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.

Wednesday, June 30, 2021

Wallace retires from LANL

 https://ladailypost.com/former-los-alamos-national-laboratory-director-terry-wallace-retires/


Terry C. Wallace, Jr., Los Alamos National Laboratory’s former director, retired from the Laboratory on June 30.


I have to say I have not heard many people say anything good about Terry Wallace. I sis heard him make some snide comments about Pete Nanos so at least he has something going for him.

Tuesday, June 29, 2021

NNSA Approves Critical Decision 1 For Savannah River Plutonium Processing Facility




https://ladailypost.com/nnsa-approves-critical-decision-1-for-savannah-river-plutonium-processing-facility/

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Department of Energy’s National Nuclear Security Administration (DOE/NNSA) has announced the approval of the Critical Decision 1 (CD-1) milestone for the recommended approach to produce at least 50 plutonium pits per year for the Savannah River Plutonium Processing Facility (SRPPF) project at the Savannah River Site (SRS).


So from what I hear LANL wants all the pit production. There is some talk that SRS cannot do it or will fail and all the money will have go toward LANL. The plan I think right now is to put every resource we can from LANL into pit work so when and if the time comes to chose between SRS and LANL (1) Either it all goes to LANL or (2) LANL will be abole to keep a good portion of the pit work for the foreseeable future. Right now the entire future of LANL rests on becoming a pit facility.


Thursday, June 24, 2021

How to fight domestic terrorism

The labs can help fight domestic terror with nukes!!!! BIDEN: You’ll need F-15’s and nuclear weapons to take on the government.

So nukes can be used to fight Americans with guns!!! 'You'll Never Beat The Government With Just Guns,' Says Party That Also Believes Government Was Almost Toppled By Unarmed Mob On January 6.

  https://twitter.com/townhallcom/status/1407811027379621890?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1407811027379621890%7Ctwgr%5E%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.zerohedge.com%2Fpolitical%2Fbidens-widely-mocked-f-15s-and-nukes-speech-latest-string-gun-control-blunders

DOE serious about Cyber attacks

 The Department of Energy is asking Congress for $201 million in its budget request for the fiscal year 2022 to address digital vulnerabilities after a steady uptick in sweeping cyber attacks.

Here is a CNBC article on this subject.

https://www.cnbc.com/2021/06/24/energy-wants-201-million-to-bolster-cybersecurity-in-wake-of-attacks.html


Tuesday, June 22, 2021

Chemical tests preparation

Article by Claudia Adrien, Homeland Preparedness News

Chemists at the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) will spend the next month and a half preparing for an exam that will certify the laboratory to test for chemical weapons, a task it has been certified to do since 2003 

https://homelandprepnews.com/stories/54886-lawrence-livermore-national-lab-chemists-prepare-for-proficiency-exam-to-test-chemical-weapons/

Sunday, June 20, 2021

When Anxiety Becomes a Disorder

 

When Anxiety Becomes a Disorder

Some will claim they have an anxiety disorder, but they may end up having everyday anxiety. On the other hand, others may think their chronic anxiety is something normal. In this post, we will differentiate between regular and chronic anxiety.

First, What is Anxiety?

Anxiety is a normal human response to life’s dangers. When you feel anxious, your body may seem restless. You may sweat, feel nausea, or have other symptoms that make you fear off.

Feeling anxious is a natural survival instinct. In modern times, it even has its uses. You may feel anxious for a first date or feel uneasy due to a speech. Some levels of anxiety can help you prepare for significant events.

If you’re anxious about a first date, you may try harder to take care of yourself. If you feel anxious over a test, you may spend extra time studying.

However, if you have excessive anxiety, it may lead to you having mental health issues.

When Anxiety Affects You

The anxiety issue is that many life events can flood your body with it. For instance, the COVID pandemic may fill you with worry, and make it challenging for you to go outside.

Anxiety disorder is the main issue. The anxiety that comes from it tends to be known as problematic anxiety. Usually, this anxiety is based on irrational or chronic experiences, and too much of it may make it difficult to live your life.

You may fear meeting new people, you may stay up at night, and you may have unnatural fears. All this anxiety can lead to you avoiding friends, family, and potential partners.

The Types of Anxiety Disorders

Several different types of anxiety disorders can lead to issues living your life. Here are some of them.

