Opinions - The Independent Florida Alligator

OPINION | EDITORIALS

Community college plan step in right direction

Jan. 11, 2015

Good morning, Gators, and welcome back from what we hope was a good weekend. Between the first days of a new semester and the awful things that happened around the world this week, we all needed a break. Now that we’re all back in the groove, let’s start the new week with a controversial yet much less dismal piece of national news: President Barack Obama’s proposal regarding tuition in community colleges.

OPINION | COLUMNS

NAACP bombing receives disappointing coverage

Jan. 11, 2015

You know all about the bombing that occurred outside of the Colorado Springs chapter of the NAACP last Tuesday, right? No? Well, the FBI is investigating the act of potential domestic terrorism after a homemade pipe bomb exploded but failed to ignite a 5-gallon gas container to which it was rigged.

OPINION | COLUMNS

US media has clear selection bias

Jan. 11, 2015

As an avid consumer of news, I am noticing that the American media is not exactly as objective in their coverage as they should be. Actually, that is an understatement; The mainstream news media seems geared toward a viewpoint that engages in speculation rather than the day’s news.

OPINION | COLUMNS

Obama’s proposed ‘free’ community college has its faults

Jan. 11, 2015

Last week, President Barack Obama unveiled a proposal to make the first two years of community college tuition free for students who uphold certain standards.

OPINION | COLUMNS

Why Oregon Ducks are America’s team

Jan. 8, 2015

I’ll start off this column with an apology.

OPINION | COLUMNS

Elected officials need to actually do their jobs

Jan. 8, 2015

Earlier this week, The Associated Press reported that Republican Governor of Maine, Paul LePage, spent almost $53,000 on attorneys in an attempt to exorcise thousands of young people from Medicaid. The attempt failed. What’s even more frustrating about Gov. LePage’s actions is that Maine’s attorney general informed the governor’s office that the lawsuit would likely fail. [1]

OPINION | COLUMNS

Sexolutions: Becoming a sexpert in 2015

Jan. 8, 2015

Welcome back, Gators. I missed everyone dearly during the break and can’t wait for this next year, along with its new eye candy, new late-night adventures and new resolutions.

OPINION | DARTS LAURELS

Darts & Laurels: bombings, same-sex marriage and pub subs

Jan. 8, 2015

Good morning, Gators, and happy Friday. If you’re reading this, congratulations! You’ve survived Thursday’s unnaturally frigid weather and lived to fight another day. Presumably, you made it through syllabus week as well. For that, give yourself a pat on the back and take a gander at this last-day-of-the-first-week-of-school edition of...

OPINION | COLUMNS

Florida needs to take control of its future

Jan. 7, 2015

At the turn of the New Year, Florida’s population surpassed that of New York state, making this the third-most populous state in the country. In recent years, migrants have been flocking to the Sunshine State from the North as part of the expansion of the Sun Belt.

OPINION | EDITORIALS

Attack on French magazine an attack on free speech

Jan. 7, 2015

It’s safe to guess that by now you’ve heard the news of the mass shooting yesterday in France. To say the attack was horrific, reprehensible, abhorrent and brutal is true, but those words still fail to capture how this feels for us — not to mention what it means to the people of France. In any case, it feels like a rehearsal in the litany of words we use when trying to describe events like this that leave us utterly dejected.

OPINION | EDITORIALS

Making sense of the universe with new planets

Jan. 6, 2015

One of the few universal human experiences is the awe and bewilderment you feel when looking deeply into the night sky.

OPINION | LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Call to UF: Cut ties with anti-Palestine community

Jan. 6, 2015

During our lifetimes, members of our generation have witnessed events that will define the 21st century. Some of these moments feel very close to home — the 9/11 attacks, for example. Others seem far away and disconnected from us.

OPINION | LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

The hidden truth about thin privilege and how you can help

Jan. 6, 2015

I bet I can predict at least one of your New Year’s resolutions: working out more, eating healthier, losing weight? If I was right, it’s nothing to be ashamed of. This time of year brings a tsunami of reflection that inspires change. This specific tsunami, however, is fueled by a toxic epidemic that has taken hold of our society: thin privilege. On the flip side of discrimination rests a collection of benefits known as privilege.

OPINION | EDITORIALS

New year, new opportunities at the Alligator

Jan. 5, 2015

Man, does it feel good to leave 2014 behind.

OPINION | COLUMNS

In defense of Uber despite past flaws

Jan. 5, 2015

The new year has just begun and Uber is already facing a fresh wave of criticism and complaints.

OPINION | EDITORIALS

An end-of-semester thank you to our readers

Dec. 9, 2014

Well, this is it.

OPINION | COLUMNS

Students come first: Protect Pell Grants

Dec. 9, 2014

As student loan debt continues to spiral out of control, a new proposal may make the situation even worse for struggling college students.

OPINION | COLUMNS

As 2014 closes, remember Lennon’s lyrics of ‘Imagine’

Dec. 9, 2014

Monday marked the 34th anniversary of John Lennon’s murder. Each year, it’s a somber day on the calendar and a reminder that even the biggest among us can be ripped away. I found myself listening to a Lennon-protest song — “Happy Xmas” — and I considered the year that was 2014. By all measures, 2014 was a lousy experience for the world, and if you were to conduct a poll, 2014 might top a list of worst years in recent memory.

OPINION | COLUMNS

One editor’s last walk down the Avenue: Take a breath, take a break, move on

Dec. 9, 2014

One thing my parents always taught me was to stop, take a step back and look over my work.

OPINION | COLUMNS

Religion’s influence should be remembered

Dec. 8, 2014

It’s quite an interesting spectacle: My dad’s large 6-foot-4 frame rummaging around our garage, mumbling about measurements and fumbling for mischievous screws rolling across the dryer, which has become a makeshift work table.