In a classic example for “d—d if you do, d—d if you don’t,” this week a lawyer argued that his client’s sentence of a year in the brig and a bad conduct discharge for rape and adultery was too harsh, and was the result of the improper influence of the commandant. This influence consisting of a set of speeches telling the Corps that it was intolerable to treat rape and other sexual impropriety as something to brush under the rug.

This comes after a multiyear campaign in the public sector and Congress to push the military commanders to crack down on sex offenders.

If the court swallows this Twinkie defense, it will kill reform.

Tom HeynsChelsea

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