Tyler, I agree with you 100% on that one, being comfortable with some basic elements of stance and grip are certainly important, especially for the beginner, if for no other reason than safety, but also to provide a sound foundation to work from. This is why I suggest that new shooters who are interested in developing their shooting spend a little money to get training from a quality instructor.
One point of clarification.. sight alignment and front sight tracking are distinct things. I believe (some agree, some do not) that even (active) sight alignment isn't ultimately all that important for dynamic pistol shooting. With practice and a solid index, by visualizing the front sight, your sight alignment has taken care of itself because of a well-developed index. On the other hand, visualizing the front sight's movement immediately following the trigger break is absolutely vital to placing rapid follow-up shots. And the motion of the sight is irrelevant; it can go straight up, it can go to 2 o'clock, it can do a figure 4, but find what it does and watch it intently (the value of both eyes open). If it doesn't do what you expect it to do, then it's telling you what's wrong with your shooting
while you're shooting, so you can correct for the next break. "Heady" stuff I know, but worth putting out there.
As the shooter matures from beginner to intermediate (which usually happens pretty quickly), I think there is benefit in not being hung up on techniques or equipment, as people are prone to do in whatever field they are in (photography, fitness, shooting pool, golf, etc.). Perhaps the only area where people don't think better equipment or supplements or "pro secrets" will actually make them better is chess. hah What I'm driving at is, work on the shooter. Shooting isn't a very difficult task, allowing your body to naturally perform without becoming tense from excessive thought is the largest hurdle.
Some resources that immediately come to mind (as I've read or looked at them recently) are:
Practical Shooting: Beyond Fundamentals, Brian Enos
http://www.amazon.com/Practical-Sho...=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1279648679&sr=8-2
Or
http://www.brianenos.com/store/books.html, he has a number of excellent books available. I would consider him my go-to author for pistolcraft.
Surgical Speed Shooting: How To Achieve High-Speed Marksmanship In A Gunfight, Andy Stafford
http://www.amazon.com/Surgical-Spee...=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1279648722&sr=1-1
T.A.P.S. Tactical Application of Practical Shooting: Recognize the void in your tactical training, Patrick McNamara
http://www.amazon.com/P-S-Tactical-...TF8&coliid=I37H8Z6RXGOQDP&colid=1CL07PD0KL43J
Tactical Pistol Shooting: Your Guide to Tactics & Techniques that Work, Eric Lawrence
http://www.amazon.com/Tactical-Pist...=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1279648953&sr=1-1
The Gun Digest Book of Combat Handgunnery, Massad Ayoob
http://www.amazon.com/Gun-Digest-Book-Combat-Handgunnery/dp/0896895254/ref=pd_cp_b_1
The Gun Digest Book Of Concealed Carry, Massad Ayoob
http://www.amazon.com/Gun-Digest-Book-Concealed-Carry/dp/0896896110/ref=pd_cp_b_2
Stressfire, Vol. 1 (Gunfighting for Police: Advanced Tactics and Techniques), Massad Ayoob
http://www.amazon.com/Stressfire-Vo...hniques/dp/0936279036/ref=reg_hu-wl_list-recs
..and no I don't get paid by Amazon.com, but I wish I did! Happy shooting & be safe.