Opinion | Columns - The Independent Florida Alligator

OPINION | COLUMNS

A retort to concealed-carry advocates

Dec. 3, 2015

On Monday morning, I read a piece in this very section by Michael Beato, a genuinely great guy with a stronger grip on style and common sense than I could ever hope for. I have a lot of respect for him, a sentiment made stronger by the fact we hardly ever agree on anything political. I haven’t had too many conversations with the guy, but, based on previous experience, I’d much rather spend an hour — or even an afternoon — shooting the political shit with Michael than any college Democrat in the area.

OPINION | COLUMNS

STEM subjects are not the only important paths to pursue in college

Dec. 3, 2015

Toward the end of my freshman year, I decided to switch my major to economics. I found its unique blend of social science and math fascinating, and I was excited to pursue a degree in it. When I told one of my friends in the College of Engineering about my decision, he laughed at me. "Economics?" he said. "What a joke. You should pick something that matters if you want to get a job someday." I nodded and smiled while making a mental note to demote him from "friend" to "mild acquaintance."

OPINION | COLUMNS

Going out with a bang: It’s been a pleasure

Dec. 3, 2015

In January 2014, I walked into the Alligator office for its open house. I was a sophomore at the time, and I went straight to the then-opinions editor with, "I’d like to write a sex column."

OPINION | COLUMNS

Print is not dead — it’s making a comeback

Dec. 2, 2015

If you are even remotely interested in a career path that involves the written word on paper — journalist, writer, librarian, editor, etc. — this has probably happened to you.

OPINION | COLUMNS

What ignoring women in film really means for women in reality

Dec. 2, 2015

Our favorite thing to tell toddlers is how unique they are, that each and every one of them is a special snowflake. Although they are each made of the same stuff, ice and air, their bodies, personalities and experiences are individualized. Then, for the lives of a good half of them, we find ways to make them feel less so.

OPINION | COLUMNS

Don’t dismiss the verb ‘be like’ — praise it

Dec. 1, 2015

"And you touch me and I’m like…ooh ooh" — "Empire" by Shakira.

OPINION | COLUMNS

Guest Column: Animal welfare cannot be dismissed

Dec. 1, 2015

On Tuesday, the animal rights network Direct Action Everywhere released an exposé of a top-rated Whole Foods turkey supplier that found thousands of birds in cramped, filthy sheds with open sores and crippled legs. This investigation confirms my personal experience searching for "humane" animal products: When you look behind the closed doors of animal agriculture, you will find violence and cruelty that companies strive to keep hidden from the public.

OPINION | COLUMNS

You should care about other countries

Dec. 1, 2015

Do you know someone who could tell you the capital of Venezuela? Or someone who knows where Iraq is on a map? It would be extremely difficult to find an average American who could point out more than two African countries on a map, if even that. On the other hand, I’m sure it would be easy to find someone who not only knows where France or Germany are located, but also wants to visit one of these countries.

OPINION | COLUMNS

A tale of two Thanksgivings: food insecurity in the US

Nov. 30, 2015

With Thanksgiving now in the rearview mirror and the weight of finals looming heavily over us all, we students will likely degrade into a cluster of anxiety as opposed to reminiscing fondly on this past holiday.

OPINION | COLUMNS

FSU Hate Week: beloved, but not PC

Nov. 30, 2015

As we all reveled in Thanksgiving Break by taking endless pictures of our dogs, skillfully dodging questions about our futures and binging on relaxation, something else loomed eminent on the horizon. Interspersed among social media proclamations of being #thankful were posts of a much different nature. It was "FSU Hate Week," and there was no escape.

OPINION | COLUMNS

Domestic terrorism is more frightening than anything from the Middle East

Nov. 30, 2015

The possibility of successfully navigating an asteroid field is approximately 3,720 to 1. The odds of an American being killed in a terrorist attack (including terrorist attacks carried out overseas) are 1 in 20 million. C-3PO enlightened us with the former cosmic fact in 1980, while The Washington Post gave us the latter just two years ago. Despite the data, more than most on the campaign trail, including plenty who hold power in Washington, D.C., vie for further increases in discretionary spending for defense and cite the threat of terrorism (specifically attacks carried out by radical jihadists) as the primary reason for this necessity.

OPINION | COLUMNS

The increasing danger of anti-liberal liberalism

Nov. 29, 2015

Say what you will of the political right, but at least they are politically consistent. From the decrepit-moderate branch to the slow-people bible study group that controls the most powerful country in the world, Republicans just want to hurt people. Jeb Bush is fine with "stuff" happening to the poor and disadvantaged, and Ted Cruz needs women to suffer for their chromosomal sins. Our left doesn’t know what it wants, especially in our generation, and it only wants to point out the ideological sins of its compatriots.

OPINION | COLUMNS

Don't fear concealed carry bills

Nov. 29, 2015

In keeping with Florida’s tradition as a gun-friendly state, the Legislature is now preparing a bill that would allow concealed weapons on college campuses. Legislation like House Bill 4001 has been batted around every so often in the Florida House and Senate. For some reason or another, it always fails to become law. Now, signs indicate it might pass the chambers and actually make it to Gov. Rick Scott’s desk.

OPINION | COLUMNS

The pressing need for safe spaces

Nov. 29, 2015

Last week, a White Student Union page was created on Facebook under UF's name. Most of the posts allege UF doesn’t have enough safe spaces for European American students whose culture is not celebrated enough. While it’s not patently clear if the page is a hoax or if it was actually created by UF students who believe such fiction, it is very apparent the page has become a hub for racist messaging and posts that stoke fear about whites as the minority.

OPINION | COLUMNS

'Albasheer Show': 'Daily Show' of Iraq

Nov. 23, 2015

In light of the Charlie Hebdo shootings this past January, and the recent attacks in Paris, many have reacted by painting Islam and the Middle East as being fundamentally at odds with Western values such as free speech.

OPINION | COLUMNS

Is it enough to support the Safe Campus Act?

Nov. 23, 2015

The sexual violence on college campuses is not an issue that can be swept under the rug. Universities have served as the focal point for media coverage, awareness campaigns and congressional legislation in the discussion about sexual assault, regardless of whether they help or hinder the issue at hand. We’ve all experienced some offshoot of this, whether it was through last year’s Walk Safe program, the Interfraternity Council’s "It’s On Us" campaign or UF’s Sexual Assault Awareness month.

OPINION | COLUMNS

Refugees and religion: Conservative Christian teachings influence fear

Nov. 23, 2015

America is not and will never be a Christian nation.

OPINION | COLUMNS

A refresher on the 2016 presidential candidates

Nov. 22, 2015

Politics is a rough-and-tumble business. More than that, it’s also confusing. But rest assured, dear reader, this columnist is the one-stop shop for all of your political questions and quandaries. So without delay, let’s clarify some political points your Politico friend keeps on talking about:

OPINION | COLUMNS

Let’s all try a little harder in school

Nov. 22, 2015

I remember the first time I went to UF in the winter of my senior year in high school. The red brick looked almost authentically collegiate Gothic. I remember the feeling of life beginning, one I tried to recapture during Preview weekend while driving in the snow-white blur of rain on I-75. I laughed at the billboards erected by the autochthons of my new home, who apparently still feared they might be aborted, performatively reading Schopenhauer in the stadium.

OPINION | COLUMNS

Spit or swallow: Genitals don’t taste like candy

Nov. 19, 2015

I lived primarily off two things when I had a meal plan: Gator Dining chocolate chip cookies and unlimited pineapple.