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I feel horribly sad for all who lost loved ones here. However, all the evidence I've seen is that it became a rumor-driven he-said-she-said almost mob-like mentality when word of the living miners came through. I did not happen to see any of the news coverage last night, as my husband is an avid FSU fan and the game was on, but was saddened to see it this morning.

I can't really tell who is at fault here, if there even is a fault. It seems more like a foolish mistake that had sad consequences.

"I can't really tell who is at fault here, if there even is a fault. It seems more like a foolish mistake that had sad consequences."

As mentioned above, the press in this nation has been given wider levity than anywhere else on earth. This has been done, from a constitutional perspective, to ensure that the people, tasked with the responsibilities of self-governance, remain adequately informed to do so.

I'm aware of far too few journalists who seem to be aware of there simple responsibilities in this role, or who appear to take it seriously.

I do not begrudge any person earning whatever they can legally earn by doing whatever they legally do, yet, when the social utility of a profession, particularly one assigned certain responsibilities and stipulated certain rights abandons that role simply for, "the scoop," facts be damned, they have seriously malfunctioned.

It's particularly visible in this case, because the failure to check facts and confirm information before 'running with the story,' amounted to little more than the most sinister of pranks on an entire community. There are countless times where the press has damaged the reputations and livliehoods of individuals and families with little remorse for similar failures to confirm the truth.

It was fascinating to watch. I was watching when it was announced that the miners were alive. It was chaos - family members cheering, hugging, crying, smiling. At first the reporters on the scene seemed apprehensive to report the news, saying that they had not heard from the company, but that family members in the church had heard from the company. They kept cutting to the press briefing room saying a conference should come at any time.

But as the coverage went on, though, the reporters seemed to forget that the story had not been confirmed by the mining company. They kept interviewing random passersby and various family members, using them as verified sources. It was fascinating to see the story develop. Absolutely tragic.