# articles

feed_id: 96384f64b71f66311743d929b47805d2
title: Spawning of coral in Red Sea disrupted
uri: Spawning-of-coral-in-Red-Sea-disrupted
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#13_September_2019_%28Spawning_of_coral_in_Red_Sea_disrupted%29

content:
<p>
The spawning of coral in the Red Sea is 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/sep/10/climate-crisis-great-orgy-coral-spawning">disrupted</a>.
If the coral animals of a species do not try to mate at the same time,
they will not reproduce.


feed_id: cb343958b8e415bf0d382dc152e06309
title: Heatwave in ocean off US west coast
uri: Heatwave-in-ocean-off-US-west-coast
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#13_September_2019_%28Heatwave_in_ocean_off_US_west_coast%29

content:
<p>
A heatwave in the ocean off the US west coast 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/sep/08/pacific-ocean-marine-heatwave-blog">threatens
a giant toxic algal bloom</a>.


feed_id: 7f321bf42a70174a58ee415d6490e645
title: Summer heatwaves in France
uri: Summer-heatwaves-in-France
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#13_September_2019_%28Summer_heatwaves_in_France%29
content:
<p>
Summer Heatwaves in France 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/sep/09/summer-heatwaves-in-france-killed-1500-says-health-minister">Killed
1,500</a>, Says Health Minister.
<p>
After the 2003 heat wave, France took precautions to prevent heat
waves from killing people.  For the latest heat wave to have killed
almost the same number, despite the precautions, it must have been
considerably stronger.


feed_id: b73e1ee4cf7d357066688485933dd5b8
title: Bullshitter's approach to diplomacy
uri: Bullshitter-s-approach-to-diplomacy
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#13_September_2019_%28Bullshitters_approach_to_diplomacy%29

content:
<p>
The bullshitter said he was about to have a secret meeting in the US
with Taliban negotiators, and 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2019/sep/08/trump-taliban-afghanistan-republicans-democrats-reaction">cancelled
it because they carried out a bomb attack in Afghanistan</a>.  (No
cease-fire had been agreed.)
<p>
Lots of politicians criticized him for this, al everyone assuming he
was telling the truth about what he had done.  I wouldn't believe, on
his say-so, that he had cancelled a meeting, or that there ever was a
plan for a meeting.
<p>
Then the Taliban 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/sep/09/taliban-trump-afghanistan-us-talks-election-violence">affirmed
that the bullshitter cancelled a meeting with them</a>.  Amazing
&mdash; he told the truth about this!
<p>
I don't agree with the critics that there is anything wrong in
inviting Taliban negotiators to meet with US representatives, whether
in the US, or anywhere else.  I am surprised though that they trusted
him enough to say they would come.
<p>
The bullshitter's approach to diplomacy is to posture as tough by
canceling meetings on whatever excuse comes to hand.  I don't see
anything inherently wrong with that maneuver, but I doubt it pressures
other countries' negotiators as he thinks it does.  I expect they see
through it.
<p>
That being so, if it creates a problem in negotiations, at least it
won't be permanent.


feed_id: 06644c93a1d808bd3453e5cd5a92d87a
title: Tories rationing medical treatments
uri: Tories-rationing-medical-treatments
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#13_September_2019_%28Tories_rationing_medical_treatments%29

content:
<p>
The Tories are rationing medical treatments, and visits to
specialists, 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/society/2019/sep/08/london-gps-told-to-restrict-specialist-referrals-under-new-nhs-rationing-plan">in
order to give the wealthy a new tax cut</a>.


feed_id: 26e5cc9311570244ce5be9ab8cd63018
title: Factory farms and toxic algae
uri: Factory-farms-and-toxic-algae
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#13_September_2019_%28Factory_farms_and_toxic_algae%29

content:
<p>
Factory farms in Brittany are 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/sep/08/it-can-kill-you-in-seconds-the-deadly-algae-on-brittanys-beaches">causing
deadly toxic algae to bloom in sea</a>.


feed_id: f39b70243f38dc2581a45940f77430d3
title: Epstein donations
uri: 2019-09-14-Epstein-donations
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#13_September_2019_%28Epstein_donations%29
content:
<p>


Media Lab Director Joi Ito confessed that he had secretly <a href="https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-49623084?intlink_from_url=&link_location=live-reporting-story">accepted donations from Epstein</a> after MIT had decided not to do so.

<p>
He also accepted funds for some personal activities of his own.

<p>
That dishonesty, and conflict of interest, make his resignation
obligatory.

<p>
But I fear for the effect on the Media Lab.  Under Negroponte, the
lab was notoriously stingy and proprietary.  Ito corrected that.
I fear that the next director will undo some of Ito's changes.


feed_id: 902c35992f2320308538a7a93f88db99
title: Israel
uri: 2019-09-14-Israel
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#14_September_2019_%28Israel%29
content:
<p>


"Israel should receive precisely the same response as Russia got."

<p>
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/sep/13/eu-leaders-must-get-tough-with-israel">Source</a>


feed_id: 4a8092549ef362106106247bbb9371a3
title: Climate defense
uri: 2019-09-14-Climate-defense
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#14_September_2019_%28Climate_defense%29
content:
<p>


<a href="https://theintercept.com/2019/09/13/greta-thunberg-naomi-klein-climate/">Naomi Klein talks</a> about Greta Thunberg and the do-or-die mission of climate defense.


feed_id: 0dccca14ffbb2948eb130be34946c837
title: Death sentence
uri: Death-sentence
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#14_September_2019_%28Death_sentence%29
content:
<p>


<a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#bully">The bully</a>'s various measures to block refugees from Central America
can be <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2019/09/12/trump-administrations-asylum-ban-could-be-death-sentence-people-seeking-safety">a death sentence</a>.


feed_id: 6717652eb9b9580edcbf84c12edeb4e7
title: Food stamps
uri: 2019-09-14-Food-stamps
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#14_September_2019_%28Food_stamps%29
content:
<p>


(satire) Matthew McConaughey was reportedly <a href="https://www.theonion.com/matthew-mcconaughey-forced-to-apply-for-food-stamps-aft-1838073063">forced to apply for food stamps</a> Thursday after his first month working as an adjunct professor.


feed_id: 9188d016fa6ea13dc9841009651cc701
title: Oil export
uri: 2019-09-14-Oil-export
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#14_September_2019_%28Oil_export%29
content:
<p>


<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2019/09/12/why-im-currently-blocking-largest-oil-export-channel-us">Why I'm Currently Blocking the Largest Oil Export Channel in the U.S</a>.


feed_id: a491cad6ced6ca5dae4a90bcee0f8ab1
title: Climate migrations
uri: Climate-migrations
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#14_September_2019_%28Climate_migrations%29
content:
<p>


Climate change <a href="https://www.vice.com/en_us/article/59n9qa/climate-change-will-create-15-billion-migrants-by-2050-and-we-have-no-idea-where-theyll-go">will create 1.5 billion migrants by 2050</a> and we have no idea where they'll go.

<p>
As these people desperately try to flee, tens of millions of them will
be trafficked.  (Maybe hundreds of millions.)  They will accept "job
offers" in other regions or countries which will turn out to be
slavery.  They may even do so knowingly, since the alternative would
be a substantial chance of death.

<p>
Major contributors to <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#global heating">global heating</a>, such as David Koch and Stephen
Schwarzman, will through their intentional acts of destruction be
predictably responsible for a fraction of this result.  That fraction,
for each one, will amount to thousands, perhaps hundreds of thousands,
of people enslaved.

<p>
I think that MIT should reconsider whether to have institutions named
after those people.

<p>
I don't think MIT is obligated to return or give away the money they
donated.  Rather, it should spend the money doing something good.
(The introduction to Major Barbara explains the reasoning of the
Salvation Army on this question; I found it convincing.)  What is
clearly wrong is to give those donors something &mdash; favorable publicity,
or access to people &mdash; in exchange.


feed_id: a52b488de53f6a2766f7bb86660a874d
title: Private prisons
uri: 2019-09-14-Private-prisons
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#14_September_2019_%28Private_prisons%29
content:
<p>


California <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2019/sep/12/california-private-prison-ban-immigration-ice">has banned private prisons</a>.

<p>
California had already moved most of the prisoners out of them
as preparation for closing them.

<p>
The bill covers deportation prisons.


feed_id: 1027c067ac63e8aca6c57ccd98e5d6fa
title: Twitter
uri: 2019-09-14-Twitter
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#14_September_2019_%28Twitter%29
content:
<p>


Twitter <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/sep/12/twitter-raul-castro-state-media-outlets-blocked">has blocked Raúl Castro's account</a>.

<p>
If it can do that, it can block the bullshitter's account too.


feed_id: 59f82c7a639ab63ddf874179ba845372
title: Wetlands and streams
uri: Wetlands-and-streams
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#14_September_2019_%28Wetlands_and_streams%29
content:
<p>


The saboteur in chief <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2019/sep/12/trump-wetlands-streams-environment-obama-rule">has finished cancelling</a> Obama's rule to protect wetlands and streams.


feed_id: f846a8dad2003a5e52f3f33357a094d9
title: Dolphins
uri: Dolphins
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#14_September_2019_%28Dolphins%29
content:
<p>


Dolphins in the English Channel have <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/sep/12/dolphins-in-channel-carry-toxic-cocktail-of-chemicals">high levels of persistent toxins
in their blood</a>.  We do not know whether this is causing tangible harm.


feed_id: 7f7255efaf8ff4d7e0e189ffa7a82935
title: Face recognition in India
uri: Face-recognition-in-India
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#14_September_2019_%28Face_recognition_in_India%29
content:
<p>


Some airport terminals in India <a href="https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/economy/delhi-airport-t3-begins-trial-of-facial-recognition-tech-today/article29342234.ece">are imposing face recognition</a> on every
passenger.

<p>
They say that the biometrics will be stored only temporarily,
and deleted after the flight departs, but we can hardly trust that
it doesn't send a copy to a government agency in the mean time.

<p>
Indeed, I can't see why they would bother implementing this (since the
existing system works) if it isn't the basis for some other snooping.


feed_id: 1080e3c450bd698b813a5c93052b0274
title: Arms in UK
uri: Arms-in-UK
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#14_September_2019_%28Arms_in_UK%29
content:
<p>


The UK <a href="https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/middle-east-eye-journalist-refused-entry-cover-uk-arms-fair">barred a journalist</a> from covering an arms sale fair.  Political bias is suspected.


feed_id: cfef0c9846d955106d197bbbe497fee9
title: Disappearance in India
uri: Disappearance-in-India
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#14_September_2019_%28Disappearence_in_India%29
content:
<p>


"My son is one of Kashmir’s ‘disappeared’. When will India tell the truth
about their fate?"  He was disappeared in 1991 and his mother <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/sep/12/son-kashmir-disappeared-india-truth-fate-siege ">has had no news of him since</a>.


feed_id: 976d1f7ceabf4ad8859ef190a7da40d6
title: Fires in Congo
uri: Fires-in-Congo
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#14_September_2019_%28Fires_in_Congo%29
content:
<p>


"West Africa and Congo basin are hotspots for forest loss but receive
lower global attention [that the Amazon]."

<p>
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/sep/12/deforestation-damage-goes-beyond-amazon">Source</a>


feed_id: 463646e72227225bf7ef86ef007d084a
title: Trump Hotel
uri: Trump-Hotel
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#14_September_2019_%28Trump_Hotel%29
content:
<p>


(satire) Trump Under Fire For <a href="https://politics.theonion.com/trump-under-fire-for-forcing-astronauts-to-stay-in-iris-1837988848">Forcing Astronauts To Stay In Irish Trump Hotel</a>
While On Specialized Space Mission.


feed_id: c34eea23c9173dede911a59a697ff77d
title: Harris and face recognition
uri: Harris-and-face-recognition
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#14_September_2019_%28Harris_and_face_recognition%29
content:
<p>


Kamala Harris <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2019/09/09/kamala-harris-repeats-silicon-valley-and-law-enforcement-talking-points-facial">declines to support a ban on use of face recognition</a> by the government.

<p>
Instead she supports "regulation" that would make little practical difference.


feed_id: b46153f87ed0d3d8864dfa03e9773d4e
title: Mental illness monitoring
uri: Mental-illness-monitoring
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#14_September_2019_%28Mental_illness_monitoring%29
content:
<p>


The bully <a href="https://reason.com/2019/09/09/trump-mulls-orwellian-proposal-to-stop-mass-shootings-by-monitoring-mentally-ill-people-for-signs-of-imminent-violence/">wants to monitor</a> everyone in the US diagnosed with mental
illness (almost 100 million) in a vain effort to detect the few who
will commit massacres.

<p>
It won't have much of the intended effect, but it is a great excuse
for extending repression.  Many of your friends and colleagues have a
mental illness, but you don't know how numerous they are because they
don't let on.


feed_id: 07d2239725e62a6dfc7480076c323fde
title: Death and poverty
uri: Death-and-poverty
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#14_September_2019_%28Death_and_poverty%29
content:
<p>


With increased inequality of wealth, the US suffers increased
inequality in life expectancy.  <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2019/09/09/poverty-america-literal-death-sentence-says-sanders-following-devastating-gao-report">Poor people die younger</a>.


feed_id: 5b7097c44299a359d38630cc1650851c
title: Human rights and brexit
uri: Human-rights-and-brexit
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#14_September_2019_%28Human_rights_and_brexit%29
content:
<p>


If Britain leaves the EU, the EU laws that guarantee many human rights
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2019/09/09/deal-or-no-deal-brexit-poses-serious-human-rights-concerns">will cease to apply there</a>.

<p>
The article lists a few specific areas, but the problem is not limited
to those.  Many other human rights would also become vulnerable.


feed_id: d123ba866fc3822c895f24f9e5848f3f
title: Healthcare ads
uri: Healthcare-ads
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#14_September_2019_%28Healthcare_ads%29
content:
<p>


Healthcare ad spending exceeds $65 million in 2019 as insurance industry
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2019/09/11/healthcare-ad-spending-exceeds-65-million-2019-insurance-industry-ramps-effort-kill">ramps up effort to kill Medicare for All</a>.


feed_id: 6730ba1ae189e9135b5525510f3a0396
title: Homeless repression
uri: Homeless-repression
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#14_September_2019_%28Homeless_repression%29
content:
<p>


Now that the <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#bully">bully</a> has cut support for housing and made more people
homeless, he proposes to "fix" what he intentionally broke by
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2019/09/11/internment-camps-homeless-housing-advocates-horrified-trump-push-crackdown">exacerbating repression</a> against homeless people on the street.

<p>
We can take action against homelessness nationwide with laws that make
it unprofitable to use real estate as a meaningless asset.  The only
way to profit from it should be by renting it out &mdash; and corporations
should be discouraged from being the owners.


feed_id: 340ebf770c5d1121dc3f051b84fa87ce
title: Uber
uri: 2019-09-14-Uber
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#14_September_2019_%28Uber%29
content:
<p>


California's landmark bill giving gig workers the rights of employees
causes problems <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2019/sep/11/california-ab5-gig-workers-rights">in a few edge cases</a>.  For example, for writers of a weekly column.

<p>
Would a weekly columnist really be required to become a "full time"
employee?  That implicit claim seems fishy: surely this law does
not put an end to part-time jobs.

<p>
Overall, this bill is a great step forward.  It means that Uber will
have to mistreat its employees less.  But it won't stop mistreating
<i>the customer</i>.  If you value your freedom and anonymity, please join
me in <a href="https://stallman.org/uber.html">refusing to surrender them to Uber</a>.


feed_id: a46bb620f2dea970a1ee99ac39b84011
title: NHS privatization
uri: NHS-privatization
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#14_September_2019_%28NHS_privatization%29
content:
<p>


B'liar's partial privatization of the NHS brought about huge debts
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2019/sep/12/nhs-hospital-trusts-to-pay-out-further-55bn-under-pfi-scheme">which are now starving it of funds</a>.


feed_id: 29a7930c4f3d936993172df994c3ad4d
title: Asylum denial
uri: Asylum-denial
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#14_September_2019_%28Asylum_denial%29
content:
<p>


<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2019/sep/11/trump-supreme-court-deny-asylum-immigrants">The US Supreme Court ruled</a> that the bully can deny asylum to everyone
from Central America that passes through Mexico.

<p>
This policy would be reasonable if Mexico were a safe place.


feed_id: c625447429df57091470ec88247edf43
title: Earthworms and microplastics
uri: Earthworms-and-microplastics
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#14_September_2019_%28Earthworms_and_microplastics%29

content:
<p>


Some microplastics in soil can cause earthworms <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/sep/12/worms-fail-to-thrive-in-soil-containing-microplastics-study">to lose weight</a>.

<p>
The article doesn't say what level of microplastic content was used in
the experiment, but if we keep dumping microplastics into the
environment we are likely to surpass that level sooner or later.


feed_id: 4d55bb8226683d91eb0af7826ebcfc74
title: Statements about Epstein
uri: Statements-about-Epstein
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#14_September_2019_%28Statements_about_Epstein%29
content:
<p>
I want to respond to the misleading media coverage of messages I
posted about Marvin Minsky's association with Jeffrey Epstein.  The
coverage totally mischaracterised my statements.
<p>
Headlines say that I defended Epstein.  Nothing could be further from
the truth.  I've called him a "serial rapist", and said he deserved to
be imprisoned.  But many people now believe I defended him &mdash; and
other inaccurate claims &mdash; and feel a real hurt because of what
they believe I said.
<p>
I'm sorry for that hurt.  I wish I could have prevented the
misunderstanding.


feed_id: 2ff468ab7ddeb09bfe4f8f885b52ceb6
title: Art of deception
uri: Art-of-deception
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#15_September_2019_%28Art_of_deception%29
content:
<p>Ralph Nader: Avalanche-Level Liar Trump Learned
	<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2019/09/13/avalanche-level-liar-trump-learned-art-deception-pros-us-corporations">
	  Art of Deception From the Pros: US Corporations.</a>

<p>
  


feed_id: e2d9cf7092660da49d871241406e1f23
title: Biden falsely justifies attacking Iraq
uri: Biden-falsely-justifies-attacking-Iraq
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#15_September_2019_%28Biden_false_justifications%29
content:
<p>Biden is pushing even harder his
	<a href=" https://www.commondreams.org/views/2019/09/13/biden-takes-iraq-lies-max-democratic-debate">
	  falsifications to justify his voting for attacking Iraq.</a>

<p>
  


feed_id: 79b7011bd30d87fd3d6c1e34b4d33cc8
title: Ban gaming loot boxes
uri: Ban-gaming-loot-boxes
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#15_September_2019_%28Ban_loot_boxes%29
content:
<p>Gamers in general feel manipulated by loot boxes. <a href="https://www.bbc.com/news/newsbeat-49674333">When Belgium banned them entirely, the users were glad.</a>
      <p>Let's ban them everywhere.
      <p>Note: I reject all these games for another reason: they are nonfree software.

<p>
  


feed_id: 6b1b1fb91383698fd129678ebd13462e
title: Buying online creates unemployment
uri: Buying-online-creates-unemployment
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#15_September_2019_%28Online_shopping_costs_jobs%29
content:
<p>Buying on-line not only mistreats you (with nonfree client code and making a dossier of your purchases), <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/money/2019/sep/12/online-shopping-forcing-women-out-of-work-study">it also has brought about the loss of many jobs</a>. In the UK, 75,000 jobs have been lost this way.

<p>
  


feed_id: f4a436a2d43bf39fdf316652d4f7cbac
title: Saudi Arabia oil facility hit by drone strike
uri: Saudi-Arabia-oil-facility-hit-by-drone-strike
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#15_September_2019_%28Oil_facility_hit_by_drone%29
content:
<p><a href=" https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/sep/14/major-saudi-arabia-oil-facilities-hit-by-drone-strikes">An oil refinery in Salafi Arabia has been set on fire by a drone attack.</a>
      <p>It couldn't have happened to a more deserving country.
	<p>If the inflow of petroleum can be cut off, the fire itself should not last long. I hope so. Then refinery will be out of service. That will reduce the supply of oil and gasoline. That would be an opportunity for conservation, but I think the planet-roasters will try to make it an excuse to build more fossil-fuel facilities elsewhere.

<p>
  


feed_id: 964b51fd3d5b88b13aa209f86a6643be
title: Israeli Arab lawmakers discriminated
uri: Israeli-Arab-lawmakers-discriminated
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#15_September_2019_%28Palestinian_discrimination%29
content:
<p>Arab members of Israel's parliament face the <a href="https://mondoweiss.net/2019/09/international-palestinian-discrimination/">constant threat of expulsion for opposing the majority (as they were elected to do).</a>

<p>
  


feed_id: e637adc22252d7f72947a1add075315d
title: Violent harrasment of Arabs in East Jerusalem
uri: Violent-harrasment-of-Arabs-in-East-Jerusalem
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#15_September_2019_%28East_Jerusalem_Arab_Harrasment%29

content:
<p>Israeli thugs in an Arab area of East Jerusalem practice <a href="https://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-5582348,00.html">continual violent harassment</a> on any excuse. Sometimes the violence is deadly.

<p>
  


feed_id: c65bbdea7e55afcfb56ca9611897b21c
title: Two state solution
uri: 2019-09-15-Two-state-solution
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#15_September_2019_%28Two_state_solution%29
content:
<p>The <a href="https://www.jpost.com/Israel-News/The-two-state-solution-can-be-achieved-through-a-confederation-601058"> "two-state solution can be achieved through a confederation,"</a> proposes the "A Land For ALL" movement.
    


feed_id: 676d1cd30cf80e7e1e6bd80a2a1d51b7
title: DMVs and data
uri: DMVs-and-data
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#15_September_2019_%28DMVs_and_data%29
content:
<p>


Bernie Sanders says DMVs <a href="https://www.vice.com/en_us/article/pa7a3y/bernie-sanders-dmvs-stop-selling-profiting-drivers-data">should stop profiting from drivers’ personal data</a>.


feed_id: d6f662a4ef77ed49610ce53cd5d41a06
title: Amazon fires
uri: 2019-09-15-Amazon-fires
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#15_September_2019_%28Amazon_fires%29
content:
<p>


White nationalism and crony capitalism <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2019/09/10/white-nationalism-and-crony-capitalism-are-sparks-started-fires-amazon">are the sparks</a> that started fires in the Amazon.

<p>
Activists <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2019/09/10/activists-follow-money-fueling-amazon-fires">follow the money</a> fueling Amazon fires.


feed_id: 740a1bcf9e48d24fdb382dabcf8dd10c
title: Sedative
uri: Sedative
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#15_September_2019_%28Sedative%29
content:
<p>


(satire) &hellip; longtime Sleepytime Tea addict Katie Ball <a href="https://local.theonion.com/longtime-sleepytime-tea-addict-has-to-use-6-bags-just-t-1838013336">divulged Tuesday</a> that she must consume six bags of the sedative brew in order to merely feel drowsy.


feed_id: faf9058ba5cd86f2516ebb41078953ec
title: Electrocution
uri: Electrocution
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#15_September_2019_%28Electrocution%29
content:
<p>


(satire) &hellip;former conversion therapy practitioner McKrae Game <a href="https://www.theonion.com/apologetic-conversion-therapy-founder-offers-to-electro-1837940455">apologized Friday</a> for the harm his work has caused and offered to electrocute his past patients into being gay again.


feed_id: 627351b6a49e80004be87732627093e8
title: Polling places
uri: Polling-places
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#15_September_2019_%28Polling_places%29
content:
<p>


One important method of voter suppression is closing polling places.
Over a thousand <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2019/09/10/report-1688-poll-closures-divert-us-democracy">have been closed since 2014</a>.


feed_id: 05926d83ac5465798f1b2759f371c52c
title: Execution
uri: Execution
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#15_September_2019_%28Execution%29
content:
<p>


Texas officials want to execute Rodney Reed and <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2019/sep/11/rodney-reed-death-penalty-race-texas-sister-helen-prejean">disregard the evidence</a> that
argues he is innocent.


feed_id: b56c45a51987482644b141e06292b359
title: Charities
uri: Charities
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#15_September_2019_%28Charities%29
content:
<p>


Charities' mission should include advocating for governments to help the poor better, not merely <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/society/2019/sep/12/quit-charity-boss-protest-against-terrible-government-policies">give some of the help the government fails to give</a>.


feed_id: 5301ea47a8fd9327429fc90346644823
title: Nature reserve
uri: Nature-reserve
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#15_September_2019_%28Nature_reserve%29
content:
<p>


The scapegoater's border wall is being built through a nature reserve, which will involve bulldozing parts of it and <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/sep/12/border-wall-organ-pipe-cactus-arizona">do ecological harm to the endangered wildlife</a> it is supposed to protect.


feed_id: 56ccdacbcddea738d9082acf9956c5a4
title: Whole Foods
uri: Whole-Foods
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#15_September_2019_%28Whole_Foods%29
content:
<p>


Whole Foods to <a href="https://www.cnbc.com/2019/09/12/whole-foods-to-cut-healthcare-for-1900-part-time-employees-in-2020.html">cut health-care benefits</a> for 1,900 part-time employees starting next year.


feed_id: 582cf45f968476b5da41d48e6b79d33a
title: Public schools
uri: 2019-09-15-Public-schools
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#15_September_2019_%28Public_schools%29
content:
<p>


Public schools in Kentucky now <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2019/sep/12/in-god-we-trust-display-in-kentucky-schools-marks-effort-to-mix-church-and-state">openly endorse religion</a>.


feed_id: e6c5f3e4f7949f6c7d305bf44b4c8e01
title: Abortion in Austin
uri: Abortion-in-Austin
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#15_September_2019_%28Abortion_in_Austin%29
content:
<p>


Austin, Texas, <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2019/09/12/austin-texas-becomes-first-us-city-fund-travel-expenses-patients-obtaining-abortion">has made funds available</a> for women to travel out of state
to get an abortion.


feed_id: a6d49fd4e984d4b968a796ea500c2416
title: Arctic Wildlife
uri: Arctic-Wildlife
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#15_September_2019_%28Artic_Wildlife%29
content:
<p>


The House of Representatives voted to <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2019/09/12/house-votes-protect-crown-jewel-our-wildlife-refuge-system">protect the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge</a>.

<p>
It will not be easy to prevail over the sabotage-minded Senate.  But it is better to try than not try.


feed_id: 60f0423306c7e5412b32fb8c97718930
title: Germany and Nazism
uri: Germany-and-Nazism
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#15_September_2019_%28Germany_and_nazism%29
content:
<p>


Studying Germany's effort to learn to <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/books/2019/sep/13/susan-neiman-interview-learning-from-the-germans">reject the ideas of its Nazi past</a>.


feed_id: 1ad21b47b78bf974f3af30660694dde2
title: Bleach
uri: Bleach
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#15_September_2019_%28Bleach%29
content:
<p>


<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/sep/13/science-on-safety-of-chlorinated-chicken-misunderstood">Scientists report</a> that dipping chickens in bleach does not kill
all the dangerous bacteria.  Some of them convert into spores,
which are hard to detect without special tests, so the chicken
appears safer but isn't.


feed_id: 59e379a4113e86aa9f0083cacdc760e2
title: Body cameras
uri: 2019-09-15-Body-cameras
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#15_September_2019_%28Body_cameras%29
content:
<p>


California is adopting a <a href="https://www.reuters.com/article/us-california-facial-recognition/california-legislature-bars-facial-recognition-for-police-body-cameras-idUSKCN1VX2ZP">ban on face recognition in thugs' body cameras</a>.

<p>
It is a significant first step in making body cameras do good and
not harm, but much more is needed.  If the system saves the video when
there is no specific justification to do so, it becomes a system to
surveil people's houses at will.  I recommend an automatic system that
can determine when to save the footage.


feed_id: bb4ae70731afd3604539e5135e854aba
title: Sex between an adult and a child is wrong
uri: 2019-09-15-Sex-between-an-adult-and-a-child-is-wrong
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#14_September_2019_%28Sex_between_an_adult_and_a_child_is_wrong%29

content:
<p>
Many years ago I posted that I could not see anything wrong about sex
between an adult and a child, if the child accepted it.
<p>
Through personal conversations in recent years, I've learned to understand
how sex with a child can harm per psychologically.  This changed my
mind about the matter: I think adults should not do that.  I am
grateful for the conversations that enabled me to understand why.


feed_id: d2c10e62125aedd267396c2373c2df85
title: Resignation
uri: Resignation
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#16_September_2019_%28Resignation%29
content:
<p>
To the MIT community,
<p>
I am resigning effective immediately from my position in CSAIL at
MIT.
I am doing this due to pressure on MIT and me over a series of
misunderstandings and mischaracterizations.
<p>
Richard Stallman


feed_id: 89d60e5051a2b85fa6fce79302ef8965
title: Defending the climate
uri: Defending-the-climate
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#16_September_2019_%28Defending_the_climate%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/science/2019/sep/15/americans-climate-change-crisis-cbs-poll">2/3
of Americans</a> now say defending the climate is urgent.
<p>
Now if only we can overcome 
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#3_September_2019_(Federal_Election_Commission)">Republican
electoral cheating</a> and translate that into votes.


feed_id: d976ddc50e5623bf20b3f96f711e111d
title: Fossil fuels and wars
uri: Fossil-fuels-and-wars
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#16_September_2019_%28Fossil_fuels_and_wars%29
content:
<p>
Ironically, the US fights wars to preserve access to fossil fuels,
which it burns copiously and that
<a href="https://theintercept.com/2019/09/15/climate-change-us-military-war/">creates
more occasions for wars</a>.


feed_id: 7a2506fba4c6a57a875909553de66c03
title: Italy permitting entry of refugees at sea
uri: Italy-permitting-entry-of-refugees-at-sea
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#16_September_2019_%28Italy_permitting_entry_of_refugees_at_sea%29

content:
<p>
Italy has started 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/sep/15/italys-new-coalition-announces-plan-to-end-migrant-haggling-ocean-viking-disembark">permitting
entry of refugees rescued at sea</a>.


feed_id: 007e19ea92d615f238127b76b5a6efdf
title: Politics of unabashed dishonesty
uri: Politics-of-unabashed-dishonesty
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#16_September_2019_%28Politics_of_unabashed_dishonesty%29

content:
<p>
The UK is 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/sep/14/i-left-russia-to-escape-putin-assault-on-reason">sliding
into the politics of unabashed dishonesty</a>, following Russia,
Australia, and the US.


feed_id: 3b2c24cd237fdf4973772b570654cc11
title: Requiring burials for fetuses
uri: Requiring-burials-for-fetuses
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#16_September_2019_%28Requiring_burials_for_fetuses%29

content:
<p>
An abortion doctor who recently died is being vilified by some for
violating a recently passed Indiana law 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2019/sep/15/more-than-2000-foetal-remains-found-at-home-of-former-indiana-abortion-doctor">requiring
fetuses to be buried as if they were people that had died</a>.
<p>
I don't think he did anything wrong by violating that law.  For one
thing, we must suspect it was intended to lead people to condemn
abortion for irrational reasons.
<p>
I do think the clinic should have followed more carefully the other
laws, which are precautions for patients' safety.


feed_id: aa821b7c510a2a9d450e9bd03338309e
title: Water running out in region of Australia
uri: Water-running-out-in-region-of-Australia
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#16_September_2019_%28Water_running_out_in_region_of_Australia%29

content:
<p>
A region of Australia is 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2019/sep/15/parts-of-regional-nsw-set-to-run-out-of-water-by-november">close
to running out of water completely</a>.
<p>
I hope climate activists are working to inform the people there
of how Australia's planet-roasting government is responsible.


feed_id: 1db0cb3dd76b64d946f23f1841b1b609
title: Republican cheating
uri: Republican-cheating
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#16_September_2019_%28Republican_cheating%29
content:
<p>
Republicans "won" the 9th Congressional District of North Carolina by
cheating &mdash; they 
<a href="https://www.gregpalast.com/jim-crow-steals-n-carolina-9th-cd/">removed
over 100,000 mostly-Democratic voters from the voting list</a> based
on vague suspicions they might have voted in another state as well.
<p>
The margin of the supposed Republican victory was only 4,000.
It is almost certain that the "victory" was due to cheating.
<p>
It is not illegal, or even suspect, to be registered to vote in two
states.  That is what normally happens when you move to another state
and register there.  Voters are not asked to tell the previous city,
"I have moved away", the requirement is not to vote there.
<p>
However, many of the voters who were removed were not really
registered in another state.  The other registration had a name that
was similar but different.  Republicans do not fall into voter
suppression by accident.  These schemes are carefully planned,
and 
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jul-oct.html#7_September_2016_(Voter_suppression_in_North_Carolina)">occasionally
politicians are heard admitting this</a>.  They push as far as they
think they can get away with.


feed_id: b0d9dedcabceadeb3dac60767910885b
title: Destruction of National Security Council
uri: Destruction-of-National-Security-Council
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#16_September_2019_%28Destruction_of_National_Security_Council%29

content:
<p>
In addition to arms-limitation treaties, Bolton 
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2019/09/11/catastrophic-tenure-john-bolton">has
destroyed the National Security Council</a> which used to consider
issues including arms-limitation treaties.


feed_id: aff110d3df696819f4d7abc6b51a7d53
title: India building prisons for 2 million
uri: India-building-prisons-for-2-million
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#16_September_2019_%28India_building_prisons_for_2_million%29

content:
<p>
India is building prisons for the 
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2019/09/11/red-flag-whole-world-india-detention-camps-hold-two-million-illegals">roughly
2 million people in Assam that couldn't prove they are Indian
citizens</a>.  The construction workers expect to be imprisoned there
when they finish.
<p>
Merely being born in India is not enough &mdash; they have to prove
things that their ancestors in 1971 qualified.  In many cases there
are no records.


feed_id: 8ea10dc135b4681b6df700e889ea9be7
title: Compostable and biodegradable plastics
uri: Compostable-and-biodegradable-plastics
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#16_September_2019_%28Compostable_and_biodegradable_plastics%29

content:
<p>
Compostable plastic and biodegradable plastic 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/sep/12/plastic-alternatives-may-worsen-marine-pollution-mps-warn">require
a specially designed composting or biodegrading system</a>.  Using
them now, in the absence of such a system, could encourage people to
throw them into the wild.

<p>
  


feed_id: 653bdad5a9f697dc13da0fdb5bb0b310
title: The drone era
uri: The-drone-era
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#17_September_2019_%28The_drone_era%29
content:
<p>


Middle East drones signal <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/sep/16/middle-east-drones-signal-end-to-era-of-fast-jet-air-supremacy">end to era of fast jet air supremacy</a>.

<p>
Now many countries can attack in ways that are hard for anyone to stop.


feed_id: bf87ddaf4666605705e73b08db671f11
title: USD 1M a minute
uri: USD-1M-a-minute
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#17_September_2019_%28USD_1M_a_minute%29
content:
<p>


$1m a minute: the farming subsidies <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/sep/16/1m-a-minute-the-farming-subsidies-destroying-the-world">destroying the world</a>.

<p>
They promote resource exhaustion and greenhouse gas emissions.


feed_id: 19420d34a99d37d100970ef3684938ab
title: End the Endless War
uri: End-the-Endless-War
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#17_September_2019_%28End_the_Endless_War%29
content:
<p>


On 18th Anniversary of 9/11, Bernie Sanders Calls for <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2019/09/11/18th-anniversary-911-bernie-sanders-calls-end-endless-war">End to Endless War</a>.


feed_id: acde4796dbf3e58cd4b8dfa06f632fb5
title: US oligarchs
uri: US-oligarchs
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#17_September_2019_%28US_oligarchs%29
content:
<p>


Russia Has ‘Oligarchs,’ <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2019/09/15/russia-has-oligarchs-us-has-businessmen">the US Has ‘Businessmen’</a>.


feed_id: 9876309f2d9ad081ca54680d2ca2059e
title: Dunkirk gratis bus system
uri: Dunkirk-gratis-bus-system
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#17_September_2019_%28Dunkirk_gratis_bus_system%29
content:
<p>


Dunkirk <a href="https://www.france24.com/en/20190831-france-dunkirk-free-transportation-bus-success-climate-cities">has made the bus system gratis</a>, and some people are giving up
their cars.


feed_id: 68a5e064fc5fd010e966352ef964af1c
title: Sackler moving money
uri: Sackler-moving-money
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#17_September_2019_%28Sackler_moving_money%29
content:
<p>


Someone in the Sackler family <a href="https://thehill.com/policy/healthcare/461362-ny-ag-uncovers-1-billion-in-sackler-family-wire-transfers-report">moved a billion dollars</a> to offshore bank
accounts, then brought the money back to the US to invest.  The
investments are apparently not traceable to the Sacklers.

<p>
The usual motive for this is tax evasion.  What we really need are
laws that make this sort of tax evasion fail to work &mdash; for instance,
to require information about who owns investments in the US.


feed_id: 0e0896c32db0a92d2885099dcc672316
title: Beef
uri: Beef
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#18_September_2019_%28Beef%29
content:
<p>
Not all beef is equally 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2019/sep/17/fighting-climate-crisis-by-avoiding-meat-ignores-poor-countries-needs-report">carbon-burdensome</a>.


feed_id: f9c6aeebdc963290295e52f166db5be8
title: Demands for censorship of OED
uri: Demands-for-censorship-of-OED
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#18_September_2019_%28Demands_for_censorship_of_OED%29

content:
<p>
Political correctness fanatics have 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/books/2019/sep/17/thousands-demand-oxford-dictionaries-eliminate-sexist-definitions">demanded
the censorship of the Oxford English Dictionary</a>.
<p>
Oxford University Press shows no sign of bowing to this pressure, but
people should get ready to support dictionary publishers against it.


feed_id: 331d76b432adf56e2c99018ff62e8b4e
title: Jailed for small fine
uri: Jailed-for-small-fine
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#18_September_2019_%28Jailed_for_small_fine%29
content:
<p>
In the US, a small fine 
<a href="https://reason.com/2019/09/16/woman-sentenced-to-12-years-in-prison-for-selling-31-of-marijuana-lands-back-in-jail-for-court-fees/">can
put you in jail over and over, if you are poor</a>.  The article is
about Oklahoma, but it isn't only there.  Ferguson, Missouri 
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#10_October_2017_(Alabama_voting_laws)">did
the same thing</a>.


feed_id: 58e6c5c8ed0ab8aa30b81594ca2bf64c
title: Arms companies
uri: Arms-companies
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#18_September_2019_%28Arms_companies%29
content:
<p>
Arms companies have 
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2019/09/16/ultra-costly-underwhelming-f-35-fighter-wasteful-weapon-americas-forever-wars">taught
Americans to really love weapons</a> &mdash; even jet planes that bust
the budget and don't work well.
<p>
Now these planes 
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#17_September_2019_(The_drone_era)">might
not be important even if they worked</a>.


feed_id: 271f3d57cc88e5f81fdd822633dd841b
title: Snowden
uri: 2019-09-18-Snowden
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#18_September_2019_%28Snowden%29
content:
<p>
Snowden says he 
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2019/09/16/saying-he-would-return-us-fair-trial-snowden-wants-people-know-why-i-did-what-i-did">would
return to the US for a fair trial</a>, in which the jury can judge
whether what he did was good or bad for his country.


feed_id: ca74209e19e35b0ff1a48c1324aafff3
title: Online trolls
uri: Online-trolls
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#18_September_2019_%28Online_trolls%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/society/2019/sep/16/stop-engaging-with-online-trolls-altogether-public-figures-say">Stop
Engaging with Online Trolls altogether</a>, Public Figures Say.
<p>
As my experience shows, sometimes a <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#trump">troll</a> storm does not depend on
publicity from the victim.


feed_id: 5fb1607b41bff6da669b3967fee622ef
title: Clinton's 1994 crime bill
uri: Clinton-s-1994-crime-bill
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#18_September_2019_%28Clintons_1994_crime_bill%29
content:
<p>
Some parts of President Clinton's 1994 crime bill 
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2019/09/11/1994-crime-bill-and-beyond-how-federal-funding-shapes-criminal-justice-system">caused
an enormous increase in imprisonment in the US</a>.  Now some
presidential candidates propose to reverse that.


feed_id: 7c48865ecdb1f1240dfd0aadbb926c43
title: Pop-Up National Park
uri: Pop-Up-National-Park
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#18_September_2019_%28Pop-Up_National_Park%29
content:
<p>
(satire) New Pop-Up National Park Offers 
<a href="https://www.theonion.com/new-pop-up-national-park-offers-500-square-feet-of-pris-1838046816">500
Square Feet Of Pristine Wilderness For Next 2 Days</a>.


feed_id: 5ab7d9e254294cab59cd807c6eb347a9
title: Iran
uri: 2019-09-19-Iran
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#18_September_2019_%28Iran%29
content:
<p>
Iran apparently
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/sep/18/iran-saudi-attack-nuclear-deal-us">prefers
escalating warfare to defeat by sanctions</a>.  Salafi Arabia's war in
Yemen gives Iran a way to do this without starting a new war.
<p>
This reminds me of the sanctions the US placed on Japan in 1941.  The
sanctions, in that case, were intended to make Japan stop conquering
China &mdash; a morally valid reason.
<p>
Japan had the choice to fight the US, be defeated by the sanctions, or
leave China alone.  It chose war, and was defeated anyway.  The cost
of that war was tremendous.
<p>
The US has no valid reason for sanctions against Iran.  The valid
goal, avoiding a nuclear-armed Iran, was being achieved by Obama's
non-nuclear deal.


feed_id: c06ce1da0a41c75d0090299136148b46
title: Preparation for future pandemics
uri: Preparation-for-future-pandemics
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#18_September_2019_%28Preparation_for_future_pandemics%29

content:
<p>
Experts Warn World
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2019/sep/18/a-deadly-virus-could-kill-80-million-people-in-hours-experts-warn">'Grossly
Unprepared'</a> for Future Pandemics.


feed_id: 1d87fde91c65c6934072f58550fb88ce
title: Impeachment of Kavanaugh
uri: Impeachment-of-Kavanaugh
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#18_September_2019_%28Impeachment_of_Kavanaugh%29
content:
<p>
"Kavanaugh
<a href='https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/sep/18/kavanaugh-should-never-have-been-appointed-impeachment-is-our-only-hope'>should
never have been appointed</a>. Impeachment is our only hope."
<p>
Alas, as long as Republicans in the Senate are partisan and
unscrupulous, impeachment does not offer a hope of removing Kavanaugh
from the Supreme Court.  What the Senate might be able to do, if
Democrats control it in January 2021, is to increase the size of the
Supreme Court so as to counterweight his vote.


feed_id: 3f77759b9a4d4cb9b874274adbd2a2e0
title: Campaigns for defending climate
uri: Campaigns-for-defending-climate
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#18_September_2019_%28Campaigns_for_defending_climate%29

content:
<p>
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/sep/18/china-young-climate-heroes-fight-apathy-party-line">Even
in China</a>, people campaign for defending the climate.


feed_id: 573a1ce1793db0e344e1ad6b856a2cad
title: Arms companies
uri: 2019-09-19-Arms-companies
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#18_September_2019_%28Arms_companies%29
content:
<p>
Arms companies have taught Americans to really love weapons &mdash;
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2019/09/16/ultra-costly-underwhelming-f-35-fighter-wasteful-weapon-americas-forever-wars">even
jet planes that bust the budget and don't work well</a>.
<p>
Now these planes 
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#17_September_2019_(The_drone_era)">might
not be important even if they worked</a>.


feed_id: 7036e2e9572d340e2dec7bbdf1254cb3
title: US suing publisher of Snowden's memoir
uri: US-suing-publisher-of-Snowden-s-memoir
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#19_September_2019_%28US_suing_publisher_of_Snowdens_memoir%29

content:
<p>
The US is
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2019/09/17/edward-snowden-responds-after-trump-doj-sues-whistleblower-over-new-memoir-us">suing
the publisher of Snowden's new memoir</a>, claiming it reveals "state
secrets" &mdash; information that was published years ago.
<p>
It was Obama that
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2013-sep-dec.html#23_December_2013_(Obama_regime_pretends_what_Snowden_told_us_is_still_secret)">started
that absurd pretense</a>.
<p>
I am disappointed that Snowden published the book through Amazon.
Please do not buy this or anything from
<a href="https://stallman.org/amazon.html">Amazon</a>.
<p>
Instead, get an unauthorized copy of the e-book.  When an e-book is
published the way Amazon does it, the unauthorized copies are the only
copies that don't
<a href="media/3f1e898d.ebooks.pdf" data-original-source="https://stallman.org/ebooks.pdf">oppress their readers</a>.
<p>
There is nothing inherently wrong with the printed copies, but if you
buy one in the US you are paying royalties to the US government.  I
wonder if that covers the copies sold in Canada, too.  It might, if
they are sold by the same publisher.


feed_id: f8aeafb02c0f95af7d67365f48d4c764
title: Corporate control of US major media
uri: Corporate-control-of-US-major-media
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#19_September_2019_%28Corporate_control_of_US_major_media%29

content:
<p>
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2019/09/17/incredible-belief-corporate-ownership-does-not-influence-media-content">Giant
corporations</a> control the US major media.  No surprise that the
major media are pervasively uninterested in the harm big business
does.


feed_id: 20eb502ea6df9f6845f7c25ef54fd353
title: Advances in modeling the climate
uri: Advances-in-modeling-the-climate
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#19_September_2019_%28Advances_in_modeling_the_climate%29

content:
<p>
Advances in modeling the climate now predict
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2019/09/17/terrifying-new-climate-models-warn-6-7degc-warming-2100-if-emissions-not-slashed">6C
or 7C of global heating by the end of this century</a> &mdash; if we
don't reduce our emissions.
<p>
Of course, modeling is not certain.  We might "luck out" and get only
4C of heating &mdash; but that
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2017-jan-apr.html#2_April_2017_(Sabotage_of_our_climate_defense_plans)">could
still kill billions of people</a>.


feed_id: af2b4d7e060b000ce2b277049d21901c
title: The coming climate summit
uri: The-coming-climate-summit
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#19_September_2019_%28The_coming_climate_summit%29
content:
<p>
The UN
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2019/09/18/really-something-un-chief-praised-move-block-coal-backing-nations-speaking-climate">will
not allow countries without climate defense plans, or countries that
promote use of coal, to give speeches</a> in the coming climate
summit.
<p>
These countries will still be welcome to make commitments &mdash;
though I expect they won't want to &mdash; but they won't have a
platform to oppose the goal.


feed_id: 6463dac97e4283a9fcd2c6467100ed4f
title: Factory farming in Switzerland
uri: Factory-farming-in-Switzerland
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#19_September_2019_%28Factory_farming_in_Switzerland%29

content:
<p>
Swiss Voters to Decide on
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2019/09/18/swiss-voters-decide-whether-allow-factory-farming-continue-milestone-moment">Whether
to Allow Factory Farming to Continue</a>.


feed_id: 0bc5507f562879dc1ed39e22571b2610
title: Benefits of single-payer medical system
uri: Benefits-of-single-payer-medical-system
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#19_September_2019_%28Benefits_of_single-payer_medical_system%29

content:
<p>
One of the many benefits of a single-payer medical system would be
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2019/09/18/progressives-say-gms-decision-cut-employee-health-insurance-yet-another-reason-why">that
companies could not imperil employees' medical care</a>, whether by
firing them or in any other way.


feed_id: a0b13c1cbbb73515ddabaeb1d74c02da
title: If the US attacks Iran
uri: If-the-US-attacks-Iran
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#19_September_2019_%28If_the_US_attacks_Iran%29
content:
<p>
If the US attacks Iran, that could mean a world war,
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2019/09/18/conflict-iran-portends-world-war-iii">the
US against Russia and China</a>.
<p>
One important point of dissimilarity between the present is that, in
1914, none of the European powers had a way to mobilize only part of
the army.  Mobilization was a complex plan, and the only plan was for
complete mobilization.  This meant that a country which feared attack
had to mobilize completely, which meant its other enemies had to do
likewise.
<p>
If a country which had feared an immediate attack had had the ability
to mobilize partially, that might have deterred its enemies while not
threatening them.
<p>
There is no such problem today, with mobilizing reserves.
But I don't know whether that makes a big difference.


feed_id: 066d4d5c122a78f1dcc443f56f428f4c
title: Naming rights
uri: Naming-rights
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#19_September_2019_%28Naming_rights%29
content:
<p>
(satire) &hellip;
<a href="https://www.theonion.com/philadelphia-to-become-directv-pa-after-cream-cheese-m-1838199949">the
city once known as Philadelphia will now be called DirecTV, PA</a>,
after the cream cheese company opted to discontinue its long-held
naming rights to the city.


feed_id: 2e335231a03e7d07cfabdd14edd1d3b1
title: Pork plant inspections
uri: 2019-09-20-Pork-plant-inspections
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#19_September_2019_%28Pork_plant_inspections%29
content:
<p>
The <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#saboteur">saboteur</a> of agriculture
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/sep/18/us-moves-to-scrap-speed-limits-on-pig-slaughter-lines">proposes
to let pork plants inspect their own work</a>, which would turn the
inspection into a joke.  The plants would also rush the workers, so
they would more often be injured.
<p>
Thus, the workers would get more of one kind of malady and the public
would get more of another kind.


feed_id: b4380c67b0061336809fa55aba7b2182
title: skilled worker shortage
uri: skilled-worker-shortage
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#20_September_2019_%28skilled_worker_shortage%29
content:
<p>


The US has <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/business/2019/sep/16/theres-a-war-for-people-strong-jobs-market-belies-a-shortage-of-skilled-workers">a shortage of skilled employees</a>.  Not for unskilled workers, however.  What does this say about robots?

