tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28220200.post5752702437158900110..comments2023-08-27T06:53:36.768-06:00Comments on LANL: The Rest of the Story: It's OfficialFrank Younghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02134775226991383924noreply@blogger.comBlogger65125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28220200.post-38991949288105088512009-03-28T20:26:00.000-06:002009-03-28T20:26:00.000-06:00I imagine that "Rechtel" and "sheeple" are the pro...I imagine that "Rechtel" and "sheeple" are the product of the same fourth-grade mind on this blog.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28220200.post-89750997453623938152009-03-28T08:53:00.000-06:002009-03-28T08:53:00.000-06:00I would like an investigation or audit to be made ...I would like an investigation or audit to be made by NNSA regarding the amount of money NNSA is paying for all of these Rechtel moves, into and out of the Lab. These relocation costs have to be worth $$$$$$$$. As someone said, the replacements are worse. OMG, who is worse than Kevin Chalmers. BTW, how many of you have seen Kevin's quarters? You ought to make a visit to his office - large windows, corner office, a staff of boot lickers, and oh, the best part, nothing to do all day but perform the duties of hall monitor. I heard the attrition rate in that building since he took over is over 50%. And the replacements are all Rechtel.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28220200.post-56548979417924172102009-03-27T13:04:00.000-06:002009-03-27T13:04:00.000-06:00And don't forget that 5% uplift that the Bechtel p...And don't forget that 5% uplift that the Bechtel people get.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28220200.post-57116329589693123842009-03-27T10:46:00.000-06:002009-03-27T10:46:00.000-06:00LANS likes to play musical chairs with all their e...LANS likes to play musical chairs with all their executive positions. If Doris is headed out to Bechtel, then her replacement is also coming from Bechtel. Of that you can be sure.<BR/><BR/>LANL has become nothing more than just another Bechtel subsidiary. Doris is simply making a strategic career move within the Bechtel "family".Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28220200.post-71974130222089412162009-03-26T23:29:00.000-06:002009-03-26T23:29:00.000-06:00From Thursday's Lab Links, it looks like Doris is ...From Thursday's Lab Links, it looks like Doris is heading over to a position at Bechtel. The door apparently moves both ways at the executive levels within LANS...<BR/><BR/>"Doris Heim to Depart the Laboratory" <BR/><BR/>"Doris Heim, associate director of Business Services, has accepted an assignment within the business development area of Bechtel in Frederick, Maryland. She expects to be at the Laboratory through the end of May, as a replacement is selected and through a short transition period."Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28220200.post-29320191368742381062009-03-26T21:47:00.000-06:002009-03-26T21:47:00.000-06:00Is it me, or is it every time a bunch of bad apple...Is it me, or is it every time a bunch of bad apples go away, their replacements are even worse? Seems that this cycle has been happening for 20+ years.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28220200.post-41468378254989902692009-03-25T20:40:00.000-06:002009-03-25T20:40:00.000-06:00I couldn't help but remember that two years ago, m...I couldn't help but remember that two years ago, many employees in the asm building, yes the one no one can get into unless escorted, left early, like at 4:00 or 4:30 on Good Friday. Chalmbers was literally frothing at the mouth, ranting and raving, how dare the employees leave early. He did a walk-around at 4:48 and mandated those of us who were still at work to assemble in his conference room. Well, there were about 12 of us and we got atta boys for still being at work on Good Friday. And then Joyce Mathews mandated that all employees who had left early explain their time card fraud. Unfukingbelievable - good riddance - hope Joyce, Gomer Pyle (the new purchasing supervisor) and the rest go back to other challenging, exciting Rechtel assignments.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28220200.post-58495774302679819552009-03-24T15:55:00.000-06:002009-03-24T15:55:00.000-06:00"I don't see any problem with keeping a browser ta...<I>"I don't see any problem with keeping a browser tab open to read the blog while at work. Some might even say it should be required."</I><BR/><BR/>Yes! Yes!<BR/><BR/>In fact, email links of your favorite posts from <I>That Blog</I> to all your co-workers.<BR/><BR/>With ASC going away we need to reduce, er, <BR/><BR/>forget that last bit...