In response to Pam F. (May 27 Backtalk), I think the Spice Girls get way too much attention and money for their simple and annoying lyrics. Like KidNews even wrote (May 27 Cover), “I wanna I wanna I wanna I wanna I wanna really really really wanna zigazig-ha” are their weird lyrics. What kind of song is that if you repeat those same words almost the whole time?
People at my school also love the Spice Girls, but why should they get soooo much attention?
In response to Jennifer B., you’re right: There’s nothing wrong with their clothes. And maybe the Spice Girls are trying to be different.
My prediction is that they won’t be around for long; just like other pathetic singers.
— Holly J., 13, Northbrook
Sugar and spice
I’m sorry, but I think Spice Girls really stink. Their music is terrible, and they dress like huge sluts. And they act like 2-year-olds! I don’t think they should have their own TV shows or movies. That’s just going too far on this Spice Girls garbage.
They’re terrible role models too.
— Kaitlin K., Rolling Meadows
OK! Enough with the Spice Girls! They are so like five months ago! How long can a couple of songs be popular? I’m not saying that their tunes totally stink (cuz they don’t, they’re just not the best). Also, I give them credit for getting so well-known so fast and being great role models and so encouraging to all girls who tend to get down on themselves. But still they are a little overrated.
— Jenny O., Lake Zurich
Don’t follow me
I am tired of always being followed by security guards whenever I go to the mall, department stores or even the grocery store. I understand that a lot of teenagers are No. 1 in shoplifting over the past couple years. I still think it is totally unfair.
I’m a straight -A student and I’ve never stolen one piece of merchandise in my whole life.
I’ve been brought up from a wonderful family that has taught me right from wrong. I hope people can just keep an eyeball on you and learn to trust you.
I thought we were free, that’s what our Declaration of Independence says, doesn’t it?
— Tony S., 13, Carol Stream
I think that security guards are too pushy. I’ve been kicked out of the mall many times for no reason. They kicked me out of a store made for teenagers because I didn’t have a parent with me.
Once, my friend and I were returning a pair of his jeans, and a security guard pushed him against the wall and searched him. He did that because my friend didn’t have his jeans in a bag. They thought he was stealing them. They felt pretty silly when he pulled the receipt out.
They apologized and gave him a $25 gift certificate to the mall.
Like I said, they are way too pushy.
— Jay G., 13, Bloomingdale
Berating ratings
Are TV ratings good or bad? Well, I believe that TV ratings are a waste of time. First, I believe that a rating doesn’t stop many people, especially us kids, from watching a certain program. Second, it is a waste of time to rate a program because many disregard or don’t even take the time to look and see what a program is rated.
Also, many people will go and watch a program not caring what rating it has.
Third, some may tell kids not to watch a certain show, but I can tell you that the kids won’t listen. Instead, they’ll find a way to watch that show without listening to their elders.
So, I think TV people are wasting their time going and rating their show when no one will even bother to look at its rating.
— Sarah W., 12, Carol Stream
Sour note
I don’t think music should be a school subject. It doesn’t teach us anything, and it’s boring. It doesn’t teach us anything we will need in the real world. To get into a good college, they are not going to ask you what Beethoven’s first name is or how many symphonies he composed. On a job application they won’t ask what music period Mozart was composing in.
— Greg O., 13, Carol Stream
Uniform opinion
I think kids should wear uniforms to school. This would prevent a lot of fights in the hallways and segregation among students. It also helps the parents with the cost of clothes.
Wearing uniforms has been proven to help the students’ learning capability and helps with the students who are less fortunate and do not have money for designer clothes.
Erin B., 13, Hanover Park
I think it would be OK to have uniforms for school. It’s not the worst thing in the world. We had uniforms in my old school, and they were pretty comfortable.
Also, wearing the school colors gets you into a little school spirit.
