关于prediction和forecasting的区别，我找到这个：
http://books.nap.edu/openbook.php?record_id=5709&page=3726
For the average citizen and the public, “earthquake prediction” means “short-term prediction,” a prediction of a specific earthquake on a relatively short time scale. Such prediction must specify the time, place, and magnitude of the earthquake in question with sufficiently high reliability. For this type of prediction, one must rely on some short-term precursors.
我的理解是prediction指短临预报，forecasting指中长期预测。不是你说的谁臭谁不臭的问题。那个委员会说will advise the director of the USGS on earthquake prediction, forecasting
and hazard assessment，并没有排斥短期预报。
关于经费：
http://college.usc.edu/news/january_2006/scec_grant.html不是像你说的弄不到经费。