tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28220200.post4945626721938530914..comments2023-08-27T06:53:36.768-06:00Comments on LANL: The Rest of the Story: Frank Younghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02134775226991383924noreply@blogger.comBlogger53125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28220200.post-2240015542158498242008-03-14T06:48:00.000-06:002008-03-14T06:48:00.000-06:00"How does the name Director Wallace sound to every..."How does the name Director Wallace sound to everyone?"<BR/><BR/>It sounds great, thank you. I'm getting a stiffy in my fat pants already.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28220200.post-20252104678682776512008-03-13T23:53:00.000-06:002008-03-13T23:53:00.000-06:00G'night John-Boy.G'night John-Boy.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28220200.post-18623163016710143692008-03-13T23:25:00.000-06:002008-03-13T23:25:00.000-06:00DOE and Congress decided that the independence of ...DOE and Congress decided that the independence of M&O Contractors was not always convenient, for very different reasons, and significantly changed the relationship between the contractor and DOE more than a decade ago. The last totally independent DOE contractor was AT&T at Sandia. A great system that worked extraordinarily well in serving the US and science for 50 years was thrown out because there was insufficient "accountability." Self inflicted wound based on collosal screwups by Rockwell and Dupont. Contractors (LANS and LANL are my third) now have far less room to deviate from "toeing the line." It is a huge trade-off. After 20 years in the system, I'd take the old "unaccountable" contractors any day. UC simply had its own agenda, primarily unaccountability, as opposed to true independence.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28220200.post-20639609965301993082008-03-13T22:51:00.000-06:002008-03-13T22:51:00.000-06:003/12/08 11:37 PM here. Believe it or not, I am no...3/12/08 11:37 PM here. Believe it or not, I am not the only poster who uses "========" to separate quotes from rebuttal. I think that works. Don't you? The other "========"s in this thread were not me. Feel free to guess who I am.<BR/><BR/>I gave factual reasons why three people I quoted were wrong about the independence of UC. Their posts were so similar that they seemed to be the same person. I still think they are. I also accused these three (?) people of making things up, which they did. <BR/><BR/>I also called them the "great unwashed." I think that aptly describes the character of the mindless Lab haters who post here. People who fabricate things just to make others look bad are low life.<BR/><BR/>In return, I have been called a LANS upper manager (which I guess is supposed to be an insult) and an apologist for "this madness" (whatever that means). I have been accused of having a big head that is in my huge asshole.<BR/><BR/>Wow. Very nice debating skills. I got a real chuckle out of that last one.<BR/><BR/>What does this trash talk have to do with the independence of UC, the subject of my post? I guess my previous statement about the great unwashed has been proven true.<BR/><BR/>G'night.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28220200.post-46117069911283560022008-03-13T22:08:00.000-06:002008-03-13T22:08:00.000-06:00June 1 will be the transfer date out of here for a...June 1 will be the transfer date out of here for a large number of LANS parent-company bigshots who came here to "rescue" LANL from UC and Nanos. Choose as many of the ADs and Deputy ADs as you like, from Bechtel, BWXT, and a host of others, includig UC (lots of existing-LANL folks who helped Bechtel write the contract bid). Many of them will vote on LANS' success with their feet. The then-existing Division Leaders and Deputy Division Leaders, who swore fealty to LANS in order to keep their jobs will then be "uncovered" and will have to face the new LANS hierarchy to keep their jobs. It will be fun to watch, unless you were a LANS sell-out. That summer in San Francisco must seem sweet now...Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28220200.post-24488238515044543762008-03-13T21:14:00.000-06:002008-03-13T21:14:00.000-06:00Mikey is short term, for sure. He wants to get ba...Mikey is short term, for sure. He wants to get back to Cali. The real question you should start asking is who is being groomed to replace him? <BR/><BR/>How does the name Director Wallace sound to everyone?