# articles

feed_id: 508f9859bc80aaace786b15abe9c15f4
title: Plutocracy and environmental destruction
uri: Plutocracy-and-environmental-destruction
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#04_July_2016_%28Plutocracy_and_environmental_destruction%29

content:
<p>
A
<a href="http://ieet.org/index.php/IEET/more/Suntzu20160629">worst-case
projection</a> of plutocracy and environmental destruction.


feed_id: 3c6c1461c0041da5f4a6696cf1026c8a
title: Official report on encryption
uri: Official-report-on-encryption
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#04_July_2016_%28Official_report_on_encryption%29
content:
<p>
Shameless Obama regime officials continue to claim that encryption is
making everything "go dark", but
<a href="https://theintercept.com/2016/06/30/official-tally-of-wiretaps-belies-government-scare-stories-about-encryption/">an
official report says the opposite</a>.


feed_id: a5f068ba8c0575ce41c280ea847c283c
title: Overprotection in a summer camp
uri: Overprotection-in-a-summer-camp
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#04_July_2016_%28Overprotection_in_a_summer_camp%29
content:
<p>
In a summer camp in the US, 12-year-old girls were
<a href="http://www.freerangekids.com/the-buddy-system-is-so-last-century-now-at-camp-its-the-rule-of-three/">not
allowed to do anything alone</a> — not even go to the toilet.
<p>
A normal person of age 12 is not a child, but even children should not
be treated like this.


feed_id: 3deda4964b65d52ed96af2f6a415ede7
title: Homeless population in San Francisco
uri: Homeless-population-in-San-Francisco
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#04_July_2016_%28Homeless_population_in_San_Francisco%29

content:
<p>
In San Francisco,
<a href="http://www.motherjones.com/politics/2016/06/san-francisco-homelessness-charts-data-causes">.5%
of the population is homeless and sleeps on the street</a>.  This
keeps getting worse, due to a shortage of housing and insufficient
government help for the poor.
<p>
The shortage of housing has various causes.  One I would like to call
attention to is zoning law.  I think we have an obligation to stop
discouraging construction of more housing space.


feed_id: 18d0cc844474dad555b32e78959c0fd7
title: Defeat for internet users' privacy
uri: Defeat-for-internet-users-privacy
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#04_July_2016_%28Defeat_for_internet_users_privacy%29

content:
<p>
In a defeat for internet users' privacy, Facebook won an appeal
against an order to stop
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2016/jun/30/facebook-wins-appeal-against-belgian-privacy-watchdog-over-tracking">tracking
the browsing of people that aren't useds of Facebook</a> (have no
Facebook accounts).
<p>
Facebook does this tracking using Like buttons.  The GNU Browser
IceCat blocks Like buttons and similar tracking tags.


feed_id: c23c19b006222843836c58b4f7cb5503
title: Tycoons for Clinton
uri: Tycoons-for-Clinton
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#04_July_2016_%28Tycoons_for_Clinton%29
content:
<p>
Tycoons for Clinton is a big success.  Too bad you
<a href="http://www.commondreams.org/views/2016/06/30/wary-trump-business-leaders-are-flocking-clinton-style-neoliberalism">have
to be rich to be a member</a>.
<p>
To reinstate democracy in the US requires changes that will make
businesses squeal and rage.  That tycoons don't squeal and rage
against Clinton demonstrates she won't even try to do the job.


feed_id: 216738ed786bb39fc7f3699c03488a1e
title: UK's greenhouse gas goal for 2030
uri: UK-s-greenhouse-gas-goal-for-2030
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#04_July_2016_%28UKs_greenhouse_gas_goal_for_2030%29
content:
<p>
The UK adopted an
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2016/jun/30/uk-sets-ambitious-new-2030s-carbon-target">ambitious
greenhouse gas goal for 2030</a>.  However, long-term goals like that
are very far away from any real reduction.  A real reduction requires
practical measures now, and
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2016/jun/30/uk-lacks-policies-to-meet-more-than-half-its-carbon-emissions-cuts-report">the
UK fails there</a>.


feed_id: 7444abaeafb9edb447ebd90b02642eb3
title: Bug in Google's web DRM
uri: Bug-in-Google-s-web-DRM
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#04_July_2016_%28Bug_in_Googles_web_DRM%29
content:
<p>
People have reported finding a bug in Google's web DRM,
but have
<a href="http://boingboing.net/2016/06/24/googles-version-of-the-w3c.html">refused
to reveal the details</a>.
<p>
Rather than tell people how to use the bug to defeat Google's DRM,
they are keeping the details secret until Google makes its digital
handcuffs unbreakable.
<p>
What they should have done, to serve the public safely, was to leak
the details anonymously.  But if they were too scared to do that, they
could at least have chosen not to tell the enemy (any implementer of
DRM is our enemy) about it.  That way, the bug might remain unknown
until someone else told us about it.
<p>
The discussion quoted (from a Wired article) is based on perverse
support for DRM.  It talks about sharing copies using terms such as
"hijacking" and "theft".  It also refers deprecates the works that
might be shared by calling them "content".  It is typical that the
supporters of DRM value the works they chain up only in terms of
money.
<p>
There is no excuse for implementing DRM.  It ought to be punished
by imprisonment.


feed_id: 5194dfe3eee27e6da1c02b52271dd10d
title: The Clinton campaign
uri: The-Clinton-campaign
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#04_July_2016_%28The_Clinton_campaign%29
content:
<p>
Bill McKibben: The Clinton campaign was ready to acknowledge serious
problems … but when it came to specific policy changes,
they often
<a href="http://www.dailykos.com/story/2016/06/28/1543315/-Bill-McKibben-on-Clinton-campaign-s-rejection-of-proposed-platform-planks-on-Climate-Change">balked</a>.


feed_id: 754014c4e25adfe7728d9019df1540cb
title: Clean energy pledges
uri: Clean-energy-pledges
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#04_July_2016_%28Clean_energy_pledges%29
content:
<p>
US, Canada and Mexico Pledge
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2016/jun/28/us-canada-and-mexico-pledge-50-of-power-from-clean-energy-by-2025">50%
of [Electric] Power from Clean Energy by 2025</a>.
<p>
350.org explains why this sort of statement of a goal is
<a href="http://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2016/06/28/350org-responds-north-american-clean-energy-pledge">not
enough</a>.


feed_id: 2cd7f6b7d8b0ba61e61fffbfa7e5c92c
title: Volkswagen emissions fraud
uri: Volkswagen-emissions-fraud
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#3_July_2016_%28Volkswagen_emissions_fraud%29
content:
<p>
It is not enough to make Volkswagen pay money for its emissions fraud.
That crime 
<a href="http://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2016/06/28/volkswagens-emissions-cheating-was-crime-feds-should-treat-it-way">must
be prosecuted</a>.


feed_id: 50b82ad2e0f84c19b8a2a1f3cf1d0438
title: Harm of US-supported coup in Honduras
uri: Harm-of-US-supported-coup-in-Honduras
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#3_July_2016_%28Harm_of_US-supported_coup_in_Honduras%29

content:
<p>
7 years after the US-supported coup in Honduras, the harm 
<a href="http://www.commondreams.org/views/2016/06/28/coup-anniversary-examining-us-role-honduras">continues
to propagate</a>.


feed_id: 2128c9913d8cf7e99920d007ebf4f66e
title: Spread of "failed states"
uri: Spread-of-failed-states
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#3_July_2016_%28Spread_of_failed_states%29
content:
<p>
The spread of "failed states" may be related to 
<a href="http://www.commondreams.org/views/2016/06/28/age-disintegration-our-endless-cycle-indecisive-wars">neoliberalism
and its weakening of states in general</a>.


feed_id: e0eedff6e01806e70dcba4523d898780
title: Infiltration of dissidents by UK thugs
uri: Infiltration-of-dissidents-by-UK-thugs
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#3_July_2016_%28Infiltration_of_dissidents_by_UK_thugs%29

content:
<p>
The UK now has a 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2016/jun/29/sex-drugs-off-limits-undercover-police-guidelines">policy</a>
forbidding undercover thugs from having intimate sexual relationships
with people in the groups they are infiltrating.
<p>
That's good, but what about the question of whether to send thugs to
infiltrate dissidents?


feed_id: 00349891e68405183023ef3ba8e79cd8
title: No coal export through Oakland
uri: No-coal-export-through-Oakland
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#3_July_2016_%28No_coal_export_through_Oakland%29
content:
<p>
Oakland's city council 
<a href="http://www.sltrib.com/home/4054521-155/oakland-city-council-discusses-coal-ban">voted
not to allow coal export</a>.  The developer of new port facilities
says he will sue.
<p>
I don't know the legalities of the matter, but when you consider how
many people are killed by emissions from burning coal, and that's not
even counting the effects of coming climate mayhem, I think that
blowing up a coal export terminal would be justified by "necessity"
defense (preventing a bigger crime).


feed_id: d177b73979ea1d0eb6f300e49ac65f0b
title: Making banks smaller
uri: Making-banks-smaller
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#3_July_2016_%28Making_banks_smaller%29
content:
<p>
The bank GE Capital has got out of tight financial regulation by
selling off parts of its business and thus 
<a href="http://www.motherjones.com/kevin-drum/2016/06/ge-capital-shrinks-avoid-cost-being-systemically-important">making
itself small enough to be exempt</a>.
<p>
I agree that this is a success, but a big bank is a danger and the
tighter regulation is not enough to make them safe.  We need to 
<a href="https://stallman.org/articles/progressive-tax-on-business-gross-income.html">make
sure all banks get smaller</a>, one way or another.


feed_id: 3f2ee53e41aab650686e27d577b0a95c
title: FBI's secret rules
uri: FBI-s-secret-rules
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#3_July_2016_%28FBIs_secret_rules%29
content:
<p>
The FBI's secret rules allow it to 
<a href="https://theintercept.com/2016/06/30/secret-rules-make-it-pretty-easy-for-the-fbi-to-spy-on-journalists/">subpoena
journalists' records without a court order</a>.
<p>
This is part of the Obama regime's War on Journalism.  Obama has
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2011-nov-feb.html#19_February_2012_(Whistleblowers)">prosecuted
more journalists' sources (whistleblowers) than all previous
presidents put together</a>.


feed_id: ef513eee05a58e032cea80060b976a34
title: Democrats Need to Wake Up
uri: Democrats-Need-to-Wake-Up
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#3_July_2016_%28Democrats_Need_to_Wake_Up%29
content:
<p>
Bernie Sanders: 
<a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2016/06/29/opinion/campaign-stops/bernie-sanders-democrats-need-to-wake-up.html?_r=0">Democrats
Need to Wake Up</a>.
<p>
The referendum in the UK shows that people reduced to poverty by
globalization might grasp at any foolish straw of a false revolt, even
Trump, if no real better alternative is available.
<p>
Here's a commentary that relates the matter to some 
<a href="http://boingboing.net/2016/06/29/bernie-sanders-on-brexit-urge.html">experimental
psychology</a>.


feed_id: da027e820501100b6c14793b3c93ef64
title: Annual ozone hole getting smaller
uri: Annual-ozone-hole-getting-smaller
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#3_July_2016_%28Annual_ozone_hole_getting_smaller%29
content:
<p>
The annual ozone hole has been getting steadily smaller 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2016/jun/30/ozone-layer-hole-appears-to-be-healing-scientists-say">thanks
to the treaty that ended production of chlorofluorocarbons</a>.
<p>
This demonstrates that we can work together to end a global menace.
We could work together to curb global heating, too, if we defeat
the planet roasters such as the Koch brothers that bribe politicians
to keep it going.


feed_id: f3db309b6a2b4447e817b71bbb324f2a
title: Wildfires in the American west
uri: Wildfires-in-the-American-west
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#3_July_2016_%28Wildfires_in_the_American_west%29
content:
<p>
Global heating has 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/jun/30/wildfires-california-fueled-by-climate-change">increased
wildfires in the American west by 12 times</a>.  The fire season now
lasts 2/3 of the year.
<p>
How much worse will we make it before we stop (or it stops us)?


feed_id: aac141c8d0f31c72a09412eed0df2d69
title: Clinton and the TPP
uri: 2016-07-05-Clinton-and-the-TPP
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#3_July_2016_%28Clinton_and_the_TPP%29
content:
<p>
Trump has accused Clinton of 
<a href="https://theintercept.com/2016/06/29/trump-team-tpp/">continuing
to support the TPP</a> despite her claim that she doesn't.
<p>
It is disconcerting to find him agreeing with me, but
even a broken clock is right twice a day.
<p>
I think Clinton wants the TPP to be approved by Congress in the lame
duck session, so she can claim she wasn't responsible.  But she was
already 
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#30_May_2016_(Clintons_memoir_changes)">involved
in it as Secretary of State</a>.


feed_id: 33f2615783444c0a609f696271fe5d0f
title: Microsoft's trickery
uri: Microsoft-s-trickery
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#3_July_2016_%28Microsofts_trickery%29
content:
<p>
Microsoft says it will 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2016/jun/29/microsoft-cancel-windows-10-auto-install">stop
pushing and tricking users into installing Windows 10</a>.


feed_id: dc8a4d75072528e5a801684b08e99f0d
title: Studies of GMOs tied to GMO industry
uri: Studies-of-GMOs-tied-to-GMO-industry
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#3_July_2016_%28Studies_of_GMOs_tied_to_GMO_industry%29

content:
<p>
The National Academy of Sciences is starting a study of GMOs, and
almost half the committee has 
<a href="http://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2016/06/29/scientists-groups-urge-national-academy-reverse-decades-one-sided-gmo-science">financial
ties to the GMO industry</a>.


feed_id: bd66bdcc1ea13e7629cce96348a40c2d
title: Cameron's promise
uri: Cameron-s-promise
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#3_July_2016_%28Camerons_promise%29
content:
<p>
Cameron is resigning but not yet gone; he 
<a href="http://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2016/06/29/uk-prime-minister-rejects-fresh-calls-independent-torture-probe">can
still veto the independent torture investigation</a> he promised in
order to get elected.


feed_id: 906156c2efc54e96dad2fdb86496ce2f
title: Empathy
uri: 2016-07-05-Empathy
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#3_July_2016_%28Empathy%29
content:
<p>
<a href="http://www.commondreams.org/views/2016/06/29/cultivating-empathy-next-crisis">Cultivating
Empathy for the NEXT Crisis</a>.


feed_id: 0856d6c73f7a6680181706b707c1c67c
title: Making Israeli gov't agree to peace
uri: Making-Israeli-gov-t-agree-to-peace
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#3_July_2016_%28Making_Israeli_govt_agree_to_peace%29

content:
<p>
A leader of Jewish Voice for Peace explains 
<a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/posteverything/wp/2016/06/24/im-jewish-and-i-want-people-to-boycott-israel/">why
she supports boycott, divestment and sanctions against Israel</a>: it
is the only hope of making the Israeli government agree to peace.
<p>
I would support Jewish Voice for Peace personally except that it
always speaks for its supporters specifically as Jews, presuming that
they identify themselves as such.  My ethnic origin is Jewish, but I
consider myself an Atheist and that is important to me.
<p>
The other problem is that I can't sign its petitions because they
require signers to run nonfree Javascript code.


feed_id: aa34c1cefcac3fa4dd30b536d1ab4c17
title: Israel taking more of West Bank's water
uri: Israel-taking-more-of-West-Bank-s-water
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#3_July_2016_%28Israel_taking_more_of_West_Banks_water%29

content:
<p>
Israel is taking even more of the West Bank's water, and has 
<a href="http://maannews.com/Content.aspx?id=771973">reduced water
supply</a> to the Palestinians it is stolen from.


feed_id: a95286e1c4f313b8c2a46978fb407690
title: Indonesia's mass murderers
uri: Indonesia-s-mass-murderers
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#3_July_2016_%28Indonesias_mass_murderers%29
content:
<p>
End the 
<a href="http://www.commondreams.org/views/2016/06/27/time-end-impunity-suhartos-crimes-indonesia-and-timor-leste">>impunity</a>
for Indonesia's mass murderers, who organized killing in Indonesia and
in East Timor.


feed_id: 6b06692ff557d63bf22db8418b50ce27
title: Destruction of fish stocks
uri: Destruction-of-fish-stocks
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#3_July_2016_%28Destruction_of_fish_stocks%29
content:
<p>
Illegal fishing by ships from wealthy countries is destroying fish stocks
around Africa and 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2016/jun/29/tackling-illegal-fishing-in-western-africa-could-create-300000-jobs">impoverishing
African fishers</a>.
<p>
When global heating really gets going, a lot of those fish stocks will
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2010-nov-feb.html#9%20December%202010%20(No%20more%20coral%20reefs%20by%202050)">disappear
entirely</a>.


feed_id: 4bbe79426c23a4beed4f0675bc26b8ea
title: Very urgent: Reject fake GMO labeling bill
uri: 2016-07-05-Very-urgent-Reject-fake-GMO-labeling-bill
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#3_July_2016_%28Urgent%3A_Reject_fake_GMO_labeling_bill%29

content:
<p>
US citizens: phone your senators at 1-888-894-1033 to oppose the bill
to defeat state requirements for labeling GMOs in food.  The Senate
seems about to approve it, and the House already did.
<p>
The Center for Food Safety suggests saying something like this:
<blockquote>
I urge you to reject the fake GMO labeling bill from Senators Stabenow
and Roberts, a substitution amendment to Senate bill 764. This bill
takes away the rights of states to label GE foods and sticks consumers
with QR code technology for smartphones or 1-800 numbers instead of
clear, simple, on-package labeling. But a substantial majority of
Americans would be deprived of their right to know if GE labeling were
done through QR codes. Don't hide information behind high-tech codes
and phone numbers. Please oppose this bill and support mandatory
on-package labeling that clearly states-in words-whether a food
product is genetically engineered.
</blockquote>
Here's how senators voted on a test vote — you can 
<a href="http://www.senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_lists/roll_call_vote_cfm.cfm?congress=114&session=2&vote=00117#position">see
how yours voted</a>.  If they voted for it, tell them you insist they
represent the people instead of business (but don't curse them out, as
that would inspire them to oppose you).
<p>
They further said:
<p>
Why is the Stabenow-Roberts bill so bad?
<p>
Instead of providing consumers with simple, on-package labeling of
genetically engineered foods, the Stabenow-Roberts bill:
<ol>
<li>
HAS NO MANDATORY STANDARDS — The Senate bill itself proscribes
no mandatory standards for GMO labeling. Rather it preempts the
labeling laws of several states including Vermont, Connecticut, Maine
and Alaska based solely on a multi-year discretionary process
determined by an as yet unknown, future USDA Secretary.</li>
<li>
ALLOWS A VAST NUMBER OF CURRENT AND FUTURE GE FOODS TO BE EXEMPT FROM
ANY LABELING — The definition of "bioengineering" under the Act
would exclude from labeling a vast number of current foods produced
with genetic engineering including those where the "modification" is
"found in nature," those in which technology cannot as yet detect the
novel genetic material, and foods made with non in vitro recombinant
DNA techniques such as new generations of food made with RNAi and
so-called "gene-editing" techniques.  In fact, 99% of all GMO food
COULD be exempt from labeling as the bill leaves it entirely up to a
future USDA Secretary to determine what "amount" of GMO ingredients in
a food qualifies it for labeling.</li>
<li>
CONSTITUTES DISCRIMINATION AGAINST THE RURAL, LOW INCOME, AND THE
ELDERLY - The bill anticipates that GMO labeling will be done
primarily through QR codes ("digital" labeling). Because of their lack
of access to smart phones, more than 50% of rural and low income
populations, and more that 65% of the elderly, will have no access to
these labels. This impact will fall disproportionately on minority
communities. Millions more that do have smart phones may not be able
to access these QR codes because they cannot afford to maintain their
data service or their neighborhoods do not have adequate network
coverage. The study of the efficacy of QR codes outlined in the bill
is to take place significantly AFTER any labeling is established and
in the marketplace. The results of such a study, if any, may take many
years to clarify and codify. Such a "study" provision is clearly not
sufficient to absolve the bill of an unconstitutional discriminatory
impact.</li>
<li>
IS A VIOLATION OF STATE SOVEREIGNTY BY SPECIFICALLY PREEMPTING GMO
SEED LAWS AND POTENTIALLY NUMEROUS OTHER LAWS AND REGULATIONS —
The bill not only preempts state food labeling laws but also
specifically preempts GMO seed labeling laws such as those in Vermont
and Virginia that are designed to help farmers determine what seeds to
buy and plant.  Additionally, either intentionally or through poor
drafting, the bill could be interpreted to be a preemption of more
than 100 different state and municipal laws and regulations throughout
the nation.
<li>
INCLUDES ZERO ENFORCEMENT AGAINST THOSE WHO VIOLATE MANDATORY GMO
LABELING — The bill provides no civil or criminal penalties
whatsoever against those not complying with any GMO labeling
requirement.  The bill even specifically excludes the capacity of the
USDA to order any recall of misbranded food even in cases where a
product has been produced with genetic engineering but the corporation
involved purposely decides to violate the law and not label.
</ol>


feed_id: 8e75caaa807e2ba61b35f4930b3612b3
title: Urgent: Extend Medicare
uri: 2016-07-06-Urgent-Extend-Medicare
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#5_July_2016_%28Urgent%3A_Extend_Medicare%29
content:
<p>
US citizens: 
<a href="http://act.credoaction.com/sign/ryan_medicare_2016/">call on
your congresscritter</a> to extend Medicare, not cut it.


feed_id: f61129b585f9b0aed51688b73e8f903a
title: Sites that collect data about users
uri: Sites-that-collect-data-about-users
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#5_July_2016_%28Sites_that_collect_data_about_users%29

content:
<p>
Your Favorite Website Might Be 
<a href="https://www.aclu.org/blog/speak-freely/your-favorite-website-might-be-discriminating-against-you">Discriminating
Against You</a> — if you like web sites that collect data about users.
<p>
I think it is wiser to reject them out of hand, discrimination or not.


feed_id: 7539c7407134ec0b8c9e4c9a3e282075
title: Puerto Rico to be subjected to austerity
uri: Puerto-Rico-to-be-subjected-to-austerity
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#5_July_2016_%28Puerto_Rico_to_be_subjected_to_austerity%29

content:
<p>
Congress has voted to subject Puerto Rico to 
<a href="http://www.commondreams.org/views/2016/07/01/sad-and-shameful-day-puerto-rico">unlimited
austerity</a> to give its creditors priority over its people.
<p>
This sure shows whose side Clinton is on, if we didn't already know.
She will not get my vote.


feed_id: 909bc8940812888c571eb0a8f9484934
title: NATO commander tried to start proxy war
uri: NATO-commander-tried-to-start-proxy-war
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#5_July_2016_%28NATO_commander_tried_to_start_proxy_war%29

content:
<p>
The commander of NATO forces in Europe 
<a href="https://theintercept.com/2016/07/01/nato-general-emails/">strained
in every way to start a proxy war in Ukraine</a>.  This included
falsifying "intelligence" to create the appearance of a casus belli.
<p>
It's a good thing that Obama kept him in check.  Clinton, however,
might be 
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#29_June_2016_(Neocon_Clinton)">eager
to go along with the next such plan</a>.


feed_id: fa8b4a29bf091e16bed40e8f27c93a2c
title: News companies selling interviews
uri: News-companies-selling-interviews
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#5_July_2016_%28News_companies_selling_interviews%29
content:
<p>
News companies are 
<a href="https://theintercept.com/2016/07/01/convention-parties-lobby/">selling
companies interviews</a> at the Democratic and Republican conventions.


feed_id: 48365be975d7ac6cd21be1e7edb759a6
title: Solicitation of funds from Harvard
uri: Solicitation-of-funds-from-Harvard
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#5_July_2016_%28Solicitation_of_funds_from_Harvard%29

content:
<p>
I received a solicitation of funds from Harvard, and emailed back
<blockquote>
I decided to give to 350.org in honor of Harvard's refusal to divest from fossil fuel companies.
</blockquote>
I got the following response
<blockquote>
<p>
Thank you for your generous gift and your continued support of
Harvard.</p>
<p>
Please let me know if I can assist you in any other way.</p>
</blockquote>


feed_id: d24ac71d96c37e5f16cd4c24e100748a
title: A tax to fund housing for the homeless
uri: A-tax-to-fund-housing-for-the-homeless
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#5_July_2016_%28A_tax_to_fund_housing_for_the_homeless%29

content:
<p>
San Francisco is 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2016/jul/01/tech-tax-san-francisco-homelessness-inequality">considering
a payroll tax</a> to fund housing for the homeless.
<p>
Using taxation for this purpose is valid and probably necessary,
but basing the tax on payroll may cause perverse incentives.
<p>
Meanwhile, no amount of money will provide housing to the homeless if
there isn't enough housing.  San Francisco should reduce the policies,
such as zoning laws, that impede increasing the housing stock.


feed_id: 307f4264c0adf48dc32e383cd0d9733c
title: GMO rice effective at providing vitamin A
uri: GMO-rice-effective-at-providing-vitamin-A
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#5_July_2016_%28GMO_rice_effective_at_providing_vitamin_A%29

content:
<p>
GMO rice that produces carotene is reportedly effective at providing
vitamin A, and 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2013/feb/02/genetic-modification-breakthrough-golden-rice">may
be grown for real use starting next year</a>.
<p>
I don't think we should oppose all GMOs in a blanket way.  Each GMO
food is a separate case, and each one needs to be judged for several
possible downsides:
<ul>
<li>Effect on health of those that eat it.</li>
<li>Effect on farmers' health.</li>
<li>Effect on wildlife.</li>
<li>Effect on farmers' rights.</li>
</ul>
Perhaps the carotene rice will prove acceptable on all these issues.
If so, I will be in favor of it.  But we have to consider each issue
skeptically for each case, since businesses are prone to cheat the
public when the public's back is turned.


feed_id: dd9bab255ef2985fbdae15da9b864b00
title: Russia and Iran using drones
uri: Russia-and-Iran-using-drones
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#5_July_2016_%28Russia_and_Iran_using_drones%29
content:
<p>
Russia and Iran are now using drones for air attacks in Syria,
<a href="https://theintercept.com/2016/06/30/american-journalist-in-rebel-held-syria-reports-barely-dodging-a-missile-strike/">following
the lead of the US</a>.  It is becoming very dangerous for journalists
there.
<p>
The US has a long history of deploying advanced weapons without
worrying what will result once other countries have them too.


feed_id: 96a5a4cd1d5f26578c95ff4eeff1441a
title: Protesters block natural gas pipeline
uri: Protesters-block-natural-gas-pipeline
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#5_July_2016_%28Protesters_block_natural_gas_pipeline%29

content:
<p>
Protesters in Boston 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2016/jun/30/al-gore-daughter-arrested-boston-pipeline-protest">blocked
construction of a natural gas pipeline</a>.
<p>
Building more fossil fuel facilities is a foolhardy risk.  We don't
know how far it is to the edge of the climate cliff.  We need to
reduce combustion, not increase it.


feed_id: 8d2026f3e3f7f06f3449a4b6bbcf32bc
title: UK referendum and display of racism
uri: UK-referendum-and-display-of-racism
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#5_July_2016_%28UK_referendum_and_display_of_racism%29

content:
<p>
The UK referendum seems to have 
<a href="http://www.npr.org/sections/parallels/2016/06/29/484038396/after-brexit-vote-u-k-sees-a-wave-of-hate-crimes-and-racist-abuse">encouraged
many Britons to display racism</a>.  In the past, I think they would
have hidden it because they expected to be rebuked if they showed it.


feed_id: da100cb6043bf352625b7dda076b6dc5
title: Forcing ex-cons into crime
uri: Forcing-ex-cons-into-crime
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#5_July_2016_%28Forcing_ex-cons_into_crime%29
content:
<p>
Some US states 
<a href="http://reason.com/archives/2016/06/29/convicted-and-unemployed">bar
ex-cons from a wide range of careers</a>, leaving crime as their only
recourse.
<p>
In Italy, Lisa 
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#5_May_2016_(Stealing_food_to_eat_is_not_a_crime)">could
legally have stolen food to eat</a>, and presumably also to feed her
baby.
<p>
She shouldn't have had a baby if she couldn't afford to take care of
one.  And society should have made it easy for her to avoid it, by
providing easy access reliable contraception, as well as abortion if
necessary, and 
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#16_August_2015_(Sex_education)">real
sex education about them</a>.


feed_id: fece244769472e420c6d0335dd305fb1
title: Urgent: Ban oil trains
uri: Urgent-Ban-oil-trains
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#5_July_2016_%28Urgent%3A_Ban_oil_trains%29
content:
<p>
US citizens: 
<a href="http://act.credoaction.com/sign/obama-ban-oil-trains/">call
for a ban</a> on oil trains.


feed_id: d84736b50b3317f4965cdaf20ab4bc14
title: Urgent: Climate reporting on CNN
uri: Urgent-Climate-reporting-on-CNN
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#5_July_2016_%28Urgent%3A_Climate_reporting_on_CNN%29

content:
<p>
Everyone: 
<a href="http://www.signforgood.com/CNNReportOnClimate/">call on
CNN</a> to present more climate reporting than fossil fuel
advertising.


feed_id: 6f18163b18cdedd73622f73a2d7cb8fa
title: Facebook's victory over Belgian authority
uri: Facebook-s-victory-over-Belgian-authority
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#5_July_2016_%28Facebooks_victory_over_Belgian_authority%29

content:
<p>
Facebook's victory over the Belgian privacy authority 
<a href="http://arstechnica.co.uk/tech-policy/2016/06/facebook-wins-privacy-case-against-belgiums-data-protection-authority/">may
not be final</a>.


feed_id: 574220ba5244ba5d99999b322369b817
title: "Forecast" of future coal demand
uri: Forecast-of-future-coal-demand
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#5_July_2016_%28Forecast_of_future_coal_demand%29
content:
<p>
Many coal companies take the 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/sustainable-business/2016/jul/01/stop-spreading-misinformation-on-coal-demand">International
Energy Agency's disaster scenario</a> and present it as a "forecast"
of future coal demand.


feed_id: 020456b34f4d99da0abd3eae978e3180
title: Arrests for criticizing officials
uri: Arrests-for-criticizing-officials
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#5_July_2016_%28Arrests_for_criticizing_officials%29
content:
<p>
Many countries now 
<a href="https://www.accessnow.org/fisherman-soccer-cattle-malaysia-tanzania-censorship/">arrest
people for criticizing officials on the internet</a>.  It's not just 
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#23_March_2016_(Defamation_in_Turkey)">Turkey</a>
and
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2015-jan-apr.html#17_January_2015_(Freedom_of_speech_in_France)">France</a>.


feed_id: 55d16aeafce1e62fe8729ef244a99334
title: Impeachment of President Rousseff
uri: Impeachment-of-President-Rousseff
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#5_July_2016_%28Impeachment_of_President_Rousseff%29
content:
<p>
As the Brazilian Senate tries President Rousseff, the Senate's experts
say she is 
<a href="https://theintercept.com/2016/06/30/major-new-brazil-events-expose-the-fraud-of-dilmas-impeachment-and-temers-corruption/">not
guilty of the charges</a> that were the pretext for impeaching her.


feed_id: 3ad53091b04a2994173c0e8710ff640a
title: Hope for the Great Barrier Reef
uri: Hope-for-the-Great-Barrier-Reef
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#5_July_2016_%28Hope_for_the_Great_Barrier_Reef%29
content:
<p>
Australians, if you want to prevent the Great Barrier Reef from being
destroyed in 20 years, you must 
<a href=="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2016/jul/01/this-election-what-hope-is-there-forthe-great-barrier-reef">support
the Green Party</a>.  The major parties don't propose to try to do
what is needed.


feed_id: 809a2583f70d08894819af403b26f4cd
title: Prison sentences for whistleblowers
uri: Prison-sentences-for-whistleblowers
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#5_July_2016_%28Prison_sentences_for_whistleblowers%29

content:
<p>
Two whistleblowers that exposed Luxemburg's tax-dodging scheme were
<a href="http://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2016/06/30/rsf-deplores-jail-terms-luxleaks-whistleblower">given
suspended prison sentences</a> by Luxemburg's court.
<p>
It is better than 
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#28_May_2016_(Persecution_of_whistleblowers)">the
way the US treats whistleblowers</a>, but not good.


feed_id: bfb8cdd62a6e507fcf5ddf04eb8c5869
title: Death penalty prosecutors
uri: Death-penalty-prosecutors
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#5_July_2016_%28Death_penalty_prosecutors%29
content:
<p>
Just 
<a href="https://theintercept.com/2016/06/30/death-penalty-largely-driven-by-small-number-of-overzealous-prosecutors/">five
prosecutors</a> in the US convicted 15% of the people awaiting
execution, and they are accused of misconduct in office.


feed_id: c73e23847f44679cedfa3cbd9d8ca690
title: Very urgent: Gender pay equality bill
uri: Very-urgent-Gender-pay-equality-bill
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#7_July_2016_%28Urgent%3A_Gender_pay_equality_bill%29

content:
<p>
Citizens of Massachusetts: 
<a href="https://ssl.capwiz.com/aclu/ma/issues/alert/?alertid=73183626&type=ST">call
on state representatives</a> to pass the gender pay equality bill.


feed_id: 8c1de7851530c84fc1d12ce8570262ea
title: Tory spending violates human rights in the UK
uri: Tory-spending-violates-human-rights-in-the-UK
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#7_July_2016_%28Tory_spending_violates_human_rights_in_the_UK%29

content:
<p>
The UN Committee on Economic, Social, and Cultural Rights says that
Tory spending and aid cuts <a href="http://www.motherjones.com/politics/2016/07/un-report-declares-uk-austerity-violation-human-rights-obligations">violate the human rights of poor people</a> in the UK.


feed_id: 29918d61f434aad557f95c4433f5b7d3
title: Dubious drone death toll
uri: Dubious-drone-death-toll
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#7_July_2016_%28Dubious_drone_death_toll%29
content:
<p>
The US <a href="https://theintercept.com/2016/07/01/obama-administration-finally-releases-its-dubious-drone-death-toll/"> "report" on casualties from drone attacks</a> continues the practice of underestimating the number of civilians killed.
<p>
The <a href="http://www.commondreams.org/news/2016/06/30/new-report-highlights-us-legacy-lies-civilian-drone-deaths">report is so weak</a> on detail that one can't learn anything real from it.


feed_id: 3db6e546d0526bf6d0d3426be2d08eb9
title: Transgenders can now fight and die for the Empire
uri: Transgenders-can-now-fight-and-die-for-the-Empire
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#7_July_2016_%28Transgenders_can_now_fight_and_die_for_the_Empire%29

content:
<p>
This Person Exists: Transgender People Can Now <a href="http://www.commondreams.org/further/2016/06/30/person-exists-transgender-people-can-now-fight-and-die-empire">Fight and Die For the Empire</a>.


feed_id: fdbdc6de262ae26d417aeb6456b058eb
title: Eye-Fi orphans products
uri: Eye-Fi-orphans-products
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#7_July_2016_%28Eye-Fi_orphans_products%29
content:
<p>
Eye-Fi cards, which connect cameras to WiFi, depend on proprietary
software which depends on servers -- which the manufacturer will shut
down, <a href="http://www.diyphotography.net/eyefi-drop-support-cards-will-magically-stop-working-september-16-2016/">making it impossible to configure the cards</a>.
<p>
Using proprietary software always puts you under someone's thumb, more
or less.  When it depends on a server, that is acute nastiness.
And that's the way the "<a href="http://boingboing.net/2016/06/30/eye-fi-orphans-14-products-wh.html">Internet of Things</a>" works.
<p>
If the purchasers of Eye-Fi cards were wise, they would have rejected the
product for this before buying it.


feed_id: 8e79612067979852a892ef13c1754fba
title: Urgent: Call on Democratic platform against the TPP
uri: Urgent-Call-on-Democratic-platform-against-the-TPP
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#7_July_2016_%28Urgent%3A_Call_on_Democratic_platform_against_the_TPP%29

content:
<p>
US citizens: call on the Democratic platform committee
to take a <a href="http://act.credoaction.com/sign/dem_platform_tpp_pda/">stand against the TPP.


feed_id: 85ab2197a8806ce5f31f74a1efda3520
title: Tesla admits it tracks and records drivers
uri: Tesla-admits-it-tracks-and-records-drivers
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#7_July_2016_%28Tesla_admits_it_tracks_and_records_drivers%29

content:
<p>
Tesla admits it <a href="https://www.teslamotors.com/blog/tragic-los">tracks and records</a> when drivers use Autopilot.
<p>
I think this snooping is a much bigger issue than the accident itself.


feed_id: e8fb46e8b4fe596503f2a462605bbc38
title: US courts did not reject a single wire tap last year
uri: US-courts-did-not-reject-a-single-wire-tap-last-year
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#7_July_2016_%28US_courts_did_not_reject_a_single_wire_tap_last_year%29

content:
<p>
In 2015, courts in the US <a href="http://www.zdnet.com/article/us-courts-did-not-reject-a-single-wiretap-last-year-says-new-report/">authorized every single wiretap</a> that was requested.
<p>
So either thugs and prosecutors never once tried to overreach, or the courts 
are failing to do their job of protecting our rights.


feed_id: 5817ec1093fe7af7daebfe84985ebe22
title: Venezuela arrests two opposition activists
uri: Venezuela-arrests-two-opposition-activists
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#7_July_2016_%28Venezuela_arrests_two_opposition_activists%29

content:
<p>
Venezuela has arrested two opposition activists who were registering
voters for a possible referendum on President Maduro.  <a href="http://boingboing.net/2016/06/29/venezuela-takes-two-of-our-own.html">They were charged
with unrelated crimes, then disappeared</a>.
<p>
Chavez faced such a referendum.  He did not interfere with it -- he
won it.


feed_id: 166c6571a18dafc45b303b01b21ed7be
title: Baltimore rules to limit deadly force
uri: Baltimore-rules-to-limit-deadly-force
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#7_July_2016_%28Baltimore_rules_to_limit_deadly_force%29

content:
<p>
The Baltimore thug department has adopted new rules <a href="http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/maryland/crime/bs-md-ci-police-use-of-force-20160629-story.html">limiting the use of deadly force</a> and requiring thugs to try to de-escalate.
<p>
This is a step in a good direction and may prevent some killings.
However, it is not obvious how it would prevent killings like that of
Freddie Gray, where the deadly force used is disguised and the thugs
say it never happened.


feed_id: 21531f3a2b0c19908af51146ab924222
title: Trump spams foreign politicians
uri: Trump-spams-foreign-politicians
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#7_July_2016_%28Trump_spams_foreign_politicians%29
content:
<p>
The Trump campaign is <a href="http://www.cnet.com/news/trump-spams-foreign-politicians-with-fundraising-emails/">illegally asking foreign politicians for money</a>.


feed_id: d8dcba106ea2225285c9c25aefd38a23
title: A fight for control of your home
uri: A-fight-for-control-of-your-home
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#6_July_2016_%28A_fight_for_control_of_your_home%29
content:
<p>
Google is prepared to "fight Apple and Amazon for 
<a href='http://www.recode.net/2016/6/29/12055270/google-home-chromecast-mario-queiroz'>control
of your home</a>."
<p>
How dare these companies fight for power over us?  We should make
sure they <em>all</em> lose.


feed_id: eca051b0243e43b0fcc83c0bba13ef53
title: Urgent: Oppose TPP
uri: 2016-07-07-Urgent-Oppose-TPP
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#6_July_2016_%28Urgent%3A_Oppose_TPP%29
content:
<p>
US citizens: 
<a href="http://act.credoaction.com/sign/dem_platform_tpp/">sign this
petition</a> to the Democratic Party to unequivocally oppose the TPP.


feed_id: 470b8473f77c2498ab4a9ab1cb6c2d1b
title: Tory spending and aid cuts
uri: Tory-spending-and-aid-cuts
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#6_July_2016_%28Tory_spending_and_aid_cuts%29
content:
<p>
The UN Committee on Economic, Social, and Cultural Rights says that
Tory spending and aid cuts 
<a href="http://www.motherjones.com/politics/2016/07/un-report-declares-uk-austerity-violation-human-rights-obligations">violate
the human rights of poor people in the UK</a>.


feed_id: d3ad0a3bbfc39d5d9b06e57e9ec7a07e
title: "Report" on drone attack casualties
uri: Report-on-drone-attack-casualties
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#6_July_2016_%28Report_on_drone_attack_casualties%29
content:
<p>
The US "report" on casualties from drone attacks continues the
practice of 
<a href="https://theintercept.com/2016/07/01/obama-administration-finally-releases-its-dubious-drone-death-toll/">underestimating
the number of civilians killed</a>.
<p>
The report is so weak on detail that one 
<a href="http://www.commondreams.org/news/2016/06/30/new-report-highlights-us-legacy-lies-civilian-drone-deaths">can't
learn anything real from it</a>.


feed_id: 740577324ee63f4ed54f1902ec36e36c
title: Urgent: Call on DNC to oppose TPP
uri: Urgent-Call-on-DNC-to-oppose-TPP
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#6_July_2016_%28Urgent%3A_Call_on_DNC_to_oppose_TPP%29

content:
<p>
US citizens: 
<a href="https://go.berniesanders.com/page/s/tpp-dnc">call on the
Democratic Convention</a> to oppose TPP in the platform.
<p>
Please 
<a href="http://act.democracyforamerica.com/sign/TPP_platform_amendment/">sign
this one too</a>.


feed_id: 7a75eadfd6105150569aeed8eef58e8b
title: Transgender people
uri: Transgender-people
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#6_July_2016_%28Transgender_people%29
content:
<p>
This Person Exists: Transgender People 
<a href="http://www.commondreams.org/further/2016/06/30/person-exists-transgender-people-can-now-fight-and-die-empire">Can
Now Fight and Die For the Empire</a>.


feed_id: 2c28d7d3a05670a751dff22f2186d49e
title: Eye-Fi cards
uri: Eye-Fi-cards
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#6_July_2016_%28Eye-Fi_cards%29
content:
<p>
Eye-Fi cards, which connect cameras to WiFi, 
<a href="http://www.diyphotography.net/eyefi-drop-support-cards-will-magically-stop-working-september-16-2016/">depend
on proprietary software which depends on servers</a> — which the
manufacturer will shut down, making it impossible to configure the
cards.
<p>
Using proprietary software always puts you under someone's thumb, more
or less.  When it depends on a server, that is acute nastiness.  And
that's 
<a href="http://boingboing.net/2016/06/30/eye-fi-orphans-14-products-wh.html">the
way the "Internet of Things" works</a>.
<p>
If the purchasers of Eye-Fi cards were wise, they would have rejected
the product for this before buying it.


feed_id: c6a9c2419ccd2ca080c05bc245a05f0d
title: Urgent: Take stand against TPP
uri: Urgent-Take-stand-against-TPP
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#6_July_2016_%28Urgent%3A_Take_stand_against_TPP%29
content:
<p>
US citizens: 
<a href="http://act.credoaction.com/sign/dem_platform_tpp_pda/">call
on the Democratic platform committee</a> to take a stand against the
TPP.


feed_id: df0a59aa3255fee6aeccf027daeda6f0
title: Tesla admits to snooping on drivers
uri: Tesla-admits-to-snooping-on-drivers
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#6_July_2016_%28Tesla_admits_to_snooping_on_drivers%29

content:
<p>
Tesla admits it 
<a href="https://www.teslamotors.com/blog/tragic-loss">tracks and
records when drivers use Autopilot</a>.
<p>
I think this snooping is a much bigger issue than the accident itself.


feed_id: 367d3a95ee2f750dbb75b7df6b6cc642
title: Wiretap requests in the US
uri: Wiretap-requests-in-the-US
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#6_July_2016_%28Wiretap_requests_in_the_US%29
content:
<p>
In 2015, courts in the US 
<a href="http://www.zdnet.com/article/us-courts-did-not-reject-a-single-wiretap-last-year-says-new-report/">authorized
every single wiretap that was requested</a>.
<p>
So either thugs and prosecutors never once tried to overreach, or the
courts are failing to do their job of protecting our rights.


feed_id: 5996e7d315064c5a87e19357f265bf52
title: Venezuela arrests opposition activists
uri: Venezuela-arrests-opposition-activists
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#6_July_2016_%28Venezuela_arrests_opposition_activists%29

content:
<p>
Venezuela has arrested two opposition activists who were registering
voters for a possible referendum on President Maduro.  They were charged
with unrelated crimes, then 
<a href="http://boingboing.net/2016/06/29/venezuela-takes-two-of-our-own.html">disappeared</a>.
<p>
Chavez faced such a referendum.  He did not interfere with it —
he won it.


feed_id: 2487dbe8d00aede87c448e084182ed9d
title: New rules for Baltimore thugs
uri: New-rules-for-Baltimore-thugs
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#6_July_2016_%28New_rules_for_Baltimore_thugs%29
content:
<p>
The Baltimore thug department has adopted new rules 
<a href="http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/maryland/crime/bs-md-ci-police-use-of-force-20160629-story.html">limiting
the use of deadly force and requiring thugs to try to de-escalate</a>.
<p>
This is a step in a good direction and may prevent some killings.
However, it is not obvious how it would prevent killings like that of
Freddie Gray, where the deadly force used is disguised and the thugs
say it never happened.


feed_id: 0d2c713775ab924c0fe4c89ccf430950
title: The Trump campaign
uri: The-Trump-campaign
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#6_July_2016_%28The_Trump_campaign%29
content:
<p>
The Trump campaign is 
<a href="http://www.cnet.com/news/trump-spams-foreign-politicians-with-fundraising-emails/">illegally
asking foreign politicians for money</a>.


feed_id: 4a9d3a039b359b81eeaca906178bc90b
title: Former Marine on No Fly List for 4 Years
uri: Former-Marine-on-No-Fly-List-for-4-Years
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#8_July_2016_%28Former_Marine_on_No_Fly_List_for_4_Years%29

content:
<p>
I'm a Former Marine Who Was on the No Fly List for 4 Years â- and <a href="https://www.aclu.org/blog/speak-freely/im-former-marine-who-was-no-fly-list-4-years-and-i-still-dont-know-why">I Still Don't Know Why</a>.
<p>
However, from the events he states, it seems pretty clear why the US
put him on the list: to pressure him to be an informant.


feed_id: 03040ca4dcb3549b6e85feced2827d4b
title: Israeli objectors continue to go to prison
uri: Israeli-objectors-continue-to-go-to-prison
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#8_July_2016_%28Israeli_objectors_continue_to_go_to_prison%29

content:
<p>
Israeli conscientious objectors <a href="http://www.kibush.co.il/show_file.asp?num=72916">continue to go to prison</a> rather than
participate in the occupation of Palestine.


