Jan 7, 2008

There is a tie for comment of the week

That feature of this blog which has been missing for the past couple of weeks is back, with two nearly simultaneously-submitted comments collecting the prize. Before the actual RIF news is announced tomorrow at Anastasio's "All-Hand's" meeting, here are this week's winners.

-Gus

___________________________________________

Realists are frequently cast as skeptics by optimists who simply cannot face reality.

Such seems to be the case here. The reality of our situation is that there is not enough collective horsepower in LA/Santa Fe counties to change the course of events that are presently transpiring at LANL.

That's reality.

Here's another dose: Eric is not going to save LANL, no matter how much his savior complex (in all of his anonymous manifestations) would wish him to be able to do so.

More reality: LANL, and all of its "really really really smart scientists" have been systematically outwitted and out maneuvered by a bunch of dim-witted DOE and NNSA bureaucrats at every turn.

Y'all are just going to have to learn to deal with it however you see fit. For the more intelligent of you who still remain at LANL, that means finding another job elsewhere.

For the rest of you, that means pit production work.

And the number two winner:

"Currently we are faced with a question, polish pits or march to the gallows of bankruptcy"

What is the question about polish pits? I wasn't even aware Poland had nuclear weapons! Yikes! What's next, plutonium pierogi?? gallium-alloy golabki?? I'll take the "gallows of bankruptcy" whatever they are..?
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15 comments:

  1. Dave1/7/08, 9:32 PM

    Good science cannot long persist in an atmosphere of intimidation. Political figures ought to be reviewing their public statements to make sure they are consistent with the best available science; scientists should not be reviewing their statements to make sure they are consistent with the current political orthodoxy. - House Science Committee Chairman Sherwood Boehlert (R-NY)

    ReplyDelete
  2. Anonymous1/7/08, 10:06 PM

    From LLNL True Story Blog

    From anonymous:

    I was laid off today. Actually, according to my separation letter, my appointment end-date (which would have been in October, 2008) is being changed to Jan 7, 2008.

    I will give more details later (I only received 30 days of pay in lieu of notice, so need to concentrate on finding new employment).

    I had been in the NIF directorate, and thought that I was "safe."

    ReplyDelete
  3. Anonymous1/8/08, 1:42 AM

    Here's another dose: Eric is not going to save LANL, no matter how much his savior complex (in all of his anonymous manifestations) would wish him to be able to do so.

    You are dumber than you look. Much dumber. This fact was established almost 8 months ago when Eric was discouraged from posting on the blog because no one really cared what he had to say

    ReplyDelete
  4. Anonymous1/8/08, 1:43 AM

    1/7/08 10:06 PM

    Good lawyer

    SUE SUE SUE

    ReplyDelete
  5. Anonymous1/8/08, 1:56 AM

    Good science cannot long persist in an atmosphere of intimidation

    excuse me, historically it has pursevered in the face of intimidation.

    Grow a sac.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Anonymous1/8/08, 1:56 AM

    Good science cannot long persist in an atmosphere of intimidation

    Sorry - cannot drop it- PUSSY

    ReplyDelete
  7. Anonymous1/8/08, 2:27 AM

    Gosh dang - the country has a chance. There seems to be a chance that Hillary might be leaving the race. Other than having Bush out of office it might be one of the best things to happen for the country.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Anonymous1/8/08, 2:28 AM

    Good science cannot long persist in an atmosphere of intimidation

    Idiot - it is exactly the opposite.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Anonymous1/8/08, 6:12 AM

    Sue? Based on what? Not receiving the terms and conditions of a contract that says you can be laid off at any time? Sue because you think you're a better employee as a Limited Term than some of the slackers who were hired as Regular staff? (different terms at LLNL, but I can't think of them now).

    Get a grip. Now that the voluntary phase is past, LANS and LLNS are highly motivated to remove people in the most cost-effective (minimize severance payouts) and least legally problematic (LT then LIFO) way. To hell with productivity, morale, or ability to recruit in the future. A seniority based RIF is the only way to reduce headcount without (a) thinking, and (b) making a mistake that could result in a protracted lawsuit.

    I predict Mike will announce a seniority based RIF this afternoon.

    ReplyDelete
  10. Anonymous1/8/08, 7:10 AM

    The seniority-based RIF is a good possibility. LANS is doing everything possible to avoid litigation. Things that are "automatic" and require no human judgement have the best chance of avoiding litigation.

    So, first we get rid of all of the old farts via the SSP. Many of these are, of course, our real experts.

    Then, we get rid of the young people via the RIF. This is known as "eating our seed."

    Of course, the Bectel MAFIA that were brought on since June cannot be RIFfed as they are doing essential work such as calculating Mikey's bonus.

    ReplyDelete
  11. Anonymous1/8/08, 7:44 AM

    "So, first we get rid of all of the old farts via the SSP."

    Not quite all, I still see many around.

    Anyone know the actual age, AD/Div, etc., stats of the SSP, or are they a BFS?

    ReplyDelete
  12. Eric1/8/08, 8:27 AM

    1. I almost never post anonymously.

    2. Bash Eric! "How's that working for you?" Hundreds of layoffs with many more to come. Budgets down substantially and enemies on all sides. Have you stopped or even slowed down a single bad event?

    3. When you need to vent, please do. I hope that it helps you in some way. I feel sorry that your only approach to a better future is to anonymously attack a person whom you do not know and do not have the courage to meet in person. So sad.

    ReplyDelete
  13. Anonymous1/8/08, 8:59 AM

    1:43AM. 6:12AM has the answer. Flex is flex. The hard part was convincing the LSO to allow 30 days pay in lieu of notice, which apparently is not allowed in the new contract. Cheers.

    ReplyDelete
  14. Anonymous1/8/08, 10:12 AM

    "Good science cannot long persist in an atmosphere of intimidation

    Idiot - it is exactly the opposite.

    1/8/08 2:28 AM"

    So, intimidation cannot long persist in an atmosphere of good science? That could explain a lot.

    ReplyDelete
  15. Anonymous1/8/08, 10:00 PM

    Gus-

    Thanks for your "number two winner" posting. Unfortnately, there seems to be no humor in Mudville tonight. Sigh...

    ReplyDelete

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