Argh, I have the priority choices... shouldn't there be something in between minor and major?!? But I digress...
With reference to this thread on the @dev list:
http://mail-archives.apache.org/mod_mbox/struts-dev/200606.mbox/%3c448F56CF.2060207@omnytex.com%3e
Attached is a patch for the Checkstyle rules that eliminates the two things discussed in this thread. It resolves a few hundred exceptions in core alone (350-400, give or take), and should do the same for all other subprojects. There seemed to be a feeling (don't want to say consensus at this point!) that applying this before the next milestone would be acceptable.