I don't think that's clear at all. You're both assuming "bad intentions" on the part of the author and that other readers are apt to make an association that yo

I don't think that's clear at all. You're both assuming "bad intentions" on the part of the author and that other readers are apt to make an association that you yourself wouldn't make. But for the sake of curiosity: How would you rephrase the same facts to not be a smear?