On Fri, 25 Jan 2002 10:36:00 James R. Frysinger wrote: >Ma Be wrote: >... In other words, you're getting from USMA everything you paid for and >then some. Thanks for letting us know on what basis to judge your >complaints and criticisms. > ?? I honestly don't know what to make of your sentence above. I don't want to misjudge your intentions with it, but were you being... sarcastic or something, Jim? If you were, I didn't know that side of yours... :-S
For your info, as far as USMA is concerned I do not "overburden" your resources, if that's what you were getting to! I surf your site when I can, just like anybody else, and I think that that is free, just like any other thing one does on the internet as far as surfing is concerned, isn't it? Now, would you suggest I didn't though?... And this newsgroup/forum is also free. Would you also prefer that I left that, too?... Please, just let me know. > Why don't you join USMA and thereby raise the value of your comments >about the organization in which you would then hava a vested interest? ? 'Raise the value of my comments'? Again, I don't follow you. Do you mean that if I join it all of a sudden what I'd write would 'raise in value' as a consequence? Hmm... I always give my 110% regardless... My 'vested interest', Jim, is to advance the cause of **metrication**! Unfortunately, it seems clear that USMA cannot do much to help accomplish that because in your political/economic system lobbying is a paramount activity to effect change, and since you guys can't (or won't in the opinion of some) what would be left? Now, that doesn't mean that I don't have a high appreciation for it though. Far from me to say that! You do "have a place", but I still firmly believe that you guys require A LOT MORE than just a "reference/data bank" organization. >That will get you a subscription to Metric Today (MT) which is where is >the official USMA vehicle for providing metric information; if you're >not receiving it, you're missing the best part. > I'm not convinced of that though. Based on my years of experience in this forum already I can possibly conclude that I really haven't been missing much, simply because not much has actually been happening (!); except for the bad news part, DOT's reversals, MARS probe fiasco, lack of FPLA legislation, sabbotage efforts against the EU by TABD, etc. In other words, I honestly think I'm not missing much. But, if you disagree with me, please try me, convince me I'd be wrong. Please, tell me something I really don't know... (and I'm not being arrogant, claiming that I know all. That's not what I mean!) > This will also provide them with more money to support the work that >the unpaid officers do (which is reported in MT). Due to the realities >of the game of politics, it usually does not behoove any of us if we are >told ahead of time about USMA's planned activities on The Hill Your sentence above reminded me of another issue. Why is it that you guys have to "whisper" about anything that is related to metrication? Why is it that one has to be... "quiet" about this, as if metric were such a nightmare for people that one would have to do things in a "hidden way" or via the "backdoor"! Darn it. When something is good it should be our job to *trumpet* about it. As with light, and as Scriptures say, a light is not meant to be lit behind a curtain, but to shine before everyone! So what if you'll face the ire of anti-metric luddites (as John likes to say! :-) ) and dirty politics. Put them in their place by your skilfull demonstration of how wrong they actually are. It's about time we unveil to *everyone* and show people the real colors of such idiots! If I have to feel embarassed or ashamed because I defend metrication, alas, what am I doing here??? -- or, >oftentimes, even after the fact! To demand otherwise is a conclusive >mark of political naivete. I'm evidently not privvy to American politics and I evidently read you. But, for crying out loud, just because you lost some battles doesn't mean you would now have to retreat "com o rabo no meio das pernas", as we say in Portuguese! I firmly believe you MUST be bold about it. If they claim "it's too expensive", prove to them it isn't. If they claim people don't or won't like it, prove them wrong by showing examples in other countries with similar resistance that it's again a fallacy. If they say it's their culture (AAARRRGGHHH), be courageous and tell them the facts about it (it came from the British, show them the definition of the word, that it transcends all languages, peoples, etc). Etc, etc, counteract every lame excuse they'd muster against you with a firm unequivocal response! Darn it! We DO have ALL the answers. Let's USE them, shall we? > But I do know from personal experience that >the USMA does communicate regularly with government officials, >legislators, and organization officers to keep them informed and to >present our point of view. > I don't doubt you do, but I honestly have reservations about the effectiveness of this approach. Correct me if I'm wrong, but you've been doing this for years! Could you honestly claim that you're closer to getting this done than you were 10 years ago? (I know, I know, Jim Elwell and others will probably try to convince you that you are. We've been over this before and after much wrangling we finally had to admit that this is quite questionable) Again, I don't want to be pessimistic or anything (I'd like to think that I'm actually a realist!), but the chances now are much larger that it's the world that will eventually have to cave in to the US on this and finally