I think he's suggesting that *some* people like the *option* of fixing the software they use themselves. It's always nicer to get a fix for something from "upstream" somewhere, but that's not always possible. It's nice (a GPL-cheerleader might say "essential") to be able to fall back on your own elbow grease.

The relative quality of the code in question doesn't enter in to it. After all, what good is beautifully written and documented code if you'll never see it?

The emphasis is more on "Free" than on "State".

From m-w.com, the first definition of "State" that's at all relevant. We could argue semantics of a state, but I don't think it's necessary:

5a : a politically organized body of people usually occupying a definite territory; especially : one that is sovereign

Certainly "Government" != "State" -- They are two quite distinct concepts. A Government is at least a property of, and at best is a tool of a State.

Based on the definition above, you need at least two things to be a state:

1) A body of people, and
2) A government (the property of political organization).

The government is the political organization of those people.

The plain text of the Law (the Second Amendment) reserves the right to bear arms specifically to the People, and not to the State, or the Congress, or anyone else (including "the Militia").

I believe that, regardless of whether it's more trouble than it's worth in today's civilization, the *intent* of the Second Amendment was to provide the possibility of organizing a Militia. The Militia is needed to protect the Freedom of the State (which is primarily comprised of people, not a government). The thing that the Freedom of the State needs protection from is The Government.

She ate the spider to catch the fly...

The owner of my company received one of these the other day. He's in his 70's, but he's on the ball.

He had one the other day where the operator relayed that the person wanted to know what credit cards our company accepted. He told the operator to tell them that we only accepted certified checks or wire transfers, and then told the operator that the person was going to hang up when they got that message.

The operator relayed the message, and there was a pause. Then she said "I'm sorry sir, but it is my job to relay this message: 'Fuck you. Fuck you. Fuck you.'"