In response to the question about Romanian gymnast Andreea Raducan [Oct. 10 Backtalk], I don’t think they should take away her gold medal. I mean, how would she have known that the medicine was banned? Unless they found evidence that she knew, they shouldn’t take away her medal. How would you feel if you had worked almost all your life for something, finally got it, and somebody took it away? Pretty bad. That’s how I would feel.
— Erica W., 10
I think Andreea Raducan’s doctor should have been suspended for giving her those pills. She should have gotten the medal. I would be sad if someone stripped the medal off my neck.
— Molly N., 10
I don’t get why people are so bent because a gymnast got bumped for taking a banned substance. What, like her doctors can’t read? She was part of a team that consists of trainers, doctors, coaches and athletes, and everyone on the team has to follow the rules. Someone on her team broke the rules. She had to pay. That’s life.
— Mark S., 14
Andreea Raducan didn’t mean to take a banned drug, but she still did. Olympic officials had to take her medal so they could show they mean business about fighting drugs. Otherwise, some doctor or coach could give an athlete a banned drug, the athlete could pretend to be innocent, and then Olympic officials would ALSO have to prove, not just that the athlete took the drug, but that the athlete didn’t mean to. Banned drugs are banned drugs. Coaches and doctors should pay more attention.
— Darrick L., 12
I really don’t understand how people get off banning someone for taking cold medicine. Otherwise, Andreea Raducan might not have even gone to the Games. But really, cold medicine? Come on! I agree with Todd H. [Oct. 10 Backtalk] completely. How can they be so sure they’re right? But Molly R. [Oct. 10 Backtalk], the reason we don’t get parties is because they are the ones that practiced so hard, basically for our enjoyment. The Olympic Games were basically invented for entertainment. I’m sorry if I offended anyone, but that is my opinion.
— Cassidy M., 11
KidNews note: The International Olympic Committee suspended Andreea Raducan’s doctor through the 2004 Games. The IOC said it had no choice but to strip Raducan of her all-around gold medal, because the rules specifically state a banned substance merely has to be found in an athlete’s body. Whether or not the athlete meant to take it, under the rules, isn’t an issue.
Instructions to kill
I agree with you about the Nike commercial [Sept. 26 Backtalk]. I think it is very offensive to women. There is so much violence in this world already, and we don’t need a commercial showing us how to do it. I found it scary and stupid. Think about it. That commercial is showing you how to kill someone! There are plenty of strange people out there who think it might be kind of cool to kill a woman. This commercial is encouraging them, plus it is giving them instructions. Sure, they might be copying a movie, but we have ratings on movies and anyone can watch TV. I’m glad they took it off the air.
— Lydia B., 12
Treat yourself to safety
Halloween is right around the corner, so parents should talk to their kids about safety. Like, don’t eat your candy before you check it, don’t talk to strangers, and go trick or treating with an adult.
— Lauren H., 10
Lock it up
I am writing in response to David P. I, too, believe that a gun can be kept somewhere that a child won’t be able to reach, see or touch. My dad keeps his weapon in a combination safe. People can keep their kids safe and still have a gun. It is possible.
— Roger B., 10
Dark times
Where I live there aren’t any sidewalks or streetlights. We should have streetlights, because at a local gas station, there have been two holdups. We try to spread the word by phone that we should turn on our house lights. The words don’t spread fast enough. The police can’t see in the dark. The people get away. When I was little, a friend of mine got hit by a car because there were no sidewalks around and she was playing in the streets. It’s hard just to think of it!
— Natalie S., 10
Ratings reek
Television and movies are getting worse every day. You hardly even see any kids’ movies or shows anymore. I can’t remember the last time I saw a G rating on a movie or a show. We need to keep an eye on what we watch.
— Mike C., 11
My parents won’t let me see “Billy Elliot” after reading your story [Oct. 10 Backtalk]. You said it was a good movie that kids could get something out of. But once you said it got an R rating because of bad language, my parents said no way. It could be the most valuable, amazing, educational movie ever in the world, and they would say no if they found out it had one single swear word in it. That’s so dumb! It’s not like I don’t hear swears and they’re protecting me in some way. If I don’t hear it on the screen, I will in real life.
— Marla., 14
Scooter news
I agree with Greg S., scooters are still fun. If you don’t have a bike or Rollerblades, you can use your scooter. When the next popular toy comes out, scooters will still be more fun.
— Joey L., 10
I liked riding a scooter until my mom got one. Now it’s either her or me. Who should give up the scooter?
— May S., 13
KidNews note: Readers, can parents and kids co-exist in Scooterville? Or do the folks kill the thrill of the trend? Let us know!
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