Posted on 12/25/2009 9:08:14 AM PST by FromLori
Researchers at Los Alamos National Laboratory in New Mexico accidentally blew up a building on December 16 with a Civil War-style cannon. According to an occurrence report [pdf], which was first reported by the Project on Government Oversight, the lab's Shock and Detonation Physics team was testing a large-bore powder gun when they heard a "loud unusual noise."
About 20 minutes later, the researchers ventured out of their bunker to see what had happened. Upon further investigation of the facility’s Technical Area 15, the team discovered that Building 562 had been blown apart. Two doors were "propelled off the structure" and concrete shielding blocks were blasted off the walls. Parts of the cannon were also found lying on the asphalt nearby. The Facility Operations Director declared a "management concern" regarding the explosion. No-one was hurt, but sources told POGO that damages could cost $3 million. The lab reported that it has conducted a "critique" of the incident.
This is not the first time that Los Alamos has fallen short when it comes to safety and security matters. In early 2009, it emerged that the nation's major nuclear weapons lab had misplaced at least 67 computers sensitive information, and others had been stolen from a lab employee. The facility has also come under fire in recent years for, among other things, failing to properly protect nuclear materials and shipping a deadly radioative package by Fedex.
motherjones.com/environment/2010/01/bailout-nuclear
ping
That’s, um, comforting...
That’s twice on Obama’s watch....PLUS a terrorist attack (Ft. Hood)....
Apparently some prepositions are missing, as well.
Of course this will be counted as a nuclear accident
WHAT HAPPEN?
This ain't good!
Cool, who knew they had nuclear bombs back in the Civil War!
Took ‘em twenty minutes to crawl out and see what the big oopsy was, huh. Thanks, that makes me feel real safe at night.
/johnny
Are you referring to the fact that they don’t name richardson was in charge...
Yikes I want nuclear power but I don’t want democrats in charge of it.
One of the researchers was heard to say “That blowed up reeeal good”!
This wasnt one of them “Hold my beer while I do this...”
Come on. Becoming a nuclear scientist takes years of schooling and sitting before "professors of knowledge" to gain the acumen involved in nuclear fission.
Firing a cannon just takes some common sense.
See the problem?
“Broken Arrow”
This is the logical conclusion when teen-age pyro-geeks grow up and get government funding.
Having said that, I am somewhat jealous.
It’s all fun, as long as no one gets hurt.
Berkley Scientists using taxpayer money to screwoff
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