That discussion was well over a year ago, in the context of a markdown editor, and didn't have any pressing reason not to follow current behaviour - except for Mark's preference for sticking to the Markdown standard, which he eventually put aside.

Maybe the idea of changing it is dead, but I think it's worthy of at least being raised again, since (at least in my view) it would now have significant advantages. (I *think* it would make the problem go away? or am I missing something?)