[SampleMan]

Tests are done at 4am, when the fewest people will be inconvenienced. This will be done during the day. It’s not a “test”, it’s a “Demonstration”.
It was also done to see if the system could play a multi-minute message, as would come from the Office of the President. We know it works, we test it all the time.

Yes, precisely what struck me. A test can be done at the least watched times, but they want this to be seen. And in this modern time, do we really need to confirm that a "long broadcast" is possible? What do you learn about connectivity after the first 10 seconds?

Interestingly, the system wasn't used on 9-11, when it would have been logical to warn people to watch out for massed muslim attacks.

[hoagy62]

Oh...one other thing: The reason they decided NOT to use EAS on 9/11 is that ALL the networks were covering the same thing. Because of what had happened, everyone ALREADY WAS on alert for shenanigans from muzzies. A national-level EAS alert is for situations when the President doesn’t have time OR is unable to get on the networks to tell us something (like if he’s on the NEACP getting his ass out of DC because there’s an inbound nuke).