When crossing the Rubicon, Caesar said, "Alea jacta est". The usual translation for his words is "the die is cast". Mr. Gerson's translation, while inaccurate, is similar enough in this context.

Chinese New Year will be on February 14 this year, not February 17.

And the 2012 issue is uncertain. Some people believe December 23 will be end of the 13 baktuns, not December 21. It is unclear, though, whether the Maya believed this date to be the end of the current cycle of creation. Living Maya, I am sure, don't follow this system anymore. The "Long Count" system was used only by the "Classic" Maya from about AD 200 to AD 900.

I suppose Mr. Galen's point is that it doesn't really matter, but his basic information should be accurate.

Mr. Galen writes, "He has used that time-honored subjunctive construct: 'Mistakes were made," meaning, "mistakes were made by someone else.'"

If I'm not mistaken, and I might be, the construction above is indicative mood (expressed in the passive voice), not subjunctive mood. This point may be a small one to make, but one's point of view is weakened by simple errors; nonetheless, perfection is just an aspiration.

I'll shut up now.