They claim that military weapons and equipment for thugs are "surplus", but [ 1/3 of them are new ]( http://www.commondreams.org/views/2014/08/19/real-reason-ferguson-has-military-weapons ) . I think there are multiple motives for it. Repressing racial minorities and the poor is one reason. [ Feeding the manufacturers is another ]( https://stallman.org/archives/2013-nov-feb.html#12_November_2013_(US_funds_unneeded_weapons_but_cuts_programs_to_help_the_poor) ) .
Ссылка: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-may-aug.html#22_August_2014_%28New_military_weapons_for_thugs%29

A study found that people who read novels on the Amazon Swindle [ remember less of the events ]( http://www.theguardian.com/books/2014/aug/19/readers-absorb-less-kindles-paper-study-plot-ereader-digitisation ) . I think issues like this are less important than the [ injustice of the Swindle ]( https://stallman.org/ebooks.pdf ) .
Ссылка: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-may-aug.html#22_August_2014_%28Reading_on_the_Amazon_Swindle%29

US corporations [ claim that corporation taxes are too high ]( http://www.motherjones.com/kevin-drum/2014/08/dont-believe-crocodile-tears-over-high-corporate-tax-rates ) , but really they believe that since they got one tax amnesty they are entitled to tax amnesties ad infinitem.
Ссылка: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-may-aug.html#22_August_2014_%28Corporations_expect_tax_amnesty%29

A former Israeli gun crew chief says he [ does not believe Israel's claim to have tried to minimize civilian casualties ]( http://www.huffingtonpost.com/idan-barir/israel-gaza-civilian-deaths_b_5673023.html ) in Gaza.
Ссылка: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-may-aug.html#22_August_2014_%28Civilian_casualties_in_Gaza%29

Here are the [ embarrassing secrets ]( http://www.motherjones.com/mojo/2014/08/james-risen-operation-merlin-jail-cia ) for which Obama plans to imprison James Risen.
Ссылка: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-may-aug.html#22_August_2014_%28Secrets_exposed_by_James_Risen%29

The Real Looting of Ferguson: [ Its Black Citizens Never Had a Chance to Get By ]( http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2014/aug/19/ferguson-looting-national-guard-black-citizens-get-by ) .
Ссылка: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-may-aug.html#22_August_2014_%28The_Real_Looting_of_Ferguson%29

A new Australian coal mine was [ allowed to dicker down the compensation it would have to pay ]( http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2014/aug/20/criticism-over-great-barrier-reef-deals-for-gina-rineharts-mining-company ) for predicted damage to the Great Barrier Reef. For [ several reasons ]( https://stallman.org/archives/2014-may-aug.html#02_August_2014_(New_coal_mine_will_probably_kill_The_Great_Barrier_Reef) ) , this mine should not be allowed at all.
Ссылка: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-may-aug.html#22_August_2014_%28New_Australian_coal_mine%29

Activist Hedy Epstein, age 90, was [ arrested for protesting in Ferguson ]( http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/08/18/hedy-epstein-arrested-ferguson-holocaust-_n_5689822.html ) . Her supposed "crime" was simply continuing to protest. Thugs in Ferguson repeatedly offered to "help" some reporters by [ taking them far away from the protests ]( http://www.nationaljournal.com/domesticpolicy/how-police-are-keeping-journalists-from-doing-their-jobs-in-ferguson-20140814 ) , "for their safety". Considering that the only danger to them is from the thugs, this is really half of a threat.
Ссылка: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-may-aug.html#22_August_2014_%28Activist_age_90_arrested_in_Ferguson%29

New York gubernatorial candidate Randy Credico was [ arrested and given a little gratuitous torture ]( http://photographyisnotacrime.com/2014/08/14/new-york-governor-candidate-arrested-recording-aggressive-police-behavior/ ) in New York City for making a video of thugs' arresting someone else. I hope he wins and starts jailing thugs for such conduct.
Ссылка: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-may-aug.html#22_August_2014_%28Arrested_for_filming_NY_thugs%29

The [ hidden costs of fracking ]( http://www.theguardian.com/business/economics-blog/2014/aug/18/uk-energy-dependence-five-hidden-costs-fracking ) are tremendous.
Ссылка: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-may-aug.html#22_August_2014_%28Hidden_costs_of_fracking%29

A town in the Solomon Islands [ has to move to higher ground ]( http://www.commondreams.org/news/2014/08/18/facing-rising-ocean-pacific-island-town-must-relocate ) as sea level rises. The US must start planning to move parts of Boston, parts of New York City, parts of Washington DC, and all of Florida. This move won't be needed for some decades, but it will take decades to do.
Ссылка: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-may-aug.html#22_August_2014_%28Rising_sea_level%29

