Movie review used to accuse protester of being terrorist
Published: April 29, 2026 02:39
*I Wrote a Movie Review. Cops Took It From a Protester's Home to Make the Case That He's a Terrorist.*
🦜 Richard Stallman's Political Notes
@stallman.org.archives.polnotes.html@rss-parrot.net
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Daily political notes about what is happening in the world.
Site URL: stallman.org/archives/polnotes.html
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Posts: 64
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Cannabis law
https://stallman.org/archives/2026-jan-apr.html#28_April_2026_(Cannabis_law)
Published: April 29, 2026 02:39
The bully is eager to reclassify marijuana. The change in regulations he wants would make it easier to do research on medical uses, but would not relieve the threats and restrictions on people who actually use marijuana or its derivatives.
Urgent: Big media consolidation
https://stallman.org/archives/2026-jan-apr.html#28_April_2026_(Urgent:_Big_media_consolidation)
Published: April 29, 2026 02:39
US citizens: call on Congress to block Paramount from consolidating the main US news media. US citizens: Join with this campaign to address this issue. To phone your congresscritter about this, the main switchboard is +1-202-224-3121. Please spread the…
Smaller fraction of people post on "social media" in UK
Published: April 29, 2026 02:39
In the UK, a social change is occurring: a smaller fraction of people post regularly on "social media". People who formerly loved Twitter and the idea of "social media" say that there is no such thing any more, and they miss it. I don't personally know…
Some schools want to remove personal computers from classrooms
Published: April 29, 2026 02:39
Some schools, and some US states, want to get rid of personal computers for students in the classroom, for educational reasons. It is too bad they don't appreciate the injustice of the software in those computers, because that is an separate reason for…
Argentina's President ordered government to invest in cryptocurrency
Published: April 29, 2026 02:39
Argentina's President Milei imitated another right-wing extremist president by accepting a personal payoff for ordering the country's government to invest in cryptocurrency.
Columbia's Center on Global Energy Policy
Published: April 29, 2026 02:39
* Columbia's Center on Global Energy Policy (CGEP) describes itself as an independent organization producing research on energy policy.* In fact, it gets millions of dollars from oil companies, and what it "produces" is obtained wholesale from them.
Urgent: Public education V vouchers
https://stallman.org/archives/2026-jan-apr.html#27_April_2026_(Urgent:_Public_education_V_vouchers)
Published: April 28, 2026 02:39
US citizens: call on your federal legislators in Congress to repeal federal school vouchers and protect public education. See the instructions for how to sign this letter campaign without running any nonfree JavaScript code--not trivial, but not hard.
How Israel struck hospitals in Lebanon
Published: April 28, 2026 02:39
*Israel escalates attacks on medics in Lebanon with deadly "quadruple tap".*
Friendly fire info as terror, Kuwait
https://stallman.org/archives/2026-jan-apr.html#27_April_2026_(Freidly_fire_info_as_terror,_Kuwait)
Published: April 28, 2026 02:39
A Kuwaiti-American journalist was visiting Kuwait and made footage of the mistaken shooting of an American F-15 and reported on this. Since then, Kuwait has arrested him, possibly for publishing that, or possibly for other journalism, under repressive new…
Urgent: Balcony solar power
https://stallman.org/archives/2026-jan-apr.html#26_April_2026_(Urgent:_Balcony_solar_power)
Published: April 26, 2026 20:39
US citizens: call on your state governor to legalize balcony solar power. See the instructions for how to sign this letter campaign without running any nonfree JavaScript code--not trivial, but not hard. US citizens: Join with this campaign to address…
Urgent: Deportation in the US
https://stallman.org/archives/2026-jan-apr.html#26_April_2026_(Urgent:_Deportation_in_the_US)
Published: April 26, 2026 20:39
US citizens: phone your senators and call on them to cancel the funding for the deportation thugs and eliminate that agency,   +1-202-998-6094. National Nurses United recommends this short script to when you call: Hi, my name is _______. I am a…
Lobbyists making case for more dirty energy
Published: April 25, 2026 02:33
*In Europe, lobbyists are using soaring fuel prices to make the case for more dirty energy.* I understand how professional lobbyists would find this a profitable and appealing business. What I do not understand is why so few governments hold firm and…
Population growth past sustainable level
Published: April 25, 2026 02:33
Many countries have experienced population growth past the sustainable level. Yet people continue to call for further population growth as a way to achieve unsustainable further economic growth. I suspect that a large part of the motive for these…
Sycophantic discourse in major LLM dis-services
Published: April 25, 2026 02:33
Major LLM dis-services show a pattern of sycophantic discourse and its effect on the user is to decrease prosocial intentions and promote dependence. It is unfortunate that the article adopts the marketing practice of equating LLMs with "AI". LLMs are…
EPA designation of microplastics and pharmaceuticals in drinking water
Published: April 25, 2026 02:33
*EPA moves to designate microplastics and pharmaceuticals as contaminants in drinking water.* Even if this is advocated by RFK jr, it is a reasonable direction for effort provided it is done in a rational and scientific manner.
