Dear Editor:
On Feb. 24, the 2nd Annual SAG Awards were held. Most of the choices made were agreeable, but I was upset at their choice for best actor in a dramatic movie (Nicholas Cage). I understand that the actor who received the award was equally talented, but I feel that Kevin Bacon’s excellent portrayal of Henry Young in “Murder in the First” went unrecognized.
Kevin (that’s his mug below) is one of the best actors around. His extraordinary acting in this movie truly helped me see how horrible life at Alcatraz was. This movie touched me in a way that no other movie could.
Erica P., 15 Chicago
All choked up
I agree with Mike M. (Feb. 20 Backtalk) because my parents smoke and they spend a lot of money on cigarettes. People that smoke don’t just hurt their lungs, they also hurt other people’s lungs. I always hide the cigarettes from them, but they tell me to give them back or they’ll ground me. Sometimes I try talking to them, but they tell me to wait or they’re too busy to talk.
I think people who smoke should quit because their kids or brothers or sisters think they are their role model, so if they keep on smoking, their kids or brothers or sisters are going to smoke also because they look up to you.
Nataly S., 11 Melrose Park
Anvils, anyone?
I agree that it would be cool to be a cartoon, but I wouldn’t be any looney toon from the show “Looney Tunes” (Feb. 27 Features). I would be somebody from “X-Men” or “Mr. Bumpy.” X-Men are mutants and they heal fast, and on “Mr. Bumpy,” you can be flattened and not be seriously hurt.
Gino S., 10 Crete
Breathtaking!
I am writing in response to “She smells money in people’s stinky breath” (Feb. 27 Cover). I think it is pretty cool she can smell people’s breath without fainting. That is pretty amazing!
Jennie M., 12 Palos Heights
(Editor’s note: We loved that story! But look a little closer: She has equipment to do the “smelling” for her; otherwise, the job would probably be a little too up close and personal!)
Chip chat
I’m responding to the olestra article (Feb. 27 Tough News). Nasty!!! Why would you eat a potato chip that would make you sick? I mean, it may have no fat or sugar, but I would rather eat a few regular potato chips a day and not have to worry about being sick.
Leigh I., 10 Crete
I’m writing in regard to your article “Does olestra have a fat chance?” It was disgusting and very immature! I think you went a little too far.
Amanda Y., 10 Elk Grove Village
I don’t think you should put it (olestra) in the Pringles because if your mother is pregnant the baby might get hurt really bad. A person might get cramps. If one of the kids got hold of it, they could get sick.
Krista G., 10 Des Plaines
Clubs for gays
Gays have every right to clubs as straight people (Feb.27 Tough News). You (a Utah school board) would rather deprive everyone of non-academic clubs than let them have a club where they might be able to talk and share problems. I think you are prejudiced.
Sarah F., 12 Palos Heights
Defending Snoop
I think rap star Snoop Doggy Dogg (Feb. 27 Backtalk) is innocent because he was just defending himself. He didn’t kill anybody and he didn’t offend anybody.
Serina Z., 13 Orland Park
Respect for Kurt
On Feb. 27, you had an article on the 2nd Annual Kiddies Awards. On the best-dressed, you said that Kurt Cobain got votes. Then you wrote, “Hate to see what he’s wearing these days.”
What did you mean by that? You might not have meant for it to be cruel, but I thought it was. Kurt Cobain is dead. I’d really appreciate it if you would respect him. This guy had a lot of fans, which I’m sure wouldn’t like him being disrespected. He also had a wife who wouldn’t like it. You may not have liked him, like my friends, but they think that living people should respect the dead and so do I. I hope that you do too.
Natalie P., 13 Chicago
Call my agent
Last time in the kids voting section under the best hair and best clothes section, some kids voted for themselves. If you did, you’re a little out of it. If you think you’re so great, why aren’t you starring in a movie?
Nick M., 11 Crystal Lake
Brave heart
I’m writing about the article “The sky’s the limit” (Feb. 27 Cover). I think that Katrina had to be pretty smart to know how to go so fast. She also has to have guts to go up so high. (I’d never do that.) This is something I’ll always remember, especially when I’m 13.
Nicole R., 10 Crete
Clear the roads!
My brother has a birthday on Feb. 29. He is going to be 16 but (is) really 4. Say what? Yeah, that is right. He will be 4 when he gets his driver’s license! Watch out, America. Here he comes!
Liza D., 13 Palos Heights
Good eating
I am writing about the Stuff articles that appeared in the Feb. 27 issue of KidNews.
