There's some truth in it, but most of the arguements are, if you look closely, actually old arguements including "...If it's a QA 'requiremetn' or 'spec', then why doesn't it address quality?..."
The death of ISO9K has been around for quite a while. As long as I can remember. See:
http://Elsmar.com/ubb/Forum2/HTML/000166.html
I think you have to look at ISO9 as 1 tool with limitations, as all tools have. A drill is a great tool for certain things but doesn't do everything. A saw is also a great tool, but alone isn't an answer to anything.
John Seddon's review is pretty much a "...ISO doesn't address this..." diatribe. Stuff like "...Lack of any criterion, reference or objectivity about what works..." and if you notice he keeps addressing 'what works'. ISO is one small part. If a company expects ISO to be an 'answer' to everything, they are destined to failure.
In large part, as I read Mr. Seddon's review, I thought of scare tactics. "Buy my book and you'll be rewarded. I'll help you avoid the devil!" At one point he says "... It seems to me the real purpose of documentation has not changed – it is to enable the assessor to do his job..." I think he should have said: "...it is to enable the employees to know, understand and do his/her job..." Some of this whole thing is beliefs and attitudes.
He says: "...The draft lacks integrity, it is contradictory, confusing and, worst of all, very much more demanding. It is unlikely that the auditing community will be competent to work with it..." I'm sorry,, I totally disagree.
I'd go on but it's really just a word and expectations war.
The 'review' is very good 'thought' material, however, I admit. I doubt, 5 years from now, his prophacy will be seen as fulfilled in whole or in part. ISO9K is here for quite a while.