If douchebag players were the sole measure as to why an internet game lives or dies then games like World of Warcraft, Counter Strike, etc. would never have made it off the ground. I would dare say the rate to obnoxius douche bags in those games is off the charts compared to CF. I think blaming players who don't agree with how things are run here for why the game isn't flourishing is a very convient excuse. Also as for your little experiment what was your controls? How many new players log off and don't come back after being killed by anyone vs. OOC jerks? How many people take an extended break after dying vs dying to the OOC jerks? Etc.
You say the forums drive off people because players dare to complain about things they see as unfair in the game, have you ever been to any other game forums? Number one this is the place players are supposed to vent their fustrations, number 2 I would say this place is a serene pond compared to the violent tempests most game forums are. Impart because any disagreement with staff is immediately locked down or deleted, which in turn creates more animosity by ignoring the problem until you get an explosion like this.

That which does not kill us,
makes us stronger.