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Thursday, September 19, 2024

Opinion | Columns

Florida Alligator
OPINION  |  COLUMNS

Every American wants to “win the future”

By Chad Mohammed | Jan. 26, 2011

Hours before President Barack Obama’s State of the Union address, the National Assessment of Educational Progress published an assessment of science proficiency among the country’s fourth-, eighth- and twelfth-graders. The results were disconcerting: Only 34 percent of the fourth-graders, 30 percent of the eighth-graders and 21 percent of the 12th-graders studied qualified as proficient. This might be the “Sputnik moment” the president described in his speech that night.

Florida Alligator
OPINION  |  COLUMNS

Remakes pollute Hollywood magic

By Wesley Campbell | Jan. 25, 2011

Within the next week, I will hear the phrase “the book was better.” While I usually agree if it’s a book I have read, I’ll be honest and say that unless it’s a hyped-up children’s series not involving vampires, or a trilogy directed by Peter Jackson, there are few books I’ve ever read that have film adaptations. I suppose that’s why some books get made into movies — so the stories they tell can be digested in less than two hours and I can get back to more important things, like choosing what combination of outerwear I want to lug around as the Florida weather covers every temperature and humidity level in the span of a day.

Florida Alligator
OPINION  |  COLUMNS

Gun control groups distort facts, ignore Constitution

By August Lee | Jan. 25, 2011

I commend Sarah Poser for a balanced article on the allowing guns on campus in the Monday issue of the Alligator. However, Brian Malte’s quote, “The more outrage there is, the more the gun lobby starts to retreat.” The gun lobby is composed of the NRA and Second Amendment supporters. And, “Without a lot of protest, there is a chance the gun lobby could shove it through,” Malte said.

Florida Alligator
OPINION  |  COLUMNS

Coffee consumers pay for ambiance

By Laura Ellermeyer | Jan. 24, 2011

There are few things on which I regularly spend an exorbitant amount of money. These items include gasoline, sushi, phone accessories and Starbucks coffee. I cannot recall when or where, but some blessed person once introduced me to those deliciously handcrafted beverages, and I have been hooked — and thus shelling out the big bucks — ever since. I’m such a sucker for their overpriced products that they took pity and issued me a fancy gold card with my name on it that may as well scream, “I have spent a ridiculous amount of money here and am powerless to stop.”

Florida Alligator
OPINION  |  COLUMNS

Republicans can tone down rhethoric

By Chad Mohammed | Jan. 19, 2011

Over the past couple of years, hot button issues such as immigration and health care reform coupled with a harsh economic climate led to a caustic political environment unseen since the Vietnam War. This dialogue finally received scrutiny due to the tragedy in Tucson, even though the incident seems to be an isolated event rather than a result of deep political rhetoric. It is still worth asking: Will anything change or will it be business as usual for this Congress?

Florida Alligator
OPINION  |  COLUMNS

Students may need self-esteem boost

By Wesley Campbell | Jan. 18, 2011

Ever notice how you have all the right opinions? Why don’t more people think like you? Think back to when you were young, and imagine a situation where you and your fellow classmates were all “competing” to be the best at something. How about the most interesting show-and-tell piece? We’ll go with that.

Florida Alligator
OPINION  |  COLUMNS

Work pays off for Meat-Free Monday supporters

By Jared Misner | Jan. 9, 2011

I have a lot of favorite quotations I’ve read through the years. Some are great for inspiration, others provide a laugh and others just make me think. But there’s one in particular that always, for me at least, seems to rise above the rest in the abundance of potential Facebook-favorite quotations. Margaret Mead, famed anthropologist and author, once said, “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, concerned citizens can change the world; indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.” Well, Gators, the late Ms. Mead would be proud of all of us. For we have, indeed, changed civilization.

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