<BR/><BR/>-MikeyAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28220200.post-91365792239091827372009-03-24T15:45:00.000-06:002009-03-24T15:45:00.000-06:00I don't see any problem with keeping a browser tab...I don't see any problem with keeping a browser tab open to read the blog while at work. Some might even say it should be required. What I meant was don't comment while you're on the clock.<BR/><BR/>If someone sends me a copy of the current policy on visiting blogs from LANL computers I'll post it for discussion.Frank Younghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02134775226991383924noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28220200.post-64370257226293345762009-03-24T15:12:00.000-06:002009-03-24T15:12:00.000-06:00"PS If you blog from a LANL computer then no infor...<I>"PS If you blog from a LANL computer then no information is displayed about your visit in the logs, though I don't recommend that!"</I><BR/><BR/>Oh, but I do! We have people going around spreading this rumor that LANS employees are not subject to "at will" terminations.<BR/><BR/><B>[Snicker]</B><BR/><BR/>So feel free to look at <I>That Blog</I> from work. It will be all right. Really! Trust me.<BR/><BR/>-Mikey<BR/><BR/>PS: Don't believe that anonymous guy from 9:36 this morning who was trying to suggest that non-LANL visits to <I>That Blog</I> can be traced back to an individual. You're safe if you only read <I>That Blog</I> from a non-LANL computer. Really! Trust me.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28220200.post-90892707090987045602009-03-24T14:52:00.000-06:002009-03-24T14:52:00.000-06:00Doug,You only get my company. You never let me pay...Doug,<BR/>You only get my company. You never let me pay for the beers.<BR/>Frank<BR/><BR/>3/24/09 9:23 AM,<BR/>As for anonymity, yes I can usually see the name of the business, government department, or residential ISP the reader used. As I've said before, these stats have always been public. There is nothing I see that all the readers can't see. There two different stat counters that have been running since the blog started. They don't keep data older than 100 and 500 hits (other than totals). Don't take my word for it. Go look at the logs and see if you can figure out who left a particular comment.<BR/><BR/>If you are worried about your IP address somehow being translated into your name here are some suggestions:<BR/><BR/>-Use a free wifi hotspot<BR/>-Use dialup<BR/>-Use AOL<BR/>-Use Tor<BR/>-Use a library computer<BR/>-Use your boss's computer<BR/><BR/>Yes, someone really smart with a lot of free time might identify some commenters. Someone with access to ISP and government databases could also have some luck. If you're worried about it then do something about it. My first suggestion is to visit the blog and find yourself in the logs. Is there any information displayed about you that you are really concerned about?<BR/><BR/>PS If you blog from a LANL computer then no information is displayed about your visit in the logs, though I don't recommend that!Frank Younghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02134775226991383924noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28220200.post-59580333981526489092009-03-24T12:03:00.000-06:002009-03-24T12:03:00.000-06:00Doug, 019I didn't say only two people had been ter...Doug, 019<BR/><BR/>I didn't say only two people had been terminated "at will" by LANS since they took over, I said that only two people have been involuntarily terminated since last September, and that was "for cause".<BR/><BR/>Why is it that suddenly anonymous posters, who are in the majority here, are suddenly suspect as a class. <BR/><BR/>I have no agenda other than to refute clearly erroneous claims that mislead uninformed readers. Your claim that LANS is now an "at will employer" is such an erroneous claim. LANS initially intended to be so, hence the language in the employment agreement, but ultimately, that decision was reversed as is clearly evident in all current relative policy and practice.<BR/><BR/>You don't have to believe me. Just read them.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28220200.post-86403974384323450142009-03-24T09:36:00.000-06:002009-03-24T09:36:00.000-06:009:23 was probably one of these guys:128.115.27.10,...9:23 was probably one of these guys:<BR/><BR/>128.115.27.10, or<BR/>65.199.214.194, or<BR/>208.93.176.8, or<BR/>65.19.19.83, or<BR/>71.33.36.81<BR/><BR/><BR/>More info upon request, Frank & Doug.<BR/><BR/>I'm guessing it was 71.33.36.81. His ISP is Qwest, and he's using MSIE 6.0 on an old Windows 98 box. We can track it down further for you if you like.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28220200.post-48226803297625605362009-03-24T09:25:00.000-06:002009-03-24T09:25:00.000-06:00What do you think, Frank? The anonymous person sa...What do you think, Frank? The anonymous person says we need to get our stories straight.