The vitriol in your post is best seen in two places:

[...] slobbering on about his poor leadership skills [...]

and

The droning vitriol of the masses do nothing [...]

This kind of distain for the common person and how they react comes off as high and mighty, and is vitriolic in it's own way. Inflammatory verbs as exhibited here are never good, they appeal to the emotions over the intellect.

I've thought about what you've said in the post a little more and considered your response, and I've realized that the kind of relationship you assume is one of friendship with the CEO. This kind of relationship does not exist, the fact is that Ned the CEO of company and the majority are plain users, not contributing to development, community building or anything like that. There should be an amicable relationship between CEO and users, but it's a bit much to expect what you do.

As such the responsibilities of CEO, and indeed any leadership role, should be taken seriously and eating some humble pie when you do not deliver is par for the course.

I should say that I do agree with keeping a level of civility and I will generally call for it but some off hand responses to a very shocking statement, made with no real information even though it calls itself transparency, is to be expected and not entirely unreasonable.

It's what we do next that should count, it's another day.