tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28220200.post2432197786257042851..comments2023-08-27T06:53:36.768-06:00Comments on LANL: The Rest of the Story: Third Comment of the WeekFrank Younghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02134775226991383924noreply@blogger.comBlogger77125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28220200.post-17452487870150460052009-08-23T09:45:08.457-06:002009-08-23T09:45:08.457-06:008/20/09 11:37 PM
"...and the infamous 4-10&#...8/20/09 11:37 PM<br /><br />"...and the infamous 4-10's schedule will continue to be executed as 4-8's..."<br /><br />Actually, I know of several people who consider their commute to/from SF and ABQ as part of their "10 h days" and similarly "8 h days". Many people arrive at work at 9 am, take a 1-2 h lunch, and leave by 4/4:30 pm. Interestingly, management looks the other way and simply signs off on the T&E....Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28220200.post-91810522907210379902009-08-20T23:37:10.310-06:002009-08-20T23:37:10.310-06:00"...and the infamous 4-10's schedule will..."...and the infamous 4-10's schedule will continue to be executed as 4-8's..."<br /><br /><br />Shhhhhhhh......Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28220200.post-5657484002376859232009-08-20T20:02:59.417-06:002009-08-20T20:02:59.417-06:00"8/20/09 6:52 PM
"
What is your point?"8/20/09 6:52 PM<br />"<br /><br />What is your point?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28220200.post-82227499505671772622009-08-20T19:57:17.988-06:002009-08-20T19:57:17.988-06:006:32,
This blog was originally unmoderated simply ...6:32,<br />This blog was originally unmoderated simply because I didn't think I could be an impartial moderator. Eventually a wise friend convinced me that my moderation of comments would be better than none at all. He turned out to be correct on that point. The only problem with moderation is people never see the rejected comments, so there is no way they for them to approve of our judgment. Damned if you do and damned if you don't.Frank Younghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02134775226991383924noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28220200.post-22452583916534601082009-08-20T18:57:17.768-06:002009-08-20T18:57:17.768-06:00Dear 6:52pm,
Your fervor has been duly noted. Bu...Dear 6:52pm,<br /><br />Your fervor has been duly noted. But, just for the record: to whom do you refer with your opening salutation of, "Hey, Dummy..."<br /><br />Also, just for clarity: what is your position on "Ad Hominem" attacks?<br /><br />Thanks In Advance.Doug Robertshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09584327679578206598noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28220200.post-9170115709438208852009-08-20T18:52:25.132-06:002009-08-20T18:52:25.132-06:00"Hey Dummy, check out how many of the nuclear..."Hey Dummy, check out how many of the nuclear weapons in our enduring stockpile were designed, tested, and certified by Los Alamos. That was our job predating the present management, in case you've been living on Mars for the past 50 years or so. If you are "challenged" in finding the answer, here it is: approximately 87% of the nuclear weapons presently deployed are from Los Alamos. Los Alamos did what was expected of it to protect the Nation, regardless of whimpers from witless ingrates like yourself."<br /><br /> I've been away from the blog for a while, but I'm certain that I am being described in this note. The author is entitled to his opinion and the blog master does not prohibit ad hominem, although it doesn't seem to add to the quality of discussion. My reply is that the newest LANL weapons are very old and hardly something that can be the basis of a proposal today. Furthermore, a count of weapons does not indicate their quality. The DOE does not shop for the best weapon because weapons are rarely selected because of some figure of merit but simply because the test worked. A LLNL kiloton does the same as a LANL kiloton. The DOD orders a new weapon only to fit in the newest delivery vehicle. Making a new bomb is a matter of making it to fit in terms of dimensions and weight distribution. In other words, it is the delivery vehicle that determines which bomb is in the majority. Under any circumstance it seems unlikely that the man who tried to describe me is a research scientist and even less likely one who knows anything about the weapons that LANL once designed. The Motorola report in 1993 said that there was a 7:1 ratio between support and scientist. (They said some worse things, too.) The ratio has not improved. <br /> Personnel, even employees that don't directly aid the researchers, have to face the reality of a history of non-productivity. LANL must write proposals that succeed on based on merit. The cost of doing business is a problem and is the direct result of too many non-productive employees. Remember Pogo? "We have met the enemy and it is us."Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28220200.post-50502148835185710152009-08-20T12:18:50.957-06:002009-08-20T12:18:50.957-06:0012:09: Is that you Kevin? We've missed you!12:09: Is that you Kevin? We've missed you!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28220200.post-9573522003602716772009-08-20T12:09:23.600-06:002009-08-20T12:09:23.600-06:00If Director Nanos had had Mr. Knapp at his side wh...If Director Nanos had had Mr. Knapp at his side when he was Director, this place would have have been whipped into shape in no time. I have nothing but respect for Mr. Knapp (and Director Nanos). So stop your collective moaning and get to work! You all are a bunch of spoiled rotten pathetic butt-head cowboys; just as the Admiral tried to get across when he was here! Rest assured our friends in Washington DC and the DOE aren't buying your collective bull anymore. Nobody does!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28220200.post-60386061966646450352009-08-20T10:37:09.126-06:002009-08-20T10:37:09.126-06:00Bret Knapp is Mikey's little 'attack dog&#...Bret Knapp is Mikey's little 'attack dog'. He does Mike dirty work so that Mike can appear to keep his hands clean. <br /><br />Mike's letting Knapp off his leash again by giving him much wider authority at LANL. Staff who are in weapon science should be prepared for a vicious ass-biting.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28220200.post-76626610381847607442009-08-20T07:10:16.014-06:002009-08-20T07:10:16.014-06:00Tim George is back? Oh, that's just perfect.Tim George is back? Oh, that's just perfect.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28220200.post-27142066778170634442009-08-20T05:41:15.566-06:002009-08-20T05:41:15.566-06:00Anonymous at 8/19/09 8:25 PM said...
"and do...Anonymous at 8/19/09 8:25 PM said...<br /><br />"and don't forget all group leaders are now required to charge 20% to programs."<br /><br />True, they are REQUIRED to charge 20% of their time to programs. BUT, nowhere does it say that they actually have to do any work on those programs.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28220200.post-62035195388994215222009-08-20T02:14:37.457-06:002009-08-20T02:14:37.457-06:00I guess I am confused. The ship has a corrupt capt...I guess I am confused. The ship has a corrupt captain. When criminals run the ship, why are you suprised when you are robbed or raped?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28220200.post-87291494182365880972009-08-19T21:51:35.828-06:002009-08-19T21:51:35.828-06:00Science appears to be thriving at ORNL. They are...Science appears to be thriving at ORNL. They are hiring over 50 new staff members a month according to the article below.<br /><br />Taken together, the size of ORNL plus Y-12 works out to be almost the size of LANL. <br /><br />However, much like the old Los Alamos, ORNL is run as a non-profit for only around $10 million a year and is growing. Y-12, on the other hand, is run for a big profit by BWXT and is not growing. <br /><br />Hmmmm, there seems to be a familiar pattern here.<br /><br />......<br />Munger: A jobs milestone: ORNL tops Y-12 (Knoxville News, Aug 19)<br /><br />I've been covering the Department of Energy's Oak Ridge facilities for a long time, the better part of three decades, and I can't remember the last time Oak Ridge National Laboratory had more employees than the Y-12 nuclear weapons plant.<br /><br />Apparently, not many others can, either.<br /><br />I raised the question last week on my blog, "Atomic City Underground," after the latest employment stats - through the end of July - showed ORNL had surpassed Y-12 in total employment, 4,537 to 4,485.<br /><br />According to DOE spokesman John Shewairy, the agency's "readily available" personnel records only go back to 1994 (the rest are in storage), and ORNL was never on top during that period.