Unified platitudes

Matthew, you are violating my Grand Unified Code of Conduct.

I am reminded of a story from a long time ago. A fascist authority figure wanted to incite his wards to support a war that was somewhat controversial. He knew that if he insisted directly that all display support for the war, there would be some backlash. Therefore, he announced that whether or not someone supported the war (and that it was okay to have opinions either way), one thing that they could all be unanimous about was that they supported the brave and heroic members of the armed forces, and since this could not possibly be controversial in any way, arguing against it would be an indication of insanity. So the chorus mooed and baaed and appreciated the excellency of this logic, and by the next day most were parading about with signs and ribbons and shouting about how the troops were great and how they sure hoped that they'd win the war quickly. It did not end well for the small minority that did not support the armed forces.

So the political aim was achieved with just a little bit of trickery.

The one clear thing that we can draw from the thread on debian-private is that a bunch of hysterical people are perfectly willing to act without thinking. Maybe we're talking about different threads.

It is offensive to offer condolences on behalf of the entire project if said offer is controversial. It is offensive to pressure people to observe one, two, three, or fifty minutes of silence to make some political statement. It is offensive to derogate the objections of an individual in such matters. It matters not whether the objection is grounded in religion, spirituality, politics, culture, honor, integrity, or an unwillingness to be insincere. Don't fucking speak for me.