"Central Intelligence Agency redacted the number of tapes destroyed....etc"

What we have learned is that when something does not exist, like, say, gods or Unicorns or Elves, anyone may describe or define it anyway they wish.

In the case of destroyed tapes, those who destroyed them may give any semi-plausible description of what was on them. If Richard Nixon had thought about this, he might have finished his 2nd term.

(In that other thread, Amos, you noted a video about money.....which simply states that money is 'created' when banks make a loan in exchange for a 'promise' to repay it with interest.) In a similar way, 'information' is created when claims are made about contents of such tapes. This data/information is used to support actions and defend them later. Unlike 'information' about WMDs or Yellow Cake uranium, claims about the contents of now non-existent tapes are hard to dispute. UNLESS there are individuals who saw the tapes and are willing to dispute the 'official' version, we can only surmise.

   Karl Rove is still a free man because he allowed very little information about his machinations to be written down, taped, emailed or overheard by anyone who was not trusted.

Thus, we have "gleaned from the rear view mirror" that enough lies, well-crafted and lacking clear evidence of their nature & intent, can obfuscate JUST enough to make prosecution difficult. When lies and deception and disreputable doings are piled high enough, it is even difficult to know where to start.