Generalized Anxiety Disorder

Generalized Anxiety Disorder, or GAD, involves the suffering of having chronic anxiety for six months or more. GAD can occur at any time and sometimes for seemingly no reason at all.

OCD

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, or OCD, is when you have obsessions and recurrent thoughts that you do not want. These thoughts come with compulsions, which are repetitive behaviors you perform to try to stop those thoughts. For example, hand washing. Not doing those rituals can lead to you having more anxiety.

Panic Disorder

Panic disorder is when you have repeated panic attacks, leading to intense feelings of dread and fear.

PTSD

Post-traumatic stress disorder, or PTSD, happens after a traumatic event. This event may lead to you having an episode of intense anxiety and fear whenever you think of the trauma. PTSD tends to require professional care.

Social Anxiety

Social anxiety disorder is when you feel anxious doing activities in your daily life. For example, you may have difficulties talking to other people, going outside, or doing other menial tasks.

Anxiety is Treatable

Some anxiety is essential for life, but if you have an anxiety disorder, this may be a cause for you to avoid living life to the fullest.

For an anxiety disorder, a combination of therapy and medication may be the ticket for you to feel better. Online therapy websites such as BetterHelp can allow you to have some peace of mind and get back on the right track.

A therapist may teach you to avoid triggers for your anxiety and guide you to manage your symptoms whenever they come.

In addition, you may be given medication to help manage the symptoms.

There is no shame in getting help if you need it. Talk to a therapist today and see what they can do for you.


Marie Miguel has been a writing and research expert for nearly a decade, covering a variety of health- related topics. Currently, she is contributing to the expansion and growth of a free online mental health resource with
BetterHelp.com. With an interest and dedication to addressing stigmas associated with mental health, she continues to specifically target subjects related to anxiety and depression.


 

Tuesday, June 15, 2021

Has Scooby lost his mind?

 This blog is very close to becoming useless and irrelevant to me, a 30 year employee and now retiree of the labs. I used to like seeing what was new and what was controversial at the labs, and who was in or out. Now it is just filled with political garbage and woke nonsense. Scooby has lost his mind and his previously pretty solid direction. So it goes. I'll check back in a few months to see if sanity has reestablished itself here, on a purportedly scientifically-focused blog. Carry on, as you will.

False accusations

 FBI agents admit to falsely accusing Chinese professor


https://thehill.com/regulation/court-battles/558345-federal-agents-admit-to-falsely-accusing-chinese-professor-of-being

Are the scientists to blame?

 Scientists are to blame. The public is starting to blame science itself for Covid. Could the labs be the next to be blamed?



https://www.huffpost.com/entry/jon-stewart-coronavirus-wuhan-lab_n_60c835ace4b07e543bbd50fe


Stewart began on Stephen Colbert’s “Late Show” on Monday night. “Science has in many ways helped ease the suffering of this pandemic ― which was more than likely caused by science.”

Monday, June 14, 2021

Let’s Talk About Cognitive Dulling

 For over a year, we have had to deal with the COVID-19 pandemic. Although there does seem to be light at the end of this tunnel, it'll still be a while until things return to normal.

It has been tough on our mental health, too. Life transitions can happen, but we have been in a world of constant struggle that never seems to end. It makes sense that some people may feel like their mind isn’t at the right place.

You may be suffering from what’s now referred to as cognitive dulling.

This post will look at cognitive dulling, its symptoms, and what you can do about it.

What is Cognitive Dulling?

Cognitive dulling is not a diagnosable condition but instead describing a series of mental health issues that have appeared since the COVID-19 pandemic.

With COVID-19, many of us have been trapped at home, have feared getting the virus or spreading it to someone else, or haven't been able to see other people. The impact of the pandemic has lead to several mental health issues.

Symptoms of Cognitive Dulling

These symptoms may vary, but here are the main ones. 

Irritability

When you have cognitive dulling, life stresses make it more likely that you will snap on someone. Irritating people is a part of life, but cognitive dulling makes it more likely you will act on your thoughts and give them some choice words.

Difficulty Making Simple Decisions

We all have tough decisions we have to make, but cognitive dulling will make it so that even the most straightforward decisions seem difficult.

For instance, you may struggle to think about what you want for dinner tonight. It may be difficult for you to answer “yes” or “no” questions at work.

Burnout

Burnout tends to describe working at a job where you feel undervalued, the work is exhausting, and you are just not feeling it anymore.

