p>
The mainstream media make a <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/posteverything/wp/2018/06/26/chasing-white-house-officials-out-of-restaurants-is-the-right-thing-to-do/?noredirect=on">one-sided demand for "civility"</a> from
progressives, while officials responsible for horrible crimes
reject civility 100%.
<p>
The main source of incivility in US politics is the systematic hatred
and intimidation that the <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#bully">bully</a> creates.


feed_id: f132d63347cd2be3d2846cbe3912b769
title: Urgent: Microsoft and ICE
uri: Urgent-Microsoft-and-ICE
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#4_July_2018_%28Urgent%3A_Microsoft_and_ICE%29
content:
<p>
Everyone: <a href="http://act.demandprogress.org/sign/tell-microsoft-divest-ice-operations/">Call on Microsoft</a> to stop serving the US deportation thug department.


feed_id: b99d2daf6d2753d2938c5fd75379547a
title: Urgent: Refugee compromise
uri: Urgent-Refugee-compromise
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#4_July_2018_%28Urgent%3A_Refugee_compromise%29
content:
<p>
US citizens: <a href="https://act.credoaction.com/sign/No_Dem_Cruz_Compromise">tell Senate Democrats</a> not to support vicious Republican
"compromises" that repress refugees a little differently.


feed_id: a22dd1e61ead98d3878ee0e03a7920ef
title: Nature disappearing
uri: Nature-disappearing
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#4_July_2018_%28Nature_disappearing%29
content:
<p>
George Monbiot says that <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2018/jun/29/natural-world-disappearing-save-it">nature is disappearing</a> in front of relentless human
alteration of ecosystems: one after another, species that used to be abundant
have become rare or disappeared entirely where he lives.


feed_id: f25bd068143ca4c0893daeb8789cac49
title: Protesting family imprisonment
uri: Protesting-family-imprisonment
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#4_July_2018_%28Protesting_family_imprisonment%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2018/jun/28/us-immigration-protest-trump-washington-senate">600 protesters held a sit-in</a> in a US Senate office building, demanding an end
to imprisonment of refugee families.
<p>
I think that the <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#bully">bully</a> will use this as an excuse to increase repression.
He has no desire for civil peace, any more than international peace.


feed_id: 9ab08fa7b6f6c7239605dd2f97c4af24
title: Driving boats of migrants
uri: Driving-boats-of-migrants
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#4_July_2018_%28Driving_boats_of_migrants%29
content:
<p>
Over a thousand people <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2018/jun/29/europe-war-people-smugglers-italy">face imprisonment in Italy</a> for driving boats
full of migrants &mdash; because they were told to drive or be shot.
But this is just the clearest of the stupidities in the
European campaign to arrest smugglers.


feed_id: 6d40c0d287b4927bebab905bfe1d6a68
title: Dark patterns
uri: 2018-07-04-Dark-patterns
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#4_July_2018_%28Dark_patterns%29
content:
<p>
A report surveys how companies including Facebook, Google and Microsoft
design systems to <a href="https://edri.org/ncc-report-on-dark-patterns/">hamper users from exercizing their rights</a>.


feed_id: 34183d1b3a0d9ee76a853a6d033d569a
title: Wars and inequality
uri: Wars-and-inequality
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#4_July_2018_%28Wars_and_inequality%29
content:
<p>
How America's Wars <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2018/06/28/how-americas-wars-fund-inequality-home">Fund Inequality at Home</a>.


feed_id: a7218d11309041edb6a18a1aea1e6c70
title: Carbon emissions tax
uri: 2018-07-04-Carbon-emissions-tax
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#4_July_2018_%28Carbon_emissions_tax%29
content:
<p>
Republicans representing oil companies are proposing a carbon
emissions tax.  However, at the the <a href="https://truthout.org/articles/oil-companies-and-lobbyists-say-theyre-ready-to-solve-climate-change-check-the-fine-print/">cost of big concessions</a>.


feed_id: 70159aa4c9970d418e44d6960b91692f
title: Union membership
uri: Union-membership
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#4_July_2018_%28Union_membership%29
content:
<p>
Young American workers are <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/jun/29/can-millennials-save-unions-in-america">joining and organizing unions</a>,
reinvigorating them.


feed_id: 679dfb155c16fb4951bb252c9eccdfb7
title: Database law in California
uri: Database-law-in-California
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#4_July_2018_%28Database_law_in_California%29
content:
<p>
California has adopted a <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2018/jun/28/california-privacy-bill-data-harvesting">stricter-than-usual law</a> to regulate commercial
databases.
<p>
It will probably do some good, but if it does what the article
suggests, it won't stop the recordings made from cameras and
microphones in the street and in buses, or real-time face recognition
on their images, and I doubt it will do much good regarding phone
company tracking of phone calls, messages and locations.


feed_id: b015be797947d08482ecba1305ee290d
title: Sex work for bail
uri: Sex-work-for-bail
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#4_July_2018_%28Sex_work_for_bail%29
content:
<p>
Pimps pay bail for female prisoners in US jails, then <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2018/jun/29/revealed-how-us-sex-traffickers-recruit-jailed-women-for-prostitution-the-trap">compel them to
do sex work</a> or else be jailed again.
<p>
"Incarceration takes vulnerable women and makes them more vulnerable."


feed_id: 10b858f905de88758d84ac3aee0ef890
title: Intervening for Palestinians
uri: Intervening-for-Palestinians
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#4_July_2018_%28Intervening_for_Palestinians%29
content:
<p>
"As Israelis, we call on the world to <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2018/jun/29/israelis-call-world-intervene-behalf-palestinians">intervene on behalf of Palestinians</a>."


feed_id: 1332b8342b9b741d891450bd198a768a
title: Seaweed in place of plastic
uri: Seaweed-in-place-of-plastic
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#4_July_2018_%28Seaweed_in_place_of_plastic%29
content:
<p>
Indonesia could <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/blog/2018/jun/27/could-seaweed-solve-indonesias-plastic-crisis">use seaweed to replace plastic</a> for food packaging, ten
years from now.
<p>
But it will require government pressure to stop using plastic.


feed_id: 64de67ebc4bce5479532fe598d2b3803
title: Superdelegate change
uri: Superdelegate-change
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#4_July_2018_%28Superdelegate_change%29
content:
<p>
One important reform in the Democratic National Committee: the
"superdelegates" <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2018/06/28/major-step-toward-making-democratic-party-more-democratic-dnc-votes-roll-back-power">will not vote in the first ballot round</a>.
<p>
This means that anyone who wins enough primaries and caucuses to win on
the first round cannot be blocked by the superdelegates.


feed_id: dfdd4f5bf8d41831d1c6004b1812787d
title: James Schwab
uri: James-Schwab
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#4_July_2018_%28James_Schwab%29
content:
<p>
James Schwab was a press representative for the deportation <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thugs</a> who
quit rather than carry out orders to lie.  As he was giving a TV
interview at his home, leak investigators burst in and <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2018/06/28/intimidation-watch-federal-agents-interrupt-cbs-interview-former-ice-spokeperson-who">tried to
question him</a>.
<p>
Schwab said this illustrates the way the US government tries to
silence its critics.


feed_id: 39d0e0bc95062168b5b8760ff1aa2cc0
title: Prisoners and elections
uri: Prisoners-and-elections
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#4_July_2018_%28Prisoners_and_elections%29
content:
<p>
The number of prisoners in the US is so high that it <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2018/06/28/new-report-examines-business-mass-incarceration-damage-it-does-democracy">directly alters
elections</a>.
Groups that suffer bigotry are imprisoned unfairly more than others,
even after committing similar crimes, and that costs them voting
strength.  Moreover, prisons placed in right-wing areas make their
votes count extra.


feed_id: 60f42a4f9e0a6a7b337a0706be91c368
title: Supreme court appointments
uri: Supreme-court-appointments
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#4_July_2018_%28Supreme_court_appointments%29
content:
<p>
Senator McConnell said that blocking the appointment of a supreme
court justice for a whole year until the 2016 election was not mere
partisanship <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2018/06/27/midtermsbeforescotus-takes-democrats-told-stiffen-their-spines">but a civic duty</a>.
<p>
Naturally this time he intends to rush the process of replacing
Kennedy.


feed_id: b8fc51da8cae43e539faff2bbb7b9cb2
title: Rendition in the UK
uri: Rendition-in-the-UK
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#4_July_2018_%28Rendition_in_the_UK%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2018/jun/28/uks-role-in-rendition-and-torture-of-terrorism-suspects-key-findings">UK law was designed</a> to allow spy agencies to kidnap people and hand
them over to dictators to be tortured.
<p>
Successive governments have <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2018/jun/28/uk-risk-future-human-rights-abuses-isc-reports">covered up the details</a> to protect the
agents involved and the ministers who gave them orders.
As a result, similar things could easily happen again.


feed_id: 9fa04e2f451696227f71472d80721d2d
title: Credentials on Facebook
uri: Credentials-on-Facebook
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#4_July_2018_%28Credentials_on_Facebook%29
content:
<p>
(satire) Facebook is cracking down on <a href="https://www.clickhole.com/another-failure-facebook-is-scrambling-to-beef-up-secu-1826492891">false educational credentials</a>
such as "School of hard knocks".


feed_id: 66ecc769a9dcbfd83d8a06b714cc0fd8
title: Protest isn't civil
uri: Protest-isn-t-civil
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#4_July_2018_%28Protest_isn%27t_civil%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2018/06/28/protest-isnt-civil">Protest Isn’t Civil.</a>
Indeed, protest against unjust rule cannot be effective if it
accepts the limits imposed by unjust rule.


feed_id: 59d39183dba8fb4e7cb58812cd3c3622
title: Deportation prison deals
uri: Deportation-prison-deals
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#4_July_2018_%28Deportation_prison_deals%29
content:
<p>
Many US cities and counties <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2018/06/28/us/migrant-shelters-ice-contracts-counties.html">have cancelled deals</a> with the deportation thugs
to hold their prisoners.


feed_id: 107eb55b25d4246b4c87c9f96470e681
title: 'Trauma charge'
uri: Trauma-charge
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#4_July_2018_%28%27Trauma_charge%27%29
content:
<p>
A visit to a US hospital's emergency room can land you with a "trauma
charge" for <a href="https://www.vox.com/2018/6/28/17506232/emergency-room-bill-fees-health-insurance-baby">tens of thousands of dollars</a>, despite your insurance.
<p>
Hospitals do this even for patients that required hardly any treatment.


feed_id: c6535f2e30b089a294e69de41488560e
title: Cash
uri: 2018-07-05-Cash
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#5_July_2018_%28Cash%29
content:
<p>
A Supreme Court decision will allow credit card companies to 
<a href="https://theintercept.com/2018/06/27/american-express-supreme-court-ruling/">prohibit
cash discounts</a>.
<p>
It could go much further; it might allow middleman companies such as
Amazon and Google to impose many kinds of conditions on people as well
as other companies.


feed_id: a3906f315a14e36c14b3866e3af5e021
title: Biometrics and DNA
uri: Biometrics-and-DNA
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#5_July_2018_%28Biometrics_and_DNA%29
content:
<p>
Biometrics and DNA of imprisoned immigrants could be used to reunite families
the US has split up, but could also be used to 
<a href="https://theintercept.com/2018/06/27/immigration-families-dna-testing/">track
and harm them</a>.


feed_id: 5f51f43196b61dfbc127d80634caf839
title: Wrongful imprisonment in the UK
uri: Wrongful-imprisonment-in-the-UK
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#5_July_2018_%28Wrongful_imprisonment_in_the_UK%29
content:
<p>
When a government makes arrest and deportation its priority, it almost
surely errs in favor of imprisonment.  No wonder the UK has 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2018/jun/28/wrongful-detention-cost-21m-as-immigration-staff-chased-bonuses">jailed
almost 900 lawful residents erroneously since 2012</a>.


feed_id: 51d8a61ae647e9427657f91f61296988
title: Ending homelessness
uri: Ending-homelessness
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#5_July_2018_%28Ending_homelessness%29
content:
<p>
Putting an end to homelessness is not rocket science.  It requires
<a href="http://web-old.archive.org/web/20180625203221/https://www.wired.com/story/big-tech-isnt-the-problem-with-homelessness-its-all-of-us/">building
a lot more non-luxury housing</a> and subsidizing rent for those too
poor.  But the US is too plutocratic to do it.


feed_id: 5449089e9696854357a4d4bf3de914e0
title: Deportation thug agency facilities
uri: Deportation-thug-agency-facilities
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#5_July_2018_%28Deportation_thug_agency_facilities%29

content:
<p>
Protesters have 
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2018/06/26/occupyice-encampments-campaign-trail-call-grows-abolish-unaccountable-and-inhumane">occupied
and blocked</a> several of the deportation thug agency's facilities.
<p>
I think this is why the sadist wants to 
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#26_June_2018_(Minors_in_military_bases)">imprison
immigrants on military bases</a>.


feed_id: 358d19c0e47bd55db95b8bdbe7d7bc48
title: UK military-industrial complex
uri: UK-military-industrial-complex
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#5_July_2018_%28UK_military-industrial_complex%29
content:
<p>
The UK is 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2018/jun/28/britain-global-military-power-armed-forces-defence-spending">subject
to a military-industrial complex</a> that feeds off dreams of the
grandeur of the British Empire.  It's very profitable for the weapons
companies that build weapons for a conventional war that is unlikely
to occur.


feed_id: e6835a90eb741a0947bc976ae84abc45
title: The Federal Trade Commission
uri: The-Federal-Trade-Commission
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#5_July_2018_%28The_Federal_Trade_Commission%29
content:
<p>
The Federal Trade Commission is half-hearted about stopping companies
from merging, but really energetic about 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/commentisfree/2018/jun/29/america-insidious-union-buster-government">preventing
workers labeled as "independent contractors" from bargaining
collectively</a>.


feed_id: 00f310e701e9617f09858d27fac8962c
title: Full-time writers in the UK
uri: Full-time-writers-in-the-UK
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#5_July_2018_%28Full-time_writers_in_the_UK%29
content:
<p>
Full-time writers in the UK earn 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/books/2018/jun/29/authors-and-publishers-trade-blows-over-plummeting-author-pay-levels">less
than minimum wage, on the average</a>.
<p>
Authors now get only 3% of the publishers' sales totals.
The publishers have some gall claiming that their demands to
crush sharing are in the name of authors.
<p>
We should legalize sharing copies of any published work, and support
authors by other methods such as crowdfunding and anonymous voluntary
payments.  As for the publishers, they are no longer vital nowadays.
<p>
More generally, we should reject the idea that corporations' main duty
is to "make money for their shareholders".  That idea was 
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2012-jan-apr.html#18_April_2012_(Shareholders)">not
generally accepted 40 years ago</a>, and we should reject it now.


feed_id: 460e3673fd139a95b6e90dd56c80305e
title: EU "deal" about how to deal with migrants
uri: EU-deal-about-how-to-deal-with-migrants
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#5_July_2018_%28EU_deal_about_how_to_deal_with_migrants%29

content:
<p>
The EU countries made a "deal" about how to deal with migrants
which is mainly an agreement to 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2018/jun/29/the-guardian-view-on-the-eu-migration-deal-fault-lines-in-the-fortress">disregard
the fact that they have not agreed</a>.
<p>
Italy (and maybe the EU) are 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/jun/29/eu-migration-deal-may-force-ngos-to-rethink-operations-says-charity">forcing
M&eacute;decins Sans Fronti&egrave;res to serve the Libyan coast
guard</a>, which imprisons "rescued" migrants in horrible conditions.
<p>
Europe could manage to ensure that migrants returned to Libya are
treated humanely.


feed_id: d1fa5b8b9d0d1b1ae10e0e9b04a34ea0
title: Global heating
uri: 2018-07-05-Global-heating
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#5_July_2018_%28Global_heating%29
content:
<p>
Due to <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#global heating">global heating</a>, England's peatlands are likely to burn and
release CO<sub>2</sub>, which will
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/jun/29/more-saddleworth-style-fires-likely-as-climate-changes-scientists-warn">speed
global heating</a>.
<p>
Catering to rich landowners that want to shoot grouse makes fires
more likely.
<p>
Just one of many ways that 
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2017-mar-jun.html#26_April_2017_(Callous_political_plutocracy)">plutocracy
is speeding the destruction</a> of Earth's nature and human
civilization.


feed_id: 3347751e01fceed6fb07ce9cae0e2ff0
title: Israel-Palestine conflict
uri: Israel-Palestine-conflict
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#5_July_2018_%28Israel-Palestine_conflict%29
content:
<p>
Uri Avnery: The US and Israel have a plan to settle the
Israel-Palestine conflict.  The plan is secret, but they 
<a href="http://zope.gush-shalom.org/home/en/channels/avnery/1530278887/">expect
to force Palestinians to accept it</a>.


feed_id: b08f34a03997b4fc7cf3b35c58e5f655
title: Elsevier "open" science
uri: Elsevier-open-science
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#5_July_2018_%28Elsevier_open_science%29
content:
<p>
The European Union says it wants "open" science &mdash; a weak term I
recommend avoiding &mdash; but has 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/science/political-science/2018/jun/29/elsevier-are-corrupting-open-science-in-europe">put
Elsevier in charge of monitoring progress</a>.  Like putting the fox
in charge of designing the hen house.
<p>
The term "open access" is a bad choice of banner because it
focuses on the secondary issue and takes a weak stand on it.
The way to take a strong stand on the primary issue is to
talk about 
<a href="https://stallman.org/articles/free-scientific-publication.html">"free" or "libre"
scientific publication</a>.
<p>
Campaigning for "open access" may do some good, but it achieves
its success in spite of the weakness of its visible stance.


feed_id: d6de1e23b6eb3dc76b10d3f7e1c3012b
title: Flight attendant's moral responsibility
uri: Flight-attendant-s-moral-responsibility
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#4_July_2018_%28Flight_attendant%27s_moral_responsibility%29

content:
<p>Flight attendant  <a href="https://www.houstonchronicle.com/local/gray-matters/article/Flight-attendant-I-won-t-work-flights-that-13008372.php">Hunt Palmquist vowed</a> he would refuse to work on flights to transport immigrant child prisoners.</p>
<p>He realized that if he helped do this, he would morally responsible for his actions.</p>
<p>His response may be the reason that some airlines have since refused to carry those prisoners.  We should pressure the other airlines in the US to do the same.</p>
</li></p>


feed_id: 3f971d2c7c690a6b116aeb236368f9ff
title: LocationSmart phone tracking
uri: LocationSmart-phone-tracking
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#4_July_2018_%28LocationSmart_phone_tracking%29
content:
<p>The LocationSmart web site enabled anyone to roughly  <a href="https://krebsonsecurity.com/2018/05/tracking-firm-locationsmart-leaked-location-data-for-customers-of-all-major-u-s-mobile-carriers-in-real-time-via-its-web-site/">track the position of any mobile phone</a>, due to completely missing security.</p>
<p>However, anyone willing to commit a crime can get the same data through <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2012-sep-dec.html#17_December_2012_(Location_privacy_bill)">the bad security of the SS7 protocol</a> through which one phone network talks with another phone network.</p>
<p>Even worse, the data is easily available the government.</p>
<p>This is one reason I refuse to carry a mobile phone. The other is that <a href="https://gnu.org/malware/malware-mobiles.html">it can be modified through a back door</a> to listen and transmit all conversations in its vicinity.</p>
</li></p>


feed_id: 5cab81308cdcdfe65c0569f3956acc4c
title: Britain: Homeless fined or jailed
uri: Britain-Homeless-fined-or-jailed
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#4_July_2018_%28Britain%3A_Homeless_fined_or_jailed%29

content:
<p>Many <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/society/2018/may/20/homeless-people-fined-imprisoned-pspo-england-wales">towns in Britain repress homeless beggars</a>, fining them or jailing them for begging.  It almost resembles the US.</p>
<p>If you don't want people to beg, don't make them destitute!</p>
</li></p>


feed_id: c8537de9d522c2642aa1689f39991b12
title: Facebook's fake account
uri: Facebook-s-fake-account
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#4_July_2018_%28Facebook%3A_fake_account%29
content:
<p>Even as Facebook oppresses real useds with its "real name" requirement, <a href="https://www.buzzfeed.com/charliewarzel/heres-how-easy-it-is-to-buy-fake-facebook-profiles">it is easy to buy and run a realistic Facebook account</a> that is completely fake.</p>
</li></p>


feed_id: d8dcc4f3a5db240fdaa29f1c51c19060
title: Facebook disinformation plan
uri: Facebook-disinformation-plan
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#4_July_2018_%28Facebook_disinformation_plan%29
content:
<p>Facebook plans to work with a right-wing think-tank <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2018/05/18/alarming-facebook-teams-think-tank-funded-saudi-arabia-and-military-contractors">funded by rich fossil fuel interests</a>, supposedly to "protect" democracy.</p>
<p>The funding suggests that what they plan to protect is plutocracy</p>
<p>This is one more reason to stop being used by Facebook.</p>
</li></p>


feed_id: cdd8935cd55d8d5562dbb1b4a6a9e0cd
title: Farm bill blocked
uri: Farm-bill-blocked
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#4_July_2018_%28Farm_bill_blocked%29
content:
<p>The disastrous <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2018/may/18/farm-bill-paul-ryan-food-stamps-house-freedom-caucus">Republican farm bill was blocked</a> because some Republicans demand more repression of immigrants.</p>
<p>We can't expect this to save us permanently from the <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2012-may-aug.html#08_July_2012_(House_Farm_Bill)">nasty</a> <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#25_June_2018_(Farm_bill_and_the_environment)">provisions</a> of the farm bill.</p>
</li></p>


feed_id: 4017826c75784fc6fee60aff7d681c63
title: North American pharmaceutical reform
uri: North-American-pharmaceutical-reform
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#4_July_2018_%28North_American_pharmaceutical_reform%29

content:
<p>A <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2018/05/17/doctors-us-and-canada-launch-sweeping-pharmaceutical-reform-proposal">team of doctors propose thorough reform</a> of the US (and Canadian) pharmaceutical system, designed to correct many of the problems of the existing system.</p>
<p>I'm glad to see it includes taking control of clinical trials away from pharma companies.  I've advocated this for a long time.  <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2009-may-aug.html#05 July 2009 (Pharma's phony 'gift' to Health Care Reform)">We need true clinical trials</a>, rather than funding-perverted c(l)ynical trials.</p>
</li></p>


feed_id: d066307ce614a837e4011e07e77cd797
title: Amazon warehouse like prison
uri: Amazon-warehouse-like-prison
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#4_July_2018_%28Amazon_warehouse_like_prison%29
content:
<p>Working in an Amazon warehouse is like being in prison <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/amazon-warehouse-like-prison-where-workers-used-pee-bottle-2018-4?r=UK&IR=T">with a sentence of hard and hurried labor</a>.</p>
<p>The workers don't have breaks even enough to go to the toilet.</p>
</li></p>


feed_id: 7dc67293c647636af50970c2c1f00de6
title: Facebook: UI modifications
uri: Facebook-UI-modifications
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#4_July_2018_%28Facebook%3A_UI_modifications%29
content:
<p>Facebook was compelled to offer some additional options to limit use of certain kinds of personal data.  So <a href="http://web-old.archive.org/web/*/https://www.wired.com/story/facebook-is-steering-users-away-from-privacy-protections/">it designed the user interface to discourage people from using them</a>.</p>
</li></p>


feed_id: e8595f6da38d9888e6f41c0e6bacc1e0
title: Urgent: Water extraction
uri: Urgent-Water-extraction
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#5_July_2018_%28Urgent%3A_Water_extraction%29
content:
<p>
US citizens, <a href="http://action.storyofstuff.org/sign/petition-forest-service-standup-nestle-2/">tell the heads</a> of the Forest Service and the Department
of Agriculture: Don't give Nestlé a new permit to extract water from
the San Bernardino National Forest.


feed_id: d7a9ea15e72b02dc25ca061dbb082bca
title: Urgent: Giving data to the NSA
uri: Urgent-Giving-data-to-the-NSA
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#5_July_2018_%28Urgent%3A_Giving_data_to_the_NSA%29
content:
<p>
Everyone: <a href="https://act.credoaction.com/sign/ATT-wiretaprooms">call on AT&amp;T</a> to stop giving people's data to the NSA.
<p>
<a href="https://theintercept.com/2018/06/25/att-internet-nsa-spy-hubs/">Here's more info</a> about what AT&amp;T is doing.


feed_id: b0dbaa9d3054b44a320c8f97ccbfa39e
title: Urgent: Sprint and T-Mobile merger
uri: Urgent-Sprint-and-T-Mobile-merger
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#5_July_2018_%28Urgent%3A_Sprint_and_T-Mobile_merger%29

content:
<p>
US citizens: <a href="http://act.demandprogress.org/sign/tell-doj-block-sprint-t-mobile/">Call on the Department of Justice</a> to block the merger of
Sprint and T-Mobile.


feed_id: 1652bb7781ff3e283c47c1c4470666d2
title: Urgent: Copyright filter and link tax
uri: Urgent-Copyright-filter-and-link-tax
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#5_July_2018_%28Urgent%3A_Copyright_filter_and_link_tax%29

content:
<p>
<a href="https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2018/06/crucial-next-few-days-eus-copyright-filter-and-link-tax-battle">The Crucial Next Few Days</a> In the EU's Copyright Filter and Link Tax Battle.


feed_id: b856a42b23c6ec9cd74cfbee29f0ad96
title: International Organization for Migration
uri: International-Organization-for-Migration
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#5_July_2018_%28International_Organization_for_Migration%29

content:
<p>
The troll proposed a <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#saboteur">saboteur</a> to head the International Organization
for Migration, but other countries <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/jun/29/un-trump-migration-agency-snub-nomination-rejected-iom">wouldn't have it</a>.


feed_id: 9d6b8f90100821d49cc72273c9393598
title: Purges of voter lists
uri: Purges-of-voter-lists
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#5_July_2018_%28Purges_of_voter_lists%29
content:
<p>
Purges of voter lists are a grand opportunity for rigging elections,
and Republicans <a href="https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2018/6/26/1775595/-With-the-midterms-four-months-away-right-wingers-are-pushing-for-aggressive-voter-roll-purges">use it where they can get away with it</a>.


feed_id: 7fd691e1a9d36b1ebea78e6f68f0d815
title: Assault on immigrant families
uri: Assault-on-immigrant-families
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#5_July_2018_%28Assault_on_immigrant_families%29
content:
<p>
<a href="http://www.yesmagazine.org/peace-justice/15-actions-that-can-shut-down-trumps-assault-on-immigrant-families-20180622">15 Actions</a> That Can Shut Down Trump’s Assault on Immigrant Families.


feed_id: 0205c0605eaa5baf29c1cbacce163bfd
title: George Mpanga
uri: George-Mpanga
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#5_July_2018_%28George_Mpanga%29
content:
<p>
George Mpanga, British performance poet, was <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2018/jun/29/george-the-poet-is-strip-searched-by-police-after-gig">attacked on the street</a> by
<a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thugs</a> and strip-searched for no evident reason.  The thugs also told
lies about him.


feed_id: f46a159e3d8e281b0b3de9da74631627
title: Teenage refugee in the US
uri: Teenage-refugee-in-the-US
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#5_July_2018_%28Teenage_refugee_in_the_US%29
content:
<p>
A teenage refugee in the US <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2018/06/29/us/teenage-asylum-seeker-migrant-describes-months-in-detention-invs/index.html">describes the life of arbitrary punishment</a> he
was subjected to in an agency that was supposed to "help" him.
<p>
The part that bothers me most is requiring relatives in the US to give
their fingerprints before they can receive their family members.
Most people will surrender their fingerprints to such pressure,
and that makes it unjust to use this leverage to demand that.


feed_id: bb6d04b233ebb885666555ce788e3af5
title: FOSTA lawsuit
uri: FOSTA-lawsuit
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#5_July_2018_%28FOSTA_lawsuit%29
content:
<p>
The EFF has <a href="https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2018/06/anti-sex-trafficking-law-illegally-censors-internet-lawsuit-says/">sued to overturn</a> the censorship law, FOSTA.
<p>
A similar wave of repression is <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/society/2018/jun/30/ban-prostitution-websites-stamp-out-trafficking-sexual-exploitation">campaigning for such a law</a> in the UK.
<p>
The real goal of such campaigns is to try to repress prostitution.
Thus, what they really do is harm sex workers in general, rather than
protect them from enslavement.
<p>
It is possible to act against enslavement without creating repression,
but that requires licensing and monitoring the web sites and brothels,
as well as ending prohibition of brothels.  The monitoring will cost
money.


feed_id: 0f50d327209f1a42f9822cc3a4ffbbe5
title: Intimidation of Maxine Waters
uri: Intimidation-of-Maxine-Waters
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#5_July_2018_%28Intimidation_of_Maxine_Waters%29
content:
<p>
The intimidator-in-chief encouraged his supporters to commit violence
against Rep. Maxine Waters, and <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2018/06/29/after-warning-congresswoman-be-careful-trump-has-yet-denounce-lynching-threats-made">they are working on it</a>.


feed_id: 04e76306d391c8c396a89ae23f395ec9
title: Torture flights
uri: Torture-flights
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#5_July_2018_%28Torture_flights%29
content:
<p>
Five years ago, the UK government launched an "investigation" of the
CIA's use of Scottish airports for torture flights.  The investigation
seems to have been <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2018/jun/29/msps-demand-action-over-use-of-scottish-airports-for-rendition">designed not to find out anything</a>.


feed_id: 23055b8cc305f2144f960777427c99ef
title: Progress for the Democratic Party
uri: Progress-for-the-Democratic-Party
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#5_July_2018_%28Progress_for_the_Democratic_Party%29
content:
<p>
We are making progress in prying the Democratic Party away from
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2018/06/29/what-joe-crowleys-defeat-has-do-democratic-party-superdelegates">plutocratist right-wing "centrists"</a>.
That means we have to push harder!


feed_id: 3f04c0db510f2c92979902933432ac48
title: High-deductible insurance plans
uri: High-deductible-insurance-plans
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#5_July_2018_%28High-deductible_insurance_plans%29
content:
<p>
"Employers love high-deductible insurance plans. They’re designed to
<a href="https://jacobinmag.com/2018/06/health-care-deductibles-insurance-single-payer">deter patients from seeking care</a> &mdash; and they work."


feed_id: f7726724caf89ce2733e5dd8e93b8a98
title: Deportation thug agency
uri: Deportation-thug-agency
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#5_July_2018_%28Deportation_thug_agency%29
content:
<p>
19 agents of the deportation thug agency <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2018/jun/29/ice-abolish-letter-agents-trump-immigration-crackdown">call for the agency to
be split up</a>.
<p>
They say that the focus on cruelty to harmless refugees interferes
with the agency's other job: to investigate possible terrorists and
organized crime.


feed_id: 322f39390dc936cd87cab36b9d19c94c
title: Retaliatory tariffs
uri: Retaliatory-tariffs
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#5_July_2018_%28Retaliatory_tariffs%29
content:
<p>
Canada has chosen retaliatory tariffs to <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/jun/29/canada-tariffs-whiskey-ketchup-lawn-mowers-yoghurt">attack states which support
the bully</a>.


feed_id: 47fdd05e32b26b82edb836d4e3aac916
title: UK torture investigation
uri: UK-torture-investigation
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#5_July_2018_%28UK_torture_investigation%29
content:
<p>
Craig Murray: hampering Parliament's investigation into the UK's
collaboration in torture was the <a href="https://www.craigmurray.org.uk/archives/2018/06/blair-and-brown-governments-gory-with-torture/">latest in a series</a> of coverup
measures.
<p>
Nonetheless, the investigation revealed something about the true scale
of the problem &mdash; even Murray was surprised.


feed_id: 50cbc987b6f87398213694058dba9e0a
title: Browser fingerprinting
uri: Browser-fingerprinting
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#5_July_2018_%28Browser_fingerprinting%29
content:
<p>
Against Privacy Defeatism: why browsers <a href="https://freedom-to-tinker.com/2018/06/29/against-privacy-defeatism-why-browsers-can-still-stop-fingerprinting/">can still stop fingerprinting</a>.
<p>
<a href="https://www.gnu.org/software/gnuzilla/">IceCat</a>
has many features to reduce fingerprinting.


feed_id: e43a250fd388832a6c005c30b600c414
title: Canadians on US blacklist
uri: Canadians-on-US-blacklist
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#5_July_2018_%28Canadians_on_US_blacklist%29
content:
<p>
Even Canadians can be harassed trying to enter Canada because they are
included
in <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/jun/30/canada-us-tuscan-database-no-fly-list-trudeau">a
secret US blacklist</a>, referred to as "Tuscan".  US officials can
add names based on vague, confused suspicions, and neither the US nor
Canada will tell you that you are on the list, nor how to try to be
removed.
<p>
A Canadian "public consultation on national security" reviewed the
policy for the officially acknowledged no-fly list but didn't mention
this second, unofficial no-fly list.  That means it was a phony
consultation.  However, mere "transparency" and some sort of stated
policy is not enough to justify punishment without trial.
<p>
Stopping a person from flying, nowadays, is a grave punishment.  It is
an injustice to impose such a punishment other than as the result of
conviction for a serious crime.


feed_id: 861875156a490bc6e7775944454fa48a
title: Urgent: Funding for the DHS
uri: Urgent-Funding-for-the-DHS
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#6_July_2018_%28Urgent%3A_Funding_for_the_DHS%29
content:
<p>
US citizens: <a href="https://www.aclu.org/issues/immigrants-rights/call-senators-defund-dhs">call your senators</a> and suggest cutting off funding to the
Department of Harshness and Sadism.


feed_id: 56a2b63065097a4507d57f9b8ffcf0c5
title: Antibiotic resistance in meat
uri: Antibiotic-resistance-in-meat
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#6_July_2018_%28Antibiotic_resistance_in_meat%29
content:
<p>
As of 2015, most of the bacteria in most of the meat samples from US
supermarkets were <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2018/06/29/aaack-new-analysis-shows-superbugs-lurking-three-fourths-us-supermarket-meat">resistant to some antibiotics</a>.


feed_id: 11cd848a0d69d662b31013680e33cf49
title: Water privatization
uri: 2018-07-07-Water-privatization
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#6_July_2018_%28Water_privatization%29
content:
<p>
Privatizing Puerto Rico's water is likely to <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2018/06/26/water-privatization-adds-insult-injury-puerto-rico">raise the price by 60%</a>.
Given how poor the island is now, many will be without water.


feed_id: bd1add8da7a3ed53eed2add1ee2eb637
title: Treating immigrants as slaves
uri: Treating-immigrants-as-slaves
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#6_July_2018_%28Treating_immigrants_as_slaves%29
content:
<p>
There is a systematic problem with immigrants in the US, those who are
jailed.  Thugs keep <a href="https://theintercept.com/2018/06/26/immigration-detention-center-abuse-ice/">treating them as slaves</a>.


feed_id: 2aa2d0dbe96ce87f5a954fb142360aff
title: Mass shootings and misogyny
uri: 2018-07-07-Mass-shootings-and-misogyny
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#6_July_2018_%28Mass_shootings_and_misogyny%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2018/jun/29/mass-shootings-white-male-fragility-capital-gazette-maryland-misogyny">More than half of mass shootings</a> are motivated by misogyny.
<p>
I am not surprised that many of them showed signs that led people to
wonder if they were dangerous.  Nonetheless, the percentage of
misogynists that actually become dangerous is tiny, and it is hard
to predict who is part of that percentage.


feed_id: 6f13153737a11723c9635b887a4ddfe8
title: Dicamba herbicide
uri: Dicamba-herbicide
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#6_July_2018_%28Dicamba_herbicide%29
content:
<p>
Monsanto's herbicide dicamba is now made by Bayer, but it still has
the same problem: when sprayed in warm weather (such as in June),
it can <a href="https://www.motherjones.com/food/2018/06/bayer-bought-monsanto-and-is-now-stuck-with-its-biggest-headache/">vaporize and spread to other fields</a> where it kills the crops.


feed_id: 7f10acf63c58976b0c647f9e8fecc468
title: Census undercount
uri: Census-undercount
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#6_July_2018_%28Census_undercount%29
content:
<p>
The 2020 Census Could <a href="https://www.motherjones.com/politics/2018/06/census-undercount-millions-of-kids/">Overlook Millions of (low income) Kids</a>, Report Finds.


feed_id: 3c147f1c731e216b6f2f734f8a3d2b6e
title: Letting a boat sink
uri: Letting-a-boat-sink
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#6_July_2018_%28Letting_a_boat_sink%29
content:
<p>
Italy and Libya told a nearby rescue ship to stay away from a sinking
boat with 125 people on it.  Then they waited 90 minutes, until <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/jun/29/italy-and-libya-accused-after-migrant-deaths-in-dinghy-sinking">100 of them
had drowned</a>.


feed_id: f655157454475cda3604c1207805e020
title: California privacy law
uri: California-privacy-law
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#6_July_2018_%28California_privacy_law%29
content:
<p>
The <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2018/06/29/promising-bellwether-or-utter-failure-california-passes-landmark-privacy-law-online">California privacy law was passed</a> to forestall a ballot question
that would have gone further.
<p>
However, it looks like the ballot initiative was also limited to
regulating businesses that collect data.  Would it have done anything
about government face recognition cameras?


feed_id: 38cd5939cb854fc5e5c4572a3ef45afd
title: Uranium in North Korea
uri: Uranium-in-North-Korea
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#6_July_2018_%28Uranium_in_North_Korea%29
content:
<p>
US spy officials say that North Korea is <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/jun/30/north-korea-still-secretly-enriching-uranium-say-us-officials">still enriching uranium</a>,
and say this is "deceiving" the US.
<p>
But it would not be a deception, rather a reflection of the fact that
North Korea has not made a concrete deal with concrete commitments
about nuclear weapons.


feed_id: c6905628a2f825ec485e64d20d75c9ea
title: Wood pellets
uri: Wood-pellets
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#6_July_2018_%28Wood_pellets%29
content:
<p>
Wood pellets sound renewable.  Maybe they would be so if made from
fast-growing tree farms, but they are being made by cutting down
ordinary forests that would <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2018/jun/30/wood-pellets-biomass-environmental-impact">take a century to regrow</a>.
<p>
That's if they ever do regrow.  <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#global heating">Global heating</a> could prevent that.
This is why I have always been skeptical of "carbon offset" schemes
that <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#29_August_2017_(Planting_trees_to_take_CO2_out_of_air)">rely on planting trees</a>.


feed_id: e8f708bea8c94fceda02f444ad43fb53
title: Vehicle inspections
uri: Vehicle-inspections
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#6_July_2018_%28Vehicle_inspections%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://truthout.org/articles/when-everyone-is-a-suspect-how-vehicle-inspections-terrorize-immigrant-communities/">When Everyone Is a Suspect</a>: How Vehicle Inspections Terrorize Immigrant 
Communities.


feed_id: 84051f65d80ab8ba787c5719eaffd845
title: Right-wing manipulation
uri: Right-wing-manipulation
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#6_July_2018_%28Right-wing_manipulation%29
content:
<p>
Right-wing rich Americans can manipulate voters through Facebook as well
as Russians can.  And <a href="https://truthout.org/articles/1-8-billion-in-unregulated-digital-ads-could-sway-midterms/">they are doing it now</a>.


feed_id: 02505a8edb20e891b6c4f208b3f14479
title: Campaigns against unions
uri: Campaigns-against-unions
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#6_July_2018_%28Campaigns_against_unions%29
content:
<p>
Massively-funded right-wing campaigns are pressuring public workers
<a href="https://theintercept.com/2018/06/30/janus-bleed-unions-state-policy-network/">to stop supporting the unions</a> that represent them.
In private, they admit that their goal is to deny the Democratic Party
election funds and votes.
<p>
The party's best hope in coping with this
is to choose progressive candidates that give voters an opportunity to
aim for more than delaying the advance of plutocratist poverty.


feed_id: 0b9f4ca178cb1488d71f73865dceba61
title: Refugees in Syria
uri: Refugees-in-Syria
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#6_July_2018_%28Refugees_in_Syria%29
content:
<p>
Assad's forces are <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/jun/30/syria-southern-towns-surrender-to-assad-forces">driving 160,000 refugees</a> towards borders they won't
be allowed to cross.


