Still wonder why those pictures would be effective as blackmail?

Take a look at this article.

http://www.freebatteredwomen.org/latimesoct9.htm

Her husband, Herbert Rosenkrantz, 70, a retired lawyer, recalled tearfully how he angrily rejected his son after Redman exposed him as a homosexual.

Robert Rosenkrantz then went out and purchased an Uzi and a week later shot Redman repeatedly in the head. Rosenkrantz said he had asked Redman to recant and tell his father he was not gay, but Redman refused.

Herbert Rosenkrantz said his rejection of his eldest son "absolutely shattered Robert's self-esteem and set into a motion a chain of events that resulted in the tragic murder of Steve Redman by Robert."

"I have regretted my failure to support Robert every day and night of my life," the elder Rosenkrantz said, "because I believe that if I had put my arm around him and been his friend rather than his angry father, Steve might be alive today."

Rosenkrantz, who was sentenced to 17 years to life for the second-degree murder, has attracted wide support in his bid for release. Among those who have advocated his parole are the judge who presided over his trial and a detective who investigated the murder.

end of quote

This was in California, not Iraq. I know I wouldn't have killed anyone over this but I might have killed myself. One can't totally excuse this kids actions by any means but it might give some insight into just how scary exposure of this can be.

It is hard not to feel sorry for just about everyone involved.