Since everyone else seems to be weighing in with their stereotypical anti-Microsoft drivel, I'm going to weigh in with a slightly more balance interpretation of events:

1. Microsoft installs browser add-ons when you install .NET framework.
2. People get angry because you can't disable it. (Actually, you can. I wonder where this rumor started?)
3. Apparently there was a security hole in the add-on. (That Microsoft has since patched.)
4. Mozilla decides to block the add-on, even after Microsoft patched it.
5. The kicker is, Firefox doesn't let you turn it back on if you want to. (I tried.)

Isn't not being able to turn it off why people were upset? But not being able to turn it on, that's not a problem? People get upset that Microsoft holds your hand and installs add-ons, but when Mozilla holds your hand and permanently disables add-ons that are deemed "dangerous to society", that's okay? Two groups doing the exact same thing... One is getting burned, and one is getting praised. Thus are the actions of the anti-Microsoft open-source movement. Rather like a liberal, wouldn't you say? They claim to want a standard of behavior, and yet they don't care to adhere to that standard of behavior themselves. (Oh snap! A political comment? From me? Shame, shame!)

The add-on has been patched. This much has been repeatedly announced. It's even on Windows Update now. What's your excuse for not installing the fix? Mozilla's argument is that people don't bother to upgrade, so they're going to block the add-on for everyone! Thank you, Mozilla, for treating everyone like idiots because a handful of people are too lazy or ignorant to actually check into the facts and/or use Windows Update on a regular basis.

I'm tired of Mozilla. I stopped using Thunderbird and now I'm not using Firefox anymore. In fact, Firefox is so stupidly slow and bloated that I've installed Opera on my Dell Mini for school use. So much faster and so much more proprietary! (And now I've even found a StumbleUpon toolbar for Opera!) Now I won't have to live with Mozilla's standard holier-than-thou attitude that open-source projects radiate all over the planet. Disgusting.