function submitQuestion(briefingId) {
    $("#openBriefingsNextLink").addClass = "loading";

    var error = '';
    var questionText = $("#txtQuestionModQuestion").val();
    var email = $("#txtQuestionModEmail").length ?
                    $("#txtQuestionModEmail").val() : $("#hidQuestionModEmail").val();

    // clear error
    $("#questionInputFields SPAN.emailErrorMessage").text('');

    if ($.trim(questionText) != '' && $.trim(questionText) != 'Question') {
        if ($.trim(email) != '') {
            if (echeck(email)) {
                $.get("/api/Briefing/SubmitQuestion.aspx", { briefingId: briefingId, questionText: questionText, email: email }, function(result) {

                    /* insert was successful */
                    $("#questionInputFields").hide();
                    $("#questionSubmitted").show();

                });
            }
            else
                error = 'Please enter a valid email address';
        }
        else
            error = 'Please enter an email address';
    }
    else
        error = 'Please enter a question';

    // display error if any
    if (error != '')
        $("#questionInputFields SPAN.emailErrorMessage").text(error);
    

    return false;
}