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28220200.post-74853137102295478172008-03-13T20:35:00.000-06:002008-03-13T20:35:00.000-06:007:50 am: "Mike has a question he doesn't want to a...7:50 am: "Mike has a question he doesn't want to answer. He'll remain in the shadows until he slinks away quietly."<BR/><BR/>Very interesting, 7:50 am; I've heard a similar rumor. It appears Mikey may have overstepped his authority on a few occasions. Want to elaborate?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28220200.post-91235555110584566862008-03-13T11:57:00.000-06:002008-03-13T11:57:00.000-06:00Mr. "============" (aka 11:37 PM) is either from L...Mr. "============" (aka 11:37 PM) is either from LANS upper management or a retired upper manager. <BR/><BR/>He needs to pull his big head out of his huge asshole and see what is really going on at LANL. And, yeah, 11:37 PM, that's an ad hominem attack. You fully deserve it.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28220200.post-34818653878712521942008-03-13T07:50:00.000-06:002008-03-13T07:50:00.000-06:00"BTW, has anyone noticed that LANS has put Mara an..."BTW, has anyone noticed that LANS has put Mara and Martz out on the media circuit to help sell the pit factory, yet Anastasio is no where to be seen? Where is the guy?"<BR/><BR/>Mike has a question he doesn't want to answer. He'll remain in the shadows until he slinks away quietly.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28220200.post-29254072759242132372008-03-12T23:54:00.000-06:002008-03-12T23:54:00.000-06:00I'm not any of the three (or one) you quote, but I...I'm not any of the three (or one) you quote, but I know from our earlier discussions that your judgment is not sound. I think they are correct and you sound like an apologist for this madness. Shall we start guessing who you are?<BR/><BR/>No, I'm not Greg Mello or Chris Mechels.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28220200.post-40803186764396097472008-03-12T23:37:00.000-06:002008-03-12T23:37:00.000-06:00"Now that the leaders of both labs have no indepen..."Now that the leaders of both labs have no independent employer, but work under the thumb of the NNSA contract, can you believe them?"<BR/>(3/12/08 10:24 PM)<BR/><BR/>"Since you no longer are independent of NNSA, your judgement is suspect."<BR/>(3/12/08 10:33 PM)<BR/><BR/>"This time without the independent judgement that being employed by a University allowed."<BR/>(3/12/08 10:40 PM)<BR/><BR/>============<BR/><BR/>Excuse me. Where does this nonsense come from? What exactly is an "independent employer"? Please explain how UC provided "independent judgement."<BR/><BR/>UC was under contract to NNSA to provide management services for the Lab in behalf of NNSA, just like LANS is now, but at a much lower cost. DOE / NNSA always managed the programs and funding themselves. UC is non-profit, so they came under different tax laws. Only employees of UC who worked at the Lab, in the Director's line organization, were involved in the annual weapons certification, not the University itself. For one, that would violate the "need to know" for classified information. This is exactly the thing that employees of LANS do now. The name of the management contractor makes no difference.<BR/><BR/>It sounds like the three of you are the same person. Could this person be Greg Mello, or one of his minions? Regardless, this seems to be another case of the great unwashed making things up and trying to make the Lab look bad.<BR/><BR/>It didn't work. Make something else up. Maybe that will take.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28220200.post-44764542998341121132008-03-12T23:35:00.000-06:002008-03-12T23:35:00.000-06:008:14 pm: "I wonder what type of backup plans they ...8:14 pm: "I wonder what type of backup plans they have prepared for when their pit factory concept finally dies."<BR/><BR/>There are no backup plans unless you want to count the LANS executive Golden Parachutes as a backup plan. <BR/><BR/>I agree with 10:40 pm that Tom D'Agostino is a goner. The next Administration, be it Republican or Democrat, is going to clean house over at NNSA and install top managers who actually know how to cut a deal with Congress. The current NNSA crew is completely worthless in this regard. Don't worry about Tom, though. I'm sure he's got a very nice VP job lined up with either Bechtel or BWXT.