Ways to improve the US by becoming more like the rest of the world (1 Viewer)

[renesauz]

If we did this conversion would we have to change every football field in America, or just convert the measurements?

"it's third down and 13.2 meters...."

100 meter = 109.36 yards, a difference of <10%. Simply use meters instead of yards. Wouldn't have a dramatic impact on the game (although I suspect a couple of stdiums might have problems with field space.)

 

[Christo]

If we did this conversion would we have to change every football field in America, or just convert the measurements?

"it's third down and 13.2 meters...."

100 meter = 109.36 yards, a difference of <10%. Simply use meters instead of yards. Wouldn't have a dramatic impact on the game (although I suspect a couple of stdiums might have problems with field space.)

No one's suggesting outlawing the imperial system.

 

[Bottomfeeder Sports]

Thread Summary: Basically if it's a change a typical Christian Conservative wouldn't want, it'd be good for America.

Well, the effing typical Christian Conservatives better catch up then. WTF is wrong with those people?

Well, there's the whole "We believe God gave us certain rules to live by, and we try to do so in spite of everyone else telling us we're wrong, because we feel God's will should take precedence over our own" argument. Granted, some of the things many so-called Christian Conservatives get hung up on are purely opinion, but some are things we feel we should stand up for.

I agree! We should emulate the parts of the world where everyone believes that they are in it together, that "it takes a village", etc. Those that believe that we should be our brother's keeper and provide extensive safety nets. We should "love our neighbor" rather than promote our own delusional "holier than thou" goodness by trying to define the wrong of everyone else. And worst yet trying to legislate against the sins that those other people commit.

 

[Ignoramus]

Interesting that so many would post against the metric system. It's such a HUGE improvement over the English system, and I thought only truly ignorant folks would prefer feet/yards/miles and pounds/ounces to meters and kilograms.

American ignorance at it's best.

What would switching to the metric system gain us?

Quick...how many feet in a mile? yards?The English system is stupid. The foot was literally the length of the king's foot, an inch the bone in his thumb. A ten based system is infinitely more sensible than one where 12 inches = 1 foot yet 8 ounces = 1 cup, not to mention 16 ounces in a pound. And how many cups in a quart? A gallon?

The conversions in the English system are ridiculous.

Quick! When was the last time you needed to know how many yards were in a mile? Never? Me either.We gain nothing by switching to the metric system, other than getting rid of the Quarter Pounder with Cheese. By comparison, allowing boobs on TV, legalizing some drugs and letting consenting adults pay one another for sex all offer immeasurable, immediate benefits.

 

[Donsmith753]

We still have Quarter Pounders over here. Oh and yards of ale.

 

[Kal El]

Thread Summary: Basically if it's a change a typical Christian Conservative wouldn't want, it'd be good for America.

Well, the effing typical Christian Conservatives better catch up then. WTF is wrong with those people?

Well, there's the whole "We believe God gave us certain rules to live by, and we try to do so in spite of everyone else telling us we're wrong, because we feel God's will should take precedence over our own" argument. Granted, some of the things many so-called Christian Conservatives get hung up on are purely opinion, but some are things we feel we should stand up for.

I agree! We should emulate the parts of the world where everyone believes that they are in it together, that "it takes a village", etc. Those that believe that we should be our brother's keeper and provide extensive safety nets. We should "love our neighbor" rather than promote our own delusional "holier than thou" goodness by trying to define the wrong of everyone else. And worst yet trying to legislate against the sins that those other people commit.

I agree, it's not the government's place to legislate morality, but by the same token, don't force people to go against their religious practices via legislation, either.

 

[msommer]

If we did this conversion would we have to change every football field in America, or just convert the measurements?

"it's third down and 13.2 meters...."

100 meter = 109.36 yards, a difference of <10%. Simply use meters instead of yards. Wouldn't have a dramatic impact on the game (although I suspect a couple of stdiums might have problems with field space.)

Football could be that quaint old sport that uses those obsolete measurements..

 

[Bottomfeeder Sports]

Thread Summary: Basically if it's a change a typical Christian Conservative wouldn't want, it'd be good for America.

Well, the effing typical Christian Conservatives better catch up then. WTF is wrong with those people?

