Blog purpose

This BLOG is for LLNL present and past employees, friends of LLNL and anyone impacted by the privatization of the Lab to express their opinions and expose the waste, wrongdoing and any kind of injustice against employees and taxpayers by LLNS/DOE/NNSA. The opinions stated are personal opinions. Therefore, The BLOG author may or may not agree with them before making the decision to post them. Comments not conforming to BLOG rules are deleted. Blog author serves as a moderator. For new topics or suggestions, email jlscoob5@gmail.com

Blog rules

  • Stay on topic.
  • No profanity, threatening language, pornography.
  • NO NAME CALLING.
  • No political debate.
  • Posts and comments are posted several times a day.

Sunday, October 30, 2016

Above ground WIPP storage sought by DOE"


"The U.S. Department of Energy wants to use nearly 2 acres of desert in southern New Mexico to temporarily store containers of radioactive waste coming from around the country while it works to reopen the government’s only underground nuclear waste repository..."

https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.abqjournal.com/876946/aboveground-wipp-storage-sought-by-doe.html/amp

Tuesday, October 18, 2016

World's first 'bridge' for quantum computers is created

The world's first 'bridge' for quantum computers is created: System could lead to a breakthrough in AI by Sandia Labs Carlsbad, California 

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-3843782/The-world-s-bridge-quantum-computers-created-lead-breakthrough-AI.html#ixzz4NP99vlA8



People have already built small quantum computers,' said Ryan Camacho, researcher at Sandia National Laboratories in Carlsbad, California, and leader of the research. 

Some comments too!

I don't really see how AI is going to help the average Joe. I can see it making us all redundant.

Will all this technology actually improve people's lives? In the last 20 years lives have got more unhealthy and unsociable. Depression is widespread. It's no wonder when one forgets nature and our origins.

We're screwed. This technology will no doubt be used first and foremost by the US government as a weapon, against all of humanity. Dark times ahead.

Yes, but will this speed-up my social media? That's the improtant thing. Also, online dating apps.

I used a computer and the internet 20 years ago too. I still went out and wasn't sat on a phone looking at Facebook and envying other people's lives. Back then there was a balance. Kids still played out and there was no social media or gm foods. Not all advancement is good.

You don't need Artificial intelligence to determine the future. All you have to do is take a good look at the insanity of humanity to see that we have no future.

No, Sandia also have labs in California

Part of WIPP closing over employee safety concerns



https://www.abqjournal.com/868005/part-of-wipp-closing-over-employee-safety-concerns.html

Thursday, October 13, 2016

Benefits question

I am a retiree of Llnl. I have Kaiser and cover my spouse under Kaiser senior avantage. I am not medicare eligible but my spouse is.
I received a statement from Emperian yesterday. It said that my Kaiser contribution is still $81 a month in 2017 as 2016. But my spouse portion will cost $425 a month with Kaiser Senior Advantage, begining Jan. 2017 instead of $210 in 2016.
Does anyone has the same situation as mine? Meaning the spouse cost portion increased more than doubled.
Thanks for any information I can get.

WIPP raises questions


"Second ceiling collapse at WIPP raises readiness questions"

http://m.santafenewmexican.com/news/local_news/second-ceiling-collapse-at-wipp-raises-readiness-questions/article_9114b1fb-9303-569f-ac4c-3b3e2d7d4882.html?mode=jqm

Sunday, October 2, 2016

Tax exemption

Locals insist that tax dollars continue to flow from next contractor

This was predictable and you can not turn off the spigot once the money is running.

http://www.lamonitor.com/content/lanl-coalition-seeks-eliminate-tax-exempt-status

Judge rules against NSTec and Honeywell in Leidos case

Judge rules against NSTec and Honeywell in Leidos case

As expected, this was over fast and went against the intervention. Next up is likely to be the Court ruling against DoE and in favor of Leidos.

"Contractor teams looking to plead their cases on a contract dispute between Leidos Holdings Inc. (NYSE: LDOS) and the Department of Energy won’t be able to, with a federal court denying their motions to intervene last Thursday, according to court documents filed Tuesday.

