"It is a 30 + year old design that has been stretched far beyond what was originally envisioned. To make the 321XLR work is now requiring work arounds that sure look like klutzy grandfathered solutions that would never be allowed on a clean sheet new design."
OK, I'll bite, apart from the number of years, the same could be said about the 737 in the light of the Max debacle.
1960's era 737's evolution (sic) against the organic evolution of the A320 series into the mature product it is today does not bear comparison, Boeing had the choice of bringing a clean sheet design to the table or take the cheap option and tart up grandma (again).
None of the changes to the 320 series affected the aerodynamics unduly, if they did Airbus compensated accordingly (larger tail area A318).
I'd like to think I've missed the irony but I'm not sure it was ever intended.