feed_id: aa8fcdc8b7ecf084dfc31d7ca6aaac76
title: NSA dragnet
uri: NSA-dragnet
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#6_July_2018_%28NSA_dragnet%29
content:
<p>
ACLU: <a href="https://www.aclu.org/blog/national-security/privacy-and-surveillance/nsa-using-secrecy-avoid-courtroom-reckoning-its">The NSA Is Using Secrecy</a> to Avoid a Courtroom Reckoning on Its
Global Surveillance Dragnet.


feed_id: 68823aee30f70bef3818418d4fe99976
title: China's largest lake dry
uri: China-s-largest-lake-dry
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#7_July_2018_%28Chinas_largest_lake_dry%29
content:
<p>
The Three Gorges Dam has reduced water flow in the Yangtze river, and
China's largest lake 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2012/jan/31/china-freshwater-lake-dries-up">has
dried up</a>.
<p>
Building the dam was 
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2011-may-aug.html#21%20May%202011%20(Yangtze%20River%20Problems)">itself
an atrocity</a>, since the three gorges were considered a treasure of
special beauty.


feed_id: 754279a4d77c7d3bc68ed3f93c7226b1
title: Banality of evil
uri: Banality-of-evil
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#7_July_2018_%28Banality_of_evil%29
content:
<p>
A publication of videos made by Islamist terrorists demonstrates
another form of the banality of evil: terrorists 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/jul/01/film-maker-defends-use-of-footage-shot-by-al-qaida-terrorists">play
football, then drive off to do a suicide bombing</a>.


feed_id: 3778f2a5e06d782f8d972d0692459613
title: US immigration thug sexually abuses child
uri: US-immigration-thug-sexually-abuses-child
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#7_July_2018_%28US_immigration_thug_sexually_abuses_child%29

content:
<p>
One <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thug</a> in a US immigration prison sexually abused a child for
months, and 
<a href="https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2018/6/18/1772895/-Detention-officer-arrested-for-sexually-assaulting-a-4-year-old-threatening-mom-with-deportation">threatened
to have the child's mother deported if she complained</a>.
<p>
If he can get them deported before his trial, there might be no
witnesses to testify against him.


feed_id: 6200a40ff2a35cc517d1534fc874f12a
title: The troll's tariffs
uri: The-troll-s-tariffs
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#7_July_2018_%28The_trolls_tariffs%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#bully">The bully</a>'s 
<a href="https://www.bunniestudios.com/blog/?p=5349">tariffs on
electronic components</a> will tend to push assembly of products out
of the US.  It will penalize small businesses, as well as makers.


feed_id: 1818b1989006d1da4ccffdfa6ce302ff
title: Recognition of people from their speech
uri: Recognition-of-people-from-their-speech
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#7_July_2018_%28Recognition_of_people_from_their_speech%29

content:
<p>
Recognition of people from their speech 
<a href="https://theintercept.com/2018/06/25/interpol-voice-identification-database/">threatens
to identify everyone making a phone call, as well everyone listened to
by a portable listening device</a>.
<p>
A byproduct is that people may be harassed and threatened due to
inaccurate data base entries that label them as suspects.
<p>
I propose legal limits on whose data can be included in data bases
for such recognition.


feed_id: 989c00390dc6d17626fed6e8d2a883d3
title: Teenage workers on tobacco farms
uri: Teenage-workers-on-tobacco-farms
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#7_July_2018_%28Teenage_workers_on_tobacco_farms%29
content:
<p>
Using teenagers as workers is 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2018/jun/26/child-labour-tobacco-fields-multinationals-life-chances-destroyed">standard
practice in tobacco farms in many poor countries</a>.  Some of them
can't go to school, as a result.


feed_id: 7e2da6a2fbe43709b82dc6de19a7fe62
title: ICE
uri: 2018-07-08-ICE
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#7_July_2018_%28ICE%29
content:
<p>
Zephyr Teachout: ICE is a 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2018/jun/25/ice-tool-illegality-abolish-zephyr-teachout">tool
of illegality</a>. It must be abolished.


feed_id: 9d50b2b37a881c7f0413541aff6bbb92
title: Generic drugs in India
uri: Generic-drugs-in-India
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#7_July_2018_%28Generic_drugs_in_India%29
content:
<p>
India is 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2018/jun/25/this-scheme-is-a-lifesaver-india-drive-to-provide-cheap-medicine-jan-aushadi">promoting
generic drugs</a>, because 55 million Indians fall into poverty each
year due to the cost of medicines.
<p>
I do wonder why ordinary pharmacies in India don't sell these generic
drugs.


feed_id: a87c854dc4f27bf9f0067bdfd6b385c8
title: Unmonitored opioid prescriptions
uri: Unmonitored-opioid-prescriptions
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#7_July_2018_%28Unmonitored_opioid_prescriptions%29
content:
<p>
A doctor in Britain killed almost a hundred people, unintentionally,
by
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/society/2018/jun/20/gosport-war-memorial-hospital-jane-barton-inquiry-suspicious-deaths">prescribing
opioids and failing to monitor them</a>.
<p>
This was not an act of euthanasia, but it 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2018/jun/25/right-to-die-law-prevent-another-gosport-scandal">may
be cited to oppose the right to euthanasia</a>, as well as to deny
people in great pain the treatment they need.
<p>
A proper right-to-die law should not make people wait for years in
pain, or in helpless boredom, until death is only a few months away.
Anyone who is too incapacitated to commit suicide alone should have
the right to help.


feed_id: fa53956704a78d1a97175fb89afc0e8f
title: Paper bags and plastic bags
uri: Paper-bags-and-plastic-bags
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#7_July_2018_%28Paper_bags_and_plastic_bags%29
content:
<p>
Paper bag or plastic bag?  
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/business/2018/jun/25/morrisons-paper-bag-switch-is-bad-for-global-warming-say-environment-agency">Each
one is worse for the environment in some ways</a>.


feed_id: df3296057562470296c845f953733458
title: The Democratic Party
uri: 2018-07-08-The-Democratic-Party
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#7_July_2018_%28The_Democratic_Party%29
content:
<p>
The Democratic Party must embrace the 
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2018/06/25/lessons-healthcare-wars-or-why-democrats-will-be-disappointed-2018">progressive
ideas that Democrats uphold</a>, or it can't lead them to an election
victory.


feed_id: 9c9e673ff293d098155664fb2279b490
title: Repressive form of internet
uri: Repressive-form-of-internet
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#7_July_2018_%28Repressive_form_of_internet%29
content:
<p>
China is 
<a href="https://www.theatlantic.com/international/archive/2018/06/zte-huawei-china-trump-trade-cyber/563033/">spreading
a repressive form of internet</a> to repressive countries around the
world.
<p>
The article spreads confusion when it uses the term "intellectual
property".  What this article really means is "trade secrets".
Another article may use the same phrase to mean "copyright".  Yet
another may use it to mean "patents".
<a href="https://gnu.org/philosophy/not-ipr.html">The three have
nothing in common</a>, so any use of a term that tries to generalize
about all of them (and other things, too!) is pure confusion.


feed_id: 4241f3200ab9ba23fa80b5df619c483c
title: Urgent: Divest from weapons companies
uri: Urgent-Divest-from-weapons-companies
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#7_July_2018_%28Urgent%3A_Divest_from_weapons_companies%29

content:
<p>
Everyone: <a href="https://actionnetwork.org/petitions/public-pensions-must-divest-from-weapons-dealers">call on all governments</a> to divest public pension funds from
weapons companies.


feed_id: db6c171e54f1c0285b8922ee33c6f402
title: Urgent: Profiting from refugee imprisonment
uri: Urgent-Profiting-from-refugee-imprisonment
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#7_July_2018_%28Urgent%3A_Profiting_from_refugee_imprisonment%29

content:
<p>
Everyone: <a href="https://act.credoaction.com/sign/wells_fargo_immigration">call on Wells Fargo, JPMorgan Chase and BlackRock</a> to stop profiting
from imprisonment of refugees.


feed_id: 2e50330573754d342c0d5535b0c68816
title: New Jersey taxes
uri: New-Jersey-taxes
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#7_July_2018_%28New_Jersey_taxes%29
content:
<p>
New Jersey's Democratic governor wants to undo Republican tax cuts,
but Democratic legislators are <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2018/06/24/new-jerseys-governor-just-proposed-millionaires-tax-so-why-legislature-opposing-it">protecting the rich</a> from paying more
tax.
<p>
Raising the sales tax is wrong, because that falls mainly on the poor.
The tax increase should be directed only at income tax, so as to spare
the poor.


feed_id: 9f94e7f0fa1d0cc694c920e91ba04b57
title: Prisoners talking to the press
uri: Prisoners-talking-to-the-press
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#7_July_2018_%28Prisoners_talking_to_the_press%29
content:
<p>
In a prison for child refugees, a guard threatened prisoners <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2018/06/26/whistleblower-leaks-video-detention-facility-where-children-were-threatened-against">they
would be denied asylum</a> if they talked to the press.


feed_id: 8f56522d2cfbac27dcd6b9c767d32482
title: Countries accepting refugees
uri: Countries-accepting-refugees
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#7_July_2018_%28Countries_accepting_refugees%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2018/jun/26/europe-learn-africa-refugees-solutions">Some poor African countries</a> accept refugees and don't repress them.
<p>
Perhaps wealthier countries could do the same, if they weren't ruled
by stingy rich people that want to starve the poor.


feed_id: 0d6b4c9c5091bf29b615331885d7751d
title: Palm oil alternatives
uri: Palm-oil-alternatives
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#7_July_2018_%28Palm_oil_alternatives%29
content:
<p>
Reportedly the alternatives to palm oil would <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2018/jun/26/palm-oil-disastrous-for-wildlife-but-here-to-stay-experts-warn">require a lot more land</a>
to produce the same amount of oil.  The problem with palm oil is that
people cut down lots of forests to grow it.  Certification programs
to stop such deforestation are ineffective.
<p>
I wonder if the other crops are more suitable than palm oil for land
that is not forest and hasn't been forest.


feed_id: 35aae5748a12e3d7de3d494b8b5da3fc
title: Independent Workers Union of GB
uri: Independent-Workers-Union-of-GB
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#7_July_2018_%28Independent_Workers_Union_of_GB%29
content:
<p>
The Independent Workers Union of Great Britain is unionizing the sweatshop
service economy and <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2018/jul/01/union-beating-gig-economy-giants-iwgb-zero-hours-workers">achieving victories</a>.


feed_id: c508dd94ef71eef08a4270147106cff6
title: Stealing sand
uri: Stealing-sand
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#7_July_2018_%28Stealing_sand%29
content:
<p>
The global supply of sand suitable for making concrete is insufficient,
so gangs <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/global/2018/jul/01/riddle-of-the-sands-the-truth-behind-stolen-beaches-and-dredged-islands">steal sand from beaches</a>, and in some places kill anyone who tries
to report or stop them.


feed_id: 788ec69ef34bf04f98e9851a2897a2fc
title: Babies in court
uri: Babies-in-court
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#7_July_2018_%28Babies_in_court%29
content:
<p>
US immigration courts often require babies to <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2018/06/30/politics/children-in-court/index.html">represent themselves in
court</a>.


feed_id: 1b2984fd45bff4c6762a9231ed2fef63
title: Tortured prisoner
uri: Tortured-prisoner
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#7_July_2018_%28Tortured_prisoner%29
content:
<p>
When UK officials demanded answers from abu Zubaydah, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2018/jun/30/british-intelligence-officers-linked-to-man-waterboarded-83-times-mi6-cia-rendition">they knew he was
being tortured</a>.
<p>
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2018/jul/01/torture-uk-intelligence-agencies-rendition-mi6-i-was-lied-to-again-and-again">Reporter Peter Beaumont describes</a> how officials of various levels told
specific and general lies, for decades.


feed_id: 37e6a33922daffb0b0b84aa65a501449
title: Carole Cadwalladr
uri: Carole-Cadwalladr
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#7_July_2018_%28Carole_Cadwalladr%29
content:
<p>
Journalist Carole Cadwalladr revealed the election manipulation
of Cambridge Analytica and Facebook, and the manipulators are
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2018/jul/01/carole-cadwalladr-orwell-prize-cambridge-analytica">trying to punish her</a> to teach everyone subservience.


feed_id: fe62663f9e9444ab6c3c39e7cb78c353
title: Hostility to migrants
uri: Hostility-to-migrants
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#7_July_2018_%28Hostility_to_migrants%29
content:
<p>
"Hostility to migrants is not born of rising numbers but <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2018/jul/01/european-union-migration-crisis-survey-on-attitudes-to-migrants">a failure of hope</a>."
<p>
Hostility to immigrants comes from a society of distrust for
institutions, and when all the major political parties are more or
less plutocratist, that is sure to arouse distrust from the non-rich
citizens that they harm.


feed_id: 6035c03a704183bd248a83bfc2fa2d1a
title: Soldiers and civilian hostages
uri: Soldiers-and-civilian-hostages
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#7_July_2018_%28Soldiers_and_civilian_hostages%29
content:
<p>
Some present and former US soldiers say that being ordered to jail
civilian hostages will <a href="https://www.thedailybeast.com/detention-camps-on-military-bases-smacks-of-totalitarianism-troops-say">pervert their sense of honor</a> as soldiers, and
that the practice will cause lasting problems.
<p>
What will soldiers do, having been placed in this moral contradiction by
their commanders?  Some will find ways to get out of the military.  I fear
that the rest will replace their sense of honor with cynicism, so that they
will be able to commit any crime and feel nothing.  Just as soldiers occupying
Iraq and Afghanistan did, and do, dehumanize the occupied civilians so as to
kill them with no guilt, these soldiers will learn to dehumanize immigrants,
maybe all civilians.
<p>
I suspect the sadist and his advisors have discussed the matter and
that that is one of the results they aim for.


feed_id: 91f14c46f27d6a0e78f96673842ef531
title: Campaign for war with Iran
uri: Campaign-for-war-with-Iran
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#7_July_2018_%28Campaign_for_war_with_Iran%29
content:
<p>
The neocons are <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2018/jun/30/rudy-giuliani-mek-iran-paris-rally">reprising their campaign</a> for the US to go to war with Iran.
<p>
Where does the Mujahedin-e-Khalq get all that money?  From <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#salafi">Salafi Arabia</a>,
I suspect.


feed_id: 09583f92ab5d3fdc70e132f4f3104035
title: Urgent: Contracts for imprisoning refugees
uri: Urgent-Contracts-for-imprisoning-refugees
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#8_July_2018_%28Urgent%3A_Contracts_for_imprisoning_refugees%29

content:
<p>
US citizens: <a href="http://act.winwithoutwar.org/sign/tell-defense-contractors-no-war-profits-caging-kids">Tell the CEOs of General Dynamics and MVM</a> to cancel their
contracts for imprisoning refugees.


feed_id: 8cf45526b6c70b571763a10c9f1675c0
title: Punishing the poor in Denmark
uri: Punishing-the-poor-in-Denmark
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#8_July_2018_%28Punishing_the_poor_in_Denmark%29
content:
<p>
Right-wing politicians in Denmark are passing laws to punish children
that live in districts of poverty and unemployment &mdash; because
they presume that <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2018/07/01/world/europe/denmark-immigrant-ghettos.html">is a stand in for "Muslim"</a>.


feed_id: eb3ce7436d6fb23aa959edc2a1d36b66
title: Tesla factory in Nevada
uri: Tesla-factory-in-Nevada
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#8_July_2018_%28Tesla_factory_in_Nevada%29
content:
<p>
A Tesla factory has brought many more workers to a corner of Nevada,
so poor people in the area can't afford a place to live.  The factory was
brought there with large tax subsidies, so the <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/cities/2018/jul/03/all-humanity-has-left-the-area-the-cities-paying-for-tesla-gigafactory">state has no funds</a> to help
with the social problems that the factory causes.
<p>
I have never accepted the idea that government's legitimate job
included trying to compete with other governments to offer businesses
the biggest tax breaks.  That approach is called "beggar thy neighbor"
and the only ones who benefit, overall, are the companies.
<p>
We should <a href="https://stallman.org/articles/states-union.html">put an end to it</a>.


feed_id: b45453b6a00aeceba4dc46762df353f9
title: Protests and political victories
uri: Protests-and-political-victories
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#8_July_2018_%28Protests_and_political_victories%29
content:
<p>
Protest rallies can lead to political victories when they <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2018/jul/03/dear-resistance-marching-is-not-enough">build
support for other actions</a> that can win the victories.


feed_id: 9908d87fbbebf43f1a3706f5510faa25
title: Bernie Sanders and the Dem party
uri: Bernie-Sanders-and-the-Dem-party
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#8_July_2018_%28Bernie_Sanders_and_the_Dem_party%29
content:
<p>
Bernie Sanders represents what the Democratic Party <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2018/07/03/not-extreme-sanders-and-ocasio-cortezs-leftism-has-been-core-democratic-party">stood for
from 1932 to 1992</a>.
<p>
Plutocratic Democrats who reject that position try to present
themselves as the "center" by painting Sanders as the "opposite
extreme" from <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#cheater">the cheater</a>.


feed_id: 208e9242aecc8d00b11c95fba4ffffd4
title: Books about thugs' violence
uri: Books-about-thugs-violence
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#8_July_2018_%28Books_about_thugs%27_violence%29
content:
<p>
Thugs are trying to pressure a South Carolina school to <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/books/2018/jul/03/south-carolina-police-object-to-high-school-reading-list">drop two realistic
books</a> about thugs' violence from a summer reading lists.  "You must never
promote distrust of the police," they say.
<p>
How about if they make sure no one in their department would ever support
a lie about a victim of <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thug</a> violence?  Then they could say, with justice,
"There are no <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thugs</a> in our department, only police officers, so you can
trust us."


feed_id: e878c06bc30522b0a550e5bf59ea17a4
title: Pregnant teenagers
uri: Pregnant-teenagers
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#8_July_2018_%28Pregnant_teenagers%29
content:
<p>
Several African countries exclude pregnant teenagers from school.
Burundi says it will <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2018/jul/03/pregnant-teenage-girls-expectant-fathers-barred-school-burundi">exclude the fathers as well</a>, but it is unlikely
to be able to carry that out.
<p>
There seems to be no rational motive for this, so I suspect it is
motivated by religion-based hatred.  Teenage girls that can survive
only through prostitution can't stop unless offered another way to
survive; ironically, school is one way they could get that.  This
is typical of irrational hatred; it is too stupid to think about
goals and methods to achieve them.
<p>
If the goal is that fewer teenagers have babies, it would be more
effective to take a helpful approach, providing sex education,
contraception, and abortion.


feed_id: fdfec981e16a0dd323991b7ce0e57aca
title: Harvesting parsley in Gaza
uri: Harvesting-parsley-in-Gaza
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#8_July_2018_%28Harvesting_parsley_in_Gaza%29
content:
<p>
In Gaza, <a href="https://theintercept.com/2018/07/03/israel-palestine-agriculture-gaza/">harvesting parsley looks "suspicious"</a> to Israeli soldiers,
who might fire grenades at you and kill you.
<p>
If Israel wants a buffer zone around Gaza, it is entitled to create one
on the Israeli side of the border.


feed_id: ba5cd3728368b081f2f8105dfd0c06c4
title: Tim Geithner
uri: Tim-Geithner
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#8_July_2018_%28Tim_Geithner%29
content:
<p>
After Long Career Bailing Out Big Banks, Obama Treasury Secretary Tim
Geithner <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2018/07/02/after-long-career-bailing-out-big-banks-obama-treasury-secretary-tim-geithner-now">Now Runs Predatory Firm</a> That Exploits the Poor for Profit.


feed_id: a71afaba0c1ee2e17eab4998bd14537e
title: Residences as investments
uri: Residences-as-investments
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#8_July_2018_%28Residences_as_investments%29
content:
<p>
The mayors of London and Barcelona call for power to <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2018/jul/03/city-properties-homes-people-first-london-barcelona">prevent using residential
space as empty investments</a>.


feed_id: 9269e1744888c58690064b70ee470282
title: Skirts in school
uri: Skirts-in-school
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#8_July_2018_%28Skirts_in_school%29
content:
<p>
"<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2018/jul/03/ban-skirts-in-school-gender-stereotypes">Don't ban skirts in school.</a> Let everybody wear them."
<p>
The idea of requiring students to wear a specific uniform
strikes me as mere repression.


feed_id: 7afede5a760939d9876814b40bbc13ea
title: Plastic bags and bottles
uri: Plastic-bags-and-bottles
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#8_July_2018_%28Plastic_bags_and_bottles%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2018/jul/03/himalayan-state-sikkim-india-war-plastic-bags">Sikkim's example demonstrates</a> what is required to entirely stop the
use of plastic bags and bottles.


feed_id: bbcc9b3a566826742e42d6cf09a18df0
title: Endangered Species Act
uri: 2018-07-09-Endangered-Species-Act
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#8_July_2018_%28Endangered_Species_Act%29
content:
<p>
Republicans want to "modernize" the Endangered Species Act so that it
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2018/07/02/gop-pushes-overhaul-conservationists-mobilize-save-endangered-species-act-extinction">won't protect endangered species</a>.


feed_id: efee304a241a852e4ee3d817450a7c10
title: Most Americans are poor
uri: Most-Americans-are-poor
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#8_July_2018_%28Most_Americans_are_poor%29
content:
<p>
There are many ways to judge whether people are poor.  In general, they lead
to the conclusion that <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2018/07/02/more-evidence-half-americans-are-or-near-poverty">most Americans are poor</a>.


feed_id: 8d0d9fd5dc29359b9b9ee45ed46d090d
title: Principle behind Roe v Wade
uri: Principle-behind-Roe-v-Wade
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#8_July_2018_%28Principle_behind_Roe_v_Wade%29
content:
<p>
The decision Roe v Wade was based on a <a href="https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2018/6/28/1776268/-If-Roe-goes-gay-rights-may-follow">principle called "substantive
due process"</a>, established by previous Supreme Court decisions and
applied in many other areas including contraception and the legalization
of homosexual sex.
<p>
Gorsuch opposes that principle in general, and the oppressor's other
Supreme Court nominees are likely to oppose it too.
<p>
The 49 Senate Democrats can't directly defeat a Supreme Court nominee,
but there are many things they can do to delay it &mdash; <em>if</em>
they stand firm and united.  With firmness, they have a chance of
<a href="https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2018/6/28/1776316/-What-can-Senate-Democrats-do-Lock-down-49-and-fight-like-hell">delaying until January</a>, when perhaps they will have a majority.


feed_id: 52f4e254ea35760daa80cd0d6958c1d1
title: War on Drugs in Mexico
uri: 2018-07-09-War-on-Drugs-in-Mexico
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#8_July_2018_%28War_on_Drugs_in_Mexico%29
content:
<p>
Mexico needs to end the War on Drugs.  But maybe it needs <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2018/jul/02/mexico-narco-nightmare-amnesty-traffickers">cooperation
from the US</a> to make this effective.


feed_id: d73f12cbfa01242b8bb1418892e89c69
title: Urgent: Immigration prison funding
uri: Urgent-Immigration-prison-funding
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#10_July_2018_%28Urgent%3A_Immigration_prison_funding%29

content:
<p>
Everyone: <a href="https://act.credoaction.com/sign/fidelity_vanguard_immigration">Tell Fidelity and Vanguard</a> to stop funding US immigration prisons.


feed_id: 7ce036cb92c9825eff539d6a501f759a
title: Urgent: Prosecution of refugees
uri: Urgent-Prosecution-of-refugees
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#10_July_2018_%28Urgent%3A_Prosecution_of_refugees%29

content:
<p>
US citizens: <a href="https://act.credoaction.com/sign/usattorneys_resisttrump">call on the US district attorneys</a> of regions near the
Mexican border to refuse to enforce "zero tolerance" prosecution of
all refugees.


feed_id: b6fed6ad85bcf7e840c379248afb8bbc
title: Terrorists in Guantanamo
uri: Terrorists-in-Guantanamo
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#10_July_2018_%28Terrorists_in_Guantanamo%29
content:
<p>
The first, and the worst, terrorists in the US Guantanamo naval base
were the ones that Washington <a href="https://theintercept.com/2018/07/04/guantanamo-bay-cuba/">directed to operate against Cuba</a>.


feed_id: 223b14884b16ff94a3e1dc7c484c3130
title: ICE holding hostages
uri: ICE-holding-hostages
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#10_July_2018_%28ICE_holding_hostages%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2018/07/03/ice-form-confirms-children-being-held-hostage-force-asylum-seeking-parents">ICE Form Confirms</a> Children Being "Held Hostage" to Force Asylum-Seeking
Parents to Relinquish Legal Rights.


feed_id: 284a0f545ffdf1c3fa6058145915e54f
title: Victor Jara murder
uri: Victor-Jara-murder
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#10_July_2018_%28Victor_Jara_murder%29
content:
<p>
Chilean army officers have been convicted of murdering singer Victor
Jara a few days after the 1973 coup against President Allende.  That
was <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/jul/03/victor-jara-ex-military-officers-sentenced-in-chile-for-1973-death">after torturing him first</a>.


feed_id: 179c81ada25309b64037565f3c034480
title: Sexual harassment precautions
uri: Sexual-harassment-precautions
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#10_July_2018_%28Sexual_harassment_precautions%29
content:
<p>
Could precautions against sexual harassment go too far?  They already
have gone much too far in a Netflix video production crew where <a href="https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/tv/news/netflix-sexual-harassment-training-rules-me-too-flirting-on-set-a8396431.html">total
asexuality has been imposed</a>.
<p>
Nasty as this is, it is small compared to the injustice Netflix
imposes on its users: DRM, tracking, and a jerkmaking "I won't share,
give or lend" contract.  For those reasons, I refuse to give Netflix
any business.


feed_id: 38989236e7deb07a0999a49cc9e27a62
title: Marijuana in Israeli army
uri: Marijuana-in-Israeli-army
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#10_July_2018_%28Marijuana_in_Israeli_army%29
content:
<p>
More than half of the Israeli army <a href="http://mondoweiss.net/2018/06/israeli-activists-palestinian-protesters/">regularly uses marijuana</a>.
<p>
This could be a reaction to moral discomfort with the nature of their
mission, just as it was when US soldiers in Vietnam used heroin.


feed_id: 67ed7b6a38d330158bb56f6cca236fc4
title: Trialing fascist ideas
uri: Trialing-fascist-ideas
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#10_July_2018_%28Trialling_fascist_ideas%29
content:
<p>
Comparing the <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#bully">bully</a>'s presented ideas with fascism leads to the
suspicion that he is <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2018/07/03/its-time-use-f-word-describe-trump">trialing various fascist ideas</a>, so as to find
ways to move the US in that direction.
<p>
The list of "characteristics of fascism" concerns what it presents to
the public, not its actions.  Its actions include repression of
dissent, violence, punishment without trial, and collaboration with
business.  All of them things that the <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#bully">bully</a> does.


feed_id: aa581afeeecedf374c4254b0ecc8005b
title: Pruitt's meetings
uri: Pruitt-s-meetings
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#10_July_2018_%28Pruitt%27s_meetings%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#saboteur">Saboteur</a> Pruitt's official published schedule of meetings was
falsified &mdash; <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2018/07/02/politics/scott-pruitt-whistleblower-secret-calendar/index.html">some meetings were left out</a>.


feed_id: e40b59cb0ea1e3303153820cbd061ee3
title: Pruitt confronted
uri: Pruitt-confronted
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#10_July_2018_%28Pruitt_confronted%29
content:
<p>
Kristin Mink <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2018/07/03/watch-woman-confronts-pruitt-dc-restaurant-demands-he-resign-what-hes-doing">confronted Saboteur Pruitt</a> as he was eating in a
restaurant and explained to him why he ought to resign.
<p>
Will Pruitt spend public funds to build his own personal restaurant
inside his
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#20_February_2018_(Pruitt's_isolation)">hyper-secure
EPA office</a>?


feed_id: 154f31e477f418f7991a8832f0afad8b
title: Oil tanker protest
uri: Oil-tanker-protest
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#10_July_2018_%28Oil_tanker_protest%29
content:
<p>
Greenpeace protesters climbed down ropes from a bridge to <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2018/07/03/climbers-blockade-trans-mountain-oil-tanker-traffic">block an oil
tanker from leaving Vancouver</a>, to highlight the danger of oil spills
that the Unkinder Morgan pipeline would create.


feed_id: 911a3ac67c4a1eaf5c8d024b047ca7fe
title: Medical care in Kentucky
uri: 2018-07-10-Medical-care-in-Kentucky
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#10_July_2018_%28Medical_care_in_Kentucky%29
content:
<p>
The Governor of Kentucky is determined to cut medical care for the
state's poor &mdash; <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2018/07/02/vindictive-and-cruel-after-work-requirements-struck-down-gop-governor-cancels-dental">the details don't matter</a> to him.


feed_id: ba356d1ea74b3be2931086cfd0a57f26
title: Obrador's lifestyle
uri: Obrador-s-lifestyle
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#10_July_2018_%28Obrador%27s_lifestyle%29
content:
<p>
Elected president López Obrador says he will <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/jul/03/mexico-amlo-president-no-bodyguards">not accept the usual
salary and mansion</a> of Mexican presidents.  Bravo!
<p>
He also says he will not accept bodyguards, because the people will
protect him.  I am sure they will want to protect him, but can they
do the job of professionals?
<p>
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2018/07/03/amlo-presidente-new-era-mexico">More about López Obrador.</a>


feed_id: 7da6a745339425887c9fc09ba32e7d73
title: Shooting a giraffe
uri: Shooting-a-giraffe
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#10_July_2018_%28Shooting_a_giraffe%29
content:
<p>
An American who shot a giraffe in Africa is being called <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/jul/03/american-woman-hunts-kills-giraffe-for-sport">a "murderer"
and a "savage"</a>.
<p>
I have no particular sympathy for hunting, and I want the giraffe
species to be protected.  Notwithstanding that, I think those
condemnations are unjustified.
<p>
I don't know enough about giraffe conservation to be sure whether
killing that particular giraffe was helpful or harmful.  But even if
we suppose it was harmful, the word "murderer" would be an
exaggeration.  A giraffe is not a person; it cannot be murdered.


feed_id: 02d3e61ec034355080cb7bb2f54654a1
title: Urgent: Indian Health Service protocols
uri: Urgent-Indian-Health-Service-protocols
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#10_July_2018_%28Urgent%3A_Indian_Health_Service_protocols%29

content:
<p>
US citizens: 
<a href="https://act.amnestyusa.org/page/21517/action/1">call on the
Indian Health Service</a> to implement its protocols for dealing with
reported "sexual assaults".


feed_id: aede7eada9c86c01ed76bd8c596d2d81
title: Urgent: Oppose underwater factory farms
uri: Urgent-Oppose-underwater-factory-farms
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#10_July_2018_%28Urgent%3A_Oppose_underwater_factory_farms%29

content:
<p>
US citizens: 
<a href="https://act.credoaction.com/sign/aquaa_act">oppose the
bill</a> to permit underwater factory farms in federal waters.


feed_id: f3f1bf2ff297306a674878d358cffc3c
title: Urgent: Divest from private prison companies
uri: Urgent-Divest-from-private-prison-companies
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#10_July_2018_%28Urgent%3A_Divest_from_private_prison_companies%29

content:
<p>
US citizens, 
<a href="http://act.presente.org/sign/wellsfargo/">tell Wells
Fargo</a>: divest from private prison companies.


feed_id: 9039d8ec8d32ca25716d3683ce75cafa
title: Poland
uri: 2018-07-11-Poland
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#10_July_2018_%28Poland%29
content:
<p>
Poland is holding a follow-up conference to the 2015 Paris conference,
which made a toothless agreement that is failing to curb global
heating.  Poland has prohibited protests in the host city, and
<a href="https://theintercept.com/2018/07/02/cop24-poland-surveillance-law/">authorized
itself to spy on people at will</a>.
<p>
Even worse, the Polish government is in the planet-roaster camp and is
already arranging to make the event useless.


feed_id: c289e2d3efcf7398df8a0a00204909b3
title: Establishment Democrats
uri: Establishment-Democrats
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#10_July_2018_%28Establishment_Democrats%29
content:
<p>
Senator Duckworth, a more or less establishment Democrat, 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2018/jul/01/democrats-ocasio-cortez-tammy-duckworth-midwest">said
that Socialists such as Ms Ocasio-Cortez could not get elected in the
Midwest</a>.
<p>
However, I don't know the Midwest very well, so I cannot say whether
that claim is right or wrong.  But I see a reason to suspect that the
statement is at least partly wishful thinking on Ms Duckworth's part.
<p>
She is 
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2018/06/15/progressives-denounce-democratic-senators-trying-keep-trump-permanent-war-footing">sponsoring
an amendment to make it difficult for the US to withdraw any troops
from South Korea</a>.  I have a suspicion she is connected with the
military-industrial complex.


feed_id: 207be6c9226623b48b9ff86eb7bfd604
title: Marketing of foods that lead to obesity
uri: Marketing-of-foods-that-lead-to-obesity
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#10_July_2018_%28Marketing_of_foods_that_lead_to_obesity%29

content:
<p>
Scotland 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/society/2018/jul/02/scottish-government-plans-restrictions-on-sugary-and-fatty-foods-to-tackle-obesity">plans
to limit marketing</a> of foods that lead to obesity.
<p>
This does not include prohibiting foods, only stopping businesses from
certain methods of encouraging people to buy them.  So I think this is
a legitimate policy.  It remains to be seen whether it is effective; I
hope so.


feed_id: a1902cd5c2c20b9ac5b163b1c7a84378
title: Poland's Supreme Court
uri: Poland-s-Supreme-Court
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#10_July_2018_%28Polands_Supreme_Court%29
content:
<p>
Poland's Supreme Court justices 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/jul/02/polands-supreme-court-constitutional-crisis-comes-to-a-head">decided
to resist</a> the government's attempt to exclude 1/3 of them, then
appoint lots more.


feed_id: fcd3cf21df1008454cc14c6d889c4241
title: Corporate welfare
uri: 2018-07-11-Corporate-welfare
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#10_July_2018_%28Corporate_welfare%29
content:
<p>
Giant digital tech companies including Apple, Amazon, Facebook and
Google are getting 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/cities/2018/jul/02/us-cities-and-states-give-big-tech-93bn-in-subsidies-in-five-years-tax-breaks">big
tax breaks from US cities and states</a> that compete to take jobs
away from other US cities and states.
<p>
These amount to almost 2 billion dollars a year.
<p>
We 
<a href="https://stallman.org/articles/states-union.html">need a federal law</a> to stop
cities and states from competing to kowtow to business.


feed_id: e1d42b9672246fc626bae626563e8d8c
title: Nauru
uri: 2018-07-11-Nauru
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#10_July_2018_%28Nauru%29
content:
<p>
Various Pacific island countries are 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/jul/02/nauru-blocks-abc-from-pacific-forum-over-bias-and-false-reporting">having
a diplomatic conference in Nauru</a>, which always 
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#20_February_2016_(Nauru_restricting_visits_by_Australians)">tightly
restricts the press</a>.
<p>
It appears that Nauru does so on behalf of the Australian government,
to help Australia evade press coverage of the immigration prison that
Australia pays Nauru to run.


feed_id: 8c769ed98c962fc077554bb1ca740ea2
title: Spanish Chambermaids fight exploitation
uri: Spanish-Chambermaids-fight-exploitation
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#10_July_2018_%28Spanish_Chambermaids_fight_exploitation%29

content:
<p>
Spanish Chambermaids Seek Tripadvisor's Help to 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/jul/02/spanish-chambermaids-seek-tripadvisor-help-to-fight-exploitation">Fight
Exploitation</a>.  I hope it works.


feed_id: 7f06b63b9abeed33598656ae012e9f92
title: Presidential election in Mexico
uri: Presidential-election-in-Mexico
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#10_July_2018_%28Presidential_election_in_Mexico%29
content:
<p>
The left candidate, 
<A href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/jul/02/mexicans-celebrate-new-president-andres-manuel-lopez-obrador">Andr&eacute;s
Manuel L&oacute;pez Obrador</a>, won the presidential election in
Mexico.
<p>
What he says is good, but people tell me he hasn't gone much into
details.  Meanwhile, 
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2018/07/01/mexicos-bernie-sanders-wins-huge-historic-landslide-mandate-reshape-nation">some
of the deals described here</a> may play into the hands of business.
<p>
His acknowledged victory demonstrates that the right wing didn't rig
the election.  That in itself is a step forward for Mexico, since
several presidential elections have been stolen in the past 20 years,
including once 
<a href="https://www.gregpalast.com/how-the-bernie-of-mexico-won-the-presidency/">from
L&oacute;pez Obrador</a>.
<p>
Greg Palast says that right-wingers are stealing elections for the
Mexican Senate, though.


feed_id: 946dc96c68f652a2c37d7b9238fe855e
title: Bugging of East Timor negotiators
uri: Bugging-of-East-Timor-negotiators
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#10_July_2018_%28Bugging_of_East_Timor_negotiators%29

content:
<p>
An Australian who revealed that Australia had bugged the East Timor
negotiators is 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2018/jul/02/timor-leste-bugging-scandal-decision-to-charge-former-spy-was-independent">being
prosecuted</a>; his lawyer is being prosecuted, too.
<p>
The attorney general blanks out the injustice of this with a 100%
closed mind.
<p>
The negotiations in which these events occurred were about how to do
something that must not be done at all: extracting fossil fuels from
the sea bottom between Australia and East Timor.


feed_id: cdb989b661baa6188bd60100a4e024cc
title: Poverty in Nigeria
uri: Poverty-in-Nigeria
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#10_July_2018_%28Poverty_in_Nigeria%29
content:
<p>
In Nigeria, poverty 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2018/jul/02/africa-nigeria-life-saving-optimism-teach-west-depression">does
not make people hopeless or depressed</a>.
<p>
Aside from the possible reasons in the article, I wonder if something
about Nigerian society makes it less dangerous simply to be poor.  If
you are confident you can last through a bout of poverty, that it
won't put you in debt or in jail, maybe it is no reason to despair.


feed_id: e7ccf35950fcbc3ce1565c576340fa08
title: Prison using children as hostages
uri: Prison-using-children-as-hostages
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#10_July_2018_%28Prison_using_children_as_hostages%29

content:
<p>
Guards in an immigration prison in Texas are telling the prisoners
that they can be immediately reunited with their children if they
<a href="https://www.texastribune.org/2018/06/24/kids-exchange-deportation-migrants-claim-they-were-promised-they-could/">agree
to deportation and give up their legal right to apply for asylum</a>.
<p>
This means, in effect, using their children as hostages.  Aside from
the injustice of this offer, it seems to be dishonest, since the US
government is apparently 
<a href="https://theintercept.com/2018/07/01/separated-children-adoption-immigration/">not
able to carry out that promise</a>.


feed_id: 7bd88dc948dda9f758661afaf511780c
title: Protests against cruelty to immigrants
uri: Protests-against-cruelty-to-immigrants
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#10_July_2018_%28Protests_against_cruelty_to_immigrants%29

content:
<p>
Hundreds of thousand protested on June 30, across the US, 
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2018/06/30/hundreds-thousands-take-streets-protest-trumps-zero-humanity-policies">against
the bully's cruelty to immigrants</a>.  Another article said a million
people participated.


feed_id: 7033dfb60f78f874564d3e132d30e6cd
title: State schools in England
uri: State-schools-in-England
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#10_July_2018_%28State_schools_in_England%29
content:
<p>
Making state schools in England compete with each other has led some
of them to "excel" by 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/education/2018/jun/30/coalition-education-reform-academies-fuelling-inequality">driving
away students that are less capable or need more help</a>.


feed_id: b1a06785af0b05b0b30208234d1551db
title: Endangered languages
uri: Endangered-languages
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#10_July_2018_%28Endangered_languages%29
content:
<p>
A
<a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20180623072757/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/long_reads/wikitongues-world-languages-linguicide-a8398551.html">Web-based
campaign</a> to preserve endangered languages.


feed_id: c5c3771e71a0fa9de4670a83f3b5a68b
title: Urgent: Tax cuts for the rich
uri: Urgent-Tax-cuts-for-the-rich
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#10_July_2018_%28Urgent%3A_Tax_cuts_for_the_rich%29
content:
<p>
US citizens: <a href="https://actionnetwork.org/petitions/take-action-stop-trumps-tax-scam-round-2-for-the-rich-and-powerful?nowrapper=true">Tell Congress</a> to block the second round of tax cuts for the rich.