Well, there's the whole "We believe God gave us certain rules to live by, and we try to do so in spite of everyone else telling us we're wrong, because we feel God's will should take precedence over our own" argument. Granted, some of the things many so-called Christian Conservatives get hung up on are purely opinion, but some are things we feel we should stand up for.

I agree! We should emulate the parts of the world where everyone believes that they are in it together, that "it takes a village", etc. Those that believe that we should be our brother's keeper and provide extensive safety nets. We should "love our neighbor" rather than promote our own delusional "holier than thou" goodness by trying to define the wrong of everyone else. And worst yet trying to legislate against the sins that those other people commit.

I agree, it's not the government's place to legislate morality, but by the same token, don't force people to go against their religious practices via legislation, either.

Assuming those practices aren't counter productive to society at large - sure. Not sure I know of too many (if any) examples of this however. On the other hand those poor persecuted believers create the environment for many of societal's evils placing beliefs over reality.

 

[BigSteelThrill]

Thread Summary: Basically if it's a change a typical Christian Conservative wouldn't want, it'd be good for America.

Well, the effing typical Christian Conservatives better catch up then. WTF is wrong with those people?

Well, there's the whole "We believe God gave us certain rules to live by, and we try to do so in spite of everyone else telling us we're wrong, because we feel God's will should take precedence over our own" argument. Granted, some of the things many so-called Christian Conservatives get hung up on are purely opinion, but some are things we feel we should stand up for.

I agree! We should emulate the parts of the world where everyone believes that they are in it together, that "it takes a village", etc. Those that believe that we should be our brother's keeper and provide extensive safety nets. We should "love our neighbor" rather than promote our own delusional "holier than thou" goodness by trying to define the wrong of everyone else. And worst yet trying to legislate against the sins that those other people commit.

I agree, it's not the government's place to legislate morality, but by the same token, don't force people to go against their religious practices via legislation, either.

People have to pay for all kinds of things they don't want via legislation. Lets not try to duck our civil and national responsibilities and use a myth as an excuse. Deal in the real.

 

[Amused to Death]

Interesting that so many would post against the metric system. It's such a HUGE improvement over the English system, and I thought only truly ignorant folks would prefer feet/yards/miles and pounds/ounces to meters and kilograms.

American ignorance at it's best.

What would switching to the metric system gain us?

Quick...how many feet in a mile? yards?The English system is stupid. The foot was literally the length of the king's foot, an inch the bone in his thumb. A ten based system is infinitely more sensible than one where 12 inches = 1 foot yet 8 ounces = 1 cup, not to mention 16 ounces in a pound. And how many cups in a quart? A gallon?

The conversions in the English system are ridiculous.

Quick! When was the last time you needed to know how many yards were in a mile? Never? Me either.We gain nothing by switching to the metric system, other than getting rid of the Quarter Pounder with Cheese. By comparison, allowing boobs on TV, legalizing some drugs and letting consenting adults pay one another for sex all offer immeasurable, immediate benefits.

Quick, what does the U.S., Liberia and Myanmar have in common? I'd guess that most Americans don't know half of our system of measurement anyway. Should look it up and see how much you don't know.Not to mention the countries that developed the Imperial System don't use it much anymore.

 

[Ditkaless Wonders]

We could unload our poor on our neighbor. I'm looking at you Canada.

 

[Bottomfeeder Sports]

We could unload our poor on our neighbor. I'm looking at you Canada.

That would go in the "Ways to improve Canada..." thread.

 

[mr roboto]

Thread Summary: Basically if it's a change a typical Christian Conservative wouldn't want, it'd be good for America.

Well, the effing typical Christian Conservatives better catch up then. WTF is wrong with those people?

Well, there's the whole "We believe God gave us certain rules to live by, and we try to do so in spite of everyone else telling us we're wrong, because we feel God's will should take precedence over our own" argument. Granted, some of the things many so-called Christian Conservatives get hung up on are purely opinion, but some are things we feel we should stand up for.

I agree! We should emulate the parts of the world where everyone believes that they are in it together, that "it takes a village", etc. Those that believe that we should be our brother's keeper and provide extensive safety nets. We should "love our neighbor" rather than promote our own delusional "holier than thou" goodness by trying to define the wrong of everyone else. And worst yet trying to legislate against the sins that those other people commit.

I agree, it's not the government's place to legislate morality, but by the same token, don't force people to go against their religious practices via legislation, either.

