Given that Google is creating a Python 3 / Python 2 situation, due to their Java fork, I fail to see how their actions are less damaging to the Java eco-system than what Microsoft did.
Right, so they are damaging the Java ecosystem. Though it's not clear this outweighs the benefit of drawing developers to the language in the first place.
My point is, intent matters in shaping the public's perception. Say someone releases (or maintains) an awesome Python 2 library. I certainly won't see that as evil, if they aren't doing it with the purpose of undermining Python 3.
Right, so they are damaging the Java ecosystem. Though it's not clear this outweighs the benefit of drawing developers to the language in the first place.
My point is, intent matters in shaping the public's perception. Say someone releases (or maintains) an awesome Python 2 library. I certainly won't see that as evil, if they aren't doing it with the purpose of undermining Python 3.