feed_id: e0c665387f0fd348c575507ba2dc90e2
title: Buying political influence
uri: Buying-political-influence
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#10_July_2018_%28Buying_political_influence%29
content:
<p>
Rich people now pay to control US politics by <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2018/jul/05/american-elections-battle-billionaires-civic-inequality">buying influence at
every level</a> and through all kinds of institutions.


feed_id: 6736cf66c9005121a05219e3365168d7
title: Professional sports
uri: Professional-sports
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#10_July_2018_%28Professional_sports%29
content:
<p>
If you think that it makes sense to root for some football team's victory,
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/books/2018/jul/05/how-much-do-we-care-that-football-has-lost-its-soul">read this</a>.
<p>
Professional sports are a distraction so people won't get passionate about
kicking out plutocratic government.


feed_id: e427c3c0fe6e0b0ed3c6533c8cb337c6
title: Sex-change operations
uri: Sex-change-operations
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#10_July_2018_%28Sex-change_operations%29
content:
<p>
Acceptance of sex-change operations is leading some to <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2018/jul/05/dolls-dresses-no-proof-not-girl-pink-v-blue">subscribe to rigid
gender roles</a>: if you don't want to follow some gender role assigned to your
gender, they jump to the conclusion you need an operation.


feed_id: 888237be844063d1bbc4914cfdcc4efc
title: Museum funders
uri: Museum-funders
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#10_July_2018_%28Museum_funders%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/business/2018/jul/04/science-museum-under-pressure-to-shun-big-oil-sponsorship">Scientists
pressure London's Science Museum</a> to stop accepting funds from
planet-roaster interests.
<p>
Similar corruption occurs in the US &mdash; for instance,
with <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2013-may-aug.html#07_August_2013_(Urgent:_remove_David_Koch_from_its_advisory_board)">WGBH</a>
and
the <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#3_February_2018_(Urgent:_Museum_of_Natural_History)">Museum
of Natural History</a> in New York City.


feed_id: 48e1b878d60f9d703f2606bcd0d819ea
title: Incumbent plutocratist politicians
uri: Incumbent-plutocratist-politicians
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#10_July_2018_%28Incumbent_plutocratist_politicians%29

content:
<p>
Americans: stop voting for <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2018/07/04/listen-voters-if-you-want-change-you-cant-keep-voting-people-resisting-change">incumbent plutocratist politicians</a>!
<p>
You don't want to replace them with even viler plutocratists,
so what you need to do is elect a progressive in the Democratic primary.


feed_id: 51fd16c48e9734430e8f5b090a157921
title: Manafort's guidance to Russia
uri: Manafort-s-guidance-to-Russia
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#10_July_2018_%28Manafort%27s_guidance_to_Russia%29
content:
<p>
Manafort <a href="https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2018/7/3/1777649/-Paul-Manafort-and-Konstantin-Kilimnik-used-International-Republican-Institute-to-promote-Russia">provided propaganda guidance to Russia</a> starting in 2004, the
aim being target Ukraine.


feed_id: e374adbe50bd364703d461b32b470b7d
title: Can't afford an ambulance
uri: Can-t-afford-an-ambulance
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#10_July_2018_%28Can%27t_afford_an_ambulance%29
content:
<p>
"<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2018/07/04/i-cant-afford-trapped-and-injured-subway-car-woman-begged-bystanders-not-call">Don't
call an ambulance</a> &mdash; I can't afford it," said the injured
woman in Boston.


feed_id: 40deebb2f21ce623cdb287f691c46a57
title: Personal data and toxic waste
uri: Personal-data-and-toxic-waste
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#10_July_2018_%28Personal_data_and_toxic_waste%29
content:
<p>
Personal data has been compared to toxic waste.  That makes
Facebook <a href="http://locusmag.com/2018/07/cory-doctorow-zucks-empire-of-oily-rags/">comparable to a polluting industry</a> that survives
because it doesn't pay for the damage caused by the pollution.


feed_id: c5de3bba3a4961df3b9f59d1f3b51c84
title: Jesus in a cage
uri: Jesus-in-a-cage
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#10_July_2018_%28Jesus_in_a_cage%29
content:
<p>
A Christian church <a href="https://www.indystar.com/story/news/2018/07/03/ice-family-detention-protest-christ-church-cathedral-put-jesus-cage/753946002/">put up a display</a> of Jesus and his parents in a cage.
This can reclaim Christianity from being a support for cruelty and harshness.


feed_id: 15ddba0bcec7b17519393b6ad19d04d7
title: Defeating face recognition
uri: Defeating-face-recognition
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#10_July_2018_%28Defeating_face_recognition%29
content:
<p>
Juggalo face makeup <a href="https://theoutline.com/post/5172/juggalo-juggalette-facepaint-makeup-hack-beat-facial-recognition-technology">defeats face recognition systems</a>.
<p>
This is a step forward, but not enough to make face recognition cease
to be a threat to human rights.  We need laws that strictly limit whose
faces can be included in the data base for a face recognition system.


feed_id: bc1a3993db03a478fa828c3b7746a83b
title: 'Leave' campaign cheated
uri: Leave-campaign-cheated
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#10_July_2018_%28%27Leave%27_campaign_cheated%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2018/jul/04/vote-leave-cheated-will-people-mps-electoral-commission">Clear and specific proof</a> that the UK's "leave" campaign cheated in use
of campaign funds means that the referendum result must be rejected as
invalid.


feed_id: e4caf84b62f1d7fcd4829407a0631ced
title: UK court orders
uri: UK-court-orders
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#10_July_2018_%28UK_court_orders%29
content:
<p>
UK courts are allowed to make outrageous orders, prohibiting "crimes"
that are not crimes at all.  One couple was ordered <a href="https://www.thesun.co.uk/news/6647445/couple-face-prosecution-if-they-look-at-their-neighbours-home-after-police-were-called-in-over-building-work-row/">never to look
at a neighboring home</a>.


feed_id: 37e93c76105be76c0648dae7a0d491c8
title: Fossil fuel tax
uri: Fossil-fuel-tax
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#10_July_2018_%28Fossil_fuel_tax%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/climate-consensus-97-per-cent/2018/jul/04/declare-energy-independence-with-carbon-dividends">Here is an economic explanation</a> of why a gradually increasing tax on
fossil fuels, returned directly to households by dividing up the
money, would boost the economy for everyone while pressuring all
people and businesses to use less fossil fuel.
<p>
Returning the tax to households, if done in proportion the number of
people in each household, would be almost equivalent to an
unconditional national income.


feed_id: 12bbba5c3bc2127de2b436241c13b5fc
title: Retail workers losing out
uri: Retail-workers-losing-out
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#10_July_2018_%28Retail_workers_losing_out%29
content:
<p>
As stores close, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/cities/2018/jul/04/in-big-tech-v-big-retail-the-real-losers-are-store-workers-sears-amazon">retail workers lose out</a> to big tech.
<p>
Customers lose, too &mdash; there are fewer things we can buy without
oppressive tracking.  I won't buy anything from Amazon, because no
data base should attach my purchases to my name.
<p>
We don't have to permit this to happen.
<p>
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/cities/2018/jul/04/is-bezos-holding-seattle-hostage-the-cost-of-being-amazons-home">Is Bezos Holding Seattle Hostage?</a> The Cost of Being Amazon's Home.


feed_id: d73248639754aa62db353547f026f8cc
title: Journalism and trust
uri: Journalism-and-trust
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#10_July_2018_%28Journalism_and_trust%29
content:
<p>
Focusing journalism mainly on exposing corruption and cruelty tends to
teach people a right-wing viewpoint &mdash; <a href="https://theintercept.com/2018/07/04/july-4th-alexandria-ocasio-cortez/">that you can't trust anyone</a>.
<p>
Jefferson wrote about one widespread kind of political conflict,
between trusting the people to participate in government or excluding
them.  But the conflict in the US today is only partly about that.
The main question at stake is whether the rich can reduce most people
to desperate penury and convert them into serfs.


feed_id: 926c8818a81ede1167713abac2c9d073
title: Supreme Court nominees
uri: Supreme-Court-nominees
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#10_July_2018_%28Supreme_Court_nominees%29
content:
<p>
No Republican senate has confirmed a Democratic president's Supreme
Court nominee 
<a href="https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2018/6/29/1776484/-The-real-answer-to-Supreme-Court-power-politics-that-no-one-acknowledges">since
1895</a>.  So there should not be any expectation that Democrats ought
to vote to confirm a Republican nominee, especially if that nominee is
dodgy.
<p>
Obama tried nominating someone fairly right-wing, 
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2017-jan-apr.html#23_January_2017_(Pruitt_blocked_Merrick_Garland_from_Supreme_Court)">hoping
Republicans would make an exception</a>, but they held out for an
extremist.


feed_id: c5989026e9bfccd18b82c8febd5175a3
title: Republican not-sees
uri: Republican-not-sees
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#10_July_2018_%28Republican_not-sees%29
content:
<p>
The right-wing extremists and neo-Nazis swim in a sea of Republican
not-sees.  Here are 
<a href="https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2018/6/25/1775070/-How-Republicans-Dance-Around-the-Elephant-in-the-Room-and-How-to-Stop-Them-Cold">various
tactics they use not to see</a>.


feed_id: 45af1b9475e08b10ea79ee2e6288db9e
title: Trumpery
uri: 2018-07-11-Trumpery
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#10_July_2018_%28Trumpery%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2018/6/28/1776249/-Authoritarianism-Thrives-on-Demoralization-How-to-Fight-Trump-and-Stay-Psychologically-Healthy">Don't
let the trumpery make you demoralized</a>.  That's the bully's plan.
<p>
It is surely true that if Clinton had been elected president, the US
government would be defending abortion rights, and probably not
oppressing immigrants as much as is happening now.
<p>
Instead of right-wing extremist Gorsuch we would have a center-right
"moderate" like Merrick Garland, who would defend Roe v Wade but might
have joined in some of the bad decisions that the Supreme Court
actually made last week.
<p>
With Clinton, we would have had the 
<a href="https://stallman.org/business-supremacy-treaties.html">TPP</a>, and might not
have had the progressive resurgence that could take the US government
away from the rule of the rich.  It is not guaranteed that this
resurgence will win, but it gives us a chance.


feed_id: 58c1434c259c442a4835b2f42334ef4f
title: Judging teaching based on "big data"
uri: Judging-teaching-based-on-big-data
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#10_July_2018_%28Judging_teaching_based_on_big_data%29

content:
<p>
The Gates Foundation set up a system of judging teaching based on "big
data", which many states have employed for judging individual
teachers.  The system led to 
<a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/view/articles/2017-05-15/don-t-grade-teachers-with-a-bad-algorithm">inconsistent
results, on which teachers were fired</a>.
<p>
An independent study found that the system's results are 
<a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/view/articles/2018-06-27/here-s-how-not-to-improve-public-schools">meaningless</a>.


feed_id: ae820683acb97725dce26fdce80ffc3d
title: Overfishing of Japanese eels
uri: Overfishing-of-Japanese-eels
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#11_July_2018_%28Overfishing_of_Japanese_eels%29
content:
<p>
Japanese eels are 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/jul/06/japan-appetite-eel-same-fate-bluefin-tuna">severely
overfished</a> and this year's catch is down by 1/3 from last year's.
Short-termist governments are refusing to take the strong measures
that will be necessary to protect the species.


feed_id: 41bd4e0df46f2ee3c6dd0ad5302ac8e3
title: Saboteur of Housing and Urban Development
uri: Saboteur-of-Housing-and-Urban-Development
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#11_July_2018_%28Saboteur_of_Housing_and_Urban_Development%29

content:
<p>
Ben Carson, <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#saboteur">Saboteur</a> of Housing and Urban Development, has 
<a href="https://www.motherjones.com/politics/2018/07/ben-carsons-war-on-hud/">attempted
several important acts of sabotage</a>.


feed_id: 717b0b7e2c781e1d4de32f741cd2701e
title: Protest camps near ICE offices
uri: Protest-camps-near-ICE-offices
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#11_July_2018_%28Protest_camps_near_ICE_offices%29
content:
<p>
Americans have set up protest camps near ICE offices in several cities
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2018/jul/06/occupy-ice-movement-new-york-louisville-portland">demanding
to abolish the ICE</a> (the deportation thug agency).


feed_id: 17e232c55319d1bb1c3d1ef224f308c4
title: Air pollution from ships
uri: 2018-07-12-Air-pollution-from-ships
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#11_July_2018_%28Air_pollution_from_ships%29
content:
<p>
The engines of ships in the Mediterranean produce lots of air
pollution.  This is 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/jul/06/i-dont-want-ships-to-kill-me-marseille-fights-cruise-liner-pollution">especially
dangerous when they run their engines at a dock in a city</a>, right
next to where people live.


feed_id: cfdce87a62e08dd34a081cfc0239cb4d
title: Deportation of six-year-old girl
uri: Deportation-of-six-year-old-girl
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#11_July_2018_%28Deportation_of_six-year-old_girl%29
content:
<p>
A six-year-old Salvadorean girl was deported to El Salvador (where her
father was) after a 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2018/jul/06/border-family-separation-reunited-trauma-continues">month
of imprisonment by herself</a> in the US.
<p>
She is physically well, but psychologically harmed.


feed_id: a986b95d842d5926fbce75d74326ffb0
title: Protest outside of the Statue of Liberty
uri: Protest-outside-of-the-Statue-of-Liberty
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#11_July_2018_%28Protest_outside_of_the_Statue_of_Liberty%29

content:
<p>
Therese Patricia Okoumou climbed up the outside of the Statue of Liberty
as a 
<a href="https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2018/7/4/1778053/-Woman-Scales-Statue-Of-Liberty-To-Protest-Detention-Of-Children">protest
against imprisonment of refugees</a>.
<p>
<a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">Thugs</a> responded by 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2018/jul/05/statue-of-liberty-climber-therese-okoumou-pleads-not-guilty">forcing
all visitors off the island</a>.
<p>
I think this is an example of intentional overreaction.  Ordinary
overreaction is based on misunderstanding &mdash; for instance,
mistaking a phone for a gun and shooting the "armed suspect".
Intentional overreaction is an act of propaganda &mdash; an taking
actions that are clearly unwarranted with the aim of convincing people
that such actions are warranted.
<p>
Ms Okoumou is now threatened with a year's imprisonment, which
demonstrates how many ways <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thugs</a> have developed to construe a peaceful
and harmless protest as a crime.


feed_id: 633b57c361c6caed75c8598462f72a69
title: Canvassing while black
uri: Canvassing-while-black
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#11_July_2018_%28Canvassing_while_black%29
content:
<p>
As Oregon state Rep. Janelle Bynum was canvassing voters for the next
election, someone
<a href="https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2018/7/4/1777930/-Sheriff-s-office-called-on-Oregon-state-legislator-for-representing-constituents-while-black">called
the thug department, assuming she was a thief</a>.


feed_id: 774e00e88707c8691a81c51ecae1d2ee
title: Channel One's commercials
uri: Channel-One-s-commercials
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#11_July_2018_%28Channel_Ones_commercials%29
content:
<p>
Channel One's commercial advertisements to captive audiences in US
schools are
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2018/07/05/advocates-commercial-free-schools-cheer-channel-one-signs">coming
to an end</a>.


feed_id: fd8a55f9ef85a174b801dc1a24c5dc8f
title: Saboteur Pruitt
uri: 2018-07-12-Saboteur-Pruitt
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#11_July_2018_%28Saboteur_Pruitt%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#saboteur">Saboteur</a> Pruitt of the EPA has been 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2018/jul/05/scott-pruitt-what-it-took-to-get-him-to-resign-from-his-epa-job">forced
out due to many personal scandals</a>.
<p>
Any one of these scandals would have ended the career of any
politician in the past, but <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#cheater">the cheater</a> doesn't mind them.
<p>
His temporary replacement is 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2018/jul/06/who-is-andrew-wheeler-epa-environment-trump-weapon">likely
to commit the same sorts of sabotage</a>, but more systematically and
without the side-scandals.


feed_id: 8e746674aa8228038bd5297e830faeb6
title: Rohingyas repatriation agreement
uri: Rohingyas-repatriation-agreement
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#11_July_2018_%28Rohingyas_repatriation_agreement%29
content:
<p>
Rohingyas 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/jul/06/rohingya-refugees-reject-un-myanmar-repatriation-agreement">rejected</a>
a secret repatriation agreement which was negotiated between the UN
and the Burmese government without consulting the Rohingyas.


feed_id: de721c50eecef52b7826686b412cf2d1
title: Copyright censorship directive
uri: Copyright-censorship-directive
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#11_July_2018_%28Copyright_censorship_directive%29
content:
<p>
The EU Parliament 
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2018/07/05/eu-votes-down-disastrous-copyright-proposal-aimed-transforming-internet-virtual">rejected
the proposed new copyright directive</a> which would require automatic
copyright censorship.
<p>
However, the directive is not dead yet.  We have to continue fighting.


feed_id: 5167f1dcc03fe975a6f25fb62e62e088
title: Global heating and pests
uri: Global-heating-and-pests
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#11_July_2018_%28Global_heating_and_pests%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#global heating">Global heating</a> will enable pests to spread and wipe out the US wheat
harvest.  However, genetic engineering 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/jul/06/syrian-seeds-could-save-us-wheat-from-climate-menace">might
be able to make wheat that can resist the pests</a>.
<p>
I expect that these genes, taken from a related plant, would do not
biological harm &mdash; but they would spread patent pollution that
would drive further concentration of farming.


feed_id: 151d13be0ec8de4b2e3607693ad0f714
title: Extreme capitalism
uri: 2018-07-12-Extreme-capitalism
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#11_July_2018_%28Extreme_capitalism%29
content:
<p>
George Soros strove with all his intellect to use his money to protect
democracy &mdash; but he was 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/news/2018/jul/06/the-george-soros-philosophy-and-its-fatal-flaw">defeated
by extreme capitalism</a>.  Extreme capitalism treats democracy as an
inconvenience to be corrupted and subverted.
<p>
I do not reach the conclusion that his fundamental philosophical ideas
are deficient.  We cannot point to some other approach and assert with
confidence that it would have achieved more.


feed_id: db733bb8ba9bd293904935190ee2b2ba
title: Global heating effects
uri: 2018-07-12-Global-heating-effects
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#11_July_2018_%28Global_heating_effects%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#global heating">Global heating</a> effects 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2018/jul/06/global-temperature-rises-could-be-double-those-predicted-by-climate-modelling">won't
end in 2100</a>.  If we allow two degrees C of heating, the follow-on
could lead to 4 degrees.


feed_id: a001e98202c9d47f1f6a3f34234d817d
title: War on drugs
uri: 2018-07-12-War-on-drugs
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#11_July_2018_%28War_on_drugs%29
content:
<p>
Billy Caldwell needs his marijuana oil twice a day to treat his
epilepsy, and his mother will be forced to spend 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/society/2018/jul/05/cannabis-oil-row-billy-caldwell-under-hospital-arrest-says-mother">four
hours each time bringing him to the hospital and back</a>.
<p>
That leaves a total of 8 waking hours per day for all other waking
activities.


feed_id: 92b71d74f521935ef0c672070cdb518d
title: Gender-biased clause in Ireland's constitution
uri: Gender-biased-clause-in-Ireland-s-constitution
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#11_July_2018_%28Gender-biased_clause_in_Irelands_constitution%29

content:
<p>
Ireland 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/jul/05/ireland-to-vote-over-constitution-clause-on-womens-role-in-the-home">will
hold a referendum</a> to remove the remaining gender-biased clause
from its constitution.


feed_id: 0485b2a1fbecd6797c62cc08bc33e152
title: Social censorship web sites
uri: Social-censorship-web-sites
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#11_July_2018_%28Social_censorship_web_sites%29
content:
<p>
The US Declaration of Independence as well as other important
historical works have been 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/jul/05/facebook-declaration-of-independence-hate-speech">deleted
by various social censorship web sites</a>.
<p>
The case of the Declaration of Independence is an interesting one.  It
is true that talking of "merciless Indian savages" disparages an
ethnic group.  However, both the "Indians" and the English colonists
of the 1770s qualified as "merciless savages" by the modern moral
standards that Trump is now trying to abolish.  In context, the only
flaw in that statement is that it unfairly criticized the former and
not the latter.
<p>
The works deleted include the photo that helped end the Vietnam war,
which showed a naked Vietnamese girl running toward the camera.  The
photo doesn't show her back, which had been burned by a US napalm
bomb.
<p>
Rick Falkvinge warns that in some countries it is a crime to republish
that photo, because 
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2012-sep-dec.html#15_September_2012_(Censorship_of_child_pornography)">it
is considered "child pornography"</a>.


feed_id: 4076c4f1da93c20f85279fc9486e0d27
title: Curbing global heating
uri: 2018-07-12-Curbing-global-heating
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#11_July_2018_%28Curbing_global_heating%29
content:
<p>
Can business incentives (positive and negative) curb
<a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#global heating">global heating</a> in
time to avoid disaster?  Some candidates propose
<a href="https://theintercept.com/2018/07/05/climate-change-left-politics-policy/">stronger
measures</a>.
<p>
I think we should try the stronger measures &mdash; why bet that the
business incentives will suffice?


feed_id: f2378d6185423e03bf2314f2b65a2af0
title: US meat-processing plants
uri: US-meat-processing-plants
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#11_July_2018_%28US_meat-processing_plants%29
content:
<p>
Working in US meat-processing plants is a rather 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2018/jul/05/amputations-serious-injuries-us-meat-industry-plant">dangerous
occupation</a>.  Relaxing safety by speeding up the production line is
sure to make it more dangerous.


feed_id: 6ac972e4f8c720775e8776791378882f
title: Torture at Jail Ogaden
uri: Torture-at-Jail-Ogaden
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#11_July_2018_%28Torture_at_Jail_Ogaden%29
content:
<p>
Urging the new Prime Minister of Ethiopia to put an end to 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2018/jul/05/claims-torture-involving-officials-ethiopian-jail-ogaden">torture
at Jail Ogaden</a>.
<p>
The government has recently taken some actions in favor of human
rights, so maybe it will do some more.  It has a long way to go.


feed_id: 84e2f72c9198c817263ce5f09e941aed
title: Threatened species
uri: 2018-07-12-Threatened-species
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#11_July_2018_%28Threatened_species%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2018/jul/05/red-list-research-finds-26000-species-under-extinction-threat">26,000
species</a> are now classified as threatened.


feed_id: 50e9a69331e7dd4eea589b8bf86076b1
title: French thugs
uri: 2018-07-12-French-thugs
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#11_July_2018_%28French_thugs%29
content:
<p>
French <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thugs</a> shot and killed a Muslim, then 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/jul/05/security-forces-dispatched-to-nantes-after-police-shooting-sparks-violence">claimed
he had attacked them with his car</a>.  Witnesses say that claim was a
lie.
<p>
This touched off a riot in which people went crazy and destroyed
whatever they could get their hands on.


feed_id: 3fba37d701da900fe3b94334a597ea72
title: Urgent: Social Security act
uri: Urgent-Social-Security-act
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#12_July_2018_%28Urgent%3A_Social_Security_act%29
content:
<p>
US citizens: <a href="https://act.credoaction.com/sign/stop_war_on_social_security">tell Congress</a> to support the Social Security
Administration Fairness Act.


feed_id: f70e9e857077fb67b1421ffe863cfe86
title: Urgent: Justice for Anthony Wall
uri: Urgent-Justice-for-Anthony-Wall
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#12_July_2018_%28Urgent%3A_Justice_for_Anthony_Wall%29

content:
<p>
Everyone: <a href="https://campaigns.organizefor.org/petitions/justice-for-anthony-wall">Demand
justice for Anthony Wall</a>, who was attacked by restaurant staff and
then by <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thugs</a>, apparently for being black and gay.


feed_id: 0eecc0f35b4598e410b37827930e4302
title: Mueller's investigation
uri: Mueller-s-investigation
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#12_July_2018_%28Mueller%27s_investigation%29
content:
<p>
Mueller's investigation is <a href="https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2018/7/5/1778213/-Robert-Mueller-is-running-out-of-prosecutors-and-time-faster-than-he-s-running-out-of-crimes">buried in work</a>, there are so many leads to check
and people to prosecute or sentence.


feed_id: 49d159bde9608df7964344f704a39872
title: Record-setting heat wave
uri: 2018-07-13-Record-setting-heat-wave
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#12_July_2018_%28Record-setting_heat_wave%29
content:
<p>
Last week's <a href="https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2018/7/5/1777626/-Red-hot-planet-All-time-heat-records-have-been-set-all-over-the-world-during-the-past-week">record-setting heat wave</a>, in North America and Europe, was
unusual.
<p>
In a couple of decades, a heat wave at the same level will be so
common that it won't be worth reporting.


feed_id: 5b24cd78590fae0bd08357f28d6def5d
title: Black family in Subway
uri: Black-family-in-Subway
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#12_July_2018_%28Black_family_in_Subway%29
content:
<p>
A Subway employee reported a supposedly dangerous situation &mdash; a
black family had <a href="https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2018/7/5/1778297/-Subway-employee-calls-police-on-two-parents-and-their-four-kids-eating-dinner">stayed for a whole hour</a> while eating, and several had
used the toilet.  She was so rattled that she counted 6 people as 8
people.
<p>
Perhaps she assumed that nobody would stay in a "fast food" restaurant
for a whole hour except for evil purposes.


feed_id: 97de841ad020e9394629bfbf04841716
title: Sadism of immigration thugs
uri: Sadism-of-immigration-thugs
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#12_July_2018_%28Sadism_of_immigration_thugs%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2018/7/5/1778207/--He-was-full-of-dirt-and-lice-Court-documents-describe-cruel-treatment-of-migrant-kids-families">Court filings by refugee parents</a> show the abuse, dishonesty and
cruelty of the immigration <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thugs</a> toward both parents and children.
<p>
Those <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thugs</a> are getting off on sadism.  I wouldn't trust any of them
in a position of responsibility from which they could mistreat
vulnerable people.
<p>
Is there a psychological treatment to help them become decent members
of society?


feed_id: e1626584b7c0d9f1b0670b469f299cab
title: Surveillance by parents
uri: Surveillance-by-parents
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#12_July_2018_%28Surveillance_by_parents%29
content:
<p>
A US college student resents how digital surveillance by her parents
gave them power over <a href="https://letgrow.org/what-it-feels-like-to-grow-up-with-a-parent-reading-your-texts/">every aspect of her life</a>.


feed_id: ac41f096efa40802649f4fdc79ac55c9
title: California net neutrality bill
uri: California-net-neutrality-bill
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#12_July_2018_%28California_net_neutrality_bill%29
content:
<p>
Public pressure convinced California legislators to <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2018/07/06/californias-net-neutrality-bill-strong-again-because-you-spoke-out">reverse the amendments</a>
that weakened the network neutrality bill.
<p>
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#25_June_2018_(ATT-sponsored_California_state_rep)">For the previous events.</a>


feed_id: 835625a68a6518381afdc7f3c1bc753d
title: Federal guidelines cancelled
uri: Federal-guidelines-cancelled
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#12_July_2018_%28Federal_guidelines_cancelled%29
content:
<p>
Saboteur Sessions <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2018/07/06/jeff-sessions-sets-back-clock">cancelled some federal guidelines</a> about how federal
agencies should respect human rights.  These guidelines go back to
Presidents Obama, Bush II, and Ford.


feed_id: 88031a932826832a9305cb34a3d230c1
title: Andrew Wheeler
uri: Andrew-Wheeler
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#12_July_2018_%28Andrew_Wheeler%29
content:
<p>
Andrew Wheeler, who now runs the EPA, is not crazy and careless like
Pruitt.  He is a <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2018/07/06/how-dangerous-new-epa-chief-andrew-wheeler-very-heres-why">careful and persistent saboteur</a> for the coal
business.


feed_id: e7b06c7242ab19e7a8b55178ef00cf5e
title: Refugee and US citizen imprisonment
uri: Refugee-and-US-citizen-imprisonment
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#12_July_2018_%28Refugee_and_US_citizen_imprisonment%29

content:
<p>
ACLU: The widespread revulsion against imprisoning refugee children,
and subsequently indefinitely imprisoning refugee families, <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2018/07/06/family-separation-crisis-exposes-americas-addiction-incarceration">may
provide an opportunity</a> to win the campaign to stop imprisoning so many
US citizens.


feed_id: bf610212bed16d221c46d12eddc20773
title: French thug charged for killing
uri: French-thug-charged-for-killing
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#12_July_2018_%28French_thug_charged_for_killing%29
content:
<p>
A French <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thug</a> has been charged for a killing that sparked a riot,
and <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/jul/06/policeman-charged-for-shooting-that-sparked-riots-in-france">changed his story afterwards</a>.


feed_id: 34e47462d13748f5db051744602e62d7
title: End Citizens United group
uri: End-Citizens-United-group
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#12_July_2018_%28End_Citizens_United_group%29
content:
<p>
The group End Citizens United funds the reelection campaigns of
"centrist" Democrats who are <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2018/07/05/actions-speak-louder-words-prominent-group-end-citizens-united-called-out-backing">not especially strong</a> on getting money
out of politics.


feed_id: 29e717a805a3cd43ddf5b55f804d9ca3
title: Men who raped a journalist
uri: Men-who-raped-a-journalist
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#12_July_2018_%28Men_who_raped_a_journalist%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2018/jul/05/a-man-raped-me-another-tried-to-they-were-not-animals-they-were-men">A journalist says</a> that the strangers that raped her are not monsters or
animals.  They are men who think they can get away with violent crime.


feed_id: 52d3e2f09ae70345036d2e078dfb9f76
title: Harassing black drivers
uri: Harassing-black-drivers
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#12_July_2018_%28Harassing_black_drivers%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">Thugs</a> in the area of St Louis systematically harass black drivers by
giving them lots of traffic tickets that they can't afford to
pay.  They systematically allow white drivers to <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2018/jul/05/missouri-driving-while-black-st-louis">get away with much worse</a>.


feed_id: 3b1e2b048a3c64e1a2f6a4c78de1c968
title: Tennessee voter suppression
uri: Tennessee-voter-suppression
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#12_July_2018_%28Tennessee_voter_suppression%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2018/7/4/1777143/-Huge-News-Civil-Rights-1-Voter-Suppression-0">A US court ruled</a> that Tennessee cannot confiscate drivers' licenses because
people owe money.
<p>
This will thwart one scheme for voter suppression.


feed_id: 12b032a82fdea4c5800bb13f44e3b7b4
title: Lobster trapping and whales
uri: Lobster-trapping-and-whales
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#12_July_2018_%28Lobster_trapping_and_whales%29
content:
<p>
Is it wise to shut down lobster trapping in a region of the sea
because <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2018/jul/06/canada-grand-manan-ban-fishing-endangered-whale">a whale was spotted</a> in the area?


feed_id: 8a2b8055844896310f4ae135fea48cb2
title: Urgent: Attacks on endangered species
uri: Urgent-Attacks-on-endangered-species
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#13_July_2018_%28Urgent%3A_Attacks_on_endangered_species%29

content:
<p>
US citizens: <a href="https://secure.defenders.org/site/Advocacy?cmd=display&page=UserAction&id=3353">call on Congress</a> to stop attacks on endangered species in
the National Offense Authorization Act.


feed_id: 77c4846d3f8e003a712fbe8cdf2ab4e2
title: Urgent: Reject Kavanaugh
uri: Urgent-Reject-Kavanaugh
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#13_July_2018_%28Urgent%3A_Reject_Kavanaugh%29
content:
<p>
US citizens: phone these six senators and tell them not to approve
Kavanaugh for the Supreme Court.
<ul>
  <li>
    Joe Manchin (WV)
    <br>
    Phone: <a href="tel:+12022243954">(202) 224-3954</a>
    <br>
    Twitter: <a href="https://donate.splcenter.org/page.redir?target=http%3a%2f%2fbit.ly%2f2KXtKNz&srcid=1076882&srctid=1&erid=258968663&efndnum=15692756123&trid=6fa140ee-6590-42b3-8ace-48445475ee81">@Sen_JoeManchin</a>
  </li>
  <li>
    Joe Donnelly (IN)
    <br>
    Phone: <a href="tel:+12022244814">(202) 224-4814</a>
    <br>
    Twitter: <a href="https://donate.splcenter.org/page.redir?target=http%3a%2f%2fbit.ly%2f2L6fyi9&srcid=1076882&srctid=1&erid=258968663&efndnum=15692756123&trid=6fa140ee-6590-42b3-8ace-48445475ee81">@SenDonnelly</a>
  </li>
  <li>
    Heidi Heitkamp (ND)
    <br>
    Phone: <a href="tel:+12022242043">(202) 224-2043</a>
    <br>
    Twitter: <a href="https://donate.splcenter.org/page.redir?target=http%3a%2f%2fbit.ly%2f2umqf9b&srcid=1076882&srctid=1&erid=258968663&efndnum=15692756123&trid=6fa140ee-6590-42b3-8ace-48445475ee81">@SenatorHeitkamp</a>
  </li>
  <li>
    Lisa Murkowski (AK)
    <br>
    Phone: <a href="tel:+12022246665">(202) 224-6665</a>
    <br>
    Twitter: <a href="https://donate.splcenter.org/page.redir?target=http%3a%2f%2fbit.ly%2f2uafC9X&srcid=1076882&srctid=1&erid=258968663&efndnum=15692756123&trid=6fa140ee-6590-42b3-8ace-48445475ee81">@lisamurkowski</a>
  </li>
  <li>
    Susan Collins (ME)
    <br>
    Phone: <a href="tel:+12022242523">(202) 224-2523</a>
    <br>
    Twitter: <a href="https://donate.splcenter.org/page.redir?target=http%3a%2f%2fbit.ly%2f2KW0GWD&srcid=1076882&srctid=1&erid=258968663&efndnum=15692756123&trid=6fa140ee-6590-42b3-8ace-48445475ee81">@SenatorCollins</a>
  </li>
  <li>
    Doug Jones (AL)
    <br>
    Phone: <a href="tel:+12022244124">(202) 224-4124</a>
    <br>
    Twitter: <a href="https://donate.splcenter.org/page.redir?target=http%3a%2f%2fbit.ly%2f2JalfJS&srcid=1076882&srctid=1&erid=258968663&efndnum=15692756123&trid=6fa140ee-6590-42b3-8ace-48445475ee81">@SenDougJones</a>
  </li>
</ul>


feed_id: dca3b26d877ac219d4acaeefafd74abe
title: Hispanic refugees in prison
uri: Hispanic-refugees-in-prison
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#13_July_2018_%28Hispanic_refugees_in_prison%29
content:
<p>
Putting Hispanic refugees in prison resembles <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2018/07/07/trumps-racism-coils-around-black-children-south-american-immigrants">putting US blacks in prison</a>.


feed_id: 630a1a9c7c1aa407a47cb48cc091e815
title: State abortion laws
uri: State-abortion-laws
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#13_July_2018_%28State_abortion_laws%29
content:
<p>
With the threat that the <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#bully">bully</a> might nominate a Supreme Court justice
that would reverse Roe v Wade, it is necessary to <a href="https://www.wgbh.org/news/politics/2018/07/05/with-roe-v-wade-in-question-activists-push-mass-house-to-eliminate-archaic-abortion-laws">explicitly repeal
the state laws</a> that once prohibited abortion.


feed_id: e060bc01996f6da4e03bef74df8175a7
title: Coverage of multi-murderers
uri: Coverage-of-multi-murderers
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#13_July_2018_%28Coverage_of_multi-murderers%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2018/jul/07/no-notoriety-media-focus-victims-shooter">A press campaign aims</a> to deny multi-murderers the notoriety they expect
by focusing coverage on the victims instead.
<p>
It sounds wise to me &mdash; I suggest they join me in doing the same
thing to the <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#bully">bully</a>.


feed_id: b01db49b1fe09a009a96052385f5093f
title: Rocky Mountain firestorms
uri: Rocky-Mountain-firestorms
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#13_July_2018_%28Rocky_Mountain_firestorms%29
content:
<p>
The Rocky Mountains are now <a href="https://grist.org/article/weve-entered-the-era-of-fire-tsunamis/">home to enormous firestorms</a> that spread
unstoppably while the conditions favor them.
<p>
Although it is early in the summer, <a href="https://grist.org/article/the-west-is-burning-and-its-barely-july/">30 large fires are burning</a>.


feed_id: 3de34d6c60d07f7acd7d07319dc6c9cd
title: Arbitrary prohibitions in the UK
uri: Arbitrary-prohibitions-in-the-UK
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#13_July_2018_%28Arbitrary_prohibitions_in_the_UK%29
content:
<p>
UK law now orders functionaries to <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2018/jul/07/asbos-teenagers-petty-disputes-neighbours">impose prohibitions on any activity</a>
that someone else complains about.


feed_id: db08f7416e77a69e43462d8cb357f117
title: Old oil drilling platforms
uri: Old-oil-drilling-platforms
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#13_July_2018_%28Old_oil_drilling_platforms%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://e360.yale.edu/features/as-north-sea-oil-wanes-removing-abandoned-rigs-stirs-controversy">It may serve sea life better</a> to leave old, useless oil drilling
platforms in place, rather than remove them to "clean up".


feed_id: 48b439e815d0eaf03dab95c917b81a95
title: Pollution and diabetes
uri: Pollution-and-diabetes
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#13_July_2018_%28Pollution_and_diabetes%29
content:
<p>
A small increase in particulate pollution leads to a <a href="https://www.futurity.org/outdoor-air-pollution-diabetes-1803692-2/">substantial
increase in the rate of diabetes</a>.


feed_id: d79380a49950c03daa2727dafb0db14b
title: Undaunted Maxine Waters
uri: Undaunted-Maxine-Waters
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#13_July_2018_%28Undaunted_Maxine_Waters%29
content:
<p>
Rep. Maxine Waters <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2018/jul/07/maxine-waters-trump-progressives-california-congress">refuses to be daunted</a> by death threats from Republicans
or "be a nice girl" from plutocratist Democrats.
<p>
If your representative is a tie-it-behind-your-back Democrat that
criticizes champions like Maxine, ask per why not.


feed_id: 1b4bf16c3580ce054d8db20cc3fe2d36
title: Demolishing a Bedouin village
uri: Demolishing-a-Bedouin-village
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#13_July_2018_%28Demolishing_a_Bedouin_village%29
content:
<p>
Bedouin live in Khan al-Ahmar near Jerusalem because Israel forced
them out of the Negev desert decades ago.  Now Khan al-Ahmar stands
in the way completing the line of colonies meant to split the West Bank into
a northern part and a southern part, so Israel has <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/jul/07/khan-al-ahmar-west-bank-bedouin-village-facing-destruction">concocted a
Kafkaesque excuse</a> to demolish the village.


feed_id: 37058557eea6ff7996efdd79c2300354
title: Campaign to harm kids
uri: Campaign-to-harm-kids
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#13_July_2018_%28Campaign_to_harm_kids%29
content:
<p>
Using refugee children as hostages is a <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2018/07/05/theres-all-out-war-kids-and-not-just-border">part of the bully's broad campaign</a>
to harm kids (except rich people's kids).


feed_id: b955d373904e91d91de38afc74e328d5
title: UK refusing visas
uri: UK-refusing-visas
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#13_July_2018_%28UK_refusing_visas%29
content:
<p>
The UK frequently refuses visitor visas for <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2018/jul/06/lawyer-blames-visitor-visa-refusals-on-deep-underlying-racism">absurd and dishonest reasons</a>.


feed_id: 2119c0936c2de1df8a578b373a86d007
title: Russia's political prisoners
uri: Russia-s-political-prisoners
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#13_July_2018_%28Russia%27s_political_prisoners%29
content:
<p>
Russia is <a href="https://pen.org/he-can-still-be-saved-hunger-strike-oleg-sentsov/">holding around 70 Ukrainians</a> as political prisoners.


