A gate agent for Southwest Airlines [ forced a passenger to delete a tweet that called the agent "rude" ]( http://arstechnica.com/business/2014/07/man-ejected-from-southwest-flight-for-tweeting-that-a-gate-agent-was-rude/ ) , on pain of missing the flight. Airline employees have the power to kick any passenger off a flight arbitrarily — all they have to do is claim they feel threatened. This power goes to the heads of some of them. It's the same sort of impunity that thugs enjoy.
Ссылка: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-may-aug.html#26_July_2014_%28Airline_passenger_forced_to_delete_tweet%29

An interview with Naomi Oreskes about the [ methods used by organized and funded global heating denialism ]( http://www.theguardian.com/environment/planet-oz/2014/jul/25/harvard-historian-strategy-of-climate-science-denial-groups-extremely-successful ) .
Ссылка: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-may-aug.html#26_July_2014_%28Global_heating_denialism_methods%29

There was a rumor that ISIS ordered genital mutilation for all females, but ISIS [ says it never did this ]( http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/jul/24/isis-deny-ordering-fgm-girls-mosul ) . I doubted the rumor, as I knew that Islam does not require FGM.
Ссылка: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-may-aug.html#26_July_2014_%28Rumor_about_ISIS-ordered_FGM%29

Russian opposition leaders have been [ sentenced to prison ]( http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/jul/24/russian-opposition-leader-jailed-bolotnaya-square-sergei-udaltsov-putin ) for the minor rioting that resulted when thugs attacked their protest.
Ссылка: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-may-aug.html#26_July_2014_%28Russian_opposition_leaders_sentenced%29

Israel now [ admits it shelled another school ]( http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/jul/24/israeli-strike-un-school-gaza-kills-women-children ) (in use as a refugee shelter) in Gaza. As usual, Israel says it was because some Palestinians were firing from the school. I am skeptical; I don't think they could have done that without being noticed by the UN staff. Supposing there are Hamas fighters shooting from a school, which is a war crime, that would not mean Israel is entitled to target the school with any and all weapons. Israel would have to use methods, such as direct fire, that are not likely to stray off target to hit civilians elsewhere on the grounds. Israel justifies attacks on hospitals and schools by claiming that Hamas has facilities near them, but [ Israeli army headquarters is also near a hospital ]( http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/jul/24/gaza-hamas-fighters-military-bases-guerrilla-war-civilians-israel-idf ) .
Ссылка: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-may-aug.html#26_July_2014_%28Israel_admits_shelling_another_school%29

The US terrorist watch list now has [ over a million names ]( https://firstlook.org/theintercept/?post_type=article&p=2727 ) , and the White House can add people to it wholesale. The definition of "terrorism" is so broad and weak that the list could be full of people who were never even suspected of terrorism, only of "terrorism". [ More information ]( http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/jul/24/us-terrorism-watchlist-work-no-fly-list ) . These different watchlists and their different uses raise different issues. The no-fly list is punishment without trial, and could only be sustained in the US by [ tying the Constitution into a pretzel ]( https://stallman.org/archives/2010-jul-oct.html#11%20September%202010%20(Dismantling%20civil%20rights%20in%20America) ) . (Sad to say, the Supreme Court is full of judges willing to do that.) Asking a foreign country to torture someone is a grave crime, which by the way Obama pretends the US has stopped doing. Making a note to scrutinize a particular person more in ways that don't require probable cause may be legitimate.
Ссылка: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-may-aug.html#26_July_2014_%28The_US_terrorist_watch_list%29

Israeli soldiers [ shot 100 protesters ]( http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/jul/25/israeli-soldiers-kill-palestinian-west-bank-protest ) in Nablus, killing several.
Ссылка: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-may-aug.html#26_July_2014_%28100_protesters_shot_in_Nablus%29

US states trying to execute prisoners using medical drugs find it [ often does not work as intended ]( http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/jul/24/execution-drugs-how-are-they-supposed-to-work ) . I oppose the death penalty in general for [ other reasons ]( https://stallman.org/archives/2011-may-aug.html#14_August_2011_%28Truth_About_Lethal_Injection%29 ) .
Ссылка: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-may-aug.html#26_July_2014_%28Using_drugs_to_execute_prisoners%29

