I'm not at all a fan of positive discrimination.

However, the author is saying that we shouldn't give out any opportunities because programming is supposed to be hard.

I see that as equivalent to saying programming should be restricted to the wealthiest, most privileged of society: those who can afford to take the risk and time and expense of overcoming any inherent obstacles.

The latter case is absolutely worse.

Ways of supporting people into the industry need to be found (ideally, equally), rather than complaining about and pissing on existing efforts.