Opinion | Columns - The Independent Florida Alligator

OPINION | COLUMNS

The VET PFAS ACT supports medical and hospital services to U.S. veterans and their families in Florida

By Jonathan Sharp | Nov. 7

In the 1970s, the Department of Defense endorsed the usage of Aqueous Film-Forming Foam (AFFF) as a fire suppressant without recognizing the toxic nature of its active ingredients known as per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). Chronic exposure to these chemicals significantly increases the risk of cancer, reproductive issues, and liver damage, among other serious health effects. Military personnel and veterans have historically performed their duties without protection from PFAS exposure, prompting the introduction of the Veterans Exposed to Toxic (VET) PFAS Act in July 2023.

OPINION | COLUMNS

Why should you vote red: Was the 25th Amendment invoked or not?

By Abraham Hilu | Nov. 5

Election day, Nov. 5, will be the central event that will forecast American policy for the next four years. In the past month, Donald Trump's and Kamala Harris' campaigns have gone full throttle in convincing the American public why they should stay with the status quo or go back to old policies through Trump's executive hand. Before you go out and cast your ballot, please consider these points.

OPINION | COLUMNS

The “Election Police”: Another Republican shenanigan bullying minorities and women of the “free” state of Florida

By Sylvain Doré | Nov. 5

In 2022, Gov. Ron DeSantis made national headlines when he created the Office of Election Crimes and Security, a so-called “election police” force designed to investigate and prosecute alleged voter fraud. The timing was no coincidence. As DeSantis cemented his political ambitions and positioned himself for a presidential run, he needed to appeal to a specific base. In creating this office, DeSantis wasn't protecting democracy — he was pandering to conspiracy theorists and sowing doubt in the electoral process, all while laying the groundwork for voter intimidation and going after petitions and amendments to please his voters. And now, in 2024, we are seeing the full, dangerous impact of this move.

OPINION | COLUMNS

The DeSantis death cult of climate change denial

By Rey Arcenas | Oct. 31

However, DeSantis’s brand of climate change denial is not merely about rejecting science but perpetuating cruelty.

OPINION | COLUMNS

The forgotten class

By Lucas Sprung | Oct. 28

So why are so many young white men attracted to the conservative ideology? It’s because they have been lied to over and over again. Young men were told growing up to suppress their masculinity in a world that hates men. They were promised a future like their fathers and grandfathers had. But that future does not exist anymore.

OPINION | COLUMNS

Conservatism is man’s binky

By Eriel Pichardo | Oct. 28

While I’ve long since recovered from the realization of my involvement in our country's ensuing downfall, I realize that if we look at the current situation of men in our country and the rise of young male conservatism, we begin to see a pattern.

OPINION | COLUMNS

Cherishing and Exercising the Right to Vote

By Matthew Jacobs and William Inboden | Oct. 23

This political season, like many before it, has no shortage of acrimony and division. Some prominent candidates inspire equally passionate devotion from their supporters and loathing from their critics – here among our UF community just as across the rest of our nation.

OPINION | COLUMNS

Beyond comfort: embracing challenge and community in the Peace Corps

By Dani Arnwine | Oct. 22

Among Peace Corps volunteers, we often say our service is “the toughest job you’ll ever love.”

OPINION | COLUMNS

A Call for Accountability: Rethinking Student Government at UF

By Austin Britton | Oct. 15

My time in the senate chamber has been nothing short of disappointing. I hate politics. I am someone who prioritizes communication above all, and yet every time I worked on a piece of legislation, or went to a senate meeting, I saw nothing productive being done for the students.

OPINION | COLUMNS

A brief history of political machinery at the University of Florida

By Rey Arcenas | Oct. 15

Political machinery has a long history in UF SG, dating all the way back to its beginning. SG began in the summer of 1915 but in only a few years, a group of students conspired to monopolize its levers of power.

OPINION | COLUMNS

The University of Florida’s embarrassing suppression of pro-Palestinian demonstrators

By Rey Arcenas | Oct. 14

Here at UF, Gov. Ron DeSantis made multiple attempts to suppress pro-Palestinian students.

OPINION | COLUMNS

A Year After Oct. 7

By Lucas Sprung | Oct. 14

Instead of feeling anger for the people who were brave enough to call for the destruction of my country, I felt sad for them and UF. Sadly, students who were smart enough to get into UF could not understand fundamental human rights or even know why it was wrong to protest on Holocaust Remembrance Day. It's embarrassing that UF and the city of Gainesville allowed it to happen.

OPINION | COLUMNS

Despite concerns, AI is a win for education

By Ethan Niser | Oct. 11

For over 40 years, the solution to improving education has been clear. It’s not a secret teaching method or an innovative curriculum, but something much simpler: one-on-one tutoring.

OPINION | COLUMNS

Calling all white activists

By Eriel Pichardo | Oct. 8

We all remember the black screens in 2016 that symbolized solidarity for the Black lives lost at the hands of abusive police officers. In a way, it allowed large groups of people to sympathize with their Black counterparts and show solidarity without ever having to leave the comfort of their own homes. It was the height of performative activism. While Black communities and allies alike banded together to sign petitions, share their stories and protest in spite of massive retaliation, the rest of passive white activists were posting black screens with the BLM slogans followed by useless hashtags and emojis.

OPINION | COLUMNS

JD shows a fresh face for Republicans

By Lucas Sprung | Oct. 3

Two new politicians came to the debate stage Tuesday night, and unlike the previous presidential debates, this one felt weirdly refreshing.

OPINION | COLUMNS

Mandate future politicians to prioritize Florida's homeless crisis: A look at HB 1365

By Eric Protein Moseley | Sep. 30

ecently, Gov. Ron DeSantis introduced HB 1365 addressing homelessness. The legislation bans camping on city streets, sidewalks and parks, redirecting individuals to temporary shelters overseen by law enforcement.

OPINION | COLUMNS

UF Student Government follows the DeSantis playbook: Gerrymandering

By Rey Arcenas | Sep. 30

At UF’s Student Government, a similar DeSantian move to redraw election maps has taken place.

OPINION | COLUMNS

One of Florida’s quietest races could be the most important

By Lucas Sprung | Sep. 26

Florida is a busy state this election cycle. Our state has many decisions to make with presidential front-runner Donald Trump being a Florida resident and all eyes on ballot initiatives. But one race that has flown under the national radar could be the most important of all. The U.S. Senate race between incumbent Sen. Rick Scott and former Congresswoman Debbie Murcasel-Powell is not just another race. It’s a battle that could shape the future of Florida politics. Multiple polls show this race to be extremely close, but I believe that this race will be a blowout with Scott coming out victorious.

OPINION | COLUMNS

No Fats. No Fems. The Plight of the Gay Community

By Eriel Pichardo | Sep. 19

But we’ve all seen the same perfectly curated bio where instead of normally dictating likes and dislikes to potential matches, people take it one step further. “No Fats. No Fems. No Asians.” There are various bios with different distinctions that all follow this similar sentiment of excluding groups of queer people in the name of preference. Is this truly just a preference, or have we exemplified the division of an already marginalized community through discriminatory phrases under the guise of preference?

OPINION | COLUMNS

The role of education and its necessary securities

By Abraham Hilu | Sep. 17

I align ideologically with Thomas Jefferson’s principles of free inquiry through the role of education, however, I find it necessary to establish the safety of citizens beforehand. In the case of education, information in college courses can be potentially harmful to specific minorities. Professors should have careful consideration in what they decide to relay to their students.