The sspx has always been unprincipled on the new mass. 50 years later we are seeing the effects: +Fellay is itching to make a deal, the other 2 bishops are with +Fellay, and +Williamson is "against" a deal but still "apologizing" for a false mass.
Yes, if by "principled" you mean "simplified, black and white thinking to the point of distorting the truth".
If by "principled" you mean "simple-minded sedevacantist", then yes. +Lefebvre and his successors (who today include: +Williamson) are not "principled".
You realize that both sides claim the "truth" in this matter, so you might as well stop throwing that word around. That is for this discussion, for the readers, to determine. We think YOU are lacking the objective truth. We think your position is distorted. So remember that. Claiming the truth in a discussion like this is like one of the lawyers (prosecution or defense) to attempt to rule on a case. Ridiculous!
Just make your points, and move on.
In this regard, +Fellay (I believe it was) was correct with his assessment (I paraphrase, since I can't remember the exact quote:)
"If this Crisis goes on much longer, we're all going to end up like the Orthodox -- in Schism. So we need to make a deal with Rome."
He's correct insofar as he's saying we're all in trouble: the Crisis is going to be harder and harder on us, as time goes on. But his solution is wrong. Instead, we need to redouble our commitment to Tradition and grow ever closer to Our Lord, throwing ourselves at the foot of Calvary and offer up fervent prayers and mortifications. Also, take refuge in the protection of Our Lady -- as we keep up the good fight!
And while it's not true that Tradition NECESSARILY has an "expiration date" PER SE, nevertheless it
virtually does have an expiration date. In the practical realm, with real human beings, that is. The longer things go on, the more both sides dig in, and the doctrine starts to simplify and become more black-and-white. People forget why and how the movement started. It becomes "us" vs. "them".
You're talking about a multi-generational conflict now! Have you ever heard the narration for any movie, or read any book, about a multi-generational war/fight/struggle? What is the first thing they say?
"Both sides forgot what the conflict was originally about. They don't remember who started it. All they know now is this grueling war, which seems like it has gone on forever..."That's Tradition, and the Crisis in the Church, today. For me, the Novus Ordo has been around since 7 years before I was born. My parents were married, and baptized all their children, in a small, independent chapel set up by Thomas. A. Nelson and the Order of St. John, Knights of Malta (with no official Church jurisdiction).
I was married, and my first 5 children were baptized, in an SSPX chapel -- also with no official Church jurisdiction behind it. But #6 was born a few hours after I attended a pro-Resistance Mass with Fr. Voigt. And #7 was baptized at our Resistance chapel, St. Dominic's.