<p>
Perhaps robots doing skilled jobs are ok for the economy.  However,
replacing store sales personnel with robots is harmful.  Please join
me in refusing to use those robots &mdash; always go to the human sales
clerks.

<p>
If you bring a book or computer, you won't mind waiting.


feed_id: c1ff18027d6c1dd797d25ddc35fb7ac2
title: Drug slavery
uri: Drug-slavery
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#20_September_2019_%28Drug_slavery%29
content:
<p>


Drug dealers in the UK <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2019/sep/16/county-lines-child-exploitation-police">enslave adolescents and even children</a> to carry drugs.

<p>
The poverty that Tories have imposed on families has made more
children vulnerable, and thus susceptible to enslavement.  A Labour victory
would reverse that change.  It wouldn't automatically put an end to
the enslavement but would limit the extent.


feed_id: a0422401118282ce324b0696c1811be0
title: Silenced
uri: Silenced
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#20_September_2019_%28Silenced%29
content:
<p>


<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/sep/17/whistleblowers-scientists-climate-crisis-trump-administration">'The Silenced'</a>: Meet the Climate Whistleblowers Muzzled by [the bully].


feed_id: 729c2a434dd0c146acba17ab0777ae41
title: Extradition for information
uri: Extradition-for-information
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#20_September_2019_%28Extradition_for_information%29
content:
<p>


<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/sep/17/australia-refuses-to-rule-out-handing-over-sydney-lawyer-who-advocates-for-west-papuans-to-indonesia">Australia may extradite Veronica Koman</a> to Indonesia for the "crime" of publishing information about the crimes of Indonesian thugs.


feed_id: c66d0feaa124fca3daedc15cb773234e
title: Climate activism failure
uri: Climate-activism-failure
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#20_September_2019_%28Climate_activism_failure%29
content:
<p>


Tim Flannery: "I now look back on my 20 years of climate activism as a colossal failure.  The climate crisis is so severe the actions of the denialists are now an immediate threat to our children."

<p>
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/sep/17/i-now-look-back-on-my-20-years-of-climate-activism-as-a-colossal-failure">Source</a>


feed_id: 0ca43dc02b978d22e594241a59c5b5fe
title: Democrats and greenhouse gas emissions
uri: Democrats-and-greenhouse-gas-emissions
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#20_September_2019_%28Democrats_and_greenhouse_gas_emissions%29

content:
<p>


Plutocratist Democrats are still <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/sep/19/greta-is-right-congress-is-ignoring-science-and-that-includes-democrats">giving only lip service</a> to the need to cut greenhouse gas emissions.


feed_id: 54187e3349cfe346d20664e02f3cd964
title: Trudeau blackface
uri: Trudeau-blackface
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#20_September_2019_%28Trudeau_blackface%29
content:
<p>


Canada's <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/sep/19/justin-trudeau-brownface-canada-pm-apologises-after-image-emerges">prime minister Trudeau apologized</a> for the perceived slight of
using face makeup as part of an Aladdin costume at a costume ball.

<p>
Subsequently it appeared that he also appeared in parties wearing
blackface.

<p>
Blackface is racist because it is part of a longstanding US practice
of <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#9_March_2019_(Blackface)">mocking blacks using black face makeup on stage</a>, in conjunction
with denying them legal rights.  I've never heard of any
comparable practice of mocking Arabs.  He certainly wasn't doing that
by dressing as Aladdin, whom we know as the hero, not the villain, of
an old story from the Middle East.  I don't see racism there.

<p>
All this is small potatoes compared with his wrongs that have done
great practical harm: <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#29_April_2019_(Canadian_bribery_prosecution)">silencing ministers to cover up corruption</a> and advancing global disaster by pushing the export of <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#28_July_2019_(Transmountain_tar_sands_pipeline)">tar sands oil</a>.

<p>
Sad to say, his opponent in the election is probably even worse
on all issues.  The most progressive party with substantial support,
the NDP, is half planet-roaster too.


feed_id: b98714002f2eb29e4645fb0aa22eff5f
title: Indonesian criminal code
uri: Indonesian-criminal-code
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#20_September_2019_%28Indonesian_criminal_code%29
content:
<p>


<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/sep/19/outcry-at-indonesia-draft-criminal-code-that-could-see-unmarried-couples-jailed">A revised criminal</a> code for Indonesia could impose terrible repression, both sexually and politically.


feed_id: 09b5792fad4d09e78b2fff8b7f86f813
title: Radio phone
uri: Radio-phone
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#20_September_2019_%28Radio_phone%29
content:
<p>


A giant project to set up anonymous radio phone communication <a href="https://www.vice.com/en_us/article/8xm5v3/this-software-developer-is-making-a-surveillance-free-cell-phone-network">is under way</a>.


feed_id: 77689ba29b6b77adb9ac28c676d3152d
title: Major threat to future global health
uri: Major-threat-to-future-global-health
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#21_September_2019_%28Major_threat_to_future_global_health%29

content:
<p>
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2019/sep/20/climate-emergency-poses-major-threat-to-future-global-health-say-top-medics">Climate
Emergency</a> Poses Major Threat to Future Global Health, Say Top
Medics.
<p>
Sad to say, focusing on the danger over the next 25 years
is short-termism, because the danger in 50 years will be
enormous by comparison.


feed_id: 3772ea81bb1fb5e60d014bc261b73de9
title: Thugs doxing protesters and vice versa
uri: Thugs-doxing-protesters-and-vice-versa
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#21_September_2019_%28Thugs_doxing_protesters_and_vice_versa%29

content:
<p>
Hong Kong protesters and the uniformed <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thugs</a> are now 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/sep/20/hong-kong-protests-tech-war-opens-up-with-doxxing-of-protesters-and-police">doxing
each other</a>.
<p>
The <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thugs</a> can arrest protesters they identify.  How much pressure can
protesters put on <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thugs</a> they identify?


feed_id: 38d386fcefd1e66b5712dc39498aabe6
title: Women's rights in Pakistan
uri: Women-s-rights-in-Pakistan
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#21_September_2019_%28Womens_rights_in_Pakistan%29
content:
<p>
Pakistani feminist Gulalai Ismail criticized Pakistani <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thugs</a> for
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/sep/20/pakistan-women-rights-activist-gulalai-ismail-flees-washington-us-asylum">repression
of women's rights</a>, including crimes reaching as far as rape.  She
was charged with "terrorism" (?!) and has fled to the US.


feed_id: c77b4440843b99699de8936cc8b663bc
title: Sex workers
uri: 2019-09-21-Sex-workers
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#21_September_2019_%28Sex_workers%29
content:
<p>
Today's Sex Workers, Like Their Victorian Sisters, 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/sep/20/sex-workers-sheffield-spearmint-rhino">Don't
Want "saving"</a>.
<p>
Feminism today is drifting off the track into a campaign of prudery
that harms everyone, except those who are asexual.


feed_id: b9ee76f50cdb7823d1728d0f77823f4a
title: Carbon-capture systems
uri: Carbon-capture-systems
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#21_September_2019_%28Carbon-capture_systems%29
content:
<p>
Carbon-capture systems could be a part of avoiding climate disaster,
<a href="https://theintercept.com/2019/09/20/carbon-capture-technology-unions-labor/">if
and when they work</a>.
<p>
What we must avoid is letting hypothetical future carbon-capture
systems, systems that don't actually work today, serve as an excuse to
do less to reduce our emissions now.


feed_id: da31b4830ec9bc40d6b6374a76942208
title: Antibiotic-resistant superbugs
uri: Antibiotic-resistant-superbugs
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#21_September_2019_%28Antibiotic-resistant_superbugs%29

content:
<p>
Global Outbreak of Antibiotic-Resistant Superbugs 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/sep/19/superbug-hotspots-emerging-in-farms-across-globe-study">Linked
to Overconsumption of Meat</a>.


feed_id: 60a7cd2637072df09f496cd28bf8b009
title: Decline in bird populations
uri: Decline-in-bird-populations
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#21_September_2019_%28Decline_in_bird_populations%29
content:
<p>
Bird populations in the US and Canada have 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/blog/2019/sep/19/us-canada-bird-population-losses">declined
around 30% since 1970</a>.  This shows how badly we are damaging the
ecology.


feed_id: b98d072f405c25939fed229e55375342
title: The brain injuries of diplomats in Cuba
uri: The-brain-injuries-of-diplomats-in-Cuba
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#21_September_2019_%28The_brain_injuries_of_diplomats_in_Cuba%29

content:
<p>
Doctors 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/sep/19/havana-syndrome-mosquitos-cuba-diplomats">suspect
that pesticides were responsible</a> for the brain injuries of
diplomats in Cuba.


feed_id: 79138cd8fd5f831cc54856c7463806fe
title: Persecution of journalist
uri: Persecution-of-journalist
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#21_September_2019_%28Persecution_of_journalist%29
content:
<p>
Malta's persecution of murdered journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/sep/19/malta-urged-to-drop-libel-lawsuits-against-daphne-caruana-galizia">continues
after her death</a>.


feed_id: 5ee2dbe122dbb5a6f99ffccb68571aea
title: Number of planes in sky
uri: Number-of-planes-in-sky
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#21_September_2019_%28Number_of_planes_in_sky%29
content:
<p>
Airbus Forecasts That Number of Planes in Sky 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/business/2019/sep/18/airbus-forecasts-48000-aircraft-to-be-in-operation-by-2038">Will
Double in 20 Years</a>.
<p>
We dare not let this happen &mdash; because if it does, it implies the
likely collapse of technological civilization, and planes will be only
a tiny part of what we lose.


feed_id: 987d0eec2a5098f0d6ec8986ea752996
title: The Canadian medical system
uri: The-Canadian-medical-system
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#21_September_2019_%28The_Canadian_medical_system%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2019/09/19/25-ways-canadian-health-care-system-better-obamacare-2020-elections">25
Ways</a> the Canadian medical system is superior to the American
system.


feed_id: 5faafd1efe6b25a8871e07e5523b3408
title: Risky experimental sacrament
uri: Risky-experimental-sacrament
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#21_September_2019_%28Risky_experimental_sacrament%29

content:
<p>
(satire) Pope Francis Tells Sinner Risky Experimental Sacrament 
<a href="https://www.theonion.com/pope-francis-tells-sinner-risky-experimental-sacrament-1838236275">Only
Thing Capable Of Saving Him</a>.


feed_id: 70a9d6ce859d3e96dfd276d9fbd33758
title: Repression in Indonesia
uri: 2019-09-22-Repression-in-Indonesia
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#21_September_2019_%28Repression_in_Indonesia%29
content:
<p>
300,000 Indonesians have signed a petition opposing a
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/sep/20/indonesia-hundreds-of-thousands-oppose-plan-that-would-outlaw-extramarital-sex">proposed
law that would make it a crime to have sex outside of marriage</a>.
<p>
It would impose many kinds of repression.  For instance, since
same-sex marriage is not permitted there, homosexuality would also be
a crime.
<p>
This repression is an expression of religious fanaticism.  I would
like to coexist civilly with people of various religions, but those
religious people refuse to coexist civilly with anyone who won't
knuckle under to their laws.


feed_id: 4a0f72566597831bf56013213cbefb90
title: Introduced carnivorous plants
uri: Introduced-carnivorous-plants
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#22_September_2019_%28Introduced_carnivorous_plants%29

content:
<p>
Introduced carnivorous plants, in places they were not naturally
found, 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/science/2019/sep/17/plantwatch-england-carnivorous-species-comeback-sundew-boglands">can
smother other growth like kudzu</a>.
<p>
They can't eat other plants, but can drive them into extinction.


feed_id: 0fa2a802ce68a2ca2d79bb38cfd6d85c
title: Wind farm blocked
uri: Wind-farm-blocked
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#22_September_2019_%28Wind_farm_blocked%29
content:
<p>
Australia's former destroy-the-environment minister 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2019/sep/18/josh-frydenberg-overruled-department-to-block-lord-howe-island-wind-turbines">blocked
a wind farm even though the inhabitants of the region were in favor of
it</a>.
<p>
The wind farm would have replaced burning diesel fuel.


feed_id: 7e3ab9b9a79813100f377f16b427efdc
title: Restraining corporations
uri: Restraining-corporations
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#22_September_2019_%28Restraining_corporations%29
content:
<p>
How useful is it to require companies to 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/sep/17/the-guardian-view-on-worker-ownership-plans-firms-for-the-many-not-the-few">give
workers some shares and some seats on the board of directors</a>?
<p>
This won't directly give most poor people a decent life.  It won't do
anything for the unemployed, the retired, the students, or those who
cannot work.  It won't do anything for the millions who are compelled
to be "independent contractors".
<p>
But it could be one part of restraining corporations from predatory
behavior and from lobbying for more suffering and inequality.


feed_id: 4dadc034851b0b9224979bffec8f3038
title: Repression of homeless people
uri: 2019-09-22-Repression-of-homeless-people
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#22_September_2019_%28Repression_of_homeless_people%29

content:
<p>
<a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#bully">The bully</a> is 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/society/2019/sep/17/trump-police-crackdown-homeless-california">campaigning
for increased repression of homeless people</a>.
<p>
Plutocratist policies make Americans homeless; now plutocratist
politicians aim to make use of their troubles by scapegoating them.


feed_id: a83798075f56d395bcd9e5c2113c4af4
title: Explaining global heating to politicians
uri: Explaining-global-heating-to-politicians
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#22_September_2019_%28Explaining_global_heating_to_politicians%29

content:
<p>
"Perhaps we need to explain [<a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#global heating">global heating</a>] to politicians 
<a href='https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/sep/18/perhaps-we-need-to-explain-climate-change-to-politicians-as-we-would-to-very-small-children'>as
we would to very small children</a>."


feed_id: 386c52fd4df41d26776ff2846c60fb0b
title: Brazil's deforested land
uri: Brazil-s-deforested-land
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#22_September_2019_%28Brazils_deforested_land%29
content:
<p>
Brazilian Meat Company Which Has Supplied McDonald's And Burger King
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/sep/17/leading-burger-supplier-sourced-from-amazon-farmer-guilty-of-deforestation">Bought
Cattle from Farm Using Deforested Land</a> Earlier This Year,
Investigation Shows.


feed_id: 81b95ef4ee769cc6e526ebe247f8dcc2
title: Bogong moth
uri: Bogong-moth
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#22_September_2019_%28Bogong_moth%29
content:
<p>
A previously safe species of moth in Australia has 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/sep/17/bogong-moth-tracker-launched-in-face-of-unprecedented-collapse-in-numbers">almost
entirely disappeared in two years</a>.  The consequence could be the
extinction of a species of mammal.


feed_id: 97f0fb0173ccdda1637ca9e7ffb13fe6
title: Greenhouse gas emissions
uri: 2019-09-22-Greenhouse-gas-emissions
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#22_September_2019_%28Greenhouse_gas_emissions%29
content:
<p>
Scientists Set Out How to
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/sep/19/power-halve-greenhouse-gas-emissions-2030-climate-scientists">Halve
Greenhouse Gas Emissions by 2030</a>.


feed_id: 177eb639482156d6e0f1d3b9938c3bb0
title: Climate defense
uri: 2019-09-22-Climate-defense
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#22_September_2019_%28Climate_defense%29
content:
<p>
Global Climate Strike and Extinction Rebellion are having an effect:
the public is
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/sep/18/climate-crisis-seen-as-most-important-issue-by-public-poll-shows">recognizing
the importance of climate defense</a>.
<p>
I call it "climate defense" because the point is to preserve a livable
climate and avoid or reduce disaster, rather than to cope with
disaster.


feed_id: 630bb6c05c002ac884b8211be34d4617
title: Weak alternative to Green New Deal
uri: Weak-alternative-to-Green-New-Deal
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#22_September_2019_%28Weak_alternative_to_Green_New_Deal%29

content:
<p>
"Moderate" (plutocratist) Democrats have
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/sep/18/moderate-democrats-climate-proposal-rift-progressives">proposed
an alternative to the Green New Deal</a>, which would take small,
inadequate steps in the right direction.


feed_id: f896517bec32f9f882cb135627ed0c74
title: Chechen death squads
uri: Chechen-death-squads
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#22_September_2019_%28Chechen_death_squads%29
content:
<p>
"We Can Find You Anywhere": the Chechen death squads
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/sep/21/chechnya-death-squads-europe-ramzan-kadyrov">stalking
Europe</a>


feed_id: 6cd74f514ec4bf42846df96e35351a59
title: Neo-Nazi policies in Greece
uri: Neo-Nazi-policies-in-Greece
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#22_September_2019_%28Neo-Nazi_policies_in_Greece%29
content:
<p>
Greece's violent and manipulative neo-Nazi party has collapsed, but
the new right-wing government has
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/sep/21/greece-sun-has-set-on-far-right-golden-dawn-murder-defections">adopted
some of its policies</a>.


feed_id: c43d9179e006d5e1c659e4da90a4c420
title: Giant armaments companies
uri: Giant-armaments-companies
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#22_September_2019_%28Giant_armaments_companies%29
content:
<p>
Arguing that giant armaments companies
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2019/09/16/us-border-militarization-driven-arms-and-security-industry-rather-trump-argues">have
more effect on militarizing the US border than the bully has</a>.
<p>
This means that plutocratists in Congress will fight to maintain
the militarization even if the next president is opposed.


feed_id: 3a5c6d21cfed9f800ec723cecfa92284
title: Urgent: Block banking merger
uri: Urgent-Block-banking-merger
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#23_September_2019_%28Urgent%3A_Block_banking_merger%29

content:
<p>
US citizens: 
<a href="https://act.credoaction.com/sign/bbt-suntrust">call on the
FDIC</a> to block the BB&amp;T/SunTrust banking merger.
<p>
If you sign, please spread the word!


feed_id: 4b12dee19df1ea66ea7d60edfc8ed29d
title: Urgent: Stand with GM workers
uri: Urgent-Stand-with-GM-workers
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#23_September_2019_%28Urgent%3A_Stand_with_GM_workers%29

content:
<p>
US citizens: 
<a href="https://act.credoaction.com/sign/gm-strike">tell GM</a> that
we stand with striking workers.
<p>
If you sign, please spread the word!


feed_id: 2d846cecd88751135c85d98533b584fb
title: Denying right to set emissions standards
uri: Denying-right-to-set-emissions-standards
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#23_September_2019_%28Denying_right_to_set_emissions_standards%29

content:
<p>
Denying California the Right to Set Its Own Emissions Standards 
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2019/09/17/denying-california-right-set-its-own-emissions-standards-hurts-all-50-states">Hurts
All 50 States</a>.


feed_id: 457bab451d8ec6867c360bb4f954f512
title: French towns banning glyphosate
uri: French-towns-banning-glyphosate
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#23_September_2019_%28French_towns_banning_glyphosate%29

content:
<p>
Some French towns are 
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2019/09/19/after-mayor-small-village-bans-glyphosate-dozens-others-join-rebellion-against">banning
glyphosate</a>.


feed_id: af678557424f8bf3b853739dc2d01c43
title: Urgent: Khanna-Gaetz amendment
uri: Urgent-Khanna-Gaetz-amendment
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#22_September_2019_%28Urgent%3A_Khanna-Gaetz_amendment%29

content:
<p>
US citizens: 
<a href="https://act.credoaction.com/sign/trump-iran">call on
Congress</a> to pass the Khanna-Gaetz amendment and thus block the
bullshitter from fighting a war with Iran.
<p>
If you sign, please spread the word!


feed_id: cd27f11d4043aa39bd24ed2bc7c93151
title: GM
uri: GM
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#22_September_2019_%28GM%29
content:
<p>
Right-wing government policies are making GM's investors prosper,
but 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/sep/22/donald-trump-general-motors-strike">workers
are getting none of it</a>.


feed_id: b77b5cfccd9b7877bf611747fe7b64c7
title: AI surveillance technology
uri: AI-surveillance-technology
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#22_September_2019_%28AI_surveillance_technology%29
content:
<p>
Use of AI surveillance technology is 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/sep/22/think-only-authoritarian-regimes-spy-on-their-citizens">becoming
the global norm</a>, even in liberal democracies.
<p>
Don't take this threat to our anonymity as a fait accompli!


feed_id: fad60a03b0c2f90db2ed11e809631759
title: Ranked choice voting
uri: 2019-09-23-Ranked-choice-voting
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#22_September_2019_%28Ranked_choice_voting%29
content:
<p>
America Needs Ranked Choice Voting &mdash; 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/sep/22/america-needs-ranked-choice-voting-why">Here's
Why</a>.
<p>
I think 
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2018-sep-dec.html#13_December_2018_(Proportional_representation)">another
system is even better</a>, but ranked choice would be a big step
forward.


feed_id: 2b482d305955b43ac97c7fcc9a1e73da
title: Egyptians demand al-Sisi step down
uri: Egyptians-demand-al-Sisi-step-down
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#22_September_2019_%28Egyptians_demand_al-Sisi_step_down%29

content:
<p>
Egyptians have dared to protest 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/sep/22/protesters-and-police-clash-in-egypt-for-second-day-running">demanding
that military ruler al-Sisi step down</a>.  He sold out the country to
the IMF and the people are feeling the burden.
<p>
The cause of Egypt's poverty is inequality (due to plutocracy and
corruption) colliding with population growth.  The IMF is an
instrument of plutocracy and corruption.
<p>
In one sense, the Egyptian people are at fault for having too many
children.  But it is people as a whole that is at fault; the
individual Egyptians compose that people and yet at the same time are
subject to it, as it drags them all under.
<p>
The situation in the US is only partly different.


feed_id: f46950273dae792ba2fb2ee77a977c25
title: Thugs kill children
uri: Thugs-kill-children
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#23_September_2019_%28Thugs_kill_children%29
content:
<p>


In Brazil, thugs are so ready to shoot that <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/sep/22/brazilians-blame-rio-governors-shoot-to-kill-policy-for-death-of-agatha-felix-girl-8">they are killing children</a>.


feed_id: 5d1133da0e846bd95a7ddc643527489c
title: Whistleblower
uri: Whistleblower
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#23_September_2019_%28Whistleblower%29
content:
<p>


The cheater ordered a spy official <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2019/09/18/what-hell-going-here-alarm-raised-trumps-intelligence-director-refuses-give">to conceal from Congress</a> the identity of an inside whistleblower who reported a gross irregularity.


feed_id: 727d872cc4eb2c6f920bb79ee96de3a4
title: Shahid Buttar
uri: Shahid-Buttar
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#23_September_2019_%28Shahid_Buttar%29
content:
<p>


Shahid Buttar <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2019/09/18/2020-democratic-establishment-vs-democratic-socialists">is challenging</a> Rep. Nancy Pelosi in the Democratic primary.


feed_id: 538e47b0935a180cafded4574c85cf3f
title: Homelessness in America
uri: Homelessness-in-America
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#23_September_2019_%28Homelessness_in_America%29
content:
<p>


Sanders's plan to <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2019/09/18/day-after-trump-denigrates-homeless-sanders-unveils-25-trillion-housingforall-plan">end homelessness in America</a>.


feed_id: 1136c759e956ac4e8503b429e04883d0
title: Carbon offsets
uri: 2019-09-23-Carbon-offsets
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#23_September_2019_%28Carbon_offsets%29
content:
<p>


Expanding carbon offsets <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2019/09/17/expanding-carbon-offsets-will-not-solve-climate-crisis-or-protect-tropical-forests">will not solve</a> the climate crisis or protect tropical forests.


feed_id: c7318b767ec1cde152c7b0c4a391f4c4
title: Democracy failing
uri: Democracy-failing
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#23_September_2019_%28Democracy_failing%29
content:
<p>


Is democracy failing in the US because of people's "lizard brains" or
because <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2019/09/17/are-we-people-unfit-democracy">the plutocrats negated it</a> 25 years ago?


feed_id: af217360af747b7c8c14773e11136418
title: Detecting weapons
uri: Detecting-weapons
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#23_September_2019_%28Detecting_weapons%29
content:
<p>


A new scanner <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2019/sep/17/body-scanners-stratford-station-weapons-knives-guns">can detect guns and knives</a> at a distance of 30 feet.

<p>
If it doesn't identify the passersby that don't have weapons,
I think it is acceptable.  I'd rather see independent confirmation
of that.


feed_id: 504723205b66a971b8488303151a29ee
title: Tar sands oil export pipeline
uri: 2019-09-24-Tar-sands-oil-export-pipeline
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#24_September_2019_%28Tar_sands_oil_export_pipeline%29

content:
<p>
Indigenous people in Canada are 
<a href="https://theintercept.com/2019/09/23/indigenous-climate-green-new-deal/">still
trying to block</a> the tar sands oil export pipeline Trudeau wants to
build there.


feed_id: 31ea740e156560edbf49d51e85ee4af0
title: If the world ran on sun
uri: If-the-world-ran-on-sun
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#24_September_2019_%28If_the_world_ran_on_sun%29
content:
<p>
"If the world ran on sun, 
<a href='https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/sep/18/climate-crisis-oil-war-iraq-saudi-attack-green-energy'>it
wouldn’t fight over oil</a>."


feed_id: b84f46036525ad8ff2f59767f525ebe1
title: Big data
uri: 2019-09-24-Big-data
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#24_September_2019_%28Big_data%29
content:
<p>
We must 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2019/sep/17/tech-climate-change-luddites-data">respond
to Big Data with Luddism</a>.
<p>
I think it was a mistake for the article to start by forecasting the
worst possible outcome: "coming to saturate our stores, workplaces,
homes, cities."  That weakens the effect of, later on, urging that we
stop that from happening.  I'm disappointed that it used the word
"cloud" &mdash; the purpose of that word is to cloud issues, and using
it inevitably does so.  There is no cloud, only other entities'
computers.
<p>
However, I am very glad to see someone besides me advocate Luddism.


feed_id: c0d8385d296044ffc2e99d0499a037ae
title: Data collected by charging stations
uri: Data-collected-by-charging-stations
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#24_September_2019_%28Data_collected_by_charging_stations%29

content:
<p>
Charging stations for electric cars, in the UK at least, require
motorists to 
<a href="https://www.kaspersky.co.uk/blog/electric-cars-charging-problems/12586/">identify
themselves</a>.
<p>
The article focuses on the fact that the charging IDs are not secure
against third parties.  However, I think the fact that the charging
station identifies the motorist is the worst injustice.  We need laws
requiring charging stations to allow anonymous use.  This should
include paying cash or with an anonymous digital system such as GNU
Taler.  Drivers on a plan that covers the cost of charging should be
able to demonstrate digitally that they are members without revealing
their identities.
<p>
Some charging stations collect 
<a href="https://www.evgo.com/privacy-policy/">a lot more data than
that</a>.
<p>
We need laws to require them to offer anonymous charging, for cash,
without collecting any information except the price charged.


feed_id: b0734a5b093045fda4c90967247442ce
title: Planned greenhouse reduction
uri: Planned-greenhouse-reduction
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#24_September_2019_%28Planned_greenhouse_reduction%29

content:
<p>


Countries' greenhouse reduction commitments <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/sep/23/countries-must-triple-climate-emissions-targets-to-limit-global-heating-to-2c">need to be tripled</a> just to limit to 2C of heating, and avoiding disaster (under 1.5C) requires
5 times the planned reductions.


feed_id: 2b89a8d4105926721dd73e3347a5b211
title: No Shame at School Act
uri: No-Shame-at-School-Act
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#24_September_2019_%28No_Shame_at_School_Act%29
content:
<p>


US citizens: <a href="https://actionnetwork.org/petitions/sign-the-petition-no-more-school-lunch-debt-support-the-no-shame-at-school-act?nowrapper=true&referrer=group-credo-action&source=20190906_NoShameAtSchoolAct_CREDO">support the No Shame at School Act</a>, which would pay poor families' debts for school lunches.

<p>
I don't think students should be charged for lunch at school.  The
cost of meals, like the cost of everything else at school, should be
paid by the state, out of taxes that fall mainly on the rich.


feed_id: 014bf9b08a3fd86f5d73e349e814efc7
title: Bribing Ukraine
uri: Bribing-Ukraine
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#24_September_2019_%28Bribing_Ukraine%29
content:
<p>


The cheater <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2019/09/22/bribery-and-high-crimes-and-misdemeanors">may have bribed</a> Ukraine's President Zelensky to relaunch a
criminal investigation of Hunter Biden, Senator Biden's deceased son.


feed_id: 4dc89eb7d11680a25c6aa832683e73da
title: Electric cars
uri: 2019-09-24-Electric-cars
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#24_September_2019_%28Electric_cars%29
content:
<p>


Labour <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2019/sep/23/labour-to-commit-to-big-increase-in-charging-points-for-electric-cars">to commit to big increase</a> in charging points for electric cars.

<p>
Labour supporters, please talk to party organizers about offering anonymous
charging.  See <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#24_September_2019_(Data_collected_by_charging_stations)">the recent note</a> about how Orwellian they are.


feed_id: fdf21971f1ee1bd306a1dc6192aa6251
title: Trump and Modi
uri: Trump-and-Modi
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#24_September_2019_%28Trump_and_Modi%29
content:
<p>


"Trump and Modi are the mainstream faces of the global far-right."

<p>
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/sep/23/trump-modi-mainstream-faces-global-far-right">Source</a>


feed_id: 74517c60f07fa3d274543f7b86441147
title: Prisoners in China
uri: Prisoners-in-China
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#24_September_2019_%28Prisoners_in_China%29
content:
<p>


A drone video shows of <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/sep/23/china-footage-reveals-hundreds-of-blindfolded-and-shackled-prisoners-uighur">hundreds of prisoners</a> in China being transported blindfolded.  They may be Uighur political prisoners.

<p>
The US blindfolded the prisoners it was taking to Guantanamo (see note from <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/archive-2002.html">4 April 2002</a>).

<p>
I hope this did not give China the inspiration for doing the same
thing to a million Uighurs.


feed_id: eb5cc5cc2467083f450ded45fd1867c0
title: Forced marriage in Bangladesh
uri: Forced-marriage-in-Bangladesh
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#24_September_2019_%28Forced_marriage_in_Bangladesh%29

content:
<p>


Girls in Bangladesh <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2019/apr/29/girls-in-bangladesh-learn-to-talk-their-way-out-of-forced-marriage">can get coaching</a> in how to talk their parents out of forcing them to get married.


feed_id: 23765f9080bd642d9e3194ab6a7fd17d
title: Urgent: Gerrymandering
uri: Urgent-Gerrymandering
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#24_September_2019_%28Urgent%3A_Gerrymandering%29
content:
<p>


Democrats <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/sep/23/think-americas-fate-hinges-on-the-2020-presidential-race-youre-forgetting-something">must fight hard</a> for state legislatures so that they can stop Republican gerrymandering.


feed_id: a9fbcd2fb98b0e71643f506f893b5702
title: Tankers
uri: Tankers
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#24_September_2019_%28Tankers%29
content:
<p>


Iran <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/sep/23/iran-says-uk-flagged-tanker-seized-in-july-is-free-to-leave">has released</a> the British oil tanker which it seized shortly after
Gibraltar seized an Iranian tanker.


feed_id: b440870e8b632fea9683c5dacc0eddeb
title: FSF
uri: FSF
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#24_September_2019_%28FSF%29
content:
<p>
To the FSF board,
<p>
I hereby resign as president of the Free Software Foundation and from
its board of directors.  I am doing this due to pressure on the
Foundation and me over a series of misunderstandings and
mischaracterizations of what I have said.
<p>
Richard Stallman


feed_id: d7027c04d8bdef481bb878c3bd7c65f9
title: Urgent: No Shame at School Act
uri: Urgent-No-Shame-at-School-Act
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#24_September_2019_%28Urgent%3A_No_Shame_at_School_Act%29

content:
<p>
US citizens: 
<a href="https://actionnetwork.org/petitions/sign-the-petition-no-more-school-lunch-debt-support-the-no-shame-at-school-act?nowrapper=true">support
the No Shame at School Act</a>, which would pay poor families' debts
for school lunches.
<p>
I don't think students should be charged for lunch at school.  The
cost of meals, like the cost of everything else at school, should be
paid by the state, out of taxes that fall mainly on the rich.
<p>
If you sign, please spread the word!


feed_id: 59a80ff2b10f7dc9d53e973253c60ddd
title: Gerrymandering
uri: 2019-09-25-Gerrymandering
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#24_September_2019_%28Gerrymandering%29
content:
<p>
Democrats 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/sep/23/think-americas-fate-hinges-on-the-2020-presidential-race-youre-forgetting-something">must
fight hard</a> for state legislatures so that they can stop Republican
gerrymandering.


feed_id: 64cd9df6b168142fc2b4d769c0c720b9
title: Playground taunts
uri: Playground-taunts
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#25_September_2019_%28Playground_taunts%29
content:
<p>


"'No, you're corrupt!': why there's method in Trump's playground taunts."

<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2019/sep/24/donald-trump-joe-biden-ukraine">Source</a>

<p>
The fact that this works is testimony to the decay of the sort of
public discussion that democracy depends on.  Republicans are
systematically helping to make it decay, but we need a system that
resists the attempts of a party to destroy the system.


feed_id: 86c4039c6230a04279fa97fe8fcdfec4
title: Urgent: students voting
uri: Urgent-students-voting
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#25_September_2019_%28Urgent%3A_students_voting%29
content:
<p>


US citizens: call on Congress and state legislatures to <a href="https://actionnetwork.org/petitions/make-voting-easier-for-college-students?nowrapper=true&referrer=&source=email-make-voting-easier-2">make voting easier for college students, not harder</a>.


feed_id: 117f9eadabe7d730bc762725b5fa850c
title: Immigrants in prison
uri: Immigrants-in-prison
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#25_September_2019_%28Immigrants_in_prison%29
content:
<p>


The bully <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2019/sep/24/detained-us-largest-immigrant-detention-trump">has put 52,000 immigrants in prison</a> as they wait for
an immigration hearing.

<p>
He has also put bias and injustice into the immigration hearings.


feed_id: 25d03fa24206fd6e24d0a12672f03538
title: Imaginary threats
uri: Imaginary-threats
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#25_September_2019_%28Imaginary_threats%29
content:
<p>


FBI internal documents show <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2019/sep/23/revealed-how-the-fbi-targeted-environmental-activists-in-domestic-terror-investigations">the imaginary threats</a> it used as excuses to investigate nonviolent environmental activists as suspected terrorists,


feed_id: f058e2358d54439d1036249b5f6bbe9a
title: UK Green New Deal
uri: UK-Green-New-Deal
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#25_September_2019_%28UK_Green_New_Deal%29
content:
<p>


Labour in the UK has endorsed <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2019/sep/24/labours-climate-policies-what-are-they-and-what-do-they-mean">a variant of the Green New Deal</a>.

<p>
Bravo, Labour and Corbyn!


feed_id: 0148fe78b0e6350b9bbfe48efeac147b
title: War on humor
uri: War-on-humor
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#25_September_2019_%28War_on_humor%29
content:
<p>


Well-meaning but foolish activists <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2019/sep/23/gourmet-ghetto-berkeley-name-change">take umbrage</a> at Berkeley's "gourmet ghetto" and demand to cancel that name.

<p>
Finding bigotry in harmless self-deprecating humor must be a lot
easier than campaigning to end housing discrimination.  By the way,
until recently ghettos were neighborhoods where Jews were pressured or
required to live, but I don't feel offended by the "gourmet ghetto".

<p>
Let's end the war on humor!


feed_id: 5c8a5765c486408987d567f19c75ae64
title: Urgent: Censorship of books for prisoners
uri: Urgent-Censorship-of-books-for-prisoners
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#25_September_2019_%28Urgent%3A_Censorship_of_books_for_prisoners%29

content:
<p>


US citizens: <a href="https://actionnetwork.org/petitions/tell-congress-stop-the-largest-book-ban-in-america?nowrapper=true&referrer=group-pen-america&source=pen-america">call on Congress</a> to stop the censorship of books for prisoners.

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


feed_id: 0182b6cd88c7649e3c5702563a6351b7
title: Family Planning
uri: Family-Planning
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#25_September_2019_%28Family_Planning%29
content:
<p>


UK <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2019/sep/24/uk-promises-extra-600m-family-planning-poorest-countries">promises extra £600m</a> for family planning in poorest countries.

<p>
This will be very good if it really happens.  Unfortunately, promises
from Bogus Johnson are not worth much.


feed_id: ce6e462711c4d702fdfd23895fcb6abc
title: Franco's body
uri: Franco-s-body
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#25_September_2019_%28Francos_body%29
content:
<p>


Spain <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/sep/24/franco-body-moved-burial-site-spain-court">will move the corpse</a> of the dictator (and mass murderer) Franco
out of the national monument he built.


feed_id: c04c3e4f4f5d57dcc01d0faf7ff498b6
title: UK Parliament
uri: UK-Parliament
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#25_September_2019_%28UK_Parliament%29
content:
<p>


<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/law/2019/sep/24/boris-johnsons-suspension-of-parliament-unlawful-supreme-court-rules-prorogue">The UK's Supreme Court ruled</a> that Bogus Johnson's order to prorogue Parliament is void.  He is a pro rogue &mdash; that has been his whole career &mdash; but he
can't prorogue.


feed_id: 30d0f3d922e4e15a414a0f3ab7f31359
title: Meeting with the conman
uri: Meeting-with-the-conman
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#25_September_2019_%28Meeting_with_the_conman%29
content:
<p>
On meeting with the conman, Jacinda Ardern
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/sep/25/ardern-was-supposed-to-be-the-anti-trump-but-she-failed-to-speak-truth-to-power">made
trade "liberalization" the priority, rather than climate defense</a>.
<p>
One could perhaps excuse omitting climate defense with him on the
grounds that the conman would have ignored anything she (or anyone but
his bosses)) said about the subject.  However, "liberalization" often
means deregulation, and deregulation of business is harmful in itself.
We should not forget that she
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#23_November_2017_(Proceeding_with_TPP)">signed
the TPP</a> with its
<a href="https://stallman.org/business-supremacy-treaties.html">ISDS clause</a>.


feed_id: 857eb4d42d3403bda06120c7a6e837b3
title: Hundred-year-floods
uri: Hundred-year-floods
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#25_September_2019_%28Hundred-year-floods%29
content:
<p>
By 2050, many coastal areas will get a hundred-year-flood
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/sep/25/extreme-sea-level-events-will-hit-once-a-year-by-2050">every
year</a>.


feed_id: 512f99ab620a15f9c5d22beeb709cf5a
title: Reducing the rate of imprisonment
uri: Reducing-the-rate-of-imprisonment
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#25_September_2019_%28Reducing_the_rate_of_imprisonment%29

content:
<p>
40 progressive prosecutors elected in 2018 to reduce the rate of
imprisonment are
<a href="https://www.bostonglobe.com/metro/2019/09/23/reform-minded-prosecutors-expected-battle-entrenched-local-powers-the-blowback-has-been-harsher-than-anticipated/mNNQVOCcE96EKIap6vIi1O/story.html">facing
pushback from thugs</a>, especially the fraction involved in
right-wing extremism.


feed_id: 24f8383adc4326bf6cc0db53177a5a9d
title: Climate summit
uri: Climate-summit
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#25_September_2019_%28Climate_summit%29
content:
<p>
Greta Thunberg, at the UN,
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/sep/23/greta-thunberg-trump-stare-video-moment-un-summit">stared
coldly at the bullshitter</a>, and may have chased him away from the
climate summit, which he did not attend.
<p>
All discussions about the climate can make better progress without
him.  When he participates, it is to interfere.  Other US officials
can interfere, too, but not as effectively as he can.  Also, he lost
an opportunity to confuse the public extra.


feed_id: 558a7172bbed2d224f169bcc0601326f
title: Bribing Ukraine
uri: 2019-09-26-Bribing-Ukraine
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#24_September_2019_%28Bribing_Ukraine%29
content:
<p>


The cheater <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2019/09/22/bribery-and-high-crimes-and-misdemeanors">may have bribed</a> Ukraine's President Zelensky to relaunch a
criminal investigation of Hunter Biden, Senator Biden's son.

