I think by now everyone should know about Tim Floyd. The Bulls NBA press conference interrupted “Port Charles” (which I for one wanted to see) and played on and on. Actually, right now I’m listening to another news break. Tim Floyd is now the director of basketball operations. I, for one, am disgusted. I thought I wouldn’t be caught dead listening to the stupid conference. At one point, Floyd says, “I can’t think of anyone with a more difficult situation.”
Please! Tim Floyd, here is a difficult situation: deciding whether doctors should take the tubes out of your child’s mouth because she isn’t going to live anyway.
Floyd is obviously a good person, saying that if Phil Jackson wants to come back, he will back out of his way completely. That’s good, because I definitely want Jackson back. As well as Michael Jordan. I still want that seventh championship! Go, Bulls!
— Rebecca B., On-line
Not for kids
This is in response to Eric M. (July 14 Backtalk). Mancow Muller does not have a hard act to follow. July 15, the ratings came out on morning shows for ages 12 and up. Mancow came in fourth place, receiving a 5.4 share. He beat out radio giant Howard Stern and the recently fired Wendy and Bill. Wendy and Bill were not even in the top 10!! This is why Q101 got smart and gave Mancow the money to bring his show to their station!
Now, I know when some of you tune into the Cow, you may find his show a little offensive. Well, Mancow himself has said that his show is not for kids. But if you think you’re mature enough for Mancow, I suggest you tune in.
KidNews, I don’t think you should do further articles about Mancow, because his show is targeted to an older audience. The last thing we need is a bunch of 10-year-olds learning about sex from a radio show.
— Kevin P., 14, On-line
Thank you, Eric M., for acknowledging the loss of the best radio comedy team in years, Wendy and Bill. Q101 made a horrible mistake by firing the duo, who by no means (statistical or otherwise) deserved it. Finally, a show that had performers rude enough to be amusing, kind enough to be entertaining and intelligent enough to be interesting. I know many who feel the same way and have removed 101.1 from their radio “speed-dial.”
— Lliae I., On-line
Faux Hanson
Thanks for the article on Hanson imposters and posers (July 14 Tough News). There are a lot of people out there who actually believe them, and I think it’s pretty sad.
Lots of people on-line have asked me if I’m Hanson because I’ve been in a few chatrooms under the nickname “iketayzac.” I’ll bet if I had been some sicko, I could’ve said yes and they would’ve believed me.
One last thing: Hanson has only one screen name on AOL, and the guys don’t have addresses on other servers (hotmail, yahoo, etc.). Their screen name is MMMBop, but if anyone wants to e-mail them, they should write to hansonfans@hansonline.com, their fan club address. Anyone with a different e-mail address is a fake. Thanks again.
— Rachel U., 15
Sports inspire
I’m responding to Paul (July 7 Backtalk). Sports are not stupid, and the athletes who play them aren’t worthless. I love to play and watch sports, as do many of my friends. Also, many athletes are good role models. One example is Michael Jordan. He’s a good person on the court, by being a leader. He’s also generous to charities. And he proves to me and millions of others thatif you have a goal you want to accomplish, work hard at it.
— Jim C., 12, Riverside
Reason to believe
It was strange reading Dave S.’s letter (June 30 Backtalk), because it’s exactly what I think. Not to be rude to anyone who believes in that stuff, but it’s a reasonable theory that God and heaven and hell and the devil were made up as explanations for the mysteries of life.
— Emily B., 11
Look closer
I’d like to respond to Carol, Veronica and Jerry (July 7 Backtalk) on their thoughts on America. You are acting very hypocritical saying that teens make too many generalizations about races and people. You’re stereotyping us by saying that. Not all teens are like that. So many of us put on an act to try to live up to these stereotypes of teenagers instead of acting like ourselves and being responsible. I believe we do this to hide our more sensitive side so people think we are tough and can handle anything.
— Emily, 14
Veronica W.’s thoughts on our country are very mature and realistic. I believe all Americans (even me) are so spoiled we don’t even realize how good we have it. I am not saying every American has no problems, but we need to see what we’ve got and stop complaining about the selfish little stuff and start to try to stop things like racism and discrimination.
— Jon
Goodbye – for now
I just want to write and say thanks. I have gotten your paper for the past three years. Now I’m moving to Rhode Island. I just want to say thank you for endless Tuesdays of reading and fun projects. Thanks for printing my letters. Thanks for good advice. Thanks for getting me informed on what’s happening in the outside world in ways I could understand, unlike the regular paper. Thanks for making me laugh. Thanks for giving me cool stores to visit and things to buy (you first introduced me to the Viacom store; now I’m addicted).
Are there any papers like yours on the East Coast? And if not, is there any way I can subscribe to KidNews?
— Sofia G., 11
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Editor’s note: Several papers across the country get KidNews through syndication. When you get settled in your new town, why not call The Providence Journal-Bulletin, the area’s largest paper, and tell ’em about us. Maybe they’ll pick us up and we won’t have to lose you as a reader!
Write letters or send editorial cartoons to Backtalk, 5th 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).
