Opinions - The Independent Florida Alligator

OPINION | LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Reitz Union needs renovations

By Severin Walstad | Nov. 18, 2009

The Alligator never seems to disappoint. Wednesday’s article “Senate approves Reitz Union student expansion fee” left out some important facts in the case for the Reitz Union renovation and expansion. For instance, a petition was signed by about 1,500 students in less than 24 hours in support of the renovation and the student fee to pay for it. That would seem to outweigh the 70 or so graduate students who attended Tuesday night’s Senate meeting.

OPINION | LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Renovations will improve quality of UF

By Zack Faza | Nov. 18, 2009

In response to the expansion and renovation of the Reitz Union, I would like to express support, despite the objections raised concerning extra fees. Another beautiful and utilitarian building on the UF campus further fortifies the quality and progress that distinguishes Florida from other higher learning institutions.

OPINION | LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Current students won’t see benefits of Reitz Union expansion, renovation

By Zoe Ziliak | Nov. 18, 2009

The Student Senate should not have approved the resolution favoring the implementation of a new fee to pay for the proposed expansion of the Reitz Union.

OPINION | LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Senators disregarded students’ wishes

By Karla Rowe | Nov. 18, 2009

I’d like to express my utter disgust at the student senators who completely disregarded their student constituents last night. More than 70 students attended the Senate meeting in opposition of a resolution that would support UF administration charging all students a fee for the expansion and renovation of the Reitz Union. Majority party senators approved this bill while simultaneously rejecting a proposed amendment that would bring it to a Student Body referendum. It is understood that the repairs are necessary. The expansion, however, is debatable pork.

OPINION | LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

US efforts against terrorism are war

By John Colby | Nov. 18, 2009

This is in response to Wednesday’s letter to the editor “’War on terror’ not a war.” I must disagree with Patrick Poage’s position that calling our “global effort to eliminate terrorists” a war allows al-Qaida and others to justify their actions against our country and our soldiers.

OPINION | LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Accent should spend less on better talent

By Leighton Williams | Nov. 17, 2009

This letter is not so much a response to Jeremy Piven’s last minute cancellation, but rather to the Accent Speakers Bureau’s choice in speakers. The fact that $85,000 was going to be spent on a second-rate actor is pathetic.

OPINION | LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Students show selfishness by scalping

By Whitney Shadowens | Nov. 17, 2009

I am disappointed in Gators fans. With the SEC Championship tickets selling out in less than an hour last night, it was disappointing to students who missed out. However, what is most disappointing is learning that the reason tickets sold out so quickly is because many people logged in to purchase tickets only to sell them for a few hundred bucks. What is wrong with you? I mean, you cannot even get the tickets from the box office without a driver’s license and UF ID.

OPINION | LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Illegal billboards should be removed

By Arnall Downs | Nov. 17, 2009

Illegal billboards should be removed

OPINION | LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Grad students can’t afford new fee

By Matthew Smith | Nov. 17, 2009

As a graduate student, the dream of being financially solvent seems a distant one. Most grad students live below the poverty line. Yet, once again, UF is attempting to raise student fees — this time to pay for the renovation and expansion of Reitz Union. And these fees will affect graduate students differently; we actually have to pay for our fees (unlike undergrads who receive Bright Futures and/or prepaid).

OPINION | LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

‘War on terror’ not a war

By Patrick Poage | Nov. 17, 2009

This is in response to Tuesday’s guest column, “Trials give terrorists better treatment than they deserve.” While most of Warren Rhea’s opinion was intelligently argued, the final paragraph certainly gave me pause. Speaking about the Bush administration’s war on terror, he wrote, “It’s a war, let’s start treating it like one.” I disagree with this.

OPINION | EDITORIALS

Congress should end travel restrictions to Cuba

By The Alligator Editorial Board | Nov. 17, 2009

This week, Congress is taking up the issue of the Cuba travel ban, part of an embargo started against the communist country in 1960. For nearly 50 years, it has been effectively illegal for Americans to travel to Cuba.

OPINION | EDITORIALS

Privacy should be given greater value

By The Alligator Editorial Board | Nov. 17, 2009

Several weeks ago, I showed up to my friend Katie’s house to watch TV.

OPINION | EDITORIALS

Mammogram guidelines should follow international standard

By The Alligator Editorial Board | Nov. 17, 2009

Conservative horror stories about Obamacare run amok are finally coming true in the minds of some.

OPINION | LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Meyer, Spurrier can’t be compared

By Carol-Anne Dowling | Nov. 16, 2009

I wanted to thank Mike McCall for his article in Monday’s paper, “Meyer, Spurrier not to be compared,” which was about comparing the “Old Ball Coach” to Urban Meyer. It is like comparing apples to oranges.

OPINION | LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

T-shirts do not degrade women

By Erik Nyberg | Nov. 16, 2009

This is in response to Desi Krell’s letter to the editor on Friday, “T-shirt displays offensive messages.” As a supporter of feminist causes, I’m a little more than embarrassed to see that you’ve chosen an establishment that is so non-threatening toward women to attack and boycott. The T-shirt in question shows a woman wearing underwear, which you failed to mention, implying that she was nude. You also completely ignore the fact that the shirt is mocking tentacle porn, which was created in Japan.

OPINION | COLUMNS

Trials give terrorists better treatment than they deserve

By Warren Rhea | Nov. 16, 2009

This is in response to Matthew Christ’s Monday column, “US should give terrorists civilian trials.”

OPINION | LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Station to increase student staff

By Paul Gordon | Nov. 16, 2009

Station to increase student staff

OPINION | EDITORIALS

No Telling When: Obama must follow through on promise

By The Alligator Editorial Board | Nov. 16, 2009

A recent study by UF professor Bonnie Morad, in cooperation with the RAND Corp., a nonprofit research institution, revealed that veteran support for the “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy has fallen sharply since it was introduced in 1993. By 2006, only about 40 percent of Iraq and Afghanistan war veterans supported it — down from 75 percent in 1993.

OPINION | COLUMNS

For friends in need, love can ease pain

Nov. 16, 2009

It’s difficult when a friend tries to take his or her own life.

OPINION | EDITORIALS

Obama shouldn’t take middle road in Afghanistan

By The Alligator Editorial Board | Nov. 15, 2009

The human cost of the Afghan war has risen sharply in recent months, as evidenced by the headlines that appear all too frequently. But the financial cost of the war, another mounting problem, has received less coverage.