A mathematical-social puzzle

[hudebnik]

Last week Governor Chris Christie imposed even/odd-day gas rationing in much of New Jersey, elaborating that "for purposes of this rule, 0 is treated as an even number." Today Mayor Bloomberg imposed even/odd-day gas rationing in New York City, saying among other things

Vehicles with license plates ending in an even number or the number “0” can make purchases of motor fuel on even numbered days.

Why is it necessary to single out 0 and "treat" it as an even number? Is there some planet on which 0 is not an even number? Is there some doubt in somebody's mind, somewhere, that 0 is an even number? Is the evenness of zero somehow culture-specific?

Comments

[galingale.livejournal.com]

Bleh, that sort of breaks the even division of numbers doesn't it! I'd have suggested breaking up the letters...but then again I'm not a politician.

[hudebnik.livejournal.com]

Not necessarily a bad thing, since there are more odd-numbered days than even-numbered days. (7 more per year, or 8 more in a leap year.)

[galingale.livejournal.com]

true. but swelpmegod i hope rationing never goes on THAT long.