A California judge rejected a foster teen's request for early enlistment with the Marine Corps — and a $10,000 signing bonus — reportedly on the grounds that the judge didn't approve of the Iraq war.

Los Angeles Superior Court Commissioner Marilyn Mackel denied 17-year-old Shawn Sage's request to join the military last October, according to a report in the Los Angeles Daily News.

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

"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, a Simi Valley, Calif., resident, begged the anti-war judge for permission to join, according to the Daily News.

"Foster children shouldn't be denied [an] ability to enlist in the service just because they're foster kids," Sage told the paper. "Foster kids shouldn't have to go to court to gain approval to serve one's country."

Sage plans to join the Marines when he turns 18 in June and his case has prompted a Republican lawmaker to introduce a bill that would allow foster teens to enlist in the military without the express permission of a judge.



Judges Like This and Doctors Who Don't Perform Certain Procedures Because of their Beliefs Need to be Fired IMO!

well he just have to wait until he's 18..no 10k bonus then thou...;) I wonder if he's going to change his mind.

if you read the story the judge denied it because of his age. No judge can deny based on his/her own ideas. They apply the law.. that's why they are judges?

DUH?

judges yes

doctors no

judge is govt official and should follow law

doctor is private citizen and has the right to follow their convictions

Not All Doctors Are Private! those who Work for Universities are State Employees!

even so

you can choose a doctor

you have no choice in what judge you get

well ask b4 the appt

then if no

NEXT

Nope they need to be Fired. You know that as a doctor you'll be asked to do things that you may not agree with for whatever reason. for that the "doctor" should find other employment.

it's because of the fact that he is a foster Teen that he needs a judge to give him the OK! "his case has prompted a Republican lawmaker to introduce a bill that would allow foster teens to enlist in the military without the express permission of a judge". apparently you didn't read the whole thing.

Oh!
I thought that your spin was that the judge didn't let him enlist because he didn't approve the war? So he did actually apply the law? then where's the scoop?

using that logic if a police officer refuses to look the other way

he should be fired as well

why are so many willing to infringe on the rights of others

right to and the pursuit of happiness (decleration of independence -- maybe you heard of it)

if it is a procedure or act of any kind that puts the doctor in a moral dilemma he/she has the right to say no

as it would weigh on their conscience and take away their happiness

I disagree with you! when you decide to become a Doctor you know that there will be Procedures that will be asked of you, if you don't agree with that then find another area of interest where your beliefs won't be compromised.

you don't get it! Because he is a foster teen, FOSTER TEEN, FOSTER TEEN, FOSTER TEEN, FOSTER TEEN he needs a judges approval. you don't need to be 18 to sign a deffered enlistment. I think thats what they are called, you can do that at 17 with a parent or legal guardians signature. but because he is a FOSTER TEEN the court don't recognize foster parents as legal guardians . therefore he needs the judges approval.

I thought that your spin was that the judge didn't let him enlist because he didn't approve the war? So he did actually apply the law?

it's not spin! go to Fox news and you can read the whole story, this is what they had showing you can click a link that will take you to the rest of the story. she denied him because she doesn't agree with the war. so therefore she didn't make a decision based on the law, but rather her personal feelings.