Opinions - The Independent Florida Alligator

OPINION | LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

College is time to explore new interests

By Danny Beaulieu | Jan. 29, 2008

Sen. Jeremy Ring's proposal for the modification of Bright Futures falls far short of anything bright. A student majoring in biology with an SAT score barely above the national average and a mediocre GPA would be awarded more money than a philosophy major who scored a 1500 on the SATs and had straight A's. Not only is that absurd, but just imagine the implications of that sort of scholarship.

OPINION | COLUMNS

Congress must fight for civil liberties

Jan. 29, 2008

We are now almost a month into 2008, but I can't shake the feeling that we're stuck in 1984. Big Brother is watching us, listening to us and invading our personal privacy at an unprecedented and alarming rate-all in the name of national security.

OPINION | EDITORIALS

Florida still struggling to get elections right

By the Editorial Board | Jan. 29, 2008

As details of election problems popped up Tuesday, the Floridian tradition of complicating national elections was renewed. Florida Secretary of State Kurt Browning said none of the voting problems reported to his office were anything more than "common, everyday election fare."

OPINION | LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Change to Bring Futures discriminatory

By LAURA KUBITZ | Jan. 29, 2008

The proposed changes to the Bright Futures program are ridiculous. The change, along with the possibility of tuition increases and the likelihood of universities accepting fewer freshmen, would make college more difficult for many students.

OPINION | COLUMNS

Fla. primary strategic for Republicans

By BENJAMIN GROVE | Jan. 29, 2008

Tuesday's Republican primary captured Florida's importance in deciding the next U.S. president. The Republican candidates all offered different ideas to lead the party and the nation into the 21st century.

OPINION | COLUMNS

Florida Democratic primaries still important

By Mark McShera | Jan. 29, 2008

Since Florida won't receive any delegates at the National Democratic Convention in August, some people have tried to claim Tuesday's election won't matter.

OPINION | COLUMNS

Little agreement with endorsements

By Leigh Shapiro | Jan. 28, 2008

God bless the Alligator's Editorial Board.

OPINION | EDITORIALS

Bill to give scholarships based on majors unfair

By the Editorial Board | Jan. 28, 2008

State Senator Jeremy Ring may be a Democrat, but his proposed "economic development tool" is anything but democratic.

OPINION | LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Hawkins best choice for city's future

Jan. 28, 2008

While I respect both Robert Agrusa and Thomas Hawkins Jr. in their impassioned effort to give younger people a representative with whom they can identify and general residents a stronger bridge across generations, I do not extend that respect to the Alligator Editorial Board.

OPINION | EDITORIALS

Fate of the Union

By the Editorial Board | Jan. 28, 2008

If Washington is the Hollywood for ugly people, Monday's State of the Union address would have been the final chance for an aging George Bush to get his place on the Walk of Fame.

OPINION | LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Every vote counts on Election Day

By Frank Bracco | Jan. 28, 2008

Today is Election Day, and that means it is time to get out and vote!

OPINION | EDITORIALS

City races focus on growth, economy

By the Editorial Board | Jan. 27, 2008

With nearly half of the seats on the City Commission up for grabs Tuesday and an amendment affecting tax revenue, the results of this election day could also have a great influence on a city already navigating redevelopment and economic growth.

OPINION | EDITORIALS

We endorse Obama, McCain for primaries

By the Editorial Board | Jan. 27, 2008

With just one more day to decide which candidates will move forward into what promises to be one of the most important presidential elections in history, we realize the task may be a little overwhelming for any voter.

OPINION | COLUMNS

Last week's ridiculous 'news' makers may be new to you

By VINCENT MASSARO | Jan. 27, 2008

Last week, the Alligator didn't publish on Monday, but I wrote a column anyway.

OPINION | EDITORIALS

Darts & Laurels

By the Editorial Board | Jan. 24, 2008

There may be a logical explanation for why you woke up feeling like crap Tuesday. Yes, it did signal the end of the only long weekend we have until Spring Break, but it may very well be because the third week in January is among one of the most depressing of the year, according to a researcher from Cardiff University.

OPINION | COLUMNS

Respect for all women still not reality

By CARLY HALLAM | Jan. 24, 2008

I spent this past weekend in Las Vegas with my mom and a friend celebrating my 21st birthday. My social status as a young female has never proved so beneficial. I skipped hour-long lines, scooted my way into VIP areas and received free lap dances from Australian male strippers (no, seriously).

OPINION | LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Bush has done a lot for the country

By Kate Wallace | Jan. 24, 2008

I'm disheartened by the majority of our students' determination to bash President Bush. In the wake of terrorist attacks, natural disasters and skyrocketing oil prices, we're living a quality of life similar to before all of these things took place. This fact speaks volumes about the president's policies, both foreign and domestic, because no other country's economy could boast such resilience.

OPINION | LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Machen's endorsement troubling

By Charles Bittner | Jan. 24, 2008

UF President Bernie Machen is in no way obligated to keep his politics to himself.

OPINION | LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

President has right to opinion

By Salisha Ali | Jan. 23, 2008

Despite its placating claims, the editorial board clearly does not understand that Bernie Machen retains his right to political expression.

OPINION | LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Endorsement hurts UF's image

By Mark McShera | Jan. 23, 2008

UF President Bernie Machen's decision to endorse John McCain is an unusual move for a university president. The job of the university president is to serve as an impartial representative of UF, not a partisan politico.