King George III was mad anyway!
_____ From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of John M. Steele Sent: 04 July 2010 16:12 To: U.S. Metric Association Subject: [USMA:48034] KG3U units In honor of Independence Day, I think the "battle" of what to call US traditional units (Customary, WOMBAT, etc) should be decided in favor of King George III Units (KG3U). I don't wish to stir up any anti-British feelings here, but lets face it, WE didn't like King George. It is historically accurate as the US "locked in" various units that pre-date the improvements of the Imperial system in 1824. The definitions of the Queen Anne or wine gallon and Winchester or corn bushel were apparently redefined in 1707 by an Act of Parliament, and used at the time of the Revolution. (The cubic measures, 231 in³ and 2150.42 in³ were previously cylindrical measure, diameter and height; rounding produced small value changes). Our metric idiots frequently cry out "We don't need no foreign rulers." KG3U is a good reminder that we measure using the foreign ruler of the very foreign ruler we overthrew in 1776. So, if we really don't need foreign rulers, KG3U represents EXACTLY what we don't need. Complete the Revolution, throw out KG3U! The obvious alternative to King George III Units is the modern International System of Units (SI). Yes, the early metric system was developed by the French and others (remember, they were our allies in the Revolutionary War). However, development of the SI is overseen by democratic processes among those nations (including the US) who signed the Treaty of the Meter (either 1875, the initial treat as we did, or at some later day). As it is created democratically, not imposed by a King, and we like democracy, we should like and fully adopt the SI. Throw out the foreign ruler, throw out KG3U.
