the May Mark

May 2010

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May 2010

Karma

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She only plays a fair game To reward or punish the good and insane Never forgetting the actions that the people have done She never sleeps, she stays up at every dark night and morning sun She’ll be there when you least expect Like having her revenge, and making your life a train wreck Or placing some change and dollars for you on the floor Because the kindness you bring, then you want rewards And she cares so much of the little things you do From helping others to calling someone a stupid fool She smiles greatly with the positive attitude you bring Brighten peoples’ days, happy enough for them to loudly sing But she cries and frowns by the putdowns and blood you spill She knows hatred leads to discrimination, and kills Sometimes she makes you feel emptier than death She makes you feel deeply vulnerable, even on cocaine and meth Karma is your little sister or daughter who follows you around She’ll always be there, in your ups and downs You can’t escape her, she’s always stuck with you She’s letting you know you can never run away from her rules

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The MArk

The MArk Contributors:IeJ

w

Editors-in-chief: Adam Zuckerman Regina Mullen Kate Reardon

FEATURES

Staff:

Michael Abramson Trent Bastian Rachel Fox Taylor Gananian Russell Gurman Sofia Gutierrez-Dewar Wes Hagman Blair Johnson Anna Luke Haley McCabe Alexander Most Evan Peairs Ian Proulx Hannah Rosenfeld Stephanie Sabatini Jed Springer Conrad Yu Lindsey Sepulvedaw

Creative Writing and Visual Arts Committees: Addie Brian Ali Candlin Sofia Gutierrez-Dewar Maddie Holtzman Fiona Kirby Sydney LeFebvre Lily Ning Laurin Noguchi Allison Silverman

Cover Art

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20 Teacher Personals

42 Married with Students 56 What Prom Needs 56 High Mark, Low Mark 57 Prom Alternatives

JUST FOR FUN

6 The Cottage 28 Alive 29 Curse 30 Painting

FINE ART

32 Unspoken Words 36 Drowning 46 Darrien

FICTION

May 2010 28 Curse 29 Alive 30 I am a Gangsta 31 Static

POETRY

Table of Contents The MArk, a feature magazine published by the students in MenloAtherton High School’s Journalism class, is an open forum for student expression and the discussion of issues of concern to its readership.

The MArk is distributed to its readers and the student body at no cost. The staff welcomes letters to the editor but reserves the right to edit all submissions for length, grammar, potential libel, invasion of privacy and obscenity. Send all letters to themamark@gmail.com

18 Graffiti Art 52 All Aboard 48 Eric Evans 60 Album 63 Parting Shot

PHOTOGRAPHY

JeI:srotubirtnoC krAM e 5

The MArk

Absence Policy

not Present

by Adam Zuckerman

Many of you, especially second semester seniors, have probably asked someone how many classes you can miss before you are in danger of not getting credit for a class. But the details of our absence policy are oddly elusive. After asking several teachers, the attendance clerk, and two vice-principal secretaries, I, a senior, the resident badass, and avid 7th period ceramicist, was still unclear about the fine print of the rule.

I was able to establish that after 18 absences in a single class the office asks the teacher whether the student should still be given a credit or whether he or she should receive the dreaded NA (no credit). Still, nobody was able to tell me with conviction what kind of absences (cut, excused, school activity, etc.) counted toward this 18.

I was then directed to AVP Secretary Aubrey Orcutt, who seemed knowledgeable about this policy. She was able to give me the details: At 18 absences, with 3 or more cuts, a student is declared ineligible for credit; however, with under 3 cuts, the student is given credit regardless of excused classes missed. I was also informed that absences declared as “school

senior prank “fish tank” on the green F 6

D -

activities” do not count toward this ominous 18.

Unfortunately, this contradicts our student handbook, our only source of written rules, which states in bold “A teacher may not change an NA to a passing grade if the student has more than three unexcused absences or cuts.” So I returned to Aubrey Orcutt who remarked, “I don’t know why it says that. That is wrong.”

She also confirmed that school activities do not count toward your permitted 18 absences even though that appears unmentioned in the school handbook.

