# articles

feed_id: 7ff553072cc8de6e4af7b686f0a6d1c0
title: Yolo County farm workers malnourished
uri: Yolo-County-farm-workers-malnourished
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#6_May_2016_%28Yolo_County_farm_workers_malnourished%29

content:
<p>
Farm workers in Yolo county, California, have
<a href="http://www.motherjones.com/politics/2016/04/california-tomatoes-farm-workers-hunger-food-yolo-county">inadequate
nutrition</a> because of their low pay and other limitations.


feed_id: b6d68c470837e302a5974773562ae0e8
title: US teen pregnancy down
uri: US-teen-pregnancy-down
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#6_May_2016_%28US_teen_pregnancy_down%29
content:
<p>
The US teen pregnancy rate has fallen substantially, due to
<a href="http://www.motherjones.com/politics/2016/04/teen-birth-rate-black-hispanic-birth-control">reliable
long-term contraceptive methods</a>.


feed_id: bd092f5ea5852c70009dcb69637bed9d
title: The Democratic Party
uri: The-Democratic-Party
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#6_May_2016_%28The_Democratic_Party%29
content:
<p>
Why Do
<a href="http://www.commondreams.org/views/2016/04/29/why-do-progressives-cling-hillary">Progressives
Cling to Hillary</a>?
<p>
Sanders asks the Democratic Party to think about which side it's on:
<a href="http://www.commondreams.org/news/2016/04/28/sanders-calls-50-state-strategy-revitalize-american-democracy">the
rich and powerful, or the rest</a>.
<p>
Which is
<a href="http://www.commondreams.org/views/2016/04/28/pragmatic-impacts-sanders-big-dreams">more
realistic</a>, Sanders or Clinton?


feed_id: e82c1986531777cf79dad33ffbcf8431
title: Corporate corruption of US media
uri: Corporate-corruption-of-US-media
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#6_May_2016_%28Corporate_corruption_of_US_media%29
content:
<p>
Chomsky measures the corporate corruption of US media by
<a href="http://www.commondreams.org/news/2016/04/28/noam-chomsky-young-bernie-sanders-supporters-are-mobilized-force-could-change">the
way they dismiss Sanders</a>, who stands for mainstream America, as a
"radical extremist".


feed_id: 7e19a5165fa53941feaef37b41c3d1a3
title: Plutocracy
uri: 2016-05-07-Plutocracy
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#6_May_2016_%28Plutocracy%29
content:
<p>
Plutocracy is pushing for
<a href="http://www.commondreams.org/views/2016/04/29/millions-workers-face-pension-cuts-thanks-wall-street-greed-executive-benefits">cuts
in workers' pensions</a>, while retired executives get lavish
retirement pay.


feed_id: 7ae787269887e08e6fbb68a4cb53a1f4
title: Fracking: Environmental Groups Sue EPA
uri: Fracking-Environmental-Groups-Sue-EPA
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#6_May_2016_%28Fracking%3A_Environmental_Groups_Sue_EPA%29

content:
<p>
Fracking: <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2016/may/04/epa-fracking-lawsuit-environment">Environmental Groups Sue EPA</a> in Call for Strict Rules on Waste.
<p>Fracking might not be so attractive if frackers had to take responsibility
for the various kinds of environmental damage that it causes.


feed_id: 7ca7f1c0602262ac3eee952a8e70944b
title: Trump has gained the Republican nomination
uri: Trump-has-gained-the-Republican-nomination
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#6_May_2016_%28Trump_has_gained_the_Republican_nomination%29

content:
<p>
Trump has gained the Republican nomination; 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2016/may/04/john-kasich-drop-out-republican-presidential-race-donald-trump-nomination">other candidates have given up.</a>
<p>Kasich eschewed the I'm-toughest-cruelest-extremest rhetoric that Cruz
and Bush used, but his actions make him a right-wing extremist.


feed_id: 71bcf1ecc3df97ed9110b46a6e43b4b2
title: Bill Clinton's 1996 "antiterrorism" bill
uri: Bill-Clinton-s-1996-antiterrorism-bill
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#6_May_2016_%28Bill_Clinton%27s_1996_antiterrorism_bill%29

content:
<p>
Bill Clinton's 1996 "antiterrorism" bill continues to prop up
<a href="https://theintercept.com/2016/05/04/the-untold-story-of-bill-clintons-other-crime-bill/">miscarriages 
of justice</a>


feed_id: 08bd1eae77b85568bb231027d615f7b1
title: Apple refuses to pay taxes
uri: Apple-refuses-to-pay-taxes
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#6_May_2016_%28Apple_refuses_to_pay_taxes%29
content:
<p>
Apple 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2016/may/05/apple-taxes-cupertino-mayor-infrastructure-plan">refuses 
to pay taxes to maintain Cupertino's infrastructure</a>.  Residents 
are getting angry.


feed_id: f376a8cdd4b293e9dc3850a756b83710
title: Gay people persecuted
uri: Gay-people-persecuted
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#6_May_2016_%28Gay_people_persecuted%29
content:
<p>In Uganda, women known as gay just get murdered.  In Somalia, they are
given the choice between <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/global-development-professionals-network/2016/may/05/the-lesbian-rapper-who-escaped-forced-marriage-in-somalia">marriage (a form of slavery) and death.</a>
<p>Queers in Kyrgyzstan are persecuted; bigots <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/may/04/kyrgyzstan-lgbt-community-fear-attacks-russia">murder them with impunity.</a>


feed_id: bc447ff600932802edeb268fb3e1a8f4
title: Rising seas release pollution
uri: Rising-seas-release-pollution
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#6_May_2016_%28Rising_seas_release_pollution%29
content:
<p>
Rising seas (due to global heating) will release pollution from
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2016/may/05/pollution-risk-from-over-1000-landfill-sites-england-wales-coastal-erosion">coastal 
landfills</a>.


feed_id: d7ace25bd51857f045b088be0d122a44
title: Saudi keeps on bombing Yemen with help from the Tories
uri: Saudi-keeps-on-bombing-Yemen-with-help-from-the-Tories
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#6_May_2016_%28Saudi_keeps_on_bombing_Yemen_with_help_from_the_Tories%29

content:
<p>
Who's making sure the Saudi bombs keep falling on Yemen? 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2016/may/05/saudi-arabia-bombs-yemen-tories-human-rights">The 
Tories</a>.
<p>(Plus Obama, of course.)


feed_id: 28db66dccbb0205d391f635ed98e5d58
title: Dalits converting to Buddhism
uri: Dalits-converting-to-Buddhism
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#6_May_2016_%28Dalits_converting_to_Buddhism%29
content:
<p>
Increasing numbers of Dalits in India are 
<a href="http://www.indiapress.org/gen/news.php/Indian_Express/400x60/0">converting 
to Buddhism</a>.
<p>57 lakh equals 5.7 million.


feed_id: b348c2d4ce9e09974dc2f81cb6ce2d64
title: Families must choose: heating or eating
uri: Families-must-choose-heating-or-eating
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#6_May_2016_%28Families_must_choose%3A_heating_or_eating%29

content:
<p>
In winter under Tory cruelty, families must choose: 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2016/may/05/decent-toilet-roll-kids-delighted-hope-for-food">heating 
or eating.</a>


feed_id: ebe3d66021eab024d8cd72c22a9f39b6
title: Israel taking up Nazi traits
uri: Israel-taking-up-Nazi-traits
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#6_May_2016_%28Israel_taking_up_Nazi_traits%29
content:
<p>
The second in command of the Israeli Army warned that Israel was 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/may/05/israeli-military-chief-yair-golan-nazi-germany-comparison">taking
up Nazi traits</a>.


feed_id: 6c7372a8a853f387696589a8b810d0c9
title: Death by GPS
uri: Death-by-GPS
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#6_May_2016_%28Death_by_GPS%29
content:
<p>
<a href="http://arstechnica.com/cars/2016/05/death-by-gps/">Death 
by GPS</a> is the extreme case of a very common problem:
using a GPS makes people helpless at orienting themselves.
<p>I'd rather use a paper map.


feed_id: 112867ae56a9ee3a0ccdd810720b1765
title: Solitary confinement
uri: 2016-05-07-Solitary-confinement
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#5_May_2016_%28Solitary_confinement%29
content:
<p>
A woman in solitary confinement speaks to the world through a play
that shows how solitary confinement 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/commentisfree/2016/may/01/olitary-confinement-prison-6-x-9-mariposa-and-the-saint-theater-julia-steele-allen">crushes
the spirit</a>.


feed_id: a1d4ffca65433b393c3689c7557b2893
title: Smart-Gun Tech
uri: Smart-Gun-Tech
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#5_May_2016_%28Smart-Gun_Tech%29
content:
<p>
<a href="http://www.computerworld.com/article/3063561/emerging-technology/white-house-releases-study-on-how-to-spur-smart-gun-tech.html">White
House Releases Report on How to Spur Smart-Gun Tech</a>.


feed_id: 05639b439a56962a6173ff939e9adbbc
title: Reasons to reject cruise ship vacations
uri: Reasons-to-reject-cruise-ship-vacations
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#5_May_2016_%28Reasons_to_reject_cruise_ship_vacations%29

content:
<p>
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2016/may/01/eco-guide-to-cruises">Numerous
reasons</a> to reject a cruise ship vacation.
<p>
Another reason is that they are as artificial as a resort hotel.  (I
know this because I was once hired to give talks on a cruise —
I'd never spend money to go on one.)  All the specific pleasures
available on them, you can find closer to home and much cheaper.
<p>
I think that what people mainly like about them is the idea of being
on a cruise.  They think they gave themselves a prize.  Well, you can
pick almost anything and think of it that way.


feed_id: aec941ab111ca11447787fd5e049b6dd
title: NHS expected to deteriorate
uri: NHS-expected-to-deteriorate
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#5_May_2016_%28NHS_expected_to_deteriorate%29
content:
<p>
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/society/2016/apr/30/nhs-worse-services-three-quarters-britons-expect-survey">Over
70% of Britons</a> expect the NHS to deteriorate.
<p>
Of course it will: the Tories are trying to kill it.
Only a callous rich bastard can rationally vote for a Tory.


feed_id: 24011e79fa1fda87d501fdba3e8939fa
title: 80,000 preventable deaths per year in UK
uri: 80-000-preventable-deaths-per-year-in-UK
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#5_May_2016_%2880%2C000_preventable_deaths_per_year_in_UK%29

content:
<p>
A study estimates that the UK could prevent 80,000 deaths annually by
better regulating 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2016/apr/30/pollution-food-poisoning-health-safety-deaths-thinktank">pollution,
workplace safety, and food safety</a>.


feed_id: 6f9a1393adcaec6604266241a592f260
title: Ryan wants cancer treatment unaffordable
uri: Ryan-wants-cancer-treatment-unaffordable
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#5_May_2016_%28Ryan_wants_cancer_treatment_unaffordable%29

content:
<p>
Rep. Ryan 
<a href="http://www.dailykos.com/story/2016/04/29/1521335/-DEADPOOL-Paul-Ryan-essentially-tells-cancer-patients-to-Die-Quickly">wants
to make cancer treatment unaffordable for many Americans</a> by
changing a crucial point in Obama's medical care funding law.


feed_id: dfae3da5a5590e8ba2acafa36bb2e09f
title: Crackdown turns Journalists into 'Terrorists'
uri: 2016-05-07-Crackdown-turns-Journalists-into-Terrorists
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#5_May_2016_%28Crackdown_turns_Journalists_into_%27Terrorists%27%29

content:
<p>
Crackdown in Turkey's Kurdish South-East <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/may/03/crackdown-in-turkeys-kurdish-south-east-turns-journalists-into-terrorists">Turns 
Journalists into 'Terrorists'</a>.<p>
This is so Erdogan can cover up the continuing atrocities against
the Kurds in Turkey.


feed_id: 24b4e0e9e078fe1e52566e93558d1b70
title: Climate protesters block coal mine
uri: 2016-05-07-Climate-protesters-block-coal-mine
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#5_May_2016_%28Climate_protesters_block_coal_mine%29
content:
<p>
Climate protesters 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2016/may/03/climate-protesters-invade-uks-largest-opencast-coal-mine">blocked 
the largest coal mine in Britain</a>.<p>


feed_id: f5fa9331cb2ec9fcaea194a77c4499bb
title: Urgent: clemency for Leonard Peltier
uri: Urgent-clemency-for-Leonard-Peltier
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#5_May_2016_%28Urgent%3A_clemency_for_Leonard_Peltier%29

content:
<p>
Everyone: support 
<a href="http://act.amnestyusa.org/ea-action/action?ea.client.id=1839&ea.campaign.id=27118">clemency for Leonard Peltier</a>.


feed_id: 4b8dce834ef269414b2b678af20597fe
title: Puerto Rico is defaulting on its debt
uri: 2016-05-07-Puerto-Rico-is-defaulting-on-its-debt
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#5_May_2016_%28Puerto_Rico_is_defaulting_on_its_debt%29

content:
<p>
Puerto Rico is defaulting on its debt, because 
<a href="http://www.commondreams.org/news/2016/05/02/vulture-funds-circle-puerto-rico-set-default-debt">vulture 
banksters</a> lobbied Congress not to allow Puerto Rico a form of 
bankruptcy.


feed_id: 6b3b6689f070f196492cff939a7f0c1b
title: If everyone lived like Americans
uri: 2016-05-07-If-everyone-lived-like-Americans
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#5_May_2016_%28If_everyone_lived_like_Americans%29
content:
<p>
If everyone lived like Americans, the human world 
<a href="http://www.motherjones.com/environment/2016/04/world-already-would-be-out-water-if-everyone-ate-americans">would 
have already exhausted its fresh water supplies</a>.


feed_id: 9b3984ed25ee12ffee702586526ac660
title: Erdogan wants to prosecute members of Parliament
uri: 2016-05-07-Erdogan-wants-to-prosecute-members-of-Parliament
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#5_May_2016_%28Erdogan_wants_to_prosecute_members_of_Parliament%29

content:
<p>
Erdogan wants to prosecute members of Parliament for 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/may/03/turkish-politicians-brawl-over-plans-to-drop-legal-immunity">"terrorism"</a>.
<p>
Will they be able to find asylum in Europe?


feed_id: 9fc3e566852c6d8792ade942b9256c85
title: Snowden analyzes leaks
uri: 2016-05-07-Snowden-analyzes-leaks
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#5_May_2016_%28Snowden_analyzes_leaks%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://theintercept.com/2016/05/03/edward-snowden-whistleblowing-is-not-just-leaking-its-an-act-of-political-resistance/">Snowden 
analyzes</a> the difference between whistleblowers' leaks and the
establishments' leaks (which often damage security interests much
more).


feed_id: 128d0fc0089d134993685f0fadc009c0
title: Britain's long history of antisemitism
uri: Britain-s-long-history-of-antisemitism
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#5_May_2016_%28Britains_long_history_of_antisemitism%29

content:
<p>
Britain has a long history of 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2016/may/03/everyday-antisemitism-britain-prejudice">real 
antisemitism</a>.
<p>
This needs to be rooted out.  Note, however, that none of these
examples had anything to do with concerns about Israel's occupation
policy.


feed_id: 33f2c10c4be6a4614827fbecf11a3f81
title: Global Heating Starving West Coast Waters
uri: Global-Heating-Starving-West-Coast-Waters
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#5_May_2016_%28Global_Heating_Starving_West_Coast_Waters%29

content:
<p>
Global Heating Is 
<a href="http://www.climatecentral.org/news/global-warming-starving-waters-of-oxygen-20303">Starving 
West Coast Waters of Oxygen</a>.


feed_id: 143d14f3b6b4072812827c01e7281b7e
title: We need to curb global heating now!
uri: 2016-05-07-We-need-to-curb-global-heating-now
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#5_May_2016_%28We_need_to_curb_global_heating_now%21%29

content:
<p>
Stop waiting for the 
"<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2016/may/03/the-time-has-come-to-turn-up-the-heat-on-those-who-are-wrecking-planet-earth">right 
moment</a>" to curb global heating.  The right moment was 15 years ago!


feed_id: fb1e9abf227843435a10323f33dfb6c3
title: Women who carry guns are far more likely to be shot with a gun
uri: 2016-05-07-Women-who-carry-guns-are-far-more-likely-to-be-shot-with-a-gun
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#5_May_2016_%28Women_who_carry_guns_are_far_more_likely_to_be_shot_with_a_gun%29

content:
<p>
People, and especially women, who carry guns are 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/science/blog/2013/mar/25/guns-protection-national-rifle-association">far 
more likely to be shot with a gun</a>.
<p>
A part of this may be because people who feel more threatened are more
likely to get a gun.  But surely that is not the only cause.


feed_id: ff2802ff6fd2cf1c46018bc31ab44fa3
title: Ban of free encryption software in the US
uri: 2016-05-07-Ban-of-free-encryption-software-in-the-US
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#5_May_2016_%28Ban_of_free_encryption_software_in_the_US%29

content:
<p>
<a href="https://www.justsecurity.org/30740/feinstein-burr-bill-bans-bro">The 
Feinstein-Burr anti-encryption bill</a> would ban the distribution of
free encryption software in the US.  All distribution of free systems
would have to move out of the US.


feed_id: 0703b62e2f2905f686f4848f61058e26
title: Stealing food to eat is not a crime
uri: 2016-05-07-Stealing-food-to-eat-is-not-a-crime
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#5_May_2016_%28Stealing_food_to_eat_is_not_a_crime%29

content:
<p>
Italy's supreme court ruled that 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/may/03/theft-sausage-cheese-hungry-homeless-man-not-crime-italy">stealing 
food to eat is not a crime</a> if you are desperately hungry.


feed_id: eb6fa41843295560596c2da47ae482ef
title: Warrantless Searches on Americans
uri: 2016-05-07-Warrantless-Searches-on-Americans
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#5_May_2016_%28Warrantless_Searches_on_Americans%29
content:
<p>
NSA and CIA Double Their 
<a href="https://theintercept.com/2016/05/03/nsa-and-cia-double-their-warrantless-searches-on-americans-in-two-years/">Warrantless 
Searches on Americans</a> in Two Years.


feed_id: 22d76910ed558a4bf5682eddb2b716c2
title: Urgent: US forests
uri: Urgent-US-forests
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#8_May_2016_%28Urgent%3A_US_forests%29
content:
<p>
Everyone: 
<a href="https://secure.nrdconline.org/site/Advocacy?cmd=display&page=UserAction&id=4013">call
on he EU</a> to stop paying to cut down US forests for Europe's fuel.


feed_id: 8dcf506cb24b9d9238d77f06fac826a7
title: Urgent: Halt fossil fuel leases
uri: Urgent-Halt-fossil-fuel-leases
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#8_May_2016_%28Urgent%3A_Halt_fossil_fuel_leases%29
content:
<p>
US citizens: 
<a href="http://ran.org/publiclands">Tell Obama</a> to halt new and
expanded fossil fuel leases on public lands.


feed_id: 58f4c43fe22c041d6f9c0b08fe715f6a
title: Urgent: Banks and credit card companies
uri: Urgent-Banks-and-credit-card-companies
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#8_May_2016_%28Urgent%3A_Banks_and_credit_card_companies%29

content:
<p>
US citizens: 
<a href="http://www.commondreams.org/views/2016/05/05/finally-justice-consumers-wronged-banks-within-reach">tell
the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau</a> you support a regulation
barring banks and credit card companies from imposing arbitration on
customers and barring them from filing class action suits.


feed_id: 24604c1bc5ad059d8c5921492c85c031
title: Urgent: Stop secret plans for NSA data
uri: Urgent-Stop-secret-plans-for-NSA-data
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#8_May_2016_%28Urgent%3A_Stop_secret_plans_for_NSA_data%29

content:
<p>
US citizens: 
<a href="https://act.demandprogress.org/sign/tell-president-obama-stop-secret-plan-expand-nsa-data-sharing/">Call
on Obama</a> to stop the secret plan for the NSA to hand over its
snooping data for prosecuting Americans.


feed_id: f6806e0274851bf93bdc45747c2b4673
title: Urgent: Oppose tax on hyperlinks
uri: Urgent-Oppose-tax-on-hyperlinks
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#8_May_2016_%28Urgent%3A_Oppose_tax_on_hyperlinks%29
content:
<p>
Everyone: 
<a href="https://savethelink.org/eu">oppose the new EU plan</a> to
impose a tax on hyperlinks.


feed_id: 6d30eaa9a99dfc8e6cd5c14ec533ace3
title: Urgent: Nuclear disarmament
uri: Urgent-Nuclear-disarmament
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#8_May_2016_%28Urgent%3A_Nuclear_disarmament%29
content:
<p>
US citizens: 
<a href="https://secure3.convio.net/ucs/site/Advocacy?pagename=homepage&page=UserAction&id=5232">call
on Obama</a> to work towards nuclear disarmament by cancelling plans
to spend a trillion dollars on new generation nuclear weapons.


feed_id: 22985bb2b04f545aa222ec828be73e98
title: Breakup of Florida's barrier reef
uri: Breakup-of-Florida-s-barrier-reef
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#7_May_2016_%28Breakup_of_Floridas_barrier_reef%29
content:
<p>
The breakup of Florida's barrier reef, previously forecast for 2050,
is
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2016/may/04/florida-coral-reefs-disintegrating-climate-change">already
happening</a>.  The cause is human-generated CO<sub>2</sub> that
dissolves in the ocean and makes it more acidic.
<p>
This is expected to wipe out all coral,
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2011-jul-oct.html#12_September_2011_(Coral_Reefs)">later
in this century</a>.  The result of that would be the extinction of
thousands of species and a collapse of fisheries that hundreds of
millions of humans depend on for food.


feed_id: 32a061608e7fcb579db0914ec3c5f491
title: Leaked documents about the TTIP
uri: Leaked-documents-about-the-TTIP
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#7_May_2016_%28Leaked_documents_about_the_TTIP%29
content:
<p>
Leaked documents about the TTIP show that
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2016/may/05/protest-never-changes-anything-derailing-ttip-trade-agreement">This
Treaty is Indeed Plutocratic</a>.  Even more so than we thought: it
would give the US and foreign companies a veto over EU regulations.
<p>
The leaked text of the TTIP
<a href="http://www.commondreams.org/news/2016/05/04/pro-corporate-ttip-ropes-top-french-officials-lambaste-bad-deal">has
made the French government reject it</a>.  That could kill it
entirely, but we cannot take that for granted.  The rejection was
phrased in nationalist terms.  The US might propose "more concessions"
(nominally, to France; actually, to the plutocrats and banksters) and
France might support it again.
<p>
We have to kill it dead.  And CETA.  And the TPP.
<p>
Clinton denounced the TPP only because she needed to compete with
Sanders.  She has supported business-supremacy treaties for decades.
If she wins the Democratic nomination, I expect she will find a way to
push for such treaties again.


feed_id: f5e77ea9b608aabca2eb2fa07b855096
title: Schools in Delhi closed due to heat
uri: Schools-in-Delhi-closed-due-to-heat
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#7_May_2016_%28Schools_in_Delhi_closed_due_to_heat%29

content:
<p>
Due to unprecedented heat, all schools in Delhi have been
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/may/04/delhi-schools-ordered-to-close-early-for-summer-as-temperatures-soar">closed
for the summer</a>.
<p>
It is not clear that the students will be any safer at home.


feed_id: 49f30b56e57694b45c85f77902a9e9ad
title: Protests in the Gambia
uri: Protests-in-the-Gambia
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#7_May_2016_%28Protests_in_the_Gambia%29
content:
<p>
Although the "president" of the Gambia's men arrest and shoot
protesters,
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/may/04/gambia-yahya-jammeh-protests-uprising-solo-sandeng">people
keep protesting</a>.


feed_id: 8f0654d6f7e5f7a5e9c1caba1a70ebae
title: Racist gaffes
uri: Racist-gaffes
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#7_May_2016_%28Racist_gaffes%29
content:
<p>
It is a mistake to let racist gaffes
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2016/may/04/racism-gerry-adams-n-word-fetishise-bloopers-cumberbatch">overshadow
the substance of racism</a>.


feed_id: e08e0b195e80e88d88c6df5da112420c
title: Voter suppression
uri: 2016-05-08-Voter-suppression
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#7_May_2016_%28Voter_suppression%29
content:
<p>
Conservative Think Tank President Says Voter ID
<a href="http://thinkprogress.org/politics/2016/05/02/3774447/jim-demint-voter-id/">Helps
Conservatives Win Elections</a>.
<p>
Republicans have imposed voter suppression on
<a href="http://www.salon.com/2016/05/03/republicans_are_preparing_to_suppress_minority_voters_in_november_through_new_voter_id_laws_and_theyre_getting_away_with_it/">33
states</a>.


feed_id: 6438f9bb95a74cc1b38bf0576c4f5bdb
title: Leader of group that burned teenager sentenced
uri: Leader-of-group-that-burned-teenager-sentenced
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#7_May_2016_%28Leader_of_group_that_burned_teenager_sentenced%29

content:
<p>
The leader of a group of Israelis that burned a Palestinian teenager
to death has been sentenced to
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/may/03/israeli-yosef-haim-ben-david-who-set-alight-and-killed-palestinian-mohammed-abu-khdeir-given-life">life
in prison for murder</a>.


feed_id: 25b84e888b50928329ecbc02fb2911b9
title: Wildfire in Canada
uri: Wildfire-in-Canada
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#7_May_2016_%28Wildfire_in_Canada%29
content:
<p>
A wildfire in Canada is
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/may/03/wildfire-alberta-canada-fort-mcmurray-evacuation">consuming
the town of Fort McMurray</a>, which ironically is the origin of tar
sands oil extraction.
<p>
The fire is the result of "unseasonably hot" weather, but it's only
"unseasonable" by 20th century standards.  Global heating is making
this (and the drought) the new normal.
<p>
You could call the destruction by fire of that town poetic justice, if
the harmful effects of their oil sands extraction were limited to
them.  However, as we know, they will hit the whole world.  Canadians,
you must put an end to tar sands oil extraction.


feed_id: d236f1f1ed20f0ba1cc66c2387c1fcfe
title: Deaths caused by medical error
uri: Deaths-caused-by-medical-error
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#7_May_2016_%28Deaths_caused_by_medical_error%29
content:
<p>
A study estimates that
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/society/2016/may/03/cause-of-death-united-states-medical-error">almost
10% of deaths in the US</a> are caused by a medical error.


feed_id: b76ad5732e22878962f975f3553a2b68
title: Cameron's new censorship plan
uri: Cameron-s-new-censorship-plan
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#7_May_2016_%28Camerons_new_censorship_plan%29
content:
<p>
Cameron's new censorship plan pretends to be aimed at "violent
extremists", but actually
<a href="http://www.thecanary.co/2016/05/03/david-cameron-planning-crackdown-free-speech-silence-dissent/">targets
all sorts of political opposition</a>.


feed_id: bdf8823cbd5a6adfe63a316d51a66b6d
title: Offering stock to employees
uri: Offering-stock-to-employees
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#7_May_2016_%28Offering_stock_to_employees%29
content:
<p>
Wise entrepreneurs can still
<a href="http://www.commondreams.org/views/2016/05/02/third-way-share-gains-capitalism">offer
stock to their employees</a>.


feed_id: 5a4188ea3130886b0cc188faa5df64f9
title: Climate-Exodus
uri: Climate-Exodus
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#7_May_2016_%28Climate-Exodus%29
content:
<p>
Climate-Exodus Expected in the 
<a href="http://phys.org/news/2016-05-climate-exodus-middle-east-north-africa.html">Middle
East and North Africa</a>.
<p>
Human life will become difficult as very hot regions become even
hotter.  Tens of millions could start to flee, maybe hundreds of
millions.
<p>
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2016/may/03/climate-change-water-shortage-middle-east-asia-africa-world-bank">Global
Water Shortages to Deliver 'Severe Hit' to Economies</a>, World Bank
Warns.


feed_id: 9ba6cc8583ddbd42801d17887d599e7d
title: Use of biometrics instead of password
uri: Use-of-biometrics-instead-of-password
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#7_May_2016_%28Use_of_biometrics_instead_of_password%29

content:
<p>
In the US, using biometrics instead of a password 
<a href="http://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2016/05/should-the-govt-be-able-to-force-you-to-open-your-phone-with-just-your-fingerprint/">cedes
legal rights</a>.


feed_id: e2a8304302fd835e25d1243b90eecdf6
title: "Hair matching" forensic technique
uri: Hair-matching-forensic-technique
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#7_May_2016_%28Hair_matching_forensic_technique%29
content:
<p>
The FBI acknowledged officially that its "hair matching" forensic
technique was 
<a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/crime/fbi-overstated-forensic-hair-matches-in-nearly-all-criminal-trials-for-decades/2015/04/18/39c8d8c6-e515-11e4-b510-962fcfabc310_story.html">worthless</a>.
2500 trials must now be checked to see whether they were miscarriages
of justice.


feed_id: df19dd4e8081f007007642552dc9ad41
title: "Common Core" education reform
uri: Common-Core-education-reform
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#7_May_2016_%28Common_Core_education_reform%29
content:
<p>
Obama's "Common Core" education reform has 
<a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/alan-singer/results-are-in--common-co_b_9819736.html">failed
to improve education</a>.
<p>
We may as well get rid of it, and "No Child Left Alone".


feed_id: 6ed3ffd682456c15b97ca9c5bbd214cc
title: LA thugs redefine prostitution
uri: LA-thugs-redefine-prostitution
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#7_May_2016_%28LA_thugs_redefine_prostitution%29
content:
<p>
LA thugs have 
<a href="http://reason.com/blog/2016/05/02/homeland-security-la-police-team-up-to-a">redefined
prostitution as "human trafficking"</a> to make arresting prostitutes
and their customers appear justified.


feed_id: 43d747cb54f51bf120526690f7071ad4
title: SCROTUS support for nuclear weapons plan
uri: SCROTUS-support-for-nuclear-weapons-plan
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#7_May_2016_%28SCROTUS_support_for_nuclear_weapons_plan%29

content:
<p>
SCROTUS supports Obama's new nuclear weapons plan so much that they
<a href="https://theintercept.com/2016/05/02/republicans-dont-want-to-know-costs-of-u-s-nuclear-arsenal/">don't
want to find out what this will cost</a>.
<p>
Obama and the Republicans are both part of the Plutocratist Party.
<p>
SCROTUS = Sleazy Congressional Republicans Of The United States.


feed_id: 374f5be1c27fcac2b472aa065c0c31fd
title: Murder of Berta Cáceres
uri: Murder-of-Berta-Cáceres
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#7_May_2016_%28Murder_of_Berta_Caceres%29
content:
<p>
Honduras has 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/may/02/berta-caceres-murder-four-men-arrested-honduras">charged
suspects</a> with the murder of Berta Cáceres.
<p>
Given their job descriptions, I don't think they would have acted on
their own initiative.


feed_id: a38fda9160fba9cea186779185e88fa2
title: Egyptian journalists protest
uri: Egyptian-journalists-protest
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#7_May_2016_%28Egyptian_journalists_protest%29
content:
<p>
Egypt's journalists are 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/may/02/egyptian-journalists-protest-arrests-cairo">holding
a sit-in</a> next to the journalists' union after thugs raided it and
arrested two journalists.
<p>
It takes real courage to protest in Egypt under General al-Sisi.


feed_id: 3bccc0357f226b20a50539ce94e4cc45
title: Labour suspends officials for "antisemitism"
uri: Labour-suspends-officials-for-antisemitism
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#7_May_2016_%28Labour_suspends_officials_for_antisemitism%29

content:
<p>
Labour has suspended two local officials for "antisemitism" because of
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/politics/2016/may/02/labour-suspends-two-councillors-alleged-antisemitism">statements
that really only criticize the occupation of Palestine</a>.
<p>
Those two people may or may not be antisemitic, but these statements
don't indicate that.
<p>
Neither of the quoted statements appears antisemitic to me.  One said
that European support for Israel's occupation of Palestine helped to
provoke terrorist attacks in Europe.  This is surely true.  The
statement criticizes Israel, but does not express hostility towards
Jews.
<p>
The other one compares Israel's occupation policies with Nazi
genocide.  To equate them would be an exaggeration — Israel is
not trying to kill Palestinians, only to ethnically cleanse them from
certain areas — but 
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2010-mar-jun.html#27%20April%202010%20(The%20Israeli%20right%20win)">Uri
Avnery sees a similarity</a>.  Unlike us, he saw real Nazis before his
family fled Germany.


feed_id: 4f15c7465944f91a4bb178195f828d39
title: FBI secrecy about stingray use
uri: FBI-secrecy-about-stingray-use
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#7_May_2016_%28FBI_secrecy_about_stingray_use%29
content:
<p>
The FBI 
<a href="https://theintercept.com/2016/05/02/fbi-chooses-secrecy-over-locking-up-criminals/">imposes
secrecy about use of stingrays</a> (fake cell towers for snooping on
people) on state and local thugs, even when this requires cases to be
thrown out.
<p>
However, it is quite possible that this secrecy enables them to
illegally deny the use of stingrays in cases where they did use them.


feed_id: d1f6031431feb59a250f954ddea01345
title: Media witch-hunt in Turkey
uri: Media-witch-hunt-in-Turkey
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#7_May_2016_%28Media_witch-hunt_in_Turkey%29
content:
<p>
Turkish Journalists Accuse Erdo&gbreve;an of 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/may/02/turkish-journalists-accuse-erdogan-of-media-witch-hunt">Media
Witch-Hunt</a>.


feed_id: 307a8012c075d97e5d4e0ced01719eac
title: Isolation of prisoners
uri: Isolation-of-prisoners
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#7_May_2016_%28Isolation_of_prisoners%29
content:
<p>
Some European countries have 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/may/02/solitary-confinement-european-prisons-terror-threat">isolated
jihadi prisoners</a> to stop them from spreading their ideology to
other prisoners.
<p>
Isolation from other prisoners does not have to mean isolation from
everyone.  In principle, this does not have to be solitary confinement
— it could be like the prison Anders Breivik is in (which seems
acceptable to me).  In practice, it tends to be almost solitary
confinement.


feed_id: d191711f6ea425dbd65b71118650b874
title: Union buster Trump
uri: Union-buster-Trump
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#7_May_2016_%28Union_buster_Trump%29
content:
<p>
Trump, the 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2016/may/02/donald-trump-workers-hotel-international-las-vegas">union
buster</a>.
<p>
What Trump says doesn't mean much, but we can get an idea of how he
wants to treat workers from the way he treats the workers in his
hotel.


feed_id: c7f07e673995cfbd082851baa3ae18e6
title: Manning describes solitary confinement
uri: Manning-describes-solitary-confinement
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#7_May_2016_%28Manning_describes_solitary_confinement%29

content:
<p>
Chelsea Manning describes her horrible solitary confinement, in which
she was 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/commentisfree/2016/may/02/solitary-confinement-is-solitary-confinement-is-torture-6x9-cells-chelsea-manningno-touch-torture-and-it-must-be-abolished">constantly
watched and forbidden to lie down or sit against the wall</a> for 17
hours each day.


feed_id: 3f97dca0c39e793f7bfd8549e31509d1
title: Australian thugs acting like kidnapers
uri: Australian-thugs-acting-like-kidnapers
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#7_May_2016_%28Australian_thugs_acting_like_kidnapers%29

content:
<p>
Australian thugs imprisoning an Iranian refugee (whose husband
recently set himself on fire and died) are acting like kidnapers,
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2016/may/02/widow-of-refugee-who-set-himself-alight-being-kept-in-hotel-and-denied-a-lawyer">threatening
to punish her if she looks out the window</a> since she might be seen.
When she cries, they inject her with sedatives.
<p>
They are trying to bully her into going back to Iran, where she faces
a danger of persecution.
<p>
Apparently Australia's policy for keeping refugees away is to threaten
them with worse persecution than what they are fleeing from.


feed_id: 37e353ffe59249aeeecf7192d26eff8c
title: Overfishing
uri: 2016-05-08-Overfishing
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#7_May_2016_%28Overfishing%29
content:
<p>
The tuna fishing business can be 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/sustainable-business/2016/may/02/overfishing-42bn-tuna-industry-risk-collapse">wiped
out by overfishing</a> unless the fishing countries make an agreement
to preserve the stocks.


feed_id: bf8cb1a0074ac81e4669595888e0d058
title: Mothers of jihadis offer counseling
uri: Mothers-of-jihadis-offer-counseling
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#7_May_2016_%28Mothers_of_jihadis_offer_counseling%29

content:
<p>
Mothers of jihadis now offer family counseling to 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/may/02/joining-isis-foreign-jihadis-syria-deradicalisation">help
mothers dissuade their children from becoming jihadis</a>.
<p>
I think this has a chance of working, unlike the heavy-handed
government surveillance/repression campaigns.  In addition, this won't
give large numbers of young Muslims grounds to feel resentment.


feed_id: 271616796715e666f4c5ca7b5b5003ca
title: War on Sharing
uri: 2016-05-08-War-on-Sharing
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#7_May_2016_%28War_on_Sharing%29
content:
<p>
The European Commission is 
<a href="https://edri.org/leaked-eu-communication-privatised-censorship-and-surveillance/">inventing
and distorting evidence</a> to justify a new regime of censorship for
the internet.
<p>
It's for the sake of the War on Sharing, of course.


feed_id: 4ca516dbbd4c7802ab781a59bb2be747
title: Insurance companies and data brokers
uri: Insurance-companies-and-data-brokers
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#7_May_2016_%28Insurance_companies_and_data_brokers%29

content:
<p>
US insurance companies, and the data brokers that serve them, 
<a href="http://www.theatlantic.com/technology/archive/2016/04/credit-reporting-spying/480510/">must
be strictly regulated</a> about what kinds of data they can collect.


feed_id: a7b982c30e7f305652a507ec8dc31a6a
title: Claim that suicide is 'se lfish'
uri: Claim-that-suicide-is-se-lfish
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#9_May_2016_%28Claim_that_suicide_is_%27selfish%27%29

content:
<p>
The claim that suicide is "selfish" is a form of victim-blaming.
<p><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/science/brain-flapping/2014/aug/12/robin-williams-suicide-and-depression-are-not-selfish">https://www.theguardian.com/science/brain-flapping/2014/aug/12/robin-williams-suicide-and-depression-are-not-selfish</a>


feed_id: 74c41bfc84246569f9b060216f3df7a7
title: AirBnB Discrimination
uri: AirBnB-Discrimination
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#9_May_2016_%28AirBnB_Discrimination%29
content:
<p>
AirBnB creates an opportunity for racial discrimination that is outlawed
for hotels.
<p><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2016/may/06/airbnb-racism-civil-rights-laws-sharing-economy">https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2016/may/06/airbnb-racism-civil-rights-laws-sharing-economy</a>


feed_id: b03e745cb2684fe1c928c96c2cd57507
title: Americans' debt
uri: Americans-debt
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#9_May_2016_%28Americans_debt%29
content:
<p>
Americans' debt is
<a href="http://www.slate.com/articles/business/the_united_states_of_debt/2016/05/overspending_isn_t_why_americans_are_in_debt_an_excerpt_from_elizabeth_warren.html">mostly
due to dooH niboR</a>, not to frivolous purchases.


feed_id: 432bd7a858486e34f2f36e444c67a991
title: Syrian refugee minors
uri: Syrian-refugee-minors
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#9_May_2016_%28Syrian_refugee_minors%29
content:
<p>
Most Syrian refugee minors can't go to school, and many of them are
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/may/06/war-to-sweatshop-for-child-refugees">forced
to work in sweatshops</a> instead.


feed_id: cc7a5d779c11b6727837a1355acd3d03
title: Alberta fires
uri: Alberta-fires
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#9_May_2016_%28Alberta_fires%29
content:
<p>
As the Alberta fires continue to grow in "unseasonably hot" weather,
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/may/06/canadas-wildfires-grow-tenfold-in-size-as-thousands-more-people-are-evacuated">the
Guardian's coverage</a> avoids relating this to Alberta's oil exports.


feed_id: 8d81e2612dccda93b601c07b199bfc5b
title: French thugs
uri: French-thugs
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#9_May_2016_%28French_thugs%29
content:
<p>
French thugs complain that criticism of them is unfair, but plenty of
people can testify about how thugs
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/may/06/french-police-anti-cop-hatred-protest-violence">attacked
protesters</a>.
<p>
I criticize any protesters that start avoidable violence against
thugs.  But don't be too quick to assume that isn't the fault of the
thugs.  Those "protesters" might <em>be</em> thugs, acting as
provocateurs to give the protesters a bad name.  I don't know whether
this is happening in France, but it has happened in other places.


feed_id: f8779b18fb9a54465ff313c66c7558d9
title: Protection of grizzly bears
uri: Protection-of-grizzly-bears
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#9_May_2016_%28Protection_of_grizzly_bears%29
content:
<p>
Protection of grizzly bears has enabled their population to increase,
but they are now
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2016/may/05/jane-goodall-grizzly-bears-yellowstone-endangered-species">threatened
by global heating effects</a>, so it is a mistake to remove the
protection.
<p>
It seems to me that there needs to be an intermediate status of
partial protection for species that seem to have recovered.  They may
not need the full protection that enabled the population to recover,
but they need some protection so we don't wipe them out.


feed_id: 8a1c28a9d79040dddf575a553ed5c38e
title: Chomsky predicted rise of Trump
uri: Chomsky-predicted-rise-of-Trump
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#9_May_2016_%28Chomsky_predicted_rise_of_Trump%29
content:
<p>
Noam Chomsky Predicted the Rise of Trump
<a href="http://www.commondreams.org/views/2016/05/05/noam-chomsky-predicted-rise-trump-six-years-ago">Six
Years Ago</a>.


feed_id: 0cd36405ec3383f15c63245ddc42852c
title: Laughing at politicians in Turkey
uri: Laughing-at-politicians-in-Turkey
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#9_May_2016_%28Laughing_at_politicians_in_Turkey%29
content:
<p>
Elif Shafak: "In Turkey we
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2016/may/05/turkish-laugh-politicians-president-erdogan-prime-minister-resigned">canât
even laugh at our politicians any more</a>."
<p>
If Europe wants to halt the spread of Islamist extremism, it should
prioritize stopping that in Turkey.


feed_id: 3bb93fda1d8f75d4795b8efebf5f76de
title: Trump
uri: 2016-05-09-Trump
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#9_May_2016_%28Trump%29
content:
<p>
After attacking other candidates for taking money from other rich
people, Trump now
<a href="http://www.motherjones.com/kevin-drum/2016/05/trump-prepares-tap-his-expansive-personal-rolodex">says
he will do the same thing</a>.


feed_id: e44fa18348f9832fcbd4d2f098e1ef0e
title: Taxes on sugary drinks
uri: Taxes-on-sugary-drinks
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#9_May_2016_%28Taxes_on_sugary_drinks%29
content:
<p>
Sanders is mistaken on one issue:
<a href="http://www.motherjones.com/politics/2016/05/bernie-sanders-progressive-fail-soda-tax-philadelphia-berkeley">taxes
on sugary drinks</a>.
<p>
This issue is small compared with the major issues on which he is
right.  I hope he will get some good advice about it, though.


feed_id: a7c346944f41deff222d0bc87c409d19
title: British thug violence
uri: British-thug-violence
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#9_May_2016_%28British_thug_violence%29
content:
<p>
It is
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2016/may/05/lies-bind-hillsborough-battle-orgreave">not
too late to investigate</a> the British thugs' violent attack on
striking miners in 1984, after which the thugs tried to frame the
miners they had arrested.


feed_id: 422600e91f6d95be62c7c6034ea36932
title: Prisoners kept in tiny cages in Iraq
uri: Prisoners-kept-in-tiny-cages-in-Iraq
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#9_May_2016_%28Prisoners_kept_in_tiny_cages_in_Iraq%29

content:
<p>
Iraq holds a thousand prisoners who are perhaps supporters of PISSI,
and keeps them in
<a href="http://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2016/05/03/more-1000-detained-shocking-conditions-counterterrorism-centers-anbar-iraq">tiny
cages</a>.
<p>
Maybe there is a good reason to keep hold of them prisoner, but even
Iraq can build a prison where prisoners have room to lie down and walk
around.


feed_id: fea566c242130060c82901e8ead1aab0
title: Corporate welfare
uri: 2016-05-09-Corporate-welfare
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#9_May_2016_%28Corporate_welfare%29
content:
<p>
<a href="http://www.commondreams.org/views/2016/05/03/mcdonalds-corporate-welfare-moocher">McDonald's</a>,
the Corporate Welfare Moocher.


feed_id: 9bf5fba98def66f705104869f5c6b376
title: Clinton backtracks on ending use of coal
uri: Clinton-backtracks-on-ending-use-of-coal
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#9_May_2016_%28Clinton_backtracks_on_ending_use_of_coal%29

content:
<p>
Clinton talked about ending use of coal, but now she
<a href="http://www.commondreams.org/news/2016/05/03/backtracking-clean-energy-clinton-turns-chameleon-coal">says
she didn't really mean it</a>.


feed_id: 301c2741dc92078cf2ac8334a48d340f
title: Detroit teachers on strike
uri: Detroit-teachers-on-strike
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#9_May_2016_%28Detroit_teachers_on_strike%29
content:
<p>
Detroit teachers are on strike because
<a href="http://www.commondreams.org/news/2016/05/03/detroit-schools-shuttered-lawmakers-illegally-withhold-teacher-pay">officials
refuse to promise they would get paid if they did work</a>.


feed_id: 7dfba2320386c5713faf96629fc7a164
title: Felony charges for having pants down
uri: Felony-charges-for-having-pants-down
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#9_May_2016_%28Felony_charges_for_having_pants_down%29

content:
<p>
A high-school student faces felony charges for
<a href="http://reason.com/blog/2016/05/03/cops-arrest-high-schooler-on-69-counts-o">pulling
his pants down momentarily for a photo</a> that was put in the
yearbook.


feed_id: b75c76d92eb6b7a60dd539206bf993dd
title: Plans for coal-fired power in Asia
uri: Plans-for-coal-fired-power-in-Asia
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#9_May_2016_%28Plans_for_coal-fired_power_in_Asia%29
content:
<p>
Plans for Coal-Fired Power in Asia Are
'<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2016/may/05/climate-change-coal-power-asia-world-bank-disaster">Disaster
For Planet</a>', Warns World Bank.


feed_id: df0c65c1d29788503bb1417dd184d7d3
title: Refugee camp inside Syria bombed
uri: Refugee-camp-inside-Syria-bombed
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#9_May_2016_%28Refugee_camp_inside_Syria_bombed%29
content:
<p>
Assad's forces or allies
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/may/05/airstrike-hits-refugee-camp-in-northern-syria-say-activists">bombed
a refugees camp</a> inside Syria.