People have to pay for all kinds of things they don't want via legislation. Lets not try to duck our civil and national responsibilities and use a myth as an excuse. Deal in the real.

 

[Christo]

Thread Summary: Basically if it's a change a typical Christian Conservative wouldn't want, it'd be good for America.

Well, the effing typical Christian Conservatives better catch up then. WTF is wrong with those people?

Well, there's the whole "We believe God gave us certain rules to live by, and we try to do so in spite of everyone else telling us we're wrong, because we feel God's will should take precedence over our own" argument. Granted, some of the things many so-called Christian Conservatives get hung up on are purely opinion, but some are things we feel we should stand up for.

I agree! We should emulate the parts of the world where everyone believes that they are in it together, that "it takes a village", etc. Those that believe that we should be our brother's keeper and provide extensive safety nets. We should "love our neighbor" rather than promote our own delusional "holier than thou" goodness by trying to define the wrong of everyone else. And worst yet trying to legislate against the sins that those other people commit.

I agree, it's not the government's place to legislate morality, but by the same token, don't force people to go against their religious practices via legislation, either.

People have to pay for all kinds of things they don't want via legislation. Lets not try to duck our civil and national responsibilities and use a myth as an excuse. Deal in the real.

Paying is one thing. Action is another. And we recognize that in legislation too. While conscientious objectors are allowed to beg out of going to war they cannot withhold taxes because some of it goes to the war effort. See the difference?

 

[mr roboto]

I would also like to hear what our 'civil and national responsibilities' are that religious folks don't want to contribute to.

 

[Christo]

I would also like to hear what our 'civil and national responsibilities' are that religious folks don't want to contribute to.

I just gave one example.

 

[mr roboto]

I would also like to hear what our 'civil and national responsibilities' are that religious folks don't want to contribute to.

I just gave one example.

I don't think being a pacifist is a particularly religious position. Regardless, as you pointed out, taxes go to the war effort. I'm guessing it's going to be birth control and a few other items which aren't exactly 'civic and national responsibilities'.

 

[Papa Georgio]

Free or affordable higher education

Mandated naps for every 8 hours worked

Level the percentage of pay that CEO's (higher ups) make compared to workers in the trenches

 

[Brony]

Starting to notice some potato chips are now called potato crisps. Maybe Lays needs a reminder who won the Revolutionary War.

 

[Cliff Clavin]

If we did this conversion would we have to change every football field in America, or just convert the measurements?

"it's third down and 13.2 meters...."

100 meter = 109.36 yards, a difference of <10%. Simply use meters instead of yards. Wouldn't have a dramatic impact on the game (although I suspect a couple of stdiums might have problems with field space.)

Canadian football uses yards.

 

[Ignoramus]

Interesting that so many would post against the metric system. It's such a HUGE improvement over the English system, and I thought only truly ignorant folks would prefer feet/yards/miles and pounds/ounces to meters and kilograms.

American ignorance at it's best.

What would switching to the metric system gain us?

Quick...how many feet in a mile? yards?The English system is stupid. The foot was literally the length of the king's foot, an inch the bone in his thumb. A ten based system is infinitely more sensible than one where 12 inches = 1 foot yet 8 ounces = 1 cup, not to mention 16 ounces in a pound. And how many cups in a quart? A gallon?

The conversions in the English system are ridiculous.

Quick! When was the last time you needed to know how many yards were in a mile? Never? Me either.We gain nothing by switching to the metric system, other than getting rid of the Quarter Pounder with Cheese. By comparison, allowing boobs on TV, legalizing some drugs and letting consenting adults pay one another for sex all offer immeasurable, immediate benefits.

Quick, what does the U.S., Liberia and Myanmar have in common? I'd guess that most Americans don't know half of our system of measurement anyway. Should look it up and see how much you don't know.Not to mention the countries that developed the Imperial System don't use it much anymore.

I know what I need to know and I'd imagine you do, too. I'm probably not alone in saying that I have never measured nor had the need to measure anything in a chain or a dram or a gill or a dessertspoon.

 

[FreeBaGeL]

I would also like to hear what our 'civil and national responsibilities' are that religious folks don't want to contribute to.

I just gave one example.

I don't think being a pacifist is a particularly religious position. Regardless, as you pointed out, taxes go to the war effort.I'm guessing it's going to be birth control and a few other items which aren't exactly 'civic and national responsibilities'.