feed_id: d57915c4a05968a9b448e3ed6fd93608
title: Media has huge blind spot at terrorism
uri: Media-has-huge-blind-spot-at-terrorism
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#8_July_2016_%28Media_has_huge_blind_spot_at_terrorism%29

content:
<p>
The US media downplay terrorism <a href="http://www.commondreams.org/views/2016/06/29/media-has-huge-blind-spot-terrorism">committed by right-wing extremists</a>,
so people get the idea that such violence is committed only by Muslims.
<p>
Of course, terrorism of all sorts is a small danger compared with
the other dangers of life.


feed_id: 7ba6eb82670f221f1844c74c0aef79de
title: ACLU sues CFAA
uri: ACLU-sues-CFAA
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#8_July_2016_%28ACLU_sues_CFAA%29
content:
<p>
The ACLU is suing to overturn the CFAA on the grounds that it stops
people from investigating whether algorithms are <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2016/jun/29/aclu-sues-justice-department-software-discrimination">discriminating illegally against them</a>.
<p>
I hope it works.


feed_id: c7c8d7d52057ddefa66d917db587d8f0
title: Israel water tactics
uri: Israel-water-tactics
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#8_July_2016_%28Israel_water_tactics%29
content:
<p>
As Palestinians suffer in a temperature of 38C, with <a href="https://touchingphotographs.com/2016/07/01/al-hadidiya-jordan-valley-david-shulman/">no access to water</a>,
the nearby Israeli colony has a full swimming pool.
<p>
Israel destroys their water pipes to try to force them to move.


feed_id: 2c91b291adca7a2f188af214c1f75ff4
title: Google is prepared to fight Apple and Amazon
uri: Google-is-prepared-to-fight-Apple-and-Amazon
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#8_July_2016_%28Google_is_prepared_to_fight_Apple_and_Amazon%29

content:
<p>
Google is prepared to "<a href="http://www.recode.net/2016/6/29/12055270/google-home-chromecast-mario-queiroz">fight Apple and Amazon for control of your
home</a>."
<p>
How dare these companies fight for power over us?  We should make
sure they <em>all</em> lose.


feed_id: a3cd94f7d73151d7bb18dfc27bd5b142
title: Urgent: Oppose TPP in the platform
uri: Urgent-Oppose-TPP-in-the-platform
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#8_July_2016_%28Urgent%3A_Oppose_TPP_in_the_platform%29

content:
<p>
US citizens: call on the Democratic Convention to <a href="https://go.berniesanders.com/page/s/tpp-dn">oppose TPP in the
platform</a>.
<p>
Please <a href="http://act.democracyforamerica.com/sign/TPP_platform_amendment/?t=1001&refcode=g-tppplatform0629.d-20160629.m-8083.s-22895&akid=8083.1906019.5mGhan">sign this one</a> too.


feed_id: 5951c226ca92e5b744cbfdc3ddb71786
title: Israeli conscientious objectors
uri: Israeli-conscientious-objectors
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#7_July_2016_%28Israeli_conscientious_objectors%29
content:
<p>
Israeli conscientious objectors 
<a href="http://www.kibush.co.il/show_file.asp?num=72916">continue to
go to prison rather than participate in the occupation of
Palestine</a>.


feed_id: 305fcc87f903a7cdc9e4c148478e028a
title: US media coverage of terrorism
uri: US-media-coverage-of-terrorism
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#7_July_2016_%28US_media_coverage_of_terrorism%29
content:
<p>
The US media 
<a href="http://www.commondreams.org/views/2016/06/29/media-has-huge-blind-spot-terrorism">downplay
terrorism committed by right-wing extremists</a>, so people get the
idea that such violence is committed only by Muslims.
<p>
Of course, terrorism of all sorts is a small danger compared with
the other dangers of life.


feed_id: 2585dd679c5b8a7193fccfac896bb3b4
title: ACLU suing to overturn CFAA
uri: ACLU-suing-to-overturn-CFAA
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#7_July_2016_%28ACLU_suing_to_overturn_CFAA%29
content:
<p>
The ACLU is 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2016/jun/29/aclu-sues-justice-department-software-discrimination">suing
to overturn the CFAA</a> on the grounds that it stops people from
investigating whether algorithms are discriminating illegally against
them.
<p>
I hope it works.


feed_id: 9c088d2830603a9ac7755c1e6d5fe7a2
title: Palestinians with no access to water
uri: Palestinians-with-no-access-to-water
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#7_July_2016_%28Palestinians_with_no_access_to_water%29

content:
<p>
As Palestinians suffer in a temperature of 38C, with no access to
water, 
<a href="https://touchingphotographs.com/2016/07/01/al-hadidiya-jordan-valley-david-shulman/">the
nearby Israeli colony has a full swimming pool</a>.
<p>
Israel destroys their water pipes to try to force them to move.


feed_id: 0cfae82dd5ef43268a550511e769826d
title: Racism in Britain
uri: Racism-in-Britain
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#7_July_2016_%28Racism_in_Britain%29
content:
<p>
After a Campaign Scarred by Bigotry, 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2016/jun/28/campaign-bigotry-racist-britain-leave-brexit">It's
Become OK to be Racist in Britain</a>.
<p>
The campaign of bigotry has 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2016/jun/28/brexit-europe-far-right-rightwing-extremists-politics-terrorism">boosted
right-wing bigotry elsewhere in Europe</a>.  These extremists express
themselves through terrorism as well as through insults.
<p>
Their movement feeds on the anger that responds to the increasing
power and arrogance of the rich, who then distract them to attack
scapegoats instead of the real villains.


feed_id: 15cf4aed6fe6dbdd6f53b343d4b924bc
title: Political campaigning software
uri: Political-campaigning-software
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#7_July_2016_%28Political_campaigning_software%29
content:
<p>
Advanced political campaigning software raises various 
<a href="http://www.fastcompany.com/3061333/election-2016/how-ngp-van-democrats-leading-software-provider-is-planning-to-win-you-over">ethical
issues</a>.
<p>
A canvasser that is operating under the direction of a reactive script
will become a sort of terminal for the campaign's computer to talk
with voters, but will still appear to be a supporter communicating on
per own behalf.
<p>
As for the personalization of messages based on data collections, I
see the collection of the data as a bigger issue than that use of it.
The specific problem of campaign message personalization is that the
campaign can say special to certain selected voters, things which the
general public might find odious but would never see.
<p>
The campaign's use of this nonfree software treats the campaign
unjustly, in my view.  (The candidates and their campaign managers
have probably never thought about this issue.)  Worse, asking campaign
volunteers such as canvassers to use the nonfree software is an
injustice to all of them.


feed_id: 444d38e1b13855fb605a979feb232a77
title: "Sky lanterns"
uri: Sky-lanterns
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#7_July_2016_%28Sky_lanterns%29
content:
<p>
"Sky lanterns" 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/ethicallivingblog/2009/jul/31/sky-lanterns">start
fires in fields and homes, and have caused power blackouts</a>.  They
contain wires that can kill wild and domestic animals.
<p>
In addition, they waste helium, which we need for running devices such
as MRI scanners.
<p>
Thus, I think it makes sense to ban them.


feed_id: 05f12ee9e4f361620fff01431aa04113
title: Chilcots oil blind spot
uri: Chilcots-oil-blind-spot
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#15_July_2016_%28Chilcots_oil_blind_spot%29
content:
<p>
Chilcot <a href="https://opendemocracy.net/david-whyte/chilcot-s-oil-blind-spot-in-iraq-war-report">ignored the role of oil as the motivation for attacking Iraq</a>,
and how the plan to grab Iraq's oil influenced the policies of the
occupation.


feed_id: 5470f4b248c9f089e81aca76d52865f8
title: Report about encryption, packed with falsehoods.
uri: Report-about-encryption-packed-with-falsehoods
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#15_July_2016_%28Report_about_encryption%2C_packed_with_falsehoods.%29

content:
<p>
The Department of Homeland Surveillance released a report about encryption,
<a href="https://www.engadget.com/2016/07/08/homeland-securitys-big-encryption-report-wasnt-fact-checked/">packed with falsehoods</a>.


feed_id: 0a4ba13953d6b8e54bf9c9df049ce019
title: Urgent: call on Obama to veto the DARK act
uri: Urgent-call-on-Obama-to-veto-the-DARK-act
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#15_July_2016_%28Urgent%3A_call_on_Obama_to_veto_the_DARK_act%29

content:
<p>
US citizens: call on Obama to veto the DARK Act, <a href="https://secure.foodandwaterwatch.org/site/Advocacy;jsessionid=1EC173EB4580A4851523914B4B94728E.app30112b?pagename=homepage&page=UserAction&id=2557&autologin=true">Monsanto's scheme to
prevent labeling of GMOs</a>.


feed_id: cf4acb6fe37953e187b9c0f15949943d
title: Urgent: Reducing Carbon Emissions
uri: Urgent-Reducing-Carbon-Emissions
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#15_July_2016_%28Urgent%3A_Reducing_Carbon_Emissions%29

content:
<p>
US citizens: call on the Department of Transportation to carry out two
plans for <a href="https://secure.nrdconline.org/site/Advocacy;jsessionid=3275EDD8C5C370A653FE87D5E267C656.app330a?cmd=display&page=UserAction&id=4037&autologin=true&s_src=EMOMAPPETACT0716&utm_source=alert&utm_medium=actr&utm_campaign=email">reducing carbon emissions from transit systems</a>.


feed_id: 846d5e5f5ee0a4f39df7519c13b6cfa3
title: EU sent users private data to the US
uri: EU-sent-users-private-data-to-the-US
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#15_July_2016_%28EU_sent_users_private_data_to_the_US%29

content:
<p>
The European Union accepted a replacement vague US pledge to maintain
European users' privacy, and <a href="http://www.bbc.com/news/technology-36744928">reauthorized businesses to send their
data to the US</a>.
<p>
This could continue until another Snowden reveals how the US
violates that pledge.


feed_id: 0eaadffa65f6166476a1c527bdaed7ee
title: How to relate to robots
uri: How-to-relate-to-robots
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#15_July_2016_%28How_to_relate_to_robots%29
content:
<p>
Computer systems that take orders and respond by voice, as if they
were slaves, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2016/jul/08/how-to-relate-to-robots">can train humans to treat humans as slaves</a>.


feed_id: 9b8fac6d3e10c70852fbbd51d93ba46d
title: Urgent: Call on Senators to support Climate Change
uri: Urgent-Call-on-Senators-to-support-Climate-Change
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#15_July_2016_%28Urgent%3A_Call_on_Senators_to_support_Climate_Change%29

content:
<p>
US citizens: call on Senators to support the <a href="https://act.climatetruth.org/sign/Markey_CCEA_ClimateParents?t=1002&akid=3763.44401.TVu29J">Climate Change Education Act</a>.


feed_id: 8baf1494d73c77c5c59ca54522851ee4
title: Existential Risks Are More Likely to Kill You Than Terrorism
uri: Existential-Risks-Are-More-Likely-to-Kill-You-Than-Terrorism
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#15_July_2016_%28Existential_Risks_Are_More_Likely_to_Kill_You_Than_Terrorism%29

content:
<p>
The best thinkers estimate a chance of 10%, or 25%, or maybe 50% that
<A href="http://ieet.org/index.php/IEET/more/Torres20160708">some event will wipe out humanity during this century</a>, killing you among
others if you're still alive at the time.  That is much more likely than
many risks that people take care to avoid, such as car accidents.
<p>
As for terrorism, the chance you will be killed by that minuscule.
<p>
For the most part, the threats of human extinction don't inspire us to
action because they are imponderable: we don't know what we could do
to protect ourselves from them.
<p>
However, there are two noteworthy exceptions.  We know how to campaign
to abolish nuclear weapons, and we can campaign for strong action to
curb gkobal heating.  That would reduce two significant possibilities
for killing all, or a large fraction, of humaity.


feed_id: 66769ed190451ce258c69e527034969a
title: Ashley Madison Admits Using Fembots to Lure Men
uri: Ashley-Madison-Admits-Using-Fembots-to-Lure-Men
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#15_July_2016_%28Ashley_Madison_Admits_Using_Fembots_to_Lure_Men%29

content:
<p>
Ashley Madison Admits Using Fembots to <a href="http://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2016/07/ashley-madison-admits-using-fembots-to-lure-men-into-spending-money/">Lure Men into Spending Money</a>.


feed_id: 70930edda438ebe81dd980b2108865d4
title: Old Enemy New Fight
uri: Old-Enemy-New-Fight
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#15_July_2016_%28Old_Enemy_New_Fight%29
content:
<p>
Obama proposes to cooperate with Russia to defeat jihadis in Syria,
but faces internal opposition from officials that wish above all to
<a href="http://www.commondreams.org/views/2016/07/09/new-fight-over-syria-war-strategyy">treat Russia as the enemy</a>.


feed_id: eb9c0a0d968ef11d6c8706160adf1546
title: Tobacco mixed with Marijuana harder to quit
uri: Tobacco-mixed-with-Marijuana-harder-to-quit
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#15_July_2016_%28Tobacco_mixed_with_Marijuana_harder_to_quit%29

content:
<p>
The European practice of <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/society/2016/jul/09/cannabis-users-who-put-tobacco-in-joints-more-likely-to-be-addicted">mixing tobacco into your marijuana</a> makes it
harder to quit marijuana -- and harder to quit tobacco.


feed_id: 87d422d12a26a8ba7c7f486939b55944
title: Israel killed Palestinian Awad Alareer
uri: Israel-killed-Palestinian-Awad-Alareer
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#15_July_2016_%28Israel_killed_Palestinian_Awad_Alareer%29

content:
<p>
Israel killed Palestinian Awad Alareer by <a href="https://electronicintifada.net/content/israels-killer-bureaucracy/17226">forbidding him to travel
outside Gaza to get medical treatment for his cancer</a>.


feed_id: 642548441518d44d9ae19d9b8382d68a
title: Political prisoner reports from prison
uri: Political-prisoner-reports-from-prison
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#15_July_2016_%28Political_prisoner_reports_from_prison%29

content:
<p>
Political prisoner <a href="https://theintercept.com/2016/07/09/barrett-brown-the-fact-of-sisyphus/">Barrett Brown reports from prison</a>.


feed_id: da5b4cea3159c1332ba3ce42caa915a8
title: Researchers Find Over 100 Spying Tor Nodes
uri: Researchers-Find-Over-100-Spying-Tor-Nodes
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#15_July_2016_%28Researchers_Find_Over_100_Spying_Tor_Nodes%29

content:
<p>
Researchers <a href="https://boingboing.net/2016/07/01/researchers-find-over-100-spyi.html">Find Over 100 Spying Tor Nodes</a> That Attempt to Compromise 
Darknet Sites.


feed_id: 953ab7fc32d4451d6b26ab3f784adc50
title: Poland new spying law
uri: Poland-new-spying-law
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#15_July_2016_%28Poland_new_spying_law%29
content:
<p>
Poland has greatly loosened legal limits on <a href="http://arstechnica.co.uk/tech-policy/2016/07/poland-new-spying-law-world-leaders-nato-summit/">spying on foreigners</a>.
<p>
The law also authorizes internet censorship without a trial.
<p>
Both of these are world-wide trends in injustice.  The defense of
human rights, in most places, is not strong enough to win very often;
governments that exaggerate the danger of "terrorists" usually succeed
in driving the public to give up their rights.
<p>
The law also makes it very easy for the state to demand fingerprints
and even DNA samples from foreign visitors.  I think I will stay away
from Poland.
<p>
It even restricts sale of prepaid phone cards.
A real terrorist could surely steal one, but ordinary people
will feel the clampdown.


feed_id: 9c63de4806134c50c4672c5114da9241
title: Torture Terrorism college class
uri: Torture-Terrorism-college-class
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#15_July_2016_%28Torture_Terrorism_college_class%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2016/jul/08/torture-terrorism-college-class">The Appeal of Torture</a>: What I Learned from Teaching a Class on Terrorism.
<p>
Surely everyone has seen fiction in which the hero is being tortured
by people demanding information that the hero does not have.  Surely
everyone can imagine being in this position.  Why don't they apply
that imagination to the issue?
<p>
You don't have to be a hero, or do anything in particular, to be
falsely accused.  It can happen to anyone.


feed_id: ac79f4934b51cb09fd9c2a216556b2b5
title: Former Chilean officer has been charged with killing 15 dissidents.
uri: Former-Chilean-officer-has-been-charged-with-killing-15-dissidents
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#15_July_2016_%28Former_Chilean_officer_has_been_charged_with_killing_15_dissidents.%29

content:
<p>
A former Chilean officer has been <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/jul/08/former-chilean-army-chief-juan-emilio-cheyre-charged-1973-activists-killing">charged with killing 15 dissidents</a>.
<p>
The term "militant" might suggest these were guerrilla fighters, but
that would be a mistake.  In Chile before 1973, leftist militants
campaigned for votes.


feed_id: fce860a5ea9c70716c199c7906fccd2d
title: Arizona measles outbreak
uri: Arizona-measles-outbreak
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#15_July_2016_%28Arizona_measles_outbreak%29
content:
<p>
Unvaccinated workers at a US immigration detention center
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2016/jul/08/arizona-measles-outbreak-immigration-detention-workers">caught measles and transmitted it to prisoners</a>.
<p>
Just as food service workers are not allowed the choice not to wash
their hands, these employees should not be given the choice not to be
vaccinated.  Other people's health is at stake.


feed_id: 90680a7d3b1a280e26f9124cae1dcd76
title: Pregnant adolescents can be pressured into marriage
uri: Pregnant-adolescents-can-be-pressured-into-marriage
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#15_July_2016_%28Pregnant_adolescents_can_be_pressured_into_marriage%29

content:
<p>
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/society/2016/jul/08/child-marriage-forced-minors-virginia-law">Pregnant adolescents can be pressured into marriage</a> in the US under
the laws of certain states.
<p>
I don't see anything inherently wrong in a sexual relationship between
a high school student and someone age 50.  However, the marriage of a
pregnant 13-year-old is an indication that something fishy is going
on.
<p>
It is unfair to coerce someone by pregnancy into anything whatsoever,
including giving birth.  Does the State of Virginia offer all pregnant
minors a confidential abortion at no cost?  If not, it ought to.
<p>
As stated in the article, preventing forced marriage is not a simple
matter of checking age.


feed_id: 76be2f08fe2869c812181368cc22d393
title: War Crimes have not been investigated
uri: War-Crimes-have-not-been-investigated
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#15_July_2016_%28War_Crimes_have_not_been_investigated%29

content:
<p>
Two years after <a href="https://www.amnesty.org/en/documents/mde15/4199/2016/en/">Israel's last bombardment of Gaza</a>, the war
crimes on both sides have not been investigated.


feed_id: c2c8be1dd6aa6dcfafa32ca0532af0cf
title: Give cops 24hr notice before sex
uri: Give-cops-24hr-notice-before-sex
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#15_July_2016_%28Give_cops_24hr_notice_before_sex%29
content:
<p>
A man in the UK has been <a href="http://www.freerangekids.com/man-found-not-guilty-of-sex-offense-must-give-cops-24-hour-notice-before-he-has-sex/">ordered to inform the thug department 24 hours before having sex</a>, including precisely who with and where.  This because he was found not guilty of rape.
<p>
This effectively means a life of celibacy.
<p>
He also faces a lifetime ban from the internet, more or less,
and the state also demands to see the pin of his phone.
<p>
He is threatening to go on hunger strike.


feed_id: 793f8b041821a63f866091b7ea1e60f7
title: Soldiers betrayed by their gov't
uri: Soldiers-betrayed-by-their-gov-t
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#14_July_2016_%28Soldiers_betrayed_by_their_govt%29
content:
<p>
Soldiers sent to fight for an unjust cause have been betrayed by their
government, and 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2016/jul/07/unjust-war-soldiers-iraq-afghanistan-vietnam">they
feel this powerfully</a>.


feed_id: c8796228e87a1b55f645b9f027552589
title: South Sudan destroying free press
uri: South-Sudan-destroying-free-press
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#14_July_2016_%28South_Sudan_destroying_free_press%29

content:
<p>
South Sudan Is 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/jul/07/south-sudan-is-wiping-out-its-free-press-one-journalist-at-a-time">Destroying
Its Free Press</a>, One Journalist at a Time.


feed_id: 403e5e4f1516979ccdad987bc9c3d74d
title: Frivolous lawsuits from coal companies
uri: Frivolous-lawsuits-from-coal-companies
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#14_July_2016_%28Frivolous_lawsuits_from_coal_companies%29

content:
<p>
Coal companies pay for 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/climate-consensus-97-per-cent/2016/jul/07/climate-scientists-are-under-attack-from-frivolous-lawsuits">frivolous
lawsuits to disrupt the work of climate scientists</a>.


feed_id: c45682251277d2df2cef20f0a2751fc1
title: Fracking in the UK
uri: 2016-07-15-Fracking-in-the-UK
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#14_July_2016_%28Fracking_in_the_UK%29
content:
<p>
Fracking
'<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2016/jul/07/fracking-uk-climate-targets-rules-stricter">Will
Break UK Climate Targets</a> Unless Rules Are Made Stricter'.


feed_id: f6fc958b93d69911d894ebcea0a17086
title: Bornean Orangutan critically endangered
uri: Bornean-Orangutan-critically-endangered
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#14_July_2016_%28Bornean_Orangutan_critically_endangered%29

content:
<p>
Bornean Orangutan 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2016/jul/07/bornean-orangutan-declared-critically-endangered-as-forests-shrink">Declared
'Critically Endangered'</a> As Forests Shrink.


feed_id: 3022d768e126ef3d767008cb46b25662
title: Peak indifference to privacy and snooping
uri: Peak-indifference-to-privacy-and-snooping
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#14_July_2016_%28Peak_indifference_to_privacy_and_snooping%29

content:
<p>
Cory Doctorow argues that we have passed the point of peak
indifference to privacy and snooping.  Now we
<a href="http://www.locusmag.com/Perspectives/2016/07/cory-doctorow-peak-indifference/">need
to organize people as they discover the importance of the issue</a>.
<p>
I wish someone with skill and available time were ready to start an
organization to campaign to
<a href="http://gnu.org/philosophy/surveillance-vs-democracy.html">strictly
limit accumulation of data about people</a>.


feed_id: 6d6c512d504e4d7a83aace2bead1a52b
title: Increase in killings by thugs in Rio
uri: Increase-in-killings-by-thugs-in-Rio
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#14_July_2016_%28Increase_in_killings_by_thugs_in_Rio%29

content:
<p>
In the run-up to the Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro there is a
<a href="https://www.amnesty.org.uk/press-releases/brazil-huge-spike-number-police-killings-rio-ahead-olympics">big
increase in killings by thugs</a>.


feed_id: eb3e264775d468e556016484bb26379c
title: Projection of floods in UK
uri: Projection-of-floods-in-UK
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#14_July_2016_%28Projection_of_floods_in_UK%29
content:
<p>
Global heating means ever worse floods in the UK.  People may not
appreciate how bad the effects can be; here is a
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/jul/07/great-tide-is-britain-equipped-cope-glbal-warming">projection</a>.


feed_id: 39f45c99c6dd71f8477bde43d408c04a
title: The invasion of Iraq
uri: The-invasion-of-Iraq
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#14_July_2016_%28The_invasion_of_Iraq%29
content:
<p>
The invasion of Iraq was
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2016/jul/07/blair-chilcot-war-in-iraq-not-blunder-crime">not
merely a blunder</a>.  B'liar was warned about all the bad
consequences, and that the "intelligence" was a lie; he went ahead
anyway.
<p>
It wasn't necessary to be an expert, or have any inside information,
to recognize that invasion was unjustified.  Even I could see it.


feed_id: aa637b923c1163802e14374acc0f16d1
title: Raising hands in the air while black
uri: Raising-hands-in-the-air-while-black
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#14_July_2016_%28Raising_hands_in_the_air_while_black%29

content:
<p>
Philando Castile informed the thug that he had a licensed gun, but
that he was about to get out his ID as requested.  The thug told him
not to, so he raised his arms instead — so
<a href="http://www.motherjones.com/politics/2016/07/falcon-heights-fatal-police-shooting-philando-castile">the
thug shot him and killed him</a>.
<p>
Mr Castile was black.  Maybe the thug was affected by
unconscious racism, but that is not an excuse.


feed_id: 962b4419be4179de6ebd9f90c0e8efbc
title: Insulting officials in Madagascar
uri: Insulting-officials-in-Madagascar
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#14_July_2016_%28Insulting_officials_in_Madagascar%29

content:
<p>
In Madagascar most people are very poor, so they are making fun of the
president's wife's expensive dress.  The government's response:
<a href="https://globalvoices.org/2016/07/01/why-everyone-in-madagascar-is-making-jokes-about-pineapple/">a
bill to prohibit insulting officials</a>.
<p>
Madagascar has been hit hard by global heating effects, including
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2016/jul/07/madagascar-climate-change-plagues-poor-the-water-rose-so-fast">drought
sometimes and flooding sometimes</a>.
<p>
90% of Madagascar's former forest has been cut down, and desperate
people are rapidly cutting down what remains, but that will only give
them a short respite before they die in large numbers.
<p>
I think this is a foretaste of what the whole world could be like in
2070.
<p>
Such a desperate situation calls for desperate measures.  If the rest
of the world wants to help, I suggest offering a regular supply of
food to anyone under 20 years old who agrees to be sterilized in
exchange.


feed_id: 30165ab0e3156daeb544f9b19054ea08
title: US subsidized housing for the wealthy
uri: US-subsidized-housing-for-the-wealthy
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#14_July_2016_%28US_subsidized_housing_for_the_wealthy%29

content:
<p>
The US puts a lot of money into subsidizing housing, but
<a href="https://www.thenation.com/article/who-benefits-most-from-housing-subsidies-the-wealthy/">limited
mainly to the wealthy</a>.


feed_id: 34d7ef1c51f57a080d5b0a22821367e6
title: Postmodern politics
uri: Postmodern-politics
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#14_July_2016_%28Postmodern_politics%29
content:
<p>
In postmodern politics (Trump, or the UK out of the EU), supporters
don't need to seriously believe the promised benefits or actions.
They enjoy the pleasure of
<a href="http://www.irishtimes.com/news/world/europe/fintan-o-toole-brexit-and-the-politics-of-the-fake-orgasm-1.2707398">fantasizing
them for a moment</a>.
<p>
The UK referendum has had one clear, substantial benefit for homeless
Britons:
<a href="http://www.standard.co.uk/news/london/london-house-prices-slashed-after-brexit-vote-a3285731.html">some
housing prices in London have tumbled</a>.
<p>
It isn't yet clear whether the effect will be widespread enough to
bring rents down for working people.


feed_id: cf9d63b4f37c0d88b36dbe64894b6ee8
title: Oslo withdraws Olympic games bid
uri: Oslo-withdraws-Olympic-games-bid
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#14_July_2016_%28Oslo_withdraws_Olympic_games_bid%29
content:
<p>
Oslo had a lucky scrape: the International Olympic Committee made
arrogant demands for holding the 2022 Olympic games there, which
spurred Oslo to
<a href="http://www.slate.com/blogs/the_slatest/2014/10/02/ioc_demands_oslo_drops_bid_after_over_the_top_list_of_requirements.html">withdraw
its bid to hold the games</a>.
<p>
While these demands are offensive, and in some cases rather
inconvenient, it is other Olympic Games policies that tend to do real
and lasting harm to the people of whatever city hosts them.  For
instance,
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#15_June_2016_(Olympic_Games_security_measures)">heavy
taxes, new surveillance systems, nasty laws that interfere with human
rights, and clearance of poor people</a>.
<p>
Tyrannical countries such as Kazakhstan and China probably already
have the tyrannical laws and surveillance that the IOC demands, and
they probably crush the poor already as much as it is feasible to do.
<p>
Today's Olympic games and today's tyrants are made for each other.


feed_id: 2177c39e8e3c0ec646ee8a0ae56108d8
title: Corrupt members of the US congress
uri: Corrupt-members-of-the-US-congress
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#14_July_2016_%28Corrupt_members_of_the_US_congress%29

content:
<p>
Corrupt members of the US congress are
<a href="http://reason.com/blog/2016/07/05/congress-wants-to-force-pentagon-to-buy">determined
to buy an expensive ship</a> that the Pentagon says it doesn't want.


feed_id: f9b7c327529bfed95c08011988177aca
title: Right-wing Israeli fanatics
uri: Right-wing-Israeli-fanatics
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#14_July_2016_%28Right-wing_Israeli_fanatics%29
content:
<p>
Right-wing Israeli fanatics
<a href="http://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/originals/2016/06/elor-azaria-hebron-shooting-idf-trial-netanyahu-liberman.html">admire
and defend the soldier on trial for killing a Palestinian prisoner who
was lying on the ground incapacitated</a>.  They revile witnesses for
testifying honestly in court.
<p>
If this is the new Israel, feh!


feed_id: 5c9f05cbcee54c981537780d784f835d
title: Clare Short call for change regards decisionmaking
uri: Clare-Short-call-for-change-regards-decisionmaking
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#14_July_2016_%28Clare_Short_call_for_change_regards_decisionmaking%29

content:
<p>
Clare Short, a former UK minister <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2016/jul/07/blair-iraq-chilcot-report-war-uk">who criticized the invasion of Iraq</a>,
calls for change in the system of decisionmaking that made it easy for B'liar to push the UK into war.


feed_id: c190ad25ba0d0a8115d1d2d953aa31ef
title: Chilcot didn't ask for Katherine Guns testimony
uri: Chilcot-didn-t-ask-for-Katherine-Guns-testimony
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#14_July_2016_%28Chilcot_didn%27t_ask_for_Katherine_Guns_testimony%29

content:
<p>
Katherine Gun reminds us that in 2003 the US wanted to spy on
representatives to the Security Council to try to pressure other
countries to vote for the invasion of Iraq, and asks why the Chilcot
investigation did <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2016/jul/08/chilcot-iraq-war-gchq-inquiry">not ask for her testimony</a>.


feed_id: dbf49d87f8f1f0e09aba3f187ebaca24
title: Jill Stein and Bernie Sanders
uri: Jill-Stein-and-Bernie-Sanders
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#14_July_2016_%28Jill_Stein_and_Bernie_Sanders%29
content:
<p>
Jill Stein, probable candidate of the Green Party, has invited Bernie Sanders
to join and even <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2016/jul/08/jill-stein-bernie-sanders-green-party">perhaps be the Green candidate</a>.
<p>
I will be glad to vote for either Stein or Sanders.


feed_id: ddfbfd9d33275e0aeb66110b926852e7
title: Right-wing plutocrats take back control of Britain
uri: Right-wing-plutocrats-take-back-control-of-Britain
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#14_July_2016_%28Right-wing_plutocrats_take_back_control_of_Britain%29

content:
<p>
As the right-wing plutocrats "take back control" of Britain, they will
hire plutocratic consultants to <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2016/jul/08/ttip-dead-brexit-brussels-free-market">impose plutocratic treaties</a>, perhaps even worse than the TTIP and CETA.


feed_id: 7a8e2feb07fda068748b24d4b10a3e7a
title: Elites should rule
uri: Elites-should-rule
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#14_July_2016_%28Elites_should_rule%29
content:
<p>
The ruling elite points to incoherent rebellions, such as support for
Trump and taking the UK out of the EU, as <a href="http://www.commondreams.org/views/2016/07/07/elites-not-ignorant-masses-pose-greatest-threat-global-society">proof that the elite ought to rule</a>.


feed_id: 448dbbedf247557a1be76beb2f76b905
title: Stop the killing
uri: Stop-the-killing
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#14_July_2016_%28Stop_the_killing%29
content:
<p>
Stop the Killing, in Baton Rouge Louisiana, tries to stop violence by
rushing to scenes of violent incidents and making videos.  It was just
<a href="http://www.dailykos.com/stories/2016/7/7/1545937/-Alton-Sterling-video-was-filmed-on-purpose-but-not-for-the-reason-you-may-think?detail=email&link_id=1&can_id=8b24519448cbedadde1c8a966f94caad&source=email-alton-sterling-video-was-filmed-on-purpose-but-not-for-the-reason-you-may-think&email_referrer=alton-sterling-video-was-filmed-on-purpose-but-not-for-the-reason-you-may-think&email_subject=alton-sterling-video-was-filmed-on-purpose-but-not-for-the-reason-you-may-think">coincidence that the latest violence</a> its people filmed was being committed by thugs.


feed_id: ef8c36036a88f2bfeae5db6e628b6a5c
title: Global fish production approaching sustainable limit
uri: Global-fish-production-approaching-sustainable-limit
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#14_July_2016_%28Global_fish_production_approaching_sustainable_limit%29

content:
<p>
The world's total global fish catch is <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2016/jul/07/global-fish-production-approaching-sustainable-limit-un-warns">approaching the limit of what is sustainable</a>.  Many specific fish stocks are still being fished unsustainably.


feed_id: 27464c8c22e71bb5a3d0a9b82f71edb0
title: A virtual leash for parents
uri: A-virtual-leash-for-parents
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#14_July_2016_%28A_virtual_leash_for_parents%29
content:
<p>
A <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2016/jul/07/wristband-mykidpod-kiband-children-safety-kilife">virtual leash for parents</a> to lock onto their children's bodies.
<p>
Controlled, naturally, by proprietary software on running on a proprietary
phone operating system -- and if the app itself doesn't track you, the phone
certainly does.


feed_id: fcf317fb21cc7d9305ce23583e08dcee
title: Witness Cops rushed to killers aid
uri: Witness-Cops-rushed-to-killers-aid
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#14_July_2016_%28Witness_Cops_rushed_to_killers_aid%29

content:
<p>
After Philando Castile was shot, the other thugs rushed to comfort his
killer.  They <a href="http://reason.com/blog/2016/07/07/witness-cops-comforted-philando-castiles">didn't bother to take Castile's pulse</a>.


feed_id: d6204fa56d8607214e5082fcec44cdf3
title: Police force updates
uri: Police-force-updates
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#14_July_2016_%28Police_force_updates%29
content:
<p>
Many of the "reforms" adopted by the Baltimore Thug Department
are restatements of old, <a href="http://reason.com/blog/2016/07/07/when-police-use-of-force-updates-are-any">inadequate policies</a>.


feed_id: 51931fad0c4bae79a271ff31dd33ea10
title: UK nuclear power costs tripled in the last year
uri: UK-nuclear-power-costs-tripled-in-the-last-year
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#14_July_2016_%28UK_nuclear_power_costs_tripled_in_the_last_year%29

content:
<p>
The UK government acknowledges that the expected cost of the planned
nuclear power plant has nearly <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2016/jul/07/hinkley-point-c-nuclear-plant-costs-up-to-37bn">tripled in the past year</a>.
<p>
The financial arrangements for the plant assure that the public will
pay these extra costs, one way or another.
<p>
The same amount of money would provide far more energy if it were
spent on a mix of renewable generators and energy efficiency.  The
Tory ministers who have pushed this plan have been so stubborn in
ignoring the matter that I can't see any possible explanation except
personal payoffs.


feed_id: ac1276365d40cf11d9cd174846a83a33
title: Free trade DNC
uri: Free-trade-DNC
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#14_July_2016_%28Free_trade_DNC%29
content:
<p>
The Transcanada lawsuit illustrates <a href="http://www.commondreams.org/views/2016/06/30/free-trade-dnc-platform-and-climate-crisis">why we need to reject the TPP</a>, and cancel NAFTA too.


feed_id: 671cfad1e6577924ab34c57ef293656d
title: Israel demolishes Bedouin village 100 times
uri: Israel-demolishes-Bedouin-village-100-times
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#14_July_2016_%28Israel_demolishes_Bedouin_village_100_times%29

content:
<p>
Israel has demolished the Bedouin village of <a href="http://972mag.com/israel-demolishes-bedouin-village-al-araqib-for-100th-time/120287/">Araqib 100 times in 6 years</a>.


feed_id: 998389594ed783b70a9788719bd2ec08
title: Police Officers bill of rights
uri: Police-Officers-bill-of-rights
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#14_July_2016_%28Police_Officers_bill_of_rights%29
content:
<p>
A Louisiana law gives thugs 30 days to <a href="http://fusion.net/story/322086/alton-sterling-police-officers-bill-of-rights/">get their stories straight</a>
before they can be interrogated about a crime.


feed_id: 8822870b2be5b9841980985d8660fdc7
title: A US journalist faces 20 years in prison
uri: A-US-journalist-faces-20-years-in-prison
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#14_July_2016_%28A_US_journalist_faces_20_years_in_prison%29

content:
<p>
A US journalist <a href="https://www.cpj.org/2016/07/georgia-journalist-arrested-over-open-records-requ.php">faces 20 years in prison</a> for a supposed false statement
in a request for public records.
<p>
It sounds like railroading to the Committee to Protect Journalists.


feed_id: b39bd40115c95578e0f9d533a268d552
title: Largest single eviction in San Jose history
uri: Largest-single-eviction-in-San-Jose-history
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#14_July_2016_%28Largest_single_eviction_in_San_Jose_history%29

content:
<p>
Developers are <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2016/jul/07/silicon-valley-largest-eviction-rent-controlled-tenants-income-inequality">evicting 670 people from a rent-controlled building</a> in San Jose, California.  This is the largest single eviction in the area's history.
<p>
Building denser housing is, in general, a good thing to do.  Enough
such construction will bring rents down -- but when the construction
is really a loophole to undermine rent control, it won't actually
help.


feed_id: 7f7475870cff1f20af2c10316a498dff
title: Human rights organizations
uri: Human-rights-organizations
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#13_July_2016_%28Human_rights_organizations%29
content:
<p>
The Israeli right wing government is planning to label
foreign-supported human rights organizations such as Breaking the
Silence as 
<a href="http://972mag.com/how-israel-is-turning-anti-occupation-activists-into-dissidents/120425/">"foreign
agents"</a>, following a trail 
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2012-may-aug.html#24_July_2012_(Human_rights_in_Russia)">blazed
by Putin</a>.
<p>
Palestinian human rights groups get hit even worse.  Israel arrested
Palestinian human rights defender Hasan Ghassan Ghaleb Safadi,
tortured him, and is 
<a href="http://www.kibush.co.il/show_file.asp?num=73011">holding him
in prison without charges</a>.
<p>
He works in an organization that tries to represent Palestinian
prisoners.


feed_id: 18a63ddb132974cb1e13fcffc66893fe
title: Confiscation of Palestinians' land
uri: Confiscation-of-Palestinians-land
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#13_July_2016_%28Confiscation_of_Palestinians_land%29

content:
<p>
Israel is confiscating Palestinians' land at 
<a href="http://english.pnn.ps/2016/06/29/israeli-confiscation-of-land-show-440-increase-in-2016/">more
than 5 times the rate of a year ago</a>.
<p>
Israel is 
<a href="http://www.maannews.com/Content.aspx?id=772119">planning to
accelerate construction of its colonies</a> in the West Bank, and
threatens to declare annexation of them.
<p>
Other countries should diminish their commercial ties with Israel if
it does that.


feed_id: 8547d57cdf5880ad5af30ac86e80ab84
title: Thug misuse of records about the public
uri: Thug-misuse-of-records-about-the-public
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#13_July_2016_%28Thug_misuse_of_records_about_the_public%29

content:
<p>
In the past 5 years, 
<a href="http://boingboing.net/2016/07/05/uk-cops-routinely-raided-polic.html">800
UK thugs</a> looked at records about the public for personal reasons.
Hardly any were prosecuted.
<p>
So imagine what will happen as the UK government ramps up its general
snooping on everyone.


feed_id: eb2db521148834015e2d794424f86fb3
title: Chelsea Manning
uri: 2016-07-15-Chelsea-Manning
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#13_July_2016_%28Chelsea_Manning%29
content:
<p>
Chelsea Manning's lawyers were
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2016/jul/06/chelsea-manning-lawyers-hospital-rumors">unable
to reach her for 36 hours</a>; the guards refused to say why.


feed_id: 0be8581103149ddc5c07d516d008c6e5
title: Brother wants apology from US
uri: Brother-wants-apology-from-US
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#13_July_2016_%28Brother_wants_apology_from_US%29
content:
<p>
Mohammed al Qawli wants the US to <a href="http://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2016/07/07/brother-dead-teacher-slams-obamas-drone-casualty-figures">apologize for the drone attack that
killed his brother, who was a teacher in Yemen.


feed_id: 1bb5993f3aace81df1d54353209f91f1
title: Norwegian company warns about US oil reserves
uri: Norwegian-company-warns-about-US-oil-reserves
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#13_July_2016_%28Norwegian_company_warns_about_US_oil_reserves%29

content:
<p>
A Norwegian company warns that US oil reserves "<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/business/2016/jul/06/report-us-world-largest-oil-reserve-global-supply-small">will only last 70 years</a>".  This company seems to be unaware of global heating.  Those reserves are enough to fry the Earth; what more do we need?


feed_id: 16a66b1d94d53b8293d3e7abc511b019
title: UK to impose 10-year prison term for file-sharing
uri: UK-to-impose-10-year-prison-term-for-file-sharing
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#13_July_2016_%28UK_to_impose_10-year_prison_term_for_file-sharing%29

content:
<p>
The UK's government wants to <a href="https://torrentfreak.com/uk-bill-introduces-10-year-prison-sentence-for-online-pirates-160706/">impose a 10-year prison term</a> for
forbidden file-sharing.

