Since not everyone reading this discussion is an Airbus pilot, or even a large jet pilot, it might be useful to make a brief comment about the flight control modes in the Airbus A320. The "Normal law" that is referred to is when the aircraft control computers are applying the maximum software protection to keep the aircraft both stable and within flight envelope safe limits. "Direct Law" offers protections but in a less aggressive way, and there are several "Alternate law" flight modes with little envelope protection. A reasonable summary is in the wiki page at
Flight control modes - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. The control system will switch to lower protected flight modes if there are major failures in the current mode, but pilots can also elect to change mode. Current Airbus pilots may wish to add to this for more useful information regarding how this may be related to the current accident scenario.
Also there is a recent BBC report containing a video showing the current plan to retrieve the tail section using airbags as an assist at
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-30723462