Privatizations of poultry inspections in the UK led to [ widespread unsanitary conditions ]( http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/jul/24/scandal-profits-come-before-food-safety ) , so that most chicken is contaminated by bacteria that can make people sick if the chicken is not properly cooked. So why does the US government want to follow the same path?
Ссылка: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-may-aug.html#26_July_2014_%28Privatized_poultry_inspections%29

The NFL punishes players [ more severely for smoking pot than for domestic violence ]( http://www.motherjones.com/mixed-media/2014/07/ray-rice-suspension-marijuana ) . I don't see why the NFL has any business punishing a player for using pot. Using a performance-enhancing drug might be considered cheating, but that doesn't apply to pot.
Ссылка: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-may-aug.html#26_July_2014_%28Punishment_for_smoking_pot_in_NFL%29

[ Over 50 Israeli Reservists Declare 'We Refuse to Serve' ]( http://www.commondreams.org/news/2014/07/24/over-50-israeli-reservists-declare-we-refuse-serve ) .
Ссылка: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-may-aug.html#26_July_2014_%28Israeli_reservists_refuse_to_serve%29

The UK has adopted a [ formal policy ]( http://blogs.computerworlduk.com/open-enterprise/2014/07/huge-win-for-odf-lets-not-mess-it-up/index.htm ) of moving files to ODF format.
Ссылка: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-may-aug.html#26_July_2014_%28UK_moving_files_to_ODF_format%29

[ Why Average Internet Users Should Demand Significant Section 702 Reform ]( https://cdt.org/blog/why-average-internet-users-should-demand-significant-section-702-reform/ ) . Reforming law for snooping on our internet traffic is only a part of what we need to do to [ prevent a society of total surveillance ]( http://gnu.org/philosophy/surveillance-vs-democracy.html ) .
Ссылка: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-may-aug.html#26_July_2014_%28Section_702_reform%29

US citizens: [ support Amnesty International ]( http://act.amnestyusa.org/ea-action/action?ea.client.id=1839&ea.campaign.id=30408&ea.tracking.id=MessagingCategory_PrisonersandPeopleatRisk~MessagingCategory_ChildrensRights~MessagingCategory_InternationalJustice~W1407EAIAR1&ac=W1407EAIAR1 ) in calling for an arms embargo on Israel, Palestine and Hamas; ask US govt to stop arming Israel.
Ссылка: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-may-aug.html#26_July_2014_%28Urgent%3A_Arms_embargo%29

In the US: [ sign up to boycott Walgreens ]( http://action.usaction.org/p/dia/action3/common/public/?action_KEY=641&track=usaction ) if it moves its HQ outside the US.
Ссылка: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-may-aug.html#26_July_2014_%28Urgent%3A_Keep_Walgreens_HQ_in_the_US%29

US citizens: [ call on the US government ]( https://vk.rootstrikers.org/petitions/130?n=1463518.7lzGTW ) to investigate Amazon for possible violations of competition law.
Ссылка: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-may-aug.html#26_July_2014_%28Urgent%3A_Investigate_Amazon%29

Israel set the stage for wars in Gaza by pulling out settlers and ground troops [ while maintaining the occupation in every other way ]( http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2014/jul/25/guardian-view-causes-fighting-gaza ) .
Ссылка: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-may-aug.html#26_July_2014_%28Israel_set_the_stage_for_wars_in_Gaza%29

A solar storm in 2012 could have [ destroyed most electrical equipment on Earth ]( http://www.theguardian.com/science/2014/jul/25/extreme-solar-storm-sun-earth ) , except it wasn't pointed at Earth. We need to develop precautions, because sooner or later one will head towards us, and it could happen at any time.
Ссылка: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-may-aug.html#26_July_2014_%28Solar_storm%29

Iran has [ arrested four journalists ]( http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/jul/25/iran-washington-post-tehran-reporter-jason-rezaian-journalists-arrrested ) , including three Americans, for no obvious reason.
Ссылка: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-may-aug.html#26_July_2014_%28Iran_has_arrested_four_journalists%29

