Must This Be Said 1,000 Times?

The Jan. 5 Opinion section featured an article by Kevin Phillips entitled “Millennium Pandemonium.” At least it was in the Opinion section, inasmuch as it [was] erroneous.

All readers, including Phillips, should turn to the Metro Section in the Orange County edition and carefully read the letter by Marvin D. Mayer, “Millennium Malarkey.” That letter clearly stated the correct method of counting decades, centuries and millenniums.

Now if people like Phillips want to celebrate the end of the 1990s with fireworks and champagne, let them do so quietly. But the 20th century and the 2nd millennium both end at midnight on Dec. 31, 2000. Stores selling fireworks and champagne will most certainly promote a huge celebration on Dec. 31, 1999, but that will not change the true facts expressed by Mayer.

JOHN RICHARDS

Los Alamitos

* Occasionally, but I believe with increasing frequency as the time approaches, I read this or that semi-scholarly article about the new century’s or millennium’s beginning year. Some say 2000, others say 2001.

Frankly, I can’t understand all this hair-splitting. We all know which year will see the bigger crowds in Times Square and elsewhere partying in the new millennium, so what’s all this petty fuss about?

Besides, I have the ideal solution: Mega-celebrate both years in. Now everybody’s happy. (Open the pod doors, Hal.)

J. ALAN ROLSENSTEIN

Laguna Beach