feed_id: 99359fb670cb650a82ccf2e08e8a9d75
title: Careerist Republicans align with Trump
uri: Careerist-Republicans-align-with-Trump
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#8_May_2016_%28Careerist_Republicans_align_with_Trump%29

content:
<p>
Careerist Republican politicians — the majority of Republican
politicians — are
<a href="http://reason.com/blog/2016/05/03/republicans-are-coming-around-to-donald">changing
their positions to agree with Trump</a>.
<p>
Trump as Republican nominee is intensely embarrassing to Republican
candidates for other offices.  Some have already
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2016/may/05/will-republican-party-embrace-donald-trump-nomination">blatantly
contradicted themselves</a>.
<p>
This may result in their defeat, but we should not count on that.
Republicans can forgive their politicians all sorts of hypocrisy, as
long as said politicians attack those who are weak, different or poor.


feed_id: 4791844e94a0107a12d7342d91107609
title: Universal health care
uri: 2016-05-09-Universal-health-care
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#8_May_2016_%28Universal_health_care%29
content:
<p>
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2016/may/05/us-doctors-calling-universal-healthcare-system-affordable-care-act">2000
US doctors</a> call for universal health care.


feed_id: 51a7de1e5757484c2e2e6a9df3de1162
title: Journalist Mohamed Fawzy
uri: Journalist-Mohamed-Fawzy
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#8_May_2016_%28Journalist_Mohamed_Fawzy%29
content:
<p>
Egyptian journalist Mohamed Fawzy, arrested by Egypt for being
somewhere near a protest, 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/media/2016/may/05/mohamed-fawzy-al-jazeera-laid-off-egypt">may
be forced to return to Egypt and prison</a> because he no longer has a
US work visa.


feed_id: d41ba5255627061b4ea1b48aab6802aa
title: Mega-mergers
uri: Mega-mergers
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#8_May_2016_%28Mega-mergers%29
content:
<p>
Monsanto, Dow, Syngenta: Rush for Mega-Mergers 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/sustainable-business/2016/may/05/monsanto-dow-syngenta-rush-for-mega-mergers-puts-food-security-at-risk">Puts
Food Security at Risk</a>.


feed_id: 22c539dabd46edb0c4c6de3ae298c524
title: Tories' racist remarks
uri: Tories-racist-remarks
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#8_May_2016_%28Tories_racist_remarks%29
content:
<p>
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/politics/2016/may/05/unite-boss-claims-tory-racism-goes-unpunished">Why
give the Tories a free pass</a> on racist remarks?


feed_id: 4afa379ab4918212aaa3c83adadf67ac
title: "Protecting" national parks
uri: Protecting-national-parks
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#8_May_2016_%28Protecting_national_parks%29
content:
<p>
Governments have made unprotecting a national park so commonplace that
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2016/may/05/how-safe-does-protected-status-keep-the-worlds-national-parks">"protecting"
them gives little protection</a>.


feed_id: dc9438acc69de8748740ae342eb23abf
title: Egyptian press freedom campaign
uri: Egyptian-press-freedom-campaign
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#8_May_2016_%28Egyptian_press_freedom_campaign%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://theintercept.com/2016/05/05/egypts-newspapers-open-revolt-police-attack-press-freedom/">Thousands
of Egyptian journalists, and even newspapers</a>, have joined a
campaign "Journalism is not a crime."


feed_id: b79dd6ac6ac2f50345be7ffd3a59b6aa
title: UK NHS patient data given to Google
uri: UK-NHS-patient-data-given-to-Google
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#8_May_2016_%28UK_NHS_patient_data_given_to_Google%29

content:
<p>
The UK NHS has 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/media-network/2016/may/05/google-deepmind-patient-data-privacy-data-sharing">given
Google a copy of lots of patients' data</a>, without public scrutiny
of what Google will be allowed to do with the data.


feed_id: 78f10dd038dfa82831495a1c656b64d6
title: "Honor killing" in Pakistan
uri: Honor-killing-in-Pakistan
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#8_May_2016_%28Honor_killing_in_Pakistan%29
content:
<p>
In Pakistan, tribal council members that were the ringleaders in burning
a teenage girl to death have been 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/may/05/pakistani-police-arrest-15-tribal-council-members-so-called-honour-killing">arrested</a>.
Her relatives who agreed to the killing were also arrested.
<p>
I fear that Pakistan will execute them.  In addition to the general
wrongs of the death penalty, this risks enabling them to claim status
as martyrs for the murder they did.  I suggest instead punishing them
in a way that will make them the object of public contempt.  That way,
others won't be tempted to follow their example.


feed_id: 1d022d3f919e5ac62f3f26b2dd743154
title: Corruption in Brazil
uri: 2016-05-09-Corruption-in-Brazil
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#8_May_2016_%28Corruption_in_Brazil%29
content:
<p>
Eduardo Cunha, one of the leaders of the campaign to impeach President
Rousseff, has been suspended from Congress for 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/may/05/speaker-of-brazils-lower-house-eduardo-cunha-suspended">trying
to intimidate corruption investigations directed at him</a>.


feed_id: 4d4c7a624b28e38c2cf224b60e5b56dd
title: Justice for Telecommunications Consumers Act
uri: Justice-for-Telecommunications-Consumers-Act
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#8_May_2016_%28Justice_for_Telecommunications_Consumers_Act%29

content:
<p>
Justice for Telecommunications Consumers Act Would 
<a href="https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2016/04/forced-arbitration-bad-deal">Thwart
Unfair Arbitration Clauses</a>.


feed_id: 9b4263115a6b3c077b1870397c03b261
title: War, dooH niboR and global heating
uri: War-dooH-niboR-and-global-heating
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#8_May_2016_%28War%2C_dooH_niboR_and_global_heating%29

content:
<p>
Naomi Klein says that war, dooH niboR and global heating are 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/books/2016/may/04/climate-change-is-corroding-our-values-says-naomi-klein">three
aspects of the same problem</a>.  We should unite the struggles
against them.


feed_id: c7477b567dfce87d86735e103324f7e0
title: Keeping wall street speeches secret
uri: Keeping-wall-street-speeches-secret
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#9_May_2016_%28Keeping_wall_street_speeches_secret%29

content:
<p>
It has been three months since Clinton made flimsy excuses for not releasing
the text of her highly paid speeches to banksters.
<p><a href="http://www.commondreams.org/views/2016/05/02/keeping-wall-street-speeches-secret-speaks-volumes-about-hillary-clinton">http://www.commondreams.org/views/2016/05/02/keeping-wall-street-speeches-secret-speaks-volumes-about-hillary-clinton</a>
<p>While we do not have proof "beyond a reasonable doubt", for the standards
of politics we are entitled to conclude that she thinks we would not like
what she said.


feed_id: 2c7738c97d2e8807377de40dc5190d77
title: Africa frontline of wildlife wars
uri: Africa-frontline-of-wildlife-wars
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#9_May_2016_%28Africa_frontline_of_wildlife_wars%29
content:
<p>
Groups of heavily armed poachers regularly fight the rangers that try to
protect elephants at Virunga Park.
<p><a href="http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2016/may/07/africa-frontline-of-wildlife-wars">http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2016/may/07/africa-frontline-of-wildlife-wars</a>


feed_id: c5956f1eebfedeebd0fa7bcc136c5003
title: Homeland Security Wants To Subpoena Us
uri: Homeland-Security-Wants-To-Subpoena-Us
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#9_May_2016_%28Homeland_Security_Wants_To_Subpoena_Us%29

content:
<p>
Techdirt: Homeland Security Wants To Subpoena Us Over A Clearly
Hyperbolic Techdirt Comment.
<p><a href="https://www.techdirt.com/articles/20160506/10324634363/homeland-security-wants-to-subpoena-us-over-clearly-hyperbolic-techdirt-comment.shtml">https://www.techdirt.com/articles/20160506/10324634363/homeland-security-wants-to-subpoena-us-over-clearly-hyperbolic-techdirt-comment.shtml</a>


feed_id: a67fedbc79ecbfee4e944f3bc7ca11f3
title: Greece has basically achieved reform goals
uri: Greece-has-basically-achieved-reform-goals
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#9_May_2016_%28Greece_has_basically_achieved_reform_goals%29

content:
<p>
The European Commission head said that <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/may/08/greece-has-basically-achieved-reform-goals-says-jean-claude-juncker
">Greece has suffered enough.</a>
<p>This is an abrupt change: just recently the boa-banksters wanted to
squeeze Greece harder.  (When they say "reform", it means "squeeze the
people".)
<p>The article says that the IMF "demanded more reforms".  However, a few
days ago the IMF did just the opposite: it refused to go along with
further squeezing, pointing out that additional "reforms" would
increase Greece's deficit, just as the "reforms" so far have done.
<p>Has the IMF forced the boas to stop constricting Greece?  Or is this
too good to be true?  Is it plausible that the IMF has actually done
something good?


feed_id: 0885ef03265e3b80255f5d2aa854762c
title: Urgent: US citizens: call on the US to demand justice for Berta Caceres
uri: Urgent-US-citizens-call-on-the-US-to-demand-justice-for-Berta-Cacere
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#9_May_2016_%28Urgent%3A_US_citizens%3A_call_on_the_US_to_demand_justice_for_Berta_Caceres%29

content:
<p>
US citizens: call on the US to demand justice for Berta Caceres and
stop supporting the coup-installed government.
<p><a href="https://ggj.ourpowerbase.net/civicrm/petition/sign?sid=4&reset=1">https://ggj.ourpowerbase.net/civicrm/petition/sign?sid=4&reset=1</a>


feed_id: 1a420ce5a9013bcd2a488ac92d8b1c25
title: Urgent: US citizens: Ask your state legislator to support automatic voter registration
uri: Urgent-US-citizens-Ask-your-state-legislator-to-support-automatic-vo
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#9_May_2016_%28Urgent%3A_US_citizens%3A_Ask_your_state_legislator_to_support_automatic_voter_registration%29

content:
<p>
US citizens: Ask your state legislator to support automatic voter registration.
<p><a href="http://act.rootsaction.org/p/dia/action3/common/public/?action_KEY=11095">http://act.rootsaction.org/p/dia/action3/common/public/?action_KEY=11095</a>


feed_id: 1fee5ba7d9b1954a89bb0904cb8c9d98
title: Urgent: Support Human Rights Watch's call for US to stop producting cluster bombs
uri: Urgent-Support-Human-Rights-Watch-s-call-for-US-to-stop-producting-cl
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#9_May_2016_%28Urgent%3A_Support_Human_Rights_Watch%27s_call_for_US_to_stop_producting_cluster_bombs%29

content:
<p>
US citizens: support Human Rights Watch's call for the US to stop
producing cluster bombs and stop giving them to Salafi Arabia.
<p><a href="http://petitions.moveon.org/sign/stand-with-hrw-stop-producin?source=c.url&r_by=1135580">http://petitions.moveon.org/sign/stand-with-hrw-stop-producin?source=c.url&r_by=1135580</a>


feed_id: d319accd141a3c4809034689cb93494f
title: Protestors stop coal train and blocked harbors
uri: Protestors-stop-coal-train-and-blocked-harbors
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#9_May_2016_%28Protestors_stop_coal_train_and_blocked_harbors%29

content:
<p>
Over a thousand protesters blocked tracks to stop a coal train.
while hundreds blocked Newcastle, Australia, harbor to stop coal ships.
<p><a href="http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2016/may/08/hundreds-of-anti-fossil-fuel-protesters-join-australian-coal-blockade">http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2016/may/08/hundreds-of-anti-fossil-fuel-protesters-join-australian-coal-blockade</a>


feed_id: e48db64284ebabf943f4560582809e41
title: Sea level rise eating into Louisiana and Alaska
uri: Sea-level-rise-eating-into-Louisiana-and-Alaska
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#9_May_2016_%28Sea_level_rise_eating_into_Louisiana_and_Alaska%29

content:
<p>
Sea level rise and loss of land are eating into Louisiana and Alaska.
<p><a href="http://www.theguardian.com/global/commentisfree/2016/may/08/climate-change-refugees-louisiana-rising-seas-vicki-arroyo">http://www.theguardian.com/global/commentisfree/2016/may/08/climate-change-refugees-louisiana-rising-seas-vicki-arroyo</a>


feed_id: 26f3599bb245f35cd5e5ca2d708b09d7
title: Poverty driving syrian males into ISIS
uri: Poverty-driving-syrian-males-into-ISIS
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#9_May_2016_%28Poverty_driving_syrian_males_into_ISIS%29

content:
<p>
Syrians' principal motive for joining PISSI is that they need to get paid.
<p><a href="http://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2016/may/04/poverty-driving-syrian-men-and-boys-into-the-arms-of-isis">http://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2016/may/04/poverty-driving-syrian-men-and-boys-into-the-arms-of-isis</a>
<p>The US should be able to offer them more money than PISSI can.


feed_id: d4d7501667de441b61abe53348b90229
title: FBI told cops to re create evidence
uri: FBI-told-cops-to-re-create-evidence
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#9_May_2016_%28FBI_told_cops_to_recreate_evidence%29
content:
<p>
When the FBI directs local thugs to create alternative stories to hide
the fact that they actually used a stingray, they violate the
constitutional rights of the suspect with lies.
<p><a href="https://theintercept.com/2016/05/05/fbi-told-cops-to-recreate-evidence-from-secret-cell-phone-trackers/">https://theintercept.com/2016/05/05/fbi-told-cops-to-recreate-evidence-from-secret-cell-phone-trackers/</a>


feed_id: 88894f23e255e7a671817a1180c2d61d
title: Computers could recognize location of all oudoor photos
uri: Computers-could-recognize-location-of-all-oudoor-photos
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#9_May_2016_%28Computers_could_recognize_location_of_all_oudoor_photos%29

content:
<p>
Computers may soon be able to recognize the location of all outdoor
photos.
<p><a href="http://www.fastcoexist.com/3059593/this-app-knows-exactly-where-you-were-standing-when-you-took-a-photo">http://www.fastcoexist.com/3059593/this-app-knows-exactly-where-you-were-standing-when-you-took-a-photo</a>


feed_id: 3f5f1d16220741ef2d144d84a7596302
title: Colorado to pay back destitute people
uri: Colorado-to-pay-back-destitute-people
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#9_May_2016_%28Colorado_to_pay_back_destitute_people%29

content:
<p>
"Colorado Springs will pay back destitute people it illegally jailed 
because they couldnât pay court fines, the city announced Thursday."
<p><a href="http://thinkprogress.org/justice/2016/05/06/3776098/debtors-prison-repeal-colorado/">http://thinkprogress.org/justice/2016/05/06/3776098/debtors-prison-repeal-colorado/</a>


feed_id: f3d696fa4bb90d4546df619e7eb39619
title: European Greens want to Protect Whistleblowers
uri: European-Greens-want-to-Protect-Whistleblowers
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#9_May_2016_%28European_Greens_want_to_Protect_Whistleblowers%29

content:
<p>
European Greens Present Draft Law On Protecting Whistleblowers.
<p><a href="https://www.techdirt.com/articles/20160505/09225834352/european-greens-present-draft-law-protecting-whistleblowers.shtml">https://www.techdirt.com/articles/20160505/09225834352/european-greens-present-draft-law-protecting-whistleblowers.shtml
</a>


feed_id: 00bd0885abedd1a002431fa3bf255305
title: Ordinary voters can now lobby superdelegates
uri: Ordinary-voters-can-now-lobby-superdelegates
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#9_May_2016_%28Ordinary_voters_can_now_lobby_superdelegates%29

content:
<p>
US voters: you can ask Democratic "superdelegates" to vote for Sanders.
<p><a href="http://www.truthdig.com/eartotheground/item/ordinary_voters_can_now_lobby_superdelegates_for_bernie_sanders_20160504">http://www.truthdig.com/eartotheground/item/ordinary_voters_can_now_lobby_superdelegates_for_bernie_sanders_20160504</a>


feed_id: 5f6236a55b4e0163513d1c85fe9280aa
title: US Flight delayed due to professor solving equations
uri: US-Flight-delayed-due-to-professor-solving-equations
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#9_May_2016_%28US_Flight_delayed_due_to_professor_solving_equations%29

content:
<p>
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2016/may/07/professor-flight-delay-terrorism-equation-american-airlines">
A passenger on a US flight was treated as suspect because he was writing
mathematical symbols, solving an equation</a>
<p>Fortunately for him, he was not actually removed from the flight.
Perhaps airline personnel are starting to have a slight glimmer
of intelligence in dealing with panicking idiots.


feed_id: 1dec0c7c5ecdc654e89ceb63c57d2eea
title: Orwellian Austrailia
uri: Orwellian-Austrailia
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#9_May_2016_%28Orwellian_Austrailia%29
content:
<p>
Part of Australia has allowed courts and even individual thugs to
impose punishments on people based on mere suspicion, no evidence
needed.
<p><a href="http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2016/may/06/we-have-an-orwellian-shadow-government-and-your-liberty-is-at-risk">http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2016/may/06/we-have-an-orwellian-shadow-government-and-your-liberty-is-at-risk</a>


feed_id: 6e67ac8a6f7d8cd3dce08b64132d8eb2
title: SCROTUS wants to make poor people poorer
uri: SCROTUS-wants-to-make-poor-people-poorer
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#9_May_2016_%28SCROTUS_wants_to_make_poor_people_poorer%29

content:
<p>
SCROTUS want to make children of poor families pay for school lunch.
<p><a href="http://www.commondreams.org/views/2016/05/07/republicans-congress-want-cut-free-lunches-poor-kids-dont-let-them">http://www.commondreams.org/views/2016/05/07/republicans-congress-want-cut-free-lunches-poor-kids-dont-let-them</a>
<p>SCROTUS = Sleazy Congressional Republicans Of The United States.
They want to make poor people poorer so as to enrich the rich people
they serve.


feed_id: 16117af767815437d733771c96920f30
title: U S military admits troops are helping Yemen
uri: U-S-military-admits-troops-are-helping-Yemen
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#9_May_2016_%28US_military_admits_troops_are_helping_Yemen%29

content:
<p>
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/may/06/yemen-al-qaida-us-troops">
The Guardian repeats the Pentagon's take on Yemen,</a> saying that US
troops and Salafi Arabian bombardment are supporting "Yemen's
government" against al-Qa'ida.
<p>However, the main enemy of the US-supported "government" is the Houthis,
who are Shi'ites.  Al-Qa'ida is no friend of theirs.


feed_id: 3f5bad9333742d930f83bc4ebc1a7cff
title: Urgent: No Google sponsorship of RNC
uri: Urgent-No-Google-sponsorship-of-RNC
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#9_May_2016_%28Urgent%3A_No_Google_sponsorship_of_RNC%29

content:
<p>
Everyone:
<a href="http://act.weareultraviolet.org/sign/google_dumptrump/">call
on Google</a> not to sponsor the RNC now that we know it will promote
Trump.


feed_id: b992a1b0268319334e47ad84f21638c7
title: Progressive Muslim defeats bigoted Tory
uri: Progressive-Muslim-defeats-bigoted-Tory
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#9_May_2016_%28Progressive_Muslim_defeats_bigoted_Tory%29

content:
<p>
Sadiq Khan, a progressive Muslim, was
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2016/may/07/zac-goldsmith-racist-campaign-london">elected
mayor of London</a>, defeating a Tory whose campaign was based on
bigotry.
<p>
I agree with what this article says about that Tory, and Tories in
general.  But not solely because they use one racism while condemning
another, both crassly for political gain alone.  Their worst bigotry
is against the non-rich of whatever religion or race.


feed_id: 46d4423ccbb864842516e6c0ec214a4e
title: Tax havens used by President Marcos
uri: Tax-havens-used-by-President-Marcos
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#9_May_2016_%28Tax_havens_used_by_President_Marcos%29

content:
<p>
President Marcos of the Philippines
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/may/07/10bn-dollar-question-marcos-millions-nick-davies">pioneered
the use of tax havens and secret dealings</a> to conceal billions of
dollars in wealth that he stole from the Philippines.  Many other
governments, including the US, protected the Marcos family in exile,
so only a fraction of what he and his associates stole has been
recovered.


feed_id: 2c6469183bc85d57e51c15b59c8e9224
title: Fossil fuel companies under investigation
uri: Fossil-fuel-companies-under-investigation
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#9_May_2016_%28Fossil_fuel_companies_under_investigation%29

content:
<p>
The Philippines is investigating the responsibility of 50 large fossil
fuel companies for
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/sustainable-business/2016/may/07/climate-change-shell-exxon-philippines-fossil-fuel-companies-liability-extreme-weather">human
rights violations</a> in the form of global heating and is present and
future disastrous effects.


feed_id: 359abee34d12dd63c921f91836f96f30
title: "TSA Precheck"
uri: TSA-Precheck
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#9_May_2016_%28TSA_Precheck%29
content:
<p>
"TSA Precheck" functions as a system to
<a href="https://www.aclu.org/blog/free-future/tsa-pressuring-americans-submitting-background-checks">pressure
Americans to submit to background checks</a>.
<p>
It can morph smoothly, just like a store discount card, from "You can
save by using this" to "You will be penalized for not using this".
<p>
I am not going to enroll.


feed_id: 1f63e2f54cf94880881c8fd5028f3004
title: Social media monitoring
uri: Social-media-monitoring
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#9_May_2016_%28Social_media_monitoring%29
content:
<p>
Social media monitoring doesn't pry into anyone's secrets, but it
gives the state (or business) that uses it
<a href="https://www.aclu.org/blog/speak-freely/why-government-use-social-media-monitoring-software-direct-threat-our-liberty-and">power
that threatens democracy</a>.


feed_id: 8f14ba3e57192fe36729a55be2e0dd6c
title: More Australian species on endangered list
uri: More-Australian-species-on-endangered-list
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#9_May_2016_%28More_Australian_species_on_endangered_list%29

content:
<p>
More Australian species are now on the endangered list, and the main
reason is government's laxity in protecting their habitat from
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2016/may/07/australia-quietly-adds-49-species-to-threatened-and-endangered-lists">commercial
destruction</a>.


feed_id: 536b436fca6c141fc0eaaaf98e72d89d
title: "Civil forfeiture"
uri: 2016-05-09-Civil-forfeiture
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#9_May_2016_%28Civil_forfeiture%29
content:
<p>
Rep. Issa Calls Out Civil Asset Forfeiture As Letting
<a href="https://www.techdirt.com/articles/20160504/16451934347/rep-issa-calls-out-civil-asset-forfeiture-as-letting-cops-go-treasure-hunting.shtml">'Cops Go Treasure
Hunting'</a>.
<p>
I think the word "cops" is too nice for them, but otherwise I agree.


feed_id: 43693b98d10f06125ff4c065c9e708ce
title: Bigger and longer wild fires
uri: Bigger-and-longer-wild-fires
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#9_May_2016_%28Bigger_and_longer_wild_fires%29
content:
<p>
The fire that rages through Fort McMurray is part of a world-wide
trend towards bigger and longer wild fires,
<a href="http://www.climatecentral.org/news/climate-context-fort-mcmurray-wildfire-20311">caused
by global heating</a>.
<p>
This article
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2016/may/06/fort-mcmurray-oil-sands-wildfires-canada">implores
our sympathy for the people of Fort McMurray who have lost their
homes</a> to global heating effects.
<p>
It is a good clear example of distraction spin.
<p>
I don't strongly object to anything in the article.  We can sympathize
with the displaced people of Fort McMurray, along with the hundreds of
millions of others who will be rendered homeless or killed by global
heating effects.  There is no point condemning people for taking jobs
in fossil fuel extraction, since mostly they are not responsible for
the decision to extract the fuel.  (That changes if they campaign
politically to keep the practice going — through that, they make
themselves into planet roasters, co-responsible for attempted
genocide.)
<p>
But Canadians should not let that distract them from the vital point:
Canada must curb fossil fuel extraction as fast as possible, along
with the rest of the world.
<p>
Canada should care for the displaced people of Fort McMurray
elsewhere, and make sure there is no more tar sands extraction to draw
any of them back.  Since that wasn't the town's only reason for being,
some will go back for other reasons, and that's fine.


feed_id: b1570295d9beeed507f62d5aee2b6cb1
title: Ending elephant poaching
uri: Ending-elephant-poaching
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#9_May_2016_%28Ending_elephant_poaching%29
content:
<p>
Burning Kenya's ivory
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/environment/africa-wild/2016/may/06/burning-the-ivory-is-just-the-beginning">must
be followed by changes</a> if we are to end elephant poaching.
<p>
I should point out two of the important reasons why life in Kenya is
"difficult" for most people.


feed_id: 406e94fb17cc9fc09481d1cb16931809
title: The large fire in Alberta may burn for months
uri: The-large-fire-in-Alberta-may-burn-for-months
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#9_May_2016_%28The_large_fire_in_Alberta_may_burn_for_months%29

content:
<p>
The large fire in Alberta may burn for months
<p><a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/may/08/fort-mcmurray-wildfire-canada-firefighters-months">http://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/may/08/fort-mcmurray-wildfire-canada-firefighters-months</a>


feed_id: acda32802cb823bc1233917654f8aa0e
title: Reforming democracy grassroots
uri: Reforming-democracy-grassroots
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#9_May_2016_%28Reforming_democracy_grassroots%29
content:
<p>
represent.us campaigns to limit corrupting campaign finance
at the local level.
<p><a href="http://www.commondreams.org/views/2016/04/29/reforming-democracy-grassroots">http://www.commondreams.org/views/2016/04/29/reforming-democracy-grassroots</a>


feed_id: 4e3ab9fd6f4b413cb745e3f2c1a8513f
title: ISP boss criticizes calls to criminalize file sharers
uri: ISP-boss-criticizes-calls-to-criminalize-file-sharers
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#9_May_2016_%28ISP_boss_criticizes_calls_to_criminalize_file_sharers%29

content:
<p>
A Swedish ISP head has attacked proposed laws to criminalize people
who share files.
<p><a href="https://torrentfreak.com/isp-boss-criticizes-calls-to-criminalize-file-sharers-160507/">https://torrentfreak.com/isp-boss-criticizes-calls-to-criminalize-file-sharers-160507/</a>


feed_id: ecc7c9447459dc782bac7b35848e5787
title: Hospitals following rules imposed by Catholic Church put womens lives in danger
uri: Hospitals-following-rules-imposed-by-Catholic-Church-put-womens-lives
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#9_May_2016_%28Hospitals_following_rules_imposed_by_Catholic_Church_put_womens_lives_in_danger%29

content:
<p>
Hundreds of US hospitals follow rules imposed by the Catholic Church
that put womens' lives and health in danger.
<p><a href="http://www.theguardian.com/society/2016/may/05/hospitals-pregnancy-abortion-reproductive-healthcare-catholic-rules-report">http://www.theguardian.com/society/2016/may/05/hospitals-pregnancy-abortion-reproductive-healthcare-catholic-rules-report</a>
<p>I believe hospital owners should not be allowed to impose such rules.
The Church should have to back off on these rules or sell the
hospitals.


feed_id: 594d123a4a07fe729f5e24478a0ce19b
title: Panama papers whistle blower is...
uri: Panama-papers-whistle-blower-is
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#9_May_2016_%28Panama_papers_whistleblower_is...%29
content:
<p>
The Panama Papers whistleblower has accused specific political leaders
of protecting offshoring and tax dodging, and fears those same leaders
will try to prosecute per (the whistleblower) for exposing the
practice.
<p><a href="http://boingboing.net/2016/05/07/panama-papers-whistleblower-is.html">http://boingboing.net/2016/05/07/panama-papers-whistleblower-is.html</a>


feed_id: 4c246592397f0ad700e8cef3f3eb7679
title: Indonesia genocide human rights abuse
uri: Indonesia-genocide-human-rights-abuse
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#9_May_2016_%28Indonesia_genocide_human_rights_abuse%29

content:
<p>
The 1965 massacre of perhaps a million alleged Communists in Indonesia
left the military in a position of total impunity.  Now it uses this
impunity to protect the companies that burn thousands of square miles
of rain forest to create palm oil plantations.
<p><a href="http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2016/may/03/genocide-indonesia-human-rights-abuse-climate-change-palm-oil">http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2016/may/03/genocide-indonesia-human-rights-abuse-climate-change-palm-oil</a>
<p>I don't think that a massacre of people for their political views
should be called "genocide".  The victims were belonged to various
ethnic and religious groups.  A massacre is bad enough; we don't need
to call it "genocide" to condemn it.


feed_id: a24f8c652c99cda3f8360abe61859fdb
title: Brazil considering a law that would lead to lots of internet censorship
uri: Brazil-considering-a-law-that-would-lead-to-lots-of-internet-censorshi
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#9_May_2016_%28Brazil_considering_a_law_that_would_lead_to_lots_of_internet_censorship%29

content:
<p>
Brazil is considering a law that would lead to lots of Internet censorship.
<p><a href="https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2016/05/if-cpiciber-passes-whatsapp-blockade-brazil-could-be-taste-more-censorship-come">https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2016/05/if-cpiciber-passes-whatsapp-blockade-brazil-could-be-taste-more-censorship-come</a>


feed_id: b9fdd57300ffa91a52afc9b7fdf0bde4
title: Lead water pipes caused higher crime rates
uri: Lead-water-pipes-caused-higher-crime-rates
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#9_May_2016_%28Lead_water_pipes_caused_higher_crime_rates%29

content:
<p>
Lead water pipes laid in some cities in 1900 caused higher crime rates
in those cities in 1920.
<p><a href="http://www.motherjones.com/kevin-drum/2016/05/lead-water-pipes-1900-caused-higher-crime-rates-1920">http://www.motherjones.com/kevin-drum/2016/05/lead-water-pipes-1900-caused-higher-crime-rates-1920</a>


feed_id: 16280323ce450bebe9a57e822ffbd807
title: The large fire in Alberta may burn for months
uri: 2016-05-09-The-large-fire-in-Alberta-may-burn-for-months
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#9_May_2016_%28The_large_fire_in_Alberta_may_burn_for_months%29

content:
<p>
The large fire in Alberta 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/may/08/fort-mcmurray-wildfire-canada-firefighters-months">may burn for months</a>.


feed_id: 956b86fbd0d778f30ed5c2271f6a9dc7
title: Reforming democracy grassroots
uri: 2016-05-09-Reforming-democracy-grassroots
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#9_May_2016_%28Reforming_democracy_grassroots%29
content:
<p>
represent.us campaigns to 
<a href="http://www.commondreams.org/views/2016/04/29/reforming-democracy-grassroots">limit
corrupting campaign finance at the local level</a>.


feed_id: a9d99c9053e7b0833d6699cf52416bea
title: ISP boss criticizes calls to criminalize file sharers
uri: 2016-05-09-ISP-boss-criticizes-calls-to-criminalize-file-sharers
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#9_May_2016_%28ISP_boss_criticizes_calls_to_criminalize_file_sharers%29

content:
<p>
A Swedish ISP head has attacked 
<a href="https://torrentfreak.com/isp-boss-criticizes-calls-to-criminalize-file-sharers-160507/">proposed
laws to criminalize people who share files</a>.


feed_id: e6f90a3ef2c8e5829347c1c5f6184bc0
title: Hospitals following rules imposed by Catholic Church put womens lives in danger
uri: 2016-05-09-Hospitals-following-rules-imposed-by-Catholic-Church-put-womens-lives
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#9_May_2016_%28Hospitals_following_rules_imposed_by_Catholic_Church_put_womens_lives_in_danger%29

content:
<p>
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/society/2016/may/05/hospitals-pregnancy-abortion-reproductive-healthcare-catholic-rules-report">Hundreds
of US hospitals</a> follow rules imposed by the Catholic Church that
put womens' lives and health in danger.
<p>I believe hospital owners should not be allowed to impose such
rules.  The Church should have to back off on these rules or sell the
hospitals.


feed_id: c888ec6eae63bde6f35424d8709ad02c
title: Panama papers whistleblower is...
uri: Panama-papers-whistleblower-is
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#9_May_2016_%28Panama_papers_whistleblower_is...%29
content:
<p>
The Panama Papers whistleblower has accused specific political leaders
of protecting offshoring and tax dodging, and 
<a href="http://boingboing.net/2016/05/07/panama-papers-whistleblower-is.html">fears
those same leaders will try to prosecute per (the whistleblower) for
exposing the practice.


feed_id: d270cc7af8ffcc635a78c484bf7f3c98
title: Indonesia genocide human rights abuse
uri: 2016-05-09-Indonesia-genocide-human-rights-abuse
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#9_May_2016_%28Indonesia_genocide_human_rights_abuse%29

content:
<p>
The 1965 massacre of perhaps a million alleged Communists in Indonesia
left the military in a position of total impunity.  Now it uses this
impunity to protect the companies that 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2016/may/03/genocide-indonesia-human-rights-abuse-climate-change-palm-oil">burn
thousands of square miles of rain forest to create palm oil
plantations</a>.
<p>I don't think that a massacre of people for their political views
should be called "genocide".  The victims were belonged to various
ethnic and religious groups.  A massacre is bad enough; we don't need
to call it "genocide" to condemn it.


feed_id: 0deac36ae8f0aa49226ec2441b7cf5c0
title: Brazil considering a law that would lead to lots of internet censorship
uri: 2016-05-09-Brazil-considering-a-law-that-would-lead-to-lots-of-internet-censorshi
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#9_May_2016_%28Brazil_considering_a_law_that_would_lead_to_lots_of_internet_censorship%29

content:
<p>
Brazil is considering a law that would lead to 
<a href="https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2016/05/if-cpiciber-passes-whatsapp-blockade-brazil-could-be-taste-more-censorship-come">lots
of Internet censorship</a>.


feed_id: 2843923f88a6728392d119a85c30698c
title: Lead water pipes caused higher crime rates
uri: 2016-05-09-Lead-water-pipes-caused-higher-crime-rates
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#9_May_2016_%28Lead_water_pipes_caused_higher_crime_rates%29

content:
<p>
Lead water pipes laid in some cities in 1900 
<a href="http://www.motherjones.com/kevin-drum/2016/05/lead-water-pipes-1900-caused-higher-crime-rates-1920">caused
higher crime rates in those cities</a> in 1920.


feed_id: 2dcc58d62dc6a212ddef46035340602f
title: Keeping wall street speeches secret
uri: 2016-05-09-Keeping-wall-street-speeches-secret
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#9_May_2016_%28Keeping_wall_street_speeches_secret%29

content:
<p>
It has been three months since Clinton 
<a href="http://www.commondreams.org/views/2016/05/02/keeping-wall-street-speeches-secret-speaks-volumes-about-hillary-clinton">made
flimsy excuses</a> for not releasing the text of her highly paid
speeches to banksters.
<p>While we do not have proof "beyond a reasonable doubt", for the
standards of politics we are entitled to conclude that she thinks we
would not like what she said.


feed_id: 79cd1af92456f74f837059adc755f00f
title: Africa frontline of wildlife wars
uri: 2016-05-09-Africa-frontline-of-wildlife-wars
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#9_May_2016_%28Africa_frontline_of_wildlife_wars%29
content:
<p>
Groups of heavily armed poachers 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2016/may/07/africa-frontline-of-wildlife-wars">regularly
fight the rangers that try to protect elephants</a> at Virunga Park.


feed_id: fec29afb051cbbc9b468f9ff33c7b215
title: Homeland Security Wants To Subpoena Us
uri: 2016-05-09-Homeland-Security-Wants-To-Subpoena-Us
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#9_May_2016_%28Homeland_Security_Wants_To_Subpoena_Us%29

content:
<p>
Techdirt: Homeland Security Wants To Subpoena Us
<a href="https://www.techdirt.com/articles/20160506/10324634363/homeland-security-wants-to-subpoena-us-over-clearly-hyperbolic-techdirt-comment.shtml">Over
A Clearly Hyperbolic Techdirt Comment</a>.


feed_id: 80dda5063c4ad0f51c02548ecf999e8e
title: Greece has basically achieved reform goals
uri: 2016-05-09-Greece-has-basically-achieved-reform-goals
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#9_May_2016_%28Greece_has_basically_achieved_reform_goals%29

content:
<p>
The European Commission head said that
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/may/08/greece-has-basically-achieved-reform-goals-says-jean-claude-juncker">Greece
has suffered enough.</a>
<p>This is an abrupt change: just recently the boa-banksters wanted to
squeeze Greece harder.  (When they say "reform", it means "squeeze the
people".)
<p>The article says that the IMF "demanded more reforms".  However, a
few days ago the IMF did just the opposite: it refused to go along
with further squeezing, pointing out that additional "reforms" would
increase Greece's deficit, just as the "reforms" so far have done.
<p>Has the IMF forced the boas to stop constricting Greece?  Or is
this too good to be true?  Is it plausible that the IMF has actually
done something good?


feed_id: 1c62291ea54780580f57e1f64166fc86
title: Urgent: US citizens: call on the US to demand justice for Berta Caceres
uri: 2016-05-09-Urgent-US-citizens-call-on-the-US-to-demand-justice-for-Berta-Cacere
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#9_May_2016_%28Urgent%3A_US_citizens%3A_call_on_the_US_to_demand_justice_for_Berta_Caceres%29

content:
<p>
US citizens: 
<a href="https://ggj.ourpowerbase.net/civicrm/petition/sign?sid=4&reset=1">call
on the US</a> to demand justice for Berta Caceres and stop supporting the
coup-installed government.


feed_id: 6b8c02e9fd7d0da8f36c8226c604a17a
title: Urgent: US citizens: Ask your state legislator to support automatic voter registration
uri: 2016-05-09-Urgent-US-citizens-Ask-your-state-legislator-to-support-automatic-vo
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#9_May_2016_%28Urgent%3A_US_citizens%3A_Ask_your_state_legislator_to_support_automatic_voter_registration%29

content:
<p>
US citizens: 
<a href="http://act.rootsaction.org/p/dia/action3/common/public/?action_KEY=11095">Ask
your state legislator</a> to support automatic voter registration.


feed_id: 3b0e87d8e9b6792afd9d2fe9d78dcf2e
title: Urgent: Support Human Rights Watch's call for US to stop producting cluster bombs
uri: 2016-05-09-Urgent-Support-Human-Rights-Watch-s-call-for-US-to-stop-producting-cl
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#9_May_2016_%28Urgent%3A_Support_Human_Rights_Watch%27s_call_for_US_to_stop_producting_cluster_bombs%29

content:
<p>
US citizens: 
<a href="http://petitions.moveon.org/sign/stand-with-hrw-stop-producin">support
Human Rights Watch's call</a> for the US to stop producing cluster
bombs and stop giving them to Salafi Arabia.


feed_id: 14b8a8e6bc1555d1d0cbde5b7c938e2a
title: Protestors stop coal train and blocked harbors
uri: 2016-05-09-Protestors-stop-coal-train-and-blocked-harbors
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#9_May_2016_%28Protestors_stop_coal_train_and_blocked_harbors%29

content:
<p>
Over a thousand protesters blocked tracks to stop a coal train.
while 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2016/may/08/hundreds-of-anti-fossil-fuel-protesters-join-australian-coal-blockade">hundreds
blocked Newcastle, Australia, harbor</a> to stop coal ships.


feed_id: 56d4971b4b68cd1cd21560856241580b
title: Sea level rise eating into Louisiana and Alaska
uri: 2016-05-09-Sea-level-rise-eating-into-Louisiana-and-Alaska
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#9_May_2016_%28Sea_level_rise_eating_into_Louisiana_and_Alaska%29

content:
<p>
Sea level rise and loss of land are 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/global/commentisfree/2016/may/08/climate-change-refugees-louisiana-rising-seas-vicki-arroyo">eating into Louisiana and Alaska</a>.


feed_id: 4e43a41e71451d403d62eaba4b94d5e7
title: Poverty driving syrian males into ISIS
uri: 2016-05-09-Poverty-driving-syrian-males-into-ISIS
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#9_May_2016_%28Poverty_driving_syrian_males_into_ISIS%29

content:
<p>
Syrians' principal motive for joining PISSI is that they 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2016/may/04/poverty-driving-syrian-men-and-boys-into-the-arms-of-isis">need
to get paid</a>.
<p>The US should be able to offer them more money than PISSI can.


feed_id: af031fdc5d1d7065f4e7948df559f3ad
title: FBI told cops to recreate evidence
uri: FBI-told-cops-to-recreate-evidence
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#9_May_2016_%28FBI_told_cops_to_recreate_evidence%29
content:
<p>
When the FBI 
<a href="https://theintercept.com/2016/05/05/fbi-told-cops-to-recreate-evidence-from-secret-cell-phone-trackers/">directs
local thugs to create alternative stories to hide the fact that they
actually used a stingray</a>, they violate the constitutional rights
of the suspect with lies.


feed_id: 866ec3e31dd74d29ce32ec5e5f66e5fc
title: Computers could recognize location of all oudoor photos
uri: 2016-05-09-Computers-could-recognize-location-of-all-oudoor-photos
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#9_May_2016_%28Computers_could_recognize_location_of_all_oudoor_photos%29

content:
<p>
Computers may soon be able to 
<a href="http://www.fastcoexist.com/3059593/this-app-knows-exactly-where-you-were-standing-when-you-took-a-photo">recognize
the location of all outdoor photos</a>.


feed_id: 4fccce0d397511feebc57bba0bd5b19c
title: Colorado to pay back destitute people
uri: 2016-05-09-Colorado-to-pay-back-destitute-people
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#9_May_2016_%28Colorado_to_pay_back_destitute_people%29

content:
<p>
"Colorado Springs 
<a href="http://thinkprogress.org/justice/2016/05/06/3776098/debtors-prison-repeal-colorado/">will
pay back destitute people it illegally jailed because they couldnât
pay court fines</a>, the city announced Thursday."


feed_id: 8c950e1daa25029e1830e964d1ffe019
title: European Greens want to Protect Whistleblowers
uri: 2016-05-09-European-Greens-want-to-Protect-Whistleblowers
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#9_May_2016_%28European_Greens_want_to_Protect_Whistleblowers%29

content:
<p>
European Greens Present Draft Law On 
<a href="https://www.techdirt.com/articles/20160505/09225834352/european-greens-present-draft-law-protecting-whistleblowers.shtml">Protecting
Whistleblowers</a>.


feed_id: fc8191908cde04719bff65e6b30d51fe
title: Ordinary voters can now lobby superdelegates
uri: 2016-05-09-Ordinary-voters-can-now-lobby-superdelegates
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#9_May_2016_%28Ordinary_voters_can_now_lobby_superdelegates%29

content:
<p>
US voters: 
<a href="http://www.truthdig.com/eartotheground/item/ordinary_voters_can_now_lobby_superdelegates_for_bernie_sanders_20160504">you
can ask</a> Democratic "superdelegates" to vote for Sanders.


feed_id: debd807c8b1958a2ffd6dcbce115c8c9
title: US Flight delayed due to professor solving equations
uri: 2016-05-09-US-Flight-delayed-due-to-professor-solving-equations
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#9_May_2016_%28US_Flight_delayed_due_to_professor_solving_equations%29

content:
<p>
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2016/may/07/professor-flight-delay-terrorism-equation-american-airlines">A
passenger on a US flight was treated as suspect because he was writing
mathematical symbols, solving an equation</a>
<p>Fortunately for him, he was not actually removed from the flight.
Perhaps airline personnel are starting to have a slight glimmer of
intelligence in dealing with panicking idiots.


feed_id: e6f20741f32adf67de2e31ed6f84a903
title: Orwellian Austrailia
uri: 2016-05-09-Orwellian-Austrailia
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#9_May_2016_%28Orwellian_Austrailia%29
content:
<p>
Part of Australia has allowed courts and even individual thugs to
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2016/may/06/we-have-an-orwellian-shadow-government-and-your-liberty-is-at-risk">impose
punishments on people based on mere suspicion</a>, no evidence needed.


feed_id: be9211b248ed9ab9284fd75ba7e0a60e
title: SCROTUS wants to make poor people poorer
uri: 2016-05-09-SCROTUS-wants-to-make-poor-people-poorer
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#9_May_2016_%28SCROTUS_wants_to_make_poor_people_poorer%29

content:
<p>
SCROTUS want to make children of poor families 
<a href="http://www.commondreams.org/views/2016/05/07/republicans-congress-want-cut-free-lunches-poor-kids-dont-let-them">pay
for school lunch</a>.
<p>SCROTUS = Sleazy Congressional Republicans Of The United States.
They want to make poor people poorer so as to enrich the rich people
they serve.


feed_id: ba7128b9422c98730833949c1157723e
title: US military admits troops are helping Yemen
uri: US-military-admits-troops-are-helping-Yemen
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#9_May_2016_%28US_military_admits_troops_are_helping_Yemen%29

content:
<p>
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/may/06/yemen-al-qaida-us-troops">The
Guardian repeats the Pentagon's take on Yemen,</a> saying that US
troops and Salafi Arabian bombardment are supporting "Yemen's
government" against al-Qa'ida.
<p>However, the main enemy of the US-supported "government" is the
Houthis, who are Shi'ites.  Al-Qa'ida is no friend of theirs.


feed_id: d3328e09914d079d8a50bed5129cc479
title: Urgent: Fair representation
uri: Urgent-Fair-representation
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#11_May_2016_%28Urgent%3A_Fair_representation%29
content:
<p>
US citizens:
<a href="http://pac.petitions.moveon.org/sign/ensure-fair-representation">call
on the Democratic National Convention</a> to give Sanders supporters
fair representation on the platform committee.


feed_id: 7cb4312090af4c6b53e8eae5f391d998
title: Urgent: Oppose sponsorship of RNC
uri: Urgent-Oppose-sponsorship-of-RNC
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#11_May_2016_%28Urgent%3A_Oppose_sponsorship_of_RNC%29

content:
<p>
Everyone:
<a href="http://act.colorofchange.org/sign/stop-sponsoring-trump/">call
on Google and other tech companies</a> not to support the Republican
National Convention.


feed_id: 7f584fdfa9b154d95d05955a8c1b477b
title: Urgent: Test modified mushrooms
uri: Urgent-Test-modified-mushrooms
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#11_May_2016_%28Urgent%3A_Test_modified_mushrooms%29
content:
<p>
US citizens:
<a href="http://petitions.moveon.org/sign/gmo-mushrooms-are-not">call
for thorough testing</a> of genetically modified mushrooms whose sole
justification is that they stay whiter for longer.


feed_id: 8eb9d9f3b27faabbf67af757b2f2f4fb
title: Women who regret having had children
uri: Women-who-regret-having-had-children
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#11_May_2016_%28Women_who_regret_having_had_children%29

content:
<p>
Women who regret having had children face
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2016/may/09/love-regret-mothers-wish-never-had-children-motherhood">strong
social pressure to shut up about this</a>, but some are daring to say
so.


