[Chris2048]

> The Python core devs did not have the time or motivation to support the old codepaths

Then sounds like they didn't want to be python devs anymore, good luck on their new project..

Instead they held onto the reins and drove python into the ground so that their new code could devour the remains of the old.

> They didn't realize how inadequate their migration tooling was

A shame then that they decided that migration was mandatory. They don't need to know either, they just have to encourage users to migrate, rather than force them to. Saying "They didn't realize ... how very entrenched Python 2 is" is basically saying "we didn't think we'd encounter (significant) resistance". Their "hopeful aspirations" was that everybody (that mattered) would be onboard, which is why they didn't bother ask..