Aaron,
I think I understand this well enough, but to clarify two things:
1) The author is told they may re-submit after six months, and it is up
to the author to decide to re-submit. That is, this is not in any way
automatic or a default of the process, but requires the author
to take the initiative to do so. If and when they resubmit, the
IESG can ask for a second (and last) six months delay. This delay
timer starts on the receipt of the resubmission (which means that
the total delay may be over six + six months, if the author chooses
to delay resubmission).
2) The IESG retains the right to add a note describing its view
of the document. This note may make references to specific documents
in process in working groups; the RFC Editor intends to treat all
such references as informative, so that publication may proceed
without waiting on the documents to complete.
If that is a correct understanding, I am willing to go along,
but I don't think it is the best approach.
Aaron,