>

Who knew unrestrained bureaucracy would cause so much paperwork being misfiled by people distracted by blind ambition?
I mean, that's accurate, but the only way we're going to actually get something reasonable out of the system is to start prosecuting politicians like you would any other employee, because they're the ones who have the power to change the system. >

The root cause I think people taking classified documents to the White House and not taking them back. These cabinet secretaries aren't career bureaucrats, so they're learning on the job and picking and choosing which rules to follow. They might even think it's OK to leave classified documents at the White House since that's in the chain of command.
As for the bureaucrats in charge of tracking down the papers after they walked away... I imagine the cabinet secretary's office starts ignoring them soon enough. And what are they going to do, call the White House and say "I need those documents from last week." Yeah, everybody at the White House is busy doing something else. 
In fact, at the White House, some staffer is in charge of keeping the meeting rooms clean. So after one of these big meetings where all sorts of documents get left behind, some staffer throws everything into a box called "president's papers." Eventually the box gets full, sealed and stored where it sits until eventually it goes to the president's home or pool shed. 
My biggest question is... Instead of taking classified papers to the White House, what if they used electronic versions that can be shown on a screen and then disappear after? >

You can't get these old ass idiots to open a .PDF on a good day, good luck on getting them to play anything involving a computer. >

I wonder how many current and former members of congress inadvertently have docs at home. Keep in mind this is different than Trump intentionally stealing a massive amount and refusing to return them. >

According to the "experts" last night it should be zero for house or Senate.  They are supposed to be using secure scifs at the Capitol.
Same applies to bureaucrats. >

SCIFs are only required for compartmentalized classified docs. Most classified docs don't require a SCIF. Thats also part of what we need to find out about with the Biden and Pence docs. Trump was allegedly holding on to Top Secret intelligence around nuclear capabilities and foreign assets -- some of the nations most closely held secrets. We only know Biden and Pence had classified docs and not what level of classification. >


Most classified docs don't require a SCIF.

How many classified docs do you see stored outside one? >

Apparently a lot >

Touche lol >

^

The aides and officials charged with ensuring secret documents are always in a “chain of custody” appear to be falling down on the job, said a scholar of intelligence issues, Loch Johnson, a professor emeritus of public and international affairs at the University of Georgia.
“It’s their job to make sure these busy policymakers understand the importance of classification and return the documents to their proper place,” said Johnson, who was a congressional aide on intelligence committees and advised previous administrations about intelligence matters.
“There’s an incredible amount of sloppiness in the handling of these documents that’s really quite disconcerting,” Johnson said. “We need some stiff penalties for people in the chain of custody who don’t take their jobs seriously enough.”

....

Democratic Rep. Adam Schiff of California, the former chair of the Intelligence Committee, told NBC News’ Andrea Mitchell that “there also needs to be a view of what happens when people leave that office, the presidency and vice presidency.”
Lawmakers from both sides of the aisle said the fallout from failing to track secret documents had worrisome ramifications for national security.

Article continues... >

at scale, yes this is a problem.   but just assuming moving to digital versions is not necessarily better.  classified doc and key handling is a full area of study.  part of the problem is scale, and tracking.  and; controlling the said docs.  and, having non classified folks all of a sudden gain access, without the knowledge, or background to handling them. for them, its just a document and thats it.  
is some nations, political folks must go thru training, and testing prior gaining an office.  something like that would be way better. but would never fly here. because of "reasons" >

We noticed. >

This country is becoming so embarrassing.. >

I'll bet every member of congress of the last 20 years has at least one document somewhere that they aren't aware of >

A more accurate title would be "Lawmakers and officials with poor track records of protecting classified documents/information think the system they repeatedly violate is broken". >

I have no doubt Russia and China are taking advantage of this broken system to steal classified information.  This needs to be fixed urgently. >

Simple fix is, classified documents should not be leaving a classified space. If there is need for a home repository for anyone, it needs to be securely installed and removed with all the documents at the point it is no longer needed. Just having classified documents hanging out in your home office near all of your scanners/photocopiers on your insecure network connection is monumentally stupid. >

I don't know why elected officials need to see them to begin with. They don't do any real work. >

Amazing how these articles didn't come out until after Pence discovered classified documents. >

Can't they just develop some sort of virtual server?
I know it has more security risks but it couldn't be worse than actual paper. >

Filed in the “No Shit Sherlock” file. But probably lost in someone’s house… >

I think if the government hires a few librarians they could organize a “system” that never fails.