[r9etb]

Were YOU aware in 1947 that in 2002 we'd have home computers; great software to fill-in missing data bits etc.?

Look at it this way:

Even in 1947 they knew what "Top Secret" meant. And the thought that a general would stop off at the safe, balloon under one arm, for a top secret memo to wave around in front of the people to whom he's lying -- that is pure horse manure.

I've no doubt that there is more to this story -- some deep secret that they're still lying to protect.

But that doesn't prevent this story from still being crap.

[Quix]

Maybe you have had more top secret jobs than I have.

But you seem very glib in glossing over human frailties.

Certainly rules and hyper secrecy can have a lot of effective influence on behavior. But in a fast moving complex situation that's startlingly new and full of conflicting facts, emotions and directives--all kinds of chaos and errors can crop up.

It is surprising that you can discount that so easily and wholesale.

Actually, Ramey looks like he's in a bit of a trance--stunned to say the least.

How sharp and quick on your feet are you when you're stunned?

[Quix]

And your alternative explanation and analysis of the memo in his hands is . . . ?????

I'll be particularly eager to see your careful computer analysis of each letter in the memo and your alternative list of words.