I didn't know they even had a "California Earthquake Prediction Evaluation Council". I wonder whose predictions they evaluate anyway (gov't or non-gov't)? Do you think they troll this message board (or any others)?

I think the article about the discussion on whether or not to issue a warning sort of serves a similar purpose as Petra's softer version of "check your gear just in case" type warning.

It's politically much safer I think.