[divyekapoor]

@galaxyLogic: you're right - we don't really need private static as well except for the single nifty/dubious feature that a private static method can't affect member variables of the class (which is useful for thread safety guarantees).

The only reason the recommendation isn't as strong for private static is that the scope of the "virulent" recursive refactor is limited to the class within which this method was located. If there wasn't a public static method calling this private static one, the refactor ends there.

Personally, I recommend against both public static and private static (I think they produce needless work) however only public static meets the bar for a style guide.