We have come up with a workaround for the issue that works in most cases. When we pull a thread, currently the comments on it still remain in the self-search records of those involved. We moderators have begun changing the title of the thread after pulling, to put the reason, such as "[Pulled- Duplicate] Drudge Breaking!" or "[Pulled- We can only excerpt from WashPost] Bush Wants Old People To Die In Nasty Ways".
Those who were participating on a pulled thread can thereby see the reason. And if you freepmail someone who was on it, you can ask them what the reason was.
It isn't a perfect solution, but it has cut down on the questions a lot.
Thanks, AM
Now that is a fabulous workaround!
As I am sure you remember, that was one of my "hot buttons" on that infamous "Why Bother?" thread. :)