If you ever had a clearance, it isn't about sense. It's about "RULES".

Thing A and thing A' are moral equivalents. Thing A is a federal crime (we don't care why or if it's wrong). Thing A' is a not a crime.

You do thing A, a long time in the past. You get a couple strikes. Probably still get clearance.

You demonstrate you don't understand difference between thing A and thing A' (even if moral equivalents) which implies you don't understand "RULES" or that you have independent thought (worse). No clearance for you.