What do you think?

[Zotar]

My assingment for English class was to write a letter to one of the local papers in our town. I decided to attack an issue thats been bothering us younger folks for a while now, BORDUM. I proposed a place for the young people to spend some time safely. I need to know what you guys think. You guys are masters at debating after all. LaPine is the name of my hometown by the way. It is became an official city a year ago. THe youngest in the state of Oregon.

Ahem...

A Place to Waste

LaPine needs a safe place for Teens to hang out and do something with their pent-up energy. There simply aren’t enough places for us to go. The Park is no fun and people don’t appreciate us loitering at restaurants and shops. Where to then? How about the Public Library? Sure, there are computers with internet access, snazzy lounge chairs and lots of room. (Also books though many of us fail to notice them.) What more could we want? Well we can’t always promise to behave in a public Library.

We need more than just a good place to hang out. WE need a place to vent our energy and have fun. After all, we aren’t quite adults yet. Where then shall we go?

A skate park! Always a novel idea, yet not the safest thing for our quaint little town. An athletic club? Great… if you’re an athletic type. The woods… eh… well… kids can get away with an awful lot out there so no. A shopping mall! Those places are fun, until they start kicking out the more rambunctious teens, and not all boys like to shop.

Hmm… how about an Arcade? I like that one. A place where Teens can kill time and hang-out. A place that WE pay for two bits at a time. Location? No problem! Just put an Arcade within convenient walking distance of the school(s). Crime? Well… that’s the real problem with the more rambunctious Teens. One could place the Arcade within arm’s reach of a police station. That way; Teens would be better inclined to behave. Or, one could hire an officer to “steak-out” the place. But that would cost money of course.

That is the other matter, money. Who would pay for an arcade? I would, if I had some money. I’m sure anyone would. I even bet the fledgling LaPine City Council will pay this letter an eye and an ear, if not a left hand. But someone will.

An Arcade is not a very constructive place you say? Hey, at least we won’t be destructive. Kids need exercise? Hah! Most arcades are equipped with Dance, Dance Revolution. Videogames are not just for the lazy anymore.

The point is, we Teens are not naturally rambunctious, we’re just bored. We have too much energy. We need a positive and safe outlet, a place to waste our excess energy without harming others or ourselves. An arcade may not be the most constructive place, but it’s better than loitering at shops or restaurants.

-Michael Lytle

[JET73L]

Makes sense, and states it in a way that council members can see the benefits.

[Miss Lockheart]

Nice proposal, it does make sense. Councils are tough to get through to, but you've covered pretty much every consideration they might need to take in. It's true, Teens are much better behaved when they have something to do, wonder if you could convince my local council

[Zotar]

Thanks, Im pretty sure that my teacher will send my letter in to the papers. if not, I could send one in myself. I would like to see an arcade around here. I would even build one myself and run it. That'll earn a few Quarters.

[Tidus2791]

I think your letter puts forward a fair point, a view held by many people in our age group or well everbody i know that lives in Fife. LaPine is like where i live, theres nothing to do, except hang around chip shops then they complain about obesity.

I think something like an arcade would be great especially around here after what happened last year and they tried to put a curfew on under 16s after some idiot MP got attacked through her own fault.

Good Luck man and remember if you ever do get an Arcade then don't forget about us when your playing arcade games 24/7

[Sularus]

where i live theres towns every where, and the state capital is not too far. . .so i dont that feeling of boredom. . .but. . .i do know those places. . .and an arcade would be defenitely awesome. . .i think you got a very good point. . .anyone who's on sports can probably just go the park play football, soccer, baseball or whatever they like. . .im guessing your school counts with some sort of gym where ppl can work out?. . .so that covers everybody physical. . .an arcade would pretty much cover the rest. . .i hope your city council takes notice. . .so your name is michael?. . .cool. . .

[Revenant]

A safe place for Teens to hang out and do something with their pent-up energy, huh? Good point. But I think that had to be thought about much earlier if it supposed to make a real profit to LaPine. But in general the thing is worth mantioning. Fortunately in my city this problem is already solved.

[Terminal Est]

I like it, and coming FROM a teenager, they may understand and believe that hostile intent is not what purely motivates your otherwise misleading behaviour. Just bored, and folks should do something instead of merely pointing and blaming.

However, the problem with arcades is that in the United States, it is a fairly dying concept. They are all the rage in Japan, but over here, the profits really are no good. You might have a hard time getting one established, especially if you live in a small town. :/

However, it would certainly be a good idea, for entertainment purposes.

Also, where I used to live before, an arcade was a facade, as much drug dealing went on in them. Locating it near a police station or some such might not be a bad idea.

[Zotar]

Originally Posted by Terminal Est

I like it, and coming FROM a teenager, they may understand and believe that hostile intent is not what purely motivates your otherwise misleading behaviour. Just bored, and folks should do something instead of merely pointing and blaming.

However, the problem with arcades is that in the United States, it is a fairly dying concept. They are all the rage in Japan, but over here, the profits really are no good. You might have a hard time getting one established, especially if you live in a small town. :/

However, it would certainly be a good idea, for entertainment purposes.

Also, where I used to live before, an arcade was a facade, as much drug dealing went on in them. Locating it near a police station or some such might not be a bad idea.

Uh huh... i pretty much covered as much as i could with this letter. An arcade would work particularly well in this town, even with most kids going home to play videogames anyway. But most kids don't get home right away... this would really take advantage of the after school no place to go problem. It wouldn't just be an arcade either, I would build a lounge and a soda fountian in another room. That is, if I build the arcade. I wonder what i would call it...

[Terminal Est]

Call it...The Born Epidemic!