Reasons to Celebrate

Re Charles W. LeCompte’s glass-half-empty look at the millennial celebrations (letter, Dec. 4): What is the world celebrating? No, it’s not the pollution of the oceans, the rivers, etc. It’s the spread of democracy, literacy, health and prosperity all over the planet. It’s the fall of the most brutal, inhumane and tyrannical system of government ever devised, communism, in Europe and Russia.

Is it the fighting between Catholics and Protestants? No, it’s the sharing of peace and power by these two groups in Northern Ireland. Is it the overpopulation of the planet? No, it’s the realization that with enlightened planning, technology, good government and just plain sharing, Earth can easily accommodate a few billion more souls. Is it the decimation of the animal kingdom? No, it’s the heightened awareness of animal rights and even an entire cable TV channel devoted to animals!

We need prophets who point out human failings, but “without vision, the people perish.”

MARK JAMES CHRISTIAN

Los Angeles

* There continues to be a controversy over when the new millennium begins, Jan. 1, 2000, or Jan. 1, 2001. Everything begins with zero. A child is born; 365 days later it is 1 year old, after 99 years, 100. Dec. 31, 1999, is the last day of the 20th century. Jan. 1, 2000, is the first day of the 21st century. On Jan. 1, 2001, it will be 1 year old.

ROBERT OMOHUNDRO

Claremont