opinion - The Independent Florida Alligator

Opinion

Let's go to Mars, for science and for America

Mar. 16, 2015

During Spring Break, I took an opportunity to visit our nation’s capital to take in all the history and stories it had to offer. From seeing all the monuments that pay great homage to past presidents, taking tours of buildings like the Capitol and the White House that hold such political significance and facing the blast of snow that caused the federal government to shut down, it was a trip I’ll never forget. I’ll also never forget some of the thoughts that crossed my mind as I explored what could be called a political science major’s playground.

Opinion

Representation in children’s television important, necessary

Mar. 16, 2015

It’s been a week since our return from Spring Break now, and perhaps the collective misery of going to your 8:30 a.m. class has worn down into a more manageable annoyance.

Opinion

Iran letter hullabaloo sign of partisan issues

Mar. 15, 2015

Every presidency generates its own controversies. Abraham Lincoln’s inauguration started a civil war. The Reagan administration illegally sold weapons to Iran and used the proceeds to fund a right-wing Guatemalan militia with a fondness for committing war crimes. Bill Clinton holds the unique distinction of having been the first president caught getting blown in the Oval Office.

Opinion

Created Equal has a constitutional right to demonstrate

Mar. 15, 2015

The reaction to the demonstrations of the Ohio-based, anti-abortion group, Created Equal, when it came to campus Tuesday and Wednesday was overwhelmingly negative. The protesters, angry passers-by and columnists in this newspaper expressed their ill will toward the group and its demonstration. Some students claimed the whole demonstration was ineffective. Others thought it was tasteless.

Florida head coach Billy Donovan speaks with Florida guard Chris Chiozza (11) during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game in the quarter final round of the Southeastern Conference tournament against the Kentucky, Friday, March 13, 2015, in Nashville, Tenn.

Sports

Johnson's Journal: Gators still leaving a legacy despite underwhelming season

By RICHARD JOHNSON | Mar. 13, 2015

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Friday’s game between Florida and Kentucky was one of dueling legacies — yes, average teams leave legacies too.

Opinion

Darts & Laurels: Morning Joe, SAE and 'the letter'

Mar. 12, 2015

It’s been a tough week transitioning out of Spring Break, but at least the anti-abortion group is gone, right? Here’s your never-has-TGIF-been-so-true edition of

Opinion

Sexual health is just as important as other issues

Mar. 12, 2015

Welcome back, spring breakers! I hope that by now your hangover has worn off and you’ve started the countdown until summer.

Opinion

President Obama urges support for Student Aid Bill of Rights

Mar. 12, 2015

In an economy increasingly built on innovation, the most important skill you can sell is your knowledge. That’s why higher education is, more than ever, the surest ticket to the middle class.

Opinion

Influx of fabricated news leads to misinformed society

Mar. 12, 2015

A poll released this week shows Americans trust Fox News more than any other television news network. The notion that Americans trust Fox more than any other network demonstrates one of two things: Either Americans are very dumb, or the quality of television news across all networks is very poor. Regardless, it demonstrates that the fourth estate needs serious work.

Opinion

Republican legislators in Arizona not interested in compromise

Mar. 12, 2015

As a political science major, it is my job to understand what motivates political actors to make certain decisions. The natural inclination is to assume that political actors — like, I don’t know, let’s just say the Arizona Legislature — base their decisions on a well-informed, rational basis — or, at the very least, a basic sense of fundamental human decency.

Opinion

Right on, students who exercised First Amendment rights

Mar. 11, 2015

Wednesday was the second day the so-called “Justice Riders” brought their message to campus. This time, they brought a Jumbotron to the Plaza of the Americas, from which they broadcasted footage of abortion procedures.

Opinion

Pro-life advocates tactics offensive while ineffective

Mar. 10, 2015

UF’s most unsettling annual tradition rolled into town Tuesday, as anyone who had the displeasure of walking on Turlington Plaza or the Plaza of the Americas knows.

Opinion

‘Slut’: to reclaim or to make obsolete?

Mar. 10, 2015

“Slut” is a common insult reserved for women who are seen as too sexually permissive, too promiscuous or who dress in a way that might suggest sexuality. In diminishing a woman’s status to that of a “slut,” her worth is minimized to her sexual behavior, and her sexual expression is shamed. Women are famously held to a different sexual standard than men — men are encouraged to engage in frequent casual sex to prove their masculinity, while women who do so are seen as used, tarnished or impure in some way.

Opinion

Abortion protest: degradation of our academic climate

Mar. 10, 2015

I was profoundly disturbed by the indecent demonstration in the middle of Plaza of the Americas on Tuesday that featured graphic images of aborted fetuses.

Opinion

Men’s voices are missing pieces for gender equality

Mar. 10, 2015

As most of us know, Sunday was International Women’s Day. Social media was flooded with posts, videos and tweets supporting women, equality and the need for change in order to recognize women in all parts of society.

Opinion

Drake’s album cover ignores rap’s origin

Mar. 10, 2015

When Beyoncé ended 2013 with a bang by releasing an unannounced album, Drake must have been taking notes. Last month, the Grammy award-winning rapper released his own unannounced album: “If Youre Reading This Its Too Late.” Drake’s album was not nearly as successful as the queen’s, but it held its own with almost 500,000 copies sold in its first week. Drake’s lyrical talents earned him some praise from 50 Cent, and I was even tempted to tap the thumbs-up button more than once on my own Pandora. While his lyrics impressed, his album cover disappointed.

Opinion

OU rightfully disbands frat after video of racist chants emerges

Mar. 9, 2015

The proliferation of smartphones has done wonders for the exposure of corruption, discrimination and other despicable behaviors. Allegations that previously could have been brushed off as fabrication are now often backed up with videos of the accused caught in the act.

Opinion

UCLA interrogation reveals anti-Semitism

Mar. 9, 2015

On February 10, a University of California, Los Angeles, student stood before her student council in the hope of being accepted to its judicial board. Rachel Beyda, a second-year economics major, had been unanimously approved by a review committee before she presented herself to the board. With an impressive academic record, leadership experience and several legal internships, Beyda’s confirmation seemed like a no-brainer.

Opinion

Email scandal raises questions about Hillary’s feminist motives

Mar. 9, 2015

On Sunday, International Women’s Day reminded the nation of the battle for gender equality. The revolutionary cries of feminist advocates were heard and understood by many. The population was exposed to the post-modern plight for freedom, which is remarkably similar to quests for liberty undertaken by our forefathers in past movements. And, in the same way proponents of past quests rallied behind strong leaders, so too did feminists rally behind iconic figures. Among the outspoken advocates was Hillary Clinton, whom many believe to be a great symbol for feminism.

Opinion

Florida’s ban on “climate change” phrasing unfortunately not a joke

Mar. 8, 2015

Still a little sore about how the gubernatorial elections turned out in November? Upset over the re-election of a man who personally invoked the Fifth Amendment 75 times in relation to his role in the largest Medicare fraud case in U.S. history?