Israel is [ blocking the staff of Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch ]( http://www.commondreams.org/views/2014/08/18/israel-bars-amnesty-human-rights-watch-workers-gaza ) from going to Gaza to investigate war crimes.
Ссылка: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-may-aug.html#22_August_2014_%28Investigators_barred_from_Gaza%29

US citizens: [ Help End Domestic Slavery ]( http://www.walkfree.org/c189/ ) . With Javascript disabled, this page does work even though it appears to have failed.
Ссылка: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-may-aug.html#22_August_2014_%28Urgent%3A_Help_End_Domestic_Slavery%29

Mobilizing Canadians against the [ Atlantic substitute for the Keystone XL pipeline ]( http://www.commondreams.org/news/2014/08/19/energy-east-pipeline-ticking-bomb-threatens-canadas-precious-waterways ) .
Ссылка: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-may-aug.html#22_August_2014_%28Another_proposed_oil_pipeline%29

Thugs in Ferguson raided a church that was providing [ medical care to protesters who were suffering from tear gas ]( http://www.commondreams.org/news/2014/08/20/ferguson-police-raid-church-continue-arrests ) .
Ссылка: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-may-aug.html#22_August_2014_%28Ferguson_thugs_raid_church%29

Ferguson protests respond to [ systematic repression and disenfranchisement ]( http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/aug/20/ferguson-11-days-on-we-are-sitting-on-a-powder-keg ) .
Ссылка: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-may-aug.html#22_August_2014_%28Ferguson_protests%29

The US military says that [ employees will be punished if they read The Intercept ]( https://firstlook.org/theintercept/?p=3569 ) . This prohibition would be ludicrous if it were not so dangerous. It covers millions of people, soldiers and civilians, many of whom will obey the prohibition. Then they will base their thoughts on, and spread, a warped world view which they have taken for truth.
Ссылка: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-may-aug.html#22_August_2014_%28US_military_prohibits_reading_The_Intercept%29

Richard Dawkins says that [ women have a moral duty to abort a fetus that has Down's syndrome ]( http://www.theguardian.com/science/2014/aug/21/richard-dawkins-immoral-not-to-abort-a-downs-syndrome-foetus ) . I completely concur. Having a baby with Down's syndrome does harm to someone (that baby). An abortion does no harm to anyone.
Ссылка: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-may-aug.html#22_August_2014_%28Aborting_Downs_syndrome_fetuses%29

Repression of the homeless in Australia: in Melbourne, [ begging is a crime ]( http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/aug/21/melbourne-police-seizing-begging-bowls-say-social-workers ) . As the Australian government proposes to cut the support for the unemployed, especially those under 30, it will make more homeless people that will be forced into "crime".
Ссылка: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-may-aug.html#22_August_2014_%28Repression_of_Australias_homeless%29

A neighborhood in Liberia has been [ quarantined ]( http://www.theguardian.com/society/2014/aug/21/ebola-quarantine-violence-west-point-monrovia-liberia ) to block spread of Ebola. I don't know whether this sort of measure is effective enough to justify the loss of liberty it involves.
Ссылка: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-may-aug.html#22_August_2014_%28Neighborhood_in_Liberia_quarantined%29

[ Protesters explain why ]( http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2014/aug/21/david-cameron-government-gaza-arms-embargo-israel ) they shut down an Israeli weapons factory in the UK. The crime of "aggravated trespass" is a synonym for "annoying protest". To accuse anyone of that crime is a sign of an antidemocratic government.
Ссылка: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-may-aug.html#22_August_2014_%28Israeli_weapons_factory_in_UK_shut_down%29

Tests prove that many kinds of [ weapons and explosives can be smuggled through the X-ray scanners ]( http://www.wired.com/2014/08/study-shows-how-easily-weapons-can-be-smuggled-past-tsas-x-ray-body-scanners/ ) that were formerly used, untested, for "security" in airports. Even worse, if one of these machines were to break, it could give a person a [ dangerous radiation burn ]( https://www.stallman.org/archives/2011-may-aug.html#27_May_2011_(Rapescanners_Never_Tested_Properly) ) . Once I learned that, I opted out every time. I said, "Please feel me up."
Ссылка: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-may-aug.html#22_August_2014_%28Airport_X-ray_scanners%29

Twitter undermines its history of respect for freedom of speech by [ censoring a bloody ISIS propaganda video ]( http://www.theguardian.com/technology/2014/aug/21/twitter-free-speech-champion-selective-censor ) . Operators of Diaspora hosts are reportedly [ threatened with punishment ]( http://www.theguardian.com/technology/2014/aug/21/islamic-state-isis-social-media-diaspora-twitter-clampdown ) if people post the ISIS propaganda on their hosts. I think this is censorship as dangerous as ISIS. Your opinions are next on the list.
Ссылка: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-may-aug.html#22_August_2014_%28Twitter_censors_video%29