So why does nobody seem to know the fine print of this rule, and how can people be expected to follow guidelines that are nowhere to be found? In short, they should not. Not only does the administration not tell the students that an absence due to a school activity (missing class for a sport, field trip, etc.) count toward our 18 in the handbook or at the assembly at the beginning of the year at which the policy is discussed, but they also give us false information in our handbook regarding this policy. I am left thinking, how many other rules in our handbook are either left out or blatantly untrue…

no “disregarded” fire alarms

admin bans pizza

Low Marks

D

D +

C -

C

C

C +

May 2010 and it is M-A’s most physically fit that continue to struggle with the requirement.

by Regina Mullen

Fulfilling graduation requirements is no easy task – students already struggle with meeting English, math, history, foreign language, and arts requirements. However, for the increasing number of intense club athletes, the physical education requirement is becoming the most burdensome of any. Club sports, which usually involve extensive hours of practice, individual workouts, games, and traveling tournaments, are an incredible demand on time and energy, especially when coupled with normal schoolwork. The simple truth is that most club athletes do not have the time to take a period of P.E, or enroll in summer P.E, or complete enough seasons of M-A sports in order to complete the requirement. Yet somehow, year after year this system is perpetuated

getting pizza anyways

shape to play soccer.” In fact, M-A apparently already bends the state requirements by allowing students to substitute M-A athletics for P.E. On occasion, M-A has granted credit and permitting individual exceptions to athletes in specific sport athletes to log their practice individual sports, such as tennis, hours in the supplement packet horseback riding, and even squash. instead of taking P.E. These individual sport athletes are given a supplement packet, which While the effort is appreciated, requires them to fill out a weekly the fact remains that club team log of the number of hours spent athletes are left to struggle through playing complete with a coach’s a suffocating mass of practice, signature. This policy, however, travel, games, recruiting, workouts, offers no aid to club athletes playing homework, classes, and the addition team sports. of the P.E. requirement. The main argument for not permitting team According to state regulations, sport athletes to complete the P.E. despite the dedication and sheer supplement packet is that being demand on time required by on a team does not guarantee you club sport participation, P.E. playing time like an individual classes still offer indispensable sport does. M-A junior Nicola physical, nutritional, and health White has experienced firsthand education that club does not that even proof of your physical offer.

Administrative Vice activity will not suffice in gaining Principal Steve Lippi comments the supplement packet. White, that “the P.E. people determined a club soccer player for PSV that physical education with the Union 93, trains year round with schools is different than a student practices three times a week and getting in shape playing sports, extra sessions once or twice a because [P.E.] has an educational week. White was recently denied component. There are things that the P.E. supplement packet, despite we have to do in order to meet the offering reference letters from requirements of the state that goes her coaches and extensive hours over and above a student getting in

jazz band gets second place in Reno jazz festival

High MARKS

B -

B

B +

A -

A

new football coach

A+ 7

proulx

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VS

PS3

At the end of 2006, I was wondering hether I had wasted a spot on my Christas list by asking for a PS3 since I alady had an Xbox 360. My desire for the 3 started with Sony's exclusive shooter, sistance: Fall of Man. Unfortunately ere were no other PS3 games that I was terested in at the time, that were not also ailable on Xbox. So, I essentially ended getting a PS3 to play only one game. At e time, a PS3 cost $650—pretty expene for one game. By the end of Christas break, I had already beaten the game d spent hours online, and I was just out ready to sell my PS3 and go back Xbox exclusively. I'm glad I didn't.

Fast forward four years: the PS3 is ally giving the Xbox a run for its oney. There are now an equal numr of great games on both platforms, t each has its own unique advanges. So, which one should you buy?

BOX 360

pproves

fairly easy to navigate not organized as well no avatar or arcade room

small and awkward feeling to hold Buttons instead of triggers vibrates motion control is a pointless gimic rechargeable battery only

$250 free online play Blu-ray player worth around $150 *WINNER*

harder to access friends does not come with mic and requires blutooth headset so not as many players have mics less user friendly and hard to navigate through internet access but not integrated with facebook

PS3

Uncharted series Resistance series Killzone 2 Infamous Metal Gear Solid 4 God of War series Heavy Rain cannot play ps2 or ps1 games

Both PS3 and Xbox 360 have a good variety of strong exclusive games, but the Halo and Gears of War series push Xbox ever so slightly ahead. In addition, Xbox Live, as well as the Xbox dashboard and controller, is much more user friendly, easier to navigate with, and easier to meet up with friends.

