The WT had a long period in which they felt it necessary to comment on all sorts of obscure topics.
After all, it's embarrassing when "Jehovah's channel" says, if effect, "We have no idea."
That said, I've often wondered whether the GB realizes what the organization has already published on a given subject because often they ignore it rather than trying to explain why they've now come to a different conclusion.
Why not stick with what they originally said regarding topics that don't matter today, such as the fate of the men of Sodom?
When they've flip flopped back and forth, why don't they just let the matter drop?
Further comments only serve to draw further attention to their vacillation.