Richard Stallman

Richard Stallman's Political Notes -

Iran protesters labeled by ayatollah - 2026-01-24T10:37:37+00:00

Borrowing a tactic from the persecutor, the supreme ayatollah of Iran is facing massive protests by labeling the protesters as followers of the persecutor.

Loophole for large US-based multinational corporations in global business tax - 2026-01-24T10:37:37+00:00

A global deal to require businesses to pay a certain minimum amount of income tax has been modified to make a loophole for large US-based multinational corporations.

Those are exactly the companies that worst rip off the whole world by paying an insufficient share towards keeping things going, while increasing the world's inequality.

Bully's proposed restrictions on visas for foreign journalists - 2026-01-24T10:37:37+00:00

The Committee to Protect Journalists warns that the bully's proposed restrictions on visas for foreign journalists in the US could result effectively in censorship.

I suppose that's the whole point.

More info about proposed new visa restrictions.

Magats censoring US museums - 2026-01-24T10:37:36+00:00

Magats are censoring US museums and bullying them into self-censorship. Most museums seem to be trying to duck under the desk in the hope that censors won't notice them. That will not be effective.

Deportation thugs blocked medics from Renee Good - 2026-01-24T10:37:36+00:00

Deportation thugs blocked medics twice from reaching Renee Good to see whether she was dead or alive.

Israel pushes ahead with illegal settlement - 2026-01-24T10:37:36+00:00

*Israel pushes ahead with vast illegal settlement in heart of West Bank.

Tender posted for construction of 3,401 homes in settlement designed to "bury idea of a Palestinian state"* by fragmenting the remaining land.

Medical problems reported after being tear gassed - 2026-01-24T10:37:36+00:00

A small but significant fraction of the women protesters that the deportation thugs attacked with tear gas are reporting continuing medical problems afterward.

Similar problems occurred among protesters at Black Lives Matter protests who were tear gassed.

The article reports on medical studies that found harmful effects of tear gas. But it is hard to study the issue because the composition of any given tear gas product is secret.

Clearly the law should require manufacturers of any gas or liquid product intended to be applied to people at random to publish full details of its composition.

When mainstream parties show hostility towards immigration - 2026-01-24T10:37:36+00:00

Studies show that when mainstream parties show hostility towards immigration, it boosts support for right-wing extremists. When social-democratic parties do this, it boosts the far-right vote and reduces their own.

This reinforces a conclusion I posted some decades ago: in politics, when the best outcome you can get is a compromise, you must never give the bad side of the compromise any moral legitimacy. Tell the truth, that with the limited influence you have, winning on this issue was beyond your reach.

Protests organized condemning murder of Renee Good - 2026-01-24T10:37:36+00:00

Protests have been organized across the US condemning the deportation thugs' murder of Renee Good. Some also condemn the murder of people in small boats in the Caribbean — people who were accused of smuggling, but never put on trial to prove them guilty.

There wasn't enough notice to promote these protests here with non-JavaScript announcements, but we will try to do that in the future.

Two mining companies want to merge - 2026-01-24T10:37:35+00:00

Two enormous mining companies want to merge. Whenever two enormous companies want to merge, governments should stop them. Capitalism with insufficient competition is effectively fascism.

Bully threats over Iranian government killing of protesters - 2026-01-24T10:37:35+00:00

The Iranian government has killed hundreds of protesters; the bully is messing with the situation by threatening a military attack in the name of protecting protesters.

His idiotic meddling is enabling the government to cast the protesters as tools of the US.

Meanwhile, observe the irony of comparing how the bully speaks of Iranian protesters who demand human rights and democracy with how he speaks of American protesters who demand the same.

Here are fragmentary reports of events in Iran — I don't think we can be sure of their accuracy.

Officials want to vaccinate fewer babies against RSV virus - 2026-01-24T10:37:35+00:00

Vaccinating any and all babies against the RSV virus is reducing the number who need hospitalization, but the idiot officials want to vaccinate fewer rather than more.

US businesses are dangerously concentrated - 2026-01-24T10:37:35+00:00

Decades of mergers have left US business dangerously concentrated, with giant corporations operating under many brand names using PR meant to give the impression that they are alternatives to big business.

These combined businesses are so powerful that they can prevent the government from taking crucial actions to protect the health of their consumers, their workers, and the general public. (And animals too, but I think any human being is more important than a cow or a cat.) They also drive wages down so that most people are impoverished.

