slats...
I certainly share your obvious frustration over the fact that in 2009 / 2010 we are in a position where a major aircraft accident occurs and we may not be able to gather the information as to "what really happened". My gut tells me there are some genuine surprises in this instance and we need to learn what happened in order to prevent whatever it was from happening again.
One area I have a bit more optimism than you (and I may of course be wrong!) is regarding the eventual location of the FDR andCVR.
Cheers,
grizz