<a href="http://gnu.org/philosophy/copyright-vs-community.html">Increasing the punishment for sharing is wrong</a> because it is wrong to
punish sharing at all.  Noncommercial sharing of published works
should be lawful.


feed_id: 92ce0fe6f1dedf6586c6d2f9de275df9
title: The Yes Men parody
uri: The-Yes-Men-parody
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#13_July_2016_%28The_Yes_Men_parody%29
content:
<p>
The Yes Men <a href="http://www.dailydot.com/layer8/nra-the-yes-men-38000-websites-surge-digitalocean/?utm_content=buffercc06b&utm_medium=social&utm_source=plus.google.com&utm_campaign=buffer">published a parody NRA site</a> that proposed to provide
"life-saving firearms" for "poor urban centers."  The NRA had it disconnected
by falsely alleging trademark infringement.


feed_id: 1a9e5b405f7f2789b151123f37700a2f
title: Just one simple change to the law
uri: Just-one-simple-change-to-the-law
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#13_July_2016_%28Just_one_simple_change_to_the_law%29

content:
<p>
The US government could prosecute violent thugs more effectively
if <a href="https://theintercept.com/2016/07/07/one-simple-change-to-the-law-could-make-prosecuting-killer-cops-easier/">"reckless disregard" were added to "willful deprivation" of rights</a>.
<p>
However, states have a responsibility to prosecute thugs' crimes, and
not just killings.  Perjury is especially important to prosecute.


feed_id: c7b3b6053858ba0b37c3809187ae5291
title: Israel stop frisk law blatant racism
uri: Israel-stop-frisk-law-blatant-racism
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#13_July_2016_%28Israel_stop_frisk_law_blatant_racism%29

content:
<p>
Israel now allows soldiers to arbitrarily <a href="http://www.aljazeera.com/indepth/features/2016/06/israel-stop-frisk-law-blatant-racism-160622114003160.html">search the body of anyone</a> passing by.


feed_id: cdcc77ee13bda1e8a21f0e61fc631e9d
title: Iraq inquiry key points
uri: Iraq-inquiry-key-points
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#13_July_2016_%28Iraq_inquiry_key_points%29
content:
<p>
Key points from the <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2016/jul/06/iraq-inquiry-key-points-from-the-chilcot-report">Chilcot inquiry</a>.
<p>
However, answers to some <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2016/jul/07/chilcot-report-the-still-unanswered-questions">crucial questions have been left out</a>.


feed_id: 07dc75bec0d0def4aab66599eace1559
title: Urgent: Charges against killer thugs
uri: Urgent-Charges-against-killer-thugs
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#13_July_2016_%28Urgent%3A_Charges_against_killer_thugs%29

content:
<p>
US citizens: 
<a href="http://petitions.moveon.org/sign/justice-for-alton-sterling">call
for federal charges</a> against the thugs that killed Alton Sterling.
<p>
And 
<a href="http://act.colorofchange.org/sign/justice-alton-and-philando/">Philando
Castile</a>.


feed_id: 02955f773d51cbc0f80923a2c57694a9
title: Urgent: Antibiotics
uri: Urgent-Antibiotics
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#13_July_2016_%28Urgent%3A_Antibiotics%29
content:
<p>
Everyone: 
<a href="https://secure.nrdconline.org/site/Advocacy?cmd=display&page=UserAction&id=4019">call
on KFC</a> to stop selling chickens grown with regular use of
antibiotics.


feed_id: f9c428d2e42d7231278df897c490defe
title: Urgent: Oppose H.R. 5538
uri: Urgent-Oppose-H-R-5538
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#13_July_2016_%28Urgent%3A_Oppose_H.R._5538%29
content:
<p>
US citizens: 
<a href="https://secure.earthjustice.org/site/Advocacy?cmd=display&page=UserAction&id=1875">call
on your congresscritter</a> to oppose H.R. 5538 for its
anti-environment riders.


feed_id: eb1b0c05cc06d4e550d6bd7db634768c
title: US thug unions win contract provisions
uri: US-thug-unions-win-contract-provisions
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#13_July_2016_%28US_thug_unions_win_contract_provisions%29

content:
<p>
US thug unions have won contract provisions that systematically interfere with
<a href="media/46135b2f.CampaignZeroPoliceUnionContractReport.pdf" data-original-source="http://static1.squarespace.com/static/559fbf2be4b08ef197467542/t/5773f695f7e0abbdfe28a1f0/1467217560243/Campaign+Zero+Police+Union+Contract+Report.pdf">investigating and prosecuting crimes committed by thugs, including killings</a>.


feed_id: 060cdba02045ad6162e15730e733f1e5
title: Americans fed up of campaign contributions
uri: Americans-fed-up-of-campaign-contributions
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#13_July_2016_%28Americans_fed_up_of_campaign_contributions%29

content:
<p>
Trump's wealth draws support from Americans who are fed up with
the <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2016/jul/08/trump-clinton-sanders-super-pacs-election-money">influence of campaign contributions</a>.
<p>
Ironically, Trump is not rich enough to fund his own campaign.
He is raising funds from plutocrats too.


feed_id: 1d0333107283a15b2432870a6d12c8b9
title: EU business as usual is dead
uri: EU-business-as-usual-is-dead
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#13_July_2016_%28EU_business_as_usual_is_dead%29
content:
<p>
How supporters of a united Europe can propose a vision of same
that <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2016/jul/08/eu-business-british-leave-vote-european">deserves people's support</a>.


feed_id: 538f30357c925648626beeeeb48ec7ec
title: Spy agencies flawed information
uri: Spy-agencies-flawed-information
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#13_July_2016_%28Spy_agencies_flawed_information%29
content:
<p>
The documents cited in the Chilcot report show the UK's intelligence
agencies assumed without evidence that Saddam Hussein had weapons of
mass destruction in 2002, and did not consider the possibility he
didn't.  Then <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2016/jul/06/spy-agencies-flawed-information-saddam-wmds-iraq-chilcot">B'liar exaggerated what they had told him</a>.
<p>
The latter step already amounts to dishonesty on B'liar's part, but it
occurs to me that perhaps the spy chiefs had been instructed or led to
make that assumption, in a deniable way with no paper trail.
<p>
Hans Blix: <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2016/jul/06/blair-intelligence-clear-failure-war-iraq">Blair Told Me the Intelligence Was Clear</a>.
<p>
In fact, as we see here, it was not clear, it was blind.


feed_id: 1e3be9db0a8c77e9d3184da26740d978
title: Brazil's lower house speaker resigns
uri: Brazil-s-lower-house-speaker-resigns
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#13_July_2016_%28Brazils_lower_house_speaker_resigns%29

content:
<p>
The speaker of Brazil's congress has stepped down as speaker
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/jul/07/brazil-lower-house-speaker-eduardo-cunha-resigns">under pressure about his corruption</a>.
<p>
Unfortunately, that doesn't cancel the impeachment of President Rousseff.


feed_id: eb85960c4f4fde26edde39f67abc95a9
title: Guantanamo defended by US officials
uri: Guantanamo-defended-by-US-officials
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#13_July_2016_%28Guantanamo_defended_by_US_officials%29

content:
<p>
Out of 144 people that Obama has released from Guantanamo prison, the
number that subsequently <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2016/jul/07/guantanamo-bay-obama-administration-defends-closure">fought against the US was between 8 and 20</a>.  This is despite the grave injustice that all of them have suffered.
<p>
I think this question is not fundamentally relevant to the ethical
question of Guantanamo.  The US should free all the prisoners in
Guantanamo, or give them fair trials (those for whom there is
something to try them for).  You can't justify imprisoning someone
because he <em>might</em> be so angry you imprisoned him that he wants
revenge.
<p>
Even if all released prisoners had gone to fight for PISSI, that would
be insignificant in terms of the outcome of the fight.  Besides, the
continued existence of Guantanamo and its injustice has helped PISSI
and al Qa'ida recruit thousands of people to fight the US.


feed_id: 76f1503c5485eb9bb4b702bff5cd6e4f
title: Middle East is better off
uri: Middle-East-is-better-off
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#13_July_2016_%28Middle_East_is_better_off%29
content:
<p>
Tony B'liar claims that the conquest and occupation of Iraq were
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/jul/07/blair-says-the-middle-east-is-better-off-post-saddam-but-is-this-true">beneficial to the Middle East and the world</a>.  Has he been taking lessons in chutzpah from Donald Trump?


feed_id: 2b17fe754c9b5072f8f810bb453a0c48
title: June record heat in US
uri: June-record-heat-in-US
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#13_July_2016_%28June_record_heat_in_US%29
content:
<p>
This June set a <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2016/jul/07/us-june-hottest-temperature-record-climate-disasters">heat record in the US</a>.
<p>
13 consecutive months have set a global heat record.


feed_id: e0f77f96e1601f1b1202fc4bb4381095
title: Ocean heating destroys kelp forest
uri: Ocean-heating-destroys-kelp-forest
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#13_July_2016_%28Ocean_heating_destroys_kelp_forest%29

content:
<p>
Ocean heating has <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2016/jul/07/australias-vast-kelp-forests-devastated-by-marine-heatwave-study-reveals">destroyed a vast kelp forest</a> off Australia's western coast.


feed_id: 77309d62fb47d371901eadf96e36bcd6
title: 1994 massacre in Rwanda
uri: 1994-massacre-in-Rwanda
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#12_July_2016_%281994_massacre_in_Rwanda%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/jul/06/two-rwandan-mayors-jailed-for-life-over-1994-massacre">Two
officials have been convicted</a> of helping to organize the 1994
massacre in Rwanda.


feed_id: e3391d89c75c4afc14a266d69d1c7709
title: B'liar informed of distorted US "intelligence"
uri: B-liar-informed-of-distorted-US-intelligence
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#12_July_2016_%28Bliar_informed_of_distorted_US_intelligence%29

content:
<p>
The Chilcot report shows B'liar was 
<a href="https://theintercept.com/2016/07/06/chilcot-report-tony-blair-told-george-w-bush-if-we-win-quickly-everyone-will-be-our-friend/">informed
that the US was presenting distorted "intelligence"</a> to justify
invading Iraq.
<p>
Declassified UK documents show that the motive for conquering Iraq was
not the fictional "weapons of mass destruction", nor Saddam Hussein's
real atrocities against some Iraqi minorities, but simply 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/earth-insight/2014/mar/20/iraq-war-oil-resources-energy-peak-scarcity-economy">oil</a>.
<p>
It is ironic that the world now has oil so plentiful that it can 
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#24_February_2016_(Rate_of_sea_level_rise)">drown
its coastal cities</a>.


feed_id: fd0c792af30fcd9ae98064988d2c6941
title: Chilcot's Lessons on Going to War
uri: Chilcot-s-Lessons-on-Going-to-War
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#12_July_2016_%28Chilcots_Lessons_on_Going_to_War%29
content:
<p>
Chilcot's Lessons on Going to War 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2016/jul/06/chilcot-lessons-war-enshrined-in-law">Must
Be Enshrined in Law</a>.


feed_id: 36c5d0980d44c21a661b26dab439e0ed
title: US media enabled Dubya to launch conquest
uri: US-media-enabled-Dubya-to-launch-conquest
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#12_July_2016_%28US_media_enabled_Dubya_to_launch_conquest%29

content:
<p>
The US media, giving neocons the privilege of 
<a href="http://www.motherjones.com/politics/2013/03/iraq-war-spin-bush-david-corn">unquestioned
support</a>, enabled Dubya to launch the conquest of Iraq.
<p>
Here's a 
<a href="http://www.motherjones.com/politics/2011/12/leadup-iraq-war-timeline">timeline
of Dubya's lies</a>, showing Cheney and Dubya said in March 2002 that
they had already decided to attack.


feed_id: 4d80a789a47f4cf6fbabdecf0fb3d64d
title: Dubya's poodle
uri: Dubya-s-poodle
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#12_July_2016_%28Dubyas_poodle%29
content:
<p>
The Chilcot report shows that 
<a href="http://www.motherjones.com/politics/2016/07/how-tony-blair-sucked-george-w-bush-iraq-war">B'liar
was indeed Dubya's poodle</a>, and pledged him loyalty like a good
dog.


feed_id: fa0a90c635d28c992bb0f9eaa43ff9e0
title: Income inequality in the US
uri: Income-inequality-in-the-US
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#12_July_2016_%28Income_inequality_in_the_US%29
content:
<p>
Income inequality in the US 
<a href="http://www.commondreams.org/views/2016/07/06/inequalitys-getting-worse-how-do-we-end">got
worse during 2015</a>.


feed_id: 0dd565ba470c2a6eb11634468049c9fc
title: The Chilcot report
uri: The-Chilcot-report
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#12_July_2016_%28The_Chilcot_report%29
content:
<p>
The Chilcot report reverses a long string of British state coverups
intended to deny responsibility for anything bad that happened in
Iraq.  Reg Keys says that this places the blame for the death of his
son, a British soldier in Iraq, squarely on 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2016/jul/06/chilcot-bereaved-families-iraq-tony-blair">Tony
B'liar</a>.
<p>
For the Anti-War Movement, Chilcot Is Not the End.  
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2016/jul/06/anti-war-movement-chilcot-blair-face-charges">Blair
Must Face Charges</a>.
<p>
The death of Tom Keys was the direct result of a specific bad
decision, for which other bad decisions paved the way.  The UK
government appears to have been so embarrassed about them that its
"investigations" were cover-ups.


feed_id: 8f023bd2cf48b053f53a6f592ad89adc
title: Murder by Louisiana thugs
uri: Murder-by-Louisiana-thugs
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#12_July_2016_%28Murder_by_Louisiana_thugs%29
content:
<p>
Thugs in Louisiana wrestled Alton Sterling to the ground, then shot
him several times, killing him.  He was 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2016/jul/06/alton-sterling-baton-rouge-investigation-department-of-justice">not
threatening them</a>.
<p>
That's murder, isn't it?


feed_id: ac8c91ad817ba2e03e121a3ac012044b
title: EU "farming" subsidies
uri: EU-farming-subsidies
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#12_July_2016_%28EU_farming_subsidies%29
content:
<p>
EU "farming" subsidies 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/georgemonbiot/2013/may/22/britain-uplands-farming-subsidies">pay
the owners of unproductive, exhausted farmland to keep wildlife off
it</a>.
<p>
The result is to devastate wildlife.


feed_id: a6115ebb07e2ffd57243c132f390aa8f
title: Cleveland thugs' body cameras
uri: Cleveland-thugs-body-cameras
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#12_July_2016_%28Cleveland_thugs_body_cameras%29
content:
<p>
Cleveland thugs
<a href="http://bordc.org/news/role-will-body-cameras-play-policing-rnc-protests-cleveland/">will
take off their body cameras if a "riot" starts</a>.
<p>
Thugs are
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2013-may-aug.html#23_May_2013_(Italian_Thugs)">known
to start riots</a>.


feed_id: 86423afe705c91b8a025d01693524732
title: Undermining education
uri: Undermining-education
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#12_July_2016_%28Undermining_education%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/higher-education-network/2016/jul/06/dont-turn-students-into-consumers-the-us-proves-its-a-recipe-for-disaster">Defining
college students as consumers of education</a> is a recipe for
rip-offs and undermines education.  Socrates took note of this 2400
years ago and it is even more true today.
<p>
Both Trump and Clinton are tied to for-profit colleges.


feed_id: fbc19061682dfb1f021ec56b56c016ef
title: Fictitious "fingerprints"
uri: Fictitious-fingerprints
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#12_July_2016_%28Fictitious_fingerprints%29
content:
<p>
Thin strips with fictitious "fingerprints"
<a href="http://motherboard.vice.com/read/i-replaced-my-fingerprints-with-prosthetics-to-avoid-surveillance">work
reliably for unlocking devices</a> — and if the thugs are
attacking you, you can discard the strip.


feed_id: 2e0727d349b8796f20f69def49c563d8
title: National strike in Zimbabwe
uri: National-strike-in-Zimbabwe
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#12_July_2016_%28National_strike_in_Zimbabwe%29
content:
<p>
The people of Zimbabwe held a one-day national strike which
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/jul/06/zimbabwe-shuts-down-peaceful-protest-against-corruption-thisflag-harare">shut
down nearly all business in the country</a>.


feed_id: 0464dc364314675f4ae81f18365135a4
title: No apology from Dubya and Cheney
uri: No-apology-from-Dubya-and-Cheney
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#12_July_2016_%28No_apology_from_Dubya_and_Cheney%29
content:
<p>
Dubya and Cheney
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2016/jul/06/us-george-bush-needs-chilcot-report-iraq-war">have
not apologized for conquering and occupying Iraq</a>.  The US has the
duty to prosecute them, but has not even done an investigation like
the UK's Chilcot investigation.


feed_id: a3781e9e10b03e68c0489595c1cdaf68
title: US candidates on global heating
uri: US-candidates-on-global-heating
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#12_July_2016_%28US_candidates_on_global_heating%29
content:
<p>
Ralph Nader: US candidates
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2016/jul/06/ralph-nader-climate-change-election-2016">mostly
do not offer real solutions</a> to the problem of global heating.
<p>
Nader urges Americans to start pressuring candidates to promise real
action.  I think we should tackle this threat with at least the same
firmness that we employed for World War II.
<p>
One step we should start with is to reject the term "climate change",
which was
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2014-may-aug.html#16_June_2014_(Destroyed_by_global_heating)">imposed
by Republicans</a> to downplay the danger and hold us back.


feed_id: d6a252ee385ca3c04ea0889bf2eff549
title: Clinton wants more charter schools
uri: Clinton-wants-more-charter-schools
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#12_July_2016_%28Clinton_wants_more_charter_schools%29

content:
<p>
Clinton
<a href="http://www.commondreams.org/news/2016/07/05/clintons-pro-charter-school-comments-draw-boos-teachers-union">wants
more charter schools</a>, but not for-profit ones.
<p>
The opposition to for-profit schools is good, but even schools that
are officially not for profit can become
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2012-sep-dec.html#27_October_2012_(Charter_schools_big_profiteers)">money-grubbing</a>.


feed_id: 5e6e987aebedc406bed495c4ca5566db
title: Obama effectively campaigning for Trump
uri: Obama-effectively-campaigning-for-Trump
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#12_July_2016_%28Obama_effectively_campaigning_for_Trump%29

content:
<p>
<a href="http://www.commondreams.org/views/2016/07/05/betrayed-again-time-unconvincing-arguments-tpp">Each
time Obama tries to get the TPP passed</a>, he is effectively
campaigning for Trump.


feed_id: 749d566745a6553d408b782fb73a4acd
title: Civilian drone casualties
uri: Civilian-drone-casualties
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#12_July_2016_%28Civilian_drone_casualties%29
content:
<p>
Faisal bin ali Jaber demands that the Obama regime reveal whether its
<a href="http://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2016/07/05/yemeni-drone-victim-responds-president-obamas-civilian-casualty-figures">minimized
figures for civilian drone casualties</a> count his relatives.


feed_id: 2dd71ad2d5c5b8db28319e56142666ba
title: US fossil fuel leases
uri: US-fossil-fuel-leases
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#12_July_2016_%28US_fossil_fuel_leases%29
content:
<p>
The US has already issued
<a href="http://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2016/07/06/analysis-leased-fossil-fuels-public-lands-oceans-will-be-producing-decades">enough
fossil fuel leases to last until climate disaster</a>, so issuing any
more leases is simply nuts.
<p>
The UK claims it will phase out coal mining by 2025, but it is
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2016/jul/06/green-groups-slam-short-sighted-approval-of-northumberland-opencast-coal-mine">still
licensing new mines</a>.


feed_id: a50deb552551cf21bfb8a6037fdd86dc
title: Fish tracking
uri: Fish-tracking
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#12_July_2016_%28Fish_tracking%29
content:
<p>
Some fishing boats in the US label each fish and put it in a data
base, so the eventual purchaser can check
<a href="http://www.motherjones.com/environment/2016/05/tracking-seafood-fraud-fish-gulf-wild-snapper-grouper-tilapia">what
it was and where it was caught</a>.
<p>
It seems like a good idea (since dead fish are not entitled to privacy
rights), but I don't think it will entirely stop the fraud of
mislabeling.  It won't be impossible for fishermen to put lies into
the system, or for supermarkets and restaurants to lie about what the
system said about the fish they are selling.
<p>
A portable, quick DNA testing probe would make it easy to hold the
whole system to account.  They won't dare lie if they expect to be
caught and fined.


feed_id: d87c09245097de02b49fb07c9d44cbf8
title: Private prison skimps on expenses
uri: Private-prison-skimps-on-expenses
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#12_July_2016_%28Private_prison_skimps_on_expenses%29

content:
<p>
Private prison company CCA took over two halfway houses in San Diego,
claiming it would run them the same as before.  Naturally, it didn't
do that.  Instead it began
<a href="http://www.motherjones.com/politics/2016/07/san-diego-hunger-strike-cca-prison">skimping
on all expenses</a>.
<p>
Local activists demand the county cancel the contract with CCA.
<p>
Naturally, CCA began skimping.  Since it is a for-profit company,
it "has to" make money, and the way to do that is by squeezing
someone, or everyone.
<p>
It should be illegal for for-profit companies to run prisons,
hospitals, schools, or any public services.  Let those entrepreneurs
accustom themselves to a salary instead of dreaming of riches at
society's expense.


feed_id: 2e0adde20df1fda51cd8b8ea0bf91d8e
title: Spread of racism after false report
uri: Spread-of-racism-after-false-report
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#12_July_2016_%28Spread_of_racism_after_false_report%29

content:
<p>
After several women in Sweden reported rape or groping at the
midsummer festival, initial reports said that the attackers were
foreigners.  This was false, but the
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/music/musicblog/2016/jul/06/swedish-festival-rapes-migrants-wrong-dangerous">racist
effect continues to spread</a>.


feed_id: 6ff9ee6660f16b4594768907a32d733e
title: Car traffic in Mexico City
uri: Car-traffic-in-Mexico-City
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#11_July_2016_%28Car_traffic_in_Mexico_City%29
content:
<p>
Car traffic is choking and polluting Mexico City, and the city is
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/jul/06/mexico-city-chokes-on-its-congestion-problem">unable
to cope</a>.
<p>
The obvious solution is to put a high tax on cars and gasoline, spent
on thousands more buses and on additional train lines.  However,
people are reluctant to trust a government to collect the taxes if
they don't expect it to spend the money properly.


feed_id: 34bf0b538777130f5c34345d8edec997
title: Trump on global heating
uri: Trump-on-global-heating
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#11_July_2016_%28Trump_on_global_heating%29
content:
<p>
Trump 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2016/jul/06/donald-trump-climate-change-florida-resort">says
global heating is not happening</a>, but the ocean keeps advancing
towards his Florida real estate.
<p>
Miami Beach isn't long for this world, and 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2016/apr/18/florida-wakes-climate-change">large
parts of Florida may become effectively uninhabitable</a> if the water
turns salty.


feed_id: 0f386d3f36c585e0da2a9c645cd41fc7
title: Punishment for gov't secrecy violations
uri: Punishment-for-gov-t-secrecy-violations
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#11_July_2016_%28Punishment_for_govt_secrecy_violations%29

content:
<p>
People such as Clinton and Petraeus are let off the hook for being
careless (or worse) with government secrets, but those without the
backing of the elite are 
<a href="https://theintercept.com/2016/07/05/washington-has-been-obsessed-with-punishing-secrecy-violations-until-hillary-clinton/">punished
horribly for the least violation</a>.


feed_id: 6b55bcbe27a770a03127726cd3273229
title: Thugs hired by Macy's to carry out injustices
uri: Thugs-hired-by-Macy-s-to-carry-out-injustices
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#11_July_2016_%28Thugs_hired_by_Macys_to_carry_out_injustices%29

content:
<p>
Macy's department store used to arrest alleged shoplifters, put them
in cells, and "fine" them, 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/business/2016/jul/01/macys-shoplifting-detention-fines-lawsuit-ruling">without
bothering to check the evidence</a> (such as receipts proving they had
purchased the "stolen" products).
<p>
They hired real thugs to carry out these injustices.


feed_id: 25360842999b77fb0f3ae4549e434c26
title: UK teachers on strike
uri: UK-teachers-on-strike
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#11_July_2016_%28UK_teachers_on_strike%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/education/2016/jul/05/pressure-no-budgets-and-60-hour-weeks-why-teachers-are-striking">Why</a>
teachers in the UK are on strike.


feed_id: 0198bf00d4149215fa0361d6031c14eb
title: The old Israel
uri: The-old-Israel
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#11_July_2016_%28The_old_Israel%29
content:
<p>
<a href="http://jfjfp.com/?p=83942">The End of the Old Israel</a>.
The characteristics of Israel that once inspired world-wide admiration
have been extinguished by a fundamental revolution lead by Netanyahu.
Today's Israelis generally accept bigotry, and are ready to dispense
with rule of law in order to eliminate dissent.
<p>
I don't see anything to admire in Israel as it is now, except
for the beleaguered dissidents.


feed_id: 30fd053b40c5faf99c1676f4eefa5f43
title: HK bookseller abductions
uri: HK-bookseller-abductions
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#11_July_2016_%28HK_bookseller_abductions%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/jul/06/bookseller-abductions-china-demands-lam-wing-kee-return-from">Bookseller
Abductions</a>: China Demands Lam Wing-kee Return from Hong Kong.


feed_id: 0c6ca36f892c2a5da437e39ef5ec148d
title: Global heating
uri: 2016-07-15-Global-heating
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#11_July_2016_%28Global_heating%29
content:
<p>
Global heating, about 150,000 years before the Chicxulub asteroid
impact,
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/science/2016/jul/06/dinosaurs-killed-off-by-one-two-punch-of-climate-change-and-asteroid-strike-study">wiped
out many dinosaur species</a>, perhaps enabling the asteroid to wipe
them all out.


feed_id: a8d7b8969f5463cba3fa6e4278b2c958
title: Biodiversity preservation targets
uri: Biodiversity-preservation-targets
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#11_July_2016_%28Biodiversity_preservation_targets%29

content:
<p>
Governments pledged in 2010 to cut the rate of loss of biodiversity,
but they are 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2014/oct/03/global-biodiversity-targets-2020-habitat-wildlife-scientists-say">not
on track to meet the targets</a>.


feed_id: a303ead3cbeae2b9b22813d21bde44e6
title: Dishonest, scheming nature of large US ISPs
uri: Dishonest-scheming-nature-of-large-US-ISPs
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#11_July_2016_%28Dishonest%2C_scheming_nature_of_large_US_ISPs%29

content:
<p>
Large US ISPs trick or corrupt apartment landlords into 
<a hrdf="https://backchannel.com/the-new-payola-deals-landlords-cut-with-internet-providers-cf60200aa9e9">imposing
one-ISP exclusivity on the tenants</a>.
<p>
This illustrates the dishonest, scheming nature of many businesses.
To stop them, we need to stop expecting them to act in good faith.
For instance, it should be a crime for a business to put prohibited
clauses in contracts with customers or employees.


feed_id: 56a6b2950116026a8d2a97fca6ffa04e
title: Food shortages in Venezuela
uri: Food-shortages-in-Venezuela
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#11_July_2016_%28Food_shortages_in_Venezuela%29
content:
<p>
500 women in San Cristóbal, Venezuela, pushed across the bridge
into Cúcuta (Colombia) because they 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/jul/05/venezuelans-storm-colombia-border-food">couldn't
buy any food in San Cristóbal</a>.
<p>
When I went from Colombia to Venezuela that way, in July 2014, people
simply walked across the bridge in either direction, with no passport
control.  I was required to go to an office a few blocks away from the
bridge for some official formalities, perhaps because I was a US
citizen and was going to travel further in Venezuela.
<p>
At the time, I heard that there was a lot of smuggling.  Goods,
including gasoline, were subsidized in Venezuela, so people bought
them there and 
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2015-jan-apr.html#20_March_2015_(Venezuelan_supermarkets_taking_fingerprints)">sold
them in Colombia at the market price</a>.
<p>
There were already some shortages in Venezuala, but they were only for
a few goods, and there were usually substitutes.  For instance, you
couldn't find penne but you could find spaghetti.  Now the shortages
have become a serious problem.
<p>
President Maduro is 
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2013-nov-feb.html#12_November_2013_(Price_controls_in_Venezuela)">doing
a lousy job on the economy</a>, and increasingly
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#6_July_2016_(Venezuela_arrests_opposition_activists)">infringes
the human rights of the opposition</a>.  I support replacing him.


feed_id: 85608b49033cf6dfa568e3ea7c5fd61c
title: Right-wing extremist
uri: Right-wing-extremist
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#11_July_2016_%28Right-wing_extremist%29
content:
<p>
A
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2016/jun/16/jo-cox-attack-people-screamed-brought-towels-a-77-year-old-tried-to-help-in-the-end-they-laid-floral-tributes">
right-wing extremist assassinated an MP</a> who stood for remaining in
the EU.
<p>
This was an
<a href="https://theintercept.com/2016/06/17/why-is-the-killer-of-british-mp-jo-cox-not-being-called-a-terrorist/">
act of terrorism</a>.
<p>
In the US, the danger of right-wing terrorism is roughly equal to that
of Islamist terrorism,
   though both are rather small dangers for people
in general.  The Orlando
massacre seems to have been a
<a href="https://www.stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#15_June_2016_%28The_Orlando_killer%29">
mixture of the two</a>.
<p>
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2016/jun/17/death-jo-cox-nuance-agendas-tragedy-consensus">
Understanding the Death of Jo Cox</a> Requires Nuance, Not Agendas.


feed_id: 2ccacda5bda8c416671497eb37e0d16a
title: War hawk party
uri: War-hawk-party
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#11_July_2016_%28War_hawk_party%29
content:
<p>
<a href="http://www.commondreams.org/views/2016/06/09/democrats-are-now-aggressive-war-party">
Under Clinton</a>, the Democratic Party is the war hawk party.


feed_id: 83354f6cd863cacb83d43c206b660dc5
title: Murderous mobs
uri: Murderous-mobs
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#11_July_2016_%28Murderous_mobs%29
content:
<p>
Murderous mobs in Bangladesh are targeting secularists, Hindus, and
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/jun/11/bangladesh-murders-bloggers-foreigners-religion">
anyone who the extremists find unsatisfactory</a>.


feed_id: 74d46b3cf7f93452459ad4c110fed13d
title: Banksters convicted of falsifying Libor rate
uri: Banksters-convicted-of-falsifying-Libor-rate
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#11_July_2016_%28Banksters_convicted_of_falsifying_Libor_rate%29

content:
<p>
Several banksters have been convicted of 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/business/2016/jul/04/libor-rigging-scandal-three-former-barclays-traders-found-guilty">falsifying
the Libor rate</a>.
<p>
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2012-may-aug.html#21_July_2012_(How_the_Libor_Lies_were_possible)">Background</a>.


feed_id: 226101a816932f7ab8ca26c598661e4e
title: Epipen prices allergies
uri: Epipen-prices-allergies
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#18_July_2016_%28Epipen_prices_allergies%29
content:
<p>
The company that makes special injectors for urgent treatment for
severe allergies has raised the price so much that many Americans
<a href="https://www.statnews.com/2016/07/06/epipen-prices-allergies/">can't afford them any more</a>.


feed_id: f4bb30e99dbdbf793863f3a11f2f8d5f
title: The land grab for farm data
uri: The-land-grab-for-farm-data
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#18_July_2016_%28The_land_grab_for_farm_data%29
content:
<p>
"Smart" farming devices deliver data about the farm to companies
that want to <a href="https://techcrunch.com/2016/07/06/the-land-grab-for-farm-data/">sell it back to farmers</a>.
<p>
It's just like the fitbit, only for farming instead of exercise.
<p>
Farmers should insist on devices run by free software so they, not
some other company, have control over their own farms.


feed_id: 5326610a3a7cb38b1db275748a5ec6f0
title: Standards Body Whines
uri: Standards-Body-Whines
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#18_July_2016_%28Standards_Body_Whines%29
content:
<p>
Carl Malamud has <a href="https://www.techdirt.com/articles/20160702/07240834879/standards-body-whines-that-people-who-want-free-access-to-law-probably-also-want-free-sex.shtml">campaigned for decades</a> for the principle that the law
should not be secret.  ANSI set up a corrupt process in the American
Bar Association to get it to endorse the opposite position.


feed_id: 4e1e0de4e7bb02dd15a45f58cf6513e5
title: Whitehall holds back official advice on iraq war
uri: Whitehall-holds-back-official-advice-on-iraq-war
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#18_July_2016_%28Whitehall_holds_back_official_advice_on_iraq_war%29

content:
<p>
The UK government defies a court order to release secret orders
to Chilcot that <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2016/jul/09/whitehall-holds-back-official-advice-on-iraq-war">stopped his investigation</a> from considering questions of legality.


feed_id: 89886e73767b515369ab3eb4138f2321
title: Cambodian government critic shot dead
uri: Cambodian-government-critic-shot-dead
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#18_July_2016_%28Cambodian_government_critic_shot_dead%29

content:
<p>
A leading <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/jul/10/cambodian-government-critic-shot-dead-phnom-penh-kem-ley-hun-sen">Cambodian opposition figure has been killed</a>.


feed_id: 573a01d35af122c9beee47ee16f1d70a
title: Israeli law professors object to impisonment of Tair Kaminer
uri: Israeli-law-professors-object-to-impisonment-of-Tair-Kaminer
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#18_July_2016_%28Israeli_law_professors_object_to_impisonment_of_Tair_Kaminer%29

content:
<p>
Israeli law professors <a href="http://www.kibush.co.il/show_file.asp?num=73002">object to the imprisonment</a> of conscientious
objector Tair Kaminer as illegal.


feed_id: afa4461c808f4c5618d307f941eb1642
title: Urgent: Call on Texas to withdraw its anti-abortion booklet falsehoods
uri: Urgent-Call-on-Texas-to-withdraw-its-anti-abortion-booklet-falsehoods
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#18_July_2016_%28Urgent%3A_Call_on_Texas_to_withdraw_its_anti-abortion_booklet_falsehoods%29

content:
<p>
US citizens: call on Texas to <a href="http://act.weareultraviolet.org/sign/TX_abortion_pamphlet/?t=1001&akid=3299.1105163.-nF6kn">withdraw its anti-abortion booklet of
falsehoods</a>.


feed_id: 1eb445e6b54d1f35c56ee7bd53ae193a
title: Urgent: Get Phthalates out of our food
uri: Urgent-Get-Phthalates-out-of-our-food
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#18_July_2016_%28Urgent%3A_Get_Phthalates_out_of_our_food%29

content:
<p>
US citizens: call on the FDA to <a href="https://secure.earthjustice.org/site/Advocacy;jsessionid=828CE36C436616906B8B0FC15B18E7E1.app30103b?cmd=display&page=UserAction&id=1877&utm_source=crm&utm_content=PlainTextLink1">get phthalates out of our food</a>.


feed_id: 6f6360cdd3e7e8e4ad36b5b09242c25f
title: Urgent: Americorps shutdown
uri: Urgent-Americorps-shutdown
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#18_July_2016_%28Urgent%3A_Americorps_shutdown%29
content:
<p>
US citizens: call on Americorps to <a href="http://act.weareultraviolet.org/sign/Americorps_shutdown/">reconsider its decision to shut down</a> its Community HealthCorps program.
<p>
This decision was made because a few people connected with Community
HealthCorps gave advice about abortion, against the rules.  However,
the unjust law that prohibits US government support for abortion
cannot require shutting down the program.


feed_id: 8fc5f23f2e0b8a350b322483e7865c9c
title: Philippines drug suspects killed
uri: Philippines-drug-suspects-killed
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#18_July_2016_%28Philippines_drug_suspects_killed%29
content:
<p>
Philippine thugs have <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/jul/10/philippines-nine-drug-suspects-killed-in-wake-of-dutertes-controversial-drug-war">murdered more than 100 people</a> accused of being drug dealers or something.
<p>
I predict that the victims will come to include journalists, dissidents,
and people who were somehow "in the way".


feed_id: 5d936b25459d6ebbec38f72a52441df7
title: Insufficient rain kills mangrove forest
uri: Insufficient-rain-kills-mangrove-forest
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#18_July_2016_%28Insufficient_rain_kills_mangrove_forest%29

content:
<p>
A year of insufficient rain, perhaps caused by global heating, <a href="http://mobile.abc.net.au/news/2016-07-10/unprecedented-10000-hectares-of-mangroves-die/7552968">killed the mangrove forest</a> along 700km of coast in Australia.


feed_id: 9ac4b0b582899479e7f801123b359680
title: Sea otters global warming
uri: Sea-otters-global-warming
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#18_July_2016_%28Sea_otters_global_warming%29
content:
<p>
Sea otters are crucial to kelp forests, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2016/jul/10/sea-otters-global-warming-trophic-cascades-food-chain-kelp">whose tremendous carbon absorption capacity we need</a>.  Humans have backed off from wiping out
sea otters, but now killer whales are eating them.


feed_id: e400e5ad48c7031f0bb863940566dbdd
title: India love revolution
uri: India-love-revolution
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#18_July_2016_%28India_love_revolution%29
content:
<p>
India's sexual conservatism is imposed with a <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/jul/09/india-love-revolution-dating-fun-arranged-marriage-apps-tinder">system of repression.


feed_id: ccd67b595259cf133d711c9277603351
title: Big Brother watching and listening
uri: Big-Brother-watching-and-listening
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#18_July_2016_%28Big_Brother_watching_and_listening%29

content:
<p>
In a <a href="http://www.csoonline.com/article/3090502/security/big-brother-is-listening-as-well-as-watching.html">rare victory against massive surveillance of everyone</a>, New Jersey Transit turned off the audio recording on its trains.
<p>
The proposed Maryland bill sounds like a good approach to this issue.


feed_id: 6bc19321e7ccedbb25868feecb525587
title: Suburbs architecture stagnation
uri: Suburbs-architecture-stagnation
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#18_July_2016_%28Suburbs_architecture_stagnation%29
content:
<p>
Suburbs are changing from comfortable, boring dormitories for the
not-quite-rich into <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/cities/2016/jul/09/suburbs-architecture-stagnation">inescapable dead ends</a> for those who can't afford
even a room in the city.


feed_id: 6e7def93a95318ea00b0ccaae85ce3b0
title: Falluja after Isis
uri: Falluja-after-Isis
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#18_July_2016_%28Falluja_after_Isis%29
content:
<p>
Shi'ite militias have spray-painted their slogans around Falluja,
while the inhabitants (Sunnis) <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/jul/09/falluja-isis-shia-iraq">have all fled</a>.
<p>
It is clear that PISSI carried out a reign of terror there, like Abu
Ghraib but more so.  But Shi'ite militias have generally oppressed
Sunnis in the past.
<p>
I wonder what the people who fled Falluja think of the matter.
Does the state allow journalists to talk with them?


feed_id: 107bad2fe9439973dc68385ca7c5c4fc
title: Hatred Unlimited
uri: Hatred-Unlimited
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#18_July_2016_%28Hatred_Unlimited%29
content:
<p>
Due to Israel's long refusal to make peace, the conflict between
Israeli Jews and Palestinian Arabs has gone beyond a movement or a
guerrilla war; it has become an <a href="http://zope.gush-shalom.org/home/en/channels/avnery/1467393036/">ingrained hatred</a>.
<p>
Now the hatred is promoting religious extremist politics on both
sides: fanaticism that supports murder.


feed_id: 5f896d2ffe1a53f0897d2bf9e12a2a73
title: Labour Turmoil
uri: Labour-Turmoil
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#18_July_2016_%28Labour_Turmoil%29
content:
<p>
B'liarite Labour MPs<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2016/jul/09/labour-turmoil-angela-eagle-jeremy-corbyn"> want to oust Corbyn as head of the party</a> by
forcing a new leadership election, then blocking him from running.
<p>
That would be flagrant contempt for the members of the Labour Party
who elected Corbyn and still support him.


feed_id: ae6f2bcbc99ea349c5376be93e2ee4cb
title: Clinton
uri: 2016-07-18-Clinton
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#17_July_2016_%28Clinton%29
content:
<p>
Clinton has now
<a href="http://www.commondreams.org/news/2016/07/06/embracing-sanders-higher-ed-call-clinton-expands-debt-free-college-plan">adopted
most of the points of Sanders' plan for funding college education</a>.
<p>
<a href="http://www.commondreams.org/news/2016/07/07/will-democrats-get-it-right-climate-its-too-late">Will
Democrats Get It Right on Climate Before It's Too Late?</a>
<p>
I am sad to say I think Clinton is being paid to prevent this.


feed_id: ad3c07c81a89d6f9da6c51bd7f75c3de
title: B'liar
uri: B-liar
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#17_July_2016_%28Bliar%29
content:
<p>
The Chilcot inquiry's mission
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2016/jul/06/blairs-iraq-war-legacy-is-now-damned-for-all-time">did
not include a legal judgment</a>, so it did not reach a conclusion
about B'liar's legal culpability.  But it shows he acted deceitfully.
<p>
There are ways to prosecute him, and that
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2016/jul/06/chilcot-indictment-of-tony-blair-could-hardly-have-been-more-serious">is
called for</a>.


feed_id: 56857a877de07850977a37e58b695cc7
title: The Chilcot inquiry
uri: The-Chilcot-inquiry
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#17_July_2016_%28The_Chilcot_inquiry%29
content:
<p>
The Chilcot inquiry
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2016/jul/06/tony-blair-wrong-iraq-publicly-admit-it-chilcot-report">formally
recognized that the invasion of Iraq was "badly wrong", which we all
knew.
<p>
But this does not include
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2016/jul/06/chilcot-judgment-damning-not-justice-tony-blair-crime-aggression">prosecuting
B'liar for the crime</a>.
<p>
B'liar did other very bad things.  He made the "Labour" Party support
neoliberalism and the principle of
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2004-jan-apr.html#1%20March%202004%20(UK%20taxes)">giving
the banksters all they demand</a>.  He escalated the attack on the
traditional "Rights of Englishmen", which are now a shadow of their
former meaning.


feed_id: bdd18498df74ae9bb7c04b6b5bd9f99f
title: Another activist murdered in Honduras
uri: Another-activist-murdered-in-Honduras
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#17_July_2016_%28Another_activist_murdered_in_Honduras%29

content:
<p>
Another
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/jul/07/honduras-murder-lesbia-janeth-urquia-berta-caceres">indigenous
environmental activist</a> has been murdered in Honduras.
<p>
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2016/jul/08/american-funding-honduran-security-forces-blood-on-our-hands">America's
Funding of Honduran [thugs] Puts Blood On Our Hands</a>.
<p>
Support for the coup already put
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#13_April_2016_(Deadliest_country_for_environmentalists)">blood
aplenty on Clinton's hands</a>.The US says it is investigating whether
the Honduran army put Berta Cáceres's name on a
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/jul/08/honduras-military-hitlist-activists-us-investigation">hit
list</a>, but if you need an investigation to see the mass of crimes,
you must be trying pretty hard not to see it.  I think this
investigation is just an excuse not to stop.


feed_id: e2ce44f722633ee4304b7afe559a8c24
title: Bearing arms while black
uri: Bearing-arms-while-black
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#17_July_2016_%28Bearing_arms_while_black%29
content:
<p>
The right to bear arms theoretically applies to Americans regardless
of skin color, but in practice blacks are
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2016/jul/07/black-people-second-amendment-rights-philando-castile-alton-sterling-police-shootings">likely
to be killed for it</a>.
<p>
It may seem strange that the NRA has said nothing about this.
But its real purpose is to
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#17_May_2016_(NRA_misleads_and_misrepresents)">promote
gun sales</a>, and perhaps whites are the main market.


feed_id: 8fe08b5d68f92ddf7b60491f6c5afb17
title: Police officer rebukes killer thugs
uri: Police-officer-rebukes-killer-thugs
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#17_July_2016_%28Police_officer_rebukes_killer_thugs%29

content:
<p>
Police Officer Nakia Jones rebukes
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2016/jul/07/police-officer-responds-alton-sterling-nakia-jones">racist,
killer thugs</a>: "You have no business being a police officer."
<p>
My interpretation is that they are not police officers — they
are
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#01_September_2015_(Police_standards)">thugs</a>.


feed_id: 7e38aa8cb416804aa93a13ca051bfdd4
title: Very urgent: Demand network neutrality
uri: Very-urgent-Demand-network-neutrality
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#16_July_2016_%28Urgent%3A_Demand_network_neutrality%29

content:
<p>
Citizens of the EU:
<a href="http://boingboing.net/2016/07/15/time-is-running-out-for-net-ne.html">tell
the European Commission</a> you demand network neutrality.
<p>
I suggest you state also that true network neutrality means that ISPs
are not allowed to inspect or save the contents of any communication.
<p>
You could also mention that your opinion of whether the European Union
ought to be continued or eliminated will depend on how it handles
issues such as this one.


feed_id: b4c8d0f6d07bcf9eb4bb1bda1252f5c9
title: Very urgent: Veto the DARK Act
uri: Very-urgent-Veto-the-DARK-Act
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#16_July_2016_%28Urgent%3A_Veto_the_DARK_Act%29
content:
<p>
Phone President Obama and urge him to veto the DARK Act.
<p>
Call 202-456-1111 or 202-456-1414 to leave your comment!  The comment
line is open from 9am - 5pm ET Monday through Friday
<p>
I've seen a recommendation to say something like this:

<blockquote>
I urge President Obama to veto the sham GMO labeling bill heading to
his desk from the House. The FDA has commented that this bill would
not even cover most current GMO foods. So it is a non-labeling bill
masquerading as a labeling bill. The bill is also profoundly
discriminatory. Instead of mandating clear on-package labels, this
bill gives corporations the power to hide GE labeling behind digital
QR codes that can only be read by smart phones.</p>

We need a GMO labeling law that actually applies to all the GE foods
in the marketplace and that assures the right to know of every
American. Please veto this discriminatory and poorly written
bill. Send it back to Congress until they get it right.
</blockquote>

I suggest adding that the motivation for the bill, to keep
Americans in the dark, is hostile to the public.


feed_id: 09018eb26adb2f88278247451d6d7d1e
title: Existential Risks Are More Likely to Kill You Than Terrorism
uri: 2016-07-18-Existential-Risks-Are-More-Likely-to-Kill-You-Than-Terrorism
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#15_July_2016_%28Existential_Risks_Are_More_Likely_to_Kill_You_Than_Terrorism%29

content:
<p>
The best thinkers estimate a chance of 10%, or 25%, or maybe 50% that
<A href="http://ieet.org/index.php/IEET/more/Torres20160708">some event will wipe out humanity during this century</a>, killing you among
others if you're still alive at the time.  That is much more likely than
many risks that people take care to avoid, such as car accidents.
<p>
As for terrorism, the chance you will be killed by that minuscule.
<p>
For the most part, the threats of human extinction don't inspire us to
action because they are imponderable: we don't know what we could do
to protect ourselves from them.
<p>
However, there are two noteworthy exceptions.  We know how to campaign
to abolish nuclear weapons, and we can campaign for strong action to
curb global heating.  That would reduce two significant possibilities
for killing all, or a large fraction, of humanity.


feed_id: 7600b833b1bfb88634224e5355f50ffb
title: Brexit deeper costlier carbon cuts
uri: Brexit-deeper-costlier-carbon-cuts
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#20_July_2016_%28Brexit_deeper_costlier_carbon_cuts%29

content:
<p>
The UK's departure from the EU may paradoxically oblige the EU
to <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2016/jul/14/brexit-will-force-eu-countries-to-make-deeper-costlier-carbon-cuts">make bigger cuts in CO2 emissions</a>.
<p>
This could be important for civilization's survival, if it is not
wiped out by the UK's subsequent actions.


feed_id: eb1f62bd105555bcc0fe2b9d65fa7566
title: Labour right shambles
uri: Labour-right-shambles
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#20_July_2016_%28Labour_right_shambles%29
content:
<p>
Challenges for Labour, if it is to be <a href="
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2016/jul/14/labour-right-shambles-jeremy-corbyn-questions-answer">effective opposition to
the Tories</a>.


feed_id: e43e3ec4090396a27ab3ee58a46ff89f
title: Treaty to ban fossil fuels
uri: Treaty-to-ban-fossil-fuels
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#20_July_2016_%28Treaty_to_ban_fossil_fuels%29
content:
<p>
14 island countries in the Pacific Ocean are considering a strict treaty 
to <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/jul/14/pacific-islands-nations-consider-worlds-first-treaty-to-ban-fossil-fuels">gradually end use of fossil fuels</a>.  They are in danger of being wiped out by sea level rise.
<p>
Their own use of fossil fuel is too little to make a difference either
way, but their taking a strict position may help influence other
countries.


feed_id: 4fc74167e11deda83deeb25c029b6b7f
title: Even US senators face discrimination when they are black.
uri: Even-US-senators-face-discrimination-when-they-are-black
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#20_July_2016_%28Even_US_senators_face_discrimination_when_they_are_black.%29

content:
<p>
Even US senators <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2016/jul/13/tim-scott-senate-floor-speech-racism-police-shootings">face discrimination</a> when they are black.


feed_id: 7e9795cc404ef50bbee2d07d06609d84
title: Fake calm in Burundi
uri: Fake-calm-in-Burundi
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#20_July_2016_%28Fake_calm_in_Burundi%29
content:
<p>
Burundi: <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2016/jul/14/fake-calm-in-burundi-as-tension-threatens-return-to-violence">torture and economic failure</a>.  "Some of the torture
techniques that we have documented are so vicious itâs unbelievable
that anyone survives."


feed_id: 3b3788be54c1fd8674664b3497152bcf
title: Donald Trump dog whistle racism
uri: Donald-Trump-dog-whistle-racism
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#20_July_2016_%28Donald_Trump_dog_whistle_racism%29
content:
<p>
Donald Trump Used to Dog-Whistle Racism.  <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2016/jul/13/donald-trump-dog-whistle-racism">Now He Just Yells It</a>.
<p>
I fear this is a sign of how he has legitimized bigotry for a part of
the US.


feed_id: aa8300f244094a6159fd0c363df16049
title: Surveillance vs democracy
uri: Surveillance-vs-democracy
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#20_July_2016_%28Surveillance_vs_democracy%29
content:
<p>
New York City's corporate-run gratis wifi network means the city is <a href="http://www.villagevoice.com/news/google-is-transforming-nycs-payphones-into-a-personalized-propaganda-engine-8822938">selling the public's privacy</a>.
<p>
The pay phones they are eliminating are useful.  A local call costs 50
cents.
<p>
The WiFi replacement is worthless junk, since the price of use is your
freedom.  It will (1) require registration and being tracked, and (2)
require running nonfree Javascript software.
<p>
Can anyone develop a way to connect using free software as a replacement
for their Javascript code?  With that, I might be able to find someone
who will lend me per account.
<p>
The article also mentions the <a href="http://gnu.org/philosophy/surveillance-vs-democracy.html">Domain Awareness System</a>, a monstrous
street surveillance system that threatens to track cars and people
around the city.  No one should be allowed to operate such a system;
every remotely viewable camera should require a specific court order.


feed_id: 2c1c8f48a1ed3530fa3c28548b52737b
title: Urgent: Permanent protection for Wildlife Refuge
uri: Urgent-Permanent-protection-for-Wildlife-Refuge
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#20_July_2016_%28Urgent%3A_Permanent_protection_for_Wildlife_Refuge%29

content:
<p>
US citizens: call for permanent protection of the <a href="http://www.nrdconline.org/site/R?i=CJR1Vlpr49Sc27lC3wER0g">Arctic National
Wildlife Refuge</a> coastal plain from oil extraction.


feed_id: d83697bce4e15e8f660d391245a0de56
title: Human Rights group condemns school censorship
uri: Human-Rights-group-condemns-school-censorship
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#20_July_2016_%28Human_Rights_group_condemns_school_censorship%29

content:
<p>
The UK's system of school censorship and surveillance, supposedly to
prevent the spread of Islamist extremism, is instead making most
<A href="http://www.theguardian.com/politics/2016/jul/13/human-rights-group-condemns-prevent-anti-radicalisation-strategy">non-radical Muslim students feel persecuted</a>.


