I feel stunned by the killing of those four girls and teacher in Jonesboro, Ark. (March 31 Tough News). What’s the world coming to that kids feel the need to kill other kids? I also commend Mrs. Wright (the teacher who died shielding students). She’s a hero. She sacrificed herself for a child. That’s true greatness.
I’m also very angry that people say the two kids who killed those people shouldn’t go to jail. I think they should stay in prison for at least 20 years. Those girls will never see light again, and the boys should find out how horrible what they did is. And one more thing: Teaching children to shoot guns is promoting violence. I think the parents of Mitchell and Andrew should be punished.
— Cynthia W., 13, Chicago
Speechless
Does anyone else have the title “Arkansas Ambush” running through their minds over and over? Or maybe the question “Why?” I certainly do! What are 13- and 11-year-olds doing with guns? What could they possibly have been thinking? Could they be thinking Shannon Wright, Brittany Varner, Paige Ann Herring, Natalie Brooks and Stephanie Johnson (the dead from Westside Middle School) weren’t good enough? I think that those five people killed and even the 11 injured are more important than two killers. No matter who did the shooting!
What is even worse is that in five to seven years they both will be out of jail and able to kill once more. In my opinion, Andrew Golden and Mitchell Johnson should be tried as adults!
— Megan W., Chicago
Crazy bored
In response to Rachel U. (March 31 Backtalk), I don’t believe what you said. I’ve read Girls’ Life, and it was full of ONLY celebrity interviews and advice. Not one real person. It is an incredibly boring magazine.
And about the Arkansas shooting, all my friends and I agree that would be like me and my sister shooting my best friend and her brother. I couldn’t ever, and I wonder what drove them to do that? Boy, America is full of the greatest people, huh?
— Another Rebel
Editor’s note: We review Girls’ Life on Page 2.
Not all bad
In response to Rebel (March 31 Backtalk), I would like to say think before you criticize. OK, I’m sure everyone in this country would admit that it has problems. I mean, hate crimes, violence, teen pregnancy, pollutants, cancer, AIDS, and the list goes on. But one of the things we should be grateful for is our government. It screws up a lot, but at least we don’t have a dictator! And yes, it is true we don’t get to keep all our freedoms. We give up some freedoms for protection. That’s called a social contract. You’ll learn about it when you get to 7th grade! Many people realize the flaws in our country, but a lot of them come from the people. So stop wasting your breath criticizing others and do something good for this country!
— Katie T., 12
In response to Rebel, it’s true that in school some of our constitutional rights might be taken away. However, most of the rest of the time we are allowed all of our rights. Also, we’re real lucky to be Americans. In other countries, kids have hardly any rights or none at all. Also, at my school, hardly ever do we have our rights taken away. I say be happy with what you’ve got.
— Anna Rose H., 10
Daddy-O
Puff Daddy is one of the greatest artists of all time. Through his music he really connects to people. He promotes racial equality and has respect for every artist in the music industry. Teens (and adults) of all colors can really relate to his music. Puffy just wants you to have fun with his music. Take his advice. And for all of you who think he’s a sellout and samples (copies other artists) too much, I can name plenty of artists who sample. Puff Daddy is very successful, and he struggled to get there.
— Amy M., 14, Buffalo Grove
No shortcuts
In response to “Shortcut to trouble” (March 17 Features), I totally agree that watching the movie instead of reading the book is just trouble waiting to happen. The book is usually better than the movie, but if some people are too lazy to read the book, then they deserve a big “F” on their test or book report. “Romeo and Juliet,” the play, was made into a movie. There are many similarities, but all of it isn’t true. If kids think they can just watch the movie instead of reading the book, they had better think of the consequences.
— Jessica P., 12, Chicago Ridge
Naked truth
While reading Cady B.’s letter (March 31 Backtalk) ranting and raving about Kate Winslet, it occurred to me that our society is driven by hormones. Leonardo DiCaprio is seen as the latest heartthrob by the girls and a source of envy for the guys. Kate Winslet is “a good role model for girls.” Excuse me while I gag!!!! The last person I want as a role model is someone who parades around the box office’s No. 1 movie naked! Sure, she has “proven that you can be famous and beautiful, but you don’t have to be the skinniest person in the world.” But she isn’t the first one; Rosie O’Donnell, Oprah Winfrey and many others have done that too.
— Sanna, 15
No contest
I’m responding to the March 17 article “Cookie man” (Hot Shot). The Oreo cookie contest is a bad idea. All it proves is that people can be bigger pigs than they think. It isn’t a great talent to be able to shove cookies in your mouth. And all Eddie won was a towel and a year’s supply of Oreos. Ooh, just what he wanted.
— Tara F., 12, Chicago Ridge
Your way, my way
In response to Josh H.-G. (March 31 Backtalk), I see no problem with someone protecting their beliefs. Yeah, so a lot of people think the way you do, but hey, a lot of people think like Joe T. (March 24 Backtalk) and me. So consider others before you speak.
— J.L.C.
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