<BR/><BR/>--DougDoug Robertshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09584327679578206598noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28220200.post-7699568822613330192009-03-24T09:23:00.000-06:002009-03-24T09:23:00.000-06:00"The oh, so brave comments some of them make are m..."The oh, so brave comments some of them make are made even more amusing by the knowledge that the anonymous posters would be mortified if their identities were exposed. I guess it's a good thing that they don't know exactly how much log activity data is available to the blog maintainer."<BR/><BR/>Interesting, since it contradicts what Frank has claimed many times about not knowing the identities of bloggers. You two need to get your stories straight.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28220200.post-79145875599231681512009-03-24T07:57:00.000-06:002009-03-24T07:57:00.000-06:0010:49,I get beer and laser pointers, for starters....10:49,<BR/><BR/>I get beer and laser pointers, for starters.<BR/><BR/>I also get to enjoy the the anonymous antics of folks such as yourself. Many of the exaggerated posturings that you find on this blog remind me of the characters in <I>The Guild</I>: http://www.watchtheguild.com/<BR/><BR/>In the Comment of the Week section I have the opportunity to review all of the contributions to Frank's blog for the period. This gives interesting insights into the make-up of LANL society, as well as the culture being fostered by LANS.<BR/><BR/>But mostly, this blog shows the LANL community's response to the pressures of a changing work environment. The anonymity provided by Frank allows its contributors a freedom that they would not have were they posting under their real names.<BR/><BR/>It is at times amusing to observe how seriously some of the anonymous posters take themselves, given that you don't have to travel more than a hundred miles away from Los Alamos before discovering that most people don't care what goes on at the lab. The oh, so brave comments some of them make are made even more amusing by the knowledge that the anonymous posters would be mortified if their identities were exposed. I guess it's a good thing that they don't know exactly how much log activity data is available to the blog maintainer.<BR/><BR/>So, 10:49, what I get out of participating on this LANL blog is a great deal of amusement, and a genuine interest in following the interactions that occur here. I grew up in Los Alamos, I worked at the lab for 20 years, and I have a continued interest in what goes on in my home town.<BR/><BR/>All of the above, of course, is given under the assumption that you really did have a genuine interest in what I get out of participating on Frank's blog.<BR/><BR/>--Doug Roberts<BR/>LANL, Retired 2005Doug Robertshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09584327679578206598noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28220200.post-1254635039103458522009-03-23T23:11:00.000-06:002009-03-23T23:11:00.000-06:0010:49, So far he has earned my company for a few b...10:49, <BR/>So far he has earned my company for a few beers and a cheapo laser pointer.Frank Younghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02134775226991383924noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28220200.post-9223580616474943352009-03-23T22:58:00.000-06:002009-03-23T22:58:00.000-06:00To 3/23/09 12:34 AM...I hate to rain on your Plane...To 3/23/09 12:34 AM...<BR/><BR/>I hate to rain on your Planet of the Apes parade, but last time I checked humans were included in the biological order known as primates.<BR/><BR/>So, yes, I do get that you are inferring "lesser primates" but still, if you're going to establish yourself as the representative of the scientists being cruelly oppressed by the ignorant proletariat, you should put in a few more seconds to get your terminology right.<BR/><BR/>You might serve yourself, and the blog readership, a little better by detailing why you think the so-called "primate vs. scientist" initiatives actually don't work, in detail. Point out the flaws as you see them, instead of simply alluding to some general, unnamed failure of the concept.<BR/><BR/>Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm going to enjoy a nice banana and admire the obsidian obelisk that just sprang up in my living room.Greg Closehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17421655534557259332noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28220200.post-16026828805754846552009-03-23T22:49:00.000-06:002009-03-23T22:49:00.000-06:00Doug (10:19 am) said: "And we should believe you, ...Doug (10:19 am) said: "And we should believe you, 10:07, why, exactly?"<BR/><BR/>Ah, Doug. Such a raconteur you are. Unfortunately, no belief in anything except yourself. Perhaps the poster is just a simpleton (unlike yourself) who just believes in telling the truth, and doesn't want the wrath of his/her employer coming down? Your intrinsic distrust begs the question of your original hosting of an anonymous LANL blog, and your continued activity here. What's it getting you?