That could be, the author may not have expected nor intended the exposition of an HN post. If so, my apologies. I still find the article unfair and biased in its presentation, compared to the email list discussion. It's unfortunate, because if one look the comments here it's clear many take the article at face value and haven't read the list thread.
Isn't this a bit of a loaded take too? I'm sure the author wouldn't agree that what they wanted was for Thierry to "fold back". I agree with your criticisms here in direction but not in magnitude, in fact it appears to me like you're comitting the same sin of misrepresenting your opponent to enhance your position.