Opinions - The Independent Florida Alligator

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.

OPINION | LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Social activism won’t solve all problems

By Paul Anderson | July 7, 2008

In response to Brandon Sack's July 1 column entitled "U.S. could learn much from Argentina," I have just a couple of questions: What happens when social activism goes wrong? If you want to see activism go too far in a Western nation, just look at France.

OPINION | EDITORIALS

Darts & Laurels

July 2, 2008

Fire up the grill, and light up the sparklers and fireworks. It's time to celebrate America's birthday! Independence Day provides Americans young and old, of all races and religions, backgrounds and regions, the opportunity to do what we excel at: enjoying copious amounts of red meat and alcoholic beverages and, of course, blowing stuff up. But before you get started on those burgers, brews and combustibles, we at the Department of Darts and Laurels offer you this week's red, white and blue edition of …

OPINION | COLUMNS

U.S. could learn much from Argentina

By BRANDON SACK | July 2, 2008

For the past two weeks, I was down in Argentina on vacation. This has kept me far away from my usual regimen of American politics and news. But while there, I found that Argentina's national political scene is almost as hard to stay away from as the red wine and grilled beef.

OPINION | EDITORIALS

Risky Business: Offshore drilling threatens Fla. ecosystem, economy

June 30, 2008

It is nearly impossible to find a silver lining in $4-a-gallon gasoline. But if one is to be found, it is in the fact that skyrocketing prices at the pump â€" and the resulting anger and discontent felt by Americans from sea to shining sea â€" are forcing our politicians to finally have a much needed debate on what should be done to solve the nation's dependency on foreign oil.

OPINION | EDITORIALS

Dart & Laurels

June 18, 2008

Summer break is within sight, and it comes not a moment too soon. We at the Department of Darts and Laurels have been waiting with baited breath for the chance to recharge our collective batteries with a week of rest and relaxation. However you choose to spend your downtime next week, we hope you will play it safe. With that said, it's time for the last-of-summer-A edition of …

OPINION | COLUMNS

Tragic Gitmo ruling threatens America

By BRANDON SACK | June 18, 2008

Last week, the Supreme Court turned its back on the American people. In a 5-4 ruling, the court held that prisoners at Guantanamo Bay have the right to habeas corpus. In English, this means that prisoners are allowed to hear the evidence against them, and President Bush is prohibited from declaring anyone an "enemy combatant" and detaining them indefinitely without charge.

OPINION | EDITORIALS

Wrong Reform: College system shake–up threatens quality

June 16, 2008

Last week marked the dawn of a new era for Florida's higher education system. Whether it represents a breakthrough or another example of political expedience, grandstanding and shortsightedness remains an open question.

OPINION | COLUMNS

Candidates sing same song on Iran

June 11, 2008

Brandon Sack, Guest Columnist

OPINION | EDITORIALS

Darts & Laurels

June 11, 2008

This week, the Sunshine State hasn't exactly been living up to its moniker. Gainesville's newfound preoccupation with precipitation has left us at the Department of Darts and Laurels running for cover. Don't get us wrong, we're all about "Singin' in the Rain" when the opportunity presents itself, but the ominous dark clouds and violent thunder storms of these past couple of days have left us singing "Gimme Shelter" instead. We hope you've been able to keep dry these last few days, but if not, don't fret, 'cause there's always "Sunshine After the Rain." But just in case this somber weather has got you down, we have a brand new, waterproof edition of Darts and Laurels for your enjoyment. Now "Who Do You Love?"

OPINION | LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Consumers shouldn’t dictate book prices

June 11, 2008

Edward Miller, 4LS