Quick fix in a container (assuming the host has the correct time :
rm /etc/localtimeln -s /usr/share/zoneinfo/US/Eastern /etc/localtime

This one is a little embarrassing.
Just trying to install Magento on a new (fresh) container. Running across the following style of error (when executing ./pear install magento-core/Mage_All_Latest-stable) :
Starting to download Lib_ZF_Locale-1.7.2.2.tgz (1,279,370 bytes)…done: 1,279,370 bytesinstall ok: channel://connect.magentocommerce.com/core/Lib_ZF_Locale-1.7.2.2
Notice: Undefined variable: php_errormsg in Installer.php on line 566PHP Notice: Undefined variable: php_errormsg in /home/complex/www/magento/downloader/pearlib/php/PEAR/Installer.php on line [...]