Yes. Actually, this is one reason I like the socialite firefox plugin for reddit. Letting me access the comments directly from the link is exactly what I need. Going back to the main page to find the comments link after I've read the link is a pain in the ass.
Socialite is designed with a modular structure, making it possible to support other sites. It would be feasible to write a Hacker News module to exist alongside reddit support. If you'd be interested in hacking on it, I'd be pleased to work with you.
Maybe I could hack this together for HN....