In Federal Agencies, the IT leads are generally government employees. However, the actual IT work is largely contracted out to industry. Google "IT Service Companies Washington DC area," and, for me it returns, "About 219,000,000 results (0.66 seconds)." This model applies pretty much across the board at the Federal, State and Local level. There are a few exceptions, for example in certain OCONUS enclaves, such as expeditionary/military. Some contractors deliver outstanding service. Some mediocre. A few perform outright incompetently, at least for the time period between re-competition RFP's, excluding those fired outright for gross incompetence. I'm sure there's a distribution curve for IT service competence, like everything else. All humans are flawed. Life becomes harder the more flawed one is in areas that count...like on the job.

Outstanding.

Go Not-The-Commie-Democrat 2016! (That appears to be Trump at the moment, so, what the hell, "GO TRUMP!")

“has been out there for about 50 yearshas been a stable quasi-satellite of Earth for almost a century” so...which is it?

Heard on Guard (243.0MHZ): "Hey SIRI, Bandits 070T 56nm raid size 2. Warning Red Weapons Free. Engage missiles"

Agree absolutely. Great point! (...and I was only being facetious, by the way, meaning "smart ass appropriate to venue and mood.")

I stand and applaud in agreement, and second that motion.

Outstanding! Thank you for that! This is exactly the type of hate speech that should be out in the open for all to see -- what a freaking idiot you are.

I hate comments about hating other comments.

So, that's it. The best way to counter an idea which which you may disagree, especially if you believe to be stupid, evil or hateful, is to expose it to critical examination and counter it with better ideas, not hide it where it can fester unchallenged.

"Hate Speech" - Noun, (1) Any speech about which the Left disapproves or consider contradictory to Leftist goals or objectives. (2) A political term to justify censorship or persecution on enemies. See Stalin, Joseph.

Last I lived in Europe, I must have missed all the armed squads of Americans forcing poor Europeans into McDonalds, making the locals use Google, and enforcing Facebook edicts. Yep, ordinary Americans living in central Texas really give a rodent's rectum where Europeans eat, browse and share stupid photos.

I used GEOS on my old 8088. Ran on 640KB and a 300MB Hard Drive. Really very nice GUI.

...and Kardashians...don't forget the Kardashians.

Let's see. What kind of group would be interested in garnering information from hackers communicating with other hackers specifically? An Agency with some some mission? A Bureau with some purpose? I wonder.