Comment Re:Because of Petreaus (Score 1) 60
Bork's records were a direct result - largely because Bork wanted to expand executive power, and claimed that people had limited privacy rights.
The timing in this case does make it look suspiciously related, but you missed the point. It was not related to Petreaus. This is fear of their own mails being released and searched.
In the Bork case, it was probably an employee who handed over a hand written list to a reporter, to prove a point. And the punishment was only $2500. In this case, it is the DOJ who thinks they can just ask for whatever they want, and frequently get it.
Any high profile case would have resulted in the same legislation, not just someone in power, because this is all about protecting the Legislative branch from the Executive power grab. This is the system of checks and balances at work, slowly.
And the VPAA is not getting dismantled - it just requires asking permission first, with an amendment to require that every 2 years. I assume that will be opt-out, but at least you will have the option.