I believe the argument isn't that there was zero politics before, but that it was creative/technical, and oh, we also have some political talks. And now it's politics, and oh, yeah, we still have a few technical talks.
No need to be hostile. I haven't attacked you or anyone else.
I never said they didn't have political opinions, it just didn't seem to be politics first. That has changed over the last decade or so, I'm guessing it's a generational shift. I'm fine with that and I'm not asking anyone to change anything. Calm down.