I think Christmas is not just about receiving gifts from Santa or relatives. It’s about giving to those who are less fortunate. Many people live in poverty and in the dangers of war. All they want is to be free and safe. Here we are, with nice clothes and food, asking for more, more and more.
I think we are being very greedy. We should think of others. Christmas is not just about giving, though. It’s about being with your family. I love Christmas for that. My favorite Christmas was and is when we are all together. When I was 9, though, my Grandpa was dying. That year everything was kind of messed up. He was so sick he couldn’t get out of bed. He still tried to come, but didn’t make it.
Christmas is my favorite holiday and season. I hope all people realize what it’s all about.
— Meredith O., 12, Palos Heights
VANESSA? GUESS AGAIN!
Editor’s note: Give us a major deduction for our coverage of elite gymnast Vanessa Atler (Dec. 23 Sports). Bunches of you wrote to say the main picture we ran wasn’t of Vanessa – and you were right. What makes us feel like we landed on our butts on a way-easy dismount is that we didn’t think it was her (after all, since when did Vanessa have dark hair and bangs?), but the Associated Press said it was, so we went with it. We should have trusted our guts and picked another photo. Talk about a major tumble! Anyway, here’s a picture of the real Vanessa. And thanks for you readers and gymnastics fans who keep us on our toes and let us know when we fall on our faces!
Wake up!
I’m writing in response to your article titled AIDS epidemic (Dec. 2 Tough News). To me this is really scary. You might think I’m paranoid, but this is serious stuff. Just think, 16,000 new cases every day. You can be raped or something and get the disease. I feel that it’s our responsibility as future adults and leaders of this nation to do something about this. It’s not just an adult problem; it will be our problem soon. Whatever we do, we need to do it soon, whether it is finding a cure or whatever. At this rate, everyone will be dropping like flies.
It’s our responsibility to stop writing letters to Backtalk whining about stupid stuff like Hanson, etc., and start writing about the future of our nation and the world. We must brainstorm ideas on how to solve the world’s problems today so that we can become responsible adults. These are OUR problems. It’s time to stop complaining and start solving today. It’s time to put Backtalk to use!
— Jennifer B., 14, Chicago
It’s a crime
In response to “Shooting questions” (Dec. 16 Tough News), I think it’s very stupid that 14-year-old Michael Carneal is blaming the movie “Basketball Diaries” for killing several classmates on Dec. 1. The movie may have showed a shooting, but he should know better than to go out and do the same thing. Most movies aren’t real, they’re just for entertainment. He made a wrong decision and he should be punished for it. I also think it’s the right decision that he is being tried as an adult.
— Maura M., 12, Orland Park
Expensive hobby
My friend and I read your article “A horse? Of course” (Dec. 16). We have been riding for eight years and know how much horses cost. You have underestimated the cost of owning a horse. First of all, a good horse costs at least $5,000. Second, tack is way more expensive. A used saddle can cost anywhere from $250 to $1,000. A new saddle costs anywhere from $700 to $5,000. A bridle can cost from $80 to $150. Good ones cost more. Grooming supplies cost at least $100. You also forgot to add grooming fly spray and show sheen.
If you board your horse at a nice barn it costs around $350 a month. Vet bills come to a lot more than what you wrote.
M.M., 13, T.M., 13
Perfect Petz
In response to Suzanna G. (Dec. 23 Backtalk), I’ve heard of Norns. They sound groovy. But nobody has mentioned the first-ever computer pets! P.F. Magic Dogz was the first-ever program to allow animals to live on your computer. You go into an adoption center and choose from an Irish setter, a chihuahua, a Scottish terrier, a regular terrier and a bulldog. You are only allowed to adopt one.
It’s like a Giga Pet, only better, because you don’t have to bring them to school and risk having them confiscated by a teacher, and there’s more to do with P.F. Magic Petz than feed them, play a chasing game, turn out the lights and take them to the vet. (All nine of my Petz wave goodbye!)
— Cassie F., 14
Live and… well?
Hey! Hanson was great on “Saturday Night Live” (Dec. 23 Features). Here’s what they did. First they played their hit “MMMBop,” which was amazing. It was really good. Then they were on a skit with Helen Hunt. It was a little corny. Hanson walked into an elevator and were forced to listen to “MMMBop” until they went crazy. Isaac was the first to go, then Zac. After 10 hours, Taylor still hadn’t been affected by it. Finally, they escaped from the elevator.
For their last song they played “Merry Christmas, Baby” from their new CD. I thought that the songs were great, and they can act pretty well too.
Katie
Hey, you guys can’t program your VCR? Well, good thing I can. Hanson performed “MMMBop” and “Merry Christmas, Baby” and did a little skit. “MMMBop” was not very good – in fact, it was the worst I’ve ever heard it. Tay’s voice is changing… Don’t get me wrong, I still love them. They’re allowed to have a few bad performances. “Merry Christmas, Baby” was better, but not by much.
At least the skit was pretty funny. Besides that, Hanson didn’t do anything, but at least the people were nice when they talked about them. I watched the Billboard awards and David Letterman, and they were both making really rude comments about Hanson. I think people should be nicer.
Rachel U., 14, Chicago
Hanson on “Saturday Night Live” was great! “MMMBop” was performed very well, with Taylor playing both keyboards and bongo drums. It was more upbeat than the version played on the radio.
Hanson also performed “Merry Christmas, Baby” very well and got a great reaction from the audience.Taylor’s voice is very deep and sexy now, but he wore a rather ugly red/ orange shiny shirt with a leaf design.
Elizabeth C., 12., Rockford
Dating rights
In response to Rachel S. (Dec. 16 Backtalk): Dating 5th graders trying to be grown up. AS IF! I am in 5th grade and I have a boyfriend. So what if we can’t go anywhere? We like each other, and “going out” is a way of expressing ourselves. That’s the reason everyone in my grade, at my school, dates. At my school, even 4th graders go out. It’s not gross. We’re not pretending to be someone we’re not. I don’t find anything wrong with 5th graders dating or going out. You’re not the only one who can be mature.
Liz S., 11
Bad trip
I’m writing to express my opinion about drug addiction. Many teens that I know are very experimental with the whole drug issue. Appalling as it may be, many have taken acid and even shot up heroin. I’m home schooled, but I still run into these people. I have cut contact with these influential peers, but experimented once with marijuana. That’s enough, though. I’m not proud of it, either.
The people who urged me into it were bad from the start. I, too, fell victim to peer pressure. There is no excuse for what I did. I should have stopped talking to them when they first offered me drugs, but I didn’t.
Many parents think their children are not doing drugs, but in fact many are. I’m not trying to frame my peers, I’m trying to help them. Parents who think their kids might be experimenting with drugs should test them.
Bernadette H., 15, Cedar Lake, Ind.
Sexism is for real
I am not one who thinks women are a minority (how could that be when 51 percent of the population are women?), but I do believe sexism exists. For example, at my dad’s previous office, a man and a woman had a fling and someone found out. The man was looked down upon for a while, but the woman was expected to leave. What they did was stupid, but the end result is not uncommon. Now at my dad’s new office, a guy who sexually harassed a female employee was not even penalized. Even our president has had testimony against him for sexual harassment (whether or not you think it’s true). All of these things tell me something is wrong. I do not believe that every man is a criminal, and every woman a victim. But sexism does sexist.
Sarah W., 12, Lincolnshire
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