However, burnout in the sense of cognitive dulling describes the feeling of being burnt out over life in general. You may feel burnt out about daily life since you cannot leave your home for too long.

Burnout from COVID-19 is also known as Zoom fatigue because you are working a job from home. However, if you work at a job with the public, you may feel exhausted over wearing a mask all the time or not getting enough compensation for what you do.

Other Mental Health Issues

Cognitive dulling can cause you to feel depressed or anxious as well. For instance, you may feel burnout alongside depression.

Is it Long-Term?

As life goes back to normal, you may feel fewer symptoms of burnout. However, if left untreated, it may lead to worsening depression or you feeling irritable all the time.

That's why you need to take care of yourself should you feel dulled.

How to Treat Cognitive Dulling

Healthy Lifestyle Changes

Try eating healthier foods, drinking less, and exercising more. Take a walk out in the wilderness, do some crunches at home, and participate in other healthy activities. These can improve your mental health and lessen your cognitive dulling.

Try a New Hobby

Lockdown may be a good time for you to learn a skill or a hobby. You can practice learning a new language when you travel or find different jobs from home.

If you want to improve a hobby you already have, that's okay as well. Doing something that makes you happy and stimulates your mind is always intelligent.

Unplug from Social Media

While you want to stay informed, it’s also okay for you to want to take a break. Chances are, you’re bombarded with a sea of bad news, and this can make it much more difficult for you to live your life. You may participate in what’s known as doomscrolling, or constantly scrolling your feed to look for negative news.

Sleep Well

During lockdown, you may have had issues falling asleep, or you may be going to bed at an inconsistent time.

This is not ideal. Not enough sleep may lead to several mental health woes, including making your cognitive dulling worse.

If you are unable to close your eyes and fall asleep, try to do something relaxing before bed. Unplug an hour beforehand. When you are unable to fall asleep, get out of bed and do something relaxing. This can help you reduce your cognitive dulling.

  1. Talk to Your Friends

Stay in consistent contact with your friends to get your social needs. Have calls with them, or meet up if both of you have the vaccine. This can help to reduce your cognitive dulling.

  1. Mix Up Your Routine

A simple yet effective, method of sharpening your mind is to mix it up a little bit. If you go jogging in the morning, try it in the evening. Cook meals at odd hours and cook different meals.

While it’s not a foolproof way to reduce cognitive dulling, mixing it up is still good for your mind in the long run.

Try Thinking More Positively

Right now, it can be challenging for you to see the glass half full, but try to do so. Get a gratitude journal and write everything down that you are happy for. Whenever a bad thing happens to you, find a way for you to improve the situation.

Having some more positive thinking can be beneficial in many ways, including improving your cognitive dulling.

Talk to a Therapist

Finally, if you feel overwhelmed, it’s worth it to speak to a therapist. There may be more going on than cognitive dulling. Sometimes, you may have severe depression or another issue that makes it difficult to function.

What about if you are unable to leave your home. In that case, you may want to try online therapy. Websites such as BetterHelp can connect you to a therapist who works remotely. The therapists are licensed and can help you on your schedule, which is something that you may need at the moment.





Marie Miguel has been a writing and research expert for nearly a decade, covering a variety of health- related topics. Currently, she is contributing to the expansion and growth of a free online mental health resource with BetterHelp.com. With an interest and dedication to addressing stigmas associated with mental health, she continues to specifically target subjects related to anxiety and depression.


Sunday, June 13, 2021

Coal plant carbon dioxide and radioactive emissions

 Coal plant carbon dioxide and radioactive emissions: How do we convince other countries to stop building new coal plants while we produce green energy driven by a “global warming” concerns?


https://www.energylivenews.com/2021/02/04/china-built-over-three-times-as-much-coal-plant-capacity-as-the-rest-of-the-world-in-2020/

https://www.nrc.gov/docs/ML0932/ML093280447.pdf

Saturday, June 12, 2021

Tuesday, June 8, 2021

More on Wuhan

 https://www.zerohedge.com/covid-19/covid-origins-report-lawrence-livermore-z-division-concluded-may-2020-lab-leak-plausible


While Anthony Fauci spent much of last year telling the public that COVID-19 couldn't have possibly come from a Wuhan lab his agency was funding, the Lawrence Livermore Lab's intelligence arm, known as the "Z-Division," found the Wuhan lab-leak theory to be quite plausible and deserving of further investigation, according to the Wall Street Journal.

