Lenny vs. Etch + Backports

[Michael C <sieverfrisch@yahoo.ie>]

Hi,

After returning to Linux last year as my main desktop OS, I've been 
wanting to migrate to Debian. However, put off by the prospect of having 
to use backported security fixes on officially retired development 
branches such as Thunderbird/Icedove 1.5 (for up to two years!), I'd far 
rather be using either Testing or Backports.

Given that in any case Backports.org currently only seems to draw on 
Lenny, and that these days, security vulnerabilities fixed in Sid are 
swiftly brought over into Testing, what are the specific advantages of 
using Etch + Backports?

Regards,

Michael