feed_id: 847ffa48d4569b5299c7943f420e7e89
title: Freedom of speech in Scotland
uri: Freedom-of-speech-in-Scotland
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#11_May_2016_%28Freedom_of_speech_in_Scotland%29
content:
<p>
The lack of freedom of speech in Scotland is demonstrated by the
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2016/may/09/nazi-salute-dog-man-faces-hate-crime-charge-scotland">prosecution
of someone for posting a video considered "offensive"</a>.
<p>

I can't tell from the description who it is thought to offend.  Jews?
Nazis?  Either way, that should not be a crime.  Freedom of speech
includes the right to offend, insult, mock or condemn any person,
group, organization, belief or activity.


feed_id: ea9889d700b9b346a8541b4f88c9b9b1
title: Banksters' new darling
uri: Banksters-new-darling
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#11_May_2016_%28Banksters_new_darling%29
content:
<p>
Clinton is the new darling of banksters, now that the Republicans they
supported are out of the race.  In March,
<a href="http://www.commondreams.org/news/2016/05/09/wall-street-donors-flocking-clinton">over
50% of banksters' campaign contributions went to Clinton</a>.


feed_id: 8cafb32319ea8d75305f4bb10de53188
title: Journalists required to get background checks
uri: Journalists-required-to-get-background-checks
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#11_May_2016_%28Journalists_required_to_get_background_checks%29

content:
<p>
Journalists in the Democratic and Republican conventions will be required
to get
<a href="http://www.commondreams.org/views/2016/05/09/upcoming-conventions-secret-service-aims-handcuff-first-amendment">background
checks from the Secret Service</a>.  This is a dangerous form of
censorship.


feed_id: 210b9ae40dc727f121c42d02aab1802d
title: Uganda bans coverage of protests
uri: Uganda-bans-coverage-of-protests
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#11_May_2016_%28Uganda_bans_coverage_of_protests%29
content:
<p>
Uganda has
<a href="http://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-36212266">banned
coverage of opposition protests</a>.


feed_id: 062966bbd03af21812772256a19c1b6e
title: Charges against Mordechai Vanunu
uri: Charges-against-Mordechai-Vanunu
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#11_May_2016_%28Charges_against_Mordechai_Vanunu%29
content:
<p>
Mordechai Vanunu faces new criminal charges, but they are nothing
except violating the
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/may/09/israel-fresh-charges-nuclear-whistleblower-mordechai-vanunu">outrageous
controls that have been placed on him</a>.
<p>
These controls are an
<a href="http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4801269,00.html">excuse
to pretend that Vanunu is a monster who would justify them</a>.  The
charges are absurd anyway.


feed_id: 9fb9a4afdd6ef7879859c1e9918b949e
title: Putin seeking admiration
uri: Putin-seeking-admiration
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#11_May_2016_%28Putin_seeking_admiration%29
content:
<p>
Putin is
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/may/10/russia-five-cuban-spies-released-us">trying
to capture some</a> of the admiration for the Cuban Five.
<p>
The Cuban Five were convicted of "spying" in the United States, but
they were never accused of spying on the United States.  They spied on
terrorist groups sponsored by the US that carried out attacks in Cuba.
By prosecuting them, the US made a mockery of its supposed opposition
to terrorism.
<p>
I gave my support to a campaign to free the Cuban Five, but what
did Putin do for them?  Probably nothing, until he got the idea
of inviting them to Moscow so that some of their glory would rub
off on him.


feed_id: 2003ec8ed8428aaaa05689b477079625
title: Leader of the Philippines
uri: Leader-of-the-Philippines
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#11_May_2016_%28Leader_of_the_Philippines%29
content:
<p>
Don't Compare Trump And Duterte — the Philippines Leader Is
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2016/may/10/donald-trump-rodrigo-duterte-philippines">Far
Worse</a>.


feed_id: 97073252647b858c8b4bd639658b95fb
title: Use of New Zealand for dodging taxes
uri: Use-of-New-Zealand-for-dodging-taxes
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#11_May_2016_%28Use_of_New_Zealand_for_dodging_taxes%29

content:
<p>
The Panama papers reveal
<a href="http://www.radionz.co.nz/news/panama-papers/303356/nz-at-heart-of-panama-money-go-round">heavy
use of New Zealand</a> for purposes of dodging taxes and more.


feed_id: 5916ee583ce846db4b43bd513923a224
title: US courts going dark
uri: US-courts-going-dark
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#11_May_2016_%28US_courts_going_dark%29
content:
<p>
US courts are gradually going dark, with
<a href="https://www.justsecurity.org/30920/courts-going-dark/">secret
evidence and even secret cases</a>.


feed_id: dee53067f755e297177e856c2946f8ae
title: Medical malpractice insurance payouts
uri: Medical-malpractice-insurance-payouts
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#11_May_2016_%28Medical_malpractice_insurance_payouts%29

content:
<p>
<a href="http://boingboing.net/2016/05/09/safe-patient-project-searchab.html">Less
than 2% of US doctors are responsible for half</a> the medical
malpractice insurance payouts.  If state medical boards stopped
protecting doctors that repeatedly screw up, the US would not have a
medical malpractice problem.


feed_id: 21ce959fa19bc274699eb1060b240051
title: Euro-boas squeezing Greece
uri: Euro-boas-squeezing-Greece
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#11_May_2016_%28Euro-boas_squeezing_Greece%29
content:
<p>
Although the euro-boas have backed off demanding a new round of
squeezing Greece, the current round is still being enacted, and it is
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/may/10/greece-austerity-grexit-drachma">likely
to crush people to death</a>.
<p>
Meanwhile, they are currently
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/may/09/eurozone-ministers-to-examine-how-to-ease-greeces-debt-burden">proposing
only to tinker with secondary aspects of Greece's debt burden</a>.  I
wonder whether the IMF will make them go further.
<p>
The article repeats a common falsehood by saying that there is a
bailout "for Greece".  The bailout is
<a href="https://www.stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#9_May_2016_(Bailout_of_Greece)">really
for the boa-banksters</a>.
<p>
They launder the money through Greece and pretend they are doing
Greece a favor.


feed_id: 411856f4aac713a7630232ecab151c86
title: Turkish Border Guards continue to Shoot and Beat
uri: Turkish-Border-Guards-continue-to-Shoot-and-Beat
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#11_May_2016_%28Turkish_Border_Guards_continue_to_Shoot_and_Beat%29

content:
<p>
Turkish Border Guards <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/may/10/turkish-border-guards-continuing-to-shoot-and-beat-refugees-at-border">
'Continuing to Shoot and Beat Refugees at Border'</a>,
according to Human Rights Watch.


feed_id: bd2f24df487bb07c7db23790ddbab5ae
title: Egyptian Satirists Arrested
uri: Egyptian-Satirists-Arrested
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#11_May_2016_%28Egyptian_Satirists_Arrested%29
content:
<p>
Egyptian Satirists <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/may/10/egyptian-satirists-arrested-for-mocking-president">Arrested for Mocking President</a>.


feed_id: 38626c335004f5eecf1e5b352ccd6072
title: Philippines president promises to abolish human rights
uri: Philippines-president-promises-to-abolish-human-rights
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#11_May_2016_%28Philippines_president_promises_to_abolish_human_rights%29

content:
<p>
The newly elected president of the Philippines promises to <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/may/10/rodrigo-the-punisher-duterte-claims-victory-in-philippines-election">abolish human rights and assassinate those he considers criminals</a>.
<p>What this means is, if he puts you on his list, you will not get a trial.
<p>If any democracy at all survives this, it will be by luck.


feed_id: a411ae7410f10f6403a51935f9cfab9d
title: The TPP would impose enforcement on employees
uri: The-TPP-would-impose-enforcement-on-employees
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#11_May_2016_%28The_TPP_would_impose_enforcement_on_employees%29

content:
<p>
The <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/dean-baker/will-the-trans-pacific-pa_b_9878794.html">
TPP would impose enforcement of non-competition agreements on
employees.</a>  Technology companies want this, but it would be bad for
people who work in technical fields, and perhaps bad for technology
industries over all.
<p>Please don't use the word <a href="
http://gnu.org/philosophy/words-to-avoid.html#Protection">"protection"</a> in relation with copyright law or patent law.  That term is propaganda for those that want to restrict us.


feed_id: 992423ddbd71ac008e1c9b9ac71f88d2
title: Tories quashed renewable energy investment
uri: Tories-quashed-renewable-energy-investment
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#11_May_2016_%28Tories_quashed_renewable_energy_investment%29

content:
<p>
Tory rule has been effective in <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2016/may/10/uks-attractiveness-for-renewables-investment-plummets-to-all-time-low">
quashing renewable energy investment in the UK.</a>


feed_id: ec831e4c334be48977dc9cc2e677cac7
title: Sea-level rise submerges small islands
uri: Sea-level-rise-submerges-small-islands
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#11_May_2016_%28Sea-level_rise_submerges_small_islands%29

content:
<p>
Sea-level rise has <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2016/may/10/five-pacific-islands-lost-rising-seas-climate-change">submerged some small uninhabited islands in the Solomons.</a>  Worse, inhabited parts of some larger islands have been
inundated permanently.


feed_id: fda4d803ffeef215913b195f52fb94f9
title: One in Five plant species face extinction
uri: One-in-Five-plant-species-face-extinction
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#11_May_2016_%28One_in_Five_plant_species_face_extinction%29

content:
<p>
<a href="
http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2016/may/10/one-in-five-of-worlds-plant-species-at-risk-of-extinction">
1/5 of the world's plant species face extinction</a> in the short term due
to habitat destruction.


feed_id: bf22ba963931609403a35b6dedab546e
title: UK drone attacks
uri: UK-drone-attacks
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#11_May_2016_%28UK_drone_attacks%29
content:
<p>
Those involved in UK drone attacks targeted at specific people could
be <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/politics/2016/may/10/uk-drone-strikes-murder-charges-clarify-legal-basis-targeted-kill-policy-isis">
prosecuted for murder.</a>


feed_id: c9f54c451bbac916cd9478046ad5c2dd
title: Reddit ponders supporting Adblock Users
uri: Reddit-ponders-supporting-Adblock-Users
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#11_May_2016_%28Reddit_ponders_supporting_Adblock_Users%29

content:
<p>
Reddit's Technology Subreddit Ponders <a href="https://www.techdirt.com/articles/20160509/07311734387/reddits-technology-subreddit-ponders-banning-wired-forbes-blocking-adblock-users.shtml">Banning Wired & Forbes For Blocking Adblock Users.</a>
<p>What they call "ad blockers", I call "surveillance blockers",
and that's what's important about them.  I don't care about seeing an ad,
as such; I object to surveillance and I will block surveillance.
<p>I encourage the redditors to ban sites that are egregious supporters
of surveillance.


feed_id: 79b8860bbe9454bfb634b41698b4a232
title: Email Privacy Act
uri: Email-Privacy-Act
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#11_May_2016_%28Email_Privacy_Act%29
content:
<p>
SEC And Chuck Grassley Still <a href="https://www.techdirt.com/articles/20160505/00183734348/sec-chuck-grassley-still-trying-to-stop-email-privacy-act-that-got-unanimous-support-house.shtml">Trying To Stop Email Privacy Act</a> That Got UNANIMOUS Support In The House.


feed_id: 037d16be06c617bf064988f6535f1b35
title: Tories to impose control over BBC
uri: Tories-to-impose-control-over-BBC
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#11_May_2016_%28Tories_to_impose_control_over_BBC%29
content:
<p>
The Tories want to <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/media/2016/may/09/bbc-fears-government-will-win-battle-to-impose-board-members">
impose political control over the BBC</a>.


feed_id: 5026f240e6fe90ef409455c8e93f8050
title: The TTIP
uri: 2016-05-11-The-TTIP
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#10_May_2016_%28The_TTIP%29
content:
<p>
More information about 
<a href="http://www.independent.co.uk/voices/ttip-leaks-shocking-what-are-they-eu-us-deal-a7010121.html">the
damage the TTIP would do to Europe</a>.
<p>
It would do damage to the US as well, but perhaps not the same damage.
If you see good articles about this, please email them to me.


feed_id: 63f6791e55657ab36e596e5273444a21
title: Offshore front companies
uri: Offshore-front-companies
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#10_May_2016_%28Offshore_front_companies%29
content:
<p>
Offshore front companies are not just for tax-dodging: 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/news/2016/may/09/fraudsters-used-panama-papers-tax-haven-firms-to-trick-amateur-uk-investors">swindlers
use them too</a>.
<p>
Mossack Fonseca practiced a formal sort of 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/news/2016/may/09/how-mossack-fonseca-missed-warning-signs-of-70-million-boiler-room-scam-panama-papers">"due
diligence" with its eyes wide shut</a>.


feed_id: 575dffd9b622349d42feb34fc7f47d8b
title: The Theater of Security Agency
uri: The-Theater-of-Security-Agency
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#10_May_2016_%28The_Theater_of_Security_Agency%29
content:
<p>
The Theater of Security Agency is short of staff and is 
<a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2016/05/03/business/airport-security-lines.html">causing
big problems for air travellers</a> in the US.


feed_id: 637a9ebbca0ad9a6a97f63d54d054bad
title: Copyright on old works of art
uri: Copyright-on-old-works-of-art
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#10_May_2016_%28Copyright_on_old_works_of_art%29
content:
<p>
Scanning old physical works of art gives museums an opportunity to 
<a href="https://www.bostonglobe.com/ideas/2016/04/30/kaytal/jUr7WJ5XdIUm5yLLB7HGFP/story.html">try
to impose copyright on them</a>.
<p>
The article uses "intellectual property" as a synonym for copyright.
That is a confusing practice, since in another article "intellectual
property" will be a synonym for some other law.  The term
"intellectual property" adds nothing to any discussion except a 
<a href="http://gnu.org/philosophy/not-ipr.html">false
generalization</a>, we should reject it every time it appears.


feed_id: c57b4b50cde0b6ab283766ac91f14148
title: Private lawyers employed by Ferguson
uri: Private-lawyers-employed-by-Ferguson
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#10_May_2016_%28Private_lawyers_employed_by_Ferguson%29

content:
<p>
Ferguson employs private lawyers to prosecute people for imaginary,
even fantastic infractions, and 
<a href="http://m.stltoday.com/news/local/crime-and-courts/legal-bills-mount-as-ferguson-stands-by-failure-to-comply/article_2070be9f-99f1-5218-9e3a-cdfaf4dfed5e.html">they
refuse to obey orders to stop</a>.
<p>
Fire them?


feed_id: a6b7dad280c1e25a30ae818b34182f8a
title: Chinese censorship
uri: 2016-05-11-Chinese-censorship
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#10_May_2016_%28Chinese_censorship%29
content:
<p>
The 
<a href="https://www.techdirt.com/articles/20160426/09130934278/why-growing-unpredictability-chinas-censorship-is-feature-not-bug.shtml">unpredictability</a>
of Chinese censorship may be intentional, to make people generally
timid.


feed_id: fc39fd1280bea8307cd19fa6835e64e0
title: FBI menacing core Tor developer
uri: FBI-menacing-core-Tor-developer
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#10_May_2016_%28FBI_menacing_core_Tor_developer%29
content:
<p>
The FBI is menacing a core Tor developer, 
<a href="https://www.techdirt.com/articles/20160505/00383034349/fbi-harassing-core-tor-developer-demanding-she-meet-with-them-refusing-to-explain-why.shtml">trying
to make her answer questions without a lawyer present</a>.


feed_id: 64b4f9d8306a29cc74998f69ec52e605
title: DRM
uri: 2016-05-11-DRM
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#10_May_2016_%28DRM%29
content:
<p>
Digital Restrictions Management is an injustice in itself, but it has
a tendency to develop into sabotage — occasionally some
DRM-afflicted works 
<a href="http://www.teleread.com/drm-nightmare-after-recent-upgrade-kobo-customers-report-losing-sony-books-from-their-libraries/">stop
functioning because a company decides they are "no longer
supported"</a>.
<p>
Since DRM is an injustice, so are the laws that prohibit breaking DRM.
These laws' purpose is to give certain businesses power over the
public.  That purpose is evil, and the laws' effect is evil.  It
follows that these laws have no moral authority, and violating them is
not in any way wrong.
<p>
If the government wants to teach people the habit of obeying laws, it
should repeal laws like these.
<p>
In addition to being an injustice in itself, DRM implies a 
<a href="https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2016/05/yes-all-drm">security
vulnerability</a>.
<p>
The article doesn't say it, but the vulnerability has a name:
"<a href='http://gnu.org/philosophy/free-software-even-more-important.html'>nonfree
software</a>."
<p>
It would be better to avoid using the term 
<a href="http://gnu.org/philosophy/words-to-avoid.html#DigitalLocks">"digital
locks"</a> to describe DRM, since that fails to express why DRM is an
injustice.


feed_id: d0016ac3b0d0362dc92bde9478345178
title: Blacklisted UK construction workers
uri: Blacklisted-UK-construction-workers
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#10_May_2016_%28Blacklisted_UK_construction_workers%29

content:
<p>
UK construction companies will pay millions of dollars to the workers
that they
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/business/2016/may/09/blacklisted-workers-win-10m-payout-from-construction-firms">conspired
to blacklist</a>.


feed_id: 1b9c75e2a4b43d8cacde86315ed8382b
title: Chomsky on world geopolitical situation
uri: Chomsky-on-world-geopolitical-situation
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#10_May_2016_%28Chomsky_on_world_geopolitical_situation%29

content:
<p>
Noam Chomsky comments on the 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2016/may/09/noam-chomsky-who-rules-the-world-us-foregin-policy">world
geopolitical situation</a>.


feed_id: 25055a56dcc7dc1826af217dccbc9640
title: Urgent: Oppose natural gas subsidy
uri: Urgent-Oppose-natural-gas-subsidy
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#10_May_2016_%28Urgent%3A_Oppose_natural_gas_subsidy%29

content:
<p>
Massachusetts citizens: 
<a href="https://secure3.convio.net/ucs/site/Advocacy?pagename=homepage&page=UserAction&id=5239">Oppose</a>
a new subsidy for natural gas.
<p>
In my message I called for ending existing subsidies for fossil fuels.


feed_id: 893abb396097999d86fbd60a8e956b54
title: Urgent: Fire SF Thug Chief
uri: Urgent-Fire-SF-Thug-Chief
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#10_May_2016_%28Urgent%3A_Fire_SF_Thug_Chief%29
content:
<p>
Everyone: 
<a href="http://act.presente.org/sign/frisco5">call on the mayor of
San Francisco</a> to fire Thug Chief Suhr.


feed_id: e880035155e7d97f8a7dc133a5ac1bb4
title: Urgent: Veto anti-abortion bills
uri: 2016-05-11-Urgent-Veto-anti-abortion-bills
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#10_May_2016_%28Urgent%3A_Veto_anti-abortion_bills%29

content:
<p>
Everyone: 
<a href="https://action.aclu.org/secure/stop-alabama-attack-on-abortion">call
on the governor of Alabama</a> to veto anti-abortion bills.


feed_id: 1e56c6723a22456bfa9a21f8fa90961f
title: Urgent: Joshua Tree National Park
uri: Urgent-Joshua-Tree-National-Park
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#10_May_2016_%28Urgent%3A_Joshua_Tree_National_Park%29

content:
<p>
US citizens: 
<a href="http://act.credoaction.com/sign/joshua_tree">call on the
Department of the Interior</a> to protect Joshua Tree National Park
from a nearby dam.


feed_id: 1df561e3001afed13995b519db1c2a54
title: Convicted of obscenity for kayak design
uri: Convicted-of-obscenity-for-kayak-design
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#10_May_2016_%28Convicted_of_obscenity_for_kayak_design%29

content:
<p>
Megumi Igarashi, who distributed 3d printer plans for a kayak modelled
on her vagina, has been 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/may/09/japanese-vagina-kayak-artist-found-guilty-of-obscenity">convicted
of obscenity</a>.
<p>
Prohibitions like these create a sense of taboo about female genitals.
I think that contributes to various sorts of sexual ignorance and
confusion.


feed_id: 72cf427e56ad7a43fff93110c4056ae7
title: Nauru refugee prison
uri: Nauru-refugee-prison
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#11_May_2016_%28Nauru_refugee_prison%29
content:
<p>
A refugee forcibly sent by Australia to Nauru had a heart attack, and
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2016/may/11/bangladeshi-refugee-dies-on-nauru-of-suspected-heart-attack">died
waiting to be sent to Australia for treatment</a>.  He apparently had
tried to commit suicide by taking an overdose of medicines.
<p>
Nauru <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#20_February_2016_(Nauru_restricting_visits_by_Australians)">does
not allow journalists unless they are totally tame</a>.
<p>
Meanwhile, the Australian staff face
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2015-jul-oct.html#21_October_2015_(Australian_governments_priorities)">threats
of imprisonment if they talk about any sort of mistreatment of the
prisoners</a>.  Australia is running a vicious scheme that allows it
to conceal any abuse.


feed_id: 8936398be6c7b43daad2ecc6c609d648
title: Mosul
uri: Mosul
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#11_May_2016_%28Mosul%29
content:
<p>
The Iraqi army is
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/may/11/mosul-the-city-that-will-define-not-just-iraqs-war-but-its-future">still
incapable of taking Mosul</a>.


feed_id: 1b36d4ebd9aee37edace6aa045c64c9a
title: Cruelty towards welfare recipients
uri: Cruelty-towards-welfare-recipients
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#11_May_2016_%28Cruelty_towards_welfare_recipients%29

content:
<p>
The UK government's cruelty towards welfare recipients is
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/society/2016/may/11/benefit-sanctions-hurting-low-paid-vulnerable-people">pushing
low-paid workers into desperation</a>.  Some have to steal to eat.
Some children can't afford to go to school.
<p>
If the Tories seriously wanted workers to work more hours, or get
higher pay, they would make employers give workers longer hours and
higher pay.  That would be effective.  But Tories don't really want
those changes to occur, they only want an excuse to harass and punish
workers.
<p>
This adds to other injustices to the
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2015-nov-feb.html#21_December_2015_(Suicide_and_depression_in_the_UK)">disabled</a> and the
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2015-mar-jun.html#27_June_2015_(Tories_are_morderers)">unemployed</a>.
<p>
The real purpose is to demonize the non-rich as an excuse for dooH
niboR (Robin Hood in reverse).


feed_id: 51f87c76c1a3dcc9ee7a1c1324b2a7a2
title: Condemnation for test-based education
uri: Condemnation-for-test-based-education
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#11_May_2016_%28Condemnation_for_test-based_education%29

content:
<p>
An organization of British authors
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/books/2016/may/11/sats-tests-will-harm-next-generation-of-writers-says-society-of-authors">condemns
Britain's test-based education</a>.


feed_id: bf10580831ff7fb820582619ce23be5e
title: Success for fishing diplomacy
uri: Success-for-fishing-diplomacy
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#11_May_2016_%28Success_for_fishing_diplomacy%29
content:
<p>
A success for fishing diplomacy:
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2016/may/11/north-east-atlantic-mackerel-wins-back-sustainable-status">Atlantic
mackerel</a> are now managed sustainably.


feed_id: 5a820caff17990b9f18b5694f8f6e880
title: Study about atrazine deleted by EPA
uri: Study-about-atrazine-deleted-by-EPA
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#11_May_2016_%28Study_about_atrazine_deleted_by_EPA%29

content:
<p>
EPA scientists published a study reporting that the pesticide atrazine
seems to harm wild plants and aquatic animals.  The EPA
<a href="http://www.prwatch.org/news/2016/05/13104/epa-atrazine-likely-harming-most-species-plants-and-animals">deleted
it without saying why</a>.


feed_id: fafd023ab5164a779054afc5e911c293
title: Rising CO2 level
uri: Rising-CO2-level
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#11_May_2016_%28Rising_CO2_level%29
content:
<p>
The CO<sub>2</sub> level is now
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2016/may/11/worlds-carbon-dioxide-concentration-teetering-on-the-point-of-no-return">reaching
400 parts per million</a>, yet willfully blindness continues.  For
instance, look at
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2016/may/11/heathrow-airport-ban-night-flights-plan-third-runway">the
plan to build another runway in a London airport</a>.
<p>
It would be a wasted investment, because they could not keep using it
for enough decades to recoup the cost.
<p>
Note how the discussion of the effect on the "environment" is limited
to the local area around the airport.  CO<sub>2</sub> emissions are
ignored completely.


feed_id: bdb85e78d694717b75e2079af353e387
title: Failure to build energy efficient homes
uri: Failure-to-build-energy-efficient-homes
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#11_May_2016_%28Failure_to_build_energy_efficient_homes%29

content:
<p>
"The UK governmentâs failure to build new homes that are energy
efficient
<a href='http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2016/may/11/we-are-mortgaging-the-future-by-scrapping-zero-carbon-home-rules'>will
see future generations dealing with our costly mistakes</a>."
<p>
The same can be said about many other places.


feed_id: 5e1f46892195e7c7945dd323a1988034
title: Facebook's "trending topics"
uri: Facebook-s-trending-topics
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#11_May_2016_%28Facebooks_trending_topics%29
content:
<p>
Facebook's team of editors for "trending topics"
<a href="http://gizmodo.com/former-facebook-workers-we-routinely-suppressed-conser-1775461006">altered
the list of stories</a> based on their own biases, and based on
instructions from their bosses.
<p>
This is little different from what happens in US mass media generally.
Most of the US media
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#19_August_2015_(Mass_media_don%27t_cover_Sanders)">shut
Bernie Sanders out entirely until he started winning some state
primaries</a>, while
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#8_March_2016_(Urgent:_Stop_CBS_news_Trump-boosting)">one
TV network hyped Trump</a> because his crudeness attracted viewers.
<p>
It's wrong, however, for Facebook to do this if it claims that it
isn't selecting stories, just showing what its useds are looking at.


feed_id: 2731469a3fd5c73be6b54996c958fbf3
title: Erdo&gbreve;an
uri: Erdo-gbreve-an
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#11_May_2016_%28Erdogan%29
content:
<p>
Erdo&gbreve;an
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/media/2016/may/11/recep-tayyip-erdogan-injunction-german-axel-springer-poem">has
been denied a German court order requiring a German businessman not to
support publicly a satirical poem video about Erdo&gbreve;an</a>.
<p>
However, another German was ordered not to say that Erdo&gbreve;an
should be shot.
<p>
Some Turkish citizens are already fighting Erdo&gbreve;an's men, since
last summer
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#04_August_2015_(Turkish_journalist_fired_for_tweet)">when
he started a war against them</a>.


feed_id: 1e2b14d007abd153417eb88eeeb37c12
title: Loss of bee colonies
uri: Loss-of-bee-colonies
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#11_May_2016_%28Loss_of_bee_colonies%29
content:
<p>
US bee keepers
<a href="http://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2016/05/10/usda-says-us-beekeepers-lost-44-percent-colonies-last-year">lost
44% of their colonies last winter</a>.
<p>
Global heating effects may be part of the cause, because they
<a href="http://e360.yale.edu/feature/bee_collapse_co2_climate_change_agriculture/2991/">reduce
the fraction of protein in the pollen that bees eat</a>.


feed_id: c2aef4d9bf9808f55ddb2cc7452e2b66
title: Sex work
uri: Sex-work
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#11_May_2016_%28Sex_work%29
content:
<p>
Former sex workers speak against
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/society/2016/may/10/belle-de-jour-author-mps-prostitution-laws-brooke-magnanti">plans
to make sex workers' customers criminals</a>.


feed_id: 826887b5fa08ba131c7fd4b46c1f0987
title: Urgent: Climate coverage on CNN
uri: Urgent-Climate-coverage-on-CNN
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#12_May_2016_%28Urgent%3A_Climate_coverage_on_CNN%29
content:
<p>
Everyone:
<a href="http://act.credoaction.com/sign/CNN_climate">Tell CNN</a> to
stop the climate negligence. Show climate coverage, not fossil fuel
ads.


feed_id: deab579613510352f43220fa6ee713ce
title: Urgent: Investigate "toxic swaps"
uri: Urgent-Investigate-toxic-swaps
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#12_May_2016_%28Urgent%3A_Investigate_toxic_swaps%29
content:
<p>
US citizens:
<a href="http://act.demandprogress.org/sign/toxic-swaps/">call on the
SEC</a> investigate "toxic swaps" that drain US cities, and make the
banksters return what they have taken.


feed_id: 5fe09d310a856b3af7085ed71e64c80e
title: Global heating
uri: 2016-05-13-Global-heating
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#12_May_2016_%28Global_heating%29
content:
<p>
A
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2016/may/10/headlines-exaggerated-climate-link-to-sinking-of-pacific-islands">confused
claim</a> that global heating wasn't really responsible for submerging
some of the Solomon Islands.
<p>
Looking closely at this article, it appears that heating really is the
main responsible factor.  The Pacific Decadal Oscillation, being
cyclical, can make such events happen a few years sooner or later, but
doesn't change anything in the long term.


feed_id: f3e037be1410c98d433bf698a18dc26f
title: Navy's intent to break law
uri: Navy-s-intent-to-break-law
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#12_May_2016_%28Navys_intent_to_break_law%29
content:
<p>
Emails Reveal Navy's Intent to Break Law,
<a href="http://www.truth-out.org/news/item/35954-exclusive-emails-reveal-navy-s-intent-to-break-law-threatening-endangered-wildlife">Threatening
Endangered Wildlife</a>.


feed_id: 0dd4d96f29590dc91c72a3760618af83
title: Torture by Mexico's state agents
uri: Torture-by-Mexico-s-state-agents
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#12_May_2016_%28Torture_by_Mexicos_state_agents%29
content:
<p>
Mexicans say state agents
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/may/10/suspects-missing-mexican-students-tortured-to-confess">tortured
them to make them support the state's (demonstratedly false) version
of events in the disappearance of 43 students</a>.  Independent
examinations found evidence of this torture.
<p>
They say state agents even threatened to murder their family members.


feed_id: 991d7a38d0b9ef1ec521a0e8d2d18b04
title: Medical marijuana dispensaries
uri: Medical-marijuana-dispensaries
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#12_May_2016_%28Medical_marijuana_dispensaries%29
content:
<p>
The US government has
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/society/2016/may/10/medical-marijuana-harborside-health-center">abandoned
its effort to close two medical marijuana dispensaries</a> in
California.


feed_id: 457fa252b9ef044d0077e034c52e9762
title: Wells Fargo Bank tries to cheat
uri: Wells-Fargo-Bank-tries-to-cheat
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#12_May_2016_%28Wells_Fargo_Bank_tries_to_cheat%29
content:
<p>
Duke Tran is suing Wells Fargo Bank, saying his boss fired him because
he told the truth to a mortgage-holder that the bank was
<a href="http://www.dailykos.com/story/2016/05/09/1524770/-Wells-Fargo-told-employees-to-pretend-like-they-didn-t-lose-important-customer-papers">trying
to cheat</a>.
<p>
The boss told him and other staff not to admit to customers that the
bank had lost their contracts (or perhaps had
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2011-jul-oct.html#18_August_2011_(Massive_Bank_Fraud)">never
had them</a>).


feed_id: f1c656c9240f98e9cea19f05af37da05
title: Anti-Zionism is not antisemitism
uri: Anti-Zionism-is-not-antisemitism
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#12_May_2016_%28Anti-Zionism_is_not_antisemitism%29
content:
<p>
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/may/10/anti-zionism-does-not-equate-to-antisemitism">Anti-Zionism
Does Not Equate to Antisemitism</a>, say British Jews rebuking the
claims of the Chief Rabbi.
<p>
Rooting out antisemitism from various British political parties
requires carefully
<a href="http://www.thejc.com/comment-and-debate/comment/157790/the-problem-real-also-exaggerated">distinguishing
condemnation of the occupation of Palestine from antisemitism</a>.
Confusing the two, which defenders of the occupation persistently try
to do, is likely to encourage antisemitism.


feed_id: 0cfc45a151edc69e78a83f87545c7f3b
title: Lummi tribe blocks coal export terminal
uri: Lummi-tribe-blocks-coal-export-terminal
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#12_May_2016_%28Lummi_tribe_blocks_coal_export_terminal%29

content:
<p>
The Lummi tribe
<a href="http://www.commondreams.org/news/2016/05/10/first-nation-wins-historic-victory-over-mammoth-coal-export-terminal">won
a court case</a> to block the construction of a coal export terminal at
Cherry Point, Washington.


feed_id: 795a26ddbea5c9944a255a39d30b88ac
title: Having children
uri: Having-children
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#12_May_2016_%28Having_children%29
content:
<p>
"I decided not to have children for
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2011/sep/27/not-have-children-environmental-reasons">environmental
reasons</a>."
<p>
Especially the well-off Americans, who consume so much per person,
should have fewer children.


feed_id: d5346146cf4c896c9b8536a11f48b581
title: Canada's oil production reduced
uri: Canada-s-oil-production-reduced
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#12_May_2016_%28Canadas_oil_production_reduced%29
content:
<p>
The fire that burned parts of Fort McMurray has
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/may/11/fort-mcmurray-wildfire-cuts-canadas-oil-output-by-a-third">cut
Canada's oil production by 1/3</a>.  Alas, it is only temporary.  If
it were permanent, it might help avoid even worse fires in the future.


feed_id: 9717c0491c675fd6c365290f25a39191
title: Another arrest for "defaming the king"
uri: Another-arrest-for-defaming-the-king
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#12_May_2016_%28Another_arrest_for_defaming_the_king%29

content:
<p>
Thailand
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/may/11/us-condemns-arrest-of-thai-activists-mother-over-one-word-facebook-post">arrested
another person for "defaming the king"</a>, and the US has condemned
it.


feed_id: 7bdd2c63741da6a574343735fb9c8a4d
title: Urgent: Stop financing global heating denial
uri: Urgent-Stop-financing-global-heating-denial
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#13_May_2016_%28Urgent%3A_Stop_financing_global_heating_denial%29

content:
<p>
Everyone:
<a href="https://actions.sumofus.org/a/stop-bankrolling-exxon-s-climate-change-denial/">call
on big banks</a> to stop financing Exxon's global heating denial.


feed_id: 2c02755a83f3cf9b101e066bf969e243
title: Better grades without computers
uri: Better-grades-without-computers
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#13_May_2016_%28Better_grades_without_computers%29
content:
<p>
An experiment which randomly chose which students could use computers
in class found that
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/education/2016/may/11/students-who-use-digital-devices-in-class-perform-worse-in-exams">those
who did not use computers got better grades</a>.


feed_id: 698a5b795a7cda55acbc04e61df62e80
title: Urgent: Protect Palestinian minors
uri: Urgent-Protect-Palestinian-minors
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#13_May_2016_%28Urgent%3A_Protect_Palestinian_minors%29

content:
<p>
US citizens:
<a href="http://petitions.moveon.org/sign/protect-children-in-military">call
on Congress</a> to ask the US to appoint a special representative to
protect Palestinian minors in Israeli prisons.
<p>
Some of those minors are so young that they really are children.
Others are adolescents, and I don't think we should call them
"children", but it is still wrong the way Israel treats them in
prison.


feed_id: 8f04e358185e17ec2053341e1edf5d6b
title: For-profit colleges
uri: 2016-05-14-For-profit-colleges
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#13_May_2016_%28For-profit_colleges%29
content:
<p>
For-profit colleges in the US regularly
<a href="http://www.thenation.com/article/for-profit-colleges-have-found-a-new-way-to-hoodwink-their-students/">make
their students agree to contracts that impose arbitration instead of
lawsuits</a>, and in some cases require them to keep their complaints
secret.
<p>
No company should be allowed to impose such requirements on its
customers.  Meanwhile, for-profit colleges are a bad idea, and a big
risk; don't spend your money on them.


feed_id: 12922725494cdaf412622747510528a2
title: Farming the sea for plants and shellfish
uri: Farming-the-sea-for-plants-and-shellfish
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#13_May_2016_%28Farming_the_sea_for_plants_and_shellfish%29

content:
<p>
Farming the sea for plants and shellfish is a
<a href="http://www.thenation.com/article/this-former-fisherman-is-now-farming-the-most-sustainable-food-on-earth-underwater/">sustainable
food production method</a>.


feed_id: c5c5f199c335a814384a4988c100d164
title: Climate disinformation from Exxon
uri: Climate-disinformation-from-Exxon
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#13_May_2016_%28Climate_disinformation_from_Exxon%29
content:
<p>
Exxon is
<a href="http://www.ucsusa.org/publications/got-science/2016/got-science-may-2016">still
spreading climate disinformation</a>, including via ALEC.
<p>
On the <a href="/articles/exxon.html">correct pronunciation of
"Exxon"</a>.


feed_id: 2c820256df3978e36dc3e4c31288676c
title: War on Diarrhea Medication
uri: War-on-Diarrhea-Medication
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#13_May_2016_%28War_on_Diarrhea_Medication%29
content:
<p>
Now that the War on Painkillers is in high gear, the
<a href="http://reason.com/blog/2016/05/11/where-will-opioid-panic-lead-how-about-r">War
on Diarrhea Medication</a> may come next.


feed_id: 71ea8b1642ab2953fcefbded3b47e0bf
title: Arkansas thug steals 20000
uri: Arkansas-thug-steals-20000
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#13_May_2016_%28Arkansas_thug_steals_20000%29
content:
<p>
An Arkansas thug
<a href="http://reason.com/blog/2016/05/11/arkansas-trooper-steals-20000-because-no">took
Guillermo Espinoza's $20,000</a>, assuming that if he had so much
money it could only be from selling drugs.  Then, when prosecutors had
second thoughts, the judge approved the grab anyway.


feed_id: 06f50a1c6a28877d22ec83fa2d6befb9
title: Segregation in public toilets
uri: Segregation-in-public-toilets
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#13_May_2016_%28Segregation_in_public_toilets%29
content:
<p>
There is a
<a href="http://www.motherjones.com/politics/2016/05/north-carolina-transgender-history-bathrooms-freakouts-timeline">long
history</a> of dealing with issues of segregation (racial or gender)
in public toilets.


feed_id: 13d2ed8ce639404baabc8a8313878279
title: Hedge fund managers
uri: Hedge-fund-managers
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#13_May_2016_%28Hedge_fund_managers%29
content:
<p>
The leading hedge fund managers were paid an
<a href="http://www.commondreams.org/news/2016/05/11/hedge-fund-managers-are-winning-2015-another-year-outrageous-compensation">average
of half a billion dollars each</a> in 2015, even though most of the
funds actually lost money.


feed_id: 13c7bbb22b68dbdda1da765739173ff3
title: Toxic e-waste regulation
uri: Toxic-e-waste-regulation
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#13_May_2016_%28Toxic_e-waste_regulation%29
content:
<p>
Regulations and voluntary policies to avoid sending toxic e-waste to
poor countries for manual recycling are
<a href="https://theintercept.com/2016/05/10/gps-tracking-devices-catch-major-u-s-recyclers-in-improper-e-waste-exports/">failing
a lot of the time</a>.


feed_id: 8e62077b885253e3303bc90edfe7ef22
title: The Democratic Convention
uri: The-Democratic-Convention
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#13_May_2016_%28The_Democratic_Convention%29
content:
<p>
The Democratic Party has invited
<a href="https://theintercept.com/2016/05/11/lobbyists-dnc-2016-convention/">business
executives and lobbyists</a> into the heart of planning the Democratic
Convention.


feed_id: 722d7564f9205b0bc5dd326db20adc9a
title: Prisoners in Alabama on strike
uri: Prisoners-in-Alabama-on-strike
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#13_May_2016_%28Prisoners_in_Alabama_on_strike%29
content:
<p>
Prisoners in Alabama, who are on strike, say
<a href="https://theintercept.com/2016/05/10/striking-prisoners-in-alabama-accuse-officials-of-using-food-as-weapon/">the
prison is now trying to starve them into surrender</a>.


feed_id: f624b2669b0248b0848f159ebe6fe6a5
title: The Great Barrier Reef
uri: 2016-05-14-The-Great-Barrier-Reef
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#13_May_2016_%28The_Great_Barrier_Reef%29
content:
<p>
The heat of the ocean has
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2016/may/12/great-barrier-reef-devastating-images-tell-story-of-coral-colonies-destruction">killed
all the coral in large parts of the Great Barrier Reef</a>, and made
it useless as a shelter for the many species of fish that depend on
it.


feed_id: feb892e197982a17557088d1b8f7a293
title: The thug that killed Walter Scott
uri: 2016-05-14-The-thug-that-killed-Walter-Scott
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#13_May_2016_%28The_thug_that_killed_Walter_Scott%29
content:
<p>
The thug that killed Walter Scott faces federal charges:
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2016/may/11/walter-scott-shooting-officer-michael-slager-federal-charges">obstruction
of justice, and deprivation of civil rights</a>.


feed_id: 587d7d7e69eb15ea2ce24643eb3b0d13
title: French whistleblowers face prosecution
uri: French-whistleblowers-face-prosecution
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#13_May_2016_%28French_whistleblowers_face_prosecution%29

content:
<p>
Two French whistleblowers
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/business/2016/may/10/luxleaks-prosecutors-whistleblowers-tax-evasion-luxembourg-deltour-halet">face
prosecution in Luxembourg</a>.  They exposed how Luxembourg eagerly
helped multinationals to pay very little tax.


feed_id: 3e238d9fdadf83b2476c2fbe4cc93982
title: Turkey refuses human rights investigation
uri: Turkey-refuses-human-rights-investigation
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#13_May_2016_%28Turkey_refuses_human_rights_investigation%29

content:
<p>
Turkey has
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/may/11/turkey-dismisses-un-alarm-at-alleged-rights-abuses-in-kurdish-region">refused
to allow UN human rights investigators to visit</a>.


feed_id: 834f4c4f48a2fcca6810c7207eacbae7
title: Loss of bee colonies
uri: 2016-05-14-Loss-of-bee-colonies
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#13_May_2016_%28Loss_of_bee_colonies%29
content:
<p>
US bee keepers
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2016/may/11/bee-colony-deaths-environmental-problems">lost
44% of their colonies in a year</a>.
<p>
Global heating effects may be part of the cause, because they
<a href="http://e360.yale.edu/feature/bee_collapse_co2_climate_change_agriculture/2991/">reduce
the fraction of protein in the pollen that bees eat</a>.


feed_id: 0ee789079374eab621a7be4c3b584ae6
title: Push for renewable energy in Australia
uri: Push-for-renewable-energy-in-Australia
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#14_May_2016_%28Push_for_renewable_energy_in_Australia%29

content:
<p>
Some local communities in Australia are
<a href="
http://www.theguardian.com/sustainable-business/2016/may/12/australias-regions-already-have-an-energy-crisis-and-a-climate-of-investment-is-the-answer">pushing
hard for renewable energy</a> even against the
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#17_July_2015_(Protecting_fossil_fuel_consumption)">national
government's push to continue fossil fuels</a>.


feed_id: 83a029d24abf80b31c03ba44e77ea6d5
title: Damage to the Great Barrier Reef
uri: Damage-to-the-Great-Barrier-Reef
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#14_May_2016_%28Damage_to_the_Great_Barrier_Reef%29
content:
<p>
Tourist boat operators are
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/sustainable-business/2016/may/12/australias-regions-already-have-an-energy-crisis-and-a-climate-of-investment-is-the-answer">trying
to conceal</a> the damage to the Great Barrier Reef from politicians
and reporters.
<p>
This is the same short-term spirit as the fossil fuel companies carry
out.  It's easier than preventing further damage, but it won't work
for long.


feed_id: bad712bf5ba9610ec3baedd993259afc
title: Encryption software as "munitions"
uri: Encryption-software-as-munitions
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#14_May_2016_%28Encryption_software_as_munitions%29
content:
<p>
If encryption software is "munitions", does the Second Amendment guarantee
the
<a href="http://motherboard.vice.com/read/the-second-amendment-case-for-the-right-to-bear-encryption">right
to bear encryption software</a>?


feed_id: ac0fb3b4d32fe72da153f075e5093d8b
title: Punishing abortion
uri: Punishing-abortion
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#14_May_2016_%28Punishing_abortion%29
content:
<p>
Punishing abortion
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/may/11/criminalising-abortion-does-not-cut-number-of-terminations-says-study">does
not reduce the rate of abortions</a>.  (It does put women in danger.)
However, access to modern contraception does reduce the rate of
abortions, because it avoids unwanted pregnancies.


feed_id: 98aef70ec1a1e9c1fb70dcdc9dcd263e
title: French Surveillance Law
uri: French-Surveillance-Law
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#14_May_2016_%28French_Surveillance_Law%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://www.laquadrature.net/en/surveillance-law-before-french-council-of-state">Legal
Action against</a> the French Surveillance Law (of 2015).
<p>
Note that the repeatedly extended "state of emergency" in France makes
the surveillance even worse than what this law authorizes.


feed_id: 10d13213af1d8bfcec6a284c3fedb601
title: War on Sharing
uri: 2016-05-14-War-on-Sharing
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#14_May_2016_%28War_on_Sharing%29
content:
<p>
Germany
<a href="https://torrentfreak.com/germany-to-rescind-piracy-liability-for-open-wifi-operators-160511/">will
repeal one repressive measure</a> that is part of the War on Sharing:
punishing owners of unrestricted WiFi networks when they are used to
share.
<p>
This is an example of collective responsibility, which in general is
what states do to enforce laws that the people in general do not
support.  A democratic government would put an end to the War on
Sharing, and adopt
<a href="https://gnu.org/philosophy/copyright-vs-community.html">non-repressive
means to support the arts</a>.
<p>
The article uses the word
<a href="https://www.gnu.org/philosophy/words-to-avoid.html#Piracy">"piracy"</a>
to refer to sharing.  Since that derogatory word carries spin that
supports the War on Sharing, we should reject it.


feed_id: 0b12498d658ac954389c56ea276ba7bb
title: Trump ties with Clinton in polls
uri: Trump-ties-with-Clinton-in-polls
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#14_May_2016_%28Trump_ties_with_Clinton_in_polls%29
content:
<p>
Trump now
<a href="http://www.commondreams.org/news/2016/05/11/terrifying-new-national-poll-shows-trump-and-clinton-statistically-tied">ties
with Clinton</a> in polls.


feed_id: fef9e2b3be0ef8cc1528efc4b28d0263
title: Global heating denialism
uri: 2016-05-14-Global-heating-denialism
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#14_May_2016_%28Global_heating_denialism%29
content:
<p>
Peabody Energy
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/climate-consensus-97-per-cent/2016/may/11/coal-made-its-best-case-against-climate-change-and-lost">argued
global heating denialism in court</a>, and lost.


feed_id: bfac47a538300bcbdfd5e045656cf406
title: Urgent: End cap on Social Security tax
uri: Urgent-End-cap-on-Social-Security-tax
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#14_May_2016_%28Urgent%3A_End_cap_on_Social_Security_tax%29

content:
<p>
US citizens: 
<a href="http://leftaction.com/scrap-the-cap">call for ending the
cap</a> on Social Security tax.