Google ready to destroy civilization for Pretend Intelligence
Published: April 25, 2026 02:33
Google is ready to destroy civilization (through global heating) to make its Pretend Intelligence a success.
Woman attacked by thug at No Kings rally
Published: April 25, 2026 02:33
A woman in her 60s went to a No Kings rally wearing an inflatable penis costume and carrying a sign "No Dick Tator". A thug attacked her violently and she faces serious prosecution for ridiculous charges. It seems that the local magats are using her as…
US government expelling daughters of Iran high officials
Published: April 25, 2026 02:33
The US government is expelling the daughters of Qassem Soleimani and of Ali Larijani, two high officials of Iran that were killed by the US. What I wonder about is why their daughters moved to the US in apparent conflict with the positions and offices of…
North Sea drilling would barely reduce UK gas imports
Published: April 25, 2026 02:33
*New North Sea drilling would barely reduce UK gas imports at all, data shows.* Planet roasters exaggerate the short-term benefit to distract the public from the urgent need to stop using fossil fuels.
How right-wing extremist parties attack free press
Published: April 25, 2026 02:33
How right-wing extremist parties in some European countries attack the free press and rule of law.
Pretend Intelligence chatbots lead addicts to online gambling
Published: April 25, 2026 02:33
Some Pretend Intelligence chatbots help gambling addicts find their way to online gambling.
Attacking nuclear power plant at Bushehr, Iran
Published: April 25, 2026 02:33
Attacking the nuclear power plant at Bushehr, Iran, would threaten to spread radioactive fallout in many countries in the Middle East.
Parking fines in UK
https://stallman.org/archives/2026-jan-apr.html#24_April_2026_(Parking_fines_in_UK)
Published: April 25, 2026 02:33
In the UK, parking fines are typically enforced by private companies that can increase their income by bullying and tricking motorists. Often the tricking is followed by bullying. I think the root cause of this specific problem with paying for parking…
Federal thug shot less-lethal object at persons eye
Published: April 25, 2026 02:33
A federal thug shot a less-lethal object at the eye of Tucker Collins, who was standing still and photographing a No Kings protest from a distance. The damage to his skull caused him to lose that eye. The right to sue for damages is, for the victims of…
Green Party leader calls UK to terminate trade treaty with Israel
Published: April 25, 2026 02:33
Green Party leader Zack Polanski called for the UK to terminate its trade treaty with Israel and apply sanctions to end Israel's beyond-defensive wars and repression of Palestinians.
