The Last

We're still here...
There is no disputing it, we have been attacked. Meetings with parents, suspensions, expulsions, confiscated copies, the works. The official position of the administration stands that they actually encourage the newspaper, but, methinks thee dost protest too much. What really amazed us was the rashness with which they sought to strike down a small, (at the time) not incredibly supported, very locally distributed paper such as ours. We can only imagine why: our principal's desire to strengthen her new positon? A haughty belief that we would not stand up for our rights? Maybe it was just fear. Can you imagine that? A little peeking of free speech, and the administration is set into a fearful rage to crush it before it grows. It makes my stomach turn to see such a repression of civil rights in the place that we are supposed to learn. The tactics used by the administration were at the very least less than honorable. They have turned the school setting into somthing more reminiscent of a CIA interrogation room than a learning environment. People who simply wrote their mind have been dealt greater punishments than many who have physically beaten others. You have to be asking, "How can this be?" The simple answer is that the administration can do nearly everything up to expelling people simply because they deem it right. It has come to our knowledge recently that this is not the first time our school has had an underground newspaper. It is also not the first time that our administration has sought to kill it before its birth. We are not seeking to pick some silly fight with the administration. We simply would like our free speech rights recognized so that we may coexist the way that press and government are supposed to in a democratic society. We are very willing to fight for this, and we will not die easily. And so, The Last perserveres. We hope to turn out many issues this year and we encourage you to continue submitting your articles. We would like to thank the ACLU and all who have supported us. Keep the writing coming and enjoy the issue! Here is what some others have to say about the crackdown :
      As I contemplate the best way to express my thoughts on what happened last year, I can't help but point out a few things that the school did which seemed outrageously unfair. Two people accused of wrting libelous articles for this paper were suspended soon after the second issue was distributed. Three days later, one suspension was revoked because the alleged *evidence* mysteriously disappeared. It seems to me as though the school's only goal in the suspensions was to attempt to scare information out of them. Even so, the entire process of accusing and suspending these people was flawed. The accused were not immediately informed of the nature of the accusations, and everything was carried out in a punish-first-ask-questions-later manner. I realize that the school is not a court of law, however we must realize that the rights guaranteed universally to everyone by the constitution do not cease to exist at the door to the classroom. The school must realize, that in their quest to discourage us, they have only made us want to keep publishing this paper that much more. We are not going to shut down just because our school seems to be afraid of letting people speak their minds openly. Of course, the official opinion is that they have no problem with the paper. If this is true, then why would the school go through as much trouble as they did to shut down the expressionary efforts of a bunch of kids? Do they really have that much to fear from us? When the first link of this chain is forged, the first speech censored, the first thought forbidden, the first freedom denied, it chains us all irrevocably. The first time *anyone's* freedom is trodden on, we're all damaged. The school should have thought about the meaning of those words before acting against us.

Insomnia

Beautiful moon.
Beautiful stars.
Sun not worthy amongst your striking beauty.
Coat of darkness, cool of night.
My sanctuary from the heat, the day.
Every night, you comfort me.
As I sit and wait...
For this insomnia to pass.


A Head



Responsibility

School means responsibility.
responsibility means work.
work means less time.
less time means unhappy kids.
unhappy kids means whining, moping, and bitching to everyone else.
whining, moping, and bitching to everyone else means
bad moods.
bad moods means angry people.
responsibility sucks.