feed_id: d0fc7a9614eb3ef221ac2f4a209ce83f
title: Urgent: Clean Power Plan
uri: 2016-05-16-Urgent-Clean-Power-Plan
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#14_May_2016_%28Urgent%3A_Clean_Power_Plan%29
content:
<p>
US citizens: 
<a href="https://secure.nrdconline.org/site/Advocacy?cmd=display&page=UserAction&id=4015">call
on the Peabody Energy CEO</a> to stop fighting the Clean Power Plan.


feed_id: e99cf60e7d1e19e091eb2eb1c07be39c
title: Urgent: Oppose fracking
uri: 2016-05-16-Urgent-Oppose-fracking
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#14_May_2016_%28Urgent%3A_Oppose_fracking%29
content:
<p>
Citizens of Massachusetts: 
<a href="https://secure.foodandwaterwatch.org/site/Advocacy?pagename=homepage&page=UserAction&id=2616">oppose
new infrastructure</a> for using fracked gas.
<p>
I my message, I stated that gas that requires fracking should be left
in the ground.


feed_id: 7f5e181cc445bcdfeb9d96ef807b93ca
title: Indian cities in top 10 for pollution
uri: Indian-cities-in-top-10-for-pollution
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#14_May_2016_%28Indian_cities_in_top_10_for_pollution%29

content:
<p>
Delhi and five other Indian cities are in the top 10 for pollution,
which 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2016/may/12/calls-for-action-mount-as-six-indian-cities-hit-top-10-of-air-pollution">shortens
people's lives</a>.  Nonetheless India has not changed its 
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2015-nov-feb.html#7_December_2015_(Indian_energy_plans)">plans
to increase coal combustion</a>.


feed_id: bf5bd3d7c95e99b6f3acf8fba62e954e
title: Corruption in the US and UK
uri: Corruption-in-the-US-and-UK
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#14_May_2016_%28Corruption_in_the_US_and_UK%29
content:
<p>
To end corruption, start with the US and UK.  
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2016/may/12/anti-corruption-summit-us-united-kingdom-tax-havens">They
allow it in broad daylight</a>.
<p>
The British banks are in effect the hub of a global network of
organized crime.
<p>
It is telling that Mossack Fonseca claims to have done "due diligence"
to check the legitimacy of an average of 37 new corporations per day.
Their definition of "due diligence" is clearly inadequate.


feed_id: d4ad4898bae30dae367606e48676fa07
title: The US political and media system
uri: The-US-political-and-media-system
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#14_May_2016_%28The_US_political_and_media_system%29
content:
<p>
Nader: The U.S. Political & Media System Is 
<a href="http://www.democracynow.org/2016/5/10/nader_the_us_political_media_system">Designed
to Obstruct, Silence Third-Party Candidates</a>.


feed_id: f59fb893537d18b576a81a1aa4232577
title: Segregation in the US
uri: Segregation-in-the-US
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#14_May_2016_%28Segregation_in_the_US%29
content:
<p>
Wealthier US families with children are boosting segregation by
<a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/residential-segregation-children-families_us_57214692e4b01a5ebde47d34">squeezing
into neighborhoods with better schools</a>, forcing poorer families to
the worse schools.


feed_id: 1f7bf0a86485b23b47872f1aa7c57ff4
title: Voter ID laws
uri: 2016-05-16-Voter-ID-laws
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#14_May_2016_%28Voter_ID_laws%29
content:
<p>
Voter ID laws are effective at 
<a href="http://thinkprogress.org/politics/2016/05/11/3777214/voter-id-reports/">voter
suppression</a>, against students and Latinos.


feed_id: 7431b3201b3b03f989ca9160be8fd8c1
title: The reward structure of science
uri: The-reward-structure-of-science
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#14_May_2016_%28The_reward_structure_of_science%29
content:
<p>
The reward structure of science 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/science/political-science/2016/may/12/to-confront-21st-century-challenges-science-needs-to-rethink-its-reward-system">encourages
publication of many papers of so little interest that they are never
cited</a>.


feed_id: 25e93ba9e89f1189e15de995035072b4
title: President Rousseff impeached
uri: President-Rousseff-impeached
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#14_May_2016_%28President_Rousseff_impeached%29
content:
<p>
Brazil's senate has 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/may/12/dilma-rousseff-brazil-president-impeached-senate-vote">impeached
President Rousseff</a>, who will now be temporarily replaced in office
during her trial.


feed_id: ce47347e294edd0cfa06a4fd3adef472
title: Dominicans stripped of citizenship
uri: Dominicans-stripped-of-citizenship
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#14_May_2016_%28Dominicans_stripped_of_citizenship%29

content:
<p>
Dominicans of Haitian ancestry, who were stripped of citizenship
retroactively and expelled to Haiti, remain 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2016/may/12/haiti-dominican-republic-migrants-makeshift-camp">in
camps near the border</a>, with no medical care, no work, and little
food.


feed_id: 5030a04b8aa0dc33f2f2740be251cf9e
title: High heels in the office
uri: High-heels-in-the-office
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#14_May_2016_%28High_heels_in_the_office%29
content:
<p>
"Enforcing high heels in the office is the height of 
<a href='http://www.theguardian.com/women-in-leadership/2016/may/12/enforcing-high-heels-in-the-office-is-the-height-of-workplace-sexism'>workplace
sexism</a>."  Especially since they are bad for the feet.


feed_id: 87e09516c9200db35941fc417bceadd8
title: UK rejects cases of mistreated Iraqis
uri: UK-rejects-cases-of-mistreated-Iraqis
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#14_May_2016_%28UK_rejects_cases_of_mistreated_Iraqis%29

content:
<p>
The UK has rejected the cases of Iraqis 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/law/2016/may/12/court-rejects-600-iraqis-claims-of-mistreatment-by-uk-soldiers">mistreated
by UK soldiers occupying Iraq</a>, on the excuse that Iraqi law says
they brought the cases too late.


feed_id: a15e0786f7b6f1f162d64a9d9d3ba219
title: Tax havens
uri: 2016-05-16-Tax-havens
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#14_May_2016_%28Tax_havens%29
content:
<p>
Tax Havens 'Serve 
<a href="https://www.oxfam.org/en/pressroom/pressreleases/2016-05-09/tax-havens-serve-no-useful-economic-purpose-300-economists-tell">No
Useful Economic Purpose</a>': 300 Economists Tell World Leaders.
<p>
This conclusion is valid if you look at the stated goals of
governments and businesses.  But those tax havens do serve the
goals of the rich people that these governments really obey.


feed_id: e0d843e202ec7540fdde23476c129d83
title: Arson committed by planet roasters
uri: Arson-committed-by-planet-roasters
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#14_May_2016_%28Arson_committed_by_planet_roasters%29

content:
<p>
The
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/environment/true-north/2016/may/12/the-arsonists-of-fort-mcmurray-have-a-name">burning
of Fort McMurray</a> was effectively arson committed by the planet
roasters.
<p>
After the Fort McMurray fire, now is the time to talk about
<a href="http://www.commondreams.org/news/2016/05/11/fort-mcmurray-fire-absolutely-harbinger-things-come">how
to stop our global heating practices</a>.
<p>
When people tell us, "Now is not the right time," we must respond,
"The right time was 10 years ago, and now we are very late.  Don't
suggest we wait another day!"
<p>
Each part of the world has a mission it must do to prevent global
disaster.  For Alberta, that mission is to stop the tar sands
extraction.


feed_id: 867ed7fe43790d7102a57d7cdc9fd01e
title: Trump attacks "trigger happy" Clinton
uri: Trump-attacks-trigger-happy-Clinton
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#14_May_2016_%28Trump_attacks_trigger_happy_Clinton%29

content:
<p>
Trump has
<a href="https://theintercept.com/2016/05/12/donald-trump-calls-hillary-clinton-trigger-happy-as-she-courts-neocons/">attacked
Clinton for her readiness to attack other countries</a>.
<p>
However, he too supported the invasion of Iraq, ignoring all the
obvious
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2004-may-aug.html#08%20August%202004%20(Control%20of%20Iraq)">reasons
it was wrong</a>.
<p>
The president we need is Bernie Sanders.


feed_id: 6834bd5e21d7a1101ecf1bf50e075266
title: Salafi Arabian officials supported hijackers
uri: Salafi-Arabian-officials-supported-hijackers
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#14_May_2016_%28Salafi_Arabian_officials_supported_hijackers%29

content:
<p>
A member of the 9/11 commission says that Salafi Arabian officials
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2016/may/12/911-commission-saudi-arabia-hijackers">provided
support for the hijackers</a>, though not with approval of their
government.
<p>
He called for release of the suppressed part of the commission's
report.


feed_id: bda785d53edc9b541f885113672f053a
title: The prisoners tortured in Abu Ghraib
uri: The-prisoners-tortured-in-Abu-Ghraib
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#14_May_2016_%28The_prisoners_tortured_in_Abu_Ghraib%29

content:
<p>
The prisoners tortured in Abu Ghraib are
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2016/may/11/abu-ghraib-prisoners-deserve-their-day-in-court-war-in-iraq">still
seeking justice in US courts</a>, while those responsible are seeking
legal excuses to make the issue disappear.


feed_id: ce9d0ffc354e4ace7350440d883b876c
title: Playing into al Qa'ida's plan
uri: Playing-into-al-Qa-ida-s-plan
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#14_May_2016_%28Playing_into_al_Qaidas_plan%29
content:
<p>
Chomsky: repeating the approach of
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2016/may/11/al-qaida-war-on-terror-noam-chomsky-masters-of-mankind">taking
a sledgehammer to vulnerable societies</a> plays into al Qa'ida's plan
to draw the west into a quagmire.


feed_id: 9453c3fae37b97fb54a963ca6890f918
title: The proposed autonomous zone for Mindanao
uri: The-proposed-autonomous-zone-for-Mindanao
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#14_May_2016_%28The_proposed_autonomous_zone_for_Mindanao%29

content:
<p>
The proposed autonomy agreement for areas of Mindanao in the
Philippines
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/may/09/nascent-peace-deal-at-risk-amid-philippines-political-uncertainty">may
now never be ratified</a>.
<p>
An autonomous zone for a specific ethnic group is sometimes a good way
to resolve disputes — as long as human rights are protected.
<p>
In the Philippines, I was told that this proposed autonomous zone
would be allowed to set its own definition of human rights.  I fear
this means trashing human rights in accord with Shari'a law, against
women and against those who want to stop being Muslim.  Thus, I do not
regret the failure of this agreement.  I hope they negotiate another
agreement that respects the human rights of everyone in the autonomous
zone, not only the males that want to be Muslims.


feed_id: 45e4b34192dc0b6729b6e921e94c524b
title: Drone killings
uri: Drone-killings
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#14_May_2016_%28Drone_killings%29
content:
<p>
We Need a Debate on
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2016/may/11/debate-drone-killings-military-conflict-committee">Drone
Killings</a> — Whether They Should Be Happening At All.
<p>
The legitimacy of targeted killing (assassination off the battlefield)
is in question as well as that of the unintended victims.


feed_id: 635cfe54d6e30cf60b4ecd3ea6690c79
title: Urgent: Sensible gun control measures
uri: Urgent-Sensible-gun-control-measures
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#17_May_2016_%28Urgent%3A_Sensible_gun_control_measures%29

content:
<p>
California residents: 
<a href="http://safetyforall.com/">support the ballot initiative</a>
for some sensible gun control measures.


feed_id: 377cf1664c2d149348419065f86520b0
title: Urgent: $15 an hour at Walmart
uri: Urgent-15-an-hour-at-Walmart
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#17_May_2016_%28Urgent%3A_%2415_an_hour_at_Walmart%29

content:
<p>
Everyone: 
<a href="https://www.credomobilize.com/petitions/pay-workers-15-an-hour-with-consistent-full-time-hours">call
on Walmart</a> to pay workers $15 an hour and give people full-time
work.


feed_id: de697ba91e4fca6d5080ebd58be5fc97
title: Urgent: Reject censorship
uri: Urgent-Reject-censorship
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#17_May_2016_%28Urgent%3A_Reject_censorship%29
content:
<p>
Citizens of Minnesota: 
<a href="https://action.eff.org/o/9042/p/dia/action3/common/public/?action_KEY=10323">tell
your state legislature</a> to reject the dangerous extension of
publicity rights into a form of censorship.
<p>
If you know anyone in Minnesota, please spread the word.
Most people won't find out about this issue.


feed_id: 7dccff4a9552d47a6e649df35a792882
title: Half of wild animals wiped out in 40 years
uri: Half-of-wild-animals-wiped-out-in-40-years
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#17_May_2016_%28Half_of_wild_animals_wiped_out_in_40_years%29

content:
<p>
The WWF says half of the world's wild animals have been 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2014/sep/29/earth-lost-50-wildlife-in-40-years-wwf">wiped
out in 40 years</a>.  (This doesn't cover small animals such as
insects and worms.)
<p>
It is part of the general extractionist approach that our society
takes: use everything up fast, and let the future go hang.


feed_id: 1c3b45a8b848ef37696012ed7d34434d
title: Censorship by Facebook
uri: 2016-05-17-Censorship-by-Facebook
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#17_May_2016_%28Censorship_by_Facebook%29
content:
<p>
Facebook <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2016/may/13/facebook-turkish-government-zed-books">deleted
without explanation the page of a publisher in the UK</a> that had
posted articles about publications that criticize Erdo&gbreve;an.
<p>
The article shows that Facebook has censored on behalf of
Erdo&gbreve;an before.


feed_id: ed7d52cdf20c4fef1a6a8fe4103dca67
title: 7-11
uri: 7-11
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#16_May_2016_%287-11%29
content:
<p>
7-11 underpaid its workers and was ordered to pay what it owed them.
Then <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2016/may/15/7-eleven-sacked-panellist-says-chain-spooked-by-size-of-payouts">it was unhappy with the independent adjudicators who agreed to
workers' claims</a>, and acted to interfere.


feed_id: 267a4e242f5a5e99a5bc93224f5d0faa
title: Minnesota
uri: Minnesota
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#16_May_2016_%28Minnesota%29
content:
<p>
Minnesota is considering a law to <a href="https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2016/05/minnesota-legislators-go-crazy-pushing-dangerous-prince-act">make publicity rights perpetual</a>, and so broad
that it would constitute censorship.
<p>
I think that publicity rights, in basic form, are legitimate.


feed_id: 87db5dbb3885cdb8313745bfb28873e7
title: Thugs
uri: 2016-05-17-Thugs
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#16_May_2016_%28Thugs%29
content:
<p>
Massachusetts thugs <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2016/may/11/video-police-beating-driver-new-hampshire-massachusetts">beat up a man</a> who had surrendered; he had never
threatened any violence.


feed_id: 4f115d76518aa76209d37146ff1a09f5
title: Freedom of speech
uri: 2016-05-17-Freedom-of-speech
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#16_May_2016_%28Freedom_of_speech%29
content:
<p>
Around the world, freedom of speech and publication <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2016/may/12/free-speech-under-attack-beijing-istanbul">is being attacked</a>
by governments.
<p>
In "free" countries, the usual excuse is "national security" -- in
other words, sacrificing our freedom in the name of protecting our
lives.  In principle, that's backwards!  But it's also bullshit: these
assaults on our freedom are generally not necessary, and rarely even
useful, for protecting anything but unjust power.


feed_id: 652f1bc8bc09acc71f96b6801a26fe82
title: Trump
uri: 2016-05-17-Trump
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#16_May_2016_%28Trump%29
content:
<p>
Trump <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2016/may/13/amazon-getting-away-with-on-tax-says-donald-trump">has threatened</a> an anti-trust investigation of Amazon as retaliation
for investigation of Trump by the Washington Post.
<p>
Both investigations ought to be done as a matter of course.  The fact
that they are being pursued for specific political reasons, rather
than as a matter of course, reflects the dangerous power of plutocrats
such as Bezos and Trump.
<p>
Taking power away from them, and changing the system not to concentrate
wealth and power, go hand in hand.


feed_id: f77e0db944fa9f2954c1a0855ab7d168
title: Learning Management Systems
uri: Learning-Management-Systems
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#16_May_2016_%28Learning_Management_Systems%29
content:
<p>
As schools impose "learning management" systems to track what students
do, <a href="https://theconversation.com/data-collected-about-student-behaviour-doesnt-help-improve-teaching-or-learning-57793">they collect lots of data about students.  There is no evidence
that this snooping contributes to education</a>, but it is obviously an
injustice.
<p>
If some sort of snooping ever does contribute to education, the school should
leave all the data in a per-student memory which the student can wipe when
classes end.


feed_id: 77b206a003956852162425b9a26bdeac
title: Too poor for justice
uri: Too-poor-for-justice
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#16_May_2016_%28Too_poor_for_justice%29
content:
<p>
In the US, people are jailed <a href="https://theintercept.com/2016/05/13/too-poor-for-justice/">as a result of trials in which they
had no lawyer</a>.
<p>
Often this is for nonpayment of child support.
<p>
It is legitimate to make fathers with money provide some of that
for their children.  It is nonsensical to do this to poor people;
they can't pay what they don't have.
<p>
The right solution for this problem is (1) to improve the welfare
system so that no child has to grow up in poverty, father or no
father, and (2) help and encourage people that can't afford to raise
children properly to use reliable birth control.


feed_id: 6b468bc1b59a09e036790fe2d6116a10
title: Ferguson effect
uri: Ferguson-effect
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#16_May_2016_%28Ferguson_effect%29
content:
<p>
If the "Ferguson effect" is real, what <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2016/may/13/ferguson-effect-real-researcher-richard-rosenfield-second-thoughts">conclusions</a> should we draw?
<p>
US blacks have good reason to fear that thugs will kill them and/or
frame them.  To a lesser extent, so do other Americans.  If the thugs
want to be trusted, they should start being trustworthy.


feed_id: a150d4401366bc192dcac2b253eed3a5
title: Capitalism and technology
uri: Capitalism-and-technology
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#16_May_2016_%28Capitalism_and_technology%29
content:
<p>
Confronting the <a href="http://www.truth-out.org/news/item/35946-robert-mcchesney-capitalism-is-a-bad-fit-for-a-technological-revolution">threat</a> of massive technological unemployment combined
with allow plutocratic.
<p>
As someone said in a public hearing in Cambridge, some 20 years ago:
"If the robots make it, we've gotta take it."


feed_id: f52a094fda500f0cb12f13f50647b85d
title: Seed supply
uri: Seed-supply
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#16_May_2016_%28Seed_supply%29
content:
<p>
Proposed mergers, such as Bayer with Monsanto, <a href="http://www.commondreams.org/news/2016/05/12/monsanto-takeover-corporate-cabals-control-food-supply-continues">would increase
concentration of the seed supply</a> and other industries related to
farming.
<p>
Monsanto <a href="http://www.truth-out.org/opinion/item/35985-the-epa-s-ties-to-monsanto-could-be-disastrous-for-the-us">seems to have too much influence</a> with the EPA's decisions.


feed_id: 59ac5e418a25c28bc9dc1e874f1f04f5
title: Cancer drug
uri: Cancer-drug
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#16_May_2016_%28Cancer_drug%29
content:
<p>
A US senate committee staffer <a href="https://theintercept.com/2016/05/14/leaks-show-senate-aide-threatened-colombia-over-cheap-cancer-drug/">made threats to try to stop Colombia
from approving a license for an generic</a>, affordable cancer drug.
<p>
Of course, <a href="http://gnu.org/philosophy/not-ipr.html">the threat used the propaganda term "intellectual
property", which not only carries spin in favor of the drug companies,
but also impedes understanding of any issue</a> because it confuses
several unrelated laws.
<p>
What is sad is that the article uses that term too.  The author, who
criticizes the staffer's actions, probably does not realize that the
term gives implicit support to them, as well as impeding clear
thinking about any specific law (in this case, patent law).

That term should <em>never</em> be used.  I object to it every time
I hear or see it.  You can, too.


feed_id: 3f924f9a7f98ff65ebfbf2349028e478
title: Brazil
uri: 2016-05-17-Brazil
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#16_May_2016_%28Brazil%29
content:
<p>
The temporary president that is replacing Dilma Rousseff <a href="https://theintercept.com/2016/05/11/brazils-democracy-to-suffer-grievous-blow-today-as-unelectable-corrupt-neoliberal-is-installed/">has himself
been convicted of illegal campaign activities</a>, and there is just as much
basis to impeach him as to impeach Rousseff.


feed_id: e0997e0d5e95982d46faa45e8a9ba8c3
title: Very urgent: Coverage for contraception
uri: Very-urgent-Coverage-for-contraception
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#16_May_2016_%28Urgent%3A_Coverage_for_contraception%29

content:
<p>
Citizens of Massachusetts: 
<a href="https://act1.myngp.com/Forms/NoScript/3753468814436597760">support
full health insurance coverage for contraception</a>, with no gaps or
loopholes.


feed_id: 6c4ff58be8bd7aa33367b98e65b852c1
title: Urgent: Ban transfer of cluster bombs
uri: Urgent-Ban-transfer-of-cluster-bombs
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#16_May_2016_%28Urgent%3A_Ban_transfer_of_cluster_bombs%29

content:
<p>
US citizens: 
<a href="http://petitions.moveon.org/sign/support-conyers-ban-cluster">call
for a ban</a> on transferring cluster bombs to Salafi Arabia.


feed_id: 46e039b64d8d4c51b075fcd48301507a
title: Urgent: ASAP Act
uri: Urgent-ASAP-Act
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#16_May_2016_%28Urgent%3A_ASAP_Act%29
content:
<p>
US citizens: 
<a href="http://act.oceana.org/sign/senate-ASAP-seismic-bill_2016/">support</a>
the Atlantic Seismic Airgun Protection (ASAP) Act.


feed_id: 81b2188c0636925eaaec0a1bcf5656d0
title: Fighting global heating
uri: 2016-05-17-Fighting-global-heating
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#16_May_2016_%28Fighting_global_heating%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2016/may/13/civil-disobedience-climate-change-protesters">Civil
Disobedience</a> Is the Only Way Left to Fight [global heating].
<p>
It is a mistake to use the term 
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2014-may-aug.html#16_June_2014_(Destroyed_by_global_heating)">"climate
change"</a>; that term was imposed by Dubya <em>to downplay the
danger</em>, and it works all too well.


feed_id: 58d053123d8d3b07b76c31808b9f4f83
title: Tax-dodging in New Zealand
uri: Tax-dodging-in-New-Zealand
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#16_May_2016_%28Tax-dodging_in_New_Zealand%29
content:
<p>
New Zealand is 
<a href="http://www.radionz.co.nz/news/panama-papers/303356/nz-at-heart-of-panama-money-go-round">very
useful for tax-dodging businesses</a>.


feed_id: e43404b3f60de4ac57e2cb5b89a59fa3
title: Shootings by toddlers
uri: Shootings-by-toddlers
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#16_May_2016_%28Shootings_by_toddlers%29
content:
<p>
Toddlers in the US have 
<a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/wonk/wp/2016/05/01/toddlers-have-shot-at-least-23-people-this-year/">shot
at least 23 people this year</a>.
<p>
Over 1/3 of the people shot were killed.


feed_id: 84e9e5bd78a6b4fe60fd747a6c9f6aec
title: Companies based on tax havens
uri: Companies-based-on-tax-havens
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#16_May_2016_%28Companies_based_on_tax_havens%29
content:
<p>
Hundreds of companies in the London Stock Exchange are 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/business/2016/may/12/london-stock-exchange-listed-companies-tax-havens-uk">based
on tax havens connected with Britain</a>.


feed_id: 8f8a67821f4aaac7fb97b411a33cf762
title: Urgent: Oppose vote on TPP
uri: Urgent-Oppose-vote-on-TPP
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#16_May_2016_%28Urgent%3A_Oppose_vote_on_TPP%29
content:
<p>
<a href="http://pac.petitions.moveon.org/sign/stand-with-hillary-bernie-1">Call
on the Democratic Party</a> to oppose any vote on the Treacherous
Plutocratic Poison until the next president takes office.


feed_id: 7f1b30c4ada509ae39a0e54088c62b58
title: Motivation of Trump supporters
uri: Motivation-of-Trump-supporters
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#16_May_2016_%28Motivation_of_Trump_supporters%29
content:
<p>
Real Trump supporters are very much motivated by his 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2016/may/13/donald-trump-supporters-bigots-left-demonise">opposition
to business-supremacy treaties</a> that Clinton has supported.
<p>
It's no accident that Sanders polls better against Trump than Clinton
does.  These people would be potential Sanders supporters.


feed_id: 2f8b058807e6abcd26c8b24ed2a68e8b
title: Windfarms vs fracking in UK
uri: Windfarms-vs-fracking-in-UK
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#16_May_2016_%28Windfarms_vs_fracking_in_UK%29
content:
<p>
The UK government makes it easy for people to block nearby windfarms
but 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2016/may/13/fracking-north-york-moors-gets-go-ahead-protests-kirby-misperton">rams
fracking (and possible future poisoned water) down their throats</a>.


feed_id: 4099b4763ce5eb1befa5182a147e28eb
title: Solar-thermal power plants
uri: Solar-thermal-power-plants
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#16_May_2016_%28Solar-thermal_power_plants%29
content:
<p>
Solar-thermal power plants store heat during the day, and 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/sustainable-business/2016/may/13/tantalisingly-close-is-solar-thermal-energy-ready-to-replace-coal-fired-power">can
convert it into electricity at any time</a>.  In some areas, they are
competitive with fossil fuels already.
<p>
These plants could replace a large fraction of fossil fuel use in a
few years, but for inertia and fossil fuel subsidies subsidies.
Governments could overcome both, if not for the power of the
planet-roasters.


feed_id: 198ca18b20b1671310073a8835d57338
title: McGill University grads return diplomas
uri: McGill-University-grads-return-diplomas
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#16_May_2016_%28McGill_University_grads_return_diplomas%29

content:
<p>
McGill University graduates are returning their diplomas to 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/true-north/2016/mar/15/why-graduates-of-a-top-canadian-university-are-returning-our-diplomas">demand
divestment from fossil fuel companies</a>.


feed_id: 85286ccf542bc61bcc6ba19771dfaf43
title: Anti-civilian weapons from US
uri: Anti-civilian-weapons-from-US
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#16_May_2016_%28Anti-civilian_weapons_from_US%29
content:
<p>
The GAO says that the US is failing to monitor the use of
<a href="https://theintercept.com/2016/05/12/state-department-fails-to-vet-or-monitor-military-aid-to-egypt/">anti-civilian
weapons it has provided to Egypt</a>.


feed_id: 21008b1e894200e0b72c93ee39ebc5cf
title: Protests aimed at Olive Garden
uri: Protests-aimed-at-Olive-Garden
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#16_May_2016_%28Protests_aimed_at_Olive_Garden%29
content:
<p>
Protests are aimed at Olive Garden restaurants, 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/sustainable-business/2016/may/12/olive-garden-protests-chicken-fair-wages">demanding
better treatment of their workers and that they stop selling meat that
contributes to antibiotic resistance</a>.


feed_id: d7299c02bffdb4b1884a26f7f027f108
title: Zika virus and Olympic Games in Rio
uri: Zika-virus-and-Olympic-Games-in-Rio
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#16_May_2016_%28Zika_virus_and_Olympic_Games_in_Rio%29

content:
<p>
The Olympic Games in Rio could spread the Zika virus 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/may/12/rio-olympics-zika-amir-attaran-public-health-threat">to
poor countries that could not cope with it</a>.


feed_id: 05c215f9ed1f4c5c8604e64f84f7c2a8
title: US poultry packing workers
uri: US-poultry-packing-workers
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#16_May_2016_%28US_poultry_packing_workers%29
content:
<p>
Oxfam says that US poultry packing workers have to wear diapers
because they are 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2016/may/12/poultry-workers-wear-diapers-work-bathroom-breaks">afraid
they will be fired if they ask to go to the toilet</a>.


feed_id: bc95873a52394d48d7cd3cab5c464707
title: Billionaires threaten Britain
uri: Billionaires-threaten-Britain
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#16_May_2016_%28Billionaires_threaten_Britain%29
content:
<p>
Billionaires threaten Britain: if you end secrecy rules, 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/may/12/super-rich-may-sell-london-homes-under-anti-corruption-rules">we
will sell our mansions</a> in London!
<p>
That would drive down housing prices in London and make the city more
affordable.  Two birds with one stone!


feed_id: a00faa0a306c72581af658a7fc7bccb4
title: Prosecution of Guantanamo prisoner
uri: Prosecution-of-Guantanamo-prisoner
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#16_May_2016_%28Prosecution_of_Guantanamo_prisoner%29

content:
<p>
Ammar al-Baluchi says the US wants to prosecute him using statements
he made under torture, 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2016/may/12/guantanamo-camp-7-torture-ammar-al-baluchi-un">asks
for a UN investigation</a>.
<p>
I don't think the US is likely to grant that.
<p>
The US should release all the prisoners in Guantanamo prison.
Even if some of them really did commit terrorism, they have been
punished enough.  It is wrong to punish people without trial,
and in order for the US clear its name, it has to stop doing this.


feed_id: a5a5c4be760bc1cc9cfef842571b096a
title: Egypt's tyrannical regime
uri: Egypt-s-tyrannical-regime
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#16_May_2016_%28Egypts_tyrannical_regime%29
content:
<p>
Egyptians refer to the tyrannical regime as 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/books/booksblog/2016/may/12/pleas-release-egyptian-writer-ahmed-naji">"the
zombies"</a>.


feed_id: 1fd74ca2bd33c96809abe00a1f9b2b47
title: Tax dodging
uri: 2016-05-17-Tax-dodging
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#16_May_2016_%28Tax_dodging%29
content:
<p>
The British colonies that live on tax dodging make the argument that
stopping them is futile 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/may/12/tax-transparency-efforts-fail-american-states-excluded-summit">without
stopping the US too</a>.
<p>
Of course, we must prevent tax dodging in all these places, but if we
have an opportunity to do it in some places, we should take it The
argument, "Don't stop us before you stop others", is simply invalid.
<p>
The fewer such states remain, the easier it will be to concentrate
pressure on those.


feed_id: bbbf473b3765da463b28755ab79429b5
title: Repression in the UK
uri: Repression-in-the-UK
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#16_May_2016_%28Repression_in_the_UK%29
content:
<p>
Repression in the UK: <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2016/may/13/man-jailed-after-breaching-tidy-home-injunction">a man has been jailed because he didn't keep his yard clean,</a> and for having visitors after 9:30pm.


feed_id: 94dc97004986eb3d34c65f48fc559041
title: Crocodile species in danger
uri: Crocodile-species-in-danger
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#16_May_2016_%28Crocodile_species_in_danger%29
content:
<p>
Half of all species of crocodilians are in <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2015/sep/08/human-activity-driving-half-of-worlds-crocodile-species-to-extinction">danger of extinction</a> due to human activity.


feed_id: 35947224234ebdc604f59172c740235d
title: Muslim fanatics latest victim
uri: Muslim-fanatics-latest-victim
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#16_May_2016_%28Muslim_fanatics_latest_victim%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/may/14/bangladesh-elderly-buddhist-monk-hacked-to-death-say-police">The latest victim of Muslim fanatics</a> in Bangladesh was a Buddhist monk.
<p>Many Muslims are willing to tolerate dissent, but the current of
disrespect for others' religious freedom goes back to Muhammad.


feed_id: a6df028e883c1d938b37573aa207dbe6
title: Rhinoceros are close to extinction
uri: Rhinoceros-are-close-to-extinction
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#16_May_2016_%28Rhinoceros_are_close_to_extinction%29

content:
<p>
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/africa-wild/2015/sep/18/how-not-to-save-the-rhino">Many species of rhinoceros are close to extinct.</a>  How can we save them?


feed_id: ab71c951b3c036534d3bb66d05558d1c
title: Vaquita Porpoises are being swiftly wiped out
uri: Vaquita-Porpoises-are-being-swiftly-wiped-out
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#16_May_2016_%28Vaquita_Porpoises_are_being_swiftly_wiped_out%29

content:
<p>
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2016/may/14/worlds-smallest-porpoise-vaquita-marina-edge-of-extinction-illegal-gillnets">The vaquita porpoises are being swiftly wiped out</a> despite Mexican navy patrols.
<p>The cause is one of the many superstitions typical of Chinese medicine.


feed_id: 9502f1ebf5c67529e5f2b680c8dfff52
title: WiFi routers will soon block users installing their own software
uri: WiFi-routers-will-soon-block-users-installing-their-own-software
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#16_May_2016_%28WiFi_routers_will_soon_block_users_installing_their_own_software%29

content:
<p>
Most WiFi router models sold in the US will soon <a href="http://arstechnica.com/information-technology/2016/05/linksys-wrt-routers-wont-block-open-source-firmware-despite-fcc-rules/">block users from installing their own software,</a> supposedly because of FCC regulations. However, the one exception demonstrates that the FCC regulations don't actually require this.
<p>They use the term <a href="http://gnu.org/philosophy/open-source-misses-the-point.html">"open source"</a> because they don't want to endorse our ethical principles.


feed_id: ceb9a9f18c871cffeb0654e6b74ba8d4
title: Pfizer blocks drugs
uri: Pfizer-blocks-drugs
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#16_May_2016_%28Pfizer_blocks_drugs%29
content:
<p>
Pfizer has forbidden US states from <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/may/13/pfizer-blocks-drugs-lethal-injections">using its drug products for executions.</a>
<p>The death penalty is an injustice, and if this stops states from doing them,
that is a good thing.  However, I don't think manufacturers should have
control over how their products are used.  The industry consolidation
that made this blockage possible is also, in general, a bad thing.
<p>We should stop the death penalty with a decision to abolish it, not
by letting companies have such control.


feed_id: 305ba17d1adbdd4bd60cf137597e9a13
title: Clinton and Trump connected to Goldman Sachs
uri: Clinton-and-Trump-connected-to-Goldman-Sachs
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#16_May_2016_%28Clinton_and_Trump_connected_to_Goldman_Sachs%29

content:
<p>
Both Clinton and Trump are <a href="http://www.commondreams.org/views/2016/05/12/clinton-and-trump-two-candidates-enveloped-shadow-goldman-sachs">connected to Goldman Sachs.</a>


feed_id: 6c51217ebff2fd3357ef2c4e6fa1e140
title: Tax Experts Push IRS
uri: Tax-Experts-Push-IRS
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#16_May_2016_%28Tax_Experts_Push_IRS%29
content:
<p>
Tax Experts Push IRS to <a href="http://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2016/05/12/tax-experts-push-irs-expose-multinational-tax-dodging">Expose Multinational Tax Dodging.</a>


feed_id: 335f8a0c1fd809268782ca8f6083b906
title: The EPA has proposed rules to reduce methane leaks
uri: The-EPA-has-proposed-rules-to-reduce-methane-leaks
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#16_May_2016_%28The_EPA_has_proposed_rules_to_reduce_methane_leaks%29

content:
<p>
The EPA has proposed rules to <a href="http://www.commondreams.org/news/2016/05/12/wholly-inadequate-environmentalists-decry-epas-new-methane-rules">reduce methane leaks from new facilities,</a> but still has not tackled the existing facilities.
<p>The right thing to do with new fossil fuel facilities is <em>not build any</em>.


feed_id: cf830d79e2939ba45010c2d29f1bb6c6
title: Secrecy of Corporations
uri: Secrecy-of-Corporations
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#16_May_2016_%28Secrecy_of_Corporations%29
content:
<p>
Obama's new rules about <a href="http://www.commondreams.org/views/2016/05/12/new-rules-corporate-secrecy-have-glaring-loopholes">secrecy of corporations</a> may be meant to forestall stronger action being considered in Congress.


feed_id: 1beb1f84f0aababa8d7cc822a6b8510a
title: Washington's Military Addiction
uri: Washington-s-Military-Addiction
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#16_May_2016_%28Washingtons_Military_Addiction%29
content:
<p>
The US has an addition to war, and tends to <a href="http://www.commondreams.org/views/2016/05/12/washingtons-military-addiction-and-ruins-still-come">engage in ever more war regardless of details.</a>
<p>I am not a pacifist: I think that fighting PISSI is legitimate
provided it is done in ways that don't tend to cause lots of civilian
casualties.  I don't trust the US government to limit itself to those ways.
<p>In other cases, such as supporting the bombardment Yemen, the US
hardly bothers to offer a reason.
<p><a href="http://www.commondreams.org/views/2016/05/12/neocons-and-neolibs-how-dead-ideas-kill">Clinton is not likely to do anything to restrain the increase.</a>
<p>Trump says he will do so, but what such a liar says means little.


feed_id: 596f7c7a646bc0eb6f6e6f9324d428a3
title: Fracking has caused widespread pollution
uri: Fracking-has-caused-widespread-pollution
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#16_May_2016_%28Fracking_has_caused_widespread_pollution%29

content:
<p>
<a href="http://www.truth-out.org/news/item/35977-duke-study-finds-a-legacy-of-radioactivity-contamination-from-fracking-wastewater-spills">Fracking in North Dakota</a> 
has caused widespread pollution of water.


feed_id: 38149882bcfcf4598a40f407762e65df
title: Post-Truth Politicians
uri: Post-Truth-Politicians
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#16_May_2016_%28Post-Truth_Politicians%29
content:
<p>
Post-Truth Politicians Such As <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2016/may/13/boris-johnson-donald-trump-post-truth-politician">
Donald Trump And Boris Johnson</a> Are No Joke.


feed_id: 4fc6a4dfb15f524efed4097fb326b13c
title: Individual Corruption Flourishing
uri: Individual-Corruption-Flourishing
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#16_May_2016_%28Individual_Corruption_Flourishing%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2016/may/13/corruption-individual-flourishing-david-cameron-summit">Some aspects of society and law tempt people to be corrupt.</a>  However, other aspects make it very hard for a poor person not to be corrupt.


feed_id: 5974b0f1cbb71c5b38b28b479b062b0d
title: French women are rising up
uri: French-women-are-rising-up
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#16_May_2016_%28French_women_are_rising_up%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/may/13/we-can-no-longer-stay-silent-fury-erupts-over-sexism-in-french-politics">
French women are rising up</a> against a pervasive culture of sexual harassment
by male politicians.


feed_id: a91d232f820b7b14cfa98c956017aaa9
title: Israel has banned Omar Barghouti from travelling
uri: Israel-has-banned-Omar-Barghouti-from-travelling
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#16_May_2016_%28Israel_has_banned_Omar_Barghouti_from_travelling%29

content:
<p>
<a href="https://theintercept.com/2016/05/13/interview-with-bds-advocate-omar-barghouti-banned-by-israel-from-traveling-threatened-with-worse/">Israel 
has banned Omar Barghouti from travelling abroad,</a> apparently out of disapproval of the views he advocates while travelling.


feed_id: be740a0374becbad8c7d3aa4088c7aa9
title: Employers Can't Force You To Be Happy
uri: Employers-Can-t-Force-You-To-Be-Happy
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#16_May_2016_%28Employers_Can%27t_Force_You_To_Be_Happy%29

content:
<p>
It's Official: [US] Employers <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2016/may/13/employers-cant-force-you-to-be-happy-labor-relations-board">
Can't Force You To Be Happy.</a>


feed_id: da6b193720904a1af9ce9f79b138b713
title: What Facebook thinks of journalists
uri: What-Facebook-thinks-of-journalists
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#17_May_2016_%28What_Facebook_thinks_of_journalists%29

content:
<p>
Want to Know What Facebook Really Thinks of Journalists? Here's 
<a href="http://gizmodo.com/want-to-know-what-facebook-really-thinks-of-journalists-1773916117">What
Happened When It Hired Some</a>.


feed_id: 1796a4328e8bafd497dace4e3240db48
title: Frequent use of computers
uri: Frequent-use-of-computers
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#17_May_2016_%28Frequent_use_of_computers%29
content:
<p>
Using computers frequently for reading 
<a href="http://phys.org/news/2016-05-digital-media.html">can reduce
your ability to understand information abstractly</a>.


feed_id: 613ae65dc54396875c5443d4df3e184c
title: The "connected car"
uri: The-connected-car
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#17_May_2016_%28The_connected_car%29
content:
<p>
The "connected car" is the 
<a href="http://arstechnica.com/cars/2016/05/its-time-for-a-candid-talk-about-connected-cars/">dumbest
idea in automobiles ever</a>, or at least since the Edsel.
<p>
There is the danger that someone unauthorized will break the security
of the car.  And the even greater danger, to society as a whole, that
this will be used to track where you drive.  Remember, there is no
such thing as "the cloud" — that's a misleading name for
"someone else's computer".
<p>
Let's organize <em>now</em> to stop either the state or companies from
pushing society into using "connected cars"!


feed_id: 1c47d59484d78e726442bd23ebd26808
title: Breakfast and children's learning
uri: Breakfast-and-children-s-learning
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#17_May_2016_%28Breakfast_and_childrens_learning%29
content:
<p>
It turns out that 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/education/2016/may/14/breakfast-feeds-young-minds-link-school-meals-learning">children's
learning really suffers when they don't get a good breakfast</a>.
<p>
Government policies that squeeze the poor often mean that children don't
get enough to eat at any time.  These policies hold children back
for their whole lives, in this way and other ways, including 
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2015-jul-oct.html#07_October_2015_(Lead_in_the_water_in_Flint,_Michigan)">lead
poisoning</a> and
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#24_July_2015_(Welfare)">other
effects</a>.
<p>
The plutocrats then point at the consequences of this to 
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2014-mar-jun.html#23_April_2014_(UK_right-wing_cruelty)">claim
that those people deserve to be poor</a>.


feed_id: 1a4cb2215ed6fa3f4b8fcdf875d84003
title: Australia's "direct action" scheme
uri: Australia-s-direct-action-scheme
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#17_May_2016_%28Australias_direct_action_scheme%29
content:
<p>
Australia's "direct action" scheme to support renewable energy
investments 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2016/may/16/direct-action-funds-likely-spent-on-projects-that-would-have-happened-anyway">mainly
funds schemes that were going to go ahead anyway</a>.
<p>
It might nonetheless do some good, since it will effectively
subsidize those schemes and make them easier to set up.
However, a carbon tax would do a lot more.


feed_id: e1889417b3ed6f96e28adb7433063005
title: "Unity government" in Libya
uri: Unity-government-in-Libya
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#17_May_2016_%28Unity_government_in_Libya%29
content:
<p>
The Western-created "unity government" in Libya is 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/may/16/libya-ministers-vienna-plan-help-government-gain-foothold">neither
unity nor a government</a>.
<p>
Given the violent chaos and extremism of Libya today, even an
externally imposed government might be a step up — if Libyans
generally accept it.  If only a minority support this "unity
government", they will do it mainly for western money, and it will be
a phony that needs to be propped up ad infinitem like the Afghan
government.


feed_id: f2ab92e0feee9788cf40b5597f5c2a80
title: Temperature record set in April
uri: Temperature-record-set-in-April
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#17_May_2016_%28Temperature_record_set_in_April%29
content:
<p>
This April was the 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2016/may/16/april-third-month-in-row-to-break-global-temperature-records">seventh
month in a row</a> to set a temperature record for that month.


feed_id: 9d559fa3de42670ac816980188d420a6
title: NRA misleads and misrepresents
uri: NRA-misleads-and-misrepresents
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#17_May_2016_%28NRA_misleads_and_misrepresents%29
content:
<p>
The NRA misleads its members, and misrepresents them.  (Most of them
support some additional gun control measures.)  The NRA has close
connections with gun companies, and a lot of its effort is 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2016/may/15/gun-control-nra-stephanie-soechtig-under-the-gun">dedicated
to boosting the sale of guns</a>.


feed_id: fa9d4c0958e1a034deee457ff9ce5c16
title: EU's antitrust case against Google
uri: EU-s-antitrust-case-against-Google
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#17_May_2016_%28EUs_antitrust_case_against_Google%29
content:
<p>
The European Union's antitrust case against Google 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2015/apr/15/europes-targeting-google-under-antitrust-laws-missing-bigger-picture">raises
a small part of a big issue</a>.
<p>
Perhaps the search engine should be split off from Google and made
into a regulated monopoly.


feed_id: 3e42ba864b23bc1bb70a7d20efa880a0
title: CIA and arrest of of Nelson Mandela
uri: CIA-and-arrest-of-of-Nelson-Mandela
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#17_May_2016_%28CIA_and_arrest_of_of_Nelson_Mandela%29

content:
<p>
The CIA 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2016/may/15/cia-operative-nelson-mandela-1962-arrest">told
the apartheid regime how to arrest Nelson Mandela</a>.


feed_id: 9c7a002d75ceae94b2e74e5fdd69d01a
title: Urgent: Stop subsidy to big banks
uri: Urgent-Stop-subsidy-to-big-banks
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#17_May_2016_%28Urgent%3A_Stop_subsidy_to_big_banks%29

content:
<p>
US citizens: 
<a href="http://act.demandprogress.org/sign/bank-constitutional-right-subsudy/">tell
Federal Reserve</a> to stop its 7 billion dollar subsidy to the big
banks.


feed_id: 251502957812536fbf164f49ecc64975
title: Blacklisted UK construction workers
uri: 2016-05-18-Blacklisted-UK-construction-workers
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#17_May_2016_%28Blacklisted_UK_construction_workers%29

content:
<p>
The UK construction workers who were blacklisted 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/business/2016/may/14/blacklist-construction-workers-mcalpine">demand
an investigation of the construction companies</a> for trying to cover
up the evidence.


feed_id: 4f361a11f3a3b13c686539fc12036bcb
title: Protecting debtors
uri: Protecting-debtors
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#17_May_2016_%28Protecting_debtors%29
content:
<p>
Proposing 
<a href="https://www.propublica.org/article/what-can-be-done-to-fix-the-debt-collection-right-now">measures
to protect debtors in the US</a> from the cruelty of collection
agencies.


feed_id: a37d595ad16f7f2b2313deeac99b99a1
title: Copyright and patents
uri: Copyright-and-patents
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#17_May_2016_%28Copyright_and_patents%29
content:
<p>
An Australian study has again recognized that
<a href="https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2016/05/australian-productivity-commission-slams-protectionist-copyright-and-patent-laws">copyright
gives companies too much power</a>.
<p>
The same report also examined patent law and concluded that patents
give companies too much power.
<p>
It is a 
<a href="https://gnu.org/philosophy/not-ipr.html">mistake to study
these two different laws together</a>, but in this
case I agree with both conclusions.


