I fully understand how open source projects work. I can also read the e-mails I received, one of which I've mentioned here.
Much of this mess was superceded when one of the administrators advised that Claude's offer was rejected because of the acid test "can the originator walk away and can it be managed by somebody else". If Claude can meet that target, maybe things will change.
FWIW I have a lot of faith in the trio who originated this project. Lets wait and see what they have to say.
"... They ne'er cared for us
yet: suffer us to famish, and their store-houses
crammed with grain; make edicts for usury, to
support usurers; repeal daily any wholesome act
established against the rich, and provide more
piercing statutes daily, to chain up and restrain
the poor. If the wars eat us not up, they will; and
there's all the love they bear us."
-- Shakespeare: Coriolanus, Act 1, scene 1