Yes laymen have ground to make claims about something they have no idea about.... :facepalm: Just because someone states their opinion doesn't make it fact, and yes that includes journalists.
The thing went kaboom. Something went terribly wrong.
I don't call that the hallmark of competence when things go terribly wrong.
Not saying that I personally think they were incompetent, aying the mere observation of a fact - the ship exploded - opens up room for laymen to make the accusation.
I hope that clears up what I mean, as I won't bother to write another line about the shuttle.
To sum up what I believe:
Beth hasn't, isn't lying. They are just not terribly ggod with dealines.