feed_id: 3e77cec7f78c4074bed342c59d4d67b3
title: Surveillance cameras
uri: Surveillance-cameras
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#17_May_2016_%28Surveillance_cameras%29
content:
<p>
A 
<a href="http://www.purdue.edu/newsroom/releases/2016/Q2/system-harnesses-thousands-of-network-cameras-for-public-safety.html">new
system</a> would make it easier for Big Brother to monitor people
through thousands of surveillance cameras.
<p>
It's a great example of what happens when researchers fail to consider
the ethics of their research.


feed_id: f85d2a2ad07c371404d3adae67ee8852
title: Chilling effect of lack of privacy
uri: Chilling-effect-of-lack-of-privacy
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#17_May_2016_%28Chilling_effect_of_lack_of_privacy%29

content:
<p>
<a href="http://motherboard.vice.com/read/lack-of-online-privacy-has-chilling-effect-us-department-of-commerce-says">Lack
of Online Privacy Has Chilling Effect</a>, U.S. Department of Commerce
Says.


feed_id: f1be653885384f36d7ebf6ff9fce8418
title: Sentenced to prison for peaceful protest
uri: Sentenced-to-prison-for-peaceful-protest
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#17_May_2016_%28Sentenced_to_prison_for_peaceful_protest%29

content:
<p>
100 Egyptians were 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/may/15/egypt-protesters-jailed-red-sea-islands-demonstrations-cairo">sentenced
to years in prison</a> for a peaceful protest.
<p>
It doesn't matter that the protest was over a fatuous and confused
issue of nationalism.  People in Egypt deserve the right to state
their views, even confused views.


feed_id: ec5a81cddd22ca60e1eccd88be42d3e6
title: Invasive foreign carp in Australia
uri: Invasive-foreign-carp-in-Australia
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#17_May_2016_%28Invasive_foreign_carp_in_Australia%29

content:
<p>
Australia is planning to get rid of invasive foreign carp by 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2016/may/01/australia-budget-2016-15m-eradicate-carp-herpes-virus-murray-darling">releasing
a virus that attacks only them</a>.
<p>
This weapon may be useful, but using it alone is likely to provide
only a temporary effect.  Australia tried to get rid of rabbits
(another invasive species) with the myxoma virus, and it killed over
80% of the rabbits, but since then they have developed resistance.
Surely carp will evolve resistance to this virus.
<p>
If they apply several measures at the same time, maybe they could
eradicate the carp from Australia.


feed_id: fab0eda70dfd18d9d658e45408567b48
title: Official government ID
uri: Official-government-ID
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#17_May_2016_%28Official_government_ID%29
content:
<p>
The US is becoming 
<a href="http://thinkprogress.org/immigration/2016/05/13/3778011/faith-action-id/">increasingly
repressive to anyone that doesn't have official government
identification</a>.
<p>
This is what right-wing officials want.  While these IDs for
immigrants and homeless people are a good thing, it is wrong to
require people to have IDs in order to fill prescriptions, to vote, or
do other daily things.


feed_id: fb52659ba73cd0c5ec6151262dee7c38
title: Dishonest sales and marketing
uri: Dishonest-sales-and-marketing
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#17_May_2016_%28Dishonest_sales_and_marketing%29
content:
<p>
Dishonest sales and marketing practices are 
<a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2016/05/15/technology/personaltech/when-websites-wont-take-no-for-an-answer.html">rife
on the internet</a>.


feed_id: 800b258e81a1c2860eb9ca38a8fdf013
title: Considering prohibition
uri: Considering-prohibition
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#17_May_2016_%28Considering_prohibition%29
content:
<p>
Queensland, a state in Australia, is considering 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2016/may/15/queensland-health-minister-open-to-lifetime-smoking-ban-for-those-born-after-2001">prohibiting
tobacco smoking permanently for everyone born after 2001</a>.
<p>
Tobacco is a deadly, addictive drug, but they are cocky fools if they
think that prohibiting a drug is simply going to result in its
non-use.


feed_id: 98d926684465ae6c765004bc6f018b65
title: House Science Committee
uri: House-Science-Committee
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#17_May_2016_%28House_Science_Committee%29
content:
<p>
The House Science Committee Hates Science And 
<a href="http://www.salon.com/2016/05/14/the_house_science_committee_hates_science_and_should_be_disbanded/">Should
Be Disbanded</a>.


feed_id: e8168ced594e30c963ecdc986267d519
title: New epidemics
uri: New-epidemics
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#17_May_2016_%28New_epidemics%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/global-development-professionals-network/2016/may/15/the-planets-health-is-essential-to-prevent-infectious-disease">Disruption
of natural ecosystems</a> is part of what causes new epidemics for
humans.


feed_id: 4515756d8a248191b106a93211f91ee5
title: UK plans broad censorship
uri: UK-plans-broad-censorship
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#17_May_2016_%28UK_plans_broad_censorship%29
content:
<p>
The UK government 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2016/may/14/queens-speech-clampdown-on-extremism">plans
to impose broad censorship</a> of publications and individuals
considered "extremist".
<p>
This "protection" is more dangerous than the Islamist extremism it is
aimed at.  Sooner or later, "extremist" will be stretched to include
opposition to plutocracy.


feed_id: 4ce6168f05f0d5f76c2118b882286f4b
title: Urgent: Reject coal exports
uri: Urgent-Reject-coal-exports
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#18_May_2016_%28Urgent%3A_Reject_coal_exports%29
content:
<p>
US citizens:
<a href="https://stallman.org/petitions/petition-coal-export/">Tell
the Army Corps of Engineers</a> to reject coal exports.


feed_id: db329a6bde03a693a9a12772c36eaa8c
title: Urgent: $15 minimum wage in DC
uri: Urgent-15-minimum-wage-in-DC
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#18_May_2016_%28Urgent%3A_%2415_minimum_wage_in_DC%29

content:
<p>
US citizens:
<a href="http://www.epi.org/action/we-need-to-raisethewage-in-d-c/">support
the campaign</a> for a minimum wage of $15 in Washington DC.


feed_id: f230e77be86de4eb956ccbeafaa3bb53
title: Urgent: Stop attack on sage grouse
uri: Urgent-Stop-attack-on-sage-grouse
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#18_May_2016_%28Urgent%3A_Stop_attack_on_sage_grouse%29

content:
<p>
US citizens:
<a href="https://secure2.edf.org/site/Advocacy?cmd=display&id=2798&page=UserAction">object</a>
to using the defense authorization bill to attack conservation for the
sage grouse.


feed_id: 6217bf7d1f7dd7fca561cf7346c66414
title: Urgent: Drop charges against Andy Hall
uri: 2016-05-18-Urgent-Drop-charges-against-Andy-Hall
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#18_May_2016_%28Urgent%3A_Drop_charges_against_Andy_Hall%29

content:
<p>
Everyone:
<a href="https://www.walkfree.org/drop-the-charges-against-andy-hall-now/">Call
on Thailand</a> to drop the charges against Andy Hall.


feed_id: a079d84c40dba58ac26e3884d0691ab6
title: Afghan "army"
uri: 2016-05-18-Afghan-army
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#18_May_2016_%28Afghan_army%29
content:
<p>
The Afghan "army" in Helmand is
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/may/17/afghanistan-ghost-soldiers-taliban-babaji">almost
half nonexistent "soldiers"</a>.
<p>
Achieving this required corruption at every level of the army
as well as the connivance of other officials.
<p>
Moreover, the lack of food for the real soldiers is probably not
because the government has no money for it, but because officials and
commanders have diverted that money.  But then, most of the soldiers
have joined the army only for the money.
<p>
The use of drugs by the soldiers reminds me of the US army in Vietnam.
They had low morale, too.
<p>
The US can keep propping up the Afghan government as long as it wants
to keep spending the money, but it can't defeat the Taliban that way.


feed_id: d0c5645a727de67b2b1f01598f6af7ce
title: Plans for coal burning in Japan
uri: Plans-for-coal-burning-in-Japan
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#18_May_2016_%28Plans_for_coal_burning_in_Japan%29
content:
<p>
Japan
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/may/17/japans-coal-fired-plants-to-cause-thousands-of-early-deaths-greenpeace">plans
to replace shuttered nuclear power plants with coal burning</a>.
<p>
In addition to the short-term pollution that will kill people,
these will contribute greatly to global heating.  Tokyo is very
close to sea level; does Japan want it flooded?
<p>
Japan should invest in renewable power.


feed_id: abf4bb36c99d104ccd57c4fee8d84d23
title: US gov't practice of cracking computers
uri: US-gov-t-practice-of-cracking-computers
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#18_May_2016_%28US_govt_practice_of_cracking_computers%29

content:
<p>
The US government
<a href="https://privacysos.org/blog/fbi-hacking-computers/">conceals
its practice of cracking computers</a>, which prevents courts from
judging whether they follow the constitution.
<p>
The article uses the word "hacking" to mean security breaking and only
that, which insults us
<a href="https://stallman.org/articles/on-hacking.html">hackers</a>.
Please use the word "cracking" when what you mean is "breaking
security".


feed_id: 13b8dbcea6965cd6dfd5418ed577416f
title: Congresspeople of underwater districts
uri: Congresspeople-of-underwater-districts
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#18_May_2016_%28Congresspeople_of_underwater_districts%29

content:
<p>
What Are The Congresspeople Whose Districts Will Be Underwater Doing
To
<a href="http://www.fastcoexist.com/3058819/what-are-the-congresspeople-whose-districts-will-be-underwater-doing-to-stop-climate-change">Stop
[Global Heating]</a>?


feed_id: 38a6424e997f3d6feb9f340558fc51ba
title: Systematic oppression of women
uri: Systematic-oppression-of-women
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#18_May_2016_%28Systematic_oppression_of_women%29
content:
<p>
Ayaan Hirsi Ali reminds us of
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/may/17/ayaan-hirsi-ali-qanda-west-muslims-only-as-victims">how
Islam systematically oppresses women</a>.
<p>
It is absurd to say that no one but Muslims can criticize these
injustices.  Imagine claiming that no one but Christians can criticize
the injustice of fanatical Christians — how absurd!


feed_id: c7a3e8058a812ce7927a347b8c468658
title: Phone call "metadata"
uri: 2016-05-18-Phone-call-metadata
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#18_May_2016_%28Phone_call_metadata%29
content:
<p>
Recording everyone's phone call "metadata" is a
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/science/2016/may/16/even-basic-phone-logs-can-reveal-deeply-personal-information-researchers-find">substantial
threat to everyone's privacy</a>.
<p>
Researchers used basic phone logs to identify people and uncover
confidential information about their lives.


feed_id: 5b0af65edc90577f180e41657f848030
title: War crimes against Kurds in Aleppo
uri: War-crimes-against-Kurds-in-Aleppo
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#18_May_2016_%28War_crimes_against_Kurds_in_Aleppo%29

content:
<p>
Syrian Arab opposition militias are
<a href="http://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2016/05/13/syria-armed-opposition-groups-committing-war-crimes-aleppo-city">committing
war crimes against Kurds in Aleppo</a>.
<p>
These crimes are small compared to those committed by Assad's
supporters and PISSI, but it won't be easy to unite the groups that
oppose those two.


feed_id: 5371309a97ad0b758353633cbe44b6f8
title: US unions too weak
uri: US-unions-too-weak
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#18_May_2016_%28US_unions_too_weak%29
content:
<p>
The reason why US workers are
<a href="http://www.commondreams.org/views/2016/05/16/bitter-consequences-corporate-americas-war-unions">not
allowed to go to the toilet</a> is that we have allowed unions to
become too weak.


feed_id: ffcc33de6b833434c6b1e20dc034cc15
title: Trump emboldens bigots
uri: Trump-emboldens-bigots
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#18_May_2016_%28Trump_emboldens_bigots%29
content:
<p>
How Donald Trump
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2016/may/16/donald-trump-hindu-nationalist-far-right-presidential-election">Emboldens
Bigots Across the World</a>.


feed_id: 5890d64fc7c5824e4e7732d21fcdfff5
title: API fair use
uri: API-fair-use
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#18_May_2016_%28API_fair_use%29
content:
<p>
<a href="http://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2016/05/round-2-of-oracle-v-google-is-an-unpredictable-trial-over-api-fair-use/">A
jury will be asked to decide</a> whether reimplementing the Java APIs
is fair use.
<p>
The decision by this appeals court (the CAFC) was stupid and
dangerous, but few copyright cases will be covered by that court.
<p>
The FSF urged the Supreme Court not to take the case, because the
danger was it would extend the decision to the whole US.


feed_id: 580ced4eaec55aa31f3881a37609c069
title: British Bill of No Rights
uri: British-Bill-of-No-Rights
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#18_May_2016_%28British_Bill_of_No_Rights%29
content:
<p>
The Tories' proposed "British Bill of Rights" is more likely to be a
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2016/may/16/human-rights-abuse-of-power-conservatives-bill-of-rights">Bill
of No Rights</a>.


feed_id: 177c67beb664b2640cf027670b5ac122
title: Trump endorses deficit reduction as goal
uri: Trump-endorses-deficit-reduction-as-goal
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#18_May_2016_%28Trump_endorses_deficit_reduction_as_goal%29

content:
<p>
Trump has
<a href="https://theintercept.com/2016/05/16/donald-trumps-pledge-to-defend-spending-for-old-and-poor-belied-by-staff-picks/">endorsed
deficit reduction as a goal</a>.  That means surrender to the
plutocrats.  Everything important that the government does would be
cut, rather than make them pay taxes as they ought.


feed_id: 9fca0098cc78994505b2823148149cb6
title: Unsafe sex threatens girls' health
uri: Unsafe-sex-threatens-girls-health
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#18_May_2016_%28Unsafe_sex_threatens_girls_health%29
content:
<p>
Unsafe Sex Threatens Girls' Health Worldwide.  The Prescription?
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2016/may/16/unsafe-sex-girls-health-feminism-sexual-trend-young-people">Feminism</a>.


feed_id: 4d463ec65c54b9c1aa77d0cea157ba49
title: Coral bleaching
uri: Coral-bleaching
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#18_May_2016_%28Coral_bleaching%29
content:
<p>
A study projects that this year's coral bleaching (and death)
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2016/apr/29/great-barrier-reef-bleaching-made-175-times-likelier-by-human-caused-climate-change-say-scientists">could
be a normal annual event in the Great Barrier Reef in 18 years</a>.
<p>
Occasionally there will be a much worse bleaching event
which might destroy the reef entirely.


feed_id: 739c1a20fa6276cb874f23285ad62bfa
title: Exxon
uri: 2016-05-21-Exxon
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#21_May_2016_%28Exxon%29
content:
<p>
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2016/may/20/exxon-shareholders-climate-change-reform-divest">Stop using</a> ineffective "shareholder engagement" with Exxon as a substitute
for divesting from Exxon!


feed_id: 706bed1867ebeaa1a278c26988141d72
title: Hawks
uri: Hawks
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#21_May_2016_%28Hawks%29
content:
<p>
Even hawks <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2016/may/20/israel-turned-right-netanyahu-brutal-reshuffle-obama-last-push">are not welcome in the Israeli government</a>, unless they have
a Trump-like contempt for any idea of restraint and decency.
<p>
Uri Avnery <a href="http://zope.gush-shalom.org/home/en/channels/avnery/1463756720/">describes</a> the takeover of Israel by the bloodthirsty right
wing, followed by forcing all institutions into line.
<p>
He compares it to the takeover of Germany by the bloodthirsty right
wing, which he witnessed as a boy.


feed_id: 22fce8d0692d19f72f83331b9f6b416b
title: US labor law extension
uri: US-labor-law-extension
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#21_May_2016_%28US_labor_law_extension%29
content:
<p>
Senator Warren <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2016/may/20/elizabeth-warren-uber-lyft-gig-economy-workers">proposes necessary extensions</a> of US labor law to cover
people who work irregularly for something like Guber.
<p>
Does the minimum wage already apply to such work?  If not, it needs to.


feed_id: 86c75ecabab263f58e101f1dbcdc8fe4
title: Koch brothers
uri: Koch-brothers
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#21_May_2016_%28Koch_brothers%29
content:
<p>
The Koch brothers <a href="http://www.truth-out.org/news/item/36079-koch-candidates-koch-machine-spending-in-2016-so-far">are already giving lots of money</a> to congressional
candidats.


feed_id: e3df503d3200e17afa8ac411295b1630
title: Egypt
uri: 2016-05-21-Egypt
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#21_May_2016_%28Egypt%29
content:
<p>
US State Department <a href="http://www.truth-out.org/news/item/36080-us-state-department-gave-egypt-passing-grade-on-human-rights-for-military-aid">Gave Egypt Passing Grade on Human Rights</a> for Military Aid.


feed_id: f353eb75845d9c2e7e3f1cf08cffe486
title: Michigan Republicans
uri: Michigan-Republicans
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#21_May_2016_%28Michigan_Republicans%29
content:
<p>
Michigan Republicans <a href="http://www.commondreams.org/news/2016/05/19/michigan-corporations-pay-0-taxes-year-despite-crises-flint-and-detroit">have shifted taxation</a> from businesses to
individuals (mostly to the non-rich ones); corporations will pay zero
tax there this year.


feed_id: 9179078114532f486ce394389bb48118
title: Trump
uri: 2016-05-21-Trump
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#21_May_2016_%28Trump%29
content:
<p>
Trump <a href="http://www.commondreams.org/news/2016/05/19/new-national-poll-trump-increasing-lead-over-clinton">has increased his lead over Clinton</a> in the polls,
but Sanders still beats Trump as before.


feed_id: c0ecfdd4a897c913ae4826300f8c42ca
title: Americans
uri: 2016-05-21-Americans
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#21_May_2016_%28Americans%29
content:
<p>
2/3 of Americans <a href="http://www.commondreams.org/news/2016/05/19/age-precarious-6-10-americans-living-financial-edge">would have a big problem</a> coping with an unexpected
expense of just $1000.

  They are also afraid of being shafted if they lose their jobs.
<p>
They are not destitute, but their lives are precarious.


feed_id: e1c3eac2b4d6f7c9ce8a9e7af90340cb
title: Thugs
uri: 2016-05-21-Thugs
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#21_May_2016_%28Thugs%29
content:
<p>
A bill in Congress <a href="http://reason.com/blog/2016/05/19/bill-requires-police-learn-de-escalation">would require</a> training thugs in de-escalation, so
that they know how to do something with black suspects other than shoot
them dead.


feed_id: 372c632cd475a4a35e92d6520903c92e
title: Trump
uri: 2016-05-21-Trump
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#21_May_2016_%28Trump%29
content:
<p>
Trump and his supporters look aside from, and even excuse, <a href="https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2016/5/19/1528224/-Anti-Semitic-Attack-Death-Threats-on-Jewish-Reporter-Donald-Refuses-to-Condemn-Melania-Blames-Her">the threats
of violence against a reporter</a> who published a negative article
against his wife.


feed_id: b5fb6e9fe5602a23df67423c3a05d452
title: Brazil
uri: 2016-05-21-Brazil
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#21_May_2016_%28Brazil%29
content:
<p>
Brazil's new acting president <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/may/20/brazil-rightwing-government-michel-temer">is imposing</a> right-wing austerity and
privatization.


feed_id: 9544c0e46318064d944b6208f3714dbd
title: Libya
uri: 2016-05-21-Libya
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#21_May_2016_%28Libya%29
content:
<p>
Foreign powers <a href="http://www.motherjones.com/politics/2016/05/us-american-weapons-libya-embargo">have set up</a> a new "government" in Libya, and now plan
to send it arms, but it hardly has real existence.
<p>
Who will end up with those arms?
<p>
There is another government in the eastern part of Libya, and both
now <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/may/20/battle-of-the-banknotes-rival-currencies-libya">plan</a> to issue money -- different money.


feed_id: 8f7edc3896e3b41ade9823818adf055f
title: Temperatures in India
uri: Temperatures-in-India
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#21_May_2016_%28Temperatures_in_India%29
content:
<p>
Temperatures in parts of India have reached 51C, a record in that
country.  People <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/may/20/indians-demand-government-action-after-temperatures-hit-51c">are demanding</a> that the government do something about
this.
<p>
The first thing it should do is to prevent things from getting worse.
India must stop burning coal for electricity and invest heavily in
renewable generation and storage.


feed_id: 80ac407593f0ff9eac2162026b2bf9aa
title: Public schools in US
uri: Public-schools-in-US
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#21_May_2016_%28Public_schools_in_US%29
content:
<p>
Public schools in many US cities <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2016/may/20/detroit-schools-desegregation-congress-report-civil-rights">are becoming racially segregated</a>,
due to segregation in where people live.
<p>
Adding to the harm this does is the fact that the racial minorities tend to
be poorer, so their school districts have less funds.
<p>
A large part of the civil rights battle of the 1960s needs to be
fought again.  In addition, we should stop the practice of funding
schools from local taxes.  We need to tax the rich and businesses more.


feed_id: 861755892b3a947288d4a7d25d1b0599
title: Clinton
uri: 2016-05-21-Clinton
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#21_May_2016_%28Clinton%29
content:
<p>
Clinton, if elected, <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2016/may/20/hillary-clinton-90s-bill-clinton-economy-thomas-frank">will put Bill Clinton</a> in charge of the economy.
<p>
His right-wing policies in the 1990s, including support for business
supremacy treaties, are why I began voting for Ralph Nader and Green
candidates.


feed_id: 636c89449009a5fe3ee52727f938145f
title: Illegal fishing
uri: Illegal-fishing
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#21_May_2016_%28Illegal_fishing%29
content:
<p>
A new treaty <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/sustainable-business/2016/may/20/illegal-fishing-fight-thieves-seafood-international-treaty">tries to interfere</a> with sale of catch from illegal fishing.


feed_id: 3c922e4fcc83f9620a8dc709be6e56d9
title: Billioners Polluters
uri: Billioners-Polluters
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#21_May_2016_%28Billioners_Polluters%29
content:
<p>
Old messages <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/science/political-science/2016/may/20/the-science-museum-is-free-so-what-is-bp-buying">show</a> that Billionaire Polluters issued directions about
exhibits, in exchange for the money it gave to the Science Museum in
London.


feed_id: f0b698ba76e36ddba4805449133771d8
title: Wolves of Yellowstone
uri: Wolves-of-Yellowstone
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#21_May_2016_%28Wolves_of_Yellowstone%29
content:
<p>
The reintroduction of wolves to Yellowstone, 25 years ago, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2016/may/20/gray-wolf-us-reintroduction-yellowstone">fixed
various ecological problems that humans had created</a> by wiping out the
wolves decades before.
<p>
Due to this success, and the lack of harm to humans as a result,
many Americans are coming to appreciate wolves instead of fearing them.
I'm in favor of having wolves in the rural parts of America.


feed_id: 1c4436259b5c62be1b6db3714f9bcfdb
title: Surveillance robots
uri: Surveillance-robots
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#21_May_2016_%28Surveillance_robots%29
content:
<p>
A new surveillance robot carries microphones and cameras, and <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2016/may/20/robocop-robot-mall-security-guard-palo-alto-california">can scan
the license plates</a> of all the cars it sees.
<p>
It sends the data it collects to a company's server, which means the
data can be misused by the company, by the state, and by whetever
criminals get into the data base.  That is the worst possible
scenario, but it is standard practice.
<p>
Listening and watching systems such as this <a href="http://gnu.org/philosophy/surveillance-vs-democracy.html">should be prohibited</a> by law,
except when authorized by a court for a specific place and time period.


feed_id: c444523b955eae6fea3ea051411350cf
title: UK's foreign ministry
uri: UK-s-foreign-ministry
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#21_May_2016_%28UK%27s_foreign_ministry%29
content:
<p>
Privatizing parts of the UK's foreign ministry was supposed to save money
but <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2016/may/20/privatisation-at-whitehall-offices-has-cost-4m-more-than-it-saved">cost</a> money instead.
<p>
Privatizers typically claim that it will do the same job and cost
less, for some theoretical reason such as "investment" or "improved
methods" or "economy of scale".  Over and over, the result is the
opposite.  Do they then respond, "It was worth trying, but it failed,
so let's now unprivatize that"?
<p>
Never.  Because those theoretical reasons are merely excuses.


feed_id: 75a2f854f32bfa757a22a380a1085445
title: Blockbusters
uri: Blockbusters
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#21_May_2016_%28Blockbusters%29
content:
<p>
Some blockbuster Hollywood movies <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/film/2016/may/19/captain-america-civil-war-blockbuster-moviegoer-experience">are now designed</a> principally to
make viewers feel they have to see the prequels or sequels.

  They don't need to have a meaningful plot any more, and they don't
need to please the audience, only convince them to see other movies.
<p>
We can change this: don't watch a movie unless you think it is likely
to be good (by whatever criterion of goodness you use).  Otherwise,
you know in advance that you're wasting your time (as well as your
money).  Don't be a sheeple and watch crap just because your friends
are in the habit of settling for that.
<p>
If you use this opportunity to practice refusing to follow the
crowd, eventually you will get good at that, and you can apply
it to other things too.


feed_id: 4ef8d3b1fbf10edd546b1ab3ed234587
title: Opioids
uri: Opioids
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#21_May_2016_%28Opioids%29
content:
<p>
Only a small fraction of patients <a href="http://reason.com/archives/2016/05/18/opioid-epidemic-myths">that use opioids ever abuse them</a>.
It is a mistake to panic about them.


feed_id: cda1c46662f2068ce4272ce5035acc7a
title: Social media location data
uri: Social-media-location-data
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#21_May_2016_%28Social_media_location_data%29
content:
<p>
People who can see where you made social media posts <a href="http://newsoffice.mit.edu/2016/twitter-location-data-homes-workplaces-0517">can easily</a> figure
out where you live.
<p>
This is not just a reason to ask Twitter not to tell others where you
were when you posted.  It is a reason not to let Twitter know where
you posted, by connecting through Tor.


feed_id: a96de451523feeffbc296c4af2b219c7
title: Brain-computer interfaces
uri: Brain-computer-interfaces
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#21_May_2016_%28Brain-computer_interfaces%29
content:
<p>
Implanted brain-computer interfaces <a href="http://boingboing.net/2016/05/14/brainjacking-the-future-of-so.html">would bring</a> digital insecurity
to people's brains.
<p>
The necessary starting point for Computer security is free software.
Security for brain-computer interfaces requires insisting that the
software that controls the interface be free.  This includes not only
the firmware in the device itself, but also other software that will
tell the firmware how to influence your brain.


feed_id: 180248077859d1b48c24a13f70ff717b
title: European Union
uri: European-Union
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#21_May_2016_%28European_Union%29
content:
<p>
The European Union is an instrument of plutocrats.  "Staying in the EU
means hitching ourselves to an undemocratic project run by and for a
remote elite."  To change that, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2016/may/20/brexit-best-answer-to-dying-eurozone-eu-undemocratic-elite">is it better to leave the EU, or to
try to reform it?</a>  It is not easy to decide.
<p>
Unfortunately, the UK is run for an elite that is nastier and nearer
to Britain.  I think it would be a mistake for the UK to leave the EU
in such circumstances.
<p>
If Corbyn's Labour comes to power, that might be a good time to either
do this or threaten it.


feed_id: 141217b4b58c51110352129de32b8527
title: China
uri: 2016-05-21-China
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#21_May_2016_%28China%29
content:
<p>
Chinese officials <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/may/20/chinese-officials-create-488m-social-media-posts-a-year-study-finds">make almost 250 million personal social media posts</a>
per year, typically praising the government to drown out all
criticism.
<p>
Basically, if you're in China, you may as well consider that any
praise of the government means nothing unless it comes from someone
you know.


feed_id: 4a3cb1695dfc1cf83c650d71089e6897
title: Environment
uri: Environment
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#21_May_2016_%28Environment%29
content:
<p>
Humans <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2016/may/19/humans-damaging-the-environment-faster-than-it-can-recover-report-finds">Damaging</a> the Environment Faster Than It Can Recover, report finds.


feed_id: 35cc0998731fdd9393f67de5919f0245
title: UK doctors
uri: UK-doctors
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#21_May_2016_%28UK_doctors%29
content:
<p>
The UK's junior doctors' strike <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2016/may/19/junior-doctors-strike">won some improvements</a> in their working
conditions, but the NHS continues to decline as the Tories continue
giving it insufficient funds.
<p>
I believe that the Tories aim to destroy the NHS as we know it,
perhaps making it comparable to what you can get in the emergency room
in a public hospital in the US.  The firmness of the doctors has dealt
them a setback, but hasn't defeated them.


feed_id: 3a5b05cdc815e139380b6919dcddf381
title: Marijuana
uri: 2016-05-21-Marijuana
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#21_May_2016_%28Marijuana%29
content:
<p>
A <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/science/sifting-the-evidence/2016/may/19/say-why-to-drugs-the-highs-and-lows-of-cannabis">review</a> of the effects of marijuana.


feed_id: a27c5e3e3c1325efba85ce37405e5282
title: Australian thugs
uri: 2016-05-21-Australian-thugs
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#21_May_2016_%28Australian_thugs%29
content:
<p>
The Australian government <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2016/may/19/australian-federal-police-raid-labor-party-offices-in-melbourne">sent thugs to raid the offices of opposition
party politicians</a> suspected of leaking true but embarrassing
information of problems the government wanted to conceal.


feed_id: 542edb8585e518eac6f70fc8d5be29a4
title: Mini-TTIP
uri: Mini-TTIP
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#21_May_2016_%28Mini-TTIP%29
content:
<p>
Some EU countries <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/may/19/proposed-eu-trade-treaty-threatens-progressive-laws-say-campaigners">are proposing</a> a mini-TTIP within the European Union.
<p>
They are obeying the demands of companies based in the EU, which
demand the same power over European governments that the TTIP would
give to foreign companies.


feed_id: 313fa55ef157fd6d1c296d2cf7458b09
title: Fracking projects
uri: Fracking-projects
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#21_May_2016_%28Fracking_projects%29
content:
<p>
Would-be frackers <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2016/may/19/fracking-investors-losing-patience-with-planning-delays-says-industry-boss">demand that the UK approve fracking projects faster</a>,
threatening that otherwise they might take their money home and not play.
<p>
If this is true, it offers a great opportunity to Britons: they can
block fracking entirely by simply delaying it.
<p>
Or the investors could be lying.


feed_id: 1940b1d4bfea0bcb25006c0dc56b46de
title: US military
uri: US-military
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#21_May_2016_%28US_military%29
content:
<p>
Members of the US military that complained about sexual abuse
(including rape) <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2016/may/19/derogatory-discharge-papers-military-sexual-assault">were often punished</a> with an arbitrary diagnosis
of "personality disorder".


feed_id: 84c626d2c477ead5b8f75b27d11a1c38
title: Climate Scientists
uri: Climate-Scientists
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#21_May_2016_%28Climate_Scientists%29
content:
<p>
Climate Scientists, Mourning Earth's Losses, <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/environment/climate-consensus-97-per-cent/2016/may/19/climate-scientists-mourning-earths-losses-should-make-their-voices-heard">Should Make</a> Their Voices Heard.


feed_id: e1759473cf007a30a9baf422377c9797
title: Estate tax
uri: 2016-05-21-Estate-tax
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#21_May_2016_%28Estate_tax%29
content:
<p>
Most US states <a href="http://www.commondreams.org/views/2016/05/18/commencement-address-most-indebted-class-ever">have given up on the estate tax, and this costs them a
lot of money</a>.  It is part of what makes college education in the US so
expensive.


feed_id: 396e1f72c3bc3fb1d4315727c6318b17
title: United States
uri: United-States
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#21_May_2016_%28United_States%29
content:
<p>
The US can excel in lots of areas <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2016/may/19/michael-moore-where-to-invade-next-world-hope">if it stops</a> trying to be number one
in blood and gore, and imitates the countries that do peaceful things
well.


feed_id: 06cfbd90577be9cfff97f13a98721329
title: Great Barrier
uri: Great-Barrier
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#21_May_2016_%28Great_Barrier%29
content:
<p>

Great Barrier Reef <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2016/may/19/great-barrier-reef-needs-10bn-for-chance-of-survival-scientists-say">Needs</a> $10bn for Chance of Survival, Scientists Say.
<p>
The funds would be to clean water pollution so as to help the coral
cope with global heating.
<p>
However, ocean acidification would eventually kill the coral, all of
it, if we don't reduce that.


feed_id: 09a984401bcc216dd3ea07d21b14752f
title: Antibiotics
uri: 2016-05-21-Antibiotics
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#21_May_2016_%28Antibiotics%29
content:
<p>

50,000 people die annually, in just the US and UK, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/society/2016/may/19/englands-chief-medical-officer-warns-of-antibiotic-apocalypse">from resistance to
antibiotics</a>.
<p>
To a large extent, this is due to factory farms that keep animals in
crowded conditions and give them all antibiotics to avoid the diseases
that would result.  They are killing us.
<p>
The UK <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2016/may/19/uk-farmers-to-cut-antibiotic-use-to-combat-drug-resistance">has launched</a> a program to reduce or eliminate indiscriinate
antibiotic use in farm animals.

  Finally, political will to confront the issue.
<p>
As new antibiotics are developed, it should be absolutely forbidden to
use them in animals.


feed_id: 8f482077f33d6b4eb77ed2d590d32fe0
title: Oil prospecting
uri: Oil-prospecting
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#20_May_2016_%28Oil_prospecting%29
content:
<p>
Obama has decided to allow oil prospecting in the Atlantic,
although that
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2016/mar/30/atlantic-ocean-oil-gas-prospecting-marine-life-threats-obama">
will cause injury and even death for whales</a>.
<p>
All this to get more of something we
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#4_May_2016_%28Obamas_offshore_drilling_proposal%29">
already have far too much of</a>!


feed_id: 5235fec7b948f84aafdec8b83a5767ad
title: The stench alone
uri: The-stench-alone
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#20_May_2016_%28The_stench_alone%29
content:
<p>
A prisoner in Auschwitz says that
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/mar/29/auschwitz-trials-impossible-accused-unaware-killings-holocaust">
nobody at the camp could have been
ignorant
of the mass murder</a> —- the stench alone would have told them.


feed_id: 6b8f4ebd58f306af6d0fbe7837a9dff0
title: Compare and Contrast
uri: Compare-and-Contrast
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#20_May_2016_%28Compare_and_Contrast%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://www.techdirt.com/articles/20160328/00471234030/compare-contrast-treatment-thomas-drake-hillary-clinton-having-classified-info.shtml">
Compare And Contrast:</a> Treatment Of Thomas Drake & Hillary Clinton For
Having Classified Info.


feed_id: 775188fee708c165d90cad8f4462efdf
title: DuckDuckGo
uri: DuckDuckGo
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#20_May_2016_%28DuckDuckGo%29
content:
<p>
Is
<a href="https://stallman.org/articles/duckduckgo-censorship.html">duckduckgo.com
  partially enforcing</a> the "celebrity threesome
injunction"? (May 2016)
</p>


feed_id: da5e1309fb633667321361847ff77e0b
title: Where to invade next
uri: Where-to-invade-next
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#20_May_2016_%28Where_to_invade_next%29
content:
<p>
The US can excel in lots of areas if it stops trying to be <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2016/may/19/michael-moore-where-to-invade-next-world-hope
">number one in blood and gore</a>, and imitates the countries that do peaceful thingswell.


feed_id: 6632ba69e54f1adee380b3b6a5b6fa73
title: Brazils replacement leader investigated for attempted murder
uri: Brazils-replacement-leader-investigated-for-attempted-murder
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#20_May_2016_%28Brazils_replacement_leader_investigated_for_attempted_murder%29

content:
<p>
The replacement leader of Brazil's lower house of congress is being
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/may/19/brazil-new-lower-house-leader-investigated-attempted">investigated for attempted murder</a>.


feed_id: 5957005468608432d1b268c001b6f4bb
title: America's 500 Top CEOs
uri: America-s-500-Top-CEOs
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#20_May_2016_%28America%27s_500_Top_CEOs%29
content:
<p>
America's 500 Top CEOs <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2016/may/17/ceo-pay-ratio-average-worker-afl-cio">Pocket 355 Times</a> More Than Average Workers.


feed_id: d4e5ebe6e9b4145761e8353875b6b121
title: Urgent: "Take our children to the park"
uri: Urgent-Take-our-children-to-the-park
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#20_May_2016_%28Urgent%3A_Take_our_children_to_the_park%29

content:
<p>
US citizens: Saturday May 21 is "<a href="http://www.freerangekids.com/take-our-children-to-the-park-and-leave-them-there-day-this-saturday-may-21/">Take Our Children to the Park and Leave Them There</a>" Day.


feed_id: 3ca4ee0f6387664569c36e9bd73c767e
title: Urgent: Call for making election day a holiday
uri: Urgent-Call-for-making-election-day-a-holiday
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#20_May_2016_%28Urgent%3A_Call_for_making_election_day_a_holiday%29

content:
<p>
US citizens: call for making <a href="http://go.turnoutpac.org/Election-Holiday">election day a holiday</a>.


feed_id: bab37312db47632a6cc911ea93b4052f
title: Australia sent asylum seekers back to Sri Lanka
uri: Australia-sent-asylum-seekers-back-to-Sri-Lanka
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#20_May_2016_%28Australia_sent_asylum_seekers_back_to_Sri_Lanka%29

content:
<p>
Australia sent asylum seekers back to Sri Lanka without even listening
to their <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2016/may/18/asylum-seeker-forcibly-returned-by-australia-says-his-refugee-claim-was-ignored
">claims for asylum</a>.


feed_id: d17d1dbdbbfedd385ba4567935e206b1
title: Urgent: Oppose coal export terminal
uri: Urgent-Oppose-coal-export-terminal
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#20_May_2016_%28Urgent%3A_Oppose_coal_export_terminal%29

content:
<p>
US citizens: Oppose building the <a href="http://act.credoaction.com/sign/Millennium_Coal?t=1005&akid=18150.1183552.n5HRqs
">Millennium coal export terminal.</a>


feed_id: 5e2d20617e52b9f6ea912f407535a4c8
title: Fraudulent foreclosure continues in the US
uri: Fraudulent-foreclosure-continues-in-the-US
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#20_May_2016_%28Fraudulent_foreclosure_continues_in_the_US%29

content:
<p>
Fraudulent foreclosure continues in the US.
<p><a href="https://theintercept.com/2016/05/18/foreclosure-fraud-is-supposed-to-be-a-thing-of-the-past-but-it-happens-every-day/">That the banksters are not prosecuted and jailed for this fraud</a> demonstrates the power of the plutocrats.


feed_id: 77cdb4d1afdb8fc0151be1d8603ba113
title: Trump's insults of journalists must be taken seriously.
uri: Trump-s-insults-of-journalists-must-be-taken-seriously
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#20_May_2016_%28Trump%27s_insults_of_journalists_must_be_taken_seriously.%29

content:
<p>
Trump's insults of journalists must be taken seriously.
<p><a href="https://www.cpj.org/blog/2016/05/why-trumps-insults-of-journalists-must-be-taken-se.php">He is leading a harassment campaign and pretending not to.</a>


feed_id: 0d588cc0acd8c7205bb0db3a25486174
title: Chelsea Clintons husband shuts down hedge fund
uri: Chelsea-Clintons-husband-shuts-down-hedge-fund
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#20_May_2016_%28Chelsea_Clintons_husband_shuts_down_hedge_fund%29

content:
<p>
Chelsea Clinton's husband owns a hedge fund.
<p>He is shutting it down because <a href="http://dailycaller.com/2016/05/11/chelsea-clintons-husband-closing-hedge-fund-after-losing-90-percent-of-its-money/">he lost most of its money.</a>
<p>I don't feel much sympathy for him or his investers; they gambled,
they lost, and I expect they aren't broke.  However, the most
important point is what it implies about Clinton family values.  They
are plutocratists.


feed_id: ef71bf365095a5d17e980ad476e3c51a
title: Pipeline company being prosecuted
uri: Pipeline-company-being-prosecuted
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#20_May_2016_%28Pipeline_company_being_prosecuted%29
content:
<p>
In regard to a <a href="http://www.latimes.com/local/lanow/la-me-ln-santa-barbara-county-oil-spill-20160517-snap-story.html">pipeline that ruptured near Santa Barbara in 2015,</a> the company that owns the pipeline and one of its employees are being prosecuted.


feed_id: bc4541b0f0bb178d4a8f6f666b6641d9
title: FBI put microphones in a courthouse
uri: FBI-put-microphones-in-a-courthouse
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#20_May_2016_%28FBI_put_microphones_in_a_courthouse%29

content:
<p>
<a href="http://www.eastbayexpress.com/SevenDays/archives/2016/05/11/fbi-hid-surveillance-devices-around-alameda-county-courthouse
">The FBI put microphones in a courthouse without a court order,</a> and listened
to everyone's conversations (even with their lawyers) for 10 months.
<p>
Investigating corruption is a good thing for the FBI to do, but it
should not do this by listening without a warrant, or in a way that
allows it to snoop on everyone at the court rather than particular
suspects.


feed_id: daff8169985f3e45bcce8a4c371d9750
title: Government Spy Truck
uri: Government-Spy-Truck
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#20_May_2016_%28Government_Spy_Truck%29
content:
<p>
This Isnt a Google Streetview Car, <a href="http://motherboard.vice.com/read/this-isnt-a-google-streetview-car-its-a-government-spy-truck
">Its a Government Spy Truck.</a>


feed_id: 13385e70c743d168a868f87c6be57e5a
title: HIV
uri: 2016-05-21-HIV
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#20_May_2016_%28HIV%29
content:
<p>
"We will lose <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/global-development-professionals-network/2016/may/18/we-will-lose-the-battle-against-hiv-without-lgbt-decriminalisation">the battle against HIV without LGBT decriminalisation</a>."


feed_id: d6f69403d993e1d04c346f17eea922f3
title: Renewables in Portugal
uri: Renewables-in-Portugal
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#20_May_2016_%28Renewables_in_Portugal%29
content:
<p>
For four days last week, Portugal generated <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2016/may/18/portugal-runs-for-four-days-straight-on-renewable-energy-alone">all its electricity from
renewables</a>.
<p>
This milestone shows what can be done, but it doesn't mean Portugal
has eliminated its carbon emissions.  More development will be needed
to be able to generate all electricity from renewables on most days of
the year.
<p>
That still won't be enough, because it doesn't count the burning of
fuel in cars, trucks, factories, and maybe homes (if homes in Portugal
ever need heating).


feed_id: 3ce0dbaf995b7e5fefe31016cf643ef3
title: Poor Schools
uri: Poor-Schools
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#20_May_2016_%28Poor_Schools%29
content:
<p>
<a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2016/05/18/upshot/why-poor-districts-receive-less-government-school-funding-than-rich-ones.html">Why There's an Uproar</a> Over Trying to Increase Funding for Poor [US] Schools.


feed_id: a762c1e31b3d43b5cae2e6159d60a82b
title: Venezuela
uri: Venezuela
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#20_May_2016_%28Venezuela%29
content:
<p>
Venezuela <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/global/2016/may/18/venezuelans-on-food-shortages-economic-crisis-blighting-daily-lives-maduro">is in an economic crisis</a>, with shortages of food and other
everyday products.
<p>
This is partly because price controls tend to cause shortages, but
also partly the result of political struggles between the state and
businesses run by plutocrats.  For instance, the state might have
stopped Polar from getting foreign currency to buy malted barley
because that company is run by someone who supports the right-wing
takeover, which was probably organized with help from the US.
<p>
Corruption surely plays a role too.


feed_id: 0191f42cc43c08322470bb086a1a47f7
title: Girls' education
uri: Girls-education
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#20_May_2016_%28Girls%27_education%29
content:
<p>
Spending more on girls' education <a href="media/8c0e9b5f.AllFactsheetsUpdated.pdf" data-original-source="https://s3.amazonaws.com/malala-fund/All+Factsheets+Updated.pdf">is a great investment</a> for society's
benefit.


feed_id: a94144db84dc10727b173260a0317943
title: Breaking the Silence
uri: Breaking-the-Silence
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#20_May_2016_%28Breaking_the_Silence%29
content:
<p>
The Israeli government <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/may/18/israel-action-threatens-rights-group-free-speech-breaking-silence-soliers">is trying</a> to wipe out Breaking the Silence by
making it identify its sources, soldiers who testify about crimes
committed by themselves or other soldiers.
<p>
The principal aim of Breaking the Silence is to show the persistent
general cruelty of the occupation of Palestine, which Israel
systematically denies.


feed_id: 52676ad08bc053104745a0f513863eaf
title: Native forests
uri: Native-forests
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#20_May_2016_%28Native_forests%29
content:
<p>
Environmental Groups <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2016/may/18/environmental-groups-demand-end-to-logging-of-australias-native-forests">Demand End to Logging of Australia's Native Forests</a>.


feed_id: 49cbcd07310d4de4bdb1ea84946d6dd7
title: Wildfire in Alberta
uri: Wildfire-in-Alberta
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#20_May_2016_%28Wildfire_in_Alberta%29
content:
<p>
The wildfire in Alberta that burned through Fort McMurray <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/may/18/alberta-wildfire-work-camp-destroyed-evacuated">has now covered over 1300 square miles.  Only 10% of Fort McMurray was actually destroyed, but the rest of the city is not safe.
<p>
Ironically, the fire is now destroying a tar sands mine.  If only Canada
had the sends not to rebuild it later.


feed_id: b820ee5be3b980c888035f656ce5b731
title: Israel
uri: 2016-05-21-Israel
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#20_May_2016_%28Israel%29
content:
<p>
Israel delayed the trial of a 13-year-old Palestinian boy until he
was 14, so <a href="http://imemc.org/article/israeli-court-convicts-palestinian-child-who-was-nearly-beaten-to-death-by-mob/">it could try him as an adult</a>.
<p>
He was convicted of murder, based on no evidence except that a mob
assumed he was involved in it, and beat him nearly to death.


feed_id: 60844e6be13b6c592899a9025e967bed
title: Israeli state
uri: Israeli-state
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#20_May_2016_%28Israeli_state%29
content:
<p>
The Israeli state issues <a href="http://972mag.com/gag-orders-in-israel-have-tripled-over-last-15-years/119196/">uses hundreds of gag orders to prevent press
discussion of events and topics that might make political difficulties</a>
for the government.
<p>
As the article mentions, it once used gag orders so it could get away
with attacking Palestinians based on a false pretense.


feed_id: c7d96dc893842318680d50ad4bd77a72
title: Democratic Party
uri: Democratic-Party
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#20_May_2016_%28Democratic_Party%29
content:
<p>
Democratic Party insiders in Nevada rigged the choice of some delegates
in favor of Clinton, by <a href="http://www.commondreams.org/news/2016/05/16/when-system-feels-rigged-how-surprising-convention-mayhem">imposing new rules at the last minute and overriding
the representatives</a> there through a falsified voice vote.


