opinion - The Independent Florida Alligator

Opinion

Adu-Brempong shooting investigation isn’t transparent

By Jeremiah Tattersall | Aug. 2, 2010

When the Florida Department of Law Enforcement report cleared the five officers involved in the Kofi Adu-Brempong shooting we were upset but believed an internal investigation might bring about some disciplinary action. Now it seems UPD has reinstated all but one of the officers involved in the shooting with no actions taken against them. Maybe there was a slap on the wrist for mishandling the situation, but we don’t know.

Opinion

Arizona’s law is reasonable

By Josh Mclawhorn | Aug. 2, 2010

Simply being an American citizen comes with a grab bag of freedoms and benefits. Social Security, education, welfare and President Obama’s soon-to-be-implemented comprehensive health care system are only some of the fruits of our nation’s wealth - a wealth built on the social and ethnic diversity that defines America. While this diversity is our nation’s greatest strength, we cannot allow unrestrained access to America’s limited bounty. I am writing in regards to SB1070, the Arizona law causing so much uproar – the one that allows police officers to detain suspected illegal immigrants unless they are carrying immigration documents. I’ve heard the words “un-American,” “fascist,” “xenophobic” and “racist” all used to describe this legislation and its supporters, and I have never been more worried for the future of America.

Opinion

Moving Pains

By The Alligator Editorial Board | Aug. 2, 2010

Couches line the sidewalks, particle boards disintegrate on the curb and Dumpsters full of rain-soaked mattresses wait to be emptied. It’s that time of year again — moving from one place to the next. The worst part about it: the unrelenting fees Gainesville Regional Utilities imposes on customers.

Opinion

Party Pooper

By The Alligator Editorial Board | Aug. 2, 2010

It happened: Bernie Machen won, and Georgia beat us. The Bulldogs are now ranked as the No. 1 party school in the nation, while UF has slipped to seventh place after taking the top spot two years ago.

Opinion

Advanced degrees important

By Jon D Morris | July 28, 2010

I respectfully disagree with Jon Roosenraad's column, "UF journalism students deserve teachers with experience in field." Finding a candidate for the position of Executive Producer/Managing Editor 21st Century News Lab, in the College of Journalism and Communications, who has an advanced degree and professional experience is both possible and necessary. There are several professors in our college, and other ‘professional leaning' colleges that have both. Although neither requirement is a guarantee of finding the professor with the perfect fit, having both provides the students and the communications community with the potential for maintaining industry standards while perpetuating growth. Too often industry applicants, with and without advanced degrees, think that all they have to do is go to class and tell war stories. I know, I was one of those hires with both 10 years of industry experience and advanced degrees. I learned quickly that students need more than learning the industry's approach to a problem or situation. When forward thinking is required, as is certainly the case in the journalism communications industry today, then the best candidate is the holder of both professional experience and advanced degrees. Although I am not on the selection committee, hiring someone with the best credentials in both areas is essential. I trust the committee and the dean will make the correct decision.

Opinion

Media hurt gulf towns the most

By Crystal Reyes | July 28, 2010

About two weeks ago, I took a trip to Cedar Key with my Counseling in Community Settings class and our professor, Dr. West-Olatunji. Cedar Key is a small town located on the Gulf Coast, about 50 miles southwest of Gainesville. Known for its aqua-farming, it is a big name in the clamming industry. The purpose of our trip was to talk to members of the Cedar Key community in order to gain a better understanding of how the oil spill has impacted their lives. As future counselors, we also wanted to learn how our profession could better serve the needs of communities impacted by the oil spill.

Sports

Gators offense should be better off with Brantley at the helm

By ANTHONY CHIANG | July 28, 2010

This next statement defies all logic.

Opinion

Bronco Briefs

By The Alligator Editorial Board | July 28, 2010

Even though he's left UF and the Gators far behind, Tim Tebow is still making us proud in Colorado.

Opinion

‘Net Loss: Prince says Internet is no longer profitable

By The Alligator Editorial Board | July 28, 2010

Summer is coming to a close, and it's time for us to dole out an award for the most out-of-context quote of the semester: Prince's now-famous uttering of "the Internet is over."

