Opinions - The Independent Florida Alligator

OPINION | EDITORIALS

Darts & Laurels

By The Alligator Editorial Board | Aug. 28, 2008

First off, we would like to issue an at-least-someone-does-their-homework LAUREL to UF spokesman Steve Orlando for calling out the Editorial Board for an embarrassing blunder. We wrongly implied that UF President Bernie Machen contacted the St. Petersburg Times with an editorial when it was the other way around. From now on, we will quadruple check ourselves before we wreck ourselves. Our bad.

OPINION | COLUMNS

Chinese, Americans not so different

By ANTHONY PAGLINO | Aug. 28, 2008

I recently returned from a summer studying Chinese in Beijing. It was an intense summer, to say the least, in a war zone of culture fought in the urban jungle that is Beijing. The language barrier was daunting, the food hard to digest and the cabbies had a death wish that Charles Bronson couldn't deliver on.

OPINION | COLUMNS

Presidential candidates’ arguments lack real substance

By Kartik Sreepada | Aug. 27, 2008

Our "nation of whiners" has evolved a novel way to express its discontent with what it already has. It incorporates a concept as hip with the young generation as live DJing: passive aggression.

OPINION | LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Obama unique candidate

By Cliff Cleland | Aug. 27, 2008

Barack Obama is to your generation what John F. Kennedy was to mine. The youth and vitality, the charm and disarming smile, the sense of humor and powerful intellect - these are qualities shared by these men. We must get beyond our prejudices and vote our hearts, minds and the issues.

OPINION | EDITORIALS

UF says we make better runners than fighters

By The Alligator Editorial Board | Aug. 27, 2008

Throughout our precious years of existence, we have learned to appreciate the concept of self-preservation. Pain sucks, and that's that. There's no reason why protecting ourselves shouldn't be at the top of our list of personal priorities.

OPINION | LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Senator stands by referendum

By Frank Bracco | Aug. 27, 2008

It is unfortunate that the Alligator's Editorial Board does not share the same excitement I do over the Thanksgiving Travel Holiday, but I guess I have six weeks until the elections to try to change this.

OPINION | COLUMNS

Nine–year–old pitcher unfairly ousted

Aug. 27, 2008

A musician may win an award, an academic receives a grant and an athlete finds him or herself glorified by fans and the media. Jericho Scott, undoubtedly the best pitcher in his New Haven, Conn., league, received his accolades in the form of banishment from the sport of baseball for being "too good."

OPINION | EDITORIALS

Wi–Fi while you work?

By The Alligator Editorial Board | Aug. 26, 2008

We've suffered far too long waiting for the Internet to find its way to our gyms, one of the few remaining nooks where Wi-Fi isn't readily available. It seems that our days of Weblessly toiling on the treadmills at Southwest Recreation Center have come to an end at last, though we aren't sure why.

OPINION | COLUMNS

Hillary’s pack rides indignation to Democratic convention

By Ben Cohen | Aug. 26, 2008

Despite what some scientists claim is the next great mass extinction, a new species has emerged after Sen. Barack Obama was named the presumptive nominee for the Democratic Party. This fierce, new species, called the PUMA, is a mammal in the Hillary Clintonae family and is native to the Americas.

OPINION | LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

New IDs present identity risk

By Charles Preslik | Aug. 26, 2008

In 2005, Congress approved a bill calling for emergency funds to aid in tsunami relief efforts. Unfortunately, tacked onto the bill was what is called the Real ID Act. This sets federal standards for driver's licenses that states are mandated to comply with by December 2009.

OPINION | COLUMNS

Dems should rally around party values

Aug. 26, 2008

For years, I have encouraged others my age to participate in the unfolding, unique experience of a government by the people.

OPINION | EDITORIALS

Senate’s travel holiday gives false hope

By The Alligator Editorial Board | Aug. 26, 2008

The UF Student Senate passed a referendum Tuesday night to give us the chance to vote on having an extra day off from classes. Yay!

OPINION | COLUMNS

Biden a smart choice, despite criticism

Aug. 25, 2008

After months of speculating, waiting and politicking, Democratic presidential hopeful Sen. Barack Obama has finally selected his running mate. Now that Sen. Joe Biden has completed the Democratic presidential ticket, the question is rapidly turning toward the Delaware senator's ability to serve Obama on the ticket. Without a doubt, Biden was the most complimentary choice Obama could have made given his available options.

OPINION | EDITORIALS

Fear not, sloppy Gators

By The Alligator Editorial Board | Aug. 25, 2008

Here at the Alligator, we just can't wait for the weekend. We know it's only Tuesday, but hear us out. It might only be the second day of fall, but that means that we're four days away from the first Gators football game of the year, and nothing reminds us more of summer than sweaty fun in the Swamp.

OPINION | EDITORIALS

Walk it out: Jaywalking tickets will slow us down

By The Alligator Editorial Board | Aug. 25, 2008

If you're anything like us, then you sprint toward the door the second lecture ends to make it back to your apartment in time for Comedy Central's midday hour of "Scrubs." We can't blame you for rushing home so you can attempt to memorize Dr. Cox's obnoxiously long-winded retorts.

OPINION | COLUMNS

Alligator aims to rehaul, revamp itself

Aug. 24, 2008

During my two years at the Alligator, I've heard all the criticism UF students and Gainesville residents have to offer.

OPINION | LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Blind faith for a fresh face will not solve all America’s problems

Aug. 24, 2008

Earlier this year, I attended a handful of rallies for Democratic presidential hopeful Sen. Barack Obama. Talking with other participants made it clear that few of them could agree on the specifics of this change.

OPINION | EDITORIALS

Broken Record: Machen plays the same song to a new crowd

By The Alligator Editorial Board | Aug. 24, 2008

Fall is finally here, and we are being greeted with some of the old traditions that we've come to hold so close to our hearts.

OPINION | EDITORIALS

Brave New World - Some unsolicited advice for incoming freshmen

By Alligator Editorial Board | Aug. 17, 2008

Congratulations, you made it. You have matriculated to one of the most prestigious public universities in the entire United States. You are now an official member of The Gator Nation. Allow us to offer you a hearty Orange and Blue welcome. We would also like to give you some unsolicited and hopefully useful advice about what to expect and how to take full advantage of the fantastic voyage upon which you are about to embark.

OPINION | COLUMNS

Campus groups activate inner–activist

By BRANDON SACK | Aug. 17, 2008

Oh, to be young again, when I thought homework was for pansies, a fake ID was golden, withdrawing from a class would never come back to haunt me and hangovers only lasted an hour, if at all. Just as I did, all you incoming freshmen will have ample opportunities to make mistakes (and hopefully learn from them). And as someone who has been at UF for six years, at the very least I can pass on a little wisdom to all you whippersnappers to help you get the most out of your undergraduate experience.