Opinion | Columns - The Independent Florida Alligator

OPINION | COLUMNS

Vote ‘Yes’ on One Mill for Schools

Oct. 14, 2012

Four years ago, during the 2008 election cycle, voters in Alachua County voted “yes” on the One Mill Ad Valorem Tax, a property fee levied against homeowners in Alachua County that is used to directly provide funding to schools’ nurses, elementary art and music programs, K-12 school library programs, K-12 guidance programs, classroom technology, school magnet programs and high school band and chorus programs. This voting initiative, which expires in 2013, will be put to a vote again this election cycle, and I am writing to urge voters to vote “yes” on this imperative revenue source used to fund our school programs, which in turn make our community stronger.

OPINION | COLUMNS

Public media should be treasured, supported

Oct. 11, 2012

Although it debuted before my time, so to speak, I have fond memories of watching “Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood” as a young child discovering the wonders of television in the living room of our tiny Orlando apartment.

OPINION | COLUMNS

Millenials, it’s time to break out of the technology bubble

Oct. 11, 2012

Our generation has tools that our parents and grandparents could only dream of, and groundbreaking technology seems to be at our fingertips with newer, smarter gadgets coming out one after another.

OPINION | COLUMNS

Heat is fleeting; let’s hear it for Higgs

Oct. 10, 2012

July 4, 2012 may well be a day that will be remembered as one of the great turning points in history. Yet for so many of us, this day went by without fanfare.

OPINION | COLUMNS

Big Bird should not be an issue in election

Oct. 9, 2012

The lovable figure from the children’s program “Sesame Street” entered the political fray amid presidential candidate Mitt Romney’s statements “I’m going to stop the subsidy to PBS,” and “I like PBS. I love Big Bird ... I’m not going to keep on spending money on things to borrow money from China to pay for it.”

OPINION | COLUMNS

Why Bad Things Happen to Good People

Oct. 9, 2012

I’m just going to level with you up front: I cry easily. You might label me a punk for admitting that, and I won’t dispute those claims, but I can’t control the atmospheric conditions that aggravate my sensitive tear ducts.

OPINION | COLUMNS

Opinions: Or, why grammar isn’t important

Oct. 8, 2012

My opinion of thing is this because reasons.

OPINION | COLUMNS

US voters could learn from Venezuelan voters

Oct. 8, 2012

Critics thought the Venezuelan election was pointless, fraudulent and controlled by the current government. Some voters were skeptical about the validity of their votes and if the election would be legitimate.

OPINION | COLUMNS

Apple continues to control consumers

Oct. 7, 2012

The brains over at Apple have the public under mind control.

OPINION | COLUMNS

The oil industry is brainwashing you

Oct. 5, 2012

During the pre-debate analysis, every single commercial break included at least one 30-second spot of propaganda from the fossil fuel industry and its brazenly vile lobbies. In fact, the event itself was partially sponsored — “brought to you by” — these dirty interest groups.

OPINION | COLUMNS

Healthy living needs positive reinforcement

Oct. 4, 2012

Instead of looking to end child obesity, the first lady should be preaching the start of healthy lifestyles.

OPINION | COLUMNS

Christianity is a crazy religion at times

Oct. 2, 2012

There isn’t a politically correct way to say this, so I’ll just say it: Christians are crazy people.

OPINION | COLUMNS

Las Vegas bets put referees back on the field

Oct. 2, 2012

The outrage that ensued from the referee scandal signaled that the NFL, arguably the most popular professional sporting league in the nation, has been negatively impacted by complicated labor negotiations.

OPINION | COLUMNS

Bias keeps us from reaching full potential

Oct. 1, 2012

A recent New York Times article presented the results of an interesting study: It confirmed the existence of some preconceived notions about girls, boys and their mental capacities in the field of science.

OPINION | COLUMNS

The place where science and faith intersect

Sep. 25, 2012

On one hand, my life has been transformed by passionately pursuing the God of the Bible. On the other, I have always been captivated by the sciences.

OPINION | COLUMNS

Debates minimized by other outlets

Sep. 25, 2012

We are one week away from seeing a side-by-side contrast of both major presidential candidates. The first of a series of debates between President Barack Obama and Gov. Mitt Romney is rapidly approaching.

OPINION | COLUMNS

A little common courtesy goes a long way

Sep. 24, 2012

In the midst of the prejudice, discrimination and hate that seemed to rule the era, an act of kindness in regard to these students’ well-being catapulted numerous other significant events. Doing something unconventional, and at the time socially unacceptable, for the benefit of a few would eventually make all the difference in how this country treats people of all backgrounds.

OPINION | COLUMNS

Fuel economy improvements are a good thing

Sep. 23, 2012

The opening day of the Republican National Convention, President Barack Obama announced he finalized his plan to raise Corporate Average Fuel Efficiency to 54.5 mpg by 2025.

OPINION | COLUMNS

Romney’s 47 percent remarks misleading

Sep. 20, 2012

Of all the seemingly shocking statistics that Conservatives love to sputter in defense of their regressive tax policies, their favorite must be that 47 percent of Americans pay no federal income tax. Astounding, isn’t it? How can those pinko-commie hippies at Occupy Wall Street complain about tax cuts for the rich, when almost half the nation doesn’t pay taxes?

OPINION | COLUMNS

Childhood cancer deserves awareness

Sep. 19, 2012

I have been an avid Taylor Swift fan since her early country days. My obsession with her music has led me to two of her concerts, and her songs are the most played on my iTunes account.