I read in KidNews about schools dissecting frogs (Aug. 22 Tough News). I want to tell you my experience with dissecting. I have been dissecting in science class since 6th grade and am very happy to say I enjoy it very much. You can learn a lot from dissecting. It is much better than using the computer for a virtual animal. You learn firsthand.
I have dissected a heart, an eye, a squid, a frog and a fetal pig. I know lots about how animals work and the different systems of the body.
Dissecting has taught me much more than what I would learn in a textbook or from a computer program. Also, there’s nothing quite like making incisions in pigs or putting your fingers in a heart and following how blood flows.
— Joanna B., 14
KidNews note: Joanna’s letter is this week’s pick for non-music letter of the week. She wins a CD of her choice. (We’re picking one more for a CD giveaway, so send in those letter! While we’re on the topic of dissection, here’s a thought: The discussion so far has been about what’s more effective, dissection or computer or textbook training. But many animal activists say that isn’t the point. Animals have inherent rights, they say, and shouldn’t be experimented on simply because it helps out humans. We have some pretty strong opinions about this at KidNews. What’s your opinion? Write and let us know!
LIFE’S A GAMBLE
I just got back from a road trip from California, and it included a stop in Las Vegas. My uncle and mom were arguing whether we should stay in Las Vegas for the night, because my mother believed that “Las Vegas is a town of filthy gambling! The kids (referring to me and my 8-year-old sister) are too young to stay in a town of foolish illegal activities!”
As always, my mother won, and we stayed at the Holiday Inn in another “decent” town that night. I don’t get it–my parents insist I don’t be under the influence of gambling, but how come parents are pleased when you take an interest in the stock market? Isn’t the stock market a business version of gambling? You put in money on a company and risk it–just like in Las Vegas. You either earn more money or lose money. Is there a difference between “filthy” gambling and investments of stocks? If so what’s the difference?
— Minnie, 11
KidNews note: We asked the Tribune’s financial markets columnist Bill Barnhart, to explain: “If you pay attention to the stock market these days, it’s easy to get the impression that it’s just a casino. That’s because many people simply are betting on a quick result, just like buying a lottery ticket or playing a slot machine. But if you are willing to invest for the long term–ten years at least–the stock market is completely different from a casino.
In a casino, each gamble simply transfers dollars from a loser to a winner, which, of course, must be the casino owner in most cases if the casino is to stay in business. By contrast, the stock market over time creates new wealth by transferring money from investors who don’t have a new idea for a product or service to business people who do have a new idea. If the product or service is successful, the person investing the money and the person receiving the money (and maybe society at large) are all better off. The trick to investing in stocks in enough different companies that you won’t lose everything if one idea doesn’t succeed.”
RIGHT VS. WRONG
Does someone have the right to tell another person that the music they listen to, the TV shows they watch or anything they find entertaining is wrong? That was the question raised in my mind when I watched a TV special about Al Gore’s running mate, Joseph Lieberman. He has vented his opinions to several top executives in the movie and music business. He says Hollywood used to be entertaining but that now the focus is on violent and explicit movies. He doesn’t think children should be exposed to that.
It raised this question in my mind: How do we establish what ir right and what is wrong. I find something like the WWF insulting and pointless, but some people find it very entertaining. I don’t think children should be exposed to it. But does that make my opinion “right”? We live in a free country. We are able to choose what we watch, what we listen to and have opinions. Am I “right”?
— Jenny K., 14
Let sports be
I think the hockey incident is something of a misunderstanding (“Taking sport to court,” Aug 15 Tough News). The kid who hit Neal Goss never did it with the intention of paralyzing him. He was just playing hockey the way the rest of us do. Why should he have to go to jail for that? What next? Are we going to start playing touch football instead of tackle because of the fear of somebody getting hurt? This is insane.
What happened in that hockey arena was an accident, and accidents happen. It might not be fair to Neil Goss, but you’re taking that risk when you play a contact sport. That’s why you sign waivers.
Kids should learn to be more careful in sports. Are contact sports painful at times? Yes, But wrong? Definitely not.
— Joshua H., 15
After reading “Taking sport to court,” I realized how dangerous sports could be. I have fun playing volleyball, basketball, track and tennis. At my age, the worst that has happened is pulling a muscle, tripping, spraining an ankle, getting hit in the head with a ball and being pushed either on purpose or accidentally. Several of these accidents are caused by other players.
Professional hockey shows wrestling on the ice. I remember going to one Blackhawks game where a member of the opposing team hit the referee in the head with a puck.
I really do think it necessary to take this case to court because, in my opinion, kids will realize the consequences of their acts and how dangerous a little “I’ll show him” act can be.
— Christina K., 12
Doing their jobs
In response to Vaness V. (Aug. 29 Backtalk) and her ideas of disgrace and the presidential candidates, disgrace is a big word to be using.
Sure, the TV ads are stupid. But George W. Bush and Al Gore are just doing what Bill Clinton and Bob Dole did. They always have TV ads to make the other running candidate look bad. It’s pretty much a natural thing, and although I think it’s stupid, apparently it isn’t to them. They are not being childish.
The reason they “keep pointing their fingers at each other” is that they are trying to prove a point. Not by saying, “I’m so much better than you,” but by demonstrating their quality and commitment to help the country.
Both of the speeches at their own conventions WERE powerful to those who know what the world needs. The most important thing is the opportunity they are willing to set up for the future. What we need is a president with common sense, one who will take action instead of sitting in his black leather chair and watching young people’s lives be taken from them.
The president can be tough. I’m not against that, but we need a president with a heart and one who will HELP us.
Katie S., 13
One-note page
I just want to give a HUGE thank-you for trying to end the music madness on your Backtalk page. I’m not totally dissing music or your page–it’s just that when you hear the same thing over and over, it’s nice to hear something new.
There are more important issues we should be writing about — for example, the presidential election this year. A lot of my friends did not watch the Republican convention or the Democratic convention. I watched. I think it’s important for kids to know about this election, even though we can’t vote. After all, our education is one of the biggest topics in the conventions. Who adults choose can affect us a lot of ways.
And finally . . . I think of how we can make a difference. WE SHOULD CARE !!!
Lia B.
Lose the ads
I agree with what Stefanie (Aug. 22 Backtalk) said at the end of her letter about the ads. I think I speak for a lot of the KidNews readers when I say we want more articles in the place of all those ads.
Also, I’m a new reader of KidNews, because I just moved here from Boston. The first section I read was about books, and I loved it! I even checked out one of the books from the library. So, if you could put in the section about books more often…
One more thing. I love entering contests, so if you could put even more in, I would love that!
— Krista K., 11
KidNews note: Welcome, Krista. Keep letting us know what you like and don’t like–and the same goes for all you readers.
Scooters rule
I agree with Mike S. (Aug. 22 Backtalk): Even though scooters are expensive, they are very fun. I like doing tricks and inventing new ones. I also like to go to the park with my friends and have contests like who’s fastest. They are a great buy.
Alex J., 12
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Write letters or send editorial cartoons to Backtalk, Chicago Tribune, 5th Fl., 435 N. Michigan Ave., Chicago, IL 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).
