"I haven't heard a good case that developers are born with an inalienable right to write any code they want for any platform they want."
Probably because I can't think of a single time when this has been an issue. The argument isn't over what Apple can do. It's that Apple is dictating how developers are allowed to develop their applications. This isn't about writing Java apps that will run on the iPhone. It's about writing Objective-C apps using whatever tools we want that will run on the iPhone.
"As is whether the change is distasteful or offensive."
It's about writing Objective-C apps using whatever tools we want that will run on the iPhone.
Exactly. And that's not a natural right. And Apple not allowing it is a valid business decision (whether it's a good one for Apple's bottom line or a good one morally—or whether it even is a moral question—is up for debate). That's all I'm saying. Let's use reasonable terms so our debate is sensible and valid.
Probably because I can't think of a single time when this has been an issue. The argument isn't over what Apple can do. It's that Apple is dictating how developers are allowed to develop their applications. This isn't about writing Java apps that will run on the iPhone. It's about writing Objective-C apps using whatever tools we want that will run on the iPhone.
"As is whether the change is distasteful or offensive."
One could argue it's both. Either is fine by me.