Opinion | Columns - The Independent Florida Alligator

OPINION | COLUMNS

US keeps moral high ground with trials

By Nick Miner | Nov. 22, 2009

Last week, the Alligator published contradictory views on whether trying Khalid Sheikh Muhammad in New York is the right move. Unfortunately, both pieces missed some of the most pertinent questions. Before addressing these, it must be said that I feel trying Muhammad in New York is the right decision. Don’t get me wrong, he in no way deserves the protections we are providing him.

OPINION | COLUMNS

Cuban embargo should remain in place

By Dayme Sanchez | Nov. 19, 2009

It seems that there are many people out there ill-informed about the Cuban embargo. The first false assumption people make is that the U.S. initiated the embargo because Cuba became a communist country. The truth is that the U.S. enacted the embargo because when the Castro regime took power in 1959, it expropriated all of the properties of the U.S., including that of American citizens and corporations. Castro enriched his regime with the millions of dollars he stole from the U.S. and has never paid the money back.

OPINION | COLUMNS

Pray for less fortunate at Thanksgiving

Nov. 18, 2009

While driving Oprah to her highest ratings in two years, Sarah Palin asked that we cast aside our petty sociopolitical differences and as a united country pray for the everliving soul of Levi Johnston.

OPINION | COLUMNS

Trials give terrorists better treatment than they deserve

By Warren Rhea | Nov. 16, 2009

This is in response to Matthew Christ’s Monday column, “US should give terrorists civilian trials.”

OPINION | COLUMNS

For friends in need, love can ease pain

Nov. 16, 2009

It’s difficult when a friend tries to take his or her own life.

OPINION | COLUMNS

Gay marriage is inevitable

By Nick Miner | Nov. 15, 2009

Gay marriage recently suffered a devastating setback in Maine. This loss was made all the worse because it not only amended the constitution to outlaw gay marriage, it was also in a state that previously allowed it.

OPINION | COLUMNS

US should give terrorists civilian trials

Nov. 15, 2009

On Sept. 11 we lost not just lives and concrete buildings, but a way of life.

OPINION | COLUMNS

Muslim beliefs not reflected in shooting

By Nora Zaki | Nov. 12, 2009

May Peace be Upon You.

OPINION | COLUMNS

New policies could cut Web freedoms

Nov. 11, 2009

First they came for the digital pirates, and I did not speak out — because I was not a digital pirate.

OPINION | COLUMNS

‘Support the troops’ not just a phrase

Nov. 9, 2009

Tomorrow is Veterans Day. Support the troops.

OPINION | COLUMNS

Republicans should move away from fringe

Nov. 8, 2009

Conservatives are like a group of elephants being led in circles by circus masters. Slowly, they sway back and forth, huffing and puffing, only to gain little ground after completing a circle.

OPINION | COLUMNS

Goldstone report doesn’t tell full story

By Yoav Mor | Nov. 5, 2009

There has been recent commotion by supporters of the United Nations' Goldstone report spreading half-truths and misinformation by claiming that the report deals with "human rights."

OPINION | COLUMNS

Shands CEO explains AGH closure

By Timothy Goldfarb | Nov. 5, 2009

At Shands HealthCare, we remain committed to caring for all patients in our communities, including those requiring basic health care services and those with little or no health care insurance.

OPINION | COLUMNS

Pirates should become sea protectors

Nov. 4, 2009

As an unabashed supporter of all things pirate, news about pirates fighting the Mafia has left me nothing short of ecstatic. Additionally, as a shaper of public opinion and a veritable wellspring of brilliant ideas, I have an actionable plan that solves a pressing global issue in one fell swoop.

OPINION | COLUMNS

Remember the 5th of November

By Daniel Rood | Nov. 4, 2009

Four hundred and four years ago today the infamous Gunpowder Plot to blow up the English Houses of Parliament was foiled, and co-conspirator Guy Fawkes was consequently executed. Though I do not condone acts of violence, this event serves as an important reminder for us all to stay vigilant in the face of tyranny. During the pre-revolutionary era in America, colonists celebrated Nov. 5 to express their anger toward the authoritarian government back in England, providing the foundation for the American Revolution. Today it is celebrated to express opposition to an increasingly belligerent government that not only puts our liberties at risk but also undermines the very principles this country was founded on.

OPINION | COLUMNS

Column doesn’t present all facts

By Benjamin Camenker | Nov. 3, 2009

Paul Murty's Monday column was so shamefully dishonest that I felt I had to respond. He claims the Republicans are not listening to voters, when it is the Democrats in Congress who have pushed through multiple 1,000-plus page bills they haven't read (and have broken campaign promises by not giving the public time to read them, either). The latest Pew poll shows only 34 percent support for the new congressional health plan, with an opposition of 47 percent. And the opposition is growing. Mr. Murty, it is not the Republicans who are ignoring the will of the people.

OPINION | COLUMNS

IM language doesn’t make literature

Nov. 3, 2009

I don't know when we, as a culture, got this idea that reading in any form is better for kids than watching TV or playing video games.

OPINION | COLUMNS

Social media emphasize individuality

Nov. 2, 2009

Do you remember LiveJournal?

OPINION | COLUMNS

Congress Republicans must listen through the shouting

By PAUL MURTY | Nov. 2, 2009

Attention Republicans in Congress:

OPINION | COLUMNS

Web has become double-edged sword

Nov. 1, 2009

Forty years ago, Leonard Kleinrock sent the first message over what is now known as the Internet. The message - the word "log" - was to be sent from a computer terminal at University of California, Los Angeles to another terminal at the Stanford University Research Institute, but it wasn't a complete success.