Opinion

America’s creativity enables greatness

By Bryan Griffin | July 28, 2010

America heralds the banner of innovation because of the country's aptitude for creativity. Individual creativity is an essential part of the American spirit and is embodied in our country's founding documents. A government produces the most from its citizens when it allows each of them to define and pursue their own success. Using a system of limited regulation, a government should be one that allows for society to enhance its prospects by working up freely from below, instead of being determined from the top.

Opinion

My mind’s made up for communist beliefs

By ANDREW PANTAZI | July 26, 2010

Last Thursday's column "Make up your own mind about politics" inspired me.

Opinion

Add cursing to list of bad habits to quit

By KATHRYN STOLARZ | July 26, 2010

I was passing through Midtown last Tuesday evening, and I stopped to watch the live music at The Swamp for a song or two. “Cause it’s the first of May, first of May,” he sang, and I was thinking what a nice voice he had when suddenly – “Outdoor f--king starts today. Celebrate spring with a crazy little thing called f--king outside” – my heart started pounding as nervous anger flooded my insides. He dropped the F-bomb in his beautiful melody. As he scanned the audience, his eyes met mine. I felt uncomfortable just witnessing this performance. Maybe I was overreacting, I thought. I decided I’d try to wait it out, hoping the next song would be swear-free and worth staying for. He had a good voice. “I’m going to make this part as vulgar as possible,” he said, and I cringed. I instantly began to change my mind about staying. He said something about “f--king everybody,” and I couldn’t stand listening anymore. I left — no applause from me tonight.

Opinion

Study Session

By The Alligator Editorial Board | July 26, 2010

Starting in the fall, the Hub will no longer be the official on-campus late-night study center, with those duties being taken over by the Reitz Union, which will remain open until 3 a.m. — along with Taco Bell, Starbucks and possibly Subway.

Opinion

War Torn: Leaked reports killed America’s trust

By The Alligator Editorial Board | July 26, 2010

uld have us think that national security is no joke, but a quick look at the more than 90,000 leaked reports from the war in Afghanistan showed us that honesty and integrity is somewhat of a laughing matter.

Opinion

UF journalism students deserve teachers with experience in field

By Jon Roosenraad | July 26, 2010

Last Thursday's top story, "Faculty search raises questions" concerned the inability of the College of Journalism and Communications to even interview a professional journalist with 25 years of experience at The New York Times for a very hands-on and professional opening within the college for next year.

Sports

Pimpin’ is too easy for NFL agents, money runners

July 21, 2010

I’m about to pen a sentence previously unthinkable for a UF student who grew up in South Florida supporting the Dolphins.

Opinion

Athletes’ Advocate: Why college stars should be paid

By The Alligator Editorial Board | July 21, 2010

He had a great career playing for the Gators and was able to transition to the pros as the 18th overall pick in the draft, but recently Maurkice Pouncey has been accused of accepting $100,000 from a sports agent’s representative while he was still on the Gators’ roster.

Opinion

Arizona immigration law does not encourage racial profiling

By Wyatt Zinninger | July 21, 2010

It is clear that Chris Moody, despite his attempts to seem educated and informed, is exactly the opposite. Like most opponents of Arizona’s new immigration law, SB1070, he has clearly never even read the actual bill.

Opinion

Legislature defeats Crist in smackdown over oil-drilling ban

By Brittany Fox | July 21, 2010

Like an episode of “Deadliest Warrior,” Florida saw its own battle between two epic foes Tuesday, this one during a special legislative session called to pass a measure that would put the question of banning oil drilling on the November ballot. In The Florida Legislature vs. Charlie Crist, I have to give this one to the Legislature, and a quick kill it was—about 55 minutes, to be exact.

Opinion

Make up your own mind about politics

By Bryan Griffin | July 21, 2010

For the last two weeks, I have given advice for incoming UF students to use as they acclimate themselves to university life. This week, however, I write to lend a word of advice to all university students. Whatever grade, alma mater, or status as a student, listen up: Don’t drink from the punch bowl.