Florida State Responds to Shooting

At about 12:30 a.m., someone entered a library at Florida State University and shot four bullets. Three people were injured, and the gunman was shot dead by police when he failed to put down the gun and shot at one of the officers.

Tallahassee and university police officers assured people that the campus is safe, emphasizing that this was an "isolated incident" with "one person acting alone."

Messages on FSU's emergency alert page described the situation and announced that classes were cancelled for today. The site included this statement from the university president.

MESSAGE FROM UNIVERSITY PRESIDENT JOHN THRASHER REGARDING CAMPUS SHOOTING

The Florida State University community is extremely saddened by the shootings that took place early this morning at Strozier Library, in the very heart of campus, and our thoughts and prayers are with the families and loved ones of all those who have been affected.

The three students who have been injured are our highest priority followed by the needs of our greater university community. We will do everything possible to assist with their recovery.
Over the past few hours, I have received several briefings from administrators and law enforcement regarding campus safety and security, and they have established that this was an isolated incident. Florida State University and Tallahassee police departments have done an extraordinary job taking quick and decisive action to prevent further tragedy, to secure the scene and to keep campus safe. They have assured me that there is no further threat.

We are increasing security measures and providing a strong law enforcement presence on and around campus today. I have great confidence in the abilities of our local law enforcement agencies to handle this matter.

As we try to make sense of what is a senseless incident, the Counseling Center and Employee Assistance will provide counseling and support for FSU faculty, staff and students affected by these events. Should anyone need or desire such services, please contact the center at the Askew Student Life Building or call (850) 644-2003.

We will continue to share information with you regarding this matter as it becomes available.

Discussion Starters:

• Analyze the three police officers' statements in the news conference. Although we see only short segments, describe their roles in providing information. How did they divide content, and do you find the information useful and relevant?
• What should be the university president's next step in communication?

NYC News Conference About Ebola

A news conference at Bellevue Hospital addressed the situation of the NYC doctor diagnosed with Ebola.  

Mayor Bill de Blasio opened the conference by immediately allaying fears: 

"Today, testing confirmed that a patient here in New York City had tested positive for Ebola. The patient is now here in Bellevue Hospital. We want to state at the outset – there is no reason for New Yorkers to be alarmed. Ebola is an extremely hard disease to contract. It is transmitted only through contact with an infected person's blood or other bodily fluids – not through casual contact. New Yorkers who have not been exposed to an infected person's bodily fluids are not at all at risk. And we want to emphasize that New York City has the world's strongest public health system, the world's leading medical experts, and the world's most advanced medical equipment.

"We have been preparing for months for the threat posed by Ebola. We have clear and strong protocols, which are being scrupulously followed and were followed in this instance. And Bellevue Hospital is specially designed for isolation, identification, and treatment of Ebola patients. Every hospital in the city is prepared in the event that other patients come forward."

Referring to the situation in New York as "a world apart from the scene that unfolded in a Dallas hospital last month," a New York Times article complimented Bellevue Hospital's handling of Dr. Craig Spencer's case. Using verbs such as "whisked," the writer explains how the New York hospital improved protocols for handling Ebola patients. The Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital is still recovering from criticism.

Discussion Starters:

• Watch the news conference or read the full transcript. What principles of persuasion did the mayor and governor use to assure the public of safety?
• What different roles did people play during the news conference? Who covered which information? 
• What else could have been included in the conference? Is anything missing?

Ferguson Police Chief's Video Apology

It's a little late, but Chief of Police Thomas Jackson apologized to the family of Michael Brown, the teenager who was shot on August 9, 2014. Wearing casual clothes rather than a police uniform, Jackson spoke to the camera to deliver his message.  

Jackson explained, "The reason we did a taped statement was because there was a lot that I wanted to say, and I wanted to make sure that it was clear. It's harder to do these things out in public." In the message, Jackson acknowledged public mistrust, which some say is irreparable.

Critics on Twitter and Rev. Al Sharpton weren't impressed.

Rev. Sharpton said the response was "too little, too late."

About the delay, Jackson said that he had been wanting to speak with Brown's parents directly for some time. And about his choice of clothes, Jackson said, "It's just me."

Discussion Starters:

• Consider Jackson's options for an apology. Consider the audience, objectives, timing, medium choice, and so on.
• What's your view of the apology video? How do you think the family responded?

