opinion - The Independent Florida Alligator

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.

Opinion

Ticket policy is unfair for sick students

By Michael Leeman | July 19, 2010

If you are a student and need to go to the neurology, oncology, or any of the other important ‘ology clinics at Shands Medical Plaza: beware.

Opinion

Florida should not follow Arizona’s law

By CHRIS MOODY | July 19, 2010

I am disappointed to have read this week that Florida is backing the Arizona immigration law that basically allows racial profiling.

Sports

NCAA needs to rethink amateur status given to college athletics

By TOM GREEN | July 19, 2010

The monster that is college sports is beginning to rear its ugly head, which for a long time has been hiding behind a veil of amateurism.

Opinion

Drinking Discrimination: Bars find a loophole

By The Alligator Editorial Board | July 19, 2010

The city may have hammered the last nail in the coffin for ladies night months ago, but that’s not stopping local wells from walking on the razor’s edge to get around the now-illegal, yet oh-so-common, promotion.

Opinion

Waiting to drink legally was worth it

By KATHRYN STOLARZ | July 19, 2010

If you asked me why I waited until my 21st birthday to drink, I could tell you a number of reasons. For one, my big sister waited until her 21st, so that’s what I thought you were supposed to do. She has always been my role model. Two, I’m stubborn, and I had told people a while ago that I was waiting until my 21st birthday to drink. I had made up my mind, but they doubted me or told me I’d go wild once I arrived at college. This fueled my fire even more to keep my word. And three, it doesn’t sit well with me to think of doing anything illegal. I’m just one of those people who is paranoid of getting in trouble for no good reason. I’d get nervous when an officer would walk by me in the halls when I was in middle school—palms sweaty, heart racing, the whole deal—and I never did anything wrong. I guess you could say I’m a stickler for rules, and I’m OK with that.

Opinion

Dairy products come with heavy price

By Lene Harris | July 14, 2010

Milk, and all other dairy products that we enjoy so much, does not come without sacrifice. The only way a dairy cow can produce milk is by giving birth to a calf.

Opinion

Man hopes to save lives with DUI story

By Jesse Warren | July 14, 2010

Matthew Maher, a 26-year-old former professional soccer player and Temple University graduate, is now in prison for the next five and a half years for killing an innocent man while driving drunk on March 7, 2009.

Sports

Sports editor bashes columnist for “cowardly” free-agent decision

By ANTHONY CHIANG | July 14, 2010

Dear Gainesville, all of Alachua County and Independent Florida Alligator supporters, wherever you may be today;

Opinion

Holy Hangout

By The Alligator Editorial Board | July 14, 2010

Apparently some people like Sunday mornings so much that they are trying to bring the experience to Saturday night through Club Glory, a Christian nightclub.

Opinion

Senior shares advice with freshmen

By ANDREW PANTAZI | July 14, 2010

Grab your Magic 8-Ball and give it a shake.

Opinion

Travel Trouble: UF eases Haiti ban forfaculty, grad students

By The Alligator Editorial Board | July 14, 2010

It has been more than five months since the adminstration banned UF-related travel to Haiti for students and faculty, but it looks like the university is starting to loosen up a bit. It’s about time.

Sports

Columnist announces free-agency intentions in “700-word special”

By TOM GREEN | July 12, 2010

It’s been fairly well-documented, to say the least, that NBA free agency started July 1, with many big names on the move – most notably, LeBron James and Chris Bosh to Miami with Dwyane Wade.

Opinion

King James made right decision personally, professionally

By Yulander Wells | July 12, 2010

The professional athlete is no longer just an athlete. They have been labeled as role models, icons, champions and spokespeople, but there’s one thing they have never been labeled: businessmen or businesswomen.

Opinion

Mascot Mishap

By The Alligator Editorial Board | July 12, 2010

When students were given the chance to decide on their school mascot, they chose the Gators. At least that was the case in Arkansas' Two Rivers School District after a school merger - and UF is not happy about it.

Opinion

Ways to excel in academics, social life

By Bryan Griffin | July 12, 2010

Last week, I began my list of seven important lessons for incoming UF freshmen. I mentioned the importance of living in the dorms, learning how to cook on a budget and studying with a purpose. If you missed last week's column, check out the Opinions page at alligator.org. This week, I continue with the fourth tip.

Opinion

UF came down too hard on Arkansas school

By Bob Powell | July 12, 2010

I am the agriculture teacher at a small rural school in Arkansas, and our school recently underwent a consolidation involving three schools into one school district.

Opinion

Organizations don’t oppose ordinance

By Carly Wilson | July 12, 2010

Although I’m very happy to see the Alligator following up on the drinking ordinance, I’d like to clarify a few confusions. I said that I was going to try to work with the UF College Democrats and members of Student Government to see if we could get bipartisan support in opposing the ordinance, but I haven’t gotten the confirmed support yet. I wanted to clear this up because, as of now, these organizations are in no way associated with this opposition.

Opinion

SGP doesn’t bring in best artists

By Dana Dahlstrom | July 12, 2010

It is very sad how Student Government Productions runs its business. It brings an artist in for such large amounts of money that the people who want to see that artist can’t afford it.