Anti-War Judge Rejects Foster Teen's Bid to Join Military

L.A. Daily News ^ | 3/6/2008 | Dana Bartholomew

[Pyro7480]

SIMI VALLEY - Shawn Sage long dreamed of joining the military, and watching "Full Metal Jacket" last year really sold him on becoming a Marine.

But last fall, a Los Angeles Superior Court commissioner dashed the foster teen's hopes of early enlistment for Marine sniper duty, plus a potential $10,000 signing bonus.

In denying the Royal High School student delayed entry into the Marine Corps, Children's Court Commissioner Marilyn Mackel reportedly told Sage and a recruiter that she didn't approve of the Iraq war, didn't trust recruiters and didn't support the military.

"The judge said she didn't support the Iraq war for any reason why we're over there," said Marine recruiter Sgt. Guillermo Medrano of the Simi Valley USMC recruiting office.

"She just said all recruiters were the same - that they `all tap dance and tell me what I want to hear.' She said she didn't want him to fight in it."

Sage, 17, said he begged for Mackel's permission.

"Foster children shouldn't be denied (an) ability to enlist in the service just because they're foster kids," he said. "Foster kids shouldn't have to go to court to gain approval to serve one's country."

Mackel, a juvenile dependency commissioner at the Children's Court in Monterey Park, declined through a clerk to speak about any court case or comments she may have made in court.

[Pyro7480]

This judicial tyranny BS needs to stop!

[Digital Sniper]

Considering the reported remarks of the judge, I think there's more than ample grounds for an immediate appeal and stay of the judge's order.

[WVNan]

Yeah, but where is the foster kid going get the wherewithall to overturn the decision?

[Diana in Wisconsin]

I joined the Army when I was 17. My folks needed to sign for me, but they were behind me 100%.

This is total BS, and that judge needs to be smacked, or whatever they do to lefty judges...aside from promoting them to the level of their incompetence.

See? This is a very CLEAR reason we need a Republican President. Taxes and judicial appointments will always win me over.

[BenLurkin]

The enemy within...

[alexander_busek]

If this 17-year-old child were not a foster child, but were instead still in the custody of his mother and father, they would have to give their consent to his joining up.

But since he IS a foster child, I suppose his LEGAL GUARDIANS have to provide (or withhold) consent. In this case, that appears to be the COURT.

Regards,

[Eurale]

You are correct. The judge has appointed herself as commander-in-chief and unelected arbiter of U.S. foreign policy.

[kingu]

After Sage submitted a winning entry to the lawmaker's Write a Bill Challenge, Assemblyman Cameron Smyth introduced legislation last month that would allow foster teens to enlist in the service without express permission from a judge.

Instead, AB2238 would allow foster children 17 or older to sign up with the consent of a foster parent or social worker.

Apparently, by not giving in or up on his dream.

[taxcontrol]

That is ok kid, wait 6 months to a year and you will get in.

And in the mean time, learn the lesson that if you have to depend on others, you will likely not be allowed to follow your dreams. Make you own way and set your own destiny.

And when you think about what the judge has “done to you”, smile and thank the Lord for the most valuable lesson you learned, and that you were able to learn it at such a young age.

[AirForceBrat23]

I recommend people sending this to Bill O’Reilly for his “Patriots vs. Pinheads” segment AND his Talking Points. He’s good at getting folks mobilized.

[wideawake]

Shawn Sage long dreamed of joining the military, and watching "Full Metal Jacket" last year really sold him on becoming a Marine.

Not the audience reaction Kubrick was hoping for.

[Iron Munro]

What this country needs is a President with an Attorney General and a Justice Department staffed with thousands of lawyers just itching to take on legal idiocy like this.

[Hazwaste]

God please bless and protect Shawn Sage. I doubt a young man of his convictions will let a little thing like a tyrant judge stop him.

[thulldud]

And in the mean time, learn the lesson that if you have to depend on others, you will likely not be allowed to follow your dreams.

I would amend this to "if you have to depend on leftists".

[ThomasThomas]

More details.

Assemblyman Cameron Smyth introduced legislation last month that would allow foster teens to enlist in the service without express permission from a judge.

Instead, AB2238 would allow foster children 17 or older to sign up with the consent of a foster parent or social worker.

[Valpal1]

I am impressed! Mr. Sage will do well in the Marines.

[redstateconfidential]

Here is the self righteous, self important one getting an award for being a bureaucrat from other bureaucrats.

[aft_lizard]

I am sort of torn over this. On the one hand the Judge’s reasoning is out of whack, and he needs to be severely reprimanded over it. On the other the kid is a ward of the state when he is in the foster system and really, I don’t think the state should be a part of this decision while he is still a minor. In othe words I think he should wait until it is wholly his decision when he is 18. Don’t get me wrong, I was DEP with the Army but I had parents who knew me and what I needed for my life.

[Niteranger68]

If I were king, this judge would rot in prison!

[paratrooper82]

Just another example of liberal Judges making law from the bench. these so called Judges have forgotten the “separation of powers doctrine” that has made this the greatest Country in the world!
What “socialist” won't do to promote their agenda, i.e., anti-war, and with kind of bias, and prejudice, this Judge should have stepped down from even hearing the civil case in the first place!