The lack of a strong earthquake-tide correlation indicates there is some precursory deformation, as suggested by rate-and-state-friction, that is more important than the tectonic loading and tidal stresses in the last few days before failure. This is the reasoning behind our statement, with which few who are familiar with rock mechanic would argue.

And the main point here is that there are no observations that require precursory phenomenon we have a ghost of a chance of observing. There may be, but there also may not be such observables.

"seems to serve no other purpose than PR" is a rather insulting way to state what seems like a misunderstanding.