Opinion | Columns - The Independent Florida Alligator

OPINION | COLUMNS

Opinion: No stone unturned in a war of ideas

July 18, 2016

“The manner in which burning is executed is as follows: He who had been thus condemned was lowered into dung up to his armpits, then a hard cloth was placed within a soft one, wound round his neck, and the two loose ends pulled in opposite directions, forcing him to open his mouth. A wick was then lit, and thrown into his mouth, so that it descended into his body and burnt his bowels.”

OPINION | COLUMNS

Opinion: On SG and Aramark’s expansion of Chick-fil-A

July 18, 2016

On Friday, July 15, UF Student Government released a video via Facebook enthusiastically announcing an upcoming expansion to the Hub’s Chick-fil-A location. Under a cheery guise of “Moving Gators Forward,” SG seemed excited about the new breakfast options. As stated in the video’s caption, “Starting next year, UF students can finally ask, ‘Chick-n-Minis or Chicken Biscuit?’”

OPINION | COLUMNS

Column: Avoiding financial blues this summer

July 18, 2016

Avoiding the financial summertime blues

OPINION | COLUMNS

Opinion: What story do NBA contracts tell children?

July 13, 2016

We are about to hit the apex of the Summer semester. That means a lot of studying and stress the further we dwell into July. Of course, for any males in decent shape and more than 6 feet tall, there is a tempting alternative to compete with countless of hours of studying. They could drop their books right now, head to the gym and start practicing their jump shots. The NBA is calling their names.

OPINION | COLUMNS

Review: Toot thumbs up for a flatulent film about what it means to be human

July 13, 2016

“Swiss Army Man” is a multipurpose movie, meaning something different to each viewer. To me, it was a message about not wasting your life by living in fear. To my mom, it was a message about the importance of speaking up. And to my dad, it was a suggestion to let out his farts more frequently.

OPINION | COLUMNS

Opinion: Commercial fireworks should be banned

July 11, 2016

China may have invented fireworks more than 2,000 years ago, but fireworks have been linked to America since the birth of this country. In a letter to Abigail Adams on July 3, 1776, John Adams wrote that the signing of the Declaration of Independence should be celebrated with “... Bells, Bonfires and Illuminations from one End of this Continent to the other from this Time forward forever more.” While fireworks were once championed by a future president and first lady, they are now advocated by Joe Dirts with butane lighters.

OPINION | COLUMNS

Opinion: Hold fast to optimism, even when you experience tragedy

July 11, 2016

To those of you who are not familiar with Bob Ross, stop reading this column and immediately turn on your computer and watch one episode of “Beauty is Everywhere” on Netflix.

OPINION | COLUMNS

Opinion: On kindness, Cleveland sports and the LSAT

July 4, 2016

For the last six months, I have been studying intensively for the LSAT, or the Law School Admission Test. Between logic classes, practice exams and nightly research on what fields other than law in which a philosophy major can find a career, I found refuge where I had always found it: Cleveland sports. My family is from Cleveland. Whenever I would go there, my uncle and I would go to various sporting events. Some of my most cherished memories include watching the Cleveland Indians lose, watching the Cavaliers lose and watching the Browns lose.

OPINION | COLUMNS

Opinion: Menstrual cups are affordable, sustainable alternatives to pads, tampons

July 4, 2016

You do what? Isn't it bloody? How do you clean it?

OPINION | COLUMNS

Opinion: Navigating the wolf’s den of undergrad life

June 29, 2016

Nestled in the evergreen woods of Franconia Notch State Park, New Hampshire, past the visitor’s center and the uphill boardwalk through The Flume, is an attraction known as “Wolf’s Den.” The narrow climbing space drops about 10 degrees cooler compared to the outside air, as it is enclosed by damp boulders and infrequently exposed to the sun. As my family and I, vacationing near these woods, walked toward the den, at least three other families turned back. Whatever we were approaching would surely be arduous or frightening enough to make them turn around, we thought. But we persevered.

OPINION | COLUMNS

Opinion: Americans aren't ready, Soccer will not be popular in the US anytime soon

June 29, 2016

Since June has become the month of soccer for Europe and the Americas, many have dusted off their national flag sweatsuits and vuvuzelas. However, for U.S. fans, it’s difficult to start parading around with American flag capes. The U.S. needs better players, and to get them, Americans have to play soccer.

OPINION | COLUMNS

Opinion: The Jungle, We got the fun... and some games

June 27, 2016

Hello my dearest readers. To everybody returning to Gainesville, let me be the first to welcome you back to our humble home. To all of the freshmen who just graduated from high school, don’t worry; the worst (the move-in process with crying mothers, silent fathers and impatient siblings) is behind you. Allow me to introduce myself. My name is Zach, but you can call me Zachary. I write a weekly op-ed column here in your soon-to-be most favorite newspaper, The Independent Florida Alligator. Congratulations on beginning your collegiate journey by joining us in the wonderful, religiously drunken pilgrimage that is Summer B.

OPINION | COLUMNS

Opinion: Was the Brexit worth it? As with most questions, the answer is probably no

June 27, 2016

The United Kingdom’s referendum to leave the European Union, or the “Brexit,” as it has been affectionately called, has been a long time coming with strangely not a lot of attention throughout the world until it happened.

OPINION | COLUMNS

UF President Kent Fuchs: "Love and be kind to one another"

June 27, 2016

Universities don’t teach the one concept most important in our world and in our personal lives.

OPINION | COLUMNS

Opinoin: Fathers are underrated

June 18, 2016

I wouldn’t be the person I am today without my father. Countless studies over the past decade point to the fact that the possibilities for my future improved tremendously because my dad was simply there for me during my childhood. Parents determine the destiny of their children in the years when kids try to make a sense of this world. Fathers traditionally play half the role in parenting, but their role is often underrated.

OPINION | COLUMNS

Opinion: What is this tragedy befalling us all?

June 15, 2016

There is a Swahili proverb: “The world is a field of chaos.” With my eyes I see it is so, and with all my heart I wish it wasn’t the case.

OPINION | COLUMNS

Guest Column: New administration, new developments and exciting things to come

June 15, 2016

Hey Gator Nation!

OPINION | COLUMNS

Guest Column: Be wary of instant approval credit

June 13, 2016

Let’s be honest, getting offers for free or discounted things online or in the mail can be pretty exciting. As you move forward in your financial life, you will start to get more and more offers for things like new cars, insurance options and instant approval credit card offers. Most of these offers are easy to disregard, as they include major financial decisions you have to make when the time is right for you.

OPINION | COLUMNS

Opinion: Gun reform still largely out of reach

June 13, 2016

Sunday morning Orlando became the center of another massive shooting, something that seems to have become an occupational hazard of American life. While the details are still coming in about the deaths and injuries, and the whole story is not yet clear, a couple things are.

OPINION | COLUMNS

Opinon: No one is above the law, except Brock Turner

June 13, 2016

Wow, has it really been a week since our last talk? I feel like so much has happened! I don’t know if 650 words are going to be enough to express my discontent with three latest controversies: the gorilla, the rapist and the two hair-dyed blondes that could possibly be president.