Opinion | Columns - The Independent Florida Alligator

OPINION | COLUMNS

Collective bargaining under pressure

By Chad Mohammed | Feb. 23, 2011

The year 2011 certainly has been the year of the protestor, from Cairo to Yemen to — Wisconsin? In the past three weeks, Madison, Wis. has been the epicenter of a larger political schism in the works since November. As newly elected governors reveal their budgets, many Wisconsin Democrats and workers feel that the governors’ budgets focus more on excising the ability of unions to collectively bargain, a right that ironically originated in their own state.

OPINION | COLUMNS

Feeling emotion from statistics is difficult

By Wesley Campbell | Feb. 22, 2011

We have a strange way of looking at tragedy and what’s important. It is our nature to be unconcerned about issues that do not directly affect us. I don’t know which is worse – the people who display complete ignorance of how their actions today will change the future, clinging to antiquated views through a misguided notion that to “stick to your guns” is a virtue despite new evidence, or whiny, liberal types who only care about issues as long as the problem doesn’t reach their doorsteps.

OPINION | COLUMNS

Social network gains staying power

By Laura Ellermeyer | Feb. 21, 2011

In high school, our designated picture taker was Katie. Pictures were a must, and somebody had to take on the burden of snapping all the photos we’d instantly upload to Facebook and comment on for weeks. Katie never complained; in fact, she enjoyed it to a point it could get annoying.

OPINION | COLUMNS

Quiet de-funding presidential elections

By Zack Smith | Feb. 20, 2011

With Big Bird facing extinction, the federal government on the verge of a shutdown and protests rocking the Middle East as well as our own state capitols, a hallmark of our electoral system for the past quarter of a century was quietly slated for the death chamber.

OPINION | COLUMNS

Comparison shows ineffective spending

By Bob Minchin | Feb. 17, 2011

“Do it my way, or the government will be shut down!”

OPINION | COLUMNS

Gov. Rick Scott cares only for himself

By Chad Mohammed | Feb. 16, 2011

Last week, Gov. Rick Scott presented his budget for the 2012 fiscal year, proclaiming, “This was the budget you asked for.” The proposed budget is $5 billion leaner than budgets of years past, as Scott promised. However, the governor cut from areas most critical to the state’s well-being.

OPINION | COLUMNS

Why does nobody like the word “like”?

By Wesley Campbell | Feb. 15, 2011

There is a word that gets hated on a lot. It’s like, hearing it gets some people upset. They don’t like it, and they don’t like its use.

OPINION | COLUMNS

Recycling proves wasteful in long term

By Laura Ellermeyer | Feb. 14, 2011

As usual, I will play devil’s advocate. This week’s topic: recycling.

OPINION | COLUMNS

Fellow motorists deserve drivers’ full attention on the road

By Chris Wood | Feb. 14, 2011

As I rode my motorcycle home from class today, the cars in the lane next to me and I approached a red light.

OPINION | COLUMNS

Boycott hurts conservative movement

By Zack Smith | Feb. 13, 2011

It may be “the economy, stupid,” but this weekend, the first shots were fired in the looming civil war among members of the GOP.

OPINION | COLUMNS

Governor trying to streamline, not derail Florida education

By Sam Kowalczyk | Feb. 10, 2011

Morgan Watkins’ subtle and professor Matheny’s not-so-subtle denouncements of Gov. Scott’s proposed cuts to education on the front page of Wednesday’s Alligator are, in a word, wrong.

OPINION | COLUMNS

Everyone faces AIDS risk

By Andrew Briefman | Feb. 9, 2011

At least Brett Wagner didn’t use the, “But I have lots of gay friends,” excuse in his attack on the LGBT community in Monday’s paper.

OPINION | COLUMNS

President walking Egyptian tightrope

By Chad Mohammed | Feb. 9, 2011

What began in Tunisia as a modest protest against the lack of socioeconomic mobility has spread quickly throughout the entire Arab world, from Morocco in the West to Yemen in the East. However, the seeds of dissent flourished most in the 80 million-strong country of Egypt.

OPINION | COLUMNS

Medieval faire fun for nearly everyone

By Wesley Campbell | Feb. 8, 2011

If you didn’t make it out to the 25th Annual Hoggetowne Medieval Faire during these last two weeks, you missed out. I can hear the naysayers now: That little show is a nest of seedy Alachua County residents, their bawling, scurvy-ridden children and people with enough body hair to make you ponder when exactly shaving was invented. These are the kinds of people who blow their entire tax refund on anachronistic, dull-edged replica swords, furry-esque fox tails, hats and funnel cakes.

OPINION | COLUMNS

Lending a hand not a reality TV priority

By Laura Ellermeyer | Feb. 7, 2011

Ah, reality TV.

OPINION | COLUMNS

Teachers’ unions need schooling

By Zack Smith | Feb. 6, 2011

Teachers are one of America’s most valuable resources. Unfortunately, many believe this resource has been diluted with impurities and imperfections to such an extent that the profession is often derided as one for the least among us.

OPINION | COLUMNS

FDA’s ban is for nation’s own good

By Brett Wager | Feb. 6, 2011

Gay and bisexual men have routinely been subjected to various forms of condemnation, prejudice, stereotyping, hate and physical brutality.

OPINION | COLUMNS

Bill of Rights doesn’t know party lines

By Bob Minchin | Feb. 3, 2011

Conservative thinkers could see this coming before President Obama was even elected.

OPINION | COLUMNS

Bombs more important than our brains

By Chad Mohammed | Feb. 2, 2011

In 107 days, the federal government spent as much money on the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq as it did on education. Granted, a large share of education funding comes from state and local sources, but if the Republicans have their way, even less money will go towards education.

OPINION | COLUMNS

Cats more appropriate pets while in college

By Wesley Campbell | Feb. 1, 2011

Are you a cat or dog person?