If I am ever interviewing for a job where I will be dismissed out of hand simply for having a tattoo, I don't want to work there. Good leaders don't become leaders by passing judgment on people solely based on the decisions or mistakes they've made in the past. They (should) become leaders by being able to evaluate how a person overcomes their mistakes and what they learn from them.
That being said, I agree that a large amount of forethought, a pause, and then more consideration should precede any kind of permanent expression such as tattoos and piercings. Most kids don't think that far ahead (I rarely did, did you?). That's why why parents and elders are supposed to be raising kids with discipline and knowledge (which rarely happens). Wanna know why people have goofy tattoos? Look at their parents first. Past that...well, people do irrational things, that doesn't make them bad people.
FF