Anti-war judge rejects foster teen's bid to join military

[The Boy 0]

Geese, give me a break, this judge needs to be fired or somethin.'

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."quote>

http://www.dailynews.com/ci_8482917?source=rss_viewed

[Simfan34 11]

What! Recent events have led me to believe that even people don't even feel inclined to "support our troops"!

[The Boy 0]

Originally posted by: Simfan34 What! Recent events have led me to believe that even people don't even feel inclined to "support our troops"!

quote>

I support them 100% in all that they're doing not the bad things but I support them all with what they're doing over seas, not the killing of innocent people on accident or purpose but I support them.... theres a few bad apples in every single thing.. if you read all of those posts, or a decent majority, you'd see that it wasn't in Iraq, it was at a base in Hawaii.

[Zelgadis 638]

Honestly, I didn't think 17-year-olds were allowed to join the military... A bit too young to be toting that kind of firepower. Though I disagree with the judge's reasoning, I have to agree with the decision.

ISF

[Frankie_Grove 32]

Originally posted by: zelgadis Honestly, I didn't think 17-year-olds were allowed to join the military... A bit too young to be toting that kind of firepower. Though I disagree with the judge's reasoning, I have to agree with the decision.

ISF

quote>

At 17 you can receive basic training. You can't actually be deployed until 18 either. Also, when he does turn 18 I'm quite sure he can do whatever the hell he wants.

Even if you are anti-war, thats no reason to not support our troops. It's not really their fault what the government chooses, they are just doing their jobs.

[BurroDiablo 222]

I'd have to disagree with the judge too... just because he wanted to join the Military doesn't automatically means he's going to be shipped to Iraq, he'd have to go some vigourous training and disiplining first before he even got close to live combat. Obviously, if he got KIA then that would be some hardship on his foster family, but I don't see why people should deny such an easily accomplished wish... its not like he was asking for the Presidency.

[krbe 193]

Seems like this is some kind of school programme where you sign up, graduates from high school and get a job in the military; you might be off for Iraq faster, but the point is that you finish high school before "real enlisting". And this is really needed; they have a "high school quota", i.e. number of soldiers with at least a high school diploma, which is rather high (cannot remember it, sorry), and lately this number has dropped quite considerably.

But it's supposed that judges have some sort of legal mumbo jumbo to add to their rulings; being against a war isn't enough (unless you're on the Supreme Court). The law probably says that she has to consider the well being of the child and other conditions; while this really ought to be up to the individual family.

It's also quite clear that this kid hasn't read the Wealth of Nations.

[Meg 368]

Originally posted by: krbe

The law probably says that she has to consider the well being of the child and other conditions; while this really ought to be up to the individual family.quote>

But he's a foster kid; he doesn't have a family.

At 18, he will "age out" of the system and basically be on his own.  (This varies from state to state.)  Being in the military will give him a job and, as the saying goes "three hots and a cot".    He can still do that at 18 but I can see how he might want to get things set up ahead of time.

[crazyyaya 4]

It's sad when judges bring in personal views to make decisions. Is there a source on this story by the way? It would be nice to see more detail in the story.

[City2TheMax 3]

Originally posted by: crazyyaya

It's sad when judges bring in personal views to make decisions. Is there a source on this story by the way? It would be nice to see more detail in the story.

quote>

 

Yes, I agree. Judges should be nonpartisan or be kicked out of office. I disagree with the war, and would not recruit teens, but that is why I am not a judge. And a source would be great.

[Meg 368]

Originally posted by: The Boy Geese, give me a break, this judge needs to be fired or somethin.'

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."quote>

http://www.dailynews.com/ci_8482917?source=rss_viewedquote>

His source is right there, in the original post.

here is a linkified version:  http://www.dailynews.com/ci_8482917?source=rss_viewed

[SEAL SGT. Ryan 0]

what are you talkining about

[purpledaddy 6]

Maybe she thought he looked too much like Vincent D'nofrio! (Pvt Pyle in the movie.)

[Joesocwork 4]

Originally posted by: City2TheMax

Originally posted by: crazyyaya

It's sad when judges bring in personal views to make decisions. Is there a source on this story by the way? It would be nice to see more detail in the story.

quote>

 

Yes, I agree. Judges should be nonpartisan or be kicked out of office. I disagree with the war, and would not recruit teens, but that is why I am not a judge. And a source would be great.quote>

 

In the case of foster care, the judges, along with the social workers, foster parents, guardian ad litems, and biological parents whose rights haven't been terminated, are more than nonpartisan, they are considered guardians who have to look out for the best interest of the youth under their charge.   If something happens to the youth under their care they are held legally liable.