feed_id: 775538da300b5ca469b62dedaa865042
title: Urgent: Call on the US Army to protect the pallid sturgeon.
uri: Urgent-Call-on-the-US-Army-to-protect-the-pallid-sturgeon
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#20_July_2016_%28Urgent%3A_Call_on_the_US_Army_to_protect_the_pallid_sturgeon.%29

content:
<p>
US citizens: call on the US Army to <a href="https://secure.defenders.org/site/Advocacy?cmd=display&page=UserAction&id=3095">protect the pallid sturgeon</a>.


feed_id: 3ece5d04b4173c964392980ed233af57
title: Thugs discover a plot to kill thugs
uri: Thugs-discover-a-plot-to-kill-thugs
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#20_July_2016_%28Thugs_discover_a_plot_to_kill_thugs%29

content:
<p>
Thugs in Baton Rouge say they have <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2016/jul/12/baton-rouge-arrests-black-lives-matter-police-killings">discovered a plot to kill thugs</a>.  The thugs cite the plot as an excuse to defend their long-standing systematic practices that often lead to the killing of innocent blacks.
<p>
We should never take thugs' accusations at face value; this could be
one more fabrication.  But what if it is true?  In that case, the plot
is evidently a reaction to thousands of killings, and hundreds of
thousands of lesser injustices, committed by thugs over many years.
<p>
A small unjust response doesn't excuse continuing a giant unjust
system.  The thugs ought to clean up their own violent conduct so as
to stop provoking violent anger.


feed_id: 4c1aaa07b9ba95804eec33b32669bca7
title: Billionaires bought the victory for "Leave the UK"
uri: Billionaires-bought-the-victory-for-Leave-the-UK
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#20_July_2016_%28Billionaires_bought_the_victory_for_Leave_the_UK%29

content:
<p>
George Monbiot: <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2016/jul/13/billionaires-bought-brexit-controlling-britains-political-system">Billionaires bought the victory</a> for "Leave the UK".


feed_id: 7c1970eb0ffff2f305200fff5d7b0388
title: Namibia's drought is crushing
uri: Namibia-s-drought-is-crushing
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#20_July_2016_%28Namibia%27s_drought_is_crushing%29
content:
<p>
Namibia's drought is crushing -- <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/sustainable-business/2016/jul/13/namibia-drought-coca-cola-meat-construction-industry-water-crisis-climate-change">exports and businesses are shutting down</a>.


feed_id: 89aa980fc797aebc2ec7a0ae5daf44e1
title: 'Political Revolution' Faces Hard Choices
uri: Political-Revolution-Faces-Hard-Choices
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#20_July_2016_%28%27Political_Revolution%27_Faces_Hard_Choices%29

content:
<p>
After Sanders Endorses Clinton, '<a href="http://www.commondreams.org/views/2016/07/13/after-sanders-endorses-clinton-political-revolution-faces-hard-choices">Political Revolution</a>' Faces Hard Choices.


feed_id: 1dc48b1e2cb736ea5196cb4e0653c9e9
title: Theresa May Is No Liberal
uri: Theresa-May-Is-No-Liberal
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#20_July_2016_%28Theresa_May_Is_No_Liberal%29
content:
<p>
Theresa May Is No Liberal -â And Her Rise to PM <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2016/jul/13/theresa-may-liberal-pm-policies">Is No Cause for Celebration</a>.


feed_id: e715d02d7f244fed379fcb53f7bd780d
title: Polling gives a dark forecast for Iranian President
uri: Polling-gives-a-dark-forecast-for-Iranian-President
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#20_July_2016_%28Polling_gives_a_dark_forecast_for_Iranian_President%29

content:
<p>
Iranian demagogues have successfully adopted <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/jul/13/polling-gives-a-dark-forecast-for-iranian-president-hassan-rouhani">learned the bullshit tactics</a> of Trump and UK, Leave.


feed_id: 3f93127eea24490919aa86beb714abe0
title: US food wastage because it looks imperfect
uri: US-food-wastage-because-it-looks-imperfect
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#20_July_2016_%28US_food_wastage_because_it_looks_imperfect%29

content:
<p>
It appears that around 1/6 of the food produced in the US is discarded
before it reaches the store, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2016/jul/13/us-food-waste-ugly-fruit-vegetables-perfect">because it looks imperfect</a>.
<p>
This adds to the 1/3 that is wasted by stores and by individuals.
<p>
To require supermarkets to <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2016/jul/13/action-to-cut-food-waste-gains-momentum-across-europe">give unsold food to the poor</a> is just a
matter of overcoming their opposition to the measure.  Food that farmers don't bother
to harvest is a harder problem.  If the government offered to buy it
for a low price, somewhat more than what it costs farmers to harvest
it, they would do so.
<p>
One way to reduce food waste is to <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2016/jul/13/failure-teach-cooking-at-school-contributing-food-waste">teach cooking in school</a>.


feed_id: 4eb103840d877f76f5b15ed4f81fef4f
title: India to meet climate goals
uri: India-to-meet-climate-goals
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#20_July_2016_%28India_to_meet_climate_goals%29
content:
<p>
India says it will reduce CO2 emissions faster than planned.
But its new coal mining plans <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2016/jul/13/india-to-meet-climate-goals-earlier-than-promised-says-outgoing-climate-chief">threaten to do the opposite</a>.


feed_id: 3ab69eedafe0c6fadb10481d62d314e0
title: Philippines wins south china sea case
uri: Philippines-wins-south-china-sea-case
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#20_July_2016_%28Philippines_wins_south_china_sea_case%29

content:
<p>
The international tribunal ruled against China's claim of most of the
sea between China and the Philippines.  China said <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/jul/12/philippines-wins-south-china-sea-case-against-china">it will not respect the decision</a>.
<p>
The reason those two countries, as well as Vietnam, Taiwan and other
countries, are so concerned about the issue is that they want the oil
that may be under that sea.  But if anyone extracts that oil, it will
cause global disaster.  We need to leave it under the sea where it is.
<p>
I suggest resolving the dispute with an agreement to leave the oil
untouched.  Maybe then it will be possible to resolve the dispute
because all the countries won't care so much about which gets which
areas.


feed_id: 47732eb6b70b6936c0a3766328e130f0
title: Urgent: "Urge Good Food Companies to Back Good Food Policy"
uri: Urgent-Urge-Good-Food-Companies-to-Back-Good-Food-Policy
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#20_July_2016_%28Urgent%3A_Urge_Good_Food_Companies_to_Back_Good_Food_Policy%29

content:
<p>
US citizens: support the campaign to "<a href="https://secure3.convio.net/ucs/site/Advocacy?pagename=homepage&page=UserAction&id=5334">Urge Good Food Companies to Back
Good Food Policy</a>".
<p>
The overall goal is to change the food distribution system in which
big companies push people towards unhealthy eating while putting farmers
over a barrel.


feed_id: 1564877decd9e388af99460bb7373468
title: The Republican Party platform is shaping up as a compendium of evil
uri: The-Republican-Party-platform-is-shaping-up-as-a-compendium-of-evil
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#20_July_2016_%28The_Republican_Party_platform_is_shaping_up_as_a_compendium_of_evil%29

content:
<p>
The Republican Party platform is <a href="http://www.commondreams.org/news/2016/07/12/gop-platform-draft-stuff-nightmares-are-made">shaping up as a compendium of evil</a>.


feed_id: 7669faec39586cfcbf6f02874572943a
title: Closing the School of the Americas
uri: Closing-the-School-of-the-Americas
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#20_July_2016_%28Closing_the_School_of_the_Americas%29

content:
<p>
Clinton joined Sanders in calling for <a href="http://www.commondreams.org/news/2016/07/12/dem-platform-includes-plank-close-notorious-school-americas">closing the School of the Americas</a>. That school, which now operates under another name, taught many
Latin American military officers how to torture.


feed_id: 8c481904fa38c5494f19d62907e29947
title: Occupational licensing reform
uri: Occupational-licensing-reform
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#20_July_2016_%28Occupational_licensing_reform%29
content:
<p>
Too many occupations in the US <a href="http://reason.com/archives/2016/07/12/occupational-licensing-reform-becomes-a">require workers to have a special license</a>.


feed_id: f25ef60a30062b0972bdd359d051c42a
title: How Globalization Divides Us
uri: How-Globalization-Divides-Us
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#20_July_2016_%28How_Globalization_Divides_Us%29
content:
<p>
"How Globalization Divides Us" -- and how that relates to <A href="http://www.commondreams.org/views/2016/07/12/how-globalization-divides-us-perspectives-brexit-dual-citizen">whether the UK should leave the EU</a>.
<p>
I find I agree with almost all of this article.


feed_id: 9564b7de3022be8878a738dd495c244d
title: Global warming target
uri: Global-warming-target
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#20_July_2016_%28Global_warming_target%29
content:
<p>
Current policies will fail to <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2009/apr/14/global-warming-target-2c">limit global heating to 2C</a>.


feed_id: c08d12015264c25b4554166ca6d7004b
title: Urgent: Antitrust laws against corporations
uri: Urgent-Antitrust-laws-against-corporations
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#20_July_2016_%28Antitrust_laws_against_corporations%29

content:
<p>
US citizens: call on the Senate Judiciary Committee to stand for
firm use of <a href="http://act.credoaction.com/sign/monopolies_judiciary">antitrust laws against corporations</a> that have too much
of the market.


feed_id: 2bd70a0a8790bbb2134661a9016aaf54
title: More West Bank settler outposts legalised
uri: More-West-Bank-settler-outposts-legalised
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#20_July_2016_%28More_West_Bank_settler_outposts_legalised%29

content:
<p>
When Israelis create colonies in the West Bank <a href="http://www.jpost.com/Israel-News/14-West-Bank-settler-outposts-to-be-legalized-20-already-approved-460071">without Israeli government approval</a>, they can pretty much count on getting approval
retroactively.


feed_id: a08ffec92b2ee2f12bfbd3a0a8ddddec
title: Urgent: Denounce the Web of Global Heating Denial.
uri: Urgent-Denounce-the-Web-of-Global-Heating-Denial
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#20_July_2016_%28Urgent%3A_Denounce_the_Web_of_Global_Heating_Denial.%29

content:
<p>
US citizens: Tell Congress: Denounce the Web of <a href="https://act.climatetruth.org/sign/Congress-Web-of-Denial">Global Heating Denial</a>.


feed_id: 1d76d3cb1d439daad78c368484002015
title: Reporters covering teachers' union protests face violence, threats.
uri: Reporters-covering-teachers-union-protests-face-violence-threats
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#20_July_2016_%28Reporters_covering_teachers%27_union_protests_face_violence%2C_threats.%29

content:
<p>
In Oaxaca, Reporters Covering Teachers' Union Protests <a href="https://www.cpj.org/blog/2016/07/in-oaxaca-reporters-covering-teachers-union-protes.php">Face Violence,
Threats</a>.


feed_id: 17814cc21514d3915f578cef7e397e7b
title: Pokemon go privacy concerns
uri: Pokemon-go-privacy-concerns
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#20_July_2016_%28Pokemon_go_privacy_concerns%29
content:
<p>
Setting aside the error that made PokÃ©mon Go demand full access to the
user's Google account, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2016/jul/12/al-franken-pokemon-go-privacy-concerns">the program does a lot of surveillance and
sends the data to various companies</a>.


feed_id: a5251d0f65c7d8f35ecd59386b73977a
title: Corbyn must be on labour leadership ballot paper
uri: Corbyn-must-be-on-labour-leadership-ballot-paper
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#20_July_2016_%28Corbyn_must_be_on_labour_leadership_ballot_paper%29

content:
<p>
Corbyn will be on the <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/politics/2016/jul/12/jeremy-corbyn-must-be-on-labour-leadership-ballot-paper-party-rules-nec">Labour Party's ballot</a>, ex officio. The B'liarite MPs can't keep him off it.
<p>
Their arguments against Corbyn are fallacious and self-serving.
<ul>
<li>
His political position is "extreme" (i.e., seriously opposes plutocratic rule).
<li>
He can't unite the party (i.e., they are stubbornly opposed to him).
<li>
He can't effectively lead the party (i.e., they won't follow him).
</ul>
<p>
The response to the first is to recognize that the Labour Party is
pointless if it doesn't try to end plutocratic rule.
<p>
The solution to the second is to replace the Labour MPs who don't
want to achieve that goal.


feed_id: ff6d5ff646ce81e43f920b9ee0ba622c
title: How EU pushed France reforms labour law
uri: How-EU-pushed-France-reforms-labour-law
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#20_July_2016_%28How_EU_pushed_France_reforms_labour_law%29

content:
<p>
The French president's labor "reform" law, that has been opposed by
nationwide protests and pushed through the assembly without debate,
<a href="http://corporateeurope.org/eu-crisis/2016/06/how-eu-pushed-france-reforms-labour-law">was specifically imposed by the EU</a>.
<p>
The euro-zone's budget deficit limit, which has pushed Greece into
a depression that will forever get worse, now threatens France too with
depression.  But the commission agreed not to enforce the rule against France
in exchange for a temporary hold on enforcing that rule against France.
<p>
Trading a permanent change for a short respite is ruinous.  If French
officials had any conscience, they would rally the people for a
counteroffensive against the European Commission instead of trying to
surrender the country on their behalf.  France could probably make
the EC crack if it were willing to fight with no holds barred.
<p>
The European Union, and the euro, are instruments of subjection.  If
it can't be fixed soon, the people must abolish it.
<p>
However, taking a country out of the EU under a plutocratist
government (such as the one in the UK) would only provide that
government with a chance to make things worse.


feed_id: ca8fc682e33725407dcf2ccb1e8bb98c
title: Accused American PISSI plotter set up
uri: Accused-American-PISSI-plotter-set-up
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#20_July_2016_%28Accused_American_PISSI_plotter_set_up%29

content:
<p>
Mohamed Bailor Jalloh's relatives say that FBI informants manipulated him
and then <a href="https://theintercept.com/2016/07/12/accused-american-isis-plotter-was-set-up-family-says/">misrepresented what he said</a>.
<p>
This would be another in the long string of entrapments of biddable
people that (1) are unjust and (2) don't protect us from any real
danger.


feed_id: 2136aa6deadca3c848de166b05bc8988
title: Snoopers charter could endanger journalists
uri: Snoopers-charter-could-endanger-journalists
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#19_July_2016_%28Snoopers_charter_could_endanger_journalists%29

content:
<p>
The snooper's charter, a bill to permit almost unlimited government
surveillance in the UK, was pushed by the same minister who is now
becoming prime minister.
<p>
Some in Parliament object that this would be a <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/jul/12/snoopers-charter-could-endanger-journalists-and-sources-peers-warn">threat to journalists and their sources</a>.
<p>
Of course it would be.  That's part of the purpose.


feed_id: 95ed93cf6495d70a20d4bf1f0ed7de93
title: Israel passes law to force NGOs to reveal foreign funding
uri: Israel-passes-law-to-force-NGOs-to-reveal-foreign-funding
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#19_July_2016_%28Israel_passes_law_to_force_NGOs_to_reveal_foreign_funding%29

content:
<p>
Peace and human rights defense organizations in Israel are funded
mainly by European governments.  A new law requires them to register
specially, and say in all their publications that <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/jul/12/israel-passes-law-to-force-ngos-to-reveal-foreign-funding">they are foreign-funded</a>.
<p>
The organizations for expanding colonies in Palestinian territory are
funded mainly by right-wing foreign billionaires, but they won't be required
to mention this fact.


feed_id: 8e8ff780496d90380d882bf757bbbd2c
title: Transgender bathroom survey
uri: Transgender-bathroom-survey
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#19_July_2016_%28Transgender_bathroom_survey%29
content:
<p>
Many transgender Americans go to great lengths to <a href="http://www.motherjones.com/politics/2016/07/us-transgender-survey-bathrooms-access">avoid using public toilets</a>. A substantial fraction get sick as a result.


feed_id: 5b72af2831b83af1903d42800df333db
title: Killer police robots
uri: Killer-police-robots
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#19_July_2016_%28Killer_police_robots%29
content:
<p>
Armed remote-control devices can be very dangerous if their use is not
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2016/jul/12/killer-police-robots-legal-consequences-dallas">carefully controlled</a>.


feed_id: 0c2d6ef4898623ce4ecdcd154c0d1fa5
title: Theresa May to unite against the poor
uri: Theresa-May-to-unite-against-the-poor
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#19_July_2016_%28Theresa_May_to_unite_against_the_poor%29

content:
<p>
"Theresa May has vowed to unite Britain -â my guess is <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2016/jul/12/theresa-may-has-vowed-to-unite-britain-my-guess-is-against-the-poor">against the poor</a>."


feed_id: 42887e02818078f39a7371cc59ee2592
title: Icelandic pirate party
uri: Icelandic-pirate-party
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#19_July_2016_%28Icelandic_pirate_party%29
content:
<p>
Iceland may <a href="http://www.commondreams.org/views/2016/07/12/icelandic-pirate-party-and-search-new-democracy">choose the Pirate Party</a> for its next government.


feed_id: 919a0a7d413051bbd5fc2b362d65f6ba
title: Urgent: Don't fund thug departments that don't respect the people
uri: Urgent-Don-t-fund-thug-departments-that-don-t-respect-the-people
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#19_July_2016_%28Urgent%3A_Don%27t_fund_thug_departments_that_don%27t_respect_the_people%29

content:
<p>
US citizens: call on Obama not to fund thug departments that don't
<a href="http://act.colorofchange.org/sign/tell-obama-stop-funding-cops-kill-black-people/">respect the people</a>.


feed_id: 67544bd4f83d72ae3309568d62d2334b
title: Urgent: Don't cut Medicare, expand it
uri: Urgent-Don-t-cut-Medicare-expand-it
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#19_July_2016_%28Urgent%3A_Don%27t_cut_Medicare%2C_expand_it%29

content:
<p>
US citizens: tell Congress: don't cut Medicare, <a href="http://act.credoaction.com/sign/ryan_medicare_2016_pda/">expand it</a>.


feed_id: 69e24c626a70157dd08b4b3d708cb115
title: War on Prescription Drugs
uri: War-on-Prescription-Drugs
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#19_July_2016_%28War_on_Prescription_Drugs%29
content:
<p>
War on Prescription Drugs: What If <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2016/jul/12/prescription-drugs-what-if-you-depend-on-opioids-chronic-pain">You Depend on Opioids</a> to Live a Decent
Life?


feed_id: 0292f5051848b3a214248ad507ade3c6
title: HSBC money laundering in US
uri: HSBC-money-laundering-in-US
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#19_July_2016_%28HSBC_money_laundering_in_US%29
content:
<p>
The UK government pressured the US not to prosecute HSBC for <href="https://www.theguardian.com/business/2016/jul/11/hsbc-us-money-laundering-george-osborne-report">crimes of
money laundering, saying that HSBC was so important that it could not
be punished for crimes.</a>
<p>
Justice Department lawyers were ready to prosecute HSBC, but Attorney
General Holder <a href="https://theintercept.com/2016/07/12/eric-holders-longtime-excuse-for-not-prosecuting-banks-just-crashed-and-burned/">vetoed the prosecution</a>, then falsely claimed that there
wasn't a sufficient case.
<p>
If HSBC is too important to be punished when it commits crimes in the
US, we should not allow it to do business in the US.  We should make
it sell off its US business to several smaller banks.
<p>
Sanders would have done this.


feed_id: ae3a93c2704fe254362847e2ae205eaa
title: University might expel student
uri: University-might-expel-student
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#19_July_2016_%28University_might_expel_student%29
content:
<p>
A student at Purdue University has been threatened with expulsion
for <a href="http://reason.com/blog/2016/07/11/university-might-expel-student-who-criti">posting a dismissive comment</a> about Black Lives Matter.
<p>
Needless to say, I don't agree with that student at all.
But he has the right to state those views.


feed_id: da023ea99a7da8d0e5257328a618a807
title: Urgent: Coal leasing on public land
uri: Urgent-Coal-leasing-on-public-land
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#19_July_2016_%28Urgent%3A_Coal_leasing_on_public_land%29

content:
<p>
US citizens: call on Obama to <a href="http://action.earthjustice.org/site/R?i=8KzoVayF-jEbKP5YKyQ9mA">coal leasing on public land</a>.


feed_id: fc999493fee448251b8ee16ecfb7e8b0
title: Cameron hug a husky
uri: Cameron-hug-a-husky
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#19_July_2016_%28Cameron_hug_a_husky%29
content:
<p>
10 years after David Cameron talked about the danger of global heating,
his record shows a step-by-step campaign to <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/blog/2016/apr/20/david-cameron-hug-a-husky-green-legacy-10-years
">get rid of efforts to protect Britain</a> from that danger.


feed_id: 7f6d5a13a3e86399c2ddad1d5951b782
title: How technology disrupted the truth
uri: How-technology-disrupted-the-truth
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#19_July_2016_%28How_technology_disrupted_the_truth%29

content:
<p>
Competing with the speed of social media has swept away fact checking
and care for the truth from the major media.  As a result, politicians
such as Trump and campaigns such as UK Leave can win via intentional
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/media/2016/jul/12/how-technology-disrupted-the-truth">flagrant systematic lying</a>.


feed_id: 1e6e7e2e2355904148d3008b0728e239
title: Lobbying
uri: Lobbying
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#18_July_2016_%28Lobbying%29
content:
<p>
The Democratic Party platform says almost nothing about lobbying.
<a href="http://www.commondreams.org/views/2016/07/07/democrats-ignore-500-pound-lobbyist-room">Almost
half of former congresscritters</a> now become lobbyists.
<p>
One possible way to reduce the influence of lobbying would be public
funding for candidates' campaigns.


feed_id: 3b69abcdbdce69bf437869c4a94d09aa
title: Privatization of prisoner transport
uri: Privatization-of-prisoner-transport
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#18_July_2016_%28Privatization_of_prisoner_transport%29

content:
<p>
The US has privatized the transport of prisoners between prisons.  As
usual, privatization leads to various abuses,
<a href="http://www.motherjones.com/politics/2016/07/private-prison-transportation-companies-investigation">sometimes
fatal ones</a>.


feed_id: f5157413c279837449d09443f7be0e74
title: WIPO busts its own workers' union
uri: WIPO-busts-its-own-workers-union
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#18_July_2016_%28WIPO_busts_its_own_workers_union%29
content:
<p>
When WIPO isn't trying to design new monopolies to interfere
with our lives, it is
<a href="https://www.labourstartcampaigns.net/show_campaign.cgi?c=3083">busting
the union of its own workers</a>.


feed_id: 1304057144385655fe7e4aa7af54879b
title: Making trouble with a gun while white
uri: Making-trouble-with-a-gun-while-white
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#18_July_2016_%28Making_trouble_with_a_gun_while_white%29

content:
<p>
<a href="http://www.dailykos.com/stories/2016/7/7/1546135/-White-man-points-shotgun-at-passing-cars-and-then-tries-to-shoot-cop-arrested-unharmed">How
law enforcement works</a> when a white man starts making trouble with
a gun.


feed_id: dc44f438fda1732e5b7f4f01929a0007
title: Secret UK bulk surveillance rules
uri: Secret-UK-bulk-surveillance-rules
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#18_July_2016_%28Secret_UK_bulk_surveillance_rules%29

content:
<p>
The rules for UK's bulk surveillance of phone call data and message
data are
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/law/2016/jul/07/fifteen-secret-warrants-in-force-granting-bulk-data-collection-in-the-uk">so
secret</a> that even ministers don't know what they are.  Though the
government has been
<a href="http://arstechnica.co.uk/tech-policy/2016/07/uk-secret-ongoing-mass-surveillance-iocco-report-section-94-telecommunications-act/">pretending
the contrary</a>.


feed_id: 7ab446d1b5c74a304ee0c32a35775bb5
title: Mentally ill people in US jails
uri: Mentally-ill-people-in-US-jails
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#18_July_2016_%28Mentally_ill_people_in_US_jails%29
content:
<p>
Local jails in the US hold ten times as many slightly dangerous
mentally ill people as mental hospitals do, and
<a href="http://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2016/07/08/first-comprehensive-national-survey-jail-staff-more-20-years-shows-county-jails">the
jails offer no treatment</a>.


feed_id: e5268fdeb56bcf6b890340e9b6c83e77
title: NATO
uri: 2016-07-21-NATO
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#18_July_2016_%28NATO%29
content:
<p>
<a href="http://www.commondreams.org/views/2016/07/08/time-rethink-nato">Time
to Rethink NATO</a>.
<p>
My take on this is that Russia is a real threat, but only in a limited
zone.  Meanwhile, NATO's provocative acts are also threats.  NATO
should stop trying to recruit Ukraine and Georgia.
<p>
It is better to leave them as neutral buffers, to reduce the chance of
conflict.
<p>
More
<a href="media/5481b4cf.Ukraine20Article20in20Foreign20Affairs.pdf" data-original-source="http://mearsheimer.uchicago.edu/pdfs/Ukraine%20Article%20in%20Foreign%20Affairs.pdf">argumentation
and background</a>.


feed_id: 9f93574dd5796bf23bcaa906e9b89301
title: Top 1% recovering from 2008 recession
uri: Top-1-recovering-from-2008-recession
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#18_July_2016_%28Top_1%2525_recovering_from_2008_recession%29

content:
<p>
In the US, the [top] 1% Are Recovering from 2008 Recession While
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/business/2016/jul/06/one-percent-2008-recession-recovery-income">99%
Are Still Waiting</a>.


feed_id: 4ce8fd93000a98acfdd6afaaee71e4ab
title: Theater of Security Agency
uri: Theater-of-Security-Agency
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#18_July_2016_%28Theater_of_Security_Agency%29
content:
<p>
The TSA's
<a href="http://www.commondreams.org/views/2016/07/08/illusion-security">bloody
attack on a half-blind, partly paralyzed cancer patient</a> shows that
the price admission to the security theater is occasionally very high.
<p>
"TSA" stands for
<a href="https://stallman.org/airlines.html">Theater of Security
Agency</a>.


feed_id: 86f02896e910056b0b5c10ab5ff1c5a9
title: Sniper at Black Lives Matter protest
uri: Sniper-at-Black-Lives-Matter-protest
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#18_July_2016_%28Sniper_at_Black_Lives_Matter_protest%29

content:
<p>
A sniper
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2016/jul/08/dallas-police-shooting-gunman-kill-white-officers">shot
thugs present at a Black Lives Matter protest in Dallas</a>.  (Initial
reports said there were two snipers, but there was only one.)  The
protest was tranquil before the shooting started.
<p>
The sniper was
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2016/jul/09/dallas-shooting-more-details-emerge-about-micah-xavier-johnson">angry
about thugs' violence, with impunity, against blacks</a>.
<p>
The thugs are more sinning than sinned against, but it's wrong to
respond to their occasional violence with intentional violence.  That
conduct is as bad as the worst things thugs do.
<p>
However, the anger was and is justified, even though its expression
was wrong, and the thugs are morally responsible for their own wrongs
that provoke anger.
<p>
My anger at thugs began as I read about many incidents in which they
attacked protesters and framed them.  They generally don't kill the
protesters, just beat them up and try to put them in jail, but that is
bad enough.  This repression threatens all of society, because it
endangers democracy and justice.
<p>
Only a few thugs commit unjustified violence, and I think most would
not do it.  However, when one thug commits brutality, and lies to put
the blame on the victim, the other thugs who were present generally
support the lies with their own mouths.  That makes them, too,
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2013-jan-apr.html#07_February_2013_(Testilying_thugs)">thugs</a>.
<p>
Very few cops resist the pressure to lie to support a thug.  Those
few, I respect and admire, and I call them
"<a href='https://stallman.org/archives/2015-jan-apr.html#24_March_2015_(Officer_standing_up_to_thugs)'>police
officers</a>".
<p>
Thugs will now cite the Dallas killings to demand to maintain their
impunity and even increase it.  Supporters of repression have already
<a href="http://www.motherjones.com/politics/2016/07/right-wingers-declare-war-after-dallas-police-shootings-new-york-post">seized
on this to attack the idea that Black Lives Matter</a>.
<p>
"Bring the Dallas murderers to justice.
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2016/jul/08/dallas-murderers-killers-black-lives-matter">And
the killers of black people too</a>."


feed_id: 302139230d39e950c223c9a4d7ec434d
title: The Sierra Club TTIP findings
uri: The-Sierra-Club-TTIP-findings
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#18_July_2016_%28The_Sierra_Club_TTIP_findings%29
content:
<p>
The Sierra Club found terms in the TTIP that would sabotage
environmental protection.  <a href="http://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2016/07/11/leaked-document-reveals-alarming-new-environmental-threats-transatlantic-trade">Here are details</a>.


feed_id: 1e0757327cfa96a20fa7fed9c9068080
title: Fighting has broken out again in South Sudan
uri: Fighting-has-broken-out-again-in-South-Sudan
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#18_July_2016_%28Fighting_has_broken_out_again_in_South_Sudan%29

content:
<p>
Fighting has broken out again in South Sudan, and it is not clear
whether the <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/jul/11/south-sudan-dire-deteriorating-fighting-juba-humanitarian-crisis">two leading warlords are still in control</a>.


feed_id: fb7df10e46959d285a32bd354baf15e1
title: Why cant wealthy cities fix homeless problem
uri: Why-cant-wealthy-cities-fix-homeless-problem
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#18_July_2016_%28Why_cant_wealthy_cities_fix_homeless_problem%29

content:
<p>
Investigating <a href="http://www.alternet.org/investigations/why-cant-wealthy-cities-fix-homeless-problem">why people are homeless in San Francisco</a>.
<p>
I suspect one of the causes, not mentioned in the article, is zoning
law that hampers construction of more housing.


feed_id: 0427bb453c3eb2ab5cf9a498e2b11507
title: Time to talk Syria
uri: Time-to-talk-Syria
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#18_July_2016_%28Time_to_talk_Syria%29
content:
<p>
Clinton and many other US politicians <a href="http://www.commondreams.org/views/2016/07/08/time-talk-syria">want more intervention in Syria</a>, despite the big risks, and possibly lots more suffering.  They seek
a victory over Russia, of a kind that hardly matters any more.


feed_id: ebd68b5fee4c28ac93f5f6cc83c38b99
title: Despite all odds
uri: Despite-all-odds
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#18_July_2016_%28Despite_all_odds%29
content:
<p>
A few institutions continue to unite Israelis and Palestinians
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/jul/11/israel-jews-arabs-palestinians-work-together-peace">despite all odds</a>.


feed_id: 81fa37cf00ab644ddc9066f57994b6dd
title: China says it has freed human rights lawyer Zhao Wei
uri: China-says-it-has-freed-human-rights-lawyer-Zhao-Wei
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#18_July_2016_%28China_says_it_has_freed_human_rights_lawyer_Zhao_Wei%29

content:
<p>
China says it has freed human rights lawyer Zhao Wei,
but her husband can't contact her and <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/jul/11/husband-of-chinese-law-graduate-zhao-wei-questions-whether-she-has-been-set">doubts the claim</a>.


feed_id: 127233ce2c46dff6a367f6d74c60ee7a
title: Leaked TTIP energy proposal
uri: Leaked-TTIP-energy-proposal
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#18_July_2016_%28Leaked_TTIP_energy_proposal%29
content:
<p>
Members of the European Parliament say the TTIP (known through a
leaked draft) could "<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2016/jul/11/leaked-ttip-energy-proposal-could-sabotage-eu-climate-policy">sabotage</a>" the EU's climate policy.
<p>
This is no surprise -- I expect that fossil fuel companies were
consulted in drafting it, while environmentalists were not.


feed_id: db3113d0327ca881595d4a2fe819b5f9
title: Now We Are Waking Up
uri: Now-We-Are-Waking-Up
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#18_July_2016_%28Now_We_Are_Waking_Up%29
content:
<p>
'<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/jul/11/zimbabwe-thisflag-protests-leader-calls-for-international-support">Now We Are Waking Up</a>': Zimbabwe Protests Leader Seeks International Help.


feed_id: 46452f06ff5b693ce745c7835f13b580
title: An Australian island cuts the cable
uri: An-Australian-island-cuts-the-cable
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#18_July_2016_%28An_Australian_island_cuts_the_cable%29

content:
<p>
An Australian island with substantial population is considering <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/sustainable-business/2016/jul/11/cutting-the-cable-kangaroo-island-eyes-switch-to-100-renewable-energy">moving
to 100% renewable energy</a>.
<p>
If our governments acknowledged the magnitude of the danger of CO2,
they would mobilize society for rapid conversion to renewable energy.


feed_id: eca422c5a03909bc19cb8ee6407647b4
title: Massive death of mangrove shore forests in Australia
uri: Massive-death-of-mangrove-shore-forests-in-Australia
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#18_July_2016_%28Massive_death_of_mangrove_shore_forests_in_Australia%29

content:
<p>
The massive death of mangrove shore forests in Australia will do away,
regionally, with many kinds of fish and <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2016/jul/11/massive-mangrove-die-off-on-gulf-of-carpentaria-worst-in-the-world-says-expert">even eliminate land</a>.  As global heating proceeds, this problem will spread.


feed_id: a15b4abffc09187146f2f86d5725a36f
title: Use of shark fin in China drops
uri: Use-of-shark-fin-in-China-drops
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#18_July_2016_%28Use_of_shark_fin_in_China_drops%29
content:
<p>
Use of shark fin in China has <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/chinas-choice/2014/aug/08/sales-of-shark-fin-china-drop-70">declined greatly, perhaps by 80%.</a>  Campaigns to avoid the extinction of sharks are having some effect.
<p>
Shark fin has no particular taste, and its texture is not especially
interesting in the mouth.  The reason shark fin soup is made is for
conspicuous consumption: someone is giving a banquet and wants to impress
others by getting expensive things.


feed_id: 7bac0483bfea7b8ec930e3173314969d
title: College Students need food more than textbooks
uri: College-Students-need-food-more-than-textbooks
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#18_July_2016_%28College_Students_need_food_more_than_textbooks%29

content:
<p>
Some US college students need <a href="http://www.theatlantic.com/education/archive/2016/07/when-college-students-need-food-pantries-more-than-textbooks/490607/">food aid as well as tuition aid</a>.


feed_id: 71ccd890183f3240ad54b4885d1691ef
title: Urgent: Get serious about the climate
uri: Urgent-Get-serious-about-the-climate
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#18_July_2016_%28Urgent%3A_Get_serious_about_the_climate%29

content:
<p>
US citizens: Call on the Democratic Party to get <a href="https://act.350.org/sign/tell-democrats-get-climate-serious/">serious about the climate</a>.


feed_id: 82147506610752bcb6fa0063fa094c16
title: Urgent: Protect seafloor habitats
uri: Urgent-Protect-seafloor-habitats
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#18_July_2016_%28Urgent%3A_Protect_seafloor_habitats%29

content:
<p>
US citizens: Tell the Pacific Fishery Management Council and
NOAA Fisheries to <a href="http://act.oceana.org/sign/nmfs-pfmc_protect-efh_rd_201604">protect seafloor habitats</a>.


feed_id: 41f1c699ab805308f87cad0d0096dc26
title: Urgent: No first use of nuclear weapons
uri: Urgent-No-first-use-of-nuclear-weapons
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#18_July_2016_%28Urgent%3A_No_first_use_of_nuclear_weapons%29

content:
<p>
US citizens: call on Obama to pledge no <a href="http://www.globalzero.org/no-first-use">first use of nuclear weapons</a>.


feed_id: 45cbdbce8d0e0413ac97e7d00977afe7
title: School Divided Society
uri: School-Divided-Society
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#18_July_2016_%28School_Divided_Society%29
content:
<p>
Segregation of <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2016/jul/04/school-divided-society-eu-referendum-segregating-children">ethnic groups in school</a> creates a space for bigotry to grow.
<p>
The UK referendum <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2016/jul/04/brexit-vote-britain-loved-gone-race-hate">unleashed hostility</a> that may poison British tolerance for a long time.


feed_id: 524f0c2fdc2e081a8e7c2a89d21de8b0
title: Albanian Opposition Party Claims
uri: Albanian-Opposition-Party-Claims
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#18_July_2016_%28Albanian_Opposition_Party_Claims%29
content:
<p>
Albanian Opposition Party <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/jul/04/albanian-opposition-party-claims-pm-funded-obama-campaign">Claims PM Illegally Funded Obama Campaign</a>.


feed_id: 69c792f4a7ff0d8c68afb71719616419
title: Google street view car arson
uri: Google-street-view-car-arson
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#18_July_2016_%28Google_street_view_car_arson%29
content:
<p>
A man <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2016/jul/06/street-view-car-arson-google">set fire to a Google Street View car</a>, then said that Google was
"watching" him.
<p>
Google is indeed watching him, and the public in general, but not
literally in the way he thought.
<p>
On the other hand, there are systems such as planes that can track
people around a town, and cameras connected to face recognition,
which literally do watch everyone.  So we should not be quick
to dismiss him as crazy.


feed_id: da84f355e0233a616bb1ba0459efd9fe
title: NHS to scrap single database of patients medical details
uri: NHS-to-scrap-single-database-of-patients-medical-details
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#18_July_2016_%28NHS_to_scrap_single_database_of_patients_medical_details%29

content:
<p>
The UK NHS has backed off its national medical records scheme,
because it didn't do enough to <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2016/jul/06/nhs-to-scrap-single-database-of-patients-medical-details">protect patient confidentiality</a>.


feed_id: 41bebb4a075c6503ec994c6d6e5992a4
title: Leaving the EU will cause economic mayhem in the UK
uri: Leaving-the-EU-will-cause-economic-mayhem-in-the-UK
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#18_July_2016_%28Leaving_the_EU_will_cause_economic_mayhem_in_the_UK%29

content:
<p>
Leaving the EU will cause economic mayhem in the UK.  For the Tories,
this is an opportunity for <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2016/jul/04/disaster-capitalism-tory-right-brexit-roll-back-state">more disaster capitalism</a>: take everything from the poor and give it to the rich.
<p>
The UK needs everyone to be Robin Hood.


feed_id: 0822c9fba714e75cc889e2464ff94c80
title: Urgent: Call on Texas to withdraw its anti-abortion booklet falsehoods
uri: 2016-07-21-Urgent-Call-on-Texas-to-withdraw-its-anti-abortion-booklet-falsehoods
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#18_July_2016_%28Urgent%3A_Call_on_Texas_to_withdraw_its_anti-abortion_booklet_falsehoods%29

content:
<p>
US citizens: call on Texas to <a href="http://act.weareultraviolet.org/sign/TX_abortion_pamphlet/">withdraw its anti-abortion booklet of
falsehoods</a>.


feed_id: 266f7414d43c7c9fa69bd1429e296951
title: Urgent: Get Phthalates out of our food
uri: 2016-07-21-Urgent-Get-Phthalates-out-of-our-food
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#18_July_2016_%28Urgent%3A_Get_Phthalates_out_of_our_food%29

content:
<p>
US citizens: call on the FDA to <a href="https://secure.earthjustice.org/site/Advocacy?cmd=display&page=UserAction&id=1877">get phthalates out of our food</a>.


feed_id: 87f2ef10ddf8bb148da2ddf1e96ae931
title: No increase in income 2005 to 2014
uri: No-increase-in-income-2005-to-2014
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#22_July_2016_%28No_increase_in_income_2005_to_2014%29

content:
<p>
In countries with "advanced" economies,<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/business/2016/jul/14/up-to-70-per-cent-people-developed-countries-seen-income-stagnate"> over 2/3 of the people had no increase
in income</a> in the decade from 2005 to 2014.
<p>
This is dooH niboR at work, because the richest .1% got a big increase.


feed_id: 21a0eab7a6436fc014c014411d23a047
title: Prairie state plunder
uri: Prairie-state-plunder
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#22_July_2016_%28Prairie_state_plunder%29
content:
<p>
In just two years, Illinois took $72 million from people
<a href="http://reason.com/archives/2016/07/13/prairie-state-plunder">without convicting them of a crime.  Many of those people were not even charged.


feed_id: e35a4a54acbb046b3f8511f0b5f011d0
title: Criticism does not kill cops
uri: Criticism-does-not-kill-cops
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#22_July_2016_%28Criticism_does_not_kill_cops%29
content:
<p>
For US right-wingers, inflammatory speakers are responsible
for violence, but only <a href="http://reason.com/archives/2016/07/13/criticism-does-not-kill-cops">if they are leftist or criticize</a> those
with privilege and power.


feed_id: 8a7ac57ab213fe7b75261b1fc2bec6d2
title: New York Police reform results
uri: New-York-Police-reform-results
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#22_July_2016_%28New_York_Police_reform_results%29
content:
<p>
New York City was <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2016/jul/15/new-york-police-reform-results-nypd">forced to stop systematically searching blacks on the street</a>
and stop infiltrating informers into Muslim communities.  The result:
less crime than ever.
<p>
Sad to say, New York City has <em>not</em> abandoned massive
surveillance in general.  That keeps getting worse.  I fear that they
are setting up to track everyone around the streets by face recognition,
using the surveillance cameras <a href="http://gnu.org/philosophy/surveillance-vs-democracy.html">that are supposedly to "protect" us</a>.


feed_id: 1b11862438c11cf57b6e3e0d3ca1066b
title: Humanity will make climate disaster inevitable
uri: Humanity-will-make-climate-disaster-inevitable
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#22_July_2016_%28Humanity_will_make_climate_disaster_inevitable%29

content:
<p>
The US Energy Information Administration projects that fossil fuel use
will <a href="http://www.eia.gov/forecasts/ieo/exec_summ.cfm">hardly diminish by 2040</a>. In other words, it projects humanity will make climate disaster inevitable.
<p>
That could happen, but only a fool will state it as a prediction
rather than trying to stop it.


feed_id: 545403102426b1a63cb57b8ae5817966
title: Progressives have raised expectations
uri: Progressives-have-raised-expectations
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#22_July_2016_%28Progressives_have_raised_expectations%29

content:
<p>
When a nonprogressive Democrat such as Clinton or Obama gets elected,
the first task on per agenda is to <a href="http://www.commondreams.org/views/2016/07/14/progressives-have-raised-expectations-and-democrats-have-fought-desperately-lower">dampen the voters' expectations</a>
that the newly elected official will make things much better.
<p>
Contrast this with slogans such as "hope" and "change", designed to fool
voters into expecting some of the change they hope for.
<p>
After seeing the pattern a few times, you can learn not to vote for
them.  I learned this from Bill Clinton.


feed_id: c0c1317d2067839ee52508e585c2fa90
title: Scientology seeks captive converts via google maps
uri: Scientology-seeks-captive-converts-via-google-maps
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#22_July_2016_%28Scientology_seeks_captive_converts_via_google_maps%29

content:
<p>
Businesses that provide services people want in a hurry can get
themselves to the top ranking in local Google Maps searches, just by
<a href="http://krebsonsecurity.com/2016/06/scientology-seeks-captive-converts-via-google-maps-drug-rehab-centers/">paying for fake reviews saying they are grea</a>t.  Sometimes the
companies listed are entirely fake, and people who call get passed
along to some other company for the service; that company may
intentionally skimp and do a bad job.
<p>
One positive side effect of my refusal to run nonfree software is that
I'm totally safe from this.  Google Maps requires the visitor to <a href="
http://gnu.org/philosophy/javascript-trap.html">run
nonfree Javascript code</a>, so it simply does not work for me.


feed_id: 7b9c1aded38dc9408f730ce19e10d130
title: Exxon continues to fund denial of global heating
uri: Exxon-continues-to-fund-denial-of-global-heating
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#22_July_2016_%28Exxon_continues_to_fund_denial_of_global_heating%29

content:
<p>
Exxon continues to fund <a href="http://www.commondreams.org/views/2016/07/14/congress-calls-out-fossil-fuel-deception-exxonmobil-continues-fund-climate-science">denial of global heating</a>, its causes, and its effects.
<p>
Republicans in Congress are trying to harass the investigation of
Exxon's global heating deception, <a href="http://www.commondreams.org/news/2016/07/14/gop-subpoenas-exxonknew-probe-decried-oil-soaked-abuse-power">with subpoenas against the bodies that are investigating</a>.  These include some state governments, and the
Union of Concerned Scientists.
<p>
I am proud to give every year to the Union of Concerned Scientists.
You can give, too.


feed_id: 85eb789585de9ed472acbaa83b2ba2c9
title: Trident won't protect us from terrorism
uri: Trident-won-t-protect-us-from-terrorism
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#22_July_2016_%28Trident_won%27t_protect_us_from_terrorism%29

content:
<p>
Instead of replacing the aging Trident submarines with new ones,
merely to give the appearance of being a world power, the UK should
take the opportunity to <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2016/jul/15/trident-illegal-nuclear-britain-arsenal">lead the world by eliminating them</a>.
<p>
"<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2016/jul/15/trident-protection-terrorism-renewed-threat">Trident wonât protect us from terrorism</a>. But it will still be renewed."


feed_id: 5cf6933605d6bd48b1ff7844319b52ec
title: Nice attack leaves 84 dead
uri: Nice-attack-leaves-84-dead
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#22_July_2016_%28Nice_attack_leaves_84_dead%29
content:
<p>
A truck driver <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/jul/15/nice-attack-leaves-84-dead-and-france-in-shock">killed 84 people in France by driving through a crowd</a>celebrating the birth of the French Republic.  It isn't certain
why he did this, but Islamist terrorism seems plausible.
<p>
Judged as a crime, this one was heinous.  Considered as a cause of
death, it remains minor.  For comparison's sake, cars and trucks kill
around 275 people in France each month through accidents.
<p>
People of France, don't panic!  You don't away your freedom because of
road accidents, so please don't throw it away because of this.
<p>
Oppositoin politicians are criticizing President Hollande for <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/jul/15/francois-hollande-faces-political-backlash-nice-attack">failing to do the impossible</a>.
<p>
He is <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2016/jul/15/nice-terror-attack-truck">responding to this idiotic criticism</a> by saying he will try harder
to do the impossible -- stepping up harmful, misguided "security" measures.
<p>
France can't stop individual suicide attacks <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2016/jul/15/attack-on-nice-france-defeat-jihadis-true-to-its-values-security-forces">through snooping,
intimidation and persecution of Muslims</a>.  But it can discourage them,
with a united society that condemns these killers as the enemy of
everyone.


feed_id: 0e603752874a0f1bf8aa378812a52580
title: Tories ignorance towards global heating
uri: Tories-ignorance-towards-global-heating
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#22_July_2016_%28Tories_ignorance_towards_global_heating%29

content:
<p>
After cancelling nearly all of the UK's policies that aimed to curb
global heating, the Tories are now <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2016/jul/15/decc-abolition-major-setback-for-uk-climate-change-efforts">abolishing the department</a> which had the mission of curbing global heating.
<p>
The remaining activities are to be transferred to another department
for which carbon emissions and the environment are a side issue.  This
is a way to cause the remaining policies, those not cancelled yet, to
be ignored.


