Opinion | Columns - The Independent Florida Alligator

OPINION | COLUMNS

The politics of hatred and divisiveness

Mar. 11, 2014

The American political system has traditionally exemplified the fundamental principles of democracy. It is a system that Americans take pride in, and among other things, enables them to promote their country as the leader of the free world. However, America’s political system is not perfect, as it does not prevent those we elect from abusing and undermining it. Such abuse is currently playing out with the current Republican-controlled House of Representatives.

OPINION | COLUMNS

Obama visit to Coral Reef highlights importance of public education

Mar. 11, 2014

Before I was a Gator, I was a ‘Cuda.

OPINION | COLUMNS

Obama’s plan for Venezuela, Ukraine?

Mar. 11, 2014

Civil unrest is in full bloom for some South American and Eastern European countries. Thousands of protesters in Ukraine and Venezuela — many of whom are college-aged students — took to the streets to protest their governments’ wrongdoings.

OPINION | COLUMNS

Open letter to UF men: Sexism isn’t OK

Mar. 10, 2014

Ed. note: This column uses strong language. Offensive words have been left uncensored to preserve the columnist’s intent.

OPINION | COLUMNS

Lulu guy-rating app provides amusement, guilt, perspective

Mar. 10, 2014

I first heard about Lulu a little more than a year ago at a work party.

OPINION | COLUMNS

It’s none of your business: questions that we’re sick of

Mar. 10, 2014

I was eavesdropping in the hair salon the other day because, really, what else am I going to do when I can’t move my head, leave my chair or watch videos on my phone without feeling self-conscious?

OPINION | COLUMNS

Where in the world is the mysteriously missing Malaysian jetliner?

Mar. 10, 2014

The mystery and tragedy that surrounds the disappearance of a Malaysian jetliner early Saturday is a story that makes you want to look away, but somehow you just can’t help but stare.

OPINION | COLUMNS

Oral sex app ignores body intricacies

Mar. 9, 2014

How was your Spring Break? Meet anyone fun? Get a tan? Learn how to perform oral sex from your phone?

OPINION | COLUMNS

Lake Okeechobee restoration efforts shouldn’t be turned over

Mar. 9, 2014

The Florida Legislature is attempting to seize total control of Lake Okeechobee, eliminating the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers from the process and giving total water management control to the South Florida Water Management District. This proposal is a bad idea, as it overlooks the history of the management of the lake and related water bodies in regard to the Clean Water Act.

OPINION | COLUMNS

Conservatives fail to accept changing US

Mar. 9, 2014

Conservatives flocked to Washington, D.C., last week for the Conservative Political Action Conference to rally behind conservative leaders and discuss their core ideological beliefs. Sadly, the week produced the same rhetoric spouted by conservatives — most of whom identify as Republicans — that many young Americans and minorities, more often than not, reject.

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If a friend is incoherent, call for help: You won’t get in trouble

Feb. 27, 2014

She was 19, smart, silly and beautiful.

OPINION | COLUMNS

Venezuela column wrong

Feb. 27, 2014

Eric Brown’s guest column demonstrated hypocrisy in two ways: Its title and its content emphasized why the viral video explaining today’s situation in Venezuela is one-sided. He then went on to emphasize the few improvements the Venezuelan government has accomplished while completely disregarding the country’s significant increase in murders, scarcity in basic day-to-day needs, tyrant rule over peaceful protests and censorship of the media.

OPINION | COLUMNS

Venezuela column doesn’t give whole truth

Feb. 27, 2014

Last Tuesday, a column ran in the Alligator titled “Viral video is one-sided” by UF student Eric Brown, in which he discussed Nicolás Maduro, Hugo Chávez and Venezuela. After reading it, I realized some things he said were partially true and some partially false.

OPINION | COLUMNS

‘Religious freedom’ bill ignites controversy

Feb. 27, 2014

The land home to the Grand Canyon brought a slew of controversy this week when reactionary legislators passed a religious freedom bill. The bill is an amendment that rides on the shoulders of an act that began after Native American Church members were fired for using psychedelic cacti more than a decade ago. It enshrines Arizona citizens’ rights to religious freedom by declaring that anything done or not done because of a “sincerely held” religious belief is well and good, so long as it doesn’t conflict with government interests.

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Net neutrality is a thing of the past

Feb. 26, 2014

Think about the nature of the Internet. It’s anything and everything at your fingertips whenever you want it. One day, we will tell our children we lived in a time when information was truly free.

OPINION | COLUMNS

It’s time to stop pretending what Student Government is and isn’t

Feb. 25, 2014

The words in this column come difficult for me, as I have many friends and colleagues who are currently enjoying a momentous win with the Swamp Party.

OPINION | COLUMNS

Get schooled: education system paradox in the US

Feb. 25, 2014

Education has always been a hot-button issue in this country. One side of this polarizing issue demands respect for teachers unions; the other says standardized testing is paramount.

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Republicans to blame for Florida's ‘grim’ outlook

Feb. 25, 2014

A new study released by the Leroy Collins Institute on Florida’s economic and fiscal health paints a bleak picture of the state’s present and future.

OPINION | COLUMNS

Bearded ladies and double standards

Feb. 24, 2014

Bearded ladies used to be ogled for entertainment as a part of freak shows that were popular from the mid-1800s to mid-1900s, but bearded ladies still exist today.

OPINION | COLUMNS

Fresh approach needed to tackle SG corruption

Feb. 24, 2014

Most UF students are by now familiar with the ongoing situation on campus. If you’ve read the disturbing ways the Swamp Party maintains its control over student leadership — as reported widely in the Alligator and the Fine Print — it’s not pleasant.