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It doesn't say that depending on it was a bad idea, but that depending on it going forward is a bad idea, and they've gone the extra mile and made an announcement including information about what better alternatives are not available.

Would you prefer it just sat there unfixed and unsupported?

that is NOT what it says - "tell the word that depending on this project WAS a bad idea" ... 'was' - past tense, as in depending on it in the past was a bad idea

Others would say pragmatic.

I think it shows a complete misunderstanding on what free software is.

Free software is Free (and free software is free, libre software is libre, …, where the free/Free/libre/OS/… distinctions are relevant). That does not guarantee continued maintenance for decades, and to expect such is the sort of entitlement that puts some people off sharing their work and playthings.

Can you explain what that misunderstanding is?

Deprecation is just a tag. You don't have to respect it. And if you want the project to continue, you can freely fork it.