Alibaba Chairman's Early Pitch

Bloomberg has unearthed Alibaba Chairman Jack Ma's early pitch to 17 friends back in 1999. Alibaba, the Chinese e-commerce company, just went public with the largest IPO in history, making Ma one of China's wealthiest people.

In this short segment, Ma positions Alibaba as a global company, encourages an American work ethic, predicts the Internet bubble, and sets his IPO plan for 2002.

Discussion Starters:

• Watch more recent videos of Jack Ma. What differences and similarities do you notice?
• Watch Jack Ma's presentation at Stanford. What key messages do you hear? How would you rate Ma as a public speaker?

NFL Goodell's Press Conference Doesn't Go Too Well

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell held a press conference about the organization's policies on domestic violence. A week after apologizing for not being tough enough during the Ray Rice situation, Goodell tried to respond to continuing criticism and unanswered questions, but critics were harsh.

The entire conference is captured here by Fox News. His speech begins at 21:25.

 Here are some highlights:

• Started with another apology: "I got it wrong in the handling of the Ray Rice matter, and I'm sorry for that."
• Outlined steps taken, including asking for an independent investigation, and promised "swift action" based on those findings.
• Described information distributed about support organizations and education sessions planned for staff to be followed by training programs.
• Said the league recognizes sexual assault and domestic violence issues and has entered into parternships with a hotline and resource center.
• Promised to condemn and punish illegal behavior.

Then Goodell talked about our legal system and that "everyone deserves a fair process." He promised changes to their conduct policies by the Superbowl and said, "nothing is off the table." He complimented players, coaches, and staff and focused on "positive, significant changes going forward."

Press questions focused on his unilateral power, questioned whether the NFL asked for the entire Ray Rice video as claimed (34:40 and 45:00) and what Rice told him 41:20), pondered whether Goodell is holding himself accountable and whether he has considered resigning (37:10 and 38:00). In response, Goodell said he has no plans to resign and focused on the "work to be done."

Critics said Goodell is not doing enough and skirted tough questions.

Discussion Starters:

• Do you find Goodell believable, particularly about the Ray Rice situation?
• Watch the exchange starting at 45:40. The reporter pushes Goodell to consider why the Rice situation was difficult (46:33). Could Goodell have approached the question differently?
• Overall, what could Goodell have done differently to get better reviews of the press conference? Consider both his initial statement and how he handled the Q&A.
• Should Goodell resign?

Assessing 2014 Emmy Speeches

Entertainment Weekly ranked the 23 acceptance speeches from the 2014 Emmy Awards. Breaking Bad's Bryan Cranston (Lead Actor in a Drama Series) topped the list: 

"It was Cranston's night. He had the perfect amount of humility ('Even I thought about voting for Matthew'), humor ('I love you, especially those scenes in bed,' he told Anna Gunn) and inspiration ('find your passion, Sneaky Petes')."

Entertainment Weekly also complimented Aaron Paul, who won for best supporting actor in Breaking Bad:

"Using his Emmy acceptance speech to express his love for Cranston and praise his wife was nice. But really, he gets this high up for having the best exit, jogging backward and pumping his trophy into the air."

Other speeches were deemed too short, too long, cute, safe, uneventful, memorable, etc.

Discussion Starters:

• Which was your favorite speech? Why?
• Watch the last couple on Entertainment Weekly's list. Is the criticism justified?

How (Not) to Avoid Reporters' Questions

Technical glitch or avoiding the question? Pundits are debating whether former Israeli Ambassador to the United States Michael Oren really couldn't hear Andrea Mitchell's question.

Mitchell (MSNBC): "And I just have to ask you very briefly, in ten seconds, were you aware any of eavesdropping on John Kerry by Israeli intelligence?" 

Oren: "Andrea, I cannot hear you. I'm sorry." [ear piece touch] "[utterances] I'm in Tel Aviv. I cannot hear you. I'm sorry."

Oren was still the Israeli ambassador at the time of the alleged eavesdropping.

Huffington Post compiled a video of embarrassing question evasions. And this reminds me of the woman who hid under her desk to avoid a reporter. Not the best option.

Discussion Starters: 

• Do you believe that Oren couldn't hear? Explain your response with evidence from the video.
• If Oren was simply evading the question, what would have been a better strategy for managing the question?

