Having to deal with multiple date formats (on my own journal, on journals that haven't customized their date formats, on journals that have customized their date formats, etc. etc.) would be much worse.

Unless I'm mistaken, this is exactly what the current situation is like.

Here, to me, the date is: 2010-06-02 (site-schemed page)
On your journal, the date is: 01/06/2010 (default date format in your style)
On my journal, the date is: May 9th, 2009 (customized date format)

I agree that this can be confusing but I don't think what I'm suggesting will make it even *more* confusing.

I'd also like to say that I'm not for or against imposing your custom format everywhere. However, it isn't how DW implemented the time format so it is my understanding that they seem to be reluctant to override users' custom journal settings and that's why I phrased my suggestion this way.

Discussion and suggestions for changes are very good, though. :)