Opinions - The Independent Florida Alligator

OPINION | COLUMNS

Modern Tea Party is deeply flawed

By PAUL MURTY | Feb. 4, 2010

I don’t understand the Tea Party. I’ll admit that I’ve spent the past day trying to research what they want on the Internet, and the only thing I can come up with is they just don’t want to pay taxes. I can understand the frustration. I hate when I go to Publix to buy a newspaper and I have to pay an extra 6 or 7 cents in sales tax. But that’s mostly because I just don’t feel like getting that much change.

OPINION | COLUMNS

Tebow ad is stealing Super Bowl limelight

Feb. 3, 2010

Starring in a controversial anti-abortion commercial bankrolled by a fundamentalist Christian group, Tim Tebow headlines the first-ever “issue ad” aired on Super Bowl Sunday and has effectively hijacked the pre-Super Bowl hype machine.

OPINION | EDITORIALS

GOP Barbie Larimer’s views cheapen Republican women

By The Alligator Editorial Board | Feb. 3, 2010

When the Editorial Board read that Republican National Committee co-chair Jan Larimer thought women need “more hand-holding” than men throughout the election process, we envisioned a patronizing man who happened to have a Scandinavian first name. We were wrong.

OPINION | LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Student Alliance party should put its money where its mouth is

By Chris Jaeger | Feb. 3, 2010

Mark McShera’s letter to the editor Tuesday was an example of how disgusting, vile, hateful and forgetful members of the Student Alliance party can be.

OPINION | LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Groups should not be judged by the most extreme of their members

By Deepthy Alias | Feb. 3, 2010

I have concern over the prevalence of the “Islam is of the devil” T-shirts on the UF campus.

OPINION | COLUMNS

Study abroad offers valuable experience

By Joshua Lee | Feb. 2, 2010

Last Wednesday, I stopped by the UF Study Abroad fair outside of the Reitz Union to discover what options are open to me for getting out of Gainesville and my pitiful dorm room.

OPINION | EDITORIALS

Pretty People: Florida residents hotter than North Dakota’s

By The Alligator Editorial Board | Feb. 2, 2010

Look around, boys and girls, you’re surrounded by hotties.

OPINION | EDITORIALS

"Bump It" Web show

By The Alligator Editorial Board | Feb. 2, 2010

Following in the footsteps of the rockumentary “Spinal Tap” and the mockumentary “Best In Show,” the new Web show “Bump+” gives a faux documentary treatment to a reality show about people choosing whether to have an abortion.

OPINION | LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Cultural events should spark discussion

By Ian S | Feb. 2, 2010

The picture highlighting the “Islam Fair” on campus was a stark reminder that although at times what we hold in common — such as enjoying delicious food — may bring us together, our differences keep us apart. Here we see an attempt to bring Islam to the non-Islamic world, and a photo portraying two women with faces peeking out from behind elaborate head wraps. While it is pleasant to enjoy the food and other positive aspects of other cultures, such as song, dance and philanthropy, we must not forget our critical thinking skills. Human cultural practices differ significantly, and we must identify these differences if we are to embrace our free will. The photo raises several important questions we ought to ask: Why are these women dressed this way? How would they be treated in their culture if they chose to dress differently? In countries where Islamic cultural-religious practices dominate, how are free speech and artistic issues treated? Human rights? Are religious and cultural tolerance encouraged in predominately Muslim countries?

OPINION | LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Student Alliance party has plenty of experience

By Mark McShera | Feb. 2, 2010

Clarification: This is a response to a letter that was originally attributed to UF student Josh Winegar. Winegar informed the Alligator that he believes the letters were sent falsely under his name by members of the Unite Party, who currently hold the Student Government majority. The Alligator does not currently know the identity of the senders.

OPINION | LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Student Alliance party has qualified candidates

By Jonathan Ossip | Feb. 2, 2010

Clarification: This is a response to a letter that was originally attributed to UF student Josh Winegar. Winegar informed the Alligator that he believes the letters were sent falsely under his name by members of the Unite Party, who currently hold the Student Government majority. The Alligator does not currently know the identity of the senders.

OPINION | LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Unite Party has wrong kind of experience

By Jordan Greenberg | Feb. 2, 2010

Clarification: This is a response to a letter that was originally attributed to UF student Josh Winegar. Winegar informed the Alligator that he believes the letters were sent falsely under his name by members of the Unite Party, who currently hold the Student Government majority. The Alligator does not currently know the identity of the senders.

OPINION | EDITORIALS

Come on, Phil

By The Alligator Editorial Board | Feb. 1, 2010

The Editorial Board is going to try something new today.

OPINION | EDITORIALS

Sore Losers: Taylor Swift deserved her award

By The Alligator Editorial Board | Feb. 1, 2010

Leave poor Taylor Swift alone.

OPINION | COLUMNS

Ending relationships has its positives

Feb. 1, 2010

Breakups aren’t fun. In fact, as far as things in relationships go, they pretty much suck.

OPINION | LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Student Alliance Party lacks qualified candidates

By Unknown | Feb. 1, 2010

Let’s talk about the experience of the Student Alliance Party executive ticket.

OPINION | COLUMNS

America’s drinking problem serves as way to escape reality

By Eric Tegethoff | Feb. 1, 2010

Every foreign tourist who comes to America must think we are walking advertisements for the latest low-calorie Budweiser. America has a drinking problem and a culture that once scoffed at the idea of moderation.

OPINION | LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Sex column not appropriate for high schoolers

By BRUCE STARREN | Jan. 31, 2010

I am a 43-year-old father of two. My son is a junior at Gainesville High School, and my daughter is a ninth-grader. Both of my children are exceptional students with bright futures, and they both have a strong desire to attend the UF. While on campus attending sport events and such, they frequently bring home the Alligator to read the latest news on sports, music and campus life.

OPINION | COLUMNS

Apple’s release of iPad a letdown

By Ryan Spencer | Jan. 31, 2010

There was a torrent of publicity surrounding Apple’s unveiling of its iPad last week. I watched a video of Steve Jobs presenting it, and needless to say, I wasn’t impressed. Here’s a quick rundown of what transpired:

OPINION | EDITORIALS

Janu-weary: Last month was a sore spot for equality

By Alligator Editorial Board | Jan. 31, 2010

January was a sad month for equality. Hatred and callousness have shown themselves all over the world. In case you’ve forgotten the examples of that, let the Editorial Board give you a recap of the highlights of Dismal January.