A Hand
















Stupid

Well since it has been summer and I've had nothing really to be angry at school about, well, there is always some residual anger, but not much. I've decided to dedicate my article to the people I hate. Yeah, you know who you are, and no don't get thinking this is going to be an article ranting about a majority or minority group of race, ethnic background, or whatever else. No, it's dedicated to the stupid people of our world, and we all know they come from every background and are everywhere, unfortunately. Let's get another thing squared away, I don't mean stupid as in making mistakes or not being "book" smart, I mean stupid as just plain doing stupid and dangerous things repeatedly without regard for ones own life or others lives. These are the stupid people. You run into them every single day of your life. They threaten to endanger themselves, but most importantly you and I, assuming you aren't a stupid person yourself, but since you are reading The Last I'll assume you at least have some intelligence. Well, anyways, what does one do with stupid people? A very fascist and Nazi like answer would be to kill them. Well, since I'm a freedom loving American, and I think Nazi's are a bunch of hard-assed freaks, let's not kill them. Why?, you might ask. Well simple it's messy, but more importantly stupid people have this interesting habit of killing themselves, usually not on purpose though. So, all we have to do is wait, right? No, there is one fatal flaw in that idea and that is that stupid people have this other habit known as breeding. This is the worst part. Even though the stupid people may end up killing themselves, they bring into the world more stupid people. So let us know how to stop the infiltration of stupid people further into our society. WRITE YOUR LOCAL REPRESENTATIVE, on all levels of government. First off, though, start with our own student senate. We'd like to see what they would do to solve the problem, "Tee-hee, let's have a fundraiser, tee-hee!" Yes, folks they have infiltrated everywhere. Now after reading through this article you may be wondering, "Am I a stupid person?!?!?!?" Well as a service to our readers i have devised a test to see if you are a stupid person. You need a hammer, a size 16 common nail, and here comes the important part, BOTH of your hands. Now first lay down A hand on the table, either hand is fine whatever you personally prefer, then take the size 16 common nail in your other hand and jam it through the hand laying on the table so it stands at a 90 degree angle. Next, take the hammer and hammer the nail through the table until the head of the nail is at the top of your hand. Now after you have completed the test let's go to the break down of your intelligence, if you did not do the test at all you are decently intelligent, I'm not going to say how much since this is only one test, though. If you went and got all the supplies and then did not go through the test, you may be a little dim, but not stupid. If you drove the nail through your hand then you may or may not be stupid, it may just be an extreme loss of good judgement, well, call an ambulance and get a tetanus shot as soon as possible. If you hammered the nail through your hand YOU ARE STUPID! YES YOU ARE! You will one day eventually end up doing something so stupid you will kill yourself. I just hope you don't take any unsuspecting person with you. Oh yeah, you should call an ambulance, but I'm not going to force it. Oh, and by the way you don't have kids, right? Please say you don't have kids or plan on having any pretty please! Well, if you decided to keep reading and not call an ambulance you are even stupider and pretty soon you will probably pass out. But hey, I ain't gonna force it, ok?

Strangers

Strangers --
As i watch them walking by
their thoughts cross paths with mine
pain joy anger, all mixing
melting away into one
soul

They ponder the mysteries
profound as they may be
of life
though it does battle futility
they care not
and continue struggling
Strangers --
As i watch them walking by

Another Head



Poles

All day long.
Standing there.
Changing expressions
On queue.
Most never change.
Others blink at night.














Title

You know, watching television makes me sick sometimes. When I really have nothing else to occupy my time, I'll find myself flipping channels on T.V. right along with everyone else. I hardly ever watch television to be truthful, but when I do search for something meaningful to watch, I rarely find it. Now I recognize the need for having some material that serves as just plain old fun and entertainment. My problem comes in when there is nothing *else* available. Everything is geared toward entertainment, ratings, money, and nobody gives thought to its meaning, or its message. And then there are instances of useless crap. Case-in-point, talk shows like Ricki Lake or Jerry Springer, or people like Howard Stern, whose sole purpose for existence is to feed humanity's natural desire for the 'evils' of social life; sex, violence, etc. Things like this are not entertainment, they are a disease. It is a disease that has widely infected the American culture and continues to get worse as time passes. This disease is poisoning the minds of people who come to believe that the kind of life depicted on television and by the marketers is all they have to look forward to in life. Very seldom in my experience will I find someone who is more willing to sit down and experience Shakespeare, or any form of literature for that matter, than they are willing to sit and watch a movie. My own sister for example, doesn’t miss a chance to watch a channel that she likes every Monday night because there are usually movies on about serial killers. Are we, as a "civilized" society really willing to let people be swept up by the harsh glamour of the 'show-what-sells' Hollywood style attitude of the 90's? We are a country whose children's verbal and mathematical skills have sunk so low as to have to resort to watered-down curriculums and easier standards. I'll tell you something, in my humble opinion, our school's curriculum is a complete joke. The students with the top grades are more interested in not taking the chance of losing a couple of points on their GPA than in what quality of education they receive. Very few students are willing to take the even fewer number of difficult classes offered at our school. To those people who do, I offer my congratulations, and my respect. To the others, I urge you to think about what I have written here. Television is only one manifestation of this disease. AIDS, drug use, and teenage pregnancy are other examples of the society-wide shift away from the set of values that our parents and grandparents used to swear by. So many valuable things are being lost because of this. There is a lack of love for learning; the inquisitive nature of a small child now seems to be obscured by the blaring lights of growing up in such an environment. Nobody searches for a deeper meaning anymore because in most things available, there is no meaning to search for. Are we really willing to let our society continue on like this? You tell me; It's up to you.

The Traveling Woman

She so swiftly moves from place to place,
Creating a new life where she goes.
With no regrets or being caught in a daze,
She just goes on to smell the fragrance of a new rose.