<p>
(I previously mixed him up with Biden's other son, Beau, who is the
one that died.)


feed_id: a09555e203c592f2a1f3d8cd78465a28
title: Impeachment
uri: 2019-09-26-Impeachment
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#26_September_2019_%28Impeachment%29
content:
<p>


Pelosi announced that the House of Representatives <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2019/sep/24/pelosi-impeachment-inquiry-trump-ukraine">will investigate impeaching the conman</a>.

<p>
The reason is the evidence that <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2019/sep/24/impeachment-calls-grow-amid-revelation-trump-ordered-block-on-ukraine-aid">the conman ordered</a> a cut in aid to Ukraine in order to pressure Ukraine to investigate Hunter Biden.

<p>
He has given dozens &mdash; or is it hundreds? &mdash; of reasons to justify
impeaching him and removing him from office.  If we could do that, I would
be entirely in favor.

<p>
However, until the Republicans that control the Senate rediscover a
shred of appreciation for their own honor or the national interest, we
have no hope of removing him from office after impeaching him.

<p>
That being so, impeachment can at most be a political act.  Whether to
do it is a matter of political strategy.  I have been content to leave
that strategic decision to Pelosi.  If she thinks that now it is a
good strategy, I trust her decision.


feed_id: 89b0d39048fef86ab89c5d549bed1ee3
title: Ag-gag bill
uri: Ag-gag-bill
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#26_September_2019_%28Ag-gag_bill%29
content:
<p>


New South Wales (a state in Australia) <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2019/sep/25/nsw-farm-trespass-bill-criticised-for-turning-into-a-crackdown-on-the-right-to-protest">proposes to pass</a> an ag-gag bill.  That is unjust already, but it will criminalize protests in
many other places.

<p>
Australia does not have a bill of rights to protect the right to protest
from local infringement like this.


feed_id: 51c3c787ed12d5ba48bc9e9c2030d280
title: Uighur
uri: Uighur
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#26_September_2019_%28Uighur%29
content:
<p>


China is punishing Uighur dissidents' families with <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/commentisfree/2019/sep/25/china-has-destroyed-uighur-families-including-mine-guterres-must-act">long prison sentences</a>.


feed_id: ea81ea0da8aba46400115b55e4245792
title: Smoke and children
uri: Smoke-and-children
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#26_September_2019_%28Smoke_and_children%29
content:
<p>


"[Smoke from] Indonesian forest fires putting 10 million children at
risk", <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/sep/25/indonesian-forest-fires-putting-10-million-children-at-risk-says-unicef">says Unicef</a>.


feed_id: 07943113db9875d59761d8166a285c26
title: School to prison
uri: School-to-prison
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#26_September_2019_%28School_to_prison%29
content:
<p>


The school-to-prison pipeline threatens even <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/sep/25/the-arrest-of-a-black-six-year-old-girl-exposes-the-rotten-heart-of-us-policing">children six years old</a>.


feed_id: 6e730af251260b572f568647de7f390d
title: TikTok censure
uri: TikTok-censure
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#26_September_2019_%28TikTok_censure%29
content:
<p>


Revealed: how <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2019/sep/25/revealed-how-tiktok-censors-videos-that-do-not-please-beijing">TikTok censors videos</a> that do not please Beijing.

<p>
If you are not in China, don't use TikTok!


feed_id: d2c33bdc81dcd2f7b9609362bf9b0672
title: Extreme politics
uri: Extreme-politics
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#27_September_2019_%28Extreme_politics%29
content:
<p>


The climate crisis isn’t just causing extreme weather. <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/sep/19/climate-crisis-extreme-weather-extreme-politics-far-right">It’s fueling extreme
politics, too</a>.


feed_id: f99945c8fb73d54db4419914156d6a4c
title: Senators investments
uri: Senators-investments
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#27_September_2019_%28Senators_investments%29
content:
<p>


<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2019/sep/19/us-senators-investments-conflict-of-interest">Revealed</a>: How US Senators Invest in the Firms They're Supposed to Regulate.


feed_id: 80522bed24e4922706062813c509a95a
title: Mont Blanc glacier
uri: Mont-Blanc-glacier
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#27_September_2019_%28Mont_Blanc_glacier%29
content:
<p>


Global heating at work: Mont blanc glacier in danger of collapse, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/sep/25/mont-blanc-glacier-in-danger-of-collapse-experts-warn">experts warn</a>.


feed_id: b6e12804ed1a41ae6310012bc447f212
title: Limit on wealth
uri: Limit-on-wealth
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#27_September_2019_%28Limit_on_wealth%29
content:
<p>


"For the sake of life on Earth, we must put a limit on wealth."

<p>
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/sep/19/life-earth-wealth-megarich-spending-power-environmental-damage">Source</a>


feed_id: 13c0c1d88c9d1ba3598c5d22efc134ae
title: Aurelia Skipwith
uri: Aurelia-Skipwith
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#27_September_2019_%28Aurelia_Skipwith%29
content:
<p>


Aurelia Skipwith, nominee to lead US Fish And Wildlife Service, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2019/sep/25/trump-wildlife-service-pick-anti-animal-protection-groups-aurelia-skipwith">linked to groups</a> opposed to protections for endangered species.


feed_id: 9bd3421621663ca4b6b628653380424f
title: Senate republicans doubts
uri: Senate-republicans-doubts
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#27_September_2019_%28Senate_republicans_doubts%29
content:
<p>


"Everyone thought Trump was untouchable &mdash; that may have just changed."
Even some Senate Republicans <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2019/sep/25/what-does-trump-ukraine-memo-mean-evidence-impeachment">express doubts about him</a>.

<p>
That doesn't mean it will go far enough to remove him.


feed_id: 2f03a4260b4300c725e4cd8dd2defba3
title: Texan retirement funds
uri: Texan-retirement-funds
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#27_September_2019_%28Texan_retirement_funds%29
content:
<p>


Public retirement funds and universities are financing Empower Texans,
a far-right lobbying group, <a href="https://theintercept.com/2019/09/25/far-right-empower-texans/">new report reveals</a>.


feed_id: a29b8a1a08689382f4e8754dc28ef979
title: Barr's testimony
uri: Barr-s-testimony
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#27_September_2019_%28Barr%27s_testimony_%29
content:
<p>


Barr's testimony suggests that the conman <a href="https://theintercept.com/2019/09/25/trump-ukraine-call-william-barr/">may have previously asked</a> some other country's government to investigate US political candidates.


feed_id: 42c830758cf73328d08a761044e0d8ba
title: China malwares
uri: China-malwares
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#27_September_2019_%28China_malwares%29
content:
<p>


China <a href="https://citizenlab.ca/2019/09/poison-carp-tibetan-groups-targeted-with-1-click-mobile-exploits/">has aimed malware</a> in very targeted ways at leaders of the
Tibetan exile community.


feed_id: 1bf10dacfe21a250bbeb2f1b91ba85c7
title: Tech companies and deportation
uri: Tech-companies-and-deportation
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#27_September_2019_%28Tech_companies_and_deportation%29

content:
<p>


<a href="https://companies-that-work-with-ice.com/">List of tech companies</a> that support the US deportation department, ICE.


feed_id: 9706687a87c311d48544c112410c6720
title: Baseball obsession
uri: Baseball-obsession
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#27_September_2019_%28Baseball_obsession%29
content:
<p>


(satire) Obsessive-Compulsive Baseball Player Has To Touch All 3 Bases
Before Going Home.

<p>
<a href="https://sports.theonion.com/obsessive-compulsive-baseball-player-has-to-touch-all-3-1838372803">Source</a>


feed_id: 01cb3c1914444e39f00c7622ef8626ee
title: End of the world
uri: End-of-the-world
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#27_September_2019_%28End_of_the_world%29
content:
<p>


(satire) Nation Perplexed By 16-Year-Old Who Doesn't Want World To End.

<p>
<a href="https://www.theonion.com/nation-perplexed-by-16-year-old-who-doesn-t-want-world-1838374925">Source</a>


feed_id: 1c0519bb5735111123aff53b7471db7c
title: Corruption
uri: 2019-09-27-Corruption
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#27_September_2019_%28Corruption%29
content:
<p>


Investigating corruption in <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2019/09/23/interiors-watchdog-opens-investigation-political-interference-trump-appointees">the Department of the Interior</a>.


feed_id: 1d9df5d7caa95fd824086991763ee828
title: Bombing in Afghanistan
uri: Bombing-in-Afghanistan
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#27_September_2019_%28Bombing_in_Afghanistan%29
content:
<p>


It doesn't get much attention, but the bully <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2019/09/23/reports-wedding-party-bombing-indicate-us-forces-have-massacred-least-70-afghan">has escalated the bombing in Afghanistan</a>; as a result, the US side is killing more civilians now
than the Taliban are.


feed_id: b20fa5e7e53af39ff12e061ae97f9b49
title: Freedom of the press
uri: 2019-09-27-Freedom-of-the-press
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#27_September_2019_%28Freedom_of_the_press%29
content:
<p>


<a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#bully">The bully</a> does not uphold freedom of the press; the reporters
for US newspapers <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2019/09/24/reader-center/declan-walsh-cairo.html?module=inline">can no longer rely on the US government</a> to stand up for them
against tyrannical governments.


feed_id: f01c46ec90356d9a78cc263299bba02f
title: Sniper
uri: Sniper
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#27_September_2019_%28Sniper%29
content:
<p>


An Israeli sniper <a href="https://electronicintifada.net/content/israel-shoots-children-lets-them-bleed-death/28461">shot Ali al-Ashqar</a> during a protest in Gaza,
after he had thrown a stone.  Then soldiers shot at medics so they
could not reach him, and he bled to death.

<p>
Ali was not a child.  He was a teenager, indeed almost an adult.  But
that makes no difference.  Nothing can excuse shooting at medics so
they cannot reach a wounded person.


feed_id: 64411ee8a3b8cde9cca568ff6c492bf2
title: Liar
uri: Liar
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#27_September_2019_%28Liar%29
content:
<p>


Now that Bogus Johnson has been exposed as a liar, he is running for
reelection <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/sep/24/boris-johnson-liar-supreme-court-verdict-parliament-prorogation">on the liar platform</a>.


feed_id: 00f5caf5f2bcf4e2793b66b16fee61fb
title: Urgent: Seeking housing
uri: Urgent-Seeking-housing
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#27_September_2019_%28Urgent%3A_Seeking_housing%29
content:
<p>
I am <a href="https://stallman.org/seeking-housing.html">looking 
for a room in a shared house or apartment</a>...


feed_id: 9229b0efbf01ac37f1bcd0a64e084ba3
title: Urgent: Crack down on Big Pharma
uri: Urgent-Crack-down-on-Big-Pharma
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#28_September_2019_%28Urgent%3A_Crack_down_on_Big_Pharma%29

content:
<p>
US citizens:
<a href="https://act.credoaction.com/sign/big-pharma-pelosi-sep19">call
on Congress</a> to crack down on Big Pharma over drug prices.
<p>
If you sign, please spread the word!


feed_id: b7965c37db8c126cadea8494a66a4fe8
title: Urgent: Support impeachment inquiry
uri: Urgent-Support-impeachment-inquiry
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#28_September_2019_%28Urgent%3A_Support_impeachment_inquiry%29

content:
<p>
US citizens:
<a href="http://act.pfaw.org/sign/impeachment-inquiry/">tell
Congress</a> you support the impeachment inquiry.
<p>
Here are
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2019/sep/25/trump-ukraine-president-phone-call-transcript-takeaways">some
reasons to support it</a>.
<p>
If you sign, please spread the word!


feed_id: ee12bd5943e92d184f46e84979566fd8
title: NRA 'foreign asset' to Russia
uri: NRA-foreign-asset-to-Russia
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#28_September_2019_%28NRA_foreign_asset_to_Russia%29
content:
<p>
NRA
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2019/sep/27/nra-russia-foreign-asset-senate-report-investigation">Acted
as 'Foreign Asset' to Russia Before 2016 Election</a>, Says Senate
Report.


feed_id: 87479c193758e3dc998c62262aba4e8c
title: Blocking construction of oil pipelines
uri: Blocking-construction-of-oil-pipelines
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#28_September_2019_%28Blocking_construction_of_oil_pipelines%29

content:
<p>
<a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#planet">Planet roasters</a> seek
<a href="https://theintercept.com/2019/09/27/pipeline-safety-legislation/">federal
prosecution of people who block construction of oil pipelines</a>.
<p>
Eventually thousands of Extinction Rebellion members will be
ready to go to prison for this.


feed_id: 37302c0095c52ad141ac14d4fdc0ed14
title: Bully makes US unreliable
uri: Bully-makes-US-unreliable
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#28_September_2019_%28Bully_makes_US_unreliable%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#bully">The bully</a>'s threat, intended to force Ukraine to investigate Hunter
Biden, has
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/sep/26/how-ukraine-sees-the-trump-whistleblower-complaint">made
Ukraine realize that the US is not a reliable ally</a>.  Indeed, the
US government is hardly a reliable actor at all.
<p>
I've often seen right-wing interventionists insist that the US keep
supporting a tyrannical client government to show it is a "reliable
ally."  I think, on the contrary, that it is good to show rulers that
they can lose support if they attack the people.  But this case is
totally different.  <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#bully">The bully</a> made the US unreliable, not because
Ukraine had done anything wrong, but only because he demanded what he
was not entitled to.


feed_id: 1eab30fc1e1b3f5b83c337d284ed90fe
title: Cut in number refugees allowed in US
uri: Cut-in-number-refugees-allowed-in-US
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#28_September_2019_%28Cut_in_number_refugees_allowed_in_US%29

content:
<p>
The cruel bastard has cut the number of refugees allowed into the US
to around
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2019/sep/26/trump-to-allow-just-18000-refugees-in-historically-low-cap-of-asylum-program">16%
of what it used to be</a>.
<p>
This comes pretty close to rejecting all claims for asylum.


feed_id: d09521306cc9b1462f6dc1a4d88e5502
title: Environmental Poisoning Agency
uri: 2019-09-29-Environmental-Poisoning-Agency
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#28_September_2019_%28Environmental_Poisoning_Agency%29

content:
<p>
The Environmental Poisoning Agency (what the conman converted the EPA into)
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2019/sep/26/trump-epa-california-water-pollution-homeless">accuses
California of violating water pollution rules by allowing homeless
people to occasionally defecate on the sidewalk</a>.
<p>
California should provide more toilets for them, not for this reason,
but because they are human beings.


feed_id: 6da522c1dc8a8c90093fab85da389dd4
title: Why did the conman fire CIA director Coats shortly after trying to corrupt Ukraine
uri: Why-did-the-conman-fire-CIA-director-Coats-shortly-after-trying-to-cor
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#28_September_2019_%28Why_did_the_conman_fire_CIA_director_Coats_shortly_after_trying_to_corrupt_Ukraine%29

content:
<p>
Why did the conman fire CIA director Coats shortly after <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2019/sep/27/dan-coats-dni-trump-firing-ukraine">
trying to corrupt Ukraine?</a>


feed_id: 2ed2cbe1917058dc80ec4a5f8d07edda
title: Movie satirizes the FBI's practice of recruiting and then prosecuting terrorists
uri: Movie-satirizes-the-FBI-s-practice-of-recruiting-and-then-prosecuting
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#28_September_2019_%28Movie_satirizes_the_FBI%27s_practice_of_recruiting_and_then_prosecuting_terrorists%29

content:
<p>
<a href="https://theintercept.com/2019/09/28/film-review-day-shall-come-fbi/">
A movie satirizes the FBI's practice of recruiting and then
prosecuting "terrorists"</a> that couldn't bomb their way out of a paper
bag without the FBI's help.

<p>
It is legitimate and useful to use stings to catch people that have
decided, without FBI encouragement, to commit terrorism, and have a
chance of actually doing it. It becomes wrong when the FBI goes
further and manufacturers imaginary "terrorists" to imprison, in the
absence of real terrorists.


feed_id: 315b63d4020ceecf6341b5ee582ae3e6
title: Republicans have been working to make it impossible to remove a president
uri: Republicans-have-been-working-to-make-it-impossible-to-remove-a-presid
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#28_September_2019_%28Republicans_have_been_working_to_make_it_impossible_to_remove_a_president%29

content:
<p>
Republicans have been working hard to make it impossible to remove a
Republican president 
<a href="https://theintercept.com/2019/09/28/impeachment-republicans-nixon-watergate/">
no matter what crimes he might commit</a>.


feed_id: 6de099dc75a4371f9282b88022da8807
title: Companies are buying lots of houses and deal with tenants unforgivably
uri: Companies-are-buying-lots-of-houses-and-deal-with-tenants-unforgivably
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#28_September_2019_%28Companies_are_buying_lots_of_houses_and_deal_with_tenants_unforgivingly%29

content:
<p>
Companies such as Blackstone are buying lots of houses in the US
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/society/2019/sep/20/ruthless-private-equity-firms-gobble-up-property-wreak-havoc-on-tenants-lives">
and deal with tenants in a rigid and unforgiving way.


feed_id: adf1c3a48d710874c62f5812923f15a9
title: Asylum-seeker Ajay Kumar released on parole
uri: Asylum-seeker-Ajay-Kumar-released-on-parole
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#28_September_2019_%28Asylum-seeker_Ajay_Kumar_released_on_parole%29

content:
<p>
 Asylum-seeker Ajay Kumar went on hunger strike for 70 days in a US
immigration prison. He has now been released on a 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2019/sep/27/indian-hunger-striker-released-immigration-detention-texas-ajay-kumar">
sort of parole</a>.


feed_id: 11dbe9273ee2905a01729d6c266133bf
title: The butcher's plan for those seeking asylum
uri: The-butcher-s-plan-for-those-seeking-asylum
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#28_September_2019_%28The_butcher%27s_plan_for_those_seeking_asylum%29

content:
<p>
[The butcher's] Plan for Those Seeking Safe Haven: 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/sep/27/honduras-central-america-asylum-seekers-us-guatemala-el-salvador">
a Ticket to the
Violent Heart of Central America</a>.


feed_id: 6f8655d868d7749a3a09450c9cd214e8
title: Man who murdered Pakistani celebrity, has been sentenced to life in prison.
uri: Man-who-murdered-Pakistani-celebrity-has-been-sentenced-to-life-in-pr
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#28_September_2019_%28Man_who_murdered_Pakistani_celebrity%2C_has_been_sentenced_to_life_in_prison.%29

content:
<p>
The man who murdered Pakistani celebrity Qandeel Baloch, for reasons
of repression, 
<a href="
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/sep/27/brother-social-media-star-qandeel-baloch-jailed-murder-pakistan">
has been sentenced to life in prison</a>.

<p>
This was an act of <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#patriarchalmurder">patriarchal murder</a>. I am very glad that the fact
that he was her brother did not enable him to get away with it.


feed_id: 88f13d1b1111d0482c1032e5e2ebcdbd
title: Chechen exile Zelimkhan Khangoshvili seems to have been murdered
uri: Chechen-exile-Zelimkhan-Khangoshvili-seems-to-have-been-murdered
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#28_September_2019_%28Chechen_exile_Zelimkhan_Khangoshvili_seems_to_have_been_murdered%29

content:
<p>
Chechen exile Zelimkhan Khangoshvili seems to have been murdered 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/sep/27/evidence-links-russia-to-killing-of-chechen-in-berlin-investigation-claims">
in Berlin by a Russian agent.</a>


feed_id: 11f7223f20f645b6adb1b06ab7de2aa6
title: Republican officials wrote about their intentions of gerrymandering
uri: Republican-officials-wrote-about-their-intentions-of-gerrymandering
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#28_September_2019_%28Republican_officials_wrote_about_their_intentions_of_gerrymandering%29

content:
<p>
<a href="https://theintercept.com/2019/09/27/gerrymandering-gop-hofeller-memos/">
Republican Party officials wrote</a>, not for publication, about the
partisan intentions of their gerrymandering.


feed_id: 027ceb5926b05286493e6b789496e53c
title: Labour will pledge to eliminate parts of Tories' crush-the-poor policies.
uri: Labour-will-pledge-to-eliminate-parts-of-Tories-crush-the-poor-polici
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#28_September_2019_%28Labour_will_pledge_to_eliminate_parts_of_Tories%27_crush-the-poor_policies.%29

content:
<p>
Labour will pledge to <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2019/sep/27/labour-promises-to-overhaul-cruel-universal-credit-system">
eliminate specific parts</a> of the Tories'
crush-the-poor policies.


feed_id: 5223c03c2a4786be45036310b448e9b3
title: China is holding writer Yang Hengjun in brainwashing conditions.
uri: China-is-holding-writer-Yang-Hengjun-in-brainwashing-conditions
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#28_September_2019_%28China_is_holding_writer_Yang_Hengjun_in_brainwashing_conditions.%29

content:
<p>
 A report says that China is holding writer Yang Hengjun
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2019/sep/28/yang-hengjun-detained-blogger-is-being-shackled-in-chains-and-interrogated">
incommunicado in brainwashing conditions.
</a>
<p>
Cutting him off from his lawyer is part of predetermining the outcome
of the case. Political trials in China are not real trials.
They intend to convict him; his crimes remain to be decided.
<p>
They must hope that boredom will drive him to read the propaganda
material for making Xi-ple. (The consonant in Xi is pronounced
somewhat like "sh".)


feed_id: 5589186005d206cc9ff2ea0fb551071c
title: Indonesian police seem to be lying about the violence in West Papua
uri: Indonesian-police-seem-to-be-lying-about-the-violence-in-West-Papua
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#28_September_2019_%28Indonesian_police_seem_to_be_lying_about_the_violence_in_West_Papua%29

content:
<p>
Indonesian police seem to be <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/sep/28/i-feel-like-im-dying-west-papua-witnesses-unrest-indonesia-police
">
lying about the violence in West Papua</a>,
about question such as who started it, and how many indigenous people
were killed.


feed_id: 57015d317d68fdd763907b8961383e39
title: UN's general agreement with powerful corporations
uri: UN-s-general-agreement-with-powerful-corporations
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#28_September_2019_%28UN%27s_general_agreement_with_powerful_corporations%29

content:
<p>
The UN has made a <a href="
https://www.commondreams.org/news/2019/09/27/200-global-groups-denounce-un-wef-agreement-entrenches-interests-driving-planets">
long-term general agreement</a> with the most powerful
corporations.

<p>
The article doesn't say specifically what the agreement involves
doing, but if the UN depends on those corporations for support, it
will tend over time to become their tool &mdash; along with many national
governments and many universities.


feed_id: f10aef7274951f23b485736b1afa6fd8
title: Turns Out 'Tough on Crime' Is Only for the Poor
uri: Turns-Out-Tough-on-Crime-Is-Only-for-the-Poor
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#28_September_2019_%28Turns_Out_%27Tough_on_Crime%27_Is_Only_for_the_Poor%29

content:
<p>
"Turns Out 'Tough on Crime' Is Only for the Poor": Report Details Trump DOJ's
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2019/09/27/turns-out-tough-crime-only-poor-report-details-trump-dojs-corporate-friendly-record">Corporate-Friendly Record</a>.


feed_id: 4066deff547338e8a6ced3c549064bb3
title: The fiend claimed whistleblower was close to a spy
uri: The-fiend-claimed-whistleblower-was-close-to-a-spy
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#28_September_2019_%28The_fiend_claimed_whistleblower_was_close_to_a_spy%29

content:
<p>
The fiend claimed that the whistleblower about his Ukraine
investigation-bullying <a href="
https://www.commondreams.org/news/2019/09/27/video-trump-threat-surfaces-advocates-say-nyt-guilty-putting-target-whistleblowers">was "close to a spy"</a>.

<p>
Perhaps person really is a US spy. The New York Times reported that
the whistleblower is a CIA agent whose work focuses on Ukraine.
<p>
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/sep/28/trumps-spy-comments-are-not-far-off-from-real-us-whistleblower-policy">
US laws are very harsh to whistleblowers</a>. This shows that Congress should
change these laws.

<p>
Was it right or wrong for the New York Times to publish this
information about per? That kind of question is, in general, a
difficult judgment call. In this situation, I don't think anyone is
likely to want to murder per over this except the fiend himself, but I
think he would just fire per.


feed_id: afae2bffac087365a54d557328409909
title: US must stop second-guessing how to raise children
uri: US-must-stop-second-guessing-how-to-raise-children
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#28_September_2019_%28US_must_stop_second-guessing_how_to_raise_children%29

content:
<p>
The US must stop <a href="
https://letgrow.org/if-i-let-my-kids-eat-pizza-for-a-week-should-they-be-placed-in-foster-care/">
inviting courts to second-guess minor decisions</a>
 that parents make about how to raise their children.
<p>
Sure, there are things parents could do that would be very dangerous
to their children and society. For instance, not vaccinating a child
for various diseases could, with a low but significant probability,
lead to the serious injury or death of that child, and of other
children as well. That decision calls for public attention that most
decisions don't.
<p>
For instance, leading your child on a walk through a parking lot,
rather than telling per to wait in the car, occasionally results in
the child's injury or death. On the national scale, the danger is
measurable. At the personal level, it is a minute probability.
Courts should not intervene on questions like this.


feed_id: 12b19edec1e318aabb1492726bebdfd5
title: Climate Crisis leaving 2 Million a Week Needing Aid
uri: Climate-Crisis-leaving-2-Million-a-Week-Needing-Aid
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#28_September_2019_%28Climate_Crisis_leaving_2_Million_a_Week_Needing_Aid%29

content:
<p>
Climate Crisis Leaving 2 Million People a Week Needing Aid &mdash; <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/sep/19/climate-crisis-leaving-2-million-people-a-week-needing-aid-red-cross
">Red Cross</a>


feed_id: d9d290e518bf46e10b12fb5c760f95bc
title: Urgent: Investigate all of the conman's crimes
uri: Urgent-Investigate-all-of-the-conman-s-crimes
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#28_September_2019_%28Urgent%3A_Investigate_all_of_the_conman%27s_crimes%29

content:
<p>
 US citizens: call on Congress to 
<a href="https://act.demandprogress.org/sign/congress-trump-crimes/">
investigate <u>all</u> of the conman's crimes</a>.</p>
<p>
If you sign, please spread the word!
</p>


feed_id: cf787bcc5df2bef1acceb9570fd8a4f3
title: Microplastics
uri: 2019-09-29-Microplastics
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#29_September_2019_%28Microplastics%29
content:
<p>


Milk? Sugar? Microplastics? Some tea bags <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/food/2019/sep/27/milk-sugar-microplastics-some-tea-bags-found-to-shed-billions-of-particles">found to shed billions of
particles</a>.

<p>
We should put a stop to that, but don't forget about the plastic fishing
gear.


feed_id: 0c14bfa836b9cd130ff3d7c32b2d2a1e
title: Land-grabbers
uri: Land-grabbers
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#29_September_2019_%28Land-grabbers%29
content:
<p>


President Do-dirty's murder on drugs provides cover for <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/sep/27/philippines-war-on-drugs-fuels-attacks-land-defenders-report">land-grabbers to murder and intimidate</a>.

<p>
Something similar happened in Colombia &mdash; the "paramolitares",
supposedly intended to resist the guerrilla, <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2007-mar-jun.html#15%20March%202007%20(Paramilitaries%20of%20Colombia)">turned into murderers for
profit</a> and one of the ways they profited was making peasants sign over
their land.


feed_id: 1b7c523496e33d793b5499f40ef000b5
title: Israel raids support group
uri: Israel-raids-support-group
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#29_September_2019_%28Israel_raids_support_group%29
content:
<p>


<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2019/09/19/israel-ramps-assault-civil-society-chilling-raid-palestinian-ngo-addameer">Israel raided the headquarters</a> of the Palestinian prisoner support group Addameer.

<p>
Israel often imprisons Palestinians arbitrary, without <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2016-sep-dec.html#27_December_2016_(Palestinians_imprisoned_without_charge)">even charging
them with anything</a>.


feed_id: 6e0be5c1dcc3f278d893c2832bf175b4
title: Fossil industry
uri: Fossil-industry
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#29_September_2019_%28Fossil_industry%29
content:
<p>


<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/sep/27/fossil-fuel-industry-clout-trump-era">Swampy Symbiosis</a>: "Fossil Fuel Industry Has More Clout Than Ever Under
[the conman]".


feed_id: 70468572074e4363447a235b999bbcb9
title: air travel
uri: air-travel
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#29_September_2019_%28air_travel%29
content:
<p>


CO2 emissions from commercial air travel <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/business/2019/sep/19/airlines-co2-emissions-rising-up-to-70-faster-than-predicted">are rising roughly 70% faster
than the predicted rate</a>, which is used to estimate future amounts.

<p>
Instead of tripling by 2050, the emissions will grow by a factor of 10
if this trend continues.


feed_id: 8861692290e6ecc1184b55c02cc0aebd
title: Lula
uri: 2019-09-29-Lula
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#29_September_2019_%28Lula%29
content:
<p>


Lula's trial <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2019/09/23/five-hundred-days-injustice-imprisonment-luiz-inacio-lula-da-silva">was manipulated</a> by a corrupt judge.  Free Lula!


feed_id: a8bfd89215e60d5a6b0cbb008e120beb
title: Sick Earth
uri: Sick-Earth
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#29_September_2019_%28Sick_Earth%29
content:
<p>


<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2019/09/19/bad-news-sick-and-miserable-looking-earth-im-afraid-you-have-humans">Bad News</a> to a Sick and Miserable-Looking Earth: "I'm Afraid You Have
Humans."


feed_id: e7ddad02fffe8916c55b805c064c692e
title: Europe trees
uri: Europe-trees
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#29_September_2019_%28Europe_trees%29
content:
<p>


Around 60% of Europe's species of trees <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/sep/27/more-than-half-of-native-european-trees-face-extinction-warns-study">are now threatened</a>.


feed_id: 73e0f1e174e548b22b7e0e50ff320381
title: Urgent: End contract with deportation thugs
uri: Urgent-End-contract-with-deportation-thugs
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#29_September_2019_%28Urgent%3A_End_contract_with_deportation_thugs%29

content:
<p>
Everyone:
<a href="https://act.credoaction.com/sign/google-no-tech-for-ice">call
on Google</a> to end its contract with the US deportation thugs.
<p>
If you sign, please spread the word!


feed_id: 73ef9b12623d3fd875d57f3fec6fa063
title: Tax on sugary drinks
uri: 2019-09-30-Tax-on-sugary-drinks
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#29_September_2019_%28Tax_on_sugary_drinks%29
content:
<p>
Massachusetts legislators are
<a href="https://www.bostonglobe.com/metro/2019/09/28/sugar-low-hope/s8PYis3DioeWJ93ibwanXJ/story.html">proposing
a tax on sugary drinks</a>.  I am in favor of it.
<p>
Do note that there is
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2014-sep-dec.html#11_October_2014_(Sugar_consumption_made_memory_worse)">evidence
that low-calorie sweeteners confuse the brain</a>, which tells the
body to get ready to digest sugar.
<p>
If you sign, please spread the word!


feed_id: e44f6ea11b5f917b25bc767a2473cd3c
title: Erosion of Cape Cod beaches
uri: Erosion-of-Cape-Cod-beaches
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#29_September_2019_%28Erosion_of_Cape_Cod_beaches%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#global heating">Global heating</a> is
<a href="https://apps.bostonglobe.com/metro/2019/09/26/cape-cod-climate-change/story/">eroding
the beaches of Cape Cod</a>, chasing buildings inland and sometimes
catching and destroying them.


feed_id: b6fc69bb66a4309906122c57eb7b5635
title: Urgent: Stop sending Boy Scouts to border thugs
uri: Urgent-Stop-sending-Boy-Scouts-to-border-thugs
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#29_September_2019_%28Urgent%3A_Stop_sending_Boy_Scouts_to_border_thugs%29

content:
<p>
US citizens:
<a href="https://act.colorofchange.org/letter/boy-scouts-border-patrol-letters/">call
on the Boy Scouts of America</a> to stop sending boys to the border
<a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thugs</a> for a bad education.


feed_id: 6dea3ca3e2da2e0591a3120a46ef0ed8
title: Extreme weather in the US
uri: Extreme-weather-in-the-US
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#30_September_2019_%28Extreme_weather_in_the_US%29
content:
<p>
More extreme weather in the US: a 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2019/sep/30/snow-montana-rocky-mountains-western-us-states">heavy
snowfall in September<a>.


feed_id: cc521fb58093195698345c3ac60ab8e5
title: Impeachment investigation
uri: Impeachment-investigation
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#30_September_2019_%28Impeachment_investigation%29
content:
<p>
Tribe: 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/sep/30/the-house-constitutional-trump-impeachment-process-president">How
the House of Representatives can tackle the conman's obstruction</a>
of the impeachment investigation.


feed_id: 6247bf248c3103e019872d3a26f4a802
title: Organizing workers at McDonalds
uri: Organizing-workers-at-McDonalds
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#30_September_2019_%28Organizing_workers_at_McDonalds%29

content:
<p>
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2019/sep/30/new-york-chipotle-mcdonalds-union-fight-for-15">Organizing
the workers</a> at McDonalds in New York.


feed_id: 12302fdad089b32a4c4dc6cfb14c1ade
title: Greta Thunberg's speech to the UN
uri: Greta-Thunberg-s-speech-to-the-UN
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#30_September_2019_%28Greta_Thunbergs_speech_to_the_UN%29

content:
<p>
Greta Thunberg's 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/sep/23/world-leaders-generation-climate-breakdown-greta-thunberg">speech
to the UN</a>.
<p>
This summer was the 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/science/2019/sep/23/the-endless-bummer-2019-was-the-warmest-summer-in-modern-history">hottest
one ever recorded</a>.


feed_id: 9f563112cf6c786b24eb24edb9442eba
title: Funding of academic activities threatened
uri: Funding-of-academic-activities-threatened
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#30_September_2019_%28Funding_of_academic_activities_threatened%29

content:
<p>
DeVos is 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/sep/23/the-trump-administrations-crackdown-on-campus-criticism-of-israel-is-orwellian">threatening
the funding of academic activities that include criticism of Israel's
occupation of Palestine</a>.


feed_id: aeedfeeb77ff7524734e9d3029553938
title: How dirty the US elections will get
uri: How-dirty-the-US-elections-will-get
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#30_September_2019_%28How_dirty_the_US_elections_will_get%29

content:
<p>
The Trump-Ukraine Scandal Is a 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/sep/23/the-trump-ukraine-scandal-is-a-taste-of-how-dirty-will-the-us-elections-get">Taste
of How Dirty the US Elections Will Get</a>.


feed_id: 4df5cd9a0875d480c3174aa772e36756
title: Military rulers killing Thai dissidents
uri: Military-rulers-killing-Thai-dissidents
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#30_September_2019_%28Military_rulers_killing_Thai_dissidents%29

content:
<p>
The military rulers of Thailand are 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/sep/20/the-guardian-view-on-thailand-intimidation-cant-solve-the-problem">still
killing dissidents</a>.


feed_id: 083ddf7f16d485a7e36804ccfb37d35c
title: Extermination
uri: Extermination
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#30_September_2019_%28Extermination%29
content:
<p>
"This isn't extinction, it's extermination: 
<a href='https://www.theguardian.com/environment/commentisfree/2019/sep/20/this-isnt-extinction-its-extermination-the-people-killing-nature-know-what-theyre-doing'>the
people killing nature know what they're doing</a>."


feed_id: 16ed62a3d32f548645b164b85929789b
title: German coal
uri: German-coal
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#1_October_2019_%28German_coal%29
content:
<p>


Germans <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/sep/30/human-rights-mining-german-villagers-take-on-coal-giant-rwe">vow to resist</a> the expansion of a strip-mine for coal onto their lands.

<p>
The bigger danger would come from <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2016-sep-dec.html#19_November_2016_(New_fossil_fuel_infrastructure_projects)">burning the coal</a>.


feed_id: 8f197c17db8ed1e648c435c65b6b6661
title: Feeding birds
uri: Feeding-birds
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#1_October_2019_%28Feeding_birds%29
content:
<p>


(satire) Audubon society president <a href="https://www.theonion.com/audubon-society-president-spends-another-morning-in-att-1838297337">spends another morning</a> in attic
feeding nation’s 2.9 billion missing birds.


feed_id: 704852d9840a4c42904ef302fba841d3
title: Fossil fuel industry crime
uri: Fossil-fuel-industry-crime
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#1_October_2019_%28Fossil_fuel_industry_crime%29
content:
<p>


Sanders vows, if elected, <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2019/09/20/sanders-vows-if-elected-pursue-criminal-charges-against-fossil-fuel-ceos-knowingly">to pursue criminal charges</a> against fossil fuel CEOs for knowingly 'destroying the planet'.

<p>
What they have done ought to be a crime.  I don't know whether there is
or was a law against it, though.  Is it negligent homicide?


feed_id: e556f523e80000165b1f24d02baf4766
title: Tory party adopts antimuslimism
uri: Tory-party-adopts-antimuslimism
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#2_October_2019_%28Tory_party_adopts_antimuslimism%29

content:
<p>
The Tory party 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/sep/30/challenging-islamophobia-muslim-bashing-event-conference-conservatives">has
adopted antimuslimism</a>.
<p>
This at the same time as Labour is suffering from the 
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#29_May_2019_(Experience_of_Labour_with_antisemitism)">zero-tolerance
extirpation of antisemitism</a>, making it difficult to for Labour
supporters to criticize Israel's continued occupation (and creeping
annexation) of Palestine.


feed_id: e0ace2e2401855370294578828c3be57
title: Renaming an airport that honors a right-winger
uri: Renaming-an-airport-that-honors-a-right-winger
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#2_October_2019_%28Renaming_an_airport_that_honors_a_right-winger%29

content:
<p>
There is a 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2019/sep/30/john-wayne-california-airport-racism-homophobia">proposal
to rename the airport which is currently named after John Wayne</a>.
<p>
I don't like honoring that right-winger at all, but Reagan's wrongs
were far, far worse.  He 
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#16_August_2015_(Reagan_and_the_unions)">crushed
unions</a>,
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2014-may-aug.html#14_July_2014_(Reagan's_destruction_of_US_antitrust)">eviscerated
antitrust law</a>,
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2013-sep-dec.html#19_October_2013_(Reagans_bogus_idea_of_trickle_down)">cut
taxes for the rich</a>, made a deal with Iran to hold American
hostages for longer in order to win election, later sold arms to Iran
to ransom Americans hostages taken by terrorists in Lebanon, and
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#14_June_2019_(Sanders_on_Nicaragua)">funded
other terrorists to attack Nicaragua</a>.  In detestation for him, I
always call that airport by its former official name, "National
Airport."


feed_id: 2f5386d61e65ac37fac05e03fa4811a0
title: Truth-hating right-wing politicians
uri: Truth-hating-right-wing-politicians
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#2_October_2019_%28Truth-hating_right-wing_politicians%29

content:
<p>
Around the world, right-wing politicians 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/sep/30/europe-populist-lie-shamelessly-salvini-johnson">demonstrate
their power by showing they can get away with crushing truth and
honesty</a>.
<p>
Bolsonaro demonstrates his power by 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/sep/30/bolsonaro-tells-students-to-read-book-by-dictatorship-era-torturer">showing
he can get away with supporting torture and dictatorship</a>.
<p>
I don't like the use of the term "populists" for these liars.  
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2011-sep-dec.html#8_September_2011_(Populist_Uprising)">The
populists of 1900</a> were admirable and honest, and they made the US
a better place.
<p>
Let's call today's truth-hating right-wing politicians "bullshitters".
That's what describes them.
<p>
There may have been left-wing bullshitters in the past &mdash; perhaps
Lenin and Stalin fit that term &mdash; but I don't know of any today.


feed_id: 17b4e626995ce02c6bf51c7d564ab571
title: Hong Kong protester shot with live round during rally
uri: Hong-Kong-protester-shot-with-live-round-during-rally
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#1_October_2019_%28Hong_Kong_protester_shot_with_live_round_during_rally%29

content:
<p>
Hong Kongers declared China's big holiday, the day when the Communist
Party took power, a
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/oct/01/hong-kong-protester-shot-with-live-round-during-china-national-day-rally">"national
day of grief"</a>.


feed_id: 67fa625517dc0a06d2dc4de7ed983e2a
title: Fake proof of Maduro was supporting Colombian rebels
uri: Fake-proof-of-Maduro-was-supporting-Colombian-rebels
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#1_October_2019_%28Fake_proof_of_Maduro_was_supporting_Colombian_rebels%29

content:
<p>
Colombia published supposed "proof" that Maduro, in Venezuela, was
supporting Colombian rebels. But the "proof" <a href="
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/oct/01/colombia-spy-chief-quits-dossier-venezuela-oswaldo-pena">proved to be fake</a>, and
Colombia's head of military intelligence was found to be
insufficiently intelligent.


feed_id: f9ded2c58c5ef780fe359e9ea5ff52f1
title: Massive surveillance to catch people with unexplained wealth
uri: Massive-surveillance-to-catch-people-with-unexplained-wealth
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#1_October_2019_%28Massive_surveillance_to_catch_people_with_unexplained_wealth%29

content:
<p>
French plans for massive surveillance to catch people with unexplained
wealth <a href="
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/oct/01/french-plan-to-scan-social-media-for-tax-causes-alarm">carry a big danger of tyranny</a>.
<p>
The talk of "data protection" is a clear example of how that concept
is bullshit, The idea is that the state collects your personal data and
uses it against you. So what if the state "protects" it against some
other use against you?
<p>
Perhaps it is acceptable to look at at publicly visible postings for
this. But the state is surely not going to limit itself to those. I
expect it will also look at "private" communications on the same sites.
<p>
The danger of snooping on people's purchases on eBay is that once the state
benefits from tracking people's every purchase, it will try to force people
to identify themselves in every purchase.


feed_id: 76071bcfb0fb0f2ee721d154c9cd43ba
title: Bullshitter's cabinet is disregarding science about public health
uri: Bullshitter-s-cabinet-is-disregarding-science-about-public-health
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#1_October_2019_%28Bullshitter%27s_cabinet_is_disregarding_science_about_public_health%29

content:
<p>
The bullshitter's cabinet is <a href="
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/oct/01/linda-birnbaum-environmental-public-health-climate-crisis
">conspicuously disregarding science</a> about
public health.


feed_id: 5679a9f367f6199eb3f10bdc01d61784
title: Effective climate defense plans must also address housing shortage
uri: Effective-climate-defense-plans-must-also-address-housing-shortage
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#1_October_2019_%28Effective_climate_defense_plans_must_also_address_housing_shortage%29

content:
<p>
To be effective, a climate defense plan <a href="
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/oct/01/a-successful-climate-plan-must-also-tackle-the-housing-crisis">must also address the shortage
of housing.</a>

<p>
I disagree about one point. We should not encourage 10 million
immigrants to come to the US unless we reduce the per-capita
environmental footprint of Americans to a level comparable to Europe.
Without that, bringing the immigrants to the US would harm the whole
world.


feed_id: 3eb2d0a74c881f763c8e9aca8994ec7c
title: subcontracting some kinds of jobs to precarious, low-paid workers
uri: subcontracting-some-kinds-of-jobs-to-precarious-low-paid-workers
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#1_October_2019_%28subcontracting_some_kinds_of_jobs_to_precarious%2C_low-paid_workers%29

content:
<p>
WeWork, like many other companies, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/cities/2019/oct/01/two-tier-workforce-wework-protests-show-dark-side-of-outsourcing
">profits by subcontracting</a> some
kinds of jobs to precarious, low-paid workers.


feed_id: 0d40af05c374fe7239adbc2702e5ad5e
title: Chile disregarding the laws about national parks
uri: Chile-disregarding-the-laws-about-national-parks
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#1_October_2019_%28Chile_disregarding_the_laws_about_national_parks%29

content:
<p>
 Chile has given permission to use bulldozers or steam shovels to <a href="
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/sep/30/chile-treasure-juan-fernandez-robinson-crusoe-island">dig
up buried pirate treasure</a>, disregarding the laws about national parks.
<p>
One must suspect corruption at work.


feed_id: e092ec659b3b397543783ca6e503bce2
title: Australia's bullshitters agreed to dig up bullshit about Mueller
uri: Australia-s-bullshitters-agreed-to-dig-up-bullshit-about-Mueller
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#1_October_2019_%28Australia%27s_bullshitters_agreed_to_dig_up_bullshit_about_Mueller%29

content:
<p>
Australia's bullshitters agreed to dig up bullshit about Mueller
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2019/oct/01/donald-trump-urged-scott-morrison-help-discredit-mueller-inquiry
">to help the US bullshitter.</a>


feed_id: 32fcf0336fe3343b7ddb58110d5a6248
title: Managed decline of fossil fuel production
uri: Managed-decline-of-fossil-fuel-production
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#1_October_2019_%28Maanaged_decline_of_fossil_fuel_production%29

content:
<p>
<a href="
http://www.lofotendeclaration.org">Climate Leadership Requires</a> a Managed Decline of Fossil Fuel Production.

