Richard Stallman's Political Notes

Urgent: Balcony solar power

Sun, 26 Apr 2026 20:39:56 +0000

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 this issue.

Your state's agency-contact information is at USA.gov.

Please spread the word.

Urgent: Deportation in the US

Sun, 26 Apr 2026 20:39:55 +0000

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 constituent and I’m a nurse/other health care worker/patient. It is unconscionable, after a year of constant violence and militarization of our neighborhoods by the Trump administration, that Congress would consider sending billions more in funding to continue this harm. I am calling today to urge my senator to vote NO on the Senate Homeland Security reconciliation funding package that includes another $70 billion in funding for ICE and CBP, rescind the already $75 billion allocated to ICE and $65 billion for CBP in last year’s Republican budget reconciliation bill, and take immediate action to abolish ICE.

Lobbyists making case for more dirty energy

Sat, 25 Apr 2026 02:33:28 +0000

*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 denounce the invitation to follow the road to megadeaths.

Woman attacked by thug at No Kings rally

Sat, 25 Apr 2026 02:33:27 +0000

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 an example to demonstrate that they are always serious about punishment as repression, no matter how absurd the grounds for punishment are.

Sycophantic discourse in major LLM dis-services

Sat, 25 Apr 2026 02:33:27 +0000

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 certainly artificial, but do not qualify as intelligence, and the artificial systems which do qualify as intelligence are not LLMs.

Google ready to destroy civilization for Pretend Intelligence

Sat, 25 Apr 2026 02:33:27 +0000

Google is ready to destroy civilization (through global heating) to make its Pretend Intelligence a success.

EPA designation of microplastics and pharmaceuticals in drinking water

Sat, 25 Apr 2026 02:33:27 +0000

*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.

Population growth past sustainable level

Sat, 25 Apr 2026 02:33:27 +0000

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 pseudo-solutions is to distract the non-rich from the need to reduce the share of wealth and income that the rich get.

North Sea drilling would barely reduce UK gas imports

Sat, 25 Apr 2026 02:33:26 +0000

*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.

US government expelling daughters of Iran high officials

Sat, 25 Apr 2026 02:33:26 +0000

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 their fathers. It is conceivable that they did so to act as agents of Iran, but it is also possible that they did so out of disagreement with the revolution's misogyny.

How right-wing extremist parties attack free press

Sat, 25 Apr 2026 02:33:25 +0000

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

Sat, 25 Apr 2026 02:33:25 +0000

Some Pretend Intelligence chatbots help gambling addicts find their way to online gambling.

Parking fines in UK

Sat, 25 Apr 2026 02:33:25 +0000

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 is the policy of allowing private companies to collect parking fines. That encourages fee collection companies to compete with each other bullying and/or tricking customers. An official system for dealing with motorists that don't pay could be designed to collect effectively but not unjustly, because those who carry it out would not profit from being unfair.

Attacking nuclear power plant at Bushehr, Iran

Sat, 25 Apr 2026 02:33:25 +0000

Attacking the nuclear power plant at Bushehr, Iran, would threaten to spread radioactive fallout in many countries in the Middle East.

Cambodian citizen sent to Eswatini instead of Cambodia

Sat, 25 Apr 2026 02:33:24 +0000

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 prison although his sentence was over.

He rejoices that Eswatini eventually did send him to Cambodia. It seems that Cambodia did not put him in prison.

Federal thug shot less-lethal object at persons eye

Sat, 25 Apr 2026 02:33:24 +0000

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 the gratuitous violence of thugs, an inadequate remedy — magat officials think that damages paid for maiming and killing is money well spent. Stopping this violence requires criminal prosecution, which a hateful president can easily prevent.

I suggest creating a corps of special prosecutors who cannot be removed from office except by impeachment, with the mission of prosecuting violent misconduct by any person who holds an office that grants more than the usual right to engage in violence.

Amazon emergency number

Sat, 25 Apr 2026 02:33:24 +0000

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 — presuming Amazon tries assiduously to provide fast and good emergency response for workers. But can we expect Amazon to care about its workers enough to do that job properly?

Green Party leader calls UK to terminate trade treaty with Israel

Sat, 25 Apr 2026 02:33:24 +0000

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.

Targets the wrecker has prominently attacked

Sat, 25 Apr 2026 02:33:23 +0000

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 marauding in Minnesota, though not quite as intensely.

Also, such victories against the wrecker do not necessarily last. Once he is driven off, he may strike again in a different way.

Nonetheless, defeating him is much better than surrender.

Australian family living in US 15 years

Sat, 25 Apr 2026 02:33:23 +0000

An Australian family that lived in the US for 15 years, considering it "home", is moving back to Australia from disgust and fear.

UK concerned about buses made in China

Sat, 25 Apr 2026 02:33:23 +0000

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 completely block over-the-radio software modifications.

The same danger is present in portable phones. There is always some entity with the power to force software changes, and you can never fully trust it.

Schoolteacher reverted to paper for learning

Sat, 25 Apr 2026 02:33:23 +0000

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.

Urgent: Deporting minors

Sat, 25 Apr 2026 02:33:23 +0000

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 +1-202-224-3121.

