In response to Blair R. (Dec. 10 Backtalk): Your letter said that people pay more attention to Christmas than Hanukkah. That may be true, but it depends on what you mean by Christmas.
Many people think that Christmas is just Santa Claus and getting presents. I don`t think I`ve ever seen a store window with a manger scene in it.
When I have seen Hanukkah decorations in store windows they are almost always menorahs.
It probably seems like Christmas is paid more attention because it has been commercialized. I am a Christian, and I know that the meaning of Christmas is the celebration of the birth of Christ, but a lot of store owners see it as a time to get a big profit.
I don`t mean to say that Christmas should be boring and you shouldn`t give or get presents. I just mean that it`s not all Santa and presents.
Sarah W., 11 Lincolnshire
Too young to vote
Responding to Dana C. and Ashley H. (Dec. 9 Backtalk): How can you say you know enough about voting to be able to appoint the president?
There is a reason for the voting age being 18. Historically the states limited voting to people who were 21 years old, the legal age of adulthood in most states.
But some younger people were required to fight for their country when we went to war. Many people thought it was unfair to fight and then deny them the right to vote. Congress tried to solve this inequity by passing a law that gave 18-year-olds the right to vote.
I`m not sure exactly how much you know already to be ready to vote, but just because you are impatient does not give you that power.
Margie H., 15 Park Ridge
To Dana C. and Ashley H.: As if! What makes you know so much about politics?
In 6th grade, we also study the election, but does that make us fit to vote in the actual election? No way! Besides, many of the major issues won`t affect us until we`re 18 anyway.
If people could vote when they`re “ready,” then anybody could register to vote, even if they don`t know a thing about the election. I think 18 is a very fair age to vote.
Stephanie M., 11 Hanover Park
I think 18 is a fine age to be able to vote. It is the age when you can get drafted into the military. If you really want to vote, go with your parents to the voting booths or encourage your school to held a mock election.
Don`t get ahead of yourselves.
Katie L., 13 Winnetka
We think kids should be able to vote. But there is one problem: There is more to voting than you think.
You have to pay taxes, and if you think that you have enough to pay tons of money a year, we think that you should be able to vote. The responsibilities that come with voting are so big that we think only certain kids who are ready to take this debate in a reasonable and educated way should be able to vote.
Every vote counts. That is another reason why kids of our age might have a difficulty in voting. We can`t choose just anyone, we having to choose someone who we have heard and understood their views, and truly think they will be a wise president for our country.
Ali O., 12 Claire O., 10 Naperville
Little kids shouldn`t run the country. I don`t think 9- and 10-year-olds should be running the country. Being 18 is the best age for voting.
Once you vote, you are signed up for jury duty, and kids don`t listen as adults do. You need to know about the deficit, Medicare and welfare. Nine- and 10-year-olds would be like “I`ve never heard of these guys before! I`ll just put this guy down because his name sounds the coolest.”
Chris R., 12 Round Lake
Ax ads
I am responding to Ann S. (Dec. 10 Backtalk). You`re right. There are too many advertisements and commercials in the newspapers and on TV. Us kids want read more stories, not advertisements. We want to watch more of our shows, not commercials. I agree with you, Ann, we don`t want to sit through long, boring commercials.
Julie R., 13 Alsip
I agree with Ann S. There are too many ads out there. Every time you turn around, there`s an ad in your face, and I think it needs to stop.
Ann, you and I are both fed up.
Cherie S., 13 Rockford
I have a piece of information that I think every TV watcher should know. I used to watch TV a lot, until I found out how much of the program, apart from the commercials, I was watching. Eleven minutes was devoted to the sick advertising world and 19 minutes to the program. I spent more than one-third of my time watching junk!
This makes me outraged and humiliated to be pulled into the trashy world of advertising.
Eleanor F., 11 Chicago
Women rule
In response to Elizabeth M. (Dec. 10 Backtalk): I think you are completely wrong. You seem to be saying “women stink.” You`re criticizing yourself.
Women should have every right that men do. And after all the history of girls wearing dresses all the time and having to stay home with the kids, what do you think we are? Disabled or something? No, you take a minute and think about what you said. Get it into reality, girl!
Allison L., 10 Wilmette
I don`t agree with the last comment Elizabeth made: “What is the point of stirring up an already fine society?” If your society was so fine, then why is there such an argument between the two sexes?
Females have been considered the weaker sex for centuries, and nothing was done about it until the women`s movement. But the movement didn`t solve everything. Nothing ever solves everything!
So, even though our society isn`t fine or perfect, we must learn to cope with it, survive and step through life with confidence, self-esteem and hope. Hope that one day the battle of the sexes will finally end, and people all over the world will live in peace.
Deanna D., 14 Midlothian
Off to the rodeo
I am responding to Jesus E. (Dec. 10 Backtalk). First off, in rodeos, horses, calves and other animals don`t get hurt.
In all the years my father and I have worked in rodeos, there has only been one incident where a horse was hurt, and that was when the horse choked on hay he had eaten before he went on.
The rope does not choke the horse.
My father does rodeo, and I do barrel racing. I know enough about rodeos and horses not to worry about the animals.
Vivian S., 11 Chicago
Chill, Dennis
I think Dennis Rodman should chill out. He has got to control his inner anger. If he doesn`t, he will cost the Bulls more! That could change the Bulls opinions about Dennis.
George J. Palos Heights
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