1. iTunes does have an issue with the concept of manually managing the music on an iPod. I've never seen this functionality on an iPod. Apple haven't designed their software for this, so it is a scenario that CAN'T be supported by Palm, if they are expecting people to use iTunes.

2. If you as a user like what you're currently using, then you first need to accept the software was designed with a limited set of functions, and it is Good Software (tm) as a result of that design. What Palm needs here is not another iTunes, but another "synchronise Palm with iTunes library" app.

3. The "trillion edge cases" are again, by design of the iTunes software - and I think you're overstating the number somewhat. The example you use can be easily resolved: determine where iTunes stores the config of the currently opened iTunes library, and refer to that. The sync app therefore continues to piggy back off the iTunes UI, and everyone is happy.

4. I can't talk for the GP, but this bothers me because Palm seem to be doing it simply for the publicity. Good software developers don't write software to masquerade as some other software, unless they HAVE to (browsers identifying themselves as IE is a good example). The key message for Palm is: they can design their own software to seamlessly provide sync with the non-DRM portion of any iTunes library. It would seem they're just picking a fight with Apple purely because they can't be bothered writing Good Software themselves.

The current situation with the stimulus package is not the same as this Internet filtering proposal.

Firstly, its important to note that the Greens party hold five seats in the House of Representatives. That gives them the ability to vote against a proposal, and assuming the Coalition party are on the same side, the proposal is dead, regardless of the position of the independents.

Regarding Labor's stimulus package, the Greens were open to the overall plan, and indicated early on they were willing to let the bill pass with a few minor changes. The events of the past 24 hours show they came through with this promise. It was one of the independents that brought the stimulus package unstuck (Nicholas Xenophon).

Regarding Labor's Internet censorship proposal, the Greens have stated clearly that they are against it. This will be a problem for Labor, especially since the Coalition has also stated they are against the policy.

The Greens and the Coalition combined gives a majority vote against the proposal, so they're dead in the water, assuming the Coalition don't change their position (which I think is unlikely).