feed_id: 0bbe01058e8b394101e292fb80998755
title: Philip Morris
uri: Philip-Morris
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#20_May_2016_%28Philip_Morris%29
content:
<p>
One of the nonresponsible international "tribunals" created by
business supremacy treaties <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/business/2016/may/17/court-condemns-tobacco-giant-philip-morris-over-secret-bid-to-sue-australia">rejected Philip Morris's complaint against
Australia's plain paper packaging law</a>.
<p>
This is good, but take not of the reasoning: that Philip Morris had
set up a front in Hong Kong merely to take advantage of the treaty.
If the US and Australia ratify the TPP, US companies trying to
obstruct Australia's public health policies (or environmental, or
economic, or anything else important) would not lose for that reason.
<p>
Note also that it would have been easy for the same tribunal to ignore
this point.  I suspect that the decision was partly in response to the
great deal of political attention that this particular point received.


feed_id: d2d5d280c60a86f9b6c07fd5f3c281a7
title: Abortion
uri: 2016-05-21-Abortion
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#20_May_2016_%28Abortion%29
content:
<p>
Among philosophers of ethics, hardly anyone objects to abortion
<a href="http://ieet.org/index.php/IEET/more/Messerly20160517">except those that use religion as a starting point</a>.
<p>
The term "pro-life" was chosen by the antiabortionists to misrepresent
the views of us proabortionists.  It's a smear, and we should denounce
it, not adopt it.


feed_id: dd9c8c9ec947d8b3fa2a7713339344ec
title: Democratic Party faces deep split
uri: Democratic-Party-faces-deep-split
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#19_May_2016_%28Democratic_Party_faces_deep_split%29
content:
<p>
Robert Parry: The Democratic Party is facing a deep split
<a href="http://www.commondreams.org/views/2016/05/16/coming-democratic-crackup">between
the supporters of war (Clinton) and peace (Sanders)</a>.
<p>
I think that the split between plutocracy-as-usual (Clinton) and
new-new-deal (Sanders) is bigger than that split.


feed_id: 518d42a3b9879cc88e19a808d362db09
title: Democratic convention in Nevada rigged
uri: Democratic-convention-in-Nevada-rigged
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#19_May_2016_%28Democratic_convention_in_Nevada_rigged%29

content:
<p>
Democratic Party insiders in Nevada rigged the choice of some
delegates in favor of Clinton, by
<a href="http://www.commondreams.org/news/2016/05/16/when-system-feels-rigged-how-surprising-convention-mayhem">imposing
new rules at the last minute and overriding the representatives there
through a falsified voice vote</a>.


feed_id: 4daf58e83d2b5bf53bd3352279f68f07
title: LGBT groups blocked from UN AIDS meeting
uri: LGBT-groups-blocked-from-UN-AIDS-meeting
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#19_May_2016_%28LGBT_groups_blocked_from_UN_AIDS_meeting%29

content:
<p>
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/may/17/muslim-states-united-nations-lgbt-groups-aids-meeting">Muslim
States Block 11 LGBT Groups</a> from Attending UN Aids Meeting.


feed_id: 55dba86376f1f67b07ec250bfc7b9233
title: Money and happiness
uri: Money-and-happiness
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#19_May_2016_%28Money_and_happiness%29
content:
<p>
Money can't directly buy happiness, but it
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2016/may/17/money-cant-buy-happiness-wishful-thinking">can
buy human company</a>, and avoiding loneliness is important for
happiness.


feed_id: bee871a6d990aa81486c4827dd6cce06
title: Iran continues repression of Baha'is
uri: Iran-continues-repression-of-Baha-is
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#19_May_2016_%28Iran_continues_repression_of_Bahais%29

content:
<p>
Iran continues repression of Baháâís, and
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/may/17/rafsanjani-daughter-criticised-meeting-leader-banned-sect-iran">even
to talk with their leaders can be dangerous</a>.


feed_id: 2831364a2d5bb4af99af8936f002d62d
title: Facebook
uri: 2016-05-21-Facebook
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#19_May_2016_%28Facebook%29
content:
<p>
A former Facebook journalist employee says it was per
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2016/may/17/facebook-trending-news-team-curators-toxic-work-environment">"most
toxic work experience"</a>.


feed_id: 838b36fe1e5bd1270216f9fe9bb9e9df
title: Glyphosate
uri: 2016-05-21-Glyphosate
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#19_May_2016_%28Glyphosate%29
content:
<p>
A new study claims that glyphosate in food is
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2016/may/16/glyphosate-unlikely-to-pose-risk-to-humans-unwho-study-says">probably
not dangerous to humans</a>, but the researcher in charge has a
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2016/may/17/unwho-panel-in-conflict-of-interest-row-over-glyphosates-cancer-risk">big
conflict of interest</a> that suggests this result needs to be checked
for gaps.
<p>
Meanwhile, the
<a href="https://theintercept.com/2016/05/17/new-evidence-about-the-dangers-of-monsantos-roundup/">other
chemicals in Roundup might be part of the danger</a>.  They could make
glyphosate more toxic.  They could be more toxic than glyphosate.
<p>
The manufacturers of those chemicals try to prevent anyone from
studying their effects.  There should be a legal requirement for the
manufacturer of an industrial chemical to make it available for
experimental study.


feed_id: d7a36f6bc553de8a4cef00136480a0c1
title: Dust pollution
uri: Dust-pollution
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#19_May_2016_%28Dust_pollution%29
content:
<p>
Dust pollution spread in the air by human activities
<a href="http://phys.org/news/2016-05-polluted-impact-ocean-life-thousands.html">cause
dead zones in the ocean thousands of miles away</a>.


feed_id: 9289f78f26d8fd8835a8f43830f95621
title: Psilocybin
uri: Psilocybin
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#19_May_2016_%28Psilocybin%29
content:
<p>
Psilocybin
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/science/2016/may/17/magic-mushrooms-lift-severe-depression-in-clinical-trial">lifted
depression for weeks in several patients that nothing else could
help</a>.
<p>
Evidence that psychedelics can cure the most refractory cases of
depression has appeared before, and there is now
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/science/blog/2016/may/17/why-psychedelics-could-be-a-new-class-of-antidepressant-psilocybin">some
idea of how it works</a>.


feed_id: 0fb86168eb150b69a8650c56706ed5e1
title: The right to be offensive and bigoted
uri: The-right-to-be-offensive-and-bigoted
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#19_May_2016_%28The_right_to_be_offensive_and_bigoted%29

content:
<p>
JK Rowling Defends Donald Trump's
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/books/2016/may/17/jk-rowling-defends-donald-trumps-right-to-be-offensive-pen-america">Right
To Be 'Offensive And Bigoted'</a>.
<p>
That's what I've been saying.  Censorship is not the answer.


feed_id: 5e9ceba011681746614fc03afd2446a1
title: Corruption in poor countries
uri: Corruption-in-poor-countries
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#19_May_2016_%28Corruption_in_poor_countries%29
content:
<p>
Corruption in poor countries is in many cases
<a href="https://opendemocracy.net/clare-short/why-did-david-cameron-reject-this-essay-from-anti-corruption-book">suborned
by businesses in rich countries</a>.
<p>
Bribing a politician is a crime, in most places.  Bribing the state is
not.  When a business offers a government, "Support our policy
initiatives and we will spend a million dollars a year in your
country", that's probably not a crime, but it is just as corrupt as
paying that country's politicians a million dollars a year would be.


feed_id: 969d4b4eeba311702975097cace6b1bc
title: Taboo on breasts
uri: Taboo-on-breasts
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#19_May_2016_%28Taboo_on_breasts%29
content:
<p>
Women are
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2016/may/16/women-breasts-sexual-feed-babies-mother-breastfeeding">harassed
for giving suck to babies</a>, while surrounded by ads showing breasts
that are hardly covered at all.
<p>
This may be ironic, but it is no coincidence.  Our taboo on breasts,
and especially nipples, makes it effective to hint at them in ads, and
leads to repression of women that use them.


feed_id: 3806bc84f3518e3563d974dde987a12b
title: The working people of Auckland
uri: The-working-people-of-Auckland
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#19_May_2016_%28The_working_people_of_Auckland%29
content:
<p>
In Auckland, New Zealand, even working people
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/may/17/new-zealand-housing-crisis-forces-hundreds-to-live-in-garages-tents-and-cars">can't
afford a place to live</a>.  They are stuck living in tents as winter
comes, and winter in Auckland is cold and rainy.


feed_id: 57ec0f66b5b3ab37e493e6218ee86c1f
title: Everyone's phone call records
uri: Everyone-s-phone-call-records
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#19_May_2016_%28Everyones_phone_call_records%29
content:
<p>
Moving the collection of everyone's phone call records from the NSA to
phone companies
<a href="http://www.theverge.com/2016/5/16/11683774/call-records-metadata-sensitive-privacy-research-surveillance">changes
nothing</a> in regard to the government's power to learn about all
Americans' lives through that data.


feed_id: 39809eb161dadb848242fe97381a998e
title: Salmon farming in Chile
uri: Salmon-farming-in-Chile
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#19_May_2016_%28Salmon_farming_in_Chile%29
content:
<p>
Salmon farming might be the cause of
Chile's <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/may/17/chile-red-tide-salmon-farming-neurotoxin">red
tide of poisonous algae</a> that have made seafood inedible on long
stretches of the coast.


feed_id: feffa7bad656eddccd54640a16b86471
title: Tories hire lawyers against sick people
uri: Tories-hire-lawyers-against-sick-people
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#19_May_2016_%28Tories_hire_lawyers_against_sick_people%29

content:
<p>
The Tories have for years employed careless and slipshod evaluations
to deny sick people welfare benefits they need.  Most sick people who
appeal these decisions, win.  So now the Tories have
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/society/2016/may/17/government-skewing-benefits-appeals-process-against-disabled-people">hired
lawyers</a> to argue these appeals against the sick people and make
sure the cruel and vicious goal is achieved.
<p>
The Tories are
<a href="media/62a79bb0.anuran-bevan.jpg" data-original-source="https://stallman.org/images/anuran-bevan.jpg">lower than
vermin</a>.


feed_id: fd85c0062b3ce4e6a52511c8f9ff7b58
title: America's food economy
uri: America-s-food-economy
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#19_May_2016_%28Americas_food_economy%29
content:
<p>
<a href="http://www.newamerica.org/weekly/122/consolidation-is-eating-our-food-economy/">Consolidation
Is Eating [America's] Food Economy</a>.


feed_id: a5db89158f688a12730ae1a65353c0fa
title: St Louis thug faces murder charges
uri: St-Louis-thug-faces-murder-charges
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#19_May_2016_%28St_Louis_thug_faces_murder_charges%29

content:
<p>
A St Louis thug faces murder charges
for <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2016/may/16/st-louis-fatal-police-shooting-jason-stockley-anthony-lamar-smith">shooting
Anthony Lamar Smith</a>.  The thug appears to have planted a gun in
Smith's car to frame him.


feed_id: f551bae57c7930f071de7138f6382264
title: Great Barrier Reef
uri: 2016-05-21-Great-Barrier-Reef
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#19_May_2016_%28Great_Barrier_Reef%29
content:
<p>
Environmentalist Tim Flannery
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2016/may/17/saving-great-barrier-reef-climate-change-should-be-central-election-issue-says-tim-flannery">calls
on Australia to make it an election issue</a> to save Great Barrier
Reef from global heating.


feed_id: 60845894bcdb7815c6923129d64db67e
title: Urgent: Call on EPA to follow science
uri: Urgent-Call-on-EPA-to-follow-science
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#22_May_2016_%28Urgent%3A_Call_on_EPA_to_follow_science%29

content:
<p>
US citizens: 
<a href="https://secure.foodandwaterwatch.org/site/Advocacy?pagename=homepage&page=UserAction&id=2452">call
on the EPA</a> to follow science, not fossils, on the issue of
fracking and water pollution.


feed_id: 1b32147209427646c9263fa03ab706e0
title: Urgent: Stop Dakota Access Pipeline
uri: Urgent-Stop-Dakota-Access-Pipeline
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#22_May_2016_%28Urgent%3A_Stop_Dakota_Access_Pipeline%29

content:
<p>
US citizens: 
<a href="https://secure.earthjustice.org/site/Advocacy?cmd=display&page=UserAction&id=1861">stop</a>
the Dakota Access Pipeline.


feed_id: 0e6374a698d53fb5ec70117b98423e03
title: Urgent: Gun violence research
uri: Urgent-Gun-violence-research
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#22_May_2016_%28Urgent%3A_Gun_violence_research%29
content:
<p>
US citizens: 
<a href="http://act.credoaction.com/sign/NRA_Dickey_Amendment">call on
Congress</a> to lift the ban on research into the phenomenon of gun
violence.


feed_id: 271987024d1950ab2b4a827587218f57
title: Urgent: Trump's tax returns
uri: Urgent-Trump-s-tax-returns
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#22_May_2016_%28Urgent%3A_Trumps_tax_returns%29
content:
<p>
US citizens: 
<a href="http://pac.petitions.moveon.org/sign/donald-trump-stop-hiding">call
on Trump</a> to publish his tax returns.


feed_id: a4135cb57823b7abc5c690b1c9dbea1e
title: Cigarette packaging
uri: Cigarette-packaging
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#22_May_2016_%28Cigarette_packaging%29
content:
<p>
The UK, France and Ireland are adopting a requirement to sell
cigarettes in plain drab packaging, that has less to arouse desire and
less to
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/science/sifting-the-evidence/2016/may/20/plain-standardised-cigarette-packaging-has-arrived-but-will-it-reduce-smoking">distract
attention from the warnings that tobacco kills</a>.  Studies in Australia suggest that this contributes a small but
significant amount to decrease in smoking, but it will take more years
to get a clear picture of the results.
<p>
The article doesn't mention that Uruguay tried to impose plain drab
packaging of cigarettes, and was
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2010-may-aug.html#29%20July%202010%20(Toxic%20trade%20treaty)">forced
to stop</a> by means of a
<a href="https://stallman.org/business-supremacy-treaties.html">business
supremacy treaty</a>.


feed_id: cbbb795d34364fd8f31359dbe38e39a4
title: Thugs with military weapons
uri: Thugs-with-military-weapons
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#22_May_2016_%28Thugs_with_military_weapons%29
content:
<p>
The US is allowing the Pentagon to 
<a href="http://www.truth-out.org/news/item/35998-pentagon-allowed-to-supply-military-gear-to-homeland-security-department-for-war-on-immigrants">provide
military weapons to federal thugs</a> now, as well as local thugs.
<p>
The militarization of thugs in the US has led to a large number of
SWAT teams, and they need practice, so they are 
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2014-mar-jun.html#26_June_2014_(SWAT_teams_mainly_used_for_minor_matters)">used
when not needed</a>.  Each time they are used, there is a chance they
will kill someone for no good reason.


feed_id: 990752419c41ded48d4754fbb7496ee3
title: Luck
uri: Luck
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#22_May_2016_%28Luck%29
content:
<p>
Successful Americans 
<a href="http://nymag.com/scienceofus/2016/05/why-americans-ignore-the-role-of-luck-in-everything.html">systematically
deny the role that luck played in their success</a>.  This threatens their self image, which is 
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2012-jan-apr.html#16_April_2012_(Earning_Richness)">that
they are self-made and that they earned every penny, including what
they got from welfare, public education</a>, or
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2014-mar-jun.html#19_May_2014_(Entrenched_oligarchy)">their
parents</a>.


feed_id: 3217b9178c5fbf6f709a21123c67bd3d
title: Koch brothers
uri: 2016-05-22-Koch-brothers
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#21_May_2016_%28Koch_brothers%29
content:
<p>
The Koch brothers <a href="http://www.truth-out.org/news/item/36079-koch-candidates-koch-machine-spending-in-2016-so-far">are already giving lots of money</a> to congressional
candidates.


feed_id: 6969ee4642ce6f7baabb3e4fd28752b2
title: Surveillance robots
uri: 2016-05-22-Surveillance-robots
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#21_May_2016_%28Surveillance_robots%29
content:
<p>
A new surveillance robot carries microphones and cameras, and <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2016/may/20/robocop-robot-mall-security-guard-palo-alto-california">can scan
the license plates</a> of all the cars it sees.
<p>
It sends the data it collects to a company's server, which means the
data can be misused by the company, by the state, and by whatever
criminals get into the data base.  That is the worst possible
scenario, but it is standard practice.
<p>
Listening and watching systems such as this <a href="http://gnu.org/philosophy/surveillance-vs-democracy.html">should be prohibited</a> by law,
except when authorized by a court for a specific place and time period.


feed_id: 0e4cc96ec9508e7c924675f6d8129193
title: Antibiotics
uri: 2016-05-22-Antibiotics
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#21_May_2016_%28Antibiotics%29
content:
<p>

50,000 people die annually, in just the US and UK, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/society/2016/may/19/englands-chief-medical-officer-warns-of-antibiotic-apocalypse">from resistance to
antibiotics</a>.
<p>
To a large extent, this is due to factory farms that keep animals in
crowded conditions and give them all antibiotics to avoid the diseases
that would result.  They are killing us.
<p>
The UK <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2016/may/19/uk-farmers-to-cut-antibiotic-use-to-combat-drug-resistance">has launched</a> a program to reduce or eliminate indiscriminate
antibiotic use in farm animals.

  Finally, political will to confront the issue.
<p>
As new antibiotics are developed, it should be absolutely forbidden to
use them in animals.


feed_id: e8504ebc4cda335be680e4cc77886095
title: Where to invade next
uri: 2016-05-22-Where-to-invade-next
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#20_May_2016_%28Where_to_invade_next%29
content:
<p>
The US can excel in lots of areas if it stops trying to be <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2016/may/19/michael-moore-where-to-invade-next-world-hope
">number one in blood and gore</a>, and imitates the countries that do peaceful things well.


feed_id: c090defb92478a33193ad67be83f3087
title: Chelsea Clinton's husband shuts down hedge fund
uri: Chelsea-Clinton-s-husband-shuts-down-hedge-fund
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#20_May_2016_%28Chelsea_Clintons_husband_shuts_down_hedge_fund%29

content:
<p>
Chelsea Clinton's husband owns a hedge fund.
<p>He is shutting it down because <a href="http://dailycaller.com/2016/05/11/chelsea-clintons-husband-closing-hedge-fund-after-losing-90-percent-of-its-money/">he lost most of its money.</a>
<p>I don't feel much sympathy for him or his investors; they gambled,
they lost, and I expect they aren't broke.  However, the most
important point is what it implies about Clinton family values.  They
are plutocratists.


feed_id: df016d74f46dffb5059983eaf8699b62
title: Government Spy Truck
uri: 2016-05-22-Government-Spy-Truck
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#20_May_2016_%28Government_Spy_Truck%29
content:
<p>
This Isn't a Google Streetview Car, <a href="http://motherboard.vice.com/read/this-isnt-a-google-streetview-car-its-a-government-spy-truck
">Its a Government Spy Truck.</a>


feed_id: 4dd19a00a9c2c8d8db7f6c2358738b7f
title: Wildfire in Alberta
uri: 2016-05-23-Wildfire-in-Alberta
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#20_May_2016_%28Wildfire_in_Alberta%29
content:
<p>
The wildfire in Alberta that burned through Fort McMurray
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/may/18/alberta-wildfire-work-camp-destroyed-evacuated">has
now covered over 1300 square miles</a>.  Only 10% of Fort McMurray was
actually destroyed, but the rest of the city is not safe.
<p>
Ironically, the fire is now destroying a tar sands mine.  If only Canada
had the sends not to rebuild it later.


feed_id: 4baf8f860fa09c3d1ec3a7b5cc1e4ea8
title: Urgent: Stop oil leasing
uri: Urgent-Stop-oil-leasing
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#22_May_2016_%28Urgent%3A_Stop_oil_leasing%29
content:
<p>
US citizens: 
<a href="https://secure3.convio.net/gpeace/site/Advocacy?cmd=display&page=UserAction&id=1983">Call
on Obama</a> to stop oil leasing off ALL US coasts.


feed_id: a1fc254252510afd4564770e9ce3b557
title: Urgent: Wall street reform
uri: Urgent-Wall-street-reform
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#22_May_2016_%28Urgent%3A_Wall_street_reform%29
content:
<p>
US citizens: 
<a href="http://act.credoaction.com/sign/shelby_wall_street_2016">Tell
Democratic leaders</a>: Don't Help Republicans Gut Wall Street Reform.


feed_id: 7c02f51af311b09e0914ac577bbb0dc6
title: Politicians threaten environmentalists
uri: Politicians-threaten-environmentalists
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#22_May_2016_%28Politicians_threaten_environmentalists%29

content:
<p>
Poland's extractivist politicians
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2016/may/18/last-stand-for-europes-remaining-ancient-forest-as-loggers-prepare-to-move-in-bialowieza">threaten
to maim, kill or imprison</a> environmentalists opposed to cutting
down Europe's last primeval forest.
<p>
One turn in power is enough for extractivist government to destroy
forever something irreplaceable.  The Polish government's plan to cut
this forest, and the Australian government's plan to destroy unique
forest in Australia, must be compared with PISSI's destruction of
ancient buildings in Palmyra.
<p>
We should establish heavy world-wide punishments for crimes against
world heritage.


feed_id: 751ce8c54eeac2614861a1f0a938ed05
title: The extremists that occupied Malheur
uri: The-extremists-that-occupied-Malheur
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#22_May_2016_%28The_extremists_that_occupied_Malheur%29

content:
<p>
The extremists that occupied the Malheur wildlife reserve come from a
movement of 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2016/may/18/great-american-west-land-bundys-oregon">kooks
who want to privatize large amounts of land</a> in the American west,
and believe that they are entitled to own it.
<p>
In fact, private development is 
<a href="http://thinkprogress.org/climate/2016/05/17/3778905/disappearing-west/">spreading
rapidly in the west</a>, though it would take centuries at this rate
for all the land to be built over.


feed_id: 46bee2df9de431f0662ec4ae5e6b906d
title: Opposition to marijuana legalization
uri: Opposition-to-marijuana-legalization
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#22_May_2016_%28Opposition_to_marijuana_legalization%29

content:
<p>
"<a href='https://theintercept.com/2016/05/18/ca-marijuana-measure/'>Roughly
half of</a> the money raised to oppose a ballot measure to legalize
recreational marijuana in California is coming from police and prison
guard groups, terrified that they might lose the revenue streams to
which they have become so deeply addicted."
<p>
The same reasons they oppose the measure are reasons why the public
should support it.


feed_id: e3ef09dc3911bf893a44d77067bf0fe8
title: Many older Americans don't dare retire
uri: Many-older-Americans-don-t-dare-retire
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#22_May_2016_%28Many_older_Americans_dont_dare_retire%29

content:
<p>
Many older Americans don't dare retire, because they are 
<a href="http://www.fastcoexist.com/3059837/older-workers-are-basically-planning-to-keep-working-forever">supporting
their children or grandchildren</a>.


feed_id: c90038a3e165e3a3088c2f339467cb98
title: GMO foods neither dangerous or important
uri: GMO-foods-neither-dangerous-or-important
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#22_May_2016_%28GMO_foods_neither_dangerous_or_important%29

content:
<p>
The National Science Foundation concludes that genetically modified
foods are 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2016/may/18/gm-food-is-generally-safe-for-humans-and-the-environment-report-says">not
particularly dangerous, nor particularly important for our food
supply</a>.
<p>
It is clear that the widely grown GMO foods generally do not hurt the
people who eat them.  If they did, medical records would show it.
<p>
That doesn't mean they don't hurt wildlife.  The widespread use of
Roundup, generally with GMO food crops, has done a lot of 
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2015-jan-apr.html#07_March_2015_(General_tendency_to_reject_science)">harm
to milkweed and to monarch butterflies</a>.  However, each kind of
modification is a separate different issue as regards environmental
harm.
<p>
So far, we don't see instances in which a certain crop has several
quite different alternative forms of genetic modification.  If that
starts to happen, consumers might want labels to indicate
<em>which</em> genetic modifications are used in a given food.


feed_id: ba6f32c6005f860e654ab0264c13f228
title: Bahnhof police requests
uri: Bahnhof-police-requests
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#23_May_2016_%28Bahnhof_police_requests%29
content:
<p>
Bahnhof, a Swedish ISP that resists the <a href="https://torrentfreak.com/bahnhof-police-requests-160521/">War on Sharing</a>,
reports that 27% of state demands for subscribers' identities are for that purpose.
<p>
That is more than any other purpose.


feed_id: c68b28802c767c41a5b106a0aef1112e
title: Anti-Terrorism directive
uri: Anti-Terrorism-directive
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#23_May_2016_%28Anti-Terrorism_directive%29
content:
<p>
Europe is rushing the design of an <a href="https://edri.org/enditorial-next-year-youll-complain-about-the-terrorism-directive/">"anti-terrorism" directive</a>, 
using a process that will run secretly until it is too late
for the public to influence anything.


feed_id: 69515cba4f6d653dab3158ceb5a8435a
title: The dangers cameras pose
uri: The-dangers-cameras-pose
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#23_May_2016_%28The_dangers_cameras_pose%29
content:
<p>
The "sunbathing partly undressed woman" argument against drone cameras
is convenient, but omits the most <a href="http://www.slate.com/articles/technology/future_tense/2016/05/drone_privacy_is_about_much_more_than_sunbathing_teenage_daughters.html">important part of the danger</a> flyingcameras pose to all of us.
<p>
Nonflying cameras on the street pose much of the same danger, <em>except</em>
the part about being partly undressed (except if the camera can be directed
to look in your window, which is the case for some of them).


feed_id: 384b62e1e154e76ffa31a3890dbcebc2
title: Colorado ballot to limit fracking
uri: Colorado-ballot-to-limit-fracking
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#23_May_2016_%28Colorado_ballot_to_limit_fracking%29
content:
<p>
Fossil fuel companies are spending heavily to oppose Colorado ballot
initiatives to limit fracking, and <a href="https://theintercept.com/2016/05/21/top-democrats-ally-with-oil-and-gas-industry-to-fight-colorado-anti-fracking-ballot-measures/">plutocratic Democrats are helping the companies</a>.


feed_id: 3284a153dd97a51e1f536f8a7b90624e
title: Rule of law is increasingly rejected
uri: Rule-of-law-is-increasingly-rejected
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#23_May_2016_%28Rule_of_law_is_increasingly_rejected%29

content:
<p>
Around the world, both within counries and internationally, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2016/may/21/europe-asia-law-rule-of-mob-rule-institutions-defuse-tensions-populism">rule of law is increasingly rejected</a>.  Democracy and the UN are unable to handle the problems they face.
<p>
I conjecture this is because of national and international
plutocractic control that makes democracy fail as an instrument
for the people to get anything that the plutocrats don't approve.


feed_id: 70c6df833c1fc4b2354a41afe45655df
title: World-Wide climate protests
uri: World-Wide-climate-protests
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#23_May_2016_%28World-Wide_climate_protests%29
content:
<p>
With Obama taking it slow, and Big Oil fighting to make it slower,
the growing <a href="http://www.commondreams.org/views/2016/05/19/breaking-free-rising-tide-climate-resistance">world-wide climate protests</a> are our main chance of speeding up necessary action.


feed_id: ed907af1e568e32e7ce4297f746acae6
title: Urgent: Overtime pay requirement
uri: Urgent-Overtime-pay-requirement
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#23_May_2016_%28Urgent%3A_Overtime_pay_requirement%29

content:
<p>
US citizens: call on Democrats in Congress to defend the recent
extension of <a href="http://act.democracyforamerica.com/sign/support_overtime/?refcode=g-ReichOT0520.d-20160520.m-7947.s-22086&t=1001&akid=7947.1906019.5W5td_">
overtime pay requirement to more workers</a>.


feed_id: 4e459dae0346239cefb142f6e7d8c268
title: Oakland Thugs
uri: Oakland-Thugs
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#23_May_2016_%28Oakland_Thugs%29
content:
<p>
The big danger of violence in Oakland, California, is its <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2016/may/21/oakland-police-misconduct-scandals-pile-up
">thug department</a>.


feed_id: 40ae37742a85bf9cf79f251a2ad5ea9d
title: Urgent: Protection against toxic chemicals
uri: Urgent-Protection-against-toxic-chemicals
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#23_May_2016_%28Urgent%3A_Protection_against_toxic_chemicals%29

content:
<p>
US citizens: Call on Congress to support the Lautenberg Act and give Americans systemtic <a href="https://secure2.edf.org/site/Advocacy;jsessionid=6A0BD8483467C3640FD724ECB47A5F8B.app30101b?cmd=display&id=2797&page=UserAction
">protection against toxic chemicals</a>.


feed_id: 097173d5b653935ac5b319119ee7f261
title: Urgent: Save Wyoming's Wolves
uri: Urgent-Save-Wyoming-s-Wolves
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#23_May_2016_%28Urgent%3A_Save_Wyoming%27s_Wolves%29
content:
<p>
US citizens: call for saving <a href="
https://secure.nrdconline.org/site/Advocacy;jsessionid=09326A4384CC5263DC1C117494A812E5.app30102a?cmd=display&page=UserAction&id=4017">Wyoming's wolves</a>.


feed_id: 1eb71b4dc2480d1a97520da8f08aab90
title: Urgent: Oppose drilling in Wyoming Range
uri: Urgent-Oppose-drilling-in-Wyoming-Range
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#23_May_2016_%28Urgent%3A_Oppose_drilling_in_Wyoming_Range%29

content:
<p>
US citizens:
<a href="https://secure.defenders.org/site/Advocacy?cmd=display&page=UserAction&id=3078">Keep
Oil and Gas Drilling out</a> of the Wyoming Range.


feed_id: a7aa7b05de316e20b0bd297831b68886
title: Urgent: Rebuke FERC chair
uri: Urgent-Rebuke-FERC-chair
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#23_May_2016_%28Urgent%3A_Rebuke_FERC_chair%29
content:
<p>
US citizens: phone Federal Energy Regulatory Commission chair Norman
Bay at 1-800-571-2435 to
<a href="http://environmental-action.org/blog/2612/">rebuke him for
excluding the public</a> from the meetings at which they gave fossil
fuel companies what they wanted.


feed_id: 7c7a1cd2a3425b8331bcbf21a20a8436
title: Urgent: Reform prosecution of rape
uri: Urgent-Reform-prosecution-of-rape
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#23_May_2016_%28Urgent%3A_Reform_prosecution_of_rape%29

content:
<p>
US citizens:
<a href="http://act.credoaction.com/sign/MJIA_2016">support</a>
Senator Gillibrand's bill to reform prosecution of rape in the US
military.


feed_id: 984fcb323256133842b0428731bd3b83
title: Air pollution from cruise ships
uri: Air-pollution-from-cruise-ships
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#23_May_2016_%28Air_pollution_from_cruise_ships%29
content:
<p>
Ever larger cruise ships
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2016/may/21/the-worlds-largest-cruise-ship-and-its-supersized-pollution-problem">spew
ever more air pollution</a>.
<p>
The largest are estimated to emit "more sulphur than several million
cars, more NO<sub>2</sub> gas than all the traffic passing through a
medium-sized town and more particulate emissions than thousands of
London buses."  The air in some port cities is making people sick.


feed_id: 4b92f3b7c1c95dd17aada306869070d5
title: Bricks from industrial waste
uri: Bricks-from-industrial-waste
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#23_May_2016_%28Bricks_from_industrial_waste%29
content:
<p>
Making
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/sustainable-business/2016/may/21/rotterdam-couple-house-made-from-waste-stonecycling-bricks-netherlands">bricks</a>
from industrial waste.


feed_id: 96ab50c078552c739280ba06666a50c7
title: Urgent: Marijuana for sick veterans
uri: Urgent-Marijuana-for-sick-veterans
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#23_May_2016_%28Urgent%3A_Marijuana_for_sick_veterans%29

content:
<p>
US citizens:
<a href="https://engage.drugpolicy.org/secure/help-veterans-access-medical-marijuana-house">Support</a>
allowing the Veterans Administration to recommend marijuana to sick
veterans, in states which permit medical marijuana.


feed_id: 430c8384c3a57aac6ad6f32d40456aef
title: Urgent: Denounce Trump's harassment
uri: Urgent-Denounce-Trump-s-harassment
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#23_May_2016_%28Urgent%3A_Denounce_Trumps_harassment%29

content:
<p>
US citizens:
<a href="http://act.weareultraviolet.org/sign/trump_nyt/">call on the
Republican Party</a> to denounce Trump's repeated harassment of women.


feed_id: a6bf6202e01809f84d8855bd5a0568ac
title: Turkey's parliament
uri: Turkey-s-parliament
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#23_May_2016_%28Turkeys_parliament%29
content:
<p>
Turkey has
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/may/20/turkish-mps-vote-lifting-immunity-from-prosecution">eliminated
immunity from prosecution for members of parliament</a>.
<p>
This is a scheme to allow trumped up charges to remove the
representation of the party that stands for human rights for Kurds and
Turks.  It would be the culmination of the plan that Erdo&gbreve;an
started when he
<a href="https://www.stallman.org/archives/2015-jul-oct.html#17_August_2015_(Provoking_PKK)">launched
a civil war against the Kurds in order to get a better election
result</a>.


feed_id: d453f2a0735da7bb69218a922e981aea
title: Colorado is the future for the US
uri: Colorado-is-the-future-for-the-US
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#24_May_2016_%28Colorado_is_the_future_for_the_US%29
content:
<p>
Boulder, Colorado, <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2016/may/22/city-of-boulder-colorado-is-the-future-for-the-us">represents what a good future</a> for the US would look like.
<p>
I don't believe it is inevitable that the US (or any country) will make a good 
choice for its future.  If we want that to happen, we have to work for it.


feed_id: 30e126a884fdbd5d3885b081461583e4
title: Aboriginal sorry day massacre
uri: Aboriginal-sorry-day-massacre
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#24_May_2016_%28Aboriginal_sorry_day_massacre%29
content:
<p>
Australia's National Sorry Day is an apology to the <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2016/may/21/aboriginal-sorry-day-massacre-gunai">aboriginal people
who were massacred</a>, often in cold blood, by British colonists.
<p>
I can think of some other countries that should have a National Sorry Day.
For instance, the US.  Also Argentina, in which the intentional killing
of indigenous people en masse continued into the 20th century.


feed_id: 9e34a47586e4c382990525f54541c22f
title: Five Main Anti-Abortion Arguments
uri: Five-Main-Anti-Abortion-Arguments
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#24_May_2016_%28Five_Main_Anti-Abortion_Arguments%29
content:
<p>
A Scientist Weighs Up the <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/science/blog/2015/aug/12/five-main-anti-abortion-arguments-examined">Five Main Anti-Abortion Arguments</a>.
<p>
As always, it is a mistake to repeat the spin term "pro-life" with
which the enemies of abortion rights twist the issue.  I support the
right to life for human beings as much as they do; many of them
support that less than I do, since they are in favor of the death
penalty.


feed_id: fe90bc252c45cafa00dad291d338b431
title: Boston Big Brother
uri: Boston-Big-Brother
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#24_May_2016_%28Boston_Big_Brother%29
content:
<p>
Boston used face recognition systems to try to <a href="http://noisey.vice.com/blog/beantowns-big-brother">identify every visitor</a> to a large concert.
<p>
This was a test.  If and when it works, they might use it on every
street corner.  We need laws to limit how the state and private
entities can use such systems to accumulate data about people.


feed_id: f6d6a7d35cc21da4b59a0b337849d835
title: Protesters in Paris fight back
uri: Protesters-in-Paris-fight-back
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#24_May_2016_%28Protesters_in_Paris_fight_back%29
content:
<p>
Protesters in Paris, when their banned protest aganst killer thugs was
attacked by thugs, fought back and <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/may/18/police-car-set-on-fire-as-officers-and-protesters-clash-in-paris">set fire to a thug car</a>.
<p>
Fortunately, the thugs in the car got out.
<p>
I can't blame people for fighting back when attacked, but one should
not escalate so far.  If you sink to the level of thugs, you will be
no better than them.


feed_id: 65a9394a1cbadcd60812d2bd18639515
title: Koch backing list
uri: Koch-backing-list
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#24_May_2016_%28Koch_backing_list%29
content:
<p>
A list of congressional and gubernatoral candidates known to have <a href="http://www.prwatch.org/news/2016/05/13107/koch-candidates-2016-revealed">Koch backing</a>.


feed_id: 6583610729a22dbe50155c9077cdadfb
title: Should Trump be excluded from the UK?
uri: Should-Trump-be-excluded-from-the-UK
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#24_May_2016_%28Should_Trump_be_excluded_from_the_UK_%29

content:
<p>
Should Trump be excluded from the UK for having encouraged <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/books/booksblog/2016/may/19/jk-rowling-right-donald-trump">violence
against protesters?</a>
<p>
I think he should be prosecuted when he does that, no matter where.


feed_id: b3b94c1d1b4614c2263a6489cd797f8a
title: Irreversible Climate Change
uri: Irreversible-Climate-Change
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#24_May_2016_%28Irreversible_Climate_Change%29
content:
<p>
World Headed for <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2011/nov/09/fossil-fuel-infrastructure-climate-change">Irreversible Climate Change</a> in Five Years, IEA Warns.
<p>
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/may/19/norway-arctic-new-oil-drilling-licences">Norway has approved oil drilling</a> in new areas of Arctic waters.
<p>
Since sea ice comes into that area, it is asking for a spill.
<p>
When you look at the supposed benefits of this crazy decision,
you can see that the decision completely ignores the disastrous
downside.


feed_id: 65871e84058125ef56358eab591f33ca
title: Urgent: Labeling of GMOs
uri: 2016-05-25-Urgent-Labeling-of-GMOs
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#24_May_2016_%28Urgent%3A_Labeling_of_GMOs%29
content:
<p>
US citizens: phone your senators to block attempts to forbid
states from requiring labeling of GMOs.


feed_id: ad06967bbd29d75d4d4ec5d7932ee81c
title: San Francisco's thug chief has resigned
uri: San-Francisco-s-thug-chief-has-resigned
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#24_May_2016_%28San_Francisco%27s_thug_chief_has_resigned%29

content:
<p>
San Francisco's <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2016/may/19/san-francisco-police-greg-suhr-resigns-fatal-shooting-scandal">thug chief Suhr has resigned</a> after another gratuitous killing by a thug.


feed_id: c24d34e3b85d1f6aa04e4305e9775e25
title: Congress truck safety
uri: Congress-truck-safety
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#24_May_2016_%28Congress_truck_safety%29
content:
<p>
Members of Congress that serve trucking companies persistently try to
allow those companies to <a href="
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/congress-zika-truck-safety_us_573cfc0ae4b0646cbeec1b89">make truck drivers work over 80 hours a week</a>.
<p>
Sleepiness of the driver is a significant cause of accidents.


feed_id: 0c27944c3666ab38f356cef417ba7d34
title: Ferguson thugs victims not to sue city
uri: Ferguson-thugs-victims-not-to-sue-city
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#24_May_2016_%28Ferguson_thugs_victims_not_to_sue_city%29

content:
<p>
After thugs in Ferguson arrested journalists to prevent them from
doing their work, and lied about it, <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/ryan-reilly-ferguson-arrest-st-louis-county_us_573cb0eae4b0646cbeebce8a">prosecutors used invalid charges as leverage</a>to get the victims to agree not to sue the city.
<p>
I'd call that a successful act of state terrorism.
<p>
The article points out that many other victims plead guilty to false
charges because they can't afford the cost of defending themselves
from even the most absurd accusation.


feed_id: f02beb5858636b47ea61bd8b5b5c4b06
title: Denmarks total tracking system
uri: Denmarks-total-tracking-system
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#24_May_2016_%28Denmarks_total_tracking_system%29
content:
<p>
Denmark is adopting a <a href="https://edri.org/danish-ticketing-system-a-threat-to-privacy/">total tracking system</a> for paying for public transit.
<p>
A new anonymous card costs 10 euro, creating a strong disincentive
against getting a new card.  However, trading cards is feasible
if there is a way to find the balance on each card.


feed_id: c5fa3f9b56cbb3159239907eb65c1abe
title: Canada's Prime Minister lost his temper
uri: Canada-s-Prime-Minister-lost-his-temper
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#24_May_2016_%28Canada%27s_Prime_Minister_lost_his_temper%29

content:
<p>
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/may/20/justin-trudeau-elbow-ruth-ellen-brosseau-cananda-parliament">Canada's Prime Minister Trudeau lost his temper</a> and started hitting MPs from other parties.  He banged one MP in the breast with his elbow,
hard enough to cause her pain.
<p>
He apologized for this, but his mysogynistic followers are now
sending her hate mail.
<p>
I wonder what in the world he thought he was doing by trying to drag
an oppositoin MP away from an official activity.  Was there any legitimate
grounds for that, or was it an act in opposition to Canada's constitution?
I don't know.


feed_id: 1d6497ee842df4165f00a6259fc96999
title: The future views of Democrats
uri: The-future-views-of-Democrats
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#24_May_2016_%28The_future_views_of_Democrats%29
content:
<p>
<a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/seth-abramson/make-no-mistake-sanderism_b_10008136.html">Sanders
is clearly beating Clinton</a> in campaigning for the future views of
Democrats.
<p>
Some prominent Democrats
<a href="http://www.nydailynews.com/news/politics/king-leaving-democratic-party-article-1.2644307">call
for replacing the Democratic Party</a> if it chooses Clinton.


feed_id: 16532dc34709401a82af26cbb647bfe0
title: Thugs exploiting intrusive technologies
uri: Thugs-exploiting-intrusive-technologies
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#24_May_2016_%28Thugs_exploiting_intrusive_technologies%29

content:
<p>
[US Thugs] Nationwide Are
<a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/matthew-harwood/power-loves-the-dark-_b_10047478.html">Secretly
Exploiting Intrusive Technologies With the Fedsâ Complicity</a>.


feed_id: 7406151b71c9da3eb3ec261c44bfff13
title: Myanmar's marine resources
uri: Myanmar-s-marine-resources
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#24_May_2016_%28Myanmars_marine_resources%29
content:
<p>
Protect Myanmar's Marine Resources from
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2016/may/20/myanmar-marine-resources-fishing-aung-san-suu-kyi">Being
Pillaged</a> To Point of No Return.


feed_id: bb181e15c5242c6b4a14fd26f5522ded
title: France's demand to censor searches
uri: France-s-demand-to-censor-searches
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#24_May_2016_%28Frances_demand_to_censor_searches%29
content:
<p>
Freedom of expression is in danger world wide from France's
<a href="http://lauren.vortex.com/2016/05/frances-guillotining-of-global-free-speech-continues">demand
to censor searches world-wide</a>.
<p>
Unlike the author of that article, I think that limiting searches is
less of an issue than limiting the contents of articles.  However,
allowing countries to impose global limits of any kind is intolerable.


feed_id: 83f96571de29dedd1335210d16acc61a
title: ALEC attacks solar power
uri: ALEC-attacks-solar-power
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#24_May_2016_%28ALEC_attacks_solar_power%29
content:
<p>
ALEC is
<a href="http://www.commondreams.org/views/2016/05/20/alec-attack-solar-power">campaigning
to stop "net metering"</a>, the practice whereby utilities must buy
from homeowners the surplus electricity that they generate from solar
power systems.


feed_id: 9baf474dda33b06bb0f91217491eee1c
title: Opposition to single-payer medical system
uri: Opposition-to-single-payer-medical-system
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#23_May_2016_%28Opposition_to_single-payer_medical_system%29

content:
<p>
Leading Democratic politicians in Colorado
<a href="http://www.commondreams.org/news/2016/05/20/establishment-dems-fight-defeat-medicare-all-colorado">oppose
the ballot initiative for a single-payer medical system in that
state</a>.  However, the opposition campaign is funded mainly by
companies that profit from the current system.


feed_id: 58a6892831a23666d98440179838d72c
title: Very urgent: Reject SB 1552
uri: Very-urgent-Reject-SB-1552
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#23_May_2016_%28Urgent%3A_Reject_SB_1552%29
content:
<p>
Everyone:
<a href="https://action.aclu.org/secure/abortion-felony">Call on
Oklahoma legislators</a> to reject SB 1552 which would make abortion a
felony.


feed_id: 7f3b7ed46c61c4dedf015dfeda2212c2
title: Social media location data
uri: 2016-05-25-Social-media-location-data
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#21_May_2016_%28Social_media_location_data%29
content:
<p>
People who can see where you made social media posts <a href="http://newsoffice.mit.edu/2016/twitter-location-data-homes-workplaces-0517">can easily</a> figure
out where you live.
<p>
This is not just a reason to ask Twitter not to tell others where you
were when you posted.  It is a reason not to let Twitter know where
you posted, by connecting through Tor.


feed_id: af2730975db78620509e6bb3bd7602c4
title: Brain-computer interfaces
uri: 2016-05-25-Brain-computer-interfaces
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#21_May_2016_%28Brain-computer_interfaces%29
content:
<p>
Implanted brain-computer interfaces would bring 
<a href="http://boingboing.net/2016/05/14/brainjacking-the-future-of-so.html">digital
insecurity to people's brains</a>.
<p>
The necessary starting point for Computer security is free software.
Security for brain-computer interfaces requires insisting that the
software that controls the interface be free.  This includes not only
the firmware in the device itself, but also other software that will
tell the firmware how to influence your brain.
<p>
For the paper referenced there, see 
<a href="media/0423ffc9.pycroft2016.pdf" data-original-source="http://sci-hub.cc/downloads/ef93/pycroft2016.pdf">http://sci-hub.cc/downloads/ef93/pycroft2016.pdf</a>.


feed_id: f2cdeb12cb31938cde70e2d354a205ec
title: Atheism is not a matter of faith
uri: Atheism-is-not-a-matter-of-faith
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#26_May_2016_%28Atheism_is_not_a_matter_of_faith%29
content:
<p>
Atheism is not a <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2016/may/24/atheists-faith-religion-uk">matter of faith</a>
<p>
However, the claim that gods exist is not merely devoid of supporting
evidence.  When argued as clever theists argue it, it becomes
unfalsifiable by any evidence, and therefore void as a statement about
the real world.  That constitutes valid grounds to reject it outright,
not merely to doubt it.


feed_id: d41b70e105a14a7ac2415d8ec3a65c12
title: Childrens toys are full of ads
uri: Childrens-toys-are-full-of-ads
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#26_May_2016_%28Childrens_toys_are_full_of_ads%29
content:
<p>
Reportedly mass-market toys nowadays are almost all media tie-ins --
that is, <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2016/may/24/children-lego-weapons-play-militarisation">ads that you pay to show your children</a>.  Meanwhile, what children mostly use to play are proprietary games afflicted with DRM.


