Albuquerque Journal Editorial-Homer Simpson at LANL?

[Jim Muckerheide <jmuckerheide@delphi.com>]

When the knowledgeable locals call it a spade...

...we are indeed the enemy!

Regards, Jim
muckerheide@mediaone.net
========================

June 23 

          Albuquerque (N.M.) Journal, on fallout from Los Alamos hard drive
          scandal: 

          Even if investigators prove no espionage was involved in the
          bizarre disappearance and recovery of computer hard drives
          containing nuclear secrets at Los Alamos National Laboratory, the
          security lapse that is looking more and more like the work of
          cartoon nuclear safety inspector Homer Simpson will surely bring
          about several profound changes. None will be very pleasant. 

          First, as sure as former LANL scientist Wen Ho Lee sits in a jail
          cell, the mistakes and cover-up can be expected to lead to a
          criminal investigation with indictments where warranted. 

          Also due for some attitude adjustment is the scientist-king
          culture in the national laboratories, which has resisted past
          attempts to bring greater security and accountability into the
          workplace. Cries about privacy needs or stifled creativity will no
          longer carry the same weight. 

          Included on the casualty list is the rising star of former U.N.
          ambassador and current Energy Secretary Bill Richardson, which
          may never again shine as bright. Whether his most current
          ambitions were for a vice presidency or a governorship, this issue
          is sure to haunt him. 

          Even if Richardson was a victim of circumstance, burned by
          someone too frightened to immediately notify authorities or own
          up to the disappearance later, he is the boss. Additionally, when
          the buck stopped with him, Richardson handled it poorly and drew
          the wrath of several members of Congress. That empty chair in a
          congressional hearing room said a lot. ...
************************************************************************
The RADSAFE Frequently Asked Questions list, archives and subscription
information can be accessed at http://www.ehs.uiuc.edu/~rad/radsafe.html