I agree that Front-paged nodes should be special, but I'm against giving only Saints the power to front-page a node. Perhaps it is a good idea to Front-page a node only if it has received x votes in favour of front-paging, with the possibility to give votes against front-paging as well.

A bit like moderation works.

Or only allow nodes to be front-paged after 1 or 2 days. Then you would have few nodes front-paged with no matured discussion. That can only increase the value of the node. "Newest Nodes" would then have a real meaning: you go there for the bleeding edge, whereas the Front-page is for the well-laid out and well-discussed nodes.