[3.2/3.3/HEAD] Make all the manuals unambiguously DFSG free

[Joe Buck]

> [ Zack's proposed change to GCC manual to make Debian folks happy ]
>     I am not interested in rehashing the debate, and since the motivation
>     for the change is to avoid controversy, assertions that there is
>     nothing wrong with the status quo will be taken as evidence in *favor*
>     of the patch, since they demonstrate the existence of controversy.
>     But if you believe that we *cannot* legitimately make this change then
>     please say so, giving justification.

Zack, try to watch your tone.  Language like "I am not interested in
rehashing the debate", or "assertions that there is nothing wrong with the
status quo will be taken as evidence in *favor*", come across as arrogant,
and this is not the first time that you have used such an approach.

Under the GCC Project's rules, demonstration of the existence of
controversy on a "political" matter isn't an argument in favor of a
change; just the opposite: it means that the SC must vote on the issue,
and it takes a 3/4 vote to make a change.  However in this case, even the
SC has no say, as Kenner points out:

On Thu, Jan 23, 2003 at 05:09:42PM -0500, Richard Kenner wrote:
> You cannot make that change because you are changing the terms of a copyright
> held by the FSF.  Only the FSF can legally make such a change.
> 
> This has nothing whatsoever to do with whether making such a change is
> or is not desirable.

Exactly.  The FSF will need to approve any change that changes license
terms or that, without their approval, would violate the license.

In any case, it appears that the FSF and the Debian folks may find
themselves at an impasse: the FSF wants to be able to spread its message
("propaganda" for those who don't like it) by including it in manuals, and
Debian seems to be trying to extend the DFSG to non-software and wants to
bar attempts to do this.

Nevertheless, if you can talk RMS into a resolution that both he and the
Debian folks can live with, more power to you.  Come back when you've
convinced him; I hope you're a patient man.