[burgerbrain]

Why should people be stifled just because somebody died? What exactly are we concerned about? Steve Jobs becoming disgruntled, rising from his grave, and sucking the blood of virgins during the night?

This "dead people are off limits" thing is a relic from the superstitious dark ages. If we can praise the actions of dead people, we can criticize them too.

[deanproxy]

He has a family that he left behind. His wife and children. If your father just passed away 48 hours ago, would you want to read about how somebody is glad that he's finally gone? I sure wouldn't... It's called respect.

[burgerbrain]

I somehow suspect that they aren't reading RMS's blog right now...

[steviesteveo65]

Sounds like we seriously need to get some of that superstitious dark ages politeness back ASAP.

I think XKCD had it right -- people should have to listen to their comments read aloud before they're published on the internet.

[jsavimbi]

Because people have feelings.

[burgerbrain]

Why should it hurt anybodies feelings to point out that Steve Jobs wasn't all fairy dust and benevolence? This need to whitewash people when they die is truly bizarre.

[2muchcoffeeman]

We're not trying to whitewash it. It's just empathy. Would it have been so bad to wait a week or 2 after the funeral?

[marekmroz]

People also have opinions and they should be free to express them.

[phamilton]

And my opinion is that RMS is being a D-bag.

Freedom to express isn't freedom from bad responses.