Alan Mackenzie wrote:
>  You aren't
> considering the effect on everybody else.
>   

That is the main thing that I *am* considering.


> The ability to link binary libraries into Emacs means the ability to link
> non-free binaries in (think Linux modules here), possibly with _very_
> useful functionality, whose inclusion could screw up Emacs's freedom in a
> significant way.  Five years from now, lots of people could be "freely"
> chosing this "non-free" version.  This would be damaging to the aims of
> the FSF.
>   

It is defeatism if you think that Emacs maintainers can't easily hack their
way out of such a situation or even if you think that that's a likely 
outcome.

 

> Now I'm not saying this is an overwhelming argument. 


I'm saying it's completely underwhelming.


>  I'm saying that
> it must be weighed and balanced against the (substantial) benefits of
> binary libraries.  Just as individual people's freedom to own guns must
> be weighed against the right of the community not to have its members
> shot.
>   

Stephen said it a different way.  I said it already.   There is no
"must be weighed and balanced" here.  Yes, that's what RMS would
have us believe -- that it is a judgment call and one that has to be
made centrally and who better to make it....

I argued that no judgment call is needed.   By generic reasoning --
just general common sense principles -- that feature X enables
non-free hacks is neutral: never an argument against feature X.  
That feature X enables many free software hacks is an argument
for X.

RMS has been exercising an authority for which there is no need
in deciding these "hard" cases.



> My opinion on allowing binary libraries into Emacs is that its dangers
> would be greater than the benefits it would allow.  I'm willing to be
> persuaded I'm mistaken.
>   

How did you become persuaded of the supposed "dangers" in the
first place?



> You should address this, instead of evading it as you have done up to
> now.
>
>   

Stephen's reply answered that bit well.

-t



>> -t
>>     
>
>