I am torn.
I agree that the Steem community reacts on an emotional level, not the business one. And I understand it - many people have put time, money and feelings into here. For them someone coming over with business drive only does lead to fear. First statements which implied sudden changes imposed onto everyone by one party in a distributed blockchain added to it. This cannot be ignored. The action from witnesses reflects that. The message that I read from there is: We are afraid, we need to understand more to trust you, Justin.
On the other hand I agree that Ned, while being a nice guy with a nice idea, has grown something he wasn't able to control and run any more and we have experienced this quite strongly. But it doesn't make Justin's intentions clear.
In the last 30 years there have been a few changes where I come from. The transformation in the 90s has seen foreign companies taking over sometimes large chunks of industries and shutting them down to make room for their brands. Something similar happened to the sugar industry in 2004 when Poland joined the EU.
As you've mentioned, businesspeople are lead by one motivation: to make their business grow. But saying that this purchase is to increase a worth of Steem is wishful thinking without more clarity.
I guess the next thing that needs to happen is talking. It wont be easy and the soft fork will not make it easier, but it has happened and here we are.