If we are ever going to shed the "voodoo science" that seems to be the new coin of NNSA and LANL, we must start with accounting, and getting our facts straight.
While the LANL and nukes are under DOE, it would be difficult to argue that functionally pits are energy, rather than defense, related.
As far as DOD is concerned, despite a law mandating that DOD be audited by an independent auditor, and the results reported to the public, this law is essentially ignored.
So we get auditor's statements like:
"We did not perform tests of DOD compliance with multiple statutory requirements to report on the status of financial management systems. The Under Secretary of Defense (Comptroller) acknowledged that many DOD financial management systems did not comply with Federal financial systems requirements, Federal accounting standards, and the U .S. Government Standard General Ledger at the transaction level. Prior audits support the Department conclusions"
But those of us who have been trying to make "good faith" sense of LANL accounting are used to these dismissive statements, accustomed to spokespersons hiding under the skirts of secrecy and national security, saying "the president is king and says we don't have to comply" so... nah nah nah ...yaddity yaddity.
So when, exactly will the public wake up to this scam, and insist that SOMEONE define exactly what security is, and how these new pits could conceivably contribute to that.
Until then the LANL folks will continue to steal from the public, claiming that their salaries are BENEFITS to northern New Mexico, rather than the COSTS they are. New Mexicans, will continue to support these millionaire freeloaders, and are expected to be so gullible as to thankful for having to work longer and harder.
But, I for one, am ready to loosing patience in helping these folks find productive work, and transition so as not to impose hardships on their families. But perhaps I.I. Rabi was right when he stated, "The only way to transform LANL is with a bulldozer".
Anyway, thanks John Arnold, for being a rare voice in NM for a reality based science.
All Comments
While the LANL and nukes are under DOE, it would be difficult to argue that functionally pits are energy, rather than defense, related.
As far as DOD is concerned, despite a law mandating that DOD be audited by an independent auditor, and the results reported to the public, this law is essentially ignored.
So we get auditor's statements like:
"We did not perform tests of DOD compliance with multiple statutory requirements to
report on the status of financial management systems. The Under Secretary of Defense
(Comptroller) acknowledged that many DOD financial management systems did not comply
with Federal financial systems requirements, Federal accounting standards, and the U .S.
Government Standard General Ledger at the transaction level. Prior audits support the
Department conclusions"
But those of us who have been trying to make "good faith" sense of LANL accounting are used to these dismissive statements, accustomed to spokespersons hiding under the skirts of secrecy and national security, saying "the president is king and says we don't have to comply" so... nah nah nah ...yaddity yaddity.
So when, exactly will the public wake up to this scam, and insist that SOMEONE define exactly what security is, and how these new pits could conceivably contribute to that.
Until then the LANL folks will continue to steal from the public, claiming that their salaries are BENEFITS to northern New Mexico, rather than the COSTS they are. New Mexicans, will continue to support these millionaire freeloaders, and are expected to be so gullible as to thankful for having to work longer and harder.
But, I for one, am ready to loosing patience in helping these folks find productive work, and transition so as not to impose hardships on their families. But perhaps I.I. Rabi was right when he stated, "The only way to transform LANL is with a bulldozer".
Anyway, thanks John Arnold, for being a rare voice in NM for a reality based science.