<p>
Our use of fossil fuels will end. Each path to end it &mdash; barring some
technological miracle &mdash; is some mix of painful and disastrous.
We had better choose the pain, and soon.


feed_id: ef275bca233bc3bb9740cf21d44eba23
title: No Person in CIA with Moral Principles
uri: No-Person-in-CIA-with-Moral-Principles
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#1_October_2019_%28No_Person_in_CIA_with_Moral_Principles%29

content:
<p>
(satire) Trump Aides Investigating Whistleblower <a href="https://politics.theonion.com/trump-aides-investigating-whistleblower-struggling-to-i-1838638329
">Struggling to Identify Single
Person</a> in CIA with Moral Principles.


feed_id: dfc36ae4f3cbcb5218b2dd7eec674f04
title: Italy legalized assisting of suicide
uri: Italy-legalized-assisting-of-suicide
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#1_October_2019_%28Italy_legalized_assisting_of_suicide%29

content:
<p>
Italy's constitutional court <a href="
https://www.theguardian.com/society/2019/sep/25/assisting-a-suicide-is-not-always-a-rules-italian-court">ruled to legalize assisting the suicide</a> of
someone facing "intolerable suffering" due to an incurable illness.

<p>
Significantly, this is not limited to people who will die anyway soon.


feed_id: b311e9f4e234d631930678c5efaea7c6
title: Sentenced to a year in Moroccan prison for abortion and sex outside of marriage
uri: Sentenced-to-a-year-in-Moroccan-prison-for-abortion-and-sex-outside-of
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#1_October_2019_%28Sentenced_to_a_year_in_Moroccan_prison_for_abortion_and_sex_outside_of_marrige%29

content:
<p>
Moroccan journalist Hajar Raissouni was sentenced to a year in prison
for <a href="
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/sep/30/moroccan-journalist-hajar-raissouni-jailed-abortion">supposedly having an abortion</a> (she said she didn't), as well
as sex outside of marriage.
<p>
Unmarried couples should avoid tourism in Morocco.


feed_id: cd255fa8d60e1e0adaf5051fb92d1a0e
title: Billions of tiny plastic particles from nylon teabags
uri: Billions-of-tiny-plastic-particles-from-nylon-teabags
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#1_October_2019_%28Bilions_of_tiny_plastic_particles_from_nylon_teabags%29

content:
<p>
 Each expensive nylon teabag <a href="
https://www.theguardian.com/food/2019/sep/30/those-fancy-tea-bags-nylon-microplastics-in-them-are-macro-offenders">releases billions</a> of tiny particles of
plastic.


feed_id: ec32bf8d943ecb513c88b439591fe9b9
title: Banning books for prisoners
uri: Banning-books-for-prisoners
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#2_October_2019_%28Banning_books_for_prisoners%29
content:
<p>


It is amazing and absurd how far US prisons have gone in <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/books/2019/sep/26/us-prisons-ban-thousands-of-books-on-arbitrary-grounds-banned-books-week">banning books for prisoners</a>.


feed_id: 4fefcabe1fb210c2fa5f217c7951a304
title: Impeachable offense
uri: Impeachable-offense
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#2_October_2019_%28Impeachable_offense%29
content:
<p>


"An impeachable offense occurs when a president violates the
oath to abide by the constitution’s limits and respect its values.
[<a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#cheater">The cheater</a>'s] use of political pressure on a foreign power to further his own
re-election chances clearly fits."

<p>
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/sep/26/does-trump-need-to-break-the-law-to-be-impeached-the-answer-is-no">Source</a>


feed_id: eee1844aea82e6b65f1d22198b4fea67
title: Crime against nature as person
uri: Crime-against-nature-as-person
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#2_October_2019_%28Crime_against_nature_as_person%29
content:
<p>


Efforts to make it a crime to destroy parts of nature <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2019/09/26/legal-rights-natural-world-beyond-personhood">are going astray</a> by designating them as "persons".

<p>
If you start from the fixed assumption that only a person can have
rights, the only way to give a river or an ecosystem rights is to
call it a person.  But that assumption is unnecessary.


feed_id: dd3698c495ba79e164f6cab8d76d3700
title: Zelensky state secret
uri: Zelensky-state-secret
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#2_October_2019_%28Zelensky_state_secret%29
content:
<p>


Officials accuse the conman of treating his conversation with Zelensky
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2019/sep/26/slug-trump-ukraine-latest-whistleblower-complaint-2020-election">as if it were a state secret</a>, in violation of regulations.


feed_id: cf9d5a5442a0eeea4cc29c53b9492587
title: Abortion in Oaxaca
uri: Abortion-in-Oaxaca
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#2_October_2019_%28Abortion_in_Oaxaca%29
content:
<p>


Oaxaca <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/sep/26/we-have-made-history-mexicos-oaxaca-state-decriminalises-abortion">has legalized abortion</a> in the first 12 weeks.

<p>
Let's hope this serves as an example for the rest of Latin America.


feed_id: 9421409dfbcffc644bf4419bf2c1b6f1
title: Solar power in Gaza
uri: Solar-power-in-Gaza
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#2_October_2019_%28Solar_power_in_Gaza%29
content:
<p>


An indomitable Palestinian <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2019/sep/27/the-palestinian-entrepreneur-bringing-power-to-gaza-majd-mashharawi">is bringing solar power kits</a> to Gaza to substitute for the diesel generator that can't get fuel.


feed_id: 3de1aa0dd5f2308ac9472f041c158b33
title: Distributing refugees in EU
uri: Distributing-refugees-in-EU
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#2_October_2019_%28Distributing_refugees_in_EU%29
content:
<p>


Germany, France and Malta <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/sep/23/eu-nations-come-to-italys-aid-over-relocating-migrants">will take some of the refugees</a> rescued
and brought to Italy.


feed_id: bc38480d5429ede83435b96403d28850
title: Torture against Chinese protester
uri: Torture-against-Chinese-protester
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#2_October_2019_%28Torture_against_Chinese_protester%29

content:
<p>


China's <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thugs</a> arrested protester Wang Meiyu, and he died in jail,
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/sep/27/death-of-chinese-activist-in-police-custody-prompts-calls-for-investigation-into-torture">apparently from torture</a>.


feed_id: d7076671382fc0ab1503e010707333d2
title: Urgent: Terminate propaganda program
uri: Urgent-Terminate-propaganda-program
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#3_October_2019_%28Urgent%3A_Terminate_propaganda_program%29

content:
<p>
Everyone: call on Netflix to 
<a href="https://act.credoaction.com/sign/netflix-cbp">cancel "Border
Security: America's Front Line"</a>.  That show is propaganda for the
border <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thugs</a>.
<p>
I have supported this petition calling on Netflix to terminate one
program, even though it does not go as far as I really wish.  Netflix
ought to shut down entirely, because its manner of operation attacks
the freedom of its users.</p>
<ul>
<li>DRM.</li>
<li>Requiring users to identify themselves.</li>
<li>Making users agree to be antisocial in three ways (not sharing
  copies, not lending the one copy, not giving the one copy).</li>
</ul>
<p>
I have refused to support petitions that asked Netflix
to <em>change</em> how it handles certain programs because they
implicitly support the continued operation of Netflix without
correcting those injustices.</p>
<p>
If you sign, please spread the word!</p>


feed_id: 3487359a2e43725243b087372f3ccf87
title: Urgent: End section 215 of U SAP AT RIOT Act
uri: Urgent-End-section-215-of-U-SAP-AT-RIOT-Act
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#3_October_2019_%28Urgent%3A_End_section_215_of_U_SAP_AT_RIOT_Act%29

content:
<p>
US citizens: phone your congresscritter and call for ending section
215 of the U SAP AT RIOT Act (aka "USA PATRIOT Act").
<p>
That is the section that 
<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Section_215#Section_215:_Access_to_records_and_other_items_under_FISA">authorizes
collection of many kinds of personal data without even a real court
  order</a>.
<p>
If you call, please spread the word!


feed_id: 88a0cd235c54c001fc6eca2bf341a47f
title: Urgent: End ban on most Muslim visitors
uri: Urgent-End-ban-on-most-Muslim-visitors
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#3_October_2019_%28Urgent%3A_End_ban_on_most_Muslim_visitors%29

content:
<p>
US citizens: 
<a href="https://act.credoaction.com/sign/no-ban-act">call on
Congress</a> to end the bully's indirect ban on most Muslim visitors
to the US, as well as other arbitrary obstacles to visas.
<p>
If you sign, please spread the word!


feed_id: 89c97b8dd712bdf6ff33ccefc79867fb
title: Foreign policy threat
uri: Foreign-policy-threat
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#3_October_2019_%28Foreign_policy_threat%29
content:
<p>


The conman's foreign policy of corruption threatens even US national security
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/oct/02/trump-foreign-policy-impeachment">in the narrowest sense</a>.

<p>
  In a broader sense, the security of the US as a society depends on
  more honesty, more democracy, and less inequality.  We already knew that
  the conman is opposed to all three.


feed_id: 2e5c253f6871b532c3ea45aac259fe21
title: Crimes at sea
uri: Crimes-at-sea
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#3_October_2019_%28Crimes_at_sea%29
content:
<p>


  Crimes committed at sea, even murder, are <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/books/2019/oct/02/the-outlaw-ocean-by-ian-urbina-review">hardly ever prosecuted</a>.


feed_id: 3e1852b23953d36ba9eeff6e68e51a8f
title: Global warming at workplace
uri: Global-warming-at-workplace
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#3_October_2019_%28Global_warming_at_workplace%29
content:
<p>


  Even if the heat outside isn't enough to kill you, the heat in a
  factory or bakery <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2019/oct/02/from-qatar-to-vietnam-global-heating-is-making-the-workplace-deadly-for-millions">can do it</a>.

<p>
  <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2019/oct/02/revealed-hundreds-of-migrant-workers-dying-of-heat-stress-in-qatar-each-year">Revealed</a>: Hundreds of Migrant Workers Dying of Heat Stress in Qatar Each Year.  They are working outdoors, and heat stress can kill them even in the cooler parts of the year.

<p>
  If you build a building in a place like Qatar, you're betting that global
  heating will be curbed and reversed.  Will Qatar have the sense to try
  to cut down world greenhouse gas emissions?


feed_id: 1daea8324ec78d31d4563a7918f68973
title: Climate marketing
uri: Climate-marketing
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#3_October_2019_%28Climate_marketing%29
content:
<p>


  "Big food and agribusiness companies are desperate to portray themselves
  as part of the solution to the climate crisis."

<p>
  <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2019/09/24/step-aside-agribusiness-its-time-real-solutions-climate-crisis">Source</a>

<p>
  Their own initiatives, presented as ways to reduce greenhouse emissions,
  have failed to do so.


feed_id: 1e4ef9429001e142b4c017d0e3ef58f9
title: Renewable energy in universities
uri: Renewable-energy-in-universities
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#3_October_2019_%28Renewable_energy_in_universities%29

content:
<p>


  A campaign aims to <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2019/10/01/new-campaign-launched-30-campuses-urges-colleges-and-universities-shift-100">pressure 150 US universities</a> to commit to
  moving quickly to 100% renewable energy.

<p>
  The universities themselves are responsible for a small fraction of US
  greenhouse gas emissions, but the campaign makes sense because they would
  influence the rest of society.

<p>
  We need a similar campaign demanding universities move to free
  software.


feed_id: 3f60124b8a958cc9dc6e5ef1c2832844
title: Getting away with Jamal Khashoggi murder
uri: Getting-away-with-Jamal-Khashoggi-murder
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#3_October_2019_%28Getting_away_with_Jamal_Khashoggi_murder%29

content:
<p>


  One year after the murder of Jamal Khashoggi, world leaders have
  basically allowed Salafi Arabia's acting king to <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2019/10/01/one-year-after-khashoggis-brutal-murder-business-usual">get away with it</a>.

<p>
  The recordings and transcripts of the <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#bully">bully</a>'s phone calls with the
  acting king of Salafi Arabia <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2019/10/01/anniversary-khashoggis-grisly-assassination-are-trumps-calls-saudi-prince-also-top">may conceal complicity in crime</a>.


feed_id: d1be6416b0819a58e167ccb8f7134fa2
title: Green New Deal in Congress
uri: Green-New-Deal-in-Congress
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#3_October_2019_%28Green_New_Deal_in_Congress%29
content:
<p>


  Environmentalists in Congress <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2019/10/01/most-important-climate-leader-senate-green-groups-back-sen-ed-markey-primary-fight">support Mass Senator Markey</a>, coauthor of the Green New Deal, and oppose Joe Kennedy's running against him.

<p>
  It turns out Kennedy even owns fossil fuel stocks.


feed_id: 3d2a0063b104519d393c20e25f6f8250
title: Homeless local persecution
uri: Homeless-local-persecution
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#3_October_2019_%28Homeless_local_persecution%29
content:
<p>


  The local social network Nextdoor excludes homeless people, which makes
  it ideal for organizing a neighborhood <a href="https://onezero.medium.com/how-nextdoor-encourages-hate-of-the-homeless-9200475cda43">to persecute the homeless</a>.


feed_id: fd57608870978bdd0c443fc03bd0438d
title: Whales and carbon
uri: Whales-and-carbon
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#3_October_2019_%28Whales_and_carbon%29
content:
<p>


  Whales sequester <a href="https://www.nationalgeographic.com/environment/2019/09/how-much-is-a-whale-worth/">large amounts of carbon</a>.  This service may be worth
  millions of dollars per whale to humanity.


feed_id: 8b958d90d33ae79501854360609c3c5a
title: Amazon and face recognition laws
uri: Amazon-and-face-recognition-laws
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#3_October_2019_%28Amazon_and_face_recognition_laws%29

content:
<p>


  Amazon wants to <a href="https://www.vox.com/recode/2019/9/25/20884427/jeff-bezos-amazon-facial-recognition-draft-legislation-regulation-rekognition">write the laws</a> on face recognition &mdash; presumably so as not to protect our anonymity thoroughly.

<p>
  What we need is to <a href="https://gnu.org/philosophy/surveillance-vs-democracy.html">prevent it from being deployed</a> at all in many cases.


feed_id: 31974e05d9cc667572ef4eb481fdda54
title: Evoting vulnerabilities
uri: Evoting-vulnerabilities
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#3_October_2019_%28Evoting_vulnerabilities%29
content:
<p>


  Some [US] voting machines still have <a href="https://www.wired.com/story/voting-village-results-hacking-decade-old-bugs/">decade-old vulnerabilities</a>.


feed_id: 7fb2b1bbafd42e2bb7b3dd90c0273774
title: Corporations prosecution
uri: Corporations-prosecution
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#3_October_2019_%28Corporations_prosecution%29
content:
<p>


  For many years, the US Department of Justice <a href="https://www.citizen.org/article/soft-on-corporate-crime-deferred-and-non-prosecution-repeat-offender-report/">has basically ceased to
    prosecute large corporations</a>.  Instead it allows the corporations to
  plead "guilty but not subject to punishment".  Often the same
  corporation does this over and over.


feed_id: 3bb1112a4805865fa7782e9ea820b5e8
title: Sanders' wealth tax
uri: Sanders-wealth-tax
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#3_October_2019_%28Sanders%27_wealth_tax%29
content:
<p>


  Sanders proposes an annual wealth tax of around 5% on billionaires.
  That would cut their fortunes <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2019/09/24/i-dont-think-billionaires-should-exist-sanders-proposes-wealth-tax-slash-fortunes">in half in 15 years</a>.

<p>
  Eventually they would get into a lower bracket and the tax rate would
  decrease, I presume.


feed_id: 8e49a2451cd6c2f4b39f20bb7669c8c5
title: Torturer for human rights position
uri: Torturer-for-human-rights-position
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#3_October_2019_%28Torturer_for_human_rights_position%29

content:
<p>


  <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#bully">The bully</a> has nominated one of Dubya's torturers to be in charge of
  <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2019/09/24/rights-groups-urge-senate-reject-nomination-torture-advocate-marshall-billingslea">dealing with other countries about issues of human rights</a>.

<p>
  Presumably that means he will seek to abolish human rights in other
  countries.


feed_id: be68c44e7471a82461c982a729365c8f
title: Border patrols around the world
uri: Border-patrols-around-the-world
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#3_October_2019_%28Border_patrols_around_the_world%29

content:
<p>


  The US <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2019/09/24/trapped-empire-borders-american-homeland-planet">has effectively established border patrols around the world</a>
  to stop people from taking steps to get closer to reaching the US.
  


feed_id: dfb6499d897887686c7310e2d5090ace
title: Forest ranger's low hopes of seeing tree
uri: Forest-ranger-s-low-hopes-of-seeing-tree
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#4_October_2019_%28Forest_rangers_low_hopes_of_seeing_tree_%29

content:
<p>
(satire) &hellip; rookie forest ranger TJ Hayward told reporters Friday
that he was
<a href="https://local.theonion.com/rookie-forest-ranger-not-getting-hopes-up-about-seeing-1838287650">not
getting his hopes up</a> about seeing a tree on his first day of work.


feed_id: e2c3ad9346067365702eea97ab57592d
title: Australian banks and right-wing government
uri: Australian-banks-and-right-wing-government
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#4_October_2019_%28Australian_banks_and_right-wing_government%29

content:
<p>
Australian banks convinced the right-wing government to
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2019/oct/02/ira-spy-and-20-others-could-be-prosecuted-for-troubles-era-crimes">enforce
"responsible lending" laws weakly</a> and tell the borrowers that if
they don't understand the consequences of loan contracts, it's their
tough luck.


feed_id: e35b9f5ad148a84a466eb828f3a450b7
title: Big Pharma as an election issue
uri: Big-Pharma-as-an-election-issue
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#4_October_2019_%28Big_Pharma_as_an_election_issue%29

content:
<p>
Democratic candidates
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2019/09/25/you-might-be-surprised-how-far-americans-are-willing-go-overthrow-power-big-pharma">can
make themselves more "electable"</a> by aiming to curb the power of
Big Pharma.


feed_id: 9b6cd1000ef391cd2d8134afc59137eb
title: Oceans and ice caps
uri: Oceans-and-ice-caps
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#4_October_2019_%28Oceans_and_ice_caps%29
content:
<p>
Oceans and Ice Caps
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2019/09/25/oceans-and-ice-caps-be-compromised-beyond-repair-unless-we-put-end-fossil-fuels">to
be Compromised Beyond Repair</a> Unless We Put an End to Fossil Fuels
Now, Finds New IPCC Report.


feed_id: e134aca56982d2ce5b7d9a18fa4b433e
title: Making a social safety net
uri: Making-a-social-safety-net
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#4_October_2019_%28Making_a_social_safety_net%29
content:
<p>
Ocasio Cortez has
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2019/09/25/just-society-ocasio-cortez-unveils-legislative-package-tackle-american-poverty-and">proposed
new laws to make an adequate social safety net that covers
everyone</a>.
<p>
Rent control can tackle a short-term rent crisis.  However, it doesn't
solve a long-term housing shortage.  For that we need to increase the
housing supply &mdash; either by more construction, or discouraging
keeping apartments empty.


feed_id: a02baeafa59064e66bb73f9a9e0e4cd4
title: Singapore's new censorship law
uri: Singapore-s-new-censorship-law
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#3_October_2019_%28Singapores_new_censorship_law%29
content:
<p>
Singapore's new censorship law
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/oct/02/chilling-singapores-fake-news-law-comes-into-effect">will
permit government ministers to order deletion of "fake news"</a>.
<p>
The bullshitter wants that power, and you can imagine what he would do
with it.  Singapore's ministers are not bullshitters; their lies are
consistent.  Their repression may be sober and predictable, but it
will still be repression.


feed_id: b5bee526e03ed85fcc351b7e0a3d7f63
title: Melting glaciers and rockfalls
uri: Melting-glaciers-and-rockfalls
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#3_October_2019_%28Melting_glaciers_and_rockfalls%29
content:
<p>
Melting glaciers
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/oct/02/things-are-getting-unstable-global-heating-and-the-rise-of-rockfalls-in-swiss-alps">put
alpine villages in danger</a> from falling rocks.


feed_id: 5dafac46169b9f8e69292209c5535396
title: Fusion center tracks activists
uri: Fusion-center-tracks-activists
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#3_October_2019_%28Fusion_center_tracks_activists%29
content:
<p>
The Oregon Titan Fusion Center was established to stop terrorists, but
it
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2019/oct/02/oregon-pipelines-protests-monitoring-police-anti-terror-unit">helped
track environmental activists</a>.
<p>
Such mission creep is easy, and when big oil asks right-wing <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thugs</a> to
help crush protesters, they will tend to give help.  We must make sure
they don't have the opportunity.


feed_id: 3b95b5197895695eb14f3ee81e9ba3af
title: Federation of Sunnis and Kurds
uri: Federation-of-Sunnis-and-Kurds
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#3_October_2019_%28Federation_of_Sunnis_and_Kurds%29
content:
<p>
Sunnis have federated with Kurds to
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/oct/02/we-deserve-support-reinvented-north-east-syria-strives-for-stability">make
a common state in Northeast Syria</a>.
<p>
I hope that they respect human rights and democracy more than any
government in Syria ever has, but it is important to check that.
<p>
Northeast Syria
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/oct/02/foreign-isis-fighters-in-syria-should-face-war-crimes-tribunal">calls
for an international war crimes tribunal</a> to try the supporters of
<a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#pissi">PISSI</a>.


feed_id: 7cd92ec4b9a6e632b4704402867b9fb7
title: Banks and identity theft responsibility
uri: Banks-and-identity-theft-responsibility
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#4_October_2019_%28Banks_and_identity_theft_responsibility%29

content:
<p>


"I was scammed by a fraud so ingenious even bank staff were fooled."

<p>
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/money/2019/oct/03/fraud-metro-bank">Source</a>

<p>
If the bank staff are fooled by the fraud, the bank should have to make
good the loss.

<p>
That's how it used to be.  It was the bank's responsibility to detect
and stop fraud, not the customer's.  If the bank failed to do this,
the loss was to the bank.

<p>
With internet banking, banks redefined this.  Instead of "fraud
against the bank", they decided to call it "identity theft", a crime
against the customer.  Which means that the customer loses the money
instead of the bank.

<p>
This is one reason I don't do internet banking.  The other reason is
that I would have to run nonfree Javascript code.


feed_id: 9834edcc76865c2c2e3dbba4189354d8
title: Urgent: support popular vote
uri: Urgent-support-popular-vote
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#4_October_2019_%28Urgent%3A_support_popular_vote%29
content:
<p>


US citizens: <a href="https://actionnetwork.org/petitions/sign-now-end-the-electoral-college?nowrapper=true&referrer=&source=email-empty-pieces-of-land-dont-vote-people-do">support</a> the National Popular Vote Compact to elect the president by national popular vote.

<p>
If you sign, please spread the word!


feed_id: cfcaf6959f036aca910e4fa29d220798
title: Killed for sitting
uri: Killed-for-sitting
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#4_October_2019_%28Killed_for_sitting%29
content:
<p>


The thugs that shot and killed unarmed black man Stephon Clark <a href="https://boingboing.net/2019/09/27/breakdown-of-how-sacramento-po.html">will not face charges</a>.

<p>
However, Amber Guyger <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2019/oct/02/amber-guyger-sentenced-prison-murder-botham-jean">was sentenced to 10 years in prison</a> for killing Botham Jean.

<p>
I don't think merely finding a man in what you believe is your
apartment excuses killing him, if he is only sitting on the couch
watching TV and eating ice cream.


feed_id: e535040e9ef762e735ef7c45af53b5de
title: Refugees DNA sampling for surveillance
uri: Refugees-DNA-sampling-for-surveillance
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#4_October_2019_%28Refugees_DNA_sampling_for_surveillance%29

content:
<p>


When the <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#bully">bully</a> ordered border thugs to take DNA samples from refugees,
supposedly that was in order to reunite families after first
separating them.  That made no sense as a reason.  Now it is overt:
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2019/oct/02/us-immigration-border-dna-trump-administration">surveillance as such is the purpose</a>.

<p>
DNA samples did not make sense for reuniting families because (1) the people
in a family are not necessarily biologically related, and (2) there are much
easier ways to do it.


feed_id: 9154147cd1045cf099f937e53835fdef
title: Urgent: impeach
uri: Urgent-impeach
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#4_October_2019_%28Urgent%3A_impeach%29
content:
<p>


US citizens: phone your congresscritter and say, <a href="https://act.credoaction.com/call/time-to-impeach/?t=1002&akid=34310%2E1183552%2EWbr9Jd">"Impeach the conman now."</a>

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


feed_id: d63780cbf8b5679312c3a1660e23a6cc
title: Polluter revenge
uri: Polluter-revenge
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#4_October_2019_%28Polluter_revenge%29
content:
<p>


Human rights lawyer Steven Donziger won the lawsuit against Chevron
for polluting part of Ecuador, so Chevron <a href="https://amazonwatch.org/news/2019/1001-chevrons-legal-thuggery-run-amok">has destroyed his life with an unfair trial</a>, apparently rigged by the judge.


feed_id: 237dc68b1fa92b5fd3afb5a0801dca34
title: Harvard preferences
uri: Harvard-preferences
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#4_October_2019_%28Harvard_preferences%29
content:
<p>


43% of the white students admitted to Harvard College <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/education/2019/oct/01/harvard-admissions-process-white-privilege">were given a
special preference</a>, often for being an athlete or the child of an
alum, a faculty member, or a donor.  Most of those would not have been
admitted without without the preference.

<p>
Racial wealth inequality ensures that few black applicants have any of
those preferences, except perhaps being athletes.


feed_id: 64e89d4b4ed8bfc7b9169efd7a4ab7c3
title: Australia coasts and CO2
uri: Australia-coasts-and-CO2
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#4_October_2019_%28Australia_coasts_and_CO2%29
content:
<p>


Despite 'enormous potential' as carbon sink, Australia's damaged coastal
ecosystems <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2019/10/01/despite-enormous-potential-carbon-sink-australias-damaged-coastal-ecosystems-spewing">spewing millions of tons of CO2</a>.


feed_id: dbfe8e312219ce56ed4bb7765b78a6dd
title: Kindness in discourse
uri: Kindness-in-discourse
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#4_October_2019_%28Kindness_in_discourse%29
content:
<p>


"The language of violence and outrage is dominating our discourse. To
   defeat it, we must learn not to respond in kind."

<p>
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/oct/03/demagogues-fury-violence-outrage-discourse">Source</a>

<p>
Perhaps we need to adopt the <a href="https://gnu.org/philosophy/kind-communication.html">GNU Kind Communication Guidelines</a> for political discussions.


feed_id: 7df38b33e8add7e2ca4981f5d17a1034
title: Pedestrians deaths
uri: Pedestrians-deaths
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#4_October_2019_%28Pedestrians_deaths%29
content:
<p>


The number of pedestrians killed (and the number injured) by car
collisions in the US <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2019/oct/03/collision-course-pedestrian-deaths-rising-driverless-cars">increases every year</a>.  It is not clear why.

<p>
The first step in understanding this issue might be to report
on the number of pedestrians killed per pedestrian mile walked.

<p>
Driverless cars with nonfree software, and driverless taxis, may not
kill additional people through collisions, but the increased political
repression that they facilitate could easily kill protesters and
whistleblowers.  Simply repressing protesters and whistleblowers could
pave the way for policies that will kill millions of non-rich people.


feed_id: 2dc230fdca1b740f2fe37a7304570059
title: Repressing protesters in Australia
uri: Repressing-protesters-in-Australia
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#4_October_2019_%28Repressing_protesters_in_Australia%29

content:
<p>


Australia's minister of cruelty and suffering usually crushes refugees
who are sick, but now <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2019/oct/03/peter-dutton-accused-dictator-urging-welfare-cuts-protesters">he wants to repress protesters too</a>.


feed_id: 16f4c37952d956d476dad6cdd24b5827
title: Cover their victims
uri: Cover-their-victims
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#4_October_2019_%28Cover_their_victims%29
content:
<p>


Instead of covering right-wing extremists and what they say or do, 
which gives them opportunities to sabotage discourse, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/oct/03/ok-sign-gesture-emoji-rightwing-alt-right">cover their victims</a>.


feed_id: b75e918711c900a3f40f545b569b6f06
title: War on science
uri: 2019-10-04-War-on-science
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#4_October_2019_%28War_on_science%29
content:
<p>


[The saboteur's] War on Science Has Hit 'Crisis Point', <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/science/2019/oct/03/science-trump-administration-crisis-point-report">Experts Warn</a>.


feed_id: fdac76909e7de1bc5e1c2050dabf1218
title: Peace with nuclear North Korea
uri: Peace-with-nuclear-North-Korea
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#4_October_2019_%28Peace_with_nuclear_North_Korea%29
content:
<p>


<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/oct/03/of-great-significance-north-korea-hails-submarine-launch-of-ballistic-missile">North Korea claims</a> to have launched a ballistic missile from a submarine.  This makes North Korea a real nuclear threat.

<p>
There is nothing the US can safely do to change this; we must simply
accept this.  Attempting to eliminate North Korea's nuclear weapons
and missiles with a military attack would court disaster, since anything
other than total success would likely result in a nuclear war.

<p>
It is possible for two nuclear powers to remain at peace.

<p>
I am surprised that North Korea, an impoverished country,
has been able to make so much progress in missiles.
Has it been receiving continuing help?


feed_id: 7057bd989076f730d8a6ba006676e597
title: Caligula
uri: Caligula
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#4_October_2019_%28Caligula%29
content:
<p>


<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2019/oct/02/trump-impeachment-meltdown-niinisto">The infant had a tantrum about impeachment</a> while hosting Finland's president for a joint press conference.  Everyone there was bullied to pretend it was normal.

<p>
Pundits talk about the "imperial presidency" &mdash; this is the presidency
of Caligula.


feed_id: c95ece25d7fcea7572bf033cb93be7e6
title: Home median price
uri: Home-median-price
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#4_October_2019_%28Home_median_price%29
content:
<p>


In most of the US, a worker of average salary can't afford to <a href="https://www.marketwatch.com/story/there-are-precious-few-places-in-america-where-the-average-worker-can-afford-a-median-priced-home-2019-09-26">buy a home with the median price</a>.  And things are getting worse.

<p>
Use of the average (mean) to compute the salary to compare
tends to understate the problem, since the median wage is likely
to be lower than the mean wage.

<p>
A significant factor is that new jobs in the US are concentrated
in a few very successful cities.


feed_id: df0a092127b743744a251ae1967575ec
title: Thugs killing protesters in Iraq
uri: Thugs-killing-protesters-in-Iraq
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#4_October_2019_%28Thugs_killing_protesters_in_Iraq%29

content:
<p>
Iraqis are protesting against unemployment and corruption, and
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/oct/02/at-least-seven-killed-as-iraqi-security-forces-fire-on-protesters">thugs
are killing protesters</a>.


feed_id: 2d71d6910c03ec2c36b8fad97e7c6144
title: Benefits of organic cotton
uri: Benefits-of-organic-cotton
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#4_October_2019_%28Benefits_of_organic_cotton%29
content:
<p>
Organic cotton
<a href="media/729cb53f.Textile-Exchange_Quick-Guide-To-Organic-Cotton_2017.pdf" data-original-source="https://textileexchange.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/Textile-Exchange_Quick-Guide-To-Organic-Cotton_2017.pdf">reduces
global heating and uses much less water</a> than conventional growing
of cotton.


feed_id: d6e3d4bc25d7c33cd3abf51bd2e95bc5
title: Single-use packaging
uri: Single-use-packaging
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#4_October_2019_%28Single-use_packaging%29
content:
<p>
Industrial proposals for recycling single-use packaging have big
flaws.  The are
<a href="media/72ea1ff7.owing-away-the-future-false-solutions-plastic-pollution-2019.pdf" data-original-source="https://www.greenpeace.org/usa/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/report-throwing-away-the-future-false-solutions-plastic-pollution-2019.pdf">not
sustainable for the long term</a>.  We need to move to repeated-use
packaging.


feed_id: 3065abfbc9b0961db83c6359aa01673b
title: Unsustainable levels of tuna fishing
uri: Unsustainable-levels-of-tuna-fishing
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#4_October_2019_%28Unsustainable_levels_of_tuna_fishing%29

content:
<p>
Booming Demand
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/oct/03/booming-demand-for-tuna-driving-unsustainable-level-of-fishing-report">Could
Drive Tuna to Extinction</a>, Researchers Find.


feed_id: 1d9c568aaa92ba6659e136fbcb4e5e2b
title: Targeting of civilians in war in Yemen
uri: Targeting-of-civilians-in-war-in-Yemen
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#4_October_2019_%28Targeting_of_civilians_in_war_in_Yemen%29

content:
<p>
Saudi-Led Forces Have Deliberately Targeted Civilians Since the War's
Early Days &mdash; And
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/oct/03/yemen-airstrikes-saudi-arabia-mbs-us">US
Officials Have Done Little to Stop It</a>.


feed_id: a60809e788026ff88f06a1ecf5ad310e
title: Abuse of US government secrecy
uri: Abuse-of-US-government-secrecy
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#4_October_2019_%28Abuse_of_US_government_secrecy%29
content:
<p>
US government secrecy is abused so badly that
<a href="https://theintercept.com/2019/10/03/impeachment-government-classification-system/">even
a "Merry Christmas" message can be labeled "top secret"</a>.
<p>
Perhaps the sender did not want it known that perse was celebrating
Christmas rather than Grav-mass like everyone else.


feed_id: a3a3bbbde89016b064373481f7e08174
title: Plummeting IRS audit rates of rich people
uri: Plummeting-IRS-audit-rates-of-rich-people
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#4_October_2019_%28Plummeting_IRS_audit_rates_of_rich_people%29

content:
<p>
Auditing the taxes of rich people costs the IRS so much that
<a href="https://www.propublica.org/article/irs-sorry-but-its-just-easier-and-cheaper-to-audit-the-poor">now
it audits them no more often than poor people</a>.


feed_id: 48cae6a671e871fc9ac815870a462ae8
title: Plan to tax excessive lobbying
uri: Plan-to-tax-excessive-lobbying
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#4_October_2019_%28Plan_to_tax_excessive_lobbying%29
content:
<p>
Senator Warren's
<a href="https://medium.com/@teamwarren/excessive-lobbying-tax-fca7cc86a7e5">plan
to stop lobbyists from swarming and tying up regulatory agencies</a>.
<p>
This could be helpful provided the officials in the agencies are not
corrupted, either in advance or by the promise of the revolving door.


feed_id: 3fe2a8fec6ad12f9b077ad2249adc949
title: Apple bans app used by HK protesters
uri: Apple-bans-app-used-by-HK-protesters
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#4_October_2019_%28Apple_bans_app_used_by_HK_protesters%29

content:
<p>
Apple has
<a href="https://www.theregister.co.uk/2019/10/02/apple_hong_kong/">banned
the app that Hong Kong protesters use to communicate</a>.
<p>
It cited a bizarre excuse, but the real reason is surely,
"China ordered us to ban it."


feed_id: b3752e63e31428e45942c8beae10323c
title: EU adopts weak right-to-repair law
uri: EU-adopts-weak-right-to-repair-law
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#4_October_2019_%28EU_adopts_weak_right-to-repair_law%29

content:
<p>
The European Union has adopted a weak right-to-repair law which
<a href="https://boingboing.net/2019/10/01/u-fix-it.html">doesn't
include your own right to repair your property</a>.  Still, it is a
step forward.


feed_id: c5bfae8a4650f680fc89d6e00a152806
title: Stock buybacks
uri: 2019-10-05-Stock-buybacks
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#4_October_2019_%28Stock_buybacks%29
content:
<p>
When the SEC allowed corporations to buy back stock, it
<a href="https://boingboing.net/2019/10/01/financial-vampires.html">gave
the stockholders a way to drain the corporations</a>.  As a side
effect, it put US corporations on the road to failure in the market.


feed_id: 3d5a4f8c769f88bbc5397a3184c3ff03
title: Global droughts threaten wheat harvest
uri: Global-droughts-threaten-wheat-harvest
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#4_October_2019_%28Global_droughts_threaten_wheat_harvest%29

content:
<p>
With 2C of global heating, global droughts
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2019/09/26/new-research-warns-severe-climate-related-droughts-could-threaten-60-global-wheat">could
wipe out 60% of the world's wheat harvest</a> in some years.


feed_id: 5cc36f224870e50083727e6839d03fc4
title: Evidence from torture
uri: Evidence-from-torture
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#5_October_2019_%28Evidence_from_torture%29
content:
<p>
Ahmed Abu Ali was convicted in the US based on <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2019/10/03/rights-attorneys-ask-court-vacate-2006-conviction-and-lwop-sentence-after">evidence obtained by Salafi Arabia's torturers</a>.  (They testified that they did not torture him.)


feed_id: 27061bc93f86af58920127775c5eb2cb
title: No outside thoughts allowed
uri: No-outside-thoughts-allowed
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#5_October_2019_%28No_outside_thoughts_allowed%29
content:
<p>
(satire) &hellip; Amazon reportedly <a href="https://www.theonion.com/amazon-issues-reminder-to-employees-about-bringing-in-o-1838712777">issued a reminder</a> Wednesday that
   the company expressly forbids bringing outside thoughts into the
   workplace.


feed_id: 784f95077c74d47ee1717a5bf5610182
title: Reviving democracy
uri: Reviving-democracy
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#5_October_2019_%28Reviving_democracy%29
content:
<p>
"Democracies will only begin to revive when we reverse the Reagan
   Revolution and return to the classical economic and political systems
   that existed in the Western world before the neoliberal 1980s."

<p>
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2019/10/02/if-we-want-us-democracy-back-we-must-undo-attack-middle-class-launched-reagan">Source</a>

<p>
If all "democracy" gets you is what trickles down from plutocrats'
excreta, it isn't functioning properly.


feed_id: f7042b0d224a7bc54f0cd66938a78f64
title: Access to abortion in Ireland
uri: Access-to-abortion-in-Ireland
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#5_October_2019_%28Access_to_abortion_in_Ireland%29
content:
<p>
Ireland has legalized abortion, but antiabortionists are making it
difficult to get an abortion.  Women <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2019/oct/03/why-irelands-battle-over-abortion-is-far-from-over-anti-abortionists">have resumed the campaign</a> to make abortion accessible.


feed_id: ec76a159ed19aa7a41f9aad336af202d
title: Public banks
uri: 2019-10-05-Public-banks
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#5_October_2019_%28Public_banks%29
content:
<p>
California <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2019/10/03/stunning-rebuke-predatory-wall-street-megabanks-california-gov-signs-law-allowing">has legalized public banks</a>, so that cities don't have to enrich private banks holding their funds.


feed_id: 93d881cd8ee72c3489cab026637372f4
title: Support whistleblowers
uri: Support-whistleblowers
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#5_October_2019_%28Support_whistleblowers%29
content:
<p>
Snowden <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2019/10/02/unbelievable-snowden-calls-out-media-failing-press-us-politicians-inconsistent">calls on the mainstream media</a> to support whistleblowers that inform the public, such as Daniel Hale who is being prosecuted for publishing right now.


feed_id: 70159b7745bd3170d60402997cb1c10b
title: Purdue and small farms
uri: Purdue-and-small-farms
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#5_October_2019_%28Purdue_and_small_farms%29
content:
<p>
Saboteur of Agriculture Purdue told the owners of small farms <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2019/10/02/unacceptable-family-farms-ag-advocates-hit-back-after-sec-perdue-says-small-dairy">to drop dead</a>.


feed_id: de99343a1b1cc5a0b112ad17b909df20
title: Energetic recall campaign in Alaska
uri: Energetic-recall-campaign-in-Alaska
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#5_October_2019_%28Energetic_recall_campaign_in_Alaska%29

content:
<p>
Alaska Governor Dunleavy faces <a href="https://www.exposedbycmd.org/2019/10/03/backlash-against-koch-agenda-leads-recall-drive-against-alaska-governor/">an energetic recall campaign</a> after he made
sweeping cuts on spending that helps the non-rich.  The cuts were advised by the Koch brothers' lobbying organization.


feed_id: e00faa1700f462d675d779056b32282a
title: Fossil fuels subsidies in Equator
uri: Fossil-fuels-subsidies-in-Equator
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#5_October_2019_%28Fossil_fuels_subsidies_in_Equator%29

content:
<p>
Ecuador is paralyzed by protests over <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/oct/03/ecuador-state-of-emergency-fuel-subsidies-protest">an end to fuel subsidies</a>.

<p>
Subsidies for fossil fuels boost the consumption of fossil fuels,
just as taxes on them reduce consumption.  Thus, it is vitally
important to eliminate all subsidies to fossil fuels, whether
at the retail level, the extraction level, or the transport level.

<p>
However, for poor people this is not merely an incentive to conserve,
it can ruin them immediately.  Therefore, it is important to protect
the poor from this effect.  One way is to distribute the subsidy money
to the poor in some other way.  It can also help to taper off the
subsidy rather than cut it abruptly.

<p>
Why did Ecuador do it the cruel way?  The answer is two acronyms long:
"US, IMF".  President Moreno accepted US dominion, the US pushed
Ecuador to surrender to the IMF, and the IMF aims (as usual) to crush
the poor.


feed_id: 6cea1e0f37493418f92ae37b3929cf7e
title: Endorsing murder in Brazil
uri: Endorsing-murder-in-Brazil
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#5_October_2019_%28Endorsing_murder_in_Brazil%29
content:
<p>

Bolsonaro is <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/oct/03/jair-bolsonaro-photo-marielle-franco-murder-accused">endorsing murder of opposition politicians</a> by being
photographed with people accused of murdering Marielle Franco.


feed_id: 2a60ae3c24df8fbb571ae5a823f074bb
title: Bird extinction
uri: Bird-extinction
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#5_October_2019_%28Bird_extinction%29
content:
<p>
Half the bird species in the UK are <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/oct/03/populations-of-uks-most-important-wildlife-have-plummeted-since-1970">heading towards extinction</a>.

<p>
Mammal species are doing a bit better, as only a quarter are at risk.
That will increase in a few decades as <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#global heating">global heating</a> speeds up.


feed_id: 3be5a0d7bd28d85e451c6d4bb17db27e
title: Forcing hand on Ukraine
uri: Forcing-hand-on-Ukraine
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#5_October_2019_%28Forcing_hand_on_Ukraine%29
content:
<p>
US officials told Ukraine's President Zelenskiy in writing that to get
US civilian aid he would have to <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2019/oct/04/us-diplomats-told-zelenskiy-ukraine-trump-visit-was-dependent-on-biden-statement-text-investigation">publicly call for an investigation of Hunter Biden</a>.  They even sent him words he was supposed to say to the public.

<p>
Ukrainian officials were uncomfortable with this corrupt deal.  They
did not like being a tool for dishonest US domestic politics.  I
suspect that the <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#bully">bully</a> had a feeling Ukraine would not go through with
it and that he canceled US military aid to increase the pressure.  But
this backfired.


feed_id: 6644ef305327e6e773618b886e9a52ec
title: Lula's exoneration
uri: Lula-s-exoneration
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#5_October_2019_%28Lula%27s_exoneration%29
content:
<p>
Now that Lula's trial has been exposed as corrupt, prosecutors want to
release him from prison while letting his conviction stand.  Lula
<a href="https://theintercept.com/2019/10/04/fearful-of-lulas-exoneration-his-once-fanatical-prosecutors-request-his-release-from-prison-but-lula-refuses/">insists on exoneration</a>, which would allow him to run for office again.

<p>
The real question is, how to get rid of ecocidal president Bolsonaro
and allow Lula to assume the office he would surely have won if not
for the unfair trial against him.


feed_id: 460f510512102defb0882af34ac916eb
title: Tyranny in India
uri: Tyranny-in-India
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#5_October_2019_%28Tyranny_in_India%29
content:
<p>
The Silencing of Kashmir: Arundhati Roy on <a href="https://theintercept.com/2019/10/03/deconstructed-podcast-kashmir-india-arundhati-roy/">India, Modi, and Fascism</a>.

<p>
The repression of Kashmir has continued so long that we cannot
consider it a momentary action.  It is a lasting military occupation.

