Awesome post, BluesBrother,
That is a sane explaination. Eye-opening actually, and worth putting on my web site when I am in the mood to do so...actually, when I can remember my password! It has been so long since I last changed that site, as you can tell by the crudeness of it.
Also, your explaination is consistent with the scripture quoted by jws. It appears the measurement was done using the diameter (or if done the way you described, by using the radius and doubling it to make the description easier)....though the circumference could have been measured, the figure of 30 cubits seems to be calculated.
If done the way, the WTS says, then there is not an error at all in the passage. Most people would reasonably allow for "the common man's" writing style.
Where in the literature is it? Time to dig out my CD-ROM...
Richard