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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region Forums5pm news briefing on Boston bombing postponed indefinitely, per local Boston news station
5pm news briefing on the bombing now on indefinite hold, the reason being given is that the bomb threat at the courthouse scrambled everyone's eggs.
I hope the real reason is because they're too busy. But anyway, no news briefing at 5pm.
CaliforniaPeggy
(149,595 posts)FarPoint
(12,351 posts)it makes sense in light of the new chaos.
Auntie Bush
(17,528 posts)BumRushDaShow
(128,897 posts)He essentially took over Smerconish's show this morning on SiriusXM during the segment when he was a guest.
City Lights
(25,171 posts)FarCenter
(19,429 posts)They seem to be too heavily oriented towards providing a photo op for the mayor, the US district attorney, the MA district attorney, etc.
Although they may also be an opportunity for career advancing face time for the FBI agent in charge and the various law enforcement partners, I'd bet that they would rather release a statement and get back to work.
Elizabeth Warren appeared at one last night. A Senator is completely useless as part of the investigation and has no business at a briefing.
WilliamPitt
(58,179 posts)<-------------------------------
BumRushDaShow
(128,897 posts)Elizabeth Warren is now the Senior Senator from the state of Massachusetts (since Kerry stepped down). As an elected official representing the state where this occurred, how is she not relevant?
I expect there will be hearings on this event and even if she isn't a member of the Committees that might hold those hearings, they often invite other Senators to question panelists, and having any background info on something that happened in her state will help with any future federal legislation that might arise.
FarCenter
(19,429 posts)Her statement was uninformative and formulaic.
BumRushDaShow
(128,897 posts)and is being paid by the taxpayer to represent her state regardless of what she says or how she says it. It would behoove that she be there as a federal representative.
FarCenter
(19,429 posts)At least the Governor is the superior of the State Police Superintendent and the Mayor is the superior of the Police Commisioner (although their roles are now limited because the State Police and Boston Police are under the command of the FBI Special Agent In Charge). The US and MA attorney generals are pretty useless at this point, although they may be involved in processing warrants. They don't really get engaged until there is someone to prosecute.
All you basically need at a press conference are the FBI, ATF, State Police and Boston Police. But like I said, they would probably all prefer to release a written statement on the web, instead of dealing with inane reporters shouting repeated questions to which the obvious and logical answer is "I can't answer that at this time."
BumRushDaShow
(128,897 posts)vs who should or shouldn't be there. With these types events, they usually don't continue on with more and more of them after some set amount of time anyway, so I expect that absent some arrest or final summary pending any other breaking info, they are probably about done with them.
FarCenter
(19,429 posts)I don't think that the law enforcement types consider the process to be a good one, or the best way of releasing information to the public.
HiPointDem
(20,729 posts)who theoretically watchdog police.
i don't think press releases by police, which would allow them to control the process *more,* are really an improvement.
FarCenter
(19,429 posts)The press are not so much watchdogs as strays looking for whatever scrap they can scavenge for the next news cycle.
HiPointDem
(20,729 posts)to block them from the process.
Chan790
(20,176 posts)The MA AG is the chief law enforcement official of the state of MA. The US Atty is the chief law enforcement official of their federal district.
Everybody else you've named as belonging on that stage is accountable to one or the other.
Further, they're there to answer/address any questions of a legal nature or questions regarding order or procedure.
FarCenter
(19,429 posts)GOVERNOR PATRICK APPOINTS TIMOTHY ALBEN SUPERINTENDENT OF THE MASSACHUSETTS STATE POLICE
http://www.mass.gov/governor/pressoffice/pressreleases/2012/2012713-governor-appoints-state-police-superintendent.html
They could use this web site for press releases.
Chan790
(20,176 posts)It's a lot like how the President appoints US ambassadors but they answer to the Sec. of State.
It's a lovely website. It doesn't repudiate the effectiveness or legitimacy of press conferences.
dgibby
(9,474 posts)because not everyone in this country has a computer or ready access to one.
As for Sen. Warren, she has every right to be there.
FarCenter
(19,429 posts)She certainly has a right to be there, but she adds no value.
Lone_Star_Dem
(28,158 posts)Perhaps they're still trying to work out if they want to release the image or not? If the person isn't the bomber it could cause them - or anyone resembling them - to become the target of vigilantes.