It's right to make thugs wear cameras in public, but why do that to [ meter maids ]( http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/aug/21/police-body-cameras-miami-beach-city-workers ) ?
Ссылка: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-may-aug.html#22_August_2014_%28Cameras_on_meter_maids%29

Venezuela [ plans to use a biometric card ]( http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/aug/21/biometric-venezuela-food-shortages-smuggling-fingerprints ) to ration subsidized products so they won't be smuggled into Colombia and resold. Switching to a system like food stamps would solve this problem pretty well.
Ссылка: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-may-aug.html#22_August_2014_%28Venezuela_to_use_biometric_card%29

The Russian humanitarian aid convoy is [ starting to enter Ukraine ]( http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/aug/21/russian-aid-convoy-ukraine-customs-cargo-check ) after Red Cross inspection.
Ссылка: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-may-aug.html#22_August_2014_%28Russian_humanitarian_aid_convoy%29

Protests have occurred in NYC, Los Angeles, Oakland and elsewhere [ against the killing of local people by thugs ]( http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/aug/21/michael-brown-protests-spread-nationwide-day-of-rage ) and in solidarity with Ferguson.
Ссылка: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-may-aug.html#22_August_2014_%28Protests_in_NYC_LA_Oakland%29

The trial of Sharif Mobley is blocked because the Yemeni government is [ holding him in a secret prison ]( http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/aug/21/yemeni-officials-disappeared-american-sharif-mobley ) and won't allow him to see the court or his lawyers.
Ссылка: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-may-aug.html#23_August_2014_%28Trial_of_Sharif_Mobley_blocked%29

The National Guard is [ being withdrawn from Ferguson ]( http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/aug/21/missouri-governor-stands-down-national-guard-ferguson ) . I hope that the protests do not peter out soon. Nothing fundamental has been corrected.
Ссылка: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-may-aug.html#23_August_2014_%28Withdrawl_of_National_Guard_from_Ferguson%29

UK censorship expands to politics with a vengeance; the government [ threatens anyone redistributing or even watching an ISIS propaganda video ]( http://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2014/aug/20/police-warn-james-foley-video-crime-social-media ) . Censorship "<a href='https://firstlook.org/theintercept/?p=3685'>invariably starts with the suppression of viewpoints which are so widely hated that the emotional response they produce drowns out any consideration of the principle being endorsed.</a>"
Ссылка: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-may-aug.html#23_August_2014_%28UK_censorship_in_politics%29

Earnings for Britons under 30 have [ fallen around 10% in 4 years ]( http://www.theguardian.com/money/2014/aug/22/labour-generation-rent-wages-fall-under-coalition ) .
Ссылка: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-may-aug.html#23_August_2014_%28Earnings_for_Britons_under_30%29

The US "economic recovery" is lopsided, [ leaving low-paid workers poorer than before ]( http://www.commondreams.org/news/2014/08/21/unbalanced-recovery-wages-falling-low-paid-jobs-rising-across-us ) .
Ссылка: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-may-aug.html#23_August_2014_%28US_economic_recovery_lopsided%29

The US "war on terror" has not only failed, it has [ backfired ]( http://www.commondreams.org/views/2014/08/21/why-washingtons-war-terror-failed ) .
Ссылка: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-may-aug.html#23_August_2014_%28US_war_on_terror%29

Canadian professor John Smol [ rebuked the government ]( http://m.huffpost.com/ca/entry/5692242 ) for trying to gag him from talking about his measurements of pollution from oil sand strip mining.
Ссылка: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-may-aug.html#23_August_2014_%28Canadas_attempt_to_gag_professor%29

The World Bank and friends say that they are eliminating poverty, but it's more like [ redefining poverty ]( http://www.commondreams.org/views/2014/08/22/exposing-great-poverty-reduction-scandal ) .
Ссылка: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-may-aug.html#23_August_2014_%28World_Bank_redefining_poverty%29

Sweden sentenced an artist to prison for [ "racist" art ]( http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/aug/22/swedish-artist-sentenced-racist-art-dan-park ) . I share their disapproval of racism, but censorship threatens everyone.
Ссылка: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-may-aug.html#23_August_2014_%28Sweden_sentences_artist_to_prison%29

Everyone: [ call on DA McCulloch ]( http://petitions.moveon.org/sign/appoint-a-special-prosecutor ) to appoint a special prosecutor for the killing of Michael Brown.
Ссылка: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-may-aug.html#23_August_2014_%28Urgent%3A_Prosecutor_for_killing_of_Brown%29

