Opinion

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OPINION  |  EDITORIALS

Editorial: The politicizing of a tragedy is unexpected

Nov. 15, 2015

There should be no doubt as to whether Friday’s horrific attacks in Paris were political: They were. Any attack on civilians by an "other" always has an agenda to push. The Islamic State groups’ subsequent claims of responsibility ought to remove any traces of skepticism from those who would seek to speak about the attacks in de-politicized terms.

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OPINION  |  COLUMNS

Abortion restrictions are an issue of class

Nov. 15, 2015

The Supreme Court has agreed to hear a case on Texas’ House Bill 2 — a bill that resulted in half of the state’s abortion clinics being closed. The law is a threat to the rights of low-income women in Texas. As the Supreme Court prepares to hear one of its first abortion cases in a while, it must consider the motivations behind such restrictions. Given abortion is a low-complication procedure, many of the restrictions are unnecessary and serve only to make it difficult for women to get an abortion.

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OPINION  |  COLUMNS

We can condemn terrorism without targeting refugees

Nov. 15, 2015

This has been a year of magical thinking.

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OPINION  |  COLUMNS

Millennials aren’t THAT terrible

Nov. 12, 2015

You’ve heard the complaints. We’re lazy and entitled, and when we aren’t staring at a screen, we’re staring at ourselves. We’re millennials, and we’re pretty unpopular.

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OPINION  |  COLUMNS

The mother of sexual awkwardness

Nov. 12, 2015

My worst nightmare came true Friday. It was about 15 minutes after meeting my partner’s mom for the first time. We were walking down the street to the Homecoming parade when someone handed us a copy of the Alligator.

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OPINION  |  COLUMNS

Mizzou students are the crest on a wave of activism

Nov. 12, 2015

This column concerns the events which transpired at the University of Missouri on Monday. No doubt you’re familiar with it already — along with the heresy of plain red cups, the Mizzou story has captured the country’s imagination.

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OPINION  |  EDITORIALS

Editorial: Sexual assault is too prevalent on college campuses — even ours

Nov. 12, 2015

Our front page story today concerns the investigation of a sexual assault on campus. Our decision to publish this story was not made lightly, nor was it made from malice or a desire to set off a witch hunt. It is no secret that sexual assaults on college campuses are an alarming epidemic. Sexual assault in any form represents a grave threat to the safety — both mental and physical — of college students. Even though it is easy, and perhaps preferable, to act as though such acts of viciousness could never happen here, that is simply not the case.

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OPINION  |  EDITORIALS

Editorial: Police need to be held to the same standards

Nov. 11, 2015

A wise man who’s either Baba Oje or Gurdijeff once said, "When it rains, it pours." If the rain in this idiom was news regarding police brutality, then this week was a monsoon.

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OPINION  |  COLUMNS

From President Fuchs: Listening, learning and combating racism

Nov. 11, 2015

In 1902, two years before he became UF’s first president, Andrew Sledd lost his faculty position at Emory University in Georgia because he spoke out against racism.

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OPINION  |  EDITORIALS

Editorial: Aziz Ansari for comedian of the decade

Nov. 9, 2015

The countercultural revolution of the ‘60s coincided with remarkable advancements in recording and broadcast technology. With the two occurring in tandem, it became easier than ever for fanbases to develop around adored figures in pop culture. This proved to be a boon for stand-up comedians who, given the transgressive era they operated in, gained notoriety among young people for putting truth to power — in other words, giving voice to and reflecting the fears, concerns and sensibilities of young people. In short, they called it as they saw it.

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OPINION  |  COLUMNS

Syria, Afghanistan and double-back in U.S. strategy

Nov. 9, 2015

This past October, we witnessed a stark readjustment of the U.S. military agenda in the Middle East. On Oct. 30, President Obama announced the U.S. military would, in fact, be putting "boots on the ground" in Syria. Earlier on Oct. 15, the Obama administration announced an extension of the timeline for U.S. military presence in Afghanistan. Through most of next year, 9,800 troops will continue operations, and by Jan. 2017, a residual force of 5,500 troops will remain indefinitely.

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OPINION  |  LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Letter to the Editor: 11/10/2015

Nov. 9, 2015

Support a living wage today

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OPINION  |  COLUMNS

Mississippi needs to change its state flag

Nov. 9, 2015

"Pride goes before destruction and a haughty spirit before the fall."

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OPINION  |  COLUMNS

The Odyssey needs to rethink its approach to online journalism

Nov. 9, 2015

It’s an experience we know all too well: innocently scrolling through Facebook, attempting to stay up to date on your friends’ activities and unwillingly being drowned in a sea of useless click-bait articles. You know the type of article I’m talking about: the ones with titles like, "20 Things I Want to Tell My Little," "10 Struggles That Only Girls With Long Hair Will Understand" and "8 Thoughts Every Girl Has When Picking Out a Halloween Costume."

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OPINION  |  EDITORIALS

Editorial: Outrage culture works both ways

Nov. 8, 2015

In recent years, outrage culture has been largely perceived as a strictly liberal pastime. There was the time #CancelColbert was a trending hashtag due to an "offensive" out-of-context tweet from "The Colbert Report," or racist accusations were levied at Lorde regarding opulence — thereby criticizing the entire genre of hip-hop, #duh — in her song, "Royals."

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OPINION  |  COLUMNS

Don’t twist the meaning of sexual liberation

Nov. 8, 2015

To adapt Maxim Biller: Nothing is as boring as sexual liberation, at least for women.

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OPINION  |  COLUMNS

Ben Carson, partisan politics, scrutiny

Nov. 8, 2015

Most politicians go to great lengths to cultivate a carefully constructed image. Donald Trump has made himself the candidate who says what others are thinking but are afraid to say. Jeb Bush has made it a point to distance himself from his brother’s policies.

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OPINION  |  COLUMNS

Relax, Jeb Bush is still going to be president

Nov. 8, 2015

Back in the early days of the 2014 football season, the Green Bay Packers were 1-2. Fans were upset. Head management started updating their resumes. Things were not looking good. After receiving a loss at the hands of the Detroit Lions — yes, you can understand the Pack’s frustration — quarterback Aaron Rodgers told the cheesehead faithful to "R-E-L-A-X." Rodgers calmly told the media and Green Bay nation everything will be all right. And he was right. The team finished 12-4, captured first place in the NFC North and went to the NFC Championship.

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OPINION  |  DARTS LAURELS

Darts and Laurels: Homecoming 2015 Edition

Nov. 5, 2015

Homecoming is many things for many people. It’s a time for reflection and nostalgia; a time for celebration; and, if you’re going to Gator Growl, a time for mediocre "indie" acts, former CW stars and rappers who released their best work 10 years ago. OH! *cue Andrew Dice Clay hand motion* Just kidding, T.I., we loved last year’s "About the Money," and we still love you.

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OPINION  |  COLUMNS

From your Student Body President: Create long-lasting memories this Homecoming

Nov. 5, 2015

Hello Gators! I’m back for another issue of my new monthly column. I hope everyone survived midterms and is getting ready for a well-deserved Thanksgiving Break!