Well... yes. We're very sloppy, in comparison to many other nations, and I've heard some pretty astounding tales about the fate of classified information, documents, and technologies over the years.
I worked for a major defense contractor from the mid 80's to mid 90's and had multiple level security clearances, with access to nuclear weapons design info. Classified document security was taken extremely seriously (and not in the way Biden says he takes it seriously
). Classified documents were locked in a special file cabinet, secured by a special combination padlock. You did not even leave your desk for 10 seconds to get a cup of coffee if you had classified documents on it. The idea of anyone taking a classified document home was completely outrageous and grounds for firing and a little visit from Uncle Sam. What both Trump and Biden did was insane. Perhaps if there was a special classified courier and home safe, and security guards at their respective homes and a special need for having these documents at home (say, a potential national emergency), it could be justified. But, sitting in a garage for many years next to a Corvette and some old dried up paint cans and whatever? Or in a posh resort? WTF?! There should be some sort of in depth investigation and subsequent reprimand for these two knuckleheads.
You're making the common error of thinking that the boss is expected to work under the same rules as his underlings.I worked for a major defense contractor from the mid 80's to mid 90's and had multiple level security clearances, with access to nuclear weapons design info. Classified document security was taken extremely seriously (and not in the way Biden says he takes it seriously
One minor nitpick, I'm assuming Biden's garage was under Secret Service protection, having been his house and all.I worked for a major defense contractor from the mid 80's to mid 90's and had multiple level security clearances, with access to nuclear weapons design info. Classified document security was taken extremely seriously (and not in the way Biden says he takes it seriously
What about the American Vice President?You're making the common error of thinking that the boss is expected to work under the same rules as his underlings.I worked for a major defense contractor from the mid 80's to mid 90's and had multiple level security clearances, with access to nuclear weapons design info. Classified document security was taken extremely seriously (and not in the way Biden says he takes it seriously
Who, exactly, do you expect to rap the President's knuckles if he leaves a classified document on his desk while he nips out for a quick piss? (Obviously he has a lackey to fetch him a cup of coffee).
Assuming that anything at all is said, it's going to be less "You blithering idiot! Don't you dare do that ever again or you will be breaking rocks in Leavenworth for the next decade!!", and more, "Excuse me sir, but the Joint Chiefs would be most grateful if you could try to remember to lock those papers away before leaving the room".
It suggests to me that the US, at the very least, needs to get higher quality candidates for president than the last couple of inhabitants have been.You're making the common error of thinking that the boss is expected to work under the same rules as his underlings.I worked for a major defense contractor from the mid 80's to mid 90's and had multiple level security clearances, with access to nuclear weapons design info. Classified document security was taken extremely seriously (and not in the way Biden says he takes it seriously
Who, exactly, do you expect to rap the President's knuckles if he leaves a classified document on his desk while he nips out for a quick piss? (Obviously he has a lackey to fetch him a cup of coffee).
Assuming that anything at all is said, it's going to be less "You blithering idiot! Don't you dare do that ever again or you will be breaking rocks in Leavenworth for the next decade!!", and more, "Excuse me sir, but the Joint Chiefs would be most grateful if you could try to remember to lock those papers away before leaving the room".
If their mum is still alive then a quick talk to mum is required.
Right off the bat, yes...this is absolutely speculation. The first part is also demonstrably false.
I know from first hand experience how cavalier some civilian employees can be about printing classified gov documents, just to have a hardcopy on their desk because they prefer reading paper and making notes instead of having to look things up and check documents out for the secure server.
This.
Not to mention this:
www.justsecurity.org
Dr R V Jones, who was Churchill's scientific advisor, says in his autobiography that if he sent anything to a senior officer that he felt was both important and urgent, he would follow up a day later with a message saying that the information had been shared in error, and that his department requested that it be immediately returned unread.
