If I say the sky is green, and someone calls me a witch (in the classic, not the colloquial, sense), or a nut, or a liar, that's "demonizing".

If I say the sky is green, and someone points out that it isn't green, it's blue (or grey, or whatever color it happens to be that day), that's "pointing out error".

The article never called Mr. Powell names. It pointed out the considerable lack of corroboration that any discoveries have so far provided for his statements. It pointed out error. The reader is left to draw his or her own conclusions.

The character of his family was never ever addressed, let alone impuned. Your bringing it up here shows your mastery of the art of fishing. That's one big, fat red herring to land. Is your talent with the rod and reel the inspiration for your nautical motif?

If I say the sky is green, and someone points out that the sky is never green, that's ignorance about the phenomenon we call "hail". But hail is rare, and hard to miss when it happens.

For the sake of the reputation of America, I hope Mr. Powell's hailstones eventually fall. But as the air clears, I have come to believe that the chances of that are small. Hence the snow job.

Regards--
Mary Anne