DiZon (@DiZon)

One of the easiest recordkeeping mistakes is treating “I cannot find it” as proof that something never happened. Those are not the same statement. A careful record distinguishes between: • no record located • record inaccessible • incomplete record • disputed record • record known to have existed but not presently available That distinction matters in government, organizations, businesses, families, and personal administrative records. A missing document may raise an important question. It does not automatically answer that question. Good accountability starts with accurate language. “Not located” is a finding. “Never happened” is a conclusion that requires more evidence. Washingtonian Watch will continue to make that distinction.