GM CEO Faces More Tough Questions

Appearing at the House committee hearing, GM CEO Mary Barra was prepared to answer questions following an internal investigation. Barra announced 15 terminations and additional disciplinary action based on the report findings and promised "no stone unturned." She also discussed creating a "new standard," a "new norm." 

But Barra was challenged on how she'll change the culture considering her own 30-year tenure and the small number of people terminated. Emphasizing "the right environment," Barra said these terminations "send a message." Watch video.

Lawmakers also pulled emails from 2005 to prove the depth of the internal problem. One email was from an employee who owned an Impala:

"I think this is a serious safety problem, especially if this switch is on multiple programs. I'm thinking big recall."

It wasn't until just this past week that the Impala was recalled.

Although Barra was hopeful that the report would be a turning point in lawmakers' concern, committee members, such as Colorado ongresswoman Diana DeGette, were still skeptical:

"The report does not answer all the key questions. . . .The report singles out many individuals at G.M. who made poor decisions or failed to act, but it doesn't identify one individual in positions of high leadership who was responsible for these systemic failures."

In an interview, Barra sounded proud of the new culture they were creating at GM.

 Discussion Starters:

• What's your view of Barra's approach at this point? Should she or can she do something differently?
• How well are the lawmaker's handling the line of questioning? What should be their approach at this point?

New Doctor's Commencement Speech

I've seen enough "had them in stitches" jokes about this speech, but it is quite funny. Bailey Sanders was chosen by her classmates at Penn State's College of Medicine to deliver this year's student commencement speech.

The success of Sanders' speech, in my opinion, rests on one factor: the writing. Poignant, colloquial at times, yet sprinkled with dramatic flourishes, the speech reads like a clever short story. The delivery and timing are nothing special, but Sanders is who she is-that's clear.

Penn State College of Medicine's

Penn State College of Medicine's

Regret is the theme of Sanders' speech, and she starts with her one regret, studying French: 

"My last day of Spanish class was in the second grade. Everyone was speaking Spanish but the cool kids, the dreamers, the middle schoolers who looked conjugation in the face and laughed. They took French. I wish I could go back to that seven-year-old me and push me off the swings. Tell me what a colossal idiot I was and what a horrible mistake I was making. I really only have one regret in this life and that is that after years of translating and conjugating, I'm pretty darn good at French. A language spoken by one country, the colonies that remain from their attempts of global domination, and half a dozen folks in Canada, the middle child of North America. And by absolutely no one in an American hospital. It may be the language of art and the language of love, but it is not the language of practicality in the American healthcare system. . . ."

Discussion Starters:

• What makes Sanders' speech funny to you-or not? Describe your reaction.
• In Chapter 11, we talk about humor in presentations as a risk. What risks should Sanders have considered in preparing her speech? On balance, the risks seem worth it. Why do you think this is the case, and how could it have turned out differently?

GM Terminates 15 People

GM is cleaning house, hoping to rid itself of criticism about delaying recalls, which caused 13 deaths. CEO Mary Barra announced the decision after an internal investigation revealed that several executives knew about an ignition switch problem for years and avoided a fix that would have cost 57 cents.

In a message to employees, captured on video, Barra says she is guided by two principles: "doing the right thing for those who were harmed" and taking responsibility "to make sure this never happens again." She also blames the actions of "a few people," a strategic move to separate the company from a few bad apples who have since left.

Fifteen people were terminated and another five were disciplined, some for misconduct and others for not taking enough action. One email showed that several people were aware of the problem, which persisted for another nine years. A GM parts manufacturer wrote, Chevy "Cobalt is blowing up in their face in regards to turning the car off."

Discussion Starters:

• How do you assess GM's decision to terminate 15 people and discipline another five? Is this enough?
• What other persuasive strategies is Barra using in her presentation to employees? What key messages do you take from the video?

What We Learn from 300 Commencement Speeches Since 1774

NPR has compiled more than 300 commencement speeches, all searchable by "name, school, date, or theme."

 

In an article about the speeches, NPR identified 12 themes:

1. Change the world
2. Tips
3. Inner voice
4. Don't give up
5. Work hard
6. Embrace failure
7. Remember history
8. Dream
9. Balance
10. Make Art
11. YOLO
12. Be kind

NPR also tells us about the changing face of commencement speakers:

"Since the colonial era, young graduates in stiff gowns and itchy mortarboards have been forced to sit through this one last lecture. On rare occasions, politicians have used commencements to say important things, like John F. Kennedy announcing a nuclear test ban. Other lucky graduates have been treated to profound musings by literary geniuses like Joseph Brodsky and Kurt Vonnegut or calls to action by activists like Gloria Steinem.

