Opinion | Columns
Common disease affects productivity
By CARLY HALLAM | Apr. 3, 2008Glory Hallelujah! It's finally the last month of school. This is really great news for anyone with exciting summer plans or a profitable job awaiting them in the real world. For me, it's good news for a number of reasons. One of them being my health. I have a severe and highly contagious problem that I'm sure won't go away until May 4.
Late-night comment was out of line
By Chelsea Fiddyment | Apr. 2, 2008I don't watch much television, especially late-night shows. Conan, Letterman, the whole bunch - I just don't find them funny. But worse than all the others, in my mind, is Jay Leno. Though I shiver at the thought, I could sit through a Fall Out Boy concert in its entirety before I could do the same for "The Tonight Show." To top it off, Leno is so lacking in wit that his only apparent back-up is bigotry.
Taxpayer money bails out corporations
Apr. 1, 2008The failure of government to properly regulate the economy has directly lead to the subprime mortgage mess that is now the proverbial millstone hanging around the neck of the nation's economy, threatening to plunge us into a Great Depression redux.
Diversity, obscure classes offer value
By GERALD LILES | Mar. 31, 2008About 30 years ago, the Sabine tribe of Mount Elgon in Uganda was approached by the country's government. They were asking if the Sabine could move outside of the new boundaries of the national park. It was a little surprising, as the Ugandan officials were the first human beings they had ever seen other than themselves. The tribe had been isolated so long they literally thought they were the only people on the planet.
Homeless crimes relevant to debate
By Ed Braddy | Mar. 31, 2008They say "ignorance is bliss," but I had no idea it was the Alligator's editorial policy. In criticizing my records request for criminal activity involving the homeless in the March 26 editorial, the editors suggest citizens are better served by the absence of information. I know the Alligator's readership consists primarily of young men and women with high cognitive abilities who are sharpening their reasoning skills through rigorous course work. Alligator editorials, by contrast, serve as intellectual "Spring Break."
UF markets misleading campus image
By VINCENT MASSARO | Mar. 30, 2008I heart advertising. To name a few of my favorites: billboards, online pop-ups, subliminal messages.
Science of love reveals some truths
By CARLY HALLAM | Mar. 27, 2008Since it's officially spring and love is in the air, I've started researching the "science" behind romance. While this information is worth sharing, it cannot begin to explain a concept more complex than the human eye and more confusing than the movie "Vanilla Sky."
Cosmetic surgery not worth risks
Mar. 26, 2008What would you be willing to risk for a slimmer nose? A bustier chest?
For Democrats to have a chance, Clinton must drop out now
By DANIEL TIPPIN | Mar. 26, 2008Last Friday, Gov. Bill Richardson of New Mexico endorsed Sen. Barack Obama for the Democratic Party presidential nomination.
Executive order tries to shield history
Mar. 25, 2008It has been said that the winners write the history books. If Executive Order 13233 isn't repealed, the mediocre and incompetent will get their chance.
Bush administration's original intentions for Iraq were noble
By MATTHEW YOUNG | Mar. 24, 2008It is fair to say that nothing in Iraq has gone as the United States planned or intended, but the war was hardly built on lies or oil. Mistakes were made, and the Bush administration is to blame, but its plan was bold and its intentions were noble.
Statistics do not reveal the whole story
By GERALD LILES | Mar. 24, 2008Thomas Mortenson, senior scholar at the Pell Institute for the Study of Opportunity in Higher Education, raised the alarm in gender bias across campuses recently.
Number of deaths is the real offense
By VINCENT MASSARO | Mar. 23, 2008The war in Iraq is completely f-ing absurd. Four short of 4,000 Americans have died - f-ing horrible. This war is f-ing useless.
Library parking needs to be changed
Mar. 19, 2008It's the first day of spring. Birds are chirping, the sun is shining and your car is being towed from the side of Library West.
Guns don't belong on campuses
By Elaine DeIorio | Mar. 18, 2008You think colleges should allow students to carry guns on campus? Are you crazy?" I hear the familiar arguments once again. Terrible and tragic images flow in this steady stream of pure verbal disbelief - images of a student irritated with his English test grade pulling a gun on his teacher or images of a student opening fire in a crowded auditorium of students peacefully taking an exam.
Five years later: It's time to leave Iraq
Mar. 18, 2008Exactly five years ago, President Bush addressed the nation to announce the commencement of Operation Iraqi Freedom, a nifty euphemism for new American imperialism.
Primary responsibility goes to voters
By GERALD LILES | Mar. 17, 2008It is official: Democrats who voted in Florida's January 29 primary were pretty much wasting their time. On the bright side, no one is required to return that "I Voted" sticker.
New Russian president is not a puppet for Putin's agenda
By Mark Bondarenko | Mar. 17, 2008Vladimir Putin, named "Person of the Year" by Time magazine and the man who changed Western nations' perceptions about his home country, is no longer the president of the Russian Federation.
DNC should pay for Florida re-vote
By VINCENT MASSARO | Mar. 16, 2008I'm not an expert on election-year politics, nor have I ever wanted to play one on TV. (Have you ever seen any of those guys?)