[TheForceOfOne]

If this information was obtained through data mining the Internet then obviously they were using computers and the mountains of information in printed out form came from a computer.

I think I heard something like 2.5 terabytes of information had been collected before the operation was shut down in early 2001. That is a lot of hard drive space most likely access through a network server within the building these secret operations were conducted by Able Danger.

Due to the fact the building they resided in had network access through an intra-net and the Internet most likely someone was responsible to maintain that network internally. That person or group working in a secret environment like that would have taken great strides to maintain that network including daily backups of the main server and any network connected computers that retained vital information to be protected.

Most IT professional maintain at least three backups in a rotation with at least one of the backups off site in a vault, local bank safe deposit box etc. in case of fire, flood or other such catastrophes.

I dare anyone to tell me that just because the paper print outs were shredded or misplaced or whatever that they cannot retrieve this information from backup tape.

Anyone involved that claims the information is lost is smack dab in the middle of a cover up. Anyone involved including the Able Danger folks should know this.

[Marine_Uncle]

"...I dare anyone to tell me that just because the paper print outs were shredded or misplaced or whatever that they cannot retrieve this information from backup tape."

That was my position. But I agree with Konaice's theory that if the operation was closed downed. Then perhaps most of the raw data was erased, perhaps only paper documents where created to represent facsimily the total package of data, which included a few sets of paper generated documentation most suitable for presenting to some future review board, whatever. This may turn out to be one sad oversight that will end any further enquires, due to lack of substantiating information. Perhaps the computer systems they used, if they where PC type computers, who knows.....may not even be in existence at this point.