"Today, like so much else, the format has become dominated by celebs - the Conan O'Briens, Meryl Streeps, and Amy Poehlers. But commencement speeches still make news, and like those by the late David Foster Wallace and the great George Saunders, they can still be poetry."

Discussion Starters:

• If you were to watch just two speeches, which would you watch? Would you search by name, school, or something else?
• Watch and assess one of the speeches: What observations do you make about the organization, tone, delivery, messages, and so on?

Don Sterling Finally Apologizes but Not Very Well

Los Angeles Clippers owner Donald Sterling started his interview with Anderson Cooper on CNN with a clear apology, but it was an odd showing overall. Business Insider called the interview a train wreck. The first part of the interview shown here goes well:

"I made a terrible, terrible mistake. And I'm here with you today to apologize and to ask for forgiveness for all of the people I've that hurt. I've never dreamt that this could happen."

But the interview seems to go downhill from there. Sterling said that he was hurt by Magic Johnson, and yet he was quite critical of the famous player. He said that he prayed for Johnson "when he had those AIDS," suggested that Johnson isn't a good role model, said that he "should be ashamed of himself," and questioned what he has done for the Black community.

In another interview, Sterling's estranged wife, Shelly Sterling, spoke on The Today Show. She is fighting to keep her part-ownership of the clippers and said, "I'm very angry. And I'm very hurt. And I even cried listening to that [Don Sterling's CNN interview], because I just feel bad. . . .Why am I the victim when he's the perpetrator? If somebody killed somebody, does the wife have to stand trial too?"

Discussion Starters:

• What could Sterling have done differently during the interview? Consider his preparation and delivery? Watch the full video.
• How are Sterling's own attitudes getting in the way of his attempts to rebuild his image?
• Was appearing on CNN the right decision? Why or why not?

News Conference About Hot-Air Balloon

A hot-air balloon drifted into a power line, caught fire, and then crashed in Virginia. The pilot and two passengers, staff members of the University of Richmond's women's basketball program, were killed. The state police led the news conference about the incident.

The University of Richmond posted this statement on its website:

Spiders Saddened By Tragic Hot Air Balloon Accident

Courtesy:Richmond Athletics
Release:05/10/2014

UNIVERSITY OF RICHMOND, Va. -- The University of Richmond community extends its prayers and thoughts to the families of two members of the women's basketball staff who were aboard a balloon that crashed May 9 in Caroline County, Va.

Ginny Doyle, associate head women's basketball coach, and Natalie Lewis, director of basketball operations, were on the balloon that crashed shortly before 8 p.m. Virginia State Police have recovered two of the balloon's three occupants.  Official identification is pending from the Medical Examiner's Office.

"As alumnae, classmates, and colleagues – and as invaluable and devoted mentors for our student-athletes – Ginny and Natalie have been beloved members of our community," said President Edward L. Ayers. "Their leadership and friendship will endure in the lives of so many."

"Words cannot begin to express our sorrow," said Keith Gill, director of athletics. "We are all stunned by the tragic news. Our thoughts and prayers go out to their loved ones."

Doyle, a former Richmond basketball standout who graduated in 1992, has served on the Spiders' staff for 16 years. During her tenure at Richmond, she helped guide the Spiders to nine winning seasons, an at-large berth to the 2005 NCAA Tournament, five consecutive postseason appearances and a first-ever appearance in the Atlantic 10 Championship final in 2009.

As a student-athlete, Doyle was a two-time all-conference player, leading the Spiders to the 1991 CAA Championship and NCAA Tournament.  She is the program's career leader in free throw percentage and set the NCAA Division I record for consecutive free throws made with 66, a mark that stood for 18 years. 

Lewis graduated from Richmond in 2011 and began her professional career with Spider Athletics in 2012.  She has been with the women's basketball program for the past two seasons.  As an undergraduate, Lewis was a championship swimmer and four-year varsity letter winner at Richmond, serving twice as team captain. She was on three Atlantic 10 swimming championship teams. She also was a student government cabinet member and graduated as a Spider Scholar Athlete.

