FWIW, I'm a long-time FreeBSD user (and can't wait to install and try out 8 even if I don't desperately need anything over 7) and I think you had good and interesting questions there. I'm a bit ashamed for the community (or rather the Slashdot faction) that you got so readily misunderstood and attacked.
To my knowledge there is no such corporate backing for BSD. It would be very interesting if there was, and in several ways it is just perfect for it. (Architecture, uniformity, licensing, etc.)
I totally agree that Apple doesn't count. It's a model example of BSD Licensing. The completely separate kernel and hugely moreso the interface give OS X a life completely divorced from FreeBSD. Doesn't matter if (the BSDL idea works and) Apple gives back to the BSD project. And... no problem.
OK, off to tinker with 8.0 now...