Noone can steal coins, it just makes it seem like the coins aren't there, but a rescan should fix that.
Regardless the issue doesn't affect code base 0.8.5 its 0.8.6 where users are reporting seeing the issue.
a rescan does not fix the issue. the issue affects all bitcoin versions. you are right that it doesn't result in stealing coins. it does result in incorrect balance reports and the inability to spend coins.
I meant broad sense of rescan if wallet rescan didnt work including blockchain refresh or pvt key importing.
Most devcoin users are techies and not dumb enough to cry the sky is falling..
That said I understand the importance and I think it should be merged in but the right place for it would be we merge in 0.9 unless you can provide a more compelling justification on why it cant wait fir 0.8.5 to be even finalized.