In terms of price, though the Xbox is cheaper, the PS3 is in actuality a much better deal. It comes with a built in Blu-ray player (worth around $150) and it has free online play (Xbox Live is $50 per year).

Though I still recommend buying both if you can afford it, unless you absolutely need a Blu-ray player, I would go with Microsoft’s Xbox 360. Though the race is close, Xbox 360 continues to be the platform of choice.

THE VERDICT:

very easy to navigate well-organized avatar and arcade room are fun *WINNER*

fits hand perfectly triggers comfortable and resemble a gun vibrates no motion control rechargeable or replaceable battery *WINNER*

Controller

Dashboard

$200 xbox live $50 per year DVD player

easier to access friends system comes with microphone so most players have mics very user friendly and easy to navigate connects to facebook *WINNER*

Halo series Gears of War series Left 4 Dead series Mass effect series Splinter Cell series Crackdown Fable Series Alan Wake able to play most original xbox games *WINNER*

Price

Online Play

Games

Xbox 360 The MArk

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Photography Jonathan Nash

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Everything is nothing.

I

Does anything matter in this harsh reality?

This decaying crater of a planet has been sucked into the dark nothingness I call my heart.

A black hole that engulfs everything into its bottomless pit.

What am I? Who am I? A human being?

Am I am animal, or perhaps an empty, soulless shell of a being?

Searching for my purpose in this meaningless world.

By: Eric Myles

Nothing

The MArk

May 2010

l Rios

e Art Rafa

Art Roxana Dav

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The MArk

Pound Pets

By Anna Luke

Thinking of getting a new pet?

What better place to get one then an animal shelter. At the City of Palo Alto Animal Services the adoption process is designed to benefit both you and the animals that are up for adoption. Prior to adoption each animal must go through a medical check-up and behavioral tests. Before one can adopt a pet a volunteer helps the animal and the possible adoptive family spend time together to see how they respond to one another.

Ideally every member of the potential adoptive family meets the animal and everyone must come to agreement that the animal is just the right one for the household.

An animal services specialist checks to make sure the living arrangements are appropriate for the potential pet adoption. If all of these steps are successful then the shelter will approve the adoption and after paying a moderate fee the family and their new pet are able to spend a long and happy life together.

If you are unable to have a pet, but love animals you may want to become a volunteer at the

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City of Palo Alto Animal Services. Volunteers can do many jobs from foster parenting to socializing and taking the animals for exercises however these jobs do require some training. Volunteers have to be 16 years of age or older and must be able to make a regular commitment of time.

In addition to adoption the City of Palo Alto Animal Services offers a number of other animal services such as low cost vaccinations, a spay and neutering clinic, micro chipping so your pet can be identified if they become lost, lost and found services, licensing and registration, and they also sell pet supplies. Another important service offered is a “drop off” where pet owners can surrender a pet anonymously if they are unable to continue to care for a pet for any reason. For more information contact:

May 2010

-Animals from dogs, cats, rodants, reptiles and birds are found at the pound

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The MArk

Perspective

by: Yuki Nakayama

A rapid inhale of oxygen expelled into overwhelming darkness.

Neon green digits from the future.

A clock.

2:00 A.M. Eyelids tightly sealed because vision is not necessary.

I explore the world with the mind’s eye.

The penetrating purple iris, searching for life after life, the meaning within meaning, diving deeper into the sea to uncover the leviathan that dwells underneath.

With my eyes closed I see more than I have ever seen before.

The sky.

White paint hovering on blue canvas.

The purple iris envelops everything and develops images into answers.

I open my eyes and lie awake, moonlight draped over me like a blanket.

I reach for my pen and my notebook.

I push the tip of the ballpoint pen against the paper, but nothing happens.

