I too will change a topic name, for clarity, or to conform with the wishes of the Admin Staff. A topic with a title like "this really is stupid" looks better with something like "looking for an answer regarding XYZ.....", or "latest pictures" looks better as "My Lehigh Line photos, 09-19-2007". Sometimes titles have to be clarified, and the original poster can still see his name in the "original post" list, when looking at the menu list, in each forum, even if he doesn't recognize the title. (I will try to notate a change with a PM, or a "Mods note" on the bottom of the modifed post)
I would say, that IF you had a question regarding a particular post, that you might contact the Mods in that forum, and ASK them why the title was changed. If that isn't satisfactory, contact the Admins, who are always ready to help. I often close redundant topics as well, but I contact the poster, and ask them to move their post, into a relevant thread already used to discuss the info he/she feels is relevant. Failure to follow this, I will then delete the post, or lock it, after mentioning in the post, we are already discussing this topic.
Mods are people too, and we aren't perfect, and we do make mistakes. Sometimes taking the time to ask THEM why something was done, will benefit both parties, in coming to a mutual understanding. Just a thought.....