In response to “Beaten boy takes steps” (April 15 Tough News): I don’t think it was right for anyone to get beaten up like Lenard Clark did. I hope those kids who did it feel really bad about what they did, and I think they should get punished because it was not right for him to go through that kind of pain. I hope Lenard gets better.
Scott H., 13 Bloomingdale
What a blast
I’m responding to the article about the game “Blast Corps” (April 15 Playing Around). I agree that the game is good, but I never got the idea Tonka Trucks are involved. I think the little green guy that gets out is impossible to handle, and using the joystick doesn’t make it any easier.
Chris H., 13
Are IDs an ideal or idiotic idea?
Your article “Let’s see some ID” (April 15 Tough News) is a great one. I agree that students should wear their ID, but not on a chain. They should wear IDs on a pin that you can attach to your shirt. I bet it feels like you are a chained animal and the superintendent is the poacher. But he/she has a great idea, so we can have a tight security system.
Nick W., 13 Carol Stream
I’m responding to the article about the ID thing. I think that people should wear their IDs on them so that people can’t get into fights and so the people and teachers can get to know each other.
John V., 14 Bloomingdale
We’re not in prison! What are schools going to do? Start fingerprinting us? Or maybe they prefer handcuffs! Schools need to give us some space. They control what we learn, but not our clothes, styles or preferences! They are way too close to crossing the line. Kids need to start sticking up for themselves.
Ashley P., 13 Carol Stream
I absolutely do not agree with the fact that students should wear their school IDs around their necks, because it doesn’t look nice. Most students don’t like the way they look in the pictures, because they look awful. And plus, why would teachers want to know what their names are anyway?
Prexa P., 13 Carol Stream
What’s the point? If a teacher needs to see your identification, all they need to do is ask for it. In my school they just ask. I would hate to wear an ID around my neck. I would feel so stupid. I’m sure most teachers don’t even bother looking at their IDs.
Kelly S., 12 Carol Stream
Belle watch
I’m responding to the article about Albert Belle (April 15 Cover): I think that Belle should be hitting .500 and have five homers. He’s barely helping out the team. Maybe he needs to cork his bat again, or maybe he has to start acting bad to other players and reporters again. If he doesn’t start hitting, he’s not worth it.
Kerry D., 13
I don’t think Albert Belle is worth the $55 million the Sox are paying him. I’m not saying he isn’t a valuable addition to the team, but he isn’t playing like he’s worth it. They should cut it to about $45 million. If he stepped up his game, then he’d be worth it. I don’t agree with a lot of high salaries, but especially this!
Brad H., 13 Hanover Park
I think Albert Belle should get paid that much money. He left the Indians just to go to the White Sox and make them better so they can go to the World Series. The Sox were meant to go to the World Series.
The World Series starts with WS and so does the White Sox. I think the Sox are going to do much better now that they have Albert Belle and Frank Thomas.
He went there so he could help out big Frank. Frank Thomas is not doing well right now. He’ll get better if he practices, but he still is as good as Belle.
I think Belle has little effect on the team.
Fabio R., 13 Carol Stream
Drop the ball
I don’t think girls should play basketball because they are not built for a sport like that. I am not a sexist, but I just think that girls should leave basketball to the men.
Green M., 13 Richton Park
No ozone fears
I wrote to talk about the ozone layer. You don’t have to worry about it. God is not going to make something and have it harmed by your hair spray and whatever else they say is harming it.
Think about this, will you? God made the ozone layer to last forever, until he decides to destroy it, OK? Well, I’m sure the ozone layer has gone through much worse things than hair spray!
God made the ozone layer to last. I’m positive that he did not make an ozone layer, which is to protect us, to fall apart because of our man-made things. He’s bigger than that!
So don’t worry about the ozone layer, OK? We are not going to burn up from global warming. There’s no such thing. It’s all a hoax!
Amanda L., 15 Milwaukee
Spiced up
Many people don’t like the Spice Girls (April 8 Word Up). I don’t know them personally, but I think all they are trying to do is make good music. They are having fun and want to express it. Their music is different, and maybe that’s why some people don’t appreciate their talent. I think KidNews should interview them and get the inside scoop. People still may have opinions about them, but at least they won’t be stereotyped because of what they wear.
Kim J., 14 Matteson
Rating the ratings
I’d like to give my opinion about the new TV rating boxes. I feel that the ratings have no effect on me or my parents. In fact, I hardly ever even notice them. I don’t even think these ratings should be on the TV. If parents are concerned they should deal with it themselves.
Joe V., 12 Bloomingdale
Mall, mall world
In response to the Mall of America article (April 8 Cover): That was amazing to hear how many things they have in the mall. Although I don’t think they would be able to fit 32 747 airplanes or seven Yankee Stadiums. I couldn’t believe that! But it would be cool to see.
Candy V., 13 Carol Stream
I myself am a mall rat. I have been to MOA, Mall of America, and you are right. It is a pain in the butt to move from store to store. I plan where to go and make my way, instead of going back and forth.
I really think that this mall is great because they have really great security. The good thing about that is that you and your family can split up and then meet again at a certain time.
Trisha C., 13 Carol Stream
PrinciPal
I’m writing in response to “Principal is my pal” (April 15 Tough News): Most principals are there to be your friend but get the wrong reputation because they’re trying to teach you discipline. It would be fun to be able to change the school rules, but they’re normally for your own benefit.
But I think Jack was a pretty lucky guy to be able to be on all of his classmates’ good side.
Alicia N., 12 Carol Stream
———-
Write letters or send editorial cartoons to Backtalk, 4th Floor, 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 send us letters by e-mail (screen name KidNews @aol.com).




