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Letters to the editor (Oct. 06)


Different views about Tupac

Tupac is my favorite artist because he always inspires me. He was not just a rapper, he’s a legend. He may have done drugs and fought, but later he tried to teach kids not to follow in his footsteps. When Tupac gave interviews he said that he made mistakes. He was better than any other writer because he got it from his heart and his eyes. He is not like new rappers, who just rap about girls, parties, jewelry, killing thugs and cars.
Vale Galoyan, Wilson MS (Glendale)

I agree that Tupac was talented and he was great at writing lyrics. But I disagree that he’s inspirational, because he was just a gangster from the streets. When he was alive people hated him and since he has died people have felt sad for him so they glorify him.
Alfred Martinez, Wilson MS



Taming my anger

Reading “Taming my anger” was very inspirational. There are times when I feel hopeless, and learning about a boy who has had it so much worse, but who learned to control his anger and pain, made me feel so optimistic. My anger isn’t as severe as his, but I know people who are very hot-tempered and it gives me hope for them.
    This article gave me hope for a happier, less violent world and has helped me believe that people can change.
Rachel Sanoff, Taft HS (Woodland Hills)



A boy will never forget his friend who died

I think this article, about a boy whose friend died of cancer, is really cool, because in junior high and high school most people make fun of disabled people. Some students just ignore them and don’t even want to be seen with disabled people, but some people are nice. The writer liked this girl and didn’t care what people thought. I think that this is a great article because it shows that some people do care about others and how that can have a great impact on your and other people’s lives.
Natalie Jimenez, Wilson MS



Is it OK to burn the Ameican flag?

Flag burning should not be illegal because it’s a person’s choice to do it or not. I would never do it, but no one wants a stupid law like that. It’s a free country and people should choose what they want to do. They shouldn’t make a silly law like that. Laws are meant for good reasons and this isn’t one of them.
Elin Mardirosian, Wilson MS

The flag-burning survey in your last issue really sparked my interest. Recently the Pope said some very controversial things about Muslims and their religion. Being part Muslim, I resented everything he said because it was so very far from the truth. But when I saw Muslims burning those flags I was ashamed. Morally and spiritually burning a flag is wrong and frowned upon. Your character is questioned and your country is looked at in a negative way. But it is legal and protected by the First Amendment. I would like to see a full editorial digging deeper into this because the two sides are very debatable.
Sabriyya Ghanizada, Wilson MS

Flag burning should not be illegal because it’s a person’s choice to do it or not. I would never do it, but no one wants a stupid law like that. It’s a free country and people should choose what they want to do with their own lives and with the flag. They shouldn’t make a silly law like that. Laws are meant for good reasons and this isn’t one of them.
Elin Mardirosian, Wilson MS



A boy tried to become like the characters in a book

I really like Brett Hicks’s story about how a book by S.E. Hinton was turning him into a rebel. You shouldn’t let a book or movie control your life. If you do, then you lose your personality and what makes you, you. I felt like Brett when I read The Catcher in the Rye. I wanted to live alone and try to find myself. Something weird came over me and I wanted to act like the character in the book. After a while I thought to myself, why would I want to be like a book character? I have my own life, friends and personality. So I’ve learned to just be yourself. It’s the best you can be.
Joseph Flores, Wilson MS

While reading “Rebel looking for a cause,” I was reminded of myself in seventh grade. I began reading the Harry Potter books and one day I thought to myself, “How come Harry gets away with being cocky and breaking all the rules?” I hated my simple, brat-wannabe life where there was no action, where it was just my friends and I being boy crazy or judging people. Like Brett, I wanted a change from my utterly boring life.
    I began standing up for what I believed to be right, no matter what anyone said. I didn’t do anything to get me expelled though. I just talked back once in a while or made a scene to spice up a lesson.
    I am still rebellious, but I’m not so crazy about Harry anymore.
Jisu Yoo, Wilson MS



Sending aid to Lebanon was the right thing

Reading the article “Sending aid to Lebanon” made me realize that if everyone works together our world would be a better place. I admire that teens my age are willing to give up their time and effort for the refugees involved in the conflict with Hezbollah. I’ve given aid and donated supplies to crises like Hurricane Katrina or aid drives for troops in Iraq. My family also supported other families in 1988 when an earthquake hit Armenia. I completely support whoever is involved in this inspiring project and encourage others because there is no other feeling that makes you feel so go great as knowing you brightened someone’s day.
Michelle Uluchyan, Wilson M
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