I don't know, Pat. In spite of his cheap shot at automakers, we were metric when he was in Ms. Mannarino's sixth grade class. I would agree with his manifesto, but he really needs to decide if he is serious about the word "only." He immediately waffles, "Of course, there are some instances where this is not possible (in your lead author's other job, for example), but every effort will be made to go metric, and hence, through this small step, become more of a global citizen." He also goes on to give the weather report in Fairbanks where it is 61 F, In his own text, he notes, "By the time we got this high, the winds were easily double what they were in camp, still sprinkling, and it was about 6-8C (42-46F), we estimated.." When you have a manifesto, you need to "walk the talk." However, it is completely true the government lacks the will to develop a metric plan or make anyone go metric. It won't stand in your way if you want to go metric (well, except for a little forced use of archaic measure), but it won't make you.
--- On Tue, 9/15/09, Pat Naughtin <[email protected]> wrote: From: Pat Naughtin <[email protected]> Subject: [USMA:45817] Metrication manifesto To: "U.S. Metric Association" <[email protected]> Cc: [email protected] Date: Tuesday, September 15, 2009, 6:10 PM Dear All, This 'Metrication manifesto' from Alaska will interest many of you. See http://akprogressive.blogspot.com/2009/09/metric-manifesto-and-mt-prindle-el-otro.html The Metrication Manifesto reads: We pledge ourselves to only use the metric system henceforth in all our daily activities, writings, and relations with others. And to educate others as to why we are doing this. Michael Richmond is to be congratulated on this clear statement and on his re-listing of the findings and recommendations of the U.S. Metric Board, which were (in 1982 ?): ## Findings * The present policy of maintaining a dual system of measures for trade and commerce is confusing to all segments of American society. * Voluntary metric conversion by industry occurs primarily in response to marketplace demands and usually on a company-by-company basis. * The costs of metric conversion have not been excessive. * Large segments of industry have metric capability. * Past perceptions of the difficulty of metric conversion have no basis. * There are no substantial legal barriers to metric conversion requiring Federal preemptive action. * There are no substantial technical problems with metric conversion. * Consumers accept conversion according to their own interests. Recommendations * The Metric Conversion Act of 1975 should continue to be administered. * National policy on metric conversion should be reassessed. * Research should be conducted on economic sectors where metric capability may be critical. * The Federal Interagency Committee on Metric Policy and the National Council on State Metrication should be continued. * The functions outlined in the Board's Private Sector Planning Guidelines should be continued. * Government public awareness, consumer and education programs should be continued selectively. * The States should consider enacting uniform metric conversion legislation. ## I can't see a lot wrong with these Findings and Recommendations in 2009! Cheers, Pat Naughtin Author of the ebook, Metrication Leaders Guide, that you can obtain from http://metricationmatters.com/MetricationLeadersGuideInfo.html PO Box 305 Belmont 3216, Geelong, Australia Phone: 61 3 5241 2008 Metric system consultant, writer, and speaker, Pat Naughtin, has helped thousands of people and hundreds of companies upgrade to the modern metric system smoothly, quickly, and so economically that they now save thousands each year when buying, processing, or selling for their businesses. Pat provides services and resources for many different trades, crafts, and professions for commercial, industrial and government metrication leaders in Asia, Europe, and in the USA. Pat's clients include the Australian Government, Google, NASA, NIST, and the metric associations of Canada, the UK, and the USA. See http://www.metricationmatters.com for more metrication information, contact Pat at [email protected] or to get the free 'Metrication matters' newsletter go to: http://www.metricationmatters.com/newsletter to subscribe.
