2 - The Independent Florida Alligator

OPINION | COLUMNS

Republicans can tone down rhethoric

By Chad Mohammed | Jan. 19, 2011

Over the past couple of years, hot button issues such as immigration and health care reform coupled with a harsh economic climate led to a caustic political environment unseen since the Vietnam War. This dialogue finally received scrutiny due to the tragedy in Tucson, even though the incident seems to be an isolated event rather than a result of deep political rhetoric. It is still worth asking: Will anything change or will it be business as usual for this Congress?

OPINION | EDITORIALS

Only Human: Abortion debate leaves dignity behind

By The Alligator Editorial Board | Jan. 19, 2011

As the day draws closer to the anniversary of Roe v. Wade, the 1973 U.S. Supreme Court decision that legalized abortion, a lot of words will be thrown around. Some, such as “crazy,” “insensitive” and “irrational,” will cast broad strokes on vast groups of people. Others, such as “religious fanatic,” “Nazi,” and “baby-killer” will raise both eyebrows and ugly sentiment.

NEWS | CAMPUS

AMPED: UF jumper Will Claye

By Kelly Richard | Jan. 19, 2011

Four-time All-American jumper Will Claye has enjoyed soaring through the air since elementary school. And today, what really gives the UF athlete and 2009 NCAA outdoor men’s triple jump champion momentum is a super-energetic collection of gospel and rap music.

NEWS | CAMPUS STUDENT LIFE

Student activism responsible for stalling tuition overhaul

By Dave Schneider | Jan. 19, 2011

There’s a reason we don’t celebrate Lyndon Johnson Day. This past Martin Luther King Jr. Day, I spent a lot of time thinking about the civil rights movement.

OPINION | LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Taking more classes not “burdensome”

By Brett Wager | Jan. 19, 2011

Ben Meyers’ wildly unfounded castigation of block tuition as an impediment to students’ ability to obtain a “complete education” is a dreadfully poor and specious evaluation. Meyers rants about how we want our UF graduates to be diverse, well-rounded and engaged citizens of the world, suggesting that this can somehow only be accomplished by means of a course load of 12 or fewer credits a semester. This offensive insinuation that one extra class a semester would indisputably cripple the average student embarrassingly underestimates the tenacity, ambition and work ethic of the Gator Nation. Simply taking a course load that will allow students to actually graduate on time should not be characterized by our SG officials as a “burdensome” challenge. Block tuition rewards the overachievers, incentivizes the slow movers and continues to allow the flexibility for students to learn at their own pace on their own dime.

NEWS | CAMPUS

Writing on the Wall project to be built Jan. 23

By Ashley Fierman | Jan. 19, 2011

The Inter-Residence Hall Association will be sponsoring the ninth annual Writing on the Wall Project to help break through social, ethnic and religious boundaries within our society.

NEWS | CAMPUS

Stacks of skeletons pile up at old museum

By Meredith Rutland | Jan. 19, 2011

An ecosystem of the dead rests hidden behind tendril-covered walls, guarded by a skeleton shark.

OPINION | LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Students should form tuition opinions

By Michela Martinazzi | Jan. 19, 2011

I was really glad to see the Ben Meyers column in Wednesday’s paper. I believe it helped remind the student body that despite the Board of Trustees delaying block tuition, it still has an imminent deadline. Logically, this topic should have generated a larger reaction than it has in the past few months. However, when I talk to my friends and fellow students about block tuition, what I find is that they just don’t know all the details regarding it. At the same time, I can’t blame them, as the administration has been equally vague in disclosing various aspects concerning the issue.

METRO

County Commissioner starts plan to save local Boys and Girls club

By Morgan Watkins | Jan. 19, 2011

To make a change, you sometimes have to dig deep into your own pockets.

METRO

Tax office gets 10,000th cell phone for soldiers

By Morgan Watkins | Jan. 19, 2011

After four years, the Alachua County Tax Collector’s office finally reached its magic number: 10,000.

THE AVENUE | LIFESTYLE

The A-List

By LAUREN GOLD | Jan. 19, 2011

READ: Shit my Dad Says

THE AVENUE | MUSIC

Tune-up could be in store for local radio

By Benjamin Evans | Jan. 19, 2011

President Barack Obama’s signing of the Local Community Radio Act earlier this month gave music fans hope for a future of more diversity on the airwaves. The act allows for the development of hundreds of low-power FM (LPFM) stations across the country — something that has been a long-standing feat for industry workers, as many believe LPFMs cause too much interference with commercial radio stations.

MULTIMEDIA | VIDEO

Video: The Campus Bubble Blower

By KATHRYN STOLARZ | Jan. 19, 2011

Second-year Peter Romberg spends a few hours every day blowing giant bubbles, entertaining passersby on Plaza of the Americas.

SPORTS | MEN'S BASKETBALL

Gators’ defense slumping during conference play

By GREG LUCA | Jan. 18, 2011

In the face of horrendous scoring droughts and lengthy shooting slumps, the Gators used their defense as a red herring.

SPORTS | RECRUITING

OL recruits discouraged by Addazio’s departure

By TOM GREEN | Jan. 18, 2011

Steve Addazio didn’t attract many fans during his time in Gainesville, but he certainly had plenty on the recruiting trail.

SPORTS | WOMEN'S BASKETBALL

Allen stepping up since returning from injuries

By MATT WATTS< | Jan. 18, 2011

After last season, coach Amanda Butler and the Florida women’s basketball team found themselves in a precarious position. The Gators entered the offseason with just one returning guard and had to recruit the position heavily.

SPORTS | COLUMNS