null Date assigned by SimpleDateFormat.parse()
<p>I hate to post another SimpleDateFormat question but I cannot find my answer on Google or in other threads. My code is below and the comments indicate the issue.</p>

<pre><code>// The dateString format is "Thu Jul 19 00:04:11 +0000 2012". I confirmed that there
// is no preceding or trailing white space.
public static GregorianCalendar stringToDate(String dateString) {

    GregorianCalendar calendar = new GregorianCalendar();

    ParsePosition pos = new ParsePosition(0);

    SimpleDateFormat simpleDateFormat = new SimpleDateFormat("EEE MMM d H:mm:ss Z yyyy");

    Date date = simpleDateFormat.parse(dateString, pos);


    // 'Unknown Source' error thrown by setTime() as date is ultimately null.
    calendar.setTime(date);

    return calendar;

}
</code></pre>

<p>I have confirmed my dateString parameter comes through correctly, my position object starts at 0 and I have reviewed the SimpleDateFormat numerous times against <a href="http://docs.oracle.com/javase/1.4.2/docs/api/java/text/SimpleDateFormat.html" rel="nofollow">http://docs.oracle.com/javase/1.4.2/docs/api/java/text/SimpleDateFormat.html</a>. It looks right to me but I still tested various permutations of 'd' and 'H'. The only thing I can think is that there is some nuance to using this that I am missing, or I am way off base.</p>

<p>This compiles (javac 1.6.0_33), but when run (java version "1.6.0_33") it will not process even the first dateString value passed to it. I am running Windows 7 64-bit, Japanese version.</p>

<p>Any assistance is greatly appreciated.</p>
