Most of us have cloud backups like Mozy or Carbonite, or keep our documents in the cloud with tools like Google Docs, iCloud, or Zoho. To us, losing a laptop is an inconvenience... but not a cause for canceling future engagements. But RMS is different. He's ethically opposed to the "cloud," calling it a "trap." That is his prerogative. But you can't cry when you lose your data!!
You can back up and restore your data securely over the internet using only free software on both ends, if you really want to. And if anyone knows how to do so, I'm sure RMS does. Perhaps he even has a full backup of all his important data from the stolen laptop.
However, no backup, be it cloud-based or not, can get you back your stolen passport, money, or medicine. So I think you may be a bit out of line implying that RMS is crying merely over something that he could have saved if only he had been willing to compromise his deeply-held beliefs.
(Even the laptop itself may have been quite difficult to obtain, since if I recall correctly, RMS uses a specific laptop that has a completely free software stack, including firmware and such.)
I host sensitive data and perform backups on my company's servers. We're renting a rack and handle the hardware ourself. All happily running on FOSS. I don't think RMS has anything wrong with that.
Medicine has no backup, but you can buy some more.
A passport has no backup. Fortunately, embassies can issue emergency passports, but Visas are lost.
If anything, I'm sure he was not sad for his laptop.
I think the larger problem, for him, is procuring another laptop that is 101% Free. I'd be surprised if he didn't have backups somewhere online, but a system he controls.
How can you say that, when you don't know the man? He's not crying for his data, his HD didn't broke and lost all of his e-mails and stuff. All of his belongings were stolen by someone, and that I can relate to. He's really sensitive, and as entitled to cry for that as anyone else in that situation.
