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Sunday, May 17, 2026

Opinion: Columns

Florida Alligator
Opinion

In Defense of the Ice Bucket Challenge

Just a couple of weeks ago, I logged into my Facebook and saw that I was tagged in a friend’s status. It was a video of someone pouring a bucket of ice water all over herself and nominated me, along with a few others, to participate in something called the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge. 


Florida Alligator
Opinion

White celebrities: Speak up on Ferguson

All eyes have been on Ferguson, Missouri, since earlier this month, when unarmed black teenager Michael Brown was shot dead by Darren Wilson, a white police officer. 


Helmets representing the 768 college football programs in the U.S. are displayed as fans arrive to spend the night in the College Football Hall of Fame, Wednesday, Aug. 13, 2014, in Atlanta. The school associated with a fan's registration card will light up their team's helmet upon swiping the card at the entry to the museum.
Sports

Johnson's Journal: My body is ready for the return of college football

My senses tell the story of college football better than I can. The stimulation that runs stupendously deep for months on end is the most tangible reminder that this sport is more than a game played by young men, but a living, breathing right of autumn. As sure as I am that the leaves will change, I’m equally as confident that a touchdown pass will bring a visceral reaction from my core.


Will Muschamp looks on during practice on Aug. 9 at Donald R. Dizney Stadium. Muschamp, entering his fourth year as head coach, faces a tough schedule including road games against Alabama and Florida State.
Sports

The Rally: How successful will the 2014 Florida football team be?

And so we have arrived at the million dollar questions pertaining to the 2014 Florida football season: How many games is this team going to win, and how will it perform in general? Summer alligatorSports editor Jonathan Czupryn and assistant Richard Johnson got together to rally in order to give new University of Florida students a preview of what’s to come.


Florida Alligator
Opinion

Locals: Pay attention to Plum Creek

If you’ve seen the eastern half of Gainesville, there’s no question that we are home to seriously impoverished areas. A lack of quality jobs and economic development keeps the area depressed and few — if any — local leaders currently hold the key to solving the never-ending crisis. Some Gainesville residents are pinning their hopes to a company who owns more land than anyone else in Alachua County.


Florida Alligator
Opinion

Redistricting leads to gridlock in Capitol

Throughout the school year, students are rewarded for their hard work with occasional breaks from the rigors of academia. Following the grueling ends of each semester, we are released from the clutches of term papers, exams and presentations to spend a few precious weeks relaxing and recharging our batteries. 


Florida State quarterback Jameis Winston (5) escapes a sack attempt by Syracuse linebacker Marquis Spruill (11) during the Seminoles’ 59-3 victory against the Orange on Nov. 16 in Tallahassee.
Sports

Johnson's Journal: Winston under unnecessary scrutiny for 2012 incident

A few months ago, one of my roommates brought home a blowgun. Like any red-blooded American male, we immediately went outside to try and shoot stuff. One of those things was a squirrel in our backyard. My roommate hit one, but I am not the marksman he is and didn’t come close. I tell you that story to say: I know what it means to be 18 years old and just mess around like Heisman winner Jameis Winston.


Florida Alligator
Opinion

Hamas hasn’t and won’t respond to Israel’s plea for peace

You walk into a restaurant at 6:55 p.m. in anticipation of your 7 p.m. date. When 7:10 p.m. approaches, there is no sign of your date. And when you cautiously pick up the phone to call, there is no answer. You wait a little longer and call again. Someone picks up the phone, and within a mere second, the call is ended.


Florida Alligator
Opinion

World events don’t need US’ blessing

America must come to grips with an uncomfortable reality: Our world influence is beginning to wane. The two main crises that have dominated the airwaves for the past few weeks, the Malaysian Airline downed by Russian-backed Ukrainian separatist forces and the latest chapter in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, have made this development perfectly clear. We have overstretched, overreached and overplayed our influence for too long.  


Florida Alligator
Opinion

Step out of the way, government haters

As late July turns to August, a few events are certain: Fall semester starts in just four short weeks, Gator football kicks off and the home stretch 2014 election begins. With the election looming, along with the glut of negative advertising, constant phone calls, campaign emails and fundraising requests, it’s time we broach a serious topic. 


UF coach Will Muschamp speaks during the Southeastern Conference Media Days in Hoover, Ala., on July 14.
Sports

Johnson's Journal: How many wins will fans need to see from Muschamp?

What will it take for the Florida football fanbase to be satiated? What will it take for it to stop calling for Will Muschamp’s head on a silver platter? Some will never be satisfied with his defense-first philosophy and I get that. But can the moderates be swayed into believing that Muschamp is making noticeable improvements? To find the answer, I’ll run through win-loss scenarios.


Florida Alligator
Opinion

Is it possible to categorize the right?

Because the political right is full of an interesting bunch of characters, many in the media struggle to properly identify and categorize its different ideological camps. The right is said to be made up of mainstream, business-friendly, Tea Party, libertarian, neoconservative, religious-minded or simply extremist groups. 



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