Main      Site Guide    
Message Forum
The EVIL Metric system taking away my HERITAGE
Posted By: eric sleator, on host 205.188.193.166
Date: Tuesday, April 4, 2000, at 03:27:28

The evil Metric system is trying to come in and BASH my right to use inches. I see this attempt at an uneccesarily, impractically decimal measuring system creep its way into my schools and television and hospitals and many other places, silently slipping in when no one's looking. Forced metrication is a hideous, disgusting idea. In the United Kingdom it is already illegal to use the Imperial system in shops, even though we have been using it without problems for centuries. Some say the Metric system is Easier or Better or Much Simpler For The American Populace. Not so, you metromaniacs. The Imperial system is based on things you actually USE, ensuring useful units. The Metric system, however, insists on using measurements unhelpfully based on the meter. And what is a meter? Is it an arm's length? Is it the distance between you and your television set? No, it is one millionth of the distance between Paris and the equator. THAT'S helpful. "Excuse me, Mr. Parisian, how far to the equator?"
Feet are based on feet, inches are based on hand width, Fahrenheit attempted to make his thermometer based on things that would be helpful (like human body temperature), teaspoons were based on teaspoons, the list goes on. As for the old Spiel about Metric being more accurate than Imperial: nonsense. We have certain rulers that tell us exACTly how long an inch is. There is nothing inaccurate about it at all. Furthermore, if this MEtric attitude continues to spread, we might soon be forced to see Metric wherever we go (I'm talking to America at this point). This continues despite popular wishes and opinions.
Another popular prometric argument is that "everyone else uses it". Well, no. Most other countries use it OFFICIALLY, but look at, say, Canada or the UK. Most people in Canada still use the Imperial system in their day-to-day lives. There is a strong uprising against the Metric system in the UK.
Sure, Metric may be all swell and wonderful in science, but the point is, most of us aren't scientists. We're butchers and bakers and candlestick makers. I don't want a dekagram of steak, I want three fourths of a pound. The ancient Hebrews used measurements based on body parts, and so do we. In fact, almost every culture on Earth came up with measurement systems based on body parts and things found in nature. Besides, why is ten supposedly better than twelve and sixteen? These last two are SO much more easily divisible.
Don't tread on our rights. Oppose mandatory Metric.

-eric "My children will be trained to be Imperial" sleator
Tue 4 Apr A.D. 2000


Link: Here is a nice little page with relatively few typos

Replies To This Message