<p>
India used to be a democracy, with some problems.  Now it is being
rapidly modi-fied into outright repressive tyranny.


feed_id: 829e41ba71594d6226d897af5522e161
title: Life expectation in Philippines' jails
uri: Life-expectation-in-Philippines-jails
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#5_October_2019_%28Life_expectation_in_Philippines%27_jails%29

content:
<p>
Imprisonment in Bilibid jail is effectively a death sentence: a
prisoner's half-life <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/oct/04/we-dont-need-the-death-penalty-20-of-inmates-die-each-year-in-philippines-jail">is just three years</a>.


feed_id: bca6a89b286192a4ecea8a80a0dcce09
title: Urgent: no funds for phony clinics
uri: Urgent-no-funds-for-phony-clinics
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#5_October_2019_%28Urgent%3A_no_funds_for_phony_clinics%29

content:
<p>
US citizens: call on Congress to prevent <a href="https://actionnetwork.org/petitions/sign-the-petition-congress-must-stop-hhs-from-awarding-title-x-funds-to-obria-and-other-anti-birth-control-anti-abortion-fake-centers?nowrapper=true">awarding Title X funds to phony clinics that mislead women</a>.


feed_id: e3f88c747846ae7f2bf5696bf0f09509
title: Curfew in Hong Kong
uri: Curfew-in-Hong-Kong
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#5_October_2019_%28Curfew_in_Hong_Kong%29
content:
<p>

After one repressive measure in Hong Kong (banning face masks), <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/oct/04/hong-kong-leader-threatens-harsher-crackdown-under-emergency-law">Lam threatens a curfew next</a>.

<p>
Hong Kong elections are rigged, a sham, so delaying one would be no
loss.


feed_id: 4f853e13e44df083a54a936fa8f6b19a
title: Life sentence for symbolic damage
uri: Life-sentence-for-symbolic-damage
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#5_October_2019_%28Life_sentence_for_symbolic_damage%29

content:
<p>

Two pipeline protesters being prosecuted for symbolic damage to the
Dakota Access pipeline face being imprisoned <a href="https://theintercept.com/2019/10/04/dakota-access-pipeline-sabotage/">longer than they are likely to live</a>. 


feed_id: a7089f3df6d4c39459476cebf0a824f1
title: Abuse of US government secrecy
uri: 2019-10-05-Abuse-of-US-government-secrecy
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#4_October_2019_%28Abuse_of_US_government_secrecy%29
content:
<p>
US government secrecy is abused so badly that
<a href="https://theintercept.com/2019/10/03/impeachment-government-classification-system/">even
a "Merry Christmas" message can be labeled "top secret"</a>.
<p>
Perhaps the sender did not want it known that <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#perse">perse</a> was celebrating
Christmas rather than Grav-mass like everyone else.


feed_id: ce803deb9ea2cec650227ca81a8b7f64
title: Global droughts threaten wheat harvest
uri: 2019-10-05-Global-droughts-threaten-wheat-harvest
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#4_October_2019_%28Global_droughts_threaten_wheat_harvest%29

content:
<p>
With 2C of <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#global heating">global heating</a>, global droughts
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2019/09/26/new-research-warns-severe-climate-related-droughts-could-threaten-60-global-wheat">could
wipe out 60% of the world's wheat harvest</a> in some years.


feed_id: 7041ead5826fb8d51efd5b18ade264e0
title: Preemptive arrests
uri: Preemptive-arrests
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#6_October_2019_%28Preemptive_arrests%29
content:
<p>
London thugs <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/oct/05/london-police-arrest-extinction-rebellion-activists-in-advance-of-environment-protest">preemptively arrested</a> suspected Extinction Rebellion protesters preparing for another nonviolent action.


feed_id: a444d3eec2717bbe3baa544ecf96efea
title: Carcinogenic chemicals in firefighting
uri: Carcinogenic-chemicals-in-firefighting
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#6_October_2019_%28Carcinogenic_chemicals_in_firefighting%29

content:
<p>
One after another, the chemicals used to fight fires <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2019/10/04/un-expert-committee-recommends-global-elimination-toxic-chemical-harming-health">are being found carcinogenic</a>.

<p>
Will we have any acceptable way to put out fires when water won't do it?


feed_id: 6f7911077b206e9c1d5345640818df62
title: Permafrost melting and agriculture
uri: Permafrost-melting-and-agriculture
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#6_October_2019_%28Permafrost_melting_and_agriculture%29

content:
<p>
As permafrost melts in Siberia, <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2019/10/04/report-shows-stunning-and-dramatic-scenes-thawing-permafrost-siberia-leaves-millions">it ruins the land for agriculture</a>.  That is a big problem for local people.  At the same time, it contributes
massively to <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#global heating">global heating</a> in a giant positive feedback loop.


feed_id: 5bc8c3b79de57ec95fe260c6bcbcc336
title: Pseudo-discovery
uri: Pseudo-discovery
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#6_October_2019_%28Pseudo-discovery%29
content:
<p>
(satire) the nation’s top pseudo-scientists <a href="https://www.theonion.com/nation-s-top-pseudoscientists-harness-high-energy-quart-1838786998">announced Friday</a> that they had harnessed a high-energy quartz crystal capable of reversing the effects of being a Gemini.


feed_id: 1648aeb0f2b3e85c296e93241a6c89b7
title: Sniper's targets
uri: Sniper-s-targets
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#6_October_2019_%28Sniper%27s_targets%29
content:
<p>
"Almost all the nearly 10,000 persons shot by live fire by Israeli
professional snipers have been unarmed civilians posing no threat to
anyone."

<p>
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2019/10/04/us-press-horrified-trumps-shoot-migrants-legs-ignores-what-israeli-snipers-do">Source</a>

<p>
The heartless president wants the US to do the same thing to people crossing
the border.


feed_id: f4a39b5d6f3f69c883e3c7b2d5b9e66b
title: Trump gifts
uri: Trump-gifts
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#6_October_2019_%28Trump_gifts%29
content:
<p>
(satire) Trump furiously <a href="https://politics.theonion.com/trump-furiously-searching-raytheon-catalog-for-gift-aft-1838786104">searching Raytheon catalog</a> for gift after realizing he promised China And Ukraine same Javelin missile.


feed_id: 47cf681f1d2a2715178b8cfb458f95f5
title: Medicare profiteers
uri: Medicare-profiteers
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#6_October_2019_%28Medicare_profiteers%29
content:
<p>
Many for-profit "Medicare advantage" medical plans, which add to the
coverage Medicare itself provides, <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2019/10/04/watch-out-seniors-trump-just-launched-stealth-attack-medicare">have been cheating their customers</a>.
<a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#saboteur">Saboteur</a> officials want to help and encourage them.


feed_id: 67473e99b2188ce9b9cdfa0593a7c479
title: Pence and Ukraine
uri: Pence-and-Ukraine
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#6_October_2019_%28Pence_and_Ukraine%29
content:
<p>
Pence <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2019/10/04/house-dems-take-aim-pence-role-ukraine-scandal-impeachment-inquiry-continues">was directly involved</a> in shaking down Zelensky.


feed_id: adf5667ff73b1a02f341b91159fe6dbb
title: Wealth migration
uri: Wealth-migration
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#6_October_2019_%28Wealth_migration%29
content:
<p>
The bully <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2019/10/05/another-economic-and-racist-attack-trump-moves-bar-immigrants-who-cant-afford-costly">wants to limit</a> immigration to the US to wealthy people only.

<p>
Medicare for all would save so much of our medical costs
that we could afford to cover immigrants.


feed_id: 935e0f206bc7de9a925be24a40955469
title: Victims deportation
uri: Victims-deportation
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#6_October_2019_%28Victims_deportation%29
content:
<p>
London <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thugs</a> agreed to stop the practice of reporting crime victims for
deportation, but <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2019/oct/05/met-police-crime-victims-data-crime-immigration-home-office">they are desperate to resume</a>.

<p>
That practice threatens public safety for everyone: it makes people
in the group least likely to commit violent crime afraid to report it
or testify about it.

<p>
I think Corbyn would put an end to it for good and all.


feed_id: 55e5fff508f99938f4692f50f5a588ab
title: Plutocrat funding
uri: Plutocrat-funding
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#6_October_2019_%28Plutocrat_funding%29
content:
<p>
Serving the rich is not as useful for presidential candidates as it
used to be.  Sanders <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2019/10/04/despite-big-money-events-joe-biden-raises-10-million-less-third-quarter-small-donor">raised almost 1.7 times as much money</a>, from small donations alone, as Biden got from plutocrats.


feed_id: 309115d7c21142d4abcf2be84eb53e4b
title: Prohibiting customers anonymity
uri: Prohibiting-customers-anonymity
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#6_October_2019_%28Prohibiting_customers_anonymity%29

content:
<p>
Some large US movie theater chains <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/film/2019/sep/27/us-cinemas-ban-masks-and-costumes-at-joker-screenings">have prohibited</a> customers from
covering their faces if they go to watch one particular movie.

<p>
The important issue here <a href="https://gnu.org/philosophy/surveillance-vs-democracy.html">is anonymity</a>.  Do those theaters save pictures of their customers?  Do they save those pictures permanently?  Do they make those pictures available to any other entity, even when no crime is reported?


feed_id: 8723a088d4f03f721cb77bd1d93a9463
title: Thanks whistleblowers
uri: Thanks-whistleblowers
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#6_October_2019_%28Thanks_whistleblowers%29
content:
<p>
Let's be grateful to <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2019/09/27/trumps-ukraine-scandal-shows-why-whistleblowers-are-so-vital-democracy">the various whistleblowers that informed us about Trump's attempt to shake down the president of Ukraine</a>.


feed_id: 214a7ace77930c0f18df60eff18c2891
title: Foreign interfering
uri: Foreign-interfering
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#6_October_2019_%28Foreign_interfering%29
content:
<p>
"Imagine if the CIA were asked to bring down the government of Australia."

<p>
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2019/10/04/after-us-senator-asks-public-imagine-cia-interfering-foreign-elections-historians">Source</a>

<p>
This is not hard to imagine, since it did just that in 1975.


feed_id: a8a080e8e12b1532f4a8d39e7ab91cea
title: Visiting Iran
uri: Visiting-Iran
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#6_October_2019_%28Visiting_Iran%29
content:
<p>
Two of three Australian visitors recently imprisoned in Iran have been
freed.  The third <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2019/oct/05/australian-and-british-bloggers-jolie-king-and-mark-firkin-released-in-iran">has been sentenced to 10 years in prison</a>.

<p>
I give roughly the same advice as the Australian government about
visiting Iran: "reconsider your need to travel", and stay away.


feed_id: af2fafdb0b696f28abeeb1debfb01ad6
title: Urgent: Stop investing in prison profiteering
uri: Urgent-Stop-investing-in-prison-profiteering
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#6_October_2019_%28Urgent%3A_Stop_investing_in_prison_profiteering%29

content:
<p>
US citizens: 
<a href="https://act.colorofchange.org/sign/end_prison_profiteering/">call
on funds</a> to stop investing in prison profiteering.


feed_id: 8b93bbe92f3558b9ec92766d2cb4bbf1
title: Urgent: No Taxpayer-Funded Stays at Trump Properties
uri: Urgent-No-Taxpayer-Funded-Stays-at-Trump-Properties
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#6_October_2019_%28Urgent%3A_No_Taxpayer-Funded_Stays_at_Trump_Properties%29

content:
<p>
US citizens: 
<a href="https://act.winwithoutwar.org/act/no-taxpayer-funded-stays-trump-hotels">call
on Congress</a> to pass the No Taxpayer-Funded Stays at Trump
Properties amendment.
<p>
If you sign, please spread the word!


feed_id: 2fb5b1fb46ab48a1c6760445f261b122
title: Urgent: No face recognition at music festivals
uri: Urgent-No-face-recognition-at-music-festivals
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#6_October_2019_%28Urgent%3A_No_face_recognition_at_music_festivals%29

content:
<p>
US citizens: 
<a href="https://www.banfacialrecognition.com/festivals/">call on
music festivals</a> not to use face recognition.
<p>
The site also indicates what various festivals say they will do about
this.
<p>
If you sign, please spread the word!


feed_id: 8cb5497c100a59af51aed01414bc7929
title: Microplastics in SF Bay
uri: Microplastics-in-SF-Bay
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#6_October_2019_%28Microplastics_in_SF_Bay%29
content:
<p>
San Francisco Bay has an 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/oct/04/san-francisco-microplastics-study-bay">especially
high concentration</a> of microplastics.


feed_id: 04c6b9445f93332ae68ca7e030ebf92b
title: More capabilities, fewer results
uri: More-capabilities-fewer-results
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#6_October_2019_%28More_capabilities%2C_fewer_results%29

content:
<p>
Ralph Nader presents a 
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2019/10/04/shame-nation-1-rules-and-99-lets-them">series
of ironic contrasts between increased raw capabilities and decreased
actual results</a>.
<p>
In some cases, there may be an ironic causal relationship.  The
difficulty of getting through to people personally could be due to the
larger number of people that could try to reach them.  The increase in
exercise opportunities may be the result of increased obesity.  The
increase in numbers of hungry Americans could be partly due to the
increased international trade in food.


feed_id: d5e38d3e616e6f2f5d31d2682f473c75
title: State Department warped by the corrupter
uri: State-Department-warped-by-the-corrupter
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#6_October_2019_%28State_Department_warped_by_the_corrupter%29

content:
<p>
Ukraine Texts Show How [the corrupter] Has Warped the State Department &hellip;
into 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2019/oct/04/ukraine-trump-texts-state-department">serving
him personally rather than government policies</a>.
<p>
Government policies can be evil and unjust in other ways, but
inserting personal corruption is no remedy for that &mdash; it only
adds another level of evil.


feed_id: 8305f875aa9d97b3c784a3852337174b
title: Urgent: Oppose troll's mortgage plan
uri: Urgent-Oppose-troll-s-mortgage-plan
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#7_October_2019_%28Urgent%3A_Oppose_trolls_mortgage_plan%29

content:
<p>
US citizens:
<a href="https://act.credoaction.com/sign/trump-mortgage-gses">oppose</a>
plans to re-privatize two large government-controlled home mortgage
lending companies.


feed_id: 7abeb0fdb4746250955bf4fc9953b65b
title: Traitor rhetoric
uri: Traitor-rhetoric
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#7_October_2019_%28Traitor_rhetoric%29
content:
<p>
Bogus Johnson's message, "If you don't support us you're a traitor",
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2019/sep/28/threat-hostility-rise-female-mps-paula-sherriff-tracy-brabin-boris-johnson-brexit">is stirring up death threats</a> against Labour MPs.

<p>
As a man of little moral scruples, he may rejoice in intimidating them
from campaigning by meeting their constituents.


feed_id: f2e1aab6f0e55ae919df6155486588b3
title: Children in cages
uri: Children-in-cages
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#7_October_2019_%28Children_in_cages%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2019/10/05/ukrainegate-impeachable-so-putting-kids-cages">Putting children (or adolescents) in cages</a> is also an impeachable offense: it demonstrates direct contempt for laws that the president's duty is to uphold.


feed_id: 3e6c47f346515d46817436c8d37d8ac5
title: Voting machine in Georgia
uri: Voting-machine-in-Georgia
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#7_October_2019_%28Voting_machine_in_Georgia%29
content:
<p>
Georgia is about to <a href="https://www.ajc.com/news/state--regional-govt--politics/hackers-say-they-took-over-vote-scanners-like-those-coming-georgia/0vZH2fNqGhN27JBpDK0ZfJ/#">install insecure voting machines</a> state-wide.


feed_id: 1388a5a0384b89e29d96cd8d3ea38742
title: Protect bilbies
uri: Protect-bilbies
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#7_October_2019_%28Protect_bilbies%29
content:
<p>
A fenced-off national park in Australia <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/oct/06/bilbies-returned-to-national-park-in-south-west-nsw-after-100-year-absence">will provide a safe habitat</a> for the
threatened bilby.

<p>
Keeping cats and foxes out of such a space requires maintenance.  A
few decades from now, if civilization is too hard pressed, people will
let those fences fall apart, and cats and foxes will kill the bilbies.

<p>
Perhaps before that happens it will be possible to wipe out the feral
cats and foxes in Australia, as well as the cane toads and rabbits,
and other introduced species that shouldn't be there.

<p>
Might it be possible to clone the extinct lesser bilby?


feed_id: 7bb27ffc9e0abec97730ad34c3f9baef
title: Sleeping in same room
uri: Sleeping-in-same-room
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#7_October_2019_%28Sleeping_in_same_room%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#salafi">Salafi Arabia</a>'s repressive clerics must be horrified that the country
will allow a foreign couple to <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/oct/06/saudi-arabia-to-allow-unmarried-foreign-couples-in-hotel-rooms">stay in a single hotel room</a>.

<p>
If you do this, I suggest you not tempt fate by getting into the same
bed together.

<p>
Meanwhile, you can show your disgust for the murder of Khashoggi, and
the many political prisoners, by <a href="https://stallman.org/stay-away-countries.html">taking your vacation in some other country</a>.


feed_id: 83c5f63d0b510a3a278591ffe72f12d1
title: Giant sequoias
uri: Giant-sequoias
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#7_October_2019_%28Giant_sequoias%29
content:
<p>
Human fire-suppression practices <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2019/oct/06/california-giant-sequoia-grove-alder-grove">have made giant sequoia trees
vulnerable to fire</a>.  Droughts caused by global heating make them
vulnerable to beetles.

<p>
<a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#global heating">Global heating</a> could make the places they now live unsuitable for them.
They may need to grow in other places &mdash; but we cannot predict the
microclimate of a particular place in 30 years, let alone the different
microclimate in 60 years, ore the even more different microclimate
in 90 years.


feed_id: 9726de5a35dcc39b39b6ce5ed44a820c
title: Future children
uri: Future-children
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#7_October_2019_%28Future_children%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/oct/06/how-extinction-rebellion-put-world-on-red-alert-year-since-it-was-founded">Extinction Rebellion activist</a>:
"I'm scared of my own future.  How could anyone think about having kids now?
It's not even just about the carbon footprint and population growth …
What kind of world are you thinking they're going to live in?"


feed_id: 6f641991d7e2801a18cb7e247cca4bc9
title: Publishing about assassination
uri: Publishing-about-assassination
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#7_October_2019_%28Publishing_about_assassination%29
content:
<p>
Daniel Hale <a href="https://www.huffpost.com/entry/drone-papers_n_561ed361e4b0c5a1ce61f463">is accused of publishing information</a> about how the US manages its assassination list.


feed_id: a597c55261476b901d9e2b5405ef9944
title: Labour and generics
uri: Labour-and-generics
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#7_October_2019_%28Labour_and_generics%29
content:
<p>
Labour's <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/sep/25/labour-generic-drugs-pharmaceutical-industry-profits">pledge to authorize generic manufacture</a> despite drug patents
will save lives.

<p>
No sooner did the WTO get set up, imposing drug patents on all member
countries but allowing an exception for compulsory licensing when
necessary, than big countries started pressuring against use of that
exception.  In the late 90s, President Clinton put Al Gore in charge
of that pressure.

<p>
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#30_January_2016_(Pharmaceutical_patents)">Jamie Love</a> pointed out to Gore that this would look bad if he ran for president,
and Gore stopped.


feed_id: 94e22d3356da0d190b1bb6df5486ad20
title: Urgent: Investigate communications breakdown
uri: Urgent-Investigate-communications-breakdown
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#8_October_2019_%28Urgent%3A_Investigate_communications_breakdown%29

content:
<p>
US citizens: 
<a href="https://act.freepress.net/sign/justice_pr_maria_hearings/">call
on Congress</a> to investigate how Hurricane Maria caused a general
communications breakdown in Puerto Rico.
<p>
If you sign, please spread the word!


feed_id: 22be499b4c51a5e1aabdb20d72136963
title: Urgent: Protection of whistleblowers' identities
uri: Urgent-Protection-of-whistleblowers-identities
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#8_October_2019_%28Urgent%3A_Protection_of_whistleblowers_identities%29

content:
<p>
US citizens: 
<a href="https://act.credoaction.com/sign/protect-whistleblower">call
on the acting DNI</a> to pledge to protect the identity of
whistleblowers that report on the <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#bully">bully</a>'s crimes.
<p>
<a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#bully">The bully</a> is trying to find out the Ukraine whistleblower's identity,
so that people can persecute per.
<p>
Some sentences in the article are hard to understand due to referring
to an individual whistleblower as "them" instead of
<a href="https://stallman.org/articles/genderless-pronouns.html">"per"</a>.
<p>
If you sign, please spread the word!


feed_id: f3f6001767c53c54f6deda4918a5c2b0
title: Army bases named after Confederate generals
uri: Army-bases-named-after-Confederate-generals
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#8_October_2019_%28Army_bases_named_after_Confederate_generals%29

content:
<p>
<a href="https://theintercept.com/2019/10/06/army-bases-confederate-names/">Ten
US army bases</a> are named after Confederate generals that fought
against the US army.  Some of them were special champions of slavery.
<p>
I understand the concept of honoring specific soldiers separately from
the issue of slavery, but I don't think all of them were ever soldiers
in the US Army.  In any case, rejecting the Confederacy, along with
the system of slavery it fought to defend, takes priority.  The army
should change those names.


feed_id: a01aa422ae36a933ca1ff0f74e8a8fa4
title: Jailed tourists traded for Iranian prisoner
uri: Jailed-tourists-traded-for-Iranian-prisoner
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#8_October_2019_%28Jailed_tourists_traded_for_Iranian_prisoner%29

content:
<p>
Australia 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2019/oct/06/australian-travel-bloggers-released-in-iran-were-freed-in-apparent-prisoner-swap">traded
an Iranian prisoner for two Australian tourists jailed in Iran</a>.
<p>
The Iranian prisoner was accused by the US of violating trade
sanctions.  I don't think Australia had any reason to cooperate with
that.  At the same time, this demonstrates that Iran is quick to
treat visitors as pawns.


feed_id: 72f1dbbbbabe49499690b010af0811fe
title: US diplomatic campaign against Venezuela
uri: US-diplomatic-campaign-against-Venezuela
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#8_October_2019_%28US_diplomatic_campaign_against_Venezuela%29

content:
<p>
The US diplomatic campaign against Venezuela is 
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2019/10/06/latest-diplomatic-war-against-venezuela">making
no progress</a>.  However, the economic sanctions are doing harm.


feed_id: 2730e1c0456e336ae44ad5b6d452b491
title: Reopening of fishing grounds off Nantucket
uri: Reopening-of-fishing-grounds-off-Nantucket
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#8_October_2019_%28Reopening_of_fishing_grounds_off_Nantucket%29

content:
<p>
Scientists accuse the National Marine Fisheries Service of
<a href="https://www.bostonglobe.com/metro/2019/10/03/federal-agency-accused-mispresenting-views-its-scientists-opening-fishing-grounds-off-cape/x5z4YclOiALyfEetP6FTNM/story.html">misrepresenting
their report so as to disregard danger to whales</a> and reopen a
closed fishing area.


feed_id: c5658de42ff6d3e40911d6912ded7696
title: Repression of climate protests
uri: Repression-of-climate-protests
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#8_October_2019_%28Repression_of_climate_protests%29
content:
<p>
Australia's planet-roaster governments at all levels stand firm for
committing ecocide and mass murder, and they don't intend to let
annoying protesters interfere.  It's 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/oct/06/incredibly-worrying-legal-fight-looms-around-australia-over-clampdown-on-protest">repression
all the way</a>.


feed_id: 0560887f8ac48905264195698e27bd93
title: Tree thieves
uri: Tree-thieves
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#8_October_2019_%28Tree_thieves%29
content:
<p>
Thieves often cut down trees in US national forests and <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2019/oct/05/washington-wildfire-tree-thieves">sell them</a>.


feed_id: 2b3c1ea65a70f65c1f2d5a6f8cca2b5c
title: Emergency in Hong Kong
uri: Emergency-in-Hong-Kong
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#8_October_2019_%28Emergency_in_Hong_Kong%29
content:
<p>
Lam's emergency decree banning wearing masks in Hong Kong <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/gallery/2019/oct/07/hong-kong-protesters-defy-the-mask-ban-in-pictures">was a big
inspiration for the citizens</a>.

<p>
However, the thugs have started <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/oct/07/hong-kong-protests-charges-anti-face-mask-laws">arresting people for wearing masks</a>.

<p>
Ironically, the "emergency" law that the Hong Kong puppet government
is using was imposed on its colony by the UK.  Hong Kong did not have
a democratic government until the absence of democracy there
embarrassed the UK, which was criticizing China for planning to deny
democracy to Hong Kong.

<p>
In such situations, it is a fundamental mistake to compare the wrongs
of two parties.  Rather, we should hold each one responsible.  The UK
should have given Hong Kong a democratic government much earlier, but
that lateness doesn't excuse what China has done to make democracy a
sham.


feed_id: 2dc5757fae7d9306abd6db994b422cfb
title: Turkey and Kurdish Syria
uri: Turkey-and-Kurdish-Syria
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#8_October_2019_%28Turkey_and_Kurdish_Syria%29
content:
<p>
The bully agreed that Erdoğan <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/oct/07/us-to-let-turkish-forces-move-into-syria-abandoning-kurdish-allies">could attack part of the Kurdish region
of Syria</a>.

<p>
Supposedly Turkey will take over holding the captured supporters of
<a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#pissi">PISSI</a>.  I suspect it will gradually kill them off, over time &mdash; but
how will Turkey get hold of them to start with?  By attacking and
capturing the prisons?  In the confusion, many of them would get
loose, and they could become underground supporters of <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#pissi">PISSI</a>.

<p>
If Turkey and Northeast Syria made a deal to hand over the prisoners,
that could be carried out.


feed_id: 9940ce1899790226df16c2e555d923cf
title: Extinction rebellion should pressure
uri: Extinction-rebellion-should-pressure
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#8_October_2019_%28Extinction_rebellion_should_pressure%29

content:
<p>
The next challenge for Extinction Rebellion is <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/oct/07/extinction-rebellion-new-protests-politicians">to pressure politicians</a>
to propose climate defense plans that could could possibly do the job.

<p>
Plans like the ones advocated <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2019/09/23/phase-out-oil-and-gas-pathway-climate-security-and-strong-economy">here</a>.

<p>
“We always apologize for causing inconvenience,
but this is nothing compared to the inconvenience that is going to
start happening when we start to run out of food and water.”

<p>
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/oct/07/four-teenage-girls-among-30-arrested-in-sydney-climate-protests">Source</a>


feed_id: b9de005a415f90eb5b49cea71fd309a7
title: Punishing California
uri: Punishing-California
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#8_October_2019_%28Punishing_California%29
content:
<p>
The bully is punishing California by <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2019/10/05/merging-loyalty-oil-industry-and-grudge-against-california-trump-opens-725000-acres">selling oil leases</a> there.


feed_id: e75e1959b8c49fc5e3dd052bd466b747
title: Daring
uri: Daring
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#8_October_2019_%28Daring%29
content:
<p>
The bully <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2019/oct/05/donald-trump-take-everyone-with-him">has responded</a> to impeachment with flagrant illegalities: "Stop me if you can!"


feed_id: bed2c995b4831fc0a7044322cf6ca6d2
title: Cable TV companies mislead customers
uri: Cable-TV-companies-mislead-customers
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#9_October_2019_%28Cable_TV_companies_mislead_customers%29

content:
<p>
Cable TV companies in the US mislead customers by 
<a href="https://arstechnica.com/information-technology/2019/10/average-cable-bill-includes-50-in-hidden-fees-and-taxes/">presenting
prices that are not the whole price they charge</a>.
<p>
With proper regulations, they would not be able to do this.


feed_id: 58e8820ced7a3b301c441facbf6fb18d
title: Addictiveness of e-cigarettes
uri: Addictiveness-of-e-cigarettes
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#9_October_2019_%28Addictiveness_of_e-cigarettes%29
content:
<p>
E-cigarettes can be more addictive than ordinary tobacco cigarettes,
and there is
<a href="https://www.wired.com/story/so-you-want-to-quit-vaping-no-one-actually-knows-how/">no
research yet on how to quit</a>.


feed_id: 5eb1e65f2ed27af6c82ca1e0405c2094
title: Pledge to reduce single-use packaging
uri: Pledge-to-reduce-single-use-packaging
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#9_October_2019_%28Pledge_to_reduce_single-use_packaging%29

content:
<p>
Unilever 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/business/2019/oct/07/unilever-pledges-to-halve-use-of-new-plastics">pledges
to cut its single-use packaging in half by 2025</a>.
<p>
If it really does this, it will be exemplary.  But we need more than
an example &mdash; we need to make all of society do this.


feed_id: 95ab70e8b3fbdf8485224795a38a4cfb
title: No business donation
uri: No-business-donation
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#9_October_2019_%28No_business_donation%29
content:
<p>
Lobbyists are denouncing Sanders' decision to bar business donations
to the Democratic National Committee if he wins the Democratic
nomination for president.  <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2019/10/08/good-says-sanders-lobbyists-lash-out-proposal-end-corporate-domination-us-politics">Sanders welcomes their hatred</a>.

<p>
Money from business can help a party win, but the price of accepting
that money is that the party has to represent business.

<p>
Bravo, Bernie Sanders!


feed_id: 297ffc4fa18a25e2c63b1473541758ec
title: Loneliness epidemic
uri: Loneliness-epidemic
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#9_October_2019_%28Loneliness_epidemic%29
content:
<p>
1/3 of <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/society/2019/oct/08/millennials-social-media-loneliness-epidemic">millennials generally feel lonely</a>; 1/4 can't identify a single
real friend.  This could be because "social media" have distracted them from the
activities where one can make real friends.

<p>
Would it be more accurate to refer to them as "antisocial media"?


feed_id: 70fd6a81c1f84e9cfafe40592715bcf3
title: Right to protest
uri: Right-to-protest
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#9_October_2019_%28Right_to_protest%29
content:
<p>
From the US to Hong Kong, the right to protest peacefully <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/oct/08/us-hong-kong-right-protest-peacefully-under-attack">is under attack</a>.


feed_id: f8cad40e4c4694d5e28d56ff927d92b2
title: Computer game addiction clinic
uri: Computer-game-addiction-clinic
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#9_October_2019_%28Computer_game_addiction_clinic%29
content:
<p>
NHS <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/society/2019/oct/08/nhs-opens-clinic-to-help-child-addicts-of-computer-games">opens clinic</a> to help child addicts of computer games.


feed_id: 5462c1233b429bbff97b6c731cc18a09
title: Uighur repression
uri: Uighur-repression
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#9_October_2019_%28Uighur_repression%29
content:
<p>
US <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/oct/08/us-blacklists-28-chinese-companies-and-government-agencies-over-uighur-repression">blacklists 28 Chinese companies and government agencies</a> over Uighur Repression.

<p>
This is the right thing for every country to do.  It is a shame
that the unabashed cruelty of the <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#bully">bully</a> and his ministers has
stripped this of moral seriousness.


feed_id: fb81f646363986dc1214386aeb8492c3
title: Election of planet roasters
uri: Election-of-planet-roasters
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#9_October_2019_%28Election_of_planet_roasters%29
content:
<p>
The two leading parties in Canada's upcoming election <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/oct/08/canada-leaders-debate-justin-trudeau-puts-climate-crisis-at-heart-of-election">are both
planet-roasters</a>.  Trudeau of the Liberals <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2016-sep-dec.html#4_December_2016_(Trudeau_approves_additional_pipeline)">has pushed hard for exporting more tar sands oil</a>. The previous Conservative government <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2014-jan-apr.html#12_February_2014_(Canada%27s_government_is_attacking_democracy_on_behalf_of_oil_companies)">imposed repression</a> for the sake of fossil fuel export.


feed_id: 76cc6907555c2a039842d68d84f11ddf
title: Modi's vision
uri: Modi-s-vision
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#9_October_2019_%28Modi%27s_vision%29
content:
<p>
"Modi’s vision for [India] is one that stifles dissent and
difference, in defiance of its people’s history."

<p>
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/oct/08/narendra-modi-bjp-india">Source</a>


feed_id: a312d212647c5fa1e06e223be0760494
title: Turkey's Syria plan
uri: Turkey-s-Syria-plan
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#9_October_2019_%28Turkey%27s_Syria_plan%29
content:
<p>
Turkey may plan its attack against the Kurds to forcibly <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/oct/07/us-withdrawal-syria-war-crimes-erdogan-refugees-kurdish-turkey">push Syrian
refugees into a piece of Syria</a>.


feed_id: 4f866765b649309aa60594c62c7aa123
title: Hong Kong and Xi
uri: Hong-Kong-and-Xi
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#9_October_2019_%28Hong_Kong_and_Xi%29
content:
<p>
Hong Kong <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/oct/05/hong-kong-suspends-metro-system-and-closes-banks-after-violent-protests">suspends metro system and closes banks</a> after violent protests.  The ban on face masks enraged the people. The move could backfire.

<p>
Xi <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/oct/05/hong-kong-emergency-law-marks-start-of-authoritarian-rule">can crush Hong Kong</a> if he resorts to unlimited force.  What I hope
is that that will boost general hatred for him and his repressive
regime.

<p>
I think other countries should ban WeChat and the other Chinese
digital systems that are used to impose conformity on Chinese people
living outside China.


feed_id: 206ce9b972a98cfbe070ccb48bcb6ab0
title: Facebook's new Terms Of Service
uri: Facebook-s-new-Terms-Of-Service
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#10_October_2019_%28Facebooks_new_Terms_Of_Service%29

content:
<p>
(satire) &hellip; Facebook unveiled a new Terms Of Service contract
Tuesday that included 
<a href="https://www.theonion.com/new-facebook-terms-of-service-includes-compulsory-inscr-1838675822">compulsory
conscription into Mark Zuckerberg’s upcoming war</a> against the
U.S. government.


feed_id: d15da74809fdd2a664305c41718b533d
title: Ending sectarian hostility
uri: Ending-sectarian-hostility
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#10_October_2019_%28Ending_sectarian_hostility%29
content:
<p>
One way to end sectarian hostility in Northern Ireland is 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/education/2019/oct/08/nobel-peace-prize-nomination-for-schools-breaking-northern-irelands-barriers">through
integrated schools</a> &mdash; integrated with Catholics and
Protestants.


feed_id: 022e1bfb63b554c93dcc2f18eb64e1b1
title: Netanyahu's sabotage of democracy
uri: Netanyahu-s-sabotage-of-democracy
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#10_October_2019_%28Netanyahus_sabotage_of_democracy%29

content:
<p>
Netanyahu 
<a href="https://972mag.com/netanyahu-anti-democratic-vision/143806/">has
sabotaged democracy in Israel</a> in order to cling to power.


feed_id: 9f7ffc4469fba76fd434a647cfc6fdb4
title: Turkish invasion of Kurdish region of Syria
uri: Turkish-invasion-of-Kurdish-region-of-Syria
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#10_October_2019_%28Turkish_invasion_of_Kurdish_region_of_Syria%29

content:
<p>
Juan Cole's view of 
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2019/10/08/winners-and-losers-trump-throwing-syrian-kurds-under-bus">likely
consequences</a> of a Turkish invasion of the Kurdish region of Syria.
<p>
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2019/10/07/what-expect-turkeys-coming-invasion-syria">Another
extrapolation</a> on the same subject.


feed_id: c99ecb09062074d4844c391a710d2330
title: Granting rights to a personified "Nature"
uri: Granting-rights-to-a-personified-Nature
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#10_October_2019_%28Granting_rights_to_a_personified_Nature%29

content:
<p>
The Swedish parliament is considering a constitutional amendment that
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2019/10/08/european-first-proposed-constitutional-amendment-sweden-would-enshrine-rights-nature">would
grant a personified "Nature" the rights to "exist, flourish,
regenerate, and evolve."</a>
<p>
I am in favor of making ecocide a crime, and also other acts that
greatly reduce habitats or the world's greenhouse gas capture.
I can't agree that "Nature" is capable of having rights.
<p>
I am specifically worried by the mention of "evolve" in that list.
Evolution has no target; it means that things change however they
happen to change.  If "Nature" has a right to evolve, that seems to
mean a right not to be shaped intentionally by humans.  That could
possibly lead to prohibiting efforts to eradicate intrusive species,
even efforts to keep them out.
<p>
In the US, it is humans that want to stop kudzu, zebra mussels, Asian
carp, Burmese pythons and many more introduced species from wiping out
other species.  In evolution, such things happen, and the fact that
human activity introduced those species into the US doesn't alter the
fact that they are present now.
<p>
Would "Nature's" "right to evolve" cover viruses such as smallpox and
polio, or the protozoa that cause malaria and sleeping sickness?
Let's not risk it.


feed_id: 6e49f0dfae1ca499f4538e06e0a040d7
title: Urgent: Tax companies for overpaying CEOs
uri: Urgent-Tax-companies-for-overpaying-CEOs
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#10_October_2019_%28Urgent%3A_Tax_companies_for_overpaying_CEOs%29

content:
<p>
<a href="https://act.credoaction.com/sign/merkley-ceo-fair-share">Support
the bill</a> to tax companies extra if the CEO gets much higher pay
than the median worker salary.
<p>
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2019/10/07/paying-boss-1000-times-more-worker-encourages-reckless-corporate-behavior">More
information</a>.
<p>
If you sign, please spread the word!


feed_id: 9a044d8d4331845ae3a250f919a269ee
title: Urgent: Oppose giving thugs access to doorbell videos
uri: Urgent-Oppose-giving-thugs-access-to-doorbell-videos
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#10_October_2019_%28Urgent%3A_Oppose_giving_thugs_access_to_doorbell_videos%29

content:
<p>
US citizens: call on Amazon to
<a href="https://act.demandprogress.org/sign/tell-amazon-stop-partnering-police-departments">stop
giving "ring" doorbell videos to thugs.</a>
<p>
If you sign, please spread the word!


feed_id: e0123e73759f872a19bfe228fcd5ee30
title: Urgent: No Amazon influence on laws
uri: Urgent-No-Amazon-influence-on-laws
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#10_October_2019_%28Urgent%3A_No_Amazon_influence_on_laws%29

content:
<p>
US citizens: call on Congress
<a href="https://act.credoaction.com/sign/no-amazon-tech-laws">not to
let Amazon influence future laws</a> about face recognition.
<p>
If you sign, please spread the word!


feed_id: 153dfdee7fd68d5c4bb30d68e1c3a1df
title: Urgent: Cancel student debt
uri: Urgent-Cancel-student-debt
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#10_October_2019_%28Urgent%3A_Cancel_student_debt%29
content:
<p>
US citizens: call on Congress to
<a href="https://act.credoaction.com/sign/protecting-student-aid-devos">cancel
student debt</a> for attending colleges that went broke.
<p>
If you sign, please spread the word!
    


feed_id: 1bd617056eaa02abb913a61e08a7e77a
title: No cooperation
uri: No-cooperation
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#10_October_2019_%28No_cooperation%29
content:
<p>
The conman <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2019/oct/08/trump-impeachment-investigation-letter-constitutional-crisis">blocked cooperation</a> with the impeachment inquiry.

<p>
Congress could demand that the Supreme Court decide the conflict, but
the cheating party has already rigged it to support their continuation
in power at almost any price.  However, Congress dare not give up.


feed_id: 13c6a4f6877cc25cd387a987a18976a6
title: Climate goals in Australia
uri: Climate-goals-in-Australia
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#10_October_2019_%28Climate_goals_in_Australia%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/oct/09/northern-australia-fossil-fuel-climate-goals-paris-agreement">Revealed</a>: Northern Australia's fossil fuel plans push climate goals beyond reach.


feed_id: 56981427a299ad10b262a83a7e7353d4
title: Carbon emissions responsibility
uri: Carbon-emissions-responsibility
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#10_October_2019_%28Carbon_emissions_responsibility%29

content:
<p>
"Just 20 companies are responsible for 35% of carbon emissions yet they
continue to ignore calls for change."

<p>
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/oct/09/fossil-fuel-giants-greed-carbon-emissions">Source</a>


feed_id: e44419ebd142207f447e6232cd695873
title: Environmental racism
uri: 2019-10-10-Environmental-racism
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#10_October_2019_%28Environmental_racism%29
content:
<p>
Warren <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2019/oct/09/warren-debuts-ambitious-policy-plan-that-addresses-environmental-racism">debuts ambitious policy plan</a> that addresses environmental racism.


feed_id: 013cf2635c330df5eca5a7bed50ddd1d
title: Tax dodging
uri: 2019-10-10-Tax-dodging
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#10_October_2019_%28Tax_dodging%29
content:
<p>
The OECD <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2019/oct/09/global-tax-shakeup-would-force-tech-firms-to-pay-more">has proposed to reform taxes</a> on multinational businesses so that they
can't dodge all taxes by shifting nominal profits between countries.


feed_id: 4aba24fb98743405f3b289b2b6e10382
title: Turkey attacks
uri: Turkey-attacks
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#10_October_2019_%28Turkey_attacks%29
content:
<p>
Turkey <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/oct/09/turkey-launches-military-operation-in-northern-syria-erdogan">has attacked the Syrian Kurds</a>.


feed_id: 4d1244b2d696545515fea47e60d86276
title: Serial betrayer
uri: Serial-betrayer
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#10_October_2019_%28Serial_betrayer%29
content:
<p>
(satire) GOP lawmakers watch silently As Trump <a href="https://politics.theonion.com/gop-lawmakers-watch-silently-as-trump-strangles-each-of-1838885386">strangles each of their loved ones in turn</a>.


feed_id: 14ef909b2cf95919a55599c496c17617
title: Walter wedding
uri: Walter-wedding
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#10_October_2019_%28Walter_wedding%29
content:
<p>
(satire) area man
   Daniel Walter <a href="https://local.theonion.com/area-man-marries-woman-he-barely-knows-after-5-years-of-1838848244">was wed Saturday</a> to Kelly Kaminski, a woman he hardly
   even knows after five years of dating.


feed_id: 8242a40c63dea4730a2035e09d002280
title: Rebranding
uri: Rebranding
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#10_October_2019_%28Rebranding%29
content:
<p>
How the Right [Wing] <a href="https://www.nybooks.com/daily/2019/09/04/how-the-right-has-tried-to-rebrand-anti-semitism/?fbclid=IwAR2FhlS3gce5Yd61bgoR3QA3glOVmJ4UZT2bKEhtC3LeLzAr52re0ZLXeCA">has tried to rebrand antisemitism</a>.

<p>
In particular, American Jews are called 
"antisemitic" if they are more loyal to the US and human rights
than to Israel and its occupation policies.


feed_id: eca6d6a8a78f800a0023575510f261b9
title: Interrogation conditions
uri: Interrogation-conditions
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#10_October_2019_%28Interrogation_conditions%29
content:
<p>
Sleep deprivation and a freezing cell: a Palestinian woman <a href="https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/.premium-sleep-deprivation-and-a-freezing-cell-palestinian-woman-interrogated-by-israel-1.7944774">is interrogated by Israel</a>.

<p>
It would be no less wrong to treat a man the same way.  However, the fact
that this prisoner is a journalist does make the wrong worse.


feed_id: 06da92d8d42e02c32a2d6f2214d763b3
title: Skin color in drug transportation in LA
uri: Skin-color-in-drug-transportation-in-LA
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#10_October_2019_%28Skin_color_in_drug_transportation_in_LA%29

content:
<p>
In LA, a white driver is more likely to carry illegal drugs than a
black driver, but the black driver <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2019/oct/08/los-angeles-police-stop-search-black-latino">is much more likely to be searched</a>
arbitrarily than the white driver.

<p>
Even if there were not a hint of bias in these searches, they would still
be an injustice.


feed_id: 9ef34df4d9af87038c9750160c535998
title: Drought in Australia
uri: 2019-10-10-Drought-in-Australia
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#10_October_2019_%28Drought_in_Australia%29
content:
<p>
Parts of Australia <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/commentisfree/2019/oct/09/while-i-live-with-three-minute-showers-in-this-drought-i-know-people-in-the-cities-are-wasting-precious-water">are facing a deep drought</a>.

<p>
Strange that even writers who are preoccupied with ghosts of previous,
lesser droughts ignore the ghost of <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#global heating">global heating</a>.


feed_id: 94912ea2c78e3acaaa27580f2f8ff1aa
title: Silencing protesters
uri: Silencing-protesters
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#10_October_2019_%28Silencing_protesters%29
content:
<p>
Australian Extinction Rebellion protesters <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/oct/09/absurd-bail-conditions-prevent-extinction-rebellion-protesters-going-near-other-members">are being given bail</a> with a requirement not to associate in any way with other members of the group.

<p>
The state wants them to go home and act neutral.  Whatever they do, it
must not be that.  It is better to reject bail and be jailed.


feed_id: 09c930bf1686ed05e9bd36f4342e8fd2
title: Silencing speakers
uri: Silencing-speakers
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#10_October_2019_%28Silencing_speakers%29
content:
<p>
Australia <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2019/oct/09/melbourne-cyber-conference-organisers-pressured-speaker-to-edit-biased-talk">censored speakers in a cybersecurity conference</a> &mdash; banning two whistleblowers from speaking there, and trying to stop someone else
from showing how Australia's encryption law was similar to China's.


feed_id: cb1efb7e32216318418af17e0c3d0150
title: Spying devices
uri: Spying-devices
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#10_October_2019_%28Spying_devices%29
content:
<p>
The only effective power people have against spying by devices such as
Alexa and Siri <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2019/oct/09/alexa-are-you-invading-my-privacy-the-dark-side-of-our-voice-assistants">is to refuse to bring them into your home</a>.


feed_id: 1262a01f40ddf8f6dda1a44bc8d32907
title: Global warming in California
uri: 2019-10-10-Global-warming-in-California
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#10_October_2019_%28Global_warming_in_California%29
content:
<p>
Substantial parts of rural California <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2019/oct/08/california-pge-power-shutdown-wildfire">are facing a power shutoff</a> to avoid fires started by electric power.

