The discussion to which this earlier post of mine was a contribution has been continuing. Marc Mulholland has responded to some of the criticisms he received, and Ophelia Benson has written two further posts, one of them responding to Marc's response. David T has also weighed in at Harry's Place and James at Insert Joke Here relates it all to a recent conversation he had.
Correction: One of the two posts billed above as by Ophelia is in fact by Jeremy. Apologies to him. My error demonstrates the perils of (semi-conscious) inductive reasoning.