<BR/><BR/>BTW, has anyone noticed that LANS has put Mara and Martz out on the media circuit to help sell the pit factory, yet Anastasio is no where to be seen? Where is the guy? He's missing in action (as usual). Is he planning on bailing out once he's finished his LANS 2 year term of service come June 1st?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28220200.post-87032697117589333722008-03-12T22:40:00.000-06:002008-03-12T22:40:00.000-06:00Don't worry about it. D'Agostino is a lame duck. H...Don't worry about it. D'Agostino is a lame duck. He's done as much damage as one man should do.<BR/><BR/>O'bama will replace him with another second-rate and we'll do it all again. <BR/><BR/>This time without the independent judgement that being employed by a University allowed. <BR/><BR/>So when the strings are pulled, the "yes men" are sure to chortle "Yes".Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28220200.post-88119019877961675522008-03-12T22:33:00.000-06:002008-03-12T22:33:00.000-06:00"...Well the new simulation codes have been compar..."...Well the new simulation codes have been compared against the old testdata and are just as good, if not betterat simulating weapons as the old codes..."<BR/><BR/>Now just take a few out back and make 'em go bang, and I'll believe ya.<BR/><BR/>Since you no longer are independent of NNSA, your judgement is suspect. (This is the real cost of dropping UC) <BR/><BR/>Missouri MythbusterAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28220200.post-45067353810282012072008-03-12T22:24:00.000-06:002008-03-12T22:24:00.000-06:00"...The comment about Congress not supporting the ..."...The comment about Congress not supporting the mission also appears to be baseless..."<BR/><BR/>Eh? What planet are you on?<BR/><BR/>NNSA, at Congress's direction, destroyed the independence of scientific stockpile assessment by destroying the independence of the scientists assessing the stockpile.<BR/>This is powermongering, not mission support.<BR/><BR/>Now that the leaders of both labs have no independent employer, but work under the thumb of the NNSA contract, can you believe them?<BR/><BR/>Do you believe the assessments of Stalin's or Musharef's judges? <BR/><BR/>A fundamental requirement of assessment is independence. It no longer exists, thanks to Congress.<BR/>This ain't mission support, baby.<BR/><BR/>That is Dingell's turd in the Congressional punchbowl.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28220200.post-19234855910404572312008-03-12T21:56:00.000-06:002008-03-12T21:56:00.000-06:008:14 pm: "I wonder what type of backup plans they ...8:14 pm: "I wonder what type of backup plans they have prepared for when their pit factory concept finally dies."<BR/><BR/>It's not *their* (i.e., LANL's) concept, it is DOE/NNSA's concept. LANL historically never wanted to be a manufacturing facility, regardless of the more recent statements of the new LANL management, which contrary to previous managers, will not stand up the the feds. The question is really whether DOE/NNSA will try to save any part of LANL when congress shoots down the pit manufacturing mission. My guess is yes, along the lines of SRNL, with about 1500 employees.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28220200.post-87363006962472685772008-03-12T20:14:00.000-06:002008-03-12T20:14:00.000-06:00It's do-or-die time for the "pit whores" in LANS m...It's do-or-die time for the "pit whores" in LANS management. Many of them seem to be posting here of late. It's all part of the recent PR push that LANS management has rolled out for the media. I wonder what type of backup plans they have prepared for when their pit factory concept finally dies.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28220200.post-56367383825563975762008-03-12T11:46:00.000-06:002008-03-12T11:46:00.000-06:00"Well the new simulation codes havebeen compared a..."Well the new simulation codes have<BR/>been compared against the old test<BR/>data and are just as good, if not better at simulating weapons as the old codes."<BR/><BR/>You mean just as good, if not better at simulating <I><B>tested</B></I> weapons.<BR/><BR/>I'm sure the simulations of DAHRT were impressive too. Imagine if it had never been tested. We'd be sitting here confident that it would work if we ever needed it.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28220200.post-64650307280150766842008-03-12T11:16:00.000-06:002008-03-12T11:16:00.000-06:00Show me the test, I have no faith in your simulati...Show me the test, I have no faith in your simulations.