Opinion | Columns - The Independent Florida Alligator

OPINION | COLUMNS

SG write-in campaign must succeed to challenge system

Feb. 13, 2014

Last week, I wrote about the Taco Libre Party, an offshoot of the Students Party whose goal is to bring a Taco Bell to UF’s campus. Upon closer inspection, though, it was clear that the Taco Libre party is the creation of frustrated opposition members trying to generate interest in Student Government in the shadow of the domineering Swamp Party.

OPINION | COLUMNS

Reaction to Coke ad reveals conservative intolerance

Feb. 13, 2014

Two weeks ago, MSNBC president Phil Griffin apologized to Reince Priebus, head of the Republican National Committee, for a tweet sent out by the network’s official Twitter account.

OPINION | COLUMNS

A nonconformist guide to loving Feb. 14

Feb. 13, 2014

Valentine’s Day gets a bad rap.

OPINION | COLUMNS

Lessons about love rise out of tragedy

Feb. 12, 2014

A bipolar man and reformed alcoholic kidnapped his son while his wife was at work one day. He didn’t get too far, though.

OPINION | COLUMNS

TED Talks shift social responsibility

Feb. 11, 2014

The motto of the informative and highly addictive TED Talks is “ideas worth spreading.” Gainesville’s independent offshoot — TEDxUF — had plenty of ideas worth writing home about. Some of the area’s best and brightest took to the stage Saturday and shared their experiences, concerns and hopes for the future.

OPINION | COLUMNS

Confronting fear is good for your health

Feb. 10, 2014

One good quip that came from John Mayer’s song “The Heart of Life” was “Fear is a friend who’s misunderstood.”

OPINION | COLUMNS

Disturbing findings on UF student leadership

Feb. 10, 2014

Like most students, I rarely pay attention to UF politics. However, when someone promises me there’s more than what meets the eye, I try to understand what’s going on.

OPINION | COLUMNS

Culture is a part of human identity

Feb. 10, 2014

Syria is rife with civil unrest. Many archaeological sites have been looted, museums are being damaged, and artifacts are being stolen. During times of war, cultural heritage is left defenseless. Islamic landmarks like the Umayyad Mosque, the old city of Aleppo and the Krak des Chavaliers — a crusader castle — have all been damaged by bombs and theft.

OPINION | COLUMNS

Voter suppression machine targets UF

Feb. 9, 2014

Is Gov. Rick Scott so concerned about his chances at re-election that his appointees need to prevent early voting on UF’s campus? After the Florida’s Division of Elections announced last week the Reitz couldn’t be an early voting location for Gainesville’s upcoming municipal elections, it certainly appears that way.

OPINION | COLUMNS

Real talk: Valentine’s Day sex isn’t special

Feb. 9, 2014

If you Google “Valentine’s Day sex,” you’ll get about 312 million results. That’s a lot of ideas.

OPINION | COLUMNS

NYFW: ‘Find me posing for the paparazzi’

Feb. 6, 2014

There are two kinds of people: those who will admit they care about fashion and those who care about fashion but don’t know it.

OPINION | COLUMNS

Plutocracy hurts middle class, widens gap

Feb. 5, 2014

A rising tide to lift all yachts?

OPINION | COLUMNS

Obama’s ‘year of action’ is too late

Feb. 4, 2014

“Lame duck” is too misleading a description of the remaining years of President Barack Obama’s time in office. Labeling a term “lame duck” implies that nothing will get done in Washington, and everyone knows it. The truth is, nothing will indeed happen, but the chief executive will try everything in his power to convince you otherwise.

OPINION | COLUMNS

GatorWell responds to ‘GatorAid’

Feb. 4, 2014

Last week in the Alligator’s GatorAid advice column, Leslie Cole responded to an anonymous student’s question, “I’m a girl, but I’m not 21. What are good old-fashioned ways to have fun without drinking?”

OPINION | COLUMNS

Scott’s shady donations crony capitalism

Feb. 4, 2014

As Gov. Rick Scott gears up for his 2014 re-election campaign, his primary focus has shifted away from dealing with the many critical issues our state faces. Instead, he has decided to devote the bulk of his energy toward fundraising for his re-election bid in advance of the November election.

OPINION | COLUMNS

What’s worse: weed or alcohol?

Feb. 3, 2014

The U.S. federal government is not known for always making the best choices. In some states, it’s legal to marry your first cousin but not a member of the same sex. However, one of America’s biggest flubs is the propagation of alcohol and the criminalization of marijuana.

OPINION | COLUMNS

Labels can liberate rather than limit

Feb. 3, 2014

It’s OK to like labels on things other than clothes — or really, on anything but your clothes — because those things can be itchy and uncooperative. Some people say labels are limiting, but I argue they are liberating. As humans, it is easier for us to categorize things. Labeling helps us process the world around us, as well as ourselves.

OPINION | COLUMNS

The drifter who changed our history

Feb. 3, 2014

With the national spotlight often on Floridians like Casey Anthony and Terry Jones, there’s not much we can be proud of. The Sunshine State isn’t exactly known for its positive contributions. However, there is one exception, and we recently marked its 50th anniversary.

OPINION | COLUMNS

Cold snap doesn’t disprove climate change, so start helping out

Feb. 2, 2014

The recent cold snap that froze much of North Florida and paralyzed our neighbors in Georgia and Alabama doesn’t disprove climate change. Period.

OPINION | COLUMNS

Task force not the solution to rape issue

Feb. 2, 2014

President Barack Obama recently announced that a task force was formed to address sexual assault on college campuses.