Cover Story Learning to Love by Nell Bernstein Caught in the political crossfire over their sexuality, teens are just searching for a human connection.

 "They look up, and the chemicals drift down from the planes. They walk to the fields, and they are dusted with chemicals from the leaves. They are surrounded; they have nowhere to run." -- A Giant Spraying Sound

DR. DOLPHIN
by Richard Blow
Flipper jokes aside, swimming with dolphins heals humans. Can the effect be reproduced in virtual reality?

A GIANT SPRAYING SOUND
by Esther Schrader
Since NAFTA, Mexican growers are spraying more pesticides on fruits, vegetables--and workers.

THE CIA CROSSES OVER
by Robert Dreyfuss
Our investigation uncovers a secret, high-risk plan to spy on U.S. allies.

WELCOME TO YOUR NEWT CONGRESS Eight people you don't like, soon to be running your life.

TEEN SEX WARS

Learning to Love
by Nell Bernstein
Caught in the political crossfire over their sexuality, teens are just searching for a human connection.

Sex Miseducation
by Douglas Kirby

Hellbent on Redemption
by Kathy Dobie
 Who would have thought that teenagers talking about sex would end up talking about their souls?

A LUST FOR GOLD
by Jessica Speart
Today's multinational miners buy public land cheaper and poison it faster than in 1849--thanks to Congress.

BARRY & OLLIE & US
by Will Saletan
The November elections reveal just how destructive American cynicism has become.

PHOTO FEATURES
Mother Jones gets (slightly) faster net access! This means, you get more pictures, and photography has long been one of our favorite things. This exhibit now open:

Double Exposed
by Larry Fink
A broken camera uncovers the Christian Coalition's hidden agenda.

This exhibit opening soon: And the Winners are: Our fifth annual photography awards.

DEPARTMENTS

EDITOR'S NOTE
What you need to know about Newt.

BACKTALK
Fighting words for fierce women; your advice for Bill; anger over immigration.

OUTFRONT
The gun industry targets schoolkids
Shameless self-promotion
Stuff on TV Rush Limbaugh
Dickless Tracy fights
Wise Users
Alice Waters on eating to save the planet
Bad bullets bite back
Fish fryers flummoxed further

RESOURCES
For further reading and advanced hellraising.

FASTTALK
An online chat about sex and morals.

OUTSPOKEN
Ntozake Shange minces no words.

PAULA POUNDSTONE
New Year's no-no's.
PLUS: Letters to Paula