Court of Federal Claims Judge Loren Smith ruled that the contractor teams looking to get in on the dispute “have no real interest in this dispute, as 'interest' is legally understood,” according to court documents."


http://www.bizjournals.com/washington/blog/best-in-business/2016/09/u-s-court-denies-competitors-motion-to-intervene.html

What will be the impact of the UNM $22.5 M budget cut on SNL?

What will be the impact of the UNM $22.5 M budget cut on SNL?

ALBUQUERQUE (AP) — With declining enrollment and a smaller allotment from the cash-strapped state, the University of New Mexico is bracing to have $22.5 million less to spend in fiscal year 2017.

The school also will be looking to hire a new president.

Robert Frank announced Friday that he won’t seek to renew his contract after it ends on May 31, 2017. “I am pleased with what we have accomplished during my presidency, and it will be with great pride that I hand over the reins to the next president, who can build upon our successes,” Frank said in a statement.

He was hired by UNM in January 2012.

The Board of Regents now has eight months to choose the school’s 22nd president.

Board President Rob Doughty said the search would begin no later than next spring, and an interim president would be appointed if a successor to Frank isn’t found in a timely manner.

On Thursday, Frank announced the university will put a freeze on hiring, and all college officials will perform departmental audits of temporary and part-time staff positions. Those positions that aren’t deemed to be critical will likely be cut.

He said the expected losses mean everything from programs to staff and administrative positions could face cuts, The Santa Fe New Mexican reported.

“We have stretched ourselves to the point where we can no longer do any stretching,” Frank said to a room full of about 500 concerned staff and faculty members. “This is a ‘no win’ for all of us.”


What will be the impact of the UNM $22.5 M budget cut on SNL?

ALBUQUERQUE (AP) — With declining enrollment and a smaller allotment from the cash-strapped state, the University of New Mexico is bracing to have $22.5 million less to spend in fiscal year 2017.

The school also will be looking to hire a new president.

Robert Frank announced Friday that he won’t seek to renew his contract after it ends on May 31, 2017. “I am pleased with what we have accomplished during my presidency, and it will be with great pride that I hand over the reins to the next president, who can build upon our successes,” Frank said in a statement.

He was hired by UNM in January 2012.

The Board of Regents now has eight months to choose the school’s 22nd president.

Board President Rob Doughty said the search would begin no later than next spring, and an interim president would be appointed if a successor to Frank isn’t found in a timely manner.

On Thursday, Frank announced the university will put a freeze on hiring, and all college officials will perform departmental audits of temporary and part-time staff positions. Those positions that aren’t deemed to be critical will likely be cut.

He said the expected losses mean everything from programs to staff and administrative positions could face cuts, The Santa Fe New Mexican reported.

“We have stretched ourselves to the point where we can no longer do any stretching,” Frank said to a room full of about 500 concerned staff and faculty members. “This is a ‘no win’ for all of us.”



http://www.lamonitor.com/content/unm-president-says-he-won’t-seek-2nd-term

LANL among top 20

STEM Workforce Diversity Magazine, in its newest issue, named the Laboratory a 2016 top 20 government employer, the only national laboratory to achieve this recognition.

Science still alive and well at LANL

I believe science is still alive at LANL but running under the radar. I do agree since the end of nuclear testing there has been a migration away from an absolute need for a deterrent. I also believe this is a long term mistake. Webster as director would be interesting. He seems genuine enough. I can't speak for his management ability but sometimes I find that particular ability to be overrated. Know he mission, support the mission. That should be the basis for truth telling.

Think about it

To challenge the premise, Has the level of science and weapons engineering quality decreased at LANL? (Topic for discussion). I see all of the problems on the operations side but I would venture a guess they have always been there but are now all over the news. This does not necessarily mean science is not strong at LANL. Not to be too provoking to the previous posters but aren't Anastasio and McMillan PhD scientists? Would we have been better off with Alan Bishop or Bob Webster (no ill will toward either)? Lastly, how does this correlate, if at all, with the halt of nuclear testing or the birth of the NNSA?

Contractor teams seek to challenge Leidos' nuclear site bid protest

http://www.bizjournals.com/washington/news/2016/09/21/contractor-teams-seek-to-challenge-leidos-nuclear.html

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