Dear Paul B,
I know that at 12, I really haven’t seen that much or know about the world, but I am really upset. I like to learn about other countries, and have friends and relatives in India, Portugal, Rome, Egypt, Senegal, Ivory Coast, Jamaica, Jerusalem,and New Zealand. A few of these people are really worried about all the wars going on now. I sometimes see myself in 10 years and wonder what will become of the world. There are people being murdered by their own people. Some governments would rather see everyone killed if they don’t like the people in power. I am worried about terrorism too. I see people who say they are killing others because of their religious leaders. How can that be? I hear teachers talking about oil prices and nuclear plant radiation, and this too makes me worry. I am a very mature 12 year old, but I don’t know how to solve any of these big problems. My friends in the Middle East are also worried.
Kim
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Dear Kim,
You are one intelligent, and very well informed kid. Our world is truly on shaky ground (pun intended) with the earthquake and subsequent tsunami in Japan. The current and forthcoming revolutions in Africa and Middle East are also high on the radar. You can and should voice your opinions in school and to your folks. Hopefully, our world leaders can manage to avert the breakdown in communications, and negotiate a peace and/or new government. The U.S. wants all countries to have a free and democratic political system. We can see that people from many of these tyrannist lead countries want the freedoms that Americans now enjoy. Kids like you will help lead us to a better, safer, and free planet one day. Thanks for your input, Kim.
Paul B.
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