<p>
A friend was told the shutoff might last for 36 hours.

<p>
This is one of the many forms of harm done by <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#global heating">global heating</a>.  Not the
worst harm, but spread over a wide area.

<p>
In 20 years there will be much worse regular problems.


feed_id: 61855ada525264401041dc04dad20e65
title: ICE Medical aid
uri: ICE-Medical-aid
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#10_October_2019_%28ICE_Medical_aid%29
content:
<p>
A Guatemalan refugee <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2019/oct/08/us-immigration-ice-asylum-seeker-detention-rolando">was seriously ill</a> due to having been shot in the
head.  The treatment US border <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thugs</a> offered him was months of
solitary confinement, and ibuprofen.


feed_id: d15ff4dc2df4b98cf0b0c94f61f52fe7
title: Business supremacy in Australia
uri: Business-supremacy-in-Australia
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#10_October_2019_%28Business_supremacy_in_Australia%29

content:
<p>
Australia's two principal parties, both more or less neoliberal in
philosophy, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2019/oct/09/bipartisan-support-for-indonesia-and-hong-kong-trade-deals-despite-union-concerns">are both in favor of two new business-supremacy treaties</a>.

<p>
The article does not even touch on how such treaties can undermine
democracy; it gives no information on whether the treaty includes
an ISDS (I Sue Democratic States) clause that would give foreign
businesses the power to (effectively) veto laws.


feed_id: d1e83c13284212d8291155ffddab9194
title: HKmap
uri: HKmap
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#10_October_2019_%28HKmap%29
content:
<p>
China <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/oct/09/protecting-rioters-china-warns-apple-over-app-that-tracks-hong-kong-police">has openly demanded</a> that Apple obey orders to ban the
protest-supporting HKmap.live app.

<p>
I would consider that app a totally good thing, if only it were free software.

<p>
Come to think of it, there is probably an Android version.  It could be
released as free software and included in FDroid &mdash; and it should be.
Readers, if you know the developers of HKmap.live, would you please
suggest this to them?  An app to defend freedom ought to respect freedom too.


feed_id: 18b8cf5578c5d001d563f2a65aa8ef42
title: Christianist extremists in Australia
uri: Christianist-extremists-in-Australia
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#10_October_2019_%28Christianist_extremists_in_Australia%29

content:
<p>
Christianist extremists threaten Australia, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2019/oct/09/australian-christian-lobby-backs-sacking-of-employees-with-no-christian-sexual-ethic">pushing to allow the businesses they own to fire employees</a> who don't obey an imposed Christianist moral code.


feed_id: 6ef48533bbc785d21534c987e8d3ef3c
title: War with law
uri: War-with-law
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#10_October_2019_%28War_with_law%29
content:
<p>
"President Trump is at war with the rule of law. This won't end well."

<p>
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/oct/09/trump-government-executive-branch-rebecca-solnit">Source</a>


feed_id: 64914201ba09c47adcb7099a540dd20e
title: Poverty in Bangladesh
uri: Poverty-in-Bangladesh
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#10_October_2019_%28Poverty_in_Bangladesh%29
content:
<p>
Economic growth has lifted a large fraction of Bangladesh out of
poverty.  Slowly, things <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2019/oct/09/bangladesh-women-clothes-garment-workers-rana-plaza">are getting better</a>.


<p>
Alas, this progress cannot continue for very long, because of an
overriding factor that the article fails to mention: <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#global heating">global heating</a>.
Sea-level rise will inundate substantial parts of Bangladesh, and
millions will be forced off their land.  Indeed, the cloth from which
to make the clothing pushes against resource limits.

<p>
Most articles about development of poor countries, indeed most articles
about possible future economic growth, disregard the limits to growth.
These limits used to be projections into the distant future, but we
are starting to run into them, and they will press humanity tightly
in the next few decades.


feed_id: 0a6045f49ebc2e1f12368ead1fc750a2
title: More crimes
uri: More-crimes
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#10_October_2019_%28More_crimes%29
content:
<p>
White House notes on the conman's phone calls <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2019/oct/02/trump-transcripts-impeachment-inquiry-ukraine-nixon">could find more crimes</a> to impeach him for.


feed_id: 1de2c7b0efd613d0b5488e896f56257a
title: Samer Arbid
uri: Samer-Arbid
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#10_October_2019_%28Samer_Arbid%29
content:
<p>
Israeli thugs <a href="http://www.kibush.co.il/show_file.asp?num=80905">arrested Samer Arbid and tortured him</a>, stopped him from seeing a lawyer, then took him to a hospital in critical condition and didn't tell his family.


feed_id: 322bfe61e46e2d30cd347286f926eb2c
title: Apple censors app used by HK protesters
uri: Apple-censors-app-used-by-HK-protesters
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#10_October_2019_%28Apple_censors_app_used_by_HK_protesters%29

content:
<p>
Apple has 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/oct/10/hong-kong-protests-apple-pulls-tracking-app-after-china-criticism">censored
an application designed to help Hong Kong protesters communicate</a>.
<p>
Apple surely did this because of threats from China.  (We are not
supposed to suggest that a "good corporate citizen" would uphold
freedom at the cost of profits.)  But the reason Apple <em>could</em>
do this is that it gave itself 
<a href="https://gnu.org/malware/proprietary-censorship.html">censorship
power over applications</a> for iMonsters, through the proprietary
code of the operating system.


feed_id: 6ddeffb6a802a4873b458209f559fae8
title: Asylum seekers jailed in Papua New Guinea
uri: Asylum-seekers-jailed-in-Papua-New-Guinea
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#10_October_2019_%28Asylum_seekers_jailed_in_Papua_New_Guinea%29

content:
<p>
Papua New Guinea 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2019/oct/10/asylum-seekers-approved-for-medevac-transfers-detained-in-port-moresby">jailed
50 asylum seekers incommunicado</a>.  These are among the refugees
that Australia gave Papua New Guinea to hold.
<p>
I am sure Australia's minister of cruelty will claim he had nothing to
do with jailing them.


feed_id: 703ef4298641f1307189d16dbb95a2f3
title: PISSI may gain from attack on Kurds
uri: PISSI-may-gain-from-attack-on-Kurds
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#10_October_2019_%28PISSI_may_gain_from_attack_on_Kurds%29

content:
<p>
<a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#pissi">PISSI</a> "sleeper cells" may take advantage of Turkey's attack on the
Kurds to attack the Kurdish guards of the al-Hawl prison camp and
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/oct/09/women-and-children-expected-to-break-out-from-al-hawl-camp">release
other PISSI supporters</a>.


feed_id: a09e7bdfef61539b66d60dd70a3cdfc2
title: Dubya's war crimes
uri: Dubya-s-war-crimes
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#10_October_2019_%28Dubyas_war_crimes%29
content:
<p>
Dear Ellen: The Problem With George W. Bush Is Not His Beliefs &mdash;
It’s 
<a href="https://theintercept.com/2019/10/09/ellen-degeneres-george-bush/">His
War Crimes</a> (and other destructive and deadly deeds).


feed_id: ca7d31de9661c6a38a5a2c3919bad0ce
title: Candidates reject privatized water systems
uri: Candidates-reject-privatized-water-systems
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#10_October_2019_%28Candidates_reject_privatized_water_systems%29

content:
<p>
Applauding Sanders and Warren's Rejection of Privatized Water Systems,
Group 
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2019/10/09/applauding-sanders-and-warrens-rejection-privatized-water-systems-group-calls-all">Calls
On All 2020 Hopefuls to Follow Suit</a>


feed_id: 1325bfcb2ebb38b11d524caf40030a72
title: China's NBA-to-NHL re-fanification camps
uri: China-s-NBA-to-NHL-re-fanification-camps
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#10_October_2019_%28Chinas_NBA-to-NHL_re-fanification_camps%29

content:
<p>
(satire) “To show that China will not tolerate this flagrant
disrespect for our nation amongst the ranks of the NBA, we intend to
enlighten our citizens in the ways of the National Hockey League,”
said Vice Premier Han Zheng, overseeing the first of many
<a href="https://sports.theonion.com/chinese-officials-respond-to-nba-controversy-by-moving-1838886896">re-fanification
ceremonies in a detention center</a> outside of Beijing&hellip;


feed_id: e098a90d61b697ffb49fb7cad2a95475
title: Corinthian College student loans
uri: Corinthian-College-student-loans
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#10_October_2019_%28Corinthian_College_student_loans%29

content:
<p>
DeVos is threatened with sanctions, up to and including jail, for 
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2019/10/08/after-education-secretary-betsy-devos-flouts-2018-ruling-judge-reminds-her">violating
a court order prohibiting collection of repayments</a> for student
loans for studying at Corinthian College.


feed_id: 0720584175c8a6540b72e82fcdd8c3f9
title: Democratic centrists won't win election
uri: Democratic-centrists-won-t-win-election
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#10_October_2019_%28Democratic_centrists_wont_win_election%29

content:
<p>
Robert Reich: Please Note: 
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2019/10/09/please-note-2020-election-wont-be-won-democratic-centrists">The
2020 Election Won’t Be Won by Democratic Centrists</a>.


feed_id: e70469462ba11ab8660a5612057d58c3
title: Bullshitter to aid more tax dodging
uri: Bullshitter-to-aid-more-tax-dodging
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#10_October_2019_%28Bullshitter_to_aid_more_tax_dodging%29

content:
<p>
The bullshitter 
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2019/10/09/shameful-trump-aiming-gut-rules-prevent-corporate-offshore-tax-dodging">plans
to help multinational corporations dodge more US taxes</a>.


feed_id: 5b831205982462e04ceb00ba73381613
title: Tax rate of richest American taxpayers
uri: Tax-rate-of-richest-American-taxpayers
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#10_October_2019_%28Tax_rate_of_richest_American_taxpayers%29

content:
<p>
The 400 richest American taxpayers pay a 
<a href="https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2019/10/06/opinion/income-tax-rate-wealthy.html">lower
overall tax rate than any other income group</a>.


feed_id: ea010cd7f0f7089044e7464f02e28d3a
title: Presidential candidates and global heating
uri: Presidential-candidates-and-global-heating
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#11_October_2019_%28Presidential_candidates_and_global_heating%29

content:
<p>
Sanders is the only presidential candidate <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2019/10/09/only-bernies-green-new-deal-answers-gretas-call-action">who proposes a sufficient effort</a> to curb global heating.


feed_id: cfe924fc2ddef1c6ab3c4e66c678b461
title: Boiling with methane in Arctic Ocean
uri: Boiling-with-methane-in-Arctic-Ocean
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#11_October_2019_%28Boiling_with_methane_in_Arctic_Ocean%29

content:
<p>
A methane seep under the Arctic Ocean <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2019/10/09/truly-terrifying-scientists-studying-underwater-permafrost-thaw-find-area-arctic">is "boiling with methane bubbles"</a>.


feed_id: df86822d11ea7215f2dcac7b158d6110
title: A nice tree for Kurds
uri: A-nice-tree-for-Kurds
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#11_October_2019_%28A_nice_tree_for_Kurds%29
content:
<p>
(satire) Trump <a href="https://politics.theonion.com/trump-assures-kurds-there-will-one-day-be-very-nice-tre-1838917478">assures Kurds</a> there will one day be very nice tree
planted in D.C. commemorating their deaths.


feed_id: a8627c8012b77364f9714677caec01f9
title: Surveillance in Thailand
uri: Surveillance-in-Thailand
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#11_October_2019_%28Surveillance_in_Thailand%29
content:
<p>
Thailand's government <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/oct/10/thai-cafes-forced-to-track-customers-wifi-use-sparking-free-speech-fears">demonstrates its repressiveness</a> by requiring
cafes to keep records on customer's internet contacts, and to record
customers' identification.

<p>
It is obvious when Thailand does this that the purpose is repression.
In countries that are less overtly repressive, this may not be so obvious,
but <a href="https://gnu.org/philosophy/surveillance-vs-democracy.html">it serves the goal of repression</a>.

<p>
This is why I refuse to identify myself to an organization that will
store my name in a database in order to connect to the internet.  If I
do it at a friend's house or a host's house, I don't mind that person
knows who I am, but the ISP must not know.


feed_id: 7c7daaaa7892b44841286c2328ef9383
title: Anti-abortion laws
uri: 2019-10-11-Anti-abortion-laws
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#11_October_2019_%28Anti-abortion_laws%29
content:
<p>
"Anti-abortion laws are an attack on our right to live with dignity
and decide what happens to our bodies."

<p>
<a href="https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/news/2019/09/anti-abortion-laws-are-an-attack-on-our-right-to-live-with-dignity-and-decide-what-happens-to-our-bodies/">Source</a>


feed_id: cbd28670ea1844c5df8bd86cb5040e92
title: Vaping
uri: Vaping
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#11_October_2019_%28Vaping%29
content:
<p>
Why quitting vaping <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/society/2019/oct/10/breaking-up-with-my-juul-why-quitting-vaping-is-harder-than-quitting-cigarettes">is harder than quitting cigarettes</a>.


feed_id: 6a70364a5498610b3b69d7c46af07868
title: Sending migrants to Mexico's border towns
uri: Sending-migrants-to-Mexico-s-border-towns
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#11_October_2019_%28Sending_migrants_to_Mexico%27s_border_towns%29

content:
<p>
US <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2019/oct/10/us-migrants-return-mexico-border-towns-violent-crimes">sends migrants to Mexico's border towns</a> as it warns citizens of violent
crimes in region.


feed_id: 1fc619713e9c40eec4421a0b93fe1d42
title: UK government investing in gas
uri: UK-government-investing-in-gas
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#11_October_2019_%28UK_government_investing_in_gas%29

content:
<p>
As Climate Rebellion Spreads, UK Govt
<a href="http://priceofoil.org/2019/10/07/as-climate-rebellion-spreads-uk-gov-risks-carbon-blowout-by-investing-in-gas/">Risks
"Carbon Blowout"</a> By Investing in Gas.


feed_id: 677c0035224000ae248cee0b9eb6614a
title: US prosecuting alleged whistleblower
uri: US-prosecuting-alleged-whistleblower
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#11_October_2019_%28US_prosecuting_alleged_whistleblower%29

content:
<p>
The US is prosecuting an alleged whistleblower, Henry Kyle Frese.
He is
<a href="https://theintercept.com/2019/10/09/the-espionage-act-is-again-deployed-against-a-government-official-leaking-to-the-media/">accused
of spying on behalf of the public</a>.


feed_id: 4465e2b12602a576a9273e7a61b347dc
title: Leveraged buyouts killing newspapers
uri: Leveraged-buyouts-killing-newspapers
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#11_October_2019_%28Leveraged_buyouts_killing_newspapers%29

content:
<p>
Leveraged buyouts are
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2019/10/02/wall-street-killing-local-newspapers">killing
America's remaining newspapers</a>.  (As well as many other businesses.)
<p>
What I wonder is, if the debt gets dumped on a company that is likely
to go bankrupt, does that mean the bank that lent the money never gets
repaid?  If so, why don't banks refuse to lend for these transactions?


feed_id: cb25dbe36f6bf1b9491213a2201037f0
title: Quit ICE
uri: Quit-ICE
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#11_October_2019_%28Quit_ICE%29
content:
<p>
If you work for the deportation <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thugs</a>,
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2019/10/09/if-you-work-ice-quit-never-again-launches-career-services-site-agents-looking-change">you <em>can</em>
quit</a>.


feed_id: c64071b166e7e93d3f47f887ba6b442a
title: Nicotine addiction
uri: Nicotine-addiction
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#12_October_2019_%28Nicotine_addiction%29
content:
<p>
Young people
<a href="https://www.tobaccofreekids.org/press-releases/id_0533">often
become addicted to nicotine even from smoking once per month</a>.
<p>
Don't take the risk of using nicotine even once.
<p>
If your friends pressure you to do things that are bad for you,
such as smoking tobacco (even if mixed with marijuana) or playing
nonfree games together, find some new friends &mdash; true friends.


feed_id: f50a0230c2f62523fe81393763d18aa3
title: Economic inequality and life expectancy
uri: Economic-inequality-and-life-expectancy
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#12_October_2019_%28Economic_inequality_and_life_expectancy%29

content:
<p>
The US is following the general pattern:
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2019/10/09/inequality-literally-killing-us">as
economic inequality increases, inequality of life expectancy increases
too</a>.


feed_id: 86fac95df8389f37da8326033633e4b1
title: Emperor penguins vulnerable to extinction
uri: Emperor-penguins-vulnerable-to-extinction
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#12_October_2019_%28Emperor_penguins_vulnerable_to_extinction%29

content:
<p>
Emperor penguins are vulnerable to extinction due to
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2019/10/09/study-emperor-penguins-threatened-climate-crisis-need-urgent-protection">melting
of the sea ice they depend on</a>.  The only way to protect their
habitat is by curbing <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#global heating">global heating</a> &mdash; exactly what we need to
protect everything else.


feed_id: fdf976452cfd7b83a2e9547ef3140847
title: Extreme weather and extinction
uri: Extreme-weather-and-extinction
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#12_October_2019_%28Extreme_weather_and_extinction%29

content:
<p>
The extra-powerful hurricanes that result from <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#global heating">global heating</a> do lots
of short-term damage, which can be repaired if there is enough money.
They
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2019/10/09/report-climate-fueled-superstorms-pushing-10-us-species-closer-extinction">can
also cause extinction of species</a>, especially those that live only
in limited areas near the Florida or the Caribbean.


feed_id: 62b9907b0dfff26f3a0d92ee0f3de32e
title: Absurd regulations on abortion clinics
uri: Absurd-regulations-on-abortion-clinics
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#12_October_2019_%28Absurd_regulations_on_abortion_clinics%29

content:
<p>
Pointless and absurd regulations on abortion clinics
<a href="https://www.aclu.org/blog/reproductive-freedom/abortion/how-laws-targeting-clinics-could-end-abortion-access">could
make abortion unavailable in some US states</a>.


feed_id: f0233d636dc81466c90773270f3f9ff8
title: India plans nationwide face-tracking
uri: India-plans-nationwide-face-tracking
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#12_October_2019_%28India_plans_nationwide_face-tracking%29

content:
<p>
India plans to follow China's example, with a
<a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2019-09-19/india-seeks-to-adopt-china-style-facial-recognition-in-policing">nationwide
system of face-tracking surveillance cameras</a>.
<p>
Don't be distracted by the discussion of data protection laws.  If
India had them, they would make little difference to the injustice
that such a system would enable.


feed_id: a2a2ec0bffe9dba746b23d595d1a6314
title: Urgent: Stop "vulture" hedge funds
uri: Urgent-Stop-vulture-hedge-funds
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#12_October_2019_%28Urgent%3A_Stop_vulture_hedge_funds%29

content:
<p>
US citizens:
<a href="https://act.credoaction.com/sign/puerto-rico-vulture-2020">call
on Democrats in Congress</a> to fight the hedge funds that control
Puerto Rico.
<p>
Instead of fighting them over and over, why not change the law
to chop down the hedge?
<p>
If you sign, please spread the word!


feed_id: e046f684656b2c2884c4fd9364ccf2ff
title: Arrests in Hong Kong
uri: 2019-10-13-Arrests-in-Hong-Kong
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#13_October_2019_%28Arrests_in_Hong_Kong%29
content:
<p>
Hong Kong thugs <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/oct/11/hong-kong-arrest-of-750-children-during-protests-sparks-outcry">have arrested</a> around 2400 protesters, of who 750 were
minors.

<p>
I doubt that any of them were children, though.


feed_id: 2ed7ce3e61441a1042845b00598ee397
title: Hunter Biden
uri: Hunter-Biden
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#13_October_2019_%28Hunter_Biden%29
content:
<p>
Hunter Biden's career, whether or not it involves crimes, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/oct/11/hunter-biden-democrats-joe-biden-ukraine-trump">is payback
for political favors</a>.  It reflects systemic corruption.


feed_id: cf0106596c998323921bcf939e05a5b8
title: Kurds' bombardment
uri: Kurds-bombardment
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#13_October_2019_%28Kurds%27_bombardment%29
content:
<p>
Syrian Kurds retaliated for Turkish bombardment by <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/oct/10/now-the-war-is-coming-to-us-turkish-towns-in-range-of-kurdish-shells">bombarding a Turkish border town</a>.

<p>
I don't think that can be militarily justified &mdash; it sounds like a war crime.
Meanwhile, arousing resentment among Turks will strengthen Erdoğan.


feed_id: 9936b6df9cf705b2660cfdd7d922798d
title: Al-Soufi remains open
uri: Al-Soufi-remains-open
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#13_October_2019_%28Al-Soufi_remains_open%29
content:
<p>
The Al-Soufi Syrian restaurant in Toronto <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/oct/10/syrian-restaurant-soufis-toronto-canada">will remain open</a>, defying right-wing death threats.

<p>
I wish I could go to Toronto and give my support by eating there.


feed_id: 7f3148f61b2c5ab0542bf3dfdc2ff1c6
title: Thinktank undermining climate science
uri: Thinktank-undermining-climate-science
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#13_October_2019_%28Thinktank_undermining_climate_science%29

content:
<p>
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/oct/10/thinktank-climate-science-institute-economic-affairs">Revealed</a>: Top UK thinktank spent decades undermining climate science.


feed_id: c952632961e8e1c9814080bc155bcd96
title: Global heating wiping birds out
uri: Global-heating-wiping-birds-out
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#13_October_2019_%28Global_heating_wiping_birds_out%29

content:
<p>
3C of global heating <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/oct/10/bird-species-extinction-north-america-climate-crisis">could wipe out</a> two-thirds of bird species in
North America.


feed_id: 7b4eac00475790e2327e3826a9976324
title: Lead pipes
uri: Lead-pipes
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#13_October_2019_%28Lead_pipes%29
content:
<p>
The sabotage US government <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/oct/10/trump-administration-epa-new-lead-rules-water-flint-crisis">updated the regulations</a> for lead in water supplies to _slow down_ the replacement of lead pipes.


feed_id: 14130b9d21c866e62a593f1cd38a197d
title: Protests in Ecuador
uri: Protests-in-Ecuador
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#13_October_2019_%28Protests_in_Ecuador%29
content:
<p>
Protesters in Ecuador <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/oct/10/ecuador-indigenous-protesters-parade-captured-officers">have taken over Quito</a> and captured some state thugs.

<p>
Some protesters are looking for targets for violence; others try to
prevent violence.  It is crucial that the movement reject violence
(except in defense) in a very clear way.

<p>
President Moreno certainly ought to be replaced, but the fact that
the opposition to him is based mainly on a demand for cheap fossil
fuels is very sad.  It is an example of the foolish short-term thinking
that impedes defense of Earth's climate.  The survival of civilization,
and millions of species of life, depends on overcoming that foolish way
of thinking.


feed_id: 11a8682ec291af4af664d33465c4cac1
title: Paris carbon targets in Australia
uri: Paris-carbon-targets-in-Australia
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#13_October_2019_%28Paris_carbon_targets_in_Australia%29

content:
<p>
For Australia to meet its weak Paris carbon targets, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/oct/11/australia-will-fail-to-meet-paris-target-even-with-carbon-price-of-us75-a-ton-imf-says">it needs to apply</a> a carbon tax of more than USD 75 per ton of CO2 or equivalent.


feed_id: c6792ca79d59d0950c762caeec4e532b
title: Wildfires in Australia
uri: Wildfires-in-Australia
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#13_October_2019_%28Wildfires_in_Australia%29
content:
<p>
How global heating and other factors <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2019/oct/11/climate-change-partly-to-blame-for-early-bushfire-season">affect wildfires in Australia</a>.


feed_id: d6e411a2602e811fd3b18819397c982a
title: Urgent: Ban lies in political ads
uri: Urgent-Ban-lies-in-political-ads
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#13_October_2019_%28Urgent%3A_Ban_lies_in_political_ads%29

content:
<p>
Everyone:
<a href="https://act.credoaction.com/sign/facebook-ad-lies">call on
Facebook</a> to ban lies in political ads.
<p>
If you sign, please spread the word!  


feed_id: 455a1a8dad123a774d85fdde7e26a901
title: Haitians impoverished by "free trade"
uri: Haitians-impoverished-by-free-trade
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#13_October_2019_%28Haitians_impoverished_by_free_trade%29

content:
<p>
The US has impoverished most Haitians by applying neoliberal "free
trade"; Haitian farmers could not compete with
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/oct/11/haiti-and-the-failed-promise-of-us-aid">subsidized
US megafarms</a>.
<p>
The US tendency to impose large aid projects without verifying they
will be useful occurs here
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2011-may-aug.html#15_August_2011_(Wasteful_Aid_Programs)">as
it did in Afghanistan</a>.


feed_id: e75091841be0ec31d03ef4c6f7968b88
title: Project to map Earth's land with lidar
uri: Project-to-map-Earth-s-land-with-lidar
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#13_October_2019_%28Project_to_map_Earths_land_with_lidar%29

content:
<p>
A project will try to
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/science/2019/oct/11/ultimate-gift-to-future-generations-plan-to-laser-map-all-land-on-earth">map
all the Earth's land area precisely using lidar</a>.


feed_id: c92f789fdaf990ac43271cc79425987d
title: Hong Kong Anthem
uri: Hong-Kong-Anthem
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#14_October_2019_%28Hong_Kong_Anthem%29
content:
<p>
Hong Kong now <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/oct/13/hope-and-desperation-inspired-hong-kong-anthem-says-composer">has an unofficial national anthem</a>, which protesters sing
at every protest.

<p>
The video linked in the article &mdash; which you can view and hear without
nonfree software by using Icecat, or the Viewtube extension for
Firefox &mdash; makes me cry because of their heroism against all odds.


feed_id: c5c13a180570d4ed8570232f1a6ee3a1
title: Warren and Facebook
uri: Warren-and-Facebook
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#14_October_2019_%28Warren_and_Facebook%29
content:
<p>
Senator Warren <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2019/oct/11/elizabeth-warren-facebook-zuckerberg-trump-troll">gave Facebook a taste of its own medicine</a> with a political
ad that said Zuckerberg supported the bullshitter &mdash; then said that wasn't
really so and Facebook shouldn't allow ads with lies.


feed_id: fdf22a516238ab2a3aabfbf570c61ebb
title: UN secretary general Hammarskjöld death
uri: UN-secretary-general-Hammarskjöld-death
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#14_October_2019_%28UN_secretary_general_Hammarskj%C3%83%C2%B6ld_death%29

content:
<p>
MI6 <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/oct/12/britain-thwarting-efforts-to-solve-killing-of-un-secretary-general">is under pressure to publish</a> its secret files about the plane crash
that killed UN Secretary General Dag Hammarskjöld in 1961.

<p>
This could confirm or refute the theory that the plane <a href=" https://stallman.org/archives/2014-sep-dec.html#16_December_2014_(UN_to_ask_NSA_to_show_radio_intercepts)">was shot down</a>.


feed_id: c8ba693a66c85bde42cdf2625336b0cb
title: Fossil holding
uri: Fossil-holding
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#14_October_2019_%28Fossil_holding%29
content:
<p>
The companies BlackRock, Vanguard and State Street together <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/oct/12/top-three-asset-managers-fossil-fuel-investments">own 300 billion dollars of fossil fuel investments</a>.


feed_id: d83e53fd5a04051b77064b389e3b8200
title: Turkey in Rojava
uri: Turkey-in-Rojava
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#14_October_2019_%28Turkey_in_Rojava%29
content:
<p>
Turkey's Arab proxy army <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/oct/12/kurds-fear-never-return-turkey-border-assault-syria">is advancing into Rojava</a> against hard resistance.

<p>
Rojava is rather thin, from North to South, so it can easily be cut in two.
Turkey may aim to conquer it entirely.


feed_id: b4274c233eb4a655fb5c5fb062c8c6ed
title: Likenesses
uri: Likenesses
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#14_October_2019_%28Likenesses%29
content:
<p>
(satire) &hellip; the NCAA <a href="https://sports.theonion.com/new-ncaa-rule-forces-athletes-to-remove-all-facial-feat-1838739640">announced a new
   rule</a> Thursday forcing athletes to remove all facial features to prevent
   them from profiting off their likenesses.


feed_id: f2531dc4f1d8a24eec527c1efeb9d4d0
title: Free Range Kids laws
uri: Free-Range-Kids-laws
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#14_October_2019_%28Free_Range_Kids_laws%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://letgrow.org/update-our-current-legislative-work-on-free-range-parenting-bills/">Campaigning for Free Range Kids</a> laws in various states.


feed_id: 222d7b64e1f8759492cfa3b4644b2605
title: Fossil fuel firms hypocrisy
uri: Fossil-fuel-firms-hypocrisy
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#14_October_2019_%28Fossil_fuel_firms_hypocrisy%29
content:
<p>
Fossil fuel firms <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2019/10/10/fossil-fuel-firms-spend-millions-social-media-ads-against-climate-regulations-while">spend millions</a> on social media ads against climate regulations while portraying selves as green heroes.


feed_id: 2e66df176c8a56beeda8ec25b9835236
title: Crack down on fossil fuel firms
uri: Crack-down-on-fossil-fuel-firms
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#14_October_2019_%28Crack_down_on_fossil_fuel_firms%29

content:
<p>
Corbyn and Sanders <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/oct/10/corbyn-sanders-fossil-fuels-us-uk-climate-change-big-oil">vow to crack down</a> on fossil fuel firms.


feed_id: 162fb600f7f2785896d2eb55f7fed380
title: Google and global-heating denialists
uri: Google-and-global-heating-denialists
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#14_October_2019_%28Google_and_global-heating_denialists%29

content:
<p>
Google <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/oct/11/google-contributions-climate-change-deniers">donates to quite a few right-wing think tanks</a>, some of which
are global-heating denialists.

<p>
Google <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/oct/11/obscure-law-google-climate-deniers-section-230">said a few years ago</a> that it wouldn't do this any more.

<p>
Some of those groups do other bad things as well.  Early this century,
some of them spread FUD about the GNU GPL.  I doubt it was Google that
funded that campaign.


feed_id: 07e4469e761f012e9ba5be034904ef40
title: Thug shooting a woman in her home
uri: Thug-shooting-a-woman-in-her-home
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#15_October_2019_%28Thug_shooting_a_woman_in_her_home%29

content:
<p>
A <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thug</a> was sent to check on why a black woman's front door was left
open.  <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/oct/14/atatiana-jefferson-fort-worth-justice">He shot her dead through the window</a>, with no effort to find out
what the situation was.

<p>
Is it possible <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2019/oct/14/fort-worth-police-shooting-atatiana-jefferson-killed">to teach thugs</a> to think before they shoot?


feed_id: cab092582a9be41969bc48af2fa3c678
title: Duterte thugs and drug
uri: Duterte-thugs-and-drug
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#15_October_2019_%28Duterte_thugs_and_drug%29
content:
<p>
Duterte's chief of national thugs (including their death squads) <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/oct/14/philippines-police-chief-and-duterte-drug-war-enforcer-resigns-in-meth-scandal">has resigned</a> due to accusations of involvement in drug dealing.


feed_id: d8e581295624be187e5fa6ae33d61918
title: Apple spying for China
uri: Apple-spying-for-China
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#15_October_2019_%28Apple_spying_for_China%29
content:
<p>
Apple's nonfree Safari browser <a href="https://reclaimthenet.org/apple-safari-ip-addresses-tencent/">spies on users</a> for the Chinese company Tencent.


feed_id: f17107c04f891d6d6aea81e2902d9779
title: Urgent: ban facial recognition government use
uri: Urgent-ban-facial-recognition-government-use
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#15_October_2019_%28Urgent%3A_ban_facial_recognition_government_use%29

content:
<p>
US citizens: <a href="https://act.freepress.net/sign/internet_ban_facial_recog/?akid=13449.9489429.MGgYYq&rd=1&t=1002">call on Congress</a> to ban government use of facial recognition.

<p>
This is not enough, but it's a good start.

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


feed_id: d39d709eaaa62359187656a90da5f980
title: Urgent: stop funding war in Yemen
uri: Urgent-stop-funding-war-in-Yemen
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#15_October_2019_%28Urgent%3A_stop_funding_war_in_Yemen%29

content:
<p>
US citizens: <a href="https://actionnetwork.org/petitions/sign-the-petition-demand-congress-cease-any-funding-for-the-war-in-yemen?nowrapper=true&referrer=group-womens-action-for-new-directions&source=2019YemenNDAA_WAND">call on Congress</a> to end all funding for the war in Yemen.

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


feed_id: d8c761c6d59a6312c391bc7dcda3db79
title: Government post qualification
uri: Government-post-qualification
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#15_October_2019_%28Government_post_qualification%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/oct/14/nepotism-partisanship-us-civil-service">Preet Bharara</a>: Congress should formalize the former unwritten rules
about who is qualified for appointed government executive posts.


feed_id: 67e4de0cf8af0527b8976fc6e939bd61
title: Urgent: block plan to reject most immigrants
uri: Urgent-block-plan-to-reject-most-immigrants
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#15_October_2019_%28Urgent%3A_block_plan_to_reject_most_immigrants%29

content:
<p>
US citizens: <a href="https://act.democracyforamerica.com/sign/immigrant-visas?t=1001&refcode=g-visa1009.d-20191009.m-18357.s-115444&akid=18357%2E1906019%2EZP9aPx">call on Congress</a> to block the bully's plan to reject most immigrants.

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


feed_id: e6be24bdcea8535bef2ebd13fd9420e4
title: Rejection of authoritarian in Hungary
uri: Rejection-of-authoritarian-in-Hungary
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#15_October_2019_%28Rejection_of_authoritarian_in_Hungary%29

content:
<p>
Hungarians <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/oct/13/opposition-parties-candidate-wins-budapest-mayoral-race">showed their mounting dissatisfaction</a> with the authoritarian
Fidesz party by defeating it in significant local elections.

<p>
This is a step towards removing it from power, but that won't be easy
because of the grip it has given itself over other institutions.


feed_id: 3983b4d1286c0af47c390052570f9ddb
title: Syrian Kurds and Assad
uri: Syrian-Kurds-and-Assad
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#15_October_2019_%28Syrian_Kurds_and_Assad%29
content:
<p>
The Syrian Kurds <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/oct/14/syrian-troops-enter-kurdish-fight-against-turkish-forces">have allied with Assad</a> to resist the invasion from
Turkey, and turned over two border cities to Assad in exchange.

<p>
If Rojava can peacefully reconcile with Assad, perhaps recognizing his
suzerainty but without submitting to the tyranny of his regime,
it would be a step forward &mdash; as long as Assad allows it to continue.

<p>
However, the fighting between Assad and Turkey could lead to fighting
between Russia and Turkey.  That is potentially dangerous.


feed_id: a5e665aa15fe7ca01fe22ec1302eb67c
title: PISSI escape
uri: PISSI-escape
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#15_October_2019_%28PISSI_escape%29
content:
<p>
A deal <a href="https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/resources/idt-sh/raqqas_dirty_secret">permitted hundreds of PISSI fighters to escape from Raqqa</a>, along with thousands of people in their families, in order to end the fighting to capture that city.

<p>
700 more supporters of PISSI <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/oct/13/kurds-reach-deal-with-damascus-in-face-of-turkish-offensive">have now escaped from prison</a> 
as a consequence of Turkey's attack, as the Kurds had to move their
forces to oppose Turkey.


feed_id: e90067512f2f82159a18e138a9068991
title: Unlawful campaign financing
uri: Unlawful-campaign-financing
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#15_October_2019_%28Unlawful_campaign_financing%29
content:
<p>
Federal prosecutors <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2019/10/10/tip-iceberg-prosecutors-allege-vast-criminal-conspiracy-giuliani-associates-funnel">charged two men</a> (who work with Giuliani) with transferring foreign funds to the cheater's campaign.

<p>
This might be part of a broader scheme that could be managed by Giuliani.


feed_id: b61d08e5155af76312e83adee055b37e
title: Ties to China
uri: Ties-to-China
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#15_October_2019_%28Ties_to_China%29
content:
<p>
When multinational companies depend on a relationship with China,
either for manufacturing or sales, <a href="https://boingboing.net/2019/10/10/carrying-water-for-thugs.html">China can force them to support its repression</a>.


feed_id: fda3f9c25e18196780f95a37c47a58b5
title: Money laundering zones
uri: Money-laundering-zones
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#15_October_2019_%28Money_laundering_zones%29
content:
<p>
Some countries operate "free trade zones" that <a href="https://gfintegrity.org/free-trade-zones-a-pandoras-box-for-illicit-money/">are great for money laundering</a>.


feed_id: 2420bc7f5045c0461c57d37a7c32a91e
title: Friendship with political opponents
uri: Friendship-with-political-opponents
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#15_October_2019_%28Friendship_with_political_opponents%29

content:
<p>
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2019/oct/12/why-i-can-still-be-best-friends-with-someone-whose-politics-i-despise">We should not reject friendship</a> with people who disagree with us on important political issues.

<p>
I won't condemn Ellen DeGeneres for being friends with <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#dubya">Dubya</a>.
I've called for prosecuting him for war crimes since the time he was
in office, but I don't condemn her for not thinking so.

<p>
I bring up my politics so often that I might find it difficult to be
friends with right-wing people, but that's just me.


feed_id: 5c2cbc082f7a33a40c912b42c5d79e4e
title: Urgent: end cooperation with deportation thugs
uri: Urgent-end-cooperation-with-deportation-thugs
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#15_October_2019_%28Urgent%3A_end_cooperation_with_deportation_thugs%29

content:
<p>
US citizens: <a href="https://action.aclu.org/petition/buses-are-no-place-border-patrol">call on Greyhound's conglomerate</a> to end cooperation with deportation thugs.


feed_id: 47cee095124cc84f82702a9c586b6a96
title: Confederate war slaves
uri: Confederate-war-slaves
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#15_October_2019_%28Confederate_war_slaves%29
content:
<p>
Some Confederate officers <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2019/oct/13/black-confederates-civil-war-myth-kevin-levin">brought family slaves with them to the army</a>.  Subsequently, apologists for slavery have pretended that those blacks were Confederate soldiers.


feed_id: d54f17f8cb8756ec958a5228f0c52d98
title: Turkey murders Kurdish civilians
uri: Turkey-murders-Kurdish-civilians
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#15_October_2019_%28Turkey_murders_Kurdish_civilians%29

content:
<p>
Turkey's proxy forces <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/oct/13/female-kurdish-politician-among-nine-civilians-killed-by-pro-turkey-forces-in-syria-observers-say">are murdering</a> selected Kurdish civilians.


feed_id: 302e717798b48bd436b381636cd76b23
title: Poverty sentence
uri: Poverty-sentence
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#15_October_2019_%28Poverty_sentence%29
content:
<p>
US sanctions <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/oct/13/cuba-oil-sanctions-shortages">are driving Cuba into poverty</a> because no ships
can transport Venezuelan oil to Cuba.

<p>
It surprises me that Russia or China or Iran doesn't send ships to do
this.


feed_id: 37f40cfec29c64acdf2f4f48533f6302
title: Britons taxes
uri: Britons-taxes
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#15_October_2019_%28Britons_taxes%29
content:
<p>
Britons complain their taxes are too high, but <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/oct/13/are-we-being-taxed-until-the-pips-squeak">they are less than in
1970</a> &mdash; especially for the rich.


feed_id: 2acbeea93d51ca334e8a643856b1cd5f
title: Sanctions against Turkey
uri: Sanctions-against-Turkey
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#16_October_2019_%28Sanctions_against_Turkey%29
content:
<p>
Congress <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/oct/15/turkey-syria-congress-trump-sanctions">is considering enacting sanctions</a> against Turkey
for attacking the Kurds.


feed_id: ef33dbbe222df79d2533bdb36119edfc
title: Russian actions in Syria
uri: Russian-actions-in-Syria
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#16_October_2019_%28Russian_actions_in_Syria%29
content:
<p>
Russian soldiers <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/oct/15/russian-troops-patrol-between-turkish-and-syrian-forces-on-border">are acting as peacekeepers</a> between Assad's forces and
Turkey's proxy forces, in one area, but their attack on the Kurds
continues.


feed_id: fb42fd09fc904d23a875d4bd6454410f
title: Homelessness benefits in EU
uri: Homelessness-benefits-in-EU
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#16_October_2019_%28Homelessness_benefits_in_EU%29
content:
<p>
"EU nationals are often barred from homelessness benefits unless they
have a job &mdash; a hostile environment policy that charities are
effectively enforcing."

<p>
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/cities/2019/oct/15/the-catch-22-of-homeless-care-shows-why-charities-must-stand-up-to-government">Source</a>


feed_id: a57794e184fe33157f9d0c30015c4689
title: Private hospitals and universal national health system
uri: Private-hospitals-and-universal-national-health-system
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#16_October_2019_%28Private_hospitals_and_universal_national_health_system%29

content:
<p>
Investor-owned hospitals <a href="https://theintercept.com/2019/10/15/medicare-for-all-hospital-tenet/">are leading the fight</a> against the creation of a universal national health system in the US.

<p>
This suggests that one step forward would be for states to prohibit
for-profit hospitals.


feed_id: 9a3a1f765a55b902464f91e0512efc20
title: Urgent: natural gas projects in EU
uri: Urgent-natural-gas-projects-in-EU
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#16_October_2019_%28Urgent%3A_natural_gas_projects_in_EU%29

content:
<p>
Everyone: <a href="https://act.priceofoil.org/sign/Fossil-Free-EIB/?t=1001&akid=27486%2E44401%2EbMXugW">call on the European Investment Bank</a> to adopt its previous plan and reject new natural gas projects.

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


feed_id: f2a6ff5953d729ef47dae5e07ade71a9
title: Extinction rebels disobedience
uri: Extinction-rebels-disobedience
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#16_October_2019_%28Extinction_rebels_disobedience%29

content:
<p>
London <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thugs</a> threatened to arrest anyone protesting anywhere in London,
but Extinction Rebellion activists <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/oct/15/extinction-rebellion-activists-defy-london-wide-protest-ban">are willing to be arrested and even jailed</a> for the sake of avoiding global disaster.


feed_id: c0f9a1850baf8a15fd61e9ba187bf906
title: Raids on opposition in Russia
uri: Raids-on-opposition-in-Russia
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#16_October_2019_%28Raids_on_opposition_in_Russia%29
content:
<p>
Russian investigators <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/oct/15/mass-raids-target-russian-opposition-leader-alexei-navalny">have raided</a> opposition offices across the country.


feed_id: d468594d98eb5eee4e113327b80eb181
title: Zombie debt
uri: Zombie-debt
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#16_October_2019_%28Zombie_debt%29
content:
<p>
Struggling Americans <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/law/2019/oct/15/zombie-debt-benefits-overpayment-poverty">are haunted by zombie debt</a>.  Will you be next?


feed_id: cbac9167c610f53cc60f08b6c7003bd9
title: Extinction rebellion protesters vs the city
uri: Extinction-rebellion-protesters-vs-the-city
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#16_October_2019_%28Extinction_rebellion_protesters_vs_the_city%29

content:
<p>
'Stop Funding Ecocide': Extinction rebellion protesters <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2019/10/14/stop-funding-ecocide-extinction-rebellion-protesters-target-london-financial">target London financial district</a>.


feed_id: b8850e80c43b5fe8648a43b31b1aaea0
title: Blue angels
uri: Blue-angels
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#16_October_2019_%28Blue_angels%29
content:
<p>
On the issues <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2019/10/14/problem-blue-angels">raised by US military airshow jets</a>.

<p>
I disagree with the article's arguments.  The costs are insignificant
compared with the US military budget, the dangers to the airmen
is a small problem compared with the danger of professional football,
and the danger to the public is small compared with the dangers of life.

