[LEAPSECS] The relation between calendars and leap seconds.

[Poul-Henning Kamp]

In message <67561FDB-4FA2-4084-943D-973310B60795 at noao.edu>, Rob Seaman writes:


>Meanwhile, the astronomers in this conversation have repeatedly  

>demonstrated the willingness to consider new options, [...]


... as long as they get things their way.

None of the proposals from your hand have addressed the problems
of the other party, without adding equally huge problems.

Just take the naming:  You insist that astronomers get to keep
the "UTC" name, despite the fact that this is embedded in far
more legal documents than astronomy papers.


>Meanwhile, the cabal pressing the eradication of leap seconds has  

>chosen to not participate in this mailing list for nine years running,  

>leaving the support of this option on the list to folks who are  

>certainly not privy to the cabal's inner machinations.


I can fully agree.

I have a hard time blaming them however, reading the archives would
not give them reason to think they would gain anything by spending
time here.


>But you're right - I see the light!  I now acknowledge that it is more  

>important to kowtow to international standards - standards that you  

>loudly blare are badly conceived and written - than to acknowledge  

>minor facts of physical reality such as that Earth has a moon.


I live in a world where the exact position of the sun in the sky is
a lot less important, than what technically inept people have written
on legally binding papers.


>It is very telling that every time I mention best practice  

>system engineering, the response is more panic stricken than when I  

>wax poetic on astronomical issues.


Best practice system engineering is a very bad method for tackling
legal problems.

Poul-Henning

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