The problem is the two of them are really smart but have no reference level for how secret courts, indefinite secret detention etc. can affect a nation. Their reference frames are limited to their current state and nation (USA). I don't want to see two smart people go and work for a government agency that has upended the values of America's forefathers.
It must have been a response to something though. My idea was that legislation tends to have an impact on investors pyschology. Even things not related to legislation, such as how talk of the Federal Reserve possibly discontinuing QE in September was visible in markets.
A dramatic rise like the graphs show must be a result of something serious occurring in the economy (global or otherwise). Any hypothesis are welcome.