<p>
On the other hand, military airshow flights can do big harm in another
way: they strengthen the grip of the military-industrial complex,
which wastes hundreds of billions of dollars, and encourages wars of
aggression that can kill tens or hundreds of thousands of people.


feed_id: 20652581c35444cb2732e94e1b89b26d
title: Biden's contributors
uri: Biden-s-contributors
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#16_October_2019_%28Biden%27s_contributors%29
content:
<p>
Rich people, their media and their politicians are trying hard to prop
up Biden, but <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2019/10/14/more-joe-biden-stumbles-more-corporate-democrats-freak-out">it isn't working very well</a>.


feed_id: 76a278bd16a3ad78e298911b9efe214a
title: Corporate promise
uri: Corporate-promise
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#16_October_2019_%28Corporate_promise%29
content:
<p>
(<a href="https://www.theonion.com/nation-s-ceos-sign-pledge-to-continue-fucking-over-amer-1839034060">satire</a>) "As the business leaders of this country, we promise to
   never, ever stop fighting to ensure that the vast majority of Americans
   aren't able to afford the products they need or live the life they
   want."


feed_id: b193ef9315abfe8ca8115dd1c29ae6a8
title: Thanks Trump
uri: Thanks-Trump
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#16_October_2019_%28Thanks_Trump%29
content:
<p>
(<a href="https://www.theonion.com/jubilant-isis-prisoners-hail-american-liberators-1839033474">satire</a>) Jubilant [PISSI] Prisoners Hail American Liberators.


feed_id: 919b7fbb1f591dfab071aa120f6828b1
title: Scientists in support of extinction rebellion
uri: Scientists-in-support-of-extinction-rebellion
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#16_October_2019_%28Scientists_in_support_of_extinction_rebellion%29

content:
<p>
700 scientists in the UK <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2019/10/14/citing-moral-duty-take-radical-action-over-700-scientists-endorse-mass-civil">declared their support</a> for Extinction
Rebellion.


feed_id: 7f34f02a91893d6600c90d5e2076d49b
title: Gatorade
uri: Gatorade
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#16_October_2019_%28Gatorade%29
content:
<p>
(<a href="https://www.theonion.com/new-patriotic-gatorade-ad-shows-terrorists-being-waterb-1838777487">satire</a>) a new patriotic Gatorade ad that aired
Friday showed terrorists being waterboarded with Gatorade.


feed_id: f0d6dd83493b0cd135fa5ec31be39cfe
title: Urgent: Protect Ukraine's whistleblower
uri: Urgent-Protect-Ukraine-s-whistleblower
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#16_October_2019_%28Urgent%3A_Protect_Ukraine%27s_whistleblower%29

content:
<p>
US citizens: <a href="https://act.credoaction.com/sign/protect-whistleblower?t=1001&akid=34335%2E1183552%2EwEeCmQ">call on the DNI</a> to pledge to protect the Ukraine whistleblower's
identity.


feed_id: 5c598567338ac6e124ab136cd067f13d
title: Big US banks investing in fossil fuels
uri: Big-US-banks-investing-in-fossil-fuels
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#16_October_2019_%28Big_US_banks_investing_in_fossil_fuels%29

content:
<p>
Big US banks <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/oct/13/top-investment-banks-lending-billions-extract-fossil-fuels">are investing heavily</a> in digging civilization's grave.


feed_id: 39b3498ed20fa9df810ee71b67676205
title: Recycled plastic price on the rise
uri: Recycled-plastic-price-on-the-rise
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#16_October_2019_%28Recycled_plastic_price_on_the_rise%29

content:
<p>
The price of recycled plastic <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/oct/13/war-on-plastic-waste-faces-setback-as-cost-of-recycled-material-soars">has risen greatly</a> due to increased demand.

<p>
This is a sign of progress.  It will lead to an increase in recycling
capacity; then the plastic handed in for recycling will really be
recycled.


feed_id: 7a19d1c3d034fbe802d2c690d78a8509
title: Making UK jails more dangerous
uri: Making-UK-jails-more-dangerous
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#16_October_2019_%28Making_UK_jails_more_dangerous%29

content:
<p>
Tories <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/society/2019/oct/14/lynch-mob-politics-experts-denounce-plans-for-longer-jail-terms">want to keep prisoners in prison for longer</a>, but won't pay
to operate prisons safely.


feed_id: 4501928eeb007d474c44844c95233fb1
title: Benefits system automation
uri: Benefits-system-automation
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#16_October_2019_%28Benefits_system_automation%29
content:
<p>
Using AI to judge applications for public assistance provides
right-wing governments with an opportunity to <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2019/oct/14/fears-rise-in-benefits-system-automation-could-plunge-claimants-deeper-into-poverty">cut welfare benefits</a> without any official change in the rules.


feed_id: 88d40374ac67bbce139c016d4dfecc26
title: Fuel subsidies in Ecuador
uri: Fuel-subsidies-in-Ecuador
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#16_October_2019_%28Fuel_subsidies_in_Ecuador%29
content:
<p>
Ecuador's president Moreno <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/oct/14/ecuador-protests-end-after-deal-struck-with-indigenous-leaders">reinstated fuel subsidies and made the indigenous
protesters happy</a>.  However, the climate must be weeping.


feed_id: 9430b957cbeb0b028c44382297c640aa
title: Reducing fossil fuel use
uri: Reducing-fossil-fuel-use
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#16_October_2019_%28Reducing_fossil_fuel_use%29
content:
<p>
Eight proposals for how to <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/oct/14/how-rein-in-fossil-fuel-industry-eight-ideas">make big reductions in fossil fuel use</a>.


feed_id: 85dec31d839faa30b176569efff0e4fa
title: Broadcaster regulation for Facebook
uri: Broadcaster-regulation-for-Facebook
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#16_October_2019_%28Broadcaster_regulation_for_Facebook%29

content:
<p>
Facebook <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/oct/15/facebook-elizabeth-warren-regulation">compared itself to a TV or radio broadcaster</a>, thus inviting
the government to regulate it as it regulates broadcasters.


feed_id: db63a176339960ab994cc34eb684824d
title: Anti-net-neutrality lobby
uri: Anti-net-neutrality-lobby
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#17_October_2019_%28Anti-net-neutrality_lobby%29
content:
<p>
How the anti-net-neutrality lobby
<a href="https://readersupportednews.org/news-section2/318-66/59060-how-the-broadband-lobby-impersonated-a-million-people-to-kill-net-neutrality">impersonated
a million people</a> to kill network neutrality.
<p>
This is in addition to whatever they spent to get Ajit Pai
put in charge of the issue.


feed_id: 299405d3ef746baa7e453556f77381ac
title: Lobbyists in the conman's administration
uri: Lobbyists-in-the-conman-s-administration
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#17_October_2019_%28Lobbyists_in_the_conmans_administration%29

content:
<p>
The conman and his ministers hired
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2019/10/15/swamp-anything-drained-report-details-281-lobbyists-trump-administration-over-first">281
former lobbyists in just the first two years</a>.
<p>
At that rate they will have hired another 50 or 100 by now.


feed_id: 0a94dc76037202c267e9d41ddf06d0d1
title: Hunter Biden apologizes
uri: Hunter-Biden-apologizes
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#17_October_2019_%28Hunter_Biden_apologizes%29
content:
<p>
(satire) Hunter Biden
<a href="https://politics.theonion.com/hunter-biden-admits-it-was-poor-judgment-to-be-involved-1839064969">admitted
Tuesday it was poor judgment on his part to be involved with the
corrupt Biden family</a>.


feed_id: 8427d76b9b892ec2ed0d05de64f3c1bb
title: Sadism of US border thugs
uri: Sadism-of-US-border-thugs
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#17_October_2019_%28Sadism_of_US_border_thugs%29
content:
<p>
A family of British tourists in Canada were
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2019/oct/15/uk-family-arrested-in-us-for-inadvertently-crossing-border">arrested
for entering the US on an road with no warning of the frontier</a>.
They were taking a short detour to avoid an animal in their intended
road.
<p>
This incident puts the sadism of the border <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thugs</a> in clear relief.
Why arrest people for entering the US such a short time?
Why not wait a minute and see if they leave again?
<p>
Why deport them to the UK instead of back to Canada where they were?
In addition to the trouble that causes them, it will also cost the US
government a lot of money &mdash; perhaps tens of thousands of
dollars.  We see that, to the border <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thugs</a>, a chance to be cruel is
worth any expense.
<p>
It is clear that the <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thugs</a> are looking closely at that road.  If
temporary entry there is deemed a real problem, why not put a sign
there telling people not to cross?  That would have been cheaper, but
the <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thugs</a> would have missed a possible opportunity for sadism.
<p>
This is in addition to the cruel conditions that the <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thugs</a> have
arranged to visit on tens of thousands of people who knew they were
entering the US, simply by overcrowding the immigration prisons.
<p>
British tourists are not the intended target of this cruelty.  It was
set up to deter, and endanger, refugees from Central America.  But now
that cruelty is their priority goal. the most zealous grab any
opportunity that comes their way.


feed_id: d3ed29ddcff0c3f1d0376e052e914537
title: Separation of church and state
uri: Separation-of-church-and-state
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#17_October_2019_%28Separation_of_church_and_state%29

content:
<p>
The US State Department
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2019/10/15/us-state-dept-under-fire-using-official-website-promote-pompeos-christian">promoted
Pompeo's speech in favor of Christianity</a>, violating the
constitutional requirement for separation of church and state.
<p>
Fortunately, Pompeo backed off this.


feed_id: d73f06ef5e76aab5d472e8ebe363b8bc
title: Influence of rich donors on elections
uri: Influence-of-rich-donors-on-elections
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#17_October_2019_%28Influence_of_rich_donors_on_elections%29

content:
<p>
Senator Warren has proposed
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2019/10/15/democracy-first-senator-warrens-new-plan">additional
incremental measures to reduce the influence</a> of rich donors on
elections.
<p>
I'm in favor, but I think we need stronger measures.


feed_id: 6039d0d9f6e0a281da2a2465f2962fc4
title: Calling 911 while black
uri: Calling-911-while-black
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#17_October_2019_%28Calling_911_while_black%29
content:
<p>
(satire) 911 Operator Informs Black Caller That
<a href="https://local.theonion.com/911-operator-informs-black-caller-that-death-is-on-the-1839063288">Death
Is On The Way</a>.


feed_id: 97979a96777f47eab9dffacbb2f9df9e
title: "Grass roots" lobby for gerrymandering
uri: Grass-roots-lobby-for-gerrymandering
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#17_October_2019_%28Grass_roots_lobby_for_gerrymandering%29

content:
<p>
Republicans set up a "grass roots" organization called "Pennsylvanians
Against Gerrymandering" to lobby
<a href="https://theintercept.com/2019/10/07/murdoch-pennsylvania-gerrymandering-lobbyists/">for
gerrymandering</a>.


feed_id: f59bb959dce8e5df46c2214ff86b9156
title: Climate culture change
uri: Climate-culture-change
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#17_October_2019_%28Climate_culture_change%29
content:
<p>
Thanks to Extinction Rebellion, We're Experiencing a
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/oct/07/extinction-rebellion-climate-change-deniers">Climate
Culture Change</a>.


feed_id: 87e6eaa5368d1a67a29e5641c10c8452
title: Fort Worth police condemn thug
uri: Fort-Worth-police-condemn-thug
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#17_October_2019_%28Fort_Worth_police_condemn_thug%29

content:
<p>
The Fort Worth police department is doing something amazing:
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2019/oct/15/fort-worth-police-black-woman-killed-atatiana-jefferson">condemning
rather than excusing the thug who shot Atatiana Jefferson</a>.
<p>
Recognizing that this was wrong is step in the right direction,
a step toward teaching <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thugs</a> to act like police officers.


feed_id: c9c2d1a166bb1768aac9d89d6cd696b7
title: Urgent: natural gas projects in EU
uri: 2019-10-18-Urgent-natural-gas-projects-in-EU
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#16_October_2019_%28Urgent%3A_natural_gas_projects_in_EU%29

content:
<p>
Everyone: <a href="https://act.priceofoil.org/sign/Fossil-Free-EIB/">call on the European Investment Bank</a> to adopt its previous plan and reject new natural gas projects.

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


feed_id: 6cfecb6e57434660dee337df48909b6c
title: Urgent: Protect Ukraine's whistleblower
uri: 2019-10-18-Urgent-Protect-Ukraine-s-whistleblower
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#16_October_2019_%28Urgent%3A_Protect_Ukraine%27s_whistleblower%29

content:
<p>
US citizens: <a href="https://act.credoaction.com/sign/protect-whistleblower">call on the DNI</a> to pledge to protect the Ukraine whistleblower's
identity.


feed_id: 11c31096e504c8eb2b4de17acee74625
title: Urgent: ban facial recognition government use
uri: 2019-10-18-Urgent-ban-facial-recognition-government-use
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#15_October_2019_%28Urgent%3A_ban_facial_recognition_government_use%29

content:
<p>
US citizens: <a href="https://act.freepress.net/sign/internet_ban_facial_recog/">call on Congress</a> to ban government use of facial recognition.

<p>
This is not enough, but it's a good start.

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


feed_id: 2894422adb05fd9840bc18c0368b538d
title: Urgent: stop funding war in Yemen
uri: 2019-10-18-Urgent-stop-funding-war-in-Yemen
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#15_October_2019_%28Urgent%3A_stop_funding_war_in_Yemen%29

content:
<p>
US citizens: <a href="https://actionnetwork.org/petitions/sign-the-petition-demand-congress-cease-any-funding-for-the-war-in-yemen?nowrapper=true">call on Congress</a> to end all funding for the war in Yemen.

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


feed_id: f744b55b136ee834b65f788693cb8a7e
title: Urgent: block plan to reject most immigrants
uri: 2019-10-18-Urgent-block-plan-to-reject-most-immigrants
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#15_October_2019_%28Urgent%3A_block_plan_to_reject_most_immigrants%29

content:
<p>
US citizens: <a href="https://act.democracyforamerica.com/sign/immigrant-visas">call on Congress</a> to block the bully's plan to reject most immigrants.

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


feed_id: b38de458aa8be17cc6651c6c973137ad
title: Los Angeles community service
uri: Los-Angeles-community-service
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#18_October_2019_%28Los_Angeles_community_service%29
content:
<p>
When Los Angeles sentences people to community service, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2019/oct/16/los-angeles-labor-community-service-courts-ucla">they often have
to work to difficult targets in stressful, even hazardous conditions</a>.

<p>
They are also required to pay to do this work.

<p>
If this is meant as a way to pay fines or other debts,
they should be paid the prevailing wage.


feed_id: 4812c57d488631fd58edcb5754f828de
title: Impostor syndrome
uri: Impostor-syndrome
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#18_October_2019_%28Impostor_syndrome%29
content:
<p>
Is "impostor syndrome" <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/oct/16/impostor-syndrome-class-unfairness">a self-blaming way to say</a>, "I come from a
disprivileged demographic background"?


feed_id: 4e1368120c6ae789551f8feab0ade5d1
title: Australia and climate denial
uri: Australia-and-climate-denial
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#18_October_2019_%28Australia_and_climate_denial%29
content:
<p>
Australia wasted decades in climate denial &mdash; and <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/oct/16/australia-wasted-decades-in-climate-denial-and-must-break-free-of-the-mire-of-misinformation">must break free</a> of the mire of misinformation.


feed_id: ceba03f6906ac67f1d9cc274b5fe967b
title: Proving the program is wrong
uri: Proving-the-program-is-wrong
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#18_October_2019_%28Proving_the_program_is_wrong%29
content:
<p>
Australia's computer program has cut off a million people's benefits
automatically.  Then they <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2019/oct/16/automated-messages-welfare-australia-system">have to prove the program was wrong</a>.


feed_id: 35e43c52fc33b33d4560f7c897e7e5fd
title: Gun control strategies
uri: Gun-control-strategies
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#18_October_2019_%28Gun_control_strategies%29
content:
<p>
Cory Booker's gun control legislation <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2019/oct/16/cory-booker-gun-control-legislation-community">focuses strategies on people</a>, not guns.

<p>
It might be a good idea.


feed_id: 20eb7b7ad474f8cc7cbe37ec453cf6b4
title: Wiping out Ivory Coast forests
uri: Wiping-out-Ivory-Coast-forests
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#18_October_2019_%28Wiping_out_Ivory_Coast_forests%29

content:
<p>
Ivory Coast law could see chocolate industry <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/oct/16/ivory-coast-law-could-see-chocolate-industry-wipe-out-protected-forests">"wipe out" protected forests</a>.


feed_id: 3a26603f61f995926e65d6ec94de030e
title: EU and democracy
uri: EU-and-democracy
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#18_October_2019_%28EU_and_democracy%29
content:
<p>
The insane behavior of the UK makes the EU look wise and just by comparison,
so <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/oct/16/eu-common-good-brexit-process-european-union">don't forget its oppressive side</a>.

<p>
The EU has a democratic structure that doesn't give the people much
power to limit what the <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#bankster">banksters</a> and businesses want.  Look, for
instance, at the unjust copyright directive that was adopted under
pressure from the publishing lobby.  Since three branches of the EU
must agree any change, it is hopeless to repeal bad directives once
they have been adopted.


feed_id: bf4f79ecc7d73e7d4e7d82f208afc7b9
title: Sanders and Warren
uri: 2019-10-18-Sanders-and-Warren
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#18_October_2019_%28Sanders_and_Warren%29
content:
<p>
Sanders advocates government programs that aid everyone, whereas
Warren <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2019/10/15/means-testing-sanders-vs-warren-single-most-important-policy-idea-progressive">advocates similar aid only for the poor</a>.

<p>
The weakness of the latter is that the rich can organize the middle
class to support cutting these programs and attaching onerous
conditions &mdash; which is exactly what right-wing politicians do.

<p>
As for the waste of subsidizing a few rich people along with the many
non-rich, it will be a small fraction of the total cost of these
programs.  A progressive tax on the rich will easily make up for it.


feed_id: ef55f2200b2681fd28f3a722b3e8daa5
title: Machine learning
uri: Machine-learning
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#18_October_2019_%28Machine_learning%29
content:
<p>
Machine learning can be useful for guiding the priorities of social
services, as long as humans <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2019/oct/15/bristol-algorithm-assess-citizens-risk-harm-guide-frontline-staff">think about the actual decisions</a>.

<p>
This could be a good thing provided the government doesn't use it as
an excuse to cut budgets even more.  Right-wing governments are looking
for any excuse, and whatever makes for more efficiency will mean they
can cut more.


feed_id: a29d6577a0c819c998de6536329b845f
title: StackExchange
uri: StackExchange
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#18_October_2019_%28StackExchange%29
content:
<p>
StackExchange has imposed a code of conduct saying that participants <a href="https://meta.stackexchange.com/questions/334900/official-faq-on-gender-pronouns-and-code-of-conduct-changes">have
to refer to each other person by per specified pronouns</a>.

<p>
Paraphrasing to avoid pronouns is forbidden; people are required to get
practice using all sorts of pronouns.

<p>
The rule was received with tremendous hostility.

I have never used in StackExchange and wasn't thinking of doing so.
(Too busy, in any case.)  I don't even know whether it is possible to
post on the site without running nonfree Javascript software &mdash; if it
isn't, I urge you to reject posting there, for your freedom's sake.

<p>
But I reject the demand to speak or write with singular "they".
<a href="https://stallman.org/articles/genderless-pronouns.html">I have a better system for gender-neutrality in English</a>, and I will use that.

<p>
I hope others will take it up; I suggest you consider it.
But I don't claim the power to demand you use it.

<p>
If you do participate in StackExchange, you might choose unusual
pronouns for yourself.  Not absurd ones, or nasty ones, just unusual.


feed_id: 6fb081f0394a2cc3c2dfdaa9fb59dec5
title: Urgent: PROTECT Hong Kong Act
uri: Urgent-PROTECT-Hong-Kong-Act
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#18_October_2019_%28Urgent%3A_PROTECT_Hong_Kong_Act%29

content:
<p>
US citizens:
<a href="https://act.winwithoutwar.org/act/support-the-PROTECT-hong-kong-act">call
on Congress</a> to pass the PROTECT Hong Kong Act.
<p>
If you sign, please spread the word!


feed_id: ae1024b9577fe1bc903fc1334b7f9641
title: Urgent: Defend US civil rights law
uri: Urgent-Defend-US-civil-rights-law
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#18_October_2019_%28Urgent%3A_Defend_US_civil_rights_law%29

content:
<p>
Everyone:
<a href="https://act.colorofchange.org/sign/comcast_withdraw/">call on
Comcast</a> to withdraw its Supreme Court challenge of the first US
civil rights law.
<p>
If you sign, please spread the word!


feed_id: 9468513a9427d76325306ce7edcaac2a
title: Urgent: Preserve methane emissions limits
uri: Urgent-Preserve-methane-emissions-limits
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#18_October_2019_%28Urgent%3A_Preserve_methane_emissions_limits%29

content:
<p>
US citizens:
<a href="https://act.sierraclub.org/actions/National?actionId=AR0204813">call
on the EPA</a> to preserve methane emissions limits, to help avoid
<a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#global heating">global heating</a> disaster.
<p>
The methane emissions do local harm too, but global disaster is
enormous by comparison with that.
<p>
You can sign without running the nonfree Javascript code if you use
Lynx.
<p>
If you sign, please spread the word!


feed_id: f91a591a09690182d2cfa16ed56c570c
title: Progressive reps endorse Sanders
uri: Progressive-reps-endorse-Sanders
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#18_October_2019_%28Progressive_reps_endorse_Sanders%29

content:
<p>
Reps. Ocasio-Cortez, Tlaib and Omar are
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/oct/17/squad-bernie-sanders-progressive-2020">endorsing
Sanders</a>, for the same reasons I do: his positions are more boldly
progressive.
<p>
I don't choose candidates to support based on gender.


feed_id: 61efcf6b343ceeb57e72052203cd1988
title: China threatens relatives of Uighurs in Europe
uri: China-threatens-relatives-of-Uighurs-in-Europe
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#18_October_2019_%28China_threatens_relatives_of_Uighurs_in_Europe%29

content:
<p>
China is
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/oct/17/think-of-your-family-china-threatens-european-citizens-over-xinjiang-protests">threatening
the relatives of Uighurs living in Europe</a>, so silence them.


feed_id: 1c7f81a5444ae014be691580e98fc9a7
title: America's poor in pre-trial jail
uri: America-s-poor-in-pre-trial-jail
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#18_October_2019_%28Americas_poor_in_pre-trial_jail%29

content:
<p>
Ten million poor Americans are jailed for a while each year, most of them
pre-trial because they
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2019/10/15/what-i-learn-when-i-have-lunch-cook-county-jail">can't
afford bail and fees</a>.  How about taking the opportunity to
register them to vote?


feed_id: e1141c7b6dc0f5ed44850b2a197f0fb8
title: Kashmiri political prisoners far from home
uri: Kashmiri-political-prisoners-far-from-home
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#18_October_2019_%28Kashmiri_political_prisoners_far_from_home%29

content:
<p>
Some Kashmiri political prisoners are held in prisons far away from
Kashmir,
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2019/oct/16/kashmir-families-live-in-fear-as-loved-ones-are-detained-far-from-home">where
their relatives can hardly reach them</a>.


feed_id: 3db8aa59aa8946c282d937ea1f2d00da
title: Reluctance to crush Hong Kong with army
uri: Reluctance-to-crush-Hong-Kong-with-army
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#18_October_2019_%28Reluctance_to_crush_Hong_Kong_with_army%29

content:
<p>
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/oct/16/china-hong-kong-xi-jinping">Why
Xi is reluctant</a> to crush Hong Kong with the Chinese army.


feed_id: 6dc6c327c6e47ff6520779908209a0d3
title: Protest and arrest for Extinction Rebellion
uri: Protest-and-arrest-for-Extinction-Rebellion
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#18_October_2019_%28Protest_and_arrest_for_Extinction_Rebellion%29

content:
<p>
George Monbiot writes about
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/oct/16/i-aim-to-get-arrested-climate-protesters">planning
to be arrested for protesting for Extinction Rebellion</a>.  (I read
that he was indeed arrested.)
<p>
It is misguided, even unfair, to criticize Extinction Rebellion for
being "too white" or "too male" or too whatever of that kind, because
that is not their choice.  A volunteer activity must to go with those
that volunteer.  When an activity needs to recruit as many people as
possible, it would be self-defeating to reject some volunteers for the
sake of demographic balance.  Rather, the activity must seek, and
welcome, every volunteer that is willing and able to work for the
cause.
<p>
If you would like more blacks or more women to participate in
Extinction Rebellion, by all means try to recruit them.  But don't
criticize the campaign for doing the most it can with the people who
have volunteered.
<p>
Indeed, people from less privileged groups may have rational reasons
to hold back.  Maybe they have to work 50 hours a week to get by.
Maybe they expect the judicial system to treat them with bias.  Maybe
they can't afford bail and fear being
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#26_February_2016_(The_practice_of_requiring_money_bail)">jailed
for months if they are arrested</a>, or being stuck for years in a
Ferguson-like
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2016-sep-dec.html#28_December_2016_(Debtors_prison_in_Jennings,_Missouri)">cycle
of fines and jail</a>.
<p>
Given that privilege exists, I'm glad that people with more privilege
are taking advantage of it to take risks for the sake of saving the
world from disaster.


feed_id: 83287641af618dbaf7473d36bc150f1c
title: Urgent: Section 215 of Patriot Act
uri: Urgent-Section-215-of-Patriot-Act
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#19_October_2019_%28Urgent%3A_Section_215_of_Patriot_Act%29

content:
<p>
US citizens: phone your congresscritter and call for ending section
215 of the U SAP AT RIOT Act (aka "USA PATRIOT Act").

<p>
That is the section that <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Section_summary_of_the_Patriot_Act,_Title_II#Section_215:_Access_to_records_and_other_items_under_FISA">authorizes collection of many kinds of personal data without even a real court order</a>.


feed_id: ae760c62c13bd1c02bc68ed967e93770
title: Global heating task force
uri: Global-heating-task-force
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#19_October_2019_%28Global_heating_task_force%29
content:
<p>
Wisconsin's governor <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2019/oct/17/wisconsin-climate-pollution-taskforce">establishes task force</a> to face the 'grave threat'
of <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#global heating">global heating</a>.


feed_id: f6d3d583c644242610eb9870a5194b04
title: Sexual education
uri: Sexual-education
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#19_October_2019_%28Sexual_education%29
content:
<p>
The UK <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/culture/2019/oct/16/uk-drops-plans-for-online-pornography-age-verification-system">has canceled its requirement</a> for porn sites to identify users.  The stated motive for this was to exclude teenagers, but what is important
is the tracking itself, not its purpose.

<p>
Why stop people from viewing porn, if they want to?  Much of today's
porn is aimed at heterosexual men and presents a totally wrong idea of
what women like.  When teenage men believe this, they can get twisted.

<p>
Showing them sex that various real teenage women really enjoy would
solve this problem in a better way.  Why replace bad education with no
education?  Replace it with good education.


feed_id: 9f4bbbea8b61feeeeadd6f04109401d3
title: Corporate debt
uri: Corporate-debt
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#19_October_2019_%28Corporate_debt%29
content:
<p>
Corporations have too much debt.  Even a moderate downturn <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/business/2019/oct/16/global-economy-faces-19tn-corporate-debt-timebomb-warns-imf">would cause
a crisis</a>.

<p>
Governments are supposed to prevent this sort of situation from arising.


feed_id: 4f8359ad67788c4a9d123b3b0e04cd81
title: National parks privatization
uri: National-parks-privatization
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#19_October_2019_%28National_parks_privatization%29
content:
<p>
Plans to privatize national parks <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2019/10/11/plans-privatize-national-parks-outlined-trump-admin-memo-would-enrich-donors">outlined in Trump admin memo</a>, would enrich donors and special interests.


feed_id: 40d643c87db6888170e440ab55b51665
title: Right-wing slogans
uri: Right-wing-slogans
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#19_October_2019_%28Right-wing_slogans%29
content:
<p>
Right-wing campaigns establish slogans, then right-wing politicians use them,
so as <a href="https://www.wired.com/story/devin-nunes-and-the-dark-power-of-keyword-signaling/">to drive searches to them</a>.


feed_id: 6470b30a8d9d1e97332c03a96723f684
title: Apple approval
uri: Apple-approval
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#19_October_2019_%28Apple_approval%29
content:
<p>
Apple <a href="https://www.cultofmac.com/618378/apple-will-soon-require-all-macos-apps-to-be-notarized/">plans to require</a> that all application software for MacOS be approved by Apple first.

<p>
Offering a checking service as an option could be useful and would not
be wrong.  Requiring users to get Apple's approval is tyranny.
Apple says the check will only look for malware (not counting the malware
that is <a href="https://gnu.org/malware/malware-apple.html">part of the operating system</a>), but Apple could change that policy step by step.  Or perhaps Apple
will decide that <a href="https://www.stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#10_October_2019_(Apple_censors_app_used_by_HK_protesters)">helping Hong Kong protesters constitutes malware</a>.


feed_id: c971b7cc05f84b42e7279f6d37976dfd
title: As in free lunch
uri: As-in-free-lunch
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#19_October_2019_%28As_in_free_lunch%29
content:
<p>
Sanders and Ilhan Omar <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2019/10/15/every-child-deserves-eat-sanders-and-omar-bill-would-provide-universal-free-public">introduced a bill</a> to provide gratis school lunches to all public school students.


feed_id: 19602487cc3f0d01a0b6fc796c35cb0c
title: Seafood bisque
uri: Seafood-bisque
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#19_October_2019_%28Seafood_bisque%29
content:
<p>
(satire) marine biologists at the University of Rhode Island
   <a href="https://www.theonion.com/encouraged-marine-biologists-project-oceans-will-be-nic-1839045491">projected Tuesday</a> that the planet's oceans will be a nice, simmering
   seafood bisque by 2040.


feed_id: 6c9b4cf2ec908aeb17fe160c0906152f
title: Unemployment partial rate
uri: Unemployment-partial-rate
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#19_October_2019_%28Unemployment_partial_rate%29
content:
<p>
The UK's official unemployment rate omits many people who would like to work
but <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/business/2019/oct/17/unemployment-figures-should-be-millions-higher-says-research">are blocked by circumstances or have given up finding a job</a>.


feed_id: 2f07d66fbaf35396f003c32038019f83
title: Existential threat
uri: Existential-threat
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#19_October_2019_%28Existential_threat%29
content:
<p>
Referring to <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#global heating">global heating</a> as an "existential threat" is a little
exaggerated, since <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2019/10/16/factcheckorg-ridiculed-claiming-sanders-use-existential-misleading-because-climate">it isn't likely to kill all humans</a>.  <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jul-oct.html#15_July_2016_(Existential_Risks_Are_More_Likely_to_Kill_You_Than_Terrorism)">That could perhaps happen</a>, but more likely it will merely kill billions and wipe out technological civilization.


feed_id: 6cf01118cfbb65507173cd0eb34c7307
title: Urgent: pass the Schedules That Work Act
uri: Urgent-pass-the-Schedules-That-Work-Act
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#20_October_2019_%28Urgent%3A_pass_the_Schedules_That_Work_Act%29

content:
<p>
US citizens: <a href="https://act.credoaction.com/sign/schedules-that-work?t=1001&akid=34538%2E1183552%2ExuSv-7">call on Congress</a> to pass the Schedules That Work Act.

If you call, please spread the word!


feed_id: 9934923432e11f76d27431f25bb844d7
title: Warren to reintroduce Schedules That Work Act
uri: Warren-to-reintroduce-Schedules-That-Work-Act
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#20_October_2019_%28Warren_to_reintroduce_Schedules_That_Work_Act%29

content:
<p>
Senator Warren <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2019/10/17/following-new-findings-effects-unstable-schedules-congress-pursue-fair">will reintroduce</a> the Schedules that Work Act
which will forbid employers from jerking part-time workers around on short notice.


feed_id: f3eb55e5b9afd07c63536a35595f9c90
title: Surrendering deal
uri: Surrendering-deal
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#20_October_2019_%28Surrendering_deal%29
content:
<p>
The bully <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2019/10/17/critics-denounce-turkeys-ceasefire-demand-announced-pence-ethnic-cleansing-syrian">ordered the Kurds</a> to surrender to Turkey a 20-mile strip along the border within five days or face mass murder.  He called
this a "cease fire deal".


feed_id: e735e17de09a71a3b75a6d15ae5fab3f
title: Nelson and slavery
uri: Nelson-and-slavery
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#20_October_2019_%28Nelson_and_slavery%29
content:
<p>
It turns out that Admiral Nelson, Britain's greatest naval hero, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2017/aug/22/toppling-statues-nelsons-column-should-be-next-slavery">was
also a defender of slavery</a>.  Does that mean his statues should be taken down?

<p>
It is impossible to compare the evil Nelson did by defending slavery
with the good he did by helping to defeat Napoleon to see which is
more important.  That is imponderable.  But we can be sure that
Nelson, who died in 1805, had no say over how Britain treated es-slave
black sailors after the war ended in 1814.

<p>
Statues of Confederate generals were put up to glorify the past system
of slavery, aiming to strengthen the system of segregation.  That is
what those statues stand for.  I think they should be taken down.

<p>
By contrast, statues of Nelson were put up as symbols of naval
victory, and that is what they stand for.  They don't stand for any
position on race relations.  I don't think there is a need to take
them down, even though British naval power is a thing of the past.


feed_id: 2bba8d5c05acb31307366c3a46217592
title: Flight-shaming
uri: Flight-shaming
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#20_October_2019_%28Flight-shaming%29
content:
<p>
"Flight-shaming" could <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/business/2019/oct/17/flight-shaming-could-slow-growth-of-airline-industry-says-iata">slow growth of airline industry</a>, says IATA.

<p>
That is the aim of it.

<p>
Increasingly people <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/business/2019/oct/17/eurostar-enjoys-busiest-august-as-passengers-seek-alternative-to-flying">are taking the high-speed train</a> from London
to continental Europe rather than flying.

<p>
If <a href="https://stallman.org/articles/children.html">you never have children</a>, you will avoid so much future greenhouse gas emissions that a lifetime's worth of flights will hardly count.


feed_id: 3c97c58d441184f1260fda72638544a7
title: Spying on students
uri: Spying-on-students
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#20_October_2019_%28Spying_on_students%29
content:
<p>
Florida <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/oct/18/school-shootings-surveillance-police-database-privacy">plans to demand</a> that students give lots of personal details
and biometrics.  This is supposedly to keep them safe.  Like the <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thugs</a> in the schools,
it will endanger them instead.  The direct harm will fall mainly on
people from minority groups, but don't assume your child will be safe!


feed_id: 504fccc21b01c903f50c243238893772
title: Chicago teachers' strike
uri: Chicago-teachers-strike
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#20_October_2019_%28Chicago_teachers_strike%29
content:
<p>
The Chicago Teachers' Strike 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/oct/19/cdhicago-teachers-strike-neoliberalism">Shows
How to Go on Offense Against Neoliberalism</a>.


feed_id: 7e4a093acd1af6a17b866046ae4671f4
title: Using war to whip up nationalism
uri: Using-war-to-whip-up-nationalism
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#20_October_2019_%28Using_war_to_whip_up_nationalism%29

content:
<p>
Erdoğan has used war against the Kurds as an occasion to 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/oct/19/fighting-continues-on-syrian-turkish-border-despite-us-ceasefire">whip
up Turkish nationalism and prosecute opponents</a>.
<p>
Maybe this is why the conman supports Erdoğan.


feed_id: 10579b104e45daa9e84c4c44976324d4
title: Pakistan blocks Steven Butler
uri: Pakistan-blocks-Steven-Butler
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#20_October_2019_%28Pakistan_blocks_Steven_Butler%29
content:
<p>
Steven Butler of the Committee to Protect Journalists had a visa to
visit Pakistan, but when he arrived at passport control his visa was
specially cancelled, and Pakistan somehow 
<a href="https://cpj.org/2019/10/pakistan-denies-entry-cpj-steven-butler.php">sent
him back to the US under a kind of arrest</a>.


feed_id: 243cb47fdc039dcf6656327953a50c35
title: Xi-ple threaten Hong Kong students in UK
uri: Xi-ple-threaten-Hong-Kong-students-in-UK
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#20_October_2019_%28Xi-ple_threaten_Hong_Kong_students_in_UK%29

content:
<p>
Hong Kong students in the UK are holding rallies in support of Hong
Kong's freedom, but they 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2019/oct/18/hong-kong-protesters-uk-pro-beijing-intimidation">face
systematic attacks by Chinese students</a>.
<p>
Those 
<a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#xi-ple">Xi-ple</a> are not learning anything
important from their stay in Britain.


feed_id: 2c85c41bea4fbb51afe801acd858d319
title: Funds for Medicare for All already exist
uri: Funds-for-Medicare-for-All-already-exist
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#20_October_2019_%28Funds_for_Medicare_for_All_already_exist%29

content:
<p>
Proposing to fund the government expenditures for Medicare for All
by 
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2019/10/17/researchers-detail-how-slashing-pentagon-budget-could-pay-medicare-all-while">cutting
the military budget</a>.
<p>
I think this proposal confusingly connects two good ideas.
<p>
We should adopt Medicare for All, also known as a universal national
medical system, but we should reject the idea that this is an increase
in expenses.  If we get rid of the parasitic profitmaking medical
system, this will save people in the US a 
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#2_March_2019_(Urgent:_Universal_medical_care)">large
fraction of what they now spend on medical care and insurance</a>.  So
it doesn't need to be "paid for"; what it needs is to rechannel part
of the current spending.
<p>
We should cut the arms budget, because many of the arms being
purchased are 
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#17_July_2017_(Spending_billions_on_weapons)">wasteful, or even 
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#18_August_2019_(Nuclear_arms_race)">dangerous
to peace</a>.  But that is independent of how we reform medical care.


feed_id: 28b4cc0ccc5d3a2e413aded7530e58fd
title: Sexual education
uri: 2019-10-21-Sexual-education
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#19_October_2019_%28Sexual_education%29
content:
<p>
The UK <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/culture/2019/oct/16/uk-drops-plans-for-online-pornography-age-verification-system">has canceled its requirement</a> for porn sites to identify users.  The stated motive for this was to exclude teenagers, but what is important
is the tracking itself, not its purpose.

<p>
Why stop people from viewing porn, if they want to?  Much of today's
porn is aimed at heterosexual men and presents a totally wrong idea of
what women like.  When teenage men believe this, they can get twisted.
When they practice out what they have learned from this, they can make
women very unhappy.

<p>
Leading them to porn showing sexual practices that various real
teenage women really do enjoy would solve this problem in a better
way.  (This does not require real teenage actors, or even real human
actors.)  Why replace bad education with no education?  Replace it
with good education.


feed_id: ce7456ac53907ffd5477ad68c3e257f7
title: Jailing poor people for medical debt
uri: Jailing-poor-people-for-medical-debt
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#22_October_2019_%28Jailing_poor_people_for_medical_debt%29

content:
<p>
<a href="https://features.propublica.org/medical-debt/when-medical-debt-collectors-decide-who-gets-arrested-coffeyville-kansas/">What
it's like</a> putting poor Americans in jail for medical debt.


feed_id: bf006871d89be365bc46d2d6368c5123
title: Importance of end-to-end encryption
uri: Importance-of-end-to-end-encryption
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#22_October_2019_%28Importance_of_end-to-end_encryption%29

content:
<p>
Snowden explains
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/oct/15/encryption-lose-privacy-us-uk-australia-facebook">why
the US government attack on end-to-end encryption is a danger to
everyone</a>.


feed_id: ab206501b03124609a2a1e3373341f90
title: Violence against Brazilian indigenous people
uri: Violence-against-Brazilian-indigenous-people
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#22_October_2019_%28Violence_against_Brazilian_indigenous_people%29

content:
<p>
Violence against Brazilian indigenous people has
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2019/10/19/bolsonaro-helping-fuel-explosion-violence-against-indigenous-peoples-brazil">increased
substantially since Bolsonaro became president</a>.


feed_id: 8192802a5bc98edc33af2e586d09676d
title: Mortgage prisoners
uri: Mortgage-prisoners
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#21_October_2019_%28Mortgage_prisoners%29
content:
<p>
When a couple get a mortgage together, then split up,
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/money/2019/oct/19/mortgage-prisoners-domestic-abuse-survivors-on-how-they-got-trapped">the
one who moved out can destroy the other</a> &mdash; by refusing to pay
per own half of the mortgage.


feed_id: 643a9ba3800fce09078ac71219bdd69b
title: FBI bypasses probably cause requirement
uri: FBI-bypasses-probably-cause-requirement
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#21_October_2019_%28FBI_bypasses_probably_cause_requirement%29

content:
<p>
The FBI
<a href="https://theintercept.com/2019/10/20/fbi-informant-domestic-terrorism/">uses
outside informants as investigators</a> so it can bypass its own rules
that require probable cause.


feed_id: 9f7bf412fd0c4dc83dc991e1316865c3
title: Fired for mentioning a word
uri: Fired-for-mentioning-a-word
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#21_October_2019_%28Fired_for_mentioning_a_word%29
content:
<p>
Zero-tolerance at work: a student called a school security guard, who
is black, "nigger".  The guard said, quite properly, "Don't call me
nigger."
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2019/oct/20/wisconsin-school-guard-marlon-anderson-fired-repeating-racial-slur">The
guard was fired for this</a>.
<p>
The guard did not <em>use</em> that word.  Rather,
he <em>mentioned</em> it, to oppose its use.  I can't believe that the
school officials fail to understand the difference &mdash; of course
they understand it, just as you do.  So why the absurd decision?  I
suspect they have bought into the idea of rigidity as virtue, which is
the root of zero tolerance.
<p>
All rules, including valid rules, are liable to become harmful and
unjust when applied rigidly.


feed_id: a74838276285b20c065ae1aed39f6120
title: Public spending for federal elections
uri: Public-spending-for-federal-elections
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#21_October_2019_%28Public_spending_for_federal_elections%29

content:
<p>
Sanders advocates
<a href="https://truthout.org/articles/sanders-unveils-plan-to-get-corporate-money-out-of-politics/">public
funding for federal elections</a>, as well as limits on campaign
donations and on the revolving door.


feed_id: ef5958e2b4688337cea7d993ca25e547
title: Reasons to demand right to repair
uri: Reasons-to-demand-right-to-repair
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#21_October_2019_%28Reasons_to_demand_right_to_repair%29

content:
<p>
A secondary reason to demand the right to repair is to
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2019/10/20/why-taking-responsibility-our-carbon-emissions-means-promoting-right-repair">reduce
gratuitous waste</a>.
<p>
I call this reason "secondary" because stopping people from fixing and
modifying products is simply oppressive.


feed_id: e153d921965f0405cb244babf1eba0ff
title: Mexico's president not a leftist
uri: Mexico-s-president-not-a-leftist
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#21_October_2019_%28Mexicos_president_not_a_leftist%29

content:
<p>
Mexico's president, López Obrador, campaigned as a leftist, but as
president he
<a href="https://truthout.org/articles/its-time-for-the-left-to-abandon-amlo/">supports
billionaires and represses the protests he formerly led</a>.


feed_id: 79445d0240a998b926ec1b006f304689
title: Sleepwalking economy
uri: Sleepwalking-economy
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#22_October_2019_%28Sleepwalking_economy%29
content:
<p>
The world economy <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/business/2019/oct/20/world-sleepwalking-to-another-financial-crisis-says-mervyn-king">is sleepwalking into a new financial crisis</a>,
according to the UK's former head of the central bank.


feed_id: 63c9e6e6da3421009a791bf9a19b3916
title: Slow move to renewable
uri: Slow-move-to-renewable
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#22_October_2019_%28Slow_move_to_renewable%29
content:
<p>
The International Energy Agency <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/oct/21/renewable-energy-to-expand-by-50-in-next-five-years-report">forecasts only 50% growth</a> in renewable
electricity generation in the next 5 years.  This is not fast enough!


feed_id: 083d5072ec94e02c7acaec8cbb19c101
title: Solitary confinement
uri: 2019-10-22-Solitary-confinement
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#22_October_2019_%28Solitary_confinement%29
content:
<p>
New York City <a href="https://theintercept.com/2019/10/21/rikers-island-solitary-confinement-new-york/">is considering a ban</a> on solitary confinement.


feed_id: b38663048f7e5ee7b2545c6aa2885fa2
title: Charter schools
uri: 2019-10-22-Charter-schools
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#22_October_2019_%28Charter_schools%29
content:
<p>
Warren's plan to limit charter schools <a href="https://theintercept.com/2019/10/21/charter-movement-continues-taking-losses-with-elizabeth-warrens-new-education-plan/">is a little stronger</a> than Sanders'.


feed_id: 38579d0b4c037f01c0bd97c03b367d74
title: Absorber of carbon
uri: Absorber-of-carbon
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#22_October_2019_%28Absorber_of_carbon%29
content:
<p>
Farming <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/oct/21/farming-could-be-absorber-of-carbon-by-2050-says-report">could be absorber of carbon</a> by 2050, says report.


feed_id: ff8e5c6e4a78285bc43e55db64ad3394
title: Uncontacted indigenous
uri: Uncontacted-indigenous
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#22_October_2019_%28Uncontacted_indigenous%29
content:
<p>
Eliminating the protections for uncontacted indigenous peoples in the
Brazilian Amazon <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2019/10/07/brazilian-experts-warn-open-letter-president-bolsonaro-genocide-underway-against">will surely lead to killing them</a>.