Everyone: [ call on Marriott ]( http://diy.rootsaction.org/petitions/marriott-don-t-host-urban-shield ) to stop supporting Urban Shield, the main US event to promote militarization of thugs.
Ссылка: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-may-aug.html#23_August_2014_%28Urgent%3A_Stop_supporting_Urban_Shield%29

US citizens: [ submit a comment to the FCC ]( http://act.credoaction.com/letter/comcast_timewarner_merger/?t=1002 ) opposing the merger between Comcast and Time Warner. That two companies with such large share of any market should not be allowed to merge ought to be a no-brainer. Unfortunately, the US goverment has been turned into a zombie by businesses, and has trouble with no-brainers.
Ссылка: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-may-aug.html#24_August_2014_%28Urgent%3A_Oppose_Comcast-Time_Warner_merger%29

Obama has taken steps to [ protect insurance coverage of contraception from the Hobby Lobby decision ]( http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/aug/22/obama-administration-birth-control-healthcare-hobby-lobby ) .
Ссылка: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-may-aug.html#24_August_2014_%28Insurance_coverage_of_contraception%29

Congress should insist that Obama [ consult Congress before military interventions such as the bombing campaign in Iraq ]( http://www.commondreams.org/views/2014/08/23/sunset-authorization-use-force-iraq ) .
Ссылка: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-may-aug.html#24_August_2014_%28Consult_Congress_before_military_interventions%29

Bank of America agreed to pay a fine for mortgage fraud, but [ it's much smaller than it appears to be ]( http://www.commondreams.org/news/2014/08/22/bank-america-settlement-only-proves-invincibility-wall-street ) .
Ссылка: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-may-aug.html#24_August_2014_%28Bank_of_America_agreed_to_pay_a_fine_for_mortgage_fraud%29

Oakland Protesters [ Hold Up Mirrors to Police Officers in Ferguson Solidarity March ]( http://www.commondreams.org/news/2014/08/22/oakland-protesters-hold-mirrors-police-officers-ferguson-solidarity-march ) . Thousands [ rallied in New York City ]( http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/aug/23/new-york-eric-garner-rally-michael-brown ) .
Ссылка: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-may-aug.html#24_August_2014_%28Protesters_Hold_Up_Mirrors_to_Police%29

Corporations [ Spy on Nonprofits (that criticize them) with Impunity ]( http://www.commondreams.org/views/2014/08/23/corporations-spy-nonprofits-impunity ) (in the US).
Ссылка: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-may-aug.html#24_August_2014_%28Corporations_Spy_on_Nonprofits%29

The Green Party [ condemns many systematic injustices in the policing of the US ]( http://gp.org/newsroom/press-releases/details/4/730 ) .
Ссылка: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-may-aug.html#24_August_2014_%28Green_Party_condemns_injustices_in_policing%29

UK immigration prisons are [ paying prisoners a pittance to cook and clean ]( http://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2014/aug/22/immigrants-cheap-labour-detention-centres-g4s-serco ) . Ironically, those prisoners are not allowed to work in the UK outside prison. This practice hurts not only the prisoners but all workers in the UK. Whoever does this work should be paid a decent wage.
Ссылка: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-may-aug.html#24_August_2014_%28UK_immigration_prisons_paying_prisoners_a_pittance%29

Hamas [ supports Palestine's joining the International Criminal Court ]( http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/aug/23/hamas-back-palestinian-bid-international-criminal-court ) . This would expose Hamas and its agents to war crimes prosecutions, as well as Israel and its agents.
Ссылка: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-may-aug.html#24_August_2014_%28Hamas_supports_Palestine%27s_joining_the_ICC%29

US citizens: tell the USDA, [ don't import apples from China ]( https://secure3.convio.net/fww/site/Advocacy?pagename=homepage&page=UserAction&id=1575 ) .
Ссылка: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-may-aug.html#24_August_2014_%28Urgent%3A_Don%27t_import_apples_from_China%29

Thailand has made its military coup effectively permanent by [ declaring the head general to be "prime minister" ]( http://www.commondreams.org/news/2014/08/22/army-general-who-led-coup-detat-thailand-named-prime-minister ) .
Ссылка: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-may-aug.html#24_August_2014_%28Thailand_made_military_coup_permanent%29

The UK government is planning a [ massive giveaway of public land ]( http://www.schnews.org.uk/stories/FRACK-TO-FRONT/ ) , a requirement to extract all fossil fuels, and abolition of local planning.
Ссылка: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-may-aug.html#24_August_2014_%28UK_gov%27t_planning_giveaway_of_public_land%29