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Are Guns to Blame?As a teen--and a Canadian living in South America--it amazes me that there

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letters. - Free Online Library
Are Guns to Blame?
As a teen--and a Canadian living in South America--it amazes me that there is any debate about gun
control at all ("Under the Gun," 4/10/00). It's like a parent debating about whether to let his or her
child play with matches. Matches in and of themselves are harmless and very useful, but are also
capable of tremendous harm. It is sad to see that your fights are more important than your lives.
JONATHAN HAYES Quito, Ecuador
I am from a small community in Montana. I like to hunt deer and birds. I also like to play video
games. I like first-person-shooter games, which people claim are one of the main culprits behind
teen violence. And I watch violent movies. Judging from this information, a lot of people might say
I'm about ready to pick up a gun and kill someone. After all, I'm around all these violent influences,
right?
Wrong. I've been taught to safely use a gun. Guns are only dangerous in the hands of the wrong
people--those who are inexperienced, uneducated, and irresponsible. Instead of discriminating
against guns, people should be educated about gun safety and the consequences of improper use.
CHARLIE KEITH Ekalaka, Mont.
A Deadly Sparkle
I was shocked to read in "Diamonds and War" (5/8/00) that the money for wars in Africa comes from
illegal trading in diamonds. I used to think a diamond was the most wonderful thing in the world; it
represents royalty, love, and strength. But after reading the article, I realize that thousands of
innocent Africans died for this diamond I admire, and I really feel guilty inside. I can almost see the
blood stain through all the sparkles. Every country in the world should place an embargo on
diamonds from Africa.
ZHENG YAO Rochester, N. Y.
Hazy Advice
In your article on hazing ("Violent Rites," 4/24/00), you offer four tips on what to do if you are being
hazed. One suggestion is that kids should leave. That just won't work. If you try to get out of an
initiation or hazing, you will be considered an outcast for the rest of your high school career. You
don't know the pressure of being a freshman around seniors who are physically and mentally
superior.
ABE WOLF Sheffield, Iowa
Some Kids Need Drugs
I was very offended by the cartoon ("Drawing on the News," 3/27/00) of the boy given Ritalin "even
though he's not sick." Attention-deficit disorder is not a sickness, but a disorder that affects the
prefrontal cortex in the brain. I, like one in every 13 Americans, have this disorder. The cartoonist

should do his homework.
DREW GSELL Orlinda, Calif
For 18 years, I have been a teacher at a private school for bright, learning-disabled children. Since
many of our youngsters have attention-deficit-hyperactivity disorder, medications such as Ritalin and
Adderal are essential to their success. However bright they are, if they can't maintain focus, it is as
if they were reading a book and skipping every other page! You have printed cartoons implying that
parents and teachers are needlessly "drugging" our children. Shame on you!
BONNIE KREIELSHEIMER Teaneck, N.J.
Get Heard!
You can cast a ballot for President--even if you're not old enough to vote!
There's a lot at stake for teenagers in What are over the counter sleeping pills side effects? this
year's presidential election. The candidates are debating policies that will affect your schools, your
future, the environment, what kind of jobs you'll be able to get, even your access to music and the
Internet.

Vote in the Scholastic Student Election 2000 and your voice will be heard. We'll publish the results
and let the candidates know where you stand.
To vote, go to www.nytimes.com/upfront and click on Student Election 2000.
You count. Now get counted!
WRITE US
Send your letters to The New York Times Upfront, Scholastic Inc., 555 Broadway, New York, NY
10012-3999, or send e-mail to [email protected]. In order to be considered for publication,
letters must include the writer's name, address with city and state, and phone number. We reserve
the right to edit letters for length. We regret that we cannot personally answer letters we receive,
but we read them all.
COPYRIGHT 2000 Scholastic, Inc.
No portion of this article can be reproduced without the express written permission from the
copyright holder.
Copyright 2000, Gale Group. All rights reserved. Gale Group is a Thomson Corporation Company.
http://www.thefreelibrary.com/letters.-a065772999

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