Paul, sir: >.....if you must use the term "guerilla," I suggest you frame >yourselves as >"scientific guerillas" who..... Well, said & thought too. Regards,Brij Bhushan Vij (MJD 2454683)/995+D-176W31-01 (G. Monday, 2008 August 04H 12:73(decimal) ISTAa Nau Bhadra Kritvo Yantu Vishwatah -Rg Veda Jan:31; Feb:29; Mar:31; Apr:30; May:31; Jun:30 Jul:30; Aug:31; Sep:30; Oct:31; Nov:30; Dec:30 (365th day of Year is World Day) My Profile:http://www.brijvij.com/bbv_2col-vipBrief.pdfHOME PAGE: http://www.brijvij.com/ ******As per Kali V-GRhymeCalendaar***** "Koi bhi cheshtha vayarth nahin hoti, purshaarth karne mein hai" Contact # 011-9871554809 (M) 001(201)962-3708(when in US)
From: [EMAIL PROTECTED]: [EMAIL PROTECTED]: [USMA:41536] Re: Metric Day 2008 should be cautious activismDate: Sun, 3 Aug 2008 22:57:29 -0700 I'm an active reader/contributor to that Facebook group, and I agree with you Paul. I started to post a reply on Facebook saying something in the same vein, but didn't finish it yet. Guerilla Metric Day is not going to get much traction anyway, because even die-hards like us may not jump on that bandwagon. Notice that only 34 people of the hundreds invited (all pro-metric people) indicated they would participate, and I doubt an appreciable percentage of those people actually will. One thing I wanted to say to the Guerilla Metric Day organizers, however, is that they are right about one thing: What we're doing now -- writing letters, etc. -- will never work. We shouldn't act like lawless revolutionaries, but neither should we pretend that we live under a political system where simply being right and calmly making sound arguments is something that will have any traction with lawmakers. Campaign money and large voter blocks is all they care about, and since a large active pro-metric voter block will never exist, that leaves money. I believe that essentially all of our efforts should be focused on finding deep-pocketed allies and advocates who could fund an effort to co-opt key businesses and sway key individual lawmakers. It will cost tens of millions, perhaps more, but it is the only realistic hope for a metric America within our lifetime. And given the number of high-tech pro-science billionaires out there looking to leave a legacy, it's not far fetched. The net worth of Larry Page goes up or down every day by an amount greater than what we would need to have a real shot at this. Maybe guerilla tactics are not the answer, but it's time to find that happy medium between Che Guevara and Caspar Milquetoast. From: Paul Trusten Sent: 08/03/2008 5:56 PM To: U.S. Metric Association Subject: [USMA:41535] Metric Day 2008 should be cautious activism Dear Facebook Metric Day Organizers, As an individual supporter of U.S. metrication since 1974, I am delighted with your plans to speak out and break the silence about the metric system in Washington on Metric Day 2008 (2008-10-10). However, I wish to suggest to you that you need to conduct yourselves as peaceable citizens when you demonstrate on this issue. Do not deface any property, public or private, in your efforts to raise popular awareness of the need for the U.S. to change over to SI. Do not alter or remove any legally posted signs. Do not disrupt any meeting or create any disruption or disturbance of the peace when you demonstrate. You might consult with the local police authorities ahead of time and seek to obtain a lawful permit for your activities. Rather than feel constrained by this suggestion, you should feel empowered by it, since your effort to cooperate with the authorities will add to your legitimacy as agents for change. Beyond that, I hope you will extend yourself creatively this fall. Make attractive-looking signs. Perhaps hold open-air workshops on metrication where people can learn the history and the proposed future of the process. Shout a little; sing songs. But, if you must use the term "guerilla," I suggest you frame yourselves as "scientific guerillas" who are pushing forward in the spirit of advancing a standard of measurement, not a revolution. SI-incerely, Paul Trusten, R.Ph. Public Relations Director U.S. Metric Association, Inc. www.metric.org 3609 Caldera Blvd. Apt. 122Midland TX 79707-2872 US+1(432)[EMAIL PROTECTED] _________________________________________________________________ Get more from your digital life. Find out how. http://www.windowslive.com/default.html?ocid=TXT_TAGLM_WL_Home2_082008
