Very Sad.
I myself tire of PP's claims that he somehow is trying to warn, or "wake up" the self-proclaimed longs that profess such confidence in PTOI in the face of what (I think) both PP and I believe is overwhelming evidence to the contrary, not to mention an extensive and well-documented history which seems to show this history repeating itself, year after year.
Having said that, no matter what PP's true motivations are, I do not believe he is a compensated "basher", and I certainly don't see anything "dispicable" about him pointing out instances of you yourself getting indignant with another poster who apparently did not share your optimistic enthusiasm, and I don't see any "sick, twisted spin" that PP is applying to your own words.
And no, I don't personally see the current "situation" being fundamentally different from the situation 4 years ago.