Rambling

To me this sounds more like sides digging in before the real fight begins. Having said that, I do think—as someone with not very deep insight into kernel development dynamics—this is likely to be merged in one form or another, which is what the patch submitters are also counting on by continuing to develop it. And the "fight" may turn out to be over before it begins if Linus pulls the series, but... I actually suspect someone intervening to force a short discussion instead of just a fiat could be a better outcome for the community. Even if someone is behaving unreasonably, it might be better to take it as a scream for help.