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July 28, 2004
Trousergate I, Classified Documents
I haven't posted on this before because there's so much good commentary out there. Also, not having handled classified documents myself, I wasn't sure of the rules regarding them. However, a source has been kind enough to fill me in.
Sandy Berger's main defense is that he was "sloppy". I asked my source, does that fly where you work?
The answer, basically, is "hell, no." Berger's defense is treated as a joke. "Sloppyness" is not an excuse plain and simple. It is an open-and-shut case The only question is whether he will get off because of his "bigwig" status.
Note taking is also an issue because Berger took notes of the secret documents. I am informed by my source that while note taking can be permitted, all notes must be reviewed by the proper authorities. If your notes contain classified information, then they are treated as classified documents. As most classified docs also contain information that is not classified, it would be permissible to take those notes out of the restricted areas. But because the issue of distinguishing classified from non-classified can become murky, most people take no notes at all.
That Berger even took notes is therefore an issue. That he took them out with him is unbelievable.
Posted by Tom at July 28, 2004 3:00 PM
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