The first article I will talk about is the Nestle Quik cookies `n cream. I agree with you and would give this product a C. If you mix it in milk, it would be like eating mushy cookies. You would need a spoon to eat it. I’m sure it would taste much better on top of ice cream or yogurt. I absolutely agree with what you say about the Hershey’s Cookies `n’ Creme! It looks like a big inside-out Oreo!! So I would give this product an A+.
(On the) cookies `n’ cream popcorn, I may never eat this in my whole life! This is the most disgusting food I ever saw! I would give this product a D.
Michael C., 10 Crete
Hold the foam
I would like to go against something that was said in the Feb. 27 Backtalk. Mallory B., 10, from Oak Lawn, here’s what I have to say: As if!
People can still get get hurt by playing dodge ball. Not all people use foam balls. I mean we use kick balls and tennis balls, but foam balls… AS IF! You’re not playing dodge ball if you use a foam ball because you can’t feel it hit you. Even in gym class we use kick balls.
Nora H., 12 Glen Ellyn
Mallory B., who are you to talk about waking up? Many schools play dodge ball with a rubber ball. My old school did.
This is kind of a dumb subject, but you’ve really got to learn not everyone is as “perfect” as you are.
Monica N., 12 Naperville
Wearing thin
I am writing in response to Susie T. who wrote (Feb. 27 Backtalk): “It is cheaper to buy uniforms and, for shy kids, it is easier because then they don’t have to worry about what they’re going to wear.”
I am shy and I know how to dress!!! I don’t have to worry about what I am going to wear. Just because people are shy doesn’t mean they don’t know how to dress and have to worry about it. I am shy and some of my friends are, too, and we dress sharp.
I am not going to take this junk from you. Get your facts straight.
N.S., 14 Chicago
I would like to comment about uni-dressing (Feb.27 Back-talk). In my opinion, public schools shouldn’t have uniforms; maybe a dress code, though.
In my school, we have to wear uniforms, but I’d much rather be in particular colors than clothes!
Lisa S., 12 Palos Heights
In response to uni-dressing, I go to a school that has uniforms and I don’t really mind it. I don’t have to worry about what to wear in the morning. Also, no one makes fun of each other because everyone is wearing the same thing.
Tricia H., 13 Palos Heights
Tune out
In response to the two who wrote in regarding television programs (Feb. 20 Backtalk): I wholeheartedly agree with the one (Elisa S.) who said that TV should be shut off!!! There is just about nothing worth-while on in the evening, and one would be much better off studying or reading, or possibly learning something from a computer. TV, I think, warps the brain and makes one impervious to the world around him or her.
Bridget S., 14 Lake Bluff
Animal testing
When people complain about animals being tested and injected with the AIDS virus, one main complaint they have is we don’t do this to humans. If they want animals treated like humans, the animals should have to do the things that humans do. They should pay taxes just like us. If we continue testing on animals, it could not only help us cure human disease but also animal killers.
Casey W. Hinsdale
I am writing in response to Sarah G. (Feb. 20 Backtalk). Picture this: You’re a scientist who is working on a cure for a new, fatal virus that affects a certain kind of really smart bird. This bird is extremely common and inhabits nearly every ecosystem on Earth. There are billions of this bird, and the disease only affects some thousands of them.
Now, say that to cure this disease, you could test another bird species. This bird isn’t as intelligent, but it’s endangered. You wouldn’t do the testing, would you?
Now, in the real world, this is a primate disease, not a bird disease, HIV, and we’re testing on endangered chimpanzees. Sarah said that it was about saving people’s lives, but just because we’re smarter, does that make our lives that much more important than theirs?
Leah G.,15 Warrenville
I like animals a lot. In fact, I have two dogs. I just don’t understand how people can kill animals just for someone’s health. People should find something else to cure people’s health. I just do not think it is fair for an animal. The amount of animals being killed is a major thing.
From my own opinion, I think animals are more important than people’s health.
Danielle S., 11 Crete
First them, then us
I am responding to the letter about the endangered bear (Feb. 27 Back-talk). I totally agree that we should do something. If bears are becoming extinct, we will be extinct. People should stop hunting brown bears and stop littering.
Melissa G., 10 Crete
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Write letters or send editorial cartoons to Backtalk, Room 567, 435 N. Michigan Ave., Chicago 60611. We won’t use your last name, but you must include your full name, age and phone number (we may call to make sure you wrote it). You can also contribute by computer (screen name KidNews) if you subscribe to Chicago Online. Call 1-800-922-0808. P.S. If you are hooked up online, don’t forget our KidNews Chat every Wednesday from 4 to 5 p.m. on the Windy City Chat board.
