Urm, Gene, if I wanted to refer to you in particular I don't think I'd need to be subtle about it. I was just pointing out that many people think referring to another article in any way is "retaliation", which it isn't. The reason it came to mind was because you had accused me of it in PB's case, sure, but I'm not the kind of guy that needs to bitch about you in third person.
Your vanity aside, if you have to wonder if I am talking about you in particular, then I'm not. When I decide to address you, I'll make sure you know I am talking about you.