Opinions - The Independent Florida Alligator

OPINION | DARTS LAURELS

Darts & Laurels: April 5, 2018

Apr. 5, 2018

As you speed walk to your 12:50 p.m. class because you woke up late, you finally reach the corner of West University and 13th Street. You’re sweaty and 20 minutes late when the Hub comes into sight. Will being five minutes late to lecture actually make a difference? You did bring a reusable traveling mug, after all. You go to the Starbucks counter, give them your typical order — a grande French vanilla iced latte, double the syrup with caramel drizzle and an extra shot of espresso — and they stick on the label.

OPINION | COLUMNS

Gainesville is not as welcoming as it claims to be

Apr. 5, 2018

Two years ago, Gainesville declared itself a welcoming city. However, a recent incident with the Gainesville Police has shown it may not be all that welcoming.

OPINION | COLUMNS

So you want to get more funding for the DRC and the CWC?

By Zachariah Chou | Apr. 5, 2018

I was quite disappointed to see the feature Friday article from last week detail the blight of insufficient funding for the Disability Resource Center on campus. The article made reference to the decision by the local fee committee not to increase funding for the DRC back in October, which brought back a lot of bad memories, as it was that very same meeting in which the committee turned down an opportunity to increase funding to the Counseling & Wellness Center.

OPINION | COLUMNS

Why did digital downloading die?

Apr. 5, 2018

A recently released Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) report revealed physical music sales surpassed digital downloads in 2017 for the first time since 2011. The difference is only 2 percent, but it is still significant. It is an indicator of the two factors that killed digital downloading: the rise of vinyl and the dominance of streaming.

OPINION | EDITORIALS

Teachers deserve better

Apr. 3, 2018

Most people have one job.

OPINION | LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Letter to the Editor from SG Sen. Keith Saint

Apr. 3, 2018

The number of students seeking services from the Disability Resource Center has more than doubled since 2013, yet only one learning specialist has since been added to the center’s staff, according to The Alligator.

OPINION | COLUMNS

A much needed ode to brick-and-mortar shopping

Apr. 3, 2018

In the age of Amazon and a seemingly endless amount of one-touch shopping apps, it’s not exactly shocking that many storefronts are saying goodbye and shopping malls are struggling to stay relevant.

OPINION | COLUMNS

Studies show women of all ages support the #MeToo movement

Apr. 3, 2018

Attention women of all ages: We’re not so different after all — even when it comes to our views of the #MeToo movement.

OPINION | EDITORIALS

It’s time for a women’s history museum

Apr. 1, 2018

Earlier this month, the head of the Smithsonian Institute announced the museum complex will launch a Women’s History Initiative to highlight women’s achievements throughout history. Unfortunately, according to The Washington Post, Smithsonian Secretary David J. Skorton said he does not support the idea of creating a stand-alone museum to honor this initiative — at least not right now, anyway.

OPINION | COLUMNS

Delete Facebook — it may make you feel better

Apr. 1, 2018

Over the past few weeks, #deleteFacebook has been rampant across the web. Cambridge Analytica, a political data-mining and consulting firm, got a hold of the personal information of 50 million Facebook users. It may have later used the information to craft ads and messages for President Donald Trump’s 2016 campaign. Now, according to a survey from Raymond James investment firm, 84 percent of users are somewhat or very concerned about how their data might be used by Facebook. However, nearly half of these people said this would not affect how much they use Facebook.

OPINION | COLUMNS

We're not ready for driverless technology

Apr. 1, 2018

For the past century, cars have had a continuing impact in shaping American lives. Ever since people started to come up with ways to take people from one place to another, cars have coincided with progress and development.

OPINION | COLUMNS

College students, proclaim your independence in your health care

Apr. 1, 2018

College is the time to spread our wings, gain independence and discover who we are. However, sometimes the unexpected occurs and changes plans. More often than not, we are not prepared for that and we find ourselves in trouble. This happens because we spend too much time planning one day at a time and don’t stop to think about the “what-ifs.”

OPINION | DARTS LAURELS

Darts & Laurels: March 30, 2018

Mar. 29, 2018

As you drown in stress and scramble to finish a paper you should have started a month ago, you become eternally grateful for the large sum of Easter candy your mom sent you in a care package earlier this week. It’s chocolate bunnies and jelly beans galore: It’s absolutely everything your stressed out self is craving.

OPINION | COLUMNS

SG executive branch applications close Wednesday: Here's what you can apply for

By Zachariah Chou | Mar. 29, 2018

The executive branch is the bee’s knees when it comes to running Student Government programming and getting things done. Now that there is a new SG administration coming in soon, applications are open for agency heads, cabinet directorships and executive secretaries. Judicial branch positions are open as well (the judicial branch officials are picked by the executive branch).

OPINION | COLUMNS

The NFL has work to do before it goes overseas

Mar. 29, 2018

This upcoming August, English soccer club Tottenham Hotspur will open its massive new stadium. But what makes the new 64,000-seat facility noteworthy is the large fingerprint left on it by the NFL.

OPINION | EDITORIALS

Don’t forget about Puerto Rico

Mar. 27, 2018

Ever since Hurricane Maria struck Puerto Rico Sept. 20, the island and its people have struggled to get by. It was the most powerful storm in about a century, and the island of about 3 million people was struck head on.

OPINION | COLUMNS

‘The Office’ doesn’t get love and relationships right

Mar. 27, 2018

This past weekend, I watched a lot of episodes of “The Office.” Episodes of this show are like potato chips — just one is never enough. And, pretty soon a third of the bag is gone. That’s how this weekend went for me: I blinked, and I’d watched five episodes in a row.

OPINION | EDITORIALS

We are the generation that is going to change the world

Mar. 25, 2018

This Saturday, thousands of people came together in streets across the country with signs in their hands and a mission in their hearts.

OPINION | COLUMNS

Make sure you know what can actually be recycled

Mar. 25, 2018

From as early as elementary school, we were correctly taught to minimize our negative impact on the environment. We were also told recycling is a fundamental way to do so. Somewhere along the line, however, in the hopes of teaching as many people as possible to recycle, its original purpose was lost.

OPINION | COLUMNS

To better children's education, pay attention to how much they eat

Mar. 25, 2018

I took for granted that, throughout my childhood and teenage years, I could stroll into the kitchen, open up the refrigerator and find something to eat within seconds. I’ve never understood the true meaning of the word “starving.” I’ve never worried about having access to breakfast, lunch or dinner. Unfortunately, the same can't be said for all kids in this country. And this is something we need to address at the local, state and national levels.