Harpreet G., 13, Hanover Park
Sound off
I am writing in response to Carmen G. (May 20 Backtalk). You are probably the most negative person on the face of this Earth. Your letter was ridiculous. Brooke is the best DJ on Q101! And if you want to compare the DJs on Q101 to WXRT, I think I speak for everyone when I say WXRT’s DJs are B-O-R-I-N-G!
You also claim she played the wrong songs. What? The wrong songs? How could a song be wrong? You may not like the song, but it’s not wrong. The whole station doesn’t revolve around you.
Actually I’ve been to the Q101 studios, and the person showing me around said about 70 percent of the music they play is determined by the listeners. In other words, people make requests. So if you really want to hear the “right” song, give them a buzz.
Oh, and, Carmen, all DJs talk over songs.
Brooke rules.
— Graham G., 12, Evanston
Clean up
I think everyone in this world has to clean up their act. We have to stop polluting before we destroy the only Earth we have. People need to cut back on the garbage they throw out. It’s really simple, but a lot of people are too lazy to even try. Putting an aluminum can in a recycling bin doesn’t take a lot of effort. Right? Well then, how come no one does it?
People who have excuses like “one or two pieces of garbage won’t do anything” are definitely wrong. If everyone said that, then that would amount to a lot of garbage where it isn’t supposed to be.
Also, I think people could definitely cut back on the electricity they use to make our energy sources last longer. People should turn off the lights when they’re out of the room or shut off the television when they don’t want to watch it anymore.
What about using less water? People should try to take 10- to 15-minute showers. Our freshwater sources are limited.
I hope people will try harder to make our world a clean and beautiful place. Because if we don’t, who will?
— Carly D., 12, Carol Stream
Battle of the bands
I’m writing about the Verve Pipe. You compared the Verve Pipe to Pearl Jam and Live (May 13 Features).
The Verve Pipe don’t sound anything like Pearl Jam or Live. Just listen to “Even Flow” and Live’s “Lakini’s Juice.” You can’t compare that to the Verve Pipe’s music.
You can compare Pearl Jam to Led Zeppelin and Live to U2 and the Verve Pipe to the Clash.
I don’t know if they are one-hit wonders. I totally think “The Freshmen” is worthless.
— Carmen G., 13, Chicago
I can’t believe that any one could say that Bush stinks and Metallica is good! Come on, have you ever listened to that stuff? Gavin and Nigel are great guitarists. Not to mention that Gavin has a great voice, unlike the lead singer of Metallica.
Plus, whose songs do you hear on the radio more, Bush’s or Metallica’s? Bush isn’t a new band either, they have been around a while and it’s not like this is their first time touching a guitar either. Nigel got his first guitar when he was about 12 from his older brother.
I think that David W. (May 27 Backtalk) needsa reality check.
— Megan D., 13, America Online
I agree with David W. about how some bands don’t really have talentin playing guitars and things like that. But one reason that people enjoy music so much is because it sounds good. I don’t really think about how hard it is to play a song, it’s just the way the song sounds that matters to me.
But I wish that some artists and bands would actually put real meanings into their songs; they don’t always do that. Songs wouldbe a lot better if they were about things.
— Sarah J., 13, Munster
Hey, David W., rock on! I also listen to bands such as Metallica, Pantera and Slayer, and I am happy to see that the whole world does not like the Spice Girls. The Spice Girls suck. Just listen to their lyrics.
I agree that Kirk Hammet is the best. Metal forever!
— Jessika M., 15, America Online
Porno no no
If anyone thinks that porno is all right, they need help. Pornography is perverted, and anybody who looks at it needs mental help.
If anyone is pathetic enough to look at porno, it should show that they have no life and need to find pleasure by looking at degrading pictures.
Another huge negative about pornos is that it makes guys think it’s OK to be sexually rude to women. And it also turns some OK guys into sick, perverted jerks. I should know, my ex-boyfriend looked at them. I dumped him as soon as I found out.
— S.J., 13, America Online
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