Punctuations for a series of sentences

This sentence is often given as an example of when it's acceptable to use a comma splice, that is to divide independent clauses with commas, rather than semicolons. I think it's mainly to do with the fact that each clause is very short and that the structures are similar.

http://www.utexas.edu/courses/sutherland/Punctuation.html

From Wikipedia - Strunk & White note that (comma) splices are sometimes acceptable when the clauses are short and alike in form, such as:

"The gate swung apart, the bridge fell, the portcullis was drawn up".

Incidentally, there's an interesting article on the possible waning of the semi-colon at The Australian - http://www.theaustralian.com.au/opinion/life-of-the-semicolon-heading-for-a-full-stop/story-e6frg6zo-1226109371840