There is ink in the pen, but the ink in my mind has dried up.

The mind’s eye is shut and betrays nothing.

I push it for answers but it will not reveal the secrets it has uncovered, the knowledge it has excavated.

A leaf.

The edges curled in like hands, cupped, containing a silver lake.

The pen slips from my hands.

The paper still lies blank.

The wind.

Trapped in nothing, it howls and screams at everything.

I close my eyes.

My eyes are closed, but I am not blind.

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2:30 A.M.

Somewhere in my head, something stirs.

It is purple.

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The MArk

Mouth Full of Crackers When a person is not in love, they have a mouth full of crackers.

No other food has a least-loving texture.

The way it breaks apart, a salty break.

Leaving your taste buds bursting out of pure need, pure depravity of water.

The salty lick of your tongue out of your mouth into the dry air rubbing across the loose skin of your lips makes you wonder if you can hurry up and chew through this uncomfortable stage.

The state you are in always gets the better of you the more you eat.

The more you eat you feel you can reach that heightened sense.

Poetry Deonte McCall

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Art Charles Washington

g n i r e Rememb

May 2010

r a uatemala fo travels to G rs he ast ac te re fo d students an icipate in re p of M-A school, part ou a a gr al m ild a te bu ua er G udents aveling to Every summ ng which st have been tr 1997. ng trip duri and teachers ts en e Fontana, in ud service-learni st Jo r, -A he M ac l. te ita -A sp M ho in a one anothby former tion or work hips with l Visionaries ns ba lo tio G la re of urng g di long-lastin ct of the jo since the foun trip form ofound impa is pr th . e es ;th of liv ts ar their daily Participants an counterp e return to r Guatemal th ei e th th nd yo on ith be g w l er and entry reflectin rticpants wel cent journal with the pa of, shares a re ut ney remains G .. eb a.

D al r, s in Guatem eramics teache over her year Here, M-A C ed rm fo ip sh him. ring friend loss of a endu t drew me to

tha as his eyes w him, it w sa t rs fi I When ght. heeled here?” I thou y almost. And as he w “Why is he h lt normal, hea He seems so again.

I’d see him away I knew ity in Guatemala C in ot sh s a S dollars) nio Yanes w alent of 7 U iv u eq Marco Anto e h (t arried quetzales years old, m 2 3 s a 1992 for 50 w e p watch. H and his chea r. g a daughte with a youn mala, tigua, Guate n A in ro ed Hermano P to the same rses.

In Hospital ear I return y ch a E l. the same nu il st by s r d fo n a d st re ca ke a time same wards, o Pedro, I ta n e a th m e me in er , H l ts a patien Hospit that consum to s n y io tr ot en em on p th relaxes e of Each year, u for the wav nes, my brea a re Y a p of the io re n p to d n n A a miliar smells Marco fa ot e sp self-th deep breath I in ce e k , I ta year on think to my I im h ch ”, a y E ce d . a a ly br re p ee em ss.

“I’m s I so d d food odor. intense proce h returns. A od gt is n e th re th st gh d u y n a ro m th and e men my students e sweat of th and mentor er en to our medicine, th te n u ol v at will happ ted to h ci W ex ? x d n la a re y I ill read gth. How w nd my stren fi ll I’ e er e? h ther wonder w will not be This year I ntonio Yanes A o rc a M group since vere their . atter how se orried… lost m w o f, n ie , gr ts en in ti pa I’m passionate. o Pedro. All itty and com n a w m , er rp a H sh of s a lifeline them. He w nio was the nce to calm se re p Marco Anto is h epended on giving by condition, d rving, then se ob s y a lw . A d to leave blue eyes now . He didn’t feel the nee p ee d is h lace and rance I still picture it was his p ip and endu lt fe sh e er d H a g. le n t ri way of quie do upon ente as so many l a it p os h e th . olors. His embraced it with waterc t in a p to vividly t him g the brush met, I taugh in t ch rs en fi cl e w e il h The summer me. ly shaking w nd desperate e to impress a ir h es e d k li is h aw d cl n a on ti a pour hope. etermin and my eyes rs evokes his d a te h it w y heart fills memories, m h it w ls el .

