Letters to the Editor

Readers debate gun control and argue for decimalization.

from the April 26, 2007 edition

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End foot vs. meter inefficiency

Regarding the April 19 Editorial, "US and Europe: syncing up standards": The editorial failed to mention one standards issue that is affecting the US not only in Europe, but throughout the world: our standard of measurement. The US is the last major nation on earth that does not use the metric system of measurement as its primary, and everyday, measurement standard. For decades, American interests have been cut off from the easy interchangeability of ideas and products because we speak our unique measurement language.

Our country could have completed metrication in 1985 – a government study recommended a 10-year transition, and Congress passed the Metric Conversion Act in 1975 – but lack of leadership and a national lack of interest postponed this change yet another generation. However, on Jan. 1, 2010, the US may have to worry about a lot more than just the design of the VW Passat headlights. Starting on that date, the European Union may no longer allow the importation of nonmetric products. The US, which instituted decimal currency in the 18th century, is long overdue to embark upon its decimalization of measurement here in the 21st. For the complete story, please see www.metric.org.

Paul Trusten
Public Relations Director, US Metric Association
Midland, Texas

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