Every time she starts another birth.
A birth of a life more exciting than the last,
To discover things not known to her on this earth,
But this life will soon be in her past.

She always leaves hearts broken and
Longing for more, just to be touched once more.
They desire to just feel her soft hand,
To glance over and see her walk through the door.

She will never enter their lives one more day,
For she is disappeared to another life without worry.
Nothing can change her mind, not a thing that you say.
You must get on with your life in a hurry.

She loved you then, and she always will,
You'll be in her heart forevermore.
But she must cross over another hill,
And create a cure for another sore.

You can never understand what's in her mind,
Or know why it is that she must go.
It is a change in life that she must find,
And spread her love elsewhere, or so.

So do not mourn the loss of her company,
But remember the life she shared and gifts she gave.
Know that she's in your heart every time you see
An endless road that, with continuing footprints, it is paved.













It's Too Much

I think we can all agree that this summer was too damn short! Why is it that we must suffer through 9 MONTHS of torture? Sure, we get a week off here, a day off there...but is that what we really want?! No!! What would be nice is a month off here, a few weeks off there. Don't get me wrong, we can still have our summer vacation. We'll just have ... extended holidays. That way, noone can argue, and the learning environment would be so much more relaxed. Only one question, Does that mean we'd have to attend school more years of our lives? Blah...forget it.

Why I need a girlfriend

This summer I saw a lot of things, most of which I could handle. But when I am walking down the street, or in a mall, and I see some beautiful girl walking past me, I have to bite my hand. It is especially bad in summer, when they wear skirts or shorts, I even let out an involuntary groan. It is almost as bad as during the cold months, but at least I can contain myself until when I get home and bite my pillow. So you see, I want a girlfriend, not for the benefits, but to relieve the pressure that is already there. If I had a girlfriend, I could see a chick and be like, "yeah, that's nice, but I got me a girlfriend." There by relieving pressure from me to talk to them. Taking care of a girlfriend can't be that hard can it? All they need is food, shelter, and time. Yes, yes I will, I have to. Not because I am a horny teenager, or because I am made fun of for not having one. Not for the sex or companionship. Not even to prove to myself I can get one. I need one because my hand is really really tired.

A Cat's Boredom

I have been lying here
Do you think she would mind?
They have been there
rolling on her feet
wiggling, dancing
for the longest time
In the sunlight
Toes
I am a lion
Stalking it's prey
Do you think she would mind?
*CHOMP*

Idiocy

Today we celebrate idiocy
hooray for all the wonderful useless inventions
The great mechanical pencil
and the stress-relieving
automatic toothbrush
and who could forget
that life saving clap on device

Thank you to all those brilliant inventors making our lives so much better

Thanks for big screen TV's
and professional wrestling
and most of all bless america for MTV. Because it is so entertaining and informative.

I am forever greatful to
the person who started the anorexic trend. I always wanted to eat dry bland foods and buy 101 different electronic stair climbers

I love inflation!
I love buying $50 jeans
and spending $100 on cute dresses Hey maybe I could find a pair of pink platforms for only $60. The wonderful world of fashion is grand, isn't it?

Most of all I want to
thank Disney for all those
snappy heart-gripping theme
filled movies that explain my
life in 140 minutes. You guys
are great.

Halloween

Once upon All Hallow's Eve,
There came a man of age.
The Book of Life lay in his hands,
'Twas time to turn the page.

He carried a scathe upright in hand,
Sharpened with deadly intention.
This man, I thought, was surely here,
To make a fatal incision.

He stared me down, he blocked my path,
My body froze in fear.
For out of his death-dwelling pockets
Came the shape of a God-given spear.

'Twas shoved to me, in my arms it rest,
He opened his mouth to scream.
For tonight was the night I had to die,
Tonight was Halloween.

I thrust it towards his black veiled skull,
But he slashed me from ear to ear.
Then I awoke, drenched in sweat,
And shaking in mortal fear.

I sat up, turned on a light,
I was sleeping in my bed.
But when I looked down to my hands,
they were a bloody red.

I looked to the mirror, I was crusted with blood,
From what I thought was just a dream.
But as I died I saw that all terror's are possible,
On the night of Halloween.

Markers

A beautiful thing,
they are
Plenty of colours laid strait
in a row
The problem occurs whn your stuck
in a car
and markers they spill and touch
your toe

Your toe, it wiggles and squirms
and shouts
you try and you try to reach
the navy blue
but the seat belt is tight and won't
let you out
It's helpful, you know, but it's
restraining you!

