Although it is not the case currently, what if the messages, technically, could not be deleted. Say that /. used CD-ROMs for all archives and had a CD-ROM server to access them. In this case there would be no direct way to remove the posts. Of course coppy the CD, minus the offending material, could be done but that is roughly equivelant to a paper magazine recalling a issue.
Alternatively, what if the ./ code did not have delete functionality? Would the legistration require reprogramming (costing time and money) in order to comply?
I'm not suggesting these are ways to get around the problem I'm just considering the possibilities.
--Qythyx