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2ndAmForComputers

(3,527 posts) Mon Jan 7, 2013, 10:43 AM Jan 2013

Let's make some more reactionary, xenophobic heads explode: WH Petition for the Metric System [View all]

Go forth. You know what to do.

https://petitions.whitehouse.gov/petition/make-metric-system-standard-united-states-instead-imperial-system/FndsKXLh

Almost 2/3rds there.

Make the Metric system the standard in the United States, instead of the Imperial system.

The United States is one of the few countries left in the world who still have not converted to using the Metric System as a standardized system of measurement. Instead of going along with what the rest of the world uses, we stubbornly still adhere to using the imprecise Imperial Unit - despite the fact that practically every other country that we interact with uses Metric.

Why should we convert to using the Metric System? Because it's superior, less convoluted - everything is ordered in units of tens, while the chaotic arrangement of the Imperial System slows things down for us - not only in terms of education, but also businesses, science, foreign relations, and daily life.

Created: Dec 31, 2012
Issues: Education, Science and Space Policy

103 replies

= new reply since forum marked as read

Highlight:

Let's make some more reactionary, xenophobic heads explode: WH Petition for the Metric System [View all] 2ndAmForComputers Jan 2013 OP

I love the metric system liberal N proud Jan 2013 #1

Just think of all of things that would need to be changed... Sekhmets Daughter Jan 2013 #4

However, kentauros Jan 2013 #7

Thanks for the chart... Sekhmets Daughter Jan 2013 #38

From what I've seen kentauros Jan 2013 #45

I understand... Sekhmets Daughter Jan 2013 #51

I tried a new biscotti recipe this year kentauros Jan 2013 #58

That's a funny story... Sekhmets Daughter Jan 2013 #61

In cooking you can add flavoring and test as you go. kentauros Jan 2013 #64

And recipes are so much easier in grams/kilograms GoneOffShore Jan 2013 #18

Anyone that's ever taken baking or pastry classes kentauros Jan 2013 #23

So you measure flour, sugar etc Sekhmets Daughter Jan 2013 #41

Scales are cheap - I got mine for $30 GoneOffShore Jan 2013 #48

My old scale is probably 15 years old kentauros Jan 2013 #49

Well, judging from the enthusiasm Sekhmets Daughter Jan 2013 #53

I would say just do what you feel comfortable with. kentauros Jan 2013 #60

Do you have a preference in these scales? n/t Sekhmets Daughter Jan 2013 #56

I haven't used any of them. kentauros Jan 2013 #59

I think the thing I like best about Amazon Sekhmets Daughter Jan 2013 #62

I noticed that when you look at the reviews on Chefs Catalog kentauros Jan 2013 #63

Gret! And once again, thanks! Sekhmets Daughter Jan 2013 #68

You're welcome :) kentauros Jan 2013 #69

Really? Sekhmets Daughter Jan 2013 #40

Weigh the ingredients on a metric scale GoneOffShore Jan 2013 #47

Dry or liquid? liberal N proud Jan 2013 #26

5 ml. politicat Jan 2013 #80

My measuring tools are old... Sekhmets Daughter Jan 2013 #83

Sorry... I think of my stuff as old, when really, it's not. politicat Jan 2013 #94

LOL... Sekhmets Daughter Jan 2013 #96

Can't happen too soon. Lizzie Poppet Jan 2013 #2

So, how many kilovotes do we need? MineralMan Jan 2013 #3

HA! 2ndAmForComputers Jan 2013 #5

I'll plead ugly Americanism on this one. Tommy_Carcetti Jan 2013 #6

I'll worry about this HappyMe Jan 2013 #8

I don't mind kilometers but I HATE Celsius. Nye Bevan Jan 2013 #9

I love Farenheit, too, for the same reason. I always had a problem with negative CTyankee Jan 2013 #13

I hate Celsius, too. kentauros Jan 2013 #20

You will have to pry the farenheit thermometer from my cold dead hands FrodosPet Jan 2013 #86

If it's a modern thermometer, it'll have a dual readout. kentauros Jan 2013 #91

Use Kelvin One_Life_To_Give Jan 2013 #21

Fahrenheit is more accurate then Celsius. RC Jan 2013 #31

Tell me about it. Nye Bevan Jan 2013 #34

Between any two numbers there are an infinite number of divisions. Sirveri Jan 2013 #72

Digital thermometers, either C or F, normally have only tenth of a degree readouts. RC Jan 2013 #81

Now you're shifting the goal posts, mathematically they're equally accurate. Sirveri Jan 2013 #82

Fahreneit is inherently better for colloquial use, Nye Bevan Jan 2013 #89

Colloquial use is dependent on the environ in which you were raised. Sirveri Jan 2013 #90