Suddenly you make your "wise"
decision
and slowly, quietly unbuckle your
safety belt
You grab the marker and sigh of
satisfaction
But mother gives you the looks that makes
you melt

So out of the blue you snidely reply,
"It was Damn worth it, mom, Don't give me that eye!!"

Burtle the turtle!


Silly Orders

I often sit back and think. Not about how screwed up the world is, or about how people mess up their lives with drugs and drinking. I ponder silly things such as why cleaners read 'all-purpose cleaners', instead of 'cleaner for all purposes.' Granted, 'all purpose cleaners' sounds better, but maybe that is because that order is what we are used to. Take macaroni and cheese, for example. Didn't Kraft advertise 'cheese & macaroni' at one point? People still couldn't get used to that order. It's either the fact that we are used to saying it the other way around, or that cheese is inferior to macaroni. If it's the second reason, than how come it's always 'cheese and crackers'? Crackers must be the lowest item on the food chain. Or that could be what the government wants us to think. Maybe it's all a plan to make us order-speaking robots. In that case, I believe we should revolt! Start saying things in opposite orders! That way no one can get us...


Man eating a squirrel


Brightness

As I sit, I see the brightness
and I listen to the wind
how it whistles in through the trees
on this crisp night...
It's power overwhelms me --
I see, I feel it's power
it consumes me
like the flames...
the brightness...

Ask Bondgrrl...

     Throughout my life I always wished I'd had a little sister so I could boss her around. After I'd finally come to the realization that my mother would be driven to insanity if there were a miniature Bondgrrl running around, I just decided to adopt the entire world as my little sisters and brothers. Upon realizing that I can't boss anyone around (believe me, I've tried!), I settled into my role of giving advice. It's very rewarding, even when no one takes my advice. Some people just need a kick in the head, but I'm limited to verbal assaults.

     You may be wondering about my accreditations and/or qualifications. Well, I took a psychology class once, but that provided shit for useful information. Instead, I present to you life experience, common sense, and the fact that I'm not emotionally involved in your situation (which is often the most helpful of all). I also have a small consulting staff (well, some friends) should I be completely stumped by your problem.

     I can help with a multitude of problems: love, hate, men, women, sex, drugs, rock n' roll (I've got great taste in music!), excess, work, school, grammar, website design, parents, etc. Nothing's taboo to me. I've seen/heard/done it all, man. And best of all, it's anonymous. You can make up a name if you're really paranoid, but I don't care who you are, really.

     You can also go to my website at http://www.geocities.com/SouthBeach/Marina/1775 if you want to know more about me. I look forward to helping you out!

Love, Bondgrrl

-------------------------------------------------------------

Dear Bondgrrl,

     My love life is pretty unsatisfactory. And I am not talking about sex, but I have never had a boyfriend. So I finally befriend this guy and I am totally attracted to him and I am pretty sure he is into me as much as he can be legally. The problem is this: He is 26, a whole ten years older than me. Damn it! I finally find the perfect guy and nothing could ever happen. He is kind of impossible to forget for reasons I cannot disclose. Help! Do you have any advice on what I should do?

Karoline, WI

     No matter what idealists may say, age does matter. It can be an advantage or a disadvantage, and in a relationship, it's usually a disadvantage. Here's why: People at different ages are at different stages of life. You probably don't want to hear about his bill problems, car payments, his receding hairline, etc. And on the same token, he probably couldn't care less about your curfew, how much your parents suck, or your math homework. You'll both end up frustrated. I would also ask, "What does he want from me?" all too often guys date younger women for sexual reasons. And sometimes they date younger women because they're immature themselves. That may sound good right now, but if you were to have any future with this guy (which you really shouldn't think about now but I'll say this anyway), that immaturity will really wear on you. You mentioned that you've never had a boyfriend. Ask yourself how eager you are to have one. Why? You want to be absolutely sure you're not rushing into anything. It's perfectly normal to not have a boyfriend at your age. I was 16 before I'd even kissed a guy! I don't feel one bit ashamed about that. Think about what you really want in the romance department and don't let anyone persuade you to live by their ideals. Everyone is different. Maybe you'd be better off as friends with this guy. Or at least to start with. It's a great way to begin a relationship, and an excellent way to weed out the guys who only want to have sex with you.

Bondgrrl

Hey!

Welcome to an exciting new school year, yea!! This is a tribute to all those lost and wandering souls searching for a sociably-correct identity. Here are some sure-fire tips for developing a unique personality that will surely grant you the admiration and jealousy of your peers.