FSFLA: Linux kernel is "open core"

I think the phrase "just fine" is an unfair characterization of ledow's comments. Unless the firmware blobs represent a GPL (ie. copyright) violation, how are firmware blobs worse than a device with the blob already in flash or ROM?

Frankly, there is a world of difference between a firmware blob that is downloaded into hardware, and a driver blob that is loaded into kernel address space. I think much care should be taken by free software advocates not to conflate the two (not to imply that has happened here). And the continuing emphasis should be on promoting hardware providers who provide the documentation to write good drivers, whether or not the firmware source itself is "free".