After reading this and the other thread: I've always been amazed how instantly defensive Wordpress people (of whatever flavour/level, organisers or people who work on the platforms, all the way upto the top) can be. It's like before listening, they jump in and start shouting or responding.

For sponsors and punters like me alike, it's really not a good look, especially blaming the messenger when it's obvious there are real issues that need to be addressed? I'm not surprised for various reasons, but saddened....:-(