...but should you have to root it to remove the bloat? On the Evo with Froyo, there isn't yet a root method available. Should those folks be out of luck?

I think the point of the article was that Android was created to allow the average consumer more control and choice over their device. While "enthusiasts" like us will always unlock features we want, I don't think you should have to hack into your device to gain this kind of control over it. If I spend 200-600 bucks on a smartphone, I want control over what software is installed on it.

So how does tethering on the iPhone under AT&T work out. Surely you just click a checkbox, correct?

Rooting most Android phones and jailbreaking an iPhone are about the same level of technical difficulty as far as a consumer is concerned.

Indeed. The post I responded to opined that you shouldn't have to root to unlock functionality of your phone, and this was relative to Android devices. Yet to tether your iphone you have to either root, or pay an extra $20 a month to AT&T on a non-"unlimited" data plan: Your device is limiting you on behalf of your carrier.