<br /><br />"So it's been at least 15 years," Shewairy said.<br /><br />I suspect it's been quite a bit longer than that.<br /><br />Mind you, there are multiple ways to account for workers at the two Oak Ridge facilities, which are separated by several miles and distinctly different missions. The above numbers are based on the employment numbers of the managing contractors, UT-Battelle at ORNL, B&W at Y-12.<br /><br />Each of the Oak Ridge facilities, however, has a much bigger population on site daily. More than 7,000 people work at Y-12 on a daily basis, including more than 500 security guards with Wackenhut - the government's security contractor in Oak Ridge. There also are numerous subcontractors, plus the federal staff of the National Nuclear Security Administration.<br /><br />ORNL has plenty of support personnel on site, too, and a whole lot of post-doctoral fellows, visiting researchers and students galore.<br /><br />But the base employment totals substantiate a growth trend at Oak Ridge National Laboratory and that's expected to continue.<br /><br />In this fiscal year, ORNL has hired 319 new staff members, lab spokesman Billy Stair said.<br /><br />"Over the last five months, we are averaging about 50 new hires per month," he said. "One of the key numbers is the total number of requisitions, or open jobs that will be filled. The number of requisitions on July 31 was 316, the largest monthly number in memory and an indication of strong program growth and that the hiring totals will increase."<br /><br />Stair said ORNL's employment was down to as low as 3,700 in 2002.<br /><br />Y-12, meanwhile, has been pretty stable in the 21st century, typically with employment levels somewhere between 4,400 and 4,700.<br /><br />Thousands of jobs were cut from the Y-12 payroll during the 1990s, following the end of the Cold War and curtailment of weapons production, but the plant's employment totals were still ahead of those at ORNL, which faced its own funding challenges.<br /><br />Speaking of ORNL and Y-12, both of the management contracts are due to expire next year. DOE, however, has not yet announced how it plans to proceed with those contracts.<br /><br />Both UT-Battelle, the manager at ORNL, and B&W, the operating contractor at Y-12, have indicated they plan to compete if their respective contracts are put up for bids.<br /><br />Daniel Poneman, the deputy secretary of energy, was in town last week for tours and briefings at ORNL and Y-12, but he apparently did not shed any light on DOE's contracting strategy.<br /><br />"It was not discussed," ORNL's Stair said.<br /><br />www.knoxnews.com/news/2009/aug/19/<br />a-jobs-milestone-ornl-tops-y-12/Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28220200.post-75902304080899579472009-08-19T21:23:22.414-06:002009-08-19T21:23:22.414-06:00Why would Mike do something like this ill advised ...Why would Mike do something like this ill advised Knapp appointment over X-Division? I don't get it? <br /><br />It's as if he's actively trying to demoralized and diminish the weapon science work force that is left at LANL. Good thing Joe Martz left. Perhaps he knew something we didn't?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28220200.post-54572007911850207612009-08-19T21:13:10.308-06:002009-08-19T21:13:10.308-06:00"He (Knapp) is by far the worst manager I'..."He (Knapp) is by far the worst manager I've ever been associated with. He is technically a zero, his instincts are warped, management zip, integrity nada, budget savy - don't make me laugh. The guy is awful in every single category. His only redeeming feature is his loyalty to...Livermore." - 7:08 PM<br /><br /><br />Excellent! This is just what I want to hear! Why do you think I praise this man so highly? <br /><br />I have an important message for the employees still left at Los Alamos. Are you listening carefully?<br /><br />FUCK YOU ALL!!! <br /><br />Now, at long last, do you fully understand exactly where you all stand with me and LANS, or are you still too dense to finally get it? LANL is to become a Pu factory and little more. We're almost there...<br /><br />- MIKEYAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28220200.post-57016077346201432392009-08-19T20:34:42.727-06:002009-08-19T20:34:42.727-06:00Anonymous Anonymous said...