feed_id: cd10c34b4158064a0305d40e596f5ca0
title: Non-citizen US soldiers
uri: Non-citizen-US-soldiers
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#13_July_2018_%28Non-citizen_US_soldiers%29
content:
<p>
Non-citizen US soldiers that were promised citizenship are being <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2018/07/06/trump-deporting-troops-promised-path-citizenship-immigrant-recruits-us-military">kicked
out of the military</a> for no fault of theirs, and this could mean they
don't get citizenship either.
<p>
<a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#cheater">The cheater</a> must love the opportunity to make the US cheat immigrants
based on a "legal" excuse.


feed_id: 3ff7e719caaca49c1fe480715e161031
title: Inauguration protester charges
uri: Inauguration-protester-charges
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#13_July_2018_%28Inauguration_protester_charges%29
content:
<p>
A year and a half later, the US has <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2018/jul/06/trump-inauguration-protests-charges-dropped">dropped the last charges</a> against
inauguration protesters.
<p>
Contrast this eagerness to prosecute progressives by exaggerating
small excuses with the strange reluctance to prosecute neo-Nazis for
their violence against progressive protesters in Charlottesville.
It looks like political bias to me.


feed_id: 747ff322bf34213e8fb7c7fec238e8e4
title: Whitney Houston
uri: Whitney-Houston
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#13_July_2018_%28Whitney_Houston%29
content:
<p>
Reportedly Whitney Houston was crushed when blacks condemned her as a
kind of traitor &mdash; merely for being <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/music/2018/jul/07/not-black-enough-the-identity-crisis-that-haunted-whitney-houston">too influenced by the culture
of whites</a>.
<p>
To demand that certain people do, or do not, practice certain forms of
art or culture because of their origins is bigotry.  Whether the demand
is that people in group G stick to the traditions of G, or that
other people stay away from them, it is utterly wrong.  Culture lives
through imitation and develops through variation.  Everyone has the right
to imitate cultural practices and to vary them.


feed_id: ba4e2c40030ba1b7c1a2455d25404610
title: Urgent: Reject Kavanaugh
uri: 2018-07-14-Urgent-Reject-Kavanaugh
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#13_July_2018_%28Urgent%3A_Reject_Kavanaugh%29
content:
<p>
US citizens: phone these six senators and tell them not to approve
Kavanaugh for the Supreme Court.
<ul>
  <li>
    Joe Manchin (WV)
    <br>
    Phone: <a href="tel:+12022243954">(202) 224-3954</a>
    <br>
    Twitter: <a href="https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?text=%40Sen_JoeManchin%2C%20by%20putting%20Brett%20Kavanaugh%20on%20the%20Supreme%20Court%20you%20are%20putting%20everything%20at%20stake%20-%20marriage%20equality%2C%20voting%20rights%2C%20access%20to%20health%20care%2C%20reproductive%20and%20privacy%20rights%2C%20racial%20equality%2C%20religious%20freedom%20and%20more.%20Vote%20No.%20%23WhatsAtStake&source=webclient">@Sen_JoeManchin</a>
  </li>
  <li>
    Joe Donnelly (IN)
    <br>
    Phone: <a href="tel:+12022244814">(202) 224-4814</a>
    <br>
    Twitter: <a href="https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?text=%40SenDonnelly%2C%20by%20putting%20Brett%20Kavanaugh%20on%20the%20Supreme%20Court%20you%20are%20putting%20everything%20at%20stake%20-%20marriage%20equality%2C%20voting%20rights%2C%20access%20to%20health%20care%2C%20reproductive%20and%20privacy%20rights%2C%20racial%20equality%2C%20religious%20freedom%20and%20more.%20Vote%20No.%20%23WhatsAtStake&source=webclient">@SenDonnelly</a>
  </li>
  <li>
    Heidi Heitkamp (ND)
    <br>
    Phone: <a href="tel:+12022242043">(202) 224-2043</a>
    <br>
    Twitter: <a href="https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?text=%40SenatorHeitkamp%2C%20by%20putting%20Brett%20Kavanaugh%20on%20the%20Supreme%20Court%20you%20are%20putting%20everything%20at%20stake%20-%20marriage%20equality%2C%20voting%20rights%2C%20access%20to%20health%20care%2C%20reproductive%20and%20privacy%20rights%2C%20racial%20equality%2C%20religious%20freedom%20and%20more.%20Vote%20No.%20%23WhatsAtStake&source=webclient">@SenatorHeitkamp</a>
  </li>
  <li>
    Lisa Murkowski (AK)
    <br>
    Phone: <a href="tel:+12022246665">(202) 224-6665</a>
    <br>
    Twitter: <a href="https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?text=%40lisamurkowski%2C%20by%20putting%20Brett%20Kavanaugh%20on%20the%20Supreme%20Court%20you%20are%20putting%20everything%20at%20stake%20-%20marriage%20equality%2C%20voting%20rights%2C%20access%20to%20health%20care%2C%20reproductive%20and%20privacy%20rights%2C%20racial%20equality%2C%20religious%20freedom%20and%20more.%20Vote%20No.%20%23WhatsAtStake&source=webclient">@lisamurkowski</a>
  </li>
  <li>
    Susan Collins (ME)
    <br>
    Phone: <a href="tel:+12022242523">(202) 224-2523</a>
    <br>
    Twitter: <a href="https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?text=%40SenatorCollins%2C%20by%20putting%20Brett%20Kavanaugh%20on%20the%20Supreme%20Court%20you%20are%20putting%20everything%20at%20stake%20-%20marriage%20equality%2C%20voting%20rights%2C%20access%20to%20health%20care%2C%20reproductive%20and%20privacy%20rights%2C%20racial%20equality%2C%20religious%20freedom%20and%20more.%20Vote%20No.%20%23WhatsAtStake&source=webclient">@SenatorCollins</a>
  </li>
  <li>
    Doug Jones (AL)
    <br>
    Phone: <a href="tel:+12022244124">(202) 224-4124</a>
    <br>
    Twitter: <a href="https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?text=%40SenDougJones%2C%20by%20putting%20Brett%20Kavanaugh%20on%20the%20Supreme%20Court%20you%20are%20putting%20everything%20at%20stake%20-%20marriage%20equality%2C%20voting%20rights%2C%20access%20to%20health%20care%2C%20reproductive%20and%20privacy%20rights%2C%20racial%20equality%2C%20religious%20freedom%20and%20more.%20Vote%20No.%20%23WhatsAtStake&source=webclient">@SenDougJones</a>
  </li>
</ul>


feed_id: 5ecfeb7396c1e8ce733f91c2a9b1e93c
title: Urgent: Unite against Kavanaugh
uri: Urgent-Unite-against-Kavanaugh
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#14_July_2018_%28Urgent%3A_Unite_against_Kavanaugh%29

content:
<p>
US citizens: <a href="https://act.credoaction.com/sign/Schumer_Kavanaugh">tell Senator Schumer</a> to unite Senate Democrats against
Kavanaugh.


feed_id: d31e84a8573447bef5b949dbd342e54b
title: Urgent: HB 4469
uri: Urgent-HB-4469
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#14_July_2018_%28Urgent%3A_HB_4469%29
content:
<p>
US citizens: <a href="https://campaigns.organizefor.org/petitions/support-voting-in-jail-eligible-voters-should-be-able-to-vote">call on Illinois Governor Rauner</a> to sign HB 4469, which
would set up procedures so that eligible voters jailed awaiting trial
will have a practical way to vote.


feed_id: c159d5f18798313b4027dcbc585006c9
title: Australia's refugee imprisonment
uri: Australia-s-refugee-imprisonment
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#14_July_2018_%28Australia%27s_refugee_imprisonment%29

content:
<p>
The UN Human Rights Council <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/jul/08/un-body-condemns-australia-for-illegal-detention-of-asylum-seekers-and-refugees">has condemned Australia</a> for imprisoning refugees
indefinitely.


feed_id: 5568117fd4d3a49128a7c524e531ec01
title: Journalists sentenced for terrorism
uri: Journalists-sentenced-for-terrorism
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#14_July_2018_%28Journalists_sentenced_for_terrorism%29

content:
<p>
Journalists from the former Turkish newspaper Zaman have
been <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2018/07/06/turkey-conviction-six-zaman-journalists-sends-further-shock-through-already">sentenced
to 8 years in prison</a> for "terrorism".


feed_id: 87c5676ad36bfa941d3f2d335988a8a6
title: Probation without a crime
uri: Probation-without-a-crime
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#14_July_2018_%28Probation_without_a_crime%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://www.aclu.org/blog/racial-justice/race-and-inequality-education/innocent-students-are-getting-criminalizing">A special California program</a> puts students on probation without their first
committing any crimes.  This can easily provide an excuse to put them in prison.


feed_id: 2cafbfcebee4ac9c1eeff7241bb6c11e
title: Billionaire consultation
uri: Billionaire-consultation
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#14_July_2018_%28Billionaire_consultation%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://medium.com/s/futurehuman/survival-of-the-richest-9ef6cddd0cc1">Five billionaires consulted Douglas Rushkoff</a>; he was surprised that
their questions were about how to maintain control of the servants and
guards in their fortresses after the collapse of civilization.
<p>
We need to show the billionaires that their only chance to save
themselves from collapse will be to help us prevent the collapse.


feed_id: 58700f0daf0eeea0d64955ca78c5c6f9
title: Reuniting refugee families
uri: Reuniting-refugee-families
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#14_July_2018_%28Reuniting_refugee_families%29
content:
<p>
A judge ordered US agencies to reunite all refugee family groups that
they split up, and the children under age 5 must be reunited by July
10.  The officials are <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2018/07/06/outrage-grows-trump-official-complains-deadline-putting-kids-back-parents-arms-too">saying that they can't do this</a> and that such
hurry is "extreme".


feed_id: f2ca67590620df6dbeede4095dd965e1
title: Fossil fuel subsidies
uri: 2018-07-15-Fossil-fuel-subsidies
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#14_July_2018_%28Fossil_fuel_subsidies%29
content:
<p>
Haiti is cutting subsidies for fossil fuels, so <a href="https://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/haitians-burn-tires-buildings-gas-protest-56416536">protests by the poor
have broken out</a>.
<p>
Subsidizing fossil fuels is a suicidal policy, but cuts in subsidies must
be joined by increased support for the poor, so that the price increase does
not crush them.


feed_id: fec88f141df065e592584cd453bf08ee
title: Ethiopia's new leader
uri: Ethiopia-s-new-leader
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#14_July_2018_%28Ethiopia%27s_new_leader%29
content:
<p>
Ethiopia's popular new leader is <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/jul/08/abiy-ahmed-upending-ethiopian-politics">making many reforms</a>.  I cheer at
reducing repression.
<p>
Whether privatizing some state companies is good or bad depends on what
they do.  It is wrong to privatize a government activity unless it
sells into a highly competitive market.


feed_id: 6cbf5257f9990bde462303881294735d
title: Garment workers in Ethiopia
uri: Garment-workers-in-Ethiopia
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#14_July_2018_%28Garment_workers_in_Ethiopia%29
content:
<p>
It's not clear whether the garment workers in the Ethiopia's <a href="https://theintercept.com/2018/07/08/ethiopia-garment-industry/">new
clothing factory</a> make $27 a month or $40 a month (food and living
quarters not furnished).
<p>
What <em>is</em> clear is that as long as companies can <a href="https://stallman.org/business-supremacy-treaties.html">make countries
compete to attract work</a> by allowing companies to keep workers in
penury, this sort of exploitation will continue.


feed_id: 79766baa6ff5f36fdeb2a241413a9780
title: Arrested for video of dancing
uri: Arrested-for-video-of-dancing
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#14_July_2018_%28Arrested_for_video_of_dancing%29
content:
<p>
Maedeh Hojabri was arrested, and pressured into a public confession
for posting a video of herself <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/jul/08/iran-woman-arrested-instagram-video-dancing">dancing with a nude head</a>.


feed_id: f1aca909c8455d1c8dc93c5bc8c333eb
title: Frank family in 1938
uri: Frank-family-in-1938
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#14_July_2018_%28Frank_family_in_1938%29
content:
<p>
The Frank family tried to get permission to flee to the US starting in
1938, but US unfriendliness to immigrants <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/books/2018/jul/08/anne-frank-family-escape-us-visa-thwarted">made it impossible</a>.  That is
why they were stuck in Amsterdam and mostly killed by the Nazis.


feed_id: 781dba7240b290f0c262720befbe4b75
title: Democratic Socialism in the US
uri: Democratic-Socialism-in-the-US
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#14_July_2018_%28Democratic_Socialism_in_the_US%29
content:
<p>
Democratic Socialism enjoys <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2018/07/08/has-democratic-socialism-future-american-politics">increasing support in the US</a>, and is starting
to push the Democratic party into resisting plutocracy.


feed_id: b4d690331f76cdf1c8a4c5a1312d2666
title: False accusations on Jill Stein
uri: False-accusations-on-Jill-Stein
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#14_July_2018_%28False_accusations_on_Jill_Stein%29
content:
<p>
Glenn Greenwald asks MSNBC why it has failed for two years to <a href="https://theintercept.com/2018/07/08/msnbc-does-not-merely-permit-fabrications-against-democratic-party-critics-it-encourages-and-rewards-them/">correct
the false accusation</a> that Jill Stein hosted a program for RT.


feed_id: 9a3d8acbbbf16d305143191de9b912a2
title: Amazon's mistreatment of workers
uri: Amazon-s-mistreatment-of-workers
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#14_July_2018_%28Amazon%27s_mistreatment_of_workers%29

content:
<p>
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2018/jul/08/amazon-jeff-bezos-unionize-working-conditions">Only
a union</a> could stop Amazon's persistent mistreatment of its
workers.


feed_id: a386ea2a9dcd2b34c177f6aef0b9e525
title: UK campaign finance laws
uri: UK-campaign-finance-laws
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#14_July_2018_%28UK_campaign_finance_laws%29
content:
<p>
The UK's campaign finance laws are <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2018/jul/08/electoral-law-broken-fight-for-soul-of-democracy">inadequate to protect against the
cheating</a> that the Leave campaign has been caught in.


feed_id: 5de9f9a4c48c4e50ec705e40a2e2006f
title: The path of Vietnam
uri: The-path-of-Vietnam
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#14_July_2018_%28The_path_of_Vietnam%29
content:
<p>
Pompeo urged Dictator Kim to <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2018/jul/08/mike-pompeo-north-korea-denuclearization-talks">follow the path of Vietnam</a>.
<p>
Vietnam is a tyrannical state in which every policy is for sale to
foreigners as long as the rulers remain firmly in power and get their
cut of the money.  They don't even try to disguise this.
<p>
North Korea is one of the few countries in the world for which
imitation of Vietnam would be a step up.


feed_id: 17a6cb84c21d514ca8cc22d6cfd5d47d
title: Urgent: Ocean wildlife sanctuary
uri: Urgent-Ocean-wildlife-sanctuary
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#15_July_2018_%28Urgent%3A_Ocean_wildlife_sanctuary%29

content:
<p>
Everyone: <a href="https://act.credoaction.com/sign/antarctic-sanctuary">support creating</a> a large Antarctic ocean wildlife sanctuary.


feed_id: f6f124a12e29cdcc18cd65826e238fcc
title: Urgent: CETA
uri: Urgent-CETA
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#15_July_2018_%28Urgent%3A_CETA%29
content:
<p>
Italians, phone your legislators to <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/jul/13/say-cheese-why-italy-wont-ratify-eu-free-trade-deal-with-canada">insist on killing CETA</a>.
<p>
Italy's government says it will kill CETA, but it will come under
pressure to change its stance.  We must not take victory for granted.
<p>
The reasons the government cites are superficial economic ones.  The
crucial reason to kill CETA is that it contains an ISDS (I Sue
Democratic States) clause that would give foreign companies power over
each country involved.
<p>
A similar <a href="https://stallman.org/business-supremacy-treaties.html">business-supremacy treaty</a>
between Canada and China
reportedly would <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#4_June_2018_(Pipeline_required_by_treaty)">impose terrible penalties</a> if Canada does not build
the Unkinder Morgan oil pipeline to Vancouver.
A treaty that can do such harm must be blocked, or else it will have
to be cancelled.


feed_id: 7cc743538f31b0e03b00839be4d7dc36
title: Banned chlorofluorocarbon
uri: Banned-chlorofluorocarbon
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#15_July_2018_%28Banned_chlorofluorocarbon%29
content:
<p>
Plastic foam is made in China <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2018/jul/09/mysterious-source-of-illegal-ozone-killing-emissions-revealed-say-investigators">using a chlorofluorocarbon that was banned</a>
in order to protect the ozone hole.
<p>
Will China take firm steps to put an end to the use of that chemical?


feed_id: c8a8e655434be7efd88f244b7cc053bd
title: Journalists charged in Burma
uri: Journalists-charged-in-Burma
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#15_July_2018_%28Journalists_charged_in_Burma%29
content:
<p>
Burma has charged journalists that were investigating the murder of
Rohingyas with spying.  Thugs handed them some papers, then <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/jul/09/myanmar-court-charges-reuters-journalists-under-official-secrets-act">other
thugs arrested them</a> for having the papers, which turned out to be
"state secrets".


feed_id: b0d9b1a5cfd8a8524bf8f2a88aa6bdf9
title: Medical insurance system sabotage
uri: Medical-insurance-system-sabotage
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#15_July_2018_%28Medical_insurance_system_sabotage%29

content:
<p>
The cheater is <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/national/health-science/trump-administration-takes-another-major-swipe-at-the-affordable-care-act/2018/07/07/0f1ff4c4-821f-11e8-b851-5319c08f7cee_story.html?noredirect=on">trying another approach</a> to sabotage Obama's imperfect
medical insurance system.
<p>
Each sabotage attempt is challenged in court.  I suppose he hopes that
he can shift the Supreme Court enough to accept one of the sabotage
plans, and that the system will fall apart, thus denying medical
insurance to tens of millions of people.
<p>
Since those people probably vote Democratic, he will consider it a bonus
if some die from this.


feed_id: 20ca0157f1b8b8880198653233e35b3f
title: Amal Fathy
uri: Amal-Fathy
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#15_July_2018_%28Amal_Fathy%29
content:
<p>
Amal Fathy posted that she would leave Egypt because of sexual harassment.
<a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2018/07/07/world/africa/egypt-sentences-lebanese-tourist.html">She was arrested for it.</a>


feed_id: 007a1a95948955ba4ed015b5fb2d24b2
title: Next supreme court justice
uri: Next-supreme-court-justice
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#15_July_2018_%28Next_supreme_court_justice%29
content:
<p>
The Next Supreme Court Justice Could <a href="https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2018/7/3/1777666/-The-next-Supreme-Court-justice-could-gut-Medicaid-and-Planned-Parenthood">Gut Medicaid And Planned Parenthood</a>.
<p>
How Justice Kennedy’s Retirement Could Lead to an <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2018/07/08/how-justice-kennedys-retirement-could-lead-increase-housing-discrimination">Increase in Housing
Discrimination</a>.


feed_id: 3d5c25edccf4e76e4f3e8cd962b28318
title: US contradictions
uri: US-contradictions
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#15_July_2018_%28US_contradictions%29
content:
<p>
The US used to suffer from contradictions in its policies on human
rights, working to promote them in some areas of policy while
supporting dictatorships.  <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#bully">The bully</a> has resolved some of the
contradictions by <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2018/07/08/home-and-abroad-trump-abandons-human-rights">taking the side of dictatorship</a>.


feed_id: 7f2ba62c47079e6a4638afbf9e1adca9
title: NATO militarism
uri: NATO-militarism
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#15_July_2018_%28NATO_militarism%29
content:
<p>
The participation of the war-lover in the NATO summit <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2018/07/08/make-peace-great-again-ahead-nato-summit-anti-trump-protest-draws-thousands-brussels">has inspired
protests</a>, not only against the war-lover, but against the militarism
that NATO represents.
<p>
The obvious reason for NATO disappeared with the Soviet Union.  Since
then it has gone in search of a mission.  It has carried out several
small interventions, of which I think some were good and some were
bad.  However, even if one considers all of them good, they don't add
up to a need for NATO.
<p>
The main threats to peace and justice in Europe are plutocracy and
undemocratic right-wing governments.  NATO doesn't help against those.


feed_id: 67d2c09cea976cfb39934c81a77a98f9
title: Breastfeeding resolution
uri: Breastfeeding-resolution
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#15_July_2018_%28Breastfeeding_resolution%29
content:
<p>
All the countries in the World Health Organization supported the
resolution to encourage breastfeeding except the US.  The US
delegation threatened to retaliate against WHO and individual
countries, and forced them to <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2018/jul/08/trump-administration-opposes-breastfeeding-resolution-report">weaken the resolution</a>.
<p>
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2018/07/08/fighting-resolution-restrict-baby-formula-sales-and-promote-breastfeeding-trump">More information.</a>
<p>
<a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#bully">The bully</a>'s motive for this was corrupt: to protect the companies
that sell milk substitutes in poor countries.
<p>
In the 1980s, Nestle was condemned for offering gratis milk substitute
to new mothers.  Those who accepted it and used it found that their
milk dried up; then they had to pay for substitute for a couple of
years.


feed_id: 46b6f3e84368daba593c1d3ca0db2e77
title: Asylum seekers from Latin America
uri: Asylum-seekers-from-Latin-America
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#15_July_2018_%28Asylum_seekers_from_Latin_America%29

content:
<p>
Extreme bullying in the US <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2018/07/07/trump-administrations-own-numbers-show-zero-tolerance-didnt-work">has not discouraged asylum seekers</a> from
coming from Latin America.
<p>
That's because they are <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#26_June_2018_(US_immigration_prison)">fleeing from threats of murder</a>.


feed_id: 9d3ab4a7430b8d43fbc1e03abb757328
title: Donations to Democrats
uri: Donations-to-Democrats
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#15_July_2018_%28Donations_to_Democrats%29
content:
<p>
Democrats <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2018/07/07/most-politically-savvy-thing-democrats-can-do">must resist the temptation</a> to sell out for donations from
the rich, if they are to receive the support of the progressives that
can campaign for them and vote for them.


feed_id: 35c0db44ca1336b87271bcf0b806756a
title: Pruitt's final sabotage
uri: Pruitt-s-final-sabotage
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#15_July_2018_%28Pruitt%27s_final_sabotage%29
content:
<p>
Saboteur Pruitt's <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2018/07/07/pruitts-last-giveaway-polluters-and-wheelers-first-agency-chief-epa-lifts-cap-super">final act of sabotage</a>: allowing a lot more trucks
to use old engines that pollute a lot more.


feed_id: 265d78aa9eb0c823373d29cdc250cede
title: Rejecting the Republican Party
uri: Rejecting-the-Republican-Party
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#15_July_2018_%28Rejecting_the_Republican_Party%29
content:
<p>
Quite a few prominent Republicans have rejected the Republican Party because
they <a href="https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2018/7/6/1778434/-All-the-cool-kids-are-leaving-the-Republican-Party-and-voting-for-Democrats">recognize it as a fascist plot</a>.
<p>
They have not changed their right-wing views, however; they want to
elect "centrist" plutocratist Democrats, the sort that would continue
slowly undermining democracy as they did under Clinton and Obama.
They will defend the structure of democracy, but they will not support
efforts to <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#23_January_2018_(How_democracies_die)">reestablish the substance of democracy</a>.


feed_id: aae946c5cf5b53b3144d086f921b2de6
title: Ruling on asylum seekers
uri: Ruling-on-asylum-seekers
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#15_July_2018_%28Ruling_on_asylum_seekers%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2018/07/03/huge-win-immigrant-rights-trump-administration-ordered-end-indefinite-detention">A court ruled</a> that the US cannot jail all asylum seekers as they await their
hearings, in the absence of specific reasons about the person.


feed_id: 33e39358a6c8d58b8c59ee98f4eb7c76
title: Copyright directive injustices
uri: Copyright-directive-injustices
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#15_July_2018_%28Copyright_directive_injustices%29
content:
<p>
The proposed EU copyright directive would impose <a href="https://www.publicknowledge.org/news-blog/blogs/the-five-worst-things-about-the-proposed-eu-copyright-directive">several specific new
injustices</a>.
<p>
That is on top of the basic injustice of perpetuating a system
that already <a href="https://gnu.org/philosophy/copyright-vs-community.html">restricts people far too much</a>.


feed_id: 79bb7f545682f1684f353302022f1f79
title: Future of affirmative action
uri: Future-of-affirmative-action
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#15_July_2018_%28Future_of_affirmative_action%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#bully">The bully</a>'s next Supreme Court choice
might <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/law/2018/jul/07/supreme-court-pick-affirmative-action-precedent">eliminate
affirmative action</a> by reversing the decisions that permit it.


feed_id: 82d08e12d8e9e1e160fdff693ab5e919
title: ICE
uri: 2018-07-17-ICE
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#17_July_2018_%28ICE%29
content:
<p>
(The Onion satire): 
<a href="https://local.theonion.com/picky-refugee-just-expects-to-be-reunited-with-exact-sa-1827449946">ICE
authorities</a> confirmed Monday that picky Honduran refugee Blanca
Diaz &hellip; expected to be reunited with the exact same family she
had before.  "&hellip you think you deserve special treatment and will
just be automatically paired with whichever parents you want?"


feed_id: 451f5b0e21d67633e8a6e971f23dfa65
title: Bully's Supreme Court nominee
uri: Bully-s-Supreme-Court-nominee
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#17_July_2018_%28Bullys_Supreme_Court_nominee%29
content:
<p>
The main challenge that Senate Democrats face in resisting the <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#bully">bully</a>'s
Supreme Court nominee is to 
<a href="https://theintercept.com/2018/07/09/brett-kavanaugh-supreme-court-fight/">convince
some "centrist" Democrats not to vote for him</a>.


feed_id: 6886677c4f9a75723955c452a9e233e1
title: Nestl&eacute; loses sustainability certification
uri: Nestlé-loses-sustainability-certification
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#17_July_2018_%28Nestle_loses_sustainability_certification%29

content:
<p>
Nestl&eacute; has 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2018/jul/10/nestle-products-removed-from-melbourne-zoos-over-palm-oil">lost
its sustainability certification for palm oil</a>.
<p>
The certification process is not strict enough to fully protect
against deforestation, but failure to qualify implies being even
worse.


feed_id: 8384789438345f51fe14d3de0a64fc53
title: Imprisonment of refugee families
uri: Imprisonment-of-refugee-families
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#17_July_2018_%28Imprisonment_of_refugee_families%29
content:
<p>
Imprisonment of refugee families has hit a snag: there is 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2018/jul/10/judge-rejects-us-government-request-to-detain-immigrant-children-indefinitely">no
way to get such prisons licensed</a>.


feed_id: 3df342c104bc31769e3d24f73e4aab0d
title: Southern Ocean marine reserve
uri: Southern-Ocean-marine-reserve
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#17_July_2018_%28Southern_Ocean_marine_reserve%29
content:
<p>
The companies that fish for krill in the Southern Ocean have 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2018/jul/09/krill-fishing-firms-back-antarctic-ocean-sanctuary">given
support to a giant marine reserve</a> to keep that fishery
sustainable.


feed_id: c46aa15cb6d05af2e4e4146069aeba92
title: Macron to cut spending for the poor
uri: Macron-to-cut-spending-for-the-poor
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#17_July_2018_%28Macron_to_cut_spending_for_the_poor%29

content:
<p>
Macron plans to reform programs that help people who are poor,
unemployed, old, and ill, 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/jul/09/macron-pledges-to-overhaul-french-welfare-state">so
as to cut spending</a>.  The spending cuts are necessary because of
the shortfall resulting from his tax cuts for the rich.
<p>
Macron has also adopted the standard plutocratist line that welfare
programs keep people poor.  The only time that is true is when the
welfare programs keep people from dying.


feed_id: 3974f33d81ec1ed0d43334877596eff0
title: Replacing teachers with computers
uri: Replacing-teachers-with-computers
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#17_July_2018_%28Replacing_teachers_with_computers%29

content:
<p>
Students from disadvantaged backgrounds are the ones that most need
the help of a teacher in order to learn.  Naturally, the plutocrats
want to 
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2018/06/30/necessity-and-importance-teachers">replace
their teachers with computers</a>.
<p>
The students won't learn as much that way, but the
plutocrats don't think a well-educated populace is important.


feed_id: 392bcf2c3ea5d6a6de9991dfdb02846d
title: FEMA to evict 1800 families
uri: FEMA-to-evict-1800-families
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#17_July_2018_%28FEMA_to_evict_1800_families%29
content:
<p>
FEMA is 
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2018/06/29/housing-assistance-about-be-yanked-away-sen-warrren-excoriates-shameful-failure-help">about
to evict 1800 Puerto Rican families from temporary housing</a>.
<p>
That might have been ok if it had done its job promoting construction
of replacement permanent housing.


feed_id: 5837ffc1b47d474ec5773b1f89dbcdfa
title: Blasphemy laws
uri: Blasphemy-laws
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#17_July_2018_%28Blasphemy_laws%29
content:
<p>
Pakistani presidential candidate Imran Khan is trying to win the votes
of religious fanatics by 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/jul/09/imran-kahn-accused-over-defence-of-pakistan-blasphemy-laws">endorsing
the law that makes execution the penalty for "blasphemy"</a>.
<p>
It is unjust to punish people for conviction for "blasphemy", but that
is unusual.  What usually happens is that they get lynched before the
trial.


feed_id: be20d22d3393336736fc5c055b426da0
title: "Diversity" in a small body
uri: Diversity-in-a-small-body
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#16_July_2018_%28Diversity_in_a_small_body%29
content:
<p>
"Diversity" in a small body can easily come to mean a 
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2018/07/09/con-diversity">tokenism
that makes plutocracy palatable</a>.
<p>
This is why I refused to vote for Obama merely because he was black,
and refused to vote for Clinton merely because she was female.  They
didn't stand against plutocracy and banksterism.  Clinton didn't stand
against militarism, either.
<p>
There are situations where diversity is directly beneficial.  For
instance, it is important that a large medical study include women and
that it include blacks.  There may be significant medical differences
between them and white males.
<p>
It can be helpful to include women and minority groups in local
decisionmaking bodies because it isn't feasible to limit those bodies
to the servants of the elite.


feed_id: a661bebe97cca5a505f434de1604236d
title: Syriza
uri: 2018-07-17-Syriza
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#16_July_2018_%28Syriza%29
content:
<p>
Syriza has morphed from a leftist party of resistance into a
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2018/jul/09/greece-alexis-tsipras-syriza-austerity-eu">government
of occupation</a> which has made it a crime to protest evictions of
the poor.  Syriza obeys foreign orders on all sorts of issues, doing
whatever the plutocrats want.
<p>
Replacing Syriza would change little if its replacement surrenders the
same way.  To change something, it would need to force the <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#bankster">banksters</a>
(and the governments that obey them) to stop oppressing Greece.  It
would need to launch a rebellion against the occupation forces.
<p>
Are Greeks ready to rebel against the <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#bankster">banksters</a>?


feed_id: 6d8c64855b051c71fc13bc4181b7d0c5
title: Urgent: Salesforce and border thugs
uri: Urgent-Salesforce-and-border-thugs
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#16_July_2018_%28Urgent%3A_Salesforce_and_border_thugs%29

content:
<p>
Everyone: <a href="http://act.demandprogress.org/sign/tell-salesforce-cancel-their-contract-customs-and-border-patrol/">call on Salesforce</a> to cancel its contract with the US border
<a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thugs</a>.


feed_id: 8fb9b06341c3d81bb375e81767c4a513
title: Urgent: Bank president
uri: Urgent-Bank-president
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#16_July_2018_%28Urgent%3A_Bank_president%29
content:
<p>
Everyone: <a href="https://www.coworker.org/petitions/san-francisco-federal-reserve-pick-a-president-who-represents-workers-not-corporations-and-banks-1">tell the San Francisco Federal Reserve Bank</a> to choose a
president who stands for the non-rich.


feed_id: 1e0125322b1112130daf17593907e3c0
title: Kavanaugh's record
uri: Kavanaugh-s-record
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#16_July_2018_%28Kavanaugh%27s_record%29
content:
<p>
Kavanaugh's record shows he would <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2018/07/10/greenpeace-kavanaugh-could-do-irreparable-harm-our-climate-and-democracy">sabotage climate defense</a> if confirmed to
the Supreme Court.
<p>
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2018/07/09/earthjustice-calls-senate-reject-kavanaugh-supreme-court">Environmental protection</a>, too.
<p>
He is on record as saying that presidents should <a href="https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2018/7/9/1779294/-Supreme-Court-nominee-Kavanaugh-argues-that-presidents-can-t-be-indicted-sued-or-even-investigated">never be sued or
investigated</a>.


feed_id: ae5734cc32f255f2fb2270800bf81cf5
title: Refugee women shackled in van
uri: Refugee-women-shackled-in-van
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#16_July_2018_%28Refugee_women_shackled_in_van%29
content:
<p>
The US deportation thugs transported refugee women <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2018/jul/10/us-immigrant-women-ice-van-california">shackled in a hot van</a>,
denying them water (and vital medicine) for 12 hours.
This caused them various injuries and medical problems, beyond the
immediate discomfort.
<p>
Another was denied medical attention <a href="https://www.buzzfeed.com/emaoconnor/pregnant-migrant-women-miscarriage-cpb-ice-detention-trump">as she had a miscarriage</a>.
<p>
She speaks of the lost fetus as if it were a baby, but a fetus is not
a baby.  We can give compassion to her disappointment while rejecting
that incorrect interpretation of the events, and we must reject it
lest we unwittingly aid the cause of the religious fanatics that want
to prohibit abortion.


feed_id: 3255a7042b4e65a53b8a8f8a1122e849
title: Bears Ears National Monument
uri: Bears-Ears-National-Monument
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#16_July_2018_%28Bears_Ears_National_Monument%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#saboteur">Saboteur</a> Zinke claimed to have revoked the Bears Ears National Monument
to "give [it] back to the states and to the people", so now a Canadian company
<a href="https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2018/7/9/1778974/-National-monument-Trump-gave-back-to-the-people-of-the-United-States-to-be-mined-by-Canadian-firm">plans to do mining there</a>.


feed_id: bbcda44edcbfafbe96a46ef289922619
title: 'Contract' with North Korea
uri: Contract-with-North-Korea
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#16_July_2018_%28%27Contract%27_with_North_Korea%29
content:
<p>
The numbskull believes, or perhaps pretends, that his joint statement
with Dictator Kim <a href="https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2018/7/9/1779122/-Trump-thought-the-NK-statement-was-a-denuclearlization-agreement">was a "contract"</a> for North Korea's denuclearization.


feed_id: 401a9f5e1751d27dc39604aa6d6a516b
title: Flooding in Japan
uri: Flooding-in-Japan
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#16_July_2018_%28Flooding_in_Japan%29
content:
<p>
Persistent rain has caused flooding in Okayama, Japan.  <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/jul/11/wednesday-briefing-bad-actor-facebook-fined-500k">Entire neighborhoods
were inundated.</a>
<p>
<a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#global heating">Global heating</a> effects tend to cause this kind of extreme weather,
which is why rain-driven floods are much more frequent now than they
were 20 years ago.


feed_id: b933d7d9e682466c6781e1f99b54f2ac
title: Family imprisonment
uri: Family-imprisonment
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#16_July_2018_%28Family_imprisonment%29
content:
<p>
The bully has <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2018/jul/11/trump-forced-to-reinstate-catch-and-release-after-court-defeats">acquiesced partially</a> to a court ruling by agreeing not
to imprison all the families that cross the border.


feed_id: ad7fc3cd07adf0cda61a82815bb10054
title: Protecting the cheater
uri: Protecting-the-cheater
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#16_July_2018_%28Protecting_the_cheater%29
content:
<p>
Kavanaugh, if appointed to the Supreme Court, would <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2018/jul/10/trump-supreme-court-pick-brett-kavanaugh-barrier-russia-inquiry">protect the cheater</a>
from Mueller's investigation.


feed_id: 3a12f991f12b7e0b5cad7ebf036cff31
title: Watching 'terrorist' propaganda
uri: Watching-terrorist-propaganda
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#16_July_2018_%28Watching_%27terrorist%27_propaganda%29

content:
<p>
The UK <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2018/jul/10/uk-counter-terror-bill-risks-criminalising-curiosity-watchdog">plans to make it a crime</a> to watch "terrorist" propaganda
through streaming.
(It is already a crime to watch it by downloading.)
<p>
Disgusting as this propaganda is, especially that of right-wing
extremists, to prohibit it is an offense against human rights.


feed_id: 433b87b69085ece5fdb4e4f9561fbe53
title: Suing to get child back
uri: Suing-to-get-child-back
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#16_July_2018_%28Suing_to_get_child_back%29
content:
<p>
Elba Luz Domínguez's daughter was taken away when they crossed the US
border in October then asked for asylum.  The mother was deported to
El Salvador, and is still <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2018/jul/10/border-family-separations-parents-deported-lawsuit">suing to get her child back</a>.


feed_id: e56a89dfb859076655c9143cffd3d230
title: Denmark's law on ghettos
uri: Denmark-s-law-on-ghettos
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#16_July_2018_%28Denmark%27s_law_on_ghettos%29
content:
<p>
Denmark's new law against occupants of ghettos <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2018/jul/10/denmark-ghetto-laws-niqab-circumcision-islamophobic">imposes many
punishments on people</a> just for living in certain specified low-rent
areas.


feed_id: e765415485524184a1e677e4b6cf8e60
title: Support for abortion rights
uri: Support-for-abortion-rights
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#16_July_2018_%28Support_for_abortion_rights%29
content:
<p>
It is time for Americans that support abortion rights to say so
publicly, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2018/jul/10/abortion-pro-choice-supreme-court-shout-from-the-rooftops">loud
and clear</a>.


feed_id: 25fa526b9cfe3a70f8ad6f305eb82ec4
title: Liu Xia's brother as hostage
uri: Liu-Xia-s-brother-as-hostage
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#16_July_2018_%28Liu_Xia%27s_brother_as_hostage%29
content:
<p>
China allowed Liu Xia to leave, after 8 years keeping her under house
arrest,
but <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/jul/10/liu-xia-nobel-laureates-widow-allowed-to-leave-china-for-europe">they
have her brother as a hostage</a> to keep her silent.


feed_id: e08bb369cd7f6f637684d44acf51fb45
title: Budget cuts and health
uri: Budget-cuts-and-health
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#16_July_2018_%28Budget_cuts_and_health%29
content:
<p>
Budget cuts on services that help the non-rich
are <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2018/jul/10/austerity-health-cuts-healthcare-poorest-tories">bad
for your health</a>.


feed_id: c79672a6a78a6dd54b37d7a1180a1bc5
title: Guantanamo lawsuit
uri: Guantanamo-lawsuit
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#16_July_2018_%28Guantanamo_lawsuit%29
content:
<p>
The Center for Constitutional
Rights <a href="https://ccrjustice.org/GuantanamoUnderTrump">is suing
for rejection</a> of holding prisoners in Guantanamo with no criminal
charges.


feed_id: 1150081f36871525236da91b2621671e
title: Consequences of killing a lover
uri: Consequences-of-killing-a-lover
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#16_July_2018_%28Consequences_of_killing_a_lover%29
content:
<p>
A woman is likely to be convicted of murder for killing a lover that
has been persistently violent to her, but men can
get <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2018/jul/10/women-kill-partners-men-emma-humphreys-abused">acquitted
for killing a woman</a> merely because she had another lover.


feed_id: b7a99cc7f2f88676af111ac12ef2d98f
title: Urgent: Social Security cut
uri: Urgent-Social-Security-cut
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#17_July_2018_%28Urgent%3A_Social_Security_cut%29
content:
<p>
US citizens: <a href="https://act.credoaction.com/sign/rubio_paid_leave">oppose Ivanka Trump and Marco Rubio's plan</a> to cut Social Security
(in the name of family leave).


feed_id: 2c079323aa6b1980507fe53bb5b95589
title: Urgent: Divest from private prisons
uri: Urgent-Divest-from-private-prisons
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#17_July_2018_%28Urgent%3A_Divest_from_private_prisons%29

content:
<p>
Everyone: <a href="http://act.couragecampaign.org/sign/bigbanksdivestdetention/">call on big US banks</a> to divest from the private prisons for immigrants.


