WHOSE BRIGHT IDEA WAS IT TO ALLOW SPOOKS TO SIGN UP FOR GMAIL?

Regarding the Petraeus affair, I only have one question: how is it that David Petraeus-or any employee of the CIA, for that matter–is even allowed to maintain a private e-mail account such as Gmail in the first place? Many Wall Street firms have for years restricted their employees from using personal accounts. Other government agencies, which deal with information that’s much less sensitive what the CIA has, have put significant restrictions in place, as well. The Chinese and others have shown they’re not shy about hacking onto U.S. computer networks (did you hear the one about the printer, the thermostat, and the Chinese IP address?). I’m shocked that anyone at the CIA is allowed to use anything but his regular, secure CIA account. But then maybe I’ve seen one too many Jason Bourne movies. . . .