I think Dave Wannstedt should be fired and so should Erik Kramer. The problem is key players keep getting injured. The good side is they’ll get a good draft pick next year, maybe No. 2.
— Josh, 11, America Online
MAD ABOUT MANSON
I am writing in response to Colleen W. of Evergreen Park (Nov. 18 Backtalk). Marilyn Manson is a very talented and creative man. To say that parents shouldn’t allow their children to listen to him was wrong.
The band’s songs are not full of swears. They have words and they all make sense if you actually take the time to try to understand them. People like you shouldn’t say that, because it is probable that few of you have even bothered to look at any of the lyric sheets.
And as for the kid who killed himself -that’s very tragic, but Marilyn Manson is not to blame. The parents should look for the real reason. The child could’ve been a very weak individual. It also could’ve been bad parenting.
Basically, what I’m trying to say is, back off Manson and stop criticizing them.
— O.M., America Online
Kids listen to Marilyn Manson because they like his music and can relate to what he is saying. They listen to him for the same reasons they listen to other music. He may be “freaky and scary” to you, and probably to a lot of other people, but some people either don’t think so or appreciate that as a special quality.
If parents tried to stop their children from listening to him, it would probably only make them want to more. His songs may be full of swear words and not “make any sense,” but that is only your opinion, and the songs make sense to a lot of other people.
— Skylar P., 13, America Online
I understand that most people think that Marilyn Manson is a freak or even scary, but that just goes to show you how judgmental some people are. I don’t know Marilyn Manson personally, but just because he looks “freakish” to you doesn’t mean that he can’t be a nice person on the inside. There are people at my school who look like these so-called freaks but, to me at least, they’re nicer than most people at my school.
Kristen L., 14, AOL
HUNTING THE FACTS
In response to Sean O. (Nov. 18 Backtalk): If you are going to bash hunt-ing, please get your facts straight first. First, hunting a fawn is illegal.
People save money by hunting deer, ducks and rabbit. The meat is very good and is rather inexpensive.
If hunting was not legal, than there would be a wildlife overpopulation problem. The animals would begin eating crops and then when winter comes, the animals that don’t find food will become disoriented and walk into oncoming traffic or starve to death.
Anyway, hunting is not purely for fun; all hunters take it very seriously.
VIRTUALLY ANNOYED
What is the big hype about these virtual pets? All the kids are bringing them to school. Even the boys are bringing them. I think they are really stupid because it is nothing like the real thing.
You don’t need to bring them to the vet and you don’t need to buy food for them either.
Pretty soon those virtual pets aren’t going to be as popular as they are now. Just like Barney and the Ninja Turtles, they’ll die out after a while.
— Nicholas D., 13, Hinsdale
TAKE A GAMBLE
I think kids should be able to gamble. I think that we should gamble because we could get money for things and we could have fun.
If we can’t play things like craps and poker, at least we should be able to use the slot machines.
If we were allowed to play, casinos could get more cameras and security personnel to keep eyes on us and pull us away from certain things. Also, they could make certain ages for certain games like poker.
— Steve W., 12, Westmont
GO, TRIBE!
I’m writing in response to Jim C. (Nov. 18 Backtalk). Why do you think that the Indians are cheap? I happen to be a huge fan of the Tribe, and I am glad that they don’t have Albert Belle. They would be wasting their money. The Tribe made the right choice and got some better players.
Also, at least the Indians got to the World Series through seven games. And when are those White Sox?
— Elise M., 12, Tinley Park
I am repulsed to hear comments like Jim C.’s. I am surprised that they are even written – obviously by someone that doesn’t really know the game and the inside scoop.
Belle was greedy. The Indians offered him the second-highest salary at the time but he didn’t take that. He wanted more. Also the Indians are by no means cheap.
— Jeremy D., 15
DIP IN THE LAGOON
Thank you so much for something that has stayed for a long time: Sherman’s Lagoon.
I have five dozen comic strips and I hope it never leaves.
Keep up the good work.
— Phil S., 12, Highland Park
UNIFORM SKILL
In response to Jason P. (Nov. 18 Backtalk) about the Chicago Fire’s uniforms: When you are playing soccer, it doesn’t matter what you are wearing.If you are gonna show pride, you show it in your playing skills, not uniforms. So unless you are planning on buying them new uniforms, I suggest you shut your trap.
— Abby L., 12, Downers Grove
VIOLENCE ON TV
People say that there is too much violence on TV. There is a lot of violence on TV, but I don’t think that they should take it off. People blame TV on a lot of things. They say it causes a lot of problems. I don’t think that it’s right to blame TV.
Instead of people blaming their problems on TV, they should blame it on themselves, because it’s not TV.
— Mike P., 13, Westmont
SERIOUS LOVE
I think kids take love too seriously. It’s not like you are going to marry the person you go out with! There are so many people in this world. If you are afraid to ask someone out, the worst that can happen is they can say no. They will forget about it sooner or later. So live a little and don’t get carried away with love.
–Diti G., 12, Willowbrook
Thanks to all you readers who responded to our recent survey asking what your all-time favorite toys and games are. The results will appear in thespecial Holiday Gift Guide section Wednesday.
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