No subject

9.  The Free Software Foundation may publish revised and/or new versions of
    the General Public License from time to time. Such new versions will be
    similar in spirit to the present version, but may differ in detail to
    address new problems or concerns.

	Each version is given a distinguishing version number. If the Program
	specifies a version number of this License which applies to it and "any
	later version", you have the option of following the terms and conditions
	either of that version or of any later version published by the Free
	Software Foundation. If the Program does not specify a version number of
	this License, you may choose any version ever published by the Free
	Software Foundation. 

-- end quote -- 

A simple *patch* probably can't be relicensed... but a work *containing* a
patch (and thus a version number bump) is a derivative wwork and thus can be
relicensed under GPL v.3.  Since most distros (Deb in particular) distribute
full packages and not just patches, they're quite warranted in v.3'ing their
works.  Matter of fact, you could simply have the "patch" be "replaced GPL2
with GPL3"... that would be quite sufficient.  IMNASHO, IANAL, EIEIO.

-- Glenn