> Neither carelessness, stupidity, or malice (over a patch!) warrants personal attacks.
1. We both know it wasn't just "a patch". Downplaying what happened doesn't serve the discussion.
2. I do not see "If you only even considered this is something reasonable to do you should not be anywhere near Linux kernel development. Just go away!" as a personal attack, but as an attack against _the behaviour_ that _deliberately_ wastes a lot of one's time. Note the _"if you ... considered this ..."_.
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> I wouldn't ever compare these to being slapped in the face, unprovoked, on the street.
This is not the comparison I made. I compared the reactions of the offended and your comments on said reactions. Let me try again, in clear terms: I find it understandable when someone doesn't react calmly and politely to having a lot of their time _deliberately_ wasted and their principles attacked.
> ... the occasional terrible code ...
See, again, I think you're severely downplaying what happened. The LKML regularly sees "the occasional terrible code". This is not one of them. Not even close.
> ... this sort of behavior and excuses reminds me of people excusing police abuse.
That is a ridiculous comparison to make. The LKML does not exist to "protect and serve" the public, is not funded by the public, or even remotely responsible for law & order & safety & peace of the public.
It is a private group of like-minded people that happen to be open to public participation. If you go and take a dump on their lawn, don't be surprised at some harsh words thrown back at you.
And definitely don't compare a handful of harsh words that are easily brushed aside for gruesome physical brutality and blatant wilful murder.
> ... the occasional problem ...
Again, you are severely downplaying what happened. What was posted is not an example of "the occasional problem" — there's plenty of those in the lists. What was returned wasn't nearly as toxic.