My mind sw ntly. were in pain suffering sile e while you e d si er w r ou ey y th ile wasn’t by r family wh I’m sorry I embrace you t n’ ld u co I I’m sorry e last time. ld see you on u co I h is w I 7th, 2010 60- March 1 9 o, 1 , er 8 h 2 y r m be o T ecem nio Yanes, D Marco Anto

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Take away my hair and you’ll find pink strings. My eyes create neon olives. Rainstorms of tangerine flowers balance my arms. These are my imperfections—they’re unfixable.

Unfixable

Alison Malathong

Artwork Josh Hubert

May 2010

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The MArk in

om to D

i

atin

ab ic S

Pho

Sabatini

by Stephanie Anyone who sat within earshot of the driver’s seat could tell you that Chuck, former driver of the route 85 Samtrans bus to and from M-A, has an adorable grand daughter named Lucy, he didn’t hesitate to share her picture with us all. Chuck knew the majority of student’s names who rode his bus and we all knew a little bit about him. In an interview with Chuck I got to learn a little bit more.

Chuck started driving school routes twenty years ago and said that “the students from M-A have been the best to deal with by far.”

Chuck began his driving career in San Francisco driving executives through the Tenderloin to the Financial District and maneuvering his way through China Town. He was working the day the Loma Prieta earthquake struck, the same day the San Francisco Giants were going to play the Oakland A’s. He was one of the bus drivers responsible for taking people home from the game and it turns out his route took mainly out of town folks back to their hotels around the peninsula. The drive, in total darkness thanks to the massive power outages, was not completed with out a little appreciation from the foreigners, upon arrival at the final hotel Chuck was greeted with a round of applause from everyone on the bus.

Looking back on days driving to and from M-A, Chuck said the following “Sarah Mitchell’s singing was definitely a fun part of the bus ride home from M-A… How about Colin [Sutton] and his orange hat, he always boarded the bus with a big smile and friendly “Hi Chuck!” The color of his hat reflected his up-beat personality. Sharing travel stories with Bailey [Scott] was always interesting… There was never a dull moment with tales from Haley [McCabe], Madeline [Drace], Briana [Fortnam], and Kendra [Wiley]. Listening to Matt [Giordano] and Connor [Sweetnam] terrorize each other up Alpine Road made for free entertainment. Then there’s Alex [Ballinger] and Spencer [Fussy] making the trip to Starbucks for my afternoon coffee, thanks to you both.”

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When asked whether or not Chuck would make the risky decision to drive high school students again, he answered, “Sure I’d do it as long as they had the courtesy and civility you and your friends have shown.”

May 2010

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Dreary Night Poetry Tommy Gaze out of the window and notice The drifting clouds that dazzle the looming light And the sweet cool air that blows the rusty leaves As the sun begins to depart and darkness settles Perhaps still contemplating from the

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Digital Illustration Greg Schulman

previous night How can I continue, when I no longer believe?

If I don’t recognize the dreary stars that remained since the previous night?

I wouldn’t trade your laughter for a moment of rest

Month after meditating month Year after zen filled year He fought against himself For freedom from humanity He sought mental management

But still his mind went up Then inevitably down Always at new rhythms This simple human psyche Sent shivers down his spine

He dreamed of nirvana Tranquility was his hope Every moment of his time Aimed at such self-filtration

Poetry Artist Name He went up, then down Down, then up Like a child on a simple swing His life ever changing

Emotion

Photography May Laurin 2010

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DRAWING Maria Ikonomou 26

May 2010

PHOTOGRAPHY

Beatrice: Man’s Best

by Haley McCabe Anyone who has a class in the E-wing has seen Beatrice bathing in the sun with a good chew toy outside of E-25. Beatrice, in case you didn’t realize already, is a dog—but not just an ordinary pet—she is a companion dog to M-A sophomore Jake Wilkins, who has cerebral palsy. With this disease, Wilkins has very limited control of the muscles in his body, making it difficult for him to communicate and do some necessary daily tasks.

