Ignoring for a moment the conspiracy theory aspect (which, hey, I'll grant sounds good in theory), do you really recognize the volume of records held by the federal government?

NARA (the National Archive and Records Administration) has huge underground vaults filled with paper and/or computer microfiche that will never, ever, be transferred to computer records because of the time and cost involved in doing so. The idea that the government is going to hold not just one but a "backup" copy of paper or microfilm records more than thirty years old seems silly to me.

First, I want to clear up that I don't think that the documents were destroyed by Bush or anyone affiliated with him. Or even that they were destroyed during the last 4 years. The ABC News article I posted above says:

***The letter said that in 1996 and 1997, the Pentagon "engaged with limited success in a project to salvage deteriorating microfilm." During the process, "the microfilm payroll records of numerous service members were damaged," the letter said.***

I just think that the American taxpayer loses out anytime an issue that could have been settled by a document, remains controversial due to document deterioration or archive disorganization. Each time an important document deteriorates or goes missing, a small chunk of the public's trust in government deteriorates or goes missing with it. This uncertainty, and the speculation that goes with it, also sucks valuable media airtime away from issues that are truly debatable. For example, assuming that Bush did officially complete his service requirements, these documents would provide proof sufficient to end the speculation - which would mean X amount more media airtime would be going to other issues that are less clearcut.

Second, you make a good point about the time and cost that would be associated with duplicating the records. I think that even a relatively high cost would be justified in creating failproof electronic copies of documents.

Also, as the official quoted in my post suggests, there already are backup paper copies for a number of documents. Does anyone happen to know the protocol on this? Any librarians or federal depository archivists out there? If not, I'll research it and come back with what I've got.

Thanks,

Thad

"Earlier this month?"

Please!!!

Better check the NYT and WaPo archives, they both noted this destruction of Bush records months ago.

Move along, nothing to see here.

The article I cited was from earlier this month. Hence my use of the phrase "earlier this month, it was reported . . ."

The sub-text of the post is still valid:

the right-wingers are oh-so-righteous when the missing documents (Berger) and the swearing (Kerry) are from the opposition, and oh-so-silent when the missing documents (Bush) and the swearing (Cheney) are from the right.

Hypocrites (among other things).