Cambodian citizen sent to Eswatini instead of Cambodia
Published: April 25, 2026 02:33
Pheap Rom, Cambodian citizen in the US who was convicted of murder and served a prison term, was deported after the end of his sentence. But why did the US send him to Eswatini rather than Cambodia? When he arrived in Eswatini, he was immediately put in…
Amazon emergency number
https://stallman.org/archives/2026-jan-apr.html#24_April_2026_(Amazon_emergency_number)
Published: April 25, 2026 02:33
Amazon says that workers seeing a medical emergency should call Amazon's emergency number rather than 911, because Amazon's response team, stationed at the warehouse itself, can get there sooner. It sounds logical, and it might usually be true —…
Urgent: Deporting minors
https://stallman.org/archives/2026-jan-apr.html#24_April_2026_(Urgent:_Deporting_minors)
Published: April 25, 2026 02:33
US citizens: call on Congress to protect minors from being imprisoned and treated cruelly by the deportation thugs. US citizens: Join with this campaign to address this issue. To phone your congresscritter about this, the main switchboard is…
Schoolteacher reverted to paper for learning
Published: April 25, 2026 02:33
Interview with a schoolteacher who told per students to keep their chromebooks in the backpack so as not to be distracted by them. Using paper made a great improvement in their learning.
Targets the wrecker has prominently attacked
Published: April 25, 2026 02:33
Various targets that the wrecker has prominently attacked have driven him off — most recently, Iran. It should be noted that few or none of these successful defenses against him has been a complete success — for instance, deportation thugs are still…
UK concerned about buses made in China
Published: April 25, 2026 02:33
The UK is concerned that buses made in China might be vulnerable to digital sabotage by remote control, through the cellular data connection. The danger is real, in these buses and in ordinary cars and trucks. The only way to verify safety is to…
Australian family living in US 15 years
Published: April 25, 2026 02:33
An Australian family that lived in the US for 15 years, considering it "home", is moving back to Australia from disgust and fear.
Urgent: Bringing back the draft
https://stallman.org/archives/2026-jan-apr.html#24_April_2026_(Urgent:_Bringing_back_the_draft)
Published: April 25, 2026 02:33
Young US men: call on your congresscritter and senators to get rid of the plan to bring back the draft. See the instructions for how to sign this letter campaign without running any nonfree JavaScript code--not trivial, but not hard. US citizens: Join…
Urgent: Tax the rich
https://stallman.org/archives/2026-jan-apr.html#24_April_2026_(Urgent:_Tax_the_rich)
Published: April 25, 2026 02:33
US citizens: call on Congress to tax the rich! Pass the Ultra-Millionaire Tax Act. US citizens: Join with this campaign to address this issue. To phone your congresscritter about this, the main switchboard is +1-202-224-3121. Please spread the word.
Urgent: Deporting people at Trader Joe's
Published: April 25, 2026 02:33
US citizens: call on Trader Joe's to commit to keeping deportation thugs out. Please spread the word.
Dynamic pricing in public stores
https://stallman.org/archives/2026-jan-apr.html#24_April_2026_(Dynamic_pricing_in_public_stores)
Published: April 25, 2026 02:33
Maryland has banned dynamic pricing in stores. I hope this will be banned everywhere.