Well, churches don't pay taxes so for them.....everything.

 

[Wrigley]

All inclusive vacation destinations.

 

[Snoopy]

If we did this conversion would we have to change every football field in America, or just convert the measurements?

"it's third down and 13.2 meters...."

100 meter = 109.36 yards, a difference of <10%. Simply use meters instead of yards. Wouldn't have a dramatic impact on the game (although I suspect a couple of stdiums might have problems with field space.)

And soccer still uses English measurements for field and goal dimensions. They thought converting to meters instead of yards would disrupt the game too much. Rugby uses metric now though.

 

[Ilov80s]

Beer in vending machines.

 

[Christo]

I would also like to hear what our 'civil and national responsibilities' are that religious folks don't want to contribute to.

I just gave one example.

I don't think being a pacifist is a particularly religious position. Regardless, as you pointed out, taxes go to the war effort.I'm guessing it's going to be birth control and a few other items which aren't exactly 'civic and national responsibilities'.

I agree that those aren't.

 

[DiStefano]

Well, looking at other countries, it looks like we need a state religion.

Question is, which one?

 

[Dan Gladden's Mustache]

Well, looking at other countries, it looks like we need a state religion.

Question is, which one?

Rasta, mon!

 

[Leroy Hoard]

Well, looking at other countries, it looks like we need a state religion.

Question is, which one?

Rasta, mon!

Smokes all the other religions.

 

[urbanhack]

Stop making movies like Expendables 3

 

[Ilov80s]

Stop making movies like Expendables 3

The rest of the world wouldn't be happy. Our big budget action movies make a ton of money overseas. Expendables 2 made over $200 million overseas, which was 70% of its earnings. It actually premiered in Paris, London and Madrid before USA.

 

[tonydead]

4th down and centimeters?

 

[Snoopy]

Even the CFL still uses yards, but no 4th down.

 

[Stinger Ray]

Beer in vending machines.

this!

 

[Christo]

Beer in vending machines.

this!

No IPAs.

 

[Ilov80s]

Beer in vending machines.

this!

No IPAs.

Just really hoppy versions of other beers.

 

[Christo]

Beer in vending machines.

this!

No IPAs.

Just really hoppy versions of other beers.

 

[Ilov80s]

Beer in vending machines.

this!

No IPAs.

Just really hoppy versions of other beers.

I'm not sure I get that smiley, there's no emoji equivalent. Is it the kid from American Beauty watching a bag blow in the wind?

 

[Fennis]

****Official Lincoln Chaffee FFA HQ**** thread

Long-shot Democratic presidential hopeful Lincoln Chafee wants to put the country on the metric system.

"There are only two other countries that aren't metric, Myanmar and Liberia. And so it's time for America not only economically but symbolically to join the rest of the world," Chafee, a former governor and U.S. senator from Rhode Island, said.

"I know that many in the scientific community, the health care community, that have to deal internationally, the business community, are saying this is way overdue," Chafee added. "Ronald Reagan talked about it. Others have talked about it."

If he wants to rename "soccer", I will start knocking on doors for Chafee.

 

[bosoxs45]

Teach children the value of empathy and compassion.

 

[Christo]

Teach children the value of empathy and compassion.

Which country teaches that better than the US?

 

[msommer]

If we did this conversion would we have to change every football field in America, or just convert the measurements?

"it's third down and 13.2 meters...."

100 meter = 109.36 yards, a difference of <10%. Simply use meters instead of yards. Wouldn't have a dramatic impact on the game (although I suspect a couple of stdiums might have problems with field space.)

And soccer still uses English measurements for field and goal dimensions. They thought converting to meters instead of yards would disrupt the game too much. Rugby uses metric now though.

But no one refers to yards, feet or inches. Even in the UK

 

[Chaka]

Anyone mention allowing boobs on television?

Seriously, we are way too uptight.

 

[msommer]

Anyone mention allowing boobs on television?

Seriously, we are way too uptight.

Get HBO, you pervert

 

[Jayrod]

Beer in vending machines.

this!

No IPAs.

Just really hoppy versions of other beers.

I'm not sure I get that smiley, there's no emoji equivalent. Is it the kid from American Beauty watching a bag blow in the wind?

It's a penalty flag being thrown.

 

[Chaka]

Anyone mention allowing boobs on television?

