RMS,
Given what I've read, listened to, and specifically what you've said here:
> From what I have heard, OpenBSD does not contain non-free software

quoted text
> (though I am not sure whether it contains any non-free firmware

> blobs).  However, its ports system does suggest non-free programs, or

> at least so I was told when I looked for some BSD variant that I could

> recommend.  I therefore exercise my freedom of speech by not including

> OpenBSD in the list of systems that I recommend to the public.

>

..maybe you should look into the OpenBSD project, methods, and the end

result - not necessarily to promote OpenBSD in some way, because I

don't believe anyone here sees value in that - but to educate

yourself, rather than speak from what someone else has commented on,

or little bits of cursory research. I think it's difficult getting a

sense of what OpenBSD stands for without having used the OS itself, or

what it provides.

> I could recommend OpenBSD privately with a clear conscience to someone

quoted text
> I know will not install those non-free programs, but it is rare that I

> am asked for such recommendations, and I know of no practical reason

> to prefer OpenBSD to gNewSense.

the ultimate freedom is that of free choice. As I've seen, the OpenBSD

developers have fought tooth-and-nail, in many cases to the bitter

end, to provide the cleanest and freest operating system available. It

is coherent, and cohesive. In some cases, it's frustrating, simply

because support for non-free entities are sketchy or flat-out aren't

available. But at the same time, the opportunity remains open for

folks to implement their non-free whatevers if they so choose, though

they probably won't get the support of the developers, they may get

support from other users.. all of us are working with varying levels

of conviction and outside influences. That being said, I believe those

of the developers, many openbsd users, are stricter and more focused

any other single group of computer users.
again.. my words come from my perspective, from what I've heard/read

on this list and across the internet, as well as my experiences in

using windows, linux, *BSD, and seeing the effects of these sorts of

issues even in the non-technical areas of our lives.
So again.. I think OpenBSD should be tried and explored before being labeled.
Thank you for your time,
~Jason