I agree with Kava [Sept. 26 Backtalk]. There is no reason to hunt unless you are conservative with the meat. People are wearing more and more leather all the time. I even see little girls 3 or 4 wearing leather skirts or pants! It’s not fair hunting animals for clothes. Let’s say we’re animals and the animals are people and they hunt us. We wouldn’t like that, and neither do the animals.
— Calline C., 11
VIOLENT READS
I read your article “Comic-book keeper” [Sept. 19 Features]. I think comic books are too violent. I also think they are a waste of money, because the pages are so thin that they rip too easily. Plus, very few people read comic books anymore, so if you finished reading the comic, it would be hard to find someone to trade with. I also think the trading cards are too expensive. I mean, come on, $10 for some card games? The card games like Pokemon will lose their popularity. I myself have read certain comic books, and some have swears, which teach kids bad language and could get them into trouble.
Thank you for your time, and I can’t wait for the next KidNews.
— Steven S., 12
I think comic books are too violent and certain children should not be reading them. I also think children shouldn’t have such easy access to violent comic books. It is OK if the child is mature enough and can handle the material, but some of the time the child that reads it is not mature enough.
The action figures that kids buy also are violent. For example, a villain might have a toy gun. Children of any age can buy these comics and action figures. I believe that only a child of a certain age should be able to buy these materials. If they aren’t that age, they should have a parent with them when they buy it.
— Dominic O., 11
GREAT GAMES
The Olympics were great. The U.S. won almost 100 medals! My favorite part was watching Maurice Greene. At the Closing Ceremonies, the president of the International Olympic Committee said the Sydney Olympics were the best ever!
— Liam M., 11
I liked watching the Olympics. But I didn’t think it was right to criticize the relay runners for how they behaved after winning their gold medal. So they were kind of silly! They just won a gold medal — which would go straight to your head! I think the people who complained were jealous because they didn’t win, or from countries that are jealous they aren’t America.
— Katie L., 14
KILLER AD
I’m writing in response to Mia C. [Oct. 3 Backtalk]. You say the commercial by Nike was funny. I know for a fact there were a lot of toddlers watching the Olympics. What if a little kid gets it into his head that it’s good to chase people with a sharp knife? Another thing: You say it’s good that the woman didn’t get killed. Well, what would be the point of the commercial if she got killed? It’s good they stopped that commercial. It was totally inappropriate.
— Laura K., 12
HIDE AND SEEK
In response to David P. [Oct. 3 Backtalk]: You say having a gun in the house is OK as long as the kids don’t know where it is. Where on Earth could parents hide something that kids for sure wouldn’t find? I swear I know every spot of my house (no, we don’t have a gun). That may sound harsh and nosy, but it’s true. I’m just being honest.
— Brianna, 14
David P., if parents hid a gun so their kids couldn’t find it, they’d never be able to get to it if they needed it quick. In fact, they’d probably even forget where they put it!
— Alison C., 10
TUNING OUT
I play two instruments, piano and saxophone. Why does everyone hate playing an instrument? I mean, in our band at school, about two people quit every three months! And my piano teacher has only 10 students. I don’t really know what’s happening in the music world. My only guess is that everyone is going to play in bad heavy-metal bands.
— Michael C., 11
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KidNews note: What a sad situation, Michael! What’s the deal with the music program at your schools, readers? Let us know! In the meantime, we’re sending Michael a CD of his choice in return for his thought-provoking letter. (We do that occasionally — write us a letter and you’re eligible!)
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).
