Opinion | Columns - The Independent Florida Alligator

OPINION | COLUMNS

Diversity, obscure classes offer value

By GERALD LILES | Mar. 31, 2008

About 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.

OPINION | COLUMNS

Homeless crimes relevant to debate

By Ed Braddy | Mar. 31, 2008

They 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."

OPINION | COLUMNS

UF markets misleading campus image

By VINCENT MASSARO | Mar. 30, 2008

I heart advertising. To name a few of my favorites: billboards, online pop-ups, subliminal messages.

OPINION | COLUMNS

Science of love reveals some truths

By CARLY HALLAM | Mar. 27, 2008

Since 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."

OPINION | COLUMNS

Cosmetic surgery not worth risks

Mar. 26, 2008

What would you be willing to risk for a slimmer nose? A bustier chest?

OPINION | COLUMNS

For Democrats to have a chance, Clinton must drop out now

By DANIEL TIPPIN | Mar. 26, 2008

Last Friday, Gov. Bill Richardson of New Mexico endorsed Sen. Barack Obama for the Democratic Party presidential nomination.

OPINION | COLUMNS

Executive order tries to shield history

Mar. 25, 2008

It 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 If Executive Order 13233 isn't repealed, the mediocre and incompetent will get their chance.

OPINION | COLUMNS

Bush administration's original intentions for Iraq were noble

By MATTHEW YOUNG | Mar. 24, 2008

It 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.

OPINION | COLUMNS

Statistics do not reveal the whole story

By GERALD LILES | Mar. 24, 2008

Thomas Mortenson, senior scholar at the Pell Institute for the Study of Opportunity in Higher Education, raised the alarm in gender bias across campuses recently.

OPINION | COLUMNS

Number of deaths is the real offense

By VINCENT MASSARO | Mar. 23, 2008

The 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.

OPINION | COLUMNS

Library parking needs to be changed

Mar. 19, 2008

It'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.

OPINION | COLUMNS

Guns don't belong on campuses

By Elaine DeIorio | Mar. 18, 2008

You 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.

OPINION | COLUMNS

Five years later: It's time to leave Iraq

Mar. 18, 2008

Exactly five years ago, President Bush addressed the nation to announce the commencement of Operation Iraqi Freedom, a nifty euphemism for new American imperialism.

OPINION | COLUMNS

Primary responsibility goes to voters

By GERALD LILES | Mar. 17, 2008

It 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.

OPINION | COLUMNS

New Russian president is not a puppet for Putin's agenda

By Mark Bondarenko | Mar. 17, 2008

Vladimir 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.

OPINION | COLUMNS

DNC should pay for Florida re-vote

By VINCENT MASSARO | Mar. 16, 2008

I'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?)

OPINION | COLUMNS

High-tech dating leaves out the fun

By CARLY HALLAM | Mar. 6, 2008

The record album, the horse-drawn carriage, the abacus, the establishment of dating - that's just a short list of some things that have become obsolete. And here is a list what replaced them: the compact disc, the automobile, the calculator, high-tech dating.

OPINION | COLUMNS

New housing out of reach for students

Mar. 5, 2008

A nice, traffic-congested drive down Archer Road will reveal to you a beautiful new apartment complex called The Bartram, which boasts lavish, "green" living.

OPINION | COLUMNS

Puppy video brings up bigger issue

By Don Kershaw | Mar. 4, 2008

By the time the average reader views this article, most will have seen the supposed video of a member of the United States military throwing puppy off of a cliff in Iraq.

OPINION | COLUMNS

Marine should be dishonorably discharged

By SHIVANI PATEL | Mar. 4, 2008

The actions of the U.S. Marine shown throwing a puppy off a cliff in an Internet video are shameful and denounced by the Animal Activists of Alachua. That a person could take pleasure in the abuse and suffering of an innocent animal is appalling and cannot be justified. Animal cruelty is a felony in many states, and the Marine should be dishonorably discharged and serve prison time if the video is depicting reality. He should not be shown leniency in this matter based on the fact that he is a Marine. In fact, members of the military should be held to a higher standard.