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28220200.post-30966067516212216442009-03-23T20:49:00.000-06:002009-03-23T20:49:00.000-06:00federal procurement rules call for a 2 step proces...federal procurement rules call for a 2 step process in evaluating and selecting a contractor. A Source Evaluation Board evaluates the proposals, scores them, and then submits a report to a Source Selection Official - note - that would be one person - who then makes a selection and awards the contract. In 1993, Martin Marietta (now Lockheed Martin) was in a similar dual for the Sandia contract, and was basically was tied with Battelle. The Source Selection Official, Bert Roth, head of procurement at DOE HQ, selected Martin Marietta.<BR/><BR/>What goes around comes around.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28220200.post-63868407435739544282009-03-23T19:16:00.000-06:002009-03-23T19:16:00.000-06:00I work for Chalmers - do you know that the Directo...I work for Chalmers - do you know that the Director's nickname for his is Howdy Doody - not that I agree with Mikey on anything but in this regard Mikey had Chalmers pegged. This was the manager who insisted that we all work 8 to 5 on Fridays to provide "customer service" and he left his office by 2 pm on Friday. The bozos he brought with him - oh where do I begin - Joyce Matthews - a former school teacher intimidated by her knowledgeable employees and made sure she booted them out. Boy, the suck ups to Chalmers must be sweating now - hmm, Pam and Peanut, what will you do?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28220200.post-79733625119009192062009-03-23T10:37:00.000-06:002009-03-23T10:37:00.000-06:00"Almost three years in, and LANS still doesn't hav..."Almost three years in, and LANS still doesn't have a strategy! And they apparently aren't embarrassed to admit this." (7:39 PM)<BR/><BR/><BR/>LANS upper management have a plan, alright. You're seeing it play out right before your eyes. They just don't want to admit what that plan really is to the politicians, LANL employees and the public.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28220200.post-86909397348761639872009-03-23T10:19:00.000-06:002009-03-23T10:19:00.000-06:00And we should believe you, 10:07, why, exactly? B...And we should believe you, 10:07, why, exactly? Because you are an anonymous somebody who claims to know for a fact that only two people have been let go "at will" since LANS took over?<BR/><BR/>Provide facts, then we'll begin to take your claims seriously. Until then, you're just another "anonymouse" proclaiming knowledge and wisdom.<BR/><BR/>Myself, I claim no knowledge regarding the number of staff who have been let go by LANS, nor under what terms. The only observation I have ever made on the subject was to note the "at will" provision of the terms of employment mandated by LANS. It is a change from the prior UC terms of employment.<BR/><BR/>--Doug Roberts<BR/>LANL, Retired 2005Doug Robertshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09584327679578206598noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28220200.post-75808205616892570822009-03-23T10:07:00.000-06:002009-03-23T10:07:00.000-06:0012:34 AM must of stayed up too late. He/she is a p...12:34 AM must of stayed up too late. He/she is a perfect example of why scientists at LANL continue to be appropriately viewed as whiney elitists. Also, Doug and others still don't get that, regardless of what the LANS offer package may have said about "at will" employment, ultimate LANS policy and practice clearly support only "for cause" terminations except maybe at the highest levels of management. A quick review reveals that only two people have been terminated "for cause" since September 08 and I don't think anyone would argue with those actions if they knew the case specifics.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28220200.post-65805610665961899662009-03-23T00:34:00.000-06:002009-03-23T00:34:00.000-06:00Anonymous 3/21/09 5:39 PM said..."I also heard yes...Anonymous 3/21/09 5:39 PM said...<BR/><BR/>"I also heard yesterday that Glover is being shown the door. Makes sense, HR is one of the most disfunctional divisions in the lab."<BR/><BR/>God I hope so! This is the 500 pound gorilla that brought us a yet another performance evaluation system also known as (aka) "psychological behavioral studies of scientists by primates", institutional job transfers aka "forcing scientists out of their jobs and forcing them into other jobs they have no qualifications for thereby creating an inept institution", revised salary management aka "freezing scientists salaries", job categories aka "hierarchical intimidation of scientists by primates" and time and effort floor checks aka "bed checking scientists with primates". Talk about Planet of the Apes!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com