As Edward Tufte would probably put it, I feel some fidelity to the comments has been lost without the scores. The score for me added a 'feel of the community' for each of the comments left and that only mattered IFF the comment actually was worth reading.
As to the disturbing situation you mention I'd look to finding a way to make such behavior more shameful.
As to the disturbing situation you mention I'd look to finding a way to make such behavior more shameful.