Seriously, we are way too uptight.

Get HBO, you pervert

We need boobs on basic cable.

How does law and order (the rapey one) pass muster with society but Janet Jackson's nipple doesn't? That is as bass ackwards as something can get.

 

[Jayrod]

Anyone mention allowing boobs on television?

Seriously, we are way too uptight.

Get HBO, you pervert

We need boobs on basic cable.

How does law and order (the rapey one) pass muster with society but Janet Jackson's nipple doesn't? That is as bass ackwards as something can get.

If you want boobs, you can find boobs.

But the reason is simple economics. You start allowing nudity on basic cable and programming goes down because parents don't want their young boys seeing boobs and wives don't want their husbands seeing other women's boobs. Hearing talk of sex crimes, while awful, doesn't make men and boys all lusty (hopefully).

 

[Chaka]

Anyone mention allowing boobs on television?

Seriously, we are way too uptight.

Get HBO, you pervert

We need boobs on basic cable.

How does law and order (the rapey one) pass muster with society but Janet Jackson's nipple doesn't? That is as bass ackwards as something can get.

If you want boobs, you can find boobs.

But the reason is simple economics. You start allowing nudity on basic cable and programming goes down because parents don't want their young boys seeing boobs and wives don't want their husbands seeing other women's boobs. Hearing talk of sex crimes, while awful, doesn't make men and boys all lusty (hopefully).

Uhhhhhh...this is exactly the type of uptight sexual repression rampant in this country that I was talking about. Rapey talk is okay but sacks of fat on a woman's chest are anathema. Murder porn on 20/20 or Dateline or the rapey Law & Order is perfectly okay but big 'ol floppy boobs sends 'em heading for their fallout shelters.

Bass ackwards.

 

[Jayrod]

Anyone mention allowing boobs on television?

Seriously, we are way too uptight.

Get HBO, you pervert

We need boobs on basic cable.

How does law and order (the rapey one) pass muster with society but Janet Jackson's nipple doesn't? That is as bass ackwards as something can get.

If you want boobs, you can find boobs.

But the reason is simple economics. You start allowing nudity on basic cable and programming goes down because parents don't want their young boys seeing boobs and wives don't want their husbands seeing other women's boobs. Hearing talk of sex crimes, while awful, doesn't make men and boys all lusty (hopefully).

Uhhhhhh...this is exactly the type of uptight sexual repression rampant in this country that I was talking about. Rapey talk is okay but sacks of fat on a woman's chest are anathema. Murder porn on 20/20 or Dateline or the rapey Law & Order is perfectly okay but big 'ol floppy boobs sends 'em heading for their fallout shelters.

Bass ackwards.

I agree Law & Order SVU is awful TV, but I disagree that that is a reason to allow nudity.

My main point being that those who long for nudity, can find it with ease, so why the need to have it on basic cable programming?

 

[Chaka]

Anyone mention allowing boobs on television?

Seriously, we are way too uptight.

Get HBO, you pervert

We need boobs on basic cable.

How does law and order (the rapey one) pass muster with society but Janet Jackson's nipple doesn't? That is as bass ackwards as something can get.

If you want boobs, you can find boobs.

But the reason is simple economics. You start allowing nudity on basic cable and programming goes down because parents don't want their young boys seeing boobs and wives don't want their husbands seeing other women's boobs. Hearing talk of sex crimes, while awful, doesn't make men and boys all lusty (hopefully).

Uhhhhhh...this is exactly the type of uptight sexual repression rampant in this country that I was talking about. Rapey talk is okay but sacks of fat on a woman's chest are anathema. Murder porn on 20/20 or Dateline or the rapey Law & Order is perfectly okay but big 'ol floppy boobs sends 'em heading for their fallout shelters.

Bass ackwards.

I agree Law & Order SVU is awful TV, but I disagree that that is a reason to allow nudity.

My main point being that those who long for nudity, can find it with ease, so why the need to have it on basic cable programming?

It's not longing for nudity, there is nudity accessible to anyone at any time. The point is to demystify it. I will never understand why the human body is such a taboo for so many Americans. I wonder if these people wear bathing suits in the shower, robes to change clothes or change into their pajamas only when they're under the sheets.

We're a country of uptight prudes and our outlets are increasing violence. It's a terrible paradox.

They're boobs, everyone has them and we need to get over it.