feed_id: cec39968cf0c2450021f3991cb065ea8
title: Zhao Wei still missing
uri: Zhao-Wei-still-missing
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#22_July_2016_%28Zhao_Wei_still_missing%29
content:
<p>
China has a new form of disappearing people: <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/jul/15/freed-chinese-human-rights-activist-zhao-wei-still-missing-says-husband">giving false information about their whereabouts</a>.  Officials say that Zhao Wei has been released from prison, but no one can find her.  They say she went to her parents' home, but it is empty.
<p>
Perhaps they imprisoned her parents too, and their "home" is another
prison.


feed_id: 333b4548785b48a3d9016665c8283694
title: Urgent: Disclose public spending
uri: Urgent-Disclose-public-spending
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#21_July_2016_%28Urgent%3A_Disclose_public_spending%29

content:
<p>
US citizens: 
<a href="https://secure.pfaw.org/site/Advocacy?page=UserAction&id=223">call
on the SEC</a> to require publicly traded companies disclose political
spending.


feed_id: 909546bd6ea34f208620cbf0f3d45002
title: Terrorist organization al-Shabaab
uri: Terrorist-organization-al-Shabaab
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#21_July_2016_%28Terrorist_organization_al-Shabaab%29

content:
<p>
The official government of Somalia controls most of the territory but
is 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2016/jul/15/foreign-troops-in-somalia-struggle-to-keep-al-shabaab-at-bay">unable
to defeat al-Shabaab</a>.
<p>
Al-Shabaab has become a terrorist organization, pure and simple.


feed_id: 0b9f2da00867860435b703abc9f1ac16
title: Imperfect fruits and vegetables
uri: Imperfect-fruits-and-vegetables
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#21_July_2016_%28Imperfect_fruits_and_vegetables%29
content:
<p>
In several European countries there are groups of volunteers that
harvest imperfect fruits and vegetables (which the farm did not
harvest) to 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2016/jul/15/food-waste-harvesting-spains-unwanted-crops-to-feed-the-hungry">make
food for poor, hungry people</a>.
<p>
Bravo for them, but shame on governments that don't feed people.


feed_id: 3933723118e60c1984fdbafa60f35e5a
title: Rhino horn in North Korea
uri: Rhino-horn-in-North-Korea
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#21_July_2016_%28Rhino_horn_in_North_Korea%29
content:
<p>
Accusations that North Korean diplomats are involved in 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/jul/15/north-korean-diplomats-implicated-in-illegal-rhino-horn-trade-report-africa">smuggling
rhino horn</a>.


feed_id: ff08563d6ee5c31688b98bb626259441
title: Brutal repression in Egypt
uri: Brutal-repression-in-Egypt
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#21_July_2016_%28Brutal_repression_in_Egypt%29
content:
<p>
Amnesty International report: Egypt: 
<a href="https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/news/2016/07/egypt-hundreds-disappeared-and-tortured-amid-wave-of-brutal-repression/">Hundreds
disappeared and tortured</a> amid wave of brutal repression


feed_id: 299775850ba3368b464cb0a457c18b3e
title: Israel bans peace group meeting
uri: Israel-bans-peace-group-meeting
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#21_July_2016_%28Israel_bans_peace_group_meeting%29
content:
<p>
Israel has banned a peace group from 
<a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20160712004446/http://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/.premium-1.730321">going
to Ramallah to meet with a Palestinian</a> who is in charge of
"interaction with Israeli society".


feed_id: a12ca15de7ff28e45dc62d26d05d4b69
title: Toy guns banned at RNC
uri: Toy-guns-banned-at-RNC
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#21_July_2016_%28Toy_guns_banned_at_RNC%29
content:
<p>
In the vicinity of the Republican National Convention, toy guns are
banned 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2016/jul/14/open-carry-gun-law-cleveland-republican-convention">but
real guns are permitted</a>.
<p>
I fear for the lives of protesters there.  Right-wing gun nuts might
decide to carry out an act of political terrorism.
<p>
Thugs may attack them, too.  The prohibition of gas masks is vicious,
and clearly inexcusable since they are not useful for attacking
anyone.
<p>
Here's a question: if a product is part gun and part gas mask, is it
banned because of the gas mask, or legal because it's a gun?


feed_id: 2eff0f23cebf8f2b70603a4bab96c43f
title: Praising and befriending dictators
uri: Praising-and-befriending-dictators
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#21_July_2016_%28Praising_and_befriending_dictators%29

content:
<p>
Donald Trump Praises Dictators, But Hillary Clinton 
<a href="https://theintercept.com/2016/07/14/donald-trump-praises-dictators-but-hillary-clinton-befriends-them/">Befriends
Them</a>.
<p>
He condemns Clinton for supporting the invasion of Iraq (and I agree),
but he 
<a href="https://theintercept.com/2016/07/14/donald-trump-ridiculed-iraq-war-position-held-by-his-vp-pick-mike-pence/">chose
a running mate who supported it too</a>.


feed_id: caf1ce93d842796a11cc620c002ea9dd
title: Strikes against Mugabe rule
uri: Strikes-against-Mugabe-rule
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#21_July_2016_%28Strikes_against_Mugabe_rule%29
content:
<p>
Zimbabwe Protest Leader 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/jul/14/zimbabwe-protest-leader-calls-for-more-strikes-against-mugabe-rule">Calls
for More Strikes</a> Against Mugabe Rule.


feed_id: f6b72df9b3d427362472d66e8a142226
title: US subpoena for data held in Europe
uri: US-subpoena-for-data-held-in-Europe
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#21_July_2016_%28US_subpoena_for_data_held_in_Europe%29

content:
<p>
Microsoft has defeated a 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2016/jul/14/microsoft-emails-court-ruling-us-government">US
subpoena for data held in Europe</a>.


feed_id: 2ca5e5e84d89446b3361f7dc968240ec
title: DRM
uri: 2016-07-23-DRM
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#21_July_2016_%28DRM%29
content:
<p>
The EFF continues to demand that the W3C standardize DRM under a 
<a href="https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2016/06/call-security-community-w3cs-drm-must-be-investigated">rule
that protects security researchers from prosecution</a>.
<p>
I do not support that demand, because the W3C would still be doing
wrong, and harm, if it standardized DRM with that exception.  No small
exception can excuse support for DRM.  The W3C should 
<a href="https://www.fsf.org/news/web-drm-standard-moves-to-next-phase-of-development-fsfs-defective-by-design-campaign-to-continue-opposition">refuse
to betray the users of the World Wide Web</a>.
<p>
The EFF article uses the term "white hat" and "black hat" in an
unthinking way, assuming that trying to fix a bug is "right" while
trying to exploit the bug is "wrong".  That's valid most of the time,
because most proprietary software does something to serve its users,
and most bug exploiters are 
<a href="https://gnu.org/proprietary/">trying to hurt those users</a>.
But there are exceptions, and DRM is one.
<p>
DRM software is pure malware: its purpose is to mistreat the users.
People who investigate bugs in malware in order to make it mistreat
people more reliably should be called "black hat".  The white hats are
those that find bugs to enable users to break the DRM's chains.  To
maximize the effect, they should release these bugs in the way that
will enable the largest possible escape from DRM.


feed_id: d60252452d87ccb137eedd70cdcc61a2
title: Employee medical data
uri: Employee-medical-data
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#21_July_2016_%28Employee_medical_data%29
content:
<p>
New US regulations allow companies to 
<a href="https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2016/07/new-eeoc-rules-allow-employers-pay-employees-health-information">pressure
employees to hand over their medical data</a>.  It suffices to call
the pressure a "wellness program".  The penalties for refusing to
participate may be severe.
<p>
As usual, the "privacy policy" for the data, once handed over, is
meaningless.


feed_id: 8ab34e9caba46d9d74895c248ea4c675
title: Destruction of wildlife habitat
uri: Destruction-of-wildlife-habitat
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#21_July_2016_%28Destruction_of_wildlife_habitat%29
content:
<p>
On over half the world's land, humans have destroyed wildlife habitat
to the point that wild ecosystems are 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2016/jul/14/biodiversity-below-safe-levels-across-over-half-of-worlds-land-study">in
danger of collapse</a>.


feed_id: 5ca437bc44c73c8713f8443c0040b6c6
title: Americans trust Trump more than Clinton
uri: Americans-trust-Trump-more-than-Clinton
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#21_July_2016_%28Americans_trust_Trump_more_than_Clinton%29

content:
<p>
Americans 
<a href="http://www.commondreams.org/news/2016/07/13/trustworthy-trump-plagued-email-controversy-clintons-lead-plummets">seem
to trust Trump more than they trust Clinton</a>.
<p>
You can always trust Trump…not to mean what he says.
<p>
Clinton should stand down for the good of her party.
It's not too late.


feed_id: c176a9c1dad6f791b69e6dc244225ac7
title: DMCA takedown notice from thugs
uri: DMCA-takedown-notice-from-thugs
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#21_July_2016_%28DMCA_takedown_notice_from_thugs%29
content:
<p>
The Minneapolis thug department used a DMCA takedown notice to censor
redistribution of its 
<a href="http://boingboing.net/2016/07/13/minneapolis-police-abuse-copyr.html">embarrassing
recruiting video</a>.
<p>
Assuming the video wasn't made <em>by</em> the federal government, it
doesn't have to be in the public domain; but this redistribution is
almost certainly fair use.
<p>
Use of copyright for censorship is 
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#25_May_2016_(Fraudulent_DMCA_takedown_notices)">common
practice</a>, and should not surprise us since our copyright system
was first established in England under Queen Mary as a system for
censorship.


feed_id: 1a9416c1fbcff3798fccc666d5825712
title: Thugs need search warrant to use stingray
uri: Thugs-need-search-warrant-to-use-stingray
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#21_July_2016_%28Thugs_need_search_warrant_to_use_stingray%29

content:
<p>
A US court ruled that thugs 
<a href="http://www.commondreams.org/news/2016/07/13/privacy-win-federal-judge-rejects-stingray-evidence-first-time">need
a search warrant to use a stingray</a> to track someone's portable
phone.
<p>
I expect this will be decided later by an appeals court or the Supreme
Court.  If the decision is ultimately upheld, it will only give us
back a little of our privacy, and I will still decline to carry around
a portable phone.


feed_id: f84f6e9601d80b7f7d017e0c6efb9767
title: Bombastic bullshitter Boris Johnson
uri: Bombastic-bullshitter-Boris-Johnson
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#21_July_2016_%28Bombastic_bullshitter_Boris_Johnson%29

content:
<p>
The Tories appointed bombastic bullshitter Boris Johnson as foreign
minister.  The French foreign minister said, correctly, that 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/politics/2016/jul/14/french-foreign-minister-boris-johnson-is-a-liar-with-his-back-against-the-wall">he
is a liar</a>.
<p>
I don't have much respect for the French "socialist" government, which
is 
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#29_May_2016_(French_people_still_protesting)">selling 
out French workers to kowtow to banksters</a>.  However, I am happy to
see this comment.


feed_id: dd4d809b847133ace13cf169b062555a
title: Absurdity of Tories' cruel cuts
uri: Absurdity-of-Tories-cruel-cuts
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#21_July_2016_%28Absurdity_of_Tories_cruel_cuts%29
content:
<p>
The 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2016/jul/14/independent-living-fund-dignity-safety-severely-disabled-people">obtuse
absurdity</a> of the Tories' cruel cuts: to give more money to the
rich, they have cut care for the disabled.  A blind, quadriplegic man
has to pass hours in which he can't even go to the toilet, or get
something to drink.
<p>
The council, denying him this needed support, suggested he keep a pot
of tea nearby, although he would be unable to see it or lift it.
<p>
The evident purpose of transferring these funds to local council was
so that they would be spent on something else instead.  That enables
larger cuts in other areas, since parts of those cuts will be
transferred to disabled people.  Meanwhile, the government can claim,
deceptively, that it hasn't cut the funds for the disabled.


feed_id: 10ad156341c752b3f0d27e0429a0653d
title: Americans jailed by unreliable drug tests
uri: Americans-jailed-by-unreliable-drug-tests
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#21_July_2016_%28Americans_jailed_by_unreliable_drug_tests%29

content:
<p>
Thousands of Americans have been jailed by unreliable drug tests 
<a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2016/07/10/magazine/how-a-2-roadside-drug-test-sends-innocent-people-to-jail.html">used
by thugs who search them</a>.  When the test gives a false positive,
which happens often, the defendant is frequently 
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2007-jul-oct.html#15%20October%202007%20(Plea%20bargain%20to%20avoid%20prison)">pressured 
into a false confession as a plea bargain</a>.  Even if it were right
to imprison people for possession of drugs, which is 
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2013-jul-oct.html#25_September_2013_(Drug_addicts_in_prison)">pointless
cruelty</a>, it would still be wrong to imprison people for the
presence of a minuscule quantity too small to actually use.


feed_id: b3499234e79eb8bfe3e8257e6e165c8d
title: The TTIP
uri: 2016-07-23-The-TTIP
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#21_July_2016_%28The_TTIP%29
content:
<p>
The TTIP would make it harder to regulate the 
<a href="http://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2016/07/12/corporate-meats-takeover-through-ttip">technology
used to handle farm animals</a>.  That could make it harder to insist
on humane treatment of farm animals and 
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2015-mar-jun.html#28_June_2015_(Antibiotic_resistance)">harder
to protect antibiotics that may save our lives</a>.  It could also
lead to monopolies, bad for farmers.
<p>
In the US, the TPP might do the same bad things.  Among many 
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#24_January_2016_(Damage_from_the_TPP)">many
others</a>.  They are both
<a href="https://stallman.org/business-supremacy-treaties.html">business-supremacy
treaties</a>, so their goal is bad and they would achieve that bad
goal.


feed_id: 4f335b5440b62bf007295e7735525c89
title: Chelsea Manning
uri: 2016-07-23-Chelsea-Manning
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#21_July_2016_%28Chelsea_Manning%29
content:
<p>
Chelsea Manning 
<a href="http://www.commondreams.org/news/2016/07/12/chelsea-manning-confirms-suicide-attempt-i-will-get-through">attempted
suicide</a>, and did not succeed.  I feel for her; it must be
difficult to value life when that life must be lived in prison.
<p>
I hope that "close observation" does not mean the same sleep
deprivation that they applied to her 
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#7_May_2016_(Manning_describes_solitary_confinement)">before 
her trial</a>, which was described as a "suicide watch" but was
intended to break her spirit.


feed_id: 58c78ddbb77d29ff2afbf29a66e021d8
title: Racist thugs corrupt thug departments
uri: Racist-thugs-corrupt-thug-departments
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#21_July_2016_%28Racist_thugs_corrupt_thug_departments%29

content:
<p>
A black former cop reports on how racist thugs 
<a href="http://www.vox.com/2015/5/28/8661977/race-police-officer">corrupt
the thug departments they work for</a>, and how the myth that they are
noble heroes shields them.
<p>
Remember, though, that blacks are not the only group thugs
systematically have it in for.  Protesters get it, too, in
many cases.


feed_id: 79c56110283bbfd93b1d7db090fe5de8
title: Nauru
uri: 2016-07-23-Nauru
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#21_July_2016_%28Nauru%29
content:
<p>
Nauru 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/jul/12/nauru-opposition-mp-secretly-granted-nz-citizenship-flees-to-wellington">revoked
the passport of an opposition member of its parliament</a>.  A year
later, he has got political asylum from New Zealand.
<p>
The fact that 
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2015-mar-jun.html#29_June_2015_(Nauru_protesters_face_criminal_charges)">"being 
involved with protests" brings down a punishment</a> shows that Nauru
is ruled by a tyranny.  That makes it an ideal flunky for cruel
Australia.


feed_id: bbb0847f92daec71d657cca677f3c261
title: Republican platform extremist conversion
uri: Republican-platform-extremist-conversion
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#21_July_2016_%28Republican_platform_extremist_conversion%29

content:
<p>
Anyone that supports the draft Republican Party platform is <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2016/jul/14/republican-platform-extremist-conversion-therapy-donald-trump">an extremist</a>.
<p>
Trump has <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2016/jul/14/donald-trump-picks-mike-pence-running-mate-vice-president">chosen a running mate</a> who is quite extremist.


feed_id: 977af326bcc763438f26ee56a73f56c3
title: Salt Lake tribune challenges BYU police
uri: Salt-Lake-tribune-challenges-BYU-police
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#21_July_2016_%28Salt_Lake_tribune_challenges_BYU_police%29

content:
<p>
The Brigham Young University thug department is granted the same power
as other thug departments; it should not have an exception from the
<a href="http://www.sltrib.com/news/4105633-155/salt-lake-tribune-challenges-byu-police">Utah open records law</a>.


feed_id: 6814b50929d6e6c685fdd2df4892807f
title: Half of US federal court cases are against Mexicans illegal entry
uri: Half-of-US-federal-court-cases-are-against-Mexicans-illegal-entry
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#21_July_2016_%28Half_of_US_federal_court_cases_against_Mexicans_illegal_entry%29

content:
<p>
Half the criminal cases in US federal court are <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2016/jul/14/immigrants-illegal-entry-us-mexico-prosecution-prisons-report">against Mexicans for illegal entry into the US</a>.  Some judges are saying that this policy must be ended.


feed_id: ce29d79b00ea9dd10a9d0ed887aee3aa
title: Dispute turns deadly
uri: Dispute-turns-deadly
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#21_July_2016_%28Dispute_turns_deadly%29
content:
<p>
Indigenous Brazilians are trying to take back their old lands;
this <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2016/jul/14/dispute-turns-deadly-indigenous-brazilians-ancestral-farmland-guarani-kaiowa">leads to fighting with the farmers that now own them</a>.


feed_id: f6fd55ab28c42a615bc5026362005cb7
title: We have entered a new era of conflict
uri: We-have-entered-a-new-era-of-conflict
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#21_July_2016_%28We_have_entered_a_new_era_of_conflict%29

content:
<p>
Violent <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/news/defence-and-security-blog/2016/jul/14/we-have-entered-a-new-era-of-conflict-warns-new-book">Islamist terror movements come from two factors</a>:
marginalization making people desperate, and messianic outrage pulling them.
<p>
For non-Muslim Americans facing marginalization, Trump exerts a
similar draw.
<p>
If the "reasonable" political movements have visibly given up trying
to solve people's problems (because they have bowed down to
plutocrats), a wild "solution" may seem better than nothing
to desperate people.


feed_id: bb792d610d8cb2a9cf6ce9bb1e38600d
title: White progressives should help educate their white neighbours
uri: White-progressives-should-help-educate-their-white-neighbours
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#21_July_2016_%28White_progressives_should_help_educate_their_white_neighbours%29

content:
<p>
White progressives should post Black Lives Matter signs to help
<a href="http://www.commondreams.org/views/2016/07/13/wake-call-white-progressives">educate their white neighbors</a>.
<p>
Blacks in the US are <a href="http://www.commondreams.org/views/2016/07/13/still-second-class-citizens">still second-class citizens</a>.


feed_id: 9177117cdc2419378cb9d77936e43834
title: Baton Rouge police sued
uri: Baton-Rouge-police-sued
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#21_July_2016_%28Baton_Rouge_police_sued%29
content:
<p>
The <a href="https://theintercept.com/2016/07/14/baton-rouge-police-sued-arrest-peaceful-protesters/">ACLU has sued the Baton Rouge thug department</a>, asking the court for an order to let protesters protest, and citing several patterns of injustice.


feed_id: 8472d0c166258060b114fefd40457c84
title: El Salvador abortion law change
uri: El-Salvador-abortion-law-change
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#21_July_2016_%28El_Salvador_abortion_law_change%29
content:
<p>
El Salvador may <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2016/jul/14/el-salvador-abortion-law-change-women-facing-50-years-jail">imprison women for 50 years</a> for having an abortion.
<p>
(Or a miscarriage which is taken for an abortion.)
<p>
Women in El Salvador will still get abortions, but they will have to
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2016/jul/14/el-salvador-abortion-law-increase-jail-sentences-more-punitive-compound-injustice-kelly-castagnaro">risk their lives to hide this</a>.


feed_id: 42af28602f9ae8f1da6ec30fd6ff266e
title: Dirty Trick Fox News
uri: Dirty-Trick-Fox-News
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#21_July_2016_%28Dirty_Trick_Fox_News%29
content:
<p>
Fox News makes workers sign an arbitration agreement and will probably
succeed in using that to crush the <a href="http://thinkprogress.org/justice/2016/07/11/3797060/dirty-trick-fox-news-using-undercut-gretchen-carlsons-sexual-harassment-suit/">sexual harassment lawsuit against its CEO</a>.
<p>
We need to change the law so that companies can't impose arbitration
agreements on employees, contractors or customers.  At least those
that are human beings.


feed_id: 1984c3166fc9a23b9f3999efa816f044
title: Nobody reads tos agreements
uri: Nobody-reads-tos-agreements
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#21_July_2016_%28Nobody_reads_tos_agreements%29
content:
<p>
An experiment demonstrates that people will agree to nearly anything
in the terms of service of a web site they want to use.  Including
<a href="http://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2016/07/nobody-reads-tos-agreements-even-ones-that-demand-first-born-as-payment/">giving permission to show all their personal data to employers and the NSA</a>.
<p>
The terms they agreed to also involved promising their first born
child to the owners of the service -- but those few who bothered to
<em>read</em> the terms perhaps recognized that this condition would
be legally unenforceable in the US.
<p>
Alas, permission to give the data to employers and the NSA would
actually be legally valid, as far as I know.  (Not that the NSA would
hold back due to lack of permission.)
<p>
The lesson here is that the idea that "you are the owner of data about you,
and it can't be used without your permission," is the wrong approach.
We can't solve the surveillance threat that way.
<p>
We need to prohibit systems from even collecting data about users
beyond what we judge necessary for the job being done.
<p>
"Innovation" in the digital field means "clever ways of tracking,
manipulating and restricting people".  We must stop assuming that
innovation is to be promoted.


feed_id: 831c2c45e30a6b65cf5dc81952a5e354
title: Key area dispute drone numbers
uri: Key-area-dispute-drone-numbers
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#21_July_2016_%28Key_area_dispute_drone_numbers%29
content:
<p>
Marcy Wheeler reports that her own investigations of 7 drone bombings
found 57 to 71 civilians killed.  That is nearly as much as the total
that the <a href="http://www.commondreams.org/views/2016/07/13/key-area-dispute-drone-numbers-number-strikes">Obama regime says it killed</a> in over 470 drone attacks.


feed_id: 4edcb3a25e9ad338bb67bf3a045e6d13
title: Copspeak journalists
uri: Copspeak-journalists
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#21_July_2016_%28Copspeak_journalists%29
content:
<p>
When thugs shoot and kill people, mainstream journalists use
"<a href="http://www.commondreams.org/views/2016/07/13/copspeak-seven-ways-journalists-use-police-jargon-obscure-truth">copspeak</a>" in their articles to slant them to favor the thugs.


feed_id: d5f14b319bc4a13e138326df92f46d9e
title: Trumps striking workers
uri: Trumps-striking-workers
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#21_July_2016_%28Trumps_striking_workers%29
content:
<p>
Workers on strike against Trump's casino held a <a href="http://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2016/07/13/trump-taj-mahal-strikers-protest-icahns-manhattan-office-union-members-and">protest at his office</a> in New York.


feed_id: 8874e0a13a9fece7d90414be75718025
title: Wolf whistling hate crime
uri: Wolf-whistling-hate-crime
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#21_July_2016_%28Wolf_whistling_hate_crime%29
content:
<p>
A thug department in the UK says it will note down wolf-whistling as a
"<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2016/jul/14/wolf-whistling-hate-crime-misogyny-nottinghamshire-police">hate crime</a>", but we shouldn't worry because people won't be prosecuted.
<p>
Most of these unpleasant things, I myself would never do.  But the
idea that it is wrong to take occasional photos on the street of
people you don't know seems very dangerous.  Does that include thugs?
<p>
Now, taking the photo and identifying the person's face starts to be
menacing.


feed_id: 1fb69f352461e392455a9fc10de4b67b
title: The asteroid that killed the dinosaurs
uri: The-asteroid-that-killed-the-dinosaurs
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#21_July_2016_%28The_asteroid_that_killed_the_dinosaurs%29

content:
<p>
The asteroid that killed the dinosaurs might have burned a large amount of
oil, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/science/2016/jul/14/asteroid-killed-dinosaurs-by-setting-oil-alight-and-spreading-soot-says-study">covering Earth with soot</a>.


feed_id: 00562d40bfd1b81d02c9594f7bf201de
title: Boko Haram prevented normal agriculture
uri: Boko-Haram-prevented-normal-agriculture
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#21_July_2016_%28Boko_Haram_prevented_normal_agriculture%29

content:
<p>
Boko Haram <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/jul/14/un-accused-of-failing-as-nigerian-food-crisis-threatens-hundreds-of-thousands">prevented normal agriculture</a> in a substantial region which now faces famine.


feed_id: 1bdd56728b59680c6bacb5ce7e6bb18a
title: Pokémon Go and religion
uri: Pokémon-Go-and-religion
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#21_July_2016_%28Pokemon_Go_and_religion%29
content:
<p>
Comparing Pokémon Go with 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2016/jul/12/pokemon-go-addictive-game-shares-much-with-religious-devotion">religion</a>.
<p>
As well as the commonalities listed in the article, being used to lead
people to spend money is a point in common.


feed_id: 7e77a5d166416a95cf0af24d9d422e1e
title: Surviving a police stop
uri: Surviving-a-police-stop
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#21_July_2016_%28Surviving_a_police_stop%29
content:
<p>
"I was a cop — 
<a href='https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2016/jul/11/i-was-a-cop-dont-know-how-survive-police-stop'>I
still don't know how to survive a police stop</a>".  Whatever you
might do could be the reason you get killed.
<p>
He also criticizes the way thugs think of themselves as a gang, and
the way thugs think of themselves as above most people.  Perhaps he
was one of the few 
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2015-jan-apr.html#04_April_2015_(US_thugs)">police
officers</a>, not a thug.


feed_id: 002afcae235b703017b793bef669a724
title: IWW trying to unionize prisoners
uri: IWW-trying-to-unionize-prisoners
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#21_July_2016_%28IWW_trying_to_unionize_prisoners%29
content:
<p>
The IWW is taking a visionary step by 
<a href="http://www.commondreams.org/views/2016/07/11/next-step-organized-labor-people-prison">trying
to unionize prisoners as the workers that they are</a>.


feed_id: 09150661df7e25264c92747bc37b563e
title: Floods in China
uri: Floods-in-China
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#21_July_2016_%28Floods_in_China%29
content:
<p>
Floods have made over a million people in China homeless, but
China 
<a href="https://globalvoices.org/2016/07/11/chinese-censors-are-making-sure-social-media-only-shows-positive-flooding-news/">demands
that all news about this be positive in tone</a>.  No criticizing the
inadequate response!


feed_id: 4f636c3613922f23772b15fa3709f479
title: The Tienanmen Square museum
uri: The-Tienanmen-Square-museum
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#21_July_2016_%28The_Tienanmen_Square_museum%29
content:
<p>
The Tienanmen Square museum in Hong Kong is 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/jul/12/hong-kong-museum-commemorating-tiananmen-square-protests-closes">being
shut</a> as a result of pressure from its landlord, which has harassed
visitors too.
<p>
There are office buildings in Cambridge and Boston that demand
visitors identify themselves.  Mostly I refuse to go into them.
Sometimes I pressure a tenant to let me in without that.


feed_id: c9a0accecee6f871c93fb2f9f45400c4
title: Cheap fake rhino horn
uri: Cheap-fake-rhino-horn
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#21_July_2016_%28Cheap_fake_rhino_horn%29
content:
<p>
A plan to make cheap fake rhino horn that is 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2015/may/24/artificial-3d-printed-fake-rhino-horn-poaching">hard
to distinguish from the real thing</a>.


feed_id: d57d2452e29fcedc485983ca74afd36a
title: Defectors from PISSI
uri: 2016-07-23-Defectors-from-PISSI
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#21_July_2016_%28Defectors_from_PISSI%29
content:
<p>
Defectors from PISSI say they were 
<a href="https://theintercept.com/2016/07/11/islamic-state-defectors-hold-key-to-countering-groups-recruitment/">horrified
by its brutality</a>.  This includes murder and enslavement of
families of people that work for groups PISSI fights against.


feed_id: ab2014899997cc9aaf4b90bc6a8a514d
title: Sexism
uri: 2016-07-23-Sexism
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#21_July_2016_%28Sexism%29
content:
<p>
The 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2016/jul/11/andrea-leadsoms-motherhood-insult-parenting-myth-theresa-may">tendency
to think less of women without children</a> is a reflection of a
deeper sexism.


feed_id: eb4037be030d647047d32234df9facb4
title: Democratic Party platform draft
uri: Democratic-Party-platform-draft
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#21_July_2016_%28Democratic_Party_platform_draft%29
content:
<p>
The Democratic Party platform draft 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2016/jul/11/hillary-clinton-clinton-climate-change-democratic-platform">endorses
a carbon tax</a>, but Clinton opposes it.


feed_id: 31bda74cbbcc40d60c5b271a05113444
title: Unconscious racism
uri: Unconscious-racism
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#21_July_2016_%28Unconscious_racism%29
content:
<p>
A narrow study reports that blacks in Houston are no more likely than
whites to be shot by thugs — but the study is based on biased
data, because it accepts the 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/news/reality-check/2016/jul/11/study-finds-no-racial-bias-police-shootings-data">judgment
of the thugs themselves about how threatening each person was</a>.
<p>
Due to unconscious racism, thugs systematically 
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2014-sep-dec.html#11_December_2014_(Why_thugs_shoot_young_black_men)">tend
to see a black as more threatening than a white</a>, all else being
equal.


feed_id: 26ffee603c5b6fec15132720716fdec8
title: Candidates and climate catastrophe
uri: Candidates-and-climate-catastrophe
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#21_July_2016_%28Candidates_and_climate_catastrophe%29

content:
<p>
President Trump Would Be a 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2016/jul/11/president-trump-would-be-a-climate-catastrophe">Climate
Catastrophe</a>.  Sad to say, Clinton would not be much better.  She
doesn't treat the issue with the urgency it requires.


feed_id: 107767bd12ac8431f9c9f5619be1862c
title: Thumb-sucking and allergies
uri: Thumb-sucking-and-allergies
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#21_July_2016_%28Thumb-sucking_and_allergies%29
content:
<p>
Thumb-sucking children are 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/society/2016/jul/11/bad-habits-in-children-can-encourage-good-health-later-say-researchers">less
likely to have allergies when older</a>, perhaps because their immune
systems encounter various antigens and are primed to deal with them
sensibly.
<p>
If that theory is true, antibacterial soaps may be bad for children.


feed_id: 0fd38cfd2b3a0ac48df145a3830b93bc
title: New English PM gung ho for war on drugs
uri: New-English-PM-gung-ho-for-war-on-drugs
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#21_July_2016_%28New_English_PM_gung_ho_for_war_on_drugs%29

content:
<p>
The new prime minister of England is gung ho for war on drugs, and 
on people who use them.  She 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/science/2015/dec/13/vaughan-bell-legal-highs-psychoactive-drugs-bill">legislated
a blanket prohibition</a> that depends on scientifically undecidable
conditions.


feed_id: 3fa1d54b4f3603d898a553ca3c58ba61
title: Black Lives Matter protests
uri: 2016-07-23-Black-Lives-Matter-protests
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#21_July_2016_%28Black_Lives_Matter_protests%29
content:
<p>
Black Lives Matter protests continue, but thugs have 
<a href="http://www.commondreams.org/news/2016/07/10/demonstrations-against-police-violence-occupy-streets-us-and-uk">arrested
many protesters</a>.
<p>
The thugs were violent, almost rioting, although the protesters were
<a href="https://theintercept.com/2016/07/11/images-militarized-police-baton-rouge-draw-global-attention/">peaceful
and disciplined</a>.  This demonstrates that the violence of thugs is
far more extensive than the killings.
<p>
Thug officials claimed that protesters provoked these arrests —
by chanting slogans that criticized thugs.  This shows how
fundamentally wrong their basic attitude is.
<p>
The Dallas thug chief 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2016/jul/11/dallas-police-protests-baton-rouge-atlanta">criticized
the US for asking thugs to make up for a lack of other social
services</a>, including mental health care, drug treatment, and
support for single mothers.
<p>
I agree.  The US should tax the rich more and start funding the right
ways to handle those problems.
<p>
After Dallas, Black Lives Matter Is 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2016/jul/11/dallas-black-lives-matter-protests">More
Important Than Ever</a>.


feed_id: 51d689c4e572dca47d0e5067010905b4
title: Clinton fails to oppose the TPP
uri: Clinton-fails-to-oppose-the-TPP
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#21_July_2016_%28Clinton_fails_to_oppose_the_TPP%29
content:
<p>
Sanders supporters succeeded in pushing some progressive clauses into
the Democratic platform, but Clinton's supporters 
<a href="http://www.commondreams.org/news/2016/07/09/we-have-just-written-half-gop-platform-progressives-dismayed-dem-party-platform">defeated
us on some crucial issues</a> including the 
<a href="http://www.commondreams.org/news/2016/07/09/anti-tpp-amendment-fails-heated-dem-platform-meeting">TPP</a>.
<p>
I think Clinton wants the TPP to be approved during the lame duck
session.  This way, she will get the TPP (which I believe she still
supports although she reluctantly agreed to oppose it), and she will
have a chance to pretend it wasn't her doing.
<p>
But we will all know she helped make it happen, both before as
Secretary of State, and now by failing to oppose it with any vigor.


feed_id: d24a30a819cad2f51fc9bea28d5e23ce
title: Human rights lawyer Zhao Wei
uri: Human-rights-lawyer-Zhao-Wei
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#21_July_2016_%28Human_rights_lawyer_Zhao_Wei%29
content:
<p>
China 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/jul/11/husband-of-chinese-law-graduate-zhao-wei-questions-whether-she-has-been-set">says
it has freed human rights lawyer Zhao Wei</a>, but her husband can't
contact her and doubts the claim.


feed_id: 04a56678187f2db6f9b9a989e2597f03
title: US approach to safety
uri: US-approach-to-safety
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#20_July_2016_%28US_approach_to_safety%29
content:
<p>
The US has an 
<a href="http://www.freerangekids.com/never-eat-cookie-dough-again-unless-you-want-to-die-an-agonizing-death-says-the-fda/">inconsistent
approach to safety</a>.  On some issues, even the slightest identified
danger must be corrected, even if that requires tremendous expense or
imposes tremendous trouble.
<p>
Meanwhile, bigger dangers, such as 
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#4_June_2016_(US_cities_cheated_in_lead_tests)">lead
in children's water supply</a>, are completely ignored.


feed_id: 79d0de68584b030dcb3737ba27a7a897
title: People killed by US thugs in 2015
uri: People-killed-by-US-thugs-in-2015
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#20_July_2016_%28People_killed_by_US_thugs_in_2015%29

content:
<p>
US thugs killed 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2015/dec/31/the-counted-police-killings-2015-young-black-men">1134
people</a> in 2015.  Young black men were 5 times more likely to be
killed by thugs than young white men.
<p>
I am sure some of those killings were done for valid reasons, but we
know 
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2015-mar-jun.html#14_June_2015_(Thugs)">racism
is part of the cause</a>.


feed_id: cd2687426f09fdd3517539077cad031c
title: CETA business-supremacy treaty
uri: CETA-business-supremacy-treaty
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#20_July_2016_%28CETA_business-supremacy_treaty%29
content:
<p>
Ceding to public pressure, the European Commission said it 
<a href="http://www.commondreams.org/news/2016/07/05/growing-opposition-forces-eu-humiliating-climbdown-ceta">would
not try to impose CETA on the EU</a> without getting the approval of
national and regional parliaments.
<p>
This is a great victory because now it may be possible to kill CETA.
CETA is a business-supremacy treaty; its purpose is to 
<a href="https://stallman.org/business-supremacy-treaties.html">give
(foreign) businesses more power over every country involved</a>.  It
therefore represents a betrayal of each and all of the countries that
sign it.


feed_id: 6b5dc9d7791555fb8d2eeba8b3998d1b
title: South China Sea
uri: South-China-Sea
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#20_July_2016_%28South_China_Sea%29
content:
<p>
The dispute about 
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#20_July_2016_(Philippines_wins_south_china_sea_case)">dividing
up the South China Sea</a> might be resolved by first asking all the
countries involved to agree not to extract any oil from those waters.
<p>
This agreement is necessary anyway, to reduce global heating.  Once it
is made, all the countries will have less interest in how the
frontiers are drawn, and they might be able to resolve that dispute.


feed_id: 5a17a8fb2703d81c42a2f13b0dfd50ea
title: Indian soldiers kill protesters in Kashmir
uri: Indian-soldiers-kill-protesters-in-Kashmir
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#20_July_2016_%28Indian_soldiers_kill_protesters_in_Kashmir%29

content:
<p>
Indian soldiers have 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/jul/10/kashmir-death-toll-rises-as-protesters-defy-curfew">killed
protesters in Kashmir who demand independence for Kashmir</a>.
<p>
India promised Kashmir a referendum about being part of India, and
then 
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2012-nov-feb.html#19_February_2013_(Kashmir_on_total_lockdown)">never
allowed the referendum to be held</a>.


feed_id: 85e9c0f64cd9ee8c9fee1928bddf9ca2
title: Namibia's drought is crushing
uri: 2016-07-23-Namibia-s-drought-is-crushing
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#20_July_2016_%28Namibia%27s_drought_is_crushing%29
content:
<p>
Namibia's drought is crushing &mdash 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/sustainable-business/2016/jul/13/namibia-drought-coca-cola-meat-construction-industry-water-crisis-climate-change">exports and businesses are shutting down</a>.


feed_id: 1668e618d2882b7c37edc7f1722ee1e9
title: How Globalization Divides Us
uri: 2016-07-23-How-Globalization-Divides-Us
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#20_July_2016_%28How_Globalization_Divides_Us%29
content:
<p>
"How Globalization Divides Us" — 
and how that relates to 
<a href="http://www.commondreams.org/views/2016/07/12/how-globalization-divides-us-perspectives-brexit-dual-citizen">whether the UK should leave the EU</a>.
<p>
I find I agree with almost all of this article.


feed_id: 9528ab991ff390f79e6bbb07601d9a77
title: Pokemon go privacy concerns
uri: 2016-07-23-Pokemon-go-privacy-concerns
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#20_July_2016_%28Pokemon_go_privacy_concerns%29
content:
<p>
Setting aside the error that made Pokémon Go demand full access
to the user's Google account,
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2016/jul/12/al-franken-pokemon-go-privacy-concerns">the
program does a lot of surveillance and sends the data to various
companies</a>.


feed_id: 2baec8cc128d26576946640f41355ebc
title: Leaked TTIP energy proposal
uri: 2016-07-23-Leaked-TTIP-energy-proposal
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#18_July_2016_%28Leaked_TTIP_energy_proposal%29
content:
<p>
Members of the European Parliament say the TTIP (known through a
leaked draft) could "<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2016/jul/11/leaked-ttip-energy-proposal-could-sabotage-eu-climate-policy">sabotage</a>" the EU's climate policy.
<p>
This is no surprise — I expect that fossil fuel companies were
consulted in drafting it, while environmentalists were not.


feed_id: a6ab9259475aaa78871f2bfab3bce61a
title: Robots that eliminate jobs
uri: Robots-that-eliminate-jobs
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#23_July_2016_%28Robots_that_eliminate_jobs%29
content:
<p>
Robots for making shoes and clothing could eliminate
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/sustainable-business/2016/jul/16/robot-factories-threaten-jobs-millions-garment-workers-south-east-asia-women">9
million jobs in Southeast Asia</a>, pushing whole regions into
poverty.
<p>
Companies first moved these jobs from the US and Europe to poor
countries where they could pay workers very little, and now will
eliminate the jobs entirely.
<p>
In the past, advancing technology created new jobs while eliminating
other jobs.  The net result was to pay workers more.  No longer:
technology is eliminating so many jobs that there cannot be a real
replacement.
<p>
A socialist world government could solve the problem by reducing
working hours so that more people would be employed, and by taxing the
rich people that own the robot factories.  However, today's
plutocratist governments will serve those owners instead of the
unemployed poor.


feed_id: 94e8a44e85d5e8987eb920abbba12f3e
title: Sonar that can injure marine mammals
uri: Sonar-that-can-injure-marine-mammals
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#23_July_2016_%28Sonar_that_can_injure_marine_mammals%29

content:
<p>
An appeals court ruled that the US Navy must avoid using
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2016/jul/16/us-navy-banned-from-using-sonar-that-harms-dolphins-and-walruses">sonar
that can injure marine mammals' hearing</a>.


feed_id: f03afaab80011433dac59735c8b2a3d5
title: Attempted coup against Erdo&gbreve;an's gov't
uri: Attempted-coup-against-Erdo-gbreve-an-s-gov-t
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#23_July_2016_%28Attempted_coup_against_Erdogans_govt%29

content:
<p>
A
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/jul/15/turkey-coup-destabilize-nato-ally-terrorism">part
of the Turkish armed forces</a> attempted a coup against President
Erdo&gbreve;an's government.
<p>
Reportedly some of the military units involved in the coup
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/jul/16/turkey-coup-attempt-president-declares-his-government-remains-in-charge">fired
tank shells at civilian protesters</a>, with many deaths.
<p>
A military government would be tyranny.  The Erdo&gbreve;an regime is
tyranny.  Which one would be worse is a question I am unable to judge.
However,
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/jul/16/defiant-turks-chased-coup-plotters-bosphorous-bridge-">the
secular opposition seems to have decided that the military coup would
be worse</a>.


feed_id: bf926beb36e4c5a52788a30adacd26eb
title: Labour Party imposes heavy fee for voting
uri: Labour-Party-imposes-heavy-fee-for-voting
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#23_July_2016_%28Labour_Party_imposes_heavy_fee_for_voting%29

content:
<p>
The Labour Party has imposed a
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2016/jul/15/john-mcdonnell-voting-restrictions-labour-leadership-contest-jeremy-corbyn">heavy
fee for voting in the coming leadership election</a>.  I suppose this
is to exclude the rabble, so that the decision will be made by the
well-to-do members of the party.


feed_id: 6a1657d356bf50b344d6ed3a45e108af
title: Puerto Rico's loans
uri: Puerto-Rico-s-loans
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#23_July_2016_%28Puerto_Ricos_loans%29
content:
<p>
Some of Puerto Rico's loans, which were the occasion for a
Greece-style destructive "rescue", were usurious — Puerto Rico
borrowed 4 billion dollars from the big banks, and will have to pay
<a href="http://www.democracynow.org/2016/7/15/puerto_ricos_payday_loans_nearly_islands">33
billion dollars in interest</a>.
<p>
A bankruptcy, to drop those loans, would be justice for the banksters
as well as justice for Puerto Rico.


feed_id: 5e6e8ccbe755fc0ef19a7c6152125e2b
title: Salafi Arabia and the Sep 11 hijacking
uri: Salafi-Arabia-and-the-Sep-11-hijacking
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#23_July_2016_%28Salafi_Arabia_and_the_Sep_11_hijacking%29

content:
<p>
The Salafi Arabian ambassador to the US, in 2001,
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2016/jul/16/911-report-release-saudi-arabia-us-relations">gave
lots of money to a man who arranged the US visit of some of the
September 2001 hijackers</a>, and may have given the money to them.
He got additional money by way of his wife and the ambassador's wife.


feed_id: 79b46406c7a6bcf79a620c02ab889fc6
title: Bills to rein in unjust thug practices
uri: Bills-to-rein-in-unjust-thug-practices
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#23_July_2016_%28Bills_to_rein_in_unjust_thug_practices%29

content:
<p>
<a href="http://www.commondreams.org/views/2016/07/15/congress-enjoy-your-recess-here-are-six-police-reform-bills-you-must-pass-september">Six
bills</a>, endorsed by the ACLU, to rein in the unjust practices of US
thugs.


feed_id: 6ea0db032acf33ef5a3943c374121e2c
title: Urgent: Defend the US constitution
uri: Urgent-Defend-the-US-constitution
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#23_July_2016_%28Urgent%3A_Defend_the_US_constitution%29

content:
<p>
US citizens:
<a href="https://action.aclu.org/secure/keepitconstitutional">Sign up
to help the ACLU</a> defend the US constitution from Trump if he wins.
<p>
Here's more about the
<a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/a-president-trump-would-threaten-our-constitutional-freedoms/2016/07/13/42b41048-4876-11e6-bdb9-701687974517_story.html">constitutional
rights</a> the ACLU would fight to defend.


feed_id: e113384e2ef0449d502797dbbd926977
title: Scientology seeks captive converts via google maps
uri: 2016-07-24-Scientology-seeks-captive-converts-via-google-maps
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#22_July_2016_%28Scientology_seeks_captive_converts_via_google_maps%29

content:
<p>
Businesses that provide services people want in a hurry can get
themselves to the top ranking in local Google Maps searches, just by
<a href="http://krebsonsecurity.com/2016/06/scientology-seeks-captive-converts-via-google-maps-drug-rehab-centers/">paying
for fake reviews saying they are great</a>.  Sometimes the companies
listed are entirely fake, and people who call get passed along to some
other company for the service; that company may intentionally skimp
and do a bad job.
<p>
One positive side effect of my refusal to run nonfree software is that
I'm totally safe from this.  Google Maps requires the visitor to 
<a href="http://gnu.org/philosophy/javascript-trap.html">run
nonfree Javascript code</a>, so it simply does not work for me.


feed_id: c43c4a30e9cdbf06bfdc6955087087bf
title: Nice attack leaves 84 dead
uri: 2016-07-24-Nice-attack-leaves-84-dead
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#22_July_2016_%28Nice_attack_leaves_84_dead%29
content:
<p>
A truck driver <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/jul/15/nice-attack-leaves-84-dead-and-france-in-shock">killed 84 people in France by driving through a crowd</a>celebrating the birth of the French Republic.  It isn't certain
why he did this, but Islamist terrorism seems plausible.
<p>
Judged as a crime, this one was heinous.  Considered as a cause of
death, it remains minor.  For comparison's sake, cars and trucks kill
around 275 people in France each month through accidents.
<p>
People of France, don't panic!  You don't away your freedom because of
road accidents, so please don't throw it away because of this.
<p>
Opposition politicians are criticizing President Hollande for <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/jul/15/francois-hollande-faces-political-backlash-nice-attack">failing to do the impossible</a>.
<p>
He is <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2016/jul/15/nice-terror-attack-truck">responding to this idiotic criticism</a> by saying he will try harder
to do the impossible -- stepping up harmful, misguided "security" measures.
<p>
France can't stop individual suicide attacks <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2016/jul/15/attack-on-nice-france-defeat-jihadis-true-to-its-values-security-forces">through snooping,
intimidation and persecution of Muslims</a>.  But it can discourage them,
with a united society that condemns these killers as the enemy of
everyone.


