Update: They're not removing your choice, having reread the tech article this delay mechanism only applies to corporate entities running WinXP that have the AutoUpdate feature enabled
This system overrode the AutoUpdate so that SP2 wouldn't be applied automatically with other critical updates. Now that it's been 8 months MS is disabling the capability for the override and anybody using the AutoUpdate feature will now receive SP2 unless it's bene previously installed by the admin/management tools (which is what should have been done in the interim). They're still evil, but MS doesn't like getting sued apparently!