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Enter stage left

(4,520 posts)
Thu Mar 5, 2026, 11:21 PM Mar 5

The hypocrisy of the U.S. fighting against teaching the metric system astounds me, especially when...

We have allowed and embraced 5.56mm and 9mm in our elementary schools for decades.

13 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
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The hypocrisy of the U.S. fighting against teaching the metric system astounds me, especially when... (Original Post) Enter stage left Mar 5 OP
Sticking with Arabic numbers? multigraincracker Mar 5 #1
Yes I am, seeing how they are universally recognized around the world in airports... Enter stage left Mar 5 #5
The metric system is taught in school for 50 years at least... WarGamer Mar 5 #2
What is "science class"? kwolf68 Mar 5 #3
Crass. sarisataka Mar 5 #4
You truly believe this was supposed to be "funny"? Enter stage left Mar 5 #6
I didn't say it was a good joke. sarisataka Mar 5 #7
It wasn't a joke at all, it was fact. Enter stage left Mar 6 #8
still left me behind .... stopdiggin Mar 6 #10
One of my favorite "dumb American" tweets sarisataka Mar 6 #11
'Crass' does not equal 'funny' stopdiggin Mar 6 #9
I was taught it for scientific work, but outside of it, no metric system sakabatou Mar 6 #12
When I was in elementary school, we were led to believe that by the time we were grownups, the US would be using the raccoon Mar 6 #13

Enter stage left

(4,520 posts)
5. Yes I am, seeing how they are universally recognized around the world in airports...
Thu Mar 5, 2026, 11:46 PM
Mar 5

Time zones, hours and minutes.

So yes, I won't change my stance on "Arabic numbers".

And I won't change my stance on the caliber of weapons killing our school children.

Please, don't try to distract from the real message.

WarGamer

(18,558 posts)
2. The metric system is taught in school for 50 years at least...
Thu Mar 5, 2026, 11:29 PM
Mar 5

In fact... in any science class, metric measures are required.

sarisataka

(22,598 posts)
7. I didn't say it was a good joke.
Thu Mar 5, 2026, 11:51 PM
Mar 5

And I am not sure about the premise. I learned the metric system in school and use it daily. My children, one who is still in school, have been taught the metric system and fully understand it. They question why the US doesn't switch from Imperial measurements since metric is so much cleaner.

Enter stage left

(4,520 posts)
8. It wasn't a joke at all, it was fact.
Fri Mar 6, 2026, 12:07 AM
Mar 6

I had an exceptional math teacher 65 years ago that taught us the metric system. I do conversions from mph to kmh, and mm and cm to inches and feet in my head.

I might not have made myself clear, but...
if we can't join the rest of the world with embracing the metric system, how are we ever going to change "The Second Amendment."

That was the message I was trying to convey.

stopdiggin

(15,366 posts)
9. 'Crass' does not equal 'funny'
Fri Mar 6, 2026, 12:10 AM
Mar 6

And, yeah - whatever the 'attempt' being made here (and I'm sure it was very deep) - it came off in really poor taste.

raccoon

(32,360 posts)
13. When I was in elementary school, we were led to believe that by the time we were grownups, the US would be using the
Fri Mar 6, 2026, 06:52 AM
Mar 6

metric system.

I turn 75 this year.

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