Beatrice was bred especially for Jake. His father Kirby Wilkins, a retired English Teacher at Cabrillo College in Santa Cruz, did not know how to help Jake, who wanted to be independent but was unable to because of his condition. Kirby Wilkins was inspired by one of his students, Andrew, who is paralyzed from the waist down but lives a full productive life thanks to his companion dog.

As a result, Kirby decided to get Jake a dog too.

Kirby wanted Jake to have a dog that was very athletic, but also gentle, resulting in the Labrador and Golden Retriever mix. Beatrice was born in the California Companions for Independence (CCI) facility and was trained there for 2 years.

Before Beatrice, Wilkins did not have a dog, or any sort of companion, so it was hard for him to feel comfortable and independent on his own. His main goal is to be more self-sufficient, so Beatrice has many special skills to help him do

this. Frank Cornejo, the one-on-one aid to Wilkins, explains some of the tasks that Beatrice performs.

“Beatrice can open doors as long as there is a handle or something, like a rag, she can pull on. She can grab anything out of the fridge for Jake. If Jake drops something, Beatrice is there to pick it up and hand it to him.”

Beatrice and Wilkins share a very special relationship. Beatrice is 9 ½ years old and still serving as a companion dog, even though most dogs retire around 7 years old. Now, Beatrice is partially retired, so she does not respond to all 27 of her commands anymore.

Beatrice is extremely protective of Wilkins.

Earlier this year, Wilkins and the rest of his class went kayaking while Beatrice swam by his side the entire time. She understood that Jake could not carry his weight on his own in the water, and was extremely worried about his drowning.

If there was ever an emergency and Jake was at risk, Beatrice would know what to do.

She has the ability to dial 911 and the call the operator to get some help if he needs it.

Beatrice and Jake are best friends. They spend all day, everyday together—Beatrice lives with Jake and goes with him nearly everywhere.

In Jake’s case, Beatrice truly is man’s best friend.

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The MArk akes . talkboxt lkboxA a t a e k a m anrealy nhowto rvoiceN owyouc o s . n o i t c u r stepinst uwarpitwithyou estep-byyo Heres'som strumentandlets l n i a c i s u ! anym ghyourmusic u speakthro

Do it yourself how to make a talk box

Ever wished you could speak through your instrument? Probably not, but still it's a tempting idea. A talk box takes the sound of your electric instrument of choice and warps it to the sound of your voice. It's a weird cross between a wah-wah pedal and an auto-tune machine. Despite its off-the-charts awesome factor, it's fairly easy to build at home and won't cost too much.

you will ne Old set of co e Few feet 1/2 mputer speakers (pd in ch o utside diam owered) Plumbing et Drill with cap that fits your speaer vinyl tubing 1 /2 ker cone in ch drill bit DUCT TA Plastic sto PE Screwdriverrage box OR plunger Electric m s, tools to open your head usical instru speaker ment

A talk box works by replacing your vocal chords to make sound. Normally, your vocal chords vibrate to create tones that you then shape in your mouth. The talk box simply plays the sounds your instrument makes in the place of your vocal chords, letting you shape the sound and make notes much like you would by talking normally.

1

2

up your speakers. Be sure not to cut any wires. Separate 1 Open the speaker cone from the body. a hole in the top of the plumbing cap and insert the tubing.

2 Drill Duct tape it in place, making sure that the tubing doesn’t reach very far into the cap.

3Place the speaker cone in the plumbing cap, making sure not

5

to rip out its wires. Duct tape the wires to the speaker if you’re concerned for their safety.

Place the cap in your container.

A. If you’re using a plunger head, push the cap into place so it fits snugly. Make sure the seal is tight, then duct tape it until it’s airtight as possible.

B. If you’re using a plastic box, place the speaker body and cap in the box, then duct tape the cap into place.

Make sure it’s airtight. Drill a slightly larger hole in the side of the box and run the tube and any wires through it, then seal it with duct tape. If you want to be able to turn the speaker on and off and adjust its volume, leave the top unsealed.

Cover up your talk box. Use blankets or pillows, whatever dampens its sound the best. Make sure most of the sound coming out of the talk box comes through the vinyl tube.

