If you were to log in, you'd be able to get more information on your fellow community member.
I can think of two good reasons for preserving this discussion thread: history and education. One lesson I take from this discussion is that one's behavior catches up with you. If you do a Google Search for "Alan Cardenas," you learn about his use of Phil's photos without permission and see that 7 years later, he took the time to post a comment lampooning Phil for leaving this discussion up on the web. Sounds a bit like shifting the blame to me, though others may see it differently. In any case, both what happened and people's perspectives are put out in the public forum. Personally, I think that provides a great benefit to people concerned with the general issue of copyright protection.