Instead of sitting passively by (or talking/yelling at the TV), watching a breaking story, we can comment on the story as it develops, and actually read what others are thinking, in almost REAL-TIME.
Thoughts that come to mind at the time, may be forgotten, so, I think, there is no time like the present to post those views.
If people just want to read the posts having to do with the changing story, and skip by what you term "pontificating", then they are welcome to do so.
Press conference at Grady Hospital shortly.