Re FLAPS and THRUST:
1. Flaps extended give an AND pitch moment. Retracting the flaps gives an ANU TRIM moment which counters to an extent an unwanted AND input from the MCAS.
2. Thrust gives an ANU trim moment, which counters the unwanted, erroneous and unknown cause MCAS input. Keeping thrust on assists in regaining trim.
3. Increasing speed reduces the AND trim error, and unloads the stabiliser which is necessary once the aircraft is out of trim. Increasing airspeed comes from either permitting the aircraft to pitch nose down due to the erroneous MCAS input ultimately relieving the trim load either by achieving near the actual trim speed, or by impacting the terrain, where your trim problems are suddenly over.
4. Comment made on the momentary pilot trim on the wrong sense does no justice to the crew. If you have no approapriate and expected result from an input, it is not unreasonable to ascertain if the whole system has failed, or if the system is acting in reverse (like that has never happened... even with Airbus FBW LH aileron reversal) To object to a momentary opposite input is unjust and unreasonable.
The crew are the result of the global industry's race to the bottom, not the cause, they are victims of the collective actions of regulators, OEM's and the airlines, who have given us the state we have today. It is offensive for the OEM and the Regulator to make disparaging comments on the pilots while they have been directly responsible for the loss of two jets from their actions. I doubt that it was a deliberate set of actions within the OEM, I certainly hope not...