Really enjoy and relate to your posts Joe. Thanks. But something important to clarify:-

ELK says:

" Those who remain are not living in ignorance. They know all about the arguments, they understand the accusations, they know full well the "story" of how not everything in the past was perfect."

You say:

"Mr. Ellis also says that he knows that "not everything in the past was perfect."  "

Er...he doesn't say that . He says it's " a story"  ie. A LIE that not everything in the past was perfect. Of course " story" has two meanings. More duplicitous doublespeak leaving loads of "wriggle room".