M/F

[McAuliffe]

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Wayne:

Is the Ardennes region mountainous? My impression from my reading about the battles there is that the whole Ardennes region is basically a platteau that is(...)

<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Guess we're going a little bit off-topic here, so I'll leave it with following picture :

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http://users.pandora.be/aneric/index8.htm#Projects

[Daveman]

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by KLilly:

Last person that tried to get the US to go metric was Jimmy Carter, and look how far that got him.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

In the early-mid 90's there was some pressure, at least for state transportation departments, to convert to metric. I think it took the form of Federal money being held back if you didn't convert by a certain date.

When the Republicans won back all those seats in Congress they nixed the whole deal. In Delaware (where I work) we were pretty far along in the process... we had installed metric "milepost" signs on new routes, renumbered exits, etc. but hadn't changed more important signs like speed limits and guide signs. I gather our bridge/road design engineers converted all the way and still work up plans in metric.

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"You know our standing orders. Out of ammo become a bunker, out of commission become a pillbox, out of time... become heroes." - The Beast

[Wayne]

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by McAuliffe:

Guess we're going a little bit off-topic here, so I'll leave it with following picture :

Those are'nt mountains, those are hills. I'm from California and those "mountains" we would call slight elevations. Just kidding.

I see your point, but still there are relatively flat areas in the midst of these hills.

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Blessed be the Lord my strength who teaches my hands to war and my fingers to fight.

[RudeLover]

For your entertainment:

http://www.metricsucks.com/

http://www.rci.rutgers.edu/~jup/metric/

http://www.freedom2measure.org/

http://www.users.zetnet.co.uk/estatopia/inch.htm

I believe that the Slug (the english system's counterpart to the gram) is the official unit of the John Birch Society...

[This message has been edited by RudeLover (edited 09-11-2000).]

[Mannheim Tanker]

To add to Mark IV's reasons for our hesitation to completely convert to metric: keep in mind that most land in the US was partitioned using the English system. A 40acre parcel is 1/4 mile on a side. As a forester, I could go into the even stranger system used to measure land (based on the English system): 1 chain ~ 66 feet. 5 chains = 1 tally, and 1 mile = 80 chains. Therefore a section is 80 chains by 80 chains, or simply 640 acres. Now convert THAT to metric and still avoid the ensuing lawsuits due to timber trespasses

Many Americans can "think" metrically in our work to be compatible with our overseas partners, but due to practical reasons ($), I doubt we'll ever officially change. All except temperature. I'll never figure that one out...

[Banshee]

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Mannheim Tanker:

All except temperature. I'll never figure that one out...<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Go live someplace where it's -40 degrees all the time then you won't have to worry about it!

(in case this is too obscure put -40 in the F/C formula )

[howardb]

Celsius is pretty easy (and logic). Water boils at 100 and freezes at 0. I'm from Norway so I guess people like it warmer than me but I'm happy if it's in the 20 - 30 degrees area, anything above is too darn hot

[Scortchus]

In my neighborhood....USA, we call meters ....yards

VonBakker

[howardb]

If I'm not much mistaken a yard isn't exactly a meter. Can't remember the exact figures though.