class RunSelfFunction(object):
        def __init__(self):
            self.thread = threading.Thread(target=self._run)
            self.thread.start()
        def _run(self):
            pass
from creating a permanent cycle between the object and the thread by having the
Thread delete its references to the object when it completes.

As an example of the effect of this bug, paramiko.Transport inherits from
Thread to avoid it.