Not really. There is a big difference between the posts you're referring to and the privacy concerns inherent in each.

The one underhandedly fills in information that the user hasn't explicitly given a site. That's abhorrent.

Another offers a solution for incorporating multiple analytics services into a website a sane way. That's worthy of applause.

They are completely different products/services serving completely different needs.

I'd disagree that it's a natural progression to move from collecting anonymous (or at least pseudo-anonymous) use data from what your users actively do on your web site (which is very useful for measuring usage and making design improvements) to cross-referencing that with data your users did not give you for the explicit purpose of identifying them.

It's not quite apples to apples, Google Analytics prohibits associating personal information with web analytics information.

Sort of like we simultaneously censure and aspire to getting bought out by a larger software company?

Remember: it's one thing when it affects you as a user. It's another thing when it affects your users.

It just depends on which hat you're wearing.