Opinion

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Opinion: What story do NBA contracts tell children?

We are about to hit the apex of the Summer semester. That means a lot of studying and stress the further we dwell into July. Of course, for any males in decent shape and more than 6 feet tall, there is a tempting alternative to compete with countless of hours of studying. They could drop their books right now, head to the gym and start practicing their jump shots. The NBA is calling their names.

Review: Toot thumbs up for a flatulent film about what it means to be human

“Swiss Army Man” is a multipurpose movie, meaning something different to each viewer. To me, it was a message about not wasting your life by living in fear. To my mom, it was a message about the importance of speaking up. And to my dad, it was a suggestion to let out his farts more frequently.

Alligator Awards: Who was Florida's best female athlete of 2015-16?

In this edition of the Alligator Awards, we debate which female athlete was the best of the 2015-16 season. Sports writers Ray Boone, Matt Brannon and Alejandro López join alligatorSports Editors Ian Cohen and Ethan Bauer in a roundtable discussion to debate the five nominees. Debates will go in alphabetical order by the writer’s last name.

Editorial: Black lives and police officers

This past week’s trauma is no secret.

Opinion: Commercial fireworks should be banned

China may have invented fireworks more than 2,000 years ago, but fireworks have been linked to America since the birth of this country. In a letter to Abigail Adams on July 3, 1776, John Adams wrote that the signing of the Declaration of Independence should be celebrated with “... Bells, Bonfires and Illuminations from one End of this Continent to the other from this Time forward forever more.” While fireworks were once championed by a future president and first lady, they are now advocated by Joe Dirts with butane lighters.

Opinion: Hold fast to optimism, even when you experience tragedy

To those of you who are not familiar with Bob Ross, stop reading this column and immediately turn on your computer and watch one episode of “Beauty is Everywhere” on Netflix.

Darts & Laurels: July 7. 2106

Some of you have reached out to the Alligator asking our position on the recent Supreme Court ruling.

Letter: President Webster ignored the Student Body

President Susan Webster has brought back business as usual to Student Government. Like many of you, I was quite alarmed at hearing online voting was dismantled by Webster and her UF Supreme Court. Sadly, I wasn’t surprised.

Letter: Gators, it’s time to make our voices heard

Hey Gators,

Editorial: Juno what we are saying?

So much news has happened. We can’t get to everything, but we’ll touch on a lesser-known thing and then a something-that-should-be-discussed-more thing.

Opinion: On kindness, Cleveland sports and the LSAT

For the last six months, I have been studying intensively for the LSAT, or the Law School Admission Test. Between logic classes, practice exams and nightly research on what fields other than law in which a philosophy major can find a career, I found refuge where I had always found it: Cleveland sports. My family is from Cleveland. Whenever I would go there, my uncle and I would go to various sporting events. Some of my most cherished memories include watching the Cleveland Indians lose, watching the Cavaliers lose and watching the Browns lose.

Opinion: Menstrual cups are affordable, sustainable alternatives to pads, tampons

You do what? Isn't it bloody? How do you clean it?

Column: Three observations ahead of the NBA offseason

The Summer-sports lull is here, but most importantly, the NBA season is over, leaving avid basketball fans grasping and clinging at whatever small sliver of sports gossip falls through the July news wires. With NBA teams officially allowed to begin wooing free agents at 12:01 a.m. on Friday, here’s a few observations ahead of the impending NBA offseason.

Darts & Laurels: June 30, 2016

So, here we are, dear readers: the end of June. For those of you experiencing your first few days here at UF, we at the Alligator would like to welcome you. And for those returning for Summer C, sorry break was only a week. We realize our opinions editor failed to greet you all warmly and probably frightened you a bit Tuesday by jumping straight into a bleak look at the political scene… Damn it, David… you had one job. Anyway, in the words of The Black Eyed Beans — or whatever they’re called — “Let’s get it started (ha).”

Opinion: Navigating the wolf’s den of undergrad life

Nestled in the evergreen woods of Franconia Notch State Park, New Hampshire, past the visitor’s center and the uphill boardwalk through The Flume, is an attraction known as “Wolf’s Den.” The narrow climbing space drops about 10 degrees cooler compared to the outside air, as it is enclosed by damp boulders and infrequently exposed to the sun. As my family and I, vacationing near these woods, walked toward the den, at least three other families turned back. Whatever we were approaching would surely be arduous or frightening enough to make them turn around, we thought. But we persevered.

Opinion: Americans aren't ready, Soccer will not be popular in the US anytime soon

Since June has become the month of soccer for Europe and the Americas, many have dusted off their national flag sweatsuits and vuvuzelas. However, for U.S. fans, it’s difficult to start parading around with American flag capes. The U.S. needs better players, and to get them, Americans have to play soccer.

Rally: Which Florida team had a more disappointing finish?

Editorial: Apocalypse now — but, like, for real this time

The end of the world: We tease the idea here in the opinions section every now and again. Like in our opening editorial of Summer A and C—we mentioned an apocalypse was sure to come because Ted Cruz and John Kasich dropped out of the Republican presidential primary. Well, here’s the thing: We may have cried wolf a little bit.

Opinion: The Jungle, We got the fun... and some games

Hello my dearest readers. To everybody returning to Gainesville, let me be the first to welcome you back to our humble home. To all of the freshmen who just graduated from high school, don’t worry; the worst (the move-in process with crying mothers, silent fathers and impatient siblings) is behind you. Allow me to introduce myself. My name is Zach, but you can call me Zachary. I write a weekly op-ed column here in your soon-to-be most favorite newspaper, The Independent Florida Alligator. Congratulations on beginning your collegiate journey by joining us in the wonderful, religiously drunken pilgrimage that is Summer B.

Student Body President Susan Webster addresses voting issues, changes

Hello, Gator Nation, and welcome to Summer B!