feed_id: 52814e373e7596f7bd90bf9d2aa71b91
title: Execution in Nevada
uri: Execution-in-Nevada
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#17_July_2018_%28Execution_in_Nevada%29
content:
<p>
Nevada's efforts to obtain midazolam for an execution <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/jul/11/nevada-prison-illegally-bought-execution-drugs-pharma-company-alleges">appear to have
been illegal</a>.
<p>
Because of this, a judge <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2018/jul/11/nevada-execution-blocked-scott-raymond-dozier-alvogen-midazolam">blocked the execution</a>.
<p>
There is something strange going on here, something not mentioned in
the article.
<p>
Why does Nevada procure drugs surreptitiously to cover up the fact
that its method is illegal, rather than change its laws to legalize
it?
<p>
Why do they believe it is necessary to give a sedative before
fentanyl?  Isn't fentanyl supposed to give a feeling of euphoria, like
opioids generally?
<p>
I oppose the death penalty on principle.  If these technicalities and
legal details put an end to the death penalty in the US, I will
celebrate the outcome.  But I doubt that the states that want to
continue execution will be stopped for long by problems of detail.
Surely they will construct a legal channel to do what they wish to do.
I find it incredible that they haven't already done so.
<p>
What am I missing?


feed_id: a164c85757ca7758ee26c93f7fe20975
title: Kavanaugh and internet freedom
uri: Kavanaugh-and-internet-freedom
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#17_July_2018_%28Kavanaugh_and_internet_freedom%29
content:
<p>
Kavanaugh would be a <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2018/07/10/disaster-internet-freedom-trump-supreme-court-pick-despises-net-neutrality-loves">disaster for internet freedom</a>: he opposes network
neutrality, and supports massive surveillance.


feed_id: f96476718d63169e95c277cf01ac7ec4
title: Nuclear disarmament
uri: 2018-07-17-Nuclear-disarmament
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#17_July_2018_%28Nuclear_disarmament%29
content:
<p>
The UN Secretary General has <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2018/07/11/urgently-needed-disarmament-strategy-nato">proposed a roadmap</a> for progress toward
nuclear disarmament.  The US, Russia and NATO should discuss this.


feed_id: bbedb0bd24b4441fd6a383737e89c6d3
title: Products from Israel's colonies
uri: Products-from-Israel-s-colonies
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#17_July_2018_%28Products_from_Israel%27s_colonies%29

content:
<p>
The Irish senate <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/jul/11/irish-senate-approves-ban-on-products-from-israeli-settlements">gave preliminary approval</a> to a bill to ban
importation of products made in Israel's colonies in Palestinian
territory.
<p>
This is a vital step towards pressuring Israel to accept a workable peace
with Palestine.


feed_id: 73bc8819ebd9cf4d9e2a64f1d2de8452
title: Russian meddling in Greece
uri: Russian-meddling-in-Greece
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#17_July_2018_%28Russian_meddling_in_Greece%29
content:
<p>
Russian diplomats were <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/jul/11/greece-to-expel-russian-diplomats-over-alleged-macedonia-interference">caught stirring up opposition</a> in Greece to the
proposed deal about the name of the former Yugoslav republic of Macedonia.
This deal would end a dispute that Russia can use to make trouble.
<p>
I am glad this Russian meddling was exposed.  Now if only Greece could
expel the <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#23_June_2018_(Greece_and_the_banksters)">diplomats of the euro-zone banks</a>.


feed_id: d01e03e443acb40eac04efec7660601f
title: Libya's direction
uri: Libya-s-direction
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#17_July_2018_%28Libya%27s_direction%29
content:
<p>
Libya may be <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/jul/11/east-libyan-general-hands-back-control-of-oil-ports">moving hesitantly</a> towards unification and elections.


feed_id: e43b9120952da3de5c3e8fd749ed9fc4
title: Finlandization
uri: Finlandization
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#17_July_2018_%28Finlandization%29
content:
<p>
"Finlandization" refers to the legal impositions through which the Soviet Union
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2018/jul/11/putin-trump-helsinki-summit-finland-finlandisation-soviet-union">restricted the press, the schools, and culture</a> in Finland after World War II.
<p>
The US does not do this directly to other countries, but global plutocracy
does something comparable.


feed_id: 5a4c857f8173ac5025ec947a39e8fe4a
title: Gas pipeline from Russia
uri: Gas-pipeline-from-Russia
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#17_July_2018_%28Gas_pipeline_from_Russia%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2018/jul/11/germany-and-russia-gas-links-trump-questions-europe-nord-stream2">A new pipeline to carry natural gas</a> from Russia to Europe would make
Europe dangerously dependent on Russia.
<p>
It would also mean that Europe misses a great opportunity to invest
greatly in renewable energy, and thus help protect civilization from a much
greater menace than a shortage of fossil fuels.


feed_id: 5be34daed65c693fda5398a2adacdfdf
title: Protesting the bully's servants
uri: Protesting-the-bully-s-servants
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#17_July_2018_%28Protesting_the_bully%27s_servants%29

content:
<p>
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2018/jul/11/trump-protest-harassment-public-sarah-sanders">On the ethics of personal protests</a> against the bully's servants.
<p>
We need to be mindful of the line between criticism and harassment.
Those who carry out the <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#bully">bully</a>'s cruelty deserve criticism, but if we
legitimize harassment of them, what will we say when they pay people
to harass us?


feed_id: a95a6ff0ff6917674be83f1f9ee690a6
title: Separated baby
uri: Separated-baby
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#17_July_2018_%28Separated_baby%29
content:
<p>
US officials separated a baby from its father over a year ago,
considering them unauthorized immigrants.  They now <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2018/jul/11/us-immigration-family-separations-doj-us-citizens">cannot find the
father</a>.


feed_id: f1a5b69c676bd9b01c343a2d662e1e95
title: Qin Yongmin sentenced
uri: Qin-Yongmin-sentenced
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#17_July_2018_%28Qin_Yongmin_sentenced%29
content:
<p>
Qin Yongmin has been an activist for democracy for decades.
China has <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/jul/11/china-chinese-dissident-qin-yongmin-jailed-democracy-activist">sentenced him to 13 years</a> for "subversion".


feed_id: 58a4a602881b32f74716ee114f57688e
title: Child protection in British Columbia
uri: Child-protection-in-British-Columbia
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#17_July_2018_%28Child_protection_in_British_Columbia%29

content:
<p>
In British Columbia (a province of Canada), the "child protection" agency
<a href="https://www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/article-how-poverty-is-tearing-families-apart-in-bc/">defines poverty as "neglect"</a>.  Officials would rather pay a stranger to
take care of a child than give support to the parents.


feed_id: a1b83c760cd7d33856745cfce02d9108
title: Abolishing ICE
uri: Abolishing-ICE
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#17_July_2018_%28Abolishing_ICE%29
content:
<p>
Abolishing the deportation thug agency <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2018/07/10/abolish-ice-doesnt-mean-what-conservatives-say-it-does">would not mean allowing absolutely
anyone</a> to move to the US.


feed_id: 814cc733c9b0a6c4774c2f14a6200912
title: Siege of Gaza
uri: 2018-07-17-Siege-of-Gaza
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#17_July_2018_%28Siege_of_Gaza%29
content:
<p>
Israel has <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2018/07/10/intensifying-genocidal-policies-collective-punishment-israel-shuts-down-gazas-main">made the siege of Gaza tighter</a>.


feed_id: 6cb6f2047918e57adcb0096fa1a66527
title: The bullshitter's flirting
uri: The-bullshitter-s-flirting
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#17_July_2018_%28The_bullshitter%27s_flirting%29
content:
<p>
We are now <a href="https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2018/7/9/1779249/-BBC-reveals-still-more-evidence-that-Trump-is-a-giant-gross-perv">invited to despise the bullshitter</a> for telling a
17-year-old woman at a party that he found her attractive.
<p>
We can hardly assume that the bullshitter's boasts were true.  Even
men who are usually honest on other topics have been known to lie
about their sexual achievements.  However, I wouldn't assume they were
false, or that he did an injustice to anyone at these parties.  In a
group of 50 models, there could well be some that would eagerly go to
bed with a rich man, either to boost their careers or for a lark.
<p>
If you condemn men for finding teenage female models attractive, you
might as well condemn men for being heterosexual.  <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#bully">The bully</a> may be
predatory, but it appears he didn't display this overtly at those parties.
<p>
There are indications that he <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jul-oct.html#7_September_2016_(Miss_USA_contestant_sued_by_Trump)">arbitrarily chose the winners</a> of the
Miss USA beauty contest while he owned it.
That would be a real wrong, since it would have made the contest
dishonest.
<p>
I understand the desire to condemn the bullshitter on every aspect of
his life, but it is no excuse for ageism.  If you can understand that
we shouldn't dictate people's gender preferences, you should
understand that we shouldn't dictate their age preferences either.
<p>
There are plenty of tremendously important reasons to condemn the
<a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#bully">bully</a>.  He is attacking workers' rights, abortion rights, non-rich
people's pensions and medical care, the environment, human rights, and
democracy, even the idea of truth.  Let's focus on those real reasons.


feed_id: 6392fb17f72302b9c959ccad2ee993e4
title: Russia's fake twitter accounts
uri: Russia-s-fake-twitter-accounts
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#18_July_2018_%28Russias_fake_twitter_accounts%29
content:
<p>
In 2014, Russia created 48 fake twitter accounts that 
<a href="https://boingboing.net/2018/07/12/the-troll-factory-pwned-us-all.html">pretended
to belong to nonexistent local newspapers</a>.
<p>
It used the accounts to post real local news (obtained from real local
newspapers, I suppose).


feed_id: 5448c69b4d9c8b788adc90ab674baa1c
title: Incivility
uri: Incivility
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#18_July_2018_%28Incivility%29
content:
<p>
I Yearn for a Society in Which Civility Rules, But 
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2018/07/12/i-yearn-society-which-civility-rules-these-are-not-civil-times">These
Are Not Civil Times</a>.


feed_id: 6f24fe98cac88ff2d4e109799e78c8a7
title: License plate cameras at shopping malls
uri: License-plate-cameras-at-shopping-malls
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#18_July_2018_%28License_plate_cameras_at_shopping_malls%29

content:
<p>
Some shopping malls in California 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2018/jul/11/california-mall-license-plate-surveillance-ice-immigration">use
license plate recognition cameras and report cars immediately to the
local thugs</a> &mdash; and to the deportation thugs.
<p>
I think this demonstrates the need to regulate license plate cameras.
I argue for a law that would limit the license plates that the camera
can "see".


feed_id: ecd5114e4d794647dd599e7670b81d52
title: Confiscated Turkish broadcasting companies
uri: Confiscated-Turkish-broadcasting-companies
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#18_July_2018_%28Confiscated_Turkish_broadcasting_companies%29

content:
<p>
The owner of Turkish broadcasting companies which Erdo&gbreve;an
confiscated is
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/jul/12/turkish-government-taken-to-international-tribunal">using
a trade treaty to sue for compensation</a>.
<p>
If he wins, he will get money, but it won't bring back freedom of the
press in Turkey.


feed_id: 1d7096ec1d0e6bbc47ab4ffbc603ebc2
title: NATO
uri: 2018-07-19-NATO
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#18_July_2018_%28NATO%29
content:
<p>
NATO has 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2018/jul/12/donald-trump-nato-costly-white-elephant-russia">no
meaningful mission</a>, and therefore no strategy.


feed_id: a068c7cba675ce94f22c0e33a8235d85
title: Divestment from fossil fuels
uri: 2018-07-19-Divestment-from-fossil-fuels
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#18_July_2018_%28Divestment_from_fossil_fuels%29
content:
<p>
Ireland's investment fund has 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2018/jul/12/ireland-becomes-worlds-first-country-to-divest-from-fossil-fuels">divested
from fossil fuels</a>.
<p>
Does Ireland have pension funds that could be made to divest?


feed_id: 65cb7265bd1701f7f42637188e861eac
title: Justice Democrats
uri: Justice-Democrats
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#18_July_2018_%28Justice_Democrats%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2018/jul/11/america-left-alexandria-ocasio-cortez-new-york-primary">Justice
Democrats</a> recruited Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez to run for Congress,
and other progressive champions too.


feed_id: 23856db608ff9092b18b578916ec4400
title: Refugees in the UK
uri: 2018-07-19-Refugees-in-the-UK
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#18_July_2018_%28Refugees_in_the_UK%29
content:
<p>
The UK government systematically 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2018/jul/11/sajid-javid-told-torture-victims-driven-to-suicide-by-system">disbelieves
refugees' reports of torture and menace</a>, based on any excuse it
can fabricate.


feed_id: cffaa0f6d0fe2fd59c230ea51bebe0b7
title: The FCC
uri: 2018-07-19-The-FCC
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#18_July_2018_%28The_FCC%29
content:
<p>
A small step for sabotage: the FCC 
<a href="https://www.theverge.com/2018/7/10/17556144/fcc-charge-225-review-complaints">will
not consider informal complaints about companies any more</a>, only
forward them to the company involved which will surely find excuses to
dismiss them.  People screwed by telecom companies will have to pay
$225 to file a formal complaint, for the FCC to take notice.
<p>
Making it more expensive to complain is standard practice for harming
those who can't afford it.  Often this is done by a series of small
steps that add up to a big change.


feed_id: e12e190cac64f7fa3d378cce82c54534
title: New Walled Order
uri: New-Walled-Order
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#18_July_2018_%28New_Walled_Order%29
content:
<p>
The "New Walled Order" and the 
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2018/07/11/new-walled-order-migrants-worldwide-governments-criminalize-compassion-and-erect">criminalization
of aiding people in need</a>.


feed_id: fec50be9af8fc0e97152184892561574
title: Truth commission in Spain
uri: Truth-commission-in-Spain
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#18_July_2018_%28Truth_commission_in_Spain%29
content:
<p>
Spain will set up a truth commission to 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/jul/12/spain-to-establish-truth-commission-for-franco-era-crimes">investigate
the crimes of Franco's dictatorship</a>.  It will cancel the
convictions of people who resisted Franco, and try to identify the
loyalists that Franco's men killed then buried anonymously.


feed_id: 98a3421d0379f8300ed21ef1f321d115
title: Network neutrality
uri: 2018-07-19-Network-neutrality
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#18_July_2018_%28Network_neutrality%29
content:
<p>
India has 
<a href="https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/business/india-business/internet-to-remain-free-and-fair-in-india-govt-approves-net-neutrality/articleshow/64948838.cms">chosen
network neutrality</a>.


feed_id: 44d342979d20b65f6a6cef81db7691f2
title: Obama administration officials
uri: Obama-administration-officials
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#18_July_2018_%28Obama_administration_officials%29
content:
<p>
Important officials of the Obama administration are 
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2018/07/11/while-trump-sets-world-fire-former-obama-officials-blasted-profiteering-inferno">profiting
from lobbying the departments they worked in</a>.


feed_id: cc08d94185dcaa51fc9eda02c53951f9
title: USDA approves chicken-processing plants in China
uri: USDA-approves-chicken-processing-plants-in-China
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#18_July_2018_%28USDA_approves_chicken-processing_plants_in_China%29

content:
<p>
The USDA has approved chicken-processing plants in China 
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2018/07/11/usda-approves-three-new-poultry-plants-assurances-chinese-government-alone">based
on nothing but "trust us"</a>.  Neither the US nor China inspected
them.


feed_id: ea1d76c93f1d6249b9ceafb0a7aa3bfd
title: Regulation of titanium dioxide
uri: Regulation-of-titanium-dioxide
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#18_July_2018_%28Regulation_of_titanium_dioxide%29
content:
<p>
The UK is 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2018/jul/11/uk-accused-of-green-brexit-hypocrisy-over-regulation-of-suspected-carcinogen">working
with manufacturers to interfere with regulation of titanium
dioxide</a>, which is suspected of causing cancer.
<p>
Clearly the EU will be better off once the UK is out of it.


feed_id: 5ecb3390d2e7586a9175a3ee43ebcc19
title: Brazilian thugs
uri: 2018-07-19-Brazilian-thugs
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#18_July_2018_%28Brazilian_thugs%29
content:
<p>
Brazilian <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thugs</a> form gangs which take possession of neighborhoods and
rule them.  They push out drug sales and replace them with
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/jul/12/brazil-militia-paramilitary-wield-terror-seize-power-from-drug-gangs">murder/extortion</a>.


feed_id: 8c57f3a0ab5776da9f59f08cf27fb927
title: Urgent: Rise for Climate, Jobs and Justice
uri: Urgent-Rise-for-Climate-Jobs-and-Justice
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#18_July_2018_%28Urgent%3A_Rise_for_Climate%2C_Jobs_and_Justice%29

content:
<p>
If you can be in San
Francisco, <a href="https://peoplesclimatecalendar.org/events/the-big-march-rise-for-climate-jobs-and-justice">join
the Rise for Climate, Jobs and Justice</a> protest on Sep 8.
<p>
Start<br />
10:00 AM<br />
Embarcadero Plaza, 4 Embarcadero Ctr


feed_id: 2867ba77f0f6b940ae263ebd04fe5310
title: Immigration thug liability
uri: Immigration-thug-liability
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#18_July_2018_%28Immigration_thug_liability%29
content:
<p>
Immigration thugs <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2018/07/11/claims-ice-agents-were-just-following-orders-wont-save-them-liability-childrens">may be personally liable</a> for keeping children away
from their parents.


feed_id: caf024195d5eb567db61f909d0ea4a3f
title: Negotiating medicine prices
uri: Negotiating-medicine-prices
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#18_July_2018_%28Negotiating_medicine_prices%29
content:
<p>
One of the great benefits of a national health service is that
it <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/society/2018/jul/12/bradley-lowerys-mother-hails-nhs-go-ahead-for-cancer-drug">negotiates
the price of medicines</a> in large quantity.  The US doesn't try to
do that &mdash; on the contrary, it protects the drug companies' high
prices.


feed_id: c9dffeec8f06d428900fb2b5099cb661
title: What the bully represents
uri: What-the-bully-represents
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#18_July_2018_%28What_the_bully_represents%29
content:
<p>
Protest Against What Donald Trump Represents, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2018/jul/12/protest-donald-trump-protest-hatred">Not Who He Is</a>.
<p>
What he represents is plutocracy, not mere bigotry and hatred.


feed_id: 16838a9661feeda4d870faa7588de917
title: Americans getting a raise
uri: Americans-getting-a-raise
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#18_July_2018_%28Americans_getting_a_raise%29
content:
<p>
For US businesses and plutocratist politicians, the <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2018/jul/12/wage-rises-problem-economy--vacant-jobs-unfilled-threatens-economy">worst possible
disaster</a> is that Americans get a raise.


feed_id: bc455ed15f771a648cae14e8b4637602
title: Damage from sea-level rise
uri: Damage-from-sea-level-rise
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#18_July_2018_%28Damage_from_sea-level_rise%29
content:
<p>
Sea-level rise could
do <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/climate-consensus-97-per-cent/2018/jul/12/rising-ocean-waters-from-global-warming-could-cost-trillions-of-dollars">trillions
of dollars</a> <em>per year</em> in damage if we don't curb global
heating.


feed_id: 4b14426388585fcc8c6d1b9f2f89e558
title: Antisemitism code
uri: Antisemitism-code
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#18_July_2018_%28Antisemitism_code%29
content:
<p>
"Labour’s antisemitism code is the <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2018/jul/12/labour-antisemitism-code-gold-standard-political-parties">gold standard for political parties</a>."


feed_id: e318bad85d2ac9c00f7c2a62262347fb
title: Adult supervision
uri: Adult-supervision
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#18_July_2018_%28Adult_supervision%29
content:
<p>
Museums, movie theaters, zoos, even dentists' offices are <a href="https://letgrow.org/treating-teens-like-toddlers-is-literally-driving-them-crazy/">banning
children and teenagers from entering</a> without an adult to supervise
them.  They are usually banned from flying without an adult, and
banned from riding a bike to school.
<p>
So if you have to work, your children basically can't do anything
except get in trouble.


feed_id: 31de112c80b071c66f7552330409c168
title: New Tory ministers
uri: New-Tory-ministers
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#18_July_2018_%28New_Tory_ministers%29
content:
<p>
The new Tory ministers include <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2018/jul/12/esther-mcvey-tory-soap-opera-brexit">shameless liars and sadists</a>.


feed_id: 45b34798364472ef0689d9c1da29596c
title: Robots and workers
uri: Robots-and-workers
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#18_July_2018_%28Robots_and_workers%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2018/jul/12/robot-workers-will-lead-to-surge-in-slavery-in-south-east-asia-report-finds">A study forecasts</a> that more use of robots will push low-skilled
workers in Asia into increasing poverty and enslavement.


feed_id: f9dfd7a156c5e0d417eec277906bea83
title: Hiding on Nevis
uri: Hiding-on-Nevis
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#18_July_2018_%28Hiding_on_Nevis%29
content:
<p>
The island of Nevis provides the service of hiding the real owner of
property.  <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/news/2018/jul/12/nevis-how-the-worlds-most-secretive-offshore-haven-refuses-to-clean-up">Crooks, cheaters and tyrants</a> across the world use it.
<p>
Here's a possible approach to correcting this problem: other countries
can pass laws making it a crime for property (including local
corporations) to be owned by secretive foreign owners.  If a Nevis
corporation (or any other) is used in that way, it could be prosecuted
in the country where the property is located.  It would be unable to
offer a valid defense, so it would be convicted.  The punishment would
be to confiscate the property.


feed_id: 6990f323737668946ac1f32620e26db8
title: Trickle-down logic
uri: Trickle-down-logic
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#18_July_2018_%28Trickle-down_logic%29
content:
<p>
Ocasio-Cortez <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2018/07/10/months-after-gop-approved-15t-giveaway-rich-ocasio-cortez-shreds-those-questioning">punctures the trickle-down logic</a> of "mainstream centrists".


feed_id: ec544be6fbd6d7abfc4d77df0fe0751f
title: Definitions of antisemitism
uri: Definitions-of-antisemitism
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#18_July_2018_%28Definitions_of_antisemitism%29
content:
<p>
At last <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2018/jul/10/labour-antisemitism-new-code">we see what's really at stake</a> in the dispute about various
definitions of antisemitism.
<p>
Peace between Israel and Palestine requires that Israel remove its
colonies in Palestinian territory (including the territory that Israel
claims to have annexed to Jerusalem).  Those Israelis are all Jews, at
least nominally, since Israeli Arabs don't join the settler movement.
With some distortion, this could be equated to a demand for "all Jews
to be expelled from a future Palestine", and then under the author's
criterion it would count as "antisemitic".
<p>
I think this is a reason not to accept his criterion.


feed_id: 946a15b21ddafad64119f4a22df5db56
title: Kavanaugh on gun control
uri: Kavanaugh-on-gun-control
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#18_July_2018_%28Kavanaugh_on_gun_control%29
content:
<p>
Kavanaugh is
a <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/law/2018/jul/10/supreme-court-brett-kavanaugh-assault-weapons-ban-unconstitutional">persistent
enemy of gun control</a>.  He might not allow a ban
on <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jan-apr.html#1_March_2018_(Banning_assault_weapons)">high-velocity
military-style rifles</a> that are especially likely to kill or maim
people they hit.


feed_id: 0d6487503abb4c3a4fb010a1e3525021
title: Recovering boy from US clutches
uri: Recovering-boy-from-US-clutches
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#18_July_2018_%28Recovering_boy_from_US_clutches%29
content:
<p>
A Guatemalan Family <a href="https://theintercept.com/2018/07/10/separated-families-reunited-zero-tolerance/">Faces Endless Obstacles</a> as They Struggle to
Recover a 9-Year-Old Boy From U.S. [clutches].
<p>
I will not refer to this using the euphemism of "custody".


feed_id: d7118196042b84b5d18ea0c953a64e39
title: Heat and reaction time
uri: Heat-and-reaction-time
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#18_July_2018_%28Heat_and_reaction_time%29
content:
<p>
Unpleasant heat <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/science/2018/jul/11/heatwave-bad-decision-making-harvard-study">slowed down reaction time</a> for students in Boston.
<p>
There is only one way to enable both men and women to feel comfortable
in an office: set the temperature cool enough that nobody feels too
hot, then encourage each person to wear as much clothing as it takes
to feel comfortable.


feed_id: 15a9e253843f924033c59900aa07818a
title: Children still separated from families
uri: Children-still-separated-from-families
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#19_July_2018_%28Children_still_separated_from_families%29

content:
<p>
<a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#bully">The bully</a>'s men have 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2018/jul/12/trump-administration-eligible-small-children-reunited">returned
about half</a> of the small children that it took away from families
back to those families.
<p>
The other half supposedly are "not eligible".  In principle, it could
be true, but I would not trust his agents to judge that.


feed_id: a265d1ba357ec6a1974a464a0a7518e1
title: Bill to encourage overfishing
uri: Bill-to-encourage-overfishing
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#19_July_2018_%28Bill_to_encourage_overfishing%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#scrotus">SCROTUS</a> have 
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2018/07/12/gop-controlled-house-passes-bill-eviscerate-nations-marine-ecosystems-fisheries">passed</a>
a bill to encourage overfishing.


feed_id: c83417d97501f7dc05dd4767f6e68a1d
title: President Lopez Obrador
uri: President-Lopez-Obrador
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#19_July_2018_%28President_Lopez_Obrador%29
content:
<p>
US 
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2018/07/12/wake-amlo-victory-us-media-fear-chavismo-and-hope-business-friendly-change">major
media</a> warn that newly elected Mexican President Lopez Obrador
might cause disaster &mdash; for multinational corporations that
dominate Mexico at the expense of the Mexicans.  Decades of "gains"
for those multinationals might now be at risk.
<p>
A citation that criticizes the dominion of the multinationals talks
about "income growth per person", so I should point out that that's
not a good way to measure how well a country is doing for its
citizens.  It's somewhat vague, but the most natural meaning would be
growth in per-capita income, and per-capita income is a bad measure
because one rich person with a high income can drive up the figure
without making most people any better off.  Growth in the
inflation-adjusted median income would be a better measure.


feed_id: fc89e7563f4c42db16b19d5589422385
title: Walmart's methods for tracking workers
uri: Walmart-s-methods-for-tracking-workers
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#19_July_2018_%28Walmarts_methods_for_tracking_workers%29

content:
<p>
Walmart has 
<a href="https://www.buzzfeed.com/carolineodonovan/walmart-just-patented-audio-surveillance-technology-for">announced
methods</a> for tracking workers' activity.
<p>
If they change anything, they are dangerous &mdash; but it could be
that more traditional methods could track all the same things.
<p>
As for the patent, I don't think that increases or decreases the
danger.


feed_id: 96a6f0c2edb1118b3536a952e5d9a8ff
title: Sale of surveillance equipment to ICE
uri: Sale-of-surveillance-equipment-to-ICE
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#19_July_2018_%28Sale_of_surveillance_equipment_to_ICE%29

content:
<p>
Should Your Company Help ICE? 
<a href="https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2018/07/should-your-company-help-ice-know-your-customer-standards-evaluating-domestic">"Know
Your Customer" Standards</a> for Evaluating Domestic Sales of
Surveillance Equipment.


feed_id: 6cd477725192583b9473805503d4ab39
title: Facebook
uri: 2018-07-20-Facebook
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#19_July_2018_%28Facebook%29
content:
<p>
Facebook claimed to support "closed" groups and said it would not
release the names of the members.  Meanwhile, 
<a href="https://www.cnbc.com/2018/07/11/facebook-private-groups-breast-cancer-privacy-loophole.html">companies
could get their names, and other personal data</a>.


feed_id: eb99d271fa71a41141aa13b92c394d99
title: Racist distributor of seeds
uri: Racist-distributor-of-seeds
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#19_July_2018_%28Racist_distributor_of_seeds%29
content:
<p>
An (evidently) racist distributor 
<a href="http://www.wmcactionnews5.com/story/38610463/black-farmers-intentionally-sold-fake-seeds-in-memphis-lawsuit-says">sold
black farmers in Tennessee low-quality seeds, instead of the seeds
they thought they were buying</a>.


feed_id: 4c9656d85d39245101f281d3a425fa4e
title: US deportation thugs terrorize
uri: US-deportation-thugs-terrorize
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#19_July_2018_%28US_deportation_thugs_terrorize%29
content:
<p>
The US deportation <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thugs</a> are trying to make every moment a moment of 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2018/jul/14/ice-trump-administration-immigrants-arrested-safe-spaces">terror
for unauthorized immigrants</a>.


feed_id: a44bf4f6a86cefee5a0715f5385744d8
title: Mobile phone transmissions and cancers
uri: Mobile-phone-transmissions-and-cancers
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#19_July_2018_%28Mobile_phone_transmissions_and_cancers%29

content:
<p>
Some studies have found that mobile phone transmissions 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2018/jul/14/mobile-phones-cancer-inconvenient-truths">tend
to cause certain kinds of cancer</a>.
<p>
I have some caveats about this article.


feed_id: e189c24290cc3791fbfcbe1d78b938ff
title: Business environment
uri: Business-environment
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#19_July_2018_%28Business_environment%29
content:
<p>
The 
<a href="https://www.jacobinmag.com/2018/07/capitalism-science-research-academia-funding-publishing">business
environment of scientific research</a> now compels universities, as
well as scientists, to compete to maximize certain quantitative
measures of production of research.  This pressure leads to
exaggeration, careerism, and even bullshit.


feed_id: c2c227927a3d4d7333374ac13174c797
title: Identity politics
uri: 2018-07-20-Identity-politics
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#19_July_2018_%28Identity_politics%29
content:
<p>
Why Identity Politics 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2018/jul/14/identity-politics-right-left-trump-racism">Benefits
the Right More Than the Left</a>.
<p>
It turns out that some people activate latent hostility towards other
groups when they perceive their own group (whatever that is) as
threatened.  The left's discussion of racial diversity thus leads
some whites to support bigoted policies to a greater or lesser extent.
<p>
However, I disagree with the conclusion that progressives should bend
over backwards to be "civil".  The level of incivility coming from
Republicans every day is so great that a failure to respond has the
danger of making them appear strong and dominant, which invigorates
their supporters.


feed_id: 5d21d9554b28091e0eb065e3319524b6
title: Troll's threats against Iran
uri: Troll-s-threats-against-Iran
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#19_July_2018_%28Trolls_threats_against_Iran%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#bully">The bully</a>'s threats against Iran 
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2018/07/13/trump-threatens-iran-escalation-could-it-spin-out-control">could
easily provoke a war</a>.  Perhaps he hopes they do.


feed_id: 31db8aca8b8025ebcf0b4f045a64c2ab
title: Punishment of the accused before trial
uri: Punishment-of-the-accused-before-trial
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#19_July_2018_%28Punishment_of_the_accused_before_trial%29

content:
<p>
The US government keeps accused people in jail unless they are
well-off, or connected with gangs.  The effect is to punish them
before trial, and 
<a href="https://reason.com/archives/2018/07/14/innocent-until-proven-guilty-b">pressure
most people into pleading guilty even if they are not</a>.


feed_id: d0e7d6bb234ffb58e5eb3060acb928be
title: Urgent: Cashless Retailers Prohibition Act
uri: Urgent-Cashless-Retailers-Prohibition-Act
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#19_July_2018_%28Urgent%3A_Cashless_Retailers_Prohibition_Act%29

content:
<p>
Residents of Washington DC: <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/business/2018/jul/15/cashless-ban-washington-act-discrimination">tell your city council member</a> you support
the Cashless Retailers Prohibition Act.</p>
<p>
Even better, say that your concern is <em>not</em> only about those
who don't have bank accounts &mdash; it is for everyone that values
anonymity, and that that includes you.


feed_id: 88a258b6766efc99084697a2db159780
title: Urgent: Reject Kavanaugh
uri: 2018-07-20-Urgent-Reject-Kavanaugh
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#19_July_2018_%28Urgent%3A_Reject_Kavanaugh%29
content:
<p>
US citizens: <a href="https://act.credoaction.com/sign/Kavanaugh_investigation">call on Republican senators</a> not to confirm Kavanaugh
or any other Supreme Court justice that might help <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#cheater">the cheater</a> escape
the law.


feed_id: 7067c5c83827d4ab1f0aef900fff1d44
title: Attack on the idea of truth
uri: Attack-on-the-idea-of-truth
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#19_July_2018_%28Attack_on_the_idea_of_truth%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/books/2018/jul/14/the-death-of-truth-how-we-gave-up-on-facts-and-ended-up-with-trump">Describing the antecedents</a> of the bullshitter's attack on the very
idea of truth.
<p>
A true history of specific events does exist in principle.  There is room
for a certain amount of disagreement when analyzing what they mean,
but that does not make the analysis arbitrary or relative.


feed_id: 9365515785759c23f1df78ed384d6e77
title: Schemes to rig elections
uri: Schemes-to-rig-elections
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#19_July_2018_%28Schemes_to_rig_elections%29
content:
<p>
Kavanaugh's record shows he
will <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2018/07/13/does-brett-kavanaugh-spell-end-voting-rights">facilitate
voter-suppression</a> and other Republican schemes to rig elections.


feed_id: e3897027ee5e926787435fc3ea97c3af
title: Diluting 'medicare for all'
uri: Diluting-medicare-for-all
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#19_July_2018_%28Diluting_%27medicare_for_all%27%29
content:
<p>
"Centrists" are trying to <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2018/07/13/medicare-all-means-something-dont-let-moderates-water-it-down">dilute the meaning</a> of the phrase "medicare
for all" so that it could stand for something less than what is needed.
<p>
Let's campaign for a national health system instead.


feed_id: b950e3936ae4247f1199e18bac9fcd12
title: Russian attacks on election
uri: Russian-attacks-on-election
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#19_July_2018_%28Russian_attacks_on_election%29
content:
<p>
The
US <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2018/jul/13/russians-hillary-clinton-email-server-trump-indictment">published
detailed accusation</a> that Russian state cracking agents attacked
the servers of Hillary Clinton, the Democratic Party, and several
state electoral commissions, often successfully.
<p>
Their action may have been intended to manipulate the US election.
How much it helped the <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#bully">bully</a> steal the election is imponderable.  (He
did not <em>win</em> the electoral college, but came close enough that
Republicans could steal a few states with <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2016-nov-feb.html#23_November_2016_(Reversing_election-rigging)">voter suppression</a>.)
<p>
Ironically, <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jul-oct.html#4_August_2016_(DNC_server_crack)">their
releases exposed the plot</a> by the Democratic Party that had already
successfully manipulated the US election.  This gave us our current
chance
to <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2017-mar-jun.html#21_April_2017_(Campaign_to_elect_progressive_Democrats)">take
back the Democratic Party</a> from the right-wing "centrists".


feed_id: 6cf4e3097e28242811e9565ffbcd7531
title: Bill for drug costs
uri: Bill-for-drug-costs
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#19_July_2018_%28Bill_for_drug_costs%29
content:
<p>
Congressional Democrats
have <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2018/07/12/calling-new-laws-over-trump-photo-ops-warren-unveils-bill-take-real-action-lower">introduced
a bill</a> to limit drug costs for Americans, but I can't tell from
the article how it would achieve that.
<p>
Would it work by having the state pay the rest of the cost?  If so, to
ensure that this does not translate into paying exorbitant prices from
the public treasury, we need a single-payer, single-purchaser system
that would buy all the drugs and negotiate the prices.


feed_id: 5b05f273346695e846bac67fcbf1cf2e
title: Facebook's 'trustworthy' news
uri: Facebook-s-trustworthy-news
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#19_July_2018_%28Facebook%27s_%27trustworthy%27_news%29

content:
<p>
Facebook <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2018/07/12/confirming-progressive-fears-facebooks-trustworthy-news-project-chock-full-fox-news">gave
Faux News a big role</a> in its review of "trustworthy" news.


feed_id: 60e3b212969757c908e287ec3cd1ff64
title: Excuse to attack the poor
uri: Excuse-to-attack-the-poor
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#19_July_2018_%28Excuse_to_attack_the_poor%29
content:
<p>
Tories want to use the UK's exit from the EU as
an <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2018/jul/13/tory-brexiteers-plan-2019-britain-conservative">excuse
to attack the poor and working people</a> in the ways they wanted
anyway.


feed_id: 773cd04a93ec2bd655c484026adcd3a3
title: Premature births
uri: Premature-births
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#19_July_2018_%28Premature_births%29
content:
<p>
Advances in treating premature births earlier in gestation are <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/jul/13/how-anti-abortion-activists-use-cutting-edge-science-to-justify-ever-stricter-laws">cited
by antiabortionists as reasons</a> to ban abortion at that stage of
gestation.
<p>
This shows that it is a mistake to let viability of the fetus
determine abortion rights.
<p>
Someday we have have an artificial womb replacement that can gestate a
fertilized egg all the way to birth.  Would it follow that every
fertilized egg has the right to be gestated?  Certainly not.


feed_id: 5ade1d8a1c2d65f2c31430260de61999
title: Twelve Russians indicted
uri: Twelve-Russians-indicted
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#19_July_2018_%28Twelve_Russians_indicted%29
content:
<p>
Mueller's investigation has <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2018/jul/13/russia-indictments-latest-news-hacking-dnc-charges-trump-department-justice-rod-rosenstein">indicted 12 Russians</a>, state agents,
for cracking the DNC's computer systems in 2016.
<p>
If the bullshitter fails to demand Putin cease this, it
will <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2018/jul/13/carefully-crafted-indictment-of-12-russian-spies-heaps-pressure-on-trump">reveal
him as a collaborator</a>.


feed_id: d2fbb6b0aeadf48c4627b455164787c4
title: Record temperatures
uri: Record-temperatures
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#19_July_2018_%28Record_temperatures%29
content:
<p>
This week has
seen <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2018/jul/13/heatwave-sees-record-high-temperatures-set-around-world-this-week">record
temperatures</a> around the world.


feed_id: 6149dd8313bd83dc12eb8fb8fb9fb32b
title: Cart for homeless people
uri: Cart-for-homeless-people
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#19_July_2018_%28Cart_for_homeless_people%29
content:
<p>
A <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/jul/13/canada-shopping-cart-design-homelessness">specially
designed cart</a> will make it easier for homeless people to keep
their property.
<p>
It will be an improvement over current conditions but not an adequate
substitute for a place to live.


feed_id: 8a66308fd99988f5fd2311f2245c4068
title: End of CETA
uri: End-of-CETA
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#19_July_2018_%28End_of_CETA%29
content:
<p>
Italy's government said <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/jul/13/say-cheese-why-italy-wont-ratify-eu-free-trade-deal-with-canada">it will kill CETA</a>.
The reasons it cites are minor, economic ones, not about the ISDS (I
Sue Democratic States) clause that would give foreign companies direct power
over each country involved.
<p>
A similar Canadian business-supremacy treaty with China reportedly
makes it terribly expensive for Canada not to build the Unkinder
Morgan pipeline to Vancouver.  A treaty that can do such harm
must be prevented, or else it will have to be cancelled.


feed_id: 70aeac88d662153fecbe280ec141a941
title: UAE forces in Yemen
uri: UAE-forces-in-Yemen
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#19_July_2018_%28UAE_forces_in_Yemen%29
content:
<p>
UAE forces in Yemen, together with the Yemeni faction they support,
have
been <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2018/07/12/disappearances-and-torture-southern-yemen-detention-facilities-must-be">arresting
and torturing people</a> for years.  The victims include various kinds
of dissidents, and journalists.


feed_id: 193decf34db7887c92761b0327297303
title: Democrats as governors
uri: Democrats-as-governors
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#19_July_2018_%28Democrats_as_governors%29
content:
<p>
The path to defeating Republican gerrymanders is
by <a href="https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2018/7/10/1778562/-The-Supreme-Court-is-poised-to-make-GOP-gerrymandering-worse-Democratic-governors-can-fight-back">electing
Democrats as governors</a>.
<p>
This is because the Supreme
Court <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#29_June_2018_(Racist_gerrymandering)">defends
the Republican gerrymanders</a> that effectively rig elections.


feed_id: c12fbd519306a71f338e1915d79de541
title: Trauma of refugees
uri: Trauma-of-refugees
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#19_July_2018_%28Trauma_of_refugees%29
content:
<p>
Some of the young children recently reunited with their refugee parents
<a href="https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2018/7/11/1779652/-Joy-sorrow-following-few-dozen-migrant-family-reunifications-My-child-didn-t-recognize-me">show
effects of trauma</a>.


