----- Original Message -----
From: "Joseph B. Reid" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
To: "U.S. Metric Association" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Sent: Saturday, June 02, 2001 7:05 PM
Subject: [USMA:13338] Zealots and supporters
Eddie Lechat's 13 messages (USMA 13308 to 13320) last night set me to
thinking of a classification of the members of this list.
The zealots:
The late (with regard to this list) and lamented Andy Johnson
His disciple Eddie Lechat
Ma Be
Han Maenen
The rest of us, including Jim Elwell who is also a true Libertarian.
Joseph B. Reid
17 Glebe Road West
Toronto M5P 1C8 Tel. 416 486-6071
Joe,
You owe me an apology. I do not accept being called a zealot. I never took
part in castigating Jim Elwell, even if I disagree with him as far as
voluntary metrication being the only way. You have probably never read USMA
13146, which was a post of mine on this issue. Here it is, a copy for your
benefit. I answered Eddy off-list.
Original Message
From: Han Maenen [EMAIL PROTECTED]
To: U.S. Metric Association [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Date: May 30, 2001 03:08
Subject: [USMA:13146] RE: Mandated Units
Quote
Eddy,
You are also making an ifp goon of me. When the EU postponed the metric
deadline from 2000 to 2010 I nearly went berserk. Many other members of this
list, including me, had written several times to the EU institutions not to
to give in to the demands of the Trans Atlantic Business Dialogue (TABD), an
unelected quango of CEO's and other business people who have far too much
influence on EU and US politics. Alas, to no avail. Most of us are in favour
of mandatory metrication.
Throughout this entire threat it has appeared that Jim Elwell has done
metrication proud. His company, QSI, is metric and he is always trying to
convince people to come to our side. Do anti-metric people metricate their
businesses? Do they try to win people over? I don't think so! Most members
of this group, including me, disagree with the way he wants it achieved. I
understand it to be voluntary metrication as the only way. But we also
respect his point of view. We do think, however, that his way is
complementary to our way. Calling any person on this list who takes part in
the discussions antimetric is offensive.
The real issue in this thread is not voluntary vs mandatory metrication, but
respect and tolerance.
In order not to destroy the life of The Metric Martys, I think that their
breaches of the law should be downgraded from criminal offences to
misdemeanours, as their intent is not criminal.
Han
Unquote
Or am I a zealot because I was deeply angered by the EU's cowardice in 1999?
Or do you cal me a zealot because of this message (USMA 13254)? I did not
send this stuff to Brian P.; I just let myself go on this list. I did not
send him anything and do not intend to.
-----Original Message-----
From: Han Maenen <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
To: U.S. Metric Association <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Date: June 1, 2001 01:41
Subject: [USMA:13254] Brian P's nonsense
Quote
On his anti-metric site Brian P. boasted about Newton not using metric.
Some ideas for Mr Brian P.
Why don't you revert to computers that use punched cards? What about using
the first hard disk? The IBM RAMAC hard disk (came out in 1956) was a
monster of a machine with a capacity of 5 MB on 50 (!) copper platters and
one read/write arm. At least it was a full ifp development, and you should
be proud to use it....
Unquote
If I were a zealot and were in the UK, the USA or Ireland I would insist on
using metric there. In the contrary, when I am in one of these countries I
use ifp (do as the Romans do), unless the person whom I am talking to is a
friend of the cause. However, in metric countries or under any metric
context I refuse to have any truck with it. Does this make me a zealot?
I have been taking part in the Four Day's Walks of Castlebar, Ireland,
since 1971. We get certificates which state the distance covered. For many
years they were in miles. I went along with it, accepting the non-metric
certificitate, until this event went metric and the certificates were in
kilometers.
In Dublin was another walk, a number of years ago. There was something that
could confuse kilometers with miles. I asked one of the organizers what it
meant. She said "Miles". That was good enough for a zealot like me.
I even think that non-metric units can be justified in a Dutch translation
of a book. See my post USMA 12861
From: Han Maenen
Sent: Saturday, 2001-05-19 18:29
Aan: U.S. Metric Association
Onderwerp: [USMA:12861] Re: The "cultural" aspect of measurements
It is about a translation of a book about Stede Bonnet, a buccaneer, 18th
centry.
Last, but not least: Marcus is a fierce supporter of metric, but his
exchanges with Jim Elwell were polite and decent.
Han
