Have you seen those ads on TV about our future president? I think they’re a disgrace: Al Gore over here putting down George W. Bush, and Bush putting down Gore over there. In my opinion, Bush and Gore are being childish.
It’s like they keep pointing fingers at each other yelling things the other did wrong, going, “I’m better than you are! What a disgrace!
Their speeches on TV may be powerful, but beneath the pride they have, they are really going “I’m better than the other. Yeah, I know it’s hard being elected president, but can’t they do it with a little bit more respect?
I know in times like these, we need a tough president. Maybe that’s what they are trying to do: show who’s tougher. But you know what’s really tough? Electing the president. Who are we going to elect? The donkey or the elephant?
— Vanessa V., 15
KidNews note: Vanessa’s letter is our pick for top non-music letter of the week. We’ll be sending her the latest Dave Matthews CD. (If you don’t know what we’re talking about, then you missed last week’s issue. You sorta had to be there, but basically we put out a call for letters on topics other than music, because we get loads of those.)Thanks to all our Backtalk writers for the great letters, music-related or not!
Un-sitely
You ran an article about Ed McMahon’s new “Star Search” sequel (Aug. 8 Features), and I went to the site right away. What I saw was quite infuriating. All the people were in their 20s, at least it looked like, except for the kids’ songs. And there was modeling with only women in eensy weensy bikinis in which their videos showed only their bodies and not their faces. I thought it was pretty, well, poorly set up. Anyway, it’s just my opinion, and you may argue. In fact, I would like to hear arguments.
I also beg to differ with Bridget (Aug. 8 Backtalk), who said that KidNews had gone downward since eight years ago. Well, maybe you like hearing about all that horrid stuff going on in the world, but some people prefer not to have to feel responsible for that or have it as another burden to carry.
But frankly, I do agree that the six pages of ads is disappointing. I mean, you could have a whole music news page, with teeny-boppers, country, rap, all genres of music, instead of having to switch every week or so.
— Stefanie, 12
The wheel deal
I love scooters! They’re a great way of transportation and very small. I love riding around with my friends. Even though they are expensive, it’s worth it. My friends always fight over who has the best scooter. Here are some tips for you to get better at scootering: First, don’t try any tricks until you get used to the scooter, and second, don’t do really hard tricks until you can do basic tricks like a pop-a-wheelie.
— Mike S., 11
KidNews note: Scoot back here next week, Mike, for KidNews’ look at scooters.
Women’s progress
As I sat in a chair this morning, reading the article “A stuck record” (Aug. 15 Backtalk), I am reminded of a letter written not too long ago in Backtalk. A girl wrote that the treatment of women hasn’t changed after all these years. I never did write my opinion on this, so I thought now would be the perfect chance.
Women are so much luckier than they were 200 years ago. Our struggle for equality has made a difference. Women used to be treated not as human beings but as objects. Your father could give you away in marriage for money. It didn’t matter whether you loved the person or not. Now women make their own choices and can do almost whatever they want.
I know sometimes boys won’t allow you to play a sport, “because you’re a girl,” even though you know you’re just as good as they are. Don’t let it get to you. As you get older, you’ll learn that most boys don’t act like that. There will also be not-so-nice people, but don’t give them a second thought. Girls rule!
— Janette S., 14
Bad move, Einstein
Imagine a basketball game where no one keeps score and no player is honored with MVP. Imagine a track meet with no stopwatches — everyone just runs, one at a time, with no competition. How about auditions where all who try out make it into the performance, and all have equal parts with no one singing a solo? These situations attempt to eliminate competition, but all they do is suck the fun and excitement out of interesting events.
My high school recently decided to stop informing students of class rank. Although many of KidNews’ readers are not yet in high school, this idea of dropping class rank is spreading, and many readers could be affected by it in the future.
In our world today, one popular statement is, “We strive to promote diversity.” However, the term “diversity” should be applied to more than just ethnic or socioeconomic background; it should apply to talent as well. It is a fact of life that not everyone will be a Michael Jordan, Yo-Yo-Ma or Julia Roberts. But the fact that not everyone can be an Albert Einstein shouldn’t mean that you eliminate any honor or recognition given to those who are academically talented or hard-working. It would be considered ludicrous if you decided not to keep score at sporting events or participate in championships, and not to select only the most talented singers, dancers and actresses for musicals and plays. So why is it that people see it as acceptable not to honor those whose hard work puts them at the top of the class?
I understand the idea behind not keeping class rank on report cards. In theory, it will force institutions of higher education to look more closely at the “whole person.” However, it should be made available to those students who wish to know. Maybe it won’t be printed on report cards, but students should be allowed to ask their counselors.
We should recognize all people for their achievements, not just athletes and actresses.
— Bridget G., 15
Don’t blame ‘N Sync
I’m sick and tired of everyone complaining about missing the ‘N Sync concert. We live 37 minutes away from the raceway on a good day, but we left at 4:30 p.m., giving us three hours to get to the concert. Even after having to walk back to our car once, we still got to our seats before 7 p.m. People are blaming ‘N Sync for having so many fans and the raceway for having so much room that it caused traffic. But if you paid $250 for concert tickets, then it is no one’s fault but your own for leaving at 5 p.m. Take off work! It would have been cheaper. And we parked in a cornfield and had no trouble with mud. Don’t place blame where it doesn’t belong.
— Lisa P., 15
End of story
In reply to Emma (Aug. 8 Backtalk), wow, there must be some misunderstanding here! My letter was only intended to tell Madeleine that just because someone wins a contest, that doesn’t mean that everyone will like what he or she wrote. I didn’t even submit a story. If I did, and I lost, I would have just thought “big deal.” I write just for fun. So I hope I’ve cleared up something here. Either way, sorry that I forgot to say congratulations, Madeleine. It’s just that your tone toward P.R. was kind of rude and I forgot to. Sorry about that.
Congratulations to the winners, and Emma, those were some very good points. Good luck to you too!
— Sharon X., 15
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Write letters or send editorial cartoons to Backtalk, Chicago Tribune, 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 (ctc-kidnews@tribune.com).
