Slubber, you've raised some interesting points.
Firstly, and I hope MNHQ is listening, cos it would really help, I think it would be enormously helpful if we could have "stickies" as many, many forums do that give helpful advice on FAQ/other key subjects. Not just on breeders/rescues, but on things like best wellies for dog walking, good books, why aversive training doesn't work, how to choose a good behaviourist etc. All of these are questions that come up with great frequency on the Doghouse, and the fact they do shows that people are not able or willing to look back through older threads. When you are repeating information on why puppy farming is a bad thing for what feels like the 674th time, people can sometimes get a bit short.
Also, there's the old saying "google is your friend" and it's very difficult in this day and age to honestly believe that a person who had done even a modicum of research would think, for example that buying a puppy from a pet shop would be a good idea.
Secondly, and it's a bit like AIBU, occasionally people come on and simply don't like the answers that are given. I'm not referring to this thread, but I've seen more than one recently where someone has posted, been given advice and the OP has flounced dramatically because we didn't do a Netmums style group hug with sparkly tickers all round, and superfluous use of "hun".
Thirdly, maybe some of the critics who don'tlike the style of posting here should be contributing themselves more often. Any forum stands or falls on the quality and variety of input. I've learned an enormous amount for example from some of the reputable breeders who post on here regularly.
Every so often, certain regular posters get a good MN kicking, and quite often a whole heap of people queue up to join in who rarely appear in the Doghouse, yet are eager to stick the boot in. That is why, even though I agree broadly with the points you've made, I won't criticise other regular posters (there'll be plenty of others who will) but prefer to support the many very positive outcomes and threads. For every occasional bruised ego, we can also point to some really wonderful outcomes - in the last few days the Doghouse for instance swung into action to help a dog that was being rehomed that day and a positive outcome was achieved for everyone. Funnily enough, we didn't see any of the critics here then to give support.
Lastly, this is a subject where people are understandably concerned when posters are considering buying/giving away dogs as many of us see at first hand how this ends up. Where in Wales alone, 6000 dogs last year needed to be found homes and of these, 500 perfectly healthy dogs faced the needle in Council pounds. The stakes are high.