People with Ebola infections [ have appeared in African cities ]( http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/jul/25/first-case-ebola-lagos-nigeria ) .
Ссылка: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-may-aug.html#26_July_2014_%28Ebola_infections_have_appeared_in_African_cities%29

The More Male-Dominated a Field, [ the Less It Cares about Domestic Violence ]( http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2014/jul/25/domestic-violence-mps-sportsmen-women ) .
Ссылка: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-may-aug.html#26_July_2014_%28Domestic_Violence%29

In a 14 year dry spell, [ the US west has been losing ground water fast ]( http://phys.org/news/2014-07-underground-loss-drought.html ) .
Ссылка: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-may-aug.html#26_July_2014_%28The_US_west_has_been_losing_ground_water_fast%29

[ Seven-Year Jail Term for Saudi Photographer ]( http://en.rsf.org/saudi-arabia-seven-year-jail-term-for-saudi-23-07-2014,46692.html ) . And many other journalists and dissidents.
Ссылка: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-may-aug.html#26_July_2014_%28Seven-Year_Jail_Term_for_Saudi_Photographer%29

Describing the [ NSA's cooperation with Saudi Arabia's oppression ]( https://firstlook.org/theintercept/?p=2997 ) .
Ссылка: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-may-aug.html#26_July_2014_%28NSA%27s_cooperation_with_Saudi_Arabia%27s_oppression%29

US citizens: Tell the RESTORE Council to [ get moving on restoring the damage from the Big Spill ]( http://support.edf.org/site/R?i=WVLw-Wub7xoiLX1zomzOdw ) .
Ссылка: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-may-aug.html#26_July_2014_%28Urgent%3A_Restoring_damage_from_the_Big_Spill%29

Sooner or later, China's puppet substitute for the Panchen Lama will [ try to appoint a new Dalai Lama ]( http://freetibet.org/news-media/na/chinas-panchen-lama-visits-tibet?utm_source=Free+Tibet+email+updates&utm_campaign=b331aa2588-July_Newsletter25_07_2014&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_8b3b75e260-b331aa2588-39199397 ) .
Ссылка: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-may-aug.html#26_July_2014_%28China%27s_puppet_substitute_for_the_Panchen_Lama%29

Republicans in the US Congress distrust climate models, and to make sure they can continue to do so, [ they voted to eliminate funding for validating climate models ]( http://thebulletin.org/climate-change-if-we-pretend-it-isn%E2%80%99t-happening-will-it-go-away7333 ) .
Ссылка: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-may-aug.html#26_July_2014_%28Republicans_in_the_US_Congress_distrust_climate_models%29

US citizens: ask Congress to [ protect intelligence whistleblowers. ]( http://action.citizen.org/p/dia/action3/common/public/?action_KEY=12521 )
Ссылка: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-may-aug.html#26_July_2014_%28Urgent%3A_Protect_intelligence_whistleblowers%29

In the US: ask Trader Joe's to [ commit not to sell meat made from animals raised using antibiotics. ]( https://secure3.convio.net/engage/site/Advocacy;jsessionid=744AB493D0D03671AA8C6C2FD03F0A5E.app338b?pagename=homepage&page=UserAction&id=11370 )
Ссылка: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-may-aug.html#26_July_2014_%28Urgent%3A_Meat_made_from_animals_raised_using_antibiotics%29

ISIS blew up an old mosque that is a [ major pilgrimage site ]( http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/jul/24/isis-militants-blow-up-jonah-tomb ) . It is intolerant of all variations from its own form of Islam. Saudi Arabia has been doing the [ same sort of thing ]( https://stallman.org/archives/2006-mar-jun.html#22%20April%202006%20(Bonfire%20of%20the%20hypocrisies) ) .
Ссылка: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-may-aug.html#27_July_2014_%28ISIS_blows_up_old_mosque%29

Uri Avnery explains what is needed to [ end the Gaza war once and for all ]( http://zope.gush-shalom.org/home/en/channels/avnery/1406281947/ ) . He also points out how Arab dictators' support for Israel is likely to create pressures for more extreme Islamism, a la ISIS.
Ссылка: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-may-aug.html#27_July_2014_%28What_is_needed_to_end_Gaza_war%29

