I don't recall
Making this specific to TechRepublic anymore than your defining cost versus profit centers is specific wrt technology.
I do read more than tech blogs and no where else do I find this derisive use of the term cost center in conjunction with those divisions that are regarded as not being profit centers.
You make a good point though in that as this is a forum specific to technology, why are contributors writing such articles with such tone. You won't find marketing or hr trying to kneecap themselves in this way.