feed_id: 58de24a4d978275a0a6ddac5d49dff9a
title: UK immigration
uri: 2018-07-21-UK-immigration
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#20_July_2018_%28UK_immigration%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2018/jul/16/widowed-father-ordered-leave-uk-against-advice-of-home-office-lawyers-andrew-farotade">Andrew
Farotade's case</a> shows what the UK's "hostile environment for
immigrants" means in practice.
<p>
I don't think it is mere imperfection that leads officials to make so
many mistakes &mdash; always to the immigrants' detriment -- nor that
it is a coincidence that they have to bankrupt themselves trying to
get those mistakes corrected.  I think officials designed this scheme,
knowing that it would chase out lots of immigrants and that they could
get away with that all they were doing was carrying out laws and that
each expulsion was justified.
<p>
The officials who planned this didn't do it from mere spite, although
they may feel some.  Surely they were directed from higher up to
increase the frequency of expulsions and "Don't tell us how."


feed_id: 1745de707c194d3a1933ab165922ec3c
title: Carbon tax
uri: 2018-07-21-Carbon-tax
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#20_July_2018_%28Carbon_tax%29
content:
<p>
Economic modeling studies suggest that a carbon tax would 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/climate-consensus-97-per-cent/2018/jul/16/comprehensive-study-carbon-taxes-wont-hamper-the-economy">boost
the economy by reducing global heating</a>.  Some tax systems are more
effective than others.


feed_id: 3f4793142a9e380abefd1f85da015874
title: Deportation of reunified families
uri: Deportation-of-reunified-families
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#20_July_2018_%28Deportation_of_reunified_families%29

content:
<p>
A US judge 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2018/jul/16/judge-halts-deportation-families-trump-administration">halted</a>
deportation of families reunified by the US.


feed_id: cabcdf75095d6ba48563d86d044a2c56
title: US immigration prison
uri: 2018-07-21-US-immigration-prison
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#20_July_2018_%28US_immigration_prison%29
content:
<p>
A Mexican woman 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2018/jul/16/what-its-like-when-ice-detains-you-they-own-you-youre-impotent">reports
on 11 months in immigration prison</a>.  Her report describes many
forms of cruelty, and she says that her children show lasting effects
of trauma.


feed_id: 88e49573b5846dc02f70f2648d235245
title: Extreme poverty in Nigeria
uri: Extreme-poverty-in-Nigeria
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#20_July_2018_%28Extreme_poverty_in_Nigeria%29
content:
<p>
Nigeria is now the 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2018/jul/16/nigeria-poverty-stricken-families-struggle-survive">world
leader in extreme poverty</a>.
<p>
One of the things people need to do in such a situation is stop
having children.  We ought to donate reliable birth control.


feed_id: b5b54627585346343e6f0550c2af82a2
title: Oppressive employers in Kerala
uri: Oppressive-employers-in-Kerala
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#20_July_2018_%28Oppressive_employers_in_Kerala%29
content:
<p>
Women working in stores in Kerala often develop injuries because they
work a 12-hour day and are 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/jul/16/the-right-to-sit-indian-law-change-allows-women-workers-to-rest">not
allowed to sit down while working</a>.
<p>
Just because oppressive employers practice gender bias is no reason
for laws to do so.  Kerala should give <em>all</em> workers the right
to sit, as well as the other rights they need to stay healthy.


feed_id: f0358e9495244d6f63f23df577ac18e9
title: Ending poverty
uri: Ending-poverty
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#20_July_2018_%28Ending_poverty%29
content:
<p>
Ending poverty requires 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2018/jul/16/buzzwords-crazes-broken-aid-system-poverty">changing
the conditions that create poverty</a>.
<p>
It's ineffective to pour in millions in aid while 
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#5_March_2018_(Bringing_profits_to_the_US)">multinationals
continue to suck out much larger quantities while paying hardly any
tax</a>, and while corrupt politicians can put billions into 
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#18_July_2018_(Hiding_on_Nevis)">secret
companies in Nevis</a>.


feed_id: adc532304c0053b5b8536f8342e001b7
title: A trial run for fascism
uri: A-trial-run-for-fascism
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#20_July_2018_%28A_trial_run_for_fascism%29
content:
<p>
Putting children (and teenagers and adults) in cages was a 
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/node/120102">trial run for
fascism</a>.
<p>
It seems to have been a success, in that the <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#bully">bully</a>'s base is totally
happy with it, and ready to dismiss the crying children as "actors".


feed_id: f5eb7534f667f235118af91cd0b5e6bc
title: Thug chief's "crime statistics"
uri: Thug-chief-s-crime-statistics
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#20_July_2018_%28Thug_chiefs_crime_statistics%29
content:
<p>
The <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thug</a> chief of San Diego concocted fake "crime statistics" to
impede marijuana sales in California.  Various real cities are 
<a href="https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2018/7/6/1778484/-This-is-how-Fake-News-spreads-Crime-stats-falsified-by-former-police-chief-are-shaping-policy">using
the fake statistics as the basis for real decisions</a>.


feed_id: e5a07e8d70264abff222249c7c4ec8dd
title: Aggressive war can now be prosecuted
uri: Aggressive-war-can-now-be-prosecuted
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#20_July_2018_%28Aggressive_war_can_now_be_prosecuted%29

content:
<p>
Aggressive war can now be prosecuted in the 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2018/jul/16/law-blair-bush-iraq-hague-crime-of-aggression">International
Criminal Court</a>.


feed_id: 8c52a57cfa8638f4966590b7bac320be
title: Nuclear disarmament
uri: 2018-07-21-Nuclear-disarmament
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#20_July_2018_%28Nuclear_disarmament%29
content:
<p>
The history of nuclear weapons and 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/jul/16/nuclear-war-north-korea-russia-what-will-happen-how-likely-explained">nuclear
disarmament</a>.
<p>
More countries have ended their nuclear weapons activities than
continue them today.


feed_id: f63fec22dde0fc9de604355a71c63827
title: Snooping voice-controlled shopping
uri: Snooping-voice-controlled-shopping
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#20_July_2018_%28Snooping_voice-controlled_shopping%29

content:
<p>
Snooping 
<a href="https://qz.com/1323884/alexa-makes-decision-making-easier-than-ever-by-making-your-choices-for-you/">voice-controlled
shopping</a> will let a few giant brands put their competitors out of
business.


feed_id: fb8afa1bf31f8e6f784d547f06a30a7d
title: Pussy Riot protest
uri: Pussy-Riot-protest
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#20_July_2018_%28Pussy_Riot_protest%29
content:
<p>
Pussy Riot 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/jul/15/pussy-riot-claim-responsibility-world-cup-final-pitch-invasion">protested
on the field in the final match of the soccer world championship</a>,
demanding certain basic political freedoms in Russia.


feed_id: d46f1d7fcb3e7fdcef8ef0083e099497
title: Fair Elections Now Act
uri: Fair-Elections-Now-Act
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#20_July_2018_%28Fair_Elections_Now_Act%29
content:
<p>
The Fair Elections Now Act would set up a system of 
<a href="https://www.durbin.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/durbin-introduces-fair-elections-now-act">public
funding for senate candidates</a>.


feed_id: fb24c576cd33b7786c8e4abb758bb33b
title: Teachers spurred into militance
uri: Teachers-spurred-into-militance
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#20_July_2018_%28Teachers_spurred_into_militance%29
content:
<p>
The teachers at the American Federation of Teachers' annual convention
have been 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2018/jul/15/us-teachers-union-convention-pittsburgh-strikes">spurred
into militance</a> by the recent strikes in several states.
<p>
That, of course, responds to the increased Republican contempt for
public education, reflected in giant classes with no supplies as well
as in low wages for teachers.  The Republicans of 20 years ago would
not have thought of going so far.


feed_id: fc5b35019ae4317ffb313b73fbde09e4
title: California's Democratic Party
uri: California-s-Democratic-Party
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#20_July_2018_%28Californias_Democratic_Party%29
content:
<p>
California's Democratic Party executive board 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2018/jul/15/california-democratic-party-snubs-senator-dianne-feinstein-senate-race">voted
to endorse de Leon</a> over Senator Feinstein.
<p>
Feinstein is not much better than the Republicans of 3 years ago.


feed_id: d48689bb1498e5d74dcc9b362018b19a
title: Urgent: Kavanaugh on Roe v Wade
uri: Urgent-Kavanaugh-on-Roe-v-Wade
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#20_July_2018_%28Urgent%3A_Kavanaugh_on_Roe_v_Wade%29

content:
<p>
US citizens: <a href="https://www.aclu.org/issues/call-senators-get-kavanaugh-record-about-abortion">The ACLU asks you to phone your senators</a> and call on them
to demand that Kavanaugh say exactly where he stands regarding Roe v Wade.


feed_id: 5bf574fdab874b90fceced472e567acf
title: Urgent: SEC and FDIC appointments
uri: Urgent-SEC-and-FDIC-appointments
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#20_July_2018_%28Urgent%3A_SEC_and_FDIC_appointments%29

content:
<p>
US citizens: phone Senator Schumer at (202) 224-6542 and urge him to
<a href="https://act.demandprogress.org/go/18521">appoint progressives to the Democratic slots</a> in the SEC and FDIC.
<p>
I'd say, "People who will oppose the <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#bankster">banksters</a>."


feed_id: 0f7b7378c668080719a73fc6a47ba6a7
title: Vietnam War resistance
uri: Vietnam-War-resistance
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#20_July_2018_%28Vietnam_War_resistance%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://libcom.org/history/1961-1973-gi-resistance-in-the-vietnam-war">A study of the resistance</a> to the Vietnam War by US soldiers and
sailors.


feed_id: 164d49c88b6485448024b5ebe971defb
title: Children in private prison
uri: Children-in-private-prison
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#20_July_2018_%28Children_in_private_prison%29
content:
<p>
People saw a private prison company, MVM, bring children into
a "vacant" office building and <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2018/07/08/report-defense-contractors-use-vacant-office-building-house-children-underscores">keep them there for weeks</a>.
The company pretended this was not happening until video footage
proved the truth.
<p>
The building had few toilets and no kitchen, and using it as a
residence was illegal.
<p>
This secrecy is an extreme example of the lack of accountability that
typifies privatization of any government activity.  We should abolish
all private prisons.


feed_id: e9c844a9534a8a5ccb49d2b3b4f5a109
title: Splitting up families
uri: Splitting-up-families
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#20_July_2018_%28Splitting_up_families%29
content:
<p>
America <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2018/07/09/america-was-business-separating-families-long-trump">has
been splitting up families</a> since before the United States was
founded.  Slave families, indigenous families, and Japanese-American
families.


feed_id: 6bac03d016614ac5a5c2851f9171637a
title: Gorsuch's promise
uri: Gorsuch-s-promise
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#20_July_2018_%28Gorsuch%27s_promise%29
content:
<p>
Gorsuch promised over and over that he would follow precedents.
Once confirmed, he has <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2018/07/09/gorsuch-has-shown-no-commitment-precedent-should-worry-collins-about-roe">broken them over and over</a>.


feed_id: 1cf74907a940acb39042d0f20f0581db
title: FEMA and Puerto Rico
uri: FEMA-and-Puerto-Rico
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#20_July_2018_%28FEMA_and_Puerto_Rico%29
content:
<p>
FEMA
has <a href="https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2018/7/13/1780212/-FEMA-admits-the-obvious-in-new-report-that-it-completely-failed-in-its-response-to-Hurricane-Maria">admitted
it did a bad job</a> of aiding Puerto Rico during and after the
hurricane.  Puerto Rico still needs help, but the US government has no
intention of offering any.


feed_id: b99178c0d53d150e9b1d1082e61b62de
title: Segregated housing in Israel
uri: Segregated-housing-in-Israel
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#20_July_2018_%28Segregated_housing_in_Israel%29
content:
<p>
Israel is about to enact a
law <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/jul/15/israel-turmoil-bill-allowing-jews-arabs-segregated">imposing
segregation in housing</a>.
<p>
We could call this Jamal Crow.


feed_id: c81647decafa10b741c8badf6fab2fae
title: Greece's 'bailout'
uri: Greece-s-bailout
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#20_July_2018_%28Greece%27s_%27bailout%27%29
content:
<p>
Greece is nominally about to emerge from the "bailout" of its
creditors.  <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/jul/15/greece-exit-final-international-bailout-debt-catastrophe">This
will change nothing real</a>; Greece will still have to squeeze Greeks
to the bone to pay them.
<p>
The people interviewed in the main body of the story are advocates of
the EU dominion, so they paint everything with a rosy glow.  The
"reforms" they talk about are reductions in wages and workers' rights.
The "democracy" that has survived has no power over anything
important, like the "democracy" that
is <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#2_October_2017_(Vulture_capitalists)">crushing
Puerto Rico</a> and the "democracy"
that <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2015-jan-apr.html#27_April_2015_(Detroit)">crushed
Detroit</a>.
<p>
The "surpluses" they speak of refer to the tribute for the creditors
that today's Greeks will serve for the whole of their lives.
<p>
The <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#bankster">banksters</a> that directed and direct the creditor organizations
deserve to spend their lives in prison for this.


feed_id: 1707bf2b6caaf1d4312375fb333100a5
title: Deadly scorpions in Brazil
uri: Deadly-scorpions-in-Brazil
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#20_July_2018_%28Deadly_scorpions_in_Brazil%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/jul/15/scorpion-deaths-rise-brazil-cities-urban-adaptation-risks">A
deadly scorpion</a> now inhabits Brazil's cities.
<p>
The scorpions eat cockroaches.  Efforts to cut down on the food for
cockroaches might cut down on scorpions.


feed_id: a23f57cc1efd81856ee4681e7e70b520
title: Students attacked in Nicaragua
uri: Students-attacked-in-Nicaragua
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#20_July_2018_%28Students_attacked_in_Nicaragua%29
content:
<p>
Ortega's unofficial armed forces
are <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/jul/14/nicaragua-university-student-rebel-protest-militia-assault-ortega">attacking
students</a> that occupied their university.


feed_id: 6cc9ea3224b31af0d9c9887de82711a3
title: Campaigning in Kansas
uri: Campaigning-in-Kansas
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#20_July_2018_%28Campaigning_in_Kansas%29
content:
<p>
Sanders and Ocasio-Cortez
are <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2018/07/14/combat-political-malpractice-democrats-midwest-sanders-and-ocasio-cortez-joining">going
to Kansas</a> to campaign for progressive candidates in Democratic
primaries.


feed_id: 8bcfd70754449c87895f648f34086d23
title: Don't tread on me
uri: Don-t-tread-on-me
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#20_July_2018_%28Don%27t_tread_on_me%29
content:
<p>
How "Don't tread on me" sank from a slogan for resisting power to a
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2018/07/14/dont-tread-me-let-me-tread-all-over-you-credo-personal-freedom-and-limitless-greed">slogan
for petty jerks</a> that want power over those weaker than they.


feed_id: 23f79875135ea416e72a9487e2d7bb9e
title: Reference for medicine
uri: Reference-for-medicine
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#20_July_2018_%28Reference_for_medicine%29
content:
<p>
The US
is <a href="https://www.thedailybeast.com/hhs-plans-to-delete-20-years-of-critical-medical-guidelines-next-week">shutting
down a vital reference for medicine</a>, to "save money".
<p>
That means the money will go to rich people's tax cuts.  But even rich people
won't be able to buy, reliably, doctors that can do as good a job without this
reference.


feed_id: 08b8781a7eb5f714039a71f4a95f2d57
title: Russian "gun rights activist"
uri: Russian-gun-rights-activist
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#21_July_2018_%28Russian_gun_rights_activist%29
content:
<p>
Maria Butina, Russian "gun rights activist", 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/jul/17/maria-butina-donald-trump-accused-spy-russia-charges">worked
persistently to promote the NRA and Republican candidates</a>.


feed_id: 86d1e13e32cdda1f0208483d608ac509
title: Phosphate fertilizer wasted
uri: Phosphate-fertilizer-wasted
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#21_July_2018_%28Phosphate_fertilizer_wasted%29
content:
<p>
We are 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2018/jul/17/plantwatch-phosphate-fertilisers-leading-widespread-pollution">wasting
the limited stocks of phosphate fertilizer</a> on creating harmful
algae blooms in the ocean.


feed_id: 4a16cb4f972ff62c4c8946111d2a462b
title: Troll's nominee for Supreme Court
uri: Troll-s-nominee-for-Supreme-Court
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#21_July_2018_%28Trolls_nominee_for_Supreme_Court%29
content:
<p>
Kavanaugh said he wants to allow prosecutors to 
<a href="https://reason.com/archives/2018/07/16/brett-kavanaughs-soft-spot-for-police-ab">use
evidence obtained from illegal searches</a>.


feed_id: 86abdd3f5f2038f75e40f2d3d8b4f092
title: Troll's "summit" meeting with Putin
uri: Troll-s-summit-meeting-with-Putin
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#21_July_2018_%28Trolls_summit_meeting_with_Putin%29
content:
<p>
The bullshitter's "summit" meeting with Putin was a series of
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2018/jul/16/trump-beholden-to-putin-summit-does-nothing-to-dispel-impression">concessions
to Putin</a>.  Only Putin was at the summit; the bullshitter was
kneeling to him.
<p>
The bullshitter 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2018/jul/16/trump-shows-trusts-ex-kgb-agent-putin-more-than-us-intelligence">trusts
an ex-KGB agent more than US intelligence</a>.
<p>
US intelligence agencies don't necessarily defend US human rights and
democracy.  Their own snooping on us is a threat, and they might
instead defend the power of the plutocrats that rule America against
Americans in general.
<p>
A Russian spook, by contrast, never defends Russian human rights and
democracy, and US human rights and democracy even less.


feed_id: 0bc68c819b170058505c3d763cb3a571
title: Data centers and global heating
uri: Data-centers-and-global-heating
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#21_July_2018_%28Data_centers_and_global_heating%29
content:
<p>
The electricity to run data centers is a 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2018/jul/17/internet-climate-carbon-footprint-data-centres">significant
contribution to global heating</a>.


feed_id: c82878a66599a38afce22914eaa7578a
title: Fascism
uri: Fascism
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#21_July_2018_%28Fascism%29
content:
<p>
The 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2018/jul/17/five-human-rights-we-should-enjoy-while-we-still-can">five
areas of rights</a> that fascist regimes tend to attack first.


feed_id: 5fde33b5857214facf18d96e096af438
title: Hong Kong pro-independence party
uri: Hong-Kong-pro-independence-party
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#21_July_2018_%28Hong_Kong_pro-independence_party%29
content:
<p>
Hong Kong is moving to ban the pro-independence party and 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/jul/17/hong-kong-moves-to-ban-citys-first-pro-independence-party">punish
everyone who associates with it</a>.


feed_id: be1980fcc9c5c32d252110b6e6dcabef
title: FBI wants program to recognize tattoos
uri: FBI-wants-program-to-recognize-tattoos
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#21_July_2018_%28FBI_wants_program_to_recognize_tattoos%29

content:
<p>
The FBI wants a program to recognize tattoo images, and 
<a href="https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2018/07/fbi-wants-app-can-recognize-meaning-your-tattoos">plans
to infer people's beliefs and associations from their tattoos</a>.
Even when a human being looks at the tattoo, the inference of
associations is unreliable.  This unreliable basis is 
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2017-jan-apr.html#19_February_2017_(Jailed_for_asking_for_protection)">used
today in the US for punishing people</a>.


feed_id: 6aa91457ac264be734d5e66468b70658
title: Urgent: Russia-NRA connection
uri: Urgent-Russia-NRA-connection
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#21_July_2018_%28Urgent%3A_Russia-NRA_connection%29
content:
<p>
US
citizens: <a href="https://act.credoaction.com/sign/NRA_Russia_2018">call
on the Senate</a> to investigate the Russia-NRA connection.


feed_id: 8e83bf9056f31066fb3953bbd18a3160
title: Urgent: Discharging non-citizens
uri: Urgent-Discharging-non-citizens
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#21_July_2018_%28Urgent%3A_Discharging_non-citizens%29

content:
<p>
US
citizens: <a href="http://act.winwithoutwar.org/sign/tell-sec-mattis-halt-discharges-of-immigrant-servicemembers/">call
on Mattis</a> to stop discharging non-citizens from the US military
for no valid reason.


feed_id: f4d0aca1d121bbbc594cd8474d46ab3e
title: Speech and assembly tax
uri: Speech-and-assembly-tax
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#21_July_2018_%28Speech_and_assembly_tax%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://www.aclu.org/blog/free-speech/rights-protesters/why-there-must-never-be-speech-and-assembly-tax">Why
There Must Never</a> Be a Speech and Assembly Tax.


feed_id: 4613e9a0d592c5e5a192a15739816ebb
title: Denying hernia surgery
uri: Denying-hernia-surgery
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#21_July_2018_%28Denying_hernia_surgery%29
content:
<p>
Cutbacks on the UK's NHS have led to denying surgery to people with
hernias.  This can cause them horrible pain, and <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/society/2018/jul/17/nhs-rationing-putting-hernia-patients-lives-at-risk-say-surgeons">in some cases death</a>.
<p>
Hernia surgery is not high tech and not tremendously expensive.
The fact that this is rationed shows that the Tories are cutting medical
care to the bone.


feed_id: 090cbc8b79766748b3252791ec9ba055
title: Far-right activists on Facebook
uri: Far-right-activists-on-Facebook
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#21_July_2018_%28Far-right_activists_on_Facebook%29
content:
<p>
Facebook protects far-right
activists <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2018/jul/17/facebook-protects-far-right-activists-even-after-rule-breaches-dispatches-c4">even
after rule breaches</a>.


feed_id: 9d13e18b4e1b528b2330df915b00f885
title: Economic growth
uri: 2018-07-22-Economic-growth
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#21_July_2018_%28Economic_growth%29
content:
<p>
Since economic growth does very little to benefit the poor, it makes
sense to design an economic system that <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2018/07/16/it-time-post-growth-economy">doesn't depend on economic
growth</a>.


feed_id: 366667de8343ed4f528bb040fd140ad1
title: Journalist ejected for sign
uri: Journalist-ejected-for-sign
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#21_July_2018_%28Journalist_ejected_for_sign%29
content:
<p>
A journalist for The Nation
was <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2018/07/16/journalist-wielding-nuclear-weapons-ban-sign-forcibly-ejected-trump-putin-presser">ejected
from the two-bullshitters press conference</a> for holding a sign that
said, "Nuclear Weapon Ban Treaty."


feed_id: fc48927b6845329e4c88014ebfd513b1
title: Intergalactic Fleet Week
uri: Intergalactic-Fleet-Week
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#21_July_2018_%28Intergalactic_Fleet_Week%29
content:
<p>
(satire): <a href="https://www.theonion.com/hundreds-of-rowdy-starship-crews-disembark-in-nyc-durin-1827626963">Intergalactic
Fleet Week 2018</a> in New York City.


feed_id: 2b79f29c3e9ffc15216d29c456a6a573
title: Kushner real estate firm
uri: Kushner-real-estate-firm
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#21_July_2018_%28Kushner_real_estate_firm%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2018/07/16/tenants-accuse-predatory-kushner-real-estate-firm-exposing-families-cancer-causing">Tenants
Accuse 'Predatory' Kushner Real Estate Firm</a> of Exposing Families
to Cancer-Causing Dust Then Forcing Them Out.


feed_id: 872d9545d9e5faabe3125decbc97d150
title: Economic vs military security
uri: Economic-vs-military-security
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#21_July_2018_%28Economic_vs_military_security%29
content:
<p>
The kind of national security that most Americans
need <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2018/07/16/wages-poverty-america">is
economic security</a>.  More military security hardly does Americans
any good.


feed_id: 3d682c831e72dfdc4f6ceb5e98079be7
title: Bureaucracy and refugees
uri: Bureaucracy-and-refugees
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#21_July_2018_%28Bureaucracy_and_refugees%29
content:
<p>
The US government has set up
a <a href="https://www.texastribune.org/2018/07/11/path-reunification-isnt-easy-immigrant-parents/">maze
of bureaucratic requirements</a> that keep refugee parents and
children apart.


feed_id: 7ed0fa87dd425ceb673a3e71c5ec33d8
title: Published payment data
uri: Published-payment-data
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#21_July_2018_%28Published_payment_data%29
content:
<p>
One payment app publishes all the data about payments (unless the user
has changed the settings).  A researcher
has <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/jul/17/venmo-payments-app-default-privacy-settings-public-information">analyzed
what this leak does</a>.
<p>
The other payment apps don't publish the transaction data &mdash; but
they provided it to the stores, to the banks, and to the state.  Which
is almost as bad.  The analysis from this one payment app can teach
us, if we are willing to learn, how bad the others are.
<p>
Can you be confident that your country's government will respect
everyone's human rights?  What about 5 years from now?  10?  20?


feed_id: f8a511995afe4dc0dd218163ce7a503f
title: Elon Musk's Republican donations
uri: Elon-Musk-s-Republican-donations
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#21_July_2018_%28Elon_Musk%27s_Republican_donations%29

content:
<p>
<a href="https://www.salon.com/2018/07/14/elon-musk-revealed-as-one-of-the-largest-donors-for-a-house-republican-pac/">Elon
Musk donates substantially</a> to keep Republicans in control of
Congress.
<p>
$33,000 is a small amount for him.  If he cares about a cause, he
would surely put far more money into it than that.  I suspect he has
donated a lot more through various other channels.
<p>
Two years ago, supporting Republicans meant promoting concentration of
wealth and cutting most Americans off from medical care in general (as
well as abortion in particular).  Nowadays it also means supporting
fascism, racism, and the death of the idea of honesty.


feed_id: 2b207bfa7041810ddba89af42379f633
title: Subsidized housing rent hike
uri: Subsidized-housing-rent-hike
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#21_July_2018_%28Subsidized_housing_rent_hike%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#saboteur">Saboteur</a> of Housing
Carson <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/social-issues/ben-carson-says-hes-raising-rents-to-put-poor-americans-to-work--but-in-the-district-the-majority-are-either-elderly-or-disabled-or-already-work/2018/07/13/b85866a0-8127-11e8-b658-4f4d2a1aeef1_story.html?noredirect=on">presents
his plan</a> to raise rent in subsidized housing as a way to pressure
poor people to work.
<p>
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#29_May_2018_(Poverty_in_the_US)">40%
of Americans</a> can't handle an unexpected expense of $400.  These
rent increases would add up to more than $1000 a year.
<p>
Poor people in the US today are in such desperate situations that they
would all work &mdash; if they can.  So the idea of pressuring then to
work, regardless of what kind of pressure it would be, is
fundamentally absurd.
<p>
What those people can do, and will do for a while, is go without food
and/or medicine.


feed_id: 287fdbe45e2e329aba87ab13987d3a8c
title: Urgent: Restoring net neutrality
uri: Urgent-Restoring-net-neutrality
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#22_July_2018_%28Urgent%3A_Restoring_net_neutrality%29

content:
<p>
US citizens: <a href="https://act.freepress.net/call/internet_cra_senate/">phone your congresscritter</a> to support restoring the
network neutrality regulations.
<p>
One Republican recently signed the discharge petition, showing that it
isn't hopeless to try to convince others.


feed_id: 7bcab8922daf510613d1d3e26ff43863
title: Urgent: Endangered Species Act
uri: 2018-07-23-Urgent-Endangered-Species-Act
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#22_July_2018_%28Urgent%3A_Endangered_Species_Act%29
content:
<p>
US citizens: <a href="https://act.credoaction.com/sign/protect_esa">call on Congress</a> to protect the Endangered Species Act.


feed_id: 6bb9fbd5eb6e4a39aa9e003640b5fcaf
title: Dowry and murder
uri: Dowry-and-murder
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#22_July_2018_%28Dowry_and_murder%29
content:
<p>
Greedy Indian parents continue <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2018/jul/18/death-by-dowry-claim-by-bereaved-family-in-india">driving their sons to murder their
wives</a> for not delivering enough money as a dowry.


feed_id: 225ca1affed665b85d920c7d71b52d2e
title: Wildfires in the Arctic
uri: Wildfires-in-the-Arctic
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#22_July_2018_%28Wildfires_in_the_Arctic%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#global heating">Global heating</a> has
brought <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/jul/18/sweden-calls-for-help-as-arctic-circle-hit-by-wildfires">wildfires
to the Swedish Arctic</a>.


feed_id: 1f6c1cde091825902034458ebec4ecf5
title: Migrants abandoned in sea
uri: Migrants-abandoned-in-sea
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#22_July_2018_%28Migrants_abandoned_in_sea%29
content:
<p>
Libyan Coastguard Accused
of <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/jul/18/libyan-coastguard-accused-of-abandoning-three-migrants-in-sea">Abandoning
Three Migrants in Sea</a>.


feed_id: 98455074ed95e65fc9817371531d12fe
title: Monitoring employees
uri: Monitoring-employees
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#22_July_2018_%28Monitoring_employees%29
content:
<p>
Many kinds of digital technology are now used to <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/the-power-of-people/2018/jul/16/the-smart-office-how-to-remain-human-in-our-high-tech-world">monitor employees
in various ways</a> &mdash; their actions, and their feelings.
<p>
Some of these uses can be beneficial.  The simplistic question, "Would
we be better off with no monitoring or 100% monitoring," is a red
herring.  The right questions are <em>which kinds of monitoring</em>
we should permit, <em>which uses</em> of the data, and <em>who should
control</em> the systems and the data they collect?
<p>
It is clear that workers with a strong union can more effectively
prevent employers from monitoring them and using the data against
them.  A progressive government can make laws to protect workers
from harmful monitoring.


feed_id: 93780256b387aaf2ba2c1e7ecfde5fa3
title: Rejecting single-use plastic
uri: Rejecting-single-use-plastic
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#22_July_2018_%28Rejecting_single-use_plastic%29
content:
<p>
The town of Penzance is pioneering
the <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2018/jul/18/penzance-britains-first-ever-plastic-free-town-cornwall">rejection
of all single-use plastic</a>.


feed_id: d2542fbcd25a695cbdce85f5de9a778a
title: Discharge petition for net neutrality
uri: Discharge-petition-for-net-neutrality
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#22_July_2018_%28Discharge_petition_for_net_neutrality%29

content:
<p>
One Republican congresscritter
has <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2018/07/17/dam-breaking-declare-net-neutrality-defenders-after-first-house-republican-backs-cra">signed
the discharge petition</a> to force a vote on restoring the Obama
administration's network neutrality rules.


feed_id: 103482a598bd97a7667baaa07010cd2e
title: Breaking the Silence
uri: 2018-07-23-Breaking-the-Silence
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#22_July_2018_%28Breaking_the_Silence%29
content:
<p>
Israel <a href="https://www.jpost.com/Israel-News/Breaking-the-Silence-bill-passed-into-law-562699">has
made it illegal</a> for Breaking the Silence to send representatives
to high schools to talk about what the students will be ordered to do
as soldiers of the occupation.
<p>
Breaking the Silence offers soldiers and ex-soldiers an opportunity to
talk about the crimes of occupation that they witnessed or committed.
Students will now have to smuggle these ideas into schools to share
with other students.


feed_id: eb2fd41cc63b687c607767e989f838ff
title: Khan al-Ahmar village
uri: Khan-al-Ahmar-village
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#22_July_2018_%28Khan_al-Ahmar_village%29
content:
<p>
As preparation for demolishing the village of Khan al-Ahmar, Israel
has <a href="http://www.maannews.com/Content.aspx?id=780415">put gates
on the two roads</a> that lead there.  The only way to get in or out
is now via the mountains.


feed_id: 070eb92de613362e3885209a8baf1b96
title: Bad dirt on the U.S.
uri: Bad-dirt-on-the-U-S
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#22_July_2018_%28Bad_dirt_on_the_U.S.%29
content:
<p>
(satire) The rest of the world wondered aloud Tuesday about
exactly <a href="https://politics.theonion.com/world-wonders-what-trump-has-on-united-states-that-s-fo-1827666980">what
Trump has on America</a> that compels the nation to keep him in
power. "Whoa, he must have some real bad dirt on the U.S. populace for
them to just let him get away with so much unconscionable
bullshit&hellip;"


feed_id: b77305aba0e85846d040568b2d1631cd
title: Helsinki 'clarification'
uri: Helsinki-clarification
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#22_July_2018_%28Helsinki_%27clarification%27%29
content:
<p>
The bullshitter wants to "clarify" something he said in
Helsinki <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2018/07/17/trump-insists-putting-word-helsinki-transcript-he-absolutely-didnt-say-probably">by
adding "not"</a>.
<p>
I have accidentally omitted the word "not" in emails.  Anyone can make
such a mistake, including the bullshitter.  However, he is
persistently and totally dishonest, so we cannot take either the
original Helsinki version or the corrected version as sincere.  More
likely he is following his usual pattern of saying outrageous things
and then claiming he didn't say them.
<p>
Sanders:
"<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2018/07/17/sanders-rips-trump-attempt-walk-back-helsinki-remarks-too-bad-trump-didnt-have-guts">Too
bad Trump didn't have the guts</a> to say that yesterday while with
his authoritarian friend, Vladimir Putin."
<p>
(Satire) <a href="https://politics.theonion.com/senate-leaders-warn-it-too-early-to-discuss-trump-1827667923">In
response to public outcry</a> over his recent controversial press
conference with Russian president Vladimir Putin, Senate leaders
cautioned Tuesday that it was far too early to discuss Trump.


feed_id: 82c6a95d54016153e70ecd617ca4ac5e
title: Limits on the president
uri: Limits-on-the-president
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#22_July_2018_%28Limits_on_the_president%29
content:
<p>
We need the Supreme Court to make sure that the president does not
become an autocrat.  Kavanaugh's writings
say <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2018/07/17/courting-disaster-trouble-brett-kavanaughs-views-executive-power-age-trump">he
will not help</a>.


feed_id: 114545f593d71f6f24e48ef42198e583
title: American values in Finland
uri: American-values-in-Finland
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#22_July_2018_%28American_values_in_Finland%29
content:
<p>
(satire) In the aftermath of the president’s controversial meeting
with Russian president Vladimir Putin in Finland, supporters
reportedly praised Donald Trump Tuesday
for <a href="https://politics.theonion.com/supporters-praise-trump-for-upholding-traditional-ameri-1827661529">upholding
the traditional American value</a> of supporting murderous dictators
for political gain.


feed_id: 58c3dd6464c0b9bb957bd7c0f9cc8a5d
title: Social Security Administration
uri: Social-Security-Administration
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#22_July_2018_%28Social_Security_Administration%29
content:
<p>
The Social Security Administration is trying
to <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2018/07/17/ssa-violating-worker-rights-execute-trump-executive-orders">crush
its workers' union</a>.


feed_id: a393429759b134af3f0cf55c8e97509f
title: Trauma from separation from parents
uri: Trauma-from-separation-from-parents
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#22_July_2018_%28Trauma_from_separation_from_parents%29

content:
<p>
<a href="https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2018/7/16/1781003/-Some-migrant-kids-are-free-from-detention-but-not-their-trauma-Papa-I-thought-they-killed-you">Examples
of trauma</a> suffered by children that the US border thugs kept away
from their parents.
<p>
Leticia, at age 12, is on the border between a child and an
adolescent.  It appears she was able to stand up to it better &mdash;
but no one should do these things to 12-year-olds.


feed_id: 825e381bc6c899660bd0461e9790f979
title: Criticism of occupation of Palestine
uri: Criticism-of-occupation-of-Palestine
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#22_July_2018_%28Criticism_of_occupation_of_Palestine%29

content:
<p>
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2018/07/17/first-ever-over-30-jewish-groups-worldwide-oppose-equating-antisemitism">30
Jewish groups from various countries</a> have condemned the practice
of labeling criticism of Israel's occupation of Palestine as
"antisemitism".


feed_id: 4c2db256de37edaa1cb817c498883a39
title: Politicians who engage in betrayal
uri: Politicians-who-engage-in-betrayal
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#24_July_2018_%28Politicians_who_engage_in_betrayal%29

content:
<p>
The FBI, in charging Butina, reported that a leader in the Republican
Party 
<a href="https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2018/7/16/1781013/-Indictment-key-Republican-leaders-had-secure-back-channel-to-the-Kremlin-in-October-2016">boasted
in 2016</a> of establishing a secret communication channel to the
Russian state through the NRA.
<p>
To condemn politicians for colluding with a foreign tyrant does not
mean that I believe US politicians would be honest and good if not for
Putin's influence.  It also does not mean I consider Putin the Great
Satan or that I would advocate maximum possible confrontation with
Russia.
<p>
But the US does need to defend itself from this.  Primarily
that means punishing the politicians who engage in such betrayal.


feed_id: 758a23a2d864e650f00fe83cb2da2cab
title: Defeating Kavanaugh
uri: Defeating-Kavanaugh
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#24_July_2018_%28Defeating_Kavanaugh%29
content:
<p>
Senator Rand Paul 
<a href="https://reason.com/archives/2018/07/18/brett-kavanaughs-fourth-amendment-blind">dislikes
Kavanaugh's approach to the Fourth Amendment</a> which bans
unreasonable searches and seizures.
<p>
If all the Democrats reject Kavanaugh, and so does Paul, I think that
is enough to defeat him.


feed_id: 331c8e7c34c0a299dd5438a9cedcc5e9
title: Unsustainable irrigation
uri: Unsustainable-irrigation
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#24_July_2018_%28Unsustainable_irrigation%29
content:
<p>
Farmers in California's Central Valley are draining the aquifer for
unsustainable irrigation.  As a result, the land is sinking (10 meters
in some places), and the water supply is 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2018/jul/18/california-central-valley-sinking-arsenic-water-farming-agriculture">contaminated
by arsenic</a>.


feed_id: f417afcefd48e64b598007cb769864a5
title: Syrians flee towards Israeli border
uri: Syrians-flee-towards-Israeli-border
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#24_July_2018_%28Syrians_flee_towards_Israeli_border%29

content:
<p>
Israel has accepted that Assad's forces will take control of the
region bordering on the Golan Heights (occupied by Israel).  Syrians
are fleeing towards the Israeli border, where they 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/jul/17/fleeing-syrians-approach-border-fence-with-israel">will
not be allowed entry</a>.


feed_id: a043ebcfdf95aeb79bc4dae7b2b0cfdd
title: ICE
uri: 2018-07-24-ICE
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#24_July_2018_%28ICE%29
content:
<p>
(satire) &hellip; newly hired ICE agent Kevin Michelson revealed this
week that he had established dominance on his first day by 
<a href="https://www.theonion.com/new-ice-agent-establishes-dominance-by-beating-up-bigge-1827632336">beating
up the biggest child prisoner he could find</a>.


feed_id: 6cfde8a697032702cda92bcec185157f
title: Scientists pledge against killer AI
uri: Scientists-pledge-against-killer-AI
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#24_July_2018_%28Scientists_pledge_against_killer_AI%29

content:
<p>
Thousands of Scientists 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/science/2018/jul/18/thousands-of-scientists-pledge-not-to-help-build-killer-ai-robots">Pledge
Not to Help Build Killer AI Robots</a>.


feed_id: 76be1fae7b636590679941bdd9797caf
title: Charter schools in the US
uri: 2018-07-24-Charter-schools-in-the-US
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#24_July_2018_%28Charter_schools_in_the_US%29
content:
<p>
The practice of allowing charter schools in the US is kept going by
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2018/07/16/how-billionaires-are-backing-charter-school-push-ap">billionaire's
lobbying funds</a>.


feed_id: 6c3b1e2e10da94ef389aa3148ca4a24f
title: Urgent: Privatizing war
uri: Urgent-Privatizing-war
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#23_July_2018_%28Urgent%3A_Privatizing_war%29
content:
<p>
US
citizens, <a href="https://act.winwithoutwar.org/act/tell-congress-dont-let-prince-privatize-afghanistan-war">tell
Congress</a>: Don't privatize the war in Afghanistan &mdash; end it.


feed_id: 2ac42cc134ed6c669b8120f24ed48fd5
title: Urgent: Protecting Mueller's investigation
uri: Urgent-Protecting-Mueller-s-investigation
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#23_July_2018_%28Urgent%3A_Protecting_Mueller%27s_investigation%29

content:
<p>
US
citizens: <a href="https://act.credoaction.com/sign/McConnell_Mueller">call
on Senator McConnell</a> to stop blocking a vote on the bill to
protect Mueller's investigation.


