Opinions - The Independent Florida Alligator

OPINION | LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Letter to the Editor from Chris Chiozza's grandmother

Mar. 21, 2018

I wish to thank the University of Florida professors, staff, coaches and their staff members, students, alumni and fans for their support, friendship and for the excellent education my grandson, Chris (Cheez) Chiozza has received. He has grown into an exceptional young man due to all of you who have supported him. I especially want to thank Coach White and his staff for their dedication to his advancement in the sport he loves. My husband and I met so many wonderful fans over the last four years, many of whom became dear friends. In August of 2014, we looked forward to the day Chris would be an alumnus of U of F. Now that that hope is to be fulfilled in May 2018 at graduation, we "kinda" wish it was a little further off. Thanks to all. Mary (Grandma Bunny) and GrandDad Frank Chiozza.

OPINION | EDITORIALS

You should be more concerned about the Facebook scandal

Mar. 20, 2018

There’s an old adage that goes, “If you’re not paying for it, you are the product.”

OPINION | COLUMNS

Let’s embrace the power of romantic comedies

Mar. 20, 2018

Romantic comedies: We all know them, but not everyone loves them.

OPINION | COLUMNS

Stop telling women feminism and reality television are mutually exclusive

Mar. 20, 2018

It’s 2018, and for some reason, men are still dictating what constitutes good taste. This is a well-kept secret, but it’s evident in the way we as a society talk about entertainment. Work produced by women, or with women in mind, is cast away — categorized — as less valuable.

OPINION | COLUMNS

Our love of Stephen Hawking isn't scientific

Mar. 20, 2018

On March 14, Stephen Hawking passed away. He received a lot of attention on social media, complete with lots of praise for what he accomplished. Hawking was a theoretical physicist who studied black holes and time. He was famous for applying Einstein’s theory of relativity and quantum mechanics to the beginnings of time, which he predicted was a singularity that exploded (in other words: the Big Bang). He was also famous for his work on the nature of black holes.

OPINION | EDITORIALS

Start taking care of yourself. Really, do it. It’s time.

Mar. 18, 2018

We all have our breaking points. We all have a threshold that, if crossed, will cause us to feel overwhelmed and defeated.

OPINION | COLUMNS

When teachers speak, we need to listen

Mar. 18, 2018

Lots of news can get lost in the shuffle these days, but I hope this piece won’t. Beginning late last month and stretching past the first week of March, teachers across West Virginia went on strike to demand better salaries, benefits and a stop to charter-school expansion, among other demands.

OPINION | COLUMNS

The negative mental health effect of an unwanted pregnancy is worse than that of an abortion

Mar. 18, 2018

A new landmark study by the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine shows that abortions in the U.S. are safe and have few complications. It examines the four major methods used for abortions in this country, as well as women’s care from before the procedure through follow-up care.

OPINION | COLUMNS

Are alligators more dangerous than you think?

Mar. 18, 2018

In 1947, Dr. Ross Allen, founder of The Reptile Institute at Silver Springs, donated an alligator nicknamed “Albert” to the University of Florida. Before kickoff of every home football game, Albert was strapped to a leash and would lead the team onto the field. He was then kept on the sidelines for the rest of the game. A chain-link pen was even built near Century Tower to keep the gator.

OPINION | COLUMNS

Here are some reasons you should care about Student Government at UF

By Zachariah Chou | Mar. 15, 2018

Perhaps you’re just a plebeian, going in and out of the Reitz Union and Southwest Recreation Center, showing up to various general body meetings of clubs and riding the bus. Maybe you’re a power user of Student Government services, taking advantage of our school’s free New York Times subscriptions and subsidized late-night Uber services (Google “UF Safe Rides” if you don’t know what I’m talking about, and thank me later).

OPINION | DARTS LAURELS

Darts & Laurels: March 16, 2018

Mar. 15, 2018

Like most college seniors about to graduate, you want answers. You need to know where you’ll be in a few months. Realizing you don’t have the power to see the future, you seek out someone who does: a psychic.

OPINION | EDITORIALS

Politicians are trying to limit access to information. Let them know you're watching.

Mar. 13, 2018

Whether you realize it or not, you benefit from and want there to be open information laws.

OPINION | COLUMNS

Don't be paralyzed by the unknown, but rather inspired by possibilities

Mar. 13, 2018

In a culture that worships people who “have it together,” it seems as though today’s millennials and Gen Zers have been conditioned to fear uncertainty as if it were the plague.

OPINION | COLUMNS

Let's fight for women to be heard — and when the time comes, remembered

Mar. 13, 2018

Charlotte Bronte, Henrietta Lacks and Ida B. Wells: You’ve probably heard these names because of the notable contributions they gave the world during their lives. However, they were forgotten after they died. At least by one of the country’s most widely circulated newspapers.

OPINION | COLUMNS

Trump’s presidency has become reality TV

Mar. 13, 2018

One of the main points of criticisms I hear of President Donald Trump is his unseemly and unpresidential behavior. He is not a smooth talker. He tweets more than a teenager does, gives disparaging nicknames to his political opponents and is drowning in scandal. The list could go on for miles. Trump, a reality TV star who once made an appearance on World Wrestling Entertainment, does not fit the position of president of any country, let alone the United States, people often say. And I agree with them.

OPINION | EDITORIALS

Adding more guns is not the solution

Mar. 11, 2018

On Friday, Gov. Rick Scott met with the loved ones of the 17 people who were murdered in the Parkland school shooting last month. After these meetings in Tallahassee, Scott signed a law that will create stricter measures for gun purchases across the state.

OPINION | COLUMNS

We must continue our activism efforts on gun reform

By Mia Gettenberg | Mar. 11, 2018

Two facts. First, last week Gov. Rick Scott signed a bill raising the minimum age for purchasing rifles in Florida from 18 to 21. The bill also expanded the handgun waiting period to cover long guns, ban bump stocks and create a program allowing some school personnel to carry guns (I guess we can’t have it all).

OPINION | COLUMNS

Women of color are fundamental to feminism, which is for all women

By Madisyn Jones | Mar. 11, 2018

As you scrolled through social media Thursday, you probably noticed a post here and there about someone’s mother, sister or best friend. The post likely acknowledged their strength, beauty or any of their characteristics.

OPINION | COLUMNS

Hostage situations happen in real life, not only in books and movies

By Taylor Cavaliere | Mar. 11, 2018

This past Friday, four people died after a hostage situation emerged at a home for veterans just north of Napa, California.

OPINION | COLUMNS

Trump’s infrastructure plan inadequately addresses America’s situation

Mar. 1, 2018

President Donald Trump recently revealed his plan to improve America’s infrastructure. I believe the plan falls short when it comes to solving problems. Infrastructure can be defined as anything from bridges to electrical grids, but I'll focus on three sectors in desperate need of reform: roads, dams and water systems.