The real issue I think is why it has taken the people who peddle this nonsense so long to be called out on it.

Somehow it has become a 'consensus' by sheer repetition, and not because of any supporting evidence.

In reality it's pure propaganda of the most shameless quasi-Soviet sort.

And yet it's not usually seen as such. The talking points are taken seriously and debated as if they were valid points of view, rather than lies and spin.