It was a long one, and I'll admit I only skimmed it.

But from a glance, it looks like the one writing the rebuttal didn't really understand the criticism, and is himself 100% captured by the exact mindset which the original article criticized PHP for having.

This guy is the one who will be standing at the door complaining that you just broke his house. He is what is wrong with PHP.

And naturally, however much sense he thinks his argument makes, it will still be wrong. It's in the very nature of this situation.