To:   All staff, Los Alamos National Laboratory
From: Bill Richardson, Secretary of Energy


    Dear staff members:


    Due to an unfortunate overreaction by the Republican
    Congress to our minor difficulties in the security area,
    we're being forced to tighten up just a bit.
    Effective Monday:


    1.  The brown paper bag in which we store the computer disk
    drives that contain the nation's nuclear secrets will no longer
    be left on the picnic table at the staff commissary during
    lunch hour. It will be stored in "the vault." I know this is an
    inconvenience to many of you, but it's a sad sign of the times.


    2.  The three-letter security code for accessing "the vault"
    will no longer be "B-O-B."  To confuse would-be spies, that
    security code will be reversed.  Please don't tell anybody.


    3.  Visiting scientists and graduate students from Libya,
    North Korea and mainland China will no longer be allowed
    to wander the hallways without proper identification.
    Beginning Monday, they will be required to wear a stick-on
    lapel tag that clearly states, "Hello, My Name Is . . . ."
    The stickers will be available at the front desk.


    4.  The computer network used for scientific calculations
    will no longer be hyperlinked via the Internet to such Web
    sites as www.moammar.com, www.swedechicks.com, or
    www.hackers-r-us.com.  Links to all Disney sites will
    be maintained, however.


    5.  Researchers bearing a security clearance of Level 5
    and higher will no longer be permitted to exchange
    updates on their work by posting advanced-physics
    formulas on the men's room walls.


    6.  On "Bowling Night," please check your briefcases
    and laptop computers at the front counter of the
    Bowl-a-Drome instead of leaving them in the cloakroom.
    Mr. Badonov, the front-counter supervisor, has promised
    to "keep un eye on zem" for us.


    7.  Staff members will no longer be allowed to take home
    small amounts of plutonium, iridium, or uranium for use
    in those "little weekend projects around the house."
    That includes you parents who are helping the kids with
    their science fair projects.


    8.  Thermonuclear devices may no longer be checked out
    for "recreational use." We've not yet decided if
    exceptions will be made for Halloween, the Fourth of
    July or New Year's Eve.  We'll keep you posted.


    9.  Employees may no longer "borrow" the AA batteries
    from the burglar alarm system to power their Game Boys
    and compact-disc players during working hours.


    10. And, finally, when reporting for work each day,
    all employees must enter through the front door.
    Raoul, the janitor, will no longer admit employees
    who tap three times on the side door to avoid clocking
    in late.


    I know this crackdown might seem punitive and oppressive to
    many of you, but it is our sworn duty to protect the valuable
    national secrets that have been entrusted to our care.
    Remember:  Security isn't a part-time job -
    it's an imperative, all 37 1/2 hours of the week!


    Thanks,
    Bill Richardson