decorator J4 - any objections?

[Paul Rubin]

JimJJewett at yahoo.com (Jim Jewett) writes:
> <URL: http://www.python.org/moin/PythonDecorators > (section 5.21 J4) 
> 
> looks very good to me -- and it is the only alternative without negatives.
> 
>    def func(arg1, arg2)
>        @version("Added in 2.4")
>        @returns(None)
>    as:
>        """Docstring could be here, or in decorator part above"""
>        # body goes here

What was wrong with using . or - instead of @ ?  Given that this is
new syntax, just about any character could work.  Or what about no
special punctuation at all?  Using @ makes me cringe somewhat.

Also, why the need for the "as" keyword?  What happens if it's just
eliminated?  I.e.:

    def func(arg1, arg2)
        @version("Added in 2.4")
        @returns(None):

        """Docstring could be here, or in decorator part above"""
        # body goes here