As I and others have said before, metric conversion will not happen in the US unless it is mandated by the Federal Govt. period.
Down here in Texas progress is in reverse. I was speaking to a person from TXDOT the other day, albeit he is in the aviation division but gets to other departments, and he says he is yet to see metric plans for a road or runway, and worse, the few dual speed limit signs he knew of are now ifp only. His opinion is is that there are too many 'old farts' in TXDOT who want the status quo. He's an old fart himself and would rather use metric but he says he is just a pleb with out a voice. TXDOT are installing electronic freeway info signs on the north part of highway 183 in Austin. These signs are not switched on yet but during the test period the temperature was only displayed in ffu. It appears that TXDOT is only paying lip service to metrication. Baron Carter -----Original Message----- From: Pat Naughtin [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]] Sent: Monday, 07 January, 2002 16:03 To: U.S. Metric Association Subject: [USMA:17329] Re: Money and metric Dear John and All, Another issue raised by the introduction of the Euro is the speed of its adoption. It is now a week old, and it is largely accepted by almost all of its target audience of 300 million. What are the implications of this for metrication? Off the top of my head, we should consider these issues. 1 The use of the Euro is required by the law of each nation where it operates. There is no thought of 'choice' of currency as the Euro is mandatory. 2 There are no dual currency uses allowed after the planned changeover period. After this time the keepers of old currency are simply called collectors. 3 The changeover happened on a set date. Granted this was preceded by a planning period, but this too was planned according to its own set dates. 4 The changeover to the Euro had a single clear goal � all people of the 12 states will use Euros after 2002-01-01. 5 A sop was given to the political conservatives by allowing them to place their nation's icon on the obverse side of the Euro. Although this has no practical effect it does help with the emotional aspects of the change. 6 Everyone will use the Euro � almost every day � so familiarisation through use will be as rapid as possible. I would appreciate your comments on these points. Cheers, Pat Naughtin CAMS - Certified Advanced Metrication Specialist - United States Metric Association ASM - Accredited Speaking Member - National Speakers Association of Australia Member, International Federation for Professional Speakers -- on 2002/01/07 02.40, kilopascal at [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: > 2002-01-06 > > With the passing of the national currencies and their replacement by the Euro, > it made me wonder as to how many of the names for the national currencies are > derived from ancient units of measure. > > Names like Drachma, Lira, Peseta (Peso), Mark, Markka, Punt, and even the > British Pound originated as to value of the currency to a certain weight > (mass) of gold or some other precious metal. The passing of these currencies > also means a passing of the "hidden FFU" in these currencies. It means > another nail in FFUs coffin. > > Another reason not to mourn the passing of the old currencies. > > How many other currencies out there are FFU based? Any ideas? > > John > > > >
