Hi Jim (Elwell) Thanks for the voice of sanity - but I fear you are in a minority.
When I joined this group I was (mildly) pro-metric. But recent comments by many - including Pat, David and Phil - have been the last straw for me. I will hence forward actively oppose metrification in a wide variety of contexts because I feel it is my duty in connection with the preservation of basic liberal values, and an open, anti-fascist, society. That fool Orwell is dead so this fool will carry his protest on. most sincerely Robert Tye ----- Original Message ----- From: "Jim Elwell" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: "U.S. Metric Association" <[email protected]> Sent: Wednesday, March 09, 2005 9:34 PM Subject: [USMA:32417] Re: USMA announcement > At 9 March 05, 02:07 PM, Pat Naughtin wrote: > >. . . > >Unfortunately, to many anti-metric people metrication is about power over > >others and often they selfishly feel this as a loss of personal power over > >others. We often see rational debate about metrication issues subverted to > >an emotive exchange about who has power over who. This shift in emphasis is > >often used by anti-metric people for the simple reason that they know it has > >an immediate effect. > > With all due respect, Pat, this "shift in emphasis" is a real response to a real issue. For many pro-metricationists, this IS about power -- the power to force others to measure in a certain way. > > What is "selfish" about wishing to have control over one's life? > > The fact is that most anti-metricationists do not object to OTHERS using metric, as long as they are not forced to do so. They don't care if you buy bananas by the kilogram, as long as they can buy them by the pound. > > This is not to say I have any sympathy for someone who complains that they cannot buy something in a package marked as they wish, meaning pro-metricationists who complain they cannot buy a kilogram package of butter, or anti-metricationists complaining they have to buy soda pop in two liter bottles. In those cases, people are prefectly free to spend their money as they choose, buy products packaged as they prefer, exert pressure on manufacturers to make the changes they want to see. > > Speaking about the USA, where I think the pro-metricationists really hurt our efforts is when they promote laws FORCING the use of metric. This DOES represent a loss of personal power of one's own life, meaning others are taking control of it. > > I know there are the pessimists on this list who think the USA will never metricate without the government forcing the issue, but that is flawed thinking, in two ways: (a) the government has not forced the tremendous amount of metrication that has already occurred (and has sometimes slowed it down -- witness FPLA), and (b) those who promote forced metrication somehow think that government should force it on private companies even though it cannot metricate itself. > > As I have stated many times on this forum: the US Federal Government is the single largest purchaser of goods and services in the entire world. If it simply metricated all of its operations (e.g., the BLM), and then required metrication of anyone who gets its money (e.g., if you get a development contract you must do the work in metric), the metrication of the USA would speed up 100 times, without imposing a single law on private individuals or businesses. > > Jim > > > Jim Elwell, CAMS > Electrical Engineer > Industrial manufacturing manager > Salt Lake City, Utah, USA > www.qsicorp.com > > >