feed_id: b17402113b132ef5b0f86418fc7edc24
title: Resettling refugees in papua guinea
uri: Resettling-refugees-in-papua-guinea
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#26_May_2016_%28Resettling_refugees_in_papua_guinea%29

content:
<p>
Australia sent refugees to prison in Manus Island, and demands they be
allowed to settle in Papua New Guinea, but it is <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2016/may/20/resettling-refugees-in-papua-new-guinea-a-tragic-theatre-of-the-absurd">impossible for them to live there</a>.


feed_id: 2a0db57b0f9eb6ae6fb441e08dfb7f30
title: Trump and global heating
uri: Trump-and-global-heating
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#26_May_2016_%28Trump_and_global_heating%29
content:
<p>
Trump acknowledges global heating when it serves <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2016/may/24/donald-trump-bunker-climate-change-views">his own business interests</a>.


feed_id: 2d315104d5b9b3f7596c6feb57a8de45
title: UAE illegally detained prisoners
uri: UAE-illegally-detained-prisoners
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#26_May_2016_%28UAE_illegally_detained_prisoners%29
content:
<p>
Mohamed Alaradi was arrested and tortured in the United Arab Emirates
along with 9 other Libyan expats.  Six of them, including his brother,
have been <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2016/may/24/united-arab-emirates-illegally-detained-prisoners-state-security">imprisoned over two years</a>.  They now finally have a trial, which is alleged to be unfair.
<p>
The US ought to call on its ally to stop doing this sort of thing, but
if it tried to, the example of Guantanamo would make the position
hypocritical.  Meanwhile, I wonder if the US is partly responsible
for their arrests.


feed_id: 5af3863886c2364739fa3519a873bb3d
title: New agenda taking wall street
uri: New-agenda-taking-wall-street
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#26_May_2016_%28New_agenda_taking_wall_street%29
content:
<p>
A <a href="http://www.commondreams.org/views/2016/05/24/new-agenda-taking-wall-street">reform agenda for Wall Street</a> that we can try to pressure Clinton toendorse.


feed_id: e981700c7bb2e466e54c246abc4e083d
title: UK to investigate cluster bombs on Yemen
uri: UK-to-investigate-cluster-bombs-on-Yemen
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#26_May_2016_%28UK_to_investigate_cluster_bombs_on_Yemen%29

content:
<p>
The UK says it will <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/may/24/mod-to-investigate-claims-saudis-used-uk-cluster-bombs-in-yemen">investigate the evidence</a> that Salafi Arabia dropped UK cluster bombs on Yemen.
<p>
To the UK's credit, it has prohibited the manufacture, sale and use of
cluster bombs.  In that specific department, there is nothing more it
should do.  But the UK should not support Salafi Arabia's bombardment
of Yemen.  If it has to recognize that Salafi Arabia is using old British
cluster bombs, it may be forced to stop that support.


feed_id: 1c6b8d9f38283642e3cce1d408e0691f
title: Teen birth rate hits all time low
uri: Teen-birth-rate-hits-all-time-low
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#26_May_2016_%28Teen_birth_rate_hits_all_time_low%29
content:
<p>
The birth rate for US teenagers has reached a record low, thanks to education
and <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/to-your-health/wp/2016/04/28/teen-birth-rate-hits-all-time-low-led-by-50-percent-decline-among-hispanics-and-blacks/">access to birth control</a>.
<p>
The rate of abortions has fallen too, since fewer girls get pregnant
without intending to have a baby.


feed_id: e76d29bf69595384a3027690495be0bb
title: Malian Jihadi to Plead Guilty
uri: Malian-Jihadi-to-Plead-Guilty
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#26_May_2016_%28Malian_Jihadi_to_Plead_Guilty%29
content:
<p>
Malian Jihadi to Plead Guilty in <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/law/2016/may/24/malian-jihadi-to-plead-guilty-forgiveness-icc-cultural-destruction-trial">ICC Cultural Destruction Trial</a>.
<p>
I am glad to see progress made in the prosecution of people who
desecrate human heritage.


feed_id: e9292ab4e04c57551e4130a8f26ff3e0
title: Riots in Barcelona after squatters evicted
uri: Riots-in-Barcelona-after-squatters-evicted
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#26_May_2016_%28Riots_in_Barcelona_after_squatters_evicted%29

content:
<p>
In Barcelona, evicting a 5-year squat which turned a former bank into
a community center has <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/may/24/riots-in-barcelona-after-squatters-evicted-from-bank">provoked rioting</a>.
<p>
If the city government can't prevent this eviction (except by paying
ransom), then I don't think the city government should be blamed
for it.  But I do wonder if there is more that it could do, such as
to threaten the evicting owner with public criticism and pressure.


feed_id: 471167a386bf612e31c1a91c6a42df2d
title: Mauritania has convicted people of enslavement
uri: Mauritania-has-convicted-people-of-enslavement
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#26_May_2016_%28Mauritania_has_convicted_people_of_enslavement%29

content:
<p>
For the first time, Mauritania has <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2016/may/24/campaigners-celebrate-slavery-prosecutions-in-mauritania-activists-release">convicted people of enslavement</a>.


feed_id: eaac5daea01c4bf53621eea1cef59147
title: Exam Company threatens to sue Teacher
uri: Exam-Company-threatens-to-sue-Teacher
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#26_May_2016_%28Exam_Company_threatens_to_sue_Teacher%29

content:
<p>
Celia Oyler published another teacher's criticism of a widely used US
school exam.  The article quotes a few short questions quoted from the
exam.  The company that made the exam threatened to <a href="https://www.lumendatabase.org/notices/search?utf8=%E2%9C%93&term=parcc&sort_by=">sue her for
copyright infringement</a>, and has got Google and Twitter to censor
discussion of the issue.


feed_id: fe50b8bdeb05dbb535f4c0523f12ae5c
title: Very urgent: Oppose Pentagon funding increase
uri: Very-urgent-Oppose-Pentagon-funding-increase
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#25_May_2016_%28Urgent%3A_Oppose_Pentagon_funding_increase%29

content:
<p>
US citizens: phone your senators (each of them) at 877-429-0678 to
oppose proposed funding increases for the Pentagon in S. 2943.
<p>
Also say that such a decision should not be made with a voice vote.


feed_id: 5afe519b1afce4ae26fc0fce4e4de047
title: Urgent: Close campaign finance loophole
uri: Urgent-Close-campaign-finance-loophole
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#25_May_2016_%28Urgent%3A_Close_campaign_finance_loophole%29

content:
<p>
Citizens of Massachusetts: 
<a href="https://secure2.convio.net/comcau/site/Advocacy?cmd=display&page=UserAction&id=1588">Support
Sen. Eldridge's amendment</a> to close a campaign finance loophole in
Massachusetts.


feed_id: d5c049ee3fb90bbe67575ee0a00d6bb0
title: British-made cluster bombs in Yemen
uri: British-made-cluster-bombs-in-Yemen
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#25_May_2016_%28British-made_cluster_bombs_in_Yemen%29

content:
<p>
British-Made Cluster Bombs Are 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2016/may/23/british-cluster-bombs-yemen-cameron-killing-civilians-inquiry">Turning
Up in Yemen</a>. Will Cameron Tell Us Why?
<p>
Cluster bombs are already killing children in Yemen, and may continue
to do so for decades.


feed_id: 04fe6403424da663c21888b8d61bac78
title: Thug involved in killing acquitted
uri: Thug-involved-in-killing-acquitted
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#25_May_2016_%28Thug_involved_in_killing_acquitted%29

content:
<p>
One of the thugs that collectively killed Freddie Gray has been
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2016/may/23/freddie-gray-trial-police-officer-edward-nero-not-guilty">acquitted
of charges</a>.
<p>
The judge seems to have pushed for a narrow interpretation of the laws
he was charged under.


feed_id: 7b48f6c21c77952fc538da301d09dec5
title: Burning all known fossil fuels
uri: Burning-all-known-fossil-fuels
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#25_May_2016_%28Burning_all_known_fossil_fuels%29
content:
<p>
Burning all currently known fossil fuels would lead to 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2016/may/23/world-could-warm-by-massive-10c-if-all-fossil-fuels-are-burned">10C
of global heating</a>, according to a model.  That's on the average
— some areas would be heated more, and others less.
<p>
Many regions would be entirely uninhabitable for humans.  We could
only visit them with multiple backup air conditioning systems.


feed_id: ad00ad9f00fc1a378540dcdfd80b02e1
title: The plot to remove president Rousseff
uri: The-plot-to-remove-president-Rousseff
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#25_May_2016_%28The_plot_to_remove_president_Rousseff%29

content:
<p>
A 
<a href="https://theintercept.com/2016/05/23/new-political-earthquake-in-brazil-is-it-now-time-for-media-outlets-to-call-this-a-coup/">leaked
conversation among key Brazilian ministers</a> shows that they plotted
to remove president Rousseff specifically to quash a corruption
investigation that threatened them.
<p>
One said he had corrupted most of the Supreme Court.


feed_id: 1b9c954149cbcc8cbc288456b2d07968
title: "Biodegradable" plastics in the ocean
uri: Biodegradable-plastics-in-the-ocean
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#25_May_2016_%28Biodegradable_plastics_in_the_ocean%29

content:
<p>
"Biodegradable" plastics 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2016/may/23/biodegradable-plastic-false-solution-for-ocean-waste-problem">don't
biodegrade</a> in the ocean.


feed_id: d19a3fa24ca8b29705315488e36c770f
title: Fraudulent DMCA takedown notices
uri: Fraudulent-DMCA-takedown-notices
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#25_May_2016_%28Fraudulent_DMCA_takedown_notices%29
content:
<p>
Fraudulent DMCA takedown notices impose a plague of 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2016/may/23/copyright-law-internet-mumsnet">censorship
on the internet</a>.  Even the most absurd false claims are taken at
face value, making censorship nearly risk-free.
<p>
Big publishers are lobbying constantly for an even worse system, one
that would require web sites to check for anything that had been
the target of a takedown before.


feed_id: 6be16c5082811e1496022ddcd4b91d81
title: Right-wingers set on privatizing
uri: Right-wingers-set-on-privatizing
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#25_May_2016_%28Right-wingers_set_on_privatizing%29
content:
<p>
Right-wingers are so set on privatizing that they 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/politics/2016/may/23/selling-off-assets-such-as-land-registry-will-leave-government-worse-off">will
do it even when it's a loss of money for the state</a>.
<p>
Which just goes to demonstrate their real motive.


feed_id: 3d107407ca1c89beee5e383b5386e82a
title: Protests against Monsanto
uri: 2016-05-26-Protests-against-Monsanto
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#25_May_2016_%28Protests_against_Monsanto%29
content:
<p>
<a href="http://www.commondreams.org/news/2016/05/21/activists-farmers-indigenous-people-rise-march-against-monsanto">World-wide
protests</a> against Monsanto.


feed_id: e8956474ed22ed7d7db59d2e03a23042
title: New Yorkers block construction of pipeline
uri: New-Yorkers-block-construction-of-pipeline
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#25_May_2016_%28New_Yorkers_block_construction_of_pipeline%29

content:
<p>
New Yorkers 
<a href="http://www.commondreams.org/news/2016/05/22/peaceful-activists-arrested-ny-halting-construction-methane-pipeline">blocked
construction of a pipeline for natural gas</a> (which would probably
be from fracking).


feed_id: 5ade3d66c60eaf30737f381054ce9544
title: Fistula
uri: Fistula
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#25_May_2016_%28Fistula%29
content:
<p>
In poor countries, women are 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/global-development-professionals-network/2016/may/23/why-do-a-million-women-still-suffer-the-treatable-condition-of-fistulaa">still
in danger of developing fistula in childbirth</a>.  Then they are
typically ostracized.  It is easily fixed with surgery, but no surgery
is available to them.


feed_id: 17da2ef040821b517efe7a368124ccb1
title: Seeds of dangerous weeds
uri: Seeds-of-dangerous-weeds
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#25_May_2016_%28Seeds_of_dangerous_weeds%29
content:
<p>
Seeds of dangerous weeds are 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2016/may/23/australias-worst-invasive-species-available-for-import-on-amazon-and-ebay">for
sale on the internet</a>.
<p>
I think few people would order these if they knew what a problem they
cause.


feed_id: 7ee1cced19f817db8e43371ed6e9c02f
title: Prosecution of John Crane
uri: Prosecution-of-John-Crane
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#25_May_2016_%28Prosecution_of_John_Crane%29
content:
<p>
After the US government persecuted internal whistleblowers such as
Thomas Drake, it also persecuted John Crane, an official who 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2016/may/22/how-pentagon-punished-nsa-whistleblowers">tried
to insist on treating whistleblowers according to the law</a>, Crane
believes that the office which was 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/may/23/national-security-whistleblowing-inquiry-edward-snowden-analysis">supposed
to protect confidential whistleblowers</a> instead helped persecute
Drake.


feed_id: 31d07c1c8352b61bf2a7c5a336b26b16
title: Response to humanitarian crisis
uri: Response-to-humanitarian-crisis
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#25_May_2016_%28Response_to_humanitarian_crisis%29
content:
<p>
In Any Humanitarian Crisis, 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2016/may/23/in-any-humanitarian-crisis-educating-children-must-be-part-of-the-response">Educating
Children</a> Must Be Part of the Response.


feed_id: fdf8a993d4ff01e817739f8464a8e9ce
title: Current round of austerity in Greece
uri: Current-round-of-austerity-in-Greece
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#25_May_2016_%28Current_round_of_austerity_in_Greece%29

content:
<p>
The current round of tax increases and privatization imposed on Greece
include plans for additional automatic cuts when (the banksters say
"if") the current round causes so much contraction that Greece 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/may/22/greece-to-unveil-fresh-round-of-austerity-to-unlock-bailout-funds">still
doesn't have enough surplus</a>.


feed_id: c2fa77c687a4ef10b0d6d0a429b450ef
title: Plant intelligence
uri: Plant-intelligence
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#25_May_2016_%28Plant_intelligence%29
content:
<p>
Plants have a kind of intelligence that operates at a slow timescale,
so that humans usually don't notice except through 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/environment/radical-conservation/2015/aug/04/plants-intelligent-sentient-book-brilliant-green-internet">careful
study</a>.
<p>
Occasionally people do notice.  There is a kind of tea from Taiwan
which is made only from leaves that an insect has started to chew on,
because those leaves taste different.
<p>
Although plants make complex decisions, no evidence has been presented
that any plant engages in conscious thought.  Without conscious
thought, I don't think an organism is entitled to the right to life.
<p>
Isn't it silly how people find it hard to call it a crime to wipe out
a species unless the individual members of it have rights?  Wiping out
a species is a wrong of a different kind, a crime against the world,
regardless of whether the individuals of that species have rights as
individuals.


feed_id: 6f4bbc95c9d5a60bef17b91ddfcfb5b6
title: Leader of Afghan Taliban killed
uri: Leader-of-Afghan-Taliban-killed
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#25_May_2016_%28Leader_of_Afghan_Taliban_killed%29
content:
<p>
A US drone attack killed the leader of the Afghan Taliban.  I expect
it will make little difference to the situation in Afghanistan, except
for 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/may/22/death-of-mullah-akhtar-mansoor-likely-to-enrage-pakistan">political
repercussions</a>.
<p>
What ultimate effect it will have is imponderable.  But the main point
is that you can't defeat an insurgency with substantial popular
support by killing its leaders.  They will appoint new leaders.


feed_id: 00ccc035ebf34d03ca8f35e2139fa700
title: Cigarette branding
uri: Cigarette-branding
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#25_May_2016_%28Cigarette_branding%29
content:
<p>
How Big Tobacco 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/society/2016/may/22/big-tobacco-final-fight-cigarette-branding-uk">Lost
Its Final Fight for Hearts, Lungs And Minds</a>.


feed_id: 07696ee9fb13989d47d9647f48576054
title: Drought in southern Africa
uri: Drought-in-southern-Africa
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#25_May_2016_%28Drought_in_southern_Africa%29
content:
<p>
A second year of drought in southern Africa 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2016/may/22/africa-worst-famine-since-1985-looms-for-50-million">threatens
to kill up to 50 million people</a>.
<p>
Droughts nowadays are only partially natural in origin.  I suspect
global heating contributed to this drought.


feed_id: 6ad8ca6c3364f52e97a8dcb5882f2b86
title: Exxon support for heating denial
uri: Exxon-support-for-heating-denial
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#25_May_2016_%28Exxon_support_for_heating_denial%29
content:
<p>
Exxon says it will 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2008/may/28/climatechange.fossilfuels">cut
its support for 9 heating denialist groups</a>.  That will leave
around 24 more that it will apparently continue to fund, including
ALEC.


feed_id: a68ef2103ac75bc22dfdbe0599af6ab0
title: Canada approves sale of GM salmon
uri: Canada-approves-sale-of-GM-salmon
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#25_May_2016_%28Canada_approves_sale_of_GM_salmon%29
content:
<p>
Canada has 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2016/may/19/gmo-salmon-approved-canada">approved
sale of genetically modified salmon</a>.
<p>
I find it entirely plausible that eating these salmon is safe.
The concern for these salmon is that some might escape and transmit
the modified genes to wild salmon.  Just one escaper might cause
permanent and irreparable harm.
<p>
Supposedly the modified salmon are sterilized, but how reliable is
that process?  99%?  99.9%?  There are systems to prevent the salmon
from escaping, but how reliable are they?  99.9%?
<p>
Is that reliability maintained when thousands of low-paid workers have
to run those systems, under management that doesn't want to
immediately fix everything that breaks?  The US has no Federal Salmon
Agency to make sure every salmon farm gets an annual inspection
and certify the people who maintain it.
<p>
If just one modified salmon in a thousand is not sterile, and just one
in a thousand escapes, and the modified salmon number millions over
the course of years, escapes of fertile modified salmon are almost
a certainty.


feed_id: 6686a7d7d85d881a21242c8028af9f87
title: Glyphosate
uri: 2016-05-26-Glyphosate
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#25_May_2016_%28Glyphosate%29
content:
<p>
WHO's statement that glyphosate seems to be safe was 
<a href="http://www.commondreams.org/news/2016/05/18/eu-weighs-approval-more-evidence-industry-rigging-glyphosate-game">written
by a committee whose chair and co-chair work in another organization
that got a lot of money from Monsanto</a>.
<p>
Whether the amounts of glyphosate that people actually ingest actually
cause significant danger to humans may be a hard question to answer.
Whether Roundup is dangerous is a different question, since there is
some 
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2013-jan-apr.html#03_March_2013_(Toxic_ingredients_in_Roundup)">evidence
that other ingredients can harm people</a>.  But it is clear that
Roundup
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2013-nov-feb.html#30_January_2014_(Roundup_responsible_for_the_great_decline_in_Monarch_butterflies)">endangers
wildlife</a>, and that patented GMOs promote 
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2014-mar-jun.html#14_March_2014_(Report_claiming_that_GMOs_are_needed_to_keep_up_the_food_supply)">concentration
and corporate control of our food</a>.


feed_id: f2ab0688b491f1b4eb0da60d399eb89b
title: Factors leading Syrian youths to extremist groups
uri: Factors-leading-Syrian-youths-to-extremist-groups
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#25_May_2016_%28Factors_leading_Syrian_youths_to_extremist_groups%29

content:
<p>
300 interviews conducted by International Alert lead to the conclusion
that the main factors leading Syrian youths to extremist groups are
"personal experiences of 
<a href='https://theintercept.com/2016/05/19/trauma-and-deprivation-lead-syrian-youths-to-extremist-groups-says-new-report/'>trauma,
loss of economic and educational opportunities, and a desire for
vengeance against the Syrian government</a>."
<p>
The way "loss of opportunities" does this is that they join for the
pay, regardless of whether they entirely agree.
<p>
I wonder where groups such as al-Nusra get the money to pay them.


feed_id: 3aea79ce105c652313fd948d7a754354
title: Where do humans fit in?
uri: Where-do-humans-fit-in
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#25_May_2016_%28Where_do_humans_fit_in_%29
content:
<p>
If robots are the future of work, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2016/may/24/robots-future-work-humans-jobs-leisure">where do humans fit in</a>?
<p>
We are nowhere near being able to scan and emulate a human brain,
and nowhere near being able to make the emulated brain run faster
than the original.  But these issues may arise even without that.


feed_id: e69f2932b5b87f5e3a759fb466f92ff3
title: Urgent: Verizon, settle with your workers
uri: Urgent-Verizon-settle-with-your-workers
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#25_May_2016_%28Urgent%3A_Verizon%2C_settle_with_your_workers%29

content:
<p>
US citizens: Verizon, <a href="http://petitions.moveon.org/sign/support-striking-verizon">settle with your workers</a>.


feed_id: 107642b7e9af80d1bf1ac2c3e75d8211
title: Urgent: Demand fairness for verizon workers
uri: Urgent-Demand-fairness-for-verizon-workers
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#25_May_2016_%28Urgent%3A_Demand_fairness_for_verizon_workers%29

content:
<p>
In the US: Verizon, <a href="http://petitions.moveon.org/sign/demand-fairness-for-verizon">be fair to your workers</a>.
<p>
Also <a href="http://petitions.moveon.org/sign/demand-fairness-for-verizon">say you stand with striking Verizon workers</a>.


feed_id: afe9a5a7d12b443185c0dc3c8022cded
title: Northern Ireland Women ask to be Prosecuted
uri: Northern-Ireland-Women-ask-to-be-Prosecuted
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#25_May_2016_%28Northern_Ireland_Women_ask_to_be_Prosecuted%29

content:
<p>
Northern Irish Women <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/may/23/northern-ireland-women-ask-to-be-prosecuted-for-taking-abortion-pills">Ask to be Prosecuted for Taking Abortion Pills</a>.


feed_id: c9a98d2a0a37da83f91899ef1376f82d
title: Man kills sick wife as they couldn't afford medicine
uri: Man-kills-sick-wife-as-they-couldn-t-afford-medicine
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#25_May_2016_%28Man_kills_sick_wife_as_they_couldn%27t_afford_medicine%29

content:
<p>
William Hager could no longer afford the medicine for his wife's many
painful illnesses, and <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2016/05/20/us/florida-man-says-he-killed-sick-wife-because-he-couldnt-afford-her-medicine-sheriffs-say.html?_r=1">she told him repeatedly she wanted to die</a>.  He
shot her, then called the sheriff to arrest him.
<p>
I feel sorry for them both, but especially for him, since he may
now have to spend years in prison.
<p>
I wonder if he considered bringing home something she could take to
kill herself.  That way, it would be clearly her act and her
responsibility, and he would perhaps not face prison.
<p>
It would be so much better if Florida gave people in her situation the
option to formally ask for a humane death.  However, most such laws
are limited to people with a terminal illness.  The article does not
say she had one; her future could have been many years of increasing
pain.


feed_id: edbb747e03d82f996b1d905abd8d09ef
title: EFF appeals Chelsea Manning's conviction
uri: EFF-appeals-Chelsea-Manning-s-conviction
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#25_May_2016_%28EFF_appeals_Chelsea_Manning%27s_conviction%29

content:
<p>
The EFF has appealed <a href="https://www.eff.org/press/releases/eff-asks-court-reverse-chelsea-mannings-conviction-violating-federal-anti-hacking-law">Chelsea Manning's conviction</a> under the CFAA,
which interpreted that law in the most dangerous way, criminalizing
any violation of terms of service.


feed_id: 2c463649f9627200abfff61d1d6d0ff7
title: Midwives wrong about abortion
uri: Midwives-wrong-about-abortion
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#25_May_2016_%28Midwives_wrong_about_abortion%29
content:
<p>
"I love <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2016/may/22/oh-midwives-you-are-so-wrong-about-abortion">abortion</a> the way I love liver transplants and antidepressants."


feed_id: d9ce608d076931641f8bb5dd918768ae
title: Perfume not ecologically friendly
uri: Perfume-not-ecologically-friendly
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#25_May_2016_%28Perfume_not_ecologically_friendly%29
content:
<p>
In perfume, use of natural ingredients can be very harmful ecologically
because growing them is <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/sustainable-business/2016/may/23/perfume-synthetic-sustainability-vanilla-madagascar">terribly inefficient</a>.


feed_id: d01dcda9b56d6ae1de86a15a18386263
title: India standing up to Monsanto
uri: India-standing-up-to-Monsanto
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#25_May_2016_%28India_standing_up_to_Monsanto%29
content:
<p>
India is taking measures to <a href="http://www.commondreams.org/views/2016/05/23/small-farmers-are-foundation-food-security-not-corporations-monsanto">stop Monsanto</a> from impeding the cultivation of non-genetically-modified cotton.


feed_id: 8cbad9b6fa32f1fea25c387fe2d91672
title: Kenyan opposition supporters protesting
uri: Kenyan-opposition-supporters-protesting
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#25_May_2016_%28Kenyan_opposition_supporters_protesting%29

content:
<p>
Kenyan opposition supporters are protesting repeatedly against <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/may/23/kenyan-police-in-fresh-clashes-with-political-activists">expected rigging of the 2017 election</a>.


feed_id: 97118e34bf4c7ae9039472f14650e0e4
title: Protesters in Paris fight back
uri: 2016-05-26-Protesters-in-Paris-fight-back
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#24_May_2016_%28Protesters_in_Paris_fight_back%29
content:
<p>
Protesters in Paris, when their banned protest against killer thugs was
attacked by thugs, fought back and <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/may/18/police-car-set-on-fire-as-officers-and-protesters-clash-in-paris">set fire to a thug car</a>.
<p>
Fortunately, the thugs in the car got out.
<p>
I can't blame people for fighting back when attacked, but one should
not escalate so far.  If you sink to the level of thugs, you will be
no better than them.


feed_id: fa91e438b30ea9a6fc3bbc62b8a323be
title: Koch backing list
uri: 2016-05-26-Koch-backing-list
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#24_May_2016_%28Koch_backing_list%29
content:
<p>
A list of congressional and gubernatorial candidates known to have <a href="http://www.prwatch.org/news/2016/05/13107/koch-candidates-2016-revealed">Koch backing</a>.


feed_id: 871c232466c6ed9ec79bfd0b55964364
title: Canada's Prime Minister lost his temper
uri: 2016-05-26-Canada-s-Prime-Minister-lost-his-temper
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#24_May_2016_%28Canada%27s_Prime_Minister_lost_his_temper%29

content:
<p>
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/may/20/justin-trudeau-elbow-ruth-ellen-brosseau-cananda-parliament">Canada's Prime Minister Trudeau lost his temper</a> and started hitting MPs from other parties.  He banged one MP in the breast with his elbow,
hard enough to cause her pain.
<p>
He apologized for this, but his misogynistic followers are now
sending her hate mail.
<p>
I wonder what in the world he thought he was doing by trying to drag
an opposition MP away from an official activity.  Was there any legitimate
grounds for that, or was it an act in opposition to Canada's constitution?
I don't know.


feed_id: ec1f3a29855493735ec74d4008d29782
title: The dangers cameras pose
uri: 2016-05-26-The-dangers-cameras-pose
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#23_May_2016_%28The_dangers_cameras_pose%29
content:
<p>
The "sunbathing partly undressed woman" argument against drone cameras
is convenient, but omits the most <a href="http://www.slate.com/articles/technology/future_tense/2016/05/drone_privacy_is_about_much_more_than_sunbathing_teenage_daughters.html">important part of the danger</a> flying cameras pose to all of us.
<p>
Nonflying cameras on the street pose much of the same danger, <em>except</em>
the part about being partly undressed (except if the camera can be directed
to look in your window, which is the case for some of them).


feed_id: 764041b849ed459056c0abb6d27ca2ec
title: Rule of law is increasingly rejected
uri: 2016-05-26-Rule-of-law-is-increasingly-rejected
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#23_May_2016_%28Rule_of_law_is_increasingly_rejected%29

content:
<p>
Around the world, both within countries and internationally, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2016/may/21/europe-asia-law-rule-of-mob-rule-institutions-defuse-tensions-populism">rule of law is increasingly rejected</a>.  Democracy and the UN are unable to handle the problems they face.
<p>
I conjecture this is because of national and international
plutocratic control that makes democracy fail as an instrument
for the people to get anything that the plutocrats don't approve.


feed_id: 9f83614f24e5af13b9cfc3d3ba092702
title: Urgent: Protection against toxic chemicals
uri: 2016-05-26-Urgent-Protection-against-toxic-chemicals
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#23_May_2016_%28Urgent%3A_Protection_against_toxic_chemicals%29

content:
<p>
US citizens: Call on Congress to support the Lautenberg Act and give Americans systematic <a href="https://secure2.edf.org/site/Advocacy?cmd=display&id=2797&page=UserAction">protection against toxic chemicals</a>.


feed_id: da73b022e369528bda6b693c26819b53
title: Urgent: Save Wyoming's Wolves
uri: 2016-05-26-Urgent-Save-Wyoming-s-Wolves
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#23_May_2016_%28Urgent%3A_Save_Wyoming%27s_Wolves%29
content:
<p>
US citizens: call for saving <a href="
https://secure.nrdconline.org/site/Advocacy?cmd=display&page=UserAction&id=4017">Wyoming's wolves</a>.


feed_id: 1ecc4e987dac97fd41502c4dfb921e49
title: Urgent: Email Privacy Act without riders
uri: Urgent-Email-Privacy-Act-without-riders
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#26_May_2016_%28Urgent%3A_Email_Privacy_Act_without_riders%29

content:
<p>
US citizens: 
<a href="https://savethefourth.net/">call on the Senate</a> to pass
the Email Privacy Act without weakening riders or exceptions.


feed_id: 714d06762253b727a6727fab25e6b14c
title: Urgent: Oppose DARK act
uri: 2016-05-27-Urgent-Oppose-DARK-act
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#26_May_2016_%28Urgent%3A_Oppose_DARK_act%29
content:
<p>
US citizens: 
<a href="http://act.credoaction.com/call/QR_code_call/">phone Senator
Stabenow</a> to oppose the DARK act and protect state requirements for
labeling of GMOs in food.


feed_id: b3182e6faad7a9bf3c004b3e28a9c3ad
title: Microsoft continues forcing "upgrades"
uri: Microsoft-continues-forcing-upgrades
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#26_May_2016_%28Microsoft_continues_forcing_upgrades%29

content:
<p>
Microsoft continues more or less 
<a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/steve-peterson/warning-your-computer-may_b_10099208.html">forcing
"upgrades" to Windows 10 onto users that don't want the change</a>.
<p>
That this is even possible shows how much unjust power Microsoft
exercises over its users.  How slow they are, most of them, to
recognize that the problem is pervasive in Windows and this is just
the culmination of decades of it.


feed_id: b59856591231450899e6ed2fd18d5e59
title: Monitoring and manipulation of people
uri: Monitoring-and-manipulation-of-people
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#26_May_2016_%28Monitoring_and_manipulation_of_people%29

content:
<p>
A method for commercial monitoring and manipulation of millions of
people: profiling their way of thinking from their 
<a href="http://motherboard.vice.com/read/facial-recognition-brands-mattersight">facial
expressions in Youtube videos</a>.
<p>
Meanwhile, states are planning to try to figure out people's feelings
and thoughts from watching them with computer programs.


feed_id: b0f7ebe5e01b03995ddadacae04262ca
title: Rome's ancient monuments
uri: Rome-s-ancient-monuments
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#26_May_2016_%28Romes_ancient_monuments%29
content:
<p>
The municipal government of Rome is 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/may/25/rome-calls-on-companies-and-the-rich-to-adopt-crumbling-ancient-sites">begging
companies to donate to preserve ancient monuments</a>.
<p>
This is what happens when companies don't pay enough taxes for the
state to do its job.


feed_id: f91dde96be83c8b730816846f9bf4f8e
title: The Bialowieza forest
uri: The-Bialowieza-forest
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#26_May_2016_%28The_Bialowieza_forest%29
content:
<p>
Poland's right-wing government 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/may/25/poland-starts-logging-primeval-bialowieza-forest-despite-protests">has
begun its plan to cut down a large part of the Bialowieza forest</a>.
<p>
If a fanatical or extractivist government gets just one turn at power,
it can destroy things that can never be replaced.  Forests are
especially vulnerable to this.  Perhaps destruction of natural forests
or wetlands should be prosecuted by the International Criminal Court.


feed_id: 238581e8bdadda8e3cd760956ea57c3f
title: Obama's visit to the Ise shrine
uri: Obama-s-visit-to-the-Ise-shrine
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#26_May_2016_%28Obamas_visit_to_the_Ise_shrine%29
content:
<p>
Obama's visit to the Ise shrine along with Japan's prime minister
could support his 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/may/25/g7-japan-world-leaders-tour-shrine-cameron-obama-abe">efforts
to use Shinto as a vehicle for nationalism</a>.
<p>
Shinto is basically an unreformed ancient religion, comparable to
ancient Greek paganism, which believes that kamis (powerful spirits
such as gods) can be found everywhere in nature.
<p>
The last US political leader to support Shinto was Senator Joe
McCarthy.  He too believed that kamis could be found almost everywhere,
including Hollywood and the US State Department ;-}.


feed_id: 0479be622efca90251f6f30633a88c36
title: Fighting the ash borer with wasps
uri: Fighting-the-ash-borer-with-wasps
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#26_May_2016_%28Fighting_the_ash_borer_with_wasps%29
content:
<p>
The US is trying to wipe out the ash borer with 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2016/may/25/us-releases-millions-of-wasps-to-fight-ash-tree-borer">four
species of parasitic wasps</a>.
<p>
This might actually work, but can we really be sure these wasps won't
find other prey once the ash borers are gone?


feed_id: 79f412b8da4c4014cc1ba388c081d3fd
title: "Mainstream" parties losing strength
uri: Mainstream-parties-losing-strength
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#26_May_2016_%28Mainstream_parties_losing_strength%29

content:
<p>
Across Europe, the "mainstream" parties are 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/may/25/across-europe-distrust-of-mainstream-political-parties-is-on-the-rise">losing
strength</a>.
<p>
I would say this is because they are too timid to denounce plutocracy
and people are getting sick of what plutocracy does to them.


feed_id: a13133c01326892daa95585c8325f732
title: Russia's independent media
uri: Russia-s-independent-media
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#26_May_2016_%28Russias_independent_media%29
content:
<p>
How Russia's Independent Media Was 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/may/25/how-russia-independent-media-was-dismantled-piece-by-piece">Dismantled
Piece by Piece</a> (over a period of five years).


feed_id: abb4f948c35904442a5d9f5a061aac8d
title: UK university teachers on strike
uri: UK-university-teachers-on-strike
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#26_May_2016_%28UK_university_teachers_on_strike%29
content:
<p>
Non-tenure-track teachers in UK universities are on strike because
they get 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2016/may/25/lecturers-striking-low-pay-casual-work-students-university">low
pay and no job security</a>.
<p>
US universities have the same problem.


feed_id: f11ab62505b07df8a4fba7be05911fbd
title: Australia's tax exemption for the rich
uri: Australia-s-tax-exemption-for-the-rich
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#26_May_2016_%28Australias_tax_exemption_for_the_rich%29

content:
<p>
Varoufakis says Australia is living on a bubble and condemns its 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/may/25/yanis-varoufakis-australias-negative-gearing-is-scandalous">tax
exemption for people that own existing expensive houses</a>.


feed_id: 2a26d9cd85a155d211ad6517f793a38c
title: Trump's donation
uri: Trump-s-donation
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#26_May_2016_%28Trumps_donation%29
content:
<p>
Trump said he would donate money to help veterans.  Later his
spokesman said he had donated, but wouldn't give any details.  Turns
out that was a lie, and they 
<a href="http://www.motherjones.com/kevin-drum/2016/05/trump-finally-caves-gives-money-vets-after-media-badgers-him-it">rushed
to actually donate once the press started investigating</a>.


feed_id: 5c07584a7bcfa74cad69f50fef18f5f3
title: Sanctions against human rights violators
uri: Sanctions-against-human-rights-violators
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#26_May_2016_%28Sanctions_against_human_rights_violators%29

content:
<p>
A 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/media/greenslade/2016/may/25/us-act-aimed-at-curbing-impunity-for-journalist-murderers">proposed
US law</a> would provide for sanctions against people in other
countries accused of important human rights violations.
<p>
It is a good thing in principle, but I fear that the US will apply
this selectively, sparing various tyrannical rulers because they are
US allies.  The US 
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#21_May_2016_(Egypt)">already
does that</a>.


feed_id: 07ae67ebcdf2a04eceb2d8eafe3905b9
title: Ruined by foreign farm plantations
uri: Ruined-by-foreign-farm-plantations
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#26_May_2016_%28Ruined_by_foreign_farm_plantations%29

content:
<p>
People from Cajolá in Guatemala have been 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/may/25/guatemalan-town-migrants-american-dream">ruined
by foreign farm plantations and cheap grain imports</a>.  Their only
hope is to try to get into the US to work.
<p>
The US does not have an obligation to admit them as workers.  It does
have an obligation to get rid of the practices that have ruined their
lives at home.  I expect that the Guatemalan government allowed these
practices due to US pressure in the first place.


feed_id: f77053103e9ed82c60110d638fd79472
title: Prohibition of alcohol
uri: Prohibition-of-alcohol
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#26_May_2016_%28Prohibition_of_alcohol%29
content:
<p>
Indian women attribute domestic violence to alcohol and 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2016/may/25/tamil-nadu-women-alcohol-banned-prohibition-domestic-violence">want
it prohibited</a>.
<p>
I understand where they are coming from.  I saw a small version of
that progression in my father, and it convinced me to lead a life of
sobriety (which doesn't conflict with occasionally drinking a little
wine).
<p>
However, prohibition of an addictive drug is likely to do more harm
than good.  The people who are dependent will get it through crime
syndicates.


feed_id: d57d7749a76d39bae85f3322dd6fcbfb
title: Global heating warning from the 1970s
uri: Global-heating-warning-from-the-1970s
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#26_May_2016_%28Global_heating_warning_from_the_1970s%29

content:
<p>
"My father 
<a href='https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2016/may/25/exxon-climate-change-greenhouse-gasses'>warned
Exxon about climate change in the 1970s</a>. They didn't listen."


feed_id: 642b8828c56527f51cb73e49b51780a9
title: War on Painkillers
uri: War-on-Painkillers
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#26_May_2016_%28War_on_Painkillers%29
content:
<p>
Florida's escalation of the War on Painkillers drove 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/science/2016/may/25/opioid-epidemic-prescription-painkillers-heroin-addiction">abusers
to use heroin instead</a>.
<p>
The overall effect is likely to be dangerous.  The painkillers are
made in regulated labs and the pills always the same contents.  Heroin
is made by unregulated labs and typically diluted with who-knows-what.


feed_id: 36a39b6b0ed577b417c0fbac9bc0dc05
title: Russian and Ukrainian POWs
uri: Russian-and-Ukrainian-POWs
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#26_May_2016_%28Russian_and_Ukrainian_POWs%29
content:
<p>
Russia and Ukraine traded prisoners of war, which both countries had
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/may/25/ukrainian-pilot-nadiya-savchenko-released-by-russia-in-prisoner-swap-deal">put
on trial</a>.


feed_id: f45867e50433ed8e6d1cb19616fea7ad
title: IMF social spending targets
uri: IMF-social-spending-targets
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#26_May_2016_%28IMF_social_spending_targets%29
content:
<p>
The IMF puts social spending targets into many 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2016/may/25/the-imf-international-monetary-fund-has-not-lived-up-to-hype-on-social-protection">"aid"
contracts</a>, but these are usually not actually followed, and they
have little effect compared with the crushing austerity the IMF
imposes.


feed_id: 553d7506d636facde3767d1f327c5c3b
title: The updated overtime requirement
uri: The-updated-overtime-requirement
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#26_May_2016_%28The_updated_overtime_requirement%29
content:
<p>
US retail company executives admit that the updated overtime requirement
<a href="https://theintercept.com/2016/05/24/dire-predictions-about-obama-overtime-rule-overblown/">won't
lead to (more) loss of jobs</a>.


feed_id: c80d5d1f0d6994b73ed5726a633a00df
title: SSRN bought by Elsevier
uri: SSRN-bought-by-Elsevier
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#26_May_2016_%28SSRN_bought_by_Elsevier%29
content:
<p>
Elsevier, the continual copyright aggressor, has 
<a href="https://www.techdirt.com/articles/20160517/13513134465/disappointing-elsevier-buys-open-access-academic-pre-publisher-ssrn.shtml">bought
SSRN where papers are posted for gratis access</a>.  There is plenty
of reason to worry.
<p>
With proper antitrust laws, this purchase would have been blocked.


feed_id: c697b8780719eec905699ca4472a5bea
title: Acquittal of thug involved in killing
uri: Acquittal-of-thug-involved-in-killing
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#26_May_2016_%28Acquittal_of_thug_involved_in_killing%29

content:
<p>
<a href="https://theintercept.com/2016/05/23/second-freddie-gray-trial-ends-in-acquittal-raises-questions-about-reasonable-suspicion/">An
analysis</a> of the acquittal of one thug that was involved in the
killing of Freddie Gray.
<p>
The person quoted who claims that thugs are "no more or no less honest
than the vast majority of witnesses" is surely mistaken: we know that
they are habituated to lying in court, and that 
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2012-nov-feb.html#07_February_2013_(Testilying_thugs)">they
lie as standard practice to protect each other</a>.  Other witnesses
do lie but it's impossible that they lie as much as that.
<p>
I don't know enough about the situation to have an opinion about
whether this particular thug was guilty.
<p>
We need to change the policies that give thugs 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2016/may/23/edward-nero-freddie-gray-verdict-no-justice">almost
100% impunity</a>.


feed_id: f8ee0e10cb6640384b107ee5464c269c
title: The EU and Erdo&gbreve;an
uri: The-EU-and-Erdo-gbreve-an
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#26_May_2016_%28The_EU_and_Erdogan%29
content:
<p>
Erdo&gbreve;an now believes he can make the EU bow to his demands,
with his 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/may/24/turkey--eu-migration-deal-visa-free-travel-recep-tayyip-erdogan">power
to grant or not grant help in keeping millions of Syrian refugees
away</a>.
<p>
I don't think the EU will give in this far, though.


feed_id: f43fd64b823a2ac94764e884f593a1f2
title: SCROTUS wants to screw Puerto Rico
uri: SCROTUS-wants-to-screw-Puerto-Rico
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#26_May_2016_%28SCROTUS_wants_to_screw_Puerto_Rico%29

content:
<p>
SCROTUS want to treat Puerto Rico 
<a href="http://www.thenation.com/article/no-paul-ryan-the-cure-for-what-ails-puerto-rico-is-not-anti-democratic-austerity/">the
way they screwed Detroit</a>.
<p>
SCROTUS = Sleazy Congressional Republicans Of The United States.


feed_id: f6a7f4e3ea6c6f3b2bad12acba4eda33
title: New agenda taking wall street
uri: 2016-05-27-New-agenda-taking-wall-street
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#26_May_2016_%28New_agenda_taking_wall_street%29
content:
<p>
A <a href="http://www.commondreams.org/views/2016/05/24/new-agenda-taking-wall-street">reform agenda for Wall Street</a> that we can try to pressure Clinton to endorse.


feed_id: 2eaeb0055bdbfdda2753fdb8b999cd16
title: Google's access to private medical data
uri: Google-s-access-to-private-medical-data
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#28_May_2016_%28Googles_access_to_private_medical_data%29

content:
<p>
Google Should Not Be Allowed to 
<a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/edward-frenkel-/google-should-not-be-allo_b_10057602.html">Secretly
Collect Private Medical Data</a>.


feed_id: 7caead581e4a6e8e0620c2a45e948737
title: Australian parties that have sold out
uri: Australian-parties-that-have-sold-out
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#28_May_2016_%28Australian_parties_that_have_sold_out%29

content:
<p>
A call to arms against the Australian parties that have 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2016/may/26/our-democracy-has-been-bought-to-win-on-climate-we-have-to-take-it-back">sold
out to the mining and fossil fuel companies</a>.


feed_id: 12c08c87488569628a7e94301a1a580f
title: Manipulation of users by web platforms
uri: Manipulation-of-users-by-web-platforms
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#28_May_2016_%28Manipulation_of_users_by_web_platforms%29

content:
<p>
Many web platforms systematically manipulate users to give the company
what it wants.  Here are 
<a href="https://medium.com/@tristanharris/how-technology-hijacks-peoples-minds-from-a-magician-and-google-s-design-ethicist-56d62ef5edf3">some
of the techniques used</a>.
<p>
The way for users to have control over
such activities is to replace those disservices with distributed
social networks implemented by free software.


feed_id: d935ac0cbf0009e2a81b37b1376f512f
title: Censorship by Apple
uri: Censorship-by-Apple
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#28_May_2016_%28Censorship_by_Apple%29
content:
<p>
Apple censors games, 
<a href="http://arstechnica.com/gaming/2016/05/apple-says-game-about-palestinian-child-isnt-a-game/">banning
some games from the cr…app store because of which political
points they suggest</a>.  Some political points are apparently
considered acceptable.


feed_id: 69d639871e014da0d55db2855e920970
title: Security rules violated by Clinton
uri: Security-rules-violated-by-Clinton
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#28_May_2016_%28Security_rules_violated_by_Clinton%29

content:
<p>
Clinton was found to have 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2016/may/25/hillary-clinton-private-email-state-department-guidelines">violated
security rules while Secretary of State</a>, in a way that created an
espionage risk.
<p>
This carelessness was a far lesser wrong than the really bad things
she has done (supporting coups, helping plutocrats), but it might
convince Democratic superdelegates that they had better choose
Sanders.


feed_id: 85dbd30bb1d7d6c41c2bee727ecd10e5
title: No debt relief for Greece
uri: No-debt-relief-for-Greece
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#28_May_2016_%28No_debt_relief_for_Greece%29
content:
<p>
The IMF 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/may/25/eu-officials-hail-deal-bailout-loans-greece-climbdown-imf-greek-unions-strikes">backed
down from demanding debt relief for Greece</a>.  This means the
euro-banksters are proceeding with their scheme to "rescue" Greece to
death.
<p>
The "bail-out" isn't for Greece, but rather for the creditor banks.
Each step imposes more poverty, supposedly so that Greece will have a
surplus and pay back the ever bigger debt.  However, the actual result
of the poverty is further economic contraction, so there is no
surplus, and that "justifies" the next step.
<p>
This economic warfare is killing Greeks, probably by tens of
thousands.  When people die in Greece as a consequence of poverty, I
suggest Greeks turn their funerals into rallies to denounce the
banksters that killed them.


feed_id: 2772b3af61455f4909e0f28b0b8931fd
title: TPP text
uri: TPP-text
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#28_May_2016_%28TPP_text%29
content:
<p>
A copy of 
<a href="https://www.fightthetpp.org/#read">the TPP text</a>, with
annotations saying what harm various parts can do.


