Retired but witnessed the decline. When I started with Intel in the early 80s we had an all hands Go/No-Go communication for every chip and driver release. During this process the lowest grade validation tech could say No-Go and stop a chip or driver release. We didn't have to check with our managers or take a negativity if it was a mistake. That changed with Barrett and Intel has gone downhill from that point.
From one old timer to another: F&%* you PAT. You were part of the problem all along.