feed_id: 58e2f1d0d1fa4490b68f438772dbfca4
title: Urgent: Ban tar sands oil export
uri: Urgent-Ban-tar-sands-oil-export
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#25_July_2016_%28Urgent%3A_Ban_tar_sands_oil_export%29

content:
<p>
US citizens: 
<a href="https://secure.nrdconline.org/site/Advocacy?cmd=display&page=UserAction&id=4040">call
for a ban</a> on tar sands oil export.


feed_id: d3026a6ff8a706e43808506cfda408b4
title: Urgent: Veto the DARK Act
uri: Urgent-Veto-the-DARK-Act
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#25_July_2016_%28Urgent%3A_Veto_the_DARK_Act%29
content:
<p>
US citizens: 
<a href="https://secure.foodandwaterwatch.org/site/Advocacy?pagename=homepage&page=UserAction&id=2557">call
on Obama</a> to veto the DARK Act.


feed_id: 2671d33bf0f6ee208b71f0c77f191e30
title: PISSI's claims
uri: PISSI-s-claims
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#25_July_2016_%28PISSIs_claims%29
content:
<p>
PISSI 
<a href="https://theintercept.com/2016/07/15/after-nice-dont-give-isis-what-its-asking-for/">claims
responsibility for massacres, even committed by people it has no
contact with</a>, in order to provoke a bigoted backlash that will
serve its purpose.


feed_id: f5dc1bd43d6f666eabb91138dbd3361e
title: Human rights of all Americans
uri: Human-rights-of-all-Americans
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#25_July_2016_%28Human_rights_of_all_Americans%29
content:
<p>
Newt Gingrich: 
<a href="https://www.techdirt.com/articles/20160715/07492134980/newt-gingrich-merely-visiting-isis-al-qaeda-website-should-be-felony.shtml">Merely
Visiting An ISIS Or Al Qaeda Website Should Be A Felony</a>.  He also
wants to deport anyone "of Muslim background" who "believes in
Shari'a".  Together, these two policies would attack the human rights
of all Americans.
<p>
Islamic law (Shari'a) denies basic human rights; it is as odious as
the former US "Jim Crow" laws that denied equal rights to blacks, and
the ban on abortions that many religious fanatics seek to impose.
However, freedom of speech calls on us to respect people's right to
advocate policies we disapprove of, even those.  The first step in
showing how wrong they are is to respect human rights ourselves.
<p>
However, foreigners don't have a human right to come to live in the
US.  I therefore advocate requiring all immigrants to affirm a
commitment to human rights, as an audio/video recording that will be
published, as part of getting permanent residency in the US.


feed_id: 3c8861b98b9c4f80639fd438fd3bd588
title: The Space Hijackers
uri: The-Space-Hijackers
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#25_July_2016_%28The_Space_Hijackers%29
content:
<p>
The Space Hijackers, a group which did gentle funny hacks to highlight
issues of use of public space, 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/jul/16/activists-win-damages-against-police-false-imprisonment-space-hijackers">won
damages against the London thug department</a> which had arrested them
for wearing fanciful unrealistic thug uniforms for comedic purposes.


feed_id: 9c6db47eeb1d7ee1fb9b26df316f20ac
title: Without Sanders as candidate
uri: Without-Sanders-as-candidate
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#25_July_2016_%28Without_Sanders_as_candidate%29
content:
<p>
Sanders has 
<a href="http://www.commondreams.org/news/2016/07/15/our-revolution-whats-next-bernie-sanders-horizon">plans
for how to continue</a> the campaign for a political revolution
(restoring democracy) without him as a candidate for president.


feed_id: 05e253a8681aff68929d96ef6f44143e
title: Microsoft's acquisition of LinkedIn
uri: Microsoft-s-acquisition-of-LinkedIn
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#24_July_2016_%28Microsofts_acquisition_of_LinkedIn%29

content:
<p>
The
<a href="https://techcrunch.com/2016/07/16/the-email-data-and-privacy-implications-of-microsofts-acquisition-of-linkedin/">Email,
Data And Privacy Implications</a> of Microsoft's Acquisition of
LinkedIn.
<p>
I suspect LinkedIn requires running nonfree Javascript code, or a
nonfree app, which can do nasty things such as upload he user's entire
contact list so as to add to the data.


feed_id: c8ea96daec92c027b560bb277fd0a791
title: Carotene-producing rice
uri: Carotene-producing-rice
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#24_July_2016_%28Carotene-producing_rice%29
content:
<p>
A recent letter in support of carotene-producing rice was
<a href="http://www.commondreams.org/views/2016/07/16/avoid-miracle-rice-just-eat-carrot">signed
by Nobel laureates who were dead at the time</a>.  The GMO campaigners
that organized the letter apparently did not ask the "signatories" to
read the letter.
<p>
Dr Shiva also reports that the problem this rice would solve arises
from the agricultural practice of large farms producing monocultures.
You can get the same carotene from eating one carrot, one mango, or a
little spinach.
<p>
It's possible that some poor people with very limited diets might
nonetheless benefit from carotene-producing rice.  Perhaps millions of
such people exist.  I am not convinced it is impossible for that rice
to do some good, assuming it becomes widely grown.
<p>
That might have an agricultural downside, though.  Perhaps your local
non-GMO strain is better adapted for your soil and climate, and you'd
have to sacrifice that benefit to switch to carotene-producing rice.
<p>
I still refuse to oppose all GMOs in a blanket manner.  Some GMO might
be very beneficial.  Gene drives to eliminate diseases might be
tremendously beneficial, supposing they are safe.  But we can't trust
a business-corrupted academia to evaluate whether they are safe.


feed_id: 0c912ecd6270fcb3412b45f50fd77e7e
title: Trump's running mate
uri: Trump-s-running-mate
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#24_July_2016_%28Trumps_running_mate%29
content:
<p>
Pence, Trump's running mate, has persistently minimized the danger of
tobacco and
<a href="http://thinkprogress.org/politics/2016/07/14/3798417/mike-pence-tobacco-money/">opposed
efforts to discourage use of tobacco</a>.  One might speculate that he
did so in exchange for campaign funds.


feed_id: 681170d39cbea0b5b6ce4c7df3db3fd8
title: Ideology from US business schools
uri: Ideology-from-US-business-schools
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#24_July_2016_%28Ideology_from_US_business_schools%29

content:
<p>
US business schools inculcate the ideology of
"<a href='http://www.alternet.org/economy/how-business-school-driving-force-americas-increasingly-unequal-society'>extracting
resources from workers, taxpayers and the real economy</a>."


feed_id: d5d5d724572942d074ab76a24d32cd17
title: Fossil fuel power plants
uri: Fossil-fuel-power-plants
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#24_July_2016_%28Fossil_fuel_power_plants%29
content:
<p>
Pennsylvania's fossil fuel power plants
<a href="http://grist.org/justice/pollution-from-power-plants-in-two-states-killed-thousands-of-people-last-year/">killed
2300 people last year</a>.
<p>
Other states' power plants killed people too.


feed_id: 4096deed7b298f44a77f658c09b20ce2
title: Thugs
uri: 2016-07-26-Thugs
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#24_July_2016_%28Thugs%29
content:
<p>
Thugs made organized efforts to suppress video recordings of their
killing of Alton Sterling.  They stole the security camera system of
the store where they killed him.  They
<a href="http://www.salon.com/2016/07/15/filmers_of_alton_sterling_eric_garner_killings_say_police_harassed_detained_them/">attacked
and arrested the store owner just because he was a witness to their
crime</a>.
<p>
The man who posted a video made by another bystander was subsequently
arrested by thugs in Georgia (far away from Baton Rouge, Louisiana).
Then they tried to frame him.
<p>
That thugs from Georgia conspired to attack and frame a witness to
protect thugs from Louisiana shows how organized, unscrupulous,
dishonest and dangerous the gang of thugs is.
<p>
Prosecuting only the few who kill will not be enough to break up the
gang.  We have to prosecute thugs for lesser crimes, including
destruction of evidence and false accusations.  When hundreds of thugs
are jailed, their reign of terror may end.


feed_id: c82852f6547e37ae2977406f4696e7ef
title: Tortured confession from protest leader
uri: Tortured-confession-from-protest-leader
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#24_July_2016_%28Tortured_confession_from_protest_leader%29

content:
<p>
A Bahraini protest leader
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/jul/16/bahrain-torture-foreign-office-criticised">confessed
to planting a bomb that killed a thug</a>.  Other dissidents say he
was tortured into a false confession.


feed_id: 67b4495175f9535547e1c692c1d88719
title: Erdo&gbreve;an crushes independence of judiciary
uri: Erdo-gbreve-an-crushes-independence-of-judiciary
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#24_July_2016_%28Erdogan_crushes_independence_of_judiciary%29

content:
<p>
Erdo&gbreve;an has used the attempted military coup to
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/jul/16/erdogan-reprisals-turkey-attempted-military-coup">crush
what remains of independence of the judiciary</a>.
<p>
"Turkey was already undergoing a
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2016/jul/16/turkey-coup-army-erdogan">slow-motion
coup — by Erdo&gbreve;an</a>, not the army."


feed_id: eb3c32df852924a6fd7c798d1d0cd4de
title: Urgent: Stop victim blaming in media
uri: Urgent-Stop-victim-blaming-in-media
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#24_July_2016_%28Urgent%3A_Stop_victim_blaming_in_media%29

content:
<p>
Everyone:
<a href="http://act.colorofchange.org/sign/tell-media-outlets-stop-victim-blaming-alton-sterling-and-philando-castile/">call
on the US major media</a> to stop hunting for faults in the people who
have been killed by thugs.


feed_id: 31b45f181ab1c588ee82c518b0fae6e6
title: Urgent: Campaign finance disclosure
uri: Urgent-Campaign-finance-disclosure
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#24_July_2016_%28Urgent%3A_Campaign_finance_disclosure%29

content:
<p>
Citizens of Massachusetts:
<a href="https://secure2.convio.net/comcau/site/Advocacy?cmd=display&page=UserAction&id=1704">call
on Governor Baker to sign the campaign finance disclosure bill.


feed_id: b54df2a3c7d8d347f9563b55fe611bee
title: Clueless document about protests
uri: Clueless-document-about-protests
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#24_July_2016_%28Clueless_document_about_protests%29
content:
<p>
The FBI and other agencies privately circulated a warning about
supposed violent protests planned by anarchists at the Republican
Convention, but the leaked document is
<a href="https://theintercept.com/2016/07/16/feds-monitoring-activists-on-facebook-ahead-of-cleveland-republican-convention/">clueless
and seems to misunderstand the facts it cites</a>.


feed_id: 6cccc3bc1d458550f4724f32d474e35e
title: Volkswagen may get away with its lies
uri: Volkswagen-may-get-away-with-its-lies
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#24_July_2016_%28Volkswagen_may_get_away_with_its_lies%29

content:
<p>
UK state regulatory agencies are so
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/business/2016/jul/15/government-is-letting-vw-off-the-hook-over-emissions-scandal-say-mps">lazy
about punishing Volkswagen</a> for its lies that it may actually get
away with them.


feed_id: 9e175d615c0701c63e3669b260c040bf
title: Why Big Pharma lobbies against marijuana
uri: Why-Big-Pharma-lobbies-against-marijuana
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#24_July_2016_%28Why_Big_Pharma_lobbies_against_marijuana%29

content:
<p>
Big Pharma lobbies against legalization of medical marijuana, because
<a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/wonk/wp/2016/07/13/one-striking-chart-shows-why-pharma-companies-are-fighting-legal-marijuana/">thousands
of people, when given the choice, choose marijuana rather than
prescription opiates</a> to handle their pain.
<p>
The drug companies would rather these people buy opiates.
<p>
In other words, the easiest and kindest way to reduce addiction to
opiates is to legalize medical marijuana.  There is no need for the
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2012-nov-feb.html#19_November_2012_(War_on_Painkillers)">war
on people in pain</a>.


feed_id: 8814f598aa3530481735dded0752475d
title: Theresa May's snooper's charter
uri: Theresa-May-s-snooper-s-charter
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#24_July_2016_%28Theresa_Mays_snoopers_charter%29
content:
<p>
Theresa May's snooper's charter
<a href="https://techcrunch.com/2016/07/15/uk-surveillance-bill-includes-powers-to-limit-end-to-end-encryption/">includes
a requirement for companies to turn off end-to-end encryption</a>.


feed_id: b8540896032cda0eb0312e048b45d82c
title: Atlanta thug murders man
uri: Atlanta-thug-murders-man
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#24_July_2016_%28Atlanta_thug_murders_man%29
content:
<p>
Deravis Caine Rogers was shot dead by
<a href="http://www.dailykos.com/story/2016/07/14/1548332/-Atlanta-cop-opens-fire-on-car-kills-driver-without-even-knowing-if-it-s-the-suspect">a
thug in Atlanta who had no idea who he was shooting at</a>.


feed_id: 7f8c360be414bba844a46de8532cdd73
title: Mayor wants to expand London airport
uri: Mayor-wants-to-expand-London-airport
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#24_July_2016_%28Mayor_wants_to_expand_London_airport%29

content:
<p>
The newly elected mayor of London shows that Labour politicians can be
just as short-sighted as Tory politicians.  He
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/business/2016/jul/15/london-mayor-sadiq-khan-gatwick-bosses-new-runway-heathrow">wants
to expand a London airport</a>.  This is of no use unless air travel
continues to increase — but decarbonization calls for taxes that
will reduce the amount of air travel, making airport expansion a
wasted investment.


feed_id: 22824e34c643d723e43501cce0906750
title: Carbon emissions
uri: 2016-07-26-Carbon-emissions
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#24_July_2016_%28Carbon_emissions%29
content:
<p>
<a href="http://carbonmajors.org/">90 organizations</a> are
responsible for the majority of carbon emissions over the past 150
years.
<p>
Increasingly, people are suing them for the damage that they have done
to the victims of their pollution.


feed_id: 1d2b408a5ef9d27ec1e4053338a0ac67
title: Large Italian bank needs bailout
uri: Large-Italian-bank-needs-bailout
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#24_July_2016_%28Large_Italian_bank_needs_bailout%29
content:
<p>
A large Italian bank
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/business/2016/jul/15/eu-finance-ministers-get-tough-with-italian-bank-trying-for-third-bailout">needs
a bailout</a>, but EU rules forbid the Italian state from giving it
one.
<p>
Governments should not donate money to banks.  The state should demand
shares in the bank — lots of shares — in exchange for its
money.


feed_id: 76b676849ad172883d52e570b8ad27ee
title: T-mobile trying to bribe customers
uri: T-mobile-trying-to-bribe-customers
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#24_July_2016_%28T-mobile_trying_to_bribe_customers%29

content:
<p>
T-mobile is
<a href="http://www.mediapost.com/publications/article/280335/t-mobile-exempts-pokemon-go-from-data-caps.html">trying
to bribe its customers to give up on network neutrality</a> by making
a special exception to data limits for the Pokemon Go game.
<p>
Since the data limits exist only for adjusting what they charge, there
is no difference between "We will charge less for B" and "We will
charge more for A and C."


feed_id: 74f268f89ddb644d3021483494c0417f
title: Foia requests
uri: Foia-requests
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#24_July_2016_%28Foia_requests%29
content:
<p>
A judge ruled that the US Department of Justice
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/politics/2016/jul/16/justice-department-freedom-of-information-computer-system">"uses
aged computer system to frustrate Foia requests."</a>


feed_id: 5573e43723cba9317f0e7edeb2215ff2
title: Treatment of women as property
uri: Treatment-of-women-as-property
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#24_July_2016_%28Treatment_of_women_as_property%29
content:
<p>
A Pakistani star whose videos outraged religious prudes refused a
demand from her brother to stop making them.  So he
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/jul/16/pakistani-star-qandeel-baloch-allegedly-killed-by-brother">murdered
her</a>.
<p>
The patriarchal treatment of women as property of their families was
found in many societies.  Look up Verginia in Wikipedia for an ancient
Roman example — but you don't see many of these "honor" killings
in Rome nowadays.  Most societies have reformed and at least partly
shed their patriarchal past.
<p>
We should demand that Pakistanis and Pakistani expats condemn this
practice firmly enough to make their compatriots feel ashamed of it.


feed_id: 1544127392683fd3afa644f8d6b51b3a
title: Obama says black lives matter
uri: Obama-says-black-lives-matter
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#24_July_2016_%28Obama_says_black_lives_matter%29
content:
<p>
"Obama says Black Lives Matter.  But he
<a href='https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2016/jul/16/obama-black-lives-matter-doesnt-ensure-they-do'>doesn't
ensure they do</a>."


feed_id: 9a53872bc47a98d3fa0e3b9ec0a0470e
title: Urgent: Respect for reporters' rights
uri: Urgent-Respect-for-reporters-rights
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#27_July_2016_%28Urgent%3A_Respect_for_reporters_rights%29

content:
<p>
US citizens: 
<a href="http://act.freepress.net/sign/journ_press_freedom_rnc_dnc/">call
on presidential candidates</a> to pledge to respect the rights of
reporters at the party conventions.


feed_id: 47b8dd7fb0209dfed92f0be72b607099
title: Urgent: Union of Concerned Scientists
uri: Urgent-Union-of-Concerned-Scientists
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#27_July_2016_%28Urgent%3A_Union_of_Concerned_Scientists%29

content:
<p>
US citizens: 
<a href="http://act.350.org/sign/tell-house-committee-exxonknew/">stand
with the Union of Concerned Scientists</a> against harassment by
Congressional Republicans.


feed_id: f5b0b93befea100d883b9bb86ec63295
title: Urgent: Early voting funding
uri: Urgent-Early-voting-funding
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#27_July_2016_%28Urgent%3A_Early_voting_funding%29
content:
<p>
Massachusetts citizens: 
<a href="https://secure2.convio.net/comcau/site/Advocacy?cmd=display&page=UserAction&id=1708">call
on legislature</a> to protect early voting funding from the governor's
cuts.


feed_id: 7fb5a4ee136e91bf3ca12728dbb9213c
title: State-subsidized professional sports
uri: State-subsidized-professional-sports
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#27_July_2016_%28State-subsidized_professional_sports%29

content:
<p>
Sheldon Adelson 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2016/jul/14/oakland-raiders-las-vegas-stadium-sheldon-adelson-public-funding">wants
Nevada taxpayers to pay</a> to move the Oakland Raiders to Las Vegas.
<p>
Teams promise the public lots of benefits from having a professional
sports team, and ask the public to pay for it.  Then the money ends up
going to insiders, and the public loses.


feed_id: 03a7275d02ce1c200dad585c329ec5f4
title: Thug body cameras
uri: 2016-07-28-Thug-body-cameras
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#27_July_2016_%28Thug_body_cameras%29
content:
<p>
A new law in North Carolina 
<a href="http://abc11.com/1422569/">restricts access to video from
thugs' body cameras</a> to the point that evidence about crimes
committed by thugs can be suppressed.


feed_id: 6b16c32c1559b817f39368a2fb076bb9
title: US nuclear weapons stored in Turkey
uri: US-nuclear-weapons-stored-in-Turkey
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#27_July_2016_%28US_nuclear_weapons_stored_in_Turkey%29

content:
<p>
The US 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2016/jul/17/turkey-coup-attempt-raises-fears-over-safety-of-us-nuclear-stockpile">stores
nuclear weapons in Turkey</a>.  It is a dangerous place to keep them
— the US should move them elsewhere.


feed_id: b1d3f82b533eb8d4c4ff03711ce36fee
title: The attempted coup in Turkey
uri: The-attempted-coup-in-Turkey
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#27_July_2016_%28The_attempted_coup_in_Turkey%29
content:
<p>
Will the attempted coup be Turkey's equivalent of the 
<a href="http://www.commondreams.org/views/2016/07/17/coup-detat-attempt-turkeys-reichstag-fire">Reichstag
fire</a>, an excuse for abolition of human rights in Turkey?
<p>
It looks that way.  Erdo&gbreve;an has gone so far as to 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/jul/17/coup-attempt-long-term-repercussions-turkey-erdogan">arrest
judges of the supreme court</a>.


feed_id: 3b5b0f9b8463b07663b01147b675db45
title: Bahrain bans Shi'a opposition group
uri: Bahrain-bans-Shi-a-opposition-group
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#27_July_2016_%28Bahrain_bans_Shia_opposition_group%29

content:
<p>
Bahrain has 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/jul/17/bahrain-al-wefaq-shia-opposition-group-sunni">banned
the main Shi'a opposition group</a>.
<p>
Some of its organizers have already been imprisoned or exiled based on
absurd accusations.
<p>
Bahrain ceased even pretending to respect human rights, but the US
keeps supporting the repression because it 
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2013-may-aug.html#18_August_2013_(Bahrainis_have_launched_a_renewed_push_for_freedom)">has
a naval base there</a>.


feed_id: 479ead6f0098e57b0bacdc2e19f8a3db
title: Baton Rouge
uri: Baton-Rouge
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#27_July_2016_%28Baton_Rouge%29
content:
<p>
In the poor, black half of Baton Rouge, you're 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2016/jul/17/alton-sterling-neighborhood-baton-rouge-louisiana-police">in
danger from criminals and from thugs</a>, and the thugs harass blacks
based on nothing but resentment.


feed_id: b2cda88c9db851bdfe07d3781f136bc0
title: Assad's forces surround Aleppo
uri: Assad-s-forces-surround-Aleppo
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#27_July_2016_%28Assads_forces_surround_Aleppo%29
content:
<p>
Assad's forces have
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/jul/17/rebels-fear-assad-victory-in-syria-as-noose-tightens-around-aleppo">surrounded
Aleppo</a>.
<p>
Based on his father's precedent in Homs, it would not be surprising if
he kills everyone who remains in Aleppo.
<p>
Many of his opponents are jihadis, and just as bad.  Lots of people
have called for the US to "do something", but there has never been a
clear something that the US could do in Syria that would result in a
good outcome.


feed_id: a45d75ea4f7bdae95d8fe90028387d35
title: Plain cigarette packaging laws
uri: Plain-cigarette-packaging-laws
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#27_July_2016_%28Plain_cigarette_packaging_laws%29
content:
<p>
A cigarette company lost its case against 
<a href="http://www.commondreams.org/views/2016/07/16/celebrating-common-sense">Uruguay's
plain packaging law</a>, which was filed in an arbitrary trade treaty
tribunal.  But this doesn't mean the next such case will be decided
the same way.


feed_id: 536e8eec4928b5b6e786e81927e76500
title: Urgent: Call for firing the thug that shot Charles Kinsey.
uri: Urgent-Call-for-firing-the-thug-that-shot-Charles-Kinsey
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#27_July_2016_%28Urgent%3A_Call_for_firing_the_thug_that_shot_Charles_Kinsey.%29

content:
<p>
Everyone: call for <a href="http://act.colorofchange.org/sign/charles-kinsey/">firing the thug that shot Charles Kinsey</a>.


feed_id: ac538773ab5139c6394b11261acf394f
title: Urgent: Re-enact the Glass Steagall law
uri: Urgent-Re-enact-the-Glass-Steagall-law
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#27_July_2016_%28Urgent%3A_Re-enact_the_Glass_Steagall_law%29

content:
<p>
US citizens: call on Republican congressional leaders to follow
the Republican platform and <a href="HTTP://act.credoaction.com/sign/Glass-Steagall_2016">re-enact the Glass Steagall law</a>.


feed_id: 74ca59e3bcadd0987894e7944bfdcf08
title: Urgent: Call on Rep. Wasserman-Schultz to oppose the TPP
uri: Urgent-Call-on-Rep-Wasserman-Schultz-to-oppose-the-TPP
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#27_July_2016_%28Urgent%3A_Call_on_Rep._Wasserman-Schultz_to_oppose_the_TPP%29

content:
<p>
US citizens: Call on <a href="http://petitions.moveon.org/sign/dwstweets-make-restitution">Rep. Wasserman-Schultz to oppose the TPP</a>.


feed_id: 185ff175e6023ffab549ce09af190574
title: Urgent: Make more jobs in the US
uri: Urgent-Make-more-jobs-in-the-US
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#27_July_2016_%28Urgent%3A_Make_more_jobs_in_the_US%29

content:
<p>
US citizens: call on all federal candidates to support a list of
<a href="http://www.epi.org/action/the-agenda-to-raise-americas-pay-2016">policies to make more jobs in the US</a>.


feed_id: e7fa69991e537b1e6bbfb2fccfbe54ec
title: Urgent: Call on Obama to veto the DARK Act
uri: Urgent-Call-on-Obama-to-veto-the-DARK-Act
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#27_July_2016_%28Urgent%3A_Call_on_Obama_to_veto_the_DARK_Act%29

content:
<p>
US citizens: call on Obama to <a href="https://petitions.whitehouse.gov//petition/veto-dark-act-s764">veto the DARK Act</a>.


feed_id: db17e8a8d05972e81bbadef3e8d10933
title: Everyone: call on Senator Baldwin to oppose cluster bombs
uri: Everyone-call-on-Senator-Baldwin-to-oppose-cluster-bombs
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#27_July_2016_%28Everyone%3A_call_on_Senator_Baldwin_to_oppose_cluster_bombs%29

content:
<p>
Everyone: call on Senator Baldwin to <a href="http://petitions.moveon.org/sign/senatorbaldwin-oppose">oppose provision of cluster bombs</a>
to Salafi Arabia.


feed_id: f9bc8b240af4d452dfbc1f3db0ac960d
title: Everyone: call on the WBNA basketball league
uri: Everyone-call-on-the-WBNA-basketball-league
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#27_July_2016_%28Everyone%3A_call_on_the_WBNA_basketball_league%29

content:
<p>
Everyone: call on the WNBA basketball league to <a href="http://act.colorofchange.org/sign/stand-wnba-players-against-police-violence/">stop punishing players
that support Black Lives Matter</a>.


feed_id: 06b31b9fb0d40003cd6f15b3c82eacd5
title: Urgent: Call on Tim Kaine to take a stand against the TPP
uri: Urgent-Call-on-Tim-Kaine-to-take-a-stand-against-the-TPP
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#27_July_2016_%28Urgent%3A_Call_on_Tim_Kaine_to_take_a_stand_against_the_TPP%29

content:
<p>
US citizens: call on Tim Kaine to keep <a href="http://petitions.moveon.org/sign/timkaine-keep-your-pledge">his pledge</a> to take a stand
against the TPP.


feed_id: c67e9c1e1d019395eed8e28cd5461947
title: Urgent: Call on DOJ to read the torture report
uri: Urgent-Call-on-DOJ-to-read-the-torture-report
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#27_July_2016_%28Urgent%3A_Call_on_DOJ_to_read_the_torture_report%29

content:
<p>
US citizens: call on the Justice Department to read the torture report,
and <a href="http://act.amnestyusa.org/ea-action/action?ea.client.id=1839&ea.campaign.id=37672">start thinking about prosecuting torturers</a>.


feed_id: 21dca919957e39b9ac6dd55b04414c93
title: Urgent: Tell Walmart to stop punishing workers
uri: Urgent-Tell-Walmart-to-stop-punishing-workers
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#27_July_2016_%28Urgent%3A_Tell_Walmart_to_stop_punishing_workers%29

content:
<p>
Everyone: <a href="http://act.credoaction.com/call/tell-walmart-stop-retaliating/">Tell Walmart to stop punishing workers</a> for political activity
for a higher minimum wage.


feed_id: 5b774f58fe21321ecce406abf5176bfb
title: Urgent: Call on DOJ to protect blacks
uri: Urgent-Call-on-DOJ-to-protect-blacks
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#27_July_2016_%28Urgent%3A_Call_on_DOJ_to_protect_blacks%29

content:
<p>
US citizens: call on the DOJ to <a href="https://salsa.wiredforchange.com/o/6405/c/10113/blastContent.jsp?email_blast_KEY=196283">investigate thug departments that
don't protect blacks</a> (as they're supposed to protect everyone).


feed_id: 2f223660ee756e424b58886168354caa
title: Volunteer
uri: 2016-07-28-Volunteer
url: https://stallman.org/index.html#volunteerListAnc
content:
<p>I am looking for people to modify Etherpad to distribute its Javascript code
	 marked clearly as free software, adding free licenses
	 marked for LibreJS to notice, and source pointers if necessary.
	 See <a href="https://github.com/ether/etherpad-lite">etherpad-lite</a>.
	 <p>
	 Please write to me if you do this job, so I can stop
	 looking for someone.</p>


feed_id: 0bfdf35326936c84e6a7ef82e388dfed
title: Urgent: Investigate FBI and DHS
uri: Urgent-Investigate-FBI-and-DHS
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#26_July_2016_%28Urgent%3A_Investigate_FBI_and_DHS%29

content:
<p>
US citizens:
<a href="http://act.credoaction.com/sign/fbi_dhs_spying/">call on the
House and Senate Judiciary committees</a> to investigate the FBI and
DHS surveillance of activists and political organizations.


feed_id: 7a5515bcb867a8249d28d2ffa9351635
title: NY police officer suing thug department
uri: NY-police-officer-suing-thug-department
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#26_July_2016_%28NY_police_officer_suing_thug_department%29

content:
<p>
New York Police Officer Michael Birch is suing the thug department
because
<a href="http://gawker.com/heres-audio-of-what-sounds-like-an-nypd-captain-pressur-1783544682">his
commander told him to target blacks for arrest</a> (racial profiling).
<p>
I think someone willing to push this hard against systemic racism
deserves the title of "police officer."  But normally I reserve it for
those who refuse to support their colleagues in telling lies to frame
someone.


feed_id: 4ced5ab73cdcaf93643a7d2e9bf4cfb9
title: Fresno thugs kill and lie
uri: Fresno-thugs-kill-and-lie
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#26_July_2016_%28Fresno_thugs_kill_and_lie%29
content:
<p>
Thugs in Fresno killed Dylan Noble, who was doing exactly what they
told him to do, and then they
<a href="http://photographyisnotacrime.com/2016/07/13/california-cops-sued-for-killing-unarmed-teenager-in-case-of-mistaken-identity/">lied
about him</a> (as usual).


feed_id: b1b4c892ffe71410c29f95970deef82d
title: Reporter arrested while covering protest
uri: Reporter-arrested-while-covering-protest
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#26_July_2016_%28Reporter_arrested_while_covering_protest%29

content:
<p>
A reporter was arrested while
<a href="http://wwno.org/post/wwno-reporter-describes-arrest-while-covering-baton-rouge-protests">covering
a protest in Baton Rouge</a>.  Apparently the thugs arrested him
because they thought he was African-American.
<p>
The charges against him were simply false, and the thugs had to know
this; however, as a famous thug said, "What is truth?"


feed_id: 14a56018e336c1a6f6a7a8117732962e
title: Black Lives Matter at coffeehouses
uri: Black-Lives-Matter-at-coffeehouses
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#26_July_2016_%28Black_Lives_Matter_at_coffeehouses%29

content:
<p>
Some coffeehouse customers
<a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/the-clever-way-starbucks-customers-are-insisting-black-lives-matter-is-heard_us_57864751e4b03fc3ee4e9fa6">give
the name "Black Lives Matter"</a>, so that the staff will have to
shout "Black Lives Matter" when their order is ready.
<p>
I don't frequent coffee shops, since I don't like coffee, but I may
try this next time I am in a place where they will tell me when my
order is ready.  I've already adopted the policy of never giving my
real name.


feed_id: c9f5e045023dd13edc6984edc45a6adf
title: Jobs in the UK
uri: Jobs-in-the-UK
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#26_July_2016_%28Jobs_in_the_UK%29
content:
<p>
An anti-Corbyn Labour MP says, vote for
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2016/jul/17/economically-and-militarily-keep-trident-nuclear-deterrent">new
nuclear missile submarines</a> for the sake of the people who will
have jobs building and running them.
<p>
Government spending on jobs is necessary now, but why not building and
running wind power systems and apartments for people to live in?


feed_id: fdbcc760d9bb31d6d108e3fc078bea4f
title: Calls for reforming the EU to make it democratic
uri: Calls-for-reforming-the-EU-to-make-it-democratic
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#29_July_2016_%28Calls_for_reforming_the_EU_to_make_it_democratic%29

content:
<p>
The German Social Democratic Party calls for reforming the European
Union to <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/jul/21/eu-future-post-brexit-germany-split-european-government">make it democratic</a>.


feed_id: 0aa23939a9aa4a8cdb06a79339844236
title: Trump's Big Lie campaign now accuses Bill Clinton of rape.
uri: Trump-s-Big-Lie-campaign-now-accuses-Bill-Clinton-of-rape
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#29_July_2016_%28Trump%27s_Big_Lie_campaign_now_accuses_Bill_Clinton_of_rape.%29

content:
<p>
Trump's Big Lie campaign now <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2016/jul/20/bill-clinton-rape-shirt-republican-convention-hillary-merch">accuses Bill Clinton of rape</a>.  The Trump supporters figure that if they say it enough times,
it will pass as truth.
<p>
What Bill Clinton did to the poor people and working people
of the US adds up to a lot more wrong than one rape.


feed_id: 1f8d8af592920576ed3c1d96ca8ecd69
title: Black Cleveland residents tell tale of two cities
uri: Black-Cleveland-residents-tell-tale-of-two-cities
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#29_July_2016_%28Black_Cleveland_residents_tell_tale_of_two_cities%29

content:
<p>
In Cleveland, <a href="https://theintercept.com/2016/07/20/black-cleveland-residents-tell-tale-of-two-cities-in-the-shadow-of-republican-convention/">security has completely vanquished protest</a>.  Most people have been intimidated into staying away from protests.
<p>
This does not augur well for democracy.


feed_id: 886fc1408a7339b9dc44979c549bad8a
title: Ban on smoking in movies
uri: Ban-on-smoking-in-movies
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#29_July_2016_%28Ban_on_smoking_in_movies%29
content:
<p>
It turns out there is <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/film/2016/jul/19/ban-on-smoking-in-movies-infringes-free-speech-says-mpaa">no proposal to prohibit movies in the US from showing smoking</a>.  Rather, the proposal is to give them adult ratings
if they do show smoking.


feed_id: a5918504cbf7101e0fe71b206fbfd6d7
title: Charles Kinsey shot by Florida Thug
uri: Charles-Kinsey-shot-by-Florida-Thug
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#29_July_2016_%28Charles_Kinsey_shot_by_Florida_Thug%29

content:
<p>
A <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2016/jul/21/florida-police-shoot-black-man-lying-down-with-arms-in-air">Florida thug shot Charles Kinsey</a> as he was lying on the ground and raising his hands in the air.  Kinsey, a therapist, was trying to convince his autistic patient to obey the thugs' orders.
<p>
Kinsey was not killed, but that is no excuse for shooting him.


feed_id: 3df7be042a760a424c68f9fe35cc3767
title: Peter Thiel says he wants to reduce democracy
uri: Peter-Thiel-says-he-wants-to-reduce-democracy
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#29_July_2016_%28Peter_Thiel_says_he_wants_to_reduce_democracy_%29

content:
<p>
Peter Thiel says he wants to reduce democracy so he can get richer and
more powerful.  <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2016/jul/21/peter-thiel-republican-convention-speech">He thinks Trump</a> is the man to do it for him.
<p>
Thiel rejects the conservative idea of "small government".  He wants a
government that does a lot to benefit the rich.


feed_id: 95aabaf6a6f0ef2eb035fcb875232242
title: Trump's Most Recent Attacks on Women
uri: Trump-s-Most-Recent-Attacks-on-Women
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#29_July_2016_%28Trump%27s_Most_Recent_Attacks_on_Women%29

content:
<p>
Donald Trump's Most Recent Attacks on Women Point to a <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2016/mar/31/donald-trump-abortion-comments-women-history-of-misogyny">History of Misogyny</a>.


feed_id: 3898478220a8aeaf546b37885d86e484
title: US-supported Syrian resistance groups intentionally kill civilians
uri: US-supported-Syrian-resistance-groups-intentionally-kill-civilians
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#29_July_2016_%28US-supported_Syrian_resistance_groups_intentionally_kill_civilians%29

content:
<p>
US-supported Syrian resistance groups <a href="
https://www.amnesty.org/en/documents/mde24/4227/2016/en/">intentionally kill civilians and
prisoners</a>, though Assad's forces do it more.
<p>
One of them <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/jul/20/syrian-opposition-group-which-killed-child-was-in-us-vetted-alliance">beheaded a captured enemy child soldier</a> in cold blood.
<p>
The prisoner was just 12 years old -- <a href="http://www.commondreams.org/news/2016/07/20/gruesome-film-shows-us-funded-syrian-rebel-group-behead-child">a child, not an adolescent</a>.  However, killing even adult prisoners is wrong.


feed_id: 6d4ae7f703aa884e39f5b8e5c92219dc
title: Hong Kong protest leader convicted
uri: Hong-Kong-protest-leader-convicted
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#29_July_2016_%28Hong_Kong_protest_leader_convicted%29

content:
<p>
A Hong Kong protest leader <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/jul/21/student-leader-joshua-wong-found-guilty-over-hong-kong-pro-democracy-protest">has been convicted</a> -- of protesting, more or less.
<p>
This is part of the Hong Kong government's increased repression of
opposition to Chinese censorship and power.


feed_id: 2b20878a77983c78dce2fe9d4aba4d68
title: Hardly any words in Action Movies
uri: Hardly-any-words-in-Action-Movies
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#29_July_2016_%28Hardly_any_words_in_Action_Movies%29

content:
<p>
Some American action movies now have <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2016/jul/21/words-jason-bourne-matt-damon-film-hollywood-dialogue">hardly any words</a> in them.
<p>
They are aimed at the Chinese audience, and China permits violence,
but not much else.


feed_id: 2c5d99d679df259846b1ee1de8102b21
title: Sections of Great Barrier Reef Suffering
uri: Sections-of-Great-Barrier-Reef-Suffering
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#29_July_2016_%28Sections_of_Great_Barrier_Reef_Suffering%29

content:
<p>
Sections of Great Barrier Reef Suffering from '<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2016/jul/21/sections-of-great-barrier-reef-suffering-from-complete-ecosystem-collapse">Complete Ecosystem Collapse</a>':
some species of fish have disappeared, and others are greatly reduced.
<p>
Bleaching of corals is continuing even though it is winter now.


feed_id: c7daa005c85d59c91e5c847648794524
title: Bill to prevent your Employer accessing your birth control schedule
uri: Bill-to-prevent-your-Employer-accessing-your-birth-control-schedule
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#29_July_2016_%28Bill_to_prevent_your_Employer_accessing_your_birth_control_schedule%29

content:
<p>
Proposed Bill Would <a href="http://www.alternet.org/labor/proposed-bill-would-prevent-your-employer-accessing-your-birth-control-schedule">Prevent Your Employer</a> From Accessing Your Birth
Control Schedule.
<p>
I support this, but why take such a tiny step?  All of a person's medical
data should be unavailable to employers.


feed_id: c34228815d52bf0fafe45f98a363d076
title: Texas has been required to change its voter ID law
uri: Texas-has-been-required-to-change-its-voter-ID-law
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#29_July_2016_%28Texas_has_been_required_to_change_its_voter_ID_law%29

content:
<p>
Texas has been required to <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2016/jul/20/texas-voter-id-law-voting-rights-act-federal-court-decision">change its voter ID law to</a> avoid discriminatory burdens on poor voters.


feed_id: 99a3c0ad2825ad4b25c31be61818949e
title: Tim Kaine angling to be Clinton's running mate
uri: Tim-Kaine-angling-to-be-Clinton-s-running-mate
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#29_July_2016_%28Tim_Kaine_angling_to_be_Clintons_running_mate%29

content:
<p>
Tim Kaine is making obeisance to Wall Street, perhaps angling to be chosen
as <a href="https://theintercept.com/2016/07/20/tim-kaine-possible-hillary-clinton-pick-for-vice-president-signals-support-to-banks/">Clinton's running mate</a>.
<p>
A vice president has little political power, and the choice of a
running mate is but a gesture.  Gestures will not be enough to raise
my opinion of Clinton.  I hope she does not choose a progressive
senator, since that would be a substantive loss for progressives.


feed_id: f21e6e83679c7116996cdf50ed503af5
title: Mohamedou Ould Slahi has been cleared for release from Guantanamo prison
uri: Mohamedou-Ould-Slahi-has-been-cleared-for-release-from-Guantanamo-pris
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#29_July_2016_%28Mohamedou_Ould_Slahi_has_been_cleared_for_release_from_Guantanamo_prison%29

content:
<p>
Mohamedou Ould Slahi has been <A href="https://theintercept.com/2016/07/20/guantanamo-diary-author-cleared-for-release-after-14-year-imprisonment/">cleared for release from Guantanamo prison</a>.
<p>
This doesn't legitimize imprisonment without trial of any of the prisoners
in Guantanamo.


feed_id: 15410d271e97f3cf5a5e0c60f2c383dc
title: Russia and its New Surveillance Laws
uri: Russia-and-its-New-Surveillance-Laws
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#29_July_2016_%28Russia_and_its_New_Surveillance_Laws%29

content:
<p>
Russia <a href="https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2016/07/russia-asks-impossible-its-new-surveillance-laws">Asks For The Impossible</a> With Its New Surveillance Laws.  Since every company has to fail to carry them out, every company
will be vulnerable to arbitrary demands for anything else.


feed_id: 014ced9bde359ac60099314cd1588d33
title: UK Childcare costs
uri: UK-Childcare-costs
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#29_July_2016_%28UK_Childcare_costs%29
content:
<p>
Due to welfare cuts, working Britons can't afford the child care they
need in <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/money/2016/jul/20/childcare-costs-denying-working-families-good-living-standard-joseph-rowntree-foundation">order to work</a>.
<p>
If enabling parents to work costs a lot of public money, maybe it
would be better to pay them to stay home with their children.


feed_id: 3606bfecd6d858633a94545a7968c0a9
title: New documents shows denial of tobacco and oil companies
uri: New-documents-shows-denial-of-tobacco-and-oil-companies
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#29_July_2016_%28New_documents_shows_denial_of_tobacco_and_oil_companies%29

content:
<p>
Tobacco companies and oil companies jointly develop the <a href="http://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2016/07/20/new-documents-reveal-denial-playbook-originated-big-oil-not-big-tobacco">system of science denialism</a>, starting in the 1950s.


feed_id: c650557b25f960e0253ef222345aad8a
title: Urgent: National monuments
uri: Urgent-National-monuments
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#28_July_2016_%28Urgent%3A_National_monuments%29
content:
<p>
US citizens: 
<a href="http://act.credoaction.com/sign/republic_cliven_bundy">call
on Congress</a> to stop trying to hinder the creation of national
monuments.


feed_id: 807e8222d023dcd602fe0391cc2eed52
title: Urgent: Let Sanders defeat Trump
uri: Urgent-Let-Sanders-defeat-Trump
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#28_July_2016_%28Urgent%3A_Let_Sanders_defeat_Trump%29

content:
<p>
US citizens: 
<a href="http://petitions.moveon.org/sign/hillary-clinton-stand-1">call
on Clinton to stand aside</a> so Sanders can defeat Trump.


feed_id: 8db9c79dc327aae8b6c19acbbaa8b713
title: Urgent: Debt relief for students
uri: Urgent-Debt-relief-for-students
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#28_July_2016_%28Urgent%3A_Debt_relief_for_students%29

content:
<p>
US citizens: 
<a href="http://act.credoaction.com/sign/student_debt_relief">support
full debt relief</a> for students of private colleges that cheated
them.


feed_id: 1b9a29a9fa7eb3b462ebdd67d6f67c2b
title: Erdo&gbreve;an's massive repression
uri: Erdo-gbreve-an-s-massive-repression
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#28_July_2016_%28Erdogans_massive_repression%29
content:
<p>
Erdo&gbreve;an's 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/jul/20/erdogan-bans-academics-from-travel-holds-first-post-coup-security-meeting-ankara-turkey">massive
repression against teachers and professors</a> in Turkey.


feed_id: dcce1dc49ec270600728f8f719a252fe
title: How Erdo&gbreve;an inspires Turks' support
uri: How-Erdo-gbreve-an-inspires-Turks-support
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#28_July_2016_%28How_Erdogan_inspires_Turks_support%29

content:
<p>
How Erdo&dbreve;an 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/jul/20/we-see-him-as-one-of-us-why-many-turks-still-back-authoritarian-erdogan">inspires
a large fraction of Turks to support him</a>.
<p>
The article omits one other method: 
<a href="https://www.stallman.org/archives/2015-jul-oct.html#17_August_2015_(Provoking_PKK)">starting
a civil war with the Kurds</a> so he can pretend to be defending the
threatened state.


feed_id: de51736e9b0af4100c87e995f7eaac11
title: New Tory government plans
uri: New-Tory-government-plans
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#28_July_2016_%28New_Tory_government_plans%29
content:
<p>
The New Tory Government Plans to 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2016/jul/20/brexiters-make-britain-countryside-like-kansas">"Grind
[the UK's] Environment Into The Dust"</a>.


feed_id: ac7a04658a2de5e4148b4b05c2578d96
title: Leaked emails from Erdo&gbreve;an's party
uri: Leaked-emails-from-Erdo-gbreve-an-s-party
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#28_July_2016_%28Leaked_emails_from_Erdogans_party%29

content:
<p>
WikiLeaks published leaked emails from Erdo&gbreve;an's party, so
Erdo&gbreve;an 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/jul/20/turkey-blocks-access-to-wikileaks-after-erdogan-party-emails-go-online">blocked
access to Wikileaks from inside Turkey</a>.
<p>
I am eager to see a summary of what was revealed by these emails.


feed_id: 8e5ddecd82b3ee5e8e54018203003488
title: Helping non-wealthy Labour Party members
uri: Helping-non-wealthy-Labour-Party-members
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#28_July_2016_%28Helping_non-wealthy_Labour_Party_members%29

content:
<p>
Corbyn's opponents in the Labour Party put a 25-pound fee on voting in
the leadership election, and has now 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2016/jul/20/labour-stops-crowd-funding-bid-to-help-supporters-pay-for-vote">threatened
to expel someone who was raising funds to help non-wealthy Labour
Party members pay this fee</a>.
<p>
Someone who is not a member could run a similar campaign.


