I can't help what you find frustrating, but Maddux was never one of the big strike out pitchers of his era.
His rates were 6.68, 6.64, 6.95, 7.77, 6.32, 6.85, 7.31, 5.58, 6.86 (starting with his first Cy Young and ending with his last 7 WAR season). You are certainly right that his k/rate rated higher (better than average) then than it would now. It isn't clear to me how a K rate of 6.5 during the steroids error was less likely to end in peril than it is now, but I'm willing to entertain the discussion.
And yes of course his FIP reflected his lack of walks. the formula specifically accounts for that because whomever came up with it decided that the relationship between walks and strike outs was extremely important. Right or wrong, you can't use the formula to justify itself. I happen to tend to agree with it for the most part.
Also the admission that players without high K rates who limit walks come along is all anyone really needs to hear.
you show a remarkable willingness to dismiss out of hand data that doesn't support your hypotheses.