<p>
Diseases will kill most of each group, and they are small that they
could not continue.


feed_id: b16fd683776a0c7cecc1b088b5e2f174
title: Honduras corruption
uri: Honduras-corruption
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#22_October_2019_%28Honduras_corruption%29
content:
<p>
The brother of Honduras's president <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/oct/18/brother-of-honduras-president-found-guilty-in-vast-drug-conspiracy-case">has been convicted in the US</a> of taking bribes on the president's behalf to permit smuggling cocaine through Honduras.

<p>
Prohibition of cocaine makes it so profitable that it is nearly
impossible to stop it from generating corruption.  However, the
existing corrupt, plutocratist Honduran regime is the result of the
coup that <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jul-oct.html#3_September_2016_(Clintons_support_for_coup_in_Honduras)">Hillary Clinton winked at</a>, and which has received US support ever since.


feed_id: 3aa58b21220e032509eff99a40b31c69
title: Taliban condemn suicide bombing
uri: Taliban-condemn-suicide-bombing
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#22_October_2019_%28Taliban_condemn_suicide_bombing%29

content:
<p>
A suicide bomber <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/oct/18/mosque-bombing-kills-62-people-in-eastern-afghanistan">attacked a mosque</a> in Afghanistan and killed 62
people.  

<p>
The Taliban condemned the attack, which makes sense: they are strict
Islamists, and <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2014-may-aug.html#04_July_2014_(Nigerian_Atheist_receives_death_threats)">their policies violate human rights</a>, but they are not madmen.  I suppose this was the work of PISSI.


feed_id: 8afdf34f250c12c2737ddccf266c1133
title: Smuggling antibiotics
uri: Smuggling-antibiotics
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#22_October_2019_%28Smuggling_antibiotics%29
content:
<p>
Prohibiting the routine use of antibiotics in farm animals, necessary to
slow the evolution of resistance genes that can spread to organisms that
cause disease, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/oct/18/food-scandal-fears-after-chinese-antibiotics-seized-at-uk-airport">has led to a new form of drug smuggling</a>.

<p>
I don't think this will be as hard to control as smuggling addictive drugs.
A farm uses the antibiotics to increase its profits, so it won't pay
any more than the increased profit would be.  Indeed, given the risk
of legal trouble, it won't pay even half that much.


feed_id: 8d1a9dc29648e8f308a067cc892a925f
title: Kurd allies
uri: Kurd-allies
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#22_October_2019_%28Kurd_allies%29
content:
<p>
Leading US generals are extremely angry at the conman for abandoning
the Kurds.  Those who have retired <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2019/oct/18/generals-donald-trump-military-criticism">are saying so</a>.

<p>
The argument that the US should not abandon an ally has validity, but <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2009-sep-dec.html#10 November 2009 (Fuzzy accomplishments in Afghanistan)">only
to a certain extent</a>.  It was used to argue for continuing the war in Vietnam,
and the war in Cambodia.  ISTR it was also used in Iraq, and I think
it has been used to argue for continuing the war in Afghanistan.

<p>
In the case of the Syrian Kurds, this argument reinforces other
reasons <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#10_May_2018_(Attacking_Rojava)">why the US should have defended them</a>.


feed_id: 06feae7ab2622df35adf8618c8844e30
title: Hate and phobia
uri: Hate-and-phobia
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#22_October_2019_%28Hate_and_phobia%29
content:
<p>
There are many systematic forms of hate, but hatred of the poor <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/oct/19/hate-doesnt-only-exist-at-societies-extremist-edges-its-how-we-run-our-politics">may be the biggest</a>.

<p>
Hatred and phobia are different things.  A phobia is an intense,
irrational fear.  People who are afraid of heights or small places do
not hate them; conversely, people who hate the poor do not fear them
(though they may feel disgust, which is not the same).

<p>
To avoid building confusion, let's not refer to systems of hatred as
"phobias".  I disapprove of antigayism, antimuslimism and
antitransism, but I reject the terms "homophobia", "islamophobia" or
"transphobia".

<p>
Another systemic form of hatred, which the article cites an example of
but doesn't discuss, is hatred of atheists.  In the domain of
religion, atheists are the most hated group.  We should oppose
antiathism (short for antiatheistism) as well as antimuslimism and
antisemitism.


feed_id: 66c98bea954b22be5ee3ecc447033d45
title: Uncontacted indigenous
uri: 2019-10-23-Uncontacted-indigenous
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#22_October_2019_%28Uncontacted_indigenous%29
content:
<p>
Eliminating the protections for uncontacted indigenous peoples in the
Brazilian Amazon <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2019/10/07/brazilian-experts-warn-open-letter-president-bolsonaro-genocide-underway-against">will surely lead to killing them</a>.
<p>
Diseases will kill most of each group, and they are so small that they
could not continue.


feed_id: 42cca209dadf5d92d49f3cd70da8737d
title: Terrorism everywhere
uri: Terrorism-everywhere
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#23_October_2019_%28Terrorism_everywhere%29
content:
<p>
The FBI has a long history of <a href="https://theintercept.com/2019/10/22/terrorism-fbi-political-dissent/">treating political dissent as terrorism</a>.  (Especially leftist dissent.)

<p>
This is not to say there is no such thing as real terrorism.


feed_id: 74780dd292657c631781ffffb06e5ca7
title: Whistleblowers are not spies
uri: Whistleblowers-are-not-spies
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#23_October_2019_%28Whistleblowers_are_not_spies%29
content:
<p>
Sanders says <a href="https://theintercept.com/2019/10/22/bernie-sanders-espionage-act-whistleblowers/">he would end prosecution</a> of whistleblowers as "spies."

<p>
Will Senator Warren adopt the same stance?


feed_id: 2642ab93f015f76e9af32fc133027ab5
title: Kurd retreat
uri: Kurd-retreat
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#23_October_2019_%28Kurd_retreat%29
content:
<p>
Assad, Russia and Turkey <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/oct/22/turkey-and-russia-agree-deal-over-buffer-zone-in-northern-syria">are now combining</a> to force the Syrian Kurds out of an 18-mile zone along the frontier with Turkey.

<p>
The effect will be considerable ethnic cleansing, since that is where many
of the Kurds live.


feed_id: 5dc23eb6e2b64a228d1f842ac630bbda
title: No majority for Trudeau
uri: No-majority-for-Trudeau
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#23_October_2019_%28No_majority_for_Trudeau%29
content:
<p>
Trudeau won less than a majority, and <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/oct/22/justin-trudeau-canada-minority-parties-conditions">will have to make deals with opposition parties</a>.


feed_id: f3afbd0ab8ddd0e0cf6889d511b2bebc
title: Testifying on quid pro quo
uri: Testifying-on-quid-pro-quo
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#23_October_2019_%28Testifying_on_quid_pro_quo%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2019/oct/22/us-ambassador-bill-taylor-ukraine-trump-military-aid-biden">The US ambassador to Ukraine testified</a> that the conman did threatened to cut off military aid unless Ukraine investigated Biden's son.

<p>
The conman tried to order the ambassador not to testify to Congress, 
but he did it anyway.


feed_id: 9ea27c2a63f3ae3ca6a0a1fa9923bb28
title: Urgent: Protect Franklin's bumblebee
uri: Urgent-Protect-Franklin-s-bumblebee
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#24_October_2019_%28Urgent%3A_Protect_Franklins_bumblebee%29

content:
<p>
US citizens:
<a href="https://action.foe.org/page/14011/action/1">call on the Fish
and Wildlife Service</a> to protect the endangered Franklin's
bumblebee.
<p>
If you sign, please spread the word!


feed_id: 79fca00b148a4c8e346c340fe5db090f
title: Effects of global heating on Denmark
uri: Effects-of-global-heating-on-Denmark
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#24_October_2019_%28Effects_of_global_heating_on_Denmark%29

content:
<p>
[Disused but loved] Danish Lighthouse Put on Wheels to Move It Away
from
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/oct/22/danish-lighthouse-put-on-wheels-to-move-it-away-from-eroding-sea">Eroding
Sea</a>.
<p>
This is just one of the thousands of harmful effects <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#global heating">global heating</a> is
causing already.
<p>
It seems a shame they did not move the old church.  Buildings from the
1200s must not be very common in Denmark.


feed_id: 887487a89031f0ce91e112ae6f4e210c
title: Existing pollution standards insufficient
uri: Existing-pollution-standards-insufficient
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#24_October_2019_%28Existing_pollution_standards_insufficient%29

content:
<p>
Scientists Fired by [the conman] Warn Particle [existing] Pollution Standards
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2019/oct/22/scientists-warn-fine-particle-pollution-standards-dont-protect-people">Don't
Protect People</a> [because they're not strict enough].


feed_id: 89db42aa5ca84f23c15c754fab335e2a
title: Funds for renewals to be diverted to fracking
uri: Funds-for-renewals-to-be-diverted-to-fracking
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#24_October_2019_%28Funds_for_renewals_to_be_diverted_to_fracking%29

content:
<p>
The Tories
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/oct/22/uk-to-use-1bn-meant-for-green-energy-to-support-fracking-in-argentina">plan
to divert loan funds meant for renewable energy into fracking</a> in
Argentina.


feed_id: 1f635e92b4905934e76bdf46356d7f1e
title: Zero-tolerance in school
uri: Zero-tolerance-in-school
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#24_October_2019_%28Zero-tolerance_in_school%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2019/oct/22/marlon-anderson-wisconsin-school-security-guard-reinstated">Sense
has prevailed</a> over zero-tolerance in a Wisconsin public school.


feed_id: 10e2f86197cec73e991dcd5da87b8dcc
title: Reducing HIV transmission rate
uri: Reducing-HIV-transmission-rate
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#24_October_2019_%28Reducing_HIV_transmission_rate%29

content:
<p>
Medical initiatives to treat and suppress HIV, carried out in certain
cities,
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/society/2019/oct/22/vending-machines-eradicate-hiv-tests-treatment">can
greatly reduce the transmission rate</a>.
<p>
Humanity can lick HIV, if technological civilization continues.  But
it will take a century or more to get rid of HIV this way.  If global
heating disaster makes the efforts stop, HIV will resume spreading.


feed_id: 1093b1defcf57459defda594c251a284
title: Climate crisis wiping culture
uri: Climate-crisis-wiping-culture
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#25_October_2019_%28Climate_crisis_wiping_culture%29
content:
<p>
The Gullah culture, an ethnic minority that lives on the US southeast
coast islands, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/oct/23/gullah-geechee-distinct-us-culture-risks-losing-island-home-to-climate-crisis">may be wiped out by global heating</a>.


feed_id: c45f67e69069c85f8068c689b9d716bf
title: Fight back Exxon
uri: Fight-back-Exxon
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#25_October_2019_%28Fight_back_Exxon%29
content:
<p>
Exxon has misled Americans [about global heating] for decades.  <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/oct/23/exxon-climate-change-fossil-fuels-disinformation">Here's how to fight back</a>.


feed_id: f4f5b7560cd9aada1d1c38f59a0e4890
title: Ignoring bigotry
uri: Ignoring-bigotry
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#25_October_2019_%28Ignoring_bigotry%29
content:
<p>
Activists demand that a UK study of bigotry and harassment in UK
universities <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/oct/23/university-racism-study-criticised-including-anti-white-harassment">to define harassment for being white, or English,
as outside the question</a>.

<p>
Bigotry against whites, or English people in Wales, is unusual.  It
doesn't generally happen enough to blight someone's life, and the
victim can easily move elsewhere to avoid it.  Bigotry against blacks
or Muslims is a much more grave problem, and you can't avoid it by
moving.  This should be the priority target of the investigation.

<p>
Nonetheless, the other is still bigotry, and it shouldn't be omitted.


feed_id: 67d027e4a7c6e111221aeecede9ae03e
title: Ambassador testimony about Ukraine
uri: Ambassador-testimony-about-Ukraine
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#25_October_2019_%28Ambassador_testimony_about_Ukraine%29

content:
<p>
The US ambassador to Ukraine <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2019/oct/23/trump-bill-taylor-testimony-republicans-impeachment-inquiry">testified to Congress</a> about the conman's
shakedown of Ukraine.

<p>
The conman's own negotiators went around the ambassador, who was not
personally involved, but they told him about the details of the
shakedown, and <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/oct/23/bill-taylors-testimony-removes-any-last-plausible-line-of-defense-for-trump">he reported what they told him</a>.

<p>
They described a deal which demanded a quid-pro-quo from Ukraine, and
said it wasn't a quid-pro-quo.


feed_id: 9890a468f176036c6c9ae9b661e4b1d2
title: Border tyranny
uri: Border-tyranny
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#25_October_2019_%28Border_tyranny%29
content:
<p>
A US citizen living in the US went to a customs office at the border
to pay the duty for a shipment of gifts which had arrived by plane, so
he could go back to the airport and collect the gifts.

<p>
The border customs office <a href="https://theintercept.com/2019/10/23/customs-border-searches-civil-liberties/">made him and his relatives prisoner and searched their phones</a>.

<p>
This is total tyranny.  Whatever special powers the customs agency has
at the border should be limited to people who just did cross the border,
or are about to cross it.


feed_id: 7864864d38f6fd5246343930a3cb690e
title: Rainforest is drying up
uri: Rainforest-is-drying-up
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#25_October_2019_%28Rainforest_is_drying_up%29
content:
<p>
Cutting down the Amazon rainforest <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/oct/23/amazon-rainforest-close-to-irreversible-tipping-point">is making the remainder dry up</a>.


feed_id: 209f659d3026b627193842d7d29dc057
title: Assad and torture
uri: Assad-and-torture
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#25_October_2019_%28Assad_and_torture%29
content:
<p>
Assad's men reported to have tortured 14,000 prisoners to death,
and <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/oct/23/syrian-regime-inflicts-72-forms-of-torture-on-prisoners-report-finds">they are still doing it</a>.


feed_id: 1483b5e8307af88c37dabf0a2865fc34
title: Harassing Extinction Protesters
uri: Harassing-Extinction-Protesters
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#25_October_2019_%28Harassing_Extinction_Protesters%29

content:
<p>
Australian thugs <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2019/oct/24/teenage-girl-among-20-extinction-rebellion-activists-strip-searched-by-brisbane-police">are strip-searching Extinction Rebellion protesters</a>, apparently purely to harass them.


feed_id: b1a60c17401126fb829b46bf0f88a332
title: Prosecuting monopolies
uri: Prosecuting-monopolies
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#25_October_2019_%28Prosecuting_monopolies%29
content:
<p>
Sanders and Warren <a href="https://theintercept.com/2019/10/23/bernie-sanders-sherman-antitrust-act-monopolies/">advocate prosecuting CEOs</a> for monopolistic practices once again, as we used to do.


feed_id: 90700dfb0cd27283341254963bbe9b70
title: Denial reforms
uri: Denial-reforms
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#25_October_2019_%28Denial_reforms%29
content:
<p>
New South Wales (a state in Australia) seeks to open new coal mines,
so <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/oct/22/nsw-to-try-to-stop-mine-projects-being-blocked-because-of-their-overseas-emissions">it seeks to eliminate rules about the global-heating effect</a> that
burning the coal would have.


feed_id: cd963d0b1aaf3a36f229f8e81f530550
title: Toxicologist speaks out about PFAS
uri: Toxicologist-speaks-out-about-PFAS
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#25_October_2019_%28Toxicologist_speaks_out_about_PFAS%29

content:
<p>
Linda Birnbaum, director of the National Institute of Environmental
Health Sciences and the National Toxicology Program, was forbidden to
say that PFAS chemicals cause various diseases.  That conclusion was
embarrassing to the businesses that donate to Republicans.
<p>
Now that she has retired, 
<a href="https://theintercept.com/2019/10/24/pfas-toxicologist/">she
can say that</a>.
<p>
I expect the next person appointed to those posts to be chosen for
willingness to advance by subservience.


feed_id: a5a696d814251b81db5286cc9574b5fb
title: Spain evicts corpse of dictator
uri: Spain-evicts-corpse-of-dictator
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#25_October_2019_%28Spain_evicts_corpse_of_dictator%29

content:
<p>
Spain has 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/oct/24/franco-victory-people-spain-mausoleum-dictatorship">evicted
the corpse of the dictator Franco</a> from the mausoleum that he built
with the forced labor of people who defended the Republic.


feed_id: 7c97fc6b21b594bc2cdfec6a6c3e3789
title: EU is no defender of workers' rights
uri: EU-is-no-defender-of-workers-rights
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#25_October_2019_%28EU_is_no_defender_of_workers_rights%29

content:
<p>
Don't Be Fooled &mdash; the EU Is 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/oct/24/eu-workers-rights-capital-multinationals">No
Defender of Workers' Rights</a>.


feed_id: 1837a2867e768ee65fd9481b292a2ae5
title: Political prisoners in Israel on hunger strike
uri: Political-prisoners-in-Israel-on-hunger-strike
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#25_October_2019_%28Political_prisoners_in_Israel_on_hunger_strike%29

content:
<p>
Some Palestinians who are political prisoners in Israeli prisons have been
<a href="https://imemc.org/article/seven-detainees-including-one-woman-continue-hunger-strike/">on
hunger strike for two months</a>.


feed_id: 812bf3b5b587911511f5fa438847723c
title: Weak US environmental protection laws
uri: Weak-US-environmental-protection-laws
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#25_October_2019_%28Weak_US_environmental_protection_laws%29

content:
<p>
With weak US environmental protection laws, 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/oct/23/hinsdale-illinois-pollution-sterigenics-epa">even
a wealthy town can be struck by a wave of cancer</a>.


feed_id: e4b2fda3a1ae8ac0016ca817c8b8131d
title: Candidates assassination in Colombia
uri: Candidates-assassination-in-Colombia
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#26_October_2019_%28Candidates_assassination_in_Colombia%29

content:
<p>
Seven mayoral candidates in Colombia  <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/oct/25/colombia-peace-deal-war-farc-karina-garcia">have been assassinated</a>.

<p>
President Duque blamed a remnant of the FARC, and drug dealers.  He
omitted to blame <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2017-jan-apr.html#9_March_2017_(Colombias_paramilitares)">the paramilitares</a>, Colombia's worst terrorists, perhaps because he is associated with them.  He belongs to the political party founded by ex-president Uribe ("Horrible"),
and Uribe was closely associated with them.

<p>
In order for Colombia to know peace, it must disarm the paramilitares.


feed_id: dc07d14d124c8348159e1201136fa254
title: Katie Hill under attack
uri: Katie-Hill-under-attack
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#26_October_2019_%28Katie_Hill_under_attack%29
content:
<p>
Rep. Katie Hill is being attacked by <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/oct/25/katie-hill-democrats-politics-">publishing nude photos</a> that were private.


feed_id: 6fb08e30826ca51bc48cda86533c4494
title: Unions with lobbyists
uri: Unions-with-lobbyists
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#26_October_2019_%28Unions_with_lobbyists%29
content:
<p>
Some US labor unions <a href="https://theintercept.com/2019/10/25/drug-pricing-bill-democrats-pharma-union/">are supporting Big Pharma and lobbying</a> against the bill to reduce prescription drug prices.


feed_id: 3c0eac2260b72ffaf21adc77cd278dbd
title: Family separations continue
uri: Family-separations-continue
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#26_October_2019_%28Family_separations_continue%29
content:
<p>
The US border thugs <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2019/oct/25/family-separation-trump-immigration-nonparents">are still separating families</a>.  Sometimes the
"parents" of the family are not the biological parents, but are the
parents that the child loves and needs.


feed_id: 7d6d72e605528a449d21f89b641be9fc
title: Killing children
uri: Killing-children
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#26_October_2019_%28Killing_children%29
content:
<p>
A Fresno thug <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2019/oct/25/police-shooting-video-isiah-murrietta-golding-fresno-california">shot a black teenager in the back of the head as he was
running away</a>.  As the teenager lay dying on the ground, the thug
handcuffed him.

<p>
As usual. The <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thug</a> department said the unarmed teenager was a threat
to the <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thug</a>'s life.  Perhaps the thug feared he would turn around,
pull his pants off, and attack the <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thug</a> with them.  The teenager was
such an enormous threat that he had to be handcuffed even in the
ambulance.


feed_id: 685b26b7b12e2f7c25cd4ac700ff9d67
title: Generous tax evasion
uri: Generous-tax-evasion
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#26_October_2019_%28Generous_tax_evasion%29
content:
<p>
Facebook <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/oct/25/facebook-pledged-1bn-to-help-californias-housing-crisis-cant-they-pay-their-taxes-instead">is "donating"</a>, to buy public admiration, a fraction of what it should be paying in taxes.


feed_id: 69ff2a9713023598f3e921d8b2aae800
title: Spying on grieving families
uri: Spying-on-grieving-families
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#26_October_2019_%28Spying_on_grieving_families%29
content:
<p>
British police <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/oct/25/police-spied-grieving-black-families">spied on grieving black families</a> for decades.  Now we want the truth.


feed_id: 92be0d5c942e15c51d06484bacd29f1c
title: Ignoring patients in need of monitoring
uri: Ignoring-patients-in-need-of-monitoring
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#26_October_2019_%28Ignoring_patients_in_need_of_monitoring%29

content:
<p>
The US medical system spends less money on a black patient than on a
white patient, given the same level of health.  As a result, a widely used
algorithm <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/society/2019/oct/25/healthcare-algorithm-racial-biases-optum">estimates that the black patient is less sick</a> and doesn't need
supplemental health monitoring.

<p>
This is one more example of a common occurrence: bias that results
from innocently-collected data that reflects the bias of society.


feed_id: 1bb88f9421c74fcdf44635ad242df0ef
title: Super PAC
uri: Super-PAC
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#26_October_2019_%28Super_PAC%29
content:
<p>
Biden's lobbyist friends <a href="https://theintercept.com/2019/10/25/joe-biden-super-pac/">are setting up a Super PAC</a> for him.


feed_id: 513a331e5326e4ed01f607915f87a509
title: From Warren to Sanders
uri: From-Warren-to-Sanders
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#26_October_2019_%28From_Warren_to_Sanders%29
content:
<p>
Why Ilhan Omar shifted from supporting Warren to <a href="https://theintercept.com/2019/10/24/ilhan-omar-bernie-sanders-endorsement-mark-zuckerberg/">supporting Sanders</a>.


feed_id: d441d103c027cd1b56591e6f54162796
title: Urgent : Repeal the Authorization for Use of Military Force
uri: 2019-10-26-Urgent-Repeal-the-Authorization-for-Use-of-Military-Force
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#26_October_2019_%28Urgent_%3A_Repeal_the_Authorization_for_Use_of_Military_Force%29

content:
<p>
US citizens: <a href="https://act.democracyforamerica.com/sign/repeal-aumf?t=1001&refcode=g-war1007.d-20191007.m-18255.s-113605&akid=18255%2E1906019%2Eab2soZ">call on Congress</a> to repeal the Authorization for Use of Military Force.

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


feed_id: b7fccead154c61744d6e046e228c8c54
title: Protect black-footed ferrets
uri: Protect-black-footed-ferrets
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#26_October_2019_%28Protect_black-footed_ferrets%29
content:
<p>
US citizens: <a href="https://secure.defenders.org/site/Advocacy?cmd=display&page=UserAction&id=3534&s_src=3WDE2001C1XX1&s_subsrc=100419_ADVACTFF_ThunderBasin_nondonor">protect black-footed ferrets</a> from extinction.

<p>
If you sign, please spread the word!


feed_id: da28ca3d61f975054ebc4236331bbfbb
title: Trumpism
uri: Trumpism
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#26_October_2019_%28Trumpism%29
content:
<p>
How the conman's supporters <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/oct/24/trump-william-barr-christianity-church-state">twist Christianity to get Trumpism</a>.


feed_id: e33a1eebf1809b0bcedbaa616aa31c3f
title: Press freedom in Australia
uri: Press-freedom-in-Australia
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#26_October_2019_%28Press_freedom_in_Australia%29
content:
<p>
Australia <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2019/oct/24/australia-denies-cameroonian-journalist-visa-for-press-freedom-conference">denies Cameroonian journalist visa</a> for press freedom conference.

<p>
The Cameroonian journalist happens to work in Germany, making
Australia's given reason to refuse the visa absurd by ordinary
standards.

<p>
That does not mean it was a cover for some other reason.  It could be
the real reason for the refusal.  When people are trained to seek and
find reasons to say no, they learn to exaggerate.


feed_id: 8cd68cebdaaa53103e7269b4d4f7acf3
title: Companies political donations
uri: Companies-political-donations
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#26_October_2019_%28Companies_political_donations%29
content:
<p>
Some US companies are giving in to pressure to <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2019/oct/24/embrace-sunlight-political-spending-companies">publish their political donations</a>.


feed_id: a0eeb495cb79d01a4cc7de3b00a9d48d
title: Urgent: Stop working for deportation thugs
uri: Urgent-Stop-working-for-deportation-thugs
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#27_October_2019_%28Urgent%3A_Stop_working_for_deportation_thugs%29

content:
<p>
US citizens:
<a href="https://act.credoaction.com/sign/github-ice">call on
Microsoft and GitHub</a> to stop working for the deportation thugs.
<p>
If you sign, please spread the word!


feed_id: e81a1ba8e21117898d0bcdb612e518ae
title: Subsidies for fossil fuels and old nuclear reactors
uri: Subsidies-for-fossil-fuels-and-old-nuclear-reactors
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#27_October_2019_%28Subsidies_for_fossil_fuels_and_old_nuclear_reactors%29

content:
<p>
The UK missed a chance to help limit <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#global heating">global heating</a>, by allowing the
UK to provide
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/business/2019/oct/24/brussels-allows-uk-to-subsidise-fossil-fuel-generators">a
billion pounds of subsidy</a> to fossil fuels.
<p>
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2019/10/24/nuclear-industrys-23-billion-bailout-request-shows-why-it-should-have-no-role-play">Further
subsidy for old nuclear reactors in the US</a> does not help either.
They are so expensive that we should simply replace them.


feed_id: 6fafc0d35f04f9575e98caaf5985215e
title: UK convicts man for fighting PISSI in Syria
uri: UK-convicts-man-for-fighting-PISSI-in-Syria
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#27_October_2019_%28UK_convicts_man_for_fighting_PISSI_in_Syria%29

content:
<p>
The UK has convicted Aidan James of
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2019/oct/24/uk-man-who-fought-isis-found-guilty-of-terror-offence-in-retrial">going
to Syria to join the Kurds and fight against PISSI</a>.
<p>
How absurd this perverse posture of neutrality.


feed_id: 6a349aedeb7d64fdb969298d1fc65aaf
title: Entry of whistleblowers into partisan politics
uri: Entry-of-whistleblowers-into-partisan-politics
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#27_October_2019_%28Entry_of_whistleblowers_into_partisan_politics%29

content:
<p>
The entry of whistleblowers into partisan politics has
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2019/10/18/ukraine-whistleblowers-and-rise-partisan-whistleblowing">convinced
some congresscritters to defend some whistleblowers</a>.
<p>
By contrast, whistleblowers such as Manning and Snowden were condemned
by everyone in Congress.


feed_id: 6d624b1b8cc9d9dd423e917fcfed2715
title: Automated face recognition
uri: 2019-10-27-Automated-face-recognition
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#27_October_2019_%28Automated_face_recognition%29
content:
<p>
Why we need to
<a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2019/10/17/opinion/facial-recognition-ban.html">ban
automated face recognition</a>.  (Note that article's title is
misleading, a red herring.  The author of an article in a newspaper
does not write the title.)
<p>
Another reason to reject the straw man suggestion to simply wait and
let the Supreme Court decide is that we can't count on it to protect
our privacy.  If all we wanted was to have the question decided, never
mind how, we could leave it to the Supreme Court.  But if we want
anonymity, that approach won't work.  We can't campaign to influence
the Supreme Court.  So we must campaign to influence legislatures.
<p>
We do need to campaign to
<a href="https://gnu.org/philosophy/surveillance-vs-democracy.html">limit <em>all</em>
kinds of surveillance</a>.  But that is not a reason to avoid deciding
specific cases.  Quite the contrary: laws banning face recognition
would pave the way for restricting other kinds of massive
surveillance.


feed_id: 31af27b419ea3e84cc09399591113c81
title: Face recognition at festivals
uri: Face-recognition-at-festivals
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#27_October_2019_%28Face_recognition_at_festivals%29
content:
<p>
Fight for the Future <a href="https://www.buzzfeednews.com/article/evangreer/stop-facial-recognition-music-festivals-concerts">organized musicians and fans</a> to pressure US music
festivals to back off use of face recognition.

<p>
Are there any festivals that still plan to use it?


feed_id: deb05c063db6287a8ff24da5fde6d16c
title: Urgent: NRA tax exemption
uri: Urgent-NRA-tax-exemption
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#27_October_2019_%28Urgent%3A_NRA_tax_exemption%29
content:
<p>
US citizens: <a href="https://act.credoaction.com/sign/nra-irs_pa">call on the IRS</a> to investigate the NRA's violations of the laws for tax-exempt organizations.


feed_id: 02f78bf1bb120680d5a247c72d61a504
title: Questions to Zuckerberg
uri: Questions-to-Zuckerberg
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#27_October_2019_%28Questions_to_Zuckerberg%29
content:
<p>
Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/oct/26/what-happened-when-alexandria-ocasio-cortez-came-face-to-face-with-facebooks-mark-zuckerberg">asked Zuckerberg some carefully chosen questions</a>.  His answers will aid the investigation of Facebook's cover-up of its
dealings with Cambridge Analytica.


feed_id: f4208f9038ef1625b1f4b0a069261e35
title: Los Angeles and fires
uri: Los-Angeles-and-fires
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#27_October_2019_%28Los_Angeles_and_fires%29
content:
<p>
Heat that can make people sick, together with smoke from fires all
year round, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/oct/25/a-special-kind-of-hell-fires-smoke-and-heat-turn-la-into-a-deadly-paradise">are making the Los Angeles region a dangerous place to
live</a>.

<p>
(<a href="https://www.theonion.com/california-combatting-wildfire-risk-by-shutting-off-oxy-1839342426">satire</a>) "In order to eliminate factors that could contribute to the
   fires’ growth, we will cut the flow of oxygen in high-risk areas
   throughout the northern part of the state."


feed_id: 92458574aa991ced04480c17fded433a
title: Incremental changes
uri: Incremental-changes
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#27_October_2019_%28Incremental_changes%29
content:
<p>
when the centrist neoliberals tell you that change is incremental, <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2019/10/25/centrists-or-neoliberals-control-party-and-media-and-theyre-risking-losing-trump">what
they're really saying</a> is they don't want that much change.

<p>
The New Deal was not incremental.  Civil rights laws were not incremental.
Environmental protection laws were not incremental.  The laws we need
to end plutocracy, provide medical care for all, and curb <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#global heating">global heating</a>
cannot be incremental either.


feed_id: e9bd1dbcf8aebb61cdb7959db7488bd0
title: Agriculture and global heating
uri: Agriculture-and-global-heating
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#27_October_2019_%28Agriculture_and_global_heating%29

content:
<p>
Australia and its states <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/oct/25/agriculture-ministers-back-national-plan-to-address-impact-of-climate-change">have agreed to plans</a> to help agriculture adapt
to <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#global heating">global heating</a> effects.

<p>
That's wise, as far as it goes; but once you recognize that <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#global heating">global heating</a>
will damage agriculture, you ought to work to slow it down.


feed_id: 25295a6840dafb860b2c29cbc89a33e6
title: Protest in military base
uri: Protest-in-military-base
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#27_October_2019_%28Protest_in_military_base%29
content:
<p>
Seven protesters who protested symbolically against nuclear weapons in
a military base <a href="https://www.kingsbayplowshares7.org">have been convicted of crimes</a> including "destruction" of government property.


feed_id: 7ddc7238ff4e1f9dbcd5d19f893dff99
title: Thug pictures in Hong Kong
uri: Thug-pictures-in-Hong-Kong
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#27_October_2019_%28Thug_pictures_in_Hong_Kong%29
content:
<p>
Hong Kong <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/oct/26/hong-kong-bans-publication-of-police-personal-details-including-photos">has prohibited</a> publishing photos of thugs.


feed_id: c008fec2590ee32941336d69184e88f9
title: Numerous and angry
uri: Numerous-and-angry
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#27_October_2019_%28Numerous_and_angry%29
content:
<p>
About 41% of the world's people are under 24.  <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/oct/26/young-people-predisposed-shake-up-established-order-protest">And they're angry…</a>

<p>
One of the valid reasons for them to be angry at older people is for
having made so many people under 24.  It is hard to give a good life,
in a sustainable way, to such a large population.  Our population
<a href="https://stallman.org/articles/children.html">is living unsustainably and it is still increasing</a>.
 
<p>
This is one underlying cause of many of the specific hardships that
people are protesting about.  The other underlying cause is
inequality, which protects the privileged (and especially the
wealthy) from these hardships by dumping them entirely onto the
disprivileged and the poor.

<p>
Reducing inequality is a just cause, but we also need to reduce the
cost of our existence, and doing that without making everyone poor
will be much easier if we have fewer humans in the future.

<p>
Let's aim for 25% or less of the population under age 24.


feed_id: 79a187aa5dd3c4e0717af0d3b0a95e82
title: Smartphone worries
uri: Smartphone-worries
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#27_October_2019_%28Smartphone_worries%29
content:
<p>
Why you should worry <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2019/oct/26/china-technology-social-management-internet-social-credit-system">if you have a Chinese smartphone</a>.

<p>
If you have a non-Chinese smartphone, you should worry too.
Other countries are moving rapidly in the direction of
massive surveillance used to control and repress,
and the system developers (Google and Apple) don't respect
freedom much either.


feed_id: ed85cbe806f416c8bb521b71cc19a9c3
title: Golden rice
uri: 2019-10-27-Golden-rice
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#27_October_2019_%28Golden_rice%29
content:
<p>
The approval of "golden rice", which supplies Vitamin A, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/oct/26/gm-golden-rice-delay-cost-millions-of-lives-child-blindness">has been
delayed for 20 years by regulation</a>.

<p>
I find it plausible that this rice will, in medical terms, help people
and not cause harm.  This does need to be verified; perhaps it has been.

<p>
But does it carry nonbiological pollution &mdash; with patents, or plant
variety monopolies?  Are farmers allowed to save the seeds and plant
them?


feed_id: da67ed7cce1517fa11bf9e31e8352dc4
title: Reasons to deny benefits
uri: Reasons-to-deny-benefits
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#27_October_2019_%28Reasons_to_deny_benefits%29
content:
<p>
When bureaucrats are told to find reasons to deny benefits to the poor
and sick, your politeness and even the bureaucrats' own mistakes
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/oct/26/benefit-assessor-more-afraid-state-poverty">become excuses to put you in the wrong</a>.


feed_id: 60d8aa9b4345e608d1851dfd887018a5
title: Minimizing massacres
uri: Minimizing-massacres
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#27_October_2019_%28Minimizing_massacres%29
content:
<p>
An analysis of how two of Peter Handke's books <a href="https://theintercept.com/2019/10/26/nobel-prize-literature-peter-handke-genocide/">tried to minimize and excuse</a> the well-documented massacres of Bosnian Muslims by Bosnian Serbs.

<p>
One important point is that the existence of a prior state of war does
not justify committing a war crime.


feed_id: d1f2f14c6da70dc20b58dda4c7867218
title: Party funding
uri: Party-funding
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#27_October_2019_%28Party_funding%29
content:
<p>
Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez's example <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/oct/26/alexandria-ocasio-cortez-democratic-party-donors">is leading the Democratic Party
gradually away</a> from depending on donations from rich people and rich
businesses.


feed_id: a035f4ceee283b9b34fb8f4b9cf85d75
title: Fossil fuels and you
uri: Fossil-fuels-and-you
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#27_October_2019_%28Fossil_fuels_and_you%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/oct/09/polluters-climate-crisis-fossil-fuel">George Monbiot</a>: The [planet roaster's]’ Masterstroke Was to Blame the
Climate Crisis on You And Me &mdash; by creating a system which leads
people towards heavy use of fossil fuels.

<p>
The article also explains the reasoning for massive disruptive but
nonviolent protests as a way to make governments change this system.


feed_id: 8b7f7265ba6a3e196110e14a2af29ad0
title: Syrian refugees in Turkey
uri: 2019-10-27-Syrian-refugees-in-Turkey
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#27_October_2019_%28Syrian_refugees_in_Turkey%29
content:
<p>
Amnesty International says Turkey <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2019/oct/25/turkey-accused-of-using-threats-and-deception-to-deport-syrian-refugees">is using threats and deception</a> to
deport Syrian refugees.


feed_id: 69122bf04b0a059c81c0e4a0a943f3f8
title: Queer targets in Eastern Europe
uri: Queer-targets-in-Eastern-Europe
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#27_October_2019_%28Queer_targets_in_Eastern_Europe%29

content:
<p>
Authoritarian right-wing politicians in Eastern Europe <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/oct/25/anti-lgbt-rhetoric-stokes-tensions-in-eastern-europe">are choosing
queer people</a> as the next handy scapegoat.

<p>
The Catholic Church is supporting those politicians.


feed_id: efa5ec298cc90b7bf26ba09807b34c5b
title: Invasive species
uri: 2019-10-27-Invasive-species
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#27_October_2019_%28Invasive_species%29
content:
<p>
Governments <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/oct/25/citizen-army-needed-to-tackle-invasive-species-mps-suggest">are not doing enough</a> to prevent the spread of invasive species.

<p>
Part of the problem is the massive international trade in live (or
dead unsterilized) plants and animals.  There are so many
opportunities for a weed to tag along.  Why not require safety
inspection of every cargo?

<p>
The ballast water of ships often carries invasive aquatic organisms,
often as larvae.  Why not have an official go aboard while the ship is
20 miles out, to require it to clean its ballast tanks?  

<p>
These measures would be expensive, but so are invasive species.


feed_id: 23307b22e9f0da6946baa5c7912d8144
title: Climate rush
uri: Climate-rush
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#27_October_2019_%28Climate_rush%29
content:
<p>
How the perceived obligation to reach a consensus <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/oct/25/the-real-reason-some-scientists-downplay-the-risks-of-climate-change">pressures scientists</a>
to err on the side of underestimating the likely effects of <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#global heating">global heating</a>.


feed_id: 7ab34330d9600e7cacf03a89434022bb
title: Tax cut for all
uri: Tax-cut-for-all
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#27_October_2019_%28Tax_cut_for_all%29
content:
<p>
Now that Americans are required to have medical insurance, the premiums
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/oct/25/medicare-for-all-taxes-saez-zucman">are in effect taxes</a>.  This means that Medicare for All would reduce taxes
(counting the insurance premiums) for most Americans.


feed_id: 5aab5e6226a9cb85911cc5c194290e0d
title: Protests in Irak
uri: Protests-in-Irak
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#28_October_2019_%28Protests_in_Irak%29
content:
<p>
Protesters in Iraq <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/oct/27/iraq-protests-aim-topple-regime">aim to overthrow the government</a>.

<p>
Government suppression forces <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/oct/27/anti-government-protesters-defy-bloody-crackdown-in-iraq">are responding with great violence</a>.

<p>
What would the replacement government be?  The current government is
surely corrupt, but any government in Iraq would be corrupt.  It was
chosen democratically, and its sectarian nature reflects the sectarian
voters.  To get a better government in a legitimate way would seem to
require educating the voters.


feed_id: 95c9901d2a6d48b5dfc0851ad732a772
title: Better old people housing
uri: Better-old-people-housing
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#28_October_2019_%28Better_old_people_housing%29
content:
<p>
Special housing for old people, in a central part of town, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/society/2019/oct/27/ageing-britain-housing-crisis-build-almshouses">can enable
them</a> to avoid expensive nursing homes and have a better life.


feed_id: ad49e742fe5fee3ba5748cd8f10a88b1
title: European Commission sues Poland
uri: European-Commission-sues-Poland
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#28_October_2019_%28European_Commission_sues_Poland%29

content:
<p>
The European Commission <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/oct/10/eu-sues-poland-over-judicial-independence">is suing Poland</a> in the European Court of Justice for failure to respect judicial independence.


feed_id: e8cd73964d686be832e070970d0590f9
title: Science denying and Johnson's cabinet
uri: Science-denying-and-Johnson-s-cabinet
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#28_October_2019_%28Science_denying_and_Johnson%27s_cabinet%29

content:
<p>
A science-denying "think tank" in the UK <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/oct/10/thinktank-climate-science-institute-economic-affairs">has links to 14 members of
Bogus Johnson's cabinet</a>.


feed_id: 3d92745b5511d8fc72d12fae68170236
title: Carbon taxes
uri: Carbon-taxes
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#28_October_2019_%28Carbon_taxes%29
content:
<p>
The IMF <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/oct/10/carbon-taxes-have-to-rise-sharply-to-avoid-climate-crisis-says-imf">calls for a big increase in carbon taxes</a> &mdash; by a factor of 35 or more.
Anything less is unlikely to curb <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#global heating">global heating</a> enough.


feed_id: edbb213c98c43d1fd2285956c542de7f
title: Europe neutralization
uri: Europe-neutralization
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#28_October_2019_%28Europe_neutralization%29
content:
<p>
How Erdoğan <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/oct/10/turkish-president-threatens-send-refugees-europe-recep-tayyip-erdogan-syria">neutralized Europe</a> as a restraint on his aggression in Syria.


feed_id: 70012884fd62afef75fc769c0c54d159
title: Life in 2050
uri: Life-in-2050
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#28_October_2019_%28Life_in_2050%29
content:
<p>
One scenario <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/cities/2019/oct/10/the-climate-crisis-in-2050-what-happens-if-cities-act-but-nations-dont">for life in 2050</a> with not-quite-adequate climate defense
measures.


feed_id: fb37e92c8940358fc6eac8f366ad215a
title: Frack wells in Denver
uri: Frack-wells-in-Denver
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#28_October_2019_%28Frack_wells_in_Denver%29
content:
<p>
The Denver region <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/oct/10/fires-explosions-front-range-residents-fracking-colorado-climate">is full of frack wells</a>, often right next to people's
homes.  This can poison their air and water, as well as contributing
to <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#global heating">global heating</a> disaster.

<p>
There is no room for new fossil fuel facilities <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#26_February_2016_(CO2_emission_limit)">in the carbon budget</a>.


feed_id: fb6209d9d89e8d54857ee8c450128bc5
title: Fighting climate defense
uri: Fighting-climate-defense
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#28_October_2019_%28Fighting_climate_defense%29
content:
<p>
Fossil fuel companies <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/oct/10/fossil-fuel-firms-social-media-fightback-against-climate-action">still fund astroturf campaigns</a> against climate
defense.

<p>
We need to decrease extraction, but <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/oct/10/oil-firms-barrels-markets">they are investing on new extraction facilities</a>.

<p>
In 1998, the American Petroleum Institute (a trade organization of
those companies) <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/oct/10/vested-interests-public-against-climate-science-fossil-fuel-lobby">considered a unified global heating denial plan</a>.  Companies say they never specifically adopted this plan, but this shows they were planning denialism together, and some aspects were in fact carried out, along with other devious forms of denialism and sabotage described in the article.

<p>
Car manufacturers <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/oct/10/exclusive-carmakers-opponents-climate-action-us-europe-emissions">lobby against climate defense</a>, too.


feed_id: 8ddb34df2f91956c3339a917442fdc0b
title: Mining companies in Australia
uri: Mining-companies-in-Australia
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#28_October_2019_%28Mining_companies_in_Australia%29
content:
<p>
Mining companies <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/oct/10/mining-firms-worked-kill-off-climate-action-australia-ex-pm-kevin-rudd">dominate the Australian government's
climate surrender policy</a>, according to a former prime minister.


feed_id: 4626b0b17a65b3e08efb8001eae5713d
title: Optimized for outrage
uri: Optimized-for-outrage
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#28_October_2019_%28Optimized_for_outrage%29
content:
<p>
Facebook isn't free speech, <a href="https://techcrunch.com/2019/10/20/facebook-isnt-free-speech-its-algorithmic-amplification-optimized-for-outrage/">it's algorithmic amplification</a> optimized for
outrage.

<p>
In other words, don't censor the specific material people post on
Facebook.  Instead, forbid the kind of algorithm that spreads violence
and fake news most.


feed_id: 2b62298efa19781ff385b9e8b5740a17
title: Face recognition in China
uri: Face-recognition-in-China
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#28_October_2019_%28Face_recognition_in_China%29
content:
<p>
China <a href="https://gizmodo.com/chinese-citizens-will-have-to-scan-their-faces-to-get-i-1838936778">will require each new portable phone user</a> to give a face scan.

<p>
Let's make face recognition surveillance illegal for both governments and
private entities, with very limited exceptions.


