Opinions - The Independent Florida Alligator

OPINION | EDITORIALS

Turn of Phrase: Bush’s shift on Iraq timetable shows promise

By Alligator Editorial Staff | July 21, 2008

Last week, in what appears to be a momentous and welcome shift, the Bush administration announced that it would be working with the Iraqi government to develop a "general time horizon" for the redeployment of U.S. forces from Iraq. According to White House Press Secretary Dana Perino, President Bush and Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki have reached a verbal accord on the issue of setting what might otherwise be called a timetable for the withdrawal of U.S. soldiers from Iraq. But don't make the mistake of confusing the terms "timetable" and "general time horizon."

OPINION | LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Republicans divided on energy policy

July 21, 2008

Joshua Simmons' guest column on energy policy is a frightening vision for America that is indicative of an increasing divide in the Republican Party, of which I am a member.

OPINION | COLUMNS

Program illustrates local mismanagement

July 21, 2008

s long as they avoid the monument to capitalism that is Butler Plaza, many denizens of Alachua County are able to convince themselves that the county is their own little bohemian paradise, an enlightened splotch of blue in an otherwise hopelessly red part of the state. Along with the ivory-tower idealism leaching out from UF, this attitude has resulted in a certain political party controlling local government practically unopposed for decades. Throw in a huge tax base that doesn't vote and doesn't care (that's you, students), and you have a recipe for disaster.

OPINION | LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Scooters offer efficiency, not danger

July 16, 2008

In response to Ms. Appleton's July 15 editorial letter, I have to ask: How dangerous are scooters to students in the first place? How many on-campus accidents have there been between pedestrians and scooters?

OPINION | COLUMNS

UF investments need transparency

By BRANDON SACK | July 16, 2008

If you're a UF student, there's a good chance you support the formation of a committee to advise Bernie and Co. on how to invest our $1.2 billion endowment in a socially responsible manner.

OPINION | LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Concern over energy not a partisan issue

July 16, 2008

Why is it that Joshua Simmons and other conservatives think that using up a resource (oil) to extinction is a logical and realistic approach to our current energy problem? Not to mention that when this resource is burned on such a massive scale, it is severely detrimental to our environment.

OPINION | EDITORIALS

Darts & Laurels

By Alligator Editorial Staff | July 16, 2008

"Oh, we're halfway there…" Three weeks, ladies and gentlemen. That's all that's left of summer B. Soon some of us will be graduating and making our way out into the real world. Or, failing that, crashing on our parents' couches for the foreseeable future. Unfortunately, considering the current state of the economy, the latter is looking increasingly likely. More on that later.

OPINION | LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Energy column lacks factual backing

July 16, 2008

Joshua Simmons' column "Liberals have it wrong on energy policy" was just more false and misleading talking points from the Republican Party playbook. I'll take them on one at a time.

OPINION | LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Reilly errs with choice for Chomp

By SAM JONES | July 14, 2008

I laughed out loud when I read the latest story in the Alligator about the Student Senate once again filling a critical position in Student Government with an empty chair. The treasury job was so important to Paul Drayton that he would fill it faithfully -as long as nothing better came along. Now we learn that Student Body President Kevin Reilly, in his infinite wisdom, has decided the best person to get UF students to register to vote currently lives in Washington, D.C. On top of this, the appointee in charge of getting all students to vote, regardless of their political affiliation, happens to work for the Republican National Committee. Katherine Harris would be proud!

OPINION | COLUMNS

Liberals have it wrong on energy policy

July 14, 2008

Even if you're the consummate hippie, walking or biking everywhere, you've probably felt the squeeze of skyrocketing oil prices. The price of electricity, food and practically every consumer product imaginable has increased due to the historic spike in oil prices.

OPINION | LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Senate wrong to confirm Chomp director

By Kyle Huey | July 14, 2008

I voted against Brett Roth's confirmation as Chomp the Vote executive director during Student Senate deliberations last week. In what is likely to be the most pivotal election of our lives, we cannot afford to pass up the opportunity to register as many Gators as possible. Unfortunately, I fear that Student Government may have done just that.

OPINION | LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Scooter restrictions will protect students

July 14, 2008

EMILY APPLETON, 7HP

OPINION | EDITORIALS

Forgotten War: Troops pay for leaders’ mistakes in Afghanistan

July 14, 2008

As violence in Iraq has decreased significantly over the past several months, President Bush and Sen. John McCain have been quick to attribute the sharp decline in U.S. military and Iraqi civilian casualties to their troop-surge strategy and claim that victory in the desert quagmire is now within reach.

OPINION | EDITORIALS

Inefficient biofuels need closer look

July 9, 2008

BRANDON SACK, Speaking Out

OPINION | COLUMNS

Inefficient biofuels need closer look

By BRANDON SACK | July 9, 2008

Late last week, The Guardian newspaper of London reported a leaked study from the World Bank that concluded that biofuels are responsible for driving up worldwide food costs by 75 percent â€" just a smidgen higher than the Bush administration's figure of 2 percent to 3 percent.

OPINION | LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Keep an open mind on offshore drilling

July 9, 2008

I just have a minor point in response to the July 1 editorial decrying offshore drilling entitled "Risky Business." I applaud the editorial board for showing what Floridians have to lose if the law is changed. However, just because the stakes are high doesn't mean the option should be rejected without further consideration.

OPINION | LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

New scooter restrictions are misguided

July 9, 2008

UF Transportation and Parking Services has decided to restrict scooter drivers from driving through campus for the safety of pedestrians. This has reduced the amount of scooter parking close to the center of campus.

OPINION | EDITORIALS

Unbelievable: Obama’s flip flops fly in the face of change

July 7, 2008

As the economy worsens and the war in Iraq drags on, it's no wonder that almost 80 percent of Americans believe we're heading down the "wrong track."

OPINION | LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Columnist should review Argentina’s past

By BILL BRYSON | July 7, 2008

Brandon Sack is right that the U.S. could learn much from Argentina. But rather than use only his two-week trip as perspective, I suggest we look at significant events over the last 100 years and the administrations of both Mrs. Kirchner and her husband.

OPINION | COLUMNS

Bill seeks to revive public service

July 7, 2008

As the state of Florida and America move past the presidential election in November, beyond an ailing economy on the brink of a recession and headlong into the future, the country lies on the cusp of a crisis garnering little attention.