US citizens: [ call for more Social Security offices ]( http://salsa.wiredforchange.com/o/6405/p/dia/action3/common/public/?action_KEY=10164 ) , not fewer.
Ссылка: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-may-aug.html#27_July_2014_%28Urgent%3A_Social_Security_offices%29

The US [ ranks near the bottom in energy efficiency ]( http://www.ipsnews.net/2014/07/u-s-ranks-near-bottom-globally-in-energy-efficiency/ ) . The [ funded campaign to keep use of fossil fuels as high as possible ]( https://www.stallman.org/archives/2014-may-aug.html#13_July_2014_%28US_fossil_fuel_subsidies%29 ) is evidently quite successful.
Ссылка: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-may-aug.html#27_July_2014_%28US_ranks_near_the_bottom_in_energy_efficiency%29

A leak shows that [ TTIP will work against food safety and animal welfare ]( http://www.commondreams.org/news/2014/07/24/leaked-trade-deal-chapter-reveals-corporate-friendly-subversion-public-health-food ) by subordinating them to the convenience of companies. TTIP stands for "This Treaty is Plutocratic". Corporations have too much power already, so any new "free trade" treaty is going in the wrong direction. We should instead cancel the existing ones.
Ссылка: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-may-aug.html#27_July_2014_%28TTIP_will_work_against_food_safety_and_animal_welfare%29

A student in Colombia is being [ prosecuted for sharing an academic article ]( https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2014/07/colombian-student-faces-prison-charges-sharing-academic-article-online ) , under a law imposed on Colombia by the US. Colombia should tear up that treaty.
Ссылка: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-may-aug.html#27_July_2014_%28Prosecuted_for_sharing_an_academic_article%29

Israel [ did not need to invade Gaza and destroy the tunnels ]( http://972mag.com/the-terror-tunnels-another-israeli-self-fulfilling-prophecy/94053/ ) . It had many humane alternatives. Even at its worst, an attack through the tunnels would have been tiny compared with the devastation of the bombardment of Gaza.
Ссылка: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-may-aug.html#27_July_2014_%28Israel_did_not_need_to_invade_Gaza%29

US citizens: tell Congress to [ stop listening to the Chamber of Commerce ]( http://action.whistleblowers.org/p/dia/action3/common/public/?action_KEY=14547 ) and broaden, not reduce, incentives for business whistleblowers.
Ссылка: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-may-aug.html#27_July_2014_%28Urgent%3A_Stop_listening_to_the_Chamber_of_Commerce%29

Australia's wrecker government [ now proposes in addition to escalate the War on Sharing. ]( http://torrentfreak.com/leaked-paper-reveals-aussie-anti-piracy-crackdown-musings-140725/ ) Mandatory internet filters were rejected when proposed for obscenity, [ but now they get another try ]( http://www.computerworld.com.au/article/550928/government_pushes_website_blocks_fight_piracy/ ) .
Ссылка: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-may-aug.html#27_July_2014_%28Australia_to_escalate_the_War_on_Sharing%29

The US is [ conscripting universities into the War on Sharing ]( https://torrentfreak.com/university-sets-fines-worse-for-pirating-students-140724/ ) . Even if a university is unable to resist the pressure to bully its students this way, that does not excuse the university for failing to apologize and condemn the pressure. The article repeats the enemy's propaganda term "piracy". [ Please don't refer to sharing by a term that means attacking ships ]( http://gnu.org/philosophy/words-to-avoid.html#Piracy ) .
Ссылка: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-may-aug.html#27_July_2014_%28US_conscripting_universities_into_the_War_on_Sharing%29

How Paul Ryan's poverty plan [ would be effective at increasing poverty ]( http://www.vox.com/2014/7/25/5937015/ryan-poverty-plan-trust#story ) .
Ссылка: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-may-aug.html#27_July_2014_%28Paul_Ryan%27s_poverty_plan%29

Phillip Morris, the tobacco company, continues trying to bully Uruguay (and by extension many other countries) into [ retreating from policies to discourage smoking. ]( http://thinkprogress.org/health/2014/07/21/3462255/latin-american-country-big-tobacco/ ) This campaign is capable of killing millions of people. The article alas spreads confusion when it uses the term "intellectual property". That term is pure confusion and should never be used. The tobacco companies use it as propaganda, and to repeat it is to support their propaganda.
Ссылка: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-may-aug.html#27_July_2014_%28Phillip_Morris_continues_trying_to_bully_Uruguay%29

