I think it's more than reasonable to allow the newcomers up to three days to get the feel for everything going on, catching up on diplo, etc. Now we know the game is going again, which was the main point, so to show our gratitude to Catwalk and B4ndit for taking over a civ nearly midgame we should all smile and say yes to that request. 
As the Americans learned so painfully in Earth's final century, free flow of information is the only safeguard against tyranny. The once-chained people whose leaders at last lose their grip on information flow will soon burst with freedom and vitality, but the free nation gradually constricting its grip on public discourse has begun its rapid slide into despotism. Beware of he who would deny you access to information, for in his heart he dreams himself your master. - Commissioner Pravin Lal, "U.N. Declaration of Rights"
Can someone log in and unpause the game so I can get out?
Halp!