So what you are saying is that the interpretations and modifications have more to do with style and would not mean changing the size of any of the units.
For example, the US could decide to use the comma for digit separation instead of the spaces. Does anyone know off the top of their heads any other examples where SI is different in the US from everywhere else? Jerry ________________________________ From: Martin Vlietstra <[email protected]> To: U.S. Metric Association <[email protected]> Sent: Saturday, February 7, 2009 3:45:39 AM Subject: [USMA:42920] Re: Boston Globe article on Sen. Judd Gregg May I suggest that this places the onus on the Secretary of Commerce to contact the CGPM via the appropriate channels should there be an area where interpretation is required. There are at least two areas where SI permits local variations - the choice of decimal delimiter (comma or dot) and the choice of upper or lower case L for litres. Again, this suggests to me that the Secretary of Commerce can decide on behalf of the US. Finally, this suggests to me that the Secretary of Commerce has the power to require that "metre" and "litre" be spelt to UK way instead of the US way (not that he would ever do such a thing). -----Original Message----- From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Paul Trusten, R.Ph. Sent: 07 February 2009 01:45 To: U.S. Metric Association Cc: U.S. Metric Association Subject: [USMA:42912] Re: Boston Globe article on Sen. Judd Gregg The statutory U.S. definition of the SI provides the Secretary of Commerce can interpret or modify it for the United States. Quoting Jeremiah MacGregor <[email protected]>: > Paul, > > Why does SI need to be "interpreted and modified"? Isn't the rules > self-explanatory and what possibly would need to be modified? Doesn't that > interfere with the universality of metrics? > > Jerry > > > > > ________________________________ > From: Paul Trusten <[email protected]> > To: U.S. Metric Association <[email protected]> > Sent: Wednesday, February 4, 2009 11:03:05 AM > Subject: [USMA:42869] Boston Globe article on Sen. Judd Gregg > > > After fits and starts in the nomination/confirmation process, New Hampshire > Senator Judd Gregg is poised to become the next U.S. Secretary of Commerce. > The Commerce Department includes the National Institute of Standards and > Technology (NIST). Federal law gives the Secretary of Commerce the authority > to "interpret or modify" the International System of Units for the United > States. > > See the Boston Globe at > http://www.boston.com/news/nation/washington/articles/2009/02/04/for_gregg_a n_unlikely_new_assignment/ > > > Paul Trusten, R.Ph. > Public Relations Director > U.S. Metric Association, Inc. > www.metric.org > 3609 Caldera Blvd. Apt. 122 > Midland TX 79707-2872 US > +1(432)528-7724 > [email protected] > > > > -- Paul Trusten, R.Ph. Public Relations Director U.S. Metric Association (USMA), Inc. www.metric.org 3609 Caldera Boulevard, Apartment 122 Midland TX 79707-2872 US +1(432)528-7724 mailto:[email protected]
