I agree with Carlton's statements that everyone should be part of the national discussion, but that a US Metric Board should not include opponents.
However, I disagree that everyone should be part of the discussion here, on the USMA discussion group. As the name makes clear, this is a group of Americans in favor of the US adopting the metric system. The discussion topic of this list is not whether or not the US should go metric, but how to accomplish that. So discussion of whether or not to metricate at all is entirely off-topic. Start your own group. As I've said before, if I'm an American in favor of gun control, I'm not going to join a Canadian gun rights discussion group and expect to have a seat at that table. Of course I have a right to my opinion, of course I am free to express it. Just not in that group. From: Carleton MacDonald Sent: 03/22/2009 11:16 AM To: U.S. Metric Association Subject: [USMA:44060] Re: take it off--take it all off! This is a discussion forum, not a decision-making body. Everyone should be part of the discussion forum because you need to know what opponents are thinking, and sometimes what they have to say can clarify your own thinking. A decision-making body, however, should be made up of only those committed to the goals of that body. Thus, the US Metric Board's fatal flaw. If you decide you are going to do something, then all of you have to be in agreement to do it. Carleton From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Jeremiah MacGregor Sent: Friday, March 20, 2009 20:00 To: U.S. Metric Association Subject: [USMA:44025] Re: take it off--take it all off! Paul, If you really want to see some progress in metrication, then the last thing you need is for this forum to be sabotaged by anti-metric forces. None of these comments by either myself or Ken was meant to be a private pique but to expose Stephen Humphreys for what he is: extremely anti-metric no matter what curtain he hides behind. If the purpose of this forum is to promote metrication in the US, then why do you need someone from a foreign country who opposes metrication to get in your way? Just because someone is polite does not make them friendly to your cause. The US metric board failed not from internal strife, but allowing members who were anti-metric to be apart of it. If you want that same failure to be a part of USMA efforts to metricate, then by all means welcome the Stephen Humphreys types with open arms. If I were in your shoes, I would bite the bullet and tell Stephen he is not welcome here as his views are anathema to the goals of the USMA listserver. Failure to do that and you will end up like the US metric board. Jerry -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- From: Paul Trusten <[email protected]> To: U.S. Metric Association <[email protected]> Sent: Wednesday, March 18, 2009 12:09:28 PM Subject: [USMA:43988] take it off--take it all off! No, I don't have a stripper video attached. I am asking our Listserver subscribers once again to please take private piques and quarrels off the list. Active as we may be, we supporters of metrication are small in number. We are a family of committed, thinking people, and should always work to resolve our differences and build each other up, not tear each other down. I have always been, and remain, honored to count myself a member of both USMA and this list. A number of us belong on a future U.S. Metric Board, because we have been studying the U.S. metrication problem, not just for a day or two, but for decades. Add to that the fact that we come from disparate experiences and professions, and that is the proper mix of human resources for writing a metrication plan for the Nation. The first U.S. Metric Board died just as much from internal strife as it did from national leadership failure. We must stand united in spirit as well as in vision. 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]
