We are writing in response to the article “Trouble Brews” (Sept. 3 Features). If you guys were really “Friends” fans, you wouldn’t want to change the show so much.
We can’t believe you made fun of Courtney Cox’s weight. That was just as bad as making fun of an overweight person. What kind of example are you guys setting?
Secondly, Matt LeBlanc’s movies have absolutely nothing to do with the show. Also, Phoebe’s singing is not meant to be taken so seriously. If you really think the show is so bad, don’t watch it.
Alison Y., 13 Lauren S., 13 Chicago
Picture this
Your article about cliques (Aug. 20 Labels) is great. The pictures, however, I just don’t get. I mean, just because a person has glasses, braces and wants people to know that he/she can make milk come out of his or her nose, does that make them a nerd? I don’t think so. Also, just because a person has manners, does that make them a goody-two-shoes?
Kaitlin F., 8 Arlington Heights
I thought your article on cliques was really interesting, but I didn’t like the pictures around it. For a nerd you showed a kid with glasses and braces. I wear braces and I’m not a nerd. Many kids in my class at school wear glasses or braces or both. We can’t help that our teeth are not straight or we don’t have perfect eyesight. Kids should not be judged by whether they wear braces or glasses. It’s how they act or treat other people that counts.
Caroline R., 12 Rockford
Skin deep
In response to Maggie C. (Aug. 27 Backtalk): No one is saying that all popular people are jerks. But a lot of popular people are. I’m not popular at all, I’m what some people would call a geek, but us geeks have feelings too. Some people think they’re all that because they look good or are good at sports.
If someone is not popular, that means that they will most likely be nice because there aren’t any people for them to make fun of.
Geeks: You are just as good as popular people, just a different things.
Michael S., 13 Chicago
Unconventional
I was appalled by the “Attention!!! It’s the convention” article (Aug. 27 Cover). You made it seem like there is something wrong with the convention. You also implied that they ruined the United Center. I doubt you even know how much work the people behind the scenes do! My father spent hours and hours of work to help with the convention. You need to do more research.
Bridget L., 11 Chicago
Breaking point
In response to Danielle P. and Cheryl T. (Aug. 13 Backtalk): Yes, that Nike commercial “showing athletes at their breaking points” is graphic. But what do you think it is like for Olympic athletes? They work their entire lives to get there and they endure much more than blood, sweat, vomit, spit and tears. Showing the athletes’ hardships on TV shouldn’t discourage you from watching or playing sports. If your stomach is too weak to handle watching athletes fall from glory, then you obviously weren’t made to seriously participate in sports.
Joanna W., 15 Chicago
Nice words
To Juell S. (July 30 Backtalk), who said that KidNews doesn’t talk realistically: There is one concept that you and your classmates don’t seem to understand. This is known as slang. Slang isn’t always realistic – it’s not supposed to be.
KidNews doesn’t need to ask a group of kids to give ’em ideas. So quit rippin’ on KidNews. They’re doing a 100 percent job with the hard task of keeping up with the ’90s slang.
Stacy A., 13 Cary
In response to Courtney S. (Aug. 20 Backtalk): “Hockalugies” is not a bad word! It’s just honestly describing the Eskimo Pies. One of the good things about KidNews is that they use words that normal kids understand.
Sarah M., 12 Kelly S., 12 Chicago
A few inappropriate words never hurt anybody. Anyway, people say them all the time, so what’s the matter with publishing them? If KidNews didn’t have any slang or weird words, that would take all the fun out of it. KidNews is written from a kid’s point of view, and most kids think like that, right? (The Eskimo Pie swirl bars do look like hockalugies anyway.) KidNews is great! Appropriate is just a matter of opinion.
Alex T., 9 Glen Ellyn
Every Tuesday I look forward to all the cool news and opinions that kids talk and write about. I think Backtalk is really cool, and I wish that there could be more room for kids’ opinions and things kids care about.
Malina C., 11 Evanston
What do you believe?
In response to Supi T. (Aug. 6 Backtalk) and Brian S. (Aug. 20 Back-talk): I encourage you to open a Bible and read John 3:16. Give God a try. He loves you. My family and I are praying for you.
Lindsey K. Lockport
To everyone who has written in about religion: Cool it!
Everybody believes their own stuff. It’s a matter of pure opinion – evolution or God. You choose, it’s your life. But to Nate B. (Aug. 13 Backtalk), expand your horizons, listen to what people say, and don’t force your religion on other people.
Cheryl R., 11 Libertyville
Dreams of gold
In response to Eileen D. (Aug. 20 Backtalk): If only college players were on the Dream Team, it would disappoint a whole lot of other athletes. And if college players played, they would only play once! And, a lot of sport fans would like to see players from different teams play together. And if you want the U.S. to lose, you’re not very patriotic. So if a college player goes to the NBA and is outstanding, he would have more chances to play for the Dream Team. And if you think the NBA players have one goal, to get the ring, what do you think the NCAA is for, huh?
Steven H., 9 Chicago
All countries should send their best players to the games, even the U.S. Who cares whether they blow out a team or whether it’s close? They should still send their best athletes. In Eileen’s opinion of the games, Michael Johnson shouldn’t run because he’s too fast.
Ben H., 12 Naperville
Food for thought
About this Arch Deluxe business, what McDonald’s is trying to say with the commercials is that the Arch Deluxe is geared toward adults. Even though anyone, anywhere can order an Arch Deluxe, it takes a certain acquired taste to like an Arch Deluxe, and most adults like it better.
Alexandra K., 14 Sacramento, Calif.
TIME IS RUNNING OUT!
Fill out and send this to us by Sept. 20:
Pullleeeze, visit! Here’s why my school rules:
Name —————————————–
Age: —————————————–
Home phone: ———————————-
Address: ————————————-
School: ————————————–
– Look alive, readers: You have 10 days to get your entry to KidNews telling us why your school rules and we should visit. Use the form above if you tossed the earlier one. Remember the drill? We’ll pick one entry, call you to get your teacher’s name, then call your teacher and arrange a visit. Plus, we’ll send “Rugrat” Ts to 20 kids.
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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.
