Discuss this editorial.

Sean, your comment wasn't taken down, and it's still on the site. It's just been pushed down the list by other readers' more recent remarks. These things are printed in sequence. We do occasionally block or remove comments that violate our Terms of Service. But no, we don't turn violators over to the U.S. attorney's office for prosecution.

Jon Healey, Los Angeles Times @ 11:55 AM PST, Dec 4, 2008

I posted a completely non-controversial, non-inflammatory post on this page and it appeared for a few hours and was deleted. It contained no profanity and did not direct a negative comment toward anyone. It the LA Times is going to censor people on these boards for no reason at all then what's the point?

Sean K @ 11:09 AM PST, Dec 4, 2008

People say they're afraid of the implications of a conviction. I find the implications of an acquittal much more disturbing. Why are we so passionate about establishing the internet as an amoral lawless zone where anything goes? And why do we keep using the generic "cyberbulling" term? This was nothing less than gleeful, premeditated, systematic psycho-sexual torture of a child. And why do you people keep worrying about everything Lori Drew has "been through"? She hasn't shown a glimmer of remorse, hasn't taken a shred of responsibility. Save your sympathy for someone who deserves it.

Jordan @ 9:59 AM PST, Dec 4, 2008

Well written article. However, what Drew did was horrible and even though our government is cyberbullying (no shock there)they are not pretending to be 16 year old boys flirting with a fragile, clinically depressed teenage girl either. Drew knew better yet participated in this adolescent stuff anyway. There is no excuse. Elizabeth Bennett Peer Abuse Know More!

Elizabeth Bennett @ 5:26 AM PST, Dec 4, 2008

I say go for it, there are far too many people using false information in social network profiles that are designed to lure young people. This, if held up, would be one more tool that can be used to stop these people.

Luke Peters @ 4:42 AM PST, Dec 4, 2008

It's about time that some element of accountability is introduced to communications via internet. You shouldn't expect to get away with things you wouldn't dream of doing in the "real" world. Like harassment, intentional infliction of emotional distress, etc. It's funny how people imagine that there is a real reality and then there is a virtual reality. There is always a real person on the other end.

tom @ 12:01 AM PST, Dec 4, 2008

Hello! My REAL name is RICARDO but I just signed this post under RICHARD. I have just violated the law! This is ridiculous to say the least. Lori Drew is NOT GUILTY. This is ridiculous. Case law is ridiculous, too.

Richard @ 11:50 PM PST, Dec 3, 2008

There should be stricter laws governing sites like MySpace so this doesn't happen again. Drew is almost 50 years and had no business playing with the mind of a suicidal teenager. She took advantage of her condition and used the internet to prey on her. I hope she gets the maximum sentence. I hope the judge doesn't grant the acquittal.

Toni @ 11:10 PM PST, Dec 3, 2008

Don't see any difference between this and going after Al Capone on income tax violations. Sometimes it is not possible to go to trial on the worst of a criminal's offeses so some other charge that can be sustained is used.

ratcityreprobate @ 8:23 PM PST, Dec 3, 2008

These comments scare me. So many people willing to let bad case law be created because of their emotional knee-jerk reaction for "justice". Drew is deplorable, but so is this conviction. The people who claim "justice served" simply don't understand the true cost of obtaining said "justice". They would be shocked to find out that they commit the same "crime" daily as they surf and leave comments across the web. With any luck this ruling will be tossed out.

Jeff in LA @ 4:34 PM PST, Dec 3, 2008

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