This article focuses on the food industry but the same issue applies to many other fields.

Another effect of this dangerous power can be seen in the states that passed "ag-gag laws". These laws criminalize making unauthorized videos inside farms or meat processing plants, even to prove illegal or dangerous practices of those businesses.

House members blocked from visiting deportation prison - 2026-01-24T10:37:35+00:00

*Ilhan Omar and two other House members blocked from visiting [deportation prison] in Minnesota.

[They were] ejected even though judge ruled Congress members can’t be barred from visiting [such] facilities.*

Is there anything the judge can do to make the deportation thugs obey the order? Can perse dispatch federal marshals to arrest them for contempt of court if they don't?

Practice of paying web sites is risky - 2026-01-24T10:37:35+00:00

The practice of paying web sites is risky — there are constantly fake sites that lead innocent people to pay fraudsters instead.

People should always have he right to pay with paper; and if there is no inherent reason why that would be absurd, people should have the right to pay anonymously.

Directing charges to a car license plate is inherently unjust surveillance.

China trying to forbid visits by Taiwanese officials to European countries - 2026-01-24T10:37:34+00:00

China is trying to bully European countries into forbidding visits by Taiwanese officials.

The US is threatening punitive tariffs on countries that do business with Iran.

Senator Kelly suing Hegseth and War Department - 2026-01-24T10:37:34+00:00

Senator Kelly is suing Hegseth and the War Department for trying to punish him for accurately citing laws that the corrupter wishes did not exist.

Senator Warren returning to progressive roots - 2026-01-24T10:37:34+00:00

Senator Warren shook up the Democratic Party's "moderates", then mostly joined them — but this commentary says she is returning to her firm progressive roots.

(satire) More clothes on Elon Musk pictures - 2026-01-24T10:37:34+00:00

(satire) *Users [of ex-Twitter] Ask Grok To Put More Clothes On Elon Musk Pictures.*

Threats to seize voting machines - 2026-01-24T10:37:34+00:00

The cheater threatened to send the national guard to seize voting machines in the next election. Only in places where he loses, one supposes.

Urgent: Block Funds for deportation thugs - 2026-01-23T22:37:30+00:00

US citizens: call on Democratic leaders in Congress to block funds for 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: Oppose military action against Greenland - 2026-01-23T22:37:29+00:00

US citizens: call on Congress to oppose military action against Greenland.

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: Cancel medical debt and student debt - 2026-01-23T22:37:29+00:00

US citizens: call on Congress to cancel medical debt and student debt, and make medical treatment and public colleges gratis for all.

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: Protect officials of Federal Reserve from harassment - 2026-01-23T22:37:29+00:00

US citizens: call on Congress to protect officials of the Federal Reserve from harassment prosecutions meant to bully them on questions of policy.

This does not mean I agree with the de-facto "mainstream" consensus of the past two decades, that the Fed should be totally independent on basic political questions, Fed chairs must be Republicans to insure that their independent decisions will be right-wing, and investors "comfort" must take priority over employment.

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: Protect kids from RFK vaccine rollback - 2026-01-22T10:37:56+00:00

US citizens: call on your state's governor to protect kids from RFK jr's vaccine rollback.

See the instructions for how to sign this letter campaign without running any nonfree JavaScript code--not trivial, but not hard.

Urgent: Arrest Renee Good's killer without waiting - 2026-01-22T10:37:55+00:00

US citizens: call on Minnesota to arrest Renee Good's killer without waiting — there are enough grounds already.

See the instructions for how to sign this letter campaign without running any nonfree JavaScript code--not trivial, but not hard.

Urgent: Conditions on voting for DHS spending bill - 2026-01-22T10:37:55+00:00

US citizens: phone your congresscritter and say, as suggested by Robert Reich:

Don't vote for the DHS spending bill unless it (1) disarms the deportation thugs (agents of "ICE") (2) prevents them from targeting people based on their race, language, or accent, and (3) stipulates that agents who harm civilians are liable under criminal and civil laws.

Even better in my view: abolish the deportation thug agency entirely with no replacement.

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: GoFundMe rules of raising money - 2026-01-22T10:37:55+00:00

US citizens: call on GoFundMe to follow its own rules against raising money for people who committed violent acts.

I refuse to use GoFundMe for any purpose because it requires running nonfree JavaScript code. Nearly all web sites require nonfree JS to make a payment, the exception I know of being fsf.org.