The university has arranged access to counselors to assist faculty, staff and students following this tragic accident.  

Discussion Starters:

• Assess the news conference in terms of delivery style, content, organization, and so on.
• In this video clip, we see only part of the news conference. What else should be said?
• What's your view of the university's statement? What works well, and what could be improved?

NBA and Sponsors Respond to Clippers Owner's Offensive Comments

An audio recording of LA Clippers owner Don Sterling shocked the league with comments that NBA Commissioner Adam Silver called "truly offensive and disturbing." The nine-minute recording, released by TMZ, included these statements made to Sterling's girlfriend, who happens to be black and Mexican:

• "It bothers me a lot that you want to broadcast that you're associating with black people. Do you have to?" (3:30)
• "You can sleep with [black people]. You can bring them in, you can do whatever you want.  The little I ask you is not to promote it on that ... and not to bring them to my games." (5:15)
• "I'm just saying, in your lousy ******* Instagrams, you don't have to have yourself with, walking with black people." (7:45)
• "...Don't put him [Magic] on an Instagram for the world to have to see so they have to call me.  And don't bring him to my games." (9:13)

Commissioner Silver made a short statement and then answered questions during a news conference:

Head Coach and Senior Vice President of Basketball Operations Doc Rivers made this statement, posted on the NBA website:

"I would like to reiterate how disappointed I am in the comments attributed to [Donald Sterling] and I can't even begin to tell you how upset I am and our players are. Today, I had a meeting with the members of our organization. When you are around all these people, you realize they are just as upset and embarrassed by the situation and it does not reflect who they really are. That was what I got from all of them. They are now a part of this and they are upset at this. But, they are all going to hang in there and so are we - I can tell you that as a group and as a team. From our fans' standpoint, I want to say that they have been amazing, I can tell you that. We need unbelievable support right now from other people and I'm hoping we get that. My hope is that whatever the fans do, it is as one. I think that is what we all should do.

"We want to make the right decisions here. We're doing our very best to try and do that. We know that fans are in a dilemma as well. We want them to cheer for their players and their team. It will always be their players and their team. From the fans that I have heard from, that's how they feel. ‘This is my team. These are my players that I'm cheering for and that's not going to change.' I hope STAPLES Center is packed and people are cheering for the players. The players are now in the middle of this, and they have to deal with it.

"We are all trying to figure out everything as it goes and just do our best and we hope that it is the right answer. I'm still going to do my best and do what I think is best for the team and for everybody in this case. It is very difficult because there are so many emotions in this. This is a very emotional subject, this is personal.

"My belief is that the longer we keep winning, the more we talk about this. I believe that is good. If we want to make a statement - I believe that is how we have to do it. I think that is the right way to do it, but that doesn't mean we still don't wrestle with it every day and every moment. That is the difficult part.

"We are all doing our best here. Our players are doing their best. There are a lot of people involved in this. From one man's comments, a lot of people have been affected and the conversations that we're all having do need to be had."

As the NBA addresses inquiries, sponsors are pulling out. Mercedes-Benz, CarMax, Virgin America, State Farm, the Chumash Casino Resorts, Red Bull, Kia Motors America, Lumber Liquidators, and Yokohama Tire have all announced an end to or suspension of their advertising agreements.

UPDATE: Adam Silver announces that Sterling will be fined the maximum $2.5 million and banned from the NBA for life.

UPDATES: In another recording of Sterling, he explains his comments this way: "I know what I said was wrong, but I never thought the private conversation would go anywhere out to the public. I didn't want her to bring anyone to the games because I was jealous."

Time Warner Chairman and CEO Dick Parsons was selected as interim CEO until new ownership is decided. Parsons said, "Like most Americans, I have been deeply troubled by the pain the Clippers' team, fans and partners have endured. The Clippers are a resilient organization with a brilliant coach and equally talented and dedicated athletes and staff who have demonstrated great strength of character during a time of adversity."

Discussion Starters:

• Although the NBA has been responding to questions, the league has made no comment about the declining sponsorships. What, if anything, should be said at this point?
• What is suspiciously missing from these communications?

South Korea Prime Minister Apologizes and Resigns

South Korea Prime Minister Chung Hong-won has resigned, taking responsibility for issues associated with the ferry that sank. More than 300 people died, mostly high school students. In his resignation speech, the PM said that resigning was "the right thing to do" and apologized for "many problems, from the prevention of the accident to the early handling of the accident (BBC translation)." Initially, families were told that everyone had been rescued.