To use your Talk Box, plug it into your musical instrument output, usually an amp or keyboard. Stick the vinyl tube in your mouth, gripping it with your molars, and play your instrument as you normally would. Shape your mouth into different vowel or consonant shapes as if you were actually talking. Don’t expect to be able to make understandable noises at first, but vowels and wah-wah sounds will be easy. Exaggerate your consonants to be undestood better. Once you get over the silliness, you'll see how much fun a talk box can really be.

Footnotes:

Make sure your plumbing cap (and plunger if you use one) fits your speaker before you buy it, the one in the pictures is too large and thus isn’t loud enough. Turn your instrument up as loud as possible, as well as the speaker amp. If there’s a problem, duct tape is the solution.

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May 2010

D

esperately avoiding the bullets flying downrange, Private First Class Kessler sprints behind his squad leader. A rocket propelled grenade narrowly misses him and flies past, striking a tank in a ball of flame. Kessler takes refuge behind a concrete wall, and pulls out a weathered photograph from his shirt pocket. He thinks of his family, his Maria and his two kids, and, with a renewed sense of determination, chances a peek from behind his shelter. A fifty caliber screams through the back of his skull. Blood and bits of skulls fly everywhere. Fifteen seconds later, Kessler respawns.

This is a common occurrence on TV screens and computer monitors, and the witnesses are none other than video game players, both young and mature.

The question, which the Supreme Court has decided to address, is whether or not to ban the sale or rental of video games deemed excessively violent, which “lack literary, artistic, political or scientific value,” to minors.

Though Governor Schwarzenegger signed such a bill into law in 2005, the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals struck it down, ruling that the law went against our of freedom of expression. Now, the Federal Supreme Court will rule whether or not such a ban does indeed violate the First Amendment. However, the proposed ban law is too broad to prove effective even it were constiutional: based on the current criteria, the ban would include nearly all successful first person shooters and real time strategy franchises.

The bill’s definition of a violent video game is one which depicts “killing, maiming, dismembering or sexually assaulting an image of a human being.” When one examines the situation and the characteristics of video games, the vast majority of contemporary best sellers are those that depict violence. Halo, Gears of War, Half-Life, and Battlefield games, to name a few, all include blood-splatters and violent depictions of war.

To most players, war is a prodigious thrill which is best experienced vicariously from the comfort of their couch.

Like prepubescent girls with romance films, gamers play to experience second hand what they cannot do so first hand.

If the purpose of video games, like movies, is to entertain, then shouldn’t lawmakers and judges treat the two equally? In some cases, movie scenes are much more generous with gore and guts than video games. We all remember that D-Day scene from Saving Private Ryan and the soldier who so horrifyingly lied on the beach with

his intestines strewn about the sands of Normandy. But according to ban advocators, laws should judge violence in interactive entertainment with increased strictness.

Proponents of the bill argue that the government should hold “excessively” violent video games to the same standards as they hold sexually explicit adult films. That’s comparing apples to oranges. The argument would make sense if it were advocating the ban of sexually explicit material in video games, such as in the Grand Theft Auto games, but what they are advocating now is much more severe.

Another flaw in the conditions of the ban is the ambiguity of its definition. While the bill would prohibit violent actions to images of humans, it does not state that violent actions to images of non-humans, such as mutants or aliens, are unacceptable. In Halo, players kill enemy soldiers part of a coalition of alien races; in Gears of War, players chainsaw alien creatures in half.

And what of zombies? Increasingly popular are games which include zombies. Zombies were once human; they even look like humans, but they’re just not humans. Does that mean we’re allowed to decapitate them in some creative way (potato cannon that luanches chainsaws perhaps)? The proposed law in itself is effectively defined.

In the end, even if the law were to pass, it would only hinder the acquiring of violent video games by minors.

The law states that games deemed too violent would have to have an “18” sticker. Because of the law’s ambiguity, game publishers, developers and players will inevitably find loop holes to climb through. And before another law can be passed, “violence” will have soaked through the bill like water through a sponge. Lawmakers need to revise the bill if they want to design an effective ban.

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