feed_id: 1b200be03eca4ee9a9b3218f499e7eec
title: Children forced to give birth
uri: Children-forced-to-give-birth
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#23_July_2018_%28Children_forced_to_give_birth%29
content:
<p>
In Paraguay, even children (pre-teens)
are <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2018/jul/13/destroyed-girl-she-was-toll-pregnancy-paraguay-children">forced
to give birth</a> if they get pregnant.


feed_id: f0cfb2e250fa2c611ba3ad946203bc1f
title: Planned attack on Rohingya
uri: Planned-attack-on-Rohingya
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#23_July_2018_%28Planned_attack_on_Rohingya%29
content:
<p>
Documents show that certain Burmese
officials <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2018/jul/19/myanmar-planned-genocide-against-rohingya-fortify-rights-claims-rakine-state">planned
to attack the Rohingya</a>.  They are the ones who did the attack.


feed_id: 8ddd43d6c75e8a355ad790d82e2a2edf
title: UK sovereignty
uri: UK-sovereignty
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#23_July_2018_%28UK_sovereignty%29
content:
<p>
The Tories say they want to exit the EU to reclaim sovereignty for the
UK.  But they intend
to <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2018/jul/19/liam-fox-trade-secretary-britain-brexit">surrender
that sovereignty</a> by signing the TPP.
<p>
The TPP is a <a href="https://stallman.org/business-supremacy-treaties.html">business-supremacy treaty</a>,
which means that it hands power over the state
to foreign companies.


feed_id: 7b4e8816a8e635a45d2e6eff0451bf05
title: Unbearable summer heat
uri: Unbearable-summer-heat
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#23_July_2018_%28Unbearable_summer_heat%29
content:
<p>
In India, Summer Heat
May <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2018/07/17/climate/india-heat-wave-summer.html">Soon
Be Literally Unbearable</a>.
<p>
Means to cope with the heat can handle a limited amount of temperature
increase.  If we don't curb the increase itself, it will eventually be
far more than those measures can cope with.  We need to curb global
heating!


feed_id: 2d269bed601cf4a9b17498f328b27e6d
title: Sea levels and the Internet
uri: Sea-levels-and-the-Internet
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#23_July_2018_%28Sea_levels_and_the_Internet%29
content:
<p>
Rising Sea Levels
Are <a href="https://www.futurity.org/rising-sea-levels-internet-cables-1814052/">Coming
for the Internet</a>.


feed_id: ea224bd00057a9d4b6b5449d72a89297
title: Legal aid for asylum applicants
uri: Legal-aid-for-asylum-applicants
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#23_July_2018_%28Legal_aid_for_asylum_applicants%29
content:
<p>
The UK government has arranged
to <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/law/2018/jul/19/lack-legal-aid-puts-asylum-seekers-lives-at-risk-charity-warns">deny
some asylum applicants legal aid</a>.
<p>
As a result, they lose in practice the rights they have in theory.
<p>
This is a small step along the path that Hungary
has <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#24_June_2018_(Asylum_rights_in_Hungary)">traveled
to the end</a>.


feed_id: e5789e419eba63f9d477b09d276d29c4
title: Cashless society
uri: 2018-07-24-Cashless-society
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#23_July_2018_%28Cashless_society%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2018/jul/19/cashless-society-con-big-finance-banks-closing-atms">The
Cashless Society Is a Con</a> &mdash; And Big Finance Is Behind It.


feed_id: 8dff0c1ea162340f8c4bbb6d3775042b
title: Arabic in Israel
uri: Arabic-in-Israel
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#23_July_2018_%28Arabic_in_Israel%29
content:
<p>
Israel
has <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/jul/19/one-more-racist-law-reactions-as-israel-axes-arabic-as-official-language">eliminated
Arabic as an official language</a>.
This is likely to lead to indirect discrimination against any Arabs
whose command of Hebrew is imperfect.


feed_id: fef9594212ab83a0b137c4c5d6556cdc
title: US actions in the Middle East
uri: US-actions-in-the-Middle-East
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#23_July_2018_%28US_actions_in_the_Middle_East%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2018/07/19/making-sense-us-moves-middle-east">Analyzing
US actions</a> in the Middle East.


feed_id: bcff581ac35de6233933f9d5bc64c717
title: Reason vs treason
uri: Reason-vs-treason
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#23_July_2018_%28Reason_vs_treason%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2018/07/19/may-we-speak-reason-rather-treason">May We Speak of Reason</a>, Rather Than of Treason?
<p>
The general point that treason can be seen from two sides is valid.  I
don't think it changes much as regards the bullshitter.  Indeed, a
Russian might consider him to be a loyal servant of Russia, but so
what?


feed_id: 86b5e6a167c99366eab7a3b97784209d
title: Pollution regulations
uri: Pollution-regulations
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#23_July_2018_%28Pollution_regulations%29
content:
<p>
EPA Fans Struggling Coal Industry
by <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2018/jul/18/epa-coal-ash-obama-regulations-rolled-back">Rolling
Back Pollution Regulations</a>.


feed_id: 6186df7b8698c23eb67fc427240e9188
title: 32-hour work week
uri: 32-hour-work-week
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#23_July_2018_%2832-hour_work_week%29
content:
<p>
An experiment with a 4-day, 32-hour work week was a great success for
one company.  The same
employees <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/jul/19/work-less-get-more-new-zealand-firms-four-day-week-an-unmitigated-success">got
more done in less time</a>, for the same pay, and felt less stress.
<p>
This is a win for both the company and its own employees, but we can't
assume that the same will happen for all companies.  What about the jobs that
are not creative, where you are not likely to do more in one 8-hour shift
than in another 8-hour shift?
<p>
Those companies should also go to a 32-hour work week for the same
total salary &mdash; and hire more employees.


feed_id: 1d54e747ae2205e09609609a924ba1b4
title: Remote back door in voting machines
uri: Remote-back-door-in-voting-machines
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#24_July_2018_%28Remote_back_door_in_voting_machines%29

content:
<p>
ES&amp;S, a US company that makes digital voting machines,
<a href="https://motherboard.vice.com/en_us/article/mb4ezy/top-voting-machine-vendor-admits-it-installed-remote-access-software-on-systems-sold-to-states">admits
that it put a remote back door on some of them</a>, in the period
2000-2006.


feed_id: 1cab7e41f117f59166ff30c3477f2bd1
title: Reuniting immigrant families
uri: Reuniting-immigrant-families
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#24_July_2018_%28Reuniting_immigrant_families%29
content:
<p>
Senate Democrats 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2018/jul/17/us-immigration-family-separations-democrats-bill">Unveil
Bill</a> to Reunite Immigrant Families 'Immediately'.


feed_id: 37b8dacb289e772a8a7320fed11e90e2
title: Turkey's permanent "state of emergency"
uri: Turkey-s-permanent-state-of-emergency
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#24_July_2018_%28Turkeys_permanent_state_of_emergency%29

content:
<p>
Turkey has replaced its temporary "state of emergency" by becoming a
repressive state 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/jul/18/turkeys-state-of-emergency-ends-but-crackdown-continues">on
a permanent basis</a>.


feed_id: 44b32e6e673f466880528ef2ac6220c6
title: Convincing juries to nullify a law
uri: Convincing-juries-to-nullify-a-law
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#24_July_2018_%28Convincing_juries_to_nullify_a_law%29

content:
<p>
Convincing real juries to nullify a law often does work, 
<a href="https://reason.com/archives/2018/07/18/a-strategy-for-jury-nullification-victor">if
it is presented in a positive form</a>.


feed_id: 43f3295503ca9e43993f7f08776f0be3
title: Inhumanity of Trump administration
uri: Inhumanity-of-Trump-administration
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#24_July_2018_%28Inhumanity_of_Trump_administration%29

content:
<p>
Trump administration hit with lawsuits over 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2018/jul/18/trump-administration-lawsuits-migrant-detainees">inhumane
treatment of [imprisoned kids of border-crossers]</a>.
<p>
The inhumane treatment includes dirty drinking water, spoiled food,
being denied a chance to bathe for three months, and being exposed to
lice.
<p>
For the children among them, being kept away from their families may
have harmed them even worse.  I guess they can't sue for that.


feed_id: 8f1c7c0656bc55f023127c13a0668dd6
title: Vaccine conspiracies
uri: Vaccine-conspiracies
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#24_July_2018_%28Vaccine_conspiracies%29
content:
<p>
Right-wing extremists in the US are 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/society/2018/jul/18/how-disgraced-anti-vaxxer-andrew-wakefield-was-embraced-by-trumps-america">promoting
far-fetched suspicions about vaccines</a>, and even the former doctor
whose fraudulent claims started those suspicions.
<p>
When parents act on these fantasies, real children get real diseases.
<p>
It is 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2018/jul/18/zuckerberg-facebook-holocaust-deniers-censorship">wrong
to censor the statement of views on the grounds that they are
mistaken</a>.  On this, I actually agree with Zuckerberg.
<p>
However, when you are presented with claims that a conspiracy is
stifling the truth, consider whether the conspiracy is plausible.
<p>
It takes a lot of money to corrupt lots of scientists and officials.
Companies that sell products that many people use every day can afford
this &mdash; products such as tobacco, sweets, fossil fuels, and
opioids.
<p>
Oil companies have enough money to corrupt institutions such as the
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#29_January_2018_(Rebekah_Mercer)">Museum
of Natural History</a> and
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#30_November_2015_(US_media_system)">WGBH-TV</a>.
<p>
How many packages of sweets are sold in the US every year?  My quick
estimate is 400 billion, but it could be much more that.  There's a
lot of money available to corrupt the institutions that ought to be
adopting policies to help people resist sugar.
<p>
Telecommunications companies have enough money for this (look at the
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#18_December_2017_(Net_neutrality_opposition)">network
neutrality battle</a>).  A commercial movement backed by billionaires
can also corrupt people and institutions.  For instance,
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#24_July_2018_(Charter_schools_in_the_US)">charter
schools are backed by billionaires</a>.
<p>
How many doses of MMR vaccine are used in the US every year?  I
estimate around 6 million.  It is a substantial business, but not
enough to make a billionaire.  It is not plausible that these
manufacturers can corrupt a large number of people and institutions.
<p>
What kind of conspiracy can a small business set up?  Only a rather
small conspiracy.  Andrew Wakefield's fraudulent paper, which first
claimed that MMR vaccine did harm, was a conspiracy of that sort.  It
fooled a part of the scientific community for a while, until more
investigations showed the claim was false.


feed_id: cc631dc741bbc7f5f890a0359842c5dd
title: NYC to investigate killing of Eric Garner
uri: NYC-to-investigate-killing-of-Eric-Garner
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#24_July_2018_%28NYC_to_investigate_killing_of_Eric_Garner%29

content:
<p>
New York City will investigate 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2018/jul/17/eric-garner-family-want-nypd-officers-fired">whether
Eric Garner's killer violated any rules</a> in the process of killing
him.


feed_id: 8f8969866f2e200955c0da0375011f6e
title: Canada's high Arctic glaciers
uri: Canada-s-high-Arctic-glaciers
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#24_July_2018_%28Canadas_high_Arctic_glaciers%29
content:
<p>
Canada's High Arctic Glaciers 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/jul/18/canadas-high-arctic-glaciers-at-risk-of-disappearing-completely-study-finds">at
Risk of Disappearing Completely</a>, Study Finds.


feed_id: 4842392d82000286ba6faf117af933b0
title: Providing technology to the US government
uri: Providing-technology-to-the-US-government
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#24_July_2018_%28Providing_technology_to_the_US_government%29

content:
<p>
The EFF has proposed 
<a href="https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2018/07/should-your-company-help-ice-know-your-customer-standards-evaluating-domestic">standards
for technology companies</a> to apply when deciding to provide
products or services to the US government.
<p>
This practice would be a step forward, but the proposal has a
fundamental weakness: it defines "abuses" as illegal acts.  To bypass
them, the government need only legalize whatever practices it would
like to carry out.  Remember the 
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2011-sep-dec.html#03_November_2011_(U_SAP_AT_RIOT_Act)">U
SAP AT RIOT Act</a>?  Remember how far the US government goes to
legitimize torture, and imprisonment without trial?
<p>
Despite that shortcoming, I support this campaign.  I expect it will
do some good directly, and that it will make people more aware of the
dangers, which could create an opportunity to prohibit some kinds of
surveillance practices later.


feed_id: 29383211020169bc56f37d4d0d5475dd
title: SCROTUS and the bullshitter
uri: SCROTUS-and-the-bullshitter
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#24_July_2018_%28SCROTUS_and_the_bullshitter%29
content:
<p>
(satire) <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#scrotus">SCROTUS</a> announced 
<a href="https://politics.theonion.com/gop-leaders-move-goalposts-on-opposing-trump-to-him-bei-1827640709">what
it would take to convince them to resist or oppose</a> the
bullshitter.


feed_id: bf5d303a8cad538c909326eeeecd0196
title: Republican dealings with Russia
uri: Republican-dealings-with-Russia
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#24_July_2018_%28Republican_dealings_with_Russia%29
content:
<p>
Only a 
<a href="https://www.thedailybeast.com/the-way-trump-and-the-gop-deal-with-russian-attacks-is-textbook-treason">fine
line of subtleties</a> stand between Republican dealings with Russia
and the definition of treason.


feed_id: 5a38c49779d9253dacfc3584991affd4
title: Investment in fossil fuel
uri: 2018-07-25-Investment-in-fossil-fuel
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#24_July_2018_%28Investment_in_fossil_fuel%29
content:
<p>
World investment in fossil fuel use 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/business/2018/jul/17/iea-warns-of-worrying-trend-as-global-investment-in-renewables-falls">increased
in 2017</a>, while investment in renewable energy declined.
<p>
Extractivist governments in the US, UK, Canada and Australia are
pushing hard for this, and it looks like they are achieving their
murderous aims.


feed_id: 8c2baec4a867b7b00fc9e594f160d570
title: Access to contraception
uri: Access-to-contraception
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#24_July_2018_%28Access_to_contraception%29
content:
<p>
The policy that has been proved to reduce the rate of abortion is to
<a href="https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2018/7/15/1780082/-Trump-would-rather-overturn-Roe-v-Wade-than-actually-reduce-the-abortion-rate">make
it easy to get contraception</a>.  Theocratic policies do not reduce
abortions, but do make them more dangerous by driving them
underground.
<p>
The explanation for this paradox is that theocrats don't punish
abortion as a means to have less abortion.  The punishment is itself
the goal.


feed_id: bbd337bf91a653294d1bcf0623cb784e
title: Urgent: Abortion gag rule
uri: 2018-07-25-Urgent-Abortion-gag-rule
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#24_July_2018_%28Urgent%3A_Abortion_gag_rule%29
content:
<p>
US
citizens: <a href="https://act.weareultraviolet.org/sign/tell-hhs-reject-abortion-gag-rule/">file
a comment</a> to oppose the abortion gag rule.


feed_id: 019a289db26095d16baf02d19f9e4b05
title: Urgent: Robert Wilkie
uri: Urgent-Robert-Wilkie
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#24_July_2018_%28Urgent%3A_Robert_Wilkie%29
content:
<p>
US citizens, <a href="https://act.credoaction.com/sign/wilkie">tell
the Senate</a>: Veterans deserve better than Robert Wilkie.


feed_id: 1159aea7129d9bef43f65c58493b6b43
title: Coal ash pollution
uri: Coal-ash-pollution
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#24_July_2018_%28Coal_ash_pollution%29
content:
<p>
The
EPA's <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2018/07/18/trump-administrations-new-rule-weakens-toxic-coal-ash-pollution-safeguards">relaxation
of rules for coal ash pollution</a> means more future risk of cancer,
heart disease, stroke, and brain damage.


feed_id: ad1822ce1d92e1649e03d5dd42f26bae
title: Google's 5 billion dollar fine
uri: Google-s-5-billion-dollar-fine
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#24_July_2018_%28Google%27s_5_billion_dollar_fine%29
content:
<p>
Google has
been <a href="https://www.npr.org/2018/07/18/630030673/eu-hits-google-with-5-billion-fine-for-pushing-apps-on-android-users">fined
5 billion dollars</a> for restricting the sale of phones with certain
modified versions of Android.
<p>
The restrictions were clearly designed for anticompetitive goals.


feed_id: 04111fbbc0e5ca2f320a6e4485ee40de
title: Facebook's rules
uri: Facebook-s-rules
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#24_July_2018_%28Facebook%27s_rules%29
content:
<p>
Facebook allows right-wing extremists to violate the rules it applies
to
others, <a href="https://www.theverge.com/2018/7/17/17582152/facebook-channel-4-undercover-investigation-content-moderation">reports
an undercover journalist</a> who worked as a Facebook moderator.


feed_id: c0cc46df68863d870440415101ee4e3f
title: Carbon footprint of meat and dairy
uri: Carbon-footprint-of-meat-and-dairy
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#24_July_2018_%28Carbon_footprint_of_meat_and_dairy%29

content:
<p>
Large meat and dairy farms are not doing much to reduce their large
carbon footprint.
Indeed, <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2018/07/18/emissions-impossible-how-big-meat-and-dairy-are-heating-planet">most
of them conceal it</a>.


feed_id: 0233955e761bb19dcf9c2ca99fdacc47
title: Resigned stenographer
uri: Resigned-stenographer
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#24_July_2018_%28Resigned_stenographer%29
content:
<p>
Beck
Dorey-Stein <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2018/07/18/wh-stenographer-who-resigned-protest-trumps-not-even-trying-tell-truth">resigned
as white house stenographer</a> because she saw that the bullshitter
didn't want an accurate record of what he said.


feed_id: 160b3082c44a65c9287bd7baec8f21cb
title: Economic localization
uri: Economic-localization
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#24_July_2018_%28Economic_localization%29
content:
<p>
Business-dominated globalization does more than spread poverty.
It <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2018/07/18/localization-strategic-alternative-globalized-authoritarianism">creates
the cracks</a> for hatred between groups to grow.
<p>
This article proposes economic localization, a return to local
commerce instead of globalized commerce, as a form of resistance.


feed_id: 987552be5afc6269111a7926a357abd9
title: Attacking EU and NATO
uri: Attacking-EU-and-NATO
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#24_July_2018_%28Attacking_EU_and_NATO%29
content:
<p>
Why does the bullshitter <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2018/07/18/whats-behind-trumps-assault-europe">attack the EU and NATO</a>?
One reason may be to boost the extreme right-wing.
Another reason may be that it serves Putin.
<p>
This is not to say that the EU or NATO deserves entire support.  The
EU is not very democratic
and <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#10_April_2016_(The_EU)">largely
serves the banksters</a>.
<p>
However, the extreme right-wing is even worse.


feed_id: 46a0883f451f6d63f700f7fa2aeb7928
title: Maxine Waters supporters
uri: Maxine-Waters-supporters
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#24_July_2018_%28Maxine_Waters_supporters%29
content:
<p>
Supporters of Rep. Maxine
Waters <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2018/jul/19/maxine-waters-oath-keepers-protest-los-angeles">massed
near her office</a> and discouraged right-wing protesters to show up
to menace her.
<p>
However, their in-your-face tone might be cited by
extremists <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#22_February_2018_(Nazi_Party's_strategy)">for
their own recruiting</a>.


feed_id: 86db3482d504ac4190ff23c475753d15
title: Fossil fuel collaboration
uri: Fossil-fuel-collaboration
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#24_July_2018_%28Fossil_fuel_collaboration%29
content:
<p>
The bullshitter and Putin are collaborating &hellip;
to <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2018/07/18/traitor-trump-colludes-putin-over-oil">keep
fossil fuel interests in power</a>.


feed_id: 6ec4c4c65dd77dddf0c25a5e112c958c
title: Fast-casual segregation
uri: Fast-casual-segregation
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#24_July_2018_%28Fast-casual_segregation%29
content:
<p>
(satire) Papa John’s founder John Schnatter
<a href="https://www.theonion.com/papa-john-s-founder-launches-new-chain-of-fast-casual-s-1827692355">announced
plans Wednesday</a> to launch a new chain of fast-casual segregated
lunch counters across the Deep South.


feed_id: 287214a418bf3cda7baf6c4987fcf629
title: Formaldehyde
uri: Formaldehyde
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#24_July_2018_%28Formaldehyde%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#saboteur">Saboteur</a> Pruitt's aides aired his new desk for a week before putting
it in his office, to protect him from exposure to formaldehyde.
<p>
Meanwhile, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2018/jul/19/scott-pruitt-formaldehyde-report">they
suppressed a report</a> about the dangers of formaldehyde exposure, at
the request of businesses.  The businesses don't want Americans to
know that most Americans are exposed to too much formaldehyde.
<p>
Exposing large numbers of people to small but significant amounts of a
carcinogen will cause some additional cases of cancer.  If we see the
report, we might get an estimate of how many additional cancer cases
result from US formaldehyde exposure.  It might be thousands, or it
might be less.  The added risk to one person is minuscule, but the
added harm to society can be important.
<p>
Too bad we don't know whether Pruitt personally asked for his
expensive new desk to be aired out.


feed_id: 1d6b374294a2d6d57ac92e511f39bc31
title: UK's arms exports
uri: UK-s-arms-exports
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#24_July_2018_%28UK%27s_arms_exports%29
content:
<p>
The UK's arms exports don't just support tyrants (in many cases), they
also <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2018/jul/19/uk-stance-on-arms-exports-protects-corrupt-practices-experts-claim">promote
corruption and poverty</a>.


feed_id: 74adc25796e718b1d615035ae8dfb553
title: Urgent: Block Kavanaugh nomination
uri: Urgent-Block-Kavanaugh-nomination
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#25_July_2018_%28Urgent%3A_Block_Kavanaugh_nomination%29

content:
<p>
US
citizens: <a href="https://act.credoaction.com/call/Block_Kavanaugh_Schumer_calls/">phone
Senator Schumer's office</a> and call on him to lead energetically in
blocking the nomination of Kavanaugh.
<p>
If you phone, please spread the word!


feed_id: 278bacba16e488059f09d3126f928a6a
title: Urgent: Financing prison companies
uri: Urgent-Financing-prison-companies
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#25_July_2018_%28Urgent%3A_Financing_prison_companies%29

content:
<p>
Everyone: <a href="https://actionnetwork.org/forms/wellsfargo-jpmorgan?nowrapper=true">tell
Wells Fargo and JPMorgan Chase</a> to stop financing prison companies.
<p>
If you sign, please spread the word!


feed_id: ff00f3e223beeab790456cee5f48723c
title: Sending Somali refugees back
uri: Sending-Somali-refugees-back
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#25_July_2018_%28Sending_Somali_refugees_back%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#bully">The bully</a> is
considering <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2018/jul/19/somali-asylum-seekers-fear-deportation-trump-administration">sending
Somali refugees back</a> to Somalia, where al-Shabaab threatens to
kill them if they don't join.


feed_id: fff74e33db2f101e44321a3faa6db472
title: Increasing meat production
uri: Increasing-meat-production
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#25_July_2018_%28Increasing_meat_production%29
content:
<p>
The amount of meat production is forecast to increase and
to <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2018/jul/19/rising-global-meat-consumption-will-devastate-environment">cause
enormous harm to the environment</a>, including through global
heating.


feed_id: 0f70ebfbfabde2e8e22f24c4d5fe8d6d
title: Wellbeing
uri: Wellbeing
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#25_July_2018_%28Wellbeing%29
content:
<p>
"<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2018/jul/20/wellbeing-buzzword-employers-mental-health">Wellbeing
is a nice buzzword</a>. But when employers use it, ask why."


feed_id: 9f778fa075ab2eac4ab8b2f1fceedfc2
title: Heat and drought in Europe
uri: Heat-and-drought-in-Europe
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#25_July_2018_%28Heat_and_drought_in_Europe%29
content:
<p>
Heat and
drought <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2018/jul/20/crop-failure-and-bankruptcy-threaten-farmers-as-drought-grips-europe">threaten
the harvest</a> in Northern and Central Europe.
<p>
<a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#global heating">Global heating</a> is making such crop failures more frequent.  Will
the politicians learn to face up to the threat?


feed_id: 439a8874eb5f7866fab5a4c8535dc6af
title: Mob violence in India
uri: Mob-violence-in-India
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#25_July_2018_%28Mob_violence_in_India%29
content:
<p>
India's ruling
politicians <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2018/jul/20/mobs-killing-muslims-india-narendra-modi-bjp">encourage
and reward mob violence</a> against Muslims.
This article doesn't mention it, but other non-Hindus are targeted
too.  The name "Swami Agnivesh" does not sound like a Muslim name, and
Muslims do not generally wear turbans.  I would guess from the turban
that he is a Sikh.  Christians are also persecuted.


feed_id: 40519a880302c55fac54a06bd8aecada
title: Hotel from Las Vegas shooting
uri: Hotel-from-Las-Vegas-shooting
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#25_July_2018_%28Hotel_from_Las_Vegas_shooting%29
content:
<p>
The hotel from which the Las Vegas shooter shot
is <a href="https://www.reviewjournal.com/crime/homicides/lawsuits-claim-mgm-has-no-liability-to-las-vegas-shooting-victims/">suing
all the victims</a>, seeking a ruling that it is not liable for the
shooting.
<p>
It seems like common sense that the hotel should not be liable.  It
was not to blame for the shooting.  There is nothing it ought to have
done to prevent the shooting.  There is no reasonable way that hotels
could do so.
<p>
However, in the screwy US medical system, often the only way the
victims of violence or accidents can get money to pay for medical care
is if they can sue some organization and make it pay.


feed_id: 8fb06daa31b29002ab141ed3faccb224
title: Posting copyrighted work
uri: Posting-copyrighted-work
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#25_July_2018_%28Posting_copyrighted_work%29
content:
<p>
MEP Voss, who put the copyright filter censorship into the EU
copyright directive, thinks it is wrong to post any copyrighted work
on the internet if the author does not get
paid.  <a href="https://www.techdirt.com/articles/20180713/09343640236/guy-charge-pushing-draconian-eu-copyright-directive-evasive-about-his-own-use-copyright-protected-images.shtml">His
own actions contradict</a> this supposed principle.
<p>
I agree with the point about hypocrisy: Voss's actions contradict his
position.  That doesn't mean that his actions are wrong.  His position
is what's wrong.
<p>
Making everyone pay to use art is a misguided goal.  The right goal is
to support artists
and <a href="https://gnu.org/philosophy/copyright-vs-community.html">thus
support the arts</a>.
<p>
In the US, where copyright law includes fair use, it is often lawful to
post a copy of some work without asking for permission, for political
or educational purposes.  The EU ought to adopt fair use in an even
stronger form.
<p>
It should also legalize sharing (noncommercial redistribution of
exact copies) of any published work.


feed_id: f23ef831b9a941753e3f0ab4e8dac3f3
title: Nicaraguan militia attack
uri: Nicaraguan-militia-attack
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#25_July_2018_%28Nicaraguan_militia_attack%29
content:
<p>
A state-organized Nicaraguan
militia <a href="https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-latin-america-44834188">attacked
student protesters</a> sheltering in a church, using guns.  Eventually
the militia captured the students, aside from one who was shot dead.


feed_id: ec14c7770afe6c492cfd6c557f6aa137
title: NYC's fossil fuel lawsuit
uri: NYC-s-fossil-fuel-lawsuit
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#25_July_2018_%28NYC%27s_fossil_fuel_lawsuit%29
content:
<p>
New York City's lawsuit against fossil fuel
companies <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2018/07/19/350org-judge-dismissing-nyc-climate-lawsuit-industry-still-hook">was
dismissed</a>.  The city will appeal.


feed_id: 81a6169ae74f56247771b7d9ad89d114
title: Endangered Species Act
uri: 2018-07-26-Endangered-Species-Act
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#25_July_2018_%28Endangered_Species_Act%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#saboteur">Saboteur</a>
Zinke <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2018/07/19/zinkes-new-department-interior-regulations-target-wildlife-protections">proposes
to reinterpret</a> the Endangered Species Act so that it
will <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2018/07/19/taking-wrecking-ball-endangered-species-act-trump-administration-opens-door">not
be very capable</a> of preventing the extinction of endangered
species.


feed_id: 4ab53551d827cc847eb21131f86e3643
title: West Bank occupation
uri: West-Bank-occupation
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#25_July_2018_%28West_Bank_occupation%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2018/jul/19/ultimate-deal-israel-palestine-peace-middle-east">The
cheater's plan</a> for "peace" between Israel and Palestine is to make
Israel's occupation of the West Bank permanent and call it "peace".


feed_id: ebbd44a2fa5bcb949c144c85acfeacc1
title: Terrorism press
uri: Terrorism-press
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#25_July_2018_%28Terrorism_press%29
content:
<p>
Terrorist attacks
get <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2018/jul/20/muslim-terror-attacks-press-coverage-study">7
times as much US press</a> when the perpetrator is a Muslim.
<p>
This gives Americans the false impression that terrorism is committed
mainly by Muslims.
<p>
That false impression is also supported by (1) the tendency to speculate
that the perpetrator is a Muslim, and (2) the tendency to avoid saying
"terrorism" when the perpetrator is not a Muslim.


feed_id: a07df78e08f5c126ff70113bc106b43c
title: CNN anchors speechless
uri: CNN-anchors-speechless
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#25_July_2018_%28CNN_anchors_speechless%29
content:
<p>
(satire) CNN Anchors Brooke Baldwin and Dana
Bash <a href="https://www.theonion.com/cnn-anchors-speechless-after-guest-goes-on-long-cohere-1827720521">reportedly
sat speechless</a> Thursday after their guest Dr. Gina Jimenez went on
a long, coherent thought, unleashing a tirade of articulate points
completely relevant to the topic at hand.


feed_id: 8901c1c0ba8d3acf9d8441ef4c8207c2
title: A Russian asset
uri: A-Russian-asset
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#25_July_2018_%28A_Russian_asset%29
content:
<p>
There are reasons to suspect that the bullshitter has been a Russian
asset for years
&mdash; <a href="https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2018/7/17/1781272/-Growing-body-of-evidence-suggests-worst-case-scenario-Trump-has-been-a-Russian-asset-for-years">at
least since 2015</a>.


feed_id: 68d2b6a4071ff9132cb843279f52de67
title: Barclays Bank protest
uri: Barclays-Bank-protest
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#25_July_2018_%28Barclays_Bank_protest%29
content:
<p>
Greenpeace
activists <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2018/07/19/greenpeace-block-barclays-hq-over-dirty-oil-pipeline-funding">occupied
the headquarters</a> of Barclays Bank to protest its funding of tar
sands oil pipelines.


feed_id: 3cc6f9fada997b2d5c6dbc2076d4a168
title: Putin regime and Butina
uri: Putin-regime-and-Butina
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#27_July_2018_%28Putin_regime_and_Butina%29
content:
<p>
The Putin regime 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/jul/21/russia-maria-butina-alleged-spy-mike-pompeo-sergei-lavrov">asked
Pompeo</a> to release the accused Russian agent of illegal influence,
Maria Butina.


feed_id: 737a935df8664d7b4aed11d5b3c22296
title: Pakistani elections
uri: Pakistani-elections
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#27_July_2018_%28Pakistani_elections%29
content:
<p>
The Pakistani army is 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/jul/21/pakistan-imran-khan-elections-arrests-intimidation">bullying
people to vote for Imran Khan's party</a>, and journalists not to
cover the other parties.


feed_id: e4256de3516106879f0f82fd70226b12
title: Mobile phones
uri: Mobile-phones
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#27_July_2018_%28Mobile_phones%29
content:
<p>
The article that suggested mobile phone use tends to cause cancer has
various scientific errors, and the conclusion 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2018/jul/21/mobile-phones-are-not-a-health-hazard">may
be false</a>.
<p>
The conclusion that mobile phones damage privacy is 
<a href="https://gnu.org/malware/malware-mobiles.html">completely
established</a>.


feed_id: 7c4002fa97f02a2d69150cc24ae8d8f8
title: Israel's siege of Gaza
uri: Israel-s-siege-of-Gaza
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#27_July_2018_%28Israels_siege_of_Gaza%29
content:
<p>
Uri Avnery: Israel's slow creeping expulsion and colonization in the
West Bank is at least logical, given the unjust goal of permanent
dominion.  But its siege of Gaza is 
<a href="http://zope.gush-shalom.org/home/en/channels/avnery/1532091114/">simply
stupid</a>.


feed_id: a750abd0c234d41024ea213751eb933f
title: Fighting EU copyright filters
uri: Fighting-EU-copyright-filters
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#27_July_2018_%28Fighting_EU_copyright_filters%29
content:
<p>
EFF: 
<a href="https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2018/07/key-victory-against-european-copyright-filters-and-link-taxes-whats-next">what's
next</a> in fighting the proposed EU copyright filters.
<p>
It is unfortunate that the article gratuitously uses the term
"intellectual property."  That term misleads people into thinking that
copyrights, trademarks, patents and trade secrets all have something
important in common.  That is 
<a href="https://gnu.org/philosophy/not-ipr.html">not the case</a>.


feed_id: 107b39198693062fdf109ff555d42cd6
title: Seized children
uri: Seized-children
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#27_July_2018_%28Seized_children%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2018/jul/20/ice-immigration-family-reunification-separated-children-court">Less
Than a Fifth</a> of Children Reunited with Migrant Parents as Deadline
Looms.
<p>
It seems to me that the US is bending over backwards to slow down the
return of these seized children and find excuses not to.


feed_id: 1b947d2452317563b730cdedb9de9e95
title: Wildlife poachers in Uganda
uri: Wildlife-poachers-in-Uganda
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#27_July_2018_%28Wildlife_poachers_in_Uganda%29
content:
<p>
Wildlife poachers in Uganda are 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2018/jul/21/you-will-never-run-from-death-shot-by-poachers-in-uganda">heavily
armed and kill rangers</a> when they can.


feed_id: 6ae5cece289d7ee713b8644dc6cc7d29
title: Separation of children from parents
uri: 2018-07-27-Separation-of-children-from-parents
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#27_July_2018_%28Separation_of_children_from_parents%29

content:
<p>
<a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#bully">The bully</a>'s men have returned to parents
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2018/07/20/while-child-detention-crisis-has-faded-headlines-horror-and-cruelty-family">less
than 400 children out of the 2500</a> that they took away.


feed_id: ad3c7dc0178394f4db5b344a6e40dfc4
title: Hodeida
uri: 2018-07-27-Hodeida
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#27_July_2018_%28Hodeida%29
content:
<p>
Most of the residents have
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2018/jul/21/civilians-flee-yemen-besieged-port-city-hodeidah-fearing-ceasefire-collapse">fled
Hodeida</a>.  The UN has kept the port mostly open until recently.


feed_id: f11c44bc629292ee0c695718b20ba71c
title: Turkish environmentalists
uri: Turkish-environmentalists
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#27_July_2018_%28Turkish_environmentalists%29
content:
<p>
Turkish environmentalists who moved to an isolated forest area to be
alone are now
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2018/jul/21/we-have-become-guardians-turkeys-accidental-forest-protectors">defending
the area from corrupt construction of dams</a>.


feed_id: e6e0d7d538222eb55097240cf6c09c0a
title: Teenager sentenced to prison for abortion
uri: Teenager-sentenced-to-prison-for-abortion
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#27_July_2018_%28Teenager_sentenced_to_prison_for_abortion%29

content:
<p>
An Indonesian teenager was sentenced to 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/jul/21/indonesia-girl-jailed-for-abortion-after-being-raped-by-brother">six
months in prison</a> for having an abortion after the 6-week limit.
<p>
Why didn't she get an abortion within six weeks?  Six weeks is an
awfully short time limit for this.  Quite possibly it took her longer
than that to recognize that she was pregnant.  She may have hesitated
to try to find out, because her family (including the brother that
raped her) might have intimidated her, either intentionally or not.
She may not have had much in the way of sex education, so she would
not have realized there was something she could do.


feed_id: 5439cff192e1614eb2a0d33c40bb0643
title: UK campaign funding rules
uri: UK-campaign-funding-rules
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#27_July_2018_%28UK_campaign_funding_rules%29
content:
<p>
The UK campaign funding rules are so weak that 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2018/jul/21/mps-call-for-changes-electoral-system-vote-leave">violators
consider fines the "cost of doing business."</a>


feed_id: cc95dd18a9ca3420a031bb1d25c46a7a
title: Child separated from parents
uri: Child-separated-from-parents
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#27_July_2018_%28Child_separated_from_parents%29
content:
<p>
A ten-month-old boy taken away from his parents by the US border <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thugs</a>
was reunited with them after 5 months ago.  But he 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2018/jul/21/us-immigration-baby-did-not-recognise-parents-after-five-month-separation">did
not recognize them</a>.


feed_id: ba78650571c8cc40787d19750364fdb0
title: Disguising medical quackery with apps
uri: Disguising-medical-quackery-with-apps
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#27_July_2018_%28Disguising_medical_quackery_with_apps%29

content:
<p>
An app is a great way to 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/society/2018/jul/21/colossally-naive-backlash-birth-control-app">disguise
medical quackery</a> for suckers who assume that digital technology is
safe and friendly.
<p>
They are non-free programs, so you should expect them to 
<a href="https://gnu.org/malware/">mistreat users one way or
another</a>.  What you can't always predict is just which kinds of
mistreatment a given program will do.


feed_id: 1da381aad0765275dbf31d4a3907563f
title: "Smart" meters
uri: 2018-07-27-Smart-meters
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#27_July_2018_%28Smart_meters%29
content:
<p>
"Smart" meters will save UK residential electric customers the
equivalent of
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2018/jul/21/smart-meters-to-save-uk-households-only-11-a-year-report-finds">under
$20 per year</a>.  However, they will work as snooping devices.


feed_id: 6dd8ddadca8deb6c6811e4c3a5f925fa
title: Man killed for traveling with cows
uri: Man-killed-for-traveling-with-cows
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#27_July_2018_%28Man_killed_for_traveling_with_cows%29

content:
<p>
A mob of Hindu fanatics 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/jul/21/india-suspected-vigilantes-kill-muslim-man-transporting-cows">killed
a Muslim man for traveling with cows</a>.  This sort of thing 
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2017-jan-apr.html#7_April_2017_(Hindu_extremists)">happens
regularly</a>.


feed_id: 5d993ce6f9b3153e846b26156cec9e5e
title: US drone assassination list
uri: US-drone-assassination-list
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#27_July_2018_%28US_drone_assassination_list%29
content:
<p>
The US keeps trying to kill journalist Bilal Abdul Kareem, because he is
on the drone assassination list.  He is 
<a href="https://www.rollingstone.com/politics/politics-features/how-to-survive-americas-kill-list-699334/">suing
to get taken off the list</a>.
<p>
The US government response is to pretend not to know what is going on
and that there is no issue to discuss.
<p>
Abdul Kareem is an Islamist.  That means he advocates imposing the
rules of his religion, in a grave assault on human rights.  You could
see the results of this in places such as Iran, <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#salafi">Salafi Arabia</a>, and
Pakistan.  I oppose him on this.
<p>
But reporters should not be killed for their political views,
regardless of whether they are US citizens as is Abdul Kareem.
<p>
Long ago, the US used to declare some criminals "wanted, dead or
alive".  That was announced publicly in court after a decision made by
human beings.  Nowadays, the US awards the designation of "kill him,
plus any number of bystanders" in secret based on decisions by
algorithms.
<p>
The fact that human pilots operate the drones and fire missiles at
designated targets, even though those are not engaged in violence at
the time (and perhaps not ever, but the pilots can't tell), is no
protection against what is in effect an automated killing machine.
<p>
We must put an end to that system entirely.


feed_id: cb956a3cae8f8956ddaf34bf3fc1ab13
title: Israel drops pretense
uri: Israel-drops-pretense
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#27_July_2018_%28Israel_drops_pretense%29
content:
<p>
Israel Just 
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2018/07/20/israel-just-dropped-pretense-equality-palestinian-citizens">Dropped
the Pretense of Equality for Palestinian Citizens</a>.


feed_id: 3e3fa28e1c42b591efe9e15883c893a7
title: Israel and Palestine
uri: 2018-07-27-Israel-and-Palestine
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#26_July_2018_%28Israel_and_Palestine%29
content:
<p>
Israeli snipers killed Palestinian protesters, so a Palestinian sniper
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2018/07/20/after-warning-large-and-painful-military-operation-israel-begins-massive-bombing">retaliated
by killing an Israeli soldier</a>.  Israel then retaliated with
bombing and shelling.  No word yet on what casualties that caused.
<p>
Shooting civilians is a war crime, but shooting enemy soldiers is
simply war.  Bombing and shelling Gaza may be either one, depending on
the target; Israel has 
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2014-may-aug.html#10_July_2014_(Israels_bombardment_of_Gaza)">bombed
civilian targets in Gaza</a> in the past.