Pakistan's biometric ID system [ oppresses most people but has not prevented false IDs. ]( https://www.privacyinternational.org/blog/identity-theft-persists-in-pakistans-biometric-era )
Ссылка: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-may-aug.html#27_July_2014_%28Pakistan%27s_biometric_ID_system%29

Piketty's proposal for [ global tax on wealth is his idea for saving the world ]( http://boingboing.net/2014/06/24/thomas-pikettys-capital-in-t.html ) from growing concentration of wealth that will lead either to a bloody revolution or the world of the Hunger Games.
Ссылка: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-may-aug.html#27_July_2014_%28Global_tax_on_wealth%29

The Ukraine crises convinced the UK government to [ stop blocking the public inquiry into Russia's assassination of Alexander Litvinenko ]( http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2014/jul/27/britain-can-afford-to-defy-putin-litvinenko-russia-sanctions ) . However, the UK still needs a government that won't pander to anyone with money.
Ссылка: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-may-aug.html#27_July_2014_%28Assassination_of_Alexander_Litvinenko%29

The Israeli peace movement [ is a small remnant of what it used to be ]( http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/jul/26/gaza-israel-palestinian-protest ) , as overt racism and right-wing hatred takes over the country. Peace campaigners face not only [ physical violence ]( http://thelefternwall.com/2014/07/26/pepper-sprayed-pursued-in-north-tel-aviv/ ) but also [ legal repression ]( https://stallman.org/archives/2013-may-aug.html#13_June_2013_%28Constitutionality_of_Israels_anti-boycott_law%29 ) .
Ссылка: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-may-aug.html#27_July_2014_%28Israeli_peace_movement%29

The Energy-Efficient Way to [ Punish Putin — And Protect the Planet ]( http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2014/jul/27/energy-efficient-putin-planet-europe-greens-russia ) .
Ссылка: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-may-aug.html#27_July_2014_%28The_Energy-Efficient_Way_to_Punish_Putin%29

The US published satellite photos with evidence that [ Russia is firing rockets to attack Ukraine. ]( http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/jul/27/satellite-images-us-show-russian-rocket-fire-into-ukraine )
Ссылка: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-may-aug.html#27_July_2014_%28Russia_is_firing_rockets_to_attack_Ukraine%29

Was Kenneth Trentadue [ suspected of being the second bomber in Oklahoma City? ]( http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/jul/27/oklahoma-city-bombing-brother-court-jesse-trentadue-kenneth ) It may be true that someone said "suspects", plural, from confusion and that there was never video evidence of two people. People often make mistakes. Whether or not there was a second participant in the bombing, it seems that Kenneth Trentadue was murdered in prison.
Ссылка: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-may-aug.html#27_July_2014_%28Second_bomber_in_Oklahoma_City%29

The practice of evidence-laundering allows the US government to use NSA surveillance information secretly and [ secretly deny Americans fair trials ]( http://dissenter.firedoglake.com/2014/07/23/parallel-construction-unconstitutional-nsa-searches-deny-due-process/ ) .
Ссылка: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-may-aug.html#27_July_2014_%28The_practice_of_evidence-laundering%29

The European Court of Human Rights convicted Poland of aiding CIA torture kidnapping flights, and [ ordered payment of compensation to the victims ]( http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/jul/24/poland-breach-human-rights-convention-al-qaida-suspects-cia ) . The court ruled that US "rendition" (kidnaping for torture) is fundamentally illegal. Unfortunately, this won't get them out of Guantanamo prison. These men are accused of serious crimes which merit prosecution, but they deserve a fair trial, not a [ Guantanamo kangaroo court ]( https://stallman.org/archives/2014-mar-jun.html#14_April_2014_(FBI_fiddling_in_Guantanamo_trials) ) .
Ссылка: https://stallman.org/archives/2014-may-aug.html#25_July_2014_%28CIA_torture_kidnapping_flights%29