I’ve heard the “embarrassing..” comment before. Do you have an actual reference? Everything about public scrutiny is potentially embarrassing - Lord knows my history would be dire. But I will own up. Obama needs some onions and do the same. Let the chips fall where they may. But he seems quite the coward. Think I want him in charge? NOT!
I went to look for it. It looks like the interpretation was overstated:
http://docs.justia.com/cases/federal/district-courts/pennsylvania/paedce/2:2008cv04083/281573/15/
See page 6: II. Discussion
Rule 26(c)(1) authorizes the Court to enter a protective order from "annoyance, embarrassment, oppression, or undue burden or expense," including an order forbidding the discovery or specifying terms for discovery.