Jim's track record of prediction may not be good, but I still enjoy hearing him talk, if only to hear what people inside WDW are talking about or have talked about in the past. I think he just reports anything he hears them talking about, but doesn't really make predictions about what will or won't happen.
I agree. I think he hears so much stuff and just wants to share it, he throws it out there with little concern whether or not it actually happens. He's even admitted when sharing the information that things could totally be changed or scrapped.
As for the volcano rumor, I'll believe it when I see Disney pushing an "exclusive" $249 package with a first look at Fire Mountain complete with Fire Red Velvet cupcakes and a limited edition magic band.