Please spread the word.

Urgent: Deporting people at Trader Joe's

Sat, 25 Apr 2026 02:33:22 +0000

US citizens: call on Trader Joe's to commit to keeping deportation thugs out.

Please spread the word.

Urgent: Tax the rich

Sat, 25 Apr 2026 02:33:22 +0000

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: Bringing back the draft

Sat, 25 Apr 2026 02:33:22 +0000

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 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.

Dynamic pricing in public stores

Sat, 25 Apr 2026 02:33:22 +0000

Maryland has banned dynamic pricing in stores.

I hope this will be banned everywhere.

Fishing boat cruelty by US

Sat, 25 Apr 2026 02:33:21 +0000

*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 another country.

Jesus statue smashed by ISR, Lebanon

Sat, 25 Apr 2026 02:33:21 +0000

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 that way to cover Atheism also; religious belief must not be given more legal rights than unbelief.)

I wish the Israeli army would enforce similar respect for civilians themselves, their homes, their farms and businesses, their schools, and their medical facilities. However, the Israeli government in general shows public support for attacking those things.

*Rabbi who boasts of bulldozing Palestinian homes will light torch for Israel's national day.*

Voice of America as Republicans

Sat, 25 Apr 2026 02:33:21 +0000

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 run by the US but allowed some editorial independence.

Put together, these two actions add up to something clear: an attempt to do to the foreign communications of the US the same thing that billionaire magats are doing to the major media in the US: CBS, CNN, and more.

Russia in the Arctic

Sat, 25 Apr 2026 02:33:21 +0000

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 decrepit, and not very safe to operate there, and even less safe with a cargo of oil.

Urgent: Congress: tax-payer, hush monies

Fri, 24 Apr 2026 02:39:21 +0000

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 JavaScript code--not trivial, but not hard.

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: Impeach Hegseth

Fri, 24 Apr 2026 02:39:20 +0000

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.

Dave Gauer, a kindred spirit

Thu, 23 Apr 2026 12:41:21 +0000

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.

About a thousand US billionaires

Wed, 22 Apr 2026 08:39:27 +0000

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.*

Reversing Corporations United decision

Wed, 22 Apr 2026 08:39:26 +0000

Each state of the US has the power to reverse the Corporations United decision for corporations incorporated in that state.

Urgent: Overturning ban on voting by mail

Wed, 22 Apr 2026 08:39:26 +0000

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 +1-202-224-3121.

Please spread the word.

Urgent: About Jews employed at UPenn

Wed, 22 Apr 2026 08:39:26 +0000

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 not hard.

Urgent: Blocking weapons: the vote count

Wed, 22 Apr 2026 08:39:26 +0000

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 this campaign to address this issue.

To phone your congresscritter about this, the main switchboard is +1-202-224-3121.

Please spread the word.

Former PM calls on ICC

Wed, 22 Apr 2026 08:39:26 +0000

*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 police and the spy agencies are supporting the campaign.

An Israeli lawyer (whose name I don't recognize) responds, "The system is programmed to manufacture impunity, not accountability. But it was smart enough to also have very rare occasions of accountability, that could be referred to as examples of how law enforcement was working" (so as to convince the ICC it had no basis to get involved).

A Palestinian (whose name I don't recognize) responds, "Such Israeli critics often give the impression that settler violence could be tamed by simply ousting the (current) far right government. That would certainly have an effect, but it doesn’t recognise that the settlements are a project of the state that was shaped and led across the political spectrum."

That is true; indeed, Olmert was a right-wing politician. Nonetheless, what he is doing now takes courage.

The case of two fired judges

Wed, 22 Apr 2026 08:39:25 +0000

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.

Psychiatrist Examines the Nazi Criminals

Wed, 22 Apr 2026 08:39:25 +0000

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.

Peace deal deadline

Wed, 22 Apr 2026 08:39:25 +0000

Proposing a plausible peace deal for Iran and the US — if they are willing to accept it.

More than 600 measles cases

Wed, 22 Apr 2026 08:39:25 +0000

*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.

No more US military aid to Israel

Wed, 22 Apr 2026 08:39:24 +0000

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.

Court strikes down anti protest law

Wed, 22 Apr 2026 08:39:24 +0000

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.

AI in legal proceedings

Wed, 22 Apr 2026 08:39:24 +0000

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.

Norway's state telecoms firm

Wed, 22 Apr 2026 08:39:24 +0000

*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 in Burma. If it could not come up with a response it could justify, it should have stayed out. Norway and other countries should pass laws making it clear how telecommunications countries must protect dissidents in situations like this.

Social media platforms harm

Wed, 22 Apr 2026 08:39:23 +0000

*It is no fluke that social media platforms are addictive and causing harm. They were designed that way.*

Google AI Overviews

Tue, 21 Apr 2026 08:39:21 +0000

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 the hype term "AI" so that users will trust them.

If you don't want to be misled by them, don't look at them. Even better, don't use Google search at all.

I can't use Google search because it doesn't work at all, for me. It requires users to run nonfree JavaScript programs, and my browser is set to refuse to run such programs, so if a link ever takes me to Google search, it has no chance to mislead me.