All right I've since re-read what you wrote, I know you weren't gaslighting.

I'm sorry for speculating too idly on that.

Basically, you were trying to simply sum up what your friend feels about these issues- and that is perfectly legitimate. It appears that you just needed to find a way to more clearly dilineate between your friend's views and those you yourself were arguing for. But that's a struggle a lot of us have, so it's all good.

It was a great article and I agree with your analysis.