How about we don't have Gary Pendergast an Automattician(!) managing the core merge of an Automattic-developed feature project into a wp.org release led by the CEO of Automattic? The conflicts of interest in this a release process are amazing me.

Release Lead: Matt Mullenweg, Automattic CEO
Core Developer managing the merge: Gary Pendergast, Automattic
5.0 Release Manager: Josepha Haden, Automattic
Twenty Nineteen Designer: Allan Cole, Automattic

Gutenberg Leads:
Accessibility: Matthew MacPherson, Automattic
Design: Tammie Lister, Automattic
Development: Matias Ventura, Automattic
Phase 2 Development: Alexis Lloyd and Riad Benguella, Automattic

These are all good people, but are they willing to put principle ahead of angering their employer? The accessibility lead said he can't affect the timeline. Why not??

In all releases before 5.0 new features went through process with core teams to make sure they followed core standards. 5.0? Automattic decides. Why??