feed_id: 92deae1f57a1961648eb9413b34cda83
title: Ideas from Sanders activists
uri: Ideas-from-Sanders-activists
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#28_July_2016_%28Ideas_from_Sanders_activists%29
content:
<p>
Activists who worked for the Sanders campaign now have other ideas for
<a href="http://www.commondreams.org/views/2016/07/20/whats-next-bernie-sanders-revolution">how
to reinstate democracy in the US</a>.


feed_id: bb76738a77a0d4a991fad47623bfb9c8
title: Facebook forcing low-income people out
uri: Facebook-forcing-low-income-people-out
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#28_July_2016_%28Facebook_forcing_low-income_people_out%29

content:
<p>
Facebook is 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2016/jul/20/facebook-headquarters-expansion-menlo-park-california-housing">forcing
low-income people out of the area around its headquarters</a>.  They
have to commute long distances to get to their jobs.
<p>
This means that refusing to be used by Facebook has a secondary
benefit for them, while also helping to 
<a href="https://stallman.org/facebook.html">protect you and your
acquaintances from massive surveillance.


feed_id: 58627f2eaccb5167009a909539e29a8d
title: Business-supremacy deals
uri: Business-supremacy-deals
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#28_July_2016_%28Business-supremacy_deals%29
content:
<p>
The US has 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2016/jul/20/us-seeking-bilateral-trade-deal-with-uk-to-press-eu-on-ttip">proposed
a separate business-supremacy deal with the UK</a>, hoping that can
pressure Europe into approving the TTIP.


feed_id: 805f81d77d852fc9e6508930045ee85e
title: The White Power Party
uri: The-White-Power-Party
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#28_July_2016_%28The_White_Power_Party%29
content:
<p>
The Republican Party has revealed itself as the 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2016/jul/20/republican-party-vehicle-white-power-trump">White
Power Party</a>.
<p>
Remember that the Republican Convention is sponsored by Google,
Facebook, Twitter and AT&T.


feed_id: 41c41b28dfce1a782a227060fdc715c3
title: Federal government spending
uri: Federal-government-spending
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#28_July_2016_%28Federal_government_spending%29
content:
<p>
Paul Ryan advocates 
<a href="http://www.commondreams.org/views/2016/07/20/paul-ryans-calls-eliminating-almost-entire-federal-government">eliminating
all federal government spending except for the military</a>.
<p>
This would take effect 35 years from now, so he could promise it
and no one will ever rebuke him for not delivering it.


feed_id: bc51a7893c3c53235f372ee846a1ca6f
title: Powerful white men's feelings
uri: Powerful-white-men-s-feelings
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#28_July_2016_%28Powerful_white_mens_feelings%29
content:
<p>
Paradoxically, powerful white men 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/science/brain-flapping/2016/jul/20/the-perils-of-being-a-powerful-white-man">often
feel they are persecuted and discriminated against</a>.


feed_id: 841a3f5b903be342b811ab6767aef698
title: Corbyn's challenger
uri: Corbyn-s-challenger
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#28_July_2016_%28Corbyns_challenger%29
content:
<p>
Corbyn's challenger for leadership of the Labour Party was 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2016/jul/20/owen-smith-i-have-never-advocated-privatisation-of-the-nhs">formerly
a lobbyist that promoted more of a role for private businesses inside
the NHS</a>.
<p>
While this is not exactly the same thing as privatizing the NHS,
it is a step in that direction.  It shows an inclination unworthy
of the Labour Party.


feed_id: 39a077b564f43f192ae8ebd0c7a09c2a
title: Expulsion from parliament for political views
uri: Expulsion-from-parliament-for-political-views
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#28_July_2016_%28Expulsion_from_parliament_for_political_views%29

content:
<p>
Israel has adopted a law permitting 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/jul/20/israeli-parliament-passes-controversial-legislation-allowing-mp-explusion">expulsion
of members of parliament for their political views</a>.
<p>
This way, Israel will be able to pretend that Arab citizens have equal
democratic rights while in practice denying them the exercise of those
rights.


feed_id: 7a13ffda005a962c57aaaaf96cb9c08f
title: Subsidized fossil fuel
uri: Subsidized-fossil-fuel
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#28_July_2016_%28Subsidized_fossil_fuel%29
content:
<p>
Why Is the World Bank 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2016/jul/20/kosovo-coal-plant-power-world-bank-investment-dirty-technology">Backing
Coal Power in Europe's Youngest Country</a>?
<p>
We're all in this planet together, and subsidizing fossil fuel use
anywhere puts the whole planet in danger.


feed_id: 86a3a6b78110961bb0fa871ab36bfdfb
title: Urgent: Derivatives and Taxpayer Protection Act
uri: Urgent-Derivatives-and-Taxpayer-Protection-Act
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#28_July_2016_%28Urgent%3A_Derivatives_and_Taxpayer_Protection_Act%29

content:
<p>
US citizens:
<a href="https://act.credoaction.com/sign/warren_warner_derivatives/">Support</a>
the Derivatives Oversight and Taxpayer Protection Act, which would
increase oversight of financial derivatives.
<p>
Financial derivatives can be designed to swindle their purchasers in a
way that is
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2015-mar-jun.html#26_May_2015_(Regulate_banksters)">hard
to spot if you aren't the bankster that designed them</a>.  Among the
victims are cities in the
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#12_March_2016_(Evictions_in_American_cities)">US</a>
as well as countries such as
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#12_November_2015_(Speed_eviction_of_families)">Greece</a>.
<p>
I think that each type of derivative should require advance approval
before it is offered for sale.


feed_id: 9177bbc132594ce60757a7dc1c61f643
title: Theresa May on poverty
uri: Theresa-May-on-poverty
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#28_July_2016_%28Theresa_May_on_poverty%29
content:
<p>
Theresa May believes poverty is a sign of a person's failure.  When
she talks about fighting poverty, maybe she means
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/global/2016/jul/19/theresa-may-no-breath-fresh-air-poverty">kicking
poor people when they're down and telling them to stand up</a>.
<p>
Or maybe the argument it is meant only for public consumption,
as an excuse for
<a href="media/62a79bb0.anuran-bevan.jpg" data-original-source="https://stallman.org/images/anuran-bevan.jpg">dooH niboR</a>.


feed_id: dc8ce45490542df1382dd8d617dfe8b8
title: Thugs are humans and can change
uri: Thugs-are-humans-and-can-change
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#28_July_2016_%28Thugs_are_humans_and_can_change%29
content:
<p>
The man who shot thugs in Baton Rouge said,
<a href="http://www.commondreams.org/news/2016/07/18/profile-baton-rouge-police-shooter-begins-emerge">"You
can't talk (or protest) the devil into changing his ways."</a>
<p>
If that is meant to be about thugs, it is erroneous.  Thugs are
humans, and humans' behavior is influenced by the humans and
institutions around them.  Thug departments are governed by laws,
their policies, and their culture.  All of those support brutality, to
a varying extent; but they can all be changed, given political will.
That's
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#21_July_2016_(Black_Lives_Matter_protests)">what
Black Lives Matter aims to achieve</a>.  Let's give it our support.
<p>
Keep in mind that the brutality we must curb is not limited to the
incidents that are fatal.
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2015-mar-jun.html#5_June_2015_(Citizens_pay_for_thug_violence)">Beating
up</a> and
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2015-jan-apr.html#24_April_2015_(Ex-thug_admits_framing_people)">framing</a>
protesters is not as bad as killing, but it is nonetheless
unacceptable.


feed_id: 3f6f68d92e162974fa9a3f4d75ba7093
title: The Paris climate agreement
uri: The-Paris-climate-agreement
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#28_July_2016_%28The_Paris_climate_agreement%29
content:
<p>
James Hansen says
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2015/dec/12/james-hansen-climate-change-paris-talks-fraud">the
Paris climate agreement is a "fraud"</a>.
<p>
Sad to say, that seems to be true.  What governments have pledged to
do is
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#28_April_2016_(Paris_climate_agreement)">too
little, too late</a>.
<p>
And we know who
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2013-nov-feb.html#21_January_2014_(Global_heating_denial_movement_entirely_from_paid_campaign)">pays
to keep it that way</a>.


feed_id: e3b5d73a8b899ed397c67023767480ab
title: Israel rebuked by EU ambassadors
uri: Israel-rebuked-by-EU-ambassadors
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#28_July_2016_%28Israel_rebuked_by_EU_ambassadors%29
content:
<p>
Ambassadors from EU countries rebuked Israel for
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/jul/18/ambassadors-protest-israel-confiscation-west-bank-bedouin-shelters">taking
shelters that those countries built for Palestinian Bedouin</a>,
calling this a violation of international humanitarian law.
<p>
Israel is trying to chase all Arabs out of that area, by refusing to
give them any building permits and
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2011-mar-jun.html#13_May_2011_(90,000_Bedouin_in_Israel)">declaring
their houses, wells and other structures "illegal"</a>.


feed_id: 32bf07b18296654102f22b2a1e2f9cbe
title: Hostility between US blacks and US thugs
uri: Hostility-between-US-blacks-and-US-thugs
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#28_July_2016_%28Hostility_between_US_blacks_and_US_thugs%29

content:
<p>
An army veteran in Baton Rouge, a member of a fringe group, decided to
kill thugs.  He
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2016/jul/18/baton-rouge-police-shooting-gunman-gavin-long-victims">killed
a few of them before they killed him</a>.
<p>
Those particular thugs, at that time, were not doing any wrong to
anyone.  There was no justification for dehumanizing them or wishing
them dead.  I can't rebuke them for shooting back, since they had a
right to protect their lives.
<p>
However, we should not forget that the hostile feeling between US
blacks and US thugs, which inspired this violence, was provoked by
many unjust actions of many thugs.  Obama seems to have forgotten
this.
<p>
"The president eulogises slain officers, but not those killed by
police.  He needs to address the key issue — the
<a href='https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2016/jul/18/barack-obama-condemns-baton-rouge-police-black-violence'>systematic
killing of black people</a>."
<p>
That quote is an understatement, because killings are just the tip of
the iceberg of the unjust violence of thugs.
<p>
Perhaps a hundred thugs a year have killed a person unjustly is in the
hundreds, but thousands of thugs have committed lesser wrongs, and
many thousands of thugs have substantiated the lies told by other
thugs to frame innocent people.
<p>
That amounts to a small fraction of all the thugs in the US, but it
demonstrates that most thugs <em>would</em> support such lies if given
the occasion.
<p>
Moreover, thugs act collectively to preserve their impunity.  When
they demand
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2015-mar-jun.html#01_May_2015_(Special_privileges_given_to_thugs)">contracts
and laws to protect all thugs from investigation if they commit
crimes</a>, they protect the criminals and perjurors among them.
<p>
Thus, all thugs in the US (with perhaps rare exceptions) have directly
participated in the systematic injustice that provokes people to shoot
at them.
<p>
Now they cite the violence they have provoked as an excuse to continue
their own violence and impunity.  Don't accept this excuse!
<p>


feed_id: e391ab630b992c51f84d61aebaf14c82
title: London air pollution limits
uri: London-air-pollution-limits
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#28_July_2016_%28London_air_pollution_limits%29
content:
<p>
London will need to ban diesel cars and buses if it is to meet
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2016/jul/18/ban-diesel-cars-in-london-thinktank-urges">air
pollution limits</a>.  Setting aside the limits is not a solution, as
the particulate pollution causes lots of
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2015-mar-jun.html#29_June_2015_(Air_pollution)">medical
problems</a>.


feed_id: 9e7c97fe52effa257fe0f1b811d93d09
title: Writers sign US press freedom petition
uri: Writers-sign-US-press-freedom-petition
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#28_July_2016_%28Writers_sign_US_press_freedom_petition%29

content:
<p>
Press Freedom Threats in the US
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/media/greenslade/2016/jul/18/press-freedom-threats-in-the-us-prompt-writers-to-sign-petition">Prompt
Writers to Sign Petition</a>.
<p>
Here is
<a href="https://www.stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#27_July_2016_(Urgent:_Respect_for_reporters_rights)">the
petition</a> itself.


feed_id: 80a1a11efa959dc74c72192891ee9cc0
title: Clinton shouldn't choose Tom Vilsack
uri: Clinton-shouldn-t-choose-Tom-Vilsack
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#28_July_2016_%28Clinton_shouldn%27t_choose_Tom_Vilsack%29

content:
<p>
If Clinton were a progressive, <a href="http://www.motherjones.com/environment/2016/07/hillary-clinton-vilsack-veep-food-agriculture-companies%20">she wouldn't consider choosing Tom Vilsack</a>
for vice president.


feed_id: 5e3919ff8916f7072a6f9d74644f2c60
title: Dalits threaten to forsake Hinduism
uri: Dalits-threaten-to-forsake-Hinduism
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#28_July_2016_%28Dalits_threaten_to_forsake_Hinduism%29

content:
<p>
Hindu fanatics attacked Dalits in India because they were skinning a cow
that had been killed by lions.  The attack was done in plain view of
the local thugs.  This has <a href="http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/ahmedabad/Dalits-threaten-to-forsake-Hinduism/articleshow/53293593.cms">led to large protests by Dalits</a>.
<p>
I encourage Dalits to go ahead and declare themselves not Hindus.


feed_id: 82a4c7517074e159981c1fce02419bb9
title: June was the the 14th consecutive month of record-breaking heat
uri: June-was-the-the-14th-consecutive-month-of-record-breaking-heat
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#28_July_2016_%28June_was_the_the_14th_consecutive_month_of_record-breaking_heat%29

content:
<p>
June was the the 14th consecutive month of <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2016/jul/20/june-2016-14th-consecutive-month-of-record-breaking-heat-says-us-agencies">record-breaking heat</a>, world-wide.
<p>
Every June for the past 40 years has been hotter than the average
for the 20th century.
<p>
This is one among many measurements that show the effects of global
heating.
<p>
Another record: the lowest ever <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2016/mar/28/arctic-sea-ice-record-low-winter">annual maximum for winter Arctic sea ice</a>.


feed_id: dd978aedad871ed7ed83cd0858b6d78b
title: Democratic Party platform failed to do
uri: Democratic-Party-platform-failed-to-do
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#28_July_2016_%28Democratic_Party_platform_failed_to_do%29

content:
<p>
One environmental activist <a href="http://www.ecowatch.com/democratic-party-platform-failed-to-do-1919475853.html">explains why she will protest</a> at the
Democratic Convention.
<p>
As for the Republicans, one expects only crap from them.


feed_id: bf2c2e4991e7e1e95c9658b13a3b8a20
title: France extends suppression of human rights
uri: France-extends-suppression-of-human-rights
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#28_July_2016_%28France_extends_suppression_of_human_rights%29

content:
<p>
France's National Assembly voted to <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/jul/20/frances-national-assembly-votes-to-extend-state-of-emergency">extend the suppression of human rights</a>,
called the "state of emergency", because of the recent killings in Nice.   Never mind that the state of emergency couldn't possibly help prevent such plans.


feed_id: afee74c6f0a638454359e27ee3617928
title: Iraq war families to sue Tony B'liar
uri: Iraq-war-families-to-sue-Tony-B-liar
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#28_July_2016_%28Iraq_war_families_to_sue_Tony_B%27liar%29

content:
<p>
Families of UK soldiers that were killed in Iraq are raising funds
from the public to <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2016/jul/19/iraq-war-families-crowdsource-for-funds-to-sue-tony-blair">sue Tony B'liar</a>.


feed_id: 9108658e5c1da3732a62d89d5764561c
title: Several US states have sued Volkswagen
uri: Several-US-states-have-sued-Volkswagen
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#28_July_2016_%28Several_US_states_have_sued_Volkswagen%29

content:
<p>
Several US states have <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/business/2016/jul/19/volkswagen-sued-new-york-massachusetts-diesel-emissions">sued Volkswagen for intentionally cheating</a> on US emissions tests.
<p>
Why a civil suit?  Why not a prosecution?


feed_id: 685e1d2fc5cb64ef99a2cbc18107ae3e
title: Using Stolen Water to Irrigate Stolen Land
uri: Using-Stolen-Water-to-Irrigate-Stolen-Land
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#28_July_2016_%28Using_Stolen_Water_to_Irrigate_Stolen_Land%29

content:
<p>
Using Stolen Water to <a href="http://972mag.com/using-stolen-water-to-irrigate-stolen-land/120653/">Irrigate Stolen Land</a>.


feed_id: 1f25687ddff3c4bfd2c1258feab05a7d
title: Foreign Jews joined local Palestinians
uri: Foreign-Jews-joined-local-Palestinians
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#28_July_2016_%28Foreign_Jews_joined_local_Palestinians%29

content:
<p>
Foreign <a href="http://www.timesofisrael.com/peter-beinart-joins-us-jews-for-civil-rights-style-protest-in-west-bank/">Jews (mostly Americans) joined local Palestinians</a> to prepare the site for construction of a movie theater in Hebron.  It is in a lot that Israeli thugs have forcibly kept vacant for many years.


feed_id: d0958b4e3b588c0b4df48ef7162e4190
title: Fracking affects people with asthma
uri: Fracking-affects-people-with-asthma
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#28_July_2016_%28Fracking_affects_people_with_asthma%29

content:
<p>
Fracking <a href="http://www.commondreams.org/news/2016/07/19/bolstered-new-proof-asthma-link-anti-fracking-groups-plan-massive-march-dnc">affects people with asthma</a>: those who live near a frack well have
more asthma attacks than those who live further away.


feed_id: 38a86f42123479dd95901cb8fc6f1f55
title: Mississippi jails revenues
uri: Mississippi-jails-revenues
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#28_July_2016_%28Mississippi_jails_revenues%29
content:
<p>
Some counties in Mississippi are economically dependent on the jobs of
workers at prisons.  With a decrease in the prison population, various
<a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/mississippi-jails-revenue_us_57100da1e4b06f35cb6f14e8">prisons are squabbling over which ones get enough prisoners to avoid
closing</a>.
<p>
Making prisoners do work gratis takes jobs away from people that are
not in prison.  These areas will adjust, in time, to the economic changes.
<p>
It would help, of course, if they got more tax money from businesses.


feed_id: d17bf3a201257c841ac248d6e9538ce9
title: North Korea a poor excuse for trident renewal
uri: North-Korea-a-poor-excuse-for-trident-renewal
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#28_July_2016_%28North_Korea_a_poor_excuse_for_trident_renewal%29

content:
<p>
The Tories are grasping at straws for reasons to build new missile
submarines.  The latest excuse is to <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2016/jul/19/north-korea-a-poor-excuse-for-trident-renewal">deter a nuclear attack from North Korea</a>.


feed_id: c88c4165f9c666814839459cca39831f
title: US Teachers Union to reject educational materials that deny global warming
uri: US-Teachers-Union-to-reject-educational-materials-that-deny-global-war
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#28_July_2016_%28US_Teachers_Union_to_reject_educational_materials_that_deny_global_warming%29

content:
<p>
The largest US teachers' union has voted to push for schools to
systematically <a href="http://www.commondreams.org/views/2016/07/19/nations-largest-teachers-union-endorses-teaching-climate-justice">reject "educational" materials that deny global heating and its consequences</a>.


feed_id: 56195265d1ade67f5fadc99d0bd305dd
title: Smoking in movies
uri: Smoking-in-movies
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#28_July_2016_%28Smoking_in_movies%29
content:
<p>
Is it constitutional to ban or <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/film/2016/jul/19/smoking-in-movies-teenagers-free-speech">limit smoking in movies</a>?
<p>
Perhaps it is possible to ban cigarette companies from giving anything
to a movie producer in exchange for showing smoking in the movie.


feed_id: 5a8733d43c64c96ce1acd7a00e2ea50d
title: Copyright Troll
uri: Copyright-Troll
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#28_July_2016_%28Copyright_Troll%29
content:
<p>
The copyright troll that sues people for sharing Dallas Buyers Club
is being sued by the producer of that movie, <a href="https://fightcopyrighttrolls.com/2016/07/17/how-copyright-trolls-plunder-both-us-citizens-and-rights-holders/">who says the troll cheated him</a>.


feed_id: 445086139ee0ee2b1125bd33f25e3789
title: Trump supporters accused of bullying
uri: Trump-supporters-accused-of-bullying
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#28_July_2016_%28Trump_supporters_accused_of_bullying%29

content:
<p>
Trump's supporters openly <a href="https://theintercept.com/2016/07/19/trump-supporters-accused-of-bullying-delegates-who-dont-fall-in-line/">make threats of political revenge</a> against Republican
delegates that don't support Trump.
<p>
I expect lots of political machines operate by threatening people that way,
privately.


feed_id: 90c70b5bea29f6fde4f06b123c520895
title: The ghostwriter of "Trump's" biography says he's ashamed
uri: The-ghostwriter-of-Trump-s-biography-says-he-s-ashamed
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#28_July_2016_%28The_ghostwriter_of_Trump%27s_biography_says_he%27s_ashamed%29

content:
<p>
The ghostwriter of "Trump's" biography says he's <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/books/2016/jul/19/trump-co-writer-says-candidate-could-end-civilisation-the-art-of-the-deal-tony-schwartz">ashamed to have
covered up how horrible Trump was</a>.


feed_id: cbec507c73c11f846f60a2de56045dfc
title: Mike Pences towering hypocrisy
uri: Mike-Pences-towering-hypocrisy
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#28_July_2016_%28Mike_Pences_towering_hypocrisy%29
content:
<p>
Mike Pence gave a speech about the personal characteristics needed by
good president.  <a href="http://reason.com/archives/2016/07/18/mike-pences-towering-hypocrisy">Little resemblance</a> between them and Donald Trump.


feed_id: 30abb0c7eeec7f6c59514939124d23c7
title: Trump attacks Clinton regarding Iraq conquest
uri: Trump-attacks-Clinton-regarding-Iraq-conquest
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#28_July_2016_%28Trump_attacks_Clinton_regarding_Iraq_conquest%29

content:
<p>
Trump says Clinton's support for the conquest of Iraq shows her bad
political leanings, but <a href="http://reason.com/blog/2016/07/18/donald-trump-says-mike-pences-support-fo">Pence's support</a> for the conquest of Iraq is
insignificant.


feed_id: 2834dde26dcfc92e1935b9f77e808e43
title: Facial Recognition Robot Hitmen
uri: Facial-Recognition-Robot-Hitmen
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#28_July_2016_%28Facial_Recognition_Robot_Hitmen%29
content:
<p>
Watch out for robot killers that use face recognition to find their
<a href="http://motherboard.vice.com/read/facial-recognition-robot-hitmen">programmed targets</a>.


feed_id: 78f9ac3a124e5cdaa275edec3bdc1aeb
title: Google and Bing don't have to censor torrent searches
uri: Google-and-Bing-don-t-have-to-censor-torrent-searches
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#28_July_2016_%28Google_and_Bing_dont_have_to_censor_torrent_searches%29

content:
<p>
The <a href="https://torrentfreak.com/court-google-and-bing-dont-have-to-censor-torrent-searches-160719/">copyright industry lost its case in France</a>, which aimed to force search engines to censor searches for "torrent".
<p>
I wish torrentfreak would stop using the propaganda term "<a href="http://gnu.org/philosophy/words-to-avoid.html#Pirate">pirated</a>" to refer
to unauthorized sharing.


feed_id: a1f17b5f20fa790f25cf0a01ae7b5911
title: Invasive lionfish can wipe out other fish species
uri: Invasive-lionfish-can-wipe-out-other-fish-species
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#28_July_2016_%28Invasive_lionfish_can_wipe_out_other_fish_species%29

content:
<p>
Invasive lionfish <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/science/blog/2016/jul/19/invasive-lionfish-have-reached-the-mediterranean-luckily-theyre-tasty-">can wipe out other fish species</a>.  The only predators
that eat them are humans.


feed_id: e32818f9bf9b7842242b74282a916cca
title: Uber drivers court tribunal
uri: Uber-drivers-court-tribunal
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#28_July_2016_%28Uber_drivers_court_tribunal%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2016/jul/19/uber-drivers-court-tribunal-self-employed-uk-employment-law">Guber drivers in the UK are suing</a> to claim that they are employees of Guber,
not independent contractors.
<p>
I call it "Guber" because it pays drivers peanuts, but the worst thing
about that company is what it does to passengers' freedom.
<p>
<a href="http://www.stallman.org/uber.html">www.stallman.org/uber.html</a>


feed_id: dbb524c3d5462c542efd6a91caafb624
title: Trump claimed he could finance his own campaign
uri: Trump-claimed-he-could-finance-his-own-campaign
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#28_July_2016_%28Trump_claimed_he_could_finance_his_own_campaign%29

content:
<p>
Trump claimed he could <a href="https://theintercept.com/2016/07/19/gop-platform-calls-for-elimination-of-almost-all-campaign-finance-laws/">finance his own campaign</a>, but the Republican
platform would increase the cost of campaigns so that everyone needs a
bunch of billionaire sponsors.
<p>
On the other hand, the Republican platform also calls for reestablishment
of the <a href="https://theintercept.com/2016/07/19/the-republican-platforms-surprise-revival-of-glass-steagall-legislation/">Glass-Steagall law</a>.
<p>
Republican legislators, in the pay of banksters, would never actually do this.


feed_id: 84d760a7d8c26423a6c8c82894dc60b9
title: Erdogan has fired 15000 teachers
uri: Erdogan-has-fired-15000-teachers
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#28_July_2016_%28Erdogan_has_fired_15000_teachers%29
content:
<p>
Erdogan has fired 15000 teachers in a <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/jul/19/turkey-sacks-15000-education-workers-in-purge">McCarthy-style witch hunt</a>.


feed_id: 033759bbdc03a4d1cf34fa732016555d
title: Fresno thugs were very strict against Black Lives Matter Protesters
uri: Fresno-thugs-were-very-strict-against-Black-Lives-Matter-Protesters
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#28_July_2016_%28Fresno_thugs_were_very_strict_against_Black_Lives_Matter_Protesters%29

content:
<p>
Fresno thugs were very <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2016/jul/19/black-white-lives-matter-fresno-police-dylan-noble">strict against Black Lives Matter protesters</a>,
placing absurd charges to harass them.  With white protesters, they
were very lax.


feed_id: 441572a47c519db01bb6a3573f5b872b
title: Shipping Air Pollution Causing 24,000 Deaths a Year
uri: Shipping-Air-Pollution-Causing-24-000-Deaths-a-Year
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#28_July_2016_%28Shipping_Air_Pollution_Causing_24%2C000_Deaths_a_Year%29

content:
<p>
Shipping Air Pollution <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2016/jul/19/shipping-air-pollution-causing-24000-deaths-a-year-in-east-asia-study">Causing 24,000 Deaths a Year in East Asia</a>.
<p>
Ships release increasing amounts of CO2 as well, and there is nothing
to discourage that increase.


feed_id: 4d2a66921a0362eb60a38353af1e78b1
title: French Pokémon Go Player Arrested
uri: French-Pokémon-Go-Player-Arrested
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#28_July_2016_%28French_Pokemon_Go_Player_Arrested%29

content:
<p>
French <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2016/jul/19/french-pokemon-go-player-arrested-on-indonesian-military-base">Pokémon Go Player Arrested</a> on Indonesian Military Base.


feed_id: 9b1e8acced301fa3129f39a6c42c2bd0
title: Melania Trump apparently plagiarized a speech by Michelle Obama.
uri: Melania-Trump-apparently-plagiarized-a-speech-by-Michelle-Obama
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#28_July_2016_%28Melania_Trump_apparently_plagiarized_a_speech_by_Michelle_Obama.%29

content:
<p>
Melania Trump apparently <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2016/jul/19/melania-trump-speech-republican-national-convention">plagiarized a speech by Michelle Obama</a>.


feed_id: f40893c4cac9c521ccb596d354947403
title: Nuclear Weapons Contractors Repeatedly Stifle Whistleblowers.
uri: Nuclear-Weapons-Contractors-Repeatedly-Stifle-Whistleblowers
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#28_July_2016_%28Nuclear_Weapons_Contractors_Repeatedly_Stifle_Whistleblowers.%29

content:
<p>
Nuclear Weapons Contractors <a href="https://www.publicintegrity.org/2016/07/18/19976/nuclear-weapons-contractors-repeatedly-stifle-whistleblowers-auditors-say">Repeatedly Stifle Whistleblowers</a>.


feed_id: 25531feb8f78f400c5ed9da6db849521
title: Best speech a US President ever gave
uri: Best-speech-a-US-President-ever-gave
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#28_July_2016_%28Best_speech_a_US_President_ever_gave%29

content:
<p>
<a href="http://worldbeyondwar.org/best-speech-u-s-president-ever-gave">President Kennedy's speech about the danger of nuclear war</a>, in 1963,
puts today's presidential candidates to shame.


feed_id: b8f4a992d61db8b7b0fa8e199be46547
title: How wealth reduces compassion
uri: How-wealth-reduces-compassion
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#28_July_2016_%28How_wealth_reduces_compassion%29
content:
<p>
Increased wealth tends to lead to reduced compassion, and greater willingness
<a href="http://www.scientificamerican.com/article/how-wealth-reduces-compassion/">to take advantage of other people</a>.


feed_id: 39ef6b9d7e47bb992df0572316487913
title: Extrajudicial executions became war policy
uri: Extrajudicial-executions-became-war-policy
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#28_July_2016_%28Extrajudicial_executions_became_war_policy%29

content:
<p>
Drone attacks (away from battlefields) <a href="http://www.commondreams.org/views/2016/07/18/how-extrajudicial-executions-became-war-policy-washington">are murder</a>.
<p>
There is one minor point I disagree with.  If someone's job is to plan
terrorist attacks, I think it is legitimate to presume at any time
that he's planning terrorist attacks.  But that doesn't affect the
overall point.


feed_id: dd175b270ce4a9b4bd0f8a5b49b1a59c
title: Mexico cuts poverty national statistics to look better
uri: Mexico-cuts-poverty-national-statistics-to-look-better
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#28_July_2016_%28Mexico_cuts_poverty_national_statistics_to_look_better%29

content:
<p>
Mexico has altered its definitions of income and poverty so as <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/jul/18/mexico-cuts-poverty-national-statistics-changes-earnings-measurements">to look better in published statistics</a>.
<p>
This is comparable to how President Reagan changed the US government's
definition of unemployment, not to count people who are unemployed
and have given up hope of finding work.


feed_id: cd0ba739f7e3717ee1cd09815c7b4848
title: How Urban Design Perpetuates Racial Inequality
uri: How-Urban-Design-Perpetuates-Racial-Inequality
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#28_July_2016_%28How_Urban_Design_Perpetuates_Racial_Inequality_%29

content:
<p>
How <a href="http://www.fastcodesign.com/3061873/slicker-city/how-urban-design-perpetuates-racial-inequality-and-what-we-can-do-about-it">Urban Design Perpetuates Racial Inequality</a> -â And What We Can Do About It.


feed_id: 2206271a839323e7a3acda93f4fc6d50
title: Former Child Bride tries to Liberate Afghan Women
uri: Former-Child-Bride-tries-to-Liberate-Afghan-Women
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#28_July_2016_%28Former_Child_Bride_tries_to_Liberate_Afghan_Women%29

content:
<p>
The Former Child Bride Who Is Using Her Story to <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/jul/18/zahra-yaganah-afghanistan-child-bride-author-light-of-ashes-book">Liberate Afghan Women</a>.


feed_id: dea7e07fed9bcb98984476e88d8240e3
title: Would Turkey be justified in kidnapping
uri: Would-Turkey-be-justified-in-kidnapping
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#28_July_2016_%28Would_Turkey_be_justified_in_kidnapping%29

content:
<p>
Would it be legitimate for Turkey to send commandos to <a href="https://theintercept.com/2016/07/18/would-turkey-be-justified-in-kidnapping-or-drone-killing-the-turkish-cleric-in-pennsylvania/">kidnap
Fethullah Gülen from the US</a>?  Or send drones to kill him and whoever
happens to be near him at the time?


feed_id: 69ca3c120d14bc6811dc557fdc0a6b7b
title: Midnight rules take years
uri: Midnight-rules-take-years
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#28_July_2016_%28Midnight_rules_take_years%29
content:
<p>
US regulations adopted near the end of a president's term have, on the
average, < ahref="http://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2016/07/18/midnight-rules-take-years-cross-finish-line-public-citizen-report-finds">been studied longer and received more review than usual</a>.
<p>
In other words, the claim that they are generally hurried and careless
is calumny.


feed_id: 10754afd0913c735fe04ac1d7e03ae42
title: Stop the French State destroying freedom in France
uri: Stop-the-French-State-destroying-freedom-in-France
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#28_July_2016_%28Stop_the_French_State_destroying_freedom_in_France%29

content:
<p>
<a href="https://www.laquadrature.net/en/again-op-ed-philippe-aigrain">La Quadrature du Net</a> calls on the French state to stop destroying
freedom in France in a futile and useless attempt to prevent terrorism.


feed_id: e7474e8b402f0e523839ed772e083e03
title: Honour killings hypocrisy
uri: Honour-killings-hypocrisy
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#28_July_2016_%28Honour_killings_hypocrisy%29
content:
<p>
Qandeel Baloch was <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2016/jul/18/honour-killings-hypocrisy-and-moral-policing-reserved-only-for-women">assassinated for her courageous resistance</a> to the
pervasive oppression of women in Pakistan.


feed_id: 98cf18b8c3d6afcc3de510df4fa40bf5
title: Trump Backer Speaking at RNC
uri: Trump-Backer-Speaking-at-RNC
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#28_July_2016_%28Trump_Backer_Speaking_at_RNC%29
content:
<p>
Trump Backer Speaking at RNC, Billed as Boss of 100,000, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2016/jul/18/michelle-van-etten-republican-convention-youngevity">Employs Zero Workers</a>.


feed_id: 112be8cc1524b4c6cc9022c3b48a0735
title: Trumps running mate is a religious extremist
uri: Trumps-running-mate-is-a-religious-extremist
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#28_July_2016_%28Trumps_running_mate_is_a_religious_extremist%29

content:
<p>
Trump's chosen running mate, Mike Pence, <a href="http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2016/07/13/donald-trump-s-potential-vp-mike-pence-vs-women-s-periods.html">is a religious extremist</a> with
a long history of attacking abortion rights.
<p>
He <a href="http://thinkprogress.org/security/2012/06/28/508450/mike-pence-obamacare/">compared Obama's medical care law</a> with the September 11 attacks.


feed_id: 204e7c20e2b53d9049bf99f2ed503d04
title: How to make a political revolution
uri: How-to-make-a-political-revolution
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#28_July_2016_%28How_to_make_a_political_revolution%29

content:
<p>
The Progressive political revolution of the 1910s gave North Dakota
laws and institutions to resist corporate dominion, and <a href="http://www.commondreams.org/views/2016/07/16/how-make-political-revolution">they function
even today.


feed_id: 40cf65317ecbdf4ca0958508d1b2ae7d
title: Bahrain prosecutes journalist
uri: Bahrain-prosecutes-journalist
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#28_July_2016_%28Bahrain_prosecutes_journalist%29
content:
<p>
Bahrain is <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/media/greenslade/2016/jul/18/bahrain-prosecutes-journalist-in-renewed-crackdown-on-the-media">prosecuting a journalist</a> for covering Bahrain for France24.


feed_id: 6e671d488b6eb19f9969280ad3ce41cf
title: Another thug that killed Freddie Gray has been acquitted
uri: Another-thug-that-killed-Freddie-Gray-has-been-acquitted
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#28_July_2016_%28Another_thug_that_killed_Freddie_Gray_has_been_acquitted%29

content:
<p>
Another one of the thugs that killed Freddie Gray <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2016/jul/18/freddie-gray-death-highest-ranking-officer">has been acquitted
of charges</a> -- by the judge.
<p>
There is no indication that the thugs expected their actions to kill
Grey, but there is no doubt that they knowingly did something that was
against the rules and that had a good chance of injuring him.
<p>
This should be reckless endangerment, right?  But the <a href="http://www.commondreams.org/news/2016/07/18/judge-hands-down-another-acquittal-officer-freddie-gray-case">court said it was not</a>.  If that isn't a crime now, then we need a new law to make it one.  We must make sure thugs cannot enjoy impunity for practices that put
someone's life in danger.


feed_id: 388582c457819bba1c5105f1df5b8abe
title: Five Conspirators in the Eradication of the Middle Class
uri: Five-Conspirators-in-the-Eradication-of-the-Middle-Class
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#28_July_2016_%28Five_Conspirators_in_the_Eradication_of_the_Middle_Class%29

content:
<p>
Five Conspirators in the <a href="http://www.commondreams.org/views/2016/07/18/five-conspirators-eradication-middle-class">Eradication of the Middle Class</a>.


feed_id: 5c3fb48ae9dc3ef8237fef6abe19be27
title: Indian woman gang raped attacked by same men again
uri: Indian-woman-gang-raped-attacked-by-same-men-again
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#28_July_2016_%28Indian_woman_gang_raped_attacked_by_same_men_again%29

content:
<p>
Indian men out on bail awaiting trial for gang rape got together and <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/jul/18/indian-woman-gang-raped-in-2013-is-attacked-again-by-same-men">raped the same woman again.


feed_id: 79fffa20ae664e24568afe821fee6ae7
title: India troops fire "nonlethal" pellets that can blind
uri: India-troops-fire-nonlethal-pellets-that-can-blind
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#28_July_2016_%28India_troops_fire_nonlethal_pellets_that_can_blind%29

content:
<p>
India's troops in Kashmir shoot "nonlethal" steel pellets at protesters.
When they hit someone's eye, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2016/jul/18/india-blinding-kashmiri-protesters-justice-steel-pellets">that person may be permanently blinded</a>.


feed_id: 8e39c74a217a268f1baf78ef033cc134
title: The US and Iran
uri: The-US-and-Iran
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#28_July_2016_%28The_US_and_Iran%29
content:
<p>
The US is, in effect, keeping <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2016/jul/18/life-iranians-nuclear-deal">economic sanctions on Iran</a>.


feed_id: 2af2fa3c5cfb10d17236ec85804ad347
title: UK only G7 Country to Increase Fossil Fuel Subsidies.
uri: UK-only-G7-Country-to-Increase-Fossil-Fuel-Subsidies
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#28_July_2016_%28UK_only_G7_Country_to_Increase_Fossil_Fuel_Subsidies.%29

content:
<p>
UK Becomes Only G7 Country to <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2015/nov/12/uk-breaks-pledge-to-become-only-g7-country-increase-fossil-fuel-subsidies">Increase Fossil Fuel Subsidies</a>.


feed_id: b6eb19f086789c16a15192c99e0af36f
title: Ebola escalation could have been avoided
uri: Ebola-escalation-could-have-been-avoided
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#28_July_2016_%28Ebola_escalation_could_have_been_avoided%29

content:
<p>
A new fund for global reaction to epidemics will pay for rapid
reaction to <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2016/jul/18/ebola-escalation-could-have-been-avoided-world-bank-president-jim-young-kim-pandemic-financing-facility">bring the epidemic under control while it is still small</a>.


feed_id: 0b04e8ee27a092324bd7b648a4ada5bf
title: UN rebukes Germany and UK for fossil fuel subsidies
uri: UN-rebukes-Germany-and-UK-for-fossil-fuel-subsidies
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#28_July_2016_%28UN_rebukes_Germany_and_UK_for_fossil_fuel_subsidies%29

content:
<p>
The UN has rebuked Germany and the UK for fossil fuel subsidies that
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2016/jul/18/un-criticises-uk-and-german-for-betraying-the-spirit-of-the-paris-climate-deal">endanger civilization</a>.


feed_id: 0ea124d8573d6bad08afed109a64002c
title: Turkey defeated military coup
uri: Turkey-defeated-military-coup
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#28_July_2016_%28Turkey_defeated_military_coup%29
content:
<p>
The Turkish people rejected the military coup, but the result
is to <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2016/jul/17/turkey-defeated-coup-military-turkish-army">give Erdo&gbreve;an more power than before</a>.


feed_id: e0ad031799626588cb73a090616454cc
title: Privacy shield defended
uri: Privacy-shield-defended
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#28_July_2016_%28Privacy_shield_defended%29
content:
<p>
The EU has once again allowed European citizens' data to be stored in
the US, based on a vague promise that the <a href="http://arstechnica.co.uk/tech-policy/2016/07/privacy-shield-defended-european-commission/">US will not disregard EU
privacy law</a>, or at least not very often.


feed_id: 38286f04e1deae02e559aea14e8910fd
title: Your car is snooping on you
uri: Your-car-is-snooping-on-you
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#28_July_2016_%28Your_car_is_snooping_on_you%29
content:
<p>
Computerized cars with nonfree software are <a href="http://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2016-07-12/your-car-s-been-studying-you-closely-and-everyone-wants-the-data">malicious snooping devices</a>.


feed_id: 0e546b687ab777eca59a0c79bceecc5d
title: Thugs and New York City housing projects
uri: Thugs-and-New-York-City-housing-projects
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#28_July_2016_%28Thugs_and_New_York_City_housing_projects%29

content:
<p>
In some housing projects in New York City, all the teenagers know each
other, so the thugs can call them all a "gang" and convict them all of
"conspiracy", <a href="https://theintercept.com/2016/07/12/in-new-york-gang-sweeps-prosecutors-use-conspiracy-laws-to-score-easy-convictions/">based on evidence against some of them</a>.
<p>
Sometimes a whole family gets kicked out and made homeless.


feed_id: 3b1f128e0ceeadb37c6b9f28a1b58b78
title: In Saint Anthony Village, half the arrests are blacks
uri: In-Saint-Anthony-Village-half-the-arrests-are-blacks
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#28_July_2016_%28In_Saint_Anthony_Village%2C_half_the_arrests_are_blacks%29

content:
<p>
In Saint Anthony Village, where thugs killed Philando Castile, almost
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2016/jul/14/saint-anthony-village-minnesota-arrests-half-african-american">half the arrests are of blacks</a>.  Blacks amount to under 7% of the population.


feed_id: 6a19be6ebe701cdb627d66835b12b789
title: Google shut down an artist's blog
uri: Google-shut-down-an-artist-s-blog
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#28_July_2016_%28Google_shut_down_an_artist%27s_blog%29

content:
<p>
Google shut down an artist's blog, which had been going for 14 years,
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/books/2016/jul/14/dennis-cooper-google-censorship-dc-blog">denying the artist access to his own work</a>.


feed_id: e1761bd098a47933003ca1b8a99c203b
title: Volunteer
uri: 2016-07-30-Volunteer
url: https://stallman.org/index.html#volunteerListAnc
content:
<p>I am looking for people to help edit the pages on the site for me.  If you'd like to
	   help me in this way,
	   please write to rms at gnu period org.</p>


feed_id: c905b13b231d6cb1e153f61570e9073d
title: Personal data collected through Windows 10
uri: Personal-data-collected-through-Windows-10
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#31_July_2016_%28Personal_data_collected_through_Windows_10%29

content:
<p>
France has 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2016/jul/20/france-microsoft-user-data-collection-privacy">ordered
Microsoft to make a substantial reduction</a> in its collection of
personal data through Windows 10.


feed_id: 8d06de3d5cd0564d91dfb9cf804b7762
title: Sexual assault allegations against Trump
uri: Sexual-assault-allegations-against-Trump
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#31_July_2016_%28Sexual_assault_allegations_against_Trump%29

content:
<p>
Jill Harth had "moved on" from pursuing Trump for groping her in 1997,
and even supported his campaign.  (I can't understand what could have
possessed her to do that.)
<p>
Then he said she was a liar, and his campaign pressured her to
formally deny her passed accusations.  She 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2016/jul/20/donald-trump-sexual-assault-allegations-jill-harth-interview">would
not stand for that</a>.


feed_id: 9e4806784e2ff8b785e9a1c85398aa55
title: Mugabe's supporters condemn him
uri: Mugabe-s-supporters-condemn-him
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#31_July_2016_%28Mugabes_supporters_condemn_him%29
content:
<p>
Mugabe's supporters, the veterans of Zimbabwe's war of independence,
have
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/jul/21/zimbabwe-veterans-condemn-robert-mugabe-surprise-revolt">condemned
him for dictatorial tendencies</a>.  This seems to be a reaction to
economic problems, rather than to his dictatorial tendencies which
started decades ago.


feed_id: bad49e5beda5436205c18131195d0961
title: Parisians distrust thugs
uri: Parisians-distrust-thugs
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#31_July_2016_%28Parisians_distrust_thugs%29
content:
<p>
Paris thugs say that Adam Traore died from an infection just after he
was arrested.  If that's the truth, it isn't their fault.  Thousands
of Parisians are protesting that 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/jul/21/violent-clashes-break-out-in-paris-suburbs-over-death-of-man-in-custody">they
don't believe it</a>.
<p>
Thugs lie so often that many distrust everything they say.


feed_id: a84b477a45f31db99391d644d0e5d17f
title: Threat of thugs to black people
uri: Threat-of-thugs-to-black-people
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#31_July_2016_%28Threat_of_thugs_to_black_people%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2016/jul/21/charles-kinsey-black-people-safety-police">Will
Black People Ever Feel Safe Around Police?  I Doubt It.</a>


feed_id: 181247cae1b1ba084230f76ba8964299
title: Brazilian newspaper's polls
uri: Brazilian-newspaper-s-polls
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#31_July_2016_%28Brazilian_newspapers_polls%29
content:
<p>
Brazil's largest newspaper did a poll which found that least 60% of
Brazilians would approve of the resignation of both President Rousseff
and interim President Temer, so as to cause a new presidential
election.
<p>
The newspaper then published that 
<a href="https://theintercept.com/2016/07/21/folhas-journalistic-fraud-far-worse-than-we-reported-yesterday-a-smoking-gun-emerges/">only
3% want new elections</a>.


feed_id: ac0baa9018245d71ca2ff095008cad8e
title: Car collisions
uri: Car-collisions
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#31_July_2016_%28Car_collisions%29
content:
<p>
Let's 
<a href="https://boingboing.net/2015/10/04/car-accidents-arent-accident.html">stop
referring to car collisions as "accidents"</a>.  A few of them are
accidents, but most result from careless driving that is predictably
dangerous.
<p>
I agree with the article's arguments, but I think the word "crash"
implies that a car is more or less wrecked.  I think the right general
word for these events is "collision".


feed_id: 219aff1f581e913df0ab61a680654b72
title: Attack in Nice planned for over 6 months
uri: Attack-in-Nice-planned-for-over-6-months
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#31_July_2016_%28Attack_in_Nice_planned_for_over_6_months%29

content:
<p>
The Nice killer planned the attack for 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/jul/21/nice-attacker-plotted-for-months-and-had-accomplices-prosecutor">over
6 months</a>, apparently with accomplices.