Urgent: Investigate deportation thugs' use of deadly force - 2026-01-22T10:37:55+00:00

US citizens: call on Congress to investigate the deportation thugs' use of deadly force.

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: Restore PBS and NPR funding - 2026-01-22T10:37:55+00:00

US citizens: call on Congress to restore PBS and NPR funding.

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: Dismiss Bari Weiss as head of CBS news dept. - 2026-01-22T10:37:54+00:00

US citizens: call on CBS to dismiss Bari Weiss as head of the news department.

Urgent: Stop calling it a ceasefire - 2026-01-22T10:37:54+00:00

US citizens: call on US mass media to Stop calling it a ceasefire. Report on what is really happening in Gaza and the West Bank.

See the instructions for how to sign this letter campaign without running any nonfree JavaScript code--not trivial, but not hard.

US capacity to prepare for natural disasters - 2026-01-22T10:37:54+00:00

*Emergency managers say the [wrecker] has presided over a dangerous erosion in US capacity to prepare for and respond to natural disasters.*

Wave of repression as response to seizure of Maduro and his wife - 2026-01-22T10:37:52+00:00

Nicaragua's tyrant couple have started a wave of repression as a response to the bully's seizure of Maduro and his wife.

Urgent: Stop march to war - 2026-01-20T10:37:32+00:00

US citizens: call on Congress to stop the march to war — no attacks on Cuba, no escalation in Latin America, and no more US-driven violence in our hemisphere.

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: Resist attempts to freeze child care funds - 2026-01-20T10:37:31+00:00

US citizens: call on Congress to resist the bully's attempts to freeze child care funds.

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: Subpoena Big Oil - 2026-01-20T10:37:31+00:00

US citizens: call on your congresscritter and senators to subpoena Big Oil for its role in the bully's illegal war.

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: Protect Medicine for Veterans - 2026-01-20T10:37:31+00:00

US citizens: call on Congress to Protect Medicine for Veterans — Strengthen the VA, Don't Cut It.

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: Voter personal information - 2026-01-20T10:37:30+00:00

US citizens: call on the Department of Justice to drop its demands for voters' personal information.

You know how will use it — for persecution, making eligible voters fear to vote.

Urgent: Condemn threats against Greenland - 2026-01-20T10:37:29+00:00

US citizens: call on Congress to condemn threats against Greenland.

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: Stop funding deportation thugs - 2026-01-20T10:37:29+00:00

US citizens: write to your senators and rep to stop funding the deportation thugs until they cease their unjustified violence.

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: Investigate killings by deportation thugs - 2026-01-20T10:37:29+00:00

US citizens: call on Congress to investigate all killings by the deportation thugs.

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: Billionaires Income Tax - 2026-01-20T10:37:29+00:00

US citizens: call on your representative and senators to pass the Billionaires Income Tax.

See the instructions for how to sign this letter campaign without running any nonfree JavaScript code--not trivial, but not hard.

Urgent: Push to impeach RFK Jr - 2026-01-20T10:37:29+00:00

US citizens: Push to impeach RFK Jr to defend public health.

See the instructions for how to sign this letter campaign without running any nonfree JavaScript code--not trivial, but not hard.

Urgent: Skyrocketing medical costs - 2026-01-20T10:37:28+00:00

US citizens: call on Congress to hold down skyrocketing medical costs.

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: Stop Warner mega-merger - 2026-01-20T10:37:28+00:00

US citizens: call on the DOJ to stop the Warner Mega-Merger.

We should not allow large companies to get larger through mergers.

Urgent: Challenge RFK jr's attacks on vaccination - 2026-01-20T10:37:28+00:00

US citizens: call on news media to challenge RFK jr's attacks on vaccination.

Urgent: Cover bully's intimidation honestly - 2026-01-20T10:37:28+00:00

US citizens: call on the mass media to cover the bully's intimidation honestly, instead of pretending it is legitimate conduct for a president.

Urgent: Impeach the gnome - 2026-01-20T10:37:28+00:00

US citizens: call on Congress to impeach the gnome.

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: Institutional investors - 2026-01-20T10:37:27+00:00

US citizens: call on Tell Trump to make good on his promise to curb institutional investors: Pass the Stop Wall Street Looting Act!

See the instructions for how to sign this letter campaign without running any nonfree JavaScript code--not trivial, but not hard.