feed_id: 76699ce7d92ac4e6454c63374a980d06
title: Urgent: DONE Act
uri: Urgent-DONE-Act
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#26_July_2018_%28Urgent%3A_DONE_Act%29
content:
<p>
US
citizens: <a href="https://act.credoaction.com/sign/done_act">support
the Detention Oversight Not Expansion Act</a>.
</p>
<p>If you sign, please spread the word!</p>


feed_id: 9809bf3f6ed010f3333f3333bce28f66
title: AI in the hands of companies
uri: AI-in-the-hands-of-companies
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#26_July_2018_%28AI_in_the_hands_of_companies%29
content:
<p>
AI in the hands of companies tends
to <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2018/07/21/artificial-intelligence-too-dehumanizing-succeed?cd-origin=rss">increase
their power over workers and customers</a>.
<p>
Why not kill it?


feed_id: d9eca8eb7ff81dcfeb319aaa09146706
title: Chinese restaurants and immigration
uri: Chinese-restaurants-and-immigration
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#26_July_2018_%28Chinese_restaurants_and_immigration%29

content:
<p>
Chinese restaurants in the UK are threatened
by <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2018/jul/21/the-immigration-crisis-facing-london-chinatown">strict
immigration rules</a> that get in the way of bringing good chefs from
China.  Even more directly, the UK's immigration <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thugs</a> raid
restaurants at peak hours, driving away customers permanently even if
they don't arrest anyone.


feed_id: f52c11d4cca6e26fe8b31fab79f94d3c
title: Borrowing from Russian banks
uri: Borrowing-from-Russian-banks
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#26_July_2018_%28Borrowing_from_Russian_banks%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#cheater">The cheater</a> has borrowed lots of money from Russian banks.  Perhaps
that
explains <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2018/07/20/there-are-3-main-theories-explain-trumps-approach-putin-and-russia-which-one-makes?cd-origin=rss">his
servility to Putin</a>.


feed_id: 4353218843b496c1dc82b8f4bfbec7a4
title: Contradictory realities
uri: Contradictory-realities
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#26_July_2018_%28Contradictory_realities%29
content:
<p>
(satire) Revealing that the physical world could no longer bear the
weight of numerous contradictory realities, sources confirmed Friday
that dozens of White Houses have begun to leak from a temporal vortex
as President Trump’s rapidly changing story of meeting
Putin <a href="https://politics.theonion.com/dozens-of-white-houses-materialize-from-temporal-vortex-1827751333">tears
apart space-time</a>.


feed_id: 54024b427b1875da486f9f043f07e5e4
title: Gratis phone calls in jail
uri: Gratis-phone-calls-in-jail
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#26_July_2018_%28Gratis_phone_calls_in_jail%29
content:
<p>
New York City voted
to <a href="https://secure.actblue.com/donate/victoryfreecalls">make
prisoners' phone calls gratis</a> in city jails.
<p>
Charging prisoners for talking with their families is cruel to the
prisoners (many of whom are accused, not convicted) and pushes them
towards committing crimes after they get out.
<p>
Keeping accused people in jail because they are poor is also
cruel, hence the movement to put an end to the bail system.


feed_id: f7f96838b0e64c73bab229ec400ea027
title: Keeping secret deals secret
uri: Keeping-secret-deals-secret
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#26_July_2018_%28Keeping_secret_deals_secret%29
content:
<p>
Republicans in the House of
Representatives <a href="https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2018/7/19/1781896/-House-Republicans-ignore-national-security-risks-block-attempt-to-subpoena-U-S-translator?detail=emaildkre">don't
want to know</a> what secret deals the traitor made with Putin.


feed_id: 6389227c2f27dd96725a456a8540acbe
title: Handing over Assange
uri: Handing-over-Assange
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#26_July_2018_%28Handing_over_Assange%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://theintercept.com/2018/07/21/ecuador-will-imminently-withdraw-asylum-for-julian-assange-and-hand-him-over-to-the-uk-what-comes-next/">Glenn
Greenwald reports</a> that Ecuador is negotiating handing over Julian
Assange to the UK.  Whether this would permit the UK to turn him over
to the US depends on what terms Ecuador negotiates.
<p>
If the US prosecutes Assange for publishing leaks, the effect would be
to damage freedom of the press in the US.  The bullshitter would
love this.


feed_id: c1280fc55d56a50eb42d6dfc67653457
title: Mekong Delta
uri: Mekong-Delta
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#26_July_2018_%28Mekong_Delta%29
content:
<p>
Various <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#global heating">global heating</a> effects are causing great damage in the Mekong
Delta,
and <a href="https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2018/7/20/1770573/-Vietnamese-farmers-are-migrating-en-masse-to-escape-climate-change?detail=emaildkre">almost
2 million people</a> have been compelled to leave.


feed_id: 6b594a5f7a2dd090822909b444a44633
title: Michael Flynn warning
uri: Michael-Flynn-warning
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#26_July_2018_%28Michael_Flynn_warning%29
content:
<p>
Sally
Yates <a href="https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2018/7/20/1782175/-Former-Deputy-AG-confirms-White-House-knew-Michael-Flynn-was-compromised-and-under-investigation?detail=emaildkre">warned
White House lawyers in January 2017</a> that Michael Flynn was
vulnerable to Russian blackmail.


feed_id: d07aa9165d76ea70763981ad9938557b
title: Weapon sales loophole
uri: Weapon-sales-loophole
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#26_July_2018_%28Weapon_sales_loophole%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://theintercept.com/2018/07/20/trump-conventional-arms-transfer-policy/">How
a One-Word Loophole</a> Will Make It Easier for the US to Sell Weapons
to Governments That Kill Civilians.


feed_id: 981c28f349cb4ef13da481750f7f00d8
title: The gilded age
uri: The-gilded-age
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#26_July_2018_%28The_gilded_age%29
content:
<p>
The "gilded age" of the 1890s, an age of increasing inequality, <a href="http://theweek.com/articles/785717/new-republican-gilded-age">has
several similarities</a> with the current age of increasing inequality.
<p>
The "gilded age" inspired the progressive movement which achieved
political changes including direct election of senators, and (in many
states) initiative petitions for laws and recall elections for
officials &mdash; as well as anti-trust law.


feed_id: 79f1e73eda1879ae7da6c638bd674c27
title: Juvenile informants
uri: Juvenile-informants
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#26_July_2018_%28Juvenile_informants%29
content:
<p>
UK <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thugs</a> pressure juveniles
to <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2018/jul/20/the-guardian-view-on-police-and-child-spies-ends-dont-always-justify-the-means">serve
as undercover informants</a> on other criminals.
<p>
This can be dangerous for them, and not just the direct danger of
violence.
<p>
The article says "children".  If any of them are really children, that
would be horrible, but that is unlikely.  I expect they are teenagers.
<p>
When teenagers are eager to do this, perhaps because they want to get
even with those that exploited them, and supposing they understand the
risks, then I'm all for giving them the chance.  But we have to
suspect that most of them are coerced.  Juveniles that are accustomed
to being exploited for crime, or enslaved, would have trouble saying
no when bullied by <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thugs</a>.


feed_id: cfe3030005e56b682a0f367fb457aa47
title: Judging Grandpa Paul
uri: Judging-Grandpa-Paul
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#26_July_2018_%28Judging_Grandpa_Paul%29
content:
<p>
(satire) <a href="https://politics.theonion.com/paul-ryan-worried-history-may-judge-him-harshly-for-fai-1827699460">House
Speaker Paul Ryan told reporters</a> Wednesday that he was worried
history may judge him harshly for his failure to confront the ruthless
tyranny of government food stamp abusers. "What will I say when my
grandchildren ask, 'What did Grandpa Paul do to prevent those cruel
and remorseless monsters from collecting $125 per month to spend at
the supermarket?'"


feed_id: d16e59023c7071ba97ba53cd9cf694d6
title: Kavanaugh's record on businesses
uri: Kavanaugh-s-record-on-businesses
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#26_July_2018_%28Kavanaugh%27s_record_on_businesses%29

content:
<p>
Kavanaugh's record thoroughly supports
businesses <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2018/07/19/confirming-kavanaugh-would-be-disaster-workers-and-people-poverty?cd-origin=rss">against
customers and workers</a>.


feed_id: 1fe6b583e642258ef16918b5f1ccf0c7
title: School board elections
uri: 2018-07-27-School-board-elections
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#26_July_2018_%28School_board_elections%29
content:
<p>
San Francisco will allow all parents and guardians of school children
to vote in school board
elections, <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2018/07/19/advocates-applaud-san-franciscos-limited-voting-rights-non-citizens-city-addresses?cd-origin=rss">even
if they are not US citizens</a>.
<p>
I think some countries in Europe standardly allow non-citizens to vote
in local elections.


feed_id: 144bf39838e5765bb92ae7c7bc11398a
title: Urgent: The bully's tax returns
uri: Urgent-The-bully-s-tax-returns
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#27_July_2018_%28Urgent%3A_The_bully%27s_tax_returns%29

content:
<p>
US citizens: <a href="https://act.credoaction.com/sign/helsinki_trump_taxes">call on Congress</a> to release the bully's tax returns.
</p>
<p>If you sign, please spread the word!</p>


feed_id: 738d5cfbbcff42ed7b0578df94ac3678
title: Urgent: Save the Endangered Species Act
uri: Urgent-Save-the-Endangered-Species-Act
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#27_July_2018_%28Urgent%3A_Save_the_Endangered_Species_Act%29

content:
<p>
US citizens: <a href="http://act.350.org/letter/endangered-species-act/">call on Congress</a> to save the Endangered Species
 Act.
</p>
<p>If you sign, please spread the word!</p>


feed_id: 892aef4f11f26eed03f5ff65048f863f
title: Flood insurance
uri: 2018-07-28-Flood-insurance
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#27_July_2018_%28Flood_insurance%29
content:
<p>
The US
government <a href="https://reason.com/archives/2018/07/23/how-the-national-flood-insurance-program">provides
low-cost flood insurance</a> even to homes that flood over and over.
<p>
We need to start pushing to move the owners to high ground.


feed_id: 6d6ce41c95c4d4f3d2b4efde448bd4fb
title: Election interference
uri: 2018-07-28-Election-interference
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#27_July_2018_%28Election_interference%29
content:
<p>
15 years ago the US organized campaigns for electoral defeat of the
rulers of Serbia, Georgia, Belarus and
Ukraine.  <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2004/nov/26/ukraine.usa">Was
it, is it, wrong</a> for a foreign power to intervene in an election
that way?
<p>
Milošević in Serbia was a genocidal nationalist, and Lukashenko in
Belarus was and is a tyrannical absolutist.  I think such rulers
invite foreign nonviolent intervention.  Shevardnadze was an important
politician in the Soviet Union, and probably no respecter of human
rights as president of Georgia.  I don't know much about Kuchma.
<p>
The campaigns did not steal the election, but they were a form of
outside interference nonetheless, comparable in a very general way to
what Russia did in the US in 2016.  But there are differences.  The
Russian intervention was in support of a candidate whose party
obtained "victory"
by <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2016-nov-feb.html#27_December_2016_(Republican_election-rigging)">rigging
the election</a>.
<p>
I think a functioning democracy is entitled to stop such outside
interference in its elections.


feed_id: f80c5108b66d9243b647bd309799484c
title: Gmail's 'confidential' mode
uri: Gmail-s-confidential-mode
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#27_July_2018_%28Gmail%27s_%27confidential%27_mode%29

content:
<p>
Google's "confidential" mode for Gmail and Google Docs provides no
real confidentiality, but could provide
an <a href="https://boingboing.net/2018/07/22/adversarial-interop.html">excuse
for monopolistic practices</a>.


feed_id: eeafd4b31889e8281f0baa1c6eeb44ad
title: Dinosaur fossils
uri: Dinosaur-fossils
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#27_July_2018_%28Dinosaur_fossils%29
content:
<p>
The knowledge-hater has opened
a <a href="https://earthjustice.org/features/monumental-discoveries">treasure
of dinosaur fossils</a> to mining that would destroy them.


feed_id: 46bf8ed3a0b198e9ccbeef09d38c5498
title: Campaign against Iran
uri: Campaign-against-Iran
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#27_July_2018_%28Campaign_against_Iran%29
content:
<p>
The war-lover's officials are mounting
a <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2018/07/22/warnings-iraq-war-redux-bolton-and-pompeo-are-reportedly-leading-push-foment-unrest?cd-origin=rss">pressure
and destabilization campaign</a> against Iran.
<p>
For instance,
Pompeo <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/jul/23/irans-mafia-elite-amass-fortunes-while-people-suffer-says-mike-pompeo">accuses
some Iranians</a> of getting rich while most people suffer.
Sounds like the US!
<p>
I don't think this will influence Iranians much.  It will be too
obvious that the country's bad economic situation is due to the US.
<p>
The government of Iran is theocratic with a level of democracy.  This
involves contempt for some human rights, and many Iranians resent this
injustice.  Many others support the theocracy, much like the American
supporters of the war-lover.  Increased foreign hostility is likely to
strengthen support for the government.
<p>
If the US can stomach <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#salafi">Salafi Arabia</a> as an ally, it has no reason to
balk at Iran as a friend.  The US should negotiate
a better relationship with Iran.


feed_id: 58715ab29643527f70226acbd8b07dc1
title: Dependence on technology
uri: Dependence-on-technology
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#27_July_2018_%28Dependence_on_technology%29
content:
<p>
Advanced countries' gratuitously imposed dependence on digital
technology <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/money/2018/jul/22/cashless-future-far-from-certain">threatens
national security</a> in case of attack, storm, power outage,
whatever.


feed_id: 8e7e45ff89854d3e9b75dd14ca20d078
title: UK schools and 'academies'
uri: UK-schools-and-academies
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#27_July_2018_%28UK_schools_and_%27academies%27%29
content:
<p>
The Tories continue forcibly converting "inadequate" UK locally-run
schools into privately run "academies", and when these prove even more
inadequate and cheat the students, the
Tories <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/education/2018/jul/22/academy-schools-scandal-failing-trusts">won't
let them convert back</a> to public schools.
<p>
One might suspect that providing good education is not really an
important goal for the Tories.


feed_id: cda07e5a5af9f085706439ec6619aee3
title: Geithner's company
uri: Geithner-s-company
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#27_July_2018_%28Geithner%27s_company%29
content:
<p>
Geithner, Obama's plutocratist Secretary of the Treasury, is now
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2018/07/22/geithners-grift-paydays-and-democratic-drift?cd-origin=rss">getting
even richer</a> through a private equity company.  One of the
companies it funds pushes predatory loans on desperate poor Americans
who don't understand what they are getting into.
<p>
This is typical of "centrist" Democrats that work for the <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#bankster">banksters</a>
even while in office.


feed_id: 57ebfad1738649df26bf8a135bec0902
title: Plastic recycling
uri: Plastic-recycling
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#27_July_2018_%28Plastic_recycling%29
content:
<p>
"Recycling" of plastic can
mean <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2018/jul/23/uks-plastic-waste-may-be-dumped-overseas-instead-of-recycled">putting
it in a landfill</a>.
<p>
I expect this problem is global.


feed_id: bfb1f24f8b1448a4ff9c01f39fc5db97
title: Colombia's terrorists
uri: Colombia-s-terrorists
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#27_July_2018_%28Colombia%27s_terrorists%29
content:
<p>
Colombia's worst terrorists, the paramilitaries,
are <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2018/jul/21/colombia-land-grab-son-murdered-farmer-defy-paramilitaries">on
the rise again</a>.
Just as they did decades ago, they are murdering families to steal
their land.


feed_id: db93555680b2fcf53003e1ba9d426908
title: Kavanaugh on Watergate
uri: Kavanaugh-on-Watergate
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#27_July_2018_%28Kavanaugh_on_Watergate%29
content:
<p>
Kavanaugh suggested that the Supreme Court's Watergate tapes ruling
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2018/jul/22/brett-kavanaugh-supreme-court-pick-nixon-watergate-tapes">may
have been 'erroneous'</a>.
<p>
A different decision would have protected Nixon from the culpability for
ordering the Watergate burglary.


feed_id: 1b1d883c7c38e45188147dd04ff4e7ed
title: Dependence on digital networks
uri: Dependence-on-digital-networks
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#27_July_2018_%28Dependence_on_digital_networks%29
content:
<p>
Advanced countries' dependence on digital
networks <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2018/jul/22/just-as-rome-fell-to-goths-so-small-players-can-hurt-the-mighty-in-cyberwars">is
a weakness</a> if they are attacked by a country such as North Korea
that is too backward to have vulnerabilities.


feed_id: 9bd426fb7f51a261cfb07cc1c8fc8216
title: Assad recovering control of Syria
uri: Assad-recovering-control-of-Syria
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#27_July_2018_%28Assad_recovering_control_of_Syria%29

content:
<p>
Assad is recovering control of Syria, mostly ending the 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/jul/22/price-of-peace-calm-returns-to-damascus-as-assad-eyes-victory">7-year
civil war</a>.
<p>
Although Assad was a butcher, the Arab rebels were more or less
Islamist and could hardly deserve support against him.  Everyone 
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#23_May_2018_(Supporting_Assad)">except
Sunnis</a> was in danger of being killed by them.
<p>
However, there are still many Syrians that are afraid Assad will kill
them, who continue to flee wherever his army goes.
<p>
Then there is Rojava, the only group with territory that advocates
human rights and equality.  As Assad conquers other rebel areas, I
worry that he will attack Rojava next.


feed_id: 26892c0a4b58b0eed616fd9ba4557bd3
title: Plutocratist Democrats vs Progressives
uri: Plutocratist-Democrats-vs-Progressives
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#27_July_2018_%28Plutocratist_Democrats_vs_Progressives%29

content:
<p>
Plutocratist "centrist" Democrats are 
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2018/07/22/terrified-progressive-enthusiasm-sweeping-nation-corporate-democrats-have-begun">planning
to contend with progressives</a> for control of the Democratic Party.


feed_id: fac9132be759a04f185679fca91b02eb
title: The bullshitter's excuse
uri: The-bullshitter-s-excuse
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#27_July_2018_%28The_bullshitters_excuse%29
content:
<p>
If other historic figures, and politicians, used 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2018/jul/22/trumps-struggle-not-to-tie-himself-in-nots-putin-misspoke-treason">the
bullshitter's excuse</a>.
<p>
Descartes: "I do not think, therefore I am."<br>
Hamlet: "To not be, or to be, that is not the question."<br>
Martin Luther King: "I do not have a dream, and anyone who says I did
must have misheard me."


feed_id: f8aefeb4e8951f6d63d964b8d18a51b5
title: Fake fake fur
uri: Fake-fake-fur
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#27_July_2018_%28Fake_fake_fur%29
content:
<p>
Some clothing contains 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/jul/22/fake-fur-passed-off-as-real-ban-animal-rights-welfare">fake
fake fur</a> (i.e., real fur mislabeled as imitation).
<p>
It is bizarre that real fur is cheaper than imitation fur.
<p>
I do not oppose the use of real fur or real leather.


feed_id: 761dbf3c7b25b4412e80244e1affbf17
title: Censorship of social media
uri: Censorship-of-social-media
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#27_July_2018_%28Censorship_of_social_media%29
content:
<p>
Relating censorship of social media today to the 
<a href="https://reason.com/archives/2018/07/22/the-life-and-death-of-a-hollyw">Hollywood
blacklist of the 40s and 50s</a>.
<p>
For social media platforms to censor specific views is a threat to freedom.
<p>
For social media platforms to be ideal for spreading lies that can
spark mobs in 
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2016-sep-dec.html#11_December_2016_(Trump_fires_cronys_son)">the US</a> and
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2018/jul/20/mobs-killing-muslims-india-narendra-modi-bjp">India</a>,
and gives violent extremism an advantage over the truth, is also a
threat to freedom.
<p>
Perhaps there is a way to modify the systems of social media
so that they cease to give fake news an 
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#20_March_2018_(Russian_trolls)">advantage</a>
over truth.


feed_id: eb14bedf4c2c554c9041099ad042e777
title: Iraqi thugs attack protesters
uri: Iraqi-thugs-attack-protesters
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#27_July_2018_%28Iraqi_thugs_attack_protesters%29
content:
<p>
Iraqi <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thugs</a> from the "security forces" 
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2018/07/19/iraq-security-forces-deliberately-attack-peaceful-protesters-while-internet">attacked
protesters in Basra</a>, reportedly going out of their way to wound
people.  They disabling Internet access for several days, apparently
so protesters would be unable to post evidence of the attacks.
<p>
I wonder whether the cutoff was limited to mobile internet, or
extended also to cabled internet.
<p>
The protests appear to be about bad economic conditions.


feed_id: eb7328554a9e75899eeddfc31f1a5abd
title: Medicare for All Caucus
uri: Medicare-for-All-Caucus
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#27_July_2018_%28Medicare_for_All_Caucus%29
content:
<p>
62 Democratic congresscritters 
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2018/07/19/launch-medicare-all-caucus-met-applause-62-house-democrats-demand-healthcare-every">launched
the Medicare for All Caucus</a>.
<p>
This will provide a clearer way to distinguish the 
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#20_August_2017_(US_infrastructure)">progressive
Democrats</a> from the plutocratist center-right "mainstream"
Democrats.


feed_id: 0e1a2256e32b1ba65b6f41676fb7cd63
title: Sanders and Ocasio-Cortez
uri: Sanders-and-Ocasio-Cortez
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#27_July_2018_%28Sanders_and_Ocasio-Cortez%29
content:
<p>
Sanders and Ocasio-Cortez 
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2018/07/20/there-hope-progressive-movement-bold-message-economic-justice-sanders-and-ocasio">drew
thousands to their rallies in generally-Republican Kansas</a>.


feed_id: a704025366446f0fa684daea9ee91e4a
title: US private schools
uri: US-private-schools
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#27_July_2018_%28US_private_schools%29
content:
<p>
US 
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2018/07/21/wealth-not-enrollment-private-school-increases-student-achievement-according-new">private
schools</a> don't, on average, improve the education of students from
poor family backgrounds.
<p>
To give children a better education, what might help is to relieve the
stress imposed on them by the precarious life of poverty today.


feed_id: 19dd415d27d98a48332588497a0cb7ba
title: The Big Tent
uri: The-Big-Tent
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#27_July_2018_%28The_Big_Tent%29
content:
<p>
The Big Tent Is 
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2018/07/21/big-tent-really-no-tent-why-democrats-old-guard-has-get-out-way">Really
No Tent</a>: Why the Democrats' Old Guard Has to Get Out of the Way.


feed_id: da43f0acfed7071a12e90e335df8c611
title: Deciding when to be uncivil
uri: Deciding-when-to-be-uncivil
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#27_July_2018_%28Deciding_when_to_be_uncivil%29
content:
<p>
Civility in discourse is generally good; demanding civility from one side
while allowing bullying from the other is unjust.  
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2018/07/21/civility-and-civil-disobedience-not-mutually-exclusive">How
to decide</a> when to be uncivil?


feed_id: e8205be7ea5bbe3fed19ff53ac39579d
title: Urgent: DISCLOSE Act
uri: Urgent-DISCLOSE-Act
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#28_July_2018_%28Urgent%3A_DISCLOSE_Act%29
content:
<p>
US citizens: phone your congresscritter to support the DISCLOSE Act,
which would require political ads to disclose who paid for them.
</p>
<p>
The Capitol Switchboard
numbers are 202-224-3121, 888-818-6641 and 888-355-3588.
</p>
<p>If you phone, please spread the word!</p>


feed_id: e1938c517c0ef9fa6094af59c349e1ed
title: Urgent: Rosenstein impeachment
uri: Urgent-Rosenstein-impeachment
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#28_July_2018_%28Urgent%3A_Rosenstein_impeachment%29
content:
<p>
US
citizens: <a href="https://act.credoaction.com/sign/Protect_Rosenstein">call
on Congress</a> not to impeach Rosenstein.  Replacing Rosenstein would
be a way to shut down the Mueller investigation.
</p>
<p>If you sign, please spread the word!</p>


feed_id: 34dae175719bcde3ef101c8199f56fa1
title: Tax cuts to the richest
uri: Tax-cuts-to-the-richest
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#28_July_2018_%28Tax_cuts_to_the_richest%29
content:
<p>
US tax cuts enacted under Bush, Obama, and Trump amount
to <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2018/07/19/our-missing-10-trillion?cd-origin=rss">10
trillion dollars</a>.  Of these, 2 trillion have gone to the 1%
richest Americans.


feed_id: ce87aa28d55cdc4c717a7ceb74b216d9
title: 3D printed guns
uri: 3D-printed-guns
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#28_July_2018_%283D_printed_guns%29
content:
<p>
The US government
has <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2018/jul/23/3d-printed-guns-court-settlement-trump-administration-cody-wilson">reconciled
itself to the possibility</a> of 3D printing guns.
<p>
I think that the possibility of 3D printing guns is going to be bad
for society, but I don't see how it could be avoided without
repression that would also be bad for society.


feed_id: 8eed8477e5514c741c4837090e73a9c0
title: Earth's limited resources
uri: Earth-s-limited-resources
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#28_July_2018_%28Earth%27s_limited_resources%29
content:
<p>
Humans are consuming the Earth's limited
resources <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2018/jul/23/earths-resources-consumed-in-ever-greater-destructive-volumes">faster
every year</a>, and already far faster than the Earth can regenerate
them.


feed_id: 779f42c0870fa80e2305099bc7924d75
title: Sri Lanka's torture
uri: Sri-Lanka-s-torture
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#28_July_2018_%28Sri_Lanka%27s_torture%29
content:
<p>
Sri Lanka's government said it would end the practice of torturing
suspects,
but <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/jul/23/sri-lankan-reform-has-ground-to-a-halt-with-torture-used-freely-un">torture
continues with impunity</a>.


feed_id: 02f43de8dd6763568431beca9e3ec6af
title: Environmental sabotage bill
uri: Environmental-sabotage-bill
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#28_July_2018_%28Environmental_sabotage_bill%29
content:
<p>
The House of
Representatives <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2018/07/19/anti-environmental-spending-bill-passes-house-senate-urged-reject-it?cd-origin=rss">passed
a bill</a> to sabotage environmental protection across the board.


feed_id: 7f8ffa0e7d2c5dbcaa6f5433045eab76
title: Far-right's legislative agenda
uri: Far-right-s-legislative-agenda
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#28_July_2018_%28Far-right%27s_legislative_agenda%29
content:
<p>
"The far-right doesn't have to win
to <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2018/jul/23/the-far-right-doesnt-have-to-win-to-set-the-legislative-agenda">set
the legislative agenda</a>."


feed_id: 40a906e3ecc81db5a338427bb77e3970
title: Global heating and suicide
uri: Global-heating-and-suicide
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#28_July_2018_%28Global_heating_and_suicide%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#global heating">Global heating</a> is directly deadly: the hotter the weather,
the <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2018/jul/23/rising-temperatures-linked-to-increased-suicide-rates">more
frequent suicide becomes</a>.


feed_id: 8d93efe33157ac497663f7f7ff10afc6
title: State-controlled troll armies
uri: State-controlled-troll-armies
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#28_July_2018_%28State-controlled_troll_armies%29
content:
<p>
Many countries use <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#trump">troll</a> armies to maintain control of social media
and suppress all non-state-organized activity there.  Some use their
<a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#trump">troll</a> armies
for <a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/features/2018-government-sponsored-cyber-militia-cookbook/">repression
of activity outside social media</a>.


feed_id: 49fb12670415b259cb0ee25bef181cb8
title: Adolescents on social media
uri: Adolescents-on-social-media
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#28_July_2018_%28Adolescents_on_social_media%29
content:
<p>
Social media's damaging effect on adolescents: not only are they under
pressure to appear impossibly beautiful, but the
are <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2018/jul/23/social-media-and-celebrity-culture-harming-young-people">compelled
to chat with their friends frequently</a> or face exclusion.
<p>
It sounds to me like being in a cult.


feed_id: 61699689199f28cb6819aaba0e2a972f
title: Steering children from crime
uri: Steering-children-from-crime
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#28_July_2018_%28Steering_children_from_crime%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/jul/23/gadsden-florida-sheriff-prison-re-entry-program-morris-young">Florida
sheriff Morris Young</a> makes an effort to steer the children of
criminals away from crime.
<p>
He has to fight
the <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#27_June_2015_(Prison-industrial_complex)">prison-industrial
complex</a>.


feed_id: a0f0e53bfaca29c5cdb703edd43c1f9e
title: Apartheid state by law
uri: Apartheid-state-by-law
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#28_July_2018_%28Apartheid_state_by_law%29
content:
<p>
Israel is now
a <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2018/jul/23/netanyahu-israeli-apartheid-palestinians-nation-state-law">de
jure apartheid state</a>.
<p>
It has had de facto apartheid for a long time, but tried to pretend
that wasn't so.


feed_id: 6f26952d9f1b15cf1ca0ebb08980e603
title: African electricity production
uri: African-electricity-production
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#28_July_2018_%28African_electricity_production%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2018/jul/23/rich-countries-pushing-dirty-energy-africa-report-claims">60%
of the foreign aid</a> for African electricity production goes to
fossil fuels.
<p>
I suspect that the <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#planet">planet roasters</a> have subtly corrupted the agencies
that provide the aid.


feed_id: 6bfa502aeb3dfd1cebade90220a1ef28
title: Heat wave in Greece
uri: Heat-wave-in-Greece
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#28_July_2018_%28Heat_wave_in_Greece%29
content:
<p>
A heat wave following a winter of drought made the Athens wildfires
spread so fast that
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/jul/24/greek-fire-survivors-all-we-have-seen-is-tragedy-and-loss">people
could not run away</a>.
<p>
Pay attention, because <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#global heating">global heating</a> is doing the same things to many
areas of Europe and the US.


feed_id: 41e02a43380a3221bebc4e58297ff646
title: Negotiating with the Taliban
uri: Negotiating-with-the-Taliban
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#28_July_2018_%28Negotiating_with_the_Taliban%29
content:
<p>
Maybe the US is willing to 
<a href="https://reason.com/archives/2018/07/24/time-to-talk-to-the-taliban">negotiate
with the Taliban</a>.
<p>
The US can prop up the Afghan government to fight the Taliban for as
long as it decides to, but it cannot defeat the Taliban.  The only
way to end the war is to let the Taliban win.


feed_id: 433c6134f20aefa1564cc1cab983cfcb
title: Record-breaking heat in Japan
uri: Record-breaking-heat-in-Japan
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#28_July_2018_%28Record-breaking_heat_in_Japan%29
content:
<p>
Record-breaking heat in Japan 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/jul/24/unprecedented-japan-heatwave-kills-65-people-week">killed
65 people</a>.
<p>
The government calls the heat a "natural" disaster, but that is
denialism.  We know who caused it.


feed_id: 91eac32d44a9fc2b823c13a7e1bb6b54
title: White Helmets flee from Syria
uri: White-Helmets-flee-from-Syria
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#28_July_2018_%28White_Helmets_flee_from_Syria%29
content:
<p>
100 White Helmets and their families fled Syria to 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/jul/24/white-helmets-says-volunteers-fled-syria-fearing-assad-reprisals">escape
from violence by Assad's forces</a>.


feed_id: 3bcbe09f4b86b9342faa2335950ba116
title: Extradition from UK
uri: Extradition-from-UK
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#28_July_2018_%28Extradition_from_UK%29
content:
<p>
The Tories have decided to extradite <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#pissi">PISSI</a> terrorists to the US to
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/law/2018/jul/24/uk-may-face-legal-challenge-over-us-extradition-of-isis-pair">possibly
face the death penalty</a>.  The UK is not supposed to extradite
anyone anywhere without a promise not to execute per.


feed_id: 6e2b02f2211b6f534a552c8e8eeaade7
title: Two years in jail based on suspicion
uri: Two-years-in-jail-based-on-suspicion
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#28_July_2018_%28Two_years_in_jail_based_on_suspicion%29

content:
<p>
One of the hostages taken by terrorists in Bangladesh was 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/jul/24/briton-detained-over-bangladesh-holey-bakery-attack-cleared-by-police">jailed
two years on suspicion</a> of being participant.
<p>
It is unconscionable hold someone prisoner for that long on the off
chance that person was involved in a crime.


feed_id: f554eed5a2db31eb504c3a5b90f013ee
title: Life sentences for nonviolent crimes
uri: Life-sentences-for-nonviolent-crimes
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#28_July_2018_%28Life_sentences_for_nonviolent_crimes%29

content:
<p>
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2018/07/23/quest-keep-nonviolent-offenders-being-buried-alive">17,000
prisoners in the US</a> have been sentenced to life in prison without
parole for nonviolent crimes.  About half of them were casualties of
the War on Drugs.


feed_id: bee3b77ec17966057c8c5a16025a0595
title: Pollen and reduced rainfall
uri: Pollen-and-reduced-rainfall
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#28_July_2018_%28Pollen_and_reduced_rainfall%29
content:
<p>
Pollen in the air 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2018/jul/23/weatherwatch-pollen-grains-shown-to-be-suppressing-rainfall">can
reduce rainfall</a>, even prevent it entirely.


feed_id: c54cae624d90fcacc2da3c87a63d5886
title: Baldfaced lies told by Rep. Nunes
uri: Baldfaced-lies-told-by-Rep-Nunes
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#28_July_2018_%28Baldfaced_lies_told_by_Rep._Nunes%29

content:
<p>
Rep. Nunes told baldfaced lies about the contents of a secret FBI
document that summarized the state of the Russian collusion
investigation.  Now the document has been 
<a href="https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2018/7/22/1782646/-Newly-released-FISA-documents-prove-House-Republicans-lied-about-Russia-investigation">released</a>,
and his lies are proved.


feed_id: 47cf52a16824a17202c9da458981f76d
title: US origin of multinational drug gang
uri: US-origin-of-multinational-drug-gang
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#28_July_2018_%28US_origin_of_multinational_drug_gang%29

content:
<p>
The multinational drug gang Mara Salvatrucha dominates most of El
Salvador, but it 
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2018/07/23/key-fact-obscured-immigration-coverage-ms-13-was-made-usa">started
in the US</a> &mdash; a consequence of US repression in El Salvador.
<p>
Then the US deported the Salvadoreans, and they brought the gang
home with them.
<p>
I don't think the US should admit large numbers of immigrants.  The US
birth rate is now low enough that the population (and thus the
enormous ecological footprint) would decline, if not for immigration.
<p>
However, when it comes to refugees, the US would face a lot fewer
requests for asylum if stopped messing up other countries.


feed_id: ed0d3f4e7051ad9b31c2682f8c333e1e
title: Dean Baker on inequality
uri: Dean-Baker-on-inequality
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#28_July_2018_%28Dean_Baker_on_inequality%29
content:
<p>
"Since we have so completely bombed at providing anything like equal
opportunity, and no serious person can think this is about to change
in the decades ahead, how about we 
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2018/07/23/washington-post-thinks-it-new-idea-tell-people-worry-about-mobility-and-not">structure
our economy so that it makes less difference</a> whether someone ends
up at the top end like Jeff Bezos or at the bottom earning the minimum
wage?"


feed_id: 250bed7d44f35dc9034aab9e33b3cd33
title: Bot disclosure act
uri: Bot-disclosure-act
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#28_July_2018_%28Bot_disclosure_act%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://epic.org/2018/07/bot-disclosure-act-would-promo.html">Bot
Disclosure Act</a> Would Promote Identification, Accountability.
<p>
Do the social media platforms necessarily recognize bots?


feed_id: ca28d74b2e7d468ee641b56c93f2af33
title: "Wellness programs"
uri: Wellness-programs
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#28_July_2018_%28Wellness_programs%29
content:
<p>
"Wellness programs" means insurance companies will charge for medical
insurance based on 
<a href="https://www.motherjones.com/politics/2018/07/health-insurers-are-using-your-online-shopping-cart-and-zip-code-to-determine-your-rates/">collecting
all sorts of personal data</a>.  It would be the equivalent of China's
citizen score.


feed_id: 22cd3e4eabc1c7721817d2820c8abd9c
title: Macron and Benalla
uri: Macron-and-Benalla
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#28_July_2018_%28Macron_and_Benalla%29
content:
<p>
When a gang of French <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thugs</a> beat up a helpless protester, it was not
what it seemed.  One of them, Alexandre Benalla, 
<a href="https://jacobinmag.com/2018/07/alexandre-benalla-emmanuel-macron-riot-police">worked
directly for President Macron in a nebulous "security" position</a> at
the presidential palace.
<p>
The president and his officials protected Benalla pretty hard.  I
wonder if Benalla has some sort of hold on Macron.


feed_id: 3bc14280d824af68b8df64f199f82196
title: Bogus scientific journals
uri: Bogus-scientific-journals
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#28_July_2018_%28Bogus_scientific_journals%29
content:
<p>
Bogus scientific journals will 
<a href="https://www.motherjones.com/media/2018/07/real-news-tackles-fake-science/">publish
any article you send them &mdash; if you pay</a>.
<p>
I can understand why real people might want to publish in bogus
journals, for career-boosting (since not everyone will recognize that
the journal is bogus).  However, I can't see what motivated people to
pay to publish the article attributed to a nonexistent lab.


feed_id: 7431095ae8bcf2ce4b57454e3a7ac56a
title: Urgent: The bully's Twitter account
uri: Urgent-The-bully-s-Twitter-account
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#29_July_2018_%28Urgent%3A_The_bully%27s_Twitter_account%29

content:
<p>
Everyone: <a href="https://act.credoaction.com/sign/trump_twitter_iran">call
on Twitter</a> to apply its rule against violent threats and close the
<a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#bully">bully</a>'s account.
</p>
<p>If you sign, please spread the word!</p>


feed_id: 2be7440a0ca2b1db982d8d4c45edd3c7
title: Urgent: Automatic impeachment
uri: Urgent-Automatic-impeachment
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#29_July_2018_%28Urgent%3A_Automatic_impeachment%29
content:
<p>
US
citizens: <a href="https://actionnetwork.org/letters/email-your-congress-member-to-sign-onto-h-res-922">support
the bill</a> to carry out automatic impeachment of any president that
starts a war without congressional authorization.
</p>
<p>If you send a letter, please spread the word!</p>


feed_id: e708cc9ef64f8687dd7a5a86488818b6
title: Extreme weather
uri: 2018-07-30-Extreme-weather
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#29_July_2018_%28Extreme_weather%29
content:
<p>
The mainstream media cover extreme weather,
but <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2018/07/24/wildfires-rage-and-heat-records-broken-worldwide-corporate-media-urged-cover-climate?cd-origin=rss">avoid
    talking about its cause</a>:
<a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#global heating">global heating</a>.


feed_id: 19f70434dee5f5034c73351116975112
title: Myths that keep Americans working
uri: Myths-that-keep-Americans-working
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#29_July_2018_%28Myths_that_keep_Americans_working%29

content:
<p>
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2018/07/25/american-society-would-collapse-if-it-werent-these-8-myths?cd-origin=rss">The
myths</a> that keep Americans working for a pittance instead of
rebelling.


feed_id: 274e402c9897ae9e4a215485ded469db
title: Years to reunite children
uri: Years-to-reunite-children
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#29_July_2018_%28Years_to_reunite_children%29
content:
<p>
A former head of ICE
said <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2018/jul/25/us-immigration-latest-parents-renuite-with-childen-problems">it
will take years</a> to reunite children with their dear deported
parents.
<p>
It seems that the <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thugs</a> are inventing obstacles to make the task harder.


feed_id: 0848af468753ba4b8952b30b78412e5d
title: Pregnant refugees
uri: Pregnant-refugees
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-may-aug.html#29_July_2018_%28Pregnant_refugees%29
content:
<p>
40 pregnant refugees are stuck on a ship in the Mediterranean, running
out of food and water, because the countries
nearby <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2018/jul/25/pregnant-women-among-migrants-stranded-at-sea-tunisia-refuses-entry-sarost-5">refuse
to let them in</a>.


