Urgent: Big media consolidation
28 April 2026
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 word.
Cannabis law
28 April 2026
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.
Movie review used to accuse protester of being terrorist
28 April 2026
*I Wrote a Movie Review. Cops Took It From a Protester's Home to Make the Case That He's a Terrorist.*
Argentina's President ordered government to invest in cryptocurrency
28 April 2026
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.
Some schools want to remove personal computers from classrooms
28 April 2026
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 doing the same thing. The two reasons are not entirely independent — the fact that the software is nonfree is part of the explanation for why it does bad things. But they are independent enough that they can broaden the base of the argument.
We need to bring these two converging movements together.
Columbia's Center on Global Energy Policy
28 April 2026
* 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.
Smaller fraction of people post on "social media" in UK
28 April 2026
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 what it is they miss. I never used Twitter because that required running nonfree JavaScript code, and I refuse on principle to do that. I could not even see individual postings there, until Nitter provided a way to do that without submitting to nonfree software. But ex-Twitter killed off the API which made that possible.
Urgent: Public education V vouchers
27 April 2026
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
27 April 2026
*Israel escalates attacks on medics in Lebanon with deadly "quadruple tap".*
Friendly fire info as terror, Kuwait
27 April 2026
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 "terrorism" laws which can define journalism as "terrorism" under rather vague conditions.
Urgent: Balcony solar power
26 April 2026
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
26 April 2026
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
24 April 2026
*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
24 April 2026
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
24 April 2026
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
24 April 2026
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
24 April 2026
*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
24 April 2026
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
24 April 2026
*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
24 April 2026
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
24 April 2026
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
24 April 2026
Some Pretend Intelligence chatbots help gambling addicts find their way to online gambling.
Parking fines in UK
24 April 2026
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
24 April 2026
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
24 April 2026
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
24 April 2026
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
24 April 2026
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
24 April 2026
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
24 April 2026
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
24 April 2026
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
24 April 2026
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
24 April 2026
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
24 April 2026
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
24 April 2026
US citizens: call on Trader Joe's to commit to keeping deportation thugs out.
Please spread the word.
Urgent: Tax the rich
24 April 2026
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
24 April 2026
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
24 April 2026
Maryland has banned dynamic pricing in stores.
I hope this will be banned everywhere.
Fishing boat cruelty by US
24 April 2026
*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
24 April 2026
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
24 April 2026
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
24 April 2026
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
23 April 2026
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
23 April 2026
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
21 April 2026
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
21 April 2026
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
21 April 2026
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
21 April 2026
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
21 April 2026
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
21 April 2026
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
21 April 2026
*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.