WRT the A320 T/S incident, I wasn't there but I dunno', personally I wouldn't even contemplate departing if I wasn't completely sure I wouldn't encounter a microburst. the fact that the crew requested information, were unable to elicit a response, and then decided to depart anyway has me more than just a little concerned.
About 6 months ago we waited on the ground at KSA for 90mins as a particularily nasty front moved through before we were convinced it was safe to depart. In that time there were no less than 3 runway changes! Now Krusty isn't particularily over cautious, but he has had enough scares in his previous G/A career to know when to go and when not to.
We all at some stage have lived and learnt. I'm sure this crew have learnt a valuable lesson and will use that hard won experience to good effect in the future. But, the cockpit of a Jet airliner is NOT the place to be learning such lessons!
Senators, are you listening.