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 hyper linked 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 34 1/2
    hours of the week!

    Sincerely,
    Bill