Critics say that the prime minister is a figure head and that President Park Geun-hye should take the fall. The opposing party called the resignation a "cowardly evasion of responsibility" and called for the president to apologize.

A professor of political science and diplomacy at Myongji University in Seoul said the incident will not likely affect the upcoming election in June. Shin Yul said that the resignation "may tip the scales a bit, but in terms of the elections, this incident has been unfavorable to both parties because voters are angry with all public figures."

Discussion Starters:

• What's your view of the resignation? Was it the right thing to do, only a symbolic gesture, an act of scapegoating, or something else?
• As you might expect, President Park Geun-hye accepted Chun's apology. What else, if anything, should she do?

Captain of Korean Ferry Is Arrested and Apologizes

The captain and two crew members of the South Korean Ferry that capsized with hundreds of people on board were arrested. As of today, about 75 people were rescued, 29 bodies were recovered, and 236 are still missing, mostly high schools students taking a trip.

In this video, the captain and a crew member apologize. Additional questions by the press are below. 

Q: Was there any place to turn? You evacuated the crew but why not to passengers?

Capt: I gave the evacuation order.

Q: Did you?

Capt: Yes, I gave the evacuation order to passengers too.

Q: Why did the announcement ask the passengers to stay in their cabin?

Capt: At that time, none of the rescue ships had arrived at the scene.

Q: Nothing there?

Capt: Yes, at that time.

Q: But you evacuated first?

Capt: No.

Q: Do you accept the charges of the prosecutor's office?

Capt: Yes, I understand there are some parts that are my fault. Anyway, I am sorry I caused the trouble. I apologise to all Koreans and especially I bow my head in apology to the family of the victims.

There are some parts I do not understand. There is no such (mumbles).

Q: Did you give evacuation orders?

Capt: Yes, I did.

Q: But there were many announcements asking passengers to stay in the cabin. Why?

Capt: That's before the rescue boats arrived.

Q: At that time, is it true the ship was tilting seriously?

Capt: The boat was in an area of very strong current, the temperature of the ocean water was cold and I thought if people left the ferry without proper judgement, if they not were wearing a life jacket, and even if they were, they would drift away and face many other difficulties. The rescue boats had not arrived yet, nor were there any civilian fishing ships or other boats around at that time.

Q: When did you notify the coastguard? When was the first sign of a problem?

Capt: I remember it was probably around 9.50am.

Q: 9.50am? Wasn't it 8.50?

Capt: Yes, 8.50.

Q: Did you feel anything strange before that?

Capt: No.

Q: Was there any place you can turn?

Capt: It is not that there was no place to turn the boat. I asked the crew to stay on the route. I briefly went to my bedroom and I was on my way back when it happened.

Q: You went to your bedroom?

Capt: Yes.

Q: There were rumours that you were drunk?

Capt: No.

Q: Are you sure?

Capt: Yes.

A transcript between the ship and a nearby island portrays "confusion and panic," according to an NPR report.

To add more tragedy to this situation, the students' deputy headmaster committed suicide. Reports show he did "everything by the book" but apparently was overcome with grief. He left a note that said, "Surviving alone is too painful while 200 remain unaccounted for. I take full responsibility. I pushed ahead with the school trip," and "I will once again become a teacher in the afterlife for my students whose bodies have not been discovered."

Discussion Starters:

• The captain and crew are criticized for leaving the boat and for telling people to remain in the ship rather than evacuate. What could explain their actions?
• From watching the video, what cultural differences can you identify? In other words, how might this situation differ if it happened in the United States?

Communications About California Bus Tragedy

A terrible bus accident left ten people dead, including five high school students on a Preview Plus tour of Humboldt State College. This was a special trip for first-generation and low-income students to see the college where they were accepted and might attend the following year. More than 30 people were injured.

A FedEx truck jumped the median and crashed into the bus, creating a horrible scene of students and their chaperones trying to escape. A FedEx spokesperson has made this statement: "Our thoughts and prayers are with everyone involved in the tragic accident on I-5 in California. We are cooperating fully with authorities as they investigate." Also, FedEx posted this statement on the news pages of its website.