feed_id: b202b12ee29ddb58a335d49cf40050ed
title: Trump's threats against his ghostwriter
uri: Trump-s-threats-against-his-ghostwriter
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#31_July_2016_%28Trumps_threats_against_his_ghostwriter%29

content:
<p>
Trump made 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/books/2016/jul/21/donald-trumps-lawyers-demand-art-of-the-deal-co-writer-pay-back-royalties">bogus
legal threats against the ghostwriter of "his" book</a>.  That is
Trump's way.
<p>
It is a part of the broader 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2016/jul/21/trump-nixon-parallels-campaign-rnc-cleveland">resemblance
between Trump and Nixon</a>.  Nixon too threatened the press when it
said things he did not like.


feed_id: 3f65629f7e160d26b869541224acdcd9
title: Thugs kill family dog at child's party
uri: Thugs-kill-family-dog-at-child-s-party
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#31_July_2016_%28Thugs_kill_family_dog_at_childs_party%29

content:
<p>
[Thugs] Fetch High-Powered Rifle to 
<a href="http://boingboing.net/2016/07/21/police-fetch-high-powered-rifl.html">Kill
Family Dog at Child's Birthday Party</a>.  Then they lied about the
circumstances to validate the false claim that the dog was threatening
them.  It was behind a fence and couldn't have got at them as they
walked to the door, coming to arrest someone who hadn't lived there
for 10 years.


feed_id: 1aed0102e964ce7bed9dee102e12a304
title: EFF fights prohibition of breaking DRM
uri: EFF-fights-prohibition-of-breaking-DRM
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#31_July_2016_%28EFF_fights_prohibition_of_breaking_DRM%29

content:
<p>
The EFF has 
<a href="https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2016/07/section-1201-dmca-cannot-pass-constitutional-scrutiny">sued
to overturn the DMCA's prohibition of breaking DRM</a>, arguing that
it is unconstitutional.
<p>
Bravo, EFF, for this lawsuit!  I am glad the EFF now states that the
DMCA exemption procedure is a worthless distraction.
<p>
However, the most dangerous part of the DMCA's DRM provisions is not
the one that prohibits breaking DRM — since that does allow some
exceptions — but rather the one that prohibits distribution of
tools to break the DRM, without which you <em>can't</em> break the DRM
even when it is lawful.  Will this lawsuit, if successful, overturn
that too?  I am not sure, but it makes a big difference for what this
lawsuit will achieve if it succeeds.
<p>
What we really need is a new law making it a crime to make, import,
sell, lease, rent, or invite the public to use any systems with DRM.


feed_id: 06acd68fe59de98f08447f7e5f2d59a7
title: US Chamber of Commerce
uri: 2016-08-01-US-Chamber-of-Commerce
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#31_July_2016_%28US_Chamber_of_Commerce%29
content:
<p>
The US Chamber of Commerce 
<a href="https://theintercept.com/2016/07/20/chamber-of-commerce-may-prefer-hillary-clinton-to-donald-trump/">has
not decided whether to support Clinton or Trump</a>.
<p>
The US Chamber of Commerce campaigns for 
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#4_May_2016_(Urgent:_Stop_lobbying_against_better_pay)">dooH
niboR</a> and for eliminating the regulations that stop businesses
from
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2009-jul-oct.html#25%20October%202009%20(US%20Chamber%20of%20Commerce%20is%20trying%20to%20block%20reregulation)">cheating
us</a> or
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2008-mar-jun.html#05%20May%202008%20(Midwest%20EPA%20chief%20fired)">poisoning
us</a>.  Whatever it supports is
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2011-mar-jun.html#11_May_2011_(US_Chamber_of_Commerce)">almost
certain to be bad</a>.
<p>
Any candidate that they consider supporting does not deserve our
votes.


feed_id: afcd2e531e7a21a3c09efdc544956675
title: Betrayal by Clinton
uri: Betrayal-by-Clinton
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#31_July_2016_%28Betrayal_by_Clinton%29
content:
<p>
Senior Donald Trump Adviser: Hillary Clinton 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2016/jul/20/trump-adviser-al-baldasaro-hillary-clinton-firing-line">'Should
Be Shot For Treason'</a>.  This is because of the attack on the US
consulate in Benghazi.
<p>
Since he's a Republican, naturally he's making a mountain out of a
molehill.  It's not clear that there was anyone she, or any US
official, could have been expected to do better.
<p>
Nonetheless, I think that Clinton, along with all officials that have
supported the TPP, have 
<a href="media/c9a9c30b.trance-pacific-partnership.en.jpg" data-original-source="https://stallman.org/images/trance-pacific-partnership.en.jpg">betrayed
the people of their respective countries</a>.  When I call it the
Treacherous Plutocratic Poison, I am serious (as well as joking).  And
this treaty is 
<a href="https://stallman.org/business-supremacy-treaties.html">not
the only one that constitutes a betrayal</a>.
<p>
It would be wrong to execute them for this, because the death penalty
is an injustice.  But at the very least we should not vote for any of
them.


feed_id: 8dfc49438b3485de01d1f10aa1fa96bf
title: Complexity of computer-based systems
uri: Complexity-of-computer-based-systems
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#31_July_2016_%28Complexity_of_computer-based_systems%29

content:
<p>
Many computer-based systems are so complex that 
<a href="http://www.fastcoexist.com/3061952/dont-panic-but-our-technology-now-defies-human-understanding">their
designers don't fully understand them</a>.
<p>
As explained in the book 
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2013-jul-oct.html#14_October_2013_(Nuclear_power_plants)">Normal
Accidents</a>, physical systems — even mostly-empty tanks that
normally hold chemicals — are so complex that the people who run
them don't fully understand them.  From time to time, this leads to a
disaster which we cannot expect those people to know how to avoid.
<p>
When even the system's designers don't understand it, things are
even more accident-prone.


feed_id: 57c81c902e5d7e4e2a3225e609521960
title: Environmental harm caused by farming
uri: Environmental-harm-caused-by-farming
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#31_July_2016_%28Environmental_harm_caused_by_farming%29

content:
<p>
George Monbiot reports how people turn their eyes away from the
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2015/oct/05/think-dairy-farming-is-benign-our-rivers-tell-a-different-story">pollution
and wildlife destruction caused by farming</a>, which on some
dimensions is bigger than that of any other human activity.
<p>
He focuses on dairy farming, but other kinds of farming also do a lot
of environmental harm.  This is one of the reasons we need to reduce
the human birth rate.


feed_id: 3336fe20c6dfe2bccb4b149ec2f6b934
title: UK fitness for work tests
uri: UK-fitness-for-work-tests
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#31_July_2016_%28UK_fitness_for_work_tests%29
content:
<p>
Andy Davis was badly injured and has to struggle to walk.  Enough
painkiller so he can bear the pain makes him drowsy.  His doctor said
he is "unfit for work", but the UK government disagreed.  Now he has
to spend 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2016/jul/21/andy-badly-injured-fit-for-work-disability-benefits">35
hours a week forever applying for jobs</a>, although it is clear no
one will hire him, in order to get funds that are not enough for him
to live on.
<p>
The reason these fitness for work tests so often err in one particular
direction is that the government has put pressure on them to cut off
disability payments for as many people as possible.  Some staff have
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2014-may-aug.html#09_July_2014_(UK_cruelty_to_the_weak)">reported
being given quotas</a>.


feed_id: b84074804a0722c379541c20be4c6748
title: The coup attempt in Turkey
uri: The-coup-attempt-in-Turkey
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#31_July_2016_%28The_coup_attempt_in_Turkey%29
content:
<p>
Turkish secularists, and even Kurds, are 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2016/jul/21/erdogan-divisive-coup-turkey-devastating-isis">glad
that the coup attempt in Turkey was defeated</a>.


feed_id: 187003a75a711ce0277f0e9d03e66ae1
title: Trump says nothing about NATO's problems
uri: Trump-says-nothing-about-NATO-s-problems
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#31_July_2016_%28Trump_says_nothing_about_NATOs_problems%29

content:
<p>
Trump says he 
<a href="http://www.motherjones.com/kevin-drum/2016/07/donald-trump-unleashes-yet-more-musings-foreign-policy">won't
necessarily support the Baltic states if they are attacked</a>, but
said nothing about the 
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#18_July_2016_(NATO)">actual
problems that NATO causes</a>.
<p>
Saddam Hussein ordered the invasion of Kuwait because the US
ambassador 
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2005-nov-feb.html#27%20December%202005%20(April%20Glaspie)">told
him that the US would not take action</a>.


feed_id: a9c8046f9e35239b49ff488ad38e7415
title: Local growth vs survival of ecosphere
uri: Local-growth-vs-survival-of-ecosphere
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#31_July_2016_%28Local_growth_vs_survival_of_ecosphere%29

content:
<p>
Cameron was unable to reject absurdly expensive 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2016/jul/21/theresa-may-lobbyists-trident-heathrow-business">wasteful
spending projects</a>.
<p>
Allowing growth in flights from London (or just about anywhere) is
harmful.  To avoid global heating disaster, we need to start cutting
down on flying.  When politicians prioritize arguments about local
growth over the survival of our ecosphere, they have the wrong
priorities.


feed_id: 7595e509862716f209d930dac9d2faf6
title: President Rousseff's supposed crimes
uri: President-Rousseff-s-supposed-crimes
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#30_July_2016_%28President_Rousseffs_supposed_crimes%29

content:
<p>
The prosecutor investigating President Rousseff's supposed crimes says
they were 
<a href="http://www.commondreams.org/views/2016/07/20/brazilian-prosecutor-finds-no-crime-committed-dilma-will-law-count-anything-brazil">not
a crime</a>.  However, her 
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#28_May_2016_(Leaked_conspiracy_conversation_in_Brazil)">corrupt
enemies</a> intend to to finish impeaching her anyway.


feed_id: 2f4a3d90614886ea411987beced62bd5
title: Something to Fear
uri: Something-to-Fear
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#1_August_2016_%28Something_to_Fear%29
content:
<p>
Yes, <a href="https://stallman.org/articles/why-fear-surveillance.html">You
    Have Something to Fear</a>.


feed_id: 7d93f1bbea190acab8467f7a74c19357
title: Poland's Rule of Law
uri: Poland-s-Rule-of-Law
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#1_August_2016_%28Poland%27s_Rule_of_Law%29
content:
<p>
Poland's Rule of Law <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/jul/27/poland-rule-of-law-systematic-threat-european-commission">under Systematic Threat</a>, Says EU Executive.


feed_id: de81e39f781e4a3e331968e7aa04de6d
title: Western Canada oil spill
uri: Western-Canada-oil-spill
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#1_August_2016_%28Western_Canada_oil_spill%29
content:
<p>
An oil pipeline leaked into a river on Thursday in Canada, and the
owner waited several days to shut off the pipeline.  The town of
Prince Albert will <a href="http://www.commondreams.org/news/2016/07/26/western-canada-oil-spill-drenches-birds-will-taint-drinking-water-months-come">soon be without a source of drinking water for months</a>.


feed_id: 62e5a68b0a07d23e9cc317d6ea56b7b7
title: Virginia Thug Murder Trial
uri: Virginia-Thug-Murder-Trial
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#1_August_2016_%28Virginia_Thug_Murder_Trial%29
content:
<p>
Two unarmed men were shot dead by the same Virginia thug, years apart.
The thug is now being <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2016/jul/27/william-chapman-kirill-denyakina-murder-trial-stephen-rankin-virginia">tried for murder</a>.


feed_id: fa5638a3f6f4dcd65481c1c71f3cdce8
title: The debate about private fossil collection
uri: The-debate-about-private-fossil-collection
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#1_August_2016_%28The_debate_about_private_fossil_collection%29

content:
<p>
The debate about <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/science/2016/jul/27/to-collect-or-not-to-collect-are-fossil-hunting-laws-hurting-science">private fossil collection</a>.
<p>
One reason to allow private fossil collection is that when a fossil
becomes exposed by erosion, erosion will destroy it if it is not
collected.  In most wild places, most fossils are never noticed and
never collected; thus, the usual choice is private collection or none
at all.
<p>
Here's a suggestion: allow private fossil collection, but require or
motivate private collectors to cooperate with science.  They can do
this by taking photos before, after and during the process of removing
the fossil from the ground, registering it in a data base, and
agreeing to a certain number of visits per year (when requested by a
specific organization) by scientists to examine the fossil.


feed_id: 2af1fa2689967926924e191bfba96f75
title: Teenager who murdered french priest
uri: Teenager-who-murdered-french-priest
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#1_August_2016_%28Teenager_who_murdered_french_priest%29

content:
<p>
A PISSI-inspired murderer in France was also half crazy
before he was radicalized in a short time.  After that,
his <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/jul/27/teenager-who-murdered-french-priest-was-like-a-ticking-time-bomb">family tried to pry him loose</a> from PISSI's influence, but failed.


feed_id: f1c8cce8b095c77a53bf37a74e29e99e
title: Activists defeat anti bds legislation
uri: Activists-defeat-anti-bds-legislation
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#1_August_2016_%28Activists_defeat_anti_bds_legislation%29

content:
<p>
Massachusetts rejected a bill to punish companies that participate in a
<a href="https://electronicintifada.net/blogs/nora-barrows-friedman/activists-defeat-anti-bds-legislation-massachusetts">boycott aimed at Israel</a>.


feed_id: 9208a248ed4d5eb71ed77114840e52f4
title: Shipping Pollution
uri: Shipping-Pollution
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#1_August_2016_%28Shipping_Pollution%29
content:
<p>
One large container ship can emit as much toxic pollution as <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2009/apr/09/shipping-pollution">70 million cars</a>.  The 15 largest ships may emit as much pollution as all the world's
cars.  Of course, there are a lot more ships than that.
<p>
This pollution is estimated to kill 60,000 people each year.


feed_id: 942d8b0a5750c0df67083eaf4573a386
title: Black and Whites Study
uri: Black-and-Whites-Study
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#1_August_2016_%28Black_and_Whites_Study%29
content:
<p>
A study reports that blacks and whites have the same likelihood
of being killed or wounded once stopped by thugs; <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2016/jul/26/black-men-minorities-killed-police-encounters-study">however, a black is more likely to be stopped by thugs</a>.


feed_id: 9f865b451f7c42d6e9c34fa7f58d0f2f
title: Broken Britain
uri: Broken-Britain
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#1_August_2016_%28Broken_Britain%29
content:
<p>
Yes, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2016/jul/26/broken-britain-lives-on-in-sports-direct-and-bhs">Britain is broken</a> -- in particular, because of businessmen that get away with injustice.  What enabled them to get away with it?  Plutocracy.


feed_id: ea4288b0e7a2241f3b36c79cc642c1e4
title: Transcanada wants to ship toxic tar sands oil
uri: Transcanada-wants-to-ship-toxic-tar-sands-oil
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#1_August_2016_%28Transcanada_wants_to_ship_toxic_tar_sands_oil%29

content:
<p>
Transcanada wants to <a href="http://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2016/07/26/nrdc-report-transcanadas-reckless-plan-b-seeks-massive-tar-sands-oil-shipments
">ship toxic tar sands oil</a> along the whole US Atlantic coast
from Canada to the Gulf of Mexico.


feed_id: 92582f1e075bfa1a819a18532ad3944d
title: Doctors challenge border force
uri: Doctors-challenge-border-force
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#1_August_2016_%28Doctors_challenge_border_force%29
content:
<p>
Australian doctors are suing to invalidate the law that criminalizes
public disclosure of abuse of the refugees <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2016/jul/27/immigration-detention-doctors-challenge-border-force-acts-secrecy-clause-in-court">Australia imprisons in Nauru and Manus Island.


feed_id: 83eb91a267ed81ae70db6118facb6d1b
title: Most common age of a sex offender
uri: Most-common-age-of-a-sex-offender
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#1_August_2016_%28Most_common_age_of_a_sex_offender%29

content:
<p>
The most common age for someone to be labeled as a "sex offender" is
as a teenager.  So the system of "<a href="http://www.freerangekids.com/what-is-the-most-common-age-of-a-sex-offender-surprise/">registered sex offenders</a>" causes
tremendous suffering, and most of them don't need to be "protected" from.
<p>
Having sex is normal behavior for teenagers.  In the US, they may be
labeled as "sex offenders" for life because of this.  Then they are
not allowed to go near children -- so they can't live with their
families any more.


feed_id: b190c9d19ad466c0420555c15647200f
title: Turkey Independent Monitors must be allowed access
uri: Turkey-Independent-Monitors-must-be-allowed-access
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#1_August_2016_%28Turkey_Independent_Monitors_must_be_allowed_access%29

content:
<p>
Amnesty International calls on Turkey to allow independent monitors
to visit prisoners <a href="http://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2016/07/25/turkey-independent-monitors-must-be-allowed-access-detainees-amid-torture">to see if they have been tortured</a>.
<p>
Some prisoners are being held incommunicado, with no access to
lawyers.  Some have lawyers but their lawyers have not been told what
they are charged with.


feed_id: 74f0c9c9d19268058c5ab2f69400628b
title: Israel Palestine bad policy bad politics
uri: Israel-Palestine-bad-policy-bad-politics
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#1_August_2016_%28Israel_Palestine_bad_policy_bad_politics%29

content:
<p>
The Republicans and Democrats have both adopted bad policies towards
<a href="http://www.commondreams.org/views/2016/07/25/israelpalestine-bad-policy-bad-politics">Israel and Palestine</a>.
<p>
When Trump talked about being neutral between them, that was one of the few
good things he has said.  But he doesn't mean what he says.


feed_id: 1f6616492bf473889c7893597cec2c26
title: Unconventional Coal Technologies
uri: Unconventional-Coal-Technologies
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#1_August_2016_%28Unconventional_Coal_Technologies%29

content:
<p>
Two unusual technologies for combusting coal give us just what we
<a href="http://www.commondreams.org/news/2016/07/25/unconventional-coal-technologies-could-blow-global-carbon-budget">don't need: more fossil fuel</a>.  Each investment in a plant to use these technologies creates an owner
that will want to use it for decades to emit more CO2


feed_id: 4ae035f7ad8c3ea2e16b18327f71971d
title: Urgent: Oppose thug impunity bills
uri: Urgent-Oppose-thug-impunity-bills
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#01_August_2016_%28Urgent%3A_Oppose_thug_impunity_bills%29

content:
<p>
US citizens:
<a href="http://act.colorofchange.org/sign/stopfop-blue-lives-matter-laws/">oppose</a>
bills designed to reinforce the impunity of the thugs.


feed_id: 6c2081b0ef310e6cebf34fd9fec12d8b
title: Urgent: Raise minimum wage
uri: 2016-08-02-Urgent-Raise-minimum-wage
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#01_August_2016_%28Urgent%3A_Raise_minimum_wage%29
content:
<p>
US citizens:
<a href="http://a.cpdaction.org/page/s/raise-the-minimum-wage">call on
Congress</a> to raise the minimum wage.


feed_id: d60e4cf8fed285b0b6c41d9255dcc2c1
title: Urgent: Ban "Enlist" pesticide combo
uri: Urgent-Ban-Enlist-pesticide-combo
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#01_August_2016_%28Urgent%3A_Ban_Enlist_pesticide_combo%29

content:
<p>
US citizens:
<a href="https://secure.nrdconline.org/site/Advocacy?cmd=display&page=UserAction&id=4049">call
on the EPA to ban the "Enlist" pesticide combination.


feed_id: 180f233dab80353ca60a60c566e97ea0
title: Insurance company mergers
uri: Insurance-company-mergers
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#01_August_2016_%28Insurance_company_mergers%29
content:
<p>
The US government is finally
<a href="http://www.commondreams.org/news/2016/07/21/us-justice-department-steps-halt-health-insurance-mega-mergers">starting
to try to block</a> insurance company mergers.


feed_id: 82a1809d16e7b3acdeda8ca204c328b0
title: US air terrorism
uri: US-air-terrorism
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#01_August_2016_%28US_air_terrorism%29
content:
<p>
Revenge against US air terrorism is one of the main
<a href="http://www.commondreams.org/views/2016/07/21/nice-middle-east-only-one-way-challenge-isis">sources
of support for PISSI, al Qa'ida, and similar groups</a>.  It is very
important for the US to stop this.


feed_id: 2933479541a40801efa19b346b87003e
title: Rock against the TPP!
uri: Rock-against-the-TPP
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#01_August_2016_%28Rock_against_the_TPP%21%29
content:
<p>
<a href="http://boingboing.net/2016/07/20/rock-against-the-tpp-coming-t.html">Rock</a>
against the TPP!


feed_id: 1275a16f8978f07880103fa7d040ee38
title: America under plutocratic rule
uri: America-under-plutocratic-rule
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#01_August_2016_%28America_under_plutocratic_rule%29
content:
<p>
Under plutocratic rule,
<a href="http://www.theatlantic.com/business/archive/2016/07/the-return-of-american-hunger/492062/">14%
of American households sometimes can't get food</a>.


feed_id: c7185a92946bf0c0ab580f506513aa8a
title: Campaign finance limits
uri: Campaign-finance-limits
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#01_August_2016_%28Campaign_finance_limits%29
content:
<p>
The Republican platform
<a href="https://theintercept.com/2016/07/19/gop-platform-calls-for-elimination-of-almost-all-campaign-finance-laws/">calls
for eliminating campaign finance limits</a>.


feed_id: f5ca681dea2221b5ac3432796fc649f0
title: Another thug gets away with impunity
uri: Another-thug-gets-away-with-impunity
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#01_August_2016_%28Another_thug_gets_away_with_impunity%29

content:
<p>
Another thug got away with impunity, after
<a href="http://www.nbcnews.com/news/asian-america/assault-charges-dropped-alabama-cop-who-partially-paralyzed-indian-grandfather-n573806">knocking
an old man to the ground and permanently paralyzing him</a>.
<p>
The victim was not of African ancestry but would have appeared to be
black if you didn't take any time to look.  He did not obey the thug's
orders because he
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2015-jan-apr.html#14_February_2015_(Thugs_beat_man_for_replying_No_English)">did
not speak English</a>.
<p>
Thugs will continue to terrorize Americans, especially blacks and
protesters, until they start getting personally punished for it.


feed_id: cec02547bbd229e0c46f3396b247abc8
title: Loss of Arctic sea ice
uri: 2016-08-02-Loss-of-Arctic-sea-ice
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#01_August_2016_%28Loss_of_Arctic_sea_ice%29
content:
<p>
The loss of Arctic sea ice around Svalbard
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2013/aug/06/starved-polar-bear-record-sea-ice-melt">caused
a male polar bear to starve to death</a>.  That bear had been healthy
for many years.
<p>
Clearly many polar bears are being killed by global heating in the
like manner.


feed_id: 1bff0588e9f99167899ff818f13c37c6
title: Campaign to execute black teenagers
uri: Campaign-to-execute-black-teenagers
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#01_August_2016_%28Campaign_to_execute_black_teenagers%29

content:
<p>
Trump led the campaign to execute five black teenagers that were
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2016/feb/17/central-park-five-donald-trump-jogger-rape-case-new-york"><em>falsely</em>
convicted of raping a woman in Central Park</a>.
<p>
They had been coerced into false confessions.  Later, the real rapist
was identified with DNA, but Trump insisted the five were guilty
anyway.


feed_id: 1e1e915b9705096577a4aae8cd6d5845
title: Pokémon Go and Totalitarianism
uri: Pokémon-Go-and-Totalitarianism
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#01_August_2016_%28Pokemon_Go_and_Totalitarianism%29
content:
<p>
Oliver Stone
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2016/jul/22/oliver-stone-links-pokemon-go-to-totalitarianism-during-privacy-debate">Links
Pokémon Go to Totalitarianism</a> During Privacy Debate.


feed_id: 7925af74a2ff0522dbe077691a9f5875
title: Anti-gay positions don't bother Thiel
uri: Anti-gay-positions-don-t-bother-Thiel
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#01_August_2016_%28Anti-gay_positions_dont_bother_Thiel%29

content:
<p>
Peter Thiel
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2016/jul/21/peter-thiel-republican-national-convention-proud-to-be-gay">told
Republicans he is proud to be gay</a>.
<p>
The anti-gay positions of the Republican Party do not bother him.
That is rational, for a person lacking in empathy.  He must figure he
can always buy the support of Republicans for him personally, and he
feels no solidarity with gay people (or anyone) that is not as rich as
he is.


feed_id: 1f84028f6a3ca39e0901a81f583aad32
title: Thai thugs arrest wife of journalist
uri: Thai-thugs-arrest-wife-of-journalist
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#01_August_2016_%28Thai_thugs_arrest_wife_of_journalist%29

content:
<p>
Thai thugs arrested the
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/jul/22/andrew-macgregor-marshall-anti-monarchist-thailand-wife-detained">wife
of a British journalist who criticizes the royal family</a>, as she
was visiting her Thai relatives.
<p>
She didn't have anything to do with her husbands publications, but
threatening someone's wife must be effectively chilling.


feed_id: 90a1485887e143e38d6df9e12971f6ce
title: More funds for solar power systems
uri: More-funds-for-solar-power-systems
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#01_August_2016_%28More_funds_for_solar_power_systems%29

content:
<p>
Obama made
<a href="http://www.commondreams.org/news/2016/07/20/win-win-people-and-climate-obama-announces-solar-boosting-initiative">more
funds available</a> to help some people install solar power systems.


feed_id: b96038fdaf97a97f3d7ecfbf977998d4
title: Erdo&gbreve;an plans special courts
uri: Erdo-gbreve-an-plans-special-courts
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#01_August_2016_%28Erdogan_plans_special_courts%29
content:
<p>
Erdo&gbreve;an plans to set up special courts to
<a href="http://www.commondreams.org/news/2016/07/20/turkish-leaders-plan-special-courts-prisons-graveyard-traitors-after-coup">prosecute
the thousands of people accused of supporting the coup</a>.
<p>
It is not clear whether this will be limited to soldiers who actually
participated, whom it is legitimate to prosecute, or include the tens
of thousands of people who were quickly fired for supposed
associations with Gülen.  Even if they really supported
Gülen, which is not certain, most of them surely had no part in
the coup.


feed_id: a8062dd8dd69d7a045225e21212e4b7f
title: Economic growth without increased wellbeing
uri: Economic-growth-without-increased-wellbeing
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#01_August_2016_%28Economic_growth_without_increased_wellbeing%29

content:
<p>
Some countries, including the US and UK,
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/business/2016/jul/21/uk-economic-growth-not-converted-ncreased-wellbeing-seda-report">do
not convert economic growth into increased wellbeing for citizens</a>.
<p>
One might propose that this is because the increase in income goes
mainly to people too rich to gain any wellbeing from it.


feed_id: 8a3dc6ccd06ef94bcfb9cda3a8067c7c
title: The DHS
uri: The-DHS
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#01_August_2016_%28The_DHS%29
content:
<p>
US border agents
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/media/2016/jul/21/homeland-security-journalist-maria-abi-habib-detained">tried
to confiscate the portable phone of a Wall Street Journal
reporter</a>.  She managed to convince them it would make too much of
a stink, and they backed off.
<p>
The DHS has enormous power to
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2014-mar-jun.html#24_June_2014_(US_Border_Patrol)">intrude
into the lives of Americans that live within 100 miles of a
border</a>, which is nearly everyone.
<p>
It uses this power on only a small fraction of the people who are
vulnerable to it, but the arbitrariness is still a bad thing.


feed_id: 30d722185547a53cd9a9018a1433348d
title: Koch-sponsored Republican speakers
uri: Koch-sponsored-Republican-speakers
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#01_August_2016_%28Koch-sponsored_Republican_speakers%29

content:
<p>
The Republican convention speakers include Koch-sponsored politicians,
and the platform is
<a href="http://www.prwatch.org/news/2016/07/13121/koch-brothers-fingerprints-can-be-found-all-over-gop-convention">full
of things the Koch brothers want</a>.


feed_id: 3c82e9cc717152ccba7da65336776594
title: Chicago thugs
uri: 2016-08-02-Chicago-thugs
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#1_August_2016_%28Chicago_thugs%29
content:
<p>
Antwon Golatte 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2016/jul/26/chicago-police-shooting-antwon-golatte-unjustified">has
got the beginnings of justice</a>: an investigation ruled that the
Chicago thugs who shot him had no justification for doing so.
<p>
This cannot fix the irreparable nerve damage caused by their bullets.
<p>
What now?  How to stop more thugs from doing the same thing in the
future?


feed_id: e993ff673e71b5f8af030757d85d5e88
title: Rejection of "lesser evil" voting
uri: Rejection-of-lesser-evil-voting
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#1_August_2016_%28Rejection_of_lesser_evil_voting%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2016/jul/26/bernie-or-bust-democratic-convention-hillary-clinton">Bernie
Sanders Diehards React</a> to DNC Speech: 'He convinced none of us'.
<p>
This
is <a href="http://www1.cs.columbia.edu/~unger/articles/voteBest.html">because
we understand what Clinton is</a>, and we have rejected "lesser evil"
voting.  It leads over time to worse and worse evils.


feed_id: d9d834a21991746aa8815818078327fe
title: Australian prisons
uri: Australian-prisons
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#1_August_2016_%28Australian_prisons%29
content:
<p>
Minors in Australian prisons 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2016/jul/26/abu-ghraib-images-children-detention-australia-public-inquiry">get
treatment</a> reminiscent of Guantanamo.


feed_id: 2be72eaadc6c6daba9a431313cc4b213
title: Sea turtle egg poaching
uri: Sea-turtle-egg-poaching
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#1_August_2016_%28Sea_turtle_egg_poaching%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/radical-conservation/2016/jul/26/sea-turtles-breaking-bad-hollywood-nicaragua-poaching-wildlife-trade">A
plan to use fake sea turtle eggs</a> to track the sales chain of
poachers.


feed_id: 0fd2a5f93c0e2896d485267fde6e95ee
title: "Buy-partisan" support of drug corporations
uri: Buy-partisan-support-of-drug-corporations
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#1_August_2016_%28Buy-partisan_support_of_drug_corporations%29

content:
<p>
Anti-Pharma 
<a href="http://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2016/07/25/anti-pharma-activists-run-full-page-ad-philly-calling-out-dnc-and-rnc-their-buy">Activists
Run Full-Page Ad</a> in Philly Calling Out DNC and RNC On Their
"Buy-Partisan" Support of Drug Corporations.


feed_id: 6f3b7e1896c5a19976a497f31c63145a
title: The Internet of Stings
uri: The-Internet-of-Stings
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#1_August_2016_%28The_Internet_of_Stings%29
content:
<p>
Bruce Schneier:
<a href="http://motherboard.vice.com/read/the-internet-of-things-will-cause-the-first-ever-large-scale-internet-disaster">The
Internet of Things Will Turn Large-Scale [Cracks] into Real World
Disasters</a>.
<p>
He's right, of course, but this article shows the usual half-blind
tendency to focus solely on the danger from third parties that were
not supposed to have access to the system at all.  It ignores the
danger that they will be misused by the companies that design, build
or sell them — a virtual certainty, if they contain proprietary
software.
<p>
Stay away from the Internet of Stings!


feed_id: 6de9d6fa6533f5fe13aa91c85c7f6ce7
title: Zhao Wei
uri: Zhao-Wei
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#1_August_2016_%28Zhao_Wei%29
content:
<p>
How did the South China Morning Post 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/jul/25/south-china-morning-post-china-influence-hong-kong-newspaper-confession">manage
to interview</a> Zhao Wei while the Chinese state was holding her
incommunicado?


feed_id: ec7d5d43bc7d57142534210c2ddfe71c
title: Trump
uri: 2016-08-02-Trump
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#1_August_2016_%28Trump%29
content:
<p>
Donald Trump 
<a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/donald-trump-is-a-unique-threat-to-american-democracy/2016/07/22/a6d823cc-4f4f-11e6-aa14-e0c1087f7583_story.html">Is
a Unique Threat</a> to American Democracy.


feed_id: 287005a08802f563c7034cf696bca723
title: Australia stops anonymizing census results
uri: Australia-stops-anonymizing-census-results
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#1_August_2016_%28Australia_stops_anonymizing_census_results%29

content:
<p>
Australia 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2016/jul/25/census-2016-australians-who-dont-complete-form-over-privacy-concerns-face-fines">has
stopped anonymizing</a> census results. This is dangerous and wrong,
even though anonymized records can be reidentified.


feed_id: 5696fed3f608950dc56363383f3df50e
title: Suggestions for Bernie Sanders
uri: Suggestions-for-Bernie-Sanders
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#1_August_2016_%28Suggestions_for_Bernie_Sanders%29
content:
<p>
<a href="http://www.gregpalast.com/bernie-take-satans-advice/">Greg
Palast's suggestions for Bernie Sanders</a> and his movement for a
political revolution.


feed_id: dc05ca40354b2787afdad56fd7f4342a
title: Underground coal gasification
uri: Underground-coal-gasification
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#1_August_2016_%28Underground_coal_gasification%29
content:
<p>
Why underground coal gasification
<a href="http://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2016/07/25/fueling-fire-new-report-shows-underground-coal-gasification-reckless-experiment">must
not be allowed</a>.


feed_id: af65cb0515d60479cd9017fbdc6c37ea
title: Censorship on the Internet
uri: Censorship-on-the-Internet
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#1_August_2016_%28Censorship_on_the_Internet%29
content:
<p>
<a href="http://www.dailykos.com/story/2016/07/22/1550852/-Donald-Trump-said-he-would-close-the-Internet">Trump
wants to impose</a> censorship on the internet.


feed_id: c8aac0071ac5084b7cd734de74935cec
title: Texas thug
uri: Texas-thug
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#1_August_2016_%28Texas_thug%29
content:
<p>
The Texas thug didn't kill Breaion King,
<a href="http://www.kvue.com/news/investigations/defenders/police-investigating-officers-in-teachers-2015-arrest/279174704">he
just pulled</a> her out of her car and threw her to the ground.


feed_id: 05dd9372bb8a7ecdfe671a11a3923fbe
title: Big bank executives
uri: Big-bank-executives
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#1_August_2016_%28Big_bank_executives%29
content:
<p>
The high-level executives of big banks 
<a href="http://www.nakedcapitalism.com/2016/07/study-top-bank-execs-saw-the-crisis-coming-and-sold-their-companys-shares.html">sold
their shares in those banks before the crisis of 2008</a>. In other
words, they knew their actions were provoking a crash, but they did
not consider that a reason to stop.


feed_id: 61c35bbec0c32a1cfd42dd244e447865
title: Protesters demand ban on fracking
uri: Protesters-demand-ban-on-fracking
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#1_August_2016_%28Protesters_demand_ban_on_fracking%29

content:
<p>
10,000 protesters
<a href="http://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2016/07/24/over-10000-march-eve-democratic-national-convention-demanding-fracking-ban-and">marched
at the Democratic Convention</a> demanding a ban on fracking and lots
of funds for renewable energy.


feed_id: 67f5ddf3fdc5ffbacef2771b53f2d398
title: Gift of privacy
uri: Gift-of-privacy
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#1_August_2016_%28Gift_of_privacy%29
content:
<p>
<a href="http://www.salon.com/2016/07/24/the_gift_of_privacy_how_edward_snowden_changed_the_way_i_parent/">A
parent learned from Snowden</a> that she should stop acting like Big
Brother to her son. Bravo.
<p>
I hope she talked with him about the difference between things that
are bad, things that are dangerous because of their own nature, and
things that are dangerous only because someone persecutes them.
<p>
Sad that she is letting him use nonfree software, and social networks
that snoop on him.


feed_id: 1395a1073eba3c2dd66510d21aaec9b3
title: Climate disasters and violent clashes
uri: Climate-disasters-and-violent-clashes
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#1_August_2016_%28Climate_disasters_and_violent_clashes%29

content:
<p>
A study found that around 1/4 of violent clashes in ethnically
divided places were 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2016/jul/25/disasters-linked-to-climate-can-increase-risk-of-armed-conflict">connected
to climate disasters</a>.


feed_id: eaa731794a5ff90c85c4f4e0f5513baf
title: Flash floods
uri: Flash-floods
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#1_August_2016_%28Flash_floods%29
content:
<p>
In some areas, 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2016/jul/25/why-concrete-rain-flash-floods-weatherwatch">more
paved space creates</a> a danger of flash floods.


feed_id: 65b72ad7b704d19d1d85e99a892cc30f
title: Wildfires
uri: 2016-08-02-Wildfires
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#1_August_2016_%28Wildfires%29
content:
<p>
A wildfire near Los Angeles 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2016/jul/25/california-wildfire-sand-fire-los-angeles">caused
the evacuation</a> of 10,000 homes.  A firefighter official said this
is unlike any fire they have seen before.
<p>
In 20 years, if we don't curb global heating, this fire will seem tame.


feed_id: be836fdebd212038d7c6f110b77e3771
title: Democratic National Committee
uri: Democratic-National-Committee
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#1_August_2016_%28Democratic_National_Committee%29
content:
<p>
The Democratic National Committee promised donors 
<a href="http://www.commondreams.org/news/2016/07/25/dnc-leaks-reveal-party-insiders-promising-access-president-exchange-cash">access
to President Obama in exchange for their money</a>.
<p>
Meanwhile, we know some of the corporations that funded the RNC:
Google, Facebook and other corporations, shame be upon them.


feed_id: 5deee2353d84226bda06dd9e20c8db30
title: Islamic terrorism
uri: Islamic-terrorism
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#1_August_2016_%28Islamic_terrorism%29
content:
<p>
<a href="http://www.commondreams.org/views/2016/07/25/defeating-islamic-terrorism-heres-how">It
won't work</a> to respond to Islamist extremism mainly by fighting.


feed_id: eb68354251505865772b9855bf0ae899
title: Democratic Convention
uri: Democratic-Convention
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#1_August_2016_%28Democratic_Convention%29
content:
<p>
<a href="http://www.commondreams.org/views/2016/07/25/whos-paying-democratic-convention">Who
is paying</a> for the Democratic Convention?  The local organizer
refuses to say.


feed_id: 653e4ddd3aa460385a681d42ec3e11d4
title: Turkey
uri: 2016-08-02-Turkey
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#1_August_2016_%28Turkey%29
content:
<p>
Erdo&gbreve;an 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/jul/25/turkey-issues-arrest-warrants-42-journalists-attempted-coup">has
ordered the arrest of 42 journalists</a>, supposedly for participating
in the coup, but they include journalists that Erdo&gbreve;an has
already tried to repress on bogus charges so I suppose these are bogus
too.


feed_id: 9397eb601ed72514d3a93b61de2ac5f8
title: Funders of violent jihadi groups
uri: Funders-of-violent-jihadi-groups
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#1_August_2016_%28Funders_of_violent_jihadi_groups%29

content:
<p>
The main funders of violent jihadi groups, for a long time, were
<a href="http://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-11923176">citizens
of Salafi Arabia</a>.
<p>
<a href="http://www.foreignpolicyi.org/content/fpi-bulletin-saudi-arabia-and-terror-financing">It
has made efforts to cut the flow of funds</a>, but some other Gulf
countries have done less.


feed_id: d7d17b349fbb23e5b26e7fd9032fcea4
title: Small Business Administration
uri: Small-Business-Administration
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#1_August_2016_%28Small_Business_Administration%29
content:
<p>
The Small Business Administration, which is supposed to give federal
contracts to small businesses, is
<a href="http://www.motherjones.com/politics/2016/07/fortune-500-corporations-federal-small-business-contracts-administration-lawsuit">letting
most of them most of them go to large companies instead</a>.
<p>
It has found many excuses to divert funds to large companies.
I consider that to be corruption.


feed_id: d7983204b301d1596bf693e1cf0ca141
title: Putin and Trump
uri: Putin-and-Trump
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#1_August_2016_%28Putin_and_Trump%29
content:
<p>
Putin and Trump <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2016/jul/25/russia-dnc-hack-vladimir-putin-donald-trump-us-election">openly support each other</a>.


feed_id: 84391e651e69f10b8171069d2fff6056
title: Panama Papers
uri: 2016-08-02-Panama-Papers
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#1_August_2016_%28Panama_Papers%29
content:
<p>
The Panama Papers include hundreds of companies that do 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/jul/25/panama-papers-reveal-scale-of-offshore-firms-african-operations">mining
in Africa</a>, showing how much of the profits from that mining are
hidden.


feed_id: 27a5f0a61fc5c67b7de8e4f08cdff1d1
title: Muslim children
uri: Muslim-children
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#1_August_2016_%28Muslim_children%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2016/jul/25/prevent-strategy-muslims-children-school">Treating
Muslim Children as Terror Suspects Does Not Make Britain Safer</a>.


feed_id: 13b5bfa59b5faeebdd963617a6261df3
title: Nonviolent 91-year-old "domestic extremist"
uri: Nonviolent-91-year-old-domestic-extremist
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#1_August_2016_%28Nonviolent_91-year-old_domestic_extremist%29

content:
<p>
John Catt, nonviolent British protester,
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/jul/25/protester-91-goes-to-european-court-over-secret-police-files">has
asked the European Court of Human Rights to order the UK to delete the
surveillance files</a> maintained about him as a "domestic extremist".
<p>
As he is 91 years old, it wouldn't be unlikely for him to die
soon.  I hope the court won't drop the case if he does.


feed_id: 1ba19ccb14839b22a194a8c5c7d9e666
title: Solar electric systems in UK
uri: Solar-electric-systems-in-UK
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#1_August_2016_%28Solar_electric_systems_in_UK%29
content:
<p>
Tory measures to reduce the installation of solar electric systems
have been 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2016/jul/25/solar-subsidy-cuts-lead-to-loss-of-12000-jobs">very
effective</a>.


feed_id: b240ed05961398b9d388cc533b0cda61
title: Capital of Mauritania flooded
uri: Capital-of-Mauritania-flooded
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#1_August_2016_%28Capital_of_Mauritania_flooded%29
content:
<p>
The capital of Mauritania 
is being flooded by 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2016/jul/25/the-best-solution-move-the-mauritanian-capital-water-on-the-rise-in-nouakchott">rising
sea level due to global heating</a>.


feed_id: d3f06663eaa00ec7c95931b2b0b5b325
title: Civilian casualties in Afghanistan
uri: 2016-08-02-Civilian-casualties-in-Afghanistan
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#1_August_2016_%28Civilian_casualties_in_Afghanistan%29

content:
<p>
Civilian casualties in Afghanistan have reached 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/jul/25/neighbours-avoid-criticising-beijing-over-south-china-sea">record
level</a>.


feed_id: 89e27db23b1162ec3a6619040069b074
title: New Zealand
uri: 2016-08-02-New-Zealand
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#1_August_2016_%28New_Zealand%29
content:
<p>
New Zealand has an 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/jul/25/no-more-rats-new-zealand-to-exterminate-all-introduced-predators">ambitious
plan</a> to eliminate several ecologically disruptive introduced
mammalian predator species (but not humans).


feed_id: b1d6eec2d566f50f236fd5a897c80d5e
title: Rally for democracy
uri: Rally-for-democracy
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#1_August_2016_%28Rally_for_democracy%29
content:
<p>
A large rally for democracy
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/jul/25/turkey-unity-rally-draws-thousands-as-post-coup-torture-claims-emerge">in
Istanbul</a>.


feed_id: 10842b51721b0bf18f1caeff522a29ad
title: Olympic games
uri: Olympic-games
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#1_August_2016_%28Olympic_games%29
content:
<p>
Don't believe the claim that the Olympic games will locally inspire
people to practice physical fitness.  This 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/sport/blog/2016/jul/22/london-2012-was-a-gigantic-waste-of-time-and-money">failed
completely in London</a> and more broadly in England.


feed_id: c8a13370b135bcb50187ab133a800baa
title: Clinton
uri: 2016-08-02-Clinton
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#1_August_2016_%28Clinton%29
content:
<p>
Clinton 
<a href="http://www.commondreams.org/views/2016/07/24/does-hillary-get-it">is
predictably taking a more right-wing stand</a>, trying to attract
nonprogressive voters, just as she shifted to the left to compete with
Sanders.
<p>
Alas, I think this rightward shift is more sincere than the previous
leftward shift.
<p>
It will also fail to appeal to desperate working Americans who are
furious with the plutocratist establishment and think Trump might help
them.  They know Clinton won't try to help them.  They don't realize
that Trump won't try either.


feed_id: 31959620a0b9f2ede970242535a2cc89
title: AirBnB
uri: AirBnB
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#1_August_2016_%28AirBnB%29
content:
<p>
San Francisco has 
<a href="http://www.heraldonline.com/news/business/article91579362.html">made
AirBnB responsible for arranging unauthorized rentals</a>.
<p>
We must protect web sites from responsibility for opinions posted by
their users, but there is no reason to give such immunity to rental
agents.


feed_id: 25f978f1424aafe757e56b870bb708e7
title: Voter suppression
uri: 2016-08-02-Voter-suppression
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#1_August_2016_%28Voter_suppression%29
content:
<p>
A Republican Kansas official
<a href="http://www.commondreams.org/views/2016/07/24/voting-kansas">is
pushing very hard to disenfranchise 17,000 voters</a>.


feed_id: 0748f04ed09cc54ec375a48254da5f32
title: Coal industry
uri: Coal-industry
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#1_August_2016_%28Coal_industry%29
content:
<p>
With the demand for US coal falling, and coal companies going
bankrupt, now is a 
<a href="http://www.commondreams.org/views/2016/07/24/buy-low-sell-never-why-not-just-buy-entire-coal-industry">great
time for the US government to buy the entire coal industry and shut it
down</a>.
<p>
Oxfam reports that
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2015/jul/29/tony-abbott-wrong-on-coal-being-good-for-humanity-oxfam-report-shows">coal
is bad for human health</a> as well as the ecosphere's health, and
inferior to renewable energy for providing electricity to poor people.
<p>
China's coal use
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2016/jul/25/china-coal-peak-hailed-turning-point-climate-change-battle">peaked
in 2014</a>.
<p>
The name 
<a href="https://stallman.org/thermocene.html">"Anthropocene"</a> is
an ill-advised choice — people's eagerness to use it confirms
the argument.


feed_id: a8d5b66eaa2ec993c79fbf2ce7ae3f14
title: Addiction
uri: 2016-08-02-Addiction
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#1_August_2016_%28Addiction%29
content:
<p>
Thinking of addiction as a disease
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2016/jul/24/is-addiction-really-a-disease">is
not the whole truth</a>.  Partly it is a habit.
<p>
There is some truth in this, but the idea that addition is all in the
mind is definitely false.  The crucial point about addiction is that
ceasing use of the drug causes physical symptoms.


feed_id: 2a0cbc197c819b9a8d93541fe06583d4
title: Munich killer
uri: Munich-killer
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#1_August_2016_%28Munich_killer%29
content:
<p>
The Munich killer was not ideological.  He 
<a href="http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2016/07/23/munich-shooting-german-iranian-gunman-targeted-children-outside/">wanted
to imitate other crazed killers</a>.


