Is it right for a judge to inject her political beliefs about war to prevent a 17 year old from becoming a Marine? That’s just what happened when LA Superior Court Commissioner Marilyn Mackel told 17 year old Shawn Sage and his recruiter Guillermo Medrano informing them she didn’t approve of the Iraq war, didn’t trust recruiters and didn’t support the military.
According to Medrano…
“The judge said she didn’t support the Iraq war for any reason why we’re over there.
“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.
“Foster children shouldn’t be denied (an) ability to enlist in the service just because they’re foster kids. Foster kids shouldn’t have to go to court to gain approval to serve one’s country.” SOURCE
Fact is that Sage is a foster child with little to no ability to attend college. What is he to do after high school? He has chosen to join the military but this judge won’t let him because of her beliefs. The question: Is this right? My answer is: NO, of course it isn’t right.
All is not lost for young Sage. It seems that he won a “Write a Bill Challenge” and Assemblyman Cameron Smyth introduced a bill (AB2238) last month that would allow foster teens 17 and older to enlist in the armed services with the consent of a foster parent or social worker. This would bypass the current procedure to consult a judge for permission. Sage would then be permitted to join the United States Marine Corps in the delayed entry program.
Democracy at work my friends. Don’t like a law, change it. With the approval of AB2238, Sage will be able to realize his aspirations of becoming a Marine Sniper.
“Here is one impressive young man who somehow made it through the challenge of the foster system, had a clear sense of a career path and was denied that opportunity by a judge basically because of her personal bias,” said Smyth, R-Santa Clarita.
“I find that to be a horrific abuse of her power.”
The enlistment bonus that Sage would qualify for is $10,000 which would go a long way to paying for college if he plays his cards right. Who is this judge to say that he can’t serve his country and earn money to get an education? I bet she’s a member of Code Pink in which case she should be removed from the bench for abusing her power.
My hat goes off to Sage and Smyth. Sage for wanting to defend his country and make something of himself. For overcoming the barriers presented by being in the foster care system. And to Smyth for doing the right thing and introducing this bill.
One consolation for Sage, soon he will be 18 and then the judge will have not word one to say he can’t become a Marine.
I’d also like to thank Sgt. Guillermo Medrano for his service as well. Civilians might not know this but recruiters are selected from the active duty ranks. Sgt. Medrano is doing what his country has asked of him whether this judge believes he lies or not.
I hope Sage on his first leave following Marine Recruit training would go to this judge and show her what a waste of human flesh she really is.
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When I first considered the Armed Forces at the age of 17, all you needed was permission from Mom, Dad or a Legal Guardian. This was during the last stages of the draft in 1972. I was 17 when I graduated. Had I decided to go immediately after High School, It would have been easy. I waited 15 months before I left, I had to “experience” the real world. Yeah, Right!
By then I was 18 days past my nineteenth birthday. I turned 18 in the fall of 72. Yes, boys and girls, I had a lottery number.
So, we have a judge who thinks and acts for the individual. Where I grew up, there may have been a vigilance committee to handle such things. Today, we are a bit more “civilized?”. But a recall/CA Assembly investigation would be good. As for the proposed legislation, I hope it goes through to Arnold. I am unsure of how CA law works.
GM Cassel,
Your comment does not conform to the Comment Policy however I am letting it stand because of the practical experience in this area that you relate.
I too only needed a parent’s permission to join the military at the age of 17. What I can’t figure out about this is, a foster parent has so much authority in other ways in making decisions for the foster child. Why not allow them to make this decision with the teen. A teen who may not have any other avenues to escape the streets other than the military. This could be his key for a life away from the dependency society. This judge obviously does not care.
We must pray that Almighty GOD allows this bill to pass and Gov. Ahhhhnald signs it into law.