Joshua Lee - The Independent Florida Alligator

OPINION | COLUMNS

Facebook should not share user info

By Joshua Lee | May 31, 2010

Like most college students, I am quite tied to my Facebook account and have put much of my life on the ever-growing social network. When I first heard about Facebook four years ago, I promised myself I would never sign my deal with the devil and get an account. Four years later and here I am, one of those people who logs on at least twice a day to update myself on things that the website says I care about.

OPINION | COLUMNS

Driving comes with social responsibility

By Joshua Lee | May 24, 2010

A couple of weeks ago, at the tender age of 19, I finally got my Florida driver's license. After a three-year saga of excuses and missed opportunities, I finally sucked it up and studied hard enough to pass - despite running over a cone and failing my first attempt. While pretty much all college students and young drivers can relate to the experience, I feel like I have a unique view of the whole process.

OPINION | COLUMNS

Problems at home should be priority

By Joshua Lee | May 17, 2010

In recent weeks, we have seen natural disasters and incidents that have irreparably stained many parts of our nation.

OPINION | COLUMNS

Manufactured fear creates false reality

By Joshua Lee | Apr. 13, 2010

It’s a scary world outside. Past the comforts of my tiny, messy dorm room, danger lurks at every turn. People from foreign lands plot to wipe me and my country off the map. Even getting into a Toyota is akin to dancing with death. Or that’s at least what the media would have you believe. To me, news today has increasingly become a stream of cautionary tales and exaggerated warnings.

OPINION | COLUMNS

Current wars challenge our generation

By Joshua Lee | Mar. 30, 2010

No matter your politics, as a citizen of the world and a product of history, you must recognize that the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan are pivotal moments in our age that will have repercussions for decades to come.

OPINION | COLUMNS

‘Wasteful’ spending not always bad

By Joshua Lee | Mar. 2, 2010

As I grow older and have more things to pay for, I find that money has taken on an increased significance in my life. When I was younger, having money was never really that big of a deal. This was because it was my parent’s money and I was a greedy little candy addict. When I did have some coins and bills, it barely stayed in my pocket before I blew it on some chocolate or Twizzlers. Nowadays, I still live off my parents but have come to appreciate the almighty dollar a little bit more. However, when I hear about people blowing millions of dollars on comic books, as two anonymous buyers did for the original Superman and Batman comics last week, I am not stunned at how people can spend so much money on so little. Rather, I applaud someone for spending the money on a hobby or personal dream, as long as it does not hurt someone else.

OPINION | COLUMNS

America should focus on education

By Joshua Lee | Feb. 16, 2010

The United States is a country that, while undoubtedly a strong and immensely powerful leader in many areas of global society, faces several serious issues as it pushes forward into the future. Beyond issues such as ongoing wars, steady unemployment and reality TV shows giving birth to other, far worse reality TV shows, one specific issue rises above the rest in its level of importance and the amount of immediate action we must take to combat its potential effects. This issue is a growing ignorance by a majority of our population toward confronting and solving the major problems and questions facing our nation today. This ignorance is being supported by an overall lack of resolve and patience, partisan bickering and a tendency for the national consciousness to be distracted and concerned with issues of far lesser importance.

OPINION | COLUMNS

Study abroad offers valuable experience

By Joshua Lee | Feb. 2, 2010

Last Wednesday, I stopped by the UF Study Abroad fair outside of the Reitz Union to discover what options are open to me for getting out of Gainesville and my pitiful dorm room.

OPINION | COLUMNS

U.S. should pay attention to educational instability in Afghanistan

By Joshua Lee | Jan. 27, 2010

Too often during times of chaos and conflict, children are marginalized victims and face extreme suffering and life-threatening problems.

OPINION | COLUMNS

Homeless in need of assistance during U.S. economic crisis

By Joshua Lee | June 9, 2009

Thanks to the recent downturn, the U.S. economy is often defined in purely mathematical and financial terms.