Again...I've been using my naked iPhone since June 23 with nary a dropped call, holding it the same way I've always held a phone. Required implies that the iPhone 4 would not work without a bumper. The iPhone 4 will work (you know, make phone calls) without a bumper. So...not required.
And your posting history may say one thing, but you clearly intended the first post to be inflammatory (which I admit I took the bait for). That's trolling, in my book.
I think you are drawing the ire of sensible people by calling anyone who disagrees with you "sheep," a very tired, old term used by people who tend to go fishing for heated responses. Seriously, why use that?
That said, since the bumper is now going to be a much more popular product, it would be nice to see accessory manufacturers take it into account - make cables that fit the bumper, make allowances for the bumper, etc.