In a message dated Tue, 23 Jul 2002 12:08:47 +0100, Markus Kuhn <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> writes:
>So the only way forward I see here is a federal directive that instructs >federal agencies like the NOAA to stop providing FFU products. This >would put the burden of conversion on the media editors, and at least >some might start not to bother any more and just pass on the Celsius >temperatures an millimeters of precipitation as reported. > >So the way forward with weather reports is a stronger version of >Executive Order 12770 should be signed by the president, one that >provides a new deadline, explicitely requires exclusive use of metric >units in communication of federal agencies with the public and industry >partners, and one that is legally enforceable. > >A suitable start might be if the NIST metric program office with the >help of USMA could write a report "Federal Metrication: 10 years later" >that shows in detail how Executive Order 12770 has not yet been >implemented in practice ten years after the 1992 deadline and that the >matter needs again executive attention and clarification. > >> Gasoline pumps & grocery scales: �Most of these are digital by now and all >> capable of being converted. �No need to buy new equipment. �These devices >> can be switched over simply by either a hardware switch internal to the >> device or a software code. > >The only reason why gas stations and grocery stores would ever change >would be a change in federal law. Article I, Section 8 of the U. S. >Constitution gives Congress the power to "fix the standard of weights >and measures" for the nation, but they have never used this right fully. >Declaring a system of units the preferred choice is more of a joke and >smokescreen rather than anything resembling an effective policy. The >metric system has to be declared the only acceptable system of >measurement by Congress, and little will change before that has >happened. > >So how can this process be initiated and supported? > >Markus > It will not happen under the current administration, that's one thing for sure. (No matter what his daddy did. The current Bush is much more of an ideologue than his father -- as are the people around him.) And it will not happen unless some people in Congress get some backbone and do what's right, rather than listen to the whining minority. Carleton
