Little Things
The man who runs counterterrorism operations in the U.K. has had to resign because he grabbed a document the wrong way, exposing it to telephoto lenses. His resignation both does and doesn't make sense. The mistake put an operation at risk, but it was the kind of incredibly unconscious mistake anyone could make. It's a reminder of the kind of pressure top leaders live under, and I think it's worth considering. Most of us can make a small mistake, hit "reply all" when we meant an email to go to one person, show up 15 minutes late one day because of traffic etc. But in certain positions, grab a piece of paper the wrong way and you're done. I can't imagine operating under that kind of pressure. But a lot of political appointees do every day. I still think too much emphasis is placed on politicals, and there should be fewer of them. But I can't say I'd want their jobs either.
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Government Executive Editor in Chief Tom Shoop, along with other editors and staff correspondents, take a fresh look at news affecting the management and operations of the federal bureaucracy.
Obviously, you have never worked in a classified facility or had to deal with such "mundane" tasks as protecting classified information. Anyone in such a role knows - from day two at least - that you NEVER take any classified document out of the building to another location without the proper "cover", be it a secure, locked bag or whatever is dictated by your particular agency. It is NOT the kind of "unconscious mistake anyone could make" unless maybe they are in Congress or work as a political appointee. The slip does not come from pressure, it originates in either carelessness or ego. Neither of which is acceptable in our world.
Bud Posted Friday, April 10, 2009 7:13 AMOne of the first rules of handling classified information is that you use coversheets, and when acting as a courier, all classified is properly wrapped to prevent such a disclosure. He violated the simplest and most basic procedures for protecting classified information. I have no sympathy for someone in his position making such a mistake with classified, highly time-sensitive information.
TomS Posted Friday, April 10, 2009 9:55 AM