How does a slob lose documents?

One thing that doesn't make sense about Berger's story:

After taking classified documents "by accident," he then lost them.

Look, my desk and office are as messy as Berger's are reputed to be. Stacks of paper and boxes notes and files are everywhere. But i don't lose things-- i misplace them and forget about them. But they always stay here.

See, we slobs and packrats are messy because we can't throw stuff out. (Check any book on getting organized: a first step toward recovery is to learn to throw things out.)

It is hard to throw something out by accident. I would think that this is doubly true for classified documents. I hope they are pretty clearly marked and not easy to confuse with an errand list or the latest issue of The American Prospect.

This suggests three possible explanations:

1. Berger knowingly destroyed the documents.

2. Berger gave them to some one.

3. Some one stole them from the pile of stuff on his desk.

#3 is less sinister but still serious. We don't know who had access to Berger's office, what their motives might be, who they work for.

Maybe Berger meant no harm, but he was reckless and his actions were dangerous. Like someone who drives while drunk, his intentions are less important than the potential consequences of his selfish actions.

Check out these two posts where Captain Ed lays out other damning evidence against Berger.