start tolerating this crap more and more, at first. Until the day we'd probably be forced to backpedal hundreds of years in history and again spend quatrillions and quatrillions of dollars to undo all the progress the 210+ countries invested on metrication, only to resurrect a stupid, mediocre system that will only force us to be eternally inefficient and bothered by useless distasteful mathematical elocubrations. And why would all of this would happen? Because we're failing to take action NOW. Again, it goes to leadership and collective cooperation. Funny, however, how the other side always seems to win the day. How come the other side always manages to get organized and ultimately stifle our efforts? Look at DOT's for instance. How could we have lost this war when at one point in time stats showed we were in the upper 80, or even 90% there??? If we can't learn these valuable lessons of history progress will always be elusive to our cause, I'm afraid. > Personally, I'm more interested in hearing what efforts others have >made that might serve as models for action than I am about their gripes >regarding an organization they haven't supported with their very >reasonable dues. How many times, dear Jim, have some of us here shared our plans, ideas, even on a point-by-point basis on this? I was not the only one who came up with my original 7-point strategic approach to metrication (remember?). But did it lead anywhere? How many times do I still have to remind our folks here that sparse, sporadic 'efforts' (as you put it) without their being part of a larger plan will be doomed to failure??? The sooner some progress is achieved and "acaba pisando no calho alheio" the sooner complaints start mounting and the quicker those who effected the changes end up backpedaling (even gladly, I must add!)? In other words, are such 'efforts' enough in themselves? It's commendable that you'd be looking for 'models for action', please don't take me wrong, my dear friend. That's not the point. But at the end of the day we have to stop fooling around and kidding ourselves hoping that we'd find some... "magic formula" for metrication for the US, when we already have strategic plans that have been shown to work!!! Why try to "reinvent the wheel", Jim? > Also of interest to me are notices of opportunities >(government Requests For Comments, open comment periods on standards, >pending legislation, etc) for list members to do something constructive. Excellent! Now, just a quick question here. What happened to that effort that was shared with us in the automotive industry? Something that was vehicled here a few years ago? What happened to that? Did the authorities give up on that? >You don't have to be a USMA member to do any of that and then to report >it here. But, in my personal opinion, you should become a USMA member >before you gripe about the organization's effectiveness. > Well... I humbly believe that I'm not the only one 'griping about USMA's effectiveness'. Besides, as we say in business, the results speak for themselves!... > Duncan presented an excellent main menu for you to choose from in >[USMA:17630]. Why don't you do some of that and then tell us about it? Sorry, but I didn't save that one. On the other hand, I also shared a similar proposal here a few years ago. Why don't you evaluate that one, too, for the first time?... ;-) >And put your money where your mouth is; I already do, and a lot! I go out of my way to boycott any non-metric product (to the chagrin and complaint of my wife and friends!). I spend extra money in buying ONLY rationally-designed metric products, I continue to spend my own money in my campaign... I'll even call Measurement Canada again and even suggest to them that they create a troop of volunteers to crack down on non-metric offenders here, etc, etc... What else can I do? join the USMA. How much do you >really care about metrication in the U.S.? Enough to spend $30 per year >($35 out of country, I believe) to support the USMA? I evidently do, Jim. But if you can prove to me, beyond a reasonable doubt that my money would be *well* spent (and by well I mean towards ***metrication*** efforts that are effective, efficient, and that ARE working) I promise you I'll give it serious consideration (really)! Otherwise, I think I could make better use of those 55 Canadian dollars for our cause here... Or only enough to >subscribe to a free mail forum and grumble about the effectiveness of an >organization you haven't supported? On a different note, though. I'd have no problem in acting as a volunteer on behalf of your organization or to do things around here without any charge! How about that? (You asked for my money, and I'm offering something that I consider much more valuable: my time! ;-) ) As for 'grumbling about USMA', I'm afraid you'd have a lot more people here to bug about, besides just poor old Canadian Marcus... :-) > Enough to give a guest presentation >in a school or only enough to gripe about the lack of metric information >in educational institutions? > Again, I'd be delighted to do such! I'm well versed in doing presentations. I even created my own on this subject! :-) So... How can I help you?... ;-) > You know where to send the check, Marcus. >... I know where to use this money indeed... Thanks for your kind words and challenging discussion. I just sincerely hope you won't consider I came too hard on you, as I value you and respect you a lot, my friend. Take care. Marcus Is your boss reading your email? ....Probably Keep your messages private by using Lycos Mail. Sign up today at http://mail.lycos.com
