On Tue, 24 Jul 2001, Louis JOURDAN wrote: > > ... practically all countries in the world have adopted SI, but the USA. > > What does that mean ? Arrogance, or simple stupidity ? Arrogance? Yes. Too much complacent boasting by US elected officials. But most elected *and appointed* officials are not stupid. They simply do not risk leading on not-yet-popular initiatives such as enforcing existing requirements for SI. It is safer for their careers to promote already popular causes; usually, increased benefits for favored groups (e.g. producers of steel, sugar, cotton, grains, etc. and certain consumer groups such as senior citizens of which I am sometimes ashamed to be a member); benefits ultimately financed by all taxpayers. > ... > I beg indulgency to my American friends : I did not want to offend > them... No offense, Louis. Your honest opinions are welcome. However, please do not dilute this Forum on SI with debate (potentially heated and endless) on carbon dioxide emissions and global warming, unless you have quantitative measurements to report (in SI, of course). Gene.
