Ma Be wrote:
....
> Let's go by parts. I still don't see why I should be a 'paying member of USMA', an
>organization, which, still, IMHO, cannot accomplish much, if at all, when it comes to
>*metrication*! I see this forum as perhaps the best thing USMA can offer to people,
>besides its serving as a very good data bank for information on how to find metric
>suppliers, etc, etc. In other words, I regard USMA as a very good *source* of metric
>information. But that's it! ....
In other words, you're getting from USMA everything you paid for and
then some. Thanks for letting us know on what basis to judge your
complaints and criticisms.
Why don't you join USMA and thereby raise the value of your comments
about the organization in which you would then hava a vested interest?
That will get you a subscription to Metric Today (MT) which is where is
the official USMA vehicle for providing metric information; if you're
not receiving it, you're missing the best part.
This will also provide them with more money to support the work that
the unpaid officers do (which is reported in MT). Due to the realities
of the game of politics, it usually does not behoove any of us if we are
told ahead of time about USMA's planned activities on The Hill -- or,
oftentimes, even after the fact! To demand otherwise is a conclusive
mark of political naivete. But I do know from personal experience that
the USMA does communicate regularly with government officials,
legislators, and organization officers to keep them informed and to
present our point of view.
Personally, I'm more interested in hearing what efforts others have
made that might serve as models for action than I am about their gripes
regarding an organization they haven't supported with their very
reasonable dues. Also of interest to me are notices of opportunities
(government Requests For Comments, open comment periods on standards,
pending legislation, etc) for list members to do something constructive.
You don't have to be a USMA member to do any of that and then to report
it here. But, in my personal opinion, you should become a USMA member
before you gripe about the organization's effectiveness.
Duncan presented an excellent main menu for you to choose from in
[USMA:17630]. Why don't you do some of that and then tell us about it?
And put your money where your mouth is; join the USMA. How much do you
really care about metrication in the U.S.? Enough to spend $30 per year
($35 out of country, I believe) to support the USMA? Or only enough to
subscribe to a free mail forum and grumble about the effectiveness of an
organization you haven't supported? Enough to give a guest presentation
in a school or only enough to gripe about the lack of metric information
in educational institutions?
You know where to send the check, Marcus.
Jim
--
Metric Methods(SM) "Don't be late to metricate!"
James R. Frysinger, CAMS http://www.metricmethods.com/
10 Captiva Row e-mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Charleston, SC 29407 phone/FAX: 843.225.6789
