Hi EQF,

In the State of California, we have some serious financial issues here and there is no money for earthquake forecasting, nor does it seem as though we need it. Vladimir Keilis-Borok is down there working in LA and doing a darn fine job and he has no funding for his work. And his latest prediction is out there in the press and everyone knows what to expect and where, so there is no guess work about what he's doing. Good for him. I'm proud. Nothing like a fellow Russian at the helm.

Frankly, between you and I, I cannot imagine anyone approaching a man who is trying to save a state in near financial ruin and talk to him about forecasting earthquakes. We are closing schools everywhere, there is no money for medical insurance for young people, the roads are a disaster and so much more. Earthquakes would seem the least of this mans concerns. And rightly so.

I think we are at a turning point. There seems to be a nice compliment of scientists taking up earthquake prediction and that's a bonus to all of us, especially me, since I live where earthquakes occur.

Now if we could get a nice grant for the USGS for more monitoring in my area, and to fix those that are broken, that would please me greatly.

Petra