opinion - The Independent Florida Alligator

Opinion

Gun control groups distort facts, ignore Constitution

By August Lee | Jan. 25, 2011

I commend Sarah Poser for a balanced article on the allowing guns on campus in the Monday issue of the Alligator. However, Brian Malte’s quote, “The more outrage there is, the more the gun lobby starts to retreat.” The gun lobby is composed of the NRA and Second Amendment supporters. And, “Without a lot of protest, there is a chance the gun lobby could shove it through,” Malte said.

Sports

UF's reputation to be determined by postseason performance

By ANTHONY CHIANG | Jan. 24, 2011

When asked about the greatness of this season’s Southeastern Conference, Billy Donovan gave a somewhat surprising, yet enlightening, answer.

Opinion

Coffee consumers pay for ambiance

By Laura Ellermeyer | Jan. 24, 2011

There are few things on which I regularly spend an exorbitant amount of money. These items include gasoline, sushi, phone accessories and Starbucks coffee. I cannot recall when or where, but some blessed person once introduced me to those deliciously handcrafted beverages, and I have been hooked — and thus shelling out the big bucks — ever since. I’m such a sucker for their overpriced products that they took pity and issued me a fancy gold card with my name on it that may as well scream, “I have spent a ridiculous amount of money here and am powerless to stop.”

Opinion

Tucson tragedy not conservatives’ fault

By Anthony Garcia | Jan. 24, 2011

Matthew Christ should be ashamed of himself, but instinct tells me he is probably rather proud. In the space of three sentences in yesterday’s guest column, he managed to label the Tucson shooter as ideologically conservative and try to weasel away from the fallout.

Opinion

Up in Smoke

By The Alligator Editorial Board | Jan. 24, 2011

Welcome back to Gainesville, coach.

Opinion

Progressive programs overrated by left

By John Brandli | Jan. 24, 2011

In Monday’s guest column, Mr. Christ claims progressive ideas have fared well in every intellectual arena, boasting of such stallions as higher educational standards, social safety net programs and business regulations.

Sports

Gators’ inconsistency defies explanations

By ADAM BERRY | Jan. 23, 2011

In a moment of brutal honesty, Florida basketball coach Billy Donovan hopefully put an end to all the speculation, all the guessing games and all the “if only” thinking.

Opinion

Blend of political views necessary

By Nicolas Sayavedra | Jan. 23, 2011

Bob Minchin claims “liberalism is an emotive ideology. By nature, it relies more on feelings than intellect.”

Opinion

Hail to the Tweet: Social media connects public to White House

By The Alligator Editorial Board | Jan. 23, 2011

We got a little preview of the State of the Union address this weekend, but for now we’re more intrigued that the White House is embracing technology in the lead-up to the speech Tuesday night.

Opinion

Parties overlook immigration solution

By Zack Smith | Jan. 23, 2011

“Give [us] your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free.” For more than a century, these words have been America’s call to the world, and the world has answered eagerly.

Opinion

School on Crutches

By The Alligator Editorial Board | Jan. 23, 2011

Maybe a little struggling does the mind good.

Opinion

Liberalism stands test of time in US

Jan. 23, 2011

Regarding Bob Minchin’s Friday column, a few things need to be cleared up.

Opinion

Columnist fails to examine valid opposing opinions

By Howard Moore | Jan. 23, 2011

I’m guessing that Bob Minchin is one of those closed-minded individuals who thinks “The Colbert Report” is conservative.

Sports

Say hello to the new smartest guys in the room

By BILL O'CONNOR | Jan. 20, 2011

After the Jets game Sunday, “60 Minutes” did a profile on multimillionaire Billy Walters, who terrorizes Vegas sports books with scores of computers, consultants and shills.

Opinion

Attack on cab drivers hurts free market

By Bill Roberts | Jan. 20, 2011

UF Student Senate President Ben Meyers’ committee to curb free enterprise shows just how far today’s young leaders have gone in rejecting the American free-market system.

Opinion

Right misses point on teen pregnancy

By Khalil H. Quinan | Jan. 20, 2011

Facts don’t faze the right in teen pregnancy debate.

Opinion

Darts & Laurels

By The Alligator Editorial Board | Jan. 20, 2011

Four-day weeks just aren’t conducive to getting work done.

Opinion

Liberals seek return of unfair doctrine

By Bob Minchin | Jan. 20, 2011

To no one’s surprise, Democrats called this week for reinstatement of the Fairness Doctrine in the wake of the Tucson massacre.

Sports

Gators can’t be satisfied with wins

Jan. 19, 2011

Gators fans, expect to be happy by the end of the night.

Opinion

Taking more classes not “burdensome”

By Brett Wager | Jan. 19, 2011

Ben Meyers’ wildly unfounded castigation of block tuition as an impediment to students’ ability to obtain a “complete education” is a dreadfully poor and specious evaluation. Meyers rants about how we want our UF graduates to be diverse, well-rounded and engaged citizens of the world, suggesting that this can somehow only be accomplished by means of a course load of 12 or fewer credits a semester. This offensive insinuation that one extra class a semester would indisputably cripple the average student embarrassingly underestimates the tenacity, ambition and work ethic of the Gator Nation. Simply taking a course load that will allow students to actually graduate on time should not be characterized by our SG officials as a “burdensome” challenge. Block tuition rewards the overachievers, incentivizes the slow movers and continues to allow the flexibility for students to learn at their own pace on their own dime.