6/08/2021 9:47 AM

 

LLNL bucked religious fervor

 LLNL seems to have bucked the political-religious fervor last year over COVID origins. Good to see politics hasn’t corrupted the intel shop.


https://www.wsj.com/articles/u-s-report-concluded-covid-19-may-have-leaked-from-wuhan-lab-11623106982?mod=hp_lead_pos10

Monday, June 7, 2021

The Cost of Being an ‘Interchangeable Asian’

 Not remembering colleague's name the next hate crime?


The Cost of Being an ‘Interchangeable Asian’

https://www.nytimes.com/2021/06/06/business/the-cost-of-being-an-interchangeable-asian.html

White-collar professionals are preparing to return to the office after more than a year of working from home. It hasn’t been a year of just video calls and Zoom happy hours, though. In the aftermath of the police killing of George Floyd and the Black Lives Matter movement that soon swept the nation, it’s been a year of reckoning over racial injustice in America. In the corporate world, that injustice manifests in unequal career opportunities for professionals of color. The country has also seen a rise in hate crimes against people of Asian descent, with victims who have been beaten, verbally assaulted and, at worst, killed. In response, many companies have begun “diversity, equity and inclusion” programs aimed at recalibrating their office cultures to be more supportive of minority workers.

But as a first step, what many Asian American professionals need is simple. They want their colleagues to bother to learn their names.

Yes, it’s probably happened to all of us, no matter our identity: An acquaintance or colleague mistakes you for another person with the same hairdo or a similar name. But for people of Asian descent, it happens without question when there are a few other Asians in the office, even when they look and sound nothing alike.

The Importance of Getting Some Sleep

 

The Importance of Getting Some Sleep

By Marie Miguel

It’s been difficult for many of us to get sleep in the past year. From pandemic worries to financial problems, troubled sleep seems to affect us all.


However, getting some sleep is essential if you want to take care of yourself. In this post, we’ll talk about the importance of sleep.


How Much Sleep Do You Need?

Everyone is different, but the ballpark is 7-8 hours. Some may need a little more; others need a little less. However, getting that ballpark certainly is an excellent place to start.

Many of us don't get the sleep we need. There are only so many hours in the day, after all. We end up staying up late or having trouble falling asleep due to what's on our minds.

Here are some reasons why you should consider getting more sleep.

To Keep Your Weight in Check

Poor sleep can make you gain weight, putting you at risk for diabetes and heart disease issues.

The reason is that your body makes ghrelin, an appetite boosting hormone when you don't have enough. In addition, your body may lower its leptin production, which can indicate you're full. This means you may eat more.

To Improve Your Immunity

Sleep boosts your immunity by resting your immune cells. Not only that, but it may improve the effectiveness of vaccines, which is vital during the pandemic.

Heart Health

When you don't sleep enough, your body creates stress hormones such as cortisol. This can cause stress on your heart, so take a rest, and your heart will thank you for it later.

It Improves Your Focus

When you sleep, you may be more productive. Many of us like to romanticize all-nighters, but sleep is vital in helping you focus and improve your productivity. When you don’t get enough, you may feel a little scattershot, which can cause you to take longer to finish projects.

  1. It Makes You Exercise Better

If you want to perform better, get some rest. Even if you are not a star athlete, a good night's rest can better your reaction time and energy.

Not to mention, working out may help you get a better night’s sleep. Usually, when we talk about insomnia, we mention vicious cycles, but this is a helpful cycle.

  1. Helping You To Keep Your Mental Health Strong

In addition, sleep helps all aspects of your mind. Getting enough sleep boosts your memory and may help to reduce mental decline. Sleep may help with depression, anxiety, and other mental health issues.

Of course, some mental problems can cause you to oversleep, such as depression. Balance is key.

  1. How to Get a Better Night’s Sleep

Of course, for many, sleep is easier said than done. We close our eyes, and nothing happens for a while. Then, when we are finally resting, it’s time to get up!

Having an occasional night or two of poor rest may not be anything to worry about too much. However, if it keeps happening, this may be a cause for concern. Here are some ways you can move past that and have a better night’s sleep.

  • Get off your phone an hour before bed. Too much phone time may keep you wound up.

