How Surprising Are Some Top Secret Government Secrets?

Top Secret… well, without giving any real examples, I would say none are surprising. If you can imagine it, it can be done. If it’s embarrassing, it’s kept secret. If it will start World War III, it’s top secret. If it’s both, it’s classified higher.

The nature of top secret matters is to be shrouded in mystery. Yet, as someone who has dealt with a variety of classified government documents over the years, the most surprising thing to me is the cavalier and nonchalant attitude with which many such documents are handled. They are copied and passed around without even checking the simplest “Need To Know” status, which is a fundamental protective measure.

The term “Need To Know” refers to the lowest level of protection within the strict hierarchy of classification. Documents marked with this notation signify that only individuals directly involved in the matter need access to the information. However, it often surprises me that many people do not know what a “C” on a document actually means— that it undoubtedly indicates classification. This is a critical point, as the document would be sensitive and require special handling. Such ignorance is, in my opinion, an insult to intelligence, credibility, and training.

Another recurring surprise is how many classified documents remain classified even after being openly reported or quoted in the national press or distributed on the internet. Once a document is classified, it becomes part of a system designed to maintain its confidentiality. This makes declassification almost impossible, a standing practice that feels like an outdated and increasingly ineffective method.

The old government rule of “if in doubt, classify” has reached a critical point. This rule, meant to protect sensitive information, has created a system where over-classifying happens more frequently. This rule, once a safeguard, now bites its own tail, creating a paradox where more and more information is locked away without clear justification.

Moreover, the persistence of classified documents makes me question the value and necessity of maintaining such stringent controls. As societal norms and technologies evolve, the need for such secrecy becomes less and less clear. The current system seems to favor the stagnation of information sharing rather than fostering transparency and innovation.

One might argue that these documents contain vital information that must be kept secret, but how long should we maintain this secrecy? The world is in constant flux, and secrecy can become more of a hinderance than a benefit in the long term. At a certain point, maintaining top secret status serves only to isolate and paradoxically, weaken, the information it aims to protect.

In conclusion, the handling and classification of government documents appears to be in a state of transition. We need to critically reassess these practices to ensure they align with the needs of modern society. It’s time to re-examine the balance between security and openness, and to determine which documents truly warrant top secret status and which can be opened without compromising sensitive information.

Conclusion

Reflecting on my experience with classified government documents, it’s clear that there is a need for a broader and more transparent approach to information management. The mysteries of top secret status must be scrutinized to ensure they serve the greater good of society.