Don't ask, don't tell, don't web-cast

Seven elite army airborne officers have been caught in a gay porn scandal. According to ABC news: "Three of the soldiers face courts-martial on charges of sodomy, pandering and engaging in sex acts for money, according to a statement released by the military. Four other soldiers received what the military calls nonjudicial punishments. The Army has recommended that all be discharged."

This part is also interesting:

Steve Ralls, a spokesman for a legal group that helps gays and lesbians in the military, said the charges indicate the soldiers' behavior is "a much more serious matter than just their sexual orientation."

"I'm not going to make excuses for service members who are taking part in sexual conduct for money," said Ralls, who works for the Washington-based Servicemembers Legal Defense Network. "It would be absolutely criminal regardless of whether they were heterosexual or gay."

It might be illegal for heterosexual officers to make porn, but presumably they wouldn't be charged with "sodomy" on top of the other offences, especially if they produced missionary-position porn within the confines of a committed, loving and sanctified marriage.

The army's approach to sexual orientation looks stupidly similar to the BYU honor code:

The military's "don't ask, don't tell" policy states that "homosexual orientation alone is not a bar to service, but homosexual conduct is incompatible with military service." Service members who violate the policy are removed from the military.

Personally, I think these fighting men who are expected to jump and die on a moment's notice should be allowed to do whatever the hell they want with their cameras, genitals and web sites. The strength of the United States is built on simple pragmatism: decorum is less important than getting the job done. The army might have less trouble recruiting if it tolerated a slightly gay image.