Hi @aeuser999,
Thanks for your reply.
For any development team to make changes to the way the core protocol functions, absolutely a governance vote is required. Fixing an emergency bug in the core protocol that does not change the way the protocol operates, but for example requires the expedient closing of a security flaw (as occurred with the dragonberry update) does not require a governance vote.
Whilst in theory, as you state, any validator can install whatever version of the terrad client that they want, I think we can see that our validators have been and are still absolutely acting as strong custodians of blockchain governance and consensus.
There is no reason for any of us to believe any group of our validators would act together to subvert governance or consensus as in the hypothetical scenario you described, but yes technically such a scenario is possible and this is a risk inherent to all proof of stake blockchains, not specifically to Terra Classic.
I believe those validators representing at least 66% of the voting power would insist on proper governance procedures being followed before accepting any new terrad release that changes the core protocol function.
Regarding ownership of the TR github organisation, I can confirm that TR complies fully with the github terms of service in that regard. Anyone can make a copy of the open-source repositories contained within it it at any time.
Terra Operator is new technology that has been developed within TR from scratch, none of the existing Terra Classic software components has any reliance on it, and this repository does not form a part of the official Terra Classic software distribution. We have the right to choose whatever licence terms we see fit for our own intellectual property.
Yes it is true that a community member submitted proposal 4940 that made our “classic” repo the canonical repo for the Terra Rebels terrad client. The point here is that another hypothetical software development team “Team X” could produce their own “Team X” version of the terrad client from their own repo (and that repo could also be established as canonical by another governance vote).
Absolutely I agree that the Terra Classic community is and must be the body that sets the vision and direction for the Terra Classic blockchain, via the governance system. TR as members of the community will participate in that process or may even initiate the discussion on a particular topic, but always the final decision on future direction will be made through the governance system.
I hope I have responded appropriately to your key points.
Have a great day A.E.!