Saying that you oppose NATO expansion is not a betrayal of communist principles. It is not concealing your views or aims by speaking in simpler terms so that normal people understand you. You don’t have to smug and esoteric to express a communist view point.

The very book that you quoted in your post is a simplification of Marx’s other writings. The communist manifesto is an introduction to communism for the masses. Would you go on TV and start with talking about coats and yards of linen? You would only talk about the coats and yards of linen who already have an some understanding of Marxism.

I’m not affiliated with CPUSA. I think it is fine to have criticisms of CPUSA. I didn’t reply to other people in the thread who criticized CPUSA. I even posted in the main post that I have heard CPUSA has a bad reputation.

What I don’t like is people who take things out of context, exaggerate, or otherwise lie to mislead people. I did not get the impression from the video that the CPUSA guy was blaming Russia for the Ukraine War.