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I was going to stay quiet about this, and I'm liable to state the obvious here, especially to former US military communicators.

BUT...I was a NONCOM in the USAF for 13 years, and my primary role was supporting DISA (Defense Information Systems Agency) assets.

The DISA jobs in particular involved handling classified information. Unless other elements of the U.S. Gov't perform management of classified documents in a vastly different manner than the DoD, then Sandy Berger would have signed "some" document attesting that he understands the classification system, and proper usage of information afforded its protection.

In short, what I'm trying to say here is that for a person to gain access to the storage area where classified information is kept means that they've already agreed in writing on the prescribed methods and guidelines for the handling of such information.

To stuff it in your socks, walk out with it, and call it SLOPPY is to think that we were all born just yesterday. The public at large might believe this story with their Hollywood view of how "classified" information is handled, but anybody who has ever handled classified information at SECRET or above knows that in "real life" it's an entirely different story.

This is a plain and simple case. The man has essentially been caught stealing classified information, and the penalties prescribed for such offenses are known and on the "books".

I "think" Mr. Berger is in a real pickle. Think about it. He can either deal with the legal system at this point, or deal with what's happened to everybody else who was just getting ready to fink on William J. Clinton, and end up dead.

I'm going to guess that if our conservatives in power push this issue (and they SHOULD), that he'll opt for jail over having commonalities with Vince Foster, Ron Brown, and others.

"In short, what I'm trying to say here is that for a person to gain access to the storage area where classified information is kept means that they've already agreed in writing on the prescribed methods and guidelines for the handling of such information. "

Hugh Hewitt talked about the process and it was amazing. The warnings/agreement you speak of is apparently also affixed to many of the documents. Bergler did this because (1) he was incredibly arrogant or (2) incredibly scared. Time will tell...