RE: can a command specify overwrite selection behavior?

[Drew Adams]

> > To see that it works, bind it to a key and then use the key:
> > (global-set-key [insert] 'insert-date)
> 
> thanks Drew for this tip. I didn't know about it.
> btw, why the distinction on how the command is called?

When you hit a key to invoke a command, you are not passing through `M-x'.

> all i recall about this issue is that i entered a bug report and
> Richard Stallman specifically don't consider it a bug.

I agree with him that it is not a bug.  But none of us (you, me, or even His
Grand Gnuness) is perfect. ;-)