Voice of America as Republicans
https://stallman.org/archives/2026-jan-apr.html#24_April_2026_(Voice_of_America_as_Republicans)
Published: April 25, 2026 02:33
The US military government runs "news" websites Al-Fassel and Pishtaz which present constant praise of the wrecker but barely mention that they are under his command. The wrecker destroyed the Voice of America, which presented itself openly as funded and…
Jesus statue smashed by ISR, Lebanon
https://stallman.org/archives/2026-jan-apr.html#24_April_2026_(Jesus_statue_smashed_by_ISR,_Lebanon)
Published: April 25, 2026 02:33
Israel has jailed two soldiers that intentionally smashed a statue of Jesus in a Christian town in Lebanon. It is proper and wise for armies to enforce a law requiring respect for the peaceful practices of all civilians in regard to religion. (I word it…
Russia in the Arctic
https://stallman.org/archives/2026-jan-apr.html#24_April_2026_(Russia_in_the_Arctic)
Published: April 25, 2026 02:33
Russia's "shadow fleet" is sending hundreds of ships carrying oil along the north coast of Canada. They are going through the formerly nonexistent "northwest passage", which is opening up now as global heating melts the Arctic ice. These ships are…
Fishing boat cruelty by US
https://stallman.org/archives/2026-jan-apr.html#24_April_2026_(Fishing_boat_cruelty_by_US)
Published: April 25, 2026 02:33
*An Ecuadorian fishing crew describe their ordeal as victims of Trump’s purported war on "narcoterrorists".* Instead of treating the crew as accused criminals are supposed to be treated, it captured them, sank their boat, and took them incommunicado to…
Urgent: Congress: tax-payer, hush monies
Published: April 24, 2026 02:39
US citizens: call on your federal legislators to make Congress release the names of members of Congress who used taxpayer money to silence sexual harassment claims. See the instructions for how to sign this letter campaign without running any nonfree…
Urgent: Impeach Hegseth
https://stallman.org/archives/2026-jan-apr.html#23_April_2026_(Urgent:_Impeach_Hegseth)
Published: April 24, 2026 02:39
US citizens: call on Congress to impeach Secretary of Aggression Hegseth. US citizens: Join with this campaign to address this issue. To phone your congresscritter about this, the main switchboard is +1-202-224-3121. Please spread the word.
About a thousand US billionaires
https://stallman.org/archives/2026-jan-apr.html#21_April_2026_(About_a_thousand_US_billionaires)
Published: April 22, 2026 08:39
Bernie Sanders: *We need a 5% wealth tax on America's 938 billionaires. … The richest people in America have never ever had it so good. … The American working class has been under savage attack for years.*
Ed Zitron, a kindred spirit
https://stallman.org/archives/2026-jan-apr.html#21_April_2026_(Ed_Zitron,_a_kindred_spirit)
Published: April 22, 2026 08:39
A rant by an old-time personal computer user who loathes today's big tech and briefly suggests he might be using a Libre operating system — seems to be completely unaware of the free software movement. I think he might sympathize with it if he knew it.
Urgent: Blocking weapons: the vote count
Published: April 22, 2026 08:39
US citizens: thank the senators who voted to block weapons for Israel and hold the rest accountable. See the instructions for how to sign this letter campaign without running any nonfree JavaScript code--not trivial, but not hard. US citizens: Join with…
Urgent: About Jews employed at UPenn
https://stallman.org/archives/2026-jan-apr.html#21_April_2026_(Urgent:_About_Jews_employed_at_UPenn)
Published: April 22, 2026 08:39
US citizens: call on universities to join UPenn in the case to overturn an order to identify its Jewish employees to the government. See the instructions for how to sign this letter campaign without running any nonfree JavaScript code--not trivial, but…
Reversing Corporations United decision
Published: April 22, 2026 08:39
Each state of the US has the power to reverse the Corporations United decision for corporations incorporated in that state.
Former PM calls on ICC
https://stallman.org/archives/2026-jan-apr.html#21_April_2026_(no_israel_prosecutions_west_bank)
Published: April 22, 2026 08:39
*No Israel prosecutions for killing Palestinian civilians in occupied West Bank since start of decade.* Ehud Olmert, former prime minister of Israel, hopes to spur the International Criminal Court to intervene. Several former heads of the army, the…
Urgent: Overturning ban on voting by mail
https://stallman.org/archives/2026-jan-apr.html#21_April_2026_(Overturning_ban_on_voting_by_mail)
Published: April 22, 2026 08:39
Over 20 state attorneys general are suing to overturn public enemy #1's executive order to mostly ban voting by mail. US citizens: Join with this campaign to address this issue. To phone your congresscritter about this, the main switchboard is…
The case of two fired judges
Published: April 22, 2026 08:39
The bully's minions fire immigration judges who uphold the first amendment rights of immigrants, and praise judges who deport people for exercising those rights.
Peace deal deadline
Published: April 22, 2026 08:39
Proposing a plausible peace deal for Iran and the US — if they are willing to accept it.
