Everything Ulster - Latest comments on Mine's a 568.3ml

Gerry O'Sullivan [Visitor] in response to: Mine's a 568.3ml

Gerry O'Sullivan [Visitor] — Wed, 31 Aug 2005 11:03:49 +0000

Howard

Ever been to the US, the most powerful nation on earth?

Yes I have, and imo they should adopt metric too :o)

However, I think that it is more urgent for the UK to do so, given its prominent position within the EU.

Howard [Visitor] in response to: Mine's a 568.3ml

Howard [Visitor] — Wed, 31 Aug 2005 00:37:01 +0000

Gerry

" as the wider world adopts metric, so too should the UK"

Ever been to the US, the most powerful nation on earth?

Gerry O'Sullivan [Visitor] in response to: Mine's a 568.3ml

Gerry O'Sullivan [Visitor] — Tue, 30 Aug 2005 12:26:07 +0000

This old story comes up every now and then. The simple fact is that the UK signed up to the principle of metrification several years ago. Two quotes from the Observer article you linked to:

"When Parliament adopted the EC Act in 1972, it in effect agreed to the principle of metrification along with it."

In 1994, under John Major, a parliamentary committee endorsed a ministerial measure, finally giving legal teeth to the changeover commitment.

So it's not the EU bureaucrats' fault after all, it's the fault of the British government.

It's understandable that British people will have an attachment to a system they regard as "theirs", but as the wider world adopts metric, so too should the UK.

graeme [Visitor] in response to: Mine's a 568.3ml

graeme [Visitor] — Tue, 30 Aug 2005 03:42:57 +0000

The metric system is simple, understandable, uncomplicated and very useable. Why cling to a system where Brits use variously multiples of 12, 20, 1764.. what's the point in trying to work that out? What on earth is a bushel anyway? Or a furlong? I don't really miss a system where we had 12 pence in a shilling, 20 shillings in a pound and then because that was too easy we invented guineas. Currency in multiples of 21? Pointless elitism.
It's also useful to remember that European stuff is not imposed on us. We take a full part in those decisions, have done since the days of Margaret Thatcher. And we have the power to veto any European decision. Ms Thatcher didn't veto anything, so why should Peter Mandelson?

Mark [Visitor] in response to: Mine's a 568.3ml

Mark [Visitor] — Tue, 30 Aug 2005 02:17:58 +0000

the UK adopted the metric system in '69 (i think) for a good reason. the litre will prevail.
My son attends a grammar school yet has no idea what a mile is never mind a pint (yet). They're units of measurement. Why is the foreigner always to blame.

Mark [Visitor] in response to: Mine's a 568.3ml

Mark [Visitor] — Tue, 30 Aug 2005 02:17:18 +0000

beano [Member] in response to: Mine's a 568.3ml

beano [Member] — Tue, 30 Aug 2005 00:57:29 +0000

Welcome, welcome.

I always love a bit of flattery, thank you. Hope your experience of Norn Iron wasn't an altogether negative one

Michelle [Visitor] in response to: Mine's a 568.3ml

Michelle [Visitor] — Tue, 30 Aug 2005 00:32:45 +0000

Just stumbled across your blog after perusing loveulster.com for the first time. I just returned to America after taking classes at Queen's for the summer, and I wanted to offer my thanks for your thoughtful and informative blog. I'll definitely bookmark it!

aonghus [Visitor] in response to: Mine's a 568.3ml

aonghus [Visitor] — Tue, 30 Aug 2005 00:00:45 +0000

120 km/h on the motorway, 100 elsewhere.

And I was talking about conversion and derived units - erg, dyn etc.

Nice for the museum, a pain elsewhere.

beano [Member] in response to: Mine's a 568.3ml

beano [Member] — Mon, 29 Aug 2005 23:58:12 +0000

Hey Aonghus - what's your top speed limit down there? 100km/h?