feed_id: 69a53575025345a61641ccdfbe9ba39a
title: "War on terror"
uri: War-on-terror
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#28_May_2016_%28War_on_terror%29
content:
<p>
The "war on terror", in the US, has harmed Americans and their rights,
but 
<a href="http://reason.com/archives/2016/05/22/the-4-trillion-war-on-terror">does
not seem to have done even the slightest bit against the few and rare
terrorists in the US</a>.


feed_id: 32bc184db6396c0199af9e7950a55363
title: Deportation
uri: Deportation
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#28_May_2016_%28Deportation%29
content:
<p>
Abuse victim and habitual criminal Kelly Webb faces deportation from
Australia to the UK, because she was 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2016/may/24/mother-of-five-who-has-lived-in-australia-for-28-years-faces-deportation-to-uk">brought
to Australia at age 2 and was never naturalized</a>.
<p>
I understand why Australia wants to expel foreigners that commit
crimes, and for most cases such laws are legitimate.  However, people
who were brought to a country as children should not be deported to a
place where they have no roots.
<p>
The world won't be a better place if Ms Webb is sent to the UK.


feed_id: 77bd33fc77d6b2c4503d3769f042778e
title: Nongendered toilets
uri: Nongendered-toilets
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#28_May_2016_%28Nongendered_toilets%29
content:
<p>
Some US universities have 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/education/2016/may/21/yale-gender-neutral-bathrooms-transgender-rights">made
all toilets nongendered</a>.
<p>
If the students want it this way, I won't argue against it.  In
principle, there is nothing wrong with it.  However, if this is
applied to toilets with urinals, I'm concerned that women might feel
uncomfortable, or that 
<a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20100514142327/http://www.parentdish.com/2010/05/11/how-your-son-could-end-up-on-the-sex-offender-list">some
males might be accused with exposing themselves for using the urinal
when a female enters</a>.  This is not just my imagination.


feed_id: 68b3391eb4b2f0996f3aa75edbf48430
title: Leaked conspiracy conversation in Brazil
uri: Leaked-conspiracy-conversation-in-Brazil
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#28_May_2016_%28Leaked_conspiracy_conversation_in_Brazil%29

content:
<p>
The leaked conspiracy conversation demonstrates that the 
<a href="https://theintercept.com/2016/05/23/new-political-earthquake-in-brazil-is-it-now-time-for-media-outlets-to-call-this-a-coup/">impeachment
of President Rousseff is a coup against democracy</a> in Brazil.


feed_id: e07e57184a360ebc7fe677cf7a4bbd38
title: Counter-extremism bill
uri: Counter-extremism-bill
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#28_May_2016_%28Counter-extremism_bill%29
content:
<p>
Prominent Britons say: counter-extremism bill 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/law/2016/may/23/counter-extremism-bill-puts-our-rights-at-risk">puts
our rights at risk</a>.


feed_id: 15e7b79a7e0aac9f3ea5431ba0f32b13
title: Chinese academics fleeing China
uri: Chinese-academics-fleeing-China
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#28_May_2016_%28Chinese_academics_fleeing_China%29
content:
<p>
Many Chinese academics are 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/may/24/academics-china-crackdown-forces-intellectuals-abroad">fleeing
China</a>, where censorship is becoming ever more pervasive.


feed_id: 6339fc3c92647b8dd47a2dbc45ed560d
title: Vietnam jails people who flee and seek asylum
uri: Vietnam-jails-people-who-flee-and-seek-asylum
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#28_May_2016_%28Vietnam_jails_people_who_flee_and_seek_asylum%29

content:
<p>
Vietnam systematically jails people that fled Vietnam and asked for
asylum, after they are 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2016/may/24/vietnamese-asylum-seekers-forcibly-returned-by-australia-face-jail">forcibly
returned based on promises they would not be punished for leaving
Vietnam</a>.


feed_id: 2118cd3970cd4d3ec2b5c351bc4f63ad
title: Growing crops without irrigation
uri: Growing-crops-without-irrigation
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#28_May_2016_%28Growing_crops_without_irrigation%29
content:
<p>
Some California farmers are 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2016/may/05/dry-farming-california-drought-wine-crops">relearning
to grow crops without irrigation</a>.  They can even grow tomatoes
that are worth eating, unlike the usual commercial US tomatoes.
<p>
I doubt that all crops will work this way.  California may have to
stop growing almonds, for instance.  I will miss them.


feed_id: f438931c525ff1b08139a81f54041956
title: US nastiness towards Guantanamo prisoner's brother
uri: US-nastiness-towards-Guantanamo-prisoner-s-brother
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#28_May_2016_%28US_nastiness_towards_Guantanamo_prisoners_brother%29

content:
<p>
Mohamedou Ould Slahi's brother, a German citizen, wanted to go to the
US to advocate for Mohamedou's release from Guantanamo prison.  The US
<a href="https://theintercept.com/2016/05/23/brother-of-guantanamo-diary-author-barred-from-entering-u-s/">denied
him entry, after questioning him for hours about his family</a>.
<p>
The US could easily have blocked him from boarding the flight, but
that would have been insufficiently nasty.
<p>
Since imprisonment without trial is tyranny, the US must release all
the prisoners in Guantanamo, or else charge them with crimes and give
them fair trials.


feed_id: c117208e178a6b25b38232046b8b0ada
title: Apology from head of Victoria's gov't
uri: Apology-from-head-of-Victoria-s-gov-t
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#28_May_2016_%28Apology_from_head_of_Victorias_govt%29

content:
<p>
The head of Victoria's government has apologized to the men 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/may/24/victorian-premier-sorry-gay-convictions-abominable-laws">convicted
(in effect) of being gay</a>.
<p>
Victoria is a state in Australia.  Some years ago I proposed people
should start a magazine to reveal corruption in Victoria; it could be
called "Victoria's Secret".


feed_id: 499c2b3bcf9c50f2842f81733bc0b139
title: The "celebrity threesome injunction"
uri: The-celebrity-threesome-injunction
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#28_May_2016_%28The_celebrity_threesome_injunction%29

content:
<p>
Twitter is sending messages to people that tweeted identifying
names behind the "celebrity threesome injunction", 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/law/2016/may/19/celebrity-threesome-twitter-warns-illegal-tweets-supreme-court-privacy-injunction">pressuring
them to delete their tweets "voluntarily"</a> and warning them of
legal action.
<p>
According to this not entirely trustworthy newspaper, such messages
are 
<a href="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3600554/Now-secret-threesome-star-tries-gag-Twitter-users-naming-online-contacting-people-countries-gagging-order-doesn-t-apply.html">going
to people in the US and Spain</a>, where the injunction does not apply
and British courts have no authority.


feed_id: e45a5eb8e8fb38c39ca7ecf964809c70
title: "Austerity"
uri: 2016-05-29-Austerity
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#28_May_2016_%28Austerity%29
content:
<p>
"Austerity" means more than spending cuts.  It is a scheme to transfer
wealth from the poor to the rich.  It includes 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2016/may/24/austerity-cuts-privatising-george-osborne-britain-assets">selling
everything public to the rich at a cut-rate price</a>.
<p>
The budget deficit that is the excuse for these policies is no
accident.  It is the result of not taxing the rich enough.
<p>
Thus, past plutocratic injustice is being used as the excuse for even
more plutocratic injustice.


feed_id: 759bcbd11a0d0846aec0a52ec0ee1a02
title: Fired by hospital for reporting a virus
uri: Fired-by-hospital-for-reporting-a-virus
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#28_May_2016_%28Fired_by_hospital_for_reporting_a_virus%29

content:
<p>
Professor Zaki was 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/science/2013/mar/15/coronavirus-next-global-pandemic">fired
by a hospital in Saudi Arabia</a> for doing his duty: reporting the
unknown virus that was killing his patient.
<p>
The article suggests research that should be done to figure out how
people catch this virus.


feed_id: 8cd6fee2d4914e08e530ef18cecf4e56
title: Prison for campaigning against death penalty
uri: Prison-for-campaigning-against-death-penalty
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#28_May_2016_%28Prison_for_campaigning_against_death_penalty%29

content:
<p>
Iran has sentenced Narges Mohammadi to 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2016/may/24/narges-mohammadi-iranian-activist-un-condemns-10-year-jail-sentence">10
years in prison</a> for campaigning to abolish the death penalty.
<p>
Unlike many other oppressive regimes, the Iranian regime does not
fabricate a phony crime as an excuse.  It openly admits its contempt
for human rights.  It is made up of religious fanatics that label
disagreement with their views as evil by definition.


feed_id: 8f09ca35b28b897b8b51ff08046b273f
title: Unemployed people excluded from work
uri: Unemployed-people-excluded-from-work
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#28_May_2016_%28Unemployed_people_excluded_from_work%29

content:
<p>
Unemployed people in Detroit are excluded from work by 
<a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2016/05/23/technology/unemployed-detroit-residents-are-trapped-by-a-digital-divide.html">stores
that require people to apply for jobs only by internet</a>.
<p>
I am concerned that applying requires (1) running nonfree software
too.  And almost certainly it provides lots of personal data to data
brokers
<p>
The right solution is <em>not to require</em> job applicants to hand
over so much personal data to a computer data base.  We should not
allow employers to demand this.
<p>
Meanwhile, public agencies, at all levels of government, should offer
sufficient public computers for people to come and use to carry out
their dealings with the state.


feed_id: 7424cbeefc1473ea5ca6e60cfc84dcbd
title: Persecution of whistleblowers
uri: Persecution-of-whistleblowers
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#28_May_2016_%28Persecution_of_whistleblowers%29
content:
<p>
NSA officials set on ruining Thomas Drake's life 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2016/may/22/snowden-whistleblower-protections-john-crane">went
as far as to destroy documents that would help his defense</a>,
according to Pentagon Inspector Crane.
<p>
Crane 
<a href="http://www.democracynow.org/2016/5/23/exclusive_source_reveals_how_pentagon_ruined">wants
the legal system to protect internal whistleblowers from being treated
like Drake and Binney</a>.  He hopes that this way they won't need to
report government wrongdoing to the public.
<p>
I see his heart is in the right place, but he's trying to solve only
part of the problem.  I think whistleblowers should tell <em>the
people</em> what the state is really doing, because we are supposed to
be in charge of the state.  Accountability, in the state, means <em>
accountability to us </em>.
<p>
The interview also reveals that the officials who are supposed to
investigate accusations of retaliation (against other officials, for
resisting corrupt or illegal practices) are afraid they will face
retaliation for doing their job.


feed_id: 8c4c711a9e0259cce2c12593b37f7a75
title: Fracksters coming to England
uri: Fracksters-coming-to-England
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#28_May_2016_%28Fracksters_coming_to_England%29
content:
<p>
Fracksters 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2016/may/23/north-yorkshire-council-backs-first-uk-fracking-tests-for-five-years">gained
approval for test fracking</a> in part of England.  Their
representative compared a frack well to a human baby, in effect asking
counselors to suppose it would grow into something admirable.
<p>
Due to the prevalence of fracking in the US, there is no mystery about
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2014-sep-dec.html#11_September_2014_(Methane_leaks_from_fracking)">what
a test can grow into</a> or about 
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2012-nov-feb.html#06_November_2012_(Poisoning_from_fracking_covered_up)">how
they will try to cover up the local damage</a>.  A sprouting weed
might be a better comparison than a baby.
<p>
Clinton, as Secretary of State, 
<a href="https://theintercept.com/2016/05/23/hillary-clinton-fracking/">worked
to encourage fracking world-wide</a>.  Fracksters claim that fracking
as a "bridge" to renewable energy, but this is based on ignoring the
methane links.  The way to get to renewable energy is by building
renewable energy systems.  It's not hard if we spend enough money on
it.
<p>
Preventing global disaster is worth a lot of investment.


feed_id: 355dd109ea0748de2fc30c03f7888616
title: Asylum in Britain for Nasheed
uri: Asylum-in-Britain-for-Nasheed
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#28_May_2016_%28Asylum_in_Britain_for_Nasheed%29
content:
<p>
Former President Nasheed of the Maldives has been 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/may/23/ex-president-of-the-maldives-granted-asylum-in-uk-mohammed-nasheed">given
asylum in Britain</a>.  Nasheed was 
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2015-nov-feb.html#04_December_2015_(President_of_the_Maldives)">deposed
by a coup for demanding action to curb global heating</a> before the
Maldives are inundated.
<p>
Nasheed got permission to go to the UK for medical treatment, then
asked to stay.  This means he broke a promise to the tyrant.  The
tyrant has no standing to complain, because he has done much worse to
Nasheed and threatens to do more of it.  He deserves whatever bad he
gets.
<p>
However, one can debate whether this endangers the chances of other
political prisoners that might in the future seek permission for
medical care in a foreign country.


feed_id: 6a9db270290427a77243f0068d36c8e0
title: Urgent: Stop the "revolving door"
uri: 2016-05-29-Urgent-Stop-the-revolving-door
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#27_May_2016_%28Urgent%3A_Stop_the_revolving_door%29
content:
<p>
US citizens: 
<a href="https://www.credomobilize.com/petitions/tell-congress-stop-the-revolving-door-between-wall-street-and-washington">support
the Financial Services Conflict of Interest Act</a> which would partly
close the "revolving door" that admits corrupt people as officials.
<p>
A proper president would never appoint people like that.


feed_id: 9ed5ded1039c42541940d997a4d9946a
title: Urgent: Investigate working conditions
uri: Urgent-Investigate-working-conditions
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#27_May_2016_%28Urgent%3A_Investigate_working_conditions%29

content:
<p>
US citizens: 
<a href="http://act.credoaction.com/sign/Big_Poultry">call on the
Department of Labor</a> to investigate cruel working conditions
imposed on poultry workers.


feed_id: bb64ea7ace3a78c10b359131a379c663
title: Trump and Muslim Republicans
uri: Trump-and-Muslim-Republicans
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#27_May_2016_%28Trump_and_Muslim_Republicans%29
content:
<p>
Trump's men are winning the support of Muslim Republicans by 
<a href="http://www.dailykos.com/stories/2016/5/23/1530010/-Donald-Trump-woos-Muslim-Republicans-and-yep-it-s-working">saying
that they shouldn't believe anything Trump said during the
campaign</a>.


feed_id: 7ab617e2f74fd3a7699398b641e427eb
title: FBI malware code
uri: FBI-malware-code
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#27_May_2016_%28FBI_malware_code%29
content:
<p>
One US judge ruled that the FBI, to use in court evidence obtained by
cracking a computer, 
<a href="http://motherboard.vice.com/read/playpen-tor-browser-exploit">must
show the malware code to the defense</a>.  The effect was that the FBI
abandoned use of that evidence.
<p>
This makes legal sense, but I suspect the FBI will resort to lying
instead: using the evidence obtained by cracking to find other
evidence, then making up a false explanation of how that other
evidence was found.  That is illegal, as I understand it, but
hard to detect.


feed_id: 8d916196142b6f70ef973da6407d1e18
title: China's coal trucks
uri: China-s-coal-trucks
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#27_May_2016_%28Chinas_coal_trucks%29
content:
<p>
China's coal trucks produce 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/blog/2010/aug/25/china-mega-jams-coal">giant
traffic jams</a>.


feed_id: b502c176c295e6896829c771e706b6cb
title: Strikes all across France
uri: Strikes-all-across-France
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#27_May_2016_%28Strikes_all_across_France%29
content:
<p>
There are strikes all across France 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/may/26/french-dock-workers-storm-le-havre-square-labour-bill">to
oppose the "socialist" government's labor flexibility bill</a>.


feed_id: 7f9000e3b8fce1b3cec9a15d3f6a9a2d
title: Statue of Liberty threatened
uri: Statue-of-Liberty-threatened
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#27_May_2016_%28Statue_of_Liberty_threatened%29
content:
<p>
Americans, global heating is 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2016/may/26/statue-of-liberty-venice-climate-change-threat-un-report">likely
to damage the Statue of Liberty</a>.
<p>
But don't worry, damage to the Mall of Convenience won't come for a
few more decades.


feed_id: 10ab3f5ccc1d9634588daa4f58693996
title: Drop Dropbox
uri: Drop-Dropbox
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#27_May_2016_%28Drop_Dropbox%29
content:
<p>
Dropbox wants users to install a 
<a href="http://motherboard.vice.com/read/dropbox-infinite">kernel
module written by Dropbox</a>.  This would allow Dropbox to spy on, or
interfere with, anything the computer does.
<p>
The nonfree Dropbox Javascript code is 
<a href="https://gnu.org/philosophy/javascript-trap.html">already a
step too far</a>.


feed_id: 91e4560b0555515f1df15d4860aad116
title: India might use iris scanning
uri: India-might-use-iris-scanning
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#27_May_2016_%28India_might_use_iris_scanning%29
content:
<p>
India 
<a href="http://venturebeat.com/2016/05/25/samsung-targets-india-with-200-galaxy-tab-iris-an-iris-recognition-tablet-for-authenticating-citizens/">might
use Iris scanning</a> to identify airplane and railroad passengers, as
well as everyone filing a tax return.
<p>
They are already arranging to track all the poor by welfare benefits,
but even for the middle class, there would be no escape.
<p>
Iris scanning is currently not as nasty as fingerprint identification,
because people don't leave iris prints in places where they go.  But
there is a 
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2015-mar-jun.html#19_May_2015_(Long-range_iris_scanning)">danger
that iris-scanning cameras will in the future identify people walking
by on the street</a>.


feed_id: ebda713c6e3cce771ad36ae7750ef86a
title: Algorithms used by government
uri: Algorithms-used-by-government
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#27_May_2016_%28Algorithms_used_by_government%29
content:
<p>
We Need to Know the 
<a href="https://theconversation.com/we-need-to-know-the-algorithms-the-government-uses-to-make-important-decisions-about-us-57869">Algorithms
the Government Uses to Make Important Decisions about Us</a>, but most
US states make excuses to conceal them.  In some cases, the algorithm
is a company's trade secret.  This is a case where, in effect, code is
law — and the law must be published for all to see.
<p>
In fact, US states have 
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#30_January_2016_(Copyrighted_laws_in_the_US)">laws
that belong to companies</a>.


feed_id: d1c926e5fba58cc9a695de282aef1339
title: Sanders
uri: 2016-05-29-Sanders
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#27_May_2016_%28Sanders%29
content:
<p>
Sanders has 
<a href="http://www.commondreams.org/views/2016/05/23/what-does-bernie-want">good
reasons not to throw in the towel to Clinton</a>.


feed_id: d0b8cf9abd59aa9c57e481b2b0f54948
title: Urgent: Call on Congress to Stop the Coup
uri: Urgent-Call-on-Congress-to-Stop-the-Coup
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#27_May_2016_%28Urgent%3A_Call_on_Congress_to_Stop_the_Coup%29

content:
<p>
US citizens: call on Congress not to impose a nondemocratic austerity
government on <a href="http://petitions.moveon.org/sign/stop-the-coup-no-imf?r_by=1135580">Puerto Rico</a>.


feed_id: 7f0de6bc69deb09b89531ef9cc274be8
title: EU trade treaty with Japan
uri: EU-trade-treaty-with-Japan
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#27_May_2016_%28EU_trade_treaty_with_Japan%29
content:
<p>
The EU is working on another "<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/may/26/european-union-japan-trade-agreement-g7-summit-david-cameron">trade treaty</a>", with Japan this time.
<p>
People had better find out what's in it, because it could be as nasty
as the other proposed "trade treaties".  Even worse, it could be only
half as nasty, in the hope that taking smaller steps towards plutocracy
will provoke less resistance.
<p>
NO "trade treaty" made by plutocratic governments can be expected to be
good for people other than plutocrats.


feed_id: 85dbfa4b2f2d117042cb852237ca4164
title: Banksters responsible for deaths
uri: Banksters-responsible-for-deaths
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#27_May_2016_%28Banksters_responsible_for_deaths%29
content:
<p>
Unemployment And Austerity '<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/society/2016/may/25/cancer-mortality-unemployment-austerity">Increases Cancer Mortality</a>'.  Hundreds of thousands may have been killed this way by the effects of the financial crisis.
<p>
That crisis was provoked by banksters, and the austerity response was 
demanded by them.  The banksters are responsible for these deaths.


feed_id: db3069653cb3d8b0e0aa45dbba3271ae
title: Families that escaped from Fallujah are starving
uri: Families-that-escaped-from-Fallujah-are-starving
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#27_May_2016_%28Families_that_escaped_from_Fallujah_are_starving%29

content:
<p>
Families that <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/global-development-professionals-network/2016/may/26/fallujah-siege-families-are-surviving-on-dried-dates-and-river-water">escaped from Fallujah</a>, sometimes running at night
without shoes so PISSI would not shoot them, say that the people who
remain there are starving.
<p>
I have to wonder whether they are starving because PISSI keeps the food
for its soldiers, or starving because the Iraqi army won't let food in,
or both.


feed_id: d6c522e8106c1026a9850ebda946e93e
title: 1000 killed in attacks on hospitals
uri: 1000-killed-in-attacks-on-hospitals
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#27_May_2016_%281000_killed_in_attacks_on_hospitals%29

content:
<p>
Almost 1000 people have been killed in two years by <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2016/may/26/world-health-organisation-hospital-attacks-959-lives-two-years">attacks on hospitals</a>.


feed_id: 5ec15709b421edbc323200a89a832bbf
title: Decriminalise Sex Work
uri: Decriminalise-Sex-Work
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#27_May_2016_%28Decriminalise_Sex_Work%29
content:
<p>
Amnesty International in Global Programme to <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/may/26/amnesty-international-decriminalise-sex-work-prostitution-human-rights">Decriminalise Sex Work</a>.
<p>
The criminalization helps maintain the stigma which is part of a patriarchal
idea that women are supposed to be good little properties of men.


feed_id: b1de8b63242be3ddc4eaa802a10e671d
title: Anti abortion bill passed
uri: Anti-abortion-bill-passed
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#27_May_2016_%28Anti_abortion_bill_passed%29
content:
<p>
13 US states have <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/may/25/south-carolina-governor-passes-anti-abortion-bill">banned all abortions after 20 weeks</a>, based on questionable assumptions.
<p>
I think they aim to do anything possible to impede abortions.


feed_id: 51d67b1e59c2d1fe2352e13d1eba8999
title: Met Chief and online banking refunds
uri: Met-Chief-and-online-banking-refunds
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#27_May_2016_%28Met_Chief_and_online_banking_refunds%29

content:
<p>
The basic reason to avoid <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2016/mar/24/dont-refund-online-victims-met-chief-tells-banks">online banking</a> is that the banks leave users holding the bag for security failures.  In fact, there is sometimes
pressure to treat them worse.


feed_id: 96349349f3dcf8a9cbfee73b8366210b
title: Politics of Extreme Energy
uri: Politics-of-Extreme-Energy
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#27_May_2016_%28Politics_of_Extreme_Energy%29
content:
<p>
How the <a href="http://upsidedownworld.org/main/argentina-archives-32/5507-how-the-politics-of-extreme-energy-lead-to-the-criminalization-of-social-protest-in-argentina">Politics of Extreme Energy</a> Lead to the Criminalization of Social Protest in Argentina.
<p>
Fracking in Argentina (like fracking anywhere else) immediately
threatens the Mapuche that live there, but in the long term it
threatens all of civilization, by smoothing the path to more global
heating.
<p>
I wonder if the dispute over the Falkland Islands could be settled
with the help of an initial agreement not to extract any oil from the
sea around them.


feed_id: 610df2c1eb717e1246bb265189331153
title: Digital Assistants are spies
uri: Digital-Assistants-are-spies
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#27_May_2016_%28Digital_Assistants_are_spies%29
content:
<p>
Today's "<a href="http://www.theatlantic.com/technology/archive/2016/05/the-privacy-problem-with-digital-assistants/483950/">digital assistants</a>" are also spies.
<p>
For them not to be spies, they would have to be (1) entirely local and
(2) entirely free (libre) software.


feed_id: 24bfb8c50ea3f16a115fb33dd7178f98
title: Shaken baby syndrome
uri: Shaken-baby-syndrome
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#27_May_2016_%28Shaken_baby_syndrome%29
content:
<p>
A thousand Americans have been convicted of shaking their babies
because the babies appeared to have "<a href="http://www.freerangekids.com/shaken-up-about-shaken-baby-syndrome/">shaken baby syndrome</a>", but it
seems that syndrome may be an erroneous theory and perhaps those
parents did not really do anything.


feed_id: 616436151b53432feffdb6a1107cc9c9
title: Data is systematically biased
uri: Data-is-systematically-biased
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#27_May_2016_%28Data_is_systematically_biased%29
content:
<p>
Studying big data leads to slanted results when the data are <a href="https://theconversation.com/big-datas-streetlight-effect-where-and-how-we-look-affects-what-we-see-58122">systematically biased</a>, and often they are.
<p>
How to get unbiased data?  I fear that today's scientists will support
industry and government in trying to forcibly monitor everyone.
However, many people will give data voluntarily if it is collected in
an anonymous way and can't be reidentified.


feed_id: 4699d02d091a7f2a81c65c38a3f5e577
title: Ada Colau the radical mayor of Barcelona
uri: Ada-Colau-the-radical-mayor-of-Barcelona
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#27_May_2016_%28Ada_Colau_the_radical_mayor_of_Barcelona%29

content:
<p>
An in-depth article about <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/may/26/ada-colau-barcelona-most-radical-mayor-in-the-world">Ada Colau</a>, the radical mayor of Barcelona.
<p>
I find her admirably firm in her stance.


feed_id: 1ccc0327582f2e849efc707f1acede5d
title: US and China in nuclear arms race
uri: US-and-China-in-nuclear-arms-race
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#27_May_2016_%28US_and_China_in_nuclear_arms_race%29
content:
<p>
The US and China are in a <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/may/26/china-send-nuclear-armed-submarines-into-pacific-us">nuclear arms race</a>.
<p>
As with the US and USSR in the 70s and 80s, an advance by one side
often puts the other side in danger of losing its deterrent capacity.
<p>
Wiser heads should negotiate treaties to limit the advances on both sides.


feed_id: 881ff61d380a8083d2306bd9d421f9a2
title: Brazil to pardon corruption charges
uri: Brazil-to-pardon-corruption-charges
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#27_May_2016_%28Brazil_to_pardon_corruption_charges%29

content:
<p>
The head of Brazil's senate has conspired with the new acting
president to pardon people <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/may/26/brazil-senate-head-recorded-proposing-weaken-bribes-investigation">facing corruption charges</a>.


feed_id: 484f8ee46ae2cde0946d2a9963e29d06
title: London Stock Exchange bar firm over Amazon
uri: London-Stock-Exchange-bar-firm-over-Amazon
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#27_May_2016_%28London_Stock_Exchange_bar_firm_over_Amazon%29

content:
<p>
Will London Stock Exchange Bar Firm over <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/andes-to-the-amazon/2016/may/25/london-stock-exchange-amazon-deforestation">Amazon Deforestation</a>?


feed_id: e64587a79de1d0991b18cb4b4fa8e367
title: Student harassed by thug over milk
uri: Student-harassed-by-thug-over-milk
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#27_May_2016_%28Student_harassed_by_thug_over_milk%29

content:
<p>
A student in middle school in Virginia was harassed by a thug
for getting some milk in the lunch room, <a href="http://www.commondreams.org/further/2016/05/25/drinking-milk-while-black-middle-school-kid-busted-stealing-milk-carton-he-was">then arrested for "stealing" it</a>, though in fact he was entitled to get it.
<p>
This is the start of the school-to-prison pipeline.
We've got to get the thugs out of the schools.


feed_id: 09ec300ad4a601c287895549b29d6353
title: Exxon tried to pressure Congress
uri: Exxon-tried-to-pressure-Congress
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#27_May_2016_%28Exxon_tried_to_pressure_Congress%29
content:
<p>
When Dubya was elected, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/business/2016/may/25/exxonmobil-climate-change-scientists-congress-george-w-bush">Exxon tried to pressure Congress</a> to cancel a series of presentations on global heating.


feed_id: 344509fc24101cf110bcd81300ff73c0
title: More government spending needed
uri: More-government-spending-needed
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#27_May_2016_%28More_government_spending_needed%29
content:
<p>
Government monetary shenanigans such as negative interest rates, even
threats to prohibit cash, are bad substitutes for what's really needed:
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/business/2016/may/25/negative-interest-rates-the-case-against-john-maynard-keynes">more government spending</a>.


feed_id: 5e4a604091326a3af9f7f1c4594231d0
title: Indonesia refuses palm oil permits
uri: Indonesia-refuses-palm-oil-permits
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#27_May_2016_%28Indonesia_refuses_palm_oil_permits%29

content:
<p>
Indonesia has <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2016/may/25/indonesia-refuses-palm-oil-permits-in-anti-haze-push">denied many requests</a> for palm oil plantations.


feed_id: 818b745b69ce91905059ece9e1440287
title: UN Expert Calls for Tax on Meat Production
uri: UN-Expert-Calls-for-Tax-on-Meat-Production
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#27_May_2016_%28UN_Expert_Calls_for_Tax_on_Meat_Production%29

content:
<p>
UN Expert Calls for <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2016/may/25/un-expert-calls-for-tax-on-meat-production">Tax on Meat Production</a>
<p>
Since eating meat is not the best thing for human health,
and places a big burden on the environment (including global heating),
it makes sense to discourage it this way.


feed_id: f7dbe4fbe8ef3d9f33d7ac3a9a30a3f4
title: Trade in Services Agreement
uri: Trade-in-Services-Agreement
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#29_May_2016_%28Trade_in_Services_Agreement%29
content:
<p>
The proposed Trade in Services Agreement would give businesses 
<a href="http://www.commondreams.org/news/2016/05/26/new-wikileaks-trove-further-exposes-tisas-neoliberal-agenda">broad
and detailed power over over countries and people</a>.  For instance,
a town would not even be allowed to impose a limit on the size of
stores.


feed_id: 73f6ab4f09ca08edff6f8f28bc5e6785
title: Proposed US chemical safety law
uri: Proposed-US-chemical-safety-law
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#29_May_2016_%28Proposed_US_chemical_safety_law%29
content:
<p>
The proposed reform of US chemical safety law is just a 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2016/may/27/poison-chemical-health-law-toxic-regulation-harmful-substances">small
step towards what really ought to be done</a>.


feed_id: 98eb27366cc697bf094491f7aca7937b
title: Using exaggerations to scare parents
uri: Using-exaggerations-to-scare-parents
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#29_May_2016_%28Using_exaggerations_to_scare_parents%29

content:
<p>
A 
<a href="http://reason.com/blog/2016/05/26/sex-trafficking-stat-check-ohio-children">report
on the prevalence of sex trafficking of minors in Ohio</a> is not only
a series of exaggerations and worst-case assumptions, it is also based
on false concepts: equating "engaging in prostitution" with "being a
victim of trafficking".
<p>
The result is to scare parents in a way that encourages unjust laws.
<p>
Here's another example: Canadian parents are supposed to be terrified
because 
<a href="http://www.freerangekids.com/a-chilling-new-portrait-of-child-predators-or-a-craven-old-way-to-scare-us-shtless/"><em>three
girls per year</em> are kidnaped and killed</a>.
<p>
Those murders are grave crimes, like any murder, but the danger they
amount to is insignificant compared to life's other dangers.


feed_id: 72fb6e851aaaeed43cfad3a4079ac7b9
title: Property seized by Illinois thugs
uri: Property-seized-by-Illinois-thugs
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#29_May_2016_%28Property_seized_by_Illinois_thugs%29
content:
<p>
Illinois thugs seized 
<a href="http://reason.com/archives/2016/05/26/illinois-racks-up-millions-in-property-s">$72
million worth of property without official criminal charges during two
years</a>, and $50 million has not even been legally adjudicated.


feed_id: 319613bf69a6289bd02ab5ad929052b0
title: Military tyranny in Thailand
uri: Military-tyranny-in-Thailand
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#29_May_2016_%28Military_tyranny_in_Thailand%29
content:
<p>
The military tyranny in Thailand now 
<a href="http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-36328865">intends to
imprison people if they take note of criticism of the state without
denouncing it</a>.


feed_id: 72a985b72d9e8ff296a775f09051d970
title: Surveillance-advertising networks
uri: Surveillance-advertising-networks
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#29_May_2016_%28Surveillance-advertising_networks%29
content:
<p>
Christian extremists in the US are 
<a href="https://rewire.news/article/2016/05/25/anti-choice-groups-deploy-smartphone-surveillance-target-abortion-minded-women-clinic-visits/">using
surveillance-advertising networks to harass women in Planned
Parenthood clinics</a> through their phones.
<p>
They send ads for one of the phony abortion counseling services that
claim to offer help but really distribute misleading information.
They also find out enough information, in many cases, to identify
the person.
<p>
I think this is an instance of the general injustice of the
surveillance-advertising system.


feed_id: d8d34ee6f341a6d60edf2e9b1fda5c82
title: Goldman Sachs CEO invests in Clinton
uri: Goldman-Sachs-CEO-invests-in-Clinton
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#29_May_2016_%28Goldman_Sachs_CEO_invests_in_Clinton%29

content:
<p>
Chelsea Clinton's husband's investment fund got a 
<a href="https://theintercept.com/2016/05/27/hillary-clinton-wont-say-how-much-goldman-sachs-ceo-invested-with-her-son-in-law/">big
investment from the CEO of Goldman Sachs</a>.
<p>
I suspect the CEO doesn't mind that the fund lost money and shut down.
He probably thinks of this as an investment to be repaid by a future
President Clinton.


feed_id: 5d073a56d640af9d4a0fb33803894f43
title: Fossil fuel subsidies
uri: 2016-05-29-Fossil-fuel-subsidies
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#29_May_2016_%28Fossil_fuel_subsidies%29
content:
<p>
G7 Nations Pledge to End Fossil Fuel Subsidies by 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2016/may/27/g7-nations-pledge-to-end-fossil-fuel-subsidies-by-2025">2025</a>.
<p>
Why such a rush?


feed_id: 002dc201fee6c6da452d6e0b2d636168
title: Obama rejects Keystone XL pipeline
uri: 2016-05-29-Obama-rejects-Keystone-XL-pipeline
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#29_May_2016_%28Obama_rejects_Keystone_XL_pipeline%29

content:
<p>
Obama has finally 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2015/nov/06/obama-rejects-keystone-xl-pipeline">rejected
the Keystone XL pipeline</a>.
<p>
What reluctant "leadership"!


feed_id: 9dcb21a771a9d3d6ee6cebe6f3081e08
title: Raising taxes on the rich
uri: Raising-taxes-on-the-rich
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#30_May_2016_%28Raising_taxes_on_the_rich%29
content:
<p>
Raising taxes on the rich
<a href="http://boingboing.net/2016/05/27/rich-people-dont-move-when-t.html">does
not lead most of them to move somewhere else</a> for lower taxes.


feed_id: 5f0ddad553785eb6709044fe598696e8
title: Subgroup of Anonymous digs up financial dirt
uri: Subgroup-of-Anonymous-digs-up-financial-dirt
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#30_May_2016_%28Subgroup_of_Anonymous_digs_up_financial_dirt%29

content:
<p>
A subgroup of Anonymous
<a href="http://news.softpedia.com/news/anonymous-hackers-turned-stock-analysts-are-targeting-us-chinese-corporations-504495.shtml">digs
up financial dirt on some big companies</a>.


feed_id: 70b4b63d2f8fcb060568bd99f37a9fb3
title: Nauru
uri: 2016-05-31-Nauru
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#30_May_2016_%28Nauru%29
content:
<p>
Some of the boat people set to Nauru by Australia have attempted
suicide, and the usual fraction of them are homosexual.  For their
sake, Nauru has
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/may/29/nauru-decriminalises-homosexuality-and-suicide">decriminalized
homosexuality and suicide</a>.  Some other positive reforms have been
made.
<p>
This doesn't correct the basic wrong, though.


feed_id: c402e0345f2dec16378fc8dfd0cca0d3
title: Tropical fish
uri: Tropical-fish
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#30_May_2016_%28Tropical_fish%29
content:
<p>
If you buy tropical fish, think about
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2016/may/29/eco-guide-to-pet-fish">which
species to get</a>.  Some are wild-caught, which is harmful, and some
will get too big for your tank and will be physically maimed.


feed_id: db208b868ee560007a1d59f83d1d1af5
title: Edible beer holders
uri: Edible-beer-holders
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#30_May_2016_%28Edible_beer_holders%29
content:
<p>
Florida Brewery Creates
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/sustainable-business/2016/may/29/florida-brewery-creates-edible-beer-holders-save-marine-life-saltwater">Edible
Beer Holders</a> to Save Marine Life.
<p>
Unlike ordinary
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#25_May_2016_(Biodegradable_plastics_in_the_ocean)">"biodegradable"
plastics</a>, these really do degrade in a reasonable time, floating
in the ocean.


feed_id: 8376c2e9a7be77ed6c152ea3cf594e4e
title: Crimes of dictator Franco and his army
uri: Crimes-of-dictator-Franco-and-his-army
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#30_May_2016_%28Crimes_of_dictator_Franco_and_his_army%29

content:
<p>
Some in Spain are
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/may/29/national-museum-spanish-civil-war-barcelona">starting
to talk about the mass murders</a> committed after the civil war by
dictator Franco and his army.
<p>
People in Spain told me, ten years ago, that Franquistas still
held positions of power and that they blocked efforts to remember
their crimes.


feed_id: a857adeb2aa848b3902cf6cfaad44401
title: UN report silenced by Australia
uri: UN-report-silenced-by-Australia
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#30_May_2016_%28UN_report_silenced_by_Australia%29
content:
<p>
Australia silenced the UN report to
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2016/may/29/australia-covered-up-un-climate-change-fears-for-tasmania-forests-and-kakadu">cover
up danger to Kakadu and Tasmanian forests as well as the Great Barrier
Reef</a>.
<p>
There is no cure for Tas-mania, but at least the sufferers can apply
for Addle-aid.


feed_id: 2257c8cd62f7433afbea41ea7e4b048b
title: Clinton's memoir changes
uri: Clinton-s-memoir-changes
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#30_May_2016_%28Clintons_memoir_changes%29
content:
<p>
Clinton's
<a href="http://www.commondreams.org/views/2016/05/28/hillary-clintons-memoir-deletions-detail">changes
in the paperback edition of her memoirs</a> are illuminating,
especially about the TPP.


feed_id: 3f3666078637927a217b0b52c2789791
title: UK blocks EU regulations on fracking
uri: UK-blocks-EU-regulations-on-fracking
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#30_May_2016_%28UK_blocks_EU_regulations_on_fracking%29

content:
<p>
The UK
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2014/jan/14/uk-defeats-european-bid-fracking-regulations">blocked
EU regulations on fracking</a>.
<p>
The Tories are lower than vermin, and they plague all of Europe.


feed_id: 677431538bbe1c7c72f1fd7799efd516
title: Oxycontin
uri: Oxycontin
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#30_May_2016_%28Oxycontin%29
content:
<p>
One factor that makes oxycontin dangerous is that its manufacturer
claims its effect lasts for 12 hours, and
<a href="http://static.latimes.com/oxycontin-part1/">refuses to
recognize evidence that people need it more often</a>.
<p>
Instead, the company wants patients to take bigger doses every 12
hours.  These bigger doses are dangerous.


feed_id: ebd61a2ffc22d70c53b9c221fd78b3c2
title: Urgent: Amount of lost US tax money
uri: Urgent-Amount-of-lost-US-tax-money
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#30_May_2016_%28Urgent%3A_Amount_of_lost_US_tax_money%29

content:
<p>
US citizens: 
<a href="http://petitions.moveon.org/sign/show-us-the-money-how">call
on the IRS</a> to publish how much tax money the US loses through the
carried interest loophole.


feed_id: 333ca8885c4f11694e3d28653a9ff98b
title: Urgent: US national parks
uri: Urgent-US-national-parks
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#30_May_2016_%28Urgent%3A_US_national_parks%29
content:
<p>
US citizens:
<a href="http://petitions.moveon.org/sign/show-us-the-money-how">oppose
plans</a> to convert US national parks into promotion for companies.


feed_id: d0c3e9923791bac133aaafeba3c129cb
title: SCROTUS blocking FEC investigation
uri: SCROTUS-blocking-FEC-investigation
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#30_May_2016_%28SCROTUS_blocking_FEC_investigation%29

content:
<p>
SCROTUS are blocking the Federal Election Commission from
investigating a case where a 
<a href="http://prospect.org/blog/checks/fec-deadlocks-over-employer-political-coercion">company
owner ordered employees to contribute to the company's PAC</a>.
<p>
In general, the FEC has become useless because Republicans protect
all abuses by the rich and powerful.  In effect, the Republican
Party has become the Crush Democracy Party.


feed_id: 59686bab527280e80f556cbae905c3d7
title: Questions for Donald Trump
uri: Questions-for-Donald-Trump
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#30_May_2016_%28Questions_for_Donald_Trump%29
content:
<p>
<a href="http://www.nationalmemo.com/21-questions-for-donald-trump/">21
questions for Donald Trump</a>.  Some of them point at possible
involvement with organized crime gangs.


feed_id: 4efa712e401be9114bfb21bbdfda5d04
title: Loss of jobs to robots
uri: Loss-of-jobs-to-robots
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#30_May_2016_%28Loss_of_jobs_to_robots%29
content:
<p>
Chinese may face the loss of 
<a href="http://www.scmp.com/news/china/economy/article/1949918/rise-robots-60000-workers-culled-just-one-factory-chinas">hundreds
of thousands of jobs</a> as factories replace workers with robots.
<p>
The jobs being lost are grueling, and we should have stopped companies
such as Apple from moving to this sort of manufacturing.  Having the
jobs automated, in a world of spreading poverty, is not a solution.


feed_id: 933de06c9e19c727be3f185827fe44f1
title: Crime prediction algorithms
uri: Crime-prediction-algorithms
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#30_May_2016_%28Crime_prediction_algorithms%29
content:
<p>
US governments use algorithms to predict which arrested people are
likely to commit crimes again.  The algorithms are secret, but they
appear to be 
<a href="https://www.propublica.org/article/machine-bias-risk-assessments-in-criminal-sentencing">biased
against blacks</a>.
<p>
The government should be required to publish these algorithms.


feed_id: 5342bc12245ca3894661b71f737308e5
title: Niger Delta Avengers
uri: Niger-Delta-Avengers
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#30_May_2016_%28Niger_Delta_Avengers%29
content:
<p>
The Niger Delta Avengers are 
<a href="http://www.commondreams.org/news/2016/05/27/oil-soaked-niger-delta-avengers-bombing-pipelines-struggle-compensation">blowing
up oil facilities</a> to demand compensation for the harm done by oil
extraction and pipelines in Nigeria.


feed_id: 543938e8f1fee318d2bda6083279e172
title: The TPP
uri: 2016-05-31-The-TPP
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#30_May_2016_%28The_TPP%29
content:
<p>
The "US" Trade Representative was 
<a href="http://www.commondreams.org/news/2016/05/27/emails-show-tpp-collusion-between-big-banks-obama-administration">working
closely with Goldman Sachs</a> in the TPP.
<p>
That official officially represents the US, but in fact represents
the banksters and other plutocrats instead.


feed_id: 39ca255bbe0b264437c5eec8d44dcce8
title: Ending fossil fuel subsidies
uri: Ending-fossil-fuel-subsidies
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#30_May_2016_%28Ending_fossil_fuel_subsidies%29
content:
<p>
G7 
<a href="http://www.commondreams.org/news/2016/05/27/g7-wants-kill-fossil-fuel-subsidies-2025-we-could-do-it-twice-fast">Wants
to Kill Fossil Fuel Subsidies by 2025</a>, But We Could Do It 'Twice
as Fast'.
<p>
Governments could end them this year, if they were not dominated
by the planet roasters.


feed_id: 99a93f1a50cc366b4d7caca162a43a4f
title: Verizon strike
uri: Verizon-strike
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#30_May_2016_%28Verizon_strike%29
content:
<p>
Verizon workers have 
<a href="http://www.commondreams.org/news/2016/05/27/after-six-week-strike-verizon-workers-claim-major-victory-deal-reached">tentative
agreement</a> on a contract that they are happy with.


feed_id: 3e5e893f0843b1b2facb4f2d1da37cdb
title: Portable phones
uri: Portable-phones
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#30_May_2016_%28Portable_phones%29
content:
<p>
Portable phones make people helpless and dependent, and they 
<a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20151119015307/http://www.creators.com/opinion/lenore-skenazy/cell-phone-holdouts-are-right-buy-a-phone-become-a-baby.html">lose
the concept of making plans</a>.
<p>
I've seen that when people get used to depending on GPS navigators,
they lose the ability to keep track of where they are.


feed_id: 941969dd556a19841665cdfc83b72aea
title: IMF economists criticize spending cuts
uri: IMF-economists-criticize-spending-cuts
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#30_May_2016_%28IMF_economists_criticize_spending_cuts%29

content:
<p>
IMF economists criticized the neoliberal policy of 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/business/2016/may/27/austerity-policies-do-more-harm-than-good-imf-study-concludes">spending
cuts to reduce deficit</a>.
<p>
Even they see it!


feed_id: da9bc73e88b589a8168d2c6667a80ed0
title: Facebook tracking
uri: Facebook-tracking
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#30_May_2016_%28Facebook_tracking%29
content:
<p>
Facebook will compete to target ads on other web sites 
<a href="http://www.theverge.com/2016/5/27/11795248/facebook-ad-network-non-users-cookies-plug-ins">even
to visitors that are not useds of Facebook</a>, based on other ways of
tracking people on the net.
<p>
This includes "Like" buttons.  If you see a "Like" button in a page,
Facebook knows that your computer visited that page.  This is why
we made the GNU Browser IceCat block the "Like" buttons.


feed_id: 75c47679c1786abdc49fc5e03b9f7c95
title: Rigid rules keep RNC protests far away
uri: Rigid-rules-keep-RNC-protests-far-away
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#30_May_2016_%28Rigid_rules_keep_RNC_protests_far_away%29

content:
<p>
The 
<a href="http://www.commondreams.org/news/2016/05/26/official-rnc-protest-rules-designed-stifle-demonstrators-groups-say">rigid
rules for protests at the Republican National Convention</a> keep
protesters far away from the convention, from the delegates, and
mostly from the public as well.


feed_id: 6df5f47ffe3bd99f31a2c6a6d72ac153
title: PISSI attacking Syrian rebel groups
uri: PISSI-attacking-Syrian-rebel-groups
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#30_May_2016_%28PISSI_attacking_Syrian_rebel_groups%29

content:
<p>
PISSI is attacking Syrian rebel groups that have been 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/may/28/assault-falluja-bloodbath-islamic-state">weakened
by Russian attacks</a>.


