[fightme]

You're making a tone argument but calling it a thought-terminating cliche. Anyone who's capable of forming an opinion on the CIA's policies has already settled on one. On the other hand, the parent downplays the CIA's actions, starting off with "Whatever one might think of US diplomacy", which oozes of propaganda and should be called out.

Talking about places like "the Other Site" certainly sounds like tribalism though-- I hope that observation helps you on your journey!