The meaning of "B.C.E."?

[HJJACOBSON at AOL.COM]

In a message dated 4/18/2005 8:39:35 AM Pacific Standard Time,
Mary at BIOLOGY.USU.EDU writes:

> Could we please start thinking in terms of courtesy rather than
> political correctness?  That, to me, is what is involved in using B.C.E.
> rather than B.C. and A.D.
> Mary
>

I go along with Mary on this one - courtesy often asks a little more effort.

Herb