My intent was to say, basically "We look really bad, let's not look bad" which, I realize, is different from a scientifically provable or mathematically verifiable point, but it's interesting you went so far as to interpret this as "appeals to emotion". Maybe you meant something else was wrong with it?

I am working on being concise, thanks for the suggestion.

I did work out what I mean by "elitism" that's here.

Also, I've decided to investigate what other people mean by elitism. Do you care to explain your point of view?