But that's rather hard to swallow. I, for one thing, learned much about GNU through Linux, and started to make donations because of that. So there should be a substantial recognition and expansion of the free software world without the name change. And I'd say the kernel is the most central part of a system, so there's nothing wrong to refer to the whole system by its kernel. That's another huge misconception.
Kernel is only one of the major essential components.
I'd say that the compiler is more important. But as you say, Linux did contribute a lot to the expansion of the free software world. I'm concerned about proper credit, and the very real and unnecessary split in the free software world. That would be advantageous for the society in the long run, because that would lead to more free software. And then they should express how much they are donating for each CD-ROM, so that the users can judge their contribution to the free software movement.