>>ethanb+05
It's easier to get the support of 500 educated people at a moments notice by using sane words like 'may'. This is rational given the lack of public information as well as a board that seems to be having seizures. Using the word 'may' may seem empty-handed; but it ensures a longer list of names attached to the message -- allowing the board a better glimpse of how many dominoes are lined up to fall.
The board is being given a sanity-check; I would expect the signers intentionally left themselves a bit of room for escalation/negotiation.
How often do you win arguments by leading off with an immutable ultimatum?