Humboldt posted this message on its website:

Here are two excerpts from a news conference.

http://www.nytimes.com/2014/04/12/us/orland-california-bus-crash.html?hp&_r=0

See also the LA School District's notice to employees.

Although the California Highway Patrol says the investigation could take months, they do know that some bus passengers weren't using their seatbelts. As a new model bus, it had shoulder belts, but victims were thrown from the vehicle, indicating that their use wasn't enforced.

Discussion Starters:

• Assess Homboldt's website post. In what ways is it what you would expect, and how, if it all, is it different?
• Assess FedEx's statement. Given the recency, is the statement appropriate? Should the company say anything else?
• Assess the comments in both videos for emotional appeal and handling questions. What works well,  and what could be improved?

Joy Behar Roasts Chris Christie

The video is rough, but we can watch comedian Joy Behar roast New Jersey Governor Chris Christie at an event to celebrate a former governor's 90th birthday. Behar poked fun at Christie's weight and the bridge scandal: "When I first heard that he was accused of blocking off three lanes on the bridge, I said, ‘What the hell is he doing, standing in the middle of the bridge?"

A story in The New Yorker described the scene in the video above:

"After another barb, Christie interrupted her. 'This is a Byrne roast,' he said. He stood up and tried to grab her notes. The audience laughed awkwardly. 'Stop bullying me,' Behar said as he sat down. Christie said something out of earshot and Behar responded, 'Why don't you get up here at the microphone instead of being such a coward?' Christie stood up again and moved in front of the lectern as Behar retreated.  'At least I don't get paid for this,' he said.

"Christie sat down and Behar continued, though she was noticeably rattled. 'I really don't know about the Presidency," she said. 'Let me put it to you this way, in a way that you'd appreciate: You're toast.'"

Discussion Starters:

• After watching the video clip, I wouldn't have described the scene as The New Yorker author did. How about you? What could explain the difference?
• What's a roast? Research the history and purpose. Why are insults accepted-even expected-while they would be shunned in most business settings?

Barra Answers Tough Questions at the Hearing

GM CEO Mary Barra faced a panel of angry senators at the hearing investigating the company's failure to fix faulty ignition switches. Barra began by reading her testimony:

The New York Times describes the scene:

"As family members of victims looked on, senators repeatedly cut off Ms. Barra, scolded her over failing to have answers and zeroed in on G.M.'s potential criminal liability for failing to fix defective ignition switches in millions of small cars for more than a decade."

The Times blog identified a few highlights from the questioning, including this reaction from a victim's father:  

"She's not doing anything except stonewalling and saying she's a mother and has children and is sorry and is communicating with the families."

Discussion Starters:

• Assess Barra's initial testimony. What works well in convincing the senators, and what could be improved?
• One of Barra's strategies is to try to distinguish herself from the "old GM." How well is this strategy working?
• Watch more of the hearings on YouTube or news sites. How well is Barra handling the senators' questions?

Malaysia Airlines and PM Announce Demise of Flight MH370

The Malaysia Prime Minister announced that Flight MH370 most likely ended in the Indian Ocean.

Malaysia Airlines posted this statement on its website: 

This message also was texted to the families:

In a posting five hours earlier, the airline gave updates and responded to questions. The statement included a section about working with the families:

"Yesterday, the high-level team met with families in Beijing for more than eight hours. 

"The families asked many questions, and made detailed requests for radar readings and other data. Some of these questions could not be answered, and some of the data they requested was still being held by the investigation, as is standard procedure in investigations of this sort.

"After meeting with the families for a total of more than twelve hours, and taking hundreds of questions, the high-level team has returned to Kuala Lumpur to discuss the matters raised at the meetings. They will return to Beijing tomorrow to continue.

"The briefings in Kuala Lumpur over the last two days went smoothly,  and the families responded as positively as could be expected, with the families engaging with representatives from the relevant authorities.

"It has always been our intention to keep the families as fully informed as possible. We continue to do so."

The Guardian reports tragic scenes of families hearing the news. Their reaction is understandable and was expected: paramedics were sent to the Beijing Hotel where families were called to an "emergency briefing." 

Discussion Starters:

• Assess the prime minister's statement to the press. How well does he deliver the bad news? What is the organizational plan?
• Assess Malaysia Airlines' statement: what works well, and what could be improved?
• What's your view of the text message? Typically, texting isn't the best way to deliver bad news. Could this be an exception? Why?