<BR/>=============<BR/><BR/>You evidently are ignorant of the fact<BR/>that the old stockpile weapons were <BR/>actually certified by simulation. You<BR/>see those weapons could have yields in<BR/>excess of what the Threshold Test Ban<BR/>would allow a test to be conducted at.<BR/><BR/>The tests actually certified the codes<BR/>that did the simulations; and then the<BR/>simulation codes certified the weapon.<BR/><BR/>Well the new simulation codes have <BR/>been compared against the old test<BR/>data and are just as good, if not better<BR/>at simulating weapons as the old codes.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28220200.post-73715352512293140452008-03-12T10:48:00.000-06:002008-03-12T10:48:00.000-06:003/12/08 10:37 AMAmen.3/12/08 10:37 AM<BR/><BR/>Amen.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28220200.post-71224621812900097162008-03-12T10:39:00.000-06:002008-03-12T10:39:00.000-06:00Now, listen up! It's going to be pits and plutoni...Now, listen up! It's going to be pits and plutonium for LANL and if you people don't like it you can get out of Dodge. End of discussion.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28220200.post-16887423913879117552008-03-12T10:37:00.000-06:002008-03-12T10:37:00.000-06:00"We have old nukes that are aging just like an old...<I>"We have old nukes that are aging just like an old airliner sitting in an aircraft boneyard</I><BR/><BR/>Yes, like an airliner that has actually flown once.<BR/><BR/><I>"New weapons designed from science-based computer simulations are not "faith based".</I><BR/><BR/>Show me the test, I have no faith in your simulations.<BR/><BR/><I>That's why it's called "Science-Based Stockpile Stewardship".</I><BR/><BR/>And I suppose the Reliable Replacement Warhead is reliable because it always works?<BR/><BR/><I>Why do the nuclear abolistionists (sic) try to justify their position by saying what they advocate is good for the nation's nuclear stockpile.</I><BR/><BR/>Who said I'm an abolitionist? I want to keep the tested stockpile. You want to replace it "trust me" warheads. <BR/><BR/><I>Their statements drip with hypocrisy,<BR/>and one can easily see right through these phonies."</I><BR/><BR/>When you're done calling me names go look in the mirror.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28220200.post-72397574186683760992008-03-12T09:02:00.000-06:002008-03-12T09:02:00.000-06:00"I do not think that it is appropriate to post Gre..."I do not think that it is appropriate to post Greg Mello's crap on this blog. It is fine to permit him to comment but posting his anti-LANL diatribes is wrong.<BR/>--3/10/08 5:09 PM<BR/><BR/>Yes, this is true. We need to run this blog like Pravda was run by the old Soviet Union. We need to screen out and censor those whose views are offensive to our interests as comrades.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28220200.post-1355701171868619222008-03-12T08:56:00.000-06:002008-03-12T08:56:00.000-06:00The Lab is the horse and buggy industry of the new...The Lab is the horse and buggy industry of the new century. Mello is like the industrialist of the 1900's who said the area of horse and buggies was bygone. The horse and buggy workers of the nuclear industry simply don't want to hear such nonsense. The world may be burning up and running out of energy, but somehow making more weapons of mass destruction is what we really need.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28220200.post-35516970434991856672008-03-12T07:36:00.000-06:002008-03-12T07:36:00.000-06:00We've got nukes built from tested designs. What we...We've got nukes built from tested designs. What we don't have is people who can build any more of them. The people we do have don't even want to try. Replacing our tested stockpile with their faith based RRWs is wrong for America and our allies. If Greg can help stop this nonsense then I say more power to him.<BR/>=========<BR/><BR/>We have old nukes that are aging just like<BR/>an old airliner sitting in an aircraft<BR/>boneyard.<BR/><BR/>New weapons designed from science-based<BR/>computer simulations are not "faith based".<BR/><BR/>That's why it's called "Science-Based<BR/>Stockpile Stewardship".<BR/><BR/>Why do the nuclear abolistionists try<BR/>to justify their position by saying <BR/>what they advocate is good for the <BR/>nation's nuclear stockpile.<BR/><BR/>Their statements drip with hypocrisy, <BR/>and one can easily see right through<BR/>these phonies.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com