Sure, it would have been easier for me to check the audit log, however the idea that it was an issue with SELinux didn't even cross my mind until I used strace. The vast majority of Linux systems I work on do not have it enabled.

You may not see a reason to disable SELinux, but not all Linux systems are RHEL, and don't have it enabled to begin with. I personally would not enable it on a system that did not design for it as a default.