Opinion | Columns - The Independent Florida Alligator

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.

OPINION | COLUMNS

All religions lead up the mountain to God

Sep. 18, 2012

YouTube has been flooded with goo-gobs of smear ads and “vote for” propaganda in recent weeks, punctuating my latest romp with superhero cartoons. I’m not bitter, though.

OPINION | COLUMNS

Voter apathy is absolutely pathetic

Sep. 17, 2012

I don’t care how much you hate politics. If you are eligible, you need to vote in the upcoming presidential election.

OPINION | COLUMNS

Right or wrong? It’s all relative

Sep. 11, 2012

As a product of the ‘90s teen pop revolution, it is incredibly difficult to avoid referencing Britney Spears in my writing.

OPINION | COLUMNS

Musical artists focus on dollars, not beats

Sep. 9, 2012

It’s a well-known truth that MTV took its main focus off music long ago. For the past few years, the only time I’ve ever really watched the network has been for music videos broadcast late at night or into the early morning and to see interesting episodes of the documentary series “True Life.”

OPINION | COLUMNS

A need for pragmatism over ideology

Sep. 6, 2012

As this column is being written, the Democratic National Convention in Charlotte, N.C., is kicking off its second day. Already we have heard inspirational messages of progress from the likes of Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick and First Lady Michelle Obama.

OPINION | COLUMNS

DNC exposes the ghosts of Romney past

Sep. 6, 2012

Many Democrats looked forward to first lady Michelle Obama’s speech at the Democratic National Convention on Tuesday. Her performance was a genuine yet expected testament to her husband’s character.

OPINION | COLUMNS

Gift of a smile more important than style

Sep. 5, 2012

As a young lady, I would hate to add up all of the hours I spend on my hair. Washing, conditioning, blow-drying, straightening and styling consumes a large amount of time, day in and day out.

OPINION | COLUMNS

Polarization on the issues harms voters

Sep. 4, 2012

We have reached a critical stage in our nation’s history. Facing a slow recovery from the Great Recession, and a nearly insurmountable debt crisis, the time is rapidly approaching for America to make a choice about its current and future direction.

OPINION | COLUMNS

Pride: The Real Problem With the World

Sep. 4, 2012

I’m not what many people would consider an avid TV-watcher. For reasons I don’t know, I completely lost interest in TV upon entering college. After all, one can only watch the Disney Channel for so long.

OPINION | COLUMNS

B---h Bad: How rappers start national discussions

Sep. 3, 2012

Language is a funny thing.

OPINION | COLUMNS

Charlie Crist among last of dying breed

Aug. 30, 2012

In an op-ed published last Sunday in the Tampa Bay Times, Charlie Crist, former Republican governor of Florida, sang President Barack Obama’s praises and endorsed him for re-election this year against Mitt Romney.

OPINION | COLUMNS

Experiences in college solidify belief in equality

Aug. 29, 2012

As returning Gators know — and freshmen are soon to discover — UF is probably a much more open and safe environment for the LGBT community than the environment they experienced in high school.

OPINION | COLUMNS

Football shouldn’t control the university

Aug. 28, 2012

As a much-anticipated college football season kicks off at The Swamp this weekend, it may be appropriate to look almost 1,000 miles north to Beaver Stadium in State College, Pa.

OPINION | COLUMNS

Rain boots: misandry for feet

Aug. 28, 2012

I would like to address a gender inequality that has vexed me greatly the past two weeks. Both Tropical Storm Isaac and the general rainy nature of Florida have characterized the beginning of classes by a stoic low-energy conflict with nature.

OPINION | COLUMNS

On curling irons and religion, or how to not get burned

Aug. 28, 2012

I really hate getting sucker-punched. I am constantly being enticed by all sorts of titillating bait, only to get gut-checked by an entirely different reality.

OPINION | COLUMNS

Emphasis should be on self-image, not appearance

Aug. 27, 2012

Welcome back! In honor of the fresh and new theme of back-to-school season, I say we bury the idea of the acronym “YOLO” (you only live once), and choose to embody another expression by famed rapper Drake.

OPINION | COLUMNS

Despite grades, some UF students are still lame

Aug. 26, 2012

A long time ago, when I was a weaker man, a “friend” of mine hosted a party and had the gall to charge everyone who went a cover. Not a suggested donation to cover party expenses; straight-up cover.

OPINION | COLUMNS

Meet the Editors

Aug. 21, 2012

Hi, friends.