There is always next time. As waiting for a situation to arise for potential ammo has a very decent chance to backfire. That's what I was referring toward, and listed examples immediately after on it's impact toward pop. It hasn't been building but on rare occasions for awhile now, were it contrary to this we'd already be using CTF to seed a lot more. We've more often had to do the reverse of what you suggested and build with CQ, then try either ctf or TDM depending what people want. I'm glad you understand the matter of xpacks being vulnerable as well.
Negative, I don't feel that way. I've pointed out the statements were insulting (specifically, they were to both efforts and Moon) and was curious enough I asked if you knew or intended them that way. Along with mentioning how they could adversely impact other subjects you write about. They were neither very respectful. We do try new things to keep the population up, and we will always continue to. At this point however I should stress very few things are that "new" to us - something like "run a different game mode" certainly isn't. If you would like more insight into mechanics of how we look at a bigger picture, there are nicer ways of asking than I have seen. But, for some homework, tell me how often you see a server on CTF keep around 30 players - in vanilla, on what map, and at about what hour (in PST if you please). Some of your requests include incorporating smaller maps into rotation, that's another thing again we've done. Berlin was already added in before you asked, it was also even worked on some so it wouldn't end in 10 minutes. Here's a possible consequence we look at that was already mentioned and was misunderstood, it may bring in some infantry vets in the short term; but that's short-term as in minutes. Players with a higher ping from europe can end up getting shot to hell, and disconnecting after 10-20 minutes. I still expect it to do decently however, and hopefully it shall.
If you interpret others having a lens of experience as ignoring you, that is an option. Although it isn't them being spiteful. Nor have at least my feelings been hurt. I mainly advise against opinions worded that blame a sole entity for something like the decline of players across all of north america. As for ideas that have struck a cord, well kinda, but things like smaller maps we're already doing. They too can only be played so much.