https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2018/09/linus-torvalds-apolo...
No argument from me in principle. But coarseness of language and interpersonal tone are on different dimensions.
IMO, the berating was the problem and not the swearing. There are other ways to express the seriousness of the problem without berating people.
Linus obviously felt there was a need to communicate in ways that are more beneficial to the community. And as far as I know, he came to that conclusion not because of language police, but by seeing the effects his language has on the community he leads.
That said, without the swearing, this... is still a pretty harsh berating. And it was only called out because of the swearing, per the headline.
Edit: For the change in tone from him, that was also the zeitgeist of the year he made that commitment, as I recall. Not a bad one to make, but I am also not clear it has been followed up on. Would be very interesting to see an analysis on that front.
Damn, he killed that guy.