Celsius plays into the hands of climate change deniers NoPasaran Jan 2013 #87

I lost neurons reading that. 2ndAmForComputers Jan 2013 #92

LOL, here in Fargo, negative temps is normal January weather. Odin2005 Jan 2013 #93

By the way, how stupid do you have to be to think negative numbers are "hard" or "confusing?" 2ndAmForComputers Jan 2013 #95

I know people who can't even do 12x2=24. Odin2005 Jan 2013 #97

I am of the opinion that making accomodations for disabled people... 2ndAmForComputers Jan 2013 #100

Accepting the meter would threaten the national sovereignty of the US. DetlefK Jan 2013 #10

I understand al-Gebra has weapons of math instruction.... lastlib Jan 2013 #44

"F" to America! DetlefK Jan 2013 #79

Give em a centimeter and they'll take a kilometer n/t Fumesucker Jan 2013 #11

What's interesting is that we already use the metric system kentauros Jan 2013 #12

Shush with your sense talking. nt Javaman Jan 2013 #16

okay, I'll be vewwy quiet... kentauros Jan 2013 #17

The industrial plant and automotive sectors would be screwed by this. Sirveri Jan 2013 #73

Yeah, I was getting at things like that :) kentauros Jan 2013 #75

I've heard that they've started making bolts with metric heads and SAE threads. Sirveri Jan 2013 #84

Medical record keeping loyalsister Jan 2013 #74

No I like our Imperial System. ArnoldLayne Jan 2013 #14

That's been my pet issue for decades, but there's no way I'll sign that petition slackmaster Jan 2013 #15

Even the strictest teabagger will admit this is entirely within Congress's power Recursion Jan 2013 #19

Metric cooking is easy using weight. tridim Jan 2013 #30

But imperial volume units are based on commonly used amounts for cooking Recursion Jan 2013 #32

Ah, but do you bake the same way? GoneOffShore Jan 2013 #50

We might also look at it this way: kentauros Jan 2013 #77

My great grandmother was a superb baker, and she never weighed a thing! MADem Jan 2013 #101

Those damn yooroopeeons don't seem to have a problem with that activity. 2ndAmForComputers Jan 2013 #70

I'm not sure what "convert to the metric system" means in this context. Our gov't has used it for Romulox Jan 2013 #22

Because Thermodynamics would be way to easy One_Life_To_Give Jan 2013 #24

Signed, Facebooked and Tweeted. GoneOffShore Jan 2013 #25

Are you all to young to remember the first attempt at doing this? Motown_Johnny Jan 2013 #27

And while we're at it, UK, get with the program... tridim Jan 2013 #28

Rest of the planet? Spider Jerusalem Jan 2013 #57

Yea, they drive on the left because it's easier to wield a sword when you're on your horse. tridim Jan 2013 #65

I like that we have our own system of measure. It's not progressive... but it's us. Silly, huh? The Wielding Truth Jan 2013 #29

yup lastlib Jan 2013 #37

Any company that has international sales is already using the metric system A Simple Game Jan 2013 #33

Some soda is sold in 2-liter bottles, and cocaine is measured in kilos Freddie Stubbs Jan 2013 #35

That's one I'm going to sign!!! lastlib Jan 2013 #36

My car gets forty rods to the hogshead, and that's the way I likes it. nt NoGOPZone Jan 2013 #39

"They can have my yardstick when they pry it from my cold, dead..." nt Buns_of_Fire Jan 2013 #42

or just flip it over kydo Jan 2013 #43

Whatever zipplewrath Jan 2013 #46

I hope this petition succeeds billbailey19448jj Jan 2013 #52

Who controls the British crown? Who keeps the metric system down? We do! We do! Brother Buzz Jan 2013 #54

I don't see the need for this, really Spider Jerusalem Jan 2013 #55

YES! Here's to base 10~! Taverner Jan 2013 #66

All of these recent discussions about penis size will get interesting... dogknob Jan 2013 #67

Good grief...I remember a TV commercial about a cigarette that was a silly millimeter longer! MADem Jan 2013 #103

There are high school kids that don't know their multiplication tables. Mr.Bill Jan 2013 #71

I'll take the European health care system. MrSlayer Jan 2013 #76

When I was in elementary school (70's and early 80s) we were taught the metric system cherish44 Jan 2013 #78

I'm all for kilometers per Megajoule instead of MPG IDemo Jan 2013 #85

Metrification? Bosh! NoPasaran Jan 2013 #88

It screws up rocket science. Glassunion Jan 2013 #98

screw the metric system, I'll keep the Imperial system quinnox Jan 2013 #99

We use both, what's the problem with that? snooper2 Jan 2013 #102