Converting to Metric System

I agree with the statement in George Will’s Column Right (“A 115.82-Meter Home Run? It’s Un-American,” Aug. 31) that the last thing we need is more government bureaucrats telling us how to lead our lives. But Will is completely wrong in believing the U.S. can continue using British units, when the rest of the world has adopted the metric system.

How can it be “un-American” to be efficient, systematic and logical? Besides, without the aid of government the metric system has permeated many areas of the U.S. The soldiers in the Gulf War relied on metrics for ranging and targeting of all weaponry for accuracy and simplicity. Are our soldiers un-American? The medical profession uses the metric system for measurements concerning all aspects of the human body. Are our doctors un-American? All Olympic sporting events are standardized and measured in metrics. Are our Olympic athletes un-American?

These are just a few areas where the United States relies on metrics for good reason. In technical and international areas it is an absolute necessity to use the metric system. A highly technical and internationally competitive country such as the United States cannot continue to use an outdated and cumbersome jumble of units when the entire rest of the world, not just Europe, uses one standard system of units.

George, a 115.82-meter home run is not “un-American.” It is the way of the future.

H. STRECKERT, Rancho Santa Fe