The bigger problem is that shortly before landing, the then-tweaked plane would enter a trans-dimensional rift in search of research funds, and then get caught in an infinite time loop due to an array indexing error.

So Ballmer's just going to rearrange the deck chairs?

If you only exercise your IT skills when called, you'll probably find yourself a lot less marketable if/when this new gig dries up.

Assuming you're on the verge of retirement, I'd work aggressively during this time to stay marketable.

#1 - Figure out what convinced you that the head of IT is the problem. If you're thoroughly convinced, present those reasons to the business. If you have any reservations about your conclusion, then ask yourself if you really should be as convinced as you are about your conclusion.

#2 - Are you an employee, or a consultant brought in to investigate? Your fear of reprisal might temper how much you say.

#3 - Consider presenting some solutions at the same time you present your analysis. It might soften the blow. It also might leave a better taste in peoples' mouths if you find some nice things to say about the head/department as well.

Did Ross Perot have any lasting effects?

Yes. Thanks to him, I now sometimes have cause to say, "You hear that giant suckin' sound???"

I think we can agree that you and I have now taken this thread exactly as far as it can go.

I have a fantasy in which 1 million well-armed patriots surround this guy and tell the NSA / CIA / FBI / federal marshals that they're on the wrong side of the Constitution and can't have him.

Governments are generally unwilling to reflect upon the evil of their own laws.

I'm not sure you should be ashamed for having voted for Obama in 2008. Try to remember the (realistic) alternatives we faced.

Except, of course, he's unlikely to come back from the dead, or for his death to provide a means of eternal life.

But if you mean he's inspirational, no argument.

So where did you end up?

I wonder if European citizens realized how much of their national sovereignty was at risk when they joined the EU.

P-Town to San Francisco??? I didn't realize there was an actual gay tour of America :)

I didn't. I can afford them. It's just expensive, which limits my job choices.

Trading away personal freedom for the happiness / well-being of one's family is part of being a big boy.

See if you don't care about salary when you have a spouse and four kids to feed. And medical bills. And a mortgage. I'd say the majority of us in the software development and/or computer science would work different jobs if we didn't have these practical considerations. O'Reilly's speech was probably directed at the majority of people like us/you, not the rare few who can afford to go decades without balancing a desire for interesting work with a need to provide for one's family.

Also, you may find that unchallenging implies uninteresting. So, unless you want to be bored, you probably can't avoid challenge.