  • Perform a sleep ritual. Take a hot bath before bed, get dressed in comfortable clothes, cool the room, dim the lights, and relax.

  • Try to have a room temperature between 60-70 degrees Fahrenheit. This is the optimal temperature for a good night’s rest.

  • If you’re having trouble falling asleep, don’t toss and turn. Get up do something relaxing.

  • Keep your bedding washed.

  1. Seek Help

If you’re still having trouble, one thing you can do is to speak to a therapist. Your sleep issues may be a sign of something bigger, and a therapist can help you get to the bottom of it.

If you are unable to have the energy to leave the house, one thing you can do is talk to a therapist online. You can get relief any time, even during a sleepless night.

For more information, please click the link below to get started:

https://www.betterhelp.com/advice/psychotherapy/what-is-cognitive-psychotherapy




Wednesday, June 2, 2021

The Biggest Mental Health Issues Facing Americans

      The Biggest Mental Health Issues Facing Americans

By Marie Miguel



Chances are, you may know someone who has a mental health disorder, or perhaps you have some disorder of your own.

Mental health science has improved over the recent decades, making it much easier to recognize when there's a problem in the mind. Currently, five major mental health disorders are facing Americans.

If left untreated, these issues can cause mental health crises down the road. Knowing what disorder you have can help you. Here are the five most prominent disorders.

Anxiety Disorders

We all have anxiety from time to time. From worries about an upcoming exam to other types of stresses, anxiety is nothing new. Anxiety becomes problematic when it takes over your entire life. An anxiety disorder typically involves uncontrollable anxiety for at least six months.

There are several types of anxiety disorders. Generalized anxiety disorder is when one has frequent anxious episodes. OCD, or obsessive-compulsive disorder, involves rituals to clear one's thoughts. These can include things like frequent handwashing or doorknob touching. Panic disorder involves frequent panic attacks.

PTSD and social anxiety disorder are also under this umbrella.

Anxiety is treatable through therapy and medication. With enough treatment, an anxious person may end up feeling more in control of their lives.

Dementia

Dementia involves a gradual cognitive decline, especially as one is in their later years. Alzheimer's is the most known type of dementia. Someone with Alzheimer's will start forgetting some memories, which can lead to them being unable to perform basic tasks.

Dementia also includes Huntington's Disease and Parkinson's. While it's not curable, some lifestyle choices earlier in life may reduce your chances, and there is a treatment to prolong its effects.

Eating Disorders

People with eating disorders have an unhealthy relationship with food. Someone with anorexia may avoid eating altogether because of their skewed perception of their body. Meanwhile, a person with binge eating disorder may eat until they are uncomfortable.

Eating disorders are treatable, and one with an eating disorder should seek help from a therapist. If left untreated, eating disorders may lead to physical health issues.

Mood Disorders

A mood disorder isn't someone feeling moody on occasion. Someone with a mood disorder will feel a negative mood most of the time. This can lead to feelings of guilt, low energy, and other mental health issues.

Mood disorders may include depression, bipolar disorder, and substance abuse disorder. Many of them are treatable through medication and therapy, and if left untreated, the mood disorder may grow worse.

Psychotic Disorders

A psychotic disorder may affect your perception of reality. Someone who has a psychotic disorder may have hallucinations or delusional beliefs. If left untreated, your perception of reality may warp even further.

Psychotic disorders may include schizophrenia and drug-related disorders. These disorders are treatable, but one needs to talk to a therapist or a psychiatrist.

What Can I Do?

If you have a mental health disorder, you may wonder what you should do about it. Here are some tips.

  • Lifestyle changes are essential. Eat right, work out, and get some rest. These methods will not treat your mental health disorders, but it is a start.

  • Get a diagnosis, and educate yourself about what you have. For relatives, make sure they are educated as well.

  • Remember, you are not alone. You can find support groups to help you every step of the way.

Seek Help

When you are having a mental health crisis, talking to a therapist is essential. BetterHelp allows you to speak to a therapist online and get help on your schedule. Sign up and see what a licensed therapist can do for your mental state.






China is turning up the heat.

 https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-9643419/Chinas-artificial-sun-sets-new-world-record-running-216MILLION-F-100-seconds.html


China's 'artificial sun' nuclear fusion reactor sets a new world record after running at 216MILLION°F for 100 seconds - as the nation inches closer to its goal of 'limitless clean power'

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