I was following rpietila's altcoin observer when this was discussed months ago, and I saw rpietila weigh in quite emphatically (as he has always done when I mention perpetual debasement) that he was against it. He later become slightly flexible to something like 0.1 to 1% debasement (which is entirely inadequate based on historical norms of debt issuance, etc... you won't change human nature with a crypto-currency!).
This decision was made long before his involvement, as I said. You may disagree with the stated amount of perpetual debasement, which is fine as these debates go, but it has nothing to do with rpietila. I don't remember the exact exchange but my guess would be that if he "become slightly flexible" it may have been because he recognized it was going to happen regardless of his opinion.
So I call BS on him and his ilk not having any influence. He only agreed to buy your coin because he saw that you agreed with his premises.
He didn't "agree" to buy anything. He decided on his own. It was as much as surprise to us as anyone else, perhaps more so.