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Thursday, July 10, 2025

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Florida Alligator
OPINION  |  COLUMNS

Arizona’s law is reasonable

Simply being an American citizen comes with a grab bag of freedoms and benefits. Social Security, education, welfare and President Obama’s soon-to-be-implemented comprehensive health care system are only some of the fruits of our nation’s wealth - a wealth built on the social and ethnic diversity that defines America. While this diversity is our nation’s greatest strength, we cannot allow unrestrained access to America’s limited bounty. I am writing in regards to SB1070, the Arizona law causing so much uproar – the one that allows police officers to detain suspected illegal immigrants unless they are carrying immigration documents. I’ve heard the words “un-American,” “fascist,” “xenophobic” and “racist” all used to describe this legislation and its supporters, and I have never been more worried for the future of America.


Florida Alligator
OPINION  |  LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Adu-Brempong shooting investigation isn’t transparent

When the Florida Department of Law Enforcement report cleared the five officers involved in the Kofi Adu-Brempong shooting we were upset but believed an internal investigation might bring about some disciplinary action. Now it seems UPD has reinstated all but one of the officers involved in the shooting with no actions taken against them. Maybe there was a slap on the wrist for mishandling the situation, but we don’t know.


Florida Alligator
OPINION  |  LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Burn Quran Day is unchristian

As a Christian, I follow a basic commandment: Love one another as you love yourself. This does not mean love your Christian neighbors, and bully all others. It definitely does not mean that it is acceptable, in the name of Christ, to persecute those of another faith. On Sept. 11, The Dove World Outreach Center is planning an “International Burn a Quran Day.” They describe Islam as “a religion of the devil” and have been mobilizing using Facebook and YouTube to persuade others to their cause.


Florida Alligator
OPINION  |  LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Advanced degrees important

I respectfully disagree with Jon Roosenraad's column, "UF journalism students deserve teachers with experience in field." Finding a candidate for the position of Executive Producer/Managing Editor 21st Century News Lab, in the College of Journalism and Communications, who has an advanced degree and professional experience is both possible and necessary. There are several professors in our college, and other ‘professional leaning' colleges that have both. Although neither requirement is a guarantee of finding the professor with the perfect fit, having both provides the students and the communications community with the potential for maintaining industry standards while perpetuating growth. Too often industry applicants, with and without advanced degrees, think that all they have to do is go to class and tell war stories. I know, I was one of those hires with both 10 years of industry experience and advanced degrees. I learned quickly that students need more than learning the industry's approach to a problem or situation. When forward thinking is required, as is certainly the case in the journalism communications industry today, then the best candidate is the holder of both professional experience and advanced degrees. Although I am not on the selection committee, hiring someone with the best credentials in both areas is essential. I trust the committee and the dean will make the correct decision.


Florida Alligator
OPINION  |  COLUMNS

Media hurt gulf towns the most

About two weeks ago, I took a trip to Cedar Key with my Counseling in Community Settings class and our professor, Dr. West-Olatunji. Cedar Key is a small town located on the Gulf Coast, about 50 miles southwest of Gainesville. Known for its aqua-farming, it is a big name in the clamming industry. The purpose of our trip was to talk to members of the Cedar Key community in order to gain a better understanding of how the oil spill has impacted their lives. As future counselors, we also wanted to learn how our profession could better serve the needs of communities impacted by the oil spill.


THE AVENUE  |  LIFESTYLE

Four Horsemen? No, the Four Loko is the apocalypse

Civilizations rise and fall, such is the cycle of human history. There are many things attributing to the downfall of a civilization, such as disease, wars or societal collapse. However, I realized recently that there will be only one thing to bring down modern Western civilization. Dear readers, I have seen the harbinger of the end of time, and it exists among us in startling quantity. Of course, I refer to Four Loko.



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