Psychiatrist Examines the Nazi Criminals
https://stallman.org/archives/2026-jan-apr.html#21_April_2026_(imprisoned_nazi_leaders_study)
Published: April 22, 2026 08:39
A psychiatrist studied the imprisoned surviving Nazi leaders and wrote that such people were not a special problem of Germany — rather, people inclined toward tyranny and enormous crimes could be found in any country, including the US.
More than 600 measles cases
https://stallman.org/archives/2026-jan-apr.html#21_April_2026_(utah_measles_cases_outbreak)
Published: April 22, 2026 08:39
*Utah reports more than 600 measles cases as outbreak spreads across US.* Utah is full of Republicans, and many of them are now magats. I hope the rest of the country learns from this example of stupidity not to believe magats.
AI in legal proceedings
https://stallman.org/archives/2026-jan-apr.html#21_April_2026_(australia_federal_court_ai_warning)
Published: April 22, 2026 08:39
Australian lawyers rushed to use LLMs, but encountered the risk that the argument presented in court might cite a nonexistent decision in a nonexistent case.
Court strikes down anti protest law
Published: April 22, 2026 08:39
A court has voided the protest ban law of New South Wales, which was used to ban protests against the president of Israel while he was visiting.
No more US military aid to Israel
https://stallman.org/archives/2026-jan-apr.html#21_April_2026_(no_more_us_military_aid_to_israel)
Published: April 22, 2026 08:39
Bernie Sanders's speech to the senate calling for an end to arms transfers to Israel. The resolutions were defeated, but it is only a matter of time before public opinion prevails.
Norway's state telecoms firm
https://stallman.org/archives/2026-jan-apr.html#21_April_2026_(lawsuit_norway_telecoms_myanmar)
Published: April 22, 2026 08:39
*Lawsuit in Norway alleges Telenor passed on data helping Myanmar military arrest 1,200 [opposition] activists, some in safe houses.* Telenor should have considered the question of how it would respond to demands like this before deciding to do business…
Social media platforms harm
https://stallman.org/archives/2026-jan-apr.html#21_April_2026_(social_media_platforms_harm)
Published: April 22, 2026 08:39
*It is no fluke that social media platforms are addictive and causing harm. They were designed that way.*
CDC leadership vacuum
https://stallman.org/archives/2026-jan-apr.html#20_April_2026_(cdc_rfk_jr_leadership_positions)
Published: April 21, 2026 08:39
The CDC is nearly paralyzed, as 80% of the group leadership positions are vacant. This adds to a lot of other damage — 1/5 of the staff were fired (or quit). The previous acting director, Bhattacharya, was previously infamous for advocating allowing…
Google AI Overviews
https://stallman.org/archives/2026-jan-apr.html#20_April_2026_(google_ai_overview_misinformation)
Published: April 21, 2026 08:39
Empirically, Google Search so-called "AI" Overviews have a 10% chance of giving incorrect answers. Google says users should check them before trusting them, but this is just an excuse to avoid being liable for the errors. At the same time, Google uses…
US consensus over military aid
https://stallman.org/archives/2026-jan-apr.html#20_April_2026_(slump_in_voters_support)
Published: April 21, 2026 08:39
Most Democratic senators now oppose providing arms to Israel, like most Democratic voters. Israel's callous chain of atrocities had to have an effect, and it has.
Tufts University student
https://stallman.org/archives/2026-jan-apr.html#20_April_2026_(tufts_rumeysa_ozturk_trump)
Published: April 21, 2026 08:39
Rümeysa Öztürk, Tufts student who was jailed for publishing in support of Palestinians' rights, has finished her PhD and returned to Turkey. That is a good and just outcome for her, but the US won't be a safe place to live in until we remove the…
Big Oil Above the Law
https://stallman.org/archives/2026-jan-apr.html#20_April_2026_(big_oil_federal_bill_law)
Published: April 21, 2026 08:39
Big Oil is pushing Republicans to sell them immunity from lawsuits over damages they cause by roasting our planet. There is no way those companies could ever pay for all the damages that global heating will do, because eventually the damages will add up…