"There are ...Anonymous Anonymous said...<br /><br /> "There are several great looking and tall men, just aim high."<br /><br /><br />Like? Many single women read this blog. We even wash our hair, wear make-up, and go without sandals and wool socks...:-)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28220200.post-15797626823307858902009-08-19T20:25:01.127-06:002009-08-19T20:25:01.127-06:004:52am-
and don't forget all group leaders ar...4:52am-<br /><br />and don't forget all group leaders are now required to charge 20% to programs. We have a new but recycled manager, Tim George, who will be our new Deputy AD. The guy sucked as NMT Division leader, left the lab on some kind of industrial sabbatical, came back to LANL, didn't have a real job, so gets promoted up the chain.<br /><br />The FOD overspent to implement the conduct of BS, so lets cut costs by shipping RCTs out to CMR. Yes, all the makings of true leadership and improved efficiency.<br /><br />Oh yes, we could go on and on.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28220200.post-8750865774043632092009-08-19T20:22:16.903-06:002009-08-19T20:22:16.903-06:00On the dating thing, I am hot, I am rich and don&#...On the dating thing, I am hot, I am rich and don't worry about Mary, the saddlebags underneath her eyes turn me off. WolfieAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28220200.post-52000538674689803522009-08-19T19:08:28.734-06:002009-08-19T19:08:28.734-06:00It seems that more than a few people now recognize...It seems that more than a few people now recognize Knapp for the worthless sack of shit that he truly is. He is by far the worst manager I've ever been associated with. He is technically a zero, his instincts are warped, management zip, integrity nada, budget savy - don't make me laugh. The guy is awful in every single category. His only redeeming feature is his loyalty to...Livermore. My respect for Charlie just plummeted.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28220200.post-57258764068901541592009-08-19T18:14:05.964-06:002009-08-19T18:14:05.964-06:00I am deeply troubled by Mikey's decision to pu...I am deeply troubled by Mikey's decision to put Bret Knapp also in-charge of X-Division. Knapp has targeted, harassed, and transferred a large number of Hispanics and women out of W-Division without cause. He personally targeted me and forced me and many others out of weapon program following my 30-year career in the weapons program. Bret has this extremely high opinion of himself that is not justified. The guy is a moron who can't speak in public. Quite frankly, Bret is the most disgusting animal I have ever met. I am hoping that X-Division has the power to run this SOB out of town. Let the games begin.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28220200.post-23140968841228671242009-08-19T15:55:05.114-06:002009-08-19T15:55:05.114-06:00A new top post is, "Inside Obama Administrati...A new top post is, "Inside Obama Administration, a Tug of War Over Nuclear Warheads," Tuesday, August 18, 2009, at http://www.globalsecuritynewswire.org/gsn/nw_20090818_1478.php.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28220200.post-52306578258733005122009-08-19T12:30:10.596-06:002009-08-19T12:30:10.596-06:00I'd give $100 to have a beer with John Pedicin...I'd give $100 to have a beer with John Pedicini and listen to his opinion of Bret Knapp.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28220200.post-89980283764313860542009-08-19T11:04:24.653-06:002009-08-19T11:04:24.653-06:00"Now his wrath will be visited on the once im..."Now his wrath will be visited on the once immune people of X-Division." - 6:49 AM<br /><br />When Bret Knapp begins using his well known "chain saw" tactics on the employees of X-Division, it's going to get ugly. Get ready to hunker down, people. I suggest you try hiding under your desks once you hear Knapp starting up his noisy chain saw. <br /><br />With this new management change, the LANS Livermore Boys will finally be able to totally destroy what's left of the weapons design work at Los Alamos.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28220200.post-34700747147393482522009-08-19T06:49:05.963-06:002009-08-19T06:49:05.963-06:00Well, except for not having even a shred of truth ...Well, except for not having even a shred of truth to it, everything that was said about Knapp in the press release was right on the mark. The truth is Knapp has destroyed everything he has touched. Now his wrath will be visited on the once immune people of X-Division. It appears that both Charlie and Mike actually respect the man. I think you'll be hard pressed to find any other individuals who do. Congratulations, Mike, on picking another loser. You rock.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28220200.post-22070363649694456992009-08-19T04:52:22.373-06:002009-08-19T04:52:22.373-06:00We will soon embark on yet another fiscal year. A...We will soon embark on yet another fiscal year. At the Pu factory, costs continue to go up, the availability of the plant will go down, and the infamous 4-10's schedule will continue to be executed as 4-8's. Add the new and useless FOD implementation of the Conduct of BS, a deputy AD (where the division and group leaders do most of the work anyway WITHOUT a deputy) and we have all the makings of more and more low productivity. What once took a couple of days now takes a couple of weeks, kills a few more trees and add to it an ATOMICS observation for not getting a paper cut, and we have a true recipe for leadership...Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com