So how does stuff get classified? And who does the classifying?

[Abolishinist]

1. Here's what I don't understand. I'm sure this has been discussed

but I can't find it.

Let's say a document is 'top-secret', containing info where our secret missile sites are located, or whatever.

a) How many copies are there, and shouldn't some entity KNOW this number
b) Isn't there a paper trail that shows where these documents travel to, and with whom
c) Why would it take over a year to figure out that some of these docs were missing. In fact, it seems if no one tells them that somone HAS the document they will never find out.

I mean, if I check out a LIBRARY book they know I have it, and if I don't return it on time they let me know.

I don't get it.