Steam is just an acceptable compromise in the current DRM scene, in the sense that there are worse and more invasive schemes out there (i.e. always connected to play == no buy for me, period.).

It is also a useful place to get some really good bargains and it has proven a good venue to get some really needed spotlight to a few deserving indies.

That said I am surprised to see people go out of their way that much to defend it and promote it. I guess it comes as a reaction to all the bashing going on, but still…

Maybe suggest to people not to buy the relevant games if they (rightly imo) have reservations about the platform/DRM and move on ?