I know this is an old thread. But, situation has remained the same. Linus is an accomplished hacker, but this kind of language should be clearly unacceptable. Just because someone is accomplished and controls keys to the biggest open source project, does not mean people should discount such behavior calling it the necessary evil or even making excuses for it and justifying it. If we hear someone speak like that to another person, we surely will think that the person is terrible. Then why does Linus get away with it?
I'm a very politically correct person myself, but sometimes I wish I could be encompass a little but of this attitude. The maintainer clearly did a bad job, and instead of admitting it he pointed the finger elsewhere. This reflects terribly on the project and if I was Linus I would be angry too for someone tarnishing the project.
Just playing devil's advocate here. My opinion is neither for / against Linus's approach yet.
Why is the language unacceptable?
He criticizes the work / logic that has been implemented, not the person, albeit in a expletive manner but is that not a method of expressing emotion through email?
