2001-05-29
Norman,
There is one thing we all seem to forget. Americans don't give a hoot what
the rest of the world does. Trying to shame these people into feeling that
we are on the wrong side of the line, only makes Americans more determined
to be different and arrogant about their differences.
I've seen more people light up like a fire cracker when I brought up the
"whole world" argument. You need to concentrate more on how not being
metric destroys our job base. How FFU costs companies money and is
reflected in the form of lower wages for workers and higher costs for
consumers.
Mention that American products don't sell in a metric world, yet metric
products made elsewhere sell very well here. Mention that 40 % of our
industries are already metric and name them that are. Mention the value of
metric produced goods and services compared to those that aren't. Let these
people know that not being metric hurts their bottom line.
Get the point!
And never try to convert someone who is opposed to the point they start
calling their superintendent of schools to know why the schools are teaching
metric. By-pass them. They are a waste of time. Contact the same
organisations they contacted and tell them you are pleased they are using
metric. Don't let these luddites gain ground. Isolate them as much as
possible.
Hope this helps.
John
Keiner ist hoffnungsloser versklavt als derjenige, der irrt�mlich glaubt
frei zu sein.
There are none more hopelessly enslaved then those who falsely believe they
are free!
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (1749-1832)
----- Original Message -----
From: "Norman Werling" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
To: "U.S. Metric Association" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Cc: "US Metric Assn." <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Sent: Monday, 2001-05-28 23:40
Subject: [USMA:13088] "Metric doesn't compute in the lives of most
Americans" by Kerry Dougherty, May 5
> To the editors of the Virginian-Pilot (Norfolk, VA):
>
> Some Americans joke derisively about the measurement system used by 96% of
> the world's population.
>
> I will resist commenting on the ludicrous comments about a "quarter
pounder"
> and a "Royale avec frommage".
>
> The International System of Units (SI), also called the metric system, is
> used in everyday living by that "foreign" 96% of the world. They seem to
> find the decimal system quite simple to use. Many problems Americans
suffer
> with math would disappear were we to stop our use of fraction-based
> measures.
>
> Thank goodness that our Congress adopted decimal money in the 18th
century.
> Too bad they didn't follow President Washington's advice and go with the
> then new "metric system of measures" Americans would find it equally
simple
> to use on a daily basis if they would just stop stubbornly resisting!
>
> I blame adult Americans for not allowing Ms. Dougherty's son the daily use
> of kilometers for distances. Then he would not mistake centimeters (
which
> he would use to measure his height) with kilometers.
>
> The rest of the world accepts much of "the American way", but SI deserves
to
> be accepted by Americans. We increase our costs of exports to that 96%
of
> the world as we must package goods for them in SI while insisting upon
> packaging goods for our home consumption with antiquated measures.
>
> For your consideration,
>
> Norman V. Werling
> 1240 Hunters Drive
> Stone Mountain, GA 30083-2545
> 404-292-9328
>
> P.S. I am retired so the above is my home phone, but please leave a
message
> and I will return it ASAP. Yes, not_all_older Americans resist the
> International System of Units.
>
