Opinion | Letters To The Editor - The Independent Florida Alligator

OPINION | LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Letter to the editor: Removal of University of Illinois professor should cause concern

Sep. 8, 2014

The removal of Steven Salaita, a tenured professor at the University of Illinois, for his tweets in support of Palestine should be of great concern to those who value academic freedom at American universities. Salaita had been offered a job as a tenured professor of American Indian studies, and his appointment was contingent on approval by the University of Illinois’s Board of Trustees. The university chancellor, Phyllis Wise, refused to forward Salaita’s appointment to the board.

OPINION | LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Letter to the Editor: Last week’s open letter to President Bernie Machen wrongfully condemns proclamation

Sep. 4, 2014

I was taken aback by the recent open letter to UF President Bernie Machen in this past week’s Alligator. In it, the author condemns Machen’s proclamation, "I believe the entire University of Florida community holds academic freedom to be a cherished principle that advances the interests of society," and challenges our president to use boycotts as the model for academic integrity.

OPINION | LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Letter to the Editor

Aug. 4, 2014

Dear editor,

OPINION | LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Letter to the editor: Hobby Lobby decision

July 16, 2014

Let’s not be distracted by the hype. At the heart of the recent Hobby Lobby Supreme Court decision, the issue was solely about power. The majority decision, delivered by Justice Samuel Alito, and even the oral arguments from Hobby Lobby, instead tried to cloak the corporation’s discriminatory, anti-woman, anti-family practice of denying to cover certain birth control methods under the Religious Freedom Restoration Act of 1993. Since corporations are currently granted “personhood” under the law, the rights of corporations now officially seem to outweigh those of women.

OPINION | LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Lake Wauburg incident raises ex-Gator concerns

June 9, 2014

On a recent Saturday, I took the bus down to a favorite haunt, Lake Wauburg. It was a gorgeous day, weather-wise, and I was excited about revisiting the beautiful facility and pristine lake, as I had done with a friend a few months earlier, enjoying a nice picnic lunch with a spectacular view.

OPINION | LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Unsafe conditions endanger children

May 21, 2014

Dear editor,

OPINION | LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Bikes vs. cars

By Bruce Frendahl | Mar. 24, 2014

According the Florida Bicycle Law Enforcement Guide, bikes are vehicles, and bikers are drivers. “A cyclist has all the rights to the roadway applicable to any driver, except as to the special regulations regarding bicycles.”

OPINION | LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

A message from Harlan Intermediate School

By Chandler L. | Mar. 11, 2014

Dear readers,

OPINION | LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Column about helping drunk friends

By Brandi Phillips | Mar. 11, 2014

Eleni,

OPINION | LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Send Florida souvenirs to Iowa

By Mrs. Newlin | Mar. 11, 2014

Because of wonderful editors and readers like you, 124 intermediate fifth-graders are able to learn many things about your state.

OPINION | LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Don’t blame the bag — recycle

By Keyna Cory | Mar. 9, 2014

That darn plastic bag!

OPINION | LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Mayor Braddy out of touch with interns, residents

By Kay Mitchell | Mar. 9, 2014

Mayor Ed Braddy’s recent pledge to “revamp” the City of Gainesville internship program is nothing new. I interned for the City of Gainesville in the summer of 2011 and did much more than “shadow the City Commission,” as Braddy claimed in the Feb. 26 edition of the Alligator.

OPINION | LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Beato’s minimum-wage column

By Jeremiah Tattersall | Feb. 25, 2014

On Feb. 18, Michael Beato wrote a highly erroneous piece about increasing the minimum wage. Today’s minimum wage is far below what it should be historically and continues to lose value every year. If the federal minimum wage had kept up with inflation, it would be about $10.75 an hour instead of $7.25. If the minimum wage had kept up with productivity, it would be $18.75. If it had grown at the same rate as wages for the top 1 percent, it would be more than $28.

OPINION | LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

The future of Bambooville

By Elliot Larkin | Feb. 20, 2014

Bambooville, the oasis of relaxation, inspiration and nature appreciation located in the Bartram and Carr wilderness area, has been dismantled upon mandate from university administration.

OPINION | LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Why Students Party boycotted

By Olga Rodriguez | Feb. 20, 2014

On Wednesday night, the results of the Spring 2014 Student Government election were announced, and the Students Party officially chose to boycott the presentation. My name is Olga Rodriguez, president of the Students Party, and I would like to explain why.

OPINION | LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Swamp’s intimidation tactics are reprehensible

By Juliana Schmidt | Feb. 20, 2014

On Wednesday, I exercised my right as a UF student to vote. I wore my “I Voted” sticker as I sat eating at a table in the Reitz Union when a girl walked up to me and asked if she could have my sticker.

OPINION | LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Vote yes on the Student Green Energy Fund

By Frank Plageman | Feb. 17, 2014

While students are looking over party platforms in the upcoming Student Government election, there is another issue that they need to be informed on prior to voting. I, along with other students, gathered enough signatures for a nonbinding referendum on green energy to be placed on this semester’s SG ballot.

OPINION | LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

SG elections open today

By Agassy Rodriguez | Feb. 17, 2014

Voting for Student Government elections begins today and will continue tomorrow from 8:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. This is the students’ chance to voice their opinions on what direction they want their Student Government to take and how they want to be represented on this campus.

OPINION | LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Swamp Party meet and greet

By Cory Yeffet | Feb. 16, 2014

As elections draw near, I want to continue to emphasize my dedication to this campaign and to the University of Florida.

OPINION | LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

The dangers of a one-party university

By Chris Lynch | Feb. 13, 2014

Following a trend that has become the standard for most major schools, Florida has become a one-party university. Swamp Party dominates UF politics in every way, from Senate to the Executive ticket, running practically unopposed this Spring. While this is being celebrated by Swamp as a unifying movement in the Student Body, there are many dangers that come with such a powerful party.