Linux Mint maintains a Debian derivative (https://linuxmint.com/download_lmde.php https://linuxmint.com/download_lmde.php) so that they can continue operating s

Linux Mint maintains a Debian derivative (https://linuxmint.com/download_lmde.php https://linuxmint.com/download_lmde.php) so that they can continue operating should something happen to make the Ubuntu derivative unfeasible. Also, for what it's worth, I remain entirely unconvinced by your argument that this is fine from a users point of view. If they want to stop the push back, they need to ensure that they are not the only one with the ability to host a Snap store similar to how Flatpak does it. You can claim that this is irrelevant as it won't be used, and I suspect that you're right about that, but they will not be trusted until this happens.