Opinions - The Independent Florida Alligator

OPINION | DARTS LAURELS

Darts and Laurels: Emmy's, Hannah Montana, political ads and ESPN

Aug. 28, 2014

The Emmys were on Monday, and AMC smash hit “Breaking Bad” cleaned up for the fifth year in a row. Bryan Cranston, Aaron Paul and Anna Gunn each won in their respective categories, as did Moira Walley-Beckett for writing “Ozymandias,” the show’s heart-stopping third-to-last episode. The show also won in the Outstanding Drama Series category, beating out other excellent series, including “Game of Thrones,” “True Detective” and “House of Cards.” “Breaking Bad” is undoubtedly one of the most innovative, complex and entertaining shows in modern TV history. It’s only fitting that Walter White goes out on top. We award a Crystal-Blue-Persuasion LAUREL to the Emmy voters.

OPINION | COLUMNS

Undercover Colors: genius or misguided?

Aug. 27, 2014

Facebook has fallen out of favor with me. Between endless streams of Ice Bucket Challenge videos and depressing life updates I otherwise would’ve forgotten about long ago, I only have one reason to visit the website anymore: to see whatever the latest BuzzFeed post is, scoff at it and then read it intently.

OPINION | EDITORIALS

Rubio’s comments on immigration miss the mark

Aug. 27, 2014

Florida’s junior senator, Marco Rubio, has been very vocal in recent weeks on the topic of immigration reform.

OPINION | COLUMNS

Stay lean and green this semester with Meatless Mondays

Aug. 26, 2014

Starting college can be an exciting yet daunting experience. It’s not surprising that with all the stress that comes with it, some new students gain the dreaded Freshman 15. A study published in Nutrition Journal found that nearly a quarter of freshmen gain at least 5 percent of their body weight during their first semester, an average of about 10 pounds in just a few months.

OPINION | EDITORIALS

Koch brothers influence on FSU sets risky precedent

Aug. 26, 2014

Despite never having held any elected office, Charles and David Koch are two of the best-known, most influential political figures in the U.S. The brothers, who own and operate the megacorporation Koch Industries, have spent vast amounts of money on political advertising and campaign donations in recent years.

OPINION | COLUMNS

Poor schools, more student incarcerations

Aug. 26, 2014

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OPINION | COLUMNS

Economy damaged by Current method of calculating trade deficit

Aug. 25, 2014

Last year the U.S.-China trade deficit was $318 billion. The U.S. Department of Commerce calculates the deficit by subtracting the value of what we import from what we export, which accurately calculates the overall trade deficit. However, this method is misleading and potentially damaging to the U.S. economy.

OPINION | EDITORIALS

Gerrymandering: a roadblock for representation

Aug. 25, 2014

It’s no secret that Americans are frustrated and disillusioned with Congress. A recent Gallup poll found that a whopping 83 percent of Americans disapprove of the federal legislature’s performance. In another poll, Gallup found that just 19 percent of Americans believe most members of Congress deserve to be re-elected, nearly a historic low.

OPINION | COLUMNS

In Defense of the Ice Bucket Challenge

Aug. 25, 2014

Just a couple of weeks ago, I logged into my Facebook and saw that I was tagged in a friend’s status. It was a video of someone pouring a bucket of ice water all over herself and nominated me, along with a few others, to participate in something called the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge.

OPINION | COLUMNS

White celebrities: Speak up on Ferguson

Aug. 24, 2014

All eyes have been on Ferguson, Missouri, since earlier this month, when unarmed black teenager Michael Brown was shot dead by Darren Wilson, a white police officer.

OPINION | DARTS LAURELS

Darts & Laurels 8/7/14

Aug. 6, 2014

Here it is, y’all: Our bittersweet bye-bye-summer-love

OPINION | COLUMNS

Locals: Pay attention to Plum Creek

Aug. 6, 2014

If you’ve seen the eastern half of Gainesville, there’s no question that we are home to seriously impoverished areas. A lack of quality jobs and economic development keeps the area depressed and few — if any — local leaders currently hold the key to solving the never-ending crisis. Some Gainesville residents are pinning their hopes to a company who owns more land than anyone else in Alachua County.

OPINION | EDITORIALS

See your opinions in print: Become a Fall 2014 columnist

Aug. 4, 2014

There’s never been a better time to become an Alligator columnist — OK, maybe that’s a hyperbole. Regardless, as we prepare for Fall 2014, we have a lot of unanswered questions: Who will win the Florida gubernatorial election? Will Amendment 2 (that one about medical marijuana) pass? Will voters overturn the Florida gay marriage ban? Will Pitbull do us a favor and just run for governor already?

OPINION | COLUMNS

My major is none of your concern

Aug. 4, 2014

Three semesters ago when I started my first day at the Alligator, I never thought I’d be typing these words so soon.

OPINION | LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Letter to the Editor

Aug. 4, 2014

Dear editor,

OPINION | COLUMNS

Faking an orgasm is preventing the avenue to real pleasure

Aug. 4, 2014

About a month ago, Vice published a quiz to test its readers — "Can you tell which of these porn star orgasms are fake?"

OPINION | DARTS LAURELS

Darts & Laurels 7/31/14

July 30, 2014

Today, we’re celebrating the end of July with a hello-August-please-don’t-be-s****y edition of

OPINION | COLUMNS

Redistricting leads to gridlock in Capitol

July 30, 2014

Throughout the school year, students are rewarded for their hard work with occasional breaks from the rigors of academia. Following the grueling ends of each semester, we are released from the clutches of term papers, exams and presentations to spend a few precious weeks relaxing and recharging our batteries.

OPINION | COLUMNS

Women, not just men, deserve the right to free their nipples

July 28, 2014

Summers in Florida mean outfits that contain as few articles of clothing as possible.

OPINION | COLUMNS

Hamas hasn’t and won’t respond to Israel’s plea for peace

July 28, 2014

You walk into a restaurant at 6:55 p.m. in anticipation of your 7 p.m. date. When 7:10 p.m. approaches, there is no sign of your date. And when you cautiously pick up the phone to call, there is no answer. You wait a little longer and call again. Someone picks up the phone, and within a mere second, the call is ended.