Uncertainty on xml-dev

This is a message that just appeared on xml-dev.  I am forwarding it
here as another indication of the effect of this debate on the
Real World.  I have stripped identifying marks.

---------- Forwarded message ----------
Subject: Re: Namespace Question

Today, Somebody wrote:

>I have a few questions.  If I use the "http:" scheme for
>a namespace name URI, does it not imply that I should be
>using the HyperText Transfer Protocol?  Yes?    Why or why not?

And Somebody Else replied:

>Three weeks ago I'd have answered "No, it's just a name.  It may look like 
>a URI, but it isn't really, it's just a uniquely identifying text 
>string".  I still hope this is the truth.
>
>However, there's currently a serious debate [about 1000 emails in the last 
>two or three weeks] running on more of less this issue on the xml-uri W3C 
>mailing list.  I think all bets are off for the moment :-(

I submit that this is a Bad Thing.

-- 
John Cowan                                   cowan@ccil.org
	"You need a change: try Canada"  "You need a change: try China"
		--fortune cookies opened by a couple that I know