I think this is, essentially, the reason why many newbies get flamed. What have we learned thus far about our new friend beagle? Is beagle pro-life, pro-2A, pro-family? Does beagle believe in a free, unfettered, market driven economy?
Most importantly, does beagle know how to treat moose bites?
At the very least beagle needs some cheese to go with that whine.
I think part of the problem with the giant influx of new folks is that with the whole 60 minutes thing it suddenly became "cool" to be on FR. Something like... "In the future, everyone will be Buckhead for 15 minutes."
Most of our other periods of rapid growth came at times of struggle (like yourself, I signed up during the election fiasco) because we needed the community of like minded brethern. 9-11 is another example.
FR is always changing, with continuity provided by a shared history and the work of many great FReepers. This is just another bump in the road.
If we made it through the "All your base..." phase, we can survive anyhting. :)